Is there about to be a shocker in Hiroshima?

Jeff Cobb’s departure leaves a huge void, namely with the IWGP Tag Team Championships. Will the United Empire take those back and carry on in his stead? Or is Hirooki Goto about to become a DOUBLE Heavyweight Champion?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Katsuya Murashima VS Daiki Nagai; Murashima wins.
• 10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg, YOH & Master Wato VS TMDK; Hontai wins.
• Clark Connors & Taiji Ishimori VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Kanemaru win.
• Six Man Tag: El Desperado, El Phantasmo & Jado VS The United Empire; Hontai wins.
• Yuya Uemura & Shota Umino VS Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi; Tsuji & Takagi win.
• Six Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
• Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Taichi & Ishii win.
• Vacant IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan; Callum & Khan win and are the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.

PLAY BY PLAY

Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi!

While the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships are on the line in the main event, the line of contenders is already forming! Will the unlikely duo of Holy Emperor & Stone Pitbull be one to watch out for? Or can the former champions make things tranquilo once again?

The fans rally for “NA-I-TO!” already while he puts his entrance attire aside. With the pants put aside, Naito and Hiromu LIJ fist bump. Naito then steps up to Taichi! The fans cheer and rally even harder for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” Naito and Taichi circle slowly, then they tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. The fans rally while the two are in a deadlock. Naito manages to put Taichi on the ropes, but Taichi turns it around. Naito turns it back around but then so does Taichi. The ref counts, the two slowly let go, and Taichi pats Naito on the shoulders. But then Naito SPITS at Taichi! Taichi runs up, Naito dodges, and tranquilo!

The fans cheer while Taichi is annoyed. Taichi grabs Naito’s hand, KICKS him in the back again and again, then stomps him down. Tag to Ishii and they get Naito up. They double whip Naito but Naito grabs the ropes! Ishii runs up, Naito BOOTS him, then Naito dodges Taichi! Hiromu joins in, TENDEDERO! Ishii runs up, Hiromu & Naito let him go past, and then Hiromu whips Naito to RAM Ishii! Hiromu then gives Naito a boost to RANA! Ishii tumbles, but comes back, into TENDEDERO! The fans cheer and Hiromu thanks them. Hiromu then CHOPS Ishii to a corner, and Naito helps double whip corner to corner.

Hiromu runs in, Ishii dodges, and Ishii CLOBBERS Naito! Hiromu runs up again, but Ishii sends him into Taichi’s RIDGE HAND! Ishii runs and CLOBBERS Hiromu! The fans cheer and Taichi gives Naito a stomp before he exits. Ishii waits on Naito, kicks him around, eggs him on, and the fans rally again. Naito rises up, Ishii slaps him around, but Naito fires forearms. Ishii just leans into them! Ishii corners Naito like that, even as Naito fires more and more forearms. Ishii CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Naito SPITS, so Ishii CHOPS and ROCKS him over and over! Naito still SPITS, so Ishii CHOPS again!

Taichi tags in, he stomps Naito, then snapmares Naito for a KICK! Naito writhes but Taichi paces. The fans rally and Naito rises up, but Taichi gives him some mocking kicks. Taichi taunts the fans while they rally up more. Naito stands to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! Taichi wrenches to HOOK KICK Naito down! Cover, TWO! Tag to Ishii and the fans continue to rally, “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” Ishii drags Naito up, taunts Hiromu, then reels Naito in. Naito fights the suplex, so Ishii ROCKS him and tries again. Naito knees free of the suplex, but Ishii ROCKS him! Naito ELBOWS, Ishii runs, but Naito dropkicks the legs out!

The fans cheer while both men are down. Ishii and Naito crawl, hot tag to Hiromu! Hiromu fires forearms, whips, but Ishii reverses, only for Hiromu to RANA! Taichi runs in, Hiromu dodges and kicks him to then whip him at Ishii! Taichi stops short, but Hiromu SHOTGUNS Taichi into Ishii! Hiromu runs to LARIAT, snapmare, and basement DROPKICK Ishii! The fans fire up behind “HI-RO-MU!” and Hiromu cocky covers, TWO! Ishii is annoyed already but Hiromu eggs him on. Ishii CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS! The CHOPS go back and forth, echoing out every time! CHOP after CHOP after CHOP, they’re almost thudding more than popping!

