Following King of Pro Wrestling, NJPW has made four matches official for Power Struggle.
Those matches are:
IWGP Intercontinental Champion Jay White defending against Hirooki Goto
NEVER Openweight Champion KENTA defending against Tomohiro Ishii
Tetsuya Naito vs. Taichi
Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Kota Ibushi & Hiroshi Tanahashi
NJPW has been building to White vs. Goto since the aftermath of White winning the IWGP Intercontinental title from Naito at Destruction in Kobe last month. At King of Pro Wrestling, Goto, Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI defeated White, KENTA & Yujiro Takahashi.
KENTA won the NEVER Openweight Championship from Ishii at Royal Quest in August.
Naito & Shingo Takagi defeated Taichi & DOUKI by disqualification at King of Pro Wrestling. Taichi laid out Naito after the match, then mocked him for losing the Intercontinental title and having his quest to become a double champion get derailed.
Taichi also defeated Naito in this year’s G1 Climax.
Okada & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Ibushi & Tanahashi is part of the build to Okada defending his IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Ibushi at Wrestle Kingdom 14 night one on January 4.
Power Struggle is taking place in Osaka, Japan on Sunday, November 3. The show will also feature the finals of this year’s Super Junior Tag League.
What was originally a special tag team match has turned into a IWGP Tag Team title match.
The Guerrillas of Destiny will now defend the titles against the team of Tomohiro Ishii and YOSHI-HASHI on September 15 in Beppu.
NJPW made the tag team title match following a six man tag team match that took place this morning at a Road to Destruction event in Korakuen Hall. YOSHI-HASHI, Tomohiro Ishii and Rocky Romero teamed together to defeated The Guerillas of Destiny and Jado after YH submitted Jado with the butterfly lock.
After the match, the Guerrillas of Destiny laid out Ishii ringside and looked to finish off YOSHI-HASHI with a magic killer. Ishii made the save, however, and sent them packing as he and YOSHI-HASHI posed with the titles.
The title match will the co-main event of Destruction in Beppu. New RevPro British Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi will defend the title against former champion Zack Sabre Jr. in the main event.
NJPW has confirmed a number of names for next month’s Fighting Spirit Unleashed tour.
The following names have been announced, featuring most of NJPW’s factions:
NJPW’s main unit consisting of Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi
CHAOS members Kazuchika Okada (Lowell and New York City only), Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI
Los Ingobernables de Japón members Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, SANADA, Shingo Takagi and BUSHI
Bullet Club members Jay White, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa and KENTA
More participants, including matches, have yet to be announced and will be revealed at a later date. It was also noted that Kazuchika Okada would not be appearing on the Philadelphia card.
The tour will start on September 27 at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Massachusetts, which still has tickets available. The last two shows, which take place at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York and the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, are both sold out.
NJPW announced this weekend they will also be returning to San Jose before the end of the year, as they will run the San Jose Civic on November 9.
A quick opener. Uemura and Tsuji beat down Umino, with the highlight being a double dropkick.
Umino made his own comeback, then pinned Tsuji with a fisherman buster.
BAD LUCK FALE, YUJIRO TAKAHASHI & CHASE OWENS DEFEATED EVIL, SANADA & BUSHI
Average undercard tag fare here. The match didn’t have a lot of heat.
Bullet Club got the heat on SANADA. SANADA hit a missile dropkick, then tagged EVIL. EVIL hit a fisherman buster, but Yujiro cut him off. Yujiro and Owens continued the Bullet Club beatdown on EVIL.
EVIL managed a tag to BUSHI, and LIJ then went three-on-one against Owens. The match broke down, leaving Owens and BUSHI legal.
Yujiro entered for an illegal double team. Owens hit a shining wizard, then a package piledriver on BUSHI for the pin.
MINORU SUZUKI, ZACK SABRE JR. & LANCE ARCHER DEFEATED KENTA, CLARK CONNORS & KARL FREDERICKS
Minoru Suzuki beating up Young Lions will never get old. This was a fun brawl.
KENTA, Connors, Suzuki, and Sabre brawled into the crowd, leaving Archer and Fredericks in the ring. Archer hit a pounce, then a series of back elbows in the corner.
Suzuki got a tag and dared Fredericks to hit him. Suzuki no-sold his offense — and the Suzuki-gun party was on.
Fredericks managed a tag to KENTA. KENTA ran wild on Sabre, then knocked Suzuki off the apron. KENTA teased a GTS, but Sabre slipped out. Sabre worked over KENTA’s left arm, so remember that when they face off Saturday.
Suzuki and Connors tagged in. Suzuki ate dozens of chops, and even sold some for Connors. Connors hit a dropkick and went for a crab. He managed to get it applied, but Sabre broke it up.
The match broke down. Sabre and KENTA brawled to the outside. Connors managed a quick cradle on Suzuki for a near fall, before Suzuki got a rear naked choke, then hit the Gotch-style piledriver for the pin.
Sabre continued working on KENTA’s left arm after the match.
KAZUCHIKA OKADA, HIROSHI TANAHASHI & YOSHI-HASHI DEFEATED KOTA IBUSHI, WILL OSPREAY & TOA HENARE
They didn’t get a ton of time, but we got a nice preview of two big A Block matches coming up on Saturday.
Okada and Ibushi started off with an intense sequence. Ibushi ducked a Rainmaker and hit a series of kicks. He went for a standing moonsault, but Okada got his knees up. Okada hit a flapjack and tagged YH.
YH and Tanahashi went to work on Ibushi, cutting the ring in half. Ibushi came back with a double stomp on Tanahashi, then tagged Ospreay. Ospreay cleared the apron and hit a handspring enzuigiri on Tanahashi.
Ospreay went for Storm Breaker, but Tanahashi reversed it into a Twist and Shout. Henare and YH got tags. YH teased his running chop in the corner, but Henare cut him off with a rugby tackle.
We saw a crazy sequence next, as Tanahashi jumped in with a dragon screw to Henare. Ospreay then hit Pip Pip Cheerio on Tanahashi. Okada hit Ospreay with a dropkick, then Ibushi hit Okada with a dropkick.
YH hit a brainbuster on Henare for the pin.
Okada and Ibushi had a staredown after the match. They played to the crowd, trying to get a mixed reaction kind of thing going. The crowd was either not mic’ed well, or not up for the idea, though.
B BLOCK MATCH: TORU YANO DEFEATED TAICHI (5:04)
This was not one of the better Yano comedy matches of the tournament, but the finish was among the best.
Taichi took forever to remove his entrance gear. He then rolled outside immediately after the bell, continuing to stall. Yano teased walking out. He made it all the way to the stage, where Yoshinobu Kanemaru ambushed him. Kanemaru hit Yano with a whiskey bottle, then beat him back to the ring.
Taichi wrapped Yano up in the ring skirt, and they teased a countout. Yano made it back in at 18. Yano and Taichi played a game of hot potato with a turnbuckle pad. Yano tore Taichi’s pants off, then sent him into the buckle. Yano hit a sloppy schoolboy for a near fall.
Taichi sent Yano into the exposed buckle, then used a Gedo Clutch for a near fall. Kanemaru tried to spit whiskey at Yano on the floor, but Yano ducked and the whiskey hit Taichi.
Yano rolled Kanemaru and Taichi up in the ring skirt, and Taichi could not beat the 20 count back inside.
B BLOCK MATCH: TETSUYA NAITO DEFEATED JEFF COBB (12:48)
This started slow. Naito didn’t exactly have his working boots on. The last few minutes were good, though.
Naito mocked Cobb by taking a sumo stance before the opening bell. Cobb responded with a shoulder tackle before the bell, then sent Naito rolling outside after a throw.
Back inside, Cobb fired off a couple of headbutts. Naito came back with a series of dropkicks to the legs. Naito continued to target Cobb’s legs with kicks. He then hit a dropkick to the back. Naito used a neckbreaker for a near fall.
Naito tried for a combinacion cabron in the corner, but Cobb caught him, then hit an overhead belly-to-belly. Cobb hit a Samoan drop, then a standing moonsault. Cobb got a near fall, but continued selling the damage to his legs.
Naito fought out of a deadlift attempt, then hit an enzuigiri. Cobb hit a gutwrench suplex into a bridge for a two count. Cobb hit a delayed superplex for a near fall. Cobb hit a spin cycle for another two count.
Cobb signaled for Tour of the Islands, but Naito hit a dropkick to the left leg. Cobb hit a superkick. Cobb teased a powerslam off the top rope, but Naito fought it off, then hit a frankensteiner. Cobb no-sold it. Naito then hit a swinging DDT.
Naito hit a poison rana. He went for Destino, but Cobb turned it into an F-5. Cobb was first up out of a double down. Naito got to his feet as well, and they exchanged strikes. Naito took a flip bump off a lariat.
Cobb went for Tour of the Islands, but Naito turned it into an inverted DDT. He covered, but only got a two count.
Naito hit Destino and got the pin.
B BLOCK MATCH: HIROOKI GOTO DEFEATED JON MOXLEY (8:39)
I think it was smart to keep this on the shorter side. They had a solid, very hard-hitting brawl.
They shared tough guy fist bumps at the outset, then went right into a striking exchange. Moxley got the better of it, and Goto rolled to the floor. They continued to trade strikes on the outside. They teased a double countout, but both made it back in at 19.
They continued to trade. Moxley took one lariat, but remained standing. A second lariat from Goto dropped him. Goto hit a wheel kick in the corner, then hit a back suplex for a near fall.
Goto went for an ushigoroshi, but Moxley blocked it. Moxley hit a release German, a corner clothesline, then a uranage. Moxley teased a Regal knee, but Goto blocked it. Goto teased a GTR, but Moxley blocked it.
