Will the United Empire conquer the ungovernable?

Takagi VS Henare for the NEVER Championship, Naito VS Khan for THE IWGP World Championship, can Los Ingobernables de Japon survive Destruction in Kobe?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Yuji Nagata, Tiger Mask & Tomoaki Honma VS Shota Umino, Ryusuke Taguchi & Dragon Dia; Shota, Taguchi & Dia win.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; LIJ wins.
• Hirooki Goto VS Gabe Kidd; Goto wins.
• Six Man Tag: Just5Guys VS Zack Sabre Jr, Kosei Fujita & Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ, Fujita & Oiwa win.
• NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg win and retain the titles.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Douki wins and retains the title.
• NEVER Openweight Championship: HENARE VS Shingo Takagi; Takagi wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
• IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay VS YOSHI-HASHI; Finlay wins and retains the title.
• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Tetsuya Naito VS Great-O-Khan; Naito wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

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

Don’t adjust your screens, we’re getting another battle of The Ace, The Joker & The Rook against The House of Torture. But this time, Evil & Yujiro Takahashi are bringing The Murder Machine, SHO! Will this change in line-up help The King of Darkness trump President Ace? Or will it be the same story as last time, where justice prevails?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who walks away with the pot!

The teams sort out, and after Tanahashi shows off the abs, The House attacks! The fans boo as Evil CLUBS Tanahashi, and Yujiro kicks Oleg out while Sho tosses Yano! The bell rings, The House stomps away on Tanahashi, and Evil even SMACKS Tanahashi with his own school uniform jacket! The House drags Tanahashi up, whips him corner to corner, and Sho runs in, but into BOOTS! Tanahashi BOOTS Yujiro, and he BOOTS Evil! Then Tanahashi goes up to TRIPLE CROSSBODY! The fans fire up, and Tanahashi tags in Yano! Yano says here goes, and he unties a buckle pad! The fans cheer, and Yano storms up on Evil.

Yano whips, Evil reverses, but Yano stops from hitting bare buckles! Yano taunts Evil, then dodges him, so Evil hits buckles! Sho & Yujiro both kick Yano, then double whip, but Yano holds ropes. Yano sends Sho into Yujiro, then SLAPS them both! The fans cheer, Yano runs, but Sho distracts the ref so Dick can SMACK Yano with the buckle pad! The fans boo but The House BLASTS Tanahashi & Oleg off the corner. Evil TOSSES Yano out, and then Yujiro sends Oleg into railing! Evil RAMS Yano into the timekeeper! Down goes Abe-san, and Evil grabs a mic to talk trash on Yano! Evil stomps Yano, then he lets Sho talk trash on the mic.

Sho makes fun of Kobe and the fans boo. Sho stomps Tanahashi, Evil puts Yano in the ring, and Evil cocky covers. TWO! Yano stays in this but Evil tags Yujiro. Yujiro sends Yano into the bare buckles! Yujiro then brings Yano up, to RAM him into the bare buckles! Yujiro snapmares Yano, runs and basement BOOTS! Cover, TWO! Yano toughs it out and the fans rally up. Yujiro drags Yano up, brings him around, and he tags Sho in. The House mugs Yano, then Sho taunts Tanahashi & Oleg by holding out Yano’s hand. But then Sho bends the fingers, and he stomps Yano down! Sho drags Yano around to stomp him more!

Sho talks more trash on Kobe, and he kicks Yano around. The fans boo but Sho drags Yano up. Yano pulls Sho’s hair! Sho kicks, whips, but Yano reverses to THROW Sho down! The fans fire up while both men crawl! Hot tag to Oleg! The fans fire up as #BARS CLOBBERS Sho! Then he DECKS Yujiro! Evil mule kicks Oleg, Sho join in, and they DOUBLE- NO, Oleg fights the suplex to DOUBLE SUPLEX back! Oleg kips up and the fans fire up! Oleg scoops Sho to SLAM him! Then SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Sho survives but Oleg deadlifts Sho into the gut wrench! Sho wrenches free to bend fingers!

Sho runs, to SPEAR- NO, he just bounces off Oleg’s bulk! An d then Oleg deadlifts Sho for the Shake, Rattle and THROW! Oleg rises again and the fans fire up! Sho rises, Oleg runs corner to corner, but Sho dodges! Oleg hits bare buckles! Sho grins, runs up, and he CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! Oleg winds up to CHOP! Sho staggers back and the fans fire up. Tanahashi grabs Sho, tears his shirt away, and Oleg storms up to CHOP! Sho falls right over! Oleg then deadlifts Sho again, for a pop-up and fireman’s carry! But Sho bends fingers! Sho wrenches, but Oleg kicks low! Oleg runs, but Yujiro gets a cheap shot in!

Sho dropkicks Oleg’s legs, then tags Yujiro! Yujiro drags Oleg up, knees low, then CLAWS his eyes! The ref reprimands but he misses Evil anchoring Oleg! Yujiro BOOTS Oleg against ropes! Then Yujiro runs, but into a SHOTGUN! Yujiro sputters but he’s just as shocked that Oleg got up there! The fans rally, Oleg crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! President Ace is back in action as he rallies on Yujiro! Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Yujiro into a drop zone, then goes up, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yujiro survives a rather solid senton, but Tanahashi gets moving. SLING- NO, Yujiro ducks under!

Yujiro SHOVES Tanahashi into the bare buckles! Sho & Evil BLAST Yano & Oleg! Then they whip Tanahashi corner to corner! Sho forearm SMASH! Yujiro BOOT! Evil LARIAT! Then they set Tanahashi up, and Sho distracts the ref as Dick climbs! The fans boo, but Yano & Oleg make the save! Oleg tosses Yujiro aside, and Yano sends Sho into Evil, but it also knocks the ref down! Dick panics as Oleg kicks him and tosses him out! Yano calls the shots, and they set Yujiro up! Tanahashi climbs, the fans fire up for the ACE CROTCH CHOP!! Yujiro sputters while Oleg goes out after Sho. Sho CLAWS Oleg’s eyes! Tanahashi runs, to SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi covers, Sho YANKS the ref out!

The fans boo but Sho just shrugs. Tanahashi is frustrated, but Dick sneaks in! Tanahashi dodges Dick, blocks a kick, and hits a DRAGON SCREW! Dick tumbles away! Sho steps in, but Tanahashi has him for a DRAGON SCREW! Evil steps in, but Tanahashi give shim a DRAGON SCREW! Yujiro runs up, but Tanahashi dodges and spins him around, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up, Tanahashi gets moving, SLINGBLADE again! Tanahashi roars, the fans cheer, and Tanahashi goes up top! BUT WAIT! Ren Narita is here, and he CLOBBERS Tanahashi with that pushup bar! Ren CLOBBERS Oleg, and he CLOBBERS Yano!

