Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Homecoming in Gifu!

As The Ace Final Road reaches the homestretch, Hiroshi Tanahashi has one last title match in his own hometown of Gifu! But will he win?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Boltin Oleg, Shoma Kato & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Katsuya Murashima, Masatora Yasuda & Zane Jay; Oleg, Kato & Matsumoto win.
• Six Man Tag: Hiromu Takahashi, Gedo & Daiki Nagai VS Robbie Eagles, Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson; Eagles, Fujita & Jackson win.
• 8 Man Tag: El Desperado, KUUKAI, Tiger Mask & YAMATO VS Ryusuke Taguchi, Dragon Dia, KUSHIDA & Yuki Yoshioka; Taguchi, Dia, Kushida & Yoshioka win.
• 10 Man Tag: Hontai VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Shingo Takagi, Clark Connors, OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS The United Empire; Takagi, Connors, Oskar & Yuto win.
• 2025 Super Junior Tag League Finals: SHO & DOUKI VS Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X; Sho & Douki win and can name their next challengers.
• IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Yota wins and retains the title.
• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Hirooki Goto; Takeshita wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

After 10 Man Tag: Hontai VS The House of Torture…

Master Wato took WHISKEY MIST and a BELT SHOT in the defeat, and after The House adds on, The King of Darkness has something to say. “OI! You stupid losers! You don’t deserve to have the NEVER titles! The next challengers are me, Dick & Kanemaru! Then I will be the true DOUBLE NEVER CHAMPION!” The fans boo, but then Kanemaru sets Yano up for Evil! Evil has the belt, but AARON WOLF steps in! Just like before, the judoka Young Lion THROWS Evil! The House is in retreat, and Wolf holds up THE NEVER Openweight Championship! Will The King be so focused on pawns that he gets caught in checkmate?

2025 Super Junior Tag League Finals: SHO & DOUKI VS Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X!

The Murder Machine & Japones Del Mal indeed used every trick in the book to lie, cheat and steal the top spot in A Block. Meanwhile, the Bone Soldier & Mr. Extreme scratched, clawed and fought their way back from an early setback to win B Block! But will #Shouki just rig the game again? Or will Taiji & Robbie get through it all #ByGrace?

Well, while Sho & Douki don’t attack Taiji & Robbie, Sho does insist on speaking. “Oi, you know we won every match easily to get to the Super Junior Tag League Finals, and now we have to fight here? Where are we? What town is this?” Gifu boos being trolled as Sho asks if this is Shiga or what. This can’t be Gifu, the worst town in Japan! The fans boo that even more! Sho says Taiji & Robbie think they’re superheroes or whatever, but standing before them is a true wrestling god in Douki! They should have no problem winning this! Then Shouki attacks! But Taiji & Robbie block the kicks! The fans cheer as Taiji & Robbie throw hands in return!

The bell rings as things spill outside! Taiji whips Sho into railing! Robbie whips Douki into railing! Then Robbie brings Douki through the gate and into the crowd! Robbie CHOPS Douki and the fans cheer. Robbie has fans clear out as he and Douki go deeper into the crowd. Robbie BOWLS Douki into chairs for a STRIKE! Taiji BOWLS Sho into chairs for a STRIKE! Robbie CLUBS Douki, Taiji POSTS Sho, and the fans cheer. Robbie & Taiji regroup, put Sho in the ring, and they double whip to the ropes. They DOUBLE ELBOW Sho down, then wheelbarrow VICTORY SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Sho survives but the fans rally behind Taiji.

Taiji stalks Sho to the ropes, Sho wants mercy but he gets stomps instead! Taiji bumps Sho off buckles, CHOPS him, and the fans cheer again. Taiji brings Sho around and CHOPS again! Sho sputters, the fans applaud, and Taiji whips corner to corner. Sho reverses, Douki trips Taiji in the corner, and then Sho slides out. Shouki YANK Taiji into the POST, right on the Bone Soldier! Robbie runs over but Shouki mugs him first. Then they pick him up and POST him right up the X! Then Shouki PULLS Taiji and PUSHES Robbie against the post for extra torture! The ref reprimands, Shouki stops, and Robbie flops to the floor.

