Can Hontai tear down the House of Torture?

We’re back on New Japan Road, starting with Ishikari! But can Hiroshi Tanahashi and Hontai bring down EVIL and the House of Torture?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Masatora Yasuda VS Jewel Bird; Yasuda wins.
• Yuji Nagata & Shoma Kato VS Satoshi Kojima & Katsuya Murashima; Kojima & Murashima win.
• JTO Girls Tag Team Championships: Tomoka Inaba & rhythm VS Azusa Inaba & Aoi; Tomoka & rhythm win and retain the titles.
• Six Man Tag: Yota Tsuji, Hiromu Takahashi & Daiki Nagai VS Thunder Masami, Bomber Tatsuya & Ryoma Tsukamoto; Yota, Hiromu & Daiki win.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Desperado VS EVIL & Dick Togo; Tanahashi & Despy win.
• Six Man Tag: Taichi, Yuya Uemura & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA, DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Taichi, Yuya & Taka win.

PLAY BY PLAY

JTO Girls Tag Team Championships: Tomoka Inaba & rhythm VS Azusa Inaba & Aoi!

What a crossover here in Ishikari! NJPW welcomes Professional Wrestling Just Tap Out’s shining stars, but also a true sibling rivalry! The One Hit Kill and “Delirious Dolly” are sisters yet opponents tonight as Tomoka fights to keep her title away from the more decorated Azusa! Will Tomoka be on beat with Rhythm? Or will Miss “Just Look at Me” help Azusa garner even more attention?

The introductions are made, the tag titles are raised, and we see which sister chose the better friend!

The teams sort out and Tomoka starts against Aoi. The fans rally as the two circle, and they feel things out. They knuckle lock, but then Tomoka spins in for a headlock takeover. Aoi headscissors, Tomoka kips free, but Aoi arm-drags! Tomoka headscissors, Aoi kips free, but then Aoi ducks the roundhouse! Tomoka avoids the boot, and the fans cheer the standoff. Aoi and Tomoka step back, tag to Azusa and Rhythm. The fans cheer as the two run up, and Rhythm kicks low. Rhythm headlocks, Azusa powers up and out, but Rhythm wrenches and headlocks in return! The fans rally, Azusa powers up and out, but Rhythm RUNS her over!

The fans cheer and things keep moving. Rhythm turns Azusa’s dropdown into a body scissor roll-up, TWO! Rhythm kicks and whips but Azusa reverses. Rhythm ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Azusa BOOTS her down! The fans cheer and Azusa runs, but into a scoop! And SLAM! Rhythm drags Azusa up, bumps her off buckles, and tags in Tomoka. They both dig boots into Azusa’s face, then stop as the ref counts. Tomoka brings her sister around, ROCKS her, then swings her out to drop toehold onto ropes. Tomoka KICKS the ropes to jam Azusa up! The fans fire up, Tomoka runs, and she BOOTS Azusa through the ropes!

The fans cheer as Tomoka then brings her sister around again to snapmare and KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Tomoka then BLASTS Aoi off the apron. Tomoka bumps Azusa off buckles, tags Rhythm, and Rhythm headlocks. Rhythm wrenches and whips Azusa to a corner, then runs in and ELBOWS her! Rhythm goes up, up, and brings Azusa around by a top wristlock! The ref reprimands but Rhythm tightrope walks to then have a HANGING STRAITJACKET! The fans cheer the innovation but the ref counts. Rhythm stops at 4 to sunset flip, TWO! Azusa stays in this but Rhythm stays on her with a suplex.

Azusa fights free to fire off fast hands and a DOUBLE CHOP! Rhythm is down, Azusa tags Aoi! Aoi runs in and BOOTS Rhythm! Tomoka runs in and KICKS Aoi! Tomoka calls to Rhythm before she CLUBS away on Aoi. Rhythm joins in and they double whip, but Aoi ducks the double lariats to shove Tomoka into Rhythm! Then she mule kicks, CHOPS, and DOUBLE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while Rhythm tumbles to ropes. Aoi drags her up, runs the ropes, and BOOTS her down! Cover, TWO! Rhythm stays in this and the fans rally up. Aoi drags Rhythm up again, runs again, but Rhythm dodges!

