Ospreay defeated Lance Archer in the opening match of Sunday’s NJPW Dominion event. Despite Archer jumping Ospreay as he was making his entrance, Ospreay still managed to pick up the win, pinning Archer in around eight minutes with the stormchaser.
After the match, Ospreay called out Omega, saying he should have killed him when he had the chance because he is coming for revenge. He said he will talk into his territory, enter Canada, and take back with him the IWGP United States Championship. Forbidden Door, the joint event between AEW and NJPW, will take place in Toronto later this month on June 25.
Ospreay and Omega first faced off at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4. On that day, Ospreay lost the IWGP United States title to Omega. Back in April, a mini-tournament began to determine Omega’s next challenger. Ospreay defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to advance, while Lance Archer defeated Fred Rosser.
NJPW Dominion takes place today at Osaka-Jo Hall with seven title matches, a number one contender’s bout, plus the reveal of the G1 Climax 33 field.
Headlining, SANADA defends the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Yota Tsuji, the newest member of Los Ingobernables de Japon. This is Tsuji’s first major match back after his international excursion, and he is starting right at the top of the card.
In the semi-main, Hiromu Takahashi defends the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against Best of the Super Juniors winner Master Wato.
AEW’s Jon Moxley, ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli, and Shota Umino will challenge Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Tomohiro Ishii for the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship.
David Finlay defends the NEVER Openweight Championship against El Phantasmo.
Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) will face House of Torture (EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi) and United Empire (Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare) in a three-way for the vacant IWGP Tag Team and NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships.
Zack Sabre Jr. will defend the NJPW World TV Championship against Jeff Cobb.
KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight defend the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship against TJP & Francesco Akira.
Taichi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, DOUKI & TAKA Michinoku face Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi, BUSHI & Titan.
In the opener, Will Ospreay takes on Lance Archer in a tournament final to decide the number one contender to Kenny Omega’s IWGP United States Championship.
The participants for this summer’s G1 Climax 33 tournament will also be revealed during the show.
Our live coverage begins at 3 a.m. Eastern time.
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IWGP United States Heavyweight Title #1 Contendership Match: Will Ospreay defeated Lance Archer
This match was built around Ospreay surviving Archer’s physical advantage. It worked quite well and made for a great opener.
Archer opened the match by flatlining Ospreay and taking the fight to the floor. A forearm and a dive from Ospreay turned the match around, setting up an extended rally.
Back in the ring, Archer regained control, using his size to maintain advantage. A blackout from the top rope scored Archer a near fall.
Archer’s extended control ended when Ospreay hit a hidden blade. After the first, Ospreay landed multiple hidden blades to secure the win.
After the match, Ospreay called out Kenny Omega, “in Canada”.
Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Shingo Takagi, Tetsuya Naito & Titan) defeated Just 5 Guys (DOUKI, Taichi, TAKA Michinoku & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)
The match opened with an LIJ-initiated brawl. J5G held their own, establishing an early control despite the early rush. From here, the teams struggled for the lead with multiple back-and-forths.
J5G used tandem attacks to maintain control when possible, which forced LIJ to rush the ring. Ultimately, J5G’s willingness to use tandem attack’s backfired as LIJ fired back, clearing the ring and allowing Titan to submit TAKA to win the match.
The match opened with a rapid back-and-forth between the teams. IJS was the first to gain advantage, emerging from the four-way fight with a short lead, but Catch 22 was quick to fire back.
TJP and Akira worked to isolate Knight, forcing a hot tag. KUSHIDA’s attempt for a rally wasn’t met without resistance, as Catch 22 fought off his attempts to finish. Catch 22 connected with a double knee, forcing Knight to make the save and forcing KUSHIDA on the back foot.
A double stomp from Akira forced a nearfall, but IJS bounced back with an extended rally. Even with the rally, Catch 22 was able to hold on, landing a double knee to Knight and securing the win and securing a second tag title reign.
After the match Clark Conners and Dan Mahoney of Bullet Club attacked the new champions, almost definitely setting up a future title challenge.
NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. (c) defeated Jeff Cobb
This was another fantastic ZSJ NJPW World TV Championship defense.
The match opened with a back-and-forth, favoring neither man. ZSJ attempted to take the match to the floor while Cobb tried using his power in an attempt to establish a lead. The totally fluid match featured nothing but back-and-forths from the men, a kind of trademark from the TV title scene.
