The Road to Destruction takes a detour!

NJPW is drawing battlelines in Hokkaido, and for one last time, Hiroshi Tanahashi faces the Great Bash Heels in a Six Man Tag!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Noboribetsu Ranbo: Shota Umino wins.
• Shingo Takagi & Daiki Nagai VS Gabe Kidd & David Finlay; Gabe & Finlay win.
• Six Man Tag: Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS Taiji Ishimori, OSKAR & Yuto-Ice; Taiji, Oskar & Yuto win.
• 10 Man Tag: TMDK VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
• Final Road Three Match Challenge – Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Ryusuke Taguchi & El Desperado VS Toru Yano, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma; Yano, Makabe & Honma win.
• Final Road Three Match Challenge – Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Desperado VS Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka; Tanahashi & Desperado win, by disqualification.
• Final Road Three Match Challenge – Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Toru Yano; Tanahashi wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Noboribetsu Ranbo!

What better way to start the night in Noboribetsu than to have a Noboribetsu battle royal! But with an unknown number of entries, when will it end? More importantly, how will it end and who will win?

First out is the Young Lion from America, Zane Jay! And starting with him is fellow Young Lion, Tatsuya Matsumoto! The bell rings and the two feel things out. Zane gets a leg, trips Matsumoto, then waistlocks. Matsumoto switches, Zane switches, repeat. They move around, Matsumoto facelocks, Zane waistlocks, Matsumoto switches, but Zane facelocks. Matsumoto rolls free and the fans cheer. The two tie up, Zane headlocks, and Zane wrenches to wristlock. Matsumoto rolls, wrenches, and the countdown is here as Matsumoto WRINGS Zane! Zane kips up to wrench back, but Matsumoto rolls and rolls and handsprings!

Matsumoto gets away from Zane, and entry three is here! The Young Lions watch closely as here comes another Young Lion, Masatoro Yasuda! Yasuda is from Hokkaido so the fans cheer as he DOUBLE DROPKICKS his peers! Yasuda stomps Matsumoto, then works out a deal with Zane. They double whip Matsumoto, then double SHOULDER TACKLE! Zane covers, TWO! Yasuda stomps Matsumoto, but then Zane kicks Yasuda. Zane CLUBS Yasuda, brings him around, but Yasuda fires back. Yasuda fires forearms then a CHOP, but Zane fires back with a kick. Zane bumps Yasuda off buckles, Matsumoto joins in, and the countdown is back.

Zane and Matsumoto have Yasuda in a DOUBLE LEG LOCK, but here comes Katsuya Murashima! Another Young Lion and he stomps away on Zane and Matsumoto! Yasuda is free while Murashima fires forearms on Zane and Matsumoto. He scoops and SLAMS Matsumoto, then he scoops and SLAMS Zane! He even scoops and SLAMS Yasuda! The fans fire up as Murashima then scoops and SLAMS Matsumoto again! And scoop SLAMS Zane again! And scoop SLAMS Yasuda again! Murashima is proving to be the strongest Young Lion, and he goes to dump Yasuda! Matsumoto goes after Murashima, and he has the leg lock!

Murashima rolls free to go after Matsumoto, and now the countdown is back! A fifth Young Lion is here, and it is Shoma Kato! Kato rushes in while the others brawl, but Murashima kicks first. Murashima whips, but Kato reverses to arm-drag! Then he arm-drags Yasuda! And he arm-drags Matsumoto! Zane kicks Kato, fires forearms, then stomps Kato to a corner. But Kato fires back! Zane ROCKS Kato, whips, but Kato blocks. Zane ROCKS Kato and stomps a mudhole in, then whips him corner to corner. Zane runs to ELBOW Kato! The countdown is back as Zane runs, and Kato arm-drags Zane down!

The sixth man is here and it is Tiger Mask! The fans cheer as the living legend makes his way out. Young Lions work together but no one can throw out another. Tiger storms in and SOBATS Kato! He whips Kato to a corner to then ROUNDHOUSE and snapmare! Tiger tells the Lions to get him! The other four all stomp away on Kato! Tiger applauds, as do the fans, and now it’s just kinda mean. Tiger drags Kato up, snap suplex! Cover, but Murashima CLUBS Tiger. The countdown is back, and number seven is Master Wato! The Way of the Grandmaster makes his way out with plushies for the young fans.

