Tag: Tetsuya Naito

NJPW Castle Attack night two live results: Ibushi vs. Naito

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Recommended matches —

  • IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa vs. Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Phantasmo vs. BUSHI vs. El Desperado
  • IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Kota Ibushi vs. Tetsuya Naito

Report —

Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima defeated Will Ospreay & Jeff Cobb (9:56)

This was a shocking result. The match was quite good. 

Kojima and Tenzan overcame a jumpstart before the bell and Kojima ran wild on Ospreay and Cobb. The story they told early was that Cobb and Ospreay didn’t have their timing down as a team yet and they did some miscommunication spots. 

Ospreay came back on Kojima with a springboard elbow. Tenzan got a tag and hit a brainbuster. Cobb hit a spin cycle on Kojima. Tenzan jumped in to save Kojima and Cobb abd Ospreay taunted him with Mongolian chops. 

Tenzan snapped and fired off a series of Mongolian chops in spite of being banned from using them. This was not a DQ. 

Kojima and Tenzan hit a Kozy Cutter on Cobb for a near fall with Ospreay saving. Cobb blocked a Kojima lariat. 

Kojima hit Cobb with a lariat on the second attempt and pinned Cobb. 

Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano defeated EVIL, Jay White & Chase Owens (w/Gedo & Dick Togo) (8:35)

Great selling by Ishii here, but they didn’t have enough time to have much of a match. 

Ishii and White started off. White immediately tagged out. Owens tagged in and went to work on Ishii’s ribs, which White worked over yesterday. White and Owens doubled up on Ishii in the ring. EVIL went after Okada on the floor. 

Bullet Club used their human centipede abdominal stretch on Ishii. Ishii took on Bullet Club 1-on-3. He hit a drop toehold EVIL who fell on White, then a German on Owens. 

Yano got a hot tag. Gedo jumped on the apron and took a bump. Togo exposed a turnbuckle and Yano charged into the exposed steel. Okada got a tag. Owens and Okada were legal as everyone jumped in for a big move and worked towards the finish. 

Okada used the Money Clip on Owens and Owens tapped. 

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match: Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa (w/Jado) defeated Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI to retain the titles (15:46)

This was very good. Everyone worked really hard, the Bullet Club shenanigans were kept to a minimum and the pacing was excellent. 

Goto and YH came out firing at the opening bell, landing a series of strikes. Jado jumped in and Goto and YH hit him with their war drums trikes to the back. YH got cut off and worked over. 

YH kicked out of a gun stun, a tandem neckbreaker and a Magic Killer. Jado called for a super powerbomb, but YH fought off the attempt. YH rolled out of the way of a frog splash. Goto intercepted an attempt at a diving headbutt and got a hot tag. 

Goto hit trademark offense. He landed a wheel kick and bulldog on Tama for a near fall, with Tanga saving. YH and Goto hit a tandem neckbreaker on Tanga. Goto and YH hit the GYW on Tama, but Tama kicked out. 

Tanga blocked a GYR on Tama with a German to YH. YH blocked a Magic Killer on Goto and hit a German to Tanga. Goto hit Tama with an ushigoroshi for a near fall. Tanga hit a powerslam on YH. All four were in and down in the ring. 

Tama and Goto did a great series of counters and misdirection spots. YH hit a thrust kick on Tama into a fireman’s carry slam from Goto for a near fall. Tanga jumped in and tried a belt shot, but YH blocked. 

With the ref’s back turned, Jado hit Goto with a kendo stick. Tama followed up with a gun stun and scored the pinfall victory. 

***** Intermission *****

NEVER Openweight Championship match: Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Great-O-Khan to retain the title (18:44)

O-Khan just doesn’t have the acumen to pull off a long singles match at this stage of his career, so this was very much a one-man show and effort by Tanahashi. It was good, but it was good because Tanahashi willed it to be. 

O-Khan tried for a Dominator right away. Tana blocked and teased a dragon suplex. Tana went for a dragon screw. O-Khan blocked and went for the Dominator again. Tana slid out and hit a dropkick to the left leg. 

They rolled outside. Yota Tsuji got involved. O-Khan got in Tsuji’s face. Tana stepped between them. O-Khan held Tana up and dared Tsuji to hit him. Tsuji balled up his fist as though he was considering hitting Tanahashi, but Tana fought free before Tsuji had to make a choice. 

Back in the ring, O-Khan went after Tanahashi’s left knee. Tana fought back with a series of strikes, a slam and a somersault senton for a near fall. Tana hit a pair of dragon screws. O-Khan snapped Tana’s neck across the top strand. Tana answered with a dragon screw in the ropes. 

Tana used another dragon screw, then applied a cloverleaf. O-Khan forced a rope break. There was a botched spot that was supposed to lead to O-Khan gaining the upper hand. It looked like he missed a knee strike but Tana was forced to sell it anyway. 

O-Khan tied Tana to the tree of woe. He hit a gordbuster and two inverted powerslams. O-Khan used the iron claw to set up a Dominator attempt. Tana blocked and we had dueling iron claws. Tana hit a slap with the left hand. 

O-Khan shoved the ref in the path of a slingblade. The ref took a bump. O-Khan hit a left hand with a closed fist. O-Khan called for Tsuji to hand him a chair. Tana slid the chair to Tana instead. Tana sat on the chair, then hit a drop toehold on the chair. 

O-Khan blocked a slingblade and hit a pump kick. Tana blocked a Dominator and hit an inverted slingblade. Tana hit a standing High Fly Flow. O-Khan rolled out of the way of a second High Fly Flow. O-Khan hit a Woo dropkick. 

O-Khan hit a flying forearm for a two count. O-Khan ended up bleeding from the nose or mouth here. Tana reversed a whip into a slingblade. Tana hit two more slingblades. O-Khan popped up and hit a lariat for a near fall. 

 O-Khan used an iron claw to set up a modified torture rack into an airplane spin bomb. 

O-Khan went for the Dominator. Tana pulled O-Khan over into a crucifix for the flash pin. 

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match: El Desperado defeated El Phantasmo & BUSHI to win the vacant title (23:12)

This match was incredible. It had everything you would want out of a main event title match and Desperado absolutely deserves the title after really upping his game since Best of the Super Juniors.

ELP got sent outside right away. Desperado gained the upper hand on BUSHI. ELP jumped back in and Desperado suplexed BUSHI on top of him. BUSHI hit a top rope rana on Desperado. He followed with a bulldog-dropkick combo for a near fall. 

BUSHI tried a draping DDT on the apron, but ELP blocked and tossed him to the floor. ELP hit a legdrop with Desperado draped across the top rope and got a two count off of it. ELP walked across the top rope. Desperado crotched him. BUSHI hit the hangman’s DDT on Desperado, then a missile dropkick to ELP for a near fall. 

BUSHI hit a suicide dive to Desperado on the ramp. ELP hit a springboard crossbody off the top to the ramp onto BUSHI and Desperado. ELP posted BUSHI. He then tore Desperado’s mask and hit him with a piledriver on the ramp. ELP removed Desperado’s mask and put it on himself. 

ELP and BUSHI went at it in the ring while ringside workers tended to Desperado on the ramp. ELP blocked a codebreaker and tore BUSHI’s shirt off. ELP stood on BUSHI’s crotch in the corner. ELP loaded his boot. ELP hit two quebradas for a near fall. 

ELP hit an airplane spin neckbreaker and a frog splash for a two count. Desperado struggled back to the ring and nailed ELP with a spear. Desperado clotheslined ELP to the floor. Desperado hit a suicide flip dive onto both ELP and BUSHI at the 15 minute call. 

Desperado tried a superplex. BUSHI cut it off and hit a stacked up powerbomb. BUSHI hit a codebreaker to Desperado for a two count as ELP saved. 

BUSHI blocked a superkick with the loaded boot and hung ELP’s leg up in the ropes. BUSHI hit a swinging neckbreaker for a two count on Desperado. BUSHI hit a codebreaker to Desperado. ELP tossed BUSHI outside and covered Desperado for two. 

ELP used a Styles Clash for a near fall as BUSHI broke up the pin, then used a crucifix for two on ELP. ELP hit a v-trigger to BUSHI, then one to Desperado. Desperado blocked a One-Winged Angel and used el es culero for a near fall. 

Desperado caught ELP in Numero Dos. ELP reversed into a cradle for a near fall. ELP blocked Pinche Loco. Desperado hit an Angle slam for a two count at the 20 minute call. 

ELP blocked Pinche Loco and hit three kicks with the loaded boot. ELP hit CRII . BUSHI stopped the ref from counting three. BUSHI hit a codebreaker on ELP for a two count. 

BUSHI came off the ropes with an MX attempt, but got caught with the loaded boot. BUSHI rolled outside and ELP could not follow up. Desperado ducked a superkick and hit a right hand. 

ELP turned a Pinche Loco into a back-to-chest cover for a two count. Desperado bridged out and hit Pinche Loco. Depserado rolled through and hit a second Pinche Loco and pinned ELP.

IWGP Intercontinental Championship match: Kota Ibushi defeated Tetsuya Naito to retain the title (27:50)

No one appeared to be seriously injured and that’s always the most important thing when these two go at it. A very good main event. 

As they have in their tag battles on this tour, they opened with five minutes of very good mat wrestling. Naito then fired off a series of strikes in the corner. Ibushi avoided a combinacion in the corner, but ran into a Naito basement dropkick to the left knee. 

Ibushi sold like his left knee had gone out on him. He did a great job of selling. Naito tried a whip into the barricade, but Ibushi sold like his knee gave and collapsed before he reached the fence. 

Back inside, Naito applied a figure four. Ibushi forced a rope break at the ten minute call. Naito continued working on the knee, driving it into the mat. Ibushi hit a dropkick, then a flying mid kick with the right leg for his first significant offense. Ibushi hit a standing moonsault for a near fall. 

Naito dropped Ibushi with a slap. He followed with a basement dropkick for a near fall. Naito went back after the leg with stomps. Naito hit a combinacion cabron and posed. Naito hit a neckbreaker for a two count. 

Naito used a crucifix submission. Ibushi fired off a flurry, but Naito answered with a swing DDT. They traded strikes. Naito went back after the knee. Naito used an ankle lock and grapevined the hold. Ibushi forced a rope break. 

Naito hit a diamond dust and Gloria for a near fall at the 20 minute mark. Naito teased a reverse frankensteiner off the top rope. Ibushi slid out and knocked Naito to the mat with strikes. Ibushi kicked Naito to the apron and teased a straightjacket German back into the ring. Naito blocked the straightjacket, but Ibushi hit a regular German off the second rope back inside for a near fall. 

Ibushi hit a bomaye and a last ride for a two count. Naito blocked a Kamigoye and hit valentia into a double down. Naito hit a series of elbows to the back of the neck, looking to set up Destino. Ibushi blocked an elbow and hit a thunderous lariat. 

Naito blocked another Kamigoye attempt. Naito hit Destino. Ibushi kicked out at two. 

Ibushi blocked another Destino. Ibushi hit a high kick and a v-trigger. Ibushi hit Kamigoye to the back of Naito’s head. Naito blocked a second Kamigoye and rolled Ibushi up for two. Ibushi hit a second Kamigoye. Naito kicked out. 

Ibushi hit a third Kamigoye and this time it was enough for the 1-2-3.

**********

El Desperado made his way to the ring after the match to challenge Ibushi for the main event of Thursday’s Anniversary show. 

Desperado said he finally won the IWGP Jr. title tonight, but the first time he had challenged for that title was years ago against Ibushi here in Osaka. 

Desperado said it’s customary for the Jr. Champion to wrestle the Heavyweight Champion at the anniversary show, but why not make it for the Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles?

Ibushi said anytime, anywhere, he accepts the challenge. He said he remembers that match with Desperado, and Desperado sucked back then. Ibushi said he’s a different man today and again said he’ll accept the chalenge at the anniversary show. 

Ibushi thanked the fans and closed the show by posing with his titles. 

Daily Update: Weekend shows, AEW Revolution, Jocephus

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

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WON NEWSLETTER: March 1, 2021 Observer Newsletter: 2020 Awards Issue, Elimination Chamber

The biggest and most-talked about issue of the year, the 2020 awards issue, is out today.  The issue covers the awards winners as voted on by the readership in these categories.  It also has all the top place winners for every category, comments on the awards for this year as well as a listing dating back to 1980 of all the awards winners in all the different categories.

We also have the performer and match of the week.

WWE Elimination Chamber show, with notes on direction, business, interest level, poll results and star ratings.

