The Ace has one last shot!

With 2025 being the Go Ace Retirement Tour, Hiroshi Tanahashi wants one last run at the top! But will Hirooki Goto deny President Ace the world title?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo VS Master Wato; ELP wins and retains the title.
• Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson VS Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale; Chase & Fale win.
• Six Man Tag: Just4Guys VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win, by disqualification.
• Gabe Kidd & “Drilla” Moloney VS Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Double Count-out Draw.
• 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS House of Torture; LIJ wins.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Francesco Akira; Desperado wins and retains the title.
• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Goto wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW pays tribute to Gran Hamada and Osamu Nishimura.

To honor the memory of two great Japanese legends, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tiger Mask lead the procession to the ring, holding the portraits of Nishimura and Hamada, respectively. Among those that join them are Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Yuji Nagata, Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Jado, Ryusuke Taguchi, Boltin Oleg, Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi, Toru Yano, and the Young Lions. The rest of the names on tonight’s match card also stand by the entrance. The accolades of both legends are listed, and then we are given a moment of silence with ten rings of the bell. Then, to celebrate these legends, their theme songs are played one last time.

The procession then makes their way out, and it’s time for the show! May Hamada and Nishimura smile upon this 53rd Anniversary!

NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo VS ???

The Headbanga has been the star of the show since WrestleKingdom, even surviving the Imperial Unit on the Road to New Beginning. However, he has a mystery “guest” for this match! Who will it be? And will they take the spotlight away from ELP?

ELP makes his entrance, Jado by his side, but ELP needs mics so he and Jado can talk. The mics are handed over, and ELP asks Ota City, “Are we good in the house? Lemme hear ya make some noise!” The fans cheer, and Jado translates, so the fans cheer again. ELP says today is NJPW’s 53rd Anniversary! That’s a lot of years of the best pro-wrestling in the world, baby! Jado translates that it is 53 years of Strong Style! And today is the first ELP NJPW World TV Open Challenge~! The fans cheer that, too! ELP asks, “Who’s it gonna be?” Jado translates, “Dare desu ka?!” ELP says he doesn’t care if you’re young or old… He looks at Jado…

And it doesn’t matter if you have long, flowing locks, or if you’re bald. Again, he looks to Jado. Jado is a little annoyed ELP is bringing all this up, but the fans cheer Jado on. Jado asks if ELP wants him to challenge for the title. ELP says it doesn’t matter who you are, because this is The Headbanga! This is NJPW World TV Champion, E! L! P! And the Open Challenge starts now! The fans cheer again, but seriously, who is coming to challenge? It’s MASTER WATO! Will the Way of the Grandmaster find his way to the spotlight?

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans rally up, ELP offers a handshake, and Wato accepts. The fans cheer the sportsmanship and the two circle. They tie up, ELP puts Wato on the ropes, but then lets off with pats on the shoulder. ELP gets the fans to cheer “Wato! Wato!” but then he pats Wato on the cheek. Wato shoves and CHOPS ELP! ELP slips around to waistlock and SLAM Wato! ELP slaps Wato around, then clamps on a headlock. Wato rolls it to a cover, TWO! ELP holds on, Wato fights up but can’t power out as ELP holds tight! ELP grinds the headlock but Wato fights to his feet. Wato fires body shots, then powers out this time.

Wato reels ELP in and headlocks in return. Wato hits a takeover, ELP headscissors, but Wato kips free. Roles reverse with ELP hitting a takeover and Wato getting the headscissors. ELP kips free but Wato sweeps the legs! Cover, ONE! Wato jumps the sweep and he rolls ELP into VENDAVAL! ELP fights around, rolls and rolls and ends up on the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Wato lets go. ELP and Wato reset while the fans rally up. They circle, tie up, and ELP headlocks. Wato powers up and out this time, but ELP runs him over! ELP flexes and the fans cheer. ELP kicks Wato around, then runs. Wato stays low, then hurdles over!

ELP leaps over Wato now, then bypasses him. Wato RANAS, ELP handsprings through! ELP RANAS, Wato tumbles out, and ELP kips up! The fans fire up as ELP takes aim, PLANCHA but Wato moves! ELP lands on his feet, but Wato RANAS him into railing! Wato gets in the ring and the fans fire up! Wato builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes ELP! Wato is all fired up and the fans are with him! Wato drags ELP up, puts him in, and then takes aim. Wato springboards for the FLYING UPPERCUT! Direct hit and cover, TWO! ELP stays in this but Wato stays focused. The fans rally while Wato brings ELP up.

