Notes on new champions, the return of the Good Brothers, and a draw in the co-main event of NJPW Resurgence.
The World Class Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaccs) lost the Strong Tag Team titles to TJP and Templario when TJP countered with an inside cradle on Nelson to score the win. WCWC had won the titles back in December, defeating Grizzled Young Veterans.
Immediately following that was the NJPW return of The Good Brothers, Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows, as they teamed with The Young Bucks to defeat the Bullet Club War Dogs of Clark Connors, David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, and Gedo. After the match, the original members of the Bullet Club attempted to make peace with the current members by throwing out the wolfpac sign, but the War Dogs performed the gesture, but to themselves as they walked away.
The IWGP World title match in the co-main event between champion Hirooki Goto and challenger Zack Sabre Jr. ended in controversy as both men’s shoulders were pinned to the match, which ended with no winner. After the match, Sabre attacked the referee and got in Goto’s face, slapping him before making his exit.
Tonight’s NJPW Resurgence pay-per-view features a double main event.
In one of the top-billed bouts, Mercedes Mone defends the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship against AZM and Mina Shirakawa in a three-way.
In the other half of the double main event, Hirooki Goto defends the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against former title holder Zack Sabre Jr.
Three more title bouts are also set for the show.
Konosuke Takeshita defends the NEVER Openweight title against El Phantasmo, Tomohiro Ishii puts his NJPW Strong title on the line against Drilla Moloney, plus The World Class Wrecking Crew defend their NJPW Strong Tag titles against TJP and Templario.
The Young Bucks return to NJPW action on the show, teaming with The Good Brothers against Gabe Kidd, David Finlay, Clark Connors, and Gedo.
Fred Rosser faces Matt Vandagriff in the main card opener at 10 p.m. Eastern time.
Allan Breeze takes on CJ Tino in the pre-show match at 9:30 p.m. Eastern time.
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Pre-show
CJ Tino defeated Allan Breeze
Breeze maintained control in the early goings, but Tino defeated him by a Sunset Flip.
Bea Priestley versus Viva Van
Making her shocking return to NJPW, announcing that the 90-day non-compete clause from WWE was now finished. Van kept Priestley at bay, at least until Priestley made a comeback courtesy of a stomp from the top rope. Priestley planted Van with a Plan Bea for the pinfall.
A welcome surprise to kick off the night. Priestley hasn’t lost a step after being benched as the former Blair Davenport.
Main Card
Fred Rosser defeated Matt Vandagriff
Rosser attempted to charge Vandagriff, but he was ready, eventually dropping him with a dropkick. Rosser gained momentum, dropping his full weight on Vandagriff on the apron, buying himself some time. He then proceeded to target the younger opponent’s legs as they laid trapped under the steel barricades. Vandagriff rocketed between the ropes onto Rosser, tormenting him on the outside before bullying him in the ring. The veteran endured the kicks of Vandagriff before tossing his hips at his skull.
Confident his Buckle Bomb was enough to down Rosser, the weary yet experienced wrestler threw a lariat. Vandagriff suffered a Rolling Elbow to deliver a Gut Check that couldn’t put away Rosser. The elder tossed in a Gut Check of his own, to the same result. An unforgiving Rosser tapped Vandagriff out with a Crossface Chickenwing for the win, and nearly didn’t let go.
When I first saw Vandagriff wrestle, he seemed akin to the WWE style of things, but as he’s put himself together, he’s become a more complete version of himself. Against Rosser, all that learned experience meshed well with the Dirty Work tag team member. The future is bright in NJPW of America for young Vandagriff.
United Empire (Templario & TJP)defeated The World Class Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs) (c) for the NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championship
WCWC spared no second in attacking their opponents, but TJP and Templario were ready, dropping Isaacs with an assisted Bulldog. Nelson distracted himself with the audience as Isaacs lost control after having targeted TJP’s back. United Empire combined their efforts to Isaacs on the outside. Templario ate a lariat by Isaacs. Isaacs tossed TJP over Nelson’s shoulder, leading to a spirited defense by Templario. He followed up with a German suplex to Nelson.
Templario hit Nelson with a Powerbomb, followed by a Mamba Splash by TJP. A recovering Isaacs on the outside toppled back over to a plancha by TJP. Nelson slammed Templario with a pop-up powerbomb followed by an assisted Backstabber. Nelson raked the eye of TJP, hoping for a backward crossbody, thwarted by an inside cradle by his victim. United Empire are the new STRONG OpenweightTag Team Champions.
World Class Wrecking Crew are the staple of the NJPW STRONG label. Consistently great tag team performances show after show. As for United Empire, TJP wearing red in contrast to Templario’s dark green was distracting. Still, Templario fits United Empire like a glove.
The Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson & Nicholas Jackson) & The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) defeated BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Clark Connors, David Finlay, Gabe Kidd & Gedo)
As the Bucks and Good Brothers set up for a Too Sweet, the War Dogs charged to bite. Scattering amongst the arena, the teams clashed in pure violence. Once Matthew and the Good Brothers wrangled up the War Dogs, Nicholas took to soaring to topple the new generation of BULLET CLUB. The War Dogs isolated their opponents to the ring posts and rained punches down upon them.
After taking apart their opponents one by one, the War Dogs guarded Kidd as he talked trash on the microphone. Anderson singlehandedly fought off each unleashed War Dog before tagging in Gallows who continued the mounted comeback. The Bucks united their efforts onto Kidd and Finlay, with the former defiantly surviving. Gallows tested his mettle against him, but it was merely bait for Anderson’s Gun Stun. Tossing aside Finlay and Connors, Gallows sent Gedo into the Young Bucks, who slammed him down with a Meltzer Driver. The Good Brothers complimented this with a Magic Killer, ending the match in their favor.
Post-match: The previous generation of BULLET CLUB put up the Too Sweet gesture, inviting the War Dogs. This new generation performed the gesture only to themselves and walked away.
Admittedly, I was initially invested in the novelty of The Good Brothers against the War Dogs, but this match went beyond those expectations for something rather exciting. That sole Karl Anderson last stand added unbelievable hype.
Tomohiro Ishii (c) defeated Drilla Moloneyfor the NJPW STRONG OpenweightChampionship
Champion and challenger bartered strikes, with Moloney punishing Ishii in a corner. The defender tripped up Moloney on the apron, sealing an envelope of pain with a lariat to the outside. He baited the BULLET CLUB War Dogs member into destructive offense, and ate a nasty Piledriver for his efforts. Ishii suplexed Moloney off the top rope, and though he drew his ire, Ishii maintained his control. Moloney trounced this with a Made in Birmingham, to no avail.
Moloney reached for a Spinebuster combined with a Gore, but Ishii refused to give in. Unwavering in his rampage, Moloney’s drive dwindled from a German suplex. Adrenaline coursed through Ishii’s very veins as he charged with lariats. Moloney sent him to the mat with another Gore, but Ishii kicked out at 1. He slammed Moloney with a Powerbomb followed by a sliding lariat. Ishii retained his title with a Brainbuster for the pinfall.
So long as Ishii draws breath, his contemporaries benefit from working with him. The deterimination and spirit in his storytelling adds weight. Though Moloney lost, he left tonight with a moment that makes him feel like a star.
Konosuke Takeshita (c) defeated El Phantasmo for the NEVER Openweight Championship
Phantasmo and Takeshita wrestled to a stalemate. The challenger spilled to the outside after a quick Irish Whip but regained composure after a Tope Suicida. Takeshita tried for a Blue Thunderbomb, yet toppled to a Canadian Hammer. Chipping away at Phantasmo, Takeshita nearly sent him onto the apron, instead landing with a piledriver himself.
Takeshita lay helplessly, unaware that Phantasmo set up a table destined for him. On the top rope, the pair battled with Takeshita stiffly sent Phantasmo careening onto the cerulean mat with a clothesline. Komoritsui Otoshi Drivers nearly dashed Phantasmo’s dreams of gold, but couldn’t keep him prone. Phantasmo was within grasp of victory with a Thunderkiss ’86, but Romero pulled the referee out of the ring. As recompense, Phantasmo powerbombed him through the table from earlier. A Raging Fire, Power-Driver Knee, Rolling Elbow, and another Raging Fire sent Phantasmo back to the back. He is still the NEVER Openweight Champion.
Post-match: Takeshita approached Phantasmo to shake his hand, to which the Canadian obliged.
ELP and Takeshita are underrated and understated wrestling soulmates. If they had matches against each other for six, maybe twelve months, I would not complain.
Hirooki Goto (c) vs. Zack Sabre Jr.for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship ended with a no contest
This New Beginning rematch opened with prime technical wrestling, with Goto escaping Sabre’s forte unscathed. Adjacent to the outside barricade, Goto absorbed Sabre’s strikes against the merciless barrier. Sabre disrespected the champion with intentionally pathetic soft kicks and pie faces, leading to an impassioned lariat that left his foe gasping for air. Seeking to wrench Goto’s arms behind his back, Sabre’s hopes were dashed by a rope break.
