Will the Murder Machine stack the deck on Naito?

As has become tradition in NJPW, the anniversary show features the world heavyweight VS junior heavyweight champions, Tetsuya Naito VS Sho!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Tanga Loa & Tomoaki Honma VS Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb; Khan & Cobb win.
• El Phantasmo & Hikuleo VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Mikey Nicholls; ZSJ & Mikey win.
• 8 Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, El Desperado & Boltin Oleg VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Goto, Ishii, Desperado & Oleg win.
• Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Bullet Club War Dogs; The United Empire wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Just5Guys VS House of Torture; Just5Guys win.
• 2024 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Toru Yano VS Yujiro Takahashi; Yano wins and advances.
• 2024 New Japan Cup Opening Round: YOSHI-HASHI VS KENTA; Hashi wins and advances.
• 2024 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Shota Umino VS Jack Perry; Jack wins and advances.
• Anniversary Event Special: Tetsuya Naito VS SHO; Naito wins.

PLAY  BY PLAY

2024 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Toru Yano VS Yujiro Takahashi w/ Pieter!

While the New Japan Cup series isn’t starting until tomorrow, the tournament is starting tonight! The Clown Prince clashes with the Tokyo Pimp, who will be the first of the first three in, and who will be among the first three out?

Oh but of course Yujiro attacks before the bell! Yano’s long introduction kept him distracted and now Yujiro stomps him down! The fans boo but Yujiro stomps Yano more. Yujiro hits Yano with his own jacket, the bell finally rings, and Yujiro copies Yano’s tactic of taking off a buckle pad! The ref tries to stop Yujiro but Yujiro shoves him away, and he SMACKS Yano down! The fans fire up and rally as Yano rises again. Yujiro whips him in at the corner but Yano stops himself. Yano taunts Yujiro, dodges him, but Yujiro stops himself from hitting buckles! Yano runs back in but Yujiro sends him into the bare steel!

Yano falls over in a heap, and Yujiro kicks him out of the ring! Yujiro goes out after Yano, whips him into the railing right in front of commentary, and then brings out handcuffs! This is payback for the G1 as Yujiro cuffs Yano to the railing! The fans can’t believe it but Yano is caught! The ring count is 10 of 20 as Yujiro laughs and waits in the ring. Yano struggles against the cuffs but we’re past 15! Yano pops the railing free from its frame and now he’s free! Yano slides in at 18! But Yujiro’s there to kick Yano right back out! Yano still gets the keys and gets the cuffs off his wrist. Yujiro goes out after Yano, but Yano hits low!

Yano cuffs Yujiro! Yujiro freaks out, kicks low and then whips, but Yano reverses! Yujiro hits railing, and now Yano hurries around the back! Wait, he grabs one of the special guests at ringside, and shoves him into Yujiro! And then Yano cuffs Yujiro’s hands together for some kind of hug trap! Then Yano LOW BLOWS behind the guest’s back! Yano slides into the ring at 17, and Yujiro is stuck on the outside! Yano wins!!

Winner: Toru Yano, by count-out (advances to the next round)

The Producer gives us a brand new way to win, and Pieter is in shock! Yujiro is already done in the New Japan Cup, will Yano bring out even more tricks to make it to the end?

2024 New Japan Cup Opening Round: YOSHI-HASHI VS KENTA!

Chaos continues to battle Bullet Club as the Head Hunter faces the Fang Revived! Will Hashi join Yano in the next round? Or will Kenta make him #GoToSleep?

Kenta wants the ref to be very thorough with his check of Hashi. Not just his pants but his head, his hair, his kneepads, and even his shoes. Is this because of what Yano just did to Yujiro? Hashi turns around for the ref to check his butt, and Kenta attacks! The fans boo but the bell rings, and Kenta stomps away on Hashi. Kenta drags Hashi up, whips him to ropes, but Hashi reverses. Kenta holds ropes, BOOTS back, then runs, only for Hashi to trip him up! Hashi drags Kenta out to throw him into railing! And SMACK him off the apron! The fans rally as Hashi builds speed, but his dropkick kinda falls short…

Hashi still goes out to CHOP Kenta, and that didn’t miss the mark! Kenta staggers away and Hashi gets his staff. Hashi makes sure it is at the ready just in case, but he goes back to CHOP Kenta again. Kenta staggers away, but Hashi storms up to CHOP again! Hashi puts Kenta in the ring, but then he bails out the side. Hashi is annoyed but he runs back out. Kenta slides in and Hashi is annoyed again. Hashi hurries up the apron but Kenta BOOTS him down! Hashi hits railing then falls in a heap! The ref has Kenta hold on, but Kenta sneaks out the side. Kenta storms around the way, sees “Bo-chan,” and says he’ll come back later.

