NJPW held their Declaration of Power event Monday morning with a new championship being introduced and a new member of Los Ingobernables de Japon being introduced.
Following intermission, NJPW formally introduced the NJPW World Television Championship. President Takami Ohbari noted that this would be a championship aimed for younger talent with an emphasis on speed.
A 15-minute time limit will be held for each match and each title match will be posted on NJPW’s social media accounts. A tournament to crown the first champion will take place in the future.
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Titan of CMLL joined Los Ingobernables de Japon on Monday’s show, aiding the group in a match against members of United Empire. He revealed himself under a mask and asked to join LIJ. The team discussed the matter and then held their fists in the air. Titan joined them, officially becoming a member of LIJ.
Master Wato pinned Taiji Ishimori in a non-title match, replacing KUSHIDA who was originally advertised. After the match, both Hiromu Takahashi and El Desperado came in to also make their claim for the next shot. A four-way was eventually agreed to, setting up the next title match.
Prior to the start of Monday’s show, Yuji Nagata announced that Oleg Boltin, an amateur wrestler from Kazakhstan, had joined the company. Boltin competed in the 2022 freestyle wrestling World Championships, finishing fifth.
Jay White vs. Tama Tonga for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship headlines NJPW Declaration of Power today in Ryogoku.
White will make what could be his final title defense of 2022 against his former Bullet Club stablemate Tama Tonga.
In the semi-main event, Kazuchika Okada will face JONAH in a rematch from the G1 Climax 32 tournament. JONAH gave Okada his only tournament loss this past summer, as Okada and JONAH finished first and second in the A Block.
The full card for tonight:
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jay White (c) vs. Tama Tonga
Kazuchika Okada vs. JONAH
Provisional KOPW 2022 Who’s Your Daddy match: Shingo Takagi vs. El Phantasmo
Taiji Ishimori vs. Master Wato
Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI vs. Will Ospreay, Aaron Henare, TJP & Francesco Akira
Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI vs. The Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb
Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi vs. Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito
David Finlay, Robbie Eagles & Ren Narita vs. El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & DOUKI
Our live coverage begins at 4 a.m. Eastern time.
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The show opened with the New Japan roster walking out to the ring to honor the life of Antonio Inoki. An excellent video package was played featuring Inoki’s career highlights.
An in-ring speech followed, celebrating Inoki’s achievements in pro wrestling and combat sports more broadly. The upcoming WrestleKingdom 17 show, January 4th, 2023, will be held in memory and honor of Antonio Inoki. The speech ended with a promise to match forward, continuing on the path Inoki started.
Seiji Sakaguchi entered the ring with a picture of Inoki to accompany the ten-bell salute.
This was a beautiful tribute to one of the most important men of pro wrestling.
David Finlay, Robbie Eagles, & Ren Narita defeated El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, & DOUKI
Ren “The Son of Strong Style” Narita is a can’t-miss superstar in the making. Hot off of his bloody win over Juice Robinson, he won tonight’s match as the sole legal man for his team, so it seems like New Japan agrees. So it’s hard not to be excited about New Japan’s future.
Narita started his return from excursion with a striking battle against Desperado. Narita gained an early lead, but the match broke down as the heel squad pulled Narita to the floor. If not exactly orderly, structure returned to the bout as Desperado, Kanemaru, and DOUKI worked to isolate Narita from his partners.
Eagles and Finlay eventually hit the ring to save Narita from the heel onslaught, leaving him alone in the ring with DOUKI. Narita scored a near fall after a pair of suplexes. DOUKI fought back momentarily, but Narita caught him with an explosive belly-to-belly suplex to bring this match to a close.
After the match, Narita grabbed a microphone and cut a quick promo. He hopes to be the focal point of New Japan.
Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi (Dangerous Tekkers) defeated Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito (TMDK)
This was a good match.
Tito and Taichi opened the match with a quick scuffle before passing the batons to their partners. Haste tried his hand at out grappling ZSJ but failed to find success. Once Tito tagged in, he overwhelmed ZSJ with potent offense, establishing control for TMDK.
ZSJ escaped to Taichi, who temporarily took out both members of TMDK. A rally from Tito forced ZSJ back into the match. Tito maintained his momentum, landing a suplex that caused a Taichi breakup. This distraction bought ZSJ enough time to transition into an arm bar. Tito fought through the submission, connecting with a powerbomb in the corner. ZSJ lept from the corner with a guillotine. ZSJ dropped the choke, instead opting for a bridging clutch pin to close the match.
You know what, this wasn’t horrible. Hikuleo looked pretty good in this.
Yujiro tried offering Hikuleo a “too sweet” as the match started. After he rejected the gesture, HoT jumped him. Hikuleo took out his former faction mates before tagging out to Tanahashi.