The opponents engaged in a war of elbows and forearms; Goto ended the tirade with a cruel lariat that left Sabre desperately gasping again. Instinctually, Sabre dropped Goto with a Zack Driver as TMDK teammate Shane Haste urged him back to his feet. Goto opted for an Ushigoroshi with a hopeful GTR follow-up, but Sabre trapped the champion’s arms and legs behind him. Goto saved himself (and his limbs) in the nick of time by a rope break. Sabre delivered a parade of strikes, broken only by lariat. Sabre pinned Goto with a bridge, but Goto did the same with a suplex hold; both men’s shoulders were down, leaving there no winner.
Post-match: An infuriated Sabre assaulted the referee, tossed Goto’s belt away from him, and shoved him. Goto, with nothing else to do, left the jeering crowd.
I’ll always maintain that Sabre is the best technical wrestler of the 2020s, but as far as what NJPW is about and will always be about, he embodies the strong style. He embodies NJPW’s entire spirit in its best ways. Tonight, they were consummate professionals, working in tandem to deliver a true, bitter contest.
AZM defeated Mina Shirakawa and Mercedes Mone (c)for the NJPW STRONG Women’sChampionship
All three women locked up, with Shirakawa’s typical shenanigans breaking it up. She teamed with AZM to knock Mone out of the ring, leaving each other to trade intense, high-speed combat. Shirakawa used her active momentum to swing and throw Mone and AZM every which way, but Mone escaped by evoking Eddie Guerrero’s Three Amigos and using her knees to send AZM into Shirakawa.
Shirakawa targeted Mone’s historically vulnerable knee, with absolute flair. AZM for the first time demanded control by swinging her opponents around. Locking La Mistica on Mone, she added Shirakawa to the hold. Mone used all her strength to put both women’s shoulders on the mat. AZM hung her opponents on the middle rope and double-stomped them to the mat. She wrestled with Shirakawa in the center of the ring, leaving both open for Mone’s Backstabber.
Bitter to the CEO, both Japanese women sent a flurry of strikes, leading to a snarling comeback, complete with a Meteora to AZM. She did the same to Shirakawa to break her submission on AZM. Shirakawa clutched her competitors with a double figure-four leglock; the pair of victims held hands to withstand the pain. AZM overwhelmed Shirakawa and Mone with Azumi Sushis and Destroyers. Adamant to keep Mone out, Shirakawa kicked her off the apron. AZM kept rolling up Shirakawa for a desperate pin, earning one right as Mone slid less than halfway into the ring. AZM has won the STRONG Women’s Championship.
AZM has now positioned herself highly within STARDOM and NJPW with a defeat over such a high-profile duo. She’s grown into a hugely important asset to the joshi wrestling scene. The ovation from the Ontario, California crowd was very heartwarming. If Shirakawa is headed to AEW, the post-match chase could very well bring the rivalry to the company’s big comeback year.
Resurgence wasn’t mind-blowingly awesome, but it didn’t have to be. Everything was a thrill ride that told their stories well. Furthermore, the string of great shows NJPW’s been having in Japan and across the sea can’t be denied. The company is close to another big period, I can just feel it.
The Good Brothers are officially free agents — and they’ve already booked their NJPW return.
Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson entered free agency today with 90 days having passed since WWE released them. NJPW announced that the two will return to the promotion this Friday at Resurgence, where they’ll reunite with their former Bullet Club faction members The Young Bucks in an eight-man tag match against Gabe Kidd, David Finlay, Clark Connors & Gedo of Bullet Club War Dogs.
NJPW shared a promo with Gallows & Anderson addressing their return:
“What you’re witnessing here today my friends, it is not a re-debut. It is not an arrival shot. It is a resurrection. It is the resurgence of the Good Brothers,” Gallows said.
“May 9 is day one at Resurgence,” Anderson added. “You are witnessing a total takeover.”
Gallows & Anderson have had three reigns together as IWGP Tag Team Champions in NJPW. Anderson has also held singles gold in the company with one reign as NEVER Openweight Champion.
Their most recent WWE run lasted from late 2022 until February 2025. Resurgence will be Anderson’s first time wrestling since undergoing surgery last November for a torn rotator cuff and partially torn labrum.
Friday’s show is taking place from Toyota Arena in Ontario, California and will air on New Japan World as a pay-per-view. Here is the updated card:
NJPW Resurgence (Friday, May 9) —
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Hirooki Goto defends against Zack Sabre Jr.
Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone defends against AZM and Mina Shirakawa in a three-way match
NEVER Openweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita defends against El Phantasmo
Strong Openweight Champion Tomohiro Ishii defends against Drilla Moloney
The Young Bucks, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. Gabe Kidd, David Finlay, Clark Connors & Gedo
Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson defend against Templario & TJP
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) returns to the United States with Resurgence 2025, set to take place on Friday, 9 May, at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. This event boasts a stacked card featuring championship bouts and appearances from AEW stars. Here’s everything you need to know about the event:
Bullet Club War Dogs (David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & Gedo) vs. The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) & two mystery partners
–
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship
World Class Wrecking Crew (Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson) (c) vs. United Empire (TJP & Templario)
Title match
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship
Tomohiro Ishii (c) vs. Drilla Moloney
Title match
NEVER Openweight Championship
Konosuke Takeshita (c) vs. El Phantasmo
Title match
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship – Three-Way
Mercedes Moné (c) vs. AZM vs. Mina Shirakawa
Title match
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
Hirooki Goto (c) vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Main event – Title matc
NJPW Resurgence 2025 Start Time
The event is scheduled for Friday, 9 May 2025, at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.
Doors Open: 5:30 PM PDT (1:30 AM BST on Saturday, 10 May)
Event Start Time: 7:00 PM PDT (3:00 AM BST on Saturday, 10 May)
NJPW Resurgence 2025 Where to Watch
Resurgence 2025 will be available for live streaming via NJPW World as a pay-per-view event. Please note that this event is not included in the standard NJPW World subscription and requires a separate purchase. The broadcast will offer both Japanese and English commentary options.
The Young Bucks Return to NJPW at Resurgence 2025
The Young Bucks, Matt and Nick Jackson, are set to make a major appearance at NJPW Resurgence 2025 in an eight-man tag team match alongside two mystery partners. This marks one of their most high-profile New Japan returns in recent years, as the AEW stars rekindle their longstanding rivalry with Bullet Club.
Facing off against the War Dogs faction, David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors and Gedo, the Bucks’ presence has already generated buzz among fans eager to see how their return will unfold.
Speculation is swirling around who their surprise teammates will be, with possibilities ranging from returning NJPW alumni to current AEW stars. Regardless, their inclusion adds star power and unpredictability to an already stacked card.
Mercedes Mone will defend her NJPW Strong Women’s Championship at Resurgence on May 9.
NJPW officially announced Tuesday that Mone will defend her title at the Resurgence event in Ontario, California on Friday, May 9. Mone will take on the winner of a number one contender’s match set for Windy City Riot on April 11 between Mina Shirakawa and AZM.
It will be the first NJPW match for Mone since Wrestle Dynasty in the Tokyo Dome on January 5 when she retained the Strong title and captured the RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship with a victory over Shirakawa.
Mone and AZM met once before in a three-way for the IWGP Women’s Championship at NJPW Sakura Genesis in April 2023.
Mone has held the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship since defeating Stephanie Vaquer for the title last June at the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view. Vaquer has since signed with WWE and currently holds the NXT Women’s Championship.
Resurgence will stream on NJPW World from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California on Friday, May 9. No other matches have been announced for the show to this point.
The CEO will be back in NJPW in May at Resurgence.
NJPW announced Tuesday that Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone will be in action at their Resurgence event in Ontario, California on Friday, May 9.
An opponent for Mone has not been announced for the event.
Mone currently holds AEW’s TBS Championship, plus the RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship, winning the latter from Mina Shirakawa at Wrestle Dynasty in the Tokyo Dome in January. That was also Mone’s most recent NJPW appearance.
Already set for the Resurgence show is an IWGP World Heavyweight title match. Hirooki Goto currently holds the IWGP World title after dethroning Zack Sabre Jr. for the title at The New Beginning in Osaka earlier this month.
Last year’s Resurgence event was headlined by Jon Moxley defending the IWGP World title against Shota Umino in the main event, and Gabe Kidd winning the NJPW Strong Openweight title from Eddie Kingston in the semi-main.
Tickets for Resurgence at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California are currently on sale.
When NJPW returns to the United States this April and May, the company’s top title will be on the line.
NJPW has announced that the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship will be defended at both Windy City Riot (Friday, April 11) and Resurgence 2025 (Friday, May 9). The title is currently held by Hirooki Goto, who became the new champion by dethroning Zack Sabre Jr. earlier this week. NJPW has not announced who will be challenging for the belt at either of these two events.
A veteran of the NJPW roster for more than 20 years, Goto finally reached the top of the company with his IWGP World Championship win. His first defense will be against Hiroshi Tanahashi at NJPW’s 53rd Anniversary show on March 6. The winner of that match will defend their belt against the New Japan Cup tournament winner at Sakura Genesis on April 5, less than a week before Windy City Riot.
Wintrust Arena in Chicago is hosting Windy City Riot, while Resurgence will be held at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. Tickets for Resurgence are going on sale to the general public this Friday (February 14). Windy City Riot tickets are already available.
There were also IWGP World Championship matches at both Windy City Riot and Resurgence last year. Jon Moxley won the belt from Tetsuya Naito in Chicago before retaining against Shota Umino at Resurgence. Moxley, Naito, Sabre, and Goto are the most recent title holders.
