Tag: yuji nagata

AEW Dynamite live results: Jon Moxley vs. Yuji Nagata

Posted on by Parker Klyn

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite will feature three title matches, plus an AEW World title eliminator bout.

Jon Moxley will defend the IWGP United States Championship against NJPW’s Yuji Nagata. The two were on opposite sides of a tag match on last week’s NJPW Strong, where Moxley pinned Nagata’s partner Ren Narita. Moxley has held the IWGP US title since January 4, 2020.

The Young Bucks will defend the AEW World Tag Team titles against Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian of SCU. If Daniels and Kazarian lose, they will disband as a team.

Darby Allin will defend the TNT Championship against Miro. Allin will have Sting in his corner.

Top-ranked Orange Cassidy will face second-ranked PAC in an AEW World title eliminator match. This will be a rematch from the Revolution PPV in February 2020, a match won by PAC.

Cody Rhodes making an announcement regarding the Double or Nothing PPV on May 30 has been advertised.

Britt Baker, who will challenge for Hikaru Shida’s AEW Women’s World Championship at Double or Nothing, will take part in a sit-down interview with Jim Ross.

A coronation segment featuring The Pinnacle will be held following their victory in last week’s Blood and Guts match, Thunder Rosa will be in action, and a Jade Cargill interview has also been advertised. Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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Show Report —

Jon Moxley and Yuji Nagata were shown warming up backstage.

Moxley came out to “Wild Thing” by The Troggs.

IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley (c) (w/ Eddie Kingston) defeated Yuji Nagata (w/ Ren Narita)

This was, of course, Nagata’s AEW debut. He hadn’t appeared on TNT in 23 years.

They immediately exchanged forearms in the center of the ring. Nagata was forced into the corner but landed a knee lift and a boot, sending Moxley to the floor. Rocky Romero was shown in the crowd. Out on the floor, Moxley landed a diving knee and sent Nagata into the barricade.

Back in the ring, Moxley hit a soccer kick and an elbow drop for two. Former IWGP US Champion Lance Archer was shown in the crowd accompanied by Jake Roberts. Moxley hit mid kicks for another two count. He went to the top rope, but Nagata caught Moxley’s dive and laid in kicks to the midsection. He caught Moxley with an exploder suplex for a near fall.

Nagata used his misdirection drop kick to take Moxley off his feet. He laid in mid kicks of his own, but Moxley fired up as they exchanged more forearms. Moxley hit a German suplex and a running lariat for two. Nagata powered out of a piledriver attempt and perched Moxley on the top rope, hitting an avalanche exploder and a mid kick for a close two.

Moxley turned it around by applying a rear naked choke, but Nagata escaped into the Shirome armbar. We saw the whites of Nagata’s eyes, but Moxley was able to reach the ropes. They traded strikes, Nagata hit an enziguiri, but Moxley came back with a sliding lariat and went for the Bulldog Choke. Moxley was cut open under his eye.

Repeated knee strikes and the Paradigm Shift were enough for Moxley to pin Nagata and retain the title.

– After the match, both Moxley and Nagata bowed and showed respect to each other.

**********

Ortiz, Jake Hager, and Sammy Guevara were interviewed about Blood & Guts. Ortiz admitted the Pinnacle won, but MJF showed his true colors. He said Santana was “arrested and detained” for his use of a fork. Hager wants another match. Guevara said tonight’s “Pinnacle Coronation” would become a “funeral.” 

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Cody Rhodes’ Double or Nothing Announcement

This was baffling. “USA vs. the World” stuff just does not work in 2021.

Cody discussed some of the classic patriotic conventions about being “proud to be an American,” prompting a “U-S-A!” chant. He talked about Anthony Ogogo talking down on the United States, bringing up that Ogogo makes his money in America and is afforded the same rights as others. He said “You didn’t come here to live the ‘England’ Dream.”

He broght up that Bruno Sammartino was an Italian-American immigrant as well as that Shad Khan is an immigrant. He got emotional as he talked about how 60 years ago, America was segregated, but soon, his wife Brandi will give birth to a beautiful baby with both white and black identities.

Cody announced that Anthony Ogogo will be wrestling at Double or Nothing, but it won’t be the American Nightmare who faces him. It will be Ogogo vs. “The American Dream” Cody Rhodes.

**********

A video promo played where SCU talked about how they don’t like the Young Bucks’ attitude recently. All that’s left is for them to beat the Bucks up. They brought up their “break up when we lose” ultimatum, saying it’s put them at the top of their game. They’re willing to go far to get what they want.

Don Callis joined commentary for the match. The Bucks were accompanied by the Good Brothers.

AEW World Tag Team Championship: Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) (c) defeated SCU (Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian)

If SCU loses, they must never team again.

The match was heated from the start as Kazarian and Nick exchanged slaps. Nick tried to bait Kazarian into an attack, but Kazarian didn’t fall for it as he and Daniels worked together to dispatch the Bucks with double teams. A leg drop from Kazarian got two. SCU was firmly in control, beating down Nick, until Matt illegally backdropped Daniels to the floor, allowing the Bucks to take out Kazarian.

Matt powerbombed Daniels into the apron and Nick landed a flipping senton into the break. During commercial, SCU regained control, and once back, Daniels and Kazarian worked together on a powerbomb neckbreaker combination for two. SCU hit Celebrity Rehab on Nick, but a distraction from Matt allowed Nick to come back with rising knees and a bulldog on Kazarian. A slingshot X-Factor allowed the Bucks to take advantage.

Out on the floor, Nick superkicked Daniels into the ring post, and Daniels had been busted open badly. He was gushing blood everywhere. As Nick taunted him, Kazarian slingshotted Nick back in the ring with a cutter for two. The Bucks realized Daniels was hurt, hitting a buckle bomb, but Kazarian fought out of More Bang For Your Buck and applied a double pin on both Bucks after a Northern Lights suplex for a cloe two.

Kazarian rolled up Matt for a visual pinfall, but Doc Gallows had the official distracted. Kazarian hit a Styles Clash on Matt, but Nick dove into the ring to break up the pin. He tried to maintain control, but Matt took him out with a superkick and a knee strike until Daniels broke up the pinfall. Daniels hit the Angel’s Wings and tagged himself in, but Matt immediately cut him off with a spear.

Daniels avoided a superkick, but Matt powered out of the Angel’s Wings. Matt mocked the “I’m sorry, I love you” HBK/Flair moment and crushed Daniels with a superkick, but Daniels kicked out of the pin attempt. Daniels hit a uranage and attempted the BME, but stumbled. On the second attempt, he hit the BME, but Nick broke up the pin.

The Good Brothers were dispatched by Daniels, but with the official distracted, Matt sprayed cold spray and smacked Daniels with the can for a great near fall. Nick tagged in and hit the BTE Trigger. Kazarian tried to break up the pin, but was too late.

**********

The camera cut backstage, where Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston were destroying The Elite’s dressing room.

**********

Christian Cage was interviewed about Taz. Christian said Taz was a bad man at one point in time, but now, Taz won’t step up to the ring. Next week, Christian has an open challenge to any Team Taz member. He also announced he’s in the Casino Battle Royale, but was interrupted by Sydal, who wants to win. Sydal said that instead of Team Taz, it was him who signed the open challenge for next week.

**********

AEW World Championship Eliminator: Orange Cassidy (w/ Best Friends) vs. PAC (w/ Lucha Bros.) went to a no contest

The winner of this match will face Kenny Omega in the main event at Double or Nothing. Cassidy is ranked #1, PAC is #2.

Cassidy put his shades on PAC, who subsequently smashed them. Cassidy was about to do his hands-in-pocket gimmick, but PAC wasn’t having it. Cassidy immediately turned it into the Beach Break for a close near fall before landing his hands-in-pockets tope suicida and putting on a backup pair of sunglasses.

During the commercial break, PAC took control with an attack on the floor. Once back, PAC sent Cassidy into the barricade.  Back in the ring, PAC climbed the top rope and hit two shotgun dropkicks. He hid a third to Cassidy’s back for two. PAC went back to the top, but Cassidy did his slow roll away, so PAC stomped him down.

Cassidy cockily rolled out of the way of the Black Arrow and gave PAC the thumbs up. He then countered an attack, sending PAC into the turnbuckle and applying a victory roll for two. A thrust kick from PAC stopped Cassidy in his tracks, which PAC followed up with a Liger Bomb for two. PAC pushed Cassidy to the floor into a second commercial break. 

During the break, Cassidy was checked on by ringside officials. Don Callis came out and taunted PAC, allowing Kenny Omega to hit him with the belt. Neither man could make it up for the 10 count.

