NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 33 Results & Report! (7/26/23)
C & D, round 4!
The Front Man and the Imperial Unit meet again!
They’ve battled over the NJPW World TV Championship a few times already, but now Zack Sabre Jr. and Jeff Cobb clash in the G1 Climax!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- G1 Climax 33, C Block: HENARE VS EVIL; Evil wins.
- G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hirooki Goto VS Alex Coughlin; Coughlin wins.
- G1 Climax 33, C Block: Shingo Takagi VS Mikey Nicholls; Takagi wins.
- G1 Climax 33, D Block: Toru Yano VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Tanahashi wins.
- G1 Climax 33, C Block: Eddie Kingston VS Tomohiro Ishii; Ishii wins.
- G1 Climax 33, D Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Shante Haste; Shane wins.
- G1 Climax 33, C Block: David Finlay VS Tama Tonga; Tama wins.
- G1 Climax 33, D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Jeff Cobb; Cobb wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current C Block standings.
David Finlay: 3-0, 6 points
EVIL: 2-1, 4 points
Tama Tonga: 2-1, 4 points
Eddie Kingston: 2-1, 4 points
Mikey Nicholls: 1-2, 2 points
Aaron Henare: 1-2, 2 points
Shingo Takagi: 1-2, 2 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 0-3, 0 points
Here are the current D Block standings.
Jeff Cobb: 3-0, 6 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 3-0, 6 points
Tetsuya Naito: 2-1, 4 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 1-2, 2 points
Hirooki Goto: 2-1, 4 points
Shane Haste: 1-2, 2 points
Toru Yano: 0-3, 0 points
Alex Coughlin: 0-3, 0 points
G1 Climax 33, C Block: HENARE VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!
The Face of Fury is certainly furious after losing to the Mad King, and now he’s up against The King of Darkness! Will Henare go on a Rampage to stay alive in the block? Or will even Henare see Everything is Evil?
Wait, where is Dick? He’s supposed to be by Evil’s side. WAIT, Dick attacks Henare during his entrance! And with a chair, no less! Fans boo as Dick SMACKS Henare, and SMACKS him again! Evil keeps the ref from doing anything about this and Dick JAMS Henare with the chair! Dick drags Henare up and puts him in the ring. Fans tell Dick to go away but the bell rings. Evil covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO!! Evil is upset with the ref but fans rally behind Henare. Evil drags Henare up, puts him through ropes, and then bends him back! The ref reprimands but Evil pushes him away!
Fans boo more, the ref reprimands again and now he counts! Evil lets off at 4 and argues with the ref. Henare flops out of the ring so Evil goes out after him. Evil RAMS Henare into the timekeeper! Fans boo as Abe-san goes down pretty hard! Evil CHOKES Henare with the mic cable and tells him to give up, but Henare can only shout and cough! Fans boo but Evil finally lets off to drag Henare to the crowd! They go right up the bleachers and fans move out of the way. Henare blocks the bump off the West sign! And he fires off shots! Then Henare SMACKS Evil off the West sign! Fans cheer for Henare as he does it again! And again!
Henare drags Evil up, brings him back down the bleachers and a ring count starts. Henare throws headbutts as he keeps Evil moving. Henare puts Evil in at 8 of 20 and he stalks Evil to a corner. Evil stands, Henare fires body shots and another HEADBUTT! Fans rally as Henare snapmares and KICKS Evil, to then SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for Henare as he looms over Evil. Henare drags Evil up, but Evil swings, into the ULTIMA! But Evil fights the full nelson and elbows free! Evil runs in, into an ELBOW! Henare goes up but Evil ducks the Flying Chuck! Henare comes back, into a boot! But he still clotheslines in the corner!
Henare whips Evil to ropes, scoops and BERSERKER BOMBS! Cover, TWO! Evil survives but Henare aims from the corner. Fans rally up, Evil rises, but then Evil bails out to avoid the Rampage! Fans boo, but then Henare goes out after Evil. Dick creeps up but Henare scares him off, only for Evil to attack from behind! Evil then whips Henare into railing hard! Henare tumbles up and over! The ref reprimands but Evil goes out to fetch Henare. Evil drags Henare up and RAMS him into the barriers! The ref reprimands, he wants this back in the ring, but Evil opens the gate to go up the stands! And all the way to the back aisle!
Evil brings Henare up, FISHERMAN- NO, Henare fights that! Henare throws body shots, but then Evil grabs the ref! Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER! Fans boo but Henare powers up! Henare pulls the choker away, and he BOOTS Evil! And ELBOWS Dick! And then sends Evil into Dick! Henare DOUBLE LARIATS them down! Fans fire up for Henare as he looms over Evil. Henare drags Evil up, CLUBS him, and brings him back down the stands, to RAM him into those same barriers! Fans fire up and Henare drags Evil back up. Henare puts Evil in the ring and fans cheer. Henare drags Evil up and fireman’s carries, for a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!
Henare sits Evil up, and he clamps on a half nelson! And then goes for the full! Evil fights up, fights the full nelson, and he stomps Henare’s foot! Evil whips Henare into bare buckles! When did Dick do that?! But Henare just runs at Evil to BUSAIKU KNEE! Fans fire up while both men are down! Fans rally up, Henare goes to a corner, and he aims as Evil rises. Henare runs back in, but Evil sends the spear into a buckle pad! Evil then runs in to clothesline, and FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Henare is still in this and fans rally up. Evil rises, he drags Henare up, and he fireman’s carries! DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Henare survives!
Both men are down again and the fans rally back up. Evil stands up as we pass 10 minutes, and he slashes his throat! Evil drags Henare up, for EVERY- NO, Henare fights it! Evil tries again but Henare CLUBS him! Evil kicks, Henare blocks, and steps over to WHEEL KICK! Evil goes to a corner, Henare runs in, SHINING WIZARD! Henare pushes Evil down, takes aim again, and RAMPAGE!! But Henare isn’t done there! He drags Evil back up, fisherman’s, but Evil fights the lift! Evil wrenches, clinches, but Henare fights out! DOUBLE LAIRATS hit, and Henare HEADBUTTS Evil down! And then PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!!
