Talk about the odds stacked against someone!

We’re on New Japan Road again, and Taichi wants his KOPW Championship back! But can he get it back when Yoshinobu Kanemaru is the guest referee?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Boltin Oleg, Oskar Leube & Yuto Nakashima; Makabe, Kojima & Tenzan win.
• Master Wato & Toru Yano VS Taiji Ishimori & Gedo; Wato & Yano win.
• Six Man Tag: Chaos VS The United Empire; Chaos wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Tiger Mask, Shota Umino, Minoru Suzuki & Yuji Nagata; Tiger Mask, Shota, Suzuki & Nagata win.
• 8 Man Tag: Just5Guys VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
• NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii VS Tomoaki Honma, Ryusuke Taguchi & Ren Narita; Okada, Tanahashi & Ishii win and retain the titles.
• KOPW Championship, Special Guest Referee Yoshinobu Kanemaru: SHO VS Taichi; Taichi wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii VS Tomoaki Honma, Ryusuke Taguchi & Ren Narita!

The Rainmaker, The Ace of the Universe and The Stone Pitbull may be the Dream Trio, but Yamagata is the home of Everyone’s Kokeshi! Will #Honmamania run wild alongside The Funky Weapon & Son of Strong Style? Or will they fail to take down the champs?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see how happy this homecoming can get!

The trios sort out and Okada starts against Honma. The fans rally up for the hometown hero as he circles with Okada. They stare down, approach, then tie up. Okada powers Honma to ropes, Red Shoes counts the break, and Okada lets off to then fire forearms! Fans boo as Okada TOSSES Honma out, but Honma is back in fast! Okada eggs him on, Honma RAMS shoulders! Okada stays up so Honma RAMS him again! Still Okada doesn’t budge, and he eggs Honma on again. Honma fires forearms, but Okada UPPERCUTS! Okada kicks low, CLUBS Honma then ROCKS him! Fans rally for Honma but Okada CLUBS him again.

Okada storms around, Honma CHOPS! And CHOP! And CHOPS! Okada ROCKS Honma back! Okada whips Honma to ropes but Honma holds on! Okada bails out of the dropkick but Honma runs him over! Okada bails out in frustration and walks it off. Honma waits for Okada to return, and the two reset. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and then go shoulder to shoulder in a test of strength! The fans cheer, the teammates coach, and the two are in a deadlock. Honma powers up but Okada kicks low! Okada wrenches to CLUB the arm, then he tags to Tanahashi. Honma backs away to tag in Narita.

Fans rally as the generational clash circles. They tie up, Narita wrenches an arm to a wristlock but Tanahashi wrenches again. Narita rolls, wrenches, hammerlocks then headlocks. Tanahashi pries at the hold but Narita holds tight. Tanahashi fights up to try again, and he wrenches out to a top wristlock! And then powers his way to a headlock! Narita puts Tanahashi on ropes, Red Shoes calls the break, but Tanahashi turns things around. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, and Tanahashi lets off, to throw a body shot! Fans boo as the champs are playing a little dirty, but Tanahashi whips. Narita NECKBREAKER DROPS!

Narita brings Tanahashi up, and intercepts the shotei with a low knee! Narita then whips Tanahashi to the corner, but Tanahashi BLASTS Honma & Taguchi! Narita runs in, but Tanahashi elbows him away! Tanahashi then goes up to CROSSBODY Narita down! Fans fire up and Tanahashi tags Ishii. Ishii and Tanahashi double whip Narita to ropes to then run him over with double shoulders! Fans rally as Ishii kicks Narita around. Narita rises up, Ishii throws forearms, but Narita grits his teeth. Narita throws forearms but Ishii leans into them! Ishii then DECKS Narita into the champs’ corner! Tag to Okada while fans rally up again.

Okada drags Narita up, scoops and SLAMS him, then goes to the apron to slingshot SENTON! Fans applaud while Okada paces. Okada pushes Narita to a cover, TWO! Okada taunts Honma while staying between him and Narita. Red Shoes has Honma and Taguchi stay put, but then he has to keep Ishii back. Honma storms in but Okada kicks low and throws him out! Okada then goes back to Narita to drag him up and bring him over. Tag to Tanahashi and they mug Narita. Tanahashi whips Narita to elbow him down! Then ELBOW DROP! Cover, Taguchi breaks it with a hip attack! Fans cheer while Tanahashi tags Ishii.

