Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Shingo Takagi and SANADA vs. Shota Umino are both set for NJPW Power Struggle — but only one of those matches will be for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
NJPW officially confirmed overnight that both bouts have been added to the Power Struggle card. The result of Sabre and SANADA’s title match at Royal Quest IV in London this Sunday (October 20) will determine which is for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
At King of Pro Wrestling earlier this week, Sabre defeated Tetsuya Naito to become IWGP World Heavyweight Champion for the first time in his career. SANADA, Takagi, and Umino then all confronted Sabre after the match. Sabre informed Takagi and Umino that SANADA was already first in line for a title shot — but we’d see who was next after that.
NJPW then ran an angle at a press conference where Sabre and SANADA drew names out of an envelope to determine their Power Struggle opponents. Sabre drew Takagi’s name, and SANADA drew Umino’s.
Power Struggle is being held in Osaka on Monday, November 4. Here’s what’s been announced for the event so far:
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Shingo Takagi (will be an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match if Sabre retains against SANADA at Royal Quest)
SANADA vs. Shota Umino (will be an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match if SANADA wins the title from Sabre at Royal Quest)
Super Junior Tag League 2024 finals
IWGP Global Champion David Finlay defends against Taichi
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion DOUKI defends against Master Wato
IWGP Tag Team Champions TMDK (Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste) defend against HENARE & Great-O-Khan
Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Phantasmo vs. EVIL & Ren Narita
A pre-show match has been added to the lineup for NJPW Power Struggle 2023.
Dragon Gate’s Mochizuki Jr., Yoshiki Kato & Strong Machine J will team up in a Frontier Zone match on the pre-show for Power Struggle. Their opponents for the bout have not been announced.
In Frontier Zone matches, wrestlers from outside of NJPW get the chance to face off against NJPW competition. The Frontier Zone match debuted at Destruction in Ryogoku earlier this month.
Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask, Toru Yano, Oskar Leube & YOSHI-HASHI defeated Takahiro Katori, Jun Masaoka, Kazuma Sumi, Takeshi Masada & Kengo in the first-ever Frontier Zone match. The latter team included wrestlers from DDT, Eagle Pro, and the indies.
NJPW wrote:
After the Frontier Zone concept was introduced at Destruction in Ryogoku, demand has been high for a return of the unique kickoff, where young prospects, as well as wrestlers from other companies get a chance to perform against NJPW competition and in front of NJPW crowds. On November 4, the match type will return in EDION Arena with a pre-Power Struggle Frontier Zone highlighting DRAGONGATE.
Mochizuki Jr., Yoshiki Kato and Strong Machine J will be representing the promotion at Power Struggle. 21 year old Mochizuki is the son of DRAGON GATE legend Masaaki Mochizuki, and will look to use his karate background to unleash strong kicks to his opposition. Kato, 26 will be looking to make the most out of this major opportunity as well, barely one year into his in ring career, while Strong Machine J will be bringing the Machine lineage back to NJPW rings for the first time since the original Super Strong Machine retired back in 2018.
The NJPW opponents for this DG trio will be announced at a later date. What will come out of this unique matchup?
Power Struggle is taking place from Osaka on Saturday, November 4. The updated card for the show is listed below:
IWGP United Kingdom/United States Champion Will Ospreay defends against Shota Umino
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi defends against Taiji Ishimori
NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii defend against Zack Sabre Jr., Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls
Jon Moxley vs. Great-O-Khan
Super Junior Tag League finals
SANADA & Yuya Uemura vs. Tetsuya Naito & Yota Tsuji
David Finlay vs. Tanga Loa
Frontier Zone match: Mochizuki Jr., Yoshiki Kato & Strong Machine J vs. three NJPW wrestlers (pre-show)
NJPW has confirmed a few new additions to the card for Power Struggle.
After being set up at Royal Quest, NJPW has officially announced Will Ospreay vs. Shota Umino and Jon Moxley vs. Great-O-Khan for Power Struggle. Ospreay is defending the IWGP United Kingdom/United States Championship in the match against Umino.
David Finlay vs. Tanga Loa has also been announced for Power Struggle. At Destruction in Ryogoku last week, Finlay lost the NEVER Openweight Championship to Loa’s family member and tag team partner Tama Tonga.
Loa then pinned Finlay in a six-man tag team match at Royal Quest over the weekend.
NJPW wrote:
Meanwhile David Finlay will take on Tanga Loa in singles action. Less than one week after he lost the NEVER Openweight Championship to Tama Tonga in Ryogoku, Finlay was again reeling from a loss to Loa in tag competition in London. A frustrated and humiliated Finlay demanded this singles match to gain fast and full revenge, but could the Silverback beat the Rebel again?
Power Struggle is taking place in Osaka on Saturday, November 4. The updated lineup for the show is listed below:
IWGP United Kingdom/United States Champion Will Ospreay defends against Shota Umino
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi defends against Taiji Ishimori
NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii defend against Zack Sabre Jr., Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls
Jon Moxley vs. Great-O-Khan
Super Junior Tag League finals
SANADA & Yuya Uemura vs. Tetsuya Naito & Yota Tsuji
The stipulation for the KOPW 2021 match at NJPW Power Struggle has been decided.
Toru Yano will defend the provisional KOPW 2021 title against The Great-O-Khan in an amateur rules match. The stipulation was decided in a poll on the NJPW Global Twitter account and another on the NJPW 1972 account.
The Great-O-Khan had proposed a Kiss My Feet match, while Yano proposed the amateur rules stipulation. 25,826 votes were cast in total between the two accounts.
Yano vs. O-Khan is one of five title matches set for the nine-match Power Struggle card.
Here is the lineup:
NJPW Power Struggle, Saturday, November 6, 4 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World —
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Shingo Takagi (c) vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Right to challenge for the IWGP title at Wrestle Kingdom: Kazuchika Okada vs. Tama Tonga
IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. KENTA
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Robbie Eagles (c) vs. El Desperado
Kazuchika Okada has accepted Will Ospreay’s challenge for a match at Wrestle Kingdom 15.
