What’s next for NJPW?

Zack Sabre Jr. is STILL IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but he already knows Hirooki Goto has the next shot! TMDK VS Chaos in the main event!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata VS Shoma Kato, Katsuya Murashima & Daiki Nagai;  Tenzan, Kojima & Nagata win.
• Special Exhibition: Josh Barnett VS Boltin Oleg; Time Limit Draw.
• 10 Man Tag: El Phantasmo, Jado, Shota Umino, Master Wato & Tomoaki Honma VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Tiger Mask & Togi Makabe VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
• Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Clark Connors; Sanada & Connors win.
• El Desperado & KUSHIDA VS Taiji Ishimori & KENTA; Desperado & Kushida win.
• 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
• Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Naito & Hiromu win.
• 8 Man Tag: Chaos VS TMDK; Chaos wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Special Exhibition: Josh Barnett VS Boltin Oleg!

The War Master made his return to NJPW with the Ranbo, and he had quite the confrontation with his former student. Will Barnett show Boltin he still has a lot to learn? Or will Barnett end up behind BARS?

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans rally as Boltin and Barnett circle. They feel things out, tie up, clinch, and go around. They break, clinch again, and Oleg gets a leg to bring Barnett down. Oleg powers to a cover, Barnett slips out, but Oleg hurries to waistlock. Barnett rolls, but Oleg gut wrenches! Barnett still rolls free, and the fans cheer this exchange. The two go again, clinch, and Barnett goes for an arm. Oleg powers Barnett down, floats around to stay on Barnett, and the two stand again. Barnett manages a double wristlock takeover, but Oleg slips out to go for legs. Barnett fights that so Oleg floats to a facelock.

Barnett slips out of the hold and the fans cheer. Oleg and Barnett go again, clinch, and they fight for control. Oleg throws Barnett down and the two reset again. Oleg and Barnett feel out another grapple, and Oleg gets around to waistlock. Oleg drags Barnett down to go for an arm, then he shifts to an armbar! Barnett has the ROPEBREAK, and Oleg lets go slowly. The fans applaud as the two reset again. They clinch, Barnett goes for a throw, and he has it on the third try! But Oleg hurries to float around and get Barnett’s back. Barnett turns that to a lateral press, TWO! Oleg fights but Barnett keeps him grounded with a wristlock.

We hit the two minute warning as Oleg rolls and rolls, and he goes for the wristlock. Barnett moves around, manages a headscissor, then a leglock! Oleg rolls to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Barnett lets go. The two hurry to their feet and go again. They go around in the clinch, then Oleg goes for a leg. Barnett fights that off with a cravat! Oleg pushes free of that, then he and Barnett tie up again. One minute left, Barnett clinches but Oleg powers him to ropes. The ref calls the break, but the two come off the ropes. Oleg waistlocks, and he brings Barnett down, but Barnett headscissors! Barnett has an arm to keep Oleg grounded!

Oleg fights around, we hit 30 seconds but Barnett puts on the pressure! Oleg endures, the fans rally, and we are under 20! Oleg slips free, and he manages a gut wrench! GUT WRENCH PLEX! at 10 seconds! And then a fireman’s carry! But Barnett slips free to a SLEEPER! TIME’S UP!

Time Limit Draw

It was hard to say who was saved by the bell there, but Barnett shows his student respect with a handshake and a hug. Barnett makes sure to get the mic so he can tell Oleg, “Yesterday, it wasn’t the Ranbo for us. It was a test for you to see if you would come here today, and meet me in this ring. You showed up. That’s the first part, you passed that part. Then, you wrestled your ass off tonight. I told you I was gonna go for that arm, but you learned. So congratulations, you’re now moving up. This is not the end. I’ll take you as high as I can, which means I’mma make you a champion some day, I promise you.”

The fans applaud, and Oleg takes the mic to respond. In Japanese, Oleg apologizes, as his English isn’t so good. But Oleg does tell Barnett that Barnett does know some Japanese, so Oleg will use that to tell him at the Ranbo, it was amazing to see him back and to take him on. Oleg is also honored to train under Barnett, to have this match here, and is looking forward to where they go next. Student and teacher head out, what heights will Oleg reach in the New Year?