A suplex from ZSJ allowed him to establish a lead around the halfway mark. Cobb answered back with a throw of his own, a spin cycle, and a suplex. Looking to close, Cobb attempted Tour of the Islands, but ZSJ transitioned into a pin and squeaked out with another win in his TV title reign.
IWGP Tag Team Championship: Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) defeated United Empire (Aaron Henare & Great-O-Khan) and House Of Torture (EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi)
Before the match could begin, HOT rushed UE. YH and Goto helped to fight off the initial HOT rush, but the chaos continued for quite some time, with UE and HOT trading control with Bishamon providing a constant check.
UE eventually isolated Yujiro and scored a pin on him, but Dick Togo interrupted what would have been a title win. This led to an extended period of chaos, with all three teams trading momentum. Through the fog, Bishamon emerged, hitting Yujiro with Shoto to win the match and win the IWGP tag belts.
After the match, Alex Coughlin and Gabrial Kidd Rushed the new champions while wearing Bullet Club colors.
G1 Climax Lineup
Kazuchika Okada, Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, Will Ospreay, Hiroshi Tanahashi, David Finlay, Shota Umino, Shingo Takagi, Tomohiro Ishii, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, Hikuleo, Hirooki Goto, Yoshihashi, Toru Yano, KENTA, Zack Sabre Jr, TAICHI, Eddie Kingston, El Phantasmo, Ren Narita, EVIL, Chase Owens, Jeff Cobb, Great-O-Khan, Aaron Henare, Gabriel Kidd, Alex Coughlin, Shane Haste, Mikey Nichols, Yota Tsuji, & Kaito Kiyomiya
NEVER Openweight Championship: David Finlay (c) defeated El Phantasmo
This match opened with a brawl on the outside, and ELP took advantage, landing a dive to wipe Finlay out. Back in the ring, ELP maintained this lead, landing everything he wanted for some time. Finlay took the lead by using the outside to establish a BC-style lead.
Back in the ring, Finlay picked ELP apart for quite some time. Finlay missed a hidden blade which opened the door for an ELP dropkick, resetting the match, but a BC distraction allowed Finlay to maintain control.
An ELP rally featuring a DDT and a strike exchange left the factionless competitor ahead for some time. Finlay fought back and led his extended period of control, but both were uneventful.
ELP tried fighting off Finlay’s backup, but this bought Finlay enough time to fight back and drive ELP through a table. Finlay closed the match with into oblivion to retain hi
The match opened with a back-and-forth that had both men fighting on the floor. In the ring, Hiromu managed to establish a lead before landing a suplex on the entrance ramp.
A short rally from Wato turned into a full-blown lead after Wato landed a dive. In the ring, Wato continued to make advances, securing a submission and forcing Hiromu into the ropes.
Hiromu reversed a Wato dive into a suplex, resetting the flow of the match. From here, both men traded advantage, but Hiromu led most of the exchanges.
Wato tried for multiple quick pins before locking in a submission in the center of the ring. Hiromu eventually found the ropes and reversed Wato’s attempt to finish with a barrage of heavy offense.
Wato bounced back and landed a German suplex for a convincing nearfall. Hiromu answered with a timebomb attempt, but Wato kicked out. To finish, Hiromu hit timebomb 2 and pinned Wato.
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship: CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii) & Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) defeated The Blackpool Combat Club (Claudio Castagnoli & Jon Moxley) & Shota Umino
This tension-heavy match opened with Tanahashi and Claudio. Both men wrestled for control, but Claudio whipped Tanashi into the corner. CHAOS fired back, rushing the ring and establishing control over Tanahashi.
Once Tanahashi and Umino came to blows, Okada cemented his seniority. Shota fought back by slamming Okada into a table, buying the rest of BCC the opportunity to tag into the match.
BCC were able to isolate Okada as a unit, forcing Ishii to involve himself in the scuffle. Even with Ishii’s involvement, BCC worked to sequester Okada, eventually causing a hot tag.
The match broke down shortly after the tag, with every man getting in significant offense. Okada broke up a pin following a Moxley curb stomp, but BCC maintained control for some time.
Ishii dropped Moxley with a lariat, opening the match up for a Shota/Okada double tag. Shota and Okada traded moves, but it was clear Okada had his number at virtually every turn.
Claudio hit the ring to interrupt Okada’s advance. He swung Okada for a while before hitting a triple powerbomb with his team.
Umino tried continuing the advance, but Okada answered with a dropkick. This led to another free-for-all. Okada emerged from the fog in the ring with Shota. He planted Shota with a rainmaker to win the rematch and retain his team’s belts.
