NJPW has added a stipulation to the Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Tanga Loa singles match scheduled for night one of Wrestling Dontaku on May 3.
If Sabre beats Loa, Sabre and Taichi will earn an IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match against Guerrillas of Destiny (Loa and Tama Tonga). If Sabre loses, Sabre and Taichi (Dangerous Tekkers) are never allowed to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Titles again.
Loa proposed the stipulation on Tuesday’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku event at Korakuen Hall after pinning Sabre in a trios match.
G.O.D. beat Dangerous Tekkers for the IWGP Tag titles at Wrestle Kingdom 15 on January 4, then beat them again in a rematch at The New Beginning in Hiroshima on February 10.
Tonga and Taichi are already set for a ladder match on night one of Dontaku, with Takashi Iizuka’s iron fingers of death hanging in the balance.
Here are the full lineups for Wrestling Dontaku:
Wrestling Dontaku 2021 night one (Monday, May 3) —
NEVER Openweight Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Jay White
Iron Fingers from Hell ladder match: Taichi vs. Tama Tonga
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Tanga Loa
Will Ospreay, The Great-O-Khan, Aaron Henare & Jeff Cobb vs. Shingo Takagi, Tetsuya Naito, SANADA & BUSHI
Kazuchika Okada, SHO & YOH vs. Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Toru Yano, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Tiger Mask IV & Master Wato vs. EVIL, Yujiro Takahashi, Taiji Ishimori & Dick Togo
Wrestling Dontaku 2021 night two (Tuesday, May 4) —
IWGP World Heavyweight Championsip: Will Ospreay (c) vs. Shingo Takagi
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado (c) vs. YOH
Night eight of the Road to Wrestling Dontaku tour took place today at Korakuen Hall.
The NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team titles were on the line in the main event, with the CHAOS trio of Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii and YOSHI-HASHI defending against the Bullet Club team of KENTA, Yujiro Takahashi and Taiji Ishimori.
The tour continues with untelevised shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The next broadcast event will be a 5:30 a.m. Eastern time show on NJPW World on Monday, April 26.
Here are full results and a report on today’s show:
This was a good opener. They didn’t have enough time to kick it into high gear.
Desperado immediately got the upper hand on YOH with a series of strikes and by raking the face. YOH fired up and hit a flying forearm, then backed Desperado into the corner with strikes. Kanemaru pulled YOH off the ropes as he tried a springboard attack, then Suzuki-gun took control.
YOH was cut off. Desperado and Kanemaru worked on his left knee. Desperado used Numero Dos, but SHO made the save. Kanemaru and Suzuki used quick tags and continued to target the left leg. YOH managed a dropkick to Suzuki’s left leg, then tagged Honma.
Honma hit a bulldog, but missed a kokeshi attempt on Suzuki. They traded forearm shots, then slaps. Suzuki used a heel hook, then an ankle lock, but Honma forced a rope break. Honma ended up bleeding from the mouth. Honma hit two diving kokeshis to turn the tide.
SHO and Kanemaru tagged in. SHO hit a series of kicks and scored a near fall. Kanemaru and Desperado doubled up on SHO, but YOH jumped in to even things out.
Suzuki and Honma brawled to the floor. SHO hit Kanemaru with a backstabber into a one-legged dropkick from YOH. Kanemaru avoided a 3K, then blocked a Shock Arrow attempt. Kanemaru sat down into a cradle and trapped SHO for the flash pin.
Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & Jado defeated Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr. & DOUKI (12:33)
The Bullet Club side attacked before the opening bell. DOUKI and Jado dueled with their sticks. Loa hit a Boss Man slam to DOUKI to cut him off. Jado used a kendo stick on DOUKI on the outside. Bullet Club then isolated DOUKI in their corner and went to work.
DOUKI came back with something resembling a DDT on Tama, then tagged Taichi. Taichi ran wild, choking both members of G.O.D., then turned his attention to Jado. Jado got sent outside. Tama hit a dragon screw to Taichi.
There were some clunky spots between Tama and Taichi. Tama blocked an axe bomber and hit a Tongan Twist. Taichi blocked a Gun Stun and hit a gamengiri into a double down.
Sabre and Loa got tags and had a nice exchange. Sabre used a guillotine, then went to work on Loa’s left arm. Bullet Club triple-teamed Sabre. Loa hit a back suplex for a near fall. Sabre fought out of a G.O.D. Magic Killer, but got hit with a tandem neckbreaker.
Jado took the referee as everyone jumped in. Tama used a title belt as a weapon on Taichi. Jado missed a kendo stick shot to DOUKI. DOUKI hit a plancha to Jado. DOUKI has improved and is working very hard on this tour.
Sabre used an octopus on Loa, but Loa reversed into Apesh*t and got the pin.
Jado used a kendo stick on DOUKI after the match. Loa cut a promo and said that if Sabre beats him fair and square in a one-on-one match, G.O.D. will defend the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles against Sabre and Taichi, but if Sabre loses, they can never challenge G.O.D. for the titles again.
This was a cluster by design. The highlight was once again Gedo booing Tanahashi’s abs as he took off his ring jacket.
Yano began as the legal man and was quickly cut off. EVIL exposed a buckle. Tanahashi got a tag and got whipped into the buckle. Tanahashi came back with a twist and shout on Gedo.
Tanahashi got a cloverleaf applied to Gedo. Togo jumped on the apron and took the ref. Yano put a hood on Togo. EVIL jumped in and hit low blows to Tanahashi and Yano. Gedo grabbed brass knuckles. Togo jumped in with his ligature and put a hood on Yano.
Gedo used the knuckles on Tana and the ref called for the DQ.
EVIL spray painted Yano’s KOPW trophy black after the match. Yano sold this by crying.
***** Intermission *****
Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb & Aaron Henare defeated Shingo Takagi, Tetsuya Naito, SANADA & BUSHI (14:41)
This was a chaotic brawl from before the opening bell.
United Empire tried a sneak attack as LIJ did their fist bump before the match, but LIJ fought them off. All eight brawled to the floor. Empire got the best of the brawl. BUSHI and Cobb ended up as the legal men. BUSHI was cut off and Empire worked him over.
BUSHI managed a tag and Shingo came in all fired up. Ospreay tagged in as well. Shingo teased a noshigami, but instead hit a vertical suplex. Shingo and Ospreay traded strikes in the corner. Ospreay hit pip pip cheerio, then tagged out.
Shingo made a comeback on Henare with a dragon screw, then tagged SANADA. SANADA connected on a back suplex and a plancha. Henare answered with kicks and a suplex. SANADA blocked a tackle. They traded finisher teases. SANADA hit a magic screw into a double down.
Naito and O-Khan got tags. They traded forearm strikes. Naito hit a one-legged dropkick for a two count. Naito went after O-Khan’s neck with back elbows. BUSHI jumped in for some tandem offense. Ospreay broke up a submission attempt. Shingo took out Ospreay.
Naito pulled O-Khan around the ring by his hair. O-Khan used a throw and a judo toss. Naito hit an enzuigiri and a basement dropkick to the right knee before tagging out.
BUSHI tagged in for a missile dropkick and a DDT. O-Khan blocked a swinging neckbreaker with a pump kick. O-Khan went for the Eliminator, but Shingo saved. Ospreay jumped in and did a crazy sequence with Shingo. SANADA and Henare entered for their own battle. Cobb and Naito jumped in. Cobb blocked a swing DDT and hit a spin cycle.
Cobb threw BUSHI to O-Khan. O-Khan used the claw to set up the Eliminator and got the pin.
NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship: Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI defeated KENTA, Yujiro Takahashi & Taiji Ishimori to retain the titles (20:14)
The closing stretch of this was very good. The match was all action.
