Tag: road to power struggle

NJPW Road to Power Struggle results: IWGP Junior tag title match

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Hiromu Takahashi & SANADA (Los Ingobernables de Japon) defeated Ryusuke Taguchi & Yuji Nagata

This was generally uneventful, with nothing special about it.

Takahashi and Taguchi opened the match with typical lockups. As Taguchi gained control over Takahashi, he traded tags with Nagata, who helped maintain their lead. Takahashi eventually earned a breather after sidestepping an aerial move. This allowed him to take the match to the outside, where he gained control for the first time.

SANADA, now legal, placed Taguchi in the paradise lock before tagging Takahashi back into the match. Taguchi immediately stuffed Takahashi’s attempt at offense, leading to a hip attack and double tag. 

SANADA and Nagata traded blows before aid from Takahashi allowed SANADA to hit a TKO. Taguchi broke up the pin. Following the breakup, Nagata locked in a cross face and maintained control even after SANADA escaped.

This lasted until Nagata worked SANADA into the ropes, leading to an unexpected SANADA favored bridging pin, from which Nagata did not escape.

Dick Togo, EVIL, SHO & Yujiro Takahashi (Bullet Club) defeated Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI) & Master Wato (CHAOS)

This wasn’t great. It was structurally uninteresting and character-wise, only the interactions between SHO and his former faction mates held water. 

This match opened with a brawl between the teams. In the ring, CHAOS members worked through SHO before turning their attention to their other opponents; the focused attack on SHO continued after order was restored. 

The match broke down into an outside brawl again. This time, Bullet Club emerged with control. EVIL lost his team’s lead after Ishii landed a backdrop and secured the tag to Goto, but Bullet Club soon recaptured momentum with underhanded tactics. 

CHOAS, with a rally lead by Wato, recaptured control late into the match. Wato lost the lead after SHO, not the legal man, pushed him from the top rope. Togo then provided the distraction for Takahashi to land a cane strike followed by pimp juice. Takahashi then pinned Wato to close this one. 

Another brawl broke out post-match. Bullet club stood tall in the end. 

Tomoaki Honma & Toru Yano defeated Aaron Henare & Great-O-Khan (United Empire)

Again, this just happened. 

Following some typical antics, Yano opened the match with control. This lasted through one coup attempt, but the second left Khan in a favorable position. From this point on, Honma and Yano struggled to land anything substantial. 

Henare stuffed out the last babyface rally before hitting Streets of Rage, winning for his team.

Following the match, O-Khan beat up a ring boy. 

Hiroshi Tanahashi & Togi Makabe defeated Gedo & KENTA (Bullet Club) by DQ

This match had moments of excitement and did a fine job building interest in the title match at Power Struggle, even if the finish fell flat. 

Makabe ran through Gedo and KENTA in their first attempt at offense, but KENTA interfered from the outside, cementing a lead for his team. Only after a hot tag did the babyfaces regain any advantage. 

Tanahashi landed dragon screws on both his opponents but dealing with two men proved to be too much. The referee caught Gedo with brass knuckles, providing KENTA with an opening for a chair shot, which he missed. With Makabe’s help, Tanahashi was in control again.

As Tanahashi went to lock in the Texas Cloverleaf, KENTA hit the ring with the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship. He hit Tanahashi over the head, leading to the disqualification.

KENTA left with the belt in hand. 

Jado, Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa (Bullet Club) defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Kazuchika Okada & Satoshi Kojima 

This was a Bullet Club match. 

The match opened with a brawl. The action returned to the ring for a moment, but another brawl broke out almost as soon as the first ended. Okada and Tonga had an intense offensive sequence after order returned, with Tonga getting the better of Okada before the double tag. 

Loa lost control to Kojima, but a shot from a cane allowed Bullet Club to maintain momentum. Tonga ran through all the opposition before Loa hit a driver on Kojima, leading to a Bullet Club victory. 

DOUKI & Zack Sabre Jr. (Suzuki-gun) defeated BUSHI & Shingo Takagi (Los Ingobernables de Japon)

This was a good seller for the upcoming world title match. It played off the expected dynamics of the pairing, but that’s far from a bad thing. 

ZSJ and Takagi opened the match with a sequence showcasing the pair’s equality. After the DOUKI and BUSHI tagged in, the match broke down. ZSJ and Takagi continued their fight outside of the ring. ZSJ won the battle on the outside. As the pair regained legality, Takagi got the better of ZSJ between the ropes. 

ZSJ eventually took the match to the mat, working over Takagi’s arm. Even with ZSJ’s focus, Takagi was able to land big offensive blows from an unfavorable position. With a BUSHI assist, LIJ scored a near fall.

ZSJ caught BUSHI with a submission that Takagi was forced to break up. DOUKI was able to fend off Takagi long enough following a beautiful dive for ZSJ to hit the Zack driver, leading to a pinfall.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Flying Tiger (Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask) defeated El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru (Suzuki-gun) to win the titles

In the end, this was a feel-good match. While not perfect, it was structurally sound and entertaining bell to bell.

Together, Tiger Mask and Eagles resisted early underhandedness from the champions but could not keep up as the match spilled outside the ring. Desperado and Manemaru took turns working over the leg of Tiger Mask once action returned to the ring. 

Tiger Mask finally escaped opposition control and tagged in Eagles, leading to Eagles favored offense. A rake to the eyes from Desperado initiated a two-way struggle, leading to a double tag. 

Tiger Mask sold his leg, even as he climbed to the top rope and delivered a piledriver. Tiger Mask gained control of Kanemaru’s arms on the mat, forcing a breakup from Desperado. Kanemaru was able to take advantage of the separation this provided to return his attention to the leg of Tiger Mask. Tiger Mask managed to endure a significant amount of time in submission and kick out of a moonsault. 

Tiger Mask landed a tiger driver from left field, allowing him to tag in Eagles.

Eagles put Kanemaru through his whole menu of moves before locking in the Ron Miller Special. Kanemaru submitted to the hold, resulting in new champions. 

NJPW Road to Power Struggle results: Elimination match

Posted on by Ethan Renner

NJPW’s Road to Power Struggle tour continued today with the second of three consecutive nights at Korakuen Hall. 

Hiroshi Tanahashi teamed with CHAOS to face Bullet Club in an elimination match main event.

Here are today’s results: 

SHO defeated Ryohei Oiwa (7:08)

SHO got the win by referee stoppage by using Snake Bite.

Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI defeated Ryusuke Taguchi & Kosei Fujita (10:27)

BUSHI used a Boston crab to submit Fujita.

Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare defeated Toru Yano & Togi Makabe (10:23)

Henare pinned Makabe after hitting Streets of Rage.

Shingo Takagi & SANADA defeated Satoshi Kojima & Tomoaki Honma (11:33)

SANADA used Skull End to submit Honma.

El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Zack Sabre Jr. & DOUKI defeated Robbie Eagles, Tiger Mask, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Master Wato (14:11)

Sabre used an octopus hold to submit Tenzan.

Elimination match: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI defeated KENTA, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi (19:31)

Tanahashi last eliminated KENTA over the top rope to secure the victory.

**********

Here is the lineup for tomorrow’s show: 

NJPW Road to Power Struggle, Tuesday, October 26, 5:30 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World —

  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru (c) vs. Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask
  • Shingo Takagi & BUSHI vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & DOUKI
  • Kazuchika Okada, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs. Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & Jado
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Togi Makabe vs. KENTA & Gedo
  • Toru Yano & Tomoaki Honma vs. Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare
  • Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Master Wato vs. EVIL, Yujiro Takahashi, SHO & Dick Togo
  • SANADA & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Yuji Nagata & Ryusuke Taguchi

Okada using IWGP Heavyweight belt to signify NJPW G1 Climax win

Posted on by Ethan Renner

In a post-G1 Climax 31 press conference last week, Kazuchika Okada declared his intention to bring back the IWGP Heavyweight Championship as a symbol of his tournament win. 

Today at NJPW’s Road to Power Struggle event in Korakuen Hall, he did just that. 

When entering for his six-man tag team match at today’s show, Okada carried what is commonly referred to as the v4 IWGP Heavyweight Championship, a title that was retired earlier this year after it was unified with the IWGP Intercontinental title and the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship was created. 

Traditionally, the G1 Climax winner carries a briefcase with a contract inside guaranteeing a title match at Wrestle Kingdom. At the press conference, Okada lobbied NJPW Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi to be allowed to carry the belt rather than the case. 

“…I won the G1, and I want to face [Kota]Ibushi again, but I feel there should be something concrete to represent that,” said Okada. “I’m not a champion, and I don’t have anything to put up. The IWGP Heavyweight Championship that Ibushi retired though… I’m not saying that people should call me the ‘X-ieth Heavyweight Champion’ or anything, but I want to hold that belt, until Ibushi gets back.”

Since the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship’s inception, Okada has made clear that he is not a fan of the title. In an interview on NJPW World in June, Okada called the title a “mistake” and referring to the run of illness and injuries that have befallen the company this year as the “IWGP Curse.”

Okada won the G1 Climax 31 finals by referee stoppage after Kota Ibushi suffered a shoulder injury, cutting their main event match short. 

Okada is set to defend his Wrestle Kingdom title shot against Tama Tonga at NJPW Power Struggle on Saturday, November 6. 

NJPW Road to Power Struggle results: LIJ vs. Suzuki-gun

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The NJPW Road to Power Struggle tour kicked off today with a Korakuen Hall show headlined by an elimination match. 

