Can the Prince slay the Rampaging Dragon?

Callum Newman won the New Japan Cup, won THE IWGP Heavyweight Championship, but can he survive his first title defense against Shingo Takagi?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Taisei Nakahara; Yasuda wins.
• NJPW World Television Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Chase Owens; Konosuke wins and retains the title.
• Ryusuke Taguchi & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Gedo & Daiki Nagai; Gedo & Daiki win.
• OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma; Oskar & Yuto win.
• 10 Man Tag: Hontai VS House of Torture; Hontai wins.
• Yuya Uemura & Taichi VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Yuya & Taichi win.
• 8 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; Unbound Company wins.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS El Desperado & Mistico; Despy & Mistico win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
• NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Bishamon & Bolten Oleg VS Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan & Henare; Ospreay, Khan & Henare win and become the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.
• IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Callum Newman VS Shingo Takagi; Callum wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW World Television Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Chase Owens w/ Yujiro Takahashi!

Although the Alpha is preparing for his match with Kazuchika Okada at AEW Double or Nothing, he must still fulfill his duties as a champion in NJPW! But will Konosuke still be the star of NJPW World? Or will the Lonestar Outlaw steal the spotlight?

But as Konosuke reaches ringside, Chase runs up! Konosuke avoids his wrecking ball dropkick to then fire forearms! They go back and forth but Konosuke ROCKS Chase! Konosuke stalks Chase around the way, ROCKS him again, and again! Chase KNEES low, then whips, but Konosuke stops short of the railing. Konosuke pops Chase up to SMACK off the railing, then DDTS him on the floor! The fans cheer as Konosuke then drags Chase up and puts him in the ring. The bell sounds and we’re on the clock! Konosuke brings Chase up, headlocks, but Chase endures the grind. Chase pulls hair to power up and out, but Konosuke drops down on the dropdown!

Konosuke has the headlock again, and he grinds Chase down. The fans rally as Chase fights up, and he KNEES low! Chase KNEES Konosuke again, then headlocks in return. Konosuke powers up and out, then hurdles, drops down, and DROPKICKS! The fans cheer as Konosuke then hits another headlock takeover. Chase pulls hair but the ref reprimands. Konosuke grinds the hold but Chase rolls to a cover, ONE! They stand up, and Chase pulls hair again to put Konosuke on the ropes. The ref counts, Chase lets go slowly, but he BOOTS the ropes to jam Konosuke up! Konosuke sputters as he slumps outside, and Chase WRECKS him with a dropkick!

The fans are torn as Chase goes out to bring Konosuke up. Chase scoops to then HOTSHOT Konosuke off the railing! Konosuke coughs and sputters again, but Chase SMACKS him off the apron. Chase drags Konosuke up to the apron now, and he cravats for a SNAPMARE DRIVER on the apron! The fans applaud while Chase puts Konosuke in the ring, then covers, TWO! The fans cheer more as Konosuke stays in this. Chase argues the count but the ref defends it was fair. Konosuke sits up but Chase runs in at the corner for a forearm smash! Then a short arm LARIAT! Cover, ONE!! Konosuke shows his grit but Chase just grins.

The fans rally up again as Chase paces around Konosuke. Chase drags Konosuke up, fireman’s carries, but Konosuke fights free. Konosuke ROCKS Chase, but Chase ROCKS Konosuke back! Konosuke ROCKS Chase again, but Chase fires back! They go back and forth until Chase CLAWS Konosuke’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Chase runs, into a BOOT! Konosuke whips, Chase reverses, but the TAKESHITA LINE finds him! The fans cheer while Chase goes to a corner. Konosuke runs in and JUMP KNEES! Then clinch and EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Chase toughs it out, but Konosuke stays calm.

Konosuke stand Chase up, but Chase fights the lift. Chase CLUBS away, then headlock punches! The ref reprimands, but Konosuke keeps Chase from running the ropes! Chase ROCKS Konosuke for it, then eggs him on. We pass five minutes as Konosuke ROCKS Chase! The fans rally up as Chase fires back! Konosuke staggers to ropes, but he comes back to ROCK Chase! Chase fires fast hands, but Konosuke fires boxing elbows! ROLLING- BACK ELBOW from Chase! Chase cravats but Konosuke powers out! Chase blocks a shot to C-TRIGGER! Then he avoids the boot to I HATE YOUR FACE KNEE! Cover, TWO! Konosuke stays in this but Chase stays on him.

Chase wrenches and hammerlocks, but Konosuke ducks High Noon to spin Chase for a BRAINBUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Konosuke roars as he rises, and then he gator rolls Chase into a suplex! Chase fights the rest, then bails out! Chase hobbles around the way but Konosuke pursues! HELLUVA KICK against the railing! Konosuke then brings Chase around to APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans rally as Chase crawls, but Konosuke drags him back outside, for another APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans cheer while Konosuke shoves Chase inside, but Yujiro gets a PIMP CANE CHEAP SHOT on Konosuke!

The fans boo Tokyo Pimp as he puts Konosuke in, the ref none the wiser! Konosuke drags himself up at the ropes, but Chase runs up for C-TRIGGER! Then he wrenches, hammerlocks, and HIGH NOON LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! The fans cheer as Konosuke survives! Chase is frustrated but he drags Konosuke up and tucks him in! But Konosuke wrenches free, slips around, only for Chase to grab the ref! Konosuke can’t suplex them both, and Chase sends Konosuke into the ref! The fans boo but now Yujiro storms in so he can stomp away on Konosuke! Yujiro then sets Konosuke up for Chase, but SHOTA UMINO is here!

Shota DECKS Chase, then ROCKS and ROLLING ELBOWS Yujiro! The fans cheer as The Roughneck has evened things up for The Alpha! Shota even cheers Konosuke on, only for the rest of the House to attack! Sho, Kanemaru, Ren, and Dick all stomp Shota, but Konosuke hurries to shield his ally! And then HONTAI rushes out here! Wolf, Yano, Yoh, Wato & Tiger Mask all go after The House! They’ve all got their match later tonight, so this ends up a rather interesting warm-up! The fans cheer as Hontai drags The House out of the ring, and even gets Don Fale, to then gather them all at the ramp side!

The fans cheer Konosuke as he builds speed, and Konosuke FLIES! Air Alpha brings down The House! The fans cheer again as Konosuke gets Chase in the ring while Hontai takes the rest of the House to the back! And we’ve finally hit ten minutes! Konosuke checks on the ref, and then deadlifts him into the ring. The fans cheer, but Chase is up to something! Konosuke ducks the punch, BLUE THUNDER- SPUR KNUCKLE PUNCH!!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but Chase hides the evidence quickly. Chase vows to end it now, and he drags Konosuke back up. C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK! Then he brings Konosuke around to tuck him in!

Chase lifts for LAST TES- NO, Konosuke fights the lift, BACKDROPS, but Chase sunset flips! Konosuke rolls through, WAGAMAMA KNEE!! Konosuke then aims from a corner, WAGAMAMA KNEE AGAIN!! Konosuke then hauls Chase up for RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Konosuke wins!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still NJPW World Television Champion)

The House of Torture tried and failed to cheat this one away, this is still The Alpha Show! But wait, the lights go down! A video on the tron shows that same mysterious man in suit and mask from last time. He walks into the backstage area of this very arena, but who is it? Where are they going? What do they want? Wait, now they’re IN THE RING! And they CLOBBER Konosuke with some big satchel! WHO IS THIS?! They take off the mask, and IT’S SANADA! The Cold-Blooded Snake is STILL in NJPW! And he drags Konosuke right up for the DEADFALL!! Sanada leaves with a word, but his intent is now clear. Will he make himself the star of NJPW World?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS El Desperado & Mistico!

The Ichiban Sweet Boys only just took these titles back, but they’re already putting them back on the line! Will the Sniper of the Skies & Japanese Young Punk outdraw The Rogue Luchador & The Talisman? Or will these titles soon go internacional?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which team is truly mighty!

The teams sort out, and Despy starts against Fujita. The bell rings, and the fans cheer as the two go forehead to forehead. They both talk some trash, Despy slaps Fujita around, but Fujita shoves Despy. Fujita eggs Despy on, Despy fires the fans up, then he CHOPS! Fujita snarls and fires the fans up, then CHOPS in return! The CHOPS go back and forth, faster and faster, harder and harder! The fans cheer as they CHOP and CHOP and CHOP, but then Despy says stop! Despy ROCKS Fujita, CHOPS him again and again, then eggs him on! Fujita swings, but Despy ducks to headlock. Fujita powers out but Despy reverses!

Despy drops down, then hurdles, but into Fujita’s DROPKICK! The fans cheer as Fujita says he’s smarter than that. Fujita drags Despy over but Despy gets away before the tag. The fans rally as Despy drops back to an open corner. Eagles says Despy can go on and tag Mistico, that’s who Eagles wants to face. Despy dry heaves as he tries to catch his breath, then tags in Mistico. The fans cheer as Mistico steps to Eagles, and Eagles pie faces him. Mistico CHOPS, Eagles CHOPS, and now they CHOP back and forth! The fans rally as they’re already fast ‘n’ furious! Mistico says look! Then he SOBATS! And front kicks!

