NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 33 Results & Report! (7/25/23)
A & B, round 4!
Whose luck runs out in the fourth round?
Sanada is 3-0 in A Block, and Kazuchika Okada is 3-0 in B Block! Will either man still be leading the G1 Climax after tonight?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: Will Ospreay VS Great-O-Khan; Ospreay wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: Shota Umino VS Gabe Kidd; Shota wins.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: Taichi VS KENTA; Kenta wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: Yota Tsuji VS Chase Owens; Tsuji wins.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: Tanga Lao VS El Phantasmo; ELP wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: Ren Narita VS Hikuleo; Hikuleo wins.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: Kazuchika Okada VS YOSHI-HASHI; Okada wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: SANADA VS Kaito Kiyomiya; Sanada wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings.
Sanada: 3-0, 6 points
Kaito Kiyomiya: 2-0-1, 5 points
Gabe Kidd: 2-1, 4 points
Chase Owens: 2-1, 4 points
Ren Narita: 0-1-2, 2 points
Shota Umino: 0-1-2, 2 point
Yota Tsuji: 0-2-1, 1 point
Hikuleo: 0-3, 0 points
Here are the current B Block standings.
Kazuchika Okada: 3-0, 6 points
Taichi: 2-1, 4 points
Will Ospreay: 2-1, 4 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 2-1, 4 points
Tanga Loa: 1-2, 2 points
Kenta: 1-2, 2 points
Great-O-Khan: 1-2, 2 points
El Phantasmo: 0-3, 0 points
G1 Climax 33, B Block: Will Ospreay VS Great-O-Khan!
The United Empire was bound to clash being in the same block, and perhaps it is misfortune that it happens here in the fourth round. But will the IWGP United States Champion stay strong? Or will the Rev-Pro British Heavyweight Champion soon have the upper hand?
The bell rings and the two tie right up! They’re in a deadlock as fans rally and duel. Khan powers Ospreay back a few steps, but Ospreay digs in his heels! Even so, Khan puts Ospreay on the ropes. The ref calls for the break, Khan lets off with pats on the shoulders, and fans applaud. Ospreay gets right up in Khan’s face, stands him up tall, and CHOPS! But Khan doesn’t flinch! Ospreay fires forearm after forearm but Khan just brushes himself off. So Ospreay dares Khan to try! Khan Mongolian Chops! Ospreay drops to a knee, but he rises up. Khan Mongolian Chops again! Ospreay drops to a knee again, but he rises back up.
Khan Mongolian Chops again, but Ospreay SOBATS! Ospreay whips, but Khan blocks! Khan whips, Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to BOOT! Ospreay runs, but into a back drop! Fans fire up for Khan while Ospreay flounders. Khan drags Ospreay up to suplex high and hard! Cover, ONE! Khan wraps onto Ospreay with a HEAD ‘N’ ARM TRIANGLE! Ospreay kicks around to the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer as Khan lets off, but Khan kneels on Ospreay’s face! The ref reprimands, Khan steps away, and fans rally. Khan drags Ospreay back into a chinlock, and digs his knee in! Then he throws elbows down into the shoulder!
Ospreay endures as Khan goes back to the chinlock. Fans rally up, Ospreay fights around, but Khan shifts to a headlock. Khan grinds Ospreay into the mat, but Ospreay fights back up. Ospreay throws body shots, but Khan ELBOWS him on the neck! Khan whips Ospreay to a corner, but Ospreay reverses! Ospreay runs in but only gets buckles! Khan CLUBS Ospreay on the back, and fans fire up as Khan sits on his throne! But Ospreay slips out to JUMP STEINER! Fans fire up as Khan goes flying! Ospreay drags Khan up, fires forearms, then whips. Khan reverses but Ospreay handsprings, NEURALIZER!
Fans fire up again while Khan bails out. Ospreay hurries over, to PLANCHA! Direct hit and down goes Khan! Fans fire up again and Ospreay says “IKU ZO! <LET’S GO!>” Ospreay drags Khan up and puts him in, then aims from the apron. Khan rises, fans rally, and Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Khan hangs tough, but Ospreay drags him to a drop zone. Ospreay goes up the corner but Khan anchors him. Ospreay CLUBS Khan but Khan TRIPS Ospreay! And then SLAM DUNKS him off the buckles! Then runs to BOOT Ospreay down! Cover, TWO! Ospreay hangs tough and fans rally up again.
Khan puts some stank on his hands, but Ospreay blocks the Mongolian Chops to give Kawada Kicks! Ospreay pulls the ponytail and turns Khan around, to CHOP! Ospreay fires the fans up, but Khan catches him for a HITSUJIGOROSHI! Ospreay claws at the hold and fires fists from below, but Khan knees him in the back! Khan scoops Ospreay, carries him over, and DUMPS him outta the ring! Ospreay hits apron on the way down! Khan goes out after Ospreay and tells cameramen to move. Khan drags Ospreay up to whip him hard into railing! Ospreay sputters as he falls, but Khan opens the gate!
Fans move aside as Khan brings Ospreay into the seats. Khan BOWLS Ospreay into chairs! The ref has Khan go back to the ring while he checks Ospreay, but Khan goes looking for something. Khan brings out a chair from under the ring! Khan drags Ospreay back to the ring, to RAM into railing! Khan has the chair, and he JAMS Ospreay! And SMACKS him on the back! The ref reprimands but Khan pushes Ospreay into the ring. Khan covers with one hand, but the ref won’t count that. This ref is following Red Shoes’ example, taking outside shenanigans into consideration. Khan drags Ospreay up and reels him in.
Khan scoops, but Ospreay slips free to HOOK KICK! Fans fire up as Ospreay powers up the arm! Ospreay aims from the corner, Khan sits back up, but Khan avoids Hidden Blade! Khan shoves the ref at Ospreay but Ospreay moves, so the ref hits buckles hard! Ospreay storms up, into MIST!! Khan blinds Ospreay with clear mist, then trips Ospreay to the PANCAKE BRIDGE! TWO, and Khan waistlocks to bridge! TWO, suplex to PANCAKE! TWO!?!? Ospreay escapes and he says he can’t see! Khan runs in to clothesline Ospreay out! Fans rally up and Khan PLANCHAS?! Fans fire up even more as Khan takes Ospreay down!
