SEScoops

Category: NJPW

  • NJPW Announces Major Injury Ahead of 46th Anniversary Show

    NJPW Announces Major Injury Ahead of 46th Anniversary Show

    New Japan Pro Wrestling’s English Language Twitter account @njpw_global has announced that Los Ingobernables stable member EVIL will be unable to compete at their upcoming 46th Anniversary show due to a fractured orbital bone. EVIL was originally scheduled to face YOSHI-HASHI and Hirooki Goto as part of a tag team match alongside stable mate SANADA. New Japan has now confirmed that this will be a singles match pitting YOSHI-HASHI against SANADA, the company sent out the following press release confirming the change to the bout:

    “As a result of EVIL suffering a fractured orbital bone, the tag match scheduled for March 6’s Anniversary show featuring EVIL and SANADA against YOSHI-HASHI and Hirooki Goto has now been changed to a special single match with SANADA facing YOSHI-HASHI.

    These two have a deep connection to one another, having attempted to take the NJPW tryout test on the same day: November 3, 2005. SANADA took a circuitous route to eventually debuting in New Japan, joining Los Ingobernables De Japon in April 2016. His appearance immediately drew YOSHI-HASHI’s ire, and the two were embroiled in several tag matches. This included YOSHI-HASHI scoring a memorable submission win over SANADA in a tag bout in Osaka Jo Hall that year via his Butterfly Lock.

    On March 12 last year in Hyogo, the two finally faced each other one on one for the first time. Then, SANADA got the tap out victory with Skull End. The LIJ member has the 1-0 singles edge. Yet while YOSHI-HASHI suffered defeat at the hands of Tetsuya Naito at the New Beginning in Osaka, he bounced back, beating EVIL in Okinawa on February 14 with his new pinning combination, the Kinkoji. With renewed momentum, YOSHI-HASHI could right his record with SANADA, but Cold Skull has his own wrongs to right after a hard fought defeat against Kazuchika Okada on February 10.”

  • Tetsuya Naito Criticises Current NJPW Booking

    Tetsuya Naito Criticises Current NJPW Booking

    Former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito has recently been voicing his displeasure with certain elements of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s booking choices. Japanese wrestling correspondent Chris Charlton posted a series of tweets with translations of Naito’s recent interview with Tokyo Sports and he had this to say regarding his opponent for the NJPW 46th Anniversary show and member of Suzuki-Gun Taichi:

    “I actually rate Taichi, a bit. But I won MVP two years in a row, right? And I just beat him (at Takataichimania) anyway..? Why not have YOSHI-HASHI face Taichi, and then the winner faces me? Just chucking people at me for no reason, expectations get raised, and then they lose, obviously. It’s bad for them, if anything. They need to stop throwing matches together at random.”

    Several fans were not happy with Naito’s loss to Kazuchika Okada at this year’s Wrestle Kingdom, feeling that the time had come for Okada to lose his IWGP Heavyweight title to the 2017 G1 Climax winner Naito.

  • Kenny Omega Announced for Chris Jericho’s Cruise

    Kenny Omega Announced for Chris Jericho’s Cruise

    Kenny Omega is the latest name announced for Chris Jericho’s Rock and Wrestling Rager At Sea. The ‘master of ceremonies’ Jericho released a video on Twitter confirming that the inaugural IWGP United States Champion would be taking to the seas from October 27th-31st.

    Jericho opens the video stating “Kenny Omega, you claim to be the best in the world, well you know what I think? I agree, I know that you are.” Y2J then followed up this comment by referring to their January 4th match at Wrestle Kingdom; “You beat me at the Tokyo Dome in what many are saying is Chris Jericho’s best match, a five star classic…my best match, but not even your best match and that’s why I agree you’re the best in the world and that’s why I wanted you on Chris Jericho’s Rock and Wrestling Rager at Sea.”

    There were rumors of a rematch between the “Alpha” and “Omega” of wrestling dating back to the initial announcement of the January 4th show. @ith the confirmation of ‘The Cleaner’ heading out as part of the cruise there is a very good chance that we see #AlphaOmegaPart2 with a third instalment potentially coming at the G1 Climax or at a Ring of Honor event later this year.

    Further information on the Cruise can be found at chrisjerichocruise.com where cabins are still available to purchase for this once in a lifetime experience.

  • Michael Elgin Files Defamation Lawsuit in Response to Leaked Texts

    Michael Elgin Files Defamation Lawsuit in Response to Leaked Texts

    NJPW wrestler, Michael Elgin, has filed a defamation lawsuit against a female wrestler who accused him of covering up an assault committed by a wrestler he was involved in training.

    Elgin’s lawyer issued a press release regarding the filing of the lawsuit.

    “It is really unfortunate it has come to this,” said Elgin’s lawyer, Steven Kratky. “Some claims *Name Removed* is making about my client are flat-out lies and misleading falsehoods. Mike really struggled with this decision, but ultimately realized that he had no other choice to conclusively establish the truth and clear his name,” the release continued.

    Michael Elgin Leaked Text Messages

    The party named in the defamation lawsuit posted several text messages from Elgin. These texts featured Elgin speaking poorly of her and his tag-team partner in the NJPW World Tag League, Jeff Cobb. Elgin has since apologized for his comments.

    Elgin’s accuser claims he covered up a sexual assault involving a wrestler he was training.

    “Look, Mike is only suing to establish the truth: that he is not an abuser, did not abuse Ms. Woodward, and did not cover-up a sexual assault,” Kratky said. “The only way to properly do that is through the judicial process.”

    The press release continues:

    “The lawsuit also alleges that *Name Removed*, has placed him in a false light by wrongly associating his name with men who sexually assault women and in opposition to the “Me Too” movement, and publicly disclosed private facts.”

  • Hulk Hogan’s Contract Demand for Wrestle Kingdom Revealed

    Hulk Hogan’s Contract Demand for Wrestle Kingdom Revealed

    Last month, it was reported that Hulk Hogan had been in negotiations with New Japan Pro Wrestling in regards to appearing at Wrestle Kingdom.

    According to a recent report from Sports Illustrated, NJPW approached Hogan but a deal couldn’t be reached. Hogan was reportedly asking for $750,000 for the appearance, which was more than NJPW was willing to pay.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jcYVd7o2Ww

    Hulk Hogan and New Japan Pro Wrestling

    Hogan’s relationship with NJPW goes back to the early 1980s before Hulkamania boomed in North America. He would even participate in the precursor to the modern day G1 tournament. In the 1983 IWGP League, Hogan defeated Antonio Inoki in the final.

    The Young Bucks have been vocal supporters of bringing Hogan into NJPW.

    The Bucks had the following to say in regards to the Hulkster in NJPW:

    “I’d love to welcome Hulk in. He’s honestly my favourite wrestler of all time, so working with him in any capacity would be fun,” stated Matt Jackson.

    “I’d love to have him walk us down the aisle, while three of us play the air guitar. That’d be a dream come true.” added Nick Jackson.

  • NJPW’s Los Angeles Training Dojo Accepting Applications for March Camp

    New Japan Pro Wrestling is continuing to expand outside of their traditional territory and into the United States. Not long after tickets to Strong Style Evolved on March 25th, 2018 sold out in just minutes, the company announced the opening of a training dojo in Los Angeles. The dojo is now accepting applications.

    Early last year, NJPW President, Taakaki Kidani, told Tokyo Sports that opening a training center in Los Angeles was part of the promotion’s strategy to expand into the country further.

    New Japan Pro Wrestling Los Angeles Training Dojo

    The promotion has scheduled two 5-day camps for prospective wrestlers. They specifically mention the camps are not tryouts but also state they are always looking for new talent.

    Applicants do not need to have previous wrestling expereince.

    The first camp will run from March 19th to 23rd and the second from March 26th to March 30th.

    The link to the dojo’s application form can be found here.

  • NJPW Books Champion vs. Champion Match for Anniversary Show

    Saturday in Osaka, Kazuchika Okada defeated SANADA from Los InGobernables to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. It was Okada’s 10th title defense in his record-breaking title reign.

    Okada’s CHAOS faction also defeated Los InGobernables 3-2 over 5 singles matches on the show including 3 championship matches.

    Following his victory, Okada challenged IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Will Ospreay to a match at the upcoming Anniversary show on March 6th, 2018.

    Kazuchika Okada versus Will Ospreay

    Okada challenged Ospreay for the Anniversary Show as on that night the heavyweights will be busy preparing for the upcoming New Japan Cup, so it’s a convenient time for him to take on CHAOS’ junior heavyweight.

    At the post-match press conference in Osaka, Ospreay wondered if his faction’s leader was testing him by issuing the challenge but thanked Okada and accepted the match anyway.

    Earlier in the evening, Ospreay had defeated Hiromu Takahashi to retain the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.

  • Major Name Appears in Video Package at NJPW Event

    Major Name Appears in Video Package at NJPW Event

    It appears New Japan Pro Wrestling is bringing the heavy hitters for their return to North America.

    NJPW is holding an event today (Feb. 10) dubbed “The New Beginning in Osaka.” The event features an IWGP Heavyweight title bout between champion Kazuchika Okada and SANADA. NEVER Openweight champion Hiroki Goto puts his gold on the line against EVIL. Also, IWGP Junior Heavyweight title holder Will Ospreay defends his crown against Hiromu Takahashi.

    While the night is producing some solid action, it also had a surprise. During the event a video package played and former WWE champion Rey Mysterio appeared. He challenged fellow wrestling legend Jushin Thunder Liger to a match at Strong Style Evolved. Liger was seen at the Japanese commentary table and he seemed to be intrigued by the challenge.

