There’s so much on the line in Osaka!

Whether it’s the IWGP United States or United Kingdom Championship, Will Ospreay gives Shota Umino one last chance to take it from him! Will the Aerial Assassin deny the Roughneck once again? Or is this finally Shota’s time?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Frontier Zone: Ryusuke Taguchi, The DKC & Boltin Oleg VS Mochizuki Jr, Yoshiki Kato & Strong Machine J;  Taguchi, DKC & Oleg win.
• Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman VS Oskar Leube & Yuto Nakashima; Cobb & Newman win.
• Fatal 4 Way Tag: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Master Wato & El Desperado VS YOH & MUSASHI VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita; Wato & Desperado win.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Tama Tonga & Intergalactic Jet Setters; Tama & Jet Setters win.
• SANADA & Yuya Uemura VS Tetsuya Naito & Yota Tsuji; Naito & Tsuji win.
• Tanga Loa VS David Finlay; Finlay wins.
• Great-O-Khan VS Jon Moxley; Double Count-Out Draw.
• Falls Count Anywhere: Great-O-Khan VS Jon Moxley; Moxley wins.
• NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii VS TMDK; Okada, Tanahashi & Ishii win and retain the titles.
• 2023 Super Junior Tag League Finals: Catch 2/2 VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Catch 2/2 wins and will challenge for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi VS Taiji Ishimori; Hiromu wins and retains the title.
• IWGP United States/United Kingdom Championship: Will Ospreay VS Shota Umino; Ospreay wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Fatal 4 Way Tag: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Master Wato & El Desperado VS YOH & MUSASHI VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita!

The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions are not in the tournament finals, and now they’re having to face three teams at once! The titles aren’t on the line, but will they end up owing a golden ticket? Or will someone catch a stray from the Full Clip?

This Fatal 4 is gonna be tornado, so the War Dogs attack first! They hit everybody else, then focus on TMDK. The bell rings, Drilla TOSSES Fujita, and fans boo as he says “SUCK IT!” DespeWato stomp Fujita while the War Dogs double whip Eagles to a corner. Eagles dodges Drilla to RANA Connors, then he SOBATS Drilla! Desperado gives Connors some stomps while Eagles runs, but Drilla picks Eagles up! And pops him around into DRILLA- NO! Eagles lands out of Killa like he did last time! And steps through, but Drilla kicks him away. Eagles comes back, schoolboy bridge, DespeWato AND #MUSAKO break it!

DespeWato hit MUSAKO first, then have them in corners. They whip, Musako dosido, but DespeWato dodge. Desperado rushes Musashi and Wato rushes Yoh, but now Musako dodges to STEREO BACK ELBOW! Then Musako wrench and knuckle lock, and the fans fire up as they climb! Stereo Shinobi Walk! The War Dogs are back, but TMDK intercept! Musako hit Old School in stereo on DespeWato, and then TMDK CHOP the War Dogs! Now TMDK goes up, and they stereo Shinobi Walk! But they get tripped up by the War Dogs! TMDK falls out, Connors gets Yoh with a POWERSLAM! Drilla SPINEBUSTERS and DOUBLE STOMPS Musashi!

Desperado runs in, into Drilla’s POWERSLAM! Wato runs in, into Connors’ SPINEBUSTER and DOUBLE STOMPS! The Abunai Gaijin trade moves, then they stomp DespeWato. Drilla BLASTS Eagles off the apron to be sure. War Dogs double snap suplex Wato, Connors covers, TWO! Fans rally but Drilla stomps Wato around. The War Dogs mug Wato, egg him on, and Wato CHOPS Drilla! Drilla CHOPS back! Connors ROCKS Wato, CHOPS him in a corner, and Drilla bumps Wato off buckles. Drilla CHOPS Wato, Connors eggs Wato on. Wato fires forearms, but Drilla CHOPS him! Ripcord, but Wato KICKS in return!

Wato fires off forearms on Connors, runs, but Connors SPEARS! Drilla BLASTS Desperado off the apron! The War Dogs lock ‘n’ load and aim at Wato, but Wato moves! They run into each other! Musako is back to STEREO SUPERKICK! And STEREO FALCON ARROW! Fans fire up as Musako drags Wato up. Yoh suplexes, but Wato slips free to shove him into Msuashi! Wato then DROPKICKS Yoh down! Fans fire up, Wato rises and he sees the others grouping outside. Wato FLIES onto Yoh and the War Dogs! Fans fire up again, and Desperado is in to SPEAR Musashi! Desperado drags Musashi up to hit a BIG back suplex! Cover, TMDK breaks it!

Fujita traps Desperado in a corner while Eagles hits Musashi with TURBO BACKPACK! And then the RON MILLER SPECIAL! Musashi endures, but Desperado powers past Fujita. Fujita reels Desperado back in for a KIMURA! Musashi crawls, but Eagles drags him back! Desperado endures, reaches for ropes, but Fujita rolls him away! But Desperado uses that to get around and wrangle Fujita in EL ES CULERO! DESPEWATO WINS!!

Winners: Master Wato & El Desperado, by pinfall

Eagles can’t believe it! The Rogue Luchador sniped the Sniper of the Skies! And he just kinda barely fist bumps Wato. The odd couple is sticking together, will they eventually prove worthy of the tag titles?

Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman VS Jon Moxley!

The Dominator got this match in return for Will Ospreay giving Shota Umino the title shot tonight. But will Khan regret getting what he wished for? Or can he find a way to bring down the Maniac?

Just as Moxley finishes his entrance, Khan dumps him out of the ring! Fans boo and the bell rings, and Khan goes after Moxley to whip him into railing! And then into more railing! Khan then runs in, to BOOT Moxley over the railing! Fans rally up as Khan hops the railing to fire off on Moxley! The ring count starts as they go further into the crowd, and the forearms start flying! Moxley sends Khan into railing! And then more railing! The ring count is 10 of 20 but the brawling keeps going! We hit 15, Moxley hurries back towards ringside but Khan CHOKES him with a shirt! Moxley hits Khan with a microphone! They spill into the English commentary area!

THE COUNT HITS 20!! THIS IS A DRAW!

Double Count-Out Draw

No one can believe it, and then the two keep brawling! Fans boo, they wanted a match, not a scrap! Now Khan and Moxley are throwing things at each other! Moxley wants a mic while fans want them to restart. Khan is tossing chairs into the ring!? And not even folding chairs! Moxley finds the mic he was using earlier, and shouts, “HEY! Listen here, Great-O-Khan. I am not leaving Japan without a piece of your ass! So you can call the cops, cuz I’m not gettin’ out of this ring, I’m not leaving, until I get my hands on you and we finish what we just started. I challenge you to Falls Count Anywhere, anywhere in Osaka!”

Fans fire up as the stakes are now raised! Khan storms his way up with railing and tries to hit Moxley! He RAMS Moxley into railing, and the bell rings on that new match!

Falls Count Anywhere: Great-O-Khan VS Jon Moxley!

Fans fire up as these two brawl again, into the deep part of the crowd! And now fans have to watch out as Moxley props railing up against railing. Khan waistlocks Moxley but Moxley throws elbows. Moxley brings Khan around, aims for the railing, but Khan fights back! Khan turns things around on Moxley, to snap suplex him through the railing! Fans fire up as Khan rises and goes back to ringside. Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out… a handcart!? Khan brings that cart back to where he left Moxley, then BOOTS Moxley back down! Khan then drags Moxley over to put him on the cart!

Fans fire up because this is Great-O-Khan, and this is the Moxley Cart Chair Mower! He takes out half a row and the fans fire up! Khan drags Moxley up, they go to another corner of the ringside area, and Khan throws chairs around to make room. But Moxley hits back! Moxley whips, but Khan reverses and Moxley is sent into the wall! Khan drags Moxley around, and wraps him up in floor mats! Then Khan goes and grabs up a LOT of the railing to drag it over. Khan takes this cluster and SLAMS it on Moxley! Cover, TWO! Moxley is still in this, a crimson mask forming on his face. Khan clears out more space for more carnage!

