It looks like The Young Bucks vs. Golden Lovers (Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi) was originally the plan for AEW Full Gear 2025.
During a Q&A posted to the Being the Elite YouTube channel today, The Young Bucks were asked to name a proposed match of theirs that never got the chance to happen in AEW. Nick Jackson revealed that he and his brother Matt were supposed to face off against Omega & Ibushi at a recent pay-per-view, but Ibushi suffered an injury that forced those plans to be scrapped.
“The Golden Lovers,” Nick Jackson said. “It was actually supposed to happen pretty recently. But [Ibushi] had a really bad leg break. We were supposed to do Kenny & Ibushi at — when was it? Not Revolution. Where the heck was it? It was a couple months ago. You guys tell me. We ended up doing a six-man tag.”
With Ibushi unable to compete, the Full Gear card instead included a six-man tag where The Young Bucks & Josh Alexander defeated Jurassic Express (Jack Perry & Luchasaurus) & Omega.
The Young Bucks and Golden Lovers previously met in a dream match at NJPW Strong Style Evolved 2018. Omega & Ibushi got the win in that highly praised first meeting.
It was initially said that the injury Ibushi suffered in October 2025 would keep him out of action for two years, but Ibushi is hoping that he will be able to return quicker than that.
It looks like a Golden Lovers reunion will be happening in AEW when Kenny Omega is able to return.
Both Kota Ibushi and Omega have been out of action due to injury issues. Ibushi underwent ankle surgery this January, while Omega had surgery done in May following a bout with diverticulitis. Omega has not wrestled since December 2023.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of his pro wrestling debut, Ibushi took part in a five-minute exhibition for GLEAT last month. He’ll compete in a six-man tag match for DDT Pro Wrestling on August 25. Though he’s returning to DDT, Ibushi tweeted that AEW is his home and fans will see a “full comeback” with him and Omega.
Dave Meltzer discussed Ibushi’s tweet on Wrestling Observer Radio and noted that Omega’s health is improving.
“Basically when Kenny Omega returns, [Ibushi is] returning,” Meltzer said. “He basically said he’s under contract there and he’s waiting for Omega to return for him to return. I don’t know if there’s even a date of when Omega will return. Put it this way: I don’t think it’s so far away as before when I would talk about it and go like, ‘I don’t even want to think about it. It’s a long ways away.’ He’s getting better, I know that.
“I actually looked up the surgery that he had. Usually for a wrestler, it’s about [a] four-month recovery. A lot of wrestlers push it and probably come back quicker. But that would be like mid-September. But he had a lot — you know, he didn’t just have the hernia problem. I mean, he had a lot of different problems. But like I said, he is coming back. I mean, that’s pretty much the word. And I don’t think it’s like months and months away. I don’t want to say this because I feel stupid saying it — because he has not told me anything in this regard — but just the vibe I have is it’ll be before the end of the year. And before that, it was just like he’ll be back but who knows when.”
When Omega is able to return, he’s expected to resume his feud with The Elite, including a teased match against legendary in-ring rival Kazuchika Okada.
A big tag team bout headlines tonight’s Road to Tokyo Dome event inside Korakuen Hall.
For the first time, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Will Ospreay will team up to take on the Golden Lovers, Kota Ibushi and Kenny Omega. Following Power Struggle, Tanahashi has aligned himself with CHAOS members, so this is a unique team. Of course, the real focus of the match will likely be Opsreay/Ibushi and Omega/Tanahashi, as those pairs are set to go against one another in key major title matches on 1/4.
Another match features the return of Teruaki Kanemitsu, who has been sidelined for over two years with a cervical spine injury. He will team up with Ren Narita to take on Shota Umino and Ayato Yoshida in the opener. His last match was back on November 27, 2016 when he lost to Toa Henare.
Join us for live coverage starting at 4:30 a.m. ET. There will be English commentary.
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They aired a highlight video showcasing all the big angles and wins of the year, including the big tournament wins, Super Strong Machine’s retirement, Gedo turning on Kazuchika Okada, the introductions of Taiji Ishimori and Shingo Takagi, Tomoaki Honma’s return, the fracture and reformation of the Bullet Club and more. Nice highlight piece.
Ren Narita & Teruaki Kanemitsu and Shota Umino & Ayato Yoshida went to a time limit draw
In the two years that he’s been gone, Kanemitsu has bulked up considerably and will likely be a heavyweight in the future. He’s 25, so still plenty of time to develop despite the long injury.
They worked a basic tag team match that was solid overall, built up really well by the end with a good crowd. Kanemitsu looked fine, and everyone looked good. Umino and Yoshida are already really good, and Narita really isn’t that far behind; he planted Yoshida with a really nice overhead belly to belly suplex.
Yoshida and Narita built to where they tagged in both of their partners. Kanemitsu got a big reaction for his hot tag and comeback. Umino had Kanemitsu deep in a Boston crab but the time limit expired.
Roppongi 3K & Rocky Romero defeated Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask and Toa Henare
This was pretty decent, a good back and forth match. Tiger Mask had Sho in a knee lock, with YOH coming in the for the save. Tiger Mask blocked a 3K ant went for a crucifix but didn’t get the shock win. They did wind up hitting the 3K for the win.
