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Post by DTP. on Dec 22, 2015 4:14:14 GMT -5
Founded in 1972, New Japan Pro Wrestling is the leader of professional wrestling in the great country of Japan. Founded by WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki after he broke away from the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance, New Japan over time has cemented its place almost as "the WWE of Japan" when it comes to popularity within the country. Over the years they have had working relationships with the WWE, World Championship Wrestling, Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling, Pride Fighting Championships - and currently in collaboration with Global Force Wrestling, Ring of Honor, DDT Pro-Wrestling, the National Wrestling Alliance, Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre and sister company, Pro Wrestling NOAH.
Displaying an adapted style to that of its western counterparts, New Japan combines the art of professional wrestling and combines it with that of mixed martial arts - delivering in a concentrated, sport-like display of realism, entitled Strong Style. The hard-hitting chops, the submission wrenches, the display of Fighting Spirit entices the action, with each competitor in the squared circle vying to win wherever they possibly can.
With a reliance on sport, the action always tells a narrative not associated with the melodramatic storylines that the United States brand of pro wrestling has maintained in the 21st Century. Where there is a good vs bad approach universally known, the case is not always the same for New Japan: much like in the NFL and the NBA, every wrestler has their supporters - their fans loyally cheering them on as they strive for glory: that glory being to become the best, be it to show superiority against a foe, to win a championship, a tournament, or to develop a legacy within the organization for years to come.
The International Wrestling Grand Prix governs all championship belts in New Japan. Currently, there are six of the type. The IWGP Heavyweight Championship, the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, the IWGP Tag Team Championship, the NEVER Openweight Championship, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, and the IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship. They are high in prestige, and only the best can succeed in holding them - hoping to keep tight hold of the titles for as long as they can.
Tournaments come important, granting huge opportunities within the promotion, those such as the G1 Climax, the New Japan Cup, the World Tag League, and the Best of the Super Juniors.
Over the past couple of years, New Japan has experienced a new boom, and have been working to increase their visibility throughout the world of professional wrestling. In building working agreements with various promotions; in 2013 they began broadcasting pay-per-view live via Internet streaming; only to cease this in time for December 1, 2014 when they launched the New Japan World - much like the WWE Network, an on-demand source for all New Japan events throughout the calendar year.
As they head into 2015, New Japan attempts to continue their expansion into the new year. Their recent relationship with Global Force Wrestling allows Wrestle Kingdom 9 - their version of WrestleMania - to be seen across the world via pay-per-view in the United States and Canada; as well as via the Internet across the globe through Flipps and New Japan World. And what a year it is going to be.
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Post by DTP. on Dec 22, 2015 4:14:49 GMT -5
[Updated: July 24, 2015] The New Japan locker room is host to the most premier talent in the world brought together to compete under one roof. It must be noted that there is a divide between the Heavyweight ranks and the Junior Heavyweight ranks, with each class only being eligible to compete for their own weight class's championships. Heavyweights may only challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, IWGP Intercontinental Championship and the IWGP Tag Team Championship. Similarly, the Junior Heavyweight ranks may only challenge for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. There is one championship that both weight classes can contend for, the NEVER Openweight Championship. Dependent on the weight class allowed, wrestlers may also challenge for outside championships of partner promotions, as part of a working agreement. A junior heavyweight can graduate to being a heavyweight upon surpassing the weight class limit (210lbs).
The roster is often categorized in alignment of faction relationships, without reliance on the audience's perception to their performances at live events. Wrestlers are grouped together in a faction, and may team up together in tag team matches from time to time. Sometimes, the weight class divide is evident, however this is not always the case, allowing for mixed weight class competition.
New Japan talent are oftentimes signed to one year contracts that come up at the end of January and may be renewed, or terminated upon request. Negotiations with other promotions is considered forbidden by management, but has happened before. Other talent may be brought into the promotion as a freelancer under a per-date deal.
Tournaments work similarly. Heavyweights are eligible to compete in the New Japan Cup (held annually in March) and World Tag League (held annually in December), whereas Junior Heavyweights may compete in Best of the Super Juniors (held across May and June) and the Super Junior Tag Team (held in October and November) tournaments. Formerly, the G1 Climax (held across July and August) was a heavyweight exclusive tournament, however junior heavyweights may qualify if management recognizes their hard work.
New Japan Pro Wrestling not only has the use of the roster listed below, but has a large array of working relationships with outside organizations, and talent exchanges may take place, permitting talent from New Japan Pro Wrestling to go to work for a partner company, and allowing outside wrestlers to work in New Japan. New Japan Pro Wrestling currently has working agreements with Pro Wrestling NOAH (Japan), Ring of Honor (USA), Global Force Wrestling (USA), Dramatic Dream Team (Japan), Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (Mexico), National Wrestling Alliance (USA), Revolution Pro Wrestling (England), and Westside Xtreme Wrestling (Germany).
Beneath the main roster comes the Young Lion system. A wrestler with less experience than many, or no experience whatsoever may be invited to reside in the New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo, where he will live, train and follow household chores made to learn independence. They will set up and take down the ring and stage equipment at shows, and are present as assistants to supervise matches throughout full cards, in order to gain discipline and pay their dues. They will compete against each other or more experienced wrestlers of the roster to gain live show experience, and may go on a learning excursion (after working to and succeeding a certain degree of quality), venturing to a partner promotion to further hone their crafts. In the event that this excursion is completed, and they choose to return, they should be experienced enough to qualify as a main roster wrestler.
HEAVYWEIGHT SINGLES DIVISION A.J. Styles - Bad Luck Fale - Captain New Japan - Daisuke Sekimoto Doc Gallows - Hirooki Goto - Hiroshi Tanahashi - Hiroyoshi Tenzan Karl Anderson - Katsuyori Shibata - Kazuchika Okada - Kazushi Sakuraba Kota Ibushi - Manabu Nakanishi - Michael Elgin - Roderick Strong Rush - Satoshi Kojima - Shinsuke Nakamura - Tama Tonga Tetsuya Naito - Togi Makabe - Tomoaki Honma - Tomohiro Ishii Toru Yano - YOSHI-HASHI - Yoshi-Tatsu - Yuji Nagata Yujiro Takahashi HEAVYWEIGHT TAG TEAM DIVISION BULLET CLUB - A.J. Styles & Yujiro Takahashi BULLET CLUB - Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga CHAOS - Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI CHAOS - Kazushi Sakuraba & Toru Yano CHAOS - Tomohiro Ishii & Shinsuke Nakamura Gallows and Gun - Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson Great Bash Heel - Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma The Kingdom - Matt Taven & Michael Bennett Meiyu Tag - Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata Nagata and Nakanishi - Manabu Nakanishi & Yuji Nagata TenCozy - Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima The World - Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yoshi-Tatsu
JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT SINGLES DIVISION Alex Shelley - Bárbaro Cavernario - Barreta - Bobby Fish
BUSHI - Chase Owens - Dragon Lee - Gedo Jushin Thunder Liger - Kamaitachi - Kenny Omega - Kyle O'Reilly KUSHIDA - Máscara Dorada - Matt Jackson - Matt Sydal Nick Jackson - Rocky Romero - Ryusuke Taguchi - Steve Anthony Tiger Mask
JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT TAG TEAM DIVISION BULLET CLUB - Chase Owens & Kenny Omega Héroes Voladores - Jushin Thunder Liger & Máscara Dorada ReDRagon - Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly Roppongi Vice - Barreta & Rocky Romero Time Splitters - Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA The Young Bucks - Matt & Nick Jackson
OUTSIDE TALENT Adam Cole - Big Daddy Yum Yum - Davey Boy Smith Jr - El Desperado Fuego - Hiro Saito - Jado - Jax Dane Jeff Jarrett - La Sombra - Lance Archer - Masato Tanaka Matt Taven - Michael Bennett - Máximo - Mikey Nicholls Minoru Suzuki - Naomichi Marufuji - Ricochet - Rob Conway Shane Haste - Shelton X Benjamin - Super Strong Machine - Taichi TAKA Michinoku - Takashi Iizuka - Yoshiaki Fujiwara
THE YOUNG LIONS Cody Hall - David Finlay - Jay White - Sho Tanaka
Takaaki Watanabe - Yohei Komatsu
OTHER ON-AIR TALENT Bruce Tharpe (NWA representative) - Kazuo Yamazaki (announcer) Kenta Sato (referee) - Kimihiko Ozaki (announcer) Kuniaki Kobayashi (announcer) - Makoto Abe (ring announcer) Mao (Yujiro Takahashi's manager) - Marty Asami (referee) Milano Collection A.T. (announcer) - Red Shoes Unno (referee) Shinpei Nogami (announcer) - Tiger Hattori (referee)
BULLET CLUB A.J. Styles (leader) - Bad Luck Fale - Chase Owens - Cody Hall - Doc Gallows Karl Anderson (leader) - Kenny Omega - Matt Jackson - Nick Jackson Tama Tonga - Yujiro Takahashi
CHAOS Gedo - Kazuchika Okada - Rocky Romero - Shinsuke Nakamura (leader)
Tomohiro Ishii - Toru Yano - YOSHI-HASHI
GREAT BASH HEEL Daisuke Sekimoto - Togi Makabe (leader) - Tomoaki Honma SEKIGUN Alex Shelley - BUSHI - Captain New Japan - Hirooki Goto - Hiroshi Tanahashi (leader) Hiroyoshi Tenzan - Jushin Thunder Liger - Katsuyori Shibata - Kota Ibushi - KUSHIDA Manabu Nakanishi - Máscara Dorada - Michael Elgin - Ryusuke Taguchi Satoshi Kojima - Tiger Mask - Yoshi Tatsu - Yuji Nagata
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Post by DTP. on Dec 22, 2015 4:15:04 GMT -5
[Update: July 6, 2015]
In professional wrestling, a championship is the universal key of acceptance that a promotion may bestow upon its professional wrestlers. However in the world of New Japan Pro Wrestling, the championship must be earned by showcasing feats of fighting spirit - to combat a worthy foe. For a challenger, to overthrow a champion is hard-earned and hard fought. For a champion, it is very hard to surpass the pressure of having so many opposition in front of them. Championship matches can be earned when a wrestler has beaten the champion, or initiated a verbal challenge that has been accepted. Likewise, a champion can choose challengers voluntarily, and management may authorize title matches themselves.
For each championship defense comes a trophy as a prize for a successful defense. In addition, for every title change, that wrestler is the next generation of the championship. For example, Antonio Inoki was the 1st Generation IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
It is not uncommon for a champion to be placed in a tournament, for in the past, the IWGP Heavyweight Champion has appeared in the G1 Climax, and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion has appeared in Best of the Super Juniors.
Most championships are governed by the International Wrestling Grand Prix, a governing body that was founded in 1983. They currently govern all championships that are currently active in New Japan Pro Wrestling, excluding those from partner promotions. They recently adopted the NEVER Openweight Championship to their list, as NEVER - the original governing body - and sister company to New Japan Pro Wrestling, was declared inactive in 2013.
Per the weight class divide between the Heavyweights and Junior Heavyweights, championships that the Heavyweight division can contend for includes the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, the IWGP Intercontinental Championship and IWGP Tag Team Championship. Junior Heavyweights meanwhile can contend for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. Both classes can contend for the NEVER Openweight Championship.
Through New Japan's working relationships with outside organizations, it is acceptable for a championship to be defended in other countries or promotions outside of Japan, including Ring of Honor, Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, National Wrestling Alliance, Global Force Wrestling, Revolution Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling NOAH, Dramatic Dream Team and Westside Xtreme Wrestling. Championships have changed hands in other countries, and in some cases, championships that are owned by outside organizations are won by wrestlers of New Japan will be brought in and defended actively in the promotion.
IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: A.J. STYLES (July 5, 2015)
The most importance prize in New Japan Pro Wrestling. First introduced in 1987 at the conclusion of a tournament, the championship has been a host to a culmination of the greatest heavyweights to compete for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Despite this, only six wrestlers from outside of Japan have been able to successful claim the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, despite the many, many contenders from outside of Japan that have challenged for it. Widely respected, the title once had a controversial tie with Inoki Genome Federation, the result of a champion suddenly leaving for the IGF. However, the physical championship belt was restored, and it remains today regarded by many in the wrestling community as a truly prestigious crown. The current champion is A.J. Styles, who became the 62nd Generation champion when he beat Hiroshi Tanahashi at Dominion 7.5. He is also a two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, and the sixth gaijin to become champion.
Previous Champions: Antonio Inoki - Tatsumi Fujinami - Big Van Vader - Salman Hashmikov - Riki Choshu - The Great Muta - Shinya Hashimoto - Nobuhiko Takada - Kensuke Sasaki - Masahiro Chono - Scott Norton - Genichiro Tenryu - Kazuyuki Fujita - Tadao Yasuda - Yuji Nagata - Yoshihiro Takayama - Hiroyoshi Tenzan - Shinsuke Nakamura - Bob Sapp - Brock Lesnar - Manabu Nakanishi - Togi Makabe - Satoshi Kojima - Kazuchika Okada - Hiroshi Tanahashi
IWGP INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: RODERICK STRONG (May 15, 2015)
One of the newer championships in New Japan Pro Wrestling, the IWGP Intercontinental Championship crowned its inaugural champion in the North American city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The original intentions of the IWGP Intercontinental Championship was to produce an international championship that would be defended overseas, and over the world - but over time, it has become the secondary championship to the heavyweight class: but arguably as valuable as the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Popularized by the highly proficient reigns of Shinsuke Nakamura, the IWGP Intercontinental Championship has changed hands in the United States, Mexico and Japan, and has even main evented Wrestle Kingdom in the Tokyo Dome before. The current champion is Roderick Strong, who is the 11th Generation champion. Strong defeated Shinsuke Nakamura to win the championship at ROH/NJPW Global Wars '15. (0 DEFENSES)
Previous Champions: MVP - Masato Tanaka - Hirooki Goto - La Sombra - Hiroshi Tanahashi - Bad Luck Fale - Shinsuke Nakamura
NEVER OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION: DAISUKE SEKIMOTO (May 3, 2015)
The youngest championship in New Japan Pro Wrestling, the NEVER Openweight Championship was formed as a creation to coincide with a series of shows New Japan Pro Wrestling had started, used to establish the hottest younger prospects in professional wrestling today. The sister promotion concept failed, and NEVER closed its' doors in 2012, however the NEVER Openweight Championship, being less than a year old, moved over to New Japan Pro Wrestling. NEVER stands for "New blood", "Evolution", "Vanity", "Eternal", and "Radical". This is a testament to the short list of names that have competed for the title to date. It is the sole championship that either weight class can contend for, although to date, only heavyweights have held it. Daisuke Sekimoto is the current champion, becoming the 6th Generation champion by defeating Tomohiro Ishii at Wrestling Dontaku 2015. (0 DEFENSES)
Previous Champions: Masato Tanaka - Tetsuya Naito - Yujiro Takahashi - Tomohiro Ishii
IWGP TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: MEIYU TAG (July 5, 2015)
Being a heavyweight in a tag team division has always been historically tough for wrestlers to compete as part of. Since its inception in 1985, there have been many legendary tag teams that have been a part of the division, that have been the IWGP Tag Team Champions alike. Some of the toughest, some of the biggest, and some of even the most memorable names to grace New Japan Pro Wrestling with their presence. The alternative route for one to go down should a singles run in the heavyweight division not go to plan, in the modern era, the IWGP Tag Team Championship is swarming with potential competition from new faces. This has become evident with the annual World Tag League, where many of the world's greatest tag teams meet to compete for a future shot at the IWGP Tag Team Championships. The current reigning champions are the 67th Generation champions, Meiyu Tag: Katsuyori Shibata and Hirooki Goto. They won the titles after they defeated The Kingdom at Dominion 7.5. It is Shibata's second reign and Goto's second reign as champions. (0 DEFENSES) Previous Champions: Kengo Kimura - Tatsumi Fujinami - Akira Maeda - Osamu Kido - Keiji Mutoh - Shiro Koshinaka - Nobuhiko Takada - Kazuo Yamazaki - Yoshiaki Fujiwara - Masa Saito - Riki Choshu - George Takano - Super Strong Machine - Takayuki Iizuka - Shinya Hashimoto - Masahiro Chono - Hiroshi Hase - Kensuke Sasaki - Rick Steiner - Scott Steiner - Big Van Vader - Bam Bam Bigelow - Scott Norton - Tony Halme - Hawk Warrior - Power Warrior - Hercules Hernandez - Hiroyoshi Tenzan - Junji Hirata - Kazuo Yamazaki - Takashi Iizuka - Manabu Nakanishi - Satoshi Kojima - Genichiro Tenryu - Michiyoshi Ohara - Tatsutoshi Goto - Yuji Nagata - Osamu Nishimura - Taiyō Kea - Hiroshi Tanahashi - Yutaka Yoshie - Minoru Suzuki - Yoshihiro Takayama - Shinsuke Nakamura - Takao Omori - Giant Bernard - Karl Anderson - Travis Tomko - Togi Makabe & Toru Yano - Brother Devon - Brother Ray - Brutus Magnus - Doug Williams - Tetsuya Naito - Yujiro Takahashi - Wataru Inoue - Davey Boy Smith Jr - Lance Archer - Doc Gallows - Katsuyori Shibata - Hirooki Goto
IWGP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: KUSHIDA (July 5, 2015)
The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship is one of the oldest championships to be governed by the International Wrestling Grand Prix, being founded in 1986, even before the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. The main championship for those in the junior heavyweight division (those under 210lbs), it has been around the waists of many of the finest high flying and exciting wrestlers in the world, as well as some of the flashiest technicians to lace up a pair of boots and challenge for it. One of the staples of tape-trading among overseas viewers in the 1990s, where high-flying was innovated, the title was also popularized by the introduction of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament in 1993, which has later gone on to elevate many winners of the tournament to championship victory. KUSHIDA is the current, 71st Generation champion. He won the title when he defeated Kenny Omega at Dominion 7.5. He is a two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. (0 DEFENSES)
Previous Champions: Shiro Koshinaka - Nobuhiko Takada - Kuniaki Kobayashi - Hiroshi Hase - Owen Hart - Jushin Thunder Liger - Naoki Sano - Pegasus Kid - Norio Honaga - Akira Nogami - El Samurai - Últimó Dragón - Koji Kanemoto - Sabu - The Great Sasuke - Shinjiro Otani - Kendo Kashin - Juventud Guerrera - Tatsuhito Takaiwa - Minoru Tanaka - Masayuki Naruse - Tiger Mask - Jado - Black Tiger - Wataru Inoue - Low Ki - Mistico - Naomichi Marufuji - Prince Devitt - Kota Ibushi - KUSHIDA - Ryusuke Taguchi
IWGP JUNIOR TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: THE YOUNG BUCKS (May 3, 2015)
For those that have not been able to succeed in claiming the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, there is an alternative that has been coveted as well. The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship was created in 1998, a branch off from the singles route for those below the weight of 210lbs. The hard-hitting action, intensified already by the agile nature of the high-flying and very quick wrestlers seen in the division - by multiplying a singles match by two - it can lead to some wild encounters. Many greats have won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, including quite a few Gaijin junior heavyweights as well. It even has its' own tournament, the Super Junior Tag Team Tournament - a single elimination tournament introduced in 2012, held annually in October. The current reigning champions are the 40th Generation champions, the Young Bucks - Nick and Matt Jackson. They won the titles at Wrestling Dontaku 2015 after defeating former champions ReDRagon in a match also featuring Roppongi Vice. (0 DEFENSES)
Previous Champions: Shinjiro Otani - Tatsuhito Takaiwa - Dr. Wagner Jr - Kendo Kashin - The Great Sasuke - Jushin Thunder Liger - Koji Kanemoto - Minoru Tanaka - El Samurai - Gedo - Jado - Tsuyoshi Kikuchi - Yoshinobu Kanemaru - American Dragon - Curry Man - Wataru Inoue - Hirooki Goto - Ryusuke Taguchi - Dick Togo - TAKA Michinoku - Prince Devitt - Akira - Tetsuya Naito - Yujiro - Alex Shelley - Chris Sabin - Kenny Omega - Kota Ibushi - Davey Richards - Tiger Mask - Alex Koslov - KUSHIDA - Taichi - Matt Jackson - Nick Jackson - Bobby Fish - Kyle O'Reilly
OTHER CHAMPIONSHIPS HELD BY NJPW TALENT: NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: Satoshi Kojima (April 29, 2015) NWA WORLD JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: Tiger Mask (March 22, 2015) CMLL WORLD WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION: Máscara Dorada (January 2, 2015)
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Post by DTP. on Dec 22, 2015 4:15:23 GMT -5
[Update: July 6, 2015]
In New Japan Pro Wrestling, tournaments dominate the calendar year. In addition to championship thrones, there are tournament thrones to be won. To win a tournament symbolizes how much hard work and effort a wrestler has put into their craft, and managed to compete against some of the very best in the world to come out on top of the pack. Similar to a championship victory, winning a tournament solidifies a wrestler's status as being at the top of their division, dependent on the structure of tournament competed in. With each tournament comes a lot of publicity from the media, a big cash prize, trophies, and in most cases a future championship opportunity for those not champion already. For those that have already won a tournament once, they may or may not participate to defend their status as the tournament champion in following years. It is also not uncommon for a champion to actually compete in tournaments as well, to try and protect their spot from cropping up future contenders - though sometimes, this can lead to great rewards if a wrestler is able to beat the champion in a non-title tournament match. While most tournaments feature New Japan contracted talent, it is not unusual for outsiders to be invited to join tournaments, be it via invitation by New Japan Pro Wrestling management, through association with one of New Japan's partner promotions, or being a freelancer active in the wrestling circuit. Weight classes limit the choices in which a wrestler can apply for tournament entry, similar to championships. Heavyweights may compete in the New Japan Cup (held every March) and the World Tag League (annually held through November and December). Junior Heavyweights may compete in Best of the Super Juniors (held throughout May and June) and the Super Junior Tag Team (held in October and November) tournaments. Meanwhile, whilst the G1 Climax (held in July and August) has previously been predominantly Heavyweight orientated, Junior Heavyweights have been able to qualify. In addition to these tournaments, there may be additional tournaments in the event of a championship becoming vacant, and special tournaments may be added, with the Super J Cup (last held in 2009) and Fantastica Mania Tag Team tournament (added in 2015) added to the calendar.
