Tag: yota tsuji

NJPW New Year Dash live results: The fallout from Wrestle Kingdom 20

Posted on by Corey Michaels

With Wrestle Kingdom 20 in the books, New Japan Pro Wrestling begins the post-Hiroshi Tanahashi era with their annual New Year Dash event.

The card from Tokyo’s Ota City Gymnasium traditionally is left a mystery, but the main event was already announced. In it, the IWGP Tag Team Champions The Knockout Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) defended against World Tag League winners Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Champs Douki and Sho defended against three other teams.

New IWGP World Champion & Global Champion Yota Tsuji appeared, as did now former champion Konosuke Takeshita, following the events of Saturday night.

Other wrestlers included new NEVER Openweight Champion Aaron Wolf, members of the War Dogs, Andrade El Idolo, United Empire, House of Torture, Hontai, and TMDK.

A former United Empire leader returned, the World Heavyweight Championship received a redesign, and a new faction has been announced.

Our live coverage begins at 4:30 am Eastern.

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Main Card

Team 150 (Satoshi Kojima, Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii) defeated Katsuya Murashima, Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura

Uemura and Taichi started the evening with the early lockup. Taichi wriggled out of Uemura’s shoulder control with a lariat. Uemura fired back at opponents Kojima and Ishii. The latter forced Uemura down and shrugged off Murashima. Kojima let loose gnarly chops on Uemura, who rebounded with dropkicks. Umino exploded onto the scene, following through with a flurry of offense to Kojima, complete with a bridging suplex.

A Koji-Cutter gave way for an Ishii rampage. The Stone Pitbull didn’t so much as flinch upon Umino’s chops, but his forearms did the trick, staggering the veteran. Ishii met his match in the young Murashima, who refused to be put down, as he pounced on his now bloody-nosed elder. Taichi attempted intervention, but Uemura trounced him, so that Murashima could slam the still-legal Ishii. Taking a clobbering, Ishii headbutted Murashima as the announcer reminded the competitors of the time limit. Mercilessly sinking in a low, deep Boston Crab, Ishii tapped Murashima out for the win.

Post-match: Uemura and Taichi stared each other down while Ishii brawled with Umino after the former spat blood in the latter’s eye.

(Always a great idea to start the night with some physicality from some absolute beef steakhouses like these men here. If your adrenaline thrives on that type of action, you’ll love this. I felt a sort of generational kinship between Ishii and Murashima, the way they brought the intensity to one another.)

The Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero) defeated El Phantasmo & Shoma Kato

Phantasmo, to Takeshita’s amusement, sustained control over the Alpha’s limbs, countering him at every turn. Kato demanded to be tagged in, hoping to tangle with his fellow Osaka-native, but contended with Romero instead, resulting in a forearm laying Azucar flat. Kato and the former World Heavyweight Champion whipped each other into the barricades. Almost tauntingly, Takeshita kept the Young Lion down with several repeated pin attempts. Still bitter at his loss in the Tokyo Dome, Kato laid out all his frustrations on Takeshita, leading to a Boston Crab.

Phantasmo helped Kato in dealing with Romero, but the Westerners quickly found themselves on the outside. Meanwhile, Takeshita struck back on Kato with a Brainbuster. Exploiting his knackered opponent, Takeshita submitted the youngster with a Boston Crab.

(I love to see some character development for the Young Lions, and that testing of Kato was it. Phantasmo, being a gentle and forgiving mentor figure in this match, was nice to see. Romero looked like he was one of those Little Debbie Chocolate Cupcakes.)

Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) & Oleg Boltin defeated House Of Torture (SANADA, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi)

Prepared for a House of Torture ambush, Bishamon and Boltin laid out their opponents with an extra barrage of fists on Kanemaru’s back. Exposing the turnbuckle, Takahashi catapulted Goto into its steel. SANADA ate a disastrous lariat from Goto. YOSHI-HASHI stampeded Takahashi and Kanemaru before spanking and dropkicking SANADA off the ropes he was propped upon. Thanks to a low blow courtesy of SANADA, Takahashi had the opportunity to wound YOSHI-HASHI, but a Boltin save put a stop to that.

Suffering a scoop and a slam, Takahashi’s world became a blur after a Boltin Shake rattled him. SANADA and Takahashi sandwiched Boltin between their boots, but couldn’t follow up if an angry Goto had anything to say about it. Bishamon propped up Takahashi for a Boltin Splash to finish the match.

(SANADA looked like he was caught by those trawler men who almost caught Nemo and those other fish in Pixar’s Finding Nemo. I think I like the combination of Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, and Boltin.)

United Empire (Andrade El Idolo, Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young) defeated War Dogs (Clark Connors & Gabe Kidd) & Hiromu Takahashi

Both teams spared no second, engaging in all-out war. Takahashi initially had Akira under his boot, but the freshly returned Italian retaliated with whips into barricades and dominant chops to the chest. Young chipped away with some kicks and bent the Time Bomb’s fingers with gremlin-like joy. Idolo added further punishment with stomps and elbow drops, punctuating with a dive like an exclamation point. Akira added to this with a standing moonsault.

At last, Takahashi found respite in a dropkick to Akira, with a subsequent Dragonscrew Leg Whip. Kidd delivered an onslaught of faceplants to the corners and a lariat to Idolo. La Sombra recovered with a dropkick and knees to the Madman’s face in the corner. Kidd bounced back with a Brainbuster. Connors laid out the United Empire and caught Idolo with a powerslam. After goring Idolo, Connors’s rampage begat all-out chaos. A decisive big boot from Idolo rocked Connors’s brain. He ended the match with a Hammerlock DDT to stamp out Connors for good.

Post-match: Kidd and Idolo brawled, with the former challenging the latter for a title opportunity for Yota Tsuji’s IWGP Global Heavyweight title at New Beginning in Osaka on February 11.

(Andrade wrestled like a star tonight and in the Dome. I hope NJPW and AEW make the best use of him possible because he looks like a million bucks right now. I selfishly want him slotted against Yota Tsuji in lieu of Jake Lee.)

Aaron Wolf, Master Wato, Toru Yano & YOH defeated House of Torture (Dick Togo, Don Fale, EVIL & Ren Narita)

House of Torture immediately isolated Wolf from his partners before bullying him as they pulled out all the stops. Wato, Yano, and YOH prevented their patented Dick-to-Dick Contact, allowing Wolf to hurl Togo clear across the ring. Wato bulldogged the rattled competitor. Fale laid his immeasurable weight on Wato, pressing fully on his back before stepping on him. EVIL doled out additional torment to Wato. Togo struck the ring bell during a pin attempt to cause a disruption. YOH and Yano dropped Narita, but paid dearly for it from a united House of Torture front. This resulted in a successful Dick-to-Dick Contact.

Togo failed an inside cradle to YOH, who replied with a Slingblade. He tapped out Togo with a Texas Cloverleaf for the pinfall.

Post-match: House of Torture assaulted YOH. His partners came to the rescue, but were also clobbered, especially Wolf. Narita clobbered him with a plank of wood, leaving the former judoka to be carried out by Young Lions.

(I would’ve had Wolf featured more in this match, maybe involved him in the finish. However, since it looks like Narita might be his next opponent, I’ll reserve judgment for what may look to be New Beginning in Osaka.)

United Empire (Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan, HENARE & Jake Lee) defeated War Dogs (David Finlay & Drilla Moloney), Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji

Tsuji unveiled the new look of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. True to his word, the belt appeared as the classic V4 IWGP Heavyweight Championship design.

Lee frantically overwhelmed Tsuji, including a Facebreak Shot. Finlay traded forearms with Newman before grounding him with a shoulder tackle. Newman rebounded with a dropkick. HENARE picked up the scraps, nearly following through with a Fireman’s Carry, but Finlay countered with Oblivion. Takagi struggled to topple Khan and Lee in their union against him, so Moloney provided backup. Khan and HENARE sought to whip their opponents into one another, but found themselves on the receiving end instead.

Takagi toppled HENARE, yet Khan stalled his momentum with a Mongolian Chop and an Iron Claw. Moloney smashed him with a spinebuster. HENARE pinned Moloney after a Khan-assisted powerbomb.

Post-match: While Jake Lee rubbed his hands all over the newly redesigned World Heavyweight Championship, Khan and HENARE assaulted Takagi. Tsuji stood unamused by Lee’s antics with the title. The pair paintbrushed each other. Finlay had to be restrained by Young Lions and his teammates after he ripped off the ring apron and tossed chairs into the ring.

Newman took to the microphone to insult Finlay. As though addressing someone else entirely, Newman stated that this was a different United Empire he’d been carrying on his back. Will Ospreay emerged, embracing HENARE and Khan, ignoring Lee completely. Reporting that he had yet to be cleared, but once he handled business in AEW, he’d help Newman in NJPW. He even offered to do it Newman’s way. Newman seemingly agreed before teasing a chair shot. Khan and HENARE quietly prevented this while Ospreay’s back was conveniently turned.

(Lee does not move me at all. Looks like he didn’t move Ospreay either. But HENARE is off to a great start, and Finlay’s strong 2025 continues.)

Ichiban Sweet Boys (Kosei Fujita & Robbie Eagles) defeated House Of Torture (DOUKI & SHO) (c), El Desperado & Kuukai, and War Dogs (Robbie X & Taiji Ishimori) for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship

SHO taunted all of his and DOUKI’s opponents before sliding out of the ring. Kuukai dove over the top rope to lay them out. The bell rang, with Desperado and Kuukai ready to level the playing field when DOUKI and SHO tripped them up. Desperado aided Kuukai in elevating him for a missile dropkick to House of Torture. Ishimori and X combined their offense on Desperado. X and Eagles formed a temporary alliance on DOUKI. Since both men were named Robbie, the modest Tokyo crowd chanted “Robbie.”

