Who truly leads the NJPW revolution?

Hirooki Goto finally has THE top title in NJPW, but David Finlay looks to take it for his own! Will the Fierce Warrior fail to stop The Rebel?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Katsuya Murashima VS Daiki Nagai; Murashima wins.
• Yuya Uemura VS SANADA; Uemura wins.
• NJPW World TV Championship: El Phantasmo VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins and becomes the new NJPW World TV Champion.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Shota Umino; Shota wins.
• NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: The House of Torture VS Bullet Club War Dogs; The House of Torture wins and retains the titles.
• NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Ryohei Oiwa; Takeshita wins and retains the title.
• IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
• IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL; Tsuji wins and retains the title.
• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS David Finlay; Goto wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Yuya Uemura w/ Just4Guys VS SANADA!

It used to be Just5Guys, but the Heat Storm went down with injury, and the Cold Skull showed how Cold-Blooded he really was. Will Yuya make this War Dog pay for his crimes? Or will Sakura Genesis start with a Skull End?

The bell rings and the fans rally behind Yuya as he stares down with Sanada. They circle, feel things out, then tie up. Yuya wrenches, wristlocks, then hammerlocks, but Sanada reaches back to headlock. Yuya pries the hold open and puts the headlock on Sanada. Yuya hits the takeover, but Sanada rolls him to a cover, ONE! Yuya holds on, the two stand up, and Yuya wrenches again. Sanada rolls, kips up, and cartwheels to then handspring and wrench Yuya! Sanada hammerlocks, headlocks, spins to hammerlock again, but Yuya switches that onto Sanada. Yuya then spins through to hammerlock, headlock, cravat and snapmare, but Sanada handsprings through!

The fans cheer this great opening exchange, and the two reset. Sanada and Yuya circle, the fans rally up, and the two feel things out. They knuckle lock, then Yuya kicks an arm to wrench the other. Sanada kicks free to wrench back, but Yuya wrenches again. Sanada wrenches through, wrenches again, but Yuya wrenches right back! Sanada reaches for ropes but Yuya keeps him back. Sanada rolls but Yuya rolls with him! The fans cheer, and Sanada tries again. Sanada rolls, but Yuya rolls with him! The fans cheer again, but Sanada fights up to snapmare. But Yuya holds on and he wrenches again. Sanada tries another snapmare, but Yuya still holds on.

Yuya wrangles Sanada, traps the arm, and SNAP LOCKS it! The fans cheer while Sanada clutches his arm. Yuya runs and basement DROPKICKS! Sanada bails out, shakes out the arm, and the fans rally up. Yuya waits on Sanada while he paces around the outside. Sanada slides in but Yuya knees him first. Yuya whips, Sanada reverses, but Yuya goes up and over! Yuya arm-drags Sanada, then DROPKICKS him down! The fans cheer and Yuya fires up! Sanada goes to a corner, Yuya runs corner to corner, and he CHOP LARIATS! Yuya then reels Sanada in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Sanada stays in this but the fans rally behind Yuya.

Yuya looms over Sanada, brings him up, and clinches, but Sanada fights back with elbows. Yuya CHOPS! The fans cheer while Sanada sputters, and Yuya whips. Sanada reverses again to hurdle, hurdle, and DROPKICK! Yuya falls and goes to the outside, but Sanada PLANCHAS! Down goes Yuya and the fans still fire up! Sanada brings Yuya up, headlocks and brings him around the way, to then whip Yuya hard into railing! Yuya sputters while he leans against the railing. The fans boo but Sanada soak up all that heat. Sanada opens the gate and brings Yuya out into the crowd! The fans are told to back up, but Sanada SMACKS Yuya off Milano Collection AT-san!

The fans boo this unorthodox way of weaponizing the surroundings, but Sanada isn’t done! Sanada drags Milano out of his seat, the fans cheer Milano on, and Sanada stands Yuya up. Yuya CHOPS Sanada, and Sanada falls onto Milano! Milano suffers further damage and embarrassment, but Sanada CLAWS Yuya’s face! Sanada then THROWS Yuya down onto Milano! The fans boo more, but Sanada drags Yuya up. They go past English commentary, and Sanada brings Yuya back to ringside. Sanada puts Yuya in the ring, but then has him on the apron! MAGIC SCREW to the floor! The ref reprimands but Sanada doesn’t care.

Taichi checks on Yuya, and he glares at Sanada. Sanada storms over to drag Yuya back up, and he puts Yuya in the ring. The fans cheer while Sanada drags Yuya back up. Sanada puts Yuya on the ropes, for another MAGIC SCREW! Sanada mocks the fans cheering for Yuya, then he drags Yuya into the dragon sleeper! Yuya endures, and he arm-drags free! Sanada comes back, into Yuya’s SWINGING ARM-DRAG! And the URENAGE! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yuya crawls his way over, and he fires back up! The fans are with him as he goes to a corner! Yuya climbs, then watches Sanada stand.

Yuya leaps, but Sanada gets under! Yuya rolls through, but Sanada comes back! Yuya ducks the Shining Wizard, and he ENZIGIRIS! Sanada staggers, but he ENZIGIRIS! Sanada waistlocks, Yuya switches, GERMAN SUPLEX! Sanada lands on his feet! Tilt-o-whirl and dragon sleeper! Sanada holds on tight for the SKULL- NO, Yuya rolls back and pops free! Yuya catches one arm, then swings Sanada around, but Sanada catches Yuya! DEAD- NO, Yuya slips out of Deadfall, only for Sanada to shove him into the ref! The fans boo, but Sanada pops Yuya up to LOW BLOW! The fans boo more while Yuya drops to his knees!

Sanada goes to a corner, then runs up, SHINING WIZARD! Sanada isn’t done as he drags Yuya to the drop zone! Sanada goes up, ROUNDING- NO, Yuya dodges, and he RANAS! Then ARMBAR!! Sanada TAPS, Yuya wins!!

Winner: Yuya Uemura, by submission

Sanada tried to steal this one like he did with Taichi, but Yuya powered through! Justice has been served, will Sanada see where he went wrong? Will the Heat Storm rise to the top and prove he’s the future of NJPW?

NJPW World TV Championship: El Phantasmo w/ Jado VS Great-O-Khan w/ The United Empire!

The Headbanga knew the United Empire was coming for his gold, but his match with “Captain” TJP was just to soften him up for The Dominator! Will Khan bring this gold back to the Empire? Or will this still be the ELP Show?

It seems the United Empire is bringing a special guest! It’s the man who designed the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship belt, Masami Obari! Obari-san puts up the crown with the Empire, and joins Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young in Khan’s corner. Is this a sign Obari could also be designing something special for Khan? That aside, the match introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really the Face of NJPW World!

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. ELP BOOTS Khan and Khan bails out! ELP builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit  into railing and the fans fire up! ELP hauls Kahn up while fans duel, and ELP TOSSES Khan over railing! Fans move back as ELP ROCKS Khan with a right! ELP then goes into the ring, up the ropes, and fans join in as he says, “E! L! P!” SUPER CROSSBODY into the crowd! Direct hit and ELP ends up taking a seat! ELP smiles and high-fives the fans, then hurries to his feet. The fans rally behind ELP as he drags Khan up and CHOPS him! Khan flops over the railing and ELP gets fans to join in on “One more time!”

ELP hops over railing, drags Khan up, but Khan fights the suplex! Khan scoops, and SLAMS ELP on the railing! ELP flops to the floor while fans fire up again! Khan drags chair after chair out from under the ring, and he sets them up nearby. The ref reprimands but Khan shoves him aside. Khan has created a makeshift table using the chairs, and he drags ELP up! ELP slips free, kicks low, and he reels Khan in! But the bad arm won’t let him lift! Khan hauls ELP up, and he APRON SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up while ELP sputters on the floor. Khan drags ELP into the ring, covers, TWO! ELP stays in this but Khan scoops him back up for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!