The challenge took place after tonight’s match at Power Struggle, where Okada defeated O-Khan via referee stoppage with his money clip submission.
Ospreay, who was watching the match ringside, entered the ring after the match and confronted Okada. He said he used Okada to get more popular, and it worked. He eventually said that he wanted to end Okada’s career and challenged him to a match at Wrestle Kingdom 15. Okada accepted.
The two have been feuding since last month, when Ospreay turned on Okada following their G1 match, attacking him and leaving him laying with the running elbow to the back of the head. Since then, he has formed a new stable in NJPW called The Empire, which consists of himself, Great O-Khan, and Bea Preistley.
Wrestle Kingdom 15 is set to take place on both January 4 and 5.
Shingo Takagi has won the NEVER Openweight championship for the second time.
Takagi defeated Minoru Suzuki for the championship in a hard back and forth battle on this morning’s Power Struggle card in a match that featured plenty of stiff shots. The finish had Takagi go for the Last of the Dragon. Suzuki struggled, but Shingo held the advantage and landed his finish to win the championship for the second time.
Suzuki had held the title for 69 days, defeating Takagi during his first reign back at Summer Struggle in Jingu on August 29.
The two also met during the G1 Climax 30 tournament. It was here that Takagi picked up a win over Suzuki, setting up this morning’s title match.
In the other title match that took place on tonight’s show, Suzuki’s fellow Los Ingobernables de Japon member Tetsuya Naito defeated Minoru Suzuki to retain the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles.
Provisional KOPW 2020 Championship no corner pads match: Toru Yano defeated Zack Sabre Jr. via countout to retain the title (12:11)
I like Yano comedy more than the average person but this was no good.
Sabre sent Yano into all four exposed buckles. Yano then tried to attach a corner pad. Yano then tried to use a pad as a weapon. They bralwed outside and Sabre got sent into the barricade.
They did some comedy with Yano trying to attach another corner pad. Yano sprayed hand sanitizer in Sabre’s eyes and tried to steal a win by countout. Sabre made it back in.
Sabre used a clutch hold and a cradle for near falls. They did a long submission tease off an ankle lock and heel hook from Sabre.
Sabre tried to use a kneebar through the barricade. Yano tied Sabre’s shoelaces around the barricade. With Sabre trapped, Yano beat the count back inside and stole the win.
NEVER Openweight Championship match: Shingo Takagi defeated Minoru Suzuki to win the title (18:56)
This was great. They worked a crazy pace for almost 20 minutes. Suzuki put Shingo over in a way that he rarely does for anyone, selling the beating as he stumbled to the back after the match.
They started throwing bombs at the opening bell. Suzuki backed Shingo into the corner and hit a series of headbutts. Shingo no-sold and hit some strikes in the corner.
Suzuki came back with an armbar over the ropes. Suzuki kicked Shingo off the apron and sent him into the barricade. Back in, Suzuki went for a PK but Shingo caught the kick. Shingo hit a back suplex and a dragon elbow.
They traded strikes. Suzuki teased a Gotch-style piledriver. Shingo escaped and tried a sliding lariat but missed. Suzuki got a choke. He again tried for a piledriver but Shingo powered him up into a DVD. Suzuki no-sold and landed a running boot. both men collapsed. This was a great sequence.
Suzuki went after the taped area on Shingo’s lower back. Shingo hit a sliding lariat. He went for Made in Japan but the back gave out. Suzuki hit a big boot and went for a single-leg crab. Shingo made the ropes.
Suzuki busted out a dropkick before locking on a Boston crab. Suzuki transitioned to a single-leg variation with a high angle. Shingo powered his way to the ropes for a break near the 15 minute call.
Suzuki used a rear naked choke. Shingo fought off a Gotch piledriver but his back gave out again. They traded headbutts. Shingo hit a big shoulder tackle.
Shingo hit three big lariats but Suzuki would not go down. They traded strikes. Shingo hit a Pumping Bomber. Suzuki stumbled but did not completely go down. Shingo hit a stiff forearm to the back of the head and Suzuki sold as though he had been knocked loopy.
Shingo hoisted Suzuki up for Last of the Dragon. After a struggle, he hit it, then covered for the pin.
Kazuchika Okada defeated Great-O-Khan (w/Will Ospreay) via ref stoppage (13:01)
The weakest part of O-Khan’s game is his offense. He doesn’t have much aside from Mongolian chops. O-Khan was on offense for most of the match, so this wasn’t clicking.
O-Khan used a Money Clip almost right away but Okada reached the ropes.
O-Khan used a lot of Mongolian chops and a sliding dropkick in the corner in working Okada over. Okada got one hope spot with an air raid crash neckbreaker, but otherwise this was all O-Khan.
Okada came back with a dropkick and a tombstone. Okada tried the Money Clip but O-Khan forced a break with an iron claw. O-Khan hit an inverted suplex.
Okada escaped the claw and hit a spinning Rainmaker. Okada locked on the Money Clip. O-Khan tried to fight to the ropes. Okada hit a neckbreaker and locked the hold back on. The referee called for a stoppage as O-Khan passed out in the hold.
**********
Ospreay cut a promo after the match. He said he used Okada to get more popular and it worked. He said he’s wearing an expensive suit, drinking expensive champagne and wearing an expensive watch.
Ospreay said what could he do that would be even bigger than stabbing his big brother in the back? He said ending Okada’s career would be bigger. He tried to cut a 1986 Ric Flair promo, throwing his suit jacket, throwing his watch into the crowd.
Ospreay challenged Okada at the Tokyo Dome. Okada accepted.
**********
BOSJ and Super J-Cup lineups were announced just before intermission.