Tomohiro Ishii and Hirooki Goto defeated Minoru Suzuki and Takashi Iizuka
Hey, what do you know, this match started with Suzuki-gun jumping Ishii and Goto and taking them to the crowd immediately, whacking them with chairs. They eventually made it back to the ring, where Suzuki honed in on one of Goto’s legs.
Iizuka was unleashed as he started to bite on Goto’s leg. After Suzuki and Ishii went at it, Iizuka and Goto were in the ring. A double team by Suzuki-gun failed as Iizuka walked right into a ushigiroshi/sliding D combo. Ishii then pinned Iizuka with a brainbuster. Solid bout.
Suzuki wasn’t happy after the match, destroying young lions on his way out.
EVIL & SANADA defeated Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi
Chase kind of, sort of got a paradise lock in early, but SANADA got out of it like it was nothing and properly showed Chase how it was one. Milano Collection AT even applauded at ringside.
This was another match that was fine, but more of a build up match for SANADA and EVIL. A lot of comedy. EVIL hit the Darkness Falls on Owens . They actually hit an Indytaker on Yujiro, calling out the Young Bucks, then EVIL pinned Yujiro after the magic killer.
Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi and BUSHI defeated Taichi, El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru
As with every Suzuki-gun match, it went into the crowd early. Kanemaru actually jumped on Shingo’s back and leg dropped him on the guardrail in what was a pretty cool spot. Shingo was busted open hardway as a result.
Suzuki-gun worked on Shingo for a good while until BUSHI was finally tagged in, followed by Naito. He and Taichi battled for a bit, then after a big lariat tagged out to Kanemaru.. BUSHI hit a giant suicide dive that took out Desperado while Naito pinned Kanemaru with the Destino. Another solid match.
A video message appeared on the screen, signaling that it may be from Chris Jericho. However, it was a ruse as Jericho appeared in the crowd with a chair and headed to the ring. Naito, despite the fans freaking out, did not see Jericho from behind. Jericho pelted he and the rest of his LIJ friend with chair shots then laid out Naito with the codebreaker.
Jericho took a camera and muttered something about Naito as he went into the crowd and yelled at fans with LIJ merch.
Jay White, Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa and Taiji Ishimori defeated Kazuchika Okada, Togi Makabe, Toru Yano, Tomoaki Honma and KUSHIDA
It was Okada who jumped Jay White right at the start of the match. They brawled around in the ring. KUSHIDA and Ishimori were in the ring for a bit before Jado hit KUSHIDA with the kendo stick and, for what felt like the 236th time on this show, the heels took the faces into the crowd. This gets tiring after a while.
Heels worked over KUSHIDA for a while, including Fale who dominated him easily. Fale missed a splash, leaving KUSHIDA a window to tag out, but White stopped it as the heels continued their onslaught. Okada was tagged in, as was White as they went at it. Honma came in and tried for the kokeshi on Loa, but wasn’t successful as GoD hit the Guerrilla Warfare.
Yano came in but was quickly dispatched. Everyone came in at one point. Jado hit Honma with the cane, but Honma kicked out. A sitout piledriver scored the win for Bullet Club. Your atypical house show tag match.
Bullet Club were posing in the ring when Kazuchika Okada ran in to jump Jay White. Considering everyone was in the ring when he did this, it did not work. He was laid out with the bladerunner as KUSHIDA, who tried to help, was laid out by Ishimori.
Golden Lovers defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi and Will Ospreay
An incredible match by the end, right up there with some of the best matches of the year. And considering how 2018 was in great, epic matches that is saying a lot. Some of the spots in this match were absolutely bonkers and the crowd was with it the whole way.
Starts off with the usual fare: Ospreay works against Ibushi and Tanahashi works against Omega. Eventually, both Golden Lovers start working on Ospreay.
Tanahashi eventually gets tagged in, working on Omega’s leg. Ibushi makes the save and the Golden Lovers start their tandem offense. Ospreay goes for a crossbody, but the Golden Lovers catch him and dump him over the ropes to the outside. They follow with the Cross Slash, stereo moonsaults to the floor.
Ospreay cut off Omega on the top rope and powerbombed him off the ropes, landing on the square of Ibushi’s back. Omega comes back with snap dragon suplex on Tanahashi, but he roars back with a slingblade that keeps them both down. Ospreay went to springboard, but Ibushi stopped him. He cut off Ibushi and did his springboard, defying him.
Ospreay and Omega go off on one another as Omega hits a v-trigger, but Ospreay hits a spanish fly. He climbs to the top rope, but Ibushi stops him and tries for a super hurricanrana but Ospreay landed on his feet in a cool move. They exchanged some fierce kicks until Ibushi countered Ospreay with a strong lariat.
Omega hit the slingblade on Tanahashi as the Golden Lovers reconvene for the Golden Trigger on Ospreay but Tanahashi comes in. He’s taken out with the v-trigger as both Omega and Ibushi go for the Golden Shower. Ospreay gets up, grabs them both and hits a double spanish fly. Tanahashi goes for the high fly flow as Ospreay hits a shooting star press.
Ospreay looks for the stormbreaker on Omega but he escapes and hits a reverse hurricanrana. Ibushi connects with a last ride powerbomb on Tanahashi. Omega goes for the One Winged Angel but Ospreay reverses with a hurricanrana. Ospreay goes for the Oscutter but Omega grabs him.
