Category: New Japan News

NJPW Strong Tag Team title match official for Capital Collision

Posted on by Ian Carey

The NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships will be defended at Capital Collision.

CMLL’s Hechicero & Virus will challenge TMDK’s Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls for the titles on the August 30 pay-per-view in Washington, DC.

NJPW officially announced the match today after Hechicero & Virus issued a challenge to the champions last Friday.

“Hello friends, it’s Hechicero the savior and little professor Virus. We have a message we need to send to Zack Sabre Jr. and his group,” Virus said.

“TMDK, I know that in this moment we are the best and grimiest technical wrestlers in CMLL. The Professor Virus and the Alchemist Hechicero. We have a date, August 30, Washington, DC. TMDK, it’s the end for you because we want to challenge for your titles,” added Hechicero.

Nicholls and Haste won the titles at NJPW Dominion on June 9 in a four-way bout against KENTA & Chase Owens, Bishamon, and the former champions El Phantasmo & Hikuleo. It’s their second reign with the belts. Their first lasted a little under a month after they won the titles at NJPW Windy City Riot on April 12, 2024, but then lost them at NJPW Resurgence on May 11.

NJPW Capital Collision announced lineup for August 30, 2024 —

  • NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone in action
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd defends against Lio Rush
  • NJPW Strong Tag Team Champions TMDK (Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls) defend against Hechicero & Virus
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Titan
  • Tom Lawlor & Fred Rosser vs. Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs
  • Trish Adora vs. HANAKO
  • Hechicero & Virus vs. TMDK’s Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night ten results, updated standings

Posted on by Ian Carey

The G1 Climax 34 continued today in Nagoya.

Through six rounds, Jeff Cobb and David Finlay are tied atop B Block with 8 points and 4-2 records. Six wrestlers sit just behind them at six points each while El Phantasmo and Boltin Oleg are at four points.

Full coverage from today’s show is available here.

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night ten results for August 4, 2024 —

  • B Block: Yota Tsuji (3–3) defeated Ren Narita (3–3)
  • B Block: Hirooki Goto (3–3) defeated Konosuke Takeshita (3–3)
  • B Block: Jeff Cobb (4–2) defeated HENARE (3–3)
  • B Block: El Phantasmo (2–4) defeated Yuya Uemura (3–3)
  • B Block: David Finlay (4–2) defeated Boltin Oleg (2–4)
  • Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito defeated SANADA & TAKA Michinoku
  • Gabe Kidd & Jake Lee defeated Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma
  • Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman & Francesco Akira defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shoma Kato & Toru Yano

A Block —

  • EVIL (5-1): 10 points
  • Zack Sabre Jr. (4-2): 8 points
  • Gabe Kidd (3-3): 6 points
  • Shota Umino (3-3): 6 points
  • Shingo Takagi (3-3): 6 points
  • SANADA (3-3): 6 points
  • Tetsuya Naito (3-3): 6 points
  • Callum Newman: (2-3): 4 points
  • Great-O-Khan (2-4) 4 points
  • Jake Lee (2-4): 4 points

B Block — 

  • Jeff Cobb (4-2): 8 points
  • David Finlay (4-2): 8 points
  • Yuya Uemura (3-3): 6 points
  • Konosuke Takeshita (3-3): 6 points
  • HENARE (3-3): 6 points
  • Ren Narita (3-3): 6 points
  • Hirooki Goto (3-3): 6 points
  • Yota Tsuji (3-3): 6 points
  • Oleg Boltin (2-4): 4 points
  • El Phantasmo (2-4): 4 points

The tournament continues on Tuesday with a show in Korakuen Hall.

G1 Climax 34 night eleven lineup for August 6, 2024 —

  • A Block: Shingo Takagi (3–3) vs SANADA (3–3)
  • A Block: Shota Umino (3–3) vs Tetsuya Naito (3–3)
  • A Block: Zack Sabre Jr (4–2) vs EVIL (5–1)
  • A Block: Gabe Kidd (3–3) vs Jake Lee (2–4)
  • A Block: Great-O-Khan (2–4) vs Callum Newman (2–4)
  • Hirooki Goto & Tomoaki Honma vs David Finlay & Gedo
  • El Phantasmo & Jado vs Yuya Uemura & TAKA Michinoku
  • Boltin Oleg, Toru Yano, El Phantasmo & Jado vs Jeff Cobb, HENARE, Francesco Aklira & Konosuke Takeshita

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night 10 live results: Tsuji vs. Narita

Posted on by Chick Fritts

G1 Climax 34 action continues today with five B Block matches, including Yota Tsuji vs. Ren Narita in the main event.

Tsuji is 2-3 in the tournament with 4 points, while Narita is 3-2 with 6 points. The duo have met seven times previously in singles bouts, with Narita holding a 5-1-1 edge.

3-2 Konosuke Takeshita will take on 2-3 Hirooki Goto in the semi-main event spot on today’s card.

3-2 Jeff Cobb vs. 3-2 HENARE, 3-2 Yuya Uemura vs. 1-4 El Phantasmo, and 2-3 Oleg Boltin/Boltin Oleg vs. 3-2 David Finlay round out today’s G1 Climax tournament bouts.

Today’s undercard features three tag team matches:

  • Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi vs. SANADA & TAKA Michinoku
  • Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma vs. Gabe Kidd & Jake Lee
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shoma Kato & Toru Yano vs. Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman & Francesco Akira

Today’s show from Dolphin’s Arena in Nagoya streams on NJPW World beginning at 3 a.m. Eastern time.

**********

Recommended Match

Hirooki Goto vs. Konosuke Takeshita – This is the only thing I would go out of my way to see. If you’re a fan of the all-out style the G1 is known for or high-octane wrestling in general, give this one a watch.

**********

Undercard Results

Callum Newman, Francesco Akira & Great-O-Khan defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, & Shoma Kato

Gabe Kidd & Jake Lee defeated Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma

Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito defeated SANADA & TAKA Michinoku

**********

David Finlay defeated Oleg Boltin

I thoroughly enjoyed this match. Oleg was allowed to be the strong-man grappler he needed to be, while Finlay was a smart heel who deserved the win. Good stuff.

Oleg opened the match by wrestling Finlay to the mat. He then turned to tackles before setting up for a gut-wrench suplex that forced Finlay to flee to the floor. When Finlay returned to the ring, he spat in Oleg’s eyes and baited him into an overextension. This allowed Finlay to drive Oleg into the barricade, taking control of the match.

Back in the ring, Finlay took his time, slowly picking apart Oleg with basic, demoralizing offense. When Finlay tried for a more substantial move, Oleg caught him with a sudden drop and a flurry of solid strikes. Oleg’s transition to more significant moves was much more successful than Finlay’s, lasting until he attempted the Boltin Bomb.

After stuffing Boltin’s signature, Finlay delivered an Irish Curse backbreaker for a nearfall. When Finlay tried to follow up, Oleg cut him off with a massive belly-to-belly suplex. Oleg then tried for the Boltin Bomb again, and this time, he hit it.

After Finlay kicked out of the Boltin Bomb, a strike exchange followed. Finlay won out with a lariat off the ropes. Finlay followed up with the Finlay Roll for a nearfall, but Oleg answered with a German suplex. Oleg then hit the Kamikaze once, but Finlay slipped free from the second. Finlay answered Oleg with a powerbomb and the Overkill. He then pinned Oleg to win the match.

This win leaves Finlay with 8 points, making him the leader of B Block.

El Phantasmo defeated Yuya Uemura

This match did basically nothing for me. Even with the high-impact moments, it felt lifeless for basically all of its runtime.

Uemura established an early lead by utilizing arm drags. When ELP tried firing back with chops, Uemura answered with more intense chops of his own. ELP ended Uemura’s advance with a nasty suplex into the ropes that slowed the match to a halt.

