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

Douki, a living legend, and LUMBERJACKS!

Tiger Mask has one last chance to be IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion again, in a LUMBERJACK MATCH! Will he bring the House of Torture down?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 8 Man Tag: Shota Umino, Master Wato, YOH & Taisei Nakahara VS Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi, SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; win.
• Toru Yano & Tomoaki Honma VS OSKAR & Yuto-Ice; Oskar & Yuto win.
• 8 Man Tag: Yuya Uemura, Taichi, Ryusuke Taguchi & Masatora Yasuda VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
• Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Great-O-Khan, Henare & Jakob Austin Young; Khan, Henare & Jakob win.
• Six Man Tag: Boltin Oleg, Aaron Wolf & Mistico VS Ren Narita, Don Fale & Dick Togo; Boltin, Wolf & Mistico win.
• 8 Man Tag: Shingo Takagi, Yota Tsuji, Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X VS Callum Newman, Jake Lee, Francesco Akira & Zane Jay; Callum Newman, Jake Lee, Francesco Akira & Zane Jay win.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Lumberjack Match: DOUKI VS Tiger Mask; Douki wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

8 Man Tag: Shingo Takagi, Yota Tsuji, Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X VS Callum Newman, Jake Lee, Francesco Akira & Zane Jay!

With the Rampaging Dragon going after THE IWGP Heavyweight Championship and Gene Blast defending his IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship for Wrestling Dontaku’s two day event, this is the last chance for momentum! Will the Unbound Company be golden going into Fukuoka? Or will The Prince and his United Empire conquer the day?

Callum taunts Takagi with the title, daring him to take it. Takagi doesn’t fall for the bait so the belt is put aside. The teams sort out, and after Unbound Company does their fist bump, Takagi calls Callum out. Callum steps up, but he does whisper something to Zane. Perhaps the Prince is planning ahead? The bell rings and the fans rally as Takagi and Callum circle. The crowd is split between the two as they feel things out. They knuckle lock, but then Zane CLOBBERS Takagi! Callum BLASTS Unbound Company’s corner, the plan already succeeding. Callum stomps Takagi, ROCKS him, then tags in Zane.

The fans rally as Callum & Zane double whip, but Takgai ducks the double lariat! Takagi waistlocks Zane, Zane switches, but Takagi BOOTS Callum. Takagi ELBOWS Zane, then sends Callum into Zane! Callum kicks Takagi for that, then whips, but Takagi reverses to HIP TOSS! Takagi LARIATS Callum up and out while the fans cheer. Zane grabs Takagi’s hair but Takagi KNEES low. Takagi runs, Zane hurdles and drops, to then DROPKICK! But Takagi rebounds to RUN Zane over! The fans cheer as Takagi is fired up already! “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi stands Zane up, but Zane scrambles away. Zane tags Francesco Akira, so Takagi tags Robbie X.

The fans rally as the two tie up, go around, and Akira cravats. Robbie flips through the snapmare, but Akira RUNS him over! Things speed up, Akira rolls over the dropdown, then RANAS, but Robbie handsprings through! The fans cheer, and Robbie eggs Akira on. Robbie dodges Akira to then ROCK, THROW, and slingshot SENTON! The fans cheer while Robbie covers, TWO! Robbie CHOPS Akira, then tags Taiji. Team Super Extreme double whip Akira to ropes, but Zane helps Akira stop at the ropes. Robbie runs up but Akira DUMPS him out! Akira then dodges Taiji to shove him and CALF KICK! Then The Empire attacks on the outside!

Callum brawls with Takagi as they go to the crowd! Takagi SMACKS Callum off a chair, and makes him take a seat! But then Callum KNEES in return, and SMACKS Takagi off a chair! Akira CHOKES Taiji using a fan’s umbrella, Jake CHOKES Yota using a fan’s rally towel! Akira even opens the umbrella as he digs it into Taiji! The ring count starts but Akira puts Taiji in the ring quickly. Callum POSTS Takagi! Akira clamps onto Taiji with a chinlock and grinds him down. The fans rally as Taiji endures and fights around. Jake swings the rally towel before he brings Yota back to ringside. Jake feeds Yota to Callum’s BOOT!

Taiji fights his way around, but Akira shifts to a dragon sleeper! Taiji still fights and makes the ROPEBREAK! Akira lets go while the fans applaud. Akira bumps Taiji off buckles, tags in Jake, and the Silent Jester digs his boot into Taiji’s neck! Callum argues with the ref but the ref still counts. Jake stops at 4, then he stomps Taiji. The Empire get their boots in there, but Takagi tries to counterattack. That only gets him mugged! Robbie tries to help but he also gets beat down. Callum grabs Milano Collection AT’s phone and threatens to smash Takagi with it! Milano begs he not, and Callum gives the phone back.