Mistico whips but Eagles reverses to go up and around for the arm-drag! The fans cheer as things keep moving, and Eagles hurdles to then RANA! Mistico tumbles but rises up, only for Eagles to WHEEL KICK! The fans cheer while Eagles walks over to Mistico. Eagles kicks Mistico in the back, then stands him up to CHOP! Mistico wrenches and whips but Mistico grabs the ropes. Eagles kicks Mistico’s leg, then whips, but Mistico still blocks. Eagles KICKS the leg, then whips, but Mistico handsprings! Eagles dodges but Mistico comes back to springboard RANA! The fans cheer as Mistico then blocks a chop to CHOP!

Mistico knuckle locks, then goes up, up, steadies himself, and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! The fans cheer while Eagles tumbles, and Mistico tags Despy back in. Mistico kicks Eagles before he and Despy double whip for DOUBLE ELBWOS! Then they roll Eagles to whip again, DOUBLE BOOTS! They shake hands and DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! Fujita runs up, but into a mule kick and HAYMAKER! The luchadores double whip Fujita corner to corner, then Mistico sends Despy in. Fujita dodges to RANA Mistico! Despy kicks low, runs, but Fujita trips him! Eagles KICKS, Fujita SENTONS, then Eagles basement DROPKICKS!

Mistico is back but the Sweet Boys DOUBLE ELBOW, then split the wishbone! The fans cheer while Eagles goes to Despy. Eagles stands Despy up, puts him in the corner, then both Sweet Boys dig their boots in. The ref counts, the Sweet Boys stop, and Eagles tags Fujita. The fans rally as Fujita wrenches and whips Despy to the open corner, and CHOPS! Despy is stinging as Fujita snapmares then runs, PENALTY KICK! Cover, ONE! Despy is tougher than that but Fujita tags Eagles back in. Eagles ELBOW DROPS on the knee, then pulls on the leg for a toehold! Despy endures, claws at Eagles, then crawls back to the ROPEBREAK!

Eagles lets go, but he traps the leg for a TWIST! Fujita tags in, he brings Despy around to CLUB him on the back. The fans rally as Fujita suplexes Despy up and over! Cover, TWO! Despy is still tougher than that but Fujita stays cool. Fujita stomps Despy, brings him up, and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Eagles but Despy ELBOWS Fujita down while Eagles BLASTS Mistico! Despy fires off forearms on Eagles but Eagles DROPKICKS the legs out! The fans rally as Eagles then winds up and KICKS Despy! And KICKS! And KICKS! Despy eggs Eagles on, so Eagles runs the ropes, only for Despy to block the kick!

Eagles fires forearms and UPPERCUTS, then avoids a boot to KNEE low. Eagles whips but Despy reverses for a BIG back suplex! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Despy crawls his way over to hot tag Mistico! Mistico springboards to CROSSBODY! Fujita kicks Mistico, the Sweet Boys double whip, but Mistico ducks their double elbow to springboard and DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! Mistico keeps going, and he handsprings through the double hip toss to DOUBLE ARM-DRAG! Then Mistico runs up, slips around, and shoves Fujita into Eagles! Mistico 619s Eagles down! Then he springboards to FLYING ARM-DRAG Fujita!

The fans cheer as Mistico keeps going, and he FLIP RANAS Eagles! Eagles tumbles while the fans rally behind Mistico. Mistico runs up, but Eagles sidesteps, only for Mistico to springboard and CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Mistico hurries to LA MAGISTROL! TWO, and Eagles has to check. The fans rally again as Mistico hurries after Eagles. Mistico hushes the fans, and winds up to GAMANGIRI! Eagles wobbles, but Mistico puts him up top. Mistico rallies the fans again before running corner to corner. Mistico goes up, up, but Eagles fires body shots! Mistico falls and Eagles WARP- NO, Mistico dodges!

Mistico runs, tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! But Eagles rolls it into a ghost pin! TWO, and Eagles rolls, schoolboy bridge! TWO and the fans cheer again! Eagles SOBATS, BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and both men are down again! Eagles crawls his way over, hot tag to Fujita! Fujita runs up on Mistico, and he CHOPS! Then he snapmares Mistico to go up and out! The fans rally as Fujita springboards, MISSILE DROPKICK! Direct hit and Fujita covers, TWO! Mistico survives and the fans fire up, but Fujita vows to end this now. Fujita brings Mistico up, suplexes, but Mistico slips free. Mistico spins Fujita but Fujita ROCKS Mistico! Fujita runs, but Mistico SUPERKICKS him down!

The fans rally as both men crawl. Mistico hot tags Despy! Despy RUNS Fujita over, then scoops to SLAM! Despy hurries to suplex for the BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fujita stays in this but Despy stays on him. The fans rally up as Despy gut wrenches, GUITARRA- NO, Fujtia slips free! Despy REAR HEADBUTTS, but runs into a drop toehold! Fujita ties up the legs, NEMOS SPECIAL! Despy reaches out, but Fujita grabs his arms! The fans rally as Despy resists, powers up, and makes the ROPEBREAK! Fujita lets go in frustration but he hurries to waistlock. Deadlift- NO, Despy fights the German Suplex and reaches fo rropes!

Fujita drags Despy back, but Despy ELBOWS free! Fujita CHOPS! Fujita runs, but Despy SPINEBUSTERS! And then high stack, TWO! STRETCH MUFFLER! Fujita scrambles, Mistico runs in and intercepts Eagles! MISTI- NO, Eagles turns it into an ASAI DDT! Eagles then SUPERKICKS Despy down! The fans rally up as Eagles stands Despy up. Despy BODY BLOWS and HAYMAKERS! Despy whips, Eagles reverses, but Despy grabs ropes. Despy DUMPS Eagles out, then builds speed! But Eagles GAMANGIRIS first! Fujita goes up, up, and SUPER CANNONBALLS! Down goes Despy and the fans fire up!

But Mistico builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit into Fujita at the ramp! Mistico helps Despy stand, but Eagles DIVES! The fans fire up as Eagles wipes the luchadores out at the ramp! Eagles & Fujita get Despy in the ring, then they rally the fans. Fujita feeds Despy to the scoop, SWEET BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives and the fans fire up again! Fujita vows to end this now, and the Sweet Boys drag Despy up again. The fans rally as the Sweet Boys double torture rack, but Despy fights it! Despy flips through, SHOVES Eagles into Fujita, then Mistico runs up! He gets the boost for the DOUBLE SHOTGUN!

The Sweet Boys bail out, Mistico DIVES to take Eagles out again! Despy DIVES onto Fujita and they both crash into railing!! The fans fire up again as all four men are down around ringside! A ring count starts as the four men stir. We pass 5 of 20, then 10, but no one has even sat up! We hit 15 and the fans rally even harder! Despy stands, roars, and he puts Fujita in at 18! Despy hurries to then gut wrench and GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives but Despy wags his finger. The fans rally up again as Despy brings Fujita up. Despy drags Fujita up, underhooks, but Fujita wrenches out. Fujita CHOPS, but Despy KNEES low!

Despy whips Fujita, Fujita reverses, and GAMANGIRI! Both men are down again as the fans continue to rally! Fujita roars, and he vows to finally end it. Fujita drags Despy up, brings him around, and suplexes, only for Despy to fight it! Despy RAMS Fujita to a corner, then ROCKS him! Despy hoists Fujita up top, then goes up to join him! The fans rally as Despy goes for the very top, but Fujita bends his fingers. Fujita HEADBUTTS Despy down, but Mistico runs up to GAMANGIRI! And GAMANGIRI! And GAMANGIRI again! The fans fire up as Mistico now climbs the corner. Mistico clinches Fujita as they go to the very top, SUPER SPANISH FLY!

The fans fire up again as Eagles springboards in! Mistico dodges, but Eagles comes back, DESTROYER! Despy runs up, Eagles dodges to ROUNDHOUSE, SUPERKICK, and PELE! But Despy rebounds to SPEAR! All four men are down in the ring now as the fans fire back up! Eagles and Mistico bail out while Despy and Fujita go to corners. Despy roars, runs in, and LARIATS Then he underhooks, PINCH- NO, Fujita fights the lift, then powers out to have the wristlocks. Fujita HEADBUTTS Despy! Fujita then roars as he brings Despy up, for another HEADBUTT! Fujita stands Despy up again, but Despy breaks free to ROCK Fujita!

The fans rally up as Fujita CHOPS! Despy swings, but into a takedown! FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Despy fights around, but Fujita shifts to a MOUNTED ARMBAR! Eagles intercepts Mistico, kicks away on the leg, but Mistico KICKS free! Both men run up, Eagles blocks a kick, but Mistico fights free of the backpack! Mistico runs, LA MYSTICA!! Despy powers through the armbar to then get the leg! GROUND DRAGON SCREW, into the STRETCH MUFFLER! NUMERO DOS!! Fujita flails, Eagles flails, NUMERO DOS PLUS!!! FUJITA TAPS, DESPY & MISTICO WIN!!!

