A new title match is set for Monday’s NJPW King of Pro Wrestling event.
NJPW has announced that Sareee has accepted the challenge issued by Syuri for an IWGP Women’s Championship match for the Monday, October 13 King of Pro Wrestling event in Ryogoku at Sumo Hall.
Sareee made a title defense on Thursday’s Ring of Honor TV episode against Alex Windsor. The match was taped on October 2, so NJPW waited until after it aired to make the match announcement for Sumo Hall.
Nine matches are now official for KOPW 2025, including six title bouts. The show will be headlined by G1 Climax winner Konosuke Takeshita challenging Zack Sabre Jr. for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. The full card:
NJPW King of Pro Wrestling, Monday, October 13 —
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defends against G1 Climax winner Konosuke Takeshita
IWGP Global Champion Gabe Kidd defends against Yota Tsuji
IWGP Tag Team Champions Yuto-Ice and OSKAR defend against Shota Umino and Yuya Uemura
NEVER Openweight Champion Boltin Oleg defends against EVIL
NJPW World TV Champion El Phantasmo defends against Hiroshi Tanahashi
Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, and YOH vs. Ryohei Oiwa, Kosei Fujita, and Hartley Jackson
SANADA vs. Drilla Moloney
Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi, and Titan vs. David Finlay, Taiji Ishimori, and Clark Connors
IWGP Women’s Champion Sareee defends against Syuri
The IWGP Women’s Champion is coming to NJPW Strong Lonestar Shootout.
NJPW has announced that Mayu Iwatani will be in action at Lonestar Shootout in Garland, Texas on Friday, November 10. Iwatani will be defending her title at the show, but her opponent has not been announced yet.
NJPW wrote:
Lonestar Shootout on November 10 has gained a huge matchup, as Mayu Iwatani is set to defend the IWGP Women’s Championship at the Curtis Culwell Center.
The last time IWGP Women’s gold was defended in the US was at Battle in the Valley, when Mercedes Mone defeated KAIRI to lift the title.
Who will Mayu take on, and can she retain the gold in Texas?
Iwatani is the third-ever IWGP Women’s Champion. She won the title from Mercedes Mone at Stardom’s All Star Grand Queendom this April.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Stardom will hold a show in Tokyo on January 4 prior to NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18. The Stardom event will be headlined by an IWGP Women’s Championship match.
NJPW’s next two events in the United States are Fighting Spirit Unleashed on October 28 and Lonestar Shootout on November 10. Both shows will be available as pay-per-views via Fite TV.
Stardom holds the biggest event in company history today at Yokohoma Arena, All Star Grand Queendom.
IWGP Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone defends her title against Mayu Iwatani on the show.
In the main event, Giulia defends the World of Stardom title against Tam Nakano.
Saya Kamitani defends the Wonder of Stardom title against Mina Shirakawa in the semi-main.
The undercard:
Syuri vs. Chihiro Hashimoto
Artist of Stardom Championship: Risa Sera, Suzu Suzuki & Hiragi Kurumi defend against KAIRI, Saori Anou & Natsupoi
Goddess of Stardom Championship: Nanae Takahashi & Yuu defend against Mirai & Ami Sourei
Himeka’s retirement match: Himeka vs. Maika
Starlight Kid & Mei Seira vs. Mei Sugura & AZM
Jessie, Mariah May, Xena &Thekla vs. Natsuko Tora, Saki Kashima, Momo Watanabe & Ruaka
Fuwa-chan & Hazuki vs. Utami Hayashishita & Miyu Amasaki
Yokohoma Rumble: Announced participants –Momoe Nakanishi, Lady C, Yuna Mizumori, Saya Iida, Chanyota, Hanako, Momo Kohgo, Sakura Aya, Ram Kaicho, Hanan, Hina, Koguma, Mai Sakurai, Waka Tsukiyama, Fukigen Death, Rina, Super Strong Stardom Machine, Super Strong Stardom Giant Machine, Super Strong Stardom Big Machine
Our live coverage begins at 2 a.m. Eastern time.
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Mai Sakurai wonYokohoma Rumble
Pins, submissions, or throws over the top rope resulted in elimination. Every 60 seconds, give or take, a new wrestler entered the match.
Waka Tsukiyama and Hanako started the match. Koguma, Momo Kohgo, and Saya Iida, all of Stars, entered the rumble before any eliminations. Lady C entered next, and Yuna Mizumori followed her.
Aya Sakura entered the match before a scuffle on the apron eliminated Iida, C, and Yuna. Twins Hina and Rina joined following the triple elimination, and their third sister, Hanan, was the next to walk out.