Tiger Mask CLUBS Kato, the Young Lions are in the corners, so Wato goes after Tiger! Wato has the arms, but Tiger FLIP KICKS! Tiger brings Wato up to whip him, but Wato reverses. Tiger is in the corner, Wato ELBOWS and BULLDOGS Tiger down! The fans cheer, Wato covers, TWO! Murashima CLUBS Wato, scoops, but Wato blocks! Wato CLUBS free, then kicks low. Wato runs, but into a HIP TOSS! The countdown is back again while Murashima covers Wato, TWO! Number eight is YOH! Direct Drive makes his way out here while Zane fights off being thrown out! The other Young Lions brawl, and Yoh has more plushies!

Yoh has a pen to even autograph the plushies to make them extra special! The fan in the Desperado mask gets both! The fans applaud, then Yoh finally makes his way to the ring. Wato tries to throw out Murashima, Tiger and Matsumoto are after Yasuda, and then Yoh helps Wato out. They double whip Murashima to DOUBLE HIP TOSS! Yoh covers, TWO! Yoh covers again, TWO! Wato plays defense while Yoh tries again, TWO! Yoh tries a fourth time, TWO! Tiger tries, TWO! Yoh pushes Tiger to a cover, TWO! It’s chaos as Kato tries, as does Murashima, TWO! The countdown returns, and number nine is Don Fale!

And the Rogue General isn’t alone as he brings Dick Togo & Evil with him already! The fans boo, this is supposed to be one at a time! Are they all in the Ranbo? The ref reprimands, but Fale, Evil & Dick all get on the apron! Yoh & Wato DROPKICK Dick & Evil off the apron while the Young Lions swarm Fale! The fans cheer the 5v1, but Fale EXPLODES out! Tiger SOBATS Fale, but Fale grabs him by the mask! Tiger swings, but into a lift! Fale goes to the ropes! Tiger is on the apron, Fale stops, and everyone is confused. Then Fale DECKS Tiger! Fale ELIMINATES Tiger Mask! But then Zane & Yasuda DOUBLE DROPKICK!

Kato & Matsumoto DOUBLE DROPKICK Fale! Then Murashima runs up, but Fale CLOBBERS him! Fale then CLOBBERS Zane and Yasuda, and CLOBBERS Matsumoto and Kato! Yoh & Wato double kick Fale, but that just upsets him! Fale runs up, they dodge, and Fale hits buckles! Wato ELBOWS Fale, Yoh runs, POETRY IN- NO, Fale catches Yoh and TOSSES him to ELIMINATE him! Wato runs up, Fale catches him and TOSSES him, to ELIMINATE him, too! The fans boo as Fale then distracts the ref, allowing Dick & Evil to rush in! They POCKET SAND the Young Lions! Evil & Dick TOSS Young Lion after Young Lion!

The fans boo but there’s nothing that can be done as Dick & Evil ELIMINATE Zane, Matsumoto, Kato & Yasuda! And now Fale, Dick & Evil mug Murashima! They whip him to a corner, then Dick ELBOWS, Evil LARIATS, and Fale SPLASHES! Fale snapmares Murashima, Dick goes up, and Evil drags the ref down so he can’t see the DICK CHOP! The fans boo, but the countdown is here! Evil covers, and he ELIMINATES Murashima! But there is hope as number ten (officially) is BOLTIN OLEG! Fale scowls as the NEVER Openweight Champion is here! Oleg slides into the ring, but Evil mule kicks him first!

Evil runs, but Oleg CLOBBERS him! Oleg scoops Dick to BACKBREAKER, and then Oleg RAMS Fale! Both men stay up so they RAM again! And again! And again! Fale BODY BLOWS, then he whips Oleg, but Oleg reverses. Oleg runs in and SPLASHES at the corner! Oleg goes to scop, but Fale is so big! The fans cheer him on, but Fale CLUBS away on Oleg’s back. Fale runs to ropes, but Oleg LARIATS him first! Fale stays on the ropes, so Oleg CHOPS! The countdown is back, and as Oleg brings Fale around, Evil & Dick return! They work together to lift and DUMP both big men, DOUBLE ELIMINATION! And now, Yuya Uemura is here!