– Callis immediately pointed out that there was no winner in the match, so Omega has the night off. Omega said the two men in the ring were losers. Schiavone interrupted them, but before he could speak, Omega put on Cassidy’s sunglasses from last week. Schiavone has been told that it will be a three-way for the world championship at Double or Nothing, with Omega defending against both PAC and Cassidy.

**********

The Young Bucks and the Good Brothers were despondent about their dressing room which had been destroyed by Moxley and Kingston earlier in the show. The Bucks wanted to show they’re fighting champions and defend against the #1-ranked Varsity Blonds next week. Matt then invited Moxley and Kingston to a “superkick party” at Double or Nothing, essentially challenging them to a title match.

**********

Hangman Page, flanked by the Dark Order, was interviewed about his loss to Brian Cage. The Dark Order consoled him, but Page said it took three men to beat him down. It wasn’t Cage that took him out, but Taz. Page recommended that Cage meet Page in the ring one-on-one, challenging him for Double or Nothing.

**********

The Pinnacle Coronation

The announcers recapped Blood & Guts.

The Pinnacle was joined by some women for the celebration. MJF said he took Chris Jericho’s spot — he’s the new Demo God and the greatest of all time. He demanded the audience bow to the Pinnacle. He talked about being ranked #1 on cable last week, breaking a record in Canada as well, thanks to Shawn Spears.

MJF talked about how the Inner Circle was down two men: one because he stabbed MJF, and another because he fell off the cage. He asked the crowd if they’d like to see a rematch, but MJF said “no.” 

Tully said the Pinnacle took everything the Inner Circle could dish out last week, mocking the Inner Circle’s reasons and method in quitting the match. He revealed that he had bought expensive watches for the group, and every time they look at their wrist, they can say “That was a present from Tully Blanchard, and that’s what being part of the Pinnacle is all about.” 

They were interrupted by a loud horn, which was Ortiz, Hager, and Guevara arriving in a vehicle pulling something behind it. MJF told them to drive off, because the Inner Circle is dead. Jericho popped out of the back of the vehicle with a cast on his arm and asked for a rematch. MJF said “no,” so Guevara sprayed them all with a high-powered hose containing Jericho’s “Bubbly,” which is what the vehicle was pulling in the trailer. 

MJF lost it and screamed at the crowd to shut up. He took the Inner Circle up on the same match they lost last year: Stadium Stampede. If the Inner Circle loses, they have to break up forever.

**********

Britt Baker sat down with Jim Ross earlier today about challenging Hikaru Shida for the AEW Women’s Championship at Double or Nothing. She recalled Shida breaking her nose and busting her open, and now, Baker’s the baddest bitch on the block. It’s poetic that the monster she created is going to destroy her.

JR asked if Baker was taking it too far to break up a photo shoot, and if she cared. Baker was tired of being painted as the villain. She said Shida kept the division alive over the last year, but Baker’s the face of the division, the role model, the heart and soul, and the pulse. When you have a pulse, you don’t need a machine keeping everything alive. At Double or Nothing, the division will keep itself alive when Baker becomes champion.

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Thunder Rosa defeated Jazmin Allure

Rosa immediately laid in chops and beat Allure down in the corner. Allure reversed a whip and landed an uppercut, but Rosa exploded out with a shotgun dropkick. Rosa hit running sentons, a shoulder breaker, and the Fire Thunder Driver for the squash victory. The announcers talked about her potentially challenging NWA Women’s Champion Serena Deeb down the line.

**********

Next week’s Dynamite lineup:

  • NWA Women’s World Championship: Serena Deeb (c) vs. Red Velvet
  • AEW World Tag Team Championships: Young Bucks (c) vs. Varsity Blonds
  • Christian Cage vs. Matt Sydal
  • Anthony Ogogo (w/ The Factory) vs. Austin Gunn

For Double or Nothing:

  • Hangman Page vs. Brian Cage (w/ Taz)
  • Cody Rhodes (w/ Arn Anderson) vs. Anthony Ogogo (w/ The Factory)
  • AEW Women’s Championship: Hikaru Shida (c) vs. Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.
  • AEW World Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs. PAC vs. Orange Cassidy

**********

Jade Cargill was interviewed by Tony Schiavone. He recapped Mark Sterling offering his managerial services to Cargill. Schiavone asked who would handle Cargill’s business, but Cargill’s her own boss. She’s listening to offers, but she’s “that bitch.”

**********

Before the match, a video package recapped Allin being thrown down stairs last week. He said he didn’t have time to worry about it and dropped everything to return to Seattle, his hometown. It reminds him of who he is and how far he’s come. 

Allin turned his attention to Miro, asking “what have you done since coming here?” Allin knows exactly who he is, but Miro is generic, and he won’t take Allin’s championship. No matter what happens, Miro will have to admit Allin’s one of the toughest men he’s stepped in the ring with.

TNT Championship: Miro defeated Darby Allin (c) to win the title

This was great.

Miro attacked Allin before the bell, tossing Allin all over the place on the floor. The official wouldn’t start the match after the beatdown. Scorpio Sky and Ethan Page were shown looking on. 

The official eventually started the match, and Miro landed the Machka Kick right away for a close near fall. Allin fired back with a shotgun dropkick on the floor. He went for the flipping stunner, Miro countered it, but Allin sent Miro into the post. Allin then landed a fantastic missle tope with a great collision. Allin tried to follow it up with a Coffin Drop, but Miro caught him with a German suplex on the floor.

During the commercial, Sky and Page attacked Sting at ringside. Once back, Miro continued to dismantle Allin’s midsection with a gutwrench hold. Allin fought back with a sleeper hold, having to re-adjust the grip due to the attack. Miro started to fade but eventually reached the ropes.

Miro rolled the floor, where Allin re-applied the sleeper. He tried to use the championship to fight out, but hte official took it away, after which Miro just thrust himself and Allin into a wall to break the hold. Miro brought Allin back into the ring and continued to attack Allin’s right arm before just dumping Allin into the ropes. 

Allin was pained, but Sting cheered him on, giving him a fist bump. Allin starched Miro with a slap and hit the stunner, cradling him for a close near fall. He hit a second stunner and climbed the ropes, but Miro caught the Coffin Drop. Allin flipped out of a German suplex and rolled Miro up for a fantastic near fall.

He then hit the Code Red for yet another close near fall. Miro popped up and locked on Game Over for the stoppage, winning the title.

– Page and Sky attacked Sting after the match as Miro taunted Allin. Lance Archer came out and pointed at Miro and the TNT title as the show went off the air.

NJPW Strong results: Moxley & Dickinson vs. Nagata & Narita

Posted on by Justin Knipper

Tonight’s episode of NJPW Strong was titled “Collision 2021,” with visiting NJPW legend Yuji Nagata making an appearance in the main event tonight ahead of his match with Jon Moxley next week on AEW Dynamite.

We saw a brief recap of “Filthy” Tom Lawlor after he’d just won this year’s NJPW Cup USA 2021 and current Strong Openweight title. The video reminded us that when Lawlor challenged anyone in the NJPW locker room to take him on, that it was his own Team Filthy teammate, “Dirty Daddy” Chris Dickinson, who wanted the first shot at Lawlor. 

Barrett Brown and Adrian Quest defeated The DKC and Kevin Knight

The teams scuffled before the bell. Brown and the DKC started the match off together. DKC was amped going into this. Brown got the better of DKC on the mat early on before DKC tagged out to Knight. Brown then tagged out to Quest, where he and Knight had an evenly matched exchange together. Both are very athletic, but Knight more noticeably so — the air he got on that leapfrog, jeez. Quest did a tornillo cross-body block after bouncing off the second rope.

Action almost spilled to the floor at one point, when Brown went for a dive onto Knight. Knight was able to slide back into the ring before Brown made it to the floor and landed a high dropkick before tagging out. Action began heating up between teams, with DKC able to get the better of Quest after his short respite on the apron. Quest was able to tag out to Brown, who came in to clean house. He’d at one point reverse a Kevin Knight tilt-a-whirl attempt that Brown turned into a swinging DDT.

The finish saw Adrian Quest make a blind tag into the ring and stick Knight with a standing shooting star press for the win. This was right after Brown nailed Knight with a claymore kick. 

Things got chippy between partners after the win, as Brown seemed to have wanted the pin and the glory of winning the match. They bickered in the ring, and before they went to the back, they bumped fists. As they left the ring, Brown actually attacked Quest from behind. He then threw him into the ring and beat on Quest some more before heading to the locker room. Brown’s chippiness was now borderline psycho-rage. After a slow but clear build over recent episodes, Brown’s official heel turn is now in motion.

The West Coast Wrecking Crew (Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson) defeated Misterioso and Jordan Clearwater

The West Coast Wrecking Crew used to be called The One Percent and were regulars for companies like DEFY out of Seattle and Championship Wrestling From Hollywood and appeared on AEW Dark in March. Viewers may have caught Isaacs at the last Bloodsport event were he took on LA Dojo Young Lion Alex Coughlin, or last year in NWA where he and Thom Latimer won the tag titles.