RAM Kaichow, from 666, entered the match during a multi-woman submission spot, and Chanyota from PPP was next. Rina, Ram, Hanan, and Hina were all eliminated as Fukigen Death made her way to the ring.
Mai Sakurai, Momoe Nakanishi, Super Strong Stardom Machine, Super Strong Stardom Giant Machine, and Super Strong Stardom Big Machine all entered before Koguma was eliminated. Nakanishi pinned Hanako and Chanyota and helped Strong Machine pin Death. Tsukiyama ended Nakanishi’s reign of terror by eliminating her with a pinfall, only for all three machines to target her with a triple bomb and a pin.
Being alone with all of the Machines, Sakurai seemed to be in trouble, but she held on, eliminating all three by knocking them out of the ring.
Oedo Tai (Momo Watanabe, Natsuko Tora, Ruaka & Saki Kashima) defeated Club Venus (Jessie, Mariah May, & Xena) & Thekla
Club Venus gained the lead early by isolating Ruaka, but Oedo Tai fought back with tandem offense. For some time, the teams went back and forth, with momentum favoring the team had the most wrestlers in the ring.
Eventually, the chaos played to Oeado Tai’s advantage. Mariah May tried to have Thekla use one of Oedo Tai’s weapons, and, after a back-and-forth, she conceded. When Thekla tried to use the box, she missed, hitting Jessie instead. Kashima then pinned Jessie to win the match.
Mei Seira & Starlight Kid defeated AZM & Mei Suruga
This match opened with a competitive back-and-forth between teams. The Meis took each other out on the floor before an AZM dive left both Meis laid out. The teams continued to battle on the floor, with SLK and Seira struggling to gain an advantage.
Back in the ring, SLK turned things back around before attempting a second dive. Once returning to the ropes, the teams traded pin attempts for an extended period. Eventually, Seira scored the pin over AZM.
Utami and Miyu gained an early lead over Fuwa, isolating her for some time. Once the tag came, Hazuki was able to turn the match around.
Once Hazuki gained a significant lead, Fuwa tagged back in and gained some offense of her own. A top rope double knee facebreaker from Hazuki left Fuwa in position for a high fly cross. Fuwa landed a pair of suplexes for a nearfall.
Utami answered Fuwa’s advance with a slam and a choke. A colossal lariat forced Hazuki to make a save. Miyu landed a DDT and Utami a German on Fuwa, leading into the pin and the Queen’s Quest victory.
After the match, Fuwa cut a promo. She said she was taking time away to reconsider he future in pro wrestling. Hazuki encouraged her, saying she would be waiting, if she does, in fact, choose to return.
Maika defeated Himeka
This was a fantastic, emotional match.
The match started with a brawl outside the ring. Maika landed a suplex on the floor. Back in the ring, Himeka was able to turn things around. She wasted no time, landing a dive to the floor.
Once both women returned to the ring again, Maika landed a superplex to retake her lead. Maika landed a lariat, and Himeka answered with one of her own. Himeka landed JP Coaster for a nearfall.
Maika reversed Himeka’s follow-up attempt into a slam, which blossomed into an extensive offensive sequence of her own. A Michinoku driver scored her a nearfall.
A jumbo knee and a powerbomb from Himeka seemed to mark the end, but Maika kicked out once more. Maika answered with another Michinoku driver, staying alive long enough to land a headbutt and Enka Otoshi to win the match. Before landing the finishing blow, Maika begged Himeka to kick out.
After the match, Himeka cut a promo, thanking the fans for supporting her on this journey.
Yuu is one of my favorite tag wrestlers in the world. This pairing of Nanae and Yuu has worked surprisingly well so far, and this match was no exception. While many will not be fond of the finish, I think this was another great match.
God’s Eye tried rushing 7Upp early, but the strength of Yuu proved too much, at least at the beginning. Yuu tossed MIRAI to the floor and threw Ami onto her partner to establish an early lead. Nanae continued to make advances after tagging into the match, isolating MIRAI.
Eventually, MIRAI reversed a lariat, sending Yuu to the floor. Ami followed up by throwing Nanae onto Yuu, returning the favor from earlier in the match. Then, as the referee’s count climbed, MIRAI landed a dive to the floor. Seeing a chance to close, God’s Eye fought to keep Yuu on the floor, eventually resulting in a count out to win the match.
