Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Sakura Genesis Results & Report! (4/6/24)
LIJ VS LIJ!

One way or another, things will be tranquilo!
Tetsuya Naito battles his Los Ingobernables de Japon teammate, Yota Tsuji, for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship! Tsuji already won the New Japan Cup, but will the Reiwa Musketeer have the best rookie year ever?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii & Boltin Oleg VS Chicharito Shoki, Takuro Niki & Ayato Yashida; Yano, Ishii & Oleg win.
- Ryusuke Taguchi & El Desperado VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
- BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi VS David Finlay & Gedo; Bushi & Hiromu win.
- Six Man Tag: Just5Guys VS The United Empire; Just5Guys win.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: Bullet Club War Dogs VS Intergalactic Jetsetters VS Catch 2/2; War Dogs win and retain the titles.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: KENTA & Chase Owens VS Bishamon; Bishamon wins and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: SHO VS YOH; Sho wins by referee stoppage, and retains the title.
- Shota Umino & Jon Moxley VS Jack Perry & Ren Narita; Shota & Moxley win.
- NEVER Openweight Championship, Special Guest Referee Yoshinobu Kanemaru: EVIL VS Shingo Takagi; Takagi wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Tetsuya Naito VS Yota Tsuji; Naito wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: Bullet Club War Dogs VS Intergalactic Jetsetters VS Catch 2/2!
Clark Connors & Dan Moloney snatched these titles away during the New Beginning, but they’ve found themselves right back where they started! Kushida & Kevin Knight are former champions, but so are TJP & Francesco Akira, and they all want payback on Bullet Club! Will these titles stay 100 Proof? Or will there be “new” champions crowned tonight?
Everyone dressed up for this occasion! Kushida is wearing Back to the Future DeLorean armor and Knight is Doc, TJP is a human-Aswang hybrid, and The War Dogs have dog masks. The introductions are made, but then the brawl is on! The fans fire up as the bell rings and they’re just letting this one be tornado style! Drilla stomps Kushida out of the ring, TJP RAMS Connors into a corner and Knight RAMS Akira into another corner. TJP TOSSES Connors out, Knight RAMS into Akira more but fires forearms! Akira and Knight brawl while TJP stomps Connors. Akira CHOPS, then ducks Knight’s leg lariat, only to run into a BACKBREAKER!
The fans fire up as Knight whips Akira, hurdles, hurdles, and then Kushida is in! They bypass Akira to drop toehold and RUNNING SPLASH! Knight gets air even there, and then Jetsetters whip Akira to a corner. Akira BOOTS Knight, kicks Kushida low, then goes up the corner to use Kushida as a step, FLYING RANA for Knight! Akira dodges Kushida, rolls back, and gets Kushida for a swinging RANA! Kushida is sent into Knight, and then Akira runs up, NECKBREAKER DROP DDT COMBO! The fans fire up with the Nova Fireball and he gets the Jetsetters on ropes. TJP returns, he runs to the corner to triangle jump DOUBLE DROPKICK!
The fans fire up but Drilla returns! He kicks Akira, CHOPS TJP, then whips TJP to a corner. TJP goes up and over, Akira clotheslines! Then TJP gives Akira the boost to DROPKICK Connors down! All four corners have someone in them, and TJP scrubs Knight! The fans rally up, and TJP runs side to side to BOOT WASH Drilla! BOOT WASH Kushida! BOOT WASH Connors! And BOOT WASH Knight! TJP completes the lap and the fans are thunderous. Kushida sneaks up on TJP but TJP switches, trips him, and steps through! TJP ties Kushida up in the Deathlock, but Connors runs up! TJP catches him to a COBRA TWIST!
Knight runs up but TJP HEADBUTTS him, then reels him into a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! The fans fire up for this chimera of submissions, and Akira intercepts Drilla with a GUILLOTINE of his own! But Drilla carries Akira as he CLOBBERS everyone else! All six men are down and the fans fire up! TJP finds Connors, brings him around to whip to a corner, then runs in. Connors puts TJP on the apron but Akira UPPRECUTS! Akira says iku zo, and he goes to the apron. Catch 2/2 coordinate, but Drilla YANKS Akira down! TJP still runs in, but into an APRON SNAP POWERSLAM!? How’d Connors even do that!?
Knight runs up to fire forearms on Connors, then ROLLING ELBOWS! Drilla gets in to CLUB Knight! Drilla then back suplexes, but Knight lands out! Only for Connors to POUNCE him up and out onto everyone else! The fans can’t believe it but it just happened! The War Dogs brag then soak up the heat before going out to fetch Knight. Connors pushes Knight to a cover, TWO! The fans rally but Connors stomps Knight around. The other teams get up but The War Dogs BOOT and KICK them back down. Knight CHOPS Drilla, Connors UPPERCUTS Knight! Drilla CHOPS Knight, then Connors CHOPS Knight!
Drilla CHOPS Knight, Knight kicks Connors! Knight kicks Drilla, CLUBS Connors, ROCKS Drilla, repeat! But Drilla BODY BLOWS then ROCKS Knight! Connors snap suplexes Knight down! Then Connors runs to JUMP ELBOW DROP! Kushida gets in but Connors is on him first, and TOSSES him back out. The War Dogs see Akira gets up so they mug him. Drilla scoops and SLAMS Akira, then they soak up more heat. But Kushida is back, helps Knight up, but Drilla CLAWS Kushida on the back! Drilla tosses Kushida out, Connors UPPERCUTS Knight. Connors whips Knight corner to corner hard, then Drilla covers, TWO!
The fans rally as Knight keeps everyone else in this match, but the War Dogs loom over him. They mock the fans cheering on Knight then flex. Knight fires forearms and CHOPS on the Dogs! The fans fire up but Drilla mule kicks! The Dogs double whip, but Knight LEAPS the double lariat to DOUBLE PELE! The fans fire up as the Dogs bail out! Kushida returns, as does Akira! Akira kicks Knight, CHOPS Kushida, then runs, into into a bypass and DROPKICK! Kushida KICKS TJP, KICKS Connors, then HANDSPRING KICKS Drilla! And he WRECKS Akira with a dropkick! Akira and Drilla both end up in the front row!
TJP and Connors each get up, but Knight springboards to DOUBLE FLYING LARIAT! The fans are thunderous, Kushida TOSSES TJP and Connors over railing! Kushida’s gathered all targets in the front row, and Knight takes aim! Springboard SUPER CROSSBODY into the crowd!! Direct hit on everyone and the fans are thunderous! The Jetsetters regroup, a ring count starts on all six wrestlers! Kushida hurries up and over railing, he and Knight drag everyone back over. We pass 10 of 20, the brawling returns, and everyone falls over again! We’re at 16! 17! 18! EVERYONE slides in at 19! The fans fire up again as all six men are exhausted!
All six men rise up, and the brawling continues! Akira with Connors, TJP with Knight, and Kushida with Drilla. But then they trade, and Knight fires off on Connors! Drilla stomps Akira and Kushida out then goes after TJP. Drilla puts TJP up, ROCKS him, then climbs up after him. Drilla goes to the very tip, but TJP trips him into the Tree of Woe! The fans fire up, but then Jetsetters SUPERKICK ENZIGIRI COMBO! Knight says it’s time, but TJP throws him down by his hair! TJP then stands up but, Drilla kicks from below! Drilla gets out of the Tree, Knight comes back, UPPER ROOM! But Akira leaps in, only for Knight to catch him! SKY2HIGH!! Cover, TWO!!
The Dogs are up and they take aim! SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover on Knight, TWO?!?! Knight survives and the fans are thunderous! The Dogs get Knight up, take aim again, but Knight leaps over! The Dogs almost collide, and Knight dodges Drilla to LARIAT Connors! Drilla SUPERKICKS Knight! Kushida runs up on Drilla but is put on the apron! Connors goes out to APRON SPEAR!! A rough landing for both guys, but Drilla HEADBUTTS Knight! Knight forearms Drilla! Drilla fires back, but Knight fires another! Knight eggs Drilla on, Drilla forearms! Knight UPPERCUTS! Drilla ENZIGIRIS!
Drilla whips Knight, Knight goes up and- LOW BLOW!! Drilla inverted suplexes, OSAKA STREET CUTTER!! Kushida returns but Drilla mule kicks! Drilla whips, Kushida handsprings, but into the DRILLA- NO, Kushida lands out! Drilla ducks the Buzzsaw, Kushida rolls through the schoolboy, but gets hit by the FIREBALL! TJP CALF KICKS Drilla! Catch 2/2 coordinate and Akira builds speed to FLY! Direct hit on Connors, but a rough landing for Akira! FINAL CUT for Drilla! TJP goes up top, to MAMBA SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!? Drilla survives and the fans are thunderous! Connors returns and he ROCKS TJP!
TJP SOBATS Connors! TJP runs, but Connors scoops for a SIDEWALK SLAM! Akira returns to wrench, knee, and STO! Akira fires up, gets Drilla up, knee and- SPIENBUSTER DOUBLE STOMP COMBO!! FASTBALL from Kushida! ROLLING SOBAT from TJP! SUPERKICK from Knight! Knight whips, TJP reverses, and he ducks Kushida’s crossbody! Drilla GORES Knight!! Akira returns to wheelbarrow and victory roll so TJP can BLOOD MIST Drilla!! STOMP 182, and then TJHP backslides Kushida! TWO!!! 2 BY 2!!! Cover, CONNORS BREAKS IT!!! The fans are thunderous as this still isn’t over!
The fans fire up for “CATCH! NI NI! CATCH! NI NI!” TJP & Akira get Kushida up, Electric Chair Lift and Akira climbs! But Knight is back and he anchors Akira! Kushida fights to a victory roll, TWO!! TJP drop toeholds Kushida to the PINOY STRETCH!! Akira SHOTGUNS Knight down! Kushida endures, Akira plays defense with DIVE after DIVE! But Kushida powers up and out to drag TJP into the HOVERBOARD!!! TJP flails, kicks, but he can’t find ropes! Akira returns but Knight runs in! SATELLITE DDT!!! Knight HOVERBOARDS Akira!!! TJP AND Akira endure, but the Dogs CLOBBER everyone else!!
Catch 2/2 tumble out of the ring, the Dogs get the Jetsetters, but then the Jetsetters switch! DOUBLE HOVERBOARDS, but then SPINEBUSTER SANDWICH! And another! Kushida still SHOTEIS! Connors mule kicks Knight, BODY BLOWS Kushida, then runs, into an atomic drop! Dropkick to the legs, Chancery and BASEMENT DROPKICK! Shoutout to Shelley & Sabin! Jetsetters then combine, Electric Chair, victory roll, SPEAR!!! Connors ruins the Culture Shock, and Drilla GORES Kushida!!! The Dogs roar and the fans are thunderous! The Dogs get the Jetsetters up, for DRILLA KILLA and NO CHASER!!
But the Dogs aren’t done there! They haul Kushida up, lock ‘n’ load as Connors climbs, and FULL CLIP!!! Cover, War Dogs win!
Winners: Bullet Club War Dogs, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
Drilla won’t stop there, either! He rains down forearms on Kushida for the hell of it! The Ichiban Gaijin came through for Bullet Club, but is this just the beginning of a Too Sweet Sakura Genesis?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: KENTA & Chase Owens VS Bishamon!
We just saw the Bullet Club’s Junior Heavyweights find a way, now we see if the big boys can pull it off. Will Fang Revived & Crown Jewel still shine with gold? Or will Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi #GetBackUp to the top of the tag division?
The introductions are made, and then Bullet Club attacks! Kenta goes after Hashi while Chase is after Goto, and they both CLUB away! Kenta TOSSES Hashi out, the bell rings to get this on record, and Bullet Club stomps away on Goto. They double whip, but he ducks the double clothesline! Goto sends Chase into Kenta, but Chase knees Goto low. Chase UPPERCUTS, CHOPS, then runs, but Hashi returns! Bishamon runs Chase over! Then Hashi runs for ZANMAI! Kenta returns but Goto kicks low to snap suplex Kenta onto Chase! The fans fire up with Bishamon and they get Chase up. Goto CLUBS Chase, then stomps him and fires forearms in a corner.
Goto whips corner to corner, runs in, but Chase BOOTS back! Goto still runs in, but into a BUCKLE SHOT, STO and SENTON! Kenta YANKS Hashi off the apron, then whips him into railing! Chase brings Goto out, and he sends Goto into railing, too! Kenta whips Hashi hard into more railing! Chase CHOKES Goto against railing, the ref reprimands, and Chase punches Goto down. Kenta stomps Hashi against railing, then ROCKS him! Kenta brings Hashi around to POST him, Chase puts Goto in the ring, and Chase FIST DROPS! The fans rally but Chase drags Goto up. Chase bumps Goto off buckles, but Goto kicks back!
Chase CHOKES Goto, the ref counts, and Chase lets off at 4. Chase brushes the ref aside to tag in Kenta. Kenta and Chase split the wishbone! Kenta then drops an ELBOW, covers, TWO! The fans rally as Goto stays in this, but Kenta stays on Goto. Kenta puts on a headscissor squeeze but the fans rally more. Goto fights around, ROPEBREAK! Kenta holds until the ref counts 4, and then argues Goto was holding onto him. The ref says no, he saw clearly what was going on. Kenta brings Goto up, bumps him off Chase’s boot, then tags Chase in. They stomp mudholes into Goto, then Chase bumps Goto off buckles.
Chase whips Goto to the neutral corner, forearm smash and short arm LARIAT! Chase says that’s a homerun! Tag back to Kenta and he drags Goto up. Kenta turns Goto for the NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Kenta drags Goto back up, KICKS, but Goto blocks to CHOP and CHOP! Kenta KICKS again, Goto goes to a corner, and Kenta BOOTS him! Kenta RAMS into Goto again and again, then lets off to insult Hashi. Kenta then whips corner to corner but Goto reverses. Goto runs in, Kenta BOOTS and runs, but Goto follows! LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Hot tag to Hashi, and he runs up to ELBOW Kenta!
Hashi BLASTS Chase, DOUBLE CHOPS Kenta, and the fans fire up! Hashi runs corner to corner to CHOP Kenta, then whips to CHOP Kenta again! Mule kick! NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, Hashi brings Kenta up, but Kenta fights the suplex. Kenta wrenches out but Hashi ROCKS Kenta. Hashi whips, Kenta reverses, and Chase trips Hashi! The ref reprimands but Chase and Kenta stomp Hashi to a corner. They drag him up, double whip corner to corner, then Kenta runs in. Hashi dodges to dropkick Chase’s legs! Kenta runs in again but Hashi sends him into Chase! Hashi kicks Kenta, CLUBS him, and calls Goto.
Goto gets in, Hashi feeds Kenta to the fireman’s carry, but Kenta slips free to shove Goto into Hashi! Kenta then TOSSES Goto, runs up, but Hashi dodges! Kenta blocks Hashi’s lariat to URAKEN! Kenta runs, into Hashi’s LARIAT after all! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Kenta and Hashi crawl, hot tags to Chase and Goto! Goto swings, Chase dodges to mule kick. Chase runs, but Goto runs him over! Goto fires off on Chase in a corner, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs up to MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Chase stays in this and the fans rally up. Goto drags Chase up, fireman’s carries, but Chase fights free!
Chase ROCKS Goto, eggs him on, so Goto ROCKS Chase back! Chase ROCKS Goto again, but Goto ROCKS Chase! The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! DOUBLE FOREARMS rock both men! They then both DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither falls, so they both roar, and DOUBLE LARIAT! GOto drops to a knee but Chase grits his teeth! Chase runs, but into a fireman’s carry! Chase slips free, but Goto puts him in a corner! Hashi runs in to clothesline! Feed to the fireman’s carry! FIERCE FLASH into dragon sleeper! Chase BOOTS Hashi away, grabs the ref while he powers Goto to ropes, Kenta CHAIR SHOTS Goto in the back!!
Chase drags Goto into a cradle, TWO!! Goto escapes the screw job and Bullet Club is furious! Chase runs in at the corner but Goto BOOTS him! Goto runs up but into a SOBAT! Chase hops on, SUNSET BUCKLE BOMB! Kenta HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! Hashi runs in, but Chase fireman’s carries to DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Kenta PENALTY KICKS Hashi down! Chase gets Goto up, hammerlock for JEWEL HEIST!! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans fire up! Chase drags Goto up, reels him in and tucks the arms, but Goto fights the lift! Chase CLUBS Goto, ROCKS him with a forearm, then tries again. But Goto back drops free!
Chase blocks the ref’s eyes while Kenta gets in with a title belt! The fans boo as Kenta takes aim, but Goto fireman’s carries Kenta! USHIGOROSHI! Chase fires off a strike fest, ROCKS Goto, then runs, but Goto follows! Chase ENZIGIRIS first! But Goto stays up! Goto swats the first knee, but the C-TRIGGER returns! Chase takes aim, runs up, but Goto blocks this one! Chase fights but Hashi SUPERKICKS! Fireman’s carry, FIERCE FLASH! Hashi calls their shot and the fans are thunderous! Goto dragon sleepers and Hashi has the legs, but Chase boots free again! Kenta trips Hashi, Chase victory rolls, TWO!!
Goto rises up, into a C-TRIGGER! Hashi and Kenta brawl while Chase covers, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans fire up again! Chase locks ‘n’ loads and says BANG as he drags Goto up. C-TRIGGER POINT-BLANK!! Then Chase gets Goto up, hooks him up, but Hashi BLOCKBUSTERS! Kenta runs up to hit Hashi, but Hashi hits back! The brawling continues, Kenta CROSS COUNTERS! Kenta runs, into the HIDDEN GAP, GOTO STYLE! Hashi finds Chase, feeds him to Goto but Chase BOOTS! Hashi gets around Chase, has him on the ropes, and Goto LARIATS! Then the roll into dragon sleeper! Chase still fights free, but gets HIDDEN GAP! Then SHOUTO!!! Cover, BISHAMON WINS!!
