Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW New Beginning Nagoya Results & Report! (1/20/24)

Will Darkness Fall?

Published

1 year ago

January 20, 2024

Steven Mitchell

The Good Bad Guy VS The King of Darkness!

Tama Tonga just got the NEVER Openweight Championship back, will he lose it all over again? Or will Evil be denied his New Beginning in Nagoya?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kickoff Match – Shoma Kato VS Katsuya Murashima; Time Limit Draw.
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi; Narita & Yujiro win.
10 Man Tag: The United Empire VS Bullet Club War Dogs; Bullet Club War Dogs win.
#DespeWato VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Kanemaru win.
8 Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii & Togi Makabe VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Just5Guys; Just5Guys win.
KOPW Championship 10 Minute Ring Fit Match: Taiji Ishimori VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo VS Chase Owens & KENTA; ELP & Leo win and retain the titles.
NEVER Openweight Championship: Tama Tonga VS EVIL; No Contest, restarted as…
NEVER Openweight Championship Lumberjack Match: Tama Tonga VS EVIL; Evil wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

8 Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii & Togi Makabe VS TMDK!

The Rainmaker shocked the world by announcing he’s leaving NJPW! The countdown begins now, will he, The Ace, the Stone Pitbull and the Uncaged Gorilla start things off with a bang? Or will Zack Sabre Jr, Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls & Kosei Fujita ruin this New Beginning?

The teams sort out and fans already cheer for Okada. However, it is Ishii who steps up to start, and he gets Hysterical Haste. The bell rings, the fans rally as the two go forehead to forehead, then go forearm for forearm! Shane and Ishii go back and forth, Shane UPPERCUTS then runs. Shane RAMS Ishii, Ishii rebounds but Shane drops then hurdles. Ishii swings, Shane dodges, but Ishii blocks Shane’s kick. Ishii waistlocks, Shane resists the lift and elbows free. Shane snapmares, basement dropkicks, and fans fire up as he flexes. Shane KICKS Ishii in the back, but Ishii stands right up! Ishii grabs Shane by the neck, but Shane ROCKS Ishii!

Ishii ROCKS Shane, Shane BOOTS Ishii, but then Ishii full nelsons and spins Shane to a suplex! Tag to Tanahashi and fans fire up! “Ace-Sachou” fires forearms, whips Shane, but Shane reverses. Mikey gets a cheap shot in, but Tanahashi DECKS him for it! Tanahashi fires off shots on Shane, runs, but Fujita gets a cheap shot in! Tanahashi storms up but Fujita CHOPS first! Shane DROPKICKS Tanahashi, Fujita BLASTS Ishii, Okada & Makabe off the corner! Shane tags Mikey and he drags Tanahashi up to the corner. Mikey fires off body shots, then smothers him! Tag to ZSJ and he wrenches Tanahashi again and again.

ZSJ slips through, wrenches again, then tags Fujita. They double wrench Tanahashi to then double leg trip and double standing toehold! Shane BLASTS Ishii off the apron while ZSJ & Fujita split the wishbone! Then they both STOMP Tanahashi’s arms! ZSJ falls back and Ichiban Sweet Boy stands Tanahashi up to CHOP! Tag to Shane and he CHOPS Tanahashi! Tag to Mikey and he CHOPS Tanahashi! Tanashi sputters, but he fires back with forearms. Mikey knees low, tags Shane, and they double whip. They DOUBLE ELBOW Tanahashi down, then FIST DROP SPLASH COMBO! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally up but Shane keeps Tanahashi down with a chinlock, that he then shifts to a chinbar and forearm grind. Tanahashi endures and fans continue to rally. Mikey tries to hold the ropes back, but Tanahashi still gets the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Shane lets off, then he tags in Fujita. Fujita stomps Tanahashi, drags him up, and UPPERCUTS! Tanahashi goes to ropes, Fujita CHOPS him, then Fujita tags Mikey. Mikey kicks Tanahashi but Tanahashi fires forearms. Mikey knees Tanahashi low, BLASTS Okada & Ishii, but then runs into BOOTS! Tanahashi runs up, into an elbow! Mikey suplexes, but Tanahashi fights that to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

The fans fire up while both men are down. They crawl, and hot tag to Okada! Fans fire up as Okada rallies on TMDK! He BOOTS Mikey, runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges to then ELBOW Mikey down! Fans fire up, Okada runs in at the corner and JUMP ELBOWS! Then kick low, but Shane runs in. Okada kicks him, too, and DOUBLE DDTS! Cover on Mikey, TWO! The fans fire up as Okada waits on Mikey. Mikey stands, Okada Alabama Lifts but Mikey CLUBS free. Mikey runs in, but Okada pops him up to REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Fans rally again as Okada scoops Mikey and SLAMS him down! Okada goes to the corner but Fujita attacks!

Mikey runs up to ROCK Okada, then ROCKET LAUNCH him! Tag to Fujita and he runs up to DROPKICK! Fujita fires forearms on Okada, ROCKS him, but Okada gets up Fujita’s face! Fujita CHOPS him! Fujita whips corner to corner, runs in, and CHOPS again! Okada sputters, Fujita goes up and out to springboard MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up but Fujita slashes his throat. Fujita hauls Okada up but Okada fights the suplex! Fujita throws body shots, CHOPS, then runs, but Okada FLAPJACKS him down! Fans fire up again while Okada and Fujita are down. Okada crawls, hot tag to Makabe!

Fans rally as Makabe BLASTS ZSJ off the apron, then SPLASHES Fujita in the corner. Makabe climbs and rains down fists! But Fujita slips out to DROPKICK Makabe down! Makabe storms up but Fujita gets around to waistlock. Makabe elbows free, runs, but into a WHEEL KICK! Fujita and Makabe are down, and Fujita crawls his way over, hot tag to ZSJ! ZSJ UPPERCUTS Makabe, UPPERCUTS again, then UPPERCUTS again! Makabe roars and he ROCKS ZSJ! Makabe runs, into a BOOT! But he spins, only for ZSJ to wrench and PELE the left arm! ZSJ then isolates and STOMPS that arm! Then he and TMDK BLAST the Dream Trio!

Ishii storms in but Shane & Mikey whip him to a corner. ZSJ runs in, Ishii dodges and he sends Mikey into Shane! Ishii blocks ZSJ’s boot, gives it to Tanahashi, DRAGON SCREW! Then Ishii and Tanahashi get Shane and Mikey for DOUBLE DRAGON SCREWS! They double whip Fujita, he ducks ‘n ‘dodges, then DOUBLE DROPKICKS them! Okada gets in, Fujita CHOPS! Fujita runs, but Okada DROPKICKS! Fans fire up as Okada gets Fujita out of the ring. ZSJ runs in, but Makabe LARIATS ZSJ! Then Makabe runs to LARIAT ZSJ again! Fans fire up and Makabe goes up a corner! KING KONG- NO, ZSJ avoids the knee!

ZSJ STOMPS the leg, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! But into a KNEEBAR HEEL HOOK!! Makabe endures, but ZSJ shifts to DEATHLOCK!! Makabe taps, TMDK wins!

Winners: TMDK, by submission

The Front Man may no longer be NJPW World Television Champion, but he is still a Submission Master! And he calls out Bryan Danielson and his one good eye, telling him to be ready for their rematch! Will ZSJ make the American Dragon #JustTapOut? And with Okada’s days in NJPW literally numbered, is this a sign his Dream Trio is going to give up the gold to Fujita, Haste & Nicholls? Either way, Okada gets back in the ring to bow to the Nagoya fans one last time.

KOPW Championship 10 Minute Ring Fit Match: Taiji Ishimori VS Great-O-Khan!

The Bone Soldier Reborn won the championship scramble and quite literally ran away with this belt. But now he’s really going to test both his and Khan’s cardio in this modified version of the scramble! Ten minutes on the clock, and every three minutes they stop for a 30 second “high intensity circuit training” session! As for falls, you either pin your opponent, make them submit, or have physical possession of the belt by the end. Will Khan’s body fail him before his spirit does? Or will the Dominator find a way to beat Ishimori at his own game?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly fit to be champion!

The bell rings, we’re on the clock, and Khan kicks low! Khan CLUBS Taiji, Mongolian Chops him down, then stomps him. Khan drags Taiji up but Taiji pokes him in the eye! Taiji CLUBS Khan, whips him corner to corner but Khan reverses. Taiji slips out, slides under, goes around, and shoulders into Khan, to then springboard SEATED SENTON! Fans fire up and Taiji flexes. Taiji drags Khan up to throw hands, then runs, but Khan shoots around! IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Khan drags Taiji down, Taiji flails around, reaches out, and manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, but Khan lets go slowly.