Moxley hit a butterfly suplex, then tried for a kimura. He settled for an armbar, but Goto reached the ropes. They traded more strikes. Moxley hit a lariat for a near fall, then used the Regal knee for another two count.
Goto hit an ushigoroshi out of nowhere, but could not follow up. They hit a series of simultaneous lariats, and both men dropped to their knees.
Moxley was first up, but Goto was first to strike. Goto hit a headbutt, then a series of mid kicks. Moxley caught a kick, then hit a Death Rider. He went for a second Death Rider, but Goto countered. He pulled Moxley into a GTR, hit it, then got the pin.
B BLOCK MATCH: JAY WHITE DEFEATED JUICE ROBINSON (23:00)
These guys had a hell of a match, and both displayed great selling. The ref bump and interference hurt the finish.
White did some trademark stalling at the outset. Gedo provided a series of distractions from the floor, and White used them to get a couple of strikes in. Nothing substantial, though. Juice came back with a jab, but White rolled outside.
On the floor, White tried to use a chair on Juice’s hands, but Juice got out of the way. White got back inside. Gedo grabbed Juice’s ankle as he climbed back in, and White went after Juice’s left leg with a chop block.
White sent Juice’s left leg into the apron. He sent Juice into the barricade, then the ring frame. He continued to target Juice’s left leg, slamming it over the barricade. White slammed Juice’s knee into a chair in the crowd. Red Shoes refused to start a count on Juice because of White’s tactics.
As Juice got back inside, White continued working over the leg. He used a half crab, but Juice reached the bottom rope. White hit a series of jabs, mocking Juice. Juice managed a couple of his own jabs, but White cut him off, going back to the leg.
Juice hit a spinebuster, then fired up. He hit a series of jabs, but White ducked the Left Hand of God. White rolled outside. Juice hit a pescado, but continued to sell his left leg on landing.
Juice sent White into the barricade, then whipped him over the barricade. He dropped White throat-first onto the barricade, then posted both of White’s legs.
Juice hit a pair of clotheslines in the corner. He teased a cannonball, but White stood up out of the corner. Juice hit a jackhammer for a near fall, but continued selling his leg.
Juice went up top for a high cross, but White crotched him. White hit a DDT, then used a Blade Buster for a two count. White hit a Saito suplex at the 15 minute call.
White teased a Saito suplex over top rope. Juice fought off the first attempt, but White hit the move on his second attempt. White dragged Juice back inside, then hit a uranage for a two count.
White teased a sleeper suplex, but Juice elbowed out of it. Juice hit a full nelson bomb, into a double down.
Juice hit a powerbomb for a near fall. He applied a Tenzan-style crab, but White hammered at Juice’s left leg with strikes, breaking the hold. White hit an inverted dragon screw, then used his TTO submission hold. Juice reached the ropes after a struggle.
White ducked a Left Hand of God, then hit a sleeper suplex. He went for a Blade Runner, but Juice reversed into a roll-up for a two count.
Juice went for Pulp Friction, but White slid out, then hit a chop block. White went for Blade Runner again, but Juice escaped, then hit Left Hand of God.
Juice went for Pulp Friction. Gedo jumped on the apron, distracting the ref. White hit a low blow, then shoved Juice into Red Shoes, who took a bump.
Gedo gave White a chair. Juice cut White off before he could use it, then hit a Left Hand of God. He tried for Pulp Friction on the chair, but White slid out and slammed Juice on the chair.
White hit Juice’s left leg with the chair, then applied the TTO. Juice tapped out.
B BLOCK MATCH: SHINGO TAKAGI DEFEATED TOMOHIRO ISHII (22:42)
This did not disappoint. A great main event.
They began with an awesome series of teases and counters. Both missed on sliding lariat attempts. Ishii missed an enzuigiri. They traded a series of shoulder tackles. Shingo finally dropped Ishii with a shoulder tackle.
Shingo used an elbow drop, then hit a senton for a two count. He used a bodyscissors on the mat, but Ishii rolled to the ropes, forcing a break. Ishii dropped Shingo with a tackle, then hit a series of strikes.
Ishii hit kicks to the back, then one to the back of the head. Ishii hit a chop to the throat. They exchanged headbutts, then traded chops. Shingo hit a double sledge to the chest, then hit a vertical suplex. He used an elbow drop off the second rope, then hit a DDT. Shingo followed with a back suplex for a near fall.
Shingo teased a piledriver, but Ishii hit a backdrop. Shingo blocked one powerslam attempt, but Ishii hit the move on his second attempt. Ishii hit chops in the corner, but Shingo reversed positions, then blistered Ishii with strikes in the corner.
Ishii no-sold a series of strikes out of the corner, but Shingo finally dropped him with a lariat. Ishii popped right up, then hit a vertical suplex. Ishii offered his neck to Shingo and no-sold a series of neck shots.
They exchanged lariats, then traded backdrop suplexes. They no-sold everything, until Ishii ended the exchange with one more backdrop suplex. Ishii was bleeding from the left ear.
Ishii hit a superplex for a two count, then used a series of short kicks to the head. Shingo stood up and tried to fire back, but Ishii dropped him with a forearm. Ishii hit a powerbomb. He stacked Shingo up in a cover, but Shingo kicked out.
Ishii teased a brainbuster, but Shingo slid out, then hit a big lariat. Shingo hit noshigami, then connected on a sliding lariat, earning another near fall.
Shingo went for Made in Japan, but Ishii blocked it. Shingo hit a series of hard lariats. Ishii fired back with a lariat, then dropped Shingo with a headbutt.
Ishii tried for a sliding lariat, but Shingo caught him coming in. He hoisted Ishii up for Made in Japan. Shingo connected, but Ishii kicked out at two.
Shingo hit a Pumping Bomber, but Ishii again kicked out.
Shingo went for Last of the Dragon, but Ishii blocked the attempt. Ishii hit an enzuigiri, which Shingo took on his arms. Ishii hit a release German.
Ishii blocked a lariat, then hit two lariats of his own for a near fall. Ishii hit the sliding lariat for another near fall.
Ishii called for the brainbuster. They did a series of reversals, and Shingo hit an emerald frosion.
Shingo hit a Pumping Bomber, but Ishii no-sold it. Ishii hit an enzuigiri.
Ishii hit a lariat. Shingo kicked out at one. Shingo hit a lariat. Ishii kicked out at one. They hit simultaneous lariats. Shingo then dropped Ishii with a lariat.
Shingo hit a Pumping Bomber. This looked like the finish, but Ishii kicked out.
Shingo hit Last of the Dragon — and this time got the pin.
After the bell, they traded headbutts on the mat.
Shingo closed the show with a promo, promising to breathe fire.
G1 STANDINGS —
A BLOCK
Kazuchika Okada 14
Kota Ibushi 12
EVIL 8 (eliminated)
KENTA 8 (eliminated)
Hiroshi Tanahashi 8 (eliminated)
SANADA 8 (eliminated)
Zack Sabre Jr. 6 (eliminated)
Bad Luck Fale 6 (eliminated)
Will Ospreay 4 (eliminated)
Lance Archer 4 (eliminated)
B BLOCK
Hirooki Goto 10 (holds tiebreaker over White, Moxley)
Jon Moxley 10 (holds tiebreaker over Naito)
Tetsuya Naito 10 (holds tiebreaker over Goto)
Jay White 10 (holds tiebreaker over Moxley)
Tomohiro Ishii 8 (needs to beat Taichi and needs Goto, Moxley, Naito to lose)
Toru Yano 8 (needs to beat Cobb, needs Ishii and Goto to lose and White vs. Naito to end in a double DQ/countout)
New Japan’s next stop on the G1 Climax 29 tour was in Fukuoka this morning, as we’re now on day twelve of the tournament. Today’s main event featured a brawl between CHAOS stablemates Tomohiro Ishii and Hirooki Goto.
Today’s preliminary matches:
Bad Luck Fale, Yujiro Takahashi and Chase Owens defeated KENTA, Karl Fredricks and Clark Connors
– Owens defeated Fredricks with the package piledriver.
Minoru Suzuki and Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Lance Archer and Yoshinobu Kanemaru
– Sabre bridged Kanemaru for the victory.
Kota Ibushi, Tomoaki Honma and Toa Henare defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shota Umino and Ren Narita
– Henare pinned Narita with a uranage.
Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay and YOSHI-HASHI defeated SANADA, EVIL and BUSHI
– YOSHI-HASHI submitted BUSHI with the butterfly lock.
B Block: Jeff Cobb defeated Shingo Takagi
This was a great, well fought back and forth match, exactly the kind of match you want to have during this tournament. The last few minutes had some really great heat.
After getting the better of an early flurry of offense, Shingo cut off Cobb by clipping his leg. Cobb cut him off with an overhead suplex. Cobb followed that up reverse sidewalk slam and a standing moonsault.
Shingo cut him off and hit a big side suplex. He took him to the top, but Cobb grabbed him. Shingo kept him at bay and followed with a big superplex. The two then traded t-bone suplexes. The two trade offense until Shingo rails Cobb with the pumping bomber.
Cobb came back with his own lariat. Shingo went for a hurricanrana, but Cobb held on to him and flattened him with a powerbomb. He motioned for the tour of the islands, but Takagi collapsed. Shingo came back with a crucifix bomb then hit the Made in Japan for a near fall.
Shingo went for the last of the dragon, but Cobb cut him off and landed the Tour of the Islands for the win.