Winner: Bishamon, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Bishamon lost these belts to El Phantasmo & Hikuleo at WrestleKingdom, but now, three months later, they’ve returned to prominence! Will Goto & Hashi make sure to hold on to these titles much tighter this time?
The Best of the Super Juniors 31 field is announced!
Ryusuke Taguchi, El Desperado, Kevin Knight, Yoh, Hiromu Takahashi, Bushi, Titan, TJP, Francesco Akira, Douki, Robbie Eagles, Taiji Ishimori, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Sho, Clark Connors, Drilla Moloney, Kosei Fujita, ROH’s Blake Christian, and even Pro-Wrestling Noah’s Ninja Mack and Hayata! TWENTY of the brightest stars are ready to shine, but who be the Best of the Super Juniors?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: SHO VS YOH!
This championship has a long and storied legacy, which the Murder Machine disgraces with how he cheated this title away from El Desperado and has continued to cheat to keep it. But his former friend has come to not only humble him but to set things right! Will Mr. Direct Drive win the Roppongi 3K Civil War? Or will Sho and the House of Torture play with a stacked deck like always?
Wait, wait, Sho is chasing Yoh! Yoh still has physical possession of the title belt! They go around the outside, then the very back of the crowd! Yoh make sit back to ringside, eggs Sho on, then keeps going. They go into the ring, then back out! Then back in! Sho is getting frustrated, but Yoh DROPKICKS him back out, then PLANCHAS him down! The fans fire up as Yoh puts Sho in the ring, the bell sounds, and DIRECT- NO, Sho fights the lift, and he bends fingers! Yoh breaks free but Sho CLAWS Yoh’s face! Sho waistlocks, Yoh drop toeholds and runs, to basement dropkick! The fans cheer as Sho scrambles away.
The fans rally while Sho goes to a corner and Yoh shakes out the bad hand. Yoh stands, still works on the stinger in his arm, and Sho taunts him that this is what he gets for messing around. Yoh storms up to stomp Sho, but that shoulder does look in bad shape. The ref calls for help from the medics, and has to call this off!
Winner: Sho, by referee stoppage (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
Sho again says that’s what Yoh gets! Yoh’s arm popped out of the socket and Sho gets the belt back! Well, the actual physical possession of it, anyway. Sho got lucky here, but wait! Kosei Fujita shows up! We just learned that TMDK’s Ichiban Young Punk is going to be in the BOSJ, but Sho doesn’t take him seriously. Sho is too busy mocking Yoh getting his shoulder worked on. The fans rally for Yoh as he gets to his feet and makes his way to the back, tears of frustration pouring down. However, Fujita gets the mic and has the fans cheering him on. Fujita tells Sho, “Oi, worst champion ever. How about I take your head and become the youngest champion ever?”
Sho laughs at that, acting like it isn’t possible. But then DOUKI shows up! The fans fire up as Japones Del Mal takes the mic. He tells Fujita that he gets how he feels. However, Douki has the hot hand! He beat Hiromu Takahashi, and so before Fujita does, Douki’s gonna take that shot. Sho grabs a mic to says hey, hold on! What the hell are these two going on about? Look what happened to Yoh! That’s how tough Sho is! The fans boo the exaggeration but Sho says that some dork who wrestled in the mud huts of Mexico is no match for him! He doesn’t want either of them, so they can get outta here! Sho holds up the belt while fans boo.
Fujita springboards to DROPKICK Sho down! The fans fire up while Sho sputters! Fujita holds up the belt now, stares down with Douki, and fans like the look of this showdown. Fujita puts the belt down in front of Sho, but then Douki picks it up. Douki says Sho will have to wait to challenge the winner of Douki VS Fujita! And Douki just takes the belt with him, just like Yoh did! Sho is furious that he gets showed up! But with BOSJ on the horizon, is the Murder Machine’s luck about to run out?
Shota Umino & Jon Moxley VS Jack Perry & Ren Narita!
In order to have a fair fight against the House of Torture’s Scapegoat and Souled Out, The Roughneck calls in his Maniac mentor! Will Moxley help Shota finally humble Hollywood Jack Perry and the traitorous Son of Strong Style? Or will there be no Paradigm Shift here tonight?
The teams sort out and it’s Moxley & Shota that attack first! Moxley TOSSES Narita out, the bell rings, and Shota keeps after Jack! Jack kicks back, CLUBS Shota, then CHOPS! Moxley sends Narita into railing, then drags him up to headlock and bring him around the way. Moxley punches Narita out of the headlock but Jack whips Shota. Shota reverses and scoops to DROP Jack, run and SHOTGUN! Jack tumbles to a corner while the fans fire up with Shota! Shota storms up to stomp Jack, then brings him up. Jack CLAWS Shota’s eyes but Shota UPPERCUTS! Shota whips, Jack reverses and Narita gets a cheap shot in!
Jack CLOBBERS Shota, Narita BLASTS Moxley, then Narita goes out to CLAW Moxley’s eyes! Jack rains down fists on Shota, covers, TWO! The fans boo but Narita whips Moxley into railing hard! Jack stomps Shota, sits him up and KICKS him in the back! Jack snap suplexes, covers, TWO! The fans rally for Shota but Jack keeps on him. Jack tags Narita, they mug Shota, and Shota hobbles to a corner. Narita fires forearms, then brings Shota over to bump off buckles. Narita TOSSES Shota out, BLASTS Moxley, and Jack stomps Shota against railing! Moxley runs in to TACKLE Narita! The fans fire up but Narita CLUBS Moxley!
Jack drags Shota up while Narita KNEES Moxley down. Jack whips Shota into railing, then leaves him behind. Narita gets Shota in the ring, drags him up, and Narita suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Shota pounds the mat in frustration but the fans rally behind him. Narita kicks Shota around, taunts him, but Shota eggs Narita on. Narita gives more scuffing kicks but Shota grits his teeth. Shota fires forearms on Narita, then UPPERCUTS! Shota turns Narita, but Narita elbows free. Narita swings, but Shota spins him again, NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Shota crawls, hot tag to Moxley!
Moxley dodges Narita, BLASTS Jack, then ROCKS and CHOPS Narita over and over! Moxley whips, Narita reverses, but Moxley bounces off buckles to LARIAT Narita down! The fans fire up and Moxley flips Narita off as he runs in to corner clothesline! The fans chant “Let’s Go, Moxley!” and Moxley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans fire up as Moxley goes all the way to TEN, then goes way past it! Moxley then hoists Narita up, CHOPS him, and climbs up after him. Moxley pulls Narita’s shirt away, and CLAWS Narita’s back! The ref reprimands and counts, Moxley stops, but then Narita CLAWS Moxley’s back!
Narita CLAWS Moxley’s face, shoves him away, and runs up, but Moxley gets around to a SLEEPER! Takedown into the BULLY CHOKE! Narita endures, flails, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Moxley BITES Narita, then lets off. Moxley goes out after Narita, shoves him into railing, but Jack attacks from behind! Moxley just gets pissed! Moxley ROCKS Jack, then whips him over railing and onto commentary! The fans fire up as Jack gets stuck in No Man’s Land, but Narita gets Moxley for an EXPLODER to the floor! The ref checks but Moxley’s okay to continue, so Narita drags him up. Narita puts Moxley in and runs, to BOOT!
Narita drags Moxley back up to BLIZZARD PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Moxley is still in this and the fans rally, but Narita laughs as he goes to the corner. Narita climbs, watches Moxley rise, and Narita MISSLE- NO, Moxley moves! Narita tumbles, gets up, and Moxley CUTTERS! The fans fire up again and both men crawl! Hot tags to Jack and Shota! Jack dodges, Shota dodges, and Shota kicks to whip. Jack reverses but Shota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Jack! The fans fire up with #SHOOTER as he whips Jack to a corner. Shota runs in, UPPERCUTS, and then FISHERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!
Shota may not be perfect but the fans fire up with him all the same! Shota drags Jack up, clinches, but Jack fires elbows! Shota RAMS Jack into a corner, runs in, but Jack dodges! Jack clotheslines, then clinches to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Roll through, POLAR EXPRESS! Jack is referencing Matthew Jackson here, then he goes out to the apron to PENALTY KICK Moxley! That’s just like Nicholas Jackson! Jack then goes up top and aims at Shota, flips everyone off, MACHO ELBOW! A shot at Phil Brooks?! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives and Jack is shocked! Narita joins in to stomp away on Shota but the ref reprimands.
The House of Torture double whip Shota to a corner, then Narita sends Jack in. Shota dodges Jack to SHOTGUN Narita! Jack dodges Shota to kick and whip, but Shota holds ropes! Jack runs up but Shota drop toeholds him onto ropes! Moxley runs in and he DIVES to take out Narita! Shota slingshots to APRON DDT Jack!! The fans are all fired up again as Shota goes around the way. The ring count starts, Shota comes back for Jack by 7 of 20. Shota drags Jack up and puts him in at 13. The fans applaud as Shota goes up top, and he COAST2COAST DROPKICKS Jack! Then EXPLODERS! Cover, TWO!! Jack survives but Shota keeps calm.
Shota drags Jack up, dragon sleepers and TRI- NO, Jack slips free, underhooks, but Shota wrenches out to ROCK Jack! ROLLING- SUPERKICK from Jack! Jack runs to LARIAT, but Shota stays up! Shota LARIATS, but Jack stays up! Shota roars, Jack dodges to mule kick and SUPERKICK! Jack runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Jack and Shota crawl, hot tags to Narita and Moxley! Moxley fires forearms and KICKS on Narita, but Narita CLAWS Moxley’s face! Narita runs, BOOTS, but Moxley just roars! Narita runs to BOOT again, but Moxley flips him off, and SLAPS him!
Narita runs, Moxley blocks the boot and LARIATS! The fans fire up again while Narita flounders to a corner. Moxley runs in, clotheslines, then he hoists Narita up top! Moxley climbs, brings him up, and SUPERPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Narita survives but the fans rally behind Moxley. Moxley storms around, drags Narita up, and he reels Narita in. Narita slips around to a SLEEPER! Moxley fights, but Narita puts on the COBRA TWIST! Jack BLASTS Shota while Moxley endures! Shota sends Jack into railing then gets in to CLOBBER Narita! Moxley is free but Jack CLOBBERS Shota! Jack TOSSES Shota, goes out, and whips him into railing!
Narita has the push-up bar! He CHOKES Moxley with it!! The ref is too busy with Jack! Narita lets Moxley go, but Shota takes the shot for him!! Moxley DECKS Narita, BLASTS Jack, but Narita gets the SLEEPER! Moxley SAIDOS free! The fans are thunderous and Moxley runs, but Narita gets around again! SLEEPER, then he spins Moxley around to DOUBLE- NO, Moxley slips free of Doublecross to DEATH RIDER!! Cover, Moxley & Shota win!
Winners: Shota Umino & Jon Moxley, by pinfall
The House tried but they couldn’t beat these two aces! Will this momentum help Moxley and Shota find their way to some golden opportunities in the Spring? Or can Jack get payback next Friday at Windy City Riot?
NEVER Openweight Championship, Special Guest Referee Yoshinobu Kanemaru: EVIL w/ Dick Togo VS Shingo Takagi!
As if The King of Darkness doesn’t already stack the deck in his favor, he supposedly got The Heel Master approved as the special referee for this match! Will nothing stop The House of Torture from cheating their way through this one? Or can the Rampaging Dragon still pull out the win?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but referee Marty Asami says no, Kanemaru’s not the ref for this match! Kanemaru still insists he is, as he does the check on Evil. Asami pushes Kanemaru and even Dick, and tells them to get outta here! Kanemaru reluctantly obeys and the fans cheer as he and Dick head to the back. But then Evil CLOBBERS Takagi from behind! The bell rings, the fans boo, but Evil stomps Takagi. Evil CHOPS Takagi, CHOPS again, but then Takagi knees low! Takagi CLUBS and CLUBS and headlocks, but Evil powers up, just to pull hair! The fans boo, Asami reprimands, but Evil whips. Takagi reverses but Evil holds ropes!
Takagi runs up, Evil BOOTS him then runs, but Takagi runs Evil over! The fans fire up while Evil goes to a corner. The fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” and he winds up. Takagi runs in but blocks a boot to clothesline through! Takagi fires the fans up more before he JABS, CHOPS and repeat! Takagi tops it off with a CHOP, then whips corner to corner. Takagi runs up to clothesline, then scoop and SLAM! Takagi goes up but Evil scrambles away. Takagi sighs, hops down, and storms over to Evil. Takagi stomps Evil, drags him up, but Evil CLAWS Takagi’s face! Evil kicks, Takagi blocks, and he JABS, then DOUBLE CHOPS!
Takagi powers up to ELBOW DROP! And ELBOW DROP! And then SENTON! The fans fire up while Evil goes to ropes. Takagi storms up again, brings Evil up to KNEE him against the ropes, then KNEE him again. Takagi whips, KNEES, then snapmares to run, but Evil bails out! The fans boo but Takagi keeps his cool. Evil tells the fans to shut up while he goes around the outside. Evil gets a chair! The ref reprimands so Evil drops it. Takagi dares Evil to get in here already, and the fans rally up. Evil takes his time, slides in, but then slides out. Takagi goes after him but Evil kicks low! Evil brings Takagi around, but Takagi stops from ramming into the timekeeper!
Takagi fires elbows then puts Evil in the ring. The fans cheer as Takagi keeps Abe-san safe. But then Evil SHOVES Takagi off the apron! Takagi wobbles, but he’s safe! Only for Evil to RAM him in anyway! Poor Abe-san still suffers, and the fans boo as Evil tells him that’s what he gets! Evil whips Takagi into more railing, then gets more chairs! The ref’s busy helping Abe-san, but Takagi takes the chair off his neck! The fans fire up as the two now have a stalemate! Takagi swings but Evil JAMS him low! Then he SMACKS the chair into Takagi’s face! Not quite the homerun but Evil still gets on base with that shot.
The fans boo but Evil then goes to the blue corner. Evil takes the tag rope away, hiding that from the ref. The ref checks Takagi but he’s somehow okay to continue. Evil wants the ring count so the count begins. No Abe-san helping, though. Takagi staggers up at 5 of 20, stumbles around at 8, checks his head, and hobbles his way back at 10. Takagi slides in at 12, but Evil brandishes the House of Torture shirt. The ref takes that form him, but the tag rope is now used to CHOKE Takagi instead! The fans boo but Evil gets away with one! Cover, TWO! Evil argues the count but the count was fair. The fans rally but Evil tells them off.
Evil stomps Takagi, gets a leg, and he stomps away on the thigh! Evil drops an elbow on the knee and Takagi writhes! The fans rally for Takagi but Evil stands on Takagi’s face. Evil steps away, drags Takagi up, and knees low! FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Takagi roars as he sits up and the fans fire up! Evil keeps calm, and he scuffs Takagi. Evil slaps Takagi around, talks trash, but Takagi ROCKS Evil, knees low, then CHOPS! Evil CHOPS in return and Takagi falls! Takagi snarls as he rises back up and the fans rally again. Evil CHOPS, Takagi grits his teeth and stays standing. Evil CHOPS again, Takagi sputters but he stays standing!
Evil CHOPS again, Takagi headbutts the buckle to fire up! Takagi eggs Evil on, Evil winds up, but just CLAWS Takagi’s eyes! The fans boo, the ref reprimands but Evil tells them all to shut up. Takagi kicks, Evil blocks and hands that to the ref! But then Takagi blocks Evil’s kick! The ref lets Takagi go to DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi goes to a corner and rises up. Evil rises, Takagi runs him over! Then Takagi scoops, SLAMS and SENTON FLOPS as Evil moves! Evil whips Takagi, Takagi reverses but Evil takes a swing. Takagi blocks, spins Evil around, and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO!
Evil is still in this but Takagi pounds the mat! The fans rally up, Takagi looks to the camera, and “TOKI GA-” EVIL CLOBBERS TAKAGI! The fans boo as Evil denies Takagi his time! Evil stomps Takagi, CLUBS him, then runs. Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint to DDT! The fans fire up again and Takagi looks around. Takagi sits Evil up, “Mada mada.” HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi then runs, but Evil goes to a corner! Takagi still runs in to corner clothesline! The fans fire up more as Takagi puts Evil up top. Takagi goes right up after Evil, they’re on the very top, SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous for “TA-KA-GI!” as he rises up! Takagi says “TOKI GA KITA! OI! OI! OI!” The fans join in again, “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi drags Evil up, but wait, Yujiro Takahashi is here now! The fans boo the Tokyo Pimp showing up uninvited, but Takagi stomps Evil. Takagi pump handles, but Evil fights the lift! Takagi throws knees, lifts, but Evil slips free! Evil claims bad knee but Takagi doesn’t fall for it. The ref still needs to check, and Yujiro is undoing the blue buckle pad! Evil shoves the ref at Takagi! Takagi helps Asami stay up, but then Evil blocks Takagi’s kick! Evil hands that to Asami, and mule kicks Takagi down!
The fans boo but Evil doesn’t care. Evil mocks Naito with tranquilo, then he whips Takagi into bare buckles! Takagi just fires up and runs in, but Evil LARIATS first! Evil fireman’s carries, for DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and the fans are thunderous again! Evil slashes his throat, vowing to end this! The fans boo as Evil spins Takagi around, but Takagi fights the STO! Takagi waistlocks, Evil elbows free, then LARIATS! Takagi stays up! The fans rally, Evil runs up to LARIAT again! Takagi shouts as he stays on his feet! Evil takes off his elbow pad, runs, but Takagi SWATS the lariat, wrenches and ELBOW BREAKERS!