G1 CLIMAX: KAZUCHIKA OKADA (August 10, 2014)
The G1 Climax is arguably the highest of prizes in New Japan Pro Wrestling. The highest of honors as well, to win the G1 Climax is to become the best that the Heavyweight division has to offer. Introduced in 1991 after being held under various names prior, the G1 Climax has featured some spectacular contests between rugged and hard-hitting grapplers throughout its' history. Contested annually across July and June, it is also one of the hardest tournaments to endure, as one wrestler must compete in a round-robin tournament, scoring as many points as possible in order to qualify for the finals - which includes having to compete and win against every other wrestler in the tournament. The tournament roster is usually divided into two blocks, and every wrestler will meet within a block before concluding the tournament. The winner receives a briefcase for a future IWGP Heavyweight Championship match, and although it is classed as a Heavyweight tournament, Junior Heavyweights have been able to qualify before. Kazuchika Okada is the current champion, defeating Shinsuke Nakamura in the tournament finals on August 10, 2014 to win the twenty-fourth annual tournament. The next tournament begins on July 20, 2015 and concludes on August 16, 2015. (2ND WIN) Previous Winners: Masahiro Chono - Tatsumi Fujinami - Keiji Mutoh - Riki Choshu - Kensuke Sasaki - Shinya Hashimoto - Manabu Nakanishi - Yuji Nagata - Hiroyoshi Tenzan - Hiroshi Tanahashi - Hirooki Goto - Togi Makabe - Satoshi Kojima - Shinsuke Nakamura - Kazuchika Okada - Tetsuya Naito
BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS: KUSHIDA (June 7, 2015) Much like the Heavyweight predominant G1 Climax, the Junior Heavyweight division has a tournament that is similarly their own, held across May and June annually. The Best of the Super Juniors tournament, established under the name in 1994 after undergoing another name, the Best of the Super Juniors features some of the most agile fighters in the world to come and compete in a round-robin tournament to see who is the best that the Junior Heavyweight division has to offer. Similar to the G1 Climax, the Best of the Super Juniors contests two blocks of wrestlers that all compete within against every other member of their block, in a race to score the most wins and points. The two block leaders with the most points them qualify for the finals, where the winner will be crowned coming out of that match. The winner of the tournament goes on to challenge for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship at Dominion, the next big event following the tournament. KUSHIDA is the twenty-second winner of the tournament, having defeated Matt Sydal in the finals of Best of the Super Juniors on June 7, 2015. He will challenge Kenny Omega for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship at Dominion 7.5. (1ST WIN)
Previous Champions: Jushin Thunder Liger - Wild Pegasus - Black Tiger - El Samurai - Koji Kanemoto - Kendo Kashin - Tatsuhito Takaiwa - Masahito Kakihara - Tiger Mask - Minoru - Milano Collection A.T - Wataru Inoue - Prince Devitt - Kota Ibushi - Ryusuke Taguchi - Ricochet
NEW JAPAN CUP: KARL ANDERSON (March 15, 2015) The New Japan Cup is a fairly new concept that was only introduced in the year 2005. Held annually ever since in the spring months, the tournament now takes place in the first several weeks of March every year. Unlike the G1 Climax, this Heavyweight tournament is accessible for sixteen participants to compete in, in order of a single elimination bracket-formatted tournament, with a winner crowned after defeating four consecutive opponents, including the first round, quarter-final round, semi-final round, and the finals. The winner of the tournament receives a trophy for their victory, as well as the option to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, or as early as 2015, the NEVER Openweight Championship. Whichever championship they choose, the championship match takes place at the next big event following the New Japan Cup, Invasion Attack. Karl Anderson is the current champion, who defeated Kota Ibushi to win the tournament on March 15, 2015. He was unsuccessful in challenging the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi for his title at Invasion Attack 2015. (1ST WIN) Previous Champions:Hiroshi Tanahashi - Giant Bernard - Yuji Nagata - Hirooki Goto - Kazuchika Okada - Shinsuke Nakamura
WORLD TAG LEAGUE: MEIYU TAG (December 7, 2014) Like the G1 Climax, which is a Heavyweight tournament for the single ranks, there is an alternative for those that specialize in tag team wrestling. Entitled the World Tag League, and previously the G1 Tag League - among other names - the tournament has hosted many tag team competitors in the tournament's history, including some of the best teams to walk into New Japan Pro Wrestling. A gripping tournament contested typically through the winter months of November and December, similar to the G1 Climax and Best of the Super Juniors, the World Tag League is contested as a round robin tournament, with teams competing against other teams in their block with the motive to gain the most points and qualify for the finals of the tournament. The winners of the tournament in recent years have been granted a future opportunity at the IWGP Tag Team Championships, which have usually taken place at the next big event after the World Tag League, Wrestle Kingdom in the Tokyo Dome - increasing the prestige of the tournament. Meiyu Tag: Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata are the current champions, after defeating Gallows and Gun - Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson, to win the tournament on December 7, 2014. They went on to beat the IWGP Tag Team Champions Gallows and Gun for the titles at Wrestle Kingdom 9 in Tokyo Dome. (2ND/1ST WIN) Previous Winners:Keiji Mutoh & Scott Norton - Takashi Iizuka & Yuji Nagata - Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan - Osamu Nishimura & Hiroyoshi Tenzan - Masahiro Chono & Shinsuke Nakamura - Giant Bernard & Travis Tomko - Karl Anderson & Giant Bernard - Yuji Nagata & Wataru Inoue - Lance Archer & Minoru Suzuki - Hirooki Goto & Karl Anderson - Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson
SUPER JUNIOR TAG TOURNAMENT: REDDRAGON (November 3, 2014) In recent years there has been a resurgence going on with the Junior Heavyweight's tag team division, with more and more tag teams coming in to make for a further, competitive field. To coincide with this, in 2012 New Japan Pro Wrestling introduced the Super Junior Tag Team tournament, where the high flying and fast moving junior heavyweights are able to team up in an eight team single-elimination tournament, where the winners are crowned after successfully defeating three consecutive teams in the quarter-final, semi-final and final rounds. Usually contested during November, the winners are granted a future shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships at the next big event, Power Struggle. ReDRagon: Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly are the current champions, after defeating the Young Bucks - Nick and Matt Jackson - to win the tournament on November 3, 2014. They went on to defeat the Time Splitters, Alex Shelley and KUSHIDA to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships at Power Struggle 2014. (1ST WIN)
Previous Winners: El Samurai & Koji Kanemoto - Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA - Nick Jackson & Matt Jackson
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Post by DTP. on Dec 22, 2015 4:15:35 GMT -5
Being on the road is always one of the many struggles that coincide with the professional wrestling schedule. New Japan Pro Wrestling is no different, boasting a gruelling schedule in which a wrestler must make each town on the calendar. Via coach, plane or bullet train, the road continues onwards, with the intentions of delivering the goods and competing to their heart's content every night in the ring.
There are big events lined up throughout the year, typically to cap off a build up tour, which are predominantly known as Road to... shows. These are standard house shows that focus on New Japan contracted talent that are based in Japan, although foreign imports may be flown in to join. The big events take place range in importance, with Wrestle Kingdom in Tokyo Dome being the most important supershow of the year, held on January 4.
Besides from this, Invasion Attack (April), Dominion (June or July), and King of Pro-Wrestling (October) are also highly regarded. Other shows, such as the New Beginning (February), Wrestling Dontaku (May), Destruction (September), and Power Struggle (November) are beneath the aforementioned shows on the importance tier, but are still big shows nonetheless. Championship matches mainly only take place on these big events, however they may balance out, and certain shows may exclude one or two championships from being defended.
Tournaments are also regarded as important, spread across the calendar year. G1 Climax (July and August) is the most highly coveted, boasting the most tour dates, and also holding a lot of prestige in terms of the tournament's lineage. Best of the Super Juniors (May and June) is similar, albeit to a lesser degree, as is the World Tag League (November and December). The New Japan Cup (March) is also of importance, but to a lesser degree than the aforementioned. All of these tournaments have their own tours except from the Super Junior Tag Team tournament (November), which is contested during the build-up shows to Power Struggle.
Other notable shows include co-promotional tours with partner companies of New Japan Pro Wrestling. These include Fantastica Mania (January), which is held in Japan and co-promoted by New Japan and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, featuring several CMLL talents. Similarly, New Japan Pro Wrestling also tours North America and Canada with Ring of Honor each spring for War of the Worlds/Global Wars, sending key NJPW talents to join ROH shows. Other notable homeland shows include New Year Dash !! (the post-Wrestle Kingdom show at Korakuen Hall on January 5), New Japan Alive (held several times across the year, oftentimes when touring) and Wrestling HINOKUNI (April).
Singles matches are a rarity on standard house shows, to preserve a wrestler's condition if leading up to a big show. With this, tag team matches of various numbers fill lesser important cards, and are used to build up to big matches at the big events that follow them. Rarely do championship matches or singles matches take place on house shows or Road to... shows.
New Japan may also send certain talent to Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (Mexico), Revolution Pro Wrestling (England), Pro Wrestling NOAH (Japan), Westside Xtreme Wrestling (Germany) and National Wrestling Alliance (USA) for big shows. Wrestlers may have a contract in which they may take their own independent dates, however New Japan Pro Wrestling remains their top priority.
Foreign imports from partner companies or wrestlers from freelance backgrounds may be brought in to compete, however mostly if there is a big event coming up. That said, it is not uncommon for a foreign import to reside in Japan and compete on regular house shows if they remain in Japan for an amount of time, much like the Young Lions.
The Young Lions that reside in the New Japan Dojo are always present at shows around the calendar year, constructing the set and ring for the night, as well as taking the set and ring down to gain discipline. They will keep ringside during the night of a show for learning purposes, and will compete on shows against each other or veterans for seasoning. Beginner Young Lions will sit in the aisle and take orders from backstage management in the role of a runner, relaying messages.
January 4, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Tokyo Dome
January 5, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall
January 13, 2015 - Namba, Osaka, Japan - Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium #2
January 14, 2015 - Takamatsu, Kanagawa, Japan - Takamatsu City Gymnasium
January 15, 2015 - Kyoto, Honshu, Japan - Kyoto KBS Hall
January 17, 2015 - Koto, Tokyo, Japan - Shin-Kiba 1st RING
January 18, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall
January 19, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall
January 30, 2015 - Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan - Tokorozawa Civic Gymnasium February 1, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall February 2, 2015 - Nagoaka, Niigata, Japan - Aore Nagaoka Arena February 4, 2015 - Chuo, Chiba, Japan - Chiba Port Arena Sub Arena February 6, 2015 - Wakayanagi, Miyagi, Japan - Wakayanagi General Gymnasium February 7, 2015 - Ohiroma, Akita, Japan - Akita Terrsa Great Hall February 8, 2015 - Shizukuishi, Iwate, Japan - Shizukuishi Sports Park Gymnasium
February 11, 2015 - Namba, Osaka, Japan - Osaka Bodymaker Colosseum February 14, 2015 - Sendai, Miyagi, Japan - Sendai Sun Plaza
February 27, 2015 - Naha, Okinawa, Japan - Okinawa Prefectural Budokan
March 5, 2015 - Ota, Tokyo, Japan - Ota Ward Gymnasium
March 6, 2015 - Saku, Nagano, Japan - Saku City Gymnasium
March 8, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall
March 9, 2015 - Kumagaya, Saitama, Japan - Kumagaya Citizen Gymnasium
March 10, 2015 - Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan - Iwaki Municipal Gymnasium
March 13, 2015 - Otsu, Shiga, Japan - Shiga Prefectural Industrial Exchange Hall
March 15, 2015 - Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan - Hiroshima Sun Plaza
March 21, 2015 - Nagoya, Aichi, Japan - Nagoya International Conference Hall
March 22, 2015 - Amagasaki, Hyogo, Japan - Amagasaki Memorial Park Gymnasium March 23, 2015 - Takaoka, Toyama, Japan - Takaoka Techno Dome March 26, 2015 - Minami, Nagano, Japan - Nagano Movement Park Gymnasium
March 28, 2015 - Fujisan, Shizuoka, Japan - Fujisan Messe
March 29, 2015 - Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan - Act City Hamamatsu
April 2, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall
April 5, 2015 - Sumida, Tokyo, Japan - Ryogoku Kokugikan
April 17, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall
April 19, 2015 - Yamanashi, Honshu, Japan - Yamanashi Messe Yamanashi
April 21, 2015 - Minato, Osaka, Japan - Osaka Central Gymnasium
April 22, 2015 - Biki, Shimane, Japan - Biki Messe Shimane
April 24, 2015 - Yamaguchi, Honshu, Japan - Shuunan Kirin Beverage Sports Center
April 25, 2015 - Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan - Matsuyama City Community Center
April 27, 2015 - Hakata, Fukuoka, Japan - Hataka Star Lane
April 28, 2015 - Aira, Kagoshima, Japan - Aira City Sports Park Gymnasium
April 30, 2015 - Oita, Oita, Japan - Oita Prefectural Event Hall
May 1, 2015 - Oita, Oita, Japan - Oita Prefectural Event Hall
April 29, 2015 - Numazu, Kumamoto, Japan - Kumamoto Gran messe
May 3, 2015 - Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan - Fukuoka International Center
May 5, 2015 - Takamatsu, Kanagawa, Japan - Takamatsu City Gymnasium May 6, 2015 - Akashi, Hyogo, Japan - Akashi Municipal Industrial Exchange Center
May 12, 2015 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - 2300 Arena May 13, 2015 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - 2300 Arena
May 15, 2015 - Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Ted Reeve Arena
May 16, 2015 - Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Ted Reeve Arena
May 22, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall
May 23, 2015 - Kuki, Saitama, Japan - Kuki City Gymnasium
May 25, 2015 - Tsubame, Niigata, Japan - Tsubame Civic Gymnasium
May 26, 2015 - Ochiaimachi, Yamagata, Japan - Yamagata Sports Gymnasium
May 27, 2015 - Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan - Aomori Martial Arts Hall
May 29, 2015 - Kanuma, Tochigi, Japan - New Sun-pia Tochigi
May 30, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall
May 31, 2015 - Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan - Kiramesse Numazu
June 2, 2015 - Mito, Ibaraki, Japan - Ibaraki Prefectural Sports Center
June 3, 2015 - Nagoya, Aichi, Japan - Nagoya Congress Center Event Hall
June 4, 2015 - Chino, Nagano, Japan - Chino Cultural Complex Multi-Hall
June 5, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall
June 7, 2015 - Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan - Yoyogi National Gymnasium
June 20, 2015 - Tampines, Singapore - Singapore Expo Hall 7
June 21, 2015 - Tampines, Singapore - Singapore Expo Hall 7
June 26, 2015 - Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan - Yokkaichi City Center Green Gymnasium
June 27, 2015 - Gifu, Gifu, Japan - Gifu Industrial Hall
June 28, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall
July 1, 2015 - Choshi, Chiba, Japan - Choshi City Gymnasium
July 3, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall
July 5, 2015 - Kyōbashi, Osaka, Japan - Osaka-jō Hall
July 7, 2015 - Niigata, Niigata, Japan - Niigata City Gymnasium
July 11, 2015 - Takasaki, Gunma, Japan - New Sunpia Takasaki
July 12, 2015 - Koriyama, Fukushima, Japan - Fukushima Big Palette
July 20, 2015 - Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan - Hokkaido Sports Center
July 23, 2015 - Suruga, Shizuoka, Japan - Twin Messe Shizuoka
July 24, 2015 - Kyoto, Honshu, Japan - Kyoto City Budokan Center
July 25, 2015 - Takamatsu, Kanagawa, Japan - Takamatsu City Gymnasium
July 26, 2015 - Naka, Hiroshima, Japan - Hiroshima Green Arena July 28, 2015 - Beppu, Oita, Japan - Beppu B-Con Plaza July 29, 2015 - Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan - Fukuoka International Center August 1, 2015 - Namba, Osaka, Japan - Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium August 2, 2015 - Nagoya, Aichi, Japan - Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium August 4, 2015 - Sendai, Miyagi, Japan - Sendai Sun Plaza August 5, 2015 - Apio, Iwate, Japan - Iwate Industrial Bunka Center Apio August 7, 2015 - Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan - Act City Hamamatsu August 8, 2015 - Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan - Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium August 9, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall August 11, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall August 12, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall August 14, 2015 - Sumida, Tokyo, Japan - Ryogoku Kokugikan August 15, 2015 - Sumida, Tokyo, Japan - Ryogoku Kokugikan August 16, 2015 - Sumida, Tokyo, Japan - Ryogoku Kokugikan
September 4, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall September 5, 2015 - Shirakawa, Fukushima, Japan - Shirakawa Central Gymnasium September 7, 2015 - Aomori, Aomori, Japan - Prefectural Sports Park Arena Maeda September 8, 2015 - Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan - Hachinohe City Gymnasium September 10, 2015 - Kasama, Ibaraki, Japan - Kasama City Gymnasium September 11, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall September 12, 2015 - Nagareyamai, Chiba, Japan - Nagareyamai City Gymnasium September 13, 2015 - Takasaki, Gunma, Japan - New Sunpia Takasaki September 15, 2015 - Shibata, Niigata, Japan - Sun Village Shibata September 16, 2015 - Minami, Nagano, Japan - Nagano Sports Park Gymnasium September 18, 2015 - Uozu, Toyama, Japan - Ariso Dome September 19, 2015 - Otsu, Shiga, Japan - Shiga Prefectural Gymnasium September 20, 2015 - Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan - Toyohashi City Gymnasium #2 September 22, 2015 - Uwajima, Ehime, Japan - Uwajima City Gymnasium September 24, 2015 - Tottori, Tottori, Japan - Tottori Industrial Gymnasium
September 23, 2015 - Kita, Okayama, Japan - Momotaro Arena September 27, 2015 - Kobe, Hyogo, Japan - Kobe World Hall
October 12, 2015 - Sumida, Tokyo, Japan - Ryogoku Kokugikan
October 18, 2015 - Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan - Taiwan University General Gymnasium
October 23, 2015 - Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan - Tokorozawa Civic Gymnasium October 24, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall October 25, 2015 - Uonuma, Niigata, Japan - Uonuma City Horinouchi Gymnasium October 27, 2015 - Ochiaimachi, Yamagata, Japan - Yamagata General Sports Center October 28, 2015 - Akita, Akita, Japan - Akita City Gymnasium October 30, 2015 - Chichibu, Kanagawa, Japan - Chichibu Miya Memorial Gymnasium October 31, 2015 - Suruga, Shizuoka, Japan - Twin Messe Shizuoka November 1, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall November 3, 2015 - Gifu, Gifu, Japan - Gifu Industrial Hall November 4, 2015 - Fuku, Fukui, Japan - Fukui Prefectural Industrial Hall November 5, 2015 - Kyoto, Honshu, Japan - Sandanike-Kouen Gymnasium
November 6, 2015 - Namba, Osaka, Japan - Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
November 21, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall November 22, 2015 - Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan - Toyohashi City Gymnasium November 23, 2015 - Kuwana, Oita, Japan - Kuwana City Gymnasium November 24, 2015 - Ishikawa, Ishikawa, Japan - Ishikawa Industrial Exhibition Hall November 27, 2015 - Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan - Hiroshima Green Arena November 28, 2015 - Ochiaimachi, Yamaguchi, Japan - Yamaguchi Sports Park November 29, 2015 - Imabari, Ehime, Japan - Imabari Tex Port November 30, 2015 - Hakata, Fukuoka, Japan - Hakata Star Lane December 1, 2015 - Hakata, Fukuoka, Japan - Hakata Star Lane December 3, 2015 - Numazu, Kumamoto, Japan - Kumamoto Gran Messe December 4, 2015 - Takamatsu, Kanagawa, Japan - Takamatsu City Gymnasium December 5, 2015 - Kobe, Hyogo, Japan - Kobe Sambo Hall December 6, 2015 - Aichi, Aichi, Japan - Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium December 9, 2015 - Sendai, Miyagi, Japan - Sendai Sun Plaza December 11, 2015 - Aomori, Aomori, Japan - Aomori Budokan December 13, 2015 - Shizukuishi, Iwate, Japan - Shizukuishi Sports Park Gymnasium December 15, 2015 - Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan - National Athletic Gymnasium December 16, 2015 - Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan - Tochigi Arts & Science Center December 18, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall December 19, 2015 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall January 4, 2016 - Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan - Tokyo Dome
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Post by DTP. on Dec 22, 2015 11:43:00 GMT -5
| NJPW WRESTLE KINGDOM 9 in TOKYO DOME Sunday, January 4, 2015 - Tokyo Dome - Bunkyō, Tokyo
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champion
"Once in a Century Talent" Hiroshi Tanahashi
| IWGP Heavyweight Championship VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | | champion
| IWGP Tag Team Championship VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | | "Phenomenal One"
| Special Singles Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | | champions
"Gallows and Gun" Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows
(BULLET CLUB)
| IWGP Tag Team Championship VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | challengers "Meiyu Tag" Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto | champion
"Funky Weapon" Ryusuke Taguchi
| IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | |
| NEVER Openweight Championship VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] |
challenger "Bousou Kingkong" |
Minoru Suzuki
(SUZUKI-GUN)
| Submission & Knockouts Only: Special Singles Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | |
"Suzuki-gun" Takashi Iizuka, Lance Archer, Davey Boy Smith Jr & Shelton X Benjamin
(SUZUKI-GUN) | Special 8-Man Tag Team Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | Toru Yano, Mikey Nicholls, Shane Haste & Naomichi Marufuji (BULLET CLUB)
| "BULLET CLUB"
Yujiro Takahashi, Bad Luck Fale & Jeff Jarrett
(BULLET CLUB) | Special 6-Man Tag Team Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & TomoakiHonma(TENCOZY/G.B.H.)
