Gene Blast VS Silent Jester!

NJPW returns to Osaka for another New Beginning, but can Yota Tsuji survive still the Double IWGP Heavyweight Champion? Or will Jake Lee hit his Grand Slam?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Young Lion Sendoff: Toru Yano & Togi Makabe VS Katsuya Murashima & Shoma Kato; Yano & Makabe win.
• Hiromu Takahashi & Taiji Ishimori VS Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young; Hiromu & Taiji win.
• Shingo Takagi & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Great-O-Khan & HENARE; Takagi & Drilla win.
• NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Bishamon & Boltin Oleg VS TMDK; Bishamon & Oleg win and retain the titles.
• IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Gabe Kidd VS Andrade El Idolo; Andrade wins and will challenge for the title.
• David Finlay VS Callum Newman; Callum wins.
• NEVER Openweight Championship: Aaron Wolf VS Ren Narita; Ren wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
• IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura; Oskar & Yuto win and retain the titles.
• IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Jake Lee; Yota wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW mourns the loss of Tadao Yasuda.

President Hiroshi Tanahashi leads the way for Hontai, as well as other members of the locker room, out to the ring to honor the great career of the King of Debt. Yasuda passes at the age of 62, wrestling with NJPW from 1994 to 2005, winning the then vacant IWGP Heavyweight Championship in 2002 against Yuji Nagata. That would be his only NJPW title reign, moving on to HUSTLE Wrestling, which is no longer active, and Yasuda would retire in 2011. He may be a one hit wonder, but he was clearly a great friend to his peers, as we see Makabe and Yano tear up a bit during the moment of silence and ten ring bell salute.

Hiromu Takahashi & Taiji Ishimori VS Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young!

It has been confirmed already that win, lose or draw, the Ticking Timebomb’s time in NJPW has come to an end. Nothing lasts for ever, and the same goes for this incredible ride. Will the Unbound Company be able to see Hiromu off with a smile? Or will the Crown of Fire and #DangerousJAY ruin it all out of spite?

Akira is already getting in Taiji’s face, as well as Hiromu’s face, but the ref has him cool off. The teams sort out and after the Unbound fist bump, Hiromu starts against Akira. The fans all cheer “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” But then Akira slides out, and Jakob steps in, so Hiromu thinks they tagged out. But then Jakob BLASTS Taiji and Akira CLOBBERS Hiromu! The fans boo but the Empire soaks up the heat. They stomp Hiromu around, CHOP him, then push the ref aside. They double whip but Hiromu grabs ropes! Taiji jumps in and BOOTS Akira down! Then he sends Jakob to Hiromu for a mule kick.

Hiromu & Taiji double whip Jakob, but Jakob ducks their lariats! Jakob comes back but Hiromu SHOVES Taiji into him! Then Hiromu picks Taiji up for the assisted RANA! The fans fire up as the functional dysfunctional is back! Hiromu gives a thumbs up, then he whips Taiji, only for Taiji to reverse! Hiromu SPLASHES Jakob, then Taiji DOUBLE KNEES! Snapmare and DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Jakob survives but Hiromu tags Taiji. The fans rally for Bone Soldier as he bumps Jakob off buckles. Taiji whips corner to corner, but Akira anchors him! Jakob LARIATS Taiji, then puts him in the Tree of Woe!

Akira BLASTS Hiromu, then he runs corner to corner to basement DROPKICK! Taiji falls out of the Tree, Jakob hurries to cover, TWO! The fans rally for Taiji, but Akira sends Hiromu into railing! Akira soaks up more heat while Jakob drags Taiji up. Jakob turns Taiji for the NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Taiji toughs it out, but Jakob wrenches the arm. Tag to Akira and they double whip. They DOUBLE ELBOW Taiji down, then Jakob SLIDING KICKS! Akira STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cocky cover, TWO! Akira talks trash while he rains down fists, but the ref reprimands. Akira stops to drag Taiji up.

Taiji fires body shots but Akira bumps him off buckles. Akira slaps Taiji around, Taiji slaps back, and the fans fire up for the slap fight! But then Akira kicks and stomps Taiji down! Akira digs his knees into Taiji’s face, and he doesn’t stop as the ref counts! The ref backs Akira off, but Akira just rolls and runs in, basement DROPKICK! Taiji sputters and Akira pushes him to a cover, TWO! The fans rally up for Taiji but Akira BLASTS Hiromu again! Akira mocks Taiji to crawl and tag him in. Taiji fires a body shot! Taiji CLAWS Akira’s eyes, but Hiromu is still down! Jakob runs in and CLOBBERS Taiji! The fans boo but Jakob drags Taiji back and stomps him down.

The fans rally for Taiji while Jakob & Akira mug him. Akira CHOSP Taiji, then he and Jakob double whip. But Taiji crisscrosses them into each other! Taiji reels Akira in and catches Jakob, COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! The fans fire up and Taiji crawls, hot tag to Hiromu! Hiromu rallies with CROSSBODY after CROSSBODY! But then Akira kicks low! The Empire double whips again but Hiromu just DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! The fans fire up for Hiromu and he runs at Akira in the corner! LARIAT, snapmare, then basement- NO, Akira dodges the dropkick! Hiromu dodges the lariat, kicks low, then uses the ref for the assisted RANA!

The fans cheer and Hiromu gives the ref a thumbs up. Then Hiromu runs up to LARIAT, snapmare, and basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Hiromu, and he shouts, “Moto!” The fans join in for one last “MOTO! MOTO! MOTO!” Hiromu reels Akira in but Akira fights the suplex! Akira CHOPS, but Hiromu tells him “MOTO!” Akira CHOPS again, “MOTO!” CHOP! MOTO! Akira pie faces Hiromu, so Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Akira blocks one and BITES the hand! The ref reprimands and the fans boo, but then Akira slips around to spin Hiromu, SPEEDFIRE! Cover, Taiji breaks it!

Jakob storms in and TOSSES Taiji! Akira gets Hiromu up, vows to end this, and NOVA- NO! Hiromu ducks the knees and fireman’s carries! “BYE BYE!” Hiromu puts Akira on the apron! Hiromu runs, but into a SLINGSHOT CUTTER! Akira is all fire dup, and he runs, but into a POP-UP POWERBOMB! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Akira and Hiromu crawl, reach out, hot tags to Jakob and Taiji! Taiji dodges Jakob to fire forearms back and forth with him! Taiji gets the edge, but Jakob stomps a foot and KNEE LIFTS! But Taiji BOOTS in return! Taiji whips, Jakob reverses, but Taiji handsprings, only for Akira to catch him!

Akira feeds Taiji to Jakob’s forearm! Then a SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! Jakob reels Taiji in for ANARCHY! Cover, Hiromu breaks it! The fans cheer but Akira TOSSES Hiromu out! Jakob has the legs and he steps through! Taiji kicks free of the Sharpshooter, then rises up. Taiji dodges a lariat to ZIGZAG! The fans fire up as Taiji decides to show off. Hiromu jumps in, they send Jay to a corner, LARIAT and ELBOW! Then a feed to a SUPERKICK! JUMP KNEE! Hiromu swings Jakob around for Taiji to gut wrench! CIPHER UTAKI! Cover, Akira breaks it! Hiromu stands Akira up but Akira ENZIGIRIS! But Taiji SUPERKICKS!

Hiromu fireman’s carries Akira, TIMEBOMB 1.5! The fans fire up with Hiromu as he runs up on Jakob. Jakob TOSSES Hiromu, dodges Taiji, roll up with tights, TWO! Taiji ducks ‘n’ dodges to LA MYSTICA! Into the BONE LOCK!! Jakob scrambles forward but Taiji rolls him back! BONE LOCK!! Jakob TAPS, Unbound Company wins!!

Winners: Hiromu Takahashi & Taiji Ishimori, by pinfall

Akira is shocked, but Taiji managed to break through and take this win! Hiromu’s final match in NJPW is a win, and he hugs it out with his long time rival as thanks for making it so. But then sore loser Akira attacks! The fans boo as Akira throws Hiromu down and throws down fists! Young Lions get in there but Akira shoves them all away! The fans boo more but Akira says boo Hiromu, HE’S the one leaving! Akira then grabs a chair and brings it into the ring! And another chair! Akira is plotting something vicious here as he JAMS Hiromu right up! The fans boo more, but Akira puts the chair around Hiromu’s neck!