    Strong Style Evolved takes place on March 25 inside the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California. Around 4,500 tickets were sold out in just 20 minutes. While no matches have been officially added to the card as of this writing, it’s safe to say we’ll be seeing Mysterio take on Liger.

    Mysterio last appeared in the public eye at the WWE’s men’s Royal Rumble match. He was a surprise entrant, taking the 27th spot.

  • NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka Results: Three Title Matches

    NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka Results: Three Title Matches

    The time has arrived for NJPW’s The New Beginning in Osaka.

    Today (Feb. 10), Kazuchika Okada will defend his IWGP Heavyweight title against SANADA. The title bout will serve as the event’s headliner. Also, Hiroki Goto defends his NEVER Openweight championship against EVIL. IWGP Junior Heavyweight title holder Will Ospreay puts his gold on the line against Hiromu Takahashi.

    There are a bevy of undercard matches before the three marquee bouts as well. The action begins at 3 a.m. ET. Keep refreshing this page for updated results below:

    Singles Match: Yuji Nagata vs. Katsuya Kitamura

    The two got into a grappling exchange early. Nagata applied a headlock, but Kitamura shoved him off. They engaged in a shoulder block battle, which Kitamura won. Nagata locked in the Fujiwara armbar, but Kitamura reached the ropes.

    Kitamura landed some chops and Nagata responded with kicks. He put his opponent in the corner and landed some forearms, followed by knees to the head. Kitamura got the torture rack, but Nagata fought his way out.

    The two traded slaps and Nagata urged the Young Lion to show more fire. Kitamura lost the battle off a forearm. He ate some big boots and caught a kick to slam Nagata.

    Kitamura hit the spear, but Nagata kicked out. Nagata avoided the Jackhammer but countered into the armbar. Surprisingly, Kitamura reached the ropes. Nagata then hit the PK, but his opponent kicked out.

    Kitamura pelted Nagata with chops. Nagata answered with a forearm and spinning wheel kick. He then connected with the high angle suplex for a three-count.

    Winner: Yuji Nagata

    Non-Title Match: Roppongi 3K (Sho & Yoh) vs. El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru

    Sho and El Desperado got things underway. Kanemaru knocked Yoh off the apron and the two double teamed Sho. Not long after, Sho ducked under El Desperado and speared Kanemaru. Yoh moved in an delivered a hurricanrana to El Desperado.

    The action spilled to the outside and Sho was suplexed. Kanemaru threw Sho into the guardrail and mocked him as he tried to beat the 20-count. Yoh was able to break up a camel clutch. El Desperado and Kanemaru continued to work the back of Sho.

    Finally, Sho landed a suplex and tagged in Yoh. Kanemaru and El Desperado received dropkicks. Yoh hit El Desperado with a double stomp clearing the top rope for a two-count. El Desperado landed a huge spinebuster and tagged in Kanemaru.

    Sho and Yoh went for 3K on Kanemaru. Sho’s back gave out and El Desperadd nailed Sho with a flying uppercut. Kanemaru landed a superplex followed by a Boston Crab. El Desperado cut off Yoh and Sho, Rocky Romero inadvertently distracted the ref in favor of his team’s opponents. El Desperado cracked Sho with a chair in the back. Sho was forced to tap.

    Winners: El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru

    After the match, a chair was placed on Sho’s back and El Desperado whacked it with another chair. Rocky covered Sho and was dumped to the outside for his efforts. Kanemaru poured whiskey on Sho’s back, while El Desperado held the IWGP Junior tag titles.

    Eight-Man Tag Match: Ryusuke Taguchi, KUSHIDA, Michael Elgin, & Togi Makabe vs. TAKA Michinoku, Taichi, Takashi Iizuka, & Minoru Suzuki

    Makabe went right after Suzuki and the match was underway. Makabe went to town with forearms while the rest of the participants were on the outside. TAKA managed to get some brief commentary time to rant about being manhandled on the outside. Taguchi and Suzuki were in the ring, but the Intercontinental champion big booted Makabe and they brawled on the outside.

    Iizuka nailed Taguchi with a chair to the back. He then took Elgin to the outside and blasted him with another chair. Meanwhile, Taichi choked Taguchi with a cable. Taguchi countered a roundhouse kick with the enzuigiri.

    Elgin was in and he landed a forearm into a German suplex. Iizuka bit the head of Elgin. The former Intercontinental champion returned the favor. Makabe and Suzuki were tagged in.

    Just as they’ve been doing on the Road shows, the two exchanged forearms. Of course, Suzuki landed the stiffer shots. Makabe was put in a sleeper hold, which allowed TAKA to tag in. Now it was four on one against Makabe.

    iizuka went for the iron glove, but Elgin ripped him with a lariat. Makabe landed his knee drop from the top rope on TAKA for a three-count.

    Winners: Ryusuke Taguchi, KUSHIDA, Michael Elgin, & Togi Makabe

    After the bout, Suzuki accepted Makabe’s challenge for the IWGP Intercontinental title. They exchanged shots and Suzki threw part of a guardrail on top of Young Lion Tomoyuki Oka.

    Six Man Tag Match: Toa Henare, David Finlay, & Juice Robinson vs. Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii, & “Switchblade” Jay White

    Juice and Yano got things started. Yano went right after the corner padding. He swung it at Juice, but wound up in an airplane spin. Both men stumbled around the ring. Ishii and Henare traded shots in the ring.

    White ran in and threw Juice into the ring post. Despite concerns within CHAOS, “Switchblade” showed solid teammwork with Ishii and Yano.

    Juice got one back on White by planting his head on the exposed buckle. Finlay was tagged in and charged at White. After getting in some offenses, Finlay was hit with a Saito Suplex. Henare was able to land a spinebuster on White, but Yano broke up the pin.

    Henare lifted White up, but ate a combo. White hit the Blade Runner and followed up with vicious elbows to the head for the KO win.

    Winners: Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii, & “Switchblade” Jay White

    After the bout, White teased hitting the referee with elbows, but thought better of it.

    A promo video aired and Rey Mysterio appeared. He laid out a challenge to Jushin Thunder Liger for Strong Style Evolved.

    Singles Match: Gedo vs. Bushi

    Bushi made his entrance with giant clippers to signal the end of Gedo’s beard. Bushi went to get the masks Gedo stole from him, but was cut off at the entrance.

    Gedo went to unmask Bushi yet again. Instead, Bushi had his laces stuck in the corner. A Young Lion used the clippers to pry Bushi free.

    At some point, Bushi looked to spray his mist at Gedo. With the referee down, Gedo nailed the low blow. He hit a kick to the head, but Bushi kicked out. Bushi was able to hit MX for the victory.

    Winner: Bushi

    After the match, Bushi grabbed the clippers and had to be held back. He calmed down once he retrieved the masks that were stolen from him.

    Singles Match: Yoshi-Hashi vs. Tetsuya Naito

    Yoshi-Hashi attacked Naito as he was making his entrance. He ripped up Naito’s shirt. He hammered away at Naito. The action eventually spilled to the outside.

    Yoshi-Hashi went to the top turnbuckle and landed a neckbreaker for the two-count. He went for the Butterfly Lock, but Naito reached the ropes. Naito was able to nail his opponent with a DDT. Naito went for Destino, but was countered and hit the canvas.

    The two engaged in a slap battle. Yoshi-Hashi landed a kick followed by the western lariat for a near fall. He then hit a sitdown powerbomb. Yoshi-Hashi locked in the Butterfly Lock. Naito looked to be fading, but he got his foot on the bottom rope.

    Naito hit a hurricanrana followed by a wheel kick. Yoshi-Hashi was hit with a half Destino and then a full one. He was not kicking out.

    Winner: Tetsuya Naito

    After the match, Taichi attacked Naito from behind and dragged him off the stage. If you recall, Taichi said in a backstage interview that he would make Naito pay for his words on being too lazy to move up to the heavyweight division.

    IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title Match: Will Ospreay (C) vs. Hiromu Takahashi

    They charged at each other and traded shots. Hiromu landed a head scissors and faked a dive to the outside. Ospreay returned the favor and faked his own dive. He went for the Ospreay Special, but Hiromu caught him and landed a German suplex on the floor.

    Ospreay charged at Hiromu, but was flung back first into the guardrail. Back in the ring, Hiromu landed a dropkick to the back of the head. Ospreay hopped on the guardrail and landed a forearm. Ospreay did a corkscrew off the top rope after countering Hiromu’s overhead throw in the corner.

    Hiromu countered OsCutter into a German suplex. He then hit the sunset bomb to the outside. Hiromu hit a senton on the outside. In the ring, he connected with Dynamite Plunger for a near fall. He went for Time Bomb, but Ospreay countered and hit a lariat.

    The two were perched on the top turnbuckle and Ospreay planted Hiromu’s head on the top of the corner. Ospreay went for the OsCutter, but Hiromu countered with a neckbreaker. They traded forearms and Ospreay unloaded. Hiromu responded with chops.

    Ospreay landed Cheeky Nandos and an avalanche reverse hurricanrana. Hiromu kicked out at one, but hit the canvas from a wheel kick. Ospreay went for a Time Bomb, but was reversed into an incredible looking Canadian Destroyer for a near fall. Another OsCutter was reversed into a German suplex, but Hiromu ran into the C-4.

    Ospreay landed a 450 splash and a reverse DDT for a two-count. The champion finally hit the OsCutter to retain his gold.