After some work to the neck, Uemura began to fight back with more strikes to ELP. Mixed in with his chops, Uemura targeted ELP’s arm, taking him to the mat when the opportunity was available. ELP answered with a rana and a massive tope to end Uemura’s rally. An even more impressive plancha from ELP cemented his lead.

Back in the ring, ELP hit a senton and a moonsault for a nearfall. Uemura answered by wrestling for control of the arm. Uemura then climbed to the top rope, but ELP cut him off with a DDT and a burning hammer. ELP then hit a Thunderkiss 86, but Uemura kicked out.

When ELP attempted the Canadian revolution, Uemura slipped free. ELP held on, leading to a quick exchange of suplexes. Uemura scored a nearfall with a dragon suplex. Uemura, looking to close pulled ELP in for the deadbolt. ELP reversed into a trap pin, stealing a quick win.

This win leaves ELP with 4 points.

Jeff Cobb defeated HENARE

This match was solid but not something I’d go out of my way to see. It was a relatively plotting Cobb performance, which was fine but not extraordinary, especially compared to some of his other work from this tournament.

This match opened with a respectful collar-and-elbow tie-up. A strike exchange and some back-and-forth shoulder checks followed. Cobb, the physically larger man, won out with a leaping tackle, allowing him to launch into his first stent of control.

HENARE landed multiple strikes that seemingly opened a door, but Cobb managed to stay in control for a long time following the opening bell. After delivering a massive superplex to HENARE, Cobb hit a standing moonsault for a nearfall, only furthering his lead.

After an extended period on the back foot, HENARE finally delivered a knee in the corner to gain some footing in this match. He followed up with a powerful sequence of moves, including a Bezerker bomb for a two count.

Cobb answered HENARE’s rally with a German suplex, which HENARE ignored. HENARE then hit Rampage before trying for his finish. Cobb avoided the end and hit a lariat to reset the match in his favor.

When Cobb tried for Tour of the Islands, HENARE slipped free. HENARE then ran at Cobb, but Cobb caught him, leading to the F-5000. Cobb then called HENARE to his feet and delivered Tour of the Islands to win the match.

Cobb joins Finlay at the top of the pack with 8 points.

Hirooki Goto defeated Konosuke Takeshita

This was a bombastic, over-the-top, action-packed match. When you think G1, this kind of match comes to mind.

After some light back and forth, Takeshita hit his Takeshita line to establish an early lead. In follow-up, Takeshita landed a DDT on the floor

and the apron. Back in the ring, Takeshita toyed with Goto, giving him the opportunity to fight back into the match. Goto tried to challenge Takeshita with strikes but ultimately failed, leaving Takeshita with an even more substantial lead.

Goto eventually landed a lariat to reset the match. He followed up with a spinning wheel kick and Saito suplex to gain his own lead, but Takeshita answered with a rana and a tope con hilo to re-establish control. Back in the ring, Takeshita hit his knee strike, but Goto answered with a Ushigoroshi for another proper reset.

Both men traded forearms in the center of the ring until Takeshita could land the blue thunder bomb. Takeshita then positioned Goto on the top rope, but Goto cut him off with a sunset flip from the top. When Goto tried to follow up, Takeshita reversed into a driver and wheelbarrow German. Goto immediately responded with a lariat that knocked Takeshita off his feet.

Goto dropped Takeshita with a kick to the chest and a GTW for a nearfall. When he tried for the finish, Takeshita reversed into the brainbuster. Takeshita tried for his finish, but Goto slipped free, allowing Goto to hit Shouten Kai; Takeshita kicked out. Both men then clonked heads; Takeshita fell, but Goto didn’t. This allowed Goto to hit GTR and pin Takeshita to win the match.

This win puts Goto at 6 points, leaving him positioned in the middle of the pack.

Yota Tsuji defeated Ren Narita

This was bad.

Before the match could even begin, Narita jumped Tsuji. He then threw Tsuji into the barricades and stretched him against the ring post. Narita launched Tsuji into a row of chairs before attacking him with said furniture.

When they finally made it to the ring, Narita began to attack Tsuji’s leg. Tsuji tried to answer Narita’s assault with a rana, but his leg failed him, allowing Narita to lock in a Boston crab. Once the hold was dropped, the leg based attack continued.

A lung blower followed by a suplex left Tsuji in control for the first time. It didn’t take long, though, for Narita to land a pump kick in the corner, allowing him to take the match back to the mat.

Tsuji managed to lock in his own Boston crab to return the favor. The follow-up backbreaker and curb stomp left Tsuji in a relatively strong position. He set up for the Gene Blaster, but Narita caught him, trapping him with a leg lock.

Tsuji dropped Narita with a headbutt and a powerbomb that resulted in a nearfall. Narita answered by driving Tsuji into the referee, hitting Tsuji with his guillotine knee, and grabbing his pushup bar. Tsuji ducked the pushup bar and tried to continue his attack. Narita answered by shoving Tsuji back in the direction of the recovering referee and delivering a low blow. Narita then hit another knee, this time from the second rope, resulting in a false finish.

Narita tried choking Tsuji, but Tsuji returned the favor before delivering a powerbomb. When Tsuji tried for the Gene Blast, he ran into the exposed corner, allowing Narita to target the leg once again. Narita attempted the Double Cross, but Tsuji stuffed it. Tsuji then hit a knee strike and a Gene Blast spear to win the match.

Tsuji also advances to 6 points.

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night nine results, updated standings

Posted on by Ian Carey

The G1 Climax 34 continued on Saturday in Osaka featuring matches from the A Block.

EVIL was handed his first loss of the tournament on Saturday. He was defeated by Great-O-Khan, who picked up just his second win. Zack Sabre Jr. then missed out on a chance to move into a tie for the top spot when he was defeated by Shingo Takai in the main event.

A detailed report from Saturday’s event is available here.

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night nine results for August 3, 2024 —

  • A Block: Shingo Takagi (3–3) defeated Zack Sabre Jr. (4–2)
  • A Block: SANADA (3–3) defeated Shota Umino (3–3)
  • A Block: Tetsuya Naito (3–3) defeated Gabe Kidd (3–3)
  • A Block: Great-O-Khan (2–4) defeated EVIL (5–1)
  • A Block: Jake Lee (2–4) defeated Callum Newman (2–4)
  • BUSHI & Yota Tsuji defeated Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Yuya Uemura & TAKA Michinoku defeated Jado & El Phantasmo
  • Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg defeated David Finlay & Gedo
  • Konosuke Takeshita, Jeff Cobb, HENARE & Francesco Akira defeated Shoma Kato, Katsuya Murahsima, Tomoaki Honma & Hirooki Goto

A Block —

  • EVIL (5-1): 10 points
  • Zack Sabre Jr. (4-2): 8 points
  • Gabe Kidd (3-3): 6 points
  • Shota Umino (3-3): 6 points
  • Shingo Takagi (3-3): 6 points
  • SANADA (3-3): 6 points
  • Tetsuya Naito (3-3): 6 points
  • Callum Newman: (2-3): 4 points
  • Great-O-Khan (2-4) 4 points
  • Jake Lee (2-4): 4 points

B Block — 

  • Yuya Uemura (3-2): 6 points
  • Konosuke Takeshita (3-2): 6 points
  • HENARE (3-2): 6 points
  • Ren Narita (3-2): 6 points
  • Jeff Cobb (3-2): 6 points
  • David Finlay (3-2): 6 points
  • Hirooki Goto (2-3): 4 points
  • Oleg Boltin (2-3): 4 points
  • Yota Tsuji (2-3): 4 points
  • El Phantasmo (1-4): 2 points

B Block matches will be featured on tomorrow’s show from Nagoya, Aichi.

