Tag: Tetsuya Naito

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 live results: SANADA vs. Naito, Okada vs. Danielson

Posted on by Chick Fritts

NJPW returns to the Tokyo Dome today for its biggest show of the year, Wrestle Kingdom 18. 

In the main event, SANADA will defend the IWGP World Heavyweight title against G1 winner Tetsuya Naito. 

In the co-main event, AEW’s Bryan Danielson travels to Japan to face Kazuchika Okada in a rematch from last June’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view. 

The inaugural IWGP Global Champion will be crowned in a triple threat match featuring Jon Moxley, Will Ospreay, and David Finlay.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi defends his title against El Desperado. 

In a double title match, IWGP Tag Team Champions Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI face NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Champions Hikuleo & El Phantasmo. 

Shingo Takagi defends the NEVER Openweight Championship against Tama Tonga. 

Shota Umino & Kaito Kiyomiya face EVIL & Ren Narita. 

Yota Tsuji faces Yuya Uemura in a special singles match.

NJPW World TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defends against Hiroshi Tanahashi. 

Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney defend the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles against TJP & Francesco Akira in the main card opener. 

The pre-show kicks off at 1:30 a.m. Eastern time with the traditional New Japan Ranbo. The final four competitors advance to tomorrow’s New Year Dash where they will square off for the KOPW 2024 title. 

Ishimori, Owens, Yano, and O-Khan win King of Pro Wrestling 2024 Rambo

Another year, another rambo. That said, this was better than most Rambos. Michinoku Pro’s Fujita “Jr” Hayato and Takashi Iizuka we’re the surprises. 

This year’s rambo opened with Chase Owens and Great-O-Khan. The first person to enter the match after the opening was Gabe Kidd, who attacked Owens, his faction mate, and O-Khan. As soon as Kidd had a lead, the second War Dog, Alex Coughlin, entered the match. Jeff Cobb was next to enter, helping the others, especially his faction mate O-Khan, challenge the War Dogs. HENARE followed, giving United Empire an even more significant advantage. Together, United Empire eliminated Kidd and Coughlin.

With three members of United Empire standing strong, Ishii made his way to the ring. Mikey Nicholls entered next, followed by Shane Haste, both of TMDK. Yujiro Takahashi joined the match after TMDK. TMDK eliminated Cobb and Henare as Master Wato walked to the ring. Yoshinobu Kanemaru followed.

YOH sprinted to the ring only to be attacked with his own shoes as soon as he made it inside. SHO entered next, but YOH met him on the ramp and attempted to take his wrench. YOH, in his socks, slipped while fighting SHO, allowing SHO to choke him with the wrench. Fujita “Jr” Hayato from Michinoku Pro stopped SHO and YOH from fighting and carried them to the ring. Taiji Ishimori entered as Ishii eliminated Haste. Yujiro then eliminated Ishii and Nicholls. DOUKI joined the match but was eliminated alongside Fujita Jr. shortly after entering.

Toru Yano walked to the ring next, but he refused to enter the ring. Takashi Iizuka, who retired three years ago, joined next, fighting off a wave of men on the outside of the ring before meeting House of Torture on the inside. HoT offered him a shirt, which he put on and immediately ripped off before attacking them. Taichi came to the ring next, backing up Iizuka and passing him the iron finger gifted to him by Iizuka. They then worked together to eliminate a lot of the field before shaking hands. Taichi went in for a hug, but Iizuka bit him, opening the door for the rest of the competitors to eliminate them.

The final five, Ishimori, Owens, Yano, YOH, and O-Khan, worked for eliminations. O-Khan eliminated Owens by dropping him on the apron, leaving Ishimori, Owens, Yano, and O-Khan as the winners. Tomorrow, they advance to challenge for the KOPW 2024 title.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: Catch 22 (Francesco Akira & TJP) defeated BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney) (c)

This was a creative, fast-paced match. A fun way to open the show.

TJP emerged from the casket he was sealed in on December 21st. He dressed as an Aswang, a Filipino cryptid. Akira was also in special attire, with his body painted in green flames. The War Dogs’ entrance was also unique, as they debuted the new, all-white Junior tag belts.

The challengers started the match by rushing the champions, but the War Dogs gained advantage on the floor. Connors attached a collared chain to TJP, choking him against the barricade while Moloney beat down Akira. Back in the ring, the War Dogs continued the attack on a completely isolated Akira.

TJP eventually freed himself, saving Akira with a tag while taking out the War Dogs with intensity. The rally was short-lived as the War Dogs bounced back fast. They hit TJP with the Drilla Killa, but TJP broke the count by grabbing the hand of the referee. TJP then bit Moloney before spraying him with mist à la Muta. Catch 22 then hit Moloney with tandem knees to win the match and the belts.

NJPW World Television Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Zack Sabre Jr. (c)

This was another fast-paced match, bordering a sprint at times. An excellent outing from both men.

ZSJ tried grappling early, but Tanahashi answered with two quick twist and shouts, a slingblade, and a crossbody before attempting High Fly Flow. ZSJ blocked Tanahashi’s finish with his knees and transitioned into a bridging pin that nearly won him the match. Tanahashi tried to rebound with a dragonscrew and a Texas cloverleaf, but ZSJ caught him again, taking control of the arm.

After a short strike exchange, the pair traded trap pins. Once ZSJ escaped, he secured a sleeper before transitioning to an octopus hold. ZSJ stuffed a dragonscrew, opening the door for two neck cranks and a penalty kick. ZSJ attempted to follow up with a Zack Driver, but Tanahashi reversed into a quick pin. The pair then rolled back and forth, trading pins. After a slew of attempts, Tanahashi pinned ZSJ to the mat for three, winning the match and the NJPW World Television Championship.

Yuya Uemura defeated Yota Tsuji

This was a rock-solid match with some quick sequences that the crowd ate up. Uemura got the win, which he desperately needed.

This match opened with a collar-and-elbow that transitioned into some typical chain wrestling. Once separated, Uemura tried running at Tsuji, but Tsuji caught him with a sudden spinebuster followed by a tope to the floor. Back in the ring, Tsuji scored a nearfall with an electric chair drop.

Tsuji maintained his control until Uemura landed an arm drag and a dropkick. A backdrop allowed Uemura to climb to the top, but he missed the crossbody, leaving Tsuji free to hit Uemura with a backbreaker, retaking control.

Tsuji attempted a Gene Blast, but Uemura reversed with an arm drag. Tsuji transitioned into a pin and followed up with a curb stomp once Uemura kicked out. Uemura avoided the second curb stomp and landed a suplex to score a nearfall in response. Uemura didn’t let this opportunity pass, following up with a deadbolt suplex into a pin, winning the match.

House of Torture (EVIL & Ren Narita) defeated Kaito Kiyomiya & Shota Umino

This match was very enjoyable ahead of the frustrating finish. Oh, well. Umino looked like a star. Kiyomiya was fantastic (as always). A significantly better-than-average HoT match.

HoT attempted to take advantage early, but Kiyomiya responded with a firey attack. He fought off Kanemaru on his own while maintaining control over EVIL. Narita eventually hit the ring, prompting Umino to stop him. The babyfaces tied up HoT with submissions, prompting the heels on the outside to ring the bell. This distraction led to HoT rushing the ring and overwhelming the faces.

After a short period of isolation, Kiyomiya tagged out to Umino, leading to a strong rally. Umino took out Narita and the HoT soldiers on the floor. Back in the ring, Umino continued his advance with help from Kiyomiya.

HoT tried to rush the ring again, choking the babyfaces as they did at the press conference yesterday. Kiyomiya held them off momentarily, but a distraction allowed Evil to land Everything is Evil, leaving Narita in control of Umino.

As Umino gained control back, Yujiro distracted the referee, allowing Narita to strike Umino with his pushup bar. Narita then hit Umino with the double cross spike and pinned him to win the match.

NEVER Openweight Title Championship: Tama Tonga defeated Shingo Takagi (c)

This match opened with shoulder blocks, testing each other’s footing. Tama was the first to strike landing a dropkick and a pair of suplexes, putting Shingo on the backfoot. Shingo fired back, hitting a shoulder tackle, a slam, and a tope con hilo to gain the lead.