| champions "ReDRagon" Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly
(ROH)
challengers "The Young Bucks" Nick Jackson and Matt Jackson
(BULLET CLUB) | IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit]
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challengers "The Time Splitters" Alex Shelley and KUSHIDA
challengers "Forever Hooligans" Alex Koslov and Rocky Romero
(CHAOS) |
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Deleted
Joined on: Apr 24, 2024 17:17:16 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2015 11:51:09 GMT -5
This is awesome. The layout is awesome. Can't wait for WK9.
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Post by Red Dragon on Dec 22, 2015 12:52:15 GMT -5
Really hope this sticks round. Lots of effort has gone into this. Excellently well written
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Dec 22, 2015 13:48:42 GMT -5
Please, please let this last. For one, this is the year I got into New Japan and I've loved it and two, if it is your last diary, I want you to go out with a bang. I will absolutely be watching this closely. The layout and all of the effort into this seems immense. Good luck.
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Post by Chris Hammers on Dec 24, 2015 0:52:52 GMT -5
This was honestly super wonderful to read, and genuinely put a smile on my face. So much effort has already been put in to this and a show isn't even up yet. Major props.
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Post by Planktung on Dec 24, 2015 20:56:48 GMT -5
Yes.
Yes.
So. Much. Yes.
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Deleted
Joined on: Apr 24, 2024 17:17:16 GMT -5
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2015 21:28:33 GMT -5
Terrific setup here...looking forward to seeing it all come together...
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Post by DTP. on Jan 6, 2016 16:19:57 GMT -5
| NJPW WRESTLE KINGDOM 9 Sunday, January 4, 2015 - Tokyo Dome - Bunkyō, Tokyo |
0. THE NEW JAPAN RUMBLE
Prior to Wrestle Kingdom 9 going live on the air, the New Japan Rumble is set up much like a Rumble match in the WWE, or a gauntlet match in TNA. Prior to the match, no participants were announced with the added drama of "you never know who could show up". The match starts with two men, and after a period of time an additional face would arrive in the match. Elimination could occur via pinfall, submission, or by going over-the-top rope. With fifteen men involved, this was scheduled to be a race to get the victory - to give one man a big opportunity in the form of a big win on the major stage that is the Tokyo Dome.
Jushin Thunder Liger and YOSHI-HASHI began as the crowds continued to pile into the Dome, the two mixing it up with YOSHI-HASHI going to work on the arm of Jushin, then trying to force him over the top rope but to little success. At 1:18, out came Taichi, who brought his mic stand out with him - beginning to sing his theme song. This however only served as an assistance, as his Suzuki-gun allies, TAKA Michinoku and El Desperado proceeded to charge the ring, attacking Liger and YOSH-HASHI. Suzuki-gun continued the attack, but Tiger Mask ran down next to make the save at 3:38. The scores were evened, as Liger, YOSHI-HASHI and Tiger Mask opposed Michinoku, Desperado and Taichi; Liger almost eliminating Desperado with the Liger Bomb, but Taichi managed to break it up. Yohei Komatsu ran down at 5:01, one of New Japan's Young Lions in it to make a big break for himself; as he immediately began to target Tiger Mask just to run into a double-underhook suplex.
In the first shock of the night, "Mr Senton" Hiro Saito, the 53 year old former IWGP Tag Team Champion came out at 6:41, the growing crowd cheering him on as he hit the ring and slowly, but surely, began to hand out sentons for El Desperado and YOSHI-HASHI. Sho Tanaka, another Young Lion, came dashing out at 8:24, hitting the ring and beginning to mix it up with fellow Young Lion Komatsu. Captain New Japan was up next at 9:40, hitting the ring and handing out chops for anybody in his path; that is until Tama Tonga of the Bullet Club came out at 11:17, putting New Japan away with the Headshrinker double-arm DDT. Captain New Japan eliminated. Next, Desperado blocked a top-rope Brainbuster attempt from Liger with a low blow and tried to toss him out, but Liger hung on, and they both ended up going over the top. Jushin Thunder Liger and El Desperado eliminated. Yugi Nagata was out next at 14:03, "Blue Justice" tossing TAKA Michinoku over the top rope. TAKA Michinoku eliminated. The ring was already filling up, but then entrant #13 was the legendary Yoshiaki Fujiwara at 17:45, who despite being 66, looked dangerous as he quickly locked in the Fujiwara Armbar on Tama Tonga until it was broken up. Manabu Nakanishi arrived at 19:12, chopping away at longtime friend and foe Yuji Nagata. Everybody soon scattered to eliminate Saito, dumping him over the top to eliminate him. Hiro Saito eliminated.
The final member of the match arrived at 20:50, none other than 66 year-old The Great Kabuki, who got a big ovation from the crowd - but his stay wasn't for long, as he was quickly eliminated after firing the poison mist into the eyes of Tama Tonga. The Great Kabuki eliminated. With everybody present, eliminations flew by now - as Nagata made Taichi tap out to the Nagata Lock; Taichi eliminated. Tanaka and Komatsu teamed up, double dropkick eliminating Tiger Mask; Tiger Mask eliminated. YOSHI-HASHI got rid of Yohei Komatsu with an overhead neckbreaker; Yohei Komatsu eliminated. Meanwhile, Yoshiaki Fujiwara was thrown over the top rope by Nakanishi; Yoshiaki Fujiwara eliminated. What happened next came as a huge upset, as Nakamura was rolled up by Sho Tanaka, the Young Lion eliminating the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion from the match! Manabu Nakanishi eliminated. This would not last however, as Yuji Nagata soon after got rid of Tanaka with the Backdrop Hold. Sho Tanaka eliminated. We were down to three, but this would not last long, as YOSH-HASHI took the Head Hunter from the "Bad Boy" Tama Tonga. YOSHI-HASHI eliminated. We were down to two, and despite Tonga's best efforts, Yuji Nagata caught Tonga with the Nagata Lock, forcing the Bullet Club member to tap out! Tama Tonga eliminated.WINNER: Yuji Nagata (#13) in 26:09 [*½]
Yuji Nagata celebrated his win, "Blue Justice" overcoming the other fourteen competitors in this match, victorious in the New Japan Rumble of 2015. Meanwhile, the Tokyo Dome was filling up rapidly, and the pre-show went off the air with minutes to wait before Wrestle Kingdom 9.
WRESTLE KINGDOM 9 in TOKYO DOME The New Japan Pro Wrestling signature aired first, almost as if to promote the promotion going into the new year. A video package aired afterwards, successively working its way through the card for the night; a lot of emphasis going behind the double main event with Hiroshi Tanahashi defending the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Kazuchika Okada and Shinsuke Nakamura defending the IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Kota Ibushi. Cut to pyrotechnics going off in the Tokyo Dome, and we were live on the air for Wrestle Kingdom 9! In cooperation with Global Force Wrestling, Wrestle Kingdom was available throughout the world via Flipps with English commentary from Jim Ross and Matt Striker - on the air via New Japan World with commentators Kazuo Yamazaki and Milano Collection AT - and also available on pay-per-view throughout the United States and Canada.
1. IWGP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - FOUR-WAY: ReDRagon (Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly) (c) vs The Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson) vs The Time Splitters (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) vs Forever Hooligans (Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov) With four of the best tag teams in the world today, let alone the junior heavyweight division, this was expected to be a hellacious effort on the part of all eight participants. A four-way tag team match, it was sudden death with the first pinfall or submission made giving us a decisive winning team. ReDRagon were sure to have a lot on their plate, having only won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships at Power Struggle in November, the result of winning the 2014 Junior Tag Tournament. Meanwhile, Forever Hooligans were thriving to chase the titles they lost to the Ring of Honor representatives; the Young Bucks were out to get the belts after losing in the finals of the Junior Tag Tournament; and the Time Splitters were here to win the war once and for all after a fierce feud over the summer with Romero and Koslov.
The Young Bucks, dressed in tights covered in US dollar bills were on the get-go straight away, Nick and Matt respectively striking Bobby Fish and Alex Shelley with super kicks immediately before going into a stand off with KUSHIDA and Bobby Fish. Romero waited at the apron meanwhile, witnessing as Fish nailed Nick with an inverted atomic drop, just for KUSHIDA to fly in with a dropkick for both men at the same time. Romero came in and clotheslined himself and Matt over the top rope, allowing for KUSHIDA to launch himself over the top onto the other participants with a big somersault topé! In the ring, sequences were aplenty as Nick and Matt went at it with ReDRagon, rehashing their ongoing rivalry in ROH in the States. A headscissor hold on Kyle O'Reilly with a superkick to follow went wrong, as O'Reilly broke free, then caught the foot of Matt Jackson who then arched the leg over the top rope, then set up for Fish to come in with a roundhouse kick! Elsewhere, Rocky Romero got a hot tag from Koslov, charging the ring and taking it by storm with a succession of clotheslines for everybody; Fish and O'Reilly executed Koslov with a DDT into a German suplex; Shelley and Romero had the Young Bucks up in electric chairs, KUSHIDA coming off with a doomsday device for both men just for the Bucks to flip onto their feet, super kicks for KUSHIDA, and then for Shelley and Romero as well!
The action remained hot and heavy, as KUSHIDA tried to make Romero tap to the Hoverboard Lock just for O'Reilly to come in and separate the two, a cross armbreaker applied by O'Reilly just to meet a double foot stomp from Shelley; the Bucks tried to superkick Shelley again just for Shelley to duck Nick's attempt and beat Matt to the punch; Rocky came in and nailed Shelley with a shiranui, but Nick blasted Romero with the rolling fireman's carry; More Bang For Your Buck attempted, just for Koslov to crotch Matt on the top rope; Koslov and Romero attempting the Contract Killer on O'Reilly just for Fish to catch Romero with a kick to the back of the head; and that's when the brainbuster/kick combination Chasing the Dragon connecting, giving ReDRagon the victory in a hard-fought battle!
WINNERS: ReDRagon (c) in 14:22 [****] ***STILL CHAMPION***
The Tokyo Dome applauded the effort of everyone involved, but the real victors tonight were the reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly. The Young Bucks seemed angry about the result, as ReDRagon continued to celebrate their win; the reign continuing after the first defense of the titles tonight.
2. SPECIAL TAG TEAM MATCH YUJIRO TAKAHASHI, JEFF JARRETT & BAD LUCK FALE w/Karen Jarrett & Mao vs TENCOZY (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) & TOMOAKI HONMA There were many clashing opinions in this six-man tag challenge. Bullet Club have been tearing through the competition after beginning their invasion of New Japan Pro Wrestling in the spring of 2013 - their list of allies expanding gradually throughout the past year and a half, with Yujiro Takahashi defecting from CHAOS this past summer, and back in August joined additionally by the owner of Global Force Wrestling, Jeff Jarrett. Meanwhile, NJPW longstay veterans Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima stayed opposed, the two former IWGP Heavyweight Champions recruiting the loveable, hardhitting underdog Tomoaki Honma to even things up going into this match.
Right off the bat, the six men met in the ring trading fierce blows, as Jeff's wife Karen Jarrett and Yujiro Takahashi's valet Mao watched on from ringside. Takahashi and Jarrett sent Tomoaki Honma through the ropes, but TenCozy were there to deliver some hard-hitting thrust chops stunning Takahashi and Fale. Tenzan and Kojima then began to double team on Fale, trying to knock the "Underboss" of the Bullet Club off of his feet, it taking two shoulder blocks to do so! At ringside, Jarrett and Honma continued to trade blows before Honma sent Jarrett into the barrier sending him to the ground, then missing the first Kokeshi headbutt attempt of the match! The Tokyo crowd 'ooh'd his attempt. Back inside, Satoshi Kojima was going at it with the "Underboss", trying to take down Bad Luck Fale just for Fale to take him down with a big shoulder block then followed up by the Falling Coconut splash! Fale covered, but Hiroyoshi Tenzan was in there again, delivering a Mongolian Chop just for Takahashi to come from behind, taking Tenzan to the apron for a big splash from Fale into the corner.
Fale tagged in Jarrett, the "King of the Mountain" proceeding to stomp a mudhole into the abdomen of Tenzan, but when the GFW owner tried to whip Tenzan across the ring, Hiroyoshi overpowered him and took him down with a clothesline! Takahashi tried to make the save but Kojima came in, and TenCozy delivered the Ten-Koji Cutter on Yujiro! Meanwhile, Fale cut off Kojima with the Bad Luck Fall attempt, just for Tenzan to make the save - but the two proceeded to eat a double clothesline! Honma came in and tried to lariat Fale just for Fale to block, but when Jarrett came in whilst Karen distracted the official; the GFW owner clutching his Bullet Club stylized guitar and going to nail Honma with it - just for Honma to duck, the guitar nailing Fale over the head! Honma nipped up to the second rope and came off with a missile dropkick; Honma then going back up top, in an attempt to go for the top rope Kokeshi - but Takahashi came from behind, sending Honma head first into the mat! Jarrett covered, stealing the win for the Bullet Club!
Winners: Yujiro Takahashi, Jeff Jarrett & Bad Luck Fale in 6:16 [**]
The reaction was met with boos, as Jeff Jarrett crawled outside of the ring alongside an overjoyed Karen Jarrett - the two joined by the dastardly Yujiro Takahashi, Bad Luck Fale and Mao. Meanwhile back in the ring, Tomoaki Honma was aided to with an icepack from one of the Young Lions; joined by Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima, comforting Honma despite the underdog's loss for the team tonight.
