Will the United Empire conquer the Unbound Company?

As the battle for power in NJPW continues, Yota Tsuji and his IWGP Heavyweight Championship are being chased by that Smart Bastard, Jake Lee! Will the Gene Blast even make it to Osaka?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Young Lion Cup Final: Shoma Kato VS Katsuya Murashima; Katsuya wins.
• Six Man Tag: Shota Umino, Yuya Uemura & Tiger Mask VS OSKAR, Yuto-Ice & Gedo; Oskar, Yuto & Gedo win.
• 8 Man Tag: Bishamon, Bolten Oleg & Ryusuke Taguchi VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
• Six Man Tag: “Drilla” Dan Moloney, Robbie X & Daiki Nagai VS Great-O-Khan, HENARE & Zane Jay; Khan, Henare & Zane win.
• 8 Man Tag: Hontai VS House of Torture; Hontai wins.
• David Finlay & Hiromu Takahashi VS Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young; Finlay & Hiromu win.
• Yota Tsuji & Taiji Ishimori VS Jake Lee & Francesco Akira; Jake & Akira win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Six Man Tag: “Drilla” Dan Moloney, Robbie X & Daiki Nagai VS Great-O-Khan, HENARE & Zane Jay!

They may no longer be the War Dogs, but a new name doesn’t change the damage they did in that inaugural Dog Pound Cage Match. At the same time, 44 Caliber says the United Empire might just be a bunch of crybabies who don’t get how dangerous this sport can be. Will Drilla, Robbie and the Unbound Young Lion make the Dominator, the Mauler and the new recruit toughen up? Or will the Empire’s conquest begin here tonight?

Tensions are already high with Daiki wanting right at Zane for how their Young Lion Cup match ended in a blatant disqualification. Daiki grabs Zane by the neck, but Zane returns the favor. The teams have to back both guys up, but then Drilla and Henare get in each other’s face. Zane and Daiki step back up, so they’re allowed to start. The fans rally up with the bell and the forearms start flying! They go back and forth, shot for shot, and Daiki kicks low! Daiki headlocks, Zane powers up and out, and the two RAM shoulders! Daiki runs to RAM Zane again, but Zane stays put. Daiki runs but Zane follows, only for Daiki to sidestep.

Daiki drops down, hurdles over, then CROSSBODIES! The fans cheer and Daiki brings Zane up. Daiki whips, lifts, but Zane fights free with elbows. Zane ROCKS Daiki, Daiki CHOPS Zane! Daiki runs, but Heanare gets a cheap shot in! The fans boo but Daiki runs up on Henare! Henare catches Daiki to a FULL NELSON, then shoves him into Zane’s DROPKICK! Khan BLASTS the Unbound corner, Henare goes after Drilla, and Zane mocks the fans. Zane stomps Daiki, CHOKES him at the ropes, but the ref is busy with Khan sending Taiji into railing while Drilla and Henare brawl. Henare whips but Drilla reverses to send Henare into the railing!

The fans fire up, but Zane stalks Daiki. Daiki fires forearms but Zane fires back! Zane whips Daiki to then HIP TOSS! Cover, TWO! Daiki’s tougher than that and the fans rally up. Zane stomps Daiki, eggs him on, but here comes Drilla! The ref keeps Drilla back, and Zane brings Daiki over to the Empire’s corner. Tag to Henare and he brings Daiki around. Henare CHOPS Daiki off his feet! The fans rally for Daiki while Henare looms over him. Henare drags Daiki up, and CHOPS him back down! Henare runs up on Drilla but Drilla gets clear. Henare drags Daiki back up, but Daiki fires CHOP after CHOP! Henare just CHOPS Daiki back down!

Henare then fireman’s carries for a WASTELAND SLAM, then a SENTON! The fans rally for Daiki while he sputters, but Henare drags Daiki up. Henare bumps Daiki off buckles, tags Khan in, and Khan drags Daiki up by his hair. Khan Mongolian Chops Daiki down, then cocky covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW! Daiki endures and the fans rally harder! Daiki kicks and kicks and kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! Khan shoves the ref back while he still squeezes Daiki’s head! Drilla stomps Khan, but Henare BODY BLOWS Drilla! Henare TOSSES Drilla, then goes out to whip, but Drilla reverses again, sending Henare back into railing!