The fans boo the Souled Out Son of Strong Style, but he and the House stomp away on Tanahashi! They drag Tanahashi up, but here comes El Phantasmo sporting a new haircut! ELP snatches Ren’s pushup bar, and CLOBBERS him with it! He then tosses the bar to Evil, and DICK PUNCHES him! Sho runs up, ELP dodges and SUDDEN DEATH! Yujiro kicks ELP, but ELP wrenches out to mule kick! ELP reels Yujiro in, tucks and C R 2!! ELP sets Yujiro in the drop zone, and Tanahashi climbs! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Team Ace wins!!

Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

The Headbanga made sure justice was served, and he clearly cleared out that internal conflict! Will The House of Torture learn to give up on their life of wrestling crime? As for ELP, and Jado for that matter, they stand in the ring with Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg. The fans cheer ELP on, and ELP points to the lion mark. Then he offers a handshake. Tanahashi shakes hands with ELP and Jado, ELP & Jado are now Hontai/Main Unit! Will this mean big things for everyone in the near future?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

Just as Japones Del Mal got past The Bone Soldier, an old friend turned enemy staked his claim! Kanemaru still doesn’t think Douki is good enough, will The Heel Master ruin Douki’s run? Or will Douki finally get some respect on his name?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Douki continues to prove the doubters wrong!

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. Douki and Kanemaru tie up, Kanemaru puts Douki on ropes, and the ref counts. Kanemaru lets off, to kick away on Douki’s leg! Kanemaru whips, Douki jumps the dropkick to whip. Kanemaru reverses, Douki ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! The fans fire up and Douki runs in to ELBOW Kanemaru at the corner. Douki keeps going, springboard BACK ELBOW! Kanemaru bails out, Douki builds speed, and he WRECKS Kanemaru with a dropkick! Kanemaru hits railing, but Douki goes out to whip him into more railing! The fans cheer for Douki, and he wrenches to whip Kanemaru into more railing!

Kanemaru crawls to the ramp, but Douki pursues. Douki drags Kanemaru up, whips, but Kanemaru stops from hitting the apron! Douki runs in, Kanemaru pops him up, but Kanemaru anticipates the handspring! Kanemaru catches Douki, ties up the legs, and hits a DOUBLE KNEE CRUSHER to the floor! Douki writhes but Kanemaru leaves him behind. The ref checks Douki, and he’s still okay to continue, so Kanemaru storms back over to SMASH the knees into the mat! The ref reprimands but Kanemaru leaves Douki behind again. The ring count starts, and Douki manages to stand at 9 to roll in at 10 of 20.

Kanemaru drags Douki back up, to SHIN BREAKER! Douki clutches his knee, but Kanemaru drags him up for another SHIN BREAKER! Kanemaru then grabs the leg for a standing toehold! Then he falls back to YANK the leg! Douki writhes but Kanemaru drags him right back up, for a third SHIN BREAKER! Douki writhes, clutching that left leg, but Kanemaru shows no mercy! A FOURTH SHIN BREAKER! So much damage just to that leg, and Kanemaru keeps going! A FIFTH SHIN BREAKER! Douki flounders out of the ring, and Kanemaru wants either a count or for the ref to call this. Douki writhes, so the count begins.

Douki is still down at 10 of 20, but Kanemaru goes out to drag him into the ring. Kanemaru then brings Douki to the corner! Kanemaru wraps the legs around the post to pull! Douki endures and the ref counts, but Kanemaru lets go at 4. Kanemaru then SLAMS the bad leg into the post! The fans rally for Douki, but Kanemaru SLAMS the leg into the post again! Kanemaru pushes Douki over, then rolls into the ring. Kanemaru watches Douki crawl from the corner, then kicks at him. Kanemaru taunts Douki, but Douki gets mad! Douki stands and fires forearms! Kanemaru just kicks the bad leg! Kanemaru then trips Douki and has hold of the legs!

The ref warns Kanemaru not to stomp low! Kanemaru says okay, but then hands the ref one leg so he can split the wishbone! Douki gets mad at the ref but the ref defends Kanemaru tricked him! Kanemaru grabs the bad leg, drops an elbow on the knee, and then puts on a toehold. Douki endures and grabs at Kanemaru to try a chinbar. Kanemaru just puts more pressure on the leg! Douki endures, keeps his shoulders up, and tries to use his other leg, but Kanemaru shakes that off. Douki drags Kanemaru with him as he reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, but Kanemaru kneels on the bad leg as he lets off!

Kanemaru has Douki’s leg in a leg scissors, and he leans on the ropes for leverage in this different kind of toehold! The ref reprimands and counts, Kanemaru lets go for real now, and he stays between Douki and ropes. Kanemaru stomps Douki, talks smack, then stomps Douki more. Douki slowly rises but Kanemaru gives mocking kicks. Douki CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Kanemaru kicks the bad leg! Kanemaru whips Douki to a corner, but runs into a BOOT! Douki storms up but Kanemaru mule kicks the bad leg! Kanemaru runs, but into a LEAPING HEADBUTT! Both men are down and the fans rally up for Douki!

Douki slaps his bad leg as he sits back up. Douki stalks after Kanemaru, drags him up and whips to ropes, but Kanemaru reverses. Douki holds ropes, BOOTS back, then baits Kanemaru in order to DUMP him out! Douki then PANCHAS! Down goes Kanemaru and the fans fire up! Douki drags himself back to the ring and the fans rally up. Douki then ASAI MOONSAULTS! Down goes Kanemaru again and the fans fire up more! Douki clutches his bad leg but he’s still got fight in him. Douki roars and the fans fire up again. Douki drags Kanemaru up and into the ring, hobbles over and brings Kanemaru up, to suplex! Cover, TWO!

The fans continue to rally behind Douki and he slaps his leg again. Douki drags Kanemaru up, hooks the arms, but Kanemaru fights the Gory Especial. Douki slips around, hooks again, but then spins Kanemaru to drop down! ITALIAN- NO, Kanemaru slips out to jackknife bridge! TWO!! Douki escapes, Kanemaru runs up, but Douki BOOTS him! Douki goes to the apron, RAMS into Kanemaru, and slingshots, DAY- Manhattan Drop! Kanemaru turns things around on Douki, then slides him into the POST! Douki’s arm hits the bottom part of the corner, and he crawls to the apron. Kanemaru is there to SUPER KNEE SMASH to the floor!!

The ref checks Douki as he clutches his leg, and Kanemaru sits back while the fans rally up. Douki’s knee is somehow not busted so he is still in this. Kanemaru leaves Douki behind to the ring count again, and Douki is still down at 10 of 20. Douki slowly sits up, but we’re at 15 already! Douki manages to stand, but he falls over at 17! Douki hurries to get up at 19, and he rolls in at 19.5! But Kanemaru is there to RUNNING KNEE BUSTER!! And then, FIGURE FOUR!! Kanemaru thrashes around as he puts as much pressure as he can on the legs! Douki endures, keeps his shoulders up, but Kanemaru pushes on the leg!