After the 10 Man Tag…

While the United Empire won against El Phantasmo, Shota Umino and team, Great-O-Khan felt the need to add insult to injury! He not only beats down The Roughneck on the outside, but he takes those fan-made replica belts, AND RIPS THEM UP! The fans boo Khan being a villainous dictator, and Shota is the angriest of all! Shota rushes in there, but he gets mugged by The Empire! Young Lions step in but they can’t save Shota or the gifts that Khan destroyed. Will Shota make sure Khan pays for this with his blood, sweat and tears?

After the 8 Man Tag…

The House of Torture found a way to cheat Hiroshi Tanahashi’s team, but what else is new? And speaking of not all that new, they beat down Tanahashi & Yano, basically calling them out for a NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship match! But with that, here comes Boltin! Boltin runs off The House, but The House is getting away with stealing two of the three titles! Sho gets on the mic to talk trash on The Ace, the Joker & The Rook, and says that if they want their belts back, “Catch us if you can!”

The Murder Machine, Tokyo Pimp, Heel Master & Souled Out Son of Strong Style run away, leaving President Ace to consider his next course of action. Will Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg once again put The House behind BARS? Or will Tanahashi’s Final Road get a lot rockier from here on out?

Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Clark Connors!

Speaking of the New Japan Ranbo, The Holy Emperor and Cold Blooded had a confrontation that also cost them both the #1 contender’s spot. But at the same time, Sanada did cost Taichi the Global Heavyweight Championship just a few months ago. Will Taichi get a semblance of revenge? Or will Sanada and 100 Proof take down Taichi and the Blue Playmaker?

Well, the tables are turned as TakaTaichi goes after the War Dogs before the bell! The fans fire up as Taka brings Connors away, and then Taichi SMACKS Sanada off the timekeeper’s table! Taichi CLUBS Sanada, brings him back to the ramp, and CLUBS him again! The fans rally for Taichi as he moves railing aside, and has fans clear out. Taichi whips but Sanada reverses, STRIKE! Sanada even takes someone’s umbrella to JAM Taichi up! The fans boo but Sanada leaves Taichi behind. Connors has also turned things around on Taka, and then puts him in the ring. Connors talks trash, the fans boo, but the bell rings to finally get this on record.

Connors takes his time taking off his nice new fur jacket, but Taichi’s already back! Sanada kicks Taichi, then sends him into railing! Connors stomps away on Taka, drags him up, and CHOPS him! Taka staggers, Connors eggs him on, so Taka comes back. Taka eggs Connors on, so Connors CHOPS again! Taka staggers, but he comes back for more! Connors CHOPS again! The fans fire up with Taka, and then he pokes Connors in the eye! The fans cheer while Connors staggers away. Taka stomps Connors around, but Connors ROCKS Taka! Taka fakes an eye poke to kick the shin! Taka runs, but Sanada gets a cheap shot in!

Taka staggers around, Connors runs to JEEP FLIPPER! Sanada BLASTS Taichi off the apron! The fans boo but the War Dogs stalk Taka to their corner. Connors bumps Taka off buckles, then tags Sanada. Sanada CLAWS Taka’s back, then ignores the fans as they boo. Sanada brings Taka around, snapmares, and then clamps on a chinlock. Sanada has the ref watch Taichi, but then he uses wrist tape to CHOKE Taka! Fans boo, but Sanada hides it in the headscissors! The ref checks Taka but Taichi says something’s not right! The ref checks but Sanada’s quite the magician. The ref finally sees the trick and reprimands!

Sanada lets Taka go, the fans rally, but Sanada tags Connors. Connors stomps Taka around, then CHOKES Taka! The ref counts, Connors lets go and “apologizes,” but the fans rally again. Connors clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Taka down. Taka endures, and he pries at the hold, only for Connors to CLUB him down! Connors stands Taka up to CHOP him again! Connors whips, Taka reverses and wrangles Connors into a JUST FACELOCK! But Sanada stomps Taka! Sanada whips, Taka reverses and wrangles Sanada! JUST FACELOCK! But Connors stomps Taka, then he BLASTS Taichi! Connors CLUBS Taka again, then talks smack.

