The Best Bout Machine awaits!

With Kenny Omega as the NEW AEW International Champion, an internationally flavored tournament begins to determine his challenger for Dynasty!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: The Opps VS Vinny Pacifico, Eli Theseus & Gabriel Aeros; The Opps win.
• AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament Opening Round: The Beast Mortos VS “Speedball” Mike Bailey; wins and advances.
• Willow Nightingale VS Penelope Ford; wins.
• AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament Opening Round: Orange Cassidy VS Hechicero; wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

Kenny Omega is here!

Fresno fires up for the NEW AEW International Champion, and he gets a LOT of pyro! Kenny high-fives fans in the front row before stepping into the ring, and the fans get even more fired up. Kenny grabs a mic to say, “This is all still so wild to me. Before 2025, I was more than happy to just be able to stand in this ring and say, ‘Guys, I am cleared, I can try doing this again.’ But what’s even more unbelievable, and what makes me think this is even more of a dream state is now, we’re barely into the new year. Not only am I back with AEW, but thanks to the support of you fans, the support of our doctors, the support of someone who I never thought I’d be able to call a friend in Will Ospreay…

“Not only am I back…” The fans already chant “You Deserve It!” and Kenny says he’s not just back, he’s back with something he never thought he’d hold again. It’s not just a title, it’s a singles title. And though he has listed a whole slew of people he needs to thank, there is one more person he truly needs to thank. It might sound controversial, but he will thank Konosuke Takeshita. Kenny will thank Takeshita because Takeshita pushed Kenny harder than he could ever push himself. If not for Takeshita forcing Kenny back to that place that Kenny needed to be in order to stand amongst the top of AEW, he wouldn’t have this belt. Kenny wouldn’t be here speaking to everyone.

And if there’s one thing Takeshita did aside from being a great champion is that he made this belt a truly international championship. So when AEW’s fearless leader, Tony Khan, had the idea for the Dynasty International Eliminator Tournament, Kenny thought, “Gee, Tony, that’s a great idea. Because I want whoever has this belt to legitimately call themselves the best on the planet.” The fans cheer that! Kenny says best believe he’ll be watching who wins this tournament. It doesn’t matter what country you represent, what walk of life you represent, Kenny wants the best! So as closely as the fans will be watching, Kenny will be watching even closer.

And let’s kick things off with a bang! Speaking of, he will bid us adieu. Goodbye, Fresno, MWAH, and goodnight, BANG! The fans cheer as The Cleaner puts everyone in this tournament on notice! It’s Ricochet VS Shibata and Mark Briscoe VS Mark Davis for Collision, but tonight is Orange Cassidy VS Hechicero in the main event, and The Beast Mortos facing a wild card! Who makes it through to the wild Fatal 4 Way set for next week’s Dynamite?

But as Kenny is on his way out, signing autographs and high-fiving fans, The Opps make their way out! The Wrestler looks at Kenny, a possible match-up already teased. Kenny gives a thumbs up, Shibata, Hook & Samoa Joe go to the ring. Will The Opps also look to keep the AEW Trios Division on their toes?

Six Man Tag: The Opps VS Vinny Pacifico, Eli Theseus & Gabriel Aeros!

The trios sort out, and Joe starts against Eli. The fans rally for “JOE! JOE! JOE!” as he and Eli tie up. Joe fires hands, then CHOPS! And JABS! JABS! JABS! Eli ends up in a corner, Joe JABS, JABS, JABS, and fires off fast hands! The ref counts, Joe stops, and the fans fire up again as Joe CHOPS! Eli sputters, Joe smiles and whips, then he runs up. Eli ELBOWS Joe, runs the ropes, but Joe ELBOWS Eli down! Tag to Hook while Eli gets away. Eli tags Gabriel, but Gabriel is a little worried. Gabriel still runs up, but Hook KNEES him low! And TOSSES him to the corner! Hook LARIATS, fires body shots, then HEADBUTTS!