Kenta drags Hashi up to fire hands. The ref reprimands, those are closed fists! But Hashi ROCKS Kenta with a forearm! Kenta palm strikes! Hashi CHOPS! Palm strike! CHOP! Repeat! The fans rally up, Hashi shoves Kenta into Bo-chan! That was inadvertent, but Hashi gets Kenta up to whip him again. Kenta reverses and Hashi hits railing hard! Kenta gets Hashi up to whip hard into more railing! The ref starts the ring count, and Kenta holds up Bo-chan. Kenta throws Bo-chan down! He’s over it, and he puts Hashi back in the ring. Kenta stomps Hashi, drops a knee, then drops another knee.

Hashi checks his face, the ref reprimands but Kenta tells him to shut up. Kenta stomps Hashi, stands him up, turns him, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Kenta clamps onto a chinlock and the fans rally up. Hashi endures, fights up and throws body shots, but Kenta throws Hashi down by his hair! The ref reprimands, the fans rally, and Kenta looms over Hashi. Kenta sits Hashi up to KICK! Hashi eggs Kenta on so Kenta KICKS him again! And KICKS him again! Cover, TWO! Hashi is still in this but Kenta drags him back into a chinlock. Hashi endures again and the fans rally up. Hashi fights to his feet, throws body shots, then hits a STUNNER!

Hashi kicks, Kenta blocks, and Kenta claws the eyes! Kenta reels Hashi in, but Hashi suplexes first! The fans fire up while both men are down! The fans rally as Kenta goes to a corner, Hashi goes to the other. Kenta stands, Hashi runs in, and Hashi CHOPS! Hashi whips to CHOP again, then he mule kicks! Hashi reels Kenta in, hangs him out to dry, then runs as the fans rally, to DROPKICK Kenta down! Hashi sits Kenta up and keeps moving, basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kenta stays in this and the fans rally up again. Hashi drags Kenta up, reels him in, and hoists him up, but Kenta slips free of the bomb!

Kenta blocks the haymaker to wrench, but Hashi wrenches free! Hashi ducks the lariat to run and BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up as Hashi gets Kenta back in place. POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up again as Hashi drags Kenta back up. Hashi full nelsons, but Kenta grabs the ref! Hashi lets go, Kenta shoves the ref at him, but Hashi pushes the ref back at him. Kenta pushes the ref away, Hashi SUPERKICKS! Hashi runs, to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Kenta rises! So Hashi LARIATS again! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Hashi and he drags Kenta up. Full nelson, pump handle, but Kenta cradles! TWO!!

Hashi escapes and the fans fire up! Kenta goes to ropes, Hashi runs in but Kenta puts him on the apron. Kenta drags Hashi through ropes, DRAPING DDT! The fans rally as Kenta strikes like a Viper! Kenta then goes to ropes, then a corner. He runs corner to corner at Hashi, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Kenta goes up top! DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives and Kenta is furious! Kenta slashes his throat, drags Hashi up and fireman’s carries, GO TO- CRADLE!! Cover, TWO!!! Kenta escapes, LARIATS, but Hashi stays up! Hashi roars, fires a flurry of forearms, then CHOPS!

Kenta roars and ROLLING- SUPERKICK! Hashi runs, but Kenta uses the ref as a shield! Hashi pushes him aside, Kenta ROCKS Hashi with a palm strike! Kenta then sits Hashi up, runs in, BUSAIKU KNEE!! Cover, TWO?!?! Hashi survives and the fans are thunderous! Kenta is fuming, and he brings down the kneepad! Kenta fireman’s carries, into EASY PICKINGS!! Cover, Hashi wins!!

Winner: Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The Head Hunter was able to #TurnItAllAround on Kenta and bring him down! Will Hashi have a ticket back to the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships in his back pocket after this?

2024 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Shota Umino VS Jack Perry!

The Roughneck’s first match in the tournament ends up being a surprise grudge match! The former AEW Pillar is here in NJPW, claiming he is Tony Khan’s “Scapegoat” for how things went down at Wembley. But will Perry prove he’s more a snake than a sacrificial lamb? Or will nothing stop #SHOOTER from moving towards the future?