Evil clutches the arm, still takes a swing, but Takagi SWATS it! The fans fire up as Takagi fires boxing elbows! Takagi then winds up, but Evil CLAWS eyes! The ref counts, Evil lets off to run, but Takagi LARIATS Evil at ropes! Takagi runs, Evil distracts Asami, Yujiro CHAIR SHOTS Takagi!! Evil steps through, SCORPION DEATHLOCK!! Takagi endures, the fans rally as hard as they can, and Takagi fights forward! Takagi reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Evil holds on, the fans boo, but he lets go at 4. Wait, Bushi is here! At least, we think that’s Bushi… Dick’s pulled this trick before but can’t tell if that’s him…
The ref sees Yujiro sneaking in, so Yujiro bails out. Evil tells the ref to handle “Bushi,” but then he and Yujiro double whip Takagi! Takagi DOUBLE PUMPING BOMBERS!! The fans are thunderous, Takagi wants Bushi to help, but that’s NOT BUSHI! They sucker punch Takagi, HOTSHOT him, and then go up the corner. Wait, the REAL Bushi is here!! The Spiderman Meme is real! Bushi kicks Fake Bushi, then YANKS the mask away! It WAS Dick!! But then Dick uses Asami as a shield from the BLACK MIST!! Then Dick shoves Asami into Bushi! The fans freak out as now the whole House gets in the ring!
Kanemaru has Evil, Dick & Yujiro stomp away! The fans boo and Kanemaru DECKS Bushi! The House whips Takagi to a corner, Dick runs in to ELBOW! Yujiro BOOTS! Evil clotheslines! Snapmare and then Dick goes up! DICK CHOP!! Kanemaru plays dumb, then Evil covers! TWO!!! Takagi survives, but Evil covers again, Kanemaru’s count is so fast!! TWO!!!! The fans boo and the House is upset! Kanemaru ENZIGIRIS Takagi! Dick joins in, MAGIC KILLER!! Cover, fast count and Evil “wins!!” Only because Yujiro rang the bell! Evil gets the belt, Kanemaru raises his hand, but there’s no way this stands!
Wait, here comes REFEREE HIROMU! The Timebomb SHOTGUNS Kanemaru out! Then he SHOTGUNS Yujiro & Dick! Then he says let’s go! Evil takes a swing on Hiromu, but Hiromu sends him into ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! The fans are thunderous and Takagi shouts “OI! OI! OI!” The fans join in, Takagi winds up, and Evil rises into PUMPING- DOUBLE LARIATS! Neither falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS clash again! Evil falls, Takagi roars! Takagi sits Evil up, spins him around, but Evil dodges! Evil shoves Takagi into Hiromu, then LOW BLOWS! EVERY- NO, Takagi slips free to JAB! HEADBUTT! Evil swings, Takagi STEALS EVERYTHING IS EVIL!!
The fans are thunderous as Takagi covers and Hiromu counts! But Kanemaru CLOBBERS Hiromu! Kanemaru stomps Takagi, DECKS Bushi again, and he goes for his whiskey! The fans boo as Kanemaru takes a big swig! But Takagi JABS the mist away! Then YUKON LARIATS Kanemaru! Takagi drags Evil up, Dick is in with the SPOILER CHOKER!! The fans boo but Takagi powers up! Takagi overpowers Dick and throws him away! Bushi DROPKICKS Dick away, then DIVES onto him! Down goes Dick and the fans are thunderous! Takagi swigs the whiskey!? HE dodges Evil to WHISKEY MIST! But he’s also drunk!
Yujiro shoves Takagi, winds up, but Takagi ducks the POCKET SAND!! Evil gets a face full!! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Yujiro, Takagi sobers up and runs, DRUNKEN PUMPING BOMBER!!! Red Shoes is here to be the REAL ref, and Takagi gets Evil up! LAST OF THE DRAGON!!! Red Shoes counts, TAKAGI WINS!!!!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)
Evil’s reign of terror ends as Los Ingobernables de Japon work together! Will The House of Torture ever learn their lesson? Or is it a good thing there are those that will always stand in their way?
Oh, hold on, Takagi gets the mic. The fans cheer him on as he says, “Before the main event, let me just take a moment of your time. I have become the 40th NEVER Openweight Champion, MY TIME HAS COME!” But wait, the War Dogs are attacking!! Gabe Kidd goes right after Takagi while Connors & Drilla go after Bushi & Hiromu! The fans boo as the Mad Man and the Ichiban Gaijin ruin the moment! Gabe grabs the NEVER title, then the mic. “I got a question for you raff. Is that what this has become? A effing joke?! An embarrassment?! Why?! Nic Nemeth ‘n’ Matt Riddle turn up, and we all start wrestling like we’re trying to get on Main Event or Superstars!
“Does the squiggle on the side of this ring say ‘Level Up’ or am I a dickhead?! NO! It’s a joke. It’s a joke. And then what? They send Jungle B*tch as what? A punishment? A punishment?! This is NJPW! Tanahashi might as well walk into Tony Khan’s office, pull his trousers down and say ‘Do your worst!’ It’s a EFFING embarrassment!” Then he SPITS at Tanahashi! Kidd asks if he stayed a year-and-a-half for this. If he nearly lost his head for this! If he nearly offed himself TWICE just for this?! NO!! He used to LOVE this company! He used to LOVE that lion logo! But from the bottom of his heart, God as his witness, F NJPW!!
Kidd SPITS on the logos, then says he’ll take everything from this company. The War Dogs will take everything! Kidd will outright kill Yota Tsuji, Tetsuya Naito, and even Tanahashi just to remind him of the old days! And it’ll start with Takagi and this NEVER Openweight title! Kidd will bring some respect to this place, sayonara you Japanese bastards! Kidd is completely out of line, but is he completely wrong? Do his words bite because of the insults or because of the harsh truth? And either way, will he come through and take it all from NJPW to give it to Bullet Club?
IWGP World Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Tetsuya Naito VS Yota Tsuji!
The Uncontrollable Charisma wanted this to be Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Los Ingobernables de Japon and here it is! The Gene Blast won the New Japan Cup, will he soon have both trophy and championship? Or will Naito prove why he’s the leader of LIJ?
Tsuji is patient as of course Naito takes his time with everything, even letting Red Shoes have the belt. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly leading NJPW into the future!
Once Naito is done putting his entrance attire away, the bell rings and the fans are thunderous already! They duel between “NA-I-TO!” and “YO~TA! YO~TA!” Red Shoes feels it’s about even, maybe 55-45 in Yota’s favor. The two circle, approach, but Naito dodges. Naito tells everyone to relax, and he resets with Yota. They go again, but Naito again dodges! The fans cheer Naito’s typical tactics but Yota just grins. Yota and Naito circle again, the fans rally up, and Naito kicks low! Naito CLUBS away on Yota, headlocks and grinds him down, but Yota powers up. Yota pulls hair, Red Shoes reprimands, but Yota headlocks Naito now.
Naito endures as Yota grinds, and Naito fights up. Naito powers up and out, Yota ducks ‘n’ dodges but leaps over Naito’s dropdown! Yota whips Naito to a corner, runs in, but Naito puts Yota on the apron! Naito sweeps the legs! Naito then builds speed, but he fakes Yota out to tranquilo! Or not as Yota stomps Naito! The fans cheer as Yota grins, knowing Naito’s playbook well. Yota drags Naito up, ROCKS him, then follows him to a corner. Yota CHOPS, then CHOPS, then whips corner to corner. Naito reverses to run in, but he blocks Yota’s boot! Yota brings Naito in to STOMP him down! The fans fire up again while Naito writhes!
Yota pushes Naito to a cover, ONE!! Naito is tougher than that but Yota still grins as he has the majority of the fans. Yota stomps Naito, drags him up, and CLUBS him! Naito staggers but stays up, and he fires forearms! Yota gives those back, then snapmares. Yota wraps on a body scissor squeeze, and even adds a chinlock! Naito fights back, but Yota half nelsons Naito while keeping on the squeeze! Naito fights around, reaches out, kicks around, and drags Yota along for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Yota lets off cleanly. Yota paces, then comes back to bring Naito up. Naito fires haymakers and CLUBS Yota!
Yota KNEES low, whips, and KITCHEN SINK KNEES! Naito sputters and bails out while the fans rally. Yota takes aim, builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and Naito hits railing! The fans fire up again as Yota paces around the outside. Naito sputters but Yota comes back for him. Yota drags Naito up, then he whips Naito hard into railing! Naito hobbles away, Yota tells the NJPW execs that he’s gonna be their champ soon. Yota then whips Naito into more railing! Naito staggers, Yota scoops him, SNAKE EYES off the apron! Yota drags Naito up to ROCK him, then puts him in the ring. The fans applaud as Yota slides in.
Yota looms over Naito, has a cocky cover, but Red Shoes doesn’t like that. Naito pushes Yota’s foot away so Yota stomps him down! Yota drags Naito up, scoops, and hits a BACKBREAKER! Naito writhes but Yota pushes him over to cover, TWO! Naito stays in this and the fans rally up again. Yota smiles as he stands up, and he brings Naito into the CAMEL CLUTCH! Naito endures, even as Yota bends him back! The fans rally, Yota stands to then make it a motorcycle stretch! Naito endures the knee in his back, even as Yota pulls the arms! Yota makes it a BASEMENT BACKSTABBER! Naito writhes more and Yota paces.
The fans rally, still strongly for Yota as he scuffs Naito. Yota eggs on his team leader, wanting to see the great Tetsuya Naito! Yota kicks Naito around, but Naito stands to body shot! And body shot again! Then Naito fires a haymaker! Yota SPITS in Naito’s face, a very Naito thing to do! Naito swings, but Yota BODY BLOWS! Yota runs up but Naito ELBOWS him! Yota runs back in, but into the HIP TOSS BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Naito rises while the fans rally, and he stands Yota up to fire forearms and kicks. Naito CLUBS Yota, whips, but Yota reverses. Naito stops himself to BOOT, ELBOW and BASEMENT DROPKICK!
The fans fire up as Naito has Yota in a corner. Naito whips corner to corner, blocks Yota’s boot, and SPITS at him! Naito puts Yota in the ropes for the DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Naito then stands Yota up for another NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Naito stands again. Naito brings Yota up, cravats for the neck wrench, and he thrashes Yota to keep him from ropes. Yota still fights around and reaches out, but Naito brings him back. Yota throws body shots, then gets the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Naito thrashes Yota more, but Red Shoes reprimands. Naito whips, then HIP TOSS BACKBREAKERS again!
Yota writhes and goes to the apron. Red Shoes checks but Yota seems okay to continue. So Naito goes out, brings Yota out along the apron, for a DRAPING NECKBREAKER to the floor! Yota writhes more but Naito drags him back up. Naito puts Yota in, drags him up, and dragon sleepers, for the BACKBREAKER, into the LEG HOOK NELSON! Yota endures, reaches out, and the fans rally up! Naito puts on the pressure but Yota still endures. Yota kicks his way around, and kicks, but Naito pushes up for more pressure! Yota looks to be fading! But a second wind helps him get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Naito of course “struggles” to undo the hold.
Red Shoes reprimands, he knows Naito’s tricks. Naito lets go as we pass 15 minutes, and the fans continue to rally for “YO~TA!” Naito drags Yota up, hammerlocks and half nelsons, but Yota fights with elbows! Yota is free, he dodges Naito and scoops to BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Yota rises first but Naito follows slowly. Yota fires forearm after forearm, then whips. Naito reverses but Yota BOOTS Naito down! The fans fire up again and Yota drags Naito up. Yota scoops to SLAM Naito, then runs to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Naito stays in this and the fans rally up again.
Yota drags Naito up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Naito slips free! Naito waistlocks, Yota elbows free and runs, and RANAS! Naito tumbles all the way out of the ring! The fans fire up as Yota takes aim again, builds speed, but Naito flops to the apron. Yota has to stop himself, and then he goes out to bring Naito up. Yota ROCKS Naito, ROCKS him again, and the fans rally. Yota fires up, he fireman’s carries, but Naito fights free! Yota SUPERKICKS, but Naito forearms! Yota forearms, and forearms, and SUPERKICKS again! Naito holds onto ropes to stay on the apron, but Yota CURB STOMPS Naito to the floor!!
Both men are down on the outside but Red Shoes checks Naito as he’s the bigger concern. The fans rally as hard as they can, dueling all the same, and Yota drags himself up first. The ring count starts, Yota leaves Naito behind, and we pass 5 of 20. Naito is still down at 10! The fans rally even harder, Naito sits up at 15! Naito drags himself up at 18 and slides in! But Yota BASEMENT DROPKICKS! We hit the 20 minute mark as Yota hauls Naito right up, suplexes, but Naito knees free! Naito wrenches and ELBOWS, and kicks, and TORNADO DDTS! The fans are fired up again while both men are back down!
Naito and Yota stir, and Naito crawls his way over. Naito drags Yota up, then throws the HEAVY ELBOWS! Yota drops to his knees, but the fans rally up again. Naito stands Yota for the HEAVY ELBOWS! Yota flops right over and Naito paces. The fans are thunderous, the “YO~TA! YO~TA!” so much louder! Naito stands Yota up to HEAVY ELBOW again! Yota staggers to a corner, then slumps down against the buckle pad. Naito drags Yota up, hoists him to the very top, then climbs up, to SUPER STEINER! The fans are thunderous as Naito stands back up and waits on Yota. Yota rises, Naito runs in, but into a BLUE THUNDER!
Yota sits Naito up to KNEE him back down! Then Yota flops back over! The fans are thunderous again as they rally behind both men! Yota flounders but he rises up. Yota storms over, gets Naito up, and suplexes, for ORANGE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up again as Naito stays in this and Yota shouts in frustration! Yota goes to the corner, drags himself up, and he roars again! Three point stance, GENE- ROLLING KICK!! Naito atomic drops, ENZIGIRIS, and then tilt-o-whirls, DESTINO!! Naito hurries to get Yota up, wrenches and- NO, no Destino! GENE BLASTER!!! Yota can’t cover, he’s so tired!!
The fans are electric as we pass 25 minutes and Yota clutches his shoulder! Yota grits his teeth as he struggles to sit up, it’s like this place is going to explode! Naito stirs now, and Yota crawls his way over. Yota drags Naito up, and he manages to smile as he fires a forearm! Yota falls over, but he sits back up, just in time for Naito to throw a forearm! Both men sit up again, and Yota fires another forearm! Naito stays up while Yota has to steady himself. Yota throws another forearm and he gets Naito to sit back on the mat. Naito rises back up but so does Yota, and Yota fires another forearm. That didn’t have as much, but Yota throws another.
Naito shrugs as Yota seems to be running out of gas! Naito stands, Yota drags himself up, and he fires another shot. Naito HEAVY ELBOWS! And again, and again! Yota falls back and Naito suplexes, but Yota fights it! Yota clinches, BACKBREAKER, COMPLETE SHOT, and STOMP! Yota had enough for that combo! The fans are thunderous again as Yota roars and rises up! Yota drags Naito by a leg, then gets both legs, for the BOSTON CRAB! Yota sits deep on the Young Lion staple! Naito scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Yota lets off, then runs to CURB STOMP! Naito flounders around while Yota fires up!
The fans rally as Yota drags Naito up again. Yota puts Naito on the top rope, then CHOPS! Yota climbs, goes to the very top, and he brings Naito up to join him! The fans freak out, but Naito SHOVES Yota down! Yota perhaps wanted a Spanish Fly but it didn’t work. But then he rises right back up! Yota gets Naito again as we hit 30 minutes! SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives but it’s right back to the BOSTON CRAB! Yota stands high, this is almost Walls of Jericho! Wait, then the knee into Naito’s back, LION TAMER!! Naito knows Jericho’s moves well, how does this compare? Yota digs the knee in deep but Naito still endures!
Naito has the fans getting louder for him now as he fights his way around! But he’s still so far from ropes! Naito looks to be fading and Red Shoes checks! Yota drags Naito from ropes, but lets go of the hold so he can go up and up and FLYING CURB STOMP!! #MarrowCrusher! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives but Yota drags him up! Fireman’s carry and swing, 70 CROSS!! Cover, TWO?!? Naito survives again and the fans are thunderous again! Yota powers up and he goes to the corner! The fans are electric as they anticipate what’s coming! Three point stance, and GENE- MONKEY FLIP!! Yota is sent into the corner with that counter!
Naito runs up, to GENE BLASTER?!?! Cover, ONE?!?!? Naito steals Yota’s tackle but Yota survives it!! The fans are volcanic as Naito rises up! Naito drags Yota up, scoops, but Yota slips free! Naito ROCKS Yota, then blocks the knee! Naito suplexes to VALENTIA!! Naito drags Yota up as the fans stay at that fever pitch! DESTI- NO!! Yota blocks, but then Naito fights the clinch! Yota still spins Naito around to suplex, but DESTINO COUNTER!! Naito hurries to get Yota up, wrench and swinging DESTINOOOO~!!! Cover, NAITO WINS!!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
LIJ’s newest member gave the team leader an all-time epic match, but perhaps it is still too soon for the new generation to be the #NowGeneration! But if Yota can win the New Japan Cup and push Naito this far in his “rookie” year, is his bright future still going to become reality?