Wato wrenches ELP, but ELP resists the hook! ELP throws elbows into Wato’s leg, then ROCKS Wato with a forearm! ELP whips, Wato reverses to ROCK, KNEE, run and SHOTGUN DROPKICK! ELP falls to a corner, Wato covers, ROPEBREAK! ELP’s long limbs save him, but Wato brings him up. Wato whips corner to corner but ELP reverses. ELP runs up, but into a BOOT! Wato runs to BULLDOG! The fans fire up while ELP writhes! Wato pushes ELP to a cover, TWO! We hit five minutes so the clock is on ELP’s side. Wato clamps onto ELP with a chinlock, and even digs his knee into ELP’s back.

ELP endures, the fans rally up, and ELP throws hands. ELP pries at the hold, stands up, and he fires body shots! Wato lets go, and ELP ROCKS him! Wato ROCKS ELP, but ELP SOBATS! ELP runs, ROCKS Wato again, then runs. ELP ROCKS Wato at the ropes, then whips. ELP drops down, then DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while both men are down! ELP shakes out his arms and rises up. ELP storms up on Wato, drags him up and CHOPS him to a corner. ELP CHOPS again, then CHOPS again! ELP whips corner to corner, but Wato reverses. ELP stops himself, then goes up and over! ELP spins to CHOP!

The fans rally, ELP runs, but Wato BOOTS him! Wato runs, but ELP BOOTS him! ELP runs, ducks a lariat, and springboards to CROSSBODY! Then somersault to LION- NO, Wato dodges! ELP lands on his feet and he LARIATS Wato up and out! The fans fire up for the PLANCHA! Direct hit and down goes Wato! ELP stands, and he looks up at the corner. ELP climbs up the corner! The fans fire up and cheer on “E! L! P!” ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Down goes Wato and the fans fire up again! ELP drags Wato up to put him in the ring. ELP then climbs the ropes to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!

Wato stays in this and the fans fire up, but the clock is still on ELP’s side. ELP brings Wato up, straitjacket and torture rack! But Wato fights that! Wato CLUBS away on ELP, then wrenches the arm. Wato hooks ELP up, ELP fights free and arm-drags Wato away! ELP then kicks low, reels Wato in, but Wato fights the arm tuck! Wato spins free and swings around, crucifix takedown, then a roll through! RECIENTEMENTE DOS! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and the fans fire up! Wato roars, and he brings ELP back up. Wato reels ELP in with a waistlock to deadlift, but ELP grabs ropes! The ref reprimands, but ELP holds on!

Wato CLUBS ELP, the fans rally up again, but ELP still clings to the ropes! Then ELP slips under, waistlocks, and he GERMAN SUPLEXES Wato! But Wato stands! SUDDEN DEATH!! Cover, TWO?!? We’re past ten minutes and ELP reels Wato in! ELP clutches his arm, but he tucks Wato’s. C R- NO, Wato fights the lift, so ELP KNEES him in the head! ELP gets Wato again, C R- RANA!! Wato has the cover, TWO!! ELP escapes, Wato runs up, and he rolls ELP up! TWO!! ELP escapes, Wato returns and sunset flips! TWO, but into VENDAVAL!! ELP endures the butterfly stretch, and he works to rock it back and forth!

ELP slips free but Wato uses that to ROLLING CLUTCH! Cover, TWO!! ELP has a cradle, TWO!! The fans fire up while both men catch their breath. Wato fires a forearm, ELP fires back! Wato fires another forearm, so ELP fires back! The elbow pads come off as we reach the three minute warning! Wato fires a flurry, but ELP fires body shots! ELP ROCKS Wato, runs, and LARIATS! Wato stays up, ELP tries again, but Wato dodges! ELP dodges, to HANDSPRING LARIAT!! ELP then wrenches, straitjackets, and torture racks! BRAIN SALAD!! Cover, TWO?!? Wato survives and the fans are thunderous! And we’re at two minutes left!

ELP hurries to tune up the band! SUDDEN- NO, Wato blocks, spins ELP around, TSUTENKAKU GERMAN!! Bridging cover, TWO!!! ELP survives but Wato is roaring! The fans are thunderous again and Wato drags ELP to a drop zone! Wato climbs up, but ELP stands! GAMANGIRI! Wato wobbles but ELP climbs up after him! ELP brings Wato to the very top, for a SUPER DUPER STEINER!! And then ELP goes right up! Last minute THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, ELP WINS!

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

ELP’s first Open Challenge almost ended up his last, but he found a way to win! But can ELP expect this level of competition with the next Open Challenge? Is this a sign that Wato’s future is still very, very bright?