KENTA teased starting off with YH, but stalled. He then tagged out. Ishimori and Goto began the match. Ishimori fired off some strikes, but Goto dropped him with a tackle. All six jumped in as Red Shoes lost control of the match in the opening minute.
Bullet Club turned it into a ringside brawl. Goto ended up cut off. KENTA tagged in and methodically worked on Goto with elbow drops. Bullet Club traded tags as they kept the pressure on Goto. YH tried to interfere, but Ishimori tossed him outside. Goto got whipped into an exposed turnbuckle.
Goto hit a misdirection lariat to Yujiro and managed a tag to Ishii. Ishii blocked an Ishimori dropkick and hit a lariat. Ishii dispatched an interfering KENTA after a series of misdirection spots. Yujiro hit an inverted DDT. Ishii blocked a lariat. They traded strikes. Yujiro hit a lariat and fisherman buster for a two count.
Ishii came back with a German on Yujiro. KENTA and YH got tags. Goto and Ishimori jumped in. Ishii entered. Ishimori and Yujiro hit a neckbreaker to YH. KENTA followed with a top rope double stomp for a near fall.
YH escaped a Go 2 Sleep. KENTA escaped a Goto ushgoroshi. YH hit a thrust kick into a Goto ushigorsoshi into an Ishii sliding lariat for a near fall. YH hit a lariat on KENTA for two. KENTA blocked Kharma and hit a DDT.
Ishimori hit a Bloody Cross on YH, but missed a 450. YH hit a lariat. Goto tagged in for a wheel kick and a bulldog on Ishimori for a near fall. Ishimori blocked an ushigoroshi and hit a handspring kick. Bullet Club triple-teamed Goto. YH and Ishii saved.
Yujiro took the referee. KENTA jumped in with YH’s bo staff. KENTA hit Ishii and Goto with the bo. Ishimori covered, but YH broke up the pin. KENTA bumped the referee. YH and Yujiro dueled with their bo and cane. KENTA and YH fought over the bo. YH hit KENTA with the bo.
Ishimori hit a drop toehold into the exposed buckle on Goto. Ishimori got two quick near falls on pinning combinations. Ishimori took a flip bump off an Ishii lariat. Ishimori hit a knee strike to Goto.
Goto blocked a La Mistica and hit a headbutt. Goto hit a GTW and a GTR for the pin.
YH got his bo back and the good guys retained.
**********
Here is the lineup for Monday’s show:
NJPW Road to Wrestling Dontaku night 12, Monday, April 26, 5:30 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World —
Tetsuya Naito vs. Great-O-Khan
SANADA vs. Aaron Henare
Will Ospreay & Jeff Cobb vs. Shingo Takagi & BUSHI
Night seven of the Road to Wrestling Dontaku tour took place today at Korakuen Hall.
The top three matches featured the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions facing members of Bullet Club in singles matches, with YOSHI-HASHI vs. KENTA, Hirooki Goto vs. Taiji Ishimori and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Yujiro Takahashi.
KENTA, Takahashi and Ishimori will challenge Goto, Ishii and YOSHI-HASHI for those NEVER Six-Man titles on tomorrow’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku event, a 5:30 a.m. Eastern time show on NJPW World.
Here are full results and a report on today’s show:
This was a fun little comedy opener with some bad wrestling.
I love the spot where Gedo boos Tanahashi’s abs when he takes his ring jacket off.
Bullet Club attacked before the opening bell. Honma and Togo paired off in the ring as the other four brawled on the floor. Honma missed a kokeshi, and Bullet Club cut him off and worked him over.
Honma came back on Gedo with a hip toss and a kokeshi, then dispatched an interfering Togo and EVIL. Tanahashi got a tag and went to work on Gedo. Gedo used a thumb to the eye. Togo tagged in, but Tana hit him with a dragon screw.
Yano tagged in for the finish. He exposed a buckle. He produced a hood from his tights. Togo grabbed the hood and put it on Yano, then rolled him up for a two count.
Yano hit a double low blow on EVIL and Togo, then used a schoolboy on Togo for the pin.
Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb & Aaron Henare defeated Shingo Takagi, Tetsuya Naito, SANADA & BUSHI (7:43)
This was fine for what it was, but they hardly got any time.
We had our second match and our second jumpstart attack by the heels. Ospreay and Shingo started out as the legal men. They had a nice strike exchange. Ospreay avoided a sliding lariat and stomped away at Shingo’s head.
Henare tagged in for some double team offense. Shingo hit a double vertical suplex, then tagged SANADA. Henare has pinned SANADA twice on this tour. Henare cut SANADA off, then tagged O-Khan. O-Khan used a wacky hold on SANADA. He tried for a Dominator, but SANADA kicked hm away and tagged Naito.
Naito fought off a double team from O-Khan and Cobb. BUSHI jumped in for some tandem offense. O-Khan used Mongolian chops on Naito. Naito hit an enzuigiri into a double down.
BUSHI and Cobb tagged in. BUSHI rolled Cobb up for a near fall. Cobb hit a spin cycle for a near fall. Everyone jumped in for a big move before the finish.
Cobb hit BUSHI with a Tour of the Islands for the pin.
O-Khan cut his roll call promo after the match.
*****Intermission*****
Tomohiro Ishii defeated Yujiro Takahashi (15:17)
This was the best Yujiro match in years.
Yujiro fired off some kicks at the outset, then sent Ishii outside. Yujiro whipped Ishii into the barricade and hit him with his pimp cane.
Back inside, Ishii no-sold some forearm shots. Yujiro hit some elbow drops and a drive-by kick with Ishii hung up in the ropes. Ishii hit a shoulder block, then a series of chops in the corner. Yujiro halted the momentum by biting Ishii’s hand, then hit a slam and a low dropkick.
They had a striking battle in the center of the ring. Yujiro whipped Ishii into the buckle, then ht a German suplex into the buckle. He followed with a fisherman buster for a near fall.
Ishii fired up and hit a powerslam. Yujiro hit a back suplex into a double down. Ishii hit a superplex for a two count. They teased a ref bump. Ishii hit a headbutt, but Yujiro answered with an Alabama slam, a lariat and an Angle slam for a near fall.
A series of misdirection spots ended with Yujiro hitting a lariat. Ishii avoided Miami Shine and hit an enzuigiri into another double down.
Another exchange of strikes ended with an Ishii lariat. Ishii hit a powerbomb and used a stack cover for one near fall, then hit a sliding lariat for another. Yujiro hit a DDT, then a reverse DDT. Yujiro hit Miami Shine for a two count.
Ishii blocked Pimp Juice and hit a headbutt and a lariat for a near fall, then used a Vertical Drop Brainbuster to pick up the pin.
From a ring psychology standpoint this was probably the best thing on the show.
They established this right away as your classic big man vs. little man match where the heel is the little guy, as Goto won a striking battle. Ishimori then used his agility to avoid a series of strike attempts. Ishimori bailed to the outside and ran away from Goto.
Ishimori beat Goto back into the ring and cut him off, focusing his attack on Goto’s left arm. Ishimori took the fight back outside and worked Goto’s arm over the edge of the barricade.
Back in, Ishimori continued to attack the left arm. Ishimori missed with double knees in the corner. Goto hit a vertical suplex, a wheel kick in the corner, then a bulldog. Ishimori used an eye rake to avoid an ushigoroshi, then hit a handspring kick.
Ishii came to ringside to second Goto.
Ishimori used a Yes Lock, but Goto reached the ropes. Ishimori dropped Goto face-first into the turnbuckle. Goto hit a hangman’s neckbreaker. They traded strikes. Goto got a near fall off a lariat, then hit an ushigoroshi for a two count.