B Block: Toru Yano defeated Jon Moxley by count out
This was fine. I think most can accept this as a fluke loss as Yano’s gimmick is he gets these kind of surprise wins all the time.
Yano exited the ring before the match started and sprayed water on Moxley. He went to charge after him, but offered the DVD he tried to sell him on the last show, this time with ten thousand yen, a five thousand dollar increase Moxley kicked the DVD away as they started to brawl.
Yano low blowed Moxley as they were outside and tried to do the tape to the barricade routine, but Moxley got to him instead, with Yano getting in at 17. The two then grabbed the turnbuckles and started to fight with them. The referee took away the turnbuckle and Moxley got distracted, allowing Yano to low blow and roll him up for a nearfall.
Moxley set up a table, but as Moxley went towards him he grabbed Shota Umino and shoved him into Moxley, sending them both down. Yano got the tape and tied them together. Yano got into the ring late as the referee counted Moxley out, giving him his first loss.
The announcers made sure to mention that with a Yano win, everyone in the B Block with 4 points are still in contention, as a Moxley win would have eliminated them from the tournament.
B Block: Tetsuya Natio defeated Juice Robinson
Great match. A very well done, well worked match that made me want to see more between these two. I kind of wish Robinson got the win here as it would be a good fall program, but no dice.
Juice taunted Naito at the bell by taking his time taking off all of his gear, including the three t-shirts he had one. Naito attacked once Juice took off the third shirt and took him to the floor, where he hit a tornado DDT.
Naito taunted Juice by doing his punches, but Juice fired back with them and landed a lariat. Juice followed that up with a full nelson bomb. Naito cut him off with a neckbreaker and went to the top rope, but Naito cut him off.
Juice went for the pulp friction, but Naito cut him off and hit a giant German suplex. Naito rocks Juice and landed a poison rana and a Destino. Juice kicked out and hit the juice box. Somewhere around here Naito busted open his ear badly.
Juice countered the Destino and landed a giant lariat. But Naito countered the pulp friction with a brainbuster and hit the Destino for the win.
B Block: Jay White defeated Taichi
Not that good. Both men have a similar style and that played into the match, as there was a lot of stalling and tons of interference. That is their style, and while this doesn’t make it a great match I guess it was executed well for what it was.
Both men exited the ring and stalled. White stalked Kanemaru, who seconded Taichi, and bumped into Gedo. White attacks Taichi and the two battle until the referee starts counting, then they come back in.
Gedo grabs Miho Abe, which distracts Taichi and allows a Jay White opening. Taichi fired back with some kicks in the corner and went for a superkick, but White collapsed. White came back with a twisting neckbreaker and eventually landed the kiwi crusher, but Taichi kicked out at two.
Taichi rallied back and went for the last ride powerbomb, but Gedo went on the apron to complain to the ref. It backfired as Taichi got the low blow instead and pinned White with the Gedo clutch, but the referee was dragged out of the ring by Gedo, who came in with brass knucks. Kanemaru came in with the whiskey shot, but it backfired.
Both Gedo and Kanemaru were sent backing as Jay White goes for the bladerunner. Kanemaru connected with the whiskey shot and Taichi hit the last ride powerbomb for a nearfall. Gedo grabbed Taichi’s leg, which led to he and White trading finisher attempts until White hit a brainbuster. He connected with the blade runner and got the win.
B Block: Hirooki Goto defeated Tomohiro Ishii
A great main event. Not as good as some of the other Ishii brawls in this tournament, but this was the match of the night with some tremendous intensity and brawling.
The two started off the match with back and forth brawling. Ishii took Goto down with a suplex. Ishii continued to berate Goto with kicks and punches until he blocked a big boot and hit a discus clothesline.
The two continue to strike each other with forearm shots. Goto feels he has Ishii down, but when he rebounds off the ropes Ishii counters with a powerslam. Goto gets the better of Ishii and lands a draping neckbreaker off the top rope. Ishii meets Goto on the top rope with some big headbutts. Goto hits one of his own and plants Ishii with a big code red bomb for a nearfall.
Goto went for the ushigiroshi but Ishii blocked it. Goto was taken down by an Ishii headbutt and followed that with a powerbomb. Ishii hit the sliding D and looked for the brainbuster but Goto fought it. He took out Ishii with a reverse GTR and locked in a sleeper, then landed the ushigiroshi.
Goto pelted Ishii with kicks; Ishii responded with some scary sounding headbutts. Goto hit another reverse GTR and a kick. Ishii hit a standing enziguri, but Goto fought through with with a death valley driver, then finally landed the GTR for the win.
Goto finished the show with a promo, saying the G in G1 stands for Goto.
The G1 continued this morning in Hiroshima with B Block action.
Jon Moxley stands alone atop the block after another convincing win — this time over Shingo Takagi, while Tetsuya Naito climbed back into the hunt with a win over Tomohiro Ishii in a great main event.
Here are full results and match recaps:
YUJIRO TAKAHASHI, BAD LUCK FALE & CHASE OWENS DEFEATED WILL OSPREAY, TOMOAKI HONMA & YUYA UEMURA
Yujiro pinned Uemura with Pimp Juice in a formulaic opener.
Bullet Club worked over Honma, then turned it into a crowd brawl. Ospreay made a comeback, then tagged Uemura. Uemura ran wild, but Yujiro and Owens cut him off.
After the bell, Fale sent Ospreay into the barricade ahead of their tournament match on Saturday.
MINORU SUZUKI, LANCE ARCHER & ZACK SABRE JR. DEFEATED EVIL, SANADA & BUSHI
Suzuki-gun worked over EVIL. SANADA came back with a rana on Archer, but Archer cut him off. Suzuki got a tag, and SANADA hit him with a dragon screw.
The match broke down, and BUSHI and Suzuki were left legal. Archer used the EBD claw on BUSHI and SANADA, then Suzuki hit BUSHI with a Gotch-style piledriver for the pin.
Tanahashi pinned Narita after a slingblade, but he also gave Narita a ton of offense. Narita hit an overhead belly-to-belly for a great near fall, and he also used a full crab for a long submission tease.
The interaction between Tanahashi and Ibushi was limited, but Ibushi did land some kicks, while Tana hit a dragon screw.
KAZUCHIKA OKADA, YOSHI-HASHI & TOA HENARE DEFEATED KENTA, CLARK CONNORS & KARL FREDERICKS
KENTA and Okada started off, and KENTA controlled the match. He hit Okada with kicks, then mocked him with a Rainmaker pose.
Okada made his own comeback against Fredericks. Henare and YOSHI-HASHI exchanged quick tags and went to work on Fredericks. Okada tagged back in and sent KENTA from the apron to the floor with a shoulder tackle.
KENTA sent Okada into the barricade, while Henare and Connors were left the legal men in the ring. Connors hit a nice dropkick, but Henare came back with a Samoan drop.
Fredericks and Connors doubled up on YH, but YH made his own comeback, then used a Butterfly Lock on Connors for the submission. This was a good little tag match.
B BLOCK MATCH: JUICE ROBINSON DEFEATED TORU YANO (4:28)
Yano asked for a handshake, but used it to roll Juice up for a near fall. Yano untied a corner pad, then sent Juice into the exposed buckle.
They went outside, where Yano tried to tape Juice to the barricade. They did a countout tease, but Juice made it back in at 19.
Yano got two more near falls off schoolboys and again sent Juice into the exposed buckle. Juice avoided two low blows, then hit Pulp Friction for the pin.
This was a short, typical Yano G1 match. It was entertaining.
B BLOCK MATCH: TAICHI DEFEATED HIROOKI GOTO (12:11)
Goto went after Taichi before the bell, as he continues to show a more aggressive edge.
They brawled outside, where Taichi posted Goto, then took over. Back inside, Taichi worked over Goto with kicks. Goto went for an ushigoroshi, but Taichi slipped out the back.
They traded lariats, but Taichi continued to control the match with his kicks. Goto hit an ushigoroshi, but sold the damage to his legs from the kicks, and he could not follow up.
They exchanged lariats, and Goto hit a spinning lariat for a near fall. They traded a series of short kicks. Goto hit an inverted GTR for a two count. He went for a second GTR, but Taichi blocked it. He teased Shouten Kai, but Taichi slipped out, then sent Goto into the referee, who took a bump.
Taichi tried to use his mic stand as a weapon, but Goto blocked it. Goto went for a GTR as the ref revived. Taichi pulled the referee into Goto for a distraction, hit a low blow, then used the Gedo Clutch for the pin.
This was the weakest match of the tournament so far.
B BLOCK MATCH: JON MOXLEY DEFEATED SHINGO TAKAGI (14:45)
They exchanged forearm shots right away. Moxley scored a knockdown off a tackle, and Shingo rolled outside. Moxley went for a suicide dive, but Shingo caught him, then hit a DVD on the floor.
Moxley came back immediately, sending Shingo into the barricade, then posting him. Moxley set up a table. Both teased sending the other off the apron through the table, but both blocked.
Moxley hooked Shingo’s leg in the ropes, then nailed it with a dropkick. Moxley used a figure four, but Shingo reached the ropes. Moxley tried for a Death Rider, but Shingo hit a backdrop.
Shingo hit a pair of corner clotheslines, then hit a vertical suplex. Shingo continued to sell his legs. He went for a sliding lariat, but Moxley caught him, then hit a low dropkick to the legs. Moxley posted Shingo’s left leg repeatedly, then used a figure four around the post.
Moxley hit a clothesline in the corner, and they exchanged German suplexes. They exchanged strikes, then Moxley hit a dragon screw. Moxley used a figure four to cradle Shingo for a near fall, then hit a sliding lariat. He teased a cloverleaf, but Shingo fought it off.
