NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW WrestleKingdom 16 Results & Report! (1/5/22)
WrestleKingdom, Night Two!
NJPW and Stardom, on one night!
As if WrestleKingdom’s first night wasn’t big enough, night two raises the stakes! Will Will Ospreay return to being THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion? Plus, a Stardom showcase tag match!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Preshow – Six Man Tag: Bullet Club VS Yuji Nagata, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma; Nagata, Makabe & Honma win.
- Preshow – Six Man Tag: Master Wato, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima VS Suzuki-Gun; Wato, Tenzan & Kojima win.
- Preshow – Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Suzuki-Gun; LIJ wins.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask VS Rocky Romero & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo; Eagles & Tiger Mask win and retain the titles.
- Starlight Kid & Mayu Iwatani VS Saya Kamitani & Tam Nakano; Kamitani & Nakano win.
- KOPW 2022 Fatal 4 Way: Toru Yano VS CIMA VS Minoru Suzuki VS Chase Owens; Suzuki wins and becomes the provisional Mr. KOPW 2022.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: House of Torture VS Chaos; House of Torture wins and retains the titles.
- SANADA VS Great-O-Khan; Sanada wins.
- Tetsuya Naito VS Jeff Cobb; Naito wins.
- IWGP US Heavyweight Championship No Disqualification Match: KENTA VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Tanahashi wins and becomes the new IWGP US Heavyweight Champion.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Will Ospreay; Okada wins and is the undisputed IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask VS Rocky Romero & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo!
It was Christmas Eve when half of each team faced off in a singles Triple Threat, and it was the Headbanga who won big for the holidays. But now, all six men are involved in this match and the gold is on the line! Will the Sniper of the Skies and his legendary tag partner be able to hold onto the gold? Will the Mega Coaches become mega champions? Or will the Cutest Tag Team make it feel like Christmas all over again?
The introductions are made, but ELP hits Tiger Mask with a SUDDEN DEATH! Eagles tackles ELP, Taiji goes after Eagles, and the bell rings. The Mega Coaches go after ELP and Taiji and put them in opposite corners, with Eagles is in a third corner. Rocky corner clotheslines Taiji, Taguchi follows it up with a hip attack! Rocky hits Eagles with a clothesline, Taguchi also hits a hip attack! And of course, clothesline and hip attack for ELP! Then the Mega Coaches hip bump. But then Taiji and ELP rush them! The Mega Coaches send them at each other, but then Taiji and ELP hug it out! Only to turn around into DOUBLE HIP ATTACKS!
Eagles runs into Rocky’s kick, and Rocky CLUBS Eagles down. Taguchi goes up the corner, Rocky whips Eagles into the Funky Weapon! Then Rocky trips Eagles to CATAPULT him into the Funky Weapon! And then Rocky uses Taguchi to kick off of and hit a TORNADO DDT! Taguchi adds a SLIDING HIP! Cover, TWO! The Mega Coaches get Eagles up, double whip, but Eagles reverses to send Taguchi to ropes. Eagles then hurdles over Taguchi, and Taguchi runs Rocky over! Eagles runs to BLINDSIDE LARIAT DROPKICK COMBO! Fans fire up with Eagles but Taiji throws a haymaker. Taiji whips, Eagles reverses then runs in but is put on the apron.
Eagles GAMANGIRIS Taiji away, ELP runs over but Eagles goes up and over to CROSSBODY onto the Mega Coaches on the outside! Fans fire up as Eagles fires back up, and he gets back in the ring. Eagles ducks and dodges, but ELP fakes him out to mule kick! Eagles doubles over, that boot has to be loaded! Fans rally up, Taiji drags Eagles up and ELP goes up the corner. ELP builds power to leap and slowly CLAW Eagles’ back! ELP then drags Eagles up while Taiji goes to the top rope. Taiji builds power, to jump and quickly CLAW Eagles’ back! Taiji bumps Eagles off buckles, whips him corner to corner, then ELP whips Taiji in to DOUBLE KNEE!
Taiji and ELP combine in an Electric Chair lift, but Rocky springboards in to CLOBBER Taiji off ELP’s shoulders! Rocky fires off palm strikes, but ELP stomps Rocky’s foot! Taguchi gets in to fire off palm strikes, but ELP blocks one to wrangle Taguchi down. ELP then stomps Taguchi’s hand! ELP stands on Taguchi’s arm, gets the fans to clap along, and he stomps away on the hand! ELP knuckle locks, CHOPS and goes up and up to jump around and start walking the tightrope. ELP does a few dance moves, but Eagles springboards up to SUPER STEINER! Fans fire up as Eagles duck and dodges Taguchi to DIVE and take out Taiji!
Eagles drags Taiji up, but then Taguchi goes to the corner while Rocky builds speed! Rocky DIVES onto Taiji while Taguchi triangle jump CROSSBODIES Eagles! All four of them are down by the ramp and fans rally up as ELP climbs. But Tiger Mask returns! Tiger throws hands on ELP, climbs up top, throws headbutts, and then underhooks the arms?! SUPER BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! And then Tiger gets ELP back up, has the arms again, and hits the TIGER DRIVER 98!! Cover, Taiji breaks it! Taiji whips Tiger, Tiger reverses and hits a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Taguchi runs in, but into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER!
Tiger sees Rocky coming, he hits another tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up with Tiger, he whips Rocky to the corner then runs in. ENZUGIRI BOOT COMBO! Tiger then sets Rocky up for Eagles to springboard in, missile dropkick to a leg! Eagles gets Rocky in the RON MILLER SPECIAL! Tiger blocks ELP but Taiji gets in to rake Eagles’ eyes! Taiji rains down rights on Eagles while ELP punches Tiger back. ELP whips Tiger, Tiger holds ropes and then dumps ELP out! Taiji knees Tiger down but Eagles throws Taiji out. Eagles and Tiger go after Rocky in the corner, but Rocky moves and Tiger’s kick hits Eagles!
Taguchi HIP ATTACKS Tiger off the apron! Taguchi runs at Eagles but Eagles hits an atomic drop! Eagles runs, but into DOUBLE HIP ATTACKS! Fans fire up as the Mega Coaches wheelbarrow Eagles for BLACK HOLE INVASION! Cover, ELP breaks it! Taiji goes after Taguchi, whips him to ropes, but Taguchi reverses. Taiji handsprings for the NEURALIZER! ELP and Taiji mug Rocky, double whip, but he gets under to DOUBLE RANA! Fans fire up with Rocky and he cravats Taiji. Rocky kicks ELP but Taiji blocks the Sliced Rocky! ASSISTED CIPHER UTAKI! Tiger runs in but ELP gets him for the straitjacket torture rack!
Taiji adds a FLYING KNEE to the SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Taiji ASAI MOONSAULTS Taguchi down! ELP is up top, he walks the tight rope for a THUNDER KISS 86!! Cover, TWO!! Tiger survives and ELP can’t believe it! ELP decides to end this, and fans rally up. Taiji drags Tiger up while ELP tunes up his boot. But Eagles blocks Sudden Death to send it into Taiji! Taguchi slips in, as does Rocky. These four look at ELP and ELP wants mercy. He tries to run away but they drag him back in! GIRI SANDWICH, to a BIG uppercut from Rocky! Taguchi adds a SLIDING HIP! But then there’s a standoff as they think about the cover.
But then they agree there’s something bigger than that! Rocky and Tiger hold ELP down, while Eagles and Taguchi go after the boots! They’re going to get to the bottom of this mystery!! Eagles undoes the laces, pulls the shoe off, and he sees inside! Eagles pulls out a METAL PLATE! ELP acts like he has no idea how that got in there! The ref confiscates the plate and reprimands ELP. The ref gets the plate far away from the ring, and says ELP is ELIMINATED from this match?! Is that even a thing in a Triple Threat? The Young Lions make it a thing as they drag ELP out of the ring and to the back!
But back in the ring, Tiger rolls Taguchi up while Rocky rolls Eagles! TWO, and Tiger runs at Rocky to crucifix takedown! TWO, Taguchi cradles Tiger! TWO! Eagles runs in to roll, schoolboy bridge! TWO! Taguchi ENZIGURIS Eagles! Tiger SOBATS Taguchi! Rocky spins Tiger but Tiger kangaroo kicks him away! Taguchi runs to HIP ATTACK! Tiger stays up against ropes, and he dumps Taguchi out! Tiger DIVES! Direct hit and Taguchi hits railing! Rocky JUMP KNEES Eagles! Eagles blocks one kick, ducks the enziguri and the heel kick, but Rocky rolls him into a cradle, TWO! Rocky wheelbarrows to victory roll, TWO!!!
Eagles ROCKS Rocky, then backslides, but Rocky rolls through. Rocky kicks but Eagles blocks again, and brings Rocky in for TURBO BACKPACK! Cover, TWO!! Eagles keeps the legs, for the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Taguchi gets in but Tiger stops him at the ropes! Rocky taps, #FlyingTigers win!
Winners: Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask, by submission (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions)
A huge win for Eagles & Tiger! They hold onto the gold, and they expose ELP’s dirty little secret! Taguchi shows them respect, but will he and Rocky be back for a 2v2 shot later in the year?
Starlight Kid & Mayu Iwatani VS Saya Kamitani & Tam Nakano!
Stardom is part of WrestleKingdom 16 with a special tag match! But will the Genius Girl and the Icon of Stardom shine bright? Or will they be eclipsed by the Golden Phoenix and the Violent Kung-Fu Girl?
The teams sort out, and Saya starts against Starlight Kid. “Ki-chan” goes right at Saya but Saya whips her to ropes. Saya hurdles, then drops, but she avoids Ki-chan’s basement dropkick. Saya whips Ki-chan again, but Ki-chan tilt-o-whirl headscissors and basement dropkicks! Ki-chan hits Tam off the apron and tags in Mayu! They kick Saya to ropes, fans rally up, and they both run, DOUBLE 619! Ki-chan and Mayu set up, DOUBLE STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Mayu sits Saya up to KICK her in the back! Mayu then whips Saya to ropes, but Saya WHEEL KCIKS! Tag to Tam, and she drags Mayu up, only for Mayu to sobat!
Mayu runs, Tam goes Matrix to dodge, and she rolls Mayu up! Mayu rolls through but Tam dropkicks her down! Cover, TWO! Tam drags Mayu up, but Mayu blocks the suplex. Mayu throws back elbows to get free, but Tam ROCKS her with a forearm! Mayu ROCKS Tam back, so Tam comes back with a BIG forearm! Mayu forearms back, Tam forearms again, and fans rally up as Mayu gets the edge! Mayu rolls Tam to basement dropkick her down! Fans fire up with Mayu and she drags Tam up. Mayu full nelsons, but Tam blocks the suplex! Tam breaks free, but Mayu gets around to CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Cover, TWO!!
Tam survives but Mayu fires up more! Mayu full nelsons but Tam fights free again! Tam ducks the roundhouse to HEEL KICK! Then she runs, but into Mayu’s SLINGBLADE! Fans fire up while both women are down. Tam and Mayu crawl for their corners, hot tags to Saya and Starlight Kid! Ki-chan dodges the boot, then the clothesline to kick! Ki-chan runs, but Saya DROPKICKS her down! Ki-chan goes to a corner, Saya runs in but is put on the apron. Saya blocks to ROCK Ki-chan, then she springboards, but Ki-chan gets under! Mayu gets in to kick Saya, but Tam gets in to hammer away on Mayu!
Tam and Saya double whip Mayu, but she crisscrosses their arms and goes up, up, and DOUBLE ARM-DRAGS! Saya and Tam bail out, fans fire up and Ki-chan goes to the apron. ASAI MOONSAULT onto them and some Young Lionesses! Mayu drags Saya up and into the ring and fans fire up! Ki-chan goes up top, for a 180º FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Saya survives but Ki-chan fires up! Mayu goes up top as Saya stands, and then Ki-chan goes up onto Mayu’s shoulders. SUPER CROSSBODY! Cover, Tam barrels in to break it! Mayu throws Tam back out and fans fire up with Ki-chan. She gets Saya’s legs, ties them up, TEXAS CLOVERLEAF!
But Tam gets in again to attack Ki-chan! Mayu gets in but Tam throws her out now! Mayu runs to BLINDSIDE DOUBLE KNEE Ki-chan! Tam fires up, fans rally behind her, and she goes up top! Tam aims and leaps, SUPER CROSSBODY onto Mayu, Ki-chan and the Lionesses! Tam puts Ki-chan back in for Saya, and Saya aims from the apron. Saya springboards to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! But Saya is right on Ki-chan with a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, Mayu breaks it! Tam kicks Mayu out and Saya gets Ki-chan back up. Fisherman, but Ki-chan turns it into a cradle! TWO, Saya sunset flips but Ki-chan sits up!
ONE, Saya brings her down, and they rock back and forth between covers! Ki-chan shifts her weight but Saya rolls her up. They rock more, Ki-chan gets an Oklahoma Roll! TWO!! Saya wrenches, steps over, rolls Ki-chan up then deadlifts for a SINGLE LEG SUPLEX! With bridge! TWO!! Ki-chan survives and fans fire up! Saya fires herself up and she drags Ki-chan back up. Saya reels her in, fisherman’s, but Ki-chan escapes and Mayu SUPERKICKS Saya! Ki-chan runs, jumps up, MOMO LATCH! Cover, Tam breaks it up! Mayu kicks but Tam blocks. Tam kicks but Mayu ducks, to DRAGON SUPLEX! But Tam’s back up!? Tam chicken wings for a TIGER SUPLEX!
All four women are down but fans fire back up! Saya roars as she gets up and she brings Ki-chan around. Fisherman, STAR CRUSHER!! But she’s not done there! Saya goes up top, for a PHOENIX SPLASH!! Cover, Saya & Tam win!
Winners: Saya Kamitani & Tam Nakano, by pinfall
And that is the power of the Wonder of Stardom Champion! Saya and Tam celebrate their great victory, will they be celebrating even more in the New Year?
KOPW 2022 Fatal 4 Way: Toru Yano VS CIMA VS Minoru Suzuki VS Chase Owens!
The four men at the end of the New Japan Ranbo now battle for the KOPW trophy! The Producer has already dominated this prize the last two years, is he going to do it all again? Or does the New Year start with a new name on the plaque?
The introductions are made, but then Yano gets mugged like he did yesterday! The bell rings to put this on the record, the other three keep stomping Yano until he’s out of the ring. But then Chase backs up into Suzuki. Chase says a quick prayer before offering a handshake. Suzuki DECKS Chase, then Cima eggs Suzuki on! Fans fire up and these two start trading CHOPS! Cima kicks low, he whips Suzuki to a corner but Suzuki reverses. Cima goes up and over but Suzuki dodges, only for Cima to BOOT! Cima goes up to missile dropkick Suzuki down! Cima stands Suzuki up, throws more CHOPS, then runs, only for Suzuki to follow and shoot around to a SLEEPER!
Suzuki then spins Cima around to ROCK him with a forearm! Suzuki runs, but Chase and Yano drag Suzuki out! They mug Suzuki, Cima builds speed, Cima DIVES to take them all out! Fans fire up and Cima fires up, too! Cima brings Chase up to put him in the ring. Cima talks some trash to Suzuki before going into the ring. Chase headlocks but Cima throws body shots. Cima powers out, Chase runs him over. Things speed up, Cima leaps into a fireman’s carry but he makes it a sunset flip! Chase rolls through to SHINING WIZARD! But Yano SLAPS Chase on the back of the head! Yano hurries to a corner while Chase seethes, and Yano starts untying a buckle pad.