Khan pushes ELP around, gut wrenches him, and then GUT BUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Khan doesn’t let up, he gut wrenches for a GUT WRENCH PLEX! Cover, TWO! ELP is still in this and Khan is a bit surprised. The fans rally and duel, but the “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” side seems stronger. Khan storms up but ELP fires a body shot! There wasn’t much behind it, and Khan taunts ELP. ELP rises to fire a forearm, but that’s the bad arm! Khan smirks but the fans rally again. ELP fires a forearm, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! The “O-KHAN!” side again outdoes the “E L P!” ELP still rises to throw a chop, but there is still little behind it.

Khan brushes himself off, takes a swing, but ELP catches him, wrenches, straitjacket and- NO, the bad arm won’t let him lift Khan into the torture rack! ELP goes to a corner, but Khan Mongolian Chops him! The fans are torn but Khan hops up to sit on his throne! But then ELP slips right out and GAMANGIRIS! ELP climbs up to get Khan, but Khan GROIN CLAWS?! The fans boo and somehow the ref missed that! Khan scoops ELP from that position, but ELP slips down! ELP slingshots back up, then SUPER STEINERS! The fans fire up while both men are down! ELP rises back up, goes right up top, and THUNDERKISS 86 onto knees!!

Khan drags ELP into a roll up, TWO!! ELP survives, but Khan clamps on with the HITSUJIGOROSHI and then clinches for the FLATINER! Then the IRON CLAW! Khan drags ELP up for the ELIMIN- NO, ELP flips through! ELP then ducks, goes up the corner, and FLYING TORNADO DDTS! The fans fire up while both men are down again! ELP kips up and the fans cheer! ELP tunes up in the corner, Khan rises, SUDDEN- NO, Khan shoots around to IRON CLAW BACKBREAKER, then a spin, and Khan ROCKS ELP with an elbow! ELP BOOTS in return! Khan roars, blocks a kick, but not the ENZIGIRI!

Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Time is running out and that favors ELP. Khan crawls over to ELP, the two sit up, and Khan fires a forearm! ELP snarls and fires a forearm in return! But the bad shoulder doesn’t help. Khan fires a forearm, so ELP winds up and fires back! Khan fires another forearm, but ELP shakes his head. Both men stand, and ELP storms up to Khan. ELP rips the shoulder tape away! Khan eggs ELP on, so ELP SLAPS, SLAPS, and fires palm strikes! Then a HEADBUTT! ELP runs, but Khan dodges! Khan returns, ELP dodges! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, and ELP stays up!?

The fans fire up and ELP calls to Jado. Jado takes ELP’s hand and helps POP that shoulder! ELP storms up on Khan, fires forearm after forearm after forearm, then he ROCKS Khan on the ropes! The fans rally, ELP whips, and ELP DROPKICKS! Then ELP handsprings and the fans fire up more! ELP drags Khan up, straitjacket and torture rack! ELP spins for the BRAIN SALAD! Cover, TWO!! Khan survives but ELP vows to end this! The fans fire up as ELP tucks the arms. Khan wrenches out to IRON RIGHT! But SUDDEN DEATH returns! ELP hurries to tuck Khan in, and C R 2!! Cover, TWO?!? Khan survives and the fans are thunderous!

ELP isn’t sure what to make of this, but we’re past 10 minutes. ELP drags Khan to the drop zone, goes up the corner, but Khan bails out. The fans boo but ELP hops down. The ring count starts, but ELP goes out the side! ELP storms up on Khan as we pass 5 of 20! Jado stops Khan from using a chair! So Khan sends Jado at ELP! ELP stops Jado from running into him, and now ELP has the chair! Khan wants mercy, Jado tells ELP not to use the chair. ELP drops the chair, but the IRON RIGHT hits! We’re at 12 of 20 as Khan scoops ELP! T T D on the chair structure!! Khan rolls in at 17, ELP is down at 18! 19! 20!! KHAN WINS!!

Winner: Great-O-Khan, by count out (NEW NJPW World Television Champion)

Khan grins as his master plan worked out! TJP weakened ELP, then the chairs came into play like Chekov’s Gun. Khan has conquered another title, but what will he have in store for his “season” as NJPW World TV Champion?

Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Shota Umino!

The Ace continues down the Final Road, but the Roughneck is just starting his Second Chapter. However, after losing to David Finlay, could Shota be embracing a darker path? Or can President Tanahashi still show him the light?

Tanahashi is partially cosplaying Terry Bogard from Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, and joining him is top cosplayer, Momo Momoto. Get your copy of Fatal Fury on April 24th! That aside, Shota makes his entrance, and despite his new edge, he still wears his shining white pants and jacket. The jackets are put aside, and Tanahashi shows off the abs. The fans cheer, and the bell rings. The fans rally for Tanahashi but Shota tunes it all out. They tie up, Tanahashi waistlocks but Shota wrenches. Tanahashi wrenches back, but Shota rolls, slips through, and hammerlocks. Tanahashi reaches around, and he elbows Shota into a headlock.

Shota powers up, but Tanahashi holds tight! The fans cheer and Tanahashi grinds the hold, but Shota fights back up. Shota fires body shots, powers up and out, but Tanahashi RAMS him! Shota rebounds and runs Tanahashi over! The fans fire up again while Shota shakes out the stars. Shota drags Tanahashi up, whips him to a corner, then runs in, only for Tanahashi to BOOT him away. Tanahashi goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Tanahashi bounces off and plays air guitar. The fans cheer while Shota goes to a corner. Tanahashi runs in but Shota dodges! Tanahashi hits buckles, Shota runs back in, but Shota blocks Tanahashi’s boots!

Shota brings Tanahashi out of the corner to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally while Shota paces around Tanahashi. Shota stomps Tanahashi’s legs, then stomps them again. Shota drops knee after knee on Tanahashi’s knee, then shifts into a toehold. Tanahashi endures as Shota shifts around to get a different angle. Tanahashi keeps his shoulders up, then works on his escape. Shota pulls on the leg, but Tanahashi has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Shota lets go, and he stands Tanahashi up to grab the leg again. Tanahashi fights the lift with elbows, then he runs, only for Shota to dropkick the legs out!

Shota hurries to stand Tanahashi back up, and he has the leg for a SHIN BREAKER! Tanahashi falls, Shota steps over, S T F! Tanahashi endures, reaches out, crawls forward, and the fans rally as he drags Shota along. Shota shifts to have the leg and he drags Tanahashi back! KNEE SMASH into the mat! Back to the STF! Tanahashi endures again but the fans continue to rally! Tanahashi fights to the side, reaches out, but Shota pulls on the crossface! Tanahashi still manages the ROPEBREAK! Shota lets go while the fans cheer, and Tanahashi crawls to a corner. Shota storms over, stomps Tanahashi’s leg, then stomps it again, and again!

Shota digs his boot in but the ref counts, so Shota steps off. Shota stands Tanahashi up to fire a forearm! And another! And another! Tanahashi turns things around to fire forearm after forearm! Shota turns things around to fire forearm after forearm! Tanahashi turns things back around for more forearms, but then so does Shota! Tanahashi turns things around again for another round of forearms! Shota shoves Tanahashi and eggs him on! The forearms fly back and forth, then Shota gets the edge! Shota bumps Tanahashi off buckles, ROCKS him, then ROCKS him again! Shota eggs Tanahashi on while the fans fire up!

Tanahashi rises up, and Shota fires another forearm! Tanahashi leans into it! And he leans into another! And another! Shota throws a flurry, but Tanahashi swings! Shota ducks to SHOTEI in return! Tanahashi wobbles, Shota kicks, but Tanahashi blocks it, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up while Tanahashi rises. Tanahashi drags Shota up, fires a strike fest, then whips. Shota reverses, Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up with Tanahashi and he drags Shota up. Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Shota down into the drop zone! Tanahashi goes up, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Shota survives that solid impact and the fans rally up again!