A Tama neckbreaker reset the match, leading to a strike exchange in the center of the ring. Shingo fought into the corner, landing a superplex to re-cement his lead. A sliding lariat seemingly furthered this lead, but Tama answered with a Tongan twist moments later. Then, supreme flow from Tama scored a nearfall.

Shingo stuffed the gun stun, leading into a quick back-and-forth exchange. Shingo won out, landing a powerbomb that turned into another nearfall. Shingo then hit Tama with the pumping bomber before attempting Made in Japan; Tama reversed into a gun stun, taking the lead back.

Tama dropped Shingo with Bloody Sunday, but Shingo kicked out at one. Tama followed up with a lariat before attempting a DST. Shingo escaped but ate a forearm. Tama attempted another gun stun, but Shingo hit one of his own. Shingo then hit a pumping bomber and Made in Japan; Tama kicked out.

Shingo unloaded on Tama, dropping him with strikes before attempting Last of the Dragon. Tama freed himself and hit a Styles Clash. Tama tried to close, landing another gun stun; Shingo kicked out. Finally, Tama hit the DST, winning the match. Tama Tonga is a four-time NEVER openweight champion.

Nic Nemeth (formerly Dolph Ziggler) and Ryan Nemeth Appear

In between matches, the Nemeth brothers walked to the VIP section while on camera, seemingly to watch the tag team title match. What this appearance means is to be seen.

IWGP / NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championships: Guerrillas of Destiny (El Phantasmo & Hikuleo) (c) defeated Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) (c)

Bishamon gained an early lead by double-teaming ELP. They attempted to do the same to Hikuleo, but his strength proved to be too much. GoD then established control by using double team moves of their own.

A suplex to ELP allowed Bishamon to fight back into the match, but a rana from the top rope sent both members of Bishamon to the floor. Hikuleo furthered this lead for quite some time.

A miss from ELP allowed Bishamon another opportunity. After a prolonged offensive sequence, Bishamon hit ELP with Shoto, forcing Hikuleo to break up the pin. ELP then used head-scissors to throw Bishamon into each other, buying him some time.

ELP dropped Goto with a superkick. Hikuleo then landed a chokeslam, leaving ELP free to land a super Thunderkiss 86; Goto kicked out. ELP then hit Goto with CR3 as Hikuleo climbed to the top rope. Hikuleo hit Goto with a splash and pinned Goto. GoD now controls both tag team titles in New Japan.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado defeated Hiromu Takahashi (c)

Desperado started the match by diving onto Hiromu as he made his way to the ring. Back in the ring, the pair traded moves until a dropkick sent Desperado from the floor into the barricade. Hiromu, now with the lead, drove Desperado into the corner.

Desperado retook the lead, using a stretch muffler to focus Hiromu’s leg. Once Hiromu escaped, Desperado continued to focus on the limb. In an attempt to damage the leg further, Desperado leapt towards Hiromu, but Hiromu sidestepped the attack.

Hiromu gained some footing, but Desperado caught him in the stretch muffler again moments later. Hiromu powered out into a destroyer to regain the lead. Hiromu followed up with Timebomb for a two-count. Hiromu tried for Timebomb 2 but failed, forcing Desperado into the corner instead.

On the top rope, Hiromu attempted to fling Desperado but was caught. Desperado, now in control, slammed from the top to the mat. Hiromu tried to power up, but Desperado hammered him with strikes to keep him grounded. Hiromu dodged a punch, landing a lariat to regain advantage momentarily. Desperado fired back, landing Pinche Loco for a nearfall.

Desperado attempted Pinche Loco again, but Hiromu reversed into his unnamed roll. Desperado kicked out and landed another Pinche Loco. Instead of trying for the pin, Desperado hit Desperado with another Pinche Loco. This time, it was enough to win the match. 

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay defeated Will Ospreay & Jon Moxley

Moxley and Ospreay opened the match by rushing Finlay as they promised to do at yesterday’s press conference. They beat him up, inside and outside the ring.

After taking care of Finlay, Ospreay and Moxley traded suplexes in the middle of the ring. Ospreay attempted the OsCutter, but Moxley stuffed it before delivering another suplex. Ospreay tried for a Spanish fly, but Moxley reversed into an armbar, which he transitioned into a choke. Ospreay powered out, powerbombing Moxley in the corner but Moxley popped up and dropped Ospreay with a lariat.

Moxley attempted a Death Rider on the apron, but Ospreay stuffed it. Once Moxley was clear, Finlay attacked Ospreay. Ospreay tried to fight off Finlay with a cutter, but Finlay stopped him with a shillelagh.

Back in the ring, Finlay focused a bloody Moxley. Once Ospreay re-entered the match, he took out both men. Finlay was thrown to the outside and dropped with a tope from Moxley. Ospreay then took out both men again with a dive to the floor.

Back in the ring, Ospreay lept towards Moxley, but Moxley caught him with a forearm, followed by the death rider. Ospreay kicked out, but Moxley immediately transitioned into the choke. Once Ospreay was free, Finlay hit the ring, only to eat a piledriver into Ospreay.

Moxley exited the ring to grab chairs, which he threw back inside. He sat up the chairs, but Finlay drove him into the backs. Finlay then hit Ospreay with a dominator onto Moxley. Finlay then hit Ospreay with a backbreaker, but Moxley responded with a quick knee.

Moxley turned his attention to Ospreay, hitting another deathrider. Ospreay ate the move and hit Moxley with a hidden blade. Finlay then threw Ospreay to the floor and attempted to pin Moxley. Once Moxley kicked out, Finlay hit him with a dominator, prompting Ospreay to breakup the pin with another hidden blade, this time to Finlay.

Once the men returned to their feet, they took turns trading strikes. Moxley and Ospreay focused on Finlay again. When Finlay looked to be out, Gabe Kidd and Alex Coughlin, the Bullet Club War Dogs, hit the ring, attacking Moxley and Ospreay.

Ospreay and Moxley managed to fight back, driving both War Dogs through tables with a crazy dive. Back in the ring, Moxley dropped Finlay with a pair of deathriders before eating two hidden blades. Ospreay hit Moxley with Stormbreaker, but Finlay stopped the pin. Finlay then landed Oblivion, a curb stomp, and a new variant of his previous finish before pinning Ospreay to win the match. David Finlay is the first IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.

After the match, Finlay taunted Nic Nemeth. Finlay pushed Nemeth, leading to a short scuffle.

Kazuchika Okada defeated Bryan Danielson

This was one of the greatest matches I have ever covered. It was focused, vicious, and emotional. This is what professional wrestling is all about.

The opening tie-up saw Okada trying to bait Danielson into striking. Instead, Danielson took Okada to the mat and began going for Okada’s arm. Once they returned to their feet, Okada caught Danielson with a couple of strikes, flooring Danielson. Okada landed a dropkick to Danielson’s eye before landing a DDT on the floor.

Okada attempted a running dropkick, but Danielson cut him off with a leaping knee strike. Danielson then placed Okada against the barricade, slamming his arm into the metal. Back in the ring, Danielson continued his focused attack, brutalizing Okada’s rainmaker arm.

After minutes of torture, Okada caught Danielson with a big boot. The follow-up air raid crash left Okada in a relatively strong position. Okada tried climbing to the top, but Danielson cut him off with a barrage of uppercuts. Danielson then hit a butterfly suplex from the top and continued his wear-down attack.

Danielson carried Okada to the apron, but Okada surprised Danielson with a scary piledriver. Back in the ring, Okada taunted Danielson with flat foot kicks to the eyepatch. Okada then ripped off Danielson’s patch and drove his foot into Danielson’s bad eye.

Okada landed an elbow drop from the top rope, but this further injured the arm of Okada. Okada then tried for the rainmaker, but the injury-induced hesitation gave Danielson the time duck. Danielson followed up with a kick and his signature elbow strikes. After eating a slew of elbows, Okada powered up, but Danielson answered with a busaiku knee and the Labell lock. Danielson transitioned into the hold he used to submit Okada at Forbidden Door, forcing Okada into the ropes.

Once Okada escaped, Danielson stomped his head into the mat. Danielson pulled to a standing position, where Okada fired back with a sudden rainmaker. Okada fell in pain and was unable to follow up.