3. SPECIAL TAG TEAM MATCH TAKASHI IIZUKA, SHELTON X BENJAMIN & THE KILLER ELITE SQUAD (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr) vs TORU YANO, NAOMICHI MARUFUJI & THE MIGHTY DON'T KNEEL (Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls) There was once a time where Takashi Iizuka of Suzuki-gun and Toru Yano of CHAOS were the best of friends. Known for their comical in-ring actions, they gained a cult following as a duo - but back in May 2015, Takashi jumped his oddball friend following a tag team match with Minoru Suzuki and Shelton X Benjamin - effectively joining the evil Suzuki-gun family. Since then, CHAOS and Suzuki-gun have been in the midst of a battle - and whilst Kazushi Sakuraba prepares to do battle later on against Minoru Suzuki, Yano instead has enlisted the help from three stars representing Pro Wrestling NOAH - the GHC Heavyweight Champion Naomichi Marufuji, and former GHC Tag Team Champions Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls of The Mighty Don't Kneel.
Regardless of the beef with his ex-ally, Toru Yano came out touting his DVDs and a big smile on his face on the big stage - backed with his NOAH comrades for the night. In contrast, the Suzuki-gun foursome were at the top of their game early on, as Yano tried to comical outwrestle the former All-American from the University of Minnesota, Shelton X Benjamin - which Yano soon decided against, instead choosing to unwrap the corner turnbuckle and toss it at Benjamin. The antics of Yano would only last as far as a near fall on Davey Boy Smith Jr however, as Davey of the Killer Elite Squad took to stomping away at Yano in the corner, before the K.E.S. began goading The Mighty Don't Kneel to get into the ring. The K.E.S. followed up with a Hart Attack on Yano, but the NOAH representatives made the save to break up the attempt.
The match continued with Lance Archer working away on Toru, pounding away at him - but Yano soon managed to tag in Haste and Nicholls, which is where the match suddenly began to break down. Naomichi Marufuji joined in as well, and sure enough very quickly every man was in there for himself. TMDK connected with a double powerslam on Archer, whilst Benjamin caught Yano with a springboard clothesline; elsewhere, Takashi Iizuka went in there and attempted to use his loaded glove to connect with the Iron Finger From Hell - but Marufuji somehow kicked the glove off of his foe's hand, and the GHC Heavyweight Champion rebounded with a Tiger uppercut kneelift, knocking Iizuka out for the three count!
Winners: Toru Yano, Naomichi Marufuji & The Mighty Don't Kneel in 4:22 [**]
The victors celebrated their win as Toru Yano pranced the ring as if he had just won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship; Yano beside himself with his Pro Wrestling NOAH comrades, the GHC Heavyweight Champion Naomichi Marufuji and The Mighty Don't Kneel assisting in victory over the four-member tangent of Suzuki-gun tonight in the Tokyo Dome.
4. SPECIAL SINGLES MATCH - SUBMISSION, KNOCKOUT OR STOPPAGE MINORU SUZUKI vs KAZUSHI SAKURABA The first special singles match of the night, and even then it is under unorthodox rules. Much like how Suzuki-gun took on Toru Yano and his friends from Pro Wrestling NOAH in the match prior, Minoru Suzuki representing Suzuki-gun took on Yano's ally from the CHAOS faction Kazushi Sakuraba in a match that could only end via submission, a knockout, or stoppage from the referee. This shoot style environment suiting both men's mixed martial arts backgrounds, Minoru Suzuki with a win-loss record of 29-20 dating back to his Pancrase days in the 1990s. Meanwhile, Kazushi Sakuraba on the other hand also very successful in MMA spanning from days with the UWF International promotion - a win-loss-draw record of 26-16-1 - also renowned for gaining a reputation as "the Gracie Killer", which came as the result of defeating Royler, Renzo, Ryan and Royce Gracie in fights.
Because of this, their careers are parallel, coming from two Japanese promotion and both making their way to this stage at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 9. For the occasion, "The Man with the Worst Personality in the World" (Suzuki), usually donning black trunks to match his unique hairstyle, came out tonight dressed in white with his hair also dyed white for the occasion - his towel as always draped over his head whilst methodically walking down the Tokyo Dome rampway. On the contrary, Kazushi Sakuraba simply made a long walk out to the ring, dressed in his standard attire of blue and orange shorts with a longsleeve - in addition to this, an unorthodox looking facemask. Business as usual for Sakuraba.
Upon arrival into the ring, the two immediately faced off in an intense staredown, before the bell sounded, and things immediately got down to it with Sakuraba attempted several kicks just for Suzuki to block them repeatedly, the result leading to both men taking to the mat for a series of attempt armlocks by each man until Sakuraba wisely grabbed the bottom rope to break the sequence. Sakuraba was choosing to target the arm of Suzuki, doing so by executing him effectively with a well targeted precision of kicks, but soon Minoru grabbed the leg from beneath him and began to tort the leg, stretching it out and attempting to grapevine it, just for Sakuraba to reverse it, locking in the Sasori-gatame - the Sharpshooter, innovated by his childhood idol Riki Choshu - but luckily Suzuki managed to drag the hold into the ropes again. Suzuki on the defensive, he quickly sent Sakuraba out to the floor and then followed up with a kick through the ropes to the face of Sakuraba.
At ringside now, Suzuki caught Sakuraba right in the chest with a running knee lift, then began stomping into the leg of the "Gracie Killer", delivering an impactful scoop slam on the floor with Sakuraba's leg catching the barrier! Minoru backed away, allowing Sakuraba to slowly get to his feet - and when he did, Suzuki came charging down the Tokyo Dome rampway, charging for Kazushi just for Kazushi to cut him off with a spin kick, sending Minoru Suzuki flying! Sakuraba continued on the offense, applying a kimura lock - patently the Sakuraba Lock - on the outside, and despite Suzuki's best efforts, he was unable to break the submission and began fading onto the floor, until the referee managed to ply Sakuraba off of the hold - the submission only being applicable to end the match inside of the ring.
Sakuraba got back inside of the ring whilst Suzuki was left clutching his arm. He managed to beat the count at 16, his arm almost hanging from his body after enduring the Sakuraba Lock for so long. Sakuraba lit Suzuki's chest and limp arm up with some kicks, but responded with several intense open-hand slaps to the face, but on one he caught Suzuki and tried to go for the cross-armbreaker, just for Suzuki to reach the ropes despite managing to almost escape. Minoru's arm was really hurting now, as he struggled back up to his vertical basis; and when he did was met with even more kicks from Sakuraba, responding with two big open hand slaps to the face of Sakuraba stunning him, met with a Mongolian chop from Kazushi; Minoru Suzuki rebounding by ducking one of them and locking on the dreaded sleeper hold - grapevining him, and slowly but surely, the referee stopped the match.
Winner: Minoru Suzuki in 11:20 [***¾]
Minoru Suzuki, badly injured arm and all, had his hand raised in victory whilst trying to overcome the damage done to his arm throughout this competitive UWFi-style match. "The Man with the Worst Personality in the World" stood shaken, but the Fighting Spirit had allowed him to carry on - which is when Kazushi Sakuraba suddenly came through. Sakuraba, ice-pack and all, met Suzuki in the ring, and gave Suzuki a respectful bow - which Minoru responded with one of his own! A show of respect from a man that gives no respect, and a decisive conclusion to this competitive rivalry between two wrestling/MMA competitors.
5. NEVER OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TOMOHIRO ISHII (c) vs TOGI MAKABE A battle of two hosses in New Japan Pro Wrestling, this was not the place to see anything flashy or beautiful - but instead a trainwreck between two of the hardest hitters, the toughest enforcers of strong style on the active roster. And on top of that, the NEVER Openweight Championship was on on the line. Both men came down to the ring with no frills or exciting entrances, a forecast of what was to come in the upcoming war. Tomohiro Ishii had his shoulder taped from past defences of the title showing - those previous encounters with Yujiro Takahashi, who he managed to beat for the title back at King of Pro Wrestling in October; and the hard-hitting defence against Hirooki Goto at Power Struggle in November. Togi Makabe was in Goto's corner that night, and he made the challenge to Ishii for this match here tonight.
The match began with "The Stone Pitbull" Ishii meeting Togi Makabe out of their respective corners with a big shoulder barge, both men charging and then exploding into several forearms to one another, Ishii asking "the Kingkong" to strike him harder with each blow. Makabe and Ishii were each trying to drown the other man's offence out, but Ishii stopped it with a big headbutt causing Makabe to be stunned, falling back into the ropes where Makabe managed to catch the champion with a powerslam; Ishii the receiver, taking it in stride as he met the challenger with another stiff right hand, following up with a combination of strikes, causing Makabe's head to drop slightly - and this was followed up with a powerslam of his own, Makabe responding with an intense head-to-head confrontation that had the Tokyo Dome surprised, as the match continued with Ishii demonstrating how tough his chops can be, slapping the chest of Makabe whilst Makabe responded with some of his own; but Ishii struck Makabe in the throat with one, stunning the challenger for a moment - before Makabe cut Ishii off with some heavy hitting strikes in return!
Makabe speared Ishii into the corner, then struck him several times before Ishii came back, flipping Makabe into the corner, and delivered more throat-aimed chops - then deadlifting him onto the top rope - Ishii connecting with a deadlift superplex sending both crashing down! Ishii appeared to have weakened his bandaged shoulder on the attempt, but regardless he bit through the pain as he is often able to do; getting Makabe up for a sit-out powerbomb, but it was for only two. Ishii was graduall slower, as Makabe was brought to his feet as well; the "Kingkong" breaking free, then picking Ishii up and dropping him with a big sit-out powerbomb of his own, but Ishii charged out! Makabe got Ishii ready for a German suplex, it connecting and Makabe bridged it, but despite the pressure on his shoulder, Ishii managed to kick out at two again. Ishii rolled under the ropes and onto the apron, where Togi met Tomohiro with some right hands, then attempted to pick him up; it succeeding and Makabe connected with a Samoan drop for a near fall again.
Ishii was on the defensive, but rose to a knee and was met with Makabe; and the two began to rise into another tense head-against-head confrontation. Makabe broke it and pounded Ishii over the head, then sent him into the ropes just for Ishii to duck; Makabe on the rebound with a knock-down lariat but for two in a very close fall! Ishii was trying to get back into the fight, and he won a striking exchange stunning Makabe once again going after the throat; a lariat of his own nailing Makabe just for two! Ishii got up to his feet slowly, and shoulder-and-all, got Makabe up for a suplex, just for Togi to reverse it into one of his own; Makabe got back up to his feet, but Ishii was remorseless, an enzuigiri kick taking Makabe down for another sudden near fall!
The fans were standing, in support of both the CHAOS member and the GBH leader; Ishii picking Makabe up and attempting the brainbuster, just for Makabe to knee Makabe in the head; an exchange of lariats this time. They slammed into one another repeatedly, but Ishii and his hurting shoulder was the loser this time, Makabe nailing a bridging northern lights suplex, but Ishii kicked out at one! Makabe capitalized, charging the ropes and nailing a sitting Ishii with a big lariat! Makabe covered, but the champion would not go out this way! Togi then decided to go up for the Kingkong Knee Drop, but at the last second Ishii dodged it, then rocked Makabe with a stiff lariat; a headbutt following! Ishii then struggled to get Makabe up for a suplex as Makabe kept grounded - Ishii struck heads with Makabe again, and the "Stone Pitbull" got Togi up for a brainbuster, covering, and Ishii retained the title!
Winner: Tomohiro Ishii (c) in 11:54 [****½] ***STILL CHAMPION***
The Tokyo Dome lit up as Tomohiro Ishii slowly got his feet after successfully making his second defense of the NEVER Openweight Championship - the "Stone Pitbull" hurting after the damage done to his shoulder throughout this exchange - but it never let him get him down despite Togi Makabe's best efforts. "The Kingkong" was iced, defeated in this loss, but he could not stop Ishii on his 83rd day reign as the champion of the division.
A video package aired, giving us a glimpse of New Japan Pro Wrestling's schedule in 2015 - the New Year Dash event at Korakuen Hall tomorrow night; Fantastica Mania tour later this month; New Beginnings in both Osaka and Sendai in February; the New Japan Cup in March; Invasion Attack in April; Wrestling Dontaku in May; Dominion in June; and the 25th annual G1 Climax this coming July.
6. IWGP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP RYUSUKE TAGUCHI (c) vs KENNY OMEGA w/Nick & Matt Jackson It was back on September 21 at NJPW's Destruction in Kobe where the hot merchandise seller, "the Funky Weapon" Ryusuke Taguchi won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship for the second time when he defeated KUSHIDA. Meanwhile, on October 3, it was announced that Dramatic Dream Team star Kenny Omega would be signing with New Japan Pro Wrestling when his current contract expired later that month. At Power Struggle in November, Omega arrived in NJPW - though under completely unexpected circumstances. On this night, Karl Anderson and the rest of the Bullet Club confronted Taguchi after a successful title defence against Taichi. Here, Kenny Omega appeared to confront and challenge the champion - now known as "The Cleaner", the latest addition to the Bullet Club faction in their quest to overthrow New Japan Pro Wrestling.
"The Cleaner" made his re-debut tonight at Wrestle Kingdom 9, vowing to take the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship in the process. A new look with orchestral theme music, a duster coat, dyed grey and black hair, shades and a toothpick to match; Kenny Omega had rechristened himself, and to support his new alliance, the Young Bucks accompanied him to the ring for this title match tonight. Meanwhile, "the Funky Weapon" continued to look like a star as he arrived in the Tokyo Dome with his Eddie Guerrero-inspired ring gear, accompanied by shades and popular merchandised shirt brandishing the slogan.
The two met in the ring, and Taguchi, ever the practical joker, immediately mocked Omega's new look - which Omega responded by throwing his toothpick in the champion's direction. The two traded a technical back-and-forth early on, with Taguchi trying to take the challenger down for an ankle lock attempt just for "the Cleaner" to fight it off. Omega tried to get back into the fight, but Taguchi managed to outwit the challenger, clotheslining him over the top rope to the floor. The Young Bucks were there to support Omega, as the three talked strategy - foolishly setting up Taguchi to hit a plancha through the ropes onto all three members of the Bullet Club. Taguchi continued the battle with Omega at ringside, but this changed when Matt and Nick Jackson both distracted the referee, allowing Omega to use a nearby Aerosol can, spraying it into the eyes of Taguchi - such Westernised tactics synonymous with the Bullet Club.
From there, Omega went on the offensive, working away at Taguchi back inside of the ring. The challenger grounded Taguchi with an enzuigiri, trying to cover but only for a near fall. "The Cleaner" then decided to take a very unorthodox approach - using the "dreaded" Chainsaw - rubbing his forearm stubble into the forehead of Taguchi; the "Funky Weapon" however trying to break free. Omega attempted to follow up, but was met with a front dropkick from Taguchi from the second rope; "the Funky Weapon" then choosing to put his Funky Weapon into practice; a sliding hip attack on Omega, the rear end of Taguchi only able to get a near fall however. Ryusuke continued, sending Omega off the ropes just for Kenny to turn Taguchi's jumping hip attack into an atomic drop, causing the crowd to "OHHH" at the poor ass of Ryusuke Taguchi. Omega followed up with the twisting dragon suplex for two, known by Omega as the "Dragon Rebirth".
Kenny continued with the dirty attacks, low blowing Taguchi whilst the Young Bucks had Taguchi's attention. However, Taguchi cradled Kenny for two - the referee meanwhile still distracted thanks to Omega's friends at ringside. Taguchi noticed this, sending Omega to the outside again - this time onto the Bucks: and then proceeded to follow up with a flip dive, again sending all three Biz Cliz members down! Taguchi took Omega back inside for two, the "Funky Weapon" learning that he had to do more in order to put the challenger away. Taguchi stalled for Omega to reach his feet, connecting with a springboard dropkick again for two; that "Master of Dropkicks" side of Ryusuke showing its' face. Taguchi with the ankle lock attempt again, unable to synch it in again however, as Nick and Matt Jackson returned to distracting the champion. With this, Taguchi taunted the Young Bucks by smacking his own rear end outraging the former IWGP Junior Heavweight Tag Team Champions; but the distraction allowed Omega to slip out of a fireman's carry attempt into a sunset flip; but Taguchi held on and came down with a hip attack right onto the face of Omega! Kenny was outraged now, as he came at Taguchi with a German suplex, followed with a fast kick to the face of the champion! Omega picked Taguchi up with the electric chair, dropping Taguchi on his head with the One-Winged Angle driver, good enough for the three count!
Winner: Kenny Omega in 11:08 [***¾] ***NEW CHAMPION***
The crowd were not very pleased with the outcome, as Kenny Omega rose to his feet in the ring over a prone and defeated Ryusuke Taguchi. Unsuccessful in his third defence as champion, "the Cleaner" had arrived in New Japan in his first match back, and in the process won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship! Another title for the Bullet Club, the Young Bucks joined him in the ring as the three continued to celebrate.
7. IWGP TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP GALLOWS AND GUN (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) w/Tama Tonga & Bullet Babe (c) vs MEIYU TAG (Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata)Ever since the launch of the Bullet Club in the spring of 2013, the faction has grown increasingly seemingly with every big show. But with the introduction of Doc Gallows to the villainous gaijin faction in late 2013, it allowed for Karl Anderson to do something he has specialised in many times throughout his career; pursue the IWGP Tag Team Championships. After winning the 2013 World Tag League, Gallows and the "Machine Gun" successfully won the IWGP crown at last year's Wrestle Kingdom when they defeated the Killer Elite Squad. Since then, they have gone on a 365 day long reign (and counting), defeating teams such as Mark and Jay Briscoe, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Togi Makabe, Kazuchika Okada and Toru Yano, Rob Conway and Jax Dane, La Sombra and Tetsuya Naito, and Matt Taven and Michael Bennett throughout 2014. But in the finals of the 2014 World Tag League, they succumbed to defeat to victors Meiyu Tag; effectively propelling Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata into the IWGP Tag Team Championship ranks.With the profane Doc Gallows marching down to the ring, waving his IWGP Tag Team Championship between his legs; the ever vocal "Machine Gun" Karl Anderson seemed very prepared for this match, wanting to continue the Bullet Club's domination of New Japan; and in particular, the 365 day long reign (and counting) as IWGP Tag Team Champions. On the contrary, Meiyu Tag came down to the ring quite energetically, Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata charged the ring, eager to get this match under way. However, Anderson and Gallows did bring some friends of their own; Tama Tonga, who competed in the New Japan Rumble; and the Bullet Babe, Gallows' wife, Amber O'Neal. But Shibata was not in the mood for their antics, as he immediately charged Tonga on the apron, knocking him off; and all four men started off trading blows; Shibata sending Gallows through the ropes and kicking him in the back of the cranium.Inside the ring, "the Machine Gun" tried to get the better of his former tag partner, Hirooki Goto; Goto unable to destablize Anderson, who delivered a DDT to "Aramusha"; before Shibata entered the ring, "the Wrestler" lighting Anderson up with some well placed kicks to the chest and abdomen; then bouncing off of the ropes and coming back with a big dropkick taking Anderson down! But Gallows was back in there, blindsighting Shibata and sending him to the ringside area. The action went outside, with Gallows sending Shibata into the ringside barrier; Goto meanwhile firing back inside of the ring, a headbutt for Anderson followed by a Tokko lariat only giving the challenger two. Goto soon found himself winded after a German suplex was blocked; Anderson cutting him off with a back elbow, followed by a death valley bomb; Anderson tagging in Gallows with Shibata now recovering at ringside. Gallows and Gun traded tags followed by short furies of offence grounding the "New Japan Daredevil"; Anderson nailing a spinning spinebuster on one occasion, whilst another Gallows cut off a reviving Goto with a chokebomb for two. Anderson attempted to go for a Gun Stun attempt on Goto, but Shibata intercepted, pulling his longtime ally off of Anderson's shoulders and roundhouse kicking the "Machine Gun"! Gallows came back in, but Goto was alive and well; managing to pick Gallows onto his shoulders, launching him into a big kick from Shibata! Gallows was on his knees stunned, and Shibata followed up with a ferocious Penalty Kick! Goto covered, and the year of Gallows and Gun was over!Winners: Meiyu Tag in 8:35 [**½] ***NEW CHAMPION***
The longtime friends sat in the middle of the ring with their arms folded and their legs crossed; Meiyu Tag successful tonight in winning the IWGP Tag Team Championships and cementing their alliance, whilst Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson were aided out of the Tokyo Dome by Tama Tonga and the Bullet Babe, their reign as IWGP Tag Team Champions for over 365 days stopped on their 7th defense. Meiyu Tag remained proud, the spotlight on them as the new reign has begun.