The fans boo as Douki takes Robbie into the crowd, and Sho whips Taiji into railing! Douki takes Robbie all the way to the back where extra staff sits, and he SMACKS Robbie off their table! Sho brings Taiji into the crowd, but Taiji ROCKS Sho! Sho CLAWS Taiji’s eyes! Sho BOWLS Taiji into chairs! STRIKE! The fans boo again and the ref reprimands, but Douki CLUBS Robbie with someone’s umbrella! Sho POSTS Taiji again! Sho puts Taiji in the ring, covers, TWO! Taiji toughs it out and the fans cheer, but Sho tags Douki. Douki drags Taiji to center so he can run and DOUBLE STOMP! Taiji writhes, Douki covers, TWO!

The fans applaud as Taiji stays in this, but Douki TOSSES him out! Douki distracts the ref so Sho can JAM Taiji up with a chair! The fans boo but Sho shrugs, acting like nothing happened. Sho puts Taiji in for Douki to cover, TWO! Tag to Sho, and Shouki double gorilla presses Taiji for a DOUBLE GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer Taiji on, but then Shouk put him in the ROWBOAT STRETCH! The ref counts, Douki lets go, but then he WRECKS Robbie with a dropkick! Sho still pulls on Taiji’s arm and leg but Taiji endures. Taiji turns to alleviate pressure, fights his way over, but Sho pulls harder! Taiji still makes the ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer but Sho holds on! The ref counts, Sho lets go at 4, and he talks trash on Taiji. Sho stomps Taiji, scuffs him, and taunts him. Taiji stands up to fire forearms on Sho and Douki back and forth! But then Sho CLAWS the eyes! The ref reprimands, but Taiji CLWS Sho’s eyes! The ref still reprimands, but Taiji whips Sho. Sho reverses, but Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taiji crawls, hot tag to Robbie! Robbie runs to BOOT Douki, then he fires forearms on Sho! Robbie CHOPS Sho, and the fans bark with the War Dogs! Robbie whips, Sho reverses, but Robbie goes up and over!

Robbie rolls and DROPKICKS, then handsprings! The fans fire up with Robbie, and he fireman’s carries Sho. Sho slips fere, shoves Robbie to ropes, but Robbie stops himself. Sho runs up, Robbie DUMPS Sho out, and then Robbie NO TOUCH HANDSPRING KICKS! Then he DIVES! Down goes Sho into the railing! X says L F G and the fans fire up with him! Robbie drags Sho up, puts him in the ring, but Douki kicks low! Douki whips, but Robbie uses the post to Tiger Wall Kick Douki down! The fans fire up again and Robbie feeds off that energy. Robbie storms in, fireman’s carries, but Sho fights and flails!

Robbie drops down, but he just does a squat with Sho! Robbie rises back up as the fans rally, ROLLING SENTON! Then a STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Robbie tags Taiji, and they get Sho up. They double whip Sho corner to corner, Robbie runs up, but Sho BOOTS him! Taiji runs up, he blocks Sho’s boots, and he puts Sho in the ropes. Robbie ENZIGIRIS Sho for Taiji to SLIDING GERMAN! Robbie STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Taiji covers, TWO! Sho survives but the War Dogs are still on him and the fans fire up. Feed to the lift, BLOODY- NO, Sho slips free to SHOVE Robbie into Taiji!

Sho DUMPS Robbie out, slips around Taiji, but Taiji standing switches. Sho bends Taiji’s fingers! The ref reprimands, Taiji kicks low, and Taiji runs, but Sho grabs the ref! Douki CHAIR SHOTS Taiji at the ropes! The fans boo but Sho tags Douki. Sho shrugs, claiming he doesn’t know what happened. Douki ROCKS Taiji in the corner, then Sho puts Taiji up top! Sho lifts Taiji from the corner, Douki climbs up, ASSISTED SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO, but into ITALIAN STRETCH #32! The fans rally as Taiji endures, but Douki pulls on the hold! Taiji reaches out, but Douki rolls him from the ropes!

Douki keeps on ITALIAN STRETCH #32, but Taiji still endures! The fans rally but Taiji is fading! Taiji fights to the side but Douki pulls on the hold again! Sho distracts the ref so that he misses the ROPEBREAK! The fans boo but then Douki rolls Taiji away. ITALIAN STRETCH 32!! Sho plays defense against Robbie now! But Robbie jukes and gets in! Robbie stomps Douki! Taiji is saved but Sho & Douki mug Robbie now! They DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX, but Robbie lands out! And he goes Matrix to DOUBLE PELE! The fans fire up again and Robbie gets moving! Handspring, but Douki stops the cutter!