Tanahashi waits on Shota, then he runs to SLING- NO, Shota slips around to half nelson! Tanahashi runs to ropes, bucks the nelson, but Shota ELBOWS and ENZIGIRIS! Tanahashi staggers, roars, but swings into the HALF ‘N’ HALF! Tanahashi’s back up, but runs into another HALF ‘N’ HALF But Tanahashi’s up again!? Shota gets him for a third HALF ‘N’ HALF! Bridging cover, TWO!! Tanahashi escapes and the fans are thunderous! Shota rises and now he waits on Tanahashi. Tanahashi slowly stands up, Shota runs the ropes, but Tanahasih slips under and spins Shota for TWIST ‘n’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

Tanahashi roars as he brings Shota back up, but Shota fights the hattrick! Tanahashi fires body shots, Shota fires them back! Shota hooks the leg, SECOND- NO, Tanahashi fights the driver! But Shota fights the twist! Shota wrenches, swings, but into a full nelson! Shota breaks that, but ends up in a STRAITJACKET GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO!! Shota escapes and the fans are thunderous again! Tanahashi gets moving, and he SLINGBLADES! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi hurries right up top! The fans fire up while Shota stands, HIGH FLY ATTACK! Shota is down, so Tanahashi goes back up!

The fans fire up as Tanahashi aims again! HIGH FLY FLOW FLOPS as Shota moves! Shota aims from the corner, fire in his eyes as Tanahashi rises. BLINDSIDE BUSAIKU KNEE!! Shota rises again while the fans rally as hard as they can for Tanahashi! Shota roars as he goes back to the corner! Tanahashi rises, into a BUSAIKU KNEE!! Shota isn’t done, as he drags Tanahashi up, hooks the leg, and SECOND- CRADLE from Tanahashi! TWO!!! Shota escapes in time! Both men stand, both men roar and run in! Shota dodges to then LARIAT!! Cover, TWO?!?! Tanahashi survives and Shota is furious, but the fans are electric!

Shota drags Tanahashi back up, reels him back in, and he hooks that leg! SECOND CHAPTER!!! Cover, SHOTA WINS!

Winner: Shota Umino, by pinfall

Whether light or dark, good or evil, that might just be a matter of perspective. What is clear is that Shota’s Second Chapter just punctuated a major part of Tanahashi’s last chapter! But wait, Shota wishes to speak. The mic is handed over, and the fans cheer Shota as he kneels by Tanahashi. “Tanahashi-san… I have just one decision, one option. I will lead Hontai here in NJPW!” Shota takes a bow of respect to President Tanahashi, but will he really lead the main unit when he is not yet atop the mountain? As for Tanahashi, he now has a week to prepare for his next match, that being with Konosuke Takeshita! Will The Ace be ready for The Alpha?

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: The House of Torture VS Bullet Club War Dogs!

The Bullet Club Civil War continues to rage on, and now Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Sho must put up their gold against Gabe Kidd, “Drilla” Dan Moloney & Taiji Ishimori! Will the House use all the tricks in the book to keep these titles? Or will the War Dogs be bringing gold and bodies back to the pound?

The introductions are made, the NEVER belts are raised, and we see who is truly Bullet Club Prime!

The War Dogs TRIPLE SHOTGUN! Yujiro & Ren fall out of the ring, Sho takes a TRIPLE SUPERKICK! The fans fire up as Taiji and Gabe go up the corners, to DOUBLE ASAI MOONSAULT! Down go Yujiro & Ren and the fans fire up! The bell rings and Drilla drags Sho up. Gabe & Taiji set up Yujiro & Ren, Drilla SPLASH MOUNTAINS Sho out onto them!! The fans are thunderous and Drilla is all fired up! Gabe drags Ren out into the crowd to UPPERCUT! Taiji fires hands on Yujiro, Drilla has Sho, and it is chaos all around the arena! Drilla BOWLS Sho into chairs! Gabe does the same to Ren in some other segment!

Taiji SMACKS Yujiro off the timekeeper’s table! The fans rally, the ref reprimands, but Drilla drags Sho back to ringside. Drilla DECKS Sho, but Ren JAMS Gabe up with a chair! Ren has Gabe behind commentary and SMACKS him off a desk! Gabe falls back, Sho CHOKES Drilla, and then Sho puts Drilla in the ring. The fans boo but Ren POSTS Gabe! Sho stomps Drilla around, then tags in Yujiro. Sho stomps Drilla more, and the House all joins in. They drag Drilla up, whip him to a corner, then Sho runs up to forearm SMASH! Yujiro runs up to BOOT! Ren runs up to ELBOW! Ren snapmares Drilla down, then distracts the ref from seeing Yujiro’s FALLING HEADBUTT LOW BLOW!

The fans boo but Tokyo Pimp covers, only for Gabe to break it! Ren kicks Gabe back out, then Yujiro tags Ren in. The Souled Out Son of Strong Style storms up, but Drilla RAMS him into the corner! Gabe tags in, Taiji BLASTS the House, and now Taiji handsprings so he and Drilla can NEURALIZER HART ATTACK! Then CATAPULT into a HAYMAKER! Drilla lifts Ren into the Electric Chair, and Gabe goes up, up, and DOOMSDAY DEVICE!! Cover, Sho & Yujiro break it! The House brawls with the War Dogs, they go back and forth with forearms, but then the House just CLAW eyes! But the Dogs bark and CLAW eyes in return!

Taiji & Drilla whip, but Sho & Yujiro grab ropes! They TOSS Taiji, but Drilla sends Yujiro into Sho! GORE for Yujiro! Sho dodges Drilla to SPEAR! But Taiji springboards back in, SEATED SENTON! Ren BOOTS Taiji! Gable gets around Ren to ripcord, HAYMAKER, and Ren wobbles! The fans are thunderous, Gabe roars, and Gabe runs, only for Ren to dodge! Gabe rebounds, but into the NECKBREAKER DROP! Everyone is down, and this is just the first five minutes! Ren crawls to the corner, he tags Sho in, and Sho laughs as he stomps Gabe down. Ren and Sho stomp Gabe, digs their heels in, and soak up the heat.

Sho & Ren CHOKE Gabe, have him on the ropes, and then they double whip. Gabe DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as the anti-hero stands tall! Gabe barks, the fans join in, and Gabe runs to COMEBACKER LARIAT on Sho! Taiji returns, Gabe tags Drilla. Taiji gut wrenches Sho for CIPHER UTAKI, and Drilla deadlifts Sho! But Yujiro & Ren drag Gabe & Taiji outta the ring! Sho slips free to shove Drilla into the ref! The fans boo, but t hen Sho LOW BLOWS Drilla, and shoves him back into the ref!! The fans boo even more, but now Ren has his pushup bar! Ren CLOBBERS Gabe! The House regroups and they haul Drilla up.

Ren & Yujiro hold Drilla up while Sho has his “Torture Tool!” But then Sho spots something! CLARK CONNORS & SANADA are here! 100 Proof CLOBBERS Yujiro & Ren! Then he dodges Sho to UPPERCUT! Sanada… is in Astro Boy boots? What? But he has his guitar, and he aims at Sho! BUT HE SMASHES DRILLA?!?! Sanada gets the ref in the ring, Sho covers Drilla, House of Torture wins!!

Winners: The House of Torture, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

The Cold Blooded snake does it again!! He ditched LIJ for Just5Guys, then he betrayed J5G to be Bullet Club 4 Life! Only to now betray the War Dogs and join the House of Torture!! Sanada unzips his jacket to confirm it, he’s wearing a “House of Torture is Real Bullet Club” shirt!! But then he and the House run away as Gabe gets back up! Is this Sanada’s final form? Is this going to be the deciding battle in the Bullet Club Civil War?