Members of Los Ingobernables de Japon faced a Suzuki-gun squad in the main event. Eliminations could occur by pinfall, submission, DQ or being thrown over the top rope with both feet hitting the floor. 

The show was also notable for G1 Climax 31 winner Kazuchika Okada bringing back the IWGP Heavyweight Championship belt. 

In a press conference last week, Okada stated that he does not recognize the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, a title that was created earlier this year when the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental titles were unified. Okada said that he still recognizes Kota Ibushi, the final IWGP Heavyweight Champion, as holding that title and would be face Ibushi for the belt when he returns from injury. 

Here are results from today’s show: 

Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato defeated Robbie Eagles, Tiger Mask & Ryohei Oiwa (8:15)

Wato used a Boston crab to submit Oiwa.

EVIL, Yujiro Takahashi, SHO & Dick Togo defeated Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Kosei Fujita (8:22)

SHO had Fujita in the Snake Bite when the referee called for the stoppage.

Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare defeated Toru Yano & Satoshi Kojima (11:07)

O-Khan pinned Kojima after an Eliminator.

Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yuji Nagata defeated  KENTA & Gedo (10:14)

Tana used his Texas Clover Hold to submit Gedo.

Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & Jado defeated Kazuchika Okada, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma  (11:32)

Tama pinned Honma after a Gun Stun.

Elimination match: Zack Sabre Jr., El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & DOUKI defeated Shingo Takagi, SANADA, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI (24:09)

Sabre and BUSHI were the final two in the match. Sabre won by submission with Yes! I am a long way from home!

**********

Here is the lineup for the next event: 

NJPW Road to Power Struggle, Monday, October 25, 5:30 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World —

  • Elimination match: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI vs. KENTA, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi
  • Robbie Eagles, Tiger Mask, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Master Wato vs. El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Zack Sabre Jr. & DOUKI
  • Shingo Takagi & SANADA vs. Satoshi Kojima & Tomoaki Honma
  • Toru Yano & Togi Makabe vs. Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare
  • Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI vs. Ryusuke Taguchi & Kosei Fujita
  • SHO vs. Ryohei Oiwa

Yoshinobu Kanemaru off NJPW show due to knee injury

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Yoshinobu Kanemaru is off this Thursday’s NJPW Road to Power Struggle show due to injury.

NJPW has announced that Kanemaru will miss Thursday’s Road to Power Struggle event in Kochi after suffering a right knee injury:

Yoshinobu Kanemaru has sustained an injury to his right knee, and will be unable to compete on November 5’s event in Kochi. Changes have been made to the card accordingly.

We apologise to fans who were looking forward to seeing Kanemaru wrestle. We appreciate your understanding and wish Kanemaru the best in his recovery.

Kanemaru was scheduled to team with his Suzuki-gun stablemates Minoru Suzuki & El Desperado in a six-man tag match against Shingo Takagi, BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi at the show. With Kanemaru off the card, Suzuki & Desperado will now face Takagi & BUSHI. Takahashi will team with Tetsuya Naito & SANADA against EVIL, Dick Togo & Yujiro Takahashi.

Thursday’s Road to Power Struggle show is a non-televised event. Power Struggle is taking place at the Edion Arena in Osaka, Japan this Saturday and will air live on New Japan World starting at 3 a.m. Eastern time.

NJPW announces Road to Power Struggle cards

Posted on by Bryan Rose

NJPW has announced cards for their November Road to Power Struggle shows.

The main event on November 1st will see Hiromu Takahashi and BUSHI challenge champions El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru for the IWGP Jr. Tag Team titles. A six-man tag team match has also been announced. Chase Owens will return to Japan, teaming with Bullet Club partners Jay White and KENTA to face Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Tomoaki Honma.

November 2nd will be headlined by a IWGP Tag Team title match. Dangerous Tekkers (Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi) will defend against the CHAOS team of Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI. This follows a challenge he made at a show held on Friday morning, calling out Sabre & Taichi.

This year’s participants will be revealed during a November 2 Road to Power Struggle event at Korakuen Hall. The tournament will begin on November 15 and run through December 11 at Budokan Hall.

The tournament will run concurrently with this year’s World Tag League tournament. It wasn’t announced when the lineup for that tour will be revealed.

Here are the full cards for both shows, which will air live on NJPW World at Korakuen Hall:

November 1st:

  • Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado vs. Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI for the IWGP Jr. Tag Team titles
  • Tetsuya Naito & SANADA vs. EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi
  • Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Tomoaki Honma vs. Jay White, KENTA, and Chase Owens
  • Kazuchika Okada & Gabriel Kidd vs. Will Ospreay & Great-O-Khan
  • Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, and Toru Yano vs. Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr., and DOUKI
  • Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura

November 2nd:

  • Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi vs. Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team titles
  • Tetsuya Naito & SANADA vs. EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi
  • Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Tomoaki Honma vs. Jay White, KENTA, and Chase Owens
  • Entrants for the Best of the Super Jr. 27 will be announced
  • Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi, and BUSHI vs. Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Kazuchika Okada & Yuya Uemura vs. Will Ospreay and Great-O-Khan
  • Yota Tsuji vs. Gabriel Kidd

NJPW Road to Power Struggle results: NEVER Six-Man title match

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Recommended matches —

  • Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr. & DOUKI 
  • Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI vs. Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru 

Report —

Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall was the venue for today’s tour opener. 

**********

Yuya Uemura defeated Yota Tsuji (9:09)

The story of this match was Uemura working on Tsuji’s arms to soften them up for his double overhook suplex. It was psychologically and technically sound. 

They did a lot of mat work as Uemura used a variety of holds on Tsuji’s arms. Tsuji came back with an abdominal stretch and a full crab, but Uemura forced a break. 

A striking battle led to a battle for a brainbuster. Uemura escaped and hit a dropkick, then used a short arm scissors. After another strike exchange, Tsuji hit a slam for a near fall. 

Uemura hit a deep arm drag and maintained hold of the arms on Tsuji’s landing. Uemura then hit the double overhook suplex for the pin. 

Will Ospreay & Great-O-Khan (w/Bea Priestley) defeated Kazuchika Okada & Gabriel Kidd (10:17)

Ospreay, O-Khan and Priestley’s group is called The Empire. This was a solid next step in establishing the group and showing a totally different Ospreay in the ring. 

Empire attacked Okada and Kidd before the bell and before Okada had his entrance gear off. O-Khan tossed Okada to the floor and Ospreay went to work on Kidd in the ring. 

Ospreay wrestled as a total chickensh*t heel. Priestley interfered from the floor, tripping Kidd and pulling him outside. Priestley hit a PK on Kidd on the floor. Ospreay and O-Khan worked Kidd over in their corner. Priestley continued to interfere as Okada took the referee. 

Kidd managed to hit Ospreay with a dropkick and tagged Okada. Okada hit Ospreay with a running back elbow, a corner back elbow and a DDT. Ospreay escaped an air raid crash and tagged out. 

O-Khan tied Okada to the tree of woe and hit a sliding dropkick in the corner. Okada ducked a lariat and hit an air raid crash. O-Khan hit Mongolian chops. Okada hit a trademark dropkick. 

Kidd tagged in for the closing stretch. Kidd hit a dropkick for a near fall. Kidd tried a butterfly suplex but O-Khan escaped and hit an inverted suplex. Okada jumped in but O-Khan put him in the iron claw. Ospreay hit Okada with a springboard forearm. 

O-Khan hit Kidd with the claw slam, they’re calling it The Eliminator, and pinned Kidd. 

Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI defeated Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru (12:51)

This was an excellent match, all action. 

Shingo and Suzuki are facing off at Power Struggle and BUSHI and Hiromu will be going for Desperado and Kanemaru’s IWGP Jr. Tag titles at some point soon, so that was the backstory here. 

Suzuki-gun turned this into a brawl right away. Suzuki went after Shingo’s right arm, just as he did when they last faced off. 

Suzuki-gun cut BUSHI off. Kanemaru and Desperado worked him over in the ring while Suzuki went after Shingo and Hiromu on the floor. BUSHI sold his lower back and that was the focus of Kanemaru and Desperado’s attacks. 

Hiromu got a tag and ran crazy. He hit a shotgun dropkick on both Kanemaru and Desperado in the ring, then hit another off the apron to the floor. Desperado hit Hiromu with a spinebuster and a misdirection spear. Hiromu launched Desperado into the buckle with a German. 

Suzuki and Shingo tagged in and traded shots. Shingo missed a Pumping Bomber. Suzuki missed a PK. Suzuki went for a Gotch piledriver but Shingo hit him with a DVD. Suzuki no-sold it but missed a PK. They continued throwing bombs. 

Suzuki backed Shingo into the corner with a choke and tagged out. Suzuki-gun tripled up on Shingo. Shingo blocked Deep Impact from Kanemaru and hit a throw. 

Kanemaru cradled Shingo for two. Shingo hit a lariat and his teammates jumped in to triple team Kanemaru. Everyone jumped in as Shingo hit Kanemaru with a sliding lariat. BUSHI hit a wild rana over the top to the floor on Desperado. 

Shingo hit Kanemaru with a pop-up DVD and a Pumping Bomber for the decisive win. 

**********

Shingo and Suzuki had a pull-apart, then brawled to the back after the match. 

Hiromu then cut a promo and challenged Desperado and Kanemaru to put up the Jr. Tag titles against him and BUSHI. Hiromu and Desperado went back and forth on the mic, then had their own pull-apart. 