Khan drags Taiji up, UPPERCUTS him, and Taiji goes to a corner. Khan UPPERCUTS again, then UPPERCUTS again! Taiji sits down, Khan drags him up, and Khan TOSSES Taiji across the way! Taiji writhes, Khan covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Khan storms around. Khan stomps Taiji, drags him up, and CLUBS him on the neck. Khan whips, Taiji slides out, and we’re nearing the first three minute mark. Taiji grabs the belt and starts running with it! Khan gives chase, they go out to the crowd, but Taiji is just stalling for time! It’s time for the circuit training! The clock stops so both men can return to ringside.

Fans cheer as this first 30 second period is: Jumping, high knees, and burpies! Khan is already unsure he can do that. Khan makes his way back into the ring, he and Taiji set up, and the ref says go! Taiji does his jumps and his high knees so much faster than Khan, and goes to burpies after only seven seconds! Khan does his best to keep up, and Taiji’s down at 20 seconds! Khan finishes just in time, and the fans cheer! Now, we get back on the 10-minute clock and we have another three minutes! Khan keeps Taiji from going back outside so Taiji fires off forearms! Khan UPPERCUTS Taiji down! Then has to catch his breath!

Khan paces, gives a thumbs up, and then suplexes Taiji. But Taiji blocks! Khan keeps trying, he gets Taiji up, but Taiji kicks and flails! Khan still holds Taiji up, but then lets him down to Mongolian Chop! Khan even drops to his knees, still needing to catch his breath. The fans rally, Khan throws hands, then whips. Taiji handsprings but into Khan’s clutches! Khan pops Taiji around to suplex high and hard! Fans fire up but Khan is still gasping. Khan crawls his way over to Taiji, covers at the five minute mark, TWO! Khan is frustrated but he drags Taiji around, into the HEAD ‘N’ ARM TRIANGLE! Taiji endures as Khan puts on the squeeze!

We’re 30 seconds away from the next period, Taiji fights up, but Khan SAYANAGIS, back into the HEAD ‘N’ ARM! Taiji endures, we’ve got 10 seconds! Khan leans all his weight, but Taiji is saved by the buzzer! Khan is frustrated, but the ref tells him to let go! Khan lets go, because now it’s time for push-ups, “V-crunches,” and squats! Khan and Taiji set up, and begin! Taiji blazes through the push-ups, and a “V-crunch” is where you bring up your legs as well as upper body to make a V shape! He blazes through those, too! And he gets to squats at 10 seconds! He’s done at 20, just like before! Khan hustles up, and he finishes in time!

Fans cheer but Khan is surely feeling the burn inside and out. No pain, no gain, as they say! We’re back on the regular clock now, and Taiji CLUBS Khan! Khan eggs Taiji on, and Taiji kicks him low. And again! Khan goes to ropes, still eggs Taiji on, so Taiji CLUBS him! Taiji whips, but Khan flops right over! The ref checks Khan but Khan says he’s still in this. Taiji removes the blue buckle pad while the ref isn’t watching! Taiji wrenches Khan, and sends him into the POST! We’re at the seven minute mark, and Taiji wrenches to hit an ARM CODE BREAKER! Taiji takes aim, BANG, and he drags Khan back up.

Taiji brings Khan into a cradle, TWO! Another cradle, TWO!! Khan just barely gets his arm off the mat and Taiji can’t believe it! Taiji argues with the ref, Khan swings, but it’s so sluggish! Taiji rolls Khan up, TWO! Eight minutes in and Taiji has the BONE LOCK! Khan scrambles, reaches out, but Taiji kicks off the ropes to get Khan turned around! Khan endures, and he BITES Taiji’s arm! The ref reprimands, Taiji pulls on the hold, but Khan keeps fighting! Khan reaches, maybe he can last until it’s time for the final circuit training session! The fans count it down, ROPEBREAK, and it’s time! The final session: More jumping, “jumping lunges,” and “mountain climbs!”

Khan and Taiji set up, and Khan is begging for mercy. The ref says sorry, these are the rules. Khan stands, and it’s go time! Taiji jumps, Khan tries to keep up, but Taiji’s already at the lunges! Taiji goes to the “climbs” at 10 seconds, and he finishes at 20! Taiji’s pace is consistent, but Khan’s slowing down! He barely finishes the lunges and time is up! Taiji wants the ref to name him the winner, Khan couldn’t finish that set! Khan begs not to, there was nothing about actually having to! The fans want it, though, so Khan has to finish his lunges and climbs after all! At least he gets all 30 seconds to do it! Wait, he still doesn’t make it?

Taiji kicks at Khan now, so Khan flips him off! Khan just keeps doing the climbs, and the fans help him count! Khan finishes, and finally, we can have the final minute! Taiji gets the belt, shoves the ref aside, and takes aim! But Khan IRON RIGHT HANDS first!! Khan on weak legs goes for HITSUJIGOROSHI! But Taiji powers out, LA MYSTICA, but Khan shifts to the HITSUJI- NO, Taiji flips free! Last 30 seconds as Taiji wants the Bone Lock! Khan resists, but he also needs to score a fall! TEN SECONDS! IRON CLAW! ELIMINATOR!! But Khan falls the wrong way! Time’s up, and wait! Khan fell on the belt!! KHAN WINS!!

Winner: Great-O-Khan, by possession of the belt (NEW KOPW Champion)

Khan wakes back up, and realizes he’s actually triumphed! He can barely stand right now, but emptying the gas tank was worth it! Will this be a new era for both the KOPW Division and the United Empire?

NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado VS Chase Owens & KENTA!

The Headbanga & Young Guerilla held onto these belts through a Battle in the Valley, but Bullet Club has a lot of ammo to throw at them! The Crown Jewel & Fang Revived are locked and loaded, will they bring these belts back to the Club? Or will ELP & Leo make them regret ever kicking them off the team?

The introductions are made, the blue belts are raised, and we see if the Guerillas can stay NJPW Strong!

The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” already, and ELP lets a young fan hold the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team titles for a photo op. ELP then gets fans to cheer Leo and Jado as the teams sort out. ELP starts against Kenta, and fans rally up as the two stare down. Kenta is confused by the fans being so strongly behind ELP, but he and ELP still circle. But then Kenta backs off before he and ELP circle again. Kenta then steps outside to the apron, and he taunts trash on the fans. ELP gets the fans to cheer Kenta on if it’ll encourage him to get back in. Kenta ignores the fans, but the ref tells him to get in the ring, so Kenta steps back in.

But then ELP returns to favor by stepping outside. Leo gives ELP a shoulder rub to loosen him up. The fans rally for ELP, and ELP handsprings back in. ELP and Kenta stare down, but then Kenta tags out to Chase. ELP sighs and Chase takes his own time getting warmed up. Chase then bails out, and ELP points out how no one cares. ELP rushes out and chases Chase, but Chase gets in. ELP avoids Chase & Kenta stomping him, then they egg him on! ELP says no thanks, and then Kenta & Chase turn around to see Leo! Leo grabs them both, meeting of the minds, then a double shoulder tackle! Fans fire up and ELP gets in, he and Leo put Chase & Kenta in the corners.

ELP & Leo send Chase and Kenta into each other, then they atomic drop in stereo! Both Kenta and Chase hobble around, so Leo sends Chase into a corner. ELP sends Kenta into Chase, then sends Leo in to DOUBLE SPLASH! Kenta falls, ELP runs up to ELBOW Chase! Feed to Leo, SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! Fans fire up and ELP winds up, for the high-five! ELP flexes and the fans cheer while he brings Chase up. ELP ROCKS Chase, ROCKS him again and Chase falls over. ELP eggs Chase on, but Chase knees him low! Chase runs, but ELP hurdles, drops, and DROPKICKS! Then handsprings up!

Fans cheer and ELP flexes again. ELP brings Chase up but Chase fires off fast hands and a forearm! Chase runs up to forearm smash, then short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Chase stays cool. Chase coordinates with Kenta, and he sends ELP in. ELP stops himself, ELBOWS Kenta, then backflips over Chase to duck ‘n’ dodge and springboard CROSSBODY! ELP somersaults to ropes, but Kenta YANKS him up and out! Chase BLASTS Leo, and Kenta sends ELP into railing! Kenta then POSTS ELP, then stomps him down. Kenta argues with the ref, then he puts ELP in the ring. Chase covers, TWO!

Chase argues with the ref but the fans cheer. Chase whips ELP to ropes and CLOBBERS him! Tag to Kenta, and he drags ELP up to whip. Kenta ELBOWS ELP down, covers, TWO! Kenta clamps on a chinlock and he grinds ELP down. ELP endures, even as Kenta pushes up to put on the pressure. ELP fights around, fights up, and throws body shots. But Kenta throws ELP down! Kenta tags Chase, and they split the wishbone on ELP! Chase stalks ELP, keeps him from Leo, and headlock punches! Chase then hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as ELP reaches out for Leo, but Chase slaps Leo’s hand away!