Moxley tried to send Shingo from corner to corner, but Shingo’s leg buckled. Moxley went for the Regal knee, but Shingo hit him with noshigami, a lariat, then a Pumping Bomber for a near fall.
Shingo fired up at the ten minute call. He went for Last of the Dragon, but his leg buckled. Moxley hit Death Rider, but only got a near fall off of it.
Shingo blocked a second Death Rider, and they rolled outside. Moxley slammed Shingo’s left leg into the table, which didn’t break. Moxley wrapped a chair around the left leg, then hit it with another chair. They teased a countout, but Shingo made it back inside.
As soon as Shingo stepped back inside, Moxley hit the Regal knee. He went for a Death Rider, but Shingo blocked it. Shingo then hit Made in Japan for a near fall.
Shingo went for Last of the Dragon, but Moxley kicked at the bad knee. Moxley hit another Regal knee to the back for a near fall, then used a cloverleaf for the submission.
This was good. Shingo did more selling than he has at any point since his NJPW debut, and Moxley did more wrestling than hardcore brawling.
B BLOCK MATCH: JAY WHITE DEFEATED JEFF COBB (15:50)
White did his customary stalling early on. Cobb hit a dropkick, then a huge throw, and White rolled outside. Cobb teased posting White, but Gedo made the save for White.
Cobb got Gedo in the ring, allowing White to hit a knee to the back. White took over, choking Cobb with the ring skirt, then hitting a neckbreaker off the apron to the floor.
White continued working over the neck with a chinlock, then a neck tie. Cobb hit a Samoan drop. He tried to kip up, but White pulled him back to the mat by his hair. Cobb hit a belly-to-belly, then a pop-up backdrop.
Cobb hit a gutwrench suplex, an uppercut, then a vertical suplex. Cobb hit a standing moonsault for a near fall. Cobb went for the Tour of the Islands, but White blocked it, then snapped Cobb’s neck over the top rope. White hit a DDT, then a flatliner.
White hit another flatliner, then a Saito suplex. They traded strikes. White used an eye rake, but Cobb came back with a fallaway slam. Cobb hit an impressive sidewalk slam, then placed White on the top rope. Gedo provided a distraction, and White slipped to the apron. Cobb followed up with a deadlift superplex for a great near fall.
White blocked a Tour of the Islands with elbow strikes. Cobb pushed White off into the referee, and we had our second ref bump of the night. Gedo jumped in with brass knuckles, but Cobb slammed him. White blocked another Tour of the Islands attempt, then hit a low blow.
White hit a sleeper suplex. Cobb hit a snap German. Cobb went for Tour of the Islands, but White reversed it into a Blade Runner to get his first win of the tournament.
The ref bump sucked the life out of the crowd and really hurt an otherwise good match.
B BLOCK MATCH: TETSUYA NAITO DEFEATED TOMOHIRO ISHII (19:00)
Naito controlled the early-going with strikes. Ishii came back with a powerslam, then landed a series of chops. Ishii hit a headbutt. Naito hammered Ishii’s neck with elbows, then hit an inverted atomic drop. Naito hit a one-legged dropkick.
Naito was really moving well here. He hit a flying headscissors, a dropkick to the back, then a combinacion in the corner. He teased a top rope rana, but Ishii cut him off. He teased a powerbomb out of the corner, but Naito slipped out.
Naito hit a hard shot to the neck, but Ishii no-sold it. Naito spit at Ishii, who then dropped him with a forearm. Ishii hit a series of chops and strikes in the corner. Ishii hit a back suplex for a near fall.
Ishii went for a powerbomb, but Naito countered out. Ishii missed a sliding lariat, and Naito hit an enzuigiri. Naito missed a dropkick, and Ishii hit a suplex. Naito hit a tornado DDT, into a double down. This was an awesome sequence.
Naito hit a neckbreaker off the second rope, then a top rope rana for a near fall. Naito hit a flying forearm, then hit Gloria for a near fall. Naito went for Destino, but had to settle for a suplex after Ishii fought out.
Naito hit a poison rana. He tried for Destino again, but Ishii fought it off with a lariat. Naito ducked another lariat, then hit an enzuigiri. Ishii placed Naito on the top rope, then hit an uppercut headbutt to the chin. Ishii followed up with a superplex for a two count at the 15-minute call.
Naito blocked a lariat, but Ishii hit a headbutt. Ishii hit a hard lariat, and Naito took a flip bump. Ishii got a two count. Naito slipped out of a brainbuster. Naito hit Destino, but only got a two count.
Naito went for another Destino. Ishii blocked it, but Naito hit a suplex. Ishii no-sold it, popped up, then hit a sliding lariat for a two count.
Naito blocked a brainbuster, then hit a Michinoku Driver for a near fall.
We have reached the one-third point of the G1 Climax 29 after today’s show in Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall.
Here are night six’s results and match recaps:
BAD LUCK FALE & CHASE OWENS DEFEATED ZACK SABRE JR. & YOSHINBOU KANEMARU
They’re playing up Sabre’s losing streak in the G1, as he remains winless. Sabre tried to attack Fale after the match, but Fale fought him off and left him laying.
This was a wild brawl that saw Bullet Club attack Suzuki-gun before the opening bell.
Fale won with a Grenade on Kanemaru after ducking the whiskey mist. Kanemaru accidentally sprayed the whiskey in Sabre’s eyes.
This was another fun brawl. Suzuki-gun attacked a pack of Young Lions after the match.
Honma went for a kokeshi on Suzuki, but Suzuki tripped him. Suzuki-gun took over. Suzuki used an armbar over the ropes, and this turned into a Suzuki-gun crowd brawl.
Archer and Suzuki worked over Honma in their corner. Suzuki landed some stiff forearm shots. Honma caught a PK, then hit a diving kokeshi, enabling a tag to Tana.
Tana worked on Archer’s legs, playing off the damage KENTA did to Archer’s legs with kicks last night. Archer caught Tana on a slingblade attempt and hit a bossman slam.
Tana and Honma used a double suplex on Archer, then hit stereo kokeshis. Archer hit stereo chokeslams on Tana and Honma as the match broke down. Archer won with the EBD Claw into a pinfall on Honma.
Archer used the Claw on Tanahashi after the bell.
EVIL, SANADA & BUSHI DEFEATED KOTA IBUSHI, KENTA & CLARK CONNORS
This was a nice preview of the upcoming SANADA vs. Ibushi and EVIL vs. KENTA matches. SANADA and Ibushi posed on the turnbuckles after the match, getting a split reaction from the crowd.
SANADA and Ibushi started out with a hot exchange. BUSHI tripped Ibushi from the floor, allowing LIJ to take over. They cut the ring in half, working over Ibushi. Ibushi came back with a dropkick and managed a tag to KENTA.
KENTA lit up EVIL with kicks and knee strikes. BUSHI made a tag and hit a missile dropkick. KENTA came back with a powerslam, then tagged Connors.
Connors hit a great leapfrog/drop down/dropkick, then used a full crab on BUSHI. SANADA tried to break it up, but Ibushi intervened. LIJ went three-on-one against Connors, and BUSHI hit a backstabber for a near fall. BUSHI then hit the MX for the pin.
KAZUCHIKA OKADA & YOSHI-HASHI DEFEATED WILL OSPREAY & TOA HENARE
Ospreay and Okada delivered a nice preview of their meeting tomorrow, but the real star of this match was Henare. He looked great in defeat here.
YH and Henare had an even back-and-forth at the outset. Okada got a tag, hit a slingshot senton, then mocked Ospreay with his pose. Okada and YH worked over Henare in their corner.
Ospreay finally got a tag. He hit Pip Pip Cheerio on Okada, then hit the Rainmaker pose. Ospreay ducked a Rainmaker. Okada blocked an OsCutter with a dropkick. Ospreay hit an enzuigiri, and we were back to Henare and YH.
Henare got a pair of near falls off a vertical suplex and a tackle. Okada and Ospreay jumped in. Ospreay sent Okada to the floor with a clothesline, then hit a pescado. YH picked up the pin after a fisherman buster.
B BLOCK MATCH: SHINGO TAKAGI DEFEATED TAICHI (14:41)
This was excellent. Shingo was great as always, but Taichi really rose to the occasion.
Shingo attacked before the bell, as things got off to a fast start. Shingo hit a big vertical suplex, and Taichi rolled to the floor in an attempt to slow things down. Taichi used a distraction from Miho Abe to hit Shingo with his mic stand.
They fought into the crowd, and Taichi used a chair. Back inside, Taichi used an eye rake, then hit a series of kicks. Shingo fired back with strikes, a slam, and a back elbow off the second rope.
Shingo missed on a sliding lariat, then Taichi hit a head kick. Taichi nearly took Shingo’s head off with an enzuigiri, then took his pants off.
Shingo blocked a buzzsaw kick. They traded strikes, then exchanged back suplexes. Shingo blocked an axe bomber, then hit noshigami. They hit simultaneous lariats. They exchanged strikes, and Taichi hit an axe bomber into a double down.
Taichi hit a buzzsaw kick. Shingo used a backslide for a two count, then hit Made in Japan for a near fall. Shingo fired up, then hit two lariats. Taichi blocked a Last of the Dragon attempt, then hit an axe bomber and an enzuigiri.
Taichi used a Last Ride for a near fall. Taichi shoved the ref down and tried a low blow, but Shingo blocked it. Shingo hit a short lariat, then hit a Pumping Bomber for a two count.
Shingo hit Last of the Dragon and got the 1-2-3.