Ibushi accidently strikes Omega with a kick as their opponents hit double German suplexes for a nearfall. Ospreay headbutts Ibushi but Omega grabs him and the Golden Lovers hit the Indytaker for another nearfall. They finally grab Ospreay and hit the Golden Trigger for the win.
Both men celebrate with their titles, posing for pictures. Omega then takes the microphone. He says he’s learned lately it is not about age but experience. He says he thought he was right and Tanahashi is wrong, but they may both be wrong. But he still doesn’t like Tanahashi.
At the Tokyo Dome, he says he may do one or two bad things. He then says he thought he heard Santa Claus. He says instead of his catchphrase he’ll sing a Christmas song. He does, in fact, sing ‘White Christmas’.
Snow actually does fall from the arena as Omega hands it to Ibushi. He says he and Ospreay will have a classic at Wrestle Kingdom, and on 1/5 he wants to tag with Omega. Omega then says his catchphrase to close out the show.
New Japan’s first broadcast following the G1 finals took place this morning at Korakuen Hall, building to the first of three big Destruction events on 9/15. Here are this morning’s results from Korakuen Hall:
Chase Owens and Yujiro Takahashi defeated Shota Umino and Ren Narita
Owens and Yujiro now have matching ring jackets. This was a pretty good opener, since as usual people are into the young lions getting the hot nearfalls. Umino and Narita have noticeably improved and their timing is excellent. Owens cut off Narita with a superkick to score the win for his team.
Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, Bad Luck Fale and Taiji Ishimori defeated Juice Robinson, David Finlay, Michael Elgin and Ayato Yoshida
Heels got the heat on Finlay, making multiple tags to continue the beatdown. Juice got the hot tag, cleaned house for a bit and tagged in Yoshida, who got big reactions. After a spot where everyone got involved, Loa kicked out of a roll up attempt, cut off Yoshida and pinned him with the sitout piledriver.
Beretta defeated Toa Henare
Beretta started off slow early, though kept control. Henare cut him off started to mount a comeback. Beretta struck with a big time dropkick that sent him to the floor. He connected with a running knee strike, but Henare kicked out.
Henare tried to build aomw, but Beretta cut him off and connected with the dudebuster for the win. Straightforward, pretty sold match. Never went past a certain level but did a good job in giving Beretta a win following his return from injury.
Hirooki Goto and Gedo defeated Taichi and Taka Michinoku
Taichi flipped off President Harold Meij as he made his way to the ring. I don’t think that’s how you make a good first impression.
Taichi and Goto brawled everywhere. They go towards the entrance where Taichi blasts Goto with a chair to the face. Meanwhile in the ring, both Taichi and Taka got the heat on Gedo. Goto eventually got the tag as he and Taichi exchanged some hot offense.
Goto went for the GTR on Taka buch Taichi cut him off with a dropkick. With the help of Gedo, Goto warded him off then successfully hit the GTR on Taka for the win.
Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, SANADA and BUSHI defeated Minoru Suzuki, Takashi Iizuka, Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado
Suzuki and Naito immediately started to brawl, and what do you know, a Suzuki-gun match starts with everyone brawling out of the ring.
Suzuki worked a lot on Naito during this match, mainly focusing on one of Naito’s arms, which will likely play a role in their future match. Iizuka came in and bit Naito in the forehead, causing him to bleed.
Other members of LIJ came in. SANADA tried for the paradise lock. EVIL got choked by Iizuka’s wrestler tape, but dodged the iron fingers of death. Kanemaru came in and broke up the Magic Killer attempt. Iizuka started biting again, but EVIL cut him off and connected with the Magic Killer for the win.
Suzuki wasted no time in jumping Naito after the bell, but Naito fired back and sent Suzuki-gun packing.
Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano and YOSHI-HASHI defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomoaki Honma and Togi Makabe
This is Honma’s first match back at Korakuen Hall since his return from injury.
Tanahashi and Okada started things off. It went to Honma and YOSHi-HASHI, who worked together a lot during this match. Yano and Makabe, of course, paired off with one another as well.
The finish winded up being between Toru Yano and Tomoaki Honma. The latter connected with a rocket kokeshi, but Yano saw an opportunity and low blowed him, then rolled him up for the win. Kind of just a match, nothing bad about it but extremely formulaic.
The Golden Lovers defeated Tomohiro Ishii and Will Ospreay
Ibushi and Ospreay started off hot, going at an extremely quick pace. Ishii and Omega went at it for a bit, but then got out by the Golden Lovers’ tandem offense. Ishii fires back as he Omega go at it for a while, with both laying into one another with some stiff shots.
Ospreay and Omega also went at it for a bit, with the former connecting with a neckbreaker and a shooting star press. But a lot of this was the usual pairing off. Ibushi and Ospreay were in at one point and started exchanging some strikes. Thanks to a knee strike by Omega, Ibushi grabbed Ospreay on the apron and hit the deadlift German suplex in an amazing spot.
The Golden Lovers regrouped and connected with a giant kamigoye on Ospreay for the win. A fun, fast paced main event.
Omega cut a promo in Japanese to close out the show, asking Ibushi if he wanted to face Ospreay someday. He said yeah, kinda. Omega mentioned Ospreay would need to win the junior title a few more times before graduating.
CEO Fighting Game Championships announced ticket information today for their upcoming event in Daytona Beach, Florida featuring NJPW talent.