Akira grabs the second chair and he takes aim! The fans boo, but ROBBIE X is here! Mr. Extreme snatches the chair, then handsprings for LETHAL INJECTION X!! Then Hiromu gets up, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! The fans cheer as Akira is sent tumbling in retreat! Robbie and Taiji help Hiromu to his feet, and they celebrate together. Akira is furious, but will he just have to accept he will never get to ruin Hiromu’s legacy? As for Hiromu, where will he go now that he’s a free agent exploring the great unknown?

Shingo Takagi & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Great-O-Khan & HENARE!

Unbound Company scored first over The United Empire, but this is about settling a different score. The War Dragons want to tear down the Dominator & Mauler, but will they make the series 2-0? Or will Khan & Henare tie things up in the second?

The teams sort out and #Khanare just attacks! They TOSS Drilla then mug Takagi! The bell rings while the fans boo, but Khan & Henare continue to mug Takagi. They double whip, but Takagi grabs ropes! Takagi RUNS Khan over, scoop SLAMS Henare, and the fans cheer again. Takagi tags Drilla and they JAB Henare. They double whip, then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans cheer again and the War Dragons start up the “OI! WOOF!” The fans join in, “OI! WOOF! OI! WOOF!” ELBOW DROP and DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Henare toughs it out but Drilla drags him back up. But Henare CHOPS!

Drilla frowns but the fans cheer him on. Drilla CHOPS back and Henare nods. Henare CHOPS, Drilla CHOPS, and repeat! The fans rally as the CHOPS keep going, faster and faster, harder and harder! Drilla fires up and he CHOPS again! And again! And again! Henare shakes it off to CHOP! Drilla sputters while Henare dusts himself off. Henare swings again but Drilla ducks it! Ripcord, but Henare blocks the chop to KICK the bad arm! Henare then RAMS Drilla, and POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS on the return! Henare BLASTS Takagi then SENTONS Drilla! Henare is all fired up and the fans cheer. Khan even sends Takagi into railing!

Henare HEADBUTTS Drilla, bumps him off buckles, then tags Khan. Khan drags Drilla to the corner and wraps the bad arm around the ropes! The fans boo but Henare keeps the ref distracted. Khan presses a chair into the bad arm, then has another chair! Khan grins before he CON-CHAIR-TOS the arm!! Then he SMACKS Takagi down for good measure! The fans boo again but Khan just tunes it out. Khan drags Drilla up, puts him in the ring, and covers, TWO! Khan kicks Drilla around, taunts him, but Drilla CHOPS and ROCKS Khan! But Khan Mongolian Chops back! Khan runs, but Drilla hurdles, ducks down, then DROPKICKS!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Khan and Drilla crawl, hot tag to Takagi! The fans cheer as the Rampaging Dragon runs up on Khan. Takagi blocks a boot and LARIATS through! Then he JABS and CHOPS on repeat! Henare CLUBS Takagi, the fans boo, but Henare & Khan regroup. They double whip Takagi, but he ducks their lariats to send Khan into Henare! Then a clinch, kick, and COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Then DOUBLE LARIATS! Cover on Khan, TWO! Takagi gets Osaka fired up, but Khan CLOBBERS him before the catchphrase even begins! Khan then puts some stank on the Mongolian Chops!

Khan Mongolian Chops again! Then he winds up, but Takagi blocks the third! Takagi uses the Mongolian Chops! Takagi ELBOWS Khan, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! Cover, but Henare breaks it! Drilla kicks Henare and CHOPS him to the corner. Drilla CHOPS again, then Takagi has Khan. The War Dragons whip Khan & Henare into each other, then they stereo scoop SLAM! Takagi & Drilla climb, WRESTLING SUMMIT ELBOWS! The fans cheer and now Takagi gets Osaka fired up! “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up and join in for “OI! OI! OI!” Tag to Drilla and they focus on Khan, RAM LARIAT COMBO!

Drilla brings Khan around, but Khan fights the double pump handle! Khan SHOVES Drilla into Takagi, then BOOTS Drilla down! The fans rally while Khan crawls, hot tag to Henare! Henare snarls and storms up on Drilla. Henare CHOPS and CLUBS again and again! Then he whips corner to corner, runs in at Drilla, NATIVE KNEE! Then the RUGBY KICK! Cover, TWO! Drilla survives, but Khan BOOTS Takagi down! Khan & Henare coordinate as Drilla rises up. IRON RIGHT into the RAMPAGE SPEAR! Then they get Drilla up, ASSISTED POWERBOMB! Cover, but Takagi breaks it! The fans fire up but Khan IRON RIGHTS to the body!

Khan TOSSES Takagi and the fans rally up again. Khan beats up on Takagi while Drilla and Henare rise. Drilla fires forearms with Henare back and forth, then Drilla gets the edge with boxing elbows! Drilla roars, runs, but Henare ducks a lariat to hit a SAIDO! But Drilla’s right up! He ducks one lariat, but not the BLINDSIDE! Henare hauls Drilla up, but Drilla fights the lift! Takagi and Henare DOUBLE LARIAT! Takagi JABS, HEADBUTTS, and Drilla GORES!! The fans fire up again as the War Dragons double pump handle! But Henare fights free! Khan runs in but Drilla SUPERKICKS Khan first! Now Takagi and Drilla each have a man!

DRILLA KILLA on Khan, BURNING DRAGON on Henare! The fans fire up again, and Takagi runs, PUMPING BOMBER on Henare! War Dragons fist bump, then they double pump handle! WAR DRAGON DRIVER!! Cover, War Dragons win!!

Winners: Shingo Takagi & “Drilla” Dan Moloney, by pinfall

And with that, Unbound Company is 2-0 already! But will this defeat humble Henare and Khan once and for all? Can the rest of the Unbound continue this momentum through the night?

Wait, Drilla grabs the mic to address the fans. Drilla says in Japanese, “Everyone… I want to thank you. Because… I HAVE RENEWED WITH NJPW!” Even Takagi is shocked! We thought Drilla was taking his leave like Hiromu, but no! He’s staying right here! Drilla wants to keep running wild in NJPW, and he even wants in on New Japan Cup! The fans cheer that! Takagi even adds, “Oi, oi, oi! Whoever retires or quits, all we’re gonna do is keep on fighting in this ring!” The fans cheer that, too! Will this New Beginning lead to bigger and better things for the War Dragons, the Unbound Company, and NJPW as a whole?

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Bishamon & Boltin Oleg VS TMDK!

From falling short in the Tornado Ranbo to winning these titles on the Road to New Beginning, to then winning the best-of-three singles matches, Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi and the big man from Kazakhstan were able to #TurnItAllAround. But will they keep the momentum going here in Osaka? Or will Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see whose reign continues through the New Beginning!

The trios sort out, and the fans cheer as Oleg steps up against Hartley. The bell rings and both big men fire up! They run in and RAM shoulders! And RAM shoulders! And RAM shoulders again! Oleg and Hartley stare down, the fans rally up, and Hartley runs the ropes to RAM Oleg! Oleg stays up and shakes that off. Oleg runs now, and he RAMS Hartley! Hartley steps back, but he returns to CHOP! Oleg CHOPS in return! The CHOPS keep going, but then Hartley kicks and UPPERCUTS! Hartley runs, but Oleg RUNS him over! Oleg BLASTS Oiwa, but ZSJ catches him to a HANGING ARMBAR! The ref counts, but Hartley scoop SLAMS Hashi!

Hartley BLASTS Goto while ZSJ lets Oleg go. Hartley runs up and CLOBBERS Oleg! The fans cheer and Hartley says “Jackson Number One!” Hartley reels Oleg in for a stalling suplex! Cover, TWO! Tag to ZSJ and ZSJ goes right to work on Oleg’s bad arm! ZSJ twists, isolates, and STOMPS the elbow! Oleg writhes but ZSJ drags him over to tag in Oiwa. They have double toeholds, then Oiwa floats to get the arm. Oiwa wrenches and whips to then DROPKICK Oleg! The fans cheer and Oiwa covers, TWO! Oiwa storms up on Oleg, drags him around, and wrenches to a wristlock. Oiwa hammerlocks the arm and RAMS Oleg into buckles!