Isaacs and Clearwater were in together first. Isaacs tried out-wrestling the taller Clearwater, attempting a few takedowns, but Clearwater was able to riggle away from the more aggressive Issacs and spike him with a running bulldog before tagging out to Misterioso.

Misteriso and Clearwater had a handle on Nelson for a few moments, but the more experienced Nelson was able to make it back towards his team’s corner, allowing Isaacs to throw in a cheap knee shot before Nelson would legally tag out to Isaacs. WCWC have a slight FTR vibe about them, at least in a context like NJPW Strong.

The match began heating up as soon as Misterioso hit the ring next. He used a frankensteiner on Isaacs that actually sent Isaacs to the floor, then threw Nelson through the ropes and did a tope con giro to the floor onto them. Back in the ring, Misterioso landed on Isaacs with a swanton for two. He landed a second-rope moonsault onto Isaacs after that, but Nelson made the save at a count of 2.5.

Misterioso held Isaacs in place as Clearwater came off the ropes with an elbow, but Isaacs moved and Clearwater nailed Misterioso instead. WCWC used a power bomb-running neckbreaker double team move to neutralize Clearwater out of the match. Isaacs picked Misterioso up in an exploder suplex hold and actually dumped him over the top rope to the floor instead of slamming him on the mat in the ring. Nelson followed up with tope suicida.

Back in the ring, Isaacs used a fireman’s carry on Clearwater and stood in the corner. Nelson then climbed to the top rope, then took one extra step onto the back of Clearwater and dropped a one-legged elbow from the heavens onto Misterioso. Isaacs then used a Death Valley Bomb on Clearwater where he planted Clearwater directly onto Nelson’s knees, then covered for the win. Impressive debut from the West Coast Wrecking Crew. These two would be an interesting matchup against Strong regular teams like the Logan Twins or the DKC and Kevin Knight.

The Wrecking Crew cut a promo backstage afterwards that made them feel like they’d been around the block already. They came off as a fresh team for the show, but they also didn’t come across like rookies, either. Nelson said all they care about in NJPW is beating people up, winning matches and winning championship. Isaacs told fans to “get used to the name,” West Coast Wrecking Crew.

Jon Moxley and Chris Dickinson defeated Yuji Nagata and Ren Narita

Moxley and Nagata began throwing elbows into each others’ faces as soon as the bell sounded. Nagata landed a big boot early on. Mox missed a sliding lariat, so then Nagata used a standing armbreaker on him, then dragged him to the red corner where he’d tag in Ren Narita. The younger Narita didn’t have a chance to do much as Mox quickly tagged out to Chris Dickinson. Viewers may recall Dicksinson and Narita’s dark horse banger of a match in February on NJPW Strong, the same episode that featured Moxley vs. KENTA for the IWGP US title in the main event. They showed flashes of the same kind of intensity when they were in together tonight.

When Dickinson threw Narita to the floor, Moxley put the boots to the neophyte. He also whipped him into the barricade outside the ring before rolling him back in. Moxley bullied Narita against the rope and scraped his elbow across Narita’s face, Snakepit style. Dickinson tagged in next, but Narita found a moment to escape to his side of the ring and tag out to a fresh Nagata, who began blasting Dickinson in the chest with his signature kicks before whipping him into the corner and landing another running boot before launching him with a butterfly suplex for two. The two began exchanging chops and elbows and I couldn’t help but want to see a singles bout between the “Dirty Daddy” and the “Blue Dandy.”

Nagata and Moxley were in together towards the end of the match and again traded hard blows, mostly elbows, plus some stiff headbutts from Moxley. Mox blasted Nagata with a lariat and then locked in a bully choke, but Nagata was able to muscle out of it and throw him with an exploder suplex. He’d then tag out to Narita, where they double-teamed Moxley after knocking Dickinson to the floor.

Narita was able to hit his signature front suplex off the ropes for two as Nagata and Dickinson brawled on the floor. Mox powered up and launched Narita with a release German suplex, then planted him with a perfect-looking Deathrider DDT for the win. 

Nagata got back into the ring and got into Moxley’s face afterwards. Mox slapped Nagata, but Nagata slapped back then locked him in the Nagata Lock until three NJPW staffers and Chris Dickinson peeled Nagata off Moxley. Nagata flexed his 53-year-old guns and flashed the ZEA gesture before heading to the back. Mox checked to make sure his back teeth were still there as the show went to black.

Final thoughts: This was a top-notch episode of NJPW Strong. It felt both fresh and special. Barrett Brown officially turned heel after he went after tag partner Adrian Quest, which will seemingly lead to a new set of bouts with Brown vs. other Strong  regulars this summer, now in a slightly different context. 

The West Coast Wrecking Crew looked very good in their debut against the DKC and Kevin Knight, and I imagine they’ll be another solid fit with Strong down the road. The main event delivered in that it did what it was meant to do—get us hyped for Mox vs. Nagata on Dynamite—but also reminded us that Ren Narita and Chris Dickinson also kick plentiful amounts of ass. Another solid night of pro wrestling from New Japan.

NJPW reveals date for Strong Openweight Championship match

Posted on by Ethan Renner

NJPW has revealed the main event for each Collision episode of NJPW Strong this month. 

Tom Lawlor will make his first defense of the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship against fellow Team Filthy member Chris Dickinson on the Friday, May 28 edition of the show. 

On the Friday, May 21 episode, Fred Rosser will take on Hikuleo in a no disqualification match.  The two also met in the New Japan Cup USA 2021 tournament, where Hikuleo came away with the victory. 

On the Friday, May 14 show, Lawlor, Dickinson, JR Kratos and Danny Limelight will face Karl Fredericks, Brody King, TJP & Clark Connors in an elimination match. Under NJPW rules, eliminations can occur by pinfall, submission, DQ or over the top rope with both feet hitting the floor. 

The main event for the Friday, May 7 episode had already been announced, as Jon Moxley and Dickinson will face Yuji Nagata and Ren Narita. Nagata will also challenge Moxley for the IWGP United States Championship on the Wednesday, May 12 edition of AEW Dynamite. 

Strong airs Fridays at 10 p.m. Eastern time on NJPW World and is available on demand shortly after airing. 

Here are the lineups announced for Collision so far:

Friday, May 7 —

  • Jon Moxley & Chris Dickinson vs. Yuji Nagata & Ren Narita
  • Misterioso vs. Jordan Clearwater vs. Royce Isaacs
  • Kevin Knight & The DKC vs. Barrett Brown & Adrian Quest

Friday, May 14 —

  • Elimination match: Karl Fredericks, Brody King, TJP & Clark Connors vs. Tom Lawlor, Chris Dickinson, JR Kratos & Danny Limelight

Friday, May 21 —

  • No disqualification match: Fred Rosser vs. Hikuleo

Friday, May 28 —

  • NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Tom Lawlor (c) vs. Chris Dickinson

Jon Moxley and Yuji Nagata to face off in NJPW Strong tag match

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Before they battle for the IWGP United States title on AEW Dynamite, Jon Moxley and Yuji Nagata will square off in tag team action on NJPW Strong.

NJPW has announced that Moxley and Chris Dickinson will team against Yuji Nagata and Ren Narita on the Friday, May 7 episode of Strong. 

Moxley is set to defend the IWGP United States Championship against Nagata on the May 12 edition of Dynamite. Moxley issued a challenge to Nagata in a promo released on social media on April 4. The title match was then officially announced on the April 28 episode of Dynamite. 

Our Dave Meltzer reported in February that a working relationship had been established between NJPW and AEW. NJPW’s KENTA appeared on the February 3 Dynamite to shoot an angle for his title match with Moxley later that month. KENTA made his in-ring AEW debut on the February 10 Dynamite. 

Moxley has been the IWGP US Champion since defeating Lance Archer for the title at Wrestle Kingdom 14 on January 4, 2020. His most recent title defense came on the February 27 Strong, where he defeated KENTA. 

As for Moxley and Nagata’s tag partners, Dickinson is currently the number one contender to new NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Tom Lawlor’s title, while Narita is currently on excursion to NJPW’s LA Dojo. 

Strong airs Fridays at 10 p.m. Eastern time on NJPW World and is available on demand shortly after airing. 

Yuji Nagata to challenge for Moxley’s IWGP US title on AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Yuji Nagata will appear on AEW Dynamite to challenge Jon Moxley for the IWGP United States title.

The match was announced during tonight’s AEW Dynamite, and will take place on May 12, in two weeks time. 

