Bullet Club is taking aim at gold again!

Clark Connors called out El Desperado, and Taiji Ishimori is bringing Robbie X, will Bullet Club soon run NJPW’s Junior Heavyweight Division?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Ninja Mack & Katsuya Murashima VS MAO & Yuya Koroku; Mao & Koroku win.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Ryusuke Taguchi; Tanahashi wins.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi VS EVIL & Dick Togo; Tsuji & Takagi win.
• 8 Man Tag: Hontai VS Bullet Club War Dogs; Hontai wins.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X; Eagles & Fujita win and retain the titles.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Hardcore Match: El Desperado VS Clark Connors; Desperado wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

After the opening tag match…

Katsuya Murashima has a hard head, but Mao still broke through with the Force Kick. Then he grabs the mic to say, “We are Mao and Yuya Koroku of DDT Pro. And just wait, because there’s more to come. Maybe even in May.” Mao smiles, is he teasing his taking part in Best of the Super Juniors?

Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Ryusuke Taguchi!

The Ace Final Road moves on from Connection to Kinship. He did lose to Shingo Takagi to start this Road to Sakura Genesis, but now he moves on to the Funky Weapon. Will Tanahashi get his momentum back? Or will Taguchi have a parting gift for the president?

Tanahashi stands on the corner like usual, and Taguchi storms up like he’s going to attack! The ref stops Taguchi, but Taguchi assures he’s just joking. Tanahashi shows the abs and the fans cheer. The bell rings and the fans rally behind Tanahashi. Taguchi and Tanahashi circle, tie up, and Taguchi waistlocks. Tanahashi switches, Taguchi wrenches free to wristlock. Tanahashi powers through to wrench and wristlock Taguchi, then hammerlocks. Taguchi reaches down but Tanahashi keeps his feet back. Taguchi drop toeholds, then floats to a headlock. Tanahashi slips out to hammerlock, then floats to a headlock.

Taguchi fights up, but Tanahashi hits the takeover! Taguchi headscissors, Tanahashi kips free, and the fans cheer as Tanahashi plays the air guitar! And uh, Taguchi is perhaps playing air saxophone? Well, the two reset, feel things out, and knuckle lock. They go shoulder to shoulder with the Test of Strength, and Tanahashi knees low to wrench and hammerlock. Tanahashi then headlocks, but Taguchi endures the grind. Taguchi pulls hair, the ref reprimands, but Taguchi fires body shots. Taguchi powers up and out, drops down, then bypasses. And he drops down! And he bypasses! The fans fire up as Taguchi keeps things going!

Tanahashi runs and runs and runs as Taguchi keeps him moving! Tanahashi is slowing down! Is he finally tired? Yes! Tanahashi drops to his knees and the fans cheer “TA-GU-CHI!” Taguchi shrugs, then asks Tanahashi if he’s okay. Tanahashi says yes! Tanahashi rises, Taguchi is on him, but Tanahashi fires the strike fest! Taguchi kicks low, runs, but Tanahashi dodges the hip attack! Or, perhaps just collapsing? Either way, Taguchi crashes ‘n’ burns. The fans rally, Tanahashi stomps Taguchi’s butt, then stomps it more. Tanahashi stands Taguchi, puts him in the ropes, and kicks his butt quite literally! And even DROPKICKS!

Taguchi is dazed in the ropes and slowly slumps down. Taguchi dangles, the ref helps him back up and in. Tanahashi looms over Taguchi while the fans rally back up. Tanahashi drags Taguchi up, but Taguchi CHOPS! Tanahashi eggs him on so Taguchi CHOPS again and again! Tanahashi UPPERCUTS Taguchi, then steals the HIP ATTACK! And HIP ATTACK! And HIP ATTACK! Taguchi CHOPS! Taguchi fires body shots, but Tanahashi UPPERCUTS! And HIP ATTACKS! Tanahashi fires up, the fans cheer, but Taguchi hits THOUSAND YEARS OF DEATH!! Tanahashi staggers around in pain, but it seems his buns of steel hurt Taguchi in return!