Artist Of Stardom Championship: REstart (KAIRI, Natsupoi & Saori Anou) defeated Prominence (Hiragi Kurumi, Risa Sera & Suzu Suzuki) (c)
This match opened at a blistering pace. After a prolonged opening sequence, Kurumi landed a slam, resetting the match in Prominence’s favor. The Prominence advance continued when Kurumi landed a triple powerbomb from the top rope.
An air raid crash led to a double tag, leaving Suzuki and Anou alone to trade strikes. Suzuki won out and landed a tandem double knee drop with Risa.
REstart rushed the ring to stop Suzuki’s attack. Anou landed a German suplex, but Risa broke up the pin with a kendo stick strike. The match then devolved into a brawl favoring REstart.
Anou and Suzuki traded Germans and nearfalls. Ultimately, Anou won out with a backslide pin, which she used to win the match and the belts.
Wonder of Stardom Championship: Mina Shirakawa defeated Saya Kamitani (c)
The match opened with a scramble, Mina won out and began to focus Saya’s legs. Saya eventually landed a dropkick to put Mina on the back foot, which she followed with a dive to the floor.
Back in the ring, Mina landed a dropkick to the knee, continuing her focused attack, but Saya answered with a leg lariat, a suplex, and a big boot. Saya climbed to the top rope, but Mina caught her, landing a leg whip from the top before locking in the figure four.
Mina landed a suplex, a rolling forearm, and a pair of DDTs for a two-count. After holding on, Saya landed a suplex of her own and a star crusher for a nearfall.
Saya finally landed the phoenix splash, but Mina kicked out. Saya climbed to the top again, but Mina met her on the ropes. From the top, Mina landed her DDT once more; Saya survived.
The pair began trading kicks, but Mina caught Saya with another leg whip. Mina held onto the leg, securing the figure four once more. After Saya escaped with the ropes,
Mina landed a pair of glamorous drivers to win the match and the belt.
Submission, Knockout, or Stoppage Match: Syuri defeated Chihiro Hashimoto
This was an amazing match.
The match opened with a standard grappling sequence, which Hashimoto ended with a suplex and a slam. The pair then traded strikes, with Syuri landing a leaping knee that put Hashimoto on the mat for all of two seconds. Hashimoto then climbed to her feet and landed multiple lariats before throwing Syuri across the ring.
Syuri caught Hashimoto rushing in with a knee strike and a swift kick. She laid the boots to Hashimoto before attempting an armbar, but Hashimoto powered out and landed another lariat.
Hashimoto met Syuri on the top rope, where Syuri secured a kimura, sending Hashimoto crashing to the mat. On the mat, Syuri maintained the hold, forcing Hashimoto into the ropes.
Syuri climbed to the top, but Hashimoto cut her off with a lariat to the leg that sent her to the floor. Outside the ring, Hashimoto landed a spear.
While the pair continued to fight on the floor, Syuri landed a DDT to retake the lead. Back in the ring, Hashimoto answered with a powerbomb and a German, but Syuri held on landing a kick before a double strike knocked down both women.
A strike exchange left Hashimoto in control again, but Syuri reversed her powerbomb attempt into a guillotine. From the choke, Hashimoto landed a suplex.
Syuri landed a headbutt, opening Hashimoto up for a Syu-sekai. After landing her go-to finish, Syuri followed with a buzzsaw kick. Hashimoto almost beat the referee’s count but crashed to the floor at the end of the referee’s count, leaving Syuri with a TKO victory.
After the finish, Syuri thanked Hashimoto for the match. She then offered to fight Sendai Girls at any time.
IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani defeated Mercedes Mone (c)
This was another remarkable match.
Mayu started the match with a flurry of strikes that forced Mone to the floor. Mayu continued her attack with a tope and a brief period on the floor.
Back in the ring, Mone landed multiple knees to establish control. Mone led an impressive sequence, complete with three amigos, but Mayu reversed Mone Maker into a crucifix bomb.
Mayu continued to fight back with a dragon suplex and a beautiful splash from the top rope for a near fall.
After eating a pair of pump kicks and a slap, Mone slammed Mayu into the mat from the corner. Mone landed Mone Maker, but Mayu found the ropes.
After surviving Mone’s finish, Mayu landed a dragon suplex. Mone tried to fight back, but Mayu caught her with a tombstone piledriver. Then, Mayu hit the moonsault, but Mone kicked out. Finally, Mayu was able to bring things to an end with the two-step dragon suplex into the pin. Another new champion has been crowned.
After the match, both women thanked each other. Mone asked for one more match on her way out.