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night ten lineup for August 4, 2024 —

  • B Block: Yota Tsuji (2–3) vs Ren Narita (3–2)
  • B Block: Hirooki Goto (2–3) vs Konosuke Takeshita (3–2)
  • B Block: Jeff Cobb (3–2) vs HENARE (3–2)
  • B Block: El Phantasmo (1–4) vs Yuya Uemura (3–2)
  • B Block: Boltin Oleg (2–3) vs David Finlay (3–2)
  • Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito vs. SANADA & TAKA Michinoku
  • Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma vs Gabe Kidd & Jake Lee
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shoma Kato & Toru Yano vs Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman & Francesco Akira

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night nine live results: Shingo vs. Sabre

Posted on by Chick Fritts

G1 Climax 34 action continues today with five A Block matches, including Shingo Takagi vs. Zack Sabre Jr. in the main event.

Shingo is 2-3 with 4 points in the tournament, while Sabre is 4-1 with 8 points. It will be the fifth career singles meeting for Shingo and Sabre, with each holding two victories and two losses.

In the semi-main, 3-2 Shota Umino takes on 2-3 SANADA.

2-3 Tetsuya Naito vs. 3-2 Gabe Kidd, 1-4 Great-O-Khan vs. 5-0 EVIL, plus 2-3 Callum Newman vs. 1-4 Jake Lee round out today’s G1 Climax tournament matches.

Today’s undercard bouts:

  • Yota Tsuji & BUSHI vs. Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • El Phantasmo & Jado vs. Yuya Uemura & TAKA Michinoku
  • Oleg Boltin & Toru Yano vs. David Finlay & Gedo
  • Shoma Kato, Katsuya Murahsima, Tomoaki Honma & Hirooki Goto vs. Konosuke Takeshita, Jeff Cobb, HENARE & Francesco Akira

Today’s show streams on NJPW World beginning at 2 a.m. Eastern time.

**********

Recommended Matches

Tetsuya Naito vs. Gabe Kidd – I would consider this a very good Naito match, which is becoming rarer by the day. They played into Kidd’s strengths and covered Naito’s weaknesses quite well. This isn’t a must watch match, but if your here, it might be worth checking out if you’re a fan of either guy.

Shingo Takagi vs. Zack Sabre Jr. – This was one of the best matches of the tournament. It was filled with intense sequences, slick transitions, and fantastic work on a narrative level. Not a second of your time will be wasted here either. This match was efficient, well paced, and an all-round breezy watch. This one is definitely worth going out of your way for.

**********

Undercard Results

Konosuke Takeshita, Francesco Akira, HENARE & Jeff Cobb defeated Hirooki Goto, Katsuya Murashima, Shoma Kato & Tomoaki Honma

Oleg Boltin & Toru Yano defeated David Finlay & Gedo

TAKA Michinoku & Yuya Uemura defeated El Phantasmo & Jado

BUSHI & Yota Tsuji defeated Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru

**********

G1 Climax Results

Jake Lee defeated Callum Newman

This worked well enough. Newman tried his best tog be dazzling, Lee kept it simple in response. Would I recommend seeking this out? No. But was this a fine match. Sure.

This match opened fast, but neither man could connect with offense. After the early whiffs, they turned to more basic wrestling in an attempt to get the action started. A boot from Newman sent Lee to the floor, which he followed with an attempted dive. Lee interrupted the dive, opening the door to an assault on the floor.

Lee maintained his control from the floor inside the ring with basic offense. With a strong lead, he taunted Newman, allowing him to take free, unprotected shots. This backfired, as Newman was given time to recover, which he used to deliver a double stomp to the back to a prone Lee.

Newman filled his rally with his typical flashy offense. In response, Lee threw Newman to the floor. Newman quickly responded on the outside with a dive, maintaining his momentum before returning to the ring.

Newman’s lead lasted until he attempted the OsCutter. Lee reversed the finish and hit a choke slam for a near fall. When Lee tried to follow up, Newman launched into another short rally, only for Lee to catch him with a Face Break Shot. Lee then pinned Newman to win the match.

This win puts Lee at 4 points.

Great-O-Khan defeated EVIL

This was an impressively bad match. The constant interference is one thing, but it was followed by a totally unearned finish.

EVIL opened the match by rushing O-Khan, grabbing him by his braid, and throwing him to the floor. On the outside, EVIL dominated O-Khan, slamming him into the barricades and the seats. After a moment of interference from Togo, O-Khan barely beat the referee’s count. Once O-Khan was back in the ring, EVIL distracted the referee by threatening to choke him with a shirt, only to choke him with a wire once the official’s back was turned.

O-Khan eventually landed a quick suplex to reverse the momentum of the match. He then drove EVIL into the corner before securing a hold in the middle of the ring. EVIL freed himself by bitting O-Khan, reversing the momentum with underhanded tactics again.

When EVIL attempted Darkness Falls, O-Khan reversed into a throw. O-Khan locked in another hold, but EVIL pulled down the referee, allowing Togo to hit the ring. Togo attacked O-Khan with a chair before offering him back to EVIL. EVIL then locked in a sharpshooter, forcing O-Khan to the ropes.

When EVIL attempted Everything is Evil, O-Khan reversed, driving EVIL face-first into the mat. O-Khan then wrestled EVIL to the mat and locked in an arm hold in the center of the ring. When EVIL looked to be in trouble, Togo pulled the referee to the floor and launched into a full-fledged beatdown, ending with a Magic Killer.

O-Khan kicked out of their tandem finish, only for Togo to interfere again moments later. O-Khan responded with a plancha to Togo before returning to the ring. Back inside, EVIL whipped him into an exposed corner twice and hit a lariat for a nearfall. EVIL attempted his finish again, but O-Khan escaped and hit the eliminator. O-Khan then pinned EVIL and won the match.

O-Khan also advances to 4 points.

Tetsuya Naito defeated Gabe Kidd

This was easily the match of the night so far. They worked around Naito’s weaknesses excellently while maintaining a lot of the intensity that makes Kidd matches so great. Very good.

Kidd opened the match by clubbing Naito with heavy strikes before taking action to the floor. On the outside, Kidd kept up his pressure for a moment before taunting Naito. When Kidd attempted to bring Naito back in the ring, Naito returned the favor, rolling out of the ring, baiting Kidd, and mocking him in typical Naito fashion. This strategy allowed Naito to take control of the match.

The match spilled to the floor, where Kidd was able to retake control. He threw Naito into the sea of chairs, where he continued to mock the IWGP World Champion. Kidd then piled up chairs and barricades, which he attempted to suplex Naito into. Naito reversed the suplex and threw Kidd into the chairs himself. Kidd fired back by dropping Naito onto the apron and spitting in his face.

Back in the ring, Kidd took mount and unloaded on Naito with heavy closed fist strikes, forcing the referee to intervene. Kidd then locked in a Boston crab in an attempt to humiliate the champion. When Kidd tried to follow up, Naito reversed into an awkward partial Destino.

A leg sweep sent Kidd crashing into the corner. Naito followed up with a kick and Esperanza. As Naito looked to escalate, Kidd answered with a nasty suplex that resulted in a match reset.

Naito spat in Kidd’s face, returning the favor from earlier in the match. Naito then landed a strike, which Kidd was quick to answer. Kidd tried for the Mad Man Bomb, but Naito reversed with a rana. Naito then unloaded on Kidd’s neck and went for Destino. Instead of delivering his finish by driving Kidd on his head, Naito trapped Kidd with a schoolboy roll-up and won the match.

Naito heads towards the top of the pack with this win, leaving him with 6 points.

SANADA defeated Shota Umino

After a quick opening sequence, SANADA threw Umino to the floor. On the outside, SANADA utilized the barricades to gain and maintain control over Umino before returning to the ring. Back inside, he preserved his lead with simple offense.