SHO launched Fujita at Kuukai, who ducked and united with him for the latter’s missile dropkick. Dissolving their brief partnership, Fujita and Kuukai collided. Ishimori sent Fujita and Eagles down in a Tower of Terror spot. Before X could get the 3-count, Yoshinobu Kanemaru pulled the referee out of the ring. He, SHO, and DOUKI teased weaponry, but Fujita laid them out with SHO’s black sheet pan. A double-Thrillride from Fujita and Eagles lent the former a pinfall win over X. Ichiban Sweet Boys are the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.

Post-match: As Chris Charlton mentioned, a new faction was forming backstage via Yota Tsuji as “Unbound Company”. Francesco Akira laid out the competitors from the match, with special attention directed to Ishimori. Hiromu Takahashi came to their rescue.

(I so wish Kosei Fujita could win some singles gold. But he and Eagles are so good together, so I’m not mad at it. I’m moreso curious as to Tsuji’s new faction.)

Main Event

Knockout Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) (c) defeated TMDK (Ryohei Oiwa & Zack Sabre Jr.) for the IWGP Tag Team Championship

Oiwa and Yuto-Ice initiated the bout with a slobberknocker brawl that saw the Knockout Brother laid flat. Sabre equalized OSKAR as he joined Oiwa to stretch Yuto-Ice’s limbs. OSKAR returned, his size nearly circumventing TMDK’s attempts to topple his giant stature. Back on his feet, Yuto-Ice fired back at Sabre, kicking him down with an assist from OSKAR.

Sabre challenged the towering OSKAR and paid the price with the German’s knee pressed on his chest. Yuto-Ice was equally as unforgiving, beating down on the blonde Brit. Oiwa decapitated Yuto-Ice with a lariat and stomped the back of OSKAR’s knee from the bottom rope. Yuto-Ice flung Oiwa’s face into OSKAR’s large boot. Sabre incurred the wrath of OSKAR for the sin of a Penalty Kick, eating stiff forearms as recompense. The Knockout Brothers maintained their dominance with a Backbreaker + knee strike combination.

Sabre planted his boot on OSKAR’s head, wrenching his arm back behind his shoulder as he screamed sweet agony, climaxing into a rope break. OSKAR bore down upon the Englishman with a booming elbow drop. By a miraculous last-second resurgence, Sabre thudded the ring with a Zack Driver for a nearfall. Oiwa matched Yuto-Ice’s fire with his own to land a Tenzan Suplex. Beheaded by lariats, Yuto-Ice watched in hazy eyes as Oiwa vertically suplexed OSKAR. Sabre tagged in, peppering Yuto-Ice with slaps until he lost focus; this gave way for Oiwa to bridge a suplex for Sabre to exploit a jackknife pin. Yuto-Ice bypassed Oiwa’s Grip for a rolling elbow. OSKAR broke Sabre’s Ankle Lock on Yuto-Ice for a life-squeezing sleeper hold. Leaking blood from his nose, Oiwa tried another Grip on Yuto-Ice. Knockout Brothers pinned Oiwa with a ruinous K.O.B. to retain their gold.

Post-match: Shota Umino and Yuya Uemura approached Knockout Brothers while the crowd was still chanting for Ryohei Oiwa. While Yuto-Ice was receptive towards Uemura, OSKAR sidestepped Umino. Tomohiro Ishii and Taichi joined the quartet, positioning themselves as next in line. Knockout Brothers suggested that the two teams face each other before taking them on at New Beginning in Osaka. Alone, OSKAR and Yuto-Ice thanked the crowd. Following the emotional retirement of Hiroshi Tanahashi the night before, Ice declared himself the “Ice” of NJPW in a compelling promo that rallied the fans and commentary.

(The long build to this match continues to pay off. This isn’t some technical chess game; this is physicality and hatred made manifest by two teams with ill regard for each other. Just as the match seemed in its final gear, another was added, and yet it was hard to pull away for even a second of its engrossing action. But the post-match promo itself is required viewing, because this is the burning passion that the roster should have following the end of its star performer’s illustrious career.)

Final thoughts

New Year Dash was a successful follow-up to Wrestle Kingdom 20. Many questions to be asked and storylines continued. Yota Tsuji’s new faction amid his new championship redesign adds interest to the main event, even amid a lukewarm Jake Lee return. The United Empire drama with the excitement of a Will Ospreay reunion adds a wrinkle with the Emerald faction turning heelish. SANADA teased leaving NJPW or wrestling as a whole, so I’m curious about that and what it means. Andrade El Idolo’s involvement left me excited for what’s to come from him in 2026, now that he’s free from WWE’s despicable year-long non-compete clause.

My only complaints are that the follow-up to Aaron Wolf’s impactful Wrestle Kingdom 20 performance didn’t feel as strong as it could be, and Jake Lee was done a disservice in this push he’s receiving. Hopefully, the booking sees Yota Tsuji as the future and keeps him a strong champion. Ideally, he should mow over Lee to establish himself as a force to reckon with.

Congratulations to Ichiban Sweet Boys for the title win. That Junior Heavyweight Championship match, in my opinion, was the match of the night. As a whole, New Year Dash is the show to watch for the many new developments spiraling out of it.

IWGP World & Global double champion crowned at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Yota Tsuji is a double champion.

Tsuji defeated Konosuke Takeshita in the co-main event of Wrestle Kingdom 20 on Sunday to win the IWGP World Championship for the first time and the IWGP Global Championship for a second time. He got the win after hitting the gene blaster and applied a Boston crab. Takeshita attempted to will himself not to tap out, including biting his hand, but eventually couldn’t take the pain and tapped, giving Tsuji his first-ever World championship win.

As Tsuji was giving a speech afterwards thanking the fans, Jake Lee jumped him from behind and hit a running boot to the corner. He then posed with the IWGP World Heavyweight title, making it clear he was next in line for the title. He had returned earlier in the night as the newest member of the United Empire.

Takeshita had held the title for 83 days, defeating Zack Sabre Jr. at King of Pro Wrestling back in October. He had previously won the G1 Climax tournament in August, but chose to challenge for the title quickly instead of waiting for Wrestle Kingdom.

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 live results: Hiroshi Tanahashi’s final match

Posted on by Corey Michaels

The final match in the legendary career of Hiroshi Tanahashi takes place in the Tokyo Dome as part of tonight’s NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20.

Tanahashi takes on longtime NJPW rival and current AEW roster member Kazuchika Okada on a night that will also feature a retirement ceremony.

IWGP World Champion Konosuke Takeshita defends against IWGP Global Champion Yota Tsuji in a winner takes all bout.

Olympic judo gold medalist Aaron Wolf makes his pro wrestling debut against NEVER Openweight Champion EVIL.

In another winner takes all match for the IWGP Women’s Championship and NJPW Strong Women’s Championship, Saya Kamitani goes one-on-one with Syuri.

NJPW TV Champion El Desperado defends against Chris Brookes while El Desperado vs. Kosei Fujita vs. Taiji Ishimori vs. Sho will decide the next IWGP Junior Heavyweight title challenger.

In a 10-man tag, the Bullet Club War Dogs (David Finlay, Gabe Kidd & Drilla Moloney) and Unaffiliated (Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi) take on Andrade El Idolo and United Empire (Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan, Henare & TBA).

The show will also feature a Ranbo match for the NEVER Six-Man Tag Team titles.

Our live coverage begins at 1:15 PM Eastern.

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Pre-Show

Katsuya Murashima & Masatora Yasuda defeated Shoma Kato & Tatsuya Matsumoto

Murashima and Matsumoto began grappling to a standstill in the Tokyo Dome. Yasuda gained control following two suplexes. Kato quickly recovered with a suplex to Murashima. Three consecutive bodyslams saw Kato maintain an edge over Murashima. He bounced back with a Back-Body Drop. and a Murashima Stampede. Through gritted teeth and applied pressure, Murashima’s Boston Crab tapped Kato.

(Crisp match with a quick pace. While the Young Lions were hungry, they stayed coloring in the lines, so as not to take any unwanted risks. Just enough to have a serviceable match.)

El Phantasmo (c) defeated Chris Brookes for the NJPW World Television Championship

Phantasmo and Brookes wrestled to a standstill. Employing sportsmanship with a handshake, Phantasmo earned a kick to the midsection as recompense for his good deed. Attacking Phantasmo’s ally, Jado, Brookes exploited the confusion and the environment using his DDT cohorts to inflict whiplash via a brightly colored rope.

Brookes from the top rope landed a senton that rattled the champion. Phantasmo slingshot himself from the ropes to deliver a Thunderkiss 86. His UFO attempt nearly finished the match. Brooks regained control, sneaking his knees up to disrupt another Thunderkiss 86. The challenger’s Brainbuster resulted in a nearfall. Phantasmo’s CR2 preceded a final Thunderkiss 86 that secured a title retention over Brookes.

(Phantasmo and Brookes had chemistry. The Dome sizzled with this one, and I imagine Brookes will revisit this bout with Phantasmo in the future to build something else. There’s something here, but not enough to go nuts over. Solid affair.)

Main Card

TMDK eliminated Oleg Boltin & Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) in the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship Rambo

House of Torture (SANADA, Ren Narita, & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) promptly went to work on Yuya Uemura, Shota Umino, & Kaisei Takechi. They bounced back, however, flinging Narita into the corner as War Dogs (Yuto-Ice, OSKAR, & Clark Connors sauntered to the ring, accompanied by AEW’s Thekla. Narita unwisely took this time to sneak up on Umino, Uemura, and Takechi and was stomped out. War Dogs barreled into the standing babyfaces.

Thekla distracted House of Torture so Connors could batter them with a tire. TMDK emerged next, featuring Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa, and Hartley Jackson. Oiwa and Yuto-Ice clobbered each other with forearms. Connors punctured Sabre with a Gore to allow Yuto-Ice more breathing room. Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi, and Togi Makabe joined the four teams as Oiwa battled OSKAR and Yuto-Ice in the ring. Oiwa flung OSKAR out, thereby eliminating War Dogs. They were replaced by Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) & Oleg Boltin.