**********

Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomoaki Honma defeated Jay White, KENTA & Gedo (10:36)

This was nothing special. 

Ibushi had his contract with him but doesn’t have a briefcase yet. 

White teased starting off with Ibushi but begged off. KENTA teased getting in with Tanahashi. He also stalled, then begged off. Honma and Gedo started the match and Goto immediately raked Honma’s eyes. 

Honma missed a kokeshi. White pulled Honma to the floor to give Bullet Club the advantage. Bullet Club used quick tags in working Honma over. Honma came back with a suplex on KENTA. 

Tana got in with KENTA and hit a somersault senton for a two count. KENTA hit a swing DDT over the top rope and a tope rope clothesline for a near fall. Tanahashi hit a slingblade into a double down. 

White and Ibushi finally got in together. Ibushi hit White with a series of strikes. White hit a dragon screw and a DDT before tagging out. 

It was Gedo and Ibushi in for the closing sequence. Gedo went for brass knuckles. KENTA jumped in with his briefcase but Tana disposed of him. White tried a Blade Runner on Ibushi but Honma saved and hit him with a kokeshi. 

Honma hit Gedo with a kokeshi, then Ibushi hit Gedo with Kamigoye for the pin. 

**********

KENTA hammered Tanahashi after the match and left him laying on the floor. White and Ibushi jawed at each other. 

The babyface team posed together in the ring to end the segment. 

**********

Tetsuya Naito & SANADA defeated EVIL & Dick Togo (11:58)

EVIL and Naito began with a good brawling sequence. Naito hit a rana to give his team the edge. SANADA tagged in and continued to pound away at EVIL’s neck. Naito and SANADA did some double team spots on EVIL. 

Togo interfered from the apron and pulled Naito to the floor which shifted the momentum. All four brawled around the arena with Bullet Club in control. Back inside, Togo exposed a buckle. EVIL and Togo sent Naito into the buckle and worked him over extensively. 

EVIL hit a senton on Naito for a two count. Naito hit a Manhattan drop and a one-legged dropkick to EVIL’s leg before tagging out. 

SANADA put Togo in the paradise lock and hit a plancha to EVIL. EVIL avoided a TKO. EVIL hit a sidewalk slam and tagged out. 

Togo used a cradle and a crossface on SANADA for near finishes. SANADA avoided a whip into the exposed buckle. EVIL threw a chair in the ring and took the ref. Togo hit SANADA with the chair. Togo teased a Pedigree on the chair. Instead, SANADA hit a backdrop. 

Naito pulled EVIL to the floor and threw him up and over the barricade. Naito jumped in to double up on Togo. SANADA hit a TKO for a near fall. 

SANADA grabbed Skull End and Togo immediately tapped out. 

This was a strong win for LIJ. 

**********

Naito used a crucifix on EVIL on the floor after the match. Uemura and Tsuji had to pull Naito off EVIL. 

**********

NEVER 6-Man Tag Team Championship match: Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI defeated Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr. & DOUKI to retain the titles (32:25)

This was awesome. It was way better than it looked like it would be on paper. YH and DOUKI were the workhorses of the match. They tore the house down. 

DOUKI pinned YH in a tag at the G1 Finals, so they started off together here. They began with an intense forearm exchange. Suzuki-gun tried to jump in to illegally team up against YH but Goto and Ishii saved. Goto, Ishii and YH did some six-man spots. 

Suzuki-gun eventually got the upper hand using underhanded tactics. They brawled around ringside. Ishii and Taichi, Sabre and Goto, DOUKI and YH paired off. DOUKI choked YH with a pipe. Taichi choked Ishii with a camera cable. 

Back inside, Suzuki-gun worked YH over in the blue corner. They focused their attack on YH’s left arm. YH came back with a vertical suplex on Sabre and tagged out. 

Goto hit some signature spots on Sabre, connecting with a wheel kick and a bulldog. Sabre ducked a misdirection lariat and applied an octopus hold. Goto slid out, caught a penalty kick, then hit an ushigoroshi into a double down. 

Ishii and Taichi tagged in. Ishii got cut off when Taichi kicked at his taped right knee. YH saved for Ishii initially. Ishii was quickly cut off again as Sabre and Taichi teased a tandem dragon screw to the bad knee. Goto saved with a double lariat. 

There was pure carnage in the ring as everyone was down. 

The champions recovered first. Ishii and Taichi remained the legal men while the others brawled to the outside. Taichi used the aid of a DOUKI pipe shot from the floor to land a high kick on Ishii. Sabre entered for the tandem dragon screw. Taichi hit a buzzsaw kick for a near fall. 

Taichi hit a last ride. Ishii kicked at two, but Taichi used the kick out to transition to a deep single-leg crab. Goto made the save. Taichi removed his trousers. Ishii blocked a high kick and hit a headbutt into another double down. 

YH got a tag and blistered Taichi with chops. Taichi hit a jumping high kick in the corner. DOUKI demanded a tag, and against his better judgment, Taichi obliged. 

IT was back to DOUKI and YH. Everyone jumped in, then rolled to the floor to set up DOUKI’s senton off the post. Tsuji, Kidd and Uemura joined the pack of guys to make sure DOUKI landed on people rather than on his butt on the floor as he always seems to when he tries this. DOUKI hit it. 

Back in, DOUKI hit his inverted vertebreaker for a near fall. Suzuki-gun tripled up on YH. DOUKI hit his Daybreak slingshot DDT but YH kicked out. 

DOUKI used a triangle choke. Taichi hit him with a buzzsaw while still in the hold for good measure. Goto and Ishii jumped in and got put in octopus holds as they really tried to sell this as a near finish. YH finally got a foot on the bottom strand to force a break. 

DOUKI teased Suplex de la Luna. Goto entered and hit an ushigoroshi. Ishii hit a sliding lariat. YH hit a meteora for two as Sabre and Taichi saved for DOUKI. 

YH hit a lariat for another two count. YH went for Kharma but Sabre saved. Taichi hit YH with a backdrop suplex. DOUKI covered for a two count. DOUKI removed his shirt. 

DOUKI hit a lariat and a springboard double stomp for another near fall at the 27 minute mark. 

DOUKI hit Suplex de la Luna. Goto saved for YH and hit DOUKI with a GTW. Taichi took out Goto. Ishii took out Taichi with a lariat. Sabre hit Ishii with a PK. All six guys were down in the ring. 

DOUKI ducked a lariat and hit a dropkick. YH rolled through on a DDT attempt and locked on the butterfly lock. YH transitioned to a kimura, then a sleeper. DOUKI escaped and used two rolling cradles for near falls. 

YH and Goto hit a GYW and a GYR on DOUKI. Ishii caught an interfering Sabre with a lariat. 

YH then hoisted DOUKI for Kharma and got the pin. 

**********

They did an angle after the match where YH grabbed Sabre and Taichi’s IWGP Heavyweight Tag belts and issued a challenge, though it wasn’t clear whether Goto or Ishii would be his partner. 

Sabre loudly refused and taunted YH as Suzuki-gun exited. 

YH closed with a short promo as Ishii hopped to the back on one leg. 

Six-Man tag title match set for NJPW Road to Power Struggle night one

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team titles will be on the line at Road to Power Struggle night one.

NJPW has revealed the full card for Road to Power Struggle night one, with it being headlined by NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI defending their titles against Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr. & DOUKI. The match was set up by Taichi, Sabre Jr., DOUKI & El Desperado defeating Ishii, Goto, YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano in an eight-man tag match at the G1 finals.

DOUKI pinned YOSHI-HASHI to get the win in that eight-man tag match. After the match, Taichi, Sabre & DOUKI attacked Ishii, Goto & YOSHI-HASHI and posed with the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag team titles.

Ishii, Goto & YOSHI-HASHI have been NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions since winning the titles in a tournament this August. EVIL, Shingo Takagi & BUSHI were the champions prior to that, but the titles were declared vacant after EVIL joined Bullet Club.

NJPW has yet to reveal the cards for the rest of the Road to Power Struggle tour. The tour is leading into Power Struggle being held at the Edion Arena in Osaka, Japan on Saturday, November 7. Power Struggle will feature six singles matches.

Road to Power Struggle night one is taking place at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo this Friday (October 23) and will air live on NJPW World starting at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time. Here’s the full card for the show:

  • NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI defend against Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr. & DOUKI
  • Tetsuya Naito & SANADA vs. EVIL & Dick Togo
  • Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomoaki Honma vs. Jay White, KENTA & Gedo
  • Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI vs. Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Kazuchika Okada & Gabriel Kidd vs. Will Ospreay & The Great O-Khan
  • Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura

NJPW announces Power Struggle, Road to Power Struggle dates

Posted on by Bryan Rose

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. 

Here are the dates and locations for the Road to Power Struggle tour:

  • October 23: Korakuen Hall
  • October 24: Saitama
  • October 25: Chiba
  • October 28: Yamagata
  • October 29: Fukushima
  • October 31: Ibaraki
  • November 1: Korakuen Hall
  • November 2: Korakuen Hall
  • November 3: Shizuoka
  • November 5: Kochi
  • November 7: Osaka (Power Struggle)

Coincidently, Power Struggle will take place the same Saturday as AEW’s Full Gear pay-per-view event, though the shows won’t go head-to-head.

Power Struggle is usually NJPW’s last big event prior to Wrestle Kingdom on January 4, with the World Tag Leauge tournament taking place in December.