Aoi BOOTS the lariat away, then whips Rhythm to a corner. Aoi runs up, Rhythm dodges and ROCKS Aoi! Rhythm gets her kick pads off as they’re falling apart, and she BULLDOGS Aoi! Cover, TWO! But into a JUST FACELOCK! Aoi endures, the Inaba sisters fight on the outside, and Aoi pushes through to flip things around! ARMBAR! Rhythm fights up, WRINGS Aoi into a cradle, TWO! The fans cheer as Rhythm and Aoi stand up, and Rhythm kicks first! Rhythm suplexes high and hard! The fans cheer again as Rhythm brings Aoi back up. But Aoi fights out of the headlock, then SLINGBLADES! The fans cheer while both women are down!

The fans rally as Aoi and Rhythm crawl for their corners, hot tag to the Inaba sisters! Azusa shouts at Tomoka-onee-san but Tomoka dodges! But then Azusa CHOPS on the return! Azusa reels Tomoka in, but Tomoka fights the Impaler! Azusa KICKS, KICKS, and fires up! The fans rally as Azusa runs in, but Tomoka dodges! Tomoka KNEES, KICKS, and sits her imouto down to KNEE her in the face! The fans fire up with Tomoka and she drags Azusa up. But Azusa fires furious forearms! Tomoka takes shot after shot, and Azusa DECKS her! Azusa stands Tomoka up, swings again, but Tomoka wrangles her to a JUST FACELOCK!

Azusa slips out the back, ANKLE LOCK! Tomoka rolls to get the ANKLE LOCK, then float back to JUST FACELOCK!! Azusa endures, fights her way around, but Tomoka rolls her away! Rhythm intercepts Aoi with her own JUST FACELOCK!! Aoi & Azusa endure, Rhythm makes hers part STRAITJACKET! Aoi and Azusa each fight around, each reach out, but Tomoka HAMMERS Azusa to then pull WAY BACK on the hold! The fans fire up but Azusa still endures, and she reaches the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Rhythm lets Aoi go, and Tomoka lets go when the ref counts 4. Tomoka fires up and the fans are with her!

Tomoka reels Azusa in, GOURD- NO, Azusa lands out, catches Tomoka to spin her and IMPA- NO, Tomoka fights free to suplex! Azusa lands out, ripcord and HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO!! Tomoka survives but Azusa fires up! The fans rally up for Azusa now, and she runs in, but into a POP-UP HEEL KICK! Tomoka roars, she drags Azusa up, and Rhythm keeps Aoi on the outside! Tomoka suplexes, Aoi breaks free, and Azusa slips around to waistlock. Aoi runs up but Tomoka slips free, so the SUPERKICK hits Azusa! Aoi panics but she helps Azusa back up, only for Rhythm to DOUBLE BULLDOG! The fans cheer as Tomoka drags Azusa up.

Rhythm drags Aoi away, and Tomoka suplexes, for the SIT-OUT GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Azusa survives and Tomoka is annoyed with her sister. The fans rally up again as Tomoka sits Azusa up. Tomoka runs, but Azusa dodges, body scissor roll! TWO!! Tomoka escapes, but Aoi SUPERKICKS her! And then Aoi & Azusa DOUBLE BUZZSAW!! Cover, TWO!! Tomoka survives and the fans fire up again! Aoi blocks Rhythm while Azusa drags her onee-san up, KAMI-GOYE!! But she’s not done?! She puts Tomoka in a drop zone, goes up the corner, and the fans rally for the MOONSAULT PRESS! Cover, RHYTHM BREAKS IT!

Aoi runs in, spins Rhythm around, but Rhythm spins free! TORNADO BULLDOG! Rhythm fires up and hooks Aoi up, but Aoi wrenches free! Underhooks and ANGEL’S WINGS! Not quite the Pinche Loco of her senpai, but Aoi drags Rhythm out. Azusa has her sister for a SAIDO! Then she shouts and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!?! Tomoka survives and Azusa is mad at her onee-san! Azusa goes to a corner, the fans rally up again, and Azusa runs in, but into a SUPERKICK! Azusa is right back, but into the INABA MICHINOKU DRIVER! Tomoka roars, the fans fire up, and she flounders back towards her sister!