World Of Stardom Championship: Tam Nakano defeated Giulia (c)
The match opened with a scramble, but it quickly escalated as Giulia landed a northern lights bomb. Tam rolled to the outside, to escape the pressure. While on the outside, Giulia set up a table but failed to drive Tam through it.
Back in the ring, the struggle for control continued. Tam gained an advantage, but Giulia held on as the action approached the apron’s edge. Giulia then whipped Tam through the table.
Giulia continued to escalate, even after the table spot, attempting a glorious driver on the ramp. Tam reversed and landed a pair of running knees that sent Giulia rolling.
Back in the ring, the pair traded strikes. Giulia rocked Tam with a closed fist before landing another northern lights bomb and a glorious buster for a nearfall.
Tam landed a pump kick to stay in the match before locking in a leg choke that forced Giulia into the ropes. To follow up, Tam landed three running knees and a twilight dream for a nearfall.
Tam tried for a violent screwdriver, but Giulia escaped. To establish a lead, Giulia landed another closed-fist strike to a chorus of boos. Giulia landed a northern lights bomb for another near fall.
Giulia hoisted Tam to the top rope, but Tam reversed, landing a super tiger suplex that took out both women. Tam landed another tiger suplex after both women returned to her feet, but Giulia was quick to respond with one of her own. Tam held on, landing a northern lights bomb and another twilight dream for a convincing near fall. Finally, Tam hit the violent screwdriver to win the match and crown herself World Of Stardom champion.
After the match, Tam took her chance to taunt Giulia. Giulia answered with “bye for now”. Tam ended the show with a passionate send-off.
AZM wants a shot at Mercedes Mone and the IWGP Women’s World Championship.
The High Speed Champion issued a challenge to Mone on Monday during a Stardom press conference. Mone has mentioned AZM in recent interviews as someone from the Stardom roster she would like to face.
Our own Dave Meltzer addressed the possibility of a Mone vs. AZM match on Tuesday’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.
Meltzer said:
Azumi (AZM) was at a press conference and challenged Mercedes, so I think that’s going to be the April 8 (Sakura Genesis) match at Sumo Hall, which would be her first match in Japan.
I know they had talked about KAIRI getting a rematch but Azumi is a different match. In that sense, Azumi is a really fast, great, technical, athletic wrestler.
I really enjoy watching Azumi, as far as her matches, they are really good.
AZM has a title challenger to get through before potentially facing Mone, however. The 20-year-old is scheduled to defend her High Speed Championship against Starlight Kid on the March 4 Yoyogi PPV.
Mone and Club Venus leader, Mina Shirakawa, were also involved in a back-and-forth on Twitter recently. Shirakawa asked Mone “Who decided that you are the CEO of the women’s division of NJPW and STARDOM?”
In her first NJPW match, Mone defeated KAIRI by pinfall to capture the IWGP Women’s title at the Battle in the Valley pay-per-view. Mone scored the win in 26:47 with her new Mone Maker finisher.
Decked out in gear inspired by the late Hana Kimura’s ring attire, Mone won the title after a back and forth battle that saw her use her old Bank Statement finisher, as well as Bayley’s trademark Bayley-to-Belly move en route to the victory.
Mone vs. KAIRI was the first half of a double main event at Battle in the Valley in San Jose, going on next to last.
In the show’s closing bout, Kazuchika Okada defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to retain the IWGP World Heavyweight title in the 16th career singles meeting between the two.
After defeating Tanahashi, Okada cut a promo asking Tanahashi to reform their “dream team” to go after the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team titles. Mone then entered and pointed out the similarities between herself and Okada, teasing a future pairing of Okada and Mone in a mixed tag team bout.
Earlier on the card, KENTA defeated Fred Rosser to win the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship, with an assist coming from Bullet Club’s Juice Robinson.
In the evening’s other title bouts, Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Clark Connors to retain the NJPW World Television title, and Motor City Machine Guns defeated West Coast Wrecking Crew to retain the Strong Openweight Tag titles.
The Battle in the Valley pay-per-view on FITE TV was marred by technical issues that forced a 43 minute delay in the start of the the main card.
She defeated Mayu Iwantani in the main event of Sunday morning’s NJPW x Stardom Historic X-Over event. In what ended up being a heated back and forth match, KAIRI defeated Iwatani after hitting the Insane Elbow off the top rope.
After the match, Iwatani and KAIRI were emotional. NJPW president Noaki Sugabayashi handed KAIRI the championship as she posed with Bushiroad president Takaai Kiwani. As she was cutting a promo, Tam Nakano came out and challenged KAIRI to a match at Wrestle Kingdom 17, which she accepted.