Winners: El Desperado & Mistico, by submission (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

Just as The Ichiban Sweet Boys were on top of the world, they come crashing back down! Is this an ill omen on how the Best of the Super Juniors will go for Eagles and Fujita? As for Mistico, he is not just a triple champion but a QUADRUPLE CHAMPION! CMLL World Light Heavyweight, CMLL World Trios, PWR Heavyweight and now IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion! Will he and Despy dominate the 2026 BOSJ and beyond?

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Bishamon & Boltin Oleg VS Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan & Henare!

Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi may have failed to take the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, and the big man from Kazakhstan may have failed to take the NEVER Openweight Championship, they still stand together as trios champions. But will these titles still belong to Bishamon & BARS? Or will Ospreay lead the Dominator & Mauler to victory for the United Empire?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who NEVER gives up!

The trios sort out and Henare insists he start. Henare wants Oleg, but Hashi insists he start, and the fans applaud. The bell rings, the fans rally, and Hashi and Henare circle. Khan distracts Hashi, Henare CLOBBERS Hashi for it, then Henare BLASTS the Hontai corner. Henare stomps Hashi, drags him up, and ROCKS him! Henare whips, Hashi BOOTS back, and Goto joins in! They RUN Henare over, then ZANMAI! Oleg runs, but Khan trips him up! Ospreay BOOTS Goto, Henare CLUBS Hashi, and The Empire tags things outside. Ospreay SMACKS Goto off apron, Henare sends Hashi into railing, and Khan drags Oleg around to SLAM his bad arm off the timekeeper’s table!

The fans rally as Henare CLUBS Hashi and puts him in the ring. Khan drags Oleg around by his bad arm while Henare stomps Hashi. Khan whips Oleg hard into railing! Henare bumps Hashi off Ospreay’s boot, then tags Ospreay in. The fans cheer as Ospreay CHOPS Hashi down! Ospreay drags Hashi up, scoops, and SPIN-OUT BACKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO! Ospreay drags Hashi back up, but Hashi fires body shots! Hashi CHOPS, Ospreay CHOPS, then Ospreay whips, but Hashi hits the BLOCKBUSTER! Ospreay scrambles to tag Henare, and Henare BOOTS Goto down. Then Henare CLOBBERS Hashi!

Henare drags Hashi up, fires forearms, then ROCKS him again. Henare fires off in the corner but Hashi fires forearms and CHOPS in return! Henare CHOPS Hashi down! The fans cheer while Henare roars. Henare then sets up, but Hashi avoids the senton! Henare hobbles but he stomps Hashi down. Henare whips, Hashi DROPKICKS the legs! The fans rally while both men are down. Henare and Hashi crawl, hot tag to Oleg! The fans fire up as Oleg and Henare RAM! And RAM! They both fire up, they both run, and they RAM shoulders again! Henare then ROCKS Oleg, runs, but into a scoop! Oleg Shake, Shake, Shake, and THROW!

Oleg kips up and the fans fire up! Oleg BLASTS Khan off the apron, DECKS Ospreay, then goes back to Henare for the VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Henare toughs it out but Oleg drags Henare up. Oleg torture racks, but Henare CHOKES him! The ref counts, but Oleg breaks free! Henare KICKS, and KICKS, then snapmares to KICK Oleg in the back! Then Henare KICKS Oleg in the chest! Henare runs, RUGBY KICK and SENTON! Cover, TWO! Oleg survives and the fans cheer. Henare BLASTS Goto for good measure before he goes back to Oleg. Henare HEADBUTTS, whips, but Oleg stops himself! Oleg BOOTS Henare, then fireman’s carries!

Henare fights free again, then CHOPS! Oleg CHOPS back! Henare CHOPS, Oleg CHOPS, repeat! The fans fire up as both men snarl, and Henare CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Oleg CHOPS again! And again! And again! Henare is stinging and he drops to a knee! The fans rally as Oleg storms up, but Henare fires fast hands! BODY BLOW! Henare then runs up to LARIAT in the open corner! Henare runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Oleg dodges, comes back, but Henare LARIATS him down! But wait, Oleg’s right up! And he LARIATS Henare! Henare’s right up, and dodges to then BERSERKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as both big behemoths are down! Hot tag to Ospreay, and he PIP PIP CHEERIOS! Then an ELBOW for Goto! Hashi runs up, Ospreay dodges to put Hashi outside, ROLLING ELBOW! The fans fire up with Ospreay and he PLANCHAS to knock Hashi and Oleg down! The fans cheer as the Aerial Assassin still knows how to fly. Ospreay puts Oleg in, brings him around, ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! Oleg is tougher than that but Ospreay calls his shot. Ospreay aims from the corner, runs up, but Oleg pops him up! Fireman’s carry, VER- NO, Ospreay lands out! PENALTY KICK! STANDING MOONSAULT, but onto knees!

Oleg whips but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up and Ospreay aims again, HIDDEN- NO, Oleg catches Ospreay and THROWS him! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oleg and Ospreay crawl, hot tag to Goto! The Fierce Warrior LARIATS Ospreay, whips corner to corner, then runs up to MURAMASA! And SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives but Goto hauls him up for a fireman’s carry. Ospreay fights free but Goto ROCKS him! Goto whips, Ospreay reverses, but Goto puts Ospreay on the apron. Ospreay ROCKS Goto, goes up, and BLINDSIDE CHEERIOS! Then he lifts Goto to LIGER BOMB! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Ospreay checks his neck, then brings Goto up. Ospreay underhooks but Goto fights the lift! Ospreay CHOPS Goto, but Goto snarls. Goto ROCKS Ospreay, Ospreay CHOPS again, and repeat! Forearm for CHOP, but then Ospreay fires Kawada Kicks! And a CHOP blocked! Goto ROCKS, whips, but Ospreay handsprings! Goto catches Ospreay to GERMAN SUPELX! Ospreay lands out, but ends up in URA GTR! Goto runs, but Ospreay blows past him! Ospreay avoids Goto, and Henare hits the RAMPAGE! STANDING SKY TWISTER! Cover, HASHI BREAKS IT! The fans fire up but Henare whips Hashi to a corner.

Khan LARAITS, Henare & Ospreay LARIAT ENZIGIRI COMBO! Then they feed Hashi to Khan’s BOOT! Henare LARIATS Goto, fireman’s carries, SAMOAN DROP! Ospreay springboards, 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Goto survives and the fans fire up again! Ospreay stays focused as the fans rally up, and Ospreay calls his shot! Ospreay springboards, OSCUTT- NO! Goto blocks, spins, but Ospreay avoids the lariat to HOOK KICK! Another try, but Oleg catches Ospreay to SNAP KAMIKAZE! But then Henare drags Oleg out and sends him into railing! And then more railing! And then- NO, Oleg turns things around, and now Henare hits railing!

The fans fire up as Oleg runs up, but Henare dodges! Henare KNEES Oleg up and over the railing! Both men are down in front of the fans while Goto and Ospreay rise up. Goto roars, runs up, and LARIATS! The fans fire up as Goto pushes Ospreay down. Goto climbs up, takes aim, but Ospreay GAMANGIRIS! Ospreay goes up, but Goto fires body shots! Goto ROCKS Ospreay, Ospreay ROCKS Goto, and repeat! Ospreay fires more forearms, but Goto HEADBUTTS! Goto then climbs up onto Ospreay for a SUPER KAI TEN!! Cover, TWO?!? Ospreay survives that super sunset bomb and the fans are thunderous!

Goto and Ospreay stir, then crawl, hot tags to Khan and Hashi! Hashi SHOTGUNS Khan to the corner! Hashi runs up to CHOP and DDT! Cover, TWO! Hashi brings Khan around to the drop zone and the fans fire up! Hashi climbs up but Khan scrambles to the far side. Hashi hops down, and Khan eggs him on, so Hashi goes outside. But Khan kicks and whips Hashi into railing! Khan then snap suplexes Hashi to the floor! Khan grins as he clearly suckered Hashi in. Khan drags Hashi up, puts him in, and calls to Henare. Henare joins Khan and they bring Hashi up. But Hashi fires forearms on them! And CHOSP! But then Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW!

Khan chicken wings Hashi for Henare’s BODY BLOW! Then the ASSISTED POWERBOMB! Double cover, TWO!! Hashi survives but the Monster Rage is boiling over! Henare fireman’s carries, Khan runs, but Hashi slips free! Hashi SHOVES Henare at Khan, then LARIATS Khan! Henare ELBOWS and whips Hashi, but Hashi LARIATS through! Ospreay returns but Hashi dodges, only for Ospreay to slip through the lariat! But Hashi slips free of the bomb to LARIAT after all! The fans are thunderous as Hashi has soloed the Empire! The fans rally up as Hashi crawls, and he roars as he rises again! Hashi brings Khan up and Goto joins in.

