Douki, a living legend, and LUMBERJACKS!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Thoughts:

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

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

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

My Score: 8.8/10

Knock Out Brothers VS Bishamon in the main event!

Tonight in Hiroshima, Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi now have their chance to take back the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Taisei Nakahara; Matsumoto wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Shota Umino, Toru Yano, Master Wato & YOH VS Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & SHO; Shota, Yano, Wato & Yoh win.
• Six Man Tag: Ryusuke Taguchi, Taichi & Masatora Yasuda VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Boltin Oleg, Aaron Wolf, Tiger Mask & Togi Makabe VS Ren Narita, Don Fale, Douki & Dick Togo; No Contest.
• Yuya Uemura & Tomoaki Honma VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Oiwa & Hartley win.
• 8 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita; Eagles & Fujita win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
• IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Knock Out Brothers VS Bishamon; KOB wins and retains the titles.

PLAY BY PLAY

In the closing moments of 8 Man Tag: Boltin Oleg, Aaron Wolf, Tiger Mask & Togi Makabe VS Ren Narita, Don Fale, Douki & Dick Togo…

Tiger Mask puts Douki back in the ring, only for Douki to bail out. Douki eggs Tiger Mask on, but TORU YANO runs down the ramp to throw Douki back in! Yano’s not part of the match, the ref already doesn’t like that. Tiger hits a SAYANAGI, but then Dick storms in and stomps him! Then the floodgates open and EVERYONE gets in the ring, even Sho, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi! One half of the House already lost to Hontai, they’re gonna get their revenge! It is so chaotic, the ref has no choice but to throw this out as a No Contest!

No Contest, interference

The House clears out the rest of Hontai while Douki CLAWS at Tiger Mask’s face and, well, mask! They all stomp away on the living legend, then stand him up. But Tiger SOBATS Douki! Douki blocks the next kick, and LOW BLOWS Tiger! Then Douki snatches the mask away!! Tiger drops down to cover his face while the fans boo Douki for this disgrace! Young Lions use their shirts to cover Tiger Mask, and out rush Shota, Wato & Yoh! The House retreats, taking the mask as their prize! Hontai helps Tiger Mask stand up, head covered in shirts. Tiger Mask then gets the mic to call out Douki!

Tiger Mask tells Douki, “Is this the only kind of match you can do? So, you can’t do it without using your teammates, you bastard?! I don’t know what to say, but if that’s what you want, then I’ll turn our title match into a LUMBERJACK MATCH!” The fans like the sound of that! Tiger Mask says Douki can choose how many to bring, because it won’t matter! Tiger Mask is gonna sink Douki in this ring, remember that! The fans cheer as the stakes have been raised, but will this gamble only work in the House’s favor? Or can Tiger Mask win the title and retire on top?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita!

Team Super Extreme freed these titles from the House of Torture, but now the Ichiban Sweet Boys have come back around. Will the Sniper of the Skies & Japanese Young Punk once again be golden boys? Or will the Bone Soldier & Mr. X prove they’re still too sweet?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who wins the newest chapter in this storied rivalry!

Them teams sort out and TMDK rush Super Extreme! They DOUBLE DROPKICK the champs out, then the bell rings! Eagles builds speed and DIVES onto Super Extreme! The fans cheer as Eagles lands on his feet through his tope cannonball. Eagles puts Taiji in, then he and Fujita double wrench for the MAXXIE BOMB! Cover, TWO! Taiji survive but Fujita tags Eagles. Eagles whips Taiji into Fujita’s ENZIGIRI! Then Fujita springboards, MISSILE DROPKICK BACK SUPLEX COMBO! Bridging cover, TWO! Tag back to Fujita and he feeds Taiji to Eagles. But Taiji mule kicks Fujita away! Eagles knees and whips Taiji, but X tags in!