A sudden dropkick from Umino allowed him to challenge SANADA’s lead. Umino upped the intensity significantly, landing much more impactful moves after securing the lead, culminating with a DDT to the apron that sent SANADA to the floor. A dropkick from the top rope and an exploder suplex scored Umino a two count.

A SANADA dropkick ended Umino’s offense, allowing SANADA to connect with some of his own. SANADA landed a plancha before throwing Umino back in the ring. SANADA then set up the Skull End. Unfortunately for SANADA, this left Umino in the perfect position for his reverse twist and shout.

SANADA attempted a shining wizard, but Umino caught him in the STF. SANADA escaped by reaching the ropes and challenged Umino’s followup with a magic screw. SANADA then hit the shining wizard, but Umino blocked the rounding body press with his knees.

Umino landed a knee strike to the back of SANADA to jumpstart his rally. He missed the follow-up blaze blade, leading to a back-and-forth. SANADA landed the shining wizard again, but Umino held on. This push and pull continued until Umino landed his DDT for a nearfall. Umino managed to follow up with a blaze blade, only for SANADA to reverse into the O’Connor roll. This pin trapped Umino, leaving SANADA with the win.

SANADA advances to 6 points as well, making it very crowded toward the upper-middle of the block.

Shingo Takagi defeated Zack Sabre Jr.

This match was great. This was the best Shingo performance in ages and a fantastic outing from ZSJ. It built perfectly to the end and was an absolute breeze. One of the best matches of the tournament.

The feeling out process of this match opened hot, with both men trying to gain the upper hand without slowing down. Once the match did slow down, ZSJ was able to grapple his way into a suplex, but Shingo answered with a tackle. Shingo followed up with a suplex of his own before taking control on the mat.

A neck crank followed by a dropkick to the head from ZSJ allowed him to take the momentum from Shingo. ZSJ then took Shingo to the mat, working him over with various chokes before Shingo fired back with a suplex.

Shingo forced ZSJ in the corner and unloaded on ZSJ with strikes. Shingo kept up the pace with high-impact offense until ZSJ reversed a sliding lariat into an arm crank. ZSJ then began to focus the arm, perhaps to prevent the threat of Shingo’s pumping bomber.

Shingo dropped ZSJ to retake the lead after receiving a lot of attention on his arm. He then lifted ZSJ to the top rope and delivered a superplex to cement a lead. Shingo landed a sliding lariat, but the follow-up from Shingo failed as his targeted arm slowed his response.

ZSJ then took advantage again and focused solely on the arm. Shingo was forced to answer with a pumping bomber, but it did as much damage to him as to ZSJ. ZSJ tried to respond by keeping up the attack, but Shingo caught him with Made in Japan, resulting in a nearfall.

Shingo tried for a pumping bomber again, but ZSJ reversed into the Zack Driver; Shingo kicked out. This was followed by a striking battle that Shingo ended with a pumping bomber. Shingo attempted to follow up on his finish, but ZSJ reversed into the sleeper. ZSJ transitioned into an arm breaker and a triangle when the sleeper failed. With Shingo fading, the referee walked away, looking like he would call the match. Shingo responded by pulling the referee down, powering up, and landing Last of the Dragon. Shingo then pinned ZSJ to win the match.

Another man joins the 6 point club with Shingo’s win.

Hechicero & Virus challenge TMDK for NJPW Capital Collision

Posted on by Ethan Renner

A CMLL duo has issued a challenge to two members of TMDK for NJPW Capital Collision.

CMLL’s Hechicero & Virus have challenged TMDK’s Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls to a tag team match for the Friday, August 30 Capital Collision event in Washington, DC in a new video posted to X Friday:

Already announced for the show are NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone in action, Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd defending against Lio Rush, plus three more bouts. Tetsuya Naito, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Tomohiro Ishii are among the other NJPW stars featured in advertising for the event.

Capital Collision will stream on NJPW World pay-per-view on Friday, August 30 from the Entertainment & Sports Arena in DC.

The lineup to this point:

  • NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone in action
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd defends against Lio Rush
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Titan
  • Tom Lawlor & Fred Rosser vs. Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs
  • Trish Adora vs. HANAKO
  • Hechicero & Virus vs. TMDK’s Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls

Mercedes Mone announced for NJPW Capital Collision

Posted on by Ethan Renner

NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone is coming to Washington, DC.

NJPW announced Wednesday night that Mone has been added to the lineup for their Capital Collision event in Washington at the Entertainment & Sports Arena set for Friday, August 30.

Mone’s opponent for the event has yet to be announced.

The match will be Mone’s first under the NJPW banner since the May 2023 NJPW Strong Resurgence event where she suffered an injury in a bout against Willow Nightingale that forced her to miss a year of in-ring action.

Mone won the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door on June 30, defeating Stephanie Vaquer. Vaquer has since signed with WWE.

Capital Collision will stream as an NJPW World pay-per-view.

The announced lineup for the show:

  • NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone in action
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd defends against Lio Rush
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Titan
  • Tom Lawlor & Fred Rosser vs. Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs
  • Trish Adora vs. HANAKO

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night eight results, updated standings

Posted on by Ian Carey

NJPW G1 Climax 34 continued on Wednesday in Yamaguchi.

With each competitor now having wrestled five round-robin matches, things are wide open in the B Block. Six wrestlers are now tied atop the block with six points and records of 3-2.

Today’s main event saw David Finlay reach six points with a win over Konosuke Takeshita, whose record drops to 3-2. Coverage of the show is available here.

G1 Cimax 34 night 8 results for July 31, 2024 —

  • B Block: David Finlay (3–2) defeated Konosuke Takeshita (3–2)
  • B Block: Ren Narita (3–2) defeated Hirooki Goto (2–3)
  • B Block: Jeff Cobb (3–2) defeated El Phantasmo (1–4)
  • B Block: HENARE (3–2) defeated Yuya Uemura (3–2)
  • B Block: Yota Tsuji (2–3) defeated Boltin Oleg (2–3)
  • Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi defeated Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita
  • Tomoaki Honma & Shota Umino defeated SANADA & TAKA Michinoku
  • Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan defeated EVIL & Dick Togo
  • Gabe Kidd & Jake Lee defeated Shoma Kato & Katsuya Murashima

Current standings —

A Block —

  • EVIL (5-0): 10 points
  • Zack Sabre Jr. (4-1): 8 points
  • Gabe Kidd (3-2): 6 points
  • Shota Umino (3-2): 6 points
  • Shingo Takagi (2-3): 4 points
  • Callum Newman: (2-3): 4 points
  • SANADA (2-3): 4 points
  • Tetsuya Naito (2-3): 4 points
  • Great-O-Khan (1-4) 2 points
  • Jake Lee (1-4): 2 points

B Block — 

  • Yuya Uemura (3-2): 6 points
  • Konosuke Takeshita (3-2): 6 points
  • HENARE (3-2): 6 points
  • Ren Narita (3-2): 6 points
  • Jeff Cobb (3-2): 6 points
  • David Finlay (3-2): 6 points
  • Hirooki Goto (2-3): 4 points
  • Oleg Boltin (2-3): 4 points
  • Yota Tsuji (2-3): 4 points
  • El Phantasmo (1-4): 2 points

The tournament continues on Saturday in Osaka. A Block matches will be featured on the show. 

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night nine lineup for August 3, 2024 —

  • A Block: Shingo Takagi (2–3) vs Zack Sabre Jr. (4–1)
  • A Block: Shota Umino (3–2) vs SANADA (2–3)
  • A Block: Tetsuya Naito (2–3) vs Gabe Kidd (3–2)
  • A Block: Great-O-Khan (1–4) vs EVIL (5–0)
  • A Block: Callum Newman (2–3) vs Jake Lee (1–4)
  • BUSHI & Yota Tsuji vs Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Jado & El Phantasmo vs Yuya Uemura & TAKA Michinoku
  • Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg vs David Finlay & Gedo
  • Shoma Kato, Katsuya Murahsima, Tomoaki Honma & Hirooki Goto vs Konosuke Takeshita, Jeff Cobb, HENARE & Francesco Akira

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night eight live results: Takeshita vs. Finlay

Posted on by Chick Fritts

NJPW G1 Climax 34 B Block action continues today in Yamaguchi with five tournament matches.