    Winner And STILL IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion: Will Ospreay

    NEVER Openweight Title Match: Hiroki Goto (C) vs. EVIL

    EVIL kicked Goto in the midsection and applied a headlock. Goto countered with one of his own. He landed an elbow on the top of EVIL’s head. Goto then fired off chops in the corner. The momentum was halted when he was hit with a lariat.

    With a chair around Goto’s neck, EVIL rammed his opponent into the ring post. The challenger hit a sidewalk slam for a two-count. He hit a chop and senton combo for another near fall. Goto was able to connect with a lariat.

    Goto hit a Saito suplex on his opponent. EVIL’s signature use of the ref came into play, as Red Shoes caught a leg of Goto and the challenger kicked the champion. EVIL grabbed three stacks and stacked them. He went for Darkness Falls, but Goto countered with a suplex onto the chairs.

    Goto and Evil were perched on the top rope. The challenger raked Goto’s eyes and shoved him into Red Shoes.  He then used Goto’s entrance accessory to choke him. EVIL ran into Ushigoroshi. Goto wanted the GTR, but EVIL countered into the fisherman buster suplex.

    The two exchanged stiff lariats. Finally, Goto brought EVIL down. He went for another one, but EVIL hit one of his own. He connected with Darkness Falls for a near fall. The challenger hit a German suplex and another lariat for a two-count.

    Goto hit what looked to be a front GTR with EVIL’s feet on the top rope. Goto reversed Everything is EVIL with the GTR for the pin.

    Winner And STILL NEVER Openweight Champion: Hiroki Goto

    IWGP Heavyweight Title Match: Kazuchika Okada (C) vs. SANADA

    They rolled on the mat early and SANADA went for the arm. Okada got the upper hand and went for a pin. SANADA kicked out and the two were back to standing.

    Okada landed a shoulder block, followed by a hip toss. SANADA went for a springboard, but Okada delivered a forearm. With both men on the apron, Okada was shoved into the ring post. SANADA drove Okada’s face into the guardrail.

    The challenger took the champion to the ramp and landed a piledriver. When Okada got back in the ring, SANADA targeted the neck. He then connected with an elbow followed by a standing moonsault. SANADA landed another piledriver.

    SANADA ran into a flapjack. The champion did a kip up and went on the attack. He landed a DDT for a two-count. SANADA went for his trademark springboard dropkick, but Okada countered with one of his down. The champion used the guardrail to elevate SANADA and then dumped him down with the DDT.

    Okada slapped the challenger with his boot. SANADA landed some forearms, but they were no match for Okada’s shot. The champion landed the neckbreaker. SANADA took Okada to the outside and hit a slingshot splash. The challenger leaped over the top rope to crash into Okada again.

    SANADA landed on his feet off a German suplex attempt. The challenger went for Skull End, but was countered into a pin attempt. Okada was able to avoid another Skull End but reaching the ropes before his opponent could fully lock it in. They exchanged forearms again, but this time SANADA had the upperhand.

    Okada’s Rainmaker was reversed into the TKO for a near fall. The two reversed submission attempts. SANADA did a springboard into Skull End. The challenger got both hooks in numerous times as the champion fought to break free. Okada eventually reached the ropes.

    A tiger suplex couldn’t keep Okada’s shoulders pinned. SANADA tried Skull End from the top turnbuckle. He settled for slamming Okada down by crashing his neck into the knee. SANADA reversed the Rain Maker into his own. Okada locked in Skull End and then his signature dropkick.

    Okada hit the Tombstone. He went for the Rain Maker again but SANADA reversed and found another way to lock in Skull End. SANADA hit the moonsault, but Okada barely kicked out. The challenger went for it again, this time Okada got the knees up and hit a half Rain Maker.

    A German suplex was there for the champion. He went for Rain Maker, but SANADA countered. Okada caught the challenger going for another Skull End and hit the jumping tombstone. The champion hit the Rain Maker and that was all.

    Winner And STILL IWGP Heavyweight Champion: Kazuchika Okada

    After the match, Okada mentioned beating all Los Ingobernables de Japon heavyweights. He also said he wanted to compete in the New Japan Cup despite being the heavyweight champion. Okada then said he’d like to face his fellow CHAOS member Will Ospreay on March 6 at the next anniversary show.

  • NJPW New Beginning in Osaka Lineup

    NJPW New Beginning in Osaka Lineup

    New Japan Pro Wrestling presents a big show February 10th, 2018, from Edion Arena in Osaka, Japan.

    The event is built around the CHAOS versus Los InGobernables rivalry. The final 5 matches on the show will all feature single’s matches featuring wrestlers from each faction against each other. 3 CHAOS single’s champions will defend their titles against members of LIJ.

    The press conference for the event (w/ English subtitles) is below:

    New Beginning in Osaka Lineup

    1. Yuji Nagata vs. Katsuya Kitamura (Kitamura’s 7-match trial series)
    2. Roppongi 3K (Sho and Yoh) vs. El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru (Suzuki-Gun)
      • I would imagine if Suzuki-Gun wins, they would earn a shot against Roppongi 3K for the Jr. Heavyweight titles.
    3. David Finlay, Juice Robinson, & Tenare vs. Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii, & Jay White (CHAOS)
      • Earlier this week, White attacked Finlay after defeating him in a single’s match. Kelly has been playing up their history training together on commentary.
      • If someone pins Jay White (or even someone else on CHAOS) they might be in a spot to challenge White for the IWGP US title.
    4. Ryusuke Taguchi, Michael Elgin, Kushida, & Togi Makabe vs. Taka Michinoku, Taichi, Takashi Iizuka, & Minoru Suzuki
      • Suzuki turned down Makabe’s challenge for an IWGP Intercontinental championship earlier this week.
    5. Gedo (CHAOS) vs. Bushi (LIJ)
      • Gedo stole Bushi’s mask earlier this week
    6. Yoshi-Hashi (CHAOS) vs. Tetsuya Naito (LIJ)
    7. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship
      Will Ospreay (CHAOS) (c) vs. Hiromu Takahashi
    8. NEVER Openweight Championship
      Hirooki Goto (CHAOS) (c) vs. EVIL (LIJ)
    9. IWGP Heavyweight Championship
      Kazuchika Okada (CHAOS) (c) vs. SANADA (LIJ)
  • Update On Chris Jericho Working With New Japan

    Update On Chris Jericho Working With New Japan

    Following up on Chris Jericho working with New Japan Pro Wrestling, it appears his rumored match against Tetsuya Naito will not be taking place as soon as expected.

    Jericho put on a 5-star classic against Kenny Omega back on January 4th at Wrestle Kingdom 12. The following night, the “Alpha” made a surprise appearance at New Year’s Dash and attacked Tetsuya Naito – presumably planting the seeds for an eventual showdown.

    The match has been rumored for NJPW’s upcoming Strong Style Evolved show from Long Beach, California on March 25th. Dave Meltzer noted on today’s Wrestling Observer Radio that Jericho vs. Naito at Strong Style Evolved was the original plan, but that show has already sold out without the match being announced.

    With Strong Style Evolved sold out (and featuring a high-profile Cody Rhodes vs. Kenny Omega main event), there’s a good chance that NJPW will hold off on Jericho vs. Naito until a later date. Even though Jericho is available to work Strong Style Evolved, the company is probably better suited using Jericho’s drawing power to sell out another show.

    Meltzer speculated that the match could take place at Dominion in June, as Jericho’s touring schedule with Fozzy would allow for it.

    Back in November, Jericho appeared on Busted Open Radio and commented on the success of New Japan and how important it is for WWE to have competition keeping them motivated.

    “The good thing about New Japan and even Ring Of Honor to an extent is showing that WWE is not the only place in town, and I think the first people that would be happy about that are the guys that are running the WWE because it just makes for a better business, for a healthier business. And not just for the boys but for the fans. It pushes everybody to think more and to be more clever and creative and to work harder.”

    Earlier this week, New Japan announced that Strong Style Evolved will air LIVE on AXS TV with Jim Ross and Josh Barnett on commentary.

  • NJPW Main Events For Australian Tour Announced

    NJPW Main Events For Australian Tour Announced

    New Japan Pro-Wrestling will head to Australia for a 4-night tour next week. While the full lineups for the shows have yet to be released, the promotion has announced two of the main events so far.

    New Japan Fallout Down Under Tour

    Friday, February 16th
    Titanium Arena
    Adelaide

    • Main Event: Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii vs. the Young Bucks

    Saturday, February 17th, 2018
    Festival Hall
    Melbourne

    • Main Event: Kazuchika Okada, Rocky Romero, & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Kenny Omega, Tanga Loa, Tama Tonga

    The main event matches in Sydney and Perth will be announced in the coming days.

    The reports from the show in Melbourne should be interesting as Kenny Omega is teaming with Bullet Club members, the Guerillas of Destiny, that night. It’s not clear at the moment just how well Omega, the Elite, and the Tongan/OG faction of Bullet Club are getting along these days.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFyVBQavd7Q&t=6s

  • The Young Bucks Tease Leaving New Japan?

    The Young Bucks Tease Leaving New Japan?

    Matt Jackson of the Young Bucks tweeted an interesting reply to a fan earlier today. When asked if the Bucks’ would be taking part in next year’s Wrestle Kingdom show Jackson simply replied “our contracts will be up by then, so we’ll see.”

    Whilst the Bucks are extremely business savvy individuals and this could be an attempt to once again ‘troll’ the wrestling world it is interesting to note following the departures to NXT of Ricochet & War Machine…

    The Bucks have said on many occasions that they do not intend on leaving the independent scene and making the jump over to the WWE. It is important to remember that the legal issues surrounding the use of the ‘Too Sweet’ hand gesture and ‘crotch chop’ may have soured any sort of relationship between the two parties; the WWE sent a cease and desist letter to the Bucks which could easily have had a detrimental effect on the merchandise sales for the New Japan stars.