Chase drags ELP away as the ref keeps Leo back. Kenta tags in and Bullet Club mugs ELP. Kenta KICKS ELP, sits him back up, and KICKS again! Kenta eggs ELP on but ELP fires forearms in return! Kenta claws the eyes! Fans boo, but Kenta snapmares to KICK ELP! Cover, ROPEBREAK! ELP’s long legs save him there, and Kenta is frustrated. The fans rally behind the Guerillas, but Kenta drags ELP around. Kenta bumps ELP off Chase’s boot. Kenta tags Chase, and Chase puts ELP under the ropes to ROPE GUILLOTINE! Kenta goes out after ELP to RAM him into railing! Leo storms over and Kenta hurries away.

The ring count is climbing, Leo coaches ELP up, but ELP is still down at 10 of 20. ELP crawls, Leo stares Kenta down, but ELP makes it in at 15! Chase is on ELP with a facelock, CLUBS him on the back, then tags Kenta. Kenta storms up on ELP to whip him to ropes. ELP sunset flips, TWO! Kenta gets free, and he grabs ELP’s leg to keep him from Leo! Chase tags in, he stomps ELP down, and then he drags ELP up. Chase & Kenta double whip but ELP holds ropes. ELP BOOTS Chase, DUMPS Kenta out, then runs up to RANA! The fans fire up and ELP hurries for the corner! Hot tag to- NO, Kenta YANKS Leo down!

Fans boo as Kenta stomps Leo, and Chase stomps ELP. Kenta slides in, he and Chase double back suplex! But ELP lands on his feet! ELP goes up and over Kenta, slides under Chase, but Chase grabs legs! ELP ENZUGIRIS Chase! Kenta hurries in to grab ELP’s legs, but ELP BOOTS him into Chase! Hot tag to Leo! The fans fire up as Leo rallies on Kenta with big elbows! Chase ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Leo runs him over! Kenta staggers up, Leo scoops him to SNAKE EYES! Leo keeps moving and he runs Kenta over! Chase fires forearms but Leo clamps on! Leo TOSSES Chase to a corner, then runs up, only for Chase to BOOT him!

Chase runs up to ROCK Leo, but Leo UPPERCUTS Chase! Leo choke grips Chase, grabs Kenta, but they break free! They kick low, double whip, but Leo breaks the line to DOUBLE LARIAT them! The fans fire up and Leo aims at Chase. Choke grip, but Chase breaks free! Chase aims, but Leo UPPERCUTS! Leo reels Chase in but Chase wrenches out to BOOT! Chase blocks Leo’s haymaker to KNEE back! Chase reels Leo in, tucks the arms, but Leo’s too big for the Heist! Leo back drops free! Chase sunset flips, but Leo drags him up with both hands! But Kenta pulls hair to THROW Leo onto Chase’s knees!

Leo writhes, Chase tags Kenta, and Kenta runs to WRECK ELP with a dropkick! Kenta then sends Chase in at Leo to forearm smash! Chase goes up and over, sweeps the legs, and Kenta runs up to HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Leo is down in the drop zone and Kenta climbs up! DIVING DOUBLE STOMP!! Cover, TWO!!! Leo survives the Coup De Grace and Kenta can’t believe it! Fans fire up but Kenta slashes his throat. Kenta drags Leo up, fireman’s carries, but Leo is so big! Leo then flails free, grips Kenta, but Chase runs in! Leo shoves Kenta to BOOT Chase! Kenta blocks Leo’s kick to KNEE BREAKER!

Kenta fires off haymaker after haymaker, and Leo falls to his knees! Kenta runs up, but into the SNAP POWERSLAM! Fans fire up while both men are down! Leo crawls his way over, hot tag to ELP! ELP goes up the ropes to SWANTON BOMB! Then he somersaults to LIONSAULT! But he keeps moving, another somersault so he can TORNADO DDT Chase to the floor! Fans fire up as ELP hurries back up! ELP climbs a corner, and he THUNDER KISS- NO, Kenta moves! ELP rolls through, Kenta runs up to JUMP KICK! Then he puts ELP in the ropes, GREEN KILLER! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as ELP survives, but Kenta brings down his kneepad. Kenta drags ELP up, fireman’s carries, but ELP fights free to backslide! Roll through, arms tucked, but Kenta fireman’s carries free! ELP slips free again, tucks again, but Kenta wrenches out! Kenta blocks a haymaker to URAKEN! ELP roars, but Kenta URAKENS again! Fireman’s carry for GO- NO! ELP turns GTS into a cradle, TWO!!! Kenta runs up, ELP gets around, O’Conner Roll! TWO into a BOOT from Chase! APRON DDT!! The ref reprimands but Kenta rolls ELP up, TWO!!! ELP survives and the fans fire up! But Kenta gets an arm, for the GAME OVER CROSSFACE!

ELP endures, he reaches out, and Jado coaches him towards that side! Kenta pulls back, but ELP has the ROPEBREAK with a foot! Chase runs up to stomp ELP! Leo storms in to kick Chase and CLUB away on him! Kenta fires off on Leo, but Leo choke grips! Chase CLUBS Leo, Kenta runs up, but Leo gets free! The BOOT takes out Chase! Leo CHOPS Kenta, ELP straitjackets and torture racks! Leo runs to BOOT Kenta into BRAIN SALAD!! Cover, TWO!! Kenta survives being the “Unidentified Flying Opponent,” but Leo & ELP pound the mat! They take up the corner and tune up the band!

Kenta rises, but Chase trips Leo! Chase YANKS Leo backwards into the post! Kenta dodges Sudden Death to DISCUS LARIAT! ELP and Kenta are down but the fans rally up! Kenta tags Chase, we’re at 20 minutes of the 30 minute time limit, and Bullet Club double whip! Double hip toss into a TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives the powerbomb-neckbreaker combo, but Kenta hurries up top! Chase drags ELP up to tuck him in, but ELP wrenches free! ELP sends Chase to the ropes, and that trips Kenta up! ELP rolls Chase up, TWO! Chase runs in, ELP dodges the C-Trigger to SUDDEN DEATH!! Cover, TWO!!!

ELP hurries to haul Chase up, straitjacket and torture rack! BURNING HAMMER!! But Kenta aims, leaps, but ELP moves! Chase takes the DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Leo storms in, choke grips Kenta, GODSEND!! ELP gives Chase CR2!!! Cover, the Guerrillas win!!

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

A great win for ELP & Leo, but this was just round one. Chase & Kenta will be back for those IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships in Osaka, February 11th! Will the Two Belt Guerillas make it through the New Beginnings?

NEVER Openweight Championship: Tama Tonga VS EVIL w/ House of Torture!

The Good Bad Guy knows what it is to win and lose this belt, but so does the King of Darkness. With Sanada thwarting Evil from stealing the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship from Naito, will Evil just steal this title instead? Or will nothing stop the THREE-TIME NEVER Openweight Champion?

Naturally, Evil has the entire House with him tonight, but Tama decides to come out here on his own. The introductions are made, but the moment Tama’s in the ring, he CLOBBERS Evil! The fans fire up and Red Shoes rings the bell as Tama throws down fists! Evil gets away and bails out but Tama pursues. Evil kicks low, whips, but Tama reverses to send Evil into railing! Fans fire up as Tama whips Evil back into the railing! Evil writhes, the House complains, but Tama puts Evil in the ring. Tama storms in, he CLUBS away on Evil, then he brings out scissors! Red Shoes says no, but Tama wants to return the favor of the bad haircut!

Evil grabs at Red Shoes, and that keeps him from seeing the House get in! They grab the scissors, mug Tama, and fans boo as Evil keeps Red Shoes from seeing all this! But wait! Here come the Guerrillas, and even Desperado & Shota Umino! The Roughneck goes after his nemesis, Narita, Desperado goes after Kanemaru, Leo & ELP go after the rest! Fans cheer, Red Shoes asks what the heck, and here comes Jado with a kendo stick! The brawl is all over the ring, Tama keeps after Evil and vice-versa, and oddly no one else has touched either guy so there are no reasons to disqualify this one!

Red Shoes still reprimands as Tama pulls Evil’s hair and Evil claws at Tama’s face! Jado and Yujiro square off, kendo stick for pimp cane! Leo CLUBS Yujiro, Jado runs Dick Togo off! Red Shoes sighs as Shota choke Narita and ELP keeps Sho down. Evil claws Tama’s eyes, knees low, and Red Shoes says this is enough! Throw it out!

No Contest

The fans boo, it was just getting good! But Red Shoes’ orders are absolute, and Tama retains the title because of this. Tama didn’t want it like that, he still wants to fight! Evil shouts at Tama, too, but what can they do with all these other guys around? Tama gets a mic so he can speak, and the fans cheer him on. Tama says, “Hey, Evil, you SOB! We’re not done! We’re not done! We’re fighting today! You have your people, I have MY people! Let’s make this… a LUMBERJACK MATCH!” Fans like the sound of that! Evil says fine, and then Red Shoes assesses the situation. He makes sure this is all kosher, and the match is a go!

NEVER Openweight Championship Lumberjack Match: Tama Tonga VS EVIL!