In the main event, 3-1 Konosuke Takeshita faces 2-2 David Finlay. Takeshita is tied atop B Block with Yuya Uemura for the lead at 6 points, while Finlay is one of six competitors in the Block stuck at 4 points.

2-2 Hirooki Goto takes on 2-2 Ren Narita in the semi-main event spot on today’s card.

2-2 Jeff Cobb faces 1-3 E Phantasmo in another B Block bout on the show.

Uemura brings his 3-1 record into a matchup with 2-2 HENARE on today’s card.

2-2 Oleg Boltin/Boltin Oleg takes on 1-3 Yota Tsuji in the other tournament bout on the show.

Today’s undercard:

  • Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita
  • Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma vs. SANADA & TAKA Michinoku
  • Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman vs. Dick Togo & EVIL
  • Gabe Kidd & Jake Lee vs. Shoma Kato & Katsuya Murashima

**********

  • BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Gabe Kidd & Jake Lee) defeated Katsuya Murashima & Shoma Kato
  • United Empire (Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan) defeated House Of Torture (Dick Togo & EVIL)
  • Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma defeated Just 5 Guys (SANADA & TAKA Michinoku)
  • Los Ingobernables de Japon (Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito) defeated TMDK (Kosei Fujita & Zack Sabre Jr.)

Yota Tsuji defeated Oleg Boltin

This match was a rock-solid outing from both guys. Nothing bombastic, but very sound, from start to finish.

Oleg opened the match by rushing Tsuji, only for Tsuji to reverse the momentum in his favor moments after the opening bell. Tsuji then took his time, slowly working over Oleg to establish a strong lead.

A sudden slam from Oleg opened the door for a rally. He then threw Tsuji across the ring before attempting a suplex. While trying to lift Tsuji, Oleg was stuffed, resulting in another turn in momentum. Tsuji was quick to follow up with the Boston crab and a curb stomp for a nearfall.

Tsuji attempted his curb stomp from the top rope but missed, leaving Oleg free to land a shotgun dropkick in response. When Tsuji tried to answer with a superkick, Oleg landed a lariat and Kamikaze for a false finish.

As Oleg attempted his finish again, Tsuji wiggled free. Once on his feet, he had enough separation to land an amazing Gene Blaster spear. Tsuji then pinned Oleg to win the match.

Tsuji hangs on to hope, advancing to 4 points.

HENARE defeated Yuya Uemura

This was definitely an ambitious match that I don’t think came together in the end.

After a basic feeling-out process, Uemura established a lead with an arm drag and some basic strikes. HENARE fired back with strikes of his own, which left him in the driver’s seat. After a while in control, HENARE dropped Uemura with a berzerker bomb, scoring a nearfall and submitting his lead.

A quick arm drag and a dropkick from Uemura turned the match around. When Uemura tried to follow up with a crossbody, HENARE caught him with a drop, resetting the match. A prolonged strike exchange in the middle of the ring followed, ending with a suplex from Uemura. Henare bounced back with a lariat, scoring another nearfall.

A quick dropkick from Uemura opened the door for multiple crossbodies from Uemura. When he attempted his third, HENARE blocked, but failed to follow up. Instead, Uemura landed another suplex, resulting in another nearfall.

HENARE drove Uemura into the corner, leading to a quick back and forth. HENARE ended the sequence with a Rampage, but Uemura kicked out of the pin attempt that followed. After holding on, Uemura hit a dragon suplex for a false finish of his own. Uemura tried following up with the deadbolt but was cut off by a leaping headbutt and Streets of Rage, leaving HENARE with the win.

HENARE ties block leaders with 6 points.

Jeff Cobb defeated El Phantasmo

Dare I say it, this was a good ELP match. It worked to his strengths without playing needlessly into the GoD depression storyline.

As soon as the match began, ELP tried to steal a win with a quick roll-up. Once that didn’t work, he kept up the pace with a tope. When he tried a second dive, Cobb cut him off. ELP managed to stay ahead by driving Cobb into the corner, which he followed with a moonsault to the floor.

Back in the ring, a suplex from Cobb reset the match in his favor. From here, Cobb dominated ELP, landing power move after power move with basically no pushback. A massive superplex scored Cobb a nearfall.

As Cobb looked to close, he lifted ELP into a powerbomb. ELP then reversed into a sudden pin, nearly eeking out a win. Cobb then tried for Tour of the Islands, and again, ELP reversed. After landing Sudden Death, a senton, and a moonsault, ELP managed to secure a lead of his own late in the match.

Just as it looked like ELP had a chance, Cobb cut him off with an F-5000. Cobb then punished ELP with ELP with strikes before taunting ELP for lacking friends. This fired ELP up, leading to a back-and-forth sequence. With a bit of momentum, ELP then attempted a springboard from the center rope, but Cobb caught him with Tour of the Islands and won the match.

Cobb joins the top of the pack with 6 points.

Ren Narita defeated Hirooki Goto

There were multiple points in this match where I was having a blast. In the end, I don’t know if I’d recommend seeking this out, but I’m close. For a House of Torture Narita match, it was rather great.

Narita tried rushing down Goto as soon as the bell rang, but Goto withstood the blitz. Narita fled to the outside to cool off anything resembling a Goto lead. On the floor, Narita caught Goto with a boot before driving him into the ring post, slamming him into the barricade, choking him with a rod, and striking him with a chair. Back in the ring, Narita continued advancing with basic heelish holds.

Goto eventually landed a lariat to reset the match. A wheel kick and a suplex left Goto with a lead, but Narita fired back with an illegal choke and a suplex of his own to stay on top. Narita then locked in a choke to secure a strong lead while slowing the match.

Goto hit a Ushigoroshi that left Narita on the backfoot, but Narita landed a guillotine knee to buy separation moments later. Narita rolled to the floor, where he grabbed the rod from earlier. This led to a back-and-forth with the referee. After a scuffle with Goto, the referee was bumped, leaving Narita free to grab his pushup bar. Goto challenged Narita with the rod from earlier, leading to a weapon-based showdown that he won.

Narita tried a low blow, but Goto blocked it. Goto followed up with a barrage of headbutts and a lariat, only for Narita to land the low blow anyway. Narita then landed the Double Cross and pinned Goto to win the match.

With this win, Narita joins the 6-point club.

David Finlay defeated Konosuke Takeshita

This match had its fantastic moments, but like the last, it feels hard to recommend (especially considering its extended runtime). When a match goes from a passionate arrangement to an overplayed Gedo sketch within seconds, I’ll never urge you to seek it out.

The match opened with a tie-up that Takeshita ended with a firm strike. Finlay tried to fire back, but Takeshita took control with a headlock, which he used to take Finlay to the mat before driving him in the corner.

Takeshita climbed to the second rope, but Finlay shoved him to the floor, where the match was flipped on its head. On the outside, Finlay drove Takeshita into the barricades and connected with forearms to establish control. Back in the ring, Finlay whipped Takeshita into the corner before picking him apart with a simple, deliberate offense.

Takeshita landed a leaping clothesline to buy a moment of separation after an extended period on the back foot. Takeshita managed to follow up with the brainbuster to establish a lead of his own, but after missing a knee, Takeshita fell back to the floor.

Back on the outside, Finlay started another assault similar to his opening attack. After driving Takeshita over the barricade, Finlay celebrated with Gabe Kidd. This hesitation gave Takeshita enough time to escape Finlay’s control. Takeshita then drove Finlay into the ring post. Takeshita followed up by piling chairs on the Global Champion and landing a dive that nearly scored a ring-out win.