Connors runs, but Taka goes the other way! Connors avoids the boot to knee low! But Taka CALF KICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taka and Connors crawl, hot tags to Sanada and Taichi! The fans fire up as the two run up, but Sanada dodges an Ax Bomber! Sanada kicks and whips, but Taichi comes back to BOOT! The fans fire up as Taichi gives Sanada some Kawada Kicks. Taichi whisp, Sanada reverses, but Taichi comes back. Sanada blocks the boot, trips Taichi, but Taichi fights against Paradise! Sanada comes back, kicks and whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and DANGEROUS HOOK KICK!

The fans fire up, and Taichi BOOTS Connors for good measure! The fans rally for Taichi, and he paces around. Taichi drags Sanada up, but Sanada takes a swing! Taichi gets around, DANGER- NO, Sanada fights the saido! Sanada CLUBS away on Taichi, then whips, only for Taichi to reverse. But Sanada dropkicks the legs! Then he DROPKICKS Taichi out of the ring! Sanada storms up to the ropes, PLANCHAS, and down goes Taichi! The fans boo but Sanada soaks that up. Sanada drags Taichi up, puts him in the ring, and the fans rally again. Sanada stands Taichi up, fireman’s carries, but Taichi fights free!

Taichi swings, but Sanada catches him! Taichi fights the Skull End, so Sanada shifts to a waistlock. Taichi fights the suplex to then PELE! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taichi rises again, and OFF COME THE PANTS! The fans fire up but Connors grabs Taichi’s hair! Taichi RIDGE HAND CHOPS Connors! But then Sanada CHOKES Taichi using the pants! Dragon sleeper, SKULL END, but Taichi rolls free! AX BOMBER!! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taichi and Connors crawl, hot tag to Taka! Taka runs up to BOOT! Taka runs again but Sanada gets around! O’Conner BRIDGE, but Taka flips it to JUST FACELOCK!

The fans fire up but Connors runs in! Taka kicks his legs out to get him in a TRIANGLE HOLD! Taichi then takes Connors for a SEITEI JUJIHOU! Taka CLUBS away on Sanada, pulls way back, but Sanada fights to the ROPEBREAK! Taka lets go, whips Sanada to a corner, then SHINING WIZARDS! CALF KICK! BOOT! SUPER K!! Taka covers, TWO!! Taichi keeps Connors on the outside while Taka fires up! The fans rally behind Taka as he scoops Sanada! But Sanada slips free, only for Taka to SHOTEI! Taka runs, but Sanada shoves him at the ref! POP-UP LOW BLOW!! The fans boo, but Sanada has Taka in the SKULL END!!

Now Connors keeps Taichi out of the ring! Taka endures, but he TAPS! War Dogs win!

Winners: Sanada & Clark Connors, by submission

Cold Blooded indeed to cheat his former friends. But then Sanada grabs some beer from ringside, and he pours it all over Taka’s face! Taichi is pissed and he shoves Connors away! Taichi storms into the ring, but Sanada bails right out. Taichi grabs a chair and pursues! The War Dogs fall back while Young Lions do their best to stop Taichi! When and where will the War Dogs settle things with Just4Guys?

After El Desperado & KUSHIDA VS Taiji Ishimori & KENTA…

The Time Splitter gets the win for his team by making The Fang Revived tap out to the Hoverboard! But now, Kushida gets the mic to speak. “Konosuke Takeshita! You also know ‘the world,’ so please, ‘teach’ me. I want the NEVER-” But then Taiji snatches the mic! Taiji says he’ll get to Kushida later. But DESPY! You know what Taiji wants, right? Put the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on the line against him! “Come, let’s play.” The fans like the sound of that! Desperado takes the mic, and he says Taiji’s getting better on the mic.

But sure, why not? After all, Taiji and the six other guys in that gauntlet ganged up on him! Desperado will do it wherever, dome or no dome, so long as he can beat Taiji. The fans like the sound of that! And so now it is official! El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, and Kushida VS Konosuke Takeshita for the NEVER Openweight Championship, Saturday, January 11th, BATTLE IN THE VALLEY! Who leaves the Golden State with the gold?

After the 8 Man Tag: LIJ VS War Dogs…

Los Ingobernables de Japon comes away with the win as Titan forces Gedo to tap out to Llave Enmortal, but the rest of the teams still had some fire in them. Yota Tsuij and Gabe Kidd have a stare down, and Yota simply holds up the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship as a silent dare for Gabe to come after him. As for Drilla Moloney, he grabs the mic to shout at Shingo Takagi! Drilla tells Takagi that he’s a HEAVYWEIGHT now! “Rampaging Dragon, huh? Dragon’s aren’t real!! The only thing that’s real is me, and my dogs! Show me WTF you’re about, Takagi!” Another challenge has been issued, when and where will Takagi take on 44 Caliber?

Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi!

The Uncontrollable Charisma & Ticking Timebomb were so close and yet so far from winning those IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships last night, but the chase is never ending. Will Naito & Hiromu stay tranquilo and head back for the titles? Or will they get burned by the Funky Sauce?

Hiromu brought back that ridiculous costume, and he still struggles to get out of it. But that aside, the teams sort out, and Taguchi makes sure his neck is alright before he steps up. Zayne says that’s fine, he and Taguchi are friends. And he’s friends with Red Shoes. See? Matching shoes! Taguchi feels awful, he should’ve thought of that. LIJ fist bump, the fans cheer, and Hiromu steps up against “Funky.” The bell rings, the fans rally, and Taguchi tests the waters with some big kicks. Hiromu stays back, then the two tie up. Hiromu headlocks, but Taguchi pulls hair. Red Shoes reprimands, Taguchi powers up and out, then drops down.

Taguchi bypasses Hiromu, and bypasses, and bypasses! Hiromu slides out and says timeout! He knows that trick too well to fall for it again. The fans cheer, but Taguchi slides out! Taguchi chases Hiromu back into the ring, and then he bypasses him again! But then Taguchi drops under the CROSSBODY! Hiromu flops, but Taguchi may have overdone it there. Zayne BLASTS Naito off the apron, then he stomps Hiromu. Zayne calls to Taguchi, stomps Hiromu again, and then gets ice for Taguchi. Taguchi ices the groin, then he hobbles over to help Zayne double whip Hiromu. Zayne then blows past Hiromu to BULLDOG! Taguchi adds a basement DROPKICK!

The fans cheer but Taguchi still ices his groin. Zayne puts Hiromu in a corner, he and Taguchi double whip. Taguchi whips Zayne in, but Hiromu dodges! Zayne hits buckles, Naito trips him up, and Hiromu dodges the hip attack! Hiromu runs up on Zayne to CROSSBODY! Naito brings Taguchi up, and feeds him to a CROSSBODY! The fans cheer and Hiromu brings Taguchi back up. Hiromu wrenches Taguchi, tags Naito, and Naito CLUBS Taguchi’s arm. LIJ double whip Taguchi, atomic drop, and then dropkick to the legs! Naito basement DROPKICKS Taguchi, covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Naito cravats for the neck wrench.

Taguchi endures as Naito puts on the pressure, and then Hiromu tags in. LIJ mugs Taguchi, and Hiromu CHOPS Taguchi to a corner. Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs up and LARIATS, then snapmares to run and basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Hiromu tags Naito back in. The fans rally while LIJ stands Taguchi up. Taguchi fires off CHOPS on them both! Hiromu kicks low, Naito kicks, then Hiromu CHOPS! LIJ double whips, Taguchi ducks the lariat to HIP- DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi staggers around, LIJ double whip him again, but he DOUBLE HIP ATTACKS!

The fans fire up while Taguchi and LIJ are all down! Taguchi rolls to hot tag Zayne! Zayne fires off forearms on Naito, whips him to ropes, and hip tosses! STANDING CINNAMON TWIST! The fans fire up and Zayne stands Naito up. Zayne suplexes, but Naito fights that! Naito suplexes, Zayne fights that! Zayne tries again, Naito slips around to waistlock, but Zayne powers Naito to a corner! Naito holds on, Zayne tries again, but Naito sends Zayne into buckles! Naito goes up to FLYING RANA! The fans fire up and Naito brings Zayne around. Zayne CHOPS and ROCKS Naito, but Naito SPITS at him! Naito whips, but Zayne reverses, only for Naito to reverse back!

TORNA- NO! Zayne stops the DDT, then scoops Naito, but Naito wrenches the hair! Red Shoes reprimands but then Zayne BITES Naito’s fingers! Zayne rolls, wrenches, and ENZIGIRIS! Naito staggers away and the fans rally up. Hot tag to Taguchi, and he BLASTS Hiromu off the apron! Funky Sauce double whip Naito corner to corner, then Taguchi CORNER HIPS! Zayne uses Taguchi to LEAP FROG SHOTGUN! Then Taguchi helps Zayne roll to his feet, for Zayne to whip him in, HIP ATTACK! Then CANNONBALL! The fans fire up as Zayne & Taguchi drag Naito to the cover, TWO! Naito stays in this and the fans rally.