Khan drags Moxley up, scoops him, and SLAMS him onto chairs! Cover on the chairs, TWO! Fans fire up again while Khan is annoyed. Khan drags Moxley up, they move on to another area, and Moxley whips Khan through railing! Khan takes chairs with him! Moxley takes that piece of railing and CHUCKS it at Khan! And then he CHUCKS a chair at Khan! Moxley DECKS Khan and Khan flounders through the seats. Moxley drags Khan along and we’re not at the ramp. Moxley drags Khan along, Khan fights back, but they go up to the ramp. Moxley drags Khan up the ramp by his ponytail, and fireman’s carries!

Khan flails and fights free, to then torture rack Moxley! Khan aims for the seating below! But Moxley fights free! Khan kicks Moxley, underhooks, and BUTTERFLY SUPLEXES Moxley on the ramp! Cover, TWO!! Moxley is still in this but Khan is on him with the HEAD ‘N’ ARM TRIANGLE! Khan leans all his weight on Moxley while fans rally up! Moxley fights but Khan shifts his grip to squeeze tighter. Moxley still gets to his feet, and he CLAWS Khan’s face! But Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW! And he aims for the seats! Moxley slips fere, and he SHOVES Khan off the ramp! Khan lands on the Young Lions!

Fans fire up as Moxley has a wild look in his eyes. HE BRINGS OUT SCISSORS!! Fans can’t even but Moxley vows to take a piece of Khan home with him! Moxley stalks Khan, drags him up by his ponytail, and they continue on towards another corner of the arena! Young Lions move chairs and fans aside, and Moxley CUTS THE PONYTAIL! Fans can’t believe it! If Khan had 100 Yen for every time someone cut his ponytail, he’d have 200 Yen. Which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice. Khan realizes what happened, and he’s FURIOUS! He TACKLES Moxley and fires down fists! Then puts Moxley in an ARMBAR!!

Moxley flails, fights around, slips free and has Khan’s legs! FIGURE FOUR! Khan endures, fights around, powers free and traps Moxley’s arm for the headlock. But then Moxley powers out to get a headscissors and ARMBAR! Khan flails, clasps hands, powers out and wraps Moxley in a TRIANGLE HOLD! Moxley endures, even as Khan bends the fingers! But Moxley fights up and out, to have a HEEL HOOK! But Khan fights up and out to have a chinbar armlock, then a full nelson! They move around, Khan THRASHES Moxley while moving through the crowd! Khan lets Moxley go to push him along the way.

Moxley eggs Khan on, half his face covered in his own blood! They start throwing strikes, Khan KICKS Moxley’s legs out! Moxley gets up, shoots in, waistlocks, and then half nelsons to spin and snapmare, into HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! The BCC trademark! Moxley then covers, TWO!! Khan survives and the fans fire up! Moxley stands, hobbles around, and he goes back for Khan. Khan fights the underhooks to wrench and IRON CLAW! Moxley breaks free, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up! Khan LARIATS again, but Moxley stays up! They DOUBLE LARIAT again, and still both men stay up!

Khan goes to the wall, runs back in, but so does Moxley! DOUBLE LARIATS! Both men stagger around, Khan BOOTS Moxley! Then he uses a chair to jump off of, IRON SUPERMAN PUNCH!! Cover, TWO?!? Moxley survives and fans fire up again! Khan drags Moxley back up and slashes his throat! Khan scoops, but Moxley slips free to have a SLEEPER! Khan stays up, SMACKS at Moxley’s bloody face, and then SAYANAGI! Scoop and, T T D to the floor!! Cover, TWO?!?! Moxley survives again and the fans are thunderous! Moxley stands and hobbles away, fans moving aside as this now goes to the bleachers.

Khan pursues, letting his hair down since the ponytail is ruined anyway. Moxley goes all the way to the back row, but Khan moves chairs aside as he follows. Khan CHUCKS one into Moxley’s back! And then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Moxley wrenches to LOW BLOW! And then he BOOTS Khan down! Khan tumbles down the bleachers, and into those chairs! Fans are thunderous again as Khan finally stops tumbling! Moxley makes his way down the bleachers, drags Khan back to ground level, but Khan fights the underhooks! Moxley pushes Khan, Khan staggers around, and fans chant “Let’s Go, Moxley!”

Khan runs in, but Moxley spins him around! DEATH RIDER to the floor!! REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Khan is caught, he’s flailing, but he’s fading! Khan is OUT, Moxley wins!!

Winner: Jon Moxley, by submission

Khan wanted a fight, and he got a fight! Moxley is bloody but he’s the winner, and he wouldn’t have it any other way! Moxley says he does what he wants and takes what he wants, so will he look to take a NJPW title soon enough?

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii VS TMDK!

The Dream Trio is back in action, and they’re up against “The Front Man,” Zack Sabre Jr, Hysterical Shane Haste and Mad Mikey Nicholls. Will the Rainmaker, Ace of the Universe and Stone Pitbull still be golden? Or will they find that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

The introductions are made, the NEVER belts are raised, and we see which trio is mightier!

The trios sort out, and after Tanahashi shows off the muscles and the fans cheer, Ishii starts against ZSJ. Fans rally up at the bell, cheering for “I-SHI-I!” Ishii and ZSJ feel things out, circle around, and then ZSJ waistlocks. Ishii switches, ZSJ switches back. Ishii pries free to switch, ZSJ switches again, and they just keep going, switch for switch! Ishii shoves ZSJ to a corner, runs in, but ZSJ dodges. ZSJ comes back, Ishii dodges and then blocks a boot. ZSJ avoids the enziguri but Ishii avoids the Penalty Kick. Ishii catches ZSJ’s lariat, spins him around and reels him in, but ZSJ suplexes! Ishii fights to suplex but ZSJ fights free!

Ishii takes a swing, ZSJ ducks! ZSJ takes a swing, Ishii ducks! The two stand off and fans fire up! ZSJ grins and nods as he and Ishii reset. They tie up, ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ cravats, brings Ishii in and tags Mikey. Ishii gets loose, and he tags Tanahashi. Fans fire up and chant for Tanahashi as he circles with Mikey. They tie up, wrench, wristlock, but Mikey wrenches back. Tanahashi wrenches back, Mikey wrenches back, repeat, and then Tanahashi headlocks. Mikey powers Tanahashi to ropes, but lets off as the ref counts. But Tanahashi dodges Mikey’s cheap shot to CHOP! And forearm! And whip, but Mikey reverses, and Shane gets a cheap shot in!

Shane flexes and fans boo, but Tanahashi CLUBS Shane! But then Mikey CLUBS Tanahashi! Mikey shoves Tanahashi out to BLAST Okada & Ishii! Shane drags Tanahashi out to give him an APRON BACK SUPLEX! ZSJ goes after Ishii on the outside, Shane argues he was in the right for getting hit from behind. The fans rally for Tanahashi as Shane puts him in. Mikey covers, TWO! Tag to Shane, the “Young Punks” double whip to DOUBLE ELBOW, then FIST DROP SENTON COMBO! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Shane drags Tanahashi by his arm. Shane KICKS Tanahashi in the shoulder, then shakes out that leg.

Shane stomps Tanahashi, grabs a leg and has a HALF CRAB! Shane adds an arm to it, but Tanahashi endures, so Shane drops his knee! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi is hanging tough but Shane drags him up and over. Tag to ZSJ and ZSJ wrenches Tanahashi, and again, and again, and then he wrangles Tanahashi to STOMP the bad arm! ZSJ keeps Tanahashi from his corner to drop knees on the knee! And then he stomps the other knee! ZSJ is picking Tanahashi apart with his stomps! ZSJ eggs Tanahashi on but Okada coaches him. Tanahashi sits up but into a kick! And another kick! And another! Tanahashi gets mad and stands up!