Chase turns around, expecting Yano, but Suzuki is there! Chase freaks out but Suzuki eggs him on. Chase works up the courage to forearm Suzuki, but then he apologizes. Suzuki DECKS Chase again! Yano SLAPS Suzuki and whips him into the bare buckles! Yano kicks and whips Cima but Cima reverses, Yano hits bare buckles! Cima drop toeholds Yano and ties up the legs, then he eggs Chase on. Chase falls for the bait, Cima kicks him low and reels him in. SUPLEX DEATHLOCK COMBO! Fans fire up, Yano endures, but Suzuki returns to CHOPS Cima down! That only adds more pressure to the deathlock!
Cima gets up again and Suzuki DECKS him, putting more pressure on Yano! Cima stands up a third time, eggs Suzuki on, and Suzuki runs to BOOT Cima down! Yano keeps enduring the leg lock, even as Suzuki puts Cima in the SLEEPER HOLD! But Chase gets Suzuki in a SLEEPER! It’s a submission chain, but if Yano taps before someone passes out, Cima still wins! Yano crawls, and he gets the ROPEBREAK! Everyone has to let go, and the ref counts! Everyone is free at 4, but Chase throws Suzuki and Cima out. Chase stomps Yano, then runs, but Yano pulls Chase’s hair! Chase fires back, runs, but Yano picks him up, atomic- No! Chase slips free to SHI TRIGGER!
Chase drags Yano up, tucks him in, but Cima ENZIGURIS Chase first! Cima Alabama lifts Chase for an AIR RAID CRASH! Cima hurries up top and fans fire up! METEORA!! Cover, but Suzuki drags Cima off with a SLEEPER HOLD! But Yano LOW BLOWS them all! Roll up, TWO!! Suzuki survives and Yano runs, into a DROPKICK from Suzuki! Suzuki drags Yano up, into a SLEEPER! Then the Gotch hold, PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Suzuki wins!!
Winner: Minoru Suzuki, by pinfall (Provisional Mr. KOPW 2022)
The Meanest Man in the World is Mr. KOPW 2022?! He snatches the trophy from the ref, and then stomps away on Yano! This is how Suzuki celebrates! Suzuki then wraps on the SLEEPER! Wait, Yano has handcuffs?! Yano cuffs Suzuki’s wrist, and puts it on the ropes! Yano gets away with his life, but will he be able to take the trophy from such a dangerous man as Minoru Suzuki?
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: House of Torture VS Chaos!
The King of Darkness is now the King of NEVER after Dick Togo, Yujiro Takahashi and Sho all helped him cheat the Stone Pitbull! But with Yoh beating Sho and Goto-Hashi becoming NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions on Night One, is Night Two the night where the House finally loses?
The introductions are made, but as soon as the House of Torture is ringside, Chaos attacks! Goto is after Evil, Yoh is after Sho, and Hashi is after Yujiro! And don’t worry, Tomohiro Ishii is ringside to make sure Dick minds his own business! Goto puts Evil in the ring, the bell sounds to put this on the record, and Goto is after Evil in the corner! The ref counts, Goto lets off at 4, and then he drags Evil up. Yoh RAMS Sho into the apron, Hashi does the same to Yujiro, and Goto whips Evil corner to corner to MURAMASA! And then BULLDOG! Fans fire up and Goto stomps away on Evil. Sho gets in to kick Goto and rake the eyes!
Sho runs but Yoh DROPKICKS him down! Yoh sees Sho bail out, and he PLANCHAS him down! Goto CLUBS Evil, Evil rakes the eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil whips Goto to the corner, and surprise! The buckles are bare! Goto hits the steel and the Bullet Club special strikes again! Evil knocks the rest of Chaos off the corner, then he kicks Goto around. Evil drags Goto up, throws him out, and he distracts the ref. But Ishii makes sure Dick can’t attack! The ref reprimands the Stone Pitbull but he’s just being a good guard dog. Sho puts Goto back in, Evil drags Goto up but Goto CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Evil rakes the eyes!
Evil puts Goto in the corner, Sho tags in, and Sho wrenches an arm. Sho brings Goto to a knee to kick, kick and bend the fingers! Yoh gets in to CLUB Sho, then he runs, into a kitchen sink knee! Sho glares at Yoh, taunts Hashi, then brings Goto up to wrench and whip into the bare buckles! Yujiro tags in, knees low, then has Goto against ropes for a BOOT! Yujiro drags Goto up, reels him in, FISHERMAN- NO! Goto fights the buster and fans rally up! Goto tries to suplex, Yujiro resists, but Goto still suplexes him up and over! Yujiro slips out to get a dragon sleeper but Goto spins around. Yujiro wrenches, Goto dodges, DISCUS LARIAT!
Fans fire up as Goto and Yujiro are down. Evil gets in to drag Goto up. Evil whips Goto at the corner but Goto stops himself from hitting the bare buckles. Sho grabs Goto’s hair, Evil runs in, but Goto dodges and Evil DECKS Sho! Goto gives Evil a SAIDO! Fans rally up, Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The Head Hunter rallies on the House, and he puts Evil in a corner. Hashi dodges Yujiro to fire off strikes, then he throws Yujiro into Evil! Mule kick for Yujiro, NECKBREAKER for Evil! Hashi gets Yujiro back up, puts him on the ropes and runs, and he dropkicks Yujiro down! Cover, TWO! Hashi drags Yujiro back up while fans rally.
Hashi reels Yujiro in but Yujiro fights the bomb to BITE the hand! Hashi SLAPS Yujiro, but Yujiro blocks the kick to throw Hashi down! Basement BOOT! Fans rally, Yujiro reels Hashi in but Hashi fights the Incolle Slam with elbows. Yujiro forearms but Hashi CHOPS! Yujiro reels Hashi in for the INCOLLE SLAM! Hashi is right back up to LARIAT Yujiro down! Fans fire up and rally as the two crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Sho and Yoh! Yoh dodges to CLOBBER Sho, and again! Yoh whips, Sho reverses and rakes the eyes! Sho runs, Yoh drops to then bypass and drop toehold! Basement dropkick! Sho flounders but Yoh brings him up.
Sho throws forearms, Yoh gives back boxing elbows! Yoh runs, but Sho JUMP KNEES! Sho runs but Yoh JUMP KNEES! Yoh full nelsons, Sho breaks it but Yoh waistlocks! Sho resists the German Suplex and bends Yoh’s fingers! Sho CLUBS the arm, Yoh blocks the kick to EuroUpper! Yoh whips, Sho reverses and Evil trips Yoh! Sho BLASTS the Chaos corner, Evil and Yujiro get in. Evil whips Yoh to a corner, Sho runs in to clothesline! Yujiro runs in to BOOT, Evil run sin to clothesline! Feed to Sho’s kick, and Sho gets Yoh up for a POWERBOMB! High stack, Goto-Hashi break it! Evil and Yujiro go after them and throw them out while fans fire up!
Sho has the wrench! The ref stops Sho, but Dick gets in to use the SPOILER CHOKER on Yoh!! Ishii drags Dick out! Yoh is free, he dodges Sho and shoves him to the fireman’s carry! DOUBLE SUPERKICK to the USHIGOROSHI! An even fiercer flash, and Goto-Hashi fire Yoh up! Yoh roars, he drags Sho up and underhooks the arms. Sho resists Direct Drive and back drops Yoh away! Sho runs in, but into a SUPERKICK! Fans fire up and Yoh hurries to get Sho back up. Suplex, FALCON USHIGOROSHI! Yoh roars and fans are with him as he gets Sho back up. Yoh reels Sho in, underhooks the arms, but Yujiro gets in with the pimp cane!
The ref stops Yujiro, but this is so Evil can get in and LOW BLOW Yoh! Then the WRENCH SHOT from Sho!! Cover, House of Torture wins!
Winners: House of Torture, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
And to add insult to injury, they all start stomping on Yoh! Hashi, Goto and Ishii get in to run them off, but the damage is done. Will Chaos try again with Ishii in the mix? Or are Evil and his cohorts on to a new challenge?
Pro-Wrestling NOAH makes a special appearance!
True, this Saturday, January 8th, WrestleKingdom 16’s third day becomes a special crossover between the stars of NJPW and NOAH, but this is quite the surprise! Keiji Mutoh stands at the center of the ring as the others file in. First on the mic is The Hope of NOAH, Kaito Kiyomiya. “Everyone, NJPW fans. On January 8th, Pro-Wrestling NOAH will take a fight with NJPW.” Then Kongoh leader, Kenoh, speaks. “Japan, just who is the top promotion? Pro-Wrestling NOAH is out to take that top spot from NJPW.” NJPW can’t even fill the Tokyo Dome, COVID restrictions not withstanding. NOAH is here to help them with that.
But then Shingo Takagi, Bushi & Hiromu Takahashi show up! Kenoh calls them out, and how Takagi lost the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Takagi gets the mic to say, “Oi, oi, oi. How dare you say something so offensive right off the bat. But it seems like you guys don’t have anything to do around here. There is nothing to gain for NJPW, no reward, or risk, but that’s the point. We’ll show the difference between us.” Takagi sees that it’s 3 against a couple dozen, so this will have to wait. Kenoh gets the mic to say that he’s here to pick a fight! What’re they gonna do about it? They can’t back away! Well, whatever. January 8th, NOAH will take care of you.
Kenoh promises that the fans and the best of NJPW will finally see who the best in pro-wrestling really are! Kenoh says NOAH will take over, and NJPW cannot compete with their quality! The pecking order will change in Japan this Saturday in Yokohama as NOAH becomes this country’s top promotion! Kenoh and Kiyomiya shake hands, putting aside their factions’ feud to carry the NOAH banner. Mutoh leads NOAH out of the building, but will we see a paradigm shift in the New Year? Watch the crossover event live on Abema.TV, or a week later on NJPW World’s On Demand list.
SANADA VS Great-O-Khan!
Los Ingobernables de Japon lost to the United Empire in trios action, but now we see how it goes 1v1! Will the Cold Skull bring the Dominator to a Skull End? Or will the United Empire continue their conquest?
Sanada’s entrance gear takes a new form! He wears an oni skull mask and a new black-and-white jacket. Khan again taunts Sanada by showing his back to him. The bell rings, Khan and Sanada circle and feel things out as fans rally. Khan shoots in but Sanada keeps away from his grip. Khan tries again and gets a waistlock, but Sanada switches. Khan switches, Sanada switches back but Khan gets away. Fans cheer the exchange as the two go again. Khan shoots in, gets an arm, wrenches, but Sanada wrenches back. Sanada has the wristlock but Khan wrenches to a hammerlock then a cording hold. Khan whips but Sanada hip tosses and dropkicks!
Khan bails out, fans fire up and Sanada builds speed, but Khan moves so Sanada tumbles to the apron. Khan avoids the apron moonsault, and then eggs Sanada on. Sanada runs in but Khan clotheslines him right back out! Fans rally, Khan goes out to fetch Sanada, and he drags Sanada up to put him in the ring. Khan drags Sanada up to a waistlock and he SLAMS Sanada down. Khan kicks Sanada around, cocky cover, TWO! Khan drags Sanada back up, brings him around to HALF NELSON FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Khan keeps his cool and drags Sanada back up. Khan suplexes, and he hits Sanada with a GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO!
Fans cheer but Khan taunts Sanada. Khan drags Sanada up and tries to make Sanada kiss his shoe. Sanada fights up, throws forearms, but Khan knees low. Khan Mongolian Chops! And again! And then Mongolian- No! Sanada blocks, but Khan blocks as Sanada tries to steal the Mongolian Chop! Khan Mongolian Chops but Sanada blocks, and then back the other way! And again, and again! They’re in a deadlock as Khan powers through the block! Khan runs, but Sanada dropkicks the legs out! Fans rally up while both men are down! Sanada kips up and fans fire up! Sanada runs in at Khan and rallies with forearms and arm-drags!
Sanada gets around to give Khan an atomic drop! Khan bails out, Sanada PLANCHAS! Direct hit and fans fire up! Sanada encourages them to get louder and they oblige, and then Sanada puts Khan back in the ring. Sanada drags Khan up, Khan kicks but Sanada blocks! Sanada trips Khan, gets the arms but Khan kicks Sanada away! Khan catches Sanada for a LIFTING COMPLETE SHOT! Both men are down again, Sanada rolls out of the ring. Khan wants Sanada to stand, but then the ref wants him to stay in the ring! Khan wants to do what Sanada did, and Sanada even eggs him on! Khan decides to PLANCHA! Direct hit and they both go down!
Khan gets up and fires up! Khan drags Sanada up as the ring count starts, and he puts Sanada in at 6 of 20. Khan drags Sanada up for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Throne Cradle, TWO! Basement BOOT! Khan tries the Throne Cradle again, with a bridge! TWO! Sanada is still in this and fans rally up, but Khan drags Sanada up into a gut wrench. Khan pops Sanada around, but Sanada slips out to a dragon sleeper! Khan fights free, Sanada dodges to QUEBRADA, to the dragon sleeper! But Khan fights free to HITSUJIGOROSHI! Sanada endures, and pulls Khan’s ponytail! Sanada then gets the dragon sleeper back!
But Khan clamps on the iron claw! HITSUJIGOROSHI! Sanada endures again, jumps and KNEES Khan away! Fireman’s carry, throw to the dragon sleeper! SKULL END, but Khan rolls through! Iron claw, ELIMIN- NO! Sanada arm-drags, dodges and O’Conner Rolls with- NO! No bridge! Khan has the iron claw again! ELIMINA- NO! Sanada gets a waistlock, but no O’Conner as Khan bucks free! Khan gets around, HITSUJIGOROSHI!! Khan has Sanada again, thrashes him around, but Sanada again endures! Sanada throws haymakers, so Khan scoops him! Sanada fights free of the powerslam to get the dragon sleeper!
Khan pushes free, but Sanada has the chicken wings! TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Khan survives but Sanada goes up top! ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto knees! Khan saves himself but both men are down! Fans rally up, Sanada and Khan slowly rise. They go forehead to forehead, then they throw forearm for forearm. They stand, Khan forearms but Sanada forearms back! Fans rally up as they pick up speed going back and forth! Khan ROCKS Sanada, but Sanada EuroUppers! Khan HELL STABS! Sanada UPPERCUSTS, spins, but into another HELL STAB! But Sanada SOBATS! STRAIGHT RIGHT from Khan!! Cover, TWO!!
Fans are fired up again while both men are down. Khan gets up, goes to a corner, and he bangs his head on the buckle pad to fire himself up! Khan slashes his throat and gives thumbs down, SECOND ROPE MOONSAULT! Then iron claw, but Sanada victory rolls, pops Khan down, body scissors to BRIDGING CLUTCH! SANADA WINS!!
Winner: Sanada, by pinfall
Khan can’t believe it! He, the professed great technician, gets caught by a technical hold! Khan is furious, but will he learn to tranquilo like the Cold Skull?
Tetsuya Naito VS Jeff Cobb!