Evil survives but Henare throws off the shoulder tape. Fans rally behind “HE-NA-RE!” as he hauls Evil up. Fisherman, but Evil CLAWS the eyes! Evil grabs the ref, and Dick has a chair! Dick JAMS Henare, but then Henare PUNCHES the chair apart! Dick throws the frame to Henare then runs away! The ref sees just Henare and what’s left of the chair, so the ref takes the chair away. Evil LOW BLOWS Henare!! EVERYTHING IS EVIL!!! Cover, Evil wins!!
Winner: Evil, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Henare earns 0)
Once again, the Spoiler saves his King of Darkness! Will anyone ever stop the House of Torture from stacking the deck? Or will Evil take the G1 Climax by any means necessary?
G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hirooki Goto VS Alex Coughlin!
It was only three weeks ago that The Fierce Warrior and the Deadeye Dreadnought battled over the tag titles. The War Dogs won the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships but Bishamon held onto the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. Who wins a golden ticket to a rematch for the Fall?
But as Goto takes off his coat, Coughlin attacks! Fans boo but Coughlin throws Goto out as the bell rings! Coughlin RAMS Goto into railing, and he throws up the Too Sweet. Then Coughlin jumps the railing, takes someone’s seat, and he storms over to Goto. The ref tries to stop Coughlin, but Coughlin shoves the ref aside and JAMS Goto! Fans boo but Coughlin just soaks up the heat. Coughlin then tells the ref to count Goto out. Fans boo but Coughlin just throws up the Too Sweet. The count climbs while Goto writhes, and Goto is still down at 10 of 20. Goto sits up at 13, drags himself up at 15, and slides in at 16, only for Coughlin to stomp away!
Fans boo more as Coughlin stands on Goto! The ref counts, Coughlin steps away, but he stomps Goto more. Coughlin drags Goto up, but Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Coughlin kicks low and gets the bad ribs, as beat up by Shane Haste. Goto bails out but Coughlin pursues. Coughlin drags Goto up to RAM him into railing! Fans boo but Coughlin puts Goto back in the ring. Coughlin covers, TWO! Coughlin argues the count but the fans rally for Goto. Coughlin clamps on a chinlock, then shifts to a seated cobra twist. Coughlin throws punches into the ribs, but Goto moves around! Coughlin makes it a COBRA CRADLE! TWO, but Goto is still in the twist!
Fans rally, Goto reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! Coughlin lets go quickly, and he eggs Goto on. Coughlin drags Goto up, but Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Coughlin knees low! Coughlin wags his finger, but Goto turns things around to fire off forearms in the corner! Coughlin turns it around to CHOP! Goto sits right down and fans do cheer that chop. Coughlin stands Goto up to whip him corner to corner, but Goto reverses! Goto runs in, blocks a boot, puts that leg in the ropes, and then KICKS the knee! Then MURAMASA! Fans fire up while Coughlin staggers, into Goto’s SAIDO!
Both men are down and Goto crawls after Coughlin. Cover, TWO! Goto grits his teeth, too sore to be upset. Fans rally up, we pass five minutes, and Goto drags Coughlin up. Coughlin fights the fireman’s carry with elbows, then runs, but Goto follows! Only for Coughlin to CHOP him down! Coughlin powers up and fans can’t help but fire up as he drags Goto back up. Coughlin suplexes, but Goto slips free to shove and fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI throw and then a SLAP!! Goto dragon sleepers, but Coughlin claws at Goto’s face! Coughlin elbows free, then KNEES hard and low! Coughlin powers up again and he storms up on Goto.
Coughlin deadlift suplexes Goto! And then JACKHAMMERS! Cover, COUGHLIN WINS!!
Winner: Alex Coughlin, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Goto earns 0)
The Dreadnought sinks Goto and gets his first win in the G1! Sure, he had bad ribs, but Goto isn’t the kind to make excuses. Then will he just have to fight even harder to keep from having a losing record in the block?
G1 Climax 33, C Block: Shingo Takagi VS Mikey Nicholls w/ Kosei Fujita!
The Rampaging Dragon finally got on the board after he broke through the Stone Pitbull, and Mad Mikey’s been on a bit downward trend. The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but will Takagi make Mikey tranquilo?
The bell rings and the fans rally for “TA-KA-GI!” as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Takagi pushes Mikey back. Mikey applauds and resets to circle with Takagi again. They knuckle lock, but Takagi kicks low! Takagi headlocks, Mikey powers out, and they RAM shoulders! Mikey runs and RAMS Takagi, but Takagi fires a forearm! Mikey gives it back, they go back and forth and the fans fire up, but then Takagi JABS, JABS and JABS! The ref reprimands about closed fists, but Mikey runs Takagi over! Mikey runs again, Takagi ELBOWS, snapmares and runs to SLIDING- NO, Mikey avoids the lariat and fans cheer the standoff!
Takagi and Mikey reset and circle again. They feel things out, Mikey toys around with the knuckle lock then kicks low. Mikey headlocks, Takagi powers up but Mikey holds tight! Mikey thrashes the hold to grind Takagi, but Takagi pries at the hold. Mikey puts the hold on tighter so Takagi throws body shots! Takagi pries the hold open again, wrenches out, and headlocks. But Mikey hits a BIG back suplex! Mikey dusts off his hands, goes out after Takagi, and RAMS him into railing! Then APRON BACK SUPLEXES! Fans fire up and Mikey grins while Takagi flops to the floor. Mikey slides into the ring and lets the count handle this.
Takagi stirs and fans rally up. Takagi sits up at 8 of 20, stands up at 12, and slides in at 14. Mikey is on him to suplex! And stall! Fans rally as Mikey holds Takagi for TWENTY before the SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Mikey drags Takagi around into a partial Camel Clutch! Mikey fishhooks the face and the ref reprimands. Mikey lets off, changes arms in the stretch, but then BITES Takagi on the forehead! The ref reprimands and counts, Mikey lets go and kicks Takagi around. Mikey slaps Takagi around, so Takagi ROCKS him with forearms! Mikey knees low, snapmares and runs, but Takagi avoids the sliding lariat!
