Tag: robbie eagles

Next three participants set for NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 33

Posted on by Bryan Rose

NJPW is slowly rolling out this year’s BOSJ participants.

On Monday, the company announced that Jakob Austin Young, Francesco Akira, and Robbie Eagles would take part in this year’s tournament which opens on May 14 at Korakuen Hall and ends on June 7 in Ota.

For Robbie Eagles, this will be his eight entry in the annual junior heavyweight tournament. Although he has had a positive win/loss streak in recent years, he has yet to make it past the block stage of the tournament. Akira, meanwhile, advanced far into last year’s BOSJ but a DQ loss prevented him from advancing. This year will mark the fifth time he’s participated.

Young is entering the tournament for the first time. A member of the United Empire alongside Akira, he is usually seen in tag matches and participated in last year’s Super Junior Tag League with Templario.

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 33 confirmed participants:

  • Kosei Fujita
  • DOUKI
  • El Desperado
  • Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • SHO
  • Daisuke Sasaki
  • YOH
  • Master Wato
  • Valiente Jr.
  • Jakob Austin Young
  • Francesco Akira
  • Robbie Eagles

Two title matches official for NJPW Anniversary event

Posted on by Joseph Currier

NJPW has booked a couple of title bouts for its upcoming Anniversary event.

On March 6, NJPW will celebrate its 54th birthday with an Anniversary show at Ota City Gymnasium in Tokyo. It’s been confirmed that the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship and Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles will be on the line. DOUKI is defending his belt against Master Wato, while Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X are challenging Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita for their tag team gold.

This will be the second defense for both DOUKI and Eagles & Fujita during their respective reigns.

NJPW wrote:

  • The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship will be on the line when Master Wato challenges DOUKI. Mere days after HOUSE OF TORTURE rallied around DOUKI to assist him to a first defence of the junior heavyweight title against El Desperado in Korakuen, Wato ensured the H.O.T victory lap was cut short, striking with the Tstenkaku German to pin Japones Del Mal and assert himself as the next number one contender. As the next chapter of HOUSE OF TORTURE with Ren Narita at its helm continues, will the self proclaimed ‘junior heavyweight god’ DOUKI retain by hook and crook again, or on the site of his Best of the Super Jr. tournament victory in 2023, can Wato finally complete his journey to Grand Master status?
  • Also official for Anniversary is a battle over the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, Robbie Eagles and Kosei Fujita defending against Robbie X and Taiji Ishimori. The last time NJPW was in Ota for New Year Dash, the Ichiban Sweet Boys Eagles and Fujita won the junior tag gold by defeating Robbie X in a four way bout. When Ishimori scored tag team victory for himself and Hiromu Takahashi at New Beginning in Osaka however, defeating United Empire’s Jakob Austin Young and Francesco Akira, the Unbound Co. name seemed to grow stonger in tag contention. Robbie would provide the assist to prevent a post match assault on Hiromu, and backstage, Ishimori would issue a challenge. These two teams tore the house down in a junior tag title clash in Korakuen last April as well as in the Super Junior Tag League in the autumn to bring them to a 1-1 record. This time, which team will not only bring down the house, but bring home the bacon? 

The Anniversary show will air live on NJPW World with English commentary available. Along with these title bouts, the card includes two opening-round matches in New Japan Cup 2026.

NJPW 54th Anniversary Show (Friday, March 6) —

  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion DOUKI defends against Master Wato
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita defend against Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X
  • New Japan Cup first-round match: YOSHI-HASHI vs. Jake Lee
  • New Japan Cup first-round match: OSKAR vs. Callum Newman

Title change takes place at NJPW New Year Dash

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A title change took place on Monday to help kick off a new era for NJPW.

Following the retirement of Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 20, NJPW was immediately back in action with New Year Dash 2026 being held at Ota City Gymnasium in Tokyo. The card saw new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions crowned with the Ichiban Sweet Boys (Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita) prevailing in a four-way match.

Eagles & Fujita defeated DOUKI & SHO, Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X, and El Desperado & Kuukai to win the belts. House of Torture tried to interfere to help DOUKI & SHO keep their titles, but Eagles & Fujita were able to dispatch of Yoshibonu Kanemaru and pin Robbie X to become champions.

This marks the second time that Eagles & Fujita have been IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions together. Their first reign lasted for nearly four months from January-April 2025.

Eagles & Fujita are members of the NJPW faction TMDK. Their stablemates Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa had the chance to bring more gold to TMDK at New Year Dash but fell short in their attempt to win the IWGP Tag Team titles. In the main event of NJPW’s first show of the post-Tanahashi era, the Knock Out Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) defeated Sabre & Oiwa to remain the champions of the heavyweight tag team division.

Ring of Honor TV live results: Sammy Guevara returns, Tag Team title defense

Posted on by Jeff Moss

For the first time since February, Sammy Guevara will be in action as part of tonight’s Ring of Honor TV on HonorClub.

After making his surprise return last week to defend Dustin Rhodes from an attack by Dark Order, Guevara will team up with Rhodes against John Silver & Alex Reynolds.

The Infantry will get another crack at winning the ROH Tag Team titles as they challenge current champions The Undisputed Kingdom after issuing a challenge last week backstage. Bravo and Dean were unsuccessful at besting the champions earlier this year.

Tomohiro Ishii will make his return to the black and red brand against Tony Nese.

Rachael Ellering will also be in action while The Outrunners will go heads-up against Stephen Barrett & Wolf Brown.

Darian Bengston will make his ROH debut against NJPW’s Robbie Eagles.

ROH power couple Johnny TV and Taya Valkyrie will be in action as TV battles Fuego del Sol while Valkyrie will take on Hyan.

**********

Ring of Honor opened with a quick rundown of a packed card and went right into a huge matchup:

Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara defeated The Dark Order (John Silver and Alex Reynolds, w/Evil Uno)

Last week, Guevara made a surprise appearance on ROH, saving Rhodes from a beatdown at the hands of a very cranky Dark Order. The Order, Uno specifically, feel like Rhodes is taking up a spot in ROH that they deserve. His winning the 6-Man Titles with the Von Erichs stuck in Uno’s craw and had Guevera not interfered last week, they would have taken out Rhodes. Guevara is the wild card here as he seems to have turned over a new leaf, but is still Sammy Guevera, so can he be trusted? 

Guevara and Silver kicked things off before Rhodes tagged in for a quick double team. Considering they had never tagged together, Rhodes and Guevara seemed very comfortable with each other and kept control of things through the opening portion of the match. Then my head exploded as Rhodes attempted a Spinarooni in the ring, an obvious homage to his former WWE tag partner, Booker T.

In an exchange with Reynods, Rhodes seemed to injure his knee (which had been worked over pretty well by Evil Uno last week). Rhodes got back to his feet and seemed to be ok, just in time for Evil Uno to hit the injured knee with a chair while the Ref’s back was turned. Silver and Reynolds tagged in and out, isolating Rhodes’ and brutalizing his knee as Guevara begged for a tag in the corner.