Tickets for CEO x NJPW When Worlds Collide will go on sale 5/3 for CEO 2018 attendees, then 5/4 for everyone else. More information will be released tomorrow in a press release that will be available to the public at 5 p.m. EDT. The Golden Lovers and Jushin Thunder Liger are the first announced talent for the show, which is being promoted as a wrestling event.
It will take place at the Daytona Beach Ocean Center Arena, which holds 8,400 people. If the event were to sell out, it would likely be one of the bigger independent wrestling events in the United States in quite some time. And that record may be broken a month later when New Japan heads to the Cow Palace on July 7 for the G1 Special in San Francisco.
CEO Fighting Game Championships is an annual competitive video game event focused on tournaments. Their event will run from June 29 through July 1, with When Worlds Collide taking place on June 29.
Here are quick results from tonight’s WrestleCon SuperShow in New Orleans, Louisiana.
– Penta 0M defeated Joey Janela
Penta 0M picked up the win after a falcon arrow. There were a lot of piledriver teases throughout the match.
– Joey Ryan defeated Jerry Lawler by disqualification
Ryan came out wearing an outfit similar to Andy Kaufman and did a promo imitating him, challenging anyone to an intergender contest. His opponent was instead Jerry Lawler in a surprise. Lawler mentioned that it was 35 years ago today he piledrove Andy Kaufman at the Mid-South Coliseum and ripped on Ryan for imitating him. He also mentioned that Lawler could not piledrive him because it’s illegal in Louisiana.
Ryan told Lawler to touch his penis. He responded by throwing a fireball at Joey Ryan’s privates. Ryan ran from the ring as he was announced the winner.
– Tessa Blanchard, Tenille Dashwood, Nicole Savoy, Shazza McKenzie and Penelope Ford defeated MJF, Zane Riley, Caleb Konley, Jake Manning and Trevor Lee
This was a intergender match pitting five men against five women. The women picked up the win for their team by submitting the guys all at once.
– Tomohiro Ishii defeated Jeff Cobb
Ishii defeated Cobb after a brainbuster.
– Rey Horus and Rey Fenix defeated Bandido and Flamita
Fenix pinned Bandido with a muscle buster into a falcon to win the match. Match was said to be absolutely insane.
– The Mexicools (Super Crazy, Psicosis and Chico El Luchador) defeated Jason Cade & Matt Classic & Teddy Hart
Juventud Guerrera was also with the Mexicools at ringside. Mostly a comedy match. Super Crazy got the win for his team after rolling up Cade.
– Will Ospreay defeated Sammy Guevara, Shane Strickland and Adam Brooks in a fatal four way match
Ospreay scored the win with the Oscutter.
– Minoru Suzuki, Brian Cage and David Starr defeated Juice Robinson & Hiroshi Tanahashi & Sami Callihan
Suzuki scored the win for his team, submitting Callihan with an armbar. Tanahashi was a unannounced participant in tonight’s festivities.
– The Golden Lovers defeated Chuck Taylor and Flip Gordon
Taylor teased before the match who his tag partner could be, including a swamp monster, Dan Barry and Trent Baretta, who is the one actually being replaced iin the match. Gordon came out and said he didn’t come out here to team with Chuck Taylore wanted to talk to Omega about being a part of the All In show in September. Taylor eventually convinced Gordon to be his partner, though he lost the match after eating a Golden Trigger.
The full card for NJPW’s Sakura Genesis event has been revealed, featuring a number of title matches and a couple of matches where members of the Bullet Club are set to face off against one another.
After defeating The Young Bucks at Strong Style Evolved, Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi will take on Cody Rhodes & Hangman Page in the semi-main event of Sakura Genesis. With the show taking place just days before ROH’s Supercard of Honor, the tension between Cody and Omega is sure to be a focal point of the match.
Bullet Club tensions will also flare as The Young Bucks take on Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi in the opener.
In addition to Kazuchika Okada defending his IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Zack Sabre Jr. in the main event, Will Ospreay will defend the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against Marty Scurll, El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru will defend their Junior Tag Team titles against Roppongi 3K and Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI in a triple threat match, and Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & Bad Luck Fale will defend the NEVER Six-Man titles against Togi Makabe, Michael Elgin & Ryusuke Taguchi.
Before Sakura Genesis, New Japan World will have a “Road To” show on March 30th that features the return of EVIL following a broken orbital bone. He’ll team up with the rest of Los Ingobernables de Japon (Hiromu Takahashi, BUSHI, SANADA & Tetsuya Naito) to take on the Suzuki-gun contingent of Desperado, Kanemaru, Davey Boy Smith Jr., Lance Archer & Minoru Suzuki. A tag team match featuring Okada & YOSHI-HASHI squaring off against Sabre & Taichi will headline.
Sakura Genesis will take place at Sumo Hall on April 1st at 3 a.m. Eastern time. Here’s the full lineup:
IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada defending against Zack Sabre Jr.
Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi vs. Cody & Hangman Page
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay defending against Marty Scurll
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru defending against Roppongi 3K and Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI in a triple threat match
Tetsuya Naito, EVIL & SANADA vs. Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Hirooki Goto, Jay White & YOSHI-HASHI
NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa defending against Ryusuke Taguchi, Michael Elgin & Togi Makabe
Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano vs. Taichi & Takashi Iizuka
The Young Bucks vs. Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi
New Japan Pro Wrestling returns to the United States tonight with Strong Style Evolved at Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California.