Also in this issue:

The new television war in Canada on Wednesday, how the first week went and what to look for, details on the WWE’s A&E Documentaries, who is being covered and more, reaction to Undertaker’s comments about current wrestlers being soft, migration of WWE Network to Peacock, Sasha Banks talks wanting to quit a few years ago, WWE business approaches, how WWE & AEW are doing as compared to televised sports this past week, Bill Goldberg on TV, notes on lots of new signees and are starting in camp including some not revealed yet, new WWE Network event, update on the Vince McMahon/Oliver Luck legal case, Ric Flair on why he doesn’t talk to the other Horsemen, Arn Anderson talks why a major international star flopped in WWE, WWE wins awards, the current WWE market value and the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.

This past week’s UFC show, the background, how it affects fighters going forward, and details behind the late changes in the show.

Television ratings of the past week, including segment-by-segment numbers for the past two weeks on Wednesday, who was watching in different age groups, how different segments did on Raw & Smackdown and more.

ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

Garrett Gonzales and I did our usual Friday show yesterday talking the 2020 Observer Awards with Tony Khan as well as talked the last year of the promotion with a lot of behind-the-scenes stories including about talent performing at the beginning of the pandemic, the writing of the Brodie Lee Memorial Show, initial reaction of Garrett giving both of us the weekly ratings and other fun stuff.

AEW tickets for Revolution were put on sale this morning and sold out instantly.  It was around 1,095 tickets (unofficial number) and some are reserved for local sponsors and those who work with and for the Jaguars so paid would be a little less than that.  There are 96 tickets left for Wednesday’s Dynamite tapings with Shaq at the moment of writing this, , so that will end up being sold out as well. (thanks to Bill Zdon)

There are three wrestling deaths to report of name wrestlers of the 50s, 60s and 70s. Jumping Johnny DeFazio of Pittsburgh, who Bruno Sammartino thought could have been a big star but he had a regular job in the city and didn’t want to travel, passed away at 80.  He was a union  leader with the Steelworkers and later an Allegheny County Council President. Don Serrano, who worked all over the world for 34 years, passed away.  He had to be close to 90.  Art “Boom Boom” Michalik, who was an All-Pro NFL player and an Olympic hopeful in wrestling for the 1952 games, a name pro wrestler into the early 70s, and later a notable football coach at the high school level, passed away this week at the age of 91.  At one time in the 60s, Don Owen had Michalik, Don Manoukian (who played for the Raiders), Curtis Iaukea (a star at Cal) and The Destroyer (a star at Syracuse) all together.  Jim Otto, who was an NFL legend as one of the great centers of all-time , came up there to talk Manoukian into coming to camp and they ended up almost talking him out of going to camp with all the fun they had touring Oregon wrestling.  They almost got him wrestling as a German heel.  We will have stories on all three in next week’s issue. All three have very notable life stories.

Smackdown tonight has Bianca Belair making her choice for WrestleMania, which would presumably be Sasha Banks, plus Chad Gable & Otis vs. Rey & Dominik Mysterio and the  Street Profits vs. King Corbin & Sami Zayn. 205 Live was taped Wednesday with August Grey vs. Tony Nese and Curt Stallion & Masoor vs. Ever-Rise.

New Japan Castle Attack from Osaka Castle Hall tonight is at 2 a.m. Eastern on New Japan World. There will be live English language coverage with Kevin Kelly:

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Will Ospreay & Great O’Khan & Jeff Cobb
  • Tanga Loa vs. Yoshi-Hashi
  • Tama Tonga vs. Hirooki Goto
  • Toru Yano vs. Chase Owens in a KOPW title match where the object is to remove the turnbuckle pads
  • Jay White vs. Tomohiro Ishii
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Evil

Tomorrow has the second night of Castle Attack at midnight, which means prime time at 9 p.m. Pacific:

  • Ospreay & Cobb vs. Kojima & Tenzan
  • Okada & Ishii & Yano vs Evil & White & Owens
  • Tonga & Loa vs. Yoshi-Hashi & Goto for IWGP tag titles
  • Tanahashi vs. O’Khan for Never Open weight title
  • El Phantasmo vs. Desperado vs. Bushi for vacant IWGP jr. title
  • Kota Ibushi vs.  Tetsuya Naito for IC title

Tonight is the biggest episode of New Japan Strong in its history starting at 10 p.m. on New Japan World or on FITE TV with Jon Moxley vs. KENTA for the U.S. title, Ren Narita vs. Chris Dickinson and Brody King & ACH & The Riegel Twins vs. The DKC & Kevin Knight & Clark Connors & TJP

The highest segment on Wednesday night was the brawl with Sting & Darby Allin vs. Team Taz.  It wasn’t the high quarter, but the brawl itself averaged 1,002,000 viewers and 512,000 in 18-49.  A Matt Jackson promo and the Britt Baker vs Nyla Rosa ring entrances also topped 500,000 in 18-49.  Parts of Adam Page vs. Isaiah Kassidy also topped 1 million viewers.

UFC weigh-ins for tomorrow’s show which will be on ESPN+ starting at 6 p.m. Eastern:

  • Dustin Jacoby (204.5) vs. Maxim Grishin (210.5) – Grishim missed by 4.5 pounds and forfeits 30 percent of his purse
  • Vince Cachero (135.5) vs. Ronnie Lawrence (135.5)
  • Alexis Davis (135) vs. Sabina Mazo (135.5)
  • Alexander Hernandez (156) vs. Thiago Moises (155.5)
  • Alex Caceres (146) vs. Kevin Croom (145.5)
  • Angela Hill (116) vs. Ashley Yoder (116)
  • Pedro Munhoz (135.5) vs. Jimmie Rivera (135.5)
  • Montana De La Rose (126) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva (125.5)
  • Nikita Krylov (205.5) vs. Magomed Ankalaev (205.5)
  • Jairzinho Rozenstruik (254.5) vs. Ciryl Gane (247)

The scheduled Alex Oliveira vs.  Ramazan Kuramagomedov fight is off as Kuramagomedov was taken ill this morning.

ROH has a major TV show syndicated this weekend with two title bouts with Rush vs. Shane Taylor for the ROH title and Jonathan Gresham & Jay Lethal vs. Kenny King & Dragon Lee for the tag titles.

Here are the BetOnline.ag odds for AEW Revolution:

  • Kenny Omega -500 vs. Jon Moxley +300
  • Young Bucks -250 vs. Jericho & MJF +170
  • Adam Page -300 vs. Matt Hardy +200
  • Sting & Darby Allin -400 vs. Brian Cage & Ricky Starks +250
  • Best Friends -160 vs. Kip Sabian & Miro +120

WWE

UFC

  • Deiveson Figueiredo is a -235 favorite against Brandon Moreno for their flyweight title rematch at sportsbetting.ag

OTHER NOTES

  • This story regarding an award given to Tiger Jeet Singh Sr., who was a huge star in Japan and Canada during the 70s, got mainstream media coverage in Japan.  Slam Wrestling has the story of a special presentation on Thursday to Tiger Jeet Singh, Tiger Ali Singh and the Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation by Japan, receiving the Consul-General’s Commendation.
  • CNN has a profile on the art/wrestling journal Orange Crush.
  • Kevin Eck’s weekly look at the ROH news.
  • SWE Fury TV Show results from this week’s episode 207 Charlie Hass defeated Gino Valentino by submission Andrew Anderson was disqualified in his match vs Action Jackson Moonshine Mantell vs Max Castellanos fought to a no contest Malia Hosaka defeated Jazmin Allure Rodney Mac Defeated Niles Plonk to become the new SWE Fury SWE TV Champion.
  •  SWE is doing a TV Taping/Facebook PPV this Saturday Feb 27th from Carthage TX . Order information is at this link:
  • Ricky Knight’s WAW promotion appears to be in trouble and a story on how they are trying to keep it alive. (thanks to Lee Wall)
  • A Go Fund Me for the family of Tom Cole, who passed away last week due to suicide,  was set up by his sister.
  • There is also a Go Fund Me Memorial Fund for the family of Joseph “Josephus” Hudson aka The Question Mark in NWA. The goal was $15,000 for burial and medical costs but it had raised $26,000 as of earlier today with major donors including David Arquette, Victor Deaton, Tony Falk, Cody Runnels, Shaun Ricker, David Lagana, Jimmy’s Seafood Restaurant, and many others.  More money raised will go to a trust fund for his 10-year-old son.
  • Jake Roberts, Jim Duggan, Lisa Marie Varon and Matt Taven have been announced for the 2021 WrestleCon convention.
  • The Wrestling Estate reported that ECWA, UWA Elite and Synergy Pro Wrestling have announced the creation of a Territory Championship that will be defended throughout New Jersey and the surrounding area.
  • A story on a George Romero pro wrestling television show pilot that resurfaced. (thanks to Joe Puccio)
  • Legacy Fighting announced a 3/12 show in Shawnee, OK at the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort airing live on Fight Pass with A.J. Dobson (5-0) vs. Maika Graf (8-1) in a middleweight main event.
  • NFC on 3/20 at District in Midtown Atlanta.
  • Calvin Tankman vs. Laredo Kid was announced for Wednesday’s MLW Fusion TV show.
  • John Lineker vs. Stephen Loman is set for the 4/28 ONE show in Singapore which will be airing live on TNT right after Dynamite on 4/27.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: British Bulldog becomes first WWF European Champion

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Tetsuya Naito injured, off February 22 NJPW Road to Castle Attack

Posted on by Ethan Renner

NJPW announced this evening that Tetsuya Naito will miss the Monday, February 22 Road to Castle Attack event at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. 

Naito suffered a knee injury in a tag match on the February 16 Road to Castle Attack event at Korakuen and has not wrestled since. 

Naito had been scheduled to team with SANADA against Kota Ibushi and Tomoaki Honma in the semi-main event of Monday’s show. Instead, SANADA will now face Honma in a singles bout. 

Naito is currently scheduled to face Ibushi for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship on the Castle Attack event at Osaka-Jo Hall on Sunday, February 28. On the February 17 Road to Castle Attack show at Korakuen, Naito addressed the crowd prior to the first match and apologized for not being able to participate in his scheduled tag bout that night. He addressed Ibushi directly in that promo and NJPW’s Chris Charlton speculated that Naito seemed committed to making the event in Osaka. 

NJPW has held 24 events in the first 51 days of 2021. They have 40 more events scheduled over the next 73 days.

NJPW Road to Castle Attack results: Ibushi & Nagata vs. LIJ

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Recommended matches —

  • Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi vs. Kota Ibushi & Yuji Nagata 

Report —

Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI & Yuya Uemura defeated Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & Jado (8:57)

This wasn’t good, but I’ll say this for Jado — he’s moving much better than he has in recent years. 

Jado and Uemura began as the legal men. Goto and YH stopped G.O.D. from interfering. Jado hit a tackle and cut Uemura off. G.O.D. brawled with Goto and YH on the outside. Bullet Club spent several minutes working on Uemura. 

Uemura came back with a dropkick and tagged Goto. Goto hit a bulldog for a near fall on Tama. Goto and YH double teamed an interfering Tanga. YH got a tag and got triple teamed by G.O.D. and Jado. Jado hit a draping DDT for a near fall. 

Uemura stopped Jado from using a kendo stick as everyone jumped in at the finish. YH hit a lariat for a two count, then used the butterfly lock to submit Jado. 

Great-O-Khan, Will Ospreay & Jeff Cobb (w/Bea Priestley) defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Yota Tsuji (9:28)

This was paint-by-numbers. 

United Empire attacked while Tanahashi was posing on the ropes during his entrance. Tenzan and Ospreay ended up the legal men. After a short triple team on Ospreay, Tenzan found himself on the wrong side of the ring and being worked over by United Empire. 

O-Khan taunted Tenzan with Mongolian chops. Cobb joined in and hit Tenzan with Mongolian chops. Ospreay tagged in and hit some as well. Tenzan came back with a wheel kick on Ospreay. 

O-Khan and Tana got tags. Tana hit a high cross for a near fall. They traded strikes. O-Khan blocked a slingblade and used a kneebar. Tana forced a break. Cobb tagged in and was hit with a dragon screw. Tana tagged out to Tsuji. 

Tsuji used a dropkick on Cobb. Cobb was tripled up on. Tsuji hit a splash for a near fall. Cobb got rolled up for a two count and placed in a crab. Cobb forced a break. 

Cobb hit a spin cycle for a two count. All six men were in. O-Khan used a claw to drag Tana to the floor. Cobb then hit Tour of the Islands for the pin. 

SANADA, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI defeated Yujiro Takahashi, El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori (9:55)

I’m not advocating for these Road to shows to be longer, but with about five extra minutes this could have been a good match. Instead, it was a standard house show undercard tag that felt too quick. 

Ishimori and ELP tried to double team BUSHI at the opening bell. BUSHI and Hiromu fought them off. Yujiro caught BUSHI with a boot from the apron and Bullet Club turned this into a ringside brawl. 

Back in, Ishimori teased going after BUSHI’s mask. Yujiro tagged in for more of the same. ELP tagged in for some of his comedy spots. Ishimori and ELP tagged in and out and continued the assault. 

