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Post by DTP. on Jan 19, 2016 14:13:14 GMT -5
| NJPW ROAD TO THE NEW BEGINNING '15
Friday, January 30, 2015 - Tokorozawa Civic Gymnasium - Tokorozawa, Saitama Sunday, February 1, 2015 - Korakuen Hall - Bunkyō, Tokyo Monday, February 2, 2015 - Aore Nagaoka - Nagaoka, Niigata Wednesday, February 4, 2015 - Chiba Port Arena Sub Arena - Chiba, Chiba Friday, February 6, 2015 - Wakayanagi General Gymnasium - Wakayanagi, Miyagi Saturday, February 7, 2015 - Akita Terrsa - Akita, Akita Sunday, February 8, 2015 - Shizukuishi Sports Park Gymnasium - Shizukuishi, Iwate
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Day 1 - Tokorozawa Civic Gymnasium - Saitama, Japan (January 30)
1. Sho Tanaka def. Jay White in 6:29 after the single-leg Boston Crab. This was Jay White's debut for New Japan.
2. The Young Bucks def. Alex Shelley & Yohei Komatsu in 7:05 after More Bang for Your Buck on Komatsu.
3. ReDRagon (Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly) def. KUSHIDA & Máscara Dorada in 8:34 in a non-title match after Chasing the Dragon on KUSHIDA. This was Máscara Dorada's first match as a signed member of the New Japan roster.
4. Tiger Mask & Manabu Nakanishi def. Jushin Thunder Liger & Captain New Japan in 7:23 after the Argentine Backbreaker by Nakanishi on Captain New Japan.
5. Yuji Nagata & Hiroyoshi Tenzan def. BULLET CLUB (Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi) (w/Mao) in 8:11 after the Nagata Lock on Takahashi. After the match, Tonga jumped Nagata just for Tenzan to run him off.
6. Meiyu Tag (Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata) def. CHAOS (Toru Yano & YOSHI-HASHI) in 9:48 in a non-title match after the Shouten Kai by Goto on YOSHI-HASHI.
7. CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii) def. G.B.H. (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma) in 12:10 after the brainbuster by Ishii on Honma.
8. CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada, Gedo & Rocky Romero) def. BULLET CLUB (Bad Luck Fale & Kenny Omega) & Chase Owens in 12:03 after the Gargoyle by Romero on Omega.
9. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tetsuya Naito def. Gallows and Gun (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) in 14:22 after the High Fly Flow on Anderson; Naito stole the pin. The two had a non-physical confrontation after the bell.
Day 2 - Korakuen Hall - Tokyo, Japan (February 1)
1. Kyle O'Reilly def. Sho Tanaka in 7:31 after the Armageddon cross-armbreaker.
2. Bobby Fish def. Yohei Komatsu in 6:13 after the Fish Hook heel hold.
3. Time Splitters (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA), Tiger Mask & Captain New Japan def. TenCozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima), Jushin Thunder Liger & Jay White in 8:33 after the Outatime by Time Splitters on Jay White.
4. BULLET CLUB (Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson)) def. Ryusuke Taguchi, Máscara Dorada & Rocky Romero in 11:05 after the One-Winged Angel by Omega on Taguchi.
5. Tama Tonga & Chase Owens def. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi in 8:34 after Owens distracted Nagata setting him up for a Headshrinker DDT from Tonga. There was strong hinting at Owens joining the Bullet Club in this match but it remained uncertain.
6. CHAOS (Kazushi Sakuraba & Toru Yano) def. BULLET CLUB (Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi) (w/Mao) in 11:10 after the Sakuraba Lock on Takahashi.
7. G.B.H. (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma) def. CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii) (w/Gedo) in 13:39 after the Kingkong Knee Drop by Makabe on Ishii.
8. La Sombra & Tetsuya Naito def. CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura & YOSHI-HASHI) in 14:33 after the Stardust Press by Naito on YOSHI-HASHI.
9. BULLET CLUB (Gallows and Gun (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) & Cody Hall) def. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Meiyu Tag (Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata) in 14:50 after the Magic Killer on Goto. This was Cody Hall's debut for New Japan. Anderson and Gallows posed with the IWGP Tag Team Championships after the bell.
Day 3 - Aore Nagaoka - Niigita, Japan (February 2)
1. ReDRagon (Kyle O'Reilly & Bobby Fish) def. Sho Tanaka & Jay White in 6:22 after the Ten-Koji Cutter on Tanaka.
2. Time Splitters (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) def. Yohei Komatsu & Captain New Japan in 7:46 after the Outatime on Komatsu.
3. Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask def. BULLET CLUB (Tama Tonga, Cody Hall & Kenny Omega) & Chase Owens in 9:12 after the Backdrop Hold by Nagata to Hall. Bullet Club took their frustrations out on Owens, leaving him alone in the ring after the match.
4. The Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson) def. Rocky Romero & Ryusuke Taguchi in 12:34 after More Bang For Your Buck on Taguchi. Romero was attempting to find a replacement partner after Alex Koslov's retirement.
5. G.B.H. (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma) def. CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI) in 11:28 after the Kingkong Knee Drop by Makabe to YOSHI-HASHI.
6. CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano & Gedo) def. Tetsuya Naito, La Sombra & TenCozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) in 15:24 after the Rainmaker Lariat by Okada to Kojima. Nakamura and La Sombra had a staredown after the match.
7. BULLET CLUB (Gallows and Gun (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson), Yujiro Takahashi & Bad Luck Fale) (w/Mao & Cody Hall) def. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Máscara Dorada & Meiyu Tag (Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata) in 17:14 after the Bad Luck Fale by Fale on Shibata.
Day 4 - Chiba Port Arena Sub-Arena - Chiba, Japan (February 4)
1. TenCozy def. Yohei Komatsu & Sho Tanaka in 6:20 after the Ten-Koji Cutter on Komatsu.
2. Máscara Dorada def. Jay White in 7:11 after the Dorada Screwdriver.
3. Time Splitters (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) def. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask in 10:06 after Outatime on Tiger Mask. The two teams embraced in respect after the match.
4. CHAOS (Rocky Romero & Gedo) def. Kenny Omega & Chase Owens (w/Cody Hall) in 9:38 after the Gargoyle by Romero on Omega. Omega left Owens alone in the ring after the match. 5. Tama Tonga & Bad Luck Fale def. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi in 10:33 after the Bad Luck Fall by Fale to Nakanishi. Tonga gloated at Nagata after the match.
6. CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura & Kazushi Sakuraba) def. La Sombra & Captain New Japan in 11:25 after the Boma Ye from Nakamura to Captain New Japan. La Sombra attacked his partner after the match.
7. Meiyu Tag (Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto) & Tetsuya Naito def. BULLET CLUB (Gallows and Gun (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) & Cody Hall) in 12:38 after the Gattai Reverse Ushigoroshi by Meiyu Tag on Cody Hall. Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson admonished Cody after the match.
8. CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano) (w/Gedo) def. G.B.H. (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma), Captain New Japan & Ryusuke Taguchi in 13:39 after the roll-up by Yano to Taguchi.
9. Hiroshi Tanahashi & ReDRagon (Kyle O'Reilly & Bobby Fish) def. BULLET CLUB (The Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson) & Yujiro Takahashi) (w/Mao) in 14:34 after Chasing the Dragon by ReDRagon to Nick Jackson.
Day 5 - Wakayanagi City Gymnasium - Miyagi, Japan (February 6)
1. Sho Tanaka def. Jay White in 7:59 after the single-legged Boston crab.
2. Time Splitters (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) def. Jushin Thunder Liger & Yohei Komatsu in 8:16 after the Hoverboard Lock by KUSHIDA on Komatsu.
3. TenCozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) def. Manabu Nakanishi & Captain New Japan in 10:39 after the Ten-Koji Cutter on Captain New Japan.
4. BULLET CLUB (Gallows and Gun (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) & The Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson) (w/Cody Hall) def. Meiyu Tag (Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto) & ReDRagon (Kyle O'Reilly & Bobby Fish) in 14:41 after a distraction from Cody Hall set up O'Reilly for More Bang for Your Buck.
5. CHAOS (Toru Yano, Kazushi Sakuraba & Rocky Romero) def. BULLET CLUB (Yujiro Takahashi & Kenny Omega) & Chase Owens in 9:24 after the Sakuraba Lock on Takahashi. Omega and Romero exchanged words after the match.
6. CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii & Gedo) def. G.B.H. (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma) & Ryusuke Taguchi in 12:34 after the Rainmaker Lariat by Okada to Honma.
7. Tetsuya Naito & La Sombra def. CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura & YOSHI-HASHI) in 13:28 after the Shadow Driver by La Sombra to YOSHI-HASHI.
8. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Máscara Dorada & Yuji Nagata def. BULLET CLUB (Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Cody Hall) in 14:34 after the High Fly Flow by Tanahashi to Hall.
Day 6 - Akita Terrsa - Akita, Japan (February 7)
1. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask def. Sho Tanaka & Jay White in 7:59 after the Brainbuster by Liger to Tanaka.
2. Time Splitters (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) def. Ryusuke Taguchi & Yohei Komatsu in 8:16 after the Hoverboard Lock by KUSHIDA to Komatsu.
3. TenCozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) & Yuji Nagata def. BULLET CLUB (Tama Tonga, Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall) (w/Mao) in 8:20 after the Lariat by Kojima to Takahashi.
4. ReDRagon (Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly) & Rocky Romero def. BULLET CLUB (Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks) in 12:29 after Double Dragon on Matt Jackson.
5. CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Gedo) def. G.B.H. (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma), Manabu Nakanishi & Captain New Japan in 11:24 after the Brainbuster from Ishii to New Japan.
6. Tetsuya Naito & La Sombra def. CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano) in 16:23 after the Shadow Driver by La Sombra on Yano.
7. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Meiyu Tag (Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto) & Máscara Dorada def. BULLET CLUB (Gallows and Gun (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson), Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale) (w/Mao) in 16:13 after the High Fly Flow from Tanahashi to Owens.
Day 7 - Shizukuishi Sports Park Gymnasium - Iwate, Japan (February 8)
1. Sho Tanaka def. Jay White in 7:58 after the single legged Boston Crab.
2. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask def. Chase Owens & Yohei Komatsu in 9:04 after the Liger Bomb by Liger on Komatsu.
3. TenCozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) def. Tomoaki Honma & Captain New Japan in 8:04 after the Ten-Koji Cutter on Tomoaki Honma.
4. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi def. Tama Tonga & Cody Hall in 8:49 after the Argentine Backbreaker by Nakanishi on Hall.
5. Rocky Romero, Máscara Dorada & Ryusuke Taguchi def. Kenny Omega, Chase Owens & Time Splitters (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) in 11:33 after the Gargoyle by Romero to Omega. Omega refused to make any kind of contact with Time Splitters and even got on the microphone refusing to team with anybody other than the Bullet Club after the match.
6. Meiyu Tag (Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata) & ReDRagon (Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly) def. BULLET CLUB (Gallows and Gun (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) & The Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson) (w/Mao & Cody Hall) in 15:15 after the Penalty Kick by Shibata to Anderson.
7. CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada & Gedo) def. BULLET CLUB (Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi) (w/Mao & Cody Hall) in 13:17 after the Rainmaker Lariat by Okada to Takahashi. Okada and Fale had a staredown after the match.
8. CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano) def. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe, Tetsuya Naito & La Sombra in 18:35 after the Lariat from Ishii to Makabe. Tanahashi and Naito had a war of words after the match.
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Post by DTP. on Jan 19, 2016 17:59:38 GMT -5
| NJPW THE NEW BEGINNING in OSAKA Wednesday, February 11, 2015 - Bodymaker Collosseum - Nambo, Osaka |
champion
"Ace of the Universe" Hiroshi Tanahashi
| IWGP Heavyweight Championship VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | challenger
"Stardust☆Genius" | champions
"Meiyu Tag" Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata
| IWGP Tag Team Championship VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | challengers
"Gallows and Gun" Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows (BULLET CLUB)
| "CHAOS"
Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii
(CHAOS)
| Special Tag Team Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma (G.B.H.)
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"CHAOS" Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazushi Sakuraba and YOSHI-HASHI
(CHAOS)
| Special 6 Man Tag Team Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | La Sombra, Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima
| champion
| IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | |
"Time Splitters" Alex Shelley and KUSHIDA
| #1 Contenders Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | Nick and Matt Jackson (BULLET CLUB)
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| Special Singles Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | |
"ReDRagon" Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly
| Special Tag Team Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | Yujiro Takahashi and Cody Hall (BULLET CLUB)
| champion
| NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | | Sho Tanaka
| Special Singles Match VS [1 fall, 15 minute time limit] | |
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Post by DTP. on Jan 21, 2016 17:16:52 GMT -5
| WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER February 2, 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 BEST WRESTLING MANEUVER 1. Young Bucks Meltzer Driver (323) 2. Kazuchika Okada's Rainmaker (153) 4. Young Bucks More Bang For Your Buck (46)
WORST MATCH OF THE YEAR 2. Sakuraba and Nagata vs Gracies Tokyo 1/4 (89)
WORST FEUD OF THE YEAR 2. Minoru Suzuki vs Toru Yano (50)
BEST BOOKER 1. Gedo and Jado (611)
PROMOTER OF THE YEAR 1. Takaaki Kidani (602)
BEST GIMMICK 2. Bullet Club (88) 5. Shinsuke Nakamura (68)
The New Beginning show in Osaka, headlined by Hiroshi Tanahashi defending the IWGP Heavyweight Championship vs Tetsuya Naito on 2/11 is not sold out yet, however the New Beginning show in Sendai on 2/14, headlined by Shinsuke Nakamura defending the IWGP Intercontinental Championship vs La Sombra.
Yujiro Takahashi has challenged the winner of Shinsuke Nakamura and La Sombra at New Beginning in Sendai for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. No response from Nakamura nor La Sombra has been given yet.
A.J. Styles is not booked for the New Beginning show in Osaka on 2/11, but is booked for a ten-man tag match on the New Beginning in Sendai show on 2/14. The reason he is not competing on 2/11 is because he is allegedly still having neck problems from a German suplex from Togi Makabe which landed him on his head back in the G-1 Climax tournament last summer. It is expected that his tag appearance should keep him strong and hopefully let the pain die down further, as management has big plans for him and Bullet Club this year.
Although previously denied, Super Crazy largely confirmed what we have pretty much said, that Jado is booking for Pro Wrestling NOAH, and that New Japan Pro Wrestling either has a large financial stake in NOAH or controlling interest in the company. The talent have known for months in the sense that the NOAH guys know that they are being booked through New Japan, or are being paid - at least in part - by New Japan. Despite this, nobody knows exactly what the deal is.
The first major Pro Wrestling NOAH show featuring New Japan talent will be in Nagoya on 2/11. Suzuki-gun have been portrayed as dominant foreign invaders to the promotion since the previous 1/11 show, and it appears that they will stay put in NOAH for the mean time going forward. On 2/11 there will be a best of six series between talent of NOAH and members of Suzuki-gun, as it will be Taichi & El Desperado vs Atsushi Kotoge & Hitoshi Kumano, Mohammed Yone vs Shelton Benjamin, Takashi Sugiura vs Takashi Iizuka, Daisuke Harada vs Minoru Suzuki, Naomichi Marufuji vs Taka Michinoku, and Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls defending the GHC Tag Team Championship vs Davey Boy Smith Jr & Lance Archer.
New Japan World is now offering the entire month of February for free.
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Post by DTP. on Feb 3, 2016 21:00:34 GMT -5
| NJPW THE NEW BEGINNING in OSAKA '15Wednesday, February 11, 2015 - Bodymaker Colosseum - Osaka, Osaka
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The opening signature aired, welcoming us to another presentation from New Japan Pro Wrestling in the year 2015. This was followed by a video package documenting the history between Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tetsuya Naito; two fan favourites in the eyes of fans - both with a lot of similarities - Tanahashi, a man exhuming confidence based on his ability and will to never quit. He brought New Japan up from the ground throughout his previous six reigns as IWGP Heavyweight Champion, whilst Tetsuya Naito has never risen to that level. Despite this, Naito has made it a destiny of his to become the flagbearer of New Japan.
The winner of the 2014 G1 Climax, Naito even guaranteed victory in Osaka prior to challenging Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship back at Wrestle Kingdom 8, telling Osaka fans that if he failed to live up to his word, he wanted Osaka to boo him. Since then, Osaka has held up their end of the bargain, booing Naito at every turn whenever New Japan has been in town. But tonight, in the heated land of Osaka, could it be Naito's night? Naito told interviewers that tonight is the night he becomes the man; whilst the "Once in a Century Talent" Hiroshi Tanahashi vows to make yet another successful title defense, and continue his reign on top of New Japan Pro Wrestling.
We go to the Bodymaker Colosseum, where center-stage, ring announcer Kimihiko Ozaki began to set things up, announcing the card to a packed house in Osaka, Japan:
- Sho Tanaka vs Yohei Komatsu
- Jushin Liger (c) vs Chase Owens for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship
- ReDRagon (Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly) vs BULLET CLUB (Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall
- Tama Tonga vs Yuji Nagata
- Time Splitters (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) vs The Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson) in a #1 contender's match
- Kenny Omega (c) vs Rocky Romero for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
- CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazushi Sakuraba & YOSHI-HASHI) vs La Sombra & TenCozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima)
- CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii) vs Great Bash Heel (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma)
- Meiyu Tag (Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto) (c) vs Gallows and Gun (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) for the IWGP Tag Team Championship
- Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
1. SHO TANAKA vs YOHEI KOMATSU In most parts of the western wrestling industry, rookies are trained at their respective wrestling schools, and graduate to scour the independent circuit in order to gain life experience and in-ring experience with more experienced competitors on various shows. In the American massive, the WWE signs talent to their developmental territory for further honing, under the tutelage of veterans before graduating to the main televised roster. Similarly, in New Japan Pro Wrestling, rookies are known as Young Lions. These Young Lions are housed in the New Japan Dojo, where they fulfil household duties such as cleaning and washing; they put up the ring and take it down at every show; they wrestle in black trunks against one another, against veterans of the New Japan roster, and stand ringside as assistants for matches, absorbing the in-ring knowledge. And once experienced enough, they go on an excursion to a distant country to gain life experience and further discipline, with the end goal to return to their home promotion as a decorated star.
Sho Tanaka and Yohei Komatsu are the two best Young Lions that New Japan Pro Wrestling has to offer. Komatsu and Tanaka both made their debut on November 15, 2012 and have been paying their dues ever since. They fought against one another countless times since their debut, with Komatsu being superior to Tanaka with an match record of 8 wins, 6 losses and 21 time limit draws in the past two years and three months in singles action against one another. Opening the curtain in the famed Bodymaker Colosseum could lead to a New Beginning for either Young Lion. Tanaka and Komatsu started off exchanging holds in a game of one-upmanship, the action remaining fast and staying fast with the two junior heavyweights going at it, both hungry for a win tonight over their colleague. Komatsu soon got the better of Tanaka and began to work over him with a wristlock, just for Tanaka to find a way to break out and begin to fire back with a dropkick, a hiptoss and a snap suplex for good measure. The Osaka crowd were quiet but polite for the two youngsters, Tanaka twenty-five years of age, whilst Komatsu twenty-six. Komatsu once again got the better of Tanaka during a chop battle, showing young signs of Fighting Spirit be-stilled inside. Tanaka attempted to go for a lariat but found himself taken down into a single-legged Boston crab, which is when Sho was forced to tap out.Winner: Yohei Komatsu in 7:13 [**¾] The Osaka crowd complimented both men with an honest ovation out of politeness, Yohei Komatsu with his arm raised high, whilst Sho Tanaka slowly got back to his feet; the two Young Lions shaking hands respectfully.
2. NWA WORLD JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP JUSHIN THUNDER LIGER (c) vs CHASE OWENS w/Bruce Tharpe & Rob Conway
With every New Beginning, there comes a sudden ending. The question was, could that have been the fate of Jushin Thunder Liger's reign as the decorated NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion on this very night in Osaka? Prior to the match, NWA's representating authority figure, Mr Bruce Tharpe stood at ringside and yelled relentlessly about how his man Chase Owens was going to capture the NWA World Junior Heavyweight crown for a fourth time. Coincidentally, it was November 8, 2014 in this very building in Osaka's Bodymaker Colosseum at Power Struggle where Chase Owens lost the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship to Jushin Liger - but he was back tonight looking for redemption. But he and Bruce didn't come alone - Rob Conway, the two-time and reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion, just three days away from his scheduled challenge against Hiroyoshi Tenzan with the title on the line at the next New Beginning event in Sendai on February 14.
Jushin Thunder Liger did not seem phased by the outside assistance of the young and gifted Chase Owens. Liger even showed this right off the bat, delivering several thigh kicks to Owens before taking him down swiftly with a throat thrust. Tharpe was going ballistic at ringside, as Owens wound up getting taken down with a spinkick from the veteran high-flyer. The experience factor was showing its face, Liger literally double of Owens' age - but despite Liger's athletic quickness, Chase Owens' youth factor showed a positive as he came back with a hard-hitting back elbow. Owens relied on his strikes in an attempt to counter the more athletic style of the very diverse Liger, who attempted a backspring just to fall right into a bridging German suplex for a near fall. Rob Conway was ordered by Bruce Tharpe to get involved at one point, but Hiroyoshi Tenzan came charging to ringside to try and bring him back out of the fight. Back inside, the challenger remained hungry, attempting a belly-to-back suplex just for it to be reversed into the Liger suplex for two; Liger following up with an attempted Liger Bomb, but Owens managed to slip out and attempt the Package Piledriver - a proven calling card for Owens en route to victory - but not tonight! Liger broke his way free, delivering a Brainbuster to pick up another successful title defense victory!Winner: Jushin Thunder Liger in 8:29 [**½] ***STILL CHAMPION*** The theme song of Jushin Thunder Liger played, as he began to celebrate another successful defense made as NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion; when suddenly he was jumped from behind by Rob Conway; "the Iron Man" dropping Liger with an Ego Trip, when Hiroyoshi Tenzan hit the ring; the New Japan wrestler colliding with the National Wrestling Alliance representative with Mongolian chops, the two trading blows before Bruce Tharpe ordered Conway to retreat three days prior to their match in Sendai!
3. REDRAGON (Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly) vs BULLET CLUB (Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall) w/MaoWith the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions' next top contenders to be determined later on between the Young Bucks and Time Splitters, Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly took up the challenge made by the Bullet Club - this carnation of the devious faction consisting of a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, "R Sh*tei" (Japanese for "R Rated") Yujiro Takahashi and the newest addition to the Bullet Club, the son of the legendary Scott Hall, 6'8, 268-pound Cody Hall. Hall, whilst technically a Young Lion, has been brought underneath the wing of the Bullet Club - who have claimed throughout this tour that in order to become a full-fledged Bullet Club member, he must pay his dues as the faction's "young boy" - a derogatory remark for a rookie in Japan.
The match started off hot, with Hall in there with Bobby Fish - and despite the size advantage of big Cody Hall, Fish managed to cut him down like a tree by using a multitude of hard-hitting kicks to the legs, before bringing in Kyle O'Reilly to follow up - ReDRagon with a double dropkick for the Young Lion. Cody tagged in Takahashi, whose valet, adult exotic dancer Mao, had danced rather provocatively for the Osaka crowd during their entrance to the ring. Takahashi tried to have his way with O'Reilly, but once again, the champion came back with a leg sweep followed up with a lariat taking Takahashi down! Fish and O'Reilly continued to work away on Takahashi until Cody came from behind with a knee into the back of O'Reilly. Hall followed up, coming in and beginning to powerhouse O'Reilly around despite the kickboxing and jiu-jitsu specialist's best efforts. Fish tried to get the tag as Cody and Takahashi teamed up on O'Reilly, but he soon fired back, sending Takahashi out to the floor and coming off the apron with a front missile dropkick! Inside, Fish nailed Cody with a huge spinkick, before following up with the Space Rolling Elbow, soon securing the Fish Hook Deluxe Edition leglock on Cody - at ringside, Takahashi sent O'Reilly into the ringside barriers before rolling in to try and make the save, just for Cody Hall to tap out just before he could break it up!Winners: ReDRagon in 8:33 [**]The Osaka crowd were respectful, Bobby Fish's hand raised whilst Yujiro Takahashi and Mao helped Cody Hall to the back. Kyle O'Reilly joined Fish in the ring, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions successful in their endeavors tonight - but the loudmouth team of the Young Bucks suddenly appeared on the aisleway, Matt Jackson yelling that they would win against Time Splitters tonight and go on to beat ReDRagon, and win their titles back at the New Beginning in Sendai on the 14th. ReDRagon appeared to await the challenge!
4. TAMA TONGA vs YUJI NAGATA Since September of 1992, we have seen the career of "Blue Justice" Yuji Nagata play out in New Japan Pro Wrestling. A former two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, a former two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, the 2001 G1 Climax winner, a two-time World Tag League winner, a two-time New Japan Cup winner, and last month on Wrestle Kingdom 9's pre-show at the age of 46, Nagata proved that he could still go when he overcame fourteen others to win the New Japan Rumble. However in victory came a challenge from one Tama Tonga. The son of Haku, the "Bad Boy" of the Bullet Club has not had a chance to shine in New Japan Pro Wrestling until last month when he came close to winning the Rumble just for Nagata to eliminate him. A former CMLL World Tag Team Champion and with this being his fifth year in the organization, perhaps this could be Tonga's year to rise up through the ranks. Tonga has even beaten Nagata during the Road to the New Beginning tour, meaning this could go either way. Tonga started off in typical Bullet Club fashion, jumping Nagata right before the bell and jumping the gun. Tama Tonga sent Nagata out to the floor and continued to fire away at Nagata, forcing him spine-first into the guardrail! Tonga rolled back inside as the count began on Nagata, still out on the floor. The count reached a mere 7 before "Blue Justice" was back inside, defying the tactics of Tonga. Tama however went straight back on Nagata, not letting him up and connecting with a snap suplex followed by a quick pin attempt for a one count. It was going to take a lot more to take down the veteran in this match.
Tonga continued the attack, but made a schoolboy error as the more experienced Yuji Nagata cut Tonga off at the ropes with a spinning wheel kick taking Tonga down, following up with multiple harsh kicks to the abdomen before following up with an enzuigiri to the Bullet Club member! Nagata on offense, he took Tonga into the corner and began to execute Tonga with a series of hard-hitting throat chops before Tonga reversed it around and began to nail Nagata with a series of back-elbows before charging across the ring at Yuji just to run into a big knee to the chest! Tonga down for two, the match continued with the veteran now calling the shots over the younger second-generation talent. Nagata continued with a series of kicks, until Tonga resorted to raking the eyes, then attempting to bring him up to the top rope - Nagata kicked him back, and the veteran came off the second rope into a transitioning armbar, Tonga groaning as he struggled to get out of the hold, eventually reaching the bottom rope with his foot. Tama Tonga was on the defensive all of a sudden, as he saw a charging Nagata and sent him to the outside, before coming through the ropes with a Tornillo plancha through the ropes - just to get caught by Nagata who hit him with a northern lights suplex on the floor! Back inside, Tonga was wounded from the suplex, which is when he tried a last-second Veleno DDT attempt just for Nagata to block it, taking the arm of "the Bad Boy" Tama Tonga and locking in the Nagata Lock; rolling back the eyes, and Tonga submitted!Winner: Yuji Nagata in 10:15 [**¾]
The "Bad Boy" was in the wrong place at the wrong time tonight, having messed with a veteran that still possesses Fighting Spirit like Yuji Nagata. "Blue Justice" celebrated his win, continuing to show that despite his age, he was a force to be reckoned with in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Tonga clutched his arm as Bullet Club's "young boy" Cody Hall helped him to the back.