NJPW Road to Power Struggle results: Junior Tag League day 13

Posted on by Ethan Renner

SHO & YOH will face Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado in the Super Junior Tag League finals at Power Struggle on Sunday. Both teams sealed their positions with wins in Osaka today on the last night of the Road to Power Struggle tour.

Here are full results and match recaps from today’s show, as well as the final tournament standings:

TJP, CLARK CONNORS & YOTA TSUJI DEFEATED JUSHIN THUNDER LIGER, TIGER MASK IV & YUYA UEMURA

TJP pinned Uemura after a Detonation Kick. They only went about six minutes and the Young Lions worked most of the way. 

TETSUYA NAITO, SANADA, SHINGO TAKAGI & BUSHI DEFEATED TAICHI, MINORU SUZUKI, ZACK SABRE JR. & DOUKI

BUSHI pinned DOUKI after a super hurricanrana off the second rope and an MX. 

The focus here was on Naito vs. Taichi. Both brawled through the crowd at the opening bell. After the match, Naito hit Taichi with dozens of strikes, but Taichi no-sold all of them. Taichi teased going after Naito with a chair, but they were held apart. 

Naito dropkicked the referee after the match as well.

HIROOKI GOTO, TOMOHIRO ISHII & KARL FREDERICKS DEFEATED JAY WHITE, KENTA & YUJIRO TAKAHASHI

Goto pinned Yujiro after hitting him with an ushigoroshi and a GTR. This was a good six-man. Fredericks looked awesome and everyone worked hard. 

After the match, White, who had spent the bulk of the match avoiding Goto, went after him. Goto dropped White with a right hand. He went for a GTR, but Gedo jumped in and knocked out Goto with brass knuckles. 

White grabbed a chair. Ishii tried to make the save for Goto, but White knocked him down with the chair, then used the weapon on Goto. KENTA jumped in and put Ishii in a rear naked choke, so the final big angle before Power Struggle saw White and KENTA standing tall. 

KAZUCHIKA OKADA, YOSHI-HASHI & TOA HENARE DEFEATED KOTA IBUSHI, HIROSHI TANAHASHI & TOMOAKI HONMA

This was similar to the multi-man main event last night involving four of these same guys. 

Both nights, Okada and Ibushi did a spot where Ibushi ducked a Rainmaker and Okada hit a dropkick, so look for that or a variation on that theme on January 4. 

The highlight sequence here saw Henare hit a thrust kick on Honma. Ibushi then hit a knee strike to Henare. Okada hit Ibushi with a shotgun dropkick. Tanahashi hit Okada with a slingblade. YOSHI-HASHI tried a brainbuster on Tana, but Tana reversed it into a Twist and Shout. 

The finish saw Honma submit to YOSHI-HASHI after a Butterfly Lock. 

YOSHI-HASHI and Okada tried to cut a promo on Tana and Ibushi after the match. They will face off in a tag match on Sunday. 

Okada literally dropped the mic. YOSHI-HASHI picked it up, but accidentally turned it off. Okada and YOSHI-HASHI cut a promo but no one heard it. Tanahashi and Ibushi returned to ringside. Tana picked up the mic and tested it. It worked. He then turned the mic off before cutting a promo. That was a great ad lib. 

SUPER JUNIOR TAG LEAGUE MATCH: VOLADOR JR. & TITAN DEFEATED ROCKY ROMERO & RYUSUKE TAGUCHI

Romero and Volador began with a lucha sequence, ending in a stalemate. Titan and Taguchi got tags and did some comedy spots. Titan hit a dropkick, sending Taguchi to the floor. Titan tried a tope, but Taguchi jumped back inside, then hit a plancha. 

Taguchi and Romero did some more comedy where they hit each other by accident, but they remained in control. Titan came back with a springboard crossbody to Taguchi, then a Pele kick on Romero. 

Volador got a tag and ran wild with an enzuigiri, then a springboard dropkick on Taguchi. Volador and Titan hit a tandem top rope splash/double stomp combo for a near fall. Taguchi came back with a hip attack and an enzuigiri. Volador answered with a backstabber. 

Romero and Titan tagged in. Titan tried a springboard crossbody, but Romero knocked him out of the air with a dropkick. Romero hit a swinging DDT, and Taguchi hit a Bomaye . Romero covered for a near fall. 

Romero and Taguchi hit a combination Dodon/backstabber for a two count. Romero and Taguchi hit stereo hip attacks. They tried the same move again, but Titan dodged it. Volador hit a tope con giro on Taguchi. Titan used a magistral cradle on Romero for a two count. 

Titan used a clutch for a great near fall. Romero used a cradle for a two count. Romero hit forever clotheslines, but Titan answered with his diving clothesline out of the ring, a swinging dropkick in the corner, and a springboard second rope double stomp for a two count. 

Titan then hit a second double stomp for the pin. This was a great match. All four of these guys are fantastic, but Titan was the standout performer of this tournament. 

SUPER JUNIOR TAG LEAGUE MATCH: EL DESPERADO & YOSHINOBU KANEMARU DEFEATED WILL OSPREAY & ROBBIE EAGLES 

Desperado and Kanemaru attacked before the opening bell. Ospreay and Eagles quickly came back with a crazy stereo dive that has to be seen to be believed. Suzuki-gun retaliated by turning this into a fight in the crowd. Desperado whipped Ospreay about eight rows deep into the crowd. 

Back inside, Desperado used a single-leg crab on Eagles. Kanemaru tagged in, but Eagles stopped him with a kick to the leg and a cutter, into a double down. 

Eagles managed a tag to Ospreay. Ospreay hit a backflip kick on Kanemaru for a two count. Kanemaru used an eye rake, then hit a dropkick. Desperado and Kanemaru tried a double team, but Eagles jumped in to even the odds. Eagles hit a suicide dive on Kanemaru, while Ospreay hit a standing shooting star press for a near fall on Desperado. 

Eagles got a tag and hit a dropkick to Desperado’s leg, the usual precursor to the Ron Miller Special. Eagles got the submission hold applied, but Desperado reached the ropes. Desperado hit a spinebuster. 

Desperado used Numero Dos, but Eagles reversed into a sunset flip for a two count. All four men jumped in. Everyone hit a dropkick. Kanemaru and Ospreay rolled to the floor. Desperado hit a spear. Eagles answered with Turbo Backpack. 

Eagles hit a double stomp to Desperado’s leg on the apron. He followed with a 450 splash to the leg, then applied the Ron Miller Special. With the hold still applied, Ospreay hit a springboard 450 on Desperado. After a long struggle, Kanemaru made the save.

Ospreay hit Kanemaru with a wall flip kick, then a Space Flying Tiger Drop. Taichi was at the commentary desk. He pulled Ospreay’s hair, then jumped on the apron to distract the referee. 

Ospreay and Eagles went for Red Wing. BUSHI ran down and spit black mist in Ospreay’s face. Kanemaru then spit whiskey in Eagles’ eyes, and Desperado used a cradle on Eagles to score the pin. 

Ospreay cut a promo on BUSHI after the match. He took BUSHI’s attack as a challenge for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. Ospreay accepted, and said the match will happen Sunday at Power Struggle.

I understand that it would be a waste of Ospreay to have him in the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team picture, but it feels like they have just scratched the surface with him and Eagles as a team.

SUPER JUNIOR TAG LEAGUE MATCH: SHO & YOH DEFEATED EL PHANTASMO & TAIJI ISHIMORI 

SHO out-wrestled both Ishimori and ELP at the outset. ELP rolled outside to regroup, then used a trip from Ishimori on the floor to gain the edge on SHO. ELP clotheslined SHO over the top. SHO sold his taped-up back on landing. Ishimori then slammed SHO’s back into the post. 

Back inside, ELP and Ishimori used their trademark back rakes. They continued using quick tags, working over SHO’s back, then stomping on his crotch. 

Ishimori hit a sliding German. SHO came back with a vertical suplex and made his first tag to YOH over ten minutes into the match. YOH hit a dragon screw on ELP, a dragon screw on Ishimori, then a double dragon screw on both. 

YOH used a figure four on ELP. After a rope break, ELP came back with kicks and an enzuigiri before tagging out. ELP and Ishimori hit stereo superkicks for a two count. Ishimori hit a codebreaker, immediately followed by an ELP moonsault for a near fall. YOH responded with a combination DDT/flatliner to both members of Bullet Club. 

SHO tagged in but was immediately cut off with a superkick. Bullet Club teased a Doomsday Device, but YOH saved his partner, hitting both with superkicks. SHO and YOH hit a 3K on ELP, but Ishimori made the save. 

Ishimori also ate a 3K. YOH hit a plancha to Ishimori. ELP went for a low blow, but SHO blocked it. SHO went for Shock Arrow, but his back gave out. ELP hit a low blow, then used an inside cradle for a two count. 

ELP went for CRII, but SHO used an inside cradle for his own near fall. 

SHO hit a lariat, then hit Shock Arrow for the pin. This was a disappointing match. 

After the match, Desperado hit a Pinche Loco on SHO, while Kanemaru spit whiskey in YOH’s eyes. Suzuki-gun then brought chairs into the ring. Desperado hit a con-chair-to on SHO’s back. Desperado cut a promo mocking SHO and YOH, as well as the crowd in Osaka. 