The fans rally up, and Drilla DECKS Zane, too! Khan drags Daiki up but Daiki fires forearms! But Khan BITES Daiki’s forehead! The ref counts, the fans boo, but Khan spits on Daiki. Khan runs, but into a DROPKICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Daiki crawls, hot tag to Robbie! Mr. Extreme HANDSPRING KICKS Zane off the corner! Then he LARIATS Khan! Khan stays up, so Robbie LARIATS again! Robbie fires up, runs again, but runs into the IRON CLAW! The fans rally for Robbie and he fights up to club the arm! Robbie SOBATS, then builds speed to handspring and- NO, Khan catches Robbie!

Khan shoves Robbie, Robbie slips out to the apron, then he SLAPS Khan! And ASAI MOONSAULTS onto Zane! The fans fire up again and Robbie gest back up. He GAMANGIRIS Khan, goes up, up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Khan flounders, Robbie pushes him to a cover, TWO! Khan survives but the fans rally up for Robbie! Robbie brings his kneepads down and he brings Khan back up. Robbie fireman’s carries, but Khan uses the IRON CLAW to get free! Khan fires KNEE after KNEE into Robbie, then he whips Robbie, only for Robbie to handspring, go Matrix, and then PELE! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!

Robbie and Khan crawl, hot tags to Henare and Drilla! The fans fire up as they start throwing big forearm shots back and forth! Henare roars, Drilla eggs him on, so Henare ROCKS Drilla! Drilla roars and the shots are fast ‘n’ furious! Henare fires a flurry, then a BODY BLOW! Henare fires up, the fans boo, but Drilla hurdles over Henare, drops down, then DROPKICKS! The fans fire up with Drilla and he runs corner to corner to RAM Henare in the corner! Then he suplexes Henare high and hard! Cover, TWO! The fans rally even harder for Drilla and Robbie joins in. They double whip but Henare grabs ropes.

Henare ROCKS Drilla, BOOTS Robbie, but he runs into a POP-UP SPINEBUSTER! Then Robbie climbs up onto Drilla, stands on his shoulders, and the fans fire up for the DIVING BODY PRESS! Daiki tags in and gets in Zane’s way while Drilla hits a MACHO ELBOW! Daiki goes up, DIVING HEADBUTT!! Cover, but The Empire breaks it! Drilla & Robbie go after Khan & Zane, then Drilla and Khan fire forearm after forearm! The fans fire up as Drilla CHOPS! Khan CHOPS! Drilla CHOPS! Repeat! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Drilla gets under to ripcord and CHOP! Khan sputters, Drilla runs, but the IRON RIGHT hits low!

Khan runs, but Robbie steps in! TIGER WALL KICK! then handspring, LETHAL INJECTION X! Zane runs up but Robbie BOOTS him and skins the cat in one go! But Zane DROPKICKS Robbie down! Zane fires up, but Daiki CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Drilla then WRECKS Zane with a dropkick! Daiki fires up again and he has Henare for a suplex! Henare fights it, even as Daiki tries again and again! Henare fires body shots, so Daiki fires forearms in return! Henare and Daiki go back and forth, shot for shot, but Daiki fires a flurry! Henare spins to CHOP! Daiki SLAPS Henare! Daiki runs, but into a LARIAT!

Henare snarls and he drags Daiki up. Henare winds up to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Then he drags Daiki up again, reels him in, and Khan BOOTS Drilla away before the BEAST BOMB! Cover, the Empire wins!

Winners: Great-O-Khan, Henare & Zane Jay, by pinfall

The Mauler did indeed toughen up, and he takes the first victory here tonight! But will #Khanare be able to do the same when it is them and the #WarDragons 2v2 in Osaka?

