The full card for Keiji Muto’s retirement show next month has been revealed.
During tonight’s The Great Muta Final Bye-Bye event, Pro Wrestling NOAH revealed the full card for the event at the Tokyo Dome on February 21. Muto’s final match will be against Tetsuya Naito. The two set up the match at Wrestle Kingdom 17 in Yokohama Arena on Saturday morning, with Naito accepting the challenge from Muto.
Two matches pitting NJPW and NOAH’s top champions in singles matches will also take place. IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada will face GHC Champion Kaito Kiyomiya following an angle that took place Saturday, where Kiyomiya kicked Okada flush in the face, causing Okada to attack Kiyomiya, leading to a double disqualification. The Junior Heavyweight title holders will also square off, with IWGP Junior Champion Hiromu Takahashi taking on GHC Junior Champion AMAKUSA. Both matches will be non-title.
Matches featuring talent from NJPW, NOAH, Dragongate, All Japan Pro Wrestling, Tokyo Joshi Pro, and DDT are also scheduled to take place.
Here is the full card for Keiji Muto’s retirement show:
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)
Keiji Mutoh ended Wrestle Kingdom 17 at Yokohama Arena by challenging Tetsuya Naito to a match at his retirement show on February 21 at the Tokyo Dome.
After Naito defeated Kenoh in the main event, Naito was making his way out of the ring when Mutoh, who was doing commentary during the main event, slid into the ring and called out Naito. Naito entered the ring and said he would clear his schedule. The two posed as the show officially ended.
Mutoh is set to have his final match under The Great Muta persona Sunday morning, when he will team with Sting and Darby Allin of AEW to take on Hakushi, AKIRA, and Naomichi Maurufuji. That show will also take place at the Yokohama Arena.
Mutoh had his final match in NJPW back on January 4 during the first night of Wrestle Kingdom 17. There, he teamed with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shota Umino to defeat Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, and BUSHI.
Dave Meltzer and I are back on Wrestling Observer Radio going over the 2022 class of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. John Muse joins us to go over the full class, the acts who were close, and next year’s new candidates.
After that, we talked about all the recent news. Topics include:
John Cena on SmackDown and if he will be at WrestleMania
The Rock and WWE’s decision
Barry Windham
Sasha Banks at WrestleKingdom
Ticket sales for AEW Revolution so far
MJF at UFC 282
ROH, NXT, & UFC shows tomorrow
Tony Khan’s ROH press conference
Vince McMahon documentary
Dana White’s Slap League
Miro’s current situation
The video version of this show is available for video subscribers at video.f4wonline.com.
NJPW’s Battle Autumn tour concludes today in Osaka with a card that includes three title matches, plus the semifinals of the IWGP World Television title tournament.
In the main event, Will Ospreay will defend the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship against Tetsuya Naito.
In the semi-main, FTR will put the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team titles on the line against Jeff Cobb and Great-O-Khan of the United Empire.
In the show’s other title bout, United Empire’s Francesco Akira and TJP defend the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag titles against BUSHI and Titan.
In the TV title tournament semifinals, SANADA takes on Ren Narita, plus Zack Sabre Jr. faces EVIL. The winners will square off at Wrestle Kingdom on January 4 to crown the first IWGP World TV Champion.
The full card:
IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Will Ospreay (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) (c) vs. United Empire (Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb)
Kazuchika Okada & Tama Tonga vs. Jay White & KENTA
Parejas Increibles: Master Wato & El Desperado vs. Hiromu Takahashi & Taiji Ishimori
IWGP World Television Championship tournament semifinals: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. EVIL
IWGP World Television Championship tournament semifinals: SANADA vs. Ren Narita
Hikuleo vs. Yujiro Takahashi
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, David Finlay & Alex Zayne vs. United Empire (Aaron Henare, Gideon Gray, Mark Davis & Kyle Fletcher)
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: TJP & Francesco Akira (c) vs. BUSHI & Titan
Our live coverage begins at 4 a.m. Eastern time.
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IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship: Fransico Akira and TJP (United Empire) (c) defeated Titan and BUSHI (Los Ingobernables de Japon)
This was an action-packed way to open the show: an all-out sprint, a great way to start the night.
LIJ landed a double dropkick and tandem tope to the floor as the opening bell sounded. Akira and TJP fought back in the ring before landing a dive of their own to reverse momentum in the opening sprint. UE controlled the match for some time following the first turnaround, isolating BUSHI and Titan while using double-team tactics when possible.
Titan eventually received a hot tag and turned things around for his team. Titan landed a springboard moonsault to the floor to take out both of his opponents before taking the fight to TJP in the ring.
With all men in the ring, the match broke down, trading momentum before a late-match reset. Once the fog cleared, UE landed their double knee finish, but Titan broke up the pin. After clearing Titan from the ring, UE hit leaning tower to retain their titles.