Rhodes finally got a hot tag to Guevara who literally leapt into the ring to crush Silver with a splash. Guevara went for a Spanish Fly, but only got a two count out of it. A GHT later though, and Guevara was able to get the pin on silver and win the match for his team.

-Backstage, ROH Women’s World Champion Athena had a word with Billie Starkz. Anthena said that she was getting used to Starkz disappointing her. She should not have lost her ROH Women’s TV Title at Death Before Dishonor, and Athena had to revoke her Minion Status, and demote her to Minion-In-Training again. Suddenly, the person that took that title, Red Velvet arrived with Queen Aminata. They called out the cheating that occured at Death Before Dishonor. Aminata said that she went to the board of directors and booked a tag match for all four women, tonight.

Taya Valkyrie w/ Johnny TV defeated Hyan

Valkyrie has had an interesting few months in ROH. She has been supporting her husband, Johnny TV, in his endeavours and having decent, but ultimately pointless matches within the Women’s Division. Is tonight the night she sets herself on a path to clashing with some of the heavy hitters in ROH? 

Hyan has been around ROH since 2021, but Valkyrie didn’t really respect her tenure, calling her “an embarrassment” to the crowd. Valkyrie had control over the match, landing some devastating knees to a prone Hyan in the corner. The two battled back and forth as “womens wrestling” chants broke out in the arena.

The sheer strength of Valkyrie was difficult for Hyan to keep up with and after a Shania Pain, Valkyrie pinned her for the 1-2-3.

-Backstage, Melissa Santos interviewed Griff Garrison and Maria backstage. Before it could begin though, the SAP arrived to interrupt. Serpentico and Angelico demanded one more match for custody of Serpentico’s old mask. Maria considered this and then agreed as long as Angelico was banned from ringside. Oh, and also, if he loses, Serpentico must unmask for the rest of his career! A confident SAP agreed to the stipulations.

ROH Tag Team Champions The Undisputed Kingdom (Mike Bennett and Matt Taven)  defeated The Infantry (Carlie Bravo and Shawn Dean)

The challenge for this match came from the Infantry last week, interrupting another Kingdom promo about how there is no one in ROH who is on their level. Bravo and Dean have been on a hot streak lately, a look to be worth foes for the Champions. They entered in their X-Men themed gear too, which was really fun to see.

The Kingdom jumped the Infantry off of the Code of Honor, but they were able to dodge the attack and send Taven and Bennett to the outside. The Kingdom tried to walk away from the match, grabbing their belts and heading up the ramp, but the Infantry caught them and brought them back to the ring. Taven and Bravo ended up the legal men, and Dean jumped in for some double teaming.

Dean and Taven worked each other in the ring, neither holding back and both wanting to end things early. Numerous pins were attempted, but it was kickouts all around. Bennett tagged in and caught Bravo in a sleeper, but he managed to wriggle out. The Infantry stayed on the offensive though, until Taven reversed favor with big suplex on Bravo.

The Kingdom then tagged in and out, pounding away on an isolated Dean. There was much mocking and strutting from Bennett as Taven continued beating up Dean, until he tried to get a hot tag to Bravo. Bennett saw it coming though, and knocked him off the apron before the tag could be made.

Bravo finally tagged in and went for a big salute splash and pin, but Taven broken up the pinning attempt on Bennett. A miscommunication between the Champs left Bennett alone in the ring and Bravo and Dean tried to nail him with Boot Camp. Taven returned though and broke things up, distracting everyone so Bennett could punch Dean in the junk. A Hail Mary later and Bennett got the pin to retain the ROH Tag Titles in a really, really good match.

Rachael Ellering defeated Brooke Havok

Not a lot has been said about Ellering lately. Ellering entered the inaugural ROH Women’s World Television Championship tournament earlier in the year, and faced her friend Leyla Hirsch in the first round but was unsuccessful. Havok was trained at the Nightmare Factory, so she wasn’t just a flash in the pan.

Ellering had a size and experience advantage over Havok, but but Havok was able to keep up with her off the top. Ellering seemed reluctant to really lay into Havok for some reason, but kept control of the match just the same. The crowd was absolutely dead for this, you could hear a pin drop.

Ellering managed to get agressive and bloody Havok’s nose. Havok drew some energy from this, but now that the gloves were off, Ellering had her right where she wanted her. An unnecessarily complicated dropkick attempt from Havok opened things up for Ellering, and she crushed her with a BossWoman Slam to get the win.

-The new ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty was joined backstage by Shane Taylor. Moriarty challenged Action Andretti to a match for the Pure Title to prove who was best. Taylor then called out Andretti’s friends Top Flight, saying they need to bring their best when they deal with Shane Taylor Promotions (now called STP apparently)

The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd) defeated Stephen Wolf and Barrett Brown

The Lambo Duo! The Speedboat Dreamboats! The Youngest Men Alive! Whatever you call them, Turbo and Magnum have made The Outrunners a household name amongst ROH fans and one would have to think will be in line for a Tag Title shot in the future. For this episode  though, the Kings of “Spin to Win” (whatever that means) were up against Wolf anf Brown, a relatively low-tier team on the ROH roster.

This match was the exact right amount of cheese and schmaltz that the Outrunners always bring. Lots of big slams, posing and dancing about. The crowd loved it. After a refusal from their opponents, Floyd and Magnum gave themselves a Code of Honor to start the match.

Wolf and Brown were in this match for one reason: to get absolutely beat up, thrown around and crushed to make the Outrunners look good. And that they did. I thought that Wolf was broken in half after a big clothesline. Brown didn’t fare much better, falling victim to Magnum using Floyd as a weapon. The Outrunners hit Total Recall and pinned Brown, clearing the way for much celebration.

Robbie Eagles defeated Darian Bengston

Darian Bengston is a wrestler. So is TMDK’s Robbie Eagles. Ergo, it makes sense to have them wrestle each other. That was about all there was to this match, story wise. Bengston, a Nightmare Factory graduate, also studied at the prestigious London School of Lucha Libre.

Eagles took control off the top, working a very technical style. Bengston was able to keep up, but it was obvious to see that he didn’t have the experience level of Eagles. He did have a speed advantage on Eagles, and that was apparent as the two ran the ropes, ending up with Bengston eating a big double kick.

Eagles set up Bengston in the corner for a Rock The Bells, an absolutely devastating set of knees to the face. Eagles kept going for a Ron Miller Special, but Bengston countered every time. Bengston proved himself to be a really hard hitting striker, but Eagles finally locked in the Ron Miller Special and Bengston was forced to tap out.