The moment Shota’s in the ring, he goes after Perry! The fans fire up, the bell rings, and Jack kicks low! Jack CLUBS Shota, CLUBS him again, but Shota grabs Jack by the neck! Jack fires a forearm, Shota gives it back, repeat! The fans rally as Shota gets the better of Jack with each shot. But then Jack rakes the eyes! The ref reprimands, Jack CHOPS Shota against the ropes, and Shota staggers away. Jack whips, Shota reverses to scoop, DROP, run and SHOTGUN! The fans fire up, Shota mocks the Jungle Life dance, then he ROCKS Jack in a corner. Shota UPPERCUTS Jack, then throws elbows into him.

The ref counts, Shota lets off, and he whips corner to corner. Shota runs in but Jack dodges! Jack comes back to clothesline! Jack then reels Shota in to ELBOW him down, then runs to basement dropkick! The fans do applaud Jack’s ability, and Jack “kicks dirt” at Shota. Jack rains down forearms, stands on Shota’s face, then scrapes his sole off him. Jack CHOKES Shota on ropes, but lets off as the ref counts. Shota coughs and sputters, but Jack stomps a mudhole into him in the corner. Jack digs his knee in, but lets off as the ref counts. Jack then goes up the corner to soak up the cheers and jeers.

Jack hops down, brings Shota up and turns him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Shota shows his grit and Jack is annoyed. Jack KICKS Shota, but Shota frowns. Jack CHOPS Shota, CHOPS again, but Shota fires a flurry of forearms! Jack knees low in return! Jack whips, Shota reverses and arm-drags! Then Shota ELBOWS Jack down, runs, and hops on for a chinlock! Shota uses that to sit Jack up, then he runs, but Jack drop toeholds! Jack ties up the legs, SNARE TRAP! Shota flails and reaches out while he’s stuck in this STF and the fans rally up! Jack squeezes tight but Shota drags him along towards the ropes!

Shota reaches out, but Jack thrashes around! Shota still fights to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, the ref counts and reprimands, and Jack lets go at 4. Jack is frustrated and he drags Shota out along the apron! DRAPING DDT to the floor! Jack’s not just a snake, he’s acting like a Viper! Jack even takes El Desperado’s water, drinks it, then drops it on the floor. Jack drags Shota up and into the ring, stands on him for a cocky cover, TWO! Shota roars, the fans rally, but Jack argues with the ref. The ref says the count was fair, so Jack drags Shota up. Shota ROCKS Jack! Jack ROCKS Shota! Shota fires up and the fans are with him!

Shota ROCKS Jack, Jack ROCKS Shota, but Shota shakes his head. Shota fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” and Jack eggs him on. Shota fires forearm after forearm and Jack wobbles! Shota whips, Jack reverses, but Shota ducks ‘n’ dodges and blows through the lariat to CLOBBER Jack with a forearm! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Shota rises, he stalks Jack, and Shota whips Jack to the corner. Shota runs in to UPPERCUT, then he reels Jack in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Shota is frustrated but he fires back up. The fans rally as Shota brings Jack back up and clinches.

Jack resists the lift, but Shota still tries. Jack throws elbows and is free, then runs up, only for Shota to wrench and TORNADO- NO, Jack denies the DDT! Jack gets around to SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! The fans rally as Jack kicks Shota at the ropes. Jack runs, but Shota BOOTS back! Jack staggers, comes back, but Shota drop toeholds him into ropes! Shota then slingshots, to APRON DDT!! The fans are thunderous and Shota is all fired up! The ref checks Jack while he’s down on the floor, and the fans rally behind Shota as he walks his way back over. Jack is dead weight so the ref checks again. Jack is still in this, so Shota puts him in the ring.

Shota then goes to a far corner, climbs up top, and goes COAST2COAST! But that’s not all! Dragon sleeper, SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Shota aims from the corner. Jack rises up, Shota runs in, but Jack avoids Ignition to SUPERKICK! But Shota roars! Jack SUPER- NO, Shota blocks to UPPERCUT! Jack FOREARMS, runs, but Shota ROCKS him, and ROLLING ELBOWS! Jack SUPERKICKS! And hops on, to POISON-RANA!! Shota staggers to a corner, and comes back to BLAZE BLADE!! The fans are thunderous as both men are down! Shota fires up as he rises again and the fans are with him!