Nagoya is all fired up for this escalated main event, and Evil slides in. The bell rings, and the brawl continues between these two! Tama fires off haymakers and an UPPERCUT, but Evil claws the eyes! Evil runs, but Tama CLOBBERS him! Evil bails out, but nope! Tama’s lumberjacks put him right in! Tama HEADBUTTS Evil, fires off body shots and an UPPERCUT, then storms around. Tama storms back up on Evil, but Evil shoves him away. Evil crawls out but Tama drags him back in! Tama kicks low, fireman’s carries, but Evil claws eyes! Fans boo, Red Shoes reprimands, but Evil TOSSES Tama out to the House’s side!

Tama fires off on Evil’s lumberjacks, and then Tama’s lumberjacks run up to fight them off! Fans fire up, even as Dick uses a chair and Yujiro uses his pimp cane! The House ends up standing tall as Evil blocks Red Shoes from seeing things clearly, and then Dick & Kanemaru drag the mats up! They DOUBLE SUPLEX Tama to the hardwood floor! Tama writhes, Evil gloats, but fans boo. Evil drags Tama up and brings him around. The lumberjacks continue to scrap, such as Narita and Shota going after each other, but Evil RAMS Tama into the timekeeper! Down goes Abe-san! Evil grabs the mic while Sho unties the blue buckle pad.

Evil says Tama’s FIRED from NJPW, then he stomps away on the Good Bad Guy. Evil storms into the ring, Sho throws Tama back in for him, and Evil drags Tama up. Evil talks more trash, then he whips Tama into the bare buckles! Tama writhes but Evil wants Red Shoes to check him. Red Shoes does check Tama, but Tama isn’t done just yet. Evil is being sneaky, he has Red Shoes check Tama’s guys so that he can then CHOKE Tama with a House of Torture shirt! Fans boo, Tama’s guys protest, but Evil gets away with that one. Evil then covers, but Red Shoes refuses because he knows there were shenanigans!

The House complains but the fans cheer, this is what Evil gets! Evil taunts Tama, Tama pushes him away, but Evil scuffs Tama around. Evil drags Tama up, tosses him back out, and Sho throws Tama back in. Evil then throws Tama back out, just so Sho can throw him back in. They’re doing this just to disorient Tama, but he DECKS Sho all the same! Tama is dizzy but still fighting, and ELP tells Sho to back off. Sho storms up so Leo goes after him! ELP joins in again, the brawling is back on, and at least it keeps Tama from taking cheap shots. Red Shoes tells them all to separate, and then Sho pushes Tama back into the ring.

Evil soaks up the heat, stomps away on Tama, and then CLUBS him down. Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Evil clamps on with a chinlock. The fans rally as Tama endures, fights up, and pries the hold away. Tama body shots and elbows low, then runs. But Kanemaru trips Evil! Evil runs, so Desperado trips him! Fans cheer as the Rogue Luchador evens things with The Heel Master! Evil and Tama stir, the fans rally up, and both men stand. Evil swings but Tama counter punches Evil! And then counter punches again! And again! And again, and again, and again! Fans fire up as Tama punches then whips, but Evil reverses!

Tama comes right back to LARIAT! Tama rallies on Evil with more LARIATS, then the House gets mad! Tama DECKS Dick, DECKS Narita and DECKS Yujiro! Tama dodges Evil, hoists him up, BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Tama then goes up a corner, but Evil rolls away to the far side. Sho laughs at Tama but Tama says okay, PLANCHA! Down goes Sho & Kanemaru! But wait, Evil is trying to run away with the belt! This isn’t a scramble, that was earlier! Leo CLOBBERS Evil from behind! Leo stands Evil up for ELP to PURPLE NURPLE~! Evil endures the pain and then ELP brings him back to ringside.

ELP puts Evil in, the fans rally up as hard as they can, and now Evil wants mercy? Tama says nope, and he fireman’s carries! S R C! Tama goes up to the top, for SUPREME FLOW! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives, but Tama doesn’t waste time being frustrated! The fans rally as Tama slithers around and watches Evil. Tama’s guys pound the mat along with him, and the fans clap along. Evil rises, Tama GUN- NO, Evil uses Red Shoes as a shield! Then Evil kicks low, hoists Tama up, and he uses Red Shoes to help in MAGIC KILLER!! Yujiro drags Tama out, the House goes after the Guerillas, and Yujiro hits PIMP JUICE to the floor!

Fans boo as the House has control again, and Yujiro puts Tama in for Evil. Evil crawls to the cover, Red Shoes counts, TWO!!! Tama survives and the fans fire up! Evil is frustrated but he drags Tama up. Evil fireman’s carries, for DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!!! Tama survives again and the fans are thunderous! Evil is beside himself, and the fans are chanting “Let’s Go, Tama!” Evil says no, and he slashes his throat. Evil drags Tama back up, EVERYTHING- NO, Tama fights the STO with elbows! Evil LARIATS, but Tama stays up! The fans fire up again but Evil runs again, to LARIAT! Tama is still up on his feet!!

Tama grits his teeth, Evil throws off the elbow pad, and he runs, into a TONGAN TWIST!! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Red Shoes checks, Tama and Evil stir, and both men push up off the mat. Evil grabs at Tama but Tama CHOPS! And CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Evil kicks low, whips, but Tama reverses! Evil hits bare buckles! But he fights the back suplex! Tama waistlocks, Evil grabs Red Shoes’ sleeve! Tama lifts but Evil holds on, but Red Shoes swats Evil’s arm away! Tama O’Conner Rolls Evil, TWO!! Into a CHAIR SHOT from Dick!!! Evil rolls Tama up, TWO?!?!? The House can’t believe that didn’t work!!

Fans fire up as Tama rises! Evil runs in, but Tama drop toeholds him into Jado’s KENDO STICK STRIKE!! Roll up, TWO?!?!? Evil survives and the House is relieved! Tama goes to a corner, Evil sits up as he clutches his head, and Tama runs in. But the SPLASH is sent into Red Shoes! Narita BOOTS Tama! Shota SHOTGUNS Narita! Sho and Desperado get in! Desperado dodges the “Murder Tool” to SPINEBUSTER Sho! But Kanemaru dropkicks Desperado’s legs out! Leo storms in but Kanemaru dropkicks his legs out, too! Yujiro runs up, he and Kanemaru double whip, only for Leo to DOUBLE LARIAT!

ELP joins in, Leo gives him the boost to go up and up and ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Down goes so much of the House! But Evil has the belt!! He runs up, but Tama dodges! DROPKICK sends the belt into Evil’s face!! Tama aims, GUN- NO, Evil blocks, for EVERY- NO, Tama powers out! Tama runs to GUN- NO?!? Evil blocks, sends Tama at the bare buckles, but Tama stops himself! Evil shoves Red Shoes, Tama jumps up and over to GUN STUN!!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? HOW?!?! Tama roars, he just drags Evil up again! Underhooks for the DIVE SHACK DRIVER!!! Cover, DICK DRAGS RED SHOES OUT!!!!

Fans boo as The Spoiler has his SPOILER CHOKER!!! Tama fights it, Jado SMACKS Dick! GUN STUN for Dick!! The fans are thunderous as Tama drags Evil back up. Underhooks and lift, but Evil fights it! Evil rams Tama to the ropes, Narita CRACKS Tama with his push-up bar!! EVERYTHING IS EVIL!!!! Cover, EVIL WINS!!!!

Winner: Evil, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)

Just when Tama thought he could make it past one-and-done, just when he thought he had things fair and square, The House of Torture finds a new way to cheat! The Good Bad Guy’s final singles match in NJPW in Japan, and it has to end like this. After 14 years, is it going to be this asterisk that punctuates Tama’s career?

As for Evil, he truly does steal this title, and the House heads out to celebrate. What is going to become of NJPW if the House of Torture continues its reign of terror?

As for Tama, he stands back up, naturally emotional over what this moment really means. The fans cheer him, and he gets the mic again. “NJPW, arigato gozaimashete. NJPW fans, thank you. Thank you. Thank you for everything. Thank you for taking care of me. Thank you for giving me a home. Thank you for giving me a chance to know you. I love you.” The fans cheer again as Tama sets down the mic and blows a kiss goodbye. He also hugs it out with Leo, Jado and the rest. As the song says, ain’t nobody realer than Guerrilla, but what does the future hold for the Good Bad Guy?

My Thoughts:

A great event for NJPW to start a stacked New Beginning series. Okada announcing he’s on his way out of NJPW was definitely shocking, but he’s still gonna wrap things up with this New Beginning series. Good 8 Man Tag tonight, a little surprising TMDK won here but perhaps they and Okada’s team go back and forth leading up to the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag title match. I would think TMDK wins that, and we worry about where Okada finds himself (AEW VS WWE, obviously) afterward.