We just saw Sanada redeem himself from the Six Man Tag defeat, but now we will see if LIJ’s charismatic leader can do the same. Will Naito make Cobb tranquilo? Or will the Hawaiian Hulk SMASH Naito in the New Year?
As always, Naito takes his time with everything, especially taking off the elaborate entrance attire. He keeps throwing pieces to Cobb, but Cobb says, “Tranquilo,” and he politely hands those to the Young Lions to put away. But then Cobb CLOBBERS Naito as soon as the pants are gone! The bell rings as Cobb fires off forearms in the corner! The ref counts, Cobb keeps hammering so the ref backs Cobb down! Fans rally, Naito gets back up, and Cobb throws a heavy body shot! Cobb whips corner to corner, runs in, but Naito boots him! Cobb comes back, but into another boot! Cobb is annoyed, but he turns around into a dropkick to the legs!
Naito kicks Cobb’s leg, stomps away on it, but the ref has him back off while they’re in the ropes. Naito just goes after Cobb again! Naito lets off to appease the ref, then he stomps Cobb more! The ref tries to stop Naito again and Naito shoves him down! Naito drags Cobb up, Cobb ROCKS Naito with a forearm! And then another one! Cobb has Naito and suplexes him, but Naito knees free! Naito kicks the legs out and Cobb falls to the floor. Naito builds speed, but then just rolls. Wait, not to tranquilo, but to redirect and dropkick Cobb! Cobb hits railing and fans fire up! Naito goes out to stomp Cobb, then bring him up to whip.
Cobb reverses, scoops, and pops Naito up to a suplex position! Cobb POSTS Naito, then POSTS him again, before the RUNNING SUPLEX! Fans cheer the show of strength, then rally as both men stir. Cobb gets up and gets in the ring while Naito sputters. The ring count starts, Naito flounders up, but the count passes 10 of 20. The count reaches 15, Naito drags himself up the railing, and hobbles at 18 to get in at 19! Cobb stomps Naito, Naito sputters more, and then Cobb sits him up to JAM a knee into his back! And even uppercut him in the back! Naito writhes, Cobb stomps him down again. Cobb drags Naito up to suplex, stall, and then trophy lift and TOSS!
Naito flops to the ropes after that “victory driver,” and Cobb walks over. Cobb stands on Naito’s back! Fans rally while Cobb mocks Naito’s pose. The ref counts, Cobb hops off, and he drags Naito up. Cobb picks Naito up to RAM him into a corner! And then goes corner to corner, and back again! Fans rally, Cobb CHOPS Naito! And CHOPS! Cobb backs up to run in and basement dropkick! Naito writhes while clutching his ribs, but Cobb hobbles to bring Naito back up. Naito throws a forearm but Cobb doesn’t flinch. Naito keeps trying but Cobb doesn’t budge. Naito kicks but Cobb blocks to then ram Naito down with a shoulder!
Cobb sits Naito up for a DEADLIFT suplex! Naito slips off, Cobb ROCKS him with a right, but Cobb runs into a SHOTGUN BOOT! Fans rally up while both men are down again! Naito gets up, Cobb follows. Naito throws forearms and kicks but Cobb still doesn’t budge. Naito kicks and whips, back elbows Cobb down, then basement dropkicks the leg! Naito gets Cobb back up, whips him to a corner, then runs in to JUMP KCIK! Leg sweep! COMBINACION feint to dropkick the bad leg! And then the basement dropkick to finish the combination! Naito poses and fans rally up. Naito drags Cobb to center and hooks up the leg in a TRAILER HITCH!
Cobb endures, crawls, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Naito holds until the ref undoes the hold for him. Fans rally up again, Naito stands Cobb up to kick the bad leg. Naito then gets the leg, but Cobb blocks the lift. Cobb CHOPS Naito, Naito comes back but Cobb avoids the basement dropkick! Cobb drags Naito up, OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Cobb has some blood in his mouth, but he gets up to hobble and run in at Naito. Back elbow, then a BIG back suplex! Cobb crawls to the cover, TWO! Cobb grows frustrated with Naito, but he hobbles after him. Fans rally, Cobb drags Naito back up, and whips him to ropes. Naito holds ropes, Cobb blocks the boot but Naito gets around to TORNADO DDT!
Fans fire up while both men are down again! Cobb drags himself up in the corner, Naito runs in to dropkick the leg again! Naito goes up the corner, reels Cobb in, ESPARANZA! Then CORRIENDO- NO! Cobb powers out but Naito dropkicks his leg out again! Naito gets Cobb up in the corner, puts him up top, and Naito elbows away on the bad leg! Naito climbs up to join Cobb, but Cobb turns that into a SUPER POWERBOMB!! Both men are down again and fans fire up more! Cobb crawls to another cover, TWO!! Naito is still in this but Cobb’s too tired to be frustrated. Cobb gets up, the blood actually coming from his nose.
Cobb drags Naito up, whips him to ropes, and scoops, but Naito gets the bad leg! KNEEBAR! CALF SLICER!! Cobb endures, Naito thrashes the leg, but Cobb reaches out! Cobb has blood in his nose but he powers up to push back and hammer away on Naito! Naito lets go, Cobb waistlocks and deadlifts for the GERMAN SUPLEX! Cobb drags Naito up, runs, but Naito dodges the lariat to throw back elbows! Naito kicks the leg, Cobb headbutts, Naito ENZIGURIS! Cobb LARIATS! Fans fire up, Cobb roars and drags Naito back up! Cobb whips, scoops, but Naito escapes to suplex, VALENTIA! Naito drags Cobb up, wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, DESTINO!! Cover, Naito wins!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall
Los Ingobernables de Japon is avenged! Naito and Sanada take both matches, is LIJ going to rise up and rebel in the New Year?
IWGP US Heavyweight Championship No Disqualification Match: KENTA VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!
Fang Revived claims to be the more deserving of this belt because he’s more American than The Ace. But will knowing complex English words keep Tanahashi from using anything and everything to beat Kenta’s ass? Or will Tanahashi’s rage get the better of him like it did last night?
The introductions are made, Kenta already brings out a pair of kendo sticks from under the ring, and he throws one to Tanahashi. Red Shoes gets the belt, and the kendo duel is on! The bell rings, Tanahashi disarms Kenta then fires off on him! Kenta bails out, Tanahashi goes out to SMACK him more! They go around the way, Tanahashi SMACKS Kenta again, but Kenta grabs the belt from the timekeeper’s table! BELT SHOT! Kenta gest the kendo stick and he SMACKS Tanahashi now. Tanahashi sits up, Kenta SMACKS him back down! And SMACKS him again! And again! Kenta drags Tanahashi up, puts him in the ring, then brings the kendo stick.
Kenta SMACKS Tanahashi more, and more, then throws the stick down as it starts to break. Kenta goes out to look under the ring, and he brings out a chair, a few trash can lids, and then the busted up IWGP US Heavyweight Championship Right to Challenge case? That thing hasn’t been thrown away yet? Oh, wait, Kenta brings in the trash can, too. Kenta gets the chair and he SMACKS Tanahashi on the back! The padding comes off so Kenta already throws that away, to then SMACK Tanahashi with the trash can lid! Kenta picks up what appears to be a serving tray, and he SMACKS Tanahashi with that, too!
Kenta goes out to look under the ring again, and fans rally as he brings out a ladder! Kenta puts the ladder in, stomps Tanahashi down, and he sets the ladder up in the corner. Kenta brings Tanahashi up, whips him in and Tanahashi collides with ladder! Tanahashi writhes on the mat but Kenta fetches the good kendo stick. Kenta SMACKS Tanahashi down, then gets the trash can. Fans rally up, but Kenta runs at Tanahashi, but Tanahashi dropkicks the legs out! Kenta faceplants into the trash can! Fans rally up as Tanahashi gets the trash can’s lid! Tanahashi SMACKS Kenta right in the head!
Tanahashi buffs the dent out of the trash can, raises it up and SMACKS Kenta in the head with it! Tanahashi puts the can around Kenta, then gets the chair! TRASH CAN HOME RUN! Fans cheer this edgier side of The Ace as he goes out and looks under the ring. Tanahashi brings out… a guitar?! No more air guitar, this one is real! Tanahashi waits for Kenta to get free of the trash can, before he gives Kenta a SMASH HIT! Tanahashi doesn’t stop there, he goes back out and looks under the ring. Tanahashi brings out a table! Tanahashi sets it up at ringside, goes back to the apron, but Kenta elbows him! Tanahashi gets a leg, for a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW!
Kenta writhes and clutches his knee, but Tanahashi drags him around to tie up the legs in the TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! But Kenta has the briefcase! Kenta SMACKS Tanahashi with it! Not the first time, either, but that was the hardest one yet! Kenta kisses his best friend, and then BRIEFCASE BUSAIKU KNEES Tanahashi down!! Kenta drags Tanahashi up, throws him out hard, and sees the table nearby. Kenta drags Tanahashi up, throws haymakers, then puts Tanahashi on the table. Kenta rains down rights, then goes to a corner. Fans rally up as Kenta climbs, but Tanahashi hurries up after him! Tanahashi throws hands, then climbs up!
Fans fire up as Tanahashi aims for the table! Kenta resists, throws body shots, and even elbows. Tanahashi steps down, Kenta rains down fists. Tanahashi SHOTEIS, and Kenta flops into the ring! Tanahashi hops down to look under the ring again. Tanahashi brings out another chair, and another chair, and another chair, and another, and another, and another! Half a dozen chairs are in a pile, and Tanahashi drags Kenta up. Kenta grabs for anything but Tanahashi keep shim away. Kenta resists the German suplex with elbows! Tanahashi SHOTEIS, runs, FULL METAL SLINGBLADE!! They land hard on all the chairs!!
Tanahashi sets Kenta on his chair pile, climbs up top, FULL METAL HIGH FLY FLOP!! Kenta dodges and Tanahashi crashes down! Fans fire up as Kenta goes to a corner. Kenta then puts Tanahashi in the corner to scrub his boot on Tanahashi’s face. Kenta piles the chairs onto Tanahashi now, then goes corner to corner to FULL METAL DROPKICK!! A bit double-edged but Kenta doesn’t care! Kenta drags Tanahashi out of the pile, brings him around to a fireman’s carry, GO TO- NO! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi holds on, for a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT on the chairs! Fans rally up as Tanahashi goes back out and looks under the ring once more.
Tanahashi searches, but he can’t find anything good. So he just hauls the table he set up into the ring! Tanahashi stands it up near a corner, and he brings Kenta up. Tanahashi scoops Kenta to put him on the table. Tanahashi also shoves a chair down onto Kenta! Fans fire up as Tanahashi climbs up the corner! But Kenta gets up to SMACK Tanahashi with the chair! Kenta makes sure the table is back up, and he climbs up to go after Tanahashi. Tanahashi resists the superplex with body shots, but Kenta throws headbutts! Kenta goes to the very top, and he SUPER FALCON ARROWS Tanahashi through the table!! Fans fire up while both men are down!
Kenta doesn’t cover, he goes back outside. Kenta searches under the ring, and searches a bit more. What could he be looking for? Kenta finds a new table! Kenta gets the table in the ring, then rains down fists on Tanahashi. Kenta isn’t done here, he goes back under the ring, and he brings out a very tall ladder! Kenta gets that in the ring, leans it up in a corner, then stomps Tanahashi. Kenta stands the ladder up to set it up, and fans rally up as Kenta complains the ref should be helping him! Red Shoes sure isn’t doing that, so Kenta has to finish it up on his own. Kenta SMACKS Tanahashi with a trash can lid, and he still has to fasten the other side of the ladder!
Kenta finally has the ladder propped up, and then he sets up the table nearby. Kenta smacks Tanahashi on the table, then punches him down to keep him on the table. Kenta climbs the ladder and fans fire up as he reaches the top! Kenta aims, but Tanahashi gets up to shake the ladder! Kenta holds on, but the ladder tips! Kenta falls onto the trash can! Red Shoes checks but Kenta is okay to continue, so Tanahashi brings Kenta to the table. Kenta is busted open, Tanahashi shoves him down onto the table. Tanahashi fires up, climbs up, and fans fire up with him! Tanahashi reaches the top and takes aim, for an ORBITAL HIGH FLY FLOW!!
Tanahashi has to crawl out of the wreckage to cover, Tanahashi wins!!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (NEW IWGP US Heavyweight Champion)
Speaking of orbital, how is Kenta’s face after all that? There’s a lot more blood coming from his nose, will he be alright? As for Tanahashi, he gambled and came out the winner! Will he go to new extremes to prove he’s still the Ace?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Will Ospreay!
Once again, the Rainmaker is holding the top title in all of NJPW! But after such a powerful fight against the Rampaging Dragon, does Okada have enough to thwart the Commonwealth King? Or will Ospreay regain the title he never truly lost?
Ospreay’s entrance has a video photo album of those he defeated in 2021 to establish himself as the “REAL” IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Then he rises up from the stage, and the rest of the United Empire appears behind him. Ospreay has his copy of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, as well as the Warrior Wrestling Championship and both belts that represent the Undisputed Rev-Pro British Heavyweight Champion. The Empire makes sure Ospreay is introduced as the real world champion, but he still has to win here to make that official. Okada’s introduction is made, Okada’s belt is raised, but tonight, we see if it stays Okada’s past 24 hours!
Fans rally up already with the bell as these two stare down. They circle, approach, stare down some more, and Ospreay smirks as he and Okada circle again. Ospreay then shoots in to get a leg and he brings Okada down to a facelock. Ospreay powers Okada to a press, ONE, but Ospreay holds on as they goa round. Okada gets a leg pick, lateral press, ONE as Ospreay gets away. Fans cheer the early exchange, and the two reset. They feel out the knuckle lock, tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Ospreay wrenches to a wristlock. Okada rolls, trips Ospreay and has the toehold, but Ospreay pulls at hair. Ospreay uses a leg to hook Okada for an armbar, but Okada powers his way up.
Okada facelocks Ospreay then floats to a headlock. Ospreay fights up, Okada grinds the hold, but Ospreay powers up to pry at the hold. Okada clamps the headlock on tighter and grinds, but Ospreay pulls hair. Ospreay powers out, Okada runs him over, but Ospreay kips right up! Fans cheer and Ospreay smirks, then fires off forearms! Ospreay runs, into a BOOT! Okada drags Ospreay up, Ospreay stomps his foot! Ospreay bumps Okada, runs, but into a back drop! Ospreay gets some air and crashes down! Okada brings Ospreay back up to CLUB him on the back! Okada reels Ospreay in for another CLUB to the back.
Ospreay goes to a corner, kicks back but Okada blocks to CLUB the leg. Okada then turns Ospreay for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Okada keeps on Ospreay with a chinlock. Fans rally while Ospreay endures. Ospreay fights up, throws body shots, but Okada ROCKS him with a forearm, Okada whips, Ospreay reverses, but Ospreay misses in the corner. Okada puts Ospreay up top, but Ospreay kicks him away! Ospreay puts Okada up top to CHOP him down! Okada is on the apron, Ospreay drags him through the ropes, DRAPING DDT! Cover, TWO! Ospreay keeps his cool as he goes right to the apron. PIP PIP CHEERIO!