Ishii drags Narita up to SAIDO! Okada runs in to BLAST Taguchi and block Honma! Ishii covers, TWO! Fans fire up while Ishii eggs Narita on. Ishii kicks Narita around but the fans rally behind the Son of Strong Style. Ishii CHOPS Narita to a corner, CHOPS him again, and CHOPS him again! Narita eggs Ishii on so Ishii CHOPS again! Ishii whips corner to corner, runs in but Narita BOOTS back! Narita runs, into a forearm! Ishii whips, Narita reverses but Ishii comes back, into a WHEEL KICK! Fans rally up while both men are down! Hot tag to Taguchi! HIP ATTACK for Ishii! HIP ATTACK for Tanahashi! Okada runs in but Taguchi dodges!

Taguchi rebounds but Okada dodges the hip attack! Only for the HIP ATTACK to hit on the return! Fans fire up and Taguchi aims from a corner. Ishii stands, Taguchi runs in, HIP ATTACK! Taguchi keeps moving but Ishii follows to clothesline in the corner! Ishii keeps moving, btu Taguchi follows, HIP ATTACK! Taguchi keeps moving, but Ishii dodges. But then Taguchi dodges! HIP ATTACK! Fans fire up and so does Taguchi! Taguchi drags Ishii up, fans rally behind him, and Taguchi snap suplexes! Uno Amigo! And then another snap suplex, Dos Amigos! And then Ishii suplexes! Taguchi slips out but Ishii throws an elbow!

Ishii reels Taguchi in, but Taguchi hits THREE AMIGOS! Fans fire up, Taguchi covers, TWO! Ishii is still in this but Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style! “ORYA~!” Taguchi takes aim, but then Tanahashi dropkicks the butt! Okada BLASTS Honma, too! Okada drags Taguchi up, and feeds him to Tanahashi’s dropkick to the leg! Ishii adds a dropkick of his own, then Okada BOOTS Taguchi down! Ishii waits on Taguchi to stand back up, then he runs, into a HIP- NO, Ishii catches him in a waistlock! But Taguchi victory rolls free! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Honma SMACKS Okada off the apron while Ishii endures!

Fans fire up and Honma keeps Okada from getting in! Narita has Tanahashi, but Ishii crawls to ropes! Taguchi drags him back, so Ishii rolls! To steal OH MY GAH ANKLE! But Taguchi rolls to get it back!! Ishii flails, Narita and Honma keep Okada and Tanahashi out, but Ishii fights up. Taguchi chicken wings! Ishii fights the lift, standing switches, but Taguchi wrenches out, only for Ishii to ROCK him with a forearm! And HIP ATTACK! Ishii rebounds to run Taguchi over! Fans fire up again with both men down! Taguchi and Ishii stir, crawl for their corners, hot tag to Okada and he intercepts Taguchi!

Tanahashi joins in, Okada DECKS Honma for good measure, then RAMS him into railing! Okada scoop SLAMS Honma, then talks trash. Fans boo but Okada rejoins Tanahashi. They double whip Taguchi, then Okada runs in to ELBOW! Tanahashi runs in to forearm! Feed to the FLAPJACK! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and fans fire up. Okada eggs the fans on, he wants the heat! Okada drags Taguchi up, scoops and SLAMS him, then goes to the corner. Taguchi is up, Okada leaps over him! Taguchi runs in, but Okada catches the hip attack to a waistlock! But Taguchi fights the suplex! Okada UPPERCUTS, runs, but into the SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK!

Fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi crawls for his corner but so does Okada. Hot tag to Honma! Honma rallies on Okada, Okada fights the scoop to whip, but Honma reverses. Honma dodges the back elbow to scoop and SLAM! Fans fire up as Honma brings Okada up again, to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP again! Honma whips corner to corner, runs in and ELBOWS! Then he BULLDOGS Okada down! Fans fire up as Honma grins. Honma fires up and runs, but Okada BOOTS him down! Narita runs in, Okada blocks the boot to give to Tanahashi! DRAGON SCREW! Taguchi runs in, Okada feeds him to Tanahashi’s body shot!

Ishii gets in, GERMAN SUPLEX for Taguchi! The Dream Trio fires up now and Honma is all alone! Honma rises, Okada BOOTS! Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Ishii LARIATS! Then they get Honma up, TRIO DDT!! Cover, TWO?!? Honma survives and the fans fire up! Okada is annoyed but he drags Honma up. Ishii keeps Narita out, Tanahashi has Taguchi, and Okada gut wrenches. Honma fights free and he waistlocks. Okada throws elbows but Honma throws forearms! Fans rally, Okada UPPERCUTS and whips. Honma avoids the dropkick and Okada crashes down! SLIDING KOKESHI!! Fans are thunderous for that big hit!