The fans fire up as Ishii eggs Hiromu on. Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Ishii CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS in return! Hiromu eggs Ishii on and the CHOPS keep going! Hiromu mockingly asks if this is what a heavyweight has! Ishii and Hiromu CHOP and CHOP and CHOP again, but Hiromu wobbles! The fans fire up as he grins and comes back. Ishii CHOPS, Hiromu roars to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! Ishii roars, Hiromu CHOPS, and now Ishii wobbles! Ishii grits his teeth to stay standing, but Hiromu CHOPS again! Ishii drops to a knee!! The fans are thunderous for this feat, and Hiromu says here we go!

Hiromu reels Ishii in, but Ishii fights the suplex! Ishii wrenches, Hiromu breaks free, but Ishii blocks the superkick! Hiromu SWATS Ishii’s lariat away but Ishii ducks Hiromu’s SAIDO! But Hiromu’s right up!? Hiromu dodges and suplexes high and hard! But Ishii’s right up! Ishii dodges a kick, Hiromu dodges a lariat, and Hiromu SUPERKICKS! But Ishii comes back to LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ishii and Hiromu stir, Ishii crawls, hot tag to Taichi! Taichi storms up on Hiromu but Hiromu is deadweight! The ref checks with Hiromu and the fans rally up. Taichi sits Hiromu up to KICK! The fans fire up, and Hiromu sits up again.

Taichi KICKS Hiromu, and he eggs Hiromu on. The fans rally for “HI-RO-MU!” but Taichi KICKS again! Taichi eggs Hiromu on, he eggs the fans on, and he tells Hiromu to fight. Hiromu rises up and CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up as Taichi backs away to a corner! Hiromu runs up, Taichi dodges, GAMANGIRI! Ishii BLASTS Naito off the apron then goes out after him. Ishii whips, but Naito reverses, and Ishii hits the railing! But Taichi says OFF COME THE PANTS! The fans fire up and Taichi takes aim. Hiromu rises, Taichi powers up, but Hiromu LARIATS first! Hiromu reels Taichi in, Taichi fights free to fire RIDGE HAND CHOPS!

Taichi spins, Hiromu ducks the backhand, and Hiromu reels Taichi in! FALCON ARROW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Hiromu crawls, hot tag to Naito! Hiroshima fires up again as Naito CLUBS and KICKS Taichi! Naito whips, ELBOWS, then basement DROPKICKS! Naito hurries to get Taichi back up, turn him, and NECKBREAKER! Naito poses and the fans cheer him on. Cover, TWO! Naito stays cool while the fans continue to rally. Naito stands Taichi up for those heavy elbows! Taichi just URAKENS! Naito wobbles, but he comes back with the heavy elbows! Taichi staggers back into a corner but Naito storms over to him.

Naito goes up the corner, brings Taichi up, and reels him in for ESPERANZA! The fans rally up as Naito goes back to the corner. Naito waits on Taichi, but Ishii CLOBBERS him! Hiromu SHOTGUNS Ishii! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Taichi, Naito runs up, CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO!! Cover, ISHII BREAKS IT! Just barely in time! But Hiromu hoists Ishii up, TIMEBOMB 1.5! Naito & Hiromu coordinate and they get Taichi up! Hiromu helps out with the TORNADO DDT!! Taichi tumbles, Naito hurries to bring him back up, and he wrenches to tilt-o-whirl, but Taichi blocks Destino! Hiromu SHOTGUNS Taichi into the REVERSE DDT!! Cover, TWO!!

Taichi survives as it wasn’t quite Destino, but Naito says he’ll finish it now! Hiromu has Ishii on the outside, but Taichi takes a swing! Naito dodges, Naito takes a swing, but the DANGEROUS SAIDO finds him! Hiromu is after Taichi, fireman’s carries, but Ishii runs in! Hiromu ROCKS Ishii, Ishii ROCKS Hiromu! Hiromu gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Ishii rises, but Hiromu dodges, SNAP GERMAN! Ishii rises again?! And then he dodges Hiromu to SNAP GERMAN! But Hiromu rises!! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, Ishii stays up! Ishii runs, but HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER hits! But Ishii’s back up, and he LARIATS!

