Is The Roughneck mightier than The Frontman?

NJPW returns to the Tokyo Dome for WrestleKingdom 19! Shota Umino wants the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, but will he #JustTapOut instead?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – New Japan Rambo: Hirooki Goto wins and is the #1 contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Tokyo Terror Ladder Match: Intergalactic Jet Setters VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Catch 2/2 VS Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles & Fujita win, and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
• IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani VS AZM; Mayu wins and retains the title.
• NJPW World Television Championship Fatal 4 Way: Ren Narita VS Jeff Cobb VS Ryohei Oiwa VS El Phantasmo; ELP wins and becomes the new NJPW World TV Champion.
• The Ace’s Final Road Lumberjack Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL; Tanahashi wins and will NOT retire.
• NEVER Openweight & AEW International Championships, Winner Takes All: Shingo Takagi VS Konosuke Takeshita; Konosuke wins and is the new double champion.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI VS El Desperado; Desperado wins by referee stoppage, and becomes the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
• IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay VS Yota Tsuji; Yota wins and becomes the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.
• Tetsuya Naito VS Hiromu Takahashi; Naito wins.
• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Shota Umino; ZSJ wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Kickoff – New Japan Rambo!

In quite the shocking move to close 2024, the definitive KOPW Champion, Great-O-Khan, decided to DISCONTINUE the KOPW Championship! As great as his victory was, he wants there to be more, so now this battle royal will instead crown a NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship! Who survives to then aim at the very top of NJPW?

Well speaking of, Great-O-Khan starts us off, determined to be the one and only #1 contender! And entry number two is… JOSH BARNETT! The War Master returns to NJPW! The bell rings and these two circle. They feel things out, the fans rally and duel between Khan and Barnett. They tie up, Khan gets a leg and he drags Barnett down. Barnett moves around, slips free and goes for a facelock, but Khan slips out to use a leg guard. The fans cheer as these two reset. They circle again, feel things out, then clinch. They go around, Barnett hits an arm-drag and goes for a lateral press. Khan stays up, and entry number three is here!

The fans fire up as BOLTIN OLEG makes his way out here! Khan and Barnett focus on each other, but BARS is ready to be more than just NEVER Openweight Six Man Champion! Khan gets a ROPEBREAK, Barnett lets off to circle with his former student. They go around, clinch, and Oleg hits that arm-drag! The fans cheer, the two go again, and they clinch. Barnett hits a headlock takeover, but Oleg headscissors! Oleg wants an arm but Barnett turns and slips out the back. Barnett has legs, but Khan CLUBS him! Entry number four is already on their way while Khan CLUBS Oleg. Khan blocks a kick but Oleg knocks him down!

Number 4 is Hirooki Goto! The Fierce Warrior is determined to get back to the top of NJPW, could this be his moment? Oleg scoops Khan but Khan fights free to go after an arm. Oleg fights Khan off and clamps on a facelock! Goto storms in to run and LARIAT Oleg down! Goto then snap suplexes Khan onto Oleg! But Barnett WHEEL KICKS Goto down! The fans fire up as Barnett stomps Oleg to a corner. Barnett drops a knee, then he rains down forearms and elbows! Oleg fights around and rolls with Barnett into a double wristlock. Khan wants Goto’s arm but Goto fights free. Number five is now on their way!

Khan lifts Goto to RAM him into a corner, and here comes Yuji Nagata! The fans fire up for Blue Justice while Barnett has Oleg stuck on the mat and Khan digs his boots into Goto at the corner. Barnett lets off of Oleg so he and Nagata can go KICK for KICK! Khan fires Mongolian Chops on Goto, Barnett has a facelock on Nagata but Nagata fights out to go for an arm! Nagata and Barnett fire shots while Khan sits on his throne, aka Goto’s head! Oleg fires shots on Barnett but Barnett fires back! Oleg hits a BODY BLOW, then goes to scoop. Number six is on the way as Barnett fights off a fireman’s carry!

Barnett and Oleg are suck on the ropes, but Barnett is using an armbar takedown to drag Oleg over! They both go up, out and to the floor! DOUBLE ELIMINATION! By the way, number six is Togi Makabe! Oleg and Barnett shove each other as they finally separate, and Goto trades shots with Nagata. Nagata ROCKS Goto, fires off in a corner, and now the Uncaged Gorilla gets in to CHOKE Khan with that chain! The ref reprimands but Makabe lets off. Makabe then digs his boots into Khan, while Goto snapmares and KICKS Nagata! Cover, TWO! Nagata stays in this but Goto brings him up. Nagata ROCKS and stomps Goto again!

Khan CHOPS Makabe, Makabe ROCKS Khan, repeat! Makabe DECKS Khan, covers, TWO! Makabe keeps Khan down with a chinlock! Number seven is on the way, and it’s… KENTA! The DEFY Champion overcame Kenoh in Pro-Wrestling Noah, and he has an Absolute challenger eyeing him stateside, but he’ll still powerwalk his way to the ring if he can become #1 contender to the IWGP World title. Nagata stomps Goto around, Makabe has Khan down, so Kenta steps to Nagata. They fire forearms back and forth, then Kenta CLAWS Nagata’s eyes! Kenta BOOTS, Nagata BOOTS, and Nagata runs, only for Kenta to dodge!

Kenta fireman’s carries, Nagata fights against it, only to end up on the apron! Kenta fires hands but Nagata holds onto ropes! Nagata roars, Kenta ROCKS him, repeat! Kenta just wants Nagata to fall already, but Nagata ROCKS Kenta! Kenta fights the suplex, HOTSHOTS Nagata, then BOOTS him down! Kenta ELIMINATES Nagata! But now number eight is here, and it’s YOSHI-HASHI! Speaking of, Kenta goes after Goto, Hashi’s teammate! The Headhunter storms down the ring while Kenta rains down fists, then he hurries to help Goto! The forearms fly between Hashi and Kenta and the fans fire up!

Hashi CHOPS and Kenta sputters. Kenta goes to ropes, but he mule kicks! Hashi eggs Kenta on so Kenta CHOPS! Hashi CHOPS again and Kenta tries to ask the ref for help. The ref can’t do anything so Kenta just trades CHOPS! Then he CLAWS Hashi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Kenta argues with him, and then Kenta stomps away on Hashi. Makabe has Khan in a SLEEPER, but Khan RAMS Makabe into buckles. Khan is free, but here comes number nine! It’s Tokyo Pimp, Yujiro Takahashi! Hashi goes after Kenta but here comes Takahashi. Makabe has Khan in a facelock while Hashi throws Kenta at ropes.

Kenta holds on, then whips Hashi, and Yujiro trips Hashi up! Bullet Club works together to whip Hashi to a corner. Kenta runs up to forearm SMASH! Yujiro BOOTS! Yujiro feeds Hashi to Kenta’s fireman’s carry! But Hashi slips free and shoves Kenta at Yujiro! Bullet Club avoids a collision, but Hashi SUPERKICKS Yujiro! Hashi then sends Kenta into Yujiro for real! Hashi THROWS Kenta at the ropes, but Kenta holds on! Hashi pushes Kenta, but Yujiro is after Hashi! Yujiro fires hands but Hashi fires back! Hashi whips, but Yujiro reverses, and Kenta holds down ropes! Hashi tumbles up and out, Bullet Club ELIMINATES Hashi!

Number ten is here, and it’s TORU YANO! Good thing the ramp is a long walk, Yano needs all his sponsors and endorsements read off in his intro first. Yano then hurries in, only to get mugged by Bullet Club! They double whip Yano, but he grabs ropes. Yano taunts Kenta, sends him into Yujiro, then SLAPS them both! Kenta runs up but Yano DUMPS him to the apron! Kenta stays up but then Yano sends Yujiro into him! Kenta falls, Yano rolls Yujiro up, THREE! Yano ELIMINATES Kenta and Yujiro!! The fans fire up and Yano smiles. Khan has Makabe in a Heel Hook, but Makabe has the ROPEBREAK!

The ref reprimands, Khan lets go, and here comes number 11! Everyone watches and waits, and it’s Hiroyoshi Tenzan! Another fan favorite makes his way out here, but Khan sits on Makabe as his new throne! Khan hops down to then HIP TOSS and cover, TWO! Makabe survives, Tenzan finally arrives, and he goes right after Khan! Tenzan CLUBS and stomps Khan, then HEADBUTTS! Tenzan eggs Khan on, and gives him Mongolian Chops! Or, uh, “Sweet Amashi Slammers,” since Khan won the rights to THE Mongolian Chops. Tenzan CHOKES Khan, the ref reprimands, and Tenzan lets off.

Tenzan stomps Khan to ropes, then drags him up. Tenzan HEADBUTTS Khan, stomps him in a corner, but Yano goes after Tenzan! Number 12 is here, and it’s Satoshi Kojima! The MLW World Champion is here, just in time to help his #TenKozy teammate! Yano brings Tenzan up to use the Mongolian Chops! Goto has Khan in a corner, Makabe watches and waits, but Kojima gets in to kick Yano! Kojima ROCKS Yano, Tenzan Mongolian Chops, repeat! Then Kojima uses the Mongolian Chops! The fans fire up as TenKozy mugs Yano, whips him corner to corner, but Yano dodges Tenzan to roll him up!

Kojima makes the save and fires off! Kojima sets Yano up, but then Yano ducks, Tenzan’s LARIAT takes out Kojima! Yano rolls Tenzan, Yano ELIMINATES Tenzan! Kojima fires off on Yano for it! Makabe goes after Khan while Kojima fires off on Yano, and here comes number 13, Tomoaki Honma! Everybody’s Kokeshi storms down the ramp while Goto and Makabe have DOUBLE ARMBARS on Khan! Khan manages to scoot into the ROPEBREAK, so Goto and Makabe let go. Yano turns things around on Kojima while Goto covers Khan, TWO!! Khan stays in this but Makabe covers, TWO!! Goto covers again, TWO!! Makabe tries, TWO!!

Honma CLOBBERS Yano! Then he fires up, runs the ropes, and KOKESHI FLOPS as Yano dodges! Yano flops out of the ring, Kojima brings Honma up, but Honma CHOPS Kojima! Kojima goes to a corner, Honma CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Honma CLUBS Kojima, then CLUBS him again. Cover, TWO! Makabe goes after Kojima, then he and Honma double whip Kojima corner to corner. Makabe LARIATS, Honma ELBOWS, then they double whip Kojima again. Makabe LARIATS, then feed to an ELBOW! Number 14 is here, and it’s SANADA! The Ranbo just got Cold Blooded!

Honma CLUBS Khan, he and Goto mug Khan, and Kojima keeps Makabe down. Sanada slides in but Kojima kicks him first! Koijma puts Sanada in a corner for MACHINE GUN CHOPS! The fans fire up and Kojima CHOPS again! Makabe says hold on, and he climbs up! Makabe rains down fists, and fans count all the way to TEN! Makabe laughs, then he and Kojima argue. Sanada runs up but they double kick him! They double whip, but Sanada gets under the lariats to send Makabe into Koijma! Then Sanada waistlocks Makabe, but Makabe switches. Sanada shoves the ref aside so he can LOW BLOW MULE KICK Makabe!