As for Naito, he stands over Yota while the title belt and a special prize are brought into the ring. Red Shoes hands Naito the belt, which Naito snatches away. And then founder, president and CEO of Bushiroad, Takaaki Kidani, presents him with a certificate for the Sakura Genesis Dream Order Japanese baseball league trading card game! Naito does love baseball, so he appreciates this gift. He even offers a fist bump to Kidani! The fans like the idea, and so Kidani raises his fist, only for Naito to SPIT on him! Naito shoves Kidani out of the ring, still not over Kidani’s previous sleights against him.
But as Kidani takes his leave, Naito gets the mic. “Buenas noches, RYOGOKUUU~! First of all… I’d like to thank you all for coming here.” A commotion from the crowd gets Naito to stop, and Moxley has returned to ringside! The fans cheer as Maniac and Uncontrollable Charisma are now face to face ahead of their Windy City Riot main event match. Moxley looks at the belt, and Naito asks in English, “Do you want IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, yes?” When Moxley doesn’t respond, Naito asks again much slower, “Do you want… I W G P World Heavyweight Championship?” Moxley nods and the fans fire up!
Naito continues in English to say that their title match will be next week in Chicago, okay? The fans cheer, and Naito hands the mic over to Moxley. Moxley says, “Chicago, April 12th, Moxley, Naito, NEW IWGP Champion!” Mic drop from Mox and he heads out, so the showdown is set! Will the Windy City Riot see the winds of change blow through NJPW? As for Naito, he picks up the mic to say, “Let’s start again. Buenas noches, RYOGOKUUU~!” Naito again thanks everyone for coming, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans applaud, and Naito says this was only his second time facing Yota. The first time was August 1st, 2021, Yota’s sendoff match.
Naito tells Yota, “You got strong as hell. Let’s keep competing to lead NJPW and LIJ to even greater heights!” The fans like the sound of that!” And like he said in simple English, he is going to defend this world title against Moxley next week. Naito vows to beat Moxley and return home to Japan still champion, so please look forward to it. The fans cheer that! Naito then asks, “Shall we close this out the right way?” The fans cheer that, too! Time for their first roll call in Ryogoku since the G1 last August! Are you ready? They sure are! Then this is the only proper way to close Sakura Genesis!
“Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRRRNAAABLEEES~! DE! JA! PON!!” The gold streamers fly and the fans cheer, will Naito be the one to keep NJPW and this world title tranquilo?
My Thoughts:
An awesome event for NJPW here, with a lot going on to add to an already stacked weekend in wrestling around the world. And there was so much Bullet Club! Well, that’s if House of Torture even still counts as Bullet Club, but then that just makes for a lot of House of Torture on this card, too. Awesome Triple Threat Tornado Tag for the Junior Tag titles, and the challengers all looked really close to winning, but it was fine for War Dogs to retain. Meanwhile, I oddly wasn’t sure Bishamon was going to win, but Goto & Hashi have proven to be solid in the ring and as characters, NJPW loves going to them so them winning was also fine.
A real shame about Yoh dislocating his shoulder and needing it popped back in right there at ringside, he and Sho were definitely going to have an awesome match. With the news of the BOSJ field, hopefully Yoh can still compete in that and get another chance. But at the same time, great moment for Douki and Fujita to not only confront Sho but to act like Sho might as well not even be the champion as we go into the tournament. Douki has been making that Yoshi-Hashi style rise from being the punchline to being a contender, it’d be awesome if Douki reached the later rounds in the BOSJ.
Really good tag match for Moxley & Shota to get a really good win. I actually really like Jack referencing the Young Bucks and CM Punk with that string of moves near the end there. “Scapegoat” as a gimmick is clearly an ongoing reference to #BrawlIn last year, and it’s only a matter of time before he goes back to really stick it to the EVPs. Great NEVER Openweight Championship, even with all the goofy overbooking and madness. Great win for Takagi, he brings this title back to LIJ and hopefully gets a redesigned belt or something to undo all the black paint Evil sprayed on the thing.
Then Kidd making his presence known, I can’t blame him for having that worked-shoot rant. I have also found it rather odd that, mostly through House of Torture, NJPW is doing things rather American style with the overbooking. And Kidd really makes a good point about Scapegoat Perry, not sure how Tony Khan got NJPW to agree to taking Jack with that kind of kayfabe behind the angle. Commentary mentioned Kidd taking on Eddie first, Windy City Riot I believe, no idea if Kidd takes the NJPW Strong title from Eddie after Eddie’s already lost all his other belts. But between sending Jack back to AEW and Kidd having beef with all these things as a whole, it’d be pretty cool if Kidd led Bullet Club War Dogs on some kind of Forbidden Door feud with other parts of Bullet Club as a whole.
And then just an amazing main event here tonight. Yota continues to look incredible in every singles match he has, this is definitely his best match yet. The fans were so strongly behind Yota for the majority of that match, I wouldn’t have blamed NJPW if they decided Yota should win here tonight. But instead, it’s still Naito, and that’s totally a great choice, too. Naito VS Moxley being for the title now is great stuff, that alone makes Windy City Riot worth the $20 USD extra. But that also makes for another busy weekend for me…
My Score: 9/10
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Cero Miedo on Cinco de Mayo!
Penta made sure Judgment Day didn’t win the WWE World Tag Team Championships, and now he’ll make JD McDonagh pay for the WrestleMania screwjob!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day; Penta wins.
- Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Sheamus; Sheamus wins.
- Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez; Iyo wins.
- Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri; Rusev wins.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker; Rollins wins by disqualification, Jey retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is in the concourse.
The fans are all fired up as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out into the crowd! Omaha, Nebraska all YEET along, and even Pat McAfee does, no concern for what Gunther might think. Jey high-fives fans on his way to the ground level, high-fives some more fans on the way to ringside, and Jey daps it up with Pat & Cole. Jey then goes to the ring, and the fans continue to bounce while singing along with Day One Ish! Jey then gets a mic while the fans cheer. Omaha even says, “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey thinks about it, and he figures why not! YEET! Jey and the fans bounce again, then Jey goes back to the mic.
Jey says, “The World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso, is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey says look. He’s here. He knows Logan Paul’s here. So let’s just stand on business tonight! Where you at, Logan!? But instead, “Ladies and gentlemen…” The Wise Man walks out on stage! The fans boo as Paul Heyman continues his introduction, and he says he cam here tonight not to disrespect the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso. But he dragged himself all the way to Omaha, Nebraska because he wanted to say something straight to the face of the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso.
Jey tells OG Heyman, “You got a lotta balls stepping to me after what you just did to my family.” Heyman says wow, Jey is going to lecture Heyman about betraying their Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns? Jey says yeah, he’ll talk to Heyman. Day one, Jey saw past him. He warned Roman about him, and he warned CM Punk about him! Well, a shame that no one warned Heyman. Warned him about his best friend, his BFF, his brother in arms, CM Punk. And while he’s at it, keep your damn boos to yourselves while he’s on the mic! Not one of these fans, or Jey, had to live through what Heyman did.
Heyman’s best friend, CM Punk, put him in a position that 100% absolutely guaranteed it would sabotage him! The fans chant for Punk and Heyman mocks them for it. “They chant his name because they don’t know what’s in the dark heart of that man.” Punk put Heyman in a guaranteed lose-lose situation with Roman Reigns. And let’s talk about Roman Reigns for a minute! The fans chant for “O T C!” and Heyman sighs. Heyman says he had a dream with his best friend, CM Punk, while Roman was still playing high school football. Long before Roman thought about following in his father’s footsteps into pro-wrestling.
And while Heyman helped Punk overcome adversity, what’d Roman think he was going to do? Sell him out to Punk? Why? After Heyman built the Bloodline for five years, why would he do that?! The fans boo more but Heyman sighs again. Heyman found a “stray big dog on the island of irrelevancy, and I turned him into the Tribal Chief and the ruler of the WWE Universe. We were the Undisputed WWE Champion for 1,316 days! And I’m not the one that blew it by getting beat by Cody Rhodes after being distracted by Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40! HE lost the title! HE lost the title that I spent five years of my life building him up as the champion!
And then what’d he do? He disappeared. He went back to being a big dog licking his big wounds, and left me in the hands of Solo, and Jacob Fatu and those Tongans, who put me through a table at Madison Square Garden and almost ended MY 40 year career. And he didn’t come back toa venge me, he came back to get his ula fala back! But I betrayed Roman Reigns, right? I betrayed Roman Reigns, who couldn’t handle the fact that I just wanted to help out my best friend live out his dream! No, it’s always Paul Heyman! I’m always the liar! I’m always at fault! I’m the betrayer, I’m the double crosser, I’m always the freakin’ scumbag in this situation! NOT THIS TIME! I’M RIGHT! I’M RIGHT! I’M IN THE RIGHT! And you blame me?! Screw you!! And screw each and every one of you for booing me!”
The fans boo more but Jey isn’t sure what to think. The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” and call Heyman an a-hole, but Jey takes a moment. Jey asks if Heyman is okay. In fact, is Heyman done? Jey has another question: What does this have to do with Jey? Heyman smirks and says that he does owe an apology. It has nothing to do with Jey. Not that part. He didn’t come out here to talk Roman and Punk. Here is the thing Heyman did come out here to talk with Jey. See, Jey won that title because he wanted that title> But that title is all about power and control. And honestly, Jey doesn’t know how to wield that. Jey doesn’t understand that!
Jey thinks coming out here to YEET with the audience and putting on the best in-ring performance is all it takes. But that’s not what this title is about. So while Jey needs in his heart and wants to be a champion… Seth Rollins has to be a champion. Rollins has to have that power, that control, and Bron Breakker… Well, that is just stage one of the plan. Stage two is the World Heavyweight Championship. But Heyman is out here tonight to do Jey a favor. And we all know how well Heyman’s favors work out> Jey gets to sign his own death warrant. Jey gets to chose the night he loses the World Heavyweight Championship.
Because Seth Rollins hereby challenges Jey to the World Heavyweight Championship! Rollins pinned Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, Rollins deserves to be #1 contender! Jey gets to pick the time and the place, because Rollins will fight Jey for that title any time, and any place. Heyman drops his mic then takes his leave. Jey tells Heyman to hold on, OG. Omaha, can you help him out? Jey asks if Heyman just said “any time,” and “any place,” “any where,” for the world title, against Seth Freakin’ Rollins? Then it’s on TONIGHT! FOUR LETTERS! ONE WORD! UH, UH… YEET!!
Jey had Logan Paul on his mind, but now he is daring the Visionary to put up or shut up! Will Jey turn the tables on Rollins? Or is Jey playing into Rollins’ hand?
Heyman returns backstage.
He finds Rollins & Bron, and Heyman smiles. Heyman says, “He fell for it> I cannot believe he fell for it! He wants to do the match tonight! You were so right!” Rollins asks you know what he loves. He loves to say< “I told you so.” And he tells Heyman, “I told you so.” Heyman says that is true. Bron says Seth Freakin’ Rollins, World Heavyweight Champion… Heyman asks if Bron understands what is going on. Roman Reigns prepared Seth Rollins at Mania, and Rollins pinned the biggest star in the main event. CM Punk prepared with unbridled passion for Rollins at Mania, and Rollins not only beat Roman & Punk, Roman & Punk lost to Rollins in the main event.
Jey Uso is a great champion, don’t take that away from him. He made Gunther tap out! Gunther! Jey is no easy day in the park. But Jey wasn’t focused on Rollins, he was distracted by Logan Paul! And now he has no time to prepare for Rollins. But Rollins is fully focused on Jey because there’s no one left. Rollins is a sniper, and he has Jey in his sights. And tonight, we get handed the keys to the kingdom when the ref hands that World Heavyweight Championship to Seth Freakin’ Rollins…! Bron can see the vision now, but will we all see Rollins burning down the YEET Era?
PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day!
The Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way at WrestleMania only went well for “Dirty Dom” because he had an Irish Ace up his sleeve! JD is back, but will Penta make him pay for the part he played? Or will The Judgment Day be able to screw Penta over again?
Raw returns and JD is in the ring. The bell rings, JD and Penta circle while Carlito & Finn Balor watch from ringside. The fans rally for #CeroMiedo as Penta throws it up. But JD kicks low! JD headlocks for the takeover, but Penta headscissors. JD kips free, arm-drags and has the armlock. Penta headscissors again, JD kips free, and then he waistlocks. Penta ELBOWS free, runs, but JD drop toeholds! Penta avoids the basement dropkick, but JD avoids the Penalty Kick to roll Penta up! TWO and JD returns. Penta again avoids a kick but the STANDING MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO! Finn argues the count but JD CLUBS Penta.
JD stands Penta up to bump him off buckles, then he CHOPS! Penta CHOPS JD in return! And CHOPS again! Penta runs up to KICK JD’s leg out! The fans cheer while JD hobbles away. Penta CHOPS again, then KICKS the leg out again! The fans fire up with Penta while JD goes to another corner. Penta storms up, but JD puts him in the corner, only for Penta to dodges and CHOP! JD sputters, Penta swaggers, and Penta KICKS the legs out! Cover, TWO! Finn wants a timeout but there’s no such thing here. Penta drags JD up, whips him to a corner, but JD BOOTS in return! JD ELBOWS Penta down, then drags him up to bring him around.
Penta blocks the buckle bump, GAMANGIRIS, then CHOPS! JD leans back, Penta climbs, but JD SLAPS him! And SLAPS! JD shoves Penta down, kicks him, then goes to the apron. Penta blocks the boot, then ENZIGIRIS in return! The fans fire up, but Penta tells Finn to stay back. Finn says he’s just standing nearby. JD fireman’s carries Penta to APRON DEATH VALLEY! JD is in control and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and JD has Penta up top. JD pulls Penta into the Tree of Woe, then runs corner to corner, but Penta sits up! JD slides into the POST! Penta is free of the Tree, and then he runs to handstand and SWINGING DROPKICK! JD gets feet right to the face and Penta covers, TWO! JD stays in this but the fans rally behind Penta. Penta fires up, and he counter punches JD! Penta bobs ‘n’ weaves to CHOP, then ROCK JD! Penta fires forearm after forearm, whips, but JD reverses. Penta KICKS in return! Penta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLING-DOG! Cover, TWO! Penta hurries to stand JD back up and JAB!
Penta puts JD against the ropes to CHOP! The fans fire up and Penta whips. Penta scoops JD to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this but Penta fires himself back up! The fans fire up but Finn distracts on the apron! That lets Carlito pull no Penta’s mask! Penta breaks free to GAMANGIRI! JD runs up but Penta TOSSES him out! Penta climbs, the fans fire up, “CERO! MIEDO!” SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go JD and Carlito! Finn freaks out but the fans rally up behind Penta. Penta puts JD in, but Finn creeps up! JD distracts the ref and Finn YANKS Penta down! Finn puts Penta in, but the ref DOES see it!
The fans fire up as the ref now EJECTS Finn & Carlito! The fans cheer whiel Finn & Carlito freak otu! They apologize, but it’s too late for that! Penta goes up a corner, but CHAD GABLE is here?! Gable grabs at Penta, Penta kicks him away, then Penta leaps over JD! Penta dodges JD to then FLY out onto Gable! Penta drags JD up but JD hits a JAWBREAKER! JD goes up, up, MOONSAULT FLOPS as Penta moves! MEXICAN DESTROYER!! Cover, Penta wins!!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
Despite all the extra help on the outside, JD could not win! Cero Miedo is victorious, but when will Penta be Numero Uno?
Adam Pearce talks with Grayson Waller.
The Raw General Manager says the Aussie Icon wanted a match, so here’s his match. Yeah, but he didn’t know it’d be against him! Austin Theory finds Waller and Waller says good timing. Waller was talking with Pearce about how Waller’s been a bad friend to Theory, wanting a singles match for himself, but that’s selfish. Waller wants Theory to have the match, it’d be great for him. Okay, Theory is down! Pearce asks if Waller is serious, and Waller says he is! Well, if that’s what they want, fine. Theory has a singles match now. It’s official! Great! But who is it against? Uh, well, it’ll be better as a surprise, but they better get to the ring. #AllDay, remember?
Waller hurries away and Theory wonders what kind of surprise it could be. Well, everyone is wondering that. Who will Waller pass over to Theory to avoid getting brutalized?
Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS ???
Raw returns as A-Town Down Under is already in the ring. And who is Theory’s opponent that was meant for Waller? It’s SHEAMUS! Monday Night Raw is once again Fight Night Raw as the Celtic Warrior is back again! Will Theory regret taking this banger?
The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Theory waistlocks. Sheamus throws Theory away and the fans cheer him on. Theory brushes that off, resets with Sheamus, and then Theory kicks low! Theory throws hands, puts Sheamus in a corner, but Sheamus ROCKS Theory! Sheamus UPPERCUTS, but Theory ELBOWS back! Sheamus fires a BODY SHOT, an UPPERCUT, then whips. Theory goes up and over, rolls, comes back, and he DROPKICKS Sheamus down! Waller says that’s his best friend right there! But then Sheamus CLOBBERS Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus storms up on Theory.
Theory ELBOWS Sheamus, whips, but Sheamus reverses to scoop, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Sheamus says one more time! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus goes for the legs but Theory kicks at him! Theory reels Sheamus in and throws some hands, but Sheamus stomps Theory down! The fans cheer as Sheamus turns Theory over for a CLOVERLEAF! Theory crawls and has the ROPEBREAK! Sheamus lets go, Theory rolls out, and Waller checks on his friend. But Sheamus climbs up! SUPER FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus finds a fellow Ginger! The fans cheer more while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the fans rally behind Sheamus. Theory CLUBS Sheamus and throws hands, but Sheamus shoves him and eggs him on! Theory BOOTS Sheamus, but Sheamus just eggs him on more! Theory runs, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Theory flounders to the apron and Sheamus storms his way over. Sheamus stands Theory up and Waller stays back, but Theory HOTSHOTS free! Theory slingshots and somersaults, but into the KNEE CAPPER! Cover, TWO! Theory survives but Sheamus stays cool. The fans rally while Sheamus catches his breath, and then Sheamus goes to the apron.