Bishamon double whips Khan corner to corner, then LARIAT and CHOP! Hashi sends Khan to Goto but Khan Mongolian Chops! Hashi mule kicks, Goto clinches, GOTO GO TO HUNTER! The fans fire up as Bishamon brings Khan up again! Dragon sleeper, leg lift, but Khan BOOTS free! Goto snap suplexes Khan, but Ospreay fires off on Goto! Ospreay runs, but into HIDDEN GAP! Henare ROCKS and CHOPS away on Bishamon, then runs, into HIDDEN BOLTIN!! The fans are thunderous again as Oleg waits on Bishamon. Bishamon hauls Khan up, has him in place, and Oleg RAMS Khan into the corner!

Oleg sets Khan back up, then DECKS Ospreay! Goto LARIATS, Hashi LARIATS, and now Goto climbs! Hashi hoists Khan up, DANGEROUS LIBRA!! Cover, HENARE CLOBBERS GOTO ONTO IT! The fans cheer as everyone is down around ringside! Goto drags Henare up, but he has a guzel! Guzel on Hashi, too, but Oleg CHOPS Henare! Henare holds onto Bishamon! So Oleg SHOTGUNS Henare! That alone is impressive! Bishamon regroups and they drag Khan up. They set Khan up in the dragon sleeper and leg lift, Oleg runs, but Henare is a step for Ospreay to leap from! HIDDEN BLADE ON OLEG!!

Henare DECKS Hashi, Khan IRON CLAWS Goto! Ospreay SUPERKICKS, then he TOSSES Goto! Ospreay goes up, up, and LEAP OF FAITH onto Goto & Oleg!! Henare waits on Hashi, for the RAMP- DDT!! Hashi turns things around on Henare and the fans are thunderous! Hsahi roars as he gets back up, and he drags Khan to his feet! But Khan BITES Hashi’s arm! The ref counts, but then Khan IRON CLAWS Hashi’s face! Hashi endures the iron grip, but Khan is pushing him down to the mat! Khan DRIBBLES Hashi’s head like a basketball! Hashi fades but is somehow still in this, so Khan hauls him up! ELIMIN- CODE BREAKER!! Cradle cover, TWO!!

The fans are thunderous again as Khan survives! Hashi hurries to his feet, but Osperay and Goto are brawling outside! Ospreay and Henare leave Goto and Oleg on the outside while Hashi aims, SUPERKICK blocked! Khan KICKS the leg, then BLINDSIDE BOOTS! The fans rally but Khan laughs maniacally! Khan calls to Henare & Ospreay. Ospreay climbs, Henare HEADBUTTS, and then Henare hauls Hashi up! Ospreay aims, HIDDEN BLADE ELIMINATOR BOMB!!! Cover, EMPIRE WINS!!

Winners: Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan & Henare, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

What an insanely overpowered combo move to finish Hashi! But in the end, the power of the Empire’s founding members shines even brighter now that they hold gold together! Khan grabs the mic to say, “Bow down, you peasants! We beat ‘Bishamontin,’ we have dominated the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions. So next… We shall conquer K O B and the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. And if they want to see us directly, we will forgive them if they dare step in front of us.” In other words, Khan is daring Oskar & Yuto-Ice to appear. And after a moment, they indeed appear!

The Knockout Brothers swagger down to the ramp and into the ring, and they stare down Khan & Henare. Henare has the mic to tell Ice that Henare doesn’t care what anyone says! Those tag titles are theirs, now bring them your mana! Yuto laughs at that and tells Henare that if he wants the mana, Yuto will bring him that wrestling high! They can make some money together! Yuto tells the fans that if they wanna get that wrestling high, then you’ll wanna see Yuto fight Henare! They ARE KOB, and they wanna fight the strongest bastards there are! And that seems to be these two here. Go ahead, challenge them! Because everyone here will put their money down to see it!

You don’t have to think, just feel! Let’s Get High! TCH TCH, Big Up! The champions have spoken, and they’re ready to face fellow champions to prove they’re the best! But will Oskar & Ice make sure to knock out Khan & Henare? Or will the Empire continue to conquer the world?

IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Callum Newman VS Shingo Takagi!

From youngest man to win the New Japan Cup to youngest man to win this title, The Prince has proven himself as a powerful wrestler. But to prove himself as truly worthy of this title, he must make it through his first defense. A former heavyweight champion in his own right, the Rampaging Dragon has fought his way back to this moment. But will Takagi once again stand atop the mountain? Or will he suffer the Prince’s Curse?

President Hiroshi Tanahashi is here to make the formal introductions and raise the belt. And now, at the end of Wrestling Dontaku, we see whose heroic journey triumphs over the other’s!

The bell rings and the fans fire up for “TA-KA-GI!” already. Callum stays back, and has a smug grin as he does. Callum wants Takagi to stay back, and Red Shoes has him wait. Callum steps outside, which annoys Takagi. Takagi dares Callum to get in already. Callum taunts Takagi by stepping in, then out, then flipping off the fans. The fans boo, but Callum finally steps inside. Takagi runs up, Callum dodges and fires off forearms! Callum eggs Takagi on so Takagi fires off forearms! Takagi JABS, whips, but Callum reverses. Callum runs up but Takagi puts him on the apron. Callum RAMS into Takagi, then slingshots up and over.

Callum runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then BOOTS, but Takagi rebounds to RUN Callum over! Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! Takagi rebounds, but Callum avoids the sliding lariat! Takagi ducks the haymaker, but Callum fights the waistlock. Takagi blocks the elbow, and a kick, but Callum ducks a lariat to then springboard, OSC- NO, Takagi denies Callum the cutter! The fans cheer the standoff as the two reset. Takagi and Callum circle, feel things out, but Callum backs off to a corner again. Takagi waits, but Callum just goes back to the corner. Callum and Takagi finally tie up, and Takagi powers Callum to the ropes. Callum protests, Red Shoes counts, and Takagi says clean break.

But then Callum pulls hair! Callum body shots, whips, and- NO, Takagi avoids the kick to RAM Callum! Takagi then blocks the boot to DRAGON SCREW! Callum tumbles out of the ring while the fans cheer. Takagi eggs Callum on while Callum clutches the knee. Callum shakes out the leg, hobbles around, then rolls in, just to roll back out. Takagi is annoyed again but Callum walks off the leg pain. The ring count starts and the fans rally for Takagi. Callum talks with Jake Lee on commentary. Callum says he has 20, so he’s gonna take his time. Callum hears 13 and rolls back in, just to roll back out. But Takagi pursues!

Takagi CLUBS Callum, POSTS him, then CHOPS him! Callum goes to the ramp but Takagi brings him back around. Takagi puts Callum in, but Callum gets moving, only for Takagi to CLOBBER him! The fans cheer as Callum goes spiraling through the air! Takagi fires up, too, then drags Callum up. Takagi suplexes high and hard, and the fans applaud as he covers, TWO! Callum is tougher than that but Takagi clamps on with a chinlock. Callum endures as Takagi squeezes tight. Takagi grinds Callum down to the mat but Callum fights around, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Takagi lets go, then Takagi KICKS Callum in the back!

Takagi KNEES Callum, then brings him up. Callum fights the back suplex with elbows but Takagi body blows in return. Takagi shoves Callum to then ELBOW, JAB, and- NO, Callum trips Takagi up, for the SLIDING KNEE! Callum gets Takagi in the side and Takagi rolls his way to the apron. The fans rally but Callum pursues. Callum kicks Takagi to the floor, then brings him up for an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Takagi writhes, Jake Lee certainly applauds, and Callum mocks Takagi’s pain. Callum stands Takagi up to whip him hard into the railing, then brings him around to whip him into more railing! Then they go out into the crowd!

The fans have to hurry out of the way as Callum pries the railing apart. Callum fires forearms, then he KNEES Takagi into taking a seat. Callum then gets space, and he runs up on Takagi for a DROPKICK through the chairs! The fans cheer that double-edged attack, but Callum manages to stand up from the pile of chairs. Callum then makes another section of fans clear out, just so Callum can sit next to Takagi’s new bride, Natsumi Maki, aka Natsupoi! The fans boo Callum trying to be friendly with her, but then Takagi DECKS Callum anyway! The fans cheer Takagi defending his wife’s honor, then he whips Callum into railing!

The fans rally behind Takagi as he storms over to Callum. Takagi drags Callum up and into the ring, and the fans cheer as Takagi storms up on him again. Takagi CHOPS, Callum CHOPS, and repeat! Callum scowls as he’s stinging from that last one, but he winds up to CHOP again! Takagi JABS, JABS, then swings, but Callum catches the arm! Callum hooks the arm, and he stomps Takagi in the ribs! Callum digs his heel in, then fires punches into it! Red Shoes reprimands, but Callum mocks Takagi with Takagi’s own prayer pose. Callum drags Takagi up, CLUBS him, then snapmares to KICK! Takagi snarls but Callum KICKS him again! Cocky cover, TWO!