8. SPECIAL SINGLES MATCHA.J. STYLES vs TETSUYA NAITOThere are not many other words in vocabulary than to describe A.J. Styles as "Phenomenal", that we already know. But ever since he first appeared in New Japan Pro Wrestling, winning the IWGP Heavyweight Championship last spring in his first night as part of the promotion, Styles has entered a renaissance period in his career. The new leader of the Bullet Club, A.J. has taken the faction to new heights, but he was up against tough competition in his adversary tonight. Tetsuya Naito, the winner of the 2013 G1 Climax surely would have had a huge moment when he challenged Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 8 last year; if not for losing a poll and having his big moment tarnished significantly when it was voted to not main event the big event. Since then, Naito has been striving to revitalize - with this wave of momentum behind both men, it was apparent that the winner would go on to get the next shot at the IWGP's main crown."The Phenomenal One" dressed in uncharacteristic blue and white colors - a far cry from the red and blue/blue and black that has been synonymous with the former NWA Heavyweight and TNA World Heavyweight Champion in the past. Styles still fired the Bullet Club handguns, but he knew that on such a prestigious night, he had to pull out all of the stops. The same could be said for the "Stardust☆Genius" during this path for redemption. But Styles immediately jumped Naito during his in-ring introduction, the Bullet Club leader affirming his place as dominant, and immediately attempted the potentially lethal Styles Clash - the same Styles Clash that broke Yoshi-Tatsu's neck last month. Naito managed to block the attempt, firing back just for Styles to send Naito through the ropes; A.J. then following suit with an attempted moonsault just for Naito to dodge; leaping onto the apron and taking Styles down with a dropkick off of the apron! Naito appeared to have landed roughly on his leg on the landing, as he grabbed A.J. and brought him back inside; "Stardust☆Genius" attempting a dragon suplex just for Styles to block, tripping Naito and taking a firm grip of his leg, repeatedly forearming it in the process. Naito broke loose and attempted to run at "the Phenomenal One" just for Styles to reverse into a flip-over neckbreaker, covering for a near fall! Naito was now at a loss with one of his legs seemingly fragile, as well as his neck from the landing on that neckbreaker. Styles pounded away at the 2013 G1 Climax winner, then attempted to go for a Styles Clash again just for Naito to flip him over; Styles with a sunset flip attempt, but he rolled through and connected with a front dropkick right into the face of A.J. Naito now slowly went up to the top for a moonsault attempt, but Styles was there to cut him off; dragging him down by his weakened leg and attempting to go for the Calf Killer just for Naito to stretch out for the bottom rope, prompting the break.Styles slid under the bottom rope to the apron and attempted to go for the springboard forearm smash, but Naito had it scouted, slipping onto the apron himself and connecting with a springboard forearm smash of his own in retaliation! Styles was down, but he kicked out at two. Meanwhile Naito continued to show problems with his leg, and it showed as Styles capitalized immediately, going back after the leg and sending him to the outside. But A.J. was not done yet, slapping around Tetsuya at ringside before going up to the apron and attempting the moonsault again, just for Naito to sidestep it, and following up with a desperation enzuigiri, both men down with the ring out count ongoing. The tension grew as the count out reached 15 with little movement, but both men managed to hit the apron just in time to break the count. Resetting back inside, Styles' attempt for offence went blocked, Naito delivering a high kick to Styles knocking him into the corner. Naito then went for a top rope hurricanrana just for Styles to hang on, precarious position here as Styles went for the Styles Clash reversal - but Naito flipped out of it, landing on his feet and dashing back to the second rope for a successful hurricanrana! Naito hooked the leg, but Styles managed to find the will to kick out! Naito was in disbelief now, but not as much as A.J. who once again tried to mount a comeback, suddenly catching Naito with the Calf Killer - again after the weakened leg of the "Stardust☆Genius". Naito was riving in pain, trying to separate himself from the hold, but Styles kept it locked in; Naito meanwhile unable to escape, but he did at least roll through from it, then striking "the Phenomenal One" with all of his might. The two divided again, A.J. slowly got back to his feet and attempted to nail Naito with another Styles Clash attempt just for Naito to turn it into a hurricanrana; the legs hooked, and with that Naito managed to claim the victory!Winner: Tetsuya Naito in 15:31 [****¼]After what could have been a fantastic year for Tetsuya Naito in 2014 turned to shambles, the "Stardust☆Genius" had began the year 2015 to a great start, scoring the victory against "the Phenomenal One" A.J. Styles tonight at Wrestle Kingdom 9! Naito's hand was raised in victory, though the man himself was fatigued - but regardless of this, Naito was one step closer to another opportunity at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship once again. Styles began to recover, sure to fight another day.
A video package aired, previewing what was about to come ahead with the IWGP Intercontinental Championship on the line between champion Shinsuke Nakamura and challenger Kota Ibushi. Ibushi and Nakamura initially met back in the 2013 G1 Climax by chance, with the "King of Strong Style" managing to walk out victorious. In that time, and since Kota Ibushi gained weight to establish himself as a heavyweight, Nakamura has continued to dominate the Intercontinental ranks, whilst Ibushi has continued to prove himself worthy in the big leagues. It was back in November at Power Struggle when Nakamura received the challenge from a determined Ibushi, the match assigned for Wrestle Kingdom 9 in Tokyo Dome. Nakamura appeared calm and collected in his comments, acknowledging Ibushi's traits of ring expertise, but denying anything but victory in the match tonight.
9. IWGP INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP SHINSUKE NAKAMURA (c) vs KOTA IBUSHIWe were sure to expect anything in this encounter between two of the best that New Japan Pro Wrestling has to offer. As Kota Ibushi continues to try his hand in the heavyweight ranks, striving to claim the IWGP Intercontinental Championship against the "King of Strong Style" - a former multi-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, and three-time holder of the IC crown. This was sure to be something special between the contrasting styles of Nakamura's brutality and unmatchable in-ring prowess; whilst Ibushi maintained aerial excellence spanning from his days as a junior heavyweight, and his determination through Fighting Spirit going strong forevermore.The "Golden Star" made his way out onto the Tokyo Dome stage - the biggest stage possible in New Japan Pro Wrestling - and took one long gaze around the sea of people awaiting this big title match. The former Dramatic Dream Team star had made his way to this level, to compete on such a stage. As Ibushi appeared determined, there could be no entrance like the charismatic enigma that is Shinsuke Nakamura. A crown on his head, and a red gown to accompany him, the champion made an entrance fit for a king, no less the "King of Strong Style". He pranced down to the ring among the audience's united admiration, as he approached the ring and removed the gown; arriving in the ring and immediately dropping to his knees to the audience's delight. Nakamura appeared motivated but still relaxed, as he stood across the ring from a determined up-and-comer in Kota Ibushi. The in-ring introductions concluded, and it was time to put up or shut up.Do or die, Kota Ibushi chose his first motion wisely, as he and Shinsuke played physical charades around the ring at first without even laying a finger on each other. They then began attempting to duel it out in a Greco-Roman knucklelock, to which Nakamura used his size to an advantage. Kota however was lightning quick with his feet, attempting to chop the long legs of the champion down just for Nakamura to break the lock and back off. As females were heard in the audience calling Shinsuke's name, on the contrary, the sea of people in attention had come to witness Kota win the big one. The two locked up again, but as Nakamura was backed into the ropes, the two slowly broke under the referee's orders; Ibushi suddenly slapping Nakamura in an act of defiance! Shinsuke appeared slightly taken aback by this, as Kota glared him down from a distance.Shinsuke re-figured his strategy, this time through trickery - almost to one-up the "Golden Star". The IWGP Intercontinental Champion extended his hand to Ibushi, appearing to want a respectful, clean match. But when Kota went to accept, Shinsuke roped him in and delivered a lariat; Kota quick to respond as per, forcing Nakamura into a corner and beginning to kick away at the legs of the champion once more. Nakamura went down in the corner, and Kota decided to replicate one of Nakamura's traits; the footwash in the corner, channeling Nakamura's rockstar energy through body language. Ibushi paused to Shinsuke's hesitation; then getting to his feet and very quickly forcing Kota down into the corner for his own footwash, correctly done and then some with some follow-up stomps. Shinsuke was in control now, and Ibushi found himself the respondant of a neckbreaker by the "King of Strong Style", covering for an easy one kickout. Though this would not last much longer, as Kota responded to Shinsuke's attempts at offence with a big dropkick knocking his foe through the ropes to the floor. Once there, Ibushi dashed to the top rope and came over the top with a huge moonsault onto Nakamura on the floor!Ibushi however did not want to settle on a possible count-out win, bringing his adversary back inside of the ring, lighting up the kneeling Shinsuke with several harsh kicks into the chest and abdomen regions. Shinsuke did however duck a big roundhouse kick targeted for his head, and attempted a lightning fast knee just for Kota to catch him, connecting with a snap sit-out powerbomb, just for Nakamura to kick out at two. Ibushi connected with a standing moonsault, again for two despite his best efforts to pin the champion's shoulders to the mat. Ibushi followed up, taking Shinsuke up to the second rope, where he attempted to continue the offence with a second rope hurricanrana, just for Nakamura to knock Kota onto the canvas, then attempting to nail Kota with a Boma Ye just for the "Fallen Star" to catch him and nail him with a falling hurricanrana, the legs hooked just for two! Kota followed up with a standing corkscrew, but Nakamura managed to get his knees up.Shinsuke was slower than before, as he lit Ibushi up with some kicks of his own; Kota fast on the rebound and attempting another hurricanrana just for Nakamura to powerbomb him; following up with a Boma Ye to the back of the challenger's head, only scoring a two count. Kota was proving his Fighting Spirit, his will to never quit; as Shinsuke got overly aggressive with some slaps to Ibushi, almost a callback to the match's early moments. Shinsuke set Kota up for another Boma Ye, but Ibushi dodged it and delivered a big dropkick stunning Nakamura, smiling and continuing with several big kicks! He had Shinsuke where he wanted him now, but Nakamura delayed his offence by pushing the referee in his route, then taking Kota down with a cross-armbreaker, refusing to let go though Kota refused to separate the divide in his hands. Nakamura attempted to elbow it in order to make the break, though Ibushi managed to roll up Shinsuke and drop him with a bomb! Ibushi was attempting to take this match back, as he kicked Nakamura almost playfully in the back, before mocking Nakamura again; connecting with a Boma Ye to the master of the move! Kota covered, but Nakamura would not stay down, kicking out furiously at one!Shinsuke was buzzing again, the adrenaline pumping in his championship veins, and Kota's attempt at another kick was blocked and countered, as Nakamura rebounded with a dragon screw, then followed with a multitude of strikes from punches to kicks - charging a groggy Ibushi just to encounter a double foot stomp! Ishii was exhausted, and Nakamura slowly recovered, as the two slowly met back on their feet, striking one another slowly, until Nakamura's lariat attempt was met by Ibushi sending Shinsuke to the apron; attempting a German suplex over the top rope; but the "King of Strong Style" remained, then elbowed Kota in the face; running to the top rope and coming off with a big Boma Ye! Ibushi however was still in there, slowly stirring from the big impact manoeuvre and smiling through the pain. Kota got back up and ran right into a suplex, and Nakamura nailed Kota with one final Boma Ye, which was good for the three!Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura in 22:45 [*****] ***STILL CHAMPION*** The crowd were in disbelief, as both men remained down on the canvas. Shinsuke Nakamura slowly rose to his knees, the "King of Strong Style" reminding everybody what makes him so good. Still the IWGP Intercontinental Champion on his third successful defence, Nakamura was dazed and confused; but he stood over Kota Ibushi and extended his hand, this time for a fistbump. It was accepted, a show of respect between two of the all-time modern greats. Ibushi was attended to and helped to the back, whilst Shinsuke stood in the ring and introduced himself to the Tokyo Dome crowd, receiving a huge ovation! Nakamura talked about still being the IWGP Intercontinental Champion, before concluding with one big YeaOh!
A video package aired, main event time for Wrestle Kingdom 9 in the Tokyo Dome. Two men with different histories: Hiroshi Tanahashi, the champion. He proclaims himself to be a "Once in a Century Talent"; a man that led New Japan Pro Wrestling through its darkest days, and brought it into the limelight in the 2010s. Meanwhile, his rival for several years now is a man known as Kazuchika Okada. A member of the illustrious CHAOS faction, Okada was merely a Young Lion when he made his start back in 2007. Flash forward five years, and Kazuchika Okada was the man that uncrowned Tanahashi as IWGP Heavyweight Champion in 2012, "Rainmaker" Okada becoming one of the youngest IWGP Heavyweight Champion in history. In recent years, Okada has shown promise as becoming the next Ace in New Japan; a term associated mostly with Tanahashi. They have fought seven times in singles competition, and whilst Okada has uncrowned Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in the past, Kazuchika is obsessed with the mentality of defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi at New Japan's flagship supershow - Wrestle Kingdom - in order to become the Ace of New Japan in his own mind!
10. IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP HIROSHI TANAHASHI (c) vs KAZUCHIKA OKADA w/GedoThe Tokyo Dome felt tense and much different than the energy previously felt at any other point during the night leading up to this headline clash between two of the very best in New Japan today. A Wrestle Kingdom 7 rematch; it was two years ago to the day where Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Kazuchika Okada in the main event to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Two years on, and things appear very similar: Tanahashi as the reigning and defending IWGP Heavyweight Champion in the first defence of his seventh reign with the belt; with Kazuchika Okada, the holder of the G1 Climax briefcase - much like when he won it in the summer of 2012 - challenging the "Once in a Century Talent" with the title on the line. It was detrimental to those that dispute who the true Ace of New Japan Pro Wrestling really is: some say that Hiroshi Tanahashi, the man that brought NJPW out of its' mid-2000s decline, completely to hold the flag of the Lion's Mark wherever he goes - but others dispute that the younger, athletic and phenomenally talented Kazuchika Okada makes a strong case, being the youngest man to win the G1 Climax in 2012; a two-time winner when he won the G1 Climax in 2014; and a two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion; whilst also holding three victories over the elder, more experienced flagbearer Tanahashi.But Kazuchika Okada disputes this - he feels in his own mind that only when he defeats Hiroshi Tanahashi in the Tokyo Dome at a January 4 show, can he truly believe that he is the Ace of New Japan Pro Wrestling going into a new era. Last year, Okada went into Wrestle Kingdom 8 with the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Tetsuya Naito in what was supposed to be the main event; but after a fan poll voted an IWGP Intercontinental Championship match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Hiroshi Tanahashi into the main event slot, Okada felt bitter. Since then, he has been out to one-up Tanahashi. And his aim was to finish the job and take over starting tonight. "Rainmaker" Kazuchika Okada came out to a rowdy ovation, Okada dressed in gold to symbolize his championship pedigree; a sequined robe supporting his cause, making him look man-made for the top slot in the organization. Okada was joined at ringside by his longtime mentor and manager, Gedo, who applauded him and began to motivate him going into battle tonight. Okada was pumped up, and understandably so.The theme song of Hiroshi Tanahashi followed, and out came the IWGP Heavyweight Champion brandishing his typical Shawn Michaels-reminiscent ring jacket; a window in the jacket containing the prized crown of the heavyweight ranks; the gold itself. Tanahashi took a stride down to the ring, dressed for the occasion in red and white ready to go at it one more time with his arch rival tonight. The two faced off in the ring immediately, a staredown ensuing between the two men from different generations; Tanahashi being from the past leading up until right now - whilst Okada has vowed to become the "Ace of the New Era" leading New Japan into the future. After the introductions, the bell sounded, but both remained in standstill motion. The crowd backed their hero, but both remained staring one another down, no eye derived from the other. Eventually, they finally locked up; Okada using his height advantage to control the champion with a side headlock; the pacing methodical early on as Tanahashi slowly worked his way out of it, applying a headlock of his own. Each man continued to trade side headlocks until reaching the corner where a clean break was enforced. Okada took the time to almost patronizingly pat Hiroshi on the chest, just to get forearmed in the face, and just like that the fight was on, with Tanahashi striking away at Kazuchika! Tanahashi got the better of his foe and headed up top, just for the G1 Climax winner of 2014 to charge the champion with a hard uppercut, rocking him and sending the IWGP Heavyweight Champion to the floor.Now outside of the ring, Okada rocked Tanahashi again with a lariat sending him over the ringside barrier into the construction area surrounding ringside. The referee was counting, as Okada draped Hiroshi over the barrier and connected with a hangman's DDT onto the ring mats below! Kazuchika did not want to finish things there though, as the match continued onto the rampway, where Okada attempted to go for a shocking Tombstone Piledriver attempt, just for Tanahashi to sandbag the challenger; the experience factor playing a part here as the wise champion blocked it; the "Once in a Century Talent" stunning Okada with a right hand before taking a moment to showboat to the 30,000 plus in attendance tonight for Wrestle Kingdom 9! This came at a rather inappropriate time however, as he turned back just to walk into a death valley driver, face-planting Tanahashi onto the metal rampway! Official Red Shoes Unno had stopped his count and joined the two on the ramp by this point, not wanting these two to leave the vicinity of the ringside area any further.Okada brought Tanahashi back inside for a cover, but for a near fall. The challenger appeared to have wounded the IWGP Heavyweight Champion; illustrating this with a methodical change in pace. Okada went for a splash off of the second rope, but the champion proved that he was still in the fight, managing to move out of the way! Tanahashi tried to follow up, but Okada cut him off with a flying forearm rocking the champion further; connecting with a scoop slam and following up with the somersault senton from the apron into the ribs of the "Ace of New Japan". Okada poised confidence, as he signalled for the Rainmaker - the camera zooming to a wide shot of the Dome; Okada getting Tanahashi set up for it, just for Tanahashi to respond by ducking the Lariat, rolling Okada up for two before grabbing the leg of Okada and delivering a dragon screw targeting the leg of the challenger. Okada showed clear signs of pain in response to this, demonstrated as the contender rolled out to the floor; the champion not wanting to give Okada any time to recuperate from the pain, following up with several stiff kicks to the leg. Okada was resilient and tried to charge at Tanahashi, and wound up being big back body dropped over the ringside barrier back into the construction area! Nothing but the thinnest of ground material there.Tanahashi capitalized and seized the moment at this chance, as Okada was slow to get up off of what was practically concrete floor. The veteran champion rolled inside of the ring and climbed up to the top rope, hesitant when considering the distance, as Okada slowly got back up to his feet some fifteen feet away from the ring area. And that's when Tanahashi came off of the top rope, flying over the ringside barriers and connecting with a High Fly Flow onto Okada! Okada was down and hurting, and despite the high-risk move off of the top rope, Tanahashi knew he had weakened Okada's defence with the impact. Tanahashi however was also slower now, picking Okada up and slowly but surely bringing him back into the ring, then going up to the top rope to set up a second High Fly Flow just for Okada to get up to his feet and catch Tanahashi with a crossbody countering the High Fly Flow attempt this time! Adrenaline was pumping in Okada's veins now, as he got back up quicker than before and called for the Tombstone Piledriver again a Gedo anxiously watched on from ringside. Okada tried it, but Tanahashi managed to counter it into his own; the Tombstone Piledriver used against Okada; Tanahashi covered, but Okada once again managed to show signs of life and kick out! Hiroshi realized he had to capitalize while Okada was down and once again went back up for the High Fly Flow, this time connecting onto the grounded challenger! Tanahashi covered, but Okada kicked out at the last possible second, wowing the Tokyo Dome crowd!The stunned IWGP Heavyweight Champion was shocked that Okada had once again kicked out of the High Fly Flow; the defiant "Rainmaker" refusing to give in. That is until Tanahashi tried to turn Okada over for a cloverleaf - struggling at first due to Okada's tall frame built with muscle - but he managed to turn him three-quarters of the way before the challenger managed to flip Tanahashi away! Tanahashi had another idea however, which is when he stretched out his arms: the camera zoomed out to a wide angle of the Tokyo Dome. Was Tananhashi seriously about to try and beat Okada with his own Rainmaker Lariat? Tanahashi got Okada set up, but twisted and went for the Lariat just for Okada to duck, delivering a standard lariat of his own! Okada covered Hiroshi, but Tanahashi once again powered out at two, leaving Okada down and stunned! The "Ace of New Japan" was trying so hard not to let the "Ace of a New Era" take the top spot away from him, and likewise Okada was desperate to finally get what he has waited three years to accomplish. Okada was up first before Tanahashi though both narrowly avoided the 10-count out. Okada rocked Tanahashi with a wild uppercut before connecting with a sudden Tombstone Piledriver - the cover...only for two once again! The battle raged on in this sixty-minute time-limit match, reaching the twenty-five minute mark now with both men incapable of knocking the other man out for three. Tanahashi got to his feet and kicked Okada in the face with his knee before slapping him around. Okada staggered to his knees, where Tanahashi attempted to roundhouse kick him just for Okada to dodge it, then attempting one more Rainmaker, just for Tanahashi to duck and nail a deadlift German suplex! Okada attempted to rage through it however, getting up and nailing Hiroshi with a German suplex of his own despite his best efforts to block it; but Tanahashi kicked out again! Okada was relentless now, as he attempted another Rainmaker just for Hiroshi Tanahashi to reverse it into a suplex! Both men slowly got back to their feet in the midst of such a gruelling match - potentially the biggest in Wrestle Kingdom history. Tanahashi rose, a second wind reviving the Ace; but running the ropes only led him into a huge dropkick from Kazuchika Okada - renowned for having such an impactful and beautiful dropkick! Okada attempted another Rainmaker Lariat, but Tanahashi ducked it, attempting a backdrop but Okada landed on his feet, just to be met with more kicks to the previously harmed leg from the champ! Okada's leg was feeling the effects as the champion managed to nearly decapitate Okada with an enzuigiri - then going up to the top rope for the High Fly Flow, the Tokyo Dome vibrating with a huge clash of support between Tanahashi and Okada, both Aces vying for the top spot in New Japan on New Japan's greatest stage! Tanahashi connected successfully with the High Fly Flow onto the spine of the challenger, but then decided to go up one more time, coming down with a second High Fly Flow - and that was all she wrote for Okada!Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) in 31:24 [****¾] ***STILL CHAMPION***The Tokyo Dome erupted in joy as Hiroshi Tanahashi had further cemented himself as the "Once in a Century Talent" - the "Ace of New Japan" victorious in the first defense of his seventh reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion! The fans continued to applaud as Tanahashi, exhausted as he was, rose to the corners to celebrate with fans - some of which were awaiting Okada to take the throne from the veteran Tanahashi. Okada meanwhile, the winner of the G1 Climax 2014, was down and out on the canvas being aided to by the Young Lions and mentor, Gedo. Gedo soon helped Okada out of the ring, taking a long walk back to the dressing room. But noticeably, Okada was crying.