Tomohiri Ishii defeated Tony Nese w/ Mark Sterling and Aria Diavari

This was a clash of the two biggest small guys I’ve ever seen. Premier Athlete Nese is ripped to the heavens and The Conglomeration’s Ishii is such a brutal domineering force that his body swallowed his neck. It was like The Hulk fighting the Juggernaut and everyone was excited for it. Sterling announced that he had gotten the rest of the Conglomeration banned from ringside to keep the match one-on-one.

The match started with both men, well, hitting each other a bunch. Ishii’s chops reddened the chest of Nese who responded with punches of his own. Ishii just took it and begged for more. Sterling distracted the Ref and Diavari pulled Ishii off the apron to the outside. Nese distracted the ref while Diavari and Sterling beat up Ishii on the outside before throwing him back in.

Nese took advantage, putting a Chinlock on Ishii. What he didn’t count on though was Ishii’s lack of neck, rendering the hold useless. Ishii fought back and knocked Nese around with shoulder tackles and chops. Ishii went for the Brainbuster, which put Nese on his back for the pin.

-Racheal Ellering was interviewed backstage about her win earlier in the night. Ellering was interrupted by Harley Cameron who had a suggestion for Ellering: Change everything.

Johnny TV defeated Fuego del Sol

When we last saw TV, he was being eliminated from the 6-man Elimination match for the ROH TV Title at Death Before Dishonor. Outside of that match and his prior feud with Dalton Castle, TV really hasn’t really been doing much. Hopefully tonight’s bout would set him on a new course in ROH.

This match was very by-the-numbers. Aside from watching two great workers wrestler there really wasn’t much going on. Sol got in flurries of offence and TV heeled it up as only he can. Valkyrie caused distractions, and the couple made out a lot (TV and Valkyrie that is, not del Sol. Though that would have been a great twist).

TV locked a sleeper on del Sol but the luchadore fought out of it and delivered several high kicks to TV’s cranium. TV regained the momentum, but crotched himself on the ropes trying a superplex off the top turnbuckle. TV recovered and managed to set up Starship Pain and win the match.

ROH Women’s World Champion Athena and Billie Starkz defeated ROH Women’s TV Champion Red Velvet and Queen Aminata

This unannounced main event was made earlier in the evening when tensions began to appear between Starkz and Athena. Aminata and Velvet were looking to end the Minion Reign for good, and it remained to be seen if a very dejected Starkz would be a help or hindrance in the match.

Athena soaked up the crowd’s adulation while Starkz sulked in the background. Athena started things off against Aminata, but immediately tagged in Starkz, avoiding Aminata altogether. Aminata and Starkz have history going back to the Women’s TV Title Tournament that Starkz won through trickery. Aminata didn’t forget and tossed Starkz around the ring while Athena disapproved in the corner.

Champion took on Champion as Velvet tagged in and peppered Athena with punches in the corner. Starkz cheered on her mentor and Athena tagged her in to lock in an armbar on Aminata and gnaw on her fingers behind the ref’s back. Starkz began to get a bit of her smile back ans she and Athena tagged in and out to beat up Aminata.

The match continued as Aminata planted Athena on her head. That brought in Starkz and Velvet, and Starkz bit Velvet’s arm. That enraged Aminata who tagged in and levelled Starkz. Athena tagged in and fall-away slammed Aminata AND Velvet at the same time! Starkz tagged in and tried to pin Aminata, but it was only two.

Athena called for Lexy to pass her a mic just like Death Before Dishonor, but Aminata intercepted it. The two had a tug of war over it, while Lexy handed the TV title to Starkz who hit Velvet with it to get the pin and win the match.

Starkz may have made her way back into the good books, but Athena still refused to high-five her after the match, so she wasn’t out of the Minion Dog House yet.

Two title matches booked for New Japan Soul 2024

Posted on by Joseph Currier

NJPW has made the first two match announcements for its post-Dominion summer tour.

After Dominion takes place this weekend, New Japan Soul 2024 will kick off the following week. The first event is being held in Sapporo on Sunday, June 16. A pair of title matches have been made official for the show. SANADA will challenge David Finlay for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, while Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney are defending the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles against Kosei Fujita & Robbie Eagles.

An illness forced SANADA out of action in April, but he’s now been medically cleared to return. Finlay is looking to avenge his loss to SANADA from the New Japan Cup 2023 finals.

Tournament losses are also part of the story for Bullet Club War Dogs and TMDK’s Junior Heavyweight Tag Team title match. During this year’s Best of the Super Juniors, Fujita defeated Connors and Eagles defeated Moloney when they faced off in tournament matches. Eagles & Fujita also own a victory over Connors & Moloney from Super Junior Tag League 2023.

Fujita, Eagles & Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Connors, Moloney & Gedo in a six-man tag match at an NJPW event this Monday. At Dominion, there will be another six-man tag match with Fujita, Eagles & Sabre facing Connors, Moloney & LJ Cleary.

The New Japan Soul tour runs through Friday, July 5 and features seven events in total. The final night is being held at Budokan Hall.

New Japan Soul 2024 night one (Sunday, June 16, live on NJPW World) —

  • IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion David Finlay defends against SANADA
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney defend against Kosei Fujita & Robbie Eagles)

Ring of Honor live results: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Robbie Eagles

Posted on by Suit Williams

Thursday’s Ring of Honor on HonorClub will feature several champions in action.

ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli will defend the title against the debuting Robbie Eagles of NJPW while ROH Women’s Champion Athena will take on Angelica Risk in a Proving Ground match.

ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe will defend his championship against former ROH World Champion Christopher Daniels.

Willow Nightingale will look to return to the winner’s circle as she faces Steph De Lander (the former Persia Pirotta in NXT) while Skye Blue battles Robyn Renegade.

Komander will take on Angelico, Rocky Romero returns to challenge Lee Moriarty, Brian Cage takes on Brock Anderson, and Preston Vance goes one-on-one with Rich Adonis.

The show will also feature a ten-man tag with The Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) and Varsity Athletes (Ari Daivari, Josh Woods & Tony Nese) vs. Stu Grayson, Action Andretti, Darius Martin & Best Friends (Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor).

*********

This week’s episode of ROH was taped in Sunrise, FL as part of the April 26th AEW Dynamite taping. Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman, and Nigel Mcguinness were on the call.

Pure Rules Match: Rocky Romero defeated Lee Moriarty (w/Big Bill)

This is a nice undercard feud. While I can do without the interference in Pure matches, Romero overcoming it and using the rules to win works for me.

Romero immediately caught Moriarty in an armbar, forcing Moriarty to use his first rope break. The announcers remind us of the Pure Rules, including the fact that any interference results in immediate suspension. Romero hit a dive to Moriarty on the floor before hitting a rana in the ring for a nearfall.

Moriarty escaped a hammerlock by using the ropes to reverse the hold, but because he used the ropes, the referee counted that as his second rope break. Moriarty complained, but kept control of Romero. Romero fought out, but Big Bill swiped his foot while the referee was distracted. Romero then punched Moriarty with a closed fist, getting an official warning from the referee.