Jake drags Taiji up but Taiji fires body shots. Taiji fires haymakers but Jake kicks low! Jake lifts Taiji with both hands! But then Jake drops Taiji to let him sputter on the mat. Cocky cover, TWO! Jake drags Taiji up, KNEES him low, then whips him to ropes. Taiji handsprings and NEURALIZER KICKS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taiji crawls, reaches out, and hot tags Yota! The fans fire up as Yota dodges Jake, kicks low, and reels him in. But Jake suplexes first! Yota slips free to shove Jake, then GENE TRIGGER! Akira runs up, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Then Yota sends Akira into Callum, LARIAT DDT COMBO!

Zane kicks low, whips, but Yota pops Zane up to THROW him away! The fans cheer as Zane then ROCKS Jake and knocks him off the apron! Yota then builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Jake and the fans fire up again! Yota drags Jake up, puts him in the ring, and slingshots in, mostly showing off. The fans rally as Yota goes corner to corner for the STINGER SPLASH! Yota reels Jake in, but Jake suplexes again! Both men are down as the fans rally up, and Jake wrenches Yota to whip him into a corner. Yota staggers forward, into a BEARHUG! BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! Yota survives but Jake powers up the hand!

Jake waits on Yota, Yota slowly rises, and Jake guzels! But Yota fights the choke slam! Yota runs, but Jake goes to the corner and CLBOBERS Yota! A very evil move from Jake, then he goes for the legs! Yota fights off the Boston Crab, then catches the lariat to the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But Jake dodges the stomp! Jake back suplexes, but Yota lands out! Yota waistlocks, Jake switches, GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans rally as Jake aims, FACE BREAK- SUPERKICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Yota and Jake crawl, Takagi and Callum call each other out from the corners! Hot tags to Callum and Takagi!

The fans fire up as Takagi dodges, Callum blocks, then Callum whips. Takagi reverses, Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges, Takagi bypasses Callum by one, but Callum still BOOTS Takagi! Takagi rebounds to RUN Callum over, then scoop SLAM and SENTON! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Takagi fires up, but Callum BOOTS Takagi before he can even start the catchphrase! Callum scuffs Takagi, eggs him on, then SPITS on him! Takagi eggs Callum on now so Callum fires more kicks. Callum KNEES Takagi again and again, but Takagi headbutts buckles! The fans fire up with the Dragon, but Callum SOBATS him down!

Callum smirks as Takagi sputters, then Callum pump handles?! MADE IN- NO, Takagi arm-drags free! Takagi then ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON- NO, Callum trips Takagi! Takagi dodge Excalibur to waistlock, but Callum ELBOWS free! Callum runs up, but into another ELBOW! Takagi reels Callum in, TORNADO DDT! Callum almost flips through, but he flops back down! The fans rally now as Takagi and Callum stir, and hot tag to Robbie! Robbie NO HAND HANDSPRINGS Zane & Akira down! Robbie fires off on Callum, then winds up, but Callum KNEES low! Callum whips, Robbie handsprings, dodges, and DROPKICKS!

Robbie handsprings again and the fans fire up! Robbie runs up in the corner but Callum dodges. Callum comes back, blocks a kick, but Robbie reels Callum in for an UPPERCUT! Robbie then goes up and out to springboard back in, MISSILE DROPKICK! High stack cover, TWO! Callum survives but the fans rally behind Robbie. Robbie drags Callum up, Taiji joins in, and they double whip. Callum grabs ropes, then ELBOWS Robbie! Taiji dodges, tilt-o-whirls, but Callum stops the DDT! Callum suplexes, but into STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRE! DREAMCAST KICK from Robbie! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up again as Robbie builds energy.

Robbie runs, handsprings, but Callum stops the cutter! Feed to Zane’s DROPKICK! Taiji kicks Zane, whips him to a corner, then runs up, but is put on the apron. Taiji RAMS Zane, springboards in, SEATED SENTON! Akira victory rolls for STOMP 182! Yota RUNS Akira over, Jake KNEES Yota down! Takagi gets Jake’s leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Takagi winds up and runs up on Callum. Callum BOOTS, ENZIGIRIS, then SUPER- NO, Takagi ducks it! Callum ROCKS Takagi with an elbow! Callum runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT at the ropes! Takagi keeps going, PUMPING BOMBER collides with KISS THE CROWN! The fans fire up as Takagi stays on his feet!