5. #1 CONTENDER MATCH TO THE IWGP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP TIME SPLITTERS (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) vs THE YOUNG BUCKS (Nick & Matt Jackson)The junior tag team ranks have been electric in New Japan Pro Wrestling in recent years, but recently it has come down to four teams in particular, all chasing and swapping the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships around. At Wrestle Kingdom 9, ReDRagon successfully retained the titles against Time Splitters, the Young Bucks and Forever Hooligans - but that hasn't stopped the challengers from waiting around to reclaim on another day. With Alex Koslov's retirement and Rocky Romero being left without a tag team partner, this has left the floor open to Time Splitters and the Young Bucks to pursue the titles ReDRagon still hold - and the winner of this match tonight in Osaka will go on to challenge for the titles at the New Beginning in Sendai in three nights on February 14. The Young Bucks appeared as arrogant as ever, coming out after ReDRagon's match earlier on and confidently calling them out for the New Beginning in Sendai. Right off the bat, Alex Shelley and KUSHIDA went to work on separating the two Jackson brothers, Shelley and KUSHIDA giving Nick some of his own loudmouth medicine by responding to a crotchchop with a double superkick taking him out; immediately, Shelley took it to Matt Jackson, sending him off the ropes and giving him a drop toe hold allowing KUSHIDA to capitalize with a dropkick into the mouth! Shelley started off with Nick, sending him off the ropes, but Nick came back with an Irish whip of his own, Jackson trying to catch the rebounding Shelley with a toss-up just for Shelley to come back down catching Nick on the jaw again with a dropkick! Nick cowered over to Matt for a tag, whilst KUSHIDA came in as well.The match continuing, Matt teased a test of strength with KUSHIDA just to kick him in the gut, Matt beginning to throw right hands at KUSHIDA but the self-proclaimed "Ace of the Juniors" responded with several thigh kicks before attempting the Hoverboard Lock early - when Nick snook in from behind, a superkick causing KUSHIDA to drop the hold and drop fatally to the mat. The Young Bucks in control, they began to trade frequent tags and let the confidence set in once again - Nick and Matt utilizing a lot of their trademark sequences, including the powerbomb into the corner from Nick to KUSHIDA allowing Matt to catch his foe with a high kick from the apron to the back of the head of KUSHIDA upon landing. The Bucks began to get even more mocking of their opponents - Matt in particular with his trash talking in the middle of a Japanese venue, calling KUSHIDA a "Japanese hornet". However what he was about to find out is that for a Japanese hornet, he had quite a sting. KUSHIDA powered back on Matt with a double knee strike out of nowhere; KUSHIDA following up with a hurricanrana and a standing moonsault just for Jackson to get his knees up. Nick tagged in quickly, immediately stopping KUSHIDA from making a tag to Shelley by dragging him back inside and following up with the N-Sync - a double hiptoss followed up with simultaneous handspring dropkicks into the face of KUSHIDA for two! The Jacksons representing the Bullet Club were here to make a point by becoming number one contenders just like they confidently claimed earlier tonight.The match continued with Nick making the mistake of allowing too much time for KUSHIDA to recover - doing so by getting up to the top for a dive - and KUSHIDA immediately dashed up and connected with a desperation hurricanrana taking both men off the top to the mat! KUSHIDA had the Osaka fans behind him, and Shelley got the tag! Shelley came in with an enzuigiri for fresher man Matt Jackson, then followed up with double knee backbreaker for Nick; Shelley in control for Time Splitters now. Alex soon attempted the Sliced Bread #2 on Nick, but Nick managed to catch him in place for a Tombstone; Matt springboarding off the top rope for a standing spike; the Indytaker connecting! The Young Bucks covered, but KUSHIDA was there to desperately break up the count. KUSHIDA went off the ropes in an attempt to follow up - just to run into two superkicks from both Jacksons! KUSHIDA was down and Nick covered this time KUSHIDA - but Shelley managed to break it up! Shelley followed with an attempt at the WA4 piledriver just for Matt to flip out of it and stun Alex with a dropkick, whilst Nick came back for another tombstone attempt; Matt headed for the apron, but this time when Matt attempted to springboard, Shelley charged in and dropkicked Matt back to the outside! Nick still having KUSHIDA in the tombstone position got dropkicked in the legs, KUSHIDA flipping Jackson into a facebuster reversal; before Time Splitters followed up with the Outatime, picking up the victory!Winners: Time Splitters in 11:29 [***½] ***NEW CONTENDERS***
The Osaka crowd approved of the result; Alex Shelley and KUSHIDA united in victory tonight in this top contenders match against the Young Bucks of the villainous Bullet Club faction! Matt came back inside to attend to Nick; the two grovelling in defeat as despite their confidence, their arrogance, and their best efforts, today was not their day - and on February 14 in three nights time, Time Splitters would be challenging Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships at the New Beginning in Sendai!
6. IWGP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP KENNY OMEGA (c) vs ROCKY ROMEROWith 2015 setting in over New Japan Pro Wrestling, the junior heavyweight division has turned a new leaf as well, as it was on January 4 at Wrestle Kingdom 9 where "the Cleaner" Kenny Omega of the Bullet Club, in his official in-ring debut for the organization, managed to defeat Ryusuke Taguchi for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. With the title now in the court of the Bullet Club, Omega would surely learn soon enough that he now had a big target on his back. Which is why when Alex Koslov took a permanent hiatus from in-ring competition, Forever Hooligans partner Rocky Romero was left without a partner. In the Road to the New Beginning shows, Romero managed to upset Omega in a six-man tag team bout, forcing Omega to put the title up for grabs after previously outright stating that he was refusing to give former champion Ryusuke Taguchi a rematch for the title. One notable difference in this one however was the fact that unlike last month when Omega won the title - it was in part due to the presence of the Young Bucks at ringside. But not tonight, not after their gruelling defeat to Time Splitters just moments prior. The challenger, Rocky Romero made his way to the ring and spoke into the camera clearly that he was going to win the title tonight - not just with honor to New Japan, but also in tribute to his retired ally, Alex Koslov. The same could not be said for Kenny Omega, who possessed similar acts of superiority to his Wrestle Kingdom appearance - the trenchcoat, the shades, the toothpick - and the flamboyantly annoying mannerisms making him resemble a video game villain in some way.
Romero, also known by his nickname "Azucar", appeared motivated enough to try and lock up with Omega - but the cocky champion shrugged it off and began to stall, slowly removing his trenchcoat and removing his sunglasses. But then, in a brief lack of focus when Rocky turned his head away from Omega, the champion charged across the ring, catching Romero with a knee to the shoulder of the challenger! The match underway, Kenny clouted away at Rocky some more before sending him off the ropes and catching him with a leg lariat! "The Cleaner" posed to the unappreciative Osaka crowd, whilst Rocky held his shoulder after the unprovoked attack by the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Omega began to continue his onslaught, attempting to grasp Rocky and get him with a Tiger suplex just for Romero to manage remaining on-ground using his strength, then working his way slowly out of it before going behind and bringing the champion down with a waistlock takedown; Kenny using his long legs to return the two to their feet, before Omega switched and bounced off the ropes, ducking a clothesline attempt by Romero and being met with a Fujiwara armbar attempt out of nowhere; the champ quick to reach the ropes. Rocky attempted to further the attack on Omega, connecting with a series of shoot-style kicks before Omega cut him off yet again with a kick in return; focused on the shoulder that bothered Romero in the opening moments.
Omega continued the work over Romero's shoulder, connecting with the Dragon Revolution pumphandle suplex right on the shoulder, with the experienced Canadian champion knowing exactly how to continue the attack on Romero's shoulder, manipulating it by stretching the arm much like a joystick, in every direction imaginable. Kenny Omega had Rocky right where he wanted him and wanted more, connecting with a Kotaro Krusher bulldog at one point for a near fall. At another, Rocky managed to cut him off with a lariat using the bad arm; Romero bound to keep on going as he followed with a cradle suplex and a springboard tornado DDT just for Kenny to kick out at two. The challenger was hurting by using his weakened shoulder for such strong offense, as Omega found it straight forward to fire back with a Hadouken followed with a step-up enzuigiri taking Romero back onto the defensive. Kenny connected with a springboard moonsault, but Romero managed to charge out at two, not allowing the champion to make a successful first defense. Omega decided it was nearly time to wrap things up, going for the One-Winged Angel - but Romero rolling through into a victory roll for two; then clotheslined Omega in the corner; whipping him into the opposite corner for another one; and then trying for the flying Diablo Armbar - Omega trying to block it, but ultimately he became locked in the hold, Rocky wanting to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship for both the honor of New Japan versus the Bullet Club, and in tribute to his retired friend Alex Koslov - but Omega reached onto the bottom rope forcing the break! Omega was struggling to get back up to his feet, and Rocky tried for a Kurayami Piledriver just for "the Cleaner" to flip backwards onto his feet: then picking Rocky up and connecting with the Croyt's Wrath electric chair into a German suplex - bridged right onto the vulnerable shoulder, Omega securing the three!Winner: Kenny Omega in 14:12 [****] ***STILL CHAMPION***
"The Cleaner" was successful in his first defense as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Kenny Omega managing to defeat Rocky Romero tonight in Osaka at the New Beginning 2015. Omega gloated his victory with the title, holding it like his own baby whilst "Azucar" remained down on the mat holding his shoulder. Omega soon picked up the ringside microphone, declaring that as "the Cleaner" of the Bullet Club, and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, that he was going to clear up the garbage of Japan, of America, of Mexico, of Jamaica, of everywhere in the world, just like he displayed tonight against "L.A. Garbage" Rocky Romero tonight! Omega held up Romero's head and placed the Bullet Club pistol against Romero's head before dropping him and beginning to leave.
- FIFTEEN MINUTE INTERMISSION - At this time, Kimihiko Ozaki announced that the New Beginning would be back in fifteen minutes. This allowed for the announce team - Jushin Thunder Liger, Milano Collection A.T. and Shinpei Nogami to begin breaking down the matches bout per bout and previewing what was to come after intermission.
7. CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazushi Sakuraba & YOSHI-HASHI) vs LA SOMBRA & TENCOZY (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) With the return of La Sombra from Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre; one of the top stars from the country of Mexico, a former IWGP Intercontinental Champion that spent the first half of 2013 in a high-profile feud with Shinsuke Nakamura, defeating him for the title in Mexico City on May 31 before losing it back to the "King of Strong Style" on July 20 in Akita, Japan. Last month when the stars of CMLL aligned one more time with New Japan Pro Wrestling for the annual Fantastica Mania tour, La Sombra made claim to one day return to the country of Japan to challenge Shinsuke for one more opportunity at the IWGP Intercontinental Championship - and to the "King of Strong Style", when challenged, everything becomes YeaOH! The two collide on February 14 at the New Beginning in Sendai, but tonight, they were on opposite sides as La Sombra teamed with unlikely allies in the former multi-time IWGP Tag Team Champions, Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima to take on Nakamura and his CHAOS affiliates, including "Gracie Hunter" Kazushi Sakuraba and YOSHI-HASHI. Despite the challenge ahead, Shinsuke Nakamura was his own unique self as always when accompanied to the ring by CHAOS - whilst La Sombra made a separate entrance to TenCozy, notably with a slow walk, seemingly more focused on the challenge coming up on February 14, as well as tonight.
The match started with Shinsuke Nakamura willing to face off with his rival in three nights time, La Sombra - but La Sombra suddenly decided against it, instead deciding to tag in Hiroyoshi Tenzan. With this, Shinsuke accepted the challenge, and began to lock up with Tenzan - the man also known as "Mōgyū" overpowering Nakamura despite the charismatic man's leg strength, and very quickly Tenzan got in some of his hard-hitting Mongolian Chops - but Shinsuke blocked one and kneed Tenzan in the chest before going for a Bomaye just for Tenzan to duck it; off the ropes went Nakamura before he came back at Tenzan with a big lariat! Nakamura wristlocked Tenzan before tagging in YOSHI-HASHI, who came in and axe handled Tenzan, trying to go after his wrist in particular with two wrenches - but a Head Hunter flip-over neckbreaker was blocked by Hiroyoshi - and with that, one of New Japan's veteran fired back with a big headbutt! Tenzan delivered a few more Mongolian Chops before tagging in partner Satoshi Kojima - the 44 year-old former two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion coming in and continuing the attack; Kojima with chops for YOSHI-HASHI in the corner before allowing YOSHI-HASHI to hit the mat and tag in the "Gracie Hunter" himself, Kazushi Sakuraba.
Kojima and Sakuraba sized one another up; "Cozy" cautious around the mixed martial-artist with a 26-16-1 record in fights. Kojima tried to right hand Kazushi just to get taken down in rapid speed with a judo throw; then followed with a fast cross-armbreaker attempt just for Satoshi to touch the bottom rope with his foot. Sakuraba waited, as Kojima walked close to his corner just as La Sombra tagged himself into the match - not showing much respect to his veteran partners in TenCozy. La Sombra blocked another submission attempt by Sakuraba, kicking him off with a double knee strike before immediately dashing over to YOSHI-HASHI and knocking him off the apron with a dropkick! Sakuraba immediately went in with fast foot strikes, before tagging in the "King of Strong Style" - Shinsuke wanting revenge for the attack by his rival in three nights. La Sombra waited for Nakamura this time, and the two then met with Nakamura sending Sombra off the ropes just for him to slip beneath Nakamura and trip him up; a neckbreaker following before La Sombra attempted a hurricanrana just for Nakamura to powerbomb Sombra, then followed by a foot stomp into the heart of his top contender! La Sombra backed into a corner, and Nakamura began the Strong Style Footwipe just for La Sombra to block it and reversing with a big enzuigiri stunning the IWGP Intercontinental Champion.
La Sombra appeared to have stepped it up a notch in his absence from New Japan Pro Wrestling, as he stalked Nakamura before going for a Sombra Driver attempt just to be reversed into an inverted powerslam - Nakamura aiming for Bomaye just for La Sombra to duck it, then dropkicking YOSHI-HASHI off the apron! Nakamura however decided to get retribution for this, charging La Sombra just to be knocked down by La Sombra. In came YOSHI-HASHI now looking for revenge, and soon enough TenCozy also came in for an attack; the three members of CHAOS meeting La Sombra and TenCozy in the middle of the ring for a brawl before Sakuraba and Kojima; Tenzan and Nakamura heading to the floor. YOSHI-HASHI tried to take the fight to La Sombra, including an attempt at the Bunker Buster just for La Sombra to reverse it; the Sombra Driver swiftly putting YOSHI-HASHI down for the count!Winners: La Sombra & TenCozy in 12:22 [***] After a swift delivery in this six-man tag team encounter, La Sombra had re-established and demonstrated his refined intentions to become a two-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion - the CMLL star immediately staring down Shinsuke Nakamura at ringside. Nakamura left with Kazushi Sakuraba and a defeated YOSHI-HASHI with a glare on his face as CHAOS were unsuccessful in this bout in Osaka. La Sombra then decided to ignore his teammates TenCozy's efforts at having their hands raised in victory; instead heading for the back alone, focused on his big match in three nights in Sendai.
8. CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii) w/Gedo vs G.B.H. (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma) It was five weeks ago when Wrestle Kingdom 9 in Tokyo Dome took place, with 36,000 fans baring witness to two brutes battling it out for the NEVER Openwight Championship as Tomohiro Ishii and Togi Makabe both aimed to take home the gold, doing whatever it took even if it meant sacrificing their own body to get it. In the end, it would be the "Stone Pitbull" that would emerge victorious - but Togi Makabe wanted more - the "Kingkong" claiming that he wasn't done battling Ishii and venturing to claim the NEVER Openweight title as his own. Kazuchika Okada meanwhile wanted retribution after being humiliated at the Tokyo Dome on January 4, when he failed to regain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against biggest rival Hiroshi Tanahashi, which exhausted him tremendously, and left him emotionally distraught. On the contrary, Togi Makabe had the assistance of his final remaining partner as part of the Great Bash Heel faction, in Tomoaki Honma. The man with plenty of losses had recently gained a big following in New Japan fans, loving his personality and dedication to never give up - a following that some have called "Honmania". Okada still had his confidence en route to the ring, complete with falling bills with "Rainmaker"'s face across it - but Ishii, Makabe and Honma all seemed focused for this upcoming bout.
Ishii and Makabe met mid-centre in the ring with a huge staredown, going head to head before "Kingkong" broke the stalemate, striking Ishii just to be met with some of his own - both Openweights striking one another simultaneously, before it broke down to a test of endurance. Ishii forearmed Makabe in the chest repeatedly, before Togi responded with a handful of forearms to the jaw - and both traded this until Ishii missed out; Makabe bounced off the ropes looking for a lariat, and when Ishii ducked, he tried to big boot Makabe on the rebound just for Makabe to cling onto the ropes; Ishii charging Makabe just for the "Kingkong" to dump Ishii over the top rope! Makabe immediately followed, charging Ishii right into the barriers before returning to the ring, Makabe inside. Ishii was worse for wear meanwhile, dazed from the beating from Togi moments prior, but he managed to get back inside for the count of thirteen. Makabe tagged in Honma, who held Ishii's arms welcome for a big lariat from Honma! Tomoaki got happy and slapped his head signalling for the Kokeshi falling headbutt - but at the last second Ishii rolled out of the way! Tomohiro capitalized on a dizzy Honma, tagging in "Rainmaker" to a big ovation from Osaka.
Kazuchika Okada, one of the two elites in the CHAOS faction, defeated and looking for redemption after Wrestle Kingdom 9's defeat, entered the ring for the first time tonight, immediately attempting to capitalize on Honma's dizziness following the latter's failed Kokeshi attempt - grabbing him from behind and trying for the Rainmaker Lariat just for Honma to duck it and roll Okada up for a near fall, Honma then following with the Crazy Elbow; Honma soonafter tagging in Togi Makabe. The "Kingkong", who had previously taken Okada to the limit back in Okada's second reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion in June 2013, met Okada with clout; several strikes pummeling Okada much to the chagrin of "Rainmaker". Okada ducked one of them and attempted a German suplex - just for Makabe to deadweight the G1 Climax 24 victor; Makabe blocking it off and connecting with a big lariat of his own taking "Rainmaker" down! Makabe continued his offense, attempting another lariat in the corner, just for Okada to duck it and scramble for the corner, tagging in Ishii again - not the strongest outing for a man that main evented the Tokyo Dome one month ago. Ishii and Makabe went at it again, Ishii this time managing to get the better of Makabe this time around. The NEVER Openweight Champion connected with a backdrop driver on Togi, covering his rival for a near fall! The two warriors battled on, with Makabe catching Ishii with a spear off the ropes for two; then when Togi tried to go up top for the Kingkong Knee Drop - Ishii telegraphed it, and went up top, trading several headbutts before bringing him down with a huge stalling suplex off the top rope! Ishii tagged in Okada whilst Makabe tagged in Honma allowing the two rivals to recover, and Okada managed to telegraph Honma with a huge dropkick!
"Rainmaker" Okada was on the rise again, as Honma remained down the canvas; Okada applying the Red Ink submission on Tomoaki; but Honma was able to slowly but surely reach the ropes to break the hold! Honma did not feel done yet though, as he slowly but surely struggled to his feet again, catching Okada with a hard elbow - but Okada connected with Heavy Rain, but only for two! Okada was focusing a lot on desperation in this match-up with the repeated pin attempts, but that may have worked more as a disadvantage: when attempting a rope-hung DDT, Honma broke loose and connected with a northern lights suplex followed up by a rarely successful Kokeshi headbutt into the solar-plexus of Okada for two! Honma tagged in Makabe again, and when Okada tried to get a dropkick on Makabe, he blocked it and connected with a follow-up Lariat - the one, two, but Ishii broke the count! Makabe tagged in Honma, and then Ishii and Makabe then went at it one more time, the two trading heavy shots on one another, but this time Ishii succeeded! Ishii got Makabe up and powerslammed the "Kingkong" - then taking out Honma with a massive Lariat! Ishii and Makabe took their brawl out to ringside, whilst in the ring, Okada - ever the opportunist, picked up a dazed Honma and put him down with the Rainmaker Lariat to score the victory!Winners: CHAOS in 14:43 [***½]The fans in Osaka gave Kazuchika Okada a strong ovation, although it was not to be ignored that "Rainmaker" could not have won the match there and then if not from the assist from Tomohiro Ishii's lariat to Tomoaki Honma in the bout's closing moments. Gedo clapped for Okada, though Okada looked disappointed in himself - perhaps lingering effects of the spirit-damaging loss to Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 9. Meanwhile, the Young Lions - Yohei Komatsu, Sho Tanaka and Jay White got involved to break up an ongoing brawl between Togi Makabe and Tomohiro Ishii; the two hosses refusing to give up, three days away from their rematch in Sendai with the NEVER Openweight Championship at stake!
9. IWGP TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MEIYU TAG (Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata) (c) vs GALLOWS AND GUN (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) w/A.J. StylesAfter 365 days as IWGP Tag Team Champions, Karl "the Machine Gun" Anderson and Doc Gallows seemed to have finally met their match as a tag team. On December 7, 2014, just when Gallows and Gun appeared to be on their way to a second year win in a row - it was Meiyu Tag who defeated them in the finals of the World Tag League 2014. Less than one month later at Wrestle Kingdom 9 - the first year anniversary of Gallows and Gun winning the titles on January 4, 2015; Katsuyori Shibata and Hirooki Goto were successful as they won the IWGP Tag Team Championships - Shibata's first title win in his career spanning back to 1999, but with a partner he grew up with and went to school with, in the former IWGP Intercontinental Champion and three-time New Japan Cup winner, Hirooki Goto. But as made clear on January 5 at New Year Dash !! Karl Anderson called for the Bullet Club's rematch - tonight in Osaka. As "The Wrestler" and the "New Japan Pro Wrestling Daredevil" made their way to the ring and sat in a dominant, determined stance with their legs crossed and their arms folded, ready for battle - it appeared that they were ready. But then something happened that they had not anticipated.When "the Machine Gun" and Doc Gallows made their way out to the hostile Bodymaker Colosseum audience, a friend of theirs came with them - Bullet Club leader, "the Phenomenal" A.J. Styles. Styles, who was not scheduled for competition tonight, and not scheduled to join the tour until the New Beginning in Sendai in three nights time, was out here to support his comrades in hopefully regaining the gold for the villainous Biz Cliz faction. Despite this, Goto and Shibata were prepared, as the match began with Shibata and Gallows; Gallows attempting to use his size and strength to dominate Shibata; but the smaller co-champion ducked every attempt and fired away with relentless kicks in direction of the 6'8, 300lb "Suntan Biker Man". Shibata repeated the hit-and-run strategy before catching him by surprise with a backdrop suplex for two; before Karl nipped in and stomped on Shibata's head; allowing Gallows to capitalize and begin working over him. Gallows continued focusing his attack on the head of Katsuyori; dropping an elbow on Shibata for a near count. Anderson came in, an axe handle for Shibata who remained vigilant to the attack. Anderson connected with a neckbreaker, before tagging in Doc again; the two former champions for a year relentless in their ambush. A double suplex from Gallows and Gun kept Shibata on edge and on defense; as Anderson put down Shibata with a big boot! A.J. watched on approvingly, before Shibata dodged a choke attempt from Gallows and kicked him to his knees; a front dropkick taking down the big man!"The Outlaw" down, Katsuyori Shibata began to feel a fire inside, as he fired away at Gallows - on his knees - with a rapidfire combination of kicks before taking his head near off with a kick to the head! Shibata lifted Gallows' hefty deadweight up and connected with a chickenwing facelock, but Anderson managed to pull Shibata off of Gallows; just for "The Wrestler" to respond by delivering a backhand to "the Machine Gun"! Shibata then came back for Gallows, and with Red Shoes out of position, Gallows low blowed the co-champion blatantly! Gallows got the tag to Karl Anderson, who came in and began relenting on Shibata with right and left open hand slaps before even choking him for a brief moment! Anderson continued the assault with a sit-out death valley driver, but Shibata powered out, refusing to stay down and at Anderson's mercy. The G1 Climax 2012 finalist attempted his Anderson family spinebuster on Shibata, but Katsuyori flew out of it, before catching the opponent with the Musha Gaeshi STO! Shibata tagged in Hirooki Goto, who came in like a house on fire; the "New Japan Daredevil" with a belly-to-back suplex on Anderson before following up with a Tokko discus Lariat! Goto didn't even forget about Gallows on the apron, who he headbutted to the floor! Goto got the legs of Anderson crossed and connected with the Goto Shiki cross-legged cradle; but A.J. Styles was there, dragging referee Red Shoes to the floor. Unno reprimanded the leader of the Bullet Club, enough time for Doc Gallows to come in with a steel chair; clocking Goto across the spine with it!Anderson tagged in Gallows, who got Goto set up for a Giant Stun Gun with Karl's assistance, but Shibata dragged Anderson away with a deadlift German suplex! Goto dropped on his feet out of Gallows' grasp and dropped him with an impressive brainbuster, just as A.J. Styles got on the apron! As Shibata saw A.J., he approached him just as Styles came off the top rope with a springboard forearm taking him down! Styles slipped out the other side of the ring as the referee got to his feet after two minutes on the floor, Gallows and Anderson in place for the Magic Killer connecting on Goto, but Shibata was there to break it up! Shibata was lit up now, sending Gallows through the ropes to the floor and then nailing Anderson with a G2PK! Goto capitalized and grabbed Anderson afterwards for the Shouten Kai but A.J. Styles tried to intervene again this time in front of Red Shoes! But then out ran Kota Ibushi; the "Golden Star" hitting the ring to confront Styles! Styles decided against it however, heading to the floor just as Ibushi arrived; but Kota was here to chase A.J. away; Ibushi chasing the "Phenomenal One" away from ringside and to the back! Back in the action, Anderson and Gallows attempted the Magic Killer on Shibata, but Goto took Shibata down and then gave Anderson the Shouten Kai! Goto brawled with Gallows in the corner, allowing Shibata to run off the ropes with a Penalty Kick knocking Anderson out, Meiyu Tag retaining!Winners: Meiyu Tag in 16:04 [***¾] ***STILL CHAMPIONS*** Meiyu Tag had successfully defended the IWGP Tag Team Championships for the first time tonight in Osaka despite the distractions caused by A.J. Styles! Katsuyori Shibata and Hirooki Goto celebrated in traditional Meiyu Tag fashion - arms crossed, legs folded - as Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson were helped to the back with the help of Bullet Club "young boy" Cody Hall. Shibata and Goto had defeated Gallows and Gun three consecutive times now - and it didn't feel like they were going to stop now with a new era in the heavyweight tag team division.
Scheduled next was the main event of the night - the IWGP Heavyweight Championship collision between seven time champion Hiroshi Tanahashi going into his second title defense against someone he thought was loyal to him - none other than Tetsuya Naito. The G1 Climax winner of 2013 going up against the "Once in a Century Talent". Tanahashi has continued to take New Japan Pro Wrestling to new heights in the 21st century. After defeating main rival Kazuchika Okada last month at Wrestle Kingdom 9, Tanahashi was perplexed by Naito challenging him for the title. He said that he found Naito to be a loyal comrade in their battle ongoing against the Bullet Club. Naito however spoke of bitter pasture in his interviews. He claimed that Tanahashi had stolen his spot (at Wrestle Kingdom 8 in 2014, fans voted Tanahashi vs Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship to main event the Tokyo Dome instead of Naito challenging Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship as a main event). He said how it blew his confidence (Osaka has not been warm to Naito ever since he declared that he would beat Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 8 and be IWGP Heavyweight Champion - he did not win the title and has been despised in Osaka ever since). He said that 2015 will be unlike how 2014 was. Naito declared that whether Osaka liked him or not, he was going to make it up to them for his previous lie. He said that this time, as good as Tanahashi is - he will take the IWGP Heavyweight throne at last.
10. IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP HIROSHI TANAHASHI (c) vs TETSUYA NAITO This was it. Tetsuya Naito challenging for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship for the first time since his loss to Kazuchika Okada back at Wrestle Kingdom 8 thirteen months ago. Never before the man on the mountain, "Stardust☆Genius" was here tonight to finally win the big one, the IWGP Heavyweight Championship currently held by the seven-time and current reigning champion, Hiroshi Tanahashi. But it wasn't going to be easy. Naito and Tanahashi have only ever competed in nine matches prior to this encounter. Tanahashi even leads their win-loss record with a 5-3-1 record. Naito even defeated Tanahashi to win the 2013 G1 Climax. But despite their history of matches, most of these have been about winning the G1, New Japan Cup or IWGP Heavyweight Championship. However tonight things were tense with Naito feeling disrespected by Tanahashi - which is something, because since 2007 Tanahashi and Naito have been allies in tag team bouts regardless of their situation. The scene had changed a lot since then - it was about climbing the ladder now for Tetsuya.
As predicted, Tetsuya Naito came out to a chorus of boos from the jilted Osaka Bodymaker Colosseum. He was booed out of the building for his past failed claim to return to Osaka as IWGP Heavyweight Champion after Wrestle Kingdom 8 last year. But Naito didn't seem phased - as long as he won the title tonight, he felt that the audience would take him back. What he didn't take into account was the fact that this may have added an extra layer of pressure on the back of the challenger. Hiroshi Tanahashi came out as enthusiastic as ever, coming down to the ring for what he felt was just another challenge: the "Once in a Century Talent" here to fight for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Tanahashi nodded to Naito from across the ring during their introductions, but Naito appeared more focused instead. The match began with a lock up, and Naito was clearly overly keen as he went behind and took the champion down with a waistlock takedown. Naito wasn't even letting Tanahashi up, which is when Hiroshi managed to break off the chainwrestling attempt. The next time this happened, Tanahashi got the upper hand; a wristlock rolled through into a wristlock-northern lights suplex for two. Naito powered up and shoved Tanahashi up; clearly the brewing moments of an all-out battle for power.
Naito soon went for a test of strength, but Tanahashi grabbed it and arm-dragged Naito just for the challenger to handspring up, a tribute to his past days in Mexico competing in CMLL. Of note, Naito's good friend and partner in Mexico, La Sombra was in a similar boat - as in three nights in Sendai, he challenges Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. It could be a very CMLL-powered atmosphere in New Japan if both were to win the top titles throughout this week. Tanahashi tried to roll up Naito just for naito to reverse it into one of his own; and the two traded picks before resorting to strike attempts; a missed punch by both, a ducked clothesline by Tanahashi; and then a springboard off the middle rope into an armdrag giving Naito the upper hand this time! Naito taunted but the Osaka crowd were not keen at all, continuing to shower Naito in boos. The two got back into it again, this time with Naito attempting a wrist-applied powerslam just for Tanahashi to reverse it and then attempt a straight-jacket German suplex; Naito able to break free and attempting a Dragon suplex; that reversed into a Sling Blade attempt; Naito off the ropes just to get clotheslined through them - and Tanahashi followed with a suicide dive to Naito taking him down and out!
The IWGP Heavyweight Champion was getting the better of the challenger, as Tanahashi attempted to bring Naito back inside of the ring just for the "Stardust☆Genius" to send him sailing into the ring post; Naito then dashing back inside! The count-out started, and just while Tanahashi was struggling to get up with the aid of the apron; Naito came out of nowhere with a baseball slide knocking the champion down again! Naito continued the fight by sending Tanahashi chest-first into the guardrail before dropkicking him down again. The boos continued. Naito decided to bring Tanahashi back inside where he covered, but only for two; the match continuing, as this was just not enough for Hiroshi. The eagerness of Tetsuya could have set him up for failure however, as Tanahashi surprised him with an inside cradle for a near fall - Naito now knowing that he had to be more careful. Naito tried to continue his attack, but Tanahashi was aware now - he was awake. Tanahashi came off the ropes off of a whip from Naito into a neckbreaker, followed up by a bridging German suplex for two; Naito then going back on top of Tanahashi. Naito tried to come back, charging at Tanahashi with a flying forearm just to be cut off by the Sling Blade! Tanahashi went up to the second rope and came off with a senton, covering him for two before Naito kicked out vengefully and began to pound away at Tanahashi again now.
Naito had gone from eager to concentrated in his attacks; methodically trying to dissect the champion now; "Stardust☆Genius" focusing on the spine of the IWGP Heavyweight Champion! Naito dropped a knee over it and went up to the second rope for a senton of his own - this time to the back of Tanahashi; and Naito decided to add to it with a Boston crab, the IWGP Heavyweight Champion with the Osaka crowd strongly behind him, but their champion was hurting, and on the verge of tapping out to Naito. Could tonight be the night!? Tanahashi tried to reach the ropes, just to be dragged away - but on another attempt, Tanahashi barely but finally made the bottom rope for the break! Naito knew he had to do more. Tetsuya Naito decided to capitalize on a hurting Hiroshi Tanahashi; the writing on the wall with the champion down clutching his spine - which is when Naito picked Tanahashi's dead weight up and brought him to the corner - sitting him on the top rope. Tetsuya was going up top, presumably for the super frankensteiner, but upon getting up there, Hiroshi fired back with two rights; sending Naito down. Naito turned around, and got the High Fly Flow crossbody for his efforts! Tanahashi covered, but Naito managed to kick out! Tanahashi was slower, but he wasn't going down now, not like this!
The battle waged on as Tanahashi slowly picked Naito up and dropped him swiftly with a dragon screw; focusing his attack on the leg after all Naito had done to slow him down with the work done to his back. Tanahashi stomped on the leg and locked in a figure-four leglock; Naito left riving in pain with Tanahashi having no intention of letting up! The Ace of New Japan Pro Wrestling was proving his keep here just like any other night, as Naito managed to reach the ropes himself, prompting the break. Tanahashi slowly got back to his vertical basis, where he saw the opportunity to drag Naito back into the middle and try for the Cloverleaf submission - known to put many of foes away! But Naito, despite the damage done to his leg, was aware, and thus tried with all of his might to keep the hold away - but eventually he caved, and Tanahashi got the Cloverleaf locked in! Naito was in pain central right now, with the lethal hold locked in successfully. But Tanahashi's weakness? The back that Naito had spent the whole match going after. Tanahashi dropped down in exhaustion under pressure from his spine, endangering his chances of putting this match away without any further damage done to himself!
Both men slowly reached their feet again, and Naito struck Tanahashi - Tanahashi struck Naito. The two, much like Tomohiro Ishii and Togi Makabe earlier tonight, traded blows in order to stun the other man. This continued with rights hands and forearms, but Naito found a vantage point and delivered a sharp enzuigiri to Tanahashi taking him down hard! With the writing on the wall, Tetsuya went up to the top rope and slowly but surely executed the Stardust Press on Tanahashi for one...two...no! Tanahashi would not stay down, and by now Naito had gone from eager to concentrated to frustrated all in the span of twenty-two minutes! Naito got up to his feet and stomped away at the back repeatedly, aggressively now clobbering Tanahashi before going for his Koji Clutch; Naito attempting to get it locked in as boos surrounded him in the heated Bodymaker Colosseum - Tanahashi trying with all of his might to break loose, and he got out! Tanahashi somehow dug out from somewhere deep an ounce of Fighting Spirit - getting to his feet and ducking a spinning wheel kick from Naito; off the ropes, and the Sling Blade connected a second time! Naito was down and out when Tanahashi, hurting back and all, went up to the top rope, and connected with the High Fly Flow! Tanahashi hooked the leg, and Naito was down!Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi in 24:12 [****¼] ***STILL CHAMPION***The IWGP Heavyweight Championship was successfully defended for a second time by the hard-fought victor, Hiroshi Tanahashi - proving once again why he was the Ace of New Japan Pro Wrestling! The "Once in a Century Talent" struggled to his feet after the bell, his hand raised in victory with the title handed to him in addition, whilst Tetsuya Naito had to be helped out of the ring by the Young Lions. Naito was booed on his way out by the still-hostile Osaka crowd, having failed once again in his fight to become the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, succumbing to obsession - from eager to concentrated to aggressive. And despite all of this, Tanahashi was still the man on the mountain!
Tanahashi picked up the microphone and talked about how hard fought his victory was, joking "I'm getting too old for this". Tanahashi told Osaka that Naito had failed again to live up to expectations - and despite this, he was still willing to be an ally of his, because he does respect Naito. Tanahashi noted that the IWGP Heavyweight Championship can do bad things to good men, but through the dark feathers Naito wore tonight, he is still a white swan to him. Tanahashi wrapped up, thanking the Osaka crowd for coming to the show and signing off.
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Post by DTP. on Feb 4, 2016 13:14:17 GMT -5
| NJPW THE NEW BEGINNING in SENDAI Saturday, February 14, 2015 - Sendai Sun Plaza - Sendai, Miyagi |
champion
| IWGP Intercontinental Championship VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | challenger
"El Centinela del Espacio" | champion
| NEVER Openweight Championship VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | challenger
"Bousou Kingkong" |
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi, Katsuyori Shibata, Hirooki Goto and Yuji Nagata
| Special 10-Man Tag Team Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | A.J. Styles, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson, Tama Tonga and Cody Hall
(BULLET CLUB)
|
"CHAOS" Kazuchika Okada and Toru Yano
(CHAOS)
| Special Tag Team Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | "BULLET CLUB" Bad Luck Fale and Yujiro Takahashi
(BULLET CLUB) | champions
"ReDRagon" Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly
(ROH) | IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | challengers "Time Splitters" | "Stardust☆Genius"
| Special Singles Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | |
Kenny Omega, Nick Jackson, Matt Jackson and Chase Owens
(BULLET CLUB/NWA)
| Special 8 Man Tag Team Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | Rocky Romero, Jushin Thunder Liger, Máscara Dorada and Ryusuke Taguchi
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| NWA World Heavyweight Championship VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | Hiroyoshi Tenzan (TENCOZY)
| Tiger Mask, Captain New Japan and Sho Tanaka
| Special 6 Man Tag Team Match VS [1 fall, 15 minute time limit] |
Manabu Nakanishi, Jay White and Yohei Komatsu
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Post by DTP. on Feb 4, 2016 13:50:01 GMT -5
| WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER February 9, 2015 by Dave Meltzer |
The Road to the New Beginnings shows received sellouts in Tokorozawa (1200), Korakuen Hall (2015), Chiba (900), Akita (1975) and Shizukuishi (1660), whilst the Nagoaka show (1800) and Wakayanagi (1100) were near full.
Genichiro Tenryu announced at a press conference in Tokyo on 2/9 today that he would be ending his 52-year professional sports career later this year at Sumo Hall on 11/13. The date and venue is symbolic, as Tenryu started competing as a sumo in the late 60s and early 70s at the (older) Sumo Hall. Meanwhile November 13 is symbolic because it marks 39 years to the day of his first professional wrestling match, a ten minute draw against then-third year pro, Ted Dibiase at the Amarillo Civic Center in Texas. Tenryu is an all-time great in pro wrestling in Japan, and just turned 65 last week. He decided on this decision because his wife, Makio Shamide has been ill, and he decided to make this decision in December 2014.
Throughout his career he was associated with All Japan Pro Wrestling (Giant Baba is the one who scouted him back when he was a sumo), a brief run in Jim Crockett Promotions, the World Wrestling Federation (which he competed at WrestleMania VII with Koji Kitao beating Demolition, and fought in the 1993 and 1994 Royal Rumble matches). He formed the SWS in 1990 and both promoted and competed until its collapse in 1992; and he went on to form WAR with brother-in-law Masatomo Takei where he wrestled until 2000; Pro Wrestling NOAH, Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling, HUSTLE, and New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Things are not looking great for Yoshi Tatsu, who has been sidelined with a broken neck since a botched Styles Clash from A.J. Styles took him out of action back in December. He has four screws in his skull as a result from the halo he is forced to wear, and he has been depressed due to bleeding from the house over the past weekend.
Yuji Nagata revealed that when he found out that he was not going to be on the main Wrestle Kingdom 9 card last month and instead as part of the New Japan Rumble, he was contemplating retiring. Nagata, 46, believed that he was in great enough condition to have had a meaningful main-card match on the Tokyo Dome show.
Sources tell me that Mascara Dorada has asked to unify the CMLL Welterweight Championship (which he holds and will defend in New Japan as long as he is signed here) with the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. There have been hints of Dorada facing Jushin Liger (NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion) as well.
Regarding New Japan and Ring of Honor's upcoming May tour, more information has not come out yet due to internal issues when it comes to costing. It is not known yet if any of the cross-promoted American shows will be held on iPPV as they have in the past. Right now decisions have not been made as to who from New Japan will come over. New Japan officials wish to send most of their top stars over figuring it will help visibility of their brand, whilst ROH wish to cut back and save some costs. The official announcement may be made over WrestleMania weekend.
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Post by DTP. on Feb 4, 2016 14:19:23 GMT -5
| PRO WRESTLING NOAH SPOTLIGHT |
NOAH GREAT VOYAGE in NAGOYA 2015 Saturday, February 11, 2015 - Nagoya Congress Center - Nagoya, Aichi
4. Suzuki-gun (El Desperado & Taichi) def. Atsushi Kotoge & Hitoshi Kumano in 7:16 after Taichi hit Kumano with the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship.
5. Shelton X Benjamin def. Mohammed Yone in 7:01 after the Paydirt.
6. Takashi Sugiura def. Takashi Iizuka by disqualification in 8:30 after Iizuka used a steel chair on Sugiura. Iizuka used the Iron Glove on Sugiura after the bell.
7. Minoru Suzuki def. Daisuke Harada in 8:51 after the Gotch-style Piledriver.
8. Naomichi Marufuji def. TAKA Michinoku in 10:22 after the Shiranui. After the bell, Minoru Suzuki attacked Marufuji and challenged him for the GHC Heavyweight Championship.
9. Killer Elite Squad (Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr) def. The Mighty Don't Kneel (Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls) in 29:04 to win the GHC Tag Team Championships after the Killer Bomb on Nicholls. (29:04) ***NEW CHAMPIONS***
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Post by DTP. on Feb 6, 2016 18:23:33 GMT -5
| NJPW THE NEW BEGINNING in SENDAI '15Saturday, February 14, 2015 - Sendai Sun Plaza - Sendai, Miyagi
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The opening signature aired, welcoming us to another presentation from New Japan Pro Wrestling in the year 2015. Following this was a look back at the previous series of matches between tonight's two combatants, as the main event sees Shinsuke Nakamura, the four-time and current reigning IWGP Intercontinental Champion, defend his title against a rival from the past, CMLL's own La Sombra. It was back in May 2013 when La Sombra uncrowned Shinsuke for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship in Mexico City - La Sombra holding the title until his return to Japan in July, where Shinsuke won back his crown. Since then, the "King of Strong Style" has gone on to continue being one of the biggest stars in Japan with his up-and-up important defenses as the Intercontinental Champion. On the contrary, La Sombra returned last month for the CMLL/NJPW Fantastica Mania, challenging Shinsuke to one more match. Since then, La Sombra has showed a more focused side, concentrated strictly on reclaiming the title he once held before. Tonight, we will see if La Sombra has what it takes, or whether he will become another man Shinsuke has beaten, in his IWGP Intercontinental Championship run.
Cut live to the Sendai Sun Plaza in Miyagi, Japan; the site of the New Beginning in Sendai 2015, where approximately 3,000 fans had gathered for the second of the two New Beginnings events. In the ring, Kimihiko Ozaki set the scene, firstly revealing that due to an illness, Togi Makabe will be unable to compete - and therefore, this has changed parts of the card for tonight:
- Tiger Mask, Captain New Japan, Satoshi Kojima & Sho Tanaka vs Manabu Nakanishi, Yuji Nagata, Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu
- Rob Conway (c) vs Hiroyoshi Tenzan for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
- BULLET CLUB (Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson) and Chase Owens vs Rocky Romero, Jushin Thunder Liger, Máscara Dorada and Ryusuke Taguchi
- Tetsuya Naito vs YOSHI-HASHI (substituting Tomoaki Honma)
- ReDRagon (c) vs Time Splitters for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
- CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada & Toru Yano) vs BULLET CLUB (Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi)
- Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi and Meiyu Tag (Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto) vs BULLET CLUB (A.J. Styles, Tama Tonga, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows)
- Tomohiro Ishii (c) vs Tomoaki Honma (substituting Togi Makabe) for the NEVER Openweight Championship
- Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs La Sombra for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
1. TIGER MASK, CAPTAIN NEW JAPAN, SATOSHI KOJIMA & SHO TANAKA vs MANABU NAKANISHI, YUJI NAGATA, JAY WHITE & YOHEI KOMATSU Three nights ago at the New Beginning in Osaka, Yohei Komatsu and Sho Tanaka competed in the opening match with Kometsu scoring the victory. However tonight, the Young Lions were joined by Jay White - a 23 year old junior heavyweight rookie from New Zealand, who made his professional wrestling debut in October 2013, but became a student of the New Japan Dojo at the beginning of 2015. Tanaka, White and Komatsu were joined by veterans in this one - between them, a former six-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion in Tiger Mask; a former two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, G1 Climax winner and two-time New Japan Cup winner in Yuji Nagata; a six-time former IWGP Tag Team Champion and two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Satoshi Kojima; and former IWGP Heavyweight Champion and three-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, Manabu Nakanishi. The veterans of New Japan were sure to give the Young Lions a hard time in this bout.
The Young Lions, Sho Tanaka and Yohei Komatsu mixed up to start off, with both men trading blows before Komatsu welcomed in Nakanishi. Manau overpowered anything the much-smaller Tanaka tried, including connecting with a northern lights suplex. Nakanishi welcomed in Nagata; and the former IWGP Tag Team Champions began to batter Tanaka with a series of fierce chops in the corner. Jay White soon tagged in and took over, until Satoshi Kojima came in. Kojima was harsh on White, nailing him with a hard Lariat before teasing the Kojima Cutter just for Komatsu to come in. Tiger Mask came at Komatsu with a missile dropkick, before Captain New Japan came in with a diving splash off the top on White for good measures. Nagata tried to fire his way in with the spinning wheel kick on Tanaka, and eventually got the win with the Nagata Lock forcing Sho Tanaka to tap out!Winner: Manabu Nakanishi, Yuji Nagata, Jay White & Yohei Komatsu in 8:20 [*]"Blue Justice" celebrated his second win on the New Beginning 2015 shows, as Yuji Nagata had proved he still had what it took. Nagata was about to embark on the New Japan Cup next month in March, something he had previously won in 2007 and 2011; something Nagata wanted to do in order to prolong his extensive career. Nagata and Manabu Nakanishi complimented Jay White and Yohei Komatsu after the match, whilst Tiger Mask, Satoshi Kojima and Captain New Japan aided to Sho Tanaka.
2. NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP ROB CONWAY w/Bruce Tharpe (c) vs HIROYOSHI TENZAN The presence of the National Wrestling Alliance stars on this tour had certainly prompted two big title matches to take place; one of which occurred at the New Beginning in Osaka three nights prior, where Jushin Thunder Liger successfully defended the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship against Chase Owens. Notable during that match were the shenanigans of Bruce Tharpe, NWA's figurehead, and "Iron Man" Rob Conway, who tried to cost Liger the title until Tenzan came out to trade blows with Conway, intensifying things leading into this match. Tenzan has a lot of ties with NWA gold, dating back to 2013, because he and regular partner Satoshi Kojima as part of the tag team TenCozy were former NWA World Tag Team Champions as well, having defeated Conway and his partner, Jax Dane - the IronGodz - for the titles back at April's Invasion Attack 2014. Meanwhile, Conway had held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and represented the company dating back to winning the title for a second time from Tenzan's partner Satoshi Kojima, back on June 2, 2014. Now focused on defending successfully against the other member of TenCozy, Conway had the ever-lively and obnoxious Bruce Tharpe at ringside, who insulted members of the front row in the Sendai Sun Plaza in order to draw a negative response.
The adonis, Rob Conway started by simply trying to overpower Tenzan, but little did Conway realize from his apparent past encounters with Hiroyoshi was that Tenzan was quite strong as well at 250lbs; and just like that, Mōgyū began to clobber Rob with rights and lefts before settling on one big Mongolian Chop stunning the champion. Tenzan continued the attack with a barrage of chops in the corner, before Conway switched it and pounded Tenzan in the head with several rights. Conway whipped Tenzan across the ropes but for Hiroyoshi to telegraph the impact from the turnbuckle; side-stepping it, before taking Rob down hard with a headbutt! The match continued, Tenzan being distracted by Tharpe allowing Conway to connect with a flapjack for two, as Rob was irate and wanted victory now without a second's hesitation. Rob attempted the Ego Trip, but Tenzan blocked it and came through with a lariat almost putting Conway away but for a near fall. Later in the match, Tenzan had Conway in the Anaconda Max hold; Conway on the verge of submission, but Tharpe provoked Tenzan causing him to break the hold and go after him. Tharpe attempted to escape up the ramp as Tenzan followed him, before Satoshi Kojima came from behind Tharpe, "Cozy" with a hold on the back of Bruce's neck, dragging him off to the back! Tenzan returned to the ring and almost ran into the Ego Trip from "Iron Man" Rob Conway, but Tenzan blocked again, locked in the Anaconda Vice, and Conway tapped out!Winner: Hiroyoshi Tenzan in 9:02 [**¾] ***NEW CHAMPION*** The former four-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion had just added another belt to his collection, as Hiroyoshi Tenzan, the 24-year veteran in professional wrestling, had just won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship! Rob Conway was down and hurting, whilst Tenzan received the title and held it high and proud in the middle of the ring. Last year, Conway lost the NWA title to Satoshi Kojima, Tenzan's partner - but in 2015, Conway had lost it again, this time to Hiroyoshi Tenzan - the National Wrestling Alliance's top title in possession of TenCozy once again!
3. BULLET CLUB (Kenny Omega & the Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson) & CHASE OWENS vs ROCKY ROMERO, JUSHIN THUNDER LIGER, MÁSCARA DORADA & RYUSUKE TAGUCHIIf Kenny Omega didn't feel the heat before, it should have been in this match where he did. "The Cleaner", after winning the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on January 4 at Wrestle Kingdom 9 in his in-ring debut - was up against four of the top junior heavyweights in the division. Including these, the former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Ryusuke Taguchi (who Omega refused a rematch for the title against); the man he beat in his first defense at champion three nights ago, Rocky Romero; the current reigning CMLL Welterweight Champion, New Japan newcomer Máscara Dorada; and perhaps the most legendary junior heavyweight of all time, current NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, Jushin Thunder Liger. By Omega's side, on the contrary - Matt and Nick Jackson, the two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions; and Chase Owens of the National Wrestling Alliance. Owens, who has been linked with the Bullet Club's junior contingent in the build-up to the New Beginning shows, is trying to prove himself worthy of the Biz Cliz's shirt - but currently his teammates are still sceptical of his abilities.
"Azucar" and "the Cleaner" started off, with Kenny Omega trying to keep away from Rocky Romero at every attempt; Romero trying to gain some momentum back after losing to Omega at the New Beginning in Osaka. Romero managed to catch Kenny off-guard with a double-underhook DDT, but Omega immediately backed up after being on the receiving end of it - bringing in Matt Jackson for a very arrogant crotch-chop. Nick tried to speed things up against Romero, but Rocky was on fire and caught him with a clothesline; a clothesline for Matt Jackson as well, and then Chase Owens - before sending Kenny Omega over the top rope as well! Omega, the Bucks and Owens retreated to ringside, where Jushin Thunder Liger went up top and came off with a big splash on top of everybody! Liger tried to brawl with them when Rocky Romero came over the top rope with a somersault topé; and then Ryusuke Taguchi with a dive through the ropes; and lastly, Máscara Dorada with a breathtaking Asaí moonsault! All eight men were on the floor now, and the Sendai crowd were loving it, everybody's hands clapping for the action. Back inside, the "Funky Weapon" and Nick Jackson began to get it on, with Nick trying to get the better of Ryusuke - but Taguchi managed to catch Jackson off the ropes with an atomic drop, then following with the hip attack taking down Nick! Owens was the deciding factor; chop blocking Taguchi down, and allowing the Bullet Club to take advantage. Omega however refused to be in the ring with Taguchi, not wanting to even acknowledge his previous opponent's existence in this scenario. Nick and Matt got the better of Taguchi meanwhile, repeatedly taking him down with superkicks as well as a stereo handspring dropkick; whilst Chase Owens methodically continued to work over the leg. Taguchi finally got a tag to Jushin Liger, who came in and caught Omega with a big Shotei thrust to the throat, the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion mixing up with the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion now as Omega attempted to powerbomb Liger just for Liger to reverse into a hurricanrana; Liger with the Liger Bomb broken up only by Nick and Matt! Taguchi came in and finally got his hands on Omega, giving him the running hip attack just for Nick and Matt to come in from behind with the Bullet Club flag they brought with them - ramming the pole's end right into the "Funky Weapon" of Taguchi! Taguchi dashed out of the scene quickly, before turning around to get a springboard dropkick from Máscara Dorada! Dorada took Omega over the top rope whilst Liger battled with Chase Owens at ringside; back inside, Taguchi battled with Matt until accidentally winding up in the Tombstone position - Nick out on the apron, he came off the top rope with the Meltzer Driver, giving the Young Bucks victory!
Winners: Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks & Chase Owens in 12:46 [***½]The Sendai crowd couldn't help but applaud even the Bullet Club members after a mesmerising performance tonight in the Sun Plaza. Kenny Omega joined Nick and Matt Jackson in the ring, as did Chase Owens - the three Bullet Club members and Owens celebrating until Jushin Liger and Máscara Dorada glanced at the duo from the other side of the ring whilst aiding to Ryusuke Taguchi - Liger and Dorada eyeing up Kenny Omega in particular before departing the ring, perhaps a sign of things to come.
4. TETSUYA NAITO vs YOSHI-HASHI The luck of Tetsuya Naito coming off of a big high profile victory back at Wrestle Kingdom 9 against "the Phenomenal One" A.J. Styles did not hang around very long. The "Stardust☆Genius" was unsuccessful in his efforts to uncrown Hiroshi Tanahashi and claim his first IWGP Heavyweight Championship three nights ago at the New Beginning in Osaka - and even worse, the fans were very hostile towards the G1 Climax winner due to his past failed claims of being the IWGP Heavyweight Champion upon his return. Despite this, "Stardust☆Genius" was not phased by it visibly, as he made his enthusiastic entrance as usual, luckily this time with the fans of Sendai applauding him on a well-battled effort. YOSHI-HASHI meanwhile was an underdog of sorts - he came into this match with very short notice. With the illness of "Bousou Kingkong" Togi Makabe, it bumped Naito's original opponent - Tomoaki Honma - up to a shot at the NEVER Openweight Championship against Tomohiro Ishii later tonight, and in his place was the member of CHAOS. His spotty win-loss record aside, a win over the reeling and defeated Naito could help YOSHI-HASHI's claim greatly if he were to upset him here tonight in the Sun Plaza. The match began with a feeling out process, as Tetsuya Naito went behind and connected with a waistlock takedown; YOSHI-HASHI, no clouch, responding by slipping out and into a front facelock; both men trading headlocks before Naito came off the ropes with a front dropkick taking YOSHI-HASHI down from mid-air. Naito waited for YOSHI-HASHI to reach his feet again before connecting with a basement dropkick taking him right into the corner before going to follow up with a dragon suplex; the CHAOS member blocking it and instead going behind and connecting with a neckbreaker taking the "Stardust☆Genius" down to the mat. YOSHI-HASHI now on offense, he began to work over the arm of Naito, trying to weaken it by stretching it around as much as possible. Tetsuya tried to work out of it, but YOSHI-HASHI kept striking away at it; including dropping his opponent with an armslinger for a near fall.