Hook reels Gabriel in for a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Hook lets Gabriel scramble away, Gabriel tags in Vinny. Vinny fires up and runs in, but Hook just trips him. Hook tags Shibata, the fans fire up, and Shibata runs to BLAST Eli & Gabriel! Shibata whips Vinny to a corner, BOOTS him, then CHOPS him! And CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! MACHINE GUN CHOPS! The fans fire up, Shibata sits Vinny down, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Shibata then HALF HATCH SUPLEXES, covers, TWO! But Shibata has a SLEEPER! Vinny endures, but he’s fading fast! Shibata runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, Opps wins!

Winners: The Opps, by pinfall

The Opps made light work of Pacifico & The Parea, and now they’re rolling on towards Dynasty. Will Shibata make it through his Collision with The One & Only Ricochet?

Ricochet speaks.

“Y’all look. Despite what you may think, just because I got screwed at Revolution does not mean that my question for championship gold is over. Oh, no, Fresno, not by a long shot. And besides, I didn’t want that ugly ass robe anyways. But then I look out there and I see Kenny Omega holding the International Championship, and uh, it looks pretty, I gotta admit. But you know what would look even better? The International Championship on my waist. That is why I entered Dynasty’s International Championship Eliminator Tournament. And Shibata, look, I know who you are, I know everything about you, I know what you’re capable of.

“And that’s why I’m giving you the option. I’m doing you the favor and I’m giving you the option, Shibata, to give up. To quit, to forfeit! Do not show up to Collision this Saturday or I’m afraid of what’s gonna happen. I’m afraid you’re not gonna have your little translator app to tell the world that you got beat by the man destined to hold gold here in AEW. You see, it’s still Ricochet’s time, that’s a promise. AHA~!” The One & Only has spoken, but will he make Dynasty #OuttaThisWorld?

Who really leads Bullet Club?

The King of Darkness declared war on the War Dogs, and now he faces David Finlay! Will Bullet Club see Everything is Evil?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima & Daiki Nagai; Nagata, Kojima & Nagai win.
• Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Bullet Club War Dogs; The United Empire wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Hontai VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; LIJ wins.
• Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; Gabe & Sanada win.
• Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young; Shota & Ishii win.
• 2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: YOSHI-HASHI VS Yuya Uemura; Uemura wins and advances.
• 2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ wins and advances.
• 2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: David Finlay VS EVIL; Finlay wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: YOSHI-HASHI VS Yuya Uemura!

The Head Hunter was given a bye into this round, but the Heat Storm is coming in hot after burning Sanada. Will Yuya stay hot for the Spring? Or will Hashi cool him off here in Okayama?

The bell rings and the fans rally as Hashi and Yuya circle. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and then Yuya waistlocks. Hashi switches, Yuya switches, then Yuya brings Hashi down but Hashi slips away. The fans cheer this opening exchange as the two reset. The two tie up again, and Hashi headlocks. Yuya powers out but Hashi runs him over! Things keep moving, Yuya stays low but then hurdles over. Yuya arm-drags Hashi, then clamps on with an armlock. Hashi endures, makes it to the ROPEBREAK, and Yuya lets go. Yuya CHOPS Hashi in the corner, CHOPS again, and again, and again! The fans fire up but the ref counts.

Yuya stops, just to run up and CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! Hashi sits down, the fans cheer, and Yuya fires up. Yuya drags Hashi to his feet, and HIP- NO, Hashi blocks the hip toss to THROW Yuya down! The fans cheer that, and Hashi brings Yuya around. Hashi bumps Yuya off buckles, then CHOPS! He bumps Yuya off buckles again, and CHOPS! And then he bumps Yuya off buckles again, for CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! The fans fire up, but Yuya shoves and CHOPS, CHPOS, CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And ELBOWS! And CHOPS again! The fans fire up as the CHOPS keep going, and Hashi turns things around to give CHOPS back!

Hashi DOUBLE CHOPS and Yuya sits down! The fans fire up again but the ref reprimands. Hashi backs off for just a moment before he stands Yuya up. Hashi suplexes Yuya, hangs him out to dry, and then runs to DROPKICK Yuya down! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Yuya stays in this, and Hashi stays on Yuya. Hashi sits Yuya up to CHOP him down! And he sits Yuya up to CHOP him down again! Cover, TWO! Another cover, ONE!! A third cover, TWO!! Yuya rolls away and the fans cheer again. Hashi looms over Yuya, stands him up, but Yuya CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Hashi spins to CHOP!