B BLOCK MATCH: JEFF COBB DEFEATED JUICE ROBINSON (13:22)
Both guys looked great here. They worked a very hard-hitting match.
Juice took the early part of the match. He hit a series of jabs and clotheslines. He teased the cannonball, but switched to a dropkick as Cobb stood up out of the corner. Juice tried a pescado. Cobb caught him and teased a suplex on the floor, but Juice slipped out, then posted him.
Juice continued to dominate on the inside. He tried for a standing moonsault, but missed. Cobb caught a leg lariat attempt and hit an overhead throw. Cobb caught Juice on a spear attempt, then hit another throw. Cobb then hit a standing moonsault for a near fall.
Juice fought off a Tour of the Islands attempt. He connected with a leg lariat, then went for a Juice Box. Cobb slipped out, and they exchanged forearms. Cobb hit a series of overhand rights, but Juice answered with a spinebuster.
Juice hit a cannonball, then a top rope frankensteiner for a near fall. Cobb caught Juice on a running attack, then placed him on the top rope. Juice hit a sunset flip powerbomb from that position, earning a two count.
Cobb blocked a Pulp Friction attempt, then hit a throw. Juice hit a big right hand, then dropped Cobb with a clothesline for another near fall. Cobb blocked another Pulp Friction attempt, then hit a German. He followed with a release German.
Cobb hit a superkick, then connected with a bridging German for a near fall. Juice blocked Tour of the Islands and used a roll-up for a two count.
Cobb blocked a left hand, then hit Tour of the Islands for his first win of the tournament.
B BLOCK MATCH: TORU YANO DEFEATED JAY WHITE (3:04)
This was fun.
White rolled to the floor, then used a distraction from Gedo to take over. Yano untied a corner pad. They traded roll-ups, then White hit a low blow. Yano spit in White’s eyes.
White blocked a low blow. Gedo jumped in, and Red Shoes took a bump. Yano took brass knuckles away from Gedo. White ducked a brass knucks shot, but got sent into Gedo. Yano then hit a low blow with the brass knuckles and used a schoolboy for the pin.
B BLOCK MATCH: TETSUYA NAITO DEFEATED HIROOKI GOTO (14:00)
I was having a difficult time trying to visualize this match. Physically, Naito isn’t in a position to be carrying anyone right now. Goto has always been a guy that is capable of great matches, but he needs someone just a level up to work with.
I think both guys took an extra step here. Naito had to kick it up a notch from his recent efforts, and Goto had to be more of a ring general than usual. The last few minutes were good, but I’m not sure that the finished product was as good as the sum of its parts. The effort was there, though.
Goto choked Naito with his T-shirt before the match, as they continue to present a more intense version of Goto. Goto hit a series of kicks, but Naito quickly made a comeback. He dragged Goto to the apron, then snapped his leg against the apron.
Naito continued to work on Goto’s left leg. He hit a low dropkick, then used a figure four. Goto came back with a spinning clothesline, a wheel kick to the back, then a Saito suplex for a near fall.
Goto hit a neckbreaker in the corner. Naito continued working over the leg. Naito went for Destino, but Goto turned it into a neckbreaker over the knee. Goto hit an ushigoroshi for a near fall.
Goto hit a series of short kicks to the chest with his bad leg. I’m not sure if he was supposedly playing possum, or if he just stopped selling.
Naito went for Destino again, but Goto caught him, then hit an inverted GTR. Goto hit a mid kick for a near fall. He went for another ushigoroshi, but Naito turned it into a DDT. Naito hit Destino, but Goto kicked out.
Naito followed up with a second Destino, earning his first points of the tournament.
B BLOCK MATCH: JON MOXLEY DEFEATED TOMOHIRO ISHII (20:37)
I don’t know if this was the best match of the tournament so far, but this is currently my favorite.
They went nose-to-nose before the bell and started off at warp speed. They traded a flurry of strikes. Ishii missed an enzuigiri. Moxley took control and took the fight into the stands. Moxley rammed Ishii into the EAST sign.
Moxley controlled the brawl as they continued around the entire arena. Back inside, Moxley taunted Ishii with short kicks and stomps. Ishii no-sold them, then fired up. Moxley cut him off with more short strikes, then used an STF.
Moxley hit a series of chops and punches in the corner. Ishii ran out of the corner and hit a tackle, dropping Moxley. Ishii answered with his own series of punches and chops, then hit a vertical suplex.
They brawled to the floor, where Moxley whipped Ishii into the barricade. Each man grabbed a chair. They hit stereo chair strikes, but Moxley got the best of the exchange. Moxley threw a chair at Ishii, dropping him.
Moxley set up a table. He teased a uranage through the table, but Ishii blocked it. Ishii teased a suplex through the table, but Moxley blocked it. Moxley hit a dropkick, then a suicide dive. Moxley hit a chair shot. Ishii blocked another shot with his elbow, then used the chair himself.
Ishii placed Moxley on the table, then hit a splash off the top rope through the table. We reached another level here.
Ishii hit a suplex off the second rope for a near fall. Moxley blocked a sliding lariat. Ishii hit a German. Moxley hit a German, then a big lariat.
Ishii blocked a knee strike, then hit an enzuigiri. He used a sliding lariat for a near fall. Ishii tried for a brainbuster, but Moxley bit his face, stopping him. Moxley hit a Regal Knee strike, into a double down.
They traded headbutts. Moxley hit a lariat, then used a uranage for a two count. Moxley hit the Regal Knee, but Ishii kicked out.
Ishii hit a backdrop out of a Death Rider attempt. Ishii blocked another Death Rider with a lariat. Ishii hit a second lariat. He covered, but Moxley kicked out.
Each teased their finisher. Ishii hit a headbutt, then two lariats. Moxley no-sold, hit palm strikes, then hit Death Rider — but only got a two count.
Moxley pulled down his knee pads, hit a Regal Knee, then followed with a Death Rider. This time, it was enough for the pin.
Tomohiro Ishii will be challenging for the NEVER Openweight Championship next month.
Taichi defending his NEVER Openweight title against Ishii is now official for NJPW Dominion. The event is being held at Osaka-jo Hall on Sunday, June 9.
Taichi defeated Jeff Cobb to win the NEVER title at Wrestling Dontaku night one last Friday. Ishii was then revealed as Taichi’s next challenger during a backstage confrontation at Wrestling Dontaku night two. Ishii defeated EVIL before the angle with Taichi took place.
This is Taichi’s second reign with the NEVER title. He previously held it from September 17 to November 3 of last year.
Chris Jericho challenging for Kazuchika Okada’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship has been confirmed as the main event of Dominion, and Kota Ibushi defending the IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Tetsuya Naito is also now official for the show. Both of those matches were set up at Wrestling Dontaku night two.
Niigata was home to today’s semifinal matches in the New Japan Cup tournament, which is starting to finally wind down after 11 days of pretty good action. Tomorrow will determine this year’s New Japan Cup winner, as well as the number one contender to Jay White’s IWGP Heavyweight championship. Here are the undercard results:
– Manabu Nakanishi, Yuji Nagata, Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima defeated Michael Elgin, Yuya Uemura, Yota Tsuji and Colt Cabana
Nagata submitted Tsuji with the Nagata lock.
– Shingo Takagi and BUSHI defeated Shota Umino and Ren Narita
Takagi pinned Narita with the Noshigami.
– Minoru Suzuki and The Killer Elite Squad defeated Togi Makabe, Toru Yano and Toa Henare
Lance Archer pinned Henare with blackout.
– Zack Sabre Jr. and Taichi defeated Will Ospreay and Ryusuke Taguchi
Sabre submitted Taguchi for the victory.
– Tetsuya Naito and EVIL defeated Kota Ibushi and Tomoaki Honma
EVIL pinned Honma with the Everything is Evil.
– Juice Robinson, YOSHI-HASHI, Mikey Nicholls and Hirooki Goto defeated Jay White, Chase Owens, Bad Luck Fale and Hikuleo
Goto defeated Hikuleo with the GTR. Fale attacked everyone after the match as Chase Owens posed with the title.
New Japan Cup Semifinals:
Kazuchika Okada defeated Tomohiro Ishii
Another classic match between the two. I wouldn’t say it’s their best, but this was one of the better matches of the tournament so far. It was a mostly offense match and the crowd was into it.
They start off hot, each exchanging blows once Ishii broke out of a clean break with a slap. They continue dealing with some hard shots. Ishii strikes back with some chops and offense of his own as he takes Okada into a corner. The two exchange elbows.
Okada takes down Ishii but he gets right back up as soon as he hits the rainmaker pose. He fires with a lariat but Okada popped right back up with a dropkick. Okada hit the tombstone but Ishii blocked the rainmaker with a big headbutt/lariat combo.
Ishii starts to fire back with some offense as the crowd gets hot. He looks for the brainbuster but Okada knees him. Ishii fires back with a forearm but eats an Okada dropkick. Okada went for the rainmaker but Ishii traps him with a straight armbar. Okada fights before making it to the bottom rope.
Okada mounts some offense, hitting a shotgun dropkick. Ishii countered with a lariat but Tanahashi kicked out at one. Another brainbuster attempt, but Okada went for the rainmaker. Ishii headbutted him, but Okada still took him out with a dropkick. Rainmaker attempt again, but Ishii continues to fight on and cuts him off. Okada countered with the spinning tombstone then pinned Ishii with the rainmaker.
SANADA defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi
I liked this match a lot, though it was tough to follow the previous match. They built up well and had a hot crowd that popped huge when SANADA pulled off the upset.