Oiwa runs and SPLASHES Oleg! Then he whips corner to corner, but Oiwa reverses! Oleg clinches, but Oiwa fights the lift! They go around and around, and Oleg BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES Oiwa! The fans fire up while both men are down! Olega crawls, hot tag to Goto! The Fierce Warrior BLASTS ZSJ and ELBOWS Hartley, but Hartley doesn’t budge! Oiwa runs in but Goto sends him into Hartley! Goto waistlocks but Oiwa fires elbows. Oiwa runs but Goto follows, and Goto LARIATS Oiwa down! ZSJ runs in but Goto kicks him first! Snap suplex onto Oiwa! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Oiwa toughs it out.

Goto drags Oiwa up and fireman’s carries, but Oiwa CLUBS free. Goto ROCKS Oiwa, Oiwa ROCKS Goto, and repeat! The forearms keep going, then Oiwa gets the edge! Oiwa runs, but Goto catches him, spins him, and URA G T R! Then Goto runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Oiwa swings, Goto blocks, but Oiwa DISCUS LARIATS! Then ZSJ runs in and BOOTS Hashi down! Oiwa & ZSJ drag Goto up, double whip, and DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Hartley steps in and he SPLASHES down! ZSJ and Oiwa set up, NECK TWIST AND SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Goto survives, but Oiwa fires back up!

Oiwa gut wrenches Goto, but Hashi SUPERKICKS him down! ZSJ BOOTS Hashi! Oleg SHOTGUNS ZSJ! The fans fire up as now Hartley and Oleg DOUBLE LARIAT! They keep moving, and they DOUBLE LARIAT! The “kaiju” fall and the fans fire back up! Oiwa and Goto rise, and Goto runs in! Oiwa dodges, waistlocks, and ZSJ ENZIGIRIS! Oiwa rolls for the CHAOS THEORY! Cover, TWO! Goto survives but Oiwa drags Goto back up. Oiwa winds up, runs the ropes, and spins for THE- NO, Goto ducks The Grip to fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Goto crawls, as does Oiwa, hot tags to ZSJ and Hashi!

The Headhunter LARIATS The Front Man down! Then he hauls ZSJ up to lift and RUNNING POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! ZSJ survives but the fans fire up with Hashi! Hashi drags ZSJ back up, hooks the leg, but ZSJ fights the lift! ZSJ has the arm and he wrangles Hashi into the DISARMER! Then ZSJ hooks the other arm, and steps over it! INVERTED CLARKY CAT! Hashi endures, but ZSJ even hooks a leg! The fans rally harder, and Hashi powers his way to the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go in frustration but the fans continue to cheer. ZSJ paces while Hashi sits up, and ZSJ runs in! PENALTY- NO, Hashi blocks the kick!

ZSJ fires fast hands, but Hashi SUPERKICKS! Hashi then reels ZSJ in, full nelsons, but ZSJ fights free of Karma! Wrench and BOOT to the arm, then he wrenches and PELES the other arm! UPPERCUT! PENALTY KICK! But Hashi pops up! LARIAT!! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! ZSJ sits up and he turns towards the Mighty corner. Hot tag to Hartley, and Oiwa BLASTS Oleg! TMDK gets Hashi up and whips him to a corner. Oiwa runs in and SPLASHES! Hartley runs in and SPLASHES! Feed to the TENZAN PLEX! Then Hartley adds a SENTON! Cover, but Oleg breaks it with a deadlift! But Hartley switches! GERMAN SUPLEX!

Oleg stands, but Oiwa LARIATS him up and out! Hartley runs up on Hashi, SPLASH in the corner! Hartley brings Hashi around, but Hashi LARIATS! Hartley doesn’t budge, and he LARIATS Hashi down! Hartley hauls Hashi back up, fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!? Hashi survives and the fans are thunderous! Hartley drags Hashi up but Hashi drags him into a cradle! TWO!! Hartley escapes, but we see Goto & Oleg send Oiwa into railing! Hashi ROCKS and CHOPS Hartley, then roars as he runs! LARIAT! Hartley doesn’t budge, and he runs! Goto jumps in for DOUBLE LARIATS! But Hartleyu still stays up!

Hartley runs again, but now Oleg jumps in! Oleg LARIATS Hartley down! Oiwa gets Oleg, wrenches, and ZSJ wrenches! They wrench and wrench and wrench the arms, then switch, but Oleg ROCKS them both! ZSJ jumps on, but into a fireman’s carry! VERDICT!! Then a fireman’s carry on Oiwa, SNAP KAMIKAZE!! But Hartley EHADBUTTS Oleg down! Bishamon kicks and whips Hartley, but he DOUBLE LARIATS them down!! Osaka is thunderous as Hartley LARIATS Oleg! But Hashi SUPERKICKS Hartley! Oleg RAMS Hartley into a corner! Goto runs in and MURAMASA! Feed to Hashi for the CODE BREAKER!

Goto dragon sleepers, Hashi has the legs, and Oleg gets running! DEIMIN!! Cover, BISHAMON & OLEG WIN!

Winners: Bishamon & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

It was truly a mighty battle, but Hontai’s trio continues to be the mightiest! They leave TMDK behind BARS, but who will be next to challenge them?

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Gabe Kidd VS Andrade El Idolo!

The Unbound Company already leads 2-0 on the night, but this is much more than faction warfare. The Mad Man wants another shot at his friend and rival, Yota Tsuji, but The Benefactor just wants world domination. Andrade is also scheduled for a #1 contender’s match at AEW Grand Slam Australia, will he be bringing another golden ticket with him? Or will Gabe prove Andrade ain’t #WarReady?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two stare down. Gabe smiles as the fans are on his side, but Andrade also smirks. Gabe then mocks the Ingobernables fist and makes it a middle finger. The two circle, tie up, and Andrade headlocks. Gabe powers up but can’t power out as Andrade holds tight. Gabe tries again and powers out of the hold, and the two RAM each other! Andrade eggs Gabe on so Gabe runs and RAMS him again! They start shoving, then they throw forearms! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth. Gabe gets the edge, but Andrade fights the clinch! Andrade waistlocks but Gabe switches!

Andrade fights the lift, switches with Gabe, but Gabe switches again. Gabe shoves Andrade, but Andrade tranquilos in the ropes! Gabe sits cross-legged to represent the Dojo! The fans cheer, and Andrade runs up! Andrade ducks a lariat, but Gabe catches the hurdle for a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer Gabe on as he brings Andrade to the ropes. Gabe barks and the fans bark back. Gabe suplexes Andrade, but Andrade lands safe on the apron! Gabe blocks a shot to STRAIGHT RIGHT! Then he runs side to side to LARIAT Andrade down! Gabe builds speed and he fakes Andrade out! A very Naito move!

Gabe then runs outside and he BOOTS Andrade down! The fans cheer and Gabe drags Andrade up. Gabe UPPERCUTS Andrade, puts him on the apron, then climbs up after him. Gabe reels Andrade in, but Andrade fights the lift! Andrade BACKDROPS Gabe onto the apron! Gabe flops to the floor, and Andrade stretches out his back before he fetches the War Dog. Andrade stands Gabe up just to CHOP him back down. Gabe coughs and sputters but Andrade drags him into the ring. Andrade then goes up the corner, but Gabe UPPERCUTS him first! Gabe climbs up but Andrade ROCKS him! And ROCKS him!

Gabe eggs Andrade on, Andrade fires another shot, but Gabe UPPERCUTS! The fans fire up as Gabe climbs! Andrade fights the suplex, fires body shots, but Gabe HEADBUTTS! Gabe goes tot he very top, but Andrade trips him! Gabe is in the Tree of Woe, so Andrade give shim WOE- NO! Gabe avoids the stomps! Gabe dodges Andrade, Andrade goes up and out, Gabe runs back in but Andrade ROCKS Gabe! Gabe shakes that off and comes back, but into a GAMANGIRI! Gabe flops against the ropes, but Andrade brings him around. The fans get worried as Andrade aims for the outside! The ref says don’t, but Andrade suplexes! Gabe lands safe on the apron!