YOSHI-HASHI continued the attack with the Head Crusher mat-slam, but Naito stayed aware of what was going on, once again trying to fight back. Naito cut off YOSHI-HASHI's attempt at a cross-armbreaker, stomping at his opponent before picking YOSHI-HASHI up and connecting with the Evolucion leg-hook Samoan drop; Naito slower than before after a gruelling match with Tanahashi three nights ago - and now connecting with a forearm; YOSHI-HASHI with one of his own, and the two continued to slug it out before one rocked Tetsuya into the ropes; Naito rebounding with a flying forearm taking YOSHI-HASHI down! Naito followed with an attempted neckbreaker, but YOSHI-HASHI managed to reverse it with an underhook suplex; then attempting the Chakram inverted DDT, but Naito telegraphed it and followed through with the dragon suplex bridged for two! YOSHI-HASHI felt the effects of it, as he began stirring, but when Naito tried for a second baseball dropkick, he dodged it and came out of nowhere with the Bunker Bomb for two! YOSHI-HASHI with Naito in position went up top in an attempt for the Loose Explosion senton bomb; but Naito was awake and dashed up to the top, coming down with a super frankensteiner! Naito saw YOSHI-HASHI was down and out, which led him to running up to the top and coming off with the Stardust Press, allowing Naito to get the three count!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito in 8:14 [***]
It may not be the IWGP Heavyweight Championship he walked away with from this match, but this was a minor form of redemption for the "Stardust☆Genius". Tetsuya Naito had come back from a big, disheartening loss to Hiroshi Tanahashi three nights ago in Osaka, with a win against YOSHI-HASHI tonight. Naito was keeping on the up-and-up, with nobody to know who what was around the corner.
5. IWGP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP REDRAGON (Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly) (c) vs TIME SPLITTERS (KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley)The junior heavyweight division has been very much alive in recent months, as evidenced by the eight-man junior tag match earlier tonight - and a lot of that has been thanks to the presence of the junior tag teams. ReDRagon, two Americans representing Ring of Honor, came into New Japan Pro Wrestling last November as part of the annual Junior Heavyweight Tag tournament, where they were victorious after defeating the Young Bucks in the finals. Several weeks later at Power Struggle on November 8, 2014, they were able to dethrone Time Splitters to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. With such high demand, the two charismatic hard-strikers defended their titles successfully at Wrestle Kingdom 9 in the Tokyo Dome, defeating the Time Splitters, the Young Bucks and Forever Hooligans in their first successful title defense. Three nights ago at the New Beginning in Osaka, it was Alex Shelley and KUSHIDA who successfully defeated the Young Bucks to gain contention to the titles. So here it was - a rematch from Power Struggle 2014, with the former champions meeting the current champions one more time. Time Splitters and ReDRagon met in the middle of the ring for a firm showdown before the action began. KUSHIDA started off with Kyle O'Reilly, although it began very differently than one could envision as Kyle attempted a high kick; KUSHIDA ducked and aimed for several thigh kicks, but Kyle jumped one and ducked another before connecting with a roundhouse kick; KUSHIDA coming back with a right-and-left combo, followed up by the Masahiro Tanaka wind-up punch stunning O'Reilly - but enough so that O'Reilly could come back from it with the Nigel rebound lariat; KUSHIDA dodging it. O'Reilly came back off the ropes, KUSHIDA leapfrogging his opponent before taking the co-champion down with a Japanese armdrag! KUSHIDA tagged in Alex Shelley, who dashed in and tried for a step-up enzuigiri; O'Reilly blocking it and locking Alex up in a wristlock; Shelley rolling through and springing up with a go-behind, into a bulldog off the ropes! Hot action had the Sendai crowd reeling, as in came Bobby Fish now to step up against Shelley. The challengers wanted a third reign as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, but ReDRagon were showing that they weren't about to let up. Bobby Fish got the better of his exchange with Shelley, as despite Shelley's attempts at being agile and quick, he nailed Fish with a kick to the chest before going off the ropes for an attempt attack just to get kicked right in the chest for himself. Fish followed with a cross chop and a dragon screw, Bobby Fish then tagging in Kyle O'Reilly to further do damage to the leg and weaken one-half of Time Splitters. O'Reilly attempted to further the attack on Shelley's leg, but Alex went out to the ringside area to try and escape it; and quick like a fox, O'Reilly went to the apron and nailed Shelley with a sharp running dropkick onto the floor, taking out Shelley! The match resumed inside with Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish exchanging frequent tags, and once nailed Shelley with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker combined with a knee drop, which got a close fall for ReDRagon. KUSHIDA tried to rally Shelley - Shelley managing to break free from a single-legged Boston crab and actually managing to tag in KUSHIDA! The "New Japan Supernova" KUSHIDA came in with springboard overhead chop to Bobby Fish, who then cut the taller Fish down with several kicks targeting the leg - followed up by a crossbody. KUSHIDA remained on attack, but Fish was defensive and alert; Fish ducking a second crossbody attempt and attempting a sitout slam before going for a moonsault off the second rope; KUSHIDA quick to his feet, Fish landing on his feet as KUSHIDA tried a handspring back elbow; Fish reversing with an Exploder suplex! O'Reilly came in and began to execute several shoot-style kicks on KUSHIDA, including the Ax and Smash crane kick and elbow combination - but KUSHIDA dodged it and came back with his own discus elbow smash; the "Supernova" attempting a second rope moonsault onto the standing O'Reilly just for Fish to intercept, catching him with a gutbuster; and ReDRagon capitalized with the Double Dragon connecting! They covered, but Alex Shelley came in to break it up! Shelley got Fish and went for the WA4 but O'Reilly kicked him in the spine; ReDRagon attempting Chasing the Dragon on Shelley but KUSHIDA locked in the Hoverboard Lock on Fish; O'Reilly and Shelley going at it as Fish could have easily tapped, but O'Reilly managed to break it up in the knick of time! KUSHIDA and Shelley tried for the I-94 on O'Reilly, but Bobby Fish sent Shelley out to the floor, and Chasing the Dragon on KUSHIDA connected in the closing moments!Winners: ReDRagon in 13:22 [***¾] ***STILL CHAMPIONS***
ReDRagon celebrated their hard fought victory - their second successful defense as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish were sore, but they had overcome the same team they had won the titles from three months prior, worthy opponents in the likes of Alex Shelley and KUSHIDA. Time Splitters began to recuperate from the loss, and met with ReDRagon in the middle of the ring - the two teams having words before ultimately shaking hands in a show of sportsmanship after a solid battle between two of the finest combinations in New Japan today.
- FIFTEEN MINUTE INTERMISSION - At this time, Kimihiko Ozaki announced that the New Beginning would be back in fifteen minutes. This allowed for the announce team - Milano Collection A.T. and Shinpei Nogami to begin breaking down the matches bout per bout and previewing what was to come after intermission.
6. CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada & Toru Yano) w/Gedo vs BULLET CLUB (Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi) w/Mao and Cody Hall Kazuchika Okada has been trying to repair his mental state after suffering such a self-deprecating loss to main rival Hiroshi Tanahashi back at Wrestle Kingdom 9 last month, where in front of 36,000 fans, he lost in the main event for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and cried over the fact in a state of further humiliation. Since then, "Rainmaker" has continued his fight against the Bullet Club faction - Okada's partner of choice tonight, the unorthodox and ever-unique Toru Yano - a man obsessed with the sale of his DVDs. Brandished in flowery gear and peroxide-blonde hair, the man known by some as "Mr YTR" has shown in the past to do whatever it takes to win matches, even if it's through unsportsmanlike acts of conduct. However one can argue that it works, he protects himself from opponents, and it entertains fans of New Japan alike. Their opponents tonight were the 300-pound former IWGP Intercontinental Champion from Tonga, Bad Luck Fale; and his comrade, Yujiro Takahashi - a man with the reputation of a lady's man: demonstrated by the presence of his erotic dancer Mao, wearing next to nothing for the audience in Sendai's eyes. Not just this, but they were accompanied by Bullet Club "young boy", the son of legendary Scott Hall, Cody Hall. Enough said, Okada and Yano were up for a challenge, even if they had the veteran Gedo in their own corner.
Toru Yano maintained the fun antics in this one, simply asking for an ovation as he shrugged and pulled a ridiculous face in adulation of the Sendai Sun Plaza. "Mr YTR" started off with "the Underboss" Fale, with Fale attempted to overthrow Yano with ease, just for Yano to miss two clotheslines before daring to attempt a crossbody - when Kazuchika Okada came in with a dropkick into the face of Fale causing Yano to fall on Fale for a close two, what could have been a very sudden upset early in this bout. Yano then ducked another right hand from Fale, attempting a waistlock just to be unable to even reach around the mammoth Tongan. Bad Luck Fale tossed him off before tagging in Yujiro Takahashi; "Mr R Sh*tei" coming in to see what he could do with Yano, and he started with several right hands before Yano took him down with a spear tackle, Yano then rolling up Takahashi with the Kuro Kirishima modified schoolboy; Takahashi kicking out just to fall into a second one; and then a third one, Yujiro left irritated by the upset-seeking "Super Athlete", Toru Yano. Yano tagged in Kazuchika Okada, and the Sendai crowd applauded "Rainmaker", Okada coming in to mix it up with Takahashi, who dared lock up with Okada just to almost wind up being given a Tombstone Piledriver; but Yujiro broke free. Bad Luck Fale got the tag, and he came in to trade blows with Okada; Okada trying to knock down the big man just to wind up clubbed in the back.
"The Underboss" was having his way with Okada because of his size advantage, allowing Okada to try and fight back just to get cut off again; Okada off the ropes just to fall into the Cliffhanger clothesline from the mean Tongan. Fale choked Okada over the middle rope before tagging in Takahashi again; Takahashi continuing to use underhanded tactics on "Rainmaker" whilst Gedo kept an eye on Cody Hall at ringside. Fale came back in, nailing Okada with the Falling Coconut splash; but Toru Yano was able to break up the pin attempt! Okada tried to fight back against Fale, but Fale cut him off and got Okada on his shoulders for a falling Samoan drop; Okada landing on his feet on the apron, and Okada tried to follow with a dropkick from the top rope, but Fale simply batted him away like he was nothing! Okada was down and hurting, which is when Fale attempted to set up for the Bad Luck Fale crucifix powerbomb - but Okada blocked it and broke loose, then went behind Fale and attempted the Rainmaker, but upon being unable to do so, tagged in Toru Yano so that the two could pick Fale up and manage a double back suplex! Yano covered, but Fale quickly powered out, and in came Yujiro once again. Takahashi came in but Yano clothesline Takahashi before rolling him up one more time with the Urakasumi cradle for two, Takahashi then charging Yano just to be sent into Cody Hall on the apron! Yano tagged in Okada, who came in and quickly delivered the Rainmaker Lariat to Takahashi for three!
Winners: Kazuchika Okada & Toru Yano in 9:42 [**½] The Sendai crowd were appreciative tonight, as CHAOS celebrated their win in the ring, Kazuchika Okada with Toru Yano, who shrugged off the victory like it was nothing. Gedo joined them inside whilst Bad Luck Fale stood at ringside vowing that this wasn't over; Yujiro Takahashi being helped to the back by Cody Hall and Mao. Gedo held a microphone as he summoned the Sendai crowd's attention, stating that just like most nights, Okada had reigned victor tonight against the Bullet Club members. Gedo then told Okada to say a few words to the Sun Plaza crowd. Kazuchika tried to shrug it off, when Toru Yano chimed in and told the fans to never stop believing; trying to motivate them which got a lot of laughs from the audience. Okada finally spoke, declaring that he may not have had a great night at Wrestle Kingdom 9 in Tokyo Dome, but as far as he was concerned, he was not going to quit on being the new Ace of New Japan in the New Era - in his own mind. But he will when he becomes IWGP Heavyweight Champion again, whenever that may be. And he and Hiroshi Tanahashi will meet one day again - but right now, he is focusing on self-improvement, and fighting the fight against the Bullet Club gaijin. Okada posed for the Sendai crowd with CHAOS leaving shortly thereafter.
7. HIROSHI TANAHASHI, KOTA IBUSHI & MEIYU TAG (Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto) vs BULLET CLUB (A.J. Styles, Gallows and Gun (Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows) & Tama Tonga) w/Cody HallComing off of a hard fought victory in his second defense as IWGP Heavyweight Champion three nights ago at the New Beginning in Osaka, Hiroshi Tanahashi was here tonight in tag team capacity - the "Once in a Century Talent" wanting to continue the fight against the villainous Bullet Club faction. Three nights ago, the Bullet Club tried to claim the IWGP Tag Team Championship in controversial faction, as Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows broke every rule in the book to try and reclaim their titles against Meiyu Tag, Katsuyori Shibata and Hirooki Goto. However, it would be considered questionable if Meiyu Tag would still be the champions today if not for the help for Ibushi, who chased A.J. Styles away from ringside after much interference from the "Phenomenal One" in Osaka. "The Bad Boy" Tama Tonga meanwhile was unsuccessful in his efforts to defeat "Blue Justice" Yuji Nagata to make a name for himself - and therefore decided to join in on the war of attrition with the Bullet Club against the top stars of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yuji Nagata and Cody Hall were originally scheduled to also be part of this match, but with the injury of Togi Makabe prior to his NEVER Openweight Championship match meant that the entire card had to be rescheduled, this being its outcome.
The Bullet Club walked with a presence, A.J. Styles leading the pack with "the Machine Gun" Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows walking in tow, not happy with their loss the other night. Meanwhile, Tanahashi, Ibushi, Shibata and Goto meant business, and the match began with Kota requesting to start with "the Phenomenal One". Styles initially laughed the "Golden Star" off, but as the two closed in on one another, Kota caught A.J. out of nowhere with a series of right and left hand slaps, then taking him down with a spin kick to the abdomen! Styles' expression changed completely as he got back up and began to circle with Kota, then taking him down with a side headlock takedown; Kota quick on his feet, managing to wrap in a headscissors before securing Ibushi and sending him off the ropes; Ibushi sliding through the legs and following with a hurricanrana, followed by a standing shooting star press just for A.J. to get his knees up! Styles noticed Ibushi's state and grabbed him to a tag from Karl Anderson, who came in and delivered several knees into the abdominal region; "the Machine Gun" with a snapmare into a big kick to the back; but Kota tried to muscle it out and rose to his feet, just to get taken down again with a big boot from Anderson! Karl tagged in Doc Gallows, who came in and began to choke Ibushi against the corner before flipping him off and cursing; "the Golden Star" fighting back but Tama Tonga came from behind with a neckbreaker; the Bullet Club taking shortcuts against Ibushi as per usual!
Gallows continued his attack, but Ibushi did block a gorilla press attempt into a hurricanrana; snapping through for a near fall before tagging in Hirooki Goto! "New Japan Pro Wrestling Daredevil" came in with a head of steam, delivering several lariats to Gallows before bouncing off the ropes for added momentum - knocking the "Suntan Biker Man" off of his feet with a kick to the gut followed up with an uppercut! Goto gave Gallows a rib breaker before tagging in Shibata who dashed in, "the Wrestler" following with a running dropkick taking down Gallows! Shibata followed up with a running boot into the corner, followed by a stiff lariat that took the big man down for two. Shibata and Goto began to trade tags against Gallows, Meiyu Tag teaming up to cause Doc to bleed slightly from the temple; a recipient of numerous kicks from the IWGP Tag Team Champions. Gallows found time to breathe and tagged in "the Bad Boy" Tama Tonga; the face-painted son of legendary wrestler Haku; stalking Shibata and catching him with an inverted DDT! Tonga choked away on Shibata and cursed at the referee, then tagged in Karl Anderson to continue with several chops in the corner. Anderson did so a few times before Shibata powered through and began forearming Anderson repeatedly, then attempted the G2PK just for Shibata to land on his feet and dragon screw the leg of Anderson. Hiroshi Tanahashi came in and went up top, trying for the High Fly Flow but Anderson managed to scoot away, tagging in A.J. Styles again!
Styles, the man that Tanahashi beat for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship back in October at King of Pro Wrestling, stood opposite of the reigning champion, before pointing his fingers at Tanahashi, emulating firing a gun in typical Bullet Club chicanery. Styles appeared to want more of Tanahashi to reclaim the championship for a second time in his career - but as the two charged, Tanahashi got the better of Styles initially, catching him with a dropkick followed up with a dragon screw; Tanahashi attempting the Cloverleaf, but Styles blocked it and threw him off; A.J. then charging Tanahashi in the corner with a forearm before attempting the Calf Killer just for Tanahashi to block it himself; floating over and going for the Cloverleaf again until Doc Gallows ran in and big booted the IWGP Heavyweight Champion in the temple! Styles capitalized, stomping away at the ankle of Tanahashi; the "Phenomenal One" then slamming it down and going for the head of Hiroshi. Styles clubbed the face of the champion with several forearm smashes, a more vicious side of the former champion rearing its' ugly head. Styles picked up the "Once in a Century Talent" and went for the Styles Clash, but Tanahashi managed to roll it into a hurricanrana, then catching Styles with the Sling Blade! Tanahashi went for a Styles Clash of his own - something that has put away opponents in the past, but A.J. pulled the weakened ankle and once again attempted the Calf Killer; Tanahashi managing to reach the ropes! A.J. tagged in Gallows again, who came in and mounted the "Ace of New Japan Pro Wrestling", pounding away at him before bringing in the "Machine Gun".
It was around this time that Tama Tonga stalked around ringside, slyly tripping Goto off of the apron which caused a fight between Tonga and Katsuyori Shibata, which Goto joined in on! Gallows, Cody Hall and A.J. then joined in, prompting a big brawl to take place outside of the ring! Inside, as Anderson attempted the Gun Stun cutter on Tanahashi blocked and turned into a cradle for two, Hiroshi connected with a stunning enzuigiri! Meanwhile, Kota Ibushi on the apron whilst the fight took place at ringside, went up to the top rope and came off with a beautiful Golden Star Press corkscrew 630 splash onto everybody at ringside; the "Golden Star" receiving a big ovation from the Sendai Sun Plaza! Tanahashi went up top inside of the ring, going for the High Fly Flow, but Anderson was up and crotched him, before going up top and connecting with a big superplex but for a near fall. Anderson tagged in A.J. Styles again, but Tanahashi broke free of the Bullet Club's offense and in came Kota Ibushi. Ibushi ducked a lariat from A.J. and came back with a Pelé Kick dodged by Styles who connected with one of his own; Styles seeking a Styles Clash but Kota managed to reverse it into a victory roll for a near fall! Ibushi then got A.J., the "Phenomenal One" in trouble as Kota nailed the elevated sit-out powerbomb, but A.J. managed to kick out! Ibushi then went up top, looking for the Golden Star Press again - if not for Tama Tonga to once again sliver in and knock Ibushi to the mat below! A.J. the opportunist, got Kota up and planted him with the Styles Clash, racking up a win for the Bullet Club!Winners: Bullet Club in 13:33 [***¼]A.J. Styles sat up after his win, the leader of the Bullet Club reaching his feet and celebrating whilst the fight at ringside had ended. Tama Tonga, Doc Gallows, Cody Hall and Karl Anderson joined him in the ring; the Bullet Club standing tall whilst Meiyu Tag assisted Kota out of the ring. A.J. wasn't done - he grabbed the house mic and began raving about racking up another phenomenal victory against New Japan's elite. Styles bragged about how he hasn't been in New Japan Pro Wrestling for a full year yet, and has achieved so much for the Bullet Club faction. Styles then pointed at Hiroshi Tanahashi, challenging him to a rematch for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship!
Tanahashi climbed into the lion's den in the ring - cautious around the Biz Cliz members; securing the title belt in his grasp. Styles asked Tanahashi what he has to say about the challenge, but just when the "Once in a Century Talent" was about to respond...the "Golden Star" came back in, wounded from the defeat moments prior. He declared war on A.J. Styles, challenging him to a singles match! Styles seemed taken aback slightly, but he accepted! The Bullet Club backed up and left the ring, whilst New Japan took the ring; Tanahashi, Goto and Shibata raising Ibushi's hand for his efforts in front of an applauding Sendai crowd.
8. NEVER OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TOMOHIRO ISHII (c) vs TOMOAKI HONMAWhat a strange twist of fate for the 38 year-old "Minna no Kokeshi". An eighteen year pro in professional wrestling that has seen little success so far throughout the last eight years of his run in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Though hard to beat, the reliant Tomoaki Honma has been defeated numerous times in the past, and it is hard to believe that is not because of his focus on connecting with the Kokeshi falling headbutt. The man's win-loss record speaks volumes, but on a night where he was scheduled to compete against Tetsuya Naito, whilst faction mate Togi Makabe of the G.B.H. was scheduled to challenge for the NEVER Openweight Championship - this was a huge turnaround. It was made official by ring announcer Kimihiko Ozaki prior to the bell, revealing that the "Bousou Kingkong" Togi Makabe was sidelined with an illness - and because of that illness, Makabe decided to substitute himself with Honma. Honma, who has built a cult following known as "Honmania" in New Japan, was about to have his big moment - if he could get past the 220lb brute of a man that is the reigning NEVER Openweight Champion, Tomohiro Ishii.Enough to be said, Honma was very focused tonight, more than usual. He awaited the opponent Tomohiro Ishii to arrive the ring, who did so with a taped shoulder; feeling the effects of past defenses of his title going into his third defense as champion. The two locked up, with Honma using all of his upper body strength to gain an advantage, in fact forcing Ishii into the ropes before allowing for a clean break. Ishii waiting respectfully, and on the next lock-up attempt, Ishii forced Honma into the ropes and allowed for a clean break. Then it got physical, as Honma slapped Ishii in the chest, then firing multiple forearms into the jaw and throat of Ishii, taking him down with a shoulder block and taunting for the Kokeshi; the headbutt attempt missing - but he got back up and tried again, just to fail one more time hitting the mat! Honma felt the effects of the two head bumps, and Ishii capitalized, kicking Honma and flicking him with the tip of his boots. Ishii chopped Honma multiple times, managing to take him down - before standing on the forehead of the challenger. Ishii tried to continue, but Honma attempted to fight back, just to get knocked down again. Ishii went back to flicking away at Honma with light kicks, almost as though he wasn't taking his substituted opponent seriously. Into the corner, Ishii began chopping and clubbing Honma with elbows and knife-edged chops; and it was clear Honma was wounded, falling to the canvas and unable to stand, seemingly knocked silly.Further forearm shots woke up the challenger, and Ishii went off the ropes for another, but Honma flexed and roared, taking the champion down with a shoulder block and going for a Kokeshi - but wasn't quick enough, as Ishii got up and went back to forearms to the challenger. Honma reversed a whip into the corner and came at Ishii with a forearm into a bulldog - but a further Kokeshi headbutt missed, Ishii dodging it again! The two traded chops, with both continuing for an astonishing, skin-cell killing series of chops for the next forty seconds, which Honma succeeded and knocked the champion down; Honma off the ropes and connecting with the Kokeshi headbutt successfully to a big ovation from the heightened atmopshere given from the crowd! Honma covered for two, but Ishii wasn't done yet. Honma next attempted to suplex the "Stone Pitbull", but Ishii blocked it, and the two traded blocks of suplexes before Ishii succeeded, connecting on Honma! Ishii clotheslined Honma in the corner, then took him up to the top rope for a superplex, but Honma forearmed him repeatedly; then hung Ishii over the top rope throat-first! Honma went up top as a chant of "Honma" started, connecting with a blockbuster neckbreaker! Honma bodyslammed Ishii next, then climbed high again looking for the Kokeshi diving headbutt - but Ishii got up and went after him. Ishii went up high and tried to backdrop the challenger off; but Honma sunset flipped onto his feet - then looked to powerbomb Ishii just for the "Stone Pitbull" to land on his feet and chop Honma down to the mat! Honma proceeded with a powerbomb of his own; jacknifed into a cover but for two, Honma resilient as ever. Ishii stretched Honma's arms, whilst Tomoaki struggled to reach the ropes, finally getting his foot on the bottom rope prompting the break. Back up top, Ishii connected with a stalling vertical superplex off the second rope, covering but again for two!Back on their feet, Ishii tried for a hold, but Honma managed to reverse it through, connecting with a big DDT on the NEVER Openweight Champion! Ishii seemed to have really damaged his shoulder or collarbone on the DDT, which is when Honma attempted to capitalize with a lariat; Ishii and Honma then battling it out with lariat attempts - Honma down, then Ishii down; then Honma powered through with a final lariat - both men off their feet! Honma was striving for victory tonight, which is when Ishii rolled onto the apron and tried to suplex Honma from inside of the ring to the floor! Honma forearmed Ishii off, before connecting with a further lariat knocking Ishii out to the ringside floor! Outside now, Honma scoop slammed Tomohiro onto the mats, then went up top looking for the Kokeshi off the top rope to the floor - connecting successfully as Tomoaki's body bounced off the floor - using every physical strategy possible to weaken the champion in what could be his date with destiny! At the count of 18, Honma rolled Ishii back inside to break the count as Honmania ran wild with chants in Sendai. Ishii blocked a lariat, but Honma reverted with a further lariat knocking Ishii down for two! Ishii tried looking for a German but Honma reversed; trying another lariat just for Ishii to duck and plant with a backdrop suplex! Both men were exhausted from this physical battle. Honma was first to his feet, and decided to gain a measure of retribution with several light kicks to Ishii much like Ishii had given him earlier on. Honma wound up in another battle of clubbing blows with the champion, which Ishii won with a big forearm sending Honma to his knees. Back up top again, Ishii connected with a huge vertical superplex before covering, but only for a near fall again!
Sendai Sun Plaza were deep into the action, as both combatants rested; Tomohiro Ishii back to his feet first. Ishii lariated Honma in the chest; then ran from behind with another to the back - and followed up with another lariat knocking Honma inside out for a near fall! Ishii attempted the Ishii Driver superplex-piledriver, but Honma fired out, shooting off the ropes and coming back with a charging Kokeshi knocking Ishii off of his feet! Honma deadlifted Ishii into a brainbuster and then covered, but Tomohiro showed signs of resilience too, powering out at the count of two! Honma shot off the ropes, connecting with the charging Kokeshi before connecting with the Ishii Driller on Ishii! Honma covered, but again Ishii managed to kick out at the count of two! Honma delivered the Kokeshi headbutt on the back of Ishii's cranium, before going up to the top rope and looking for the Kokeshi diving headbutt - but this time Ishii got out of the way! Exhausted warriors, Ishii charged Honma in the corner and followed with a German suplex, just for Honma to spring back up to his feet! Ishii took him down with an enzuigiri, but Honma powered out of a pin attempt at one, waking up again! Honma lariated Ishii for one as well, and the two got back up and lariated each other down to the mat! More forearms to test the opponent out; Ishii got the better with a combination of forearms; but Honma slapped back, stunning Ishii and walking himself right into a lariat from Ishii for two! Frustrated champion, Ishii followed with an attempt at the Ishii Driller - but Honma broke free and headbutted Honma, knocking him silly! Ishii followed with the sliding lariat on the seated Honma, but a final brainbuster sealed the deal, putting Honma down in an absolute war!