Moriarty brought Romero to the corner and hit palm strikes, but Romero slipped out and took his legs out from under him. Romero fired up, hitting a tornado DDT for a nearfall. They jockeyed for position before Romero caught Moriarty in the Diablo Armbar, forcing Moriarty to use his final rope break.

Back in the ring, Romero hit a standing Sliced Bread for a nearfall. The men traded palm strikes before Moriarty countered a traditional Sliced Bread into the Tiger Driver ’18 for a nearfall. Romero ducked a side kick and hit a jumping knee. Romero got Moriarty to the top rope and brought him down with the Diablo Armbar. Moriarty got to the ropes, but with no more rope breaks to use, Moriarty had to tap out.

ROH Women’s World Title Proving Ground Match: Athena defeated Angelica Risk

Athena adhered to the Code of Honor before immediately hitting a bicycle kick. Risk got a boot in before Athena swiftly took her down again, countering a 619 before dropping Risk down on her face. Athena superkicked a kneeling Risk. Risk got a roll up, but Athena kicked out and hit a dropkick to Risk.

Athena yelled at referee Mike Posey, but ran into a boot from Risk. Risk brought Athena down by the hair before hitting a 619. Risk went up the ropes for a crossbody, but Athena caught her and hit three consecutive Wasteland slams. She brought Risk down with the Gory Bomb into the knees before tapping Risk out with the crossface.

After the match, Athena called out Skye Blue before hitting Risk with the Skyfall onto the title belt.

ROH World Television Title Match: Samoa Joe defeated Christopher Daniels to retain

Solid, professional work from two professionals. Daniels is past being a serious threat for titles at this point of his career, but he can still put in a shift in the ring.

This is Samoa Joe’s 10th defense of the title.

The announcers note that this is the 92nd time these two men have been in the ring against each other across their careers, including facing each other for the ROH World, Pure, and TV Titles. The first advantage went to Joe, taking Daniels down with a vicious back elbow before driving Daniels into the corner with jabs. Daniels tried to fight out, but Joe brought him back into the corner before hitting the body splash/enzuigiri combo for a nearfall.

Joe slapped on a nerve hold, snapmaring Daniels down when he tried to get up and hitting a series of heavy strikes for a nearfall. Daniels peppered Joe with strikes, but Joe caught Daniels with a powerslam for a nearfall. Joe went for the Coquina Clutch, but Daniels slipped down and hooked Joe in a pin cover for a nearfall. Joe kicked out, but Daniels followed up with an STO. Joe took Daniels down with a Complete Shot off the ropes for another nearfall. Daniels called for the Angel’s Wings, but Joe powered out. Joe sent Daniels up and over with a suplex before landing the Muscle Buster to successfully defend the title for the 10th time.

ROH World Championship: Claudio Castagnoli defeated Robbie Eagles to retain

Robbie Eagles is one of my favorite junior heavyweights in New Japan, and his work here was just as impressive. I’d like to see a longer-form version of this in the future.

This is Castagnoli’s 7th defense of the title.

Eagles used his speed to take down Castagnoli, sending him to the floor with a hurricanrana. Castagnoli wasn’t happy with that, so he slapped Eagles in the face before driving him into the corner with uppercuts. Castagnoli sent Eagles up and over with a Gorilla Press before hitting a leg drop for a nearfall. Somewhere, Hulk Hogan got a shiver at someone kicking out of a leg drop.

Eagles fought out of Castagnoli’s grip before going after Castagnoli’s knee. Eagles hit a big dive to the floor before continuing the offense in the ring, hitting running knees into the corner for a nearfall. Eagles laid in the kicks, but Castagnoli took him down. Castagnoli went for the Giant Swing, but Eagles pulled himself up and over before locking in the Ron Miller Special.

Castagnoli got to the ropes, but Eagles continued the offense, landing a standing Sliced Bread for a nearfall. Eagles went for the 450 to the bad leg, but Castagnoli moved and hit a Michinoku Driver for a nearfall. Eagles avoided a big uppercut before going for a series of flash pins, none of which working. Castagnoli cut him off with a lariat for a nearfall.

Eagles got more kicks in, but as he went for another Sliced Bread, Castagnoli powered him into position for the Ricola Bomb. Castagnoli landed the Ricola Bomb for the win.

– Backstage, Dasha was with Skye Blue. She took issue with Athena sticking her nose in everyone’s business and bullying the locker room and challenged her to an ROH Women’s Title match.

Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta), Action Andretti, Darius Martin & Stu Grayson (w/Alex Reynolds, Evil Uno & John Silver) defeated The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) & The Varsity Athletes (Ari Daivari, Josh Woods & Tony Nese) (w/Maria Kanellis-Bennett & Mark Sterling)

While some reviewers would complain about the number of people in and around this match, I will accept the challenge with gusto. After a scramble, Team Best Friends took down Taven with a train of offense, ending with a Grayson moonsault. Nese cut off Beretta from the apron, then tagged in and sent Beretta into the ropes with a hard Irish whip. Nese went for it again, but Taylor hopped into the corner to take the impact, allowing Grayson to tag in and run wild.

Nese cut Grayson off with a knee, which began a train of offense that everyone got in on. It ended with Grayson and Woods in the ring, with Woods sending Grayson off the top rope with a suplex. Andretti hit a dive onto everyone on the floor. Taven went to the top, but Beretta cut him off and hit a superplex to the pile of bodies on the floor.

Grayson and Daivari were the first back in the ring. Grayson set up a tag move with Andretti, but The Righteous came out to distract him. Grayson went up the ramp, but Andretti was able to hit his hanging neckbreaker to score the win for his team. Grayson explained himself to the group, and they all shared a big group hug.

– In the back, Dasha was with Athena, who blindly assumed she was the other interviewer Lexy Nair. She shooed her away before accepting Skye Blue’s title challenge.

Preston Vance (w/Jose The Assistant) defeated Rich Adonis

Vance took Adonis down with a clothesline out of the Code of Honor. As the announcers figured out what Perro Peligroso meant – Dangerous Dog – Vance took Adonis on a tour of the barricades on the outside.

Back in the ring, Adonis got a little offense in, staggering Vance with a single-leg dropkick. Vance caught Adonis with a wheelbarrow suplex before hitting a big boot. Vance locked in the Full Nelson before spinning Adonis into the discus lariat for the win.

– In the back, Action Andretti & Darius Martin were talking about their win before getting jumped by The Kingdom. They left them laying before mockingly shaking their hands.

Skye Blue defeated Robyn Renegade

The two quickly got into a pinning predicament before Renegade hit a boot to cut it off. Blue sent Renegade to the floor with an armdrag. Renegade caught Blue’s foot on an apron kick and dragged her to the floor face-first.

Renegade sent Blue into the post before sending her back into the ring. Blue fought her way back up before hitting two hurricanranas. Blue hit a rising knee and a single-leg dropkick for a nearfall. Renegade avoided a kick from Blue before driving her down and scoring a nearfall. Renegade dropped down out of the Skyfall for a flash pin attempt, but Blue kicked out and hit the Skyfall for the win.