BOSJ 27 lineups —
November 15
Hiromu Takahashi vs. Taiji Ishimori
Master Wato vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Ryusuke Taguchi vs. El Desperado
SHO vs. BUSHI
Robbie Eagles vs. DOUKI
November 18
Hiromu Takahashi vs. El Desperado
Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Taiji Ishimori
Master Wato vs. Robbie Eagles
SHO vs. DOUKI
BUSHI vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
November 20
El Desperado vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Hiromu Takahashi vs. BUSHI
Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Master Wato
SHO vs. Robbie Eagles
Taiji Ishimori vs. DOUKI
November 23
Taiji Ishimori vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Ryusuke Taguchi vs. SHO
Master Wato vs. El Desperado
Robbie Eagles vs. BUSHI
Hiromu Takahashi vs. DOUKI
November 25
Robbie Eagles vs. Taiji Ishimori
Master Wato vs. DOUKI
Ryusuke Taguchi vs. BUSHI
SHO vs. El Desperado
Hiromu Takahashi vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
November 29
Robbie Eagles vs. Hiromu Takahashi
Master Wato vs. SHO
Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
BUSHI vs. Taiji Ishimori
El Desperado vs. DOUKI
December 2
Taiji Ishimori vs. El Desperado
SHO vs. Hiromu Takahashi
Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Robbie Eagles
Master Wato vs. BUSHI
Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. DOUKI
December 5
Master Wato vs. Taiji Ishimori
Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Hiromu Takahashi
SHO vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Robbie Eagles vs. El Desperado
BUSHI vs. DOUKI
December 6
SHO vs. Taiji Ishimori
Master Wato vs. Hiromu Takahashi
Ryusuke Taguchi vs. DOUKI
Robbie Eagles vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
BUSHI vs. El Desperado
December 11
Top two point scorers meet in the finals
Super J-Cup December 12 —
Karl Fredericks & Ren Narita vs. KENTA & Hikuleo
Super J-Cup first round
Clark Connors vs. Chris Bey
ACH vs. TJP
Rey Horus vs. Blake Christian
El Phantasmo vs. Lio Rush
**********
IWGP United States Championship right to challenge contract match: KENTA defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to retain the briefcase (19:57)
This was probably KENTA’s best match in NJPW so far. Just great professional wrestling.
KENTA spent the first couple of minutes trying to mess up Tanahashi’s beautiful hair. Tanahashi hit a second rope crossbody and played air guitar. KENTA hit a boot to the head and played air bass. Tanahashi hit a plancha and played more air guitar.
KENTA used a briefcase shot while the ref was distracted to take control of the match. Tanahashi came back with a dragon screw and somersault senton for a two count.
Tanahashi went for a cloverleaf but KENTA reached the ropes. KENTA blocked a slingblade and rolled Tana up for a two count. KENTA hit a DDT over the top rope. He followed with a clothesline off the top for a near fall.
KENTA went for Game Over. Tana forced a rope break before the hold could be applied. KENTA hit a powerslam for a pair of near falls. KENTA brought the briefcase into the ring. Tanahashi blocked a briefcase shot. KENTA got hit in the head with the case as the ref tried to take it away. They teased a possible DQ of Tanahashi.
KENTA and Tana hit simultaneous clotheslines into a double down. They traded strikes as they got back to their feet. KENTA hit a draping DDT, a running kick and a Shibata dropkick. KENTA hit a double stomp off the top for a two count.
KENTA called for GTS. Tana blocked and hit three twist and shouts and two slingblades for a near fall.
Tana hit a standing High Fly Flow, then locked on a cloverleaf. KENTA reversed the cloverleaf into Game Over. Tanahashi almost reversed back into a cloverleaf. KENTA fought it off and went back to Game Over.
KENTA re-applied the hold away from the ropes. Shockingly, Tana verbally submitted.
IWGP Heavyweight & IWGP Intercontinental Championship Tokyo Dome right to challenge contract match: Jay White defeated Kota Ibushi to win the briefcase (18:46)
They had a heck of a match. I’m not sure about the finish unless they have White defend the briefcase against Ibushi on night one of Wrestle Kingdom. It really felt like it was Ibushi’s time to get a run with the IWGP title, but I have learned not to second-guess Gedo.
White used the threat of a briefcase shot to distract Ibushi and hit the first move of the match with a kick. White dropped Ibushi twice on the apron, then worked on the abdomen with stomps.
Ibushi no-sold some short kicks to the back. White whipped Ibushi into the buckle. Ibushi continued to sell his core. White hit a series of shoulders to the gut in the corner.
White sent Ibushi into the barricade. Gedo tried to join in, but Ibushi sent him into the barricade instead. Back inside, Ibushi hit a dropkick that knocked White off the apron. Ibushi followed with a plancha.
Ibushi teased a German but White blocked. Ibushi hit a powerslam. It looked as though they had some miscommunication on a moonsault. White tried to roll out of the way. Ibushi hit the move anyway but landed awkwardly.
White hit a uranage for a near fall. White hit a Blade Buster for a two count. Ibushi came back with a snap rana. He teased a lawn dart into the buckle but White hit a chop. Ibushi hit a German.
White hit a complete shot, then dumped Ibushi right on his head with a high angle German. White hit a uranage after ducking a lariat.
Ibushi blocked a sleeper suplex. Instead, White hit a series of hard strikes to the abdomen. Ibushi spiked White with a bastard driver. White blocked a bomaye. Ibushi hit a snap German and a head kick.
Ibushi hit a bomaye and a last ride for a near fall. White reversed a Kamigoye attempt into a Blade Runner attempt. Ibushi blocked. Ibushi landed on his feet out of a sleeper suplex attempt.
Gedo jumped on the apron. Ibushi took him out. Ibushi hit a high kick.
Ibushi went for a Kamigoye. White blocked and used a backslide with his feet on the ropes to steal the win and the briefcase.
IWGP Heavyweight & IWGP Intercontinental double title match: Tetsuya Naito defeated EVIL (w/Dick Togo) to retain the titles (33:08)
I think opinions on this are going to vary. They had a good first 20 minutes or so. Then the run-ins and ref bumps started to a silly degree. It got good again in the closing stretch. I think it was the best Naito/EVIL match this year, but that isn’t really high praise.