Winners: Tomohiro Ishii in 24:46 [*****] ***STILL CHAMPION*** Tomoaki Honma's dream had not been fulfilled tonight at the New Beginning in Sendai, but the Sun Plaza applauded him for his efforts as part of Honmania. Honma recovered at ringside and left with help from the Young Lions, collapsing to his knees on the aisleway; but Honma had put on a star-making performance tonight even in losing to the NEVER Openweight Champion, Tomohiro Ishii; who celebrated his third successful title defense and began to leave in victory. Whatever underestimating Ishii did prior to this match was sure to no longer become a recurring factor in any future matches between the two battlers.
A video package aired, promoting the upcoming main event contested for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship - featuring champion, the "King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura defending his IWGP Intercontinental throne for the third time in his third reign as the champion against former champion, La Sombra. It was on May 31, 2013 during an excursion for Shinsuke when he lost the IWGP Intercontinental Championship in Mexico City, Mexico to his opponent, the "Prince no CMLL" during Nakamura's first reign as champion, a result of the two out of three falls environment ran in Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre. La Sombra made one title defense and then lost it back to Shinsuke 60 days later in Akita, Japan on July 20, reclaiming the title for a second time. The "King of Strong Style" has gone on to popularize the title, defeating such talents and going through wars with stars such as the "Ace of New Japan" Hiroshi Tanahashi, MMA fighter Daniel Gracie, Bad Luck Fale, Katsuyori Shibata, and last month in an absolute classic at the Tokyo Dome, Kota Ibushi. Meanwhile La Sombra has continued to make a name for himself in Mexico, forcing veteran luchadore Volador Jr to unmask, winning the NWA World Historic Weltweight Championship whilst the reigning NWA World Historic Middleweight Champion, and forming a partnership with Rush and La Máscara called "Los Ingobernables" (the Unruly). However at the annual Fantastica Mania tour in Korakuen Hall several weeks ago, La Sombra made it clear that he wanted another shot at Shinsuke Nakamura, vowing to be more focused than he was before. He has showed such in the Road to New Beginning shows, but can he make it a reality in a one-on-one scenario?
10. IWGP INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP SHINSUKE NAKAMURA (c) vs LA SOMBRA As La Sombra has demonstrated in recent appearances with New Japan Pro Wrestling, the NWA World Historic Middleweight Champion coming into this match was much different than the one that won the IWGP Intercontinental Championship on a hot summer night in Mexico City back in 2013. La Sombra has been visibly more calculated, cautious of impending attacks from his opponents, and as a result been on a winning streak dating back to his showing on the Fantastica Mania tour that took place late last month. La Sombra came to the ring wearing a Los Ingobernables shirt, which has become a controversial staple in CMLL due to the faction's rudo acts of disrespect towards opponents and allies unassociated with the faction. On the contrary, typically charismatic Shinsuke Nakamura made his way to the ring full of energy as ever; but when trying to pose on his knees in the ring prior to the bell, La Sombra grabbed Nakamura mid-motion and attempted the Shadow Driver; Nakamura managing to block it; the referee immediately starting the match!
La Sombra had tried to get an early advantage over the "King of Strong Style" but came out unfortunate as Nakamura was very much ready for his attack, which he then demonstrated with several knees, but La Sombra blocked one and ran off the ropes; Shinsuke chasing him off the ropes as well but Nakamura wound up caught with a snap hurricanrana headscissors sending him crashing across the ring! La Sombra followed up with several knees to the face of Nakamura, but Shinsuke cut him off and fired back with knees of his own; the "King of Strong Style" attempting a spinkick just for La Sombra to cut him off this time with a forearm smash. "Prince no CMLL" bounced off the ropes, but Shinsuke saw it coming and tried for a lariat, La Sombra reversing it and taking him into a schoolboy looking for the Shadow Driver again - but the IWGP Intercontinental Champion met him with a kick to the chest, knocking Sombra down for a two count! Shinsuke on the offense, he locked on a front sleeper and kept the Mexican in place, keeping him still despite La Sombra's best efforts to force away from it. He rolled out of it, just to wind up bent over with a knee to the face for his worries! Nakamura kept alert, as he forced the challenger into the corner, looking for the Strong Style footwipe just for La Sombra to kick his way out; a front dropkick sending Nakamura aback; before La Sombra instinctively sprung to the second rope and dropkicking Nakamura down, La Sombra cautiously but knowingly with a powerbomb, covering just for a near fall!
La Sombra took Shinsuke Nakamura into the corner, before delivering several carefully timed and placed shoulder thrusts. La Sombra followed with a fireman's carry slam before going up to the top rope, looking for the turning split-legged moonsault just for Shinsuke to get his knees up! Nakamura followed up with an attempted Bomaye just for Sombra to dodge that with a handspring; Sombra off the ropes; Shinsuke ducking a lariat attempt from the CMLL World Historic Middleweight Champion; Nakamura rebounding with an attempt at the cross-armbreaker out of nowhere; Shinsuke trying to submit La Sombra, just for the challenger to quickly and wisely reach the bottom rope with his foot! The break made, Shinsuke continued to flail around with the space he had - closing in for a test of strength with La Sombra, just for Sombra to somehow overpower Nakamura; the champion down with his back arched into a bridge, before managing to twist the test of strength, and that's when La Sombra attempted to leap Shinsuke's shoulders just to be sent down onto his feet, which is when Nakamura delivered a double-knee backbreaker; Shinsuke attempting the cover just for Sombra to power out at two! La Sombra was on the defensive as he headed to the floor for a breather, but the champion would not allow it, the "King of Strong Style" deciding to do what he learned during his excursion to Mexico two years ago where he lost the title in the first place; connecting with a twisting topé over the ropes onto Sombra at ringside on the floor! Lucha libre induced, Shinsuke picked La Sombra up and brought him back inside where Nakamura went to the ropes and connected with a springboard moonsault, covering for a near fall.
Nakamura was starting to close in on the tiring and much weaker La Sombra, who had attempted to go into this one with a different game plan than usual; Shinsuke picking La Sombra up and attempting what appeared to be the Landslide death valley driver - but Sombra slipped out and connected with a springboard hurricanrana headscissors; covering Shinsuke but for a near fall! La Sombra decided to go back to the top rope for the turning split-legged moonsault, but Shinsuke knocked him down again with a high kick! Nakamura went up to the top rope and struck the challenger with numerous strikes; "Prince no CMLL" attempting to struggle away, but he would up the recipient of a Landslide from the second rope - a move that has put away many opponents and even granted Shinsuke his final IWGP Heavyweight Championship back in 2009! Nakamura hooked the leg for one, for two, but La Sombra would not stay down, powering out! Shinsuke delivered a knee drop to La Sombra, covering again but for his opponent to kick out at one. This battle of Mexico vs Japan raged on, with Shinsuke snapmaring La Sombra and trying for the Bomaye off of the second rope; but La Sombra sidestepped it and connected with a straight-jacket suplex; bridged with Nakamura's shoulders down for a near fall! La Sombra had Nakamura right where he wanted him as he picked Shinsuke's carcass up and powerslammed him - then going up to the top rope for the split-legged moonsault again - this time with Shinsuke getting the legs up! Nakamura was wounded as he connected with a follow-up lariat on Sombra, Nakamura following up with the Bomaye to the face, covering Sombra...but he kicked out again! La Sombra was definitely showing a new side tonight, in being cautious and more calculated - such feat being the reason he defeated YOSHI-HASHI three nights ago in a six-man tag bout in Osaka. La Sombra was picked up by the hair, Nakamura attempting another Bomaye, but he managed to shift away from it; the 25 year old La Sombra rolling Shinsuke up and connecting with the Shadow Driver; the cover on Shinsuke, but Nakamura kicked out of it! The move that had put Shinsuke away back on May 31, 2013 when Sombra won the title in Arena México did not put him down, which is when La Sombra tried for a second one, rolling Shinsuke through, but Nakamura broke free from the crotch-hook applied by Sombra; Nakamura behind him, another Bomaye to the back of the head! Shinsuke covered, and La Sombra was down and unresponsive!
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura in 19:09 [****] ***STILL CHAMPION***The IWGP Intercontinental Championship was still in the man that entered the match's hands! Shinsuke Nakamura slowly reached his knees after a hard-fought battle of quickness, calculation and methodical action between one of the top high-flying stars of Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre and one of the top hard-hitters in New Japan Pro Wrestling! Nakamura slowly reached his feet and retrieved the title he had just defended successfully for a third time tonight in his fourth reign as champion! Nakamura soon approached La Sombra, who had reached his feet but was fatigued; offering the Mexican a fistbump of respect, but the luchador instead decided to leave the ring, shaking his head!
Shinsuke shrugged the lack of showmanship shown by La Sombra off, the IWGP Intercontinental Champion soon taking the microphone and thanking the fans of Sendai for supporting him tonight. He talked about being the Ace of the International division, talking about how many have tried, but nobody can get better than Shinsuke as champion. Nakamura talked about being in a league of his own it seemed, and that whilst there are those that are as talented as he - they cannot beat him for his flesh and blood - that flesh and blood being the IWGP Intercontinental Champion. As for the future? He welcomes it, YeaOH!
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Post by DTP. on Feb 7, 2016 0:33:24 GMT -5
| NEW JAPAN CUP 2015: THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!
Monday 16th February 2015 |
Today, New Japan Pro Wrestling officially announced further details for the annual New Japan Cup tournament series of shows that will be taking place throughout the first half of March. The New Japan Cup made its' first appearance on the NJPW calendar back in 2005, and has been an annual staple in spring ever since. It has been won by some big names, including Hiroshi Tanahashi (2005, 2008), Yuji Nagata (2007, 2011), Hirooki Goto (2009, 2010, 2012), Kazuchika Okada (2013) and Shinsuke Nakamura (2014). The tournament - contested in a single elimination format with four rounds in length - has become a vehicle to big things for the winner, will be contested this year with an added twist.
Throughout its history, the winner of the New Japan Cup has been able to go on and challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and last year also allowed the winner to decide between challenging for the Heavyweight Championship or the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. However for the first time ever, the winner of the New Japan Cup this year will be able to nominate the NEVER Openweight Championship as an option as well. Whichever championship the victor will challenge for, the impending title match will take place the following month at Invasion Attack on April 5, 2015.
The official participants in this year's New Japan Cup tournament includes Karl Anderson, Toru Yano, Katsuyori Shibata, Tomoaki Honma, Yuji Nagata, YOSHI-HASHI, Bad Luck Fale, Kota Ibushi, Togi Makabe, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Doc Gallows, Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, Satoshi Kojima, Tetsuya Naito and Tama Tonga. The opening round matches will take place on the March 5 show in Tokyo, whilst the quarter-finals will be contested on the March 8 show in Korakuen Hall. The semi-finals and finals will be held on March 15 in Hiroshima - whilst the other shows will be standard house shows to accompany the tour.
March 5 - Tokyo, Japan - Ota Ward Gymnasium: Opening Round #1: Tama Tonga vs Yuji Nagata Opening Round #2: Tetsuya Naito vs Tomoaki Honma Opening Round #3: Doc Gallows vs Kota Ibushi Opening Round #4: Bad Luck Fale vs Toru Yano
Opening Round #5: Kazuchika Okada vs Satoshi Kojima Opening Round #6: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs Togi Makabe Opening Round #7: Karl Anderson vs YOSHI-HASHI Opening Round #8: Hirooki Goto vs Katsuyori Shibata
March 8 - Tokyo, Japan - Korakuen Hall: Quarter-Final Round #1: Tama Tonga/Yuji Nagata vs Tetsuya Naito/Tomoaki Honma Quarter-Final Round #2: Kota Ibushi/Doc Gallows vs Bad Luck Fale/Toru Yano
Quarter-Final Round #3: Kazuchika Okada/Satoshi Kojima vs Hiroyoshi Tenzan/Togi Makabe Quarter-Final Round #4: Karl Anderson/YOSHI-HASHI vs Hirooki Goto/Katsuyori Shibata
March 15 - Hiroshima, Japan - Hiroshima Sun Plaza: Semi-Final Round #1: Winner of Quarter-Final Round #1 vs Winner of Quarter-Final Round #2 Semi-Final Round #2: Winner of Quarter-Final Round #3 vs Winner of Quarter-Final Round #4 Finals: Winner of Semi-Final Round #1 vs Winner of Semi-Final Round #2
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Post by DTP. on Feb 8, 2016 19:46:12 GMT -5
| WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER February 16, 2015 by Dave Meltzer |
While Tomoaki Honma and Tomohiro Ishii went on to have a legitimate five-star match at the 2/14 New Beginning in Sendai show in what could be a match of the candidate, it was not announced ahead of time. Originally Togi Makabe was scheduled for a rematch for the NEVER Openweight Championship with Ishii from the 1/4 Tokyo Dome show, but was sidelined with what is reported to be "serious flu". Makabe was ill going into the 2/11 Osaka show, in which he teamed with Honma against Ishii and Kazuchika Okada, but he got worse over the next few days leading to the day of the show.
This resulted in the Sendai show having to be restructured, with Honma being replaced with YOSHI-HASHI in his match with Tetsuya Naito. Similarly, Naito was originally planned at one point to be a part of Team Tanahashi in the big tag match with the Bullet Club before being removed. Yuji Nagata and Cody Hall were also scheduled initially to be a part of the (then) ten-man tag match before the injury. This resulted in Cody (who is very green and probably helped the match) being at ringside managing for the eventual match; whilst Nagata was added to the opening match with Manabu Nakanishi, Sho Tanaka and Yohei Komatsu vs Tiger Mask, Captain New Japan, Satoshi Kojima and Jay White.
Makabe isn't scheduled to miss much more action and should be able to compete in the New Japan Cup tournament which takes place starting 3/5 in Tokyo.
The 2015 New Japan Cup is lined up in place, with a sixteen man single-elimination tournament taking place where the winner will choose which champion he chooses to face for the title at Invasion Attack on 4/5. The choices are IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi, IWGP Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, and NEVER Openweight Champion Tomohiro Ishii. Those three are not in the tournament.
3/5 in Tokyo has first-round matches including Tama Tonga vs Yuji Nagata, Tetsuya Naito vs Tomoaki Honma, Doc Gallows vs Kota Ibushi, Bad Luck Fale vs Toru Yano, Kazuchika Okada vs Satoshi Kojima, Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs Togi Makabe, Karl Anderson vs Yoshi-Hashi and IWGP Tag Team Champions Hirooki Goto vs Katsuyori Shibata. Two other matches will also take place, but these have not been made public yet.
3/8 in Korakuen Hall will feature the quarter-final round. The winner of Tonga & Nagata vs Naito or Honma, Gallows or Ibushi vs Fale or Yano, the winner of Okada & Kojima vs Tenzan or Makabe, Anderson or Yoshi-Hashi vs Goto or Shibata. Again, other matches have yet to be announced for this.
3/15 in Hiroshima will hold the semi-finals and the finals among other matches. They also have shows on 3/6 in Nagano, 3/9 in Saitama, 3/10 in Fukushima and 3/13 in Shiga. It is unclear at press time, but expected, that all shows on this tour will be broadcast on New Japan World.
The next New Japan show will be a basic show with no foreign talent and will be available on New Japan World. Held on 2/27 in Okinawa, it has Sho Tanaka vs Yohei Komatsu, Jushin Liger & Kushida vs Gedo & Jado, Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi, Ryusuke Taguchi & Tetsuya Naito vs Tiger Mask & Captain New Japan, Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto vs Toru Yano & Yoshi-Hashi, and Hiroshi Tanahashi & Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs Kazuchika Okada & Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii.
Yoshi Tatsu has finally had the halo removed from his head after the neck injury.
Expect some new faces to crop up on future tours as New Japan appear to be running an angle where Rocky Romero tries to find an ideal partner to replace the retired Alex Koslov.
Initial reports on Cody Hall are good in the sense that he is humble, talent and grateful for his experiences. The Kingdom (Michael Bennett, Matt Taven and Maria Kanellis) will be returning to New Japan this spring, most likely as part of the Invasion Attack tour concluding on 4/5 in Sumo Hall. There was a lot of buzz around Maria during the World Tag League, and since New Japan don't have that "hot girl" character, they are looking to give them a better role in the company.
Revolution Pro will be bringing over Tomohiro Ishii to their London show on 6/14. This marks the first time that Ishii will be featured as an international superstar guest. Apparently Ishii is bemused almost by his popularity, whether it be in America where he hears of people talking about his matches. After most of his career has been spent in anonymity and while he's been pushed pretty well in recent years and is a fan favourite in Japan, he is not pushed like the big three (Okada, Tanahashi, Nakamura) are.
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Post by DTP. on Feb 8, 2016 21:19:43 GMT -5
| WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER February 23, 2015 by Dave Meltzer |
Global Force Wrestling founder Jeff Jarrett recently did an interview in the U.K. where he mentioned that his days of being a full-time wrestler were over and that he primarily wanted to focus on promoting GFW shows and getting the promotion off the ground. Jarrett has not competed since 1/4 at New Japan's big Tokyo Dome show and has not been listed for a return to the promotion either at this time. There were rumblings of a feud with Tomoaki Honma coming out of their sequence in the closing moments of that match, but nothing has been announced and it doesn't appear that that will happen now.
Likewise, there are no current plans on the table for another co-promoted New Japan iPPV. Even Jarrett is unaware of how Wrestle Kingdom did, although he's been optimistic about it. For New Japan to draw 5,000 buys, it's bad. That said, 10,000 buys is considered good, whilst 15,000 or anything above that number is to be considered a home run. If there is no further relationship between GFW/NJPW then one would imagine that New Japan will continue its expansion via alternate English-speaking commentary on New Japan World, or something of the sort.
Jushin Liger recently did a press conference at a New Japan show, in which he challenged longtime friend and partner Tiger Mask to a match for his own NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship. Since then, it's been announced to take place on 3/22 on the second day of the Invasion Attack tour in Amagasaki.
Jushin Liger will be in Redwood City for Ring of Honor's show on 3/27 in conjunction with WrestleMania weekend according to New Japan sources. ROH so far has only announced that a Japanese legend will be appearing.
The 2015 New Japan Cup, a sixteen man single-elimination tournament where the winner chooses which champion he to face for the title, commences on 3/5 and runs until 3/15 with seven shows. The winner will challenge for the title at Invasion Attack on 4/5. The choices are IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi, IWGP Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, and NEVER Openweight Champion Tomohiro Ishii. Those three are not in the tournament.
3/5 in Tokyo has first-round matches including Tama Tonga vs Yuji Nagata, Tetsuya Naito vs Tomoaki Honma, Doc Gallows vs Kota Ibushi, Bad Luck Fale vs Toru Yano, Kazuchika Okada vs Satoshi Kojima, Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs Togi Makabe, Karl Anderson vs Yoshi-Hashi and IWGP Tag Team Champions Hirooki Goto vs Katsuyori Shibata. Joining this card will be Mascara Dorada & Jushin Liger & Sho Tanaka vs Tiger Mask & Yohei Komatsu & Jay White, and Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii & Kazushi Sakuraba vs Hiroshi Tanahashi & Captain New Japan & Kushida.
3/8 in Korakuen Hall will feature the quarter-final round. The winner of Tonga & Nagata vs Naito or Honma, Gallows or Ibushi vs Fale or Yano, the winner of Okada & Kojima vs Tenzan or Makabe, Anderson or Yoshi-Hashi vs Goto or Shibata. Joining these will be Ryusuke Taguchi vs Jay White & Jushin Liger & Mascara Dorada vs Tiger Mask & Captain New Japan, with other matches to be announced after the conclusion of the first round matches on 3/5.
3/15 in Hiroshima will hold the semi-finals and the finals among other matches, although these will not be known until after the conclusion of the quarter-final matches on 3/8. They also have shows on 3/6 in Nagano, 3/9 in Saitama, 3/10 in Fukushima and 3/13 in Shiga. All shows will be broadcast on New Japan World.
More on The Kingdom stable coming in with a bigger role: Hiroshi Tanahashi is apparently a big supporter of Michael Bennett and Maria Kanellis in particular, so the idea it seems is that they will come back as a tag team initially, but Bennett will eventually become a single in New Japan, managed by Maria.
ROH COO Joe Koff announced on 2/23 that they plan on bringing in as many New Japan stars as last year for the Toronto ROH shows in May. 5/15 and 5/16 will be combined shows, with the latter date being set up as a television taping for Ring of Honor. The next day discussions began with a date added for 5/13 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, PA. It is currently planned to be a standard house show for War of the Worlds '15. 5/15 is rumored to be an iPPV, but nothing is definite on ROH's end with their past problems with iPPV broadcasting.
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Post by DTP. on Feb 8, 2016 22:10:35 GMT -5
| NJPW NEW JAPAN ROAD
Friday, February 27, 2015 - Okinawa Prefectural Budokan - Okinawa, Okinawa
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1. Yohei Komatsu vs Sho Tanaka went to time-limit draw in 15:00. Both men traded submissions in a fast-paced match. Both men had a brief staredown after the match before shaking hands and bowing for an appreciative crowd.
2. Jushin Thunder Liger & KUSHIDA def. The World Class Tag Team (Gedo & Jado) in 12:23 after the Hoverboard Lock by KUSHIDA on Jado.
3. TenCozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) def. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi in 10:15 after the Koji Cutter by Kojima on Nakanishi. All four men shook hands after the match.
4. Tetsuya Naito & Ryusuke Taguchi def. Captain New Japan & Tiger Mask in 11:20 after the sliding hip attack by Taguchi and the Stardust Press by Naito on Captain New Japan.
5. Meiyu Tag (Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto) def. CHAOS (Toru Yano & YOSHI-HASHI) in a non-title match in 12:40 after the Shouten Kai from Goto to YOSHI-HASHI.
6. CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii) def. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Great Bash Heel (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma) in 17:36 after the Rainmaker Lariat by Okada to Honma.
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Post by DTP. on Feb 9, 2016 20:40:21 GMT -5
| NJPW NEW JAPAN CUP 2015 - DAY ONE Thursday, March 5, 2015 - Ota Ward Gymnasium - Ota, Tokyo |
IWGP Tag Team Champion
"New Japan Pro Wrestling Daredevil" Hirooki Goto
| New Japan Cup 2015 Opening Round VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | IWGP Tag Team Champion
"The Wrestler" |
| New Japan Cup 2015 Opening Round VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | | "The Machine Gun"
Karl Anderson(BULLET CLUB) | New Japan Cup 2015 Opening Round VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | |
| New Japan Cup 2015 Opening Round VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | | "CHAOS"
Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii and Kazushi Sakuraba
(CHAOS) | Special 6-Man Tag Team Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | Hiroshi Tanahashi, Captain New Japan and KUSHIDA
| "Stardust☆Genius"
| New Japan Cup 2015 Opening Round VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | | "The Underboss"
Bad Luck Fale
(BULLET CLUB)
| New Japan Cup 2015 Opening Round VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | |
| New Japan Cup 2015 Opening Round VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | | "Golden Star" Kota Ibushi | New Japan Cup 2015 Opening Round VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | "The Suntan Biker Man" Doc Gallows
| Máscara Dorada, Jushin Thunder Liger and Sho Tanaka
| Special 6-Man Tag Team Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | Tiger Mask, Yohei Komatsu and Jay White
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Post by DTP. on Feb 10, 2016 15:31:08 GMT -5
| RING OF HONOR SPOTLIGHT |
ROH 13th ANNIVERSARY SHOW Sunday, March 1, 2015 - The Orleans - Las Vegas, Nevada, USA 4. The Kingdom (Michael Bennett & Matt Taven) w/Maria Kanellis def. The Addiction (Christopher Daniels & Kazarian) and Karl Anderson in 11:58 after the spike piledriver by the Kingdom on Kazarian. Due to weather halting air traffic, Anderson's partner Doc Gallows was unable to attend. Anderson declared prior to the match that despite not having a partner, he was going to go it alone in this three-way tag. Bennett and Taven yelled to Anderson after the bell that they would see him very soon.
7. A.J. Styles def. ACH in 15:30 after the Styles Clash.
8. ReDRagon (Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly) w/Shayna Baszler def. The Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson) in 15:40 to retain the ROH World Tag Team Championship after two Chasing the Dragons on Nick. Rocky Romero was on commentary and exchanged words with the Young Bucks, noting that in the hiatus of Alex Koslov, he would be looking for a new tag team partner. ***STILL CHAMPIONS***
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Post by DTP. on Feb 10, 2016 21:42:24 GMT -5
| WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER March 2, 2015 by Dave Meltzer |
Samoa Joe officially returned to Ring of Honor on 3/1 for their 13th Anniversary Show PPV, making an appearance after the main event where Jay Briscoe successfully defended the ROH World Championship against Tommaso Ciampa, Hanson and Michael Elgin. Joe and Briscoe had a face off, teasing setting up a match between the two, presumably for ROH's next PPV on 6/19 in New York. However since then we have learned that this won't be the case, and that Joe is only booked for five dates with his last date currently being 4/25. It could be interesting to see what Joe's next step will be, because he could very well be under the WWE's radar, whilst New Japan also has eyes on him as well.
The Kingdom and Karl Anderson's comments after the three-way tag match on the ROH Anniversary Show were set up to tease Michael Bennet and Matt Taven's return to New Japan on the Road to Invasion Attack tour, from late March running into the big show on 4/5 in Tokyo. Doc Gallows was booked to be Anderson's partner in that match, but poor weather conditions caused for Gallows to be stranded in Detroit, after getting from Durham, NC (where he worked the night before), where he was meant to make his connection.
Mr Niebla was recently fired from CMLL, almost coincidentally after appearing on only the first night of the NJPW/CMLL Fantastica Mania tour back in January. One of the main reasons behind this, no matter how Niebla claims he was bored of the company and left on his own terms, is because he caused the New Japan bus from the hotel to the first venue to wait for what seemed like an eternity before he was awoken by Gedo. He got to the bus and to the show, but it was clear that New Japan weren't ready to put up with his lack of commitment any further.
The New Japan Cup starts this week with a seven date tour, this week featuring the first two rounds available via New Japan World. The first show is on 3/5 from the Ota-ward Gymnasium - which is symbolic as this will be New Japan's 43rd anniversary show. Their first ever show was at this venue on March 4, 1972 headlined by Karl Gotch vs Antonio Inoki. This show has first-round matches including Tama Tonga vs Yuji Nagata, Tetsuya Naito vs Tomoaki Honma, Doc Gallows vs Kota Ibushi, Bad Luck Fale vs Toru Yano, Kazuchika Okada vs Satoshi Kojima, Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs Togi Makabe, Karl Anderson vs Yoshi-Hashi and IWGP Tag Team Champions Hirooki Goto vs Katsuyori Shibata. In non-tournament matches, this card has Mascara Dorada & Jushin Liger & Sho Tanaka vs Tiger Mask & Yohei Komatsu & Jay White, and Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii & Kazushi Sakuraba vs Hiroshi Tanahashi & Captain New Japan & Kushida.
3/8 will be from Korakuen Hall, featuring the quarter-final round. Only the tournament matches will be definitely known on the night of the show, with the non-tournament matches subject to change dependent on who advances or fails in the first round matches. The card so far features the winner of Tonga & Nagata vs Naito or Honma, Gallows or Ibushi vs Fale or Yano, the winner of Okada & Kojima vs Tenzan or Makabe, Anderson or Yoshi-Hashi vs Goto or Shibata. Joining these will be Ryusuke Taguchi vs Jay White & Jushin Liger & Mascara Dorada vs Tiger Mask & Captain New Japan.
3/15 in Hiroshima will see the semi-finals and the finals among other matches that will be made public presumably right after the quarter-final show in Korakuen. The winner of the New Japan Cup will have a choice of which title he decides to challenge for, between the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, or the NEVER Openweight Championship. The eventual title match will take place on 4/5 at Invasion Attack.
IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi and New Japan owner Takaaki Kidami were in Singapore this past week to announce two promotion dates in June.