The fans cheer for the Heat Storm as he storms into the ring. Yuya dodges Dick to arm-drag him! Then he arm-drags Evil! And DROPKICKS! The fans fire up with Yuya, then he runs corner to corner. Yuya CHOP LARIATS, then BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! Evil survives but the fans rally up. Yuya reels Evil in but Evil grabs the ref! Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER on Yuya! The fans boo but the countdown is back! Here comes Shota Umino! The Roughneck rushes in and he CLUBS Dick with the plushie! And he kicks Evil! Shota CHOPS Evil, CHOPS him again, but Evil dodges! Evil CLAWS Shota’s eyes, CLAWS Yuya’s eyes, then runs.

But Shota & Yuya DOUBLE DROPKICK Evil! The fans fire up and rally behind Shota & Yuya as they double whip. Shota UPPERCUTS in the corner, Yuya SPLASHES, and then feed to an ELBOW! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Then they DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Yuya covers, Shota plays defense, but Dick SHOVES Shota onto the pin! Dick ROCKS Shota, shoves the ref, then LOW BLOWS Shota! The fans boo, but then Dick stomps Yuya around. Dick drags Yuya up, he and Evil double whip, and they DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Dick SENTONS, then Evil stands Yuya up! Fireman’s carry and DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Yuya survives, but Evil slashes his throat. Evil drags Yuya up, Dick is ready, and they MAGIC- NO, Yuya KICKS Dick and cradles Evil, TWO! Evil clinches, but Yuya slips around! Yuya spins Evil, has the overhooks, but Evil fights the Deadbolt! Evil pulls hair, the ref reprimands, but Evil TOSSES Yuya over! Yuya lands out, he ROCKS Evil first, but Dick SMACKS Yuya with a chair! Yuya falls to the floor and is ELIMINATED! The fans boo but that makes Evil, Dick and Shota the final three! Shota fires LARIATS on Evil, then DUMPS him tot he apron! Evil FALLS, Shota ELIMINATES him!

So now it’s just Shota and Dick, and the fans cheer. Dick offers a handshake, but Shota doesn’t trust it for a second. Shota slaps the hand away, but Dick pokes Shota int he eyes! Dick whips Shota to a corner, runs in, but Shota puts him on the apron! Shota DECKS Dick, but Dick grabs ropes! Dick flounders, Shota stands him up, but Dick pokes him in the eyes again! Dick scurries around, slips inside, and the fans applaud the crafty vet. Dick and Shota reset and Dick wants Shota to take it easy. Dick apologizes, but Shota fires forearms! Shota runs, but Dick uses the ref as a shield! Shota shoves the ref aside, but Dick rolls Shota up! TWO!

Both men hurry to their feet, Shota blocks a kick to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! The fans fire up with Shota and he brings Dick around, only for Dick to CLAW the eyes! Shota fights that to then GROUND DRAGON SCREW the leg! And then STF! Dick TAPS, Shota wins!

Winner: Shota Umino, by submission

And justice has been served! The Roughneck gets the better of The House of Torture, but will this momentum help make Shota’s Second Chapter even better?

Final Road Three Match Challenge – Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Ryusuke Taguchi & El Desperado VS Toru Yano, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma!

While The Ace, Funky Weapon & Rogue Luchador could not best The Producer in the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship match, this is a battle of a very different kind! Though friends, Tanahashi and Yano are serious about giving this one everything they’ve got in a very unique Best 2 Out of 3 Falls! Who wins this final showdown here in Hokkaido?