The IWGP World Heavyweight Championship will be defended at NJPW Resurgence.
NJPW has announced a total of six matches for Resurgence set for Saturday, May 11 in Ontario, California, including an IWGP World Heavyweight title bout on top with either current champion Jon Moxley, or Ren Narita defending against Shota Umino.
Moxley defeated Tetsuya Naito to win the IWGP World title at Windy City Riot last week, and is set to defend the title against Narita at Wrestling Dontaku in Japan on May 4. Umino will take on the winner of that bout.
The NJPW Strong Openweight title will also be on the line at Resurgence in a No Ropes Last Man Standing match, with Eddie Kingston defending against Gabe Kidd.
Also newly announced, NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer will defend her title against Alex Windsor at Resurgence.
LIJ’s Naito & Yota Tsuji will team against Bullet Club’s KENTA & David Finlay in Ontario in Tsuji’s US debut.
After Team Filthy’s split at Windy City Riot, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor & Fred Rosser will team against West Coast Wrecking Crew’s Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs at Resurgence.
Matt Vandagriff vs. Adrian Quest in a Strong Survivor match is also set for the show.
The lineup for the Saturday, May 11 Resurgence show is below. The event will air as a pay-per-view on NJPW World at 9:30 p.m. Eastern time.
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jon Moxley (or Ren Narita) defends against Shota Umino
NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Eddie Kingston defends against Gabe Kidd in a No Ropes Last Man Standing match
NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer defends against Alex Windsor
Tetsuya Naito & Yota Tsuji vs. KENTA & David Finlay
Tom Lawlor & Fred Rosser vs. Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs
Toni Storm made an appearance at Sunday’s NJPW Resurgence pay-per-view, helping Juice Robinson defeat Fred Rosser in a Street Fight.
Robinson defeated Rosser in a Street Fight following interference from Storm, including Storm attempting a low blow on Rosser, and hitting Rosser with Storm Zero.
The Robinson vs. Rosser feud had been built around Rosser taunting Storm, including setting up a ringside seat for her at Capital Collision. Robinson was given a storyline suspension for attacking Rosser in their Capital Collision match and was removed from the IWGP United States Championship number one contender’s tournament the following night. Rosser was then put in Robinson’s spot. Robinson then cost Rosser that match against Lance Archer, and the feud continued, with Rosser cutting promos on Storm, seemingly coming on to her.
Storm and Robinson got their revenge at Resurgence, but not before a spot where Rosser forcibly kissed Storm in the ring.
Earlier in the bout, Storm attempted a low blow, but Rosser revealed that he was wearing a protective cup to negate the effects of the blow.
Storm later hit Rosser with her Storm Zero finisher in what had effectively turned into a 2-on-1 match with Robinson & Storm vs. Rosser.
Storm challenged for the AEW Women’s Championship last June at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, losing to Thunder Rosa in what could technically be deemed her NJPW debut.
PWInsider notes that “The word making the rounds” is that Mone suffered a broken ankle.
WRESTLING!!!! Phew 😮💨 not how I dreamed for tonight to go. I’m so sorry and I love you guys so much. I’m gonna heal and be back better than ever. Moné 💙@njpwglobalpic.twitter.com/6909ByHdli
Mercedes Mone suffered an injury in the main event of NJPW Resurgence on Sunday.
Mone was carried out of the ring following her main event match against Willow Nightingale to crown the first-ever NJPW Strong Women’s Champion, a match won by Nightingale.
The injury seemed to occur on a spot where Mone jumped from the top rope and ring post to the floor in clotheslining Nightingale’s neck across the top rope. After the move, Mone appeared unable to put any weight on her right leg.
The match continued for about 60 seconds after the apparent injury, including a spot where Nightingale hit a powerbomb to Mone, covered for a pin, Mone did not kick out, but the referee did not count to three.
After a few seconds of confusion, the referee signaled that Mone had gotten a shoulder up. Nightingale then immediately hit a second powerbomb, this time for a three count.
The entire sequence can be seen in the tweet below:
This must be the spot that caused Mercedes being injured with her leg you can even see her not putting weight on it with the submission #njpwresurgencepic.twitter.com/SRGriUsCOM
KENTA is once again the NJPW Strong Openweight Champion.
Becoming the first two-time Strong Openweight Champion, KENTA defeated Hikuleo by countout at Sunday’s Resurgence pay-per-view to regain the title.
Hikuleo’s title reign ends at 18 days and zero successful defenses, as he defeated KENTA for the title originally at Wrestling Dontaku on May 3.
KENTA’s second reign begins with another win on a pay-per-view in the United States, as he defeated Fred Rosser to win the title at Battle in the Valley in San Jose, California on February 18.