Mike comes back but Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! Fans fire up as Takagi goes to a corner. Mikey flounders and Takagi feeds off the energy from the fans. He doesn’t say “it” yet, but he runs Mikey over to SENTON! “Mada mada!” Takagi drags Mikey up to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi looks to the cameras, and NOW it’s time! Fans fire up with that and Takagi drags Mikey up to whip him to a corner. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot and clotheslines through! Takagi runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as we pass five minutes. Takagi starts up the “OI! OI! OI!” and the fans join in!
Takagi rises, he brings Mikey up, but Mikey fights the fireman’s carry! Takagi powers through but Mikey slips out. Takagi waistlocks, ducks Mikey’s elbow, but Mikey DDTs! Mikey aims from a corner, and he mocks Takagi by headbutting the buckles! Mikey runs to clothesline, then whips corner to corner! Mikey runs in, Takagi BOOTS him, but Mikey still clotheslines! Mikey puts Takagi up top, climbs up after him, and fans rally up as he goes to the very top! SUPERPLEX!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Mikey and Takagi crawl to each other, and they give junkyard dog headbutts!
They stand, and the forearms start flying! But then Takagi HEADBUTTS! Mikey throws another forearm, Takagi throws another headbutt! They go back to throwing forearms, but Takagi throws boxing elbows! Mikey SLAPS Takagi! Takagi rebounds, into a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY BOMB! SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and the fans fire up again! Mikey drags Takagi up, whips him to ropes, but Takagi holds ropes! Mikey runs in, but into a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Mikey’s back up, he LARAITS! Cover, ONE?!?! Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! Cover, ONE?!!?
Fans are thunderous as both men are still in this! Takagi runs in again, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And then DOUBLE LARIATS again! Takagi swats a lariat but Mikey CHOPS! Takagi JABS! Mikey UPPERCUTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS! Takagi runs, RAMS shoulders, then fires a forearm! Takagi runs again, Mikey HEADBUTTS! Mikey throws a forearm, headlocks, but Takagi powers out! Takagi then dodges, PUMPING BODY CHECK!! Cover, Takagi wins!!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Mikey earns 0)
It’s hard to say what really happened at the end there, but it was effective! Will Takagi continue to throw everything he has into winning the G1?
G1 Climax 33, D Block: Toru Yano VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!
Oh no! The Joker and the Ace, who have teamed together in World Tag League the last few years, are now battling each other here in the fourth! Will Tanahashi thwart whatever tricks Yano has up his proverbial sleeve? Will they both be able to laugh it off if he can’t?
The bell rings and fans rally up, and then Yano squats at the center of the ring! So Tanahashi squats with him! They both fire up, but Yano rolls Tanahashi up! TWO!! Yano says sorry, he was just joking around! Tanahashi says yeah right. Tanahashi wants the ref to do a more thorough check. Tanahashi says there’s something in Yano’s waistband! Yano says no, that’s just his belly. But if you look closely… Yano says fine, and he throws out the roll of tape he was hiding! Fans cheer, but Yano says hush. But wait, there’s another roll! Yano is clean now, and he and Tanahashi circle. Tanahashi offers a handshake and Yano takes it.
Fans cheer as the two tie up and Tanahashi puts Yano on ropes. Tanahashi then lets off and the two go again. They tie up, Yano puts Tanahashi on ropes, and then Yano lets off. Fans cheer the clean break as the two reset again. They tie up, Yano waistlocks, but Tanahashi switches. Yano switches, Tanahashi pries the waistlock open and wrenches, but Yano facelocks to a takedown! BRIDGING COVER, TWO!! Tanahashi headlocks for a takeover, Yano headscissors, and Tanahashi kips free! Fans cheer and the two bump shoulders. The forearms start flying and fans fire up as they go back and forth!
Tanahashi fires the strike fest, then whips! Yano reverses but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up with The Ace and he eggs Yano on. Yano rises, Tanahashi ROCKS him with a forearm and throws body shots. Tanahashi scoops to SLAM Yano into the drop zone! Fans cheer as Tanahashi goes up, to SUNSET- NO, Yano dodges and Tanahashi lands on his back! Maybe he hesitated? Yano drags Tanahashi out and then whips him into railing! Tanahashi hits hard and falls in a heap! Yano then goes to look under the ring, and he brings out spare tape! Of course he has a secret stash!
Yano storms up on Tanahashi, but Tanahashi kicks low! Tanahashi CLUBS Yano down, and Tanahashi has the tape! To give to a fan as a souvenir! Fans cheer and Tanahashi drags Yano up. Tanahashi puts Yano in the ring, and then drags him back up. Tanahashi throws body shots, whips corner to corner, but Yano reverses! And then he unties the buckle pad! The ref says don’t do it, but Yano swings! Tanahashi blocks! Tanahashi says how dare Yano try this on him! Yano says come off it, and then he DRAGON SCREWS the buckle pad and somehow throws Tanahashi with it! Fans fire up and we pass five minutes.
Yano drags Tanahashi up, whips him and Tanahashi hits bare buckles! Then Yano atomic drops, trips Tanahashi, and CATAPULTS him into the bare buckles! Tanahashi staggers into a lift, ONIGO- NO, Tanahashi fights free! Yano swings, misses, and Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS! But Tanahashi blocks the low blow! ARM SCREW! Yano staggers up, kicks, but Tanahashi blocks to DRAGON SCREW! Fans rally up as Yano writhes. Tanahashi runs as Yano rises, SLING- NO, Yano gets around and shoves Tanahashi at the ref! Tanahashi stops himself but Yano runs to TACKLE Tanahashi into the ref! Yano hurries to grab his red chair!
Yano waits on Tanahashi to rise, and he runs in, but Tanahashi dodges! DRAGON PALM through the chair! Tanahashi gets the chair out of the ring, and he eggs Yano on. Fans fire up as Tanahashi runs again, SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi goes to a corner and fans fire up as he climbs! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yano earns 0)
The Ace was ready for all the Joker’s tricks, and now he has broken even. Will Tanahashi be able to keep this hot hand rolling and head for the top of the block? As for Yano, he’s 0-4, will he ever even get points?