NJPW uploaded a video earlier this month with Moxley challenging Nagata. Nagata later released a video of his own, calling Moxley a “snot-nosed punk” and accepted his challenge. It wasn’t made clear when the match would take place until tonight.

Moxley has been the IWGP United States champion since January of 2020, defeating Lance Archer to win the title at Wrestle Kingdom 14. He has defended it sparingly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but most recently defended the title against KENTA successfully on the February 27 edition of NJPW Strong.

NJPW and AEW established a relationship earlier this year. KENTA appeared on Dynamite back on the February 10 edition of Dynamite, teaming with Kenny Omega to take on Jon Moxley and Lance Archer, with Archer and Moxley scoring the win.

Jon Moxley challenges NJPW’s Yuji Nagata to IWGP US title match

Posted on by Ethan Renner

IWGP United States Champion Jon Moxley has his sights set on his next challenger. 

In a promo tweeted tonight from the NJPW Global account, Moxley challenged NJPW’s Yuji Nagata to step up and face him for the US title. 

In the promo, Moxley said that he is collecting scalps and has made his intentions to go big game hunting clear since capturing the US title at night one of Wrestle Kingdom 14 on January 4, 2020. 

Moxley said that he is going after the hardest hitters in the game and challenged Nagata to “grab his six-shooter” and meet him “outside the saloon at dawn.”

Moxley is a two-time IWGP United States Champion. His first reign ended when he was stripped of the title after travel issues related to a typhoon led to him not being able to make a scheduled defense in October 2019. 

Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic did not allow Moxley to make a title defense for over a year, but this time, he was not stripped of the belt under those similar circumstances. 

After beating Lance Archer for the title in a Texas death match at night one of Wrestle Kingdom 14, Moxley defended the title on night two against Juice Robinson. He would go on to make another successful defense of the title in February 2020 at The New Beginning in Osaka, defeating Minoru Suzuki. 

Moxley’s most recent US title defense came on the February 26, 2021 episode of NJPW Strong, where he defeated KENTA. 

Moxley’s promo challenging Nagata can be seen here and here.

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

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Recommended matches —

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

Report —

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

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

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

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

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

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

This was paint-by-numbers. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Naito closed the show with a promo. 

NJPW Summer Struggle night four results: Suzuki vs. Nagata

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Recommended matches —

  • Minoru Suzuki vs. Yuji Nagata

Report —

Korakuen Hall was the venue again today.

Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano defeated Satoshi Kojima, Ryusuke Taguchi, Gabriel Kidd & Yota Tsuji (9:59)

This was a fun little opener with a lot of comedy and some cool spots for the young guys. 

Ishii and Kidd began, trading strikes and shoulder tackles. Kidd hit a double shotgun dropkick on Ishii and Goto. Taguchi tagged in and did some comedy spots with Goto. Goto hit a wheel kick in the corner and Taguchi sold his butt. 

YH and Kojima got tags. Kojima hit machine gun chops and a top rope elbow. YH hit a headhunter and tagged Yano. Yano exposed a buckle but got sent into it himself. Kojima hit a cutter and tagged Tsuji. 

Ishii and Goto jumped in and teased stereo ushigoroshis on Kidd and Tsuji. Kidd and Tsuji slipped out and hit dropkicks in an awesome spot. Tsuji hit a senton and a spear for two near falls. 

The finish saw Yano shove the ref away, hit a low blow on Tsuji and schoolboy him for the pin. 

Shingo Takagi & SANADA defeated Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma (10:59)

This was a good brawl. Honma looked much better than usual. 

They fought on the outside early with Shingo using a choke around the post to get the advantage on Honma. SANADA and Shingo then worked Honma over with chops and chinlocks. Honma missed a kokeshi before hitting a suplex on Shingo and making a tag. 

Makabe hit ten punches in the corner and a northern lights suplex on Shingo for a near fall. Honma and SANADA got tags and Honma hit SANADA and Shingo with a double DDT for a near fall on SANADA. 

Makabe tried a double lariat on Shingo and SANADA but they blocked. Honma entered and Makabe and Honma double suplexed SANADA and Shingo. Honma hit a diving kokeshi on SANADA for a two count. 

Shingo and Makabe brawled to the floor. Honma missed a kokeshi off the second rope. Shingo missed a pumping bomber but hit a lariat. Shingo hit Honma with a brainbuster. SANADA hit a dropkick but Makabe broke up the pin. Shingo and Makabe brawled to the floor again. 

The finish saw SANADA go for Skull End. Honma turned it into a small package for a near fall. SANADA got Skull End applied on the second attempt and Honma tapped out. 

Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr., El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & DOUKI defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Master Wato & Yuya Uemura (14:12)

This was similar to the match they’ve done every night on this tour. It was built on Tanahashi selling most of the way. 

Suzuki-gun attacked before the opening bell and spent the first several minutes working over Tanahashi. Taichi used a neckbreaker and some eye gouging to maintain the advantage. Uemura jumped in with a dropkick to make the save and Tana and Taichi made tags. 

Sabre and Ibushi tagged in. Sabre tried to trade strikes with Ibushi but Ibushi hammered him with kicks and got the edge. Sabre locked on a triangle. Ibushi slid out and hit a high kick into a double down. 

Wato and Kanemaru got tags. Wato hit a hurricanrana on an interfering DOUKI. Wato hit an impressive tornillo onto DOUKI and Kanemaru. Wato hit a springboard uppercut for a near fall. 

Uemura and Desperado tagged in. Uemura, Tenzan and Ibushi went 3-on-1 against Desperado. Uemura hit a double underhook suplex for a near fall. Desperado hit a spinebuster and used a stretch muffler but Tana broke it up. 

Sabre hit Tana with a Zack Driver. Ibushi hit a double Pele kick on Taichi and Sabre and a dropkick to Desperado. Uemura hit a suplex on Desperado for a two count. 

The finish saw Desperado shove the ref. He then hit a straight right on Uemura and hit Pinche Loco for the pin. 

**********

They did an angle after the match where Sabre and Taichi talked trash to Ibushi while Tsuji held an ice pack on Tanahashi’s neck. Ibushi left on his own without tending to Tana as if Sabre and Taichi had convinced him that Tanahashi was holding him back. 

**********

There was a cleaning and disinfecting intermission.

**********

Kazuchika Okada & SHO defeated Yujiro Takahashi & Gedo (w/ Jado) (10:40)

This Yujiro/Gedo team is really awful. At least they kept this relatively short. Okada didn’t do much at all in this match.  

Okada avoided a double team and got some offense on Yujiro. Okada hit a slingshot senton for an early near fall before tagging out. Jado used a kendo stick shot from the floor on SHO. From there, Gedo used a hammer to attack SHO on the floor and Bullet Club gained control of the match. 

Yujiro raked Okada’s eyes and posted him on the floor. Gedo exposed a buckle and he and Yujiro took turns sending SHO into it. SHO finally came back with a vertical suplex and tagged Okada. 

Yujiro hit a hot shot and dropped Okada across the top rope. Yujiro hit a fisherman buster but Okada blocked a Miami Shine. Yujiro hit a lariat. SHO and Gedo got tags. SHO hit a series of kicks for a near fall. 

SHO went for a power breaker but Gedo blocked with a thumb to the eye. SHO hit a spear for a two count. SHO got a kimura at the 10 minute mark but Yujiro broke it up. 

The finish saw Jado climb onto the apron to take the ref. Gedo grabbed brass knuckles. Toru Yano ran in and hit a low blow on Gedo. SHO then hit a backstabber. SHO ducked a kendo stick shot from Jado and used a cross armbreaker on Gedo for the submission. 

EVIL & Taiji Ishimori (w/ “The Spoiler” Dick Togo) defeated Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI (9:54)

Naito got his hands on EVIL early. He took the fight to the floor and sent EVIL into the barricade. BUSHI hit a neckbreaker on EVIL for a two count. There were some clunky spots when BUSHI and EVIL were in together. 

Togo interfered liberally, tripping BUSHI from the floor. He sent BUSHI into the barricade and choked him on the floor. EVIL covered but Red Shoes refused to count the pin due to the interference. The pace slowed to a crawl as Ishimori and EVIL worked on BUSHI. 

Naito got a tag and hit EVIL with kicks. Naito hit a series of short elbow strikes. EVIL used a hair pull and hit a mid kick. Naito blocked a fisherman buster, hit an enzuigiri and used a crucifix hold but Ishimori broke it up. 

BUSHI got a tag and hit a missile dropkick on EVIL. He followed with a suicide dive to Ishimori. Naito tried to interfere but Togo pulled him to the floor and choked him. BUSHI tried a neckbreaker on EVIL but Ishimori intercepted him with a springboard seated senton. 

The finish saw EVIL hit a lariat for a near fall. He then put the scorpion deathlock on and BUSHI tapped out. 