Gabe tries to suplex but Andrade resists. Gabe HEADBUTTS him again, then fireman’s carries! But Andrade fights with elbows! Andrade dragon sleepers for a BACKBREAKER and FINAL CUT to the apron! The fans rally while Gabe is down but Andrade steps into the ring. Andrade builds speed and TRIANGLE JUMP TORNILLOS! Down goes Gabe and the fans fire up again! Andrade flexes, then he brings Gabe up. Andrade puts Gabe in, then he climbs the corner, DROPDOWN MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Gabe survives and the fans cheer, but Andrade vows to be the Global Champion! The fans applaud as Andrade winds up to CHOP!

Andrade snapmares Gabe and runs to basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Gabe snarls as he toughs it out and the fans cheer him on. Andrade drags Gabe up for a fireman’s carry but Gabe sunset flips it! TWO, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men wobble, then they go forehead to forehead. Andrade fires a forearm and Gabe staggers around. Gabe shakes it off and fires back! Andrade fires another forearm, Gabe fires back, but Andrade fires boxing elbows! Gabe fires palm strikes! Now it’s a SLAP fight! They SLAP and SLAP and the fans fire up! Andrade gets the edge, but Gabe ROCKS Andrade! Gabe fires up, runs in, but into a BOOT!

Gabe still LARIATS through! The fans bark with Gabe, he whips corner to corner, then rebound to SMACK him off buckles! Gabe LARIATS Andrade down! The fans fire up and bark with Gabe. Gabe brings the kneepad down, and he runs up to O- NO, Andrade dodges the knee! Then he comes back, but Gabe stops the Shadow Elbow to SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Andrade stays in this and the fans fire up again. Gabe huffs ‘n’ puffs as he drags Andrade back up. Gabe reels Andrade in, suplexes, but Andrade blocks it to snap suplex! That’s just Uno Amigo! Andrade suplexes for Dos Amigos! And then some Latino Heat before THREE AMIGOS! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Gabe survives again. Andrade grins as he drags Gabe into the drop zone. Andrade goes up the corner, MOONSAULT DOUBLE! Cover, TWO! Gabe survives again and now Andrade is frustrated. Gabe rolls to a corner but Andrade pounds the mat. The fans clap along, Andrade goes corner to corner, but Gabe avoids the knees! Gabe gets moving, COMEBACKER LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Andrade survives and Gabe headbutts the mat to fire up. The fans bark along again, he drags Andrade up, but Andrade is a ragdoll. Gabe flips him off again, then stands him up. But Andrade fires a forearm! Gabe fires back!

Andrade CHOPS Gabe, Gabe CHOPS back! Andrade CHOPS again and Gabe drops to his knees! The fans rally, and Gabe JABS! HEADBUTT! HEADBUTT! Then he ROCKS Andrade with an elbow! Gabe runs, but Andrade DROPKICKS him down! The fans cheer as Gabe flounders to the corner. Andrade pounds the mat again and the fans clap along. Andrade goes corner to corner and CIEN KNEES! Andrade drags Gabe to a cover, TWO! Gabe survives but Andrade drags him right up. Andrade underhooks but Gabe wrenches free! Gabe hooks arms, spins Andrade, and PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and the fans fire up!

Gabe roars as he goes back to the corner. Gabe waits on Andrade, then runs in, O- NO! Andrade trips Gabe, steps through, but Gabe cradle counters! TWO, and SHADOW ELBOW! Andrade hurries to underhook, THE MESSAGE!! Cover, ANDRADE WINS!!

Winner: Andrade El Idolo, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship)

And with that, Andrade is now poised to go after Yota Tsuji’s other title. Will Andrade also secure his shot at the AEW World Championship and begin his world domination? Or will having a divided focus jeopardize both opportunities? Surprisingly, he shows respect to Gabe by holding out his hand. Gabe slaps it away and takes his leave instead. What will it take for The Mad Man to be back in the title conversation?

David Finlay w/ Gedo VS Callum Newman w/ Zane Jay!

This one has been a long time coming. The Rebel led his War Dogs against Will Ospreay’s United Empire and they won that first and most brutal Dog Pound Cage Match. But now, The Prince is in charge, and instead of vowing vengeance for the Aerial Assassin, he wants to prove that HE is the most ruthless man in New Japan! Will Callum dethrone the Savage King? Or will Finlay prove that NJPW will always need The Rebel?

The bell rings and both men run right up! Callum BOOTS but then the forearms fly! The fans fire up as the shots are fast ‘n’ furious! Finlay fires a flurry, but Callum throat chops! And throat chops! Callum pulls Finlay’s hair, fires forearms, then whips. But Finlay reverses to TACKLE Callum tot he outside! Then he RAMS Callum into railing! Finlay whips Callum into more railing! The fans cheer as Finlay stands Callum up, and Finlay ROCKS Callum! They go into the crowd now, and Finlay CLUBS Callum! Callum BODY BLOWS! Finlay pokes Callum in the eye! Then Finlay whips Callum into the wall!

Finlay pretends to conduct the choir as the fans cheer, then he stands Callum up. Finlay cravats Callum for a neck wrench and brings him back to ringside. The fans rally but the ref reprimands. Finlay SMACKS Callum off the apron, then pushes him in the ring. Finlay barks and the fans bark with him. Finlay runs in and UPPERCUTS! Callum sputters while Finlay reels him in, but Callum snap suplexes Finlay into buckles! The fans rally for Finlay while he slumps down in the corner. Callum rises up, runs back in, and he DROPKICKS Finlay back down! Finlay sputters again but the fans continue to cheer him on.

Callum drags Finlay from the corner, flexes over him, then kicks him around. Callum snapmares Finlay, sits him up, and KICKS him in the back! Callum pushes Finlay back down, kneeling cover, TWO! Finlay and Callum throw scrappy forearms, and Callum ROCKS Finlay! Callum puts Finlay in a corner, CLAWS at his face, but the ref reprimands. The fans boo but Callum stops as the ref counts. Callum SPITS at Osaka, then goes back to Finlay. Callum snapmares Finlay and clamps on a chinlock. Finlay endures, maybe even bites at Callum’s arm, but Callum pulls Finlay’s hair and squeezes tighter.

The fans rally up and Gedo coaches Finlay up. Finlay rises, fires body shots, then ROCKS Callum! Callum KNEES Finlay again and again, but then Finlay blocks one! Callum fires forearms and frees himself, only to run into the IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Callum writhes. Finlay smiles as he hears the fans cheer him on. Finlay kips up and the fans cheer! Finlay goes back to Callum and stomps a mudhole into him! Finlay CLUBS and HAMMERS and BITES Callum! The ref counts, Finlay stops, and the fans rally as Finlay stands Callum up. The fans bark with Finlay again, and he LARIATS Callum again and again!

The ref reprimands but FInlay goes to TEN, then the BROKEN ARROW! The fans fire up while Finlay flexes. Finlay then runs up and LARIATS Callum and himself up and out! Finlay lands on his feet and he brings Callum back up. X-PLEX on the apron! Callum flops back down, Finlay looms over him, but Zane Jay storms up. Zane says back off his guy, but Finlay kicks low and whips him away! Zane stops from hitting railing, but Finlay CLOBBERS him over the railing! The fans cheer and Finlay says that was too easy. Finlay goes back to Callum and he opens the gate. Finlay brings Callum back out to the crowd!

Finlay lifts Callum, and runs to POST BOMB him!! Callum writhes on the floor while the fans cheer Finlay! Finlay then lets the ring count handle this. Callum is still down at 9 of 20 but starts to sit up. Finlay tells the ref to hold on, and Finlay goes out to fetch Callum. Callum tries to grab at Abe-san but Finlay puts him in the ring. Finlay then lifts Callum, CANADIAN HAMMER! Cover, TWO! Callum survives but Finlay is perhaps more amused than anything. The fans continue to cheer Finlay on, and he drags Callum up for crossface forearms! Gedo cheers, the fans bark, and Finlay says one more! Crossface forearm!