Tomoka drags Azusa up, scoops, NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!! Cover, TWO!??! Azusa survives and the fans fire up! Tomoka vows to end this now! She runs to TOMOKA KICK!! Cover, Tomoka & Rhythm win!!

Winners: Tomoka Inaba & rhythm, by pinfall (still JTO Girls Tag Team Champions)

Tomoka-onee-san denies Azusa-chan from having even MORE gold! Will Azusa just have to settle for being dual JTO Girls & Queen of JTO Champion? Or will Azusa find another partner to tear down her sister?

Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Desperado VS EVIL & Dick Togo!

President Ace cannot stand idly by after the crime committed in Ryogoku! The King of Darkness cheated Boltin Oleg out of the NEVER Openweight Championship and justice must be served! Will Tanahashi & The Rogue Luchador bring down Evil? Or will Darkness Fall on Ishikari?

Surprisingly, Evil & Dick let Tanahashi & Desperado have their full entrances, and even introductions. The fans cheer as Tanahashi shows off the abs. The teams sort out and Evil starts against Tanahashi. The fans fire up for Tanahashi right away and Evil is annoyed. Evil and Tanahashi slowly circle, but then Evil gets on a corner. The fans do cheer for Evil so Evil laughs at Tanahashi. Tanahashi climbs up on the corner and the fans cheer louder! Evil tags out to Dick and Dick gets on the corner. Fans cheer for Dick on par with Tanahashi!? Tanahashi gets on the corner, and the fans cheer again. The fans now want to see Despy?

Tanahashi tags in Desperado, and the fans he has them calm down. Despy gets on the corner, and the fans cheer him loudest of all! Evil & Dick are both annoyed, and Evil tags back in. Evil does some pushups, then gets on the corner, and the fans cheer! Despy tags Tanahashi back in, Tanahashi gets back on the corner, but Evil CLUBS him down! The fans boo Evil now but he just laughs. Evil whips, runs in, but Tanahashi ELBOWS back! And goes up to CROSSBODY! Direct hit and the fans cheer the air guitar. Tanahashi tags Despy back in, they double whip Evil, and they DOUBLE ELBOW him down! Then they split the wishbone!

Tanahashi uses the leg for an air guitar! Despy is on bass! Dick is annoyed but Despy kicks Evil around. Despy whips, Evil reverses, and Dick trips Despy up! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Evil tells them to shut up. Tag to Dick and Dick CLUBS Despy down. Dick wrenches and hammerlocks to RAM Despy into a corner. Dick climbs up, and he pulls at the laces on Despy’s mask! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Dick snapmares! Dick wants to take the mask off! The ref counts, Dick stops, and they argue over it. Dick goes after the mask again, the ref reprimands, and the fans boo. Dick stops, he gets on the corner, no more cheering Dick!

Despy stands but Dick throws hands! Dick snapmares, scrapes Despy’s face with his sole, but the fans boo again. Tag to Evil and he has the shirt. The ref stops Evil from using that, but Evil has the tag rope! He CHOKES Despy with the rope! The fans boo, Evil drops the rope, and he THROWS the shirt at Tanahashi! The ref has to stop Tanahashi, but that lets Evil & Dick CHOKE Despy and pull at the mask! The ref counts, Evil stops at 4, but then Despy ROCKS him! And ROCKS him again! Evil CLAWS eyes, runs, but then he has to fight off a spinebuster! Evil whips, Despy reverses and CUTTER! The fans fire up while both men are down!

Despy and Evil crawl, hot tag to Tanahashi! The fans fire up as The Ace runs to CLOBBER Evil with a forearm! Tanahashi fires up and the fans cheer as he fires fast hands on Evil. Tanahashi scoops to SLAM! Evil is in the drop zone, Tanahashi goes up, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Evil is tougher than that but Tanahashi stays cool. The fans rally as Tanahashi fires up, but Evil pulls hair! Tanahashi pulls hair in return! The ref counts, but only Tanahashi lets go at 4! Evil then BODY BLOWS and whips Tanahashi into bare buckles! The House Special is in effect, and Dick BLASTS Despy off the apron!