The fans rally as both men stand. Taguchi dropkicks Tanahashi’s legs out, then has OH MY GAH ANKLE! But Tanahashi rolls to steal OH MY GAH ANKLE! Taguchi hops his way to a corner, goes up, and he has Tanahashi caught for DEADLY NUT SHADE! Tanahashi staggers, Taguchi runs up, HIP ATTACK into an atomic drop! Tanahashi runs, but Taguchi gets under Slingblade to roll Tanahashi! TWO, OH MY GAH ANKLE! Tanahashi fights, reels Taguchi in, but Taguchi powers Tanahashi down for OH MY GAH ANKLE! Tanahashi turns over, kicks Taguchi, but Taguchi holds on! The fans rally as Tanahashi reaches out!

Taguchi drags Tanahashi back and runs, BUM-A-YE! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Taguchi goes to a corner! Taguchi calls upon the powers of Thong Style! But Tanahashi’s already up! Taguchi shouts, “Tanahashi, ARIGATO~!” The fans fire up and Taguchi shouts, “ORYA~!” But then he sees Tanahashi’s been standing there. Taguchi is a bit stunned, then he fires up again! Taguchi runs up, into a SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi fires up, the fans are with him, and he goes up the corner! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall

And so the storied rivalry comes to an end, with Ace on top! But Tanahashi is still running the gauntlet! He has a showdown with Shota Umino tomorrow, will Tanahashi be able to break through to the Roughneck? Or will Shota’s Second Chapter take a dark turn?

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

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but they did get jumped by The Bone Soldier. The War Dogs are all about bringing gold and bringing bodies, so will Taiji and Mr. X do a bit of both? Or will the Ichiban Sweet Boys stay golden?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who is truly mighty!

The War Dogs bark a bit but TMDK isn’t scared. Fujita starts against X and the fans rally for “FU-JI-TA!” Fujita and X circle, but then Taiji slips in and CLOBBERS Fujita! Robbie BLASTS Robbie, then Buller Club double whip. Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Fujita kips up! Tag to Eagles and they double whip X to DOUBLE ELBOW, split the wishbone, and DOUBLE PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up, Taiji returns, but Fujita sweeps the legs! Eagles KICKS Taiji in the side, Fujita adds a SOMERSAULT SENTON, and Eagles adds a basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer as TMDK holds the ring.

Eagles has X down while he starts up the “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE! OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE! OI OI OI!” X tries to get away but Eagles keeps him in place, “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE! OI OI OI!” X SLAPS Eagles! Eagles KNEES low, then he KICKS X down! Cover, ONE, but Eagles drags X up. Eagles bumps X off buckles then tags Fujita. Fujita snapmares X, KICKS him in the back then covers, TWO! The fans rally behind Fujita as he stays on X. Fujita slaps X around, but X ROCKS and CHOPS Fujita! Fujita CHOPS X down! The fans rally and Fujita waistlocks, but X fights free!

Fujita ducks the backhand to CHOP X down! Fujita runs, but Taiji trips him up! Taiji drags Fujita out, fires forearms, but Fujita CHOPS! The fans fire up and Fujita hurries up, but X FRONT FLIP KICKS! X skins the cat, but Eagles runs up! X TOSSES Eagles, then Taiji gives him a hand! Taiji helps X go up and up to SUPER MOONSAULT! Down go the Ichiban Sweet Boys and the fans fire up! The ref checks on Eagles & Fujita but Taiji undoes the blue buckle pad! X puts Fujita in, then he and Taiji double whip. They DOUBLE ELBOW Fujita down, then X wheelbarrows with Taiji for the VICTORY SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally as Fujita stays in this. X drags Fujita up, and bumps him off bare buckles! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Taiji tags back in. Taiji drags Fujita up, snapmares, and FIST DROPS! Cover, TWO! Taiji drags Fujita around, traps an arm, and grabs the other arm! Fujita endures as Taiji grinds and pulls, then he YANKS the arm! Fujita writhes from that sacrifice, and X tags in. X hauls Fujita up to snapmare, then he ELBOW DROPS the bad arm! And STOMPS it! X bumps Fujita off buckles, then BLASTS Eagles again! Tag to Taiji, and X snapmares Fujita for Taiji’s slingshot ELBOW DROP!