Back in the ring, Takeshita landed a frog splash for a nearfall. He tried to follow up with a senton, but Finlay reversed with a brutal knee extension. The follow-up Irish Curse backbreaker from Finlay scored him a nearfall.

Finlay pulled Takeshita to the apron, where he tried for a piledriver. Takeshita avoided the driver but was thrown into the ring post instead. Finlay stayed on top of Takeshita with Dominator for another nearfall. Finlay landed a rolling forearm, but Takeshita landed his knee in response. Finlay bounced back immediately with Oblivion for a false finish.

Takeshita accidentally delivered a forearm to the back of the referee. Finlay followed up with a buckle bomb, but Takeshita answered with one of his own. Takeshita then pinned Finlay, but the referee was outside the ring, trying to recover (while being distracted by Gedo). Takeshita tried grabbing the referee, allowing Finlay to capitalize with a shillelagh shot.

When Finlay attempted Overkill, Takesthita reversed with a forearm. Takeshita’s follow-up was interrupted by Gedo, but Takeshita managed to hold on regardless. Finlay accidentally bumped Gedo off the apron, allowing Takesthita to hit the posion rana and a Blue Thunder Bomb. As Takesthita tried for Raging Fire, Finlay slipped free. This allowed him to land Overkill and win the match.

Finlay advances to 6 points. This makes him one of five men at the top of B Block.

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night seven results, updated standings

Posted on by Ian Carey

G1 Climax 34 continued on Monday with an event in Fukuoka.

A Block matches were featured on today’s show. EVIL kept his perfect record intact as he defeated Callum Newman to improve to 5-0. He now sits alone atop the block as Shota Umino handed Zack Sabre Jr. his first loss of the tournament elsewhere on the card.

The main event saw IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito defeat SANADA as Naito continues to claw back into knockout round contention after a slow start to the round-robin.

Following the main event, Naito said:

“This was our second night in Fukuoka. Thank you to all of you for coming. Gracias amigos. Did you enjoy the hot action? It’s been a while since the G1 has been down here in Kyushu, so I enjoyed it as well. Right now, I’m 2-3. As IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and defending G1 winner, that’s a bad record. But I will get more and more wins, and win my second in a row.”

G1 Climax 34 night seven results for July 29, 2024 —

  • A Block: Tetsuya Naito (2–3) defeated SANADA (2–3)
  • A Block: Gabe Kidd (3–2) defeated Shingo Takagi (2–3)
  • A Block: Shota Umino (3–2) defeated Zack Sabre Jr. (4–1)
  • A Block: Great-O-Khan (1–4) defeated Jake Lee (1–4)
  • A Block: EVIL (5–0) defeated Callum Newman (2–3)
  • Konosuke Takeshita & Francesco Akira defeated David Finlay & Gedo
  • Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated Hirooki Goto & Tomoaki Honma
  • Jeff Cobb & HENARE defeated Jado & El Phantasmo
  • Yota Tsuji & BUSHI defeated Boltin Oleg & Katsuya Murashima
  • Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Yuya Uemura & TAKA Michinoku

Current standings —

A Block —

  • EVIL (5-0): 10 points
  • Zack Sabre Jr. (4-1): 8 points
  • Gabe Kidd (3-2): 6 points
  • Shota Umino (3-2): 6 points
  • Shingo Takagi (2-3): 4 points
  • Callum Newman: (2-3): 4 points
  • SANADA (2-3): 4 points
  • Tetsuya Naito (2-3): 4 points
  • Great-O-Khan (1-4) 2 points
  • Jake Lee (1-4): 2 points

B Block — 

  • Yuya Uemura (3-1): 6 points
  • Konosuke Takeshita (3-1): 6 points
  • HENARE (2-2): 4 points
  • Ren Narita (2-2): 4 points
  • Jeff Cobb (2-2): 4 points
  • Hirooki Goto (2-2): 4 points
  • Oleg Boltin (2-2): 4 points
  • David Finlay (2-2): 4 points
  • Yota Tsuji (1-3): 2 points
  • El Phantasmo (1-3): 2 points

The tournament continues on Wednesday in Yamaguchi. B Block matches will be featured on the show.

G1 Cimax 34 night 8 lineup for July 31, 2024 —

  • B Block: Konosuke Takeshita (3–1) vs. David Finlay (2–2)
  • B Block: Hirooki Goto (2–2) vs. Ren Narita (2–2)
  • B Block: El Phantasmo (1–3) vs. Jeff Cobb (2–2)
  • B Block: Yuya Uemura (3–1) vs. HENARE (2–2)
  • B Block: Boltin Oleg (2–2) vs. Yota Tsuji (1–3)
  • Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita
  • Tomoaki Honma & Shota Umino vs. SANADA & TAKA Michinoku
  • Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan vs. EVIL & Dick Togo
  • Shoma Kato & Katsuya Murashima vs. Gabe Kidd & Jake Lee

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night six results, updated standings

Posted on by Ian Carey

The G1 Climax 34 continued on Sunday in Fukuoka.

B Block matches were featured on today’s show. The main event saw Hirooki Goto improve his record to 2-2 in a win over Yota Tsuji, whose record drops to 1-3.

Elsewhere on the card, Yuya Uemura took his first loss in the tournament in his match against Jeff Cobb. He now sits tied atop the group with Konsuke Takeshita at six points. Takeshita defeated NEVER Openweight Champion HENARE to improve his record to 3-1 today.

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night six results from July 28, 2024 —

  • B Block: Hirooki Goto (2-2) defeated Yota Tsuji (1-3)
  • B Block: David Finlay (2-2) defeated Ren Narita (2-2)
  • B Block: Konosuke Takeshita (3-1) defeated HENARE (2-2)
  • B Block: Jeff Cobb (2-2) defeated Yuya Uemura (3-1)
  • B Block: Boltin Oleg (2-2) defeated El Phantasmo (1-3)
  • Shingo Takagi, Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI defeated Gabe Kidd, Jake Lee & Gedo
  • Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita defeated Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma vs
  • Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan defeated EVIL & Dick Togo
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toru Yano defeated SANADA & TAKA Michinoku

Current standings —

A Block —

  • Zack Sabre Jr. (4-0): 8 points
  • EVIL (4-0): 8 points
  • Shingo Takagi (2-2): 4 points
  • Gabe Kidd (2-2): 4 points
  • Callum Newman: (2-2): 4 points
  • SANADA (2-2): 4 points
  • Shota Umino (2-2): 4 points
  • Tetsuya Naito (1-3): 2 points
  • Jake Lee (1-3): 2 points
  • Great-O-Khan (0-4) 0 points

B Block — 

  • Yuya Uemura (3-1): 6 points
  • Konosuke Takeshita (3-1): 6 points
  • HENARE (2-2): 4 points
  • Ren Narita (2-2): 4 points
  • Jeff Cobb (2-2): 4 points
  • Hirooki Goto (2-2): 4 points
  • Oleg Boltin (2-2): 4 points
  • David Finlay (2-2): 4 points
  • Yota Tsuji (1-3): 2 points
  • El Phantasmo (1-3): 2 points

The tournament continues on Monday with another show in Fukuoka. A Block matches will be featured on the card.