They teased locking up for a while before they finally did. EVIL used a side headlock. Naito grounded EVIL with an arm drag and a low dropkick. Naito used a crucifix. EVIL escaped and went back to a headlock.
Naito rolled outside. Togo provided a distraction and EVIL sent Naito into the barricade. The ring announcer/timekeeper Abe went flying. That’s a recurring spot now in EVIL’s matches. Togo exposed a buckle.
Naito got whipped into the buckle. They went back outside and EVIL bumped Abe again. Togo jumped in and hit Naito with a chair.
EVIL used a single-leg crab. Naito blocked a fisherman buster and a misdirection lariat. Naito hit a neckbreaker at the 10 minute call.
Naito took out Togo with a baseball slide. Naito hit a rana and combinacion cabron on EVIL for a two count. Togo distracted Naito and EVIL kicked him off the apron. EVIL hit his two-chair baseball swing on Naito on the outside.
Back in, EVIL hit a fisherman buster for a two count. Naito blocked Darkness Falls and hit a tornado DDT at the 15 minute call.
Naito again got sent into the exposed buckle. EVIL hit a backbreaker into a double down. EVIL used the exposed buckle again. EVIL hit a top rope superplex to set up a scorpion deathlock. Naito fought to the ropes to force a break. EVIL hit Darkness Falls for a two count at the 20 miinute call.
Naito blocked Everything is EVIL and hit a German suplex and a spinebuster. Naito hit a big top rope frankensteiner and Gloria for a near fall.
EVIL blocked Destino and hit a German. Naito hit an enzuigiri and a flying forearm. Naito bumped Togo off the apron. Naito hit two Destinos. Togo pulled the referee out of the ring before the three count.
Togo used a ligature on Naito. Yujiro Takahashi appeared and hit Naito with his cane. Yujiro hit Naito with Pimp Juice. SANADA ran in and hit Yujiro with a dropkick, then hit a double dropkick and double plancha to Togo and Yujiro. SANADA dragged Togo and Yujiro to the back.
The referee rolled back in at the 25 minute call. The crowd really got into it here.
Naito and EVIL traded strikes from their knees. Back standing, they continued to trade. EVIL raked Naito’s eyes. EVIL sent Naito into Red Shoes and the ref took another bump. EVIL hit a low blow. Naito hit a pop-up low blow.
With both men down, Jay White made his way to the ring. White teased hitting a Blade Runner on EVIL. Instead, he hit a dragon suplex on Naito. Ibushi ran in and chased White off as he was preparing to hit Naito with a Blade Runner.
It was back to Naito, EVIL and the referee at the 30 minute call.
Naito hit a series of back elbows to EVIL’s neck. EVIL backed Naito into the exposed buckle. Naito returned the favor and ran EVIL into the buckle. Naito hit more back elbows.
EVIL blocked Valentia. They teased another ref bump. EVIL hit a low blow and a lariat for a near fall.
Naito blocked two attempts at Everything is EVIL and hit Valentia, then another Destino for the pin.
**********
White returned to the ring after the match. He cut a promo. He said that Ibushi failed. He said that even with Jay’s help, EVIL failed.
He said that on January 4, he’s doing nothing. He doesn’t care what Naito does on January 4, but on January 5, White is facing Naito for the titles. White said it’s his Destino and Naito’s Destino.
Ibushi made his way to the ring and again chased White to the back.
They are clearly teasing Ibushi/White in a rematch for the briefcase on January 4 with Naito defending against the winner on January 5.
Naito then closed the show with a promo. He said this is his last match in Osaka this year, but he can’t wait to see everyone again in 2021.
Naito did the LIJ roll call to end it and confetti fell from the ceiling.
We take a look at the life and wrestling career of Tracy Smothers with a major feature as the lead story in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer.
We look at those he helped teach, his last two decades on the independent scene, his battle with cancer, with comments from his friends and many of today’s major stars. We look at the unique first time he was in the ring, wrestling bears, playing sports growing up, the famous first TV taping he worked against five Hall of Famers in one night. We look at his runs in different territories, his first major title, the birth of the Southern Boys tag team, the best match of 1990 in U.S. wrestling, why the Southern Boys name was dropped, Smoky Mountain Wrestling, ECW, Freddie Joe Floyd, The Thugs and much more.
Also in this issue:
Kylie Rae stepping away from pro wrestling and some of the lessons this should teach us.
Preview AEW’s Full Gear show as well as WWE’s Survivor Series, looking at the matches, the booking, selling tickets and what can be expected.
The WWE Twitch situation, a WWE meeting with employees, what is banned at the Thunderdome, A&E specials, where wrestling stands in sports ratings, WWE ratings outside the U.S., college star talks WWE, next week’s TV, most-watched shows on the WWE Network and current WWE market value.
Preview both New Japan tournaments coming up. We look at how much the junior talent in New Japan has dropped over the last year and why.
The last fight of Anderson Silva in UFC and his career, as well as full coverage of Saturday’s UFC show.
Gate of Destiny, one of Dragon Gate’s signature events of the year, the angles, who is getting promoted, the future of the company as well as match-by-match coverage.
DDT’s Ultimate Party.
Ratings breakdowns in every segment for Wednesdays and every category for other shows, looking at stats not available elsewhere to get the deepest read into how shows are doing, what categories are doing well and how shows compare with previous weeks and one year ago.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
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If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
We’ve got a new show up today talking with Tony Khan about the first two years of AEW, Full Gear, booking, Gedo, angles that fans changed and much more. We’ve got polls this coming weekend for Full Gear and Power Struggle, thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match to [email protected]
An update on the Matt Jackson injury. He’s had improvements in his knee since first hurting it doing the stage dive a couple of months back. The MCL problem was a direct result of the dive in the match with Butcher & Blade. The ACL issue is likely just from years of use but he’s not quite sure. He can work on it like he’s done the past few months.