Shota drags Jack up, spins him, and pop-up KNEES! Then IGNITION!! Cover, TWO!! Jack survives but Shota brings him right back up! Jack grabs at a leg to resist, but Shota still underhooks. Jack wrenches free, slips around, but Shota hooks him to backslide! Jack rolls through, but Shota YANKS him right into DEATH RIDER!! Cover, TWO?!? Jack survives but Shota won’t stop there! Wait, is that Yoshinobu Kanemaru? What’s he doing here? And why is he throwing a Young Lion into the ring!? The ref stops Kanemaru from getting in, but what’s this even about? Shota drags Jack up, and REN NARITA runs in!

Ren CRACKS Shota with the push-up bar, and then hits the DOUBLE CROSS!! Jack runs up to V-TRIGGER!! Cover, Jack wins?!?!

Winner: Jack Perry, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

This is a shocking turn of events but no one knows what to make of it! Sure, the House of Torture still has it out for Shota, but is that all this is? Wait, Evil, Yujiro and Dick make their way out, and it looks like they have an extra shirt! Are they asking Jack to join the House? Jack puts the shirt on! The House of Torture now has seven members! Is nothing going to stop them from taking of NJPW now?

Anniversary Event Special: Tetsuya Naito VS SHO!

The tradition continues as the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion faces the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion in a match that’s not about titles but about pride. However, The Murder Machine clearly has no shame, as he stole this title away from El Desperado during the New Beginning. Will the House of Torture turn things completely upside-down on this, the anniversary of NJPW? Or will the Uncontrollable Charisma make sure everything’s tranquilo?

Before the match, Sho gets the mic to parody Naito by saying, “Buenas noches, you bunch o’ losers!” The fans boo but Sho says Naito always does that crap, so Sho’s gonna steal that and everything Naito has! Anyone that has a problem with that can fight him! And Sho wants Naito to keep his promise, that if Sho ends up winning, Naito will VACATE the world title! Naito makes his entrance and the fans fire up. But Sho snakes his way around the backside of the crowd to CLOBBER Naito from behind! Fans boo as Sho is up to his old tricks, and he drags Naito up to POST him! Sho soaks up the heat as he picks up the world title.

Red Shoes reprimands Sho and takes the belt from him. Sho drags Naito up, puts him in the ring, and Red Shoes calls for the bell. The match is on record, the fans rally for “NA-I-TO!” but Sho grins as he stomps Naito around. Sho stands Naito up to claw the eyes! Sho whips, but Naito holds ropes! Sho runs up but Naitoi puts him on the apron, and sweeps the legs! Naito runs side to side to then baseball slide dropkick Sho down! Naito keeps moving, and Sho gets a Young Lion for a shield! But Naito fakes Sho out to tranquilo! The fans cheer but Sho shoves the Young Lion into railing out of anger!

Sho hurries back into the ring but Naito bails out. After all, he’s still in his entrance attire! Red Shoes has Sho hold on so Naito can get the nice red suit off already. But Sho doesn’t wait, he runs out! So Naito kicks him low and sends him hard into railing! Naito holds off on taking the pants off so that he can whip Sho. Sho reverses, but Naito reverses back and sends Sho into more railing! The fans fire up while Sho flounders around! Naito takes off his belt, and he CHOKES Sho with it! Red Shoes reprimands but Naito lets go with only one hand. Red Shoes reprimands more so Naito finally lets Sho free.

Sho sputters but still manages to complain. Naito takes the pants off, brings Sho up and into the ring, and the fans cheer. Naito takes his time getting back in and Sho still begs for mercy. Naito chuckles as he stalks Sho right to a corner. Sho tells Red Shoes to back Naito off so Red Shoes backs Naito off. But then Naito runs up to stomp away on Sho after all! Naito digs his boots in, Sho crawls to the apron, and Naito lets off. Naito drags Sho up, but Sho bends fingers! Sho then HOTSHOTS that arm, drags Naito out, and he hits an APRON KNEE JAMMER! Naito flops to the floor and clutches the knee while Sho hurries away.

Sho rolls into the ring and he wants the count-out! Red Shoes is busy checking Naito, and the fans rally up. Sho gets upset but Red Shoes does return to the ring to start the count. Sho tranquilos, but the count isn’t to his liking so he throws a fit. The count keeps going while Naito stands and shakes out the bad leg. Naito hobbles around the way at 9 of 20, slides in at 11, but Sho stomps away on him! Sho SMASHES the knee while the fans boo. Sho then grabs the bad leg to DDT the foot! Naito writhes, Sho goes after the leg again, and wraps on a KNEEBAR! Naito endures, the fans rally, but Sho pulls on the leg!