Tanahashi fires off forearms, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ runs in at the corner, forearms, and UPPERCUTS, and whips corner to corner! But Tanahashi ELBOWS back! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Fans fire up while both men are down. ZSJ and Tanahashi crawl for their corners, hot tag to Shane and both he and Mikey rush in! They get Okada and Ishii to back off, then they hoist Tanahashi up. But Tanahashi BOOTS Shane, ducks Mikey’s haymaker to SHOTEI! Then SHOTEI for Shane! Mikey and Shane roar before they both rush in, but Tanahashi dodges and the DOUBLE LARIATS take The Mighty down!

Fans fire up, The Mighty flounder and Tanahashi crawls, hot tag to Okada! Fans fire up as Okada rallies on The Mighty! He throws haymakers and elbows, then he scoop SLAMS Mikey! Then he scoop SLAMS Shane onto Mikey! Kick and DDT for Shane, and Okada kips up, to then PLANCHA Mikey! And he BOOTS ZSJ! Fans fire up with Okada and he storms back in. Okada dodges Shane, pops him up to the REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Okada brings Shane up again. Okada wrenches and clamps on the MONEY CLIP! Shane endures, moves around, reaches out, and he powers Okada to a corner.

Shane arm-drags Okada away, then KICKS a leg! And JUMP KNEES! And hits an INVERTED EXPLODER! Fans fire up and both men crawl. Hot tag to Mikey, and Shane BLASTS Ishii. But Okada fires forearms on The Mighty! Mikey ROCKS Okada, The Mighty double whip and Shane runs in to UPPERCUT! Mikey clotheslines, then feeds to another UPPERCUT! BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, Tanahashi breaks it! Shane LARIATS Tanahashi, Mikey SLIDING LARIATS! The Mighty call their shot, hoist Okada up, but Okada fights free and shoves Mikey into Shane! Okada runs, into a double trophy lift!

Okada fights out of Thunder Valley to DOUBLE DDT! Fans fire up while all three men are down! Okada crawls, as does Mikey, hot tags to Ishii and ZSJ! Fans fire up as Ishii dodges, ZSJ dodges, each other block a shot! Ishii waistlocks but he ducks ZSJ’s elbow. ZSJ waistlocks but he ducks Ishii’s elbow! Ishii avoids an uppercut! ZSJ avoids Ishii’s chop! Ishii catches ZSJ’s haymaker to spin him around, but ZSJ fights the suplex. ZSJ wrenches out but ducks a haymaker. ZSJ full nelsons, spins Ishii around, but Ishii fights the scoop to wrench. ZSJ avoids the short arm lariat to run, but Ishii avoids the boot!

Ishii runs, ZSJ ducks the lariat to SNAP GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up with ZSJ, and Ishii rises up, to LARIAT!! Fans are thunderous as Ishii roars! ZSJ sputters up, Ishii runs, but ZSJ trips him! Body scissors and JAPANESE CLUTCH! TWO!! Both men are up, Ishii ROCKS ZSJ! ZSJ flops against Ishii! Ishii drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ trips him, cross-legged jacknife?! TWO!! ZSJ UPPERCUTS then SLEEPERS! Ishii endures, but he’s turning red! ZSJ shouts, “MADA MADA!” and shifts into a Cobra Twist! But Ishii hip tosses free! But ZSJ drags Ishii down to hook him up, EURO CLUTCH!! TWO?!?! Ishii escapes just in time!!

ZSJ eggs Ishii on, and they both throw shots. Ishii gets a Cobra Twist, right to GROUND COBRA! TWO!!! ZSJ escapes, fans rally up again, and ZSJ KICKS! Ishii grabs the leg! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Ishii HEADBUTTS! ZSJ SLAPS! Ishii SLAPS! DOUBLE SLAP! Ishii GAMANGIRIS!! Both men fall and fans are thunderous again! The ref checks, both ZSJ and Ishii are still in this. They both rise, head for their corners, hot tag to Tanahashi! The Ace runs to CLOBBER ZSJ! Tanahashi BLASTS Shane & Mikey, too! Tanahashi then runs, but he blocks ZSJ’s boot! DRAGON SCREW! Shane gets in, but gets a DRAGON SCREW!

Mikey gets in, but Tanahashi catches him, for a DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ gets around to COBRA- NO, Tanahashi fights it to turn it around! Mikey runs in to CLUB Tanahashi! Okada runs in, Mikey kicks and runs, but into a FLAPJACK! Okada & Tanahashi double whip ZSJ to a corner, then Okada sends Tanahashi in to SPLASH! Okada runs in to clothesline! Okada reels ZSJ in to trip and CATAPULT, but ZSJ ROCKS Tanahashi and NECK TWISTS Okada! Tanahashi runs in, but into a backslide! TWO!! ZSJ has the ARMBAR!! ZSJ shifts to a behind-the-back grip! But Ishii CLOBBERS him!

Ishii stands ZSJ up, ZSJ rears back but Ishii HEADBUTTS him down! Shane ROCKS Ishii! Shane runs, but Okada DROPKICKS him! Fans fire up as Mikey kicks and runs, but into a SLINGBLADE! The Dream Trio fires up! ZSJ stands, into a BOOT! SHOTEI! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Then the TRIO DDT!! Cover, TWO?!? ZSJ survives, but Tanahashi keeps moving. SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi goes up top while Okada & Ishii keep The Mighty out! HIGH FLY FLOP as ZSJ moves!! The Mighty get free, they haul Tanahashi up, but Okada saves him! But then Okada takes the TANK BUSTER!! Ishii runs in, but into a TANK BUSTER!!

The Mighty gets Tanahashi up, for HIGHWAY TO HELL!! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS!! Cover, TWO?!?! Tanahashi survives and no one can believe it, but the fans are thunderous! Mikey & Shane PLANCHA Okada & Ishii! ZSJ has the fans all fired up as he runs corner to corner, to UPPERCUT! And then scoop for ZACK- CRADLE!! DREAM TRIO WINS!!!

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

ZSJ is furious, how did he get caught by such a simple move!? But in the end, it wasn’t about being mighty but about being unbreakable! Will anyone ever take the titles from this incredible trio?

But wait! The lights go down, and on the tron… IT’S BRYAN DANIELSON! He tells Okada that they’ve faced each other two times already, and those two times, Bryan has won. But those two times also injured Bryan. First, it was his arm, but what happened? Bryan wrestled another 10 minutes and TAPPED OKADA OUT! “Because no matter how many bones you break, you can’t break my heart and you can’t break my spirit.” But Bryan has revenge on his mind. That is why he is challenging Okada for January 4th, WrestleKingdom 18, the Tokyo Dome! Bryan will get his revenge by breaking Okada’s arm, his right arm, and Okada will never make it rain ever again!

Fans are thunderous with “YES! YES! YES!” Okada gets the mic, and he tells Bryan, “Are you an idiot? Because I’M the one that wants revenge! I’ve broken your arm, I’ve broken your face, but I’ve never beaten you. If you think you can break my right arm, go ahead and try. January 4th, WrestleKingdom 18, huh? I will beat you with a Rainmaker. Bryan… YES.” And so the match is set! Will the New Year be the last time one of these living legends wrestles in one piece?

2023 Super Junior Tag League Finals: Catch 2/2 VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

TJP & Francesco Akira won the previous match-up against the Murder Machine & Heel Master, but didn’t get to celebrate very long. The House of Torture are sore losers, sore winners, and all-around underhanded, but will they fail to conquer the United Empire? Or will Public Enemy & Nova Fireball win the trophies to then go after the titles?

As Catch 2/2 gets closer to the ring, they slow up, because they know the House likes to attack first. But then they get ambushed from behind by Dick Togo! Fans boo as Yujiro & Evil also run up, and then Sho & Kanemaru go out so that they can stomp away 5v2! Fans boo but nothing can be done as the match hasn’t started yet! The ref reprimands but the mugging continues. Then Sho & Kanemaru put Catch 2/2 in the ring. They stomp away again, but the ref reprimands and the fans tell the extras to go away. Instead, Sho whips Akira to a corner, then sends TJP into him. Sho runs to the corner but TJP BOOTS him away!