Iwatanai had defeated Momo Watanabe and Utami Hayashishita to advance to the finals. Kairi meanwhile defeated Jazzy Gabert on October 23 to advance to the finals.
The IWGP Women’s Championship was introduced back in August. It will be a championship that will be defended both in Japan for New Japan Pro Wrestling as well as worldwide on shows such as NJPW Strong.
The first IWGP Women’s Champion will be crowned at today’s NJPW X STARDOM Historic X-Over event.
KAIRI takes on Mayu Iwatani in the main event in the finals of a tournament to crown the first-ever IWGP Women’s Champion.
In the semi-main, Will Ospreay defends the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship against “Roughneck” Shota Umino.
In what is billed as The Great Muta’s final NJPW match, he will team with Kazuchika Okada and Toru Yano against United Empire’s Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb, and Aaron Henare.
It will be LIJ vs. United Empire in a 10-man tag, as LIJ’s Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi, SANADA, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI take on United Empire’s Kyle Fletcher, Mark Davis, TJP, Francesco Akira, and Gideon Grey.
In a mixed tag bout, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Utami Hayashishita face Hirooki Goto and Maika.
In an eight-person mixed tag, Taichi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Tam Nakano, and Natsupoi take on El Desperado, DOUKI, Starlight Kid, and Momo Watanabe.
In another mixed tag, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and Syuri face Zack Sabre Jr. and Giulia.
Lady C, AZM, and Saya Kamitani will face Mai Sakurai, Thekla, and Himeka in trios action.
An eight-man tag kicks off the main card, with Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI, YOH, and Lio Rush facing EVIL, Yujiro Takahashi, Dick Togo, and SHO.
On the pre-show, a 15-woman STARDOM Ranbo will take place.
The pre-show kicks off with an eight-man tag featuring the debut of new Young Lion Oskar Leube. Leube teams with Yuto Nakashima, Ryohei Oiwa, and Kosei Fujita against Kevin Knight, Gabriel Kidd, Alex Coughlin, and Clark Connors.
Our live coverage begins at 2 a.m. Eastern time.
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Gabriel Kidd, Alex Coughlin, Kevin Knight, and Clark Connors (LA Dojo) defeated Oskar Leube, Yuto Nakashima, Ryohei Oiwa, and Kosei Fujita (Noge Dojo)
This was a fun way to start the night.
The trainees from New Japan’s competing dojos opened the show with a multi-man tag.
This match was filled with back-and-forth striking and standard offensive sequences. The LA Dojo representatives used their experience advantage to find an early lead which they held onto for quite some time. Coughlin and Kidd closed the match with a double muscle buster to Lebue.
After securing the win, the LA representatives beat down their Noge colleagues.
Mirai won Stardom Ranbo
This was a ranbo/rumble match with random entries happening periodically. Wrestlers can be eliminated by pinfall, submission, or by being tossed over the top rope.
Mirai and Future of Stardom champion Ami Sohrei, both from God’s Eye, opened the match. Next, Saya Iida entered the match. Iida, representing Stars, took the fight to the God’s Eye representatives, standing on solid ground, even while being outnumbered.
Natsuko Toura and Hanan entered next. Toura eliminated Iida with a pin. Next to enter was Hanan’s sister Hina, followed by her other sister Rina. Hazuki then joined the match and immediately gained control with help from her star’s faction mate, Hanan. Koguma and Momo Kogoh, also of Stars, hit the ring next, helping to further the Stars’ lead.
Waka Tsukiyama, Saki Kashima, and Ruaka all entered the match as the Stars’ lead began to wane. Miyu Amasaki joined the fray as eliminations started to become frequent. Next came Super Strong Stardom Machine; Saya Iida is in for another try.
Kashima scored a ton of eliminations, all in quick succession, to establish a final three consisting of Machine, Kashima, and Mirai. With an assist from Machine, Mirai eliminated Kashima. Mirai closed the bout with the most exciting sequence in the entire ranbo, winning via pinfall.
Lio Rush, Tomohiro Ishii, YOH & YOSHI-HASHI (CHAOS) defeated Dick Togo, EVIL, SHO & Yujiro Takahashi (House of Torture)
This match opened with a brawl. HoT used the fog to cheat and establish an early lead. The rest of the match was HoT cheating, short-lived CHAOS rallies, and more brawls. During their last rally, Rush and YOH hit Togo with a double-team move and won the match for their team.