David Finlay & Hiromu Takahashi w/ Gedo VS Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young!

Speaking of that infamous Dog Pound Cage Match, the Rebel takes the heat, and maybe even the credit, for how it ended and what it did to the foundation of the Empire. But with Unbound Company already down a point, can the famously dysfunctional duo start the comeback? Or will the Prince and #DangerousJAY trump the Savage King and defuse the Ticking Timebomb?

Given the animosity here, neither side waits for a bell! Callum and Finlay brawl on one end while Hiromu and Jakob brawl on the other! The fans fire up as Finlay sends Callum into railing! Hiromu whips but Jakob reverses, sending Hiromu into railing! Finlay pursues Callum around the way to then CLAWS his face! Things now spill out into the crowd! Finlay ROCKS Callum, and things move backstage! Jakob meanwhile opens the way into the orange seats! The fans cheer as they go up into the bleachers and the house lights come on. Hiromu CHOPS Jakob, and then Finlay beats Callum down as they come up the stairs!

The fans fire up as Finlay UPPERCUTS Callum and Hiromu brings Jakob along. Finlay ROCKS Callum, then he coordinates with Hiromu. They send Callum and Jakob into each other! The fans cheer as Finlay headlocks Callum, and even twists Callum’s nose! Hiromu has Jakob in a headlock and leads him down the other stairs. Finlay CLUBS Callum’s nose, then brings him into the ring. The fans cheer as the bell sounds, and this is finally on record as Hiromu sends Jakob into railing! Callum scrambles to the apron and the ref has Finlay stay back a moment. Callum rolls back in, so Finlay stomps him down!

Finlay digs his boot in, stops as the ref counts, and Callum sputters. Finlay ROCKS Callum, then barks as he puts Callum in a corner. The fans bark along, and Finlay fires LARIAT after LARIAT on Callum! The ref reprimands and counts but Finlay stops at TEN! The fans cheer and Hiromu jokingly asks if everything’s okay. Finlay brings Callum around, suplexes, but Callum slips free. Finlay ELBOWS Callum, ROCKS him, then runs, but Callum trips him! And KNEES him right in the side! Finlay sputters but Callum drags him over. Callum tags Jakob and Jakob BLASTS Hiromu! Jakob then uses his shirt to CHOKE Finlay!

The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Jakob just brings Finlay around to ROCK him. Jakob whips, Finlay reverses, and Finlay ELBOWS Jakob down to the SENTON! The fans fire up while Finlay brings Jakob over. Tag to Hiromu, they mug Jakob, then Hiromu has the ref watch Callum. Hiromu whips Jakob into a FOREARM from Finlay! Hiromu laughs and says that was good. Then he has the ref check Callum again! Hiromu whips Jakob again and Finlay DECKS Jakob again! Callum is upset but the fans cheer. Hiromu says one more! Callum gets mad and now the ref has to keep him back!

Hiromu whips Jakob again, and Finlay DECKS him again! The fans cheer as Finlay and Hiromu get away with one, and Hiromu pretends his arm hurts. Tag to Finlay and Finlay says, “Moikai!” Callum is pissed but the ref keeps him back, and that lets Finlay whip Jakob so Hiromu can DECK him! The fans cheer while Hiromu and Finlay flex. Finlay stands on Jakob at the ropes, the ref reprimands, and Finlay says he was wiping his shoes. Finlay steps off to stand Jakob up, and he UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Tag to Hiromu, and Finlay CHOKES Jakob while Hiromu steps in. The ref reprimands but Hiromu CLUBS Jakob.

Hiromu CHOPS Jakob in a corner, whips corner to corner, then runs in, but Jakob dodges! Callum GAMANGIRIS! Jakob then BLASTS Finlay off the apron, Callum goes around the outside to get him, and Jakob TOSSES Hiromu out while Finlay is sent into railing! Jakob goes out to whip Hiromu into railing! The fans boo while Hiromu staggers away and Callum CHOKES Finlay against railing! The ref reprimands but Callum HEADBUTTS as he lets off. Jakob rolls into the ring while Hiromu hobbles away, but Callum whips him into railing! The fans boo again but Callum pulls Hiromu’s hair while taunting them all.