Takagi brings Callum up for boxing elbows! Takagi then winds up, but Callum ROCKS, ROLLING ELBOWS, and- JAB! YUKON LARIAT! The fans fire up as Robbie then STANDING SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Robbie goes up, up, and X EX- NO, Callum dodges! But Robbie TIGER WALL KICKS! Matrix PELE! The fans fire up for Robbie as he handsprings, but the ref is used as a shield! KISS THE CROWN!! Callum then pump handles for MADE IN JAPAN!!! Cover, Empire wins!

Winners: Callum Newman, Jake Lee, Francesco Akira & Zane Jay, by pinfall

Message sent that anything Takagi can do, Callum can do, too! Callum then keeps mocking Takagi by sitting with the belt cross-legged, hands in prayer, then even gets in Takagi’s face with it. Takagi KNEES Callum then fires off forearms! Takagi hooks Callum up, but Callum wrenches out to HEEL KICK and springboard! OCSCUTTER 2.0!! Callum not only wins the match but he takes Takagi down! Will this be the same on May 4th for Wrestling Dontaku? Or will The Prince fail to slay the Rampaging Dragon when it is 1v1?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Lumberjack Match: DOUKI VS Tiger Mask!

Japones Del Mal has been cheating and cheating and cheating and cheating ever since he got this title, and everyone’s head enough of it! But can the living legend of Junior Heavyweight wrestling serve justice one last time? Or will gambling against the House of Torture come back to bite him?

Representing Hontai as lumberjacks, we have Shota Umino, Toru Yano, Master Wato, Boltin Oleg, Aaron Wolf, and even special guest, Mistico. Considering Douki has everyone in the House of Torture ringside, it’s actually considerate that Sho joins commentary for the time being. He’s probably doing it just to annoy Yoh, who has been on commentary most of the night. President Hiroshi Tanahashi is here for the formal introductions, and to raise the belt. Win, lose or draw, we witness a historic chapter in a storied career!

The bell rings and naturally, all the fans cheer “TA-I-GA! TA-I-GA!” Douki brushes that off as he circles with Tiger, but then backs away to the ropes. The fans boo and Tiger protests, but Douki steps back inside. Douki and Tiger circle, feel things out, and Tiger SLAPS Douki! Douki runs up and goes for the mask! Red Shoes reprimands but the two go around the ropes. Douki CHOKES Tiger, stops as Red Shoes reprimands, then kicks low. Douki whips, Tiger reverses, but Douki slides out. Douki taunts Tiger, but forgets he’s on the Hontai side of the ring! Shota & Yano throw Douki back in! Douki shouts at them but Tiger waistlocks!

Douki SLAMS Tiger, flips him over, but Tiger kips up to arm-drag! Douki tumbles out and he spots Hontai creeping up already! Douki gets to the apron and tells them to back off! Tiger storms up and has a SLEEPER on the ropes! Tiger drags Douki into the ring like that, then sits him down. The fans cheer Tiger as he wraps the body scissors on, but Douki scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts but Tiger lets go quickly. Tiger stomps Douki around, KICKS him at the ropes, then ROCKS him with a right hand. Tiger DECKS Douki, stalks him along the ropes, then ROCKS him again. Douki CLAWS Tiger’s eyes!

The fans boo and Red Shoes reprimands, but Douki runs, into a SOBAT! Douki bails out to the House’s side, and they shield him from the Hontai lumberjacks. Sho and Yoh even argue on commentary, but Yoshinobu Kanemaru drags Tiger out of the ring, right behind Red Shoes’ back! The fans boo as Kanemaru stomps away on Tiger, but Douki keeps Red Shoes distracted until Kanemaru puts Tiger back in. Douki drags Tiger up, TOSSES him back out, and then distracts Red Shoes so that the House can beat Tiger up! The blue buckle pad is even removed! Hontai rushes The House, they all brawl, and Tiger is saved.

Tiger drags himself up, but Douki drags him back into the ring. Douki whips Tiger into the bare buckles! Tiger slumps down in the corner, but Douki snapmares him. Douki vows to take the mask! The fans boo, Red Shoes reprimands, so Douki stops. Douki argues with Red Shoes, then drags Tiger up. Douki hoists Tiger to the top rope, then climbs up, to go after the mask! The fans boo again and Red Shoes reprimands, but Douki has loosened the strings! Red Shoes counts, Douki stops at 4, and Douki brings Tiger down from the corner. Tiger fires body shots and knees, but Douki knees low! Douki TOSSES Tiger back out!