Douki shoves, Robbie dodges and waistlocks, but Douki ELBOWS free! Robbie reels Douki back in, but Douki uses the British Escape! Robbie ducks the enzigiri! Then Robbie BACKFLIPS over Douki to have the deadlift, but Douki CLAWS free! Robbie swings, Douki counters with the HELLSTAB! Douki runs in, Robbie dodges, and Robbie blocks a kick! Robbie KICKS that leg, the DREAMCAST KICK in the corner! Feed to Taiji for the gut wrench! Robbie goes up while Taiji hits CIPHER UTAKI! X EXPRESS!! Cover, SHO YANKS THE REF OUT!! The fans boo but Sho hurries to get his Torture Tool! Robbie chases Sho, Sho gets in the ring, but then Robbie blocks the shot!

Robbie SOBATS Sho! Robbie handsprings, but into a SPANNER SHOT!! The fans boo but Taiji JUMP KNEES Sho! The fans fire up while Sho tumbles out. Taiji waits on Douki, who has the belt! Taiji dodges Douki, ZIGZAG! BONE LOCK!! Douki flails, reaches out, but Taiji kicks from the ropes! But Douki makes it a ghost pin! TWO!!! Taiji escapes in time and kicks low! Taiji whips, but Douki knocks the ref down! Taiji still pops Douki up for a LOW BLOW!! Taiji uses Douki’s tactic against him! Taiji then steps up, but Douki shoves Taiji to the ropes! Taiji BLOCKS the sheet smack! Taiji takes that sheet to SMACK Sho!!

The fans fire up as Sho tastes his own medicine! Robbie then adds a TOP ROPE MOONSAULT! But then Douki rolls Taiji! Taiji rolls through, STF BONE LOCK!!! Douki flails, reaches out, but Taiji pulls back on the hold! Douki fights, Taiji rolls him, and then lifts him! BLOODY- NO, Douki fights free, whips Taiji at the ref, and then Douki takes his mask down!? BLOOD MIST!! Then LOW BLOW!! Douki rolls Taiji, DOUKI & SHO WIN!!

Winners: Sho & Douki, by pinfall (2025 Super Junior Tag League Champions)

Just when Taiji had accounted for every trick, there was another one up the proverbial sleeve! And now, controversial as it was, Sho & Douki will go down as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions that SWEPT Super Junior Tag League! They take the trophies from the ref with very little gratitude or respect, and Douki takes the mic. The fans boo but Douki says, “Oi, just as you see, we won every single match! Completely perfect, completely flawless! There can be no complaints about us!” The fans boo because that’s not true. But Douki says he is IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, and now Super Junior Tag League Champion!

Douki says he is flawless! He is the BEST OF ALL NJPW! More like the worst! But then will nothing stop The House of Torture from stacking the deck and cheating out everyone who dares step to them?

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!

The Gene Blast only just took this title from Gabe Kidd, but he’s more than honored to defend it against one of the true greats. Will The Ace be high on this, the night of his Final Homecoming? Or will he bust and miss out on the jackpot?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Tanahashi flies high over Gifu one last time!

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “TA-NA-H’SHI! TA-NA-H’SHI!” already. The two circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Tanahashi waistlocks, Yota switches, but Tanahashi switches back. Yota pries free to then facelock, but Tanahashi wrenches free. Tanahashi wristlocks, but Yota spins through to wrench in return. Yota hammerlocks, Tanahashi drop toeholds and floats to a headlock, but Yota fights back up. Tanahashi hits the takeover, but Yota headscissors! Yota holds tight, even CLUBS Tanahashi in the side, but Tanahashi fights around. Tanahashi pops free to have a modified DEATHLOCK!

The fans applaud but Yota endures, so Tanahashi floats to a headlock. Yota endures the grind, fights to his feet, and fires body shots. Yota powers up but can’t power out as Tanahashi holds tight! The fans rally, Yota fights back up, and he brings Tanahashi down to a knee. Yota slips out the back, puts on the headlock now, but Tanahashi endures the grind. Tanahashi pries the hold open, but Yota powers it back on! Yota hits the takeover, Tanahashi headscissors, but Yota kips free. Tanahashi air guitars and the fans applaud. Yota and Tanahashi reset as the fans get even louder for “TA-NA-H’SHI! TA-NA-H’SHI!” The two circle, then tie up.