Goto hit a PK. Ishimori blocked a GTR attempt and turned it into a backslide for the flash pin.
These guys were working in slow motion. KENTA picks and chooses his spots to work hard, and YH needs a lot of help to have a great match. This did not make for a winning formula.
Throw in the ref bumps and the fact that both wrestlers ended up with bloody mouths after the match, and this was even worse.
KENTA did his customary stalling for the first few minutes. YH hit a baseball slide and dragged him back inside. YH hit a headhunter. YH went after KENTA’s left arm with elbow strikes. YH hit a chop. KENTA rolled back outside.
YH sent KENTA into the barricade. KENTA reversed a whip into the barricade and hit a DDT on the arena floor. KENTA continued his offensive on the outside. Ishii came over to menace him, so KENTA rolled YH back inside.
KENTA hit a series of kicks. YH fired up. They traded forearm strikes. KENTA used a drop toehold to ground YH again. KENTA hit a kitchen sink, then exposed a turnbuckle. KENTA and Ishii jawed at each other. YH got whipped into the exposed buckle.
KENTA continued to work YH over, using a neckbreaker, a chinlock, then some kicks. YH came back with strikes, a dragon screw and a delayed vertical suplex. KENTA hit another kitchen sink to stop YH’s momentum.
KENTA hit a tornado DDT, then a top rope clothesline for a near fall. KENTA used an STF, but YH made the ropes. KENTA hit a draping DDT for a two count. He followed with a running boot in the corner and a Shibata dropkick.
KENTA missed with a double stomp off the top, but hit a powerslam. He hit the double stomp on his second attempt for a two count. YH fought off a Go 2 Sleep attempt. They traded strikes. YH hit a dragon suplex, but KENTA rolled to the apron for safety.
YH hit a slingshot into the exposed buckle, then connected with a lariat for a two count. YH used the Butterfly Lock, then rolled through into a Kharma attempt. KENTA blocked. YH hit a back stabber and a meteora. YH hit a fisherman buster, but KENTA kicked out.
KENTA blocked Kharma. They teased a ref bump, and KENTA used the distraction to hit a DDT for a two count. As YH kicked out, he threw KENTA into the ref, who took a bump.
KENTA produced YH’s bo staff from under the ring. KENTA missed with a bo swing. YH grabbed the staff. The ref was revived and saw YH with the staff. As YH took the ref, KENTA splashed them both in the corner for another ref bump.
KENTA used the bo on YH, then revived the ref. YH trapped KENTA in a cradle for a good near fall. YH hit a superkick and used a schoolboy for a two count. YH blocked a kick and hit a slap. He tried for Kharma, but KENTA threw him into the buckle.
KENTA hit a series of palm strikes, a busaiku knee for a near fall, then used the Go 2 Sleep for the pin.
KENTA closed the show with a promo, introducing the crowd to his girlfriend — the bo staff.
Here is the lineup for Tomorrow’s show:
NJPW Road to Wrestling Dontaku night eight, Tuesday, April 20, 5:30 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World —
NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship: Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI (c) vs. KENTA, Yujiro Takahashi & Taiji Ishimori
Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb & Aaron Henare vs. Shingo Takagi, Tetsuya Naito, SANADA & BUSHI
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toru Yano vs. EVIL & Gedo
Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr. & DOUKI vs. Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & Jado
Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Tomoaki Honma, SHO & YOH
Night six of the Road to Wrestling Dontaku tour took place today at Korakuen Hall.
The top two matches again featured members of Los Ingobernables de Japon taking on members of The United Empire. Today it was United Empire that won both bouts.
The tour continues with a 5:30 a.m. Eastern time show on NJPW World on Monday morning.
NJPW continued the Road to Wrestling Dontaku tour today with a show at Korakuen Hall.
The top two matches pitted members of The United Empire against Los Ingobernables de Japon, with each unit winning a bout.
The tour continues with an untelevised event in Tochigi on Friday, then returns to Korakuen Hall with a 5:30 a.m. Eastern time show on NJPW World on Sunday morning.
NJPW continued the Road to Wrestling Dontaku tour today with a show at Korakuen Hall.
The main event pitted members of The United Empire against Los Ingobernables de Japon in an eight-man tag, with United Empire coming out on top.
The big angle on the show took place in the semi-main, as EVIL helped Dick Togo defeat Toru Yano after turning the lights out. EVIL will challenge Yano for the KOPW 2021 provisional title on April 28 at Wrestling Satsuma no Kuni.
The tour continues Thursday with a 5:30 a.m. Eastern time show, again from Korakuen Hall.
Here are full results from today’s show:
Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated SHO, YOH & Gabriel Kidd (10:00)
Kanemaru pinned SHO after a ref bump, a low blow and a schoolboy.
Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & Jado defeated Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr. & DOUKI (8:40)
EVIL was presumably under the ring for the match as Yano crawled under the ring and someone threw him back out.
The lights went out after Yano put a hood over Togo’s head. A camera flash appeared to illuminate EVIL hitting Yano with Everything is EVIL while the lights were out. With the hood still on, Togo was placed on top of Yano. The lights came back on and Togo pinned Yano.
EVIL put a hood on Yano and stomped him down after the match.
Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb & Aaron Henare defeated Shingo Takagi, Tetsuya Naito, SANADA & BUSHI (16:16)
Cobb pinned BUSHI after hitting a Tour of the Islands.
Here is the lineup for Thursday’s show:
NJPW Road to Wrestling Dontaku night four, Thursday, April 15, 5:30 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World —
Will Ospreay & Aaron Henare vs. Shingo Takagi & SANADA
Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI vs. Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb
NJPW kicked off the Road to Wrestling Dontaku tour today with a show at the Yokohama Budokan.
Los Ingobernables de Japon took on The United Empire in an elimination match in the main event, with number one contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Shingo Takagi last eliminating the IWGP champ Will Ospreay to secure victory for his team.
The tour continues Sunday with an untelevised event in Shizuoka, then action returns to NJPW World on Tuesday with a 5:30 a.m. Eastern time show from Korakuen Hall. That event will be streamed for free on NJPW World.
NJPW has revealed the cards for their next major events, Wrestling Dontaku 2021 and Wrestling Satsuma no Kuni.
Wrestling Dontaku is a two-night event that’s being held at the Fukuoka Convention Center. Night two is taking place on Tuesday, May 4 and will be headlined by IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay defending his title against Shingo Takagi, The winner of that match will go on to defend the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Grand Slam at the Tokyo Dome on Saturday, May 29.
Also at Wrestling Dontaku night two, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado will put his title on the line against YOH.
Night one of Wrestling Dontaku is taking place on Monday, May 3. In the main event, Hiroshi Tanahashi will defend his NEVER Openweight Championship against Jay White. There will also be a ladder match on the Wrestling Dontaku night one card, with Tama Tonga and Taichi battling for the Iron Finger from Hell, which is a weapon that both Taichi and Tonga have feuded over in the last few months. It originally belonged to Takashi Iizuka.
Wrestling Satsuma no Kuni is being held at the Kagoshima Arena over two nights on Wednesday, April 28 and Thursday, April 29. The first night will feature Roppongi 3K (SHO & YOH) defending their IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles in a rematch against former champions El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru. A pair of special tag team matches will headline the night two card, with Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kota Ibushi facing Aaron Henare & Jeff Cobb and Will Ospreay & The Great-O-Khan taking on Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito.
Here are the full lineups for all four events:
Wrestling Satsuma no Kuni night one (Wednesday, April 28) —
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions SHO & YOH defend against El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Toru Yano defends the KOPW 2021 Provisional title against EVIL
Will Ospreay, The Great-O-Khan, Aaron Henare & Jeff Cobb vs. Shingo Takagi, Tetsuya Naito, SANADA & BUSHI
NJPW has canceled their events through May 4, including both Wrestling Dontaku events.