Kanemaru runs in but TJP BOOTS him away! Then TJP sets up and Akira launches to DOUBLE SHOTGUN Evil & Yujiro! TJP SOBATS Dick, but Sho & Kanemaru stomp Catch 2/2. Sho & Kanemaru double whip, but Catch 2/2 reverses to DOUBLE DROPKICK! Fans fire up with “CATCH! NI NI!” TJP & Akira both run, but the ref has them stop. The ref tells Evil, Yujiro & Dick to go away, but then TJP whips Akira so he can FLY! Akira goes over the ref to wipe out the entire House! Fans are thunderous and Akira puts Sho in the ring. The bell finally rings, and Catch 2/2 whip Sho to SOBAT, KICK, trip and SHOTGUN!

Fans fire up and TJP bumps Sho off buckles. Sho whips corner to corner, runs in and back elbows, then sits Sho down. Fans rally as TJP scrubs Sho’s face with his laces. TJP runs, but Kanemaru is in the way! So TJP dropkicks him down! But Sho runs up to CLUB TJP and toss him out. Sho then BLASTS Akira, and Kanemaru whips TJP into railing! And DDTS to the floor! TJP clutches his neck but Kanemaru stomps him while he’s down! Kanemaru POSTS TJP, then pulls up floor mats. Kanemaru drags TJP over, DDT to the exposed concrete!! Kanemaru tags in while TJP writhes, and the ring count climbs.

Fans rally for “CATCH! NI NI!” but TJP is still down at 10 of 20. TJP rises, drags himself up with railing, and hobbles over at 15. TJP flops back over! TJP scrambles up, Akira helps, TJP is in at 18! Sho attacks Akira to RAM him into railing! Kanemaru whips TJP into a corner, BOOTS him then scoops, BRITISH FALL! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Kanemaru rips TJP’s neck tape away! Fans rally for TJP but Kanemaru snapmares and headscissors! Kanemaru squeezes tight on the neck! TJP endures, pushes back, but Kanemaru pushes him back down. TJP tries again, but Kanemaru pushes him down again.

Kanemaru turns over to JAM TJP into the mat again and again! TJP endures, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Kanemaru lets off reluctantly, and Kanemaru kicks TJP around. Kanemaru brings TJP up but TJP throws body shots! And haymakers! Sho storms up but TJP elbows him away! But then Kanemaru CLAWS TJP’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Kanemaru lets off. Fans rally, Sho tags in and he cravats. Sho CHOKES TJP on the ropes like that! The ref counts, Sho lets off and pushes TJP out to the apron. Kanemaru runs up to DROPKICK! Sho then has the legs, and CATAPULT GUILLOTINES TJP!

Sho drags TJP to a cover, TWO! Fans fire up as TJP hangs in there. Kanemaru tags in, he drags TJP up and whips to ropes, to ELBOW TJP down! Kanemaru BOOTS Akira for good measure! Kanemaru then stands TJP up, to DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Sho tags back in. Sho grins as he looms over TJP, and he drags TJP into a straitjacket stretch. TJP endures, fans rally, and TJP fights up! TJP pries the hold open, bridges and rolls to then hook Sho up, IRON OCTO- NO, Sho powers out to pop-up and ARMBAR! Kanemaru runs in to BLAST Akira! TJP fights around, but ends up in SNAKE BITE!!

Akira sends Kanemaru crashing into railing! And then he runs in to stomp Sho down! Akira coaches TJP, but Sho CLUBS Akira and TOSSES him out! Sho knuckle locks TJP, wrenches and brings him down to kick, KICK, and KICK again! But then TJP blocks the superkick! Only for Sho to rake the eyes! Fans boo but Sho whips. TJP Spider-Mans, slides under, but Sho grabs his hair! Sho kicks, but TJP blocks to slip around and SAIDO! Fans fire up and TJP crawls, hot tag to Akira! The Fireball storms up on Sho to fire off forearms, and a CHOP! Akira whips, Sho reverses, but Akira dodges to come back and clothesline!

Akira keeps going, but he dodges Kanemaru to put him in the Tree of Woe! Akira dodges Sho to dropkick legs out! Then Akira lines it up, jumps off Sho to DROPKICK Kanemaru! Akira then dodges Sho to RANA! The House boys bail out and fans fire up with Akira. Akira goes out to ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit on the House and the fans fire up again! Akira puts Sho back in, goes up a corner, and CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Akira keeps his cool while the fans rally. Akira drags Sho up and reels him in, but Sho bends fingers! Akira clubs free but Sho rakes eyes! Fans boo, Sho waistlocks, but Akira fights the lift!

TJP is back in, and Akira ducks so the SUPERKICK hits Sho! Akira then switches, chicken wings, and TIGER FIRE PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Akira calls to TJP and has the fans start on “CATCH! NI NI!” again. They get Sho up, TJP still tries to Electric Chair Lift!? TJP fights through the pain, but it’s too much! He drops, and Kanemaru SHOVES TJP into Akira! Sho wraps TJP up, STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVER!! TJP flops out of the ring, Kanemaru tags in to DROPKICK Akira on the corner! Kanemaru then climbs up to get Akira, for a SUPERPLEX! Sho drags Akira right up to reel him in, POWER BREAKER!! Cover, TWO!!

Akira is still in this for his team, but now Kanemaru puts him in a BOSTON CRAB! Akira endures as Kanemaru sits deep! But Akira powers up! Only for Kanemaru to sit back down! But Akira still fights! Akira reaches out, but Kanemaru drags him back, and focuses on a HALF CRAB! Akira refuses to quit, so Kanemaru SMASHES the leg! FIGURE FOUR! Sho intercepts TJP while Kanemaru thrashes around! Akira reaches out, crawls and brings Kanemaru along, but Kanemaru works to turn him away from ropes! They roll and roll, but TJP goes up! TJP shoves Sho away to MAMBA SPLASH Kanemaru!

TJP flops back out of the ring but Akira is saved! Kanemaru goes to a corner, Akira runs in, but into a BOOT! Kanemaru runs, into a victory roll, STOMP 182! Fans fire up as Akira crawls to the corner, hot tag to TJP! TJP goes up again, for MAMBA- NO, he has to bail out as Kanemaru moves! And then Kanemaru shoves TJP into the ref! And of course that means the rest of the House returns! The ejection only counts if the ref can call it! Fans boo as the House all stomps TJP! Fans tell them to go away again but they don’t care. They drag TJP up, whip him corner to corner, then Dick runs in to ELBOW!

Yujiro runs in to BOOT! Evil runs in to clothesline and snapmare! They set TJP up for the- WAIT! CALLUM NEWMAN is here, and he ENZIGURIS Dick down! And Jeff Cobb CLOBBERS Evil! Fans fire up as the United Empire strikes back! They RAM Evil and Yujiro all around ringside, but then Dick leaps! Cobb catches him, tosses him to Oleg, and tells Oleg to get that Dick outta here! Oleg obliges, and then Cobb DECKS Evil! Cobb hauls the King of Darkness away and fans fire up again! Kanemaru is mad, but he grabs his whiskey! Kanemaru tags a big swig, then waits on TJP to get up. But Akira gets in to SUPERKICK!

The whiskey goes flying, Sho returns but Akira SUPERKICKS him! TJP sees Kanemaru’s bottle and grabs it. Akira runs at Kanemaru but Kanemaru dumps him out! Kanemaru sees TJP all alone, and he borrows Sho’s KOPW Championship belt. Kanemaru storms up, but TJP WHISKEY MISTS Kanemaru!! Roll up and the ref is there to count, TWO!! TJP staggers to a corner, Sho returns but TJP dumps him out. Akira runs in and TJP helps, RAILGUN DROPKICK! Down goes Sho, Kanemaru runs in, but TJP goes up and over to TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up and Akira has Kanemaru, for SPEEDFIRE!!

Akira calls to TJP and the fans rally up. “CATCH! NI NI!” They 2 BY 2 side by side!! Cover, Catch 2/2 wins!!