Douki flails, reaches out, and he drags Kanemaru along to have the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Kanemaru holds until the ref counts. Kanemaru slowly lets go of the Figure Four, then he goes up the corner. Douki crawls, manages to stand, into DEEP- NO!? Douki manages to catch Kanemaru! But Douki can’t hold on, the bad leg won’t support the extra weight! Kanemaru then kicks the leg, runs the ropes, and tilt-o-whirls, but into a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Douki bridges, but the leg gives up at TWO! Douki clutches the leg while Kanemaru crawls to a corner. The fans rally up, Douki rises, and Douki hobbles up.

Douki blocks Kanemaru’s boot, and pops him up and over! Douki has Kanemaru in the Gory Especial, and brings him around for DODON NO JUTSU! Backslide cover, TWO! Kanemaru escapes, but ends up in ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Kanemaru endures, fights his way around, and reaches out for a ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Douki lets go, and the fans rally up again. Douki fires up and the fans are with him! Douki wheelbarrows Kanemaru, but Kanemaru mule kicks the bad leg! FIGURE- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO, but Douki ghost pins! TWO! Douki tries the ITALIAN STRETCH!! Kanemaru endures, fights up, and he drags Douki along!

Douki rolls Kanemaru away, ITALIAN CRADLE! TWO!! Kanemaru is up but he’s back in the ITALIAN STRETCH! Kanemaru fades and falls over! Douki pulls, but SHO rings the bell!! The fans boo as The Murder Machine is here! Douki storms over so Sho backs away. Sho acts like he did nothing wrong, but he just saved Kanemaru. Douki pursues Kanemaru outside the ring, pushes him back in, but Sho keeps talking to the ref. WHISKEY MIST!! Douki staggers around blindly, and Kanemaru LARIATS him in the corner! Scoop, SLAM, and MOONSAULT off the corner! Cover, TWO!! Douki survives and the fans fire up!

Kanemaru is furious, but he hurries to bring Douki up. Kanemaru suplexes, but Douki slips free! Douki GERMAN SUPLEXES, bridges, but then rolls back for an O’Conner style cover! TWO, but now Douki has Kanemaru in the wheelbarrow! SUPLEX DE- NO, Kanemaru mule kicks the bad leg again! Kanemaru trips Douki, and has the FIGURE FOUR!! Douki endures and flails while the fans rally as hard as they can! Douki keeps his shoulders up but Kanemaru thrashes around! Douki reaches out and the fans cheer him on! Douki claws his way over, for the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru lets go in frustration but the fans cheer.

The ref checks with Douki but Douki won’t let it end here. Kanemaru goes up top and waits. Douki stands, into DEEP IMPACT! Cover, TWO!! Douki survives and the fans fire up! Kanemaru drags Douki up, suplexes, but Douki fights free! Kanemaru kicks the leg, and SHIN- NO, Douki KNEES free, then HELL STABS! Kanemaru keeps Douki from running, but Douki uses the British Escape to then ENZIGIRI! Douki runs, but Kanemaru uses the ref as a shield! Douki pushes the ref aside and LARIATS Kanemaru down! Sho gets on the apron, Douki DECKS him! Douki fires up and runs, to DIVE into Sho! Sho hits railing and the fans fire up!

Douki roars, the fans fire up more, and Douki heads back to the apron. Kanemaru runs up, Douki RAMS into him! Then DAYBREAK!! Douki drags Kanemaru to a cover, TWO! Kanemaru survives but the fans fire up behind Douki! Douki pounds the mat, fires up again, and he wheelbarrows Kanemaru! SUPLEX DE LA- NO, Kanemaru drops to somersault clutch! TWO, into a FIGURE- NO, Douki arm-drags free, then dodges to LARIAT!! Kanemaru staggers up, falls over, and Douki wheelbarrows again! SUPLEX DE LA LUNA!!! Bridging cover, DOUKI WINS!!

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

Even with all that damage to his leg, Douki finds a way! Douki stands tall with the title, only for Sho to snatch it away! The Murder Machine commits theft, and now HE says Douki doesn’t deserve to be champion! Sho says we’ve seen this pattern before, so now HE is going to take this title from Douki! Sho dares Douki to accept or he smashes the belt with his Torture Tool! Douki hobbles out of the ring, grabs a mic, and while fans tell Sho to go home, Douki tells Sho that he agrees, Sho should just leave. Sho has tarnished the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, but he also beat Douki twice before. So CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

Sho says okay, fine, here’s the belt back. Sho steps up, holds the belt out, and Douki takes it back. But then Sho CLOBBERS Douki with the Torture Tool! Fans boo, Young Lions run up, but Sho beats them all down! Sho tries to steal the belt this time, but here comes Taichi! The Holy Emperor runs Sho off, but Sho got what he wanted. Will Sho redeem his previous losses by ruining Douki’s reign? Or can Douki finally tear The Murder Machine apart?

NEVER Openweight Championship: HENARE VS Shingo Takagi!

The Face of Fury has been a powerful champion, but he wants to solidify his dominance by taking down the man he took this title from! Will Henare once again conquer this ungovernable icon? Or will the Rampaging Dragon once again have this title around his waist?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who truly NEVER gives in!

The bell rings and the two run up! They RAM shoulders, Takagi fires a forearm to run, and he RAMS Henare! Henare fires a forearm then runs, and they RAM shoulders again! They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! The fans fire up as the shots fly, and Henare gets the edge! Henare RAMS Takagi, Takagi rebounds to RAM Henare! Takagi ELBOWS Henare, runs, but Henare ducks ‘n’ dodges. DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but then Henare CLOBBERS Takagi! Takagi’s right up to CLOBBER Henare! The fans fire up as Takagi follows Henare outside. Takagi SMACKS Henare off the apron, but Henare returns the favor!

Henare growls, but Takagi ELBOWS him! Takagi HEADBUTTS Henare, whips him, but Henare reverses, sending Takagi into railing! Henare storms up, fires body shots, then CLUBS Takagi. Henare HEADBUTTS again and again, then he RAMS Takagi into railing! The fans fire up and Henare brings Takagi around. Henare KICKS Takagi, puts him in the ring, but Takagi gets moving! Henare kitchen sink knees! Henare whips, but Takagi reverses, only for Henare to FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans fire up again and Henare stalks Takagi. Henare drags Takagi up, fireman’s carries, and WASTELAND SLAMS, to then SENTON! Cover, TWO!

The fans applaud as Takagi stays in this, and Henare stays close. Henare drags Takagi up into a half nelson, but Takagi fights the full! Takagi fires elbows, so Henare shifts to body scissors! Henare then has the GROUND COBRA! Takagi endures, pries at the hold, and moves around, to then kick and have the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud and Henare lets go. Henare kicks at Takagi, but Takagi stands to fire forearms! Henare fires back, so Takagi CHOPS! Henare KNEES low, snapmares, and KICKS! Takagi eggs him on! The fans fire up, and Henare KICKS again! That one stings, and Takagi writhes.