Naito grabbed EVIL by the hair after the bell. Togo pulled Naito to the floor and hit some right hands. Bullet Club then celebrated in the ring. EVIL posed with both of his belts over a fallen Naito on the floor. 

Minoru Suzuki defeated Yuji Nagata (20:36)

This was not quite as good as their New Japan Cup match but this was another epic battle and a great main event. 

They opened with a striking battle in the ring. Nagata then barred Suzuki’s left arm. Suzuki escaped and used a kneebar in the ropes before pulling Nagata outside. Each sent the other into the barricade. Suzuki wrenched Nagata’s right leg over the barricade. 

Suzuki grabbed a chair but Red Shoes took it away. Suzuki continued attacking the right leg on the floor. They teased a countout but Nagata made it back in. Nagata caught a kick and hammered on Suzuki’s right leg with elbow strikes. 

Nagata hit some heavy kicks to the chest. He hit a running high kick in the corner but only got a one count off of it. They traded forearm strikes. Suzuki went for a rear naked choke but Nagata slid out and hit more forearms. 

They had a great striking exchange in the center of the ring. The crowd really got into this. Both teased going down from the hard shots but kept coming back for more. They both dropped to the mat at the same time. 

On their knees on the mat they traded headbutts like charging rams. They climbed to their feet and exchanged more headbutts. Suzuki went down first. All of these headbutts were safe. They traded more forearms. 

Suzuki tried a misdirection spot to set up a choke attempt. Nagata blocked and tried an exploder. Suzuki blocked the first attempt but Nagata got the exploder on his second try. Suzuki sold a mid kick to the gut bigger than I’ve ever seen Suzuki sell anything. 

Nagata tried another exploder but Suzuki blocked. Nagata hit a knee to the midsection and tried for a backdrop suplex but Suzuki blocked with a side headlock. Suzuki hit a series of headbutts to escape the suplex grip. 

They traded more forearm strikes. Suzuki put his hands behind his back and dared Nagata to hit him. They continued trading. They switched from forearm strikes to slaps. 

Nagata finally dropped after he couldn’t take anymore strikes. Suzuki hit the Gotch-style piledriver and covered for the pin. 

Suzuki taunted Nagata and the Korakuen crowd as he closed the show with a promo.

Suzuki vs. Nagata to headline NJPW Summer Struggle night four

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A rematch between Minoru Suzuki and Yuji Nagata will headline night four of NJPW’s Summer Struggle tour.

NJPW revealed the card for the show overnight. It will take place at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan this Friday (July 31) and will air live on New Japan World starting at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time.

Nagata knocked Suzuki out of this year’s New Japan Cup, defeating him in the first round of the tournament. They’ve continued to feud and have faced off in tag team matches since then.

Nights one and two of the Summer Struggle tour were also held at Korakuen Hall on Sunday and Monday. Night three is taking place in Hamamatsu this Wednesday, but that will be a non-televised event.

Here’s the full card for Summer Struggle night four:

  • Minoru Suzuki vs. Yuji Nagata
  • EVIL, Taiji Ishimori & Dick Togo vs. Tetsuya Naito, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI
  • Kazuchika Okada & SHO vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Gedo
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Master Wato & Yuya Uemura vs. Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr., El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & DOUKI
  • Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shingo Takagi & SANADA
  • Satoshi Kojima, Ryusuke Taguchi, Yota Tsuji & Gabriel Kidd vs. Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & YOSHI-HASHI

New Japan Cup night five results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Yuji Nagata

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Recommended matches —

  • Hiromu Takahashi vs. Toru Yano
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Yuji Nagata

Report —

Korakuen Hall was again the venue today. 

New Japan Cup second round match: Taiji Ishimori defeated Yoshinobu Kanemaru (9:18)

This had a creative start as Kanemaru attacked Ishimori on the stage during is entrance. Kanemaru proceeded to work over Ishimori’s left leg. 

Ishimori’s selling was great but there wasn’t much to the match otherwise. Kanemaru worked over the leg for five minutes. Ishimori hit a handspring kick and started his comeback. 

Ishimori missed a knee strike. They traded cradles. Ishimori went for the Bloody Cross but Kanemaru pulled the ref in his path. The ref took a bump. Kanemaru hit a low blow. Kanemaru tried to spit whiskey but Ishimori covered his mouth and made him swallow it. Ishimori covered for a two count. 

Kanemaru went for Deep Impact. Ishimori caught him coming off the ropes and teased Bloody Cross. Kanemaru blocked and used a cradle for a near fall. 

The finish saw Ishimori try for a Yes Lock. Kanemaru blocked. Ishimori hit a lungblower for a near fall, then hit Bloody Cross for the pin. 

New Japan Cup second round match: Tomohiro Ishii defeated Togi Makabe (13:28)

It’s clobbering time. 

The bar for stiff brawls between veterans has been set very high in this tournament. This was good but I honestly expected more. 

They traded power moves right away as both men went for tackles and lariats. Ishii got the upper hand and hit some hard chops in the corner. Makabe came back with a powerslam and a northern lights suplex for a near fall. 

Ishii hit a German on Makabe into the turnbuckle. Makabe sold this as if he had been shot by a sniper rifle. Ishii dropped some knees on the neck area as he went to work.

Makabe came back with a lariat, dropping Ishii. They traded simultaneous lariats before Makabe dropped Ishii with a lariat. Makabe hit a spider German but Ishii no-sold it and hit a lariat with Makabe perched on the buckle. 

Ishii hit a delayed superplex. Makabe no-sold it. Ishii hit a lariat for a two count. Makabe hit a German with a bridge for a two count. 

Makabe went up top for the King Kong Knee Drop but missed with it. Ishii hit a headbutt and a lariat. Ishii hit another headbutt. Makabe fired up and hit a series of chops and forearms to the side of Ishii’s neck. Ishii cut him off with a lariat. 

Ishii then hit the Vertical Drop Brainbuster for the pin.  

Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi & Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr. & DOUKI (13:55)

Ibushi charged the ring as if he had been shot out of a cannon and beat up Suzuki-gun one-on-three before the opening bell. 

Sabre and Taichi recovered and cut Tanahashi off in the ring. Taichi held Tanahashi while Sabre hit a dragon screw. Taichi then brawled around the arena with Ibushi, choking him with a cable. 

Back inside, Sabre and DOUKI worked over Tanahashi’s left leg. This continued forever. I genuinely believe that Taguchi may have been sleeping on the floor during the match. Sabre worked for a cobra twist. Tana slid out and hit an inverted dragon screw. 

Ibushi and Taichi got tags. They traded a series of kicks. Taichi hit a mid kick. He tried a last ride but Ibushi blocked and hit a high kick into a double down. 

Taguchi tagged in and Taichi tagged him with a kick on the belt line before tagging DOUKI. DOUKI hit Taguchi with a lariat for a two count. DOUKI hit Suplex de la Luna. Ibushi jumped in and broke up the pin. Ibushi and Taichi brawled to the floor. 

Taguchi used two different cradles for near falls. DOUKI blocked a hip attack. Tana jumped in and hit DOUKI with a slingblade. 

The finishing sequence saw Taguchi hit a Bomaye for a near fall. Taichi and Sabre jumped in. Ibushi and Tana took them out to the floor. DOUKI used a cradle for a near fall. Taguchi then hit an enzuigiri and used Dodon for the pin. 

**********

Sabre and Taichi attacked Tanahashi and Ibushi after the match. They teased hitting a belt shot but Taguchi jumped in and grabbed the belts. Tana and Ibushi recovered and Taichi and Sabre bailed. 

**********

Another Way to the Grandmaster video played before intermission. 

**********

New Japan Cup second round match: Hiromu Takahashi defeated Toru Yano by countout (9:17)

This was one of the best comedy matches you’ll ever see. 

Hiromu entered wearing a construction helmet and started the match still wearing it. The referee took hand sanitizer away from Yano before the match. 

The match began and Yano immediately produced hair clippers. Hiromu rolled outside and crawled under the ring. Yano went out after him. Hiromu appeared on the other side of the ring and grabbed the clippers. 

Hiromu threatened to use the clippers but the battery was dead. Yano then produced a second set of clippers and threatened Hiromu’s hair with them. Hiromu ran wild with a shotgun dropkick. He sent Yano into the barricade. 

Yano reversed another whip into the barricade. They brawled around the arena. Yano produced a pair of scissors and again threatened to cut Hiromu’s hair. 

They fought their way back to the ring. Yano exposed a turnbuckle. Hiromu avoided the exposed buckle and hit a superkick. Hiromu went for a sunset bomb off the apron but Yano blocked. Yano produced another set of scissors. 

Yano taped Hiromu to Yota Tsuji. Yano used the scissors to cut off a chunk of Hiromu’s hair. 

