Minoru Suzuki’s upcoming tour of the United States is set to feature a match against Jonathan Gresham.
Game Changer Wrestling has announced that Suzuki vs. Gresham will take place at their “Highest in the Room” event at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Los Angeles on Friday, September 17. The show will air live on Fite TV.
This will be the first-ever one-on-one meeting between Suzuki and Gresham.
Gresham is the current ROH Pure Champion.
In another first-time matchup, Suzuki will face Homicide at GCW’s “Get Lost Alot” at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Friday, September 24.
Suzuki has also been announced for GCW shows at The Showboat Atlantic City in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Sunday, October 10 and the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 23. The names of those events have yet to be announced.
In addition to his tour of indie matches, Suzuki is coming to the United States for September and October’s New Japan Strong tapings. The September tapings are taking place at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas on Saturday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26. The October tapings are being held at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on Saturday, October 16 and Sunday, October 17.
Night one of the Texas tapings will feature Suzuki vs. Fred Rosser. Suzuki & Lance Archer will then face Tom Lawlor & Royce Isaacs in a tag team match the next night.
NJPW has made the first four match announcements for the September 25 and September 26 Autumn Attack shows in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
On night one, Minoru Suzuki will face Fred Rosser. Rosser is an NJPW Strong regular, while Suzuki will be embarking on a rare tour of the United States this fall.
Also added to night one, Will Ospreay will take on Karl Fredericks. Ospreay returned to NJPW at Resurgence on August 14 and declared himself the true IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
On night two, Lio Rush will face IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion Taiji Ishimori in a singles match. Rush is next in line to challenge Tom Lawlor for the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship.
Suzuki and Lance Archer vs. Lawlor and Royce Isaacs has also been added to night two. Isaacs recently joined Lawlor’s Team Filthy on NJPW Strong, while Archer faced Hiroshi Tanahashi in the main event of Resurgence.
Tickets for NJPW Autumn Attack in Garland, Texas are on sale now.
Here are the lineups:
NJPW Autumn Attack night one, Saturday, September 25 —
Minoru Suzuki vs. Fred Rosser
Will Ospreay vs. Karl Fredericks
NJPW Autumn Attack night two, Sunday, September 26 —
Lio Rush vs. Taiji Ishimori
Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer vs. Tom Lawlor & Royce Isaacs
NJPW has added three big names to their Showdown events in Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena on Saturday, October 16 and Sunday, October 17.
Will Ospreay, Minoru Suzuki and Lance Archer have been announced for the show.
Ospreay made his return to NJPW at Resurgence in Los Angeles on August 14 after being sidelined for three months with a neck injury. In his return promo, Ospreay declared himself the rightful IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, promising to defend his version of the title on NJPW Strong.
For Suzuki, Showdown will mark his first appearances at the former ECW Arena.
Archer is a two-time former IWGP United States Champion and headlined Resurgence against Hiroshi Tanahashi.
Tickets are on sale now for NJPW Showdown.
Here is the full list of talent advertised for Philadelphia:
Minoru Suzuki and Homicide are set to face off for the first time ever.
Game Changer Wrestling has announced that Suzuki vs. Homicide will take place at their “Get Lost Alot” show at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Friday, September 24. The show will air live on Fite TV.
Get Lost Alot is one of four GCW shows that Suzuki has been announced for. He’ll be in action at the following events:
Highest in the Room — Friday, September 17 (Ukrainian Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California)
Get Lost Alot — Friday, September 24 (Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York)
To be announced — Sunday, October 10 (The Showboat Atlantic City in Atlantic City, New Jersey)
To be announced — Saturday, October 23 (Ukrainian Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California)
Homicide & Chris Dickinson are the current ROH Tag Team Champions. They’re part of ROH’s Violence Unlimited stable with Brody King and Tony Deppen.
Suzuki is coming to the United States for NJPW’s New Japan Strong tapings at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas on Saturday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26.