Henare drags Takagi up, runs, but Takagi blocks the Rugby Kick! Takagi CLUBS Henare, ELBOWS! JABS! And YUKON LARIATS! The fans fire up while Takagi leans on ropes. Takagi then SENTONS onto Henare! Henare sputters and hurries to ropes. Takagi looks to the camera, but says maybe not yet. Henare goes to a corner, Takagi runs up, but Takagi blocks the boot! Takagi LARIATS, then he fires the fans up. JAB, CHOP, JAB, CHOP, repeat! Then JAB, JAB, JAB, and CHOP! Henare just growls! Henare puts Takagi in the corner and fires hands from all sides! Henare HEADBUTTS, then he whips corner to corner.

Henare runs to LARIAT, and Takagi stumbles along ropes. Henare runs and RAMS Takagi. Takagi rebounds to CLOBBER Henare! The fans fire up and Takagi suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi tells Kobe, “TOKI GA KITA!” It’s time and the fans fire up!  Takagi sits Henare up to run and SLIDING- NO! Henare blocks and clinches! But Takagi fights with elbows! Henare KNEES low, BODY BLOWS, then runs, into a LARIAT! Takagi runs but Henare scoops, BERSERKER BOMB! Cover, ONE?!? Takagi is still in this but Henare stays focused. Henare paces, then he aims from a corner as Takagi rises.

The fans rally as Henare stomps and powers up. Henare runs in, but Takagi stuffs the Rampage! Takagi fires knees, then ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint and DDT! But Henare rises?! Henare growls, and he RAMP- DDT!! Takagi turns things around on Henare and both men are down! The fans fire up, and Takagi rises. Takagi brings Henare up, puts him on the top rope, and then fires ridge hand chops! Takagi climbs, and goes to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Both men are down and writhing while the fans fire up! Takagi sits Henare up, runs, SLIDING LARIAT! But Henare’s right up to basement KNEE!!

Both men are down again and the fans are fired up! Takagi and Henare slowly sit up, and they give each other junkyard dog headbutts. They stand to HEADBUTT again and again, and then Takagi CHOPS! Takagi eggs Henare on, so Henare KICKS! Henare eggs Takagi on, so Takagi CHOPS! The fans rally and Henare KICKS! Takagi sputters, but he comes back to CHOP! Henare growls and KICKS! Takagi JABS, CHOPS, and then DOUBLE CHOPS! Henare just winds up to KICK! Takagi tries but that one really got him. Henare KICKS again! And KICKS again! Takagi goes to ropes to catch his breath, but he comes back, into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP!

Both men are down as Henare clutches his shoulder. Henare still has damage from other brutal battles, but he grits his teeth to haul Takagi up. URENAGE!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and the fans fire up again! Henare frowns but he rises up. Henare storms over to Takagi, and then clamps on. But Takagi fights the nelson! Henare BODY BLOWS, then half nelsons! Full nelson! ULTIMA NELSON!! Takagi endures but Henare puts on the pressure! Takagi pries at the hold, powers up, but Henare is pushing on the neck! The ref checks, Takagi shakes his head, but Henare stands Takagi up to pull on the arms! Takagi is fading!

The ref checks, but Takagi finds a second wind! He switches with Henare, and MADE IN JAPAN!!! Both men are down from how out of nowhere the pump handle driver was! But then Takagi sits Henare up for “OI! OI! OI!” HAMMER ‘N’ ANVILS! But Henare hits back from below! So Takagi SLIDING FOREARMS from behind! The fans fire up, and join in on “OI! OI! OI!” again. Takagi runs, but Henare ELBOWS him! Then FLYING CHUCKS! But Takagi rebounds to PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi hurries to pump handle and rack, but Henare slips free! STREETS- NO, Takagi slips free, to HEADBUTT! Henare HEADBUTTS back!!

The fans are thunderous as both men are down again! Henare reaches up but he dazed himself with that shot. The fans rally and duel, and Henare rises first. Henare drags Takagi up, vows to end this, but Takagi fights the fisherman! Henare still has the leg, but Takagi wrenches out! Henare HEADBUTTS! NATIVE KNEE! Then snapmare and RUGBY KICK!! Cover, ONE?!?!? Takagi shocks everyone, especially Henare! But Henare hits the RAMPAGE!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Takagi survives again but Henare powers up! Henare drags Takagi up, STREETS OF- NO, Takagi slips free! But then he falls over! Henare gloats a bit, feeling this is Takagi’s limit.

Henare drags Takagi up, but Takagi… Well, he tries throwing lariats, but there isn’t much behind those. Henare still catches him to half nelson! Takagi fights the full nelson, and he fires elbows! Henare ROCKS Takagi back! Takagi leans on Henare, but Henare ROCKS him again! Takagi again leans on Henare, so Henare ROCKS Takagi again! But now Takagi eggs Henare on?! Henare lets forearms fly, and then he winds up. Takagi SWATS the lariat, but Henare ELBOWS! Takagi SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF!? The fans fire up and duel again, and Takagi brings Henare up. Takagi fires boxing elbows, but then Henare bobs ‘n’ weaves to BODY BLOW!

Henare HEEL KICKS! Takagi DISCUS PUJMPING! But Henare’s up to LARIAT! Takagi’s up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Now both men lean on each other! They DOUBLE HEADBUTT, and DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Takagi JABS! Henare HEADBUTTS!! Takagi LARIATS!! Henare HEADBUTTS!! Takagi BLINDSIDE PUMPING BOMBERS!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Henare stirs, perhaps in another daze. The ref starts a standing count, and the fans rally up as hard as they can! Henare and Takagi both flounder, but then tell the ref to stop the count! They both stand, and they start throwing palm strikes!

Henare fires a flurry, but Takagi HEADBUTTS! And ELBOWS! Takagi swings, but Henare catches the arm! And he catches the other arm! They tug-o-war, but then Henare breaks the grip! Takagi JABS! HEADBUTTS! KNEES!! Henare runs up, but into PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, ONE!?!?!? HOW?!?!? But Takagi gets moving to PUMPING BOMBER!!! Henare flips inside out and Takagi covers!! TWO!?!??!! Henare shocks everyone but Takagi roars! Pump handle, torture rack, LAST OF THE DRAGON!!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!!!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)

These two pushed each other to limits perhaps even they didn’t know they had! But now, Takagi is once again atop the hardest hitting division in all of NJPW! Takagi shows Henare respect by bringing the ice pack, and Henare shows respect back by handing Takagi the title. Will Takagi bring this belt with him as he pursues Tetsuya Naito and the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion?