The fans boo but Sanada TOSSES Makabe! Makabe ends up going through the middle rope so he’s safe. Kojima goes after Sanada, Sanada gets around to waistlock, but Kojima switches back. Sanada MULE KICK LOW BLOWS Kojima, too! Number 15 is here, and it’s TAICHI! Sanada TOSSES and ELIMINATES Kojima, but one of the Just4Guys Sanada betrayed is on his way! Sanada waits on Taichi, and everyone else gives them room. The fans rally for Taichi while he takes off his entrance attire. Taichi storms in, but then Sanada slithers out! The fans boo but Taichi storms out after him! They brawl on the outside, all legal since they went under the top rope.

Taichi whips, Sanada reverses, and Taichi hits railing! Makabe and Khan copy them a bit as they slide out and brawl on the outside! Goto and Honma brawl in the ring, but the extra refs reprimand Sanada and Taichi. Goto snapmares and KICKS Honma, covers, TWO! Number 16 is here, and it’s Tomohiro Ishii! The Stone Pitbull already gets his shot at whoever is NEVER Openweight AND AEW International Champion tomorrow, but is Ishii working to become a belt collector? Khan slides into the ring but Goto goes right after him! Khan gets free, he stomps Goto, then he goes after Ishii! Ishii roars and ROCKS Khan!

Honma fires forearms but Ishii ROCKS Honma! Ishii runs, RAMS Honma, but Honma roars! Honma ROCKS and RAMS Ishii, Ishii rebounds, but Honma LARIATS! Honma runs, KOKESHI! The fans fire up and Honma suplexes, but Ishii fights it! Ishii suplexes, but Honma fights it! Honma wrenches, the forearms fly, but Honma roars! Ishii runs, Honma blocks a lariat to HEADBUTT! Then RUNNING KOKESHI gets ROCKED! And then Ishii suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, Ishii ELIMINATES Honma! And now the last entry, number 17, is Alex Zayne! The fans fire up for The Sauce, could he really spice things up?

Sanada has Taichi in the ring, just to try and throw him out! Taichi lands safe on the apron, then slides back in! Ishii stomps Khan, Sanada fires shots on Taichi, Goto stays safe under the bottom rope. Zayne slides in, watches as Taichi DANGEROUS- NO, Sanada fights free! Sanada whips, Taichi reverses to DANGEROUS HOOK KICK! The fans fire up with Taichi as he runs, AX- NO, Sanada gets under to waistlock. Taichi switches, Sanada shoves the ref again, but Taichi avoids the low blow! Sanada FAKES a low blow from Taichi!! The ref gets fooled and he ELIMINATES Taichi by disqualification!! The fans boo and Taichi is furious!

Taichi glares at Sanada, Sanada jumps over the top rope just to taunt him, but then Taichi BOOTS Sanada down! Taich ELIMINATES Sanada after all! The fans cheer and Taichi goes after Sanada by sending him into railing! Meanwhile, Yano rolls Zayne up, TWO! Zayne ENZIGIRIS Yano! Khan ROCKS Ishii, Goto waistlocks Zayne. Zayne switches, Goto wrenches out, and he whips Zayne. Zayne ducks ‘n’ dodges, IMPLODER KNEES! STANDING CINNAMON TWIST! Zayne stands Goto up to whip, but Goto reverses. Zayne grabs ropes, Yano RAMS Goto with a buckle pad! Yano then runs up on Zayne, but Zayne DUMPS Yano and ELIMINATES him!

The final four brawl now, but we have to go to just one! Khan has Ishii in the IRON CLAW! ELIMI- NO, Ishii slips free to suplex! Khan fights that to scoop Ishii! Khan goes for ropes, he puts Ishii on the apron! Khan fires forearms, but Ishii ROCKS Khan in return! Ishii calls to Zayne, Zayne runs up, but Khan puts Zayne on the apron! So Ishii ROCKS Zayne! Zayne holds onto ropes, and he ROCKS Ishii! Ishii holds on, they brawl, Khan BLASTS Ishii down to ELIMINATE him! Zayne RAMS into Khan, slips into the ring, but Goto knees and hammerlocks him! Khan runs up, Zayne catches Khan, RANA SNAPMARE COMBO!

Zayne fires up with the fans, and he kicks Goto! Mule kick for Khan! Zayne runs to DOUBLE ROLLING AX KICK! Zayne drags Goto up, whips him to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs in but he blocks boots! Goto puts Zayne on the apron, but Zayne catches Goto! Khan runs up, Goto gets free, Khan CLOBBERS Zayne! Zayne falls to the floor, Khan ELIMINATES him! Goto and Khan are the final two! The fans fire up and duel between “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” and “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” They circle, tie up, and Khan ripcords to SAYANAGI! Goto flounders to a corner, Khan runs up and LARIATS!

Khan snapmares Goto, stalks him, and as Goto rises, Khan runs in! BOOT! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans fire up! Khan drags Goto up to Mongolian Chop! Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chop! Khan roars and runs, but Goto catches him! URA G T R! And then a TOSS! Khan holds onto ropes! The fans fire up as Goto snarls, and Goto runs up! Khan RAMS into Goto first! Khan drags Goto up and suplexes! Goto fights that, and he suplexes! Khan fights that, suplexes Goto again, but Goto fights free! Goto HEADBUTTS, runs, and LARITS Khan down! GOTO WINS!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by ring-out (NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship)

The Fierce Warrior has done it! He starts his 2025 by winning a guaranteed title shot! Zack Sabre Jr. and Shota Umino battle it out tonight, and then one of them is bringing that title to WrestleDynasty! Who will it be that Hirooki Goto battles for the top prize in NJPW?

 

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Tokyo Terror Ladder Match: Intergalactic Jet Setters VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Catch 2/2 VS Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney!

As if Kushida & Kevin Knight weren’t already raising the stakes by taking on the Super Junior Tag League winners, and the team that beat them during the round robin phase, and the former champions they beat to get these titles, they’re truly escalating things with these ladders! Who literally rises above to reign supreme in the Junior Tag Division?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised high over head, and for the first time in NJPW, a team must rise up to take them!

The bell rings and the brawl is on! It is chaos but the War Dogs stand tall being the biggest and meanest team! But then Knight springboards to CROSSBODY the War Dogs and Catch 2/2! The fans fire up, TMDK brings in a ladder! Knight hurdles the ladder, Kushida DROPKICKS TMDK down, and then Knight SPLASHES the ladder down on them! The fans fire up for that double-edged play, and the Jet Setters take the ladder. TJP runs in and kicks Knight, CHOPS Kushida, then takes the ladder for his own. He and Knight fight over the ladder, so TJP RAMS Knight into the corner. Kushida runs up but TJP sends him into the ladder!

Francesco Akira runs up and TJP gives him a boost to DROPKICK Kushida, ladder and Knight! The fans fire up while the Jet Setters fall out of the ring, but here come the War Dogs, with chairs! Drilla JAMS Akira, Connors knocks TJP over, and TJP’s hand is trapped under the ladder! Drilla SMACKS TJP on the back! Connors takes the ladder, but Akira uses it to RAM him into a corner! Drilla runs up, Akira sends him at the ladder, but Drilla stops shirt. Drilla blocks a kick, gives it to TJP then SUPERKICKS TJP! Drilla ROUNDHOUSES Akira, then Connors CLOBBERS Catch 2/2 with the ladder!

The War Dogs get the ladder up, Fujita returns but Connors JAMS him up! The War Dogs then HIGH LOW with the chairs!! Fujita flounders away, Connors goes out to CLOBBBER him and Eagles! Then Connors goes for a tall ladder! Connors slides that in, Drilla stands it up, and they both climb. But Kushida is back and he handsprings to TOPPLE the ladder over, the War Dogs going with it! Eagles and TJP climb the same corner, they brawl, so Kushida HANDSPRING KICKS them both down! And he WRECKS Akira with a dropkick! The Jet Setters regroup and bring a table around. Kushida then brings Drilla over and SMACKS him off the table!

The fans fire up as Kushida stands Drilla up while Knight goes up the corner. But Connors SHOVES Knight down! Drilla powers out of Kushida’s hold and THROWS him over railing! Knight returns, goes up the apron, but Connors CHUCKS a chair at him! Kevin crashes ‘n’ burns while the War Dogs take that table. They prop it up against railing, then drag Kushida up. Drilla reels Kushida in, gets him up, DRILLA KILLA on the edge of the table! The table doesn’t break but Connors barks at Kushida. Connors beats down Akira, too, and Drilla gets another table. Drilla drags Akira up and Connors climbs a corner!

The fans freak out as Drilla suplexes, but TJP SHOVES Connors down! TJP KICKS Drilla onto the table! Akira goes up, then goes up onto TJP! Take pictures for this one! SUPER SENTON down through the table!! Akira and Drilla are down in the wreckage while the fans go wild! Connors BLASTS TJP off the apron! Eagles gets Connors with an ASAI DDT! Knight FLYING LARIATS Eagles! The fans fire up as Knight stands that tall ladder up again. Knight adds a shorter ladder as a bridge, but then Connors CLUBS Knight! And SMACKS him off the ladder! Connors whips, but Knight hurdles the ladder!

Knight dropkicks under the ladder, taking Connors’ legs out! Connors SMACKS off the ladder bridge! Knight puts Connors on the ladder bridge, making sure it is in position. Knight CLUBS away on Connors, then gives Eagles the green light! Eagles SPRINGBOARD 450 SPLASHES Connors and the ladder!! Both Connors and Eagles bounce off and go tumbling away! The fans fire up and Knight hurries to climb. Fujita adds another tall ladder to the mix! Fujita YANKS Knight down, stands his ladder up, and now he climbs up! But Akira joins him! They both reach the top, reach for the belts, then fire foerarms!

TJP has Fujita in an Electric Chair! The fans fire up as TJP brings Fujita around, for the LEANING TOWER!! But Eagles is back, and he uses the ladder bridge to take a shortcut! TJP springboards to meet him there! Eagles fires hands, then grabs at the belts! But TJP BLOOD MISTS! Eagles flails blindly, and TJP slips around using Fujita’s latter! SUPER FINAL CUT down through the ladder bridge!! The fans go wild as Eagles writhes, but Akira climbs! Kushida hurries to stop Akira, and has him in an Electric Chair! Knight joins in, TIME 2 FLY! Knight hurries to get the ladders positioned just right before he climbs.

The fans rally, but Drilla grabs Knight! Kushida runs up but Drilla ROCKS him! Kushida gets him back with a BUCKLE SHOT! Knight grabs for belts, but maybe he miscalculated position. Connors runs up, Knight KICKS him away! So Connors goes for the ladder! But Kushida SHOTEIS Connors down! Knight changes position, and he says METCHA TSUYOI~! SUPER DUPER PERFECT TIMING!!! The Jet Setters risk it all just to take Drilla down! But they then use a ladder to keep Drilla down! Kushida climbs with Drilla stuck, but Fujita is back to drag Kushida down! Fujita climbs now, but Kushida goes after him!