Evil TOSSES Tanahashi out, then SMACKS him with the blue buckle pad! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Evil “apologizes.” Evil slides the buckle pad into the ring, but that lets him stand Tanahashi up and whip him into chairs! Evil bowls a STRIKE! Dick does the same with Despy, STRIKE! The fans boo but Evil uses the bell hammer to DIG at Tanahashi’s forehead and eye! Dick DECKS Despy! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Evil grabs the mic to mockingly say Tanahashi is down for the count! And then Evil counts really fast, like it’s gonna count for anything! The fans boo, Evil tells them to shut up, but the ref starts the real count.

Dick rings the bell, he also thinks he counts as an official, but the ref reprimands him, too. Tanahashi has made it back to ringside and the fans cheer. Evil drags Tanahashi up, and whips him back into bare buckles! Tanahashi falls, Evil tags Dick, and Dick drags Tanahashi up. Dick wrenches Tanahashi, whips him back in, and he hits bare buckles again! The fans boo but Evil mockingly applauds. Dick stomps Tanahashi, CHOKES him at the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Dick stalks Tanahashi, taunts Despy, but Tanahashi fires forearms on Dick! But Dick CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes! The fans boo but Dick stops to tell them off.

Dick runs in, but Tanahashi dodges! Tanahashi blocks a boot to DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Tanahashi crawls hot tag to Despy! Despy BLASTS Evil, then he runs up on Dick! Dick dodges, but runs into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Despy stands Dick up, blocks a kick, and rolls Dick up, TWO! But into a STRETCH MUFFLER! Dick endures, Despy thrashes him around, but Dick has the ROPEBREAK! Despy lets go, paces, then he stomps Dick! Despy stands Dick up and suplexes, but Dick fights free! Dick snapmares and ghost pins, TWO! But Dick has Despy for the CROSSFACE!

Despy endures and fights around as Dick pulls back on the hold! The fans rally, Despy reaches out, and Despy rolls, rolls, rolls, and covers! TWO! Dick escapes, and he catches Despy to a SLEEPER! Meanwhile, Evil is after Tanahashi on the outside! Dick grinds Despy down, headstands to put on the pressure, then drops down for the crank! The fans rally but Despy is fading! The ref checks, Despy comes back to us, and he rises up! The fans rally, Despy fires body shots, and he’s free! Despy runs, but Dick LARIATS! Dick vows to end this and he drags Despy up. Dick reels Despy in, suplexes, but Despy fights to suplex in return!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Despy and Dick crawl, hot tags to Evil and Tanahashi! The fans cheer as Tanahashi dodges Evil to fire off fast hands! Tanahashi whips, Evil hits bare buckles! The fans cheer as Evil has a taste of his own medicine! Then Tanahashi has a leg to DRAGON SCREW! And then TEXAS- NO, Evil CLAWS Tanahashi’s face! Evil blocks a kick and DRAGON SCREWS in return! Then Evil steps through on the legs, SCORPION DEATHLOCK! The fans rally as Tanahashi endures! Evil gloats already as he sits on the hold! But a LOCO MONO takes him down! Dick DECKS Despy and kicks him out!

Evil is back up, he tags Dick, and they drag Tanahashi up. They double whip him to a neutral corner, then Dick runs in and ELOBWS! Evil runs up and LARIATS! Snapmare and Evil holds Tanahashi open! Dick takes aim but the ref reprimands! Dick pushes the ref aside, the ref pushes back, so Dick “falls” onto the LOW BLOW HEADBUTT! Evil points and blames Marty Asami! The fans boo and Marty feels awful for the part he just played. But now Evil & Dick get Tanahashi up, but Tanahashi fights free! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi blocks Dick’s kick, hands it to Despy, and then Tanahashi DROPKICKS the leg! Despy DRAGON SCREWS Dick!