Khan drags Ospreay up and into the ring, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! ELIMI-NO, Ospreay flips through to SUPERKICK! And he swats the lariat to HOOK KICK! Ospreay runs, into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!! Ospreay survives and we hit 10 minutes! Khan vows to end this and he goes up, to MOONSAULT!?? Cover, TWO!!! Khan is busting out Ospreay-esque moves and yet Ospreay is still in this! But the Monster Rage boils over! Khan IRON CLAWS, then ELIMIN- NO, JUMP KNEE! But HELL STABS! Khan runs, but into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!?!? Khan survives but Ospreay fires up!
Ospreay calls his shot, springboards, OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Khan survives but Ospreay puts him in the drop zone! Ospreay goes up to CORKSCREW SENTON!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Khan earns 0)
Ospreay truly took a “Leap of Faith” with that corkscrew, and now he is victorious! Khan sure tried some nasty tactics, but Ospreay lets it slide, and even offers Khan a hand. Khan accepts it and the fans cheer. The United Empire is still strong, will they take over the G1 one way or another?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: Shota Umino VS Gabe Kidd!
The Roughneck has two points from two draws, while this War Dog has two wins for four points. Will Gabe be able to beat Shota in time? Or will he feel the Paradigm Shift firsthand?
Not again! Despite Shota entering through the crowd, Gabe still blindsides him! Fans boo but Gabe doesn’t care, and he takes Shota’s jacket to wear as his own! Gabe mocks Shota’s entrance then tells the fans off. Gabe then lashes Shota with his own jacket! And again! Gabe drags Shota up to CHOP him! Gabe then headlocks to bring Shota along, and ROCKS him with a forearm! they go down the bleachers, Gabe CHOPS Shota again, and fans boo more. Gabe headlocks Shota again to bring him down to the ground level, and POSTS him! Gabe puts Shota in the ring, and he tells the ref to ring the bell!
The ref reluctantly does as told, and Gable runs to COMEBACKER LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Shota is still in this and Gabe is furious. Gabe drags Shota up, drags him through the ropes and to the apron, but Shota fights the suplex! Shota throws body shots, fires forearms, and fans rally! Shota hits Gabe again and again, but Gabe ROCKS Shota back! Gabe reels Shota in, to suplex him to the apron! Shota flops to the floor and Gabe dusts himself off while fans boo. Gabe then goes looking around, and he goes out to just grab an empty chair! Fans boo and commentary tells him not to go this far but Gabe says he’s gonna do what he wants!
But the ref stops Gabe from using the chair on Shota, so Gabe throws the ref into the ring. Gabe wants a ring count now! The count begins, Gabe paces around, and fans rally for Shota. Gabe lounges on the top rope, fans boo, but we’re at 7 of 20! Gabe says HE is the future of NJPW, not Shota! Shota stirs at 10, sits up at 12, but staggers around at 14 and flops back over! Shota gets up at 16 and hops in at 17, but Gabe stands him up to CHOP him down! Gabe digs his boot into Shota’s head, but fans boo and the ref reprimands. Gabe lets off at 4, sits Shota up, and KICKS him in the back! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally up but Gabe smirks then flips everyone off. The fans cheer Shota on but Gabe goes out to snatch a fan’s Shota banner! Gabe CHOKES Shota with it! Fans boo, the ref counts, and Gabe lets off at 4. Gabe then flosses his cheeks with the banner! Then he spits on it! Gabe throws it back to the crowd as they boo, but he just soaks it all up. Gabe eggs Shota on, and Shota rises. Gabe talks trash, but Shota throws a forearm! But there’s no power behind it! Shota gets mad and he fires another forearm, but there’s still not a lot of power. Shota gets angrier, the fans rally for him, and he fires another forearm, but Gabe ROCKS him with a right!
Gabe reels Shota in, EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Shota is still in this and Gabe grows frustrated. Gabe drags Shota up, reels him in, but Shota fights the lift! So Gabe CLUBS away on Shota. Gabe runs, but Shota catches him for the DROP and BASEMENT UPPERCUT! Fans fire up as Shota grits his teeth and checks his neck. Shota whips Gabe to a corner, runs in, and UPPERCUTS! Then FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but fans still rally. Shota nods and he drags Gabe up. Shota clinches but Gabe fights the suplex! Shota knees low, snapmares and clamps onto an arm, to then throw down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!
Fans fire up as Shota uses the Blackpool Combat Club special and just drives those elbows in! Shota then drags Gabe up, clinches, but Gabe fights with elbows of his own. Gabe CLUBS Shota, runs, but into a DROPKICK! Shota then hurries to the corner, climbs up, and fans rally. Gabe stands, and Shota BLINDSIDE MISSILE DROPKICKS! Shota then drags Gabe up, for SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! Gabe is still in this but Shota just fires up again. Both men rise, and Shota sees Gabe go to the corner. Shota drags Gabe up, hoists him up top, and then climbs up after him. Fans rally again but Gabe fights the clinch!
Gabe CLUBS Shota, ROCKS him with a forearm, but then Shota just laughs! Gabe throws more shots but Shota gives them back! They brawl up top, Shota gets the edge and Gabe wobbles! Shota clinches, but Gabe BITES an ear!! The ref reprimands, Gabe lets off, and fans boo. Gabe drags Shota up with a HANGING FACELOCK!! The ref counts, Gabe lets Shota go at 4 and Shota flops down! Fans boo more but Gabe hops down and catches his own breath. Gabe scuffs Shota but the fans continue to rally. Gabe snarls and he KICKS Shota in the back! Gabe scuffs Shota more, mocks the new Ace, “What you got? What you got?!”
Gabe SPITS at Shota! Fans boo more and Shota stands. Shota scowls and swings, but Gabe ROCKS him first! Shota BOOTS, Gabe CHOPS, but then Shota clinches for the EXPLODER! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Gabe sputters as he rolls to a corner, and Shota rolls to the opposite end. We reach 10 minutes as both men stand. Shota runs corner to corner but Gabe BOOTS him! But Shota rebounds to UPPERCUT Gabe at the ropes! Shota goes out, SLINGSHOT DDT! Shota then watches Gabe flounder and the fans rally up. Gabe rises slowly, Shota runs in, kick and underhooks! But Gabe sends Shota at the ref!
Shota stops himself, and then he blocks Gabe’s low blow! Fans boo Gabe, and Shota reels him in, POP-UP UPPERCUT! Then IGNITION!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives but Shota fires up! Fans are with him as he underhooks, but Gabe waistlocks. Shota switches, Gabe elbows free, then he grabs at the ref. Gabe sends the ref at Shota! Shota moves the ref aside but Gabe HAYMAKERS! Fans boo the closed fist, but Gabe hits a SAIDO!! Cover, TWO!?! Shota survives and Gabe can’t believe it! The fans rally up for Shota again, but Gabe flips them off. The fans boo, Gabe drags Shota up, and Gabe hooks a leg!