The fans rally as Yuya goes to a corner. Hashi and Yuya are both stinging from the chops, but Hashi storms up on Yuya. Hashi whips corner to corner, Yuya comes back, but Hashi CHOPS him! Hashi runs, but Yuya LEAPING LARIATS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Yuya and Hashi crawl to opposite ends while the fans rally up. Hashi goes to a corner, but Yuya CHOPS! CHOPS! And CHOPS! Yuya whips, Hashi reverses, but Yuya goes up and over! Yuya then arm-drags Hashi! Hashi is back up, but Yuya CHOPS him down! The fans fire up with Yuya while Hashi goes to a corner. Yuya runs in, and he CHOPS!

Yuya reels Hashi in and hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Hashi stays in this, and they rally up again. Yuya drags Hashi up, clinches, but Hashi fights the lift. Hashi throws down elbows, but Yuya CHOPS again! Yuya wrenches, and wrenches, and YANKS the arm! Yuya whips, but Hashi dropkicks a leg out! Yuya hobbles around, Hashi brings him in, NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Yuya and Hashi slowly rise as the fans rally harder. Hashi brings Yuya up and  in, but Yuya fights the lift! Yuya powers out with a wrench, but Hashi fires a forearm! And a CHOP! And a forearm! And a CHOP!

Hashi ROCKS and CHOPS Yuya on repeat, and then Yuya falls over! Hashi drags Yuya up, reels him in, and lifts for a- NO, Yuya slips free of the bomb! But Hashi CHOPS! And CHOPS, but Yuya blocks! Yuya wrangles Hashi into a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Yuya twists the wrist and pulls on the finger, but Hashi still endures! The fans rally, Hashi fights his way over, but Yuya continues to torture the hand! Hashi reaches out with his foot, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Yuya lets go. Yuya drags Hashi up, wrenches the arm, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! And then another wrench, for another ELBOW BREAKER!

Yuya wrenches again, for an ELBOW- SLEEPER!! Hashi has Yuya caught, but Yuya reaches back. Yuya THROWS Hashi off him, then storms up. Yuya ROCKS Hashi, CHOPS Hashi, then CHOPS again! Yuya runs, into a CHOP! Yuya roars and keeps moving! Hashi CHOPS him again! Hashi ROCKS Yuya, fires body shots, then a CHOP! But Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS, DOUBLE CHOPS, and DOUBLE CHOPS! Hashi ROCKS Yuya, CHOPS him, then runs, but into a a RANA into an ARMBAR! The fans rally as Hashi endures and fights around! Hashi tries to stack Yuya but Yuya keeps the arm scissored! Hashi manages to stomp at Yuya, but Yuya pulls on the arm!

Hashi is down in the ARMBAR, but he kicks and kicks and finds the ROPEBREAK! Yuya lets go in frustration but the fans fire up. Yuya drags Hashi up, cording holds the arms, but Hashi fights the lift! Hashi RAMS Yuya into the corner and is free! Hashi then runs, but Yuya gets around, URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives, the fans fire up, and Yuya is frustrated again. Yuya roars, the fans rally behind him, and he drags Hashi up. Yuya clamps onto the arms again, but Hashi fights the lift! Hashi HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! But Yuya holds on! So Hashi hits a CODE BREAKER! And then a SNAP DRAGON!

Yuya flounders away and the fans fire back up! Hashi rises, runs, but Yuya SWATS the lariat! Hashi SUPERKICKS! Yuya roars but Hashi SUPERKICKS again! The fans fire up with Hashi and he brings Yuya in! Lift and SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Yuya survives and the fans fire up! Hashi roars and the fans are with him! Hashi drags Yuya up, full nelsons, then spins and pump handles! Yuya fights Karma with clubbing shots! Hashi LARIATS point-blank! And then KARMA BACKBREAKER! Hashi sits Yuya up to SUPERKICK! And then Hashi runs to METEORA! Cover, TWO!! Yuya survives again and the fans fire up!

Yuya stands, Hashi powers up and runs, LARIAT!! Hashi doesn’t stop there, he hauls Yuya up, full nelsons and- NO, Yuya slips around! Yuya has the arms! Yuya HEADBUTTS and DEADBOLT SUPLEXES!! Bridging cover, YUYA WINS!!