Winners: Catch 2/2, by pinfall (2023 Super Junior Tag League Champions)

They come in as the number one seed, and they win as the number one seed! Revenge on the House of Torture was sweet, but will revenge on the War Dogs be golden? Akira gets the mic to speak, but wait, the War Dogs rush out here!! They lost earlier and are still pissed! They CLOBBER Catch 2/2 with the belts!! Fans boo but Connors tells them to shut up. Connors has the mic to say, “Congratulations, Catch 2/2. You got exactly what you wanted. And not congratulations on winning this stupid tournament. Not even congratulations on getting a shot at these boys.” Connors holds up his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag title, then puts it aside.

Connors says this is congrats because now they get to face the two best Juniro Heavyweights of all time on the biggest stage of ’em all! And compared to that, these trophies ain’t sh*t! Drilla SPITS on one and then Connors drops it! Drilla says these last three weeks, all these Super Juniors have been nipping at each other, biting each other’s ankles, all for a chance to face the War Dogs, the ABUNAI INU! But one problem, boys: “We ain’t bitin’ anybody’s ankles. We are rippin’ everybody’s heads off! We’re the monsters of this division! How many times we gotta kill you until you realize you gotta stay dead?!

“All you do, all you do, is bark, bark, BARK! And all we’ve done, all we do, all we’re gonna do forever, WrestleKingdom and after, all we gonna do is BITE. Load ’em up, baby!” The fans boo as the War Dogs stand Akira up, for the DOUBLE GORE! And then they make TJP look as Akira is down! Connors climbs, but here comes Callum again! He has a chair this time, and he gets Connors & Drilla to back off. What happened to the War Dogs? More like puppies! Drilla spits and cusses Callum out, then Connors says, “See you at WrestleKingdom!” The Cowboy & The Criminal take their leave, just as the fans tell them to leave.

As for Catch 2/2, TJP picks up the trophy that was thrown down, and part of the plaque chipped off. The War Dogs may have fired the first shot, but will TJP & Akira fire the last?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi VS Taiji Ishimori!

The Ticking Timebomb and Bone Soldier Reborn have had a storied rivalry, but this chapter is about settling a score! Will Hiromu no longer be seen as the Best of the Super Juniors? Or can he deny Taiji his revenge?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Bullet Club adds any more gold!

The bell rings and the two rush in! Hiromu sunset flips, TWO! Taiji prawn holds, TWO! Hiromu sunsets but Taiji rolls through to high stack, TWO! Hiromu has the sunset, TWO! The two stand off, Hiromu kicks and whips but Taiji reverses. Taiji runs in, blocks boots, puts Hiromu in ropes and ENZIGURIS! Taiji runs but Hiromu gets loose to elbow him! Hiromu whips, runs in and clotheslines to then snapmare. Hiromu keeps moving but Taiji avoids the dropkick! Taiji whips, Hiromu reverses but Taiji goes Spider-Man. Hiromu runs in, Taiji slips under and around to then RAM into Hiromu and slingshot, but Hiromu ROCKS him!

Hiromu runs and leaps, but Taiji backflips out of the sunset bomb! Hiromu swings, Taiji ducks and waistlocks. Hiromu switches but Taiji wrenches out, to TORNADO ARMBAR DDT to the floor!! Fans fire up while Hiromu clutches his elbow and hurries away up the ramp. Taiji lets him be so he can untie the blue buckle pad. The Bullet Club Special is in effect while fans rally up. A ring count starts, Taiji waits on Hiromu as he sits up at 4 of 20. Taiji then goes out after Hiromu to CLUB the bad arm! Taiji brings Hiromu around and into the ring. Taiji wrenches Hiromu’s arm, hammerlocks, and then RAMS Hiromu into bare buckles!

Fans rally while Hiromu writhes, but Taiji drags Hiromu up. Taiji wrenches, whips, and WRINGS the arm, to then ARM SCREW! Taiji drags Hiromu up into a cobra clutch! Hiromu endures, fights up, but Taiji wrenches, RAMS and fireman’s carries into a SHANKLY GATES! Hiromu endures the wristlock camel clutch, and Hiromu fights to a ROPEBREAK! Taiji lets go, he taunts the fans and storms up on Hiromu. Hiromu CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Taiji CLUBS the bad arm! And again! Taiji runs but Hiromu avoids the boot to roll him up! TWO, BONE- NO, Hiromu fights around, only for Taiji to have the ghost pin! TWO!!

Hiromu escapes but Taiji keeps cool. Taiji storms up on Hiromu, brings him up to CLUB the arm, and again, and again! Taiji runs but Hiromu follows to RANA! Fans fire up while both men are down. Taiji and Hiromu go to opposite corners, and Taiji runs in. Hiromu dodges to clothesline, snapmare and run, basement dropkick! Taiji bails out so Hiromu goes to the apron. Hiromu JOHN WOO DROPKICKS Taiji into railing! Taiji and Hiromu are both down on the outside, but Hiromu stands first. Hiromu puts Taiji in the ring, drags him up and suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally while both men are down. Hiromu shakes out the bad arm and he brings Taiji back up. Hiromu fireman’s carries but Taiji slips free to shove him into a corner. Taiji runs in, and he blocks boots! He puts Hiromu back in the ropes, ENZIGURIS, runs and SLIDING GERMAN! Fans fire up while Hiromu flops out of the ring. Taiji stalks Hiromu, drags him up, and fireman’s carries! TKO with the railing! Hiromu flops into No Man’s Land and Red Shoes goes out to check him. Hiromu writhes but he’s still in this. Taiji leaves Hiromu behind for the ring count to start. Hiromu sits up at 5 of 20, and fans rally up.

Hiromu stands at 10, gets over railing at 11, and hobbles his way over at 13. Hiromu is in at 15, but Taiji hits COAST2COAST! Taiji then POSTS Hiromu in the blue corner! And hammerlocks the arm, to scoop and SHOULDER BREAKER! Taiji wants Red Shoes to call this but Hiromu refuses to quit. Fans rally for Hiromu but Taiji runs in, only for Hiromu to block La Mystica! Hiromu powers Taiji to a fireman’s carry! TIME- NO, Taiji slips free! Hiromu elbows him, but Taiji hits back! Taiji blocks the superkick, Hiromu blocks the knee! ROLLING ELBOW! Hiromu runs, Taiji follows, but into a SNAP GERMAN!

But Taiji rises! GERMAN SUPLEX for Hiromu! But Hiromu rises! Both men run in to DOUBLE LARIAT!! Both men flop over and fans fire up! Hiromu and Taiji go to opposite corners, drag themselves up, and Taiji runs in! Hiromu OVERHEAD SUPLEXES, but Taiji lands safe on the corner! Only for Hiromu to POWERBOMB him off the corner! High stack, TWO! Hiromu hurries to fireman’s carry and CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Fans fire up with Hiromu and he hauls Taiji up! Fireman’s carry and spin, but Taiji sunset flips it! TWO, but into STYLES- NO, Hiromu fights free, sits up, and he sunset flips! TWO!!

Taiji stands, Hiromu wrenches, but Taiji rolls free of the Hiromu-chan Cradle! Only for Hiromu to fireman’s carry again, TIMEBOMB 1.5! Cover, TWO!! Taiji survives and fans rally up again. Hiromu rises and he tells Taiji, “Just you wait!” Hiromu drags Taiji up, runs, but Taiji dodges the lariat! Only to run into HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Hiromu then hauls Taiji into a dragon sleeper, but Taiji slips around to return the favor! CIPHER UTAKI! But Taiji can’t make the cover! Fans rally up, both men stir, and Hiromu goes to a corner. Taiji stands, runs in, and clotheslines! Then COMPLETE SHOT! Fans rally as Taiji then goes to the apron.

Taiji climbs up the corner, takes aim, and 450- NO, Hiromu moves and Taiji rolls through! Taiji comes back, LA MYST- NO, Hiromu blocks again! And he tucks Taiji in, for a suplex and VICTORY- NO, Taiji drags Hiromu down for BONE LOCK!! Taiji counters Victory Royale right into the hold he wanted! Hiromu fights his way over but Taiji rolls him from ropes! To then suplex and BLOODY- NO, Hiromu rolls through that to fireman’s carry! Fans fire up and Hiromu spins for TIMEBOMB!! Cover, TWO!?! Taiji survives the OG Timebomb and both men are down! Fans fire up and Hiromu rises, shaking out the bad arm.