Okada bails out but Ospreay goes out after him. Ospreay looms over Okada, drags him up by his jaw, then CHOPS him! Okada staggers around the way, Ospreay follows after. Ospreay chokes Okada against the railing in front of the timekeeper’s area to make Okada look at all the belts! Ospreay then DECKS Okada, and says he is the real champion! Ospreay drags Okada up, puts him in the ring, and covers. Red Shoes refuses to count after the shenanigans, so Ospreay sits Okada up to KICK him in the back. And again. Okada eggs Ospreay on, Ospreay KICKS him more! Okada still eggs Ospreay on so Ospreay fires off forearms and ROCKS Okada!
Okada stands up, Ospreay wrenches and CHOPS him. And CHOPS! Ospreay reels Okada in but Okada fights the backbreaker with elbows. Okada runs, but into a SPIN-OUT BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is annoyed but fans rally up as Okada survives all those rotations. Ospreay drags Okada up, KNEES him in the back, and again, then clamps on a cravat. Okada endures, fans rally up, and Okada powers up to throw elbows and body shots. Ospreay CLUBS Okada, whips him to the corner, but Okada reverses. Okada runs in, but Ospreay BOOTS him! Ospreay runs but into a FLAPJACK! Both men are down and fans fire up!
Ospreay gets up but Okada follows. Okada rallies with forearms and elbows, then whips. Ospreay reverses, Okada ducks and dodges, and CLOBBERS Ospreay with the elbow! Okada drags Ospreay up, whips him to the corner, runs in and back elbows. Okada kicks and DDT’s! Cover, TWO! Okada staggers up but eggs Ospreay on. Fans rally up and Ospreay stands, Okada tries the Alabama lift but Ospreay fights it. Ospreay whips, Okada reverses, but Ospreay handsprings! Okada gets under, Alabama lift to REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Okada keeps cool as he drags Ospreay up. Ospreay blocks the gut wrench, but Okada powers through!
Ospreay kicks, gets to the apron, and throws body shots through the ropes! Ospreay aims for the ramp, but Okada fights the suplex! They’re both on the apron, Okada CLUBS and ROCKS Ospreay but Ospreay hits back. They brawl on the edge, forearm for forearm! Ospreay gets the edge, then CHOPS, but Okada SHOTGUNS Ospreay into the post! Ospreay crashes down and fans are fired up again! The Empire coaches Ospreay up but Okada stands first. Okada gets Ospreay and he whips Ospreay into railing! Okada then BOOTS Ospreay over the railing! Okada wants more space so people move aside. Okada runs in and FLIES, into a SUPERKICK!!
Ospreay shoots Okada out of the air, and Okada clutches his leg after that crash landing! Okada drags Ospreay up, bumps him off girders, and then decides to climb up! Fans are thunderous as Ospreay goes up and up, and then up a little more! Ospreay ORBITAL ARIHARA MOONSAULTS!! Fans are electric as Ospreay hits the mark!! Khan fans Ospreay off as he walks around to make sure his leg is alright. A ring count starts, climbs to 5 of 20 before Ospreay gets Okada up. They return to the ring at 11 of 20, and fans cheer as Ospreay climbs up. Okada stands, Ospreay BLINDSIDE PIP PIP CHEERIOS! Ospreay gets Okada up, LIGER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!
Fans fire up as Okada is still in this! Ospreay keeps his cool, drags Okada up, and turns him, but Okada elbows free! Okada throws forearms and EuroUppers, then runs, into a TIGER WALL KICK and ENZIGURI! Fans fire up as Okada bails out, and Ospreay builds speed! SASUKE SPECIAL!! But Okada catches him?! TOMBSTONE to the floor!! Fans are thunderous as both men are down on the outside! The ring count starts again, and Okada stirs at 9 of 20. Okada stands at 12, hobbles over and drags Ospreay up at 15, and puts him in at 16. Fans cheer as Okada goes up the corner now. Ospreay stands, Okada SHOTGUN MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO!
Okada drags Ospreay up, wrenches and has the MONEY CLIP! Ospreay endures, pries at the hold, but he RAMS Okada into a corner. Ospreay is free but Okada SHOTGUN dropkicks him again! Fans rally again as both men are down! Okada goes to Ospreay, drags him up, scoops and SLAMS, then goes back up the corner. MACHO ELBOW! Fans rally more as Okada strikes the Rainmaker Pose! Okada ripcords, Ospreay wheelbarrows, but Okada GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ospreay lands on his feet to ROUNDHOUSE! Ospreay whips, Okada reverses, but Ospreay avoids the dropkick, SHOOTING STAR onto knees!
Okada hurries to whip Ospreay, but Ospreay turns dropkick into LIGER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up again and Ospreay drags Okada back up. Ospreay suplexes to hang Okada out to dry. Ospreay HEEL KICKS Okada, then FRONT KICKS him! Okada is stuck, Ospreay goes to the corner and climbs up. SHOOTING STAR GUILLOTINE! Ospreay goes right back up the corner, SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives again! But Ospreay wont’ stop, he stands Okada up and springboards, OSCUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay is beside himself but fans are thunderous! Khan coaches Ospreay and he gets Okada back up.
Ospreay reels Okada in, turns him, DREAM SMASHER ELBOW! Ospreay then aims from the corner, Okada sits up, HIDDEN- NO! Okada ducks, gut wrenches, but Ospreay turns it around! TOMBSTONE! Ospreay grins as he mocks the Rainmaker Pose! Takagi learned the hard way to not do that, but Ospreay drags Okada up. Ripcord, but Okada gets around to backslide! Ospreay rolls through, into double underhooks!? Okada gets Ospreay up, and steals STORMBREAKER!!! Cover, TWO!!! Ospreay survives and fans are thunderous again! Okada roars and he drags Ospreay back up. Ripcord, but Ospreay elbows free! So Okada BLINDSIDE DROPKICKS him to ropes!
Okada whips Ospreay, dropkicks him down again! Okada ripcords, RAIN- SPANISH FLY!?!? Ospreay snatches that one outta nowhere! Ospreay gets Okada’s arm, drags him up, and short arm LARIATS! Ospreay holds on, copying one of Okada’s signature tactics, and he gives him another short arm LARIAT! Ospreay goes to the corner, up, up and SUPER OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO!??! Okada survives yet again and Ospreay is enraged! He underhooks and lifts Okada, but Okada slips out to gut wrench! SPINNING TOMBSTONE!! Okada roars, drags Ospreay back up, ripcord and RAIN- NO! Ospreay slips through to underhooks!
STORM- NO! Okada slips out, rip cords, DISCUS RAINMAKER! Okada gets Ospreay right back up, ripcords, TRUE RAINMAKER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Now Ospreay shocks Okada! Fans are electric again as both men are down. Okada drags Ospreay up, for the MONEY CLIP! Ospreay tries to fight back but he’s already fading. Fans rally up, Okada cranks on the hold harder, but Ospreay grits his teeth. Ospreay fights up, but Okada keeps him from ropes with a BACK2BACK- NO! Ospreay slips free, but Okada ducks the buzzsaw! Ospreay ducks the lariat to steal the RAINMAKER!! Both men are down again and fans rally hard as ever!
Ospreay and Okada slowly rise. Ospreay SLAPS Okada, so Okada SLAPS back! They give more SLAPS, then Ospreay throws a forearm. Okada forearms back, so Ospreay throws another. Okada gives it back, but Ospreay hits him again. Fans rally up as they stand and keep throwing forearms. Okada hits Ospreay and Ospreay wobbles. Ospreay comes back to go forehead to forehead before throwing another forearm. Okada gives it back, they keep going, faster and faster, then at the same time! Okada gets the edge, and he ROCKS Ospreay! Ospreay staggers around, Okada DECKS him! Okada checks his jaw before he drags Ospreay back up.
Okada backslides, rolls through, LARIAT! Okada holds on, stands Ospreay up, and LARIATS again! Okada drags Ospreay up, ripcords, but Ospreay pop-up FOREARMS Okada! Then HIDDEN BLADE!! Cover, TWO!??! Fans fire up as Ospreay fires up, and Ospreay drags Okada up to underhook. Okada fights so Ospreay fires off Kowata Kicks! Underhooks, but still no Stormbreaker! Okada back drops and sits on the cover, TWO! Okada EuroUppers, Ospreay HOOK KCIKS! Ospreay underhooks, but Okada slips out to LARIAT! Ospreay stays up, and V-TRIGGERS! He’s not Kenny! But he HEADBUTTS Okada down!
Ospreay roars, fans are electric, and off comes the elbow pad! HIDDEN- DROPKICK! Ospreay is right back up?! But he runs into the SIT-OUT PILEDRIVER! Ripcord, TRUE RAINMAKER!!! Cover, Okada wins!!!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (Undisputed IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The Rainmaker keeps his promises! He stops Ospreay, holds onto this belt, and makes it rain in the New Year! Red Shoes presents him with the belt, and it is now, without a doubt, Kazuchika Okada as NJPW’s top champion! Will Ospreay just have to settle for having three other belts around his waist?
Okada gets the mic to say, “Ospreay. The real champion is speaking, but I will say that your strength is real.” The fans cheer the respect Okada shows to Ospreay as the United Empire make their exit. Okada then says that he can now say he is, “without a doubt,” THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! As with Takagi yesterday and Ospreay tonight, Okada vows to give us 50th anniversary worthy matches against worthy opponents. “So please, keep your eyes on Kazuchika Okada, the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion!” But wait, here comes Naito! He did win earlier tonight, and it seems pretty clear why he’s returned.
Naito goes right to the ring, picks up the mic, and notes again that Okada defeated Takagi yesterday, and Ospreay tonight. “Right now, the strongest man in NJPW is undoubtedly Okada. And that’s exactly the Okada I want a piece of. That’s why I want to challenge for the belt around his waist.” So how about Okada’s next challenger be Tetsuya Naito? The fans applaud, and Okada gets the mic back to say the fans think it’s a good idea. Okada VS Naito, huh? How about it? Fans continue to applaud, and Okada says that sounds like a 50th anniversary worthy match. Naito raises his fist as a salute before he leaves. Will the Rainmaker tranquilo in his next title defense?
Okada again says, “Sounds good for the 50th. Now that I’m champion, I promise you more matches just like that.” Okada thanks the fans for their support these past two days in the Tokyo Dome, and knows that though they couldn’t shout out, they found other ways to cheer. Their support reached all of the wrestlers, and they gave back what they could in return. “This 50th anniversary celebration has just begun. So please, keep giving us your support.” And one more thing. “Inoki-san, I’m waiting for you to grace this NJPW ring again. With willpower, you can do anything, right? Inoki-san, please find energy and come back to this ring! I think you’re needed here for this anniversary.”
Okada continues to say that he hopes the people take care of themselves during these difficult times, because he wants to wrestle in front of a cheering crowd again. Fans applaud that, and Okada gets a bit emotional now. Okada hopes we never go back to empty arena shows again. “I want to fight for all of you!” Every wrestler in NJPW is giving their all, so please keep fighting alongside them! NJPW has made it these 50 years, and he vows to lead it these next 50, so please stay with him! “I’ll make it rain on NJPW!” The Rainmaker is as passionate as ever, will he keep things going as the New Year rolls on?
My Thoughts:
Another great event for NJPW and WrestleKingdom, but I did end up skipping the three opening Six Man Tags. I didn’t really have time to cover them, since it was another hour on top of the main show, but I did skim them. Pretty good stuff to warm up the crowd, and I think the most shocking thing was that Master Wato got the win, and by making El Desperado tap out! Perhaps they’re looking to make Wato next up for the title, though I feel like he already got his win here. The Triple Threat Tag for the Junior Heavyweight Tag titles was great, especially with them finally proving ELP uses something in his boot. The champions retaining makes sense, there’s a lot of fight left in Tiger Mask.
The Stardom tag match was great stuff. All four women got to look great and used a lot of their movesets here, but it was a natural choice for the top Stardom champion to get the win here. And I figured as much yesterday, with Yoh, Goto & Hashi all winning the other matches that the House of Torture would retain the Six Man titles. There’s a chance Evil & Yujiro try for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles, and no idea if there’s any other trio that could move up to take these NEVER titles off Bullet Club. Suzuki being the one winning the KOPW trophy here was quite the surprise, but I bet that means we’re getting a string of rather sadistic stipulations for when Yano tries to challenge him.
Good stuff in the NEVER Openweight Six Man title match, but as I figured yesterday, Chaos got their wins and so House of Torture retains. Evil is probably going to be NEVER Openweight Double Champion for some time, and I kinda hope it leads to something with him and Jay White since Ishii took that from White. NOAH’s wrestlers showing up was quite a surprise, but it makes sense given the crossover event. Kiyomiya and Kenoh gave good promos, but a bit of a bummer that the livestream of the event is on a different provider than NJPW World. I like that it was Takagi & LIJ that confronted NOAH, with Kenoh able to play off how Takagi lost the title. We’re going to get a lot of great stuff out of that event, and it’s anyone’s guess as to who wins the “series.”
The last two matches of the night were awesome stuff. The No Disqualification match was great stuff, and they really brought out everything in that match. I love that Kenta refuses to give up his Right to Challenge briefcase, even though it’s practically in shambles. But that finish, wow that was rough for Kenta. I think he got both a broken nose and a cut on his face somewhere from that trash can, and then he still has to get crushed through the table. Tanahashi winning here was big stuff, and it seems the US title is staying in Japan for a bit. Then of course, the world title match was another stellar instant classic from Okada and Ospreay. Those guys can do no wrong, and that super moonsault was wild.
But naturally, Okada wins here, he is pretty much Mr. NJPW at this point. Okada VS Naito is set up for the next major event, and Okada has another great promo to close out the show for the fans. Okada will definitely carry NJPW for the majority of this year, if not the whole year, so let’s hope his dream, and everyone’s dream, of no longer worrying about COVID becomes a reality.
My Score: 9.2/10
Will NJPW make way for a new king?
Callum Newman won the 2026 New Japan Cup, meaning he gets his shot at Yota Tsuji’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship in Ryogoku Sumo Hall!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – KUSHIDA & Masatora Yasuda VS Tatsuya Matsumoto & Taisei Nakahara; Kushida & Yasuda win.
- Master Wato & Togi Makabe VS Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson; Fujita & Hartley win.
- Six Man Tag: Unbound Company VS United Empire; Unbound Company wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Hontai VS House of Torture; Hontai wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hontai VS United Empire; United Empire wins.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Bishamon & Boltin Oleg VS Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi & Ren Narita; Bishamon & Boltin win and retain the titles.
- NJPW World Television Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Shota Umino; Time Limit Draw, Konosuke retains the title.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa; Oskar & Yuto win and retain the titles.
- IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Callum Newman; Callum wins and becomes the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Bishamon & Boltin Oleg VS Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi & Ren Narita w/ Dick Togo!
It was on the Road to the New Beginning that Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi & The Man from Kazakhstan took these titles from TMDK, and now they bring them to the Ryogoku Sumo Hall to face the Lonestar Outlaw, Tokyo Pimp & Souled Out Son of Strong Style. But will Hontai put the House of Torture behind BARS? Or will Chase & Yujiro help Ren become the NEVER Double Champion?
The introductions are made, and then the House attacks! Ren kicks Oleg and tosses him out while Chase & Yujiro beat up on Bishamon! The House kicks everyone out of the ring, then go out after them. Ren CLAWS Oleg’s eyes, then holds him up so Dick Togo can get a shot in! The fans boo but Ren whips Oleg into railing! Yujiro puts Hashi back in the ring, but things are spilling into the crowd! The bell finally rings as Yujiro ROCKS and CHOPS Hashi! Yujiro runs, but Hashi ELBOWS him! Hashi runs and he RUNS Yujiro over! The fans fire up with Hashi while Yujiro bails out. Hashi runs, but Yujiro blocks the dropkick!