Taiji dodges Eagles to DECK Fujita! Taiji blocks a kick, X gives a kick, and Super Extreme double whip to DOUBLE ELBOW! Wheelbarrow, VICTORY SPLASH! The fans cheer as X stands Fujita up, and he SMACKS Fujita. X whips Fujita corner to corner, then Taiji runs up, DOUBLE KNEES! Feed to the DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Fujita stays in this. X drags Fujita up, bumps him off buckles, then CHOPS! X snapmares, steps over, and traps an arm to then trap the legs! X pulls Fujita into the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Fujita endures, slips down, but X just CRANKS the arm! Fujita writhes but X covers, TWO!

The fans rally as X looms over Fujita. X bumps Fujita off buckles, tags Taiji, then Taiji fires elbows. Taiji wrenches and ELBOW BREAKERS, then hammerlocks for a scoop and SHOULDER BUSTER! Fujita writhes again but Taiji covers, TWO! Taiji clamps on with a double wristlock! Fujita endures, reaches out, and makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud while Taiji lets go. Taiji tags X and X runs to NO HAND HANDSPRING KICK Eagles! Eagles falls and X goes back to Fujita. X drags Fujita up while the fans rally. Fujita pushes X to fire a forearm, but X eggs him on. Fujita fires more shots, but X SMACKS Fujita!

X suplexes, Fujita slips free, but X elbows back! X whips, Fujita reverses and GAMANGIRIS! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Fujita crawls and hot tags Eagles! Eagles springboards, X dodges, but Eagles BLASTS Taiji! X runs up but Eagles ELBOWS him away, then RANAS! And WHEEL KICKS! Eagles kips up and the fans join in with “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” “OI OI OI!” Eagles KICKS X, and KICKS, and KICKS! Eagles runs, but Taiji KICKS Eagles at the ropes! The ref reprimands but Taiji steps inside.

Super Extreme double whip, but Eagles reverses to send X away. Eagles ROCKS Taiji, then sends X into him! Then Eagles dodges X, mule kicks, and he runs to BASEMENT DROPKICK LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up with Eagles and he runs corner to corner to DOUBLE KNEE X! Eagles runs up again, but into an ELBOW! Eagles still basement 619s the legs out! Then METEORA! Cover, TWO! X survives but Eagles stays on him by grabbing the legs. Eagles CLUBS and KICKS and KICKS the leg! X writhes, Eagles goes up and out, and the fans rally as Eagles aims! WARP- NO, X dodges! Eagles runs up but into an UP KICK!

X skins the cat, ROCKS Eagles, then goes up again, only for Eagles to GAMANGIRI! Eagles steps outside and the fans rally up as he climbs! SUPER DUPER STEINER, but X lands out?!? Eagles and X have their own Ospreay and Ibushi moment! X dodges Eagles to SPIN KICK and LIGER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Eagles survives but the fans fire up again. X rallies the fans as he goes to the corner. X climbs up again, takes aim, and X EX- NO, X has to land out as Eagles moves! X hobbles but Eagles runs up! X dodges, sending Eagles into buckles. X then backslides and bridges, TWO! X SOBATS, but Eagles KNEES low! Eagles kicks, but X blocks!

X spins Eagles but Eagles SOBATS! Eagles runs, but into the Tiger Wall Kick! X hobbles again, but tries a roundhouse, only for Eagles to dodge! X PELES, but into a trap! RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Fujita GAMANGIRIS Taiji, then ASAI MOONSAULTS! The fans rally as X endures! Eagles puts on the pressure as X crawls around! X reaches out, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while the ref counts. Eagles lets go in frustration, and then SMASHES X’s knee into the mat again and again! Then DEATHLOCK SMASH! Eagles goes to a corner, calls his shot, and HYPER- NO, X ducks the gamangiri!

Eagles drags X up, but X CHOPS back! Eagles ROUNDHOUSES, SUPERKICKS, and PEL- NO! X ducks the kick, backflips up and over, then deadlifts, but Eagles RANAS! Cover, TWO! X BOOTS Eagles, Eagles BOOTS X, then they each BLAST their partners! The Robbies BOOT at the same time! Eagles rewinds but X handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION X!! The fans fire up while both Robbies are down again! The Robbies crawl, hot tags to Fujita and Taiji! Taiji BOOTS Fujita, Fujita ROCKS Taiji, and the forearms fly! The fans fire up as Taiji fires a flurry! Fujita rebounds to CHOP! Taiji CHOPS! Taiji whips, Fujita reverses, but Taiji handsprings, into a catch!