Team 100 (Taichi & Satoshi Kojima) & Tomohiro Ishii were the new entries as Boltin eliminated Tiger Mask via pinfall. Boltin and Ishii teetered in a vertical suplex standoff, which the latter gained the upper hand in. The champions Toru Yano, Master Wato, & YOH rounded out the participants; YOH came out emulating “Toru YOH-no”. Taichi and Uemura tumbled into the ropes, each spilling outside, therefore eliminating their teams.

YOH singlehandedly stood his own against the challengers. Wato and Yano saved YOH from elimination. However, House of Torture pulled him off the ropes after nearly toppling SANADA, who fell out as well. Bishamon and Boltin coordinated well to disorient TMDK. Sabre outwrestled Boltin’s Kamikaze attempt to secure a pinfall with a bridged pin.

(This Rambo Match felt like a party. It won’t be for everyone, but the chaos was a part of the charm. I genuinely didn’t expect TMDK or Bishamon & Oleg Boltin to be the final two.)

Syuri (c) defeated Saya Kamitani (c) for the IWGP Women’s Championship & NJPW Strong Women’s Championship

Despite the swift agility of both champions, each woman evaded the other’s lethal strikes to a stalemate. Syuri trapped Kamitani’s arm, but a rope break was her salvation. Kamitani used the referee as a shield to break up Syuri’s momentum. H.A.T.E. pulled Syuri out of the ring, allowing Kamitani to dive at her into the steel blue barricade.

Kamitani weakened Syuri following a spiteful forearm exchange. A Bridging Northern Lights Suplex lent the Strong champion more momentum. Syuri swung a comeback as she dragged Kamitani over the top rope and cranked back on her opponent’s arm. The terrified and panicking Kamitani squirmed to a rope break, even though both of her arms were within Syuri’s grasp. A confident Blue Thunderbomb placed Kamitani inches from victory, as did a Star Crusher. Syuri grounded Kamitani with a Fujiwara Armbar, followed by a knee to the face. Kamitani garnered some steam, but Syuri caught her with a roundhouse kick. A Buzzsaw Kick dazed Kamitani. Syuri became a double champion by use of her signature Syu-Sekai.

(To the surprise of absolutely no one, this match was a classic. A hard-hitting bout with close nearfalls, this added poignancy to the seriousness of tonight. If this match doesn’t land in the conversation of match of the year in most, if not all, circles, then I’d be surprised.)

United Empire (Jake Lee, Andrade El Idolo, Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan & HENARE) defeated War Dogs (David Finlay, Drilla Moloney & Gabe Kidd) & Unaffiliated (Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi)

Finlay quickly went to work on Lee. Meanwhile, Kidd contended with Idolo, whose conditioning overwhelmed the madman, resulting in a Flying Crossbody. Takagi and HENARE collided, two bulls clashing in tackles, the former gaining an upper hand with a DDT. HENARE withstood most of Takagi’s offense, but couldn’t survive a lariat. Moloney outcircled him, leading to a dropkick. Reunited with Takagi, HENARE fell prey to an elbow from him and Moloney.

Takagi’s lariat and Moloney’s Gore continued to rock the Maori wrestler. Finally, HENARE snagged a comeback with a Berserker Bomb. Finlay and Newman’s hate boiled over in their hot tags; a backbreaker crushed the latter. Lee joined in, powerslamming Finlay. Takahashi and Finlay used each other as a weapon, flinging the other into Lee in the corner. By way of Finlay’s Dominator, Takahashi landed on Lee in a 2-count pin attempt. Moloney endured Newman’s onslaught to return fire with a Drilla Killa. Finlay tossed Takahashi into the sea of War Dogs and United Empire members. Irate, Takahashi flipped him over onto all their partners and opponents.

The jubilant Takahashi, now isolated, looked at the lights after Lee’s Facebreak Shot awarded him the pinfall victory.

Post-match: Jakob Austin Young joined the group in a white-collared shirt and tie. A masked figure also joined the United Empire’s celebration, revealed to be Francesco Akira.

(This match had some unhinged energy to it, with so much going on. I loved the chaos. Social media may be divided on Jake Lee, but the overall storytelling and action in this match was truly something to behold.)

El Desperado defeated Taiji Ishimori, SHO, Kosei Fujita for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Contender

SHO found himself on the receiving end of everyone’s ire, absorbing everyone’s kicks. He pointed into a random corner and scurried away. Desperado and Ishimori formed a temporary alliance toward Fujita. SHO returned to the fray and promptly fell to a drop toe-hold from Fujita (with a Desperado and Ishimori assist). Ishimori left Desperado reeling with a La Mistica. Yoshinobu Kanemaru and DOUKI swarmed Ishimori with stomps and a lead pipe from the latter. SHO almost struck Ishimori with a wrench when Robbie Eagles, Robbie X, and Kuukai came to his rescue.

Fujita would have helped them, had it not been for SHO striking him with a black sheet pan. He followed up with a Shock Arrow. Desperado usurped him, nevertheless, with a Pinche Loco.

(Thrilling Junior Heavyweight action here, don’t get me wrong. But this match was so disorganized in the end. Though I’m excited to see the Robbies and Kuukai involved, I could have sworn the House of Torture interference had resulted in a bell being rung, so I thought this had already ended in disqualification with a wild post-match angle. Whatever. It should’ve been Fujita with the win, though.)

Death Vegas Invitacional and further event dates

An April 16, 2026, show in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, was revealed to be titled “Death Vegas Invitacional”. Further shows revealed were the New Japan Cup, Sakura Genesis, Wrestling Red Zone in Hiroshima, Wrestling Dontaku, and G1 Climax 36 (with U.S. dates).

Aaron Wolf defeated EVIL (c) for the NEVER Openweight Championship

Wolf emerged with a shaved head and black trunks, eschewing his judogi.

EVIL and Wolf wasted no time, sharing forearms. The fiery Wolf used EVIL’s headlock against him, hurling him every which way. An elbow drop left EVIL fleeing to the outside. Propping a chair on Wolf’s neck, EVIL swung like he was famed baseball player Ken Griffey Jr in 1997. The arrogant EVIL taunted Wolf after an Irish Whip into the corner wrecked the former judoka.

Another whip into the corner devastated Wolf. EVIL tried several pinfalls to no avail. Using his judo experience, Wolf overcame the flood of House of Torture members with relative ease. EVIL swung powder in his face and sank in a deep Texas Cloverleaf. Tokyo erupted as he crawled to the bottom rope. EVIL regained dominance as he bullied Wolf with strikes. Wolf found his spirit with an Olympic Slam. He rocked EVIL with a Splash. House of Torture stole the referee before he could get a pin. Preventing further aid, the team wiped out YOH, Master Wato, and Toru Yano, who stormed in on Wolf’s behalf.

Don Fale erected a wooden table and splashed Wolf through its unforgiving structure. Miraculously, Wolf kicked out of EVIL’s lariat. Wrapping his legs around EVIL’s neck, Wolf stretched EVIL’s arms until he was left unconscious. Wolf became the new NEVER Openweight Champion.

(Tokyo was not ready for, yet hotly anticipated, Aaron Wolf. The long build to his debut and the overall execution made for a special moment and atmosphere. EVIL was actually in good form here, and the House of Torture antics added to the drama to give a superhuman performance. Wolf is a made man, and I hope the booking has the vision to ensure he is a successful prospect.)

Yota Tsuji defeated Konosuke Takeshita for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship and IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship

Exchanging headlocks, both men remained remarkably calm. Reaching a standstill, Tsuji paintbrushed Takeshita in the face. He sent Takeshita reeling courtesy of a hurricanrana. Slowing the match to a crawl, Takeshita took a stroll to regain composure. The audience audibly grimaced, hearing the thud of Tsuji’s chest from Takeshita’s chops.

Tsuji rocked Takeshita with the double-knee Gut Buster. The World Heavyweight Champ retaliated with a vertical suplex. Takeshita dropped Tsuji with a DDT onto the apron, to head-crunching effect. He sent Tsuji outside with a Frankensteiner. Tsuji countered a Power Drive with a backbreaker and a stomp to grasp a comeback. Tokyo clamored for Tsuji following a well-executed Fosbury Flop.

Takeshita’s Power Drive hit its mark on Tsuji, and he hit his own version of the Gene Blaster. Escaping Takeshita’s forearms, Tsuji was devastated with an elbow low blow. Takeshita lay dizzied on the mat after suffering a Destroyer. Though he suplexed Tsuji, Takeshita still ended up on the receiving end of a Gene Blaster. Readying for another Blaster, Tsuji withstood Takeshita’s knee, a Blue Thunderbomb, and a Raging Fire with a rope break. Takeshita found some wiggle room with a Poisonrana. Tokyo became unglued after a top rope Blue Thunder Bomb and Power Drive failed to put Tsuji away. Aiming for one last Power Drive, Takeshita instead fell victim to a Gene Blaster. Tsuji sank in a Boston Crab and lowered it further to keep Takeshita grounded. Ultimately, Takeshita acquiesced, tapping out to Tsuji’s pressure.

Post-match: Tsuji celebrated, enjoying sportsmanship from Takeshita and expressing his pride as the new World Heavyweight Champion, as well as retaining his Global Heavyweight Champion. Jake Lee attacked him from behind and tossed his title carelessly into his lap.

(Yes. I agree with this. The absolute correct call, and I am a Takeshita fan. But man, this match’s intensity became so stressful, so compelling that any meandering spots were meaningless to the overall spots that elevated it to another level. Takeshita and Tsuji have such gripping chemistry that reliably results in instant classics.)

Main Event

Kazuchika Okada defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi

Tanahashi soon wrestled control of the match in his favor. Okada wrenched it to his with a relentless headlock, taunting him by saying, “Go, Ace!” Tanahashi retorted with an elbow drop and a senton. Slamming his opponent to the mat, he teased a High-Fly Flow when Okada dropkicked him to the ringside. The Rainmaker faced Tokyo with a cheesy grin as he tormented Tanahashi with a knee to the barricade and a DDT off of it.