Brian Cage (w/Prince Nana) defeated Brock Anderson

Cage took down Anderson with a shoulder block before taking him down with a powerslam. Anderson got out of the way of a splash and hit the DDT. Anderson got some shots in before dropping Cage with a bodyslam. Cage caught Anderson on a boot and locked on a sharpshooter. Anderson got to the ropes, so Cage followed with a spinning lariat and the Drillclaw for the win.

Willow Nightingale defeated Steph De Lander

Nightingale took down De Lander with a shoulder block. She followed with an enzuigiri, but De Lander cut her off as she went to the top rope. De Lander hit a big boot and a suplex for a nearfall. De Lander hit a cannonball into Nightingale for a nearfall. Nightingale avoided a charge and took De Lander down. Nightingale hit a cannonball into the corner. De Lander fought her way up but ran right into a spinebuster for the win.

Angelico (w/Serpentico) defeated Komander

A lot of people have been turning the Code of Honor into offense, and Angelico followed the trend by locking Komander into a submission. Komander escaped and hit an impressive tornado armdrag. Angelico cut off Komander before sending him into the corner with a whip. Komander avoided a running knee that sent Angelico to the floor. Komander followed him to the floor with a corkscrew moonsault.

Angelico rolled to the other side of the ring, but Komander followed him with a double jump springboard crossbody. Back in the ring, Komander hit a big sunset flip for a nearfall. Angelico went for a lucha pin of his own but only got a nearfall. Angelico went for the Razor’s Edge into the corner, but Komander reversed it into a Sunset Bomb for a nearfall.

Komander hit a rise-up rana for a nearfall. Angelico rolled to the floor, but Komander followed him again, this time with the rope-walk plancha. Back in the ring, Komander hit the rope-walk Shooting Star Press for the win.

After the match, Angelico feigned respect for Komander before Serpentico jumped Komander from behind. They laid the boots to him before Orange Cassidy and Bandido ran them off. This post-match felt like a segment for the crowd more than the TV audience.

Claudio Castagnoli vs. Robbie Eagles set for Ring of Honor TV

Posted on by Josh Nason

Ring of Honor World Champion Claudio Castagnoli will be part of this Thursday’s ROH on HonorClub as he faces Robbie Eagles.

It will be a non-title affair in this first time ever matchup. This marks the ROH debut for Eagles who is a regular in NJPW and also a former NJPW Junior Heavyweight Champion.

Samoa Joe will put his ROH TV title on the line against former ROH World Champion Christopher Daniels while ROH Women’s Champion Athena faces Angelica Risk in a non-title Proving Ground match.

The ten-match show also features Komander vs. Angelico, Rocky Romero vs. Lee Moriarty, a ten-man tag team match, and more.

Here’s the full lineup for Thursday:

  • Komander vs. Angelico
  • ROH Women’s Champion Athena vs. Angelica Risk in a Proving Ground match
  • ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli vs. Robbie Eagles in a non-title match
  • ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe defends against Christopher Daniels
  • Rocky Romero vs. Lee Moriarty
  • Skye Blue vs. Robyn Renegade
  • Willow Nightingale vs. Steph De Lander
  • The Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) and Varsity Athletes (Ari Daivari, Josh Woods & Tony Nese) vs. Stu Grayson, Action Andretti, Darius Martin & Best Friends (Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor)
  • Brian Cage vs. Brock Anderson
  • Preston Vance vs. Rich Adonis

AEW Rampage & Ring of Honor spoilers from Sunrise, Florida

Posted on by JJ Williams

The following are both AEW Rampage and Ring of Honor spoilers, taped Wednesday in Sunrise, Florida.

AEW Rampage:

  • Jay White and Juice Robinson defeated Shawn Spears and Ricky Starks
  • Keith Lee and Dustin Rhodes defeated Brennan Hughes and Charlie James. After the match, Mogul Embassay (Brian Cage, Prince Nana, Toa Leona, Kaun, and Swerve Strickland) stood on the stage.
  • Anna JAS defeated Ashley D’Amboise. The lights went out after the match and when they came back on, Julia Hart attacked JAS. However, JAS ended up getting the advantage.
  • The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass defeated Three unannounced wrestlers
  • Jay Lethal defeated Cash Wheeler. Mark Briscoe was the special ringside enforcer. The finish had Lethal shove Wheeler intro Briscoe, then hit the Lethal Injection for the win. Briscoe didn’t see Lethal shove Wheeler into him and questioned Wheeler after the match.

Ring of Honor:

  • Rocky Romero defeated Lee Moriarty (w/ Big Bill) in a pure rules match
  • ROH Women’s Champion Athena defeated Angelica Risk
  • ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe defeated Christopher Daniels to retain the title
  • ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli defeated Robbie Eagles to retain the title
  • Chuck Taylor, Trent, Action Andretti, Darius Martin, and Stu Grayson defeated Mike Benett, Matt Taven, Josh Woods, Ari Daivari, and Tony Nese. Andretti won the match for his team when The Righteous’ music hit.
  • Preston Vance defeated Rich Adonis
  • Skye Blue defeated Robyn Renegade
  • Brian Cage defeated Brock Anderson
  • Willow Nightingale defeated Steph De Lander
  • Komander defeated Angelico

NJPW announces change to IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team title match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A change has been made to NJPW’s next IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match.

Champions Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask will now defend their IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles in a four-way match at NJPW’s New Year’s Golden Series show this Saturday (February 19). It will be Eagles & Tiger Mask vs. Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo vs. Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato vs. El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru.

The match was originally set to be Eagles & Tiger Mask defending against Ishimori & Phantasmo, but the other two teams were added after challenges that were issued at Sunday’s New Year’s Golden Series show.

Eagles & Tiger Mask have been IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions since winning the titles from Desperado & Kanemaru last October.

Saturday’s New Year’s Golden Series event is the second-to-last stop on the tour. The tour will conclude with shows in Sapporo on both Saturday and Sunday. Both shows are airing live on NJPW World.

Here’s the updated lineup for Saturday’s event:

  • IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi defends against SANADA
  • IWGP Tag Team Champions Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI defend against EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi
  • Four-way match: IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask defend against Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo, Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato, and El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Kazuchika Okada, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata vs. Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI
  • Tomoaki Honma vs. The Great-O-Khan
  • Tomohiro Ishii & YOH vs. Dick Togo & SHO
  • Toru Yano & Ryohei Oiwa vs. Minoru Suzuki & Taichi
  • Togi Makabe & Kosei Fujita vs. TAKA Michinoku & DOUKI

NJPW Road to Tokyo Dome results: Okada & Eagles vs. LIJ

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Chase Owens and Bad Luck Fale defeated Yuji Nagata and Yuto Nakashima

This was fine enough for what it was, I suppose — about what one would expect from this match on paper. 