The fans fire up as Tanahashi gets Dick’s legs for the TEXAS CLOVERHOLD! Despy keeps Evil out, Dick TAPS! Tanahashi & Despy win!

Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Desperado, by submission

The Ace trumps The King and his joker once more! But this was perhaps only the beginning of a new war with Evil. Will President Tanahashi make sure Evil never forgets that crime doesn’t pay?

Six Man Tag: Taichi, Yuya Uemura & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA, DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

We just saw The Ace & Rogue Luchador win one for Hontai, and now The Holy Emperor leads The Heat Storm & Blue Playmaker into battle against some traitors! The Cold-Blooded Snake, Japones Del Mal & The Heel Master all betrayed their friends when they were Just Four or Five Guys, but will they finally pay? Or will the House of Torture find a way to steal this main event?

Like Evil & Dick, Sanada’s team lets the entrances and introductions happen without incident. Perhaps so that Douki can be announced as the dual IWGP Junior Heavyweight & Junior Tag Team Champion. Speaking of Douki, he grabs the mic to say that he has a message from Sho. The fans boo as Douki hands a note to the ring announcer to read. “I can not allow myself to wrestle in this dump of a town. You aren’t qualified to have wrestling here. If you have to, do it in an empty arena. Everyone born here is an idiot. Taichi’s school should expel him after the fact. Those country hicks can be buried here for all I care! Sincerely, SHO.”

Douki says there you have it! Couldn’t have said it better himself! Then he, Sanada & Kanemaru attack after all! The fans boo but the bell rings, and the House tosses Taichi, Taka & Yuya out of the ring. Douki keeps after Taichi, and SMACKS him off the timekeeper’s very small table! Wait, those are school desks! Kanemaru & Sanada mug Yuya & Taka while Douki CHOKES Taichi and brings him to the back row. Douki THROWS Taichi into the wall! The fans rally for Taichi, but Douki CHOKES Taichi, using a fan’s towel! Duoki then drags Taichi back to ringside and puts him in the ring. Douki paces while the fans rally for Taichi, and Douki taunts them.

Douki stomps Taichi, but the chanting annoys him now. Douki stomps Taichi, but Taichi eggs him on. Douki kicks Taichi, but Taichi RIDGE HANDS, BACKHANDS, and KICKS Douki! Douki CLAWS Taichi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Douki whips Taichi to a corner, but Taichi comes back to BOOT Douki! Taka & Yuya BLAST Sanada & Kanemaru! They now whip Douki corner to corner, and Taka runs in and LARIATS Douki! Yuya hits a CROSSBODY in the corner, then snapmares Douki. Taichi has Taka and Yuya join in for JUST3BOOTS! The fans fire up as Douki flounders, and Taichi stomps him.

Taichi drags Douki up, CLUBS him, then CHOKES him in the corner! The ref reprimands, Taichi stops, but then he CHOKES Douki more! Taka has Taichi calm down, and Taka tags in. The fans cheer as Taka kicks Douki. Taka eggs Douki on so Douki fires a forearm! And another forearm! And another! Taka fires up, and pokes Douki in the eyes! The fans cheer, Taka CLAWS Douki’s eyes and has him on the ropes! The ref counts, Taka stops at 4, and Taka HEADBUTTS Douki. And another HEADBUTT! Taka has Douki in the corner, stands him up, and pokes him in the eyes again! The fans applaud, and Taka tags Yuya.

Yuya paces and he brings Douki up. Douki fires a forearm but Yuya dares him to hit harder. Douki fires another forearm, and another, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS Douki down! The fans fire up and Yuya covers, ONE! Douki shows some grit but Yuya tags Taichi. The fans rally as Taichi stays between Douki and the other traitors. Taichi fires Kawada Kicks, then runs in at the corner for a HELLUVA KICK! Taichi snapmares and KICKS Douki in the back! Taichi eggs Douki on and Douki rises, but Kanemaru trips Taichi up! Douki BLASTS Yuya & Taka, and Kanemaru drags Taichi out to send into the timekeeper’s desk!