After KENTA’s win, a video message played from Eddie Kingston, issuing a general challenge to the winner of the bout for a future title bout. While not yet made official, the Strong roster and Kingston have been announced for the Independence Day pay-per-views in Japan on July 4 and July 5, so a potential KENTA vs. Kingston title match seems likely for one of those dates.
A one-night tournament to crown the inaugural Strong Women’s Champion headlines tonight’s NJPW Resurgence event.
Mercedes Mone vs. Stephanie Vaquer, and Willow Nightingale vs. Momo Kohgo kick off the main card in tournament bouts. The winners will meet in the show’s main event to crown the first NJPW Strong Women’s Champion.
In the semi-main, Will Ospreay faces Hiroshi Tanahashi in a bout to determine who faces Lance Archer at NJPW Dominion to crown a new number one contender to Kenny Omega’s IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship.
IWGP United States Championship number one contender’s tournament match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Will Ospreay
Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta & Shota Umino vs. Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii & Rocky Romero
NJPW Strong Championship: Hikuleo defends against KENTA
Street Fight: Fred Rosser vs. Juice Robinson
Zack Sabre Jr. & Bad Dude Tito vs. Barbaro Cavernario & Virus
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship tournament first round: Willow Nightingale vs. Momo Kohgo
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship tournament first round: Mercedes Mone vs. Stephanie Vaquer
Pre-show match: Bateman vs. The DKC
Pre-show match: Christopher Daniels vs. Alex Coughlin
Our live coverage begins with the pre-show at 7:20 p.m. Eastern time.
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The DKC defeated Bateman
This was a nothing match. The dozens of people who were already in the building didn’t really care.
Throughout the match, Bateman utilized his size, forcing DKC to use his speed. DKC won the match by turning a submission into a quick pin.
Alex Coughlin defeated Christopher Daniels
This was a fine little match, but the lack of a crowd really hurt.
Daniels used heelish tactics, stepping on toes and taunting, early on, but Coughlin used his size to take advantage. Daniels repeatedly wrestled Coughlin to the mat before attempting the Angel’s Wings. Coughlin reversed before hitting a belly-to-belly and a pair of gut-wrench suplexes.
Daniels escaped a German and hit the Angel’s Wings, but Caughlin kicked out at one. Coughlin then hit a German and a jackhammer to win the match.
Virus & Barbaro Cavernario (CMLL) defeated Zack Sabre Jr. & Bad Dude Tito (TMDK)
This was a fantastic opener to the main card. The crowd, now filling the seats, was into it from bell to bell.
ZSJ opened the match by taking Virus to the mat. Virus held his own, prompting a double tag. Tito and Cavernario squared off, with Tito gaining an upper hand. Virus involved himself to turn the match around, setting up more interference from both sides for the rest of the match.
Tito gained a significant advantage over Virus, leading to a Cavernario hot tag. Cavernario led the match until the tag reached ZSJ, which initiated an extended back-and-forth between all four competitors.
The closing sequence saw Tito land an impressive Blue Thunder Bomb before Cavenario caught him in Cavernaria for a sudden submission victory for the CMLL pairing.
After the match, ZSJ and Virus had an exchange involving the NJPW World Television belt, perhaps setting up a title match in the future.
This was another match on the ever-growing list of great Mone matches. That’s not to say it was all Mone because Vaquer looked very good throughout this match.
Before the match could begin, the crowd showered Mone in cheers. Once the match actually began, Mone and Vaquer had a prolonged back-and-forth sequence, with neither woman gaining much of an advantage.
A sudden arm drag and crossface from Mone allowed her to establish the first lead in the match, which she used to set Vaquer on the top rope. Vaquer took advantage, securing an armbar from the top and stealing control from Mone.
It took running knees from the apron to the floor for Mone to reverse momentum back in her favor. Another pair of flying knees on the inside scored Mone a nearfall. Growing desperate, Mone landed a cross body, but Vaquer reversed into a crossface. After Mone escaped, she locked in her own crossface but failed to close.
Mone attempted a Mone Maker but couldn’t connect. In response, Vaquer landed a DDT and a backbreaker for a nearfall that took the wind from the building.
Vaqour kept up the pressure, landing a barrage of offense. Mone avoided a leg drop to put Vaquer on the backfoot. She then landed a lung blower and the Mone Maker to win the pinfall.
This was another great match. Both women were fantastic throughout. Kohgo winning over an unfamiliar/adversarial audience was terrific.
Willow was the clear crowd favorite from the beginning. She was quick to establish a lead, using her strength to catch Kohgo at every turn. It took a quick head-scissor, 619, and dropkick all in succession for Kohgo to turn the match around. Willow tried to cut off Kohgo’s advance, but Kohgo caught her with a pump kick and a suplex, which earned her the support of the crowd.