G1 Climax 33, C Block: Eddie Kingston VS Tomohiro Ishii!
The Mad King slayed the Rampaging Dragon, and he practically knocked out the Face of Fury, but he once again meets the Stone Pitbull. Will Eddie be able to break through for another win? Or will Ishii avoid going 0-4?
The bell rings and fans rally up for “I-SHI-I!” as he and Eddie step up. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Eddie finds a point of leverage given he’s taller. Eddie has Ishii on the ropes, but he lets off, only for Ishii to dodge his chop! But then Eddie dodges Ishii’s chop! Fans fire up and Eddie takes a moment to do some stretches. Eddie calls for a knuckle lock and Ishii obliges. They tie up, go shoulder to shoulder, and Ishii powers Eddie down to his knees! Fans cheer, and then Eddie fights up to his feet. Eddie powers Ishii down to his knees! Fans rally, Ishii fights back up, and Ishii kicks low! Ishii whips, Eddie reverses to knee low!
Eddie whips, Ishii reverses but Eddie knees low! Eddie then GOURD BUSTERS! And DOUBLE STOMPS! Fans rally but Eddie still hobbles a bit from all the damage he’s taken in the past matches. Eddie rallies for Ishii as much as the fans do, and Ishii rises. They step up again, and Ishii CHOPS! And CHOPS! Eddie laughs it off so Ishii CHOPS again! Eddie CHOPS! Ishii felt that one but he still shakes his head. Ishii CHOPS, so Eddie CHOPS! Ishii CHOPS again! Fans rally as Eddie felt that. Eddie CHOPS, Ishii CHOPS, repeat! Eddie gets Ishii with a good one, then CHOPS him again! And another! Eddie runs, but Ishii runs him over!
Fans fire up and Ishii stalks Eddie as he crawls. Ishii sits Eddie up to KICK him! Eddie goes to stand, but his back brings him down! Ishii KICKS Eddie again and again, then drags him up. Eddie throws body shots but Ishii doesn’t budge. Fans rally, Ishii CHOPS again! Eddie falls right over! Ishii eggs Eddie on, gives him toying kicks, then stands Eddie up to CHOP against ropes! And again! And again! Eddie staggers but he still has his dukes up. Ishii brings Eddie around but Eddie fights the saido with elbows! Eddie whips, but Ishii reverses then reels Eddie in, SAIDO! Fans fire up while both men are down!
Ishii sees Eddie drag himself to ropes and shake out the bad arm. Fans rally for Eddie, and Ishii runs in, but into a BOOT! Ishii runs in again, into an ELBOW! Eddie goes up, FLYING KNEE! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Eddie rises, Ishii goes to a corner, and Eddie runs in to clothesline! Eddie fires up and MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Fans cheer and Eddie reels Ishii in, EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Ishii is still in this and the fans rally up as Eddie shakes out the arms. Ishii rises, Eddie reels him in but Ishii fights the suplex with elbows. So Eddie CHOPS! Ishii doesn’t react?! Ishii just CHOPS in return!
Eddie nods, and CHOPS again! Ishii CHOPS again, and Eddie scowls. Eddie CHOPS, Ishii CHOPS, repeat! Fans rally as the CHOPS keep going back and forth! Eddie brings down the straps and fans fire up! Ishii CHOPS, Eddie CHOPS, repeat! Eddie takes a second and fans fire up! Eddie CHOPS, Ishii CHOPS, and Eddie is starting to get frustrated. Eddie CHOPS, Ishii CHOPS, and Eddie shouts as he CHOPS! Ishii CHOPS, Eddie CHOPS, repeat! Both men start feeling the stinging, and fans fire up as Eddie nods again. Eddie CHOPS, Ishii CHOPS, and Eddie grits his teeth! Eddie CHOPS, Ishii CHOPS, repeat!
Wait, now Ishii is wobbling! So Eddie CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS!! Ishii falls!! Eddie rests against ropes while fans are thunderous! Eddie hobbles around, brings Ishii up, and half nelsons! Ishii fights the nelson, but Eddie RIDGEHANDS over and over! Ishii fires boxing elbows! But Eddie gets around to HALF ‘N’ HALF! And SLINDING FOREARM! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and fans are thunderous again! We reach 10 minutes and both men drag themselves up. Eddie powers up his hand, but Ishii SWATS the Uraken! To GERMAN SUPELX! But Eddie’s right up! Eddie swings, but into another GERMAN SUPLEX!
But Eddie stands up! Only to flop right back over! Fans are thunderous again as both men are down! Ishii sits up in a daze, flops over and he rolls towards a corner. Eddie is by the ropes, Ishii waits on him to sit up. Fans rally and duel, Ishii runs, but Eddie swats the lariat! Ishii SOUTHPAW LARIATS! Eddie ENZI- NO, Ishii ducks it! But then Eddie avoids the sliding lariat to LARIAT Ishii! Fans fire up and Eddie drags Ishii up, to SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! Ishii is still in this and Eddie is again frustrated! But the fans are loving it as Eddie steps over! STRETCH PLUM!! Ishii endures, even as Eddie twists him!
Fans rally, Ishii reaches out but he’s already fading! Eddie twists Ishii even further! Ishii is fading, so Eddie covers! TWO!!! Ishii gets his arm up with nanoseconds to spare and the fans rally back up! Eddie shakes out his arms, drags Ishii back up, but Ishii ducks the Uraken to HEADBUTT low, HEADBUTT high, then RUNNING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO!!! Eddie survives the onslaught and fans are thunderous again! Ishii drags Eddie up, but Eddie CHOPS! Both men wobble, Eddie chops again but there’s no power behind it. But then Eddie powers up to CHOP! Ishii ENZIGURIS! Ishii roars and fans fire up!