Power Struggle tonight at 3 a.m. Eastern and Midnight Pacific on New Japan World:
Toru Yano vs. Zack Sabre Jr. with no turnbuckle pads for the KOPW title
Minoru Suzuki vs. Shingo Takagi for the Never Open weight title
Kazuchika Okada vs. Great O’Khan
KENTA vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the U.S. title briefcase
Kota Ibushi vs. Jay White for the Tokyo Dome IWGP title shot
Tetsuya Naito vs. Evil for the IWGP & IC titles
The winners in the top two matches would face off in a main event at the Tokyo Dome for both titles.
UFC tomorrow at 7 p.m. Eastern:
Anthony Birchak (136) vs. Gustavo Lopez (135.75)
Max Griffin (170) vs.; Ramiz Brahimaj (170)
Darren Elkins (145.5) vs. Luiz Eduard Garagorri (145.5)
Marcos Rogerio de Lima (258) vs. Alexandr Romanov (260)
Giga Chikadze (145) vs. Jamey Simmons (146)
Trevin Giles (185.5) vs. Bevon Lewis (185)
Claudia Gadelha (115.5) vs. Yan Xiaonan (115.5)
Ian Heinisch (185.5) vs. Brendan Allen (185)
Raoni Barceloa (135.5) vs. Khalid Taha (135.5)
Andrei Arlovski (244.5) vs. Tanner Boser (232.5)
Thiago Santos (205.5) vs. Glover Teixeira (205.5)
New Japan Strong tonight at 10 p.m. on New Japan World:
Fred Rosser vs. Jordan Clearwater
Jeff Cobb & Rocky Romero vs. Rust Taylor & JR Kratos
The ban of MMA on television in France has officially ended. MMA has been banned from television forever, but there is a large fan base that watches it off television stations in the U.K. and Luxembourg. The guidelines are that it can only air after 10:30 p.m., it must have a 16 and older viewer rating, fights too violent are not allowed and no glorification of violence is allowed (thanks to Tony Bouin).
The situation with Scorpio Sky is that he told AEW medical that someone he was in contact with might have COVID and he was pulled from Wednesday’s show. The person tested negative and Scorpio Sky has tested negative twice so he is cleared to return.
WWE
Elayna Black, who has worked a number of indies and AEW Dark, is part of a tryout going on right now.
AEW
The movie podcast “Medium Cool” has an interview with Andy Williams, aka “The Butcher.”
MISCELLANEOUS
Linda McMahon tweeted “Stand with the President Donald Trump for a fair count of legal votes. Ignoring court orders and breaking state laws is the opposite. We must continue the challenge.” The irony of wanting a fair count after dismantling the post office in an attempt to make sure mail ballots arrived late and eliminating voting boxes in cities where a high percentage of those voting would vote against him makes fair count of legal votes rich.
LFA on 11/20 and 12/4 on Fight Pass has shows from Park City, KS. The 11/20 show is headlined by Nick Browne (10-1) vs. Arthur Estrazulas (12-4) for the lightweight title and Myron Dennis (17-7) vs. Dylan Potter (9-4) at light heavyweight. 12/4 has Maycon Mendonca (10-4) vs. Batsumberel Dagvadorj (7-0) for the welterweight title and Mo Miller (4-0) vs.; Regivaldo Carvalho (5-2) at bantamweight.
The U.K. lockdowns have put on hold the return of Pro Wrestling Eve this weekend.
Glory has announced 12/19 on FITE TV for Badr Hari vs. Benjamin Adegbuyi
CWE from last night in Morden, Manitoba: Travis Cole b EZ Ryder,.Shaun Martens b Sammy Peppers, AJ Sanchez & Kevin O’Doyle b Danny Duggan & Mentallo, Kevin Cannon b Cole Zwiep, Sammy Peppers & Cole Swiep b Kevin Cannon & Shaun Martens.
CWE has three more shows left this month, 11/26 in Grand Prairie,Alberta, 11/27 in Red Deer, Alberta and 11/28 in Calgary.
Northeast Wrestling is debuting a new Studio Wars show on Tuesday night at Highspots.com
Dalton Castle vs. Brody King is on this weekend’s ROH TV show.
A new stipulation has been added to the Zack Sabre Jr./Toru Yano match at King of Pro Wrestling.
Yano and Sabre will battle in a No Corner Pad match. Yano frequently uses the turnbuckles to his advantage during his matches, undoing them to expose the metal within the corners. This will be for the provisional King of Pro Wrestling title, a championship that is decided via stipulation matches.
An angle ran on the Road to Power Struggle event that aired on November 2. Yano, who was on commentary for the IWGP Tag Team title match that took place, entered the ring after Sabre and Taichi successfully defended the titles against YOSHI-HASHI and Hirooki Goto. Yano removed all of the turnbuckles and cut a promo saying that Sabre pisses him off because he always puts the turnbuckles back on after he takes them off. He then announced the stipulation for the match.
The show ended with Sabre sending Yano into an exposed turnbuckle, causing Yano to go backstage and complain loudly.
The provisional KOPW title match will open Power Struggle, which takes place on November 7. Here is the full card:
Tetsuya Naito vs. EVIL for the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles
Kota Ibushi vs. Jay White for the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental right to challenge contract
KENTA vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP US title right to challenge contract
Kazuchika Okada vs. Great-O-Khan
Minoru Suzuki vs. Shingo Takagi for the NEVER Openweight title
Toru Yano vs. Zack Sabre Jr. for the provisional KOPW title in a no corner pads match
A look at the WWE draft is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer.
We look at the different moves made, why they were made, look at the depth charts with both brands to see what is and isn’t lacking, talk the return of talent, talent being kept apart, the whys behind some moves, and the rosters of both brands.
The new issue also covers:
The G1 Climax tournament, with match-by-match coverage of every show this past week, with star ratings and poll results. We look at the quality of shows, matches being built up, who have been the stars and best matches of the tournament.
The Cena wedding, how much Linda McMahon has donated to Trump’s campaign, lots of WWE injury updates, Lawsuit updates, Total Bellas notes, U.K TV ratings, new WWE documentary, how wrestling stacks up to other sports on TV, WWE filming an indie star for documentary, upcoming TV bouts, WWE market value, a new WWE book, and the most-watched shows on the WWE Network this past week.