In the main event, Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi team against The Young Bucks. The match was set up when The Young Bucks moved up to heavyweight and took exception to Omega calling his Golden Lovers duo with Ibushi the best tag team in the world. The Bullet Club’s in-fighting will also continue earlier in the night, with Cody Rhodes & Marty Scurll taking on Guerrillas of Destiny.
The semi-main event features Jay White defending his IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship against Hangman Page. IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada and Zack Sabre Jr., who are set to face off at Sakura Genesis on April 1st, will be on opposite sides of a tag match. Okada will be teaming with Tomohiro Ishii to take on Sabre & Minoru Suzuki.
With Rey Mysterio missing the show due to his bicep injury, Will Ospreay is taking his place against Jushin Thunder Liger.
There are nine matches on the Strong Style Evolved card in total. The show airs live on AXS TV at 8 p.m. Eastern and will be live on New Japan World everywhere except the United States.
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Per Dave Meltzer, the main event has been changed from a 30 minute time limit to a 60 minute time limit. This breaks from tradition as NJPW only does 60 minute time limits for title maches.
Roppongi 3K ran wild on Kazarian in the early going. Kaz appeared to tweak his knee coming off the middle rope. He sold it for a minute, but continued working. Daniels hit an Asai moonsault to the floor, and Sky hit a springboard cutter as his team firmly took over.
YOH was able to make a tag to Romero, who fired up and shifted the momentum. Romero hit a springboard legdrop. SHO and YOH were sent outside, and Sky hit an awesome tope con hilo to the floor.
The teams traded nearfalls, before SHO and YOH hit Sky with the 3K, and SHO pinned Sky. A good opener.
JUICE ROBINSON & DAVID FINLAY DEFEATED HIROOKI GOTO & GEDO
Juice and Goto started off, and traded forearms, shoulder blocks, and elbow strikes. Goto came away from the sequence with a bloody mouth. Gedo and Goto worked over Juice, who responded by hitting his trademark jabs. Gedo and Juice traded thumbs to the eye, before tagging in their partners.
Finlay ran wild momentarily, but Goto cut him off. All four men jumpd into the ring as the match broke down, before Juice sent Goto outside. Juice landed a plancha on Goto, while Finlay hit Gedo with a cutter, and scored the pinfall.
DAVEY BOY SMITH, JR. & LANCE ARCHER DEFEATED CHUCK TAYLOR & TORU YANO
This match was built around Smith and Archer working over Taylor, while Yano played chicken and did his trademark comedy spots.
Smith and Archer jumped Taylor and Yano before the bell, and dominated the first several minutes of the match. Smith hit an impressive deadlift german on Taylor, and Archer did the Spoiler/Undertaker ropewalk spot.
Taylor was able to escape the Hart Attack clothesline, and made a hot tag to Yano. Yano hit an inverted atomic drop, but Archer no-sold it. Yano was sent outside, and tricked Archer and Smith into running into each other, allowing Taylor to hit a tope. Yano teased one of his own, but just untied the turnbuckle pad instead.
Archer charged into the exposed buckles, and Taylor scored a nearfall. Taylor hit a piledriver on Archer and went for the pin, but Smith broke it up. Smith took Yano outside, while Archer and Taylor traded nearfalls off an Archer chokeslam spot.
The finish saw Smith jump back in the ring, and aided Archer in hitting the Killer Bomb for the pinfall win. Smith and Archer are a good team, and Taylor looked good here.
CODY & MARTY SCURLL VDEFEATED TAMA TONGA & TANGA LOA
Cody and Marty did boo/yay spots with the mic. This was not a pro-Cody crowd. “F*** you, Cody” chants. Cody said that there would be no match, as the Bullet Club were friends. Tanga Loa grabbed the mic and said that they would not deny the crowd their match, and that if he and Tonga were on a team, it would NOT be Team Cody.
The teams traded offense, before Cody and Scurll took over. Scurll teased the chicken wing, but Cody stole his spotlight and tagged himself in. He went for Cross Rhodes on Loa, but Loa reversed and hit one of his own.
Cody hit a disaster kick and went to the top, but Tonga cut him off and hit a superplex. Tonga went to the top, but Scurll cut him off and hit a superplex. Loa hit a superplex on Scurll, and Tonga, Loa, and Scurll rolled ouside. Cody teased Omega’s terminator dive, but Loa cut him off and hit a spear.
Loan and Tonga briefly took over, but Cody recovered and hit Cross Rhodes on Loa for the pin.
I know the idea here was to sell chaos and the match was just a backdrop for the Bullet Club dissent angle that is going on, but it felt like the finish came out of nowhere. Not that it matters, as Cody got a megastar reaction, and this had the most heat of anything on the show to this point.
Tana and Naito started off. SANADA jumped in for the immediate double team, but Tana used a headscissors to escape. Lee and Takahashi tagged in and traded dozens of palm strikes to the chest, which got a great reaction. Takahashi went for a flying headscissors, but Lee used a handspring to avoid taking a bump, and hit a tope on Takahashi.