Gabe Kidd & “Drilla” Moloney VS Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

The Bullet Club Civil War has begun. Or returned? Depends on how you look at history. But the point is, the War Dogs are being told to get out of the clubhouse, because Everything is Evil! Will the status of Bullet Club Prime really belong to the House of Torture? Or will the Mad Man & 44 Caliber end this war before it begins?

Wait, where are the War Dogs? Their music is playing, Ren & Kanemaru are watching the ramp, but then two men jump in from the crowd side! They rush into the ring and attack! They’ve got hoods on but clearly we know who they are! One SUPERKICKS Kanemaru out of the ring while the other LARIATS Ren up and out! Reveal: It IS Gabe & Drilla! The fans fire up as the War Dogs get the jump on the House of Torture, and then they start beating them up on the outside! Gabe whips Ren hard into railing, Drilla does the same with Kanemaru! And now things spill out into the crowd! The fans fire up as the brawling goes to the back rows!

Gabe uses his jacket to CHOKE Ren! Ren flails, Gabe shoves him down, and Gabe says, “You think I came here to lose? You can never get the run up on me!” Speaking of up, Drilla brings Kanemaru up the bleachers and SMACKS him off railing! Ren fires back on Gabe, they go around the back, and Gabe ROCKS Ren! Drilla tries to dump Kanemaru over the ledge! Kanemaru fights back, and he tries to do the same! Drilla fights Kanemaru off, the ref reprimands them all, but things only go into the upper deck! Drilla HEADBUTTS Kanemaru, Gabe CHOKES Ren, and the fans fire up all the same!

The ref insists this actually become a match, but the lights come on so the fans can all see the beatdown! Drilla still tries to dump Kanemaru over a ledge!! The ref reprimands, Kanemaru fights back, and now Kanemaru tries to throw Drilla! Drilla again fights Kanemaru off, and fireman’s carries! Kanemaru fights free, CLAWS Drilla’s eyes, then stomps him down. The ref is calling for reinforcements but the Young Lions can only do so much as Ren throws hands down on Gabe. Kanemaru brings Drilla back down the bleachers, and now it’s Gabe’s turn to try and dump Ren! Ren holds on for dear life, and he CLAWS Gabe’s eyes!

Ren headlocks Gabe and brings him back down the bleachers now. Ren HEADBUTTS Gabe, Drilla CHOPS Kanemaru, then Drilla DECKS Kanemaru! Ren almost tumbles down the bleachers, and Gabe pursues. The fans fire up for their anti-heroes and bark along! Gabe stalks Ren to ringside, Drilla brings Kanemaru back to ground level, and Gabe POSTS Ren! Gabe grabs Ren’s pushup bar, and he has a wicked grin. Gabe dares Ren to get up, and the fans cheer him on as he stalks Ren. Ren panics, but then Gabe drops the pushup bar so he can stomp Ren! Gabe CLAWS Ren’s face, Kanemaru BOWLS Drilla into chairs!

Gabe BOOTS Kanemaru, and BOWLS Kanemaru into chairs! The fans fire up, but then Ren uses a chair as a weapon! Gabe kicks Ren, and he SMACKS Ren with the chair! The fans fire up more, and they bark along with the War Dogs. Gabe drags Ren up, brings him to ringside, and POSTS him again! Drilla fireman’s carries Kanemaru and runs him to ringside. SNAKE EYES off the apron! Gabe puts Ren in the ring, Drilla does the same with Kanemaru. The barking continues, and the bell finally rings! This is finally a match, but now the House is in retreat! Gabe dares them to come back and get this work! Drilla drinks Kanemaru’s whiskey!

The ring count begins, but Ren & Kanemaru stay away. Drilla goes out at 8 of 20 to attack Kanemaru! Ren stays back though it’s 10 of 20, then 12. Ren paces, but Gabe storms out after him! Gabe CLOBBERS Ren at the ramp, but Kanemaru whips Drilla into railing! Gabe pulls railing away so he can BOWL Ren into more chairs! The count is 10 of 20 and climbing! Gabe SMACKS Ren off chairs, we hit 15 but Ren SMACKS Gabe with a fan’s bottle of water! The brawling continues as we hit 20, IT’S A DRAW!

Double Count-out Draw

The bell rings, but the fight continues! Gabe fights back, and he sends Ren into more chairs! The fans fire up as Gabe goes after Ren, but Ren JAMS him up with a chair! And SMACKS him on the back! Ren drags Gabe up, brings him back to ringside, and POSTS him! Just a bit of payback for earlier, but Ren isn’t done! And Kanemaru POSTS Drilla now! Ren drags Gabe up, fights off Young Lions, but Gabe whips Ren hard into railing! Kanemaru sends Drilla into more railing, but Gabe does the same to Ren! Then Gabe DECKS Kanemaru! Gabe has the NEVER Openweight Six Man belt, but Ren has a chair!