Callum puts Hiromu in and Jakob covers, TWO! The fans rally for Hiromu but Jakob tags Callum in. The Empire mugs Hiromu, then Callum ROCKS him! Hiromu flops down in the corner but Callum digs his knee in! The ref counts, Callum stops at 4, then he argues the count. Callum apologizes, but he keeps the ref from seeing him dig his heel into Hiromu’s groin! The fans boo and Finlay protests, but the ref stops Finlay, allowing Calllum to grind his foot into Hiromu’s cherry bombs! The fans boo again but Callum gets away with it. Callum mockingly asks if Hiromu is okay, then stands him up to wrench and CHOP!

Callum CHOPS again and he whips Hiromu into the corner. Tag to Jakob and Callum mockingly asks Gedo to help Hiromu. Jakob sends Hiromu out, and now Zane Jay gets in on this! The fans boo but Zane gets away with it. Zane puts Hiromu in, and Callum takes something from Hartley Jackson on commentary and throws it away! The fans boo more but Jakob still keeps Hiromu away from Finlay. Jakob whips Hiromu hard into the corner, then tags Callum. Callum clamps on a chinlock and he stares Finlay down while he does. Hiromu fires body shots, powers up and out, but Callum just BLASTS Finlay! The fans boo again but Hiromu bails out the side.

Callum is annoyed but he follows Hiromu. Hiromu runs away and around the corner! Callum hurries back into the ring to intercept Hiromu! The fans boo as Hiromu falls short of tagging Finlay! Callum drags Hiromu back, steps on Hiromu, and soaks up heat. The fans rally up for Hiromu again and Hiromu rises up. Callum hushes the fans, and he KICKS Hiromu in the chest! The fans boo but Hiromu eggs Callum on. Callum winds up to KICK again! Hiromu sputters but he pounds the mat. Hiromu fires up and rises to his feet. Callum kicks, but Hiromu blocks! And he blocks a punch, DRAGON DOUBLE SCREW! The fans fire up while both men are down!

Callum grits his teeth while he sits up, but Hiromu hot tags Finlay! Finlay rallies with shoulder tackle after shoulder tackle! Finlay whips, Callum reverses, but Finlay CLOBBERS Callum! Callum tumbles to a corner, but Finlay runs in and UPPERCUTS! Finlay fires haymakers, stomps a mudhole in, but the ref counts. Finlay stops, then he brings Callum up, BROKEN ARROW! The fans cheer while Finlay flexes, and he covers Callum, TWO! Callum hits from below but Finlay pulls Callum’s ear. The fans rally as Finlay clinches, but Callum fights with elbows! Callum ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay ROCKS Callum! Callum goes to a corner but Finlay eggs him on.

Callum shakes it off and comes back to ROCK Finlay! Finlay nods and ROCKS Callum! The fans rally and Callum KICKS Finlay! Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! But Callum wrenches to RAM, WRING, and run! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Finlay survives and the fans fire up again. Callum stays focused as he reels Finlay in, but Finlay fights the suplex! The fans rally, but Callum fires knee after knee! Callum then hooks a leg, FIRE- NO, Finlay slips free, clinches, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! The ref makes sure both men are okay to continue while they stir.

Hot tags to Jakob and Hiromu! Hiromu dodges, the CHOPS fire off again and again, and Hiromu CHOPS to whip. Jakob reverses but Hiromu RANAS! The fans fire up again as Hiromu runs corner to corner! LARIAT, snapmare, and basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer Hiromu on as he fireman’s carries, but Jakob slips free. Hiromu switches, Jakob fires elbows, but Hiromu CHOPS again! Hiromu runs, but Callum trips him! Gedo protests but Jakob hits ANARCHY! Cover, TWO! Hiromu is tougher than that and the fans rally up again. Jakob & Callum push Hiromu to a corner, then double whip corner to corner.