BUSHI made a tag after a step-up enzuigiri on ELP. Hiromu got a hot tag and took on Ishimori and ELP 1-on-2. He hit a double shotgun dropkick and avoided ELP’s airplane spin neckbreaker. 

SANADA and Yujiro tagged in for the closing sequence. Each bit the other’s hand.Yujiro hit a basement dropkick and fisherman buster for a two count. SANADA avoided Miami Shine and landed on his feet off a suplex. LIJ hit a triple dropkick. 

ELP, Ishimori, Hiromu and BUSHI brawled to the floor. SANADA used Skull End with a body scissors for the submission win. 

ELP gave Hiromu and ELP t-shirt after the match. That was kind of him. 

EVIL, Jay White, Chase Owens & Dick Togo (w/Gedo) defeated Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & SHO (14:28)

This was the best match on the show to this point. 

Bullet Club kicked the ring announcer out of the ring as CHAOS made their entrance, but the cameras missed it. Bullet Club wisely retreated out of the ring as CHAOS entered to avoid a sneak attack before the bell. 

All eight brawled around the ring. Owens again teased a strap match with Yano, using the strap on the outside. Yano ended up getting a Bullet Club beatdown in the ring. EVIL sent him into an exposed buckle. Owens tagged in and repeated the spot with a second exposed buckle. 

Owens attached himself to Yano with the strap. The referee untied them after a couple of comedy spots. Ishii and White tagged in. Ishii was sent into the turnbuckle. SHO entered for a double team and hit a jumping knee strike. Ishii used a powerslam. 

White avoided a vertical drop brainbuster and hit a DDT after an intricate series of counters and teases between the two. White hit a DVD. Ishii came back with a vertical suplex. 

Okada and EVIL got tags. Okada hit a running back elbow. EVIL dumped Okada over the post to the floor and Okada landed awkwardly. EVIL went after Okada’s left leg. EVIL ducked a Rainmaker and avoided a dropkick. Okada avoided Darkness Falls. EVIL hit a misdirection lariat. Okada hit a DDT. 

SHO and Togo tagged in and had a very nice exchange. CHAOS went 4-on-1 against Togo. EVIL jumped in for the save and hit Everything is EVIL on SHO. He then took out Okada with a lariat. 

With SHO down after taking EVIL’s finisher, Togo covered SHO for the pin. 

White and Gedo choked Ishii with a scarf after the match. EVIL put Okada in the Darkness Scorpion. Owens attacked Yano with the strap. Bullet Club stood tall. 

Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi defeated Kota Ibushi & Yuji Nagata (16:26)

Naito and Ibushi began the match with mat work, as they did yesterday. It was very good and different than anything that anyone in the promotion is doing right now aside from Sabre. Their grappling ended in a stalemate. 

Nagata and Shingo tagged in. Naito entered for an illegal double team to help Shingo gain the advantage. Naito went after Ibushi on the outside and sent him into the barricade. Naito tagged in for a long chinlock on Nagata. 

Shingo fired off some short, taunting strikes to Nagata. Nagata fired up and hit a kitchen sink. Ibushi and Naito got tags. Naito worked on Ibushi’s left leg with a low dropkick and other kicks. Ibushi hit a mid kick and standing moonsault for a near fall. 

Naito escaped a last ride attempt. Naito hit another low dropkick and did a weird delayed sell of an Ibushi mid kick to set up a double down. Shingo tagged in and continued to target the left leg. Ibushi hit a snap rana and tagged out. 

Nagata hit a boot in the corner and a suplex for a near fall. Shingo blocked another boot and hit a dragon screw. Nagata fought off a figure four and landed a series of kicks. Naito hit an exploder. Shingo answered with a lariat. 

They traded strikes. Nagata missed an enzuigiri and Shingo hit a sliding lariat. Naito cut off a tag to Ibushi from Nagata and hit a combinacion. Nagata blocked Destino and used a Nagata Lock. Shingo broke up the hold with elbows. Ibushi entered, but Naito took out his leg with a dropkick. 

Naito used a jackknife cradle for a near fall as Ibushi saved. Naito then hit Destino for the pin and mocked Nagata’s salute as he held the pin. 

Naito closed the show with a promo. 

Full cards announced for NJPW Castle Attack nights one and two

Posted on by Joseph Currier

NJPW has revealed the full lineups for both nights of their next major event.

Castle Attack is taking place at Osaka-jo Hall in Osaka, Japan on Saturday, February 27 and Sunday, February 28. For the first time since Wrestle Kingdom 14’s double title match, the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Champion will defend only one of his titles. Double champion Kota Ibushi’s Intercontinental title will be on the line against Tetsuya Naito in the main event of Castle Attack night two.

After Ibushi retained both of his titles against SANADA at the New Beginning in Hiroshima night two this week, Naito challenged Ibushi to the Intercontinental Championship match. Ibushi has said his dream is to unify the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental titles, while Naito wants them to be kept separate.

Ibushi became IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Champion by defeating Naito at Wrestle Kingdom 15 night one last month.

Three other title matches will also take place at Castle Attack night two. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi will defend his title against El Phantasmo, Hiroshi Tanahashi will defend his NEVER Openweight Championship against The Great O-Khan, and IWGP Tag Team Champions The Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) will put their titles on the line against Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI.

Night one of Castle Attack will be headlined by Kazuchika Okada vs. EVIL. Jay White vs. Tomohiro Ishii will be the semi-main event.

Both nights of Castle Attack will air live on NJPW World. Night one will begin at 2 a.m. Eastern time. Night two will start at midnight Eastern.

Here are the full cards for both shows:

Castle Attack night one (Saturday, February 27) —

  • Kazuchika Okada vs. EVIL
  • Jay White vs. Tomohiro Ishii
  • KOPW 2021 trophy holder Toru Yano defends against Chase Owens
  • Hirooki Goto vs. Tama Tonga
  • YOSHI-HASHI vs. Tanga Loa
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs. The Great O-Khan, Will Ospreay & Jeff Cobb

Castle Attack night two (Sunday, February 28) —

  • IWGP Intercontinental Champion Kota Ibushi defends against Tetsuya Naito
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi defends against El Phantasmo
  • NEVER Openweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi defends against The Great O-Khan
  • IWGP Tag Team Champions The Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) defend against Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI
  • Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano vs. EVIL, Jay White & Chase Owens
  • Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs. Will Ospreay & Jeff Cobb

Double title main event set for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 night two

Posted on by Joseph Currier

For the first time in his career, Kota Ibushi is IWGP Heavyweight Champion.

Ibushi defeated Tetsuya Naito in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 15 night one to win both the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental titles. With that, the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 15 night two is now official. Ibushi will defend both titles against Jay White.

After the night one main event, Naito took both title belts from the referee before presenting them to Ibushi. White then confronted Ibushi. White cut a promo telling Ibushi to enjoy this moment — because it’s only going to last for one night. White said that every time Ibushi is about to reach the heights he’s aiming for, White will be there to pull him back down.

Ibushi then cut a promo to close the show. Ibushi vowed that his title reign won’t end after one night. He thanked Naito for their match, the fans for being there in these difficult times, and said White is finished.

Ibushi won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship one year after coming up short at Wrestle Kingdom 14. Ibushi unsuccessfully challenged Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight title at Wrestle Kingdom 14 night one. Naito then defeated Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 14 night two to become a double champion.

Ibushi lost to White at Wrestle Kingdom 14 night two. Ibushi won the 2020 G1 Climax, but White later defeated him for the Wrestle Kingdom 15 double title shot contract.

Prior to losing to Ibushi, Naito had been double champion since regaining the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles from EVIL at August’s Summer Struggle in Jingu.

Wrestle Kingdom 15 will begin at 3 a.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, January 5. Here’s the full card for the show:

  • IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Champion Kota Ibushi defends both titles against Jay White
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori defends against Hiromu Takahashi
  • SANADA vs. EVIL
  • NEVER Openweight Champion Shingo Takagi defends against Jeff Cobb
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru defend against Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato
  • KOPW 2021 four-way match: Chase Owens vs. Bad Luck Fale vs. BUSHI vs. Toru Yano
  • Stardom dark match: Mayu Iwatani & Tam Nakano vs. Giulia & Syuri
  • Stardom dark match: Utami Hayashishita, Saya Kamitani & AZM vs. Maika, Himeka & Natsupoi

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 night one live results: Naito vs. Ibushi

Posted on by Ethan Renner

NJPW’s biggest event of the year, Wrestle Kingdom, begins tonight in the Tokyo Dome. 

In the main event, IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Champion Tetsuya Naito will defend both titles against Kota Ibushi, the G1 Climax 30 winner. Ibushi lost the right to challenge for the titles when Jay White beat him for the G1 briefcase at Power Struggle in November 2020. 

Naito later held a press conference where he threatened to boycott the event unless he was given a chance to defend against Ibushi and the match was later sanctioned. 

The winner will go on to defend both titles against Jay White in tomorrow’s main event of night two. 

In the semi-main, Kazuchika Okada will face Will Ospreay. This match was set up when Ospreay beat Okada on the final night of A Block action in the G1 in October 2020. Ospreay turned against his stablemate Okada, siding with Bea Priestley, Great-O-Khan and later Jeff Cobb to form the new Empire faction. 

Speaking of O-Khan, he gets his toughest test since returning from excursion when he face Hiroshi Tanahashi tonight. 

KENTA will defend his right to challenge certificate for the IWGP United States Championship against Satoshi Kojima, while Taichi and Zack Sabre Jr. will defend the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team titles against 2020 World Tag League winners Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa. 

In the first match on the main card, Best of the Super Jrs. 27 winner Hiromu Takahashi will face 2020 Super J-Cup winner El Phantasmo. The winner of that bout will go on to face Taiji Ishimori tomorrow for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight title. 

The pre-show match is the New Japan Ranbo, a 22-man elimination match with timed entrances. Eliminations can take place via pinfall, submission or being thrown over the top rope. The final four competitors will go on to face off in a four-way on tomorrow’s show for the provisional KOPW 2021 title. 

Our live coverage begins with the pre-show at 2 a.m. Eastern time. 

**********

New Japan Ranbo: Chase Owens, BUSHI, Bad Luck Fale & Toru Yano were the final four and advance to tomorrow’s KOPW 2021 match (34:40)

This was an enjoyable battle royal. It did go a little long for my taste. 

The production team did well with getting shots of entrances and eliminations up until the very end when guys started getting thrown out left and right. 

This was advertised as a 22-man match on NJPW’s site, yet there were only 21 entrants. 

Nagata and Suzuki battler to the apron. Henare clotheslined them off for the first eliminations. Nagata and Suzuki continued fighting on their way to the back. 

Ishii threw Henare out over the top rope. Makabe eliminated Goto and YH with a double clothesline over the top rope. Honma and Tenzan teamed up to eliminate Makabe. 

DOUKI was disqualified for using his steel pipe as a weapon on Romero. 

BUSHI low-bridged Yujiro out of the ring. Ishii and Owens fought on the apron. Fale knocked Ishii off the apron for an elimination. Fale then threw out Tenzan, Romero, SHO and Tiger Mask in short order.

The Young Lions teamed up to try to take out Fale. Instead, Fale threw out Kidd, Uemura and Tsuji.  

Yano was the final entry and never made it into the ring, as only three competitors remained. 

I would ask those who were critical of this, what is the ratio of good to bad battle royals you have seen in your life? There aren’t a lot of good ones. 

Order of entry —

  • Chase Owens
  • Tomohiro Ishii
  • Minoru Suzuki
  • Yuji Nagata
  • Toa Henare
  • Hirooki Goto
  • Yujiro Takahashi
  • YOSHI-HASHI
  • Togi Makabe
  • Tomoaki Honma
  • Hiroyoshi Tenzan
  • Rocky Romero
  • DOUKI
  • SHO
  • BUSHI
  • Tiger Mask
  • Bad Luck Fale
  • Gabriel Kidd
  • Yuya Uemura
  • Yota Tsuji
  • Toru Yano

Order of elimination —

  • Yuji Nagata
  • Minoru Suzuki
  • Toa Henare
  • Hirooki Goto
  • YOSHI-HASHI
  • Togi Makabe
  • DOUKI
  • Yujiro Takahashi
  • Tomohiro Ishii
  • Tomoaki Honma
  • Hiroyoshi Tenzan
  • Rocky Romero 
  • SHO 
  • Tiger Mask
  • Gabriel Kidd
  • Yuya Uemura
  • Yota Tsuji

**********

Don Kinashi opened the main show as the special guest ring announcer. He introduced Riki Choshu, who walked to the ring with his grandson in his arms. 

The show began with a Don King impersonator, Riki Choshu and a baby in a tuxedo, as is tradition. 