Gideon Gray, Arron Henare, Kyle Fletcher, and Mark Davis (United Empire) defeated Toru Yano, David Finlay, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Alex Zayne
Gideon Gray, the financier of UE, was the first to come to the ring. From the ring, Gray introduced each of his partners in an awkward promo.
Henare and Finlay opened the match with a standard back-and-forth. Zayne tagged in to take advantage for his team with an impressive sequence of moves. UE rushed the ring to bring Zayne’s hot start to a close, isolating him from his partners and establishing a solid lead.
Tanahashi eventually received a tag and turned things around for his team. Gray tried to challenge Tanahashi, but a single strike left him on his back.
A short rally from UE forced Yano to tag in. Yano immediately removed the turnbuckle cover and, after a bit of a runaround, slammed Fletcher into the exposed corner. UE rushed the ring to prevent Yano from causing any more chaos, leading to the match losing its structure for a bit. After clearing the ring of all his partners, Aussie Open hit Yano with Coriolis to win the match.
Hikuleo defeated Yujiro Takahashi
This was excellent.
Before the opening bell, SHO helped Yujiro blindside Hikuleo with an unfair assault. Hikuleo withstood the attack, beat down both members of House of Torture, and called for the opening bell himself. Hikuleo landed a chokeslam and pinned Yujiro to win the match in under 30 seconds.
After the match, Hikuleo called out Karl Anderson.
NJPW World TV Championship tournament semi-final: Ren Narita defeated SANADA
This was another great outing from Narita — an entertaining match bell-to-bell.
The match opened with a back-and-forth grappling sequence that worked its way to the mat. The extended sequence ended after a rope break, and SANADA immediately took control. After escaping an early skull end attempt, Narita bounced out of a paradise lock with a quick response. The match then spilled to the floor, where SANADA landed a suplex and a piledriver, leading to a near count out.
Narita landed a sudden overhead throw to put SANADA on the back foot. Narita tried for an armbar, a limb he would target even after SANADA’s escape. Narita locked in a cobra twist, forcing SANADA into the ropes.
Narita hammered SANADA with heavy kicks as the match entered its ending stretch. SANADA answered with multiple skull end attempts, which he eventually secured in the middle of the ring. After Narita was limp, SANADA tried for a moosault, but Narita caught him with his knees.
As the clock ticked down, the pair entered a short strike exchange. SANADA tried for a bridging pin, but Narita answered with a rear naked. SANDA escaped and pushed for skull end once more, but, again, Narita locked in the rear naked.
With less than one minute left on the clock, both men started throwing bombs. SANADA tried for a spinning lariat, but Narita caught him, landing a Narita Special #4. Narita pinned SANADA, winning the match and moving on to WrestleKingdom to challenge for the new NJPW World TV Championship in the Tokyo Dome.
NJPW World TV Championship tournament semi-final: Zack Sabre Jr. defeated EVIL
ZSJ used two young lions to distract EVIL before the match began. A quick crucifix after the opening bell nearly scored ZSJ an effortless win.
EVIL fought back after the opening shenanigans by taking the match to the floor. EVIL used chairs and young lions as weapons to establish an early lead. Even with EVIL’s antics, ZSJ was able to tie up EVIL on the outside and nearly force a countout.
ZSJ secured a choke in the middle of the ring, prompting Dick Togo to interfere. ZSJ’s young lion backup helped fight off Togo, leaving ZSJ and EVIL alone in the ring. EVIL escaped the choke and tried for Everything is Evil, but ZSJ reversed, turning EVIL’s finish into a quick pin, winning the match.
The match is set. ZSJ vs. Ren Narita, January 4, WrestleKingdom for the new New Japan World TV Championship.
Incredible Tag Match: Master Wato and El Desperado defeated Hiromu Takahashi and Taiji Ishimori
This was great. The inter-team dynamics were incredibly fun.
Ahead of their four-way match at WrestleKingdom, Wato, Desperado, Ishimori, and Hiromu drew straws to determine teams for this “Incredible Tag Match”.
Before the match began, Hiromu tried shaking Ishimori’s hand; the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion rejected the gesture. Wato and Desperado also had an awkward encounter before the match’s start.
Wato and Hiromu opened the match with a strike exchange. Hiromu established control and tried passing it off to Ishimori, but Ishimori rejected the tag. Desperado then pulled Hiromu to the floor and laid the boots to Hiromu. Wato was unhappy with his partner’s interference, pushing him into the barricade for his help. Desperado tagged into the match with a slap across his partner’s face.
Hiromu grew desperate for a tag as Wato and Desperado traded slaps for tags. Ishimori rejected Hiromu’s tag attempts, leaving Desperado and Wato with an awkward lead.