Danielson pulled Okada to the ground, but Okada fought back with strikes on the mat. Once standing, Okada tried another rainmaker, but Danielson stuffed it. Danielson hit one busaiku knee but didn’t go for the cover, instead opting for another. Danielson missed, leaving Okada an open opportunity. After dropping Danielson, Okada landed another rainmaker and collapsed onto Okada. The referee counted to three, leaving Okada with the win.

After the match, both men showed their respect for one another.

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Tetsuya Naito defeated SANADA (c)

A great main event here. This was a feel-good match if there ever was one.

Naito gained control on the mat early and tried sending SANADA to the floor. SANADA reversed, sending Naito to the floor before doing his own version of the Naito taunt. Back in the ring, Naito began wearing down SANADA’s neck with strikes and a slam. Naito maintained control standing and on the mat, focusing on the neck.

SANADA fired back with a plancha. A fireman’s carry cutter left SANADA with a two count. After a little bit of work on the neck, SANADA locked in skull end. Once Naito escaped, SANADA attempted the moonsault, but Naito avoided it. A dropkick from Naito sent SANADA to the ground, leaving Naito free to focus the neck once more.

A neckbreaker from the barricade to the floor left SANADA outside high into the referee’s count. Once SANADA made it back, Naito dropped SANADA’s neck onto his knee, followed by a frankensteiner.

SANADA reveresed Naito’s tornado DDT into a magic screw. He followed up with a poison rana and a shining wizard before attempting another moonsault. This time, Naito stuck out his knees to block the finish.

Once standing, Naito landed a barrage of strikes on the neck of SANADA. Naito followed up with Esperanza and Destino. Naito, knowing one Destino wouldn’t be enough, tried for a second, but SANADA reversed into a TKO.

SANADA tried for a moonsault again; this time he overshot by a hair. SANADA tried again, landing it this time, but Naito kicked out anyway. Naito then interrupted SANADA’s follow-up with a spinebuster.

SANADA tried hoisting Naito up again, but he dropped him. Naito hit Destino once, but, again, was forced to try for another. This time, SANADA slipped free, making the move partially land. After SANADA kicked out, he hit Naito with a sudden Deadfall, forcing a match reset.

SANADA hit a Destino of his own, but Naito stuffed the Deadfall. Naito then landed the tornado DDT. SANADA fired back briefly but could not hold on to any lead. Naito’s own Deadfall left Naito uncontested into another Destino. This time, it proved enough to pin SANADA and win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

After the match, Naito grabbed a microphone. Just as he was going to speak, Evil and Dick Togo attacked him. Evil told him he wouldn’t let him have his roll call as he propped him up for a belt strike. Before Evil could take him out, SANADA made the save, dropping Evil with a shining wizard.

Once the ring was cleared, Naito thanked SANADA with blood pouring from his head. He thanked the fans for their support and delivered the LIJ role call after winning the main event in Tokyo Dome. His goal is complete. 

Tetsuya Naito wins 2023 Tokyo Sports MVP Award

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Tokyo Sports has revealed its award winners for 2023.

The complete list of winners was announced on Tuesday. The awards have been presented annually since 1974, with Dave Meltzer noting that they are the most talked about pro wrestling awards in Japan and are historically the most important as far as legacy for Japanese wrestlers.

Tetsuya Naito was named the recipient of the 2023 MVP Award. This is the fourth time that Naito has won MVP in his career. He also took home the award in 2016, 2017, and 2020.

Naito was the winner of this year’s NJPW G1 Climax tournament. At Wrestle Kingdom 18 on January 4, he’s challenging SANADA for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

Here are all of this year’s Tokyo Sports Award winners:

  • MVP: Tetsuya Naito
  • Best Match: The Great Muta vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
  • Women’s Grand Prize: Tam Nakano
  • Outstanding Performer: Hiromu Takahashi
  • Fighting Spirit Award: Kenoh
  • Technique Award: Yuma Aoyagi
  • Best Tag Team: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI
  • Rookie of the Year: The Saito Brothers (Rei & Jun Saito)

NJPW’s English-language website published in-character comments from Naito, Goto & YOSHI-HASHI, and Takahashi about their wins.

Goto said he’s “hugely happy” about winning a Tokyo Sports Award for the first time.

“Thank you for this award. Apropos of nothing, I’ve been doing this 20 years now, and this is my first award, so I’m hugely happy,” Goto said. “I’m very grateful to my partner Yoh-chan, and to all the fans for their support. Bishamon will keep tearing it up in the wrestling world.”

Main event official for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18

Posted on by Ian Carey

The main event of Wrestle Kingdom 18 will feature two wrestlers who have a long history with one another. 

SANADA successfully defended the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against EVIL at Destruction in Ryogoku on Monday. After the match, he was joined in the ring by the winner of the G1 Climax, Tetsuya Naito. NJPW later announced that a match between the two has been officially confirmed as the Wrestle Kingdom 18 main event. 

“The main event of Wrestle Kingdom 18 will see Tetsuya Naito challenge SANADA for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, in news made official after Destruction in Ryogoku,” reads NJPW1972.com. 

SANADA mentioned in his post-match promo that both he and Naito took part in the same NJPW tryout many years ago. NJPW brought Naito in but didn’t select SANADA. 

“18 years ago I took the NJPW tryout test and failed. Naito was the only one to pass. Now the ‘failure’ SANADA is the World Heavyweight Champion and Naito is his challenger,’ SANADA stated. ‘Dreams do come true, right?” SANADA said. 

SANADA joined All Japan in 2007. He’d later wrestle with Wrestle-1 and Impact Wrestling before joining NJPW in 2016. SANADA debuted in the promotion at Invasion Attack, interfering in Naito’s match with Kazuchika Okada, joining LIJ, and helping Natio retain the title. 

After many successful years with the group, SANADA left LIJ and turned on Naito during the quarterfinals of the New Japan Cup in March. He joined the newly formed Just Five Guys, who were actually Just Four Guys at the time. SANADA went on to win the New Japan Cup and then defeated Okada for the title at Sakura Genesis. 

Big Audio Nightmare: NJPW G1 Climax wrap-up, great Stardom PPV

Posted on by Adam Summers

The Big Audio Nightmare with Mike Sempervive and I is back to talk about everything happening in the very busy world of Japanese professional wrestling.

This week’s topics include:

  • The final word on this year’s NJPW G1 Climax and what was an incredible final match between Naito and Okada
  • Did that match wash away the disappointment of the rest of the tournament
  • Kiyomiya taking Oiwa back to NOAH and what it means for both of them
  • Our thoughts on a great Stardom pay-per-view and possibly an even better Korakuen Hall show
  • Thoughts on NOAH’s N1 Victory, TJPW’s Princess Cup and more.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

Pacific Rim: Fumi Saito’s thoughts on NJPW G1, Asuka’s Stardom comments

Posted on by Jim Valley

The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back.

I get Fumi Saito’s thoughts on this year’s NJPW G1 Climax like the 32-man format, Naito as the winner, SANADA, Kiyomiya’s performance and who he thought stood out.

So much of what we hear and read is from an English-speaking perspective so Fumi offers a perspective different than you’re going to get anywhere else.

From there, he also explains what he thinks Asuka’s recent social media posts about Stardom and the Japanese wrestling scene mean. What’s a work and what’s a shoot?

Plus, we talk the historic Manami Toyota vs. Toshiyo Yamada hair match, Yamada’s career and an update on her today, Koichi Yoshizawa and more.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

NJPW G1 Climax 33 finals live results: Okada vs. Naito

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Two NJPW stalwarts will battle for the right to challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 18 in today’s G1 finals.

Kazuchika Okada, a four-time tournament winner, faces Tetsuya Naito, a two-time winner and one-time runner-up, to determine the winner of the 33rd annual G1 Climax tournament. 

This marks a third consecutive finals appearance for Okada, the winner of the 2022, 2021, 2014, and 2012 G1s. A fifth victory would tie him with Masahiro Chono for the most in the three-plus decades of the event. 

Naito returns to the G1 finals for the first time since 2017, when he won his second career G1 by defeating Kenny Omega in the finals. Naito’s first G1 finals win came over Hiroshi Tanahashi in 2013’s tournament, while he lost the 2011 G1 finals to Shinsuke Nakamura. 

