Tag: NJPW results

NJPW G1 Climax 35 live results: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Ryohei Oiwa

Posted on by Corey Michaels

NJPW G1 Climax 35 continues today in Nagoya with a show featuring five A Block matches.

In the main event, company president Hiroshi Tanahashi faces the up and coming Ryohei Oiwa in a matchup of two wrestlers with 4 points each in the tournament. It will be the first career singles meeting between the two.

In the semi-main, EVIL and Yuya Uemura go head-to-head in another first-ever singles matchup between them. EVIL is tied for the A Block lead with 6 points, while Uemura has 4 points.

SANADA and Taichi will square off in another A Block battle. SANADA has 2 points, while Taichi has 4. These two have met seven times in singles matches in their careers, with SANADA holding a 6-1 edge.

David Finlay and Callum Newman go one-on-one in the show’s second tournament bout in yet another first-time meeting. Both enter the bout with 2 points each.

In the first tournament match of the night, Yota Tsuji faces Boltin Oleg, with the winner in position to take the A Block lead with a victory. Both are tied with EVIL with 6 points atop A Block to this point.

A series of tag team matches previewing the next B Block matches fills out today’s undercard. The show begins at 4 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World.

**********

Tag matches

El Phantasmo & Jado defeated United Empire (Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young)

(Phantasmo was in great form for an opener. His banter with Young was hilarious.)

Khan seemed to have early control after the bell when he grappled with Phantasmo. Jado had the misfortune of Khan applying the pressure of his weight seated on the top rope turnbuckle. Jado clenched a comeback after a lariat, to which Phantasmo followed up on with a plancha to Khan and Young. Back in the ring, Phantasmo landed a Canadian Revolution 2 on Young for the win.

Katsuya Murashima & Shota Umino defeated Daiki Nagai & Shingo Takagi

(Murashima has great potential. Hopefully soon, he’ll have a great stable to join. Umino was actually pretty fine here. Nagai is settling in well with Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi, and Yota Tsuji in the Los Ingobernables de Japon remnants.)

Nagai tagged in Takagi after quickly gaining an advantage over Murashima. Umino got the better of Takagi with a Fisherman Suplex, but ate a lariat for his troubles. Murashima briefly had control until Nagai unleashed a Spinebuster and a Boston Crab. Exchanging lariats, Takagi eventually overwhelmed Umino. Murashima tapped Nagai out with a Boston Crab.

BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Drilla Moloney & Taiji Ishimori) defeated House Of Torture (Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)

(Easily digestible. This knew what it had to be and didn’t overstay its welcome. Moloney and Ishimori were splendid.)

Narita and Kanemaru bore down on Ishimori, who escaped with a big boot to the former. A huge dropkick by Moloney to Narita kept him in solid control, later followed by a Spinebuster. Kanemaru avoided Ishimori’s offense by throwing the referee in his way and locked in a figure-four leglock. Ishimori reversed another figure-four leglock into a cradle and later a Gedo Clutch for the pinfall.

TMDK (Hartley Jackson & Zack Sabre Jr.) defeated The Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero)

(Using TMDK to combine their efforts on Romero was a smart play. In that, they forced Takeshita to work more on a handicap basis, even when Romero was active. This also paid dividends in the end for Jackson to put Romero away. The prospect of Sabre and Takeshita leaves me salivating; they have every potential for a barn-burner.)

Jackson used his strength and Sabre utilized his submission maneuvering to promptly weaken Romero. Sabre continued bullying Romero, taunting Takeshita in the process. Takeshita flew in with a kick to Sabre, but couldn’t faze Jackson with one so he threw in a stiff forearm. Following a dense octopus hold, Sabre was rendered incapacitated with Takeshita’s lariat. Jackson smashed Romero with a Senton. Romero gave a valiant last stand, but ultimately fell to Jackson’s Jagged Edge as Sabre and Takeshita brawled against a barricade.

G1 Climax 2025 Block A Matches

Yota Tsuji defeated Oleg Boltin

(Holy heck. This started off tonight’s Block A matches right. Tsuji and Boltin left my blood flowing on this one.)

A Boltin Shake dizzied Tsuji in the early goings. Further overbearing on Tsuji, he wrenched in a Boston Crab. Boltin crashed over the barricade courtesy of Tsuji’s Tope Suicida. Boltin and Tsuji battled for leverage, with a Gene Blaster superseding a German suplex. A Kamikaze by Boltin caused considerable damage. Nagoya’s voice grew resonant as the pair battled on the top rope, but Tsuji grounded both men and won via a Gene Blaster.

Callum Newman defeated David Finlay

(Newman getting this win is definitely good for his NJPW resume, putting him in a good place. As El Phantasmo and Walker Stewart brilliantly illustrated on commentary, Finlay is desperate to get a win over Hiroshi Tanahashi like the other leaders of Bullet Club and despite his ruthlessness in this match, this thought haunted him the entire time. Good stuff.)

Newman wasted no time, dropkicking Finlay, raining down punches, and another dropkick—Finlay couldn’t even take off his jacket. From the ring, Finlay sent Newman flying to the outside. Irate, he tossed Newman through the chairs amid a dispersing Nagoya audience. Refusing to lose, Newman endured the many punishments of Finlay. A big boot lent Newman space to recover. A superkick + lariat combination seemed to have given a harder grip on the match, but an Oblivion wrought devastation on his opponent. Finlay sought a powerbomb, but Newman transitioned it into a sitout pin for the victory.

SANADA defeated Taichi

(I wasn’t a fan of this. Granted, Milano Collection A.T. and Masatora Yasuda were some pleasant surprises to this.)

Interrupting his own theme song, Taichi went to work on SANADA with no hesitation. Matching this energy, SANADA brought Taichi to the outside, leaving Nagoya to once more be inconvenienced out of their seats. Milano Collection A.T. on commentary came to Taichi’s aid, throwing SANADA into a chair. With some kicks, Taichi at last had some momentum, until Yoshinobu Kanemaru accosted him. SANADA reached for an underhanded tactic, but attempted a top rope move instead. This gave Taichi room for offense, ending with a backdrop.

SANADA grabbed Referee Marty Asami to trounce a Black Mephisto attempt. Taichi’s jackknife pin was close, but Kanemaru pulled Asami ahead of the 3-count. Low blow by SANADA, combined with a Shining Wizard would have given him an easy win, had it not been for an intervening Young Lion Masatora Yasuda. Taichi hesitated slamming SANADA’s guitar over his head, wasting enough time for Kanemaru to return with a Whiskey Mist. SANADA finally used the guitar on Taichi for the win.

Post-match: SANADA and Kanemaru looked as though they would assault Taichi more, before Yasuda met them in defense of Taichi. They gave him a beatdown and left.

Yuya Uemura defeated EVIL

(House of Torture matches are actually good when they get a comeuppance. Uemura being the hopeful, shining beacon for that despite the drama and the shenanigans made up for this being the stable’s second consecutive match.)

Uemura showed promise once the bell rang, but EVIL and Don Fale teamed up to torment him on the outside. EVIL worked Uemura’s back, yet that didn’t stop him from delivering a back suplex. Dick Togo distracted Uemura, giving EVIL ample opportunity to toss his opponent to the outside for a beatdown by Fale and Togo. Uemura caught EVIL with an armbar, to which Fale distracted the referee. Togo followed this with a chairshot to Uemura’s back.

Fed up with the distractions, Uemura dove onto Fale and took out Togo. EVIL fired back with Darkness Falls and a lariat. Deadbolt Suplex gave Uemura the 3-count pinfall.

Main event — G1 Climax Block A

Ryohei Oiwa defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi

(My enjoyment of Tanahashi’s retirement run stems from how sincere his desperation gets; he doesn’t need to do it with meandering promos or low blows. He does it all with in-ring storytelling. It’s endearing: he faces his matches in his twilight like a young man in the dawn of his career. Oiwa benefits from this immensely, as he’s one of the young stars that evokes what Tanahashi was in his prime.)

Tanahashi and Oiwa were evenly matched in their lock-ups, but Oiwa showed flashes of brilliance with a headlock takedown. Tanahashi grounded his opponent, working Oiwa’s legs. A dropkick supplanted the Ace, yet the harm done to Oiwa’s legs still remained evident. Oiwa withstood a big forearm and a Twist’n’Shout to toss the veteran from the top rope to the center of the ring. Tanahashi halted Oiwa’s upward trajectory with a German suplex. Oiwa swung a comeback, catching Tanahashi mid-air with a wristlock.

Oiwa stole the Ace’s High Fly Flow, succeeded with a Doctor Bomb. Clenching in a sleeper hold, Oiwa tossed a spinning lariat. Defying a cradle by Tanahashi, Oiwa pulled out another spinning lariat, this time putting Tanahashi down for good. With a pinfall, Oiwa progressed in the G1 Climax.

The tag matches tonight were fun, but not required viewing, save for TMDK versus the Don Callis Family. The Block A matches profited from Boltin and Tsuji’s war, Newman’s upset over Finlay, Uemura surviving the House of Torture, and Tanahashi’s stand against Oiwa. The structure, storytelling, and finish for Taichi versus SANADA left a sour taste in my mouth, sweetened only by Yasuda and Milano’s assistance.

NJPW G1 Climax 35 live results: Shingo Takagi vs. Konosuke Takeshita

Posted on by Corey Michaels

NJPW’s G1 Climax 35 tournament rolls on tonight with four B Block matches in Ota.

In the main event, Shingo Takagi faces Konosuke Takeshita in one of the more highly-anticipated matchups of the tournament. Takeshita enters the match with 4 points, while Shingo has 2 points, with his only win so far coming via forfeit due to Gabe Kidd’s injury and withdrawal.

Three more B Block matches are set for the show.

Shota Umino and Ren Narita will match up in the semi-main event. Both enter the contest with 4 points thus far in the G1.

Zack Sabre Jr. will take on El Phantasmo in a battle of two wrestlers each with 2 points.

B Block leader YOSHI-HASHI and his 6 points will face Great-O-Khan (2 points) in the night’s first tournament bout.

A series of tag team matches previewing the next A Block battles fill out today’s undercard.

The show kicks off at 2 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World.

**********

Pre-show

The NJPW roster joined ringside during a tribute to the late Hulk Hogan who passed away on July 25, 2025 at the age of 71.

Main card

Oleg Boltin & Toru Yano defeated Daiki Nagai & Yota Tsuji

(Nagai has shown promise thus far with the LiJ alumni during this early stretch of the G1.)

Boltin had the early advantage over Tsuji, culminating in a Boltin Shake. Nagai joined Tsuji in planting Boltin with a 2-on-1 suplex. Yano removed the turnbuckle pad, as is his wont, but Nagai outsmarted him right into the exposed corner. Spinebuster by Nagai whittled down the veteran, but resulted in a Demon Killler powerbomb, giving Yano and Boltin the victory.

United Empire (Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young) defeated BULLET CLUB War Dogs (David Finlay & Gedo)

(Optimistic win for the United Empire’s junior members.)

Newman forewent the formalities during Finlay’s entrance as he interrupted. The pair brawled, with Finlay tossing Newman into chairs amid a fleeing crowd. Back in the ring, he controlled Newman’s arm, with Gedo offering additional punishment. Young fended off Gedo using his legs; a dropkick rattled him further. Neman saved Young from Finlay’s Dominator before they combined their offense to him and Gedo. Young pinned Gedo via Jakob’s Ladder to win the match.

House Of Torture (SANADA & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) defeated Masatora Yasuda & Taichi

(If Taichi were to start a new stable, Yanemaru would be a great addition.)

House of Torture immediately went to work on Yasuda and Taichi, the former of which wore on SANADA. Taichi found himself dragged to the chairs as SANADA clobbered him with a water bottle (before politely handing it back to the commentator he stole it from). Yasuda had no choice but to withstand the wrath of Kanemaru and SANADA until landing a scoop slam despite his softened knee. Wrist control and spry legs gave Taichi an edge that overwhelmed Kanemaru and SANADA. Once more into the Ota crowd, SANADA send Taichi into a commentary table.

At last, Taichi swung a comeback in the form of a lariat to SANADA. Kanemaru landed on his shoulders following Yasuda’s heightened dropkick. With a Boston Crab vigorously in place on Yasuda, SANADA tapped him out.

Post-match: Unsatisfied for the first two times, SANADA returned Taichi into the crowd.

House Of Torture (Dick Togo & EVIL) defeated Tomoaki Honma & Yuya Uemura

(I’d have preferred a Uemura win, but that’s just me. As far as House of Torture matches go, this didn’t overstay its welcome.

Re-using their teammates’ game plan from the previous match, House of Torture swarmed their opponents. Honma flattened Togo before paying homage to Hulk Hogan. Togo regained command of the match in working Honma’s arm. EVIL and Don Fale rung the ring bell to distract the referee after Togo landed an Italian Fistdrop to Honma. Uemura was unleashed next, yet EVIL tossed him to Togo and Fale for extra damage. Gritting his teeth through the pain, Uemura battled past his abdomen pain working in tandem with Honma to wear down EVIL. Togo broke up Honma’s pin to EVIL after a successful Kokeshi. Magic Killer by House of Torture to Honma gave the stable yet another victory.

Post-match: EVIL, Togo, and Fale wrenched the knee of Uemura, even as Young Lions attempted to pull them away.

TMDK (Hartley Jackson & Ryohei Oiwa) defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima

(While building Tanahashi and Oiwa up later, NJPW put Jackson to good use in giving Murashima a spot to shine and show his character’s strength and cunning.)

Oiwa locked up with Tanahashi, with the Ace geting the upper hand twice. He followed with a flying crossbody. A Twist’n’Shout gave Tanahashi confidence, but Oiwa powered out. Murashima sought to test his girth and strength against Jackson but quickly lost his composure. A senton by Jackson winded Murashima. Jackson bullied young Murashima until he fired back with a pounce. Oiwa held Tanahashi on the apron to watch as Jackson dropped Murashima with a Jagged Edge for the win.

G1 Climax B-Block

Great-O-Khan defeated YOSHI-HASHI

(Yoshi-Hashi’s story during this year’s G1 Climax remains compelling, a desperation to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, so setbacks like these set the drama up quite well.

Khan’s strength hinted at early benefits, but YOSHI-HASHI double-palmed him to the mat. Dropping YOSHI-HASHI onto the ring apron, Khan punctuated this devastating enviornmental-assisted assault with his trademark sit on a precariously perched YOSHI-HASHI on the tope rope. Gaining speed, Khan fell victim to a Head Hunter by a defiant YOSHI-HASHI. Refusing YOSHI-HASHI’s fisherman suplexes and tombstone piledrivers, Khan landed a DDT but couldn’t capitalize. Clutching Khan’s wrist, YOSHI-HASHI weakened Khan only to run into Khan’s Pop-Up eliminator. YOSHI-HASHI unfortunately ran into Khan’s Claw, ultimately finished off by his Eliminator.

Zack Sabre Jr. defeated El Phantasmo

(Immediately one of this year’s G1 Climax’s best matches. A wonderful story build on respect, told with desperate moves in the final stretch to create a perfect drama.)

Phantasmo wriggled out of Sabre’s every technical maneuver. In one particular pin attempt, Sabre bridged out. Each man traded holds in an attempt to pin or submit the other. With unwavering neck control, Sabre dragged Phantasmo around. In a sudden comeback, Pantasmo shot Sabre outside with a dropkick.

Tope Suicida from Phantasmo flipped Sabore over the barricade and into the seats. Phantasmo landed a Tornado-DDT but didn’t pin Sabre in time for the pin. Phantasmo driver nearly gives the Canadian a win, as did his theft of Sabre’s Zack Driver. Bullied by Sabre, Phantasmo fought his way to a comeback, with a Thunderkiss 85 seeming like a sure shot before Sabre drove his knees up. Following a nasty Zack Driver, Sabre’s spider-like reflexes wrapped his limbs around Phantasmo for an octopus-hold that tapped Phantasmo out.

Ren Narita defeated Shota Umino

(Narita’s always better outside of the grasp of House of Torture. It’s pleasing to know that is a constant, because it makes his other matches better.

Lurking on the outside, Narita soon saw himself laid flat on the floor. Playing possum while grabbing his worn knee, Narita reversed Umino’s fortune with tosses into the steel barricade. Reversing the momentum, Narita gained control of Umino’s wrist, bending it against the steel barricade. Narita worked the arm of Umino, wrenching it back, pulling it closer to out of socket. Fisherman Suplex and a STF failed Umino, but agonized Narita. Grounded, Narita pulled back as much as he could on Umino’s arm. After pulling Narita back into the ring for a STF, Umino was distracted by the ring bell, sounded by Yoshinobu Kanemaru. Swiftly evading Narita’s weaponry,

Using a board that Kanemaru gave him, Narita nearly struck Umino with a stick. Double cross rendered Umino further unconscious, yet still kicking. A flying knee stomp to the back of Umino’s skull ended the match in Narita’s favor.

Main event

Konosuke Takeshita defeated Shingo Takagi

(I didn’t think anything tonight would eclipse El Phantasmo versus Zack Sabre Jr, but Takeshita and Takagi stole the show. Ota became unglued and the atmosphere grew beyond electric. Not only did Takagi lose his breath, but I did too.

Locking up, Takagi and Takeshita’s strengths were evenly matched, leading to a test of wills. Takagi had an edge in his experience, but Takeshita’s prowess lent him a comeback, as seen with a flying shoulder-tackle. A diving senton took the breath out of Takagi. Sensing a Blue Thunderbomb, Takagi wriggled out of Takeshita’s clutches and flipped him with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Reading Takeshita like a book, Takagi goaded his opponent so he could dodge and down him with a DDT.

Using DDTs of his own, Takeshita landed Takagi nastily on his neck a few times. A Sliding Pumping Bomber bore down on Takeshita. An Exploder Suplex reawakened Takeshita’s chances, with a series of German Suplexes by Takagi. Pumping Bomber on the top rope plummetted Takeshita to the mat, but Takagi couldn’t win from his Made in Japan. Takeshita fell to a Pumping Bomber and a Last of the Dragon, but much to Takagi’s chagrin, neither could pin the Alpha. He burned Takagi with a Raging Fire, but he escaped to the ropes. In an epic closing sequence full of finishers and explosive moves, Takeshita choked the life out of Takagi’s breath. Eyes bulging madly, Takagi was fully ensnared in Takeshita’s rear-naked chickenwing; unwilling and unable to give in, the referee declared Takeshita the winner.

Tonight’s G1 Climax was not exactly full of bombastic spectacles, save for El Phantasmo versus Zack Sabre Jr and Shingo Takagi versus Konosuke Takeshita. Yet, because of these two matches, this show is recommended viewing.

NJPW G1 Climax 35 live results: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. David Finlay

Posted on by Ryan Howard

A Block takes center stage today with five tournament matches in Ota on night five of the NJPW G1 Climax 35.

In the main event, Hiroshi Tanahashi faces David Finlay. Both wrestlers are 1-1 with 2 points thus far in the tournament. This is of course the final G1 for NJPW president Tanahashi, as he has announced that he will retire at Wrestle Kingdom in January.

Yota Tsuji and Ryohei Oiwa will square off in the semi-main event. Both enter the match with 2-1 records and 4 points so far. The winner will remain tied for the A Block lead following today’s show.

Taichi and EVIL will lock horns in another tournament matchup. Both are 2-1 with 4 points, and the winner will also remain tied atop A Block.

Yuya Umeura faces Callum Newman on today’s card, with both 1-2 with 2 points.

The tournament action today kicks off in the sixth match of the card with Boltin Oleg vs. SANADA. Oleg is 2-1 with 4 points, while SANADA is 1-2 with 2 points.

A series of tag team previews for Saturday’s B Block bouts fill out the first five matches of today’s show.

Our coverage will begin shortly after the show ends.

**********

Gabe Kidd Officially Withdraws from G1 Climax 35

Kidd came to the ring moving very gingerly on his bad knee and said he was hopeful to power through and continue the tournament, but the doctors said there’s no way he’s going to be cleared and withdraws from the G1. While this sucks, the positive is he’s received so much love from the fans and promises when he’s back, it’ll be the best version of Gabe Kidd you’ve ever seen and thanks the crowd again for their support.