Naito fights around, reaches out, but Sho taunts him as he holds on. Naito reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Red Shoes counts, and Sho lets go at 4. Sho grins as he drags Naito up, grabs the bad leg, but Naito CLUBS away on Sho’s back. Sho kicks the bad leg, then kicks it again. And he kicks it again! Naito hobbles to a corner, Sho runs up, but Naito BOOTS him! Naito then ELBOWS Sho, runs up, and RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down again. Sho goes to ropes while Naito sits up. Naito slaps the bad leg into working and he storms over to Sho. Naito ROCSK and KICKS and CLUBS Sho!

Naito whips, arm-drags, and then runs up to ELBOW Sho back down, for the basement dropkick! The fans fire up again and Naito has Sho in a corner. Naito whips corner to corner, runs in, but Sho avoids the jump kick! Sho runs up, Naito dodges, then Naito blocks kicks to put Sho in the ropes! DRAPING BACKBREAKER! The fans rally up again while Sho writhes. Naito drags Sho up, turns him, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Sho writhes, Naito pushes him to a cover, TWO! The fans continue to rally for Naito as he keeps cool. Naito drags Sho back up, cravats for a neck wrench, but Sho fights with body shots.

Naito CLUBS Sho, CLUBS him again, then whips him to ropes. Sho blocks the hip toss and pulls hair, but Red Shoes reprimands. Naito kicks low, runs, but Sho uses Red Shoes as a shield! Sho runs, but into the HIP TOSS NECKBREAKER! The fans rally up for Naito while Sho sputters and writhes. Naito stands on Sho’s head, digs his heel in, then stomps! Naito drags Sho up, hammerlocks and half nelsons, but Sho fights with elbows! Naito ripcords, Sho dodges and gets in Red Shoes’ face! Naito runs up, Red Shoes is again used as a shield, but Naito moves him aside. Sho blocks a kick, to fake a low blow from Naito!!

The fans boo, Naito defends his innocence, and when Red Shoes believes Naito, Sho SWINGS Naito’s foot into him! Down goes Red Shoes and Sho CHOP BLOCKS Naito’s leg! The fans boo but Sho hurries to go get something from under the ring. Sho brings out a chair, brings it into the ring, and he grins as he takes aim. Sho winds up and SMACKS Naito in the leg! Sho then drags Naito to the corner and wraps the bad leg around the corner! The fans boo more as Sho takes the chair again, and SMACKS the leg against the post!! Naito hobbles away but Sho mocks the wide-open-eye pose. Then Sho JAMS Naito with the chair!

Sho SMACKS the bad leg again!! Then he stands on it, to SMACK it again! Sho hides the chair as he sees Red Shoes stirring. Sho gets Red Shoes up and into the ring, and he’s looking to leave Naito behind! But Red Shoes can’t start the count in this state! The fans boo, Red Shoes looks around and he sees Naito is down on the outside. The ring count starts and Sho grins. Naito stirs at 3 of 20, grabs at the apron skirt, and he crawls around. The count is already 10 of 20 and Naito is still down! Naito pushes himself up at 14, stands at 16, but he falls over! Sho is all excited, but Naito springs up and in at 19!

The fans cheer and Sho is upset again. Sho drags Naito around, and clamps on the KNEEBAR!! Naito endures, claws at the grip, but Sho pulls on the leg! The fans rally as hard as they can while Naito endures! Naito kicks and flails around, reaches out, but Sho shifts to drag Naito away! KNEEBAR!! Naito reaches out but Sho thrashes the leg around! Red Shoes checks on Naito as Naito shouts in pain and flails around! Naito crawls towards ropes but he’s still so far away! Sho pulls on that leg and Naito is shouting in pain! But Naito uses one last gasp to get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Sho lets go as Red Shoes counts.

Sho grins as he drags Naito up. Sho reels Naito in, lifts him up, and hits POWER BREAKER!! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives and Sho is furious with Red Shoes! Red Shoes says the count is fair, so Sho drags Naito back up. Sho winds up and runs, to LARIAT Naito inside-out! Sho slashes his throat and drags Naito up again. Sho reels Naito in, tucks the arms, STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Naito survives and the fans are thunderous! Sho is beside himself but he aims his bow at Naito. Sho drags Naito back up, reels him back in, double pump handles, and SHOCK- NO, Naito gets free to ENZIGIRI!