Taguchi orchestrated his train attack into the corenr on Takahashi, with everyone on the team hitting splashes or clotheslines in the corner consecutively, punctuated by Taguchi’s hip attack. KUSHIDA tagged in, but the LIJ team jumped in and cut him off. They used a quick succession of tags to gain the advantage, with the highlight being SANADA tying KUSHIDA up with the paradise lock.
KUSHIDA was able to tag Tana, who hit double dragon screws on BUSHI and Takahashi. SANADA tagged in and stopped Tana’s momentum by hitting a springboard dropkick. Tana tagged Taguchi, while SANADA tagged in Naito. Taguchi, Tana and KUSHIDA all attempted submissions at the same time, but Takahashi broke them up.
Things broke down into a four-way, which ended with Takahashi & Naito double-teaming Taguchi. While Takahashi fended off Taguchi’s team, Naito hit Destino for the win.
Before the next match, Rey Mysterio came out. He apologized for being hurt, and promised to wrestle in New Japan when healthy.
WILL OSPREAY DEFEATED JUSHIN “THUNDER” LIGER
Ospreay won with an Oscutter. They worked at Liger’s pace, which is about ten times slower than your typical Ospreay match, but Liger is about as great as you can be at 53 years old. This was fun.
Liger hit all of his trademarks including the Romero Special, the Shotei, the Frankensteiner, and multiple Liger Bombs. Ospreay sold a knee tweak for much of the match, perhaps to explain working at a slower pace.
After the match, Ospreay cut a promo. He thanked Liger, and challeged Rey to a future match, saying he needs to beat legends to create his own legacy.
As he talked, Scurll attacked from behind. Mysterio tried to make the save, but Scurll hit him and took hi mask off. Liger chased Scurll, and gave Rey his mask back. Rey and Liger posed together, and Rey and Ospreay shook hands, concluding the post-match festivities.
Okada and Sabre started, and worked to a stalemate. They tagged their partners, but continued going at it on the outside. Suzuki and Ishii also went outside, and Suzuki used a chair on Ishii right in front of the referee.
Ishii and Sabre double-teamed Ishii with armbars while Okada took the referee. Sabre worked over Ishii’s right leg, while the crowd did dueling chants for and against him. Suzuki tagged in and continued working on the right leg of Ishii.
Ishii made the hot tag to Okada, who ran wild on Sabre. Sabre grabbed a hold to stop Okada’s momentum, and regained control of the match with a modified octopus hold. Okada made the ropes, but abre quickly re-applied a standing octopus. Okada reversed into a tombstone attempt, but Sabre transitioned to a wristlock.
Okada tried to apply his Cobra Clutch, but Sabre slipped out. Okada went for the Rainmaker, but Sabre ducked. Sabre went for the double wristlock, but Okada slipped away. Both men tagged out, and Ishii and Suzuki traded chops, with Ishii getting the better of the exchange. They traded hard forearms in the center of the ring, with Suzuki getting the better of that one. Ishii fought back, leading to a double down.
Suzuki tagged Sabre, who scored a nearfall on Ishii. Suzuki took Okada to the floor and applied a sleeper, while Ishii got his second wind in the ring. Ishii hit a powerbomb for a nearfall. Sabre tried for a guillotine, but Ishii slipped out. Okada jumped in and hit his dropkick, leading to an Ishii nearfall on Sabre.
While Suzuki held Okada down in the corner, Sabre was able to apply his Orienteering with Napalm Death, a calf slicer/single-leg crab combo, and the referee called for the stoppage.
After the match, Sabre laid out Okada with an octopus hold, seven days before they meet for the IWGP title at Sakura Genesis. Standard, by the numbers booking here, but the crowd loved Suzuki and Ishii, and Okada was treated like the megastar he is.
They announced a North American return date, July 7 in San Francisco at the Cow Palace for a G1 Special show, Fighting Spirit Unleashed.
IWGP UNITED STATES CHAMPION JAY WHITE DEFEATED HANGMAN PAGE
The first few minutes of the bout saw them trading offense, with neither gaining a clear edge. That changed when Page clotheslined White with the middle rope, sending him to the floor. He whipped White into the guardrail, and threw him into the ring post.
Back inside, Page deadlifted white, then bridged into an unorthodox pinning suplex attempt. Page typically does at least one spot in every match that I’ve never seen before. White was able to stop Page with a lariat and a double sledge. White got a nearfall with a low suplex into the buckle pad, but started selling his lower back.
White went for the Kiwi Crusher, but Page turned it into a small package, scoring a nearfall. White hit a bridging german for a nearfall, and continued selling his back. Page countered with a draping DDT for a nearfall. Page went to the apron for a slingshot, but White cut him off. He tied Page in the ropes and chopped him hard, as the crowd got into the match for the first time.
White went for the Blade Runner on the apron, but Page avoided it. White had to settle for a DDT on the apron, and he hit a gutwrench suplex on Page from the apron to the floor, which got the crowd chanting. They went up top and Page hit a swinging neckbreaker off the ropes to the mat.
They kneeled on the mat and traded forearm strikes, selling exhaustion. Both men got to their feet and continued trading. White suplexed Page over the top rope to the floor, then went outside and hit another suplex on the floor. White tossed Page inside, and hit another suplex, and then another.
White went for Blade Runner, but Page countered into a powerbomb. He followed with a piledriver for a nearfall. White rolled outside, and White followed him out, nailing a standing shooting star from the apron to the floor. Page then hit a moonsault from the post to the floor.