Today’s winner will earn the right to challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship currently held by SANADA at Wrestle Kingdom 18 in Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2024. 

Our live coverage of today’s finals begins at 2 a.m. Eastern time.

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Recommended Matches

  • Master Wato, Shota Umino, Tomoaki Honma & Yuji Nagata vs. El Desperado, Minoru Suzuki, Ren Narita, & Yuto Nakashima – This was another fantastic showcase of the Ren and Umino rivalry.
  • Kosei Fujita, Mikey Nicholls, Shane Haste & Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, Oleg Boltin & Ryusuke Taguchi – This was a great example of TMDK’s potential as a unit and Oleg’s potential as a single.
  • BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi, & Yota Tsuji vs. Great-O-Khan, HENARE, Jeff Cobb & Will Ospreay – This was a solid match with a shocking finish that is sure to have effects on NJPW for some time.
  • Tetsuya Naito vs. Kazuchika Okada – There are some Okada/Naito matches that outshine this, in my opinion, but they still had a match that meets the expectations of the G1 final. It’s hard to see this as anything less than the defining rivalry of New Japan’s current era.

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Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa defeated Oskar Leube & Toru Yano

This was a fun opener. The Young Lion bits of this match were delightful. Kaito tried working in his typical style despite Yano, which almost worked. Kaito won the match for his team with a shining wizard on Leube.

I hope that this isn’t the end of Kaito in NJPW, and I don’t think it is. He has been a real highlight of this G1.

Master Wato, Shota Umino, Tomoaki Honma & Yuji Nagata defeated El Desperado, Minoru Suzuki, Ren Narita, & Yuto Nakashima

This was a great multi-man. I can’t get enough of Ren and Shota; the more I see from them, the more I’m sure this will be the rivalry that defines the 20s. Suzuki and Nagata also worked an excellent sequence. The match ended with a death rider on Nakashima.

After the match, Ren and Shota started a brawl which eventually involved the whole of both teams.

Eddie Kingston, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii & YOH defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Tiger Mask & Togi Makabe

This was a fine old guy tag with Eddie Kingston and YOH. There were a couple of interesting exchanges before YOH closed the match with a superkick on Tiger Mask.

After the match, Ishii and Tenzan traded a few headbutts. 

Kosei Fujita, Mikey Nicholls, Shane Haste & Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, Oleg Boltin & Ryusuke Taguchi

This TMDK quartet is excellent in the 8-man tag setting. That said, Oleg was a real star of this match; he’s an absolute mega-star in the making. Nicholls and Haste won the match for TMDK with a tank buster on Goto.

This win leaves TMDK in a solid position to challenge Bishamon for the IWGP tag belts.

El Phantasmo, Hikuleo, Jado., Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa defeated Alex Coughlin, Chase Owens, David Finlay, Gabe Kidd & KENTA

This match focused a lot on continuing Bullet Club vs. ex-Bullet Club feud, with particular focus paid to the Tama/Finlay rivalry. Loa won the match with a quick rollup on Owens.

After the match, Bullet Club attacked the winners, but the managed to Tongans stand tall.

BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi, & Yota Tsuji defeated Great-O-Khan, HENARE, Jeff Cobb & Will Ospreay

Despite Ospreay’s new UK-themed belt, he was introduced as the US champion, at least the first time.

This was a chaotic match, with both factions violently struggling for control. After multiple extensive back-and-forth sequences, including false finishes, Tsuji hit Ospreay with a pair of spears and pinned the UK champion.

After the match, Eddie Kingston hit the ring, attacking HENARE, and fighting into the back.

This massive upset surely sets up a Tsuji/Ospreay singles match at some point in the future.

Dick Togo, EVIL, SHO, & Yujiro Takahashi defeated DOUKI., SANADA, Taichi. & Yoshinobu Kanemaru

This match took a little longer than usual to devolve into a HoT slog, but it still happened. Taichi tried to answer HoT’s antics with weapons of his own, but SHO countered, hitting him with a staff and the Shock Arrow to win the match.

After the match SHO posed with the KOPW belt, and EVIL attacked SANADA.

This win seemingly sets up a SHO KOPW title match at some point soon.

Tetsuya Naito defeated Kazuchika Okada

This match started with their typical warmup exchange. Okada gained the upper hand with a DDT on the apron, followed by a whip into the barricade. Back in the ring, Naito responded with a neckbreaker to gain footing. Naito then utilized simple offense to establish a lead.

Naito returned Okada’s malice, slamming Okada into the barricade; a violent neckbreaker against the barrier nearly resulted in an Okada count out. Back in the ring, Naito maintained his attack.

Okada landed a dropkick that sent Naito crashing to the floor. On the outside, Naito was able to hang on, whipping Okada back into the barricade. After a moment of hesitation, Okada caught Naito with a tombstone on the concrete floor of Ryogoku.

Okada returned to the ring, landing a suplex and a spinning rainmaker. Naito dodged the primary rainmaker, but Okada answered with a dropkick that crumbled Naito.

Once Naito returned to his feet, he spat in Okada’s face. Naito then landed the rope-assisted DDT that finished Tanahashi earlier in the tournament; neck work followed. A massive poison rana scored Naito a nearfall. Okada’s rally attempt was stuffed with a DDT and a Valencia for another nearfall.

When Naito attempted the stardust press, Okada rolled out of the way. A devastating dropkick set Okada up for another rainmaker attempt, but Naito avoided the finish. Naito secured a snug pin for another nearfall before leaping into Okada to reset the match.

Naito dodged another rainmaker and transitioned into a Destino attempt. Okada reversed the Destino into a short-arm lariat, but Okada failed to follow up again. Naito then hit Destino, but Okada kicked out.

A desperate Naito attempted a second Destino, but Okada slammed him to the mat to reverse. Okada tried again for rainmaker, but, again, Naito transitioned into Destino. Instead of going for the pin, Naito hit another Destino to cement his win. Naito then pinned Okada in the middle of the ring to close the tournament.

Naito has won the G1 Climax 33.

Finals set for NJPW G1 Climax 33

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The finals are set for NJPW’s G1 Climax 33 tournament. 

Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito will square off in Sunday’s finals, as both won their semifinals bouts at Saturday’s NJPW G1 Climax event. 

Okada defeated EVIL in his semifinal match, while Naito defeated Will Ospreay in the show’s main event to advance to the finals. 

For Okada, this year marks a third consecutive G1 finals appearance, and he will be going for his third consecutive G1 title and fifth overall. Okada has never lost a G1 finals, having defeated Karl Anderson to win in 2012, Shinsuke Nakamura in 2014, Kota Ibushi in 2021, and Will Ospreay in 2022. A fifth G1 Climax victory would tie Okada with Masohiro Chono for the most ever. 

Naito will be appearing in his fourth G1 finals, and will go for his third career G1 title. Naito was a finalist in 2011, losing to Shinsuke Nakamura in the deciding bout. He won the 2013 G1, defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi in finals, and again won the tournament in 2017, defeating Kenny Omega. 

The winner of Sunday’s Okada vs. Naito bout will earn the right to challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 18 on January 4, 2024 in the Tokyo Dome. 

Our full report from Saturday’s semifinals is available here.

Semifinals set for NJPW G1 Climax 33

Posted on by Ian Carey

The G1 Climax 33 quarterfinals took place on Thursday in Chiba. 

Tetsuya Naito, Will Ospreay, EVIL, and Kazuchika Okada have all advanced to Saturday’s semifinals after wins on today’s show. 

Naito defeated Hikuleo in the first quarterfinal match on Thursday. He’ll now face Ospreay in the semifinals for a second year in a row. Ospreay defeated David Finlay in the second quarterfinal match, fending off repeated interference from Bullet Club to do so. Naito and Ospreay have met twice in singles action previously with Ospreay having won both, including in the G1 semifinals last year. 

After going undefeated in the round-robin portion of the tournament, SANADA lost his quarterfinal match to EVIL on Thursday. EVIL picked up the win after countering the Skull End into Everything is Evil. However, there had been repeated interference by House of Torture earlier in the match. 

Kazuchika Okada defeated Zack Sabre Jr. in the main event of Thursday’s show, keeping his hopes of a third straight G1 tournament win alive. He picked up the win after fighting his way out of a submission hold and hitting a Rainmaker.