Ishii runs, into Eddie’s ENZIGURI! But he comes right back to LARIAT!! Cover, ONE?!?!? Eddie shakes his head and fans are electric! Ishii runs to LARIAT again!! Cover, TWO!?!?! The fans are electric again as Ishii roars! Ishii drags Eddie up, suplexes, but Eddie fights! Eddie SLAPS, then URAKENS!! Ishii staggers, roars, but Eddie URAKENS again!! Cover, TWO!?!?? Not even going Backfist to the Future twice can stop Ishii, and we pass 15 minutes! Eddie is beside himself, and the fans are rallying as hard as they can! Eddie stands, he roars, and he drags Ishii back up. Eddie scoops, but Ishii slips free! Ishii hits a CODE BREAKER?! And a SLIDING LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!?!?!
Ishii can’t believe that Eddie is still in this! Ishii fires up, the fans are electric again, and he suplexes Eddie, for a BRAINBUSTER!!! Cover, Ishii wins!!
Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Eddie earns 0)
The Mad King may be NJPW Strong Openweight Champion, but he wasn’t able to deny the Stone Pitbull! Ishii is finally on the board with this win, but will he and Eddie meet again down the line?
G1 Climax 33, D Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Shante Haste w/ Kosei Fujita!
The Uncontrollable Charisma snatched the win from the Clown Prince, Toru Yano, but he might need to take “Hysterical Haste” a bit more seriously. Will Naito keep things tranquilo? Or will Shane show him that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
As is Naito’s way, he takes his time with his elaborate entrance attire. Shane is patient, we’ve all seen this before. Naito puts the pants away, and then Naito wants to trade hats? His baseball cap for the orange top hat? Shane and Naito put the hats on, then Naito asks to see the top hat. Shane hands it over, Naito puts it on, and Shane says it looks good on him. Naito compares the two, then TOSSES the top hat away! Free souvenir? Shane runs in, Naito CLUBS him and throws him out at the bell! Naito then puts his baseball cap on and poses. Fans cheer “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” while Shane keeps his cool.
Shane rushes in but Naito CLUBS him! Naito claws Shane’s face, lets off as the ref reprimands, and then whips. Shane reverses to DROPKICK Naito down! Shane then takes Naito’s hat, and he puts it! Fans cheer, Shane runs to UPPERCUT, and then he snapmares Naito to a basement dropkick! Shane turns that hat around and mocks the LIJ fist. Fans still cheer, and then Shane tosses Naito’s hat! Another free souvenir? Shane kicks Naito, reels him in, but Naito blocks the suplex! Naito throws body shots, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane whips Naito to a corner, runs in but only gets buckles! Naito returns, and blocks boots!
Naito puts Shane in the ropes for a DRAPING BACKBREAKER! Naito then climbs up, stands Shane up, but Shane swings on him! Naito avoids the punch to HOTSHOT and DROPKICK Shane down! Fans rally while Naito goes out after Shane. Naito drags Shane up and whips him hard into railing! Shane goes down in a heap but Naito storms up on him. Naito drags Shane into the crowd area, CLUBS him down, then goes back to close the gate? Naito drags Shane up turns him around, NECKBREAKER into the railing! The ref reprimands and Kosei checks Shane while Naito leaves him behind.
The ring count starts, Shane stirs at 5 of 20. Shane sits up, checks his neck, and crawls back to ringside. Shane stands at 13, hobbles, and slides into the ring at 16! Naito drags Shane up, cravats and cranks the neck. Shane endures, but Naito snapmares Shane down, still keeping on the neck wrench! Shane endures, even as Naito thrashes him! Shane reaches back to the ROPEBREAK! Naito drags Shane up to NECKBREAKER! Shane flounders to ropes but Naito keeps after him. The ref checks Shane but he’s okay to continue, so Naito stomps him! Naito drags Shane up, has the cravat again, and he cranks on the neck wrench!
Naito thrashes Shane, but Shane fights up and scoops! But Naito slips free to headlock, and he goes back to the cravat! Naito grinds Shane down to the mat, Shane endures again, and fans rally up. Shane pushes up, throws body shots, and he arm-drags Naito away. Naito kicks low, runs, but into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up while both men are down! Shane crawls over to Naito, waits on him to stand, and Shane KICKS! BOOTS! And back suplexes so hard, Naito lands face down! Fans fire up as Shane paces around, then deadlifts Naito for a FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Naito is still in this but Shane has a wild look in his eyes.
Shane makes Naito do the LIJ fist, then he KICKS Naito in the back! Fans fire up as Shane aims from a corner and Naito rises. Shane prepares his foot, and runs in, but Naito blocks the kick! Naito shoves, Shane blocks the hip toss to body shot! Shane runs, into an arm-drag! Naito ELBOWS and BASEMENT DROPKICKS! Fans rally while both men slowly rise. Naito shakes out his head and stands up. Naito drags Shane up, and throws heavy back elbows! Shane drops to his knees but Naito drags him back up. Naito throws more of those back elbows! Shane falls over and fans rally up again!
Naito goes to a corner, climbs up, and he reels Shane in. ESPERANZA!! Fans fire up while Shane flounders away! Naito aims from the corner, runs in, CORRI- UPPERCUT! But Naito’s right up to ENZIGURI! And then he headlocks, but Shane deadlift BACK SUPLEXES! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Shane and Naito stir and we pass 10 minutes. Shane throws a forearm, but Naito hits back! Shane throws another forearm, but Naito gives it back! The forearms fly faster and faster, the two stand up, and Naito SPITS at Shane! Naito fires forearms, but Shane fires UPPERCUTS and PALM STRIKES!
Shane UPPERCUTS Naito, then whips! Naito reverses, reels Shane in, TORNADO DDT! And a stiff one! Fans fire up again as Naito drags Shane up. But Shane wrenches out, kicks the leg out, then hits a SWINGING SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives and fans fire up! Shane fireman’s carries, BOMB VALLEY- DESTINO!! Naito hits one outta nowhere, and now he wants another! But Shane slips free to LARIAT Naito inside out!! Fans are thunderous as both men are down! Naito and Shane stir, Shane crawls over after Naito, and Shane drags Naito up. Shane fireman’s carries but Naito fires off elbows!