Funky Sauce get Naito up, ROLLING AX KICK SIDEWALK SLAM COMBO! Cover, but Hiromu breaks it! Zayne TOSSES Hiromu, Taguchi chicken wings Naito! But Naito rolls back, only for Taguchi to sit on the cover! TWO, but into OH MY GAH ANKLE! Someone is sent into railing outside, and Naito rolls free! But Taguchi stays back, and he BLINDSIDE KETSUYES! The fans fire up as Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style! “ORYA~!” KETSU- NO, Naito sends Taguchi into the corner! Hiromu LARIATS, Naito UPPERCUTS, Hiromu SUPERKICKS, and Naito ENZIGIRIS! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!

Hiromu CLOBBERS Zayne while Naito hits the ROLLING JACKKNIFE BRIDGE! TWO!! The fans fire up as Hiromu helps Naito with the BOOSTED TORNADO DDT!! Taguchi flounders, Naito drags him back up, wrench and DESTINO!! Cover, LIJ wins!

Winners: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall

They may have lost that Triple Threat last night, but Naito & Hiromu are still World Tag League winners for a reason. Will this be just the thing they need to get back to the tag titles? Wait, Naito gets the mic, and he says, “Buenas noches, OTA-KU~! The IWGP Tag Team Championship Three Way at The Dome… Hiromu and I couldn’t become the champions. I don’t want to say that they didn’t beat us. That’d be lame of me. The new IWGP Tag Team Champions, The Young Bucks, please accept our request for a title shot!” The fans like the sound of that! Naito doesn’t know if The Bucks are watching this or not, but he looks forward to their answer, cabron!

Naito has called out Matthew & Nicholas, the ball is in their court! Will The Bucks make LIJ wait very long?

8 Man Tag: Chaos VS TMDK!

Hirooki Goto is the NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship after winning the New Japan Ranbo. That has him aimed squarely at Zack Sabre Jr, so both men have brought their teams to back them up. Will the Fierce Warrior, Headhunter, Azucar & Direct Drive build momentum for the New Year? Or will The Front Man, The Mullet and the NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions prove this year is mighty?

The teams sort out and Yoh calls out Fujita. Wait, is that why Yoh has arm straps and his hair’s styled like that? Is he trying to be a Japanese Young Punk? The bell rings, the fans rally up behind both “FU-JI-TA!” and “YO-OH! YO-OH!” Yoh and Fujita take their time circling each other, then they tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Yoh’s height is leverage to push Fujita back. They end up on ropes, Yoh lets off slowly, and then he fakes a chop to pat Fujita on the shoulders. The fans cheer, the two tie up again, and now Fujita pushes Yoh right to the ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, Fujita lets go, and he smooths Yoh’s hair, to then give him a kiss on the forehead.

The fans cheer and Yoh is flustered. Fujita eggs Yoh on, Yoh runs up but Fujita dodges. Fujita kicks, whips, but Yoh reverses. Yoh drops down, drop toeholds, then he basement- NO, Fujita avoids the dropkick! Yoh avoid the Penalty Kick, and the heel kick! Fujita avoids a lariat, Yoh avoids the backhand, and the fans fire up as the two reset. Fujita blows a kiss and Yoh is “shot through the heart!” Yoh composes himself and tags in Rocky Romero. The fans rally up as Fujita tags in Eagles, and Eagles circles with Rocky. They tie up, Rocky powers Eagles back to the ropes, but lets off slowly. Rocky rolls back and gives some Latino Heat.

The fans cheer, but then Eagles trips Rocky! Things speed up, Rocky hurdles but Eagles leaps over. They keep going and Eagles arm-drags! Rocky arm-drags! Rocky evades an arm-drag to UPPERCUT! The fans cheer while Eagles is in a daze, and Rocky tags Goto. The fans rally up as Goto & Rocky double whip, but Eagles reverses to crisscross! Eagles kicks Goto, then WHEEL KICKS Rocky! Hot tag to ZSJ! The fans fire up as ZSJ UPPERCUTS Goto again and again! ZSJ whips, Goto grabs ropes, and Yoshi-Hashi tags in! Goto BOOTS ZSJ, then Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLES! Then Hashi runs for ZANMAI! Yoh runs in, ZANMAI! Rocky runs in, ZANMAI!!