    You may also remember back in January when the WWE UK Facebook page seemingly jumped the gun and referred to the reformed Balor, Gallows and Anderson trio as ‘The Bullet Club.’

    Opinion: Whilst the three men where in fact part of the original Bullet Club and it was a simple mistake by a member of WWE’s social media team the fact remains that ‘Bullet Club’ is not a trademark WWE owns and they have superstars on WWE television openly referring to the gimmick…which was lifted from the Kliq…all very confusing legally.

    https://twitter.com/MattJackson13/status/960953139686907904

  • NJPW Road to The New Beginning in Osaka (Feb. 6) Results: IWGP Tag Team Title Match

    NJPW Road to The New Beginning in Osaka (Feb. 6) Results: IWGP Tag Team Title Match

    New Japan Pro Wrestling is set for another Road to The New Beginning in Osaka show.

    Today (Feb. 6), SANADA and EVIL will put their IWGP Tag Team titles on the line against IWGP Heavyweight champion Kazuchika Okada and NEVER Openweight title holder Hiroki Goto. Also featured on the card will be a six-man tag team match as Gedo, Will Ospreay and Yoshi-Hashi take on Bushi, Hiromu Takahashi, and Tetsuya Naito.

    The action begins at 4:30 a.m. ET. Be sure to keep refreshing the page to see updated results below:

    Six-Man Tag Match: KUSHIDA, Tiger Mask, & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Ren Narita, Tetsuhiro Yagi, & Syota Umino

    Liger and Umino got things started. Umino ate a Shotei. Liger had a leg lock, but Narita and Yagi broke it up. Tiger Mask and Yagi were then the legal men.

    Yagi ate some kicks before finding himself in a submission hold. He was able to reach the bottom rope. Yagi hit a dropkick and tagged in Narita. KUSHIDA was tagged in and went to town with kicks.

    Narita applied the Boston Crab. KUSHIDA powered his way out. He nailed Narita with a DDT followed by the Hoverboard Lock. He transitioned to an armbar to force the tap.

    Winners: KUSHIDA, Jushin Thunder Liger, & Tiger Mask

    Tag Team Match: Tomoyuki Oka & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. HIKULEO & Yujiro Takahashi

    Oka and Tenzan double teamed HIKULEO early. He fired off some forearms, but ran into an Oklahoma slam into the corner, then down to the canvas. HIKULEO peppered Oka with his own forearms.

    Yujiro was now the legal man. He landed a big boot in the corner before tagging in HIKULEO. Oka slammed the big man down with a spinebuster and tagged in Tenzan. HIKULEO was on the receiving end of Mongolian chops.

    Oka was back to being the legal man. He landed a judo throw, but ran into a lifting reverse STO from HiKULEO. Yujiro capitalize with a DDT for the three-count.

    Winners: HIKULEO & Yujiro Takahashi

    Singles Match: Manabu Nakanishi vs. Katsuya Kitamura

    They tied up and the two soon engaged in a test of strength with shoulder blocks. Kitamura was the one to bring Nakanishi down. A chop exchange followed and Nakanishi ended it with a leg sweep. On the outside, Nakanishi threw his opponent to the guardrail.

    Kitamura won out in a test of strength with a suplex. He brought his opponent down again with a shoulder blocked, followed by a powerslam. Nakanishi was hit with a spear for a near fall. He avoided the Jackhammer and landed his signature lariat. After a two-count.

    Nakanishi went for a torture rack, but was blocked. Kitamura charged in, but was hit with a double ax handle. Nakanishi then applied the torture rack for the submission win.

    Winner: Manabu Nakanishi

    Six-Man Tag Match: Roppongi 3K (Sho, Yoh, & Rocky Romero) vs. TAKA Michinoku, El Desperado, & Yoshinobu Kanemaru

    Before the bell rang TAKA, El Desperado, and Kanemaru went on the attack. Sho and Yoh quickly fought back and double teamed El Desperado. Yoh and El Desprado became the legal men. Yoh was dragged out of the ring by Kanemaru and thrown to the guardrail.

    Yoh was thrown into chairs in the crowd. El Desperado worked on the injured back of Sho. He set up a table in the corner while they were in the crowd and rammed Sho’s back into it. Yoh was going to be counted out, but Rocky threw him back in the ring.

    Yoh’s left leg became a target for his opponents. TAKA was tagged in and kept attacking the leg. Kanemaru did the same thing once he was the legal man. Finally, Yoh hit a dragon whip and tagged in Sho.

    Sho was on a roll until he went for a German suplex on Kanemaru as his back gave out. He went for it again and hit it due to a surge of energy. He then went for a package piledriver, but Kanemaru hit a backdrop. Sho hit a spear and tagged in Rocky.

    He hit his signature clotheslines on El Desperado and TAKA. He went for a hurricanrana on TAKA, but was reversed into a crossface. Sho and Yoh made the save. Rocky pinned TAKA with a backslide.

    Winners: Roppongi 3K

    After the match, Roppongi 3K was attacked by El Desperado, Kanemaru, and TAKA.

    Six-Man Tag Match: Toa Henare, David Finlay, & Juice Robinson vs. Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii, & “Switchblade” Jay White

    Finlay and White got the match started. White tagged Yano without engaging. Finlay decided to tag in Juice. Yano immediately tried to tie Juice’s hair to the top rope. Juice landed his signature punches, but Yano ran from the finishing blow and tagged in Ishii.

    Henare tackled Ishii and made the tag. He peppered Ishii with forearms in the corner. He then mushed him with his boot. Too many of those just made Ishii angry. Ishii landed a series of chops and forearms.

    White was tagged in and he immediately hit Finlay off the apron. He later spat at him. White threw Henare into the exposed corner and tagged in Yano. Henare fought back and knocked Ishii down with a lariat.

    Finlay and White were the legal men. Finlay connected with a running European uppercut. He then hit it from the middle rope. White hit a Saito suplex. He went for another, but Finlay hit a ura-nage backbreaker.

    White hit the Blade Runner on Henare. Instead of going for the pin, he left him unconscious with the elbows that put Finlay out last night. The bell sounded to signal the end of the match.

    Winners: Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii, & “Switchblade” Jay White

    Six-Man Tag Match: Ryusuke Taguchi, Michael Elgin, & Togi Makabe vs. Taichi, Takashi Iizuka, & Minoru Suzuki

    Before the match, Makabe got on the mic and once again challenged Suzuki before attacking him. The bell rang and Suzuki looked pissed. Taguchi and Elgin took care of Taichi and Iizuka on the outside.

    Taguchi and Taichi were tagged in while Suzuki and Makabe brawled near the backstage area. Makabe choke Suzuki while demanding a title shot. They returned to the outside of the ring and Suzuki hit Makabe with a chair.

    Suzuki choked Makabe with a chair. Iizuka pelted Taguchi with a chair. Finally, the action was back in the ring with Taichi and Taguchi. Unsurprisingly, Taichi hit Taguchi with his hammer. Off went Taichi’s pants and he was nailed with a dropkick.

    Iizuka bit Taguchi’s Funky Weapon! Finally, Elgin was tagged in. He hit the slingshot splash. Taichi tried making something happen, but was on the receiving end of a German suplex. Elgin bit Iizuka’s foot. Iizuka pulled out his rope, but Elgin blocked it. The two exchanged bits on the head.

    Makabe and Suzuki were tagged in and exchanged forearms. Makabe hit his signature punches in the corner. He followed it up with a Northern Lights Suplex for a two-count.

    Taguchi tried hitting the enzuigiri, but Suzuki caught the leg and submitted him with the heel hook.

    Winners: Taichi, Takashi Iizuka, & Minoru Suzuki

    After the match, Suzuki held onto the hold. Iizuka hit Elgin with the iron glove. Suzuki nailed Makabe with the Gotch Piledriver. Suzuki then grabbed a mic and refused Makabe’s challenge.

    Six-Man Tag Match: Gedo, Will Ospreay, & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Bushi, Hiromu Takahashi, & Tetsuya Naito

    Gedo, Ospreay, and Yoshi-Hashi went right after their opponents. Yoshi-Hashi and Naito went at it in the ring. Ospreay threw Hiromu into the guardrail. Bushi attacked Yoshi-Hashi from behind, but hit the canvas.

    The action spilled to the outside. Hiromu chopped Ospreay’s chest, Bushi went after Gedo’s beard, and Naito stomped on Yoshi-Hashi. Bushi choked Yoshi-Hashi with his shirt inside the ring.

    Naito was back in and he stomped on Yoshi-Hashi. He even spat on him. Some blood formed on the lip of Naito. He landed his trademark dropkick to the head.

    Yoshi-Hashi kicked Hiromu and tagged in Ospreay. Naito and Hiromu tried double teaming Ospreay, but he landed a springboard backflip kick. Ospreay charged at Hiromu, but was flung to the corner.

    Ospreay leaped over the top rope on to Naito and Hiromu. This allowed Yoshi-Hashi to nail Bushi with Karma for the three-count.

    Winners: Gedo, Will Ospreay, & Yoshi-Hashi

    After the match, Gedo swiped Bushi’s mask yet again. Yoshi-Hashi attacked Naito, who continued to walk off as if nothing was happening.