Naito throws more heavy elbows, but Shane fireman’s carries! Naito slips free, CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO!! Cover, TWO!! Shane survives again and fans are thunderous! Naito stands Shane up, wrenches, tilt-o-whirl- BOMB VALLEY DEATH!! Cover, SHANE WINS!!!
Winner: Shane Haste, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Naito earns 0)
Naito got greedy, wanting to put a punctuation on the match, but ended up getting caught! Shane has the last laugh, will this be the loss that keeps Naito from the semifinals?
G1 Climax 33, C Block: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS Tama Tonga!
There seems to be a subtle them of facing familiar foes tonight, as the Rebel is the man who brutalized the Good Bad Guy and dethroned him as NEVER Openweight Champion back at Wrestling Dontaku. But will Tama get payback on Finlay here tonight? Or will Finlay just repeat the same savagery from the Spring?
But since there’s no love lost, Tama jumps out of the ring and goes after Finlay at the ramp! They brawl by the crowd, fans fire up and the bell rings as Tama SMACKS Finlay off the upper level! Tama throws more punches, then brings Finlay up into the crowd! Finlay hits back but Tama RAMS him into the wall! Fans fire up as Tama stomps Finlay down! Tama stands on Finlay and fans cheer! Tama then drags Finlay up, CLUBS him on the back and brings him down the stands, to ROCK him and SMACK him off the bleachers! Red Shoes reprimands, fans move aside, and Tama leaves Finlay behind.
Fans cheer as Tama sticks to the “good” part, but then decides to be the “bad” part and he goes back for more! Fans cheer Tama as he punches away on Finlay! Red Shoes reprimands, Tama lets off and fans fire up with him! Red Shoes warns Tama, but Tama drags Finlay up. Tama has Red Shoes move aside, and he brings Finlay up! Finlay fights the suplex desperately, then throws body shots! Finlay shoves Tama to the floor! Tama clutches a leg, Finlay hurries down to stomp away! Finlay confiscates a fan’s chair to JAM Tama with it! Finlay drags Tama up by his hair while Red Shoes returns the chair.
Finlay beats Tama down, then paces. Finlay drags Tama up, SMACKS him off the apron, and fans boo. Finlay looms over Tama while a ring count starts. Finlay stomps Tama’s leg, the count hits 10 of 20 but Finlay puts Tama in at 12. Fans cheer but Finlay drags Tama to ropes. Finlay HIP DROPS the bad leg! Finlay drags Tama out, SLAMS the leg on the apron edge, and fans boo while Tama writhes. But Finlay just SLAMS the leg on the apron again! Finlay slides in, puts the leg back on the ropes, and fans boo again. Finlay flips them off, then HIP DROPS the leg! Tama writhes, Finlay drags him around, and turns Tama!
Tama fights but Finlay still steps over for the HALF BOSTON CRAB! Tama endures, fans rally, and Tama turns over to kick away! Finlay DDTs the leg! Tama writhes and Finlay mocks him. Finlay then drags Tama up, but Tama throws body shots! Finlay DECKS Tama, then CLUBS away on him! Finlay drags Tama up, scoops, but Tama slips free to waistlock. Finlay throws elbows, Finlay runs, but into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up as both men are down! Tama clutches the leg, crawls to ropes, and he storms up on Finlay in the corner. Tama throws an elbow, whips Finlay back into the corner, and clotheslines!
Fans rally up, Tama drags Finlay up and throws haymakers! Tama fires shots, whips Tama corner to corner, but Finlay reverses! Tama comes back to CLOBBER Finlay! And OFF COMES THE VEST! Fans fire up with Tama as he glares at Finlay. Finlay crawls to a corner, Tama runs in, STINGER SPLASH! Scoop and POWERSLAM! Then cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and Gedo coaches him up, but Tama looms over him. Tama CLUBS Finlay down, then throws down elbows! Fans rally, Tama ELBOWS Finlay in the head! Tama paces, drags Finlay up, but Finlay snapmares free! Tama runs in, but Finlay avoid the Gun Stun!
Tama runs back in, but into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Tama hangs tough but Finlay drags him back up. Finlay gut wrenches for the Canadian rack but Tama slips out! Finlay spins things around, Tama fights the suplex but Finlay ROCKS him! Tama PELES! Fireman’s carry, S R C! Fans fire up and Tama goes up the corner! SUPREME FLOW onto knees!! Finlay saves himself but perhaps a bit double-edged! Gedo is happy either way that Finlay’s still in this. Fans rally, both men stir, and Finlay stands first. Finlay drags Tama up, scoops and SLAMS him into ropes, just to tweak the legs!
Finlay steps through, turns Tama over as we hit 10 minutes, and he has the SHARPSHOOTER! Tama endures and fans rally up! Finlay sits deep on the hold, but Tama fights his way forward! Finlay sits down all the way, it’s almost a deathlock! Tama reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Finlay lets off in frustration but Gedo smiles, he is sure this is in the bag. Finlay drags Tama up, but Tama fights the lift! Tama back drops Finlay outta the ring! Fans fire up as Tama rises again! Tama hurries to PLANCHA! Direct hit and down goes Finlay! Tama hurries to put Finlay back in, and he goes back up the corner! SUPREME FLOW!! Cover, TWO!!
Finlay survives but Tama says he’ll finish this! Finlay stands, but turns Gun Stun to backslide! Roll through, INTO- NO, Tama slips free to underhook! But Finlay slips out to get around, BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Tama survives and Finlay is furious! Finlay gut wrenches, Canadian DOMINATOR!! Cover, TWO!!! Tama survives, and was that a low blow kick out!? Did Tama borrow an idea from the Tribal Chief? Finlay hobbles up, he still wants to end this! But Tama cradles!! TWO!!! GUN- NO, Finlay spins Tama around, gets him up, but Tama fights free! They brawl with forearms and fans fire up!
Finlay gets the edge, UPPERCUTS, Tama SUPER- NO, Finlay ROCKS him! And ROLLING ELBOWS! And ROLLING ELBOWS again!! Fans are thunderous for Tama but Finlay aims from a corner. Tama flounders but stands, Finlay runs in to SPEAR!! Finlay vows to end this now! POWER- RANA!! Cover, TAMA WINS!!!
Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Finlay earns 0)
Vengeance, thy name is Tama! Tama gets the better of The Rebel, is now the top man in the block, and that pisses Finlay off! Finlay attacks like a sore loser and fans boo! Gedo tosses the shillelagh in, but Finlay says hold on. POWERBOMB!! Fans boo, and now Finlay has the shillelagh! Gedo drags Tama up, Finlay aims, SHILLELAGH SHOT!! Fans boo as The Rebel still stands tall, and he flips everyone off. Tama didn’t have back-up, but will he be rolling three Guerrillas deep when he and Finlay meet again?
G1 Climax 33, D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. w/ Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb!
At Wrestling Dontaku, the Front Man held onto the NJPW World Television Championship because of a time limit draw. At Dominion, ZSJ was able to wrap things up much faster than 15 minutes. But the bottom line is that Cobb is 0-2 against ZSJ this year. Will the Imperial Unit be able to finally take ZSJ on a Tour of the Island? Or will ZSJ finally get Cobb to #JustTapOut?
ZSJ takes a moment to walk through the crowd so the adoring fans can cheer him on even more. ZSJ even goes up into the stands, but Cobb waits patiently as ZSJ makes his way back down. ZSJ then steps into the ring, the bell rings and ZSJ actually has some breathing room since this is a 20 minute time limit, not 15. Fans rally as the two circle, feel things out, and then circle some more. ZSJ keeps away from Cobb, and Cobb gets annoyed. Fans cheer as the two tie up, and Cobb headlocks. Cobb grinds then hits a takeover, and he shrugs the headscissor off. ZSJ keeps trying, and succeeds on the third time, but Cobb kips free.
ZSJ headlocks, but Cobb blocks the takeover. ZSJ keeps trying, and again succeeds on the third time! But Cobb headscissors on his first try! ZSJ kicks and kicks and kips free on the third try! Fans cheer but Cobb frowns. The two reset, circle, and feel things out. They knuckle lock and ZSJ rolls to wrench and wrangle Cobb! Cobb rolls to his feet, wrenches through and wristlocks. ZSJ rolls, spins, spins and bridges to then slips through and wristlock! ZSJ wrangles Cobb again and fans cheer. But Cobb stands, rolls, kips up, and he slips through to wrench back! Cobb WRINGS ZSJ out, but ZSJ kips up to WRING Cobb, but Cobb handsprings!?
Fans fire up as Cobb shows his agility! Even ZSJ says that was amazing! Fans rally, the two reset, and they tie up. ZSJ clinches, waistlocks, but Cobb smirks. Cobb pries the hold open, wrenches but ZSJ shifts around to headlock. Cobb powers out, they RAM shoulders, and ZSJ staggers back! Fans fire up and ZSJ goes again. ZSJ RAMS Cobb but ZSJ’s the one falling back! Cobb acts like he doesn’t know what happened. Cobb eggs ZJS on, ZSJ runs again, but Cobb drops, then hurdles! ZSJ RAMS Cobb, Cobb rebounds, but Cobb runs ZSJ over! Fans fire up while ZSJ goes to the apron. Cobb goes out and he drags ZSJ off the apron, to ROCK him with a right!
Cobb HEADBUTTS ZSJ against railing, right in front of commentary! Cobb apologizes, drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Cobb DECKS ZSJ with a forearm! Fans fire up again but Red Shoes wants this back in the ring. Cobb stands ZSJ up to CLUB him on the back! Cobb then brings ZSJ around, to ROCK him again! Cobb whips ZSJ as we hit five minutes, and ZSJ hits railing hard! ZSJ flops down, Cobb refreshes the ring count. Cobb drags ZSJ up to whip him the other way! ZSJ hits railing, but comes right back! GUILLOTINE! But Cobb BACK DROPS ZSJ to the floor!
Fans rally and the ring count starts again. Cobb refreshes the count again, and he drags ZSJ up. Cobb puts ZSJ in the ring and fans applaud. Cobb drags ZSJ up, brings him around, and RAMS into him at the corner! Cobb digs his shoulder in, then RAMS in again! Red Shoes counts, Cobb whips corner to corner hard! ZSJ bounces off buckles and falls to the mat! ZSJ writhes, Cobb paces, and then Cobb drags ZSJ up. Cobb bumps ZSJ off buckles, then HEADBUTTS him! And HEADBUTTS! Cobb wrenches, whips corner to corner hard and ZSJ bounces off buckles again! Fans rally while ZSJ slumps against ropes.
Cobb mocks ZSJ, puts him near the ropes, and jumps on! Cobb stands on ZSJ’s back, Red Shoes counts, and Cobb lets go of the ropes. Red Shoes reprimands and Cobb “realizes” the problem! Cobb steps off ZSJ’s back and “apologizes” to Red Shoes. Cobb stalks ZSJ as he crawls, and brings him up. ZSJ HEADBUTTS low, HEADBUTTS low again, but then Cobb KNEES him down! Cobb stalks ZSJ to a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs in corner to corner, but ZSJ avoids the back elbow! ZSJ comes back, goes up and around to TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down!
Cobb and ZSJ rise, and Cobb staggers around. ZSJ UPPERCUTS him! And UPPERCUTS again! And again! And again! And again! And again, and again, and again! ZSJ runs, but Cobb reels him in to CLUB him on the back! Cobb runs, into a DROPKICK! Cobb goes to a corner and fans fire up! ZSJ runs in, to UPPERCUT! But then Cobb TOSSES ZSJ to the corner! Cobb runs in, blocks a boot, but ZSJ brings Cobb down with a headscissors, to NECK TWIST! Cobb writhes and goes to ropes, but ZSJ storms up on him. ZSJ whips, Cobb wrenches and reels ZSJ in! ATHLETIC- SLEEPER! ZSJ turns things around, but then Cobb BACKPACK SENTONS!