Great “Ring Fit” match, and while Taiji wasn’t always doing best form as he blazed through the exercises, it was hilarious story for him to be so quick at it while Khan struggled. But what a great surprise that Khan still won out. Khan wants to make the KOPW more serious, similar to Takagi and Taichi, so I can’t be sure how much more he can do when Takagi was having endurance matches and No Disqualifications. Well, maybe Khan chooses to do that, too, with a more technical flair given he’s an established amateur wrestler and Mixed Martial Artist. Though, let’s not do the amateur judo match he did with Takagi. The fans voted for it but then got bored watching it.

Great Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship match with ELP & Leo of course retaining against Kenta & Chase. Them putting this on as a preview of the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match was an interesting move, but Nagoya sure didn’t care about Chase & Kenta. Hopefully the next crowd gets a bit more invested in the Heels, though I don’t suspect ELP & Leo losing the heavyweight titles, either. And wild stuff with Tama VS Evil. The No Contest, then the Lumberjack match, all pretty much allowing The House of Torture to do all the cheating they want, but I suppose it makes sense with Tama also on his way out.

Tama’s impending departure might be overshadowed by Okada’s, but Tama has always been a solid part of NJPW over his 14 years. From helping found Bullet Club with Prince Devitt/Finn Balor to carrying Bullet Club as members left for other places, to being ejected from Bullet Club, all the while building a great IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship legacy, and even having the NEVER Openweight Six Man and NEVER singles title along the way, Tama is himself a solid get for any stateside promotion. Though, I feel like he’d just get lost in the shuffle in AEW or even in WWE. He could go fulltime NJPW Strong, but maybe staying in NJPW in any form would kinda undercut the emotional goodbye we just got tonight.

My Score: 8.9/10

About Chairshot Radio Network

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/22/24)

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Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (1/20/24)

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (1/31/25)

One last stop before the Royal Rumble!

Published

1 hour ago

January 31, 2025

Steven Mitchell

One last chance for Michin!

Mia Yim has been trying and trying to win the WWE Women’s US Championship, will this finally be her night? Or will Chelsea Green find a way to survive?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Jimmy Uso VS Carmelo Hayes; Jimmy wins.
WWE Women’s United States Championship: Chelsea Green w/ Piper Niven VS Mia Yim w/ B-Fab; wins and
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; wins.
The Miz VS Andrade; wins.
8 Man Tag: Motor City Machine Guns & Los Garza VS DIY & Pretty Deadly; win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Tonight, SmackDown’s first hour is COMMERCIAL FREE!

Michael Cole & Pat McAfee are here!

Maggle welcomes out Indianapolis’s own, and the fans cheer on “MCAFEE! MCAFEE!” as he joins Cole on stage. Pat appreciates everyone here so much. Since the day he got to start his dream job of being in the WWE after playing for this city and the Indianapolis Colts, he has been pleading bring a massive event to the greatest city on planet Earth! The Royal Rumble is tomorrow, we know it’s down the road. But if you’re in from out of town, from another country, what you are going to witness from this city is nothing short of world class! They host some of the biggest events every single year!

They host national championships, they host Olympic trials, they host Final Fours, they host everything, and they’re the best to ever do it because these people are the greatest on Earth! The bars are ready, the restaurants are ready, and the roof on Lucas Oil is ready to blow off! The Royal Rumble is tomorrow night, and it is the absolute perfect thing to happen. Pat loves this place, he loves the WWE, and he is so damn thankful to this city! Let’s have a Royal Rumble weekend! Maggle hands it off to Joe Tessitore in the ring, and he says what a great start to the show.

Last week, Joe had the distinct honor to interview Cody Rhodes, only for half an hour later, Kevin Owens appeared to question Joe’s integrity, claiming he is not getting fair treatment. So Joe will give the challenge proper time to be heard. Please welcome Kevin Owens. The fans boo as the Prizefighter makes his way out, wearing a classic KO duct tape shirt, and he joins Joe in the ring. The Winged Eagle and corporate logo belts hang above the ring as Kevin steps inside, but Kevin doesn’t even look at Joe as he hears the fans either boo or chant for Cody.

Joe says it has been very difficult to look past Kevin’s recent actions. The attacks, the threats, the attempts to hurt others. But as Kevin stood over Joe and stated his argument, Joe did think of his role in how he covers that. Joe does want to give Kevin his chance to be heard. So then in Kevin’s opinion, what is being misunderstood or misrepresented? Kevin says this is Joe’s way of making amends, right? This is him making it up to Kevin? Because last week, Kevin only saw Joe caring about Cody’s feelings, being a Cody fanboy. But don’t worry, Joe’s not the only one who disrespects Kevin.

Last Monday, Seth Rollins, CM Punk and Cody Rhodes all saying they were facing this or that person at WrestleMania, glossing over the fact that KEVIN will win tomorrow night at the Royal Rumble. Joe says he won’t apologize for doing his job of talking with Cody. But her does apologize if Kevin feels he hasn’t gotten a fair opportunity, and that is what this is for. Kevin asks if Joe thinks he’s a tough guy. No, he’s a 53-year-old broadcaster. Then Kevin doesn’t accept the apology. In fact, Joe can shove it! Kevin has nothing to say to Joe, he is just here to take the Winged Eagle back.

Kevin takes the belt down off the hanger, and says he’ll take the other one tomorrow night. Kevin says he’ll see you later, but then CM PUNK shows up! The fans cheer as The Second City Saint says, “It’s Clobbering Time!” Punk then high-fives fans on his way to the ring. Punk steps in and grabs himself a mic, the fans chant his name, but Kevin is not amused. The fans lose their minds seeing this stare down, but then boo as Kevin looks to speak. “Can I help you?” Punk says no, Kevin can’t. And Punk isn’t here to help Kevin, but to apologize. Sorry for interrupting Kevin, Punk knows how that feels, and he also knows there’s no love lost for Seth Rollins.

But Punk heard his name invoked so he took it as an invitation. The second apology is that Kevin makes great points, and Punk apologizes for looking past Kevin like it’s so automatic that Cody will get past Kevin. It isn’t, so again, Punk apologizes. But just so Kevin knows, when Punk wins the Royal Rumble match, and yes when he does, and if Kevin makes it past a very angry Cody Rhodes, then hell! The main event of WrestleMania could very well be Kevin Owens as champion VS CM Punk! And just man to man, face to face, Punk is coming for that title. So congratulations, champ, but it’s not gonna last long.

Kevin says he feels very conflicted right now. On one hand, there are a lot of guys in the Rumble that he likes more than Punk. In fact, there are 29 guys he likes more than Punk. And Kevin doesn’t even know who all is in that match, but still. But then, the thought of Punk and Kevin in the main event of WrestleMania, what sounds good is the thought of Kevin beating Punk’s ass in the main event of WrestleMania. Kevin knows what main-eventing Mania means. It is a goal Punk’s had since he was a kid. That’s why last year was so heartbreaking when Punk got hurt. In fact, when Punk left 10 years ago, he probably spent time regretting never main-eventing Mania.

But Punk is back and it is right at his fingertips, isn’t it? Kevin has to say, the idea of Punk never getting to main event WrestleMania is so good to Kevin. Kevin loves the idea of Punk never realizing his dream. Kevin gets a warm, fuzzy feeling when he pictures Punk, old, broken and alone, obsessing over the fact that Kevin is a multi-time WrestleMania main eventer while Punk goes to his grave a miserable failure. The fans boo as Kevin gets in Punk’s face with that. Kevin says he hopes Punk doesn’t win the Royal Rumble. Kevin takes his leave but Punk asks where he’s going. The party’s just getting started!

Yeah, sure, Punk hasn’t main-evented WrestleMania. That’s on him for setting goals that’re that big. But Kevin has! Twice! That’s good. Kevin’s done a lot in his career, he’s tough, one of the best, one of the biggest stars backstage. But here’s something Punk also hasn’t done that someone else has, stop him if you know who it is. Punk has never lost five title matches at the Royal Rumble. Oh, that was Kevin. Here’s a big one! Punk has never lost to Logan Paul. Oof, almost too stiff to repeat. And here’s something Punk hasn’t even done, nor attempted: Punk’s never manipulated his best friend, who he’s also stabbed in the back, all to help win the world title because he wasn’t confident enough.

Win, lose, or draw, Punk does things by himself. Kevin doesn’t, he takes shortcuts. Planets have to align, but realistically, two things have to happen tomorrow night for these two to be the main event of WrestleMania. One: Punk has to throw 29 other men that Kevin likes more than him over the top rope. Two: Kevin has to survive a very pissed off Cody in a dangerous ladder match. Only one thing has to happen for Kevin to get his ass kicked by Punk and that’s step back into the ring. Yeah, Punk may never wrestle the main event of WrestleMania, but he can still kick Kevin’s ass! Just get in the ring! Don’t be scared!

The fans cheer on Punk, the mics drop, and Kevin sets down the Winged Eagle. Only to then drop off the apron and take his leave for real. Punk mockingly applauds but the fans boo. Will Punk keep up his end of the WrestleMania main event by winning the Rumble? Can Kevin conquer Cody and be THE Undisputed WWE Champion?