Bullying his old rival in the corner, Okada planted him with a DDT. Fighting back with punches, Tanahashi dazed Okada with a slam and a senton. Okada flung Tanahashi over the top rope, but he ricocheted back, replying with a Dragonscrew Leg Whip. Recuperating on the outside, Okada returned to the floor upon a top rope High-Fly Flow. Giving the camera the middle finger, Okada hinted at a Rainmaker Lariat, only for Tanahashi to flop him around with three successive Twist ‘n’ Shouts. A Tombstone from Okada was The Ace’s reward. The crowd pleaded with Okada not to drop Tanahashi with a Tombstone on the ramp, but he did it anyway. With the weight of the world and the match crushing his body, Tanahashi narrowly slipped back in the ring at a close 19-count.

Okada greeted him with a series of Rainmakers, with a third one eliciting a fire from The Ace. Wrist control firmly locked, Okada resumed his unloading of Rainmakers. With a second wind, Tanahashi reversed one with a Rainmaker of his own. Okada employed one more Rainmaker with some extra emphasis added to it. Changing strategies, Okada targeted Tanahashi’s knees with a Boston Crab. As though holding his last breath to savor life itself, Tanahashi refused to give in, grasping for that rope break. Distancing himself from another of Okada’s Rainmakers, Tanahashi pulled out a Slingblade.

Sitting Okada down with a sleeper hold, Tanahashi evoked Katsuyori Shibata with a Penalty Kick. He then paid homage to Shinsuke Nakamura with a Bomaye. While he did land a High-Fly Flow, Okada denied him a successful pinfall. Once more, Tanahashi reversed a Rainmaker with a Slingblade. At the last second, Okada lifted his knees to rupture Tanahashi’s midsection to disrupt a High-Fly Flow. Tanahashi absorbed a series of uppercuts, doling out forearms in return. Battling for leverage, Okada stole Tetsuya Naito’s Destino, followed by a Cobra Flowsion. Visibly exhausted, he struck with a stiff Rainmaker. Using a classic Rainmaker pose, Okada followed suit with his patented lariat and retired Hiroshi Tanahashi in the middle of the ring.

Post-match: Okada bowed to Tanahashi, and on the microphone, he said, “Thank you.” Officials gifted Tanahashi his flowers. Former NJPW talents Jay White, Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, and a tearful and agonized Kota Ibushi gave The Ace more flowers, embracing him with a hug as the locker room joined at ringside.

Katsuyori Shibata, playing heel, wearing an Opps t-shirt, handed Tanahashi his own bouquet, and they locked up one last time before hugging. Keiji Muto also gave his flowers, as did Tatsumi Fujinami. Just when it seemed everyone had their moment, BUSHI and Tetsuya Naito surprised Tokyo with his presence as he gave his own flowers, taking his time as he did so, as is his wont. He took the microphone and said that even if he didn’t ever wrestle in an NJPW ring again, he’d hope to meet Tanahashi again someday. Tanahashi concluded the evening’s proceedings, giving a heartfelt thank you and a couple of air guitar solos. As was the case throughout the last dates of his run, Tanahashi greeted every fan he could feasibly reach.

(Okada was exceptional here; trying to be a heel, delighting in mischief, only to give in to his emotion for a memorable last encounter. A bittersweet finale for a wrestler who changed the game. Tanahashi, even in his final year, contributed so much. Elevating younger talent, earning accolades (such as his 100th G1 Climax victory), all while embodying the spirit of The Ace. I watched this match, as I had all his other matches in 2025, holding in each moment in my mind so as to remember the feeling of a Tanahashi match. Inevitably, we all have to let go. In the end, it was an honor covering Tanahashi’s final bout on this platform. Thank you, Ace.)

Final Thoughts

While I think poorly of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship contender match and was unmoved by Jake Lee’s return, I found social media’s reactions to the show to be exaggerated. Plenty of matches were either satisfying or good. Great, even. Saya Kamitani and Syuri had an incredible workrate display. Aaron Wolf and EVIL moved the entirety of the Tokyo Dome in a feel-good debut. Yota Tsuji and Konosuke Takeshita thrilled in a dramatic match that could easily be taken as a message of Japan placing its homegrown talent first. But everyone likely was here for Tanahashi and Okada running it back one last time.

And to that effort, they did exactly what they were supposed to do. All emotions on the line. Okada, breaking away from his Don Callis Family persona over time, ended the match on that cathartic note.

NJPW sold the Tokyo Dome out on this night, January 4. I hope the company learned the right lessons from the show. Japan may still be struggling economically, but if it pivots correctly, the lion crest may find its bearings and become a driving force in 2026. This is the year to be forward-thinking. The Ace won’t be here this time to turn things around as he did against Inoki-ism.

Once more, thank you, Hiroshi Tanahashi.

Champion vs. champion match set for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20

Posted on by Ian Carey

The main event for Wrestle Kingdom 20 is set.

IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita successfully defended his title against former champion Hirooki Goto on Sunday at Hiroshi Tanahashi Final Homecoming in Gifu. After the match, Takeshita cut a promo asking who his opponent at Wrestle Kingdom on January 4 would be. IWGP Global Champion Yota Tsuji, who had defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi in the semi-main event, came out to answer the challenge. Takeshita demanded that Tsuji put his title on the line as well, and Tsuji accepted.

NJPW wrote on X (translated):

“After the match, GLOBAL Heavyweight Champion Tsuji declares his challenge! TAKESHITA demands a ‘double title match’ at the 1.4 Tokyo Dome, but gets the response, “Of course! You ready for it?!”

Also set for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 is Aaron Wolf’s debut match, Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement match, and a bout featuring World of Stardom and NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Saya Kamitani.

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 advertised lineup:

  • Champion vs. Champion: Konosuke Takeshita (IWGP World) vs. Yota Tsuji (IWGP Global)
  • Aaron Wolf vs. EVIL
  • Saya Kamitani vs. TBA
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi Retirement match

NJPW wrestler misses third consecutive event

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On Thursday, Yota Tsuji missed his third consecutive NJPW event.

Tsuji was supposed to compete on NJPW’s Road to Destruction tour this week, but he missed shows on both Monday and Wednesday due to illness. He was then pulled from his scheduled six-man tag match on Thursday with NJPW apologizing for the change.

“Due to poor health, Yota Tsuji will be unable to participate in the NJPW Battle Line Hokkaido ~Road to Destruction~ event scheduled for September 18th (Thursday) at the Hokkaido Prefectural Kitami Sports Center,” NJPW announced.

“We sincerely apologize to everyone who was looking forward to Tsuji’s match.”

Tsuji was scheduled to team with Shingo Takagi & Daiki Nagai against David Finlay, Gabe Kidd & Gedo. It was changed to a tag match where Finlay & Kidd defeated Takagi & Nagai.

NJPW’s Destruction in Kobe event on September 28 is scheduled to feature a Tsuji vs. Finlay singles match. In a promo earlier this week, Finlay mocked Tsuji for missing a show because of a “tummy ache” and warned him not to show up in Kobe.

The most recent match Tsuji competed in took place on September 13 during the Road to Destruction tour. He’s a former IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion for NJPW.

Tony Khan AEW Forbidden Door call: WWE head-to-head, Yota Tsuji story, live gate update

Posted on by Josh Nason

AEW head Tony Khan spoke to the media for over an hour Thursday ahead of this Sunday’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view from London, England.

Khan was asked about his thoughts on WWE running head-to-head shows against them and their recent media rights deals. He didn’t go into specifics, but instead focused on the success this year of AEW from their TV and Max viewership to events like Forbidden Door. While he follows other promotions, he doesn’t want to focus on what they are doing and has been super-focused on AEW.

Khan was asked about comments made about PPV being dead and if he was interested in bringing his events to a singular platform. He instead put over AEW’s PPV success and his various partners. He said he is looking forward to HBO Max “joining the PPV party” but didn’t give an update on that date.

He talked about how the calendar was a bit different this year in relation to NJPW G1 tournament and that the schedule for Stardom was the reason Bozilla was just made available this week to enter the TBS title four-way. He alluded to that not being the case in the future, but that regardless of the schedule, he will continue to do whatever is best for the event.

He said Sunday’s show will be one of their top five gates in AEW history and finds it noteworthy that three of their top four will be events held in London (All In from Wembley 2x).

Here’s some other news and notes:

Khan told an interesting story about Yota Tsuji and how he was unavailable for this year’s Forbidden Door or any of the TV leading up. He said he wanted to use Tsuji at last year’s event to challenge then-AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland but was essentially talked out of it due him to not being as established as a real challenger. Will Ospreay made a pitch for himself to get the shot which Khan eventually agreed to.

Asked about the lineup for the lights out cage match, Khan said it was the “exact lineup” he dreamed of. He simply asked Hiroshi Tanahashi if he wanted to do it and he said yes.

Khan appeared a little off-guard when asked about the future of AEW video games after Fight Forever, saying he didn’t consider himself an expert but tried to take insight & advice from those who know and they learned a lot. He hopes to make the next game much better and learn from those experiences. He is unsure about what the future is for games, but that it’s important to his fans and he’s trying to learn from that. He does expect future forays into gaming.

For the full call with more questions & answers, listen here.

Wrestling Observer Live: Fumi Saito talks Wrestle Kingdom 19

Posted on by Jim Valley

In the middle of two big Tokyo Dome shows, that means a special edition of Wrestling Observer Live.

Journalist and Pacific Rim podcast co-host Fumi Saito joins me from Tokyo to give his first person perspective of last night’s Wrestle Kingdom 19. We talk all the results and give our thoughts on the matches.

Stateside, it’s a new year with a new hour added to WWE SmackDown with the first three-hour show of 2025 featuring a WWE Women’s title change

Plus, the 2026 Royal Rumble is going international and I explain why the location shouldn’t surprise you.

All that and more awaits you below.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

Two new matches official for Wrestle Dynasty

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Two new additions to the Wrestle Dynasty card have now been made official.

Taking place the day after Wrestle Kingdom 19, Wrestle Dynasty is being held at the Tokyo Dome on January 5. It’s airing on NJPW World and will feature wrestlers from NJPW, AEW, Stardom, CMLL, and ROH.