Callum sputters but Finlay tells him this is why he’s the Savage King! Finlay bends fingers, JAMS them into the mat, then crossface- NO, Callum blocks the forearm! Finlay kicks the legs, runs, but Callum avoids the basement lariat! Callum RAMS and BODY BLOWS in return! Then PENALTY KICKS! The fans rally for Finlay while he sputters, but Callum eggs him on. Finlay sits up, Callum winds up, and Callum KICKS Finlay back down! Callum mocks Finlay, runs from a corner, and he PENALTY KICKS Finlay back down! Stacked cover, TWO! A bit cocky from Callum there but the fans cheer for Finlay. Callum mocks the Too Sweet, then vows to end this.

Callum tells Osaka to shut up, they’re all idiots. EXCALI- NO, Finlay dodges, backslides, and rolls through, INTO OBLIVION! Cover, TWO! Callum survives but the fans continue to cheer Finlay on! Finlay lifts Callum for a BUCKLE BOMB! But Callum SHOTGUNS!? But Finlay BLINDSIDE LARIATS! And then the lift for a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives again but the fans continue to cheer Finlay! Finlay slashes his throat as he vows to end this! Finlay drags Callum up, suplexes, but Callum knees free! Callum suplexes, but Finlay cradle counters! TWO, and Finlay suplexes for OVER- NO! Callum blocks!

Finlay CLUBS away on Callum, fires off forearms, then ROLLING ELBOWS! But Callum ROCKS Finlay in return! And then ROLLING ELBOWS! Finlay wobbles, Callum DECKS him! Finlay flops against Callum but Callum brings him back up! The fans rally as hard as they can for Finlay, but Callum hooks the leg, FIRE- NO, Finlay flips through, gator rolls, but Callum suplexes! OVERKILL!! And EXCALIBUR!! The fans rally for Finlay even harder but he sputters as he sits back up. Callum EXCALIBURS again!! Cover, but Callum picks Finlay up!? The fans boo as Callum is toying with Finlay now!

Callum undoes his wrist tape to show off the tattoo on his wrist: The crown of the United Empire! Finlay flips Callum off, but Callum kisses the crown before he LARIATS Finlay! Then Callum hits THE PRINCE’S CURSE! Cover, Callum wins!!

Winner: Callum Newman, by pinfall

Callum mocks the Too Sweet, then makes Finlay kiss the crown. The Prince stands over the Savage King, crowning himself the most dangerous man in NJPW! But will Callum look to truly take the throne for his own?

As for Finlay, Gedo is there as he sits up. The fans cheer Finlay on as he stands back up, and Finlay takes a deep bow! It was rumored, and it would seem those rumors were true. This is Finlay’s last match in NJPW for the foreseeable future! He hugs it out with Gedo, then even goes to commentary to say goodbye to his dysfunctional teammate, Hiromu, on commentary. But both men are on parallel paths as they go out into the great unknown. Where will The Rebel’s journey take him next?

Hiroshi Tanahashi goes to the ring!

President Ace brings a folder with him, and he takes this time to make a special announcement. He thanks the fans for selling out the arena tonight, and he has some good news! WrestleKingdom was also a great night with a sold out Tokyo Dome, also airing on Asahi Network TV for the first time in 20 years. The event and the broadcast were an immense success. Because of that success, he can make this announcement! On June 14th in Osaka-Jo Hall, Dominion will be on Japanese television NATIONWIDE! Because of that, Tanahashi hopes they can sell out Osaka-Jo, so make sure you all can either get your tickets or watch from home this Summer!

The fans are very happy to hear more big things are happening for Osaka and NJPW! Will Dominion be the biggest show of the Summer for 2026?

NEVER Openweight Championship: Aaron Wolf VS Ren Narita!

The gold medalist judoka went from debuting at WrestleKingdom 20 to winning this title on his first try! NJPW is now on #WolfTime, but the House of Torture looks to change that just as quickly! Will the Souled Out Son of Strong Style ruin Wolf’s career before it his rookie year is even over? Or will Wolf NEVER give in to the darkness?

Oh but of course The House attacks Wolf during his entrance! Douki, Sho, AND Yujiro Takahashi beat Wolf down on the ramp! The fans boo but Ren smiles ear to ear like the snake he is. Yujiro whips Wolf into railing! Then Sho & Douki whip Wolf into more railing! The ref can’t do anything as Dick Togo keeps him anchored in the corner, but this isn’t even a match yet anyway! The House finally puts Wolf in the ring and the bell rings! The ref must not have any idea what was happening to let this start! Ren goes up, HELL- NO, Wolf dodges the knee! Fireman’s carry and DEATH VALLEY BOMB!

The fans fire up for Wolf as he reels Ren in, but Ren grabs the ref by the shirt! The ref slaps Ren’s hand away, but Ren BOOTS the ref during the ANGLE SLAM! Cover, but no one is there to count! Instead, The House just attacks Wolf again! The fans boo but they whip Wolf to the corner. Sho runs up, but Wolf CLOBBERS him! SAYANAGI for Yujiro! SAYANAGI for Douki! SAYANAGI again for Douki! Wolf roars and the fans fire up! But then Dick SHOVES Wolf! Wolf just gets mad, but Ren LOW BLOWS Wolf! The fans boo but Ren hits the DOUBLE CROSSER! Cover, TWO!! Wolf survives and Ren is upset with the ref!

But Ren is just distracting the ref from the SPOILER’S CHOKER! The fans boo but Wolf is vulnerable! Ren goes up, up, and HELL’S GULLOTINE!! Cover, REN WINS!!

Winner: Ren Narita, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)

It took the entire House to do it, but they brought down the big bad Wolf! They even stand Wolf back up so Ren can CLOBBER Wolf with the belt! And they stomp away on Wolf, until Hontai rushes out here! Too little too late, unfortunately. Will NJPW ever learn to NEVER trust the House of Torture?

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura!

While neither team won World Tag League 2025, the Knock Out Brothers still beat The Roughneck and Heat Storm in the round robin. However, Shota & Yuya overcame Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii to earn this second chance, will this be their time to shine? Or will Oskar & Ice simply knock them out once and for all?

These teams don’t wait for introductions, they throw hands the moment the champs are in the ring! Oskar CLUBS Shota and TOSSES him out while Yuya and Yuto fire shots back and forth! The fans fire up as Oskar keeps after Shota! Yuya TACKLES Yuto, goes for an arm, and the bell finally rings! Yuto fights up but Yuya wrenches and drags him down! Oskar sends Shota into railing while Yuto ROCKS Yuya. Yuto KICKS away in the corner, but he stops as the ref counts. Then Yuto SOBATS and sits Yuya down. The fans fire up as Yuto gets gangsta! “BOMBACLAT!” And DOUBLE KNEES! Yuto drags Yuya out to rain down forearms!

Yuto brings Yuya around and bumps him off Oskar’s boot! Yuto ROCKS Yuya again and again, then Oskar tags in to back him off. Oskar steps in but Yuya BLASTS Yuto! Oskar CLUBS Yuya, brings him around, and CHOPS him down! The fans cheer as Oskar stands tall. Oskar stomps Yuya, drags him up, and scoops for the- NO, Yuya slips free, shoves Oskar away, and Shota tags in! Shota dodges Oskar, BLASTS Yuto, but Oskar avoids the dropkick! Oskar stomps away on Shota, then winds up to kick. Shota blocks but Oskar ROCKS him! Oskar runs up but only gets buckles! Shota ROCKS and CHOPS Oskar, but Oskar TOSSES Shota to the corner!

Oskar CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Oskar KNEES low, snapmares Shota away, then fires up with the fans. Shota rises, Oskar runs up, but Shota gets under Oskar’s boot! Oskar CLUBS Shota, then scoops him, but Shota fights free! Shota BOOTS back, then drop toeholds Oskar onto the ropes! Shota slingshots for the APRON DDT! The fans fire up while Oskar writhes, but Yuto runs up! Yuto ROCKS Shota, whips him, but Shota reverses! Yuto hits railing, but he comes right back! Only for Shota to kick and whip him back into railing! Yuto falls and the fans are torn as Shota stands tall. Shota then lines up a shot, and he runs up to SHOTGUN Oskar over railing!