Crowd was into SANADA tonight, leaving Tanahashi in the cold. SANADA took him down early, applying a leglock. They eventually go to the outside, with SANADA taking out Okada with a flying crossbody to the floor.
Tanahashi comes back and goes for the cloverleaf, but SANADA makes it to the ropes. Tanahashi tries again, this time sinking it in. SANADA escapes, then tries the skull end. He send him flat as SANADA hits two moonsaults, but Tanahashi grabs him for an inside cradle and a near fall.
Tanahashi goes for a slingblade but SANADA counters, only for Tanahashi to catch him in a roll-up. The two trade near-falls as Tanahashi goes for the dragon suplex. SANADA tried to swing him around for the skull end, but Tanahashi counters with two sling blades.
SANADA floated over a Dragon suplex and went for a O’Connor Roll, but Tanahashi countered and went for the rolling clutch. SANADA grabs him instead and traps him with the skull end. Tanahashi struggles, but with no options has to tap out. That officially makes it Kazuchika Okada vs. SANADA in the New Japan Cup finals.
After the match, SANADA asks for the crowd to turn on their cell phones. The lights turn off, making the arena look like a Bray Wyatt entrance. SANADA says this is his favorite town, and he’ll see them tomorrow.
The quarterfinal round of the 2019 New Japan Cup kicked off today in Shizuoka, with two stellar tournament matches on top.
The undercard on the show felt like filler. With Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay on top, nothing underneath was likely to steal the show anyway.
And so, the opening tag matches provided little in the way of excitement. Only one undercard tag bout cracked the 10-minute mark, and the show moved at a brisk pace.
Tomohiro Ishii and YOSHI-HASHI delivered in the semi-main position, while the main event was a showcase for two of the 10 best wrestlers on the planet.
Business picked up a bit once Nagata tagged in, but this was not a strong opener. Nakanishi and Tenzan moved in slow motion. Nagata tapped out Tsuji with the Nagata Lock II.
JUICE ROBINSON, MIKEY NICHOLLS & RYUSUKE TAGUCHI DEFEATED CHASE OWENS, BAD LUCK FALE & HIKULEO
Bullet Club took control early on, as Jado used a kendo stick on Taguchi’s glutes. Chase will challenge Juice for his IWGP United States Heavyweight title on Sunday, but he wanted no parts of the champ today.
Chase repeatedly begged off, but Juice finally got his hands on him in the ring. Juice hit jabs and a cannonball. He teased Pulp Friction, but Jado provided a distraction, allowing Chase to hit a combination of strikes.
Nicholls and HIKULEO got tags. Nicholls hit HIKULEO with the Mikey Bomb and picked up the win.
MINORU SUZUKI, LANCE ARCHER, DAVEY BOY SMITH JR & TAICHI DEFEATED TOMOAKI HONMA, TOGI MAKABE, MICHAEL ELGIN & TORU YANO
Suzuki-gun, the rogues that they are, attacked before the opening bell. They then had a middling brawl. Makabe and Suzuki had an intense striking exchange, but aside from that, not much in the way of action here.
The match broke down, with Taichi and Honma left the legal men in the ring. Taichi kicked Honma low, then used the Gedo Clutch for the pin.
They continue to plant seeds for another singles encounter between Naito and Ibushi. Naito taunted Ibushi after the match, while Ibushi remained silent.
During the match, Ibushi landed right on the top of his head while executing a backflip kick on Naito and Shingo. That was terrifying.
Shingo gave Narita a good bit of offense, and Narita even kicked out of one Pumping Bomber, before eventually falling victim to a second.
EVIL & SANADA DEFEATED COLT CABANA & TOA HENARE
SANADA and Cabana gave a preview of their quarterfinal match tomorrow. They did some comedy, which worked well, and their serious wrestling was quite good. Cabana busted out a second rope moonsault.
EVIL hit Darkness Falls on Henare, but Cabana broke up the pinfall. SANADA took Cabana out with a dropkick, and SANADA and EVIL hit the Magic Killer on Henare, leading to the pin.
ZACK SABRE JR. & TAKA MICHINOKU DEFEATED HIROSHI TANAHASHI & SHOTA UMINO
TAKA and Sabre dominated Umino early on. Tanahashi tagged in for a couple of signature spots, going head-to-head with Sabre. Sabre blocked one Dragon Screw, but Tanahashi managed to hit a second.
Umino got a tag and hit an awesome missile dropkick, then kicked out of a PK from Sabre. Sabre sold tweaking his right knee, which is worth noting ahead of Tanahashi vs. Sabre tomorrow.
Sabre used a Cobra Twist, then Orienteering with Napalm Death for the submission win over Umino.
NEW JAPAN CUP QUARTERFINAL MATCH: TOMOHIRO ISHII DEFEATED YOSHI-HASHI (20:25)
A very good match. Ishii is amazing. YOSHI-HASHI held up his end of the bargain, and he looked good in defeat.
The story of the match was that, as members of the same CHAOS faction, these guys know each other well. Each had a counter for the other as they tried to trade holds at the outset.
With that reaching a stalemate, Ishii looked to use his power advantage. YH had his left shoulder taped, and Ishii dumped him on that shoulder with a powerslam. YH stood up to a series of shoulder tackles and hit a headhunter.
YH drew blood from Ishii’s chest with a series of chops. They traded elbow strikes for a long time, and YH finally went down. Ishii hit an extended sequence of chops and punches in the corner, and he tore the tape of YH’s shoulder.
YH spit at Ishii, then slapped him in the face. YH dropped Ishii with a mid kick, then dropped him again with a lariat. YH hit a Liger Bomb for a two count. He slapped on the Butterfly Lock, then transitioned to a sleeper.
YH hit a backstabber, then went back to the Butterfly Lock, but Ishii powered his way to a rope break. YH missed with a swanton bomb. Ishii hit a backdrop driver, but YH blocked the following lariat.
They traded chops in the center of the ring. Ishii hit a jackknife powerbomb for a two count. YH ducked a first sliding lariat attempt, but Ishii connected on the second for a near fall. Ishii went for a brainbuster, but YH rolled him up for a two count.
YH used another roll-up for a near fall, then hit a lariat, as they went into a double down. Ishii hit a lariat, and they exchanged headbutts. YH hit double knees for a near fall, then a fisherman buster for another two count.
Ishii reversed a Karma attempt into a DDT. Ishii hit a headbutt, no-sold two thrust kicks, then hit a lariat for a near fall. Ishii then hit the vertical drop brainbuster for the victory.
NEW JAPAN CUP QUARTERFINAL MATCH: KAZUCHIKA OKADA DEFEATED WILL OSPREAY (20:11)
A great match. I could have used about five more minutes, as they really picked it up around the 15-minute mark. They left me wanting more, and they will meet again, I’m sure.
They started slowly, exchanging headlocks and wristlocks. Okada broke cleanly on the ropes. Ospreay hit a monkey flip. He teased a dive, but hit his pose instead. Okada drew him to the floor, then sent him towards the barricade, but Ospreay leaped over the barrier. Ospreay came off the fence into an uppercut, and Okada took over.
Okada hit a slingshot senton, a neckbreaker, then worked a chinlock, focusing his attack on Ospreay’s neck. Okada placed Ospreay on the turnbuckles, then dropkicked him to the floor. Ospreay climbed back to the apron, and Okada hammered him with forearms.
Ospreay pulled Okada to the floor with a rana, then hit a Sasuke Special. Back inside, Ospreay hit a handspring corkscrew kick. Okada countered with a flapjack, then hit an air raid crash for a two count.
Okada hit a top rope elbow. He teased his Rainmaker pose, but Ospreay nailed him with an enzuigiri. Ospreay followed with Pip Pip Cheerio. Ospreay hit a series of kicks to the chest. He went for the Storm Breaker, but Okada hit an arm drag, then sent Ospreay into the corner with a kick.
They traded strikes, and Okada won the exchange. Ospreay used a backslide, grabbed wrist control, then hit a lariat. Ospreay hit a second short arm lariat. He went for a Rainmaker, but Okada hit a dropkick. Okada missed with a second dropkick, and Ospreay hit a kick.
Ospreay continued to pepper Okada with kicks, then hit an avalanche move off the ropes for a two count. Okada blocked an OsCutter and went for the Rainmaker, but Ospreay turned it into a standing Spanish Fly for a close near fall.
Ospreay went to the top and hit a shooting star press, then another, and picked up another two count. Ospreay went for the OsCutter, but Okada hit a dropkick. Okada hit a tombstone, then went for the Rainmaker. Ospreay reversed into a Storm Breaker attempt, but Okada countered that with a spinning tombstone.
The second round of the New Japan Cup began this morning at Okayama at the ZIP Arena. By the end of the night, we had our first quarterfinal match set. Here are quick results for the undercard:
– Bad Luck Fale, Taiji Ishimori and Hikuleo defeated Juice Robinson, Tomoaki Honma and Yuya Uemura
Ishimori submitted Uemura with the bloody cross.
– Togi Makabe, Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima defeated Manabu Nakanishi, Toa Henare and Yuji Nagata
Makabe pinned Nakanishi after the king kong knee drop.
– Tetsuya Naito, BUSHI and Shingo Takagi defeated Michael Elgin, Shota Umino and Ren Narita
Takagi pinned Narita with the noshigami.
– SANADA and EVIL defeated Minoru Suzuki and Davey Boy Smith Jr.
SANADA pinned Davey Boy Smith with a O’Connor roll.
– Hirooki Goto, Will Ospreay and Kota Ibushi defeated Taka Michinoku, Lance Archer and Zack Sabre Jr.
Goto defeated Michinoku with the GTR.