    IWGP Tag Team Title Match: SANADA & EVIL (C) vs. Kazuchika Okada & Hirooki Goto

    Okada and SANADA got the match underway. SANADA tried tying Okada up in the Paradise lock, but couldn’t get it yet. Okada hit an arm drag and tagged in Goto. They hit an elbow and back splash combo then did the CHAOS pose.

    The action went to the outside. EVIL wrapped a chair around Goto’s neck and rammed him into the ring post. SANADA took care of Okada in the crowd. EVIL choked Goto with the bell hammer.

    EVIL charged at the corner, but Goto got his boot up. He delivered a lariat and made the tag to Okada. EVIL threw him to the ropes, but was knocked down with an elbow. EVIL did his signature kick where he throws his opponent’s leg to the referee.

    SANADA dumped Okada to the outside. He landed a slingshot over the top rope. He went for the TKO, but Okada countered into the cobra clutch. Okada countered the Skull End with his signature neckbreaker.

    Goto went for the GTR, but EVIL stopped him. Okada nailed EVIL with a dropkick. SANADA hit the TKO on Okada. Goto hit the GTR on SANADA, but didn’t get all of it.

    EVIL and SANADA looked for Magic Killer on Goto, but Okada stopped it. They simultaneously hit Ushigoroshi. SANADA sent Okada to the guardrail. EVIL couldn’t get Everything is EVIL.

    SANADA went for Skull End, but Okada reversed. He went for the Rain Maker, but SANADA countered into his own Rain Maker. EVIL and SANADA hit Magic Killer on Goto. EVIL then nailed Goto with Everything is EVIL for the three-count.

    Winners And STILL IWGP Tag Team Champions: EVIL & SANADA

    After the match, SANADA grabbed a mic and said he’s going to take the IWGP Heavyweight title in Osaka. EVIL closed out the show saying he’s stronger than Goto and did his signature catchphrase.

  • NJPW Road to The New Beginning in Osaka (Feb. 5) Results: CHAOS vs. LIJ

    NJPW Road to The New Beginning in Osaka (Feb. 5) Results: CHAOS vs. LIJ

    The first airing of the Road to The New Beginning in Osaka takes place today (Feb. 5) at 4:30 a.m. ET.

    In a bout that is being heavily showcased, IWGP United States champion Jay White will meet David Finlay in a non-title bout. Plus, a special elimination tag team match between members of CHAOS against the LIJ team will headline the event.

    Kazuchika Okada, Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, Minoru Suzuki, Will Ospreay, and many more are set to attend. Be sure to keep refreshing this page for live results as the card rolls along:

    Six-Man Tag Match: Ryusuke Taguchi, Jushin Thunder Liger, & Tiger Mask vs. Ren Narita, Tetsuhiro Yagi, & Syota Umino

    Liger and Narita started things off. Liger had a kimura, but Narita reached the ropes. Liger then worked the leg of the Young Lion.

    Yagi and Tiger Mask traded shots, but Mask’s kicks were a bit too much. He capitalized with a DDT. Mask followed that up with a knee drop.

    Umino was tagged in and knocked Taguchi down with a forearm. Liger broke up Umino’s Boston Crab. The match ended when Taguchi nailed the Dodon for the three-count.

    Winners: Ryusuke Taguchi, Jushin Thunder Liger, & Tiger Mask

    Tag Team Match: Tomoyuki Oka & Manabu Nakanishi vs. HIKULEO & Yujiro Takahashi

    Oka was double teamed early. HIKULEO sent him to the outside and threw him into the guardrail. He then sent his back crashing into the ring post.

    Eventually, Oka hit a judo throw and tagged in Nakanishi. HIKULEO kicked out of a splash. Nakanishi went for the torture rack, but Yujiro dropkicked his knee.

    Oka and Yujuro exchanged biting fingers in the ring. Yujiro hit the fisherman buster, but Oka kicked out. Oka couldn’t kick out of the DDT.

    Winners: HIKULEO & Yujiro Takahashi

    Singles Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Katsuya Kitamura

    Tenzan went for a running shoulder tackle, but Kitamura wouldn’t budge. He suckered Kitamura into trying to do a shoulder block and kicked him. Kitamura bounced back and nailed the shoulder block.

    The action spilled to the outside. Tenzan chopped Kitamura near the guardrail. He then threw his opponent into the ring post. Back in the ring, Tenzan hit a flapjack.

    Kitamura knocked Tenzan down to gain back some steam. He hit a powerslam for a two-count. He connected with the spear, but couldn’t get the win. Tenzan avoided the Jackhammer and landed a DDT.

    Kitamura barely kicked out of a spinning wheel kick. Tenzan hit a sitout side slam and locked in the Anaconda Vise to force the tap.

    Winner: Hiroyoshi Tenzan

    Six-Man Tag Match: Roppongi 3K (Sho & Yoh, Rocky Romero) vs. TAKA Michinoku, El Desperado, & Taichi

    Right away, Sho, Yoh, and Rocky were attacked by their opponents. Sho fought off El Desperado and TAKA in the ring and dropkicked Taichi. Sho went for a German Suplex, but Taichi grabbed referee Tiger Hattori and Sho’s back gave out.

    Back to the outside, Taichi nailed Sho with chair shots to the back. El Desperado made sure Yoh was neutralized, while TAKA worked on Rocky. Taichi hit Sho with his hammer.

    After a suplex, Sho was able to tag in Rocky, who made El Desperado do a split. He then landed his trademark clotheslines in the corner after hitting Taichi with a hurricanrana.

    Yoh was in the ring and after some minor success, he got triple teamed. With Hattori distracted, El Desperado tried hitting Yoh with one half of the IWGP Junior Tag Titles. The plan failed and TAKA was later hit with 3K and couldn’t kick out.

    Winners: Roppongi 3K

    Tag Team Match: Toa Henare & Juice Robinson vs. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii

    Juice and Yano got things started. Juice did an airplane spin on Yano, which ended as you’d expect. Henare was tagged in and went to knock Ishii off the apron. Ishii didn’t move an inch.

    On the outside, Ishii grabbed Yano’s chair and nailed Henare in the ribs with it. Yano removed the padding in the corner and threw Henare into the exposed turnbuckle. Finally, Henare got an edge with a shoulder block over Yano.

    Juice mocked Yano’s taunt and nailed him with his signature strikes. Yano was thrown into Ishii and Juice hit a spinebuster. He followed that up with a cannonball in the corner.

    Yano hit an atomic drop and tagged in Ishii. Juice landed a backdrop and tagged in Henare. Ishii locked in a Boston Crab, but Henare reached the ropes. Ishii kicked out of a top rope shoulder block.

    Henare was fired up and hit some hard strikes and even a lariat. The end came when Ishii hit his own lariat, followed by the Brainbuster for a three-count.

    Winners: Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii

    Six-Man Tag Match: KUSHIDA, Michael Elgin, & Togi Makabe vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Takashi Iizuka, & Minoru Suzuki

    As expected, Kanemaru, Iizuka, and Suzuki attacked their opponents before the bell rang. Makabe threw Suzuki into the guardrail. KUSHIDA and Kanemaru were the legal men to start.

    Kanemaru was able to reach the ropes after being trapped in an armbar. Elgin held Kanemaru’s arm, allowing KUSHIDA to dropkick it. Iizuka hit KUSHIDA with a chair and the action spilled to the outside.

    Suzuki choked Makabe with a chair in the crowd. He was then tagged in and locked up a heel hook on KUSHIDA. Suzuki used the rope to lock in an armbar on KUSHIDA.

    Finally, Elgin was tagged in. He charged in and nailed Iizuka with clotheslines in the corner. Kanemaru interrupted but was hit with a press slam for his efforts. Elgin hit the Falcon Arrow on Iizuka for a two-count.

    Makabe and Suzuki were tagged in. Suzuki landed a big boot in the corner. Makabe caught a kick and connected with forearms. He landed his signature punches in the corner and a Northern Lights Suplex for a near fall.

    The two exchanged forearms with Suzuki appearing to have the edge. He went for the sleeper, but turned it into the Gotch Piledriver position. Makabe reversed it.

    Makabe was triple teamed and Kanemaru hit Deep Impact. Elgin broke up the pin. Iizuka was going to use his iron glove to attack Makabe, but was cut off by KUSHIDA.

    Makabe absolutely wrecked Kanemaru with a lariat. He landed the knee drop from the top rope and that’s all she wrote.

    Winners: KUSHIDA, Michael Elgin, & Togi Makabe

    After the match, Makabe challenged Suzuki for the IWGP Intercontinental title. This made Suzuki angry and he pelted a Young Lion with a chair. He then shoved play-by-play announcer Kevin Kelly.

    Singles Match: “Switchblade” Jay White vs. David Finlay

    White tried the Blade Runner early, but nothing doing. Finlay went for the Stunner, but was shoved off. They exchanged strikes and White landed two chops. Finlay landed a clothesline and they both tumbled to the outside.

    Finlay threw White into the chairs in the crowd. White threw Finlay into the ring post and hit the Saito Suplex. White was dumped to the outside and Finlay hit a plancha.

    Another Saito Suplex was there for White. Finlay responded with the ura-nage backbreaker. Finlay ran into a complete shot to German suplex.

    White hit a suplex on the corner. He went for Blade Runner, but Finlay spat in his face. “Switchblade” was not happy and rammed his head into the corner. He did it again and then grabbed a chair.

    White shoved Red Shoes. He swung the chair at Finlay, but was hit with a spear for a near fall. Finlay decided not to hit White with the chair. He reversed the Blade Runner into a backbreaker. White reversed the Stunner into the Blade Runner for the pin.