It’s another deadlock, but then Yota uses his height for leverage. Yota puts Tanahashi in the corner, the ref calls the break, and Yota lets off with a pat on the shoulder. The fans applaud the sportsmanship, but then Yota runs up! Tanahashi ELBOWS him away, goes up and CROSSBODIES! The fans cheer as Tanahashi air guitars again, only for Yota to DROPKICK him! The fans boo but Yota grins. Yota paces around, then he brings Tanahashi up. Yota whips Tanahashi into the corner, then stomps him down. The ref reprimands, Yota stops, and Yota stands Tanahashi up, just to RAM him into the corner again and again!

The ref counts, Yota stops at 4, and he cravats Tanahashi to snapmare, then body scissors! The fans rally as Tanahashi endures the squeeze. Yota grins as he also traps an arm, but Tanahashi fights around. Yota pushes Tanahashi over to then have the CAMEL CLUTCH! Tanahashi still endures and the fans still rally behind him. Tanahashi gets an arm free, reaches out, but Yota lets go to then scoop and SLAM Tanahashi! Yota runs, SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Tanahashi stays in this, but Yota stays cool. Yota rises while Tanahashi sputters, and Yota shrugs as the fans continue to cheer The Ace.

Yota stands Tanahashi and Tanahashi fires forearms! Tanahashi fires shot after shot, but then Yota ROCKS him with just one! Yota eggs Tanahashi on, and Tanahashi fires his signature strike combo! Tanahashi whips, Yota reverses, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up as Tanahashi rises again, and he brings Yota up. Tanahashi scoops to SLAM Yota to the drop zone! The fans cheer as Tanahashi goes up and SUNSET SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that but Tanahashi is not deterred. The fans rally, Tanahashi waits on Yota, and Tanahashi runs to SLING- NO, Yota slips around to waistlock!

Tanahashi fights the lift, throws elbows, but then Yota clinches! FLATLINER! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Yota stands and brings Tanahashi around for a BOSTON CRAB! Tanahashi endures as Yota sits deep! The fans rally harder and harder as Tanahashi pushes up! But Yota pushes him back down! Tanahashi fights back up, crawls forward, and he makes the ROPEBREAK! Yota lets go while the fans cheer, but Tanahashi goes to a corner. Yota storms over and stands Tanahashi up. Yota winds up to CHOP! Tanahashi is stinging, but then he eggs Yota on. Yota CHOPS again! Tanahashi still eggs him on, so Yota CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS!

Then Yota fires KNEE after KNEE into Tanahashi! Yota roars, goes corner to corner, and GENE TRIGGER! Tanahashi falls, Yota lines up another shot, and Yota goes up the corner! MARLOWE- NO, Tanahashi dodges the crush! Tanahashi runs up, blocks the superkick, and he DRAGON SCREWS the leg! Yota is down but so is Tanahashi, and the fans rally up again. Tanahashi huffs ‘n’ puffs and rises up again, but Yota also stands. Tanahashi eggs Yota on, and then he fires a forearm! Yota fires back! They go forearm for forearm, then Tanahasih eggs Yota on again. Yota fires a flurry of forearms! Yota eggs Tanahashi on!

Tanahashi fires a flurry of forearms! The fans fire up with Tanahashi, but Yota comes back to fire another flurry! Tanahashi fires another flurry of his own! Yota fires even more forearms! Tanahashi fires even more forearms! Yota winds up, but then he staggers! The fans fire up as Yota is literally on the ropes. Tanahashi waits on Yota, and Yota comes back to CHOP! Tanahashi grits his teeth to stay on his feet! The fans fire up as Tanahashi roars, but then Yota runs up! Tanahashi dodges then reels Yota in, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi runs, SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Yota survives but Tanahashi goes to the corner!

Tanahashi climbs, but Yota GAMANGIRIS first! Yota then climbs up to join Tanahashi, and brings him to the very top, for a SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO! Yota has the legs again! BOSTON CRAB! Yota sits deep on the hold! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally harder and harder! Tanahashi powers up to pushup, but Yota just pushes him back down! The fans rally as hard as they can but Yota has the hold on deep! Tanahashi grits his teeth as he pushes up again! There’s still power inside The Ace, and the fans are thunderous as he fights his way over! Yota puts one more push into the Boston Crab, but Gifu still cheers Tanahashi on!