“In response to the continuing Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, and in light of state of emergency measures across Japan announced on April 7, New Japan Pro-Wrestling has arrived at the decision to cancel all events that were scheduled up to and including Wrestling Dontaku 2020 on May 3 & 4” the company wrote on their English language website.
The statement also said that NJPW is exploring the possibility of presenting matches without fans in attendance. However, that would only happen if “staff and wrestler health and safety can be protected to the highest possible standard.”
NJPW has not ran a show since February 26, a New Japan Road event in Okinawa. They have previously canceled their events for the entire month of March and a portion of April, including the entire New Japan Cup tournament and the Sakura Genesis event that was scheduled for March 31.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday announced a month-long state of emergency for Tokyo and six other prefectures as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
NJPW finishes up their Wrestling Dontaku tour this morning with their second straight event taking place in Fukuoka.
Kazuchika Okada will defend the IWGP Heavyweight title against SANADA in the main event. The two faced each other in the New Japan Cup finals, and although SANADA put on a hell of a showing, came up short. Getting another shot at the title could be all the incentive needed to pull off a major upset.
Tomohiro Ishii will take on EVIL in the co-main event. The two have been feuding with one another all tour, exchanging blows every time they enter the ring against one another. This time, there will be no limits as to what they can do.
A tag match that will take place in the undercard will reveal the final entry in this year’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament. A Bullet Club member, they will team with Taiji Ishimori to take on the team of Dragon Lee and Will Ospreay.
Join us this morning at 2 a.m. EST for live coverage. There will be English commentary.
**********
Ren Narita and Shota Umino defeated Yuya Uemura and Yota Tsuji
Very good, basic opener, par the usual for these four. Uemura was worked on until he made the tag to Tsuji, who did a comeback. With Narita’s help, Umino dropped Tsuji with a missile dropkick then pinned Tsuji with a perfect plex.
Narita stomped on Uemura after the match, continuing to build a young lion feud between the two.
It was announced that the blocks for this year’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament will be revealed on Tuesday.
Minoru Suzuki, Taichi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Desperado, Taka Michinoku defeated Jeff Cobb, YOSHI-HASHI, Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi and Toa Henare
Suzuki-gun actually did not attack their opponents before the bell, maybe a first in I don’t know how long. Regardless, it did not take long for it to devolve into a brawl as Suzuki-gun took it to the outside, with Suzuki blasting YOSHI-HASHI with a chair.
It eventually became the patterned tag team match that’s on every New Japan card. After Toa Henare made a comeback against Taichi, he cut him off and pinned him clean with a superkick. That felt kinda flat.
Bullet Club as well took no time to take things outside of the ring. Tama Tonga focused on Liger, who was also attacked by Jado, who is now wearing a shirt saying “So what, I don’t care”. This ended up being another pretty good tag team match.
At one point, Jado took his cane to attack Yano but Makabe cut him off. Yano used the confusion to low blow Jado and roll him up for the win.
The announcers mentioned it was the Bullet Club’s fourth loss this tour.
Juice Robinson, Tomoaki Honma and Mikey Nicholls defeated Jay White, Chase Owens, Hikuleo
White, Owens and Hikuleo worked on Honma for a good while until Goto made the tag, laying everyone out with suplexes. After a confrontation with Hikuleo, Juice is tagged in as he and Nicholls go after Hikuleo.
Hikuleo grabs him for a chokeslam but Juice blocks it as he and Nicholls hit an assisted suplex. Juice finishes off Hikuleo with a big left then pins him with the pulp friction, handing Bullet Club another loss.
They aired the same video from last night, featuring the words “Time’s Up”. Whoever it is, they will be revealed at the Best of the Super Junior finals on June 5.
‘X’ was revealed to be El Phantasmo, the newest member of the Bullet Club.
El Phantasmo and Taiji Ishimori defeated Dragon Lee and Will Ospreay
The announcers are playing it up as if Ospreay is shocked that El Phantasmo is part of the Bullet Club. He shoves Ospreay at the bell, spitting on his hand and chopping him. He then rope walked around the ring, springboarded off the middle rope back to the top and laid out Ospreay with a hurricanrana.
Lee and Ishimori came in with some stiff shots as ELP tagged in. The other three participants ended up on the outside of the ring. ELP again rope walked around the top rope, went to where they were at and launched with a giant Asai moonsault.
Ospreay tried to fight back in the ring but ELP blocked the Oscutter and pinned Ospreay with a no hands Gotch piledriver. This was the best showcase possible for ELP and the match did a great job of making him look special.
Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi and BUSHI defeated Kota Ibushi, SHO and YOH
Everyone had stories here — YOH paired off with BUSHI, SHO paired off with Takagi and of course Natio and Ibushi. SHO and Takagi have great chemistry with one another and the crowd got really into it whenever they were in the ring.
Naito blasted Ibushi with a hurricanrana off the top rope and followed with a big boot. Naito tried Gloria, but Ibushi blocked it. Naito hit it the second time, with Ibushi landing right on the back of his neck. He’s gonna break it someday and I don’t know if he cares or not.
YOH is tagged in as he lands a Falcon Arrow on Naito. He lands a superkick, but Takagi comes in with a lariat. BUSHI took out SHO on the outside and Takagi held Ibushi back as Naito landed the Destino on YOH for the win. Great tag team match.
Naito took the mic after the match. The story is Naito has yet to name a time or place for the eventual IC title match. He officially laid out the challenge for June 9 at Dominion. He asked Ibushi if he accepted the challenge. Ibushi came back to the ring and accepted, so that match seems to be official.
Hiroshi Tanahashi came to the ring. He’s been gone most of this tour due to an elbow injury. He said his cast had just come off yesterday and was sad he couldn’t wrestle on this tour. He mentioned how this time last year he ended up winning the G1 and won the IWGP title at WrestleKingdom, but now he’s lost all of his momentum and is at his lowest.
He confirmed that he will be back on June 5 at the Best of the Super Junior finals and will look to reclaim the IWGP Heavyweight title again.
Jay White entered the ring with Gedo. He said the line starts with him and he deserves to be in the back of the line, even behind Goto. Gedo distracted him momentarily which allowed Jay White to jump him and attack the elbow. He grabbed a chair and wrapped Tanahashi’s arm in the chair and looked to destroy it with another chair, but was stopped. He told Tanahashi that he was next.
Tomohiro Ishii defeated EVIL
This was about what you would expect: a really awesome back and forth match, easily the best match of the tour so far. The story of EVIL trying to submit Ishii with the Scorpion Deathlock was a nice touch too.
They immediately went after each other with shots. EVIL was the first to hesitate but quickly took back control on the outside, throwing Ishii into the barricade. Ishii literally bounced off the ringpost, making a nasty sound.
EVIL took him down and worked on his legs, but both wind up exchanging chops again, this time with EVIL getting the better of things. He goes for the Scorpion Deathlock, but Ishii blocks it. He fights back, going for a superplex. EVIL tries to fight it off, but ISHII headbutts him and lays him out on the floor.
On the outside, Ishii tries to suplex EVIL into the barricade, but EVIL counters by draping Ishii on the barricade and laying him out with a neckbreaker. Back in the ring, EVIL does what Ishii did to him earlier by laying him out with a big superplex. EVIL finally gets in the Scorpion Deathlock, which he has been using on this tour to taunt Ishii, but Ishii makes it to the ropes.
EVIL goes for a lariat, but Ishii responds with one of his own then applies the Scorpion Deathlock, the move his mentor Riki Choshu made famous. EVIL manages to make it to the ropes as well. The two go crazy, with EVIL hitting a giant German suplex and a lariat, then a second lariat, but to no avail.