Winner: Yuya Uemura, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Incredible! Just as Hashi was about to #TurnItAllAround, Yuya slams the Deadbolt shut! Hashi feels frustrated with himself, but he still shows Yuya respect with a handshake. The Heat Storm got hot at the right time, will he soon blaze a trail to the Cup itself?

2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Ryohei Oiwa w/ Hartley Jackson!

TMDK battles TMDK as The Front Man’s first round bye sets him right up against The Mullet! Oiwa made Chase Owens tap out yesterday, will he manage to do the same to the Submission Master? Or will Oiwa be the one to #JustTapOut?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. ZSJ and Oiwa circle, feel things out and knuckle lock. They break, Oiwa goes for a leg, but ZSJ facelocks. Oiwa gets away, they knuckle lock again, and go shoulder to shoulder for a Test of Strength. ZSJ bridges back, rolls, and he trips Oiwa to a toehold. Oiwa uses his free leg to get a short arm scissor, but ZSJ rolls back and floats around. ZSJ ties up the legs, then has Oiwa for an inverted Bow ‘n’ Arrow. ZSJ then floats to a headlock but Oiwa fights up. Oiwa wrenches out to a top wristlock, but ZSJ headlocks again. Oiwa fights back up, but ZSJ shifts to a cravat. ZSJ cranks the neck wrench, but Oiwa wrenches and wrenches and headlocks.

ZSJ grabs a leg, trips Oiwa up, and has a toehold. Oiwa endures, turns over and rolls free. The fans cheer the exchange as the two reset. They feel out another knuckle lock and Oiwa gets a fireman’s carry takeover! Oiwa then has a STRAIGHT ARMBAR, and he digs his boots in as he pulls on the arm. ZSJ gets up and around to return the STRAIGHT ARMBAR! Oiwa endures, fights up, but ZSJ fights off the high stack to wrangle Oiwa back down! Oiwa fights back up, stands on ZSJ’s face, but the ref reprimands. Oiwa grabs the arm for the STRAIGHT ARMBAR again! The fans rally as ZSJ reaches up to scuff Oiwa.

Oiwa pulls on the arm, then top wristlocks, but ZSJ headscissors! ZSJ then shifts right to the STRAIGHT ARMBAR! Oiwa moves right to a lateral press, ONE, and ZSJ has Oiwa’s arm! ZSJ has a wristlock, but Oiwa rolls, kips up, and WRINGS ZSJ! ZSJ UP KICKS, and the fans fire up for the standoff! Oiwa and ZSJ reset again, and the fans rally. ZSJ and Oiwa circle, tie up, and ZSJ spins Oiwa to a full nelson! Then he spins Oiwa to a cravat! Oiwa endures the neck wrench again, and he scoops to SLAM ZSJ! The fans cheer, and Oiwa adds an ELBOW DROP! Cover, ONE, but Oiwa clamps on with a chinlock. ZSJ pries at the hold, but reaches out for a ROPEBREAK.

Oiwa lets go and the fans applaud. ZSJ stands but Oiwa scoops him for a POWERSLAM! Then Oiwa runs, SPLASH onto knees! ZSJ saves himself there and Oiwa sputters. ZSJ drags Oiwa up to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Oiwa writhes but ZSJ pushes him over to kneel on his back. ZSJ ties up the legs, and he pulls Oiwa into the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Oiwa endures while the fans cheer, and ZSJ KICKS Oiwa away! ZSJ then storms up on Oiwa to KICK him in the chest. ZSJ UPPERCUTS Oiwa down, then paces. Oiwa stands, so ZSJ UPPERCUTS him! ZSJ reels Oiwa in for a snap suplex! The fans cheer while ZSJ paces around.

ZSJ clamps onto Oiwa with a headscissors neck lock, then he grabs an arm. ZSJ bends fingers, twists the wrist, but Oiwa still fights around. ZSJ grabs at that leg, but Oiwa gets the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go, and he KICKS Oiwa. And KICKS Oiwa again! ZSJ eggs Oiwa on as he KICKS! Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS Oiwa down! ZSJ then whips, but Oiwa reverses to gut wrench! And GUT WRENCH PLEX! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and ZSJ rise as the fans rally, and Oiwa headlocks. ZSJ powers up and out, but Oiwa runs him over! Things keep moving, and ZSJ catches Oiwa to a COBRA TWIST!