The Miz talks with Nick Aldis.

The Hollywood A-Lister complains that the SmackDown General Manager says make new friends, he makes friends with A-Town Down Under, but then Aldis sends them away to Raw! Aldis says that wasn’t just his decision. Miz then brings up going to Andrade, offering him the role of a lifetime to work side-by-side with Miz, and then Andrade walks away?! That guy should be begging for the spotlight of Miz’s star power. Some people just doesn’t recognize greatness when it stares them in the face. Miz could’ve taught Andrade so much. If Andrade was here right now, Miz would punch him in his face, that’d teach him!

Aldis nods, and Miz realizes Andrade’s right behind him. Miz turns around and El Idolo says that sounded like a challenge. No, no, Miz is just saying Andrade was being stubborn, he could learn some things from Miz. Oh, learn something? Then prove it! Miz and Andrade, here tonight! No, Miz doesn’t have to prove anything. His career speaks for itself. But if Andrade wants a lesson in greatness, then fine! Miz will teach Andrade any time, anywhere! Then no time like the present! Aldis says Miz VS Andrade is a done deal! Andrade says see you out there. Aldis says this will be a barn burner. But will Miz be the one getting burned?

Jimmy Uso speaks.

“Yeah! so Carmelo wants to make a name off o’ Big Jim. The veteran VS the rookie! Hey, listen, dog! I’ve been to game 7. I’ve main-evented WrestleMania. But you? You got a lot to prove tonight. Because if you miss, it’s a rebound off the glass, shake ‘n’ bake, 360, BOOYAH! Ball game.” #BigJim is ready to dunk on H1M, but will Jimmy’s defense not be as good as his offense? Also, was that Shinsuke Nakamura lurking in the background…?

Jimmy Uso VS Carmelo Hayes!

As Melo makes his entrance, he has a mic, and he says that he wasn’t gonna come out here and say anything, but if Jimmy wants to talk, then let’s talk. Jimmy’s the one talking like he’s the one, but he’s really the two. And talking about Melo missing? Melo won’t miss because he ain’t Tyrese Halliburton. The Pacers fans boo, and Tyrese is even here! Melo tells Jimmy to get his guard up, because Melo’s about to drop 50 on his head! Melo goes to the ring, but Jimmy runs up! Melo HOTSHOTS Jimmy away, then CLOBBERS him! The bell rings, Melo stomps away, but the ref counts. Melo lets off, soaks up heat, and he whips Jimmy to ropes.

Melo ELBOWS Jimmy down, talks some smack, then stalks Jimmy to a corner. Melo CHOPS Jimmy, follows him to another corner, then CHOPS again! Melo HEADBUTTS Jimmy, but Melo’s the one who feels dizzy! Wade Barrett confirms on commentary, never headbutt a Samoan! Jimmy comes back to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Jimmy then pops, locks, but Melo kicks low. Melo whips, Jimmy reverses, but Melo turns hip toss into a takedown and lateral press! TWO, Jimmy ghost pins! TWO, and Jimmy UPPERCUTS Melo down! The fans fire up and Jimmy says No YEET. Jimmy whips Melo to ropes, but Melo grabs ropes!

Jimmy runs up, he LARIATS Melo up and out! Jimmy shouts out Tyrese and builds speed, but Melo CLOBBERS him! Melo KICKS Jimmy in the side, stomps him to a corner, then mocks the “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK! Melo dribbles and shoots his shot. Tyrese gives a thumbs down, wasn’t good form. Melo runs back in, but Jimmy avoids the hip toss! POP-UP DDT COUNTER! Melo turns that around on Jimmy then cover, TWO! Melo drags Jimmy up, tosses him out, then talks smack again. Melo builds speed, and he FLIES! Direct hit and Melo even lands on his feet! The fans boo but Melo brings Jimmy up.

Melo puts Jimmy in, then he gets in Tyrese’s face! Will Melo is a Boston guy. But Jimmy DIVES onto Melo! Big Jim didn’t miss, and he high-fives Tyrese. The fans rally up as Jimmy puts Melo in the ring. Jimmy aims but Melo dodges the superkick! Jimmy blocks Melo’s kick, Melo blocks Jimmy’s kick, but Jimmy hits the DRAGON WHIP! The fans fire up and Jimmy shows Melo how it’s done! “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK misses as Melo moves! But then Jimmy POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS! Cover, TWO! Melo survives that slam dunk but Jimmy goes up the corner. The fans rally for Jimmy as he reaches the top.

Melo CLUBS Jimmy on the back! Melo goes up the corner, fires hands on Jimmy, then reels him back in. Melo aims for the outside!? The fans boo but Jimmy blocks Melo’s suplex! Jimmy fires body shots, and he adjusts his position. Jimmy hits a SUPER QUICK DRAW NECKBREAKER!! Both men are down while the fans rally up! Jimmy rises, aims, and mule kicks! Then he pops, locks ‘n’ UPPERCUTS! Melo rebounds, Jimmy dodges, but Jimmy jumps into the FIRST 48!! Cover, TWO!! Melo grows frustrated but the fans rally up again! Melo says this is it, and he goes to ropes, Jimmy avoids the fadeaway to SUPERKICK!

The fans fire up and Jimmy covers, TWO! Melo survives but he does clutch his jaw. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and USO SPLASH onto knees! Melo cradles, TWO! Melo runs up, KNEES Jimmy down, then goes up the corner! The fans rally for Jimmy but Melo takes aim! FLYING SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Melo’s shocked that his copycat splash didn’t finish this! Melo grits his teeth and goes back to the corner. Melo says he’ll just hit that one more time. Melo climbs, the fans rally up for Jimmy, and Jimmy GAMANGIRIS Melo! Jimmy goes up to fireman’s carry Melo, but Melo fights free! And he rolls Jimmy, with ropes!

The ref sees that, he says no way! Jimmy rolls Melo up, with tights! JIMMY WINS!!

Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall

Big Jim grins as he gets the better of Melo! Melo has a lot to learn, but will no one get one over on H1M again?

Backstage interview with Chelsea Green & Piper Niven.

Byron Saxton is with the Women’s United States Champion and her “Secret Her-vice Agent.” Chelsea will defend her title against Michin one more time after she pinned Chelsea in last week’s tag team match. Is Chelsea concerned about what could happen tonight? Chelsea tells “Bryan” that last week, Mia Yim tried to destroy the face of the United States! So guess what? Tonight, Chelsea will return the favor. Then she heads straight to the Royal Rumble, wins the match, and gets herself, her Secret Her-vice, and her motorcade will parade all the way to WrestleMania, where Chelsea will again WIN!

The Hot Mess heads out, Piper by her side, but she has to stay focused on Michin. Will this be the last time the #RedWhiteandGreen has to worry about Code Blue? Or will Mia finally be the Head Baddie in Charge?

WWE Women’s United States Championship: Chelsea Green w/ Piper Niven VS Mia Yim w/ B-Fab!

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Road to New Beginning Results & Report! (1/30/25)

GO! ACE! GO! ACE!

Published

21 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Tanahashi’s Final Road to New Beginning!

Evil couldn’t end President Ace, but will The House of Torture still take the NEVER Openweight Six Man Championships from him?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Time Limit Draw.
YOSHI-HASHI & Katsuya Murashima VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Oiwa & Jackson win.
8 Man Tag: El Phantasmo, Jado, Shota Umino & Togi Makabe VS The United Empire; ELP, Jado, Shota & Makabe win.
Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Taiji Ishimori; Sanada & Taiji win.
Tomohiro Ishii & Tomoaki Honma VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Naito & Hiromu win.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins and become the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.
Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, El Desperado & YOH VS TMDK; TMDK wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture!

Evil tried to make WrestleKingdom 19 the last time we saw President Ace in this ring but he failed! However, his minions will not stop in trying to ruin the rest of Tanahashi’s last year. Will Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Sho take these titles back to the House? Or will The Ace, Joker & Rook stand tall?

The House walks out here showing off the belts they literally stole back at New Year Dash, but now the tables have turned! Tanahashi and team attack The House from behind! The fans cheer as The House finally tastes their own medicine! Tanahashi snatches back the belts so that he, Yano & Oleg can stand with them in the ring. The House protests but they’re one to talk. The introductions are skipped, the bell rings, and the brawl is back on as Tanahashi’s team goes back out after The House! Yano whips Sho, but Sho reverses to send Yano into railing! Sho stomps away on Yano, then helps Ren mug Oleg!

Yujiro turns things around on Tanahashi, and then he brings Tanahashi out to No Man’s Land! Sho bends Oleg’s fingers, puts his hand through the railing and pulls! The fans rally for Tanahashi’s team while the ref reprimands The House. Yujiro puts Tanahashi in, then he, Sho & Ren all stomp away! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but The House all put one out on Tanahashi. Yujiro stands Tanahashi up, then he and Sho double whip Tanahashi corner to corner. Yujiro runs in but Tanahashi dodges! Tanahashi then dropkicks Sho’s leg, then he dropkicks Narita’s leg! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs at Yujiro.