FINAL SUPER JUNIOR TAG LEAGUE STANDINGS

  • SHO & YOH: 10 points (5-2)
  • El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 10 points (5-2)
  • El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori: 10 points (5-2) eliminated
  • Will Ospreay & Robbie Eagles: 8 points (4-3) eliminated
  • Volador Jr. & Titan: 8 points (4-3) eliminated
  • Rocky Romero & Ryusuke Taguchi: 8 points (4-3) eliminated
  • TJP & Clark Connors: 2 points (1-6) eliminated
  • Tiger Mask IV & Yuya Uemura: 0 points (0-7) eliminated

NJPW Road to Power Struggle results: Junior Tag League day 12

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The penultimate show of the Road to Power Struggle tour took place in Aichi at the Toyohashi City General Gymnasium today. 

Day 12 of the tour featured only one Super Junior Tag League bout, while a star-studded eight-man tag took the main event slot on the show. 

The event took place in a large room with a high ceiling and a relatively small crowd. As a result, this was a very quiet show. Nothing seemed to have any heat. 

Here are full results, match recaps, and updated Super Junior Tag League standings:

KARL FREDERICKS & TOMOAKI HONMA DEFEATED YOTA TSUJI & RYUSUKE TAGUCHI

Tsuji and Honma began. Honma took some chops, but dropped Tsuji with a backdrop. Fredericks and Honma traded tags, working Tsuji over. Honma used a single-leg crab, a headbutt, then hit some chops. 

Tsuji landed a dropkick and tagged Taguchi. Taguchi hit Honma and Fredericks with a series of hip attacks. Honma missed a kokeshi. Taguchi missed a kokeshi. Tsuji entered for a double-team, but Honma hit a combination DDT/downward spiral on both Tsuji and Taguchi. 

Fredericks and Tsuji tagged in. Fredericks hit a dropkick, a Stinger splash, then hit an elbow drop for a near fall. Tsuji hit a dropkick to Fredericks, then hit a slam on Honma. Tsuji used a full crab on Fredericks. Honma tried to break it up, but Taguchi cut him off with a hip attack. Fredericks forced a rope break. 

Fredericks and Tsuji traded forearm shots. Fredericks hit a spinebuster, then used a Liontamer for the submission win. This was not a very noteworthy opener. 

SHO & YOH DEFEATED EL DESPERADO & DOUKI

Desperado and DOUKI attacked Roppongi 3K before the opening bell. Desperado used two chairs to attack SHO on the floor, and SHO sold his back. They teased a countout, but SHO made it back in. 

Desperado used a full crab on SHO, but SHO forced a rope break. DOUKI tagged in and hit a double stomp to SHO’s back. Desperado exposed a turnbuckle. SHO reversed a suplex into his own suplex, and YOH got a hot tag. 

YOH ran wild with flying forearms. He then hit a dragon screw on Desperado. Desperado pulled the ref into YOH’s path, then hit a right hand. DOUKI got a tag and hit a springboard DDT. He made a cover, but SHO made the save. 

Desperado took the referee. DOUKI grabbed a steel pipe. YOH ducked the pipe, then SHO hit DOUKI with a spear. SHO clotheslined Desperado to the floor. YOH hit DOUKI with a superkick, then used a bridging German for a near fall. 

YOH then hit a dragon suplex for the pin on DOUKI. 

Desperado hit SHO and YOH with a chair after the match. He then hit a con-chair-to to SHO’s back. They’re pushing the idea that Roppongi 3K will be going into their last tournament match injured. 

EL PHANTASMO & TAIJI ISHIMORI DEFEATED ROCKY ROMERO & JUSHIN THUNDER LIGER

Liger went for a Romero Special on Ishimori, but ELP saved. ELP and Ishimori used quick tags and worked Liger over in their corner. Liger no-sold back and chest rakes from ELP. Liger used a chest rake on ELP, which ELP sold big. Liger hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. 

Romero got a tag and hit forever clotheslines, then hit both Ishimori and ELP with a double lariat. Romero hit a swinging DDT on ELP for a two count. Liger got a tag and hit a shotei. Romero hit a knee. Liger and Romero hit a double suplex on ELP, and Liger got a two count. 

Ishimori took Romero out on the floor. Ishimori and ELP hit tandem superkicks to Liger, and ELP got a near fall. Liger hit a shotei on ELP for a two count. Ishimori took the referee. ELP hit a low blow to Liger, then used an inside cradle for the pin. 

TAICHI, ZACK SABRE JR., MINORU SUZUKI & YOSHINOBU KANEMARU DEFEATED TETSUYA NAITO, SHINGO TAKAGI, SANADA & BUSHI BY DQ

This was your standard Suzuki-gun vs. LIJ brawl. Suzuki-gun used a jump start before the bell, and they brawled all over the building. Suzuki-gun used all manner of plunder, including chairs and pieces of the barricade. 

SANADA was the first LIJ member to make it back to the ring. Suzuki and Sabre worked him over. SANADA came back with a dragon screw on Sabre, then hit a dropkick to Suzuki’s knees. BUSHI tagged in and hit Suzuki with an enzuigiri and a DDT. 

Suzuki went for a Gotch-style piledriver on BUSHI, but BUSHI hit a backdrop. Suzuki tagged Taichi. Taichi and Kanemaru ate a double hurricanrana from BUSHI, who then managed a tag to Naito. 

Naito and Taichi exchanged strikes. Naito hit an arm drag. Taichi went for a buzzsaw kick, but Naito caught it. Naito spit on Taichi. Naito shoved the referee down. Taichi grabbed the referee by the throat. None of this was a DQ. 

Naito attacked Taichi with strikes as Taichi was near the ropes. The referee tried to intervene. Naito raked his eyes, then kicked him out of the ring. This was a DQ. 

Everyone continued brawling after the bell. Another ref ran out. Naito raked his eyes too. Taichi hit Naito with an Axe Bomber, then choked him. Tsuji and Red Shoes jumped in to break up the fight. 

Perhaps the feeling in the NJPW office is that the Naito and Taichi feud needed some steam behind it. This was an attempt to heat things up before they face off on Sunday for the de facto number one contendership for the intercontinental title. The Naito and Taichi program just does nothing for me. 

KENTA, JAY WHITE & YUJIRO TAKAHASHI DEFEATED TOMOHIRO ISHII, HIROOKI GOTO & TOA HENARE

Goto attacked White in the aisle as he made his entrance. Ishii paired off with KENTA, Yujiro with Henare, and Goto with White, as they brawled around ringside. 

Henare and Yujiro ended up the legal men. Bullet Club kept Henare close to their corner, then took turns working him over. 

White hit Henare with a suplex for a two count. Ishii and KENTA tagged in. They traded forearm shots and powerslams, neither man selling anything. Ishii hit a German. He went for a tag to Goto, but Gedo pulled Goto off the apron. Ishii tagged Henare instead. 

Henare hit a tackle. KENTA hit a running knee strike. Ishii cut KENTA off, allowing Henare to hit a tackle for a two count. Everyone else brawled to the floor, leaving KENTA and Henare alone. 

Henare went for Toa Bottom. KENTA instead slapped on a triangle choke, then transitioned to Game Over, and Henare tapped. 

Ishii went after KENTA after the bell, but KENTA escaped. 

SUPER JUNIOR TAG LEAGUE MATCH: TJP & CLARK CONNORS DEFEATED TIGER MASK IV & YUYA UEMURA

Connors and Uemura started off. They had an intense striking battle. Connors backed Uemura into the corner, then tagged TJP. Uemura tagged Tiger. Tiger and TJP traded holds on the mat, while Connors and Uemura continued to brawl on the outside. 

Back in the ring, Connors and TJP worked over Tiger. Tiger came back with kicks against Connors. Uemura tagged back in and used a chinlock on Connors. Connors hit Uemura with kicks and chops. 

TJP got a tag and used a slingshot senton for a two count. TJP hit a suplex. Uemura hit a dropkick, then managed a tag to Tiger. TJP hit Tiger with a DDT, then tagged Connors. Connors hit Tiger with a DDT for a two count. 

Connors hit some chops. Tiger came back with a kick. Uemura came in for a double team. He hit a vertical suplex, and Tiger covered for a near fall. Tiger used a kimura on Connors. TJP tried to save. Uemura held him off, but TJP eventually did save. 

TJP and Uemura brawled on the floor. Tiger hit some spin kicks on Connors, but Connors hit a dropkick, then tagged TJP. TJP hit a springboard backfist on Tiger, then dispatched with an interfering Uemura. 

TJP hit a slingshot dropkick to Tiger. He went to the top rope, but jumped off into a dropkick from Tiger. Tiger hit a Tiger Driver for a near fall. 

Tiger hit a Tiger Superplex for a near fall, then immediately transitioned to an armbar. Connors broke up the hold. Uemura and Connors again fought to the floor. 

TJP hit a hook kick on Tiger. Uemura made the save for Tiger, then hit a double shoulder block on Connors and TJP. Connors and TJP hit a combination blockbuster/powerbomb for a two count. That spot woke the crowd up. 

Connors missed a spear and went crashing to the floor. Uemura used a full crab on TJP. Connors jumped back in and hit Uemura with chops. Uemura initially refused to give up the crab, but finally did after an uppercut. 

TJP hit a spear on Uemura. He covered, but Tiger made the save. TJP went for a Detonation Kick, but Uemura used a schoolboy for a near fall. Tiger and Connors fought outside. 

TJP tried a pop-up dropkick, but botched it. TJP then hit a Detonation Kick on Uemura for the pin. 