Oiwa fights the hold, HIP TOSSES free, and then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! The fans rally again while Oiwa grits his teeth. Oiwa fires up, the fans are with him, and he storms up on ZSJ. Oiwa wrenches and whips, then runs up to ELBOW in the corner! Oiwa whips corner to corner, but just to YANK ZSJ’s arm! The fans rally up while Oiwa brings ZSJ around. ZSJ fights the shin breaker with a headlock and elbows. ZSJ runs, but into an ARM-DRAM! Oiwa has an armlock, but ZSJ drags him down with headscissors, and then NECK TWISTS! The fans fire up again while both men are down. ZSJ goes to ropes and sits up while the fans rally.

ZSJ shakes out his arm, then storms up on Oiwa. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, but Oiwa shakes that off. Oiwa fires a forearm, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Oiwa fires another forearm and ZSJ staggers! Oiwa ROCKS ZSJ again and again, then wrenches to YANK the arm! Oiwa runs, but ZSJ slips around, IRON OCTOPUS, and then it becomes a GROUND OCTOPUS as Oiwa can’t stay up! ZSJ grinds Oiwa down all the same while the fans rally! ZSJ has a KIMURA with the headscissors, and then he has the behind-the-back grip on the armlock! The fans rally as Oiwa endures and kicks around! Oiwa rolls his way to the ROPEBREAK!

ZSJ lets go while the fans cheer. ZSJ waits on Oiwa while he sputters and coughs. Oiwa sits up but ZSJ brings him around. Oiwa fights the scoop, but ZSJ pushes back to KICK! Oiwa flops over and the fans fire up. ZSJ then KICKS again! Oiwa flops back over, sits up, but into another KICK! But then Oiwa grabs the arm! ZSJ scoops, Oiwa arm-drags free, and steps over! SHANKLY GATES!! ZSJ endures, the fans rally up, but then ZSJ eggs Oiwa on!? Oiwa puts on even more pressure, and then even more pressure! ZSJ scoots back and finds the ROPEBREAK! Oiwa lets go and the fans cheer. ZSJ rolls to a corner, but Oiwa goes after the arm!

Oiwa drags ZSJ up, STRAIGHT ARM LEVEL, but ZSJ BOOTS free! And UPPERCUTS Oiwa down! Oiwa is back up to CLOBBER ZSJ! Oiwa runs, but ZSJ LARIATS! But Oiwa is right up! TENZAN PLEX!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! The fans rally as ZSJ and Oiwa stir. ZSJ shakes out the arm, then sits up. Oiwa stands and he stomps the arm! And then stomps it again! And stomps it again! ZSJ stands and goes to ropes. Oiwa waits on ZSJ, and ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Oiwa ROCKS ZSJ with a forearm! ZSJ drops to his knees, Oiwa kicks at the arm, but ZSJ stands up. ZSJ UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down!

The fans rally as we pass 15 minutes, and Oiwa stands. Oiwa fires a forearm, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, then they go forearm for forearm! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again and again, but Oiwa catches him! ZSJ fights the backslide but Oiwa WRINGS the arm out! The fans fire up as Oiwa waistlocks and deadlifts! ZSJ fires elbows to fight the suplex, then he wrenches an arm to PELE! ZSJ wrenches, Oiwa wrenches, but ZSJ scoops! SABRE DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! Oiwa survives and the fans are thunderous! ZSJ goes back to ropes, and he eggs Oiwa on. The fans rally as Oiwa crawls and sits up. ZSJ PENALTY- NO, Oiwa blocks the kick!

Oiwa stands, but ZSJ fires forearms! Oiwa ROCKS ZSJ back! ZSJ BOOTS a lariat, ducks the other, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up again and Oiwa drags ZSJ up. Oiwa gut wrenches, DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! ZSJ survives and the fans fire up again! Oiwa clamps onto an arm, wrenches it, and hammerlocks, but ZSJ reaches back. ZSJ flying-mares into a SLAM! Oiwa knows ZSJ too well for that! And it’s back to the SHANKLY GATES!! ZSJ scrambles around but Oiwa pulls on that arm! OIwa drags ZSJ from ropes, but ZSJ pops out to body scissor and JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH! TWO!!