Kushida has an ANKLE LOCK! Fujita tries to reach for the belts, but then Kushida THROWS him off the ladder! But Eagles traps Kushida in the rungs! Kushida fights free, and Knight takes Eagles to the UPPER ROOM! Knight hurries up, but Drilla powers up to bench press the ladder!! Knight falls onto the ropes!! Knight flops out to the floor and Drilla stands! Drilla repositions the ladder, climbs up, but TJP returns. Drilla kicks him away, so TJP just climbs up the other side! Drilla fires hands, but both men slip down a few rungs. TJP YANKS Drilla into the ladder again and again! Drilla falls hard, but Eagles is back!

Eagles SMACKS TJP! TJP hits back! They brawl up top, then wobble. Their tag partners get the other ladder and they climb up! Fujita is next to TJP, Akira is next to Eagles, and all four men meet at the very top! The fans fire up as TMDK and Catch 2/2 brawl left and right and across the way! Eagles gest the edge on TJP, then ROUNDHOUSES! TJP falls, but Akira BOOTS Eagles! Akira SMACKS Fujita off the top, then reaches for belts! But Fujita BODY SHOTS! Fujita reaches out, Akira BODY SHOTS! Akira tries again, but Fujita grabs a leg! Akira is stuck in a DRAGON SLEEPER on the very top! Fujita CLUBS Akira, grabs the belts, and TMDK WINS!!

Winners: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, and tonight, they stand tall above the rest! Eagles & Fujita won the Super Junior Tag League, so it is only fitting that they win the titles! Will 2025 be the Year of the Mighty?

 

IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani VS AZM!

The Sky Blue Hyper Technician and the High Speed Bomb Girl have a storied rivalry, and have even teamed with each other on occasion. But for the first time ever, they battle over this title, the bridge between NJPW and Stardom! Will Mayu continue to be the Icon of Stardom? Or will AZM turn the corner on a new chapter in her career?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, with a quick photo op, and we see whose star shines brightest!

The bell rings and the two run up to fire forearms! The fans rally as the shots go faster and faster! AZM gets the edge, but Mayu SOBATS! The fans fire up as Mayu whips AZM to ropes, but AZM trips her up! AZM runs to PENALTY KICK, then BASEMENT DROPKICK! The fans fire up as AZM kips up, and Mayu bails out. AZM goes corner to corner, then up and up and ESCALARA CROSSBODY! Direct hit on Mayu! The fans fire up with AZM and she throws off the gloves. AZM puts Mayu in the ring, then hurries to bring her up. AZM runs, tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA into a FUJIWARA ARMBAR!

Mayu endures, fights around, rolls, but AZM whips her to a corner. AZM Runs up, Mayu slips out to then roll her, and BASEMENT DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Mayu now while AZM flounders to ropes. Mayu runs and DROPKICKS AZM against ropes! Mayu drags AZM to a drop zone and fires up! Mayu climbs, aims, and FROG SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! AZM stays in this and the fans fire up again. Mayu drags AZM up, brings her around to waistlock, but AZM fires elbows. AZM whips Mayu to a corner, runs up, but Mayu SUPERKICKS! Mayu goes up and up, but AZM KICKS the legs out!

AZM goes up the corner, and she WOE STOMPS Mayu down! AZM kicks Mayu to center, then goes up the corner for a DIVING DOUBLE STOMP! Mayu writhes, AZM pushes her to a cover, TWO! AZM is frustrated already but the fans rally up. AZM drags Mayu up, but Mayu kicks! AZM blocks, Mayu ducks a kick, and they DOUBLE FOREARM! And DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSE! AZM ROUNDHOUSES again, runs, but into a SUPERKICK! Both women are down and the fans fire up! AZM flounders away while the fans rally. AZM goes to ropes, Mayu pushes herself up, and they end up in opposite corners. Mayu runs up to DROPKICK AZM in the corner!

The fans fire up as Mayu goes out to the apron. Mayu climbs the corner again, and she leaps for a MISSILE DROPKICK! AZM flounders away but Mayu hurries to put her in the drop zone. Mayu calls for the end! Mayu climbs, MOONSAULT FLOPS as AZM moves! AZM runs up, Mayu ducks the buzzsaw but not the RETURN! Mayu flops over and AZM hurries to get her back up. AZM’s teammates rally at ringside as she reels Mayu in. But Mayu powers out of the Destroyer! Mayu full nelsons, but AZM fights that off to DESTROYER!! AZM brings Mayu around, underhooks the arms, and ROLLING TIGER DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?

Mayu survives and shocks AZM! The fans fire up as AZM drags Mayu into a drop zone. AZM goes up the corner, takes aim, and DIVING- BOOTS from Mayu!! Mayu turns things around and the fans fire up again! AZM and Mayu slowly sit up, and they grab at each other. They both stand, AZM breaks fere to dodge and LA MYSTICA, then AZM SUSHI! TWO!! Mayu escapes, BUZZ- NO, AZM blocks that, slips around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, ONE?!? Both women stand, run up, and Mayu gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, ONE!!! But Mayu holds on, tries again, and then shifts to a full nelson!

But AZM victory rolls! TWO!!! Mayu escapes with nanoseconds to spare! Both women stand, AZM runs up to LA- NO, Mayu stops the tilt-o-whirl, and brings AZM into a TOMBSTONE!! Mayu vows to end this, and she goes to a corner. The fans fire up more as Mayu climbs, MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO?!?! AZM survives and shocks Mayu! Mayu roars as she rises up, and she hauls AZM into a waistlock. Then full nelson! HIGH DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, MAYU WINS!

Winner: Mayu Iwatani, by pinfall (still IWGP Women’s Champion)

A truly fast ‘n’ furious showdown, and it is the Icon that stands tall! Will Mayu continue to shine as her reign continues past 622 DAYS?

 

NJPW World Television Championship Fatal 4 Way: Ren Narita VS Jeff Cobb VS Ryohei Oiwa VS El Phantasmo!

The Souled Out Son of Strong Style was already in a sticky situation when it was just The Imperial Unit and The Mullet coming for him. But The Headbanga made an incredible return having overcome cancer, and is ready to make an even greater comeback! Will this title have a new “season” with the New Year? Or will this still be the Ren Narita Show?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s the real star of the show!

The challengers surround Narita, so Narita quickly bails out. But then Cobb goes out one side, Oiwa out the other, and Narita is again trapped! ELP DIVES onto Narita to take him out at the ramp! The fans fire up, the bell rings, and we’re still on the clock. Oiwa and Cobb hurry into the ring and they RAM shoulders! And RAM, and RAM! Oiwa kicks low, headlocks, but Cobb powers out. Oiwa RAMS Cobb, Cobb rebounds to RAM Oiwa! Oiwa RAMS Cobb again, the two talk trash, and ELP storms in, only for Cobb and Oiwa to run him over! Cobb and Oiwa then fire forearms back and forth!

The fans rally up, Oiwa dodges but DOUBLE FOREARMS hit! ELP runs up but Oiwa dodges in the corner! Oiwa HIP TOSSESS ELP high and hard! Cobb deadlifts ELP for a suplex TOSS! Oiwa TOSSES ELP, then he and Cobb RAM into each other. Oiwa runs, and he RUNS Cobb over! The fans fire up, Oiwa whips to YANK Cobb’s arm, and then he isolates that arm to STOMP it! Cobb writhes, but Oiwa clamps onto the arm, SHANKLY GATES! Cobb endures, and Narita storms in to CHOKE Oiwa! The ref reprimands then counts, and Narita lets go at 4. ELP gets in but Narita CHOKES ELP! The ref counts again and Narita lets go at 4.

Narita CHOKES ELP some more, but he lets off at 4. The ref reprimands, but here comes Cobb! Cobb fireman’s carries but Narita slips out to CHOKE Cobb! The ref counts, but Cobb powers out! Cobb sits Narita down, but Narita rolls to get a takedown! KNEEBAR! Oiwa SPLASHES onto Narita! Cover, TWO, but Oiwa hauls Narita up. Narita fights the Gotch hold suplex, and he CLAWS Oiwa’s eyes! The ref reprimands again but Narita whips. Oiwa reverses, Narita slips around, but Oiwa slips around! SLEEPER! They end up on ropes, the ref counts the break, so Oiwa GOTCH SUPLEXES Narita up and out!

ELP runs up to RANA Oiwa out! The fans fire up as ELP kips up, but then Cobb is in ELP’s way! Scoop and TOUR- NO, ELP slips free, rolls Cobb up, TWO! ELP STMOPS Cobb’s hands! ELP puts Cobb in a corner, knuckle locks, and CHOPS! ELP goes up, up, and tightrope walks to ARI- NO, Cobb keeps ELP from jumping away! Cobb ROCKS ELP, and ELP falls onto Oiwa and Narita! The fans fire up as all three men are down on the outside! But the clock is ticking, Cobb has to get someone in. Cobb thinks instead to build speed! The fans go nuts as Cobb FLIES! A massive tope conjilo wipes out ELP, Oiwa & Narita!

Cobb hurries to get Narita up and into the ring, then hits an URENAGE! FALLING HAMMER! Cover, ONE!! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Narita survives and we pass five minutes. Cobb hauls Narita up to fireman’s carry, but Narita slips free! Oiwa DROPKICKS Cobb into Narita! Oiwa whips, Cobb reverses, but Oiwa reverses again to GUT WRENCH PLEX! Cover, ELP DROPKICKS it apart! ELP ENZIGIRIS Narita off a corner, then he goes up! But Oiwa CLUBS ELP! Oiwa climbs up, he brings ELP around, but then Cobb CLUBS Oiwa! Cobb brings Oiwa off the corner but Oiwa throws hands!

Oiwa grabs ELP, brings him up, and we get a TOWER OF DOOM!! The fans fire up for the Powerbomb Superplex combo, but Narita climbs up! Cobb turns around into HELL’S GUILLOTINE!! Cover, TWO!!! Narita hurries to cover Oiwa, TWO! Narita hurries to cover ELP, TWO!! And the ref is taken out at the same time! Narita grins because now he grabs his pushup bar! The fans boo as Narita storms in, but then Jado snatches the bar! The fans fire up for the Master Heater! Narita sees all his challengers are there! Oiwa CHOPS, Cobb ROCKS and ELP SUPERKICKS Narita down! The fans fire up as Narita flounders away.

Oiwa, Cobb and ELP fire up, and Oiwa fires forearms and CHOPS! ELP BOOTS Oiwa, Cobb HEADBUTTS him! Oiwa comes back, Cobb & ELP dodge! Cobb DROPKICKS, then SUDDEN DEATH from ELP! The fans fire up again as Oiwa is down! Cobb runs up, ELP goes up and over! ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges, springboards, but into Cobb’s arms! Cobb pops ELP around for an F5 THOUSAND!! ELP flounders, Cobb covers, but Oiwa breaks it! Oiwa deadlifts Cobb up with a gut wrench! Cobb fights free, Oiwa fires shots! Cobb dodges but Oiwa LARIATS Cobb down! Oiwa brings Cobb back up for a GUT WRENCH- NO, Cobb’s still too big!