The fans fire up for that hattrick, and then Chaos says, “Se~ no!” DRUM BEAT! The fans fire up as Chaos all flexes! Red Shoes reprimands, the fans cheer “GO-TO-O!” but Hashi stands ZSJ up. Hashi CLUBS ZSJ, CLUBS him again, then wrenches. ZSJ wrenches back and then wristlocks! Hashi ends up in the TMDK corner and Ryohei Oiwa tags in. Oiwa kicks Hashi, wrenches his arm and YANKS it! Oiwa RAMS then whips Hashi, but Hashi dropkicks the legs! Hashi keeps moving, BLOCKBUSTER! The fans cheer and Hashi ROCKS Oiwa. And ROCKS him again! Oiwa goes to a corner, so Hashi CHOPS him!

Oiwa eggs Hashi on so Hashi CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Hashi whips corner to corner, runs up, and CHOPS again! The fans cheer while Oiwa sputters. Hashi turns Oiwa, but Oiwa wrenches out to top wristlock! Oiwa wrangles Hashi, isolates the arm and STOMPS it! Oiwa tags ZSJ, then BLASTS the Chaos corner! ZSJ drags Hashi up, wrenches an arm, and Oiwa adds on. They both top wristlock and wrangle Hashi, but then Fujita & Eagles step in! Eagles & Fujita get the legs for toeholds while Oiwa & ZSJ keep on the wristlocks! Red Shoes reprimands but the fans cheer this quadruple hold combo!

TMDK then rotates, Fujita & Oiwa with legs while ZSJ & Eagles have arms! And then rotate again, and rotate again! Red Shoes reprimands more but he also has to keep Chaos from storming in. Red Shoes counts all four TMDK members, and they all let off at 4. ZSJ tags Fujita and Fujita stomps Hashi’s arm. Fujita drags Hashi up, whips him to a corner, then CHOPS! Hashi sits right down and the fans fire up! Fujita stands Hashi up to snapmare, and he runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Hashi stays in this and the fans rally up. Fujita BLASTS Rocky, but Rocky’s right back to fire hands! Eagles gets in and stomps Rocky out!

Fujita & Eagles double whip Hashi, double ELBOW, then split the wishbone before DOUBLE KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and duel while Fujita brings Hashi up. Fujita whips Hashi to the corner, then CHOPS! Tag to Oiwa, and Oiwa brings Hashi around for a headlock takeover. Hashi endures, fights up, but Oiwa grinds the hold. Hashi fires body shots, then CHOPS! Hashi headlocks and he grinds Oiwa down. Oiwa wrenches out, headlocks again, but Hashi powers up, only for Oiwa to hold on tight! Hashi fights up, lifts Oiwa, but Oiwa thrashes the hold. Hashi powers free this time, but Oiwa runs him over!

The fans fire up as Hashi rises, but then Oiwa headlocks for the takeover. Hashi headscissors, Oiwa kips free, and Oiwa ROCKS Hashi! Oiwa ROLLING- SUPERKICK from Hashi! Both men go to ropes, Oiwa fires up, but Hashi LARIATS him down! The fans fire up while both men fall! Hashi and Oiwa crawl, the fans rally up, hot tags to Goto and ZSJ! Th efans fire up as ZSJ dodges Goto then fires UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! ZSJ whips, Goto reverses, and Goto LARIATS! Goto whips corner to corner to MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Goto storms around. Goto brings ZSJ up, but ZSJ double wristlocks!

ZSJ wrenches the arm, but Goto fires forearms! ZSJ wrenches and PELES! ZSJ SWEEPS the legs, and the fans rally up again. ZSJ PENALTY- NO, Goto blocks that kick, he knows it well from Shibata. ZSJ fires forearms, but Goto fireman’s carries! But ZSJ slips free, and he hooks Goto up in the IRON OCTOPUS! TMDK BLASTS Chaos off the apron, and Goto falls into a GROUND OCTOPUS! Goto endures, fights around, but Rocky DOUBLE STOMPS ZSJ! Eagles kicks Rocky then TOSSES him out! Eagles keeps after Rocky on the outside while ZSJ stands up. ZSJ KICKS Goto, then KICKS, then KICKS again!