They fought backstage. Hiromu used the tape to blindfold Yano and pushed him into an elevator. Hiromu sent the elevator to the ground floor. 

Still taped to Tsuji, Hiromu hopped back to the ring. He beat the count back in at 19 and advanced. 

Hiromu and Tsuji hobbled to the back together after the match, still taped together. 

New Japan Cup second round match: Kazuchika Okada defeated Yuji Nagata (20:15)

The story early on was that Okada may have been too confident going into the match and Nagata was going to make him fight for everything he got. 

Nagata opened with a headlock takeover. Okada ran into a high kick. They brawled outside where Okada sent Nagata into the barricade. 

Back inside, Nagata ducked a back elbow and hit an exploder. Okada came back with a back elbow. Nagata blocked a tombstone attempt and hit an overhead belly-to-belly at the ten minute mark.  

Okada’s facial expressions were awesome in this stretch of the match, as though he was realizing that he might actually lose. 

They traded strikes as the intensity was kicked up a notch. Okada hit a shotgun dropkick and an air raid crash for a two count. Okada teased a top rope elbow but Nagata cut him off and hit an exploder off the turnbuckles for a two count. 

Okada hit a dropkick to the back, then a second dropkick. Okada went for his Deep In Debt head and arm choke but Nagata reversed into a Nagata Lock crossface. Okada forced a break. 

Nagata fought for an exploder. Okada blocked and applied a cobra clutch. They did a long submission tease but Nagata broke the hold with an exploder. Okada missed a dropkick. Okada caught a PK. 

They traded strikes and slaps. Nagata ducked a spinning Rainmaker and hit a backdrop suplex for a near fall. Nagata fought for a suplex. Okada grabbed the top rope. Nagata hit a grazing enzuigiri. 

Okada then rolled off the ropes into the head and arm choke. Nagata’s facial expressions while in the choke were incredible. 

Nagata fought the choke for a long time but eventually tapped. 

Okada closed the show with his post-match press conference in the ring. 

New Japan Cup night two results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Gedo

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Recommended matches —

  • Yuya Uemura vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Minoru Suzuki vs. Yuji Nagata

Report —

New Japan Cup first round match: Taiji Ishimori defeated Gabriel Kidd (8:54)

There was not a lot wrong with the work in this match but it would have benefited greatly from having a crowd. 

Kidd grabbed an armbar. Ishimori briefly escaped but Kidd got back to the armbar and got a quick one count. Kidd hit a shoulder tackle. He tried for a crab but Ishimori forced a rope break before the hold could be applied. 

Ishimori tripped Kidd near the ropes and tossed him outside. Ishimori whipped Kidd into the barricade, then rolled him back inside for a near fall. Ishimori hit some knee strikes and raked Kidd’s back. 

Ishimori hit double knees in the corner. He teased an attack off the second rope but Kidd intercepted him with a dropkick. Kidd fought for and finally landed a vertical suplex for a near fall. 

Ishimori cut Kidd off. He teased a sliding German but opted for a springboard attack instead. Kidd was supposed to catch him off the ropes and apply a crab but the timing was messed up. Kidd got the crab but Ishimori forced a rope break. 

The finishing sequence saw Ishimori hit a back elbow and a back handspring kick for a near fall. He then applied the Yes Lock and Kidd tapped. 

New Japan Cup first round match: Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated Yuya Uemura (9:34)

These two had a good match. They had a hot start and a great series of near falls at the end. 

Uemura is gigantic. 

They came up with a creative start as Uemura attacked Kanemaru before the opening bell. Uemura hit a slam and a dropkick. Kanemaru rolled outside. Uemura avoided a whip into the barricade and hit some strikes. 

Back inside, Uemura used a side headlock. Kanemaru broke free and took the fight back to the floor. This time he was able to send Uemura into the barricade. Kanemaru then hit a leg slice over the edge of the barricade. 

In the ring, Kanemaru used a headscissors on the mat. Kanemaru hit some short kicks to taunt Uemura. Uemura fired up and hit a vertical suplex, a dropkick and a springboard crossbody for a near fall. 

Uemura hit his trademark double underhook belly-to-belly but Kanemaru kicked out at two. Uemura charged but Kanemaru pulled the referee in his path. Kanemaru hit a kick and grabbed his whiskey bottle. The ref pulled the bottle away and Uemura rolled Kanemaru up for a near fall. 

Uemura used three quick cradles for near falls. Kanemaru then cut him off with a dropkick and hit an inverted DDT for a near fall. 

Kanemaru then climbed to the second rope and hit Deep Impact for the pin. 

Kanemaru poured whiskey on Uemura after the bell. 

Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, SHO & YOH defeated Shingo Takagi, EVIL, SANADA & BUSHI (12:15)

The CHAOS team went four-on-one against BUSHI at the outset. Goto hip tossed YH on top of BUSHI for a near fall. LIJ then used a four-on-one to cut YH off. They focused on YH’s left arm in working him over. EVIL hit a senton for a two count. 

SANADA used a cobra twist. Shingo tagged in and took a shot at his first round opponent SHO on the apron. Shingo hit a knee drop on YH. YH fired up and tagged SHO who had a nice power exchange with Shingo. SHO powered Shingo up with a suplex for a near fall. 

SHO and Shingo exchanged strikes and lariats. Shingo ducked a lariat and hit a German. SHO no-sold it and hit a lariat into a double down. 

YOH and BUSHI tagged back in. YOH hit a nice hip toss, a dropkick and kipped up. YOH hit a head and arm suplex into a bridge for a two count as the other six competitors brawled around ringside. 

BUSHI hit a jaw breaker and a rewind kick. YOH tried a Pele kick but their timing was off and it looked bad. Goto tagged in and fell victim to a four-on-one. BUSHI hit a back stabber for a near fall and a swinging DDT for another two count. 

BUSHI called for the MX. Goto ducked and the move missed. Everyone jumped in for a big move. YH hit EVIL with a lariat and fought off a Magic Killer. SHO suplexed Shingo. 

The finish saw Goto hit BUSHI with an ushigoroshi and a GTR for the pin. 

**********

A Way to The Grandmaster hype video played before intermission. 

**********

New Japan Cup first round match: Yuji Nagata defeated Minoru Suzuki (20:36)

This won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but these guys presented a master class on getting a lot out of a little, playing to your strengths, selling and intensity. Happy Birthday to the king, as Suzuki turned 52 today.

Suzuki hit a big boot at the opening bell. Both men then fired off a series of strikes. Suzuki laughed as Nagata gave him his neck and invited some forearm shots. They traded forearm strikes to the side of the neck. Both saw their necks turn red from the force of the strikes. 

After trading forearms, they moved on to trading slaps to the face and neck. Suzuki teased going down after several unanswered slaps but stayed up. The first five minutes of the match consisted entirely of strikes back and forth. 

Nagata hit a big boot. He went for a second boot but Suzuki grabbed a kneebar. Nagata forced a rope break. They rolled outside where Suzuki sent Nagata into the barricade. Suzuki hit Nagata with a bucket and a water bottle. 

Suzuki grabbed a chair. The referee tried to grab the chair. Suzuki shoved the ref to the ground and he took a bump. Suzuki then retrieved a second chair and used it on Nagata’s right arm. Suzuki wrenched Nagata’s left arm in the barricade. 

They teased a countout but Nagata made it back in at 19. They traded strikes again in the corner. Suzuki dropped Nagata with a slap. Suzuki tried for a figure four around the post but the ref broke it up. 

Suzuki hit a series of palm strikes to the chest in the corner. Nagata tried to fire up but couldn’t. Suzuki hit a kick in the corner. He went for a PK but Nagata caught the kick. Nagata then hit a series of kicks to a seated Suzuki. 

Nagata hit a big boot in the corner. He tried for a suplex but Suzuki caught him in a guillotine. Nagata powered out of the hold and wrenched Suzuki’s right arm. Nagata then hit a series of kicks to the right arm. 

Nagata continued working the right arm. Suzuki sold as though his elbow was dislocated. Nagata tried to wrench the arm again but Suzuki blocked and applied a rear naked choke. Nagata teased passing out. Suzuki gave up the hold and made a cover but Nagata kicked out. 

Suzuki used a sleeper. He transitioned for a Gotch-style piledriver attempt. Nagata blocked the piledriver. Suzuki hit a knee strike. He tried for the piledriver again but Nagata powered out. 

They traded forearm strikes. Nagata was bleeding from the mouth. They traded hard slaps to the face. Suzuki hit a headbutt and Nagata dropped to a knee. Suzuki hit two more headbutts and both men went down. The last headbutt was borderline unsafe. They traded more strikes. 