Okada moves on to face EVIL in the semifinals. The two have met eight times previously with Okada holding a 6-2 lead in the head-to-head series. EVIL’s only wins over Okada took place in 2017’s G1 Climax tournament and in the finals of the 2020 New Japan Cup.  

The G1 Climax 33 semifinals will be held Saturday, August 12, and the finals take place on Sunday, August 13. Both shows will take place in Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan. 

NJPW G1 Climax 33 semifinals 8/12: 

  • Tetsuya Naito vs. Will Ospreay
  • EVIL vs. Kazuchika Okada

Quarterfinals set for NJPW G1 Climax 33

Posted on by Ian Carey

Two wrestlers advanced to the quarterfinals of NJPW’s G1 Climax 33 tournament on Wednesday on the final night of D Block matches. 

Tetsuya Naito defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi in today’s main event to secure the top spot in D Block. Zack Sabre Jr. earned a spot in the quarterfinals as well by defeating Hirooki Goto in the semi-main event. 

Naito and ZSJ both finished the round-robin portion of the tournament with 10 points, with Naito holding the tie-breaker by way of his victory over ZSJ on the August 2 show from Hiroshima. 

United Empire’s Jeff Cobb just missed out on the top spot in the block after going to a double count-out with TMDK’s Shane Haste and finishing with nine points. Haste purposely got both of them counted out to prevent Cobb from reaching 10 points. Had Cobb won the match, he would have finished on top of the D Block with 10 points and tie-breaking wins over both ZSJ and Naito. 

The quarterfinals are scheduled for Thursday, August 10, from Chiba. The semifinals will be held Saturday, August 12, and the finals take place on Sunday, August 13.

Our full report from Wednesday’s show is available here.

The quarterfinals lineup for Thursday, August 10:

  • A Block winner SANADA vs. C Block second place finisher EVIL
  • B Block winner Kazuchika Okada vs. D Block second place finisher Zack Sabre Jr.
  • C Block winner David Finlay vs. B Block second place finisher Will Ospreay
  • D Block winner Tetsuya Naito vs. A Block second place finisher Hikuleo

The final D Block standings:

  • Tetsuya Naito (5-2) – 10 points
  • Zack Sabre Jr. (5-2) – 10 points
  • Jeff Cobb (4-2-1) – 9 points
  • Alex Coughlin (3-4) – 6 points
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi (3-4) – 6 points
  • Hirooki Goto (3-4) – 6 points
  • Shane Haste (2-4-1) – 5 points
  • Toru Yano (2-5) – 4 points

Tetsuya Naito to team with Darby Allin & Sting at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Tetsuya Natio will team with Sting and Darby Allin at Forbidden Door.

The opening of Saturday’s Collision saw Jericho and Minoru Suzuki call out Sting and Allin, upset they were left hanging after agreeing to a six-man tag team on Saturday, where they will team with Sammy Guevara. Sting and Allin came out, with Allin telling Jericho it was someone that he lost to at the Tokyo Dome. Naito then came out and had a staredown with Jericho, who ultimately exited the ring.

Jericho and Naito had a no disqualification match back at Wrestle Kingdom 13 in January of 2019, where Naito defeated Jericho to win the IWGP Intercontinental title. The two had a second match later that year at Dominion, where Jericho regained the championship.

Here’s the current card for Sunday:

  • IWGP United States Champion Kenny Omega defends against Will Ospreay
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Bryan Danielson
  • IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA defends against Jungle Boy
  • AEW World Champion MJF defends against Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm defends against Willow Nightingale
  • AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends against Daniel Garcia, Zack Sabre Jr. and Katsuyori Shibata in a four-way
  • Eddie Kingston, Tomohiro Ishii and The Elite (The Young Bucks & Hangman Page) vs. Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta), Shota Umino and Konosuke Takeshita
  • Adam Cole vs. Tom Lawlor
  • Sting, Darby Allin & Tetsuya Naito vs. Chris Jericho, Minoru Suzuki & Sammy Guevara
  • Owen Hart Foundation men’s quarterfinal: CM Punk vs. Satoshi Kojima
  • Zero Hour pre-show: Owen Hart Foundation women’s quarterfinal: Athena vs. Billie Starkz

New champions crowned at NJPW Dominion

Posted on by Bryan Rose

New champions were crowned at NJPW Dominion on Sunday.

Francesco Akira and TJP regained the IWGP Junior Tag Team titles from KUSHIDA and Kevin Knight. Akira scored the win for his team, pinning Knight after both he and TJP connected with running knees. This is their second reign with the titles.

Later in the show, Bishimon (YOSHI-HASHI and Hirooki Goto) won the IWGP Tag Team and New Japan Strong Tag Team titles, defeating Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL and Aaron Henare & The Great-O-Khan after hitting their powerbomb/GTR combo on Takahashi. Bishimon won the vacant titles after Aussie Open were forced to vacate the titles last month due to Mark Davis suffering an injury.

After the match, Alex Coughlin and Gabriel Kidd came out wearing Bullet Club t-shirts, revealing they had joined the group. They attacked Bishimon, making it clear they were next in line for a title match.

Elsewhere on the card, SANADA retained the IWGP World Heavyweight title against Yota Tsuji, Hiromu Takahashi retained the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title against Master Wato, Zack Sabre Jr. retained the New Japan World Television title over Jeff Cobb, David Finlay retained the NEVER title over El Phantasmo, and the team of Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Tomohiro Ishii retained the NEVER Six-Man Tag Team titles against Shota Umino, Jon Moxley, and Claudio Castagnoli.

Keiji Muto wrestles final match at the Tokyo Dome

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Keiji Muto had his final match at the Tokyo Dome on Tuesday, and it wasn’t against Tetsuya Naito.

Naito did wrestle Muto, winning with the Destino. Towards the end of the match, Muto hit multiple shining wizards, which Naito kicked out of. Muto then teased hitting the moonsault, but ultimately decided against it. Naito took control of the match and eventually picked up the win with Destino.

After the match, Naito raised his fist in the air. Muto fist bumped Naito and held the ropes open for him as Naito made his exit.

Muto then cut a promo, saying that he said one last thing he must do. He called out Masahiro Chono to a match. Chono, who did commentary for the main event, came to the ring and took off his jacket. The two proceeded to have a short match, with Tiger Hattori as a referee. Chono ended up winning with the STF. 

After a speech by one of the announcers putting over his career, Muto then made his exit. The last image shown on the video screen was the message “Pro Wrestling Love” next to images of Muto, Shinya Hashimoto, and Mitsuharu Misawa.

Muto also had a retirement show at Yokohama Arena last month for his Great Muta persona. Teaming with Sting and Darby Allin, he defeated Hakushi, AKIRA, and Naomichi Maurufuji.

Keiji Muto Retirement Show live results: Muto vs. Tetsuya Naito

Posted on by Chick Fritts

After eight months and several final matches of sorts along the way, Japanese wrestling legend Keiji Muto will officially have his last pro wrestling match tonight at Pro Wrestling “Last” Love in Tokyo, Japan.

The 60-year-old Muto will face NJPW star Tetsuya Naito in the night’s main event, first set up at Wrestle Kingdom 17: NJPW x NOAH when Naito accepted Muto’s challenge.

The event will feature talent from NJPW, NOAH, Dragongate, All Japan Pro Wrestling, Tokyo Joshi Pro, and DDT.

In a highly-anticipated non-title match, IWGP World Champion Kazuchika Okada will face GHC Champion Kaito Kiyomiya. It began when Kiyomiya kicked Okada flush in the face during a match at Wrestle Kingdom 17: NJPW x NOAH, resulting in Okada attacking Kiyomiya for a double DQ.

In another non-title match, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi will face GHC Junior Champion AMAKUSA.

The rest of the pay-per-view will feature multi-person tag team matches.

**********

Daiki Inaba & Masa Kitamiya defeated Yasutaka Yano & Yoshiki Inamura

This was a great opening tag. The sequences with Inaba were fantastic. Yano held his own as his star continued to brighten. The heavyweights played their role as constant checks to the smaller guys throughout. Good stuff.