Oiwa escapes, but ZSJ trips him! LAST SUPPER!! TWO!! Oiwa escapes again but ZSJ KICKS him down! Then ROUNDHOUSES! Oiwa sputters, but he blocks a kick, fires forearms, and he LARIATS! Oiwa hurries to clamp onto ZSJ with the SLEEPER! ZSJ fights up, but Oiwa waistlocks! GERMAN SUPLEX! ZSJ flounders into the SLEEPER, and THE- SLAP!! ZSJ stops The Grip, then wrangles Oiwa into a ghost pin! ZSJ WINS!!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Oiwa was a split second away from bringing down the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! But this is why ZSJ was a world champion at all! ZSJ’s also a former New Japan Cup winner, will he use this tournament as his road to redemption?

2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

The Rebel has been away since WrestleKingdom, and in that time, The King of Darkness declared war! Bullet Club is fighting itself once more, will Finlay end this before it goes too far? Or will even he have to admit Everything is Evil?

Naturally, Evil brings the whole House with him, from Dick Togo to Yujiro Takahashi, to Sho, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Ren Narita. And in response, Finlay has Gedo & Gabe Kidd, and Moloney even leaves English commentary for this! That’s still 6v4, aren’t there more dogs in the pack? It doesn’t matter, the brawl is on anyway! Evil and Finlay brawl while Gabe, Drilla & Gedo take care of the rest! Things spill out of the ring, the brawl continues, and the fans fire up! Evil CLAWS Finlay’s eyes, Gabe sends Kanemaru into railing, and then things go into the crowd! Evil BOWLS Finlay into chairs! Ren CLAWS Gabe’s eyes, Evil grabs a chair, and Evil CHOKES Finlay!

Red Shoes reprimands, Young Lions help fans get out of the way, but Gabe JAMS up Yujiro! And he JAMS up Kanemaru! Gedo CHOKES Dick, Finlay CLUBS away on Evil, and the fans are having to get out of the way fast! Finlay KNEES Evil down, has him down on some chairs, and then CLAWS Evil’s face! Red Shoes reprimands more, but Kanemaru & Dick mug Gedo! Evil fires body shots on Finlay, CLAWS his face now, and grabs a fan’s magazine to SMACK Finlay on the back! Drilla & Gabe are still brawling with the House on the other end, and Finlay CLOBBERS Evil! Finlay CLAWS Evil’s face, then shoves him down.

Red Shoes reprimands but this chaos continues! Evil grabs something from commentary! Evil SMASHES Finlay with a water bottle! Both men fall over, their soldiers still fighting by the ramp. Finlay gets up to stomp Evil, then he brings Evil around. The floor is slippery, but Finlay CHOKES Evil. Red Shoes reprimands as Finlay rains down fists. Drilla, Gabe & Gedo have migrated the fight with The House closer to the stage. Finlay CHOPS Evil, but Evil CHOPS Finlay! The fans rally, but this still isn’t a match! Finlay throat chops Evil, then DIGS his knee into Evil against the railing! Finlay lets off and Evil sputters, but they seem to be the only ones still at ringside.

Evil goes after Finlay’s leg, Finlay CLUBS Evil, but Evil pulls on the leg! Finlay CLAWS Evil’s face, RAMS him into the apron, and then pushes him into the ring. The fans cheer as this match finally begins with the bell! Finlay runs up to UPPERCUT, then he scoops for a running BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Finlay smirks and checks his nose before going to Evil. Finlay drags Evil up but Evil knees low! Evil runs, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! Cover, TWO! Evil stays in this and goes to a corner while Finlay walks his way over. Finlay taunts Evil, Gedo has returned to cheer Finlay on, and Finlay stomps a mudhole in.