ZSJ runs but Goto follows, and he LARIATS ZSJ down! The fans fire up and Goto snarls. Goto rises, the fans are behind him, and he dragon sleepers! But ZSJ slips down, victory roll, EURO CLUTCH! TWO!! Goto escapes, but ZSJ PENALTY KICKS! Goto rises to run up, but into a full nelson! Goto fights that, so ZSJ GERMAN SUPLEXES! Goto rises up again! They DOUBLE LARIAT, and ZSJ staggers! DOUBLE LARIATS, and ZSJ staggers again! Goto roars, runs, but ZSJ ROUNDHOUSES the lariat away! But then Goto LARIATS after all! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! ZSJ and Goto stir, crawl, and hot tag to Fujita and Yoh!

The fans rally as Yoh and Fujita fire forearms back and forth! Yoh ROCKS Fujita, ROCKS him again, and again! Yoh whips, Fujita reverses, and Eagles gets a KICK in! Yoh DECKS Eagles, Fujita ROCKS Yoh! Fujita whips, Yoh reverses, and Rocky gets a KICK in! Fujita DECKS Rocky! Yoh and Fujita storm up to each other, Yoh shoves Fujita around, and the forearms start flying! Eagles and Rocky storm in, and they fire forearms with each other! The fans fire up, Red Shoes reprimands, but Rocky CHOPS Eagles! Yoh ROCKS Fujita, but Fujita turns things around on him! Eagles does the same with Rocky, and they each CHOP Rocky and Yoh!

TMDK whips RPG Revise, but RPG Revise dosido! TMDK dodges, but then RPG Revise dodges, and they LARIAT in the corners! Then they trade, but TMDK dodges! CHOP for Yoh and DOUBLE KNEES for Rocky! Eagles feeds Rocky to Fujita’s SOBAT! Eagles UPPERCUTS, then Eagles & Fujita SUPERKICK HEEL KICK COMBO! Rocky falls, the fans fire up, and TMDK drags Yoh up. They double wrench and lift Yoh, but Yoh fights free! Yoh fires shots on them both, then runs, but into a GAMANGIRI! Fujita fires up and the fans are with him! Tag to Eagles, he and Fujita stand Yoh up to wrench, lift, MAXXIE BOMB! Cover, Hashi breaks it!

Fujita whips but Hashi reverses, out goes Fujita! Oiwa runs up, Hashi dodges, but then Oiwa dodge! Oiwa LARIATS Hashi down! The fans fire up as Oiwa gets Hashi out of the ring. Eagles goes corner to corner at Yoh, but Yoh pops him up to the apron! Eagles kicks low, then springboards, SNIPER DROPKICK to the legs! But Yoh denies Eagles the figure four! Goto corner LARIATS, then feeds Eagles to Yoh’s FALCON GOROSHI! Cover, but ZSJ YANKS Yoh back! Goto goes after ZSJ and they fire forearms back and forth! The fans fire up while ZSJ eggs Goto on! The shots go faster and faster, harder and harder!

ZSJ ROCKS Goto, whips, but Goto reverses to fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Goto stomps ZSJ out of the ring, leaving Yoh and Eagles to rise up. Yoh pounds the mat, the fans rally, and Yoh vows to end this. Yoh brings Eagles around, underhooks, DIRECT- NO, Eagles fights the lift, wrenches, schoolboy BRIDGE! TWO!! Yoh runs up but into a scoop! Fujita is in, but Rocky saves Yoh from the Sweet Buster! Rocky shoves Eagles into Fujita, but Fujita fights off RPG Revise! Fujita runs, into the 3K!! Eagles runs up, but Rocky gets around to BACKSTABBER! Yoh gives Eagles the FALCON ARROW!

The fans fire up and RPG Revise tune up! Eagles stands, staggers, and Rocky reels him in, 3- NO, Eagles hits Yoh first! Eagles runs up, Rocky blocks Eagles’ kick, and he sets Eagles up. Yoh runs in, but Eagles slips free, SUPERKICK hits Rocky! Yoh freaks out, Eagles trips him and steps through! But Yoh cradle counters! TWO!! Eagles escapes, and he ROUNDHOUSES! SUPERKICKS! ENZI- NO, Yoh ducks! Yoh tunes up fast, and he SUPER- NO, Eagles mule kicks the leg! Then TRIG- NO, Yoh ducks that and GROUND COBRA CRADLES! Cover, CHAOS WINS!!