Jack Perry vs. Yota Tsuji is now official for the event. It was set up when AEW wrestler Perry showed up and attacked Tsuji at NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed last Friday.

It’s also been announced that, in a potential double title match, Tomohiro Ishii will face either Shingo Takagi or Konosuke Takeshita at Wrestle Dynasty. Takagi is defending his NEVER Openweight Championship against Takeshita at Wrestle Kingdom. If Takeshita is still AEW International Champion, that title will be on the line as well. The winner will then defend against Ishii at Wrestle Dynasty.

The updated Wrestle Dynasty card is listed below:

Wrestle Dynasty (Sunday, January 5) —

  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet
  • Jack Perry vs. Yota Tsuji
  • Tomohiro Ishii challenges either Shingo Takagi or Konosuke Takeshita for the NEVER Openweight Championship (will be a double title match with the AEW International Championship also on the line if Takeshita is still champion going into Wrestle Kingdom 19)

Jack Perry issues challenge to Yota Tsuji for NJPW Wrestle Dynasty

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Jack Perry has issued a challenge for Wrestle Dynasty.

After his match at Fighting Spirit Unleashed, Yota Tsuji was leaving the ring when the lights went out. A video played showing someone putting a knife to a picture of Tsuji. When the lights came back on, Perry attacked Tsuji and threw him back into the ring, laying him out with a running knee. He then officially challenged Tsuji for Wrestle Dynasty.

During his suspension from AEW last year, Perry worked shows both in America and in Japan for NJPW, joining the House of Torture stable. Upon his return to AEW, he quickly aligned himself as part of a new Elite stable with himself, The Young Bucks, and Kazuchika Okada. He won the TNT Championship back at Forbidden Door, winning a ladder match.

During Fighting Spirit Unleashed, Jon Moxley appeared via video to send a message to Shota Umino, declaring that he would send an ‘emissary’ to the Tokyo Dome at Wrestle Dynasty.

Wrestling Observer Live: G1, WWE SmackDown, Mark Henry

Posted on by Jim Valley

Note: This show is from Saturday.

It’s time for Wrestling Observer Live Saturday and it’s a packed show.

This year has been one of the best G1 Climaxes in years. The finals are set and for the first time since 2019, there will be a first time winner.

All Japan has a new Triple Crown Champion, Roman Reigns gets laid out by Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline on SmackDown. Plus, Mark Henry’s comments on Vince McMahon’s alleged victims and tough times.

Click here for the commercial-free download (sub required)

NJPW G1 Climax 34 finals live results: Yota Tsuji vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

Posted on by Chick Fritts

After weeks of tournament action, it now boils down to just one match.

The finals of this year’s G1 Climax tournament will see Zack Sabre Jr. face Yota Tsuji. It is the first time either man has made it to the finals, ensuring that whoever wins will win the tournament for the very first time. At Saturday’s semifinals, Sabre defeated Shingo Takagi while Tsuji defeated David Finlay. 

Last year’s tournament saw Tetsuya Naito defeat Kazuchika Okada to win the G1 Climax for the third time. He went on to defeat SANADA at Wrestle Kingdom 18 in January to win the IWGP World Heavyweight title. After briefly losing the title to AEW’s Jon Moxley, he regained it at Forbidden Door earlier this summeer.

The winner of this year’s tournament will earn the right to challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight title at Wrestle Kingdom 19 on January 4, 2025 at the Tokyo Dome. 

Our live coverage of the G1 Climax 34 finals begins at 2 am eastern.

**********

Undercard Results

Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima, & Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Shoma Kato, Tiger Mask & Yuji Nagata

Taichi defeated Katsuya Murashima

Mikey Nicholls & Robbie Eagles defeated Francesco Akira & Konosuke Takeshita

Clark Connors, Drilla Moloney & Taiji Ishimori defeated DOUKI, SANADA & TAKA Michinoku

Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI & Tomoaki Honma defeated David Finlay, Gabe Kidd & Jake Lee

EVIL, Ren Narita, SHO, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, El Phantasmo, Oleg Boltin & Shota Umino

BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito defeated Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan, HENARE & Jeff Cobb

**********

G1 Climax 2024 Final: Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Yota Tsuji

ZSJ opened the match by taking Tsuji to the mat. In the opening scramble, Tsuji held his own, not allowing ZSJ to establish control. Tsuji managed to drop ZSJ with a pair of shoulders before turning to heavy chops to keep ZSJ on the back foot.

ZSJ stuffed a suplex and landed an arm whip to ground Tsuji. ZSJ then began to slowly focus the arm, using intentional strikes to establish a solid lead. As Tsuji tried to fight back with forearms, ZSJ locked in a hold, forcing Tsuji to reverse with a suplex.

Tsuji dropped ZSJ on his back, sending him to the floor. Tsuji followed up with a tope that sent ZSJ crashing into the crowd. Tusji kept the pressure on by slamming ZSJ into the apron and the barricade before bringing him back into the ring. Back inside, Tsuji locked ZSJ in body scissors to continue to wear him down.

After a double gut buster, Tsuji threw ZSJ back to the mat, but ZSJ caught him with a sudden neck crank to reverse momentum. ZSJ then began to stretch out Tsuji. Tsuji answered by clubbing ZSJ with laraits. ZSJ tried answering with lariats of his own, but Tsuji’s proved too powerful. Tsuji hit a falcon arrow and a curb stomp for a two-count.

Tsuji pulled ZSJ to the top rope, but ZSJ pulled him down, slamming his targeted arm across the rope. ZSJ followed up with a dropkick to the limb, furthering the focused attack. ZSJ landed a few strikes before attempting an armbar that forced Tsuji into the ropes.

Tsuji blocked a Zack Driver attempt, but ZSJ kept up the pressure with an uppercut and a punt to keep Tsuji grounded. Tsuji eventually caught one of ZSJ’s follow-up kicks, landed a knee strike, and followed up with a knee strike to retake control of the match.

Tsuji tried for Marlo Crash but missed, allowing ZSJ to attempt the European clutch. ZSJ followed up with a German suplex, but Tsuji bounced out with a Gene Blaster, sending ZSJ flying across the ring and out of Tsuji’s reach.

Once both men returned to their feet, they stood in the middle of the ring and began to trade strikes. Tsuji won out with a well-placed strike to the midsection. Tsuji landed a curb stomp and carried ZSJ to the corner, where he hit Marlo Crash for a two-count. Tsuji then tried for Gene Blaster, but ZSJ reversed into a Fujiwara armbar. Tsuji managed to power out and land a powerbomb to stay in control.

ZSJ challenged Tsuji with some stray slaps, but Tsuji answered with a headbutt. Tsuji then carried ZSJ to the top rope and hit a super-17 crosses for a nearfall. Tsuji tried for a deadbolt suplex, but ZSJ blocked and launched into a rally. When ZSJ attempted the Zack Driver, Tsuji reversed into one of his own, scoring him another nearfall.

Tsuji set up for a Gene Blaster again, but ZSJ reversed into a European clutch. After Tsuji was kicked out, ZSJ tried for another tricky pin attempt, but it also failed. Tsuji answered by hitting a stunner before trying for another Gene Blaster. ZSJ caught him in another complex hold, tying both his arms and legs up in the middle of the ring. Tsuji was unable to escape and, therefore, submitted to ZSJ.

Zack Sabre Jr. has won the G1 Climax.

Claudio Castagnoli announced for CMLL Grand Prix, full teams revealed

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The full lineup for the CMLL Grand Prix 20-man tag team match was revealed on Wednesday night, including AEW’s Claudio Castagnoli.

Castagnoli is one of five new members announced for Team World, which will take on Team Mexico at the August 23 CMLL Grand Prix match at Arena Mexico.

NJPW’s Yota Tsuji, Mansoor, Davey Boy Smith Jr., and Akira join Castagnoli in the lineup for Team World. Already announced for Team World are Kyle Fletcher, Robbie X, Rocky Romero, Flip Gordon, and Ikuro Kwon.

Team Mexico’s newest additions are Mascara Dorada, Volador Jr., Esfinge, Euforia, and Valiente, joining the already announced Mistico, Ultimo Guerrero, Templario, Atlantis Jr., and Titan.

CMLL Grand Prix, Friday, August 23, Team Mexico vs. Team World —

  • Team Mexico (Mistico, Ultimo Guerrero, Templario, Atlantis Jr., Titan, Mascara Dorada, Volador Jr., Esfinge, Euforia & Valiente) vs. Team World (Kyle Fletcher, Robbie X, Rocky Romero, Flip Gordon, Ikuro Kwon, Claudio Castagnoli, Yota Tsuji, Mansoor, Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Akira)

NJPW G1 Climax 34 night two results: Tsuji vs. Finlay

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Nine tournament matches are set for night two of NJPW’s G1 Climax 34.

In the main event, Los Ingobernables de Japon’s Yota Tsuji will face Bullet Club’s David Finlay in a B Block matchup.

Tsuji and Finlay have squared off once before in singles competition in their careers, with Finlay scoring the victory.

18 of 20 competitors will be in action on tonight’s card, with B Block’s Konosuke Takeshita and Jeff Cobb the only tournament wrestlers not taking part in today’s show. As with yesterday, every bout in today’s lineup is a tournament match.

The full card for Sunday’s show:

  • B Block: Yota Tsuji vs. David Finlay
  • A Block: Tetsuya Naito vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • A Block: Shota Umino vs. Shingo Takagi
  • B Block: Hirooki Goto vs. Yuya Uemura
  • A Block: Jake Lee vs. EVIL
  • B Block: El Phantasmo vs. Ren Narita
  • A Block: Great-O-Khan vs. Gabe Kidd
  • B Block: Oleg Boltin vs. HENARE
  • A Block: SANADA vs. Callum Newman

**********

Recommended Matches
HENARE vs. Oleg Boltin – This was a rad hoss match. I really can’t get enough of Oleg.

Yuya Uemura vs. Hirooki Goto – This is probably the match with best executed narrative of the tournament so far. It also seems as if Uemura is also finding his footing again, so that’s exciting.

Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Tetsuya Naito – This is one of the better Naito matches as of late. It’s exactly the kind of match he needs to be working. It’s filled with slick sequences and felt like it could end any moment.

Yota Tsuji vs. David Finlay – If you enjoy main event New Japan, this is for you. It built to a crescendo filled with reversals and potential finishes.

SANADA defeated Callum Newman

SANADA worked a somewhat meaner match here tonight than usual, building on his shocking sub-five-minute loss from last night. The match itself was a fine little thing. I would say it outperformed my expectations.

Newman and SANADA opened the match with a basic feeling-out process until a dropkick sent SANADA to the floor. Newman attempted a dive in follow-up but missed, allowing SANADA to answer with a magic screw. He then dropped Newman on the barricade before bringing the match back to the ring.

In the ring, Newman connected with a stomp to the back that opened SANADA up to a bit of offense. It only lasted a moment, though, as SANADA cut him off with a magic screw, bringing the match back into the hands of the former World’s champion.

SANADA hit a shining wizard but missed the rounding body press, leaving Newman free to answer with a sudden knee strike. Newman followed up with a quick dropkick in the corner, but the double stomp follow-up whiffed. SANADA tried to reply with a shining wizard, but that missed, too. After Newman overshot another kick, SANDA managed to lock in skull end, but Newman reversed into a cutter. Newman attempted to close with the OsCutter, but SANADA cut him off, landed Deadfall, and pinned him.

SANADA secures his first win of the tournament, putting him at 2 points.

HENARE defeats Oleg Boltin

This match was great. It was super simple, to the point, and fantastically executed.

A powerful collar-and-elbow opened this match. Once that proved insufficient, they moved to trading strikes. Once that wasn’t enough, they moved to tackles. Oleg’s tackle was enough to knock HENARE to the floor, securing the first lead of the match.

HENARE answered Oleg’s lead with high leg kicks. Once Oleg fell to his knees, HENARE took off his head with a kick to the jaw. HENARE then placed Oleg in the corner and unloaded with more strikes. Oleg answered with a powerful slam, which forced HENARE into the corner.

Oleg threw HENARE across the ring before attempting his finish, but HENARE slipped free. HENARE then landed a kick from the rope, knocking Oleg to the mat. HENARE followed up with a disgusting knee strike that rattled Oleg’s jaw.

With the finish in sight, HENARE waited in the corner, but somehow, Oleg cut him off with a dropkick. Oleg responded with a kamikaze, scoring a convincing nearfall. To my knowledge, this was the first time someone has kicked out of that move.

Having survived Oleg’s finish, HENARE slipped free of the second attempt, leading to a struggle for control. HENARE tried for a submission but couldn’t get it; instead, a back-and-forth strike battle followed. HENARE won out with a strong kick and a flying headbutt. He then landed Streets of Rage and pinned Oleg to win the match.

HENARE now leads B Block with 4 points.

Gabe Kidd defeated Great-O-Khan

I almost enjoyed this match, but it had too many issues in the end to look past. O-Khan’s performance was above average, and Kidd was decent. The structure of the match really hurt it, though. There was just far too much going on.

Kidd dared O-Khan to wrestle as the match opened but caught him with a few strikes as soon as there was an opening. O-Khan answered Kidd’s cuteness with a throw, a suplex, and a lariat that knocked Kidd to the floor. O-Khan then drove Kidd into the barricade, daring Kidd to a brawl instead of a match classic, to which Kidd accepted.

Kidd and O-Khan brawled from one side of the crowd to the other. By the time they emerged, Kidd had control. He then led O-Khan back to the ring, where he drove O-Khan into the post before calling out Hiromu Takahashi.

As soon as the match returned to the ring, O-Khan dumped Kidd to the floor. O-Khan landed a plancha, securing a lead before throwing Kidd into a barricade and a sea of chairs. O-Khan then tied up Kidd with chairs before dragging him back to the ring.

Back in the ring, a suplex attempt led to both men falling over the top rope and crashing over the top rope back to the floor. As the count began to climb, the men started trading strikes, meandering away from the ring. Once the count hit 19, they sprinted together to beat the referee.

Back inside, they traded strikes and German suplexes before O-Khan hit a GFO to establish a lead. He then tried for the eliminator but failed, leading to a scramble for control. In the end, Kidd won out with a massive lariat that won him the match.

Kidd is on the board with 2 points.

Ren Narita defeated El Phantasmo

ELP has lost all his friends, and he is sad. That is the story of his G1.

A quick boot from Narita opened this match, catching the depressed ELP off guard. He managed to rebound with a dropkick to reset the match in his favor.

After knocking Narita to the mat and landing a plancha, ELP started trying for more and more dives. Eventually, ELP missed, opening the door back up for Narita. Narita whipped ELP into the barricade and hit him with a chair after distracting the referee.

Back in the ring, Narita began to brutalize ELP’s leg. As ELP fought back through the attack, he continued to use acrobatic offense while attempting to sell the damage done to his limb (until he fired up and began jumping on it).

After stomping on Narita in the corner, ELP grabbed Narita’s pushup bar. Narita dared him to use it. After thinking about it, he decided not to. Narita tried to follow up with the Double Cross, but ELP reversed. Narita still maintained control, though with a quick guillotine.

Narita climbed to the top rope, where ELP cut him off with a rana. ELP followed up with a Thunderkiss 86 for a nearfall. Before he could follow up, the referee was shoved to the ground. Narita then hit Double Cross and won the match.

Ren Narita has slipped his first 2 points.

EVIL defeated Jake Lee

Ah, this is what I’ve come to expect from Jake Lee and EVIL. This match was slow, tedious, and filled with cheap cheating. This was horrible.

Before the action could begin, EVIL offered Lee a “Too Sweet” in traditional Bullet Club fashion. It looked like Lee would accept, but instead, he poked EVIL and Dick Togo in the eyes, Three Stooges style. He then threw EVIL to the floor and threatened to stomp Togo below the belt before letting him go.

Once the match officially began, Lee choked EVIL against the rope, leading to him fleeing almost imidatly. When Lee followed him, EVIL whipped him into the barricade and choked him with cables. Back in the ring, EVIL maintained his lead by distracting the referee and utilizing Togo.

After minutes on the back foot, Lee fought back with a Boston crab. This led to a fake bell ring, a ref bump, and Togo hitting the ring. Lee managed to fight through the interference as the referee recovered, leading to a chokeslam for a nearfall. During the scuffle, EVIL managed to rake Lee’s eyes, leading to him missing the Face Break Shot. Once he missed his finish, Togo threw powder in his eyes, EVIL landed Everything is Evil and pinned Lee to win the match.

EVIL is now the A Block leader with 4 points.

Yuya Uemura defeated Hirooki Goto

This was a rock-solid generational gap match. Goto tried his best to learn Uemura, but failed.

Goto wrestled Uemura to the ground as the match began, but Uemura held his own in the opening scramble. Goto then tried to ground Uemura with a shoulder tackle, but Uemura fired back with a dropkick. Uemura then placed Goto in the corner, where he unloaded with strikes that forced the referee to become involved. This unsportsmanlike behavior upset Goto, leading to a fiery response filled with harsh strikes.

Goto continued his act of discipline by locking in a Bostin crab in the middle of the ring. Once Uemura escaped, he landed an arm drag and a dropkick to reset the match. Uemura flew too close to the sun again when he climbed to the top rope; Goto avoided his dive and responded with a quick Ushigoroshi to regain his footing once more.

After a strike exchange, Goto hit a GTW for a nearfall. When Goto tried following up with a knee strike, Uemura caught him and answered with a headbutt. He tried for the deadbolt suplex, but Goto reversed, leading to a quick back and forth with both men slipping in and out of each other’s finish. In the end, it was Uemura who was able to hit the deadbolt suplex, which won him the match.

Uemura keeps the pace with 4 points.

Shota Umino defeated Shingo Takagi

I didn’t love this. The mid-match pacing felt sluggish, and it picked up at the end. This was the second-longest match of the tournament so far, and I felt every second.

This match was all Shingo until the final stretch. The narrative was that Umino refused to quit, but Shingo outclassed him in every way.

Umino rushed Shingo as the match began, hitting him with a dropkick and a flurry of forearms in the corner in an attempt to gain an early advantage. Shingo fired back with forearms of his own to fight out of the corner. From here, the pair fought to the apron, where Shingo dropped Umino on his back before whipping him into the barricade.

Back in the ring, Shingo utilized basic holds to wear down Umino. Umino answered with a sudden DDT to the apron. When Umino attempted to follow up, Shingo suplexed him into the corner, retaking control. He then used slightly more impactful offense to stay ahead until Umino landed an exploder suplex from the top rope.

As soon it looked like Shota had a chance, Shingo landed a lariat to retake the lead. This time, he landed a superplex, a sliding lariat, and a senton, all in quick succession. A quick DDT from Umino allowed him another moment to breathe, but again, Shingo responded by driving him into the corner moments later. The pumping bomber that followed was the icing on the cake.

Knowing that the end was in sight, Shingo landed another pumping bomber. He then hit Made in Japan, but Umino kicked out. When he tried for Last of the Dragon but, Umino wiggled free. Umino then managed to hit another DDT to buy even more time.

Shingo managed to hit another partial pumping bomber, but Umino fired back with a half-dragon suplex. Umino then landed Blaze Blade for a nearfall of his own. When Umino tried for Death Rider, Shingo blocked, leading to a quick back and forth. Shingo then ran at Umino; Umino caught him and landed the Death Rider, leaving him with the win.

Umino has earned his first 2 points.

Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Tetsuya Naito

This was a match that managed to cover Naito’s growing weaknesses exceptionally well. The sequences were slick and smart, and it felt like it could end at any moment. Great stuff.

ZSJ offered Naito a LIJ salute to open the match; Naito responded by spitting in ZSJ’s face. ZSJ then clobbered Naito with some elbows before Naito tried for a quick pin. This led to a sequence of rapid pin attempts from both men, any of which could’ve believably ended the match.