Suzuki will face Anthony Henry at PXW’s “All Hail the King” at Cabarrus Arena in Concord, North Carolina on Saturday, October 2. At West Coast Pro Wrestling’s “No Leaf Clover” on Friday, October 8, Suzuki will take on Daniel Garcia. No Leaf Clover is taking place at The State Room in South San Francisco, California.
Minoru Suzuki’s trip to the United States this fall will include a match against Daniel Garcia.
West Coast Pro Wrestling has announced that Suzuki vs. Garcia will take place at their “No Leaf Clover” event on Friday, October 8. The show is being held at The State Room in South San Francisco, California and will air live on IndependentWrestling.TV.
No Leaf Clover is West Coast Pro Wrestling’s third anniversary show.
Garcia was in the main event of last Friday’s Rampage at the United Center in Chicago, losing to Jon Moxley.
It was also announced over the weekend that Suzuki is coming to PWX for their show at Cabarrus Arena in Concord, North Carolina on Saturday, October 2. The show is titled “All Hail the King.” Suzuki will face Anthony Henry (formerly known as Asher Hale in WWE).
Suzuki will be in the U.S. for NJPW’s television tapings at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas on Saturday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26. The tapings are for NJPW Strong. Suzuki has also been announced for four Game Changer Wrestling shows, with two taking place in September and two taking place in October.
NJPW star Minoru Suzuki is coming to Game Changer Wrestling for four shows later this year.
It was announced on Thursday that Suzuki will make his return to GCW at the promotion’s Highest in the Room show at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California on Friday, September 17. He’ll also be in action at GCW’s Get Lost Alot in Queens, New York on Friday, September 24 and at two shows in October.
The full list of GCW shows that Suzuki is set for is available below. The names of the two October shows have yet to be announced.
Highest in the Room — Friday, September 17 (Ukrainian Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California)
Get Lost Alot — Friday, September 24 (Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York)
To be announced — Sunday, October 10 (The Showboat Atlantic City in Atlantic City, New Jersey)
To be announced — Saturday, October 23 (Ukrainian Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California)
Suzuki has previously wrestled for GCW twice. He defeated Matt Riddle at Matt Riddle’s Bloodsport in April 2018. Suzuki and Josh Barnett then went to a time limit draw at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport the following year.
Suzuki was supposed to face Orange Cassidy at Joey Janela’s Spring Break 4 in April 2020, but the match couldn’t happen due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Suzuki will also be appearing at NJPW’s Autumn Attack tapings for NJPW Strong on Saturday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26. The tapings are being held at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas.
Three more names have been added to NJPW’s Autumn Attack shows in Texas on September 25 and September 26.
After making his return to NJPW at last week’s Resurgence event in Los Angeles, Will Ospreay will take part in the Autumn Attack shows in the greater Dallas area. Ospreay appeared at Resurgence and declared himself the true IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, asserting that he was never pinned or submitted for the title. Ospreay declared Shingo Takagi the interim IWGP Champion and promised to defend his version of the title in NJPW Strong.
Lance Archer has also been added to the Autumn Attack events. Archer is fresh off main eventing Resurgence, losing the IWGP United States Championship to Hiroshi Tanahashi.
Minoru Suzuki has also been announced for the Texas shows. Suzuki’s last appearance in the US was at a Warrior Wrestling show in December 2019, where he defeated Tom Lawlor.
Tickets for the Autumn Attack events in Garland, Texas are on sale now, with prices ranging from $29 to $149.
Here is the list of talent advertised for Autumn Attack so far:
Two New Japan Pro Wrestling wrestlers have tested positive for COVID-19.
NJPW released a statement on their website tonight confirming that two wrestlers have tested positive and are currently showing mild symptoms. The company did not name the two individuals. This follows yesterday’s removal of six wrestlers (Kazuchika Okada, Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, SHO, and YOH) from the second night of Wrestling Dontaku after two of the indviduals developed fevers prior to the start of the card.
Additionally, NJPW said in their statement that other wrestlers and staff who have been in contact with the two wrestlers are “currently being monitored in a controlled environment and are receiving relevant tests.”