The fans fire up for the standoff, but then Drilla WHISKEY MISTS Ren!! Gabe takes that chair and SMACKS Ren with it! Gabe keeps going, and he sends Ren into the stage truss! Gabe SMACKS Ren with the chair again! And then throws more hands! This brawl continues into the backstage area! Will these two brawl all the way until their match in the New Japan Cup?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Francesco Akira!

The Rogue Luchador is the 2024 Best of the Super Junior winner, and he took this title back at WrestleKingdom 19. However, the Nova Fireball wants to avenge the past while becoming the future of this division. Will this title soon adorn the “Crown of Fire?” Or will Desperado still be the Best of the Super Juniors?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who brings the fire and desire!

The bell rings and the fans rally and duel already. Akira and Despy circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Despy’s height gives him leverage, but then Akira digs his heels in! Akira powers Despy to the ropes! The fans cheer, the ref counts, and Akira lets off slowly. Akira steps to Despy, then grins as he backs off. Despy and Akira reset, circle, and the fans duel again. The two rush up, Akira slips around to then headlock, but Despy powers up and out to have his own headlock. Akira powers out, but Despy runs him over! Only for Akira to pop right up! Akira eggs Despy on, and Despy gives that trash talk back.

Despy then CHOPS! Akira fires up to CHOP! Despy CHOPS, Akira CHOPS, repeat! The fans fire up as the CHOPS go back and forth, then Akira fires a flurry! Despy SLAPS Akira! Despy whips, Akira reverses then hurdles, but Despy rolls over the dropdown. Things keep moving, and Akira dodges to then RANA! Despy tumbles out, the fans fire up, and Akira builds speed! Akira slides, Despy ducks under, and he RAMS Akira into railing! They’re right in front of commentary, and Despy takes Milano Collection AT’s copy of Shingo Takagi’s book, as personally given to him by LIJ! Despy SMACKS Akira with it!

Despy gives the book back to Milano, then he CLUBS Akira on the neck. The book is okay, though. Despy whips Akira, but Akira tiger feints through the ropes! Despy hits railing, staggers back over, into Akira’s PLANCHA! The fans fire up for “A! KI-RA! A! KI-RA!” Akira drags Despy up, looks to the ring, but he whips Despy into railing! Despy falls over and Akira paces. The ref says to get this in the ring, so Akira drags Despy back up and puts him in the ring. Akira storms in, stands Despy up, and turns him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Despy is tougher than that, but Akira stays calm. The fans rally as Akira looms over Despy.

Akira KNEES Despy in the side, then he drags Despy around to stomp him. And stomp again! Akira clamps on a CAMEL CLUTCH! Despy endures, the fans rally, but Akira pulls way back! Despy scoots backwards into the ROPEBREAK! Akira lets go cleanly, then he drags Despy up. Akira CHOPS Despy, Despy goes to a corner, and Akira wrenches an arm. Akira whips, Despy reverses, then Despy runs in, Despy blocks a kick to KICK the leg! Then Despy grabs the leg again, only for Akira to ENZIGIRI! And SHOTGUN! Despy tumbles and the fans rally for Akira again. Akira looms over Despy, eggs him on, and kicks him around.

Despy sits up to CHOP Akira! Akira nods and eggs Despy on. Despy CHOPS again, but Akira still eggs him on. Despy CHOPS, Akira knees low! Akira whips, Despy reverses, but Akira breaks free to wheelbarrow! Despy stops the victory roll to atomic SHIN BREAKER! Akira hobbles, Despy trips him and YANKS the leg! Akira writhes and clutches the knee but the fans rally up. Despy drags Akira to the ropes, puts the bad leg on the ropes, and then HIP DROPS that bad leg! Then STRETCH MUFFLER! Akira scrambles right to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Despy lets go, but “Oops!” KNEE DROP! Akira writhes while the ref reprimands.

The fans rally and Despy stalks Akira. Akira CHOPS, but Despy mockingly applauds. Akira CHOPS again, but Despy KNEES him low! Despy whips Akira, Akira reverses, and Akira CALF KICKS! Both men are down, the fans rally and duel, and Akira crawls to a corner. Akira drags himself up using the ropes, but Despy storms up on him. Despy CHOPS, then whips, but Akira reverses. Akira runs up to LARIAT, and then he goes again. Despy follows, but Akira puts him on the apron! Akira runs to SHOTGUN Despy off the apron! Despy hits railing then slumps to the floor! Akira hobbles while the fans rally, and Akira goes up, up, and ASAI MOONSAULTS!