The fans boo but Kanemaru JAMS Taichi up with a chair! Kanemaru stomps Taichi down, Douki & Sanada keep after Yuya & Taka, and Sanada also JAMS Yuya with a chair! The fans rally for Hontai but Sanada THROWS Yuya onto chairs. A ring count starts, Kanemaru leaves Taichi behind, and Taichi is still down at 10 of 20. Taichi crawls back towards ringside but he’s still so far away at 15! The fans rally harder, but we hit 17! Taichi leaps in at 18, but Kanemaru is on him! Kanemaru whips Taichi and DROPKICKS the legs out! Then he has the leg to YANK it! Kanemaru steps through, FIGURE FOUR!

Taichi endures, Douki plays defense, and Sanada even goes after Taka on the outside! The fans rally but Kanemaru thrashes around to put pressure on the hold! Taichi tries to pry it open but can’t, so he drags himself and Kanemaru over to the side! ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Kanemaru refuses to let go! The ref counts, then he forces the leglock open. Taichi is free and the fans rally up, but Kanemaru tags Douki. They split the wishbone on Taichi! Douki then puts a leg on the ropes to HIP DROP it! And HIP DROP! The ref reprimands, Douki tells him to shut up, and then Douki drags Taichi up.

The fans rally as Taichi fires ridge hands on everyone! But Douki dropkicks the legs out! Tag to Sanada and he drags Taichi up. Sanada TOSSES Taichi out, then distracts the ref so that Kanemaru & Douki can lift Taichi, and RAM him into the post! The fans boo as Taichi slumps down, and Kanemaru stomps him. Sanada distracts the ref claiming his arm hurts, but Douki puts Taichi in for him. Sanada covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Sanada drags Taichi up. Sanada throws haymakers but Taichi just grits his teeth. The ref reprimands about closed fists, but Taichi just stands up to egg Sanada on. Sanada throws another punch, but Taichi fires RIDGE HANDS!

Sanada ROCKS Taichi, Taichi SPINNING CHOPS Sanada! Sanada “falls” to LOW BLOW! The fans boo as Sanada gets away with that one, and then Sanada drags Taichi up. Sanada whips, Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! Both men are down, the fans rally up, and Taichi crawls, hot tag to Yuya! The fans fire up as Heat Storm goes up, up, and AX HANDLES Sanada! Then arm-drags Kanemaru, and DROPKICKS him! Then Yuya arm-drags and DROPKICKS Douki! The fans fire up and Yuya runs corner to corner to SPLASH Sanada! And BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Yuya rises.

Yuya brings Sanada around, wrenches and- NO, Sanada fights the saido with elbows. But Yuya still back suplexes! Sanada lands out, then he DUMPS Yuya to the apron! Yuya ROCKS Sanada in return, the fans fire up again, but Sanada KICKS the ropes as Yuya steps inside! The fans boo but Sanada tags Douki. Douki kicks at Yuya, soaks up the heat, and then scuffs Yuya again. Yuya rises, Douki pie faces him, but Yuya winds up! Douki HELL STABS first! Douki whips, but Yuya comes back to CLOBBER him! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Yuya and Douki crawl as the fans rally up, hot tag to Taka!

Taka stomps away on Douki, then brings him up. Douki knees low, runs, but he avoids the boot! Douki kicks and whips, runs up in the corner, but Taka dodges to SHINING WIZARD! Snapmare and SHINING WIZARD again! Cover, TWO! Taka fires up, the fans are with him, and Taka redirects, redirects, and redirects before the BOOT! Taka stands Douki up to whip, but Douki reverses, only for Taka to reverse back! Wrangle and JUST FACELOCK! Douki scrambles, but Taka rolls him back to center! Taka CLUBS away on Douki, but Douki pops out the back! Ghost pin, into ITALIAN STRETCH #32!!

Taka scrambles around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Taka survives by a foot! Douki lets Taka go to stand him up and Gory Especial! Taka fights the lift, so Douki spins him and kicks low! Douki runs, Taka avoids the lariat, but Douki elbows free of the waistlock. Taka reels Douki back in, but Douki uses the British Escape and ENZIGIRIS! Taka wobbles, but he CALF KICKS! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Taka and Douki crawl, hot tags to Kanemaru and Taichi! Taichi dodges Kanemaru, kicks low, then whips, but Kanemaru DROPKICKS the legs again! Kanemaru then YANKS the bad leg!