The company also noted that all wrestlers and staff for the Road to Dontaku tour returned negative PCR tests prior to the start of the tour.
Several matches set for the second night of Wrestling Dontaku were changed as a result of the protocols. The IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match between champion El Desperado and challenger YOH was removed from the card entirely.
Six wrestlers were removed from this morning’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku card due to COVID-19 protocols.
Kazuchika Okada, Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, SHO, and YOH were all removed from tonight’s card. New Japan Pro Wrestling wrote on their website that several matches had to be changed, including the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match between El Desperado and YOH, which was removed from the card altogether.
The website said that one wrestler that was scheduled to appear on the show this morning had a fever, and was currently going through examination, including PCR and antibody testing. They also said that one other wrestler who has been part of the events since May 1 in Beppu is also undergoing evaluation.
NJPW’s website said the show currently taking place would continue after consulting with their medical committee. The following changes to the card have been made:
Second match: Master Wato and Hiroyoshi Tenzan will face Taiji Ishimori and Yujiro Takahashi, replacing Kazuchika Okada and SHO vs. Minoru Suzuki and Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Fourth match: Ryusuke Taguchi, Toru Yano, and Hiroshi Tanahashi will face Jay White, EVIL, and Dick Togo, replacing the Wato/Taguchi/Tenzan/Yano/Tanahashi vs. Togo/Ishimori/Yujiro/EVIL/Jay White bout
Fifth match: El Desperado vs. YOH for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title has been removed from tonight’s card.
Shingo Takagi has won the NEVER Openweight championship for the second time.
Takagi defeated Minoru Suzuki for the championship in a hard back and forth battle on this morning’s Power Struggle card in a match that featured plenty of stiff shots. The finish had Takagi go for the Last of the Dragon. Suzuki struggled, but Shingo held the advantage and landed his finish to win the championship for the second time.
Suzuki had held the title for 69 days, defeating Takagi during his first reign back at Summer Struggle in Jingu on August 29.
The two also met during the G1 Climax 30 tournament. It was here that Takagi picked up a win over Suzuki, setting up this morning’s title match.
In the other title match that took place on tonight’s show, Suzuki’s fellow Los Ingobernables de Japon member Tetsuya Naito defeated Minoru Suzuki to retain the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles.
G1 Climax 30 made its last stop before arriving in Tokyo with a stacked card from the tournament’s A Block in Kobe.
Report —
Gabriel Kidd defeated Yota Tsuji
Kidd started the match by taking Tsuji to the mat. Tsuji was able to gain some ground by grappling in retort, but overall Kidd’s mat work left him in the driver’s seat early.
The power of Tsuji was the main means of thwarting Kidd’s advance. A large shoulder block led to an extended showcase of Tsuji offense. Tsuji locked in a single leg Boston crab that forced a desperate rope break from Kidd. The rope break allowed Kidd to regain a semblance of control, but again Tsuji’s strength seemed to be too much.
Kidd managed to withstand the storm and catch Tsuji off guard with a passion-filled sequence punctuated with a double arm suplex. Kidd then pinned Tsuji in the middle of the ring for his first win over Tsuji.
A fun match that was fundamentally sound. Kidd’s fervor really stood strong at the conclusion. A simple story executed well.
G1 Climax 30 A Block: Taichi defeated Yujiro Takahashi
This match started abruptly as Takahashi rammed his cane into Taichi as the opening bell sounded. Takahashi was disarmed but maintained the momentum until Taichi returned the favor with a hammer. Taichi took to assaulting Takahashi on the outside of the ring, driving him into the ring post and choking him with cables. Takahashi returned the favor of an environmental beating.
Takahashi’s offense inside the ring was short-lived as Taichi gouged for the eyes. A Taichi enzuigiri only cemented his rebound. Taichi kicked Takahashi in the temple before trying for a pin that Takahashi only just kicked out from.
Taichi wasted no time as tried he tried to hoist Takahashi for a slam but Taichi’s hand found its way into the mouth of Takahashi. With Takahashi’s teeth pressed into his hand, Taichi again turned to raking the eyes of Takahashi, a cute moment in what had been a trivial match.