    Winner: Jay White

    After the bout White pretended to help Finlay, but knocked him unconscious with a series of elbows.

    Special Elimination Tag Match: Gedo, Will Ospreay, Yoshi-Hashi, Hiroki Goto, & Kazuchika Okada vs. Bushi, Hiromu Takahashi, Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, & SANADA

    Ospreay and Hiromu got things started, They charged at each other and Ospreay landed a dropkick. Hiromu followed up with a forearm in the corner. Ospreay hit an enzuigiri. Chaos teamed up on Hiromu and did their pose.

    Hiromu tried sending Gedo over the top rope for an elimination, but Chaos members broke it up. SANADA and Okada took the action all the way up in the crowd. SANADA threw Okada into a wall.

    Ospreay went for his finisher, but was shoved over the top rope. Ospreay held on, but Hiromu sacrificed himself by hopping over the top rope for a powerbomb to the outside on Ospreay. Both men were eliminated.

    Elimination #1: Hiromu Takahashi

    Elimination #2: Will Ospreay

    Naito went for Destino on Yoshi-Hashi, but wound up on the apron. Yoshi-Hashi dropkicked Naito, but his feet were attached to the bottom rope to save him. Yoshi-Hashi dropkicked him again for the elimination.

    Elimination #3: Tetsuya Naito

    Gedo ripped off Bushi’s mask and was disqualified for the fourth elimination of the match. Yoshi-Hashi then sent Bushi over the top rope.

    Elimination #4: Gedo

    Elimination #5: Bushi

    Okada and SANADA ended up on the apron after being over the top rope. SANADA reversed a tombstone into Skull End. Okada reversed with a backdrop and SANADA hit the floor for an elimination. EVIL ran in and bumped Okada off the apron.

    Elimination #6: SANADA

    Elimination #7: Kazuchika Okada

    EVIL sent Yoshi-Hashi into Red Shoes. With the referee down, Evil placed a chair on Goto’s neck and whacked the chair with another chair. He then clotheslined Goto over the top rope.

    Elimination #8: Hiroki Goto

    Evil caught a clothesline attempt and hit Everything is EVIL on Yoshi-Hashi for the three-count and the final elimination

    Final Elimination: Yoshi-Hashi

    Winners: Bushi, Hiromu Takahashi, Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, & SANADA

  • New Japan’s January Shows See Most Successful Live Attendance In Years

    New Japan’s January Shows See Most Successful Live Attendance In Years

    New Japan Pro Wrestling have a lot to celebrate right now. The company have just finished their ‘New Beginning’ tour and following the highly successful Wrestle Kingdom show on January 4th their live attendance figures have been released and they are staggering.

    Japanese wrestling correspondant @EvanDeadlySinsW released the following chart showing the gradual build of live attendance since May 2015 up to January 2018. The spikes in July/August from 2015 to 2017 can be attributed to New Japan’s G1 Climax tournament which runs over several weeks, however the truly impressive stats are seen when you compare January 2016 and 2017 to this year’s huge number.

    Check out the chart below:

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi Off New Beginning Tour, NJPW Applies For Three New Trademarks

    Hiroshi Tanahashi Off New Beginning Tour, NJPW Applies For Three New Trademarks

    – Following his great match against Minoru Suzuki at night one of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s (NJPW) New Beginning, Hiroshi Tanahashi has been removed from the remainder of the tour due to acute osteoarthritis in his right knee. Suzuki defeated Tanahashi for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship via referee stoppage:

    – Speaking of NJPW, PWInsider is reporting that the company has filed for three new trademarks; U.S.: Strong Style, King of Sports, and Strong Style Evolved. All three of the trademarks were filed for the use of clothing, however, Strong Style Evolved was also filed for categories such as the following:

    “Educational and instruction services relating to arts, crafts, sports or general knowledge; arranging, conducting and organization of seminars; arranging, conducting and organization of conferences, lecture meeting, workshops, symposiums; production of radio or television programs; Production of videotape film in the field of education, culture, entertainment or sports (not for movies or television programs and not for advertising or publicity); organization, arranging and conducting of sports competitions; organization, arranging and conducting of martial arts; booking of seats for show; presentation of live show performances; presentation of magic performances; direction or presentation of plays; presentation of musical performances”

  • NJPW Strong Style Evolved Tickets Sell Out in Minutes

    Tickets went on sale today for New Japan Pro Wrestling’s return to the United States. NJPW presents “Strong Style Evolved” on March 25th, from the Long Beach, Walter Pyramid.

    After a major angle took place recently on the New Beginning in Sapporo shows, tickets sold out fast today with some reports from people being unable to order tickets just 10 minutes after they went on sale.

    Cost of tickets ranged from $50 to $100.

    NJPW Returns to Long Beach

    It is believed 4500 tickets were put up for sale today, though that is not confirmed.

    The fast rate at which the show sold out is a good sign for the planned All-In event in the fall. Cody, the Young Bucks, and others involved in “Being the Elite” are planning to run a 10,000 seat arena in the fall.

  • Kenny Omega Makes First Statements Since New Beginning

    Kenny Omega Makes First Statements Since New Beginning

    On the final night of the 2-day New Beginning in Sapporo event, Cody attacked Kenny Omega to kickstart a rivalry which has been building for months.

    Cody gave Omega the Cross Rhodes and was instructing Marty Scurll and Hangman Page to join in the assault when Kota Ibushi made the save. Omega had previously saved Ibushi from a 3-on-1 attack from Cody, Scurll, and Page at New Year’s Dash.

    Omega recently released a statement to Tokyo Sports which has since been transcribed by Chris Charlton.

    Kenny Omega Statements

    “When he came to help me I had a flashback to our time as Golden Lovers. Ibushi’s always been hard to figure out, but I kind of understood something. The real Kenny is always at Kota’s side.

    I said I wanted to face him (in the G1 Final) but the truth is what I wanted was to stand in the ring with him.

    (I didn’t go to WWE) because I was waiting for him. If we aren’t together, there’s no point. I want us to change the world together. I took belts with Bullet Club, did a lot, but that was all the job. Golden Lovers transcends wrestling. This is real life. As long as there was a chance for this to happen, I wasn’t going to say goodbye to NJPW.

    I don’t know if he wants what I want, but if he does we can do something amazing together.”

  • Kenny Omega Reacts To Being Attacked By Cody Rhodes

    Kenny Omega Reacts To Being Attacked By Cody Rhodes

    Earlier today at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s (NJPW) New Beginning Jay White defeated Kenny Omega to become the new IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion. Following the match Adam Page challenged White by taking the title from him, before Omega took it back and handed it to White again. Cody Rhodes then hit the ring, along with more Bullet Club members, and began to argue with “The Cleaner.”

    Cody said Omega wasn’t being a leader before hitting Omega with the Cross Rhodes. Page held Omega while Cody got a chair to hit him with. Koto Ibushi then came out for the save and chased everyone off. Ibushi and Omega hugged before heading to the back. Check it out here:

    Shortly after everything transpired, Omega took to Twitter to react to everything and teased ‘a new beginning’:

  • NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo Night Two Results: A Shocking Ending, Two Title Matches

    NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo Night Two Results: A Shocking Ending, Two Title Matches

    Night two of NJPW’s The New Beginning in Sapporo event goes down today (Jan. 28) at 1 a.m. ET.

    In the main event, IWGP United States champion Kenny Omega defends his gold against Jay White. Plus, IWGP Junior Heavyweight tag team champions The Young Bucks put their titles on the line against Roppongi 3K.

    Also featured on the card will be Kazuchika Okada, Tetsuya Naito, Cody, Kota Ibushi, and many more.

     

    Peep the live results below:

    Singles Match: Juice Robinson vs. Katsuya Kitamura

    Juice got a headlock in early. Kitamura was able to muscle his way out of the hold. Juice’s shoulder block attempts went nowhere. He chopped the big man and stomped him in the corner.

    Kitamura connected with a powerslam. He went for a spear, but was thrown to the corner padding. Juice nailed a cannonball in the corner followed by a snap suplex for a two-count.

    Juice bounced off the ropes and Kitamura nailed him with a one-armed spinebuster. He hammered away with forearms. Kitamura laced into his opponent with chops. Juice leaped over Kitamura’s spear attempt and hit the spinebuster for a near fall.

    Kitamura hit the spear for a two-count. He looked for the Jackhammer, but Juice hit him with a knee to the head. He cracked him with his signature punch and lariat. Kitamura kicked out, but fell to Pulp Friction.

    Winner: Juice Robinson

    Eight-man Tag Match: Syota Umino, Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask, & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Taka Michinoku, El Desperado, Taichi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru

    Taguchi was suckered in early it seemed by Taichi’s girlfriend. El Desperado stepped on Taguchi’s chin with the ref’s back turned. Taguchi nailed Taichi with a hip attack and tagged in Liger.

    Liger nailed the Shotei on Suzuki-Gun members. Tachi threw Liger into the ring post and choked him with his mic stand. El Desperado and Taka tried unmasking Tiger Mask on the outside.

    Liger nailed El Desperado with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and tagged in Tiger Mask. El Desperado was hit by the Tiger Driver, but Taka broke up the pin and went to unmask his opposition.

    There was a hilarious moment where Taka was knocked off the apron and he yelled “sh*t!” Umino was tagged in and he nailed Taichi with forearms. He followed that up with a missile dropkick assisted by his entire team.

    Taichi ripped off his pants before nailing Umino with a lariat. He kicked his opponent in the head, but his pin was broken up. Taichi landed one more kick for the three-count.