Shota fights the lift, Gabe CLUBS him on the back, then CHOPS him! And CHOPS him again! Gabe runs, but into a POP-UP CLINCH for DEATHRIDER!! Shota then drags Gabe right up as the fans rally, for PARADIGM SHIFT!! Cover, SHOTA WINS!
Winner: Shota Umino, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Gabe earns 0)
Comeuppance bites this War Dog in the butt, and Shota is now even with him at four points each! But while 1-1-2 looks weird, will this be what helps Shota stay ahead in the block?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: Taichi VS KENTA!
The KOPW Champion, the Holy Emperor, suffered his first loss in the G1 at the hands of Kazuchika Okada. The Defy Wrestling Champion, the Fang Revived, suffered another loss, and at the hands of Will Ospreay. In another clash of champions, who has the worse luck in round four?
As Taichi makes his entrance, Kenta mocks the sing-along by strumming his Defy title as a bass guitar. And then Kenta is surprised Taichi has a belt at all. Kenta then says HIS belt means more, even though it’s not from NJPW. Taichi takes off his coat and fans cheer for the KOPW belt. Kenta raises his Defy belt and fans cheer again. Taichi holds up the KOPW belt and fans cheer even more! Kenta raises his belt again, and he still gets cheers, but it sounds like the NJPW belt is more popular. Kenta is annoyed by that, and Kenta shouts at Yoshinobu Kanemaru on commentary. Kanemaru hops into the ring and fans cheer him on.
Kenta raises his Defy belt, and fans cheer. Taichi gets on a corner and raises his KOPW belt and fans cheer. “Uncle Nobu” wants another sample, and so Kenta stands on a corner to raise his belt. Fans cheer, but then Taichi stands back on the corner, pops the pecs and holds up the belt, and fans cheer even more! Kanemaru declares… TAICHI the favorite! Kenta gets mad, kicks Kanemaru and then throws him out! But what did he expect from Taichi’s own teammate? But then Kenta CLOBBERS Taichi with the Defy belt! The ref missed that, but he still rings the bell and counts the cover! TWO!!
Kenta is even more upset, and he drags Taichi up. Fireman’s carry, GO TO- NO, Taichi blocks! And ROCKS Kenta, then hits a DANGEROUS SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! Kenta survives and both men are down while Kanemaru returns to commentary to ask what the heck. Both men in the ring rise and fans rally up. Taichi stands first, and Kenta wants him to hold on. Kenta apologizes for all that, but then he RIPS Taichi’s pants off! He denies Taichi his moment, but Taichi still hits AX BOMBER! Fans fire up as Taichi aims from the corner now! JUTEN- NO, Kenta dodges to fireman’s carry! Taichi slips off, but Kenta grabs the ref!
Taichi pushes Kenta to ropes so the ref goes along for the ride into the O’Conner Roll! But then Taichi keeps it going into the TAICHI GEDO CLUTCH! But the ref can’t count! Taichi would’ve won by now! Taichi lets off and gets mad at the ref. Kenta then scurries to his corner, grabs his Defy belt, and he takes aim again! But Taichi dodges the belt shot to SOBAT! Fans fire up with Taichi and he aims. BUZZSAW, but Kenta uses the belt as a shield! And then LOW BLOW! Roll-up, the ref counts, KENTA WINS!!
Winner: Kenta, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taichi earns 0)
Kanemaru is furious on Taichi’s behalf but the Fang Revived still stole one from Taichi! Kenta then hurries away before Kanemaru can do something about it. With this, Kenta leapfrogs near the top, will he still make this his G1?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: Yota Tsuji VS Chase Owens!
The GENE 1 isn’t going so well, as Tsuji only has one point from a draw. However, the C1 is feeling good with two wins and four points. Will the Crown Jewel continue to shine? Or will Tsuji find a way to break diamonds and finally score a win?
Chase insists on the ref checking Tsuji, and then he CLOBBERS Tsuji! Fans boo as Chase stomps Tsuji and the bell rings. Chase CHOKES Tsuji, the ref reprimands, but Chase whips Tsuji to ropes and CLOBBERS him again! Cover, TWO! Chase keeps his cool as he paces around. Chase drags Tsuji up, hooks the arms but Tsuji gets away to the outside. Chase pursues to RAM Tsuji into railing! Chase brings Tsuji around, and whips him into more railing! Fans rally for Tsuji but Chase drags him up. Chase brings Tsuji around, to whip again, but Tsuji sends Chase into railing now! Chase hobbles and fans rally for Tsuji more.
Tsuji stalks Chase, SMACKS him off the apron, and then SMACKS him off the apron again! Tsuji goes up to the apron and fans cheer, but Chase YANKS Tsuji down! Fans boo but Chase hurries back up as the ring count starts. But Tsuji jumps to TIGER FEINT KICK! Tsuji keeps himself on the apron with his feet in the ropes! Tsuji then stands up, climbs the corner as we pass 10 of 20, and he ASAI MOONSAULTS Chase down! Fans fire up with that show of agility, but the count is now 15! Tsuji brings Chase up and into the ring as fans rally behind him. Chase rolls all the way to the far side and bails out, but Tsuji just takes aim!
Fans fire up as Tsuji builds speed! Chase gets up, but Tsuji avoids his shoulder! But Chase avoids the knee! Tsuji avoids the lariat but Chase avoids the shoulder to KNEE Tsuji, and Chase hits a HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! Chase rolls back in and he stomps Tsuji around. Chase drags Tsuji up, headlock punches, but claims it was his palm. Fans boo as Chase stands on Tsuji’s head and mocks the LIJ fist. Chase then fishhooks Tsuji’s face! The ref counts, Chase lets off and he drags Tsuji back up. Chase shoves Tsuji to ropes to then ROCK him in the back! And then another shove, for another forearm to the back!
Chase brings Tsuji up, BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Tsuji hangs in there but Chase paces around. Chase kicks at Tsuji, but Tsuji just grins? Chase slaps Tsuji around, taunts him, and stands him up to fire a forearm! But Tsuji still grins! Chase fires more forearms, but Tsuji eggs him on. Chase throat chops! No more smiling there, and Tsuji fires forearms in return! Tsuji runs, wheelbarrows, but Chase rolls him and shifts to a CROSSFACE! Fans cheer Chase’s agility and technical ability! Tsuji endures, moves around, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Chase lets off at 4, and paces around.