Tanahashi lost the momentum Hikuleo gained after HoT worked together to isolate him. Taguchi was on the receiving end of the Tanahashi hot tag, but he, too, failed to achieve anything substantial. SHO landed a wrench shot and attempted the black arrow, but Hikuleo made the save. Hikuleo killed SHO with a choke slam and dragged Taguchi over SHO to secure the win for his team.
The Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb defeated Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI
This match opened with a brawl, leaving Cobb and O-Khan with a strong lead over YH. After an extended control period, a hot tag to Goto started to turn things around for his team. This rally eventually led to a match reset.
YH and Goto tried for Shoto, but YH opted for a dragonscrew after meeting resistance. YH locked in a kneebar, forcing O-Khan to make the save. After fighting off O-Khan, YH landed a headbutt and tried for a rollup for a near fall.
O-Khan fought back into the match, locking Goto into the sheep killer. Cobb followed this with a tour of the islands to YH, leading to the pin. O-Khan and Cobb established number-one contendership for the IWGP Tag Team championship with this win.
After the match, Cobb asked the commentary team, “where in the world is FTR?”.
Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI (Los Ingobernables de Japon) defeated Will Ospreay, Aaron Henare, TJP & Francesco Akira (United Empire)
Ospreay and Naito opened the match with a back-and-forth where neither man gained the upper hand. The pair then tagged in Henare and SANADA, respectively; LIJ gained the upper hand in this exchange with help from BUSHI and Hiromu.
The match broke down as TJP and Akira tried to even the odds. Once the order was restored, UE had control in the ring over BUSHI. This control segment was cut short as the match broke down again once both teams hit the ring.
The chaotic sequence ended with Akira attempting to unmask BUSHI. BUSHI was saved by a masked mystery junior who took out all of UE. BUSHI hit MX and pinned Akira after the masked guy rolled to the floor.
Naito and Ospreay had a scuffle over the US belt, setting up their November 5th title match. Once UE left, the masked man took a microphone and joined LIJ in the ring. He grunted and pulled off his mask, revealing another mask. Titán is Ingobernable.
NJPW World Television Championship
New Japan announced a new belt with a 15-minute time limit focused on high-speed, younger wrestlers. The belt exists in part to offer title matches for towns that typically don’t get significant championship bouts. The first champion will be crowned in a tournament that concludes at WrestleKingdom 17 on January 4th, 2023.
Master Wato defeated Taiji Ishimori
Wato opened the match by rushing down Ishimori. Ishimori forced Wato to the floor to buy a pause. On the floor, Ishimori took advantage, using his environment to slow the match while beating Wato down.
Back in the ring, Ishimori maintained this pace, keeping Wato grounded.
Wato eventually launched a rally that ended suddenly after he missed the RPP. Ishimori slammed Wato into the ring post, hit a shoulder breaker, and secured the bone lock. Wato blocked the bloody cross, but Ishimori transitioned into Hermosillo position. Wato had the answer, turning the driver into a Recientemente for a huge upset win.
Wato tried to cut a promo after beating the Junior Champion, but Hiromu hit the ring, taking his microphone. Before Hiromu could say anything, El Desperado hit the ring, taking the microphone from him. After a back-and-forth, the champion Ishimori grabbed the microphone and invited the 4-way title match.
Provisional KOPW 2022 Who’s Your Daddy match: Shingo Takagi (c) defeated El Phantasmo
This was a regular match, but the loser had to declare the winner is their “daddy”. It was played mostly straight, even with the stipulation.
Shingo gained a lead early, but instead of furthering his control with typical wrestling moves, Shingo opted to spank ELP. ELP gained an advantage himself with a pair of dives to the outside. Back in the ring, ELP continued to connect with dives, furthering his lead.
As Shingo started to rally, ELP cut him off by twisting his nipple; Shingo answered with a sudden DVD and used this opening to establish control. ELP managed to stay in the match by winning out in a strike exchange followed by a UFO. ELP then pulled Shingo to the top rope for a Frankensteiner and Thunderkiss ’86. ELP dropped Shingo with CR2 for a near fall.
Now desperate, ELP set Shingo up for CR3. Shingo avoided the move, transitioning into Made in Japan for a near fall of his own. The pair then turned to trading forearms, an exchange that Shingo won with a high kick. Shingo hit a piledriver for another near fall. Shingo transitioned into an octopus hold, and after an extended period, ELP submitted.
After the match, and after some hesitation, ELP held up his end of the stipulation, declaring, “Shingo is my daddy”. Shingo also dressed ELP in a shirt that read “Shingo is my daddy” with a pacifier.