After a suplex to the entrance ramp left Hiromu laid out, Desperado and Wato traded heavy strikes. Hiromu was able to use their miscommunication to take light control over his opponents. After this turnaround, Ishimori finally tagged in. After the tag, Hiromu dropped Ishimori with a dropkick into the barricade and tried pinning his own partner.
A blind tag caused some confusion among Desperado and Wato. Regardless, Desperado locked in numero dos on Ishimori while Wato focused on Hiromu. Ishimori reversed into a yes lock, but Wato chose to maintain his own hold instead of helping his partner; luckily, Ishimori broke up the submissions.
Wato landed a dive to the floor, taking out Ishimori. Hiromu responded with a dive of his own that left Ishimori and Wato on the mat. Desperado finished the deal with a dive, taking out all three of his WrestleKingdom opponents.
Back in the ring, all four men went back and forth. Hiromu and Ishimori finally came to terms, working well together for a short sequence. Hiromu positioned Wato in the fireman’s carry, looking to close. Ishimori then landed a jumping knee on his partner, sending him crashing down with Wato in perfect pinning position. Wato unknowingly pinned Hiromu, leaving only Ishimori standing at the match’s end.
Tama Tonga and Kazuchika Okada defeated Jay White and KENTA (Bullet Club)
White was quick to use the referee to create some early separation which he used to take the initial lead. Okada interrupted White during a taunting spree, leading a rapid sequence and forcing a frustrated White to tag out.
Tama and Okada worked together to take full control of the match. White answered the face’s lead with a well-timed pull to the floor, leading to a weapon-filled assault outside the ring. Back inside the ropes, BC worked to isolate Tama, eventually leading to the hot tag.
Okada launched his team’s comeback with a barrage of offense against White. White avoided the Okada elbow, landing a DDT in response to end Okada’s uncontested rally. A sequence of finish attempts followed, ending with an air raid crash. White was first to tag out, buying KENTA enough time to prevent Okada’s escape.
Okada withstood KENTA’s stalling long enough to tag Tama back in the match. Tama overwhelmed Kenta with boots, a clothesline, a splash, and a back suplex, scoring a near fall.
White hit the ring, helping KENTA fight back against Tama. White hit Tama with a suplex, and KENTA landed a double foot stomp and busaiku knee, forcing Okada to make the save.
KENTA tried for a quick pin, placing his feet on the top rope. The referee caught KENTA, giving Tama enough time to drop KENTA and land supreme flow for a near fall. After a brief reversal sequence, Tama hit KENTA with a gun stun to win the match.
After the closing bell, White and Okada had a momentary stare down.
IWGP Tag Team Championship: Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler (FTR) (c) defeated Jeff Cobb and Great-O-Khan (United Empire)
What a match. Great.
The match began with a solid feeling-out segment. FTR was the first team to gain an advantage, filled with double-team maneuvers to cement their lead. O-Khan used his braid to choke Dax, buying himself space and time to tag out to Cobb. Cobb and O-Khan then returned the favor, using tandem offense to establish control.
Cash eventually received a hot tag, leading to a superb sequence to re-establish FTR in the match. A knee from Dax to an elevated Cobb resulted in an FTR favored near fall. O-Khan saved Cobb from any more punishment, pulling him to his corner and tagging in.
O-Khan and Dax came to blows in the middle of the ring. The men eventually fought into the corner, where a sly tag led to a suplerplex/splash combination for a near fall.
With UE looking to close, FTR blocked tour of the islands and attempted big rig. O-Khan stuffed FTR’s finish and tried for eliminator. With Cobb nowhere in sight, O-Khan couldn’t secure his finish, instead opening the door for another big rig attempt; this time, it connected, leading to the FTR victory.
IWGP US Heavyweight Championship: Will Ospreay (c) defeated Tetsuya Naito
The match started fast, with a rapid sequence ending with both men on equal footing. Naito followed the open by slowing the pace, connecting with offense to focus Ospreay’s neck and back. A chop from Ospreay stopped Naito’s advance, sending him crashing to the floor.
On the outside, Ospreay sent Naito smashing into the barricade. Back in the ring, Ospreay continued with his newfound lead, connecting with chops before landing a colossal backbreaker.
Naito didn’t let Ospreay’s offense continue for long. After a reversal, Naito connected with various moves, including a falling neckbreaker and a double-leg nelson that forced Ospreay into the ropes.
Ospreay fought back into the match with a handspring enziguri followed by a plancha to the floor. A step-up enziguri ended an attempted rally from Naito.
A pair of falling neck breakers, one to the floor, interrupted Ospreay’s lead and let Naito convincingly retake the match. Naito slammed Ospreay into the ring post, but a quick leaping cutter from the barricade ended Naito’s assault.