Nagata hit an exploder out of nowhere. Suzuki used misdirection to try to set up a rear naked choke but Nagata blocked and hit a high angle suplex hold and pinned Suzuki for the upset. 

New Japan Cup first round match: Kazuchika Okada defeated Gedo (15:31)

They used every trick in the book to make this a passable manager vs. wrestler battle. 

Gedo entered with his right arm in a sling. He cut a promo. Okada entered. Okada demanded that Gedo remove the sling before the match started. Gedo pulled a spray bottle out of the sling and tried to spray something in Okada’s eyes but Okada blocked. 

The bell rang and Gedo laid down, inviting Okada to pin him. Gedo tried to pull brass knuckles out of his jacket but Okada blocked and took them away. While the referee disposed of the knuckles, Gedo pulled a wrench out of his pants and used it on Okada’s abdomen. 

Gedo again used the wrench on the floor. Gedo grabbed a table and hit Okada with it. Okada beat the count back inside but Gedo sent him back to the floor. Gedo used a chair on Okada at the five-minute mark. 

Back inside, Gedo hit a series of kicks and punches. Okada blocked a kick and hit a big boot. Okada hit a running back elbow in the center and another in the corner. Okada hit a DDT for a two count, still selling his abdomen. 

Okada hit a scoop slam. He teased a top rope elbow but Gedo rolled out of the ring. Gedo used a hammer to attack the abdomen and tossed Okada back inside. 

Okada reversed a whip and missed a dropkick attempt. Gedo covered for a two count. Gedo used a bow and arrow but Okada reached the ropes for a break. Gedo blocked a flapjack but Okada countered with an air raid crash. 

Okada went for a tombstone but Gedo fought it off by holding on to the referee. Gedo threw Okada into the ref and hit a low blow. 

Gedo retrieved another set of brass knuckles that had been taped to the post. Gedo used the brass knuckles and revived the referee. Gedo used the Gedo Clutch but Okada kicked out at two. 

Jado made his way to ringside. Gedo tried a Blade Runner but Okada blocked. Okada again tried for the dropkick but Gedo avoided it. 

Jado took the ref. Gedo tried another brass knuckles shot but Okada ducked and hit a dropkick. Okada hit a second dropkick at 15 minutes, sending Jado crashing to the floor. 

Okada hit a tombstone and used the Deep In Debt for the submission victory. 

Yuji Nagata announced for ROH Pure title tournament

Posted on by Joseph Currier

An NJPW legend is the latest addition to ROH’s Pure title tournament.

ROH announced today that former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yuji Nagata will take part in the Pure title tournament. He’s the 10th entrant confirmed for it, joining Doug Williams, Jonathan Gresham, Alex Shelley, Rocky Romero, Mark Haskins, Slex, Tracy Williams, Marty Scurll, and Fred Yehi.

The Pure title tournament will feature 16 entrants in total. It will begin with first round matches taking place at Pure Excellence night one in Columbus, Ohio on Friday, April 10 and Pure Excellence night two in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Saturday, April 11.

The quarterfinals for the tournament will be held at ROH Battlestarr 2020 in New York City on Thursday, April 23.

ROH announced at the end of January that — after having been out of use since 2006 — the Pure title is returning. Pure title matches featured rules where “closed-fist punches were illegal, and each competitor was allowed three rope breaks to stop submission holds and pinfalls during the match; after that, pinfalls and submission holds on or under the ropes would be legal.”

Daily Update: WWE Backstage, NJPW re-signings, WWE notes

Posted on by F4W Staff

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

F4W NEWSLETTER: Recapping WWE TLC 2019 Joseph Currier gives his thoughts on WWE’s final PPV of the decade.

WWE’s final pay-per-view of the decade took place on Sunday night and exemplified some of the changes we’ve seen over the past 10 years.

TLC 2019 was very much a B-level PPV in the WWE Network era. Not only were the top men’s and women’s singles titles from each brand not defended, there were no singles titles on the line at all. Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens and AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton seemed like they were being built up as non-title matches that would help anchor the card, but they didn’t end up getting added. The show even ended with an angle instead of a match. After Asuka & Kairi Sane’s tables, ladders, and chairs match against Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair, a locker room brawl that featured Roman Reigns and Baron Corbin continued. The image that closed the show was Reigns spearing Corbin from an elevated area onto a pile of bodies. It felt like the ending of an episode of Raw or SmackDown instead of a major event.

Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

WON NEWSLETTER: December 23, 2019 Observer Newsletter: TLC and Final Battle reviews, more

We’ve got complete coverage of the last series of major shows held around the world in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer, as well as bios on a number of wrestlers who have passed away in recent weeks.The new issue also covers:

TLC, focusing on the behind-the-scenes of the Kairi Sane situation, who knew,when did they know, the channels where the ball was dropped and what can and needs to be learned from it. We note the business of the event, the U.S. popularity levels, plus have match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

Exactly how AEW was formed, including what match made Tony Khan feel opposition was viable and what conversation with what major person in television made it happen, as well as who was contacted first to be part of it. We also have the story from the market rep who got Bullet Club shirts into Hot Topic.

DVR numbers for pro wrestling shows right now as well as how meaningful they are and what it says about audiences. We also look at how and why the dynamic of how people watch wrestling on Wednesdays has changed over the past several weeks.  We also look at wrestling viewership in Canada.

Big names who have signed new WWE deals and a major name who has not, a WWE overseas TV deal, how many people buy WWE video games, pro wrestling offers to Daniel Cormier, Cain Velasquez’s next WWE show, the story behind Chelsea Green and Deonna Purrazzo on Raw and what it means short and long-term, a reboot of a WWE tag team, new feuds being started in WWE, most-watched shows on the WWE Network, WWE stock value and a look at all the WWE & NXT shows held over the past week with business notes and highlights.

UFC 245, with business notes, notes about the fighters who elevated their games, the title picture, plus match-by-match coverage.

ROH as it goes into 2020, who is going, who is staying, what is unknown, what kind of deals are being offered plus Final Battle coverage, with business notes, poll results, match-by-match coverage and star ratings.

AAA Guerra de Titanes, the creation of the new top stable, the debut of Sin Cara, thoughts and problems with the new name he’s using and more.

A bio on Randy Colley, best known as Moondog Rex, including his legal issues with WWE, what happened with the fans that ruined what would have been his biggest career break, other gimmicks he had, the birth of the Moondog gimmick and his biggest matches.

NWA, its YouTube numbers, its television tapings direction for the next several weeks, its net PPV show, as well as coverage of its Into the Fire show with poll results.

2019 cable numbers for the stations that carry pro wrestling and MMA and what they mean.

Notes on the career of Alberto Munoz, who was supposed to become a legend, and what happened in 1973 that ended that dream.

Dragon Gate’s Final Gate show with coverage of the event.

A personal look at how a law that was poorly thought out will affect reporters and web sites that use people from California and how adhering to it will make it nearly impossible for anyone in the state to start out in the field, and for the vast majority who work for publications outside the state, to likely lose their jobs.

The life of Scottish Hall of Famer Andy Robin, and his protege, Hercules the Bear.

Regarding the Wednesday numbers, we’ve got full details, demos that each side won, how every segment did and what match ended up as the difference maker. 

Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.

In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.

Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week. 

Current subscribers click here to read.

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

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

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

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

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

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

by Joseph Currier and Bryan Rose

WWE

  • Tonight’s WWE Backstage will feature the announcement of WWE’s year-end awards. Paul Walter Hauser, who starred in the movie “Richard Jewell,” will appear on tonight’s Promo School segment.
  • WWE Network News reported that Paige is hosting a WWE Top 10 Matches of 2019 special that’s airing on the WWE Network next Monday.
  • Kofi Kingston spoke about Big E during an interview with CBS Sports’ State of Combat podcast: “We’ll see, we’ll see what happens as time goes on but, yeah, E is definitely a guy that is more than capable of being the face of the company and lead. Myself and Woods will be right there beside him, supporting him the whole time and holding him up. That has always been the philosophy of our group — always to push our brothers to the top. We’ll see what happens, we never know. When it happened to me, it wasn’t supposed to. Who knows? We’ll see.”
  • PWInsider reported that Alexa Bliss will be recording a pilot episode of a planned new podcast for the WWE Podcast Network in the next few weeks.
  • WWE’s PC YouTube page has a backstage video of Angel Garza’s title win and proposal.
  • There is also a video on the Performance Center YouTube featuring Rhea Ripley and her title win from last week.
  • The two enhancement talents that lost to Aleister Black and Buddy Murphy last night were Deonn Rusman and Joeasa, respectively. Both are graduates of Seth Rollins’ Black & Brave Wrestling Academy.
  • WWE continued to hype Liv Morgan’s return with a new video airing on Raw last night
  • Triple H and Shawn Michaels will appear on Thursday’s episode of Corey Graves’ After the Bell podcast.
  • WWE uploaded a Christmas chaos edition of WWE Playlist.