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS YOSHI-HASHI w/ Hirooki Goto!

The Rebel without a nation once again holds the belt he created using the former IWGP United States and IWGP United Kingdom Championships. However, the Headhunter of Japan wants to prove he still belongs. Will Hashi #GetBackUp and finally be a champion all on his own? Or will Finlay prove NJPW needs The Rebel more than it does Hashi?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly championship material!

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two stare down. Finlay asks if Hashi is nervous. They circle, tie up, and Finlay smothers Hashi to the ropes! The ref reprimands and calls for the break. Finlay lets off, but then he sucker punches Hashi! Hashi swings but Finlay gets around to headlock. Hashi powers up and out, but Finlay runs him over! Cover, ONE, but Finlay clamps on with a headlock. Hashi slips out to hammerlock, then he headlocks in return. Finlay powers up and out, ducks the lariat, but Hashi runs him over! The fans applaud and Finlay goes to ropes. Hashi steps up, Finlay fires a body shot, but Hashi ROCKS Finlay with a forearm.

Hashi follows Finlay to ropes, CHOPS him, and Finlay grits his teeth. Hashi fires a forearm and Finlay goes to a corner. Hashi stands Finlay up to CHOP him! Finlay gets frustrated but Hashi whips him corner to corner. Hashi runs in, but Finlay pops Hashi up to fireman’s carry! Finlay hits SNAKE EYES on the ropes! Hashi sputters and falls, and Finlay rains down fists! The ref reprimands, Finlay lets off, and then he shows he uses open palms as he rains down more shots! Finlay drags Hashi to a cocky cover, TWO! Gedo laughs and Finlay stands Hashi up, to UPPERCUT him! Hashi staggers but Finlay UPPERCUTS again!

Hashi goes to ropes, Finlay storms up and CHOKES Hashi! Finlay CLAWS Hashi’s face, lets off, and then whips Hashi to a corner hard! Hashi falls and writhes, and Gedo is impressed by Finlay’s strength. Finlay talks trash, Gedo tells Hashi to give up, but Hashi refuses. Finlay shows off by doing pushups and even a kip up. But he also flips off the fans, he doesn’t care about their cheering. Hashi fires body shots, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! Finlay whips, Hashi holds ropes and BOOTS back! Finlay runs back up and LARIATS Hashi and himself up and out! The fans rally, Finlay drags Hashi up, and Finlay SMACKS Hashi off the apron!

Finlay talks trash, and he SMACKS Hashi off the apron again! Finlay hopes Hashi remembers that time he busted his face on the apron while running down to the ring. Finlay SMACKS Hashi off the apron again! Hashi falls back, and Finlay peels away the apron skirt! Finlay wants Hashi to remember that steel frame going into his face! Finlay brings Hashi up, but Hashi blocks the bump! Hashi fires hands, but Finlay throat chops! Finlay brings Hashi way up the ramp, reels him in, and POWER- NO, Hashi fights free! Finlay kicks low, but Hashi suplexes first! Finlay writhes from landing on the stage and the fans fire up!

Hashi and Finlay stir, and Hashi sits up first. Hashi then goes further up the ramp? The fans rally up as he aims at Finlay! Hashi runs down the ramp, to SHOTGUN Finlay! Finlay tumbles all the way back to ringside! Gedo freaks out but the fans fire up as Hashi storms back up. Hashi then whips Finlay face first into the apron! Now Finlay knows how it felt! Hashi leaves Finlay behind to go into the ring. The fans rally as Hashi pounds the mat. Hashi then builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit and down goes Finlay! The fans fire up with Hashi as he flexes! Hashi then puts Finlay in, and goes up the corner, to BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO!!

Finlay stays in this but Hashi stays on him with the BUTTERFLY STRETCH! Finlay flails and has the ROPEBREAK! Hashi lets go quickly and Finlay scrambles out even faster! Finlay crawls around ringside, but Hashi keeps his eyes on him. Hashi storms out after Finlay, ROCKS him, then follows him around the way. Hashi DECKS Finlay, and the fans rally up. Gedo is upset, but Hashi CHOPS Finlay! Finlay staggers away, chest stinging from the sharpest chops in NJPW! But then Finlay fireman’s carries! LAWN DART, but Hashi lands out! Only for Finlay to POUNCE him into railing! Finlay grins while Hashi writhes.

Finlay drags Hashi back up, brings him out through the gate, and lifts him up! Hashi fights, but Finlay double clutches! POST BOMB!! Hashi falls in a heap and Finlay laughs at his own sadism! Finlay soaks up the cheers and jeers as he says he is the greatest! Finlay and Gedo Too Sweet, then Finlay goes into the ring. The ring count climbs, and Goto coaches Hashi up. We pass 10 of 20, but Finlay steps out. Finlay has Goto get back, then he drags Hashi into the ring. The fans applaud, and Finlay rolls in to cover, TWO! Hashi stays in this but Finlay drags him up. Finlay talks trash on Hashi, but Hashi fires body shots. Finlay CHOPS Hashi down!

Finlay drags Hashi up to suplex and TOSS! Hashi flounders and Finlay flexes while Gedo tells Hashi to just quit. The ref checks Hashi, and Finlay uses that to untie a buckle pad! Who does he think he is, Yano? Finlay tells Hashi he is going to destroy him in this ring, and make this the worst day of his life! Finlay drags Hashi up, whips, but Hashi reverses! Finlay hits POST, and then dangles in the ropes! Hashi fires up, reels Finlay in, atomic FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Finlay stays in this and the fans fire up! Hashi rises, Finlay follows, and Finlay pie faces Hashi. Hashi fires a forearm! Finlay fires back!

Hashi fires another forearm, but so does Finlay! The fans rally, Goto and Gedo coach Hashi and Finlay, and the forearms keep going as they stand! Hashi ROCKS Finlay! Finlay staggers, comes back, and he ROCKS Hashi! Hashi staggers, comes back, and he ROCKS Finlay! The forearms fly fast and furious, back and forth, but Finlay gets the edge! ROLLING- SUPERKICK! Hashi runs up, ITA- NO, Finlay slips free! But Hashi fights the suplex! Hashi wrenches, half nelsons, pump handles, but Finlay rolls free! Finlay reels Hashi right in for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Finlay brings him right up!

Finlay Canadian Racks, for the CANADIAN HAMMER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives again and the fans fire up! Finlay snarls, drags Hashi up again and reels him back in. POWER- DDT!! Hashi turns things around, and then SUPERKICKS Finlay! Finlay staggers, Hashi runs, but into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Finlay grits his teeth, clutches his knee, but he drags Hashi up by an arm. Finlay reels Hashi in again, Gedo says to end this! Finlay hoists Hashi up, but Hashi RANAS Finlay into bare buckles! Finlay staggers back, into ITADAKI KARI! Cover, TWO!! Finlay is NOT Easy Pickings and the fans fire up!