They did a lot of moves, but this match really needed a ring general to keep things cohesive from a psychology standpoint. 

KAZUCHIKA OKADA, WILL OSPREAY, ROBBIE EAGLES & YOSHI-HASHI DEFEATED KOTA IBUSHI, HIROSHI TANAHASHI, VOLADOR JR. & TITAN

Ospreay and Eagles wore Roppongi 3K’s gear. Ospreay was dressed as SHO, while Eagles was YOH. 

Titan and Eagles began with some fancy mat work. Ospreay and Volador tagged in and started flying. A bunch of guys hit hurricanranas. Everyone on Tana’s team hit a plancha. 

Ospreay and Eagles hit tandem kicks on Volador. Eagles used a low dropkick on Volador, then tagged YH, as Okada’s team worked over Volador in their corner. Okada tagged in and hit a slam, then a slingshot senton. 

Ospreay used a chinlock on Volador. Volador came back with a hurricanrana, and Ospreay tagged YH. Volador hit an enzuigiri, then a springboard dropkick before tagging Tanahashi. 

Tana hit YH with a dragon screw. Eagles and Ospreay jumped in and ate a double dragon screw. Tana hit a slam to YH, then connected with a somersault senton for a two count. Tana and YH traded slaps. YH hit an enzuigiri and a lariat, then tagged Okada. 

Okada hit Tana with a back elbow. Okada teased an air raid crash, but Tana caught him with a Twist and Shout. Tana tagged Ibushi. Ibushi hit a flurry of kicks, then connected with a standing moonsault for a near fall. 

Okada came back with a flapjack on Ibushi. YH entered to double up on Ibushi. YH launched Ibushi into a DDT by Okada for a two count. Okada went for a tombstone, but Ibushi blocked it. Ibushi teased lawn-darting Okada into the corner, but Okada slid out and hit a dropkick. Ibushi ducked a Rainmaker, then hit his own dropkick. 

Titan and Ospreay tagged in. Titan hit a springboard crossbody. Ospreay came back with a superkick for a two count. Titan hit a superkick, then connected on a falcon arrow for a near fall. 

Ospreay and Eagles hit stereo knees, then called for a 3K. Titan escaped, then hit Ospreay with a DDT. Things became chaotic here. Volador hit Eagles with a superkick. YH hit Volador with a basement dropkick. Tana hit a slingblade on YH. Okada hit Tana with a big boot. Ibushi hit Okada with a backflip kick. 

Titan hit Ospreay with a clothesline and a swinging dropkick. Titan went for a double stomp, but Ospreay rolled out of the way. Eagles and Ospreay doubled up on Titan, but Volador saved for Titan. Eagles hit a suicide dive on Volador. Ospreay hit Titan with the Storm Breaker for the pin. 

This main event was the highlight of an otherwise lackluster show. 

SUPER JR. TAG LEAGUE STANDINGS

  • Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo 10 points (5-1)
  • Will Ospreay & Robbie Eagles 8 points (4-2)
  • Ryusuke Taguchi & Rocky Romero 8 points (4-2)
  • El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru 8 points (4-2) 
  • SHO & YOH 8 points (4-2) 
  • Volador Jr. & Titan 6 points (3-3) [eliminated]
  • TJP & Clark Connors 2 points (1-5) [eliminated]
  • Tiger Mask IV & Yuya Uemura 0 points (0-6) [eliminated]

NJPW Road to Power Struggle results: Junior Tag League day nine

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The Road to Power Struggle tour rolled into Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall today, the first of two straight nights in the building. 

Here are full show results and tournament match recaps:

TOA HENARE DEFEATED YOTA TSUJI

Henare won with a Toa Bottom. 

MINORU SUZUKI, ZACK SABRE JR., TAICHI & DOUKI DEFEATED TETSUYA NAITO, SHINGO TAKAGI, SANADA & BUSHI BY DQ

Naito got disqualified for hitting Taichi and the referee with Taichi’s microphone stand. 

HIROOKI GOTO, TOMOHIRO ISHII, TOMOAKI HONMA & KARL FREDERICKS DEFEATED JAY WHITE, KENTA, YUJIRO TAKAHASHI & GEDO

Goto pinned Gedo after hitting a GTR. Goto also hit the GTR on Jay White. 

SUPER JR. TAG LEAGUE MATCH: WILL OSPREAY & ROBBIE EAGLES DEFEATED TIGER MASK IV & YUYA UEMURA

Eagles and Ospreay worked over Uemura at the outset. Uemura hit a forearm shot to Eagles, and Tiger and Ospreay tagged in. Tiger hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and a series of kicks. Ospreay tried a shooting star press, but Tiger got his knees up. 

Tiger teased a Tiger Suplex off the top, but Ospreay blocked. Tiger avoided Pip Pip Cheerio, but Ospreay hit a backflip kick, then tagged Eagles. Tiger took out Eagles with kicks. Uemura demanded a tag. Tiger hesitated, but tagged him in. 

Uemura got a near fall off a jumping elbow. Tiger jumped in and hit Eagles with a Tiger Driver. Uemura then hit an overhead belly-to-belly for a two count. Uemura used a cradle for another two count. 

Eagles tried for Turbo Backpack, but Uemura blocked, then rolled through into a single-leg crab. Ospreay broke the hold, then hit a top rope 619 on Tiger. Eagles hit a monkey flip on Uemura, while Ospreay took out Tiger with a plancha. 

Eagles hit a missile dropkick to the leg, then used the Ron Miller Special for the submission victory. 

After the bell, Tiger raised Uemura’s hand. This was a fun match. 

SUPER JR. TAG LEAGUE MATCH: EL DESPERADO & YOSHINOBU KANEMARU DEFEATED TJP & CLARK CONNORS

Desperado scored a takedown, but TJP used a handstand to escape. TJP then used a Muta Lock and a crab. Connors tagged in and got a two count off a hip toss. Kanemaru had seen enough at that point, and jumped in for an illegal double team. 

Kanemaru and Desperado turned this into a Suzuki-gun crowd brawl. Desperado used a chair on TJP’s leg. Kanemaru hit a suplex on Connors on the floor. 

Kanemaru worked over Connors in the ring. Connors came back with a dropkick, then managed a tag. TJP ran wild on Kanemaru with dropkicks and a springboard crossbody. TJP avoided a satellite DDT, but Kanemaru hit a dropkick to the leg, then tagged out. 

Desperado and Connors got tags. Connors used a backdrop, then went for a crab. Desperado reached the ropes before the hold could be applied. 

Desperado went for Pinche Loco, but Connors reversed the attempt into a full crab. Kanemaru tried to break up the hold, but TJP cut him off, then locked him in a Cobra Twist. Desperado reached the ropes for a break. 

Connors hit a spear and made a cover, but Kanemaru broke up the pin. TJP and Kanemaru fought to the floor. Connors hit a powerslam on Desperado for a two count. 

TJP and Connors tried a Doomsday Device, but Kanemaru shoved TJP off the top rope. Desperado got Numero Dos applied. Connors tried to reach the ropes, but Kanemaru spit whiskey in his eyes, and Connors tapped out. 

Lots of solid wrestling in this one. Another good match. 

SUPER JR. TAG LEAGUE MATCH: EL PHANTASMO & TAIJI ISHIMORI DEFEATED VOLADOR JR. & TITAN

Volador and Ishimori began with a very nice sequence, trading flips and quick covers. ELP and Titan tagged in. Titan sent ELP to the floor with a headscissors. He tried a flip dive over the top to the floor, but ELP moved, and Ishimori hit a jumping knee off the apron. 

Titan and Volador came right back with a great flying sequence. Volador hit a tope con giro. Titan teased one of his own, but hit a top rope Asai moonsault instead. Titan grabbed his knee on the landing, but he looked to be okay. 

Back inside, Titan went for a top rope moonsault. ELP distracted Titan, allowing Ishimori to get his knees up. From there, Ishimori and ELP used their cartoonish heel tactics, including back rakes, chest rakes, crotch stomps, and going for Titan’s mask. 

ELP teased a One-Winged Angel, but Titan hit him with a poison rana, then tagged Volador. Volador and Titan hit a tandem splash off the top on Ishimori. Titan hit a running dropkick, then flew through the ropes and landed on the floor. Volador hit a cannonball. 

Ishimori came back with a sliding German on Titan. ELP hit a moonsault to Titan while Ishimori held Titan. ELP and Titan traded palm strikes to the chest. ELP walked along the top rope, but Volador cut him off and hit a Spanish Fly off the top. Titan made a cover on ELP for a near fall. 

Titan hit a springboard leg drop to ELP for a two count, while Volador hit Ishimori with a pescado. Titan used a springboard double stomp on ELP for a near fall. Volador and Titan teased a top rope tandem move, but Ishimori pulled Volador to the floor. 

ELP hit a reverse Frankensteiner off the top, then used a moonsault for a two count. Titan used an inside cradle for a near fall. ELP pulled Titan’s mask around backwards, then hit a CRII for the pin. 

Volador and Titan have been spectacular this entire tournament, and that continued here. 

SUPER JR. TAG LEAGUE MATCH: ROCKY ROMERO & RYUSUKE TAGUCHI DEFEATED SHO & YOH

YOH and Romero started off. They grappled to a stalemate, and SHO and Taguchi tagged in. Taguchi did some comedy. SHO missed a dropkick. Taguchi hit forever hip attacks. SHO dropkicked Taguchi to the floor. Taguchi missed a hip attack. 