Winners: Chaos, by pinfall

Eagles can’t believe it, but Rocky is thrilled! RPG Revise just got a win over the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! Will Yoh & Rocky look to take those titles off the Ichiban Sweet Boys? But speaking of titles, ZSJ quite literally rubs the world title in Goto’s face. We also have Hashi and Oiwa still scrapping on the outside, and then Eagles gives a shove to Yoh. Rocky gets in Eagles’ face, Fujita and Yoh seem to at least keeping things to trash talk, and now Young Lions have to get in between Hashi and Oiwa as they CHOP each other! Hashi CHOPS Oiwa and he goes staggering away! Hashi storms up, Oiwa gets in Hashi’s face, and ZSJ wants his guys stand down.

Easier said than done as Fujita & Eagles hold up the tag titles to taunt Yoh & Rocky. And then Hashi and Oiwa trade CHOPS again! Oiwa even adds some SLAPS! But then Hashi CHOPS Oiwa, and Oiwa almost falls back! Oiwa runs up to fire forearms! ZSJ is frustrated but Oiwa fires LARIATS! Hashi CHOPS again, then eggs Oiwa on. The fans sound like they’re on Oiwa’s side, and Red Shoes has everyone separate. But then Oiwa gets loose to go after Hashi again! Oiwa fires forearms but Hashi CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Oiwa roars, despite his chest being so red! Hashi CHOPS him again and again, and this goes up the ramp!

Oiwa CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS but Hashi doesn’t care, he just CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Talk about chaos! Oiwa tries to scoop Hashi! Young Lions stop him, but Hashi fights free to ROCK Oiwa! Red Shoes reprimands, but then Yoh gets on the mic! “Hey! Hey! Stop! Stop the fighting! Stop!” The fans cheer him being het voice of reason. Yoh says they are ruining New Year Dash! If they wanna fight so bad, just do it in the ring. Yoh then says that CHAOS won the night! The fans cheer that, and Yoh says that “2025 will belong to Chaos. Everyone already knows that Chaos is truly the strongest.

“Isn’t that right, Goto-san? Goto, who won an IWGP World title shot, don’t you agree?” The fans cheer as Yoh offers the mic. Goto picks up his title contract and takes the mic to say, “I won this! I finally made it back to this point.” The fans applaud that. Goto says he WILL challenge for the title… in OSAKA! The fans cheer that, too, and Goto says “No matter how many times you get beat, if you don’t give up, you aren’t defeated. The battle has only just begun. In the year 2025, join the Goto Revolution!” The fans are ready, will The Fierce Warrior finally stand atop the mountain? Or will ZSJ make him #JustTapOut?

My Thoughts:

A great New Year Dash, and though I skipped the matches, they still had meaningful moments after so this was a really packed show. Barnett saying he wants to bring Oleg to a title, which of course means singles title, I have a bad feeling that the House of Torture will win those NEVER Openweight Six Man titles off Oleg, Yano & Tanahashi. Barnett will then take Oleg to like the NEVER Openweight singles title or maybe the NJPW Strong Openweight title. Kushida calling out Konosuke Takeshita for the NEVER title is wild, that and Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori this Saturday at Battle in the Valley will be some awesome stuff.

Drilla calling out Takagi after LIJ won against the War Dogs was pretty wild, too. Takagi VS Drilla 1v1 will be great stuff, can’t wait to see who wins out. Naito & Hiromu of course rebound but that was a really fun match against Funky Sauce. Naito calling out The Bucks is great, but I think that’ll be saved for New Beginnings in Osaka, Battle in the Valley is too soon to waste that title match on. And clearly, Goto wants New Beginnings in Osaka to be where he battles ZSJ. Great 8 Man Tag that also helped set up Hashi VS Oiwa 1v1 and then TMDK VS RPG Revise for the Junior Heavyweight titles. Those will all be great matches, and a Chaos VS TMDK faction warfare story is some good stuff to carry NJPW through to the Spring.

My Score: 8.9/10