    Winners: Taka Michinoku, El Desperado, Taichi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru

    After the match, Suzuki-Gun ripped off the mask of Tiger Mask. Taichi’s girlfriend then stomped on Taguchi’s crotch. Another hilarious moment occurred when Taguchi crawled to Taichi’s girlfriend and tripped her. He then told Kevin Kelly that Suzuki-Gun “broke my ass.”

    Tag Match: Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Leo Tonga

    Yano and Tonga got things started. Yano sent Tonga to the outside, but got rammed into the barricade. Yujiro struck Ishii with his walking stick. He was tagged in and went to town on Yano.

    Yano hit the inverted atmoic drop and tagged in Ishii. Yujiro was countering Ishii at first, but was hit with a German suplex. Tonga went in and was suplexed for his efforts. Yujiro tried engaging in a slap battle with Ishii, who chopped him in the corner.

    Yujiro did his signature biting the finger, but Ishii responded by biting his opponent’s finger as well. With Yano and Tonga in as the legal men, Yano ripped off the padding in the corner. He ended up eating a big boot. Tonga clotheslined Ishii.

    Tonga hit Yujiro with a big boot by accident in a failed double team attempt. Yano lowblowed Tonga with the ref distracted and rolled him up for the win.

    Winners: Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano

    Eight-Man Tag Match: Tomoyuki Oka, Manabu Nakanishi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, & Togi Makabe vs. Chase Owens, Tanga Loa, Tama Tonga, & Bad Luck Fale

    Tama Tonga and Tenzan got the action started. Tonga lured Tenzan into a shoulder block battle with a dropkick. Tonga mocked Tenzan with Mongolian chops, but he paid the price going for a headbutt. Tenzan then showed Tonga how it’s done with the real Mongolian chops.

    The action spilled into the crowd and the Bullet Club had a clear edge. Inside the ring, Loa nailed Nakanishi with a scoop slam. Bullet Club had their way with Nakanishi in the corner.

    Nakanishi lifted Fale over his shoulder and was able to tag in Makabe. The former IWGP heavyweight champion took out the Bullet Club members on the apron briefly. He did his signature punches in the corner on Fale, but was ganged up on. Makabe ran into a Samoan drop.

    Oka was tagged in and nailed Owens with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. He then hit a gutwrench suplex, but Tonga made the save. Oka went for a Boston Crab, but Owens reversed into an inside cradle.

    Owens eventually hit the package piledriver for the three-count.

    Winners: Chase Owens, Tanga Loa, Tama Tonga, & Bad Luck Fale

    Tag Match: Toa Henare & Michael Elgin vs. Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka

    Of course, Suzuki and Iizuka attacked their opponents before the bell rang. Suzuki threw Henare over the guardrail. Henare hit a flying forearm on Suzuki. He was trapped in Suzuki’s armbar over the top rope.

    On the outside, Iizuka attacked Elgin with a chair and choked him with it. Henare was able to get back in the ring at the count of 11. Suzuki threw him right back to the outside and members of Suzuki-Gun stomped on Henare. Iizuka was now the legal man.

    Henare had his fingers bitten by Iizuka. He finally hit a shoulder tackle and tagged in Elgin. He clotheslined Iizuka in the corner and nailed a German suplex. Elgin was on the wrong end of an inverted atomic drop and Suzuki was in.

    He ran into a powerslam. Elgin and Henare double teamed Suzuki. Henare conencted with a Samoan drop for a two-count. The fact that it was a near fall made Suzuki angry. He locked in the sleeper hold into some slaps. He forced the tap with the heel hook.

    Winners: Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka

    After the match, Elgin and Iizuka brawled in the crowd. Back in the ring, the rest of the Suzuki-Gun members stomped on Henare. Togi Makabe had seen enough and cleaned house with his chain. Suzuki left the ring and held up his IWGP Intercontinental title on the ramp. Makabe stuck up the middle fingers.

    Six-Man Tag Match: Kushida, David Finlay, & Kota Ibushi vs. Marty Scurll, Hangman Page, & Cody

    Cody made sure that Kevin Kelly knew the winners get paid more than the losers. Some nice technical work on display by Kushida against Scurll. “The Villain” had issues escaping Kushida’s grasp on his arm. He raked the eyes of his opponent, but his taunting cost him.

    Finlay was in the ring and he worked on the arm of Scurll. Cody attacked Finlay from behind. Finlay shoved Scurll into Cody. With Finlay on the outside, Hangman Page landed his shooting star press off the apron.

    Cody taunted Ibushi and paid for it when Finlay reversed his submission. Ibushi and Cody were the legal men. They engaged in a striking battle. Ibushi had his kick caught and received a dragon screw.

    Cody teased doing Cross Rhodes on Ibushi off the apron as he did at Wrestle Kingdom 12, but Kushida made the save. Ibushi stomped on Page’s back and nailed Scurll with a moonsault.

    Cody nailed Cross Rhodes on Kushida and Page followed it up with Rite of Passage for the three-count.

    Winners: Marty Scurll, Hangman Page, & Cody

    10-Man Tag Match: Gedo, Will Ospreay, Yoshi-Hashi, Hiroki Goto, & Kazuchika Okada vs. Bushi, Hiromu Takahashi, Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, & Sanada

    Chaos wasted little time going after Los Ingobernables de Japon. Yoshi-Hashi ripped Naito’s shirt and stepped on it. He hammered away on Naito in the corner. The teamwork of LIJ finally slowed down Yoshi-Hashi.

    The rest of LIJ brawled with Chaos in the crowd, while Naito choked Yoshi-Hashi with his shirt.  Hiromu missed a dropkick and Yoshi-Hashi capitalized with a back kick. This allowed him to tag in Ospreay. He landed a standing shooting star press on Hiromu for a near fall.

    Hiromu countered Ospreay’s handspring into a German suplex. Goto and Evil were now in the ring. Evil went for a fisherman buster, but he was countered. Okada was tagged in and landed a back elbow.

    Sanada was now in against Okada. The champion hit him with a DDT. The two exchanged forearms after Okada taunted him with foot slaps to the back of the head. Sanada connected with a dropkick followed by a backdrop.

    Okada connected with a dropkick and tagged in Gedo. Naito interrupted Gedo’s pin attempt on Sanada. Eventually, Sanada locked in Skull End on Gedo to force the submission.

    Winners: Bushi, Hiromu Takahashi, Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, & Sanada

    After the match, Yoshi-Hashi charged in and attacked Naito. Chaos and Young Lions held him back. Naito continued to act like he didn’t have a care in the world and posed with his LIJ team.

    Sanada grabbed a mic to respond to Okada’s attack last night. Okada teased going into the ring, but was held back by Young Lions.

    IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Title Match: The Young Bucks (C) vs. Roppongi 3K

    Yoh and Matt Jackson got the title bout started. Matt looked for the sharpshooter early, but couldn’t lock it in. Sho and Nick were now legal. Matt hit a neckbreaker on Sho on top of Nick’s knee. Roppongi 3K double teamed Nick in the corner and sent him to the outside.

    Sho and Yoh went for dives, but ate superkicks instead. Nick ended up hitting the dive with Matt holding the top rope down. The Young Bucks chased Rocky Romero and went for a powerbomb on the ramp. Sho and Yoh made the save. Matt did a front flip on Sho and Yoh off the ramp.

    The Young Bucks powerbombed Yoh on the apron. Matt went for a powerbomb, but sold a back injury from the dive off the ramp. Nick and Matt did a double dropkick. Matt was sent flying to the outside and his back landed on the ring apron.

    Sho was tagged in and he nailed Nick with a forearm. Sho then landed a headscissors on Nick. Matt was tagged in and he ate a German suplex for his efforts. Sho landed a backstabber on Matt and Yoh charged in with a running kick.

    Sho and Yoh hit 3K on Nick on the outside. Yoh locked in the Boston crab on Matt, who was able to reach the ropes. Sho and Yoh hit a double superplex for a near fall. Yoh nailed Sho with a kick by accident. Nick took out the challengers with a crossbody.

    Nick landed a German suplex on Sho on the apron. He went to the top rope and went for a frog splash on Sho, but ate the knees. Nick landed two superkicks on Yoh and a knee to Sho.

    Matt held Yoh between the ropes and Nick landed a 450 splash for a near fall. Nick assisted Matt in getting Yoh up for a powerbomb in the corner. He got it and Nick was there for the kick.

    Matt locked in a sharpshooter, but his own back was giving out. Yoh got to the rope, but Nick hit the swanton. Matt was forced to let go of the hold due to his back pain.

    Matt went for the sharpshooter again, but Yoh got the inside cradle for the pinfall. We have new champions.

    Winners And NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions: Roppongi 3K

    IWGP United States Heavyweight Title Match: Kenny Omega (C) vs. Jay White

    They tied up and neither man could get an edge. Omega did his typical light slap before walking away slowly. White faked out Omega and hit his own slap. The champion nailed White with a big boot.

    White dropkicked Omega to the outside. The challenger landed a forearm off the apron. Omega went for his springboard off the guardrail, but White countered with the Saito suplex. White removed the padding on the floor.

    The challenger landed a scoop slam on the exposed floor. White chopped the champion, but took some as well. White was rammed into the corner going for a third straight suplex. Omega countered another suplex attempt. Omega landed his steamroller followed by the moonsault for a two-count.

    White landed a running uppercut in the corner and then connected with the Saito suplex. Omega landed a hurricanrana and executed his Terminator dive. Omega landed Aoi Shoudou, but failed to connect with the V-Trigger. White countered with a complete shot and a German suplex.