Taiji resets Fujita for X’s handstand SENTON! Taiji covers, TWO! Fujita stays in this but Taiji stays on him. Taiji BLASTS Eagles back off the apron, but the fans rally for Fujita. Taiji drags Fujita up, and POSTS him! The ref reprimands, but Taiji brings Fujita around to hammerlock, scoop, and SHOULDER BUSTER! Fujita writhes but the fans still rally behind him. Taiji waits on Fujita, then runs in, but Fujita drop toeholds! Taiji fights that to a cradle, TWO! Taiji kicks low, whips, but Fujita reverses and GAMANGIRIS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Fujita and Taiji crawl while the fans rally up, hot tag to Eagles!

Eagles springboards, Taiji dodges, but Eagles BOOTS X! And then he RANAS Taiji, and WHEEL KICKS! X storms in to kick Eagles! Bullet Club whips but Eagles reverses to send Taiji away! Then Eagles sends X into Taiji! X falls over, Eagles dropkicks Taiji’s legs out! Eagles keeps moving, BASEMENT LARIAT DROPKICK COMBO! The fans fire up and Eagles aims at Taiji in the corner. Eagles runs up, DOUBLE KNEES, and then rolls back. Taiji sits down, Eagles METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Taiji stays in this and the fans rally up. Eagles stomps Taiji’s leg, KICKS it, then goes up the corner. Eagles aims, WARP 4- NO, Taiji dodges!

Eagles rolls through and keeps moving to DIVE onto X! Fujita waistlocks Taiji, Taiji fights free! Taiji runs to GOLDEN TRIANGLE onto Eagles! But then Fujita FLIES to wipe out the War Dogs! Korakuen is thunderous will all four men down! The ring count starts, TMDK regroups and drags Taiji up. They put him in at 7 of 20 and the fans rally up again. TMDK double wrenches, and MAXXY BOMBS! Cover, TWO! Taiji survives but TMDK has more tricks to try. Eagles scoops, Taiji slips free and CLAWS the eyes! Taiji then RAMS Eagles into Fujita, and uses Eagles as a pommel horse to ENZIGIRI Fujita down!

Taiji spins Eagles around, BLOODY- NO, Eagles fights that! Taiji mule kicks Eagles in the face! Taiji whips, Eagles reverses, but Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Both men are down, the fans rally up, and Taiji crawls over, hot tag to X! Robbie storms up on Robbie to stomp him around. X eggs on Eagles, then mockingly chants “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE! X, X, X!” X ROCKS Eagles, but Eagles fires a forearm, an uppercut, and a KICK to the leg! X kicks low, runs the ropes, but Eagles follows! But X catches him to a wheelbarrow, victory roll, turnover, but he feints the toehold to BACKFLIP over, and he reels Eagles in! SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up and X can’t believe it! X fires up, says BANG, and the fans bark along. X runs, but Eagles reels him in! X breaks free and CHOPS! Eagles wobbles, X reels him in, and X suplexes! But Eagles slips free! Eagles waistlocks, X switches, but Eagles cravats for ASAI DDT! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Eagles crawls, hot tag to Fujita! Fujita CHOPS X! Fujita whips corner to corner, runs up, but X puts him on the apron. Fujita ducks a shot to SHOTEI! The fans fire up with Fujita, and Fujita springboards in, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Fujita runs and PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!

X survives but the fans fire up behind Fujita! Fujita vows to end this, and he hauls X up. Fujita suplexes, but X knees free! X wrenches, Fujita wrenches, and Fujita drop toeholds! Fujita steps through, ties up the legs, and he has the arms! NEMOS SPECIAL! X endures, Eagles keeps Taiji out! Eagles then slips in, but Taiji follows! Eagles trips Taiji, steps through, but Taiji BOOTS Eagles into Fujita! X is free! Taiji CLUBS Fujita, whips, but Fujita reverses to TOSS Taiji! Fujita stalks X, waistlocks, and deadlifts, but X fights back with elbows! Fujita still takes this to the ropes, O’CONNER BRIDGE! TWO!! X is free again, but Fujita BOOTS him!