Callum mockingly applauds Takagi while he stalks him. Callum stands Takagi up to fire knees. Callum mocks LIJ even, but Takagi fires knees in return! Callum fires a KNEE and Takagi goes to a corner. Takagi snarls and the fans fire up, but Callum kicks and snapmares. Callum runs, but Takagi blocks the kick! Callum CLAWS Takagi’s face, whips him to ropes, but Takagi reverses to then HIP TOSS! The fans fire up for Takagi again while he catches his breath. Callum goes to a corner, Takagi runs up, but Callum dodges! Callum kicks low, puts Takagi up top, but Takagi kicks back! Then TORNADO DDT! The fans cheer while Callum tumbles away.

Takagi waits on Callum to stand, then he LARIATS Callum up and out! The fans fire up again, and Takagi goes out after Callum. But Callum RAMS Takagi into the apron, then rolls into the ring. The fans rally as Callum builds speed, and Callum FLIES! But Takagi rolls inside! Callum manages to land out of his tope, but then Takagi TOPES onto Callum! The fans fire up as the Rampaging Dragon can still fly! Takagi stands, Natsupoi cheers him on, and he gives a thumbs up. Takagi goes back to Callum as the ring count starts, and he puts Callum in at 6 of 20. Callum staggers to his feet, but Takagi RUNS him over! Takagi scoops, SLAMS, and SENTONS!

The fans applaud and rally as Takagi winds up. Takagi runs up, blocks a boot, and he LARIATS through! The fans cheer as Takagi JABS and CHOPS on repeat! Red Shoes counts as Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS, then throws hooks from all sides! Callum takes a swing but Takagi spins him through, SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer Takagi on as he starts up the catchphrase, but Takagi dodges Callum’s dropkick to ELBOW DROP! And now “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans cheer and join in with “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi then hoists Callum up top, climbs up to join him, but Callum fires body shots!

Callum HEADBUTTS Takagi, but Takagi ELBOWS in return! Takagi ROCKET LAUNCHES Callum from the corner! Takagi then clamps on for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! “OI! OI! OI!” SLIDING- NO, Callum dodges to BUZZSAW, HEEL KICK, then PUNT in the side! Both men are down while the fans rally up again. Takagi clutches his side as he goes to the ropes, but Callum is right on him. Callum pushes Takagi outside, brings him around, and RAMS him into railing! Callum has Abe-san and Tanahashi-kaichou clear out from the timekeeper’s area to then confiscate the table. But Takagi BODY BLOWS and KNEES first!

Takagi aims but Callum BODY BLOWS! Then BACK SUPLEX down through the table!! The fans boo Callum as Takagi is down in the wreckage. Red Shoes checks on Takagi while Callum leaves him behind. Takagi is able to continue, and the ring count starts. Takagi flounders at 3 of 20, rises up at 6, and hobbles his way to ringside by 10 of 20. Takagi needs a moment, but he fires back up as we hit 13. Takagi hears 15 and hobbles his way to the ring. But Callum is on him with FIREBOLT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Takagi as he survives, but Callum continues to taunt the fans. Callum even SPITS at them! The fans boo more but Callum soaks up the heat.

Callum brings Takagi up, and he pump handles, but Takagi fights free! Takagi catches Callum to underhook, but Callum wrenches through! Takagi RAMS Callum into a corner, then ELBOWS him! Takagi runs, blocks a boot but not the ENZIGIRI! Takagi ducks the heel kick to ROCK Callum! Callum comes back to fire a forearm, then he eggs Takagi on. Takagi ROCKS Callum again, but Callum comes back to fire another shot! The forearms go back and forth, and Callum wobbles! Takagi HEADBUTTS, Callum ROCKS, then runs! But Takagi follows to LARIAT at the ropes! And SAIDO! But Callum’s right up to GERMAN SUPLEX!

Takagi’s up, he clinches, HALF ‘N’ HALF! Callum roars, but then he flops over! The fans fire up as both men are down again! Takagi rolls to a corner, Callum goes to the opposite end, and the fans rally up again. Takagi headbutts the buckles to fire back up! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Callum BOOTS Takagi, eggs him on, so Takagi LARIATS! Callum staggers back but Takagi eggs him on. Callum BOOTS Takagi, so Takagi LARIATS! Callum stumbles to the ropes but Takagi waits on him. Callum storms up to wind up, but Takagi blocks the boot! BLINDSIDE LARIAT!

Takagi ELBOWS, Callum SOBATS, Takagi JABS, Callum HEEL KICKS! Callum feints the run to LARIAT! Takagi’s right up to LARIAT! The fans fire up as both men flop back down! Takagi rises with “OI! OI! OI!” and the fans join in! Takagi brings Callum up, pump handles, but Callum pulls hair! Takagi pulls hair in return! Red Shoes reprimands them both, so they both let go. But then they both grab hair again! Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON feint for the DDT! But Callum handsprings through to springboard! OSC- TAKAGI CUTTER! And then Takagi steals PRINCE’S CURSE!! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives and the fans fire up again!

Takagi roars as he rises again, and he brings Callum up to run, PUMPING- NO, Callum falls down! The fans boo but Takagi just covers anyway, ROPEBREAK! Callum’s long legs save him, but Takagi waits on Callum to get up. Callum sputters in a daze but he reaches out. The fans rally, Takagi brings Callum up, but Callum is a ragdoll! Takagi drops Callum to let Red Shoes check. Callum is still dazed, but then he SPITS at Takagi anyway! Takagi storms up but into a BODY SHOT! And OSCUTTER 2.0!! Cover, TWO!! Callum’s trickery didn’t finish this off, but he hobbles his way to a corner as the fans rally. Callum takes aim, runs up, but Takagi dodges Excalibur!

Callum collapses, shouting about his knee! It may have jammed from going too hard on the stops! Red Shoes backs Takagi off and Zane Jay checks Callum. Callum says his knee, but Takagi kicks at him. Callum hobbles but he falls over again. Takagi says call it then! The fans boo, but Callum YANKS Red Shoes out! This WAS a trick after all! Zane Jay runs up and CLOBBERS Takagi! Daiki Nagai storms in and SPINEBUSTERS Zane! But JAKE LEE leaves commentary to CLOBBER Daiki! Takagi CLUBS Jake’s leg, but the KITCHEN SINK KNEE finds him! The Silent Jester laughs, but YOTA TSUJI is here! BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER,and STOMP!

Callum SUPERKICKS Yota! Callum runs up, EXCALIBUR!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives but Callum hurries to clamp on! Callum steals MADE IN JAPAN!!! Cover, TWO!!! Callum hurries again, PRINCE’S CURSE!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Takagi survives again and the fans are thunderous!! Callum is annoyed, but he drags Takagi up. Takagi grabs at Callum, but Callum fireman’s carries. Takagi flails free, but he drops to the mat! The fans rally for Takagi but Callum sits back and waits. Takagi reaches out as the fans rally harder, but Callum scuffs him. Callum scuffs Takagi again, then fires forearms. Callum is almost toying with Takagi at this point.

Callum winds up to KICK, but that just pisses Takagi off! Takagi sits up, and he takes the KICKS! Callum KICKS again, then SPITS on Takagi! Callum KICKS, but Takagi rolls through to LARIAT! Takagi roars, but Callum SOBATS! Both men sit back down, and Callum unwraps his wrist tape. Callum shows off the crown tattoo, and he hobbles over to Takagi. Callum stands Takagi up, winds up, but Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS POINT-BLANK!! The fans are thunderous again as Takagi stands Callum up! Takagi pump handles, Callum slips free, and he SHOVES Takagi at Red Shoes! Takagi stops short, and he blocks the low blow!

Takagi ducks the roundhouse to pump handle and MADE IN JAPAN!! Takagi isn’t done, he pump handles again, MADE IN JAPAN AGAIN!! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives but Takagi just winds up! Takagi runs, PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi roars because he’s not done yet! Pump handle, torture rack, and BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, TWO!?! Callum survives again and Takagi can’t believe it! The fans rally as hard as they can as now even Ospreay is here to coach Callum on! Takagi rises first, he drags Callum up, and Takagi tells Ospreay to watch. Pump handle, torture rack, but Callum CLUBS away!

Takagi LARIATS! Callum staggers around but Takagi storms over to him. Takagi LARIATS again, and Callum rebounds off ropes. Callum slaps at Takagi, but he’s running on fumes at this point. Takagi fires boxing elbows, he has plenty of gas! But Callum ROCKS Takagi! Takagi JABS, then HEADBUTTS! The fans fire up for Takagi as he brings Callum up to DECK him! Takagi roars, the fans cheer, and Takagi drags Callum back around. Callum sputters but Ospreay coaches him up. Takagi brings Callum up to fireman’s carry, but Callum clings to the ropes! Takagi pries Callum free, but Callum grabs Red Shoes! LOW BLOW!! PRINCE’S CURSE!! Cover, TWO!!

Ospreay is conflicted. He wanted Callum to win, but not quite like that, so he’s relieved this is still going. Callum rises, as does Takagi, and the fans rally up again. Callum winds up, KISS THE CROWN!! Callum then brings Takagi up again, fireman’s carries, and he hits a GO TO SLEEP!! Callum watches Takagi rise up again, and he fireman’s carries for an F- NO, Takagi slips free to HEADBUTT and fire elbows! But Callum KNEES Takagi, then hops up! Takagi slips under, then Takagi hops up!? POISON-RANA!! Callum flounders to ropes, Takagi crawls to the other side! Callum and Takagi roar, PUMPING BOMBER TAKEDOWN!! Cover, TWO?!?!