Jakob runs in and ROCKS Hiromu! Callum adds a forearm SMASH of his own! Jakob BOOTS Hiromu while Callum builds speed, and Callum BOOTS Hiromu down! Jakob adds a SHINING WIZARD of his own! Cover, but Finlay breaks it! The fans cheer, but Callum TOSSES Finlay out! Jakob snarls and he brings Hiromu up. Jakob cravats, heads for a corner, but Hiromu slips free! Hiromu then wrenches and spins Jakob, but Jakob fights the suplex! Jakob wrenches out to ROCK Hiromu! Jakob runs, but into a scoop, SHOULDER BUSTER, and FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Jakob survives but the fans continue to cheer Hiromu on.

Hiromu rises again and the fans rally up more. Hiromu waits on Jakob, then he runs the ropes, but Jakob ROCKS Hiromu! Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Jakob stomps a foot the KNEES Hiromu! Jakob runs, into the HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Hot tag to Finlay! Finlay then THROWS Hiromu into Callum! And then whips him into Jakob! Finlay adds an UPPERCUT! Then he brings Hiromu around to whip, but Hiromu reverses! Finlay CANNONBALLS Jakob! Good enough for Finlay, but then he brings Hiromu up! CANADIAN HAMMER SPLASH onto Jakob! Cover, TWO!

Jakob survives the dysfunctional attack but the fans still cheer Finlay & Hiromu. Finlay reels Jakob in, but Callum SPITS on Finlay! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Callum mocks the Too Sweet. Finlay runs up but Callum dodges! Callum runs up but Finlay dodges! Callum rebounds to JUMP KNEE! Callum keeps going, but Finlay LARIATS him up and out! But Jakob rolls Finlay up! TWO, and Jakob kicks low! Jakob runs, but Finlay TOSSES him out! Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, and POWERBOMBS him out onto Callum & Jakob! The fans are thunderous while Hiromu is barely even conscious!

Wait, Finlay goes up the corner!? The fans fire up, but Hiromu rises up! Hiromu hits Finlay low, but then smiles as he lines up the shot. Hiromu goes up, up, and brings Finlay in! The fans fire up but Finlay resists! Finlay fires body shots, then DECKS Hiromu onto Callum & Jakob! The fans cheer as Finlay follows through on his plan, SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go Callum & Jakob a third time and the fans are loving it! Finlay puts Jakob in, hauls him up, CANADIAN HAMMER! Cover, but Callum breaks it! And he kicks Hiromu! Callum reels Hiromu in, lifts, but Hiromu flips free! Hiromu then dodges to wheelbarrow and FLATLINER!

The fans fire up, and Finlay slashes his throat, promising to end this! Finlay suplexes Jakob, but Jakob knees free! Jakob ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay ROLLING ELBOWS! Finlay hauls Jakob back up, suplexes, OVERKILL!! Cover, Finlay & Hiromu win!

Winners: David Finlay & Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall

Finlay saw Callum “steal” that move last time, so he stole it back! But while the message is sent, there are still 10 days left to prepare. Will Osaka be the end of the Prince? Or will it truly be the New Beginning of Callum’s era?

Yota Tsuji & Taiji Ishimori VS Jake Lee & Francesco Akira!

Even with the faction warfare, having a championship always puts a target on your back. And in this case, having BOTH the IWGP (World) Heavyweight and IWGP Global Heavyweight Championships puts the biggest target possible on Yota’s back! We are ten days away from the New Beginning in Osaka, but will the Gene Blast even make it there? Or will the Smart Bastard bring him down already?

Before things get started, Yota grabs the mic. “Oi, Jake. You’ve shown your resolve. But I will say that there is no lying in this ring, and your true self will be revealed. Do you have the resolve to lay it all out there? Then let’s see it!” Yota and Taiji do the new Unbound fist bump and the teams sort out. Jake steps up to Yota to give us a preview of their title match. The fans cheer for Yota and Jake pretends to conduct them like a choir. The fans boo that but he just conducts the booing, too. Jake then signals they be silent. Jake and Yota circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Jake’s height is leverage enough to push Yota to the ropes.