YOH made a series of covers on Romero, but Romero kicked out at one each time. YOH used a camel clutch. SHO and YOH isolated Romero in their corner and used a series of quick tags, working him over. 

Romero came back with a double hurricanrana. Taguchi got a tag and ran wild with hip attacks. Taguchi hit a plancha on SHO, then used a frog splash on YOH for a two count. YOH and Taguchi traded hip attacks. YOH used a schoolboy for a two count, then tagged SHO. 

SHO hit a series of kicks on Taguchi. Taguchi tried a hip attack, but SHO caught him. He tried for a deadlift German, but Taguchi rolled through into an ankle lock attempt. SHO fought it off, but Taguchi hit a hip attack, into a double down. 

Romero tagged in and hit both SHO and YOH with hurricanranas. Romero hit forever clotheslines on SHO and YOH. Romero hit a standing sliced bread on SHO, and Taguchi hit him with a Bomaye. Romero covered for a two count. 

Romero hit a falcon arrow into an armbar on SHO, while Taguchi used an ankle lock on YOH. SHO hit a powerbomb on Romero, breaking both holds. 

SHO and Romero traded strikes. Taguchi and Romero hit tandem hip attacks on YOH. SHO jumped in and hit a series of superkicks. SHO and YOH hit Romero with stereo knees, then Taguchi with stereo superkicks. YOH hit a pescado to Taguchi. SHO hit a deadlift German on Romero and covered, but Romero kicked out. 

Romero tried a springboard attack, but SHO caught him. YOH hit Romero with a jumping knee strike, into a falcon arrow by SHO for a near fall. Taguchi jumped in and ate a 3K. SHO hit a backstabber on Romero into a knee strike from YOH. 

Romero fought off a 3K, then hit YOH with a rana. SHO went for a spear, but Romero hit him with a knee strike, then a rewind kick. SHO countered with a spear. 

SHO hit Romero with a straightjacket piledriver, but Romero kicked out at two. 

SHO went for a powerbomb. Romero rolled through for a near fall. Romero used a backslide for a near fall. SHO hit a German, then a lariat, and Romero took a flip bump. 

SHO hit the Power Breaker for a two count. SHO went for a Shock Arrow, but Romero pulled SHO into an inside cradle for the pin. 

The crowd was going absolutely crazy for the last few minutes of this one. A great main event with a great finish. 

Here are the updated Super Junior Tag League standings:

  • El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori: 8 points (4-1)
  • Ryusuke Taguchi & Rocky Romero: 8 points (4-1)
  • El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 6 points (3-2)
  • Will Ospreay & Robbie Eagles: 6 points (3-2)
  • Volador Jr. & Titan: 6 points (3-2)
  • SHO & YOH: 4 points (2-2)
  • Tiger Mask IV & Yuya Uemura: 0 points (0-4)
  • TJP & Clark Connors: 0 points (0-5)

EVIL to miss rest of Road to Power Struggle tour due to ankle injury

Posted on by Joseph Currier

EVIL will miss the remainder of NJPW’s Road to Power Struggle tour due to injury.

NJPW announced today that EVIL has suffered a left ankle injury and won’t be wrestling on the rest of the Road to Power Struggle tour. EVIL’s Los Ingobernables de Japon stablemate BUSHI will replace him in the matches that he was scheduled for.

Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, Shingo Takagi & BUSHI) defeated Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr., Taichi & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) at this morning’s Road to Power Struggle show in Fukushima.

The last Road to Power Struggle event will take place on November 1. The tour features NJPW’s Super Junior Tag League, and the top two teams will face off at Power Struggle on November 3 to determine the tournament winner.

Jay White vs. Hirooki Goto for the IWGP Intercontinental title, KENTA vs. Tomohiro Ishii for the NEVER Openweight Championship, Naito vs. Taichi, and Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Kota Ibushi & Hiroshi Tanahashi have also been announced for Power Struggle.

NJPW Road to Power Struggle results: Night two of Jr. Tag League

Posted on by Ethan Renner

NJPW returned to Korakuen Hall this morning for the second day of the Super Junior Tag League tournament. Here are the full results, complete with prelim matches.

KARL FREDERICKS & TOMOAKI HONMA DEFEATED YOTA TSUJI & JUSHIN THUNDER LIGER

Fredericks submitted Tsuji with a half crab. 

TETSUYA NAITO, SANADA, EVIL & SHINGO TAKAGI DEFEATED MINORU SUZUKI, ZACK SABRE JR., TAICHI & DOUKI

Naito pinned DOUKI after a Pumping Bomber. Sabre teased defending the RPW British Heavyweight Championship on both nights at the Tokyo Dome. 

JAY WHITE, KENTA & YUJIRO TAKAHASHI DEFEATED HIROOKI GOTO, TOMOHIRO ISHII & TOA HENARE

Yujiro pinned Henare after hitting Pimp Juice. 

SUPER JR. TAG LEAGUE MATCH: RYUSUKE TAGUCHI & ROCKY ROMERO DEFEATED TIGER MASK & YUYA UEMURA

Romero and Uemura began with some chain wrestling. Romero tried to hit forever clotheslines in the corner, but Uemura blocked them, then hit a tackle. Both tagged out. 

Tiger and Taguchi did some rope-running comedy spots. Tiger hit a deep arm drag, and Tiger and Uemura worked on Taguchi in their corner. Uemura missed a dropkick, allowing Romero and Taguchi to take over. 

Taguchi and Romero used a series of quick tags in working over Uemura. Romero hit a low dropkick. Taguchi hit some hip attacks. Uemura missed another dropkick. Tiger finally got a tag. Taguchi missed a hip attack. 

Romero and Taguchi had some dissension, as both kicked the other. This was played for comedy more than teasing a break up. Tiger got a kneebar on Romero, but Taguchi broke it up. Tiger hit a Tiger superplex, allowing Uemura to use a full crab on Taguchi, but Taguchi reached the ropes. 

Uemura got the hold re-applied. Tiger grabbed Rocky in a Fujiwara armbar to prevent the save, but Taguchi again reached the ropes. 

Uemura hit a German into a bridge for a near fall on Taguchi, but Romero made the save. Romero and Taguchi hit stereo hip attacks on Uemura. Romero hit a hip attack to Tiger, then nailed him with a suicide dive. 

Taguchi got an ankle lock on Uemura, but Uemura rolled through to a cradle for a two count. Taguchi hit a Bomaye, but Uemura kicked out at two. Taguchi then hit Dodon and pinned Uemura. 

This turned into a heck of a little match by the end. 

SUPER JR. TAG LEAGUE MATCH: VOLADOR JR. & TITAN DEFEATED TJP & CLARK CONNORS

This was another good match. 

Connors caused a ruckus by refusing Titan and Volador’s handshakes before the match. Volador and TJP began with some mat work. TJP used a bow and arrow. They had a nice sequence trading headscissors and dropkick attempts. 

Titan and Connors tagged in. Connors used a headscissors on the mat. Titan escaped with a handstand. Connors fired back with a dropkick. Titan fought off a double team effort, and Connors accidentally clotheslined TJP. 

Volador and Titan hit some tandem offense. Titan hit a fantastic springboard splash on TJP, and Volador covered for a two count. Titan and Volador focused on TJP’s left arm. Titan used a variation of a magistral cradle for a two count. 

TJP managed a tag, then Connors took over on Titan with a shoulder tackle and stomps. TJP tagged back in and hit a slingshot senton for a two count. TJP used a sharpshooter, then a deathlock, but Titan forced a break. 

Titan made a comeback with a springboard crossbody, then tagged Volador, who hit a backstabber for a near fall on TJP. Titan got an immediate tag back in, then hit a springboard leg drop off the middle rope. Connors broke up the pinfall.

TJP hit a superplex on Titan, then hit a kick for a near fall, as Volador made the save. TJP and Connors hit a tandem move, and Connors hit a spear on Titan for a two count. Connors used a full crab on Titan, but Volador saved. 

Volador hit TJP with a tope con giro. Connors used an inside cradle for a two count on Titan. Titan hit a dropkick in the corner and flew through the ropes to the outside. He then hit a swinging dropkick in the corner, then used a springboard double stomp for the pin. 

SUPER JR. TAG LEAGUE MATCH: EL DESPERADO & YOSHINOBU KANEMARU DEFEATED EL PHANTASMO & TAIJI ISHIMORI 

This was two heel teams having a cartoon heel brawl. Lots of eye rakes, back rakes, and plenty of other underhanded tactics. If you’re into that, this was fine. After a long day of watching wrestling, this didn’t do much for me. 

Suzuki-gun used an attack before the bell. ELP and Ishimori managed to withstand the attack, then worked over Kanemaru with some comedy spots. ELP used a back rake. Desperado tagged in and returned the back rake favor to ELP. 

ELP and Ishimori worked over Desperado’s crotch with stomps in the corner. Kanemaru tripped Ishimori from the floor, and Suzuki-gun turned this into a crowd brawl. Desperado used a chair and an umbrella to attack ELP. 

Back inside, Desperado and Kanemaru worked over Ishimori with a series of suplexes and quick tags. Ishimori hit a backflip kick, then managed to tag ELP. ELP hit a springboard crossbody to Desperado, a quebrada, then hit a suicide dive to Kanemaru for good measure. 