Eagles tags in, then TMDK double whips X, just to crisscross and HEEL KICK WHEEL KICK COMBO! The fans fire up and Eagles stands X up. Fujita joins in, they double wrench and MAX- NO, Taiji pushes X to freedom! Taiji JUMP KNEES Eagles! Fujita CHOPS Taiji down! X blocks Eagles’ kick to SPIN KICK! X runs, but into a ROUNDHOUSE! X PELES into a SUPERKICK!! All four men are down and the fans are thunderous! Taiji and Fujita bail out while the Robbies stir. Eagles drags X to center, steps through, but X KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Eagles just snarls and spinning toeholds! X writhes and Eagles takes aim.

Eagles runs up, but X ducks the Hyperion! X hobbles up and brings Eagles around, but Eagles schoolboy bridges! TWO, but Eagles steps through! X KICKS free, Taiji is in, and Taiji runs up at the corner. Taiji blocks Eagles’ kick, puts him in the ropes, and X ENZIGIRIS while Taiji runs, SLIDING GERMAN! X adds a RUNNING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Eagles survives, but X hurries to stand him up! Feed to Taiji, for BLOODY- NO, Eagles slips free and shoves X into Taiji! Eagles then blocks a kick, fires strikes, and he hooks X up! But X fights the Turbo Backpack to go up and POISON-RANA! X handsprings, to X CUTTER!! Cover, TWO?!?!

Eagles survives, the fans are thunderous but X is shocked! X hauls Eagles up, feeds to Taiji, BLOODY KILLER!! X goes up, up, and X-EXPRESS!! Cover, Fujita barrels in and breaks it!! The fans are thunderous again, but Taiji hauls Fujita up. Fujita CHOPS! Taiji CHOPS! Fujita SHOTEIS! Taiji BOOTS! Fujita HEEL KICKS! X SUPERKICKS Fujita, then dodges him to PELE! The fans fire up, X handsprings, but into Eagles’ arms! Fujita runs up, SWEET BUSTER!! Cover, TAIJI BREAKS IT! The fans are electric as Fujita deadlifts Taiji, Eagles SUPERKICKS Taiji for the GERMAN SUPLEX! Eagles now aims at X! HYPERION!! Cover, TMDK wins!

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

Bullet Club pushed Eagles & Fujita to their limits, but they truly learned that The Mighty Don’t Kneel! TMDK still hold the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag titles, what more will they gain here in NJPW? Wait, wait, Yoh & Wato are here?! Wato grabs the mic to say, “Hey! That was awesome! But Yoh and I are the next challengers.” Even Yoh seems surprised! But Wato tells Eagles & Fujita that he would like a reply right now. Wato holds out the mic, Eagles takes it, and he checks with Fujita, “Honto ni? <Are they serious?>” Eagles says this happens every time! There hasn’t been one defense where TMDK can just go to the back and rest up.

No, every time, someone has to scurry on out here. But let him get this right: Wato & Yoh are next? Honto ni?! Well, they might as well go on to V3. So if it is okay with the Japanese Young Punk… Eagles offers the mic, the fans cheer for Fujita, and Fujita takes the mic. “First of all, maybe for Mr. Weirdo, Yoh, it’s a bit soon. And I did want to wrestle Wato, but I have had my fill of Yoh.” Yoh turns to go but Wato has him hold on. Fujita says that if they’re really the ones challenging, he needs to hear it from Yoh. Fujita slides the mic to Yoh, and while Yoh lies down on the mat, he says, “Wato invited me out here, and now it seems I’m part of this.”

But if they are going to challenge for the titles, then yes, Yoh would really, really like those belts. So Robbie, Fujita, you’re on! Yoh stares down Fujita, then gets a close look at the belt. Will Yoh & Wato Direct Drive down the Way to the Grandmaster? Or will the Ichiban Sweet Boys stay golden?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Hardcore Match: El Desperado VS Clark Connors!