Red Shoes calls the break but Yota turns things around. Yota slowly backs away, and the fans applaud the sportsmanship. Jake smirks, then storms up, but Yota BODY BLOWS! Yota runs, but Jake RUNS him over! Jake runs, Yota ducks the kick to roll Jake, and BOOT him down! The fans cheer while Yota brings Jake back up. Yota whips Jake, but Jake RANAS! The fans cheer, that’s impressive for someone so tall. Jake takes a bow while stands up. Yota backs off to tag Taiji, so Jake tags Akira. Bone Soldier and Crown of Fire tie up, go around, but Akira pulls hair to put Taiji on the ropes! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Akira lets off.

Akira gives a shove, then mocks the Too Sweet. Akira turns it into a middle finger, then he kicks Taiji low! Akira again pulls hair and he puts Taiji in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands, Akira stops to talk trash on the fans, and then Akira whips corner to corner. Taiji reverses, runs up on Akira, but Akira puts him on the apron. Taiji blocks a shot, RAMS Akira low, then springboards to SEATED SENTON! Taiji TOSSES Akira, Yota goes after Jake, and Unbound Company sends the Empire into railing! And then into more railing! And even more railing! Yota brings Jake into the crowd to sit him down and fire ELBOW after ELBOW!

The fans rally, then Yota takes a sweat next to Jake. Yota then drags Jake back up to ROCK him with a forearm! Jake staggers around, and Taiji ROCKS Akira, too! We return to the orange seats as Yota brings Jake along. The fans cheer as Yota ROCKS Jake! The house lights come back up, and Jake takes a seat. Yota CHOPS Jake, then brings him along to CHOP again! Jake almost falls into the row behind him! Yota stands Jake up, but Jake whips Yota into the door! Yota ends up in the hallway and Jake leaves him behind. Jake is stinging, and pretends to cry in front of the fans. Taiji has Akira in the ring and CLAWS his face.

The fans rally as Yota follows Jake, but Taiji ROCKS Akira. Taiji whips Akira, but Akira grabs ropes! Akira drop toeholds Taiji, and Jake CLAWS Taiji’s face! Jake taunts the fans but Akira hits Taiji with a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! This time, Jake sends Yota into railing! Jake distracts Red Shoes while Akira unties the blue buckle pad! Now the Empire is stealing the Bullet Club Special! Red Shoes reprimands but Akira CHOPS Taiji. Akira whips Taiji into the bare steel! Akira soaks up the heat, then covers, but Red Shoes refuses because of the shenanigans. Akira gets in Red Shoes’ face, but Red Shoes warns him.

Akira brings Taiji up, he tags Jake in, and Jake stomps a mudhole into Taiji! Jake changes up the rhythm again and again, but he still lets off as Red Shoes reprimands. Akira mocks the fans cheering Taiji, but that just makes the fans cheer Taiji on more. Jake stands Taiji up but Taiji fires body shots! Taiji CHOPS, Jake kicks and whips, but Taiji DROPKICKS the legs out! The fans cheer and Taiji crawls, hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota hurries in and fires forearms on Jake! Yota whips, Jake reverses and KNEES low! But Yota CLUBS that leg! The fans rally again while Yota grins. Yota runs, but Akira KICKS him!

The fans boo, but Akira hurries away before Yota can get him. Jake then CLAWS Yota’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands but Akira joins in and double whips Yota. AKira sends Jake in, but Yota dodges to ROCK Akira! Yota runs up on Jake, but Jake puts him right up top and in the Tree of Woe! Jake CHOPS Yota, then holds him down for Akira to DROPKICK! Jake BLASTS Taiji, Akira dumps Yota out of the Tree, and Akira goes out to send Taiji into railing! Jake then brings out the black latex glove! Jake puts the glove on so he can fishhook Yota’s mouth! BAD VIBRATIONS~! The fans boo and Red Shoes reprimands but Jake mocks their disgust.