They declared the show had started.

Next, we had a video package highlighting tonight’s matches and the safety precautions being taken. 

**********

Hiromu Takahashi defeated El Phantasmo to remain number one contender for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship (17:46)

Every move you can imagine was on display in this good back-and-forth battle. We also had the customary Bullet Club ref bump here in the opener. 

ELP rolled outside at the opening bell. He grabbed Hiromu’s BOSJ trophy and threw it. He then grabbed his own Super J-Cup jacket and demanded that Jushin Liger put it on him. While he was taunting, Hiromu landed a shotgun dropkick off the apron, sending ELP crashing through a gate and off the raised platform around ringside. 

Hiromu hit a seated senton off the top rope to the floor. He went for a sunset bomb, but ELP escaped and hit his own sunset bomb. ELP followed up with a beautiful Asai moonsault off the ropes to the ramp. 

ELP teased a terminator dive. Hiromu landed a shotgun dropkick in the ring. ELP answered by stomping away at various limbs. ELP walked the top rope. Hiromu responded by biting his hand and hitting a cradle driver off the top rope for a near fall. 

ELP did a finger break spot. He teased a Styles Clash. Instead, Hiromu blocked and hit a Dynamite Plunger for a two count. They traded thrust kicks. Hiromu hit a victory royal for a two count, but still sold the damage from the finger break spot and ELP stomping on his hand. 

ELP used a victory roll for a near fall. Hiromu hit a thrust kick. ELP teased an airplane spin neckbreaker. Hiromu blocked that, but fell victim to a bastard driver for a two count. 

They fought on the top rope. ELP bumped the referee, then hit two low blows to Hiromu. ELP hit a super rana off the top, then hit a frog splash for a two count. 

ELP tried CRII. Hiromu blocked and sat down for a two count. ELP then hit a Styles Clash for another near fall. He then hit a v-trigger and teased a One-Winged Angel. Hiromu escaped and hit a DVD into the buckle. 

ELP countered out of Time Bomb and used a bridge with his feet on the ropes for a close near fall. 

ELP went for CRII. Hiromu blocked and hit a hurricanrana, then trapped ELP’s legs for the pinfall. 

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match: Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa (w/Jado) defeated Taichi & Zack Sabre Jr. (w/DOUKI) to win the titles (19:18)

This was very long, but very good. Dangerous Tekkers sort of played babyfaceto make the match work rather than doing a deal where two heel teams tried to out-cheat each other. 

The teams and their respective seconds began brawling before the opening bell. Taichi and Sabre established the early upper hand, trading quick tags and using various chokeholds on Tama. 

Jado provided a distraction from the outside and allowed Tama to tag out. Jado used a kendo stick on DOUKI on the floor. Tanga went to work on Taichi and GOD cut him off in their corner. Taichi as babyface in peril is something to see. 

Taichi hit a jumping high kick in the corner and tagged Sabre. Sabre has a heck of a babyface hot tag. He used a European clutch on Tama for a near fall. Sabre used an octopus on Tama. Tanga saved with an attack from behind. Sabre was then cut off and worked over. 

Sabre tried to use a guillotine on Tanga. Instead, Tanga broke the hold with a powerbomb. GOD hit Sabre with Guerrilla Warfare, but did not attempt a cover. Jado called for the super powerbomb. Tama set it up with a Stinger splash in the corner. Sabre used a guillotine on Tanga on the top rope. Taichi used a stretch plum on Tama. 

Sabre and Taichi hit a stacked-up superplex on Tanga for a near fall. Taichi then got a hot tag. All four guys jumped in as the match broke down. Tama hit a Gun Stun on Sabre. Taichi blocked a Gun Stun and hit a backdrop suplex on Tanga for a two count. Taichi took his trousers off. 

Tama jumped in with Taichi’s iron glove. He used it on Taichi. GOD then hit Apeshit and pinned Taichi to win the titles. 

GOD did a big celebration on top the dugout in the stadium. 

**********

A Jon Moxley video promo aired. 

Moxley said everyone who’s fought for the right to challenge him probably thought they’d get off easy, but they’re wrong. Mox said he’s the boogeyman of NJPW and whoever wins the contract tonight, he’s coming for them. 

**********

IWGP United States Championship right to challenge certificate match: KENTA defeated Satoshi Kojima (w/Hiroyoshi Tenzan) to retain the briefcase (14:12)

This was kept simple, with just a few big moves and lots of selling between the big spots. The match worked because of Kojima’s selling. 

KENTA tried some of his customary stalling at the outset. He got distracted by Tenzan at ringside and Kojima was able to use the distraction to get some early offense. 

KENTA used Kojima as a weapon on the outside, shoving him into Tenzan. KENTA then hit a DDT on the floor. Back in, KENTA hit a top rope clothesline for two. 

Kojima came back with some Mongolian chops and machine gun chops. KENTA went for his draping DDT. Kojima blocked and they fought on the apron. KENTA teased a vertical suplex on the apron. Kojima blocked and hit a DDT on the apron. 

Kojima hit a Koji Cutter for a near fall. Kojima teased a lariat. KENTA blocked and hit a powerslam. KENTA went outside and grabbed his briefcase. He bumped the ref and tried a briefcase shot. Kojima hit a lariat on the case and knocked it away. KENTA blocked one lariat. Kojima hit a left arm lariat for a near fall. 

KENTA ducked another lariat attempt and hit a busaiku knee. They traded strikes. KENTA hit another busaiku knee for another near fall. 

KENTA then followed with the Go 2 Sleep for the pin. 

**********

There was a commercial for NJPW Strong Spirits, a mobile game coming in 2021. A promo also aired teasing the NJPW U.S. and U.K. television deal. The English announcers made reference to the color purple being significant to theTV deal. 

*****Intermission*****

Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Great-O-Khan (17:13)

This picked up when Tanahashi made his comeback. Tana is one of the best sellers of all time. But when he’s selling O-Khan’s goofy offense, it takes you out of the match. O-Khan has some building blocks that can be useful, but he needs to make his strikes look better. 

They started with some mat work. They established that O-Khan can hold his own on the mat. O-Khan tried to throw Tana over the top rope. Tana tried to skin the cat back in and O-Khan chopped his hands. 

O-Khan posted Tanahashi and hit a slam on the ramp. They did a countout tease, but Tana made it back in. O-Khan hit some of his wacky Mongolian chops. He used a kneebar, but Tana reached the ropes. 

O-Khan tried a kick. Tana blocked and teased a dragon screw. O-Khan slid out and went for another kick. Tana then hit a dragon screw. Tana hit a series of flying forearms, but sold damage to his knees from landing on them on the forearms. 

Tana hit a slam and a somersault senton for a near fall. O-Khan blocked a slingblade and drove Tana into the mat with a unique throw. O-Khan hit some more Mongolian chops. O-Khan used a kneebar. Tana forced a break. 

O-Khan hit an overhead throw, teasing dumping Tana to the floor. Tana skinned the cat this time, then hit twist and shout and a slingblade for a near fall. 

Tanahashi went up top, teasing a High Fly Flow. O-Khan cut him off and used the claw grip to pull Tana to the center of the ring. O-Khan used a cobra twist with the claw grip to the face still applied. O-Khan hit an inside-out back suplex for a near fall. 

O-Khan hit an inverted suplex for a two count, then grabbed a chair. O-Khan called for a Dominator on the chair. Tana slid out and hit another twist and shout. Tana teased using the chair, but tossed it outside. Tana then hit a dragon suplex for a near fall. 

Tana went up top and hit a High Fly Flow to the back. He flipped O-Khan over, then hit a second High Fly Flow. Tanahashi covered for the pin. 

Kazuchika Okada defeated Will Ospreay (w/Bea Priestley) (35:41)

This was excellent, as you might expect from two of the best to ever do it. A very brutal match with a lot of hard strikes. I need to watch this again, but the time flew by on first viewing. 

After locking up, Okada did his customary clean break on the ropes. Ospreay didn’t take kindly to being little brothered like that and fired off a strike. They traded a series of strikes. Okada hit a running back elbow and a DDT. 

Okada hit a rope-assisted tope con giro. Priestley started jawing at Okada as he climbed back inside. Ospreay used the distraction to hit a dropkick, sending Okada crashing to the floor. 

Ospreay and Priestley tore up some of the padding on the ring platform, exposing the wood. Ospreay teased a piledriver on the wood. Okada teased a DDT. Ospreay had to settle for a neckbreaker on a padded section of the platform. 

Red Shoes refused to count the pin as Ospreay threw Okada back in after the tactics on the outside. Ospreay hit a back suplex for a near fall. Ospreay used a chinlock and remained in control. 

Okada hit a backdrop at the ten minute call to turn the tide. Okada hit some bump-and-feed strikes, then a flapjack for a two count. Okada teased his air raid crash neckbreaker. Ospreay blocked. Okada hit a big boot, then hit the air raid crash for a two count. 

Ospreay came back with a pip pip cheerio. Ospreay hit a strike on the belt line, then hit a German into a bridge for a near fall. Ospreay went for a Storm Breaker. Okada hit a backdrop out, then hit heavy rain. 

The two traded strikes. Ospreay sat on the top rope. Okada hit a dropkick and Ospreay fell to the floor. Okada sent Ospreay into the barricade. Ospreay blocked a running boot. Okada avoided an Oscutter off the barricade and hit a Woo dropkick on the floor. 

Back inside, Okada hit a picture-perfect shotgun dropkick off the top rope. Ospreay fought off a tombstone attempt and hit a cheeky nando’s kick. Ospreay hit a reverse bloody sunday DDT for a near fall. 

Ospreay hit a hook kick. Okada hit a dropkick. A crazy sequence followed. Ospreay countered a dropkick attempt with a running powerbomb for a near fall at the 20 minute call. The fight spilled back to the exposed platform on the outside. 

Ospreay teased a suplex on the timekeeper’s table. Okada teased a tombstone on the exposed platform. Ospreay suplexed Okada over the barricade and through two timekeeper’s tables. Both guys were down on the floor on the other side of the barricade. 

Ospreay dragged Okada back to the ring. Ospreay hit a springboard forearm strike off the top rope to the back of the head for a near fall. Ospreay hit a running powerbomb for another two count. Ospreay teased a Storm Breaker off the apron to the exposed floor, but Okada blocked. 

Ospreay teased an Oscutter off the post to the apron. Okada blocked and hit a tombstone on the apron at the 25 minute call. 

Okada jumped back in the ring. Ospreay beat the count in at 18,  but ran right into a short Rainmaker. Ospreay ducked another Rainmaker, but Okada hit a dropkick. Okada used a Money Clip. Ospreay slid out, but right into a spinning tombstone. 

Okada went back to the Money Clip. Priestley jumped on the apron. Okada threw Ospreay in Priestley and she took a bump off the apron. Okada maintained the Money Clip. After a long struggle, Ospreay reached the bottom rope to force a break. 

The story now was that Ospreay was out of gas, while Okada still had plenty in the tank. 

Okada hit a series of heavy forearm strikes. Okada hit some short kicks at the 30 minute call. Ospreay tried to fire up with strikes. Okada no-sold the strikes and hit a slam. Okada went to the top rope. Ospreay cut him off and they traded strikes. Ospreay hit a running boot. 

Ospreay hit a top rope Spanish Fly for a near fall. Okada blocked an Oscutter. Ospreay escaped a Money Clip, then connected with an Oscutter. Okada kicked out at two. 

Ospreay hit a series of strikes from the mount. He followed with short kicks to the face. Red Shoes tried to intervene, so Ospreay threw him down.  Ospreay hit a sick strike to the brain stem. Ospreay teased a Hidden Blade, but Okada caught him with a dropkick. 

Ospreay ducked a spinning Rainmaker and went up top. Okada caught Ospreay coming off the top with another dropkick. Ospreay escaped a Money Clip and hit a tombstone and a Rainmaker for a near fall at the 35 minute call. 

Okada blocked a Storm Breaker and hit a sit-out tombstone. He followed immediately with a Rainmaker for the pin. 

IWGP Heavyweight & IWGP Intercontinental Championship double title match: Kota Ibushi defeated Tetsuya Naito to win the titles (31:18)

This was very good. They were in a tough spot having to follow the last match. They had a much safer match than any from their 2019 series. 

They started with some mat work, bringing the crowd down a bit after the last match. 

The pace picked up and they fought to the floor. They did a series of counters and teases on the apron and the floor, befofre Naito hit a belly-to-back suplex on the ramp. Ibushi made it back in at 15. 

Naito used a headscissors on the mat, then hit a series of elbows in the corner. Ibushi fought out of a DDT and hit a jumping mid kick and a standing moonsault for a near fall at the 10 minute call. 