Back in the ring, the pair traded forearms. Naito clubbed Ospreay down, even after a quick suplex, focusing the neck even further. Naito landed a rope-assisted DDT before attempting a poison-rana; Ospreay landed on his feet and landed an OsCutter in response. Naito kicked out.
Ospreay lifted Naito onto his shoulders and climbed to the top rope. Naito reversed whatever Ospreay was attempting into a rana and attempted Destino. Ospreay stuffed Naito’s finish and landed a giant powerbomb for a near fall.
Naito turned things back around with a quick sequence before attempting Destino two more times; the second connected. After Ospreay kicked out, he tried for a Stormbreaker which Naito reversed. After surviving another Destino, Ospreay connected with a pair of hidden blades for another near fall. Ospreay then hit Stormbreaker and pinned Naito to retain his title.
To close the show, Ospreay cut a promo to set up his next challenger. He offered an open challenge at the Stardom crossover show, asking anyone from the back or behind the “Forbbiden Door” to step up. It seemed no one was willing to answer his call. After the confetti fell and Ospreay was leaving the ring, the lights went dark and a video package played revealing Ospreay’s next challenger, “Roughneck” Shota Umino.
Umino walked to the ring and stared down Ospreay. Umino grabbed a mic, but instead of answering with words, Umino laid out Ospreay and the rest of United Empire who stood by his side. Umino stood tall with Ospreay’s belt. Umino exited through the crowd.
Umino vs. Ospreay is now set for November 20th, Stardom X NJPW with the IWGP US championship on the line.
A pair of title matches have been made official for NJPW Battle Autumn in Osaka.
NJPW has announced that IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay will defend his title against Tetsuya Naito at Battle Autumn in Osaka on Saturday, November 5. Also set for that event is a NEVER Openweight Championship match with Karl Anderson defending against Hikuleo.
Naito is getting the title shot against Ospreay as a result of defeating Zack Sabre Jr. at NJPW Royal Quest II night two this past weekend. At Burning Spirit in Kobe last month, both Naito and Sabre confronted Ospreay and wanted to be his next challenger.
Before being confronted by Naito and Sabre, Ospreay retained the IWGP US Heavyweight title against David Finlay at Burning Spirit in Kobe.
Burning Spirit in Kobe also saw Anderson retain the NEVER Openweight Championship against Hiroshi Tanahashi. A post-match angle set up Hikuleo as Anderson’s next opponent.
The November 5 event in Osaka will be the final show of the Battle Autumn tour. The tour starts at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on Friday, October 14.
NJPW still has one major event set to take place before Battle Autumn begins. Declaration of Power is being held on Monday, October 10.
Ospreay vs. Naito and Anderson vs. Hikuleo are the first two matches to be confirmed for Battle Autumn.
NJPW Battle Autumn in Osaka (Saturday, November 5) —
IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay defends against Tetsuya Naito
NEVER Openweight Champion Karl Anderson defends against Hikuleo
NJPW has revealed the full cards for their upcoming Royal Quest II shows in London next month.
The first night on October 1 will be headlined by FTR defending the IWGP Tag Team Championship against Aussie Open, with Will Ospreay facing off against Shota Umino in the co-main event. The second night on October 2 will see Tetsuya Naito facing off against Zack Sabre Jr., with the winner facing Will Ospreay for the IWGP United States Championship at a later date. In the co-main event, Hikuleo will team with his brother Tama Tonga and Hiroshi Tanahashi to take on Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson, and Jay White.
Other highlights from the cards include Gabriel Kidd making his first appearances back in NJPW since earlier this year, facing Dan Maloney in a singles match in night one and competing in an eight-man tag on night two. The IWGP Women’s Championship tournament will officially begin on the second night, as Jazzy Gabert will face Ava White.
Several Rev Pro Wrestling stars will also appear on the cards, including the new British Heavyweight Champion Ricky Knight Jr..
Here are the full cards for both shows:
Night 1:
IWGP Tag Team Championship: FTR vs. Aussie Open
Will Ospreay vs. Shota Umino
Hikuleo, Jado, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Tama Tonga vs. Gedo, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson, and Jay White
Tomohiro Ishii and Kazuchika Okada vs. JONAH and Bad Dude Tito
Hiromu Takahashi, SANADA, and Tetsuya Naito vs. DOUKI, El Desperado, and Zack Sabre Jr.
Gideon Grey and The Great-O-Khan vs. Ricky Knight Jr. and Michael Oku
Kanji and Jazzy Gabert vs. Alex Windsor and Ava White
Gabriel Kidd vs. Dan Moloney
Night 2:
Tetsuya Natio vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Hikuelo,Tama Tonga, and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson, and Jay White
Kazuchika Okada vs. Bad Dude Tito
Tomohiro Ishii vs. JONAH
Gabriel Kidd, Shota Umino, Ricky Knight Jr., and FTR vs. Gideon Grey, Great-O-Khan, Will Ospreay, and Aussie Open
IWGP Women’s Championship tournament: Jazzy Gabert vs. Ava White
Hiromu Takahashi and SANADA vs. Young Guns (Ethan Allen and Luke Jacobs)
DOUKI and El Desperado vs. Michael Oku and Robbie X
The tournament semifinals took place on Tuesday from the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan.