Tsuji goes to a corner, Chase runs in but Tsuji dodges! Tsuji comes back, but Chase dodges! Chase runs in but blocks a boot, only for Tsuji to bring him down with DOUBLE KNEES! Fans rally, Chase rises, and Tsuji fires up! Tsuji fires forearm after forearm, whips Chase but Chase reverses. Tsuji ducks ‘n’ dodges to BOOT Chase down! Fans fire up as Chase goes to a corner, and Tsuji runs in, but Chase puts him on the apron. Tsuji ROCKS Chase first, then climbs the corner! FLYING RANA! Chase tumbles out of the ring and fans fire up as Tsuji takes aim again! Tsuji builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit into the railing!
Fans fire up as Tsuji rises and roars! Tsuji hears the “YO~TA! YO~TA!” and he puts Chase in the ring. Cover, TWO! Chase is hanging tough but Tsuji stays focused. Tsuji kicks Chase to ropes, taunts him, and Chase fires a forearm! Tsuji knees low, reels Chase in, but Chase wrenches out, only for Tsuji to ROCK him! Tsuji runs in, into a BOOT! Back suplex off buckles, and then SAIDO! Chase hits the combo, and then he runs in at the corner, forearm smash! Short arm LARIAT! RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Tsuji is still in this and Chase is annoyed. Chase fireman’s carries, but Tsuji fights free!
Tsuji kicks low, suplexes, but Chase fights it! Chase wrenches out, fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as Tsuji is still in this and we hit 10 minutes. Chase takes aim, runs side to side, but Tsuji avoids the C-Trigger to JUMP KNEE! Tsuji runs, SPEAR into C-TRIGGER!! Chase wrenches, hammerlocks, JEWEL HEIST!! Cover, ONE?!?! C-TRIGGER!! Underhooks and lift, but Tsuji back drops! Chase sunset flips and high stacks, TWO! BACK ELBOW! Chase runs, into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB, into a RUNNING KNEE of Tsuji’s own!! Fans are thunderous as Tsuji hauls Chase up!
Tsuji suplexes, but Chase powers out to SUPERKICK! Tsuji roars, Chase fires off a strike fest, but Tsuji ROCKS Chase with one shot! Chase roars and runs in, into a HEADBUTT!! Tsuji looms over Chase, and he still smiles! Tsuji runs, CURB STOMP!! Cover, TWO!! Chase survives but Tsuji isn’t done there! Fans are thunderous as Tsuji roars and aims at Chase. Chase rises, Tsuji runs in, GENE BLAST SPEAR!! Cover, Tsuji wins!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Chase earns 0)
And with that, Tsuji finally hits the bull’s eye! Is there still time for Tsuji to blast off to the top of the block?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: Tanga Lao w/ Jado VS El Phantasmo!
The Silverback is just ahead of the Headbanga in the block with his one win, but that could all change. Will Loa be able to go Ape Shit on ELP? Or will Loa’s run face Sudden Death?
The bell rings and fans rally up. ELP offers a handshake, and Loa says okay, and accepts. They hug it out, both bonded by no longer being Bullet Club 4 Life. Fans rally up and ELP wiggles out of his shirt. Loa says thumbs up, 20/10. But then ELP wants Loa to take off the shirt, and the fans cheer for the same. Loa shimmies and shakes, but says no, he’s shy. ELP is bummed and says shirts off. Fans cheer for that, too, and Loa considers again. ELP even asks nicely, “Onegaishimasu!” Loa obliges and fans cheer. The two tie up, and Loa shoves ELP away. ELP comes back, they tie up, but Loa again shoves him away.
The two reset, tie up, ELP waistlocks then headlocks but Loa powers out to run ELP over. Things speed up, ELP DROPKICKS, but Loa rebounds to run ELP over! Fans cheer, Loa applauds, but ELP gets up to clothesline Loa and himself out of the ring! ELP then brings Loa up to CHOP! Loa shakes his head, so ELP CHOPS again! The chops hurt ELP’s hand as much as anything, but he still CHOPS again! Loa kicks low, brings him around, and Loa whips him at railing! But ELP LEAPS over them clean! Loa runs in, but ELP ROCKS him first! ELP hops up, TORNADO- NO, Loa blocks that and he TOSSES ELP back over!
ELP lands on his feet, SUPERKICK! And then SUPERKICKS again! Loa wobbles, ELP hops up to the next level, and he has fans scoot over to make room! ELP runs and FLIES to take out Loa! Fans fire up for “E L P! E L P!” while both men are down. ELP rises first, shakes out the arms and he brings Loa back up. ELP puts Loa in the ring, fans applaud and rally up, and ELP hurries up the ropes! SPRINGBOARD SWANTON! Then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Loa is still in this but ELP slashes his throat! ELP reels Loa in, calls out his shot, but the arms do bother him. ELP still tucks Loa in, only for Loa to power up!
Loa whips ELP away, runs in at the corner, but ELP goes up and over and handsprings, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard, into a SPEAR! Loa intercepts ELP and both men are down! Fans fire up and both men rise slowly. Jado coaches Loa and Loa shakes out the stars. Loa drags ELP up, CLUBS him on the back, then waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! ELP ends up all folded up but Loa aims from the corner. ELP rises, Loa runs in, and he clotheslines in the corner! Then GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Cover, TWO!! ELP is hanging tough and fans rally back up! Loa storms over to ELP and drags him up.
Loa reels ELP in, suplexes, but ELP slips free to roll Loa up! TWO!! ELP hurries to reel Loa in and turn him, but Loa fights the backslide! ELP keeps trying, he brings Loa down, cover! TWO!! Loa escapes but ELP runs up, only for Loa to block the cradle! Loa scoops ELP to swing him, for a SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO! ELP survives and fans fire up! Loa drags ELP up, BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! ELP barely gets that arm up in time! Loa stalks ELP to ropes, drags him up and around, and then suplexes again! Loa marches around with ELP and fans rally, before the JACKHAMMER! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again!
Loa grins and shakes his head, he didn’t think ELP was this tough. Loa looms over ELP, and he rains down forearms! Loa then lets off and the ref checks ELP. ELP’s still in this so Loa goes to a corner. Loa climbs and fans rally, but ELP trips Loa up first! ELP then hurries up after Loa, brings him to the very top, and fans rally up again! But Loa fights the superplex and throws body shots! Loa then HEADBUTTS ELP and ELP falls to the mat! We pass 10 minutes, and Loa adjusts his position. Loa drags ELP up to the top!? But ELP powers out to GAMANGIRI! ELP then resets things, and he GAMANGIRIS again!