Fujita slips through and has the legs tied up! NEMOS SPECIAL!! Taiji fights, reaches out, but Fujita powers those arms back! FULL NEMOS SPECIAL!! Taiji endures, pries free of the facelock, and has the ROPEBREAK! Fujita lets go in frustration but he vows to end it now! Fujita deadlifts Taiji, but Taiji fights the German Suplex with elbows! Fujita blocks one, flips Taiji up and over, but Taiji now fights the standard suplex! Taiji suplexes, to make it a gut wrench! CIPHER UTAKI! The fans fire up as Taiji takes aim, BANG! Taiji drags Fujita up, reels him in, but Fujita wrenches and RANAS! Cover, TWO! High stack, TWO!

Taiji ROCKS Fujita, X joins in, and they double whip. Taiji runs up, blocks boots, and he puts Fujita in the ropes! X ENZIGIRIS, Taiji SLIDING GERMANS! X STANDING SHOOTING STARS! Taiji goes up, 450 SPLASH! Cover, EAGLES CLOBBERS X ONTO IT! The fans fire up as all four men are down! X TOSSES Eagles, then regroups with Taiji. They call for the end and reel Fujita in. BLOODY- NO, Fujita arm-drags ‘n’ ranas free! Fujita DUMPS X out, wrenches and slips around on Taiji, GERMAN SUPLEX! Taiji tumbles while the fans fire up again! The fans rally as Fujita crawls, hot tag to Eagles!

Eagles storms up on Taiji, but Taiji fires body shots! Taiji CHOPS, but Eagles kicks him! Taiji fires more chops, but Eagles BOOTS him again! Taiji stands up to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP, but Eagles kicks a leg and ASAI- NO, Taiji turns the DDT into a ROLLING DEATH VALLEY and BASEMENT SUPERKICK! The fans fire up as Taiji roars! Taiji fireman’s carries again, and swings Eagles for a BLOODY FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again as Taiji aims and Eagles rises. Taiji runs up, tilt-o-whirls, but Eagles stops it! Fujita is in, SWEET BUSTER! Cover, X breaks it! Fujita TOSSES X while Eagles drags Taiji to the drop zone.

Eagles goes up, out, and takes aim, but X breaks free of Fujita! X handsprings to PELE Eagles down! The fans fire up as Eagles dangles from the ropes! Fujita runs up but X BOOTS him! X runs up, Fujita wrenches to ROCK him! X CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS, then Fujita ducks a kick! X ducks the haymaker, Fujita blocks to CHOP! X handsprings up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Fujita swings, X handsprings through, PE- NO, Fujita blocks to WHEELBARROW GERMAN! But X is right up?! O’Conner and CHAOS- NO, Fujita elbows free! Fujita runs, but X follows! FLYING CHUCK! The fans fire up as X powers up and calls his shot!

X runs, handsprings, but Fujita stops the Injection! Fujita pops X up into the Electric Chair, spins him around, but almost loses his grip! Fujita powers X up and into position! Eagles is up top, cravats, SLICED BREAD BOMB!! The fans fire up again as the Sweet Boys have Taiji! Taiji slips free of a scoop but Eagles CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS, and they DOUBLE CHOP! The Sweet Boys double whip but Taiji tries to crisscross them! The Sweet Boys deny that and DOUBLE KICK COMBO! The fans fire up with the Sweet Boys again as they haul Taiji up. Double torture rack, but Taiji fights free! Taiji fires forearms and elbows, then a CHOP!

Eagles SUPERKICKS but Taiji ducks! Down goes Fujita! Taiji JUMP KNEES Eagles, then runs to handspring and LETHAL INJECTION X!! The fans fire up as Taiji then ripcords Eagles, LA MYSTICA! And BONE LOCK!! Eagles flails, rolls Taiji, TWO! Taiji smothers Eagles in a cover, TWO! Eagles slips around, roll and bridge, TWO! But step through, only for Taiji to cradle! TWO!! Eagles escapes, Taiji runs up, LA MYSTI- NO! Eagles powers through to SLAP, KNEE, clinch and TURBO BACKPACK!! Eagles crawls to the cover, TWO!! Taiji survives and the fans fire up again! Eagles and Fujita regroup, DOUBLE KICK COMBO!