– Mikey Nicholls, Ryusuke Taguchi and Colt Cabana defeated Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Toru Yano
Nicholls pinned Yano with the Mikey bomb.
New Japan Cup results:
YOSHI-HASHI defeated Chase Owens
This was fine. It built slow, but by the end it got to be a pretty good bout. Not anything special by New Japan standards, though.
Things start out evenly until Jado distracted YOSHI-HASHI, allowing Chase to get the heat. YH cut him off and took him to the top rope, but Owens shoves him down in a tree of woe position and hits a double foot stomp.
Owens wears down YH with a sharpshooter, using the ropes for leverage. YH manages to grab the rope as Owens dragged him to the apron. Owens went for the package piledriver, but instead YH countered with a back body drop.
YH went for karma but grabbed the referee. This let Jado come in and strike YH down with the kendo stick. Owens hit a bicycle knee and went for the Jewel Heist but YH countered with a lariat. Owens ended up taking a kendo stick shot by Jado by accident which gives YH the opportunity to hit the butterfly lock.
Owens manages to escape, but YH cut him off before he could do anything and pinned him with karma for the win.
Tomohiro Ishii defeated Taichi
This was a good match, picked up majorly by the last few minutes. I’m not going to say I’m the biggest fan of Taichi but he knows his spots, and knows how to execute them at the right moments to get heat or for a great near fall.
Taichi, naturally, took his time getting rid of his gear and stalled. After entering the ring to a 17 count, Ishii had enough and took him to the floor. Taichi found his opening by throwing a chair at Ishii as he was arguing with the referee.
Taichi continued to dominate, striking him with kicks and remained on the offensive until Ishii laid him out with a brainbuster. Taichi cuts him off with an enziguri and a big boot, but Ishii no sold his offense and started to chop Taichi. Taichi landed a giant Saito suplex, sending Ishii to the ground hard.
Ishii kicked out of a buzzsaw kick Taichi went right back at it with a piledriver attempt. Ishii have him a back body drop. He followed that with a big last ride powerbomb, but somehow Taichi kicked out. Taichi blocked a sliding D as he shoved Ishii into the referee.
Taichi grabbed the microphone stand as Ishii gets up, daring him to attack him with it. Taichi opts to brawl with Ishii, attacking him with kicks and lays out Ishii with an enziguri. He hits his own last ride, but Ishii kicked out. Taichi went for black mephisto, but Ishii countered with a piledriver…only for Taichi to immediately get back up and strike Ishii down with a knee before collapsing.
Ishii hit two lariats and went for a brainbuster, but Taichi escaped, distracted the ref for a low blow and used the Gedo clutch, but somehow Ishii kicked out. Ishii hit an enziguri of his own and hit a sliding D, then finished off Ishii with a brainbuster.
That makes the first quarterfinal match YOSHI-HASHI vs. Tomohiro Ishii, which will take place on 3/20.
Korakuen Hall was home to the opening day of the New Japan Cup. The first four matches were determined tonight, with four men advancing to the second round.
Here are quick results from tonight’s undercard:
– Bad Luck Fale, Taiji Ishimori and Hikuleo defeated Will Ospreay, Mikey Nicholls and Rocky Romero
Ishimori pinned Romero with the bloody cross.
– Minoru Suzuki, Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Lance Archer defeated Satoshi Kojima, Toa Henare and Toru Yano
Smith defeated Henare with the Bulldog Bomb.
– EVIL and BUSHI defeated Zack Sabre Jr. and Taka Michinoku
BUSHI defeated Michinoku with the MX.
– Tetsuya Naito, SANADA and Shingo Takagi defeated Kota Ibushi, Hirooki Goto and SHO
Takagi defeated SHO with the Last of the Dragon.
– Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe and Hiroyoshi Tenzan defeated Michael Elgin, Colt Cabana, Ryusuke Taguchi and Shota Umino
Okada pinned Umino with the Rainmaker
A vignette for El Phantasmo, who wrestles regularly for RevPro, aired, as he’s coming soon. At the end of the video, a Bullet Club logo appeared, so it appears he already has a direction.
New Japan Cup matches:
YOSHI-HASHI defeated Manabu Nakanishi
This was good given Nakanishi’s limitations. He worked hard here, and while not everything looked pretty, but this was good and the crowd was into it.
YH catches Nakanishi was he was entering the ring and starts attacking his legs. Nakanishi no sold YH’s offense but he fired back after falling to the ground, targeting the legs again. Nakanishi very slowly countered YH with a northern lights suplex, at least i think that’s what it was.
YH slammed Nakanishi and went for the swanton but Nakanishi got up to the middle rope and unleashed a big suplex, sending YH to the floor. Nakanishi actually went for a top rope dive to the floor, but instead hopped over, jumped off the apron and took YH down with a chop. He then followed with a decent-looking crossbody back in the ring for a near fall.
Nakanishi puts YH in the torture rack but YH grabbed the ref’s shirt, distracting him. This was a pattern tonight. Nakanishi slapped YH, but he started to fire back with some clotheslines until Nakanishi took him down with a spear. YH counters with with the butterfly lock. Nakanishi tries to power out, but YH traps him in again and with no other solution, submits.
Taichi defeated Tomoaki Honma
This felt really, really long. It shouldn’t be a shock to anyone but Honma just isn’t the same since returning from the injury that kept him out for so long. Taichi was Taichi and the two ending up having a long, plodding match that wasn’t that interesting.
Honma started off hot, but naturally misses his first kokeshi attempt, which lets Taichi gain an opening. Taichi attacks him with a chair, sending him around the ring. Taichi continues to beat him down until Honma responds with a slap. He makes a comeback until Taichi hits a enziguri.
Taichi treis for the last ride powerbomb, but Honma blocked it. Honma takes down Taichi and counters with a kokeshi off the middle rope, but Taichi kicks out. Honma goes for another one, but Taichi pulls the ref down and distracts long enough to cut off Honma.
Honma hits a sunset flip bomb and a diving kokeshi, but Taichi still kicked out. He followed with an SOS but Taichi kicked out, then took him down with a standing crossface. He escaped, but Taichi hit a Saito suplex and applied it again. This time, Honma submitted.
Chase Owens defeated Juice Robinson
This went over 20 minutes and felt every bit of it. It ended up being pretty good at the end but this was another match that just went way too long. I think this would have been a much better 15 minute match than a 20 minute match, but this was still pretty good.
Owens stalled early, eventually coming in the ring to do some mat wrestling. Out of the ring, Owens side russian leg sweeps Juice into the barricade. Chase works on him for awhile until Juice slowly fights his way back, firing off some punches, a bulldog and a senton.
Chase cuts him off, but Juice quickly rebounds, only for Owens to counter after a cannonball attempt and sends him down to the floor. Juice takes Owens to the floor and charges at him, but Owens counters, grabs Juice and suplexes him into the barricade.
The two trade blows back in the ring. Owens superkicks Owens following a front suplex. Juice sends Owens to the outside and smacks him with a left, followed by a tope. Juice follows with a cannonball to the floor. Owens suddenly pushes Juice into the barricade and takes off the protective mats around the ring. Owens goes for the package piledriver, but Juice back body drops him on the exposed area instead.
Juice connects with a cannonball and launches off the top rope but Owens dodges, sending Juice crashing to the floor. The two trade pinfall attempts until Owens hits the Jewel Heist then follows with the package piledriver in what is probably his biggest win in New Japan so far. That’s also very likely a future title match.
Tomohiro Ishii defeated Yuji Nagata
So this was a wild sprint with a hot crowd, just as expected. This was very much a war, and while some of the spots were downright scary, this was a classic strong style battle that both Ishii and Nagata are well renown for.
I thought they would be brawling to start things off, and after a minute they pretty much did. Ishii took him down with headbutts and taunted him in the corner. Nagata fires back with some vicious kicks and plants Ishii with an overhead belly to belly suplex.
Ishii fires back with a flurry of offense They trade kicks, punches and chops until Ishii gets Nagata for a sunset flip bomb. Nagata held on, but Ishii instead plants him with a last ride powerbomb. Ishii then follows that up with a superplex for a near fall.
Nagata grabs Ishii and puts him in an armbar, then takes him up top for an exploder. Ishii comes alive with a German suplex but Nagata immediately gets to his feet as they start taking some heavy shots. The two slap the hell out of one another. They keep striking until an elbow sends Ishii down.
Nagata unleashes a giant German suplex. He drops a kneepad but Ishii strikes back with a lariat, only for Nagata to kick out at one. Nagata unleashes his exposed knee but Ishii counters and hits a sliding D and a brainbuster and that is it.
This makes the second round matches YOSHI-HASHI vs. Chase Owens and Tomohiro Ishii vs…Taichi. Oh yes.
Throughout the week leading into December 31st, we’ll take you back to some of Dave Meltzer’s top-rated matches of the past year, starting with the five star matches and ending up with a seven star classic.
15 matches got the five star treatment while six matches garnered ratings above that level.
What follows is an edited version of Dave’s writeup from the match from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, available in full for subscribers. Also, we want to give a big shoutout to Cagematch.net who makes research for this list ridiculously easy.
Kenny Omega vs. Tomohiro Ishii
NJPW G1 Climax | August 4, 2018
*****1/2
“The experiment in running the Edion Arena in Osaka on two straight nights was a financial success, as both shows sold out. The first night featured Omega vs. Ishii which seems to be considered the best match of the tournament.