Naito hit a wicked back elbow. He tried a follow-up combinacion cabron in the corner. Ibsuhi cut him off with a lariat on the apron. Naito fell to the floor. Ibsuhi went outside after him. Naito hit a neckbreaker on the floor. Naito hit another neckbreaker off the apron to the floor, which looked sick. 

Back inside, Naito used a crucifix. Ibushi forced a rope break. Ibushi blocked a flying forearm and hit a German. Naito no-sold the German, but immediately fell victim to a double stomp from Ibushi. There was a double down at the 15 minute call. 

Ibushi hit a powerslam, but missed a moonsault. Naito applied Pluma Blanca. Ibushi forced a rope break. Naito hit a series of forearms and elbows to the neck, setting up for a later Destino. Naito hit Gloria for a near fall. 

Naito tried to set up a top rope frankensteiner. Ibushi slid out and hit a backflip kick, sending Naito crashing to the mat and rolling to the apron. Ibushi teased a package driver on the apron. Naito blocked and hit a backdrop on the apron. Ibushi answered with a hurricanrana off the apron to the floor. They teased a countout, but Naito made it back in at 19. 

They fought on the ropes. Naito hit a reverse frankensteiner off the top rope. Naito teased a Destino. Ibushi blocked the attempt with two high kicks. Ibushi teased a Kamigoye. Naito avoided it and hit a Destino, but Ibushi kicked out. Naito went for a second Destino. Ibushi blocked and hit a bastard driver. They did another double down at the 25 minute call. 

They traded a series of strikes. Naito used a rolling capo kick. Ibushi answered with a lariat, then hit a last ride. Ibushi maintained wrist control after hitting the Last Ride. Ibushi hit a Kamigoye, but Naito kicked out at two. 

Ibushi missed a phoenix splash. Naito hit a second Destino, but Ibushi again kicked out. Ibushi slid out of a Destino attempt and hit a mid kick, then hit a second Kamigoye. Naito kicked out at two. 

At the 30 mnute call, Ibushi pulled his right knee pad down. Naito hit an enzuigiri and valentia. Naito went for another Destino. Ibushi slid out and hit a jumping knee strike. 

Ibushi then hit a third Kamigoye, covered and pinned Naito to win double IWGP gold. 

**********

Ibushi sold his victory as though he was in a trance. It was really quite an artistic performance. 

Things got weird for a second when Ibushi tried to pin Naito after he came out of his trance. 

Red Shoes went to present Ibushi with the title belts. Naito took the belts from Red Shoes. After a tense moment, Naito handed the belts to Ibushi and raised the new champ’s arm. 

Jay White entered with Gedo. White said that Ibushi’s reign will last for one night. He said he’s taking everything from Ibushi tomorrow. He said Ibushi won’t become God tomorrow, White will expose him as a fraud. White said every time Ibushi is about to reach the pinnacle, Jay will be there to pull him down. 

White said Ibushi will help him fulfill his destino tomorrow when Jay becomes God. Jay said Ibushi will breathe with the Switchblade tomorrow. 

Ibushi then took the mic as White and Gedo retreated to the aisle. 

Ibushi thanked Naito. He said his reign will not end after one day. He thanked the crowd for being there in such trying times. Ibushi promised to keep the titles tomorrow and to become God tomorrow night. 

The show ended with fireworks and Ibushi posing on the entrance stage with both titles. 

Tokyo Sports reveals 2020 award winners

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Tokyo Sports has announced their annual awards, with Tetsuya Naito winning top honors.

This year’s MVP award goes to Naito, who defeated Kazuchika Okada to win the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles at Wrestle Kingdom 14. He held those titles for most of the year, minus a short EVIL run with the titles during the summer. 

The Okada/Naito bout from January 5 won Match of the Year. This marks the eighth time Okada has won the award, tying with Kenta Kobashi, The only person who has won the award more times is Genichiro Tenryu with nine.

Hiromu Takahashi, who returned from a major neck injury, won the Fighting Spirit award.

Stars from other promotions won the rest of the awards. Current GHC Heavyweight champion Go Shiozaki won the Outstanding Performer of the Year. DDT star Tetsuya Endo won the Technique award. Giulia from Stardom won the Women’s Wrestling Grand Prize, while Takashi Sugiura & Kazushi Sakuraba won Tag Team of the year.

No winner for the Newcomer award was named.

Three matches confirmed for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Three matches have been set for the January 4 and January 5 Wrestle Kingdom 15 cards.

It has been confirmed that Kota Ibushi will face Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Heavyweight title and the IWGP Intercontinental title on the first night of Wrestle Kingdom. In a press conference last night, Naito challenged Ibushi, saying that even though he had lost the briefcase, he did win the G1 in back-to-back years, and wanted revenge as that was something he had never done. He threatened to boycott both shows if he didn’t get the match.

Will Ospreay vs. Kazuchika Okada was also set for January 4. Ospreay challenged Okada at Power Struggle after Okada had defeated the Great O-Khan. Ospreay turned on Okada during the G1 Climax tournament, turning his back on his former CHAOS stablemate and forming his own stable with O-Khan and Bea Priestley The Empire.

Jay White, who won the Wrestle Kingdom 15 contract briefcase from Kota Ibushi at Power Struggle, will face either Tetsuya Naito or Kota Ibushi on January 5. That will depend on who is champion following the January 4 main event.

Title shot contract changes hands at NJPW Power Struggle

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Jay White has beaten Kota Ibushi to win the contract that will grant him a double title match at Wrestle Kingdom 15, challenging Naito for January 5.

White scored the shock win after he blocked a kamigoye attempt by Ibushi. He instead countered with a backslide and put his feet on the ropes to score the win. 

After the match, White openly taunted Ibushi with the briefcase. White celebrated on his way out, while a dejected Ibushi sulked to the back.

This is the first time that the Wrestle Kingdom contract briefcase has changed hands. Earlier on tonight’s show, KENTA defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi, successfully defending his briefcase that will give him a title shot against the current champion, Jon Moxley.

After Tetsuya Natio retained both of the Intercontinental and Heavyweight titles in the main event, Jay White came out and raised Naito’s hand. He said on January 4, he would take the day off. He then said on January 5, he would challenge for both championships. 

Kota Ibushi then emerged. White reiterated that he had won the contract title briefcase and Ibushi had lost. Ibushi chased him and manager Gedo away, implying that their feud wasn’t done.

NJPW Power Struggle live results: Naito vs. EVIL, Ibushi vs. White

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Provisional KOPW 2020 Championship no corner pads match: Toru Yano defeated Zack Sabre Jr. via countout to retain the title (12:11)

I like Yano comedy more than the average person but this was no good. 

Sabre sent Yano into all four exposed buckles. Yano then tried to attach a corner pad. Yano then tried to use a pad as a weapon. They bralwed outside and Sabre got sent into the barricade. 

They did some comedy with Yano trying to attach another corner pad. Yano sprayed hand sanitizer in Sabre’s eyes and tried to steal a win by countout. Sabre made it back in. 

Sabre used a clutch hold and a cradle for near falls. They did a long submission tease off an ankle lock and heel hook from Sabre. 

Sabre tried to use a kneebar through the barricade. Yano tied Sabre’s shoelaces around the barricade. With Sabre trapped, Yano beat the count back inside and stole the win. 

NEVER Openweight Championship match: Shingo Takagi defeated Minoru Suzuki to win the title (18:56)

This was great. They worked a crazy pace for almost 20 minutes. Suzuki put Shingo over in a way that he rarely does for anyone, selling the beating as he stumbled to the back after the match. 

They started throwing bombs at the opening bell. Suzuki backed Shingo into the corner and hit a series of headbutts. Shingo no-sold and hit some strikes in the corner. 

Suzuki came back with an armbar over the ropes. Suzuki kicked Shingo off the apron and sent him into the barricade. Back in, Suzuki went for a PK but Shingo caught the kick. Shingo hit a back suplex and a dragon elbow. 

They traded strikes. Suzuki teased a Gotch-style piledriver. Shingo escaped and tried a sliding lariat but missed. Suzuki got a choke. He again tried for a piledriver but Shingo powered him up into a DVD. Suzuki no-sold and landed a running boot. both men collapsed. This was a great sequence. 

Suzuki went after the taped area on Shingo’s lower back. Shingo hit a sliding lariat. He went for Made in Japan but the back gave out. Suzuki hit a big boot and went for a single-leg crab. Shingo made the ropes. 

Suzuki busted out a dropkick before locking on a Boston crab. Suzuki transitioned to a single-leg variation with a high angle. Shingo powered his way to the ropes for a break near the 15 minute call. 

Suzuki used a rear naked choke. Shingo fought off a Gotch piledriver but his back gave out again. They traded headbutts. Shingo hit a big shoulder tackle. 

Shingo hit three big lariats but Suzuki would not go down. They traded strikes. Shingo hit a Pumping Bomber. Suzuki stumbled but did not completely go down. Shingo hit a stiff forearm to the back of the head and Suzuki sold as though he had been knocked loopy. 

Shingo hoisted Suzuki up for Last of the Dragon. After a struggle, he hit it, then covered for the pin. 

Kazuchika Okada defeated Great-O-Khan (w/Will Ospreay) via ref stoppage (13:01)

The weakest part of O-Khan’s game is his offense. He doesn’t have much aside from Mongolian chops. O-Khan was on offense for most of the match, so this wasn’t clicking. 

O-Khan used a Money Clip almost right away but Okada reached the ropes. 

O-Khan used a lot of Mongolian chops and a sliding dropkick in the corner in working Okada over. Okada got one hope spot with an air raid crash neckbreaker, but otherwise this was all O-Khan. 

Okada came back with a dropkick and a tombstone. Okada tried the Money Clip but O-Khan forced a break with an iron claw. O-Khan hit an inverted suplex. 

Okada escaped the claw and hit a spinning Rainmaker. Okada locked on the Money Clip. O-Khan tried to fight to the ropes. Okada hit a neckbreaker and locked the hold back on. The referee called for a stoppage as O-Khan passed out in the hold. 

**********

Ospreay cut a promo after the match. He said he used Okada to get more popular and it worked. He said he’s wearing an expensive suit, drinking expensive champagne and wearing an expensive watch. 

Ospreay said what could he do that would be even bigger than stabbing his big brother in the back? He said ending Okada’s career would be bigger. He tried to cut a 1986 Ric Flair promo, throwing his suit jacket, throwing his watch into the crowd. 

Ospreay challenged Okada at the Tokyo Dome. Okada accepted. 

**********

BOSJ and Super J-Cup lineups were announced just before intermission. 

BOSJ 27 lineups —

November 15

  • Hiromu Takahashi vs. Taiji Ishimori
  • Master Wato vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Ryusuke Taguchi vs. El Desperado
  • SHO vs. BUSHI
  • Robbie Eagles vs. DOUKI

November 18

  • Hiromu Takahashi vs. El Desperado
  • Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Taiji Ishimori
  • Master Wato vs. Robbie Eagles
  • SHO vs. DOUKI
  • BUSHI vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru

November 20

  • El Desperado vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Hiromu Takahashi vs. BUSHI
  • Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Master Wato
  • SHO vs. Robbie Eagles
  • Taiji Ishimori vs. DOUKI

November 23

  • Taiji Ishimori vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Ryusuke Taguchi vs. SHO
  • Master Wato vs. El Desperado
  • Robbie Eagles vs. BUSHI
  • Hiromu Takahashi vs. DOUKI

November 25

  • Robbie Eagles vs. Taiji Ishimori
  • Master Wato vs. DOUKI
  • Ryusuke Taguchi vs. BUSHI
  • SHO vs. El Desperado
  • Hiromu Takahashi vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru

November 29

  • Robbie Eagles vs. Hiromu Takahashi
  • Master Wato vs. SHO
  • Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • BUSHI vs. Taiji Ishimori
  • El Desperado vs. DOUKI

December 2

  • Taiji Ishimori vs. El Desperado
  • SHO vs. Hiromu Takahashi
  • Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Robbie Eagles
  • Master Wato vs. BUSHI
  • Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. DOUKI

December 5

  • Master Wato vs. Taiji Ishimori
  • Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Hiromu Takahashi
  • SHO vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Robbie Eagles vs. El Desperado
  • BUSHI vs. DOUKI

December 6

  • SHO vs. Taiji Ishimori
  • Master Wato vs. Hiromu Takahashi
  • Ryusuke Taguchi vs. DOUKI
  • Robbie Eagles vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru 
  • BUSHI vs. El Desperado

December 11

  • Top two point scorers meet in the finals

Super J-Cup  December 12 —

  • Karl Fredericks & Ren Narita vs. KENTA & Hikuleo

Super J-Cup first round

  • Clark Connors vs. Chris Bey
  • ACH vs. TJP
  • Rey Horus vs. Blake Christian
  • El Phantasmo vs. Lio Rush

**********

IWGP United States Championship right to challenge contract match: KENTA defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to retain the briefcase (19:57)

This was probably KENTA’s best match in NJPW so far. Just great professional wrestling. 