Pro Wrestling

MMA

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Minoru Tanaka wins IWGP Junior Heavyweight title

CONTACT INFORMATION

NJPW Road to Destruction results: Blue Justice IX

Posted on by Bryan Rose

NJPW was in Chiba this morning for the latest Road to Destruction event. The theme of the show was Yuji Nagata’s ninth annual Blue Justice event, celebrating 35 years of Nagata as a wrestler. The show was headlined by Nagata, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Manabu Nakanishi and Jushin Thunder Liger teaming up to take on the Bullet Club team of the Guerrillas of Destiny, Yujiro Takahashi, Bad Luck Fale and Jado.

Young Lion Cup: Yota Tsuji defeated Yuya Uemura

They start things off with some basic chain wrestling. Tsuji wraps Uemura’s head in a headscissors, but Uemura counters, eventually transitioning into a headlock. Tsuji took Uemura to the corner and slapped the hell out of his chest, but Uemura returned in kind. 

Uemura went for a charge in the corner but Tsuji took him down, bodyslammed him and went for the Boston crab but Uemura grabbed the ropes. He cut off Tsuji with a dropkick and applies a Boston crab, but Tsuji reaches the ropes as well.

The two trade forearms until Uemura unleashes a big chop. He hits the ropes, but Tsuji takes him down with a spear. He went for another Boston crab, and when Uemura tried to get to the ropes again Tsuji responded by grabbing him and whirling him around in a giant swing. That woke the crowd (and the announcers) up. 

Tsuji got Uemura back in the middle of the ring then submitted him. Good basic match with a great ending.

Young Lion Cup: Shota Umino defeated Ren Narita

Umino starts things off early in control, taking Narita to the corner and stomping on him. Umino applies a Boston crab but Narita makes it to the ropes. Narita tries to mount some offense, but Umino no sells, only for Narita to hit a back body drop as Umino hit the ropes.

Narita hit a vertical suplex then hit a wonderful-looking belly-to-belly for a two count. He tried for another, but Umino blocked it. Umino cut him off with a forearm but Narita immediately replied with a belly to belly that took Umino down again.

Narita went for a submission maneuver and rolled around but Umino hooked his leg and got a nearfall. Umino hit a dropkick and tried for a fisherman’s suplex but Narita countered into a small package. 

Umino hit a spinebuster then connected with a big shotgun dropkick off the top rope and pinned Narita with a German suplex. Better than the opener, a really good match. Umino’s probably been ready for an excursion for a while.

YOUNG LION CUP STANDINGS —

  • Alex Coughlin: 4
  • Ren Narita: 2
  • Karl Fredericks: 2
  • Clark Connors: 2
  • Michael Richards: 2
  • Shota Umino: 2
  • Yota Tsuji: 2
  • Yuya Uemura: 0

Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HSAHI, Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma defeated Alex Coughlin, Karl Fredericks, Clark Connors and Michael Richards

At one point Coughlin attacked Ishii as he was on the apron. That was a mistake, as he tagged himself in and worked over Coughlin with chops. Everyone got to work on Coughlin. He finally took down Honma with a chop and tagged in Fredericks, who hit a big dropkick.

Honma hit the kokeshi on Fredericks and tagged in YOSHI-HASHI. Fredericks hit another dropkick and tagged in Richards. The Young Lions beat up YOSHI-HASHI as Richards hit a suplex on YOSHI-HASHI. YH eventually took down Richards and submitted him with the butterfly lock. This was a fine match, nothing beyond that.

Chase Owens, El Phantasmo and Taiji Ishimori defeated Will Ospreay, Robbie Eagles and Toa Henare

Ospreay and Eagles started off hot, taking out Ishimori and Phantasmo with stereo planchas. Heels got the heat on Loa as Phantasmo and Owens beat up Ospreay and Eagles on the outside. 

Ospreay and Eagles came back and got heat on Phantasmo, but Phantasmo grabbed Eagles and hit a neckbreaker, allowing Owens. He and Henare went at it. Henare missed something off the top rope and Owens countered with a package for a two count. Owens cut off Henare with a knee then pinned him with a package piledriver for the win.

This was a good highlight reel for Eagles and Ospreay as a team — their chemistry immediately stood out and that helped the match.

Hiroshi Tanahashi, Ryusuke Taguchi, SHO and YOH defeated Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr., DOUKI and Yoshinobu Kanemaru

In somewhat of a surprise, the babyfaces started off attacking Suzuki-gun. It’s usually vice versa. They all attacked Kanemaru. Eventually Suzuki-gun came back in and attacked everyone, taking them into the crowd.

Suzuki and Sabre picked apart YOH as DOUKI distracted the referee. He comes alive and takes out DOUKI so he can tag in Tanahashi, who runs wild. SHO tags in and goes after Sabre, hitting a spear. It breaks down, with Sabre and Suzuki working over SHO. 

SHO grabbed Sabre as he went for a PK but and countered with a German suplex. Sabre grabbed SHO as he was lifting Sabre up and took him to the floor, applying his submission finish and getting the win. Fine stuff.

SANADA, Shingo Takagi and BUSHI defeated Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto and Rocky Romero

Okada and SANADA, the participants for the next IWGP Heavyweight title match, wrestled for a few minutes before tagging out. Everyone went outside to brawl. 

A solid match, with everyone working with their rival. Okada and SANADA worked each other again, with Okada getting the better of things and tagging in Romero. He hit the running elbows in the corner and rolled up SANADA for a nearfall. He went for the sliced bread but SANADA and the rest of LIJ took him out.

SANADA went for the cold skull but Hirooki Goto got involved. Tagaki broke things up as Okada whipped SANADA and went for a dropkick but was taken out by a suicide dive by BUSHI. SANADA grabbed Romero from behind and locked in the cold skull for the submission.

Naito and White started things off, but EVIL was quickly tagged in, taking control over White early. Gedo ended up with control over EVIL and choked him on the outside, then brought him in the ring. White tagged back in and worked on EVIL for a bit before he tagged in Naito.

Naito was worked over a bit before EVIL and Gedo were back in the ring. Gedo superkicked EVIL for a nearfall. White handed Gedo something in the ring as he entered with a steel chair. Naito came in and handled things, dispatching White as EVIL took down Gedo and submitted him with a sharpshooter. Decent, mostly just build for the upcoming Intercontinental title match.

Yuji Nagata, Jushin Thunder Liger, Satoshi Kojima, Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Manabu Nakanishi defeated The Guerrillas of Destiny, Jado, Yujiro Takahashi and Bad Luck Fale

Jado cut a promo before the match saying he wanted to wrestle fairly. There was a clean break. Jado then went for the handshake. They stalled a while teasing a handshake until there was finally a handshake. There was even a hug! Of course, like every New Japan babyface ever, he fell for it as the Bullet Club attacked from behind and everyone brawled on the outside. Jado even cut a promo calling them morons. That was deserved.

Everyone worked on Liger until Kojima was tagged in, and he too was worked over by the Guerrillas of Destiny. Fale worked over Kojima a bit until Nakanishi was tagged in, and they had a big guy battle, with Nakanishi taking down Fale with a spear. He put Fale in the torture rack, but it was immediately broken up.

Nagata got the tag and helped Nakanishi attack Fale. Nagata was getting the better of him, but a kendo stick shot by Jado gave the heels an opening. Tenzan took away the kendo as the rest of his team beat up Jado, including a shotei by Liger. Nagata went for a side suplex, but Tama Tonga broke it up.

Nagata took down Jado with a crossface and ended up submitting him for the win. This was fine, but nothing to write home about. It was a nice match for the third generation New Japan group, who aren’t on as many tours as they used to be.

Nagata closed the show by thanking the crowd for coming. He says this was the ninth time he and his company promoted the event and he hopes to do it in his hometown of Chiba next year for a tenth.

Jay White vs. Tetsuya Naito set for NJPW Destruction in Kobe

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A new match has been announced for Destruction in Kobe.

Jay White will challenge Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Intercontinental title on September 22. The two clashed in the B Block finals earlier this month, with White getting the win.

The main events for the other two Destruction shows, which take place in Beppu on September 15 and Kagoshima on September 16, have yet to be announced.

Along with the Intercontinental title match, the Young Lions Cup tournament was announced for the Destruction tour, pitting LA Dojo trainees against the Japanese dojo. The tour will run through the Kobe show, where the winner will be announced.

Additionally, a ten man tag team match will take place on September 8 to celebrate Yuji Nagata’s 35th year of being a wrestler, both amateur and professional. He will team with Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Manabu Nakanishi and Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Jado, Yujiro Takahashi, Tanga Loa, Tama Tonga and Bad Luck Fale.