NJPW announces the field for the Best of the Super Juniors 32!

The fastest moving round robin tournament is on its way back! And in this year’s field, it will be: last year’s winner, El Desperado; “Funky Weapon” Ryusuke Taguchi; Mr. Direct Drive, YOH; “The Way to the Grandmaster,” Master Wato; “The Time Splitter,” KUSHIDA; “The Jet,” Kevin Knight; “The American Shinobi,” Ninja Mack; “Japanese Young Punk,” Kosei Fujita; “The Sniper of the Skies,” Robbie Eagles; “The Ticking Timebomb” and perhaps the most decorated winner of all, Hiromu Takahashi; “The Black Mask,” BUSHI; “The Crown of Fire,” Francesco Akira; “The Bone Soldier Reborn,” Taiji Ishimori; “100 Proof,” Clark Connors; “The Murder Machine,” SHO; “Heel Master,” Yoshinobu Kanemaru; a wild card from CMLL; Dragongate’s Dragon Dia; DDT Pro’s MAO; and AEW’s Nick Wayne!

So that’s TWENTY in all, two blocks of 10, and it all begins May 10th! Desperado is on commentary and is very excited about those crossover names. But will he go back to back? Or will another prove they are the Best of the Super Juniors?

NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Ryohei Oiwa w/ TMDK!

The Alpha became a double champion to start the year off strong, but he has since hit a speedbump. Kenny Omega is now AEW International Champion, but Konosuke still has gold to defend. Will Konosuke keep this title as he also prepares for the Windy City Riot? Or will The Mighty Mullet get a grip on some gold?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who NEVER gives in!

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The crowd seems split down the middle as Konosuke and Oiwa circle. They feel things out, back up, then tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Oiwa waistlocks, but Konosuke switches. Oiwa switches back, but Konosuke grabs a leg and trips him. Oiwa goes for an arm, Konosuke rolls back, and Konosuke floats to a facelock. The two stand, they’re on the ropes, and the ref counts. Konosuke lets off slowly, pats Oiwa on the shoulders, and the fans applaud. Oiwa and Konosuke go again, and Konosuke grabs an arm. Konosuke wrenches to wristlock, but Oiwa rolls, wrenches and wristlocks in return.

Konosuke rolls, Oiwa wrangles him, and Oiwa STOMPS the arm! The fans applaud, and Oiwa top wristlocks Konosuke. Konosuke arm-drags free, headlocks for the takeover, but Oiwa headscissors. Konosuke kips free, Oiwa headlocks for the takeover, but Konosuke headscissors. Konosuke hooks a leg to stop the kip up and he has the cradle! TWO and both men hurry to their feet. Oiwa headlocks, Konosuke powers up and out, then he drops down to jump over. But Oiwa drops on the monkey flip for a cover! TWO, and Konosuke bails out! Oiwa hurries out after him, headlocks again, but Konosuke powers up and out.

Oiwa whips Konosuke to send him hard into railing! The fans cheer, Oiwa drags Konosuke up, and Oiwa whips Konosuke, only for Konosuke to reverse! Oiwa hits railing, then Konosuke runs up to BOOT Oiwa! But Konosuke goes so hard, he falls over the railing! Konosuke gets back up while Oiwa is still down, and he drags Oiwa up. Konosuke puts Oiwa in the ring, the fans applaud, and Konosuke springboards! Oiwa dodges, runs up and ELBOWS Konosuke in the corner! Oiwa whips Konosuke to a corner, then runs up to ELBOW him again! Oiwa fires up, the fans are with him, and he whips corner to corner just to YANK the arm!

The fans applaud the savvy, and Oiwa clamps onto Konosuke’s arm. Konosuke endures as Oiwa grinds the shoulder. Konosuke fights up, Oiwa wrenches and wristlocks, but Konosuke powers up, only for Oiwa to wrangle him to the mat! Oiwa hammerlocks that arm, cording holds the other, and he rolls Konosuke up, TWO! Oiwa keeps Konosuke down with a double wristlock! Konosuke fights up, but Oiwa RAMS him into the corner! Konosuke drops to his knees but Oiwa drags him back up. Oiwa clamps onto the arm again, but Konosuke fights against it. Konosuke eggs Oiwa on so Oiwa puts on the pressure! Only for Konosuke to scoop and SLAM!

But Oiwa holds on and drags Konosuke down! Oiwa pulls on the arm with that keylock, but Konosuke fights up to his feet. Oiwa whips Konosuke to a corner, Konosuke stops himself and ELBOWS Oiwa back. And ELBOWS him again! Konosuke goes up, but Oiwa DROPKICKS him first! Konosuke falls against the buckles, and Oiwa goes out to grab the bad arm! The ref reprimands but Oiwa climbs up to throw down elbows. Oiwa then has a facelock, and the bad arm, but Konosuke fires body shots! Konosuke HEADBUTTS Oiwa! The fans rally as both men adjust their position, and Konosuke has Oiwa on the very top!

Konosuke fires up for the SUPER DUPER PLEX! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! Konosuke clutches the bad arm, but he still rises back up! Konosuke drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oiwa fights with elbows! Oiwa wants the arm, Konosuke rolls through! Oiwa dodges the lariat to SNAP GERMAN! And then he waistlocks for another GERMAN SUPLEX! Konosuke stands, Oiwa runs up, but into an EXPLODER! Oiwa rises up, swings again, but into the BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa survives and the fans fire up! Konosuke huffs ‘n’ puffs and stands back up, daring Oiwa to do the same.

Oiwa stands, and Konosuke fires a forearm! Oiwa snarls and fires one in return! Konosuke fires another forearm, Oiwa staggers, but he stays up. Oiwa comes back to fire a forearm! The forearms go back and forth, the fans rally up as they go harder, but then Oiwa wrenches and YANKS the arm! Oiwa wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER, then another ELBOW- NO, Konosuke has a SLEEPER! Oiwa slips free to put the SLEEPER on Konosuke! Konosuke shifts, powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Both men rebound, and Konosuke JUMP KNEES Oiwa down! Konosuke fires up, hauls Oiwa up, but Oiwa SAIDOS!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa rises, the fans rally, and Oiwa goes to a corner. Oiwa climbs up, takes aim, and DIVING SPLASHES onto knees! Cradle, TWO!! Oiwa is free, and he runs up to HEADSCISSOR TAKEDOWN! Cover, TWO! Oiwa and Konosuke DOUBLE LARIAT! They stay up, Konosuke BOOTS Oiwa’s next lariat, then dodges the other! But he runs into a LARIAT all the same! The fans fire up and Oiwa waistlocks! Oiwa then spins Konosuke, but Konosuke dodges The Grip! Konosuke waistlocks, Oiwa switches, Konosuke switches back, and O’Conner CHAOS THEORY! Bridging cover, TWO!!

Oiwa survives and the fans fire up! Konosuke grits his teeth and rises back up. Konosuke aims from a corner, Oiwa rises, POWER- NO, Oiwa catches Konosuke to a DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa hurries to clamp on the keylock! Oiwa drags Konosuke into SHANKLY GATES!! Konosuke endures being bent and twisted while the fans rally up! Konosuke shifts around, reaches out, but Oiwa puts all he can onto the hold! Konosuke still manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Oiwa lets go in frustration. Konosuke rises, but Oiwa waistlocks! Konosuke holds onto the ropes with one hand, but Oiwa pulls him free! GERMAN SUPLEX! Konosuke lands out!?