KENTA spent the first couple of minutes trying to mess up Tanahashi’s beautiful hair. Tanahashi hit a second rope crossbody and played air guitar. KENTA hit a boot to the head and played air bass. Tanahashi hit a plancha and played more air guitar. 

KENTA used a briefcase shot while the ref was distracted to take control of the match. Tanahashi came back with a dragon screw and somersault senton for a two count. 

Tanahashi went for a cloverleaf but KENTA reached the ropes. KENTA blocked a slingblade and rolled Tana up for a two count. KENTA hit a DDT over the top rope. He followed with a clothesline off the top for a near fall. 

KENTA went for Game Over. Tana forced a rope break before the hold could be applied. KENTA hit a powerslam for a pair of near falls. KENTA brought the briefcase into the ring. Tanahashi blocked a briefcase shot. KENTA got hit in the head with the case as the ref tried to take it away. They teased a possible DQ of Tanahashi. 

KENTA and Tana hit simultaneous clotheslines into a double down. They traded strikes as they got back to their feet. KENTA hit a draping DDT, a running kick and a Shibata dropkick. KENTA hit a double stomp off the top for a two count. 

KENTA called for GTS. Tana blocked and hit three twist and shouts and two slingblades for a near fall. 

Tana hit a standing High Fly Flow, then locked on a cloverleaf. KENTA reversed the cloverleaf into Game Over. Tanahashi almost reversed back into a cloverleaf. KENTA fought it off and went back to Game Over. 

KENTA re-applied the hold away from the ropes. Shockingly, Tana verbally submitted. 

IWGP Heavyweight & IWGP Intercontinental Championship Tokyo Dome right to challenge contract match: Jay White defeated Kota Ibushi to win the briefcase (18:46)

They had a heck of a match. I’m not sure about the finish unless they have White defend the briefcase against Ibushi on night one of Wrestle Kingdom. It really felt like it was Ibushi’s time to get a run with the IWGP title, but I have learned not to second-guess Gedo. 

White used the threat of a briefcase shot to distract Ibushi and hit the first move of the match with a kick. White dropped Ibushi twice on the apron, then worked on the abdomen with stomps. 

Ibushi no-sold some short kicks to the back. White whipped Ibushi into the buckle. Ibushi continued to sell his core. White hit a series of shoulders to the gut in the corner. 

White sent Ibushi into the barricade. Gedo tried to join in, but Ibushi sent him into the barricade instead. Back inside, Ibushi hit a dropkick that knocked White off the apron. Ibushi followed with a plancha. 

Ibushi teased a German but White blocked. Ibushi hit a powerslam. It looked as though they had some miscommunication on a moonsault. White tried to roll out of the way. Ibushi hit the move anyway but landed awkwardly. 

White hit a uranage for a near fall. White hit a Blade Buster for a two count. Ibushi came back with a snap rana. He teased a lawn dart into the buckle but White hit a chop. Ibushi hit a German. 

White hit a complete shot, then dumped Ibushi right on his head with a high angle German. White hit a uranage after ducking a lariat. 

Ibushi blocked a sleeper suplex. Instead, White hit a series of hard strikes to the abdomen. Ibushi spiked White with a bastard driver. White blocked a bomaye. Ibushi hit a snap German and a head kick. 

Ibushi hit a bomaye and a last ride for a near fall. White reversed a Kamigoye attempt into a Blade Runner attempt. Ibushi blocked. Ibushi landed on his feet out of a sleeper suplex attempt. 

Gedo jumped on the apron. Ibushi took him out. Ibushi hit a high kick. 

Ibushi went for a Kamigoye. White blocked and used a backslide with his feet on the ropes to steal the win and the briefcase. 

IWGP Heavyweight & IWGP Intercontinental double title match: Tetsuya Naito defeated EVIL (w/Dick Togo) to retain the titles (33:08)

I think opinions on this are going to vary. They had a good first 20 minutes or so. Then the run-ins and ref bumps started to a silly degree. It got good again in the closing stretch. I think it was the best Naito/EVIL match this year, but that isn’t really high praise. 

They teased locking up for a while before they finally did. EVIL used a side headlock. Naito grounded EVIL with an arm drag and a low dropkick. Naito used a crucifix. EVIL escaped and went back to a headlock. 

Naito rolled outside. Togo provided a distraction and EVIL sent Naito into the barricade. The ring announcer/timekeeper Abe went flying. That’s a recurring spot now in EVIL’s matches. Togo exposed a buckle. 

Naito got whipped into the buckle. They went back outside and EVIL bumped Abe again. Togo jumped in and hit Naito with a chair. 

EVIL used a single-leg crab. Naito blocked a fisherman buster and a misdirection lariat. Naito hit a neckbreaker at the 10 minute call. 

Naito took out Togo with a baseball slide. Naito hit a rana and combinacion cabron on EVIL for a two count. Togo distracted Naito and EVIL kicked him off the apron. EVIL hit his two-chair baseball swing on Naito on the outside. 

Back in, EVIL hit a fisherman buster for a two count. Naito blocked Darkness Falls and hit a tornado DDT at the 15 minute call. 

Naito again got sent into the exposed buckle. EVIL hit a backbreaker into a double down. EVIL used the exposed buckle again. EVIL hit a top rope superplex to set up a scorpion deathlock. Naito fought to the ropes to force a break. EVIL hit Darkness Falls for a two count at the 20 miinute call. 

Naito blocked Everything is EVIL and hit a German suplex and a spinebuster. Naito hit a big top rope frankensteiner and Gloria for a near fall. 

EVIL blocked Destino and hit a German. Naito hit an enzuigiri and a flying forearm. Naito bumped Togo off the apron. Naito hit two Destinos. Togo pulled the referee out of the ring before the three count. 

Togo used a ligature on Naito. Yujiro Takahashi appeared and hit Naito with his cane. Yujiro hit Naito with Pimp Juice. SANADA ran in and hit Yujiro with a dropkick, then hit a double dropkick and double plancha to Togo and Yujiro. SANADA dragged Togo and Yujiro to the back. 

The referee rolled back in at the 25 minute call. The crowd really got into it here. 

Naito and EVIL traded strikes from their knees. Back standing, they continued to trade. EVIL raked Naito’s eyes. EVIL sent Naito into Red Shoes and the ref took another bump. EVIL hit a low blow. Naito hit a pop-up low blow. 

With both men down, Jay White made his way to the ring. White teased hitting a Blade Runner on EVIL. Instead, he hit a dragon suplex on Naito. Ibushi ran in and chased White off as he was preparing to hit Naito with a Blade Runner. 

It was back to Naito, EVIL and the referee at the 30 minute call. 

Naito hit a series of back elbows to EVIL’s neck. EVIL backed Naito into the exposed buckle. Naito returned the favor and ran EVIL into the buckle. Naito hit more back elbows. 

EVIL blocked Valentia. They teased another ref bump. EVIL hit a low blow and a lariat for a near fall. 

Naito blocked two attempts at Everything is EVIL and hit Valentia, then another Destino for the pin.

**********

White returned to the ring after the match. He cut a promo. He said that Ibushi failed. He said that even with Jay’s help, EVIL failed.  

He said that on January 4, he’s doing nothing. He doesn’t care what Naito does on January 4, but on January 5, White is facing Naito for the titles. White said it’s his Destino and Naito’s Destino. 

Ibushi made his way to the ring and again chased White to the back. 

They are clearly teasing Ibushi/White in a rematch for the briefcase on January 4 with Naito defending against the winner on January 5. 

Naito then closed the show with a promo. He said this is his last match in Osaka this year, but he can’t wait to see everyone again in 2021. 

Naito did the LIJ roll call to end it and confetti fell from the ceiling. 

NJPW reveals full Power Struggle card

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Coming out of this year’s G1 Climax, NJPW has revealed the card for their next major show.

Power Struggle will take place at the Edion Arena in Osaka, Japan on Saturday, November 7. The card features six singles matches.

The build to Wrestle Kingdom 15 will pick up with IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Champion Tetsuya Naito defending both of his titles against EVIL in the main event of Power Struggle. In the semi-main event, G1 winner Kota Ibushi will defend his title shot contract against Jay White. The contract gives Ibushi the right to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championship in a double title match at Wrestle Kingdom 15.

It was announced during the G1 finals that Wrestle Kingdom 15 will again be a two-night event. It’s being held at the Tokyo Dome on Monday, January 4 and Tuesday, January 5.

Also at Power Struggle, KENTA will defend his IWGP United States Heavyweight title shot contract against Hiroshi Tanahashi. KENTA won the title shot contract in NJPW’s New Japan Cup USA tournament. Jon Moxley is currently the IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it isn’t known when Moxley will be able to defend the title next.

Will Ospreay turned against Kazuchika Okada at the G1 A Block finals and is now in a stable with The Great O-Khan and Bea Priestley. Okada and Great O-Khan will face off at Power Struggle.

A NEVER Openweight Championship match and a match for Toru Yano’s KOPW 2020 trophy round out the Power Struggle card. The full lineup is listed below:

  • IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Champion Tetsuya Naito defends both titles against EVIL
  • Kota Ibushi defends his Wrestle Kingdom 15 title shot contract against Jay White
  • KENTA defends his IWGP United States Heavyweight title shot contract against Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. The Great O-Khan
  • NEVER Openweight Champion Minoru Suzuki defends against Shingo Takagi
  • Toru Yano defends his KOPW 2020 trophy against Zack Sabre Jr.

NJPW G1 Climax 30 night 18 live results: B Block finals

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Recommended matches —

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • SANADA vs. EVIL

Report —

Gabriel Kidd defeated Yuya Uemura (8:16)

They went the technical wrestling route for most of the contest. Uemura was incredible here. 

Uemura used a knuckle lock, then a short arm scissors which he used to roll Kidd around the ring. Kidd used a chancery to soften Uemura up for his buttefly suplex. 

Uemura tried to strike with Kidd. That was his downfall. Kidd hit a forearm, a dropkick, then used the butterfly suplex for the pin. 

G1 Climax B Block: YOSHI-HASHI defeated Toru Yano (6:11)

This was absolutely horrendous. I’m a fan of Yano comedy but this didn’t work. 

YH tried taping Yano to the barricade and his bo staff. Yano tried to spray hand sanitizer in YH’s face. There were two ref bumps. Yano exposed a buckle. 

For the finish, YH blocked a low blow and used Yano’s arm to cradle him for the pin. 

G1 Climax B Block: Juice Robinson defeated Hirooki Goto (12:09)

Goto got a couple of hope spots but the bulk of this was Juice going after the bad shoulder.

They came out firing off strikes. Juice sent Goto outside and hit a plancha. Goto sold his taped shoulder after the impact of the plancha and that became the story of the match. 

Juice blocked an ushigoroshi and hit a superplex. He maintained neck control on the landing and went for a jackhammer. Goto blocked and hit a neckbreaker. 

Goto finally connected with an ushigoroshi. A series of counters and teases ended with Goto blocking Pulp Friction and locking on a sleeper. Goto used the sleeper to set up a pair of cradles for near falls. 

Juice connected with a Left Hand of God. He followed with an awkward-looking Pulp Friction and pinned Goto. 

Goto really sold this as a big deal in the post-match with his facial expressions. A pro’s pro job by Goto. 

***** Intermission *****

G1 Climax B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Zack Sabre Jr. (12:02)

This was a fun match. These two have great chemistry, but they have had more crisp matches. 

Sabre scored early with a couple of quick cradles. Tanahashi took a second to regroup, then used a side headlock takeover. He maintained the hold for a long time. Sabre eventually transitioned to a headscissors. They traded these two holds for quite a while. 

Sabre went after Tanahashi’s neck with neck cranks and a triangle. Sabre used an octopus. Tanahashi reversed into his own octopus. Sabre went for a Euro clutch. Tanahashi reversed into his own clutch hold for a near fall. 

Tanahashi focused on Sabre’s right knee with a low dropkick and inverted dragon screw. Sabre used an inside cradle and a guillotine. Tanahashi reversed the guillotine into twist and shout. 

Tanahashi went for a slingblade, the first time either guy hit the ropes in the match. Sabre blocked. Tanahashi got it on his second attempt. 

Tanahashi hit a standing High Fly Flow. Sabre rolled through on the landing. Tanahashi trapped Sabre in a cradle and got the flash pin. 

Tanahashi held the cradle for a few extra seconds and Sabre threw a tantrum as a result. 

G1 Climax B Block: KENTA defeated Tetsuya Naito (21:06)

I was not a fan of this match. I thought they had a good eight minutes laid out and stretched that into 21:06. The finish was very clever. 

Both stalled at the outset. KENTA stole a near fall off a cradle. Naito went for a walk around the ring and stalled some more. 