Loa wobbles up top and fans fire up as ELP throws off his elbow pads! ELP climbs, goes to the very top, but Loa turns Steiner into SUPER POWERBOMB!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Loa crawls over to ELP, pushes him over for a cover, TWO!!! ELP survives and fans are thunderous again! ELP is shaking, and he pounds the mat as he fires up! Fans are with him, and he fires off shots on Loa! Loa grits his teeth and takes them all! ELP SLAPS! Loa SLAPS!! Loa scoops, carries ELP around, and runs, but ELP slips off! GHOST PIN! ELP WINS!!
Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Loa earns 0)
The Headbanga toughed it out and he finally gets on the board! ELP puts Loa at the bottom of the block now, but Loa still shows ELP respect by helping him up. Will these two still find their way to the top as the G1 rolls on?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: Ren Narita VS Hikuleo w/ Jado!
The Son of Strong Style has kept pace with rival Shota, in that he has two points but no wins. But that is still better than the Young Guerrilla having no wins and no points! Will Hikuleo keep from falling to 0-4? Will Shota actually get a W?
The bell rings and the two stare down as fans rally up. Then they tie up, and Hiku shoves Narita away. Narita gets up and Hiku eggs him on. They circle, Narita gets around Hiku but Hiku avoids the drop toehold, only for Narita to avoid the stomp. Hiku says it was that close, and the two reset. Hiku then calls for a test of strength, but also mocks Narita with how much taller he is than Narita. Narita goes for another drop toehold but Hiku avoids it again. Narita tries again but Hiku grabs that leg to stand Narita up! Narita fights the choke grip! Narita throws forearms, ROCKS Hiku, but then Hiku shakes his head.
Hiku swings, Narita dodges and FLYING FOREARMS! Hiku staggers, Narita runs, but Hiku BOOTS Narita down! Fans fire up and Hiku stomps Narita around. Narita throws hands but Hiku CLUBS him back down! Hiku drags Narita up, ROCKS him, and then storms up to Narita at the ropes. Hiku ROCKS Narita again, but Narita fires a forearm! And another! And another! Hiku boots but Narita blocks! Narita ROCKS Hiku, Hiku runs back in but Narita dumps him out! Narita goes out and kicks Hiku! Narita whips, but Hiku blocks! Hiku then whips Narita hard into railing! Narita goes down in a heap!
Hiku drags Narita up, brings him around, and gives him an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Fans fire up while Hiku paces. Hiku drags Narita up, puts him in, and fans applaud as Hiku steps back into the ring. Hiku looms over Narita, drags him up, and ROCKS him with a forearm! Narita sits in a corner and Hiku digs his boots in! The ref counts, Hiku lets off, and then Hiku drags Narita up. Narita fires forearms! Hiku fires them back! Hiku then TOSSES Narita across the ring! Fans fire up and Hiku aims. Narita drags himself up, Hiku runs in, but Narita dodges! Narita runs in, but Hiku scoops him! But Narita shifts around to a SLEEPER!
Hiku stays standing, and he RAMS Narita into the buckles! Hiku is free and Narita is the one sputtering. Hiku drags Narita up, but Narita gets a leg! Narita drags Hiku down, turns him over, but Hiku BOOTS Narita away! Fans rally as Hiku stands and shakes out the legs. Hiku storms over to Narita, Narita stands and Hiku CHOPS! Hiku then scoops, to POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally but Hiku drags Narita up. Hiku suplexes, holds Narita up, but Narita slips free to hop on, SLEEPER! Hiku shakes and scoops Narita, to SPINNING SIDEWALK SLAM! Fans rally and Jado coaches Hiku as both men are down!
Hiku rises in the corner, Narita goes to the opposite. Hiku runs in to SPLASH! And then scoop, to SNAKE EYES! Hiku runs to LARIAT! Hiku hauls Narita back up to suplex, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Narita survives falling from such a high place, but Hiku has something even bigger planned! Hiku hauls Narita up, whips him, but Narita avoids the scoop powerslam! Narita BOOTS, but Hiku choke grips! Narita goes after that arm but Hiku RAMS him into buckles! Narita runs in, dodges Hiku and WHEEL KICKS! Fans fire up, Narita runs to BOOT, but Hiku stays up! Hiku roars, Narita runs, and BOOTS again!
Hiku is still up so Narita goes again! Narita avoids Hiku’s boot to NECKBREAKER DROP! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Hiku goes to ropes and Jado coaches him but Narita aims from a corner. Narita runs in to BACK ELBOW! Narita facelocks but Hiku’s too big to suplex! Narita kicks at the legs, runs, and BOOTS again! Then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Narita gets a leg! KNEEBAR!! Hiku endures, kicks at Narita, but Narita pulls on the leg more! Hiku fights, so Narita lets go to then tie up the legs! They roll, Narita holds on, and he tries to turn Hiku over!
Hiku is big but Narita stomps him into place! Only for Hiku to get the ROPEBREAK! Narita lets go in frustration and we pass 10 minutes. Narita roars, brings Hiku up and clinches, but Hiku is too big to Belly2Belly! Hiku HEADBUTTS! And fireman’s carry! But Narita slips around to a SLEEPER! Hiku RAMS Narita into buckles, but Narita holds on! Hiku starts to fade, Narita shifts to COBRA TWIST, but Hiku throws Narita right off! Narita roars, runs in, into the SNAP POWERSLAM!! Fans are thunderous as Hiku rises and calls his shot! Hiku clamps onto Narita, drags him up, CHOKE- ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!
Narita has the arm! Hiku kicks around and stacks Narita, TWO! Narita lets the arm go, but LEAPING STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!!! Hiku survives and fans fire up again! Narita roars, and he goes up the corner! Hiku rises, Narita leaps, but into the choke grip! But Narita SLAPS! And SLAPS! But Hiku SLAPS! And choke grips! To CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, HIKU WINS!
Winner: Hikuleo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Narita earns 0)
Finally a W for the Young Guerrilla, and that means he is no longer the bottom of the block! Will Hikuleo use this breakthrough to gain more ground in the G1?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: Kazuchika Okada VS YOSHI-HASHI!
Chaos clashes with Chaos as the Rainmaker battles with the Head Hunter! Will Okada assert his dominance by going 4-0? Or will Hashi shock the world by winning against one of the best?