Yota gets a different angle, it’s almost a WALLS OF JERICHO! Tanahashi refuses to give in, so Yota drops the legs, waistlocks, and deadlifts for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Yota roars, the fans can’t help but cheer that feat of strength, and now Yota takes aim. Tanahashi rises, into the GENE- DROPKICK! Tanahashi hits the legs, Yota hobbles, and Tanahashi full nelsons! Yota breaks free, but Tanahashi has the STRAITJACKET GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO! Yota escapes and the fans fire up with Tanahashi! Tanahashi runs the ropes to SLING- NO, Yota steals SLINGBLADE! A rough shot but Yota covers, TWO!!

Tanahashi survives but Yota drags Tanahashi to a corner! Yota goes up the corner?! Yota aims to steal HIGH FLY FLOW, but FLOPS!! Tanahashi steals GENE BLASTER!! Cover, but then Tanahashi lets off because his arm hurts that bad. Tanahashi roars as he rises back up! Tanahashi climbs as the fans cheer him on, and now Tanahashi HIGH FLY FLOW on Yota’s back! Tanahashi pushes Yota over, goes back up, but Yota rises! Yota seems to dare Tanahashi to do it, HIGH FLY ATTACK hits!! Tanahashi then goes up top and HIGH FLY FLOW FLOPS as Yota moves! Yota reloads, GENE BLASTER!!! But Yota can’t cover, either!!

The fans are thunderous while Yota and Tanahashi both sputter on the mat! Gifu is as loud for Tanahashi as they’ve ever been, but Yota rises first. Yota leans against the ropes, Tanahashi stands at center, and Yota storms up on him. Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS, but Yota just grins! AND HEADBUTTS!! Yota staggers back, but then he loads up in the corner! Tanahashi rises in a daze, into the GENE BLAST- CRADLE!!! TWO!!! Yota escapes, runs up again, but into a fireman’s carry! TWELVE-SIX!! Tanahashi busts out a classic, and then goes back up top! HIGH FLY FLOW BUT ONTO KNEES!! Yota turns things back around on Tanahashi!

Yota aims again, Tanahashi rises, and GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!!

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

The Ace put his all into this, but he still fell short against the Reiwa Musketeer. Yota takes a moment to drink some water, then he gets the mic. “Tanahashi-san… I’ve said it an awful lot: If not for you and those words that day, I would not be standing on this cerulean blue. I have always, always been chasing after you, and tonight, for the very first time, I was able to beat you. I don’t plan on being The Ace, I don’t plan on every being Hiroshi Tanahashi. I plan on surpassing everything that you have been. But it’ll be okay, you can leave NJPW to me. So, I will wrap this up by saying this is a repayment of a debt we owe to you. I want these fans to hear your voice.”

The fans cheer as Yota hands the mic to Tanahashi. Tanahashi tells Tsuji, “This is Gifu, this is MY show, and I lost! And yet you give me the microphone. But yes, I will talk. Tsuji, on that day in Jiyugaoka, I am so, so glad I said what I said to you. But I have a lot of responsibility as the person that changed your life. And so, it is my responsibility to say to you, the ball is in your court now. And so, it has been awhile since I’ve been here in Gifu, and I thank all of you for being here tonight. The last 25 years, you have given me so much support, thank you so much. And this was my last match here in Gifu… Here come the tears…

“It is tough. There have been difficult times. But I am so proud of being a pro-wrestler from Gifu!” The fans cheer, and Tanahashi says that he just wanted to say this as a winner, but this will be his last chance to say it! GIFU! AISHITEMASU~! The fans cheer, but wait, who is this swaggering out? Yuto Nakashima? Why is Yuto-Ice stepping on Tanahashi’s moment? Yota takes his leave with a smile to his War Dogs/Unaffiliated teammate. Yuto then steps into the ring so he can take the mic. “Oi, sorry to interrupt and all, but I’ve got somethin’ to put to you. It took a long, long time for me to be here, and I went through an awful lot of crap to get here.

“And it took me a long time and a lot of effort to be here, despite it all! So, Tanahashi, let’s have a singles match! And since you’re not tired, how about we do this next Saturday night? Just up the road in Anjo, Aichi, so all the folks here in Gifu have a short drive! What do you say? We gonna do it or not?” Tanahashi takes the mic back to say, “Oi, Nakashima… I am your senpai, both in school and in Gifu. So for you, my adorable kouhai, I’m sure we can get this done.” Yuto says you heard the man! It’ll be Ace VS Ice in Anjo! First time, last time, and Yuto will bring out the scariest Tanahashi we’ve ever seen! Let’s get high! BOMBAKLAT!