Chase helps out, and they hammock THROW Hashi into the railing! The fans boo more but Chase stomps Hashi. Yujiro drags Hashi up and into the ring, then tags Ren. Ren stomps away on Hashi, then drags him up to whip and ELBOW down! Cover, TWO! Ren clamps on with a chinlock to grind Hashi down. The fans rally while Hashi endures, but the ref has to keep Oleg back. Ren lets Hashi go just so he can DROPKICK Oleg’s leg! Oleg hobbles out of the ring while Ren goes back to Hashi. Ren bumps Hashi off Chase’s boot, then tags Chase in. The fans rally for Hashi but Chase snapmares and NECK SNAPS! Cover, TWO!
The fans applaud as Hashi stays in this, but Chase stands on Hashi’s hand! Chase mocks the fans cheering Hashi on while he slaps Hashi around. Chase whips Hashi, but Hashi dropkicks the leg! Chase falls and the fans fire up! Hashi crawls over, hot tag to Goto! The fans fire up as the Fierce Warrior CLOBBERS Chase then BLASTS The House! Goto whips Chase to the corner, runs in and hits MURAMASA! Then the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Chase toughs it out but the fans rally for Goto as he stands. Goto goes to fireman’s carry but Chase fights it with elbows. Goto ROCKS Chase, but Chase ROCKS Goto! The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans fire up!
Goto DECKS Chase, the fans fire up more, and Goto eggs Chase on. Chase comes back to fire fast hands! Chase winds up, but Goto catches him, spins him, and URA GTR! Goto runs but Chase blocks the lariat to C-TRIGGER! Chase runs but Goto follows, only for Chase to ENZIGIRI! Chase runs, but into a LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Goto crawls, Chase does, too, hot tags to Ren and Oleg! The fans fire up but Ren dropkicks Oleg’s leg! Then he leg scissors for the cradle, only for Oleg to power right out! Oleg gut wrenches for the Shake, Shake, Shake, and THROW! Ren tumbles, Oleg kips up,a nd Hashi BLASTS Yujiro!
The fans cheer as Oleg has Ren to himself! VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Ren survives but Oleg drags him up. Ren CHOKES Oleg, the ref reprimands, but Oleg breaks free to CHOP! Oleg then fireman’s carries, but Ren CLAWS his face! Oleg still flips Ren over for the TORTURE RACK! DICK RINGS THE BELL! The fans boo as he pulls off that stupid trick! Ren CHOP BLOCKS Oleg, then reels him into the KNEEBAR!! Oleg endures, reaches out, but Ren puts on the pressure! Hashi and Yujiro still brawl, but then Hashi slips in and stomps Ren! Chase kicks Hashi then TOSSES him out! Goto fires off on Chase but Yujiro CLUBS Goto!
Chase & Yujiro double whip to mule kick, KNEE LIFT, then REVERSE DDT! I HATE YOUR FACE KNEE! Goto tumbles out of the ring, Chase distracts the ref, and The House sets Oleg up! Dick climbs for the DICK CHOP! Cover, TWO! But into the FIGURE FOUR KNEEBAR!! Oleg endures, reaches out, and the fans rally as he fights over! Ren lets go, just to drag Oleg back to center! KNEE- NO! Oleg rolls through and waistlocks! But Ren mule kicks the leg! Oleg still pops Ren up for THE VERDICT!! Both men are down but the fans fire up! Oleg and Ren crawl, hot tag to Hashi! The Head Hunter BLASTS The House to isolate Ren!
Hashi SUPERKICKS Ren, then runs to LARIAT! The fans fire up for Hashi and he half nelsons, but Ren spins through to THROW Hashi out! Ren practically tackles the ref so Chase & Yujiro can mug Hashi unseen! Chase JAMS Hashi up with a chair! The fans boo but Yujiro puts Hashi in while Chase hides the evidence. Ren tags Yujiro and Yujiro puts Hashi on the ropes. Yujiro runs up to BOOT Hashi! Then INCOLLE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives and the fans cheer! Yujiro is upset, he drags Hashi up, but Goto LARIATS Yujiro! Chase runs up, Goto fireman’s carries him, but Chase slips free to SHOVE Goto into Hashi!
Chase runs up, but into the HIDDEN GAP! Hashi & Goto fire up, and Hashi LARIATS Yujiro in the corner! Feed to Goto for the fireman’s carry! FIERCE FLASH! The fans fire up again, and Goto dragon sleepers! Hashi has the legs, but Yujiro BOOTS free! And he FISHERMAN BUSTERS Goto! Everyone is down but the fans rally for Hashi! Dick coaches Yujiro as he and Hashi crawl. Yujiro and Hashi stand, and Hashi roars! Hashi ROCKS Yujiro, but Yujiro ROCKS Hashi! The forearms go back and forth, then Hashi CHOPS! And CHOPS! Hashi whips, Yujiro reverses, then Yujiro grabs the ref! Chase SMACKS Hashi with the chair!
Yujiro sits Hashi up, PIMP JUICE!! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives and the fans fire up again! Yujiro staggers to his feet but he drags Hashi up. Yujiro reels Hashi in, for BIG- NO, Hashi fights the Juice to waistlock! Yujiro elbows away, then runs, but into the HIDDEN GAP LARIAT! Yujiro stays up!? Yujiro runs, but into HIDDEN GAP BOLTIN! Chase runs up, but Oleg feeds him to the fireman’s carry, G T W!! Hashi BLASTS Ren off the apron, and he drags Yujiro up. Oleg RAMS Yujiro into the corner! Hashi LARIATS! Then they feed to Goto for the fireman’s carry! FIERCE FLASH into the dragon sleeper!
Hashi has the legs, but Ren is back! He catches Oleg into a SLEEPER! Hashi SUPERKICKS Ren, and Oleg TORTURE RACKS him! Hashi gives Yujiro a CODE BREAKER! Goto dragon sleepers Yujiro for Hashi to get the legs! “SE~ NO!” SHOTO!! Cover, Hontai wins!!
Winners: Bishamon & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
Oleg also has Ren tapping out to his torture rack! A total victory for the champions! But with that, Oleg gets a mic to call out Ren! He just made the NEVER Openweight Champion tap, so how about a match for that title?! Ren’s in no shape to answer right now, but will Oleg soon become a TRIPLE Champion?
NJPW World Television Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Shota Umino!
The Alpha is ignoring the shade thrown by Kazuchika Okada in AEW as he does his job here in NJPW. Konosuke wants to settle the score with Shota from the G1 Climax, will he do it? Or will Shota’s Second Chapter turn this into The Roughneck Show?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the Face of NJPW World!
Shota fires the fans up before he stares down with Konosuke. The bell rings, both men run up, and Shota dodges a boto! Konosuke dodges a lariat to ELBOW, then he runs, but Shota RAMS shoulders with him! Shota RAMS Konosuke again, they both run and they RAM shoulders again! Shota ROCKS Konosuke, then runs, but into a BOOT! Konosuke whips, Shota reverses, but the TAKESHITA LINE hits! The fans fire up and Konosuke nods while Shota goes to a corner. Konosuke storms over to ROCK Shota, ROCK him again, but Shota just brushes those off. Konosuke fires another forearm, but Shota turns things around to fire forearms in return!
The fans rally as Konosuke backs Shota down. Shota slaps the hand away, but Konosuke HEADBUTTS him! Konosuke runs, but Shota DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Shota stands tall, then he gets a leg to SMASH it on the mat! Shota steps over for the STF! The fans rally as Konosuke endures, and he fights his way forward! ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Shota lets go cleanly. Konosuke bails out but Shota keeps an eye on him. Konosuke takes a moment while the fans rally, and he stays back as Shota rushes the ropes. Shota storms out after Konosuke, but Konosuke kicks low! And then SLAMS Shota’s arm off the timekeeper’s table!
Konosuke wrenches and lifts for an APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans cheer while Shota writhes, but Konosuke pushes him into the ring. Konosuke then holds onto an arm as he stands on the apron, and he KNEE DROPS on the arm! The fans are torn while Shota clutches his elbow. Konosuke takes his time before rolling inside, then he looms over Shota. Konosuke drags Shota up, wrenches the arm, and hits an ARMBAR BULLDOG! Shota writhes again while the fans rally up. Konosuke then drags Shota up, snapmares, and clamps on with a top wristlock. Shota endures, even as Konosuke pushes him down, and the fans duel.
Shota fights with kicks but Konosuke puts on the pressure. Shota still kicks, but Konosuke isolates the arm to STOMP it! The fans rally while Shota scrambles away. Konosuke stalks Shota, but the ref has him stay back. Konosuke waits for Shota to sit up, and we hit five minutes. Konosuke wrenches Shota’s arm, hammerlocks it, and RAMS Shota into buckles! Konosuke hammerlocks the arm again, runs Shota corner to corner, but Shota stops short of hitting buckles! Shota fires forearms, but Konosuke eggs him on. Shota fires another shot, but Konosuke CLUBS the arm! Konosuke whips but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Konosuke and Shota rise up, and Shota stalks Konosuke to a corner. Shota fires off forearms and CHOPS on repeat, then whips corner to corner. Shota runs in and UPPERCUTS! Then he hooks a leg, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but the fans still cheer Shota on. Shota drags Konosuke up, reels him in, but Konosuke fights the lift. Konosuke powers up to BACKDROP free! The fans fire up again while Konosuke runs at Shota. Shota drop toeholds Konosuke onto the ropes! Then Shota slingshots for the APRON DDT! Down goes Konosuke, and Shota looks at the belt as it rests on the timekeeper’s table.
Shota nods before going back for Konosuke. Shota drags Konosuke up, then whips, but Konosuke reverses! Shota hits railing! Konosuke then BOOTS Shota down! Shota flops through the gate and Konosuke brings him up. Konosuke has Shota dangling off the railing, but Shota slips free! Shota fires body shots, then he RAMS Konosuke into railing! The fans rally as Shota then TORNADO DDTS to the floor!! Konosuke writhes and clutches his neck, but Shota fires up with the fans! Shota puts Konosuke in the ring, then runs in at the corner for a KNEE STRIKE! Shota then goes corner to corner again, STRIKE KNEE!
The fans fire up again as Shota brings Konosuke around, and puts him up top! Shota climbs up as we hit 10 minutes! Konosuke fires body shots, and he bends Shota’s fingers! Konosuke hits a SUPER HOTSHOT on the arm! Shota falls back and the fans rally harder as Konosuke steps back inside. Konosuke aims from a corner, WAGAMAMA- NO, Shota pops him up for a POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO! Konosuke survives but Shota roars! The fans rally, Shota runs, but Konosuke BOOTS the lariat! Konosuke full nelsons, then he spins Shota, but Shota wrenches free to swing! Konosuke gets under, BLUE THUNDER BOMB!!
But Konosuke doesn’t cover?! He powers up instead, and goes to the corner! Konosuke aims again, for the WAGAMAMA- NO! Shota blocks it! Konosuke fires hands, but Shota DECKS him! The fans are thunderous as Shota drags Konosuke back up. Shota reels Konosuke in, suplexes, but Konosuke fights that to hook a leg! Konosuke steals SECOND CHAPTER!! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives The Alpha using his own move! We hit the three minute warning, time is on Konosuke’s side here! Konosuke still wants to finish this himself, but the fans are split down the middle! WAGAMAMA- NO, Shota dodges!
Konosuke SWATS the lariat, ALPHA ELBOWS, but Shota spins to SOUTHPAW LARIAT! Shota aims now, STRIKE- NO, Konosuke counters knee with knee! Both men hobble, Shota LARIATS, but Konosuke just brushes it off! Konosuke runs, and he LARIATS Shota inside-out! We hit the two minute warning and the fans fire up again! A standing count begins, but Konosuke is already rolling to the ropes. Konosuke drags himself up at 6 of 10, Shota sits up at 8, but Konosuke stands at 9! Konosuke swings, but into a SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! But he’s right back up!? EXPLODER! But Shota’s right back up!
ALPHA ELBOW! ROLLING- FOREARM from Shota! ROLLING- ALPHA ELBOW!! Literally last minute here as both men lean on each other! Konosuke shakes his head, and he drags Shota up! RAGING- NO, Shota fights the fire to scoop! SECOND- NO, Konosuke slips free, INVERTED suplex, but Shota slips free of that! POISON-RANA!! Not the cleanest, but it got the job done! But we have only THIRTY SECONDS LEFT! Shota snarls, rises up, and he runs the ropes, ROUGH- NO, Konosuke dodges Shota dodges! DOUBLE LARIATS hit! They both rebound, ROUGHNECK LARIAT hits!! But Shota has to cover!! TIME IS UP!!!
Time Limit Draw; Konosuke Takeshita retains the title
It was a powerful battle, but nothing was settled as we end with a draw! Will these two look to make this a trilogy in the near future? Wait, wait, wait, who is this mysterious masked man? They wear a nice suit and bowtie, but then CHASE attacks from behind!? The fans boo as the Lonestar Outlaw beats up on Konosuke, then hammerlocks for the HIGH NOON LARIAT! And then a C-TRIGGER! Chase drags Konosuke up again, reels him in, and he underhooks the arms! But Konosuke fights the lift, and Shota runs back in! Shota chases Chase off, but what was up with tuxedo mask over there? Is it all smoke and mirrors so Chase can get his shot at this title?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa!
The Knock Out Brothers may not have won World Tag League, but they thwarted the challenge from TMDK all the same! But that did nothing to deter “The Chin & The Mullet,” they want another shot! Will this be where Zack & Roy stand tall? Or will everyone in Ryogoku get that wrestling high?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who lights it up!
The teams sort out, and no question that Yuto and Oiwa start. The fans fire up already with the bell, and Yuto ROCKS Oiwa! Oiwa ROCKS Yuto! The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster, and Yuto ROCKS Oiwa again! But Oiwa dodges the boot, only for Yuto to buck the O’Conner. Oiwa dodges once but Yuto ROCKS him on return! Yuto whips, then he BOOTS Oiwa down! The fans fire up with Ice, but Oiwa gets mad. Oiwa wrenches and YANKS Yuto’s left arm, Yuto fires a forearm, and repeat! Oiwa lets Yuto go, then arm-drags him! And scoops to SLAM! Then SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Yuto is tougher than that, but Oiwa arm-drags him again!
Oiwa has the armlock while the fans cheer. Yuto fights up, fights over, and has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Oiwa lets go, but he tags in ZSJ. ZSJ takes the arm, wrenches, and wrangles Yuto to the mat. ZSJ bends Yuto’s fingers but Yuto kicks his way over to the ROPEBREAK! Oiwa tags in and he ELBOW DROPS on Yuto! Oiwa sucker punches Oskar, but Oskar stays up! Oskar steps inside but Oiwa DROPKICKS him down! Oskar is furious now but ZSJ BOOTS him off the apron! The fans cheer as TMDK stands tall. Oiwa drags Yuto up, ZSJ helps out, and they double wrench again and again and again!