The Sweet Boys DOUBLE BOOT X, then Fujita goes up, up, and SUPER CANNONBALLS! Down goes X, and now Eagles goes up! WARP 4.5!! Then the step through, RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Taiji endures, reaches out, but Eagles drags him back! Eagles puts on more pressure, Taiji flails, and TAIJI TAPS!! SWEET BOYS WIN!

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

Three times, these teams have fought 2v2. And three times, the Ichiban Sweet Boys come out on top! Will Taiji & X ever bring The Mighty down? Or do Eagles & Fujita just have their number?

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Knock Out Brothers VS Bishamon!

Oskar & Yuto-Ice know everyone wants that wrestling high, so they let their challengers sort things out themselves. Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi conquered the United Empire on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but will they #GetBackUp to the top of the Heavyweight Tag Division? Or will the Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter get knocked out instead?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who leaves the Redzone with the gold!

The teams sort out, and while everyone is eager to fight, Yuto starts against Goto. The bell rings, and the fans rally already. The cheers for Ice have the advantage, so Ice takes a swing! Goto dodges, ROCKS Yuto, but Yuto comes back to ROCK Goto! They go forearm for forearm already, but Goto headlocks. Yuto powers up and out but Goto RUNS him over! The fans cheer while Yuto flounders away. Goto kicks and fires off forearms in the corner! The fans fire up with Goto as he whips Yuto corner to corner. Yuto comes right back to CLOBBER Goto! Oskar runs in and BLASTS Yashi! The fans fire up for KOB as they stand Goto up.

KOB double whips but Goto grabs the ropes! Goto DUMPS Oskar out, BOOTS Yuto, then Hashi WRECKS Oskar with a dropkick while Goto RUNS Yuto over! Hashi keeps moving, ZANMAI! Goto drags Yuto back up so he and Hashi can “SE~ NO!” BANG THE DRUM! The fans cheer as Yuto writhes! Hashi flexes while Goto stomps Yuto. Goto bumps Yuto off buckles, tags Hashi in, and they dig their boots in. Red Shoes reprimands, then counts, and Bishamon backs off at 4. Hashi drags Yuto up but Yuto ROCKS Hashi! And ROCKS him again! And again! Hashi spins through to CHOP Yuto! Hashi also SMACKS Oskar!

Oskar snarls but stays on the corner as Hashi CHOPS Yuto! Hashi tags Goto, Goto stomps Yuto, then Goto brings Yuto around to CLUB him down. Goto eggs Yuto on, then whips him to ropes. Yuto reverses, and Oskar catches Goto into a SLEEPER! Yuto BOOTS Goto down, then BLASTS Hashi! The fans rally and duel again as Yuto stands Goto up. Yuto bumps Goto off Oskar’s boot, then tags Oskar in. Oskar steps up and over, still impressive to the fans, and he CHOPS Goto down! Oskar circles Goto, drags him up, and CHOPS him back down! Oskar pushes Goto to the cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Goto toughs it out.

Oskar paces around Goto, drags him up, then THROWS him into the corner! Tag to Yuto and KOB mugs Goto. The fans rally as Yuto snapmares Goto, covers, TWO! Yuto sits Goto up to KICK him in the back! Yuto taunts Goto, kicks him around, and drags him up. Goto CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Yuto SMACKS Goto back down! Tag back to Oskar and he drags Goto around, into a CAMEL CLUTCH! Yuto BLASTS Hashi while Goto endures the stretch! Goto gets one arm free but Oskar keeps on the hold. The fans rally as Goto fights his way over, and manages the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Oskar lets go, and Oskar hauls Goto up.