At one point, both men hit lariats but stumble to the ground, dazed. They get back up and start countering again until EVIL connects with a half nelson suplex. Ishii connects with an enziguri and connects with another lariat but EVIL kicks out. A brainbuster finally keeps him down.
Kazuchika Okada defeated SANADA to retain the IWGP Heavyweight title
This was a great NJPW main event. It started out real slow, to the point where you knew they were going long, but it did build well and by the end turned out to be a great match. I kind of expected more for the finish, but this was all well done.
They start things off pretty slowly, spending the first five minutes just grappling. Okada gets the advantage and holds him down. It seems based on the pacing they’re going to go for quite a while.
SANADA gets the advantage at the ten minute mark and after working on Okada’s leg, puts Okada in the paradise lock. On the outside, Okada sends SANADA over the barricade with a boot then hits a giant flying crossbody to the inside of the crowd.
Back in the ring, SANADA leapfrogs over Okada, sends him to the floor and connects with a big crossbody. Back in the ring, they exchange some good near falls. SANADA goes for a bridge, but Okada kicks out and grabs SANADA for the Cobra clutch. SANADA escapes and hits a tiger suplex, but misses the moonsault.
Okada hits the dropkick and goes for the rainmaker, but SANADA escapes and puts Okada in the cold skull. Okada resists, so he shifts his weight and applies the hold on the other arm. Okada tries to get to the ropes, but can’t. SANADA lets go and hits the moonsault once, but Okada gets the knees up after a second is attempted.
The two exchange strikes until SANADA goes for the cold skull again, but SANADA transitions for the tombstone. SANADA counters it and tries one of his own, but Okada reverses again only for SANADA to counter with the cold skull again. SANADA avoids the rainmaker twice then hits one of his own for a near fall.
SANADA goes for the cold skull again, but Okada counters and hits the twisting tombstone, then lays out SANADA with the rainmaker for the win at the 38 minute mark.
Okada extends his hand after the match. SANADA says one more, then fist bumps Okada as he makes his exit. After posing with the sponsors, he cuts a promo. He mentioned the changing of the eras in Japan, saying he will be the one to change the wrestling scene in the Reiwa era and he’s got plenty more to do.
He said he was going to make it rain when all of a sudden, the lights go dark. None other than Chris Jericho appears on the screen, calling himself the painmaker. At June 9 at Dominion, he challenges for the IWGP Heavyweight title and he’s going to win, win win. Okada says lets do it, saying that he will be the one who will win.
After a number of Road To shows, we’re finally at the first of two Wrestling Dontaku shows that will be held this weekend in Fukuoka.
This morning’s show is headlined by a big IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match, as Dragon Lee will make his first defense against Taiji Ishimori. The challenger lost the championship last month at the G1 Supercard inside Madison Square Garden, but was never pinned.
The NEVER Openweight Championship will also be on the line as Jeff Cobb will defend the title against Taichi. A special tag team match will also take place, as Tomohiro Ishii & Kazuchika Okada will team up to take on EVIL & SANADA, a preview for Saturday morning as Ishii/EVIL and Okada/SANADA will square off in singles action.
As usual, the rest of the undercard features tag team matches. Kota Ibushi and Tetsuya Naito will be on opposite sides for a six-man tag team match as they are soon to square off in a rematch of their own.
Join us this morning starting at 5 a.m. ET. There will be English commentary.
This was the Tsuji show early on. He dispatched Narita, then called for Umino to enter. Tsuji hit a dropkick to Umino. Umino hit a back elbow and a dropkick of his own, and the tide turned.
Umino, Honma and Narita took their time, working over Tsuji. Tsujit finally hit a backdrop, and tagged Henare. Henare ran wild, and cleared the ring. He hit a delayed vertical suplex on Umino, and got a two count.
Umino hit a dropkick, and Narita and Uemura got tags. Uemura cleared the apron, and his team tripled up on Narita. Uemura used a Fujiwara armbar, but Narita reached the ropes. Uemura used a double underhook suplex. He made a cover, but Umino saved Narita.
Uemura hit the ropes, but ran right into a bridging belly-to-belly from Narita for the finish. Good opener.
MINORU SUZUKI, TAKA MICHINOKU, EL DESPERADO & YOSHINOBU KANEMARU DEFEATED JUSHIN LIGER, RYUSUKE TAGUCHI, TIGER MASK & YOSHI-HASHI (9:57)
A fun, chaotic tag here.
Suzuki-gun attacked before the bell. They did some comedy involving Taguchi’s rugby helmet. Suzuki went after Taguchi, applying an armbar over the ropes, then using a chair on the outside.
Taguchi hit a hip attack, then tagged Liger. Liger went after Suzuki with strikes. Suzuki targeted the right arm of Liger, using an armbar. Suzuki refused to break the hold. They teased a DQ. Liger made a comeback, hitting strikes with his left arm.
Liger and Suzuki continued to trade strikes. Suzuki hit a knee lift, into a double down. Tiger and TAKA got tags. Suzuki-gun cut Tiger off, and hit stereo knees to the head. TAKA covered, but Taguchi and Liger made the save.
Tiger hit a Tiger Bomb for a nearfall. TAKA hit a Michinoku Driver for the pin.
After the bell, Suzuki went after Liger on the floor. They both grabbed chairs, and live to fight another day. Tiger was favoring his right leg in the post-match. He limped out of the ring under his own power.
WILL OSPREAY, TOGI MAKABE & TORU YANO DEFEATED TAMA TONGA, TANGA LOA & HIKULEO (7:25)
Yano started off with Tonga and Loa, and they did some comedy. Yano exposed a turnbuckle, and promptly got sent into it. Makabe tagged in and evened the playing field.
Ospreay and Hikuleo got tags, and Ospreay looked great here. Jado used a kendo stick shot from the floor, allowing Hikuleo to get the upper hand on Ospreay.
Ospreay went for an Oscutter, but Hikuleo blocked it. Hikuleo hit a lariat, and got a nearfall. Ospreay made his own comeback and used a rollup for a nearfall.
Ospreay hit an Oscutter on his second attempt, and got the pin. Ospreay made it a good match, as it was just kind of there until he tagged in.
This was excellent. After the match, Ibushi asked Naito to pick the time and place for their IC title match. Naito teased doing the match tomorrow, but then walked it back. He’s going to continue to make Ibushi wait.
YOH and BUSHI started off. YOH and SHO used some tandem offense. Shingo jumped in, but SHO sent him to the floor. YOH tagged Ibushi. Ibushi went for a standing moonsault, but BUSHI got his knees up. Naito jumped in and hit a one-legged dropkick. Naito then got a tag, and used a wacky double-legged submission hold to wear down Ibushi.
Shingo tagged in, and continued working on Ibushi. He got a shot in on SHO on the apron, then hit Ibushi with a senton. Naito tagged back in and hit the combinacion cabron. Naito caught a kick and spit on Ibushi, who countered with a double stomp to the chest.
SHO and Shingo got tags, and exchanged stiff strikes to the chest. SHO ducked a lariat and hit a spear. Shingo fired back with clotheslines. SHO hit a vertical suplex for a two count. They continued to exchange hard clotheslines.
YOH tagged in. He hit an enziguri and a falcon arrow for a nearfall. He teased a dragon suplex, but Shingo avoided it. SHO jumped in and 3K hit stereo knees. They called for the 3K, but Shingo blocked it, and hit a double suplex.
Shingo was able to tag BUSHI. BUSHI hit a missile dropkick and a DDT. YOH hit a dragon screw, and both looked to tag out. YOH reached his corner first, and Ibushi ran wild. He hit a powerslam and a moonsault. He got in a shot on Naito as well.
