Tag: Never Openweight Title

New champion crowned at NJPW New Beginning in Osaka

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A new champion was crowned at New Beginning in Osaka.

Aaron Wolf lost the NEVER title to Ren Narita in quick fashion on Wednesday. As typical with most House of Torture matches, Wolf was jumped by Yujiro Takahashi, DOUKI, and other HOT members as he made his way to the ring. He was then thrown in and was quickly choked out by Dick Togo. Ren Narita followed that with a knee from the top rope, taking out Wolf and pinning him in under three minutes, stunning the Osaka crowd.

After the match, House of Torture entered the ring and put the boots to Wolf until members of the NJPW roster came out for the save. Wolf had only held the title for over a month, winning it back at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4. He defeated EVIL in what was his first-ever pro wrestling match.

Wolf has been touted as one of more higher profile signees in recent NJPW history, having won a gold medal in judo at the 2020 Olympic games. When he made his debut in January, he revealed that he had shaved his head and wore black trunks, similar to many Young Lions in the company.

All other titles were retained at New Beginning, with Yota Tsuji successfully defending the title against Jake Lee in the main event.

Shingo Takagi challenges Konosuke Takeshita to double title match for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A double title match may be in the cards for Wrestle Kingdom 19.

After Konosuke Takeshita defeated TJP to retain the AEW International title at NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed, NEVER Champion Shingo Takagi came out and issued a double title match for January 4 at the Tokyo Dome.

“Forgive the interruption. Another great match, Takeshita,” he said according to NJPW Global. “You want to wrestle me, right? Let’s do it. Will it be the AEW International Champion or the NEVER Champ? Let’s find out who’s strongest January 4 at Wrestle Kingdom 19!”

Tomohiro Ishii also appeared during the segment. NJPW Global indicated that Ishii would be awaiting the winner of the match the following day at Wrestle Dynasty.

Since winning the AEW International Championship at WrestleDream, Takeshita has been defending the title frequently. He defeated Josh Alexander to retain the title during a Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling match last month in Canada. In AEW, Ricochet has been looking to earn a future title match, as he was not pinned in the three-way match where Takeshita won the title.

Shingo Takagi wins NEVER Openweight title at NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Shingo Takagi is the new NEVER Openweight Champion.

Takagi defeated Tama Tonga in the main event of Saturday’s NJPW event in Las Vegas, Nevada. Takagi won after pinning Tonga with the Last of the Dragon. This ended Tonga’s run with the title after just 19 days, defeating David Finlay for the title back at Destruction in Ryogoku on October 9.

After the match, Takagi challenged anyone to come out and challenge him. No one did, but as Takagi’s music started to play the arena went dark. A video was then shown of AEW star Trent Baretta challenging Takagi to a match for NJPW’s next event in the US, Lonestar Shootout, on November 10 in Dallas.

Other title matches on the show saw Giulia successfully defend the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship against Hyan and Eddie Kingston defeat Aaron Henare to retain the NJPW Strong Openweight title. In a match featuring the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, SANADA and Yuya Uemura went to a time limit draw against Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi.

NEVER title match official for NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A new championship bout has been officially announced for NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed in Las Vegas.

NJPW has confirmed that Tama Tonga will put his NEVER Openweight Championship on the line against Shingo Takagi in Vegas on Saturday, October 28. It will be Tonga’s first title defense since defeating David Finlay for the championship at Destruction in Ryogoku last week.

The title match between Tonga and Shingo was set up at NJPW Royal Quest in London over the weekend. After Shingo defeated Tomohiro Ishii, Tonga confronted Shingo and said they still have a score they need to settle. Tonga said he would put the NEVER Openweight Championship on the line. Shingo suggested that the match take place in Las Vegas.

Tonga and Shingo went to a 20-minute draw when they faced off in the G1 Climax this summer.

Fighting Spirit Unleashed is being held at Sam’s Town Live. The event will be available as a pay-per-view on Fite TV.

Here’s the updated lineup for the show:

  • Atlantis, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Mistico & Atlantis Jr. vs. Rocky Romero, Tiger Mask, Soberano Jr. & Adrian Quest
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Eddie Kingston defends against Henare
  • NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Giulia defends against Hyan
  • NEVER Openweight Champion Tama Tonga defends against Shingo Takagi
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions El Phantasmo & Hikuleo defend against Lance Archer & Alex Zayne
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Championship number one contender’s match: Jeff Cobb vs. Satoshi Kojima vs. Alex Coughlin vs. Fred Rosser
  • SANADA & Yuya Uemura vs. Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi
  • Stephanie Vaquer & Zeuxis vs. Lluvia & Johnnie Robbie
  • “Filthy” Tom Lawlor vs. Gabe Kidd

Tomohiro Ishii wins NEVER title at NJPW Battle in the Valley

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Tomohiro Ishii is the new NEVER Openweight Champion.

Ishii defeated champion Jay White in a back and forth match. The finish came when both attempted to go for their finishers. Ishii connected with a dragon suplex, which allowed him to hit a lariat then pinned White with the vertical drop brainbuster for the win.

After the match, Ishii grabbed the title and left, opting not to cut the typical post-main event NJPW promo. The show ended with White being helped to the back, with White shoving down those helping him, leaving him to recover on his own on the ramp.

This marks Ishii’s sixth reign with the NEVER Openweight title. The stipulations for the match had been that if Ishii were unable to beat White tonight for the title, he would never be able to challenge for the title again. White had held the NEVER title for over 195 days, defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestling Dontaku on May 3, 2021 in Fukuoka, Japan.