In the night’s first semifinal match, Kazuchika Okada defeated Tama Tonga to advance to tomorrow’s finals. He’ll face Will Ospreay, who defeated Tetsuya Naito in Wednesday’s second semifinal match.
Okada, who won the tournament last year, will be looking for his fourth victory in a G1. Masahiro Chono holds the record with five G1 victories.
This is Ospreay’s third G1 tournament. Prior to this year, he had not made it past the group stage.
Ospreay vs. Okada in the finals of the G1 Climax 32 will take place Thursday from the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan.
The full results from Wednesday’s show are below.
Non-tournament matches:
Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI & Tomohiro Ishii, and Yoh defeated Lance Archer, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Douki & TAKA Michinoku
Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi defeated Tom Lawlor & Royce Isaacs
The G1 Climax 32 group stage has concluded, the block winners have been determined, and the semifinals are set.
The final night of the round-robin portion of the tournament took place on Tuesday from Nagano.
Kazuchika Okada clinched the A Block with a win over Lance Archer in the main event. Had Okada lost, a three-way tie atop the group would have seen Archer advance as he would have held wins over both Okada and JONAH.
Jay White went into Tuesday’s show needing only one point to clinch the B Block. Tama Tonga handed him his first loss of the tournament, however. Both Tonga and White finished the tournament with 10 points and Tonga advances on the head-to-head tie-breaker.
Tetsuya Naito came all the way back to pick up eight points and clinch the C Block. He defeated Zack Sabre Jr. on Tuesday to tie him in the standings and advance on the tie-breaker.
Will Ospreay needed to win and get some help on Tuesday to advance. He defeated Juice Robinson in the night’s first match and then clinched the group after El Phantasmo defeated Shingo Takagi to take him out of the running.
Okada vs. Tonga, and Ospreay vs. Naito will take place on tomorrow’s show.
NJPW’s Tetsuya Naito will be undergoing eye surgery according to a report.
Tokyo Sports reports that Naito, 39, will have surgery on his right eye to repair superior oblique muscle paralysis, which has been causing him to have double vision.
Naito underwent a similar surgery in 2019, and was out of action for 20 days following the operation.
The Tokyo Sports article quotes Naito as saying that his eye is in worse shape now than when he first underwent surgery for the eye muscle paralysis three years ago, but that the upcoming Best of the Super Juniors tournament provided a break in his schedule to allow for the surgery.
While the junior heavyweight tournament is going on in May, NJPW’s top heavyweights will be in the United States for a pay-per-view in Washington D.C. on May 14 and an NJPW Strong taping in Philadelphia on May 15.
If his recovery timetable is similar to the last time he had the eye surgery, Naito would hypothetically be back in action in time for the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view on June 26.
Naito challenged Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of Wrestling Dontaku today at the PayPay Dome, where Okada retained the title.
Kazuchika Okada defends the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Tetsuya Naito in the main event of Wrestling Dontaku today.
Naito is challenging Okada for the World title for the second time this year. Okada won their first title bout at New Year’s Golden Series in February, but Naito got his win back in the New Japan Cup tournament. The two are even 6-6 in their 12 career singles matches.
Five other titles will also be on the line tonight.
Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii will square off for the IWGP United States Heavyweight title, left vacant when SANADA suffered an injury. Tanahashi and Will Ospreay had been set to do battle for the vacant title, but Ospreay was pulled from the card due to testing positive for COVID-19.
El Desperado will defend the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against former title holder Taiji Ishimori.
EVIL defends the NEVER Openweight Championship against Tama Tonga.
United Empire’s Great-O-Khan and Jeff Cobb defend the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team titles against Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI, and Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens in a three-way.
The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles will be on the line, as Ryusuke Taguchi and Master Wato defend against Yoshinobu Kanemaru and DOUKI.
Tanga Loa will take on Yujiro Takahashi in a singles match.
In another singles contest, Hiromu Takahashi will face YOH.
In the opener, Shingo Takagi, BUSHI, and a mystery partner face Zack Sabre Jr., Taichi, and TAKA Michinoku. Tatsumi Fujinami was set to team with Shingo and BUSHI, but also tested positive for COVID-19 and was pulled from the show.
Our live coverage begins at 4 a.m. Eastern time.
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Taichi, TAKA Michinoku & Zack Sabre Jr. (Suzuki-gun) defeated BUSHI, Shingo Takagi, & Shiro Koshinaka
Shiro Koshinaka, perhaps best known for his work as a top New Japan junior in the 80s and tag wrestler in the 90s, was revealed to be the mystery partner for LIJ.