The Rogue Luchador walked through the Crown of Fire, but now he’s in the frying pan! There are no disqualifications, no count outs, and no buckle pads! But there are plenty of chairs waiting in every corner. This is going to be wild and unpredictable, but we do know it’ll be violent! Will Desperado make it through this genesis? Or will the title soon be 100 Proof?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Despy is still The Best of the Super Juniors!

The bell rings and the fans fire up already. Connors and Despy stare down, the fans cheer for Despy but many bark for Connors. Despy and Connors storm up, and Despy CHOPS! Connors nods and CHOPS! Despy CHOPS again, so Connors CHOPS again! The CHOPS continue back and forth, and Despy is already having fun! The fans rally as the CHOPS go faster and faster! Connors gets the edge, and he CHOPS Despy against ropes! The fans cheer, but Despy grins. Despy steps back up and pats Connors on the head as he says, “Can’t believe you haven’t already been champion.” And then the CHOPS continue!

The fans fire up as the CHOPS just keep going! Despy CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS, then CHOPS Connors against the ropes! The fans cheer and Connors checks his stinging chest. The two circle again, and Connors winds up to CHOP! Despy CHOPS, Connors CHOPS, and the fans rally as the CHOPS just keep going! Connors fires an UPPERCUT and a HAYMAKER, but then Despy comes back to UPPERCUT! Connors staggers away to ropes and the fans fire up again. Despy grins and nods, and Connors says time to really get hardcore. They each grab a chair! The fans fire up as these two storm up!

Despy swings but Connors ducks! Connors swings but Despy ducks! Despy BOOTS Connors’ chair away, but Connors blocks Despy’s chair shot! Connors kicks low, puts the chair aside, and whips Despy at the corner! Despy stops short of hitting bare buckles but Connors runs in. Despy dodges, Connors stops short of hitting buckles! Connors RAMS and whips Despy, but Despy reverses to send Connors into the steel! Then Despy goes corner to corner and Connors hits buckles hard! The fans fire up and Despy grins. Despy says Connors asked for this, and now he’s learning. Despy drags Connors up to CLUB him down.

Despy grabs a chair, and then uses it to scoop Connors, FULL METAL SLAM! Cover, ONE!! Connors shows some grit already and Despy is impressed. Despy sits the chair up, then brings Connors over. Despy pushes Connors’ head onto the seat, but Connors sits up and flips Despy off. So Despy pokes Connors in the eye! Despy puts Connors’ head back on the seat, and SMACKS chair with chair! Connors tumbles out of the ring after that homerun shot and the fans fire up! Despy pushes the chairs aside, then goes out after Connors. The fans applaud as Despy passes by, but Connors CLOBBERS him with a trashcan!

The fans fire up as both men are down from that demolition derby, and even the timekeeper and commentary has to watch out for flying lids. Connors SMASHES Despy with the can, then lifts it back up, HEADSHOT! Despy slumps down and the fans duel. Connors clears out space, says he’s the king of this, and he UPPERCUTS Despy! Despy staggers around, and Young Lions have the fans get back. Connors takes a lap and builds speed as he goes, to JEEP FLIPPER! Despy is sent right into the chairs! Now that’s a way to bowl a strike! The fans bark with Connors, then he drags Despy up. Connors SMACKS Despy off the wood bleachers!

Connors JAMS Despy up with a chair, tells more fans to clear out, and Connors drags Despy to the upper deck! Kids are scared as Connors storms over, but Despy fires body shots on Connors! Despy knees Connors low, but Connors ROCKS Despy! They go to the very back of the bleachers, and Connors SMACKS Despy off the wood! Connors stands among the crowd and the fans bark it up! But Despy comes back to SMACK Connors! They go into another section, Despy stomps Connors down, then CHOKES him! Despy drags Connors up to ROCK him with a right! Connors staggers into the chairs, and flops to the edge of the deck!