Shoma Kato & YOSHI-HASHI vs. United Empire (Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young)

After a long stare down, O-Khan fired off one Mongolian Chop on Yoshi before he & Young attacked their opponents around the ringside area. Spilling into the crowd, O-Khan sat and posed on Yoshi before posting him before controlling Kato back inside. Kato managed to fire off a deep arm drag and that was enough for a Yoshi hot tag, laying out O-Khan with a Head Hunter. A brief back and forth of chops led to Young & Kato coming back in, Kato hitting a vertical suplex before feeding Young to Yoshi for a superkick. O-Khan broke the count, but had his leg dropkicked out by Yoshi. Leg lariat by Young flattened Kato and was followed up with a shotgun dropkick out of the corner for two. Jakob’s Ladder (Sliced Bread) connected and Young got the win.

Match Result: Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young defeated Shoma Kato & YOSHI-HASHI when Young pinned Kato

Jado & El Phantasmo vs. TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr. & Hartley Jackson)

Sabre trash talked ELP’s gear before an early scramble saw ELP lounge in the corner until a forearm/uppercut exchange ensued. ELP caught Sabre with a dropkick and briefly double teamed with Jado, who took over, but immediately was trapped in a triangle arm bar in the ropes. Jackson continued targeting the arm, until Jado started no selling Sabre’s strikes, turning him inside out with a lariat. ELP tagged in with a springboard axe handle and Lionsault for two. Sabre blocked an enzugiri with an Ankle Lock, but there was a scramble, ELP nearly getting CR2, only for Sabre to roll through into a PK for the double down. Jackson made the tag, but ELP ducked a charging Sabre, who booted his partner. Sudden Death connects by ELP, as he rolled up Jackson for the victory.

Match Result: Jado & El Phantasmo defeated Zack Sabre Jr. & Hartley Jackson when ELP pinned Jackson

Tomoaki Honma & Shota Umino vs. House of Torture (Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)

At least Narita & Kanemaru had the respect enough to attack right at the bell and not before, as they worked over Honma in the early going, keeping him isolated until he flattened Kanemaru with a DDT. Umino made the tag and charged Narita, who quickly bailed, so Kanemaru suffered corner strikes and fisherman’s suplex for two. Narita tripped the leg, long enough for Kanemaru to dropkick out the leg, try a double team, but Umino had is scouted and caught Narita with a dropkick. Umino sold his knee, as Honma tagged back in, tried a Kokeshi, but Narita dodged and sank in an arm breaker. Umino made the save with locomotion corner splashes and double suplex with Honma on Narita before assisting with the Kokeshi, which finally hit. Headbutt & lariat got Honma a near fall, as Kanemaru is seen taking a swig of whisky on the outside. He threw the ref into Honma, misting him, giving Narita a chance to waffle Honma with the pushup board to steal the pin. Post-match, Narita & Kanemaru continued the beating, nearly taking out Umino’s knee, but it was dodged, sending Narita high tailing it.

Match Result: Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated Tomoaki Honma & Shota Umino when Narita pinned Honma

Daiki Nagai & Shingo Takagi vs. Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero)

An early exchange with Takeshita & Takagi saw neither budging off shoulder block attempts before each dodged signature clothesline attempts, leading to a stalemate. Nagai & Romero tagged in, with Nagai hitting a shoulder tackle, then refusing to give up the pin attempt for three separate two counts. Takeshita briefly stared down Nagai from the apron, which was enough for Romero to attack and gain control. Nagai continued being isolated, including a deep squat suplex from Takeshita, before finally dodging a corner charge, sinking in a Boston Crab on Romero. Takeshita broke it up with a big boot, but Nagai didn’t back down, hitting a huge dropkick. Takagi & Takeshita slugged it out, until Takeshita fired off a home run right hand. Nagai got a series of roll-ups on Romero, who floated over a suplex, hit a Rewind Kick and sank in the Diablo Armbar for the submission.

Match Result: Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero defeated Daiki Nagai & Shingo Takagi when Romero submitted Nagai

A Block: Boltin Oleg (4) vs. SANADA (2)

(Another strong showing from Oleg, who continues to impress in his G1 Climax debut. Meanwhile, the SANADA Fit Check is real, folks, I can only describe him as a Create-A-Wrestler come to life, as he’s someone you give as many accessories for entrances and as whacky attire as possible.)

Running trend this G1 has been SANADA’s absurd entrance attires, as this one, I can only describe as Giant Gonzalez Chic, as it’s an airbrushed full body suit and a thong. Thankfully he’s not wrestling in that, as he attacked Oleg during his intro, but Oleg quickly ran through him with a shoulder tackle to the outside. SANADA dodged a Kamikaze, getting a drop toe hold throat first into the barricade. The match spilled into the crowd, leaving Oleg crawling back to the ring to beat the count, as SANADA was there to dropkick out the leg repeatedly. Oleg fought back with a suplex and huge running splash for a near fall, before hitting his Boltin Shake.

SANADA booted Oleg through the ropes, crotched him and hit a draping Magic Screw off the apron and another back inside before locking in Skull End. Oleg floated over, tried a lawn dart, but SANADA slipped out, tried a springboard dropkick, only Oleg moved and mowed him down for two. Series of reversals led to a missed low blow attempt by SANADA, who tried a moonsault out of the corner, but leapt into the clutches of Oleg, who hit Verdict. SANADA avoided Kamikaze with a Shining Wizard to the back of the head. Oleg blocked the second attempt into a Kamikaze to get the win.

Match Result: Boltin Oleg (6) defeated SANADA (2)

A Block: Yuya Uemura (2) vs. Callum Newman (2)

(Uemura continues to be my favorite of the new guard of NJPW, his matches, regardless of how where on the card, always seem to draw me in and get my interest. Newman has done a great job selling this G1 so far, his first few matches saw him sell his knee, while today, it was the arm.)

After refusing to give up the center of the ring for Uemura to do his entrance, Newman exploded out of the gates early, realizing his speed is going to be his advantage. The moment the match slowed, Uemura took advantage, targeting the left arm, leaving Newman to rely on his kicks to get back control. Newman tried to drive his own shoulder into the corner to set it, as a high kick to Uemura gave him time to recover. Oscutter 2.0 blocked as he leapt right into an arm breaker in mid-air by Uemura, leaving Newman scrambling for the ropes. Newman sent Uemura to the floor and hit a wildly impressive scale of the ropes and springboard double stomp to Uemura’s back.

Not wanting the count-out victory, Newman rolled Uemura back inside for another double stomp off the top for two. Corkscrew kick landed flush, but Uemura cut off a charge with a huge dropkick. Both traded charges, until Newman tried to throw a right hand, his bad arm, allowing Uemura to Gator Roll into a Deadbolt Suplex for the victory.

Match Result: Yuya Uemura (4) defeated Callum Newman (2)

A Block: Taichi (4) vs. EVIL (4)

(Your House of Torture special, which is the carbon copy of all EVIL matches for G1 Climax’s until it inevitably blows up in his face later in the tournament. It’s been going on so long, even if it includes who I think has been the G1 MVP, Taichi, I am almost entirely zapped of interest in matches like this.)

EVIL, Don Fale & Dick Togo attacked not only Taichi, but his young lion, Masatora Yasuda as well before the bell. EVIL would almost use Yasuda as a prop of distraction to beat down Taichi outside. Back inside, Taichi started no selling, so EVIL went to the eyes. Taichi avoided the ref distraction, decking Kanemaru off the apron, ripped his britches off, before being tripped up by Fale, allowing EVIL to regain control. Taichi scrambled, tried a Saito Suplex, but EVIL held onto referee Marty Asami, who had enough of his nonsense and slapped EVIL in the face. Taichi hit the Saito Suplex with a bridge, but only for a two count. Taichi went for an Axe Bomber, but EVIL pulled Asami in to take the bullet.

Togo attacked Taichi from behind, but Yasuda made the save. Trying to fight off Fale, who just stood there unphased. After easily dispatching of Yasuda, Fale wanted a Grenade on Taichi, who avoided and hip tossed Fale to the outside before knocking EVIL (who had a chair) off the apron to the outside. Fale threw EVIL back inside at 19, but Taichi met him with an Axe Bomber for two. Taichi missed another, Fale hit him in the back with a chair, allowing EVIL to hit an Axe Bomber of his own for two. Taichi no sold being sent into an exposed corner buckle, sending EVIL chest first into it, as he wanted Black Mephisto, but EVIL countered into the neckbreaker cutter for the win.

Match Result: EVIL (6) defeated Taichi (4)

A Block: Yota Tsuji (4) vs. Ryohei Oiwa (4)

(A much slower paced match you’d expect in the first half, but once it got going, it ramped up in a big way and the crowd were loudly into it. Both know each other so well, that everything the other would throw would be scouted, so ultimately, Tsuji had to pull out a completely new way to get the flash victory, as both continue looking strong in the tournament.)

Very even back and forth out the gate, as Tsuji trapped the arm and snapped it back, as that’s the body part he’s zoned in on. Oiwa dodged a baseball slide and worked a headlock ringside before driving Tsuji into the barricade. After breaking the count, Oiwa picked up the pace a bit, but Tsuji was there with a Facebreaker combo before going back to the arm. Tsuji wanted the Marlowe Crash, but Oiwa dodged into a suplex, but couldn’t follow up due to the arm issues. Both fought up in the ropes, as Tsuji connected on a sunset flip Liger Bomb for two. Tsuji tried firing off lariats, but Oiwa no sold and spiked Tsuji with a DDT. Headbutt crumbled Tsuji, who rose up with a smile on his face. While Tsuji missed a Curb Stomp, Oiwa looked to get just enough of his (which was about zero), went for a Doctor Bomb, but Tsuji popped him with a right hand and followed with multiple Curb Stomps.

Tsuji did the deal with a Falcon Arrow for two before snapping the fingers of Oiwa, following with a pump knee and Marlowe Crash. Oiwa managed to dodge a Gene Blaster, turning Tsuji inside out with a lariat, but with his bad arm. Rolling Germans from Oiwa, but Tsuji blocked Chaos Theory into a snap German and Gene Blast for two. Tsuji charged for another, but it was Oiwa who hit a Gene Blast for a one count, turned Tsuji inside out with a lariat, this time for two. Doctor Bomb connected flush, but again, Tsuji kicked out. Discus lariat missed, but Chaos Theory landed, only for Tsuji to kick out again. Oiwa maintained wrist control, but Tsuji was able to hit a sit-out backslide for a snazzy flash pin.

Match Result: Yota Tsuji (6) defeated Ryohei Oiwa (4)

A Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi (2) vs. David Finlay (2)

(Finlay is hell bent on being the best, but each hiccup makes that desire that much more difficult and it’s all about how he bounces back. This was Tanahashi’s 99th G1 Climax tournament win and I wouldn’t be shocked if Tanahashi either goes to the Finals or gets to 100 wins and that’s it. I’m glad he’s soaking in every possible moment in his final G1 Climax, he deserves all the flowers and admiration for what he’s done and continues to do for New Japan Pro Wrestling.)

Some early comedy, with each making their case to referee Red Shoes that the other pulled their hair, but Red Shoes was having none of it. Tanahashi hit a springboard cross body out the corner and low dropkick to Finlay’s leg, leading to a little air guitar. The delay allowed Finlay to return the favor with a dropkick, going after Tanahashi’s left leg. Finlay continued to keep Tanahashi grounded until the tables were turned and a suplex into the corner left Finlay clutching his leg. Somersault senton crushed Finlay for two, as Tanahashi leapt for Sling Blade, but Finlay caught him with a back suplex. Taking it to the outside, Finlay had Tanahashi in a fireman’s carry and just launched him into the post. Trying a powerbomb, Tanahashi countered with a hurricanrana into the post, leaving both men to beat the count at 19.

Forearm battle ramped up before Tanahashi changed levels with uppercuts until Finlay cut him off with a huge Dominator for two. Finlay wanted Into Oblivion, but Tanahashi countered into multiple Twist & Shouts and Sling Blades. Struggling to leap over the top, Tanahashi still hit Aces High and High Fly Flow, but Finlay kicked out. Tanahashi went for another, this time Finlay getting the knees up for the reset. Tanahashi charged into the corner, but Finlay caught him with multiple Into Oblivions, only for Tanahashi to kick out. Tanahashi no sold multiple back fists, so Finlay threw an uppercut headbutt that crumbled Tanahashi. Finlay wanted Overkill, but Tanahashi countered into a cradle for the flash pin and Finlay can’t believe it, he had a mini-tantrum out of frustration, but signaled to Tanahashi that he was this close to winning.

Post-match, Tanahashi thanked the crowd, hoping everyone shows up tomorrow, as this is his last G1 Climax and he’s standing in the ring with conviction and determination. Tanahashi said while he’s tired, he’s never too tired to be thrown the air guitar and tear it up for the fans. After a few solos and encores, Tanahashi smashed the air guitar and thanked them all again. Aaron Wolf was shown as one of the Young Lions and we get a shot of him nodding to Tanahashi, as we already know Tanahashi’s career will end at Wrestle Kingdom, while Wolf’s career begins. Despite this not being a very full crowd, you’d never have known it at the end, as every fan flocked to Tanahashi to high five, hug or simply wave to him during his exit.

Match Result: Hiroshi Tanahashi (4) defeated David Finlay (2)

A Block Standings:

  • EVIL 6 points
  • Boltin Oleg 6 points
  • Yota Tsuji 6 points
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi 4 points
  • Ryohei Oiwa 4 points
  • Taichi 4 points
  • Yuya Uemura 4 points
  • Callum Newman 2 points
  • David Finlay 2 points
  • SANADA 2 points

B Block Standings:

  • YOSHI-HASHI 6 points
  • Drilla Moloney 4 points
  • Shota Umino 4 points
  • Konosuke Takeshita 4 points
  • Ren Narita 4 points
  • Zack Sabre Jr. 2 points
  • El Phantasmo 2 points
  • Great-O-Khan 2 points
  • Shingo Takagi 2 points
  • Gabe Kidd (withdrawn) 0 points

Saturday July 26 in Tokyo:

  • B Block: YOSHI-HASHI vs. Great-O-Khan
  • B Block: El Phantasmo vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • B Block: Shota Umino vs. Ren Narita
  • B Block: Shingo Takagi vs. Konosuke Takeshita

NJPW G1 Climax 35 night one live results: 10 tournament matches

Posted on by Corey Michaels

The biggest tournament of the year in pro wrestling kicks off today.

NJPW’s annual G1 Climax begins in Hokkaido with an all-G1 show featuring 10 tournament bouts.

In his final G1, Hiroshi Tanahashi finds himself in the main event of today’s show against Taichi in an A Block matchup.

IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. faces Ren Narita in B Block in today’s co-main event.

Yota Tsuji and SANADA will go one-on-one in A Block action.

Gabe Kidd takes on Konosuke Takeshita in an intriguing B Block matchup on today’s card.

David Finlay and Ryohei Oiwa match up in another A Block tilt.

Shota Umino and El Phantasmo will square off in B Block.

Yuya Uemura and Boltin Oleg in an A Block matchup is fourth on today’s card.

Great-O-Khan faces Drilla Moloney in B Block.

EVIL and Callum Newman go one-on-one in A Block in the second match in today’s lineup.

Kicking off today’s show and the G1 as a whole, Shingo Takagi vs. YOSHI-HASHI in a matchup of veteran stalwarts in the opening contest.

**********

YOSHI-HASHI defeated Shingo Takagi

A shockingly quick match. Last of the Dragon is a deadly move, so escaping that with a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it move was so nice. Clean match, setting the vibe for the unexpected efficiently.

Takagi sent YOSHI-HASHI’s early momentum to a screeching halt with a DDT and a vertical suplex. He continued this with a dropkick, before countering a lariat with a thrust kick and sneaking his own lariat. YOSHI-HASHI’s fortitude fell after a lariat and a Pumping Bomber. Fortunately for him, he reversed Takagi’s Last of the Dragon into a Crucifix Driver for the pinfall.

EVIL defeated Callum Newman

Obvious EVIL win from the start, typical House of Torture shenanigans. However, EVIL and Newman worked well together despite a lack of strong chemistry.

EVIL gained swift control thanks to underhanded tactics while Dick Togoand Bad Luck Fale assaulted Newman on the outside. Newman gained a comeback with an elbow to EVIL, a dive to Fale, and a kick to Togo. Taking advantage of his opponent’s weak left knee, EVIL dodged a top rope stomp by Newman and shoulder-tackled it from behind. A Firebolt gained a nearfall for the young Newman. EVIL catapulted Newman into the referee, leading Togo and Fale to choke and slam the United Empire member. Locked in a Darkness Scorpion, Newman had no choice but to submit to EVIL.

Drilla Moloney defeated Great-O-Khan

The War Dog has been having an exceptional 2025, so a good start thus far in the G1 is a good way to keep his upward trajectory moving. That said, there was little sauce to this match. It was good, but not great.

Moloney sought an early Drilla Killa, but Khan trumped it with his might. The War Dog sent Khan careening into the barricade with a baseball slide. He then tied Khan’s ponytail to the barricade, with Khan barely sliding back into the ring with time to spare. Near the ropes, Khan held Moloney within a Camel Clutch. Vertical suplex offered Moloney a reprieve to survive a stiff exchange, gifting him an opportunity for a Spinebuster. Tenzan Tombstone courtesy of Khan opened a window, but Moloney closed it with a Gore. Moloney evaded a Cobra Claw, ending the match with a Gore and Drilla Killa to Khan for the pinfall.

Yuya Uemura defeated Oleg Boltin

So far, the best match on the card. Boltin’s hotter than ever as 2025 rolls on, and Uemura is a remarkable talent on his own merit. The closing stretch was enough to wake anybody up.

Brisk matwork began this affair, with the strong Boltin gaining the advantage due to his powerful offense. Uemura found his resolve as he controlled Boltin’s arm and stretched it. Despite the damage to his arm, Boltin sent Uemura’s hopes crashing with a couple of slams. Boltin Shake rattled and rolled Uemura, but couldn’t quell a high drop kick from Boltin’s springy opponent. The softened arm of Boltin almost saw an extended arm hold were it not for his resilience and a rope break. A dynamic display of offense won over the Hokkaido crowd, Uemura ultimately succeeded in pinning Boltin via a Deadbolt Suplex.

Shota Umino defeated El Phantasmo

Listen, I love ELP, and Umino’s been slowly winning me over again, but this match was boring. The crowd was forgiving, playing along, but this match was quiet. I know these two can deliver. Not necessarily bad, but not as exciting as it had the potential to be. That said, I want to give credit where it’s due: the match benefitted from the story of their friendship.

Grappling started this match, with Phantasmo getting a nice start, to which he playfully bantered to Umino. What seemed like a hard chop exchange was a ruse for Phantasmo to kick Umino, baiting him into rage for a dopkick. Soaring through the ropes, Phantasmo sent Umino colliding into the barricade. This dominance continued until Phantasmo twisted Umino’s nipples. A Neckbreaker provided Umino a brief comeback. Canadian Revolution by Phantasmo temporarily swung the match back in his favor. Following some quiet offense, Umino won the match with a Second Chapter.

Ryohei Oiwa defeated David Finlay

The psychology and physiology of this match proved a compelling watch. The tactical edge of Finlay, coupled with his ruthless, dirty ways contrasted well with the spirted Oiwa and the indominitable strength of him. In this instance, brawn superceded brains.

Oiwa exploded in the match after some early chess by Finlay. With some backbreaking offfense, Finlay backed Oiwa into the corner for a shoulder collision and a flip back to the center of the mat. Light on his feet, Oiwa bounced for a nice dropkick. Though he slammed Finlay, Oiwa stung his own back in the process. A few foul gestures and hurled profanities later, Finlay tossed Oiwa through the barricade and into the Hokkaido crowd. With utmost bravado, he slammed Oiwa into the mat courtesy of an Irish Curse. Oiwa, maintaning control over Finlay’s midsection, gifting him a weak Doctor Bomb. Using The Grip, Oiwa rent Finlay immobile for the three seconds it takes for a pinfall.

Konosuke Takeshita defeated Gabe Kidd

The suspense here was palpable. There were no mental games, no tests of honor or skill. Only a contest of pure, unadulterated will. Takeshita versus Kidd was exhilarating.

High-octane energy immediatley propelled this match, with Takeshita landing a flying shoulder that rattled Kidd. Unsatisfied, Takeshita worked Kidd with a neckhold. Kidd eventually gained control, swinging Takeshita into the rails of the barricade. Surviving the outside brutality, Takeshita regained his composure to send Kidd down with a frightening Blue Thunderbomb. The opponents collided in an attempt to lariat the other; Takeshita was successful in this endeavor. Reversing Takeshita’s Raging Fire into a Brainbuster, Kidd rallied the Hokkaido crowd.