Callum survives and everyone is shocked! This has passed 35 minutes, but Callum uses Red Shoes as a shield! LOW BLOW!!! And then MAKE WAY!!! Cover, CALLUM WINS!

Winner: Callum Newman, by pinfall (still IWGP Heavyweight Champion)

Yota protests as Callum again dirties up how he wins! Ospreay is still conflicted, but Zane says a win is a win. The rest of the United Empire makes their way out here to stand with their Prince, who still sits upon the throne. Is this going to be the last time Takagi gets a shot at this title? Or is there still hope with the G1 Climax this Summer?

As for Callum, he is handed the title by the Chairman of NUTS, and holds it up for the photo op. Callum then wants to add insult to injury, but Yota stands in his way. The Empire joins Callum in the ring, and Ospreay is the one calling they all stand down. But then Callum LOW BLOWS Yota and BELT SHOTS him down! The fans boo but then Jake sets Takagi up! But then Ospreay steps in! Ospreay says they won, that’s enough! Callum says okay, okay, he won’t do it. But Ospreay should! Ospreay says yeah, right, he’s not doing this BS. Is he with them or not? Yeah, but not like that! Oh, really? C’mon, “Death Rider Billy!”

Ospreay snarls, and he HIDDEN BLADES Takagi down! There, happy? The Empire applauds their former leader, then Callum gets the mic. “Daijobu?” Callum mockingly asks if they’re alright, and the fans boo. Callum then says hey, whether you like it or not, United Empire are the top dogs in this company now! And seeing as Unbound Company wants to ruin his moment ever single time, how about uh… Ignition to Dominion? In just two days’ time, they can settle it! Callum & Jake VS Yota & Takagi. And if the Empire wins, Yota & Takagi can NEVER challenge Callum for the title again. But if either of them pins Callum, then Dominion main event it is. Now F off!

Unbound Company exits, and Callum says the Empire is the best unit in Japan, in the world, and you will all make way for The Prince and Kiss The Crown! Callum leaves it at that, and the streamers fly for his victory. Callum with the top title, Andrade with the Global title, and the trio of Henare, Khan and a now reluctant Ospreay holding the NEVER Six Man titles, will nothing stop the United Empire from conquering the world? Or will this Empire fall apart from within?

My Thoughts:

A great second night of Wrestling Dontaku, with some rather surprising outcomes here and there. Konosuke was of course beating Chase in their match, but the surprise might be that Konosuke has Hontai as his allies here. I wonder if that will add to the dysfunction in Don Callis Family when you consider Andrade is United Empire, but then so is Ospreay, but then as Callum references, Ospreay is hanging out with The Death Riders, who they literally fought a few weeks ago. Meanwhile, I had not predicted Despy & Mistico winning those junior tag titles, and I was iffy on the Empire winning the NEVER titles, but those were great matches and great surprise wins.

Callum winning over Takagi wasn’t quite surprising, though Takagi looked awesome in this match. The fans all wanted Takagi, and they even got “Mrs. Takagi,” Natsupoi, in on the act, all to great effect. But Callum cheating to win helped protect Takagi in the loss while it helped build the dysfunction. I feel like the NEVER Six Man reign will be short given Ospreay can’t keep going back and forth between Japan and the States, but they are certainly going to give us Callum VS Ospreay so that Callum can truly establish himself as not just the leader of the Empire but as the best British/European/gaijin wrestler NJPW has today. We might even see more Empire VS Death Riders, but with a rather unique double turn where Death Riders are Face alongside Ospreay against an all Heel Empire.

My Score: 9.1/10

Is El Idolo ready for another round with the Gene Blast?

NJPW Wrestling Dontaku night one sees Yota Tsuji once again defend the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship against Andrade El Idolo!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato VS Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi & Taisei Nakahara; Yano, Yoh & Wato win.
• OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS Tomoaki Honma & Masatora Yasuda; Oskar & Yuto win.
• 8 Man Tag: Yuya Uemura, Taichi, El Desperado & Mistico VS TMDK; Yuya, Taichi, Desperado & Mistico win.
• Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan & Henare; Ospreay, Khan & Henare win.
• Konosuke Takeshita & Shota Umino VS Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi; Konosuke & Shota win.
• 10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; Unbound Company wins.
• Aaron Wolf VS Don Fale; Wolf wins.
• NEVER Openweight Championship: Ren Narita VS Boltin Oleg; Ren wins and retains the title.
• IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Andrade El Idolo; Andrade wins and becomes the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

NEVER Openweight Championship: Ren Narita VS Boltin Oleg!

The House of Torture stole this title from Aaron Wolf, but the big man from Kazakhstan is looking to free it again! Will the Souled Out Son of Strong Style be put behind BARS? Or will he find another way to stack the deck?

But of course, the House has to attack from behind! The fans boo as Ren CLUBS Oleg and Dick Togo uses the SPOILER CHOKER! But then Oleg BOOTS Ren away, hauls Dick up, but Ren kicks low! Ren CLAWS Oleg’s eyes, whips, but Oleg reverses to send Ren hard into to the railing! The fans cheer as Oleg puts Ren in the ring, and the ref rings the bell! This is on record now as Oleg RUNS Ren over! Oleg whips Ren to ropes, Ren reverses, but Oleg CLOBBERS Ren! The fans cheer as Ren tumbles out! Dick checks on Ren, as does the ref. Oleg storms out the side, then storms over, but Dick attacks again! Oleg isn’t even bothered!

Dick cowers and calls for the ref. The ref reprimands Dick for even getting close to Oleg. But this distraction lets Ren JAM Oleg with a chair! And SMACK him down! The fans boo more while Oleg writhes, but Ren stalks him around the way. Ren stands Oleg up, then whips Oleg hard into railing! Oleg writhes again, clutching his arm, but Ren stands him up to wrench and wristlock. Ren then brings Oleg out into the crowd, CLUBS away on the arm, then lines up a shot. Ren whips and BOWLS Oleg into chairs! STRIKE! The fans rally for Oleg while he’s down on the floor, but Ren leaves him behind to roll into the ring.

The ring count climbs while Ren catches his breath. Oleg rises at 6 of 20, hobbles his way over, and rolls in at 12. Ren is right on Oleg with a whip and NECKBREAKER DROP! Cover, TWO! Oleg survives but Ren drags him back up. Ren wrenches the arm and bends the fingers before hitting an ELBOW BREAKER! Ren wrenches for another ELBOW BREAKER! Oleg drops to his knees but Ren wrenches the arm again. Ren hammerlocks the arm and RAMS it into bare buckles! Dick helped pull off the House Special! Ren drags Oleg up, clamps onto the arm, but Oleg stays up. Ren puts Oleg in a corner but the ref counts. Ren lets go at 4, but snapmares Oleg into the corner.

Ren goes outside, he CLAWS Oleg’s face, then bends the bad arm against the crossbar! The fans boo and the ref counts, but Ren lets go at 4. Oleg clutches his elbow while Ren grins an evil grin. Ren stalks Oleg, stomps him around, then eggs him on. Oleg rises up but Ren kicks him. Oleg ROCKS Ren with the good arm! And ROCKS him again, and again, and again! Ren wrenches the bad arm to another ELBOW BREAKER! Ren wraps the bad arm around ropes, stops as the ref counts, but Dick HOTSHOTS the arm in the distraction! Ren hits as FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! The fans rally for Oleg as he fights around.

Oleg high stacks Ren, then deadlifts for a POWERBOMB! The fans cheer while both men are down! Oleg rises first and the fans rally behind him. Oleg drags Ren up, but Ren fights the gut wrench to have the bad arm! ELBOW BREAKER! Ren RAMS shoulders with Oleg, RAMS again, then whips, but Oleg reverses to BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up as Oleg rises again! Oleg drags Ren up with the gut wrench, for the Shake, Shake, Shake, and THROW! Oleg kips up, the fans fire up, and Oleg shakes out the bad arm. Oleg runs corner to corner but Ren dodges! Ren runs up, but Oleg scoops! And he THROWS Ren again!

Oleg runs, runs, and BOLTIN PRESS! Cover, TWO! Ren survives but the fans rally behind Oleg again. Oleg storms over to Ren, drags him up, and reels him in, only for Ren to fight the lift. Oleg CLUBS Ren, but Ren CHOKES Oleg! Oleg breaks free to CHOP Ren! Oleg winds up, but Ren uses the ref as a shield! Oleg stops short, helps Marty Asami duck, and then he CHOPS Ren after all! Ren complains to the ref, but blocks a kick! Ren hands it to the ref so he can hit an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! The fans rally for Oleg as he powers right out! Both men rise up, and Oleg runs at Ren, only for Ren to DUMP him out!