Takahashi won a striking victory and followed up with an Olympic slam. Taichi reset the match with a suplex of his own. Taichi landed a lariat, re-energizing him late in the match.
After Takahashi kicked from the pin that followed Taichi’s breakaway pants were torn from his thighs in one fluid motion. Takahashi hit Miami Shine immediately after Taichi’s theatrics.
Taichi was able to fight free from Pimp Juice and down the referee in the process. A low blow and quick rollup followed leaving Taichi with another win.
This match was what one should expect with these two, nothing special. Some interactions were fun but not enough to carry them to a good match.
G1 Climax 30 A Block: Minoru Suzuki defeated Jeff Cobb
Suzuki started the match by baiting Cobb to the mat. Cobb was able to hold his own against Suzuki’s ground game but Suzuki eventually forced Cobb into a rope break.
Now that the two were standing, Cobb tried to crush Suzuki with his strength. Suzuki again was able to get the best of the situation. The two spilled to the outside of the ring. Suzuki and Cobb again seemed to be near equals, but even here it was Suzuki who proved to be ahead.
It was only by a collision of bodies that Cobb was able to pull ahead. Cobb was able to maintain his advantage in a striking exchange and subverted a Gotch piledriver. Cobb used his power to block almost every attempt at a Suzuki comeback. Suzuki’s wherewithal eventually proved to be too much even for Cobb’s power.
A choke attempt from Suzuki seamlessly lead into a successful Gotch piledriver leaving Suzuki with a clean pin.
This match was fast-paced and well structured. In a test of brains versus brawn, Suzuki’s demanding presence gelled perfectly with Cobb tonight for an outstanding match.
G1 Climax 30 A Block: Kota Ibushi defeated Tomohiro Ishii
Following an intense staredown, Ibushi and Ishii entered a series of tie-ups. After the collapse of the felling out process, they entered an extended striking sequence. Ishii was unmoving for the sequence and was perpetually standing over Ibushi during any pause.
Ibushi was able to withstand the strikes and ultimately end the first striking session with a rana. It wasn’t long after that the striking continued as if it had never stopped, but this time Ibushi had the edge.
An Ibushi slam and dropkick that would have dropped any other left Ishii standing. Before the shock of Ishii’s resistance could fully set in Ibushi was hit with a power slam. Ibushi this time refused to fall. The two then entered a test of will where no move could drop either man.
A tempo-resetting dropkick from Ibushi triggered an open palm brawl. Ibushi was able to drop Ishii for a moment, but Ishii rose with even more striking.
This awakened the beast in Ibushi.
Ibushi punched the heart of Ishii before nearly kicking his head off. Ishii was then hoisted by Ibushi into a powerbomb which only yielded a two count.
Ishii was not done fighting.
Ishii and Ibushi entered another struggle. This time it was an Ishii headbutt that caused Ibushi to fall. An Ishii lariat resulted in a near fall for the Stone Pitbull, but again Ibushi continued to resist.
Now on his last legs, Ibushi landed an enzuigiri followed by a brainbuster. Ibushi dropped his knee pads and landed a Kamigoye only for Ishii to kick out again.
Ishii and Ibushi traded their final swings at this point. Ishii’s headbutts and knees, in the end, proved to be just short of enough as another Kamigoye left Ibushi the victor.
What a match. These men beat the breaks off of each other. With everything left in the ring, topping this would be a real challenge.
G1 Climax 30 A Block: Shingo Takagi defeated Will Ospreay
Ospreay’s speed met Takagi’s power as soon as the bell sounded.
Ospreay and Shingo struggled for any advantage in a fantastic opening arrangement. Ospreay forced Takagi to retreat to the safety of the outside after his speed in combination with his new bulk proved to be too much. Takagi avoided any significant offense before dropping Ospreay with a Fireman’s carry takeover on the arena floor.