The bell rings and the fans rally and duel as the two stare down. Okada and Hashi circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Okada powers Hashi back step back step, and puts him on the ropes. Red Shoes calls for the break, and Okada lets off slowly. Okada actually hits Hashi, though! Fans cheer as Okada dares Hashi to give one back. So Hashi does! They throw forearms back and forth and fans fire up! Okada knees low, headlocks, but Hashi powers up and out. They RAM shoulders and neither man falls. Okada runs, they RAM shoulders again and neither man falls. Okada eggs Hashi on so Hashi runs, only to duck ‘n’ dodge and run Okada over!
Fans fire up as Hashi paces. The fans seem strongly behind Hashi compared to Okada now, and Hashi brings Okada up. Okada knees low, runs, but Hashi follows to trip Okada up! Hashi drags Okada outside, CLUBS then CHOPS him! Okada comes back to BOOT Hashi, and DDT to the floor! Fans rally, Okada paces, and then Okada brings Hashi up. Okada POSTS Hashi! Hashi falls in a heap, some fans boo, but this is the new, meaner Okada who doesn’t care. The ref count starts, climbs to 10 of 20 pretty quickly, and Okada puts Hashi in at 12. Fans applaud and Okada steps in to bring Hashi up.
Okada snapmares Hashi at the ropes, then runs to BASEMENT DROPKICK! Okada then has a cocky cover, but Red Shoes doesn’t allow that. Okada stands on Hashi with his whole foot, but Red Shoes still disregards it. Okada steps away and paces while fans rally up. Okada brings Hashi up and around, turns him, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Okada scuffs Hashi and paces again. Okada gives Hashi some mocking knee strikes to the chin, but Hashi gets up to go forehead to forehead. Hashi then fires off forearms! Okada ROCKS Hashi with just one! Hashi falls against ropes but Okada stands him back up.
Okada whips, Hashi reverses but Okada ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for Hashi to dropkick the leg out! Fans fire up as Hashi is turning the tide! Okada goes to a corner, Hashi runs in and CHOPS! Hashi whips to CHOP again, then he mule kicks and runs, BLOCKBUSTER! Fans fire up with Hashi and Okada goes to another corner. Hashi runs in to clothesline! Then turn and NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Hashi keeps cool while Okada crawls. Hashi rallies the fans and he brings Okada up. Hashi suplexes to hang Okada out to dry, and then he runs, but Okada hops down! So Hashi dropkicks the legs out!
Fans fire up as Okada goes to the floor and Hashi pursues. Hashi has fans move aside so he can hang Okada out to dry on the railing! Hashi then goes side to side as fans fire up, and Hashi DROPKICKS Okada off railing! Fans fire up with Hashi again and Hashi drags Okada up. Hashi puts Okada in the ring, fans rally, and Hashi climbs the corner. But Okada anchors Hashi! Hashi CLUBS Okada, and again, and again, but Okada ROCKS Hashi back! And again! Okada CLUBS Hashi now, then climbs up after him. He wants cameramen to move? Because Okada fireman’s carries! But Hashi CLUBS Okada back!
Hashi sunset flips, to RUNNING POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Okada is still in this but Hashi isn’t giving up! Hashi drags Okada up, fisherman’s, but Okada fights the suplex! Okada pries the hold open and CLUBS Hashi back! Hashi kicks but Okada blocks and spins Hashi! Hashi blocks the boot to CHOP! Okada sputters to a corner and fans fire up with Hashi! Hashi runs back in, but Okada pops him up to an Alabama Lift! REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Both men are down again as we hit 10 minutes! Fans rally, Hashi clutches his neck and Okada catches his breath. Okada aims from a corner, Hashi rises, and Okada runs in to BOOT!
Hashi staggers around but he stays up, so Okada BOOTS him again! Hashi leans on ropes now, and fans rally. Okada BOOTS again, but Hashi roars! Hashi fires forearm after forearm, but Okada just nods! Okada and Hashi go forehead to forehead, and then forearm for forearm! Fans rally as the two pick up speed! They go back and forth, Okada ROCKS Hashi again, but Hashi shakes that off. Hashi throws a strike fest, and CHOPS! Okada sputters again and fans fire up! Hashi whips, Okada reverses but Hashi avoids the dropkick! To SUPERKICK! Fans fire up with Hashi and he drags Okada back up!
Hashi fisherman’s for the KUMA- NO, Okada fights free, gets around, DISCUS- DOUBLE LARIATS! Both men stagger around, and then they go forehead to forehead again. They start throwing SLAPS back and forth! Fans fire up as Hashi roars, but Okada SLAPS! And SLAPS! And CLUBS Hashi down! Okada runs, but Hashi LARIATS! But Okada’s right up to SHOTGUN!! Hashi is in the corner, he comes back, but Okada catches him! Ripcord, HASHI MAKER?! Hashi hits first and fans are thunderous! Hashi fisherman’s, KUMAGOROSHI!! Cover, TWO!??! Okada survives but the fans are electric for Hashi!
Hashi roars and he brings Okada back up. Hashi turns Okada, full nelson, pump handle, but Okada fights Karma with elbows! Okada hooks the ropes and Red Shoes calls the break. So Hashi LARIATS up close! Okada sputters to the corner and Hashi goes to the opposite. Hashi runs in, but Okada dodges! And Alabama, back drop to cover! TWO!!! Hashi escapes by nanoseconds! Okada swings, into the full nelson! But Okada wrenches out, and wraps on the MONEY CLIP!! Hashi fires body shots but he’s already fading! Okada squeezes tighter but the fans rally behind Hashi! Hashi sits down, Okada lets him go and drags him back up!
Okada paces, short arm- NO, Hashi blocks that! Hashi ducks the next, waistlocks, and we hit 15 minutes as Okada CLUBS away! Hashi kicks low! Hashi roars, runs, but into the DROPKICK! Okada hurries to haul Hashi up, scoops him, LANDSLIDE! Fans fire up and Okada roars! Okada drags Hashi back up, ripcords, RAIN- NO, Hashi ducks it to pump handle and KARMA CRADLE!! TWO!?!? Okada escapes with nanoseconds to spare, and then he shoots around! Ripcord, but Hashi ducks again! Only to run into a scoop! Hashi slips off, to SUPERKICK! Okada staggers, Hashi waits and jumps on, but Okada fights off the crucifix for a TOMBSTONE!!
Okada reels Hashi in to ripcord and RAINMAKER!!! Cover, Okada wins!!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Hashi earns 0)
Okada shows everyone that he is NOT Easy Pickings, he is an all you can eat buffet! But he and Hashi still fist bump in respect. Okada is now the first to 8 points this year, will he continue to stand atop the mountain that is the G1 Climax?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: SANADA VS Kaito Kiyomiya!