TMDK wrangles Yuto down and isolates the arms, STEREO STOMPS! Oiwa steps on Yuto before he tags in ZSJ, and ZSJ steps on Yuto’s leg. ZSJ twists Yuto’s wrist but Yuto fires body shots. ZSJ wrenches, but Yuto fires more forearms! ZSJ wrenches, Yuto fires even more shots, but ZSJ wrenches again to trap the arm and TWEAK it! Yuto falls back while the fans cheer. ZSJ drags Yuto back up, whips, but Yuto reverses to KNEE low! Yuto runs to SLIDING KICK! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Yuto crawls, hot tag to Oskar! Oiwa runs in but Oskar CLOBBERS him! And he CLOBBERS ZSJ!
The fans fire up as the German Giant double guzels! But TMDK wrench and wrench and wrench! They double whip, but Oskar breaks the double lariat to DOUBLE LARIAT back! The fans fire up with Oskar as he storms around. Oskar talks trash on ZSJ, then whips him to a corner. ZSJ hits buckles hard and falls to the mat! The fans rally up again as Oskar stalks ZSJ. Oskar has ZSJ in the corner, whips him corner to corner hard, and again ZSJ falls to the mat! Oskar is right on ZSJ with a deadlift SLAM, and an ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! ZSJ survives being thrown around but the fans rally as Oskar fires up.
Oskar scoops but ZSJ slips free, and reels Oskar into the SLEEPER! Oskar flails, he THROWS ZSJ down, then he stands ZSJ up just to CHOP him down! Oskar then aims from a corner, runs up on ZSJ, but ZSJ blocks the boot! ANKLE LOCK! The fans cheer as Oskar hops around! ZSJ keeps him from the ropes, then UPPERCUTS the leg! ZSJ ducks a shot, UPPERCUTS the leg again, then has the ANKLE LOCK! Oskar still hops to the ROPEBREAK! Oiwa tags in, and he CLUBS Oskar’s leg! Oskar falls over while the fans rally up again. Oiwa drags Oskar to center to SMASH the knee off the mat! ZSJ grabs both legs, hooks them up, then STOMPS!
Oskar writhes but Oiwa steps through and ties up the legs, but Oskar BOOTS free! Oiwa tags ZSJ, ZSJ BOOTS Yuto, and Oiwa stands Oskar up. ZSJ storms up but Oskar fires forearms and elbows! Oiwa & ZSJ pinball Oskar with forearms, then LARIAT ENZIGIRI SANDWICH! Oskar roars as he stays standing! Oskar BOOTS Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks the chop! Oskar powers up and lifts for a BACKBREAKER! Yuto runs in and adds a KNEE! The fans fire up again as Yuto feeds ZSJ to Oskar, but Oiwa trips up Yuto! ZSJ fights free of the gut wrench to get the leg! ANKLE LOCK with the GRAPEVINE! Oskar endures while the fans fire up again!
Oskar pries at the hold, Yuto SMACKS Oiwa off the apron, but Oiwa keeps Yuto from saving Oskar! ZSJ shifts around, HALF CRAB! Oskar endures but ZSJ shifts again, DEATHLOCK! ZSJ hooks an arm as part of the hold, then the other arm! Oskar endures this modified surfboard, and he powers his way forward! ZSJ hurries to trap the arms again, but Oskar reaches out! ZSJ half nelsons while keeping the legs tied up, but Oskar powers up again! ROPEBREAK!! The fans cheer as Oskar survives and escapes! ZSJ rolls away to the opposite corner while the fans rally up. Oskar drags himself up with the ropes, but ZSJ runs in.
ZSJ blocks a boot, but Oskar just KICKS ZSJ away! Oskar runs up to ELBOW in the corner, then he shoves ZSJ down. Oskar runs, but ZSJ avoids the leg drop! PENALTY KICK! But Oskar uses that to stand back up! Scoop and- No, the leg gives out! ZSJ DROPKICKS Oskar down! The fans fire up while both men crawl, hot tag to Oiwa! Oiwa runs up to DROPKICK Oskar’s leg! Then CHOP BLOCK the other! Oiwa clamps on but Oskar CHOPS free! Oskar winds up, but Oiwa catches him to spin and sup- NO, Oskar’s too big to suplex! Oskar shoves Oiwa to ropes, then BACKDROPS on the return! Both men are down and the fans fire up!
Oskar crawls, hot tag to Yuto! The fans fire up for Ice as he stands Oiwa up. Yuto KICKS Oiwa, KNEES him, then SOBATS him in the corner! Yuto gets gangsta, “BOMBACLAT!” METEORA in the corner, then a cover, TWO! Oiwa survives but Yuto just fires up again. Yuto sits Oiwa up to run and ICE- NO! Oiwa blocks the kick! Oiwa stands, ROCKS Yuto again and again, then runs. But Yuto mule kicks! Yuto THROWS Oiwa down by his hair, then SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Oiwa survives but Yuto just fires up again. The fans rally as Yuto aims from the corner. Oiwa rises up, Yuto runs in, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Yuto! And SENTONS!
The fans fire up while both men are down again! Oiwa rises, he brings Yuto up, and he wrenches the arm. Oiwa whips corner to corner, but just to YANK the arm! And WRING it out! Yuto writhes, but Oiwa drags him back up. TENZ- NO, Yuto pulls hair! Yuto BODY BLOWS, then fires SLAP after SLAP! Yuto bobs ‘n’ weaves to SLAP again! Oiwa fires up but Yuto BOOTS him down! The fans are thunderous as Yuto then steps on Oiwa’s head. Yuto steps off to drag Oiwa up, but Oiwa clamps onto an arm! ARM SCREW! Yuto clutches his elbow while he falls over! Oiwa stomps away on Yuto, showing no mercy! The ref wants him to hold on so he can check that arm!
Yuto is able to sit up, but Oiwa wants the arm! Yuto ROCKS Oiwa, Oiwa CLUBS the arm! Yuto ROCKS Oiwa again, but Oiwa CLUBS the arm, and repeat! Oiwa then YANKS the arm to bring Yuto down! The fans rally harder and harder as Oiwa drags Yuto up. The ref has Oiwa hold on, Yuto’s a ragdoll! The arm is still working so Oiwa hauls Yuto up. Oiwa RAMS Yuto into the corner, then wraps the bad arm around the ropes! The ref reprimands as Oiwa pulls on the arm! Yuto suffers until Oiwa stops at 4, but then Oiwa DROPKICKS Yuto down! The fans continue to rally harder and harder, and Oiwa waits on Yuto.
Yuto SHOVES the ref, he’s not letting this arm stop the match! Yuto unwraps the elbow, SMACKS it into the corner, and he makes it work again! Oiwa nods as Yuto steps up. Yuto eggs Oiwa on, so Oiwa CLUBS the bad arm! Yuto fires a shot using that arm, but Oiwa doesn’t budge. Oiwa UPPERCUTS the arm, Yuto still tries to fire shots with it. Oiwa UPPERCUTS the arm again and again, then hits an ELBOW BREAKER! But Yuto DECKS Oiwa!! Yuto roars as the fans fire up! Yuto fights through the pain and dares Oiwa to get back up. Oiwa rises, and he ducks the buzzsaw! ARM SCREW! Yuto again falls back while clutching that arm!
Oiwa keeps the fans going as he runs corner to corner, but Yuto BOOTS him! Yuto SPITS at Oiwa, so Oiwa LARIATS in the corner! And LARIATS again, and again, and again! The ref has Oiwa back off while Yuto sputters. Oiwa nods, but then runs in, THE GRIP in the corner!! Yuto falls, Oiwa rises, and the fans fire up again! DIVING SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Yuto survives and the fans cheer him on! Oiwa stands Yuto up to ROLLING ELBOW! And ROLLING ELBOW! And then- ROUNDHOUSE from Yuto! Yuto roars, runs, and ICE HIGH! Cover, but ZSJ NECK TWISTS Yuto! The fans fire up for that sadistic save!
Yuto stands to SLAP! And he SLAPS ZSJ down! The fans fire up again as Yuto drags ZSJ up. Ryogoku is thunderous for “AISU! AISU!” But ZSJ PELES the bad arm! Oiwa RAMS Yuto into a corner, ZSJ ENZIGIRIS, Oiwa hits CHAOS THEORY! Bridging cover, but Oskar breaks it! ZSJ fires UPPERCUTS on Oskar, but Oskar just scoops and SLAMS him! Oiwa LARIATS Oskar, then reels him in for a SUPLEX! NO, Oskar fights free! But Oiwa dodges to LARIAT Oskar up and out! We hit 20 minutes as Oiwa has Yuto. Oiwa winds up, but Yuto blocks The Grip! He ducks the right, but the SOUTHPAW comes through after all!
Oiwa hauls Yuto up for the TENZAN PLEX! Cover, TWO! Yuto survives and the fans rally up again. Oiwa powers up, runs the ropes, and THE GRIP misses! Oskar scoops, but ZSJ saves Oiwa! ZSJ BOOTS Yuto, blocks Oskar’s kick, DRAGON SCREW into the SUPLEX! The fans are thunderous as Oiwa finally manages it! ZSJ coaches Oiwa, then runs to UPPERCUT Yuto! Oiwa LARIATS, then feed to the ZACK DRIVER! Oiwa deadlifts for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Yuto survives and the fans are electric! ZSJ LEAPS onto Oskar for a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! ZSJ tells Oiwa to finish it! THE GRIP gets a KNEE!
Yuto fires up as the fans are electric again! But then Oiwa catches Yuto to a SLEEPER! SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX!! Yuto staggers around, THE- AMBITION RIGHT!! And then CRUELLA!!! Cover, KNOCKOUT BROTHERS WIN!
Winners: Oskar & Yuto-Ice, by pinfall (still IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
As mighty as Zack & Roy are, they still couldn’t overcome the sheer strength of will inside Oskar & Yuto! Yuto makes sure Oiwa knows that before he tosses Oiwa out of the ring. The fans cheer Yuto on while he grabs a mic. Yuto says, “It feels damn good to beat the piss outta someone I really hate! And just like how I felt when I first set my eyes on pro-wrestling, pro-wrestlers are the best fighters on this planet! The toughest people there are! And there is nothing like feeling it live and raw! There is nothing like making money in this business! There is nothing like making money in pro-wrestling!” The fans cheer that!
Yuto continues by saying he and Oskar won’t change in the future. What they want is the toughest there is! The money, the fights, and that wrestling high! And whether you’re addicted to ’em or you hate ’em, there is no doubt you all get high seeing KOB! So the question is, who is next? Who do the people wanna see? Are there any teams left? The fans have some ideas, but Yuto wants to see for himself. He is calling out a team himself! BISHAMON! Get your asses out here! But wait, we get Great-O-Khan & Henare instead! The fans boo The United Empire, but the Mauler says no, no, no! NO Bishamon! Khan & Henare never lost those titles, so they’re next!
Henare & Khan will take that wrestling high as mana for the United Empire! Yuto says yeah, he likes that! He wants to hit that “mana” hard. But look, Bishamon shows up after all! Goto & Hashi step into the ring to join this conversation. Goto picks up a mic to say, “We were just feeling like we wanted that pro-wrestling high ourselves.” The fans like the sound of that! Goto says that this won’t be an easy high to get. So, Empire, how about they take you out first? Bishamon will prove THEY are the best! Yuto is loving this as much as the fans! He says THIS is the real wrestling high! They won’t hide, they won’t run, they’ll take whoever wins!
But just know that you don’t have to think, just feel! LET’S GET HIGH! Tch tch, BIG UP! KOB is ready for anyone and everyone, but will they be taking on one of the best in Bishamon? Or will the Empire fight their way to what they’ve been owed?
IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Callum Newman w/ The United Empire!
The Gene Blast is still a double champion, having defeated Andrade El Idolo back at the New Beginning in USA. But ever since taking over as the United Empire’s leader, The Prince has grown stronger and stronger, slaying giants on his way to taking the New Japan Cup. Will this truly be Callum’s crowning achievement? Or will Yota prove Callum is NOT ready?
The introductions are made by President Tanahashi, then he raises THE IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Callum tries his intimidation with the sword but Yota just grins. Everyone from the United Empire fist bumps Callum before taking their seats in the front row, but Will Ospreay stays as Callum’s cornerman. The bell rings and the fans are strongly behind Yota. Callum BOOTS Yota, whips, but Yota reverses, only for Callum to sweep the legs! Yota dodges Excalibur to scoop, but Callum slips free. Yota BOOTS Callum, then goes up, up, but Callum avoids the Marlowe Crush! Yota shows Superkick and Callum backs off!
The fans cheer, even as Callum bails out to cool things off. The Callum fans start getting louder as he steps back into the ring. Callum and Yota circle, feel things out, and tie up. Callum powers Yota to the ropes, Red Shoes calls the break, but Callum BODY BLOWS! Callum whips, Yota reverses, but Callum slides out. The fans boo while Callum swaggers around, but Yota DIVES! Direct hit and Callum is sent into railing! The fans fire up with Yota and he brings Callum up. Yota puts Callum in the ring, then storms up behind him. Yota CHOPS Callum, then puts him in the corner. Yota winds up to CHOP again, and Callum grits his teeth.
Yota RAMS into Callum again and again, then brings him around to run him over! The fans cheer while Yota pushes Callum down, ONE! The fans applaud as Callum shows his toughness. Yota stands Callum up, but Callum fires a flurry of forearms! Callum runs, but into the scoop BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud again as Callum toughs it out. Yota goes for the legs but Callum scrambles over to the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud again, but Yota stomps Callum as he lets go. Red Shoes reprimands but the fans rally up as Yota brings Callum around. Yota fires a flurry of forearms as he has Callum against the ropes.
Yota whips, but Callum reverses, and Callum sweeps the legs to then KICK Yota in the side! Yota clutches his ribs but Callum also has to sit back from the damage done. Callum brings Yota up, around, and stomps him down. Callum mocks the champ before he stomps him again. Callum clamps onto Yota with a chinlock and grinds him down. Callum KNEES Yota in the back, KICKS him again, but Yota grins?! Yota snapmares Callum to KICK him in the back! Callum brushes that off and snapmares Yota for a KICK! Callum shakes out his foot while Yota bails out of the ring. Yota walks off the sting from that shot while the fans rally up.
A ring count starts, and Callum waits as Yota stretches out his back. The count passes 10 of 20, then 15, but Yota rolls in at 16. Callum stomps Yota at the ropes! Callum then stands Yota up to fire forearms and egg him on. Yota fires a forearm, then a flurry, but Callum KNEES Yota in the head! Callum runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the HIP TOSS finds him! The fans cheer while Yota clutches his back again. Callum slowly rises up and goes to the corner, but Yota is on him. Yota whips corner to corner, Callum reverses and runs in, but Yota pops him up to THROW him away! The fans fire up as Yota then puts Callum in a corner, climbs up, and rains down elbows!
The fans rally as Yota goes all the way to TEN! Then Yota reels Callum in for a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! The fans continue to rally for Yota as he and Callum slowly rise. Yota CHOPS Callum, CHOPS him again, and CHOPS again! And again! Callum turns things around to KICK! And KICK! And KICK! Yota bumps Callum off buckles to fire off a flurry of forearms! Then Yota CHOPS! Callum sputters while he slumps down, but Yota stands him back up. Yota pops Callum up top, then climbs up after him. The fans rally for Yota as he SUPER STEINERS! Callum writhes, Yota covers, TWO! The fans cheer as Callum stays in this.