For the co-promoted Ring of Honor/NJPW shows in Toronto this May, it is expected that some, if not most of the imports from Japan will be Bullet Club members, cashing in on their popularity. The roster of outsiders should be revealed in the next couple of weeks. Matt Jackson will miss this year's Best of the Super Juniors tournament in late May across early June, due to him and his wife expecting their second child during this period. It is expected that Nick will still take part.
Jado is now officially the head booker of Pro Wrestling NOAH and will be working shows here under the guise of 'Captain NOAH' (essentially NOAH's version of Captain New Japan), whilst Gedo will remain in charge of booking for New Japan Pro Wrestling.
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Post by DTP. on Feb 17, 2016 22:11:47 GMT -5
| NJPW NEW JAPAN CUP 2015 - DAY ONEThursday, March 5, 2015 - Ota Ward Gymnasium - Ota, Tokyo
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The opening signature aired, bringing us to another presentation from New Japan Pro Wrestling in the year 2015. Following this came a preview of what was to come over the period of the next seven days - the 2015 New Japan Cup! Past winners were shown, including Hiroshi Tanahashi, Giant Bernard, Yuji Nagata, Hirooki Goto, Kazuchika Okada and Shinsuke Nakamura. Sixteen men enter, and one man will reign supreme as the winner of the tournament on March 15. The winner gets to go on to Invasion Attack on April 5 to challenge for either the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, or the NEVER Openweight Championship.
Going live to the Ota Ward Gymnasium, the site of the first ever New Japan Pro Wrestling show on March 6, 1972, Kimihiko Ozaki previewed the show, detailing the rules of the annual New Japan Cup throne, before going through each of the matches to be seen tonight:- Jushin Liger, Máscara Dorada & Sho Tanaka vs Tiger Mask, Yohei Komatsu & Jay White
- Kota Ibushi vs Doc Gallows in a New Japan Cup First Round match
- Yuji Nagata vs Tama Tonga in a New Japan Cup First Round match
- Bad Luck Fale vs Toru Yano in a New Japan Cup First Round match
- Tetsuya Naito vs Tomoaki Honma in a New Japan Cup First Round match
- CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii & Kazushi Sakuraba) vs Hiroshi Tanahashi, Captain New Japan & KUSHIDA
- Togi Makabe vs Hiroyoshi Tenzan in a New Japan Cup First Round match
- Karl Anderson vs YOSHI-HASHI in a New Japan Cup First Round match
- Kazuchika Okada vs Satoshi Kojima in a New Japan Cup First Round match
- Hirooki Goto vs Katsuyori Shibata in a New Japan Cup First Round match
1. Jushin Thunder Liger, Máscara Dorada & Sho Tanaka def. Tiger Mask, Yohei Komatsu & Jay White in 9:25 after the Dorada Screwdriver followed by the Liger Bomb by Dorada and Liger on Komatsu. Liger and Dorada celebrated and complimented the Young Lions before Jushin had a brief face-off with Tiger Mask ahead of their NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship match on March 22.
2. NEW JAPAN CUP 2015 FIRST ROUND MATCH KOTA IBUSHI vs DOC GALLOWS w/Cody Hall The first New Japan Cup opening round match was sure to be controversial, as the loudmouthed "Outlaw" from the villainous Bullet Club faction marched down to the ring yielding a hangman's noose, his face painted ready for war with one of the greatest high-flying talents in New Japan Pro Wrestling today, the "Golden Star" Kota Ibushi. However not only was the former IWGP Tag Team Champion swinging his noose and yelling at ringside fans, but he had the "young boy" of the Bullet Club, the 6'8 Cody Hall by his side - as if the size advantage was enough for the "Suntan Biker Man". Kota Ibushi made his way down the ramp cautiously, but ready for competition as he squared up with Gallows in the centre of the ring. The bell sounded, and Kota immediately tried to go after Doc with several kicks to the thighs of Gallows, trying to chop the big 6'8, 300-pounder off his feet - but Gallows cut him off with a big haymaker, the big man beginning to pound away on the much smaller opponent. Gallows powered Kota into the corner, delivering a big throat thrust before Ibushi tried to fight out of it, delivering a series of forearms to Gallows before Doc kneed Kota in the abdomen, then clubbed him over the back with a right hand. Gallows sent Kota off the ropes, but Ibushi slipped between Gallows' legs, then lariated Doc, but the big man didn't budge - falling into the ropes and nearly decapitating the former three-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion with a lariat of his own! Gallows began to choke Kota on the mat, the referee prompting the break. From there, Gallows allowed Kota time to get to his feet, when the big man decisively clotheslined Kota over the top rope to the floor!
The Ota-ward were strongly behind the Dramatic Dream Team representative, as Doc Gallows distracted the referee; Cody Hall meanwhile stomping away at Ibushi and pounding away at him on the outside, the second-generation rookie sending Kota right into the ringside barrier! Gallows soon left the ring and continued to club Kota with a series of body blows whilst the "Golden Star" was up against the metal barrier, Gallows finishing off with a throat thrust, before dragging his smaller opponent back inside of the ring. Back inside, Gallows delivered a double underhook suplex to Ibushi and covered, but it would take a lot more to keep him down. Gallows refused to not let Ibushi up; connecting with two well-placed elbow drops - but on the first, an attempted big splash, Kota managed to roll out of the way; on the defensive and following up with a big double stomp into the chest of the big "Outlaw"! Kota, slow to get back to his feet, tried to strike the Bullet Club big man with a chest kick just for Gallows to shove it off; and Ibushi came back with a big kick planted into the side of Gallows' head! Ibushi followed, going up to the top rope for an assumed Golden Star Press; but Cody Hall got on the apron trying to trip him up - and Ibushi instinctively came off with a missile dropkick taking him off the apron to the floor! His back turned, Gallows capitalized with an attempted Hangman's Noose chokebomb, but Kota somehow managed to turn it into a hurricanrana, followed by a Pelé kick taking Gallows down to the mat again! Ibushi followed with a multitude of slaps and right hands, but Gallows ducked a high kick attempt; the "Outlaw" trying for a big boot just for Ibushi to duck and roll Gallows up in a rolling crotch cover, managing to secure the three! Winner: Kota Ibushi in 10:12 [***] Kota Ibushi celebrated his win, the "Golden Star" managing to get the victory over a man with over 100-pounds advantage on him, a former IWGP Tag Team Champion Doc Gallows. Ibushi celebrated with his hands in the air, with one win down and three more to go; scheduled to meet the winner of Bad Luck Fale and Toru Yano taking place later on tonight. Ibushi, who graduated and became a heavyweight last year, striving for glory in 2015, could be very well on his way starting tonight.
3. NEW JAPAN CUP 2015 FIRST ROUND MATCH YUJI NAGATA vs TAMA TONGA w/Yujiro TakahashiA rematch from the New Beginning in Osaka, this match-up has roots dating back to the New Japan Rumble that took place on the Wrestle Kingdom 9 in Tokyo Dome pre-show, where the "Bad Boy" Tama Tonga was eliminated by the former two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yuji Nagata last, allowing "Blue Justice" to get a victory. Since then, Tonga and Nagata have traded wins, with Nagata getting the win in Osaka three weeks ago; but Tonga was not done with Nagata. Evidently different however, was the presence of Yujiro Takahashi in Tonga's corner, the "R Sh*tei" supporting his facepainted Bullet Club comrade to ringside in opposition of "Blue Justice". Tonga slivered to the ring on all fours, almost like a dog on a leash ready for this opening round match, the winner set to go up against the winner of Tetsuya Naito and Tomoaki Honma later tonight. Nagata meanwhile, a two-time winner of the New Japan Cup in the years 2007 and 2011, came in focused to try and make it a third on this tour.
The match began with Yuji attempting a test of strength with Tama Tonga, but the "Bad Boy" of the Bullet Club appeared reluctant, attempting a go-behind on Nagata, tripping him and trying to take him into a front facelock - but Nagata, the wily veteran, reversed it and began to focus on the arm; an arm wrench following until Tonga decided that he had had enough and kicked Nagata in the gut. Tonga with a series of right hands, he took Nagata into the corner and attempting to size up for the running splash in the corner, just for Nagata to dodge it and look for a running big boot into the corner; Tonga sliding out of the way and taking him down with a dropkick! Tonga in control now, the "Bad Boy" stalked his prey on the mat, all fours, just waiting for Nagata to rise before taking him down again with an elbow across the back of the head! Tonga did this repeatedly, the son of the legendary WWE and WCW star Haku, resembling more of a wild animal right now rather than a human. Tonga picked Nagata up and raked the eyes, before continuing his attack in the corner, where he delivered several mudhole stomps on Yuji until the veteran caught one; Nagata taking Tonga down with a dragon screw leg whip! Nagata started trying to stomp away at the leg of Tonga in an attempt to slow the agile Bullet Club soldier while Yujiro Takahashi watched on from ringside. Tonga kicked Nagata away and tried to nip up to the second rope for a dive just for Nagata to kick Tonga in the back of the leg knocking him right back down! Tonga down, Nagata now stalked Tonga before dropkicking him in the leg; then setting him up in the corner and connecting with a big boot to the jaw of Tama Tonga! Tonga dazed, Nagata tried for the t-bone suplex just for Tonga to back elbow his way out; then attempting the Veleno just for Nagata to deadlift Tonga and deliver a big German suplex! Tonga slipped out of the ring before anything further could take place, but Yuji was right on his tail which led to Yujiro attempting to come from behind and attack "Blue Justice" - but Nagata fought him off with a big chest kick!
Instead, it was Tama Tonga who came from behind and this time capitalized; the "Bad Boy" clubbing Nagata across the back; Tonga picking Nagata up for a fireman's carry into a stungun - Nagata's throat dropping right over the ringside barrier! Tonga stalked his prey before returning inside, as the referee instigated a 20-count. The count got to 12 and nothing had changed, which is when Nagata started stirring, and somehow made it inside of the ring by the count of 18. Unfortunately, Tonga had already long before been stalking Nagata, on all fours; which is when Tama tried for the Veleno again; hooking the arms just for Nagata to reverse into a northern lights suplex! Tonga was almost down for three, which is when he rose to his feet and tried for a backslide; Yuji however wrenched on the arm; bending it backwards and slamming it over his shoulder before immediately following up with the Nagata Lock! Tonga was screeching in pain as Yujiro tried to distract the referee; "R Sh*tei" just getting knocked down by Nagata! Tonga attempted a spear on Yuji just to get the turnbuckle pad with his bad shoulder; and Yuji capitalized, locking in the Nagata Lock again with Tonga being forced to tap out!Winner: Yuji Nagata in 11:31 [***¼]"Blue Justice" celebrated his first win of the 2015 New Japan Cup, the 2007 and 2011 winner of this tournament making a point that he was out to make it a third win in eight years, and if he did, make it a win every four years. Yuji Nagata's hand was raised whilst Tama Tonga was attended to by Yujiro Takahashi, who had words with Nagata which almost caused Yuji to get into a showdown with "R Sh*tei". The "Bad Boy" left with Takahashi, defeated for a third time in three consecutive months by Yuji Nagata, who anticipated the quarter-final round, where he will meet either Tetsuya Naito or Tomoaki Honma.
4. NEW JAPAN CUP 2015 FIRST ROUND MATCH BAD LUCK FALE w/Cody Hall vs TORU YANOAnd now for something different. Already so far tonight we have seen two New Japan Cup matches, one of which featured elements of a David vs Goliath tale, followed by a rematch from the New Beginning '15 in Osaka between two feuding talents, but here we were in for something unorthodox. One could sense this as "YTR" Toru Yano made his way into the Ota Ward Gymnasium, waving his DVDs high in the air and bellowing. A simple man with a repertoire full of underhanded tactics, wanting to do anything possible to secure victory. A former two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion and a member of the CHAOS faction, Toru was here to win and do anything in his power to entertain and cause misfortune to his opponent all at the same time. The bleach blonde-haired Arakawa native awaited, shrugging his shoulders in the ring, when the theme of the "Underboss" hit, and the atmosphere changed when the six-foot-four, three-hundred and forty pounder emerged en route to the ring; slowly and methodically climbing into the ring before pausing with his arms folded; Bad Luck Fale ready for this tournament one year after making it to the finals of the 2014 New Japan Cup before losing to Shinsuke Nakamura. But Yano in typical fashion launched his water bottle at Fale, then laughed before Bad Luck got bad; removed his shades and attempted to lariat Toru just for Yano to duck not once, but twice, before shoving Fall down and shrugging to the Tokyo crowd! Fale knew that he was in for an unorthodox night against Yano - not exactly renowned for competing in the same way as everybody else on the New Japan roster. Fale reset and the two continued to circle the ring ready to lock up, before Yano tried to go behind and German suplex the Bullet Club member, only finding out that Fale was too heavy, and Fale thumped Toru away. Fale then clubbed Yano repeatedly across the back, before sending him to the floor outside.
Fale followed suit, continuing to pound away on Yano, but Toru came out of nowhere, spitting water into Fale's face before attempting to whip Bad Luck into the ringside barrier; Fale just to heavy, and Fale ended up sending Yano the other way. Yano ran, but then ran around the ring hollering for help to amused bystanders before hiding under the ring! Fale looked around confused, then followed trying to seek for Yano, looking underneath the ring apron. Fale was confused and yelled at Young Lions demanding to know where Yano was, which is when "YTR" arose from the other side of the ring, holding his thumbs up and sliding inside! Fale spotted him and returned back into the ring, where Yano tried to forearm Fale just for the big man to block it; Fale grabbing Yano by the throat, but Yano grabbed a top rope and begged for a break. Fale backed off, and Yano returned with an eye rake before hooking the legs and succeeding with the Akakiri cradle, just for Fale to kick out again! Fale got up and stopped Yano dead in his tracks with the Grenade, thumb thirst into the throat of Yano! Toru collapsed to the mat and gasped for air, when Fale followed with a big splash for two; Yano still in the fight. The match continued as Yano stumbled to the corner whilst Fale motioned for the big corner splash, but Yano, with his arms behind his back, untied the turnbuckle pad and ran away at the last second - Fale chest first into the exposed steel! Yano followed with a shot from the turnbuckle padding to the back, covering just for Fale to power out. "YTR" soon tried another roll-up attempt but Fale remained on his feet, succeeding with a big elbow drop instead onto Yano! Fale set up for the Bad Luck Fale, a crucifix powerbomb toss, and after many seconds of stalling, connected with it, giving Fale the ability to get his first win of the tournament.
Winner: Bad Luck Fale in 7:49 [**] The "Underboss" was successful in his first step towards glory in the New Japan Cup, whilst Toru Yano was left down on the mat. Bad Luck Fale began to leave almost unceremoniously, a set focus going forward as he moves on to the quarter-final round to face the "Golden Star" Kota Ibushi in Korakuen Hall.
5. NEW JAPAN CUP 2015 FIRST ROUND MATCH TETSUYA NAITO vs TOMOAKI HONMAThis match was originally set to take place on February 14 at the New Beginning in Sendai show, however due to G.B.H. partner Togi Makabe being seriously ill and having to miss an opportunity at the NEVER Openweight Championship, Tomoaki Honma was put in his place, unfortunately falling to Tomohiro Ishii in a five-star effort. On the contrary, Tetsuya Naito, fresh off of losing an IWGP Heavyweight Championship match against Hiroshi Tanahashi on February 11 at the New Beginning in Osaka, defeated YOSHI-HASHI in Sendai, and was here to reclaim his place as one of the top stars in New Japan Pro Wrestling today. So going into this match was two men that were coming off of rough losses, and both wanted to win the New Japan Cup in order to re-contend for the thrones they failed to take several weeks ago. The concentration was visible, as Tetsuya Naito made his way down to the ring, eager to impress in this outing; whilst Tomoaki Honma also appeared focused, as the "Stardust☆Genius" and "Minna no Kokeshi" stood on opposite sides of the ring from one another. The bell sounded and both men sized the other up, Honma welcoming Naito to take a shot at him but the two instead locked up with Naito getting the upperhand at first using quickness; targeting the arm with wristlocks, but Honma soon fired back, taking Naito down with a waistlock takedown, transitioning into a headlock, but Naito ran him off the ropes and into a shoulder block. Naito ran the ropes whilst Honma dropped down, then came up and caught Tetsuya with a body slam! Honma slapped his head and stamped his feet, setting up for only one thing: the loveable leader of Honmania hitting the ropes and attempting the falling Kokeshi headbutt, but ended up getting nothing but mat as Naito rolled out of the way! The "Stardust☆Genius" was now in control, as he got back to his feet and planted a dazed Honma with two forearms to the jawline, before bouncing off the ropes and catching him with a third forearm, but this just awoke Honma, who returned the favor. Honma drilled four forearms into the neck of Naito, before Naito returned with some chops to Tomoaki; and Honma let out a warcry and returned the favor with a big chop of his own...until Naito responded with a sharp enzuigiri to the back of the head from the "Stardust☆Genius". Naito, the 2013 winner of the G1 Climax and a former NEVER Openweight Champion in his own right, was back on the offense, as he connected with a inverted backbreaker for the count of two, before going back after Honma with a rolling kick for another two. Naito appeared wanting to end this early and get to the quarter-final round, but Honma was not the kind of opponent to let that happen. Naito sent Honma into the corner and attempted to catch him with the dropkick, but upon connecting and springing out onto the apron for a second slingshot dropkick, Honma rolled out of the way and Naito got nothing! Honma then saw Naito down, slapped his head again and attempted the Kokeshi headbutt once more, but Naito dodged again! Honma was dazed yet again, as Naito this time took care and followed with a tornado DDT, using the turnbuckle pad as leverage but Honma once again kicked out when Naito tried to cover him. The "Stardust☆Genius" continued to work away on Honma with a sliding dropkick to the back of Honma before this time successfully executing the dropkick into the corner, followed by the slingshot dropkick - but this wasn't even enough to put Tomoaki Honma away! The G.B.H. member powered back into it moments later, as Naito came off the ropes and walked right into Kokeshi headbutt, Honma taking a moment to get back into it as he followed with a vertical suplex; motioning for the top rope at that instant. Honma went up to the top rope and tried for the big Kokeshi diving headbutt, but Naito was right back up to his feet, rocking him with a big dropkick! Naito went up to the top rope with Honma, aiming for the super hurricanrana, but Honma instead blocked it, then attempted a superplex, but Naito managed to fight the close call of being superplexed off the top to the floor! Naito got back in position before diving off the top rope with a dropkick to Honma, Naito crashing to the mat whilst Honma fell over the top rope to the floor below! Honma was down and hurting, whilst Naito slowly got back up to his feet and kept Honma on watch with a baseball slide through the ropes. Now out at ringside, Naito backed Honma into the ringside barriers before attempting the Dragon suplex out there just for Honma to reverse it and securely put Naito over his shoulder; but Naito dropped to his feet and nailed Honma with a neckbreaker on the floor! Naito rolled back inside of the ring, as the referee began to count Tomoaki out; the fans in Tokyo cheering Honma on, as the count reached 17 before Honma made the break, back inside of the ring. The match raged on, with Naito scoop slamming Honma and bouncing off the ropes looking for the somersault senton but Honma dodged it! Naito got back up and charged again, but Honma charged too, and Honma won with a big lariat taking Naito down! Naito stumbled to the corner, where Honma followed up with a forearm smash and a bulldog, before Honma got ready to go back up to the top rope for the Kokeshi diving headbutt - Honma, a man with a rocky win-loss schedule, coming off of a close win against Tomohiro Ishii three weeks ago and was now passionate about victory, went up and came off the top rope with the Kokeshi, but Naito dodged it at the last second! Honma was not on his planet, and Naito capitalized, connecting with a Dragon suplex, but Honma managed to kick out! Despite the kick out however, Honma was still not able to revitalize himself; and Naito followed suit with the Koji Clutch, and Honma was forced to submit!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito in 13:23 [***½]
The "Stardust☆Genius" had his hand raised in victory after a hard-fought opening round match in this year's New Japan Cup tournament - Tetsuya Naito coming out victorious despite Tomoaki Honma's best efforts, and potentially well on his way to reclaiming his place near the top of the contender's list, now scheduled to take on "Blue Justice" Yuji Nagata in the quarter-final round. Honma was stunned after the match, having to be helped out by the Young Lions.
- FIFTEEN MINUTE INTERMISSION - Kimihiko Ozaki announced the mid-show intermission. This allowed Jushin Thunder Liger, Shinpei Nogami and Milano Collection A.T. to discuss the New Japan Cup's first round so far, previewing the rest of the first round matches, whilst also promoting Kota Ibushi vs Bad Luck Fale & Yuji Nagata vs Tetsuya Naito for Korakuen Hall on March 8 in quarter-final matches.
6. CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomohiro Ishii & Kazushi Sakuraba) def. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Captain New Japan & KUSHIDA in 14:43 after the sliding lariat by Ishii to New Japan. Tanahashi and Nakamura had a staredown before Hiroshi applauded Shinsuke and proceeded to leave the ring.
7. NEW JAPAN CUP 2015 FIRST ROUND MATCH TOGI MAKABE vs HIROYOSHI TENZANWith four first first round matches out of the way, the New Japan Cup roared on with two brutes going up against one another next, as it was the former four-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and former eleven-time IWGP Tag Team Champion Hiroyoshi Tenzan going up against a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion in his own right, the "Bousou Kingkong" Togi Makabe. Makabe was coming into this seeking glory, having been too ill to compete in his Wrestle Kingdom 9 rematch for the NEVER Openweight Championship three weeks ago against Tomohiro Ishii at the New Beginning in Sendai. Instead, Tomoaki Honma, Makabe's G.B.H. colleague got the shot, and came up short in his endeavors. But here he was back at 100%, and in his partner Honma's loss to Tetsuya Naito earlier tonight, it was up to Makabe to bring the New Japan Cup of 2015 home. Makabe came out with a head of steam, removing the chains from around his neck and stretching his arms in anticipation of what should be a physical encounter. Meanwhile Tenzan, who won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship back at the New Beginning in Sendai from Rob Conway, came out dressed in the mask he has become synonymous with in recent years, "Mōgyū" meeting Makabe face to face in the middle of the ring before the fight was on, with both men trading forearms! Tenzan forearmed Makabe, Togi forearmed Hiroyoshi. "Mōgyū" reverted to the open handed chops, but Makabe wouldn't allow it, sending Tenzan off the ropes trying for the King Kong Lariat; just for Tenzan to stick to the ropes, and upon Makabe charging Tenzan, the NWA World Heavyweight Champion fired back with a series of Mongolian chops! Makabe was fatigued after enduring several of them, which is when Tenzan followed with a shoulder block, just for Makabe to absorb it, and follow up with a shoulder block of his own knocking Tenzan down!
Togi Makabe brought Tenzan over to the corner for some back elbows, before beginning to stomp away at the abdomen of "Mōgyū". Makabe eyed Tenzan up and took a step back, before charging Tenzan with a big lariat in the corner! Makabe then whipped Tenzan across the ring to the corresponding corner, before charging at him for another but Tenzan blocked with a back elbow. Tenzan switched positions and set Makabe in the corner for several kicks to the abdomen, before connecting with a corner lariat of his own! Tenzan went back to the Mongolian chops, just battering the shoulders and collarbones of the "Unchained Gorilla". Tenzan headbutted Makabe, but after several more of these, Makabe began responding wanting Tenzan to keep them coming, before blocking one and connecting with a big lariat knocking him into the corner! Makabe went up to the second rope, beginning to drill Tenzan with several punches; Togi gaining momentum as he got down and took a dazed Tenzan for a death valley driver; covering just for Tenzan to kick out at two! The match raged on with Makabe attempting a German suplex just for Tenzan to switch it up and lock in a cobra clutch; Makabe trying to struggle his way out of it, finally doing so after several back elbows. Togi tried for the King Kong Lariat again but Tenzan ducked and took the arm, locking in the cobra clutch once again this time successfully! The NWA World Heavyweight Champion had it locked in, when he followed up with multiple headbutts! Togi Makabe was dazed when Tenzan slammed him; "Mōgyū" trying to lock in the Anaconda Vice, but Makabe managed to reach the bottom rope prompting the break!
Tenzan attempted to bring Makabe back into the middle of the ring with the Anaconda Vice hold applied, but Togi was able to slowly but surely slip out of it, overpowering the hefty 254-pounder and connecting with a backdrop. The "Bousou Kingkong" was free again, allowing himself some time to recover when he approached Tenzan again near the corner, and began to batter the NWA World Heavyweight Champion with several lariats before Makabe followed up with a kneeling powerbomb, covering just for him to kick out! Hiroyoshi Tenzan, despite being 43 years of age, was not going down without more of a fight - which is when Makabe decided to do just that, connecting with a sideslam and going up to the top rope for the King Kong Knee Drop, just for Tenzan to reach his feet and connect with a Mongolian chop bringing Makabe back down to the mat. Tenzan connected with a spinning heel kick before covering for a two, Makabe now not allowing Tenzan to pick up the win. "Mōgyū" went up to the second rope, attempting for a bulldog, but Togi ducked it and followed up with the King Kong Lariat, which allowed Makabe to then go up to the top rope and come off with the King Kong Knee Drop; picking up a big win!
Winner: Togi Makabe in 11:21 [***¼]The "Bousou Kingkong" had overcome the NWA World Heavywight Champion in his first match back from illness, and you could tell from the determination on his face that Togi Makabe was gunning for another opportunity at the title he missed out on, the NEVER Openweight Championship held by main rival Tomohiro Ishii. But first he had to win the 2015 New Japan Cup, and he was in for a rough ride as he left knowing he was going on to meet Kazuchika Okada or Satoshi Kojima in the quarter-final round.
8. NEW JAPAN CUP 2015 FIRST ROUND MATCH KARL ANDERSON w/Cody Hall vs YOSHI-HASHI"The Machine Gun" Karl Anderson made his way down the aisle with a look of concentration his face; a thousand yard stare as he looked into the camera lens and addressed the audience watching around the globe on New Japan Pro Wrestling World, declaring his intentions to win the 2015 New Japan Cup, and go on to make New Japan "Bullet Club Country". The twelve year veteran from Pipestone, Minnesota was not alone however - following a pattern much like his fellow Bullet Club partners have tonight - Karl accompanied by the Biz Cliz's own "young boy", the 6'8 rookie Cody Hall. Hall, who accompanied Anderson's partner Doc Gallows earlier tonight and was unsuccessful in getting past Kota Ibushi, and then after that accompanied Bad Luck Fale to a win against Toru Yano, appeared a lot more focused as well, simply wanting to not mess up like he did before. YOSHI-HASHI meanwhile came out to the ring with his septer in hand, the long-term member of CHAOS out here to do what Yano failed earlier on, and that's advance into the quarter-finals by getting past a Bullet Club member. The match started with the "Machine Gun" and "Loose Explosion" meeting eye to eye, with Anderson continuing to talk trash before rapidly piefacing his opponent. YOSHI-HASHI overlooked this and still circled the ring; the two locking up just for Anderson to club him over the back, then delivering a forearm and sending him off the ropes. YOSHI-HASHI ducked a back elbow attempt by Anderson, then ducked a lariat attempt before coming right back with the Head Hunter flip-over neckbreaker! YOSHI-HASHI quickly hooked the legs of Karl, but he managed to kick out just before three! YOSHI-HASHI could have scored a huge upset in record time, but Anderson was wide awake and focused. YOSHI-HASHI followed up with a dropkick to a sat up Anderson, then covered again just for two once more. Anderson picked himself up using the turnbuckle, which set YOSHI-HASHI up for a sharp chop, but Anderson came right back with one of his own. YOSHI-HASHI then kicked Karl in the gut, "Loose Explosion" backing up and attempting to lariat him in the corner just for the "Machine Gun" to come back at him with a big boot! Karl then gave it to the CHAOS member, delivering a big uppercut knocking him to the mat. Anderson soon proceeded to stomp away at YOSHI-HASHI, pulling on his hair and soon tossing him out of the ring before showboating to the disapproving Ota Ward Gymnasium. Karl distracted the referee at this point, when Cody Hall came out of nowhere with a big lariat to an unsuspecting YOSHI-HASHI! Cody hollered at the knocked down "Loose Explosion", whilst the referee was all tied up with Anderson. Karl rolled out of the ring and continued the attack on YOSHI-HASHI, connecting with a second big boot. Anderson suplexed YOSHI-HASHI over the ringside barrier before raining down with a series of sharp elbows across the back before quickly rushing back inside, all the while YOSHI-HASHI was left over the barrier, open to a big boot to the back of the neck from big Cody! YOSHI-HASHI was down and out, and the count was on - but after crawling slowly, he broke the count at the count of 19! Karl was waiting right there though, and began to stomp away some more on "Loose Explosion". Karl Anderson delivered a fireman's carry on YOSHI-HASHI before targeting the arm, performing a hip attack over the arched arm, and stomping away at the vital limb; the "Machine Gun" just stretching away at the arm, whilst the fans were heavily in support of YOSHI-HASHI. He soon tried to make a comeback, rising out of the armbar and performing a sudden dropkick to the gut of Anderson; then charging for the ropes just for the top rope to get pulled down by Cody Hall, and YOSHI-HASHI was left tumbling out to the floor for a second time in this match!