Hashi rolls into the BUTTERFLY STRETCH!! Finlay endures, claws at Hashi, reaches out with a foot, but Hashi puts on the pressure! Finlay fights around but Hashi twists him away from ropes! Gedo distracts the ref, and Finlay grabs his shillelagh! Hashi stops that arm, and Goto grabs Gedo in a SLEEPER!! Hashi snatches the shillelagh, tosses it away, and back to the BUTTERFLY STRETCH!! Finlay fights around, reaches out, but Hashi twists him away again! Finlay kicks and flails, bites his finger to ignore the pain in his shoulders, but Hashi just TWISTS him more!! Finlay flails, but he seems to be fading!

Hashi grabs that arm, CHIMERA BUTTERFLY!!! Finlay fights with one last gasp, to the ROPEBREAK!! Hashi lets go in frustration but perhaps also exhaustion, and the fans rally up again. Hashi rises, the fans fire up, and Hashi has Finlay in a wristlock. Hashi hooks a leg, but Finlay fights free! Only to run into a DRAGON SUPLEX! But Finlay LARIATS! Hashi’s up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stagger, then run up! HASHI LARIAT flips Finlay inside-out! Hashi drags Finlay up, fisherman and KUMAGOROSHI!! Cover, TWO?!? Finlay survives, but Hashi just fires back up with the fans!

Hashi scoops Finlay, SLAMS him, then goes up! Hashi aims to SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Finlay survives again and the fans are thunderous! Hashi storms back up on Finlay, reels him in to half nelson and pump handle, but Finlay fights Karma! Hashi KICKS Finlay’s hand, but Finlay fires elbows! Finlay CLUBS away on Hashi, but Hashi ROCKS Finlay! KARMA- PRIMA NOCTA?! And then OVER- CRADLE!! TWO!!! Finlay escpaes, hooks Hashi, backslide, but Hashi rolls through! But INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!?!? Hashi survives and the fans are thunderous! Finlay is in disbelief, and he drags Hashi up!

Finlay BUCKLE BOMBS Hashi!! But Hashi ROCKS Finlay?!? ROLLING ELBOW from Finlay! Finlay hurries to POWERBOMB again! Cover, TWO!!! Hashi survives and Kobe is electric! Finlay shakes his head, and slashes his throat as he vows to end it now. Finlay drags Hashi up, suplexes, OVER- NO!! Hashi blocks, KARMA CRADLE! TWO!!! Finlay POP-UP POWERBOMBS!! And then he drags Hashi up, to suplex, OVERKILL!!!! Cover, Finlay wins!!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)

Hashi wasn’t able to #GetBackUp after Finlay went that far, and Hashi is still without a title to call his own. But now Finlay eggs Goto on. Finlay holds up the title, will he take a bite out of the Fierce Warrior next? Or will Goto put this War Dog down himself?

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Tetsuya Naito VS Great-O-Khan!

The Uncontrollable Charisma has owed The Dominator this match from their 1v1 showdown in the G1 Climax. However, we all know that whoever wins here will face Zack Sabre Jr. at King of Pro-Wrestling in two weeks! Will Naito make it through Kobe to head for Ryogoku? Or will the KOPW Champion conquer all of NJPW?

Naito takes his time heading down the ramp, because he hopes it will annoy Khan. Khan stays calm, because he knows Naito wants him frustrated. The introductions are made, the top belt is raised, and we see who survives Destruction!

As usual, Naito takes his time with his elaborate entrance attire. But Khan has a counter, in that he has his own elaborate attire to put aside. The fans duel already, “NA-I-TO!” “O-KHAN!” and that amuses Naito a bit. The bell finally rings, and the fans fire up as the two stare down. Red Shoes assesses a dead heat between the cheering, though it could be favoring Khan by just a bit. Naito and Khan slowly circle, feel things out, and Khan tests the waters. Khan shoots in, they clinch, and Khan shifts around to waistlock. Naito backs up into ropes, and Khan lets off cleanly. The fans applaud as the two reset.

Khan and Naito feel things out again, then Khan claps to fake Naito out! Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover, but Naito headscissors! Khan slips free and the two stand. Naito arm-drags, but Khan headscissors! Naito kips free, dodges, and while Naito tranquilos, Khan has his arms crossed behind his back. The fans cheer this pose-off where neither man is looking at the other. Khan and Naito reset and circle again. They feel things out, clinch, and Khan shoots around to waistlock. Khan goes for arms but Naito blocks, so Khan shifts to a facelock. Khan and Naito go around, Khan waistlocks and he drags Naito down to the mat.

Khan floats to a head ‘n’ arm, then floats to a lateral press. Naito resists as Khan tries to hook the far leg, so Khan settles for the near leg, cover, TWO! Khan floats around to keep on Naito, but Naito switches. They move around, Naito has the waistlock, but then Khan slips through to go for a leg. Naito counters with a headlock, but Khan rolls it to a cover, ONE! Khan headscissors, then slips to have the double wristlock. Naito endures, Khan shifts around for a different angle, but Naito has the leg! Khan rolls free, and the fans cheer the standoff. Khan and Naito circle again, feel things out, and Naito toys with Khan a bit.

Khan pushes forward to clinch, and he drags Naito down. Naito keeps his shoulders up but Khan tries to smother him. Naito pie faces Khan, Khan shifts and goes for an arm. Naito fights the top wristlock, rolls around, but Khan has the lateral press! Naito keeps a shoulder up, so Khan floats around to headlock. Khan grinds the hold but Naito fights up. Naito powers up and out of the headlock, then drops down, and atomic drops! Naito throws Khan down by his hair, then cocky covers. The fans cheer as Naito poses but Red Shoes doesn’t like that cover. Khan pushes Naito away, but Naito brings Khan up for a turn. But Khan elbows free!

Naito ELBOWS Khan down, but Khan avoids the basement dropkick to dropkick Naito’s leg! Naito clutches his knee, rolls to the apron, but Khan storms over. Khan wraps Naito’s leg around ropes! Red Shoes reprimands, Naito flails, but Khan lets go at 4. But Khan uses his legs to keep Naito stuck! Red Shoes reprimands again, so Khan stomps Naito as he lets off. The fans rally and duel as Naito stands up. Khan goes back to waistlock, and he drags Naito from ropes to wrangle him into a leg scissor. Naito fights but Khan still has the top mount, and shifts into a toehold! Naito endures, CLAWS Khan’s eyes, but Red Shoes reprimands.

Naito lets go but Khan puts on more pressure! Khan keeps Naito’s left hand down, but Naito reaches over with his right for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, and Khan lets go, to then YANK Naito’s leg! Naito clutches that knee, stands up, and he fires an ELBOW! Naito fires forearms, but Khan kicks the legs! Khan reels Naito in, rolls him, Khan uses a modified Figure Four grapevine on the bad leg! Khan taunts Naito by reclining back in this calf slicer! Naito endures, even as Khan grabs the other leg for a HEEL HOOK! Naito endures, pries at the calf slicer, but Khan focuses on it! But Naito uses that to move around and ROPEBREAK!

