It’s like a season bro-miere!

Matt Riddle begins his reign as NJPW World Television Champion by visiting MLW and taking on The Mighty’s Bad Dude Tito!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NJPW World Television Championship: Matt Riddle VS Bad Dude Tito; Riddle wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW World Television Championship: Matt Riddle VS Bad Dude Tito!

Sapporo definitely saw a new beginning as The Super King trumped The Ace of the Universe and took this title. Now “season 3” is bringing us to MLW: Intimidation Games! Will Riddle make it past the pilot episode? Or will he see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s truly mighty!

The fans chant for the “BRO! BRO! BRO!” The bell rings, both men rush in, and Riddle KNEES Tito, to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Tito is right up! Tito GERMAN SUPLEXES, but Riddle is right up! The fans fire up, Tito pie faces Riddle but Riddle pie faces back. Then the CHOPS start flying! Then the forearms start flying! Riddle gets the edge but Tito gives it all back! The CHOPS keep going, the KICKS fly from Riddle and he runs, but into a LARIAT! Tito fireman’s carries, bumps Riddle off buckles then hits the DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Riddle is still in this but Tito keeps on him.

Tito wrenches, Riddle fires a forearm but Tito short arm LARIATS! Tito says he’s gonna rip Riddle’s head off! Tito runs, but into a KNEE! Riddle then hits a FISHERMAN BUSTER, and cradle covers! TWO, but Riddle doesn’t hesitate. Riddle goes right up, to hit the FLOATING BRO! Cover, TWO! Tito survives but the fans fire up. Riddle smiles and has the fans behind him. Tito sits up, Riddle KICKS him! And KICKS! And KICKS! Riddle then CHOPS Tito, but Tito stands up. Tito blocks a kick, to CHOKE SLAM! Tito goes up a corner, takes aim, and he FROG SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!

Tito is frustrated but he keeps his focus on Riddle. The fans rally, Tito drags Riddle up to fire a forearm. Riddle hits back, the two go back and forth! Tito then fires a flurry, but Riddle fires palm strikes! Both men BOOT, Riddle rebounds to wrench and PELE! Riddle kips up, the fans fire up, and Riddle runs in to clothesline! Then he goes side to side to forearm smash! Then BROSPLODER! And PENALTY KICK! And then BROTON onto knees! Tito runs up but Riddle ELBOWS him away. Riddle goes up, WHIS-BRO IN THE WIND into a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Tito is frustrated as Riddle again survives!

Tito storms around while Riddle rises and the fans rally. Tito ROCKS Riddle with forearm after forearm, but Riddle CHOPS! Tito CHOPS, ROCKS, but Riddle ROCKS him back! The heavy shots keep flying, and Tito fires off a flurry! Tito shouts, “BAD DUDE!” Tito spins, but Riddle gets around! Ripcord, FLASH KNEE! Riddle shouts “RUDE DUDE!” then spins, but Tito mule kicks then ENZIGIRIS! Riddle wobbles, but he still waistlocks and GERMAN SUPLEXES! The fans fire up as both men stand! Tito ROLLING ELBOWS, then BLUE THUNDER BOMBS!! Cover, TWO!! Riddle still lives and Tito can’t believe it!

Tito slashes his throat, “That’s a wrap!” Tito suplexes but Riddle knees free! Riddle shoves, Tito goes up but can’t get over! Riddle has him for BRO DEREK!! Cover, Riddle wins!

Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall (still NJPW World Television Champion)

Five minutes and five seconds is all it took for the Rude Dude to beat the Bad Dude! From Japan to New York and perhaps back again, will Riddle dominate and make “season 3” the best one yet?

My Thoughts:

Y’know, I didn’t think the NJPW World TV Championship was ever gonna go outside of NJPW but I really should’ve realized it would. Zack Sabre Jr. brought it to ROH for a stretch, and then Tanahashi didn’t have it for very long. And Matt Riddle being signed to MLW and MLW working with NJPW, of course he’s going to defend the title there. Solid first defense for Riddle, and there’s definitely going to be way more of these special “bro-dition” articles while Riddle has the belt.