An emotional Okada was still motionless despite tears streaming down his face with his hands covering it up; but back inside the ring, Hiroshi Tanahashi had gotten a microphone; shouting Okada's name. He told Okada with a big smile on his face; asking the challenger how being frustrated feels. He told Okada that despite his best efforts, New Japan was still so far away, in reference to Okada trying to lead New Japan into a new era - but not before Tanahashi had anything to say about it. Okada and Gedo disappeared, as Tanahashi played the air guitar in the ring, refusing to stand down as the "Ace of New Japan"!
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Post by Chris Hammers on Jan 6, 2016 17:12:25 GMT -5
Forgot about Jarrett's weird run with The Bullet Club. Near sure it ended with this show after they lost, so I'm surprised you decided to go different with it. Tho I've always been a fan of Jeff so yay. The Mighty Don't Kneel are amazing and you should definitely bring them in full time. Love me some Ishii, so I am glad he retained the Openweight Title. Dude's had some wars. I've never been able to get in to Taguchi's routine, and sometimes it actually baffles me he was Prince Devitt's partner. Omega was the right choice for Jr Heavyweight Champ. Meiyu Tag! Surprised you had Naito beat Styles. Bullet Club haven't had a really good night. A push for Naito would be awesome tho. Ibushi vs Nakamura was my MOTY in 2015, and I'm kinda sad you didn't throw the belt on Kota. I hope he gets a mega push in this as it did look like he could break through to that main event tier for a while before getting injured. Fun stuff in the main event with Tanihashi and Okada. Can't see you throwing the belt on Styles like what happened, considering his loss tonight, and I have a slight feeling, Jarrett may play a big role in the Bullet Club/Heavyweight Title scene in the near future. Looking forward to seeing what happens tho.
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Post by DTP. on Jan 13, 2016 18:49:39 GMT -5
| NJPW NEW YEAR DASH !! Monday, January 5, 2015 - Korakuen Hall - Bunkyō, Tokyo |
The official signature introduction for New Japan Pro Wrestling in the year 2015 introduced the show, before we went straight to the Madison Square Garden of Japan; Korakuen Hall. Located in the same neighborhood as the Tokyo Dome that was home to the show the night prior; Korakuen Hall has a legacy as having been the place for professional wrestling events from practically every Japanese promotion active or defunct since it opened in 1962. Tonight, without an announce team in place, residential ring announcer Kimihiko Ozaki stood center-stage in the ring to reveal the match card for the night ahead:
- Suzuki-gun (TAKA Michinoku & Taichi) vs Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu
- ReDRagon (Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly) vs Time Splitters (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA)
- Jushin Liger (c) vs El Desperado for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship
- BULLET CLUB (Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks) vs Forever Hooligans (Alex Koslov & Rocky Romero) & Ryusuke Taguchi
- Meiyu Tag (Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto) vs CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI)
- BULLET CLUB (A.J. Styles, Jeff Jarrett, Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows & Bad Luck Fale) vs TenCozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima), G.B.H. (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma) & Yuji Nagata
- Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tetsuya Naito, Kota Ibushi & Captain New Japan vs CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada, Gedo, Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano)
1. SUZUKI-GUN (TAKA Michinoku & Taichi) w/Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer, Shelton X Benjamin & Takashi Iizuka vs SHO TANAKA & YOHEI KOMATSU Last night at Wrestle Kingdom 9, we saw TAKA Michinoku and Taichi both take part in an unsuccessful attempt to win the pre-show New Japan Rumble (eventually won by Yuji Nagata). Meanwhile, their Suzuki-gun partners were unsuccessful in eight-man tag team action against Toru Yano and Pro Wrestling NOAH stars Naomichi Marufuji and The Mighty Don't Kneel. On the contrary, Minoru Suzuki himself was successful in a submission-only match with Kazushi Sakuraba. Their opposition tonight however was the youthful students of the New Japan Dojo, Young Lions Sho Tanaka and Yohei Komatsu.
As the members of Suzuki-gun watched from the ringside area, Sho Tanaka and Yohei Komatsu attempted to compete with the two more experienced talents. Tanaka nailed Taichi with a dazzling dropkick, and teamed up with Komatsu to connect with a double suplex on Michinoku, but the experience factor prevented much progression. TAKA Michinoku took down Komatsu and began to work over him with the Just Facelock whilst Taichi nailed Tanaka with a German suplex. But soon Komatsu attempted to fight back just for Lance Archer to drag him to the outside and lay him out with a big boot to the face! The members of Suzuki-gun stomped away at Komatsu, as Tanaka found himself victim to a Michinoku Driver giving Suzuki-gun the victory.
WINNERS: Suzuki-gun in 7:15 [*¾]
Suzuki-gun stood tall in the ring before they were joined by their heavyweight associates. Minoru Suzuki led the pack in the middle of the ring, picking up a defenseless Sho Tanaka and planting him with the Gotch-style Piledriver! "The Man with the Worst Personality in the World" was grovelling, as he began to yell about how Pro Wrestling NOAH had made some very powerful enemies, and that their time would come sooner than even they could expect.
2. NON-TITLE MATCH REDRAGON (Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly) vs TIME SPLITTERS (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) Both of these teams competed in the scorching opening four-way tag team contest to Wrestle Kingdom 9 last night, with the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships at stake, but in the end it was ReDRagon who was successful in their first defense as the reigning champions. Tonight however, Alex Shelley and KUSHIDA stood in their way, wanting to reignite their visible passion for the junior heavyweight tag team division in New Japan Pro Wrestling. For Fish and O'Reilly meanwhile, they wanted to further leave their mark with another, albeit non-title victory, against the former two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions in their own right.
As expected, this started out with a lot of agility on behalf of the potential future challengers. Alex Shelley served as something of a powerhouse to the more agile KUSHIDA, dropkicks flying everywhere which led all four men to reach a stand-off, receiving an applause from the Korakuen Hall crowd. Alex Shelley soon attempted to take the fight to Bobby Fish, just to be met with a repetition of kicks before the mixed martial-art savvy champions continued the offense with more kicks, particular to the abdomen of Shelley. KUSHIDA kept reaching for the tag, but the experienced tag team of Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish knew exactly how to work Shelley without letting their guard down.
That is until Shelley managed to fire out of an armbar attempt courtesy of O'Reilly, Shelley with a backpack stunner to Fish, then blocking a roundhouse kick attempt from Fish leading Shelley to attempt the Sliced Bread #2; Fish flipping him onto his feet, Shelley able to rebound with the Shelley Clutch pin just to get broken up. Alex rolled over to KUSHIDA, and in came the sole Japanese star in this match. He went to work on Fish and O'Reilly with a handspring back elbow taking both champions down, then following up with a double knee strike taking Fish down, following up with a standing moonsault just to get broken up. All four men ended up battling, as Fish tried to get Shelley ready for the Double Dragon; just for it to be intercepted by KUSHIDA who nailed Fish with a double knee backbreaker; a hurricanrana taking O'Reilly out of the ring! Time Splitters unite, they connected with the I-94; the Sliced Bread #2/sit-out powerbomb combo putting down Fish for the three!
Winners: Time Splitters in 11:16 [**¾]
Despite their best efforts, the team of ReDRagon was unsuccessful tonight in going 2-0 against their opposition; as the combination of Alex Shelley and KUSHIDA, the Time Splitters had potentially set themselves up for another opportunity at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships in the near future with this win against Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly tonight.
3. NWA WORLD JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP JUSHIN THUNDER LIGER (c) vs EL DESPERADO w/TAKA Michinoku & Taichi Going into tonight's show, this was the only scheduled match that had been publicly announced - although initially it was scheduled for the actual Wrestle Kingdom card if not for time constraints. It featured the high-flying Japanese veteran, Jushin Thunder Liger putting the storied NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship at stake for the first time in Japan, since winning it at Power Struggle in November. The championship, with a rich history dating back to the inaugural champion Ken Fenelon, in 1945. His opponent tonight represented Suzuki-gun, by the name of El Desperado. Desperado - a masked, acoustic guitar-wielding villain, with a lot of experience in lucha libre thanks to his previous travels to compete for CMLL in Mexico - was out to win Suzuki-gun some gold, but not if the much more experienced pop culture icon Liger had anything to say about it. But surely with Taichi and TAKA Michinoku at ringside after their win and domination of Young Lions Sho Tanaka and Yohei Komatsu earlier on, maybe this could end differently than planned.
El Desperado and Jushin Liger started by trading lock-up attempts, rolling through in a sequence of chain-grappling holds just to go one-upped by the other until Taichi and TAKA Michinoku got on the apron to distract Liger, allowing for Desperado to jump Liger and begin targeting the arm of the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion! The masked tecnico was now on the offense, the challenger taking Thunder Liger to ringside where he was stomped away at by the junior heavyweight members of Suzuki-gun; allowing for Desperado to follow up on it by grabbing Liger's arm and wrapping it around the ringside barrier, followed by a big boot into the contorted limb. As the ring out count continued, Liger managed to roll back inside and get back in there; just to find himself on the receiving end of further assault from Desperado.
The man in black was taking the colourful superstar to work; almost getting the win off of a jumping neckbreaker before going to an armbar. Liger was able to break free slowly, but with his arm weakened, he was much slower in his offense. Desperado tried to go for the Brainbuster, but Desperado was able to break out easily thanks to the damage down. Desperado attempted a cross-armbreaker on Liger, but he was able to reverse the attempt into a Shotei palm thrust with the good arm, before connecting with the Liger Suplex! The champion went up top for presumably the Frog Splash, but Taichi and Michinoku were there to cause trouble, knocking him off the top! But suddenly, Tiger Mask ran down to make the save, fighting off the two Suzuki-gun members! Desperado went up to the top himself, attempting a diving splash just for Liger to move and winding the challenger; allowing for Liger to connect with the Brainbuster to secure the pinfall victory!
Winner: Jushin Thunder Liger in 13:26 [**½] ***STILL CHAMPION***
The New Japan longstay had retained the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship tonight against El Desperado in a hard-fought effort, Jushin Thunder Liger rising to his feet slowly in the ring whilst holding his worked over arm from the match moments before. Tiger Mask joined Liger in the ring, as the two masked pop culture icons met; Mask nodding to Liger and handing him his championship belt. Liger's hand was raised by Tiger Mask in victory, whilst Suzuki-gun will live to fight another day.
- 15 MINUTE INTERMISSION -
4. BULLET CLUB (Kenny Omega & the Young Bucks) vs FOREVER HOOLIGANS (Alex Koslov & Rocky Romero) & RYUSUKE TAGUCHIThe result of the two junior heavyweight matches that took place at last night's Wrestle Kingdom 9. In the opening contest, the Young Bucks and Forever Hooligans were both two of three teams to come up short in a four-way tag team match for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships eventually won by champions ReDRagon. Meanwhile, it was also the night of "the Cleaner"'s official in-ring debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling; in the process defeating the "Funky Weapon" Ryusuke Taguchi with assistance from Nick and Matt Jackson, to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, thus making a huge impact and giving Bullet Club domination over the junior ranks. Alex Koslov seemed quite emotional here in Korakuen Hall, with rumors rampant that he is scheduled to retire after this match. Despite this, Forever Hooligans were not sore about their loss last night in the Tokyo Dome, nor were they off their game because of Koslov's impending departure from the New Japan roster - instead they were here to do what they have set out to do for so long, and that is shut the Young Bucks' mouths. Ryusuke Taguchi also seeked revenge after losing the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship last night. "The Cleaner" and the Young Bucks appeared confident early on, as Nick Jackson crotch-chopped Taguchi, which led to Ryusuke firing away with rights and lefts, before taking him down with a scoop slam, following up with a Funky Weapon hip attack attempt just for Nick to roll out of the ring quickly; Matt Jackson striking Taguchi with a super kick! Matt then dragged Taguchi over to the corner of the Bullet Club; covering him just for Taguchi to kick out at two, whilst Rocky and Alex looked on in angst from this corner. Kenny Omega got the tag, the two men from last night's IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match squaring up - in a sense of the term. Omega stomped away at Taguchi, following up with a springboard moonsault from the second rope just for Taguchi to get his knees up before tagging in Rocky Romero. Romero connected with multiple Forever Clotheslines, soon teaming up with Alex Koslov as the Korakuen Hall were cheering on the Hooligans in this match. Romero repeatedly trapping Kenny in the corner with repeated fire clotheslines, but "the Cleaner" ducked one and connected with a Hadouken! taking Romero back!
Omega nailed Romero with the Kotaro Krusher bulldog for two, before the Young Bucks further went to work on Romero, attempting to put him down with a recession of super kicks. Omega joined in for a trio super kick, but Romero managed to dodge it, and in came Alex Koslov! Koslov got a pop as he returned the favor with a Soviet Strike super kick to Nick Jackson; a Russian Strike discus elbow to Matt Jackson; and Ryusuke Taguchi equalized Kenny Omega with the jumping hip attack! Late in the match, Nick nailed an Asai moonsault onto Romero and Taguchi, followed by Matt connecting with a senton plancha over the top rope! But back inside, Kenny Omega had Alex Koslov ready for the One Winged Angel driver - just for Rocky Romero to dropkick "the Cleaner", and Koslov got a victory roll, scoring a huge upset victory over the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion!
Winner: Forever Hooligans & Ryusuke Taguchi in 10:07 [***] The Korakuen Hall crowd applauded, as Alex Koslov's hand was raised in victory by Rocky Romero. Forever Hooligans embraced in a big hug, and Ryusuke Taguchi joined in, the victors in this match. But one of the underlying facts was that the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega had just been beaten by the retiring Koslov with assistance from Rocky Romero! Omega and the Young Bucks quietly disappeared from the Korakuen Hall, aggravated over the outcome. Meanwhile, Koslov, in what could be his last match ever, had come out victorious; and what a moment it was, as he did a victory lap around the ringside area of the legendary Korakuen Hall - holding his head high on his way out.