The fans applaud as Khan lets go, and he watches Naito rise. Mongolian Chop! Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian feint to UPPERCUT! Naito ends up in a corner, and the fans cheer as Khan hops up. Khan sits on his throne! The fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands as Naito flails. But Khan grabs the arms to pull them back! Red Shoes counts, Khan lets off, and he brings Naito around to gut wrench! Khan carries Naito around, before he THROWS Naito away! Cover, TWO! Khan clamps onto Naito’s legs, ties them up, and then he slaps Naito around. Khan pushes on the modified Deathlock but Naito still endures!

Naito crawls but Khan shifts his grip on the hold! Khan pulls on the legs, but Naito still fights forward. Khan CLAWS Naito’s eyes, but Red Shoes reprimands and Naito keeps crawling. ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Khan holds until Red Shoes counts, and he lets go. Khan looms over Naito as he rises, and the fans duel. Khan kicks at Naito, taunts him, then hauls him up. But Naito fights the lift with elbows! Khan ROCKS Naito, has the leg, and SHIN- ARM-DRAG! Naito then blocks a kick, spins Khan, shoves him and dropkicks the leg out! The fans rally while both men are down, clutching knees.

Naito stands, and he storms over to drag Khan up. Naito fires forearms and kicks, then CLUBS and whips Khan to ropes. Another arm-drag, then another elbow! Basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer and Naito drags Khan up to whip him to a corner. Naito forearm SMASHES Khan, then puts him in the ropes! DRAPING NECKBREAKER! And then Naito stands Khan, turns him, and holds him… for the NECKBREAKER! Naito poses, the fans are torn, but then Naito covers, TWO! Naito clamps on with a cravat for the neck wrench! Khan endures, fights up, and reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Naito lets go at 4.

Naito looms over Khan now, drags him up, and puts him in the ropes at the corner. Naito has another DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Then he drags Khan up to turn and NECKBREAKER! No hesitation that time, and Naito covers, TWO! Khan stays in this but he writhes in pain. Naito stays cool as he stalks Khan and brings him up. Naito throws those heavy elbows, but Khan drop toeholds to get the HEEL HOOK! Naito fights up, slips free, but runs into a SAYANAGI! The fans fire up while both men are down! Khan rises, storms over to Naito, and drags him up. Khan hits a fireman’s carry, then a MONKEY FLIP!

Khan keeps hold of the wristlocks to reel Naito in. KNEE, facelock, and BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Khan clamps on with the KATAGATAME! Naito endures the Head ‘n’ Arm, but then Khan shifts to have the HEEL HOOK! Naito endures, reaches around, but Khan pulls on the leg! Naito fights his way over, but Khan grabs an arm! Naito fights with his free leg to have the ROPEBREAK! Khan lets go and the fans applaud, and Khan watches Naito flounder. Naito rises, Khan KICKS the back of the leg! Then KICKS it again! Khan grabs that leg, for a SHIN BREAKER! Naito hobbles and falls, Khan covers, TWO!

The fans cheer, and Khan clamps on with a SLEEPER! Naito endures, even as Khan leans on the hold. Naito fights up, reaches out, but Khan shifts into an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Then the Bow ‘n’ Arrow Rack! But Naito slips free! Khan grins, runs up, but Naito wrenches and TORNADO DDTS! The fans fire up as Khan tumbles all the way out of the ring! Naito rests in the ring, and a count starts. Naito heads out after Khan, cancelling the count, and then he brings Khan up. Naito whips Khan hard into railing, and Khan tumbles over into No Man’s Land! Naito hurries out after Khan, drags him up, and brings him around to the ramp.

Naito brings Khan up the ramp, throws those heavy elbows again, and Khan staggers. Naito brings Khan further along, then turns him, but Khan resists! The two struggle, but Naito still turns Khan for a NECKBREAKER on the ramp! The fans fire up, Naito leaves Khan behind, and the ring count begins. The fans rally as Khan writhes, but he’s still down at 10 of 20! Khan slowly rises, but we hit 15! Khan tumbles down the ramp, then hurries to his feet! He’s in at 18! The fans cheer, but Naito drags Khan right up. Naito fires those heavy elbows again and again, and Khan falls! Naito clamps on for the PLUMA BLANCA!!

Khan endures, and he’s already turning red! Naito squeezes tight, but Khan fights around. Khan’s foaming at the mouth a bit, and he starts fading! Red Shoes checks on Khan, but Khan gets a second wind! Khan kicks and flails, but Naito puts on more pressure! Even so, Khan kicks to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Naito lets Khan go. Naito follows Khan to the corner, hops up, and then drags Khan up with the ponytail. ESPERANZA! Khan is sent tumbling, but Naito aims from the corner. The fans rally and duel, and Naito mocks the “O-KHAN!” chant. Khan rises, Naito runs in, but Khan slips around! IRON CLAW SLEEPER! FGO PLEX!!

Naito stands, but Khan hurries to TACKLE him, and then jackknife roll into a FIGURE FOUR HEEL HOOK! Naito endures so Khan shifts, drags him up, and has the leg again! SHIN- Sunset flip! But Khan slips through to KNEEBAR!! Naito endures, flails, but Khan drags him from ropes! The fans duel again as Naito endures! Naito fights, drags Khan along with him, but Khan drags him back to center! They roll, Khan has the FIGURE FOUR KNEEBAR!! Naito endures even more as Khan twists the ankle! Red Shoes checks, Naito refuses to give up, but Khan drags him from ropes again! Naito fights around, but Khan is even BITING the ankle!

Naito works to roll around, but Khan anchors him at center! Naito flounders but Khan THRASHES him around! Red Shoes checks as Naito looks to be fading, but Naito gets a last gasp for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Khan lets go in frustration. Naito slowly sits up, clutching his leg. Khan watches closely, then runs up to BOOT Naito inside-out! Then a clinch for the- NO, Naito victory rolls! TWO, and Naito ELBOWS, ENZIGIRIS, but Khan IRON RIGHTS! Both men fall over and the fans fire up again! Red Shoes checks both men, and they’re both still in this. The fans rally and duel again as both men stir.

Khan rises first while Naito is still rather dazed. Khan lets the Monster Rage boil over! Khan stalks Naito to the corner, but then goes out to the apron. Khan climbs up the corner, and he brings Naito up with an IRON CLAW! Khan drags Naito up the corner, and to the very top! They both wobble up there, and Naito CLUBS Khan! Khan SHOVES Naito back down! Naito crashes into the drop zone, but he sits back up. Khan drags Naito back up the corner, and again has the IRON CLAW! The fans are worried, but Naito CLUBS away, and SUPER STEINERS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!