Honma rises, Taguchi gets back in, as does Narita. Now Taguchi ENZIGURIS, Narita BOOTS, and Honma runs! FALLING KOKESHI!! Cover, TWO?!?! Okada survives but Honma fires up! Ishii and Narita brawl outside, Honma hauls Okada up. Okada fights the scoop, CLUBS free, then catches Honma to the MONEY CLIP!! Honma RAMS Okada into buckles! Honma runs back in, but into a BOOT! Okada runs, but into a LARIAT! Honma fires up again and he goes up top! Fans are thunderous but Okada’s up first! Okada ROCKS Honma, to then ROCKET LAUNCH him off the top! But Honma rises! And he fires forearms on Okada!

Honma runs, but into that DROPKICK! Okada hauls Honma up, ripcords, RAIN- KOKESHI!! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Honma and Okada stir, their teammates coach them up, and the two crawl. Hot tags to Tanahashi and Narita! Narita BOOTS Tanahashi down! Then Narita whips Tanahashi to a corner, to BACK ELBOW! And HALF HATCH BRIDGE! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi escapes, but Narita DECKS Ishii for good measure! Narita stands Tanahashi up, but Tanahashi fights the clinch. Narita trips Tanahashi, has the legs, then rolls Tanahashi into the TEXAS CLOVERHOLD!!

Fans fire up as Narita uses one of Tanahashi’s favorites against him! Tanahashi fights up, moves around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Narita lets off, drags Tanahashi up again, and he wraps Tanahashi in a COBRA TWIST! But Tanahashi fights free, they dosido and Tanahashi trips Narita, GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up as Tanahashi brings Narita up for fast hands! UPPERCUT, then a scoop and SLAM! Narita’s in the drop zone and Tanahashi goes up, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Narita is still in this but Tanahashi fires back up. Tanahashi runs, SLING- NO, Narita slips around to COBRA TWIST!

Fans fire up again as Tanahashi is caught! Tanahashi endures the stretch, fights his way over, and Taguchi has Ishii in OH MY GAH ANKLE! Narita shifts to a SLEEPER! Then back to COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi still fights his way around, but Narita thrashes him around! Tanahashi reaches out, but Narita shifts to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!! But Narita keeps on Tanahashi with the SLEEPER! Tanahashi fights up, but ends up in the COBRA TWIST again!! Someone is sent into railing! Okada gets in to CLUB Narita down! Narita gets up but Okada UPPERCUTS! Okada scoops, Narita slips out but Ishii has him!

Narita elbows free of the waistlock but Ishii ROCKS Narita into Okada’s scoop, LANDSLIDE! SLIDING LARIAT from Ishii! Tanahashi roars and rises up! Fans fire up as Narita slowly rises. Tanahashi runs, to SLINGBLADE! Cover, Taguchi breaks it! Fans fire up again, Ishii CLUBS Taguchi to TOSS him out! Tanahashi brings Narita up to full nelson but Narita fights that! So Tanahashi STRAITJACKET GERMANS! Bridging cover, TWO!! Narita escapes but Tanahashi fires back up! Tanahashi climbs a corner, to HIGH FLY FLOP!!! SLIDING HIP ATTACK!! Ishii runs in, Taguchi LARIATS him down!!

Okada runs in, Taguchi sends him into the KOKESHI!! The fans are thunderous for Taguchi and Honma, and they shout to Narita. Tanahashi SHOTEIS Taguchi, SHOTEIS Honma, but Narita BOOTS him! Tanahashi SHOTEIS in return! Narita ENZIGURIS in return! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS! Tanahashi is down, Honma hurries to the top rope!! Taguchi & Narita hold Tanahashi down for the DIVING KOKESHI!!! Narita hauls Tanahashi up to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO?!?!? Tanahashi escapes and Narita is furious! Narita roars, the fans are with him, and he drags Tanahashi back up to try again! DOUBLE WRIST ARM-SAULT!

But that’s not all! Narita reels Tanahashi in, but Tanahashi CRADLE COUNTERS!! Cover, THE DREAM TRIO WINS!!