Hiromu sits Taiji up, runs, but Taiji gets under to send Hiromu at Red Shoes! Hiromu stops himself, Taiji whips Hiromu and pop-up LOW BLOWS!! Taiji then GEDO CLUTCHES! TWO?!?! Hiromu survives what Taiji used to steal the DDT-Pro Ironman Heavymetalweight title! Taiji aims, BANG, and he brings Hiromu up. BLOODY- ARM-DRAG! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Hiromu fires up and he dares Taiji to get up! Hiromu drags Taiji up, runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! But Hiromu still isn’t done, he dragon sleepers and suplexes, TIMEBOMB- TAKEDOWN!? BONE LOCK RETURNS!!! Taiji squeezes the air outta Hiromu!

Fans are thunderous as Hiromu flails, but he’s fading! Red Shoes checks Hiromu, he’s turning red! But Hiromu revives and scrambles for ropes! Hiromu reaches out, Taiji pulls him away from ropes again! BONE LOCK!!! And it’s deep! Hiromu still fights, still reaches out, and he drags Taiji along with him! Fans rally as hard as they can, and Hiromu makes one last lurch to the ROPEBREAK!! Taiji lets go in frustration and fans fire up again! Taiji goes to the other side, aims a finger gun and says BANG, and then he drags Hiromu up. BLOODY- NO, Hiromu slips free! SUPERKICK! But Taiji JUMP KNEES in return!

Taiji runs in, LA MYST- NO, Hiromu slips through to HIROMU-CHAN ROLL! TWO?!?! But barely! Hiromu tries again, HIROMU-CHAN ROLL WITH BRIDGE!! HIROMU WINS!!!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

From the jaws of defeat, Hiromu snatches victory, and Taiji can’t believe it! Hiromu continues to evolve his moveset, will anyone stop him from proving he is THE Best of the Super Juniors? Hiromu gets the mic to say, “Ishimori-san. Let’s do this again! Glad to have you back.” Taiji Too Sweets that, when and where will the Bone Soldier Reborn be reloaded? And Hiromu says this is the first time he’s actually worn the belt since he won it on January 4th earlier this year. “Once again, I am Hiromu Takahashi the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion!” Fans cheer that.

Hiromu then asks himself, “Who’s the next challenger? If you’re backstage, ready to come out here, please don’t. Also, to the lighting guy, if a wrestler asks you to cut the lights, don’t listen! Please have the courage to refuse. I will name the next challenger for this belt!” Fans like the sound of that! Hiromu continues to say that he really wants to fight “this guy.” Hiromu feels he has to surpass this man. Hiromu calls out DESPERADO! The Rogue Luchador is now on commentary, so he’s already staring Hiromu down. Hiromu promises no one else will get involved, this won’t turn into a Triple Threat or Fatal 4. “Desperado, come up here.”

Fans cheer and Desperado goes from having fun to being serious. He leaves commentary and gets in the ring. Hiromu tells Desperado to face him at WrestleKingdom 18! Then he drops the mic at Desperado’s feet. Desperado picks it up, and says, “Okay.” Fans cheer that! Desperado then says that FYI, he’s kinda seeing two loudmouth Hiromus. Desperado needs surgery to put that back in order. So yeah, don’t expect any warm-up matches along the way. But he will be sure to be in top shape before facing Hiromu. Fans applaud that.

Desperado also hopes to make a few appearances before the big day. And he admits to being a bit worried being called out like that. “The bar has been raised.” And he’s pretty sure there’s an angry Taguchi chomping at the bit to come out here. So assuming Desperado is good to go, he’ll accept that title match. Fans cheer and Desperado hands the mic back over. Hiromu says, “Let’s have some fuuuun~!” Mic drop and Hiromu stares down his other storied rival. Will the Rogue Luchador be shooting straight before the new year? Or will another have to step up to the Ticking Timebomb?

IWGP United States/United Kingdom Championship: Will Ospreay w/ Callum Newman VS Shota Umino!

The American Assassin has defended this title against The Roughneck before, but those losses haven’t broken Shota yet! Will this final time be the charm for #SHOOTER? Or will this just be the final time?

The introductions are made, both forms of this title are raised, and in the end, only one man will walk away with them!

The bell rings and fans fire up as the two stare down. Osaka is strong for Ospreay, but he and Shota circle. They feel things out, back off, then circle again. They tie up, Shota wrenches, but Ospreay spins to wrench back. Ospreay full nelsons, then cravats, but Shota rolls free to wrangle Ospreay to a cording hold. Ospreay stands but Shota wrenches and hammerlocks. Ospreay reaches around but Shota cravats, then headlocks. Ospreay pushes Shota to ropes, but he can’t power out as Shota holds tight! Ospreay powers up to pry the hold open but Shota just clamps it on tighter. Ospreay back suplexes, but Shota lands on his feet! Shota headlocks for a takeover!

Fans cheer this technical exchange, but Ospreay pulls hair. Shota traps an arm, but Ospreay gets that free. Ospreay fights up to his feet, powers Shota to ropes, and Red Shoes calls the break. Ospreay lets off slowly, but Shota blocks the chop! Shota headlocks, Ospreay powers out but Shota runs him over! But Ospreay kips right back up! Shota sees that, but Ospreay still ROCKS him first! Ospreay grins and fans fire up behind him. Ospreay whips, Shota reverses, ELBOWS, and basement dropkicks! Shota fires up and the fans cheer again. Shota stomps Ospreay, brings him up and CLUBS him on the neck.

Shota reels Ospreay in to ROCK him in the back, then CLUB him down! Shota UPPERCUTS Ospreay, goes to a corner with him, and cravats again. Shota cranks the neck wrench, but Ospreay breaks free to ROCK Shota! Ospreay whips, Shota reverses and trips, then steps over, STF! Ospreay scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer, Red Shoes reprimands, and Shota lets go at 2. Shota drags Ospreay up, bumps him off buckles, then stomps him. Shota ROCKS Ospreay, UPPERCUTS him, and whips corner to corner. Shota runs in but Ospreay BOOTS back! Ospreay runs, but Shota ELBOWS! Shota whips, Ospreay RANAS!

Fans fire up as Shota bails out, and Ospreay aims! PLANCHA! Down goes Shota and fans fire up again! Ospreay drags Shota up, brings him around, and ROCKS him! Shota flops against railing but Ospreay brings him up to whip into more railing! Shota falls over, and Ospreay goes looking under the ring. Ospreay brings out a TABLE! Ospreay sets that up by ringside and he drags Shota up. Red Shoes reprimands but Ospreay still reels Shota in. But Shota fights the lift! Shota back drops Ospreay, narrowly missing the table! Red Shoes tells Shota not to, but Shota still looks at the table. Shota reels Ospreay in, but then puts him in the ring.

Fans applaud Shota not going to extremes there, and Shota runs in, but into a FLAPJACK! Shota staggers from the ropes, into Ospreay’s BOOT! Ospreay then stands Shota up, to CHOP him! Shota is stinging as he goes to the corner, but Ospreay CHOPS him again! Ospreay digs his boots in, he scrapes and scrubs Shota’s face, then drags Shota up. Ospreay scoops to BACKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Shota hangs tough and fans cheer but Ospreay is annoyed. Ospreay stalks Shota, pushes him around to omoplata an arm, then he SLAPS Shota in the side to get the other arm! Ospreay pulls on that arm, and reclines back onto it! It’s a cradle, TWO!!

Shota gets out of that one and goes to a corner, but Ospreay stalks him. Ospreay gives Shota some Kawada Kicks, then ROCKS him with a forearm! Shota snarls to ROCK Ospreay! Ospreay eggs Shota on and Shota fires off forearms! Ospreay CHOPS! Shota staggers back to ropes, Ospreay whips but Shota ducks ‘n’ dodges and dodges again to CLOBBER Ospreay! Fans rally up, Shota whips Ospreay to a corner, and then he runs in. UPPERCUT, and then FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Shota’s not quite perfect but he doesn’t let that bother him. Shota brings Ospreay in but Ospreay blocks the lift!