Yujiro dodges, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him away! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up again as Tanahashi air guitars. Tag to Yano and he TOSSES Yujiro out! Yano then brings Yujiro out into No Man’s Land, then to the back of the crowd to THROW into some open chairs! The fans cheer as Yano brings out that Great Bash Heel side, but the ref reprimands Yano. Yano tells the ref to leave him alone, and he has a chair! The ref stops Yano from hitting Yujiro! Yano argues with the ref, but now Sho & Ren mug Yano! The ref reprimands them but the mugging continues. Ren leads the ref away so Sho & Yujiro can CHOKE Yano with a chair!

The fans boo while The House also beats up Oleg & Tanahashi. Yujiro drags Yano up and then brings him back to ringside to POST him! Ren brings Oleg around with a headlock and sends him into railing! Then more railing! Then into the crowd! Yujiro uses Yano’s red chair to CHOKE him! The ring count finally starts, but Ren JAMS Oleg up with a chair! The count reaches 10 of 20 and The House returns to the ring. Yano is still down at 15! The fans rally, Yano rises up at 17, and he lurches in at 19! The fans cheer but Yujiro is annoyed. Yujiro drops a leg, then an elbow, then a HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Yano stays in this, but Ren sends Tanahashi into railing! Yujiro tags Sho, Sho CHOKES Yano with a boot to the neck! The ref counts, Sho stops, then Sho TOSSES Yano out! Sho keeps the ref distracted while Ren JAMS Yano up with a chair! Ren pushes Yano in, Sho covers, TWO! Yano survives and Sho is frustrated. Tag to Ren, he drags Yano up, and Ren whips Yano to ELBOW him down! Cover, TWO! Ren BLASTS Tanahashi off the apron! Ren grins as the ref now keeps Oleg back. Ren CHOKES Yano on the ropes, Sho joins in to CLAW Yano’s eyes, but then the ref counts. Ren lets off and Yano flops down.

Ren drags Yano up, but Yano pulls hair! Ren breaks free, knees low, then runs up. Yano dodges, clinches, and BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES! The fans fire up, Yano hot tags Oleg! Oleg jumps in and CLOBBERS Ren! Oleg then deadlifts Ren, but Sho attacks! The fans boo, Sho runs, SPEAR bounces off of Oleg! Oleg then deadlifts Sho! Shake, Shake, Shake! But Yujiro CLUBS Oleg! Yujiro & Ren double whip, but Oleg DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLES! The fans fire up and Oleg runs at the corner to SPLASH Ren! Then he scoops and TOSSES Ren! The fans fire up as Oleg then runs to SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

Ren survives but Oleg deadlifts Ren right to the fireman’s carry! Ren fights free, CHOKES Oleg, but Oleg breaks free! Oleg winds up but Ren ducks the chop! Ren CHOKES Oleg, the ref counts, but Oleg CHOKES Ren! The fans cheer, and then Oleg TOSSES Ren to the corner! Tag to Tanahashi and the fans fire up! Oleg and Tanahashi haul Ren up, double whip him corner to corner, then Tanahashi sends Oleg in! Oleg ELBOWS Ren, then Tanahashi SPLASHES! Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Ren into the drop zone! Oleg goes up, up and VADER BOMBS! Tanahashi goes up to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, Yujiro breaks it!

Oleg CLOBBERS Yujiro for that, then goes out after him. The fans fire up as Tanahashi powers up. Tanahashi runs, but Sho gets a cheap shot in! Ren BOOTS Tanahashi, tags Sho, and Sho BLASTS Yano! Yujiro turns things around on Oleg and now The House double whips President Ace! Sho runs in to forearm SMASH! Yuijro BOOTS! Ren ELBOWS Tanahashi! Ren & Sho snapmare Tanahashi, then hold the legs open! Yujiro shoves the ref aside, then FALLING HEADBUTTS Tanahashi down low! The fans boo but now Sho covers, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and Sho argues with the ref! The fans rally for Tanahashi, but Ren has his repaired pushup bar!

Ren takes aim, Tanahashi dodges, SHOTEI! Sho kicks, Tanahashi blocks to DRAGON SCREW! Yujiro runs up, but gets caught into a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up as Tanahashi crawls for his corner! Hot tag to Yano! Yano unties a buckle pad! The fans cheer, Yano whips, but Sho reverses! Yano stops from hitting the buckles, then he dodges Sho to send him into bare buckles! Yano rolls Sho up, TWO!! Sho escapes but Yano hurries to get Sho’s legs! Oleg hops in, CATAPULT into Oleg’s BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up as Yano then stands Sho up, ONIGO- NO, Sho fights free! Sho dodges, but the ref stops him from hitting a low blow!

The ref and Sho argue, but Yujiro & Ren mug Yano! They double whip Yano, but Yano grabs ropes. Yano then sends Ren into Yujiro to DOUBLE LOW BLOW them! Atomic drop for Sho! Tanahashi runs up, SLINGBLADE! Oleg deadlifts Sho right into a fireman’s carry and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! But YOSHINOBU KANEMARU is here! The Heel Master gets on the apron, but Young Lions already apprehend him! Yano hauls Sho up, for ONIGOROSHI!! Cover, KANEMARU TOSSES THE YOUNG LION ONTO THE REF! The fans boo but Kanemaru attacks Yano! But then Yano hits him with an atomic drop!

Kanemaru WHISKEY MISTS!? Sho LOW BLOWS Yano!! Sho rolls Yano up, HOUSE OF TORTURE WINS!!

Winners: The House of Torture, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

What a travesty! A miscarriage of justice! Evil isn’t even here, but his army of darkness just won the gold! Yano is upset, Tanahashi is disappointed, but Oleg is mad! Oleg storms back in, only for Yujiro to BELT SHOT him down! Yujiro then kicks Oleg out, and shows he’s pretty sore from the low blow. Will these belts help the House feel much, much better?

Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, El Desperado & YOH VS TMDK!

The Fierce Warrior won the New Japan Ranbo to earn his shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, so that means he and Zack Sabre Jr. will do battle for the New Beginning! Will the Rogue Luchador & Direct Drive help Goto gain the upper hand? Or will Kosei Fujita & Robbie Eagles help The Mighty Front Man prepare for war?

The teams sort out while all of TMDK’s title belts are put aside. The Japanese Young Punk steps to Despy, so Despy accepts. The fans cheer and the bell rings. Despy and Fujita stare down while the fans rally. Despy has the majority, and the two circle. They feel things out, Despy facelocks but Fujita slips around to waistlock. Despy slips out, moves around, but Fujita stays on him. They go around, break, and the fans cheer. They tie up, Despy wrenches to hammerlock, but Fujita elbows free to hammerlock back. Despy switches, Fujita switches, repeat! They go hammerlock for hammerlock, but then Despy top wristlocks to wrangle FUjita!

The fans cheer, Fujita fights up, but Despy shifts to a cording hold. Fujtia whips but Despy reverses and arm-drags! Fujita comes back, he avoids the arm-drag, and then he CHOPS! Despy is stinging, but Fujita CHOPS him again! And CHOPS him again! The fans cheer, Fujita CHOPS again, but now Despy CHOPS! Fujita CHOPS, Despy ends up in the Mighty corner, and Eagles tags in. Eagles CHOPS, but then Despy CHOPS! Eagles shoves Despy and says he’s bored. He wants Yoh! The fans rally for Yoh, so Despy tags him in. The fans cheer as Yoh and Eagles circle. Wait, Yoh starts up the “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!”

Eagles is rather amused, and says not bad. Eagles starts it up for himself, but Yoh sneaks up! Eagles stops the schoolboy and sits on the cover, TWO and Yoh has the sunset flip! TWO, both men stand and point at the other! The fans applaud, then Yoh kicks low. Yoh whips, Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Eagles runs in, Yoh sidesteps but Eagles hurdles. Eagles RANAS then WHEEL KICKS! Eagles kips up and the fans cheer. Eagles puts Yoh in a corner, and he says “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP! “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP! “ROBBIE!” CHOP! “ROBBIE!” CHOP! “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP!

The fans cheer while Yoh flounders around. Eagles whips, Goto sneaks a tag, then Goto & Yoh DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Eagles! They BLAST ZSJ and Fujita, then call to Despy! Despy says no thanks, they can go ahead. “Se~ no!” DRUM BEAT on Eagles’ back! Goto asks if Despy is sure he doesn’t want in, and Despy says it’s fine. Goto CLUBS Eagles, but Eagles fires body shots! Eagles fires a forearm, but Goto knees low! Goto fireman’s carries, but Eagles fights free. Eagles waistlocks, Goto elbows free and runs, only for ZSJ to trip him up! Eagles BLASTS Yoh & Despy off the apron while Fujita basement dropkicks Goto!