Kanemaru turns Taichi over, SMASHES the knee on the mat, and then looms over his former friend. The fans rally for Taichi but Kanemaru steps through. Taichi BOOTS Kanemaru away before the figure four! Taichi runs up, Kanemaru BOOTS him, and Kanemaru tilt-o-whirl DDTS! Cover, TWO! Taichi stays in this and the fans cheer, but Kanemaru goes up the corner. Taichi rises into DEEP- NO, Taichi dodges! Taichi BOOTS Kanemaru away, Kanemaru comes back, but Taichi dodges to GAMANGIRI! Both men are down again and the fans rally back up. Taichi rises, and he fires up! The fans are with Taichi, and OFF COME THE PANTS!

The fans cheer as Taichi gathers power and aims from the corner. Kanemaru rises, but he shoves the ref in the way! ENZIGIRI! But Taichi ENZIGIRIS in return! The fans fire up and Taichi brings Kanemaru up, around, and into the SEITEI JUJIHOU! Taka & Yuya intercept Douki & Sanada, into JUST FACELOCK and DISARMER!! The House all endures, the fans fire up, but DICK YANKS THE REF OUT! Dick is trying to hide his identity behind that bright pink lucha mask but we know it’s him! Evil attacks Taichi, Taka & Yuya while the fans boo. Dick takes the mask off now so he can use the SPOILER CHOKER on Taichi!

The fans boo even more, when will NJPW management learn to put ringside bans on The House’s matches? The fans tell The House to go home, but Douki & Evil set Taichi up for the DICK CHOP!! The fans boo even more, but now Douki uses the DEATH PIPE on Taka! And then he CHOKES Taka with the pipe! Sanada grabs his brand new guitar, winds up, and SMASH HIT on Taka!! Taka flounders and flops out of the ring, but Yuya is back! Yuya fires forearms on everyone! The fans fire up as Yuya TOSSES Evil, catches Douki, but Evil returns to LOW BLOW Yuya! The fans boo even harder but The House is just doing what they want!

Evil taunts the fans, but wait! Tanahashi & Despy are back! Despy SPEARS Douki! Tanahashi fires hands on Dick and TOSSES him! Despy ROCKS Evil, Tanahashi TOSSES him, too! DRAGON SCREW for Sanada! WHISKEY MIST for Tanahashi! Kanemaru has the bottle, he aims at Taichi, and the fans boo as he runs up! Taichi dodges! And SOBATS! Taichi runs, but into a BOOT! Taichi rebounds to AX BOMBER!! The fans are thunderous as Taichi roars! Taichi aims from the corner again, and Kanemaru stands into the- NO, he dodges Tensho Jujiho to RAM Taichi into bare buckles! He takes another swig and- TENSHO JUJIHO!!

The fans fire up as Yuya then returns to PLANCHA onto Dick & Evil! Taichi has Kanemaru up, Alabama Lift for the BLACK MEPHISTO!! Cover, HONTAI WINS!

Winners: Taichi, Yuya Uemura & Taka Michinoku, by pinfall

Justice for Just Four/Five Guys! The House of Torture tried to pull the rug out from under them, but Hontai had a President Ace up their sleeve! The House is in retreat, will they ever learn their lesson?

As for Hontai, they regroup in the ring, and Taichi is very emotional already as he takes the mic. The fans cheer him on, and he finally says, “Thank you for all your support, really, thank you all.” The fans cheer that, and Taichi says “I never imagined so many people would cheer me on right here at home. I was so happy earlier at the ceremony, I nearly cried.” The fans cheer that, too! Taichi says Yuya also nearly cried, and the fans chuckle. Taichi says he’s been doing this for 23 years, but he’s never had an experience like this. The fans applaud, and Taichi says all the fans, the mayor, the school staff, thank you all so much.