AZM, Lady C & Saya Kamitani (Queen’s Quest) defeated Himeka, Mai Sakurai & Thekla (Donna del Mondo)
QQ was the first team to establish control as the team worked to isolate Thekla. Himeka reversed momentum temporarily in DDM’s favor after receiving a tag, but control of the match would be in flux for some time.
As the match passed the five-minute, the match broke down into a brawl. After clearing the ring, Kamitani climbed to the top rope and hit Sakurai with a 450, which she followed with a pin to win the match.
Giulia & Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Syuri & Tom Lawlor
This was a fun, well-wrestled, intense match. I loved everything about it.
Lawlor and ZSJ came to blows before the opening bell as Giulia and Syuri traded strikes on the outside. Inside the ropes, the men fought for control for the mat, eventually rolling to the outside, still fighting for ground control. To break up the struggle, Syuri slammed Giulia into ZSJ, establishing an early lead for their team.
Syuri and Lawlor hit a tandem running knee from the top of the ramp to the bottom, furthering their initial lead. Back in the ring, ZSJ and Lawlor grappled to a standstill before a double tag left Syuri and Giulia alone in the ring. The women traded heavy strikes, prompting Lawlor to pull them apart. Syuri wasn’t a fan of this, so she worked with Giulia to subdue her own partner.
Giulia and Syuri continued with heavy back-and-forth offense, eventually forcing another tag. The men traded momentum in-ring for quite some time with sporadic appearances from the women (who were fighting on the outside. To close the match, Lawlor locked in a rear-naked choke; ZSJ rolled through the choke, turning it into a pin to win the match.
Natsupoi, Tam Nakano, Taichi & Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated Momo Watanabe, Starlight Kid, DOUKI, & El Desperado
This was another entertaining mixed tag.
Natsupoi and SLK opened this match before Desperado broke the gender segregation rule and forced Kanemaru into the ring. DOUKI pulled Kanemaru to the floor, where all of Oedo Tai beat him down. Back in the ring, Kanemaru was able to create some separation, buying himself a tag to Nakano.
The match broke down from this point. Once things began to calm down, Nakano and Watanabe were alone in the ring; they proved to be on equal footing, forcing a double tag. Taichi and DOUKI tagged in, going back and forth. The match broke down again after Desperado tried to attack Natsupoi. In the chaos, Kanemaru and Natsupoi had a double mist spot while Taichi and Nakano hit a double drop kick. To close the match, Taichi hit DOUKI with Black Mafisto and pinned him.
Another great match. This one pushed the mixed-tag ruleset as much as possible with a lot of intergender wrestling. Everyone in the bout was fantastic.
The match opened with both women striking the men from the apron in an act of protest against the mixed tag rules. With help from Tanahashi, Utami gained the first lead of the match. After tagging in, Goto reversed the momentum, establishing control over Tanahashi. Tanahashi answered with a dragonscrew and slingblade to reset the match.
The women tagged back in and continued to escalate the offense. Maika landed a colossal lariat and slam, forcing a breakup from Tanahashi. Maika landed some forearms on Tanahashi, but Tanahashi landed a strike of his own, dropping her. Goto hit the ring to even the odds, but a slingblade from Utami dropped him. Tanahashi tried to follow up, but Maika caught him with a suplex, leaving only the women standing. To bring the match to an end, Utami hit a highjack bomb and pinned Maika.
After the match’s end, Tanahashi and Utami played tandem air guitars atop the ramp.
Francesco Akira, Gideon Grey, Kyle Fletcher, Mark Davis & TJP (United Empire) defeated BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, SANADA, Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito (Los Ingobernables de Japon)
I am trying to understand why this match happened.
Grey tried opening the match against Shingo, but that, unsurprisingly, went poorly. After he failed to take out Shingo, every member of LIJ took turns bullying UE’s “money mark”.
UE had a turnaround after Grey tagged out. The match continued from here with fairly typical ebbs and flows with really nothing memorable about it. The end of the match came when Aussie Open hit Coriolis on BUSHI.
Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano, & Great Muta defeated Aaron Henare, Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb (United Empire)
This was a 2022 Muta match, alright.
I am not sure why it’s on this card, but this is Muta’s last match in a New Japan ring. It seems that he will wrestle as Keiji Mutoh in a New Japan ring again; this isn’t the man’s final appearance, just this alias.
Muta tried spraying O-Khan immediately following the opening bell, but O-Khan avoided the mist. The match spilled to the floor, where Muta choked O-Khan with his hair. Once the match re-entered the ring, it broke down.
After a chaotic exchange, Muta hit all of his opponents with leg whips before attempting a shining wizard on O-Khan. After O-Khan blocked the move, Okada and Henare tagged in and had an almost normal sequence (other than some Yanoisms).