ZSJ spins Goto around to be on the apron, then gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans cheer and ZSJ brings Goto out to UPPERCUT him down! ZSJ brings Goto up to UPPERCUT again, then UPPERCUTS him again! Goto stumbles and falls, Eagles CHOPS Yoh, and Fujita CHOPS Despy! ZSJ brings Goto up and wrenches his arm, then wrenches it again. But Goto fires forearms in return! ZSJ UPPERCUTS Goto again, the CHOPS continue by the ramp side, and ZSJ puts Goto in. Eagles tags ZSJ in whiel Fujita and Despy CHOP each other back and forth. ZSJ clamps on a headscissors and he squeezes tight!

Goto endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go cleanly and brings Goto to the corner. Tag to Fujita and he stomps Goto. Fujita drags Goto up while fans rally, and Fujita wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Fujtia wrenches again, ELBOW BREAKER! And again, ELBOW BREAKER! Fujita wrenches, top wristlocks, and he wrangles Goto to the mat. Fujita STOMPS that arm, then he tags Eagles. The Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions get Goto’s arms while ZSJ steps in to have a leg! Goto endures as TMDK cycles through the armlocks and leglocks! Red Shoes counts but TMDK keeps rotating before he reaches 4!

Then TMDK returns where they started, and Goto endures the DOUBLE STRAIGHT ARMBARS and INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Red Shoes counts, all three men let go at 4! ZSJ stands, he still has the deathlock, and he bridges back! Goto endures, keeps his shoulders up, but ZSJ stands to tag in Eagles. Eagles drags Goto around, then hits a KNEE JAMMER! Tag to Fujita, they drag Goto up, and they double whip him to ropes. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down, ZSJ hops in for a NECK TWIST! Goto sits up into a DOUBLE PENALTY KICK! Cover, Despy breaks it! The fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands.

Despy stands down, but Fujita BLASTS him off the apron! Fujita drags Goto up, wrenches, and whips him to a corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP, then he snapmares to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Fujita coordinates with TMDK. Fujita drags Goto up, and he wants to do the Chaos drum thing? ZSJ isn’t so sure but Eagles is for it. Eagles steps in, but Yoh runs up! Eagles kicks Yoh, and “Se~ no!” Eagles & Fujita DRUM on Yoh! The fans cheer and ZSJ acts like he doesn’t know what’s going on. The fans cheer for ZSJ to join in, but he puts up the X, that’s not for him. Eagles & Fujita DRUM away on Goto!

Goto stands up and grabs Fujita by the face! Eagles CLUBS Goto, he and Fujita double whip, but Goto DOUBLE LARIATS first! The fans fire up while they’re all down! ZSJ storms in and grabs Goto’s leg! ANKLE LOCK! Goto endures, fights around, and rolls through to throw ZSJ! ZSJ comes back to RAM Goto, then he runs, only for Goto to RUN him over! The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Despy! Despy runs at the corner to ELBOW Fujita! Despy reels Fujita in for a suplex, high and hard! Cover, TWO! Despy fires up and the fans are with him! Fujita underhooks, PINCHE- NO, Fujita fights free!

Fujita swings but Despy blocks the chop! Despy knees low, whips, but Fujita reverses to GAMANGIRI! The fans cheer while both men are down! Fujita roars while he rises up, and he storms back to Despy. Fujita waistlocks, deadlifts Despy, but Despy fights the suplex with elbows! Despy is free, but Fujita runs up to slip around and backslide! Despy rolls through, Fujita KICKS him down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Fujita fires up again. Fujita drags Despy back up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Despy fights that. Despy wrenches, but Fujita ROCKS him! Despy ROCKS Fujita in return!

Fujita and Despy keep the wristlock while they fire forearm after forearm back and forth! The fans rally up as the shots go faster and faster, but then both men wobble! Fujita fires a forearm, then another! Despy ROCKS Fujita in return! Despy runs, Eagles slips in, SOBAT! Fujita UPPERCUTS! Eagles scoops Despy but Yoh makes the save! Eagles kicks Yoh, he and Fujita double whip, but Yoh reverses to crisscross them into each other! FALCON- NO, Eagles slips out, but Yoh switches! Yoh feeds Eagles to Despy’s ELBOW! Yoh reels Eagles back in, FALCON ARROW! The fans fire up but Fujita runs up!

Despy & Yoh double kick, double whip, but Fujita DOUBLE SHOTGUNS! Fujita kips up, the fans fire up, and Fujita whips Despy, but Despy reverses to SPINEBUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita and Despy crawl for their corners, hot tags to Goto and ZSJ! The fans fire up as both men run in, Goto LARIATS ZSJ! Goto roars and the fans are with him! Goto fires a flurry of forearms, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! ZSJ survives and Goto fires up again! Goto fireman’s carries but ZSJ pulls on an arm! Goto powers out and ROCKS ZSJ!

Goto runs, ZSJ wrangles him to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Eagles & Fujita BLAST Yoh & Despy off the arm! They have Yoh & Despy stuck on the outside with armlocks while ZSJ has the DISARMER! Yoh breaks free of Eagles and DROPKICKS ZSJ! Eagles returns to SUPERKICK Yoh! Despy is in, Eagles slips around and feeds him to Fujita’s MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up and TMDK drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms on Eagles & Fujita! They DOUBLE CHOP, then double wrench! MAX- NO, Goto fights free and kicks Fujita! Goto deflects Eagles’ kick to LARIAT! Fujita kicks Goto, runs, but Goto follows! LARIAT!

ZSJ RAMS Goto, whips, but Goto reverses! Fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! The fans fire up while ZSJ clutches his head. Goto hauls ZSJ up, dragon sleepers, but ZSJ drops down! Goto drops onto ZSJ for a cover, TWO!! ZSJ is up, Goto sends him into a corner! RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP, into a GOTO SAN SHIKI!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ escapes, BOOTS Goto, then runs! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Goto roars, runs, but ZSJ KCIKS the lariat, PELES the other arm, then SWEEPS the legs! Goto falls, but then sits up, into a PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up and ZSJ hurries to drag Goto back up.

ZSJ scoops, ZACK- NO, Goto slips free and has the SLEEPER! Goto sits ZSJ and rolls him, GOTO NI SHIKI!! TWO!! ZSJ has the legs, JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH, with bridge!! TMDK WINS!!

Winners: TMDK, by pinfall

It was a fast and furious finish of technical holds, but who else but the best technical wrestler in the world would pull it out? Goto is frustrated for getting caught like that, but will he avenge himself in just 12 days?

As for TMDK, Eagles starts off by saying, “G’day, Sendai!” Eagles then pretends to check his watch, and asks, “Rocky doki desu ka? <Where is Rocky?> Zabishii. <How lonely.>” The fans chuckle at Eagles’ fake crying, and Eagles then tells Yoh & Rocky that next month in Osaka, see you then! The fans applaud, and then Eagles offers the mic to Fujita. The fans cheer Fujita on, and Fujita accepts. “That lariat turned me inside out, so I’ll keep this short! I’m beating El Desperado!” The fans cheer that, ready to see Fujita challenge Desperado for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on Tuesday, February 4th!

And lastly, that brings things to The Front Man. ZSJ takes the mic to say, “People of Sendai, thank you very much!” The fans cheer, but then ZSJ tells “Ko-kun” and “Robbie-chan” to “cut that drumming bit. It was lame.” The fans chuckle again, and ZSJ says 2025 isn’t the Year of the Snake. No, it’s all orange! ZSJ promises that TMDK won’t just paint NJPW orange, but the entire world! “Osaka will be here soon enough. Goto, this is your last chance. Let’s make the most of it.” The fans like the sound of that! ZSJ says they’ll end with this: This year revolves around TMDK! Arigato gozaimashita! The fans are ready, will the New Beginning in Osaka be Mighty?

My Thoughts:

A very good event for NJPW, though “Road to” always indicates more tune-up filler than thriller. Gabe Kidd going after Yota Tsuji and the Global Heavyweight Championship is an interesting development, but that is going to be a great match. The NEVER Openweight Six Man Championship match was really good stuff, and I was only a little surprised that The House of Torture won. Firstly, Tanahashi has to lose those titles at some time, so might as well pull off the Band-Aid now before The New Beginning events. Then this works with the story from Oleg and Josh Barnett where Barnett wants to help Oleg reach that singles title level.

And very good Six Man Tag main event to not only build Goto VS ZSJ but also Desperado VS Fujita. Great win for TMDK, but we have a lot of other Road to New Beginning events to build Goto VS ZSJ. A lot of filler 10 Man Tags are on the schedule, but I probably won’t be bothering with those. Despy VS Fujita will be great, but Fujita and Eagles are already the tag champions, so I don’t see Fujita winning. As for Goto VS ZSJ, ZSJ said it himself that this is very likely Goto’s last chance at ever being the top champion in NJPW, but I don’t see Goto winning. It’ll be an epic battle, but I feel like ZSJ is going to stay on top.