The main event is a battle for the top spot in the block, between two students of Keiji Mutoh! Will the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion shine brighter than the Supernova? Or will Kaito avoid a Skull End?
Fans rally up for Kaito but Sanada tunes that out. The bell rings and the two circle, and now the “SA-NA-DA!” comes out. The chants are equal according to Red Shoes, and the two feel things out. They tie up, Kaito wrenches and wristlocks but Sanada wrenches to wristlock back. Kaito fights the hold but Sanada twists the wrist harder. Kaito rolls, cartwheels, slips through and wrenches back! Fans cheer this technical exchange, and Kaito wristlocks again. Sanada rolls, trips Kaito, and drops to a toehold. Kaito fights with a chinlock but Sanada pulls on the leg. Kaito headscissors and wants the arm, but Sanada moves around.
Kaito shifts but Sanada stands, so Kaito hammerlocks. Sanada reaches down but Kaito keeps his feet back. Sanada switches the hammerlock onto Kaito but Kaito switches it right back onto Sanada. Sanada endures, but Kaito wrangles him to the mat. Fans cheer again, and Kaito SNAP LOCKS the arm! And again! And then drives knees into it! Kaito pulls harder on the hammerlock, but Sanada reaches back for a headlock. Kaito bridges over to put on the pressure, and then moves around the way to twist the hammerlock again. Fans applaud, and Kaito goes to hook another arm. Sanada resists, fights around, and sits up.
Sanada stands, reaches back, and headlocks. Kaito endures the grind, throws body shots, then brings Sanada down to a knee. Kaito pops out the back, but Sanada stands up. Kaito wrenches to hammerlock, but Sanada throws body shots. Sanada powers out but Kaito runs him over! Things keep moving, Sanada hurdles, but backflips as Kaito holds ropes to stop himself! Kaito runs in but Sanada avoids the Shining Wizard! Sanada runs but Kaito blocks the Shining Wizard! Fans are thunderous as these two stand off! The chants are dueling, “SA-NA-DA!” “KAI~TO!” The two circle, approach, and then Kaito runs!
Kaito ducks, dodges, slides under and arm-drags for an armlock! Sanada headscissors, Kaito kips free and DROPKICKS Sanada down! Cover, ONE!! Sanada runs in, into another arm-drag! Kaito has the armlock again and fans fire up! Sanada endures, even as Kaito digs a knee into his head. Sanada fights up, reaches out but Kaito keeps him from ropes. Sanada arm-drags but Kaito arm-drags right back to keep the armlock! Fans rally and duel, Sanada fights up again, and he goes around to go up the ropes and FLYING ARM-DRAG, only for Kaito to arm-drag and keep the armlock! Fans cheer as Kaito then drops an elbow on the arm!
Kaito keeps on the armlock but Sanada fights up again. Kaito hooks a leg to keep Sanada down, then he shifts to CLUB the elbow! Sanada pulls hair, Red Shoes reprimands, but Sanada still whips free, only for Kaito to CLOBBER him! Kaito elbows Sanada, whips, but Sanada reverses. Sanada runs in, Kaito ELBOWS him away, and then goes up, FLYING FOREARM! Sanada bails out and Kaito watches as fans rally. Kaito builds speed to FLY over the corner!! Direct hit and down goes Sanada! Fans rally harder for “KAI~TO!” while he brings Sanada back up. Kaito puts Sanada in the ring and waistlocks! Kaito deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!
Sanada is still in this and fans rally up again. Kaito hooks Sanada’s arms in chicken wings! But Sanada fights the lift! Kaito CLUBS away on Sanada, then chicken wings him again! TIGER- NO, Sanada arm-drags free! Sanada dodges to dropkick the legs, then he DROPKICKS Kaito down! Kaito flops out of the ring and fans fire up for Sanada again. Sanada PLANCHAS and down goes Kaito! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans do get louder as Sanada goes around the ring and Sanada is satisfied. Sanada returns to fetch Kaito, and he brings Kaito around to put him in the ring. But Sanada keeps Kaito on the apron! MAGIC SCREW to the floor!
Sanada looms over Kaito as he writhes, and then he drags Kaito up. We hit 10 minutes, Kaito pushes Sanada away but Sanada CHOKES him against the railing! Red Shoes reprimands, Sanada lets off, and Kaito sputters as he goes to the ring. Sanada pushes him in, covers, TWO! Kaito is hanging tough but Sanada paces. Sanada drags Kaito up to hit a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Sanada keeps cool. Sanada drags Kaito up, fireman’s carries, but Kaito fights free! Kaito shoves Sanada to a corner, runs in, but into an ELBOW! Sanada QUEBRADA, and he has Kaito in the dragon sleeper! SKULL- NO, Kaito slips free to DOUBLE STOMP Sanada’s leg!
Fans fire up while both men are down, and Sanada clutches that knee. The dueling continues, but the “KAI~TO!” is louder. Kaito goes to ropes, sees Sanada stand, and Kaito dropkicks the leg! And then dropkicks the leg again! Kaito goes to a corner, climbs up top, and he MISSILE DROPKICKS the leg! Sanada writhes but Kaito brings him up! DRAGON SCREW! And then step over, into the FIGURE FOUR!! Sanada endures and fans rally up again! Sanada pries at the hold but Kaito pushes his leg back down! Sanada claws at the mat but Kaito thrashes around to put on the pressure! Sanada keeps his shoulders up, and he works to turn it over!
Kaito fights the turn to keep the hold on Sanada! Kaito and Sanada glare at each other, and Sanada even eggs Kaito on! So Kaito THRASHES! Sanada’s shoulders are down, Red Shoes counts! TWO!! Sanada almost didn’t realize! Sanada powers up and pushes off the mat, and he TURNS IT OVER! Kaito now suffers the pressure! But then Kaito turns things back over! Sanada endures all over again, and Kaito puts on more pressure! Sanada reaches out, but Kaito thrashes some more! Sanada sits up, but he’s turned away from the ropes! We hit 15 minutes as Sanada continues to endure, and Sanada scrambles to the ROPEBREAK!
Fans cheer and Kaito undoes the hold. Sanada clutches the knee, but Kaito drags him up. Kaito chicken wings, for the TIGER PLEX! But Sanada lands out!? Only for his bad leg to jam!! Kaito smirks and he stalks up behind Sanada. Kaito drags Sanada up and has the bad leg! But Sanada CLUBS away! Kaito UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS and UPPERCUTS, then runs! But Sanada avoids the rolling elbow to underhook and TIGER DRIVER!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Sanada kips up!? He hobbles but the bad leg held together! Sanada then drags Kaito up, fireman’s carries, T K O!! Cover, TWO!