They tied up. Naito went after KENTA’s bad shoulder with a hammerlock. KENTA rolled to the floor and grabbed his briefcase. KENTA shoved the ref down and Naito ate a briefcase shot. KENTA went to work from there. 

KENTA used a chinlock, a headscissors and a headlock at the 10 minute call. Naito hit his combinacion cabron in the corner and a crucifix. KENTA responded with a top rope clothesline for a two count. 

The match finally picked up as Naito made his comeback. Naito hit a poison rana and a series of back elbows, looking to soften up KENTA’s neck for Destino. Naito hit Gloria for a two count. 

KENTA blocked Destino and went for a GTS at the 20 minute call. Naito reversed into a Destino but could not follow up with a cover. 

Naito rang up the arm and went for Destino. KENTA hit two spinning back fists. Naito answered with Valentia. 

Naito went for Destino. KENTA caught Naito’s legs and cradled him for the flash pin. 

This loss eliminated Naito. 

G1 Climax B Block: SANADA defeated EVIL (27:00)

Lots of Bullet Club-style interference in this one but a good main event with a good story. 

Hiromu Takahashi was at the commentary table and played an important role. 

Nothing of consequence came from the opening volley. EVIL teased an Everything is EVIL. SANADA teased a Skull End. 

EVIL rolled to the floor. SANADA teased a plancha but flipped to his feet on the apron, then pulled himself back into the ring to pose. 

After a trip from Togo, EVIL used a snap suplex on a stack of chairs on the floor to take control of the match. 

Back inside, EVIL used a scoop slam and a cocky, one-foot cover. Red Shoes refused to count the pin due to the underhanded tactics used on the floor. 

EVIL took the ref. Togo pulled SANADA to the floor and sent him into the barricade, then tossed SANADA back in. EVIL used a single-leg crab. SANADA responded with a dropkick to the knee and a back suplex. 

SANADA hit his trademark plancha. He put both EVIL and Togo in paradise locks, then broke the holds with a single dropkick. 

EVIL gouged the eyes and hit a ref-assisted mid kick, avoiding a TKO in the process. A clever sequence ended with SANADA avoiding a misdirection lariat and hitting a springboard dropkick. 

SANADA used the threat of a TKO to set up a Skull End but EVIL powered out. SANADA hit a magic screw and a tiger suplex for a two count. The crowd really got into the match at this point. 

SANADA used a spinning Skull End as a precursor to a moonsault attempt. EVIL rolled out of the way and SANADA crashed to the mat. Togo exposed a buckle. SANADA missed a charge into the corner and got sent into the exposed steel twice. 

EVIL hit a superplex to set up a scorpion deathlock. SANADA fought to the bottom rope to force a break. EVIL hit Darkness Falls for a two count at the 20 minute call. 

SANADA blocked Everything is EVIL and hit a TKO. They did a lengthy double down, prompting Red Shoes to check if both men wanted to continue. They did. 

SANADA avoided the exposed buckle and used a moonsault to transition to Skull End. EVIL slid out but SANADA immediately got the hold applied agai and locked in the body scissors. EVIL pried his head free, but SANADA popped up and hit two moonsaults. 

Red Shoes went to count the pin. Togo pulled the ref out of the ring. Togo used a chair on SANADA and peppered him with right hands. 

EVIL and Togo hit a Magic Killer. Hiromu Takahashi jumped up from the commentary table to come to SANADA’s aid. Hiromu hit a superkick to Togo. EVIL hit a low blow on Hiromu. EVIL and Togo hit a Magic Killer on Hiromu at the 25 minute call. 

Togo revived the ref. SANADA stole a near fall off a cradle. EVIL planted SANADA with a lariat. EVIL hit a second big lariat and called for his finisher. 

SANADA reversed Everything is EVIL into Skull End. EVIL grabbed the ref. Togo choked SANADA from the apron. Hiromu superkicked Togo and SANADA recovered. 

SANADA then used a Japanese clutch and got the pin. 

SANADA wins B Block.

SANADA closed the show with a quick promo and said he’ll see us tomorrow. 

G1 Standings —

B Block

  • SANADA — 12 points (6-3) *B Block winner* 
  • EVIL — 12 points (6-3)
  • Tetsuya Naito — 12 points (6-3)
  • KENTA — 10 points (5-4) 
  • Zack Sabre Jr. — 10 points (5-4)
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi — 8 points (4-5) 
  • Juice Robinson — 8 points (4-5) 
  • Hirooki Goto — 8 points (4-5) 
  • Toru Yano — 6 points (3-6) 
  • YOSHI-HASHI — 4 points (2-7) 

A Block

  • Kota Ibushi — 14 points (7-2) *A Block winner*
  • Jay White — 12 points (6-3)
  • Will Ospreay — 12 points (6-3)
  • Kazuchika Okada — 12 points (6-3)
  • Tomohiro Ishii — 8 points (4-5) 
  • Taichi — 8 points (4-5) 
  • Jeff Cobb — 8 points (4-5)  
  • Shingo Takagi — 8 points (4-5) 
  • Minoru Suzuki — 6 points (3-6) 
  • Yujiro Takahashi — 2 points (1-8) 

NJPW G1 Climax 30 night 14 results: Naito vs. EVIL

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Gabriel Kidd defeated Yota Tsuji 

Following a collar-and-elbow tie-up and a trading of strikes, Kidd dropped Tsuji with an arm drag and knife-edge chop. Soon after Tsuji used a dropkick, which he followed with two standing dive variations.

Tsuji then turned his attention to the leg of Kidd, placing him in a unique submission that he converted into a pin attempt. Kidd was able to survive the dual-pronged finish and reassert his position with an uppercut. 

Kidd prevailed in a fight for a brainbuster. That left him a favorable position that he fumbled almost immediately. Tsuji was able to milk this opportunity with a slam, but Kidd popped up and responded with a dropkick.

Kidd then secured the underhooks and landed his finishing suplex.

This was a weaker Young Lion outing. Instead of the typical application of a simple story, this felt like an exhibition of moves. 

G1 Climax B Block:  Zack Sabre Jr. defeated YOSHI-HASHI

Sabre’s ground game was at work from the opening bell. He immediately took YOSHI-HASHI to the mat and kept him there.

YH, once standing, was able to connect with some high impact strikes but soon after found himself back on the mat. Sabre toyed with YH and even allowed him to show signs of defiance but Sabre was clearly on a different level. Even still, YH was holding on.

YH was able to interrupt Sabre’s offense with a kick to the head. This opening allowed YH to land multiple dropkicks and attempt a powerbomb. Sabre slipped free of the more setup intensive maneuver but was dropped with a chop. YH landed the powerbomb and locked in the butterfly lock. Sabre, after a long stint in the hold, fought to the bottom rope.

Sabre scored a takedown which he followed with a double foot stomp to YH’s arm. Sabre tried for a pin following a kick to the chest but YH kicked free and immediately returned to his feet; a strike exchange followed. YH won out and connected with a double knee and a superkick, both landing a near fall.

Sabre was able to take YH back to the mat, arm in hand. YH, try as he might, was unable to fight free and eventually submitted to Sabre. 

This match was a tip-top YH performance. The volatile energy he exuded made a finish feel imminent at all times. 

G1 Climax B Block: KENTA defeated Toru Yano

Prior to the start, Yano was searched by the referee. Multiple rolls of tape were found in his tights. 

Following the bell, KENTA grabbed his briefcase and Yano grabbed a chair. Yano was tricked into ditching the chair, so he grabbed a turnbuckle pad to be on equal footing. Yano was again tricked into dropping his weapon and tried grabbing another pad. KENTA this time actually disarmed before leaving the ring. Yano also exited.

Both men stayed outside in a game of chicken, only returning at the referee’s count of 19. KENTA left the ring again immediately after. Yano pursued KENTA and succeeded in whipping KENTA into the barricade. KENTA began to fight back but was distracted by a roll of tape the referee failed to confiscate from Yano. Yano sprayed KENTA with a bottle of sanitizer and pummeled him with a turnbuckle pad. 

KENTA made his way back in and whipped Yano into an exposed turnbuckle. KENTA then tried using the bottle for himself but was blocked by Yano. Yano avoided the liquid but was whipped back into the exposed corner. KENTA was then free to use the bottle. KENTA splashed Yano with the sanitizer and tried pinning him to no avail. 

Both men returned outside, fighting over the bottle. A spill left the referee blind. KENTA then led Yano up the ramp while brandishing his briefcase. KENTA hit Yano with the briefcase and tape flew from within. KENTA then used the tape to secure Yano to the entranceway. Late in the referee’s count, KENTA entered a sprint leaving Yano trapped.

Yano was unable to escape leaving KENTA with a count-out victory. 

This was a Yano match and not a particularly good one. 

G1 Climax B Block: SANADA defeated Juice Robinson 

In the early going, Robinson tried to take SANADA to the mat but was stopped by a SANADA dropkick. SANADA tried something similar but Robinson’s elbow found SANADA’s face.

Robinson connected with a spinebuster that sent SANADA rolling to the outside. Robinson whipped SANADA into the barricade and landed a backbreaker and a senton once back in the ring. Robinson was able to further his advantage by avoiding SANADA’s counter attempts and landing a back body drop.

SANADA rolled out of the way of a Robinson cannonball to temporarily extinguish Robinson’s flame. Robinson found himself on the receiving end of another dropkick and a plancha. As the two’s short stay on the outside ended SANADA was caught by Robinson in a fireman’s carry. SANADA was able to slip free, secure a takedown, and lock in the paradise lock all in a matter of seconds. 

SANADA broke the lock with a dropkick and worked Robinson into the corner. Robinson was able to fight free and land a quick uranage. SANADA crawled to the corner to catch his breath. Robinson pounced at the positioning of his opponent and landed a cannonball. SANADA was then lifted to the top rope and hit with a superplex, which fed into a jackhammer. 

Robinson connected with a powerbomb and began to strike. SANADA ducked the Left Hand of God and locked in the dragon sleeper. Robinson fought free and nearly connected with Pulp Friction.

This same sequence played out again in a similar fashion before a set of grappling nearly allowed Robinson to steal a win via a cradle.

Instead, SANADA locked in the Skull End. Once Robinson’s body was limp SANADA scaled to the top, landed a moonsault, and pinned Robinson. 

Something felt off here. Maybe it was the gray SANADA clashing with Robinson’s glow. Either way, it resulted in a lackluster dynamic and a fine-at-best match of moves. 

G1 Climax B Block: Hirooki Goto defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi

Both fought for dominance in the early going with light moves and chain wrestling. A knee breaker allowed Tanahashi to transition to the mat.

After returning to their feet it was Goto who won out in a strike battle and landed a backdrop and a bulldog. Tanahashi fought free of a fireman’s carry and a dragon screw took the leg out from under Goto. Goto was then hit with another leg whip, this time into a rope. Tanahashi began a continued wearing down on Goto’s leg.

Goto caught Tanahashi with a quick ushigoroshi and initiated a passionate strike exchange. Goto landed a clothesline but was unable to follow up. Tanahashi whipped the neck of Goto before landing a slingblade.

An open palm strike then dropped Goto long enough for Tanahashi to climb to the top but not long enough to land a move. Goto triggered a top rope fight and after a headbutt landed a ushigoroshi from the top rope.

Tanahashi tried falling out of the way but Goto was able to pull through and connect with GTR. Goto then hooked the leg and pinned Tanahashi for the first time inside of the G1 format. 

Strong execution from both men in a to the point, all business match. 

G1 Climax B Block: EVIL defeated Tetsuya Naito 

EVIL clubbed Naito immediately following the bell, but failed to follow up. Naito instead connected with an arm drag and rana that sent EVIL to the outside providing Naito with a perfect opportunity to taunt the defector.

EVIL was stretched out on the mat once returning to the ring. Naito hit the ropes but was grabbed by Dick Togo. Togo struck and whipped Naito into the barricade before EVIL took over.

Naito then was sent crashing into chairs on the outside. EVIL followed up by hitting his signature double-chair baseball swing on Naito. EVIL continued his illegally gained dominance inside the ring. 

Naito stuffed a suplex attempt and avoided a senton, reopening a window of opportunity. An elbow and dropkick placed Naito back in the driver’s seat. A dropkick to Togo only prolonged his chance of staying there.

EVIL tried using further underhanded tactics and was able to stifle Naito’s lead with the unwilling aid of the referee with his leg catch spot. Naito stuffed a suplex attempt once more and took EVIL back to the mat just in time for Togo’s reemergence. 

While Naito was seemingly distracted by Togo, EVIL ran for a tackle of sorts that Naito was able to sidestep, sending EVIL crashing into Togo. Naito then landed a spinebuster and continued his ground work on EVIL. 