Red Shoes reprimands, Finlay lets off, but then Finlay SPITS on Evil! The fans cheer while Evil rises up. Finlay whips Evil corner to corner, then runs up, but Evil BOOTS him back! Dick has returned, and he’s untying the buckle pad! Finlay runs in, and SURPRISE~! Bare buckles! The fans boo but then Evil throws the pad at Gedo. Red Shoes has Gedo calm down, but Evil kicks Finlay to the outside. Evil then brings Finlay up, SMACKS him off the apron, and Dick has brought chairs over! Evil puts one around Finlay’s head, and then gets the other! Dick distracts so Evil can hit the HOMERUN! The other chair almost hits Abe-san!

Evil laughs and leaves Finlay behind. Red Shoes checks on Finlay while Young Lions make sure Abe-san is okay. The ring count begins, and Finlay stands at 5 of 20. Finlay rolls in at 7, but Evil is right on him! Evil stomps away on the leg, drops an ELBOW, then clamps on a toehold. Finlay endures, CLAWS at Evil, but Evil pulls on the leg. The fans rally, Finlay fights around, and they roll their way into the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Evil holds until 4, but then he drags Finlay from the ropes to stomp the leg. Evil paces, Gedo coaches Finlay, and the fans rally. Evil slaps Finlay around, and Finlay gets mad now.

Finlay stands, Evil fakes a chop to CLAW the eyes! Red Shoes counts, Evil stops at 4 and “apologizes,” but then Finlay fires haymakers! Finlay whips, Evil reverses, and Dick trips Finlay up! The fans boo as Dick drags Finlay out to sucker punch him! Evil soaks up the heat, drags Finlay up, and RAMS him into the timekeeper’s area! Abe-san suffers again and Gedo is pissed! Wait, Dick is also setting up a table! Evil has a mic to mock Finlay, saying things like Evil is the proper leader of Bullet Club! Evil laughs, then he drags Finlay up. Evil whips Finlay, but Finlay stops short of the table! Finlay ELBOWS Evil away, then reels him in!

Dick storms up but Finlay shoves Evil aside! Dick backs off now, but there’s Gedo! The fans fire up, but then Evil CLOBBERS Finlay! Gedo still CLAWS Dick’s face, but Evil puts Finlay in the ring. Evil runs, but Finlay clinches for an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Evil writhes in pain! Gedo and the fans rally behind Finlay, and Finlay has Evil in a corner. Finlay fires LARIAT after LARIAT, and goes all the way to TEN! Then Finlay hits a BROKEN ARROW! The fans fire up and Finlay flexes while Evil flounders away. Evil bails out but Finlay pursues. Finlay drags Evil up, brings him around, and whips him into railing!

Evil sputters as he staggers back, but Finlay looks at the table. Finlay brings Evil around and reels him in! Evil fights the lift, wrenches out, and then CLAWS Finlay’s eyes! Evil reels Finlay in, but Finlay fights the suplex! Finlay then gets free to SPEAR Evil through the table!! The railing is right behind it for a rough crash for them both! The fans rally up while Red Shoes checks both men. Somehow, both Finlay and Evil are okay to continue, but Finlay says Evil’s a dead man now! Finlay puts Evil in the ring, the fans cheer him on, and Finlay reels Evil in! CANADIAN HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives and Finlay snarls.

The fans rally up and Finlay paces. Finlay drags Evil up, and he fires a crossface forearm! The fans cheer as Finlay fires more of those! Gedo also likes this, and he wants Finlay to keep going. Finlay fires another crossface forearm, then drags Evil up. Finlay reels Evil in, but Evil fights the lift! Evil BACKDROPS free! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Finlay and Evil stir, and Finlay crawls over to Evil. But Evil goes to poke the eyes! Finlay blocks that, and he BITES the fingers! Finlay SPITS in Evil’s face, then runs, but Dick gets a CHAIR SHOT in! Evil LARIATS Finlay down!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and the fans fire up!

Evil is furious and he drags Finlay around. Evil has the legs, steps through, and he turns Finlay over! SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Finlay endures, fights up, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Red Shoes reprimands, but Evil holds on. Red Shoes counts and Evil lets go at 4. The fans rally and Gedo coaches Finlay, but Evil scuffs Finlay. Evil talks more trash, then stands Finlay up. Fireman’s carry, but Finlay fights free! Finlay and Evil each CLAW the other’s face! Red Shoes counts on them both, they both let off at 4, and then Finlay kicks! But Evil blocks, and he THROWS that foot at Red Shoes!