Kidd found his mettle again after a lariat, leaving him to follow up with relentless offense. Takeshita retrieved the momentum with a forearm. Battling on the outside, Takeshita elbowed Kidd down to thunderous effect, nearly ending the match at a 19-count. Despite some hefty strikes that wore on Takeshita, Kidd suffered an elbow to the back of the head, a neck snap, and a sleeperhold that left him unconscious.

Yota Tsuji defeated SANADA

The conflict SANADA has shown sporadically in his time jumping from stable to stable yet unable to fully abandon his nature as a fair wrestler continued well into this match. Using this story to elevate his opponent a win will hopefully serve the oppsing Tsuji well.

Tsuji initially had a fire to him, but SANADA cut him from underneath. Dragged through the barricades and into several chairs in the crowd, Tsuji escaped a countout by the skin of his teeth at the 19-count. Surviving a Shining Wizard, Tsuji dropped to a dropkick to his left leg. As SANADA charged forth, Tsuji pulled out a Gene Blaster for a surprise win.

Ren Narita defeated Zack Sabre Jr

Sabre as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion this go-around made this match more enthralling than it would have been during his first reign. Being an absolute jerk opposed to the nasty tactics of House of Torture made this a captivating watch. Narita brought his A-game here, too. This was a far cry from 2023’s Wrestle Kingdom 17.

Sabre wasted no time ensnaring Narita within his technical clutches, instantly working the legs. Provoking Sabre to the ropes, Narita superceded him to drop him on the mat. Dangling on the ropes, Sabre pulled Narita’s arm and sent him into the guardrails near commentary. Using this opportunity for punishment, Narita tormented Sabre amid the Hokkaido crowd before wrapping his opponent’s knee around the metal ring post on the outside. He continued this too on the inside, hobbling the Brit. The damage continued as he slammed and slammed Sabre’s brittle knee into the mat.

Twisting Narita’s neck, Sabre instantly felt the sting of Narita’s knee targeting. Succeeding an Octopus Hold, Sabre gave Narita karma by working his leg too. Penalty Kicks exhausted Narita’s chest. Feigning incapacitation, Narita lay in wait to a hold. Sabre reversed this at the last moment with a Zack Driver. Firmly in control with hold after hold, Sabre fell victim to Narita biting his calf. Using Souled Out, Narita followed up with Hell’s Guillotine to defeat Sabre.

Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Taichi

Lately, it seems Tanahashi has been working progressively dirtier as time goes on during this final year. Still, he balances it with the nobility of his babyface tenure. As though he knows he has to gain the advantage he needs to win with time running out. Taichi, in matches like these, feels like a climb that is destined to hopefully pay off someday.

Withstanding early lock-ups, Taichi gained control of Tanahashi using his legs to his advantage. Wrapping Taichi’s legs on the ropes, Tanahashi send him crashing with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. While Red Shoes Umino pleaded for the duo to stop brawling on the outside, Tanahashi pretended to oblige, only to wrap Taichi’s leg on the guardrail and kicking it further in. In the ring, Tanahashi reaped the benefits of his aggressive knee-targeting, applying a hold and adding pressure to it. Holding out through Tanahashi’s merciless knee focus, Taichi pulled out an enzuigiri.

Ripping off his pants to reveal his trunks, Taichi sought a superkick but lost his base after a kick to the knee. Texas Cloverleaf further persecuted Taichi’s hurt knee, but a rope break rescued him. Another Dragon Screw Leg Whip begat a Texas Cloverleaf, with the Ace sinking as low as he could for further abuse. Another enzuigiri gave Taichi a breather, and the fire to survive a first Sling Blade. An Axe Bomber Lariat allowed Taichi perseverence through more Tanahashi offense, with a bridging suplex almost granting him a victory had it not been for his knee giving out. His knee once more giving out, Taichi failed a top rope suplex and ate two High Fly Flows, with a third one giving Tanahashi the victory.

To me, the main players in this tournament feel like YOSHI-HASHI, Taichi, and Tanahashi. At least, they feel the most compelling journeys to follow. Granted, the young stars such as Yota Tsuji, Ryohei Oiwa, Gabe Kidd, Drilla Moloney, and Yuya Uemura have so much momentum ahead of them. Overall, this night of G1 Climax started off average but grew intensity as the night wore on.

New Japan Soul live results: Two title matches, G1 play-in gauntlet

Posted on by Corey Michaels

NJPW’s New Japan Soul tour concludes today with two title bouts, plus a G1 Climax 35 play-in gauntlet match.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado defends his title against Kosei Fujita in the show’s main event. Desperado has won all three of their previous singles encounters.

In the semi-main, House of Torture’s SHO and DOUKI defend the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship against Master Wato and YOH in a rematch from last month’s Dominion event.

With Hirooki Goto out of this year’s G1 Climax 35 tournament due to injury as announced Friday, a spot opened up in A Block. That will be filled by the winner of today’s last chance gauntlet match featuring Taichi, Tomohiro Ishii, Satoshi Kojima, and Chase Owens. Two random participants will start the match, with the final two competitors entering after eliminations. The sole survivor will move on to participate in the G1.

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tiger Mask in a special singles match is set for today’s undercard. This will be just the second career singles meeting between the two, with Tanahashi winning their previous match, and will be the last time the two square off with Tanahashi’s retirement date set for January. This also marks the 30th anniversary of the debut of this current iteration of the Tiger Mask character.

**********

Pre-show

Zane Jay versus Tatsuya Matsumoto ended in a Time-Limit Draw

Jay leveraged his weight in a few leg holds, whereas Matsumoto cranked back on a couple of his own. Double-wrist lock and an armbar by Jay gave the American an edge. against the ropes, Matsumoto endured forearms until he absorbed enough to fire back. Since his arm was weakened, Matsumoto pulled out a single-leg Boston Crab before pulling Jay in for a full Boston Crab. During this hold, Jay desperately crawled to the ropes, but the 10-minute time-limit ran out.

These Young Lions explored the dichotomy of their styles well. Matsumoto classically trained in grappling while Jay, without it, managed to overwork the limbs of his opponent.

Daiki Nagai & Katsuya Murashima defeated Masatora Yasuda & Shoma Kato

Nagai controlled Yasuda early on. Murashima’s size and power offset Kato until the latter targeted his weak left knee. Eventually, he powered out of Kato’s advances with a pounce. Kato and Yasuda ran roughshod on Nagai, with Murashima diving for a desperate save. Yasuda yanked as far as he could on Nagai, trapped in a Boston Crab. Murashima made a spirited comeback, using an Avalanche Slam to dispatch Yasuda. Spinebuster and Boston Crab combination forced Yasuda to tap out.

Murashima and Nagai worked a thrilling babyface role. So far, the best on this month’s pre-shows.

Main show

House Of Torture (EVIL, Ren Narita, SANADA, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi) defeated Oleg Boltin, Ryusuke Taguchi, Shota Umino, Tomoaki Honma & Yuya Uemura

House of Torture struck before the bell. Uemura came to Umino’s save when Narita and then Takahashi tried to weaken him early. Taguchi overwhelmed Narita momentarily, before Togo distracted him with a running motion that Taguchi copied. Takahashi bit the fingers of Uemura, who came to the aid of Taguchi. SANADA feigned a collapse, low-blowing Taguchi in the process; the fallen Taguchi landed his head on Takahashi’s sensitive nether regions as he fell.

Boltin’s might gave his team an advantage upon his tag-in with a Boltin Shake on SANADA. Kokeshi by Honma and Taguchi focused EVIL’s midsection. Honma fired himself like a rocket into EVIL, once again leaving him prone on the mat. EVIL hit Tonma with an EVIL STO, giving his team the pinfall victory.

Not as much House of Torture shenanigans as I expected. There wasn’t as many moments for Umino and Uemura to shine, but they made the most of it. Boltin and somehow Taguchi were the stars of their team tonight with House of Torture focusing on EVIL, Narita, and Takahashi. Though not a bad match, I’d hesitate to recommend this as must-watch.

Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji defeated TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Ryohei Oiwa & Zack Sabre Jr.)

Sabre swiftly trapped Takagi in a hold, but the latter reflexively evaded the technical prowess of the former. Takahashi charged at the unshakeable Jackson, only to be tossed after a failed flying crossbody.

TMDK took turns landing Sentons on Takahashi. Oiwa and Tsuji clashed with their dynamic stylings. The former soon landed a DDT and then an Anaconda Suplex. Pumping Bomber by Takagi sends the sturdy Jackson down. A Gene Blaster and Pumping Bomber combination fell Jackson, with Tsuji enjoying the pinfall.

Post-match, Tsuji, Takahashi, and Takagi were on their way out when Young Lion Daiki Nagai approached them to their ranks.

Without Naito and BUSHI, the triumvirate of the last Los Ingobernables de Japon are still as strong as ever. With Nagai accompanying them, this could be the start of something special.

Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Tiger Mask

These veterans locked up, feeling each other out, when Tanahashi targeted Tiger Mask’s legs. El Tigre Suicida followed a comeback, bringing Tiger Mask further in control of the match. Failing a Tiger Suplex from the top rope, Tiger Mask landed an armdrag from the same position. A Tiger Driver softened the Ace, leading him to target Tanahashi’s leg.

Figure-four leglock further agonized Tanahashi, who found the spirit to roll into a rope break. He broke this momentum with a Sling Blade, punctuated by a Twist and Shout. High Fly Flow took the breath out of a prone Tiger Mask, earning Tanahashi a victory despite the stinging in his legs.

Tiger Mask working the way he does at his age is astounding. Moreover having the chemistry with Tanahashi to have a toned down, stripped down match that isn’t boring is an added bonus. While not must-watch, there’s something to enjoy here.

Taichi won G1 Climax 35 Block A Play-In Gauntlet Match (Satoshi Kojima, Chase Owens, Taichi, Tomohiro Ishii)

Chase Owens defeated Satoshi Kojima

Though his sturdy demeanor balanced out Owens’s size, he suffered from his heelish tactics. Distracted by the ref, Owens dropped on the apron after Kojima went after his leg. The incensed veteran chopped Owens in the corner and capitalized with an elbow drop.

Change in strategy by Owens: target the leg. His plan was instantly thwarted by a lariat. Using referee Marty Asami, Chase Owens avoided another by Kojima. With a Last Testament, he soundly quelled Kojima’s hopes of advancing in the gauntlet.

Taichi defeated Chase Owens

SANADA intercepted Taichi, throwing him across tables and near the fans before dragging him into the ring. Owens hoped to pick the bones of the tenderized entrant, but couldn’t destroy Taichi’s will. SANADA further interfered, but Owens couldn’t seem to capitalize no matter how much he and his comrade tried.

High Noon by Ownes and stomps by SANADA added further damage. Just as SANADA was about to swing his guitar, the next entrant Tomohiro Ishii charged in, taking SANADA out of the proceedings. Taichi took advantage of the chaos with a Jacknife for the pin. Owens retaliated with strikes fueled by his fury.

Taichi defeated Tomohiro Ishii

Waiting for Taichi to get his bearings, Ishii threw his artillery into his fellow IWGP Tag Team Champion. Taichi ate some chops, nearly wishing to succumb to it, but persevered. In the corner, Ishii incurred chops by Taichi that showed cracks in his exterior. He saved himself with a lariat.

Vertical suplex courtesy of Ishii and Taichi still stood. Ishii pulled out Taichi’s Last Ride and a sliding forearm, both for failed pin attempts. Dangerous Backdrop gave Taichi some reprieve. A thunderous powerbomb via Taichi erupted Korakuen Hall. Taichi no-sold a Piledriver by Ishii, as well as chops. Ishii stole a Black Mephisto. Taichi fired back with a Gedo Clutch. Black Mephisto by Taichi ends this final stretch.

What a way to sell the importance of the G1 Climax. This was just to qualify in place of the injured Hirooki Goto. Chase Owens’s dastardly antics drove the drama, making an example of Satoshi Kojima before punishing an undying Taichi. Ishii only sought to bring the best out of their bout. In this, Taichi succeeded as the driving force in this match. Not only did he have my pick to win this match, but he now has my full support to win the whole thing.

House Of Torture (DOUKI & SHO) (c) defeated Master Wato & YOH for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship

YOH trapped DOUKI and SHO in SANADA’s Paradise Lock, following up with dropkicks to their rear ends alongside Wato. DOUKI used a pipe on the outside to stretch Wato’s knee on the outside. He further agonized this with a single-leg Boston Crab. YOH flew over the top to drop DOUKI and SHO to the floor.

SHO, sensing YOH gaining momentum, used the referee as a shield but ultimately fell to a lariat. DOUKI confined Watoo’s leg on the rope and struck it with the pipe from earlier. YOH came to Wato’s rescue, dropping DOUKI with a Falcon Arrow. Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Yujiro Takahashi slid in for DOUKI and SHO, only for Toru Yano to drag them out. SHO struck Wato with a metal sheet, to which DOUKI capitalized on with a Suplex de la Luna for the pinfall.

Great match until the finish.

Main event

El Desperado (c) defeated Kosei Fujita for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship

Fujita started off strong, sending Desperado every which way. Desperado, still adorned with scars from June 24’s Death Match with Jun Kasai, returned fire with chops. Driving Fujita’s knee onto the outside floor multiple times, Desperado took it further with the mat as he targeted the challenger’s legs from every angle.

Fujita terrorized Desperado, seeking to enact a deadly hold, battling for wrist control. The pair exchanged kicks and strikes, to which Fujita’s tenacity won out. Fujita further reached into the bag of mentor Zack Sabre Jr with technical wrestling before pulling a Kami Special. Desperado countered this with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip to an airborne Fujita. Taking utmost advantage of the worn Fujita, Desperado pulled off a gnarly Numero Dos to thus retain his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.

Post-match, Desperado praised Fujita while detailing the weight of being the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.

Desperado is having one of the best years in wrestling. Fujita came out of this feeling like a potential junior heavyweight champion. Just not now. Desperado lays claim to that as far as IWGP titles go.

Final thoughts

The show was filled with good to great matches. The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Match was the only disappointing one—not bad in the execution of the earlier structure, but the finish left me with a bad taste. As for the G1 Climax Qualifier Gauntlet Match, that final stretch was sensational on a cosmic level. Keep this meomentum on Taichi. El Desperado’s 2025 has been a long time coming, as he continually has had phenomenal years, year after year. What’s more, is that this still feels like the beginning to his peak.

New Japan Soul live results: Gabe Kidd vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi title match

Posted on by Corey Michaels

NJPW’s New Japan Soul tour continues today with two title bouts, plus two G1 Climax 35 play-in matches.

In the main event, Gabe Kidd defends the IWGP Global Championship against Hiroshi Tanahashi as the countdown to Tana’s January 2026 retirement continues with perhaps his last chance to capture singles gold.

The NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team titles are on the line in the semi-main event with Ren Narita, SHO, and Yujiro Takahashi of House of Torture defending against Toru Yano, YOH, and Master Wato.

In a G1 play-in bout for B Block, YOSHI-HASHI will take on Chase Owens. In the A Block play-in, Satoshi Kojima faces Ryohei Oiwa.

El Desperado, Boltin Oleg, and Yuya Uemura take on Zack Sabre Jr., Kosei Fujita, and Hartley Jackson in a six-man tag. Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi, and Yota Tsuji face Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman, and Jakob Austin Young in another trios bout.

The main card kicks off at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time with a 10-man tag — Taichi, Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Yuji Nagata, and Tiger Mask vs. EVIL, SANADA, DOUKI, Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Dick Togo.

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Pre-show

Zane Jay versus Tatsuya Matsumoto ended in a Time-Limit Draw

Matsumoto controlled much of the match with his grappling expertise; he mostly worked Jay’s leg throughout. Jay gained reprieve after catching Matumoto’s leg. He continued this comeback with a dropkick and followed with a Boston Crab. Time ran out for both men during this hold, leaving there no winner.

A nice opener that told a story of Jay appearing a little in over his head in his Japanese excursion. Fighting from underneath, clawing out of the ground that was Matsumoto, he proved to have great selling. Matsumoto has potential, and he drove the early goings compellingly like an accomplished and prodigal student.

Daiki Nagai & Katsuya Murashima defeated Masatora Yasuda & Shoma Kato

Nagai disposed of Yasuda on the outside while Murashima chipped away at Kato. Yasuda fired back, with a dropkick punctuated by a Boston Crab. A flying forearm returned Yasuda to the mat while Murashima sought Nagai’s help. Nagai wore down Yasuda as Kato regained his bearings. Murashima returned, coordinating a comeback with Nagai which resulted in the latter landing a Spinebuster. Kato tapped to Nagai’s Boston Crab.

Nagai and Murashima have top star potential. In the past several months, they’ve grown as Young Lions. Once they have everything needed as a wrestler and performer, they’ll fit the molds of what I’d look forward to in a pro wrestling act. Don’t get me wrong, Yasuda and Kato have a lot of promise as well and they’ll work to it. It’s just more apparent right now with the winning team.

Main show

Shota Umino, Taichi, Tiger Mask, Tomohiro Ishii & Yuji Nagata defeated House Of Torture (Dick Togo, DOUKI, EVIL, SANADA & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)

House of Torture spared no time in attacking their opponents the second they crossed the black ropes into the ring. Ishii fired back with a vertical suplex on EVIL, with Taichi softening DOUKI for Tiger Mask. Kanemaru and Togo nearly removed the mask off of the veteran Tiger Mask. EVIL drove him into the barricade.

Nagata swung the match in his team’s favor, quickly dispatching much of House of Torture with kicks and suplexes. Togo removed a turnbuckle pad while EVIL Irish whipped Nagata to its very corner. House of Torture broke an STF hold Umino held on Togo, suffering a train of charging bodies in the corner as punishment. Backed by a watchful Taichi and Ishii, Umino tapped Togo out with one more STF.

The best House of Torture matches are ones where they get their comeuppance and this one didn’t overstay its welcome. Umino was surprisingly a highlight of the match, yet there’s still not much to his identity aside from being a wholesome babyface (exemplified by his holding of a child in the crowd). Decent opener to start the show, has its strengths, but nothing to write home about.

Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji defeated United Empire (Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young)

Actor and voice actor Mafia Kajita accompanied Khan to the ring; he’s starred in media such as Shin Godzilla and Netflix’s live-action City Hunter adaptation.

Newman started off strong against the evenly matched Tsuji, to the point Takahashi was called to favor his team. Young chipped away at Takahashi, giving Khan an opening with Kajita’s hammer fist prop. Takagi tenderized Khan, and cleared the intrusive pair of Newman and Young. Takagi, worn by the tandem offense of the pair, returned fire with a pop-up DDT to Young, followed by a Pumping Bomber and a Made in Japan for the win.

It’s heartwarming to see the LIJ alum sticking together. Young and Newman were very solid, and Khan was great as always.

El Desperado, Oleg Boltin & Yuya Uemura vs. TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Kosei Fujita & Zack Sabre Jr.)

Desperado swiftly overwhelmed Fujita, leading to TMDK to charge the scene. Boltin, unfazed by the technical prowess of Sabre, thundered over him with his might. flinging the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion from his back with a toss. Sabre swung a comeback with a Penalty Kick. Jackson matched Boltin’s strength, seesawing a suplex that narrowly teetered in Boltin’s favor.

Uemura, though dynamic and explosive, struggled against Jackson. This gave TMDK the edge it needed, with Jackson surmounting an invading Boltin and pummeling Uemura. The beastly Jackson got the better of Uemura, tackling him. A flash of an opening saw Uemura sneak a win over Jackson with a surprise hurricanrana.

Post-match: Fujita showed off his BOSJ trophy to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Desperado. Meanwhile, Uemura and Boltin got in Sabre’s face, talking smack. Jackson simply lay in a corner.

Boltin, Uemura, and Jackson were the stars of this match. This match was simply a good time.

Ryohei Oiwa defeated Satoshi Kojima in a G1 Climax Play-In Match for Block A

Kojima ruled in the early half, but immediately saw himself flipped to the mat. Oiwa continued his revenge by twisting the veteran on the barricade. Though classically trained to always target a man’s left arm, Oiwa focused his sights on Kojima’s weak right. Kojima struck back with an elbow drop, resulting in a DDT.