Saturday’s UFC show from Abu Dhabi and the ramifications of the top matches.
A feature on Len Rossi, one of the biggest stars in Tennessee and Alabama from 1958 to 1972, his career in the ring, his life after wrestling, his tag team partners and most well-known angles. It’s a look back at a unique era of pro wrestling and how Rossi was a key to change in a unique time.
The indictment of the former Alberto Del Rio on a sexual assault and kidnapping case.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
MONDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight for Wrestling Observer Radio, covering Raw, next week’s UFC, Power Struggle and taking questions that you can send to [email protected]
Raw tonight goes against a Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals game. The first week after the draft should do better than usual. Announced thus far are Matt Riddle vs. A.J. Styles, Asuka vs. Lana for the women’s title, Keith Lee vs. Braun Strowman, a Firefly Fun House with Bray Wyatt, the Mustafa Ali interview on why he joined Retribution that was cut from last week’s show and an Elias concert.
We’ll talk more about it tonight, but New Japan is limiting the 11/7 Power Struggle show to six singles matches meaning that a ton of the talent will not be booked on what is traditionally the last major show of the year. This year because the Super Juniors and World Tag League are together, the biggest show for the remainder of the year would be in December at Budokan Hall. But the 1/4 main event spot comes out of Power Struggle with the Tetsuya Naito vs. Evil IWGP championship match winner facing the Kota Ibushi vs. Jay White briefcase winner.
We also have polls open for all three G-1 Climax shows at Sumo Hall, thumbs up, down or middle, best & worst match, plus overall G-1 Climax MVP and best match of the tournament to [email protected]
This week has an interesting situation since AEW & NXT on Wednesday and Smackdown on Friday all go against the World Series, with game two on Wednesday and game three on Friday. Smackdown moves to FS 1, which last year led to a giant audience decline. AEW has the most loaded show of the three with the first round of their world title contenders tournament with Penta El Cero M vs. Rey Fenix, Kenny Omega vs Joey Janela, Colt Cabana vs. Adam Page and Jungle Boy vs. Wardlow plus a four-way for a tag title shot with Young Bucks vs. Private Party vs. Butcher & Blade vs. Alex Reynolds & John Silver. Also on the show is a Britt Baker match and a Chris Jericho/MJF steak dinner segment.
NXT has Tyler Breeze & Fandango vs. Roderick Strong & Bobby Fish for the tag titles.
For a comparison, the same week last year saw Smackdown do 888,000 viewers and 0.27 in 18-49, AEW did 963,000 and 0.45 and NXT did 698,000 and 0.21.
The death of Principe Aereo (Luis Angel Salazar) in a match on Saturday night in Nezahualcoyotl was due to a middle cerebral artery rupture. Salazar collapsed in the ring with no apparent reason as he hadn’t fallen the wrong way or taken a shot wrong. It was very similar to the Oro death a generation ago.
WWE
Ashley Fliehr (Charlotte Flair) has signed a management deal with VaynerSports, the first pro wrestler they have signed. The agency has a lot of big name MMA fighters including Stipe Miocic, Eddie Alvarez, Chris Weidman, Aljamain Sterling and Vitor Belfort.
There is a big issue with sports video game producers because of a conflicting legal situation. Sportico noted that Take Two won a case in Federal Court that their NBA 2K game could replicate player tattoos without paying the tattoo artist. However, in Illinois, a federal judge ruled the opposite in a case involving Randy Orton’s tattoo artist and WWE 2K.
Toni Storm turned 25 today.
Saraya Bevis aka Paige announced today that today marks two years of sobriety. Great for her.
UFC
Tecia Torres vs. Angela Hill has been added to the 12/12 PPV show. This is a rematch of a fight five years ago that Torres won.
Mason Jones, the 155 and 170 pound champion of the U.K. based Cage Warriors promotion, has signed here.
AEW
There is a giant episode of Dark tomorrow:
Shawn Spears vs. Christopher Daniels
Luchasaurus vs. Aaron Solow
Brandi Rhodes vs. KiLynn King
Colt Cabana vs. Bshp King
Matt Sydal vs Shawn Dean
Ivelisse & Diamante vs. Skyler Moore & Kenzie Paige
Jungle Boy vs. KTB
Frankie Kazarian vs. Jack Evans
Rey Fenix vs. Sonny Kiss
Penta El Cero M vs. QT Marshall
Butcher & Blade vs. Brian Pillman Jr. & Griff Garrison
Alan Angels vs. Adam Priest
Scorpio Sky vs. Fuego del Sol
Ricky Starks vs. David Ali
Alex Reynolds & John Silver & Preston Vance vs. Louis Valle & D3 & Baron Black
Wardlow vs. Vince Pacifico
MISCELLANEOUS
This is a show I did on the four Omega vs. Okada matches and their legacy. I also did a Best Matches of the career of Chris Jericho with a ton of insights and some back stories that haven’t been told in as much detail ever before on some of these matches for the book Alex Marvez is writing with the complete Jericho 30-year record covering every match of his career.
We also have a new 1997 Wrestling Observer Yearbook, covering the entire year in detail, every single major story in both pro wrestling and MMA is looked at plus all kinds of stats for the year. It’s available at Amazon.com in the U.S., Amazon.ca in Canada and www.WrestlingObserverBook.com in Europe.
In the lead up to Bound for Glory, AXS has Impact week. Tomorrow night has Impact at 8 p.m. with Eddie Edwards vs. Sami Callihan, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows vs. Josh Alexander & Ethan Page, Rohit Raju & Chris Bey & Jordynne Grace vs. Trey Miguel & TJP & Willie Mack, Hernandez vs. Cousin Jake vs. Alisha Edwards vs. Rhino vs. Heath for the No. 20 spot in their Gauntlet. Also tomorrow at 10 p.m. is an Anderson & Gallows Talk’n’ Shop special. Thursday at 8 p.m. is the Bound for Glory preview show. Saturday at 7 p.m. is the Bound for Glory pregame show.