Ren kicks Oleg, grabs a chair, and he puts the chair around the arm! Dick distracts the ref while Ren- NO, Oleg blocks the Pillmanizing! Oleg ROCKS Ren, then CHAIR LARIATS! The fans fire up as the “Chairiat” takes Ren down! Oleg kicks the chair away, then drags Ren up. The fans cheer as Oleg puts Ren in the ring, then storms over to him. Oleg drags Ren up, gut wrenches again, for more Shake, Shake, Shake, and the DOCTOR- NO! Ren fights the bomb! Ren is free but he flounders to a corner. Oleg runs up to SPLASH! Then Oleg torture racks, but Ren CLAWS Oleg’s eyes! Ren whips Oleg into the ref!

Ren CLAWS Oleg’s face, then Yoshinobu Kanemaru appears! The fans boo as the Heel Master kicks Oleg down! Kanemaru uncorks his whiskey bottle to take a big swig! Kanemaru aims, but Oleg smothers the mist! Oleg fireman’s carries Kanemaru, but Dick runs in! Dick kicks Oleg but he doesn’t budge! Oleg then squeezes Kanemaru and the WHISKEY MIST hits Dick!! But Ren is up, only for Oleg to THROW Kanemaru onto him! The fans fire up for Oleg, and he calls to the ref before grabbing Ren’s legs. Oleg YANKS Ren right up, into the POWERBOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Ren survives the #BoltinBomb but the fans rally for Oleg!

Oleg grits his teeth, shakes out his bad arm, then torture racks Ren! Ren flails as Oleg bends him back! But now SHO is here! Sho distracts right as Ren TAPS! Oleg would’ve won! Oleg sees Sho, runs him off, but Sho eggs Oleg on. But then WOLF is here! The fans cheer as Aaron Wolf kicks Sho, then hauls him away! But then Ren kicks Oleg’s legs out, and has him in the GUILLOTINE! But Oleg powers up, powers out, and suplexes Ren! Ren slips free, kicks low and DOUBLE CROSSER! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives and Ren is beside himself! The fans cheer Oleg on as he and Ren stir. Ren crawls to ropes, drags himself up, and vows to end this!

Ren climbs the corner, takes aim from up high, for HELL’S- NO, Oleg catches Ren for a SNAP KAMIKAZE!! But the bad arm holds him back! Oleg can’t make the cover as he clutches the shoulder in pain! The fans rally even harder as Oleg rises again. Oleg roars, drags Ren up, and fireman’s carries! VERDICT!! Ren flounders but Oleg makes the cover this time, ROPEBREAK!! Ren survives by fingertips, and Oleg is frustrated with his miscalculation. Oleg roars again, he brings Ren back up, and the fans cheer the fireman’s carry. But Ren grabs ropes! Oleg can’t pry Ren free, so he just goes up! But Ren CLAWS Oleg’s eyes!

The ref reprimands but Ren goes up, up, and SUPER ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! Oleg flails, reaches out, but Ren pulls  on the bad arm! The fans cheer as hard as they can for Oleg as he fights around! Oleg reaches out, but he’s still so far away! Oleg kicks, kicks, kicks, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Oleg survives by a literal foot! Ren drags Oleg up, brings him to the corner, and climbs up. Ren vows to end it now! DOWN TO DIE on the arm! DISARMER!! Oleg endures the mounted armbar, but then powers through, only to end up in an ARMBAR!! Ren puts on the pressure, but Oleg again powers up! Deadlift, but Kanemaru distracts the ref!!

DICK LOW BLOWS OLEG!! The ref misses all that, and Ren drags Oleg back down!! Oleg TAPS, Ren wins!!

Winner: Ren Narita, by submission (still NEVER Openweight Champion)

Another day, another way for Ren to cheat and steal this title away! Then the House stomps away on Oleg! Wolf returns to run them off, but he was not enough to even the odds during the match. Wolf grabs a mic to tell Ren, “What do you think you’re playing at? See if you can step on me one more time! Put that belt on the line and fight me! I promise to take back that title!” The Wolf has eyes on his prey, but will he huff ‘n’ puff and blow the House of Torture down? Or will they stack the deck too high for anyone to overcome?

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Andrade El Idolo!

What was meant to be former friends settling a grudge is now a second chance for a “Real Latino Man.” Gabe Kidd is hurt, so Andrade is back again, but will he redeem himself from the New Beginning in USA? Or will Gene Blast still be golden?

President Hiroshi Tanahashi is here to give the formal introductions and raise the belt as we see if history repeats itself!

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two stare down. The fans cheer on “YO~TA! YO~TA!” but Andrade ignores that as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Yota’s height becomes his leverage. Yota puts Andrade on the ropes, but lets off cleanly. The fans applaud and Andrade shakes it off. The two reset and circle again. They tie up, are in another deadlock, but Andrade pushes Yota to the ropes. Andrade lets off, but CHOPS! Yota CHOPS, but Andrade headlocks. Yota endures the grind, but Andrade hits a takeover. Yota headscissors, Andrade kips free, but Yota hits the takeover, only for Andrade to handspring through!

Andrade returns to RANA, but Yota handsprings through! The fans cheer as the two stare down again. They circle, feel things out, and tie up with knuckle locks. They go shoulder to shoulder but Andrade wrenches to headlock. Yota powers up but can’t power out as Andrade pulls hair! Yota powers up and out this time, but Andrade RUNS him over! The fans cheer, and Andrade runs, only for Yota to hurdle over. Andrade leaps over, Yota sidesteps, but Andrade springboards to CROSSBODY! Andrade then LARIATS Yota up and out! The fans fire up, and Andrade builds speed! But Yota slips in, dodges Andrade, and slips around to arm-drag!

Andrade bails out and now Yota builds speed! The fans cheer, but Andrade is back! Yota blocks the boot, but Andrade whips, only for Yota to reverse. Andrade goes tranquilo in the ropes! The fans cheer, but Yota nods and raises his own LIJ fist. Yota then BOOTS Andrade to the floor! Yota goes out after Andrade, puts him in the ring, and the fans rally again. Yota drags Andrade up, KNEES him low, then KNEES him again. Andrade fires elbows, swings, but into a half nelson! GUT BUSTER! The fans cheer while Andrade goes to a corner. Yota runs in for a STINGER SPLASH! Yota then climbs up, and the fans cheer as he rains down elbows!

Yota goes to nine, winds up, but Andrade YANKS Yota down before ten! Andrade then stomps away on Yota, drags him up, and scoops to SLAM! The fans cheer again while Andrade snarls. Andrade storms back over to Yota, drags him up, and snapmares. Andrade runs to basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Andrade clamps onto Yota with a headlock and grinds him down. The fans rally as Yota endures, and Yota fights his way back up. But Andrade wrangles Yota down and puts on more pressure. The fans rally more as Yota keeps fighting around. Yota kicks his way forward to the ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer as Andrade lets go, but Yota coughs and sputters as he catches his breath. Andrade grabs legs, and he stomps Yota in the stomach! Andrade looms over Yota, drags him back up, and puts him in the corner to CHOP! Yota is stinging, but also grinning! Yota eggs Andrade on, so the gloves literally come off! Andrade CHOPS Yota! The fans cheer and Yota keeps smiling! Andrade says uno mas, or perhaps moikai, and he kicks instead! Andrade wags his finger, then ROCKS Yota! Andrade whips corner to corner, then runs up, but Yota puts him on the apron! But Andrade blocks the enzigiri to put Yota in the Tree of Woe!

Andrade goes up, WOE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives but Andrade says it was that close. Andrade then drags Yota up in the corner, ROCKS him with forearm after forearm, but Red Shoes reprimands. Andrade backs off, but he rallies the fans as he goes corner to corner and back again, CIEN- NO, Yota ducks the knees to sunset flip! TWO, and Andrade ROCKS Yota! Yota ROCKS Andrade! They go forearm for forearm, then Andrade CHOPS! And CHOPS! Andrade runs, but Yota scoops to BACKBREAKER! The fans cheer while both men are down! The fans rally again, and Yota rises first. Yota is grinning again, he’s enjoying this.

Yota stands Andrade up to CHOP! Andrade wobbles, then drops to a knee, but Yota stands him up again. Yota CHOPS again, then brings Andrade around. Yota winds up, but Andrade blocks and CHOPS! And CHOPS! Andrade runs, but Yota ELBOWS him! And CHOPS! Yota roars, runs, but Andrade catches him on the second rope for the INVERTED SPANISH FLY! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! The fans rally as both men stir, and Andrade stands first. Andrade brings Yota up, and snap suplexes! But that’s just Uno Amigo! Andrade suplexes again, but Yota slips out! Yota waistlocks but Andrade ELBOWS free!

Andrade runs up but into a BOOT! Andrade comes back, but into another BOOT! Yota goes up, up, and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! Yota keeps going, tilt-o-whirls and arm-drags again! Andrade tumbles out of the ring but the fans rally behind Yota as he builds speed! And this time, Yota DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! The fans cheer as Yota stands tall going up the ramp. Yota goes back for Andrade, brings him back to the ring, and the fans applaud. Yota aims as Andrade rises, and he runs corner to corner for the GENE TRIGGER! Yota hauls Andrade up top, then climbs up to join him! The fans rally as Yota sets up for the SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!