Senton by Oiwa gives the TMDK member an edge, but doesn’t get the pin. Resorting to work Kojima’s arm, Oiwa instead ate a lariat. Doctor Bomb dazed Kojima, but once more suffered a lariat. Matching this, Oiwa countered Kojima with The Grip, earning his spot in Block A.

A small passing of the torch moment for Oiwa. This match had beef and it delivered. Congratulations to Oiwa! A must-watch ahead of the G1.

YOSHI-HASHI defeated Chase Owens in a G1 Climax Play-In Match for Block B

Referee Marty Asami removed the spurs off Owens’s cowboy gear. As he did so, YOSHI-HASHI charged at him, dragging him to the outside. Owens tried a brief assault towards the barricade, but YOSHI-HASHI met him at every turn. Calling back to the infamous Jake Roberts/Ricky Steamboat spot, Owens slammed YOSHI-HASHI’s throat on the barricade.

YOSHI-HASHI lay crumpled after a bump to the turnbuckle and a slam to the mat. He countered Owens’s High Noon with a suplex. Owens finally landed a High Noon. YOSHI-HASHI reversed a piledriver into a Sunset Flip. A mad frenzy by YOSHI-HASHI drove Owens down with a lariat and a Karma to finish the match.

If you’re looking to see how a wrestler will fare heading into the G1, this may be for you, but otherwise nothing too thrilling. YOSHI-HASHI will make for an exciting entrant, however.

Master Wato, Toru Yano & YOH defeated House Of Torture (Ren Narita, SHO & Yujiro Takahashi) (c) for the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship

Within a minute of Yano’s music hitting, House of Torture came out to brutalize them. Undeterred, YOH struck back on the bullying SHO with quick-paced maneuveres. Yano and Wato provided backup against the House of Torture. Narita sent YOH through the chairs in the crowd and pressed him into the barricade. A Brainbuster and armbar furthere weakened YOH thanks to Narita, but Takahashi and SHO further stretched his now hurt arm on the turnbuckle.

Miraculously, YOH sprung back, sending Takahashi and Narita to the outside before dispatching SHO. Vendeval by Wato disposed of SHO. DOUKI interfered, stacking the odds against the opposite team. Yano had Takahashi ready for a slam, but Yoshinobu Kanemaru halted it. YOH put a bag over Takahashi’s head, giving Yano ample opportunity to roll him up for the pinfall—which he did. YOH, Toru Yano, and Master Wato are the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.

House of Torture’s antics supplanted by Toru Yano-type shenanigans somehow cancel out my usual distaste. This comedic flavoring made the match a surprisingly fun watch. A lot of attention was given to YOH and SHO here.

Main Event

Gabe Kidd (c) defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship

Grappling started this ultimate bout, which Kidd gained the early advantage on as he held Tanahashi in submission. The Ace almost transitioned it into a Texas Cloverleaf, but Kidd crawled to the ropes for the save. On the mat, the pair met a stalemate, with Kidd using his weight on the challenger for the upper hand. Backdrop Suplex helped him all the more.

Kidd maintained his dominance, eventually crashing Tanahashi into the barricade—he mocked the veteran with the classic air guitar pose. A series of headbutts inflicted damage to Tanahashi’s skull. Kidd held his opponent in a neck hold, imploring him to give up so he could carry the compnay when he’s gone; Tanahashi snuck his leg to the rope to break the hold.

An irate Tanahashi came back with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Kidd hoped to drop the Ace to the outside with a vertical suplex, but instead incurred the wrath of a High Fly Flow. On the barricade, Tanahashi tweaked Kidd’s leg with another Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Kidd responded with a Brainbuster and stole Tanahashi’s Slingblade and High Fly Flow, the latter of which missed. Basement Dropkick and a grounded Dragon Screw Leg Whip granted him control again. Tanahashi landed a Straightjacket Suplex and followed with a High Fly Flow; attempting another one, he met Kidd’s same fate earlier with the failed attempt.

Two knees and a Powerdriver by Kidd couldn’t quell Tanahashi’s spirit. Enduring slap after slap, the veteran raged on with a German Suplex. The crowd was loud for this. He failed another High Fly Flow. Kidd evaded this and ended the match with a Drilla Killa-earned pinfall. He clutched Tanahashi’s head in his arms in thanks after the bell.

Post-match: Kidd emotionally professed how much Tanahashi helped him in his toughest and lowest times. The pair were visibly tearful during this.

Must-watch, must-watch, must-watch. Tokyo Budokan came unglued, especially at Tanahashi’s defiant last stand. This was an emotional bout that I will rank among the best if not the de-facto best in Tanahashi’s final year. Kidd receiving a passing of the torch was an added benefit.

Final Thoughts

The G1, NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team, and Global Heavyweight Championship matches are the matches to catch up on. The non-title trios matches were a blast if you’re looking for a bit of fun in-ring. But that main event was something else. There are few things in wrestling that match the feeling of a Hiroshi Tanahashi comeback. His defiant last stand had me on the edge of my seat and I was as emotional as he and Kidd were. This show may fly under the radar, but there’s a lot to enjoy here.

NJPW Dominion live results: Goto vs. Shingo IWGP title match

Posted on by Corey Michaels

Hirooki Goto vs. Shingo Takagi for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship headlines today’s NJPW Dominion.

Goto will go for his sixth successful defense of IWGP gold in the main event, but Shingo holds a 3-1 edge over the champ in their four previous singles meetings.

In the semi-main, IWGP Global Champion Yota Tsuji defends his title against Gabe Kidd in a matchup of two of the company’s brightest young stars.

Bullet Club continues to implode as David Finlay of War Dogs faces House of Torture’s EVIL in a dog collar chain deathmatch.

NEVER Openweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita defends his title against Boltin Oleg/Oleg Boltin on the undercard.

Great-O-Khan and Callum Newman put their IWGP Tag Team titles on the line against Tomohiro Ishii and Taichi.

The IWGP Junior Tag titles are also up for grabs today with YOH and Master Wato facing SHO and Yoshinobu Kanemaru.

Hiroshi Tanahashi’s road to retirement continues with a singles match against Yuya Uemura.

Shota Umino and El Phantasmo take on Zack Sabre Jr. and Ryohei Oiwa in an undercard tag team bout.

In another War Dogs vs. House of Torture matchup, Taiji Ishimori, Clark Connors, Drilla Moloney, and Chase Owens face SANADA, Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi, and a new mystery member of HoT in the main card opener.

A Young Lion tag team bout is set for the pre-show with  Katsuya Murashima & Shoma Kato vs. Daiki Nagai & Masatora Yasuda.

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Pre-show

Katsuya Murashima & Shoma Kato defeated Daiki Nagai & Masatora Yasuda

Murashima sunk in a deep Boston Crab on Nagai to near success. Yasuda valiantly fought out of an Avalanche Powerslam, but fell to another. Murashima kept him in the center of the ring in an unrelenting Boston Crab that tapped young Yasuda out.

These four Young Lions were already good, but they’re putting their own respective feels together so finely. They’re worth keeping an eye on, particularly Murashima and Nagai.

Main show

House Of Torture (Ren Narita, SANADA & Yujiro Takahashi) & Bad Luck Fale defeated BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Chase Owens, Clark Connors, Drilla Moloney & Taiji Ishimori)

SANADA emerged during House of Torture’s entrance looking like Giant Gonzalez; however, it was new House of Torture member Fale who stole the limelight to Owens’s chagrin. Rechristened to Don Fale, he no longer represented Bullet Club after 12 years in the group. He leveled him out, in addition to Moloney. Takahashi held some of the War Dogs at bay, but Ishimori fought back, nailing it with an enzigiri to Takahashi. Fale handled Moloney on the outside despite Owens’s pleas and questionings. Connors trounced Fale with a tire, proceeding to Jeep Flip Takahashi.

Moloney executed a tight Spinebuster on SANADA, who countered with a Magic Screw off of the top rope. Moloney attempted to aid Owens to finish off SANADA with a guitar shot. Owens then hit Moloney with a low blow to the shock of Osaka. SANADA finished off Moloney with a guitar shot for the win. Chase Owens joins Bad Luck Fale as a member of House of Torture.

Not a fan of House of Torture, but this development provided a shock to open the main card. All I can really say as I think that Fale and Owens fit in fine there. At least the promoters got this out of the way immediately. I don’t want to call him Don Fale though.

TMDK (Ryohei Oiwa & Zack Sabre Jr.) defeated El Phantasmo & Shota Umino

Umino and Oiwa locked up into a stalemate, whereas continued Sabre controlled Phantasmo to ground his otherwise dynamic, well-rounded style. Oiwa joined his teammate in targeting Phantasmo’s limbs like they were playing musical chairs. Umino blasted into his hot tag with a fiery comeback that toppled Sabre with a Tornado-DDT. Phantasmo saved Umino from a united front by Oiwa and Sabre, nearly capitalized with a Moonsault.

A desperate Oiwa reached for a Doctor Bomb, which failed to secure the pin on Phantasmo. TMDK wore down their opponents with sleeper holds, yet ultimately staggered to synchronized enziguris from their foes. Umino and Sabre exchanged multiple pin variations with Sabre succeeding a final one in a flash for the victory.

Sabre’s way of snatching a surprise win from the ground is why he’s such a compelling watch.

Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Yuya Uemura

The match saw Tanahashi’s technique being seasoned to test Uemura, but not fast enough to keep up. Uemura worked the arm of The Ace, yet incurred the shock of a Flying Crossbody and Back Body Drop with a middle-rope Senton for extra measure. Uemura countered a Sling Blade into an attempted Deadbolt Suplex, but dropped from Tanahashi’s Dragon Screw Leg Whip. A successful Sling Blade teetered the match in Tanahashi’s favor.

Tanahashi baited Uemura into rage, with Uemura temporarily tiring out from a stiff exchange. He dove for Tanahashi but landed on his elbow, weakening it. Tanahashi stopped Uemura with a Dragon Suplex. The Ace almost succumbed to a juji-gatame, had he not wisely leveraged the weight of the two to sneak a pinfall.

Tanahashi taking measured approaches to overcome the spry Uemura for a win was an excellent story, as he visibly analyzed his next steps after the initial grappling. Hopefully they revisit this before Tanahashi hangs up his boots.

House Of Torture (SHO & Douki) defeated Master Wato & YOH (c) for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship

Prior to the bell, SHO blamed Wato for the injury suffered by advertised partener Yoshinobu Kanemaru before revealing his new partner, a returning Douki. The pair immediately dispatched YOH on the outside. SHO set Douki up for a Basement Dropkick to Wato as he held up the champion’s legs. Kanemaru revealed his injury was a ruse when he chopped Wato in the crotch from the top rope before wrapping up his arm again. Wato, distressed, crawled for a rope break during a nasty Single-Leg Crab courtesy of Douki.

He and SHO continued wearing down the lonesome Wato before they dropped to his double-clothesline. YOH made the hot tag, unloading on SHO with aerial maneuvers. Wato delivered a plancha to Douki, dazing him enough to slingshot him into the barricade. Kanemaru swung with his whiskey obttle and SHO with a screwdriver but missed the champions and hit each other. Douki leveled the playing field, swinging a pipe on Wato after Kanemaru spat whiskey in YOH’s face. Douki secured Wato’s arm and knee into a hold that strained both to tap him out as SHO forced YOH to watch.

An unexpected turn from Douki and an unexpected title change. House of Torture boosted their roster tonight and I’m not overly fond of this recruitment. Still, I think the paring of Douki and SHO could bear fruit and be a net positive for the stable.

Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii defeated United Empire (Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan) (c) for the IWGP Tag Team Championship

Newman exploded onto Taichi, overwhelming him with the quickness. Khan furthered the punishment, with a Big Sit to pour salt in the wound. Ishii barreled in with the tag, blasting through Khan and Newman, emphatically dropping the former with a vertical suplex. Khan used Ishii’s own momentum against him; he flipped the challenger over for an arm hold.

Taichi endured Newman’s flurry of attacks, grabbing a comeback with a lariat and excitedly throwing off his longer pants to reveal his short trunks. Building up to an attack, Taichi fell instead to Khan, who booted Ishii in the face when he tried to make the save. This set up Newman for a Shotgun Knee to plummet Taichi to the outside. Khan sacrificed himself to take Ishii out on the outside, leading Newman to a Spanish Fly on Taichi. Khan’s efforts were thwarted, however, as Ishii rescued Taichi. With that, Taichi sent Newman to the mat with a Black Mephisto for the win.

After the House of Torture updates, this is a welcome return to form on the level of Uemura versus Tanahashi. Though I wish Newman had more time with the belt after the confusion with Jeff Cobb months ago, he and Khan put up a valiant effort. Seeing Taichi celebrate with some gold was heartwarming though, and I’ll not say no to Two-Belts Ishii.

G1 Climax entrants announcement

Block A: Hirooki Goto, Boltin Oleg, Yuya Uemura, Yota Tsuji, David Finlay, EVIL, SANADA, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and two winners of qualifying matches.

Block B: El Phantasmo, Shota Umino, Shingo Takagi, Zack Sabre Jr, Great-O-Khan, Gabe Kidd, Ren Narita, Konosuke Takeshita, and two winners of qualifying matches.

Oleg Boltin defeated Konosuke Takeshita (c) for the NEVER Openweight Championship

LIke two rampaging bulls, champion and challenger clashed, with Boltin’s force dropping Takeshita, who returned the favor and followed up with a top rope dive. Takeshita threw everything into battering Boltin, but eventually was caught over the Kazakh wrestler’s shoulders, who sent him flying to the entrance ramp. Takeshita unleashed a loud, resonant forearm to Boltin at the top of the ramp. The champion was sent tumbling down the sloping entrance after a brief Boltin Shake.

Barely making it to the ring, Takeshita withstood a Boltin Bomb, regaining control with a Blue Thunderbomb transitioned into a Boston Crab. Boltin maintained his resilience, pulling Takeshita from the top rope and dropping him over the shoulder to the mat. Takeshita tried choking him out, but the Osaka crowd gave him the will to flip Takeshita on his back. The pair matched lariat for lariat twice, with Boltin left standing each time. Boltin trounced Takeshita with a Kamikaze for his first NJPW title win, the first Kazakhstan champion in the Japanese promotion.

Astounding closing segment. Boltin’s late 2024 and early 2025 saw him interspersed with some of NJPW’s finest veterans, showing only glimpses of his brilliant, birlliant potential. He bounced off of Takeshita well, with chemistry to instill them as incredible dance partners. Onward and upward for the new NEVER Openweight Champion.

EVIL defeated David Finlay in a Dog Collar Death Match

Each man wrangled with the dog collar chain with utmost trepidation. Finlay made the first move, yanking EVIL in for a torrential rainfall of fists anywhere he could ground or corner him. The War Dog wrapped EVIL’s side of the chain onto a ring post to first choke him, then batter him with forearms. The leader of the House of Torture then fell over the top rope, with Finlay hanging him. As the House of Torture swarmed upon Finlay, the War Dogs came to their leader’s aid.

Meanwhile, SHO removed the turnbuckle pads from each side of the ring. Out in the crowd, EVIL whacked Finlay with the steel chain, bloodying his forehead and gagging him with the sheer steel. EVIL perched Finlay upside down on one exposed corner, and distracted referee Marty Asami while his stablemates choked Finlay with the chain. Finlay reached some reprieve through sending the chain into EVIL’s groin, where he proceeded to batter him with the metal.

The War Dog then threw the House of Torture landlord to the outside in a powerbomb that laid out his stablemates. EVIL earned his salvation after being left tied to a ring post when he yanked Finlay into the post, and again, in an attempt that saw his head through a chair. Hoisting his opponent back into the ring, EVIL swing the chain onto Finlay’s beaten flesh. Finlay deployed Oblivion with his knee adorned in the chain and a series of powerbombs wore EVIL down. Just as Finlay choked EVIL with the chain, EVIL did the same to Marty Asami. House of Torture attempted to interfere, but the War Dogs came to his side. EVIL removed his collar, threw a table at Finlay, and rejoiced as Don Fale dropped onto Finlay on that same table. With his Darkness Scorpion hold assisted with the chain, EVIL choked Finlay into complete unconsciousness.

The flashes of genius in this match, the creative ways that the collar and chain were used, were tragically and ironically suffocated with the overwhelming numbers. Sad, as this was a good EVIL performance without House of Torture.

Gabe Kidd defeated Yota Tsuji (c) for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship

Tsuji soared out of the ring to topple Kidd after a brawl sent him tumbling. The pair exchanged hands, almost ending in a double-countout avoided at the last second. Kidd and Tsuji engaged in a stiff series of punches, the latter suprising with a shot to the liver. The War Dog earned a breather after sending Tsuji out, greeting him with a lariat upon re-entry. A comeback swung to Tsuji’s favor after a superkick sent Kidd to the mat.

Dangling Tsuji to the top rope, Kidd overshot a senton that knocked both men’s head in a frightening manner. Tsuji staggered Kidd with a tope suicida, who fired back with a Tombstine Piledriver on the outside. Evoking Claudio Castagnoli’s Swing, Kidd sank in a deep, deep Boston Crab. Tsuji mustered enough spirit to cause a rope break. The champion traded chops with the challenger, with one echoing with a heavy wince. Kidd withstood two Gene Blasters before destroying Tsuji with a Death Rider + Piledriver combination to become the new champion.

Post-match: Kidd gave Tsuji his props before directing his attention to Hiroshi Tanahashi, opening the ropes as a sign of respect. He then challenged The Ace to a match in the near future.

It certainly doesn’t help that this followed the preceding slog of a dog collar match, but there was no sauce to this match. New Beginning in Osaka back in February positioned these two higher up as stars. Where was that? Tsuji at least reclaimed his energy halfway into the match. Kidd ended up a parody of himself—his brawling style replaced instead with a sports entertainment vibe. I watch WWE for WWE, I watch NJPW for NJPW. The saving grace was that these two put it together in the final minutes. I will say that Kidd battling between his War Dog and Death Rider identities at least made for a compelling narrative. Also, congrats on the new belt, champ.

Main Event

Hirooki Goto (c) vs Shingo Takagi for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship

These beefy warriors clashed with collisions and chops in a deafening cacophony of flesh on flesh. Goto shoulder tackled Takagi so hard that he had to get a moment to recover his bearings and patience. Takagi fired back with a Tornado-DDT and a lariat to scramble Goto towards the outside. Takagi, unrelenting, suplexed Goto at the ramp and dropped a standing Senton to the weakened champion’s back. Adrenaline coursed through Goto’s veins as he caught up with Takagi enough to topple him with a lariat. Goto devastated Takagi, sending him to the outside where he broke the 20-count at 18. He evaded a GTR but ate a merciless lariat.

Takagi mounted an offense with a lariat and got some hits in, but was left rattled by an Ushigoroshi. Goto hit a GTW and relied on a GTR to no avail. Takagi was inches away from a new title with a Last of the Dragon but failed. He tried again with a Pumping Bomber and Burning Dragon. The pair battled, a seesaw of finisher attempts that saw Goto drop Takagi with a Shouten Kai. With a soul on fire, Goto ate a lariat like it was candy but collapsed to a Sliding Pumpkin Bomber to his back. After an unsuccessful GTR, Goto chipped away at Takagi as the 30-minute count ticked closer and closer. Goto ultimately retained his championship after one last GTR.

Yes. Absolutely yes. This is what tonight should have been, from top to bottom: the multi-man, tag team, and singles matches. The crowd was so loud I couldn’t even hear commentary; Osaka was completely unglued. Pro wrestling should feel this way. Props to Takagi, out on his own without a stable against a man hellbent to make up for the lost time he spent outside of the title scene. Goto and Takagi have cemented themselves as who the roster should aspire to be.

Closing thoughts

The House of Torture matches are a slog to get through. If it’s necessary to a viewing experience to witness the developments in recruitment, one would do well to fast-forward. However, the TMDK/Umino and Phantasmo match was fine. Boltin’s title win over Takeshita was a triumph that may go overlooked. Tanahashi and Uemura was a lot of fun, and I hope they run it back. Ishii and Taichi becoming IWGP Tag Team Champions off the heels of a great match at the emaciated but still strong United Empire had its own thrills. Not that it’s any surprise, but Goto and Takagi’s main event is required viewing.

NJPW Wrestling Dontaku night two live results: Naito’s farewell match

Posted on by Corey Michaels

It’s sure to be an emotional night in Fukuoka as Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI bid farewell to NJPW on day two of Wrestling Dontaku.