Wait, Oiwa double clutches, DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, but Narita YANKS the ref out! The fans boo but Narita gets his pushup bar back! But Oiwa dodges! Oiwa has the SLEEPER, then THE- PUSHUP BAR!! Narita takes out Oiwa, and now he aims at Cobb! But Cobb blocks the bar, TOSSES Narita, and he BREAKS the pushup bar!! The fans are thunderous, but then Narita LOW BLOWS Cobb! Narita shouts to the ref, and he DOUBLE- NO! Cobb stops the double crosser to take Narita on a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!!! Cover, ELP SWANTONS IN!! Then PLANCHAS Oiwa! Then he THUNDERKISS 86 on Narita!! Cover, ELP WINS!!!

Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (NEW NJPW World TV Champion)

Right at the ten minute mark, The Headbanga seals the deal! ELP defeats cancer, and he defeats “the cancer” in NJPW that is the House of Torture! Will ELP make 2025 the best year he’s ever had?

 

The Ace’s Final Road Lumberjack Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL!

President Ace told the world that his plan would be ONE MORE YEAR as an in-ring talent, ending things with WrestleKingdom 20 in 2026. But the King of Darkness made it his mission to end Tanahashi’s career prematurely! Will tonight be the last night we can cheer “GO ACE?” Or will Tanahashi finally tear down The House of Torture?

Naturally, Evil’s lumberjacks are the House of Torture: Yujiro Takahashi, Dick Togo, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Sho. As for Tanahashi, he is bringing his NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship teammates, Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano, but he also brings Tiger Mask and Master Wato! The bell rings and the fans all rally up for Tanahashi. Tanahashi and Evil circle, feel things out, but Sho grabs at Tanahashi! Evil attacks, then headlocks. Tanahashi endures, fights up and pries at the hold. Evil tries to power it back on, but Tanahashi still manages to put the headlock on Evil! The fans cheer while Evil endures.

Evil pulls hair, the ref reprimands, but now Tanahashi pulls hair! The ref reprimands them both, counts, but only Tanahashi lets go at 4! The ref reprimands Evil more, but Evil kicks Tanahashi. Evil whips Tanahashi to a corner, runs up, but into an elbow! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans cheer while Tanahashi air guitars. Evil staggers up, Tanahashi kicks him low, then Tanahashi whips Evil to ropes. Evil grabs ropes, bails out, and the House of Torture brings out a chair for Evil to take a seat. The fans boo as Dick fans Evil off, and Tanahashi tells Evil to get back in. Kanemaru gets on the apron as a distraction for Evil to slither in!

Evil CLUBS Tanahashi, then TOSSES him to ropes! Tanahashi holds on, but Dick grabs Tanahashi. Tanahashi BOOTS Dick away, then skins the cat, only for Evil to grab his leg! Evil BITES Tanahashi’s thigh! The ref reprimands, Evil stops at 4, and Evil DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi falls to the floor, and the House goes after him! Tanahashi’s team rushes over, the lumberjacks brawl, but The House sends Wato and Tiger Mask into railing! Evil goes out to fetch Tanahashi while Yano is also sent into railing. The House mugs Oleg while Evil POSTS Tanahashi! Evil brings out chairs, and he puts one around Tanahashi’s head!

The ref is too busy telling The House to stand down, and Evil hits the HOMERUN! The fans boo while Tanahashi falls, and Evil laughs. The House brings Wato over, and they give Evil a can of spray paint! Evil graffities Wato’s chest with a rather sloppy “H O T” for House of Torture! Sho & Kanemaru then throw Wato down while Evil goes into the ring. The fans rally for Tanahashi but Sho fetches him into the ring for Evil. Evil has a House of Torture merch shirt, but the ref confiscates it! Evil says fine, put the shirt away. He has the tag rope! Evil CHOKES Tanahashi with the rope, but lets off before the ref can see!

Evil hides the evidence, then drags Tanahashi up. Evil whips Tanahashi into the bare buckles of the blue corner! And then LARIATS him! Then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO!! Evil is furious but none of the tricks have finished off Tanahashi yet. Evil paces, scuffs Tanahashi, and taunts him. Evil drags Tanahashi up, but Tanahashi fires forearms! Evil CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil lets go, but then Evil blocks a kick! Evil hands that to the ref, but then Tanahashi blocks Evil’s kick! The ref lets go of Tanahashi’s foot, and Tanahashi DRAGON SCREWS Evil!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Tanahashi rises up and the fans rally behind him again. Evil goes to ropes but Tanahashi fires body shots and forearms. Tanahashi whips, Evil reverses, but Tanahashi WRECKS Dick first! Tanahashi then ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Evil! The rest of the House gets on the apron, but Tanahashi BLASTS them back down! The fans fire up with Tanahashi and goes back for Evil. Tanahashi brings Evil up to scoop and SLAM! Tanahashi then goes up the corner to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Evil stays in this, but Tanahashi waits for him to rise. Tanahashi then runs, but Evil bails out!

Evil hurries away to the ramp, but Tanahashi has his lumberjacks go get him! Oleg stomps Evil, then fireman’s carries him back to ringside! The fans cheer as Oleg puts Evil in for Tanahashi! Evil wants mercy, but Tanahashi kicks him low! Tanahashi stands Evil up but Evil CLAWS Tanahashi’s face! Evil fireman’s carries, Tanahashi slips free, but Evil grabs the ref! That stops the suplex, so the ref SLAPS Evil! Tanahashi then turns Evil around for TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up and Tanahashi gives a thumbs up to the ref. Tanahashi then runs, but Evil uses the ref as a shield! The ref goes down and the House rushes in!

The fans boo but The House and Team Tanahashi brawl! Team Tanahashi is sent out and The House stomps away on Tanahashi! They set Tanahashi up for the NEW YEAR’S DICK CHOP! The fans boo but now Dick uses the SPOILER’S CHOKER on Dick! Yano CLUBS Dick! Yujiro BOOTS Yano! Tiger Mask runs in, Yujiro blocks the kicks to get the arms! But Tiger Mask ROLLING KICKS free! Sho & Kanemaru mug Tiger Mask! They double whip, but Tiger DIVES out onto Yujiro! Wato gets in but Sho & Kanemaru mug him now! Oleg runs up but they mug him, too! They double whip Oleg into the bare buckles!

Kanemaru & Sho then reel Oleg in, but Oleg fights the double suplex! Oleg DOUBLE SUPLEXES Sho & Kanemaru! The fans are thunderous, and now Wato rises! Wato builds speed to FLY out onto Sho & Kanemaru! The fans fire up again, and now it’s just Evil and Tanahashi! Tanahashi rises, a back-up ref gets in, and the fans rally up! Tanahashi roars and runs up, but Evil sends him into bare buckles! Evil LARIATS, but Tanahashi stays up! Evil LARIATS again, but Tanahashi stays up! Evil tries again, but Tanahashi dodges! Only for Evil to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up while Evil seethes, and Evil vows to end this!

Evil drags Tanahashi up and spins him around, EVERYTHING- NO, Tanahashi fights to steal EVERYTHING IS EVIL! The fans are thunderous as Tanahashi hits a DRAGON SUPLEX!! Evil sits up in a daze and Tanahashi runs! SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Evil survives, but Tanahashi hurries up top! Evil stands, into the HIGH FLY ATTACK! Then Tanahashi hurries right back up! HIGH FLY- NO, Evil shoves the ref into the ropes! And Dick uses POCKET SAND! Wato goes after Dick but is sent into railing! Evil rises up to get Tanahashi! The fans boo but Evil goes to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!!

Evil hurries to stand Tanahashi up! Fireman’s carry, DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives again, but Evil steps through! SCORPION DEATH LOCK!! Tanahashi endures, reaches out, but Evil sits deep on the hold! Evil even hooks the legs to pull on the hold even harder! Tanahashi endures, the fans are thunderous, but Evil lets off in frustration. Evil argues with the ref, surely Tanahashi was done for! The ref defends that Tanahashi is still in this, and Evil drags him up. Evil winds up to LARIAT, but Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Evil LARIATS again! Evil stands Tanahashi up, for EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! CRADLE COUNTER, TANAHASHI WINS!!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (does NOT retire yet)

The fans are as shocked as anyone, but while Evil gets after the ref, the House attacks! The fans boo these sore losers, but wait! IS THAT SHIBATA?! The Wrestler has returned to NJPW and he scares off the entire House of Torture!! The fans are thunderous as Shibata, though signed with AEW, returns home to help President Ace! Shibata helps Tanahashi to his feet, and then asks for a mic. The fans fire up getting to hear from Shibata now! Shibata tells “Tanahashi-kun,” that if he’s not tired yet, how about they have a match for WrestleDynasty? The fans are losing their minds, and Shibata hands the mic over.

Tanahashi tells Shibata that he’s never tired! CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! The fans are going nuts as the inaugural WrestleDynasty gets even bigger! The Ace, the Wrestler, one more time, and perhaps the last time! Will Shibata give Tanahashi the fight of his life as only the Neo Three Musketeers can?

 

NEVER Openweight & AEW International Championships, Winner Takes All: Shingo Takagi VS Konosuke Takeshita!

The Rampaging Dragon didn’t get to meet The Alpha of the Don Callis Family in the G1 Climax, so he wanted this match as much as anyone. He also wanted Konosuke to pull his weight and bring that International Championship with him. Konosuke kept up his part of the bargain by getting past “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs at Worlds End, and now both titles are on the line! Who comes away as a true alpha of wrestling?

The introductions are made, both belts are raised, and we see who brings them both to WrestleDynasty!

The bell rings and the fans rally up already. Takagi seems to have the stronger support, and then both men run up! They RAM shoulders, RAM shoulders again, and again! They stare down for just a moment before Takagi fires a forearm! Takagi runs, RAMS Konosuke, but Konosuke RAMS him and BOOTS him! Konosuke whips, Takagi reverses, but Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges to TAKESHITA LINE! The fans fire up while Takagi goes to a corner. Konosuke runs up, Takagi dodges and HIP TOSSES! Konosuke gets up but Takagi RUNS him over! The fans fire up again while Takagi waits on Konosuke.

Takagi kicks Konosuke around, but Konosuke stands right up. Konosuke is taller so he literally looks down on Takagi. Takagi still fires forearms! Konosuke eggs Takagi on, so Takagi winds up to ROCK Konosuke! Konosuke shakes that off, winds up, and ALPHA ELBOWS Takagi down! The fans fire up as Konosuke looms over Takagi. Takagi is dazed so Konosuke goes up, to SUPER SENTON! Cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this and the fans rally up. Don Callis is stone faced at ringside as Konosuke clamps on a chinlock. Konosuke squeezes tight and grinds Takagi down. Takagi endures, fights up, and he fires body shots.

Takagi is free but Konosuke knees low! Konosuke runs, but Takagi blocks the boot to CLUB the leg! Takagi runs, but into a RANA! Takagi tumbles out and fans rally up as Konosuke builds speed! Takagi moves, but Konosuke changes to a PLANCHA! Takagi moves again, YANKS Konosuke off the apron, and then pop-up DEATH VALLEY DRIVER to the floor! The fans fire up while the ref checks both men. Somehow, Konosuke is okay to continue, and Takagi rises up. Takagi staggers a bit but he fires back up. Takagi brings Konosuke into the ring, then watches Konosuke go to a corner. Takagi runs up but blocks a boot, to then LARIAT through!