An exchange on the mat that initially favored Naito eventually left ZSJ in control. ZSJ then leveled Naito with uppercuts before returning to some methodical grappling. When Naito tried to challenge ZSJ’s control, ZSJ tied him up in the rope and dragged him to the floor to continue his assault.

A quick hangman’s neckbreaker to the floor put Naito in control for the first time in this match. Naito then turned to the neck, as you would expect. But just as Naito found his groove, he paused, allowing ZSJ to catch him and bring him to the mat.

ZSJ worked over Naito until he was able to land PK. ZSJ tried to follow up with the Zack Driver, but Naito reversed into Destino. This took so much out of both men that it effectively reset the match.

From a standing position, both men began trading strikes. This lasted until Naito dropped ZSJ with elbows to the neck. Two quick pin attempts followed. Once that didn’t work, another short strike exchange happened. Then ZSJ trapped Naito in a pin and won the match.

After the match, ZSJ posed Naito’s belt before he walked to the back.

ZSJ is still undefeated, having defeated the reigning IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and earning his 4th point in A Block.

Yota Tsuji defeated David Finlay

Tonight’s main event opened Tsuji, landing a rana that sent Finlay to the floor and a follow-up rana. Tsuji then whipped Finlay into the barricade to establish a strong lead, which he maintained by locking in a Boston crab.

Finlay spat in Tsuji’s face to buy some separation, which he used to drive Tsuji to the top of the ring post. He then tossed Tsuji across the ring before landing some knee strikes to Tsuji’s midsection. A stomp from Tsuji in the corner seemingly stopped Finlay’s offense, but he quickly responded by shoving Tsuji to the ground. On the outside, Finlay shoved Tsuji into the barricades and threw him into the ring post. Back in the ring, Finlay landed a Dominator for a two-count.

When Finlay tried for Oblivion, Tsuji reversed into a suplex. He then delivered a second stomp. When two stomps proved insufficient, Tsuji tried a third. A brutal knee and a power drive from Tsuji seemingly furthered this lead by setting up the Gene Blast.

When Tsuji attempted tried for his Gene Blast spear, Finlay rolled through and hit Oblivion; Tsuji kicked out. Finlay followed up with three powerbombs, setting up Overkill. When he tried for the Overkill, Tsuji rolled him up, nearly stealing a win. Finlay answered with a lariat.

After five forearms from Finlay, Tsuji threw a headbutt that rocked Finlay. This opened the door for a sudden Gene Blast, but Finlay rolled onto his stomach. Tsuji didn’t waste time, though; he followed his spear with his rope-assisted stomp Malo Crash and pinned Finlay, winning the match.

Tsuji ends the night by getting points on the board. He sits at 2 points.

A Block Standings

EVIL – 4 Points
Zack Sabre Jr. – 4 Points
SANADA – 2 Points
Callum Newman – 2 Points
Gabe Kidd – 2 Points
Jake Lee – 2 Points
Shota Umino – 2 Points
Shingo Takagi – 2 Points
Great-O-Khan – 0 Points
Tetsuya Naito – 0 Points

B Block Standings

HENARE – 4 Points
Yuya Uemura – 4 Points
Oleg Boltin – 2 Points
Ren Narita – 2 Points
Yota Tsuji – 2 Points
Jeff Cobb – 2 Points
Konosuke Takeshita – 2 Points
David Finlay – 0 Points
Hirooki Goto – 0 Points
El Phantasmo – 0 Points

NJPW Sakura Genesis live results: Naito vs. Tsuji IWGP World title match

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Tetsuya Naito defends the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against 2024 New Japan Cup winner Yota Tsuji in today’s Sakura Genesis main event at Sumo Hall in Ryogoku. 

Both Naito & Tsuji are members of the Los Ingobernables de Japon faction. Naito has held the title since defeating SANADA in the Wrestle Kingdom main event in January.

EVIL defends the NEVER Openweight Championship against LIJ’s Shingo Takagi in the semi-main. 

Jon Moxley is in action on the show, teaming with Shota Umino against Jack Perry & Ren Narita. 

Former tag team partners collide as SHO defends the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against YOH. 

IWGP Tag Team Champions KENTA & Chase Owens defend against Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI. 

Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney defend the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles against KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight, and TJP & Francesco Akira in a three-way.

Four tag team bouts round out today’s pre-show and undercard. 

TMDK (Kosei Fujita & Zack Sabre Jr.) defeated El Desperado & Ryusuke Taguchi

This match was fairly by the book, but a fun opener nonetheless.

The highlight of this match was the mat-based exchange between ZSJ and Desperado. Fujita was also a welcome addition; he was as firey as always.

Fujita and Taguchi engaged in a sequence late in the match. Once ZSJ and Desperado interfered, the match broke down entirely. This distracted Taguchi, allowing Fujita to trap him in an Oconnor roll and win the match.

Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi) defeated BULLET CLUB War Dogs (David Finlay & Gedo)

This was a nothing match.

This match opened with Finlay unloading on Hiromu. Hiromu tried to fight back but continually struggled to overcome Finlay. Gedo eventually tagged in, opening the door to an LIJ rally.

With Gedo legal, LIJ was able to overwhelm BC. Hiromu kept Finlay at bay long enough for BUSHI to secure the figure four. With no one to save him, Gedo tapped out, leaving LIJ with the win.

Just 5 Guys (DOUKI, SANADA & Yuya Uemura) defeated United Empire (Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb)

This was nothing special.

Early on, J5G tried their best to catch Cobb, but his strength proved too much. Once UE established control, they traded tags, working to isolate DOUKI.

DOUKI eventually tagged out to SANADA, who turned the match around for J5G. He unloaded on UE, connecting with a barrage of dropkicks to shift momentum completely.

Uemura tagged in to challenge O-Khan. A back-and-forth followed, leading to UE rushing the ring. As soon as they left O-Khan in a strong position, Uemura caught O-Khan with a crucifix pin to win the match.

After the match, O-Khan tried to check Uemura. Uemura responded with a deadbolt suplex. After dropping O-Khan, Uemura held up the KOPW belt, teasing a future title challenge. 

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

This match kicked off with a brawl. Most of the guys fought on the outside, leaving the ring for spots. This played out for some time before the War Dogs cleared the ring and began to isolate Knight.

Knight eventually kicked off the War Dogs, leading to another match breakdown. Once the ring was cleared, Knight hit a dive into the first row of seats.

Back in the ring, Knight hit TJP with a rana before planting Akira with a powerbomb for a nearfall. Once Knight stood up, the War Dogs hit him with their tandem spear. KUSHIDA hit the ring next, only to eat a spear himself.

Moloney tried for a Drilla Killa, but KUSHIDA slipped free, leading to another breakdown. Once the match calmed down, TJP hit Moloney with a splash for a nearfall. Before anyone could follow up, the match fell into chaos again.

After a sequence of quick nearfalls, TJP locked KUSHIDA in a stretch. KUSHIDA reversed into the hoverboard lock. Before TJP could submit, the War Dogs hit the ring to break up the hold. Another match breakdown followed.

The War Dogs emerged from the chaos with the lead. Moloney hit KUSHIDA with the Drilla Killa. With the end in sight, the War Dogs hit Full Clip, their suplex/spear combination. They then pinned KUSHIDA to retain their belts.

IWGP Tag Team Championship: BULLET CLUB (Chase Owens & KENTA) (c) vs. Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI)

The champions kicked off this match by jumping Bishamon, only for Bishamon to reverse momentum almost immediately afterward. BC fought back by taking the challengers to the floor and whipping them into the barricades.

Back in the ring, BC maintained their lead by isolating Goto. Once YH tagged in, Bishamon turned the match back around. Owens tagged in in an attempt to reverse momentum, but Bishamon held on. This lasted until a chair shot from KENTA allowed Owens to take the driver’s seat.

Owens dropped Goto with Jewel Heist for a nearfall. KENTA tried to close with a belt shot, but Goto reversed. Owens quickly responded with a C-Trigger, but Goto stuffed the second. This gave YH time to hit the ring, leading to a Shoto attempt, but Owens slipped free.

Owens hit another C-Trigger for a nearfall. Owens then tried to get his package piledriver, but YH saved it. This led to a back-and-forth between YH and KENTA, ending with a Goto lariat. With the ring cleared, Bishamon grabbed Owens, landed Shoto and won the match.

Bishamon are tag champions once again.

Best of The Super Juniors Lineup

Titan (CMLL) | Blake Christian (ROH) | Ninja Mack (NOAH) | HAYATA (NOAH) | Ryusuke Taguchi | El Desperado | Kevin Knight | YOH | Hiromu Takahashi | BUSHI | TJP | Fransico Akira | DOUKI | Robbie Eagles | Taiji Ishimori | Yoshinobu Kanemaru | SHO | Clark Connors | Drilla Moloney | Kosei Fujita 

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: SHO (c) defeated YOH

As soon as this match began, YOH took the lead, but he immediately dislocated his shoulder. The match was called off, leaving SHO as the champion.

Once the match was officially over, Fujita and DOUKI came to the ring to challenge SHO, but neither got the match. Instead, Fujita dropped SHO, and DOUKI left with the belt.

Jon Moxley & Shota Umino defeated House of Torture (Jack Perry & Ren Narita)

This match started with HoT gaining the lead in their signature style. Once they were in control, HoT worked to isolate Umino.

Once Moxley tagged in, he leveled Narita, turning the match on its head. Moxley tried taking the fight to the floor, but Perry cut him off. Moxley responded by throwing Perry over the barricade. With Moxley distracted, Narita was free to land a suplex on the floor.

Back in the ring, Narita continued to make advances against Moxley. Moxley hit a cutter, leading to a double tag.

With Perry legal, Umino launched into an intense sequence. Perry reversed momentum by landing an elbow drop from the top rope. This led to Narita hitting the ring, which forced Moxley to get involved. With Moxley’s help, Umino held off HoT before hitting an exploder suplex for a nearfall.

A double tag led to Moxley unloading on Narita. Narita raked Moxley’s eyes to buy some separation but Moxley responded with a lariat. A superplex scored a nearfall for Moxley.