Despy CHOKES Connors, Red Shoes reprimands, but there’s nothing to be done! Connors CLAWS Despy’s eyes! The fans rally while Connors sputters. Connors stands, and he looks at the floor below. Connors drags Despy up, the fans freak out already, but Despy fights the suplex! Connors still tries, but Despy wrenches out to ROCK Connors! Connors takes a seat, but now Despy looks at the floor! Despy drags Connors up, but he takes the stairs. Despy then has another section of fans clear out! Despy whips and BOWLS Connors through chairs! Connors ends up in the bleachers! Despy winds up, and the fans join in on shouting, “STRIKE!!”

Despy hobbles over to drag Connors up, then brings him back to ringside. Connors UPPERCUTS, then he POSTS Despy! Despy falls in a heap while Connors leans against the apron. Connors storms back over, and he grabs a chair from the corner. Connors takes aim, and he swings that chair, but Despy ducks! Chair hits POST, and not only is Connors disarmed, but a piece of the chair comes flying off! Commentary narrowly avoids disaster, but a camera has taken some damage. Despy finds as kendo stick! But so does Connors! Both men grin as violent minds think alike. They meet around the way, and go up into the orange seats!

The fans fire up as Despy and Connors go up to the aisleway, and Young Lions have the fans move back as a precaution. Connors and Despy stand off like it’s high noon, and they CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! Despy’s kendo stick is falling apart already, and Connors SMACKS Despy in the head! And again! And again! And again! Now Connors’ stick has broken, but he just SMACKS away on Despy’s back! Connors fires up and the fans fire up with him! Connors paces while the fans continue to rally. Connors winds up to SMACK Despy again! Connors hears a young fan cheering on Despy and gets right in the kid’s face!

The fan doesn’t back down but Red Shoes has Connors back off. Connors drags Despy up, brings him around with a headlock, and they go down the stands. Connors flips off all the fans he sees wearing and/or holding Despy merch, then he POSTS Despy again! The fans rally and duel, but Connors paces. “DE-SU-PY!” “WOOF!” “DE-SU-PY!” “WOOF!” echoes as Connors takes off his own leather belt! Connors sits Despy up, then stands him up against the post! Connors uses that 100 Proof belt to strap Despy into the corner! Connors then grabs a fresh kendo stick! Red Shoes reprimands, but there’s nothing to stop Connors as he SMACKS Despy right on the back!

Despy slumps down, but the belt trapping his hands keeps him up just enough. Connors finds some whiskey, takes a swig, but Despy talks trash! So Connors SMACKS him again! Connors takes another swig, then he splashes that right on the cuts and scrapes on Despy’s back! Despy shouts in pain but he’s still trapped. Connors goes looking, and he brings out a TABLE! And then another table! The fans bark as Connors sets those up at ringside, and the Young Lions already have fans move back as a precaution. Connors asks if we’re having fun or what, and the fans are a bit torn. Connors finishes with the furniture, and the fans applaud.

Despy tells Connors off again, and we see Despy has a bloody back. So Connors SMACKS him again! Connors is raising that batting average but he has yet to win the game. Connors tells Red Shoes to set Despy free, and he claims to be a good sport. Red Shoes removes the belt, and Despy turns around, but into another SMACK! That kendo stick is busted, and Connors looms over Despy while he writhes on the floor. Connors drags Despy up, brings him around, and reels him back in! The fans rally but Despy fights the bomb! Now Despy lifts Connors, but Connors fights the spinebuster! And he POSTS Despy again!

Despy writhes, Connors drags him back up and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud, and Connors brings that whiskey. Connors takes another swig, then he looks around for something else. Connors takes a fan’s Despy banner, wraps it around the bottle, and then SMASHES the bottle against the post! The whiskey splashes around, some pieces of glass also fly, but Connors brings the broken bottle to the ring! Connors sits Despy up, takes aim, but Despy blocks Connors’ hand! The fans freak out as the two struggle, and Connors still pushes the jagged edge against Despy’s mask! Despy LOW BLOWS to save himself!