Page hit a lariat for a nearfall. Page went for the Rite of Passage, but White rolled through for a nearfall. White hit a half nelson suplex for a nearfall, and a Kiwi Crusher for a nearfall. White went for Blade Runner, but Page countered. He hit a superkick and went for the Right of Passage, but White countered into a Blade Runner, into a three count.
This was very good, even great at times, but the lack of heat hurt it. As I said, I appreciate Page’s creativity, but I think that both guys could do slightly less and get the same result that they’re hoping for, saving some wear and tear on their bodies.
After the match, David Finlay attacked White, and made a challenge for the title on April 24 at Korakuen Hall.
THE GOLDEN LOVERS DEFEATED THE YOUNG BUCKS
Matt and Ibushi started, but Matt demanded that Kenny tag in. He did, and Matt cheap-shotted Ibushi on the apron, then tagged out. Omega tagged out, leavig Nick and Ibushi the legal men. Ibushi delivered some kicks, but Omega started selling that he was conflicted, allowing the Bucks to take advantage of his kindness and take over the match.
Omega went for the terminator dive, but Matt hit a superkick. Matt pulled a table from under the ring, in a bit of foreshadowing. Nick hit a springboard dive from the top to the floor onto both Omega and Ibushi. While Omega sold on the floor, the Bucks used tandem offense inside. Ibushi countered, and hit a dive from the post to the floor on Nick. Ibushi’s offense was short-lived, as the Bucks regained control. Matt began selling his lower back.
Ibushi hit a desperation dropkick, and tagged in Kenny, who went to work on Matt’s back. The Lovers took over, and hit a succession of moonsaults for a nearfall. They hit stereo Golden Triangle moonsaults, the Cross Slash, in an insane spot. Ibushi worked over Matt’s back with kicks.
Matt was able to tag Nick, who shifted momentum to the Bucks with a bulldog on both of the Lovers. Nick hit a tope to the floor on Omega. Matt hit a blockbuster on Ibushi, and Nick covered for a nearfall. Both Bucks went to the top rope, but Ibushi shoved Nick to the floor. Omega and Ibushi hit a tandem superplex on Matt.
Omega and Ibushi teased the Golden Shower, but Nick cut them off and hit Omega with a suplex on the apron. The Bucks set up a table bridge from the apron to the guardrail. They teased an electric chair through the table, but Ibushi grabbed Matt from that position and hit a scary german suplex from the top rope into the ring.
Nick and Omega brawled outside, while Ibushi and Matt traded strikes in the ring. Omega jumped back inside and cut Matt off with a V-Trigger, but Ibushi hit a Last Ride for a nearfall. Matt rolled through into another V-Trigger, which got the Lovers another nearfall.
Omega whipped Nick over the barricade while Matt and Ibushi worked inside. Ibushi went for a standing moonsault, but Matt got the knees up. Omega jumped in for the save, but ate a superkick from Nick.
Nick hit a moonsault and a tornado DDT to the floor on Omega, while Matt applied the sharpshooter on Ibushi. Matt was forced to relinquish the hold after his back gave out, leading to a double down. Matt got to his feet and tagged Nick. They teased More Bang for Your Buck on Ibushi, but Matt splashed Omega through the table bridge instead.
With Omega out on the floor, Nick hit a splash onto a prone Ibushi, who was draped on the middle rope by Matt, leading to a nearfall. The crowd started dueling chants for the teams.
Ibushi ate stereo superkicks, but Omega made it back inside and briefly cut off Matt. The Bucks rebounded with superkicks, but Ibushi hit a bicycle kick on both men. All four men were down, and the crowd chanted “fight forever.”
Omega nad Matt traded strikes as the show hit the four hour mark. Omega hit a dragon suplex, but didn’t get all of it. Matt rebounded with a piledriver. He removed his belt and started whipping Omega with it, Hollyood Hogan-style, but Omega grabbed the belt and tossed it away, choosing to attack Matt with two V-Triggers. He went for a third, but Matt countered with a spear.
Nick went for the Meltzer Driver, but Ibushi hit a Last Ride through a ringside table. Omega picked up Matt, and Ibushi hit a Meltzer Driver for a nearfall. Omega hit a powerbomb for a nearfall. As Omega sold exhaustion, Matt hit a superkick. Ibushi helped Omega up, and Omega hit another V-Trigger on Matt.
Omega picked Matt up for the One-Winged Angel, and reluctantly hit it on his former friend. He went for the pin, but Nick dove in to break it up. With Matt down, Nick jumped in and hit both Lovers with strikes. Ibushi cut him off, and sent him outside. Omega and Ibushi hit the Golden Trigger on Matt for the pin.
Omega cradled Matt’s head in his hands after he covered him, upset that he had to put his former Bullet Club mate down. He came to peace with his decision, and posed with Ibushi in celebration.
As the Golden Lovers left, Cody ran down to attack the Bucks. Omega and Ibushi ran back in to make the save before Cody could do any damage. Omega offered a handshake to Nick, and they embraced. Omega offered Matt his hand, but Matt refused, and rolled out of the ring.
Omega cut a promo after the match. He said that there are casualties in war. He’s upset that dissension between The Elite was one of those casualties, but he chooses to find the silver lining. The silver lining is that the Golden Lovers are back, and they’ll be back when New Japan returns in July. He promised to beat up Cody when they return, in a bigger and better building. Omega said he might have broken orbital bone, then finished his promo with a “Goodbye, and Goodnight, bang!”