The fans fire up with Takagi, and Takagi puts Konosuke up top. Takagi climbs up and has Konosuke on the very top, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX! Then Takagi runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke stays in this but Takagi shouts to the fans, “TOKI GA KI-” NO, Konosuke waistlocks and lifts! Takagi fights free, ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! The fans fire up again, and now “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans cheer, and join in on “OI! OI! OI!” Callis is worried while Takagi winds up. Takagi stands Konosuke up to pump handle, but Konosuke fights the lift! Konosuke fires elbows, but Takagi EXPLODERS!

Takagi runs up, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Konosuke runs up, into a clinch and SAIDO! But Konosuke’s back up to GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men rise, but then they flop over! The fans fire up for this fighting spirit, and then we see Tomohiro Ishii sitting by both belts! We all know Ishii gets the winner, so he wants to see it happen with his own eyes. Takagi and Konosuke both rise, and the fans rally up. Callis coaches Konosuke as he and Takagi go to corner. Takagi headbutts the buckles to fire up! He and Konosuke run in, DOUBLE LARIATS! Konosuke fires boxing elbows, then he eggs Takagi on! So Takagi gives back boxing elbows!

The fans rally, Takagi winds up, but another ALPHA ELBOW floors him! Konosuke runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT! Takagi runs, but Konosuke LARIATS first! And then scoops Takagi right into the BASTARD DRIVER! And a deadlift WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! And then Konosuke aims from a corner! POWER DRIVE- PUMPING BOMBER!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Takagi roars as he rises, and he brings Konosuke up. Konosuke pushes Takagi but Takagi comes back with a SLIDING FOREARM! Then a pump handle and MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and Callis is relieved.

The fans rally, Takagi starts up another “OI! OI! OI!” and then rises. Konosuke slowly stands, Takagi runs, but Konosuke dodges! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! Takagi runs, into a JUMP KNEE! A glancing blow that sends Takagi to a corner but the fans rally up. Konosuke storms up on Takagi, puts him up top now, and then Konosuke climbs. Konosuke has Takagi on the top rope, for a SUPER DUPER STEINER!! Takagi tumbles, Konosuke rises, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, ONE?!?! HOW?!?! Konosuke doesn’t question it, he just attacks with BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!!

The fans are thunderous again but Konosuke vows to end this! Konosuke suplexes, but Takagi scoops! Fireman’s carry, and LAST OF THE DRAGON!!! A rough landing for Konosuke, but Takagi can’t make the cover!! Callis is again worried but both men are stirring. Takagi sits up first, and he grabs at Konosuke. The fans rally, and that energy wills Takagi on! Takagi has Konosuke for a POINT-BLANK PUMPING! Konosuke stays up so Takagi LARIATS again! And DOUBLE CHOPS! Takagi runs, but into a BOOT! Konosuke goes up to POISON-RANA! And then TAKAGI POISON-RANAS??! But Konosuke hits a BLINDSIDE ALPHA ELBOW!!

The fans are thunderous and Callis is proud of his man for fighting this hard! Konosuke rises, takes off the elbow pad, but Takagi runs up! Konosuke ROCKS him, and ROCKS him again! Konosuke fires more forearms, then winds up, but Takagi fires a flurry! HEADBUTT! JAB! HEADBUTT again! POWER DRIVE KNEE!! PUMPING BOMBER??! Both men stagger around, ALPHA ELBOW!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Konosuke hurries to suplex! RAGING FIRE!!! Cover, KONOSUKE WINS!!!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (DUAL NEVER Openweight & AEW International Champion)

The Alpha slays the Rampaging Dragon, and now he brings more gold home to the Don Callis Family! But the Stone Pitbull is still stone faced. Will Ishii just take both those belts away from Konosuke at WrestleDynasty? Or will Konosuke continue to prove why he is All Elite?

 

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI VS El Desperado!

Japones Del Mal has proved haters and doubters wrong again and again as he has overcome the best the Junior Heavyweight Division has to offer. But now, The Rogue Luchador is back and he wants to see if he is still the Best of the Super Juniors. Will these amigos still be on good terms after fighting on the biggest stage in NJPW?

As part of Douki’s entrance, he has a special guest in the famed kabuki actor, Shido Nakamura! Nakamura whips his wild white hair around, and then there’s pyro before Douki rises from under the stage! Douki fist bumps with Nakamura before continuing down to the ramp. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who best represents the fusion of lucha and puro-resu!

The bell rings and fans rally up already. Douki and Desperado hear the dueling as they circle. They step up, then speed up! Douki ducks ‘n’ dodges, Despy hurdles then does the splits! Douki leaps over, sidesteps, then he does the splits! Despy leaps over, things keep moving, and Douki tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Despy tumbles out, but he also hurries away before Douki can build speed. The fans cheer this opening exchange and Despy goes to the apron. Douki BLASTS Despy down, then he DIVES! Direct hit into railing and the fans fire up! Douki puts Despy in the ring, but Despy yoyos back out to RAM Douki into railing!

Despy hurries inside and he builds speed to DIVE!! Direct hit right into railing! The fans fire up and Despy goes out to get them even hotter! Despy then fetches Douki, and he whips Douki hard into railing. Despy tells media to move, then whips again, but Douki sends Despy into railing! Despy staggers away, the ring count is climbing, but Douki fetches Despy. They brawl at the ramp, but the count is 10 of 20! Then 13! The brawling keeps going, we hit 15, and Despy puts Douki in. The fans cheer as Douki takes a swing, but into Despy’s BIG back suplex! Cover, ONE!! Douki shakes his head, he’s tougher than that.

Despy shakes it off and he storms up on Douki. Douki CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Despy ROCKS Douki, Douki tries some misdirection, but Despy still blocks the uppercut! Despy ROCKS Douki, but Douki ENZIGIRIS Despy! The fans rally up and Douki brings Despy around. Douki whips, but Despy reverses to SPINEBUSTER! Despy talks some trash, but Douki catches him into the ITALIAN STRETCH 32! But Despy powers out to have the TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! Douki endures, crawls, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Despy lets go, and the fans cheer.

Despy catches his breath and nods as he stalks over to Douki. Douki BOOTS Despy, goes up and out to the apron, then slingshots for DAY- NO, Despy stops Daybreak to then pop Douki around for a suplex! Douki slips out, goes up, MYSTERIO RANA! Despy tumbles out, Douki builds speed, but Despy hurries away. Only for Douki to go up, up and SUPER SENTON into the railing!! Did Despy counter bomb at the last second?! The fans are going nuts, did Douki also bust his elbow? The ref checks while Despy gets himself to the ring. The ref talks with Douki, Douki points to his left elbow, and the ref calls it!! Referee stoppage, and Desperado wins?!?

Winner: El Desperado, by referee stoppage (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

The Rogue Luchador is frustrated, because while he wanted to win, he wanted to beat Douki himself. Both men were going so hard, so fast, someone was bound to crash ‘n’ burn. Desperado checks on his amigo while also picking up the title belt. Desperado grabs the mic on his way back into the ring, and he tells Douki that when they go this hard, put everything you have, things like this tend to happen. Desperado apologizes to the fans that he won’t apologize for how this went down. “This is the inevitable result when you put your all into something. We will do this again, and I hope you’ll be there to see it. This is by no means over!”

Desperado does his best to keep the fighting spirits hot, with more WrestleKingdom and more NJPW to go! Will Douki rise up better than before to prove to himself that he IS the best in the world?

 

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay VS Yota Tsuji!

The Rebel may do a lot of underhanded things just to win, but he crossed the line calling the injured Yuya Uemura a coward for not answering the challenge. The Gene Blast stepped up for his friend and rival, and now he’s the one aiming for Finlay’s gold. Will Yota make Finlay regret having such a big ego? Or will no one take this title from Finlay ever again?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who has that dog in them!

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “YOTA! YOTA!” as he stares down with Finlay. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but then Finlay pulls hair! The ref reprimands but they end up on ropes, then a corner. Finlay scuffs Yota with his forearm, even as the ref reprimands. Finlay thrashes Yota around, lets off slowly, but then Yota ROCKS him! Finlay fires back but Yota ROCKS him again! They go forearm for forearm, but Yota ROCKS Finlay again! Yota whips corner to corner, Finlay reverses, but Yota boots. Finlay blocks, but Yota reels him in for a DOUBLE STOMP! The fans cheer but Gedo is upset.

Yota brings Finlay up but Finlay CLAWS Yota’s face! The ref reprimands, Finlay runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Finlay flounders out of the ring but Yota takes aim. Yota builds speed, but Finlay hurries away! The fans boo but Yota just adjusts course! Yota DIVES, but Finlay manages to catch him! And RAM him into the apron! Finlay then fireman’s carries to run and LAWN DART! Yota manages to deflect off the post, but then Finlay CLOBBERS him into railing! The fans fire up while both men are down! Finlay grins and Gedo applauds while Yota writhes. The ref checks and Yota is able to continue.

Finlay drags Yota up, puts him in the ring, and Finlay stands on Yota for a cocky cover. TWO, but Finlay brings Yota up. Finlay scoops to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this but Finlay grins. Finlay rains down fists on Yota, the ref reprimands, but Finlay stops at 4. Finlay paces, then flips off fans. The fans boo but Finlay just spits at them! Finlay goes back to Yota, clinches, but Yota fights with elbows! Finlay knees low, clinches again, but Yota arm-drags free! Yota gets Finlay for a BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER and STOMP! The fans cheer the Gene Combination while Finlay sputters.

Yota brings Finlay up and he fires forearms! Yota whips, Finlay reverses, but Yota CLOBBERS him! Yota keeps moving, BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Yota stays focused. Finlay goes to a corner, Yota runs up to SPLASH! Yota keeps moving, and he RANAS Finlay out of the ring! The fans cheer while Finlay flounders, and Yota builds speed again! Yota FOSBURY FLOPS! Direct hit and the fans are thunderous! Yota paces around the outside while Finlay sputters. Yota brings Finlay back up, puts him in the ring, and the fans rally again. Yota drags Finlay up, reels him in, but Finlay fights the suplex!

Finlay tries to suplex but Yota fights him! Finlay wrenches out to ROCK Yota, but Yota ROCKS Finlay! Forearms go back and forth again, and Yota grins as he fires off a flurry! Yota ROCKS Finlay, then runs up, but Finlay dodges! Finlay returns to LARIAT Yota up and over, and ends up going with him! They both tumble to the floor while the fans fire up again. Finlay grins as he rises, and he staggers over to Yota. Finlay brings Yota up to fireman’s carry, and he gives him a LAWN DART into the post! Yota goes down in a heap and Gedo cheers, but the fans boo as Finlay opens the gate. Finlay goes to the timekeeper’s table and clears it off!