This was a fairly by the numbers opening tag — with the inclusion of Shiro Koshinaka, of course.
Koshinaka opened the match against ZSJ and had a deal of success. Once BUSHI took Koshinaka’s place, ZSJ took control of the match. ZSJ and the rest of Suzuki-gun worked to isolate BUSHI, eventually leading to a hot-tag into Shingo.
After a TAKA and Shingo exchange, the match broke down as Suzuki-gun hit the ring. LIJ turned things around, helping Koshinaka land some of his signature hip attacks. Finally, as the fog cleared, Shingo and Taichi were left alone. The pair had a quick back and forth, ending with a Gedo clutch from Taichi which brought the match to an end.
It looks like we’re gearing up for a KOPW rematch between Taichi and Shingo — oh boy.
Hiromu Takahashi defeated YOH
Something about this just didn’t connect with me. There was a lot to like, but this match felt off time from time.
The match began with both men trading strikes in the center of the ring. As things picked up, the pair walked through a slick exchange, ending with YOH reversing a powerbomb and transitioning into a tope con hilo to establish an early lead.
After answering a YOH dropkick with one of his own, Hiromu connected with a sudden powerbomb; YOH responded with a falcon arrow, resetting the match just as the match reached the five-minute mark. Hiromu landed a victory royal, a German suplex, and a lariat, only for YOH to kick out at one. YOH rallied with a colossal kick, DNV, and tiger suplex but failed to connect with the direct drive. Hiromu fought back into a position of control with a lariat, timebomb, and timebomb 2, leading to a Hiromu pinfall victory.
After Hiromu won, he left his BOSJ trophy in the ring. Hiromu will presumably try for another, seeing as the tournament is just around the corner.
Tanga Loa defeated Yujiro Takahashi
Ugh.
Yujiro started the match by slamming Tanga into the barricade and the ring post. Tanga fought back with some slams, forcing Yujiro to escape to the floor. Tanga met Yujiro on the ramp, but SHO jumped Tanga, leading to a House of Torture beatdown. Yujiro landed a fisherman buster on the ramp, cementing his control.
After kicking out of a second fisherman buster and escaping a crossface, Tanga landed a suplex to reset the match. A t-bone suplex, 619, and top rope clothesline left Tanga with a near fall.
Yujiro tried fighting back but couldn’t find anything substantial. Tanga landed a spear right before a referee bump let SHO land a quick suplex. Tanga avoided SHO’s wrench and took him back with a powerbomb, but SHO’s distraction bought Yujiro enough time to connect with pimp juice; Tanga kicked out.
After fighting off HoT and kicking out of Yujiro’s attempt at closing the match, Tanga landed a reverse driver. Tanga pinned Yujiro to score the win.
After the match, Tanga posed with Yujiro’s NEVER Six-Man belt, so it’s safe to assume GoD will be challenging for the title soon.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Master Wato & Ryusuke Taguchi (Six Or Nine) (c) defeated DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru (Suzuki-gun)
This was not good, but if you’re into butt-based wrestling, this match might be for you.
Taguchi came to the ring with his underwear in hand—he apparently decided to go commando in this defense.
The match opened with a fun sequence between all four men. Wato landed a tope con hilo, but Kanemaru prevented him from following up; this led to the first real control segment, with Suzuki-gun working to keep Wato away from Taguchi.
Taguchi eventually made the save, landing a ton of hip attacks. After the rescue, Suzuki-gun turned their attention to Taguchi, paying particular attention to his leg. A while later, Wato returned the favor, saving Taguchi in effect.
Kanemaru tried blinding Taguchi with a mouth full of liquor but pulled Taguchi’s pant’s down first—big mistake. Taguchi, while not rocking nonederwear, was wearing a thong. Taguchi landed a bare-butt hip attack, forcing Kanemaru to blind his own partner. Taguchi then pinned Kanemaru, planting his tuchus on Kanemaru’s face during the cover.
IWGP Tag Team Championships: Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens (BULLET CLUB) defeated Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI (Bishamon) and Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb (United Empire) (c)
This wasn’t great or anything, but it probably over-delivered, all things considered.
The opening exchange was pretty content dense. The match started with Bishamon and Bullet Club focusing United Empire. With UE temporarily taken care of, the BC pairing turned their attention to Bishamon. Once given a moment to breathe, UE returned fire.
This back and forth continued; the teams constantly traded control and cute spots, eventually building to some intense sequences. Things were ultimately ended as Fale launched Owens from the top rope to deliver their new rocket launcher elbow drop. Owens then pinned Goto to win the match and the titles.
BOSJ Lineup
A video package revealed the lineup for the upcoming Best of Super Juniors tournament. The tournament this year will feature two blocks.