UE took control of the match after clearing the ring of CHAOS. O-Khan tried to mist Muta, but missed, blinding Cobb instead. Muta then responded with mist of his own, dropping O-Khan with a face full of red mist. Henare tried to save the match for his team, but a dropkick and a rainmaker from Okada brought this match to an end.
IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Will Ospreay (c) defeated Shota Umino
This match opened with a highspeed exchange before slowing down with some strikes and methodical pacing. As the match wore on, Umino slowly gained more offensive ground.
Ospreay cut Umino’s advance off with a dive to the floor. He then took his time connecting with strikes, controlling the pace. Umino had a short-lived rally, but a sudden powerbomb left Ospreay ahead.
Umino managed to pull Ospreay, but failed to capitalize. Ospreay hit another powerbomb and an OsCutter for a near fall. After the kick out, Ospreay connected with shots to the back of Umino’s head. A pair of superkicks and another clubbing blow set Umino up for a hidden blade, but he ducked Ospreay’s finish. Umino began a rally but couldn’t connect with the death rider. After the failure to finish, Ospreay landed a hidden blade to a standing Umino, followed by a Stormbreaker to win the match.
After the match, Kenny Omega appeared on the screen. He cut a scathing promo against Ospreay, blaming him for New Japan’s failings. Omega then challenged Ospreay for WrestleKingdom and promised to save the company once again.
Ospreay answered the video with a brief promo. He said while Omega left, Ospreay stayed, even when times were bad. Ospreay accepted the match for January 4th.
IWGP Women’s Championship: KAIRI defeated Mayu Iwatani
What a fantastic way to introduce this belt. This was a dramatic war with incredible themes running throughout.
The match opened with a sequence that sent KAIRI to the floor. Mayu followed her opening with a tope to the ground, followed by a dropkick from the top rope. Mayu continued to establish control by working over the arm of KAIRI.
The match soon found its way outside of the ring. On the entrance ramp, KAIRI landed a running knee to take the lead. Back in the ring, KAIRI landed a leaping forearm from the top rope before taking the match to the mat. After returning to a standing position, a pair of strikes dropped them both again.
Now on even footing, KAIRI and Mayu began to trade strikes. Mayu gained a bit of an upper hand, but KAIRI interrupted her springboard rana attempt. After a struggle, Mayu hit a rana on the top, which she followed with a picture-perfect splash from the top.
Mayu tried for a moonsault but missed. KAIRI followed up with a violent shove into the corner. KAIRI locked in the anchor, but Mayu’s arm work from earlier in the match forced the hold to break. KAIRI tried to follow up by climbing to the top rope, from where she lept to the floor, taking out Mayu in the process. KAIRI then unloaded with heavy strikes while Mayu held on for dear life.
After surviving KAIRI’s relentless attack, Mayu landed a tombstone and a dragon suplex; KAIRI kicked out and landed a cutlass in response. KAIRI landed a pair of elbow drops that looked to be the finish; Mayu kicked out. Mayu caught KAIRI with a crucifix bomb, but, again, KAIRI kicked out. Mayu landed another dragon suplex — another kick out. Somehow, Mayu landed another dragon suplex, but this time, KAIRI was in the ropes. After surviving Mayu’s best, KAIRI Mayu’s best, KAIRI scaled to the top rope and delivered another elbow, this time, to win the match and become the first IWGP Women’s champion.
After being awarded the belt, KAIRI cut a passionate show-ending promo. She opened the door for a title challenge on January 4, and Tam Nakano walked to the ring to accept. To sign off, KAIRI invoked Inoki, using his signature “Ichi, Ni, San, Da!” to close the show.
The IWGP Women’s Championship tournament finals are set.
Mayu Iwatani vs. Kairi will determine the first-ever title holder. They will meet in the tournament finals at NJPW x Stardom Historic X-over on November 20 from Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.
Iwatani defeated Utami Hayashishita and Kairi defeated Jazzy Gabert in the tournament semi-finals held Sunday on the first night of the Goddesses of Stardom Tag League 2022.
This will be the sixth time the two have met in singles competition. The last came in 2017 when Iwatani defeated Kairi to win the Wonder of Stardom title. Iwatani leads their all-time head-to-head singles match series 3-2.
IWGP Women’s Championship tournament results:
Jazzy Gabert defeated Ava White (October 2) (Quarter-final)
Mayu Iwatani defeated Momo Watanabe (October 22) (Quarter-final)
KAIRI has been announced for NJPW’s IWGP Women’s Championship tournament.