5. NON-TITLE MATCH MEIYU TAG (Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto) vs CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI) Last night capped off the story of two childhood friends that both took different roots to arriving in the pro-wrestling industry. "The Wrestler" Katsuyori Shibata made his start in 1999, whilst Hirooki Goto arrived in New Japan in 2003. Whilst Shibata was pegged as one of the new "Three Musketeers" that many believed to lead New Japan Pro Wrestling into the next generation alongside Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura; whilst Goto made his rounds in Mexico and the United States to gain further knowledge of the sport. Shibata left to pursue mixed martial-arts, whilst Goto became a mainstay in New Japan; the "New Japan Pro Wrestling Daredevil" went on to be a multi-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, the 2008 winner of the G1 Climax. But last night at Wrestle Kingdom 9, Shibata won his first IWGP crown when he and Hirooki Goto defeated Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows. On the other hand, YOSHI-HASHI came up short in the New Japan Rumble during the Wrestle Kingdom pre-show, and Tomohiro Ishii managed to retain his NEVER Openweight Championship in his second successful defense against Togi Makabe.
Quite an odd-ball combination here, but Tomohiro Ishii regardless was about to have a lot of fun - particular in there against the potentially equally hard-hitting Katsuyori Shibata. Ishii and Shibata immediately clashed in the opening moments, as after exchanging words, met with a brutal exchange of open hand slaps and strikes; Shibata attempting to use his well-educated feet against the "Stone Pitbull"; Ishii responding by catching his feet and connecting with a fallaway slam. Shibata was not about to go down to this though, coming back with some harsh kicks to the legs of the NEVER Openweight Champion; Ishii batting him away again with another bear-like hand to the face! Shibata was stunned, and Ishii proceeded to take hold of "the Wrestler" and tag in YOSHI-HASHI. The CHAOS members were focused tonight, YOSHI-HASHI connecting with a double-underhook suplex on Shibata for only one, as Shibata was not going to take the "Head Hunter" lightly. Shibata, with that, began to fire back; Shibata reversing a scoop slam attempt from his opponent into a triangle choke; just for YOSHI-HASHI to quickly reach the ropes.
Shibata tagged in Hirooki Goto; the "New Japan Pro Wrestling Daredevil" coming in and cornering YOSHI-HASHI, then parading him in a succession of hard chops in the corner; followed up by a belly-to-belly suplex for two. Goto and Shibata traded tags; Shibata with a back suplex before connecting with a Soccer Kick just for YOSHI-HASHI to avoid - but what he didn't avoid was a Musha Gaeshi STO! In came Goto again, but this time YOSHI-HASHI blocked a Shouten attempt into the Bunker Buster for two. YOSHI-HASHI wisely chose to tag in Tomohiro Ishii again; the "Stone Pitbull" coming in to pick up the scraps as he continued to relent on Goto with a lariat; but Goto was not down for the count yet, responding with one of his own! The two warred back and forth with strongstyle strikes, but Ishii got the better of it; then following up with a powerbomb for two as Shibata came in! Shibata winded Ishii with numerous kicks until YOSHI-HASHI tagged back in. Shibata and Ishii took their fight to ringside, while inside, YOSHI-HASHI missed the Loose Explosion senton bomb from the top; and Goto capitalized with the Shouten Kai for the victory!
Winners: Meiyu Tag in 11:13 [**¾]Korakuen Hall gave Meiyu Tag a big ovation as Hirooki Goto celebrated in the ring before he was joined by his friend and partner, Katsuyori Shibata. The two celebrated by sitting cross-legged, arms-folded with the IWGP Tag Team Championships in the ring, when suddenly the sound of the "Machine Gun" Karl Anderson's voice was heard. From the back came Anderson and Doc Gallows, the former IWGP Tag Team Champions that lost their titles last night at Wrestle Kingdom 9. "We want our titles back!" he exclaimed. Anderson challenged Shibata and Goto for their titles in a rematch, catching the Japanese crowd's attention. The Bullet Club members then left again, as Shibata and Goto nodded their heads and began leaving.
But what wasn't anticipated, was as Tomohiro Ishii attended to his fallen CHAOS partner YOSHI-HASHI, the NEVER Openweight Champion was suddenly jumped by a bulky, muscled man with short, dark hair; the man wearing a tight shirt jeans traded blows with Ishii with the man getting the better of the NEVER Openweight Champion, putting him down with a big deadlift German suplex! The man stood tall before making his way out of Korakuen Hall, identified on commentary as none other than DAISUKE SEKIMOTO - known from hard-hitting clashes in All Japan Pro Wrestling, Big Japan Pro Wrestling, Dramatic Dream Team, and recently Pro Wrestling NOAH! Ishii was left down and needed assistance from the Young Lion ring attendants on his way out.
6. BULLET CLUB (A.J. Styles, Jeff Jarrett, Karl Anderson, Bad Luck Fale, Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) w/Tama Tonga, Karen Jarrett & Bullet Babe vs TENCOZY (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima), G.B.H. (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma) & YUJI NAGATAA huge clash of styles in this one - this was about Japan against the Bullet Club. After an unsuccessful night at Wrestle Kingdom 9 last night; which saw A.J. Styles lose to Tetsuya Naito; Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson's reign as IWGP Tag Team Champions end at 365 days long, losing the titles to Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata; and Jeff Jarrett, Yujiro Takahashi and Bad Luck Fale defeat Tomoaki Honma and TenCozy in six-man tag action; the Bullet Club wanted some retribution. Meanwhile, Yuji Nagata was coming off of winning the New Japan Rumble during the Wrestle Kingdom pre-show, last eliminating Tama Tonga, who was ringside tonight. Togi Makabe was also out to get a win; the "Kingkong" unsuccessful in uncrowning Tomohiro Ishii to win the NEVER Openweight Championship. With tensions riding high, this was anybody's game, and was bound to be a huge-scale brawl to the finish.
"The Phenomenal One" A.J. Styles started this case immediately, uncharacteristic for even him to resort to such tactics; as he jumped Tomoaki Honma from behind in the ring, the Bullet Club having the first strike in what would become a large scale fight between the two teams. Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima focused their offense around Gallows and Gun - the two Gaijin that has dominated the heavyweight tag team ranks throughout 2014, and moments ago challenged Meiyu Tag to a rematch for the IWGP Tag Team Championships. Great Bash Heel also reunited, with Makabe and Honma taking care of Jeff Jarrett by sending the GFW founder flying from the ring, then focusing their attention on trying to take down "the Underboss" Fale; just for Fale to headbutt Makabe into the corner, and send Honma flying head-first into his partner personally. Finally the match became organized (to an extent), as "Blue Justice" Yuji Nagata began chopping away into the chest of "the Machine Gun" Karl Anderson; Anderson then reversing it and chopping away at him; but the experienced Nagata broke free and fired back; a lifting DDT taking Anderson down. But "the Bad Boy" Tama Tonga was apparently still annoyed by his runner-up position to Nagata in the New Japan Rumble, and distracted Nagata allowing Gallows and Gun to begin double-teaming the former two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
Gallows connected with a chokebomb on Nagata, and the Bullet Club began having fun from there; tagging in Jeff Jarrett so that the "King of the Mountain" could strut before continuing to level Nagata with strike upon strike. Yuji quickly fired back however, a spinning wheel kick taking Jarrett down! Nagata got Jarrett in a wrist lock before tagging in Togi Makabe", the "Kingkong" with a German suplex on Jarrett for two. The match continued with highlights such as Honma missing the Kokeshi from the top on Fale; A.J. Styles thwarting an attempt for the Ten-Koji Cutter on Anderson by coming off of the top rope with a springboard forearm to the back of Kojima's head; Gallows and Gun attempting the Magic Killer on Honma just for Makabe to intercept with a German suplex for Anderson; and Jeff Jarrett aiming his Bullet Club stylized guitar at the head of Honma just for Honma to roll up Jarrett for a very close two count. Korakuen Hall was exploding, as an all-out war began to break out; Nagata jumped at ringside by Tama Tonga and Bad Luck Fale; Makabe and Honma trading blows with Gallows and Anderson; whilst inside the ring, it was down to "the Phenomenal One" and "Minna no Kokeshi", as Styles attempted the Calf Killer; Honma rolling through and connecting with a standing Kokeshi before planning on going up to the top rope for another one; just for Jarrett to launch Honma down across the ring! Styles capitalized, the leader of the Bullet Club then picking Honma up and planting him with a Styles Clash to give the Bullet Club victory!Winners: Bullet Club in 14:35 [***¼]There was a sense of appreciation in the air, the Korakuen Hall atmosphere capturing the essence of the moment - as despite the Japanese's general disdain for the Bullet Club faction; this had been a war of attrition between New Japan veterans and the Gaijin family. A.J. Styles celebrated in the ring alongside his brethrens; Gallows and Anderson hoisting him up on their shoulders; presenting the leader of the Bullet Club whilst Jeff Jarrett, Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga, Karen Jarrett and the Bullet Babe all stood and clapped for their leader. A.J. meanwhile spoke into the camera, speaking the words "Tanahashi, Hiroshi. I'm coming for your belt".
7. HIROSHI TANAHASHI, TETSUYA NAITO, KOTA IBUSHI & CAPTAIN NEW JAPAN vs CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada, Gedo, Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano)It was time for the main event of New Year Dash 2015, with two big scores that were already settled last night at Wrestle Kingdom 9 capping off a tremendous seven-match card. The IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi was here, coming off of an instant classic with long-time rival Kazuchika Okada in what was a battle to determine to the true Ace of New Japan Pro Wrestling. And not to mention, Shinsuke Nakamura managing to retain the IWGP Intercontinental Championship in a masterpiece of a confrontation against the "Golden Star" Kota Ibushi. Likewise in this match, Toru Yano of CHAOS was successful in eight-man tag team action last night, teaming with Pro Wrestling NOAH stars GHC Heavyweight Champion Naomichi Marufuji and The Mighty Don't Kneel; and Tetsuya Naito, the "Stardust☆Genius", was coming off of a big win against the leader of the Bullet Club, A.J. Styles. Factor in New Japan Rumble participant Captain New Japan, and the mentor of Okada, Gedo to the match - and here we are tonight. We began where we finished last night, with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada squaring off and starting the match; both surely sore from the battle the night before, but still the "Rainmaker" was here to impress, surprising Tanahashi with a flury of fiery offense; refusing to let the "Once in a Century Talent" up; including connecting with a beautiful dropkick and even teasing the Tombstone Piledriver before Tanahashi reversed it; Okada then reversing it again; and Tanahashi bringing the duelling piledriver attempts to the apron just for Okada to attach himself to the ropes and kick Hiroshi off. The match continued with Gedo instead now, attempting to chain-wrestle with Tanahashi just to get bettered; in coming Tetsuya Naito who continued where Tanahashi left off. Naito worked over Gedo's hand in particular, stomping on it brutally at one point before the "Stardust☆Genius" tagged in Captain New Japan. This is where things fell out of their favor however - New Japan easily being outmatched by Gedo's efforts and getting a superkick for his worries. Gedo tagged in the ever-comical "YTR" Toru Yano, who repeatedly exclaimed causing the Korakuen Hall crowd to crack up in laughs as he yelled at New Japan and even tried to steal a win with a roll-up attempt. Yano and New Japan traded offense before Yano got the better of it, and tagged in Shinsuke Nakamura for the first time in this match. The ever-charismatic "King of Strong Style" soon came face to face with his rival from last night, Kota Ibushi; and despite the show of respect between the two men with a symbolic fistbump that took place afterwards, Ibushi was here still to try and prove a point against one of New Japan's best. Ibushi and Nakamura battled to the turnbuckles, where Ibushi attempted to reverse a superplex from Shinsuke into a sunset powerbomb; but instead, connecting with the sit-out powerbomb only scoring two as CHAOS members hit the ring to break it up.
The match continuing, Nakamura found himself ahead of Ibushi again, as despite Kota's harsh kicks, Nakamura surprised Ibushi by taking his leg out from under him and nailing his first Boma Ye of the bout for two! Gedo and Ibushi traded offense, with Gedo going for a Complete Shot just to wind up on his back after combination kicks, with a standing corkscrew moonsault to go with it. Naito came back in and the "Stardust☆Genius" continued to impress by dropping Wrestle Kingdom 8 opponent Okada with a Tiger suplex and attempting the Stardust Press just for Okada to crotch him. Okada went on offense now, having recovered from earlier and connecting with the Heavy Rain before setting up one more time for the Rainmaker; the camera zoom-out and all. Okada attempted the Rainmaker Lariat, but Naito rolled through for a very close near fall. The match continued as the action spilled out of the ring setting Ibushi up to take the springboard moonsault off of the top onto New Japan, Yano, Tanahashi and Okada at ringside whilst meanwhile inside of the ring, Tetsuya Naito dodged a Boma Ye attempt from the IWGP Intercontinental Champion, then taking him down with a reverse hurricanrana! Gedo however jumped in, the mentor of Okada and former four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion walking straight into the Evolucion drop; Naito going up to the top and connecting with a superb Stardust Press, giving Naito and his team the win over CHAOS!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tetsuya Naito, Kota Ibushi & Captain New Japan in 14:22 [***½]
The fans in Korakuen Hall gave Tetsuya Naito a big ovation, as Captain New Japan crawled inside of the ring as did Kota Ibushi and the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi. The four bowed for the Korakuen Hall crowd. Meanwhile in the background, on his way out, Shinsuke Nakamura nodded his head in further display of respect to Kota Ibushi, the IWGP Intercontinental Champion's opponent last night at Wrestle Kingdom 9. But something appeared to be amiss with the scene - and not only because Captain New Japan had actually been on the winning end of a match. As Tanahashi raised the hand of Tetsuya Naito and appeared joyous with the win as always, Naito was no longer smiling.
The "Stardust☆Genius" looked up at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship he hoisted, before taking a microphone from the ring mat. That's when he suddenly and shockingly told Tanahashi that he came close before, but wanted to be even closer than that: he wanted to challenge the "Once in a Century Talent" in his first defense of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. The Hall exploded in shock, as Tanahashi appeared thrown off by this. Naito told Hiroshi that with all due respect, he is going to take that championship.
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Post by DTP. on Jan 15, 2016 14:15:42 GMT -5
| WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER January 12, 2015 by Dave Meltzer |
NEW JAPAN WRESTLE KINGDOM 9 POLL RESULTS Thumbs up 389 (100.0%) Thumbs down 0 (00.0%) Thumbs in the middle 0 (00.0%)
BEST MATCH POLL Shinsuke Nakamura vs Kota Ibushi 237 Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Kazuchika Okada 132
WORST MATCH POLL New Japan Rumble 114 Eight man tag 97 Six man tag 66
With the success of Wrestle Kingdom 9 in terms of cross-promotion between New Japan and Global Force Wrestling, there looks to be plans on the table to repeat this in April with NJPW's Invasion Attack show. Jeff Jarrett will also continue to appear at New Japan shows monthly to retain the visibility of the GFW brand.
There is expected to be further talent trading between New Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH in 2015. It has been noted before that New Japan has either secretly purchased interest in NOAH, or is funding them in an attempt to keep the struggling company alive. We saw GHC Champion Naomichi Marufuji and 2013 tag team of the year Mikey Nicholls & Shane Haste work the Dome show, and although they didn't get enough time to get their stuff over, either of the three could soon be on their way to work for New Japan. On the contrary, Yuji Nagata, Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima have worked NOAH shows recently, and Suzuki-gun's interaction with Marufuji, Nicholls & Haste could be of some indication of them going to "invade" the organization and try to revive business.
Wrestle Kingdom 9 drew 36,000 to the Tokyo Dome, which is a paid number. It will most likely be the second highest attendance for a pro wrestling show in the world this year behind WWE's WrestleMania. It is also the biggest attendance for New Japan at the Tokyo Dome in 13 years.
The next New Japan tour runs from 1/13 to 1/19, running in cooperation with CMLL. Titled 'Fantastica Mania', the cards are as follows:
1/13 in Osaka, which will air on Japanese television, has Hiroshi Tanahashi & Volador Jr & Atlantis vs Kazuchika Okada & Ultimo Guerrero & Gran Guerrero, and KUSHIDA & Captain New Japan & Mascara Dorada vs Ryusuke Taguchi & Tetsuya Naito & La Sombra.
1/14 in Takamatsu has Tiger Mask & Hiroshi Tanahashi & Mascara Dorada vs Ryusuke Taguchi & Tetsuya Naito & La Sombra
1/15 in Kyoto has Hiroshi Tanahashi & Volador Jr & Atlantis vs Shinsuke Nakamura & Ultimo Guerrero & Gran Guerrero, and Jushin Liger & Triton & Mascara Dorada vs Ryusuke Taguchi & Tetsuya Naito & La Sombra
1/16 in Tokyo has a one night tournament featuring first round matches of Stuka Jr & Rey Cometa vs Barbaro Carvernario & Mr Niebla, Stigma & Volador Jr vs Ultimo Guerrero & Gran Guerrero, Triton & Mistico (CMLL's Dragon Lee who adopted the ring name, returning from an eight month career-threatening injury) vs Mephisto & Polvora, and Altantis & Mascara Dorada vs Tetsuya Naito & La Sombra
1/18 in Korakuen Hall on New Japan World has Jushin Liger & Angel de Oro vs YOSHI-HASHI & Tomohiro Ishii, Tiger Mask vs Gedo, KUSHIDA & Rey Cometa & Triton vs Okumura & Barbaro Cavernario & Mr Niebla, Captain New Japan & Mascara Don (Manabu Nakanishi) vs Toru Yano & Stigma, Volador Jr defending the NWA Historic Welterweight Championship vs Gran Guerrero, Mephisto defending the Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship vs Stuka Jr, Ryusuke Taguchi & Tetsuya Naito & La Sombra vs Kazuchika Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura & Polvora, and Atlantis vs Ultimo Guerrero in a CMLL Anniversary Show rematch
1/19 in Korakuen Hall on New Japan World has KUSHIDA & Tiger Mask & Jushin Liger & Stuka Jr vs Gedo, YOSHI-HASHI & Tomohiro Ishii, Captain New Japan & Triton vs Tetsuya Naito & Ryusuke Taguchi, Stigma & Angel de Oro vs Mephisto & Gran Guerrero, Rey Cometa vs Barbaro Cavernario, Mistico vs Polvora, Kota Ibushi & Hiroshi Tanahashi & Volador Jr & Atlantis vs Kazuchika Okada & Shinsuke Nakamura & Mr Niebla & Ultimo Guerrero, and Mascara Dorada vs La Sombra.
New Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS makes its premiere on January 16. The series currently has a thirteen episode run revealed in TV listings, and depending on the show's success, should expand upon that. It is notable for the Japanese company to get TV time on cable in the United States. The series will feature English-speaking announcers Mauro Ranallo (known for his professional sporting broadcast commentating) & wrestler/mixed martial artist Josh Barnett. The show has received pretty solid reviews, in fact the January 30th episode featuring Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Kazuchika Okada from Invasion Attack 2013 is probably the best one hour pro wrestling television show I have ever seen. Ranallo in particular does an amazing job on par with no other in wrestling today.
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Post by DTP. on Jan 15, 2016 15:15:08 GMT -5
| PRO WRESTLING NOAH SPOTLIGHT |
NOAH New Year Navigation 2015 Saturday, January 10, 2015 - Korakuen Hall - Bunkyō, Tokyo
8) Naomichi Marufuji def. Satoshi Kojima in 21:01 to retain the GHC Heavyweight Championship after the Emerald Flowsion. ***STILL CHAMPION***
After the match, Naomichi Marufuji was jumped by all members of Suzuki-gun (NJPW), as led by Minoru Suzuki. Suzuki laid Naomichi out with a Gotch-style Piledriver and stood tall with Shelton X Benjamin, Lance Archer, Davey Boy Smith Jr, Takashi Iizuka, TAKA Michinoku, El Desperado and Taichi before Mikey Nicholls & Shane Haste of TMDK attempted the make the save just to be laid out themselves. Suzuki-gun had just dominated three of Pro Wrestling NOAH's top stars, the New Japan Pro Wrestling talent coming here five days after declaring at NJPW's New Year Dash !! show (in this very building) that NOAH had made some very powerful enemies.