Nagata and Nakashima started the match by isolating Fale, Owens entered the fray, creating enough separation for Fale to get the upper hand on Nakashima. Fale and Chase then traded tags, slowly picking apart Nakashima far from his corner. Owens and Fale crushed Nakashima, forcing Nagata to save his desperate partner. Eventually, Nakashima escaped a corner splash, allowing Nagata to tag in finally. 

Nagata had a short rally but soon fell to Fale’s power; Nagata continued to slip after Owens tagged back into the match. Nakashima tagged back into the match after recovering on the apron. He gained a quick lead over Owens, locking in a Boston crab that Fale broke up. Fale’s distraction allowed Owens to land a lariat for a near fall and a C Trigger for the actual fall to bring this match to a close. 

DOUKI and Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated Toru Yano and Kosei Fujita

This was not great. 

Kanemaru and DOUKI started the match by jumping their opponents. Kanemaru doused Yano with his alcohol before launching an innovative offensive sequence outside the ring. The match returned to the mat but soon devolved into an outside scrap once more. 

After the outside fighting, Kanemaru and DOUKI isolated Fujita. Eventually, Fujita scored the hot tag, prompting Yano to remove the turnbuckle pad; this immediately backfired as Yano flew back first into the turnbuckles, but this really didn’t matter. Kanemaru tried to hit Yano with his bottle, but Yano ducked. Yano teased hitting Kanemaru with his own bottle, but instead, the match went back outside the ring. Yano then fetched a bottle of alcohol of his own that he used to drench Kanemaru. Kanemaru lay on the outside for some time. Once he returned to the ring, he sprayed Yano with a mouth full of liquor. Both men then tagged out.

Fujita forced DOUKI into the ropes with a deep Boston crab. After surviving the hold, DOUKI immediately took advantage, scoring a near fall. Fujita was not done fighting, however; he tried for two quick roll-ups, both of which DOUKI escaped. DOUKI then caught Fujita with the Italian Stretch No.32, leading to the submission victory. 

Yujiro Takahashi, SHO, and EVIL defeated Ryohei Oiwa, YOH, and Tomohiro Ishii

I can’t imagine this match succeeded in any of its goals. If the EVIL vs Ishii, SHO vs YOH, or NEVER 6-Man matches look anything like this come the 4th, that would be a disappointment. 

House of Torture jumped their opponents as the match started. In the chaos, SHO and YOH were left alone in the ring. SHO tried working the fingers of YOH, but YOH fought through, delivering a dropkick before tagging out of the match; after the tag, the match fell into chaos again. 

After the dust settled, EVIL and Ishii were alone in the ring. The pair took turns throwing one another into an exposed corner. Oiwa tagged in, having moderate success before succumbing to the numbers. House of Torture isolated Oiwa, leaving him desperate for a tag. The tag never came. After an extended period of domination, Takahashi had a pin on Oiwa, but instead of taking it, he pulled Oiwa from the mat. EVIL then hit Oiwa with the singles NEVER belt, then Takahashi pinned Oiwa. 

Tiger Mask, YOSHI-HASHI, and Hirooki Goto defeated TAKA Michinoku, Zack Sabre Jr, and Taichi

Anything with Tiger Mask or YH will be fun, so this had its moments.

YH and ZSJ opened the match with a wonderful sequence that soon involved every other competitor. ZSJ and Tiger Mask were soon alone in the ring, and after some ZSJ targeting, Tiger Mask was in deep trouble. As Taichi entered the match, things only grew direr for Tiger Mask. 

A tiger driver allowed Goto to tag into the match and take momentum for his team; YH tagged back into the match, and Suzuki-Gun regained control. TAKA locked in a deep choke that forced YH into the ropes. Moments later, the match broke down into a 6-way brawl. YH and Goto hit TAKA with Shoto, leading to the pin. 

Master Wato, Ryusuke Taguchi, and Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated El Phantasmo, Taiji Ishimori, and Gedo 

For a match structured on Taguchi’s hindquarters, this was decent. 

ELP and Taguchi started the match by playing chicken; this evolved into a silly sequence that ended with Wato being slammed into Taguchi’s rear. The distraction this caused allowed Bullet Club to gain control by isolating Taguchi. After raking his back for minutes, ELP slapped Taguchi’s buttocks that Gedo and Taji exposed; Taguchi seemed ashamed. 

Taguchi, with his pants around his thighs, finally landed a hip attack before tagging Wato into the match. Wato had a short sequence before tagging in Tanahashi. Tanahashi, unfortunately, fell victim to a referee distraction and kick from ELP’s loaded boot. Before Bullet Club could put away Tanahashi, Taguchi hit the ring, his butt still out. After Taguchi landed a hip attack to clear the ring, Tanahashi locked in the cloverleaf and tapped out Gedo. 

Aaron Henare, Great-O-Khan, and Jeff Cobb defeated BUSHI, SANADA, and Tetsuya Naito 

This match was a little bloated, but it was the first match of the night that actually made me more excited for a Tokyo Dome match; every Cobb/Naito interaction left me wanting more. 

Cobb wanted Naito from the opening bell, but Naito denied him; instead, O-Khan and SANADA opened the match. O-Khan was sure to show off his wrestling that earned him a technique award early in his exchange. SANADA, on the other hand, grabbed O-Khan’s braid, pulling him across the ring by his lone lock. 

SANADA tied O-Khan up in the paradise lock, causing The United Empire to hit the ring. O-Khan gained control over SANADA on the inside, and on the outside, Cobb flattened Naito. The United Empire then picked apart SANADA as Naito watched on. 

SANADA eventually tagged out, allowing Naito and Cobb to interact in the ring. Naito led the first sequence inside the ropes by targeting Cobb’s leg. Cobb was only slightly phased, however, as his power soon overwhelmed Naito. What followed was a fantastic back and forth exchange that left both men laid out. 

The match broke down, and everyone traded moves for some time. Eventually, O-Khan hit BUSHI with an Eliminator to close the match.

Hiromu Takahashi and Shingo Takagi defeated Kazuchika Okada and Robbie Eagles

This is precisely what you would expect from a preview tag with these guys—tons of interaction without over-delivering before the Dome show. 

Okada and Shingo opened the match with some chain wrestling to establish equality between the two. Then Eagles and Hiromu tagged in, having a lightning-quick sequence that broke down into a brawl on the outside. Eagles emerged with advantage before Okada tagged back in and cemented his teams lead. Eagles and Okada then took turns keeping Hiromu from tagging out. 

Hiromu eventually got the hot tag, allowing for a significant Shingo offensive sequence. Though, Shingo’s offense was cut short as Okada caught him in the money clip, forcing a rope break and a momentum reversal. After an air-raid crash neckbreaker, Okada tried for the money clip once more, but Shingo escaped, landing a lariat to reset the match. 