G1 Climax 34 night seven lineup for July 29, 2024 —

  • A Block: Tetsuya Naito (1–3) vs. SANADA (2–2)
  • A Block: Shingo Takagi (2–2) vs. Gabe Kidd (2–2)
  • A Block: Shota Umino (2–2) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (4–0)
  • A Block: Great-O-Khan (0–4) vs. Jake Lee (1–3)
  • A Block: Callum Newman (2–2) vs. EVIL (4–0)
  • Konosuke Takeshita & Francesco Akira vs. David Finlay & Gedo
  • Hirooki Goto & Tomoaki Honma vvs.s Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Jado & El Phantasmo vs. Jeff Cobb & HENARE
  • Boltin Oleg & Katsuya Murashima vs. Yota Tsuji & BUSHI
  • Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Yuya Uemura & TAKA Michinoku

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night five results, updated standings

Posted on by Ian Carey

G1 Climax 34 continued on Saturday with an event in Nagasaki.

A Block matches were featured on today’s show, which was headlined by EVIL defeating Tetsuya Naito after repeated interference by members of House of Torture. With the win, EVIL improves his record to 4-0 and drops the reigning IWGP World Heavyweight Champion’s record down to 1-3.

EVIL sits atop A Block along with Zack Sabre Jr, who also extended his unbeaten record on Saturday. He was able to make Jake Lee submit in the semi-main event of the show. Lee’s record drops to 1-3 with the loss.

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night five results from July 27, 2024 —

  • HENARE & Konsuke Takeshita defeated Shoma Kato & Katsuya Murashima
  • Toru Yano & Oleg Boltin defeated El Phantasmo & Jado
  • Francesco Akira & Jeff Cobb defeated Taka Michinoku & Yuya Uemura
  • Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated David Finlay & Gedo
  • A Block: Callum Newman defeated Shingo Takagi
  • A Block: SANADA defeated Gabe Kidd
  • A Block: Shota Umino defeated Great-O-Khan
  • A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Jake Lee
  • A Block: EVIL defeated Tetsuya Naito

Current standings —

A Block —

  • Zack Sabre Jr. (4-0): 8 points
  • EVIL (4-0): 8 points
  • Shingo Takagi (2-2): 4 points
  • Gabe Kidd (2-2): 4 points
  • Callum Newman: (2-2): 4 points
  • SANADA (2-2): 4 points
  • Shota Umino (2-2): 4 points
  • Tetsuya Naito (1-3): 2 points
  • Jake Lee (1-3): 2 points
  • Great-O-Khan (0-4) 0 points

B Block — 

  • Yuya Uemura (3-0): 6 points
  • Konosuke Takeshita (2-1): 4 points
  • HENARE (2-1): 4 points
  • Ren Narita (2-1): 4 points
  • Jeff Cobb (1-2): 2 points
  • El Phantasmo (1-2): 2 points
  • Yota Tsuji (1-2): 2 points
  • Hirooki Goto (1-2): 2 points
  • Oleg Boltin (1-2): 2 points
  • David Finlay (1-2): 2 points

The tournament will continue on Sunday with a show in Fukuoka. B Block matches will be featured on the card. The lineup is below.

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night six lineup for July 28, 2024 —

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toru Yano vs SANADA & TAKA Michinoku
  • Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan vs EVIL & Dick Togo
  • Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma vs Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita
  • Shingo Takagi, Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI vs Gabe Kidd, Jake Lee & Gedo
  • B Block: El Phantasmo (1-2) vs. Boltin Oleg (1-2)
  • B Block: Yuya Uemura (3-0) vs. Jeff Cobb (1-2)
  • B Block: Konosuke Takeshita (2-1) vs. HENARE (2-1)
  • B Block: David Finlay (1-2) vs. Ren Narita (2-1)
  • B Block: Yota Tsuji (1-2) vs. Hirooki Goto (1-2)

First matches announced for NJPW Capital Collision

Posted on by Ethan Renner

NJPW has announced the first four bouts for their Friday, August 30 Capital Collision event in Washington, DC.

The NJPW Strong Openweight Championship will be on the line in DC, with title holder Gabe Kidd defending against Lio Rush.

A first-time ever singles match is also newly announced for the card, with Zack Sabre Jr. facing CMLL’s Titan. Titan is an NJPW regular and part of the promotion’s Los Ingobernables de Japon faction.

Former rivals will team, and former teammates will do battle as Tom Lawlor & Fred Rosser face West Coast Wrecking Crew’s Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs. Nelson & Isaacs were formerly part of Lawlor’s Team Filthy stable, while Lawlor and Rosser feuded over the NJPW Strong title in the past before uniting as Dirty Work.

Trish Adora vs. HANAKO in a women’s division contest has also been announced for the show.

Capital Collision airs as an NJPW World pay-per-view on Friday, August 30 from the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, DC. The lineup to this point:

  • NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd defends against Lio Rush
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Titan
  • Tom Lawlor & Fred Rosser vs. Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs
  • Trish Adora vs. HANAKO

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night four results, updated standings

Posted on by F4W Editors

Night four of NJPW’s G1 Climax took place in Kagawa on Thursday with the B Block in action.

Among the highlights were Yuya Uemura staying undefeated and Konosuke Takeshita and HENARE both being dealt their first losses. Here are the full results and updated standings:

NJPW G1 Climax night four results —

  • B Block: Yuya Uemura defeated Konosuke Takeshita
  • B Block: David Finlay defeated HENARE
  • B Block: El Phantasmo defeated Yota Tsuji
  • B Block: Ren Narita defeated Jeff Cobb
  • B Block: Hirooki Goto defeated Oleg Boltin
  • Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi defeated EVIL & Dick Togo
  • Jake Lee & Gabe Kidd defeated Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita
  • Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman & Francesco Akira defeated Shota Umino, Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato
  • SANADA & TAKA Michinoku defeated Toru Yano & Katsuya Murashima

Current standings —

A Block —

  • Zack Sabre Jr. (3-0): 6 points
  • EVIL (3-0): 6 points
  • Shingo Takagi (2-1): 4 points
  • Gabe Kidd (2-1): 4 points
  • Callum Newman: (1-2): 2 points
  • SANADA (1-2): 2 points
  • Shota Umino (1-2): 2 points
  • Tetsuya Naito (1-2): 2 points
  • Jake Lee (1-2): 2 points
  • Great-O-Khan (0-3) 0 points

B Block —

  • Yuya Uemura (3-0): 6 points
  • Konosuke Takeshita (2-1): 4 points
  • HENARE (2-1): 4 points
  • Ren Narita (2-1): 4 points
  • Jeff Cobb (1-2): 2 points
  • El Phantasmo (1-2): 2 points
  • Yota Tsuji (1-2): 2 points
  • Hirooki Goto (1-2): 2 points
  • Oleg Boltin (1-2): 2 points
  • David Finlay (1-2): 2 points

The tournament picks back up on Saturday with an event featuring A Block matches:

Night five lineup —

  • A Block: Tetsuya Naito vs. EVIL
  • A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Jake Lee
  • A Block: Shota Umino vs. Great-O-Khan
  • A Block: SANADA vs. Gabe Kidd
  • A Block: Shingo Takagi vs. Callum Newman
  • Hirooki Goto & Tomoaki Honma vs. Yota Tsuji & BUSHI
  • David Finlay & Gedo vs. Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Yuya Uemura & TAKA Michinoku vs. Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira
  • El Phantasmo & Jado vs. Oleg Boltin & Toru Yano
  • Shoma Kato & Katsuya Murashima vs. HENARE & Konosuke Takeshita

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night three results: Naito vs. Lee

Posted on by Chick Fritts

NJPW’s G1 Climax 34 continues with six tournament matches on night three, including Tetsuya Naito vs. Jake Lee in the main event.

Naito, the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, is still looking for his first win of the tournament after being shut out on the opening weekend at 0-2. Lee enters his highest-profile NJPW match to date with a 1-1 record in the tournament.

Five A Block matches, one B Block match, and three undercard tag bouts make up today’s card.