YOSHI-HASHI was down again, and this time Cody Hall tied up the referee, who came to confront Cody after pulling him out of the ring; all the while Karl Anderson grabbed the septer of "Loose Explosion" and posed with it, before ramming it into the abdomen! Anderson nailed him again with the septer across the back, before rolling him back inside of the ring and covering; but YOSHI-HASHI remained resilient, kicking out again! Karl looked dumbfounded, before attempting to set him up on his shoulders for the Gun Stun, but YOSHI-HASHI managed to land on his feet before connecting with some forearms packed with revenge! YOSHI-HASHI suplexed Anderson onto his feet, looking for the Bunker Buster neckbreaker - all the while Cody Hall got on the apron; and YOSHI-HASHI retaliated against this with a big low blow to Anderson! Anderson down, YOSHI-HASHI began to climb to the top rope for the Loose Explosion senton bomb, but Anderson dodged out of the way and then low blowed YOSHI-HASHI! Both men with bruised privates, Anderson quickly snapped YOSHI-HASHI up and dropped him suddenly with the Gun Stun rolling cutter, hooking the legs for the three count!
Winner: Karl Anderson in 11:07 [***] "The Machine Gun" was successful in an eventful first round match against YOSHI-HASHI, and Karl Anderson wanted to put an exclamation mark on that when he began to stomp away on "Loose Explosion" after the bell! Anderson and Cody Hall put the boots to him with Anderson on one knee, just pounding away at him repeatedly, which is when Bad Luck Fale and Doc Gallows came out to join in on the assault - a Bullet Club beatdown taking place! The Biz Cliz began to pose in the ring over the fallen YOSHI-HASHI, which is when Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, Gedo and Toru Yano from CHAOS hit the ring, which caused the Bullet Club to bail! CHAOS all had their eyes on the Biz Cliz now more than ever, attending to a fallen YOSHI-HASHI in the ring, and the Bullet Club were sure to be ready for war. But as for Karl Anderson, he was going through to the quarter-finals - but who to meet? Of the IWGP Tag Team Champions, Katsuyori Shibata or Hirooki Goto?
9. NEW JAPAN CUP 2015 FIRST ROUND MATCH KAZUCHIKA OKADA w/Gedo vs SATOSHI KOJIMA It was during the G1 Climax of 2013 where the twenty-four year veteran, Satoshi Kojima - a former two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion - managed to pull out a huge upset when he defeated then-IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada. It was a hard-hitting affair that showed Okada showing off a lot of confidence, that ended up costing him victory at the hands of "Gōwan". The win over champion Okada actually allowed him to contend for a shot at the throne the following month at Destruction in Kobe 2013, where Okada and Kojima had a tough battle, both hungry for different reasons - Kojima wanting to make himself a three-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion; whereas Okada was still proving himself to be the self-proclaimed "Ace of the New Era" - but in the end, Okada retained the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. This encounter proved to tell a similar story - with Kojima, who has since been an NWA World Tag Team Champion, continuing his legacy team's success with Hiroyoshi Tenzan, as well as an NWA World Heavyweight Champion, wanting to get one more shot at the top of the mountain at the age of 44. Meanwhile Okada has been the IWGP Heavyweight Champion one more time since their last encounter, and is coming off of a rough loss at the hands of Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 9 where he lost the title; and has been wanting to rebound that loss ever since. Needless to say, winning the New Japan Cup for a second time could cement that - if he could get past Kojima.
Kojima came to the ring with a look of intent, whilst Kazuchika Okada wore a look of impression, wanting to redeem himself after a rough 2015 thus far for the twenty-seven year old "Rainmaker", clad in gold, red and purple and backed by notorious mentor, Gedo. Okada and Kojima immediately emerged into a face off in the middle of the ring upon the bell sounding. But the Tokyo crowd were hot and rabid behind Okada, as the two circled the ring and began a lock-up, with both men attempting to one-up the other with a series of arm-focused attacks. "Cozy" meanwhile targeted the head, a headlock takeover causing Okada to be trapped for several moments until he was thankfully able to break the hold on the bottom rope. Back where they started, the two circled the ring again before sizing one another up before Okada backed Kojima into the ropes. This prompted a clean break, and "Rainmaker" gently patted the chest of Kojima with his hands - but this swiftly made Kojima break into a free-for-all shot at Okada; beginning to drill him the CHAOS member with several sharp forearms; to which Okada matched, and before long they both ended up scrapping and rolling through the ropes and out onto the floor! Okada and Kojima stopped fighting and glared at one another for a moment, before getting back inside of the ring. The crowd applauded, which is when Kojima delivered an open hand chop to Okada, rocking the former two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion back into the corner. "Gōwan" - Japanese for "Strong Arm" then saw the opportunity to use his strong arm, which he did by yielding away with rapidfire Machinegun Chops, reddening the chest of Kazuchika! The wily veteran then attempted to forearm Okada, but he ducked it - and now it was Okada's time to shine as he began swinging chops at Satoshi like there was no tomorrow! But that's when Kojima ended the dispute by kicking his opponent in the gut, and whipping him across the ring.
Satoshi Kojima on the offense, he charged and nailed Okada in the corner with his forearm, before calling to the crowd and beginning to head up to the top rope! But instead of staying down, Okada was on the defense and nipped right back up to his feet; connecting with a beautiful dropkick knocking Kojima off of the top rope and right outside to the floor! The count began, but "Gōwan" had played this game before with Kazuchika, breaking the count at 8. Okada seemed besumed, as he cornered Kojima again, delivering some big back elbows to the jawline of his opponent. Okada in control again, he whipped Satoshi into the corner just for Kojima to come back with a big shoulder block! Kojima whipped Okada into the corner again and connected with the forearm, before immediately going back up to the top rope and this time coming off with a big diving elbow drop! But that wasn't enough, as Okada managed to kick out again. "Cozy" knew he had more work to do, which is when he went back to the succession of forearms, following up with a big discus forearm knocking Okada right off of his feet and to the apron! Kojima stomped at Okada now and tried to lift him onto the top rope from the apron, just for Okada to instinctively forearm him down. Okada connected with the slingshot somersault into the ring, before attempting to go for a DDT, but Satoshi broke free and connected with one of his own, covering for a near fall! Kojima had been in control for a little while now, stomping away on Okada; but Kazuchika tried again to fire back just to get cut off by a headbutt. Kojima connected with a backdrop, but Okada began to start honing some Fighting Spirit from within, and as Satoshi clubbed him with some overhead forearms, Okada responded with some of his own; and Kojima backed off into the ropes, just to get a flapjack for his worries!
Okada and Kojima, in another chapter of their feud were going at it for the right to go into the quarter-final round; as Satoshi slowly recovered, and Okada attempted a German suplex, blocked by Kojima. Kojima reversed and attempted the brainbuster, but Okada was right back onto his feet, and connected with the bridging German, only getting a two count! "Rainmaker" went right on the attack furthermore, trying for the Tombstone Piledriver - but Kojima blocked it with his own weight, and came out of nowhere with the Lariat! Okada was knocked on his head on the mat, and covered...but Okada once again managed to power out at two! Both men at one apiece, this was essentially a rubber match for the two men in a series that started in August of 2013 - and they further exchanged some chops, before Kojima slapped Okada, and Okada slapped Kojima. "Cozy" knocked "Rainmaker" silly with a big forearm, and bounced off the ropes looking for another Lariat but Okada took the arm and turned it into a DDT of his own, but once again Kojima powered out! Okada went for the Tombstone again, but Satoshi was alert, and almost got Kazuchika with the Cozy Cozy Cutter; Okada alert, and pushing him away. Okada latched onto the back of Kojima's trunks, and brought him in for a hellacious Rainmaker Lariat; then following up with a second one, bringing this barnburner to a close!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada in 14:22 [****]"Rainmaker" was one win down, with three more to go in order to properly avenge his loss to Hiroshi Tanahashi in the Tokyo Dome and win the 2015 New Japan Cup - and you can imagine that Okada will definitely be gunning for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship once again should he win. Okada began to leave, shaking hands with fans in the front row on the way before leaving, knowing that he would be in for another blast from the past against Togi Makabe in the quarter-finals.
10. NEW JAPAN CUP 2015 FIRST ROUND MATCH HIROOKI GOTO vs KATSUYORI SHIBATAIt would only be typical for the two men known collectively as Meiyu Tag to be meeting against one another in the final first round match of the 2015 New Japan Cup. Katsuyori Shibata and Hirooki Goto, two men that met when they were eight years of age when attending school, that both made very different paths into the world of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Katsuyori Shibata made his debut in October of 1999 and was already fast-tracked to become this generation's Three Musketeers alongside Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura, but left the sport of pro wrestling in 2005, going on to pursue kickboxing and mixed martial-arts before making a grand return in 2013 as the ever serious "Wrestler". On the contrary, Hirooki Goto made his debut in July of 2003, and went on to be one of the more decorated stars of this era; a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, IWGP Intercontinental Champion, the 2008 winner of the G1 Climax - and on top of that, a three time New Japan Cup winner. To add to this, not only were they good friends that grew up together, but recently they have collectively had a lot of great success as Meiyu Tag - winning the 2014 World Tag League in December, and on January 4 at Wrestle Kingdom 9, Shibata and Goto won the IWGP Tag Team Championships from Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows - then defeating Gallows and Gun in their first successful defense three weeks ago at the New Beginning in Osaka. But now they were on opposite sides of the ring, Shibata seeking his first singles accolade in New Japan - whilst Goto was seeking his fourth New Japan Cup win in the tournament's history. Make no mistake about it, there were no frills to either man's ring entrance, as both IWGP Tag Team Champions were focused on winning this encounter. Another thing to note about these two men's relationship was their past rivalry in New Japan - spanning most of 2013, culminating it seemed in a match at Wrestle Kingdom 8, where Goto emerged victorious. A further encounter during the G1 Climax Finals of 2014 ended with Shibata victorious - and thus, it was an even playing field for the better wrestler of such a fantastic team. There wasn't even any handshakes - instead the two men in the middle of the ring with Shibata attempting several spinkicks and strikes, just for Goto to retreat and dodge his partner's attempts, then coming back with several forearms to Shibata. "Aramusha" - Japanese for "Daredevil" describes Goto, and that's what happened next as he ploughed through Shibata with a big lariat, before charging him in the corner attempting a lariat just for Shibata to dodge out of the way, then laying into Goto with some serious kicks to the chest - and when Katsuyori attempted to start forearming Hirooki, his partner knew exactly what was coming, shoving him head first into the turnbuckle pad and returning the favor with more forearms, then connecting with the lariat! Goto roared for the Ota Ward Gymnasium - it seemed as though the crowd was split right down the middle between both champions. Goto picked Katsuyori up, but Hirooki made the mistake of allowing too much time, which is when Shibata then struck "Aramusha" with a low kick to the thigh, followed by another; then sweeping him off of his feet with a spinkick! Shibata was not letting up in this match, immediately mounting Goto and grounding and pounding him with several more drilling forearms and elbows. But that's when Hirooki pulled Shibata over, and it was now Goto on top drilling Katsuyori with some forearms of his own! Shibata traded back, but Goto blocked a forearm and took his opponent's arm, then slammed it into the mat. "The Wrestler" feigned weakness momentarily - perhaps too long - and this allowed Hirooki Goto to attempt an armbar on Shibata, just for Katsuyori Shibata to roll out of it before dodging another lariat from Goto, then connecting with a Russian legsweep; following through with a smooth leg-twisting submission hold! Goto was struggling as Shibata had the hold locked on tight; continuing to turn and turn on the lower half of Hirooki's leg that was damaged by Shibata's kicks early, but Goto managed to grab a hold of the bottom rope! Shibata however was right on it, gripping the foot and dragging his partner back into the centre - attempting the figure-four leglock, but Goto kicked him off and attempted the backdrop suplex - just for Shibata to elbow his way out of it and big boot Goto right in the shoulder! Shibata followed with some chest kicks, but Goto returned the favor. For a moment it seemed like both men were simply trading rapid kicks to the chest - until, that is, Shibata once again ploughed into Goto with several drilling forearms to the jaw! Shibata charged the ropes but ran right into a lariat from Goto, "Aramusha" covering just for Shibata to kick out! Goto slowly got back to his feet, but Shibata wasn't acknowledging the hurt that Hirooki had done, which is when Shibata tried for a deadlift German suplex - Goto blocking it before going behind for a German of his own; just for Shibata to then go behind and take Goto down again, this time successfully performing the figure-four leglock, leaving Goto struggling without a way to get out! Hirooki attempted to move the hold, but Shibata was applying so much pressure that he resorted to trying to slap Shibata, and doing anything in his power to just power on out of it. He managed to at least turn it sideways, but by the time he managed to grasp the bottom rope prompting a break, he had been in the submission for over a minute. Hirooki Goto limped up to his feet after this, the damage having been done to him as Shibata then caught Goto with a huge big boot in the corner! Shibata began to lay in some sickening kicks to the chest on Goto, which only wounded "Aramusha" even more, as Shibata followed up with some forearms until Goto was seated in the corner - and this paved the way for "the Wrestler" to attempt a basement dropkick - until Goto rolled out to the apron, then connected with a sick headbutt to the skull of Shibata! Goto limped back into the ring and connected with a German suplex on Shibata; Goto this time now on the total offensive as he followed up with a backdrop suplex to follow, only getting two as Shibata powered out! Hirooki Goto picked Katsuyori Shibata back up to his feet, just for Shibata to big boot Goto, then connect with a second big boot; a third one reversed into the Ura Shouten backrack swinging facebuster, covering Shibata but once again for two in this high stakes match! Shibata wanted the win in order to progress into the New Japan Cup, whilst Goto lavished the chance to chase his fourth New Japan Cup win! Goto and Shibata met on their knees, with both trading forearms now; which then turned to open-handed slaps, sickening smacking noises echoing throughout the building! Hirooki suddenly tried for the Shouten Kai, but Shibata blocked it and kicked Goto once again in the bad leg, before thumping Goto in the skull with a head-on collision headbutt! Both men were dazed, but Goto responded with a desperation Tokko discus Lariat! Slow to recover, Hirooki pinned Katsuyori eventually, but Shibata managed to kick out again! Goto roared, trying to fight the pain in his leg, trying once again for the Shouten Kai - but Shibata turned it into an inside cradle, not holding him in place however - and Shibata suddenly shot back to his feet and uppercutted Goto! Shibata got Goto on his shoulders for the Go 2 Penalty Kick, but when coming down Goto remained on his feet but blocked the kick, and connected with the Goto Shiki cross-legged cradle - just for Shibata to kick out again! Goto tried to catch Shibata with the Shouten Kai again, but when he got him up Shibata managed to knee Goto in the cranium; and Shibata followed with a stunning kick to the neck of Goto knocking him to his knees...and Shibata came off the ropes, connecting with a sharp Penalty Kick to the jaw - hooking the leg, and Shibata had advanced!
Winner: Katsuyori Shibata in 15:24 [****]"The Wrestler" emerged victorious, but he didn't look like a winner in the aftermath, as Katsuyori Shibata remained on his knees, clutching his head after a brutal affair of events tonight between two friends; two partners, and two former rivals. Hirooki Goto remained down, but slowly made a recovery after a hard-fought war tonight in Ota. "Aramusha"s hopes of aiming for a fourth New Japan Cup victory was out of the picture, but Shibata's potential had increased. Shibata walked around the ring trying to recollect himself, when he suddenly picked up Goto and offered him a handshake - which was accepted. Meiyu Tag celebrated in the ring as IWGP Tag Team Champions before Goto left, leaving the ring to the victor - who will now go on to the quarter-final round and face "the Machine Gun" Karl Anderson.
Shibata began to address the Ota crowd over the microphone, thanking them for supporting him in this mentally, physically and psychologically challenging bout against his own Meiyu Tag brethren, Hirooki Goto. He talked about how he has aimed high in New Japan for so long, and he's lived and died to win matches since his re-emergence several years ago - and to him, it's finally started to show how much blood and sweat he was putting into this. In December, winner of the World Tag League. In January, an IWGP Tag Team Champion, in February, still IWGP Tag Team Champion. In March? The winner of the 2015 New Japan Cup! And after that? Shibata vowed that he will fight to be champion on his own for the first time in New Japan Pro Wrestling! Shibata began to leave, as the Ota Ward Gymnasium began to file out, allowing the announce team to discuss what happened tonight in the first round match-ups, and what was still to come when the quarter-final round takes place on March 8 in Korakuen Hall.
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Post by DTP. on Feb 17, 2016 22:54:32 GMT -5
| NJPW NEW JAPAN CUP 2015 - DAY TWOFriday, March 6, 2015 - Saku City Gymnasium - Saku, Nagano
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1. Tiger Mask & Gedo def. KUSHIDA & Sho Tanaka in 6:12 after the Tiger Suplex by Tiger Mask on Sho Tanaka.
2. Jushin Thunder Liger & Máscara Dorada def. Jay White & Yohei Komatsu in 7:50 after the Dorada Screwdriver on Komatsu.
3. Tetsuya Naito & TenCozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) def. Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi & Ryusuke Taguchi in 9:12 after the Stardust Press by Naito on Taguchi.
4. CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano) def. BULLET CLUB (Cody Hall & Yujiro Takahashi) in 7:40 after the Bomaye by Nakamura on Hall.
5. CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii, Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI) def. Hiroshi Tanahashi & G.B.H. (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma) in 11:20 after the Rainmaker Lariat on Honma. After the match, Okada pointed to Tanahashi, the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, which is when Togi Makabe stood in Tanahashi's way, staring down his quarter-finalist opponent for tomorrow night.
6. BULLET CLUB (Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga) def. Meiyu Tag (Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto), Kota Ibushi & Captain New Japan in 14:25 after the Bad Luck Fall by Bad Luck Fale on Kota Ibushi.
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Post by DTP. on Feb 17, 2016 23:31:05 GMT -5
| NJPW NEW JAPAN CUP 2015 - DAY THREE Sunday, March 8, 2015 - Korakuen Hall - Bunkyō, Tokyo |
| New Japan Cup 2015 Quarter-Final Round VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | |
"The Underboss" Bad Luck Fale
(BULLET CLUB)
| New Japan Cup 2015 Quarter-Final Round VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | | "Blue Justice"
| New Japan Cup 2015 Quarter-Final Round VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | "Stardust☆Genius" Tetsuya Naito
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| New Japan Cup 2015 Quarter-Final Round VS [1 fall, 60 minute time limit] | "The Machine Gun" Karl Anderson
(BULLET CLUB) | "CHAOS"
Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazushi Sakuraba, Toru Yano and YOSHI-HASHI
(CHAOS) | Special 8-Man Tag Team Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | "BULLET CLUB" Doc Gallows, Tama Tonga, Cody Hall and Yujiro Takahashi
(BULLET CLUB) |
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, KUSHIDA and Captain New Japan
| Special 8-Man Tag Team Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Tomoaki Honma and Ryusuke Taguchi
| Tiger Mask & Yohei Komatsu
| Special Tag Team Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | Jushin Thunder Liger and Máscara Dorada
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| Special Singles Match VS [1 fall, 30 minute time limit] | |
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Post by DTP. on Feb 22, 2016 13:07:38 GMT -5
| NJPW NEW JAPAN CUP 2015 - DAY THREESunday, March 8, 2015 - Korakuen Hall - Bunkyō, Tokyo
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The opening signature aired, showcasing the top stars in New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2015. A video package then aired, reviewing the first night of the 2015 New Japan Cup back on March 5, where Kota Ibushi, Yuji Nagata, Bad Luck Fale, Tetsuya Naito, Togi Makabe, Karl Anderson, Kazuchika Okada and Katsuyori Shibata all won their first round matches and have advanced into the quarter-final round of the tournament. With eight men left, tonight in Korakuen Hall we cut those eight down to four, and in the end only one man can win the New Japan Cup - and that man will be able to challenge for a championship of their choice on April 5 at Invasion Attack! But which will it be? Who will it be?
There was a big buzz in the air in the famed Korakuen Hall, as Kimihiko Ozaki welcomed us to day three of the seven-day tour, where tonight will determine who goes through to the semi-final round on March 15 in Hiroshima! Ozaki ran down the card for the night:
- Tomohiro Ishii vs Sho Tanaka
- Tiger Mask & Yohei Komatsu vs Jushin Thunder Liger & Máscara Dorada
- Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, KUSHIDA & Captain New Japan vs TenCozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima), Tomoaki Honma & Ryusuke Taguchi
- CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazushi Sakuraba, Toru Yano & YOSHI-HASHI) vs BULLET CLUB (Doc Gallows, Tama Tonga, Cody Hall & Yujiro Takahashi
- Katsuyori Shibata vs Karl Anderson in a New Japan Cup Quarter-Final match
- Yuji Nagata vs Tetsuya Naito in a New Japan Cup Quarter-Final match
- Bad Luck Fale vs Kota Ibushi in a New Japan Cup Quarter-Final match
- Kazuchika Okada vs Togi Makabe in a New Japan Cup Quarter-Final match
1. Tomohiro Ishii def. Sho Tanaka in 6:03 after the Ishii Driller. Tanaka showed some fight, but was no match for the NEVER Openweight Champion in this non-title encounter. Jay White literally had to carry Tanaka out of the ring after the match, laid out at the hands of the "Stone Pitbull". 2. Jushin Thunder Liger & Máscara Dorada def. Tiger Mask & Yohei Komatsu in 7:55 after the Liger Bomb by Liger. Another impressive showing from the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion and the CMLL World Welterweight Champion in a fast-paced match. Tiger Mask almost managed to beat Liger after the Millenium Suplex, a tease of what to come on March 22 in the two veterans' title match.
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, KUSHIDA & Captain New Japan def. TenCozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima), Tomoaki Honma & Ryusuke Taguchi in 9:41 after the Shouten Kai by Goto on Honma. Tanahashi had some hard-hitting collisions with Kojima during this one, whereas Tomoaki Honma almost scored his second win of the year by hitting the Kokeshi headbutt on Captain New Japan, just for it to get broken up.
4. BULLET CLUB (Doc Gallows, Tama Tonga, Cody Hall & Yujiro Takahashi) def. CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazushi Sakuraba, Toru Yano & YOSHI-HASHI) in 12:15 after the Veleno by Tama Tonga on YOSHI-HASHI. CHAOS were all looking for retribution after the Bullet Club beat down on YOSHI-HASHI on the first night of the tour, with Kazushi Sakuraba almost putting Cody Hall away with a leg submission. Elsewhere, Shinsuke Nakamura and Doc Gallows mixed up a lot, and Tama Tonga
- FIFTEEN MINUTE INTERMISSION - Kimihiko Ozaki announced the mid-show intermission. This allowed Jushin Thunder Liger, Shinpei Nogami and Milano Collection A.T. to discuss the New Japan Cup so far, reviewing the undercard matches whilst also reviewing the opening round on day one of the New Japan Cup; highlighting Katsuyori Shibata vs Karl Anderson, Yuji Nagata vs Tetsuya Naito, Bad Luck Fale vs Kota Ibushi, and Kazuchika Okada vs Togi Makabe in the quarter-final matches scheduled to start in several minutes.
5. NEW JAPAN CUP 2015 QUARTER-FINAL MATCH KATSUYORI SHIBATA vs KARL ANDERSON w/Doc GallowsThe quarter-final round of the 2015 New Japan Cup started up in Korakuen Hall between two men that have rivalled a lot in recent months. It was Katsuyori Shibata and Hirooki Goto of Meiyu Tag who defeated Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows on December 7, 2014 in the finals of the annual World Tag League tournament - and on January 4 of this year, Meiyu Tag managed to defeat Gallows and Gun to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship, ending a 365 day reign for the Bullet Club duo. Even more recently, Shibata and Goto managed to successfully defend the titles against Anderson and Gallows back at the New Beginning in Osaka on February 11. This had to agitate "the Machine Gun" going into this bout, coming off of a win against YOSHI-HASHI in the first round three nights ago, whilst Shibata had advanced in an absolute war of attrition with tag partner Hirooki Goto to get here. Anderson appeared at one-hundred percent going into this bout, whilst "the Wrestler" had a bandaged arm. Adding on to this was the presence of "the Outlaw" Doc Gallows at ringside, continuing the theme of the Bullet Club having a presence at ringside throughout this tournament. The two squared off mid-ring, where Anderson appeared to mock Shibata, which only led to Katsuyori slapping the "Machine Gun" across the face, then following up with a spin kick to the abdomen. Shibata kick-started by whipping Anderson off the ropes, but Karl nipped the rope and bailed out of the ring drawing a chorus of boos from the disapproving Tokyo crowd. Anderson talked strategy with Gallows at ringside for a second, which is when Shibata came from the apron, running and connecting with a dropkick on both Biz Cliz members! The no-nonsense Shibata grabbed a hold of Anderson and sent him into the ringside barrier, which is when Shibata eyed him up for a basement dropkick, but Anderson saw him coming and jumped the barrier in an attempt to escape the IWGP Tag Team Champion; Karl wisely delivering a haymaker stunning him momentarily, before skipping the barrier again and connecting with a bicycle kick taking Shibata down on the floor! Anderson rolled inside and poised confidence, whilst tying the referee up in the process. Meanwhile this set an unsuspecting Shibata to walk right into a big boot from Doc Gallows on the outside, and the referee did not see a thing. He started counting Shibata out, which is when Hirooki Goto soon walked down to the ringside area as well - "Aramusha" here to even the odds up against the interfering Gallows. Shibata managed to break the count at twelve - but Anderson remained on offense, stomping away at the head, then taking advantage of the bandaged arm; dropping a hip attack across it. Anderson appeared too laid back at this point, as he connected with a body slam before dropping a knee drop across the arm; then using the ropes as leverage much to the referee's chagrin. Anderson then picked Shibata up and sent him into the corner for a running big boot, but Shibata managed to dodge out of the way, before charging and connecting with a hard big boot in the corner! Shibata was back on the offense, connecting with a flurry of forearms to the cornered Anderson; Shibata soon preparing for another basement dropkick in the corner but Anderson escaped to the apron, which is where Shibata took a hold of Anderson's head just to get caught with another forearm - which did not rock Shibata at all! Anderson entered the ring hastily and forearmed Katsuyori again, and once more, but Shibata rocked Karl with some drilling forearms of his own, before Anderson raked the eyes of "the Wrestler". Anderson connected with an uppercut dazing Shibata, before the "Machine Gun" once again went back to the arm. Meanwhile at ringside, Gallows and Goto were visibly eyeing one another up in case of an attempt to interfere.