Finlay drags Yota up and over to the table, for an IRISH CURSE through the table! The fans boo but Finlay is all smiles as he stands over the wreckage. Finlay leaves Yota behind and the ring count begins. Finlay soaks up all the heat from the Tokyo Dome while flipping them off. The count reaches 5 of 20, then 10. Yota crawls from the wreckage but he has to get around the railing. The count is 15, Yota hobbles and falls, tripping over wires! Yota gets free at 18, and he slides in at 19! The fans cheer but Finlay is right on Yota with a suplex TOSS! Finlay grins and flexes while he aims from th ecorner.

Yota rises, Finlay runs up and UPPERCUTS! Finlay then reels Yota in, but Yota suplexes Finlay into the corner! The fans fire up while Finlay writhes. Yota stands, storms over to Finlay, and he drags Finlay up. Yota hoists Finlay to the top rope, then he climbs up. The fans rally as Yota goes to the very top, but then Finlay shoves him down! Yota tumbles, rises back up, and he GAMANGIRIS Finlay! Yota climbs back up, but Finlay fires body shots! Finlay gets under Yota for a SUPER POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Finlay is frustrated and he reels Yota in to Canadian Rack, CANADIAN HAMMER! And then another CANADIAN HAMMER!

And then another CANADIAN HAMMER!! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives that vicious hattrick, and Finlay is frustrated all over again. Finlay drags Yota up but Yota’s deadweight! The ref checks Yota while Finlay grins again. The fans rally for Yota while Finlay paces. Finlay drags Yota up, but Yota pushes him away, only for Yota to fall back over! Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota cradle counters! TWO!! Finlay escapes, ROCKS Yota, then LARIATS! Yota manages to stay up but Finlay LARIATS again! And LARIATS again! Yota fires a forearm but Finlay LARIATS! Yota rebounds, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then GENE TRIGGER!

Finlay rebounds, SPEAR but into a KNEE! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up for Yota as he roars and rises up! Yota drags Finlay to a drop zone, then goes to the corner. Yota goes up, up, and MARLOWE- NO, Finlay gets under the crush! And he gets Yota up for a POWERBOMB! Finlay brings Yota back up, to BUCKLE BOMB! And then another POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Yota barely survives and Finlay is beside himself! Gedo coaches Finlay while the fans rally behind Yota. Finlay grins again as he stands back up, and he drags Yota by the hair. Finlay reels Yota in, gets him up, but Yota RANAS Finlay into buckles!

Yota runs up and he GENE TRIGGERS in the corner! The fans fire up as Yota roars! Yota goes up, up and MARLOWE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and Gedo fires up! The fans rally again and Yota goes to a corner. Yota powers up and Finlay rises, GENE- CUTTER!! Finlay catches Yota and suplexes, INTO OBLIVION! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives again and Finlay is pulling at his own hair! Finlay storms around, slashes his throat, and he drags Yota up. Finlay suplexes, but Yota slips out! Yota ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Finlay SPEARS! And then he suplexes for OVER- STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Finlay ends up staggering around, into GENE BLAST!!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!

Finlay survives by a literal foot and Yota can’t believe it! The fans still rally behind Yota and he grins as he stands back up. Finlay sputters but still grabs at Yota. Yota drags Finlay up, then ROCKS him with a forearm! Finlay staggers to the ropes, comes back, and Yota ROCKS him again! Finlay staggers around more, Gedo coaches him, but Yota ROCKS him again! And again! And then HEADBUTTS! Finlay drops to his knees but Yota roars! Yota runs, CURB STOMP! Yota roars again and the fans are thunderous! Yota goes to a corner, takes aim as Finlay rises, and GENE- NO, Finlay gator rolls, OVERKILL!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?

Finlay cannot believe it but Yota survives! Finlay hurries to try again! But Yota suplexes! Finlay slips free, backslides, but Yota rolls through! But into OVER- NO, Yota powers out and KNEES Finlay! Then Yota hits a POWERBOMB!! Finlay flounders, staggers up, into GENE BLASTER!!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!!

Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)

The Tokyo Dome erupts as Yota proves NJPW doesn’t need The Rebel! Yota grabs the Global Heavyweight Championship for his own, but will this be just the beginning of Yota’s legend? As for Finlay, he has to fight again tomorrow night against AEW’s Brody King! Is the King of Death going to show Finlay who’s the real Boss Dog in wrestling?

 

Tetsuya Naito VS Hiromu Takahashi!

While it is unfortunate that Henare was injured during World Tag League, denying Los Ingobernables de Japon their shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, it did open things to a unique opportunity. The Uncontrollable Charisma and Ticking Timebomb were meant to battle as IWGP World and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions four years ago, if not for the pandemic. Now Naito and Hiromu can have their 1v1 on NJPW’s biggest stage, who proves to be the strongest in LIJ?

The fans rally already as Naito takes off his newest entrance attire. It’s still as elaborate and stylish as the other ones, but he actually starts with the pants first. Hiromu still knows to be patient, as he is familiar with Naito’s tricks. Naito puts the shirt aside, then offers the LIJ fist bump. Hiromu smiles, but leaves Naito hanging! The fans are surprised, but perhaps this is Hiromu playing mind games in return. The bell rings, the fans duel, and Naito takes his time stepping forward. Hiromu meets him, they tie up, and they’re in a deadlock. Naito slips around to waistlock, but Hiromu switches. Hiromu nelsons but Naito arm-drags free.

Things speed up, Naito drops down then dodges, to roll and tranquilo! But he avoids Hiromu’s basement dropkick to return the favor! Hiromu tumbles out of the ring but Naito rolls out the side. Naito storms up and kicks low! Then he CLUBS Hiromu, whips, but Hiromu blocks. Naito puts Hiromu in the ring and the fans applaud. Naito takes his time rolling back in, then he storms up again. Naito clamps on a cravat to wrench the neck, but Hiromu fires body shots. Hiromu is free, then runs, but into an atomic drop! Naito turns Hiromu for the NECKBREAKER, then clamps on the LEG LOCK NELSON! The fans rally while Hiromu endures.

Naito thrashes Hiromu around, but Hiromu still kicks his way over to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Red Shoes counts, and Naito claims he needs help. Red Shoes undoes the leg lock and Naito stands over Hiromu. Naito stomps Hiromu around, then brings him up. Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Naito SPITS at Hiromu, then kicks low. Naito whips, Hiromu reverses and LARIATS in the corner! Then Hiromu snapmares and basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Naito stays in this, but Hiromu steps on his face. The fans applaud as Hiromu gives back the taunting, then Hiromu drags Naito up.

Hiromu fireman’s carries, Naito slips free and he shoves Hiromu to a corner. Naito runs up but into a BOOT! Hiromu runs, but Naito ducks to run, only for Hiromu to catch him and spin him! Hiromu suplexes, Naito knees free, but Hiromu takes a swing. Naito dodges, then Hiromu dodges back! Naito sidesteps to arm-drag, ELBOW, and basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer while Hiromu writhes. Naito catches his breath, drags Hiromu up, and whips him to a corner. Naito runs up to ELBOW Hiromu, then turn him, and hold him, and hold… for the NECKBREAKER! Naito poses and the fans cheer.

Naito crawls to the cover, TWO! Hiromu is tougher than that but Naito stays calm. Naito drags Hiromu up, but Hiromu fireman’s carries! Naito fights free, but Hiromu avoids the elbow to fireman’s carry again! Hiromu throws Naito over the ropes, then SUPERKICKS him! Then Hiromu runs to SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB to the floor! The fans fire up and Hiromu roars! Hiromu drags Naito up, puts him in the ring, then hurries to wrench and fireman’s carry again. TIMEBOMB 1.5! Cover, TWO! Naito’s tougher than that but Hiromu stays calm. Hiromu drags Naito back up, fireman’s carries again, but Naito sunset flips! TWO!

Hiromu and Naito hurry up, Naito runs up but Hiromu sidesteps to then GERMAN SUPLEX! Naito is down, the fans rally up, and Hiromu encourages them to get louder. Hiromu drags Naito back up, runs, but Naito ducks! Naito runs, but the HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER finds him anyway! Hiromu fireman’s carries again, TIMEBOMB 1.0!! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives and the fans rally up again. Hiromu drags Naito back up, dragon sleepers, but Naito turns around! Hiromu still suplexes but Naito fights it! Naito dodges, TORNADO- NO, Hiromu fights the DDT! Naito tries again, but Hiromu rolls through the DDT to have a cover, TWO!

Both men are down and catching their breath, but the fans rally up again. Hiromu waits on Naito, then SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Naito flounders but Hiromu brings him back up. Hiromu dragon sleepers, but Naito fights Timebomb 2 into DESTINO! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Naito slowly sits up and he stands over Hiromu. Naito brings Hiromu up, and he fires the heavy back elbows! Hiromu stays up so Naito adds on a few more! Hiromu goes to a corner, Naito hops up and reels him in. ESPERANZA! Hiromu flounders, Naito goes back to the corner, and he takes aim.

Naito runs up, CORRIEN- NO, Naito has to duck a Heel Kick first! Then CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up! Naito drags Hiromu up, wrenches and tilt-o-whirls, but Hiromu powers that into a TIMEBOMB 2!! Cover, TWO!! Both men are down again and the fans rally up. Hiromu sits up first and he pounds the mat in frustration. The fans fire up as Hiromu roars! Hiromu drags Naito up, facelocks, then dragon sleepers! But Naito fights free again, to ripcord and ELBOW! Naito fires more heavy elbows, but Hiromu leans on Naito. Naito throws more elbows, but Hiromu just fires up!

Naito fires even more heavy elbows! Hiromu eggs Naito on so the elbows keep coming! Hiromu drops to his knees, but he leans on Naito all the same. Naito stands Hiromu up for even more elbows! Hiromu gets fed up, but Naito ENZIGIRIS! And a wrench, but Hiromu wrenches back! HIROMU-CHAN CRADLE! TWO!!! Naito narrowly escapes, but Hiromu SHOTGUNS him into buckles! Wait, Hiromu wrenches and tilt-o-whirls? HIROMU DESTINO!! The fans are fired up as Hiromu hurries to get Naito up, for the dragon sleeper and TIMEBOMB 2!! Cover, TWO!??! Naito survives and the fans are thunderous!

Hiromu grits his teeth, and he roars again! The fans fire up as Hiromu has Naito’s arm, straitjacket and dragon sleeper, for TIMEBOMB- NO, Naito fights off MK 2.5! Naito KNEES free, then blocks a superkick! Naito SLAPS Hiromu, and Hiromu goes to ropes. The fans fire up as Hiromu’s rage boils over! Hiromu runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Naito drags Hiromu up, wrenches, and DESTINO!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Hiromu survives, Naito’s plan to take advantage of his rage didn’t work! Naito drags Hiromu up, scoops and SLAMS him, then he goes to the corner! Fans fire up, but Hiromu anchors Naito’s legs!

The fans rally as Hiromu grabs hold of the leg. Naito drags Hiromu up, SLAPS him again, then reels him in to scoop and VALENTIA!! Naito wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, DESTINO!!! Cover, NAITO WINS!

Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall

The former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion beats the former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, proving that even now, Hiromu has a long way to go before he can get one over on him! Hiromu’s fighting spirit and passion were powerful, but Naito wins out for being tranquilo through and through. Naito puts his baseball cap back on, and he raises the LIJ fist. Hiromu slowly sits up, then stumbles around as he tries to stand. Hiromu leans on Naito in order to get to his feet, and though frustrated with himself, he bows to “Shishou,” and raises the fist! Will the 2024 World Tag League winners still look to go after the IWGP Tag Team Championships together in the future?

 

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Shota Umino!

The Front Man won the G1 Climax, then dared to shake things up and have his title match in Ryogoku. ZSJ won the title and put the target on his back, will the Roughneck hit the mark? Or will ZSJ prove it’s still too soon for Shota’s Paradigm Shift?

ZSJ has TMDK with him as he makes his entrance, but Shota is a lone wolf tonight. But Shota’s hair has returned to the hot pink he had before, perhaps a symbol of his renewed determination. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who reigns supreme in this WrestleKingdom!

The bell rings and the fans fire up already. ZSJ and Shota stare down, slowly approach, and they feel things out. They knuckle lock, go forehead to forehead then clinch. Shota puts ZSJ on ropes, Red Shoes calls the break, and Shota lets off slowly. ZSJ steps forward, silently daring Shota, but Shota pats ZSJ on the shoulders and backs away. The two reset, knuckle lock, and go around again. ZSJ steps over then hooks a leg before having the cravat. ZSJ shifts to a facelock but Shota wrenches out to wristlock. ZSJ spins, wrenches, and he hooks a leg again. Shota fights that off to wristlock, but ZSJ bridges, turns, slips through, and he wristlocks back.

The fans rally as ZSJ wrangles Shota to the mat. Shota moves around, rolls, wrenches through and wristlocks. ZSJ rolls, wrenches, rolls, wrenches, slips through and has the wristlock. Shota gets under to shovel ZSJ, but ZSJ kips up to break free! The fans cheer that opening exchange while ZSJ and Shota reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ reels Shota in and stands on a hand! ZSJ turns Shota around to have a motorcycle stretch. Shota endures, even as ZSJ digs his forehead into the shoulder blades. Shota powers up to turn the stretch onto ZSJ! ZSJ powers up to turn it back, but Shota just spins through!

Shota stands on ZSJ’s back, but then reels ZSJ into a full nelson. ZSJ breaks, wrenches, but Shota slips around to full nelson again. ZSJ slips down, rolls back, but Shota stays back so he can full nelson again! The fans applaud but ZSJ is annoyed. ZSJ backs up into Shota but Shota keeps from being thrown over. Shota puts more pressure on the full nelson, but ZSJ uses his leg for leverage. ZSJ breaks free but Shota ducks the elbow. ZSJ ducks a haymaker but swings into a facelock! ZSJ fights the suplex, but then so does Shota. Shota wrenches free but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick to then arm-drag!

ZSJ headscissors, Shota kips free, the fans rally up as this keeps going! ZSJ avoids a dropkick, Shota avoids the Penalty Kick to scoop and DROP, then basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Shota stands tall out of that fast ‘n’ furious exchange! Shota cools off while ZSJ sits up, then Shota brings ZSJ around. Shota CLUBS ZSJ, ZSJ goes to a corner, and Shota throws an elbow! Shota throws another elbow, then he stomps ZSJ down. Shota drags ZSJ up with a cravat, but ZSJ endures the neck wrench to chinbar in return. Shota puts on more pressure, but ZSJ goes for a leg. Shota still cranks the neck wrench, then fires shoulders into ZSJ!

Shota CLUBS ZSJ down again, then sits him up. ZSJ eggs Shota on, so Shota fires some HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! The Blackpool Combat Club special still lives in The Roughneck, and he brings ZSJ up. Shota suplexes but ZSJ blocks again. ZSJ has a facelock and cranks the hold, but Shota suplexes again. ZSJ wrenches out to WRING the arm! The fans rally up while Shota clutches the shoulder. ZSJ sits Shota up to then SNAP the fingers! The fans are torn over ZSJ acting like a Villain, but then ZSJ twists Shota’s wrist and wraps the arm around the ropes. Red Shoes counts, and ZSJ lets off with an apologetic bow.

ZSJ then drags Shota from the ropes, wrangles him, and has a mounted armbar! Then ZSJ isolates the arm to STOMP it! The fans cheer while Shota writhes and clutches the elbow. ZSJ paces before going back for Shota. ZSJ stands on the bad arm, and even the hand. Shota throws shots with the other hand, but ZSJ KICKS Shota in the side! ZSJ kicks Shota around but Shota eggs him on. ZSJ KICKS Shota in the arm again, eggs Shota on now, and then KICKS him again! Shota sits up but ZSJ kicks him to the ropes. Shota stands up and he fires a forearm! And another forearm! ZSJ eggs Shota on so the forearms keep going!

ZSJ wrenches the arm to an ELBOW BREAKER! Shota falls back to ropes but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Shota staggers around, ZSJ whips, but Shota reverses, only for ZSJ to catch him into a COBRA TWIST! Shota endures, even as ZSJ puts pressure on the crossface portion! ZSJ practically flexes as he puts on the grip tighter, but Shota fights his way towards ropes. ZSJ grabs that free arm and adds a straitjacket variation to the hold! Shota still endures, even as ZSJ digs an elbow in! Shota almost falls into the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as ZSJ lets off, and then ZSJ KICKS Shota!

ZSJ runs, but Shota DROPKICKS back! Both men are down and we’re only ten minutes in. Shota rises and he fires back up! The fans cheer as Shota storms up to fire forearms on ZSJ in the corner. Shota whips corner to corner, then UPPERCUTS ZSJ! FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Shota keeps cool. Shota paces, and he drags ZSJ up. Shota clinches but ZSJ wrenches out and then goes to the bad arm. PELE to the elbow! Shota goes to ropes and the fans rally up. ZSJ runs but Shota drop toeholds him into ropes! Shota slingshots, APRON DDT! ZSJ is stuck upside-down while fans fire up!

Shota clutches his leg while ZSJ finally flops to the floor. The fans rally up and a ring count starts. Shota rolls in at 3 of 20 while TMDK coaches ZSJ. ZSJ is still down at 10 of 20, but Shota goes out to fetch ZSJ. Shota has media clear out so he can whip ZSJ into railing! ZSJ slumps down but Shota brings him back up. Shota brings ZSJ around, cravats, and then whips again, but ZSJ bounces off railing to BOOT Shota! Shota returns to SHOTGUN! ZSJ is down again and Shota snarls as he rises up. The fans rally and duel, and now Shota wants TMDK to give him space. Red Shoes has TMDK back up a bit, and Shota puts ZSJ on railing!

DRAPING DDT to the floor! The fans go wild while ZSJ flops over! Shota is stone faced, and he doesn’t even care that the ZSJ fans boo him. Shota paces while ZSJ reaches out. Shota drags ZSJ up, brings him around, and then puts him in the ring. Shota goes to the corner, takes aim, and he goes COAST2COAST! Then Shota hauls ZSJ up to dragon sleeper, TRIDENT! Cover, TWO! ZSJ survives and the fans rally up! Shota waits on ZSJ, then runs, but ZSJ avoids Ignition to NECK TWIST! And basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! ZSJ stands up and paces around while Shota stirs.

ZSJ sits Shota up to KICK him in the back! Shota grits his teeth, but he sits back up! Shota eggs ZSJ on, so ZSJ KICKS him in the back again! The fans rally, Shota manages to sit back up, and Shota again dares ZSJ to hit him. ZSJ winds up, and he KICKS, covers, TWO! Shota stays in this but he rolls to the ropes for shelter. ZSJ waits on Shota as Shota has to beat him, not the other way around. ZSJ eggs Shota on, taunting him with how he wanted this main event. ZSJ kicks Shota around, but Shota sits up. Shota looks up with defiance, but ZSJ gets forehead to forehead with him. Shota rises, ZSJ eggs him on, and Shota fires a forearm!

ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Shota staggers around, and the fans rally up. Shota roars and comes back to fire a forearm! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! Shota again staggers around, but he steadies himself and shakes his head. Shota goes back to ZSJ to fire a forearm, and another, but then ZSJ ROCKS Shota! ZSJ whips, Shota reverses, but ZSJ wrenches to ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Shota clasps hands but ZSJ shifts sides! Shota still holds on to fight the armbar! ZSJ pulls, uses legs for leverage, and has the ARMBAR! But Shota fights around, only to end up in an omoplata! ZSJ wants the other arm, Shota reaches for ropes, but ZSJ rolls him away!

ZSJ has the deep armbar! Shota endures, but ZSJ pulls on the arm! ZSJ shifts, CLARKY CAT! ZSJ uses his forehead to push on that arm, then he scissors the arms with his legs! Shota fights around but ends up in an TRIANGLE HOLD! ZSJ adds a double wristlock to it, and Shota is already fading! Red Shoes checks, and Shota’s turning red like his hair! ZSJ still squeezes, but Shota finds a second wind! Shota deadlifts ZSJ! But ZSJ slips around, DDT! Shota staggers back, rebounds, BASEMENT UPPERCUT! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Shota goes to a corner, takes aim, and ZSJ sits up into BLAZE- NO, ZSJ ducks!

ZSJ runs up to BOOT the lariat, but Shota SWATS the kick! Shota ROCKS ZSJ, ROLLING- NO, ZSJ gets under to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Shota’s right up! ZSJ LARIATS Shota inside-out!! The fans are thunderous and ZSJ roars! ZSJ then shouts, “IKU ZO!” Scoop and- NO, Shota slips free to CROSS RHODES! The fans fire up while both men are down! ZSJ crawls to ropes, Shota goes to the opposite side. Shota rises, he and ZSJ go to corners. They both run up, and ZSJ BOOTS Shota! Shota ROCKS ZSJ! Shota eggs ZSJ on, so ZSJ comes back to UPPERCUT! Shota staggers and the fans rally up again.

Shota scowls, comes back, and he UPPERCUTS! ZSJ wobbles and staggers back! ZSJ leans on ropes, Shota stares him down, and ZSJ returns to UPPERCUT! Shota staggers around, but he also comes back. Shota UPPERCUTS! ZSJ nods and shakes that off. The fans rally up more and more, and then ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Shota eggs ZSJ on so ZSJ UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ falls! ZSJ gets right up and Shota stares him down. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota UPPERCUTS, and ZSJ wobbles. ZSJ UPPERCUTS and Shota staggers! The fans continue to rally as neither man is backing down!

Shota UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! ZSJ roars, but Shota UPPERCUTS him down! Shota roars, we pass 25 minutes, and the fans rally up again. Shota stands ZSJ up, catches his uppercut, but then ZSJ catches his! UPPERCUT, but then Shota clinches! EXPLODER, cover, ONE!! ZSJ KICKS Shota down, covers, ONE!! Shota SHOTGUNS ZSJ! ZSJ is right up to PENALTY KICK! But ZSJ drops to his knees, he can’t make the cover! ZSJ heads back over, brings Shota up, only for Shota to fight the scoop! Shota wrenches, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, then ZSJ whips. Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT!