Takagi took his lead between the ropes, slowing the pace and overpowering Ospreay. Takagi landed a few elbows and a knee drop before taunting Ospreay. Ospreay responded with the initiation of a chop exchange which he left victorious. Ospreay’s offense picked up temporarily but was cut short by Shingo’s power. Shingo was just as unsuccessful in maintaining long-term sway as an unexpected stunner threw the match back in Ospreay’s direction.
In the first prolonged offensive stint of the match, Ospreay landed a flying forearm and the Sasuke special. Ospreay positioned Takagi in the tree of woe once returning to ring, where he delivered a swift kick to the skull and a picture-perfect coast-to-coast dropkick. A bloody Sunday and moonsault failed to close the match for Ospreay.
Ospreay tried for a springboard variation but was caught by a ready Takagi. Takagi dropped Ospreay face-first on the mat. Takagi was experiencing offensive success in the match for the first time. A sit-down powerbomb from Ospreay cut Takagi’s hopes short. An Oscutter and near fall seemingly reset the match.
Takagi and Ospreay began trading more and more impressive moves. Ultimately it was Takagi’s Made in Japan that left him ahead.
A pumping bomber almost closed the match for Takagi. Instead of a victory, the move triggered Ospreay’s final efforts. A poison rana from Ospreay and a headbutt from Takagi again reset the match.
Both men were now left to slug it out. Forearms reigned in prior to a burst of speed. Ospreay landed a one-man Spanish fly, a lariat and a brutal forearm to set up for a finale.
Takagi met Ospreay with a lariat of his own to subdue what would be the match’s end. Takagi then hoisted Ospreay onto his shoulders and dropped him from the second rope. Ospreay kicked out. Takagi landed a lariat. Ospreay kicked out.
Finally, Takagi connected with the Last of the Dragon, pinning Ospreay for the win.
This pair brings out the best in each other and now a rubber match is necessary. They put on a great match with little room for improvement.
G1 Climax 30 A Block: Jay White defeated Kazuchika Okada
White journeyed to the outside as soon as the match started, as this match was going to be on his terms.
Okada tried for his typical rope pat down but this match was at White’s pace. White actually was the one patting down Okada, which upset him greatly.
Okada took to beating down White, but again, this was under White’s control. Gedo clubbed the back of Okada, gaining his attention long enough for White to regain advantage.
White began his systematic dissection of Okada’s back at this point, driving Okada back first into any rigid object at his disposal. Okada tried to fight free but his back was proving to be his weak point. Plenty of knees and forearms from White crashed into the spine of Okada. Whenever Okada showed signs of life, his back stopped him.
Okada eventually landed a facebuster on White and began a slow climb back into this match.
Forearms, a hip attack and a DDT left Okada in control but for some unimaginable reason, Gedo became the center of Okada’s attention. A double DDT, ignoring the previously damaged back, dropped both White and Gedo.
Once in the ring again Okada’s back failed again. White regained advantage with a DDT of his own and once again the beating of Okada’s back continued.
Okada was able to catch a methodical White with a neckbreaker, resetting the match. The two traded forearms back and forth before White collapsed. Gedo tried to interfere again but was subverted by Okada. An Okada dropkick attempt was avoided, further punishing the back.
White tried the Rainmaker but Okada responded with a forearm. An Okada dropkick, piledriver, and Money Clip left Okada in control. Gedo entered the ring and found himself on the receiving end of a dropkick.
Okada locked in the Money Clip again only for Gedo to grab at the leg of the referee. White landed a low blow before grabbing the wrist of Okada. Okada tried again for a desperation Money Clip, but White landed a suplex in retort.
A transition into a Blade Runner allowed White to pin Okada.
**********
White grabbed a microphone and thanked Okada for celebrating the two year anniversary of White’s and Gedo’s Chaos defection while simultaneously claiming Okada’s glory days are behind him.
If you still somehow need convincing of White’s brilliance, this match will do it for you. It is everything you should expect in a White showing — a complete dissection and change of scenery when compared to everything else in New Japan. This was a great match that was only held back by the overuse of Gedo.
The participants and blocks for this year’s G1 Climax tournament has been announced.