The fans fire up while both men are down on the outside. Akira crawls away as the ring count starts. Akira rolls in at 7 of 20, and Despy is still down at 10. Despy stands at 12, but Akira FLIES! Direct hit on Despy again and the fans fire back up! Akira still has to catch his breath on the outside, and the ring count returns. Akira and Despy stir at 3 of 20, Akira crawls away again, but both men are still down at 10. Akira clutches that bad leg, but he sits up at 13. Akira crawls over, and he rolls in at 15! Despy rises, but he’s still outside at 18! Despy staggers, and slides in at 19! Akira LIONSAULTS right onto him! Cover, TWO!!

Despy survives and Akira grows frustrated. Akira hobbles around, then he brings Despy back up. Akira reels Despy in, but Despy CLUBS away on the bad leg! Akira KNEES Despy, then reels him in! SPEED- NO, Despy wrenches free, waistlocks, but Akira fights the back suplex! Despy doesn’t let Akira run, and lifts for a SHIN- SUNSET FLIP! Cover, TWO! Despy has the STRETCH MUFFLER! And then the arm for NUMERO DOS! Akira flails with his one free limb, but Despy grabs hold of it! Akira activates the core and sits up! Then he shifts around, and hits a DESTROYER!! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!

Despy sputters but Akira crawls to a corner. Akira takes aim, and he pounds the mat. The fans cheer on “A! KI-RA! A! KI-RA!” Despy sits up, but Akira’s bad leg keeps him from running up. Akira just stomps away on Despy at the ropes instead! The ref reprimands and counts, but Despy KICKS Akira in the leg! Akira falls back, and Despy drags him around! Despy YANKS the leg, then SMASHES the knee off the mat! Akira grits his teeth in pain, but Despy just SMASHES the knee again! Akira crawls, the fans rally, and Despy looms over that leg. Despy wheelbarrows, but Akira victory rolls, STOMP 182! Even with one good leg!

Both men are down and the fans rally again. Despy sputters but he sits up first. Despy watches Akira, then runs up, but Akira avoids the dropkick! SUPERKICK! Despy takes a swing, but into arm hooks! Despy fights the backslide and flips Akira up and over! Only to get SPEEDFIRE!! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives and the fans fire up again! Akira crawls back to a corner and the fans rally for him again. Despy sits up, into the NOVA- SPINEBUSTER!! And then a BIG back suplex! Despy drags Akira up, hooks him up, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Akira survives again and Despy can’t believe it! But the fans fire up as Despy brings Akira up.

Despy reels Akira in, underhooks the arms, and PINCHE- NO, Akira fights that to RAN- NO, Despy blocks the rana, brings Akira back up, and he ties up the legs! DOUBLE KNEE CRUSHER!! Akira writhes, but then Despy has the STRETCH MUFFLER! NUMERO DOS!! But what about the free arm?! Despy grabs that, too! Akira fights, flails, gets that arm free, ROPEBREAK, but Despy rolls him away right away! But Akira again sits up, only for Despy to POWERBOMB him down! STRETCH MUFFLER!! NUMERO DOS!! Akira still fights the ultimate form, but Despy claws at that free arm! The fans rally as hard as they can as Akira resists!

Despy has a grip, but he can’t keep it! Akira keeps fighting with that one free arm, and has the ROPEBREAK!! The ref counts, Despy lets go, and the fans are fired up again! Despy grows frustrated with Akira, but he wags his finger at the fans cheering Akira on. Despy taunts Akira to get up for his fans. Despy slaps Akira around, then Akira stands. Akira fires a forearm, but he falls over! That bad leg makes it hard to stand, but Akira still fires another forearm! Despy just watches Akira struggle to get back up. Akira fires another forearm, but Despy KICKS the bad leg! Despy says this is it! Underhooks and PINCHE- NO, Akira lands out?! NOVA FIREBALL!! Cover, TWO!?!

Despy survives that sudden turnaround and Akira is in disbelief! But the fans rally as hard as they can for him! Akira roars as he rises back up! Akira brings Despy around, but Despy DROPKICKS the legs out! Despy and Akira glare at each other, and Despy kicks away on the bad leg. Akira just grits his teeth and takes it all! Despy runs up, but Akira blocks the leg! Akira CLUBS the leg, fires SLAP after SLAP from all sides, but Despy ducks one to ROCK Akira! Despy runs, but Akira LARIATS!! The fans are thunderous as Akira crawls over to a corner! Akira leans on the ropes, then takes aim again. Despy sits up, into NOVA FIREBALL!!