After the humiliation, ELP asked “Papa” Shingo for a hug. Shingo obliged. ELP broke the hug with a low blow before landing a double-foot stomp to obliterate the KOPW championship trophy.
Kazuchika Okada defeated JONAH
This was a fantastic match.
JONAH used impressive shows of strength early to set the stage. JONAH forced Okada to change his game plan, opting for a plancha, taking the match to the outside. On the floor, JONAH used his power again, slamming Okada into the barricade and connecting with a powerbomb into the ring post to establish significant control. Back in the ring, JONAH continued his methodical beatdown.
Okada eventually landed a DDT to begin a rally. Okada connected with a dropkick to the knee, signifying the beginning of his path to victory. Okada continued attacking the legs to great success, gaining a lead for the first time. Okada only failed once he tried for a bodyslam, buying JONAH enough time to connect with a spear, re-establishing his control.
JONAH tried for a top rope shoulder block, but Okada caught him with a dropkick. Okada landed a chop block and turned to the money clip to force JONAH into the ropes. Okada finally landed the bodyslam, which he followed with an elbow drop.
Okada tried for a rainmaker, but JONAH ducked, transitioning into a colossal suplex. Okada barely kicked out of the follow-up lariat. Okada tried for a rainmaker again, but again, JONAH reversed, this time into a black forest bomb. JONAH looked to close with a torpedo, but Okada’s leg work bought him enough time on the ascent to escape JONAH on the descent.
Okada ducked JONAH’s lariat and landed a suplex of his own, starting an intense back-and-forth closing sequence. After landing two dropkicks, another bodyslam, and a rainmaker, Okada became the first man to pin JONAH in NJPW.
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jay White (c) defeated Tama Tonga
White started the match by establishing distance between himself and his challanger. A slap from Tama ended White’s early game. Tama tried gaining something of a lead, but an exploder over the top rope to the floor from White left the champion in a strong position. On the outside, White slammed Tama into the barricade, choked Tama with a camera cable, and smothered Tama with the apron.
Back in the ring, White continued to pick apart Tama. The slow pace eventually allowed Tama to connect with some offense, but White attacked the eyes to keep the match under his control.
A Tangan Twist reset the match, buying both men a breather. White tried to escape to the floor, but Tama pursed him, connecting with a second Tangan Twist on the outside. Back in the ring, Tama tried for a supreme flow, but White extended his knees, blocking the move and knocking the wind from Tama in what is becoming a theme of this match.
After stopping Tama in his tracks, White continued grinding down Tama with wear-down submissions and targeted blows. Tama eventually connected with a DDT, which he followed with another supreme flow attempt; this time, he landed.
Tama tried for a gun stun, but White blocked Tama’s finish. White tried for a rollup, but the official caught White’s feet on the ropes. White backed the referee into the corner, trying to intimidate him. With his back turned, White was prone for a gun stun, but White blocked again, crashing into the referee. With the referee down, White landed a low blow and tried for a chair shot. Tama avoided the chair shot and landed a low blow of his own. As the referee came to, Tama considered using the chair himself but chose to remain on the righteous path. Tama handed the official the chair, buying White an opportunity for blade runner. Tama escaped White’s finish, turning it into a pin, but the referee was busy discarding the weapon and missed the cover.
White and Tama traded chops in the center of the ring after the near ending. White connected with a German and a sleeper suplex to set up another blade runner attempt. Tama reversed again but, again, failed to hit the gun stun. White tried for another blade runner, but Tama slipped free once more and landed a bloody Sunday for a near fall. White stuffed two more gun stuns, the second opening Tama up for a barrage of White elbows. White hit a Regalplex and a bloody Sunday to set up his own gun stun; Tama answered, finally landing the gun stun. White kicked out.
A fast sequence of finisher attempts began as the inevitable end drew near. After avoiding another gun stun and a second rope gun stun, White hit Tama with a blade runner to win the match and retain his belt.
After the match, White cut a promo. White spent a lot of time praising Tama before transitioning into a self-congratulatory speech.
Okada met White in the ring to further build their upcoming match at WrestleKingdom.
This was one of the best New Japan shows of the year. The product felt fresh as the build to WrestleKingdom begins. For the first time in a long time, I’m looking forward to what New Japan has in store.
KUSHIDA’s continued recovery from Hand, foot, and mouth disease has forced two changes to Monday’s NJPW Declaration of Power lineup.
Originally scheduled to face KUSHIDA, Taiji Ishimori will now take on Master Wato in a singles match. Although Ishimori holds the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, the match was always planned to be a non-title bout, an is still a non-title bout.
Wato had been set for eight-man tag action on the show, but that match has now been changed to a six-man, with Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hikuleo, and Ryusuke Taguchi facing House of Torture’s EVIL, Yujiro Takahashi, and SHO.