Unsurprisingly, the GHC tag champions left this match with a win. After a long rally from Yano, Kitamiya caught him with a Samoan drop and Saito suplex to win the match.

TJPW Showcase: Miyu Yamashita, Rika Tatsumi, Shoko Nakajima & Yuka Sakazaki defeated Maki Itoh, Miu Watanabe, Mizuki & Yuki Arai

I may be biased, but this match was incredible. TJPW present vs. TJPW future was the perfect dynamic for an eight-man tag, and the crowd ate it up.

The team of Yamashita, Rika, Shoko, and Yuka were the clear favorites, as they were/are the last four women to hold the POP belt, TJPW’s top prize, but the up-and-comers held their own. The match played out in one cohesive sequence, allowing everyone to get in a little something.

In the end, Yuka, the reigning POP champion, took advantage of the constant escalation, hitting a Magical Girl Splash on Yuki Arai to win the match.

Anthony Greene, Jack Morris & Jake Lee (Good Looking Guys) defeated Satoshi Kojima, Takashi Sugiura & Timothy Thatcher

This was a boring match, here to further establish GLG (I guess) on the biggest stage in wrestling. It was easily the worst thing on the pre-show.

This was a painfully typical 6-man through in through, coming to a rather sudden end when Lee hit Thatcher with a kick in the corner, leading to the pin. 

Chris Ridgeway, Daga, Eita, HAYATA & Yoshinari Ogawa (STINGER) defeated Alejandro, Atsushi Kotoge, Junta Miyawaki, Seiki Yoshioka & YO-HEY

This was precisely the kind of match you would expect from the NOAH juniors, plus some STINGER meta-drama.

After a few minutes of sequences, Ridgeway started mat work, eventually securing a choke and winning the match.

After the match, Ridgeway and HAYATA were blindsided by their former faction mates, with Ogawa leading the charge. Daga and Eita were clearly on Ogawa’s side.

Chris Ridgeway, Daga, Eita, HAYATA & Yoshinari Ogawa (STINGER) defeated Alejandro, Atsushi Kotoge, Junta Miyawaki, Seiki Yoshioka & YO-HEY

This was the kind of match you would expect from the NOAH juniors, if a little short, plus some STINGER meta-drama.

After a few minutes of sequences, Ridgeway started mat work, eventually securing a choke and winning the match.

After the match, Ridgeway and HAYATA were blindsided by their former faction mates, with Ogawa leading the charge. Daga and Eita were clearly on Ogawa’s side.

DDT Showcase: MAO, Shunma Katsumata, Toi Kojima & Yuki Ueno (37KAMIINA) defeated Tetsuya Endo, Yuya Koroku (Burning), Hideki Okatani, & Takeshi Masada

This wasn’t my style of match, but everyone gave it their all. Masada was a real standout, especially given his experience, or lack thereof. 

This match was quick to break down, with 37K taking an early lead. The match was filled with action, with little-to-no breaks.

In the closing moments, Ueno hit the rookie Masada with the WR to win the match.

El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., Naomichi Marufuji & Ninja Mack (NOAH) defeated Diamante, KAI & Shun Skywalker (Dragongate/Z-Brats)

This was another athletic multi-man tag. This time Z-B played the heels throughout, letting the NOAH boys play up their home-field advantage.

The Dragongate team continually isolated the NOAH babyfaces, giving them time to shine. Wagner eventually hit a beautiful moonsault on KAI to win the match.

At some point during this, Diamante landed awkwardly, injuring his arm.

Katsuhiko Nakajima, Kenoh & Manabu Soya (NOAH/Kongo) defeated Kento Miyahara, Suwama & Yuma Aoyagi (AJPW)

This was a fantastic match. While it’s no surprise Kento and Yuma stood out, all of the All Japan trio was impressive, with Suwama putting in one of his best performances in a long while.

Kento and Nakajima opened this match to a hot reaction from the crowd, saving the real action for later, they tagged out.

The teams were quick to brawl. This chaotic exchange was exhilarating, with both teams going to war on the outside. Once the match finally returned to the ring, Yuma and Soya traded blows. The All Japan trio worked together to further their lead, isolating Soya from the rest of Kongo.

A jumping lariat bought Soya a tag into Nakajima, leaving Kento and Nakajima alone in the ring again. The pair came to blows this time, and the crowd went wild. After the pair proved to be on equal footing, the match broke down.

After another exciting team-vs-team battle, Yuma aimed to close. After multiple suplexes, Yuma locked Kenoh in a choke, but Soya made the save with a giant lariat. Kenoh followed up with a soccer kick for a nearfall, re-establishing a Kongo lead. A roundhouse kick scored Kenoh another nearfall. Finally, Kenoh hit the PFS and won the match for his team.

After the match concluded, Kento and Nakajima had an intense staredown, perhaps setting up another inter-promotional match in the future. 

NOSAWA’s Final Match: Gedo & Taiji Ishimori (NJPW/Bullet Club) defeated MAZADA & NOSAWA Rongai (NOAH)

This wasn’t good, but at least it was brief.

NOSAWA’s retirement match started exactly as you would expect, by rushing their opponents. It didn’t take long for Gedo and NOSAWA to square off, but Ishimori was able to take the lead for his team.

Very early in the match, NOSAWA sat on his knees and stared down a teary-eyed Ishimori. NOSAWA essentially offered himself to Ishimori. Through the tears, Ishimori hit NOSAWA with Bloody Cross, winning the match in under five minutes.

After the conclusion, NOSAWA basked in the Tokyo Dome cheers for a while before heading to the back. This was strange retirement, to say the least.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi defeated GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion AMAKUSA

This was a great match between rival champions. AMAKUSA pushed himself in this match, leaving nothing in the ring. Unsurprisingly, the IWGP champion left with the win, even in a NOAH ring.

This match opened with a relatively typical junior sequence, made special by an incredible crashing dive from AMAKUSA. Even after the dive, Hiromu was able to establish control inside and outside of the ring.

Hiromu’s offense eventually let up, allowing AMAKUSA to land two more stunning dives. Unable to close, AMAKUSA ran at Hirmou, but Hiromu caught him with a nasty throw into the corner.

Hiromu landed a lariat to cement his lead but chose to taunt AMAKUSA with his old mask. AMAKUSA took advantage, retaking the lead and control over the mask. After throwing the mask to the outside, AMAKUSA scored a nearfall, avoiding a timebomb.

Hiromu eventually landed a timebomb, but AMAKUSA kicked out. After the kick out, Hiromu was quick to follow up, landing a second to win the match.

IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada defeated GHC Heavyweight Champion Kaito Kiyomiya

This was an extraordinary match, easily my favorite of the year. I hope this isn’t the end of this pair.

Before the show began, Kaito’s petition to remove this match’s time limit was accepted.

Surprisingly, this match opened with a sloppy collar-and-elbow tie-up. After the tie-up was broken up, the champions started throwing heavy strikes. Okada answered Kaito’s brashness with a German suplex before taking the match outside of the ring.

On the floor, Okada hit Kaito with a backdrop and DDT. Kaito hobbled his way back to the ring, where Okada taunted him with kicks similar to the kick that led to this match. Okada was in complete control.

Kaito stuck Okada with intensity during any opening that Okada gave him. This allowed Kaito to bring Okada to the floor, where he whipped the IWGP champion into the barricade multiple times. After a brief struggle, Kaito hit Okada with a suplex on the apron, which he followed with a dive over the guardrail, wiping out Okada.

Back in the ring, Kaito hit a German suplex for a nearfall. Okada tried to rebound, landing a flapjack for a mid-match reset. The pair traded flying moves, with Okada’s dropkick winning out. Okada landed a tombstone and spinning rainmaker, but Kaito blocked the finishing rainmaker with a knee to the rainmaker arm.

Kaito began to target the arm of Okada further, landing a barrage of dropkicks, including one from the top rope. Kaito landed a pair of shining wizards for a nearfall that had left the crowd raucous, but Okada bounced back with a dropkick.

Okada landed a lariat before trying again for the rainmaker. Kaito ducked, but Okada hit the dropkick and tried again. On the second rainmaker attempt, Kaito reversed into the shining wizard and tiger suplex; Okada kicked out. Okada then hit a tombstone before finally connecting with the rainmaker; Okada pulled up Kaito’s head before the three count. Okada hit Kaito with an enziguri, emerald flowsion, and another rainmaker before pinning the GHC champion. 