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Post by DTP. on Jan 16, 2016 14:57:38 GMT -5
| NJPW/CMLL FANTASTICA MANIA 2015
Tuesday, January 13, 2015 - Bodymaker Colosseum - Osaka, Osaka Wednesday, January 14, 2015 - Takamatsu-shi Sōgō Taiikukan - Takamatsu, Kagawa Thursday, January 15, 2015 - KBS Hall - Kyoto, Honshu Saturday, January 17, 2015 - Shin-Kiba 1st Ring - Koto, Tokyo Sunday, January 18, 2015 - Korakuen Hall - Bunkyō, Tokyo Monday, January 19, 2015 - Korakuen Hall - Bunkyō, Tokyo |
Day 1 - Bodymaker Colosseum - Osaka, Japan (January 13)
1. Rey Cometa & Tritón def. La Peste Negra (Bárbaro Cavernario & Mr. Niebla) in 5:59 after the 450 splash from Cometa to Tritón.
2. Ángel de Oro vs Okumura ended in a draw in 10:00 in a Match Relampago.
3. Gedo & Pólvora def. Jushin Thunder Liger & Místico in 10:09 after the Pólvora Driver on Místico.
4. Stigma, Stuka Jr. & Tiger Mask def. Mephisto & CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura & YOSHI-HASHI) in 11:39 after the Torpedo Splash by Stuka on YOSHI-HASHI.
5. Ryusuke Taguchi, La Sombra & Tetsuya Naito def. Captain New Japan, KUSHIDA & Máscara Dorada in 10:16 after the Pluma Blanca by Naito on New Japan.
6. Atlantis, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Volador Jr. def. Kazuchika Okada & Los Guerreros Laguneros (Gran Guerrero & Último Guerrero) in 17:31 after the Atlantida by Atlantis on Último.
Day 2 - Takamatsu-shi Sōgō Taiikukan - Takamatsu, Japan (January 14)
1. YOSHI-HASHI & Okumura (w/Mima Shimoda) def. KUSHIDA & Ángel de Oro in 9:06 after the Okumura Special on Ángel de Oro.
2. Jushin Thunder Liger & Stuka Jr. def. Gedo & Mephisto in 11:00 after the Kuchu Dojime Otoshi by Liger on Gedo.
3. La Peste Negra (Bárbaro Cavernario & Mr. Niebla) def. Stigma & Sho Tanaka in 7:38 after La Cavernario on Stigma.
4. Kazuchika Okada & Pólvora def. Tritón & Místico in 9:53 after the Red Ink by Okada on Tritón.
5. Shinsuke Nakamura & Los Guerreros Laguneros (Gran Guerrero & Último Guerrero) def. Captain New Japan, Volador Jr. & Atlantis in 11:04 after the Boma Ye by Nakamura on Captain New Japan.
6. Ryusuke Taguchi, Tetsuya Naito & La Sombra def. Tiger Mask, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Máscara Dorada in 13:49 after the Stardust Press by Naito on Tiger Mask.
Day 3 - KBS Hall - Kyoto, Japan (January 15) 1. YOSHI-HASHI & Bárbaro Cavernario def. KUSHIDA & Yohei Komatsu in 9:16 after La Cavernario on Komatsu.
2. Okumura & Mr. Niebla def. Stigma & Ángel de Oro in 8:31 after the powerbomb by Niebla to Stigma.
3. Pólvora & Gedo def. Tiger Mask & Místico in 9:40 after the Pólvora Driver on Místico. After the match, Pólvora and Gedo unmasked Tiger Mask and Místico.
4. Kazuchika Okada & Mephisto def. Captain New Japan & Stuka Jr. in 8:25 after the Red Ink by Okada on Stuka.
5. Tetsuya Naito, La Sombra & Ryusuke Taguchi def. Jushin Thunder Liger, Tritón & Máscara Dorada in 11:17 after the Shadow Driver by Sombra on Tritón.
6. Shinsuke Nakamura & Los Guerreros Laguneros (Gran Guerrero & Último Guerrero) def. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Volador Jr. & Atlantis in 11:46 after the Guerrero Special by Gran on Volador.
Day 4 - Shin-Kiba 1st Ring - Tokyo, Japan (January 17)
1. Rey Cometa & Stuka Jr. def. La Peste Negra (Bárbaro Cavernario & Mr. Niebla) in 4:10 in the quarter-final round of the Fantastica Mania 2015 Tag Tournament after the Tornillo by Cometa on Niebla.
2. Los Guerreros Laguneros (Gran Guerrero & Último Guerrero) def. Volador Jr. & Stigma in 9:32 in the quarter-final round of the Fantastica Mania 2015 Tag Tournament after the Guerrero Special by Gran on Stigma.
3. Mephisto & Pólvora def. Místico & Tritón in 7:09 in the quarter-final round of the Fantastica Mania 2015 Tag Tournament after the Devil's Wings by Mephisto on Tritón.
4. Atlantis & Máscara Dorada def. Tetsuya Naito & La Sombra in 8:05 in the quarter-final round of the Fantastica Mania 2015 Tag Tournament after the Atlantida by Atlantis on La Sombra.
5. Los Guerreros Laguneros (Gran Guerrero & Último Guerrero) def. Rey Cometa & Stuka Jr. in 8:13 in the semi-final round of the Fantastica Mania 2015 Tag Tournament after the Pulpo Guerrero by Último on Stuka Jr.
6. Atlantis & Máscara Dorada def. Mephisto & Pólvora in 4:28 in the semi-final round of the Fantastica Mania 2015 Tag Tournament after the La Magistral by Dorada on Mephisto.
7. Ángel de Oro (w/Rey Cometa) def. Okumura (w/Mima Shimoda & Pólvora) in 12:13 to retain the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship after the La Mecedora. ***STILL CHAMPION***
8. Atlantis & Máscara Dorada def. Los Guerreros Laguneros (Gran Guerrero & Último Guerrero) in 16:54 in the finals of the Fantastica Mania 2015 Tag Tournament after the Atlantida on Último Guerrero.
Day 5 - Korakuen Hall - Tokyo, Japan (January 18) 1. Ángel de Oro, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask def. CHAOS (Gedo, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI) in 10:40 after the crucifix pin by Tiger Mask on Gedo.
2. Bárbaro Cavernario & Okumura (w/Mima Shimoda) def. KUSHIDA & Tritón (w/Rey Cometa) in 7:29 after the Boston Crab by Okumura on Tritón.
3. Toru Yano & Stigma def. Captain New Japan & Máscara Don in 9:24 after the roll-up by Yano on New Japan.
4. Volador Jr (w/Tritón) def. Gran Guerrero (w/Bárbaro Cavernario) in 10:24 to retain the NWA World Historic Welterweight Championship after the Spanish Fly.
5. Mephisto (w/Yujiro Takahashi) def. Stuka Jr. (w/Ángel de Oro) in 13:06 to retain the Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship after the Avalanche Devil's Wings. ***STILL CHAMPION***
6. Ryusuke Taguchi, Tetsuya Naito & La Sombra def. Pólvora & CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada & Shinsuke Nakamura) in 11:56 after the Shadow Driver by Sombra on Pólvora. After the match, La Sombra challenged Shinsuke to one more match for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, telling him of how he has longed to meet Shinsuke ever since he lost it back to him in 2013.
7. Último Guerrero def. Atlantis in 18:05 after the Guerrero Special.
Day 6 - Korakuen Hall - Tokyo, Japan (January 19) 1. Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask, KUSHIDA & Stuka Jr. def. Okumura (w/Mima Shimoda) & CHAOS (Gedo, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI) in 9:28 after the Hoverboard Lock by KUSHIDA on Okumura.
2. Tetsuya Naito & Ryusuke Taguchi def. Captain New Japan & Tritón in 6:51 after the Stardust Press by Naito on Tritón.
3. BULLET CLUB (Mephisto & Yujiro Takahashi) def. Stigma & Ángel de Oro in 10:22 after the Devil's Wings by Mephisto on Stigma.
4. Bárbaro Cavernario def. Rey Cometa in 11:28 after La Cavernario.
5. Místico def. Pólvora in 11:47 after La Mistica.
6. Atlantis, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi & Volador Jr. def. Mr. Niebla, Último Guerrero & CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada & Shinsuke Nakamura) in 12:54 after the High Fly Flow by Tanahashi on Niebla.
7. La Sombra def. Máscara Dorada in 18:23 after the Shadow Driver. After the match when Sombra celebrated, Shinsuke Nakamura came out to congratulate his rival before accepting his challenge from the night before to a future rematch for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship - one more time.
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Post by DTP. on Jan 18, 2016 12:48:39 GMT -5
| WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER January 19, 2015 by Dave Meltzer |
As mentioned last week, with the success of Wrestle Kingdom 9, New Japan officials are in talks of making the 4/5 Invasion Attack show a pay-per-view additionally, which would make it their next U.S. PPV. They want Jim Ross and Matt Striker to announce the show again, however there is talk that they would rather do it in-studio in order to save money.
Alex Koslov said on Twitter: “I am hesitant to say I’m retiring from pro wrestling, but I am taking a much needed indefinite sabbatical to focus on my life.” Koslov - who has worked on the independent circuit in the United States - including a cup of coffee in TNA, a run in WWE's former developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling, and extensively competed for CMLL down in Mexico since his debut in 2003 - has recently worked in New Japan, where he has had a decent run with Rocky Romero as the team Forever Hooligans. He accordingly gave NJPW three months notice of his leaving, and due to the mutual respect between the two sides, he was honored a win on his way out. This leaves a hole in the junior tag team division - but right now it appears that Rocky Romero will be getting a shot at Kenny Omega for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title at New Beginnings on 2/11.
New Japan President Kaname Tezuka recently did an interview with Toyou Economic Magazine. He was quoted as saying that New Japan has an issue with having too many wrestlers on its roster for one show per night. A lot of foreigners besides the Bullet Club are not getting regular work and they have so many guys on cards every night, they are even sending guys to NOAH shows. Tezuka did say that doing split crew shows is a viable option.
In newsworthy notes from the annual NJPW/CMLL Fantastica Mania show in Osaka, Tritón suffered a bad knee injury from a bad flip dive over the top in his tag match with Rey Cometa vs Barbaro Cavernario & Mr Niebla. What happened was Tritón didn't clear the top rope and landed pretty badly. They went home shortly after that. It is unknown to what extent he is hurt, but it looked pretty bad.
New Japan was selling plastic caveman clubs and bones at the gimmick tables during the tour for Cavernario. On a similar note, the masked Lucha talent make a second payoff selling their masks at high prices while in Japan.
Okumura was celebrating his 20th anniversary wrestling during his time limit draw against Angel de Oro.
Daisuke Sekimoto debuted on the 1/5 New Year Dash show (New Japan's 'RAW after 'Mania' show) attacking Tomohiro Ishii to set up a match 1/12 Legend Pro Wrestling show at Korakuen Hall where Ishii and NOAH's Akitoshi Saito defeated Sekimoto and Tatsuhito Takaiwa after Ishii hit a brainbuster on Takaiwa. Ishii and Sekimoto brawled after the match, and there is a lot of talk about Sekimoto coming in to New Japan full time to further play off of this. Sekimoto is a freelancer that recently has worked for Big Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH, and because he isn't a New Japan guy, doesn't get the publicity he deserves. That said he's one of the best brawlers around.
New Japan has signed a television deal in Thailand.
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Post by DTP. on Jan 18, 2016 15:22:44 GMT -5
| WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER January 26, 2015 by Dave Meltzer |
NOTE: Observer awards only posted if members of the New Japan Pro Wrestling roster are in the top 5.
2014 WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER AWARDS
"CATEGORY A" AWARDS - WINNERS LOU THESZ/RIC FLAIR AWARD (Wrestler of the Year) 1. Shinsuke Nakamura (2,262) 2. A.J. Styles (1,739) 3. Hiroshi Tanahashi (1,563) 4. Kazuchika Okada (1,268)
MOST OUTSTANDING WRESTLER 1. A.J. Styles (1,819) 2. Tomohiro Ishii (1,671) 3. Shinsuke Nakamura (1,639) 4. Kazuchika Okada (697)
BEST BOXOFFICE DRAW 3. Hiroshi Tanahashi (838) 4. Shinsuke Nakamura (559)
FEUD OF THE YEAR 5. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Katsuyori Shibata (527)
TAG TEAM OF THE YEAR 1. The Young Bucks [Nick & Matt Jackson] (3,374) 2. ReDRagon [Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly] (2,042)
MOST CHARISMATIC 1. Shinsuke Nakamura (2,527) 2. Hiroshi Tanahashi (1,015)
BEST TECHNICAL WRESTLER 2. Kyle O'Reilly (841) 3. A.J. Styles (610) 4. Hiroshi Tanahashi (588)
BRUISER BRODY MEMORIAL AWARD (Best Brawler) 1. Tomohiro Ishii (2,785) 2. Katsuyori Shibata (1,834)
BEST FLYING WRESTLER 1. Ricochet (3,365) 2. Kota Ibushi (1,907)
MOST UNDERRATED WRESTLER 2. Tomoaki Honma (1,189)
BEST PROMOTION 1. New Japan Pro Wrestling (4,064) 2. Ring of Honor (1,038) 5. CMLL (504)
PRO WRESTLING MATCH OF THE YEAR 1. A.J. Styles vs Minoru Suzuki 8/1 Tokyo (1,855) 2. Kazuchika Okada vs Shinsuke Nakamura 8/10 Tokorozawa (1,310) 3. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Katsuyori Shibata 9/21 Kobe (524) 5. Tomohiro Ishii vs Hirooki Goto 11/8 Osaka (471)
BEST NON-WRESTLER 4. Bruce Tharpe (524)
BEST TELEVISION ANNOUNCER 2. Shimpei Nogami (1,189)
BEST MAJOR WRESTLING SHOW 1. New Japan G-1 8/1 Tokyo (2,227) 2. New Japan G-1 8/3 Osaka (1,297) 4. CMLL Anniversary Show 9/19 Mexico City (502) 5. New Japan G-1 7/26 Akita (406)
New Japan's annual joint-tour with CMLL, Fantastica Mania, which concluded on 1/18 and 1/19 with New Japan World broadcast shows at Korakuen Hall, was the most financially successful tour in the five year history of the joint-tour series.
The big angle to take away going forward for New Japan was shown on 1/18 when La Sombra challenged previous rival Shinsuke Nakamura (the two traded the IWGP Intercontinental Championship in 2013) to one final match (which will take place at New Beginnings on 2/11). La Sombra has been positioned throughout the last few joint-tours as one of the top stars of CMLL, and it appears that New Japan officials are still very high on him at the age of 25.
Both Korakuen Hall shows did sellout crowds of 1,950, whilst the four shows that came before also sold out their respective venues.
On this tour, the Japanese stars of NJPW played second fiddle, making their entrances first and allowing the CMLL talent make their entrances last, portraying them as legendary. An additional note is that on the 1/19 show, it was a CMLL match that closed the show with Mascara Dorada facing La Sombra. Prior to the match, Dorada was announced to have signed a one-year deal with New Japan, which got a big ovation; before Nakamura came out to accept La Sombra's challenge from the night before to close the tour.
With New Japan's Fantastica Mania tour concluding, they announced their complete next tour, including five shows that will be live streamed on New Japan World.
The tour opens on 1/30 in Tokorozawa City with Sho Tanaka vs Jay White (a New Zealand rookie being trained in New Japan Dojo), Alex Shelley & Yohei Komatsu vs The Young Bucks, Kushida & Mascara Dorada vs Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly, Jushin Liger & Captain New Japan vs Tiger Mask & Manabu Nakanishi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Yuji Nagata vs Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi, Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata vs Toru Yano & Yoshi-Hashi, Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii vs Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma, Kazuchika Okada & Gedo & Rocky Romero vs Bad Luck Fale, Kenny Omega & Chase Owens (from NWA fame), and Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tetsuya Naito vs Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows
Korakuen Hall on 2/1 has Sho Tanaka vs Kyle O'Reilly, Bobby Fish vs Yohei Komatsu, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Jushin Liger & Jay White vs Tiger Mask & Captain New Japan & Alex Shelley & Kushida, Ryusuke Taguchi & Mascara Dorada & Rocky Romero vs Young Bucks & Kenny Omega, Tama Tonga & Chase Owens vs Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi, Kazushi Sakuraba & Toru Yano vs Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi, Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe vs Tomohiro Ishii & Kazuchika Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura & Yoshi-Hashi vs La Sombra & Tetsuya Naito, and a main event of Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata vs Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Bad Luck Fale & X (presumably the latest Bullet Club member)
2/8 in Shizukiushi has Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tetsuya Naito & La Sombra vs Shinsuke Nakamura & Yoshi-Hashi & Kazushi Sakuraba, plus Kazuchika Okada & Toru Yano vs Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi, Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata & Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly vs Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & The Young Bucks, and Tama Tonga & X vs Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi
The next big event by New Japan Pro Wrestling will be New Beginnings, a two-date show in February.
2/11 in Sendai has Hiroshi Tanahashi defending the IWGP Heavyweight Championship vs Tetsuya Naito, Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto vs Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows for the IWGP Tag Team titles, Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii vs Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe, Kenny Omega defending the IWGP Jnr Heavyweight title vs Rocky Romero, Shinsuke Nakamura & Yoshi-Hashi & Kazushi Sakuraba vs La Sombra & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima, Alex Shelley & Kushida vs Young Bucks in a no. 1 contenders match to challenge for the IWGP Jnr Tag titles on the next show, Tama Tonga vs Yuji Nagata, Jushin Liger defending the NWA World Junior title vs Chase Owens, and Tiger Mask & Mascara Dorada vs Yohei Komatsu & Jay White
2/14 in Osaka has Shinsuke Nakamura defending the IWGP Intercontinental title vs La Sombra, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tetsuya Naito & Hirooki Goto & Kota Ibushi & Katsuyori Shibata vs A.J. Styles & Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows & Yujiro Takahashi & Bad Luck Fale, Tomohiro Ishii defending the NEVER Openweight title vs Togi Makabe, Kazuchika Okada vs Tama Tonga, Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly defending the IWGP Jnr Tag titles vs the winner of Bucks/Time Splitters from 2/11, Hiroyoshi Tenzan defending the NWA Heavyweight title vs Rob Conway, and Sho Tanaka vs Yohei Komatsu
Whatever the reasons are, Japanese fans are apparently not clicking well with the concept of monthly subscription service at all. By 1/21, New Japan World has hit the 20,000 barrier. The hope originally was that they would get to 40,000 subscribers by the day of the Tokyo Dome show on 1/4, but that obviously hasn't happened. The current hope is to get back on track by the G-1 Climax this coming summer.
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