ELP teased his airplane spin neckbreaker, but Desperado slipped out, then hit a spinebuster for a two count. Desperado got Numero Dos applied, but Ishimori made the save. 

The match broke down — and all four jumped in. ELP missed a plancha to Kanemaru. Ishimori hit Desperado with a handspring kick for a two count. Ishimori hit a lung blower for a two count, as Kanemaru pulled the referee out of the ring. 

With the ref down, ELP, Kanemaru, and Ishimori got hit with low blows. Ishimori went for a low blow on Desperado, but Desperado blocked the shot with a title belt. Kanemaru then spit whiskey in Ishimori’s eyes, and Desperado hit Pinche Loco on Ishimori. The ref was revived, and Desperado pinned Ishimori. 

SUPER JR. TAG LEAGUE MATCH: SHO & YOH DEFEATED ROBBIE EAGLES & WILL OSPREAY  

SHO and Eagles began by locking up. They traded left arm wringers. SHO used a hammerlock, then a side headlock takeover. Eagles escaped, then worked his own side headlock. They exchanged shoulder tackles, then tagged out. 

Ospreay and YOH tied up. Ospreay and YOH both broke cleanly against the ropes. YOH hit a series of arm drags. Eagles jumped in and also got an arm drag. YOH then hit Ospreay with a dropkick. 

YOH used a series of strikes on Ospreay. Eagles got a tag, and Ospreay and Eagles used tandem strikes to take over on YOH. Eagles and YOH stayed inside, while Ospreay and SHO fought into the audience. 

Eagles hit a running kick for a near fall. Ospreay left SHO laying in the crowd, then returned to the ring to double up on YOH. Ospreay hit quick kicks, then a dropkick for a near fall. Eagles tagged in and used a knee drop for a two count. 

YOH came back with a dragon screw on Eagles. Ospreay tagged himself in, and YOH hit both with a double hurricanrana. 

SHO got a tag. He nailed Eagles with a delayed dropkick, sending him to the floor. SHO then hit a series of kicks on Ospreay for a two count. SHO tried for a wheelbarrow suplex on Ospreay. Ospreay blocked it, then hit a handspring kick, into a double down. 

Ospreay and SHO exchanged strikes. Ospreay hit Kawada kicks. SHO fired up, no-sold a series of slaps, then dropped Ospreay with a forearm strike. SHO hit a series of forearms. Ospreay came back with uppercut strikes, but SHO cut him off with a lariat. Both tagged out.

YOH hit a back elbow and a dropkick to the left leg. SHO used a figure four, which Eagles sold as if he was covered in sulfuric acid. Eagles forced a rope break. 

Eagles blocked a springboard attack from YOH, then fought off a counter attack by SHO. Both Roppongi 3K members rolled outside, and Eagles nailed them with a suicide flip dive. 

Back inside, Eagles hit a couple of dropkicks to YOH, then locked on the Miller Special. SHO jumped in, and promptly ate stereo kicks from Eagles and Ospreay. Ospreay and Eagles hit a top rope ace crusher for a two count. 

Ospreay and Eagles tried for their tandem finisher, the Red Wing. SHO broke it up. SHO and YOH hit Eagles with a tandem falcon arrow, but Ospreay saved. SHO and YOH hit Ospreay with stereo knees. 

YOH hit a one-legged dropkick on Eagles. Roppongi called for a 3K, but Eagles hit YOH with a DDT, then a dropkick to SHO. Eagles hit Turbo Backpack on YOH for a two count. YOH didn’t get all the way over for the move and almost got spiked on his head. 

Eagles went for a 450, but YOH got the knees up. Eagles avoided the knees and went for the Miller Special, but YOH used a cradle for a near fall. Eagles tried for Turbo Backpack again. YOH blocked. 

YOH and Eagles traded a series of cradles for near falls. YOH then used a Japanese Clutch to pin Eagles. 

This was a very good match, but Ospreay didn’t do many of his trademark spots. Apparently he was suffering from food poisoning and not feeling well. As a result, there was not nearly as much flying as you would expect. 

SHO and YOH closed the show with a promo. 

CURRENT SUPER JR. TAG LEAGUE STANDINGS —

  • Volador Jr. & Titan: 4
  • Ryusuke Taguchi & Rocky Romero: 4
  • El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 4
  • El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori: 2
  • SHO & YOH: 2
  • Will Ospreay & Robbie Eagles: 0
  • TJP & Clark Connors: 0
  • Tiger Mask & Yuya Uemura: 0

NJPW Road to Power Struggle results: Super Jr. Tag League begins

Posted on by Bryan Rose

NJPW returned to Korakuen Hall this morning for the opening day of the Super Jr. Tag League tournament. Here are the full results, complete with prelim matches.

Toa Henare & Tomoaki Honma defeated Jushin Thunder Liger & Yota Tsuji

– Henare pinned Tsuji with the uranage.

Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, Shingo Takagi  & EVIL defeated Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr., DOUKI and Taichi

– EVIL submitted DOUKI with a scorpion deathlock.

Jay White, KENTA and Yujiro Takahashi defeated Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii and Karl Fredericks

– KENTA pinned Fredericks with the GTS.

They randomly announced participants for this year’s Fantasticamania cards, which take place in January. If anything, feels like a move to let everyone know the NJPW/CMLL relationship is still strong. People comiing in for the tour are Caristico, Angel de Oro, Niebla Roja, Titan, Soberano Jr. Stuka Jr., Flyer, Audaz, Guerrero Maya Jr., Fugeo, Ultimo Guerrero, Euforia, Sanson, Cuatrero, Forastero, Negro Casas, Barbaro Cavernario, Okumura, Luciferno, Tiger and Dulce Gardenia.

Super Jr. Tag League: Volador Jr. & Titan defeated Tiger Mask & Yuya Uemura

Things started off pretty slowly, but by the end this got pretty good. Uemura had Titan in a half Boston crab. He was given a lot during this match, and with the other young lions gone he shone in the spotlight. Volador broke it up. Tiger Mask took it outside with a big dive, wiping out Volador. Titan mounted offense on Uemura but he kept fighting back. 

Titan looked so fluid during his match. He grabbed Uemura, laid him out with a driver then pinned him with a springboard foot stomp. Really nice match.

Super Jr. Tag League: Ryusuke Taguchi & Rocky Romero defeated TJP & Clark Connors

Romero and TJP, who trained together at NJPW’s previous dojo in LA, pair off while Taguchi and Connors do the same. TJP applied the Muta lock at one point and targeted the arm while Connors kept Taguchi on the outside.

Taguchi came in with the hot tag and hit the three amigos on TJP. They tag in their partners, who go at it until Romero traps Connors in an armbar and he submits. Good, solid match. Connors looks real good at this stage of his career.

Super Jr. Tag League: El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated SHO & YOH

RPG3K wasted no time in starting the match with dropkicks and double tope suicidas to the floor. They had control for a bit, but the heels eventually gained control and took it out to the crowd, with Desperado beating up YOH with chairs. They teased a count out spot, but YOH made it at 19.

YOH mounts a comeback against Kanemaru in the ring but Despeardo is tagged in as they both work over YOH. SHO tags in and goes after Desperado before being cut off by a spinebuster. Desperado applies the stretch muffler. SHO breaks free and hits double knees on Kanemaru. 

SHO manages to avoid the whiskey mist spot as RP3K cleared the ring. They went for the 3K, but grabbed a chair as the ref was distracted and hit guitarra de angel on SHO for a nearfall. He applies the stretch muffler on SHO again and this time he submits. This was also a pretty good match.

Super Junior Tag Tournament: El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori defeated Will Ospreay & Robbie Eagles

The heels got the advantage early on, tagging in and out and working over Ospreay. Ospreay kept teasing tags to Eagles but was unable to until he hit a move that wiped out both Bullet Club members. Eagles tagged in and took them out with a crossbody off the top rope and some solid offense after that.

Ospreay tagged back in and went after ELP, who ended up wiping him out with a poison ran. Ishimori came in as they hit a codebreaker/moonsault combo for a near fall. Ospreay and Eagles rally back, trying to take out ELP with a double spanish fly. ELP counters, but the two counter right back.

Eagles hits a 450 splash on ELP’s leg and locked in a submission. Ishimori cuts him off as he and ELP hit a knee/airplane spin combo. Ospreay went to make the save with a springboard 450, but accidently hit Eagles. 

Eagles recovers and fights both men in the ring as Ishimori distracts the referee, allowing ELP to low blow Eagles and hit the CR2 for the win. You know what I never want to see in New Japan again? A ref distraction. That crutch is so old hat at this point and it was all over this show. Still, this was a good match with some brilliant spots towards the end.

Ishimori took the mic from ELP after the match. He said that since he is the only Japanese guy here, he might as well speak. There’s a lot of teams in this tournament. Roppongi 3K doing a three peat sounds boring. ELP was given the mic, saying he hates Korakuen Hall. He put over their abs, then themselves. He promises they will win the tournament and get their faces on the Wrestle Kingdom poster.

ELP takes the mic from Kevin Kelly and said that the junior heavyweights get no respect but when they win the tournament, they will be all over Wrestle Kingdom.

Current standings:

  • Volador Jr. & Titan – 2
  • Ryusuke Taguchi & Rocky Romero – 2
  • El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru – 2
  • El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori – 2
  • Will Ospreay & Robbie Eagles – 0
  • SHO & YOH – 0
  • TJP & Clark Connors – 0
  • Tiger Mask & Yuya Uemura – 0