And just as expected, Yano has bleached his hair! He’s bringing out that “Oni” within, but just how wild is he going to get? The teams sort out, and that’s when the Great Bash Heels attack! Yano goes right for Tanahashi while The Unchained Gorilla is after Taguchi and Everyone’s Kokeshi is after Desperado! The bell rings while Yano CHOKES Tanahashi using his shirt! Things spill to the outside, and Yano sends Tanahashi hard into railing! Tanahashi slumps down but Yano tells him to get up! Yano stomps Tanahashi, stands him up, then POSTS him! The fans rally for Tanahashi while Honma SMACKS Despy off the apron.

Yano puts Tanahashi in the ring, Honma & Makabe do the same with Despy & Taguchi, and GBH all stomp them down! Honma CHOPS Despy to the corner while Makabe digs his boots into Taguchi, and Yano again CHOKES Tanahashi, but with his bare hands this time! Red Shoes reprimands them all, and Yano has GBH let off. They all then whip their opponents, only for Tanahashi’s team to turn things around! GBH all crash in the middle! And then we get TRIPLE BASEMENT DROPKICKS! The fans cheer as now Tanahashi’s team stands Yano & Honma up for a DOUBLE HIP ATTACK! The fans cheer and even Despy applauds.

Despy then stands Makabe up, Taguchi calls out the play, and they send Makabe to the corner. Tanahashi is sent in for an ELBOW! Despy is sent in for a LARIAT! But like the other day, Taguchi wants them to go again. Tanahashi hits another ELBOW, but Despy whips Taguchi! Taguchi reverses, Despy LARIATS! And then Tanahashi ELBOWS! Despy LARIAT! Tanahashi ELBOW! Despy LARIAT! The fans cheer and Taguchi applauds. Taguchi says watch him now, and he calls out the homerun play. Taguchi goes up the corner, and Despy sends Makabe into the Funky Weapon! Taguchi nods and powers up from it!

Taguchi then booty bumps Makabe at the ropes again and again, before he runs to HIP ATTACK! The fans cheer, but Makabe is just mad! Taguchi says one more time, and he revs up the engine! Taguchi runs, but Makabe drop toeholds him into the ropes! Makabe distracts Red Shoes and Yano SMACKS Taguchi with his red chair! Honma BLASTS Despy & Tanahashi while Makabe stomps Taguchi. Makabe covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this, but Yano is after Tanahashi! Makabe CHOKES Taguchi, Honma & Yano send Taguchi’s teammates into railing! Red Shoes reprimands, but then that leaves Taguchi open to Yano’s sucker punch!

Makabe CHOKES Taguchi, Yano unties the buckle pad, and Red Shoes counts. Makabe stops at 4, tags Yano, and wait, Yano has the bell hammer in his waistband! Honma distracts the ref so Yano can HAMMER Taguchi in the gut! Taguchi flounders and writhes, Yano HAMMERS him again! Honma finally stops distracting Red Shoes, Yano HAMMERS Taguchi one last time, and Yano throws the hammer away. The fans rally but Yano CHOKES Taguchi with loose wrist tape! Red Shoes reprimands, Yano stops, and Yano drags Taguchi up to whip him into the bare buckles! Taguchi falls in a heap but the fans rally up.

Honma tags in, he kicks Taguchi around while staying between him and his team. Honma CLUBS Taguchi, eggs him on, and then he fires a forearm. Taguchi shakes his head, so Honma fires another forearm. Taguchi shakes his head and stands up, so Honma fires another forearm! Taguchi fires a flurry, then winds up, but Honma dodges, to wrist tape CHOKE! Red Shoes reprimands, Honma stops, and Honma fires up with the head slaps. Honma runs, but Taguchi avoids the Kokeshi! But then Taguchi “chokes” and FUNKY KOKESHIS! Then he DIVING HEADBUTTS! And DIVING HEADBUTTS! And DIVING HEADBUTTS!

Taguchi then hot tags Despy and the fans fire up! Despy BLASTS Yano, DECKS Makabe, and he runs at the corner. He blocks a boot and says too bad. Despy KICKS the other leg, then DRAGON SCREWS! Honma hobbles and falls and the fans rally up again. Despy fires the fans up and grabs Honma’s leg. But Honma kicks with the other! Despy staggers back but he grins. Despy eggs Honma on, kicks the legs, but Honma blocks the lariat to CHOKE him! But Despy ROCKS Honma with a forearm! Despy runs but into a JUMPING HEADBUTT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Honma and Despy stir, but Honma rises first.