The match broke down. SHO took out Shingo on the floor with a knee strike. YOH hit a pescado to Naito. In the ring, Ibushi hit a Bomaye, followed by a Kamigoye for the pin.
JUICE ROBINSON, HIROOKI GOTO & MIKEY NICHOLLS DEFEATED JAY WHITE, CHASE OWENS & BAD LUCK FALE (11:23)
Goto, Nicholls and Juice took an early advantage, but they were thwarted when attempting stereo planchas. Bullet Club took over. Each took a turn working over Nicholls, who finally made a tag to Goto.
Goto hit a wheel kick in the corner, and used a Thesz press. White hit a Saito suplex, allowing him to tag Owens. Owens hit a series of strikes, but Goto cut him off with a vertical suplex.
Juice tagged in and ran wild on Owens. He hit a senton, and a series of punches and chops in the corner. Juice hit a spinebuster, then used a crab. Fale and White jumped in for the save, then the illegal triple team.
Owens used a backbreaker for a nearfall. The match broke down, and everyone jumped in. The ring cleared, leaving Juice and Owens. Juice went for Pulp Friction, but White saved. White went for Blade Runner, but Nicholls saved.
Owens went for a package piledriver, but Juice turned it into a bridge for a nearfall. Juice hit the Left Hand of God, then hit Pulp Friction for the pin.
A video played after the match. Someone is targeting Juice. The video said Juice’s time is up on June 5, the Best of the Super Jrs. final.
EVIL & SANADA DEFEATED KAZUCHIKA OKADA & TOMOHIRO ISHII (16:52)
I think this was the best match on the tour so far. I loved this match. Please go out of your way to see it.
Okada and SANADA started off with an intricate series of counters and reversals based off their signature spots. Awesome stuff.
EVIL and Ishii tagged in. They traded chops and shoulder blocks. Ishii got the first knockdown, but EVIL got the upper hand. SANADA jumped in and raked Ishii’s eyes, allowing EVIL and SANADA to maintain their advantage.
SANADA hit a dropkick to Ishii’s knee, but Ishii countered with a powerslam. Ishii fought to make a tag, but EVIL tagged in first. Ishii fought him off with a suplex, then tagged Okada. Okada hit a back elbow, and a pescado.
Okada hit a DDT. EVIL hit a kick to the abdomen, then tagged SANADA. Okada twice fought off the paradise lock, then hit a flapjack. He used a scoop slam. He teased a top rope elbow, but SANADA hit a leapfrog dropkick, followed by a back suplex for a two count.
They did another intricate series of counters, ending with Okada hitting an air raid crash. Ishii tagged in. SANADA hit him with a springboard dropkick, then tagged EVIL. EVIL hit Darkness Falls for a two count.
Ishii blocked Everything is EVIL, and hit a backdrop suplex. SANADA came in for a double team, allowing EVIL to hit a clothesline for a nearfall. Ishii fought off a Magic Killer. Ishii hit a suplex on EVIL, and Okada jumped in for a dropkick on SANADA. Ishii hit a clothesline for a two count.
SANADA sent Okada into the barricade on the floor, then jumped in to help EVIL hit the Magic Killer on Ishii. EVIL used a Scorpion Deathlock. Okada tried to break it up, but SANADA put him in Skull End. Ishii fought the hold forever, and the referee called for the stoppage.
NEVER OPENWEIGHT TITLE MATCH: TAICHI DEFEATED JEFF COBB TO WIN THE TITLE (17:50)
This was better than I expected it would be.
They teased locking up, but Taichi kept stalling. He had Miho Abe check his hair. He took a stroll around the ring. Abe distracted Cobb while Taichi hit him from behind. Cobb no-sold it, then hit a dropkick. Cobb teased a dive, but Taichi used Abe as a human shield.
Kanemaru and TAKA accompanied Taichi as well, and provided a distraction, allowing Taichi to use his microphone stand to choke Cobb. Back inside, Taichi hit some kicks. Cobb went for a bearhug, but Taichi raked the eyes. Cobb put Taichi on the top rope, and hit a delayed vertical suplex from the second turnbuckle.
Cobb hit a running uppercut in the corner, followed by a Samoan drop. Cobb missed with a standing moonsault, and Taichi hit an enziguri in the corner. Taichi tried for a powerbomb, but Cobb powered out. Taichi hit a hook kick, then a buzzsaw kick for a nearfall.
Taichi removed his trousers. Cobb no-sold some kicks, and fired back with strikes. Cobb hit an overhead throw. They traded strikes, into a double down.
Taichi was up first, and went for a stretch plum. Cobb avoided it and went for Tour of the Islands, but Taichi blocked it, and hit a suplex. Taichi then applied a stretch plum. Taichi gave up the hold and went for a pinfall, but Cobb kicked out.
Cobb hit a gutwrench suplex, but maintained waist control. He hit another gutwrench, then hit a piledriver. Cobb hit a blue thunder bomb. He went for Tour of the Islands, but Taichi blocked it, and hit an enziguri.
Cobb caught a kick, hit a lariat, and followed with a standing moonsault. Cobb went for his finish again, but Taichi turned it into a rollup for a two count. Taichi hit a low blow, then used a Gedo Clutch for a nearfall.
Taichi hit a buzzsaw kick, then hit Black Mephisto for the pin, winning the title.
IWGP JR. HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH: DRAGON LEE DEFEATED TAIJI ISHIMORI TO RETAIN THE TITLE
This was everything you want in a wrestling match. Is Dragon Lee one of the ten best wrestlers in the world? One of the five best?
They started off with some mat wrestling, followed by a series of leg sweeps into a kip up. Ishimori used a flying headscissors and twisted Lee’s neck with his legs. Ishimori teased his sliding German, but Lee sent him to the floor, then hit a tope con hilo.
Back inside, Lee hit a dropkick in the corner. Lee started targeting the left leg of Ishimori, using a kneebreaker. Ishimori hit a handspring kick. He placed Lee on the top rope, and teased unmasking him. Ishimori tied Lee to the tree of woe, and hit a dropkick.
As the pace slowed, Ishimori used a chinlock. He followed up by hitting a sliding German. Lee rolled to the floor, and Ishimori hit a springboard moonsault off the post. Ishimori rolled Lee back inside for a two count.
Lee used a quick cradle for a nearfall. Ishimori hit a Woo dropkick, then double knees in the corner for a two count. Ishimori came off the ropes, but ran right into an STO for a two count. Lee hit a straightjacket suplex for a two count.
Ishimori blocked Desnucadora, and hit a crucifix bomb for a nearfall. Lee used a schoolboy for a two count, a one-armed powerbomb for another nearfall, then hit a flying rana from the apron to the floor.
Lee sent Ishimori into the barricade. Lee tried to toss Ishimori back inside, but Ishimori reversed it, and sent Lee into the barricade with an armdrag. They teased a double countout, and both made it back inside at 19.
From their knees, they exchanged forearm strikes. They traded on their feet, and Lee dropped Ishimori with a forearm. Ishimori got back to his feet, but Lee sent him back down with a kick. Lee hit a snap German, but Ishimori popped right up and hit a Canadian Destroyer. Lee no-sold it, and hit a falcon arrow, into a double down.
Lee placed Ishimori on the top rope, then hit a double stomp. He covered, but Ishimori kicked out at two. Ishimori countered Desnucadora with a rana for a nearfall. Ishimori used La Mistica, then transitioned to the Yes Lock. Lee fought for the ropes, and finally got there.
Ishimori hit a lungblower for a nearfall. They traded knee strikes. Lee hit a German, and a running knee for a nearfall. Lee followed with Desnucadora for the pin.