The juniors tagged back in, and Eagles immediately tied up the legs of Hiromu. Hiromu barely escaped but managed to find the ropes. The pair then struggled for control, with Hiromu eventually driving Eagles into the turnbuckle pad. Eagles answered some light offense but was thrown back into the corner with even more intention. 

Shingo tagged in to keep Eagles from Okada. Okada saved Eagles from a pin following the pumping bomber, but he could not make the save following last of the dragon. Shingo pinned Eagles to close the match. 

Shingo closed the show with a promo. 

New champions crowned at NJPW Road to Power Struggle

Posted on by Ethan Renner

New champions were crowned at today’s NJPW Road to Power Struggle event. 

Robbie Eagles and Tiger Mask defeated El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship on the third of three consecutive nights at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. 

Eagles used the Ron Miller Special to submit Kanemaru and earn the title win for his team in the show’s main event. 

For Tiger Mask, the win marks the first time he has held gold in NJPW since 2012, when he captured the Junior Tag titles with Jushin Liger. This is also the first time that Eagles has held tag team gold in NJPW. Eagles currently holds the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, making him a double champion. 

Eagles will defend the Junior Heavyweight title against Desperado at Power Struggle on Saturday, November 6. 

Desperado and Kanemaru’s fourth reign with the Junior Tag titles ends after 52 days. Three of their four reigns have come since September 2020, as they have spent much of the last year trading the titles with Bullet Club’s Taiji Ishimori and El Phantasmo. 

NJPW Strong results: Jay White vs. Robbie Eagles

Posted on by Justin Knipper

Tonight’s episode was called Autumn Attack and was filmed in front of a crowd in Dallas. Matt Rehwoldt (fka WWE’s Aiden English) filled in for Kevin Kelly tonight on commentary. Kelly is in Japan right now for the G1 tournament.

The show opened with a pre-taped promo from Fred Rosser where he explained why he needs the STRONG Openweight title, and in order to do that, he’d have to beat Suzuki.

Minoru Suzuki defeated Fred Rosser

Rosser jumped Suzuki before the bell. Suzuki smiled and answered back with hard elbow shots. Rosser shouted that NJPW Strong was “his house” a few times. When Suzuki was seated, Rosser got into his face to let him know this again. Suzuki slapped him.

Suzuki would next go to work on Rosser’s left arm. He did an armbar while draped over the rope, then started smashing Rosser’s arm against the barricade on the floor and around the ringpost. Suzuki rolled back into the ring and did the Los Ingobernables tranquilo pose—sort of.

This fired Rosser up. He tried bringing a chair into the ring but the referee grabbed it from his hands. Suzuki continued working over Rosser’s arm. Rosser was able to catch Suzuki off the ropes with a scoop Emerald Flowsion for two.

Rosser ripped his wrist tape off and wrapped it around Suzuki’s next before applying a chicken-wing facelock. I don’t think I’ve seen Rosser use this since he was Darren Young in WWE when he was feuding with the Miz with Bob Backlund, master of the chicken-wing, in his corner. Suzuki looked amused while he was in the hold.

Rosser had to break the hold when Suzuki made it to the ropes. Rosser dragged Suzuki to the apron and landed a back suplex.

Suzuki was able to put Rosser in a sleeper, then readied him for his patented Gotch-style piledriver. He got the crowd pumped for it, but he waited too long, and Rosser back bodydropped himself out of harm’s way. The crowd booed this. Rosser reacted perfectly and flexed at the crowd while they continued booing.

Rosser threw a few closed fists and headbutts, but it wasn’t enough to put Suzuki away, as Suzuki hit Rosser with the Gotch piledriver for the win.

STRONG Openweight championship: Tom Lawlor (c) defeated Ren Narita to retain the title via submission

We saw a segment centered on Ren Narita promo next. He has beaten Chris Dickinson, Karl Fredericks and Fred Rosser this year. Lawlor had already beaten Narita previously in the New Japan Cup USA tournament.

They felt each other out for a minute or so as things got started. Lawlor shot on Narita a few times but wasn’t able to take Narita down. Narita grabbed a waistlock, dragged Lawlor to the mat and went for an armlock, but Lawlor slipped out. This was a great example of modern chain wrestling, two guys going hold for hold while also demonstrating actual wrestling and submission grappling techniques.

Lawlor got frustrated after a few minutes and slapped the ring post. He threw Narita into a side headlock and clearly pulled Narita’s hair. Narita slipped out the back door and locked Narita into an achilles lock. Lawlor tried chopping his way out but Narita wouldn’t let go. Lawlor had to use a few dirty closed fists so that he could stand up and create space. Narita shut it down and went back to the achilles lock. Lawlor literally had to drag Narita out of the ring by the arms, then smashed him into the guardrail. “Filthy” celebrated with a short strut on the floor.

Lawlor blasted a seated Narita with two low kicks. Narita ate both and asked for more. He sat cross-legged like Shibata. Narita’s new facial hair and tan makes him look an awful lot like his trainer these days. Lawlor threw another and Narita again ate it, then stood up and delivered a low kick of his own to Lawlor.

Narita went suplex-crazy towards the end, putting Lawlor down with three different variations by around the ten-minute mark. The crowd really enjoyed Narita throughout the match.

Lawlor responded with two giant drop uranages. Narita somehow slid into a ankle slicer/achilles hold that looked to have Lawlor close to tapping until he grabbed the ropes for a break. Later, Lawlor earned a two-count after a big exploder suplex.

The two traded sleeperholds towards the end of the match. They traded maybe four sleepers until Narita got the better of the exchange. He’d transition to an octopus hold, but Lawlor escaped, then jumped guard and locked Narita in a guiltillione choke. Narita powered out of it with a wrist-grip suplex with a bridge for two. Lawlor saw an opening and quickly locked Narita in a triangle choke, then moved into an armbar submission, but Narita escaped and eventually locked in a figure-four. Lawlor sold this like he knee was ripping in half. Narita would later move into an STF; Lawlor barely escaped.

Lawlor would eventually score the submission win with a wild 10th Planet-style double-arm, double-leglock. I’ve never seen this one before. Narita, effectively limbless, had no choice but to tap: Lawlor retained via submission. 

Lawlor shouted “STRONGEST FOR THE LONGEST” after the match. This was one of the top matches of the show this year.

Jay White defeated Robbie Eagles

This was a non-title bout between Eagles, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight champion, and the NEVER Openweight champion in White.

White went to “too sweet” the ex-Bullet Clubber, but when Eagles refused, White slapped him in the face. When the bell rang, Eagles ran at White, ducked a lariat, then unloaded a barrage of punches. White shut Eagles down with shoulder blocks and chops, but he couldn’t control Eagles’ rhythm.

Eagles wears a handkerchief around his neck when he wrestles, so White choked him with it minutes into the match. When he flexed to the crowd, they actually cheered him. White got similar reactions at NJPW’s Resurgence show in Los Angeles; while he’s technically a heel, in the US, he’s popular, regardless of character.