The biggest news coming from the announcement is that several wrestlers who have been unable to travel to Japan due to COVID-19 restrictions have made it in for the tournament. The tour will be the first in months for the likes of Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb, Jay White, KENTA, and Juice Robinson.
KENTA, Cobb, and White have been working shows for New Japan of America, namely the New Japan Strong shows that have aired over the summer.
It also cements several rematches from recent high profile feuds. EVIL and Tetsuya Naito, who just headlined Summer Struggle in Jingu, share the same block. Kazuchika Okada and Yujiro Takahashi are also in the same block and have been feuding for the last several months.
Here are the blocks and participants in this year’s tournament:
A Block:
Kota Ibushi
Tomohiro Ishii
Kazuchika Okada
Shingo Takagi
Yujiro Takahashi
Taichi
Minoru Suzuki
Jeff Cobb
Will Ospreay
Jay White
B Block:
Hiroshi Tanahashi
Hirooki Goto
Toru Yano
YOSHI-HASHI
SANADA
Tetsuya Naito
EVIL
Zack Sabre Jr.
Juice Robinson
KENTA
The G1 Climax tournament this year will start on September 19, with the finals taking place at Sumo Hall on October 18.
Four new champions were crowned this morning at NJPW’s Summer Struggle in Jingu event.
Tetsuya Natio once again reclaimed himself as double champion, regaining the IWGP Heavyweight title for the third time and the IWGP Intercontinental title for the sixth time. After a match full of ref bumps, interference, and back and forth action, Naito pinned EVIL with the Destino.
After the match, Naito put over Jingu Stadium, saying it’s the first time they have been back in 21 years. He thanked the fans for coming in under sweltering heat. He mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic but also said there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s overcome all of these obstacles.
Naito ended his promo with the usual roll-call, though none of the other members of Los Ingobernables de Japon came out to celebrate. The show ended with Naito doing his signature pose as fireworks went off. No one came out to challenge Naito following the match.
The IWGP Jr. title also changed hands. After 238 days, Hiromu Takahashi lost the title to Taiji Ishimori, who is now a two time champion. Hiromu went for a second time bomb for the finish, but Ishimori countered, hit an inverted bloody cross then eventually got the submission win with the crossface.
Toru Yano is the first to win the KOPW trophy, becoming the first ever provisional champion, pinning Kazuchika Okada after a low blow and a roll-up. Yano will defend the trophy under stipulation matches until the end of the year, when a champion is crowned.
Minoru Suzuki captured the NEVER title for the second time, ending Shingo Takagi’s run with the title after 210 days. Suzuki won the title after pinning Takagi with the Gotch piledriver
The next tour will start on September 3, with New Japan Road.
This was a fun little opener with a lot of comedy and some cool spots for the young guys.
Ishii and Kidd began, trading strikes and shoulder tackles. Kidd hit a double shotgun dropkick on Ishii and Goto. Taguchi tagged in and did some comedy spots with Goto. Goto hit a wheel kick in the corner and Taguchi sold his butt.
YH and Kojima got tags. Kojima hit machine gun chops and a top rope elbow. YH hit a headhunter and tagged Yano. Yano exposed a buckle but got sent into it himself. Kojima hit a cutter and tagged Tsuji.
Ishii and Goto jumped in and teased stereo ushigoroshis on Kidd and Tsuji. Kidd and Tsuji slipped out and hit dropkicks in an awesome spot. Tsuji hit a senton and a spear for two near falls.
The finish saw Yano shove the ref away, hit a low blow on Tsuji and schoolboy him for the pin.
This was a good brawl. Honma looked much better than usual.
They fought on the outside early with Shingo using a choke around the post to get the advantage on Honma. SANADA and Shingo then worked Honma over with chops and chinlocks. Honma missed a kokeshi before hitting a suplex on Shingo and making a tag.
Makabe hit ten punches in the corner and a northern lights suplex on Shingo for a near fall. Honma and SANADA got tags and Honma hit SANADA and Shingo with a double DDT for a near fall on SANADA.