But Akira came in too hot, he can’t make the cover! Akira crawls his way back to Despy, pushes him over to cover, ROPEBREAK!! Despy survives because Akira miscalculated, but the fans still rally. Akira rises up, hobbles his way back over, and he brings Despy around with chicken wings. Akira pops Despy up for the FIRE PLEX! And now “A! KI-RA! A! KI-RA!” aims again! Third time’s the charm! NOVA- NO!! Despy ducks, Akira crashes ‘n’ burns, and Despy has the STRETCH MUFFLER!! But Akira rolls it to a cradle! TWO!! Even Despy has to check that he escaped in time! But then Akira SUPERKICKS! Despy ROCKS Akira in return!

Akira just fires up to the max! ROUNDHOUSE! Despy flops over and the fans are thunderous! Akira aims again! NOVA FIRE- NO!! The leg gives out!! Akira writhes in pain, right beside Despy! Despy sees what happened and drags Akira back up. Despy underhooks the arms, but Akira fights with everything he has left! The fans fire up as Akira fights the underhooks, but Despy powers through! PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Akira survives and the fans are thunderous again! Despy is shocked, but there is still fire inside Akira! Despy grabs the legs, but Akira kicks at him! And kicks, and kicks, and KICKS!

Despy still holds the leg, and he GROUND DRAGON SCREWS! Then STRETCH MUFFLER! NUMERO DOS!! PLUS!!! Akira endures, but Despy puts all he can into the hold! He even hooks with a leg! There was a form BEYOND what we knew! Akira TAPS, Despy wins!!

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

This was truly a battle worthy of not just the Junior Heavyweight Championship, but of NJPW’s fighting spirit! But if this still wasn’t enough, what more will it take for Akira to have his moment? What more will it take to dethrone Desperado?

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!

It was truly a New Beginning for the Fierce Warrior last month, but we all know The Ace is on his Final Road. Both men have had epic battles throughout their careers, but this could be the greatest one yet! Will President Tanahashi have one last reign as NJPW’s top champion? Or will nothing stop Goto now that he’s finally living the dream?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see this classic showdown for the last time!

The bell rings and the fans are fired up and dueling already! Red Shoes sees it as rather even between “GO-TO-O!” and “TA-NA-HASHI!” Goto and Tanahashi circle, feel things out, and they tie up. Tanahashi waistlocks, but Goto wrenches and wristlocks. Tanahashi wrenches and hammerlocks, but Goto switches that onto Tanahashi. Goto then shifts to a headlock for a takeover, but Tanahashi headscissors. Goto kips free, the two stand up, and the fans cheer the standoff. Tanahashi and Goto reset, circle, and the fans continue to duel. Goto and Tanahashi circle, tie up again, and are in a deadlock. But Goto digs in his heels and powers Tanahashi to ropes!

Red Shoes calls the break, Goto lets off slowly, but Tanahashi turns things around. Tanahashi then lets off slowly, only to kick low! Tanahashi headlocks, Goto powers up, but Tanahashi clamps on tighter. Goto still powers up and out, and he headlocks Tanahashi in return. Tanahashi endures the grind now, then fires body shots. Tanahashi powers up and out, they RAM shoulders, and neither man falls! Tanahashi kicks low, then whips, but Goto turns hip toss into HIP TOSS! Goto runs, and he RUNS Tanahashi over! The fans fire up while Goto stands tall. Goto drags Tanahashi up, CLUBS him on the neck, then brings him around.

Goto CLUBS Tanahashi again, then CLUBS him down. Goto stomps Tanahashi, covers, ONE!! The fans cheer, but Goto clamps onto Tanahashi with a chinlock. Goto digs his knee into Tanahashi’s back, then digs an elbow into Tanahashi’s face. Goto ELBOWS Tanahashi down, then drags him back up. Goto snapmares Tanahashi, then clamps on a headscissors. Goto pushes up to put on the pressure, but Tanahashi endures. The fans rally, Tanahashi bridges back, but Goto powers him back down. Goto puts on the pressure again, but Tanahashi refuses to give up. Tanahashi fights around, crawls over with his legs, and has the ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer and Goto lets Tanahashi go. Goto stomps Tanahashi, then brings him up. Goto bumps Tanahashi off buckles, then stomps him. Goto stomps a mudhole in, but Tanahashi eggs him on! So Goto CHOPS! Tanahashi fires a flurry of forearms! Goto snarls and ROCKS Tanahashi in return! Goto whips corner to corner, then runs up, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him away! Tanahashi dropkicks Goto’s legs out! Tanahashi goes up and CROSSBODIES! Direct hit, but no time for air guitar, this is serious business. Tanahashi storms back up on Goto, drags him around and YANKS on the leg! And YANKS again! Then he drops an ELBOW on the knee!