Jake stands Yota up to put him on ropes on the other side of the ring! Jake again fishhooks Yota’s mouth to disgust the fans. The fans boo, but Jake fakes throwing the glove at them. Tag to Akira and he drags Yota up. Akira CHOPS Yota, brings him around, and whips, only for Yota to block! Akira still tries but Yota ROCKS him! Yota runs, but Akira mule kicks! Akira THROWS Yota down by his hair, then CHOKES him! Red Shoes reprimands and counts but Akira stops at 4. Akira then lines up a shot, runs in at Yota, and UPPERCUTS! Yota sputters but Akira brings him back up to headlock. Akira tags Jake and Jake mocks “Yota-sama.”

Jake stomps Yota, but Yota gets up to fire forearms! The fans rally as Yota ROCKS Jake again and again! Yota whips, but Jake GAMANGIRIS! Jake then mocks Yota like the court jester he is. Yota goes to ropes, Jake runs up, and he KICKS Yota in the back! Jake then reels Yota in for a BIG atomic drop! Jake grabs the legs, he turns Yota, but then just stomps Yota in the gut! Jake covers, TWO! Yota is tougher than that and the fans applaud. Jake tags Akira and Akira scuffs Yota. Akira taunts Yota being the double champion and eggs him on. Yota gets mad now and he winds up. But Akira CLAWS Yota’s eyes!

Red Shoes reprimands, but Akira runs, only for Yota to scoop and BACKBREAKER! But Jake runs in just to BOOT Yota down! Jake taunts Taiji and the fans, then runs in at Yota again! Jake blocks a boot, but not the STOMPS! The fans rally up while Yota rolls for his corner! Hot tag to Taiji! The fans fire up as Taiji runs up and SHOTGUNS Akira to a corner! Taiji keeps moving and he DOUBLE KNEES Akira! Snapmare and NECK TWIST! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Taiji again but Yota joins in. They double whip Akira to a corner, and Taiji UPPERCUTS! Yota LARIATS! Yota then sets Akira up on the ropes and Taiji runs, LEAPFROG ATTACK!

The fans cheer while Akira falls. Taiji covers, TWO! The fans cheer Taiji on more as he brings Akira up. But Akira fights the gut wrench! Akira fires elbows, SPEED- NO, Taiji slips free to gut wrench after all! CIPHER- NO, Akira blocks it to a cover, TWO! Akira mule kicks, Taiji BOOTS, but Akira ENZIGIRIS! Taiji stays up and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men rebound, and Taiji LARIATS Akira inside-out! The fans fire up again as Taiji gut wrenches, CIPHER UTAKI! Cover, TWO! Akira survives but Taiji stays cool while the fans rally again. Taiji stalks Akira, but Akira asks for mercy. Taiji drags Akira up but Akira grabs at Red Shoes!

Red Shoes shakes free, Taiji is annoyed, but Akira wheelbarrows to STOMP 182! Jake then BLASTS Yota off the apron! Akira and Jake coordinate and they get Taiji up. They double whip, but Taiji crisscrosses them! Akira falls, Taiji CLAWS Jake’s eyes, then Taiji whips. Jake reverses, but Taiji handsprings, RED DOT GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up while Jake falls down! Taiji rises and he drags Akira up. Taiji whips Akira into the bare buckles! Then he whips Akira into the POST! Taiji brings Akira around to hammerlock and scoop, SHOULDER BUSTER! Akira writhes and the fans fire up behind Taiji!

Taiji aims from a corner, waits on Akira, then runs in, LA MYSTIC- NO, Akira slips free to shove Taiji into Jake’s KNEE! Then HIGH ANGLE GERMAN! Bridging cover, but Yota STOMPS Akira! BODY BLOW and KNEE LIFT on Jake, but Jake blocks the superkick! Yota fights the waistlock, then catches Jake to the FLATLINER! And then GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up with Yota and he runs up on Jake in the corner! GENE TRIGGER! Yota then goes up, up, and MARLOWE- NO, Jake moves aside to KNEE LIFT! Jake then runs in, FACE BREAK- NO, Yota dodges! Yota dumps Jake out to BOOT him down!