Perry hit the ring, distracting the referee. Narita tried to hit Moxley with his pushup bar, but Narita made the save. Narita tried to hold on, attempting a double cross, but Moxley slipped free. Moxley followed up with a Deathrider and a pin on Narita to win the match.

NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi defeated EVIL (c)

This was horrible. One of the worst title matches I have ever seen.

The match started slowly, with Takagi trying to gain control in the ring. Once the match worked its way to the floor, EVIL whipped Takagi into the barricades and attacked him with chairs. Back in the ring, EVIL choked Takagi with a wire.

A dragonscrew from Takagi reset the match in his favor. Shingo followed up with high-impact offense, including a superplex for a nearfall. Once Takagi had a strong lead, EVIL faked a leg injury, distracting the referee.

With the referee distracted, Yujiro removed the turnbuckle cover. EVIL followed up by whipping Takagi into said corner. Takagi tried to respond with a pumping bomber, but Yujiro hit him with a chair again.

This interference led to a man dressed as BUSHI hitting the ring. He distracted the referee, allowing HoT to continue their attack. The real BUSHI hit the ring to make the save, but he spat mist in the face of the referee.

With the referee down, Kanemaru entered the ring wearing an official’s shirt. HoT beat down Takahashi, EVIL hit the magic killer, and Kanemaru counted to three. Takahashi rang the bell to signify EVIL’s faux win.

Hiromu, also wearing a referee’s shirt, ran to the ring to clear out HoT. This led to a full-scale brawl between the teams.

Takagi spat whiskey into the face of EVIL before throwing a faceful of powder at the champion. Hiromu then pulled another real referee to the ring. Shingo hit Last of the Dragon and won the match.

The only thing positive about this match is EVIL is no longer the NEVER champion.

After the match, Gabe Kidd hit the ring and interrupted Takagi’s celebration. He called the NEVER title a joke in it’s current state. He called out management and spat on the lion mark. Kidd promised to kill anyone in his way. He swore he’d take Shingo’s belt before leaving the ring.

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Tetsuya Naito (c) defeated Yota Tsuji

Tsuji was the first to establish control, utilizing basic strikes and holds to gain a lead. Naito fired back with clubbing strikes, but Tsuji continued to advance regardless, landing a tope to further his lead. On the outside, Tsuji whipped Naito into the barricades before dropping him on the apron. Back inside, Tsuji continued utilizing simple holds to dominate Naito.

Naito eventually fired back, landing a dropkick to the back to gain the lead for the first time. Naito followed up with a neckbreaker, beginning his wear down to set up Destino.

After being on the receiving end of Naito’s neck-based offense for a while, Tsuji fired back with a boot. Tsuji then pulled Naito to his feet on the ring’s apron and hit a partial curb stomp to the floor.

Back in the ring, Naito fired back with a DDT. To follow up, Naito hammered Tsuji with elbows to the neck and a frankensteiner.

When Naito tried for Destino, Tsuji reversed and landed a knee for a nearfall. Tsuji followed up with a powerbomb for a nearfall.

Tsuji tried for a Gene Blast, but Naito caught him with a kick. Naito then attempted a Destino, but Tsuji threw him off and hit Gene Blast. Tsuji was too exhausted to make the cover.

With both men down, a strike exchange ensued. Tsuji won out and hoisted Naito to the top rope. Tsuji hit a superplex for a two-count before locking in the Boston crab. Tsuji then hit his top rope curb stomp and a powerbomb for a pair of nearfalls.

With Naito on his last legs, Tsuji tried for Gene Blast. Naito reversed by launching Tsuji into the corner. Naito followed up with a spear of his own. Tsuji kicked out of the follow-up pin at one.

When Naito tried for Destino again, Tsuji reversed. Tsuji tried for a suplex, but Naito landed a partial Destino. Naito followed up with a full Destino to win the match and retain his belt.

After the match, Moxley confronted Naito in the ring. Naito offered putting the belt on the line against Moxley in Chicago. Unsrupringly, Moxley accepted. The match is set. April 12, Moxley vs. Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

New Japan Cup 2024 finals live results: Hirooki Goto vs. Yota Tsuji

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Hirooki Goto faces Yota Tsuji today in the New Japan Cup 2024 finals. 

Goto is the only three-time New Japan Cup winner, although he has not won the tournament since 2012. Goto also has three runner-up performances to his credit, making him the most decorated New Japan Cup competitor in the tournament’s 20-year history. 

This is the first New Japan Cup finals appearance for Tsuji. 

The winner of today’s finals will face IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito for the title at Sakura Genesis on Saturday, April 6. 

Naito will be in action in the semi-main event of today’s show, teaming with Shingo Takagi against EVIL & Dick Togo from Bullet Club’s House of Torture. 

In a 10-man tag, Hikuleo, El Phantasmo, Toru Yano, Jado & Boltin Oleg will take on SANADA, Taichi, Yuya Uemura, DOUKI & TAKA Michinoku of Just Five Guys.

YOH will face Yoshinobu Kanemaru in a special singles match on today’s show in the other featured bout. 

Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi) defeated Katsuya Murashima & Shoma Kato

This was a decent outing from the Young Lions. They were firey heading into the finishing sequence, but BUSHI was able to secure the win with a crab.

United Empire (Francesco Akira, Great-O-Khan & TJP) defeated Ryusuke Taguchi, Tanga Loa & Tomohiro Ishii

This was a step up from what I expected. It almost felt like a decent effort was made in this match. Catch 22’s tandem offense led to the UE finish.

TMDK (Mikey Nicholls & Zack Sabre Jr.) defeated United Empire (Callum Newman & Jeff Cobb)

This was a highly competitive undercard tag. The closing sequence went back and forth, with a handful of nearfalls between Nicholls and Newman. In the end, Mikey landed his finish to secure the win.

BULLET CLUB (Chase Owens, Gabe Kidd & KENTA) defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Togi Makabe & YOSHI-HASHI

Most of this match’s disorder came from the babyfaces. By the end, BULLET CLUB was taking full advantage of this chaos. KENTA hit Tenzan with his belt, leaving Owens free to secure the pinfall win.

After the match, BC tried hitting YH with the belt, but YH escaped. Makabe and Kidd also continued to brawl after the closing bell.

House Of Torture (Jack Perry, Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi) defeated El Desperado, Shota Umino & Yuji Nagata

This was fine.

The crowd was really into this match throughout its runtime, and most of the cheating wasn’t insulting. The closing sequence saw Narita hit Nagata with a low blow before forcing him to tap with the cobra twist.

YOH defeated Yoshinobu Kanemaru

This match kicked off with Kanemaru and SHO jumping SHO before the opening bell. From here, the typical HoT match played out, complete with distracted referees and outside beat downs.

After spending an extended amount of time in Kanemaru’s Boston crab, YOH escaped to the bottom rope. He then took advantage of an attempted distraction, leading to Kanemaru spitting his whiskey in SHO’s face. YOH then rolled up Kanemaru to win the match.

After the match, YOH left with the junior title in hand.

Guerrillas Of Destiny (El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & Jado), Oleg Boltin & Toru Yano defeated Just 5 Guys (DOUKI, SANADA, Taichi, TAKA Michinoku & Yuya Uemura)

This wasn’t a good match, but it didn’t try to be one.

Everyone had their moment to shine, but this was totally lighthearted bell-to-bell. In the end, ELP hit his finish and pinned TAKA to win the match.

Los Ingobernables de Japon (Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito) defeated House Of Torture (Dick Togo & EVIL)

This was a by-the-book HoT tag. 

The action worked its way into the crowd early on, with EVIL utilizing chairs to establish a lead. The fighting continued so long that the referee’s count reached 20, resulting in a double count-out.

Shingo grabbed the microphone and asked for a restart with EVIL’s belt in hand. HoT accepted the challenge, and the match restarted.

This was the second EVIL match to be thrown out and restarted in the past two days.

Once the match restarted, the fighting returned to the floor. EVIL and Togo isolated Shingo on the outside, hitting him with the turnbuckle cover and whipping him into the barricades. Once the match returned to the ring, the isolation continued.

Eventually, Naito tagged in and turned the match around for his team. HoT challenged Naito’s lead by choking him with a shirt, hitting a low blow, and bumping the referee. With the referee down, Togo choked Naito with his wire.

Once Naito escaped Togo’s wire, he used it himself. Naito then dropped Togo with a low blow and used a jackknife pin to win the match.

Shingo challenged EVIL to a match for the NEVER Openweight Championship after the match.

New Japan Cup: Yota Tsuji defeated Hirooki Goto

This match was a lot of fun, especially in the closing stretch. It’s easily one of the best matches of the tournament.

The match opened with a standard feeling-out process. This led to Goto leaving the ring, which Tsuji followed with a tope. Back inside the ring, Tsuji utilized body scissors to maintain his control.

A ushigoroshi reset the match, leading to a back-and-forth strike exchange. Goto won out, establishing control for the first time in the match. He tried for GTR but missed, leaving Tsuji free to drive him onto the mat.

Tsuji landed a pair of stomps for a nearfall. When Tsuji tried to follow up, Goto secured the sleeper hold. Goto then tried for GTR again, but Tsuji answered with a headbutt. Goto responded with eight headbutts of his own, maintaining his lead.

Goto landed Shouten Kai for one of the nearest nearfalls I’ve ever seen. After Tsuji kicked out, Goto paused, buying Tsuji enough time to respond with a knee. Tsuji went for Gene Blast but was cut off by a lariat.

Goto tried for a rainmaker, but Tsuji reversed into Gene Blast; Goto kicked out at one. Tsuji didn’t waste any time before hitting another Gene Blast. He then pinned Goto to win the New Japan Cup.

Tsuji cut the show ending promo, declaring himself the face of a new era. Naito joined him in the ring after Tsuji promised to take his belt. Naito questioned his readiness before having a friendly stare down.

Once Naito left the ring, Tsuji promised to take New Japan to greater heights.

Tsuji is set for action against his faction mate and IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Tetsuya Naito, at Sakura Genesis.