Winners: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

Narita can’t believe he got caught like that! He argues with Red Shoes but Red Shoes says that count was fair. The homecoming doesn’t have a happy ending, but will Honma, Taguchi & Narita consider trying again some day? And as close as this one came, will Okada, Tanahashi & Ishii have to be more careful not to take their opponents easy?

KOPW Championship, Special Guest Referee Yoshinobu Kanemaru: SHO VS Taichi w/ Just5Guys!

The House of Torture stole this title from the Holy Emperor, and somehow rigged the fan poll to get their way in this match! But even with the Heel Master as the referee, will Taichi serve up justice? Or will the Murder Machine win with another stacked deck?

Referee Kanemaru makes his way out first, and the “special” stipulations are then listed. Firstly, no one can use signature moves, meaning for Taichi can’t use the Black Mephisto, Tensho Jujiho, Dangerous Backdrop saido, or anything sumo related, while Sho can’t use the Shooting Star Press, the Phoenix Splash, the Double Moonsault Press, or anything Russian Sambo related, though no one remembers when he used those. Secondly, the loser can NEVER wrestler in Yamagata again! And in the end, if Sho still loses with all this in his favor, the fans must still show him praise for even being here! Will Sho even be able to stand up with that massive ego of his weighing him down?

Sho gets the mic to talk a lot of trash on Yamagata, and to remind them that one way or another, they will thank him for being their champ, and that they should say goodbye to Taichi in his last Yamagata match ever. Kanemaru does his checks, barely trying with Sho but being extra suspicious of Taichi and J5G. The farce aside, the introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the Murder Machine plays fair!

The bell rings and fans rally up for Taichi. Taichi and Sho circle, Sho egging Taichi on. Taichi and Sho circle some more, Taichi rightfully wary of the House of Torture. The two tie up, they go to ropes and Kanemaru quickly calls for the break. The count is fast, too! Taichi lets off in time, Kanemaru tells J5G to back down but they’re not doing anything, and this lets Sho have Taichi on the ropes for far too long! Taichi turns things around and now Kanemaru sees! Kanemaru counts, pulls Taichi away by his hair, and Taichi gets mad! Taichi glares at his former friend, and Sho CHOKES Taichi to the ropes! Kanemaru is more concerned with Taka!

Sho TOSSES Taichi out, the House stomps away, but of course Kanemaru doesn’t care. Sho goes out to whip Taichi into railing, then he slides inside. Kanemaru starts a fast ring count! Fans boo and J5G complain, because we’re already at 10 of 20 at about double time! Taichi gets in at what Kanemaru calls 15, Sho covers, and yes this count is fast! TWO!! Taichi barely makes it and fans boo again. Kanemaru argues with J5G like there’s nothing wrong, and Sho CHOKES Taichi! Sho drags Taichi up, CLUBS Taichi, and has him on ropes again. Sho whips, Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! Cover, but Kanemaru takes his time checking!

Kanemaru finally counts, but that’s slow! “TWO,” and Sho is out! Fans boo but what did anyone expect with this? Taichi is annoyed, but he snapmares Sho to KICK him in the back! Taichi stands Sho up, TOSSES him out, then goes out after Sho. Taichi kicks Sho, whips him, and Sho hits railing hard! Fans cheer while Taichi drags Sho up to whip him hard into more railing! Sho falls in a heap then writhes, and then Sho crawls away into the crowd! Taichi waits as Kanemaru brings the ring count back, but it’s so slow! “Two” could’ve been more like five! Taichi is furious but Sho is taking his sweet time walking off the pain.

Kanemaru finally gets to 5 of 20 as Sho makes his way back around to the stage. Taichi gets frustrated so he storms out after Sho! Taichi kicks and CLUBS Sho, KICKS him, but Kanemaru is forced to keep the same pace so as not to cost Sho. Taichi brings Sho back at “ten” and puts him in. Fans cheer and Taichi covers, but yeah, the count’s slow! Taichi just gives up at “one” and he stalks Sho to a corner. Taichi stomps away on Sho, kicks him around, then stands him up. Sho claws the eyes! Kanemaru stays quiet, and then moves as Sho whips Taichi to a corner! Surprise, the buckle pad goes with Kanemaru so Taichi hits bare steel!