The fans are still torn as Oskar is in No Man’s Land. The ref checks him, then tells Shota to get the match back in the ring. Shota drags Oskar up, brings him onto the railing, but Oskar fights with body shots! Shota ducks the haymaker to HOTSHOT Oskar on the railing! Then Shota runs to KNEE LIFT! Oskar sputters but Shota drags him along the railing! DRAPING DDT to the floor! The fans are torn as Shota strikes like a Viper! Shota snarls and he goes for Oskar, but the ref checks Oskar first. Oskar’s able to continue so Shota puts him in the ring. The fans rally up while Shota waits on Oskar. Oskar rises, Shota runs and LARIATS! Oskar stays up!?

Shota runs again, and LARIATS! But Oskar is still up! Shota winds up, runs again, but Oskar guzels! Shota breaks free, but Oskar ROCKS him! Shota ROLLING LARIATS, then runs to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! And then LARIAT again!! Cover, TWO! Oskar survives but Shota stays fired up! The fans rally as Shota brings Oskar back up. Shota hooks a leg for the SECOND- NO, Yuto saves Oskar, then ROCKS Shota! Then BODY BLOW, forearm, and mule kick! Shota falls and Yuto calls to Oskar. Oskar stands up and Yuto brings Shota around. Feed to the scoop, but Oskar’s own neck holds him back! And Yuya CLOBBERS Yuto!

Shota slips around Oskar while Yuya TOSSES Yuto! Shota CLUBS Oskar, Yuya ROCKS him, and then full nelsons! But Oskar BOOTS Shota and TOSSES Yuya! Then he scoop SLAMS Shota! JUMPING ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Shota survives and the fans fire up! Oskar reaches out but Yuto’s also down! Oskar clutches his neck as he stands up, and he goes to the corner to take aim. Shota rises, Oskar runs in, but Shota blocks the boot! Shota ROCKS Oskar! Oskar wobbles, Shota runs, and uses the ropes to TORNADO- NO! Oskar stops the DDT and powers Shota to a suplex! But Shota DDT COUNTERS!

The fans are torn again while both men are down! The fans rally up while Shota and Oskar stir, then they crawl over, hot tags to Yuya and Yuto! Heat and Ice meet again and the fans fire up with the forearms! They go back and forth, harder and harder, and Yuto gets the edge! Yuto ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya fires a flurry in return! Yuto ROCKS Yuya again, then whips corner to corner. Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags Yuto for the DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Yuya stays on Yuto with SLAPS! Then an ARMBAR!! Yuto flails to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Yuya lets go in frustration. Yuya then storms up on Yuto and CHOPS!

Yuya wrenches and whips but Yuto reverses to KNEE low! And then BOOT! The fans cheer while Yuya falls! Yuto drags Yuya up, suplexes, but Yuya fights it! Yuya wrenches and YANKS the arm, but Yuto ROCKS him! And mule kicks! Yuto THROWS Yuya down by his hair! The fans rally again as Yuto runs, but Yuya ducks the kick! Yuya KNEES low, whips, but Yuto reverses again! Yuya goes up to CROSSBODY! Both men are down and the fans cheer again! Yuto and Yuya rise up, go forehead to forehead, but then run to BLAST their opponent’s partner! The fans fire up as Yuto and Yuya turn back to each other!

They run up, Yuya avoids a boot but Yuto blocks a chop! Yuya still CHOPS through, then runs, only for Yuto to ROCK him! Yuto runs, but Yuya UPPERCUTS! Yuya reels Yuto in but Yuto fights with elbows! Yuto KNEES Yuya, but Yuya ducks the buzzsaw! Yuya shoves Yuto, but Yuto BOOTS and ENZIGIRIS from the corner! Yuto runs up, but Yuya ROCKS him! The fans fire up as Yuya clinches, but Yuto blocks the suplex! Short arm LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!? SAIDO! The fans fire up as both men rise again! Yuto staggers, but he drops before Yuya can lariat! The ref checks Yuto but Yuya shouts at him to get up!

Yuya drags Yuto up, fires forearm after forearm, and Yuto wakes up! Yuto and Yuya fire fast hands back and forth, and Yuya fires a flurry of SLAPS! Yuto wobbles, but he COUNTER SLAPS! Yuto fires up, winds up, and BUZZSAW! Yuya flops over, Yuto covers, TWO! Yuya survives and the fans fire up again! Yuto roars and takes aim from the corner! But Shota intercepts with a SHOTGUN! The fans are torn but Oskar tags in! Shota UPPERCUTS and ENZIGIRIS Oskar! Shota has Oskar but Oskar fights the suplex! Oskar shoves free, but Shota SHINING WIZARDS in the corner! Shota aims from the far corner, then runs in for STRIKE KNEE in the corner!

Shota puts Oskar up top, then climbs up after him! Shota goes to the very top, and he brings Oskar up for the SUPER DUPER PLEX!! The fans fire up as Yuya is now up top, DIVING BODY PRESS!! Cover, YUTO BREAKS IT! Power & Glory were not enough, and Yuto ROCKS Shota! But Shota DROPKICKS Yuto! Shota shouts to Yuya and they get Oskar up! Full nelson and Shota runs the ropes, DRAGON LARIAT SUPLEX!! But Yuya isn’t done with Oskar, he clamps onto the arms! But Yuto CLOBBERS him first! Then he BOOTS Shota off the apron! Yuto sits Yuya up for ICE HIGH! The fans fire up with Yuto as he shouts to Oskar!

Oskar rises while Yuto brings Yuya up. But Shota shoves Yuya out of the way! Shota fires forearms and ROLLING ELBOWS on the Knock Out Brothers! But AMBITION RIGHT leads to K O B DRIVER on Shota!! Osaka is thunderous for “K O B! K O B!” They get Yuya up, but Yuya DECKS Oskar! Yuya blocks a kick and HEADBUTTS Yuto down! The fans fire up again as Yuya has Yuto for the DEADBOLT PLEX!! But Oskar clamps on the NIGHTMARE SLEEPER!! Yuya flails, reaches out, and JAWBREAKERS free! Yuya runs up, but into both hands! Oskar pops Yuya up, but Yuya cradle counters! TWO!!

Yuya jumps up, RAN- NO!! Oskar stops the rana, lifts Yuya, but Yuya sunset flips it! High stack, TWO!! The fans are erupting as Yuya ENZIGIRIS Oskar! And then GERMAN SUPLEXES!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Oskar survives and the fans are ready to blow the roof off the place! Yuya drags Oskar up, hooks the arms, but Yuto is back! Feed to the KNEE!! Yuto hauls Yuya up but Oskar is tiring out! The fans rally as hard as they can, and Yuto feeds Yuya to the scoop! K O B DRIVER!!! Cover, Knock Out Brothers win!!

Winners: Oskar & Yuto-Ice, by pinfall (still IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

Shota & Yuya gave them the fight of their lives, but Oskar & Yuto still find a way! This is the wrestling high they’ve been chasing, but will anyone ever get higher than the Knock Out Brothers?

But wait! The lights go down, and on the tron is a message from The Demand! Ricochet says, “Hello to all of my Frequent Fliers out there, this is your captain speaking, and we are The Demand. And The Demand will be taking over Trenton, New Jersey, February 27th for New Beginning. A New Beginning where I will be calling out Taiji Ishimori, a legend in the Junior Heavyweight Division, Mr. Bone Soldier himself. Taiij Ishimori, listen, if you’re man enough, come get some. But that is not the only surprise that The Demand will be bringing to Trenton. No, no, no.”

Bishop Kaun says it has been a couple years since their World Tag League debut. They’re no longer just beasts, they’re sharks! And they smell blood in the water! Toa Liona says he can taste it and he can see it. The champs in the ring are just minnows, and the sharks are circling them! GOA has their eyes on the IWGP Tag Team Championships! Ricochet says remember: When you’re in Demand, you can make demands. And if you don’t meet their demands, you get put DOWN! The video ends and the Knock Out Brothers have the mics to respond. “Nostalgic seeing those guys. Pretty interesting. Seems Ishimori and KOB are all going to America!”

The fans cheer and Yuto says they’ll play, make money, and get high. Don’t think, just feel! Let’s get high! Tch tch, BIG UP! AKA challenges accepted! But will the Unbound Company turn their trip to the US into world domination?

IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Jake Lee!

While Unbound Company and United Empire are 2-2, this is the one that truly matters! The Gene Blast became Double Champion at WrestleKingdom, and even brought back the classic title to make a statement. But will Yota’s vision for NJPW’s future continue on? Or will the Silent Jester have the last laugh?