Yuto joins in but Goto BOOTS him away! Oskar shoves Goto to the corner, runs up, but Goto dodges! Oskar hits buckles, and Goto crawls for his corner! Oskar runs up, but Goto avoids the leg drop, brother! Goto continues to crawl while the fans rally up, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hashi runs up on Oskar, ELBOW! Whip and- NO, Oskar reverses to send Hashi into the corner! Oskar runs up, but Hashi dodges the splash! Hashi comes back to LARIAT, then he whips, only for Oskar to reverse again! Hashi sunset flips, but Oskar stays standing! Only for Hashi to avoid the elbow drop! Hashi basement DROPKICKS!

The fans fire up as Hashi BLASTS Yuto! Hashi roars, the fans cheer, and Hashi circles the giant German. Hashi brings Oskar up and reels him in, but Oskar fights the suplex! Oskar powers free, scoops Hashi, but Hashi slips free to CHOP! And ROCK! Hashi roars, runs, but Oskar reels him in! HUGE mat slam, then the ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hashi toughs it out but Oskar snarls as he stands back up. Oskar stands Hashi up, and with both hands, HANGING NECK- DDT COUNTER! Hashi turns things around on Oskar and the fans rally up again! Hashi goes to a corner, then he runs up on Oskar, only for Oskar to scoop and SLAM!

The fans fire up while both men crawl, and Oskar hot tags Yuto! Yuto swaggers over to Hashi, stomps him down, then stands him up. Hashi fires body shots but Yuto DECKS him for it! Yuto drags Hashi back up, whips him to ropes, but Hashi DROPKICKS the leg! Yuto falls over and the fans rally again! Hashi crawls, hot tag to Goto! Goto RUNS Yuto over! And ELBOWS him down! And whips, only for Yuto to reverse! Goto still RUNS Yuto over! Goto runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Yuto is tougher than that but Goto brings him right up. But Yuto fights the fireman’s carry with elbows! Goto swings, Yuto fires hands in return!

Yuto bobs ‘n’ weaves to SMACK Goto with palm strikes! Yuto backs Goto down to a corner, KNEES him low, then SOBATS! Goto sits, Yuto gets gangsta! “BOMBACLAT!” DOUBLE KNEES! Yuto then drags Goto to the cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Goto toughs it out. Yuto stays close, and he sits Goto up. Yuto runs, ICE- NO! Goto blocks the kick! But Yuto ROKCS Goto! Yuto runs, but into the fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Hashi returns to BLAST Oskar! Hashi calls to Goto and they get Yuto up! Fireman’s carry, FIERCE FLASH! The fans rally as Bishamon brings Yuto back up, dragon sleeper and leg lift! But Oskar LCUBS Hashi!

Oskar kicks Goto, runs the ropes, but Goto follows! Goto LARIATS, but Oskar stays up! Hashi SUPERKICKS, but Oskar is still up! Bishamon double whips, but Oskar DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as all four men are down! Oskar bails out, but Yuto and Bishamon are all still down. Red Shoes ushers Hashi out of the ring, and he checks as Yuto and Goto crawl to corners. The fans rally up as both men rise. Yuto runs up, but Goto puts him right up top! DRAPING GTR!! But Goto can’t make the cover! The fans rally as both men crawl again, and Goto uses the ropes to stand up. Goto roars, aims, and BUZZSAW!

But Yuto rises to his feet! Goto fireman’s carries, G T W! Cover, TWO! The fans rally again as Yuto survives! Goto dragon sleepers, but Yuto wrenches through. Goto ducks the haymaker, but Yuto blocks the saido, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally as both men are down again! Goto and Yuto crawl, reach out, and hot tag to Hashi and Oskar! They both run up, but Oskar RUNS Hashi over! Oskar motions to calm down, and he grins as he brings Hashi up. Oskar whips Hashi corner to corner hard, and Hashi bounces off the buckles before landing on the mat! Hashi writhes but Oskar storms over to him.

Oskar drags Hashi up, whips corner to corner again, and just as hard! Hashi again bounces off buckles and writhes on the mat. The fans rally while Oskar takes his time walking over to Hashi. Oskar taunts Hashi, stands him up, and whips, but Hashi rebounds to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Hashi and Oskar both wobble. Oskar CLUBS Hashi down! Oskar drags Hashi up, Yuto joins in, but Hashi BOOTS Yuto away! Hashi CLUBS away on Oskar, but Oskar blocks the lariat! Yuto ROCKS Hashi, then he and Oskar hit THE RUMBLING BOMB!! Cover, but Goto breaks it! Yuto fires off on Goto, TOSSES him out, then regroups with Oskar.