Tanahashi drops another elbow, and then another elbow! Tanahashi pulls on the leg, but Goto fights back with a headlock. Tanahashi twists the foot, but Goto drags himself towards ropes. Goto brings Tanahashi along for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Tanahashi lets go. Tanahashi stomps Goto’s leg, then brings him around. Tanahashi bumps Goto off buckles, then stomps away. Tanahashi puts Goto’s leg in the ropes and pulls! Red Shoes reprimands, then counts, and Tanahashi lets go at 4. Tanahashi “apologizes,” but then he DROPKICKS Goto’s leg! Goto hobbles then falls while the fans fire up.

Red Shoes reprimands but Tanahashi apologizes again. Tanahashi then looms over Goto and grabs the leg. Tanahashi YANKS the leg again, then puts Goto in the corner. Tanahashi stomps away, but Goto fires CHOP after CHOP in return! Tanahashi kicks the bad leg, then storms up on Goto in the corner. Tanahashi stomps Goto, then whips corner to corner. Goto reverses, but Tanahashi BOOTS him away! Tanahashi roars, runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Goto drags Tanahashi up, fires forearm after forearm, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally as Tanahashi stays in this, but Goto shakes out the bad leg. Goto hobbles as he brings Tanahashi up, and he fireman’s carries. But Tanahashi slips free, and he fireman’s carries to steal USHIGOROSHI! The fans fire up as Tanahashi uses one of Goto’s signature moves against him! The fans rally as Goto rises, and Tanahashi runs, to SLING- NO, Goto ducks that, catches Tanahashi, URA GTR! Tanahashi staggers, Goto runs, but into a SLINGBLADE! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Goto crawls away to one corner, and Tanahashi crawls to the opposite corner. The dueling is strong as ever as both men rise.

Goto runs up, but Tanahashi meets him with a DROPKICK to the leg! Tanahashi runs, but Goto pops him up to a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Goto gets payback, but that hurt his already beat up leg! The fans rally harder as Goto rises again. Goto hobbles to the ropes, slaps his leg into working, then waits on Tanahashi. Goto powers up to BUZZ- NO, Tanahashi blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi holds on to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And then REVERSE GROUND SCREW! Then a SPLASH onto the legs! Goto writhes but Tanahashi snarls, and the fans fire up again! Tanahashi ties Goto up in the TEXAS CLOVERHOLD!

Goto endures as Tanahashi stands over him! Goto crawls towards ropes, all of Chaos coaching him on! But Tanahashi drags Goto away from the ropes! Tanahashi sits deep on the hold, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Goto endures, and Yoshi-Hashi is there to coach him on! Goto fights forward, and has the ROPEBREAK! Tanahashi lets go in frustration, but he stands over Goto again. Tanahashi drags Goto up, reels him in, and half nelsons! Then full nelsons! But Goto breaks that, only to end up in a STRAITJACKET- NO, Goto fights the lift! Goto breaks the straitjacket, too! Only for Tanahashi to SLINGBLADE again!

But Goto rises right back up! So Tanahashi SLINGBLADES again! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans are thunderous! Tanahashi storms over to the corner and climbs up top! Goto stands, but Tanahashi hits the HIGH FLY ATTACK! And then Tanahashi goes right back up! HIGH FLY FLOP as Goto moves! Both men are down and the fans rally up again! Goto drags himself up with the ropes while Tanahashi is down at center. Goto hobbles over, drags Tanahashi up, but Tanahashi snatches the leg! DRAGON SCREW! TEXAS CLOVER- NO, Goto drags Tanahashi into a cradle! TWO!! Tanahashi escapes and both men have to catch their breath.

Tanahashi crawls back over to Goto, sits him up, but Goto fires a shot first! Tanahashi gives that forearm back! Goto fires another forearm, so Tanahashi fires back! The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster, and then Goto ROCKS Tanahashi! Goto CLUBS Tanahashi! Goto HEADBUTTS, HEADBUTTS, and HEADBUTTS! Goto HEADBUTTS Tanahashi until Tanahashi drops to his knees! Goto stands Tanahashi up, but Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi roars, runs, but into a fireman’s carry! G T W!!! Cover, TWO!!! Tanahashi survives again, but Goto just drags him back up! Dragon sleeper, but Tanahashi drops down! Victory roll, TWO!!