After the match, Moxley teased Bryan Danielson before a video package played revealing Danielson as a future opponent for Okada. Okada answered by saying the forbidden door would be open, perhaps setting up a match a AEW’s upcoming PPV.
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: SANADA (c) defeated Yota Tsuji
The opening saw SANADA and Yota struggle for control in a typical wrestling match. SANADA fought back, but Yota was able to use his size to maintain a lead for some time. Yota hit a big spear to send SANADA to the floor, followed by a dive to secure control early.
SANADA interrupted a spear with a knee before locking in a submission to put Yota on the backfoot. When SANADA tried for a moonsault, Yota blocked with his knees, resetting the match.
Yota and SANADA traded strikes in the middle of the ring, with Yota winning out. Yota then locked in a Boston crab, furthering his lead.
Yota missed a moonsault, buying SANADA an opportunity to recover. SANADA then lead a substantial bounce back.
A strike exchange between the pair left Yota ahead once again. Yota hit a curb stomp and a spinning bomb for a nearfall. After nearly winning the match, Yota lifted SANADA to the top rope and hit a Spanish fly for another nearfall.
SANADA tried for finishes twice, but both times Yota avoided them. Yota then hit a leaping headbutt for a nearfall.
SANADA answered Yota’s advance with a moonsault and a shining wizard. SANADA then transitioned into deadfall, which he hit to retain the belt and keep New Japan’s newest challenger at bay.
After the match, SANADA cut a promo. He hyped up Yota and J5G before promising to win the G1 as IWGP champion.
NJPW had revealed the full lineup for Dominion set for Osaka on Sunday, June 4.
Seven title matches, a number one contender’s match, plus one undercard tag team bout are scheduled for the nine-match broadcast portion of the event.
After being announced by Shota Umino at Sunday’s Best of the Super Juniors finals, NJPW has confirmed that Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Umino will challenge Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Tomohiro Ishii for the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team titles at Dominion.
Coming off his Best of the Super Juniors tournament win, Master Wato will challenge Hiromu Takahashi for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship at the event.
Also newly announced for the show, KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight will defend their IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles against former title holders TJP & Francesco Akira of United Empire.
Already announced, SANADA will defend the IWGP World Heavyweight title against Yota Tsuji in the main event, David Finlay defends the NEVER Openweight title against El Phantasmo, Zack Sabre Jr. defends the NJPW World TV title against Jeff Cobb, Bishamon faces House of Torture for the vacant IWGP Tag Team & NJPW Strong Tag Team titles, plus Will Ospreay faces Lance Archer to determine the number on contender to Kenny Omega’s IWGP United States title.
The undercard tag team bout will feature members of Los Ingobernables de Japon vs. members of Just Five Guys.
The G1 Climax 33 competitors will also be unveiled at Dominion. The G1 will take place from July 15 to August 13.
A dark match will also take place for the live crowd in Osaka, a Young Lion gauntlet match with up to 200,000 Yen worth of yakkiniku barbecue on the line.
The full card:
NJPW Dominion, Sunday, June 4, 3 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World —
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: SANADA defends against Yota Tsuji
NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii defend against Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Shota Umino
NEVER Openweight Championship: David Finlay defends against El Phantasmo
Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) vs. House of Torture (EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi) for the vacant IWGP Tag Team & NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships
NJPW World TV Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. defends against Jeff Cobb
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight defend against TJP & Francesco Akira
Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi, BUSHI & Titan vs. Taichi, TAKA Michinoku, DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
IWGP US title number one contender’s tournament finals: Will Ospreay vs. Lance Archer
Dark match: Young Lion gauntlet — Oskar Leube vs. Ryohei Oiwa, Boltin Oleg & Yuto Nakashima
An AEW star is heading to Japan to make his long-awaited NJPW debut.
At NJPW’s Best of the Super Juniors finals, it was revealed that Claudio Castagnoli will be in action at Dominion on Sunday, June 4. Castagnoli, Jon Moxley & Shota Umino are set to challenge Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii for the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team titles.
The announcement was made by Umino after an eight-man tag match at the BOSJ finals. Umino, Ren Narita, El Desperado & Mike Bailey defeated Okada, Tanahashi, Ishii & Ryusuke Taguchi when Narita submitted Taguchi.
Umino got on the microphone following the match and issued a challenge for the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team titles at Dominion. Umino declared that his partners would be Moxley & Castagnoli.