The fans fire up for this showdown if Gifu OGs! But will Yuto’s ambition get him beat? Or will Ice trump Ace in Anjo?

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Hirooki Goto!

The Alpha won the G1 Climax, then took this title from Zack Sabre Jr. in the Ryogoku Sumo Hall, only to be confronted by the Fierce Warrior. Goto wants the rematch he didn’t get because of injury, Konosuke is giving him that opportunity now, will the Goto Revolution also return? Or will Konosuke still be THE Alpha of wrestling?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is fiercest of all!

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Konosuke shrugs that off as he and Goto circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Goto powers Konosuke to the ropes. Red Shoes calls the break and Goto backs off. The fans applaud the clean break and the two reset. They tie up again, and Konosuke powers Goto to the ropes. Red Shoes calls another break, and Konosuke winds up to CHOP! The fans applaud while Goto paces. Goto fires a forearm, Konosuke fires back, and they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, then they tie up! Konosuke headlocks but Goto powers up and out.

Konosuke RAMS Goto, Goto rebounds and he RUNS Konosuke over! The fans cheer and things get moving. Konosuke stays low, but Goto counters hip toss with hip toss! Goto runs to RUN Konosuke over again! The fans cheer but Konosuke bails out to cool things down. Goto waits on Konosuke, and Konosuke takes his time walking around the outside. Goto pursues, Konosuke slides in, and now Konosuke waits on Goto. Goto goes to the apron but Konosuke fires forearms! Konosuke brings Goto up to suplex, but Goto blocks! Konosuke still tries but Goto ocntinues to fight. Then Goto tries to suplex!

Konosuke lands safe on the apron, but Goto tries again! Konosuke fights the suplex, fires body shots, then kicks low! APRON DDT! The fans applaud while Goto is down, but Konosuke isn’t done! DRAPING DDT to the floor! The fans are stunned seeing that and Red Shoes checks Goto. Goto is still in this so Konosuke drags him up. Konosuke whips Goto into the railing! Then he runs up to BOOT Goto! Goto flops down and the fans rally up while a ring count starts. Konosuke stands Goto up at 5 of 20, puts him in at 7, and the fans applaud. Konosuke covers, TWO! Goto is tougher than that, but Konosuke rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!

Konosuke then clamps on with a rear facelock, and he grinds Goto down. Goto endures, fights around, but Konosuke grinds him more! Goto turns and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Konosuke lets go to bring Goto around. Konosuke ROCKS Goto with a forearm and Goto goes to a corner. Konosuke throws ELBOW after ELBOW into Goto! Goto sits down, and Konosuke KNEES him again and again! Red Shoes counts, Konosuke backs off, and fans are torn as Goto sputters. Konosuke eggs Goto on and watches him rise. Goto snarls, but Konosuke boots him! Goto eggs Konosuke on, so Konosuke BOOTS again!

Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Konosuke clamps onto the bad arm, wrenches it, and then has the armlock, for an ARM BULLDOG! The fans are torn again but hopefully Goto’s arm is not. Konosuke drags Goto up, wrenches again, and he armlocks for another ARM BULLDOG! Goto writhes but Konosuke keeps close. Cover, TWO! Goto toughs it out and the fans applaud, but Konosuke puts that arm in a top wristlock. Goto endures, fights around, and the fans rally. Goto rises but Konosuke KNEES low! And KNEES low again! Konosuke wrenches, clamps onto the arm, but Goto BODY BLOWS!

Goto fights but Konosuke ELBOW BREAKERS! And SAI- NO, Goto fires elbows! But Konosuke won’t let him run away! Goto ELBOWS free and the fans cheer! Goto runs in at Konosuke, but into a BOOT! Konosuke runs, but Goto blows past him and LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto stalks Konosuke to a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up for a MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Konosuke survives but Goto fires back up. The fans cheer him on as he fireman’s carries, but Konosuke fights it! Konosuke throws down elbows, then fires ELBOW after ELBOW, and ROLLING ELBOW!

Konosuke runs, but Goto follows! Only for Konosuke to clinch and EXPLODER! Goto tumbles and the fans fire up again! Goto goes to the apron and Konosuke takes aim. Konosuke runs in and BOOTS Goto to the floor! Goto sputters at the ramp, and now Konosuke builds speed! Konosuke FLIES! Down goes Goto at the ramp! The fans fire up while both men are down, but Konosuke rises. Konosuke shouts, “IKU ZO! <LET’S GO!>” and the fans fire up with him! Konosuke drags Goto up, puts him in, and the fans applaud. Goto goes to a corner, but Konosuke takes aim again. The fans rally up for the forearm SMASH!