At five minutes in, Eagles landed a jumping double knee strike on White in the corner. White spiked him on top of his head with a DDT. Eagles landed a somersault dive through the middle ropes, onto White and over the barricade, landing on his feet.

From here, a frustrated White made Eagles pay for a good section of the match. Nothing flashy, just a slow, methodical beatdown. At one point, he did a stalling Saito suplex where he carried Eagles around the ring with one arm, like a doll, before spiking him.

When White set Eagles up for the Bladerunner, Eagles smacked White in the face before he could do the move. Eagles then went after White’s knee and leg, then finally locked on his reverse figure-four variation, his submission finish. White teased tapping but eventually broke the hold.

Eagles landed a 450 splash from the top on White’s knee, and again applied his inverted figure-four. White escaped and planted Eagles with a snap sleeper suplex. After a brainbuster and finally the Bladerunner, that was it, and White walked away with the win in just over 15 minutes. This was really good.

“When I’m away, everybody else seems like they get over-confident and get carried away with the decision making in Bullet Club.”

White specifically referred to EVIL, who the Dallas crowd booed.

‘It’s almost like they’ve forgotten who makes the decisions. It’s almost like they’ve forgotten who is in charge!”

He said he was the leader of Bullet Club, he confirmed that he still makes the decisions, and that this was still his “new era” before exiting to the back. Those who were in attendance ate it up.

Final thoughts:

This felt more like a special edition episode of Strong than what we’re used to. It was almost 30 minutes longer than the show usually is, and each match had relatively high stakes either because of the wrestlers involved (guests like Suzuki, White and Eagles) or because of titles on the line (Lawlor vs. Narita).

While everything on this episode was very good, I preferred the STRONG Openweight title the most. White and Eagles had an excellent match as well, though I imagine they’ll top themselves whenever they meet again in their next bout.

Rosser vs. Suzuki was good, but I can’t say it was better than Rosser’s match with Ren Narita a few weeks ago. Ultimately, I think what this match did was build Rosser as a more believable contender on the show as it unfolds over the rest of the year.

Jay White vs. Robbie Eagles to headline NJPW Strong

Posted on by Ethan Renner

NEVER Openweight Champion Jay White will face IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Robbie Eagles in a non-title match in the main event of this week’s NJPW Strong Autumn Attack. 

White joined the CHAOS faction in 2018 shortly after returning to NJPW after his international excursion, then defected to Bullet Club later in the year. Eagles joined Bullet Club the same year after making his NJPW debut, then turned on White and joined CHAOS in 2019, so there is plenty of backstory to the match. 

In the second match, former Team Filthy’s Tom Lawlor will defend the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship against Ren Narita. 

In the opener, Minoru Suzuki will take on Strong regular Fred Rosser. 

The Autumn Attack episodes of Strong were taped on September 25 and September 26 in Garland, Texas.

Strong airs at 8 p.m. Eastern time this Saturday on NJPW World. The show will also be available on demand immediately following airing. 

Here is Saturday’s full lineup:

NJPW Strong Autumn Attack night one, Saturday, October 9, 8 p.m. Eastern time on NJPW World–

  • Jay White vs. Robbie Eagles
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Tom Lawlor (c) vs. Ren Narita
  • Minoru Suzuki vs. Fred Rosser

NJPW Strong spoilers: White vs. Eagles, new United Empire member

Posted on by Ethan Renner

NJPW held the first night of their NJPW Strong Autumn Attack tapings on Saturday in Garland, Texas.

Here are results and notes on the finishes and a new United Empire member. 

Thanks to Steve Amodio & Steven Wright.

**********

Jay White defeated Robbie Eagles

White won by pinfall after hitting a Blade Runner.

Will Ospreay defeated Karl Fredericks 

TJP joined The United Empire after the match.

Minoru Suzuki defeated Fred Rosser

Suzuki won by pinfall with the Gotch-style piledriver.

Ryusuke Taguchi & Rocky Romero defeated Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson

Taguchi & Romero won with a rollup.

NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Tom Lawlor defeated Ren Narita 

Lawlor won by submission to retain the title. 

Hikuleo, Chris Bey, Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo defeated Juice Robinson, Lio Rush, Clark Connors & TJP

Hikuleo hit Juice with a bullrope to lead to the finish. They have a bullrope match tomorrow. 

Chris Dickinson defeated Alex Coughlin 

Dickinson won via submission with a cross armbreaker.

David Finlay defeated Yuya Uemura

Finlay won by submission.

Lucky Ali, Kevin Knight & The DKC defeated Jordan Clearwater, AJZ, & Will Allday

DKC won with a rollup.

**********

Here is Sunday’s announced lineup: 

NJPW Strong Autumn Attack night two, Sunday, September 26 —

  • Bullrope match: Juice Robinson vs. Hikuleo
  • Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer vs. Tom Lawlor & Royce Isaacs
  • Lio Rush vs. Taiji Ishimori
  • Jay White vs. Daniel Garcia
  • Will Ospreay & X vs. Karl Fredericks & Clark Connors
  • Yuya Uemura vs. TJP
  • Robbie Eagles & Chris Dickinson vs. El Phantasmo & Chris Bey

Jay White vs. Robbie Eagles set for NJPW Autumn Attack

Posted on by Ethan Renner

A champion vs. champion match has been added to night one of NJPW Strong Autumn Attack in the Dallas/Fort Worth area on September 25. 

NEVER Openweight Champion Jay White will be in action against IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Robbie Eagles. 

Eagles was announced for the Autumn Attack events yesterday, and now has matches on both nights. 

On September 26, Eagles and NJPW Strong regular Chris Dickinson will team against El Phantasmo and Chris Bey. 

Also added to the Septemer 25 show, Ryusuke Taguchi and Rocky Romero will face West Coast Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs). 

Yuya Uemura vs. TJP has also been added to the September 26 event. 

Tickets for the dates in Garland, Texas are on sale now. 

Here are the announced lineups: 

NJPW Autumn Attack night one, Saturday, September 25 —

  • Minoru Suzuki vs. Fred Rosser
  • Will Ospreay vs. Karl Fredericks
  • Jay White vs. Robbie Eagles
  • TJP, Clark Connors, Lio Rush & Juice Robinson vs. Hikuleo, Chris Bey, Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo
  • Tom Lawlor vs. Ren Narita
  • Ryusuke Taguchi & Rocky Romero vs. Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs

NJPW Autumn Attack night two, Sunday, September 26 —

  • Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer vs. Tom Lawlor & Royce Isaacs
  • Lio Rush vs. Taiji Ishimori 
  • Jay White vs. Daniel Garcia
  • Will Ospreay & a mystery partner vs. Karl Fredericks & Clark Connors
  • Robbie Eagles & Chris Dickinson vs. El Phantasmo & Chris Bey
  • TJP vs. Yuya Uemura