Yota keeps moving, and he DIVES onto Jake! Both men go down and the fans fire up again! Akira runs up on Taiji, but Taiji ducks the Nova Fireball! LA MYSTICA!! BONE LOCK!! Akira endures, reaches out, crawls forward, but Taiji rolls him away! Akira CLAWS Taiji’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands but Akira is still free. Akira argues with Red Shoes, then shoves him aside. But Taiji JUMP KNEES Akira! Then KNEE DROP MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO! A shoutout to Speedball but Akira survives! Taiji says BANG and brings Akira up! BLOODY- NO, Akira lands out, LA MAGISTROL! But Taiji stuffs it! TWO!!

Akira gets up, NOVA FIREBALL!!! Jake keeps Yota out with a double wristlock! Akira brings Taiji up, hooks the leg, CROWN FALL!! Cover, Empire wins!

Winner: Jake Lee & Francesco Akira, by pinfall

The Empire not only goes 2-1 on the night, but they won the main event, and that’s what matters most! Is this a bad omen for how things will go for Unbound Company in Osaka? Or can the rest of this Road to the New Beginning help them turn things around?

As for the Empire, Akira grabs the mic, and someone says, “In Japanese!” Akira hushes the fans, and says in English, he and Jake have come a long way. From their All Japan Pro-Wrestling days to today, main eventing NJPW in Korakuen Hall. Akira knows Jake better than anyone here! Jake is a former AJPW World Champion, a former Pro-Wrestling NOAH World Champion, and SOON… the NEW IWGP Heavyweight Champion! Fans are torn on that, but Akira says as for him, he has his target clear in his mind. Akira just showed Taiji what he’s all about, because he beat Taiji fair and square here in Korakuen.

But in Osaka, Akira plans to beat Taiji and Hiromu so bad that he will make an example out of them. And now, to all of their “delusional fans,” and especially to the Junior Heavyweights in the locker room, Akira is here now! The fans cheer that, and Akira says, in Japanese, that surely these fans don’t know English. They should study up! The fans do laugh at that, but they also boo as Akira hands the mic to Jake. Jake says that perhaps he’ll speak Japanese then. “But I don’t plan to ramble on. But it does seem as if my views on YouTube have skyrocketed. You’ll understand once you watch.”

But Jake asks them, “Why am I challenging for the IWGP title? To confirm my own worth.” The fans do applaud that. Jake says there are ups and downs, but that’s life. Let’s enjoy the bitter and the sweet and keep on living. “So then, until we meet again. Hello, good evening, and goodbye. That’s life!” The Smart Bastard has said his piece, but will he hit the Japan Grand Slam? Or can Yota still strike him out in Osaka?

My Thoughts:

A great return to the Road to New Beginning series, and heavily dominated by the faction feud of Unbound Company VS United Empire. Getting a look at the Unbound Company shirts/logo tonight, not nearly up to following Bullet Club or LIJ. For one, the font is very basic, very businesslike, not at all what I was expecting. Also, part of the logo is breaking handcuffs/shackles. I get that it references “unbound,” but they’re also “Unbound Co.” like a corporation. Not sure how that works. Hopefully this is just the first logo and they work on it as things go along.

Shirts aside, Unbound Company being on the ropes after going 1-2 on the night is actually favorable math for them going into Osaka. I would think Yota survives to keep the top title, and then maybe War Dragons win against Khan & Henare, and then Finlay suffers a loss to give Callum something to hang his hat on. Especially if Callum is going to make his move to be THE leader of United Empire and go for a top title for himself. Plus, last I heard, David Finlay was still on his way out of NJPW. And if that’s true, Finlay would definitely follow tradition and take the loss on his way out. The question is, will Finlay be #AllElite or join Lexis King’s faction of second generation stars in NXT?

My Score: 8.8/10