Naito and BUSHI have announced that they are leaving the promotion — Naito due to being unable to come to terms on a new contract, and BUSHI ostensibly leaving out of loyalty to Naito — following today’s show. They will team with Shingo Takagi and Hiromu Takahashi of Los Ingobernables de Japon against Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi, and TAKA Michinoku.

The NJPW farewell for Naito and BUSHI will not headline today’s show, though, with two title matches on top.

In the main event, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Hirooki Goto defends against Callum Newman.

In the semi-main position, IWGP Global Champion Yota Tsuji defends against Yuya Uemura in the remarkable 51st singles meeting in their careers. Most of their bouts came as both came up in the Young Lion system together, including 22 time limit draws.

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Pre-show

Katsuya Murashima & Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Hitamaru Sasaki & Jet Wei

Sasaki and Taguchi may have wrestled to a stalemate, but Wei had to reach for Sasaki as Murashima was too much, even with his marks of war. Taguchi attempted to make the save for a worn Murashima, but Sasaki sent him flying into his partner. The wily veteran Taguchi made a comeback for his team, sending hip attacks to both Sasaki and Wei. Taguchi won the match with an ankle hold on a helpless Wei.

Post-match: Sasaki and Murashima bowed on the outside. The Kyushu wrestler then refused to shake Taguchi’s hand.

BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Gedo & Taiji Ishimori) defeated Batten Blabla & Mentai Kid

Kid’s offense immediately exhausted Ishimori, while Blabla’s antics confused him and Gedo. Despite the comedic hijinks, Blabla faced the vicious bites of the War Dogs. Kid nearly made a save with the Mentai Splash. Ishimori finished off Blabla with a Gedo Clutch as a pin for the 3-count.

Master Wato & YOSHI-HASHI vs. United Empire (Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young)

YOSHI-HASHI had been incapacitated near the start, leaving United Empire (notably Khan) to weaken him with knees and kicks. Khan sat on Wato, adding his immense weight while Young worked on the junior heavyweight’s arm. The wide spread of tools under Khan’s collection proved cumbersome for YOSHI-HASHI, particularly the Iron Claw, but a surprise DDT saved him. Wato resisted Young’s German Suplex, countering with his own patented Tsutenkaku German Suplex.

YOSHI-HASHI’s in-ring has become more decisive and urgent, keeping him and World Heavyweight Champion Hirooki Goto in the tag team title radar while his partner defends his singles gold.

STARS (Hazuki & Koguma) & Maika defeated Neo Genesis (AZM & Starlight Kid) & Yuna Mizumori

Koguma started off against Kid, carefully dictating her slower pace to counter her masked opponent’s high speed. Mizumori writhed and crawled after STARS centered their focus on her. The colorful wrestler fought back with some kicks and even a dropkick of her own. AZM and Kid combined their quick offense to tenderize Maika and Koguma.

Maika planted AZM in the center of the ring with a vertical suplex. Mizumori combined her comeback with Kid and AZM for a synchronized Dropkick. Hazuki and Koguma flew over the top rope to knacker all of their opponents and drag Mizumori into the ring. Hazuki won the match with a Brainbuster over Mizumori.

Joshi wrestling is one of the best things in the pro wrestling industry. Maybe someday, Stardom will see in Hazuki what fans have for a long time. Give her a push.

El Phantasmo & Oleg Boltin defeated The Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero)

Resuming last night’s war of attrition, Takeshita avoided every single move Phantasmo could think of. The pair then moved onto dismantling Boltin. Romero sought to use his agility to take down Boltin, who then dizzied them by way of his Boltin Shake. Boltin dropped Romero on the mat during a Kamikaze, thus winning the match for he and Phantasmo.

A lot of dynamite moves, one that will make initial viewing feel must-see. I’m glad this isn’t feeling like a one-and-done, that Phantasmo and Takeshita have more to communicate in the ring.

Be-Bop Tag Team (Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toru Yano), Ryota Chikuzen, TAJIRI & YOH defeated TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Kosei Fujita, Robbie Eagles, Ryohei Oiwa & Zack Sabre Jr.)

TAJIRI and Sabre in a rare instance locked up, with the legend calmly and immediately powering out of the Brit’s holds and submissions. Eagles and YOH fired like cannons, with the former taking advantage of Fujita’s in-ring assistance. Yano opened the turnbuckle, aiming to send the junior heavyweights into it, instead receiving harsh opposition by Jackson.

Chikuzen blasted Oiwa with chops, eventually knocking him down with the alliance with Tanahashi. Jackson splashed heavily into the corner Tanahashi lay dazed at, followed with a fierce lariat. TAJIRI hit Jackson with his famous green mist, leaviding Tanahashi to end the match courtesy of a High-Fly Flow.

The guest wrestlers tonight have made for a great show. Whether it’s the Kyushu locals or legends like TAJIRI, they’ve added a specifically different flavor in wrestlng that made the matches special.

Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito) defeated Just 4 Guys (Taichi & TAKA Michinoku), Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii

Taichi suffered the brunt of the offense at first, but Ishii moved like a madman, especially to Takahashi with a Dangerous Driver. Naito made a hot tag, sending Taichi out with a Destino. Los Ingobernables de Japon trapped Michinoku alone and all combined for a dropkick. Naito unleashed a Destino again on Taichi, meanwhile BUSHI flew like a heat-seeking missile to Umino on the outside. Takagi finished the match for his team via a Last of the Dragon on Michinoku for the win.

Naito and BUSHI’s final match went about as usual, and I wouldn’t have had it any different. Ishii, Uminio, and Just 4 Guys filled their roles excellently. The years Naito and BUSHI have added to NJPW’s legacy, with the former’s big matches easily slotting into the pantheon of all-time great matches. Whether Los Ingobernables de Japon moves on or not without them remains to be seen, but what they’ve given us is more than enough now.

Yota Tsuji (c) defeated Yuya Uemura for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship

Champion and challenger had a staredown and a lockup twice that stretched onward. Uemura targeted Tsuji’s left arm and shoulder. Tsuji repaid in kind with Uemura’s right arm. Firmly in control, Tsuji moved from Uemura’s arm to his torso. Uemura stunned Tsuji with a Back Body Drop. Tsuji sent Umino falling to the outside with a hurricanrana and into the barricade with a tope suicida.

Unresponsive in the corner, Uemura suffered a splash from Tsuji in the corner, yet he turned it around by working the legs of Tsuji with a figure-four leglock. The moment Tsuji began powering out of the Nelson lock that Uemura had him in, the more immediate Uemura gave a reverse Canadian Destroyer. Uemura aimed for a huge Splash but landed flat. Tsuji wrenched Uemura’s arm unforgivingly, A series of suplexes nearly took out Takagi, as did a Backbreaker. Stealing Hiroshi Tanahashi’s High-Fly Flow, Uemura found no success in emulation. Uemura desperately reached for a Dead Drop, but Tsuji ended the match instead with a Gene Blaster, thus retaining his championship.

Post-match: Uemura bade Tsuji his respect and departed. The rest of Los Ingobernables de Japon came out, with Tsuji kneeling in the spot Naito used to. Naito and BUSHI left, with emotion visible on their faces as the crowd called to them. Gabe Kidd then greeted Tsuji, challenging him for the championship on June 15’s Dominion event.

The rivarly between these two will carry into further in their careers. They’re meant to do this forever, with the chemistry to prove it. As for Tsuji’s kneeling, Chris Charlton mentioned that this could be a figurative passing of the torch which I find particularly interesting if it happens.

Main Event

Hirooki Goto (c) defeated Callum Newman for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship

Goto started off strong, but Newman thwarted him on the outside with a plancha. He followed up with slingshots to the steel barricades and kicks to the back. Hitting a substantial vertical drop from the top rope, Goto worked on the shoulders of Newman. Newman reached high air with an impressive dropkick and a tope con hilo to flatten the champion. A quick battle of wits and strategy led to a simultaneous DDT on Goto and Ushigoroshi on Newman. Merciful as he tried to be, Goto kept providing forearms and elbows to Newman—until he spat in the champ’s face. For that, Goto immediately sent him to the mat.

A GTR nearly ended the match; despite Goto’s control of the match, he had issues dispatching the challenger. An Oscutter 2.0 quelled Goto’s momentum, but also left Newman weak and defenseless on the ground. Newman broke the count early, whilst Goto barely did it in time. A shock Rainmaker nearly gave Newman the pinfall, but Goto remained resilient, albeit horizontal. Another Oscutter 2.0, but Newman flipped and dropped to a Rainmaker. Goto’s Shouten Kai rendered Newman immobile in the ring, but not enough for pinfall. After two GTRs, ultimately Goto won the match.

Post-match: Zack Sabre Jr and Shingo Takagi emerged to issue their respective challenges, with Sabre having first dibs.

Very well done and deserving of being a main event spot. Though most will be talking more about Naito and BUSHI’s departures, this match should hopefully change some questions around Newman. Just another day at the office for Hirooki Goto.

Night Two had more must-watch matches for sure. The goodbye to Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI, Tsuji versus Uemura, and Hirooki Goto’s successful title retention in a star-making performance for Callum Newman stand among the rest of tonight’s wrestling proceedings. The economy may be rough, but creatively, NJPW has a bright future.

NJPW Wrestling Dontaku night one live results: Dogpound cage match

Posted on by Corey Michaels

Night one of NJPW Wrestling Dontaku will be headlined by a Dogpound cage match.

Two of Bullet Club’s sub-factions will square off inside the steel cage, with EVIL, SANADA, SHO, Ren Narita, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru of House of Torture taking on the War Dogs five-some of David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors, Taiji Ishimori, and Drilla Moloney.

In today’s semi-main, Shingo Takagi goes one-on-one with Shota Umino in their fourth career singles meeting. Umino holds a 2-1 edge in their singles matches.

Hiroshi Tanahashi will face Zack Sabre Jr. on the undercard as the Ace’s retirement tour continues.

NJPW World TV Champion El Phantasmo will defend his title against Konosuke Takeshita.

Three multi-man tag matches round out today’s undercard, including the penultimate bouts in the NJPW careers of Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI, both of whom have announced they will be leaving the promotion following tomorrow’s night two event.

Young Lions Katsuya Murashima and Daiki Nagai square off on the pre-show beginning at 4:30 a.m. Eastern time.

**********

Pre-show

Katsuya Murashima defeated Daiki Nagai

Nagai spent the first half of the match targeting Murashima’s weak left knee. However, the latter gritted his teeth with some forearms and a slam. Nagai regained momentum, nearly securing favor with a Sharpshooter. The battered and bruised Murashima made a spirited comeback, sinking in a deep Bostom Crab, unforgivingly dragging Nagai back to the center during any attempt to escape. With no other alternative, Nagai tapped out.

Main Card

Master Wato, Oleg Boltin, Toru Yano & YOH defeated TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Kosei Fujita, Robbie Eagles & Ryohei Oiwa)

YOH and Eagles wrestled to a stalemate, but Wato fared better with wearing down Fujita. Yano attempted the same with Oiwa by stripping the turnbuckle pad from the ring post, only to succumb to the swathe that was TMDK. This led to the gargantuan collision of Boltin and Jackson. The latter had the advantage due to the Kazakh wrestler’s taped up and injured leg, however, Boltin’s will won out.

Both teams saw a heavy deployment of topes, eventually reuniting Jackson and Boltin in the ring once more. Jackson nearly punctuated the match with a German Suplex. Ultimately, Boltin unleashed a thunderous Kamikaze slam to finish the match in his favor to the prone Jackson.

YOH and Wato’s Junior Tag Team chemistry had its shining moment, but the real star of the show was the clashes between Jackson and Boltin. Fans of big man on big man violence will be satisfied by the morsels left in this 8-man tag.

Just 4 Guys (Taichi, TAKA Michinoku & Yuya Uemura) & Tomohiro Ishii defeated Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, Tetsuya Naito & Yota Tsuji)

Before the match could start, Naito began has traditional disrobing fare, only to re-button his shirt and zipping his pants back up and disrobe again. As Tsuji and Uemura locked up, Chris Charlton wonderfully painted a picture of their very early history. Naito and BUSHI combined their offense to topple Michinoku. A fired-up Ishii wiped out the opposing forces of LIJ, going so far as to endure Naito and Takahashi’s combined efforts.

Taichi and BUSHI met in the ring; the masked wrestler’s lighter offense overwhelmed his taller opponent, but couldn’t diminish his power. Uemura and Tsuji met in the ring once more, leading to the LIJ member being chased out. Ishii proceeded to handle the remaining members. Taichi pinned BUSHI with a Dangerous Backdrop to win the match.

Naito and BUSHI’s impending departures felt nonexistent in this match. As though Los Ingobernables de Japon would never die, everyone worked in tandem. Ishii brought an energy to the match that made it a blast. If you’re a fan of Taichi, Uemura, and Tsuji, this match will be up your alley.

Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) & Ryusuke Taguchi defeated United Empire (Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young)

Tomorrow’s main event started the match, with Newman defiantly asking the best of Goto. Taguchi brought levity with his signature comic relief, which Khan played off well before striking with his painful chops. Hilariously, this nearly ended the match after Taguchi suffered a Thumb-in-the-Bum by Khan. Young followed the offense on Taguchi with his high-speed precision. Newman sought to finish Taguchi in the face of Goto, but the champion tagged in and wrought a torrent of pain upon the Brit.

Young and YOSHI-HASHI greeted each other with athletic prowess, yet Khan provided a handy assist. Unsatisfied with his earlier punishment, Taguchi was reintroduced to the mat by Khan. YOSHI-HASHI and Taguchi kept Khan and Newman at bay before finishing off Young with a Shoto to a resounding drop. YOSHI-HASHI pinned Young for the victory.

An equal balance of urgency with Goto and Newman’s impending clash tomorrow with the comedy of Khan and Taguchi. With these elements in play, the small roles of YOSHI-HASHI and Young were the glue that kept the match together.

El Phantasmo (c) vs. Konosuke Takeshita (with Rocky Romero) for the NJPW World Television Championship ended in a timeout

An opportunistic Takeshita took advantage of Romero’s distraction of Phantasmo to daze him with a tope. Outside of the ring, Takeshita and Romero used the environment to soften the defending champion. At the last second, Phantasmo dodged the charging Takeshita, who spilled to the outside. Dispatching the challenger and associate, he soared onto Takeshita’s body past the barricade. Resuming control, Takeshita almost dropped Phantasmo on the apron, only for himself to be piledriven on it instead. This saw Takeshita teeter precariously towards a 20-count loss, only to break the count at 19.

A saga of exchanges concluded with Phantasmo hoping for a Superkick finish, but instead found Takeshita dropping Phantasmo’s body on the mat in its place. Phantasmo reached for a running knee, but Takeshita countered with a surprise Blue Thunderbomb, followed by a Poisonrana. A mistimed pin after a lariat prevented Phantasmo from a pinfall after a powerbomb, as the clock ran out.

You will not go wrong seeking out this match. At one point Takeshita collapsed before Phantasmo could do a running knee, and it heightened the drama, even if it seemed like he was playing possum. I’m not sure if that awkward pin after Phantasmo’s lariat was planned or not, but it worked to their credit as it left me wanting more.

Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi

The Ace found himself ensnared by Sabre’s technical trappings, yet found his way out due to his classic dynamic offense. Sabre mockingly kicked meekly at Tanahashi, only provoking his ire, leading to a Senton. Sabre’s long legs momentarily swung the match into his control, but Tanahashi endured. The pair wrestled for the chance to backslide pin the other, with Tanahashi opting for a Twist and Shout. A Zack Driver quelled Tanahashi’s momentum, gifting him with ample time to recover his worn knee. After a successful High-Fly Flow, Tanahashi reached for another, only for Sabre to transition it into a triangle choke. Wearing The Ace down into near unconsciousness, Sabre pinned Tanahashi after a Zack Driver.

One of the most underrated recurring matchups in the 2010s, Sabre and Tanahashi delivered once again; the dynamic of Sabre’s technical style and Tanahashi’s explosive movement has evolved, with one man still well into the prime of his career while the other is bittersweetly close to his twilight.

Shingo Takagi defeated Shota Umino

No love lost between these two as Takagi charged Umino and unleashed his fury on him; Umino indeed responded in kind as the pair brawled to the outside. Takagi spitefully gained power with lariats and the surrounding environment to his advantage. Obtaining wrist control, Takagi followed up with a series of lariats and put an exclamation point to it with a powerbomb.

Takagi withstood a frenzied comeback from Umino, dodging a lariat and dragging him to a Tornado DDT. Umino recovered after a sliding lariat from Takagi, firing back with a Tornado DDT of his own. Takagi’s dominance faded as Umino reached for subsequent lariats, with one seemingly decisive pin ending in a 1-count. A Pumping Bomber so powerful it could’ve been felt through the arena somehow wasn’t enough to put Umino away, but left the crowd in rapturous chants for the Dragon. Takagi ended Umino with finality with a Last of the Dragon for the win. As Umino lay with a bloody nose, Takagi showed signs of disrespect and smack-talked Konosuke Takeshita at a nearby commentary table.

Wonderfully physical. Several times throughout I sat convinced that these men really hated each other. However Umino’s character goes from here, this may undoubtedly be a match to look back on.

Main Event

BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Clark Connors, David Finlay, Drilla Moloney, Gabe Kidd & Taiji Ishimori) defeated House Of Torture (EVIL, Ren Narita, SANADA, SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) in a Steel Cage Match

Each War Dog found their House of Torture member to assault. Kidd and Narita traded chair shots. Moloney had gotten the better of SANADA when Dick Togo gave him a low blow. house of Torture proceeded to carve into his forehead with a fork as he screamed in dear agony. The would-be savior Connors was sent into an exposed ring post and ground against the cage for his troubles. Narita, meanwhile, repeatedly drove Kidd’s skull into a nearby table.

The flock of vultures that were the House of Torture continued picking at Moloney when the War Dogs came to his aid. Finlay sacrificed himself by vertical suplexing himself and SHO into the crowd of War Dogs and House of Torture members. Back inside the ring, Connors and Kanemaru dueled with a baseball bat and kendo stick, respectively as Narita destroyed a chair over Ishimori’s skull. Connors endured a Whiskey Breath by Kanemaru before unleashing a Gore to SHO and Kanemaru. Finlay wielded his shillelagh against EVIL, furthermore dropping him with a Gun Stun, followed by Oblivion.

Gedo entered the cage, falling onto him as he lay on a table which didn’t break. EVIL broke apart Finlay’s shillelagh before driving a splintered end to his forehead, followed by strikes wrapped in steel chain. Moloney came to Finlay’s rescue, landing a loud guitar shot to SANADA’s skull, bloodying it. In return, SANADA flipped Moloney over his shoulder directly through a table. A crimson-soaked Kidd weathered Narita’s biting of his skull with a headbutt and a lariat. They grinded each other’s flesh on a barb-wire wrapped table, painting everything with their claret. Kidd then concluded the match with a Piledriver to Narita on the same table for the win. The House of Torture are now out of BULLET CLUB.

Post-match: EVIL handcuffed Finlay to the cage and wrapped the steel-chained dog collar tightly around Finlay’s neck leaving him to hang into unconsciousness.

A plunder match that delved into pure chaos and madness. So many high spots, from the use of Finlay’s shillelagh to the barb-wire table. Moloney falling into the unflinching bare table was a pain I admittedly winced at. Hilariously, Gedo’s dive from the top of the cage is one of the worst I’ve seen in any company. Not perfect by any stretch, but it was every bit as ugly as it needed to be. Though they’ve been rivals for a while in this feud, Narita and Kidd excelled in this and barely stood out. That’s not a knock on them, that’s a compliment to everyone involved for making such a memorable and entertaining bloodbath.

There were some fun multi-man matches, but NJPW World Television Championship match and the intimate bout between Takagi and Umino will satisfy any itch for singles competition. However, for the spectacle alone, this year’s steel cage match is must-watch. My adrenaline was still pumping ten minutes after the match ended. What a way to celebrate twelve years of BULLET CLUB, one of wrestling’s most important factions to ever exist.

NJPW Windy City Riot live results: Tanahashi’s final US match

Posted on by Corey Michaels

Hiroshi Tanahashi will wrestle his final match on US soil on tonight’s NJPW Windy City Riot pay-per-view.

The all-time great and NJPW legend will face Konosuke Takeshita in the show’s semi-main event in Chicago, his final match in the United States. Tana is on a retirement tour, with his final career bout set for next year’s Wrestle Kingdom in the Tokyo Dome.