The House swarms Tiger, and Ren JAMS Tiger with a chair! Kanemaru puts Tiger in, Douki covers, TWO! Tiger survives and the fans cheer, but Douki drags Tiger into a CAMEL CLUTCH! The fans rally as Tiger endures. Douki fishhooks Tiger but stops as Red Shoes reprimands. Tiger powers up as the fans cheer him on, and he pries an arm free! Tiger pushes his way around to the ROPEBREAK! Douki holds until Red Shoes counts 4, then takes his time bringing Tiger around. Douki slaps Tiger but Tiger fires body shots! Douki HELL STABS! Tiger goes to ropes. Douki runs up, but Tiger DUMPS him onto the House!

The fans cheer as Tiger gets some payback, and he builds speed to DIVE! Down goes The House again! The fans fire up as Tiger slowly rises back up. Tiger rolls inside, but where is Douki? He tries to run away, but Oleg & Wolf carry him back from the ramp! They throw him inside for Tiger to rain down fists! The fans cheer the ground ‘n’ pound, then the ARMBAR! Douki scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Tiger lets go, then SLAPS Douki! And SLAPS, SLAPS, SLAPS! Tiger whips, scoops, and BACKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO! Douki toughs it out but Tiger waits for him to sit up. Tiger then KICKS, and KICKS, but Douki blocks one!

Douki CLUBS the leg, but then Tiger catches his lariat, only for Douki to wrench through! Douki SHOVES Tiger into Red Shoes! Down goes Red Shoes, and Douki KNEES Tiger against the ropes! The House rushes the ring, and they BLAST Hontai before they can do anything! The fans boo but Dick Togo ELBOWS Tiger, followed by ELBOW, LARIAT, LARIAT, ELBOW, and Don Fale’s SPLASH! Don shoves Tiger down, Dick goes up, and they set Tiger up for the DICK CHOP! The fans boo but The House gets away with the whole bag of tricks! Cover, TWO!! Tiger survives and the fans cheer! Douki is annoyed, but he drags Tiger to the drop zone.

Douki goes to the corner and climbs up. But Tiger trips Douki up! Tiger then SMACKS Douki, climbs up, and goes to the very top! The fans cheer as Tiger underhooks, SUPER BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! The fans fire up while Douki writhes and flounders! Tiger catches his breath while the fans rally up again. Hontai coaches Tiger, the House coaches Douki, and both men go to corners. Tiger rises first, and he runs up on Douki, but Douku uses Red Shoes as a shield! The ROUNDHOUSE hits Red Shoes! Then Ren Narita gets in and beats up on Tiger! Oleg & Wolf rush in, they scrap with Ren and Fale, but Ren CLAWS Oleg’s eyes while Fale BODY BLOWS Wolf!

Fale & Ren whip the big men at each other, but Oleg & Wolf reverse! Fale RUNS Ren over, and then Wolf & Oleg DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Fale down! The rest of the House rushes in, but so does the rest of Hontai! This time, Hontai clears The House, and the fans fire up as Msitico lines up a shot! SUPER CROSSBODY and down goes The House! But Red Shoes is in no shape, Young Lions carry him away. Tiger goes after Douki with the ROUNDHOUSE, then underhooks! TIGER DRIVER!! But no ref to count!! Marty hurries in, counts, TWO!! Douki survives because of the delay! The fans rally for Tiger as he rises up again.

Tiger drags Douki up and clamps on the chicken wing. CROSSFACE CHICKEN WING! But Dick SHOVES Wato into the ring to distract Marty! And that lets Yujiro PIMP CANE Tiger in the head!! Douki is saved again, and he drags Tiger into the ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! Tiger endures while the fans rally up, and Tiger fights his way over! ROPEBREAK!! The fans cheer as Tiger survives again! Marty counts and Douki lets go in frustration. The fans rally as hard as they can for “TA-I-GA! TA-I-GA!” Douki goes to the apron, lines up the shot, and slingshots, only for Tiger to dodge! Crucifix takedown, TWO! DISARMER!!

Douki endures as Tiger pulls on the mounted armbar! Douki kicks and flails, but Tiger shifts things around to the CHICKEN WING CROSSFACE!! Douki endures again, but The House gest on the apron! Hontai trips them all up, and Tanahashi says enough is enough! Take them away! Hontai drags The House from ringside under President’s orders! But Sho CLOBBERS Yoh on commentary! The lumberjack in the hole distracts the ref, right as Douki taps!! Tiger would’ve won! Tiger SMACKS Sho down! But Douki LOW- NO!! Tiger blocks the low blow to gut wrench and TOMBSTONE!!! Tiger isn’t done there, though!