Lee cut a promo after the match, and said the win was for Hiromu Takahashi. He said the title is waiting for Hiromu to return.
NJPW’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku tour continued today in Hiroshima.
The top three matches on the show saved a somewhat sleepy undercard.
One focus of the opening matches on this tour has been the issues between Minoru Suzuki and Jushin Liger. With Liger not scheduled on this show, we had to wait until the fourth match before we had anything that felt like it was building towards something of consequence.
Business picked up later in the card, and both the semi-main and the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team title match were excellent.
This was not at the level of most Young Lion openers of late.
Narita’s right shoulder was heavily taped. On commentary, Kevin Kelly said it was slightly separated. Tsuji and Uemura worked on the shoulder early.
Narita was able to make a tag to Umino. Uemura and Tsuji hit Umino with dropkicks. Tsuji used a crab, and Narita came in for the save. Umino hit a spinebuster on Tsuji for a near fall, then used a full crab. After a long fight, he reached the ropes.
Umino then hit a fisherman’s suplex on Tsuji for the pin.
MINORU SUZUKI, EL DESPERADO & YOSHINOBU KANEMARU DEFEATED TIGER MASK IV, YOSHI-HASHI & TOA HENARE
The Suzuki-gun team used their traditional jumpstart, attacking before the opening bell. Tiger Mask started off as the legal man for his team. Suzuki used an armbar on him over the ropes, then brawled with YOSHI-HASHI in the crowd.
Back inside, Desperado went for Tiger’s mask. Tiger fought back with some kicks, then went for Desperado’s mask. Desperado used an eye rake, then tagged Suzuki. Suzuki used a chinlock and an armbar. YOSHI-HASHI jumped in for the save and traded strikes with Suzuki.
Kanemaru tagged in and ate a wheel kick. Desperado entered and ate a backbreaker, enabling Tiger to tag YOSHI-HASHI.
YOSHI-HASHI and Kanemaru fought to a stalemate, then Henare and Suzuki got tags.
Henare hit a Samoan drop for a near fall. He used a tackle for another near fall. Suzuki used a misdirection spot, then hit the Gotch piledriver on Henare for the pin.
This was a let’s get everyone on the show 10-man tag. There wasn’t enough comedy to be a good comedy match, and there wasn’t enough wrestling to be a good wrestling match.
This match saw Bullet Club use the jumpstart before the bell. Yano and Tonga ended up the legal men. Yano untied a corner pad and used it as a weapon against Tonga. Tonga reciprocated. Loa got a tag and whipped Yano into the exposed buckle, twice.
Fale tagged in, and he took a turn sending Yano into the buckle. Tonga got a tag and used a kokeshi, mocking Honma. Yano sent Tonga into the buckle and both tagged out.
Juice and Owens were the legal men. Fale and Nicholls jumped in, and Nicholls and Juice gained the advantage. Juice hit a cannonball and a senton, while Nicholls hit a sliding lariat. Owens escaped Pulp Friction and used a roll-up for a two count. Owens hit a lariat and tagged Loa.
Juice sent Loa into the buckle, then tagged Makabe. Makabe hit ten punches and a lariat, but Loa followed with his own lariat. The match broke down as everyone jumped in. Jado tried to use a kendo stick, but Yano hit him with a low blow.
After the low blow, Makabe hit Jado with the King Kong knee drop for the pin.
JEFF COBB & RYUSUKE TAGUCHI DEFEATED TAICHI & TAKA MICHINOKU
Not much to the match. This was about establishing Taichi as Cobb’s challenger for the NEVER title, and the post-match angle did that.
Taguchi has a new haircut and shaved his facial hair. He looks ten years older somehow.
Taguchi and Cobb did some comedy spots with TAKA. They fought into the crowd, where Taichi used a chair on Cobb. Back inside, Taichi and TAKA doubled up on Taguchi.
Cobb finally got a tag and ran wild. He hit a standing moonsault on Taichi, but missed a splash in the corner. Taichi hit a jumping kick, and tagged TAKA. TAKA hit a running knee for a near fall.
Taguchi flew in with a hip attack on Taichi. Cobb hit TAKA with a lariat and followed with Tour of the Islands for the victory.
After the bell, Taichi attacked Cobb and posed with the NEVER title.
HIROOKI GOTO, WILL OSPREAY & DRAGON LEE DEFEATED JAY WHITE, TAIJI ISHIMORI & HIKULEO
This was a good six-man.
Bullet Club attacked before the bell. White went after Goto, and they fought around ringside. Ospreay came out firing. He teased a dive, but Hikuleo cut him off and Bullet Club went to work on Ospreay.
Hikuleo used a delayed vertical suplex for a two count. Ishimori and Ospreay traded back handsprings. Ishimori missed on his, while Ospreay connected with a kick. Lee got a tag and hit a dropkick in the corner.
Ishimori and Lee traded strikes. Lee hit a jumping knee strike, while Ishimori hit a Canadian Destroyer. Goto and White tagged in. Goto ran wild with clotheslines, then hit a Saito suplex for a two count.
White blocked an ushigoroshi, then suplexed Goto into the turnbuckle. Hikuleo tagged in and hit a swinging neckbreaker. He made a cover, but Ospreay broke up the pin. Hikuleo hit a double lariat on Goto and Lee. Ospreay went for pip pip cheerio, but Hikuleo caught him and slammed him.
Goto recovered and went for a GTR on Hikuleo. White saved, but Goto hit him with a lariat. Goto hit Hikuleo with an inverted GTR, then hit a standard GTR for the pin.
TETSUYA NAITO, EVIL & SANADA DEFEATED KAZUCHIKA OKADA, TOMOHIRO ISHII & KOTA IBUSHI
This was great. EVIL and Ishii continue to tear the house down when they’re in together.
Naito and Ibushi started off. They only did a little bit, but they got a great reaction. EVIL and Ishii tagged in and did their trading strikes spot. Okada and SANADA got tags, and the pace slowed a bit. EVIL tripped Okada from the floor and LIJ took over.
EVIL hit Okada with a neckbreaker. EVIL covered, but Ishii broke up the pin. Okada and SANADA went at it again. SANADA teased his leapfrog dropkick, but Okada hit an air raid crash into a double down.
Ibushi and Naito tagged in. Ibushi hit a springboard dropkick and a plancha. Ibushi hit a powerslam into a second rope moonsault for a near fall. Naito slipped out of a dragon suplex attempt, and hit a reverse rana off the top for a two count.
Ibushi hit a suplex, but Naito no-sold and hit a one-legged dropkick. EVIL tagged in. Ibushi hit him with a dropkick, then tagged Ishii. They did an awesome sequence of reversals, and Ishii hit a suplex.
EVIL hit a corner lariat, then used a fisherman’s suplex. LIJ triple-teamed Ishii. EVIL hit a big lariat for a near fall. EVIL applied the scorpion deathlock, but Ibushi broke it up.
Naito hit Ibushi with a DDT. Okada hit a flapjack on Naito. SANADA hit Okada with a dropkick to the knee. EVIL and SANADA went for the Magic Killer, but Okada saved Ishii with a dropkick to SANADA. Ishii hit EVIL with a lariat for a two count.
Ishii hit a suplex, but missed a sliding lariat. EVIL hit a headbutt, then hit Everything is EVIL for the pin.
IWGP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH: SHO & YOH DEFEATED BUSHI & SHINGO TAKAGI TO RETAIN THE TITLES (25:10)
SHO and Shingo began, locking up. They traded shoulder tackles. SHO finally dropped Shingo. YOH got a tag. BUSHI jumped in and ate a double dropkick. SHO and YOH teased stereo dives, but Shingo and BUSHI cut them off and took the fight to the floor.