Sheamus glares at Waller, Waller backs away, and Sheamus climbs. Theory avoids the flying lariat but Sheamus comes back! Theory dodges and Sheamus POSTS himself! Theory SUPERKICKS, somersaults, and BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up for Sheamus while Theory goes back outside. Theory checks his jaw, shakes out the stars, and Theory climbs. Sheamus ROCKS Theory, fires body shots, and Sheamus climbs. Sheamus brings Theory up, tucks him in, WHITE NOISE! The fans fire up and Sheamus smiles as he’s clearly enjoying this. “This is Awesome!” as Sheamus rises up again.
Waller coaches Theory as Theory crawls to the apron, but Theory asks why Waller did this to him! Sheamus stands Theory up, and the fans cheer on the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus goes past TEN, and Theory slumps down at FOURTEEN! The fans fire up, Waller is worried, and Sheamus goes to a corner. The fans cheer Sheamus on, and we get a BROGUE! Cover, Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
The Celtic Warrior made quite the return, and Theory is surely regretting subbing in for Waller. Will A-Town Down Under have a meltdown because of this?
BREAKING NEWS for Backlash!
Penta was so close at WrestleMania, and he got through JD here tonight, so now he will be challenging Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship!
Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
They’ve clearly heard the news, and JD storms in asking what happened out there. The ref kicked them out? And why did Gable go out there? That wasn’t on any of them. JD says then Penta and Gable need to get it ASAP! Dom says Penta will be handled at Backlash, but as for Gable- Wait, who is this walking into the clubhouse? It’s A J STYLES! The Phenomenal One nods to Finn, Finn nods back, but Carlito asks how Styles even got here. Oh, R-Truth told him where they were. Plus, it wasn’t that hard to find. But he’s not here to fight or cause trouble. Styles just wants to give a friendly warning. Whether it is Dom or Penta, Styles is after that title.
Dom says whatever, old man. Wow, oh, so hurtful. But Styles tells Dom that it doesn’t matter who wins, he want the title! And then he’ll beat Dom up either way. Dom says this is crazy. Who knew being a champion was this hard. Penta, Styles, his hands are full! Wait, Finn has history with Styles. Can’t he handle Styles for Dom? Oh, what? Now Finn cleans up Dom’s messes for him? Nah, just messing with you. Finn’s got this. They fist bump, but will Judgment Day (not) hold it together without Liv around?
Chad Gable is backstage.
“Freakin’ luchadores. Bloody my nose?” The New Day walk over and Gable says it is not the time for this. Kofi Kingston says hold on, hold on, hear them out. They saw what went down, and that was awful. And they know that it is around time American Made got some respect around here. Xavier Woods says the War Raiders are already talking about getting a rematch, but New Day beat the bejeezus out of them, so that’s a no. What the New Day thinks is that opportunities need to start coming back to American Made. Gable likes what they’re saying. Give him some more ideas like that. But then Becky Lynch pushes through.
Woods tells The Man it was messed up how Lyra Valkyria treated her. Becky thanks him for that. Becky heads to the ring, what will she have to say here in Omaha?
Becky Lynch goes to the ring.
Omaha is torn as The Man has a mic in her hand. Becky says The Man has come around to Omaha, and she’s baffled by the bit of boos and “You Suck” chants she’s getting. Wait, wait, wait. She is very confused. The fans are treating her like she’s the bad guy here? No, she’s the victim! Okay, okay, she took out Bayley, fine. But when she came out to WrestleMania, everyone lost their minds! A woman in the crowd cried tears of joy! No one asked where Bayley was, because no one cared, Bayley is garbage! Becky took out the garbage! The fans were happy the garbage was taken out, but then Becky took credit for it and everyone got mad she took out the garbage!
That’s not what they should say when someone takes out the garbage! You tell that person, “Thank you for taking out the garbage! And what’s more than that, I also took out the recycling! Because that’s what Lyra is! She’s less offensive than garbage, but she’s still garbage! And what is garbage about her is her attitude. She doesn’t have a dream if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t have a title if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t make history if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t even have a freakin’ fiancé if it isn’t for me!!” The fans boo, but Becky says she still gets all this disrespect! But wait, here comes Lyra! Becky says this is what she’s talking about!
Lyra has a mic and asks, “Did you actually just call me recycling? You’re the Queen of Recycling! You’ve been recycling the same moves and the same tired old act for years! But that’s fine, Becky, you do you, I don’t care. What I have a problem with is you acting like you had anything to do with my success. The one thing I want to drive into your skull more than my foot is that you didn’t make me!” The fans cheer, and Lyra says she’ll catch Becky up. Becky went on holiday, and everyone here got better. Becky went on holiday, and Lyra made history of her own. Lyra holds up the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and the fans cheer.
Lyra says, “Oh, but you’re what this championship needs, right? That’s what you said. That’s rich, considering I’ve defended it more times than days you’ve shown up to work this year.” The fans cheer that zinger! Becky paces but Lyra says she sees it now. Lyra sees it so clearly. Becky shattered glass ceilings and Lyra is forever grateful. But Becky left all that broken glass on the ground and the rest of the Women’s Division were supposed to just follow behind because Becky never had any intention of taken anyone to the top with her. Becky says okay, okay, Lyra is right. Becky was gone, and everyone had the best year of their careers.
But that’s only because they didn’t have Becky around to compare themselves to! The fans boo but Becky says no, she didn’t help anybody because she doesn’t like anybody. She didn’t help anyone because her job isn’t to help anyone, it is to beat everyone! And Becky is very, very good at her job! She’s the greatest to ever do it! That’s not just her saying it, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED said so! The fans do cheer that, but Becky tells Lyra it doesn’t matter how great she thinks she is or how great she’ll become, because she will always be the moment after Becky! Wow… Sports Illustrated, huh? Lyra is wrong, she’ll take it back. Please, continue listing the achievements.
What can we say? Becky’s first SmackDown Women’s Champion, first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania, and the first Women’s Intercontin- NO! Wait! That’s Lyra! Becky frowns while the fans cheer, and Lyra says Becky must hate it. Becky must hate that this is Lyra’s first ever. But get used to being second. Becky throws hands but Lyra hits back! The fans fire up as these two brawl, and then Lyra hits a SPINEBUSTER! Becky gets up, Lyra is right on her, but Becky puts her in ta corner! Lyra dodges, RAMS into Becky again and again, then things spill outside! Lyra sends Becky into barriers! And apron! And barriers again!
The fans fire up but refs rush out! Omaha says, “LET THEM FIGHT!” but Becky gets free and throws off her jacket! Becky then gets in the ring and tells everyone, “You see this disrespect?! You see this disrespect?!” Lyra gets free and is back for more! The fans fire up, Becky clinches, but Lyra slips free to fireman’s carry! NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Lyra stands tall over Becky, title in her hand! Will this be the scene this Saturday for Backlash?
Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez!
The Genius Women’s World Champion won big last week on NXT alongside Jordynne Grace, but now The Prodigy is back in hopes of returning the favor. Will Roxie prove she’s ready for Raw? Or will Iyo show being a prodigy only gets you so far?
Raw returns and Iyo makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally. The two circle, tie up, and Iyo pushes Roxie back. Roxie puts Iyo on ropes, Iyo turns that around, and the two go around. Iyo clinches, Roxie wrenches, but Iyo headlocks. Roxie powers up and out but Iyo runs her over! Things speed up, Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, then whips Roxie. Roxie cartwheels over the dropdown, then SLAPS Iyo! Roxie takes a bow, then dodges Iyo to bail out. Iyo pursues, they go back in the ring, and Roxie dodges again to roll back! Roxie RANAS, but Iyo handsprings through! The fans fire up, things keep moving, and Iyo handsprings again!
Roxie dodges, but Iyo comes back to SHOTGUN! Roxie tumbles out, Iyo builds speed, but Roxie is back to dropkick the legs out! Iyo writhes, but Roxie grabs the leg to stomp it and SMASH it! Roxie wants both legs but Iyo BOOTS her away. Iyo runs, but Roxie puts her on the apron. Iyo ROCKS Roxie first, but Roxie grabs a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Roxie builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Iyo at the ramp! The fans boo but Roxie puts Iyo in. Iyo gets moving and she DIVES! Direct hit on Roxie at the ramp! The fans fire up with Iyo, and Iyo hurries to put Roxie in. Iyo aims, springboards, but Roxie SLAPS her down!
Roxie grabs Iyo’s leg, drags her to a corner, and STOMPS the knee against the crossbar! Iyo clutches her leg and slumps to the floor while Roxie leaves her behind, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Iyo has Roxie up top, for a SUPER ARM-DRAG! The fans fire up while both women are down! Iyo slaps her leg into working, then she crawls her way over. Omaha is behind Iyo as she ROCKS Roxie! Roxie ROCKS Iyo, but Iyo ROCKS Roxie back! The forearms keep going, Iyo fires a flurry, then she winds up to SHOTEI! Roxie staggers, runs up, but Iyo FLAPJACKS! And BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO! Roxie toughs it out but Iyo goes to the apron. Roxie runs up, but Iyo blocks her punch to HOTSHOT the arm! Iyo climbs, Roxie stands, MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Roxie flounders, and Iyo kips up!
Iyo goes wild, so do the fans, and all aboard the SHIN- NO, Iyo’s leg bothers her! Roxie runs up, wheelbarrows, but Iyo rolls through to STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives and Iyo is frustrated! The fans rally, Iyo waistlocks, and she deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridge, but then a roll through! Roxie fights the second try to SAIDO! Iyo and Roxie stand, Roxie runs up, but Iyo wrenches and hooks her up! TIGER BACKBREAKER! Iyo says time to end this! Iyo CHOPS Roxie, hobbles to a corner, and climbs up! OVER THE MOONSAULT but Roxie moves! Iyo lands out but that jams up the leg! Roxie runs to SPIKE RANA!
Roxie roars, runs, and hits the HANDSPRING KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives the Guillotine Knee as taught to Roxie by Meiko Satomura, and Omaha rallies up more. Roxie fires hands, SOBATS, then runs to hop on! Iyo handsprings through, but Roxie blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Roxie then has the arm, LA MAGISTROL BRIDGE! TWO!! Iyo bridges, TWO!! Roxie has the body scissors, O’Conner Roll, TWO! Iyo rolls Roxie up, TWO! Roxie has a lateral press, TWO! Iyo sunset flips! TWO! Roxie high stacks, TWO! Iyo sunset flips again, IYO WINS!!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall
Roxie is shocked! She tried to match speed with speed and move for move, but she just couldn’t keep up with the Genius! But then Roxie gets in Iyo’s face! Roxie offers a handshake? The fans aren’t so sure, but Iyo takes it. They both bow, and surprisingly, there is now respect here between them. But wait! GIULIA ATTACKS! It was all just so the Beautiful Madness could slip in! Roxie grins and they mug Iyo like they have before! Giulia ties up Iyo’s legs, has the arms, and sets Iyo up for a SUPERKICK and SURFBOARD STOMP!! Rhea Ripley is in Australia, she can’t save Iyo! Giulia sets Iyo up again, for another SUPERKICK and another SURFBOARD STOMP!!
Roxie and Giulia stand over Iyo, will these former NXT Women’s Champions soon run Monday Night Raw?
Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri!
Bulgarian Brute no more, he has been REDEEMED! And now, he feels it is his divine appointment to “fix” all those on Raw who were once like him. Will that mean #TheDozer is going to go through baptism by fire? Or will he simply be crushed?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two big men circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and they break. The fans rally more as the two tie up again. Another deadlock, but Rusev manages to power Oits bac. Otis powers Rusev back, the fans duel, and the big men break again. Rusev nods, perhaps liking what he is seeing already. They tie up again, and Rusev KNEES low, CLUBS Otis and fires hands in the corner! The ref counts, Rusev stomps a mudhole, but stops as the ref gets in there. Rusev storms up on Otis, stands him up, and whips him, only for Otis to reverses. Rusev returns to LARIAT! Otis stays up and shakes his head!
Rusev LARIATS, Otis stays up, so Rusev runs. Otis dodges with a roll! Otis then comes back and he LARIATS Rusev! Rusev stays up, but now Otis runs, and Otis LARIATS again! Rusev shoves Otis, Otis ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the WHEEL KICK comes outta nowhere! The fans are torn while Rusev stands tall, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Otis is down on the outside. Tozawa & Maxxine check Otis and coach him up, but Rusev storms outside. Rusev kicks at Otis, stands him up, but Otis EXPLODER Rusev over the desk! The fans fire up as Otis has more to give! Otis shoves the Hydration Station aside, then drags Rusev up to whip him hard into steel steps! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, but then drag shim out to fire clubbing arms! But then Rusev ducks, Otis’ arm hits POST! Rusev aims, but Otis ducks, so Rusev’s kick hits POST! Otis then CLOBBERS Rusev! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, storms in after him, and SPLASHES in the corner!
Rusev sputters and Otis runs up again! But Rusev MACHKA KICKS him down! Rusev roars and he shouts, “RUSEV! CRUSH~!” Stomp and ACCOLADE!! Otis endures, but he’s turning red! Otis shouts for Maxxine and Tozawa, but he TAPS! Rusev wins!
Winner: Rusev, by submission
Rusev continues to make Otis suffer by holding on, but Tozawa storms into the ring! Tozawa tells Rusev he can’t do that to his friend! They’re gonna fight right here and right now! The fans fire up as Tozawa rips his shirt away! Rusev says hold on now. Rusev did what he came here to do, and he spares Tozawa for tonight. But that’s just to lower Tozawa’s guard! Ruzev storms back in and GUT WRENCH POWERBOMBS Tozawa onto Otis!! The fans boo but Rusev shows no mercy! He POSTS Otis!! Then he drags Otis back in, and sends him into another POST! Otis falls out of the ring, Rusev goes out to drag him back in!
Rusev hits another MACHKA KICK!! And then he turns Otis back over, and he clamps the ACCOLADE back on!! The fans boo but that only makes Rusev want to do this more! Pearce, refs, and security rush out here! They tell Rusev to let go, but he waits until Otis is OUT! The fans boo, Natalya is here to console Maxxine, and Pearce reprimands Rusev. Will Rusev not care what he must do to “redeem” Monday Night Raw?
Raw returns and Adam Pearce is in the ring.
The General Manager hopes that they can get this show back on track. That said, please join him in welcoming to the ring… Pat McAfee! Omaha fires up as Pat hops off the desk, grabs a mic, and joins Pearce in the ring. Pearce also welcomes out Pat’s opponent for Backlash… DER RING GENERAL, GUNTHER! The fans are less excited as Gunther makes his way to the ring. Gunther and Pat keep their eyes on each other as Gunther fetches his own mic. Pearce wants to remind them that they’ve gone over this. They will NOT have what happened two weeks ago happen again. Get what you want out verbally, because Saturday, the time for talk is done.
Pearce says the floor is theirs, but keep it professional. Pearce then steps aside so Pat and Gunther can stare down. The fans cheer Pat on but Gunther says, “Well first of all… Do not worry. I’m not gonna do anything tonight, I’m not going to spoil that for myself. Because luckily for you, unlike you and your friend out there, I am professional.” The fans chant “You Tapped Out!” at Gunther, and he tells them to shut up! He’ll get back to that later, don’t you worry! Pat says he heard Gunther mentioned being professional. And Pat’s friend, Michael Cole, that is a walking, talking GOAT right there! The fans cheer that!
Pat tells Gunther, “For 28 YEARS, every single week of his life, except for three times, he has dedicated to traveling the world for this company. 28 years straight, 52 weeks a year, for this company!” The fans cheer that, too! Pat says Maggle has earned the right to have an opinion. And since that opinion pissed Gunther off so bad, Gunther flipped a switch and felt he had to attack a 60-year-old man, Pat will give Gunther an opinion of the man he’s standing in front of. Pat says it is apropos to be here in Omaha, Nebraska. When he thinks Nebraska, he thinks of the Cornhuskers! Pat shouts out Coach Rhule and his players in the crowd.
Pat says he can’t wait to watch the boys in the Fall rise to the top! And when Pat’s in Omaha, he also thinks of their steaks. Nobody beats this town’s meat! NOBODY! The fans chant “BEAT THE MEAT!” Pat says right across from this very arena is a baseball field that has hosted the NCAA World Series since 1950! The fans cheer that, and Pat says this city is a symbol of working hard and dreams coming true. And Pat feels “dreams” is a good word. They both have that in common. Pat might be from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the USA, and Gunther might be from Vienna, Austria, both men grew up with the same dream.
They both grew up wanting to be in this business, idolizing the superstars of yesterday, and spent hours and hours in front of TV watching pro-wrestling, thinking that is what they were put on this earth to do! The problem with Gunther is, he was at this for 20 years. He has been a champion for 80% of his WWE career. He’s jaded! This is no longer a dream but a job for Gunther. For Pat, every time he walks into an arena, he gets jacked up about life, baby! The fans cheer that! Pat says he thinks about 12 year old Pat, the kids out there in the crowd like him, dreaming in the upper rows to get in this ring and let a-holes like Gunther know that they don’t like what Gunther’s about.