Konosuke whips, Goto reverses, but the TAKESHITA LINE hits! The fans rally up and Konosuke snarls. Konosuke vows to finish this, and he reels Goto in. RAGI- NO, Goto fights the suplex! Goto suplexes now, and BRAINBUSTER! Shoutout to The Stone Pitbull, but Goto and Konosuke are both down. Konosuke manages to roll to a corner first, but Goto runs in and LARIATS! Goto runs corner to corner, Konosuke follows! HELLUVA KICK! BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives Konosuke’s tribute to El Generico and the fans fire up! Konosuke drags Goto back up, but Goto fires a forearm!

Konosuke fires back, and the forearms go back and forth again! Shot for shot, then Goto ROCKS Konosuke! Konosuke sits down, but he shakes out the stars going around his head. Konosuke fires up, the forearms go back and forth again, but then Konosuke fires his elbow combo! But Goto ROCKS him first! Goto runs, but into a BOOT! Then waistlock! Goto switches, GERMAN SUPLEX, but Konosuke lands out!? BOOT! Konosuke runs, but into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Konosuke flounders to ropes while the fans fire up! Goto brings Konosuke up, dragon sleepers, but Konosuke SMACKS Goto!

Konosuke stands, swings, but into an URA GTR! Goto runs, and LARIATS! The fans fire up, because that’s all with the bad arm! Goto then dragon sleepers, but Konosuke snapmares free, and NECK TWIST! Then chicken wing and crossface, PLUS ULTRA CLUTCH!! Goto endures, reaches out, and the fans rally up! But Konosuke has the body scissors, too! Goto is fading, but the fans just get louder and louder for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Goto gets a second wind to kick his way around, for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Konosuke lets go. Konosuke shakes out his arms and stands to bring Goto up.

Konosuke hoists Goto to the top rope, then climbs up to join him. The fans rally again as Goto fights the suplex! Goto fires body shots, then he ROCKS Konosuke with a forearm! Konosuke steps back, but comes back, STEP-UP KNEE! The fans fire up for that, and Konosuke climbs the corner again! But still Goto resists! Goto fires more body shots, more forearms, but Konosuke fires back! They brawl up top, then Goto HEADBUTTS again and again! Goto reels Konosuke in!? The fans are already worried as Goto hops on for a SUPER CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and Gifu is thunderous again!

Goto and Konosuke rise up, and Goto roars! BUZZSAW!! But Konosuke rolls back, runs up, but into another fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO!?!? Goto doesn’t stop to fret, he dragon sleepers and G- NO, Konosuke spins that around! Reverse suplex, then the tuck! BASTARD DRIVER!! Then deadlift WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! But Goto’s right up!?! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, they go again, Konosuke LARIATS Goto down!! Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives and the fans are thunderous as we hit 20 minutes! Konosuke roars, the fans rally, and Konosuke hauls Goto up for a facelock. RAGING- NO, Goto slips free!

Goto dragon sleepers, but Konosuke slips through to hook the arms! Goto spins the would-be backslide back into a dragon sleeper! G T R!!! But Goto can’t make the cover!! The fans rally, Goto crawls to finally cover, TWO!!! The delay saves Konosuke, if just barely! The fans rally almost as hard as they did for Tanahashi, and Goto dragon sleepers again! Konosuke throws hands from below, but Goto grabs that arm, powers it into place, and drags Konosuke up! G T- NO, Konosuke pops free to jump up, POISON-RANA!! WAGAMAMA KNEE!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? But Konosuke doesn’t stop, he just reels Goto in!

LAST RIDE POWERBOMB!!! Konosuke throws Goto so hard, Konosuke stumbles back! But he hurries to high stack cover, TWO!!!! Goto survives and the fans are electric! Konosuke grits his teeth, goes to a corner, and he brings down the kneepad! The fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” as loud as they can, and Goto rises at center. Konosuke runs in, BARE BONE- NO!! Goto blocks that knee!! Konosuke CLUBS at Goto again and again, gets free, then off comes his elbow pad! But Goto ducks the elbow to spin Konosuke, and DISCUS LARIAT!! Not quite a Rainmaker but surely the message was sent! And now the suplex, for SHOTEN KAI!!! Cover, TWO!?!??!