SHO and YOH were both sent into the barricade. Back inside, Shingo hit a double stomp on YOH. BUSHI choked YOH with his T-shirt. They exchanged chops and palm strikes to the chest. Shingo and BUSHI continued working over YOH.
While BUSHI used an STF on YOH, Shingo and SHO fought on the floor. BUSHI used a neckbreaker for a near fall. YOH missed on one dropkick, but hit a second. He went for a tag, but Shingo knocked SHO off the apron.
YOH made his own comeback, hitting dragon screws on both Shingo and BUSHI. SHO got a tag. He hit a spear on both Shingo and BUSHI. After a fight, SHO hit a vertical suplex on Shingo. SHO hit a dropkick, ducked a Pumping Bomber, and hit a spear. He used a cross armbreaker, but BUSHI made the save.
SHO continued to attack Shingo’s Pumping Bomber arm. Shingo hit a powerbomb and used a jackknife cover for a near fall. BUSHI hit a backstabber, then Shingo hit a sliding lariat for a near fall.
Everyone jumped in. SHO and YOH hit stereo knees, but Shingo decked them both with a double lariat. YOH and BUSHI rolled to the floor, while SHO and Shingo stood in the center of the ring, trading. Shingo hit a lariat with the left arm, but SHO refused to go down.
They traded short lariats. SHO hit a knee, then dropped Shingo with a lariat. He followed with his own Pumping Bomber for a two count. SHO hit a deadlift German into a bridge for a two count.
SHO went for the Shock Arrow, but Shingo hit a backdrop. SHO hit a mid kick, ducked a Pumping Bomber, and hit a dragon suplex. Shingo no-sold it. He went for a Pumping Bomber, but SHO countered with a clothesline of his own.
BUSHI and YOH tagged in. YOH hit a flying forearm and used a neckbreaker for a two count. BUSHI blocked a falcon arrow. YOH hit some uppercuts, and BUSHI followed with a missile dropkick.
SHO and YOH doubled up on BUSHI. They used an elevated neckbreaker, and YOH got a near fall. BUSHI blocked a 3K attempt and hit a double rana. Shingo jumped back in and sent SHO to the floor. BUSHI hit a suicide dive.
Shingo hit YOH with a Pumping Bomber, and BUSHI hit a Codebreaker for a near fall. BUSHI went for an MX, but YOH caught him with a superkick. Shingo tried to hit YOH with a Pumping Bomber, but SHO jumped in and took the blow for him.
SHO and YOH hit stereo knees on Shingo, sending him to the floor. They went for the 3K on BUSHI, but BUSHI blocked and sent SHO into Red Shoes, who took a bump.
BUSHI hit a low blow and used a backslide for a near fall. SHO and Shingo fought to the floor. BUSHI went for the MX, but SHO jumped in for the save. SHO and YOH hit the 3K on BUSHI, but Shingo made the save.
While SHO held Shingo on the floor, YOH hit a dragon suplex on BUSHI for the pin. An awesome main event.
NJPW has released the cards for their next tour, Wrestling Dontaku.
The tour will host both nights of Wrestling Dontaku, the Wrestling Hi no Kuni event, as well as Sengoku Lord.
NJPW has announced that both Hiroshi Tanahashi and Hiroyoshi Tenzan will miss the tour due to injury. Tanahashi is suffering from a left elbow injury, while Tenzan is dealing with a knee issue. NJPW says that there is no set timetable for either man’s return.
Sengoku Lord on Saturday, April 20, is the first of four major shows on the tour. It will feature Kota Ibushi making his first defense of the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, with him facing Zack Sabre Jr. The undercard will also feature an IWGP United States title match, as Juice Robinson defends against Bad Luck Fale.
Wrestling Hi no Kuni will take place on Monday, April 29, and will showcase an IWGP Tag Team title match, as new champs Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa face off against Togi Makabe & Toru Yano.
The tour concludes with a two-night Wrestling Dontaku event on May 3 and May 4.
Night one will see new NEVER Openweight Champion Jeff Cobb defending against Taichi. Dragon Lee also makes his first defense of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title, taking on former champ Taiji Ishimori.
Night two will be headlined by Kazuchika Okada defending the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against SANADA. The semi-main on May 4 will see Tomohiro Ishii face EVIL.
The tour will begin with a Road to Wrestling Dontaku show this Saturday.
NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions Togi Makabe, Toru Yano & Ryusuke Taguchi will defend their titles against Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & Hikuleo at a Road to Dontaku event on April 22, while Shingo Takagi & BUSHI will challenge for SHO & YOH’s IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles on April 26.
Here are the full cards for Sengoku Lord, Wrestling Hi no Kuni, and both nights of Wrestling Dontaku:
Sengoku Lord (April 20, Aichi)
IWGP Intercontinental Champion Kota Ibushi defending against Zack Sabre Jr.
IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Juice Robinson defending against Bad Luck Fale
After reaching twelve successful title defenses, Okada wants to make number thirteen a memorable bout.
Okada challenged Kenny Omega to a match for the IWGP Heavyweight championship at Dominion in Osaka-jo Hall this morning after defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi. He mentioned that the last time they met there, they went to a draw, so he wants to fix that.
Omega accepted the challenge, but wanted the bout to be a 2 out of 3 falls match. Okada agreed, setting the stage for a giant Dominion main event. With their rivalry tied at one win each (and one draw), the upcoming match would be the very definition of a rubber match.
Based off of angles over the last couple of days, it looks like Dominion is shaping up to be a very memorable card. Taichi and Michael Elgin have both expressed interest in the NEVER title, with Taichi repeatedly attacking both Elgin and champion Hirooki Goto behind during the tour. Roppongi 3K have also expressed interest in regaining the IWGP Jr. tag team titles.
Meanwhile, The Young Bucks officially laid out a challenge to EVIL and SANADA over the IWGP tag team titles and Jay White made it clear to Juice Robinson that he had his eyes set on him. And of course, Chris Jericho made his presence felt this morning by destroying Tetsuya Naito with a ring bell, making it clear he was not finished with him in the least bit.
This year’s Dominion will take place on June 9 in Osaka at Osaka-jo Hall.
A week after appearing at WWE’s Greatest Royal Rumble, Chris Jericho returned to New Japan Pro Wrestling and resumed his feud with IWGP Intercontinental Champion Tetsuya Naito.
While wearing a mask and dressed as a Los Ingobernables de Japon fan, Jericho came out of the crowd and attacked Naito as he was heading to the back at this morning’s Wrestling Dontaku event in Fukuoka. Jericho brought Naito back to ringside, took off his mask to reveal it was him, and gave Naito a Codebreaker.
Jericho bloodied Naito by hitting him with the ring bell. He tried to continue the attack, but officials and the rest of Los Ingobernables de Japon — who were already backstage before Jericho appeared — were finally able to break things up. Naito left under his own power after refusing to be stretchered out.
This was Jericho’s first appearance for NJPW since attacking Naito at New Year’s Dash on January 5th, and Jericho had tried to make it seem like he was done with NJPW in the lead-up to today’s angle. Jericho and Naito’s storyline began with them arguing over whether Kenny Omega vs. Jericho or Kazuchika Okada vs. Naito was the real main event at this year’s Tokyo Dome show.
Jericho vs. Naito will presumably be happening at one of NJPW’s upcoming big shows, with Dominion at Osaka-jo Hall on June 9th and the G1 Special at the Cow Palace on July 7th as possible options.
Naito, EVIL, SANADA, BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi had defeated Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer, Davey Boy Smith Jr., El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru in a 10-man tag match prior to Jericho’s attack. Naito got the pin on Kanemaru after hitting the Destino.