Tana and Takeshita have squared off once before, more than ten years ago when Takeshita was an up-and-comer in DDT.

Tonight’s show will be headlined by an IWGP World Heavyweight title bout, with Hirooki Goto defending against Shota Umino.

Two more title bouts are set for the show, with Gabe Kidd defending the NJPW Strong Championship against Tomohiro Ishii in a 30-minute Iron Man match, plus NJPW Strong Tag Team Champions Kevin Knight and KUSHIDA defending against Jorel Nelson and Royce Isaacs of the World Class Wrecking Crew.

In a number one contender’s match, Mina Shirakawa faces AZM for the right to challenge Mercedes Mone for the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship at next month’s Resurgence event.

**********

Pre-show

Zane Jay defeated CJ Tino

Jay chiefly held dominance in the first half, but Tino gained a smidge of momentum with a running lariat. Attempting to land a flying dropkick, Tino was instead caught by Jay, but a rope break prevented any exploitation. Driving Jay into the corner, Tino picked at him with kicks and forearms. Jay carved out some momentum with scoop-slams but collapsed after a dropkick and a suplex. After a failed Sharpshooter, Tino submitted to a Boston Crab by the tenacious Jay.

— Post-match: Jay congratulated Tino for a match well-fought, before relinquishing his STRONG Survivor Champion. Announcing he would be moving his attention to competing in Japan, believing the new talents of the New Japan Dojo to be ready and hungry for the new belt.

In previous American outings, Jay’s been a favorite, as was his story with Matt Vandagriff. Best of luck to him in Japan.

Main card

TJP defeated Tom Lawlor

Lawlor had the early advantage, keeping TJP grounded as he worked the United Empire member’s leg. TJP pushed with a Sharpshooter and soon gained traction after snapping Lawlor’s shoulder. Backing TJP into a corner, Lawlor aggressively threw forearm strikes but dropped to the mat and onto the floor after a couple of dropkicks. Lawlor crushed TJP with a Tombstone Piledriver. TJP eked out a comeback, ending the match with a Mamba Splash onto Lawlor’s prone body.

Decent opener. TJP and Lawlor executed their moves well, but I felt a lack of chemistry between the two.

Mina Shirakawa vs AZM in a double count-out

Shirakawa found an upper hand in the beginning, but a dropkick by AZM put a swift end to that. Smiling, Shirakawa redirected AZM’s flow by directing her attention to her opponent’s knees. A collision by AZM and an uppercut by Shirakawa sent both women to the mat at the same time. Shirakawa hoped for a leap to the outside on AZM, but she flopped her down, tangling her leg on the ropes. Shirakawa ensnared AZM into a figure-four leglock, nearly taking her out had it not been for a rope break.

AZM seized Shirakawa’s leg, but it was not enough; even a roundhouse kick to the face couldn’t quell her spirit. Shirakawa opted for a Tornado DDT on the outside as the ring announcer reached the 15-count. Both women lay helpless as he reached the 20-count.

— Post-match: AZM and Shirakawa ragefully reacted to the ending, as Chicago booed with them.

This match kept going and going in terms of pace and energy. Edge of your seat action. Whether this leads to a triple-threat or neither woman challenging Mone for her STRONG Women’s Championship at Resurgence, this ending was deflating. With how split Chicago was for both women, however, at least no one goes home happy or sad for this match.

The World Class Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs) (c) defeated Intergalactic Jet Setters (Kevin Knight & KUSHIDA) for the STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championship

Nelson and KUSHIDA collided with Isaacs assisting the former with a sneak kick to the challenger. The Setters sent WCWC to the outside near a seated TJP. The champions pinballed Knight, with Isaacs flinging KUSHIDA into the barricades on the outside. Isaacs dropped Knight with a backbreaker assist by Nelson. Cartwheeling Nelson into a corner, KUSHIDA followed with a hurricanrana attempt but was caught—yet Knight finished the job. WCWC slammed Knight with a combined Powerbomb and played to the crowd, leading him to fell Nelson with a Satellite DDT. KUSHIDA did the same for Isaacs, KUSHIDA drove Isaacs into the referee, but suffered a suplex by him. The World Class Wrecking Crew retained the STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championship.

— Post-match: Nelson touted a successful second title defense before he and Isaacs were interrupted by TJP hoped to hand them a piece of paper.

After their increible performances with Dirty Work last year, WCWC’s defense against one of Japan’s best tag teams of the last year meshed very well.

Tomohiro Ishii defeated Gabe Kidd (c) for the STRONG Openweight Championship in a 30-minute Iron Man Match

Champion and challenger wore themselves out quickly but Kidd’s steadily weakening series of forearms sent Ishii to the mat. Ishii plummeted Kidd with a forearm strike. The pair traded chest chops for an extended period before Kidd cornered him for more intimate, assertive chops. Ishii fired back in a comeback fueled by his own chops. Once more, Kidd unleashed a torrent of chops, crumpling Ishii in the corner. The challenger had enough, however, charging with a lariat to topple the champion.

Teasing a powerbomb, Ishii instead mockingly gave soft Kawada Kicks to Kidd’s skull. An insulted Kidd slapped Ishii so hard that he fell. Powerbombing Kidd from the top rope, Ishii’s strength had been depleted to an inability to follow up. Fans held up Ishii as Kidd delivered more punishment. Charging at Ishii, Kidd missed, steamrolling into a few rows of chairs. Chairs scattered, Kidd DDT’d Ishii onto a steady line of them. Both men moved onto retalitatory headbutts. Kidd gained the first pinfall thanks to a Doctor Bomb. Back to trading chops, Ishii eventually sent Kidd to the matt but couldn’t get the pin after a sliding dropkick. An Armbreaker by a bloody-nosed Ishii persevered with an extended Triangle Choke. With no escape, Kidd tapped to it. The pair were tied, thus leading to Sudden Death.

Sudden Death

A running lariat and piledriver almost finished Ishii, but his spirit denied him defeat. Ishii deployed a lariat of his own, met with a Brainbuster by the champion. Ishii ultimately, cathartically won with a Brainbuster, finishing Sudden Death as the new NEVER Openweight Champion.

I’m of two minds on this one. Half of this match consisted of little but chops to the chest. I’m a sucker for a good chop fest, but it did go on for some time. However, the story of it carried until later in the match with each man surviving through sheer will in a gritty battle. Each move and pin attempt as the finish drew nearer culminated in a pulse-pounding climax. Shock win, but a fun one.

Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito & Titan) defeated El Phantasmo & Rocky Romero

Romero had Titan struggling in the beginning, but Phantasmo’s bravado halted it. Naito and Titan had Phantasmo on the ropes, but he demolished Titan with a Tilt-A-Whirl. An energetic Romero sprinted with lariats in the corner, and dodged a double-clothesline for a double-lariat. Romero and Phantasmo, despite their earlier differences, dizzied Naito with a Dropkick + UFO. Romero used Phantasmo as a Slingshot to Titan, but he sent both of them flying with hurricanranas. Naito assisted Titan with a Splash on Romero, but Phantasmo sent Naito careening on top of Titan’s pin attempt. Naito incapacitated Phantasmo with a Destino with an extra Tope Suicida from Titan. A flying double stomp to the chest for the win.

— Post-match: Naito and Titan teased a fan dressed as Jushin Thunder Liger. He attempted to cross the barricade for a further interaction but security quickly descended upon him, sending him back.

Titan was by far the star of the match. One of the best parts of LIJ matches, he’s a welcome presence in NJPW. Phantasmo and Romero’s bickering told its own story that kept the match moving at its pace. Naito at this point coasts on his much-deserved star power, perfect for his slowing body.

Zack Sabre Jr. defeated David Finlay

Finlay fiercely fought in the beginning, but Sabre soon grasped control of his left fingers. Finlay carved out some space with an Irish Curse. Sabre offset Finlay’s newfound momentum with a suplex into the corner. Finlay hit Sabre with another Irish Curse and flipped him across the ring. The pair battled back and forth, trading pins and cradles—Sabre clutched with a Bridged Nelson pin. Oblivion by Finlay damages the back of Sabre, but wasn’t enough. They once more taded pins; Sabre broke up this trend with an armbar. Sabre withstood multiple powerbombs to cinch back the arms of Finlay. Chicago booed with disdain as the referee’s hand hit the mat three times after a Zack Driver, but got the pinfall with it moments later.

Two styles melded together quite nicely, with Finlay’s power offset by Sabre’s technical style. The way each tried to overcome the other’s strengths made the drama compelling, yet doesn’t quite reach “match of the night” status.

Hirooki Goto (c) defeated Shota Umino for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship

Goto persisted Umino’s opening offense, working his leg. The challenger returned the favor in kind, dropping his knee on Goto’s. He twisted Goto’s leg some more before employing the use of an STF. Goto reached deep to deliver a suplex and engage in a war of forearms. Umino laid out Goto with a pop-up powerbomb. Goto cranked Umino in with an overwhelming sleeper hold before proceeding with a gnarly soccer kick. Umino flew with a knee to Goto, and dropped him with a lariat. A GTR at last quelled his opponent for a 3-count victory.

Too soon for Umino to be placed back into the main event title picture, but he and Goto put on a neatly packed semi-main event. That said, though this match had little juice at first, but became something else entirely near the end. Goto, even on his weakest defenses, has proven himself worthy of the championship. An added benefit: Chicago seemed to LOVE him.

Young Bucks promo video

AEW’s Nick and Matt Jackson declared intentions of bringing a couple of friends with them to NJPW Resurgence in Ontario, California on March 9.

Based on their free agency and a post on X earlier in the day, this is most likely Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson, the Good Brothers. They’ve accompanied The Elite in AEW and are Bullet Club stalwarts so it makes sense.

Konosuke Takeshita (c) defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi for the NEVER Openweight Championship

Tanahashi avoided early defeat courtesy of a Hammerlock DDT, but Takeshita’s youth and power proved hard to surpass. The champion trapped The Ace in the corner, striking and biting. Dropping Tanahashi with a Bastard Bomb, victory was nearly within reach. However, the challenger responded with a Sling Blade. Takeshita dropped him with a Brainbuster to a large thud. Tanahashi squeaked out a High-Fly Flow. Takeshita slammed Tanahashi with a Blue Thunderbomb, later seeking to steal his High-Fly Flow; Tanahashi kicked out at 1, to a huge ovation.

Fired up, Tanahashi attacked Takeshita with Dragon Suplexes. He ran with another Sling Blade and followed with two High-Fly Flows. Hoping for a Raging Fire finish, Takeshita was unsuccessful. Relying on multiple Power-Drive Knees, he still couldn’t overcome The Ace. At last, he overcame Tanahashi with a Somato and one last Raging Fire and the cathartic win was all his as Tanahashi lay in somber defeat.

— Post-match: Takeshita helped Tanahashi to his feet, and shook his hand. As he left for the back, Takeshita had a brief, awkward confrontation with El Phantasmo. The locker room emptied out to surround Tanahashi on the outside, chanting for him. Tearful fans joined them as Tanahashi emotionally exclaimed that though he’ll be retired and serving as NJPW President soon, the roster would be in good hands. He concluded by stating he’ll miss the American crowds and thanked them for their support.

What a final American performance from Tanahashi. Finishing on story beats from over a decade ago, these men hit the marks they were meant to hit. Since Takeshita is the ruling Japanese of the American side of wrestling, this means a lot. Tanahashi has given a lot. I’m grateful for him giving his everything to this final year.

An exciting night. The WCWC versus the Intergalactic Jet Setters rocked, Goto made Umino look strong, and Tanahashi put on an emotional bout against Takeshita. For its faults, Ishii versus Kidd hit all its beats in its 30 minutes and sudden death. The Young Bucks left a lot of intrigue heading into Resurgence. If you want a substantial stateside NJPW show, this will hit the spot.

NJPW Sakura Genesis live results: Goto vs. Finlay IWGP title match

Posted on by Corey Michaels

Hirooki Goto defending the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against David Finlay headlines today’s NJPW Sakura Genesis.

Finlay earned today’s World title shot by winning the 2025 New Japan Cup. The two competitors have a 1-1 record in their two prior singles meetings.

Five more title matches are also set for the show.

IWGP Global Champion Yota Tsuji defends against EVIL, and NEVER Openweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita defends against Ryohei Oiwa.

IWGP Tag Team Champions Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi defend against Jeff Cobb and Callum Newman. The NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions SHO, Ren Narita, and Yujiro Takahashi will defend against Gabe Kidd, Taiji Ishimori, and Drilla Moloney.

The Great-O-Khan challenges El Phantasmo for the NJPW World TV title in the show’s other championship tilt.

A special singles match features Hiroshi Tanahashi facing Shota Umino for just the second time in their careers, and for the first time since Umino’s time as a Young Lion.

SANADA faces Yuya Uemura in the main card opener.

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Pre-show

Katsuya Murashima defeated Daiki Nagai

Having felt each other out, Murashima soon gained command of the match. He extended this sway further with leglocks, each subsequent ones broken by rope breaks. Nagai soon found favor courtesy of a dropkick, followed by a Crossbody. Murashima trapped Nagai in his own Boston Crab, this time successful; Nagai tapped to the agony placed upon him.

Main card

Yuya Uemura defeated SANADA

Competing for wrist control, both competitors teetered back and forth. Uemura damaged SANADA’s arm with a twist and then a dropkick. On the outside, SANADA flung Uemura into the barricade, further tossing him into members of the Japanese commentary table, disturbing a nearby Chris Charlton and Walker Stewart. SANADA capitalized on his carnage to Uemura with an elevated Magic Screw off the ring apron. He added another Magic Screw on the top rope for further hurt. Uemura’s blazing hot comeback halted starkly to SANADA’s Shining Wizard. However, he tapped resoundingly to a Daiyaru Gatame, leaving Uemura the victor.

SANADA’s initial clean approach was refreshing, but his heel tactics made each swing for Uemura’s comebacks so exciting. His Bullet Club involvement has been adding more layers to his character that’s made him interesting compared to his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship run two years ago. As for Uemura, a lot has been said about how great he already is, but I personally don’t think it’s talked about enough. He’s got the right movements to make for an exhilarating presence in the ring.

Great-O-Khan defeated El Phantasmo (c) for the NJPW World TV Title

Phantasmo struck quick and first, sending Khan to the outside. Leaping from the top rope, he landed on his challenger as nearby fans scurried (including one nervous man holding a Daryl plushie cat). Khan planted Phantasmo on the ring apron, focusing more on using his weight and targeting the champion’s weak shoulder. Khan set up a structure of chairs to be used for later. Phantasmo found enough spirit to send Khan flying with a Hurricanrana from the top rope. Having dislocated his shoulder, Phantasmo miraculously toppled Khan in a struggle for power, capitalized with an Unidentified Flying Opponent. Khan once more took Phantasmo to the outside as the 15-minute time limit drew nearer, slamming him through his previously made chair structure. Hastily returning to the ring, Khan watched as Phantasmo lay down for the 20-count. For the first time, the NJPW World TV title changed hands via countout.

Unexpectedly, this was a blast. Khan’s brains and brawn superceded Phantasmo’s spirit in brilliant displays of resiliency from both men. The 20-count especially added drama to heighten the urgency of a NJPW World TV title match.

Shota Umino defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi

Entering through the crowd in a huge Fatal Fury reference, Tanahashi proudly wore a brown leather jacket as Rock Howard, accompanied by Terry Bogard, portrayed by famed Japanese cosplayer Momo Momoto. Tanahashi began the match firing against Umino with Crossbodies, but dropped due to a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Umino cruelly centered his focus on Tanahashi’s notoriously weak knees. Beyond the strain of his full force attacks, there was nothing behind Umino’s eyes as he held Tanahashi in a crossface.

The pair traded forearms against the turnbuckle with a numb rage emanating from Umino, replaced at last by a look of emotional hurt as his strikes grew in aggression. Tanahashi’s ferocity and tenacity saw him eke out momentum, conducting the crowd like a maestro as he endured Umino’s ruthlessness; narrowly escaping a Bridged Suplex Pin. After three Twist’n’Shouts, a suplex, Sling Blade, and High-Fly Flow, he failed to gain the pin after a second H-FF. Umino collapsed Tanahashi with a Shining Wizard to the back of his skull. Seeking a Northern Lights Suplex, Umino nearly lost to an inside cradle. Umino finally concluded the match, pinning Tanahashi after using The Second Chapter.

This was something special. My goodness. My hands are shaking and I have goosebumps as I type this. In context, 2025 is an important year for both Tanahashi and Umino. The former had strong shades of his past work before his knees gave him troubles. Umino felt like someone to worry about, someone who has an exciting new direction if followed upon correctly. In a way that professional wrestling can communicate, this match served as a communication from a veteran to a rookie to shape up and find out exactly who he is as a man. Incredible stuff in a rare loss during Tanahashi’s final year.

House Of Torture (Ren Narita, SHO & Yujiro Takahashi) (c) defeated BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Drilla Moloney, Gabe Kidd & Taiji Ishimori) for the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship

Each opposing side of BULLET CLUB clashed before the bell could even ring. One by one, the War Dogs fell to the House of Torture’s forces. The trio of Narita, SHO, and Takahashi took turns pecking at Moloney, deterring Kidd and Ishimori, but not for long. Kidd chopped at Narita’s chest, who then introduced him to the mat with a Guillotine Clothesline. The Brit responded in kind with a lariat, setting Moloney up for a Drilla Killa, thwarted by House of Torture interference.

SANADA and Clark Connors entered the fray, with SANADA teasing a guitar shot to Narita before smashing it over Moloney’s head. Narita took advantage of this, covering the now bloody body of Moloney for the win.

— Post-match: SANADA ripped open his jacket, revealing a House of Torture T-shirt, thus defecting from the War Dogs. Kidd, Ishimori, and Connors chased the opposing faction away and tended to Moloney.

I’ll regret this later, but I found that a big development in this Bullet Club civil war can be a benefit to this angle. Though I’m disappointed to see SANADA go down this route, something had to happen. That said, this match built up to something nice, despite my misgivings to House of Torture. Perhaps there’s something to be said about SANADA’s constant faction-jumping, that maybe he’d be better off a loner.

Best of the Super Juniors Announcement

In a comic book-themed presentation, the competitors for the 2025 Best of the Super Juniors Tournament were revealed.

Participants: El Desperado, Ryusuke Taguchi, YOH, Master Wato, KUSHIDA, Kevin Knight, Ninja Mack, Kosei Fujita, Robbie Eagles, Hiroshi Takahashi, BUSHI, Francesco Akira, Taiji Ishimori, Clark Connors, SHO, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, an unnamed CMLL wrestler, Dragongate’s Dragon Dia, DDT Pro Wrestling‘s Mao, AEW‘s Nick Wayne.

Konosuke Takeshita (c) defeated Ryohei Oiwa for the NEVER Openweight Championship

Evenly matched, Oiwa proceeded with trepidation, paying off as he sent Takeshita into the barricades. The champion returned the favor, kicking his challenger in the skull. In the ring, Oiwa controlled Takeshita’s left arm, concentrating his strength to soften and weaken it. Though this undoubtedly affected him, Takeshita’s use of height and power during a top rope suplex triumphed over Oiwa. Proceeding to a Blue Thunderbomb, Takeshita further bullied his opponent. After a back and forth, Oiwa twirled Takeshita to the mat with a lariat. Another back and forth, this time resulting in Takeshita landing a lariat.

Dropping Oiwa with a Brainbuster, Takeshita earned a 1-count pin to a huge ovation. Determined to keep his momentum, Takeshita reached for a Raging Fire. With that, Takeshita retains his NEVER Openweight Championship once again.

Since Oiwa’s return and Takeshita’s signing, I yearned for this match. It did not disappoint. In fact, it left me wanting more, and it’s clear they have much more they’d love to do together, in terms of in-ring excitement and storytelling. Oiwa kicking out at 1 heightened the urgency, showing that Takeshita needed to try everything. The future is still bright for Oiwa.

United Empire (Callum Newman & Jeff Cobb) defeated Los Ingobernables de Japon (Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito) (c) for the IWGP Tag Team Championship

Takahashi had an early advantage over the younger Newman, bolstered with assistance by Naito to Cobb’s chagrin. However, Newman fought for his reprieve with a dropkick. Cobb crushed Takahashi with a Standing Moonsault. The pair teetered for control, but Takahashi reversed a powerbomb with a hurricanrana. Naito soon followed with an Esperanza and later a Tornado DDT. Newman nearly thwarted a Destino, but Takahashi added a dropkick needed to complete it.