Honma swings, Despy gets under, and Despy hits a BIG back suplex! Both men are down again, and the fans rally as Despy crawls! But Yano YANKS Tanahashi down! And sends him into railing! Yano is not pulling his punches here! Despy and Honma trade shots, and then Despy ROCKS Honma! And HEADBUTTS! Hot tag to Taguchi! Taguchi storms up to POINT-BLANK HIP! Taguchi whips Honma to the corner, runs in, but Honma dodge! Honma comes back, but into a BOOT! Taguchi then reels Honma in for FUNKY KISSES! Taguchi stops at TEN, then he runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Yano trips him right up!

Red Shoes reprimands but Yano calls to Honma. Honma tags Yano, Yano runs, but Tanahashi trips Yano! The fans cheer while Red Shoes reprimands. Despy attacks Yano, whips him to the corner, then he sends Tanahashi in. Tanahashi ELBOWS Yano, feeds to Despy’s ELBOW, then they snapmare for KETSUYE!! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi & Despy go after Makabe & Honma, only for Makabe to send Despy into railing! Taguchi calls upon the power of Strong Style, “ORYA~!” SOMERSAULT KETSU- Atomic drop! Yano then sends Taguchi into the bare buckles! Taguchi stumbles, Yano whips him back in chest first!

Yano distracts Red Shoes, and Makabe wraps his arm in his chain! FULL METAL LARIAT!! But Yano won’t leave it at that! He drags Taguchi up for the ONIGOROSHI!! Cover, Great Bash Heels win!

Winners: Toru Yano, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma, by pinfall

The Oni demolishes the Funky Weapon, and yet Yano is not satisfied. Tanahashi is ready to keep fighting, as is Despy, so it seems a deal is struck for 2v2. But wait! Who is this coming out here?! OH NO, TAKASHI IIZUKA IS HERE! He usually rampages for Ranbos but he’s here to join his GBH brothers! The fans can’t believe it as he storms through the rows and all around the back! Young Lions try and herd him out of here but he busts through railing! Yano calls to Iizuka but he just keeps storming through! He makes a full lap, and then Yano shouts that his tag partner is gonna be IIZUKA!?! WHAT!?

But then Iizuka storms into the ring, he and Yano go right after Tanahashi & Desperado! Will The Producer & The Crazy Bouzu make this a victorious reunion? Or will Tanahashi still find a way to win in the end?

Final Road Three Match Challenge – Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Desperado VS Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka!

The fans are going nuts as Iizuka stomps Despy out of the ring, then stalks him into the crowd! Yano sends Tanahashi into railing while Young Lions are still helping Taguchi away from ringside! Iizuka SMACKS Despy with a chair! Iizuka then drags Despy up, brings him through the crowd, and SMACKS him off chairs! Then he CHOKES Despy with another chair! Yano has even bowled Tanahashi into chairs, and SMACKS him with another chair! Despy fights back but Iizuka SMACKS him down! Iizuka KNEES Despy low, then THROWS him onto more chairs! Red Shoes reprimands but the madman won’t stop!

Yano makes his way around to join Iizuka, and he stomps Despy down. Yano CHOKES Despy using a fan’s bag! Yano drags Despy up while the fans rally, and Tanhashi manages to stand up. Yano rolls into the ring to let the ring count handle this. Tanahashi and Despy regroup as we hit 10 of 20, but the count continues as they rise up! Despy gets mad and he storms in at 18! The fans fire up, but Yano kicks Despy down! Then whips him hard into the bare buckles! Despy writhes while Yano paces. Yano stands Despy up to THROW him into the bare buckles! Despy tumbles out of the ring, but Iizuka is there to CLOBBER him!