This was an insane main event, capping a very good show.
New Japan was back at Korakuen Hall today for the second night of action featuring members of the Ring of Honor roster, featuring a big main event putting the Golden Lovers in action against Cody and Marty Scurll, as well as Dalton Castle defending the Ring of Honor world title.
Show results:
Beer City Bruiser defeated Toa Henare
Short match, mostly an exhibition for the Beer City Bruiser, who didn’t look bad here. In fact, he worked hard the entire tour. He won with a frog splash.
Jay Lethal & Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens & Hikuleo
I liked the last few minutes of this, very good action. Hikuleo is way better than he was a few months ago. Still green, but getting there. Yujiro and Owens were clearing house until Owens accidently superkicked Yujiro. He walked into the Lethal Injection as the babyfaces returned to the ring. Hikuleo entered but ate a stunner, pulp friction and a top rope elbow from Lethal for the win.
Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI defeated Ryusuke Taguchi & Flip Gordon
This was fun, with some cools spots here and there. BUSHI beat up Taguchi on the west side of Korakuen Hall while Takahashi beat up Flip on the east. Gordon and Takahashi worked a lot of the match together and had good chemistry with one another. BUSHI got involved towards the end of the match and eventually pinned Gordon after he took an MX as he was on Takahashi’s shoulders in a cool finish.
Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa & Bad Luck Fale defeated Jushin Liger & Cheeseburger & Delirious to retain the Never Openweight Six-Man tag team titles
This was what it was, guess you can say it was fine. Cheeseburger worked a lot of the match and got a bunch of near falls. He’s super over with this crowd. His size discrepancy is also amazing compared to everyone else in the ring (he is TINY), but clearly that is part of his charm. GoD eventually isolate Cheeseburger and pin him after the Guerilla Warfare.
Young Bucks & Hangman Page defeated Jay White & Chuckie T & YOSHI-HASHI
This was your usual very good Young Bucks style match. A lot of cool moves, including a Rite of Passage/Meltzer driver combo that almost happened, but unfortunately was thwarted. Page picked up the win for his team, pinning Jay White with his finish, almost certainly giving him a future United States title shot.
There was an angle after the match where Page was going for a chair and looked to use it on White. The Bucks intervened, talking him out of it. He agreed as the Bucks go to the back. However, once the Bucks were out of sight, he took the chair back from the outside and used it on White, drilling him with his finish on the chair.
The next match was set to begin when Beer City Bruiser came out and said that since he was screwed out of the NEVER title match last night, he was putting himself in this one. He attacked both Castle and Baretta until Castle fended him off and said he would take him on too. So the match was switched to a triple threat, likely due to Baretta tearing his bicep and pectoral muscle last week.
Dalton Castle defeated Baretta and the Beer City Bruiser to retain the Ring Of Honor World title
This was a good bout given the situation. Baretta was in the match, but was in and out as Castle and Bruiser worked the bulk of it. At one point, Baretta tried to take out Bruiser with a piledriver on the apron, but Bruiser countered and laid him out on the apron with a death valley driver. There was a great near fall spot where Castle tumbled to the floor and Bruiser hit a frog splash, but Baretta kicked out at 2.99. Should’ve heard the reaction to that one. Castle came back into the match and hit a deadlift German suplex on Bruiser to retain the title
Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi defeated Marty Scurll & Cody
This was a good main event. I think most of all they did a great job in getting over the Golden Lovers as a top tag team, even though that doesn’t require much effort. In one of the first big spots of the match, Ibushi tagged in Omega, which caused Cody to immediately exit the ring, not wanting to get near Omega. He sat in the second row, but Omega went to the top rope and launched himself all the way over to the second row, wiping out Cody. Omega and Ibushi tried to go for the Cross Slash, a stereo Golden triangle moonsault to the floor, but didn’t get it.
Cody got the heat on Ibushi until Omega finally got the hot tag and cleared house. Some great back and forth until Scurll uses a umbrella and strikes Omega to escape the One Winged Angel. Scurll traps Omega in the chicken wing and Cody sinks in a trailer hitch but both Golden Lovers manage to escape.
They look to finish Ibushi off with a dropkick/doomsday device combo, but Ibushi landed on his feet as he and Omega rallied back. They hit the cross slash, but Cody fired back and planted Omega with the crossroads. Scurll followed with the last shot on Ibushi. Cody then instructed Scurll to hold Ibushi. He managed to escape, but Cody grabs him and kisses him. This angers Ibushi, who plants him with the press powerbomb. He and Omega focus on Scurll, drilling him then pinning him after hitting the Golden Trigger, a kamigoye/V-trigger combination.
Omega after the match said this was one of the greatest weekends in his life, and declared that they are the best tag team in the world. That brought out the Young Bucks, who weren’t too happy about that last statement. Matt said that when they went to the hotel room (at the end of the Being the Elite episode), the Golden Lovers made a peace offering, and they accepted. They didn’t have a problem with them until Omega said they were the greatest tag team in the world.
Matt announced that The Young Bucks have officially moved up to the heavyweight division, and that they would see them around. Omega then finished off the show translating the Bucks’ promo and wondered if what just happened was a challenge.