Hoping for a Tour of the Islands, Cobb’s flight for Naito had been canceled due to turbulence by way of a Takahashi dropkick. Once more countering Cobb’s Tour of the Island with a DDT, Naito was met by an Oscutter 2.0 from Newman. Cobb sent Naito into Newman’s knee, followed up by a Vertical Suplex for a surprise win.

Nothing short of a rollercoaster. Naito and Takahashi were slow as usual, but every segment hit, and they gave it the best they could. Newman and Cobb are great choices for this title victory. With whatever is on the horizon for Cobb, this accolade is a fine one for someone who’s given a lot. Whether he stays or leaves, he’s a great asset to NJPW’s roster. This will undoubtedly be great for Newman in the long run as well as he works for his own identity.

Yota Tsuji (c) defeated EVIL for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship

No sooner had Tsuji walked to the ring when EVIL and the House of Torture ambushed him. Dragging him to the ring, the faction were attacked by none other than the real Yota Tsuji—the decoy was his twin brother Shota Tsuji. Nevertheless, EVIL capitalized on the days of fixated attacks on the champion’s knee to great effect. Employing the Nagata Lock, EVIL laughed as Tsuji writhed in agony, or torture if you will. In the background, Dick Togo continued his assault from earlier on Shota.

In defiance of his hurt knee, Tsuji spilled EVIL with a hurricanrana and sent him to the barricade. Togo attempted to halt a hobbling Tsuji, but he remained undettered. Aiming for a high-flying maneuver, Tsuji’s knee gave out. EVIL exploited this by slamming it into the mat. Strength depleting, Tsuji made a weak crawl to the ropes to break out of EVIL’s Cloverleaf. Tsuji unleashed a Backbreaker + Stomp combination to falter EVIL, but at the cost of more knee pain. Nearly maximizing on the moment of a prone EVIL, Tsuji was distracted by Yoshinobu Kanemaru dragging Shota to the ring. EVIL abused this opportunity as the House of Torture struck hard on him. Shingo Takagi sprinted to the ring, emptying the House. Low-blowing Takagi, EVIL met the same fate courtesy Tsuji. Tossing referee Marty Asami, EVIL countered Tsuji’s Gene Blaster with a Magic Killer. Kanemaru spat whiskey in Tsuji’s direction, who ducked in time, leading Takagi to down him with a Pumping Bomber. EVIL, reeling from the whiskey spit, lost the match to a successful Gene Blaster.

— Post-match: Tsuji called out Yuya Uemura, who already made his way to the ring. The pair agreed to set up a match for Tsuji’s gold at a later date.

Nearly as good as Tsuji’s defense against Gabe Kidd, I can forgive the House of Torture interference thanks to the cathartic nature in their takedown. However, Shingo Takagi’s role and the mind games involving Shota Tsuji being a trap made for at least a fun story, ended with a spectacular finish.

Hirooki Goto (c) defeated David Finlay for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship

Locking up, Goto quickly gained an advantage, putting Finlay in a hold broken by the bottom rope. Once Finlay could lay Goto to the mat, he struck with a series of punches and forearms. Finlay’s dominance reigned for a few minutes until Goto pulled out a lariat at the last minute. A Cactus Clothesline by Finlay tumbled him and Goto to the outside; Goto’s foot unwittingly struck Finlay in the groin during the process. Finlay grabbed a table from beyond the barricade and under the ring for later use.

Seeking a powerbomb through the tables, Finlay instead stumbled backwards as a result of a frantic Goto punching his skull. Goto sent his challenger headfirst into a ringpost by way of a hurricanrana. Finlay deployed a grim Backbreaker to crunch Goto’s spine. Denying Finlay the opportunity to send him through a table, Goto instead slammed him through a Fireman’s Carry. A Kaiten nearly put Finlay away, as did Finlay’s Overkill. Stealing a Gun Stun from Karl Anderson, Finlay then transitioned into Oblivion before falling flat from a Shouten Kai. A series of of three GTRs dedicated to his children and the world saw Goto ultimately victorious over Finlay as he gained the pinfall.

— Post-match: Goto celebrated his win, thanking his children and the world for fighting alongside him. Announcing that he knew who he wanted his next challenger to be, he called out Shota Umino. A fully dressed yet emotionless Umino obliged an appearance, nearly entering the ring but leaving after hearing boos. Re-entering at Goto’s request, he accepted the champion’s challenge at Windy City Riot on April 11.

Strong opener and even stronger finisher, this title defense meandered a bit in the middle. The dichotomy of Goto fighting for his family and Finlay fighting out of spite for his own proved a gripping narrative. Full credit to both men—they made the most of the spots that needed the sense of urgency in a deeply personal feud. Moreover, the meandering was made obselete by the overall catharsis of triumphing over past failures. Seeing his children sitting proud gave a heartwarming conclusion to the night.

Sakura Genesis went by incredibly fast and with many memorable moments. Tanahashi’s rare loss this year to Umino, United Empire winning the NJPW World TV and IWGP Tag Team titles, and SANADA’s defection to House of Torture provided must-watch material. The Best of the Super Juniors including talents from DDT, Dragongate, CMLL, and AEW already fills that tournament with sheer excitement. Umino doesn’t seem to edge toward heel activity, yet fully aware of the boos is interesting, albeit polarizing. He’s 2010’s John Cena and 2020-2021 AEW Cody Rhodes. Whatever the case is, he needs something to make him interesting. Maybe Windy City Riot will have just what his character needs. As a whole, Sakura Genesis made for an exhilarating night, and an enjoyable one.

NJPW Sakura Junior Genesis live results: Desperado vs. Connors hardcore match

Posted on by Corey Michaels

The final stop on NJPW’s Road to Sakura Genesis tour takes place today with “Sakura Junior Genesis” featuring two title matches.

In the main event, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado defends against Clark Connors in hardcore match, a rarity for NJPW title bouts.

In the semi-main, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Robbie Eagles and Kosei Fujita defend their belts against the Bullet Club War Dogs duo of Taiji Ishimori and Robbie X.

Today’s undercard also features a Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Ryusuke Taguchi singles match in a rare Hontai vs. Hontai matchup. Taguchi has never defeated Tana in their five career singles meetings, and this will likely be his last shot with Tanahashi on the road to his retirement set for Wrestle Kingdom in January 2026.

Talent from DDT will be featured in the opening contest, with DDT’s Ninja Mack teaming with NJPW Young Lion Katsuya Murashima against DDT’s Yuya Koroku and MAO.

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Main card

MAO & Yuya Koroku defeated Katsuya Murashima & Ninja Mack

Koroku and Murashima began the night’s proceedings, but MAO demanded Mack enter the ring instead. There, MAO withstood the ninja’s offense. On the outside, MAO stumbled into the barricade thanks to Mack’s Sasuke Special. Back in the ring, MAO dropped Mack with a Cutter over the referee. Koroku sought to capitalize on the numbers game against Mack but Murashima threw everything he had to pounce him to the cerulean mat. Despite aid from Mack and Murashima’s spirited comeback, MAO sent him down for the 3-Count with a Tornado Whirlwind.

MAO and Koroku’s heelwork oozed off the screen here. At several points I hoped for Murashima or Mack to get the win—Murashima nearly had me convinced he’d take the win.

Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Ryusuke Taguchi

Circling each other, the two legends met an early stalemate. Tanahashi cleverly wriggled through a test of strength but Taguchi dizzied him by forcing The Ace to run the ropes until collapsing from exhaustion. Tanahashi gained the upper hand with unforgiving hip attacks. Taguchi broke out of Tanahashi’s dominance by clutching an innapropriate body part, following with a Funky Weapon. Though hard-fought, Tanahashi won with a High-Fly Flow, grimacing through the pinfall.

One of my favorite things about Taguchi is how he combines humor with drama, yet can work with one or the other. Tanahashi delivers in these short bouts during this final year; bittersweet, as his longer matches are classics. However, I’m glad we get these flashes of greatness that remind us who he is and how versatile he has been throughout his career.

United Empire (Callum Newman, Jakob Austin Young & Jeff Cobb) defeated Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito)

Try as he might, Naito couldn’t keep up wiht Newman’s speed, nor Cobb’s weight and strength on top of it. Takahashi came to Naito’s assitance, dropping him with a Neckbreaker on Young. Cobb tagged himself in for Young, using Takahashi’s body to knock him, Naito, and BUSHI out and nearly won with a Spin Cycle. Targeting Cobb’s knees, Takahashi set BUSHI for a tope, but Young tripped him up. BUSHI played with smart offense on Young and Newman before tumbling Cobb with a Hurricanrana. Cobb won the match with a Tour of the Islands to BUSHI.

With the reports of Naito and Cobb working without a contract, matches like these leave the question of where they’ll go from here and what direction their factions will go without them. What happens to United Empire with Cobb and Ospreay in other promotions and Aussie Open seperate from them? Does LiJ continue to exist without Naito? Regardless, Young and Newman quietly have a case for future stars of the company.

Los Ingobernables de Japon (Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji) defeated House Of Torture (Dick Togo & EVIL)

EVIL and Togo emerged from the pure darkness before the bell, attacking Tsuji and Takagi. House of Torture followed up by combining a Cloverleaf and a Crossface to a miserable Tsuji. Working past a weakened knee, Tsuji escaped EVIL’s ruthless targeting with a poke to his eye. Takagi won the match with a grounded Manjigatame for the pinfall.

Nice and short, as it should be. While I like the formula of Tsuji and Takagi’s matches (Tsuji endures a lot of pain, Takagi comes in for the dominant save), the House of Torture addition feels grating. Yet, they work together seamlessly, so I’ll give them that.

Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI), Master Wato & YOH) defeated BULLET CLUB War Dogs (David Finlay, Drilla Moloney, Gabe Kidd & Gedo)

Locking up, Goto overpowered Finlay’s attacks with pure strength. Finlay, joined by Moloney, overcame this by stacking their offense on him. YOSHI-HASHI came in to play equalizer, leading to all of his team beating on the back of Gedo. Moloney unleashed a vicious Spinebuster to YOH, which Kidd gleefully added to with his bullish demeanor. Gedo was unfortunate enough to be the final person assaulting YOH when Wato tagged in with the sound and the fury to wipe out the War Dogs. An all-out frenzy transpired, with Wato forcing Gedo to submit with a Vendeva.

Hyping up Goto vs Finlay for tomorrow’s Sakura Genesis show proved fruitful. Korakuen Hall seemed split between them, which is wild to think of, considering Finlay’s earlier unpopularity as Bullet Club leader. His time late 2024 to now has done him wonders. Also, keep Wato and YOH paired together and give them all the important tag team wins.

Ichiban Sweet Boys (Kosei Fujita & Robbie Eagles) (c) defeated BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Robbie X & Taiji Ishimori) for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship

X and Ishimori sent Eagles soaring but couldn’t sustain dominance over Fujita for long. Ishimori aided X in maintaining momentum across the ropes for a Shooting Star Press to stun their opponents. The earlier focus on Fujita paid off in dividends for the War Dogs as the damage wore on. A vengeful Eagles came in with the agility, working on X’s leg in particular. Eagles followed this with a Tope Con Hilo to further crush the War Dogs, punctuated with a T-Bomb. X ensnared Eagles with a flashy sequence of moves, stamped with a thunderous powerbomb.

A flying dropkick and a borrowed Penalty Kick from leader Zack Sabre Jr gave way for Fujita to nearly tap; however, Ishimori broke it up by kicking Eagles into them. Each team traded finishers on the others in an impressive display, ended beautifully by Eagles kicking X out of midair mid-Standing Moonsault. X nearly won the match with a gnarly Poisonrana + Execution Cutter combination, but couldn’t get the job done. Eagles desperately pulled out a Hyperion to successfully retain the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship.

— Post-match: Wato dragged YOH into the ring, straight-up tossing him in as they challenged the Ichiban Sweet Boys to a championship match

Best match of this card. I know Robbie X is more focused on the British independents, but he and Taiji Ishimori would have a cracker run in the tag division if he stuck around.

Main Event

El Desperado (c) defeated Clark Connors for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title (Hardcore Match)

Connors and Desperado traded chops before switching to chairs. Though unfamiliar with this level of terrain, Connors instinctually lasted with the more seasoned champion, going so far as to clang him with a trash can and pouncing him directly into the bleachers. Connors introduced two tables on the outside. In the stands, the pair tried choking the other out, with the challenger nearly dropping Desperado onto the wooden floor at the bottom. Desperado swung Connors with an Irish Whip into the bleachers on the other side of Korakuen Hall, met by Connors sending him back into the ring post. Connors attempted a chair swing at Desperado at that same ring post, only for him to duck, stinging Connors’s arms.

The pair met in the stands once more, swinging kendo sticks—Connors gained control with relentless whacks to the champ’s back. Tying Desperado’s wrists to the ring post, the War Dog resumed punishment by lashing his opponent with the stick. With all the wealth of scars and recently opened wounds painted across his back, Desperado writhed in agony as Connors poured a bottle of whiskey onto his flesh. Referee Red Shoes Umino freed Desperado, who clambered right into another swing by Connors. The champion finally gained momentum when he grabbed a broken glass bottle from Connors and ran it across his forehead (dragging his head across the rope for an extra burn).

A powerbomb from the top rope sent Desperado to the mat, nearly offering Connors the chance to send him through the outside tables. Barb-wire steel chair in hand, Desperado bled as Connors gored the pair of them into it. The foes wrapped that same barb-wire across their fists, leading to Desperado being scoo–slammed onto exposed wire from a nearby chair. Connors proceeded to slam the chair onto Desperado, and Desperado onto the chair. A Pinche Loco gave Desperado a nearfall, as did Connors with a lariat. Atop the uppermost turnbuckle, Desperado drove himself and Connors through the tables. This didn’t give him the pinfall victory, but a final Pinche Loco did, thus retaining his championship.

— Post-match: Stardom’s Thekla checked on Connors who traded middle fingers with Desperado. Alone in the ring, Desperado was greeted by CMLL’s Templario, who challenged him for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship at a later date.

Halfway through the match, this hardcore bout truly followed up on the excellent tag match that preceded it. Seeing Desperado guide Connors through the match before eventually bleeding him out. That’s professoinalism. Connors absolutely pulled his weight, however. Moreover, this match felt structured like a song, hitting all its beats and knowing when to hit them. Moments where the match could have ended earlier didn’t, because a greater finish would be ahead. Great stuff.

Jr Genesis was fine, but the matches to watch out for are the title matches. They maximized their places on the card perfectly.

New Japan Cup finals live results: Shota Umino vs. David Finlay

Posted on by Corey Michaels

The finals of the 2025 New Japan Cup take place today, with a first-time winner guaranteed.

In the tournament finals, Shota Umino faces David Finlay with a shot a the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship hanging in the balance. It’s the first career finals for Umino, while Finlay made the finals in 2023 where he lost to SANADA.

The winner of today’s New Japan Cup finals earns a shot at Hirooki Goto and the IWGP World title at Sakura Genesis on Saturday, April 5.

An NJPW World TV title match kicks off today’s main card, with El Phantasmo defending against a mystery opponent in an open challenge.

Hiroshi Tanahashi’s road to retirement continues with a special singles match on today’s card, with Tana taking on Satoshi Kojima. It will be the tenth career singles meeting between the two, and the first since 2014. Tana holds a 5-4 career edge in singles competition over Kojima.

**********

Main Card

El Phantasmo defeated TJP for the NJPW World Television Championship

Starting with a headscissor hold, Phantasmo had immediate control. TJP sent him to the mat with a DDT from the second rope. After sneaking a comeback, Phantasmo attempted a moonsault from the ropes but couldn’t put TJP away. Spinning the challenger like a rinse cycle, Phantasmo slammed him to the mat with a UFO drop. TJP spiked the champion to the mat, bringing him in for a Pinoy Stretch. This caused Phantasmo to stretch his shoulder a bit too much, as trying a punch became too much for him to do. The pair traded pins with the last one granting Phantasmo a victory despite his shoulder.

— Post-match: TJP shook hands with Phantasmo. Great-O-Khan, who’d watched the sportsmanship from the outside, greeted TJP before assaulting the champion. He declared himself next to challenge for the title, attacked him again and left. Phantasmo struggled to the back.

Phantasmo had little time to make the shoulder angle effective, but he made the most of it. Fast-paced, this was a satisfactory opener.

Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Satoshi Kojima

Kojima’s strength lent him the early advantage, but Tanahashi earned it back as he tied his opponent’s leg to the rope and dropkicked it. Kojima chopped The Ace’s chest until sore, following up with a top rope elbow drop. Kojima laid out Tanahashi with a Koji Cutter but fell back down to a Slingblade. A stiff lariat from Kojima laid out Tanahashi. Enduring the force that is Kojima, Tanahashi won the match with a High-Fly Flow.

A fun short sprint, Tanahashi’s strengths have been neatly emphasized during this final run. As someone who’d love to see one of NJPW’s legendary top stars to ride off into the sunset go peacefully, this run has been a treat.

BULLET CLUB (Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens & SANADA) defeated Just 4 Guys (Taichi, TAKA Michinoku & Yuya Uemura)

BULLET CLUB promptly took out their opponents before the bell with SANADA tossing Uemura to the chairs in the crowd. Meanwhile, Owens and Fale bullied Taichi in the ring. Uemura held the match in his hand, flattening Owens and SANADA, the latter of which suffered a back suplex. Teasing a Skull End, SANADA instead fell to Uemura’s dropkicks. Michinoku unleashed a flurry to Owens, but laid down for the 3-count courtesy of a Package Piledriver by Owens.

— Post-match: BULLET CLUB harassed their defeated foes, with SANADA teasing a guitar shot. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI, and El Desperado came to Just 4 Guys’ aid. Tanahashi shook hands with Uemura, having long mentioned that the latter being the current image of NJPW. The Ace then shook hands with Taichi and helped Michinoku to his feet.

The least exciting elements of this match were involved in the finisher. The ongoing beef between SANADA and Uemura is interesting, but wasn’t capitalized on. Tanahashi being all super wholesome in the post-match made up for any slogging.

Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito) defeated United Empire (Callum Newman, Jakob Austin Young & Jeff Cobb)

Cobb confronted Naito to start the match, only to be attacked by the present members of LIJ. Young worked on Naito’s infamously weak knees, Takahashi exploded onto the scene, meeting Newman’s speed with his own before agonizing from a roundhouse kick. Naito and Takahashi delivered karmic justice to Young by targeting his knees, the latter tapping Young out with a Maximum Beholding.

There was nothing in the way of storyline advancements to watch out for, but this was fun on its own and worth a watch.

BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Drilla Moloney, Gabe Kidd & Taiji Ishimori) defeated House Of Torture (Ren Narita, SHO & Yujiro Takahashi)

Ishimori twisted and cranked the arm of SHO. Kidd pummeled Narita in the corner, sending him to the mat with a forceful lariat. He then sent SHO and Takahashi to the same fate. Moloney unleashed a rage of forearms and chops to SHO, but lost his momentum by House of Torture interruption and a Spear from SHO. With the War Dogs intercepting any further interference, Moloney pinned SHO with a Drilla Killa.

— Post-match: Moloney fake laughed at House of Torture “kicking” the War Dogs out of BULLET CLUB. He then on behalf of Ishimori and Kidd challenged for the NEVER Six Man Tag Team Championship.

For anyone looking for a cathartic comeuppance for House of Torture, this is the fix you’re looking for. Each play made by the War Dogs was satisfying. SHO made the best of his moments, even in defeat.

Los Ingobernables de Japon (Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji) defeated House Of Torture (EVIL & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)

Tsuji endured Kanemaru and EVIL’s attempts to weaken his knee, with the latter’s Cloverleaf dramatically ended with a rope break. Takagi burst into action, bumping EVIL to the mat and proceeding to manhandle him. Kanemaru and EVIL returned once more to destroy Tsuji’s knees. They, combined with Dick Togo, unleashed a Dick-to-Dick Contact, with the referee distracted by Takagi’s endeavor to make the save. As Kanemaru saved his Whiskey Mist, it poured like a fountain after Tsuji found enough strength to power a Gene Blaster for the win.

— Post-match: House of Torture attacked Tsuji as EVIL held aloft the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship while he stood on the champ’s chest. Takagi again tried to help but Togo choked him out.