The new lineup for Monday’s event:
NJPW Declaration of Power, Monday, October 10, 4 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World —
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jay White (c) vs. Tama Tonga
Kazuchika Okada vs. JONAH
Provisional KOPW 2022 Who’s Your Daddy match: Shingo Takagi vs. El Phantasmo
Taiji Ishimori vs. Master Wato
Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI vs. Will Ospreay, Aaron Henare, TJP & Francesco Akira
Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI vs. The Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb
NJPW Declaration of Power is taking place at Sumo Hall in Tokyo on Monday, October 10. In the main event of the show, Jay White will defend his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Tama Tonga.
Kazuchika Okada vs. JONAH, a provisional KOPW 2022 title match between Shingo Takagi and El Phantasmo, and a non-title match with IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori facing KUSHIDA are also set for Declaration of Power.
Among the new additions to the undercard is an eight-man tag with Will Ospreay, Aaron Henare, TJP & Francesco Akira facing Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI. The match comes in advance of Ospreay defending his IWGP United States Heavyweight title against Naito at Battle Autumn in Osaka on November 5.
Declaration of Power is being held on the National Sports Day holiday in Japan. The show will air live on NJPW World starting at 4 a.m. Eastern time.
The full card for the show is listed below:
NJPW Declaration of Power (Monday, October 10) —
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jay White defends against Tama Tonga
Kazuchika Okada vs. JONAH
Provisional KOPW 2022 Champion Shingo Takagi defends against El Phantasmo in a “Who’s Your Daddy” match (After the match, the loser must take the microphone and tell the winner “You are my daddy.”)
Non-title match: IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori vs. KUSHIDA
Will Ospreay, Aaron Henare, TJP & Francesco Akira vs. Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI
Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hikuleo, Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato vs. EVIL, Yujiro Takahashi, SHO & Dick Togo
Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi vs. Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito
Ren Narita’s homecoming match: Ren Narita, David Finlay & Robbie Eagles vs. El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & DOUKI (Narita’s first match following his excursion to the United States)
Three new matches have been added to NJPW’s Declaration of Power event for October 10.
New matches for the upcoming Sumo Hall event include Taiji Ishimori vs. KUSHIDA in a non-title match, Shingo Takagi vs. El Phantasmo in a “who’s your daddy” match for the KOPW 2022 trophy, and Ren Narita returning from excursion against an unknown opponent.
Ishimori has rebuffed KUSHIDA’s challenges for an IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match since returning to the company earlier this summer. NJPW’s website mentions that if KUSHIDA were to get the victory at Declaration of Power, he would get a title shot down the line.
ELP and Shingo Takagi have been feuding following the G1 Climax tournament in August. At the final Burning Spirit tour event on Sunday morning, the two argued following a tag match, with Shingo saying he was the daddy and ELP saying otherwise.
After three years training at the LA Dojo, Narita is set to make his return to NJPW in what is being billed as a “homecoming match”. His opponent was not named.
Here is the card so far for Declaration of Power:
Jay White vs. Tama Tonga for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
Kazuchika Okada vs. JONAH
Non-title: Taiji Ishimori vs. KUSHIDA
KOPW 2022 trophy: Shingo Takagi vs. EL Phantasmo in a “who’s your daddy” match
Jay White’s next defense of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship is officially set.
NJPW has announced that White will put the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on the line against Tama Tonga at Declaration of Power on Monday, October 10. The event is being held at Sumo Hall in Tokyo.
Tonga challenging White for the title was set up by Tonga defeating White when they faced off in the G1 Climax.
Kazuchika Okada was crowned the winner of this year’s G1 Climax and is set to challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 17 next January. At Declaration of Power, Okada will face off with JONAH in a special singles match.
Okada vs. JONAH was also set up by JONAH defeating Okada in the G1. The winner of the G1 usually has to defend their Wrestle Kingdom title shot on the road to the Tokyo Dome, but Okada stated that he wants to elevate the prestige of the G1 by guaranteeing that the winner of the tournament gets their Wrestle Kingdom title match without having to defend the rights.
White vs. Tonga and Okada vs. JONAH are the first two matches set for Declaration of Power. NJPW noted that the show name is making its return as part of the company’s 50th anniversary celebration.
“October 10 will see NJPW return to Ryogoku Sumo Hall, with a traditional national sports day holiday event back on the calendar,” NJPW wrote. “This time, as NJPW continues to revive classic tour names from our 50 year history, Declaration of Power is back from being a regular series through the late 1990s and early 2000s.
NJPW Declaration of Power (October 10) —
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jay White defends against Tama Tonga