Hiromu staggers into Ishii’s suplex, but Hiromu COUNTER DDTS!! Everyone is down and the fans are thunderous as we hit 15 minutes! The fans rally as Hiromu looks to Naito. Hiromu and Ishii roll out of the ring, and Naito rises. Taichi roars, and he aims, but Naito dodges the superkick! ROLLING KICK! Suplex for VALENTIA!! Naito then drags Taichi up, wrenches, tilt-o-whirl, DEST- EMERALD FLOWSION?!? Ishii then adds a SLIDING LARIAT!! Ishii goes out to get Hiromu, Taichi hits the BUZZSAW!! Cover, HIROMU BREAKS IT!! Ishii chases after Hiromu, TOSSES him back out, and Taichi drags Naito up!

Taichi fires up, the fans fire up, DANGEROUS SAIDO BRIDGE!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Naito survives and Hiroshima is erupting! Taichi snarls and vows to end this! Taichi reels Naito in for the Alabama Lift but Naito fights it! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Taichi! And SUPERKICKS Ishii! And HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER for Taichi!! The fans are thunderous again as Naito & Hiromu coordinate. Hiromu fireman’s carries, Taichi slips free, but Hiromu standing switches. Naito runs up but Taichi BOOTS him! Taichi ELBOWS Hiromu, then runs up on Naito! Naito dodges to use the ropes, TORNADO CRADLE!! TWO!!!

Taichi escapes, Hiromu is back, AX BOMBER!! TENSHO JUJIHOU for Naito!!! Taichi crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!! Naito barely gets that arm up, but Taichi Alabama Lifts him! Ishii UPPERCUTS Naito before helping adding on, BLACK MEPHISTO BRAINBUSTER COMBO!! Ishii then holds Hiromu down while Taichi gets Naito back up, BLACK MEPHISTO PROPER!!! Cover, Taichi & Ishii win!!

Winners: Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall

Hiromu is devastated, but Naito’s last NJPW match in Hiroshima is a defeat! It was an epic battle, and Taichi shows Naito the proper respect. The fans cheer, and the emotion is clear on Naito’s face. Hiromu helps Naito up, and the fans cheer Naito on. Hiromu adorns Naito with his LIJ baseball cap, and offers the fist bump. The fans cheer Naito on, and also Bushi as he joins the others in the ring. Bushi joins in with the fist bump, and though he struggles to stand, Naito also joins in. The fans cheer as the ungovernable spirit is still strong. Will those burning tears of frustration give way to tears of joy knowing they’re going all out until the very end?

Vacant IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan!

Hirooki Goto knows he will defend his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against the Prince of Pace at Wrestling Dontaku. But this detour into Wrestling Redzone sees Callum fighting to reclaim the tag titles now that Jeff Cobb is leaving NJPW. Will the Dominator help Callum while also making himself a double champion? Or will the only double champion be the man who puts the G in IWGP?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and one way or another, we will have new champions!

The teams sort out and both Goto and Callum step up. The fans cheer this appetizer for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, and rally behind “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Callum and Goto circle, feel things out, then tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Goto powers Callum to the ropes, Red Shoes calls the break, and Goto lets off with a pat on the shoulders. The fans applaud, Callum brushes himself off, and the two reset. They tie up again, are in a deadlock, but Callum fights a point of leverage to put Goto on the ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, and Callum lets off to pat Goto on the shoulder. Then he CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS!

Callum whips, Goto reverses, but Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges to BOOT! The fans cheer, and Callum sits Goto up to KICK him in the back! Callum drags Goto up, bumps him off buckles, and he tags in Khan. Khan runs to BLAST Yoshi-Hashi, then he fires forearms on Goto. Khan CHOPS Goto at the ropes, then runs, but Hashi slides in! Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZANMAI! Callum steps in but Goto kicks low! Goto snap suplexes Callum onto Khan, then Goto kicks Callum out of the ring. Hashi brings Khan up, Goto joins in, “SE~ NO!” They beat the WAR DRUM! The fans cheer, and Goto stomps Khan.

Goto eggs Callum on, stomps Khan more, then whips. Khan reverses, he grabs Goto’s leg, and Callum runs in! Callum SWEEPS Goto’s leg, Khan BLASTS Hashi, and the fans cheer! Callum steps on Goto as he exits, and Khan drags Goto up. Khan hits the fireman’s carry takeover, then he drags Goto up for a MONKEY FLIP! Khan drags Goto up again to SAYANAGI! Khan then has a cocky cover, but Red Shoes isn’t about those. Khan shifts right into a KATAGATAME! Goto endures the head ‘n’ arm triangle as Khan puts all his weight on the hold! Goto reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Khan lets go, but he drags Goto by an arm to tag in Callum.