While there are a number of candidates for this honor (Omega vs. Naito, Ibushi vs. Ishii and Ishii vs. Goto the ones mentioned the most often), this seems to have the most support. It would easily have won match of the year most years, but this year is just ridiculous, but even so, a number of matches here would probably be ranked anywhere from two to ten in match of the year so far, and really, because there are so many that could be, some will likely be lost in the shuffle. But that also happens every year.
The crowd was hot for this right away. The story here was that if Omega, with 12 points, lost to Ishii, with four, it would tie the biggest point differential upset in G-1 history. The other eight point differential was last year in the same building, when Omega, with ten points, lost to Robinson, with two. That record ended up being broken the next day when Yano beat Omega, which was a ten point differential.
The story early is Omega was a better athlete, too fast, and he’d slap him around, but he couldn’t hurt Ishii badly and finish him. Ishii then started slapping Omega around. Omega did a huracanrana out of nowhere and followed with the Terminator dive, which was the move he hurt his heel with in the Cody match in San Francisco and he’s still doing it on most shows. They did sick chops. Ishii did a delayed superplex. Omega’s mouth was bleeding from what looked to be a hard clothesline, and got worse as the match went on. Ishii’s mouth was also bleeding. Omega kept hitting V triggers and Ishii got stronger. Ishii was back with elbows. Omega did the reverse huracanrana. Omega also did a springboard double foot stomp onto Ishii who was draped on the apron.
Omega landed on his feet after a German suplex and hit another V trigger followed by a J driller but Ishii kicked out again. Ishii was killing him with hard lariat and Omega was back with V triggers. Ishii did two more head-butts and Omega did an inside out bump after a lariat. Omega hit the brainbuster, Ishii’s finisher, on him but Ishii kicked out at one. Ishii did another sick lariat, a headbutt, an enzuigiri and finished him with a brainbuster.”
York Hall in London wasn’t quite sold out, but it was pretty full and had a great atmosphere for the night.
– Taichi defeated Chris Brookes (15:03)
Taichi kept leaving the ring and avoiding Brookes at the start, and when they eventually came to blows, a crazy brawl erupted all around the arena. The two had good chemistry when back in the ring and had a decent back-and-forth match.
Brookes had Taichi in a submission when El Desperado came out and distracted the official — who then didn’t see Taichi tap out. Will Ospreay came down to even the odds (despite not yet being cleared to wrestle) and went to hit Desperado with Taichi’s mic stand, but Taichi ducked and Ospreay hit Brookes, and then got a superkick from Taichi.
Taichi took advantage and submitted Brookes after a low blow. After the match, Ospreay apologized and raised Brookes’ hand, only for Brookes to turn on him and give the still-injured Ospreay a moderate beatdown. This was expertly booked and the crowd lapped it up.
– The Great-O-Kharn defeated Shane Taylor (7:14)
Lord Gideon Grey came out and said that RevPro had given in to his demands for The Dominator to have a match, but said it would be against a mystery opponent. Shane Taylor came down to little reaction and got an alright match out of the improving O-Kharn
There were a lot of strikes and suplexes, but O-Kharn won fairly quickly with a chokeslam after interference from Gideon Grey. Taylor got a good ovation at the end. This was a pleasant surprise on the card and O-Kharn remains undefeated.
– Josh Bodom defeated Chris Ridgeway (8:19)
This started off very hot with both wrestlers wanting to get at the other. They fit a lot into a short amount of time here, as the match hit top gear a few minutes in.
Ridgeway went crazy with kicks and nearly won with an ankle lock. Bodom was incredible. He did a picture-perfect moonsault to the outside, followed by a tombstone on the apron and a Bliss Buster for the win. Bodom was busted open halfway through and looked sadistic with blood all over his body — this was a really good showing from him, as per usual.
– El Phantasmo defeated El Desperado (15:58)
As is often the case, the first half main event was stellar. It started off pretty fast paced as both men ran the ropes and got the crowd involved. They slowed down a bit, with Desperado gaining control until Phantasmo started to get the upper hand, leaping all over the place with the crowd firmly in his corner.
The last few minutes were insanity, with all sorts of near falls as the crowd became very invested. Phantasmo won this with his swanton and moonsault combination and received a huge ovation. Phantasmo is a superstar and it is only a matter of time before he is signed up somewhere.
– Satoshi Kojima defeated WALTER (11:40)
Kojima is incredibly over in the United Kingdom and WALTER is a pretty effective heel, so this made for a good dynamic. WALTER chopped the life out of Kojima, who kept on attempting to fire up but being swatted down.
Eventually, Kojima quickly won with a lariat in what was barely a three count — a clearly improvised finish due to WALTER being apparently hurt. WALTER was taken to the back with the medics, but it didn’t seem to be too serious.
Kojima cut a promo and was about to challenge Tomohiro Ishii until Bodom came out announcing he was moving up to heavyweight. He said Kojima was the past and he was the future, while demolishing a loaf of bread, much to the distress of the leader of Bread Club.
The match could have gotten very good had it not ended abruptly — but regardless, you have to again question the booking of WALTER here. It genuinely baffles me why he isn’t treated as a bigger star in RevPro and there was no need for Kojima to win this.
– MK McKinnan defeated “Speedball” Mike Bailey (14:37)
This was Bailey’s return to York Hall after an over two-year absence following his incredible run in 2016. It was awesome to finally see him back. McKinnan was clearly not that over at the start of the match and the crowd was pretty worn out too, however this incredible match brought them right back up.
Both men wrestled really well, starting off on the mat before going to the top rope and the ramp. Bailey hit his double-knee moonsault on the apron, there was a massive superplex, and several great near falls. McKinnan got Bailey in a choke and elbowed him till he passed out.
This was really good stuff, and a very strong win for McKinnan, who has looked fantastic since returning. Hopefully Bailey can stick around too as he’s such a valuable asset.
– Undisputed British Tag Team Champions Minoru Suzuki & Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) to retain their titles (21:50)
This had a really big-fight feel as both teams have been pretty invincible in RevPro this year. Suzuki dominated both opponents early on, scaring Fletcher, who was worked over for a lot of this. Davis tagged in and ran wild before being worn down by Suzuki’s submission-based offense.
Davis tagged Fletcher back in for an awesome staredown between Fletcher and Suzuki — Fletcher finally facing his fear. However, just as Fletcher was getting the upper hand, Sabre came in and they started applying double submissions. Davis eventually broke it up and Aussie Open hit their double-team finishers, each of them being kicked out of. Then while Sabre had Davis in a submission, Suzuki pinned Fletcher with the Gotch-style piledriver.
This was an odd result, — Aussie Open had been building to this since January and I’m not sure where they go from here.
– Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion Tomohiro Ishii defeated Undisputed British Cruiserweight Champion David Starr to retain his title (19:07)
The build to this match was great, with Starr claiming he is not just the best cruiserweight but the best wrestler. The match was designed to appeal to the fans who object to NJPW talent holding RevPro titles and would prefer full-time champions like Starr.
Starr mocked Ishii’s walk and stance, while Ishii just stared down his opponent. Starr outwrestled Ishii early on, being too technical, nimble, and agile for the heavyweight and wearing him down. As you’d expect, Ishii came firing back with heavy forearms, but Starr was able to match him and never gave up despite taking a beating.
They exchanged more strikes and chops, with Ishii often no selling Starr’s strikes and even hitting the best superplex I’ve ever seen. Starr hit a combination of lariats and followed with a Han Stansen — but Ishii kicked out at one. Ishii then hit his brainbuster for the win.
A really good main event and the crowd was very into Starr potentially being a double champion. After the match, Suzuki-gun attacked Ishii and Sabre announced that he never got his rematch from when Ishii beat him for the title back in April. Sabre will get his rematch at Wrestle Kingdom 13. The crowd loved this announcement — it almost made up for Starr not winning.
Final thoughts —
This was an excellent show from top to bottom, with every match ranging from good to incredible. RevPro is often criticized for being all in-ring and no story, but they did very well to combat that at this show. The three big angles were really well booked and will lead to other matches down the line, with the Ospreay/Taichi stuff and Sabre/Ishii stuff standing out in terms of story.
The in-ring side was as good as ever, with The McKinnan vs. Bailey match, Phantasmo vs. Desperado, and obviously the main event standing out. The only concern is in the booking decisions. The main criticism of RevPro right now is that the NJPW guys that come over always win, after at Global Wars UK when every New Japan guy won except from against El Phantasmo. This was again the case here.
The WALTER loss hurt, as well as both Starr and Aussie Open losing their title matches. I think most people assumed at least one of Ishii and Suzuki-gun would lose their titles and neither did, which came as a surprise. It does make the RevPro roster look weak if they always lose to NJPW guys and it’s certainly an issue that needs addressing before more of the fan base become angered.
A rematch from earlier this year has been made official for Wrestle Kingdom 13.
At today’s RevPro Uprising event in London, Tomohiro Ishii defeated David Starr to retain the British Heavyweight title. Following the match, members of Suzuki-gun (El Desperado, Taichi, Minoru Suzuki & Zack Sabre Jr.) came in and put the boots to him, unable to defend himself. Zack Sabre Jr. then appeared and said he was invoking his contractually obligated rematch, and this time he wanted it at Wrestle Kingdom 13.
Sabre lost the championship to Tomohiro Ishii back on April 6 at RevPro’s WrestleCon show in New Orleans, Louisiana. Ishii then lost the title to Minoru Suzuki during the Strong Style Evolved UK tour in Manchester in July. Ishii regained the championship last month during a RevPro/New Japan Global Wars event back on October 14. Ishii most recently defended the title at Power Struggle, where he defeated Suzuki to retain the championship.
Wrestle Kingdom 13 will take place at the Tokyo Dome on January 4.