A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi, YOH, Clark Conners Hiromu Takahashi, Alex Zayne, Francesco Akira, Taiji Ishimori, SHO, and Impact’s Ace Austin
B Block: Master Wato, Robbie Eagles, BUSHI, El Desperado, DOUKI, TJP, El Phantasmo, CMLL’s Titan, GLEAT’s El Lindaman, and AEW’s Wheeler Yuta
Overall, this looks to be a great lineup with many fresh faces. This is certainly a tournament to look forward to.
NEVER Openweight Championship: Tama Tonga defeated EVIL (c)
This was bad.
The match started with a brawl outside of the ring. The pair eventually found their way into the ring, only for the action to spill back outside moments later. EVIL landed a suplex to the floor and slammed Tama into the barricade before taunting him with a live microphone.
EVIL maintained control in the ring for some time, but Tama eventually rallied by reversing a suplex. Tama took out Dick Togo while holding his newfound lead.
EVIL tried throwing Tama into Togo, but this backfired. After taking out the manager (again), Tama landed a drop and crossbody but couldn’t connect with the gun stun. This led to a brief struggle for control, ending with a chair shot from Togo. EVIL landed darkness falls, but Tama managed to kick out.
Tama bounced out of a whip into an exposed corner with a lariat. Tama locked in a sharpshooter in the center of the ring. Togo rang the bell on the outside, making Tama think he won the match while buying EVIL another break. As the referee tried to figure out what happened, Togo hit the ring to choke Tama with his rope. EVIL and Togo hit the magic killer and set up for a super powerbomb. Before they could deliver the tandem finish, Jado hit EVIL with a stick, saving Tama.
After escaping defeat, Tama tried desperately for his finisher. After a long struggle, Tama landed a gun stun and pinned EVIL to win the NEVER Openweight championship.
Before he could celebrate, old guard Bullet Club members Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows hit the ring and took out Tama. The Good Brothers are back in New Japan.
Anderson and Gallows wore Bullet Club colors during their return to Japan, making their allegiance known. After taking Tama out, the pair beat down Jado and Tanga Loa.
Karl Anderson posed with and dropped Tama on the NEVER belt, perhaps setting up a future title challenge.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Taiji Ishimori defeated El Desperado (c)
This match opened with chain wrestling that turned into an energized sequence. Things slowed down after Ishimori drove Desperado into an exposed turnbuckle, leading to a ground control segment.
Desperado turned things back around with a dragonscrew which he followed with a ground control segment of his own. Ishimori retook control by slamming Desperado into the corner post. Desperado’s work on the mat paid off, however, as Ishimori’s leg gave out, buying Desperado enough time to avoid a dive and land a spear.
Ishimori continued to land leg-based moves, and each time he was left in agony. Desperado tried for pinche loco twice, but Ishimori managed to wiggle free each time. Desperado locked in numero dos, but Ishimori transitioned into a cobra twist; Desperado escaped the twist by lifting Ishimori into position and dropping him with a driver.
Desperado finally connected with pinche loco but was not satisfied with one. Ishimori reversed Desperado’s second attempt, transitioning into a bone lock. Ishimori held on, eventually forcing Desperado to submit. Ishimori is the IWGP Junior champion.
Two title wins and a big return—tonight is a big Bullet Club night, it seems.
IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Tomohiro Ishii
This match was extraordinary.
This match opened with a passionate back and forth that evolved into an extended strike exchange. After striking down Tanahashi, Ishii landed a suplex to further establish his early lead.
Tanahashi fought back with a flurry of his signature offense. Tanahashi tried focusing on the leg, but Ishii responded with a leg whip of his own. Ishii continued to use light leg-based moves while still landing his go-tos for an interesting change of pace.
Ishii tried for a superplex but was stuffed by Tanahashi; Tanahashi then landed a dragonscrew on an elevated Ishii to gain a significant lead. Tanahashi locked in the Texas cloverleaf, forcing Ishii into the ropes. Even after Ishii escaped, Tanahashi maintained his focus, targeting Ishii’s leg.
Ishii landed a quick powerslam to reset the match. Tanahashi connected with a dragon suplex, as did Ishii. Ishii hit a lariat, Tanahashi, a pair of slingblades.
Tanahashi landed a German suplex for a near fall before setting up for high fly flow; Ishii cut Tanahashi off on the top rope with a running headbutt that slumped the ace. This time, Ishii connected with the superplex but only scored a two count.
Ishii grew desperate after Tanahashi continued to kick out of his devastating offense. Ishii tried for a brainbuster, but Tanahashi reversed into twist and shout. Another dragon suplex opened Ishii up for a high fly flow. After the first, Tanahashi tried for another div, but Ishii rolled out of the way and tried for a quick pin; Tanahashi barely escaped.