Masked Republic sent out a release noting new additions to their staff including Hector Rodriguez as the Director of Development; Gabriel Ramirez as Licensing and Brand Manager, Adrian Salas as Licensing Associate and Jerry Villagrana as Licensing and Creative Management.
Future Wrestling Australia on 11/5 in Sydney. Adam Brooks is booked on the show.
Toa Henare’s Warrior Wrestling debuts 10/24 in Auckland, New Zealand with Henare & Jamie Tagatese vs.TK Cooper & Dave O’Connor.
Henare was also a guest yesterday on Maori TV in New Zealand talking bout the New Zealand election results (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
Coming out of this year’s G1 Climax, NJPW has revealed the card for their next major show.
Power Struggle will take place at the Edion Arena in Osaka, Japan on Saturday, November 7. The card features six singles matches.
The build to Wrestle Kingdom 15 will pick up with IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Champion Tetsuya Naito defending both of his titles against EVIL in the main event of Power Struggle. In the semi-main event, G1 winner Kota Ibushi will defend his title shot contract against Jay White. The contract gives Ibushi the right to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championship in a double title match at Wrestle Kingdom 15.
It was announced during the G1 finals that Wrestle Kingdom 15 will again be a two-night event. It’s being held at the Tokyo Dome on Monday, January 4 and Tuesday, January 5.
Also at Power Struggle, KENTA will defend his IWGP United States Heavyweight title shot contract against Hiroshi Tanahashi. KENTA won the title shot contract in NJPW’s New Japan Cup USA tournament. Jon Moxley is currently the IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it isn’t known when Moxley will be able to defend the title next.
Will Ospreay turned against Kazuchika Okada at the G1 A Block finals and is now in a stable with The Great O-Khan and Bea Priestley. Okada and Great O-Khan will face off at Power Struggle.
A NEVER Openweight Championship match and a match for Toru Yano’s KOPW 2020 trophy round out the Power Struggle card. The full lineup is listed below:
IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Champion Tetsuya Naito defends both titles against EVIL
Kota Ibushi defends his Wrestle Kingdom 15 title shot contract against Jay White
KENTA defends his IWGP United States Heavyweight title shot contract against Hiroshi Tanahashi
Kazuchika Okada vs. The Great O-Khan
NEVER Openweight Champion Minoru Suzuki defends against Shingo Takagi
Toru Yano defends his KOPW 2020 trophy against Zack Sabre Jr.
A look at the WWE draft is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer.
We look at the different moves made, why they were made, look at the depth charts with both brands to see what is and isn’t lacking, talk the return of talent, talent being kept apart, the whys behind some moves, and the rosters of both brands.
The new issue also covers:
The G1 Climax tournament, with match-by-match coverage of every show this past week, with star ratings and poll results. We look at the quality of shows, matches being built up, who have been the stars and best matches of the tournament.
The Cena wedding, how much Linda McMahon has donated to Trump’s campaign, lots of WWE injury updates, Lawsuit updates, Total Bellas notes, U.K TV ratings, new WWE documentary, how wrestling stacks up to other sports on TV, WWE filming an indie star for documentary, upcoming TV bouts, WWE market value, a new WWE book, and the most-watched shows on the WWE Network this past week.
Saturday’s UFC show from Abu Dhabi and the ramifications of the top matches.
A feature on Len Rossi, one of the biggest stars in Tennessee and Alabama from 1958 to 1972, his career in the ring, his life after wrestling, his tag team partners and most well-known angles. It’s a look back at a unique era of pro wrestling and how Rossi was a key to change in a unique time.
The indictment of the former Alberto Del Rio on a sexual assault and kidnapping case.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I did our weekend show which is up on the site, plus Garrett Gonzalez and I ran down the news of the week and plans going forward in a Friday night show also up on the site.
Principe Aereo, real name Luis Angel Sanchez, 23, passed away last night from an apparent heart attack in a match at Arena San Juan Pantitlan in Nezahualcóyotl (just outside Mexico City). He was working for the MexaWrestling promotion. He took two slaps to the chest, which were not hard, and a heel kick that didn’t appear to make contact. He then collapsed. The match was immediately stopped. He was rushed to the hospital, which was across the street from the arena, and he passed away before he made it there. The show continued even though the promoters were aware that he had died. Among his trainers was Bandido.
Dr. Greg Marra, who saw the tape of Sanchez’s death, noted this to us: “I’ve seen in the hospital a few times, teenagers coming into the ER in cardiac arrest after getting hit in the chest with either a lacrosse ball or hockey puck. Usually it happens when the heart is in between beats and it ends up going into ventricular fibrillation, And they essentially face plant to the ground, which would need a portable defibrillator, which these cases I’ve seen, had in the past, and the kids survived. my educated guess would be that the chop was in between beats and the rhythm was thrown off and he went into V fib. And they just go down instantly when it happens. I went to medical school in Mexico, I’ve spent 5 years of my life there and I know how it is there, and it doesn’t surprise me after living there, that they wouldn’t have a portable defibrillator on hand. Just wanted to pass that along.”
New Japan will have a press conference at 2 a.m. late tonight Eastern time live on New Japan World going over plans through the 11/7 Power Struggle show in Osaka, which would include a number of shows in late October and early November. From angles shot last night, expect these matches coming up: Hirooki Goto & Toru Yano & Yoshi-Hashi vs Taichi & Desperado & Douki for the six-man titles, perhaps Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano for the IWGP tag titles, Minoru Suzuki vs. Shingo Takagi for the Never title, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Desperado vs Bushi & Hiromu Takahashi for the IWGP jr. tag titles, Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. KENTA for the U.S title briefcase, Tetsuya Naito vs. Evil for the IWGP title and Jay White vs.Kota Ibushi for the Tokyo Dome briefcase. Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada will probably be involved in tag matches most nights.