Fans boo while Sho stomps Taichi and kicks him out. And that means the House attacks! Dick stomps, and Evil has a leather strap to LASH Taichi! Oh, right, Evil wanted this to be a leather strap lumberjack match. Evil LASHES Taichi more, then Sho goes out to fetch Taichi. Sho brings Taichi into the crowd and all the way to the back rows, to BOWL him into chairs! The slow ring count returns as Sho CHOKES Taichi with a chair! Sho lets off, leaves Taichi behind, and guess what? The count speeds up! Taichi hurries up at “ten” and runs his way back to ringside! The gates get in the way, but he still gets in at “17!”

Fans cheer and Kanemaru is confused how that didn’t work! Sho stomps Taichi, drags him up, and the fans rally. Taichi is dead weight so Sho drops him. Sho tries again, cravats, and snapmares to then say he’s gonna go up top! He’s calling for his Phoenix Splash? Kanemaru reminds him he “banned” that move. Oh, right, so instead, Sho twists the wrist and whips Taichi into the bare buckles! Taichi writhes, Sho clamps on a chinlock and he digs the knee in. Taichi endures, Kanemaru keeps asking him if he’s quitting but Taichi says no! ROPEBREAK, but Kanemaru kicks his foot away!? J5G protests but Kanemaru says he’s the ref, he says what’s what!

Taichi gets a ROPEBREAK with both feet this time, and Kanemaru again slow counts for Sho. Sho “panics” and lets off at 4.5. Taichi sputters but Sho gives him toying kicks. Fans boo but Sho taunts Taichi. Taichi gets mad as Sho gives him more mocking kicks. Taichi CHOPS! Fans fire up for that one! Sho eggs Taichi on, so Taichi CHOPS him again! Sho comes back for more, so Taichi CHOPS! Sho claws Taichi’s eyes! Taichi CHOKES Sho! Kanemaru counts fast, and Sho kicks low! Sho whips Taichi to a padded corner, runs in but gets the GAMANGIRI! Fans fire up as both men fall! Kanemaru checks Sho while J5G coaches Taichi.

Taichi rises first, then he gives Sho some Kawada Kicks! Sho goes to a corner, Taichi runs in to BOOT! Fans cheer and Taichi brings Sho around to AX- NO, Sho gets around to waistlock! Taichi fights the German Suplex to PELE! Fans fire up and Taichi drags Sho up. Taichi reels Sho in, but Sho fights the lift! Sho bends fingers, Kanemaru ignores that, but Taichi kicks low! And SOBATS! And BUZZSAWS! Fans fire up as the PANTS COME OFF! Taichi aims from the corner, but Kanemaru tells him to stop! Tensho is on the banned list! But then Sho SPEARS Taichi down! Cover, TWO!!! Taichi survives the fast count more than the tackle!

Sho stands back up, he drags Taichi around with a knuckle lock then he wrenches. Sho brings Taichi down to kick, KIJCK and SUPER- NO, Taichi blocks that! But then Sho claws Taichi’s face! Sho runs, LARIATS, but Taichi stays up! Fans fire up while Sho panics. Sho runs again, to LARIAT! Taichi GAMANGIRIS again! Fans fire up as Taichi rises and he reels Sho in! SEITEI JUJIHO! Kanemaru panics, and tries to get Sho out of the hold! Taichi holds on, Sho taps, but Kanemaru ignores it!! Sho isn’t losing the title but he is still suffering! This is kinda double-edged here! J5G protests, and Taichi throws Sho down since it’s no use!

Taichi argues with Kanemaru, grabs him by the collar, but has to let go. Kanemaru is still the ref, after all. But then Kanemaru waves the House in and they CLOBBER Taichi and J5G! Fans boo but there’s nothing they can do! The House whips Taichi into the corner, then Dick runs in to ELBOW! Yujiro BOOTS! Evil clotheslines! Snapmare and then the House sets Taichi up! DICK CHOP! Fans rally for Taichi while Sho grins and looms over him. Sho aims his bow, drags Taichi up, and reels him in! Sho tucks the arms, this move wasn’t banned! But Taichi fights Shock Arrow to Alabama Lift! But Kanemaru stops Black Mephisto, that was banned!

Sho has the arms again, but Taichi fights free with a back drop! Fans fire up and Taichi goes to a corner. Sho goes to a corner, runs in, but Taichi sends him into bare buckles! GEDO CLUTCH! Kanemaru stops himself after two!! Fans boo, this is one trick too far! Taichi is furious, but Kanemaru dares him to throw a punch! Sho has the Murder Tool! Sho runs in, but Taichi dodges! DANGER- NO, Taichi stops himself because the saido was banned! Sho throws a body shot, then stand Taichi up. Dick aims, POCKET SAND HITS SHO as Taichi ducks!! Taichi BOOTS Dick, so Kanemaru kicks Taichi! Kanemaru sets Taichi up, but Taichi turns it around, Sho hits Kanemaru!!