Konosuke runs up, dodges a lariat, and then DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men rebound, and Konosuke LARIATS through! Konosuke hurries to suplex, RAGIN- NO, Oiwa fights the fire, but Konosuke suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, ONE?!!? Oiwa shows some true grit, and Konosuke is impressed! Konosuke storms up to ROCK Oiwa, then ROCK him again! Oiwa wobbles but Konosuke ROCKS him again! Konosuke spins, but so does Oiwa! Oiwa ROLLING ELBOWS first! SLEEPER! And then THE GRIP misses! ROLLING ELBOW from Konosuke! Elbow pad off, ALPHA ELBOW hits!! And then RAGING FIRE!!! Cover, Konosuke wins!!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)

While The Mighty Don’t Kneel, Oiwa could not withstand The Alpha’s arsenal! Konosuke keeps this title around his waist, and now he must prepare for April 11th. Will Konosuke be ready for the Once in a Century Talent?

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!

The leader and, uh, other leader(?) of Los Ingobernables de Japon won the World Tag League, and eventually won these titles off the Young Bucks. But the United Empire wants to take back what they never truly lost! Will the Imperial Unit & Prince of Pace avenge Aaron Henare? Or will things in the Heavyweight Tag Division stay tranquilo?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if the Empire gains more gold!

Naito takes his time with his elaborate entrance attire, as is his wont. The pants are put aside, the teams sort out, and after the LIJ fist bump, Hiromu starts against Callum. The bell rings, the fans rally, and Hiromu stares down Callum. Hiromu vibes with the chants for “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” The two tie up, are in a deadlock, and they go around. Callum uses his height to put Hiromu on the ropes, but then Hiromu turns things around. The ref counts the break, Hiromu lets off, but Callum avoids the chop! Callum whips, Hiromu reverses, but Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then so does Hiromu! Hiromu RANAS, Callum handsprings through!

Callum runs up, Hiromu dodges and RANAS again, but Callum still handsprings through! But Hiromu spins Callum, only for Callum to fight the suplex! Hiromu CHOPS, Naito jumps in, and they double whip! But Callum BOOTS through Tendedero! LIJ tries again, Callum ducks this time, and he runs again, only for LIJ to avoid the boot! TENDEDERO! Naito & Hiromu hit Cobb with TENDEDERO! Cobb is furious but Hiromu goes after Callum. Hiromu drags Callum over to bump off buckles, then he tags Naito. The fans rally for Naito while he cravats Callum. Callum endures the neck wrench, Hiromu puts his boots in, and Naito sends Callum into them!

The fans applaud while Naito brings Callum up. Hiromu joins in and picks Callum’s legs up, DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Naito tags Hiromu, then drags Callum up for a CHOP! Hiromu CHOPS Callum in the corner, whips corner to corner, then runs up to LARIAT! Snapmare and Hiromu gets moving, but Callum dodges to basement DROPKICK! The fans rally up, Callum rolls and hot tags Cobb! The fans cheer as Cobb brings Hiromu up, reels him in, and then SLAMS him down by his waistband! Cobb steps on Hiromu but dares Naito to come in. GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT on Hiromu’s back!

Cobb mocks the LIJ fist with a hang loose, then he ROCKS Hiromu. Cobb whips Hiromu corner to corner, but Hiromu runs back to CROSSBODY! Cobb catches Hiromu, and swings, but Hiromu slips free! Hiromu ducks ‘n’ dodges to RAN- NO! Cobb stops that and he lifts Hiromu  up! But Hiromu pops free to DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Hot tag to Naito! Naito fires hands on Cobb, kicks and CLUBS him, but Cobb just frowns. Cobb swings, Naito dodges to waistlock, but Cobb switches. Cobb shoves Naito, but Naito grabs the ropes. Cobb runs up, Naito BOOTS him, but Cobb eggs him on.

Naito fires forearms, but Cobb runs up, but into an atomic drop! Naito runs, ELBOWS Cobb down, then basement DROPKICKS! The fans rally, Naito BLASTS Callum off the apron, then whips Cobb. Cobb reverses, but Naoto BOOTS him! Naito goes up, and hits ESPERANZA! Cobb flounders, stands up, and Naito CORRIENDO SHIKI- ATHLETIC PLEX! The fans fire up as Cobb turns things around on Naito, and now he crawls to hot tag Callum! Callum runs corner to corner to JUMP KICK Naito! And then he brings Naito around to suplex, but Hiromu runs in! Hiromu dropkicks Callum’s legs out! Cobb “JOHN CENA!” SHOULDER TACKLES!

Naito wrenches Cobb, reels him in, and TORNADO DDTS! Cobb flounders away, Naito catches Callum and feeds him to a SUPERKICK! CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO!! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives and the fans fire up! The fans rally, Naito drags Callum up, and Hiromu waits on Naito. Hiromu gives Naito the boost, but Callum stops the DDT! Callum and Naito switch, Naito feeds Callum to Hiromu for a dosido and roll-up! Callum rolls through, but runs into TENDEDERO! Naito wrenches, throws elbows, then wrenches again! DESTI- NO! Callum stops it, so Hiromu SHOTGUNS Callum into the DESTINO!! Cover, Cobb SHOVES Hiromu down to break it!

Cobb waistlocks and deadlifts Naito, but Naito fights with elbows! Cobb lets go to SUPERKICK Naito, then reels him in for a TOUR OF THE- CROSSBODY from Hiromu! The fans fire up with Hiromu, and he drags Cobb up. Hiromu fireman’s carries Cobb!? But Cobb slips free, and he TOSSES Hiromu out! Cobb calls to Callum, then he scoops Naito. But Hiromu SUPERKICKS Cobb to save Naito! And he SUPERKICKS Callum! But Callum stays up, dodges a lariat, and he GERMAN SUPLEXES Hiromu! Callum runs, but into an OVERHEAD SUPLEX into buckles! Hiromu fires up, the fans are with him, and he brings Callum back up.

Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Callum slips free! Feed to a POP-UP POEWRBOMB! Cobb hurries to TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Hiromu flounders away, but Naito runs up! But into a TOUR OF- DESTINO!! Callum runs up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, springboard, OSCUTTER 2.0!! And then the fisherman, for FIREBOLT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Naito survives and Callum is shocked! But Callum hurries to stand Naito up, reel him back in, but Naito wrenches out! Naito fires elbow after elbow, but Callum ducks! Callum ELBOWS Naito, but Naito SPITS at Callum! Callum CHOPS, Naito ELBOWS, and Naito ROLLING KICKS!

Naito hurries to get Callum back up, wrench, and DESTIN- NO!! Callum blocks to flip Naito into a TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!!! Cobb roars, and he tells Callum to get this done! Cobb scoops, Callum aims, LAWN DART KNEE SHOT!! The fans are thunderous as Callum adds the BLOODY SUNDAY!!! Cover, COBB & CALLUM WIN!!!

Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

The Empire once again conquers the Heavyweight Tag Division, and Callum finally has gold here in NJPW! Khan waves the banner as he also wears the NJPW World TV Champion, is this Sakura Genesis just the beginning of The United Empire completely conquering NJPW?

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

The Gene Blast took this title off of David Finlay, then kept it from Gabe Kidd, but now, amidst the Bullet Club Civil War, it is the House of Torture’s King of Darkness that wants this title. Will Evil rub it in The Rebel’s face that he has Finlay’s creation? Or will Yota be the one to keep things tranquilo tonight?

Evil & Dick don’t wait for the introductions, they attack Tsuji on the outside! They beat him down, drag him up, and put him in the ring! Evil stomps away on Tsuji and pulls the jacket off him, but that’s not YOTA Tsuji! That’s Yota’s older brother! The Tsuji brothers used this trick before, and it worked out again! Yota runs in and CLOBBERS Dick! Evil takes a swing but Yota BODY BLOWS first! The fans fire up as Yota BOOTS Evil down! Yota grins, then helps his brother up. The fans cheer as they both smile, and then Yota holds up the title. Yota hands that to the ref, the bell rings, and Evil suddenly wants mercy?