The introductions are made by President Tanahashi, THE belt is raised, and we see who truly stands atop the mountain!

The bell rings and the fans rally for “YOTA! YOTA!” Jake conducts the choir as if to take credit, and the two slowly circle. They feel things out, then back away. They approach again, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Jake pushes Yota back a step, but Yota pushes forward. Jake’s height helps him push Yota to the ropes, but Yota turns things around. Red Shoes calls the break, and Yota pats Jake’s shoulders before he backs up. The fans cheer the sportsmanship, and Yota perhaps pokes fun at Jake by taking a bow. Jake wags his finger, and he shows Yota how to bow properly. But then Yota kicks low! Yota whips, Jake reverses, and Jake ducks to avoid the dropkick!

Jake’s mime act continues as he pretends to be surprised by what happened. Jake drags Yota up, whips him to ropes, but Yota slips around to arm-drag Jake outta the ring! The fans fire up as Yota builds speed, but Jake slides in! Yota tumbles out but then hurries back in! Jake is already out the other side, but Yota still DIVES! Jake actually makes a sound as he shouts from the impact! The fans fire up with Yota and he puts Jake in. Yota stomps Jake around, then brings him up to CHOP! Jake staggers to the ropes, groaning from the pain, but then Yota reels him in for a forearm to the back! Jake hobbles to a corner but Yota stays on him.

Yota reels Jake in for another forearm to the back! Jake hobbles but Yota cravats and snapmares him. Yota then clamps on a body scissors squeeze! Jake endures and pries at the legs while the fans rally. Jake moves around for the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Yota lets go. Jake stands up in the corner but Yota is right on him again. Yota whips corner to corner, runs in, but Jake dodges. Jake runs up, but into a BOOT! Yota goes up, but Jake BOOTS him down! Yota falls to the apron and then the floor! The fans rally while Jake shakes out his leg and steps outside. Jake mockingly applauds, then takes a stroll around ringside.

Jake takes out the black glove and puts it on. Jake then stalks “Yota-sama” and brings him up. The fans cheer as Jake puts Yota in the ring, and Jake has a cocky cover. Red Shoes says no, no, that’s not good enough. Jake waves at Red Shoes dismissively before he stands Yota up. And he fishhooks Yota for some BAD VIBRATIONS! The fans are torn over that gross tactic, but Jake drags Yota up. Yota fires a forearm! And another! And another! Yota fires a flurry now, then CHOPS! Yota whips Jake to ropes but Jake GAMANGIRIS! The fans fire up and Jake does his jester dance to mock them all. Jake drags Yota right up for an atomic drop!

Yota staggers to ropes, and Jake runs up to KICK him in the butt! Jake smirks and pushes Yota over to get the legs. Yota fights the turn so Jake stomps him in the stomach! Jake then covers, TWO! The fans applaud as Yota toughs it out but Jake brings out another black glove! Jake continues to mock “Yota-sama” as he puts the glove on. Jake storms up to Yota, but Red Shoes wants Jake to stop! Jake shoves Red Shoes aside, but Yota blocks the fishhook! Jake kicks low, back suplexes, but Yota lands out! Jake CLAWS Yota’s eyes, then whips, but Yota RANAS! Jake tumbles and Yota gets up to FLATLINER!

The fans fire up with Yota as he gets back up. Yota brings Jake around and fires another flurry of forearms. Yota whips but Jake reverses, only for Yota to ROCK him and put him on ropes! Yota KICKS the ropes, and then snapmares for the basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer Yota shouting out Hiromu-chan with that combo, then he has Jake by the legs! Jake panics as he fights the turn, so Yota stomps him! PLANKING SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Yota gets the legs again, BOSTON CRAB! Jake scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Yota lets go quickly and paces around the ring. Yota comes back to bring Jake up and CHOP!

Yota CHOPS Jake again and again against the ropes! And again, and again, and again! The fans fire up with Yota as he whips, but Jake KNEES low, then DDTS Yota! Both men are down, but Jake sits up with a snarl. He throws off the glove, no longer in the mood to joke around. Jake drags Yota up and whips him to ropes for a KNEE! Then another whip and another KNEE! And another whip, but Yota reverses! Jake still KNEES low! Jake stalks Yota now, then brings him up for a suplex! Jake hangs Yota out to dry, then CLUBS and KNEES him on repeat! Red Shoes counts but Jake KNEES Yota right down!

The fans rally while Yota is down on the floor. Jake is back to poking fun at Yota, and he aims from the apron. Yota sits up, Jake runs in, but Yota blocks the kick! And TRIPS Jake up! Then Yota SMASHES Jake’s knee on the apron! Jake clings to ropes but Yota just hits a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Jake writhes and shouts in pain while the fans rally up! Red Shoes checks on Jake but he can continue. Yota leaves Jake behind for the ring count to handle. Jake growls in pain while he sits up. The count passes 5 of 20, then 10. Jake forces himself to stand at 13 and he manages to roll into the ring at 17. Yota runs up to DROPKICK the leg!

Yota grabs the leg and DRAGON SCREWS! The fans fire up for Yota again while Jake crawls to a corner. Jake wants mercy as he gets his leg to work. Yota grins and still runs up! GENE TRIGGER in the corner! Jake wobbles, but he steps forward to fire a forearm! Yota fires back! The fans rally up as the two go forearm for forearm! Jake wobbles again but he still fires back! The forearms keep going, and even pick up speed! The fans rally harder as the shots hit harder, then Yota BODY BLOWS, kicks the bad leg, then clinches! BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! CURB STOMP! The fans cheer the Gene Combination while Yota drags Jake up.

Yota goes to a corner, but Jake stops him with a CHOP to the leg! Jake then climbs up to get Yota for a SUPER BACK SUPLEX! The fans fire up for the big crash while Jake crawls to the cover, TWO! Yota survives and Jake grows frustrated, but the fans continue to rally. Jake smiles, even as he hobbles and takes aim. Jake runs in, but Yota gets under the boot! RUNNING POWERBOMB! GENE TRIGGER! And then a GENE- BOOT!! Jake turns things around and both men are down! The fans rally even harder now while Red Shoes checks both men. They’re both able to continue, and Jake snarls as he stands up again.

Jake eggs Yota on and Yota rises up. Jake and Yota stare down, and Yota takes a moment to gather his strength. Yota winds up and CHOPS! The fans cheer while Jake wobbles! Jake shakes it off and comes back to CHOP! A bit blunt, but Yota comes back to CHOP again! Jake drops to a knee while the fans cheer. Yota eggs Jake on, and Jake returns to CHOP! And CHOP! Yota still eggs Jake on so Jake CHOPS again! Yota winds up and CHOPS! Jake staggers away while the fans cheer! Yota eggs Jake on again, then fires a forearm! Jake fires back and the shots go back and forth! Yota fires a flurry, but Jake CLUBS the other arm!

Yota goes for the bad leg but Jake ENZIGIRIS! Yota comes back, but into a KNEE! ROUNDHOUSE! Yota falls and Jake clutches his leg but the fans continue to rally up. Jake eggs Yota on and Yota sits up. Jake aims from the corner but Yota just grins. Yota stands and backs away to a corner. Yota hits his three point stance, ready for the shootout! They both run up, but Jake then sidesteps to send Yota into buckles! GERMAN SUPLEX! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! But Jake drags Yota up for a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Yota endures, powers up, and suplexes! But Jake fights that, and KNEES low! GUILLOTINE FACELOCK!!

Yota endures while the fans rally up! Jake squeezes tight, Red Shoes checks on Yota, but Jake has to let go as his own leg is bothering him too much. Jake slaps the leg, then points to the sky. Jake drags Yota up, suplexes Yota, and SHEER DROP BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans fire up again! Jake drags Yota up, puts him in a corner, then goes to the far side. Jake runs in, but Yota dodges the boot! ENZIGIRI, and then Yota puts Jake up top! Yota climbs up behind him, then rains down ELBOW after ELBOW! Red Shoes is worried as Yota goes to the very top! And he dragon sleepers for the INVERTED SUPERPLEX!!