And what Gunther’s about right now, as opposed to the Waltering around stage… Gunther doesn’t want it anymore. He’s too comfortable. It happened against Sami Zayn, it happened against Jey Uso, and it’ll happen with Pat. Pat will prove to Gunther and the fans that this Gunther… is SAWFT. The fans fire up for that! Gunther paces a moment, then he stares Pat down as he says, “Did you enjoy your little daughter’s birthday last week? Two years, right? It’s cute. I bet it was a very special day for you. Because for me, Saturday is a very special day, and you just got me into the right mood for it!
“Because it’s my first match since WrestleMania, and I’m going to show up sharp, I’m going to show up prepared, I’m going to show up more focused than every before. Don’t you worry that I’ll overlook you. Don’t worry that I’ll underestimate you. I promise you, you have my full and undivided attention. Because on Saturday, that bell is going to ring, and I’m going to beat you up! I’m going to MAUL you! I’m going to grab you by the head, and DRIVE it into this mat! I’m going to CHOKE YOU OUT until you drop like a wet towel! Tonight, by my grace, you are untouchable. But on Saturday, trust me when I say this! On Saturday, only the grace of GOD can lift my arms off your throat!”
Gunther shoves his mic into Pat, then he storms off. Der Ring General is ready to reload and unleash his full arsenal upon Pat, will Pat survive to even be part of next week’s show?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker!
To what Pat McAfee just said, perhaps Gunther did underestimate Main Event Jey Uso, but Jey also managed to bring something out of himself that even he didn’t know was there. But that confidence was preyed upon to give The Visionary his shortcut back to this title. Will Rollins and his A-Team make the plan come together? Or will we bookend the show with some YEET?
Raw returns as Jey makes his entrance, and from the ramp this time. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly in control!
The bell rings and Jey’s first defense begins. The fans rally behind Jey while he and Rollins stare down. Omaha gets the “YEET! YEET! YEET!” going and Jey is fired up. Jey is already undoing his wrist tape, he wants to throw down! Rollins slowly steps forward, the two tie up, and Rollins waistlocks. Rollins headlocks, spins, hammerlocks, headlocks again and hits the takeover to ghost pin! TWO, and Rollins laughs at how close he had Jey. The fans duel with “YEET!” and “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Jey and Rollins circle, tie up, and Rollins headlocks again. Jey powers up and out, but Rollins runs him over! Cover, ONE!
Rollins sweeps the legs to cover, ONE! Jey kicks, Rollins blocks, and then Rollins ducks the Dragon Whip! Rollins lounges on the top rope and the fans boo. Jey is annoyed but he keeps his cool. Rollins swaggers up, but Jey UPPERCUTS him down! Jey just suckered Rollins! “YEET!” Rollins says okay, and he shoves Jey. Jey shoves back! Rollins shoves again, Jey shoves again, so Rollins CHOPS! Jey fires a haymaker, Rollins fires back, and the fans are torn! “YEET!” wins out but Rollins mule kicks low! Jey avoids the stomp, but Rollins kicks low again. Jey fights off the Pedigree, but Rollins bails out to avoid the superkick!
The fans are torn but Bron & Heyman walk over to check with Rollins. Rollins says it’s alright, Jey is good. Jey is champion for a reason. Rollins goes to the apron, has Bron relax, and then he steps inside. The fans rally behind Jey as Jey and Rollins circle. They feel things out, but then Rollins kicks low! Rollins CLUBS and stomps away on Jey, then stands him back up to bump him off buckles! Rollins stomps a mudhole in, digs his boot in, but the ref backs him off. Heyman sings along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” and Rollins stalks Jey to the ropes. Rollins drags Jey up, “You think you’re on my level?” Rollins whips, Jey ducks ‘n’ dodges, and then UPPERCUTS!
Jey runs, Rollins blocks the kick, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Jey runs and LARIATS Rollins up and out! Jey then DIVES, and Rollins is sent over the desk! The fans fire up while both men are down! Heyman & Bron are worried, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more, and Rollins slithers into the ring. Rollins runs corner to corner at Jey, and Rollins forearm SMASHES! Jey falls to his knees but the fans still cheer him on. Rollins says the fans are just like Jey, they just don’t understand. Rollins brings Jey up, but Jey ROCKS Rollins! And ROCKS him again! And again! “YEET!” But Rollins kicks low! Rollins fires off in the corner, the ref counts, and Rollins keeps trying as the ref backs him off. The ref reprimands, but Rollins just goes back to Jey. Rollins puts Jey up top, CHOPS him, then climbs. The fans rally as Rollins brings Jey up, and Jey fires body shots!
Jey HEADBUTTS Rollins down and the fans cheer! Rollins stands, Jey leaps, but Rollins gets under! Jey keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then Rollins runs! DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up while both men are down again! “This is Awesome!” as Rollins and Jey go to opposite ends. Rollins storms up, but Jey counter punches again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins wobbles, Jey pops, locks ‘n’ winds up to DECK Rollins! Then SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up again as Jey shakes out the stars. “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Heyman is relieved and Jey grows frustrated.
Rollins slowly rises up, but Jey is there to fireman’s carry! Rollins fights the Samoan Drop and slips out of the ring. Jey pursues, they go around the way, and Rollins slides in. Jey drags Rollins back out, but Rollins BOOTS Jey into barriers! Rollins builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit and Jey hits barriers! Rollins puts Jey in, goes to the apron, and springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! The antiair didn’t end this and the fans can’t believe it! The fans again declare, “This is Awesome!” as Jey and Rollins stir. Rollins rises, Jey aims from a corner, and Jey runs up, but into a KICK! Rollins fireman’s carries, then pops Jey around!
Rollins aims, runs up and BUCKLE BOMBS!! Jey falls, Rollins climbs, and the fans fire up! FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Jey dodges! Jey runs and SPEARS into a PEDIGREE!!! Cover, TWO!! Rollins is furious and Heyman is shocked, but Jey is showing that championship grit! Heyman coaches Rollins up while he goes to a corner. Rollins nods, he knows he has Jey in his crosshairs. Rollins runs back up, but Jey avoids the stomp again! SLEEPER!! Jey has Rollins like he has Gunther, but Rollins throws Jey away! Jey hurries to get moving! SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!??! Jey is stunned and the fans are shocked, but Bron has a huge smile seeing Rollins’ own grit on display.
Omaha again declare “This is Awesome!” and Jey rises back up. Jey hobbles to a corner and climbs up. Rollins stirs, rises, and he anchors a foot! Jey tries to get free but Rollins CLUBS him! Rollins climbs up now, HAMMERS Jey, but Jey HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins falls back, but into the ref! Bron grabs at Jey! Jey BOOTS Bron off into the Hydration Station! But that lets Rollins get up and SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through and FALCON ARROW! Rollins aims from a corner now, and he CURB STOMPS!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Jey survives and Omaha is thunderous! Bron, Heyman, Rollins, none of them know how this is possible!
Rollins goes to Bron, whispers something to him, but wait! SAMI ZAYN is here?!? Even after what happened last week!? Bron hurries to the ramp, ready to fight Sami. But wait, Sami LEAPS in from the crowd! The fans fire up as Sami fires hands on Bron! Sami POSTS Bron, then Jey SUPERKICKS Rollins! And a SPEAR!!! Jey hurries up top and Sami cheers him on! USO SPLASH!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! HOW?!?! Omaha has no idea what to make of that, and neither does Sami! Sami coaches Jey, Heyman coaches Rollins, and the fans rally back up. But Bron SPEARS Sami!!! Bron then slithers away to hide while the fans boo!
Jey asks what happened to Sami and he goes outside to check. Heyman distracts the ref, Bron SPEARS Jey!!! The fans boo even more, and Bron drags Jey up to put him in the ring! CURB STOMP!!!! Rollins crawls to the cover, laughing all the way, but C M PUNK is here?!?! Omaha goes nuts seeing Punk back! Punk CHUCKS a chair at Bron’s face! Then he gets int he ring! Rollins and Punk brawl, there goes the title match!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by disqualification (Jey Uso retains the title)
Punk SMACKS Rollins with the chair, JAMS him up, then SMACKS him again! Bron slides in, but Punk SMACKS away on him! Rollins tries to get back in but Punk runs him off! The fans are thunderous for Punk as he and Sami stand tall! Jey gets back up, and clearly the battlelines have been drawn! Will Rollins’ vision for Monday Night Raw fall apart?
My Thoughts:
A great Monday Night Raw as the go-home to Backlash, but everything with the world title match was both great and curious. No Logan Paul here in Omaha is a mixed bag itself. From the story side, he should’ve, so he and Jey could’ve had a face-to-face. But as a person, I was glad we didn’t have to endure Logan being smug. And quite the audible bringing Heyman out to talk with Jey. Heyman’s passion was great, really adds some stuff to help us understand his side. And I like that they “suckered” Jey into this match. It was definitely an awesome match, even with the overbooking that eventually threw it out.
Sami and Punk showing up was all fine in story, but after what happened last week, I feel like Sami shouldn’t have come back so soon. But that aside, Jey, Sami and Punk make for a good unit to counter Rollins’ team. Though, Rollins will need another member who can wrestle since Heyman won’t be of any use. Here’s hoping it is Austin Theory given how Theory is upset with Waller after that switcheroo. Good return for Sheamus, though I feel like Sheamus has done more returns in the last 12 months than just about anyone ever. Here’s hoping Sheamus still gets in on the Intercontinental Championship story.
Speaking of, great match from Penta VS McDonagh, even with the overbooking. A bit surprising Penta overcame all that to win, but it works since now Dom and Penta are now set for an Intercontinental Championship. And there is room on the card as it doesn’t seem Jey VS Logan is happening for Backlash. Makes me wonder if they started us on a Jey VS Logan feud before they were really ready, as Backlash “isn’t big enough” for Logan’s “star power.” I like that Styles also got in on this, Styles VS Finn is going to be awesome, and can certainly set up the winner as the next challenger. It really depends on what happens with Dom VS Penta.
Gable getting involved as also good, given how he and Penta had their confrontation last week. New Day had a good promo with Gable to gas up American Made. That is to say, New Day is using American Made as a shield against The War Raiders, but it’ll only help Erik & Ivar earn their rematch. Great return match for Rusev with Otis looking strong even in defeat. Rusev doesn’t waste time teasing he’s a Tweener, he goes right to blindsiding Tozawa and beating Alpha Academy down. Not sure who is next for Rusev, as there aren’t as many Faces not really tied into anything on Raw. Maybe whatever WWE Draft we get moves Rusev to SmackDown, or at least moves some names from SmackDown and NXT to Raw so Rusev can face fresh meat.
Great promo from Becky and Lyra to help hype Becky VS Lyra. Good brawl, but now Lyra standing tall makes me think Lyra loses the title. Becky can start on some sort of second Grand Slam or something like that, but also she and Lyra will be 1-1 and the rematch for the Women’s Intercontinental title can be the tiebreaker at like MITB or SummerSlam. Iyo VS Roxie was a great match, but of course Giulia showed up. No reinforcements with Rhea promoting Crown Jewel: Perth, and sadly, Dakota Kai being hurt and now released, no Damage CTRL to help either. But the Heels did need a moment where they stood tall, and one of them could even get a world title shot.
And honestly, Pat and Gunther had an awesome promo to hype their match. Pat put over Maggle, he put over Nebraska, and quite perfectly framed this story as the hungry dreamer in Pat himself and the complacent veteran who has already done so much. Gunther’s response was also great, because now he’s angry enough to get that hunger and that fire back. I would think Gunther wins, as he needs the rebound from WrestleMania and Pat doesn’t really need much. But Pat can get a moral victory of sorts by lasting longer than Gunther or any of us expect. Pat can just keep getting up after every chop, have a false finish or two, but ultimately lose because his body can’t come through for his fighting spirit. Respect for Pat but momentum for Gunther, that’s the best outcome.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (5/4/25)
It’s a Wrestling Dontaku Weekend finale!

Who will stand atop the NJPW mountain?
The Goto Revolution finally leads NJPW, but will the Fierce Warrior be conquered by The United Empire as Callum Newman goes after the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murashima VS Hitamaru Sasaki & Jet Wei; Taguchi & Murashima win.
- Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS MENTAI KID & Batten Burabura; Taiji & Gedo win.
- YOSHI-HASHI & Master Wato VS Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young; Hashi & Wato win.
- Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori; Maika, Hazuki & Koguma win.
- El Phantasmo & Boltin Oleg VS Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero; ELP & Boltin win.
- 10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK; Tanahashi, Yano, Yoh, Chikuzen & Tajiri win.
- 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku; LIJ wins.
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura; Tsuji wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Callum Newman; Goto wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori!
It’s a Stardom Showcase as The Crimson Cannon Empress, The Wildheart & The High Speed Genius take on The Masked Idol, High Speed Bomb Girl & Kumamoto’s Unsinkable Ship! Which side of Stardom shines brightest in Fukuoka?
The trios sort out and Koguma starts against Starlight Kid. The fans cheer and the two circle. They approach, but Koguma dodges to do her bear taunt. But then Starlight CLUBS her! Starlight whips, Koguma whips but Starlight handsprings over. Starlight whips, runs up, but Koguma puts her on the apron. Koguma runs up, Starlight slips under and sunset flips, TWO! Starlight runs up, but into an arm-drag! Starlight comes back to hit a headlock takeover! Koguma headscissors, Starlight kips free, and the two strike their animal poses! The fans cheer as bear and tiger reset. They tie up, Koguma spins Starlight, then goes for the arms!
Starlight fights free of being made to bear pose! But then Koguma kicks low, runs, but Starlight blows past her to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Starlight tags Yuna. Yuna runs up to run Koguma over, then fires up as she keeps moving. But Hazuki jumps in and helps Koguma ELBOW Yuna down! Then they double Yuna into Maika’s shoulder tackle! The fans fire up for the TRIPLE DROPKICK! The ref reprimands but Koguma tags Hazuki in. Hazuki rallies the fans while she stands on Yuna! Then she scrubs her with the boot again and again! Hazuka runs to BOOT WASH her!
Hazuka bumps Yuna off buckles, tags Maika, and the fans cheer as Maika scoops and SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Yuna stays in this but Maika kicks her around. Maika eggs Yuna on, but Yuna rises to CLUB Maika in the chest! Maika comes back to DECK Yuna! Yuna flounders, Maika brings her up and whips her to a corner. Maika runs up but Yuna BOOTS her down, somersaults, and SHOTGUNS! Yuna hurries and she tags in AZM! The fans rally up for AZM as she climbs, then leaps, but into Maika’s arms! Maika throws AZM back, kicks her, and she has Koguma help double whip. But AZM sends Maika into Koguma, and Starlight jumps in!
Starlight hits a TAKEOVER HEADSCISSORS COMBO! Then AZM DOUBLE DROPKICKS Maika & Koguma! The fans fire up for Starlight’s team as she and AZK put Maika & Hazuki at the center of the ring. They coordinate, STANDING MOONSAULT and DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Maika is tougher than that, but AZM drags her into a drop zone. AZM goes up, DIVING DOUBLE- NO, Maika avoids the stomps to then scoop and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! AZM stays in this but the fans rally behind Maika. Maika drags AZM up, reels her in, and suplexes, only for AZM to fight free! Maika kicks and runs, but into a ROUNDHOUSE!
Maika just roars and comes back! Maika spins AZM, suplexes, but AZM has a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! The fans rally as Maika endures, powers up, and suplexes again! BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down! The fans rally as Maika and AZM crawl, hot tags to Yuna and Hazuki! Hazuki sends Yuna to an open corner, runs up, but Yuna puts her on the apron! Only for Koguma to SPLASH Yuna! Hazuki then goes up and MISSILE DROPKICKS Yuna! Koguma goes up to CROSSBODY! Hazuki hurries to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives, but is now in a CROSSFACE! Koguma & Maika intercept AZM & Starlight!
The fans rally while Yuna endures, and then AZM & Starlight break free! They both stomp Hazuki! Koguma & Maika drag Starlight & AZM back out, Hazuki CLUBS Yuna and whips her to ropes. Yuna reverses, Hazuki grabs ropes, then she DUMPS Yuna out! Yuna skins the cat to then LARIAT! The fans fire up with Yuna, she and the others coordinate! TRIPLE DROPKICK at the corner! Yuna then goes out while Starlight goes up! UFO SPLASH! Starlight sets Hazuki up for AZM’s DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Yuna adds the fireman’s carry and TROPICAL VALLEY BOMB! Cover, Maika breaks it! The fans fire up, but Starlight runs in and RANAS Maika!
Koguma runs in and spins Starlight around for a DDT! AZM runs up, Koguma blocks the kick to CUTTER! The fans fire up with Koguma as she and Hazuki coordinate. The “Double Crazy” combo DIVE and CROSSBODY!! Everyone is down at ringside and the fans fire up! Hazuki puts Yuna back in and the fans rally up more. Hazuki springboards and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives but Hazuki keeps on her. Hazuki whips Yuna to a corner, Koguma hits a SPLASH, and then Hazuki adds an ELBOW! Maika adds a LARIAT, then she puts Yuna up top! Now we get Triple Crazy as Maika lifts and the others climb!
The fans fire up for the TRIPLE CRAZY BOMB!! Cover, but Starlight Kid breaks it!! Koguma CLOBBERS Starlight, Maika keeps AZM on the outside, and Hazuki drags Yuna up. Hazuki suplexes, Yuna slips free and she trips Hazuki up! Yuna hammerlocks an arm, turns Hazuki over, TROPICAL CRADLE!! TWO!??! Hazuki escapes, but Yuna runs up! But Hazuki spins her to a suplex and stalling BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Triple Crazy wins!
Winners: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma, by pinfall
A fast ‘n’ furious fight from three rising stars, and it was the Wildheart that finishes it off! Will we see this Triple Crazy trio soon go for the IWGP Women’s and/or NJPW Strong Women’s Championships?