Gifu is about to erupt with how Konosuke survived! “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” echoes out as Goto rises up. Goto roars, vowing to finally put this away! But then Konosuke swings! Goto HEADBUTTS first! Then RIDGE HAND CHOPS!! Goto drags Konosuke up, winds up, URA- NO, Konosuke wrenches free! ALPHA ELBOW!! WAGAMAMA KNEE!! Konosuke roars, because now he brings Goto up for the RAGING FIRE!!!!! Cover, KONOSUKE WINS!!!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

That was certainly the fiercest battle we could have ever seen from both men, but the world (title) still belongs to The Alpha! Is this the end of the Goto Revolution? Or just a detour in the road back to the mountaintop?

As for Konosuke, Red Shoes helps him put on the belt, and Konosuke gets the mic. “Goto. Goto! Hold on a moment. Listen to me from here. Goto… I don’t think our pro-wrestling philosophies have ever aligned, and I doubt they ever will. But for the career of Konosuke Takeshita, I’ll borrow ever so slightly from the Goto Revolution.” The fans applaud that, and Konosuke continues with, “So now, we’re one and one. For delivering a proper IWGP battle, I humbly thank you.” Konosuke offers a handshake, and Goto accepts! The fans cheer that! Goto takes his leave, should we all start preparing for the tiebreaker?

Konosuke continues by saying, “Now that I’ve defended the IWGP title in Gifu, this belt will next be defended on January 4th, in the Tokyo Dome. If you’re brave enough to fade me in the Dome, step up to me right now!” The fans like the sound of that. Who walks out to accept the open challenge? IT’S YOTA TSUJI!! The IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, cleaned up and in a suit, heads down to the ring. The fans like what they see as Yota now stands in front of Konosuke and picks up his own mic. “Oi, Takeshita! Your next challenger is ME!” The fans applaud that already.

Yota continues, “Someone once said, ‘Be foolish.’ Unfortunately, I’m not fool enough to try to retire Tanahashi. BUT! For the sake of IWGP and NJPW, I’ll be plenty foolish. That is my resolve!” The fans applaud again, and Yota tells Takeshita to fight him in the Tokyo Dome! Konosuke nods and says, “Yota Tsuji, message received loud and clear. Tsuji, to face me in the Dome… Are you ready? If you’ve got the guts, put that belt on the line, too!” The fans really like the sound of that! Yota looks to his Global Heavyweight title, and he says, “Of course, Takeshita. Are YOU ready? Because I am.” The fans applaud as the mic drops, and both men hold up their belts!

As if WrestleKingdom 20 wasn’t already a historic milestone, it just became an instant classic! We have two months left, will there be a NEW Dual Champion with the New Year?

My Thoughts:

A great event here as the first, last and only Hiroshi Tanahashi Final Homecoming. A lot of good stuff in those tune-up matches, and I do like that they’re giving Aaron Wolf, a legit judo talent, a sort of shortcut from Young Lion to established guy with how he’s going after EVIL and that NEVER Openweight Championship like this. Maybe Evil wins the trios titles to then drop the singles title to Wolf, which would be wild but certainly welcomed because fans love to hate Evil. And despite my expectations, Unaffiliated and War Dogs are still working together, even with them splitting the difference in their matches tonight.

Great tournament finals for Super Junior Tag League, and I’m actually rather shocked Sho & Douki won. Granted, they cheated again, but Taiji knowing all their tricks except the last one was a great detail. #Shouki is now allowed to choose their challengers, and I feel like they could set up a Finger Poke of Doom by choosing their fellow House of Torture teammates, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Dick Togo. At the same time, NJPW Management might/should veto that choice, so who knows how that goes. There’s a lot of time still, and Douki still has the singles title to worry about, too, can’t wait to see what goes on there.

And of course, just awesome stuff from both singles titles tonight. Gifu was hoping against hope that Tanahashi would win the Global title and take it to WrestleKingdom, but no, even Tanahashi sees that’s not the way to do this. Tanahashi VS Nakashima, Ace VS Ice, that’s some fun stuff right there, but feels like Tanahashi can win that to get his momentum back going towards WK20. Konosuke VS Goto was epic stuff, and an awesome win for Konosuke. Konosuke VS Tsuji for both titles is very surprising, but I hope NJPW isn’t booking themselves into a corner. Both guys are great, but Konosuke still goes back and forth between NJPW and AEW, feels like NJPW would/should want their dual champion to be the full-timer…

My Score: 9.1/10