Sanada slaps the bad leg into working, and we hit the three minute warning! SKULL- NO, Kaito fights the sleeper, so Sanada gives him a SKULL SWING! Then he puts Kaito in the drop zone, to go up and ROUNDING BODY- NO, Kaito moves and Sanada lands on his feet, to jam the bad leg! SHINING WIZARD from Kaito!! But Kaito can’t make the cover! Fans are thunderous and dueling, and Kaito rises first. Kaito drags Sanada up but Sanada UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS, but into a hook, and ELBOW! Kaito runs, ROLLING ELBOW! But Sanada DROPKICKS right back! Two minute warning as Kaito JUMP KNEES! And TIGER PLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!!!
Fans are electric as time is ticking away! Kaito powers up, drags Sanada up, and Kaito chicken wings! TIGER DRIVER 23!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Sanada survives Kaito’s best but Kaito isn’t done yet! Kaito is all fired up, and he aims from a corner! Sanada rises as we hit the last minute! EVOLVED- POP-UP CUTTER!!! Sanada stops Kaito’s second best shot, and he aims from a corner! Sanada SHINING WIZARD!! But he isn’t done, he clinches to DEAD- ROLL-UP FROM KAITO!! TWO!!!! Kaito staggers up and we hit 30 SECONDS! Sanada gets around, O’Conner BRIDGE, but Kaito pops free to O’CONNER BRIDGE!! TWO!!!
We hit TWENTY SECONDS as both men stand! ROLLING ELBOW, ROLLING ELBOW, and then a RUNNING- RANA!!! Cover, TWO!!! TEN SECONDS! SHINING WIZARD!!! Cover, SANADA WINS!!!
Winner: Sanada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kaito earns 0)
With just TWO SECONDS LEFT, the Cold Skull pulls out the win!! But with how close this came, and how close Kaito came to winning it himself, is this a sign that the G1 could still become the GREEN 1?
As for Sanada, after taking his kneepad off to alleviate the pressure, and getting the belt back around his waist, Sanada sits down while he has the mic. Sanada tells Kaito, “Coming here from another promotion, alone, fighting in the toughest tour in the whole country… That took guts. Let’s do this again sometime.” Fans cheer both Sanada’s show of respect, and the idea that these two could meet again. Fans cheer for “KI-YO-MIYA! KI-YO-MIYA!” while he’s helped away by Young Lions. But then Sanada says, “Hold on a moment. I’m the one who won today, so please, get out of here. Thanks for coming.” Fans laugh as Sanada goes back to not respecting Kaito.
Sanada stands, and says, “I’m Sanada, the man who loves this place more than anywhere else in Japan. Do you mind if I borrow someone from commentary for a moment?” Fans cheer as he of course means Kanemaru. Just as last time Sanada won the main event, he calls on “NOBU-JI! NOBU-JI!” and the fans chant along. Kanemaru leaves commentary and joins Sanada in the ring. And just like last time, Sanada brings up how Just5Guys were in a shampoo commercial. So check that off the bucket list. Next is winning all the way to the G1 Championship! Fans like the sound of that, too!
Sanada then says that “today’s gift… The Gift… Well, unfortunately… There’s no spotlight operator today, so that’s a bit of a problem. But hey, should we give it a go?” Fans cheer, they still want the gift! The lights go down and the “stars” come out as fans get their phone lights on. Sanada says, “Who needs a spotlight? This is even more peaceful and beautiful. Anyway, with a gift, it’s the thought that counts. “OI, KORAKUEN! See you next time!” The gift was sent and fans are happy, but will the best gift of all be the one that closes out the G1 Climax finals?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Sanada: 4-0, 8 points
Kaito Kiyomiya: 2-1-1, 5 points
Shota Umino: 1-1-2, 4 points
Gabe Kidd: 2-2, 4 points
Chase Owens: 2-2, 4 points
Yota Tsuji: 1-2-1, 3 points
Hikuleo: 1-3, 2 points
Ren Narita: 0-2-2, 2 points
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Kazuchika Okada: 4-0, 8 points
Will Ospreay: 3-1, 6 points
Kenta: 2-2, 4 points
Taichi: 2-2, 4 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 2-2, 4 points
Great-O-Khan: 1-3, 2 points
El Phantasmo: 1-3, 2 points
Tanga Loa: 1-3, 2 points
My Thoughts:
Another great round for NJPW and the G1. For one, great first wins from Shota, Hikuleo, Tsuji and ELP, each with different story beats. Shota humbles Gabe, Hikuleo leaves Narita as the last winless participant, putting some pressure on Narita next round, and ELP has respect for Loa while Loa has respect for ELP. While Bullet Club could have multiple civil wars to fight, I’d also love for ELP to unite with the Guerrillas of Destiny against Finlay’s War Dogs to avenge all of the different expulsions from the group. Tsuji’s win was just about a great match with Chase Owens, who himself continues to come into his own as a singles guy.
Ospreay VS Khan was such a great opener, especially with Khan not holding back just because he’s facing a friend. Ospreay wins to keep just a step behind Okada, that is going to be an awesome match. Okada VS Hashi was itself an awesome match, with the fans loving how Hashi pushed Okada. Okada’s win over an IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion plants a seed for Dream Team (Okada & Tanahashi) VS Bishamon (Hashi & Goto) in a rematch from this year’s Anniversary Show back in March, but that’s only if Okada doesn’t win the G1 for a third year. Kenta getting a fast and dirty win off Taichi, that could give us an awesome KOPW Championship feud, and I’d love to see what match types Kenta invents.
And of course to follow the awesome Okada VS Hashi, we got an awesome, truly down to the wire main event. If they’d messed up anything along the way, they would NOT have had those two seconds to spare and we would’ve had a rather awkward main event draw. But that shows just how good Sanada and Kaito both are, being they’re both Mutoh’s students, as Sanada was in NOAH when he was first starting out. And of course, the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion wins out over the NOAH visitor.
Sanada continues to have excellent promos, especially with him getting to show personality. At first, fans were onboard because they liked his strong, silent type vibe, as well as the juxtaposition of him being so cold yet still giving the “love confession.” And now fans are onboard because they want to see Sanada be more open and that’s what he’s getting to do. Sanada is IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, so he doesn’t have to win the G1, but he’s surely on his way to being a semifinalist, and might even meet old rival Okada to see who goes on to the finals. And if that’s the case, that match is going to be awesome, too.
My Score: 9/10
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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