But ZSJ sits up to SLEEPER again! Cobb pushes back but ZSJ shifts around to an ARMBAR, and we’re at 10 minutes! Familiar territory for ZSJ as he pulls on the arm, but Cobb reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Cobb escapes by a literal foot and the fans rally up. ZSJ brings Cobb up, tries to scoop, but Cobb’s too big! ZSJ lifts Cobb on the third try! But Cobb fights free! And CHOPS ZSJ down! Cobb brings ZSJ up to CHOP him again! ZSJ shakes his head, stands back up, so Cobb CHOPS, but ZSJ blocks! ZSJ UPPERCUTS the arm, but Cobb DOUBLE CHOSP! ZSJ PALM STRIKE! And then hops on for a GUILLOTINE!
Cobb drops ZSJ down, but ZSJ has a TRIANGLE! So Cobb deadlifts ZSJ, and shifts him around to a BRAINBUSTER! Fans fire up again while both men are down! Cobb goes to a corner and he watches ZSJ go to the other. Cobb locks ‘n’ loads, runs in as ZSJ rises, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Cobb stays up! Cobb eggs ZSJ on so ZSJ swings, DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And again! ZSJ runs, but Cobb LARIATS through ZSJ! Cobb drags ZSJ up, reels him in, but ZSJ wrenches and PELES! But Cobb DROPKICKS!! ZSJ flounders to a corner and fans rally up. Cobb storms over, drags ZSJ by a leg but ZSJ kicks at CObb.
ZSJ kicks and kicks, but Cobb YANKS ZSJ from the ropes, fumbles a bit, but reels him in! ATHLETIC PLEX!! Then a whip to ropes, for the scoop, TOUR OF THE- CRUCIFIX TAKEDOWN!! TWO!!! CLARKY CAT!!! ZSJ has Cobb caught, and even adds a leg for the BAD BALLOON REMIX!! Cobb endures, kicks with his one free leg, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans are thunderous as ZSJ lets Cobb go! ZSJ and Cobb rise, and ZSJ UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! And UPPERCUTS again! But Cobb ROCKS ZSJ, whips him, but ZSJ BOOTS! Cobb sits down, ZSJ BLINDSIDE BASEMENT DROPKICKS!
ZSJ sits Cobb up but Cobb slides out the back and trips him! And body scissors, to steal EURO CLU- NO, ZSJ trips Cobb into a SLEEPER! But Cobb rolls back! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ escapes but Cobb runs him over! GACHIMUCHI FLOP as ZSJ moves! NECK TWIST! Body scissors, EURO CLUTCH! TWO!! Cobb escapes and we hit the 15 minute mark! That’s the second time for these two but there’s still the home stretch to go! Fans are thunderous as both men stand, and Cobb says ZSJ ain’t sh*t! Both men run in, ZSJ BOOTS the lariat! And ROUNDHOUSES the haymaker! And then waistlocks, to GERMAN SUPLEX?!?
But Cobb rises! He deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES ZSJ! But ZSJ rises?!? PENALTY KICK!! ZSJ roars and fans fire up with him! ZSJ runs again, but into a fireman’s carry! F5 THOUSAND!! And then the ripcord, TOUR OF THE ISLAND!!! Cover, COBB WINS!!
Winner: Jeff Cobb, by pinfall (gains 2 points; ZSJ earns 0)
The Imperial Unit finally gets one over on the Front Man! The NJPW World Television Champion is not untouchable, will this damage his chances of staying champion?
As for Cobb, he gets the mic and wants everyone to calm down a moment. “Choto matte… <Wait a moment…>” Fans cheer as Cobb rests with an ice pack on his chest. Cobb then says, still in Japanese, “Today… Today, once again in Tokyo… It’s a scorcher!” Fans cheer that, it IS a hot summer. Cobb continues so that “But this G1 Climax is even hotter!” Fans cheer that, too! “Choto matte…” Cobb gets more ice packs, and fans cheer him on as he stands back up. Cobb tells Korakuen Hall, “DOMO ARIGATOGOZAIMASU!” Fans cheer in thanks back, and Cobb stands alone as the ONLY 4-0 on this side of the Climax! Will that mean he conquers the whole thing for the United Empire?
Here are the NEW C Block standings!
Tama Tonga: 3-1, 6 points
David Finlay: 3-1, 6 points
EVIL: 3-1, 6 points
Eddie Kingston: 2-2, 4 points
Shingo Takagi: 2-2, 4 points
Mikey Nicholls: 1-3, 2 points
Aaron Henare: 1-3, 2 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 1-3, 2 points
Here are the NEW D Block standings!
Jeff Cobb: 4-0, 8 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 3-1, 6 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 2-2, 4 points
Shane Haste: 2-2, 4 points
Tetsuya Naito: 2-2, 4 points
Hirooki Goto: 2-2, 4 points
Alex Coughlin: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Toru Yano: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
Another great round for the G1, and especially for these two blocks. Ishii and Coughlin each getting their first wins off Eddie and Goto was great stuff, especially since it doesn’t really hurt either guy, mostly because I don’t expect Ishii, Coughlin, Eddie or Goto to be the semifinalists. Of course Evil cheats to beat Henare, and then an awesome win from Tama over Finlay, now we have three 3-1 records to top C Block. In fact, Evil beat Tama, Tama beat Finlay, Finlay beat Evil, that’s a true tie right there, and it’ll really come down to these last three rounds. They could really milk this to where it all comes down to round 7.
Yano being winless so far feels about right. We all love Yano, and while he is the best comedy wrestler perhaps ever, he is still comedy wrestler. Though he could play a great spoiler at this point. And a great main event from Cobb and ZSJ, they’ve definitely got great chemistry as opponents. And an awesome move for Cobb to win, as he pretty much dominated this match, pushed ZSJ past the 15, and then took the win with minutes to spare. Cobb would be a great semifinalist from D Block, already having beat the big names of ZSJ, Tanahashi and Naito. Sanada feels primed to take A Block and Okada would take B, the C Block three way tie can go to anyone, and then Cobb probably still bulldozes whoever comes out of C Block to be a finalist.
My Score: 8.9/10
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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