Makabe tried a double lariat on Shingo and SANADA but they blocked. Honma entered and Makabe and Honma double suplexed SANADA and Shingo. Honma hit a diving kokeshi on SANADA for a two count.
Shingo and Makabe brawled to the floor. Honma missed a kokeshi off the second rope. Shingo missed a pumping bomber but hit a lariat. Shingo hit Honma with a brainbuster. SANADA hit a dropkick but Makabe broke up the pin. Shingo and Makabe brawled to the floor again.
The finish saw SANADA go for Skull End. Honma turned it into a small package for a near fall. SANADA got Skull End applied on the second attempt and Honma tapped out.
This was similar to the match they’ve done every night on this tour. It was built on Tanahashi selling most of the way.
Suzuki-gun attacked before the opening bell and spent the first several minutes working over Tanahashi. Taichi used a neckbreaker and some eye gouging to maintain the advantage. Uemura jumped in with a dropkick to make the save and Tana and Taichi made tags.
Sabre and Ibushi tagged in. Sabre tried to trade strikes with Ibushi but Ibushi hammered him with kicks and got the edge. Sabre locked on a triangle. Ibushi slid out and hit a high kick into a double down.
Wato and Kanemaru got tags. Wato hit a hurricanrana on an interfering DOUKI. Wato hit an impressive tornillo onto DOUKI and Kanemaru. Wato hit a springboard uppercut for a near fall.
Uemura and Desperado tagged in. Uemura, Tenzan and Ibushi went 3-on-1 against Desperado. Uemura hit a double underhook suplex for a near fall. Desperado hit a spinebuster and used a stretch muffler but Tana broke it up.
Sabre hit Tana with a Zack Driver. Ibushi hit a double Pele kick on Taichi and Sabre and a dropkick to Desperado. Uemura hit a suplex on Desperado for a two count.
The finish saw Desperado shove the ref. He then hit a straight right on Uemura and hit Pinche Loco for the pin.
**********
They did an angle after the match where Sabre and Taichi talked trash to Ibushi while Tsuji held an ice pack on Tanahashi’s neck. Ibushi left on his own without tending to Tana as if Sabre and Taichi had convinced him that Tanahashi was holding him back.
**********
There was a cleaning and disinfecting intermission.
This Yujiro/Gedo team is really awful. At least they kept this relatively short. Okada didn’t do much at all in this match.
Okada avoided a double team and got some offense on Yujiro. Okada hit a slingshot senton for an early near fall before tagging out. Jado used a kendo stick shot from the floor on SHO. From there, Gedo used a hammer to attack SHO on the floor and Bullet Club gained control of the match.
Yujiro raked Okada’s eyes and posted him on the floor. Gedo exposed a buckle and he and Yujiro took turns sending SHO into it. SHO finally came back with a vertical suplex and tagged Okada.
Yujiro hit a hot shot and dropped Okada across the top rope. Yujiro hit a fisherman buster but Okada blocked a Miami Shine. Yujiro hit a lariat. SHO and Gedo got tags. SHO hit a series of kicks for a near fall.
SHO went for a power breaker but Gedo blocked with a thumb to the eye. SHO hit a spear for a two count. SHO got a kimura at the 10 minute mark but Yujiro broke it up.
The finish saw Jado climb onto the apron to take the ref. Gedo grabbed brass knuckles. Toru Yano ran in and hit a low blow on Gedo. SHO then hit a backstabber. SHO ducked a kendo stick shot from Jado and used a cross armbreaker on Gedo for the submission.
EVIL & Taiji Ishimori (w/ “The Spoiler” Dick Togo) defeated Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI (9:54)
Naito got his hands on EVIL early. He took the fight to the floor and sent EVIL into the barricade. BUSHI hit a neckbreaker on EVIL for a two count. There were some clunky spots when BUSHI and EVIL were in together.
Togo interfered liberally, tripping BUSHI from the floor. He sent BUSHI into the barricade and choked him on the floor. EVIL covered but Red Shoes refused to count the pin due to the interference. The pace slowed to a crawl as Ishimori and EVIL worked on BUSHI.