The fans fire up, and it seems Connors has split his pants at some point. Despy rises, and now he has the bottle! Red Shoes warns Despy, but Despy sits Connors up! Despy tells Connors to give up now, but Connors says F U! Despy says well, alright. And he DIGS the bottle into Connors’ forehead!! Despy lets off and Connors scrambles away! Despy asks for someone to dispose of the bottle, and hands it off to a Young Lion. Connors is of course bleeding, but Despy GRINDS Connors’ face off the ropes! Despy wipes the blood off the ropes, then he storms up on Connors. Despy climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans count along, all the way to TEN!

Despy BITES Connors on the forehead! Despy steps off with a sinister grin while Connors sputters in the corner. Despy goes back for Connors, drags him up, and whips him hard into the bare buckles! Connors slumps down, and Despy mockingly asks, “Hurts, huh?” Despy whips Connors corner to corner hard the other way! The fans cheer while Connors writhes, and Despy drags him back up. Despy whips Connors again, but Connors reverses! Despy hits buckles and slumps down! Connors runs in, but Despy FLAPJACKS him off buckles! Despy grabs a chair, sits it up, then grabs a few more to do the same!

Despy makes quite the chair circle, and the fans rally as Despy brings Connors over. Despy SLAPS Connors, then hoists him up top. Despy climbs up, admitting to Red Shoes that this is a bit risky but it’ll be fine. Despy fires the fans up, then brings Connors up. Connors fights the suplex, throws body shots, then he HEADBUTTS Despy! Despy wobbles, Connors gets under him, and Connors POWERBOMBS Despy onto the chairs! Despy writhes, his back only taking more damage! Connors clears the chairs out and crawls around. Connors aims from the corner, runs, but Despy dodges! Connors almost spears buckles!

Despy runs up, Connors puts him on the apron, and he ROCKS Despy! Despy wobbles, and we’re near those tables…! Connors runs in, but Despy goes up and over! Despy hoists Connors up for a BIG back suplex! Then he suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Despy goes outside. Despy looks under, and he brings out a chair wrapped in barbed wire!! The fans freak out but Despy raises that chair triumphantly. Despy turns around, Connors SPEARS him and the chair!! Both men are writhing in pain but for different reasons! Red Shoes checks both men, and now Connors has bloody scratches on his shoulder!

Connors and Despy see the chair, they both scramble for it, and they both get a hand on it! But they decide to take strips of wire from it!? Despy grins and Connors nods. The fans rally up as Connors puts his hair back, and then wraps a fist in the wire! Despy does the same with his piece of wire, though that’s a bit double-edged. The fans bark it up, and we’re into some new territory here! They both just start throwing barbed wire fists! They dig the wires into the other’s forehead!! Red Shoes wants them to stop, but both Despy and Connors tell him to shut up! Then Connors kicks, but Despy blocks! Despy digs the wire into Connors’ groin!!

Despy runs, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM onto the barbed wire chair!!! Despy writhes, Connors grabs the chair, and Connors takes aim to JAM Despy up! And then SMACK him on the back!! Despy writhes, but Connors puts the chair down underneath him! Connors grabs the arms, to CURB STOMP Despy into the barbed wire chair!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Despy survives and the fans are thunderous! Despy has bloody cuts on his arms and chest but he still has fighting spirit! Connors drags Despy up, puts on out, and- NO, Despy blocks the No Chaser! Connors KNEES low, then tries again! But Despy wrenches out and BACK SUPLEX onto the barbed wire!! Cover, TWO!!

Despy kicks the chair aside, and he drags Connors up. Connors blocks the lift, wrenches out, but Despy catches the lariat to wrench, spin, and underhook! PINCHE LOCO!! Despy crawls to the cover, TWO!?!? Connors survives and the fans are thunderous! Despy is frustrated but he rises back up. Despy hauls Connors up, underhooks, TIGER DRIVER, and then a roll through! PINCH- NO, Connors wrenches out, and TROPHY KILLER!! Cover, TWO!!! Despy survives, but Connors LARIATS!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Despy survives again and the fans are thunderous! Connors shakes his head, then beats his chest.