Iizuka whips Despy hard into railing! Despy falls in a heap and the ring count begins again. Iizuka tags in, and he watches Despy drag himself up with the railing. Despy stands at 13, hobbles over at 15, and Tanahashi distracts Iizuka so Despy can get in at 19! The fans cheer but Iizuka stomps Despy down! Yano tells Red Shoes to watch Tanahashi, but that lets Iizuka CHOKE Despy! Despy flails and reaches out for Red Shoes, but Red Shoes is too busy with Tanahashi! Red Shoes finally looks over, and Iizuka puts Despy on the ropes. Red Shoes counts, Iizuka stops choking Despy so he can stomp Despy!

Despy snarls and he rises up, but Iizuka CLAWS Despy’s face! Despy fires body shots, but Iizuka BITES Despy through his mask! Red Shoes reprimands, Iizuka stops at 4, and then Iizuka runs in. Iizuka blocks Despy’s boot, to BITE Despy’s foot! Then he blocks a chop to BITE Despy’s arm! But Despy hits a STUNNER! Iizuka staggers, but he hits a leg scissor takedown! KNEEBAR!! Iizuka BITES the foot! The fans are stunned, Red Shoes counts, and Iizuka stops at 4, just to BITE back down! Red Shoes counts again, Iizuka stops at 4 and chases Red Shoes around! Red Shoes says stop it, but he has to bail out to get away!

Iizuka gets his iron fingers!! The fans freak out, Red Shoes says don’t do it, but Iizuka SHOVES him down! IRON- NO, Despy dodges the attack to SMACK Iizuka! Despy runs, but Yano SMACKS him with his red chair!! Iizuka powers up and IRON FINGER HELLSTAB!! Red Shoes calls for the bell, that’s a disqualification!

Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Desperado, by disqualification

Despite the loss, Yano stomps away on Despy! The Oni and his madman don’t care about that, and then Iizuka just rampages his way out of the arena, going right through the crowd! If he’s supposed to be retired, can someone tell Iizuka that?

And yet, Yano’s rage has not subsided! He wants ONE MORE match, and with Tanahashi directly! Tanahashi says bet, and now it all comes down to Ace VS Joker!

Final Road Three Match Challenge – Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Toru Yano!

The bell rings on this new, true, final main event, and the fans fire up as these two circle. The fans cheer Tanahashi but Yano is unbothered. They tie up, go around, and Tanahashi puts Yano on the ropes. Red Shoes counts, Tanahashi lets off slowly, and he eggs Yano on. Yano storms up, they tie up again, and Yano puts Tanahashi on ropes now. Red Shoes counts the break, Yano says alright already! Yano backs off, but then he fires a forearm! Tanahashi says it was supposed to be a clean break, jerk! They fire forearms back and forth, and Yano gets the edge! But then Tanahashi fires off a strike fest! The fans cheer, Tanahashi whips, but Yano reverses!

Yano runs in, Tanahashi ELBOWS him away, then Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! And he air guitars! The fans cheer and Tanahashi runs back in, but Yano dodges! Tanahashi gets stuck up top, and Yano KICKS him in the side! Yano drags Tanahashi around, TOSSES him out, then he distracts Red Shoes so that Makabe & Honma can mug Tanahashi! Taguchi protests but Yano goes out to fetch Tanahashi. Yano whips Tanahashi hard into railing! Yano takes his bottle of sake and makes Tanahashi drink! It makes more a mess than anything and Yano is upset with Tanahashi. Yano then lets the ring count handle this.

Tanahashi crawls at 5 of 20, but he manages to roll in at 7. The fans applaud but Yano makes Red Shoes watch Taguchi. Yano then whips Tanahashi, and uses his bamboo umbrella to SMACK Tanahashi down! Yano covers, TWO, and Tanahashi snarls. The fans rally up and Yano tells them to shut it. Yano drags Tanahashi up, brings him around, and puts him on the ropes to CHOKE! Red Shoes reprimands, but Yano fishhooks Tanahashi’s face! Red Shoes counts, Yano stops but still tells Red Shoes to back off. Yano then goes to grab SCISSORS?! Barber Yano wants to give Tanahashi a haircut!