Shota hurries to haul ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops! ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans are thunderous! TMDK coaches ZSJ while he and Shota are both down. ZSJ rises, the fans rally up, and ZSJ roars again! ZSJ stands Shota up, reels him in, and Gotch Lifts! A shoutout to Suzuki-sensei, but Shota backdrops free! ZSJ rises, but into a pop-up, clinch, and EVOLVED DEATH RIDER!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives but Shota fires up! The fans also fires up and Shota runs up, IGNITION! Shota then hurries to underhook, SWINGING DEATH RIDER!! Cover, TWO!!! ZSJ survives and the fans are thunderous!

Shota is back up, and he drags ZSJ back in! Underhooks and- NO, ZSJ traps a leg to TWIST, and TWIST! And then KNEEBAR!! Shota endures, even as ZSJ has the heel hook added on! ZSJ shifts the grip to put more pressure on, then he drags Shota away from ropes! It’s an INVERTED FIGURE FOUR! Shota endures as ZSJ twists the leg from knee to ankle! Red Shoes checks as Shota endures, ZSJ adds an ANKLE LOCK to it! Shota crawls for ropes, but ZSJ drags him back again! ZSJ tortures the leg with the different angles, but Shota claws at the mat! Shota grabs at Red Shoes’ shirt, but he refuses to give in!

ZSJ scissors the legs, the INVERTED FIGURE FOUR returns! HEEL HOOK on top! Shota flails, reaches out, and we pass 30 minutes! But that’s only the halfway point for an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match! Shota endures as ZSJ puts all the pressure he can on the legs! Shota roars, pushes up off the mat, and he claws his way forward! The fans are thunderous, but then ZSJ leans way back on the legs! Shota shouts in pain, but he still makes the ROPEBREAK!! The fans all cheer while ZSJ lets go in frustration. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s legs, and STOMPS them! Shota clutches his legs, but he still looks up defiantly at ZSJ.

ZSJ storms up to STOMP the leg again, and Shota writhes again. Shota crawls away, but then sits back up. ZSJ storms up to STOMP the leg again! Shota goes to ropes, the fans rally and duel, and ZSJ waits on Shota to stand. Shota hobbles, but then he falls over, and he crawls to ropes. Shota still tries to stand, but his legs just won’t let him! Shota crawls after ZSJ but ZSJ soaks up the cheers from the fans. ZSJ brings Shota up, but Shota fires a forearm. There wasn’t much behind it, but Shota fires another, and another. ZSJ KICKS the legs out, but Shota gets right up! Shota fires forearm after forearm, and now there’s something there!

ZSJ DROPKICKS the legs out! Shota flounders around, but ZSJ waits to then run up. Shota dodges, and uses the corner to TORNADO DDT! Both men are down again and the fans rally. Shota crawls to a corner, ZSJ to the other, and they both drag themselves up with ropes. Shota shouts, “IKU ZO!” and then he runs in, BLINDSIDE KNEE in the corner! Shota puts ZSJ up top, climbs, but then flops down because of the bad leg! Shota still tries as the fans rally up, but ZSJ catches him to a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Red Shoes reprimands but ZSJ drags Shota up top for a HANGING GUILLOTINE! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but ZSJ puts Shota on the ropes!

ZSJ then tries to scoop Shota! Shota uses what he has left to fight that, and he fires elbows! Shota HEADBUTTS, but then he falls back! ZSJ wobbles up top and Shota rises again! The fans rally up as hard as they can, and ZSJ kicks Shota. Shota SHORYUKENS ZSJ! Shota goes to the very top, brings ZSJ up to join him, and fans go nuts already for the SUPER DUPER BUTTERFLY PLEX!! ZSJ tumbles away and both men are down again! The fans rally up and both men stir. Shota rises first, and he walks over to ZSJ. Shota stomps away on ZSJ in the ropes, the fans boo, and Red Shoes reprimands. Shota shoves Red Shoes down!

The fans boo because not only does Shota shove a ref, he shoves his own dad! Shota keeps stomping away on ZSJ, then he digs his boots in. Red Shoes tells Shota to stop, and Shota finally listens. Well, not really, as he sneaks stomps in! The fans boo more, Red Shoes knows what Shota is doing, and he has Shota back off. ZSJ rolls into the ring, Shota looms over him, and Shota scuffs ZSJ again and again. ZSJ flounders, but Shota brings him up. Shota ROCKS ZSJ, ROCKS him again, and ZSJ staggers to a corner. Shota winds up to UPPERCUT! ZSJ falls over, but Shota looms over him again.

ZSJ KICKS a leg! And KICKS! And KICKS! Shota doesn’t even care! Shota has the wrists and he DRAGON STOMPS! Shota shouts out Bryan Danielson but the fans boo! ZSJ endures as Shota digs his heel into his chest, then stomps him again! Shota brings ZSJ up, but ZSJ SLAPS Shota! Shota staggers and drops to his knees while the fans rally up! ZSJ looms over Shota, and he kicks him and stomps him over and over! We hit 40 minutes as Shota just looks up with defiance. ZSJ KICKS Shota in the chest! Shota grimaces and doubles over, but even ZSJ needs a moment to catch his breath. Shota crawls over to ZSJ, but ZSJ sits him up to KICK!

Shota grimaces again, doubles back over, but ZSJ brings him up. ZSJ stands Shota up, SLAPS him again, and has the wristlock to keep Shota close. Shota SLAPS, ZSJ SLAPS, it is a SLAP fight! The fans fire up as ZSJ gives as good as he gets! Shota and ZSJ SLAP, SLAP, SLAP! ZSJ ROCKS Shota with that last one, then DECKS him with the next! Shota is dazed but ZSJ stands him up. Shota ducks the roundhouse to pump handle, scoop, and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Shota roars, takes aim, and BLAZE BLADE!! Cover, TWO!! Shota hurries to get ZSJ back up, underhooks, but ZSJ drops to get a leg! He ducks the enzigiri to have an ANKLE LOCK!

Shota rolls, victory rolls even, TWO!! Both men stand, ZSJ BOOTS! Shota roars! ZSJ SLAPS! ZSJ runs, Shota LARIATS! Both men are down but they hurry back up! They might be running on fumes but they’re still on their feet! They both run in, but Shota’s leg gives out! ZSJ DROPKICKS, then scoop for the SABRE DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Shota survives and the fans are thunderous! ZSJ shakes his head, and he drags Shota back up! Gotch lift, PILEDRIVER!!! The fans are thunderous for the Suzuki shoutout! ZSJ then drags Shota back up, reels him back in, ZACK SABRE DRIVER!!! Cover, ZSJ WINS!!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

At about 43 minutes and change, The Frontman finally downs his upstart challenger! ZSJ shows Shota respect in the end, because who knew he had it in him? But will Shota just have to shift gears and try again with the New Year? And what about his battle with Claudio Castagnoli tomorrow night? Can Shota refuel and hit The Swiss Superman with that Paradigm Shift?

As for ZSJ, he again shows Shota respect, and the fans applaud as Shota shows it in return. Shota is still down while ZSJ gets the mic, and ZSJ says, “I WON!” The fans cheer that! ZSJ tells Shota to hold on. Shota may not be an Ace yet, “but do your best to come back here. I’ll be waiting for you, do your best.” Shota slowly exits the ring, and ZSJ asks everyone, “How’d you like that?” The fans cheer, they loved it! ZSJ says there’s still tomorrow, so he’ll win then and talk to you all again. So mind if he keeps it short tonight? Happy New Year to everyone! Have fun tomorrow, too! This year will revolve around TMDK!

The fans cheer as ZSJ drops the mic, but is The Frontman already looking past The One & Only Ricochet? Or will ZSJ make this one mighty Tokyo Dome weekend?

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My Thoughts:

An awesome night one in the Tokyo Dome with WrestleKingdom 19, but I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say get well soon, Douki. He and Desperado were going really hard, and that super senton, possibly powerbomb counter, that was a rough way for Douki to beat up his arm. But Desperado gave a good speech right after to address the injury happening and all that. So then the Junior Heavyweight Championship aside, I feel like the only real weak spot was that the Women’s Championship match barely being 16 minutes total from entrances to exits. I suppose if that is the real pace of a Stardom match, then good on them. Still a great match for what we got, but I would think for a big stage like WK19, they could’ve taken more time to really show what they can do.

Mayu retaining was fine, I obviously haven’t been watching Stardom’s programming so I don’t know what the build to this was. But she’s 100 days away from a two year reign, I would think someone takes that title off her at some point. Meanwhile, we got a lot of fun out of the Ranbo, and I don’t know if they meant for it to be only 17 entries or something happened to like three planned entries and they just didn’t replace them. They got a lot of stories involved at once, such as Sanada VS Taichi. Khan being the first entry and then being one of the final two was great, but per the unwritten rule, Khan had to lose since this was all his idea. Goto being the winner was a touch surprising, but he does make for a solid opponent no matter who is world champion.

Great ladder match, with the only weak spot being when Drilla didn’t smash Akira through the table with Drilla Killa. None of that was the right angle, but it was admirable that they even tried. Great win for TMDK, though, as they are the Super Junior Tag League winners and really should be the ones to win outside of the champs retaining. Great NJPW World TV Championship match, and I love that ELP won. ELP gets this as both a reward for sticking it out in NJPW, being a great talent in and out of the ring, and as a celebration of his overcoming cancer. Whoever didn’t want ELP winning this title must really be a fanboy for one of the others.

Also, awesome move in Cobb breaking the pushup bar, Narita’s gonna need a new weapon of choice. Great lumberjack match, too, and of course The House of Torture tried to do all the cheats they could. But at the same time, of course Tanahashi won to keep his career going for this final year. Shibata returning is a great move, as is Shibata VS Tanahashi for tomorrow, that is going to be a show stealer. Takagi VS Takeshita was awesome, definitely worthy of both titles, and I’m actually a little surprised Takeshita won. Takeshita VS Ishii tomorrow will be awesome, and could probably go either way. Maybe Takeshita wins so he can bring both belts back to AEW.

Finlay VS Yota was awesome stuff, and Yota winning makes sense given Finlay is facing Brody King tomorrow. Finlay with a title would’ve made that match really predictable, because Brody can’t go beating a champion and earning himself a title match. Plus, it was about time Finlay got his comeuppance as one of the top Heels in NJPW. To me, Naito VS Hiromu had a great start, lulled in the middle, but then kicked it back into gear going into the end. Hiromu looked great even in defeat, and I would think after WrestleDynasty, whoever are the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions will face Naito & Hiromu so that the World Tag League title shot doesn’t go to waste.

And of course, just an awesome main event. 43 minutes is WILD, but it helped give a great story arc to Shota from start to finish. There were many times Shota started to embrace the heat from the fans by not caring and just going after ZSJ how he wanted. It was similar to Kota Ibushi’s “Scary Mode,” too. But in the end, ZSJ winning is the right call. Shota still needs some time to perhaps work on either being a Face fans actually like or shifting into a Heel fans love to hate. Shota VS Claudio also didn’t need a title, the story of being Moxley’s Young Boy VS Moxley’s second in command works on its own. And while ZSJ VS Ricochet will now be for the title, I don’t see ZSJ losing just yet.

My Score: 9.1/10