A strike exchange left Willow back in control, but when she attempted a powerbomb, Kohgo reversed. A crucifix driver forced Willow to utilize the ropes to stay alive. Willow answered with a spinebuster, but Kohgo kicked out.
Kohgo powered through a lariat but was immediately dropped from the fireman’s carry and finished with a powerbomb.
Street Fight: Juice Robinson defeated Fred Rosser
Juice and Rosser opened the match with some heavy strikes, but it didn’t take long for the fight to spill to the floor. Rosser attempted a driver on the entranceway, but Juice reversed, dropping him on the flat of his back. Juice then took this opportunity to attack Rosser, choking him with a belt before dragging him back in the ring.
Inside the ropes, Juice whipped Rosser with the belt. Juice attempted a Left Hand of God with a fist full of quarters, but Rosser sidestepped the strike and drove Juice through a door positioned in the corner. Rosser then whipped Juice with the belt before choking him over the top rope.
Rosser attacked Juice with a trashcan, a chair, and a stop sign, drawing a river of blood from Juice. To continue his attack, Rosser launched Juice into a ladder and salted his wound with potato chips from the trashcan. Rosser put Juice’s upper half in the trashcan and beat him with chains and a chair.
After Rosser choked Juice with a chain from the tree of woe, Juice retreated into the corner to beg for mercy. While he was begging, Toni Storm hit the ring and attempted a low blow on Rosser. Rosser didn’t budge before revealing he was wearing a cup. Instead of attacking Toni, Rosser forcefully kissed her. After the kiss, Rosser lifted Toni onto his shoulders, opening the door for a low blow from Juice. Juice landed the shot because Rosser dropped his cup after surviving the first attack to his nethers. Toni then dropped Rosser with a driver, buying Juice a nearfall.
Rosser locked in a chicken wing which Toni was unable to break up. Rosser threw Juice into Toni before landing a gut buster and locking in the crossface again. This time, Toni broke up the submission with a beer bottle across the head of Rosser. Juice followed up with a spear through another door. Toni then landed a stop sign-assisted flying hip attack, setting Juice up for a DDT onto a chair. This was enough for Juice to win the match.
Aussie Open Relinquishes IWGP and NJPW Strong Tag Titles
Kyle Fletcher came to the ring to announce that, due to a Mark Davis injury, they would have to relinquish both of their pairs of tag belts.
Hikuleo opened the match with a sudden boot that forced KENTA to retreat to the floor. Once KENTA was back in the ring, he bumped the ref and attempted a low blow. Hikuleo blocked the low blow somehow and forced KENTA back to the floor.
On the outside, Hikuleo beat KENTA past the curtain, leaving the audience bling. KENTA emerged from the curtain first, but a limping Hikuleo maintained his pursuit. The pair continued to meander around the ring for quite some time, trading momentum multiple times.
The referee recovered just as Hikuleo and KENTA tried to climb the stairs into the crowd. Hikuleo bumped the referee, buying KENTA enough time to overwhelm Hikuleo and throw him over the guardrail, sending him crashing through a table 10 feet below. After this, the referee initiated the ring-out count. KENTA made it back in the ring late into the count, but Hikuleo’s fall left him unable to return to the ring. KENTA is the new STRONG Openweight champion via count out victory.
After the match, an Eddie Kingston video played to challenge the new champion. KENTA answered by saying he doesn’t understand Eddie’s accent, but he’ll defend the belt, anywhere, anytime.
This was another excellent match in the “Okada vs. unruly children” that has been the highlight of 2022 NJPW.
Shota tried challenging Okada as the match began, but Okada was uninterested in the fight. Instead, Ishii stepped up. While squaring off with Ishii, Shota taunted Okada before knocking him off the apron.
An irritated Okada tagged into the match and dropped Shota with a boot. Okada then took the fight to the floor, slamming Shota into the barricade and pouring a beer across his back. Inside the ring, Okada dropped Shota with a flapjack and tagged back out.
Yuta and Rocky traded momentum for a while before Moxley tagged into the match. Okada tried breaking up a hold from Moxley, but Shota took the opportunity to rush Okada again. This led to a brief, but intense, struggle.
Shota and the BCC worked to isolate Rocky. A DDT from Rocky to Moxley resulted in a match breakdown. Once order was restored, Shota and the BCC continued their tactic of isolation, this time on Ishii. Ishii powered through, hitting Moxley with a brainbuster to tag out to Okada.
With Okada and Shota legal again, Okada wasted no time regaining control for CHAOS. Shota responded with a backdrop and a DDT to put Okada on the backfoot, but he couldn’t hit the Deathrider. Instead, Okada landed the air raid crash and a flying elbow drop.