Ishii dropped Tanahashi with a tremendous lariat; Tanahashi kicked out at one. Ishii hit another lariat and the brainbuster; Tanahashi kicked out again. Tanahashi bought a moment to breathe with a reverse slingblade, but Ishii responded with a barrage of headbutts. Tanahashi answered Ishii’s headbutts with some of his own, but Ishii landed a slingblade to stop any potential shifts in momentum.
Ishii tried for another brainbuster, but Tanahashi slipped free. Tanahashi hit a brainbuster of his own and a slingblade; Ishii kicked out at one. Tanahashi then hit a crossbody to a standing Ishii and high fly flow to bring this match to a climatic end.
After the match, Chase Owens came to the ring and distracted Tanahashi long enough for a masked man to jump the new United States champion. After dropping Tanahashi, the man removed his mask to reveal Bullet Club’s newest member, Juice Robinson.
Juice Robinson has fooled the world, it seems.
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada (c) defeated Tetsuya Naito
I feel that New Japan has visited this well one too many times. That’s not to say this match didn’t have its moments of brilliance; of course it did. We’ve just been fed this match so many times, especially when things seem slow, that it feels like a crutch. It’s entirely understandable, but frustrating nonetheless.
The match opened with a familiar exchange, as each man knew enough about the other to prevent any significant offense. Okada was the first to successfully strike, landing a DDT to establish an early lead.
Naito rolled to the floor to try to slow Okada’s advance. As Okada attempted to pursue the challenger, Naito caught Okada with a whip into the barricade and a DDT to the concrete; Naito had wholly reversed the match’s momentum.
Back in the ring, Naito led an extended sequence. Okada began to turn things around with a boot and a flapjack. An air raid crash let Okada transition into the money clip for the first time. This was followed by a sudden dropkick that sent Naito to the floor, cementing Okada’s newfound control.
On the outside, Okada landed a running crossbody over the barricade. Back in the ring, Okada connected with a picture-perfect dropkick from the top rope before locking the money clip in again.
Okada tried for the rainmaker but met Naito resistance. Naito reversed into a spinebuster, effectively resetting the match. Naito hit Gloria and locked in pluma blanca, forcing Okada into the ropes.
Naito set Okada up for a frakensteiner, but Okada reversed into a top rope powerbomb. Naito tried to hold on, even going for a Destino, but two quick clotheslines allowed Okada to maintain his wave of offense.
Naito avoided Okada’s attempts at rainmaker, all the while reigning in shots to the neck. This fed into Naito landing Destino, only to score a near fall. When he tried again, Okada reversed into a tombstone.
Okada hit landslide but failed to follow up. Naito answered in this momentary lapse of offense, landing a second Destino; Okada kicked out. A desperate Naito then attempted stardust press but came up short, resting the match again.
Naito dropped Okada with a slap before trying for another Destino. Okada slipped free, landed an emerald flowsion, and pulled Naito to his feet for a rainmaker. Okada hit his finish and pinned Naito to retain his belt.
After Okada’s show-closing promo, Jay White’s music hit. Jay White himself walked to the ring and grabbed a microphone. Before he could say anything, Okada swatted the microphone from his hand and held his belt high. Gedo then jumped Okada; White joined in on the beatdown. White hit Bladerunner and held the belt high.
After taking out the champion, White grabbed the microphone again. He hyped himself up while the rest of Bullet Club, including the new and returning members, flanked his side. The House of Torture subgroup did not join them.
Karl Anderson then grabbed a microphone. After singing a ‘happy birthday’ to Bullet Club, Anderson introduced all of the members and sold White as the greatest wrestler alive.
White hit Okada with another Bladerunner to close the show.
NJPW’s Golden Fight Series tour got underway on Monday with an event at Nagoya Congress Center Event Hall.
Ahead of their IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match at Wrestling Dontaku on May 1, Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito met in tag team action on Monday. Here are the results from the show:
Takahashi got the win after hitting Time Bomb on YOH. Okada and Naito were fighting on the floor near the end of the match, with Okada giving Naito a DDT.
Following the match, Takahashi cut a show-closing promo:
Post match, Hiromu slammed a ‘lack of fire’ in YOH, and dared him to enjoy professional wrestling more. That was a call for Naito to rise to, as he conducted a mock sports interview with Takahashi, allowing Hiromu to predict El Ingobernable would become IWGP World Heavyweight Champion at Dontaku, before giving his own version of Naito’s ‘De Japon!’ role call.
– Shingo Takagi & BUSHI defeated Taichi & TAKA Michinoku
– Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & Jado defeated EVIl, Yujiro Takahashi, SHO & Dick Togo
After their first 11 singles matches against each other ended in 10-minute time limit draws, Oiwa broke the deadlock against Fujita here by submitting him with a Boston Crab. It’s the first singles win of Oiwa’s career.