Yuto & Oskar call for the end, and they haul Hashi up! Feed to Oskar, but Hashi SHOTGUNS him first! Hashi stands but AMBITION RIGHT hits first! Then ICE HIGH! Yuto calls to Oskar and they try again. Feed, scoop, and- GOTO LARIATS YUTO! Hashi victory rolls Oskar! TWO!! Goto PENALTY KICKS Oskar down! The fans fire up as Bishamon still has life! Oskar rises in a corner, and Goto sends Hashi in for a LARIAT! Then Goto adds MURAMASA! Goto climbs, Hashi lifts, and somehow, they hit the DANGEROUS LIBRA!! Cover off the super bulldog, but YUTO BREAKS IT! The fans fire up as all four men are down!

The fans rally up as Goto brings Yuto around. Yuto DECKS Goto, kicks him out, but Hashi LARIATS Yuto! The fans fire up again as Hashi roars! Hashi runs at Oskar in the corner and LARIATS! Then he brings Oskar in, hooks a leg, but Oskar fights the lift! Oskar fires body shots, Hashi staggers back, but Hashi LARIATS again! And SUPERKICKS! Oskar wobbles but he roars as he runs back up! Hashi dodges a boot, and he LARIATS Oskar down! Cover, TWO! Oskar is tougher than that but the fans fire up again. Hashi feeds off the energy and he powers up like Goto would! SUPERKICK! Hashi roars, and he brings Oskar back up!

Hashi hooks the leg, and KUMAGOROSHI!! Cover, TWO!!! Oskar survives, with Yuto so close and yet so far because of Goto! Goto throws Yuto back out, then brings Oskar back up. The fans fire up as Goto dragon sleepers and Hashi lifts the legs! But Oskar flails and fights free of Hashi! Oskar powers out of the dragon sleeper, but Hashi HEADBUTTS him down! Yuto fires off on Goto, then runs, but into a fireman’s carry! Hashi is back, FIERCE FLASH into the dragon sleeper! Hashi has the legs, but Oskar has a SLEEPER on Hashi! Hashi is stuck in The Nightmare Hold while Goto fights Yuto off.

Hashi RAMS Oskar into a corner, Goto LARIATS! Hashi LARIATS! Then Hashi goes up while Goto clinches! SUPER GOTO GO TO HUNTER! The fans fire up again as Hashi SMACKS Yuto down! Bishamon roars as they get Oskar back up and in, but Oskar again kicks free! But Hashi CODE BREAKERS! Goto dragon sleepers, Hashi has the legs, and this time for sure! SHOTO!! Cover, YUTO BREAKS IT!!! The fans are thunderous as Yuto saves Oskar with nanoseconds to spare! Red Shoes checks all four guys as they stir, and the fans rally up again. Hashi sits up first, he calls to Goto, and Goto pushes up off the mat.

The fans cheer as Bishamon roars! They stand up, and Hashi brings Yuto around. But Yuto fires forearms and elbows! But then Hashi mule kicks! Goto clinches, Hashi runs, but Yuto sends Goto into Hashi! Then he ROCKS Goto! Goto ROCKS Ice, but Ice ROCKS Goto! The fans get fired up with every forearm! Yuto swings, but Goto spins him, URA GTR! Then Goto runs, but Yuto blocks the lariat to ROUNDHOUSE! Then he blocks the ridge hand! Oskar is up, Yuto sends Goto to him! Scoop and K O B DRIVER!! But they can’t make the cover! The fans are thunderous again as Yuto snarls and Oskar rises!