Tiger chicken wings Douki, but Sho YANKS the ref out! TIGER SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, and SHO counts the pin, just to taunt Tiger with a blatant TWO! Tiger is furious but Sho kicks and CLUBS away on Tiger! The fans boo, but Sho reels Tiger in! Sho tucks the arms, but Yoh SUPERKICKS Sho! Sho tumbles out but Yoh PLANCHAS him down! And Yoh gets Marty back in the ring! The fans are thunderous as Tiger drags Douki back up, to BUZZSAW! Douki sputters but Tiger sits him up for another BUZZSAW! Tiger vows this is it, and he brings Douki back up. Chicken wings and- DOUKI BOOTS MARTY! LOW BLOW!!

Douki drags Tiger down for ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! Tiger endures but Douki puts on a lot of pressure! The fans rally even harder as Tiger rises again! Tiger fights his way over to the ROPEBREAK!! Douki is furious, but he still lets go at 4! Douki argues with the ref, but all to distract as Sho SMACKS Tiger with the “Black Mirror!” LOW BLOW on Yoh, then a SMACK with the mirror!! The fans boo as Murder Machine continues to tip the scales! ITALIAN STRETCH #32!!! Tiger endures, but he is OUT! DOUKI WINS!!

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

Tiger Mask let Douki have all his House members ringside, and that ultimately cost him! Tiger will never again be Junior Heavyweight Champion, will this loss be a stain on his legendary legacy?

As for Douki, he found another way to survive by the skin of his teeth. And once again, Tanahashi has to reluctantly hand this title over to the winner, despite all the injustice he witnessed with his own eyes. Douki gloats as he wears the belt, then takes the mic to say, “Tiger Mask… This is the power of GOD!” Douki laughs but the fans boo. “Hey, you guys are so annoying with this booing!” The fans only boo more, but Douki says from Desperado to Wato to Yoh, and now Tiger Mask, Douki’s had one hell of a year as champion! There’s not a single Junior Heavyweight who can beat him! The fans boo, knowing those were never truly 1v1.

Douki continues by saying he’s already shown that he is THE strongest Junior Heavyweight wrestler, so why should he, of all people, need to participate in Best of the Super Juniors to prove that he IS the best? Yes, that’s right! He doesn’t know who entered him without his permission, but Douki is NOT competing in BOSJ! Seriously? Douki says they can all decide who will be his next challenger. And do you know why? Not that you idiots would understand! But it’s because Douki is the GOD OF JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT WRESTLING! Douki drops the mic as he apparently drops out of the tournament. But will he regret not having a hand in his own fate?

My Thoughts:

A great Hizen no Kuni as part of the overall Road to Dontaku series. Apparently, they won’t be broadcasting the last two dates so no Road to Dontaku at all for my coverage this year. But even so, great stuff going into that Wrestling Dontaku two day event. With United Empire winning their Six Man Tag over Bishamon, feels like Khan & Henare should get their chance at the tag titles next, but I guess we’ll see. Great 8 Man Tag of Unbound Company VS United Empire. Sadly, with Gabe Kidd out, he can’t finish his feud with Yota Tsuji. Seems Andrade El Idolo gets a second chance from his loss at New Beginnings USA. I don’t think Yota is losing, though, he was likely meant to win against Gabe anyway so that NJPW could have something over AEW.

As for Callum, he stands tall both by taking the win and knocking Takagi down, and go-home math would say the challenger wins now. But I can’t recall how often NJPW follows such a formula, so maybe Callum still wins out at Dontaku. To be fair, Takagi felt like he was being put forward as a solid first defense for Callum’s reign as it was, so this was perhaps always meant to be. Plus, the G1 Climax is a little earlier this year, being more late Spring since it starts in May, and that’ll do a lot towards determining the challenger for perhaps Dominion or beyond.

Douki VS Tiger Mask was great, especially for a lumberjack match. Those automatically call for overbooking and shenanigans, so of course the House helped Douki survive. Douki saying he’s NOT in the BOSJ is rather surprising, but I suppose it works in character that he sees himself above all of that. At the very least, there’s no “golden tickets” owed if someone gets a win off him, which they might not anyway since House of Torture would just cheat every round. In fact, it cuts down on how much the House is gonna cheat since it’ll just be Sho and Kanemaru. That said, the door is wide open to who can win BOSJ now, for quite a lot of intrigue going into the next title match.

My Score: 8.8/10