The fans bark it up for Connors and he drags Despy back up. Connors reels Despy in, but Despy fights the No Chaser! Despy RAMS Connors into buckles! And reels him back in, but Connors RAMS Despy into the buckles! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Connors storms up on Despy to UPPERCUT! Connors then puts Despy up top, and he ROCKS Despy with a haymaker! Connors climbs, brings Despy up, and puts one out! They go to the very top, but Despy fights the lift! Despy wrenches free, and he fires forearms on Connors! Despy HEADBUTTS Connors, then adjust position! Despy aims for the outside?!

Despy lifts Connors, SUPER SPINEBUSTER down through the tables!!!! The fans go nuts seeing that crash landing!! Slowly but surely, Despy rises up! The fans are thunderous as Despy manages to stand, and then he manages to walk over to Connors. Despy brings Connors up from the wreckage, then puts him in the ring. Despy drags himself in, crawls to the cover, TWO!?!?!?! Connors barely gets that hand up, but he manages to flip Despy off! Despy nods, he likes the grit Connors is showing. But then he drags Connors into the underhooks, for a JAY DRILLER!! Despy holds on, and he drags Connors up again, for PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover, Despy wins!!!

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

Both men shed blood and sweat, but perhaps the tears will be left for later. Even so, Connors has nothing to cry about considering how far he pushed Desperado here. But then, if this wasn’t enough to win, what will it take for Connors to finally be THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?

As for Desperado, Red Shoes brings him the belt, and he waves someone over. Connors’ tag partner and friend, “Drilla” Dan Moloney, as well as Connors’ girlfriend and Historic X-Over tag partner, Thekla, are here. They check on Connors after seeing him go to Hell and back for this match. A couple beers are brought to the ring, and Despy tells Connors that for right now, just tonight, cheers. They crack open the cold ones and toast, but also flip each other off. Drilla & Thekla then help Connors to the back while Despy chugs his beer in celebration. Then he grabs a mic, and the fans chant for “DE-SU-PY! DE-SU-PY!”

Some fans shout that the match was awesome, Despy thanks them, but then the lights go out?! It’s TEMPLARIO! The CMLL luchador and member of the United Empire is on the tron, and he is calling out Desperado for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship! For it is his destiny! The lights come back up and Despy says after 40 minutes, breaking himself apart, and he’s got another challenger. Despy says Connors is damn cool, but the fans say so is Despy! Despy says of course! But of course he looks cool after battling with a guy as tough as Connors. Despy apologizes for a burp, and for tearing up a bit.

But Despy can’t help but smile like an idiot after having such a battle with Connors. It was fun, tough, scary, risky, but that is how great pro-wrestling is! That they can all be cool and tough and manly. And for those who paid good money to come here tonight, he thanks them for being here, and hopes they had a great night! With that, Despy drops the mic, raises the belt, and the confetti flies! Despy risked it all but he’s ready for more, when and where will The Rogue Luchador battle with The Lion Warrior, Templario?

My Thoughts:

A great show, especially for a Road To series. Mao & Yuya get a very good match with Ninja Mack & Katsuya Murashima, and Murashima really got to show his stuff. Mao basically saying he’ll be in Best of the Super Juniors 32 is good stuff, he’ll have a great showing in that round table tournament. Very fun stuff from Tanahashi and Taguchi, but of course Tanahashi won that. Good stuff in those tune-up matches, and great stuff in the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match. Taiji & Robbie X make a great team, but so do Eagles & Fujita. Ichiban Sweet Boys keep the reign going, and they’ll have a very good match with Wato & Yoh.

Desperado VS Connors was an awesome main event, and they really pushed the envelope, especially for NJPW. Those moments of debris flying is perhaps a sign NJPW needs to invest in safer chairs before they go hardcore like AEW and WWE go hardcore. But either way, it was certainly some awesome stuff, one of Connors’ best matches period, and one day he really should be THE Junior Heavyweight Champion. But Despy has been on a great run, and Templario calling him out is some good stuff. They’ll have a great match that probably flips things to be Despy showing his lucha libre skills.

My Score: 9/10