Okada hit the rainmaker pose, but Moxley interrupted with a pair of middle fingers and a flurry of strikes. Okada answered with a dropkick, sending Moxley to the floor. This distraction bought Shota enough time to attempt the Deathrider once more, but the rest of CHAOS made the save.
After an extended brawl between teams, Okada dropped Moxley with the rainmaker. Umino made the save, hitting Okada with Deathrider. Shota then dropped Rocky with Deathridder and pinned him to win the match for his team.
IWGP United States Contenders Tournament: Will Ospreay defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi
The match opened with both men playing to the audience, but it didn’t take long for Ospreay to take the lead. He sent Tanahashi to the floor, where he landed a giant crossbody to secure the lead. Back in the ring, Ospreay continued to pick apart Tanahashi with deliberate offense.
A quick forearm from Tanahashi opened the door for a momentum shift, but Ospreay was able to maintain control. A leaping forearm and a strike to the back of the head dropped Tanahashi.
As Ospreay tried for hidden blade, Tanahashi sparked up, dropping Ospreay with a dropkick to the knee, followed by a leg whip and a cloverleaf.
A strike exchange left Osperay in a strong position. He climbed to the top where he landed a forearm to the back. When Osperay attempted Stormbreaker, Tanahashi reversed into a sling blade. After a second sling blade, Tanahashi hit a high fly flow, but Osperay rolled trough. A double stomp to the chest opened Tanahashi up for an OsCutter, Hidden Blade, and a Stormbreaker. Osperay then pinned Tanahashi to advance, leaving him even closer to a rematch with Kenny Omega, but Lance Archer still stands in his way.
While the finish was awkward, this match was awesome. Willow is a star; there’s no way around it. Mone is the best in the world.
The match opened with an extended ovation for both women. The action started when Willow used a handshake to work Mone to the mat. This upset Mone, who tried working Willow down in response. Willow answered with a nasty pounce that sent Mone crashing into the ropes.
Willow controlled the pace for quite some time. A step-up enziguri left Mone grounded, allowing Willow to take the back. Willow then hit Mone with a spinebuster and locked in a deep Boston crab. Once Mone escaped, Willow hoisted her on the top rope and landed a brutal superplex for a nearfall.
Mone began to fight back with a bunch of strikes. She then climbed to the top rope, where Willow met her again. This time, Mone dropped Willow against the top rope, buying her some time. Mone then locked in the crossface, but Willow powered out, hitting Mone with a brutal powerbomb. Mone didn’t kick out of the pin that followed, but the referee stopped his count at two. Mone seemed to be genuinely rocked, but the match went on. Willow hit a second powerbomb and pinned Mone to win the match.
In one of the biggest shocks in recent memory, Willow Nightingale pinned Mercedes Mone to become NJPW Strong Women’s champion.
After the match, Mone was carried out of the ring.
Willow cut the show closing promo with tears in her eyes. She thanked everyone, including Mone. This is only the beginning of Willow Nightingale.
Wrestling Observer Live with Mike Sempervive returns with a Friday edition featuring CMLL World Welterweight Champion Rocky Romero.
Before that, there is plenty to talk about including the latest reporting on the impasse between CM Punk and AEW, a preview of tonight’s WWE SmackDown, Bryan Danielson working in creative for AEW, and more.
Then, I get to my talk with Romero about Sunday’s NJPW Strong Resurgence show taking place in Long Beach, California, He not only gives potatoes in the ring, but he apparently also calls from one, so we apologize for the shaky phone connection.
NJPW has announced that Jon Moxley will be in six-man tag team action at Resurgence on May 21, as the full card is now finalized.
Moxley will team with fellow Blackpool Combat Club member Wheeler Yuta, and longtime NJPW ally Shota Umino in a trios match against Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, and Rocky Romero at Resurgence.
Already announced for the show is a one-night tournament to crown the first-ever NJPW Strong Women’s Champion, with the tournament finals set to main event the card.
The semi-main event will see Hiroshi Tanahashi face Will Ospreay in a IWGP US title number one contender’s tournament bout, with the winner advancing to face Lance Archer at NJPW Dominion on June 4. The winner at Dominion is expected to face Kenny Omega for the IWGP US title at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door on June 25 in Toronto.
An NJPW Strong Championship rematch has been added to the card, as new title holder Hikuleo defends against former champ KENTA.
A street fight with Fred Rosser facing Juice Robinson has also been announced for the event.
The final card for Resurgence:
NJPW Resurgence, Sunday, May 21, main card 8 p.m. Eastern time on NJPW World pay-per-view, pre-show begins at 7:20 p.m. Eastern time —