Callum stomps Goto down, then paces. Callum drags Goto up, but Goto CHOPS! The CHOPS go back and forth, but Callum KNEES low! Callum CLUBS Goto, then has him on the ropes. Callum UPPERCUTS Goto, then brings him out to KICK him down! Cover, ONE! Goto is tougher than that and the fans applaud. Callum drags Goto back up, whips him into the Empire’s corner hard, and Goto falls to the mat! Tag to Khan, he drags Goto up, and gives him Mongolian Chops! And more Mongolian Chops! Then he feints so he can UPPERCUT! The fans applaud, and Khan has Goto in the corner so he can sit on his throne!

The fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands. Khan pulls Goto’s arms back! Red Shoes counts, Khan hops down, and Khan brings Goto around to Mongolian Chops! Cover, TWO! Goto is still in this but Khan BLASTS Hashi off the apron! Red Shoes reprimands but Khan scuffs Goto. Khan eggs Goto on, then kicks him! Goto eggs Khan on, so Khan kicks again! And again! Goto CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Khan Mongolian Chops! Khan whips, Goto reverses, and Goto runs up, but into a BOOT! Khan runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto and Khan crawl, hot tag to Hashi!

Hashi runs to CLOBBER Khan, then BLAST Callum! Khan kicks and whips, but Hashi dropkicks the legs out! Hashi turns Khan for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi runs to LARIAT Khan in the corner! Hashi goes up and leaps for the BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Khan survives but the fans rally for Hashi. Hashi drags Khan up, but Khan CHOPS! Khan ROCKS Hashi, ROCKS him again, then Mongolian Chops! But Hashi spins to CHOP! Khan sputters, but Hashi CHOPS again! Khan wobbles and flails, but Hashi winds up and CHOPS, but Khan blocks! Mongolian Chop! But Hashi mule kicks!

Hasih runs, but into a SAYANAGI! Khan drags Hashi up, Hashi breaks free, but Khan blocks the lariat to wrench and HITSUJIGOROSHI! Hashi endures, but Khan hooks him up for the FLATLINER! And then the IRON CLAW! Khan drags Hashi up for the ELIMIN- NO, Hashi counters with a DDT!! Both men are down and the fans fire up! The fans rally as both men crawl, hot tags to Callum and Goto! They RAM shoulders, then they fire off forearms! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Then harder and harder! Callum roars, fires a flurry, and he winds up, but Goto catches him! Spin and URA GTR!

Goto runs to run Callum over! Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! Callum whips, Goto reverses to fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! The fans rally for Goto while he stalks Callum. Goto roars and powers up, and Callum sits up into the BUZZSAW! Goto drags Callum up to fireman’s carry again, G T W!! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives, the fans fire up, and Goto is right on Callum again! Goto dragon sleepers, but Callum drops down to victory roll, TWO! Goto ducks a kick, Callum elbows the waistlock away, then runs. DOUBLE LARIATS collide, and Callum staggers, but he and Goto both growl! They DOUBLE LARIAT again, and Callum slumps against Goto!

The fans fire up as Goto brings Callum up. Goto runs, but Callum ROUNDHOUSES!! Both men are down and the fans fire up more! Goto and Callum crawl now, though a bit dazed. Hot tag to Hashi and he runs past Callum to BLAST Khan! Hashi suplexes, for the HEAD BUSTER! And then the METEORA! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives but Hashi fires up again! Hashi drags Callum up, half nelsons then pump handles, but Callum fights free! Hashi ducks a roundhouse to LARIAT! Cover, Khan breaks it! Goto kicks Khan, fires forearms, but Khan swings! Goto ducks, Hashi mule kicks, and they hook Khan up, GOTO GO TO HUNTER!

The fans fire up, Bishamon storms up on Callum, but Callum fires CHOP after CHOP on them! Callum runs, but into a clinch! Goto fireman’s carries, FIERCE FLASH!! Hashi calls for the end, Bishamon hooks Callum up, but Callum fights free! Callum ELBOWS Goto, dodges Hashi, then springboards, DOUBLE OS- NO, Goto catches Callum! Hashi is back in, but Khan SUPERMAN PUNCHES him! Khan fireman’s carries Goto, Callum runs up, IMPERIAL DROP!! Big shoutout to Henare and Cobb, and the fans fire up again! Callum drags Hashi up and he feeds him to Khan. Callum runs, but Hashi fights free!