The fans rally for Yota and he eggs Evil on. Evil offers a handshake, but then goes for the eye poke! But Yota blocks with the classic one hand prayer! And then he pokes Evil in the eyes! The fans cheer, Yota runs, but Evil distracts the ref and Dick trips Yota up! The fans boo but Dick pretends his hands are clean. Evil kicks Yota around, but then Dick goes after Yota’s brother! Dick drags Elder Tsuji away from ringside and Evil mockingly says goodbye. Then he RAMS Yota into the timekeeper! Abe-san suffers again and the fans boo. Evil grabs the mic while he digs his boots into Yota, and he tells Yota that he wasn’t gonna get away with that cheap trick!

Evil talks trash on Yota, “Are you ready to fall like cherry blossoms off the tree?” Evil then laughs and stomps Yota down. Evil slips into the ring, the ref checks Yota, and Yota says he’s fine. Yota hobbles into the ring, but Evil pushes him down. Evil stomps away on the bad leg, then drops an elbow on the knee! Yota endures as Evil pulls on the leg, but Evil digs his elbow in. Yota drags Evil along to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Evil lets go at 4, and Evil distracts the ref again so Dick can SLAM Yota’s leg on the apron! Dick then hits a DRIVE-BY DROPKICK! Yota staggers away, the ref reprimands Dick, and Dick backs away.

Evil again argues with the ref, and Dick puts Yota in for him. Evil ties up the legs, and he salutes as he has Yota in a BLUE JUSTICE FIGURE FOUR! Evil mocks Yuji Nagata, and says HE is justice now! Yota endures, reaches out, and drags Evil along again. The fans rally as Yota keeps fighting his way over, and he has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Evil holds on so the ref reprimands. Evil lets go of Yota, then tells Yota to just quit now. Evil stands on the bad leg, but the ref has him back off. Yota grits his teeth and clutches the bad leg, but the fans rally behind him. Evil drags Yota up, but Yota fires a forearm!

Yota fires another forearm, and another, but Evil kicks the bad leg! Evil whips, but Yota can’t even make it to the ropes! Evil grins, and he grabs the bad leg to SMASH the knee on the mat! The ref checks on Yota but Yota refuses to let it end here. Evil stands on the bad leg, then he drags Yota up. Evil whips Yota into a corner, then runs up, but Yota BOOTS him! Evil tries again, and he blocks a boot, only for Yota to reel him in! DOUBLE STOMP! But that was double-edged given the bad knee! Yota falls over, shakes out the leg, and he tells the ref he can continue. Yota fires up and walks off the pain, and the fans rally as he goes after Evil.

Yota fires forearm after forearm, then whips. Evil reverses, but Yota RANAS! The fans fire up while Evil tumbles out of the ring! Yota fires up again, and he builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Evil hits railing! The fans fire up while both men are down! Dick is lurking nearby, but Yota stands up and fires up again! The fans cheer Yota on, and he drags Evil up. Yota puts Evil in the ring, the fans cheer again, but Dick is creeping! Dick grabs a leg, but Yota BOOTS him away! Yota ROCKS Evil, then slingshots and somersaults! Yota keeps moving, and he runs Evil over! Then SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Evil stays in this but Yota stays focused.

Yota drags Evil up, brings him around, and stomps him down. Yota goes to the corner, jumps up, up, but Evil dodges! No Marlowe Crush, and the leg jams again! Evil CHOP BLOCKS the leg! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Evil grins while Yota grits his teeth, and Evil stands first. Evil drags Yota around, stomps the bad leg again and again, then turns Yota over to SMASH the knee! Yota writhes and crawls to a corner, but Evil winds up the arm. Evil runs in, LARIATS, then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this and the fans fire up. Evil tells the fans to shut up, and then he talks more trash on those cheering for Yota.

Evil drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the fireman’s carry! Yota throws elbows, but Evil LARIATS! Yota stays up, and he glares defiantly at Evil. Evil LARIATS again, and Yota drops to a knee! Evil winds up, runs, but Yota blocks the lariat to ROCK! And SUPERKICK! But Evil CLUBS the knee, ROCKS Yota, ROLLING ELBOWS, then winds up to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans fire up! But Evil has the legs, for the SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Yota endures as Evil sits deep on the iconic hold! The fans rally as hard as they can, and Yota powers up! Yota fights forward, claws at the mat, but Evil sits back down!

The fans rally more as Yota still endures! Yota shouts in pain, but he also powers up again! Yota fights forward, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Evil lets go at 4, and paces in frustration. Evil then smirks as he drags Yota by his arm. Evil wants the ref to ask Yota, but Yota refuses to give in. Evil stands on Yota’s head, then drags him back up. Evil slaps Yota around, but Yota fires short headbutts into Evil’s chest. Evil laughs, fireman’s carries, but Yota flails free! But the leg jams! Evil kicks the bad leg, then whips Yota! Evil goes to the corner and comes back, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! CURB STOMP!!

The fans fire up as the Gene Combination hits! Yota sits back and clutches the bad knee, and tries to get it working again. Yota rises, fires back up, and he roars! The fans rally behind him and Yota drags Evil up to CLUB him back down. Yota goes to the corner, then goes up, up, and wait! Kanemaru has Elder Tsuji hostage! The distraction lets Evil CHOP BLOCK Yota off the corner! The fans boo but Dick CLOBBERS the ref!? Dick stomps away on Yota while Kanemaru puts Yota’s brother in the ring! Evil grins as now he, Kanemaru & Dick stomp away on the Tsuji brothers! Dick ROCKS Yota and has him in the corner.

Dick & Kanemaru double whip Yota, then Dick runs in for an ELBOW! Kanemaru adds an ELBOW, and Evil adds a LARIAT! They snapmare Yota, hold him up, and Dick goes up top! DICK CHOP!! The fans boo, but the Tsuji brothers are put together for a DOUBLE SPOILER CHOKER! The fans boo more, but here comes Shingo Takagi! He CLOBBERS Kanemaru, CLUBS Dick, then DECKS Dick! Takagi gets Yota’s brother out of there, but Kanemaru CLAWS Takagi’s eyes! Kanemaru runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! And YUKON LARIAT! The fans fire up for the Rampaging Dragon, “TOKI GA KITA!”

But Evil LOW BLOWS Takagi! Evil laughs at Takagi, but Yota LOW BLOWS Evil!! The fans cheer as now things are even! The fans rally up behind Yota and he hobbles over to Evil. Yota drags Evil up, reels him in, but Evil fights the suplex! They fight for control, and Evil suplexes Yota, but gets STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! And then Yota suplexes for the ORANGE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives and Yota roars! The fans fire up with Yota as he takes aim from the corner. Evil rises, but he sends the ref at Yota! Then Evil kicks low, and uses the ref to help with MAGIC KILLER! But that sends the ref tumbling!

The fans rally while Evil grins. Evil rises, he brings Yota up and runs, to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans are thunderous! Evil is furious but he drags Yota to his feet. Fireman’s carry and DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans fire up again! Evil is even angrier now, but he slashes his throat and vows to end this! Evil drags Yota up, spins him around, EVERY- NO, Yota slips free and clinches! Evil fights free, but GENE BLASTER OUTTA NOWHERE!! Cover, TWO?!?! Evil survives but Yota just goes to the corner! Yota rises up, takes aim again, and the fans fire up as Yota roars!

Evil rises, Yota runs up, GENE- NO, Evil sends him into a corner! Dick drags the ref out! Evil has Yota up, Dick takes aim, but Yota ducks! POCKET SAND hits Evil!! The fans fire up as Yota DECKS Dick! Kanemaru is back, and he dropkicks Yota’s legs out! Kanemaru calls to Evil, then he gets the whiskey! Evil stands Yota up, but Yota ducks again, WHISKEY MIST hits Evil in the face!! Takagi is back to PUMPING BOMBER Kanemaru!! Yota reloads, runs up, and GENE TRIGGERS! Yota goes up, up, and MARLOWE CRUSH!! Yota roars and the fans are thunderous! Evil rises, into the GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!