Today’s lineup:

  • A Block: Tetsuya Naito (0-2) vs. Jake Lee (1-1)
  • A Block: SANADA (1-1) vs. EVIL (2-0)
  • A Block: Shota Umino (1-1) vs. Gabe Kidd (1-1)
  • A Block: Shingo Takagi (1-1) vs. Great-O-Khan (0-2)
  • A Block: Callum Newman (1-1) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (2-0)
  • B Block: Jeff Cobb (1-0) vs. Konosuke Takeshita (1-0)
  • HENARE & Francesco Akira vs. David Finlay & Gedo
  • El Phantasmo & Jado vs. Yota Tsuji & BUSHI
  • Hirooki Goto, Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato vs. Oleg Boltin, Toru Yano & Katsuya Morishima

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Tonight was by far the weakest night of the G1 so far.

The only match worth seeking out is Konosuke Takeshita vs. Jeff Cobb, but even it would be far from the best match on the prior two nights.

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Katsuya Murashima, Oleg Boltin & Toru Yano defeated Hirooki Goto, Shoma Kato & Tomoaki Honma

Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI & Yota Tsuji) defeated Guerrillas Of Destiny (El Phantasmo & Jado)

United Empire (Francesco Akira & HENARE) defeated BULLET CLUB War Dogs

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Konosuke Takeshita defeated Jeff Cobb

This match was a blast. At just over 10 minutes, it was action-packed and to the point. Great stuff.

This match opened with both men shoulder-checking each other before Cobb easily threw Takeshita across the ring. Cobb continued to show off by standing on Takeshita, resulting in him rolling to the apron.

A forearm sent Cobb to the floor, leaving Takeshita free to land a tope con hilo. He threw Cobb in the ring and climbed to the top rope in an attempt to follow up, only for Cobb to cut him off with a gut-wrench superplex. Cobb kept up the pressure with a standing moonsault for a quick two-count.

Cobb climbed to the top rope himself. This time, Takeshita landed an incredible superplex of his own. Cobb bounced back with a quick German attempt, but Takeshita landed on his feet. Takeshita then hit a knee strike and a poison-rana. Cobb responded with a lariat, leaving both men grounded.

Cobb tried for another suplex, but Takeshita blocked it and hit one of his own. Takeshita then tried for the knee, but Cobb reversed into the spin cycle and a uranage. As Cobb tried to follow up, Takeshita pulled him into the Blue Thunder Bomb for a convincing nearfall.

Cobb tried for Tour of the Islands, but Takeshita slipped free. Both men then traded knee strikes before a headbutt left Takeshita grounded. As Cobb tried to close, Takeshita cut him off with an elbow and Raging Fire, winning him the match.

Takeshita is still undefeated with 4 points.

Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Callum Newman

This match was entertaining enough.

Early on, ZSJ targeted Newman’s arm while grounding him to establish control. Newman tried utilizing quick offense to work his way back into the match but struggled for quite some time.

Eventually, Newman was able to connect with a suplex to reset the match, but ZSJ immediately brought him back to the mat. Moments like this would continue to play out throughout this match’s runtime. Newman continued to try for openings, but ZSJ continued to stay one step ahead for most of the match.

In the end, Newman hit ZSJ with a powerbomb. ZSJ countered into an ankle submission, forcing Newman to submit.

ZSJ remains undefeated, leading A Block with 6 points.

Shingo Takagi defeated Great-O-Khan

This was another fine match. It’s nothing special, but it’s still solid.

O-Khan threw Shingo to the mat and began beating him down moments after the opening bell. He then tried working over Shingo on the mat in an attempt to wear him down. Shingo answered with a sliding lariat and a bunch of strikes, flipping the match on its head.

O-Khan challenged Shingo’s advance by utilizing more basic throws and holds. Shingo was able to fight through the eliminator and land the pumping bomber to keep O-Khan on the back foot. A follow-up superplex cemented this lead.

O-Khan attempted a rally at the 10-minute mark but was cut off by a mean DDT. Shingo followed up with the dragon suplex and the pumping bomber, but O-Khan kicked out at one. Both men popped up and ran at each other again, and Shingo landed another pumping bomber. This time, it was enough for him to win the match.

Shingo works his way to 4 points.

Gabe Kidd defeated Shota Umino

This was another match that was fine enough but was far from great. Kidd has had much better performances, and Umino’s “hateful” routine was far from believable.

The feeling-out process featured a tense struggle for control. Umino won out first, but Kidd fired back with a bite and suplex to reset the match in his favor.

While Kidd was in control, he bullied Umino with mean kicks and the occasional expletive. After dropping Umino with a barrage of headbutts, Kidd locked Umino in the Boston crab, continuing to ridicule his opponent.

Umino eventually fought back, hitting a knee strike and tornado DDT to begin a rally. Umino’s rally was short-lived, however. Kidd was quick to land a strike, knocking Umino to the mat and leading to a back-and-forth exchange.

Umino survived a big lariat from Kidd and answered with a dragon suplex. The follow-up forearm scored Umino a two count, but both men were downed. Once both men worked their way to their feet, more striking followed.

Kidd utilized a bite to open Umino up for a piledriver, scoring a nearfall. Kidd transitioned into a lion tamer. Once Umino refused to submit, Kidd picked him up, hit him with a powerbomb, and pinned him to win the match.

Kidd now sits at 4 points.

EVIL defeated SANADA

This was far better than you would expect. I wouldn’t call it great, but for a 2024 EVIL match, it was pretty close.

Before the match could begin, EVIL tried to get SANADA to join House of Torture. SANADA put on the HoT shirt, pretending as if he had joined the faction. EVIL then commanded SANADA to lie down for the count, which he also pretended to do.

Once SANADA reversed the pin and EVIL realized he wasn’t joining HoT, the match began. EVIL tried to flee the ring, but SANADA caught him, brought him back, and tied him in the paradise lock.

Dick Togo tripped SANADA to help EVIL back into the match. EVIL then pulled SANADA to the floor, where he drove him into the barricade. Back in the ring, SANADA tried fighting back, only to be whipped into an exposed turnbuckle.

A roll through into Skull End seemingly reset the match in SANADA’s favor. This lasted until an Irish whip sent SANADA crashing into the referee, leaving Togo free to rush the ring.

Togo and EVIL tried using a chair to attack SANADA, but it backfired when SANADA delivered a dropkick, sending the chair into EVIL’s face. SANADA then hit the shining wizard. With the end in sight, SANADA tried for his finish, but EVIL responded with a low; SANADA answered with a low blow of his own.

EVIL was the first to recover from the double low blow, delivering Darkness Falls to establish control. When EVIL tried to close, SANADA responded with the magic screw. The follow-up rounding body press scored SANADA a two count.

SANADA cleared Togo from the ring before he tried to close the match again. This allowed EVIL to block the next shining wizard attempt with the referee. Another low blow from EVIL, followed by his finish, allowed him to secure the pin and the win.

EVIL stays on top at A block with 6 points.

Tetsuya Naito defeated Jake Lee

This was an awkward match. It was clunky and slow. This Naito is hard to watch.

After the opening bell, these guys went to the floor. On the outside, Naito teased Lee, getting in his head early. This allowed Naito to take control in the ring.

Lee answered Naito’s early lead by picking him up by the neck and dropping him. Lee then taunted the crowd before dragging Naito back to the floor, where he drove Naito into the barricade, a chair, and the entrance stage. Back in the ring, Lee maintained his lead with basic holds and strikes, wearing down the champion.

Naito answered Lee with back elbows, opening the door for some basic offense of his own. This was short-lived, as Lee cut off Esperanza with a chokeslam from the top rope. The follow-up knee scored Lee a nearfall.

A quick enziguri from Naito was followed by a failed Destino attempt. Naito returned to the top rope, where Lee reversed momentum again. Naito avoided FBS and landed another enziguri, but a kick from Lee kept Lee confident. As Lee tried for another choke slam, Naito reversed into Destino and pinned Lee to steal a win.

The IWGP champion is on the board with 2 points.