Sho celebrates but he’s so blinded by the powder, he doesn’t realize what happened! When he does, he panics! And he turns around into AX BOMBER! But then the House attacks again! They CLOBBER Taichi, knock J5G down, and then hurry to get their goodies! Yujiro has his cane! Fans boo as Evil stands Taichi up, PIMP CANE SHOT!! Evil grins as he and Dick coordinate now, and they haul Taichi up for MAGIC KILLER!! Fans boo as Dick helps Sho cover Taichi, and Evil is the ref!? TWO!!! Taichi still survives and that shocks the House! Evil gets Taichi up, but Sanada DROPKICKS Evil down! Yuya DROPKICKS Dick down!

Douki gets in, he builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit on Dick and Evil! Fans fire up and Taka runs in. Yujiro CLOBBERS Taka, but Taichi hits TENSHO JUJIHO!! The ref is down, so the ban list is ineffective! The fans fire up for Taichi as he eggs Sho on. Sho panics as he has no back-up and no Murder Tool! So he goes for Kanemaru’s whiskey bottle! Taichi drags him back, but Sho claws the eyes! Sho runs, but into a BOOT! Sho tries again, Taichi ROCKS him, and BLINDSIDE AX BOMBERS, into the GAMANGIRI! Fans are thunderous and Taichi roars! RED SHOES is here! Taichi gets Sho up, for the LAST RIDE!! Cover, TAICHI WINS!!

Winner: Taichi, by pinfall (NEW KOPW Champion)

The House’s rules weren’t enough to screw over the Holy Emperor, he is once again holder of that sky blue belt! Will the House have to accept cheaters never truly prosper?

As for Taichi, fans cheer him on as he gets the mic. After catching his breath, Taichi says that no matter how you look at it, there wasn’t much of a chance for him to win today with such unfair rules. But still, it was on Sho for making those rules, and he still lost! The fans cheer that! Taichi apologizes if he worried anyone, but thanks to the people’s support, he has the KOPW Championship back! The fans also cheer that! Taichi thanks his team, and says that while he has this title know, he isn’t sure of his chances ending the year with it. There’s still time left, and so… Taichi calls out Kanemaru! They’re going to settle this between them! Fans like that, too!

Taichi says whatever the rules end up being, he’s going to give Kanemaru a proper beating before the year is over. Taichi then brings up that rule about the loser having to bow his head and see the fans out properly. Sho ran away, of course, so there goes that. The House can’t even fulfill their own promises. But Taichi says that what the House refused to do, J5G will do! They’ll even go to people’s houses to deliver things! One by one, they’ll take care of their fans. And as for Taichi, he’ll let “Sanayan” and Taka wrap this up. Sanada says he has an “important announcement” for Yamagata. Please welcome their new member, Yuya Uemura.

The fans cheer the Heat Storm and Sanada says that is all. He then hands the mic to Taka to properly close this. Taka says that the KOPW Championship is back where it should be, and from now on, and even next year, too, the ones who run NJPW, the ones who will change the landscape of pro-wrestling, will be them! JUST! FIVE! GUYS! Yamagata cheers as all is right with the world, but will the Holy Emperor still be the King of Pro-Wrestling for the rest of 2023? Or will leaving the door open to the Heel Master come back to haunt him?

My Thoughts:

Good stuff for New Japan Road, though I did skip most of this. LIJ losing was a bit of a surprise, but maybe they’re setting up something between Shota Umino and Yota Tsuji as two of the Reiwa Three Musketeers. The NEVER Openweight Six Man title match was awesome stuff, probably the best showing from the challengers to this point. A little surprised Okada is still holding onto these titles, and he’s not going to be defending them at WrestleKingdom with his match against Bryan Danielson. Maybe they’ll come up with a team that can take these titles off the Dream Trio in the New Year.

And great KOPW Championship match and it was hilarious how biased things were from Kanemaru. I was pleasantly surprised that Taichi won, but it was clever to have it happen because Kanemaru went down and a fair ref replaced him. Taichi VS Kanemaru for something in December is going to be great stuff, who knows how that goes, but then the title is reset for 2024 so it’d be a shame if Taichi doesn’t get to finish the year out with his name as “the official” 2023 KOPW Champion.

My Score: 8.7/10