Ospreay coaches Callum up but Yota is already on him again. Callum fights the pump handle, elbows free, but Yota fires a forearm! Callum huffs ‘n’ puffs but comes back to fire shots with Yota! Callum fires a flurry, Yota ROCKS Callum, but Callum ELBOWS Yota! Yota winds up, but Callum catches him, to a full nelson. Yota breaks free, only to end up in double chicken wings! TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Yota stays in this, but Ospreay coaches Callum to focus. Callum drags Yota up, brings him in, and vows to end this already! PRINCE- NO, Yota fights the Curse to wrench out, clinch, and BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER!
But Callum avoids the stomp! Callum blocks a shot to ROCK, ROLLING ELBOW, but the GENE TRIGGER hits! Callum HEEL KICKS! Yota SUPERKICKS! Yota then dodges a lariat, but Callum dodges back! GENE TRIGGER! LARIAT!! The fans and even Ospreay fire up as both men are down! Callum shakes out his arm from hitting Yota that hard, then he slowly rises up. Callum brings Yota to the ropes, then the apron. The fans duel, the majority still behind Yota, but Callum calls his shot! Callum goes up the corner, but Yota anchors him! Yota puts Callum in the ropes, KNEES him in the back, then APRON WOE STOMPS!
The fans rally as Callum sputters. Yota aims again, then runs up, CURB STOMP from apron to floor!! Ospreay freaks out and checks Callum but Red Shoes wants him to stay back. Yota sits up and Callum stirs as the ring count climbs. Yota stands at 11 of 20, gives Yuya Uemura a nod on commentary, then puts Callum in at 15. The fans cheer as Yota brings Callum around, wanting to end this in definitive manner. Yota whips Callum corner to corner, but Callum barely makes it there! Yota runs up, and GENE TRIGGERS! Then he reels Callum in, ORANGE CRUSH! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Yota brings Callum up again.
Yota runs the ropes, and he LARIATS Callum inside-out! The fans fire up with Yota, he brings Callum up, but Callum is a ragdoll! Red Shoes checks on Callum, but Yota runs, only for Callum to make Red Shoes take the CURB STOMP!! The fans go nuts and Yota is stunned! The fans boo as Callum then KNEES Yota down! Callum then waves to the rest of The Empire, and Zane Jay hops the railing! But OSPREAY stops Zane! The fans cheer as Ospreay wants Callum to do this under his own merits. Callum grabs the chair, but Ospreay grabs it back! Ospreay tells Callum he is better than this! He can do this on his own! Don’t betray the code of conduct they’ve set!
Callum and Ospreay tug-o-war with the chair for a moment as Ospreay pleads with Callum. Callum lets the chair go, trusting Ospreay is right. But then Yota uses HIDDEN BLADE?!? Yota just sent a message to the Aerial Assassin with that! Yota loads up, Ospreay warns Callum, but too late! GENE BLASTER!! Cover, but Red Shoes is out cold! Yota would’ve won this twice over! Marty Asami hurries out here, he counts the cover, TWO!! Callum survives thanks to the delay! Red Shoes is carried away by a Young Lion while Marty takes over. Yota reloads, Ospreay warns Callum again, and Callum rises up. Yota runs in again, but Callum uses HIDDEN BLADE!!
Ospreay cheers Callum on while Callum and Yota are both down again! The fans rally and duel as Callum rises up. Callum goes to Yota, sits him up, and eggs him on. Yota fires a forearm and Callum sits back. Callum fires a forearm in return, but Yota manages a smile. Yota fires another forearm, and the fans rally up again. Callum wobbles as he stands, but he still ROCKS Yota! Yota stands back up to ROCK Callum! Callum stumbles but Ospreay coaches him up. The armbands come off, and Callum SPITS at Yota! Callum puts his hands back, Yota winds up, but Callum ROCKS him first! Then Callum fakes the Oscutter to LARIAT!
Callum hooks a leg, FIREBOLT! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans fire up again! Callum huffs ‘n’ puffs but Ospreay coaches him on. Callum goes back to Yota, drags him up, fireman’s carries, but Yota slips free! GERMAN SUPLEX! Callum comes back, Yota ducks ‘n’ dodges, DESTROYER!! Callum staggers, into a GENE BLASTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Callum survives and shocks everyone! Yota shakes it off to go back to his corner. The fans are thunderous as Yota roars, aims, and runs into EXCALIBUR!! Both men are down again as Callum intercepts Yota, and the fans are thunderous again!
Callum undoes his wrist tape to show off the crown tattoo. Callum stalks Yota, drags him up, and winds up the CROWNING LARIAT! But Callum isn’t done with one, he stands Yota back up and vows to end this! Fireman’s carry and MAKE- DDT COUNTER!! Yota will not make way just yet, and he goes to the ropes! The fans rally as hard as they can as Yota goes up the corner, MARLOWE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives again and the fans fire up! Ospreay coaches Callum while Yota roars. Yota brings Callum around, pump handles, and URENAGES! Cover, TWO! Yota is frustrated his new move didn’t end this, but he goes back to the tried ‘n’ true!
Yota aims from a corner, runs in again, and GENE- NO, Callum snatches Yota in a roll-up, but Yota rolls through! CROWNING LARIAT!! High stack, TWO!! Callum hurries to half hatch, for the PRINCE’S CURSE!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans are electric and Ospreay argues the count, but Callum just seethes as he looms over Yota. Callum drags Yota up again, fireman’s carries, but Yota fights with elbows! Callum still fireman’s carries, MAKE- NO! Yota lands out to HEADBUTT! CROWNING LARIAT!! The fans are electric as Callum fireman’s carries again, MAKE- SUNSET FLIP! Callum rolls through, but Yota reels him in, JUMBO PLEX!!
Yota reloads, GENE- NO, Callum uses Marty as a shield! LOW BLOW!! Fireman’s carry, MAKE WAY!!! Cover, CALLUM WINS!!!
Winner: Callum Newman, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Champion)
Well, it wasn’t exactly a clean victory, but Callum still did it all on his own! Ospreay is just as excited and proud as anyone that Callum did it! His first New Japan Cup win translates directly to his first IWGP Heavyweight Championship victory! Tanahashi presents the belt to Callum personally, and Marty raises Callum’s hand in victory. Callum takes a moment to kneel on the lion logo with the belt as the moment starts to sink in. Ospreay then joins Callum in the ring to put the belt around Callum’s waist. The fans cheer as the passing of the torch is complete. The two hug it out, brothers in arms through this ordeal.
But wait, who is this dragging Yota out of the ring?! PILEDRIVER on the floor?!? GABE KIDD!?! This Mad Man has been in AEW this whole time, and he takes off his jacket to show off his AEW shirt! Shingo Takagi rushes out here to attack this traitorous dog, but Gabe SMACKS him down! The fans boo but Gabe tells them off. Gabe then DECKS Yota, and he snatches the Global Championship! Gabe CLOBBERS Yota using the belt! Gabe holds up the belt while he drags Yota away, seemingly claiming he owns both now! But back to Callum in the ring, the rest of the Empire joins him at ringside, but then Takagi rolls inside?
Callum tells Takagi to piss off, this is HIS moment! Takagi says okay, okay, sorry. Takagi steps out, but then Takagi steps back in! The fans cheer Takagi on, but then Takagi does slide back out, to snatch the mic first! “Dumbass! Like I’m gonna leave quietly! Callum, Callum, you really did it, huh? But I saw how you did it by the end! Is this how the United Empire does things now? That’s how you’re gonna take THE IWGP Heavyweight Championship? I’m not gonna forgive that! Callum, next, I challenge you! What do you say to that?
“Up until last year, I didn’t have a belt, I didn’t have a faction, and now I have the Unbound Company. Therefore… I have a family to protect! So all that’s missing is that IWGP title!” Takagi has staked his claim, but he hands the mic to Callum to respond. Callum smirks and says, “I have already beaten you once, and I will very happily do it again. For the IWGP title, let’s do it.” The fans applaud that, and now it is only a matter of when and where! Takagi looks to Ospreay, and the Rampaging Dragon nods to the Aerial Assassin, ready to take on his successor. Takagi finally leaves, and Callum gets to speak for himself.
“Oi, oi, oi. Callum Newman, the youngest New Japan Cup winner of all time, and now the youngest IWGP Heavyweight Champion of all time!” The fans cheer that! There are those that still boo, but Callum says there is nothing anyone can question him about now. He is at the top of NJPW, he’s at the top of British wrestling, he’s the reason Bullet Club died, he is the Kingslayer, the Prince of New Japan! You will make way for him, and kiss the crown! Callum leaves it at that, and the Empire joins him for the photo op, complete with the gold streamers and confetti. The Prince sits on the throne, but will he have to slay a Rampaging Dragon to still reign?
My Thoughts:
NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW Road to Sakura Genesis Results & Report! (4/2/26)
The Junior Heavyweights take over again!
Will Direct Drive take the wheel?
As the Road to Sakura Genesis reaches the end, Yoh challenges Douki for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion in hopes of justice being served!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Shota Umino & Tiger Mask VS KUSHIDA & Masatora Yasuda; Shota & Tiger Mask win.
- Konosuke Takeshita VS Tatsuya Matsumoto; Konosuke wins.
- Six Man Tag: Yuya Uemura, Taichi & El Desperado VS Master Wato, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma; Yuya, Taichi & Desperado win.
- 10 Man Tag: Hontai VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: OSKAR, Yuto-Ice & Gedo VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- Six Man Tag: Unbound Company VS United Empire; United Empire wins.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X VS Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young; Taiji & Robbie win and retain the titles.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI VS YOH; Douki wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X VS Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young!
Things got #SuperExtreme when The Bone Soldier & Mr. X freed these titles from the House of Torture. But now, their first defense is up against the Nova Fireball & #DangerousJay! Will these titles stay Unbound? Or will they once again be conquered by the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who’s really on fire!
The teams sort out and Taiji starts against Akira. The fans rally with the bell as the two circle. Taiji and Akira tie up, Taiji wrenches to wristlock, but Akira spins and wrenches back. Akira then slips around to waistlock, half nelson, then cravat and headlock. But Taiji slips right out to hammerlock! Akira fights up, switches the hammerlock onto Taiji, but Taiji drop toeholds. Taiji floats to the headlock, but Akira slips out to wrench back. Taiji rolls, kips up, cartwheels, then wrenches to WRING Akira out! But Akira UP KICKS him away! The two back off and the fans cheer. Akira mockingly applauds, and even pats Taiji on the head!
Taiji shoves Akira, Akira shoves back, then Akira trips Taiji. Akira runs, but Taiji drops down then hurdles. Akira leaps over Taiji, then Taiji bypasses Akira to RANA! Akira tumbles but Taiji DROPKICKS him out of the ring! The fans fire up as Taiji builds speed, but Jakob trips him up! The fans boo, but then Akira YANKS Robbie off the apron! Akira storms in, mockingly applauds again, and he tags Jakob. They stand Taiji up and Akira CHOPS! The Empire double whips but Taiji grabs the ropes. Taiji BOOTS Akira away, dodges Jakob, and sends him to Robbie! Robbie DUMPS Jakob out, then he and Taiji double whip Akira.
Super Extreme DOUBLE ELBOW Akira down, then Taiji gives Robbie help in the STANDING MOONSAULT! Akira bails out but Jakob returns, only for Super Extreme to kick him low. They double whip Jakob to the corner, then Robbie UPPERCUTS! Taiji ELBOWS Jakob, snapmares him, and he wheelbarrows with Robbie for the VICTORY SPLASH! The fans fire up as Super Extreme pushes the pace, but Taiji takes a moment to catch his breath. Taiji CLUBS Jakob, then cravats for the neck wrench. Taiji turns Jakob for the NECKBREAKER across the knee! Cover, TWO! Robbie steps in, he CHOPS Jakob, then Super Extreme double whip again.
Jakob slides out, but Taiji gives Robbie the boost! Robbie goes up, up, and he KICKS Jakob from the apron! But Akira shoves Taiji into Robbie! Robbie lands on his bobby! Akira whips Taiji for him and Jakob to DOUBLE ELBOW him down! Jakob adds a PENALTY KICK, Akira adds a STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Taiji toughs it out, but Jakob whips Taiji to the corner. Jakob stomps away on Taiji, digs his boots in, but the ref counts. Jakob stops at 4, argues with the ref that he has ’til 5, but this is so Akira can CHOKE Taiji behind the ref’s back! The fans boo, but Akira gets away with it all.
Jakob pushes Taiji out before he tags Akira. Akira goes to the apron, and he wraps on headscissors! Akira says take pictures now while you can! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Akira lets go at 4. Akira puts Taiji in the ring, steps on him for a cocky cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Taiji toughs it out, but Akira drags him up. Taiji fires body shots, and a CHOP! Akira eggs Taiji on but Taiji CHOPS again! Akira CHOPS in return, then bumps him off buckles. Tag to Jakob, he runs to BLAST Robbie, then he soaks up the heat. Jakob takes a bow, then flips off the fans that boo. Jakob stomps Taiji, but Taiji fires body shots.
Jakob ROCKS Taiji, stalks him, then puts him in the corner. Jakob whips Taiji corner to corner, runs in, but Taiji BOOTS back! Taiji clinches to BUCKLE SHOT! The fans fire up while Taiji crawls his way over! Hot tag to Robbie! The fans cheer as Mr. X BOOTS Akira, then fires off on Jakob! SOBAT and the fans fire up again! Robbie whips, Jakob reverses, but Robbie handsprings to SOBAT again! Robbie then suplexes, but Jakob lands out. Jakob shoves Robbie but Robbie goes up and over at the corner! Robbie handsprings then WHEEL KICKS! Robbie kips up while Jakob falls and the fans fire up again!
Robbie kicks Jakob, but Akira CLOBBERS Robbie from behind! The fans boo while Akira wags his finger. Akira CHOPS Robbie, whips him, but Robbie stops himself. Robbie TOSSES Akira, then cartwheels to dodge Jakob! Jakob is on the apron, Robbie NO HAND HANDSPRINGS Jakob down! Then he PLANCHAS to take Akira & Jakob down! The fans fire up with Robbie, and he drags Jakob up and into the ring. Robbie aims from the apron, springboards, and he DROPKICKS Jakob down! Cover, TWO! Jakob toughs it out but the fans are with Robbie. Robbie drags Jakob up, reels him in, but Jakob fights the lift!
The fans rally for Robbie, he Kawada Kicks then CHOPS Jakob, and he tries again. Jakob wrenches out, ducks a roundhouse and SUPERKICKS! Then Jakob suplexes for ANARCHY! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Robbie survives! Jakob drags Robbie up, fireman’s carries, but Robbie fights free! Jakob ducks the roundhouse but not the ENZIGIRI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Robbie and Jakob crawl, hot tags to Akira and Taiji! The fans fire up as Taiji dodges Akira, fires forearms with him, then fires as flurry! Akira ROCKS Taiji, whips him to ropes, but Taiji handsprings for the NEURALIZER KICK!