Ospreay throws elbows but Shota snapmares, and HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! We saw Moxley here earlier tonight, Shota is using one of his favorites! Shota then drags Ospreay up, clinches, but Ospreay slips free. Shota mule kicks, whips, but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER! Direct hit and down goes Shota! Fans fire up again and Ospreay goes to the apron. Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is annoyed but he says Shota’s done now. Ospreay drags Shota up and reels him in, but Shota fights the lift! Fans rally, Ospreay fires more Kawada Kicks! And a CHOP!

Shota staggers to a corner, Ospreay runs in but Shota dodges! Shota runs back in but into BOOTS! Ospreay goes up but Shota ROCKS him! Shota climbs, Ospreay slips under and tucks Shota in! CHEEKY NANDOS! Shota is stuck up there, so Ospreay CHEEKY NANDOS again! Ospreay taunts Shota, “Is that all you’ve got?” Ospreay SPITS at Shota! Red Shoes reprimands but Ospreay just grins. But then Shota mule kicks Ospreay away! Shota checks, and he has a bloody nose! Shota’s mad now, but the fans rally up. Ospreay CHOPS, but Shota just steps forward! Fans fire up as Ospreay CHOPS again, but Shota still steps forward.

Shota dares Ospreay to try again, so Ospreay CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Shota DECKS Ospreay!! We’ve seen Scary Ibushi, is this Scary Shota?! Shota wipes the blood from his nose on his chest, and then he throws knee after knee into Ospreay! Shota stomps away at the ropes, Red Shoes tells him to stop, but Shota still gives mule kicks while Red Shoes turns him around! Red Shoes finally gets his son to let off on Ospreay, only for Shota to then SLINGSHOT APRON DDT!!! Fans are thunderous as Shota shows such viciousness! Ospreay flops to the floor, Shota lets Red Shoes check him, and fans rally up again.

Ospreay is somehow still in this and Callum coaches him up. But then Shota goes back out, drags Ospreay up and whips him hard into railing! Shota storms up on Ospreay to whip him hard into even more railing! Shota scuffs Ospreay, drags him back up, and whips him again! Ospreay stops himself, but Shota SHOTGUNS Ospreay up and over the railing! Ospreay even tumbles over English commentary’s table! Shota goes out to fetch Ospreay, and he tells fans to move aside. Just like Moxley and Khan earlier, Shota uses Ospreay’s body to go CHAIR BOWLING!! STRIKE! Red Shoes reprimands but Shota just drags Ospreay out of the mess.

Shota makes sure his dad sees that he’s taking Ospreay back. Except wait, they go through No Man’s Land to the timekeeper’s area. Shota asks, “You want tables? You want tables?!” Shota SMACKS Ospreay off the table! Shota says one more time! And he SMACKS Ospreay off the table again! Shota has Abe-san hold onto the belts while he clears off the table and brings it around. Shota CHUCKS the table at Ospreay!! Ospreay falls over and Red Shoes reprimands, but the fans rally up! Shota sets the timekeeper’s table next to the first one, and he says Ospreay started this. Shota puts Ospreay on the apron and goes up to join him.

Red Shoes reprimands again but Shota underhooks! Ospreay holds ropes but Shota CLUBS away. Ospreay LARIATS Shota into the ring! Fans fire up again and Ospreay goes up top. Shota stands, into the BLINDSIDE CHEERIO! Fans rally up again and Ospreay aims from a corner. HIDDEN- UPPERCUT! Shota runs, but into the Tiger Wall Kick! But he ducks the enziguri! But Ospreay slips under Shota, full nelsons, only for Shota to break free with an elbow. Shota ducks the Hook Kick! Shota ROCKS then spins, into the ROUNDHOUSE! Ospreay whips, Shota reverses, but Ospreay avoids the dropkick! STANDING SHOOTING STAR onto knees!

Shota whips again, to DROP- POWERBOMB!! Ospreay covers, TWO!! Shota survives the counter and Ospreay grows frustrated. But the fans rally up behind Ospreay, and he calls his shot. Ospreay springboards, into a DROPKICK! Now Shota counters, and both men are down. Shota and Ospreay rise, and Shota watches. Shota runs in, SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Shota goes to the apron, slingshots, CUTTER! Fans fire up and Shota aims. Ospreay rises, Shota runs in, underhooks, but Ospreay RAMS him to a corner. Ospreay runs back in, Shota dodges to POP-UP KNEE and EXPLODER! Fans fire up and rally behind Shota.

Shota mocks Ospreay, goes up and up and steals SUPER OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives Shota’s imitation but Shota isn’t done with him. Shota drags Ospreay up, half nelsons, but Ospreay switches. Shota elbows free, runs, but into a SPANISH FLY! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Fans rally as Ospreay rises, and he fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” The fans echo it and Ospreay goes to a corner. Shota rises, Ospreay runs in, HELLUVA KICK! And then a scoop and SLAM! Ospreay goes up the corner, LEAP OF FAITH! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives and bails out but Ospreay pursues!

Ospreay calls his shot, goes up a corner, but Shota YANKS him down! And we’re by the tables again! Fans fire up as Shota underhooks, but Ospreay fights the lift! Ospreay gets free to ROCK Shota, and HOOK KICK! Ospreay underhooks now, to TIGER DRIVER through the tables!!! Fans are thunderous and Red Shoes checks both men. Ospreay gets clear of the wreckage but Shota is still down. Shota’s able to continue, though, and the fans rally back up. The ring count starts, and Ospreay rises at 5 of 20. Ospreay stands at 9 to roll in at 10, and Shota sits up at 13. Shota drags himself from the wreckage, to get in at 19!

Ospreay springboards, COAST2COAST! And then springboard, OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay snarls and goes to a corner, his arm prepared. Ospreay runs in, but Shota ducks Hidden Blade! Ospreay still kicks and whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO- NO, Ospreay blocks to THROW Shota down, and HIDDEN BLADE!! Cover, TWO!?!? The fans are thunderous again but Ospreay prepares the elbow again. Ospreay waits for Shota to sit up, but Shota crawls his way over to Ospreay. Ospreay lets Shota drag himself up to his feet, and Shota throws a forearm. Ospreay ROCKS Shota right back!

Shota staggers about, and he throws another forearm. And another, and another, but Ospreay just ROCKS him again! Shota slaps himself to fire back up! Shota fires more forearms, but Ospreay ROCKS him, and SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! Then SUPERKICK! Ospreay vows to end this, but Shota swings! Ospreay dodges and Shota falls over! Red Shoes checks on Shota but Shota shakes his head. Shota refuses to give up so Ospreay eggs him on. Shota drags himself up, but Ospreay HOOK KICKS him! Shota holds onto the ropes to stay up, so Ospreay HOOK KICKS again! Shota lets go, drops to his knees, and then Ospreay BUZZSAWS! And HEEL KICKS!

Shota flops over and Ospreay looms over him. To HAMMER him with the forearm! And again! And again! But Shota scrambles to ropes! Ospreay drags him back, tries to cover but Shota flails and fights. Ospreay traps the arms, so Shota SPITS at Ospreay! Ospreay takes off the elbow pad, and he HAMMERS Shota! Jon Moxley is here now?! Moxley tells Shota to not take that crap and get his ass up! Ospreay throws hands, Shota still fights, and fans are thunderous! Shota bucks Ospreay free, and blocks his Penalty Kick! Shota swings, misses, and Ospreay HOOK KICKS! Ospreay runs in, into a LARIAT!!

Fans are thunderous again and Moxley tells Shota to keep it up! Shota drags Ospreay into an STF! Ospreay endures, fights, crawls, reaches out, flails, but Shota grabs the arm, COBRA CLUTCH STF! Ospreay still fights, the fans duel, and Ospreay powers his way forward to the ROPEBREAK! Shota lets go in frustration, and Moxley coaches him on. Shota drags Ospreay up, but Ospreay swings! Shota blocks to ENZIGURI! And then dragon sleeper, CROSS RHODES!! Shota drags Ospreay up again, inverted suplex, but Ospreay slips free! Ospreay underhooks and Canadian Racks, but Shota slips free!