Goto escapes, and he hurries to get Tanahashi up! He blocks the Shotei to HEADBUTT! Tanahashi drops to his knees, then slumps forward! The fans are thunderously dueling as Goto drags Tanahashi back up. Dragon sleeper, and true G- NO, Tanahashi hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!?! Tanahashi drags Goto up to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!! Tanahashi stands Goto up again, but Goto fights the hattrick! SHOTENKAI!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Tanahashi survives and Ota City is erupting! Goto rises, the fans duel as hard as they have all night, and Goto powers up! BUZZSAW!! Then Goto drags Tanahashi up, dragon sleepers, and G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

The Ace gave it everything he had, but so did The Fierce Warrior! Master Wato slides in and checks on Tanahashi while Chaos helps Goto. Tanahashi’s last NJPW Anniversary Show was an instant classic, but it was also his defeat. But is this truly his last shot at the world title?

As for Goto, he grabs the mic and goes to a corner. “Tanahashi-san. If it wasn’t for you… I probably would’ve won this title earlier. Yeah, I’ve thought that way before. But the truth is, if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here now.” The fans applaud that. Goto says, “Please keep shining brightly until the very end.” The fans also applaud that. Goto thanks Tanahashi, and the two shake hands. The fans cheer as they hug it out, and then Goto hands the mic to Tanahashi. The fans cheer Tanahashi on, and he says, “Just this… GOTO~! I’m counting on you.” The fans applaud again, and Tanahashi continues.

“From this day forward, the relationship between Hontai and Chaos will evolve. Members of Hontai and Chaos, please come to the ring.” The fans are intrigued, but then Tanahashi looks around. “Where is everyone?” Well… Oh, here come Makabe, Kojima, Tiger Mask and more. Yano also hops off commentary so that he can join his team. The fans cheer as Despy leans on ELP rather literally. Tanahashi tells Goto, “Please lead NJPW to even greater heights.” Tanahashi hands the mic back to Goto, and Goto looks at everyone else. “Tanahashi-san. Leave it to me! I’ll be the one leading NJPW forward!” The fans cheer that!

Goto says Nagata should come up here, too. The fans cheer as Yuji Nagata also leaves commentary to stand with the combined Chaos-Hontai forces. Blue Justice stands face to face with the Fierce Warrior, and Goto says, “Staying true to my word, let’s battle for this belt!” The fans cheer that! Nagata takes the mic to say, “Goto, that was a hell of a match> That makes challenging you even more enticing.” They shake hands, and it is now official! Goto continues to say, “The Goto Revolution has only just begun. Here’s to 53 years and more of NJPW!” With that, the golden streamers fly, and everyone in the ring celebrates this moment.

We also get a photo op of this now Chaos-Hontai super group all together. Is this consolidation of stars the true future of NJPW? What more is in store as NJPW moves into Year 54?

My Thoughts:

A great Anniversary Event, even though I did skip a few things. Chase & Fale win over Ryohei & Hartley as Chase and Ryohei will meet in the New Japan Cup, and the go-home math now favors Ryohei winning that tournament match. LIJ got a very good win over The House of Torture, but perhaps that’s because Evil wins against Yota Tsuji in the Cup. It could lead to bigger showdowns in the Cup where the House of Torture and War Dogs battle it out. Gabe & Drilla getting the drop on Ren & Kanemaru was great, but given how both sides operate, a Double Count-out Draw is a fitting choice so that you can’t be sure who wins in the Cup.

Of course Sanada’s team got another Eddie Guerrero style disqualification, with him framing Yuya Uemura for a guitar attack. Similarly, Sanada has momentum going into his match with Yuya in the Cup, so there’s a chance Yuya gets revenge by winning then. ELP had a fun promo with Jado to start off the Open Challenge, and a great showing from Wato in the match. But naturally, ELP wins to keep his reign going, and I can’t wait to see who else answers the Open Challenge.

Desperado VS Akira was an awesome match, perhaps Akira’s best singles match, and it’s a little surprising that Akira debuts new gear and a new nickname only to lose. Desperado is still going strong as champion, and possibilities are endless for who could challenge him next. Goto VS Tanahashi was also awesome, really building on what we’ve seen from both men over their careers, including matches against each other. But with Tanahashi on his retirement tour, he of course put Goto over and basically gave Goto the best first defense he could have.

And I really like where things seem to be going. Hontai fusing with Chaos, or at least having a true alliance, is some fun stuff. And it makes up for how some major members of Chaos have either left (like Okada) or are more active outside of Japan (like Rocky Romero). Goto VS Nagata is also going to be a really good match, now set for March 15th in the middle of the New Japan Cup. That’ll be another solid defense for Goto before he faces whoever wins the tournament.

My Score: 9/10