Taichi takes a deep bow and the fans applaud again. Taichi says, “This might be the first time for anyone to wrestle professionally in their own old junior high. I’ve never cried, but I’m close.” Someone says, “Go ahead and cry it out.” Taichi says, “I’ll borrow your shoulder later. Or maybe I should cry on my mom’s shoulder?” The fans chuckle, and Taichi continues, “Right here in this gym 30 years ago, right outside in the school yard, I would  mess around play-wrestling, thinking today I would be doing this for real. This is the place of my origin. This is where Taichi the wrestler was born. Every day, in my notebook, I’d come up with fantasy match cards and events.

“To be that guy who got to put on a show here, that’s a dream come true, isn’t it?” The fans applaud that, too! Taichi says, “To everyone here, students and graduates, they should know they can come from nothing and be in this position. You can dream and live that dream. You don’t have to be number one, but be the only one you can be. Everyone, let’s live our lives without regrets. I’m honored if you felt something today.” The fans applaud again, and Taichi thanks Hontai for their help, and ask they help again. The fans applaud as Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima, and of course Tanahashi and Despy return to ringside.

Taichi thanks President Tanahashi and Despy. They shake hands and all stand together. Taichi thanks Kojima & Nagata for making the long trip to Ishikari. Taichi notes this was also Tanahashi’s last match in all of Hokkaido, and the fans applaud in thanks. Taichi says if Tanahashi would like to say a few words, the floor is his. The fans cheer, and Tanahashi says, “Thanks to Taichi, I was able to come back up here to Hokkaido one last time. I’m giving my all in the last few weeks of my career, so please keep watching. Is it okay if I do the thing?” Taichi  nods, and Taichi says for one last time, “Hokkaido, AISHITEMASU~!”

The fans cheer the final farewell from The Ace to Hokkaido, and he thanks them. Taichi then offers the mic to Yuya, and he accepts. Yuya says, “Taichi, Taka, I’m so happy I was in Just5Guys!” The fans cheer that, too! Yuya says, “From now on in Hontai, we’ll fire up NJPW even more!” Then… that’s it! The fans cheer, but Yuya reconsiders. “The Heat Storm WILL fire up the hearts of NJPW and Ishikari!” Yuya poses, the fans applaud, and Taichi is handed the mic again. Taichi isn’t sure he can end things like that. But there’s nothing left to say, is there? This can stand as the true end of Just5Guys, as they are now part of Hontai.

Taichi says they were right all those weeks ago to join up. And now, even without Tanahashi, they will be in good hands. Oh no, Tanahashi cries! Well, no, he’s just teasing. But Taichi assures Tanahashi he can leave it to them. Taichi thanks everyone again for all their support, he is just so happy. And as the mayor said, perhaps they do this again next year? The fans like the sound of that! Yes, the main Hokkaido tour will now included Ishikari! Taichi admits he has nothing really cool to say, but he just wants to thank them once again! Another deep bow from the Holy Emperor, who is truly humbled and grateful for this moment.

The fans applaud this wonderful and emotional celebration. But will this victory lead to something even greater for Taichi and Hontai as a whole?

My Thoughts:

A great event for NJPW to start on another New Japan Road series, but also for Ishikari as a city. The JTO crossover was cool, too, and yes, that is Taka’s promotion. The Inaba sisters are both great talents, and it is truly impressive for the younger sister, Azusa, to already be a double champion and she came this close to becoming a triple champion. Good stuff even in the matches I skipped, and the names “Thunder Masami” and “Bomber Tatsuya” are great. Ryoma Tsukamoto has a great look as just a sturdy, stocky guy. But I figured the Unaffiliated would win, they’ve got a lot going for them after King of Pro-Wrestling.

And of course, great stuff for Hontai VS House of Torture in the last two matches of the night. Hontai winning out was great stuff, sends the fans home happy. Taichi getting to live a dream only a select few wrestlers ever get to is so great for him, he really has put in great work in this latter half of his career. While Tanahashi VS Evil for the NEVER title feels like the next move, I could see Taichi getting a singles title for himself in the following six months. It would be something if Taichi and Zack Sabre Jr. feuded over the world title in 2026.

My Score: 8.8/10