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

The King of Darkness could not claim his throne, and that is TRUE justice! Will the House of Torture simply focus on battling with the War Dogs?

As for Yota, Takagi helps him stand, and Yota grabs the mic. The fans cheer, and Yota says, “I am the ray of hope to the new era of NJPW. But, how about you?” Wait! Yuya Uemura is here! Yota continues by saying, “Can you be the sun to light up this NJPW ring? OI, UEMURA!” Yota turns around to see Yuya there. Yota invites him in, and Yuya steps inside. Yota tells Yuya, “My next challenger is you.” The fans cheer, and Yuya takes the mic to say, “It’s not the belt that motivates me right now. To erase the memory of that day, I want to fight the Tsuji of today!” The fans cheer that! Yuya then says, “I, the Heat Storm, will be the one to light up pro-wrestling and everyone here!”

The fans cheer and Yuya gives the mic back to Yota. Yota smiles and says, “Oi, Uemura. Are you ready?” The fans cheer as Yota drops the mic. Gene Blast or Heat Storm, who will be forged in gold when these two collide?

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ YOSHI-HASHI VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!

The Fierce Warrior finally leads the charge as THE champion here in NJPW, and he was even given the reins of Hontai by Hiroshi Tanahashi himself. But The Rebel does things his own way, from taking over Bullet Club to finally winning the New Japan Cup. There is only room for ONE world champion here, so will the G in IWGP still be for Goto? Or will the Savage King finally reign supreme?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who truly leads the revolution!

The bell rings and the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Red Shoes doesn’t even bother taking the measure, it is very clear Goto holds the crowd. Goto and Finlay circle, feel things out, and tie up. Finlay has the arm, hammerlocks, but Goto switches that onto Finlay. Goto headlocks, hits the takeover, but Finlay headscissors. Goto kips free, the two stand off, and the fans cheer. Finlay and Goto reset, circle again, and Finlay smirks as the crowd continues to cheer on Goto. They tie up again, are in a deadlock right at center, but Goto’s slight height advantage helps push Finlay back a couple steps. Goto puts Finlay on the ropes, and Red Shoes calls the break.

Goto and Finlay slowly let off, and Goto pats Finlay on the shoulders. But then Finlay ROCKS Goto with a cheap shot and headlocks! The fans boo and Red Shoes reprimands, but Finlay grinds the hold. Goto powers up and out to then headlock Finlay in return. Finlay powers up but can’t power out as Goto holds tight! The fans cheer, Finlay fights up, and Finlay fires body shots. Finlay powers up and out, but Goto runs him over! The fans cheer and Goto looms over Finlay. Things get moving, and Finlay drops down, hurdles over, but runs into a HIP TOSS! Finlay hurries to his feet, but Goto TOSSES him out! Finlay tumbles into the railing!

The fans cheer and Goto eggs Finlay on. Finlay storms in but Goto kicks and CLUBS him! Goto CLUBS Finlay more, whips him, but Finlay reverses. Goto ducks ‘n’ dodges but then Finlay ducks to kick low! Finlay runs, but into a BACKDROP! The fans cheer while Finlay writhes. Goto stomps Finlay, then CLUBS him again. Goto CLUBS Finlay more and Finlay falls against ropes. Goto brings Finlay up, but Finlay fireman’s carries to HOTSHOT, then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Goto is tougher than that but Finlay stays focused. Finlay rains down fists, but Red Shoes reprimands about the closed fists.

Finlay lets off, and he throws up the Too Sweet while the fans boo. Finlay stands on Goto but Red Shoes doesn’t like the cocky cover. Finlay argues with Red Shoes, but Red Shoes won’t budge. Finlay clamps onto Goto for a neck wrench, but he also fishhooks Goto’s nose! Red Shoes reprimands, and Goto kicks forward to get the ROPEBREAK! Finlay lets go with just one hand but Red Shoes counts. Finlay CLUBS Goto down at 4! The fans rally for Goto while Red Shoes reprimands Finlay. Finlay drags Goto up and whips Goto hard into the corner! Gedo tells Goto to give up, but Finlay whips Goto hard into the other corner!

The fans boo but Finlay shrugs, then flexes. Finlay grins and covers Goto, TWO! Goto is tougher than that, but Finlay drags Goto up. Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Finlay throat chops! Finlay whips, but Goto reverses, and then Goto runs up, but into BOOTS! Finlay runs, but Goto follows and LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Gedo coaches Finlay but Goto brings him up for forearms. Goto whips corner to corner, then runs in, only for Finlay to FLAPJACK him off the buckles! Finlay then runs and LARIATS Goto and himself out of the ring! That was a rougher landing for Finlay and Red Shoes checks on him.

Finlay shakes out the bad hand, and he drags Goto up. Finlay RAMS Goto hard into railing! The fans boo but Finlay soaks up that heat. His hand seems to be alright as he waves to the fans. Finlay then dumps the belt off the timekeeper’s table! Finlay throws the tablecloth at the fans, then sets that table up near ringside. Finlay brings out a second table, and he places it right next to the first. Gedo tells Goto to give up now, and Finlay refreshes the ring count. Finlay brings Goto over to the tables, reels him in, and POWER- NO, Goto fights free! Goto RAMS Finlay into railing! Both men are down and the fans fire up!

Gedo coaches Finlay but Goto stomps him down. Goto stomps Finlay more, then whips him hard into the railing! Finlay falls to the floor but Goto stomps him. Goto drags Finlay up to CLUB him, but Finlay fireman’s carries! And POSTS him! Gedo loves it but the fans are torn at best. Finlay storms through the gate, but Red Shoes says to keep this near the ring. Finlay pretends not to hear that, and he hoists Goto up! But Goto RANAS out of the bomb and POSTS Finlay at the same time! The fans fire up while both men are down! The ring count starts again and Goto crawls his way over to Finlay by 7 of 20.

Goto stands at 9, and he drags Finlay up at 12. Goto puts Finlay in the ring and the fans cheer. We’re only ten minutes into this but Goto fires up. Goto fires forearms, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs up, MURAMASA! And then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Finlay is tougher than that, but the fans continue to rally for Goto. Goto drags Finlay up, fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free to roll Goto up! High stack, TWO! Finlay basement UPPERCUTS! Goto sputters and rolls away to a corner. Finlay goes to the other and barks. There are fans who join in, and Finlay runs corner to corner, but into a BOOT! Finlay still LARIATS!

Finlay LARIATS Goto in the corner again and again! Finlay then clinches, but Goto fights with elbows! Finlay fires a forearm, Goto fires back! Finlay fires another forearm, but Goto fires back! The fans rally as Finlay wobbles already! Finlay fires another shot, Goto fires another shot, and they go back and forth! The fans rally but Finlay gets the edge! ROLLING- NO, Goto catches Finlay to an URA GTR! Goto runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Finlay runs, Goto follows, but Finlay dodges to LARIAT through! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans fire up again! Finlay is annoyed but he watches Goto crawl to a corner.

Finlay runs in, and he UPPERCUTS! Then Finlay suplexes to TOSS Goto away! The fans boo but Finlay flexes and swaggers around. Cover, TWO! Goto is still tougher than that, but Finlay seems more amused than anything. Finlay sits Goto up and makes him look to the camera. Finlay fires crossface forearm after crossface forearm! Gedo tells Goto to just give up! Finlay fires more forearms, then stands over Goto. Finlay again taunts Goto’s kids like he did months ago, and the fans boo Finlay more. The fans continue to rally behind Goto, and Finlay clinches for the BACKBREAKER! Then he reels Goto in for a CANADIAN HAMMER! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Goto survives! Gedo tells Finlay to keep on Goto, and Finlay pushes Goto to the apron. They’re near the tables! Finlay goes to the apron and tells the kids to say goodbye to daddy. Finlay reels Goto in, lifts him up, but Goto fights free! Finlay BOOTS Goto, stomps him on the apron, but Red Shoes reprimands. Finlay hauls Goto up and reels him in again, then mocks the tears. The fans boo, but Goto fireman’s carries Finlay! The fans fire up for the DEATH VALLEY DRIVER through the tables! Only one table breaks properly but Finlay suffers all the same! The fans are thunderous while both men are down!