There wasn’t much to say about this bout, other than Tsuji’s selling was top notch. In a blink-and-miss-it moment, he maintained his kayfabe knee injury. That’s a level of professionalism I can appreciate.

El Desperado, Hirooki Goto & Oleg Boltin defeated TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Ryohei Oiwa & Zack Sabre Jr.)

Boltin overwhelmed Oiwa, and a chaotic brawl ensued. He and Goto pounded the back of Sabre Jr., before failing to do so on Oiwa. A helpless Desperado fell prey to the combined offense of TMDK, until he traded holds with Sabre Jr. Boltin’s might cancelled out Sabre Jr.’s technical prowess with his Flying Body Sausage maneuver. Jackson nearly had the match won over Goto with a Flying Crossbody and a team-up with Oiwa, to no avail. Jackson withstood the united front his opponents initiated, but ultimately lost to a GTR.

Featuring young acts like Boltin and Oiwa alongside the veterans adds enough fuel to position these future megastars for greatness. Now more than ever, this feels like a strong emphasis to trust tomorrow’s performers It certainly doesn’t hurt that they worked alongside the current and former IWGP World Heavyweight Champions.

New Japan Cup Final

David Finlay defeated Shota Umino

Finlay had the initial advantage in the early goings, but Umino got the better of him, working on his leg. This damage wore on, grounding Finlay’s later offense. A Fisherman’s Suplex gave Umino space to carve out control over the War Dogs leader. He continued to work the leg as Finlay screamed in dear agony. Umino combined this with a STF in the middle of the ring; Finlay desperately reached for a successful rope break. Umino flew through the air courtesy of Finlay’s uranage, sending him through a table on the outside.

Finlay broke the 20-count to seemingly help Umino to his feet. As it turned out, he used this time to slam his opponent into the ring post to earn even more time. Umino broke the count at 19. Finlay sought to damage Umino’s back more with a slam, but Umino countered into a DDT. Umino received a near count after a cacophonous vertical suplex from the top rope. He did so again after a bridging suplex. Finlay, almost running on fumes, survived lariats and a painful knee onto Umino, finally landing Oblivion. Kicking out of a reversal pin, Finlay slammed Umino with two resounding powerbombs. Umino tried an inside cradle, failing to do so. Finlay used this brief respite to crush him with an Overkill for the win. David Finlay is 2025’s New Japan Cup winner.

— Post-match: Finlay yanked the New Japan Cup away form the officials as he and Gedo celebrated. He helped Umino to his feet, harshly telling his old friend he has to work Finlay’s way to get these kinds of victories. He beckoned forth Hirooki Goto from commentary to the ring to claim his future shot. Goto responded that Finlay “can’t stop the Goto Revolution.”

The War Dogs joined their leader in jubilation. Finlay proudly carried his cup while his teammates drank in the ring.

Umino’s always been good in the ring, but his act hasn’t really stuck. However, his effort tonight gives this new baptised-in-white approach plausibility. Tremendous performance alongside Finlay still riding off of his 2024 rejuvenation. Finlay took a while to successfully reinvent himself as the War Dogs leader, and its paying off. This gives me hope for Umino.

As a whole, the show had some high points. Most of them didn’t add much in storyline but were still fun. Kojima/Tanahashi, LIJ/United Empire, and maybe even House of Torture/War Dogs are all worth watching, but the final is what will surely satisfy. Finlay denying Goto the win for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship in Autumn 2024 is sure to add a much-needed threat to the current World Heavyweight Champion’s reign.

New Japan Cup live results: Goto vs. Nagata IWGP title match

Posted on by Corey Michaels

Yuji Nagata gets one more shot at glory in the main event of today’s New Japan Cup event.

56-year-old Hall of Famer Yuji Nagata, a two-time former IWGP Heavyweight Champion who most recently held the top NJPW title in 2007, challenges Hirooki Goto for the World Heavyweight title in the main event today.

All four quarterfinal bouts in the 2025 New Japan Cup tournament are also set for today’s show.

On one half of the bracket, Yuya Uemura faces David Finlay, plus Zack Sabre Jr. takes on Taichi. The winners of those bouts will meet in the semifinals on Sunday.

On the other side of the bracket, Shota Umino faces Jeff Cobb, and Shingo Takagi takes on Drilla Moloney. The winner of those matches will square off on Monday’s show in the semifinals.

Four tag team matches fill out today’s undercard from Dolphin’s Arena in Nagoya. The show stream on NJPW World beginning at 4 a.m. Eastern time.

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Tag Matches

Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI defeated TMDK (Hartley Jackson & Ryohei Oiwa)

TMDK remained in large part dominant. Eventually, YOSHI-HASHI and Ishii earned a reprieve when Ishii did a sliding lariat. He then followed up with a vertical suplex. Jackson suffered a mighty Brainbuster, providing Ishii with a successful 3-count.

Ishii and Jackson face-offs will forever be entertaining. If you’re looking for a brief collision of meatheads, this opener will satiate that craving.

United Empire (Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan, Jakob Austin Young & TJP) defeated El Phantasmo, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Oleg Boltin & Toru Yano

Tanahashi tagged in a fiery Yano to contend with Khan, but the United Empire flattened the eager competitor and incapacitated his team briefly. Ragdolling Newman, Boltin’s strength found him countered by a dropkick. Phantasmo seemed ready to take out TJP, but his team and United Empire interrupted, with everyone trading finishers. Amid the chaos, TJP secured the pinfall with a Hurricanrana + Rollup combination.

These matches typically boast glimpses of what everyone brings to the table, and this was no exception. Since TJP and Phantasmo had the most impactful action, their chemistry will pay off soon.

House Of Torture (Ren Narita, SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) vs. BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Chase Owens, Gabe Kidd & SANADA) ended in a Draw

The House of Torture and the War Dogs battled before the bell even rang. Kidd managed to bully Narita while Owens had been taken out of action. SANADA put in as little effort as possible. Kidd was left to his own devices until the match ended in a draw. SANADA was last seen walking to the back as the House of Torture continued picking Kidd apart.

This would’ve been a complete nothingburger, if not for plot advancement for SANADA’s desertion and the House of Torture’s ruthlessness in their unforgiving numbers game.

Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Tetsuya Naito & Yota Tsuji) defeated House Of Torture (Dick Togo, EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi)

With his teammates incapacitated, Naito kept Takahashi at bay before BUSHI suffered a combined effort from Togo and EVIL. Tsuji became the equalizer, until the numbers overwhelmed and he met the fate of the team’s Dick-to-Dick Contact. EVIL distracted the referee while Togo choked Tsuji out, leaving Naito and BUSHI to clear the field. Togo poked Tsuji in the eyes, but it wasn’t enough to stop him from a Gene Blaster. This gave Tsuji the 3-count victory for LIJ, but EVIL got his last licks in after the bell.

While not advancing current storylines, this six-man tag justified itself with an admittedly entertaining affair. The House of Torture’s strength the past few years has been in matches that lead to the babyfaces in singles and team action getting the better of them despite the numbers game while remaining satisfying enough to have meat on the bone of the match structure.

New Japan Cup Quarter Finals

Shingo Takagi defeated Drilla Moloney

Moloney fired off, matching Takagi’s tenacious intensity. Running at each other like a freight train, stopped only by a Spinebuster. Takagi snuck in a brief babyface comeback after surviving a Drilla Killa, but suffered a Gore. On the outside, Takagi afflicted Moloney with a Death Valley Drop, leaving the War Dog to clutch his ribs. Back in the ring, the opponents traded barbs until Takagi landed a Pumping Bomber and escaping another Drilla Killa for a Sliding Bomber. A Burning Dragon saw Takagi stand victorious.

An exceptional follow-up to Moloney’s singles win over Takagi at New Beginning in Osaka. The War Dog sold like his life depended on it and made his inevitable defeat all the more believable while leaving room for more.

Shota Umino defeated Jeff Cob

Umino began hte match spry yet wary. Cobb, however, used the same technique plus his power to overcome. He rode Umino’s back as a surfboard to further mock him. Struggling to lift Cobb, Umino instead had to rely on quick instincts. A Spin Cycle momentarily dazed Umino, but he landed a Tornado DDT to spare him a moment to breathe. Cobb nearly won the match with an F-5000. Cobb hit a nasty lariat and Umino later repaid with him one of his own. A Second Chapter eventually gave Umino the win.

The crowd was into this match, so much so that I had a hard time hearing Walker Stewart announce the finisher. There’s a connection with Umino and the live crowd. However, this match moved at a slower pace than Cobb’s exciting match with Tetsuya Naito on March 14. That said, whatever Cobb’s next moves are contractually, he’s making a great case for himself. And credit where credit is deserved, Umino worked hard for that closing stretch to be as resonant as it was.

David Finlay defeated Yuya Uemura

Uemura started off hot, matching Finlay’s moves with his own dynamic prowess, but lay stunned after a Russian Leg Sweep. Uemura swung the match back in his favor with an extended armbar. On the outside, Finlay drove Uemura’s body into the barricade. Folllowing an inside cradle, Uemura fought back with a bridge suplex but was met with a Backbreaker. Frantically searching for their finishers, trading them to a high favor of the crowd, Finlay ended the match with an Overkill, securing the pinfall.

— Post-match: SANADA briskly walked past Finlay, ignoring him, and attacked Uemura before leaving. Puzzled, Gedo and Finlay watched and made their way to the back.

Finlay and Uemura had the first highlight of the night. Dominating Uemura in the early half, he left enough hope that Uemura may eke out a victory. The closing stretch featured “edge-of-your-seat” action that made each pinfall attempt so heart-pounding.

Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Taichi

Sabre Jr. urged a heavily reluctant Taichi to battle. Hesitant due to his personal relationship with Sabre and his tainted victory over Gabe Kidd the night before, Taichi steeled himself for a mad frenzy of spots with Sabre Jr. Driving the TMDK frontman into the steel barricades, Taichi was tempted by chairs and further weaponry. It was clear his mind was not in the right headspace. Fighting out of his personal foibles, Taichi kicked Sabre Jr. to the mat and ripped off his long pants. Sabre Jr. wrenched in his own comeback with kicks of his own. Now on the same page, the former tag team partners exchanged kicks, with Taichi cracking Sabre Jr.’s chest. Choking the life out of Sabre Jr., Taichi unrelented, save only for a rope break.

Sabre Jr. used a burst of energy to drop Taichi with a Sabre Driver, providing little yet enough time to catch his breath. Taichi’s Black Mephisto nearly ended the match, as did a Dangerous Backdrop. Taichi sat unfazed before collapsing after Sabre Jr. dropped him with a Gotch-style Piledriver. Sabre Jr. worked Taichi’s legs with excruciating holds. Taichi crushed Sabre Jr. with a Black Mephisto but the leg work incurred by his opponent prevented capitalization. Once more trading kicks, Taichi gained the upper-hand as he threw everything he could into each one. Just when Taichi’s kicks were giving him an advantage, Sabre Jr. quickly trounced him with a Gedo Clutch + Bridging Pin for the victory.

— Post-match: Sabre Jr. and Taichi embraced before a somber, bittersweet Taichi bowed humbly to the crowd.

While being an emotional reunion, Taichi came off as a main character here. Moreover, I’m left with hope again that the Dangerous Tekkers may reunite as tag team members once more. Win or lose, this meant so much to Taichi’s character, with Sabre Jr. pulling him into more confident territory.

Main Event

Hirooki Goto (c) defeated Yuji Nagata for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship

Nagata had control in the early goings, but Goto remained strong. He worked Blue Justice’s leg after recuperating on the outside. A Wrist-Clutch Exploder of Justice returned favor of the match in Nagata’s direction. A backdrop by Nagata left Goto weak, but unwilling to take the pin. The champion rose, meeting the challenger with a deadly lariat. Goto employed a GTR, but couldn’t keep Nagata down. The pair traded forearms until Goto used a series of headbutts to bring Nagata to the mat repeatedly. Briefly battling to flip the other over, Goto succeeded with a Shouten Kai. Nagata staggered after a lariat and ultimately fell to Goto’s GTR to finish the match.

A surprisingly short, yet thrilling conclusion to the evening. Nagata’s performance, albeit slower than his younger days, carried an energy that only a sprint like this could do. Goto sold everything to make Nagata a threat, adding an emotional layer—could Blue Justice do it? In the twilight of his career, matches like these make all the difference to conclude such a legacy.

A solid evening, but the must-see matches were definitely Finlay vs Uemura, Taichi vs Sabre Jr, and the World Heavyweight Championship Match. The final two bouts were laced with emotion and passion, the kind that leaves NJPW as the destination for art in wrestling.

New Japan Cup live results: Four tournament matches

Posted on by Corey Michaels

Let’s try this again.

After Friday’s New Japan Cup show was unable to proceed as scheduled due to a broken ring post, tonight’s show will now feature the tournament kickoff with four first round matches set.

In the main event, Gabe Kidd faces Ren Narita. The winner advances to round two on March 12 to face Taichi, the beneficiary of a first round bye.

In the semi-main, Chase Owens will do battle with Ryohei Oiwa, with the winner moving on to face former IWGP World Champion Zack Sabre Jr. on March 11 in round two.

Originally slated for Friday’s event, Yota Tsuji takes on EVIL on today’s show. The winner will face David Finlay on March 11, with Finlay also receiving a bye.

Yuya Uemura will face SANADA in today’s remaining tournament match, with the winner taking on YOSHI-HASHI on the March 11 card.

Three tag matches fill out today’s undercard, with a Katsuya Murashima vs. Daiki Nagai Young Lions showcase set for the pre-show.

**********

Tag Matches

TenKoji (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima), Tiger Mask & Yuji Nagata defeated Hirooki Goto, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomoaki Honma & Toru Yano

Legends clashed in mighty fashion, with Nagata’s team hampered by Goto’s. Tanahashi’s heroics were thwarted by a wily combination of Kojima and Tenzan. Honma nearly ended the match with a Rocket Kokeshi to Nagata. With a Backdrop landing a resounding thud, Nagata earned the pinfall.

El Desperado, El Phantasmo & Jado defeated United Empire (Great-O-Khan, Jakob Austin Young & Jeff Cobb)

Khan held the opposing team at bay, with special harmful treatment focused on Jado. Young and Cobb continued this, but when Khan returned to the ring, Jado earned a reprieve with a lariat. Phantasmo, dispatching each active United Empire member in the match, nearly ended the match with a middle-rope moonsault to no avail.

Desperado sought to counter the newly legal Young, only to be met with the American’s spry offense and additional reinforcement by Cobb. On the cusp of victory, Young nearly tapped Desperado out with a submission hold. Desperado evaded this, and Young succumbed to the Junior Heavyweight Champion’s Numero Dos.

— Clark Connors promo video threatened Desperado as he challenged him to a hardcore match with a venue and date yet to be announced.

United Empire (Callum Newman & Francesco Akira) defeated Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI & Tetsuya Naito)

Newman began the match in excellent form, leaving Naito prone, setting Akira up for a dropkick. Naito battled out, targeting the neck of Akira, who was still feeling the knee issues from the 53rd Anniversary Show. BUSHI struggled against the high-flying antics of Akira, but was saved by Naito. BUSHI attempted to wear down Akira, punctuating his sequence with a roll-up, but Akira reversed it into one of his own for the win.

New Japan Cup: First Round

Yuya Uemura defeated SANADA

SANADA initially maintained control, but Uemura reversed his mat-work with some of his own, twisting and spinning for extra torque. Through the crowd, SANADA slowly regained momentum, using the environment to his advantage. Back in the ring, however, Uemura’s comebacks flashed into fruition courtesy of an arm drag + chest chop combination.

This renewed vigor ran out of steam, capitalized by a dropkick to the outside barricades by an arrogant SANADA. A spirited Uemura staggered but endured SANADA’s Skull End. Attempting a top rope moonsault, SANADA suffered from Uemura’s knees at the last second. Hoping for a dive on a prone SANADA, Uemura’s aspirations were thwarted by his opponent snatching the ref as Taiji Ishimori toppled him off the top rope. Taichi chased Ishimori away. Springing himself off of the middle rope, Uemura hit a Superman Pin on SANADA, gaining the first win of the New Japan Cup’s first round.

Every so often, SANADA teases his babyface attitude of the past. These small flourishes add a nice layer of detail. Contrasted by the dynamic and exciting style of Uemura, they executed this perfectly. Where he goes from here after this victory, I’d like to see. Hoping for a final round.

EVIL defeated Yota Tsuji

EVIL interrupted Tsuji’s entrance, smashing him against the barricades and tossing the referee across the ring. Dick Togo joined him in stomping Tsuji. He fired back, slamming both men and tossing himself on top of their stacked bodies. Tsuji dragged himself out of EVIL’s Texas Cloverleaf, extending it shortly after a rope break. Tsuji mounted a comeback, shifting the momentum with a sound headbutt.

Tsuji aimed for a Gene Blaster, but Dick Togo shoved referee Marty Asami into his path and threw powder into his face. EVIL gloated as Tsuji was left reeling. He finished the match with Everything is Evil as Tsuji helplessly lay beneath him.

Deflating. Not that this was an exciting match; it had no narrative other than EVIL doing his usual schtick. At least we got this out of the way.

Ryohei Oiwa defeated Chase Owens

Owens did not appreciate Oiwa’s playful nature in the opening lock-up, and attempted a low-blow during a second lock-up. Oiwa held onto Owens with a series of headlocks and wristlocks, but the BULLET CLUB member sent him to the outside where he had better luck. A Jewel Heist back in the ring kept the trajectory of the match in his favor. Evoking the style of TMDK teammate Zack Sabre Jr., Oiwa slammed Owens to the ring apron and stretched him on the ring post.

Owens angered Oiwa by an admittedly impressive projectile spit, causing him to momentarily lose focus. He could only capitalize on it for so long, as Oiwa met him with a nasty lariat. Oiwa narrowly escaped a package piledriver, positioned so threateningly. Transitioning into a wristlock, a determined Oiwa tapped Owens out for the win.

I need every subsequent Owens match in this tournament to be as brief as possible. Oiwa deserves better. Credit to him for making the most of this match.

Gabe Kidd defeated Ren Narita

Narita attempted to ambush Kidd en route to the ring, but was unsuccessful. Kidd’s offense, unforgiving and blunt, left the House of Torture member stunned. Brawling into the first row seats, Narita gained the upper-hand with benefit of the environment. They even made it into the halls of Korakuen Hall. Kidd regained control, slamming Narita into the barricade. A child handed a grateful Kidd a can of alcohol.

Borrowing chairs from the east side’s ground floor crowd, Kidd nearly dropped Narita on its strewn contents had SHO not distracted him. Narita intercepted a sprinting Kidd, flipping him over onto the steel of them and followed with another flip onto the wreckage. Back in the ring, Narita wrapped Kidd’s neck with his legs, letting go a few seconds after the resulting rope break. Tossing Kidd into the English commentary area, precariously close to Chris Charlton.

The war returned to the ring, resurrecting Kidd who yanked control of the match. Subjecting Narita’s chest to the terrors of his chops, a spiteful Kidd bullied and flipped Narita onto the cerulean square. Capitalizing on this, he sought a moonsault but it bore no fruit, much to his frustration. Narita’s top rope Hell’s Guillotine all but ended Kidd. Believing Narita to be in sight, he threw a lariat but landed it on referee Red Shoes Umino, courtesy of Narita’s shenanigans. Narita took advantage of this distraction with his push-up bar. House of Torture flocked to the ring, bloodying and assaulting Kidd’s lifeless body. War Dogs came to Kidd’s aid dragging away Narita’s stablemates. Hoping for one more strike from his bar, Kidd met him instead with a slap so strong that it flattened Narita. Kneeing Narita in the face, Kidd then proceeded with two Piledrivers for the win.

Strongest when Kidd was in control, the babyface treatment of Kidd continued. Korakuen Hall was fully behind the War Dog. Using that sparingly added excitement to the proceedings. Rather than being bored by House of Torture’s typical fare, I anxiously rooted for Kidd to put an end to Narita. While Kidd was the star of the match, Narita showed brilliant glimpses of how he’d thrive without the House of Torture.

This (real) first night was a mixed-bag. The tag matches added the right amount of anticipation for upcoming storylines and teases of future New Japan Cup matches. One would be forgiven for watching only Yuya Uemura vs SANADA, but Gabe Kidd vs Ren Narita will undoubtedly satisfy fans of the War Dog, whose stock has continued to grow post-Kenny Omega. Narita himself actually put on a solid performance as well.

Most importantly, we actually got wrestling tonight.