Keiji Muto’s Final Match: Tetsuya Naito defeated Keiji Muto

Considering its limitations, this match was excellent.

Before the match, Masahiro Chono walked to the ring and cut a promo honoring the career of Muto. A video package then recapped Muto’s career with both Sinatra’s and the Sex Pistols’ versions of “My Way” backing.

Muto’s entrance was spectacular, mixing all of his past themes leading into his rising from under the ramp on a flying platform. During his long walk to the ring, the fans showered Muto in chants of his name.

Once the opening theatrics ended, the match began with a collar-and-elbow tie-up. Naito took the match to the mat, where he and Muto traded holds for some time. After this extended struggle, Muto hit his elbow drop, revealing a stream of blood on his cheek.

Natio fought back, landing a snapmare and a dropkick before sending Muto to the outside. On the ramp, Muto’s legs failed him, leaving Naito free to land a lengthy running dropkick. Then, back in the ring, the action stayed on the mat as it became evident Muto’s legs were far from proper. Naito pushed Muto back to the floor, where he began to target Muto’s injured legs.

Back in the ring, Muto landed a quick dragonscrew before securing the figure four leglock. After Naito escaped, he landed an enziguri and returned the match to the mat.

Naito started setting up Muto’s neck with strikes, but Muto answered with Hashimoto chops and a DDT; Muto then landed emerald flowsion for a near fall, honoring two men who never had retirement matches. Muto hit his first shining wizard of the night for a near fall. Muto then hit a backbreaker before climbing to the top rope, teasing a moonsault; Muto stepped down, deciding it wasn’t worth the risk.

Naito landed a hamstring dropkick to send Muto back to the mat. Muto answered with a dropkick of his own, a dragonscrew, and a figure four. Naito escaped, and again, Muto followed up with a dragonscrew and a trio of shining wizards. After Naito kicked out, Muto climbed to the top rope again but stepped down once more.

Naito quickly responded, hitting a dragonscrew of his own before revealing his now bloodied face. Naito locked in the figure four, leading into an extended struggle. Naito eventually let go and dropped Muto with a pair of shining wizards; Muto kicked out. Realizing the end was in sight, Naito hit Destino and won the match.

After the match, Muto grabbed the microphone and cut a promo. He thanked the crowd and called Chono into the ring. He then challenged Chono to an impromptu match. He asked Tiger Hattori to ref the impromptu bout. Chono hesitated, but once his music hit, he made his way from coms to the ring.

Chono and Muto entered the ring. Tiger called for the bell, unveiling a “secret main event”.

Secret Main Event: Masahiro Chono defeated Keiji Muto

This match opened with a collar-and-elbow tie-up. Chono slapped Muto, sending him to the mat. Chono hit a shining wizard and locked in the STF. Muto tapped out in what must be his and Chono’s actual final match.

This was a nice tribute to Chono, giving him an actual retirement match. It’s also objectively hilarious that Muto’s “final match”, which has been built for ages, was his final match for all of about five minutes.

After the match and some reminiscing in the ring, Muto walked to the top of the ramp for his final sendoff.

After the final pyro went off, a screen with the face of Muto, Misawa, & Hashimoto stretched across the Tokyo Dome.

Closing Thoughts

This show was incredible, easily the best of the year thus far. NOAH’s typical production is unmatched, but this was on another level. The in-ring quality, the gravity of the matches, the crowd — everything was excellent.

At the end of all of this, though, I can’t help but think New Japan, not NOAH, benefited the most. Not only did NJPW wrestlers win all four of the attraction matches, main event NOAH’s Tokyo Dome, and bury the GHC all in one night, they also are coming off of Mercedes Mone’s incredible debut and Yuji Nagata securing the Triple Crown. It was already one of the biggest weeks for New Japan post-pandemic, and this show only seals the deal.

Tetsuya Naito, Kazuchika Okada appear at NOAH Great Voyage

Posted on by Ian Carey

Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito made surprise appearances on Sunday at NOAH The Great Voyage in Osaka. 

Naito cut an in-ring promo before the main event while his upcoming opponent, Keiji Muto, was ringside at the commentary position. Muto and Naito will face each other in Muto’s final match on February 21 from the Tokyo Dome. 

Naito addressed Muto during the promo:

When I heard that Keiji Muto was going to be here, I made sure to stay in Osaka. I’ve made the trip to Osaka for Muto before, back on December 10, 1999. Keiji Muto versus Genichiro Tenryu or the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Battle Final. When Muto lost, I made the trip home, almost in tears.

Never would I have thought that 23 years later I would be Muto’s final ever opponent. Muto, I know you want this to be one last grand work of art. Unfortunately, that won’t be. I want you to leave the ring for the final time in frustration and total defeat at the hands of Tetsuya Naito.

Kaito Kiyomiya defeated Jack Morris to retain the GHC Heavyweight Championship in the night’s main event. After the match, Okada hit the ring and delivered a Rainmaker to the champion. A match between the two has been scheduled for Keiji Muto Grand Final Pro-Wrestling “Last-Love” but Okada would later state he was not going to wrestle Kiyomiya. This followed the two being involved in a stiff brawl leading to a double disqualification in a tag match on the Wrestle Kingdom in Yokohama show last month. 

After laying out Kiyomiya, Okada had the following to say:

If you want a match with me, you ask “Mr. Okada” and say please and thank you.

Okada continued to antagonize the NOAH fans who booed his attack on Kiyomiya. He then accepted the match for the Tokyo Dome but “‘not for [Kiyomiya}, but because the ones I can’t stand are the NOAH fans.”

Keiji Muto’s retirement show takes place Tuesday, February 21, from the Tokyo Dome. The full lineup for the show is below. 

  • Keiji Muto (NOAH) vs. Tetsuya Naito (NJPW)
  • Non-title: Kazuchika Okada (NJPW) vs. Kaito Kiyomiya (NOAH)
  • Non-title: Hiromu Takahashi (NJPW) vs. AMAKUSA (NOAH)
  • NOSAWA and MAZADA (NOAH) vs. Gedo and Taiji Ishimori (NJPW)
  • Kento Miyahara, SUWAMA, and Yuma Aoyagi (AJPW) vs. Kenoh, Katsuhiko Nakajima, and Manabu Soya (NOAH)
  • Shun Skywalker, KAI, and Diamante (Dragongate) vs. Naomichi Marufuji, Hijo Del Dr. Wagner Jr., and Ninja Mack (NOAH)
  • Shunma Katsumata, Toui Kojima, Mao, and Yuki Ueno vs. Tetsuya Endo, Hideki Okatani, Yuya Koroku, and Takeshi Masada (DDT)
  • Eita, Yoshinari Ogawa, HAYATA, Daga, and Chris Ridgeway vs. Atsushi Kotoge, YO-HEY, Seiki Yoshioka, Alejandro, and Junta Miyawaki (NOAH)
  • Takashi Sugiura, Satoshi Kojima, and Timothy Thatcher vs. Jake Lee, Jack Morris, and Anthony Greene (NOAH)
  • Miyu Yamashita, Yuka Sakazaki, Rika Tatsumi, and Shoko Nakajiuma vs. Mizuki, Miu Watanabe, Maki Itoh, and Yuki Arai (Tokyo Joshi Pro)
  • Masa Kitamiya and Daiki Inaba vs. Yoshiki Inamura and Yasutaka Yano (NOAH)

NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo live results: Naito vs. Umino

Posted on by Chick Fritts

NJPW’s New Beginning tour continues today in Sapporo with two featured singles matches, as well as a Junior Tag title bout. 

In the main event, Tetsuya Naito will face Shota Umino in Umino’s highest-profile singles bout to date. 

In the semi-main, United Empire’s Will Ospreay will face Taichi from the new Just Four Guys stable.

The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles will be on the line, with TJP and Francesco Akira defending against Yoshinobu Kanemaru and DOUKI. 