Anderson locked in an armbar on Shibata, wrenching the arm of the IWGP Tag Team Champion backwards, whilst the Korakuen Hall crowd were strongly supportive of "the Wrestler". Anderson talked trash, which may have set Shibata up; Shibata rolling out of it and connecting with a big forearm drilling Anderson! Shibata picked Anderson up and delivered several kicks to the chest of Karl Anderson, before sending Anderson into the corner and nailing him again with a big boot! Shibata picked Anderson up and dropped him with a death valley driver, before attempting to go for the Penalty Kick - off the ropes, but Anderson ducked it, tripped Shibata and rolled through into another armbar - but Shibata was again able to roll out of it! Shibata low kicked Anderson, but Karl jaw-jacked Katsuyori with a big boot - which only sent Shibata off the ropes looking for another attack - Anderson at the ready, executing a big spinebuster, covering for a mere two count! The match was picking up now, with Shibata stumbling over to the corner, where Anderson parodied Shibata with a charging big boot of his own; Shibata out of harm's way, then connecting with a deadlift German suplex, bridged for a near fall! Anderson then caught his opponent with a big drive-by kick, covering for another near fall. By this point Karl was setting up for the Gun Stun, but Shibata managed to shove him off in his effort, then came up with a big boot to the back of Anderson's head! Shibata got Anderson on his shoulders for the G2PK, but Anderson slipped out of it and attempted the Swivel Gun Stun, just for Shibata to slip out and this time connect with the G2PK, taking Anderson out! Meanwhile at this time, Doc Gallows jumped Hirooki Goto from behind, sending him crashing over the ringside barrier. Shibata saw this, and instead of taking the cover went to go after Gallows; Shibata connecting with another flurry of forearms to "the Outlaw" whilst Goto recovered and joined in, the fight advancing to outside of the ring! Shibata went back in and set up for the Penalty Kick once again, but Anderson ducked it once more, jumped up and dropped Shibata with the Gun Stun cutter! Anderson hooked the leg, and managed to secure the victory. Winner: Karl Anderson in 11:02 [***½]
"The Machine Gun" Karl Anderson was able to secure victory, and as Hirooki Goto slid into the ring to try and attack Anderson, Anderson slid out of the other side; Karl almost in disbelief now that he was able to surpass "the Wrestler" Katsuyori Shibata - even though he did so in such a controversial manner. Anderson fell into the arms of Doc Gallows, and the two began to celebrate up the aisleway, whilst Goto and Shibata remained frustrated in the ring. Whilst Meiyu Tag had uncrowned the reign of terror of Gallows and Gun, the Bullet Club were going on through the tournament, whilst Goto and Shibata were eliminated; Anderson now moving to the semi-finals on March 15 in Hiroshima to face the winner of Kazuchika Okada and Togi Makabe.
6. NEW JAPAN CUP 2015 QUARTER-FINAL MATCH YUJI NAGATA vs TETSUYA NAITO"Blue Justice" had a crash course getting to this stage in the tournament, having to endure "the Bad Boy" Tama Tonga in the opening round and the shenanigans of the Bullet Club in the process. The forty-six year old has won two previous New Japan Cup crowns, in 2007 and in 2011, and wanted to make it a third in 2015 - but first he had to overcome the obstacle of Tetsuya Naito - who has not had a great year thus far, having fallen to Hiroshi Tanahashi in an IWGP Heavyweight Championship match back at the New Beginning in Osaka, and has since been trying to redeem himself once more as one of the top stars in New Japan Pro Wrestling today, starting by defeating Tomoaki Honma in the opening round in Ota. The "Stardust☆Genius" felt that he needed to win this tournament in order to avenge that loss, and also challenge Tanahashi once again at Invasion Attack on April 5 - something he could probably only do if he were to win the New Japan Cup and select Tanahashi as his opponent - but first, he had to bypass a man that has been there twice, the two-time former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Yuji Nagata. Naito came down to the ring hyped up, albeit with the tournament on his mind. But Nagata was also prepared. The match began with a lock-up, with Nagata managing to use his strength over his opponent, keeping the "Stardust☆Genius" in a side headlock; but it was the speed and agility of Naito that took him in control, sending Nagata off the ropes, leapfrogging Nagata before taking him down in a side headlock of his own. Naito almost made a rookie mistake however, and that's when Nagata came close to getting him in the Nagata Lock during the opening moments. Naito broke quickly using the ropes, and the audience applauded both men. The two locked up, with Naito forcing Nagata against the ropes before brushing Yuji off; and "Blue Justice" responded with a big open handed chop to Naito!
Tetsuya Naito responded with a chop of his own, before kicking him in the abdomen and sending him off the ropes and catching him with a back elbow; Naito off the other set of ropes and connecting with a jumping somersault senton on Nagata, scoring only a one count - a sign that he was in for a battle throughout this quarter-final bout. Naito kept Nagata in place with a headscissors, and despite his best efforts to keep his veteran opponent down, Nagata managed to slip out and connect with several snap jab punches, before attempting the wind-up punch just for Tetsuya Naito to duck it and dropkick Nagata down. Naito snapmared Nagata and locked in a chinlock, but Nagata once again eventually was able to slip out and followed up with a series of chest kicks knocking the "Stardust☆Genius" down to the mat again. Yuji took the arm and wrenched away at it, slamming it into the mat, before following up with a grounded hammerlock, but Naito slipped out of that and connected with a headlock takedown; Naito quick to his feet and ducking a lariat attempt by Yuji Nagata, connecting with the inverted backbreaker for a near fall. Tetsuya Naito went up to the top rope and attempting a missile dropkick, but Nagata was able to bat him away, before attempting the Nagata Lock again just for Naito to roll through and trip Yuji up! Naito immediately stormed to the top rope again, and this time connected with the missile dropkick; connecting for a near fall! The match raged on with Naito trying to wear Nagata out using his agile-centric moveset, including a hiptoss into a dropkick to the seated Nagata, but this was not able to keep the older Nagata down. The crowd was backing Nagata by this point, as Naito sent Nagata careening into the corner, where he tried for his trademark double dropkick combo, but Nagata caught Naito in the corner with a big forearm, and followed up with two Mongolian chops before nailing Naito with a T-bone suplex, just for Naito to kick out! Yuji eyed a groggy Tetsuya back up to his feet, where "Blue Justice" charged at "Stardust☆Genius" with a big boot in the corner, but Naito managed to duck it and connected with a corner dropkick; springing to the apron and nailing the slingshot dropkick to accompany it!
Yuji Nagata was down, when Naito dragged him more into the middle of the ring and climbed the ropes, potentially looking for the Stardust Press, but Nagata was quick to react, and the two began to combat one another in a stalemate on the top rope; the two trading forearms that Naito ultimately won, but Nagata fell to the mat, backward rolled and re-climbed the turnbuckle, connecting with a belly to belly suplex sending Naito crashing down hard to the mat, only for a near fall again! The match resumed with Naito to his feet first, looking for the Gloria - the hammerlock pumphandle drop in mid-swing just for Nagata to break out of it and kick Tetsuya in the gut, Nagata following with a kick to the chest kick, thigh kick, head kick and big boot combination, stunning his opponent before following with the Backdrop Hold, Nagata looking for victory, but Naito managed to somehow kick out at two! Naito was showing the fighting spirit of a warrior in this one, wanting badly to overcome the two-time New Japan Cup winner and advance into the semi-final round, but Nagata was ready and waiting by the time Naito got back up to his feet, and he attempted a German suplex just for Naito to flip over onto his feet; Naito with a step-up enzuigiri rocking "Blue Justice"! He dropped to a knee, and Naito connected with Gloria, before heading up to the top rope for the Stardust Press again, but Nagata managed to get his knees up! Nagata looked to lock in the Nagata Lock again, but Naito fought it and got his foot on the bottom rope managing to break the hold. One second off of the hold, Naito rolled Nagata up hooking his legs, but Yuji powered out! Naito swung for Nagata, who responded by ducking and connecting with a bridging German suplex for only two once more! Naito was stunned on his knees, when Nagata connected with a big roundhouse kick; covering Naito, but he kicked out yet again! Korakuen Hall was on their feet at this point, as Nagata attempted the cross-armbreaker, just for Naito to send Nagata into the corner face first, where Naito connected with the Dragon suplex, rolling through and locking in the Koji Clutch! Yuji tried to fight it, blocking the hold, but Naito was able to get it synced in, giving Nagata no opportunity but to tap out! Winner: Tetsuya Naito in 11:34 [***¾]The "Stardust☆Genius" was successful in a real battle against Yuji Nagata in this quarter-final bout, Tetsuya Naito struggling to get back to his feet after the bout, whilst "Blue Justice" had suffered a rare submission loss at the hands of Naito. The two-time winner of the New Japan Cup had been eliminated, as he slowly recovered with the aid of an ice pack, whilst Naito waited around, awaiting the veteran to return to his feet. Nagata was slow, but he woke up and saw Naito extend his hand to him - and Nagata accepted the gesture of showmanship; Nagata congratulating Naito on his victory. Nagata headed to the back, officially out of the tournament, whilst Naito was going to Hiroshima Sun Plaza on March 15 in the semi-final round, where he will face the winner of Bad Luck Fale and Kota Ibushi.
7. NEW JAPAN CUP 2015 QUARTER-FINAL MATCH BAD LUCK FALE w/Tama Tonga vs KOTA IBUSHI"The Underboss" had managed to defeat Toru Yano in the opening round three days ago in Ota, but Bad Luck Fale, as devious as the big Tongan may be, was in for a scrap with the "Golden Star" Kota Ibushi - the representative of Dramatic Dream Team having had a five-star battle on January 4 in the Tokyo Dome at Wrestle Kingdom 9, inches away from claiming the IWGP Intercontinental Championship from Shinsuke Nakamura before falling in defeat. Since then, Ibushi has been totally against the Bullet Club, including almost defeating "the Phenomenal One" A.J. Styles at the New Beginning in Sendai in a tag team match. Ibushi defeated Doc Gallows in the first round three days ago, and was aiming to win his first singles championship since graduating to the heavyweight ranks - being an IWGP Junior Heavyweight and Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion in the past, but he was in the big leagues. Perhaps by winning the 2015 New Japan Cup, he could be on his way. Fale brought trouble down to the ring, as expected, in the "Bad Boy" Tama Tonga - someone Fale has a lot of chemistry with after the 2014 World Tag League in December. The two sized up in the ring, with a big size difference evident between the two - which is when Kota tried to swing low with multiple low kicks, but Fale managed to catch one and send him into the corner for an attempted avalanche, just for Kota to dodge it; giving Fale nothing but turnbuckle, and Kota tried to grab a waistlock on Fale, just for the three hundred pounder to simply shrug it off. Kota wasn't done though, as he drilled Fale with a forearm, before connecting with a spinkick to the gut before bouncing off the ropes; sent flying as Fale nailed Kota with a big lariat! Fale body slammed Ibushi before following with a leg drop, covering for a near fall whilst Tama Tonga watched on contently. Fale stood on the chest of Kota Ibushi with the top rope as an assistance, the "Underboss" soon resorting to choking the much smaller Ibushi over the edge of the ring apron. When Fale was forced to break the illegal choke, Tama Tonga came in, connecting with a big boot to the head of Ibushi drawing boos from the Korakuen Hall audience! Ibushi was in a dangerous place right now, as Fale connected with several body blows into Ibushi in the corner, before bouncing off the ropes and looking for the avalanche in the corner, this time pancaking him; as Fale grabbed a choke on Ibushi and attempted the Grenade chokeslam, just for Ibushi to get lifted into the air, then using the momentum to dropkick Fale off! Ibushi followed by going to the second rope and nailing a missile dropkick on the big Tongan. Fale had not left his feet yet, which is when Ibushi connected with multiple kicks, trying to chop down the big mammoth of the Bullet Club; ducking another lariat and connecting with a chest kick; then followed up with a big roundhouse kick finally sending Fale off of his feet for the first time in this match! Ibushi covered for two, but Fale powered out by tossing Ibushi off of him. Fale tried to get back to his feet, but in doing so opened himself up for a springboard dropkick, yet again stunning him, before once again attempting the German suplex, just for Fale again to elbow him off. Fale picked Kota up and connected with the Grenade; a chokeslam with a thumb thrust to the throat in mid air, but Kota managed to kick out at the count of two! Fale wanted to end it here, as he got Ibushi set up for the Bad Luck Fale - the crucifix powerbomb in process when Kota managed to get off of Fale with a snap hurricanrana, hooking the legs and somehow managing to score a big win with the roll-up!
Winner: Kota Ibushi in 7:36 [***] The "Golden Star" had successfully knocked off a win against the "Underboss" of the Bullet Club, Bad Luck Fale. Kota Ibushi celebrated as Bad Luck Fale looked irritated, like a man possessed - but as he attempted to jump Kota, Ibushi ducked it and dropkicked Fale through the ropes, the big man from Tonga falling to the floor! Fale wanted another piece of Ibushi after the big upset, but Tama Tonga got in Fale's ear, telling him to decide against it! As Fale and Tonga left, and Kota now en route to the semi-final round, he looked around in awe, knowing that up next he would be in for a sky war with Tetsuya Naito in the semi-final round on March 15!
8. NEW JAPAN CUP 2015 QUARTER-FINAL MATCH KAZUCHIKA OKADA w/Gedo vs TOGI MAKABE The final quarter-final match was set to headline this Korakuen Hall spectacle, between two men that know each other very well due to their past together. It was at Dominion 6.22 in 2013 where Kazuchika Okada defended the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in the midst of his second reign as champion against the "Bousou Kingkong", and it was a brutal affair between two star talents in New Japan Pro Wrestling that ultimately ended when Okada was able to score the victory. With that in mind, Togi Makabe was sure to try his hardest to bypass Okada and score a retribution win over him in this high-stakes match to cement the fourth and final semi-finalist in the 2015 New Japan Cup. Okada, winner of the winner of the 2013 New Japan Cup is actually what led Okada to winning his second IWGP Heavyweight Championship from Hiroshi Tanahashi at Invasion Attack of that year; and with his defeat to the "Once in a Century Talent" back at Wrestle Kingdom 9 of this year on his mind, Okada equally wanted to win this tournament for a chance to replicate the past. "Rainmaker" came to the ring with Gedo by his side as always, his mentor wanting his protegé to win his second tournament; whereas Togi Makabe came down to the ring with the chains around his neck, not wasting any time in getting into the ring for the final match of the night. The two locked up, with Makabe using his size advantage to force Okada into a corner, but Okada used his cat-like reflexes to switch it around, before slyly patting the chest of Makabe. This was a clean break that went unexpected, as Makabe has not been known for such tactics in the past. A second lock-up took place, and this time Okada tried to use all of his will to force Makabe into a corner, just for Makabe to shove him off, before going for an early King Kong Lariat; just for Okada to drop to the mat and take a breather on the apron. Makabe still charged Okada with a head of steam, but Okada blocked it with a forearm before entering the ring and attempting the Heavy Rain, just for Makabe to drop out and kick his opponent in the abdomen. The "Bousou Kingkong" delivered a forearm to Okada, much like Okada delivered one to Makabe; before Okada tried for a sudden dropkick - Makabe batting him away and then connecting with a shoulder block! Makabe off the ropes, Okada dropped down before striking Makabe with a forearm; Togi rebounded off of the ropes before cutting Okada's offense off with a big back elbow!
Togi Makabe picked Okada up and sent him into the corner, attempting a running corner lariat; but Okada sidestepped it and connected with a neckbreaker taking Makabe down; Okada quick to follow up by grabbing an arm and stomping away at it without any hesitation. "Rainmaker" picked Makabe up and snapmared him, following up with a running dropkick right into the face of Makabe, keeping the G.B.H. member on his back and in harm's way. Kazuchika Okada now targeted the neck, picking Makabe up and connecting with a straight-jacket neckbreaker just for Makabe to charge out of a pin attempt, with a lot left in the tank for the "Bousou Kingkong". Okada picked Makabe up and sent him into the corner for a splash, but Makabe caught Okada and dropped him with a big forearm; Okada rolling backwards and trying again, just for Makabe to respond with a big King Kong Lariat! Makabe covered for one, two, but Okada was somehow able to charge out at two! Makabe was in control now, as he body slammed Okada before heading up to the top rope for potentially the King Kong Knee Drop, but Okada was not down long enough and charged to his feet, knocking Makabe off of the top! Okada then began to climb up with Togi, attempting a superplex, but Makabe almost reversed it, potentially sending Okada out of the ring in a highly dangerous reversal - but Okada managed to fight back down, and Okada dropkicked Makabe off of the top and down to the outside on the floor! Makabe was down and out, whilst Okada slid to the outside and decided to pick up the scraps rather than attempting a count-out win. Okada placed Togi on the ring barrier, attempting the elevated DDT - shades of their Dominion clash in 2013 - but Makabe blocked it and fought his way out; Togi then sending Okada crashing into the ringside barrier, following up with a charging lariat knocking Okada well over the barrier and into the aisles of the crowd! Makabe rolled back inside and awaited the referee to count him out; Red Shoes Unno counting whilst Okada was unable to find his way back to his feet - Gedo screaming for Okada to make a revival against the "Bousou Kingkong". Eventually he began stirring and stumbled over the barrier, somehow slipping into the ring at the count of eighteen!
Togi Makabe was a man relenting on Kazuchika Okada at this point, delivered several clubs across the back of the "Rainmaker"; the veteran sending Okada into the corner where Makabe began to relent with a repetitive series of lariats stunning Okada, very well leaving him out cold on his feet! Makabe followed with a back elbow, but Okada was very much awake and responded with an elbow of his own - but Makabe saw that coming and forearmed his opponent back into place. Makabe went up to the second rope and began to rain down punches on "Rainmaker" - Okada somehow finding the might to pick up the two hundred-fifty pound Makabe and drop him with a flapjack! Kazuchika was slow to get back to his feet after being stunned with so many lariats, but Okada was back after the neck - this time by attempting to lock in the Deep in Debt submission - the D.I.D. designed to punish the neck of Makabe in an arm-trapping cravate hold, just wrenching away at the neck of Togi Makabe - and it looked for a minute like Makabe was going to submit, but he managed to reach the bottom rope, forcing Okada to make the break. Okada picked Makabe up by the back of his trunks before planting him with a dropkick to the back of the head sending him into the ropes; where Okada hooked the "Unchained Gorilla", this time connected with the middle-rope assisted DDT! Okada covered, but Makabe managed to charge out again at nearly three! Okada was done playing around now, as he went up to the top rope and came off with a big elbow drop - but Makabe managed to roll out of the way! Togi forced himself onto his feet, before attempting the death valley driver - Okada managing to slip out of it in a winded state and connect with the Heavy Rain again - but Makabe reversed it, and planted Okada with a kneeling powerbomb, the jackknife cover only scoring two as Okada once again kicked out! Makabe was wondering what it was going to take in order to make Okada fall in defeat - but Makabe really wanted to get a win against the "Rainmaker". Togi Makabe tried to set up for the King Kong Lariat again, but Okada was once again on the defensive; ducking it and trying for a Rainmaker Lariat out of nowhere - but Makabe instead roping Okada into the King Kong Lariat of his own - but instead of covering, Makabe held his neck - the damage done already to damage the "Bousou Kingkong".
Lacking the wherewithal to score the pin had to annoy Togi Makabe, as he recovered just as Kazuchika Okada was slowly getting to his feet, and Okada realized Makabe's weakness and stomped away at the head; "Rainmaker" with a DDT to Makabe, surely doing further damage to his neck, Okada wanted the tombstone piledriver right here and now - but Makabe was resilient in catching Okada out of nowhere with the death valley driver, hooking the leg - but Okada yet again kicked out! Makabe wanted enough of Okada as he went up to the top rope and attempted the King Kong Knee Drop - but Okada moved out of the way, and Makabe was now left with a weakened neck as well as a damaged knee! Okada spotted this, as he then picked Makabe up over his shoulder, connecting with the back-to-belly piledriver across the knee; the neck of Makabe surely suffering now as Kazuchika dragged Makabe up to his feet for the Rainmaker Lariat - but like moments earlier, Makabe roped Okada in for the King Kong Lariat - falling right on top of Okada for one, two, but Okada managed to power out near three! Korakuen Hall was heated up now as Makabe slowly got back to his feet and lined up for the King Kong Lariat again - but Okada spotted Togi coming and rocked him with a back elbow! Okada with a big forearm, he picked Makabe up and tried for the tombstone piledriver, but Makabe was not about to take more damage to his neck, with Togi flipped it around before connecting with a sideslam - heading back to the top rope one more time - but Okada just would not stay down! "Rainmaker" got stumbled to his feet and delivered two key forearms to the neck of Makabe before powerlifting him off of the top rope, connecting with the Heavy Rain! Okada got back to his feet and taunted the Rainmaker Pose, preparing for the Rainmaker Lariat - but Makabe tried for the King Kong Lariat a third time - Okada ducking that - Okada with another attempt at the Rainmaker Lariat - but Makabe ducked that! Makabe tried again for the Lariat, but Okada ducked that attempt before connecting with the tombstone piledriver! Okada dragged Makabe's carcass up to his feet, where he laid him to waste with one big rocking Rainmaker Lariat - followed up with a second one for good measure, and that was good for the win! Winner: Kazuchika Okada in 16:36 [***¾]"Rainmaker" had scored the victory tonight in Korakuen Hall, and now was headed to the semi-finals, although right now Kazuchika Okada did not look very much like a winner - Okada surely feeling hellacious after such a hard-fought battle with the "Bousou Kingkong", Togi Makabe being rolled out of the ring holding his neck after the torturous display of attacks done by Okada throughout this highly competitive match. Okada celebrated whilst Gedo took control of the microphone, the Korakuen Hall crowd applauding Okada on his win. Gedo mentioned Togi Makabe's heart, but that sometimes in life money means more than heart, which is why the "Rainmaker" was able to get the victory tonight. Gedo mentioned that Kazuchika Okada was two men down, and two men to go - and that when he arrived in Hiroshima on March 15, he would be on a warpath to get the 2015 New Japan Cup throne. He said that Okada was out to chase the IWGP Heavyweight Championship one more time, something he has not forgotten since his big loss to Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 9 in Tokyo Dome. But until then - he expects Hiroshi Tanahashi to be waiting for him on April 5 at Invasion Attack for the "fight of his life".
Okada then took the microphone and thanked Gedo for the kind words, before discussing how he is a two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion that should have become a three-time champion at Wrestle Kingdom 9 on January 4. He says that he does not live that night down - and although he displayed weakness in crying after the climax of that match - he feels the mental willpower makes him all the more stronger in their future encounters. Okada proclaimed himself the "Ace of the New Era" in New Japan, although he won't proudly covet that monicker until he has defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi once and for all, and claimed the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. But in order to do so, he needs to defeat two more men. Okada warned his semi-final opponent Karl Anderson, telling him to watch out for him on March 15 - and whether his finals opponent is Tetsuya Naito - his "old friend" from Wrestle Kingdom 8 - or Kota Ibushi - the loveable underdog that failed to get past Shinsuke Nakamura twice - "Rainmaker" felt that he will come out victorious. Okada thanked Korakuen Hall before continuing the celebration, now moving on to meet the "Machine Gun" Karl Anderson in the semi-finals on March 15!
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Post by DTP. on Feb 22, 2016 15:21:49 GMT -5
| WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER March 9, 2015 by Dave Meltzer |
NEW JAPAN CUP FIRST ROUND Thumbs Up 37
Thumbs Down 0
In the Middle 0
NEW JAPAN CUP QUARTERFINALS Thumbs Up 42
Thumbs Down 0
In the Middle 0
Kota Ibushi vs Tetsuya Naito and Kazuchika Okada vs Karl Anderson are the semifinals of the 2015 New Japan Cup that will take place on March 15 in the Hiroshima Sun Plaza. The single-elimination tournament that started on March 5 in the Ota Ward Gym and held its quarterfinals of March 8 at Korakuen Hall, sets up an even playing field with a tournament that could go either way. The finals will air on tape delay on New Japan World, after the live broadcast concludes for those watching the live pay-per-view broadcast. The winner of the tournament will get to choose whether they face Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, or Tomohiro Ishii for the NEVER Openweight Championship on 4/5 at Invasion Attack.
The line-up for the show on 3/15 in Hiroshima has Mascara Dorada & Jushin Liger & Ryusuke Taguchi vs Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA & Jay White, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Yohei Komatsu vs Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yuji Nagata & Sho Tanaka, Tetsuya Naito vs Kota Ibushi, Kazuchika Okada vs Karl Anderson, Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto vs Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga, Shinsuke Nakamura & Kazushi Sakuraba vs Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI vs Doc Gallows & Yujiro Takahashi, and the winner of Naito/Ibushi vs the winner of Anderson/Okada
IWGP Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura said in a post-show press conference following the 3/5 Ota Ward Gym show that he wanted the NWA World Heavyweight Championship currently held by Hiroyoshi Tenzan.
Meanwhile, following the 3/8 Korakuen Hall show, Togi Makabe expressed a desire to challenge for the NEVER Openweight Championship held by Tomohiro Ishii. Makabe was supposed to get a shot at the New Beginning in Sendai, but was so ill he had to substitute himself with Tomoaki Honma. This would be a rematch from the Wrestle Kingdom Tokyo Dome show last January.
Nothing so far is official for Invasion Attack, other than the New Japan Cup winner challenging for one of the top three heavyweight title crowns, as well as A.J. Styles having involvement, and the Kingdom (Matt Taven and Michael Bennett) coming in from ROH. Kota Ibushi has said that he wants a straight singles match with A.J. to follow what happened during the New Beginning tour with Ibushi and Styles' interactions.
KUSHIDA suffered a bad broken hand during his match on 3/6 in Nagano but still worked on the 3/8 quarterfinal show. It is not particularly known how he did it, but because of this he is off of shows for the rest of March with officials hoping that he will be able to make a full recovery in time for Invasion Attack or at worst, the Best of the Super Juniors tournament in May.
The opening night of the New Japan Cup tour in Ota Ward Gym celebrated the 43rd anniversary of New Japan Pro Wrestling since its' first show at the Ota Ward Gym on March 6, 1972, headlined by Karl Gotch defeating Antonio Inoki. The announced attendance figure for the 3/5 show that celebrated the 43rd anniversary was 4,500 - however this number is inflated as the venue only holds 3,800.
The second night of the New Japan Cup tour (which was not aired on New Japan World) in Saku City Gym drew 1,100.
The quarterfinal New Japan Cup show in Korakuen Hall sold out with a turnaway crowd of 2,015.
Remaining shows of the current tour include Kumagaya on 3/9, Fukushima on 3/10, Shiga on 3/13, and Hiroshima on 3/15.
A.J. Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura are also advertised for the 6/14 show at Bethnal Green in London for Revolution Pro Wrestling. Tomohiro Ishii was announced last week, in what will be his first appearance to the United Kingdom. Ring of Honor has added another date to the New Japan tour of the United States and Canada coming this May. 5/12 and 5/13 will be held in the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia entitled War of the Worlds Day 1 and Day 2 - whilst the 5/15 and 5/16 shows will be held in Toronto, with one of those days being a television taping.
The WWE has registered a hand gesture, that being the "Too Sweet" gesture used by the nWo during the 1990s. This is most likely as a response to fans coming to shows dressed in Bullet Club merchandise, as well as the popularity of the Bullet Club faction in Japan as well as on independent shows around the world.
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