Khan staggers to his feet, CORRIENDO SHIKI- NO, Khan stops Destino with a BACKBREAKER! And then HITSUJIGOROSHI! But Naito slips free to DESTINO!! Naito isn’t done, he drags Khan up to wrench and tilt-o-whirl, DEST- NO! Khan clinches for the FLATLINER! Khan drags Naito around, and he still has the IRON CLAW! We hit 30 minutes as Khan hits the ELIMI- DESTINO!!! Cover, TWO!!! Naito almost takes this one and the fans are thunderous! Naito mocks Khan’s pose, then drags Khan up. Naito wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, and DESTINO!!!! Cover, Naito wins!!

Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

Khan may be KOPW Champion, but the world still belongs to the ungovernable! What will it take for The United Empire to truly reign over all of NJPW?

As for Naito, after he gets some water for himself, he lets Khan have the rest. Then Naito has his hand raised in victory, and takes a moment to fix his wristbands and kneepads before accepting the belt from Red Shoes. Khan is still down in the ring so Naito teases him with the strap of the world title. Naito puts his baseball cap back on, sets the belt down, and watches Khan be helped away. But wait! Before Naito can get the mic, Zack Sabre Jr. makes his way out here, G1 Climax trophy in hand! The fans cheer ZSJ as he walks down the ramp and to the ring to be face to face with the world champion.

ZSJ sets the trophy down right next to the world title, and Naito makes sure the mic is on before he hands it to ZSJ. ZSJ gives congratulations in Japanese, and then says he is glad it was Naito who won tonight. Next up is King of Pro-Wrestling, and ZSJ cannot wait. ZSJ says sorry, but Ryoguku will be the end of Naito. ZSJ is the G1 winner, and he will soon be THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. The fans are a bit torn but ZSJ continues to say that ZSJ is the top of NJPW! ZSJ throws down the mic, but then in steps Shingo Takagi? He says, “Allow me to interrupt for a moment!”

Takagi also congratulates Naito on the win. ZSJ applauds that, and Takagi assures him and Naito that he’s not trying to get in the way. But see, Takagi took back the NEVER Openweight Championship. The fans applaud that, and Takagi says that while this is his 20th year in wrestling, and while this is The Year of the Dragon, he hasn’t “gone on enough of a rampage yet!” The fans cheer that! Takagi says whoever wins at Ryogoku, Takagi has next! The fans like the sound of that! Takagi asks if ZSJ understands Japanese. ZSJ says yes, he understands, “d*ckhead.” Takagi asks if Naito understands. Yes, Naito understands Japanese.

Alright then! It’ll be fun if- WAIT. Ryohei Oiwa shows up? He tells Takagi to allow him to interrupt! Oiwa introduces himself as “born in NJPW, raised in NOAH!” The fans cheer that, too! And Oiwa says as the newest member of TMDK, he wants to challenge for the NEVER Championship! The fans like the sound of that, and Takagi asks, “Did you say your name was Onita? No matter. I’ll face you on October 14th in Ryogoku!” But also, this may be Oiwa’s first day back, but you should know you can’t beat Takagi that easy. Careful, or he’ll k ick your ass back to NOAH! LIJ stands against TMDK, will we see a major sea change in NJPW?

TMDK heads out, leaving Naito and Takagi alone in the ring. Naito finally gets to say, “Buenas noches, Kobe~!” The fans cheer, and Naito says this is NJPW’s first time here this year. This is the building where Naito won his first singles match, all the way back in October of 2006. The fans cheer that distinction, and Naito says being able to defend the title here for them makes him very happy. So to all of you who came, gracias, amigos. Now, he defeated Great-O-Khan tonight, and next is the G1 Champion, ZSJ, on October 14th. After clearing that, Naito would like a “new challenge.” That is to say, he’ll choose his own challengers.

The fans like the idea of Naito taking the initiative. Naito asks, “Who will I pick?” He looks at Takagi, and says the answer is, of course… TRANQUILO! Assen na yo! Now, to end this the right way. The fans cheer that! “For the first time here since September of 2016, are you all ready?” The fans cheer that they are! Then the only right way to end this NJPW event in Kobe is of course…! “Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRRNABLEEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!!” Gold streamers fly out, and the path is set! Will the Uncontrollable Charisma be unstoppable as NJPW enters Autumn?

My Thoughts:

A great event for NJPW in Kobe, especially as a finale to the full Road to Destruction in Kobe series. If I had more time today, I would’ve gotten Goto VS Gabe and the Six Man with TMDK introducing a new member. In skimming, I saw Goto VS Gabe was great stuff, and great win for Goto. Oiwa joining TMDK is definitely a great surprise and a great way to bring him back into NJPW. Great NEVER Openweight Six Man match, but I figured The House of Torture would lose again, but great return of ELP with the new bleach blonde haircut to help Tanahashi’s team retain. Main Unit grows stronger with “Guerrillas of Destiny” folding into them, and I’m sure we’ll get quite a bit more of ELP battling The House from this.

Great stuff from Douki VS Kanemaru, it had balanced action and storytelling. Kanemaru knew Douki’s offense well, and he really went after a leg in an attempt to thwart it all, but Douki grits it out for a great win. I was hoping for a different contender to step up to Douki but I suppose he and Sho have unfinished business. Plus, Douki’s reign seems to be about getting wins over the biggest names in the Junior Heavyweight Division these past few years, and even as a cheating Heel, Sho has made an impact. Here’s hoping after Sho, Douki can defend this title against guys like Clark Connors, Francesco Akira, and other names from this past BOSJ.

The NEVER Openweight Championship match of Takagi VS Henare might’ve been the actual best match of the card, because it was hard hitting and yet still had good story behind it given this was a long awaited rematch from an equally hard hitting match. I believe this match got the fans the most excited all night, as well, and that’s what the aim should be. Takagi winning was rather surprising, though, but it does feed the larger LIJ story. Finlay VS Hashi for the Global Championship was still great stuff, though, and did get fans fired up, too. Hashi felt so close to winning, but this was only Finlay’s second defense since getting this belt back, so he wasn’t going to lose it yet. Not sure Goto takes the title off him, either, but that’ll be a great match.

And the main event was great stuff, very technical for the majority of it, like Khan was sending a message to ZSJ that he could match him in that style. However, it was maybe a little too technical, too cerebral, as the fans could only get so fired up for it. But them turning up the energy as it reached 30 minutes was a good touch, and a great win for Naito. Great closing promo with ZSJ confronting Naito, but then Takagi confronting them both, and then Oiwa confronting Takagi. The King of Pro-Wrestling event is going to be awesome, and while I don’t see Oiwa winning over Takagi, I could see ZSJ taking that title from Naito. As I said before, ZSJ bringing the world title home for Royal Quest IV just works, and what a place for him to have his first defense.

My Score: 9/10