Naito got a tag and hit EVIL with kicks. Naito hit a series of short elbow strikes. EVIL used a hair pull and hit a mid kick. Naito blocked a fisherman buster, hit an enzuigiri and used a crucifix hold but Ishimori broke it up.
BUSHI got a tag and hit a missile dropkick on EVIL. He followed with a suicide dive to Ishimori. Naito tried to interfere but Togo pulled him to the floor and choked him. BUSHI tried a neckbreaker on EVIL but Ishimori intercepted him with a springboard seated senton.
The finish saw EVIL hit a lariat for a near fall. He then put the scorpion deathlock on and BUSHI tapped out.
Naito grabbed EVIL by the hair after the bell. Togo pulled Naito to the floor and hit some right hands. Bullet Club then celebrated in the ring. EVIL posed with both of his belts over a fallen Naito on the floor.
Minoru Suzuki defeated Yuji Nagata (20:36)
This was not quite as good as their New Japan Cup match but this was another epic battle and a great main event.
They opened with a striking battle in the ring. Nagata then barred Suzuki’s left arm. Suzuki escaped and used a kneebar in the ropes before pulling Nagata outside. Each sent the other into the barricade. Suzuki wrenched Nagata’s right leg over the barricade.
Suzuki grabbed a chair but Red Shoes took it away. Suzuki continued attacking the right leg on the floor. They teased a countout but Nagata made it back in. Nagata caught a kick and hammered on Suzuki’s right leg with elbow strikes.
Nagata hit some heavy kicks to the chest. He hit a running high kick in the corner but only got a one count off of it. They traded forearm strikes. Suzuki went for a rear naked choke but Nagata slid out and hit more forearms.
They had a great striking exchange in the center of the ring. The crowd really got into this. Both teased going down from the hard shots but kept coming back for more. They both dropped to the mat at the same time.
On their knees on the mat they traded headbutts like charging rams. They climbed to their feet and exchanged more headbutts. Suzuki went down first. All of these headbutts were safe. They traded more forearms.
Suzuki tried a misdirection spot to set up a choke attempt. Nagata blocked and tried an exploder. Suzuki blocked the first attempt but Nagata got the exploder on his second try. Suzuki sold a mid kick to the gut bigger than I’ve ever seen Suzuki sell anything.
Nagata tried another exploder but Suzuki blocked. Nagata hit a knee to the midsection and tried for a backdrop suplex but Suzuki blocked with a side headlock. Suzuki hit a series of headbutts to escape the suplex grip.
They traded more forearm strikes. Suzuki put his hands behind his back and dared Nagata to hit him. They continued trading. They switched from forearm strikes to slaps.
Nagata finally dropped after he couldn’t take anymore strikes. Suzuki hit the Gotch-style piledriver and covered for the pin.
Suzuki taunted Nagata and the Korakuen crowd as he closed the show with a promo.
A rematch between Minoru Suzuki and Yuji Nagata will headline night four of NJPW’s Summer Struggle tour.
NJPW revealed the card for the show overnight. It will take place at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan this Friday (July 31) and will air live on New Japan World starting at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time.
Nagata knocked Suzuki out of this year’s New Japan Cup, defeating him in the first round of the tournament. They’ve continued to feud and have faced off in tag team matches since then.
Nights one and two of the Summer Struggle tour were also held at Korakuen Hall on Sunday and Monday. Night three is taking place in Hamamatsu this Wednesday, but that will be a non-televised event.
Here’s the full card for Summer Struggle night four:
Minoru Suzuki vs. Yuji Nagata
EVIL, Taiji Ishimori & Dick Togo vs. Tetsuya Naito, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI
Kazuchika Okada & SHO vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Gedo
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Master Wato & Yuya Uemura vs. Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr., El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & DOUKI
Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shingo Takagi & SANADA
Satoshi Kojima, Ryusuke Taguchi, Yota Tsuji & Gabriel Kidd vs. Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & YOSHI-HASHI