Andrade survives but Yota just keeps on him! Yota has the legs but Andrade resists the turnover. Andrade BOOTS Yota away, but Yota storms back up. Yota reels Andrade in, but Andrade hits a snap suplex! Then another, that’s Dos Amigos! Yota fights the third, but Andrade dodges the lariat to then FLYING FOREARM! Both men are down again and the fans rally back up! Yota crawls to a corner, but Andrade pounds the mat. The fans clap along, “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs corner to corner and back again, CIEN KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans fire up again! Andrade drags Yota to a drop zone, then goes up the corner!

The fans rally as Andrade DROPDOWN MOONSAULTS, into BOOTS! Yota then has Andrade in the ropes for a KICK! Yota goes from the corner, but Andrade manages a SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans are stunned as Yota hits apron then the floor! Daiki Nagai fans Yota off, but Andrade TRIANGLE JUMP TORNILLOS! Down goes Yota and the fans fire up again! Andrade snarls, then brings Yota up and into the ring. Andrade climbs up, up, and MOONSAULT DOUBLES! Cover, TWO! Andrade is surprised, but he can’t help but smile. The fans rally more and more as Andrade brings Yota up, and underhooks!

Yota fights The Message, RAMS Andrade into a corner, but then Andrade hoists Yota up top! Andrade CHOPS again, then climbs up after Yota. Andrade brings Yota up, up, and SUPER DUPER PLEXES!! And then he just rolls through! That’s just Uno Amigo! Then a snap suplex for Dos Amigos! And then- ORANGE CRUSH from Yota!! Cover, TWO!! Still no third amigo but both men are down again! The fans rally even harder as Yota drags himself to the ropes. Yota nods, and even manages a smile. He uses this energy to rise again! Yota brings Andrade up, then goes up the corner! MARLOWE- NO, Andrade is after him again!

Yota fights the Spanish Fly, Andrade fires body shots of his own, but Yota kicks the legs out! Andrade dangles, Yota adjusts, DRAPING MARLOWE CRUSH! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and the fans fire up again! Andrade goes to the apron but Yota follows him outside. Yota stands Andrade up, but Andrade fires an elbow! Yota fires a forearm, Andrade fires back, and the two brawl on the edge. Yota laughs, then GENE TRIGGER! And then RANA to the floor!! The fans are thunderous for that wild gamble of an attack! Yota roars as he rises and the fans are with him! Yota drags Andrade up, brings him around, and POSTS him!

Yota pushes Andrade to the apron, then steps back inside. Yota climbs the corner, brings Andrade up to join him, but Andrade fires hands. Yota CLUBS away on Andrade, but Andrade fights the clinch! Andrade looks to the outside?! Yota fights the suplex to go to the very top! And he brings Andrade up, SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and the fans cheer, but Yota isn’t done with him! Yota stands Andrade up, pump handles, but Andrade fights with elbows! Yota ROCKS Andrade in the back! Yota back suplexes, but Andrade lands out! Yota mule kicks, runs, and LARIATS! Andrade stays standing!?

Andrade SHOVES Yota, eggs him on, so Yota runs, and he avoids the Shadow Elbow! GENE TRIGGER! Then the pump handle, the lift, and the SILVER LINING SLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives again but Yota powers up! The fans cheer as Yota hits his three point stance and waits on Andrade. Andrade rises, Yota runs in, GENE- SHADOW ELBOW!!! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Red Shoes checks both men, they’re both still in this, so a standing count begins! Both men are still down at 5 of 10 while the fans rally harder and harder. They’re still down at 7! At 8! Both men sit up at 9! But then they flop back over!

Red Shoes lets the match continue from here, as we’re already 25 minutes deep. Andrade and Yota sit up again, and they stare down as they rise up. Andrade eggs Yota on, so Yota winds up to CHOP! Andrade wobbles, but he walks that one off. The fans rally as Andrade winds up to CHOP! The sweat is seen flying off Yota, then he drops to his knees! And yet, Yota grins again! Yota stands back up, winds up, and CHOPS! The favor has been returned as Andrade is now stinging. Andrade stands back up, and he nods before he CHOPS! Yota drops to his knees, then falls back! But he gets up quickly enough as the fans rally again.

Yota storms up, winds up, and CHOPS! Andrade’s chest is getting red, as is Yota’s, but Andrade- YOTA HEADBUTTS! Yota changes things on Andrade, then reels him in! POWER- SUNSET BOMB!! Cover, TWO and Yota has it! TWO and Andrade has it! TWO, Yota has it again, TWO! Andrade dodges, springboards, into a GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, TWO?!? Andrade survives the anti-air attack but Yota crawls his way to the corner. Yota loads up but he demands Andrade stand again! Andrade rises, Yota runs in, GENE- NO, Andrade hurdles over! Then he rolls Yota up, and deadlifts for a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!!

Andrade drags Yota up, underhooks, but Yota defies the Message! So Andrade hammerlocks, LA SOMBRA DDT!! Cover, TWO?!? Yota survives and Andrade is beside himself, but the fans are thunderous! Andrade rises, he vows to end this, and he underhooks Yota. Yota fights The Message, but Andrade powers up! Andrade shifts, for a TIGER DESTROYER!! Then Andrade hauls Yota up to the corner, still underhooking the arms! But Yota NORTHERN LIGHTS! Double cover, TWO!! Yota clinches, BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! STOMP!! The Gene Combination hits as we hit 30 minutes! Then Yota hits the JUMBO PLEX!!

Yota drags Andrade by the legs, then fires up as he turns Andrade! BOSTON CRAB!! The fans are thunderous as Andrade endures! Andrade reaches out but Yota drags him to center! Yota sits deep on the hold, but Andrade still fights! Andrade scrambles his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans are thunderous as Yota lets go in frustration. Yota and Andrade sit up, and Yota still smiles. The fans rally behind Yota as he brings Andrade up and places him up top. Yota climbs up behind Andrade, then dragon sleepers! The fans rally as Andrade fires elbows! Andrade turns around, and he has the facelock, DDT on the post?!?

Andrade falls to the floor but that’s the lesser of the damage! He hurries back inside, he hauls Yota back up, for THE MESSAGE!!! Cover, ANDRADE WINS!!!

Winner: Andrade El Idolo, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)

An instant classic and an absolute shocker at the same time as Andrade has his revenge! Yota went from two belts to none, what will his journey of redemption look like?

As for Andrade, Tanahashi presents him with the belt, and Andrade holds it high. This is not only a win for the United Empire, but a win for AEW and the Don Callis Family. Andrade grabs a mic to say, “I did it.” The fans applaud, and Andrade continues by saying, “I wanna say thank you. Yota Tsuji is good, he’s an amazing talent, but Andrade El Idolo was better tonight.” The fans applaud again, and Andrade says he knows many know he is an AEW talent, but this title is NJPW’s. So Andrade will now officially be working in both companies, both companies are in his blood. And he wants to thank everyone here in Japan for watching.

Andrade says he now has a question, and it is a simple one: Who wants to challenge him? The fans applaud, and Andrade drops the mic. Andrade holds up the belt again, but wait! Stepping out in a nice suit is Drilla Moloney. But then Shota Umino is also here, still in ring gear. Andrade likes where this is going as the two challengers talk on stage. 44 Caliber and Roughneck both go to the ring, and Andrade asks if they heard what he said. So Drilla wants this title? And Shota wants it, too? Then he has an idea.

If they want this title, HIS title, why not this just be a Triple Threat for the Global Heavyweight Championship?  Just say where, when, and what time. Then The RRRREAL~ Latino Man will be there! The fans cheer as Andrade is already raising the bar on this belt! Andrade says just call and he’ll be there. Andrade tells the fans, “Arigato!” The fans cheer, but will Andrade regret stacking the odds for his first defense? When and where will we see this shootout happen?

My Thoughts:

A great start to the Wrestling Dontaku double event, and quite the surprising result for the main event. While House of Torture shenanigans were 1000% expected for Narita VS Oleg, that was still a great match. But at the same time, as great as Oleg is, he was not going to become a TRIPLE champion between the NJPW Strong and both NEVER Openweight titles. Aaron Wolf stepping up to Ren is good stuff, but seriously, can Tanahashi use his authority to put ringside bans up? It’s actually bad kayfabe logic from management to not see that as an option.

But as I was saying, amazing main event, and Yota losing is pretty wild. I suppose even if this was Yota Tsuji VS Gabe Kidd, Gabe winning would’ve worked in story, too, positioning this title as a crossover title between NJPW and AEW. Yota’s story of making a comeback will be an intriguing one. Perhaps he uses the G1 Climax as his road back. As for Andrade being up for the Triple Threat with Shota and Drilla, that’s pretty cool, too. I don’t see Andrade losing his first defense, but a Triple Threat is a classic way to keep all parts strong no matter the result.

My Score: 8.9/10