STARDOM revealed on Thursday that KAIRI, formerly Kairi Hojo in Japan and Kairi Sane in WWE, will be a semifinals participant in the tournament’s international bracket, and has received a first round bye.
KAIRI is the 3rd entrant in the IWGP Women’s Title tournament in the International Bracket!#Stardom
KAIRI will face the winner of Alpha Female vs. Ava White on October 23 on a STARDOM Tag League event, with the winner advancing to the finals at NJPW X STARDOM Historic X-Over on November 20. The winner of the tournament will be crowned the first IWGP Women’s Champion.
KAIRI-> International Superstar-> International Bracket#Stardom
In all, seven participants will take part in the tournament. Gabbert will face White at NJPW Royal Quest in London on Sunday October 2 in a first round match in the international bracket. In the tournament’s STARDOM bracket, the first round participants will be determined by the standings of STARDOM’s 5 Star Grand Prix, and will square off on October 22 on a STARDOM show.
The creation of the IWGP Women’s title was announced on July 29 at an NJPW press conference. The company later revealed that after the first champion is crowned on November 20, the first title defense will take place at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4, 2023.
While primarily an NJPW title, the IWGP Women’s title is also expected to be defended on big STARDOM shows.
We have our first look at the IWGP Women’s Championship.
Tokyo Sports revealed today the design for the championship, which was announced earlier this summer. The design is based on the second IWGP Heavyweight Championship design.
On Tuesday morning, NJPW detailed the upcoming tournament that will crown the first-ever champion. The tournament will begin on the second night of Royal Quest II on October 2 in London with quarterfinal matches. More quarterfinal matches will then follow on Stardom’s October 22 event. Semifinals will follow on Stardom’s Tachikawa card on October 23, with the finals taking place at NJPW and Stardom’s Historic X-over joint show on November 20.
The title will be defended on NJPW shows, with the first title defense taking place at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4. While it may be defended on Stardom shows, it will not rank higher than Stardom’s current top titles, the World of Stardom Championship and the Wonder of Stardom Championship.
NJPW has released details on the upcoming IWGP Women’s Championship tournament.
It was announced during Tuesday’s press conference that the tournament will begin with the first quarterfinal matches at Royal Quest II night two in London, England on October 2. Quarterfinals will then continue at Stardom’s October 22 event. Semifinals will take place on a Stardom card in Tachikawa on October 23. The finals of the tournament will then take place at Stardom and New Japan’s Historic X-over joint show on November 20 in Ariake.
NJPW also announced that the first title defense will take place at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4.
The two companies announced on July 29 that they would be introducing the IWGP Women’s Championship, a title that will be defended in Japan and also in the US on New Japan Pro Wrestling events. It will be primarily a title for NJPW, with Stardom’s main titles remaining the World of Stardom Championship (red belt) and the Wonder of Stardom Championship (white belt).
NJPW previously announced that Stardom wrestlers will begin to be featured on NJPW shows in the United States, with an eye of a “genderless and more integrated scene” in Japan.
STARDOM and NJPW have announced the creation of the IWGP Women’s Championship, with the first-ever title holder to be decided at NJPW x STARDOM on November 20.
Just announced in today's Stardom 2022 Strategy Meeting: ✪ The IWGP Women's Championship! ★ NJPW and Stardom are creating this title for defenses not only in Japan but also in the US on New Japan Pro Wrestling events, appealing to the world with the rich IWGP history!
STARDOM’s English language Twitter account announced the creation of the title, though clarified that the belt will primarily be defended on NJPW events, but could also be defended on big STARDOM shows.
The IWGP Women's championship is for NJPW events. It's possible that it could be defended on big Stardom events though.
Stardom's main title remains the World of Stardom title (the Red Belt) along with the Wonder of Stardom title (the White Belt).
The account noted that the IWGP title will not replace STARDOM’s World of STARDOM and Wonder of STARDOM (Red and White belts) as that promotion’s top titles.
✪The inaugural IWGP Women's Champion will be crowned at the NJPW x Stardom joint show on November 20th at the Ariake Arena.
Please note, this belt does not usurp the Red and White Belts in any way. They are the main titles for Stardom events.
The creation of the IWGP Women’s title comes on the heels of NJPW’s announcement earlier this month that the company will begin to feature women’s matches on NJPW shows in the United States, with an eye on a “gender-less and more integrated” scene in Japan.
The company also announced earlier this month that the joint NJPW x STARDOM show in November will feature “around two” mixed tag team matches.