The fans fire up as Taiji keeps going, DOUBLE KNEES in the corner! Then ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, and a basement SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Akira survives but the fans rally for Taiji. Taiji gut wrenches but Akira blocks! Akira CLUBS Taiji again and again, but Taiji wrenches the arm for an ELBOW BREAKER! Taiji chicken wings, then he tucks Akira and hooks a leg, modified SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Akira survives, but Taiji holds onto an arm. Taiji hammerlocks Akira, aims for a corner, but Akira blocks! Akira fires body shots to get free, but Taiji ELBOW BREAKERS! Taiji hammerlocks Akira again, but Akira sends Taiji into the corner!
Akira runs in, LARIATS, then keeps going. Taiji BOOTS Akira again! Taiji runs, but Akira LARIATS again! Akira fires up, runs, but Taiji follows! Akira drops down to ENZIGIRI! Akira runs again, slides to trip Taiji, and he goes to the corner! TRIANGLE MOONSAULT! The fans are torn but Akira hits Taiji with SPEEDFIRE! Cover, TWO!! Taiji survives and the fans fire up again! Akira is frustrated, but he drags Taiji up and tries again. Akira hooks a leg, lifts, but Taiji fights the rest. Akira KNEES Taiji low, talks trash, then tries again. But Taiji flips through the suplex to gut wrench! But Akira turns taht around, to steal CIPHER UTAKI!
Taiji sputters while Akira goes to the corner! FIRE- NO! Taiji ducks the Fireball to hit LA MYSTICA! But Akira flips through! Only for Taiji to ghost pin! TWO, but into BONE LOCK!! Robbie intercepts Jakob to tie up the arm, and DARK SACRIFICE!! Jakob scrambles away while Akira fights around! Taiji rolls him away from the ropes in the BONE LOCK!! Akira endures but Taiji bends him back! Akira CLAWS Taiji’s eyes, then gets the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as both men are down again. Taiji rises up, says BANG, and he drags Akira around. BLOODY- NO, Akira fights free! Taiji KNEES, whips, but Akira reverses.
Robbie sneaks the tag, Taiji slips around Akira, and they pop him up, but Akira fights free! Akira SHOVES Robbie into Taiji! Akira then blocks Robbie’s chop to BITE the arm! Akira SOBATS, runs, but into the TIGER WALL KICK! But Akira ENZIGIRIS! Robbie PELES! The fans are thunderous as Robbie checks the neck and powers up! Handspring and- NO, Jakob joins in! The Empire hits the DOUBLE BOMB!! Cover, but Taiji breaks it! The fans fire up as Taiji fires forearms on The Empire! Akira ducks, Jakob SUPERKICKS, TIGER FIRE GERMAN! The fans rally but Akira tags in Jakob! Jakob storms over to Robbie and vows to end this!
Jakob cravats Robbie, goes to the corner, JAKOB’S- NO, Robbie pops free! Akira runs up, Robbie puts him on the apron! Jakob runs up but is sent into Akira! Akira falls, Robbie O’Conner Rolls, but Jakob rolls through it and holds tights! TWO, Robbie dodges, handsprings, LETHAL- NO, Jakob catches Robbie to shove him. Robbie dodges the lariat, but not Akira’s SLINGSHOT CUTTER! Then JAKOB’S LADDER!! Cover, TWO!!! Robbie survives and the fans are thunderous! The Empire is furious but the fans rally as hard as they can for Robbie. Jakob vows to end this, and he drags Robbie up. Akira anchors Taiji as Jakob hooks the arms!
Taiji fights free of Akira to JUMP KNEE Jakob! HANDSPRING KICK on Akira! Robbie has Jakob, Taiji gut wrenches, and Robbie helps for a BOOSTED CIPHER UTAKI! Then the LETHAL INJECTION X!! The fans are thunderous as Super Extreme keeps it going! They hoist Jakob up, for the BLOODY KILLER!! Robbie hurries up top now, and with Jakob in the drop zone, we hop on the X EXPRE- NO, Jakob bails out! Robbie lands on his feet, Taiji gives him the boost, SUPER MOONSAULT! Down goes The Empire, but Robbie puts Jakob back in! Taiji 450 SPLASHES! And then the X EXPRESS!!! Cover, Super Extreme wins!!
Winners: Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Akira & Jakob brought the fire, but they just burned themselves out! Robbie & Taiji keep it Super Extreme, but who will be next? Well, Kosei Fujita makes his way out here, so that might be a clue. The fans cheer the Japanese Young Punk as he steps to the apron. Taiji invites him in so Fujita obliges, and he grabs a mic. Fujita tells Taiji & Robbie, “First of all, congratulations on your first defense. And maybe I’m a little rude in my challenge here, but I’d hardly say manners are on the champions’ side. So, I want to stand opposite you as an official challenger, and I expect an appropriate response.” Fujita tosses the mic over for Taiji to pick up.
Taiji says, “We’ve already done this before, but fine. Fujita, if you wanna go, I think you know, we’re a tough team to beat. We gladly accept facing you and Robbie Eagles again.” The fans cheer as the Ichiban Sweet Boys are coming back for a rematch! Will Fujita & Eagles make these titles mighty again? Or will Taiji & X make sure the mighty finally kneel?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI VS YOH!
Japones Del Mal is growing desperate after losing the tag titles, but his Road to Sakura Genesis has run across Direct Drive! Will Yoh finally stand atop the Junior Heavyweight Division? Or will Douki stack the deck too high to overcome?
In quite the role change, YOH attacks Douki first! He CLAWS the eyes and THROWS Douki into the ring! The fans cheer as the bell rings and Yoh goes for EVERY- NO, Douki slips free! Yoh dodges and clinches again! EVERY- NO, Douki slips free again! Douki CLAWS the eyes, runs the ropes, but Yoh goes to the corner to RUN Douki over! The fans cheer as Yoh continues to copy Evil to a T! Douki bails out, Yoh pretends to be an airplane, then he fakes the plancha, only for Douki to trip him up! Douki drags Yoh out, then tells fans to move! Douki wrenches and whips, but Yoh reverses! Yoh BOWLS Douki into the chairs!
The fans cheer as Yoh lets Douki flounder in the mess, and even takes a lap around the ring. Yoh checks on the title belt, and even pats President Ace on the head. Yoh goes back for Douki, then drags him up to SMACK off the apron. Yoh goes looking under the ring, and he brings out several chairs! In another shoutout to Evil, Yoh puts a chair around Douki’s head! Red Shoes stops Yoh from using the other chair, but Yoh SHOVES him down! Douki CLOBBERS Yoh with the Death Pipe! Then he uses the pipe in the HALF CRAB! The fans boo but Yoh can only suffer! Douki lets Yoh go to drag him up and bring him around the way.
The fans rally as Douki drags Yoh up into the crowd! The lights come up for the orange seats and the fans fire up. Douki reels Yoh in but Yoh fights the suplex! Douki kicks Yoh’s leg, then SMASHES it on the floor! Yoh clutches the leg but Douki swaggers around while he soaks up heat. Douki walks down the steps, leaving Yoh behind. Red Shoes catches up and checks on Yoh. Yoh manages to stand, and the fans cheer as he walks his way back to ringside. The ring count climbs, but Yoh rolls inside at 15 of 20. Douki KICKS Yoh, then bumps him off bare buckles! The fans boo but Douki uses the House Special! Then he wraps Yoh’s leg around the post!
Red Shoes reprimands, but Douki SLAMS the leg against the steel! And he SLAMS the leg again! Douki CLUBS the leg, then SLAMS it off the post again! The fans boo but Douki rolls into the ring to drag Yoh out of the corner. Douki grabs the bad leg, trips Yoh, and ELBOW DROPS on the knee! Yoh endures as Douki has the leg in a toehold! The fans rally as Yoh pushes against Douki but Douki pulls the leg! Yoh crawls back to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, but Douki digs his knuckles into the knee! Red Shoes counts and Douki stops at 4. Douki drags Yoh up, but Yoh SLAPS Douki! Yoh kicks at Douki, then rises to fire forearms and kicks!
Yoh whips but Douki avoids the dropkick! Douki traps the legs and rolls Yoh into a DEATHLOCK! The fans rally as Yoh endures again! Yoh fights around, even as Douki puts on the pressure! Yoh eggs Douki on but Douki CLUBS away on the legs! Yoh again drags Douki along to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer again, but Douki still holds on! Red Shoes reprimands, and Douki lets go to drag Yoh up. Douki has the leg, but Yoh fires elbows! Douki lifts but Yoh fires more shots! Yoh waistlocks but Douki ELBOWS free! Yoh still reels Douki in, but Douki uses the British Escape! But Yoh blocks the kick, hands it to Red Shoes, he mule kicks Douki for the DDT!
The fans cheer while both men are down! Yoh crawls to ropes, stands back up, and he runs at Douki to CLOBBER him! And CLOBBER him again! Yoh whips, Douki reverses, but Yoh hits FLYING FOREARMS! The fans cheer as Yoh pursues Douki on the outside, and RAMS him into the timekeeper’s area! Yoh wipes out Abe-san AND Hiroshi Tanahashi! The fans are stunned, Yoh might’ve taken imitating Evil too far…! Yoh copies Tanahashi now by saying, “Korakuen, ASHITEMAAASU~!” The fans cheer while Yoh drags Douki back into the ring. Yoh then suplexes Douki for a FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally as Douki survives, and Yoh shakes out the legs before he stands. Yoh tunes up the band and then fans cheer. But then Douki uses Red Shoes as a shield! Douki ENZIGIRIS, then runs, but into a wrench! Yoh suplexes, Douki slips free, and Douki shoves Yoh at Red Shoes! Yoh stops short, but Douki dropkicks the legs out! Yoh SMASHES the knee on the mat, then he steps through to tie Yoh up in a PARADISE DEATHLOCK! Yoh endures again while the fans cheer him on! Douki puts on the pressure but Yoh flails and reaches out! The fans rally harder and harder as Yoh crawls with his free arm! Yoh powers his way over, and manages the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer but Douki refuses to let go until Red Shoes counts 4! Douki huffs ‘n’ puffs while the fans duel. Douki drags Yoh up, then lifts, and he DOUBLE KNEE SMASHES! Douki steps through again, but Yoh CLAWS the eyes! Yoh runs up but Douki BOOTS and skins the cat in one go! Douki RAMS into Yoh, then slingshots, DAY- NO, Yoh stops Daybreak for a suplex, GHOST BUSTER! Both men are down again while the fans fire back up! Yoh and Douki stir, and they crawl to each other at center. They slowly stand back up, and Yoh fires a forearm! And fires another! Douki eggs Yoh on so Yoh fires forearms, UPPERCUTS, and repeat!
Douki dropkicks the legs! Yoh staggers away, but he rebounds to roll Douki up! TWO, and Douki blocks the superkick to HELLSTAB! Douki runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Yoh JUMP KNEES! The fans cheer as Yoh gets Douki back up, half nelsons, full nelsons, and DRAGON SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! The bad leg may have held Yoh back on that, but he keeps his focus as the fans rally again. Yoh roars, rises, and brings Douki around. Yoh reels Douki in but Douki fights Direct Drive. Douki BOOTS Red Shoes down, then whips Yoh into the bare buckles! Both men are down, the Young Lions check Red Shoes, and the fans rally up.
Douki goes outside to look under the ring, and he brings out the Black Mirror! The fans boo but Douki SMACKS Wato on commentary!! Master Wato won’t be able to help his teammate and friend now! Douki then winds up, but Yoh blocks the shot! Yoh LOW BLOWS Douki, then he picks up the mirror! Yoh SMASHES Douki with the Black Mirror!! Yoh slashes his throat and he drags Douki up. Yoh fireman’s carries and DARKNESS FALLS!! Cover, TWO!! Douki survives but the fans are thunderous for “YO-OH! YO-OH!” Yoh steps through, for the SCORPION DEATHLOCK!! Douki endures, flails, but SHO arrives! And he rings the bell to trick Yoh!
Sho SMACKS Young Lions out of the way, too! Sho grabs the Black Mirror, threatens Yoh with it, but YOSHINOBU KANEMARU slithers in! He SHOVES Yoh into Red Shoes, sending Red Shoes into the mirror! The fans boo as The House stomps away on Yoh! Then Sho sets Yoh up while Kanemaru takes a swig. But Yoh breaks free and SUPERKICKS Kanemaru down! Then Yoh takes a swig, and he WHISKEY- NO, Sho smothers Yoh! But Yoh breaks free, to WHISKEY KISS Sho!! Yoh gives his former friend a kiss goodnight before he hits EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! The fans fire up, but Douki has Death Pipe!
Yoh BOOTS the pipe down, then he ROCKS, ROLLING ELBOWS, and LARIATS Douki down! The fans are thunderous as Yoh runs to LARIAT FROM HELL!! Yoh shouts for Red Shoes, but Marty Asami is here! EVERYTHING IS- NO, Douki SHOVES Yoh into Marty! LOW- NO! Yoh stops the low blow to whip Douki. But Douki reverses, Yoh hits bare buckles! Douki runs in, but into the SUPERKICK!! The fans are electric as Yoh vows to end this! Another ref appears, Yoh underhooks Douki, DIRECT- NO! Douki RAMS Yoh into the ref and bare buckles! Three refs down, and now Douki LOW BLOWS!!
Dick Togo appears, he and Douki combine for MAGIC KILLER!! The fans boo but Kanemaru passes a chair to Douki. Douki puts the chair around Yoh’s neck, and Dick hits the HOMERUN! The fans boo as hard as they can while Yoh is a sitting duck! Douki crawls, Dick forces a fourth ref to get in there! Douki hauls Yoh up, clinches, EVERYTHING IS EVIL!!! Douki covers, and TWO?!?! No one can believe it, least of all Douki!! But this is how important this title is to everyone! Douki wheelbarrows, SUPLEX DE LA LUNA!!! Bridging cover, DOUKI WINS!
Winner: Douki, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
Yoh tried to be Evil, but he just wasn’t Evil enough to defeat the House of Torture’s endless bag of tricks! Will Direct Drive ever reach that next gear?
As for Douki, he gets the belt back, but he again demands Tanahashi put it around him as part of the celebration. But then surprise, Tiger Mask is here! Douki gets spooked, and Tiger grabs the mic! “Oi, do you really think the fans are satisfied with a match like this, ya bastard?!” The fans cheer Tiger there! Tiger says open your ears and listen carefully! HE’S NEXT! The fans fire up for that, and Tiger says that he may not have been a product of NJPW, but he IS the product of the ORIGINAL Tiger Mask, Satoru Sayama, and his Strong Style! That makes him more than capable of beating the crap outta the likes of Douki! Tiger Mask vows to retire as a champion!
The fans love the sound of that! Will Tiger Mask’s last go at the title not only send him off into the sunset, but mark him down as the historic 100th champion?!
My Thoughts:
A great night for Road to Sakura Genesis, and another great night where the Junior Heavyweights were the focus. Super Extreme VS United Empire was awesome, and for just a moment, it seemed like The Empire would win. But Robbie & Taiji making it through their first defense was the right move. Fujita challenging them while Eagles is still stateside is fine, and there’s time before the Best of the Super Juniors to fit in a tag title match. Awesome main event with Yoh copying Evil’s shtick, right down to sending his opponent into the timekeeper’s table. I kinda wish Yoh had won here, but Douki VS Tiger Mask being set as Tiger’s last chance at the title is some great stuff. I hope Hontai actually helps protect Tiger from the House of Torture, they hardly do that.
My Score: 8.8/10
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