Yuto brings Hashi up, sends him to Oskar, but Hashi ROCKS Oskar first! Then he ROCKS Yuto! Hashi CHOPS Yuto, ROCKS him again and again, then DOUBLE CHOPS! Hashi runs, but Yuto dodges! Oskar scoops! Hashi slips free to SHOVE Oskar into Yuto! Half nelson, KARMA CRADLE! TWO!! CRUELLA!! The fans are thunderous again as all four men are back down! Yuto roars, he drags Hashi up, and the fans rally behind him! Goto anchors Yuto’s leg, then drags himself up. Yuto stares Goto down before he DECKS him! Red Shoes reprimands about closed fists, but Yuto just roars! Feed to Oskar for the scoop, K O B DRIVER!!! Cover, KOB wins!!

Winners: Oskar & Yuto-Ice, by pinfall (still IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

Goto & Hashi put up the fight you’d expect from former tag team champions, but they are still just former tag team champions! What will it take for them to #TurnItAllAround now that they’ve fallen behind?

As for the champs, it takes them a moment to stand back up, but they do stand for Red Shoes to raise their hands in victory. Yuto then sits back down before getting the mic. Yuto calls to Bishamon and asks they wait a moment. Yuto knows normally, the losers have nothing to say, but he wants them to hear this. He was fortunate to see their matches, and knows their philosophy of pushing forward, never giving up, and being able to turn things around. Yuto’s opinion is that even as a Young Lion in the black trunks, he thought of them as incredible strong, warm-hearted, and straightforward guys. The fans applaud that.

Yuto says if Bishamon felt the pure essence of pro-wrestling, then please come again, KOB will do this any time. The fans also applaud that, and Oskar helps Yuto stand up. Yuto continues by saying, “See you again.” Bishamon exits, and Yuto says his body aches and creaks from all that damage. But right now, being alive and being a pro-wrestler is the most fun he’s ever had! He is pretty sure pro-wrestling exists just so Yuto can live. Maybe, you guys who also love pro-wrestling feel the same. The fans cheer that, too! Yuto says he and they are all lucky, cuz pro-wrestling is an escape. If anything happens, they can always come back to wrestling!

Yuto is a huge fan of wrestling! He knows the fans cameramen, the staff, everyone in this company and in this industry in general, are all fans, too! So don’t worry, whatever your crappy reality is, pro-wrestling can save you from it. The fans cheer, that, too! Yuto promises that watching wrestling, you don’t have to think. A false version of himself is rubbish. Only raw emotion shows the real! Just feel! When you want to feel truly alive, watch pro-wrestling! The fans applaud again, and Yuto knows all you guys should just shut up and spend your time and money on Yuto & Oskar! You won’t lose anything, they ARE pro-wrestling!

The fans cheer again, and Yuto says it may vary from person to person. Whether it is work, school, home, or whatever else! As a reward, let’s share pro-wrestling together! Yuto has Oskar by his side, but also all of you “addicts!” The fans applaud, and Yuto says KOB is big money! They’re the best team in the world! And from now on, don’t think, just feel! LET’S GET HIGH! Tch tch, BIG UP! Oskar & Ice continue to reign, will there ever be a team that can keep up with their high?

My Thoughts:

A great Wrestling Redzone in the middle of the Road to Wrestling Dontaku, and I fully admit to forgetting about the first part of said Road to Wrestling Dontaku. Very good stuff in Tiger Mask escalating things for him and Douki, and I believe the House of Torture was also involved in NJPW’s previous Lumberjack Match, so maybe that tradition can replace the Bullet Club War Dogs’ Dog Kennel Cage Match. But it sounds like it’ll just be a reason to have everyone already ringside for when Tiger Mask loses his last chance at the title, because I don’t see NJPW changing tradition. Even so, it’ll be an awesome match with Tiger Mask giving it his all until the very end.

Speaking of, we got that out of the tag title matches tonight. I didn’t think TMDK would win the belts back already, but this adds to the great rivalry between them and Super Extreme. Super Extreme could make number four the one they finally win, it all just fits so well. And great match from KOB VS Bishamon. However, given it was Bishamon, who not only had their run as tag champions but are also Six Man Champions with Boltin Oleg, KOB was naturally winning here. Great stuff for them, and there are some good possibilities for who faces them next, so we’ll see where they go for Dontaku and beyond.

My Score: 8.9/10