Shota backslides Ospreay, but Ospreay rolls through, only for Shota to reel him in! EVOLVED DEATH RIDER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Fans are electric as Shota vows to end this! Shota drags Ospreay up, underhooks, but Ospreay wrenches to MOUSE TRAP! TWO, and Ospreay slips around to lift! Shota fights the bomb, and SATELLITE DDTS!! Fans fire up and Shota roars! Shota aims and runs in, TORNADO DDT! But that’s not all, he rolls Ospreay to underhook, and SWINGING PARADIGM SHIFT?!? Cover, TWO!!! Ospreay survives and the fans are electric again! Moxley coaches Shota, he’s almost there!

Ospreay goes to a corner, Shota runs in, BLINDSIDE KNEE! Shota puts Ospreay up top, climbs up, but Ospreay HEADBUTTS! So Shota UPPERCUTS! Shota goes up again, brings Ospreay to the very top, and underhooks?! Red Shoes is worried, Ospreay resists, but Shota CLAWS Ospreay’s back! Then the underhooks, for a SUPER DEATH RIDER!!! Shota has to crawl over to the cover, TWO?!?!?! Ospreay just barely lurches out of that, and the fans are electric for Shota! Shota aims from the corner, Ospreay sits up, BLAZE- NO, Ospreay just flops over! So Shota returns the favor and he traps Ospreay’s arms!

Moxley says do it! Shota HAMMERS away on Ospreay! Red Shoes wants Shota to hold on so he can check Ospreay. Shota lets off but goes back to the corner. Ospreay is dazed, Red Shoes is going for a standing count! Fans rally up as Ospreay is still down at 5 of 10! Ospreay sputters at 7, sits up at 8 and stands at 9, but kneels! BLAZE BLADE!!! And DEATH RIDER!! HIDDEN BLADE OUTTA NOWHERE!?!? The fans are in disbelief!! Both men are down but the fans rally as hard as they can! Ospreay and Shota stir, and they glare at each other. They crawl forward, and give junkyard dog headbutts!

Moxley coaches Shota as they just headbutt each other harder! Ospreay and Shota stand, and Shota ROCKS Ospreay with a forearm! And then again! Shota keeps Ospreay up with a wristlock, and Ospreay ROCKS Shota back! The forearms keep going back and forth, and they pick up speed! Faster and faster, then Shota gets the edge! Ospreay wobbles, but he growls and stands up, to fire forearms in return! Ospreay reels Shota in, for a HEADBUTT!! Shota reels Ospreay in, POP-UP UPPER! Just like Claudio! Shota underhooks, but Ospreay wrenches and spins and underhooks, to Canadian Rack! STORM- RANA?!?!? Cover, TWO!!!!

Shota almost had Ospreay and the fans are volcanic! Shota SHOTGUNS, Ospreay comes back with HIDDEN BLADE!!! Cover, ONE?!?!? HOW?!?!? Ospreay kicks, and steals DEATH RIDER!!! Ospreay drags Shota back up, Canadian Rack, TIGER DRIVER 1993!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Shota survives again but Ospreay roars! Ospreay reloads, runs in, HIDDEN BLADE!!! And then STORMBREAKER!!!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (still IWGP US/UK Champion)

Shota pushed Ospreay to the limit, but it still wasn’t enough to break through to the championship! However, it seems he did finally win Ospreay’s respect. What will it take for the Roughneck to finally have a title?

As for Ospreay, he starts calling out Moxley. Ospreay throws the US edition at him, and Moxley says okay then. Moxley gets in the ring, Ospreay mocks him as a part-timer, and that Ospreay is the one who made this belt relevant. Wait, someone CLOBBERS Moxley! It’s DAVID FINLAY! And he CLOBBERS Ospreay, too! Because he’s using his shillelagh!! Finlay CLOBBERS Callum with it, too! The Rebel beat the Silverback earlier tonight, and now it’s clear he wants to go for bigger prey. Finlay gets a mic while fans boo, and he says, “Aw, did I interrupt something, boys? Moxley, how nice of you to show up.”

Finlay tells Moxley he clearly didn’t get the memo, so he’ll fill Moxley in. “Nobody, and I mean nobody, steps foot in this ring without my permission. Billy Boy, that brings me to you, buddy. You and I have unfinished business, don’t we? I told you I was gonna end you, and I am here to make good on that promise. Now, you two wanna talk about fighting for these two championships at WrestleKingdom? Huh? These championships that you fought tooth and nail to make meaningful, these championships that your names are synonymous with. Hell, you won’t shut up about ‘The belt doesn’t make the man, the man makes the belt.’

“Well here’s the thing about me and these two belts right here. In the United Kingdom, they say I’m American. In the United States, they say I’m Irish. Now I know these belts mean the world to you two, but let me show you how little they mean to me.” Gedo gives Finlay a sledgehammer! And he SMASHES each belt in turn! Fans boo as the plates and gold come off the straps while Ospreay can only watch! Fans boo but Finlay soaks up the heat, and Gedo tells the Japanese fans, “Those belts mean NOTHING to him, ya bastards! Finlay deserves a new belt, made just for him!” What?!

Gedo then continues to say that, “The Rebel takes the F over everything! I need the Rebel! NJPW needs the Rebel! And the world needs the Rebel!” Fans boo, they don’t WANT the Rebel. But will whatever title replaces the US and UK Championships truly represent what Finlay represents? Or will he regret angering the Assassin and the Maniac?

My Thoughts:

A great event here for NJPW, Power Struggle has been turning into one of their big traditions for the year with stuff like this. I skimmed the matches I didn’t write up, and Frontier Zone seemed like another really fun crossover between NJPW and Japanese independents. And duh, the two Young Lions lost to Cobb & Callum. I covered the Fatal 4 Tag because I knew it’d be a lot of wild action and it definitely was. Great win for DespeWato, but apparently this kinda served as a strong way for Desperado to finish his year, given what he told us after the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. Hiromu VS Taiji was awesome stuff, and I figured Hiromu would retain. Him wanting to face Desperado one more time is cool, so I really do hope Desperado makes a strong and quick recovery these next two months.

Khan VS Moxley having that count-out was actually a great way to give us the Falls Count Anywhere, and that was some awesome stuff. It wasn’t quite anywhere in all of Osaka but they used so much of the arena that it was still good enough. Moxley of course wins, he’s going strong in both NJPW and AEW and isn’t gonna lose here. Great Six Man Tag title match, but I figured the Dream Trio would retain since ZSJ is still NJPW World TV Champion. We might get Tanahashi VS ZSJ for that title, but how awesome that we’re getting Okada VS Bryan part 3! Regardless of who wins and loses, let’s just hope Bryan doesn’t get hurt again. If this is his last 12 months, he has to make it through the last 12 months!

Great finals for the Super Junior Tag League, and of course Catch 2/2 won so that we get classic Faces VS Heels for the tag titles. But what a swerve for Connors & Drilla to attack and ruin the celebration, same as Sho & Kanemaru did during the tournament. At this point, it would make a lot of sense for TJP & Akira to win to be the true heroes of the tag division, and also it totally makes sense now why DespeWato lost in the end since Desperado needs that surgery for his vision problems.

And then everything in that main event was awesome. Shota showed his BCC style edge against Ospreay here, with Dad Shoes a bit upset about how he couldn’t stop his son from doing any of it. Moxley showing up to coach Shota was great, too, and while Ospreay retains, it is clear Shota is right at the doorstep of that midcard champion level. The clear set up of Ospreay VS Moxley then being interrupted by Finlay was actually pretty wild, and now it’s some kind of Triple Threat for an Undisputed Midcard Championship, name to be determined later, which is pretty cool. Though, a midcard title constantly changing it’s name? Feels familiar… Like a certain wrestling fanfic series did that…

My Score: 9/10