Hashi shoves Khan at Callum, Callum gets Khan out of the way, but the HIDDEN GAP finds him! Hashi sends Callum at Khan now, knocking Khan down! Hashi then rolls Callum up, TWO! Hashi has the full nelson, DRAGON SUPLEX! But Khan LARIATS Hashi!! Khan shouts to Callum that they have this now, and the fans fire up! Khan drags Hashi into the fireman’s carry, but gets EASY PICKINGS! But Callum V-TRIGGERS Hashi! Hashi is up, Callum dodges him to OSCUTTER!! And then BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, THE EMPIRE WINS!!

Winners: Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

“The Prince’s Curse” seals the deal, and now Callum brings all that gold into the ring, even Goto’s world title! Will Goto have to be much more careful when it’s 1v1 at Wrestling Dontaku? Or will he #GetBackUp and #TurnItAllAround?

As for the Empire, Callum puts the world title on Goto’s shoulder, knowing they fight for it in just 8 days’ time. But before Callum & Khan can say anything on the mic, Taichi & Ishii make their way back out here! Taichi grabs the mic and he tells Callum, “Hey young ‘un. Don’t think just because you beat Goto & Hashi, this is a changing of the guard, ya bastard. Who’s quitting? Who’s leaving? With me and Ishii still here, NJPW hasn’t changed a bit. We will be at the center of New Japan, we will be here for the fans, and we will take those belts!” The fans like the sound of that!

Taichi also points out he and Ishii just beat the 2024 World Tag League winners, the former champions, Naito & Hiromu, so they’re deserving of the next shot. He dares Callum to accept the challenge! The fans really like the sound of that! Khan takes the mic and he says, “Two old farts with no future. Such a shame. Well, we will give our senpai a chance. Any time you want, we’ll take you on.” The fans cheer as this showdown is now on the books! When and where will Taichi & Ishii look to reestablish themselves in NJPW?

After Taichi & Ishii head back out, Callum takes the mic to say, “Hold on a moment, please. It’s very hot.” Callum also apologizes, Japanese is very hard for him, so is English okay? The fans applaud and Callum says arigato. Now in English, Callum says, “I’ve seen everything. Anything anyone has got to say about me against Goto. And if you think for one second, I’m gonna listen to anyone that thinks I don’t have a fighting chance at being the next IWGP Champion, then in Fukuoka, none of you are gonna believer your eyes of what The Prince of Pace, Callum Newman, is gonna do!” The fans cheer that!

Callum tells Goto that he has looked up to Goto for years, Goto is one of the best in NJPW. But guess what? In Fukuoka, Callum is not only going to be IWGP Tag Champion, he will be the NEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! The fans cheer, and Khan is given the mic back. “We (the royal ‘we’) are the first ever TV and IWGP Tag Champion, and Callum will be the first IWGP World heavyweight and Tag Champion. Bow down, peasants of Hiroshima!” The fans cheer, and Khan continues, “What happened in this Goto Revolution? Nothing! While these old farts are trying to hang on to the spotlight, the revolutionaries are putting in the work, isn’t that right?”

The fans applaud more, and Khan says, “It’s the new that will lead the way for NJPW. It’s Francesco Akira, Templario, Callum Newman, and Great-O-Khan. It’s the power of the United Empire. BOW DOWN!” Akira & Templario join Callum & Khan in throwing up the crowns. Will no one be able to stop them from completely conquering NJPW?

My Thoughts:

A great event for NJPW as they take a detour on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku, especially as Dontaku marks the last date for Naito & Bushi. That tag match of Naito & Hiromu VS Taichi & Ishii was great, and the energy from the crowd was awesome. But given Naito is on his way out, it makes sense he puts Taichi & Ishii over. Seeing Naito get emotional there was a great shot, and we know just how much this all means to him. Great main event for the tag titles, and great win for Callum & Khan. Taichi & Ishii already calling their shot was good, and it made for good stuff in the closing promo.

Goto VS Callum is going to be great, but sorry, maybe I’m one of the naysayers right now. It would be pretty awesome if Callum & Khan became a Two Man Power Trip, but I’m not sure NJPW likes funneling a lot of titles through not just one faction, but through just two guys. One way or another, Khan is a Double Champion and they can play the double header aspect up with him plenty, I don’t think there needs to be a double double header where Callum has to worry about both the tag titles and the world title.

My Score: 8.9/10