Red Shoes checks and Finlay is somehow okay to continue. A ring count begins, the fans continue to cheer for “GO-TO-O!” and he rise sup. Goto heads for Finlay at 7 of 20, but reaches him at 13. Goto drags Finlay up at 14 and puts him in at 15! The fans cheer as Goto wants to win this the honorable way. Goto rolls in, drags Finlay up, and fireman’s carries for the G T W!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and the fans rally up again. Gedo pounds the apron to rally for Finlay but the crowd is still with Goto. Goto rises, hobbles around, and he roars! The fans cheer as Goto aims, BUZZSAW! Finlay flops back but Goto drags him up!

Goto dragon sleepers, but Finlay spins through! Goto fights the suplex, but so does Finlay! Got suplexes, Finlay slips free and then SNAP OVERKILL!! Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives as Finlay couldn’t get the full impact! The fans rally as hard as they can while both men are down! Finlay grits his teeth, clutches his back, and crawls back to Goto. Finlay drags Goto up, reels him in, and hoists him up for a BUCKLE BOMB! But Goto comes back! Finlay dodges the lariat to POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives again and Finlay grows frustrated! We hit 20 minutes and yet this feels like far less time! Finlay snarls as he drags Goto back up.

Finlay puts Goto on the top rope, then fires forearms. Finlay climbs while the fans rally more, and Finlay hoists Goto up. Goto fires body shots! Then he ROCKS Finlay with a forearm! Finlay drops back, but runs up and ROCKS Goto again! Finlay climbs to fire off more forearms, but Goto fires back! Goto HEADBUTTS Finlay again and again! Goto tucks Finlay in and the fans are already going nuts! Goto rises up to SUPER SUNSET BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Finlay survives and the fans are thunderous! Goto roars and he brings Finlay back up, only for Finlay to suplex, INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!?!?

Finlay staggers around, completely shocked! But he vows to end this now! Finlay drags Goto up, suplexes and OVER- NO, Goto cradle counters! TWO! Finlay holds on, suplexes again, OVER- NO!! Goto blocks the knee! Finlay fires furious fists and forearms, but Goto just HEADBUTTS him! Goto snarls and the fans are thunderous again! Finlay sputters, Goto stands him up to fireman’s carry! But Finlay sunset flips! Goto rolls through, into PRIMA NOCTA!! Finlay hauls Goto up, but Goto suplexes!! SHOTEN KAI!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Finlay survives and the fans are electric! Gedo himself is going nuts!

Goto hauls Finlay up, dragon sleepers, G T- NO, Finlay hooks the arm! The two fight for the backslide, but Goto spins Finlay through! G T R!!! But he’s not done! ANOTHER G T R!!!! Wait, Goto still isn’t done?!? Talk about overkill as Goto hammerlocks an arm, and gives Finlay the G T R KAI!!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!

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

The fans erupt for “GO-TO-O!” as he crushes the dream of the would-be king! If Finlay fought this hard just to fall short, how much harder must he fight to truly stand atop the mountain?

As for Goto, Red Shoes & Yoshi-Hashi help put the belt back on the champion while the fans cheer. Goto then gets the mic to say, “This is no Cinderella fairytale. This is reality!” The fans cheer that! Goto tells his son and daughter, “Thank you for fighting alongside me.” The fans applaud, and Goto continues to say, “No matter how many times you get beaten, if you don’t give up, then you don’t really lose. Children, you’ll face many adversities in life. But never back down!” The fans applaud that, too, and Goto tells everyone thanks for coming today. “Next up is Chicago in America. I know who I want to face.”

The fans are intrigued, and Goto tells Shota Umino to come out! Now the fans aren’t so sure about this. Goto says he knows Shota is watching, so please, come on out. The Roughneck returns, and Goto invites him into the ring. Shota takes off his jacket and hat, then steps into the ring to be face to face with Goto. The fans boo, so Shota hops back down. Goto says no, hold on, he’s not done talking. Goto wants Shota to step into the ring, so Shota does it for Goto. Goto knows Shota has “freed himself from doubt.” Then, they’ll fight with this belt on the line. The fans are again torn, but Goto tells Shota that they can show America a REAL NJPW match! What’s he say to that?

Goto holds out the mic, and Shota takes it. The fans are torn, with plenty of boos but also plenty of cheers. Shota tells Goto, “First of all, congratulations on your defense. Daddy’s pretty cool, isn’t he? Let’s show the world the power of NJPW’s Hontai.” The fans do applaud that, and Shota says, “I’ll give you everything I’ve got to take that belt.” Shota drops the mic to shake Goto’s hand, then he heads out. As for Goto, he continues to say that “The Goto Revolution isn’t just limited to Japan. The Goto Revolution continues, make sure you follow me! The G in IWGP, you’ve caught on, haven’t you? Let’s do this! The G in IWGP stands for GOTO!”

And with that, The Fierce Warrior is moving forward! Will he continue to lead NJPW and its new era? Or will the Paradigm Shift Shota speaks of just be a week away?

My Thoughts:

A great event for NJPW, Sakura Genesis is certainly one of the biggest nights on their calendar now. We got some great matches and some great story developments all over the place, really bringing some intrigue into the rest of the year and maybe even beyond. Great win for Yuya over Sanada, and then perhaps Sanada had about enough of being a War Dog, because he finally did what I knew he would and turned to the House of Torture. Great stuff in that on its own, and per Finlay’s backstage comments at the very end of the night, we’re getting another “Dog Pound Steel Cage match” for the blowoff.

The original was with United Empire, and that one got a little too wild, aka it ended Alex Coughlin’s in-ring career, so let’s just hope they don’t go as wild as they did that time. Either way, that blowoff will be great stuff, and it makes sense that no high level title is in either faction because this feud doesn’t really need it. Speaking of which, great stuff  in the Global Heavyweight Championship match, with the Tsuji brothers pulling that old bait ‘n’ switch trick again. And of course the House had to get involved there, only for Shingo Takagi to counter that. Great win for Yota, and Uemura beating Sanada, Yota VS Yuya is going to be some great stuff, too.

I’m rather surprised we got new champions in Great-O-Khan and the Cobb Callum combination. Clearly, rumors of Cobb’s departure were greatly exaggerated. Surely Cobb & Callum will have a very good reign, as will Khan as NJPW World TV Champion. The most curious thing is that Obari the belt designer is with them. The most Bullet Club War Dogs did to the titles they held was put white straps on them. Perhaps Obari will give the Empire their own custom green? Or some new face plates to mark this new era of NJPW? His design for THE IWGP World title was a bit out of the norm at the time it was introduced, but it isn’t the worst so he could probably give the tag titles a fresh start.

Great match from Konosuke VS Oiwa, but I figured Konosuke would win so that he has momentum going into Windy City Riot next week. Great match from Tanahashi VS Shota, and it’s only a little surprising Shota won. After all, Shota is still one of the Reiwa Era Musketeers, NJPW still has high hopes for him despite the audience’s feelings. Likewise, a great main event from Goto VS Finlay, and a great win for Goto. Goto sure has his own high expectations for Shota, and their match at Windy City Riot could also be a measure of where Shota’s going both in story and in character. Chicago’s a tough town, they might not care for Shota even if he does start getting edgier.

Shota told Tanahashi he wants to lead Hontai and essentially be the face of NJPW, and becoming world champion would help do that. I just don’t think a show down in America is going to be where any of that happens. Shota may have to prove himself through the G1 Climax instead.

My Score: 9/10