A series of tag bouts, plus a Young Lion singles match round out the card: 

  • Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano, Ryusuke Taguchi & YOH vs. Shingo Takagi, SANADA, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tama Tonga, Hikuleo & Master Wato vs. Jay White, KENTA, El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori
  • Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, Tomohiro Ishii & Yuto Nakashima vs. Zack Sabre Jr., Mikey Nicholls, Shane Haste & Kosei Fujita
  • Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado, Ren Narita & Ryohei Oiwa vs. EVIL, Yujiro Takahashi, SHO & Dick Togo
  • Great-O-Khan vs. Oskar Leube

Our live coverage begins at 3 a.m. Eastern time. 

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Great-O-Khan defeated Oskar Leube

I’m enthusiastic about Leube’s future generally, and this match only adds to my excitement.

The match opened with a grappling sequence. Leube forced O-Khan into the ropes and gained the upper hand with some strikes.

O-Khan frustration with losing momentum to his underling triggered a quick comeback. O-Khan established control and maintained it for some time.

After withstanding O-Khan’s extended control, Leube bounced back with two massive slams. Leube locked in a deep Boston crab that nearly forced a submission. O-Khan survived the Leube submission attempt and locked in his finishing abdominal stretch/iron claw hold combination, forcing Leube to tap.

Ryohei Oiwa, Ren Narita, El Desperado, & Minoru Suzuki defeated Dick Togo SHO Yujiro Takahashi, & EVIL (House of Torture)

For an HoT match, this was a ton of fun. 

This match opened with Suzuki taking out HoT before passing the momentum to Oiwa. Oiwa failed to maintain this advantage, leading to an extended period of HoT control. The hot tag eventually came to Desperado, who nearly evened the score, even after a prolonged HoT beatdown. 

Once Narita tagged in, he took control, forcing HoT to rush the ring. Togo tried choking Narita with a wire, but Suzuki made the save. Narita landed a beautiful suplex and locked in the abdominal stretch, forcing Togo to submit.

After the match, Suzuki told Narita he could take him to the top if he stuck by him.

Kosei Fujita, Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls, & Zack Sabre Jr. (TMDK) defeated YOSHI-HASHI, Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto (CHAOS), & Yuto Nakashima

The Young Lions were real standouts in this match.

An opening brawl left CHAOS with a short-lived lead, but TMDK fired back with an extended isolation segment on Goto. After a tag to Ishii, the CHAOS team began to turn things back around.

Goto and YH cleared the ring and tried for Shoto but failed to connect, leading to a double tag to each team’s Young Lion.

The Young Lions went back and forth before Nakashima locked in a deep Boston crab, forcing a save from ZSJ. Nakashima dropped Fujita with a nasty kick, but Fujita answered with a dropkick of his own. Fujita locked in a kimura and forced Nakashima to submit.

Master Wato, Hikuleo, Tama Tonga, Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Taiji Ishimori, El Phantasmo, KENTA, & Jay White (Bullet Club) 

Bullet Club opened the match with a game of chicken, with no one wanting to engage with their opponents. After teasing the newly vocal crowd for some time, BC rushed the ring, stealing momentum before the babyfaces even had a chance.

After extended BC control, a hot tag to Hikuleo left the babyfaces with a chance. Hikuleo beat down White before a sequence of tags allowed the other participants in this match to have a moment in the ring. Once the back-and-forth tags wound down, the match broke down into a scramble for control. Then, in the chaos, Wato caught Ishimori in a bridging pin to win the bout.

BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, SANADA, & Shingo Takagi (Los Ingobernables de Japon) defeated YOH, Ryusuke Taguchi, Toru Yano, & Kazuchika Okada (CHAOS)

Hiromu and YOH opened the match with a strike exchange before tagging out to Yano and SANADA. Yano removed the corner cover, and SANADA tied Yano in the paradise lock. This silliness continued for some time before a double tag left Shingo and Okada as the legal men for the first time.

Okada gained the upper hand initially, but Shingo was quick to step up to the champion. The pair traded blows, but Taguchi stopped the title match tease. CHAOS rushed the ring, isolating Shingo and forcing LIJ to hit the ring as well.

Shingo scored a nearfall with a pumping bomber, but YOH made the save. After surviving a pair of quick Taguchi pin attempts, Shingo dropped Taguchi with Last of the Dragon and secured the pinfall win for his team.

After the match, YOH attacked IWGP Junior champion, Hiromu Takahashi, in an uncharacteristic show of aggression. 

IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championship: Francesco Akira & TJP (Catch 22) (c) defeated DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru (Just 4 Guys)

This was one of, maybe, the best DOUKI outings I’ve ever seen. The consistent leg work added to this match immensely. Good stuff.

The challengers quickly took the lead, rushing the champions and landing a tope. J4G began to relentlessly target TJP’s leg, establishing a game plan for the rest of the match.

The tag to Akira allowed for a Catch 22 comeback of sorts. The leg work from earlier in the match allowed J4G to stay one step ahead, though, taking advantage anytime TJP stepped in the ring.

Kanemaru locked TJP in the figure four, nearly forcing the submission. A double-team facebuster kept Catch 22 in the running, but TJP’s leg failed during the leaning tour attempt. With TJP down, DOUKI locked Akira in a triangle arm bar. Once Akira escaped, Kanemaru hit a moonsault, setting up for Doton-no-Jutsu. TJP made the save, but DOUKI followed up with a Daybreak; Akira kicked out.

Now reaching desperation mode, DOUKI tried for Suplex de La Luna. Akira landed on his feet just in time for backup from TJP. Akira landed a double stomp, but Kanemaru made the save. TJP and Kanemaru fought to the floor, leaving Akira and DOUKI alone in the ring. Akira landed fireball and pinned DOUKI to retain the title.

Will Ospreay defeated Taichi

The match opened with a heavy strike exchange that left Taichi with an early lead, Ospreay answered with a dive to the floor, taking control for the first time. Ospreay took his time, establishing a robust offensive foundation as the early match developed.

Taichi had a short comeback, complete with his pants rip spot, but Ospreay answered with a quick rebound and a springboard forearm.

Taichi blocked an OsCutter attempt, turning it into a sudden suplex for a mid-match reset. The pair traded kicks and chops, and again, Taichi won the strike battle. Taichi tried for a powerbomb, but Ospreay escaped; a high-stakes back-and-forth followed.

Ospreay landed a tiger driver to re-establish his lead. The follow-up OsCutter yielded an Ospreay nearfall. Ospreay attempted a top rope cutter to close, but Taichi caught him and landed a Triple Crown Bomb and a running elbow to the back of the head for a nearfall of his own. A backdrop scored Taichi another nearfall.

Another quick pin attempt almost left Taichi with the win, but Ospreay landed in the perfect position for a hidden blade. After a struggle, Ospreay hit a second, this time leaping, hidden blade, but Taichi kicked out.

Taichi and Ospreay traded strikes again. Ospreay dropped Taichi with a big elbow, leading to the referee counting Taichi down. Taichi barely beat the count, only to be hit with a hidden blade and storm breaker. Ospreay then pinned Taichi to win the match.

Tetsuya Naito defeated Shota Umino

The match opened with an extended feeling out sequence, establishing both men as near equals. Umino eventually forced Naito to the floor before taunting his elder in the first control segment of the match. Naito responded by grabbing a handful of hair, sending Umino to the floor, and slamming him into the barricade.

On the floor, Naito established a strong lead. Back in the ring, he took the match to the mat, working the neck and furthering his control.

A quick rana and dropkick combination started a Umino comeback, Umino connected with multiple big moves but failed to land the death rider.

After a strike battle, Umino landed a giant dive to the floor, a dropkick from the top rope, and secured the STF, forcing Naito into the ropes. Once Naito escaped, Umino kept up the attack, but a sudden DDT left Naito back in control.

Naito landed Gloria, scoring a near fall. Naito then hit a spine buster and tried for Destino, but Umnio reversed, landing a pair of drivers. Umino followed up with another death rider attempt, but Naito answered with Valentía, resetting the match.

Naito tried working the neck after the pause in action, but Umino followed up with a pair of DDTs. After Naito kicked out, he landed Destino and scored a near fall of his own. Naito landed Destino a second time, this time leading to his victory.

After the match, Naito cut a show-ending promo. He addressed the cheering crowd before signing off with the LIJ call. For the first time in a long time, chants of “Naito” and “Takagi” were heard in Sapporo.