10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK!
As The Ace’s Final Road continues to roll on, this is quite the unique stop. Sure, he’s teamed with the Clown Prince and Mr. Direct Drive before, but he is now honored to be teaming with The Makai Love Machine and yes, THE Japanese Buzzsaw! Will Tanahashi & Tajiri add to their legends with this epic team-up? Or will Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa, Robbie Eagles, Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson prove that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
Just as always, Tanahashi shows off the abs, the fans cheer, and Yano even adds a “Sugoi~!” The teams sort out and ZSJ calls out Tajiri! The fans fire up as Tajiri accepts. The bell rings, ZSJ and Tajiri circle, and Fukuoka are strongly behind “TA-JI-RI! TA-JI-RI!” Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock, and ZSJ rolls to then wrench and wristlock. Tajiri seems rather unbothered, and he slips under ZSJ to then trip him and spread the legs! ZSJ reaches back but Tajiri uses his whole body length! ZSJ pushes up, crawls back, wrenches and hammerlocks, then half nelsons to cravat. Tajiri spins through to wrench and trip ZSJ!
Tajiri has the legs, ZSJ resists then hooks Tajiri to trip him. ZSJ returns the leg sprawl, then has a STRETCH MUFFLER! ZSJ uses it as a means to an end so he can have the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Tajiri pops free and turns ZSJ over to have a headlock. ZSJ slips out the back, they each want the other’s arm, but then ZSJ top mounts. Tajiri pushes ZSJ away and the fans cheer the standoff! Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock again, and ZSJ turns Tajiri. Tajiri turns that back around but ZSJ has an arm. ZSJ hammerlocks but Tajiri steps through the ropes, then steps back inside, and he has ZSJ’s arm wrapped around ropes!
The fans cheer, but Tajiri shows respect by respecting the ropebreak. The fans applaud, as does ZSJ, and then they tag out to Yoh and Eagles. The fans join in on “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” but Yoh rolls Eagles up! TWO and Yoh kicks low! Yoh whips, Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Things keep moving, Eagles hurdles but Yoh dodges to RANA! The fans fire up but Fujita storms in and CHOPS! The Ichiban Sweet Boys double whip, but Yoh ducks the lariats! Yoh kicks and kicks, but the Sweet Boys CHOP and CHOP! They double wrench, and MAX- NO, Yoh fights free! Yoh crisscrosses the Sweet Boys into each other, and DOUBLE BULLDOGS!
Tag to Yano and the fans cheer, only for the Sweet Boys to double kick! They double whip, but Yano grabs the ropes! Yano then sends Fujita into Eagles, and he SLAPS them both on the heads! Yano then unties the buckle pad! The fans fire up, but Sweet Boys DOUBLE ELBOW, split the wishbone, and DOUBLE KICK! The Sweet Boys BLAST Yano’s corner, then Eagles brings Yano to the Mighty corner. Eagles bumps Yano off buckles then tags in Hartley. Big Hartley UPPERCUTS then ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Yano is a bit tougher than that so Fujita tags in. Fujita drags Yano up to CHOP! And CHOP!
Fujita whips Yano corner to corner, runs up, but Yano puts him on the apron! Fujita SLAPS Yano back! The fans rally and Fujita aims, springboard for the MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this and the fans rally up. Fujita tags Oiwa and he drags Yano up. Oiwa whips Yano to ropes, then ELBOWS him down! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays on Yano but Yano pulls on the mullet! Oiwa kicks free, runs, but into an atomic drop! The fans rally up while both men are down, and Yano tags in Ryota! Ryota CHOPS Oiwa! Ryota eggs Oiwa on, but Oiwa fires a forearm! Ryota CHOPS again! Oiwa fires another forearm!
Ryota CHOPS, Oiwa ROCKS him, repeat! The fans rally as Oiwa fires a flurry! ROLLING ELBOW! Oiwa runs, but into a BACKDROP! Fujita runs in, but into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Eagles runs in, into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! The fans fire up with Ryota, and he invites Tanahashi in! They double whip Oiwa, then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! And then Ryota says, “Genki de masu!” The fans cheer as Ryota and Tanahashi have energy to spare, and Ryota drags Oiwa up. Ryota reels Oiwa in, but Oiwa fights the lift! Oiwa powers up to BACKDROP Ryota! The fans rally, Oiwa runs, SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally more as Oiwa and Ryota rise. Oiwa whips Ryota to a corner, runs up, but Ryota LARIATS him down! Oiwa is up to LARIAT Ryota! Both me are down now and the fans rally again. Hot tags to ZSJ and Tanahashi! One more meeting between these two after yesterday’s final singles match, and the two dosido in a battle of Cobra Twists! Tanahashi has the COBRA TWIST! ZSJ pries free to have the COBRA TWIST in return! But Tanahashi powers out, has a leg, DRAGON- NO, ZSJ sits down for the ARMBAR! Tanahashi stacks ZSJ, TWO! ZSJ RAMS Tanahashi, snapmares, but Tanahashi UP KICKS!
Tanahashi kicks low, snapmares, and he NECK TWISTS! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him to wrench! PELE to the arm! Then a STOMP to the elbow! Tag to Hartley and the fans rally up. Hartley runs corner to corner and SPLASHES Tanahashi against bare buckles! Short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The Sweet Boys BLAST Tanahashi’s corner, then they send Tanahashi to a neutral corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP! Oiwa adds an ELBOW! Eagles adds a FOREARM! Then Oiwa scoops Tanahashi to SLAM him! ZSJ NECK TWISTS! Hartley SENTONS! Cover, Tajiri SLAPS Hartley on the head!
Tajiri scurries away before ZSJ can get him! The fans fire up and now Yoh & Yano mug Hartley. They double whip, but Hartley DOUBLE LARIATS! “Jackson Number One!” Hartley fireman’s carries Tanahashi, but Tajiri slips in and dosidos with the ref! GREEN MIST for Hartley!! Ryota runs up and SLINGBLADES!! Tanahashi hurries up top while his team keeps TMDK out! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi’s team wins!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Yoh, Ryota Chikuzen & Tajiri, by pinfall
Legends working together makes for a classic finish to this match! Will this moment be one to remember as The Ace continues his countdown to the end?
8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku!
As Wrestling Dontaku wraps up the weekend, Tetsuya Naito and Bushi have reached the end of their NJPW run. Will they be victorious one last time alongside Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi? Or will the Roughneck, Stone Pitbull, Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker make this parting a bitter goodbye?
For one last time, Naito takes his time with the elaborate entrance attire. It also seems rather clear that Bushi is emotional over this being his farewell match. The fans rally and the teams sort out. The fans call for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” LIJ fust bump, the fans cheer, and Naito steps up for the team. The fans rally behind him more as he starts against Taichi. The bell rings and Fukuoka cheers even harder for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” But then Naito tags out to Bushi. The Black Mask has the fans on his side, too, and he circles with Taichi. They approach, Bushi kicks low then runs, but into a BOOT! Taichi runs, but Bushi TOSSES him out!
Bushi DECKS Taka, but Shota & Ishii attack! They double whip, Bushi sends Shota into Ishii, then Bushi DOUBLE RANAS! BUSHIROONI~! Taichi is back but Bushi DECKS him! Takagi sets Taichi up but Taka trips Bushi! The fans boo but Taichi storms in and stomps Bushi. Taichi CLUBS Bushi, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Bushi runs up and RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Bushi stands and he tags in Hiromu. Hiromu BLASTS Ishii, then Takagi tags in! Hiromu & Takagi double whip Taichi to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then they flex! The fans cheer the side chest.
Hiromu stands Taichi up to CHOP him to the corner. Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs in and LARIATS, then snapmares, but Taichi RIDGE HANDS! Taichi wrenches and HOOK KICKS! Shota BLASTS Takagi because he can, and Taichi tags in Taka. Taka BOOTS Naito down, then stomps Hiromu around. The fans rally but Taka brings Hiromu up. Hiromu CHPOS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Taka gets mad, and he pokes Hiromu in the eyes! Taka whips Hiromu to the corner, stomps and knees him, then tags Ishii. Ishii winds up to CHOP! Hiromu grits his teeth and CHOPS back, but Ishii doesn’t budge!
Ishii CHOPS Hiromu and eggs him on! Hiromu stands to CHOP, but Ishii CHOPS back! Ishii gives more trash talk and more mocking kicks. Hiromu stands to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! The fans fire up as Ishii staggers, but then Hiromu CHOPS again! And again! Ishii ROCKS Hiromu, suplexes, but Hiromu fights free! SUPERKICK! Hiromu roars, reels Ishii in, but Ishii suplexes first! But Hiromu’s right up!? And he dodges Ishii to SNAP GERMAN! Ishii’s right up!? SAIDO! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ishii hot tags Shota, and Shota BLASTS Takagi again! Shota then runs up on Hiromu, but Hiromu dodges!
Shota hits buckles, hurries after Hiromu, but Hiromu fights the half nelson. Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, and then DRAGON SCREWS! Hot tag to Naito! The fans erupt as Naito kicks and CLUBS Shota again and again! Naito whips to arm-drag Shota! And ELBOW him down! And basement DROPKICK! TakaTaichi attack and double whip, but Naito reverses to send Taka into Taichi! Drop toehold for Taichi and Bushi basement DROPKICKS! Naito kicks and whips Taka, Taka reverses, but Naito reverses back to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Naito poses, then he tags in Takagi. Takagi runs up on Shota, blocks a boot, and LARIATS through!
Takagi keeps moving, but Shota SWATS the lariat! Takagi YUKON LARIATS, but Shota roars as he stays up! Shota fires boxing elbows, but Takagi shakes his head! Takagi fires boxing elbows of his own! He ROCKS Shota, runs, but Shota LARIATS at the ropes! Shota runs, Takagi LRIATS! Takagi runs, Shota dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shota stays up but the ELBOW and JAB hit! Shota ENZIGIRIS! Takagi SLIDING LARIATS! The fans fire up with Takagi and he whips Shota. Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota LARIATS Takagi down! But then Shota falls over, too! The fans fire up while both men crawl.
Taka tags in, he BOOTS Naito and BLASTS Bushi! Taka runs, redirects, redirects, and BOOTS Takagi down! The fans rally up as Taka brings Takagi up. Takagi ROCKS Taka! Taichi runs up to RIDGE HAND! Ishii ROCKS Takagi! Then we get a RIDGE HAND BACKHAND COMBO! SUPER K from Taka!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this but Taka goes to scoop! Takagi is too big, so Taka pokes him in the eyes! Takagi still ELBOWS! JABS! Taka UPPERCUTS, but Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! Bushi slips in, as does Hiromu, and they double whip Taka to a corner. Hiromu runs up to forearm SMASH! Bushi adds an ELBOW!
Takagi LARIATS, then he snapmares Taka! Naito is in, LIJ hits a QUADRUPLE DROPKICK!! The fans fire up and Takagi says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up more as The Rampaging Dragon drags Taka up. Taka fights the lift, and Shota SHOTGUNS Takagi! Hiromu dropkicks Hiromu’s legs! Hiromu dodges Ishii, he and Naito give Ishii TENDEDERO! Taichi runs up, he breaks through the line, but Hiromu sends him into an atomic drop! Takagi BLINDSLIDE BOMBERS! LARIAT in the corner, feed to a SUPERKICK! Naito wrenches Taichi for DESTINO!!! The fans are thunderous after seeing that final Destino!
Bushi then runs in and BLASTS Shota! Bushi keeps moving, for one last DIVE!! Down goes Shota and the fans are thunderous! Takagi has the fans join in for “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs, Taka dodges, and Taka BOOTS! Takagi comes back to PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi drags Taka up, pump handles and torture racks, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, LIJ WINS!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall
Their final battle in Fukuoka, their final battle with their friends, and their final battle in NJPW, it was all victorious! Naito & Bushi stand with Hiromu & Takagi to celebrate this final win. The fans cheer on “NA-I-TO!” as Naito leads the group in one last LIJ fist bump. The wild ride is over for the Uncontrollable Charisma, and he poses with his team one last time. Burn this moment into your memories, for we may never see Naito & Bushi back in a NJPW ring again.
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura!
The Gene Blast may be one of the Reiwa Era Three Musketeers, but the Heat Storm vows to be the face of this new generation. A match meant to happen months ago finally does happen, but who will truly be the frontrunner of the future?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the true global star!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as Yota and Yuya stare down. Fukuoka duels, but the “YO~TA!” sounds stronger than the “YU~YA!” They circle, feel things out, then circle a bit more. They feel out the knuckle lock, then Yuya rolls. Yota keeps him at bay as they clinch, then they go around. Yuya waistlocks, Yota wrenches free and waistlocks in return, but Yuya switches. Yota headlocks, Yuya rolls him to the mat and headlocks in return. Yota keeps his shoulders up, then fights to his feet. Yuya hits a takeover, Yota headscissors, but Yuya kips up. Yuya is fired up and the fans cheer him on.
Yota stands up and the two reset. They circle while the fans duel, and the two tie up. Yuya wrenches to a hammerlock but Yota switches and full nelsons. Then Yota headlocks and grinds Yuya down. Yuya fights up, pries at the hold, but Yota powers it on tighter. Yuya powers up but Yota squeezes the headlock even tighter! The fans applaud while Yuya endures. Yuya fires body shots, then powers up and out, drops down, but Yota avoids the dropkick! Yota dodges but Yuya arm-drags! And arm-drags again! Yuya has the armlock and the fans cheer again. Yota pulls at the hold, then fights up. Yuya grinds the elbow but Yota reaches for ropes.
Yota has the ROPEBREAK but Yuya brings him away from the ropes quickly. Yota fires forearm after forearm until Yuya lets go. Yota runs up but Yuya arm-drags! Only for Yota to drag Yuya down, trap an arm, and SACRIFICE the other arm! The fans cheer while Yuya writhes. Yuya shakes out the bad arm but Yota brings him back up. Yuya fires a forearm! Yota grins so Yuya fires more shots! Yota wrenches and serves up SOLE FOOD to the arm! Yuya staggers away to a corner and the fans rally more. Yota storms up on Yuya, puts him in the corner, and he wraps the bad arm around ropes! The ref counts as Yota pulls, so Yota lets go at 4.
Yota brings Yuya out to snapmare, then he has the bad arm in a top wristlock! Yuya endures, the fans rally, but Yota puts on the pressure! Yuya fights forward, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the arm! Yuya still manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Yota legs go. Yota paces while Yuya shakes out the bad arm. Yota comes back to stomp the arm! Yota then wrenches Yuya, KNEES the arm, then KNEES it again! Yota KNEES Yuya into the corner, then paces again. Yuya stands, Yota runs in, but Yuya BOOTS him away! Yota runs back in, Yuya dodges and CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! The fans fire up as Yuya winds up, but Yota dodges! Yota BOOTS Yuya in the corner!
The fans rally as Yota whips corner to corner. Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags! And DROPKICKS! The fans cheer while both men are down. The fans rally again as Yuya rises up. Yuya roars, the fans fire up more, and Yuya brings Yota up to wrench and BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this but Yuya stays focused. The fans rally and Yuya brings Yota up. Yoga fights with elbows, then wrenches to YANK the arm! And YANK! And YANK! Yota whips, Yuya reverses, but Yota RANAS! Yuya tumbles out and the fans rally as Yota aims. Yota builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and Yuya is sent into railing!
The fans fire up while Yuya stumbles and falls, and Yota fires back up! Yota has the fans rally more as he takes a lap. Yota comes back for Yuya, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. Yota steps in, stands Yuya up, but Yuya fights the suplex! Yota powers through, but Yuya fights free! Yuya CHOPS, then runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Yota grits his teeth. Yota storms around, goes to a corner, and he aims as Yuya rises. Yota runs in, STINGER SPLASH! The fans fire up while Yota snapmares Yuya down. Yota goes up, up, but Yuya avoids the Marlowe Crush!
Yuya dropkicks Yota’s leg, then has it for a SHIN BREAKER! GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Yuya then hurries to step through, FIGURE FOUR! Yota endures and the fans fire up! Yuya pulls on the main leg but Yota works to turn things over! The fans duel as Yuya fights against that, but Yota does turn the hold over! Yuya endures now, so he hurries to turn things over! Yota uses that to get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Yuya and the ref undo the hold, and Yuya stands over Yota. Yuya brings Yota up to scoop and SLAM him down! Yuya then goes to a corner, climbs up, only for Yota to GAMANGIRI! Yuya is dazed up top, so Yota climbs up after him!
Yota brings Yuya up, throws forearms, then goes to the very top! But Yuya fires forearms! Yota falls, Yuya adjusts, and Yuya leaps! Yota avoids the crossbody but Yuya rolls through! Yota comes back, Yuya slips around and full nelsons! But Yota powers up to break the hold! Only for Yuya to GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuya runs, but into a BOOT! Yuya comes back and takes a swing, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But Yuya avoids the stomp! Yuya shoves Yota, but Yota DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Yota keeps moving, and then Yuya DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!
The two men crawl away to the corners while the fans rally up. Yuya runs in corner to corner, but Yota BOOTS him! Yota runs up, but Yuya clinches! Yota fights free, ROCKS Yuya, and Yuya staggers to the ropes! Yota whips, Yuya ducks ‘n’ dodges but Yota blows past, only for Yuya to get under! URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this and the fans fire up! Yuya shakes out the bad arm, then he stands Yota up for a scoop. Yuya SLAMS, then he fires back up! The fans fire up with Yuya as he climbs again! Yuya is up top, for the FROG SPLASH! But he FLOPS as Yota moves! Yota runs back in, FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!