We also have polls for all three Sumo Hall shows, thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with the best and worst match for each show and polls on overall G-1 MVP and G-1 tournament best match to [email protected]
As far as trending numbers of Google for the past week, for yesterday the Vasily Lomachenko vs. Teofimo Lopez Jr. fight was by far the biggest thing of the week with 1 million searches. Last night’s UFC show had 100,000 searches for Brian Ortega, putting it in 10th place. On Thursday, Nikki Bella was No. 19 based on her talking about her relationship and wedding plans.
WWE
Braun Strowman attended a 2,000 person bike rally yesterday in Daytona Beach.
WWE is reporting that Dave Mastiff of the U.K. brand was married this weekend.
Paul Wight (Big Show) was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the East Europe International Film Festival for his role in the movie “Marcus.”
UFC
Krzysztof Jotko suffered a broken toe and has pulled out of his 10/31 fight with Makmud Muradov. Kevin Holland will be the replacement.
Umar Nurmagomedov, who was scheduled to face Sergey Morozov on 10/24, has pulled out due to a staph infection.
Insane Wrestling Revolution from Friday night in Monroe, MI before 150 fans at Rhino’s Big Daddy’s Boat Yard: Rohit Raju b Trey Miguel, Mysterious Movado b Benjamin Boone, Nate Bock b Reggie Collins, Dave Powell won Battle Royal, Kenny Urban b Sam Beale, Rhino & DBA b Jack Price & Tommy Vendetta (managed by Jon. E. Bravo) in an extreme boatyard brawl that ended up with a staple gun and fighting in the crowd. The next show is 11/20 with Rhino and Heath. (thanks to Paul Meade and Leonard Brand)
CWE on 11/6 in Winnipeg at the Holy Eucharist Parish Center with a one-night tournament to crown the new CWE champion with first round matches of Danny Duggan vs. Tommy Lee Curtis, Kevy Chevy vs. Dragneel, EZ Ryder vs. Adam Knight and Mentallo vs Bobby Schink. There will also be a tag title match with AJ Sanchez & Kevin O’Doyle vs. Bobby Collins & Rob Stardom
Chris Jericho did a Talk is Jericho episode on the CWE promotion with Danny Duggan and A.J. Sanchez.
CWE from last night in Gladstone, Manitoba: Sammy Peppers b Tyler James, EZ Ryder b Cory Diamond, AJ Sanchez & Kevin O’Doyle b Danny Duggan & Mentallo, Johnny Malibu b Kevin Cannon, Bobby Collins b Mike Mission in a no DQ match. Next show is Thursday in Calgary.
American Wrestling Federation from last night in Winter Park, FL: Nick Quinones b Justin Cross, Cameron Xross b Chris Ramirez, Djokovic Rabbit b Rip Ruiz via forfeit, Andy English b Eric Marranca, Justin Cross b Andy English, Jimmy Taylor b Nick Quinones to win the Team Vision Dojo rookie title, Deon James & Kenny Vendetta & Tone Harrow b Dashing Kam & Brian Atomic & Ada Vaile in a street fight (thanks to Al Haft)
The state of Nuevo Leon in Mexico has banned a number of activities due to COVID and pro wrestling shows are on that list.
San Diego television covered the death of Espantito, an AAA regular mini from the 90s who lived in the city. The Observer covered it but he passed away earlier this week due to COVID.
CZW will have taped PPV shows in November featuring old footage that will include people like Penelope Ford, Joey Janela, John Silver, Alex Reynolds. Blade and The Young Bucks.
Juggalo Championship Wrestling from last night in Milford, MI: Weedman b Alex Van Zant, The Nerds b Scumdogs, Randi West b Thunder Kitty, Freedom Ramsey b Joseph Schwartz & Tanner Nix & Trill Bill & Nick Maus & Nate Bock, Breyer Wellington b Mysterious Movado, Rhino b Jackson Stone (thanks to Leonard Brand)
New Japan Pro Wrestling has announced its first dates following the G1 Climax 30 tournament.
The first show following the October 18 G1 Climax 30 finals will take place five days later on October 23, when the Road to Power Struggle tour begins. The tour will run through November 7, when Power Struggle will take place at the Edion Arena in Osaka.
After a 16-month absence, Hiromu Takahashi has returned to NJPW.
Following a successful IWGP Jr. title defense against BUSHI this morning at Power Struggle, Ospreay cut a promo asking who would challenge him next. After no one responded, he started to leave when a video started to play, similar to the time bomb vignettes that aired prior to Hiromu Takahashi’s return from excursion. The timer was set for January 4.
Hiromu Takahashi’s cat dolls Daryl and Naoru then emerged on the video screen and lit a bomb that started a timer for ten seconds. After a countdown clock ended at 0, Takahashi emerged.
After a few minutes of running around the ring and taking bumps into the barricade, he entered the ring and thanked the fans for waiting for him. He said he would make the Jr. division more fun, and mocked those for saying he should tone down his style by taking bumps all over the ring. He then, in English, challenged Ospreay to a match at Wrestle Kingdom 14.
Takahashi was IWGP Jr. champion when he broke his neck taking a dragon driver from Dragon Lee at the G1 Special in San Francisco on July 7, 2018. The title was later vacated on August 20 of that year.
Roppongi 3K have emerged victorious yet again, winning the Super Junior Tag League for the fourth year in a row.
SHO & YOH faced the Suzuki-gun team of El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru in the main event of this morning’s Power Struggle event. Desperado and Kanemaru jumped Roppongi 3K as they made their entrance and took control of the match early, but SHO & YOH were able to make a comeback, with SHO pinning El Desperado following the 3K.
After the match, Roppongi 3K were jumped by current IWGP Jr. Tag Team champions El Phantasmo and Taiji Ishimori. They laid both out SHO & YOH with the Jr. Tag title belts and stole SHO & YOH’s trophies that they had just won, walking to the back with them.
Desperado & Kanemaru, Roppongi 3K and ELP & Ishimori all ended the tournament tied at 10 points each. Since ELP & Ishimori’s only two losses were against the two aforementioned teams, they were eliminated from the tournament.