Red Shoes tells Yano to stop it, but Yano drags Tanahashi up by his hair! They argue, so Yano lets Red Shoes have the scissors. Yano stands Tanahashi up, but Tanahashi fires forearms! Yano CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes! Yano then runs up to kick, but Tanahashi blocks! DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up and Tanahashi rises again! Tanahashi fires up, the fans are with him, and he runs, LARIAT! Yano falls, Tanahashi aims from the corner, and he runs back in! Yano stands up into the SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! But Tanahashi just fires up and climbs the corner! HIGH FLY FLOW onto knees! Yano cradles for the cover, TWO!!

Tanahashi survives the crash landing, but Yano runs to REAR TACKLE! Yano then drags Tanahashi up and reels him in, ONIGO- NO, Tanahashi fights it! Tanahashi tries to go up and over, but Yano still holds on! ONIGOROSHI!! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives again and the fans fire up! Yano is mad and he grabs his red chair! The fans boo and Red Shoes reprimands but Yano shoves Red Shoes aside! Yano aims, but Tanahashi dodges the attack! SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi hurries to get Yano back up, and TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT onto the chair! The fans fire up and Tanahashi roars!

Tanahashi climbs back up top, and he hits the HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall

It isn’t how you start but how you finish! GBH won the Six Man Tag, but they pushed their luck, and The Ace comes out on top, 2-1! Oni Yano loses his last battle against his friend and rival, and he is understandably emotional. But Tanahashi grabs the mic to thank everyone for coming out tonight. “NJPW didn’t come here for a long time, but the connection we have with Noboribetsu exists now because of Toru Yano. 23 of my 25 year career has been with Yano, and I’m grateful to be able to fight him like I did today. Thank you, Yano-kun! I really want you to keep working hard!” The fans applaud while Yano is further emotional.

Tanahashi sets the mic down so Yano can pick it up, and Yano manages to say, “Oi, Tanahashi! No, Tanahashi-san… Thank you very much.” The fans applaud, and Yano continues by saying, “I’m glad I could fight you like this one more time. I’m sorry to put you on the spot like this, to say this in this place, but I’m Noboribetsu ambassador, and now I’m going to be ambassador for Muroran. I’d like to do the swearing in right here.” The fans are surprised, but indeed, two government officials come in! They present Yano with a certificate and sash, thereby anointing him an ambassador for Muroran!

Yano thanks them for doing this here, and he says, “With this in mind, I will connect Muroran and Noboribetsu, and next year, we’ll be at Kuri Arena.” The fans like that news! Yano promises that’s all he has to say, so Tanahashi can close the show. Tanahashi thanks Yano and the fans, and he welcomes the others into the ring. Taguchi, Honma and Makabe tenderly step into the ring, Despy sits on the outside until Tanahashi asks he join. Oh right, he got hit with iron fingers… Despy rolls in and joins Tanahashi, and manages to stand with Taguchi’s help. Tanahashi thanks the fans once more, and decides Noboribetsu deserves a special sendoff.

Together, they all say “AISHITEMASU~!! Yano Toru!” And then shrug! The fans cheer as they say farewell to President Ace. Will this moment only lead to bigger and brighter things in the future? Who else will Tanahashi run across on his Final Road?

My Thoughts:

A great event to start this Battleline Hokkaido mini-series within the larger Road to Destruction tour, and while I only did the opener and the closer, those were plenty given the length of both. The Ranbos are always fun, though this was a bit more mellow than the New Japan/WrestleKingdom Ranbos. The Young Lions go to look great but it was clever stuff for House of Torture to get heat throwing them all out like that. Great stuff with the younger Faces handing out plushies, and Shota winning out in the end was good stuff. Not sure what this’ll lead to, but Shota probably has his choice of singles titles as we head for Fall and Winter.

The Final Road Three Match Challenge was great stuff, and Iizuka was a wild surprise for that tag match. The disqualification was a nice way of getting that win for Tanahashi’s side, making the 1v1 the tiebreaker. Yano was clearly gassed by then, that’s a lot to do in a row, but Tanahashi was gonna win anyway so it all works out. And what great news that Yano is being NJPW’s ambassador to more parts of Hokkaido, helping bring NJPW to those fans living there even more.

My Score: 8.9/10