Jake flounders but Yota takes aim! GENE- KNEE!! Jake turns things around, then hauls Yota right up! CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO!?! The fans are thunderous and Jake reloads, FACE BREAK- HEADBUTT!! And HEADBUTT!! And- ROUNDHOUSE! But GENE BLASTER OUTTA NOWHERE!! Cover, TWO?!? Jake survives now but the fans fire up again! CURB STOMP! Jake sputters but Yota runs, CURB STOMP again! Yota roars, but Jake just laughs it all off! Jake headbutts buckles, bites the ropes, and flails around like a true maniac! But the GENE TRIGGER hits! Jake just laughs, but GENE BLASTER hits again!! Cover, YOTA WINS!

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

Something just about snapped in Jake Lee’s mind, but his body could not make the same breakthrough! He’s helped out of the ring, and is even carried away from ringside. When and where will the Jester have another chance at the crown?

As for Yota, Tanahashi personally presents him with the top title and congratulates him on the win. Yota gets the mic to tell Jake, who suddenly sits back up, “With that, I think somewhere we have found your truth in between the lies and reality. I am looking forward to seeing what becomes of you in time to come.” Jake then flops back over and is carried away again. Yota continues by saying, “TO be honest, this might not be the right time to say this, but I have a responsibility to protect NJPW. So I have something to say in resolve. OI, BUSHI ROAD! Wrestlers are not cards in one of your games! We put our lives on the line in this ring and for these belts!

“Every wrestler has resolve, every wrestler puts their life in this ring, and more than that, we express our lives in this ring!” The fans applaud that, and Yota continues by saying he loves NJPW, he loves wrestling, and he wants the lion mark to shine even brighter. He will protect these belts, this ring, and this company. That is why Yota wants them all to be in the same line, to make this place bigger, and to walk together with him. The fans cheer Yota on for that! Yota adds that the future of NJPW is not just for him to make but for them all to make. From the staff to the fans to the wrestlers, they all have a part in that. Are you ready?

The fans applaud again as Yota proves just how serious he is about the sport he loves. The streamers fly as he holds up THE IWGP Heavyweight Championship! But then Yota says hold on, wait, there’s something more he needs to say. He cannot let things end like this. So all of Unbound Company, please join him in the ring. With that, Shingo Takagi, Taiji Ishimori, Robbie X, Drilla Moloney, Gedo, even Daiki Nagai and the Knock Out Brothers all walk out here to step into the ring. And Yota tells Hiromu-chan to get in here, too! Hiromu is a bit surprised, but Yota says he’s the guest of honor for this moment.

Hiromu hops off commentary and the fans cheer him on. Hiromu rolls into the ring and Yota says whatever happens for Hiromu in the future, from the bottom of Yota’s heart, know that Hiromu has Yota’s support. With that, Hiromu is given the mic so he can say a few words. The fans cheer Hiromu on, and he tells, “Yota-sama, arigato.” Hiromu is truly thankful for being given the time to speak. Hiromu’s also really fired up by what Yota’s been saying. So maybe then, Hiromu can speak his mind? Hiromu has been told by a lot of people that there’s nothing left for Hiromu in NJPW, nothing left for him as a Junior Heavyweight.

But no, there’s a ton of stuff left! Hiromu has said so many times that he wants to be a Junior Heavyweight Champion, a Heavyweight Champion, and wrestle in the main event. But right now, Hiromu doesn’t think he can do that. He hates himself for it, but just as he though that, he thought of something else. As Hiromu thought on it, he found a new dream. Hiromu has no regrets in leaving NJPW for now. So he doesn’t know if people will accept this, or what they’ll think, but Hiromu’s dream is again be Junior Heavyweight Champion, to win the Heavyweight Championship, and wrestle on “prime time!” And there’s one more belt that he wants!

With burning ambition, Hiromu thanks everyone for the 16 years! This isn’t goodbye, but see you later! Until we meet again, let’s have “Moto!” “Moto!” “Moto!” “Moto!” “Moto!” “Moto!” “Moto!” “Moto!” “Moto!” “MOTO!” “MOTO!” A life without regrets, a life full of fun, a life where we enjoy NJPW, and a life where we enjoy Hiromu Takahashi! The fans cheer Hiromu on again, and he gives one last fist bump with all the boys! OSU! The fans cheer the bittersweet moment, and wait, Yuto is crying? Hiromu is front and center for one last photo op. Then they toss Hiromu up with a hip-hip-hooray, until they end up dropping Hiromu.

Hiromu coughs and sputters and Takagi pretends to give CPR. The good mood clearly shows everyone is optimistic about the future. The Unbound Company will carry on in the absence of Hiromu and Finlay, what new heights will they reach together?

My Thoughts:

A great event for New Beginning in Osaka, all thriller no filler (the match I skipped was a kickoff show match to send the Young Lions off). And they confirmed that Hiromu and Finlay were both leaving NJPW while confirming Drilla is staying, and maybe being a bit more coy about Gabe Kidd still going back and forth between NJPW and AEW. After all, Gabe didn’t come out at the end there with Unbound Company. Hiromu’s last match being a win while Taiji scored the fall was good stuff, as it works in story to frustrate Akira. And with War Dragons winning their match, it made sense Drilla would announce his renewed contract here.

On the flipside, Finlay losing to Callum also works for story as Callum is being built as the new star, perhaps specifically “top gaijin” in NJPW. Great match, and Callum adding that crown tattoo gimmick to his moveset is good stuff. He still borrows Overkill but perhaps he can make the crown tattoo lariat a replacement for that move. Finlay not saying anything about leaving might’ve just been from emotions, but also there probably wasn’t anything to add. Fans knew from the internet dirt sheets that he was leaving, so they probably all understood. The questions is, will Finlay go to AEW? Or will he go to WWE where his dad and brother work?

Cool news about Dominion being televised for Japanese viewers, it’s crazy to think they haven’t been able to watch their own top promotion “for free” on their cable or whatever. And then, I figured House of Torture would cheat in that NEVER Openweight title match, but man, they really upped things here. Wolf had a great showing in overcoming most of it, but the match was rather quick overall. Also something that might’ve flown under the radar is that Evil is already out of NJPW, perhaps headed to NOAH to join Naito and Bushi over there in their LIJ remix faction. For that matter, so is Sanada, so none of the classic LIJ members are in this new Unbound Company…

I’m also a little surprised TMDK lost the Six Man title match, but I did have a feeling ZSJ and Oiwa were both a bit above these belts and should be going for bigger titles. Great match from Gabe and Andrade, and Andrade getting the win here works. For one, Gabe still has story in AEW with Darby Allin to wrap up. Also, we got a lot of Yota VS Gabe last year, Yota VS Andrade is something fresh. Andrade is getting hot right now, but I don’t think he’ll win against Hangman at AEW Grand Slam: Australia. Hangman Page has the stronger story with MJF, and it’d let Andrade focus on Yota for New Beginnings: USA.

Speaking of which, good on The Demand to call out some NJPW stars for big matches at New Beginnings: USA. Knock Out Brothers VS Shota & Yuya might’ve been match of the night because the fans were just so hot for it. Well, they were hot when it was anyone other than Shota doing cool stuff. And I suppose Oskar & Ice retaining kinda had to happen cuz how awkward would it be if Yuya won for the team and the fans only half accept it? KOB VS GOA will be a great match, but I would think that’s a win for KOB. Ricochet VS Taiji for the National Championship will also be great, but I would also think Ricochet retains. If someone takes that title off Ricochet, it’d have to be someone who can go back and forth between AEW and their home company much easier, like a CMLL star.

Great main event for the IWGP (World) Heavyweight Championship, though it was perhaps a little too cerebral at first to follow such a hot tag match. Jake got to show a lot of this “Silent Jester” personality, though, especially with that craziness at the end. But in the end, Yota winning makes sense, he is pretty much the guy in NJPW right now. Him calling out Bushi Road was pretty wild, too, but it might be speaking to the real backstage policies that clearly lost NJPW a LOT of their best talent the last year or more. Okada, Ospreay, and quite a lot of names are in AEW or moving there, then the LIJ members are going to NOAH, something needs fixing so that NJPW doesn’t have to keep “rebuilding.” Hopefully Yota’s version of the Punk pipebomb will spark that change.

My Score: 9/10