Sho wobbles, Naito runs, tilt-o-whirl and CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Naito rises, hobbles around, and he drags Sho up. Naito throws those heavy back elbows! Sho kicks at Naito’s leg but Naito ignores that to throw more heavy elbows! Sho kicks again, but Naito eggs him on! Sho kicks again, so Naito throws MORE heavy elbows! Sho ends up in a corner, the fans rally behind Naito, and Naito hoists Sho up top. Naito climbs up after Sho, and he SUPER STEINERS!! Sho flounders around and the fans fire up! Naito then hobbles over to Sho and drags him back up.

Sho blocks the scoop! Sho CLUBS the bad leg, but Naito throws even more heavy elbows! Naito whips, Sho reverses, but Naito reverses back to TORNADO DDT! Naito scoops, Sho slips free and he RAMS Naito into Red Shoes! Red Shoes is stuck in the corner, Sho LOW BLOWS Naito, then RAMS him back into Red Shoes! Fans boo as Sho grabs the Torture Tool, and the rest of the House shows up! Ren, Kanemaru, Evil & Yujiro stomp away on Naito! Dick must be giving Jack his orientation, that’s why they’re not here. But wait! Here comes LIJ! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Kanemaru! Ren CLOBBERS Hiromu!

Yota gets Ren for a BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER and STOMP! Yujiro runs up to REVERSE DDT Yota! Bushi TOSSES Yuijro, then builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit right into railing and the fans are thunderous! But Evil has the world title belt!! Evil aims, but Naito ducks! And Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS!! The fans are thunderous but Sho LOW BLOWS Takagi! Sho hurries to get his wrench again and he takes aim! Naito rises, but he ducks the tool shot! Pop-up LOW BLOW!! That one wasn’t a trick! Naito has the wrench and he grins at Sho. But then Naito SPITS on the wrench, throws it away, and scoops Sho for VALENCIA!!

Naito drags Sho up as Red Shoes rises again. Wrench and tilt-o-whirl, DESTINO!!! Cover, Naito wins!

Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall

The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion triumphs! Not just because he is a heavyweight or a world champion, but because he is better than Sho inside and out! Will the House of Torture simply have to focus on keeping the titles they have rather than going for more?

As for LIJ, they stand with their fearless leader, and Hiromu even gets Naito some water. Naito stands back up and has LIJ raise his hands in victory. LIJ takes the corners and Naito gets the mic. “Buenas Noches, Ota~!” The fans cheer, and Naito says that even on a weekday, they packed the house for NJPW’s 52nd Anniversary show! For that, “Gracias, amigos!” The fans cheer and Naito continues by saying that starting today, they turn the page to a 53rd year! And maybe, just maybe, the heads of NJPW might not like who is leading the way, but it is LIJ on top!

And with the New Japan Cup around the corner, the winner of that will face Naito in April. Naito knows Takagi and Yota are in the Cup, so he hopes it is one of them that meets him in the main event of Sakura Genesis on April 6th! Now, for the moment everyone’s been waiting for! NJPW’s 52nd Anniversary show of course has to end with this, so is everyone ready? “Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Y Naito! Nosotros! LOS! INGOBERRRRRNABLEEES~! DE! JA! PON!!” The fans cheer and Naito tosses the mic away. Naito wants a tranquilo Sakura Genesis, will either the Rampaging Dragon or Gene Blast make that a reality?

My Thoughts:

A great event for NJPW to mark their anniversary but also start the New Japan Cup. Yano VS Yujiro was quick and funny, pretty much the norm for that match-up. Thanks for coming, Pieter, you can go back on vacation now. Great match from Hashi VS Kenta, really setting the bar high already on the rest of the opening round, and a great win for Hashi. Shota VS Perry was some great stuff, too, but the big thing is that Jack Perry of all people is joining The House of Torture of all factions. That is a wild development, it could also be a way for House of Torture to one day get more involved with AEW, but who knows. And honestly, at this point, can we just get confirmation on whether House of Torture is even still connected to Bullet Club? I feel like adding Perry should force a new civil war.

And then great stuff out of Naito VS Sho. A really good match even before the overbooking, but of course there was overbooking with the House of Torture being very active tonight. But as such, LIJ of course helped Naito win out. And with NJPW shifting gears into the New Japan Cup, I like that Naito has put it on Takagi and Yota to make it to the finals and win that Cup for the group, but also so he can face one of them for the title. I can’t be sure the chances of either guy doing that, but between the two, I’d say Yota has the better chance. Takagi’s been world champ, Yota’s one of the Reiwa Three Musketeers, NJPW has big plans for Yota so winning the Cup would be a good start.

My Score: 8.8/10