In AEW, Castagnoli and Moxley are stablemates in the Blackpool Combat Club.
Moxley teamed with Umino and Blackpool Combat Club’s Wheeler Yuta at NJPW Resurgence in California last week, defeating Okada, Ishii & Rocky Romero.
While this will be his NJPW debut, Castagnoli did wrestle at AEW & NJPW’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view in 2022. In what was Castagnoli’s first match for AEW, he defeated Zack Sabre Jr.
Castagnoli is the current ROH World Champion.
Dominion will be the first time Moxley has wrestled in Japan since 2020. The event is being held at Osaka-jo Hall and will stream live on NJPW World.
The IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship number one contender’s tournament finals are set for NJPW Dominion on June 4.
Will Ospreay defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi at Sunday’s Resurgence pay-per-view to advance to the tournament finals at Dominion set for Sunday, June 4 in Osaka. Ospreay will now face Lance Archer at Dominion, with the winner set to challenge Kenny Omega for the IWGP US title at a later date, most likely AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door in Toronto on Sunday, June 25.
Ospreay pinned Tanahashi after hitting a Storm Breaker to advance to the finals. The bout was just the second career singles meeting between Ospreay and Tanahashi, with the other taking place in August 2019 during the G1 Climax tournament. Ospreay also won that bout.
The updated Dominion lineup:
NJPW Dominion, Sunday, June 4, 3 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World —
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: SANADA defends against Yota Tsuji
NEVER Openweight Championship: David Finlay defends against El Phantasmo
IWGP US title number one contender’s tournament finals: Will Ospreay vs. Lance Archer
Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) vs. House of Torture (EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi) for the vacant IWGP Tag Team & NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships
Next month, Jon Moxley will wrestle on Japanese soil for the first time since 2020.
Moxley is returning to Japan as part of the card for NJPW Dominion. His match for the show has yet to be confirmed, but it appears that NJPW is building to Moxley challenging for the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team titles.
Moxley told Sports Illustrated that returning to Japan is something that he’s “really stoked” about. He’s worked for NJPW in the United States since 2020, but it’s not the same thing to him as wrestling in Japan.
“I’m really stoked about going back to Japan,” Moxley said. “Now I don’t have to worry about going back and forth between New Japan and AEW. The working relationship is really good, and that makes it easy for me. I still work for New Japan Strong in the U.S., but it’s not the same as being over there in Japan. It’s been so long. I need it. There are still a lot of big matchups. I’m really excited about it.”
Moxley will be in action at NJPW Resurgence in California this Sunday, teaming with Wheeler Yuta & Shota Umino against Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii & Rocky Romero.
Okada, Ishii & Hiroshi Tanahashi are the current NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions.
Moxley and Okada have never faced each other before, but Okada believes that Moxley’s charisma is “incredible.”
“Moxley is a wrestler with great charisma,” Okada told Sports Illustrated. “I can’t really speak to how good he is until I wrestle him, but I can definitely say that Moxley’s charisma is incredible. So yes, I’m very excited for Long Beach.”
Tanahashi is facing Will Ospreay in a singles match at Resurgence. The winner will advance to Dominion to face Lance Archer in the finals of NJPW’s IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship tournament. The wrestler who wins that match will be next in line for a shot at Kenny Omega’s title.
Dominion is being held in Osaka on Sunday, June 4.
Kenny Omega will defend the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship against the winner of an upcoming number one contender’s tournament.
NJPW announced Sunday that Omega will face the winner of a four-man tournament, with the number one contender being decided at Dominion on June 4. The tournament participants will be Hiroshi Tanahashi, Will Ospreay, Lance Archer, and Juice Robinson.
Archer will take on Robinson at Collision in Philadelphia on Sunday, April 16, while Tanahashi vs. Ospreay is set for Resurgence in Long Beach, California on Sunday, May 21.
The Archer vs. Robinson and Tanahashi vs. Ospreay winners will face off at Dominion in Osaka-Jo Hall on Sunday, June 4 to cement the top contender to Omega’s title.
No date has been announced for Omega’s eventual defense against the winner, but AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door in Toronto on Sunday, June 25 seems a logical destination for that match.
Ospreay, Tanahashi, Archer, and Robinson are all former IWGP US Champions.
Omega defeated Ospreay at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4 in the Tokyo Dome to win the IWGP US title, kicking off his second reign with the Championship.
Omega had his first tile defense of his current reign against Jeff Cobb on the March 29 episode of AEW Dynamite.