Red Shoes falls and Evil LOW BLOWS Finlay!! The fans boo but now Dick steps up! Gedo is after him first! Dick panics as Evil focuses on Finlay. Red Shoes sees Gedo and Dick and steps in, only for the POCKET SAND to hit him!! Evil then BLASTS Gedo! But Finlay LOW BLOWS Evil! The fans cheer as turnabout is fair play! Both men are down, and wait! Sanada is here! The Cold Blooded War Dog chooses now to join the fight? Sanada rolls into the ring, but Evil ducks! The DROPKICK hits Finlay!! Sanada is upset, he hurries to go after Evil, but Evil ducks and Sanada DECKS Gedo!! Finlay is pissed, he thinks Sanada is betraying him!

But then Evil SHOVES Finlay into Sanada! Sanada tumbles out, Evil reels Finlay in, and Dick joins for a MAGIC KILLER!! Dick goes out and shoves Red Shoes in while Evil covers! TWO?!?! Finlay survives and the fans fire up again! Evil slashes his throat as he vows to end this, then he stands Finlay up. EVERY- NO, Finlay fights the STO, then slips around to backslide! Roll through, but Evil suplexes! Finlay slips free, ripcord and- NO, Evil ROCKS Finlay first! But Finlay ducks a lariat to LARIAT Evil and himself out to the floor! The fans fire up, Dick and Gedo coach their guys while Sanada is stoic.

Finlay and Evil sit up to give junkyard dog headbutts, then they fire fast hands! The ring count starts, Finlay RAMS Evil into railing! The count is 5 of 20, Finlay storms to the ring, but Evil keeps him from getting away! They both keep fighting, we hit 10 of 20 as they go back into railing! Evil won’t let Finlay get in, we’re at 13! Finlay BOOTS Evil, then fireman’s carries! Finlay POSTS Evil with a lawn dart! It’s 16, Dick goes after Finlay! Finlay RAMS Dick into Evil, then slides in at 19!! EVIL IS DOWN, FINLAY WINS!!

Winner: David Finlay, by ring count (advances to the next round)

Sanada shrugs and takes his leave. Does Cold-Blooded really not care one way or another what’s going on? As for Evil, his tricks couldn’t win this for him, will he give up on this civil war before it escalates?

As for Finlay, he can’t really get a read on Sanada, but he let’s it be. For now, Finlay grabs the mic to say, “Let me put this as simply as I can: Bullet Club is MINE! The War Dogs are all MINE! New Japan Cup is all MINE! Which mean’s Goto’s IWGP World Heavyweight Championship is MINE!” The fans cheer all that, and Finlay wants Gedo to tell them how it is. Gedo translates that into Japanese that everything is NOT Evil’s! It is all Finlay’s! Does Evil understand that? Then remember it! The Rebel is taking the EFF over everything! Gedo needs The Rebel! NJPW needs The Rebel! And the WORLD… needs The Rebel!

Finlay has asserted his dominance here tonight, but will he be the alpha dog of NJPW, all the way to the top of the mountain? Or will The Fierce Warrior have something to say about it in the end?

My Thoughts:

Another great night for the New Japan Cup, even with just three tournament related matches tonight. Uemura getting that win over Hashi was only a little surprising, but Uemura is definitely on a kind of return push. ZSJ VS Oiwa was great stuff, and the best Oiwa’s looked since joining TMDK, maybe even in his entire career. And it is pretty crazy how close he got to winning, but I figured ZSJ would win this to move on. ZSJ may have lost the world title but he’s not dropping down the card just yet. He might even be among the final four in this tournament.

And then great stuff with Finlay VS Evil in the main event. As matches go, ZSJ VS Oiwa was better, but Finlay VS Evil was all about building the Bullet Club: Civil War story. It did a good job with that, too, as Sanada chose to come out at a pivotal moment, and then maybe hit Finlay and Gedo on accident. I would think that was the case, but Sanada has already left LIJ for Just5Guys, then betrayed Just5Guys to join the War Dogs, so Finlay is right to suspect Sanada betraying him to join Evil’s side. Plus, that’d be Sanada reuniting with the guy he had all that tag team success with, it’d be a logical move from the storytelling side.

My Score: 8.9/10