EVIL powered free of Naito’s control with a fisherman’s buster.  EVIL hoisted Naito onto the top rope and connected with a superplex. Naito just barely kicked from the pin attempt that followed.

EVIL then locked in a scorpion deathlock on his prone opponent but Naito crawled into the ropes. EVIL set up for a lariat but was caught by a well-placed kick which was followed by Gloria. 

Naito gained wrist and waist control shortly but EVIL freed himself with a simple shove and a senton. Naito then was pushed into turnbuckles that became exposed at some point, hit with a tiger suplex, and a giant lariat. Naito kicked out from the pin attempt. 

EVIL lifted Naito onto his shoulders but Naito wiggled into Destino. Naito was unable to follow up. EVIL hit Darkness Falls following a brief struggle. Naito stuffed two attempts at Everything is Evil.

Enter Togo.

Togo distracted Naito and the referee long enough for EVIL to land a low blow. Togo threw a chair into EVIL. While the referee was paying attention to the armed EVIL, Togo began chocking EVIL with a band. 

Naito, now on his last legs, landed a shoulder tackle after shoving off Togo. EVIL stuffed a suplex and Naito stuffed Everything is Evil. Naito then landed Destino and scored a near fall.

Naito tried for another Destino, but EVIL reversed into Everything is Evil and pinned the double champion. 

This match was long, boring, and another EVIL win over Naito means we will likely see it again.

That said, any other result would leave a lot of A Block without any conceivable means of victory, so the finish makes sense regardless of how frustrating it is. 

G1 Climax 30 Standings —

A Block

  • Kazuchika Okada — 10 points (5-2)
  • Kota Ibushi — 10 points (5-2)
  • Jay White — 10 points (5-2)
  • Will Ospreay — 10 points (5-2)
  • Tomohiro Ishii — 6 points (3-4)
  • Shingo Takagi — 6 points (3-4)
  • Minoru Suzuki — 6 points (3-4)
  • Taichi — 6 points (3-4)
  • Jeff Cobb — 6 points (3-4)
  • Yujiro Takahashi — 0 points (0-7) *eliminated*

B Block

  • Tetsuya Naito — 10 points (5-2)
  • EVIL — 10 points (5-2)
  • Zack Sabre Jr. — 8 points (4-3)
  • Hirooki Goto — 8 points (4-3)
  • SANADA — 8 points (4-3)
  • Toru Yano — 6 points (3-4)
  • KENTA — 6 points (3-4)
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi — 6 points (3-4) 
  • Juice Robinson — 6 points (3-4) 
  • YOSHI-HASHI — 2 points (1-6) *eliminated*

NJPW G1 Climax 30 night eight live results: Naito vs. SANADA

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Recommended matches —

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. YOSHI-HASHI
  • Tetsuya Naito vs. SANADA

Report —

Ao-re Nagaoka in Niigata was the venue. 

**********

Yota Tsuji drew with Gabriel Kidd (15:00)

The emphasis here was on selling. The work was technically sound but there was not much in the way of action. 

Kidd dominated the early part of the match, grounding Tsuji with holds. Tsuji sold damage to his neck and lower back. Tsuji came back with two slams and used a leg lace. Kidd sold his left leg. 

Kidd won a striking battle and tried to fire up the crowd. Kidd got double underhooks and tried for a suplex. Tsuji blocked and hit a powerslam. 

Tsuji hit a running forearm and used a dropkick for a two count. Kidd hit a hip toss and used a crab. Tsuji fought for the ropes and finally got there to force a break. 

Kidd again worked for a butterfly suplex. Tsuji blocked. Kidd used a sunset flip for a near fall. Tsuji hit a backdrop. Kidd fought out of a Boston crab and hit a dropkick. 

Tsuji hit a spear and used a cradle for a two count. Kidd used a small package for a near fall as the time limit expired. 

They fired off a few strikes after the bell before both guys collapsed, selling exhaustion. 

G1 Climax 30 B Block: Juice Robinson defeated Toru Yano (6:42)

I usually like Yano’s comedy as a change of pace on these G1 shows but it wasn’t clicking today. 

Yano offered Juice a Yano t-shirt. Juice went to put it on and Yano used a schoolboy for a near fall. Yano sprayed hand sanitizer in Juice’s eyes and rolled him up for two. 

They rolled outside where Juice poured a bottle of sanitizer in Yano’s eyes. They teased a countout but Yano made it back in at 19. 

Yano exposed a buckle. Juice avoided a slingshot into the exposed buckle. Yano bailed and tried to bait Juice to the floor. Juice tore up the t-shirt. 

Yano hit an inverted atomic drop in the aisle and taped Juice’s feet together. Juice beat the count back in at 17. Juice hit a full nelson slam and freed his feet. 

Yano ducked a Left Hand of God and tried to backslide the ref. Juice hit a Left Hand of God. Yano blocked Pulp Friction and tried a schoolboy. Juice blocked and cradled Yano for the pin. 

G1 Climax 30 B Block: Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Hirooki Goto (4:00)

This was different. A total sprint. Goto’s right arm and shoulder were heavily taped. 

Sabre used a cross armbreaker. Sabre used a misdirection spot to set up an octopus. Goto reversed into an ushigoroshi attempt but Sabre blocked. Sabre hit a PK. Goto hit a running mid kick. 

Goto hit an ushigoroshi and a mid kick. He went for a GTR but Sabre blocked and used a clutch hold for the pin. 

***** Intermission *****

G1 Climax 30 B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated YOSHI-HASHI (18:41)

I think we need to start asking ourselves a question — is YOSHI-HASHI good now? 

In this case, he was in there with one of the greates wrestlers ever, but he’s had a series of very good matches this year. 

Tanahashi used a trip takedown and a Fujiwara armbar. YH countered with a dragon screw to the right leg. Tanahashi answered with his own dragon screw. Tana fired up and hit a somersault senton off the second buckle for a two count. 

They had a chop battle. YH got the best of it and hit a series of kicks. YH hit a sit-out powerbomb for a two count. Tana blocked a fisherman buster. YH blocked a dragon suplex. Tanahashi hit a straightjacket German for a near fall. 

YH blocked a slingblade with a chop. Tanahashi hit slingblade on his second attempt. Sensing victory, Tanahashi went for High Fly Flow. YH got his knees up. They had a lengthy striking battle in the center of the ring. YH dropped Tanahashi with a forearm shot. 

YH avoided a slingblade and hit a lariat for a two count. YH used a butterfly lock. Tanahashi tried like hell to sell this as a potential finish. YH eventually gave up the hold and hit a backstabber. Tanahashi blocked Kharma and hit twist and shout. 

Tanahashi hit a dragon screw. They traded quick cradles. Tanahashi hit another dragon screw. YH avoided slingblade and hit a dragon suplex. YH hit a meteora for a two count and a sidewalk slam for another two count. 

Tanahashi blocked Kharma. YH went for a lariat but Tanahashi ducked and hit a slingblade. Tanahashi hit a standing High Fly Flow. 

Tanahashi then hit another High Fly Flow and picked up the pinfall victory. 

Tanahashi’s post-match celebration was great. 

G1 Climax 30 B Block: EVIL (w/Dick Togo) defeated KENTA (15:40)

This was about what you would expect with two heels from the same faction. KENTA played underdog to make the match work. The finished product was okay. 

KENTA offered a too sweet before the bell. EVIL declined and gave Togo a too sweet instead. 

KENTA went for a walk at the opening bell. He grabbed Togo in a threatening manner. Back inside, they traded kicks. They rolled to the floor where KENTA established the advantage, slamming EVIL into the barricade and posting him. 

KENTA continued to hold the advantage and hit some short kicks. Togo tripped KENTA from the floor. They went back to the outside. EVIL Pillmanized KENTA’s left arm against the post. 

EVIL went to work on the left arm. He used a hammerlock and sent KENTA shoulder-first into an exposed buckle. EVIL used a slam and a Fujiwara armbar. 

KENTA cameback with a lariat and a vertical suplex. After a standing switch, KENTA hit a swing DDT and a top rope clothesline for a two count at the 10 minute mark.

Togo jumped on the apron. KENTA was distracted and EVIL jammed the left arm over the top rope. EVIL again used a hammerlock into the exposed buckle. EVIL used a suplex for a near fall. 

EVIL pulled Red Shoes into KENTA’s path and the ref took a bump to the floor. KENTA grabbed his briefcase. Togo tried to take it away from him but KENTA nailed him with it. 

KENTA used a briefcase shot on EVIL. KENTA hit a top rope double stomp as the ref was revived. KENTA hit a busaiku knee for a near fall. 

EVIL fought out of a GTS attemptand sent KENTA into the buckle. EVIL hit Darkness Falls for a two count. EVIL hit a lariat for another near fall. KENTA fought off Everything is EVIL and hit a series of palm strikes at 15 minutes. 

Togo jumped on the apron. KENTA pulled him in the ring. KENTA tried for a GTS on Togo. EVIL shielded the ref and hit a low blow, then used Everything is EVIL for the pin. 

G1 Climax 30 B Block: SANADA defeated Tetsuya Naito (27:08)

This was a great main event. There were some scary moments towards the end when both guys were slick with sweat and there were nearly some inadvertent head drops. SANADA got his first win of the tournament and this set up a potential challenger for Naito later in the year. 

They started with some mat work. SANADA fought for a cross armbreaker but couldn’t get it. Naito used a headlock but SANADA used a headscissors escape. 

SANADA used a hammerlock to set up a side headlock. SANADA broke cleanly against the ropes but Naito did not. Naito hit a kick and SANADA rolled outside. Naito went for his tranquilo pose but SANADA pulled him to the floor. SANADA hit a pose back in the ring instead. 

They teased locking up but Naito wanted to brawl instead. Naito hit some strikes and a one-legged dropkick. On the floor, Naito sent SANADA into the barricade. SANADA beat the count back in at 17. 

Naito hit a neckbreaker and used a crucifix. SANADA forced a rope break. Naito hit a slingshot dropkick in the corner before taunting SANADA by stepping on his face. SANADA fought out of a neckbreaker attempt and hit a dropkick, taking out Naito’s left leg. 

SANADA hit a leapfrog dropkick and a follow-up plancha before firing up the crowd. SANADA avoided a flying forearm. He fought for a suplex but Naito hit an arm drag out of it. Naito hit a swing DDT and SANADA sold his neck. 

SANADA avoided a top rope frankensteiner and hit a dropkick while Naito was seated on the top rope. SANADA drove Naito off the top rope into his knee, then used a tiger suplex with a bridge for a near fall at the 15 minute call. 

Naito blocked a Skull End attempt and hit a spinebuster. Naito hit some short elbows to the neck, setting up for a later Destino attempt. Naito hit a top rope frankensteiner for a near fall. Naito tried Gloria but SANADA blocked. Naito hit Esperanza. 

Naito went for a Destino but SANADA blocked and hit a TKO into a double down at 20 minutes. 

They traded strikes from their knees. They climbed to their feet and continued to trade. The crowd really got into this striking battle. 

SANADA used a moonsault press to set up Skull End. He used a spinning Skull End before dropping to the mat and adding a bodyscissors to the Skull End. Naito popped his head out of the hold twice, but SANADA went right back to it both times. 

SANADA gave up the hold and went up top. SANADA missed a moonsault. Both men were still down selling at the 25 minute call. 

Naito slipped on a Destino attempt. He escaped the Skull End coounter attempt and hit Destino. SANADA kicked out. 

SANADA blocked another Destino attempt. Naito tried Gloria but stumbled and almost dropped SANADA on his head. 

SANADA hit a Destino for a near fall, then hit two moonsaults for the win. 

**********

Post-match, SANADA offered an LIJ fist bump. Naito accepted the gesture, then left the ring and the mic to SANADA. SANADA closed the show with a promo. They turned the house lights down and the crowd lit up the arena with their phones. 

**********

G1 Climax 30 Standings

B Block

  • Tetsuya Naito — 6 (3-1)
  • Juice Robinson — 6 (3-1)
  • Toru Yano — 6 (3-1)
  • Zack Sabre Jr. — 4 (2-2)
  • EVIL — 4 (2-2)
  • KENTA — 4 (2-2)
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi — 4 (2-2)
  • Hirooki Goto — 2 (1-3)
  • YOSHI-HASHI — 2 (1-3)
  • SANADA — 2 (1-3)

A Block

  • Jay White — 6 (3-1)
  • Will Ospreay — 6 (3-1)
  • Taichi — 6 (3-1)
  • Kota Ibushi — 6 (3-1) 
  • Minoru Suzuki — 6 (3-1)
  • Kazuchika Okada — 4 (2-2)
  • Shingo Takagi — 2 (1-3)
  • Tomohiro Ishii — 2 (1-3)
  • Jeff Cobb — 2 (1-3)
  • Yujiro Takahashi — 0 (0-4)