Yuya clasps hands, but Yota breaks the grip! ARMBAR!! Yuya endures, flails, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the bad arm! Yuya fights around, but Yota just keeps after the arm! Yuya uses his core strength to sit up, but Yota PULLS the arm straight! Yuya falls over, fights around, and he turns over. Yota does his best to keep the armbar, even with this mounted angle! Yuya bites his thumb to ignore the pain in his arm! Yuya then reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! Yota lets go in frustration but the fans fire up. Yuya clutches his elbow but Yota paces around. Yota drags Yuya up from the ropes, but Yuya CHOPS! Yota brushes that off, but Yuya CHOPS again!
Yuya can’t put enough power behind the strikes with that bad arm, but he keeps trying! Yota BOOTS Yuya, Yuya drops to his knees, and the ref checks with him. Yuya refuses to let the bad arm cost him again, and he rises up to CHOP! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Yota ROCKS him!! And then KNEES him down! The fans fire up while Yota stands tall! Yota goes to a corner, watches Yuya sputter and rise, GENE- DROPKICK to the leg! Yuya hurries to grab that leg, but Yota fires off forearms! Yuya eggs Yota on, so Yota HEADBUTT! But Yuya still DRAGON SCREWS!! Yuya steps through again, FIGURE FOUR!!
The fans fire up as Yota endures again! Yuya puts as much pressure as he can, Yota pries at the hold, but Yuya thrashes around! Yota reaches out, keeps his shoulders up, and he drags Yuya along towards ropes! But Yuya drags Yota back from ropes! Yuya thrashes as hard as he can, we hit 20 minutes, and Yota still endures! The fans rally harder and harder as Yota fights to turn this over! Yota does, but then Yuya turns it back! But this time, Yuya turns back the other way to keep Yota from the ropes! And then he PULLS on the leg! Yota lunges for the ROPEBREAK!! The fans fire up while the ref again frees Yota.
Yota clutches his leg while he crawls away, but Yuya is right on him! Yuya has the leg, but Yota ENZIGIRIS! Yuya falls, but he also manages to waistlock! Yuya drags Yota up, but Yota fires elbows! Yuya still GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yuya holds onto Yota and the fans fire up! Yuya full nelsons, DRAGON SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yota survives again and Yuya is furious! Yuya roars, the fans are with him, and he reels Yota in! SAIDO BACKBREAKER! Then he puts Yota in the drop zone! Yuya climbs, the fans rally more, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and Yuya is beside himself!
Fukuoka is thunderous as Yuya rises! Yuya brings Yota up, cording holds one arm, swings to get the other, but Yota STUNNERS free! Yota roars, runs, but into a DROPKICK! Yota just comes back, GENE- ARM-DRAG!! Yuya hurries to lock in those arms, but Yota fights off the clinch! They go around and around, and Yota frees an arm! But Yota brings it back in! DEADBOLT SUPLEX!!! Yuya roars, the fans are electric, GENE BLASTER outta nowhere!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)
The Heat Storm was certainly on fire, but Tsuji was volcanic! The gold stays with Yota, will he and those left in LIJ make sure NJPW stays tranquilo?
Speaking of which, the rest of LIJ returns to the ring so they can stand with their guy. Tsuji gets to also have his final photo op with the group as we know it. We also get one last LIJ fist bump with the five of them, and then Naito & Bushi let Yota, Takagi & Hiromu have the ring. Yota hurries to get the mic to tell Naito & Bushi, “Let me have one last word.” The fans applaud, and Naito & Bushi stop to hear him out. “Naito and Bushi leaving could signal the end of Los Ingobernables de Japon. But remember this: We’re ungovernable. We’ll always be connected in our hearts. Until next time.” The fans applaud that! Naito even gives one last fist bump salute.
The fans cheer as the LIJ Era has changed, and Bushi makes sure we see his mask where it says, “Adios.” Then Yota continues to say that he is still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, and that he’ll continue to defend the cerulean blue mat of NJPW. The fans applaud, and Yota says he is fortunate to have such a great rival in Uemura. And another in Gabe Kidd. So, who should he defend this belt against next? Well, he said the man’s name, so here comes the Mad Man! The fans bark it up for the War Dog, and Gabe gets right in Yota’s face. Yota says nic eto see him. Should they pick up where they left off?
Gabe takes the mic to say, “You’re an IWGP champion?” No, no, Yota beat Evil and Yuya, but in Osaka… It was a double knockout! Yota never beat Gabe! The fans cheer that point! Gabe says on June 15th… In Osaka Jo-Hall… “Let’s find out who the strongest is!!” The fans love that idea! Gabe heads back out, the fans bark more, and Yota tells Gabe, “Let’s show ’em our NJPW.” The fans also like that, and Yota asks if they’re ready! The fans cheer because they are, but who will make this their Dominion?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ Yoshi-Hashi VS Callum Newman w/ The United Empire!
The Fierce Warrior finally put the G in IWGP at the New Beginning in Osaka when he won this title. But now, the Prince of Pace is looking to blow right past him as the top guy in NJPW! Will the Goto Revolution stay the course? Or will it be conquered by the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really the G of IWGP!
The bell rings and the fans rally strongly for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Callum doesn’t let that bother him, and he runs up to BOOT Goto! Callum fires forearms, whips, but Goto reverses! Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges to build speed, but then Goto dodges! The fans cheer as Goto is at least agile like Callum. They tie up, then they just fire off forearms! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Goto gets the edge, headlocks, but Callum powers out. Goto runs Callum over, but Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! Callum TOSSES Goto out, then PLANCHAS! The fans fire up while Goto goes down!
Callum fires himself up and the fans cheer. Callum brings Goto up, the fans duel a bit more evenly, and Callum whips. Goto reverses and Callum hits railing! But he comes back to BOOT Goto down! Callum snarls, drags Goto back up, and now Callum sends Goto into railing! Goto comes back but Callum BOOTS him down again! And then PENALTY KICKS! The fans rally, Hashi coaches Goto, but Callum KICKS Goto in the back! Callum puts Goto in the ring, the fans applaud, and Callum sits Goto up again. Callum hits another PENALTY KICK! Callum then goes to the corner and climbs up, calling his shot.
Callum aims, DIVING- NO, Goto dodges! Callum comes back, but Goto dodges! Goto LARIATS, then he clinches for the SAIDO! Callum flounders away and the fans fire up. Callum goes to a corner, Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then Goto puts Callum up top! Goto climbs up after Callum, just to drag him into a draped position! SUPER DRAPING NECKBREAKER!! Callum flounders out of the ring, Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira check on him, as does Red Shoes. Callum winches, clutches his shoulder, but he manages to sit up. Callum has speed but Goto is taking advantage of his skinnier frame.
Red Shoes starts the ring count and Goto stays back, which annoys Callum. Callum storms into the ring, but Goto kicks him down! Goto has Callum up for a suplex, and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Callum stays in this and the fans fire up, but Goto stays right on Callum. Goto drags Callum up, but Callum clutches his shoulder, so Goto lets him be. We’re only five minutes in as the fans rally up, and Goto stomps Callum around. Callum crawls away to a corner but Goto grabs at him. Callum wants Goto to hold on, and Red Shoes has Goto step back. Callum’s neck and shoulder are really bothering him, but Goto just storms up to stomp him!
Goto drags Callum up, snapmares, then clamps on a chinlock. Callum endures as Goto’s knee digs into the back and neck. Goto then ELBOWS Callum in the head, stomps him around, and brings him up. Goto CLUBS Callum’s neck, but Callum CHOPS! The pain in his shoulders holds Callum back, but Goto clinches for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! And then a GROUND OCTOPUS! Callum endures, reaches out, and the fans rally up. Goto thrashes around but Akira & Khan coach Callum. Callum kicks around but Goto shifts to a headscissor necklock! Callum endures the squeeze, kicks and kicks, and finds the ROPEBREAK!
The fans applaud and Goto lets go in frustration. Goto drags Callum up but he’s a ragdoll again. Goto still brings Callum around, snapmares him back down, then KICKS him in the back! And ELBOW DROPS! Callum sputters but Goto just ELBOW DROPS again! Akira & Khan coach Callum but Goto looms over him. Goto ELBOW DROPS onto Callum’s back! Cover, TWO! Callum toughs it out but Goto is still calm. Goto stands Callum up, kicks him low, but Callum fires a forearm! And another! The pain in the neck holds those back, and Goto CLUBS Callum! Goto runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Khan & Akira coach Callum, Hashi coaches Goto, and both Goto and Callum crawl to the apron. Goto goes to the floor, and Callum smiles. The fans rally as Callum builds speed and FLIES!! Callum does a full 360 to hit Goto and then rolls through more to stand back up at the ramp! The fans are thunderous and Callum fires himself back up! Callum drags Goto to his feet and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud, and Callum hurries back in. Callum aims from a corner while Goto flounders away. The fans rally more, and Callum runs corner to corner. FLYING DROPKICK! Callum then chicken wings for a TIGER SUPLEX!
But the bad neck won’t let Callum bridge! Callum hurries to lateral press, TWO! And we’re just 10 minutes in! The fans rally, Callum fires up with a very Will Ospreay style “OI! OI! OI!” The fans rally behind that, and Callum brings Goto up. Callum reels Goto in, hooks a leg, FIRE- NO, Goto slips free of Firebolt, waistlocks, but Callum fights the lift. Callum runs, Goto follows, but then Callum dodges! Goto dodges, Callum dodges, then Callum hurdles! But Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up for that high speed exchange! Goto has the crowd behind him again as he rises up.
Goto storms up on Callum, stands him up, but Callum fires a forearm! Only to fall to his knees! Callum rises up but Goto DECKS him! Callum is running on fumes, but the fans do rally for him, too. Goto eggs him on and Callum manages to stand. Callum fires a forearm, drops to a knee, but Goto stands him up. Goto DECKS Callum again! Callum shakes out the stars and he snarls! Callum fires another forearm, but Goto DECKS him a third time! Goto eggs Callum on, the fans rally again, and Callum rises. Callum puts his hands behind his back and dares Goto to hit him! So Goto DECKS Callum a fourth time!
Khan & Akira coach Callum on but Red Shoes asks if Callum wants to stop. Callum shakes his head, he’s not gonna stop here. Callum stands again, leans on the ropes, then comes back for more! Callum even SPITS at Goto! The fans boo that, but Goto DECKS Callum for it! Goto watches Callum sputter, and Callum slowly rises again. But then he falls back over! Callum headbutts the mat to fire back up, and the fans rally behind him! Goto winds up and ROCKS Callum! Callum is back to get in Goto’s face! Goto fires a flurry of forearms! Callum CHOPS! Goto feels that one! The fans fire up and Callum roars, but Goto spins him! URA G T R!
Goto goes to run but Callum reels him in! GERMAN SUPLEX! ROUNDHOUSE! Callum runs, but into a fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO!! We’re 15 minutes in as Goto stalks Callum to the apron. Goto stomps Callum, then stands him up. But Callum fights the fireman’s carry with elbows! Goto still lifts! Callum flails, slips down, and KICKS Goto! Callum goes up, up, and OSCUTTER 2.0 on the apron!! Both men fall to the floor and the fans fire up! Red Shoes checks, both men are able to continue, so a ring count starts. Khan fans off Callum while the fans rally. The count already passes 7 of 20, then hit 10, but both men are still down!
Callum rises at 13, drags himself in at 17, but Goto is still down! Goto rises up and springs in at 19! The fans fire up as this continues! Callum goes to a corner, runs up, BUSAIKU KNEE! Then he hurries to bring Goto into the drop zone! Callum roars, climbs, and the fans fire up! DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO?!? Goto survives the coup de grace and Callum can’t believe it! Akira & Khan tell Callum to keep going, he’s almost done it! The fans rally and duel as Callum hobbles over. Callum stands Goto up, then runs, but Goto swings, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, and they DOUBLE LARIAT again!
The fans fire up, Callum returns, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And again! Callum waistlocks, ripcords, RAINMAKER?!? Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives as Callum shouts out the former leader of Chaos! The fans are thunderous, Callum feeds off that energy, and Callum drags Goto up. Callum calls his shot, springboards, OSC- NO, Goto blocks the cutter! DISCUS- NO, Callum dodges and springboards! OSCUTTER 2.0!!! Cover, TWO!??! But Callum hooks a leg! FIREBOLT!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Goto survives again and the fans are electric! Callum is unsure what to do as we pass 20 minutes, but the fans dueling shakes the arena!
Callum drags Goto up, but Goto wrenches out! Goto spins Callum, dragon sleepers, but Callum slips free! Backslide! Goto rolls through, PENALTY KICK BLOCKED! Goto HEADBUTTS Callum, ripcords, RAINMAKER!!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Goto rises, he brings Callum up, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Goto HEADBUTTS away on Callum, then brings him up to HEADBUTT again! Goto snarls and the fans are thunderous again, as Goto suplexes for SHOTEN KAI!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Callum survives and Goto cannot believe it! The fans duel harder than ever before, and Goto rises again!
Goto roars and focuses his power! Callum sits up, into a BUZZSAW! But then Goto brings Callum around, but Callum drops to victory roll! TWO!! Callum SUPERKICKS, but Goto LARIATS!! Goto stands Callum up, dragon sleepers, but Callum fires shots from below! Goto blocks that arm, traps it, and G T R KAI!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The Prince of Pace did his best to follow in the Aerial Assassin’s footsteps, but he is still a long way from reaching the top of the mountain. However, if this is how close he came on his first try, will nothing stop Callum Newman from being the future of NJPW?
As for Goto, the belt is put back around his waist, and he watches Callum walk away. Callum takes a moment to bow in deep respect to Goto before he and the Empire leave. Goto then grabs the mic, and the fans cheer him on. “No matter what anyone says, this is MY time!” The fans cheer that! Goto continues, “Who’s my next opponent? As a fighting champion, I’ll take on all challengers!” Wait! Zack Sabre Jr. makes his way back out here! Goto took this title from ZSJ so clearly ZSJ wants a rematch. ZSJ grabs a mic to tell Goto in Japanese, “Good work tonight. That was a fantastic match! Truly fantastic.
“You’ve been on a roll lately! You’re indeed a great champion. But I’m you’re next challenger!” The fans like the sound of that! Goto says, “I accept!” The fans really like that, and the two shake hands on it. Will the Submission Master make sure that- WAIT! Shingo Takagi is here?! He storms into the ring with a mic to say, “Pardon the intrusion!” The fans cheer as Takagi asks, “Mind if I speak my piece? Zack, hold on a moment. OI, GOTO! You really are something. You got a belt, a wife, and kids! And on top of that, you’re in Hontai!” The fans do applaud that with a bit of a chuckle.
Takagi points out that he, on the other hand, has no belt, no wife, no kids. “And now it looks like my faction is done… But that doesn’t mean I need to hang my head. I’ll soar to the top!” The fans applaud, and Takagi says the G in IWGP stands for Goto, right? But oi, oi, oi! You can’t spell “Shingo” OR “Takagi” without a G! He has two G’s, so he wants his shot at the title. At least, he’d like to say that. But he has no objects to Zack. Takagi did lose to ZSJ last time. So then Takagi will wait to challenge the winner of Goto VS ZSJ! The fans like that, too! Takagi says if it’s about G’s, Goto can’t argue Takagi’s point!
The three men all look to each other, and it looks like the deal is struck. Fierce Warrior VS Front Man, and the Rampaging Dragon gets the winner! Who will stand on the summit of NJPW going into the summer? Takagi and ZSJ take their leave, and Goto continues. “Again, thank you very much for coming today!” The fans applaud, and Goto says, “No matter who I’m up against, I will not be defeated. The Goto Revolution is far from over! Follow it until the very end! Let’s end with Goto’s G’s.” The fans chuckle, and Goto says he knows most of the locales had G in their names. But not in Fukuoka…
Even so, Goto still has this IWGP World title around his waist, so no worries there. IKU ZO! The fans cheer, and Goto says, “The G in IWGP is for GOTO!” The streamers fly, and the Fierce Warrior is ready to lead NJPW on! But will things only heat up from here on out?
My Thoughts:
An awesome event for Wrestling Dontaku’s finale, and we’re already building towards Dominion next month. I was rather surprised that the Six Woman Tag was so quick. Well, I feel like a lot of Stardom matches on a NJPW show end up like that… But the 10 Man Tag with Tanahashi’s team beating TMDK, and then the 8 Man Tag of LIJ winning, both of those matches felt just as fast/short. I suppose on some level, they did it because we all had a feeling who was winning. Tanahashi’s team wins because he also had special guests Tajiri and Ryota, so that was just a great moment for some longstanding legends.
LIJ winning was apparently to also commemorate their last match as a faction. With Titan being their CMLL member, we only have Hiromu, Takagi and Tsuji. I suppose a trio isn’t necessarily a faction, but I’m surprised they just sprang this dissolution on us. Great match from Yota VS Yuya, but I think they dragged it out a bit at the start. It got hot by the end, and Yota retaining was a great move. Gabe Kidd calling his shot is also a great move, he and Yota are going to have a great rematch from their time limit draw. And then awesome main event from Goto VS Callum, with Callum looking great even in defeat. Callum is definitely on his way, maybe he’ll really build up his power level in the G1 Climax this year.
Great promo to close, with Goto, ZSJ and Takagi establishing the next couple of title shots. I think Goto VS ZSJ has been made for Resurgence this Friday, so they’re getting that right out of the way so Takagi can face the champion at Dominion. At the same time, they kinda have to because Best of the Super Juniors is going to dominate May. Resurgence would be a wild place for a title change since it’s in the US and it’s a true PPV, so I’m not liking ZSJ’s chances.
My Score: 9.1/10
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