    Omega leaped and connected with the V-Trigger as White bounced off the ropes. He hit another knee that sent both men off the apron. Omega powerbombed the challenger on the chairs in the crowd. White barely beat the count.

    The champion hit the snap dragon. He went for another one and got it. White denied a third attempt, but Omega hit a wheel kick. He went for the One-Winged Angel, but White’s body went limp.

    Omega had White’s arms trapped on the ropes and nailed him with the V-Trigger. He landed the double underhook piledriver for a two-count. The champion blasted the challenger with two hard knees, but White laughed. On the third knee, White got the shoulder up.

    White countered the One-Winged Angel, but he barely had the energy to make it effective. White found a second win and his Saito suplexes had more power behind them. He landed a snap sleeper suplex. He then hit the Kiwi Crusher for a near fall.

    White went for the Blade Runner, but Omega fought out of it. Omega went for a strike but was countered by the Blade Runner. The champion barely got the shoulder up. Omega countered a second Blade Runner attempt with the reverse hurricanrana. One last V-Trigger led to a One-Winged Angel attempt, but Jay White reversed it into the Blade Runner for the three-count. A shocker in Sapporo!

    Winner And NEW IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion: Jay White

    After the bout, Hangman Page grabbed the United States title and looked to challenge Jay White. Omega grabbed the title and gave it to White. Cody ran down and got in Omega’s face over the situation.

    Omega shoved Matt Jackson down inadvertently and apologized. He appeared to talk things out with Hangman Page and Cody, but he was nailed with Cross Rhodes. Hangman Page held Omega and Cody grabbed a chair. Marty Scurll tried to stop it when Kota Ibushi ran down for the save.

    The show ended with Omega and Ibushi embracing. The Golden Lovers are finally back together at least for one night.

  • NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo Results: IWGP Intercontinental Title Match

    NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo Results: IWGP Intercontinental Title Match

    Night one of NJPW’s The New Beginning in Sapporo event goes down today (Jan. 27) at 4 a.m. ET.

    In the main event, Intercontinental champion Hiroshi Tanahashi defends his gold against Minoru Suzuki. Also on the card, Never Openweight tag champions Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and Bad Luck Fale defend their titles against Ryusuke Taguchi, Togi Makabe, and Toa Henare.

    Also featured on the card will be Kenny Omega, Kazuchika Okada, Tetsuya Naito, Cody, Young Bucks, and many more.

    Peep the live results below:

    Singles Match: Michael Elgin vs. Katsuya Kitamura

    The two canceled each other out in the strength department early on. Elgin hit his stalling vertical suplex. He cracked Kitamura with a forearm for a near fall.

    The two got into a battle of who can land the next suplex. This time Kitamura won that battle. He hit a gutwrench suplex for a two-count. Elgin landed a dropkick from the middle rope.

    Kitamura barely kicked out of a Falcon Arrow. Elgin went for the buckle bomb, but Kitamura reversed. Kitamura ducked a clothesline and nailed the spear. He went for the Jackhammer, but Elgin rammed him into the corner.

    Three hard lariats finally took Kitamura down. Elgin hit the buckle bomb, followed by the Elgin Bomb for the three-count.

    Winner: Michael Elgin

    10-man Tag Match: Kushida, Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger, Manabu Nakanishi & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Taka Michinoku, El Desperado, Taichi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Takashi Iizuka

    The members of Suzuki Gun immediately attack their opposition. El Desperado choked Liger against the corner. Liger landed a tilt-a-whirl on El Desperado, while Tiger Mask hit his Tiger Driver on Kanemaru.

    Taichi nailed Liger with his bell hammer.  Taichi landed an enzuigiri to Liger. Taichi did his signature routine of pulling off his own pants. Finally, Liger hit the shotei and tagged in Tenzan.

    Tenzan hit Mongolian chops on Iizuka, who later bit him in the head. Kushida was tagged in, but was outnumbered by Suzuki Gun. Nakaninishi had enough and nailed a an overhead powerslam on two members of the group.

    Kushida locked in the Hoverboard Lock on Taka Michinoku to force the tap.

    Winners: Kushida, Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger, Manabu Nakanishi, and Hiroyoshi Tenzan

    Tag Team Match: Tomohiro Ishii & Toro Yano vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens

    Takahashi tried slapping Ishii, but it failed miserably. Ishii sent Takahashi crashing to the mat and crawling to Owens for a tag. Owens asked for Yano and his wish was granted.

    Yano went for the padding in the corner, but was kicked by Takahashi. Yano was choked by Takahashi’s walking stick. Yano kicked out of a leg drop.

    Takahashi and Owens doubled teamed Ishii. Owens became the legal man at this point. He landed a knee to Ishii for a near fall. Owens went for the Packagage Piledriver, but couldn’t get it.

    Owens inadvertently cracked Takahashi with a kick. This allowed Ishii to hit the brainbuster for the win.

    Winners: Tomohiro Ishii & Toro Yano

    Never Openweight 6-Man Tag Title Match: Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & Bad Luck Fale (C) vs. Ryusuke Taguchi, Togi Makabe & Toa Henare

    Taguchi and Loa got things started. Taguchi’s hip attack had no effect on Loa. He dropkicked Loa low and landed multiple hip attacks with Loa on the bottom rope.

    Now Henare and Tonga were the legal men. Tonga blasted Henare with a dropkick and multiple legdrops. Fale threw Makabe into chairs in the crowd and choked him with a cable.

    Loa landed a Jackhammer on Henare, but Taguchi broke up the pin. Fale was now in and chopped the chest of Henare. Fale charged at Henare in the corner, but missed.

    Makabe was now tagged in. He nailed Fale with his signature punches in the corner. Fale ran into a hip attack from Taguchi. Makabe hit a lariat on Fale, but Loa broke up the pin.

    Henare got a near fall off a top rope shoulder block. Taguchi played coach and sent his teammates to attack Tonga in the cormer. Henare nailed the spear, but Fale broke up the pin.

    Henare barely kicked out of Tonga’s flapjack. He locked in a half nelson submission hold on the ground to force the tap.

    Winners And STILL Never Openweight 6-Man Tag Champions: Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & Bad Luck Fale

    6-Man Tag Match: David Finlay, Juice Robinson & Kota Ibushi vs. Marty Scurll, Hangman Page & Cody

    Finlay and Scurll got the match started. Finlay got a hold of the arm and Scurll couldn’t find a way to break it until hitting a back elbow. He bounced off the rope and ran into a dropkick.

    We now have Cody and Ibushi in the ring. Instead, Cody decided to tag in Page. Ibushi landed a kick to the body and a standing moonsault for a two-count.

    Juice was tagged in and landed some punches. He connected with a spinebuster. Scurll was now the legal man and he ate some punches. Cody distracted Juice and Scurll landed a superplex.

    Cody was tagged in and worked on the leg. Finally Ibushi and Cody were in the ring. They exchanged strikes. Ibushi went for a standing moonsault, but Cody got the knees up. Ibushi got the upperhand and landed a standing corkscrew.

    Cody accidentally nailed Scurll with the Disaster Kick. Juice then landed his axe kick on Ibushi by accident. The bevy of miscommunication continued with Finlay spearing Juice. Page landed Rite of Passage on Finlay for the win.

    Winners: Cody, Mary Scurll & Hangman Page

    Tag Team Match: Will Ospreay and Yoshi-Hashi vs. Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito

    Hiromu and Naito attacked their opponents before the bell rang. Naito hit Yoshi-Hashi with his own stick. Naito wanted Japanese commentator Milano to hit Yoshi-Hashi with the stick.

    Yoshi-Hashi threw Naito into the barricade. Back in the ring, Ospreay was tagged in. Hiromu dropkicked Ospreay in the knee. Naito stomped Yoshi-Hashi in the crowd.

    Naito and Yoshi-Hashi would later be back in the ring. Naito landed his signature dropkick with his opponent in a sitting position. He tagged in Hiromu, but Yoshi-Hashi gained the edge and tagged in Ospreay.

    A hard kick was there for Ospreay. He landed a modified 619. Hiromu landed a dropkick to the knee. Ospreay responded with a dropkick in the corner. Hiromu stopped the momentum with a pop up sitting powerbomb.

    Naito was tagged in, but ate a springboard forearm. Naito went for a top rope hurricanrana, but Ospreay landed on his feet and landed a German suplex.

    With the referee distracted, Naito landed a low blow on Ospreay and pinned the IWGP juniro heavyweight champion.

    Winners: Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito

    After the bout, Naito kept ignoring Yoshi-Hashi and was attacked for it. For the most part, Naito didn’t even bother responding to the attacks in the crowd. In fact, he went back in the ring and posed with Hiromu.

    6-Man Tag Match: Gedo, Hiroki Goto & Kazuchika Okada vs. Bushi, EVIL & Sanada

    Okada and Sanada got the match started. The two canceled each other out and soon we saw Gedo and Bushi in the ring. Goto, Okada, and Goto triple teamed Bushi and did their Chaos pose.

    Gedo tried unmasking Bushi, but Sanada grabbed a hold of his beard. The action spilled to the outside. Sanada trapped Gedo in the Paradise Lock and nailed him with a dropkick.

    Goto was in and he suplexed Bushi on top of EVIL. Goto landed a clothesline on Sanada and tagged in Okada. A DDT was there for the IWGP heavyweight champion.

    Sanada reversed the Rainmaker with a high angle back suplex. Bushi was tagged in and landed a missile dropkick followed by the Bushiroonie. Okada got triple teamed, but Goto broke up the pin attempt.

    Bushi went for the middle rope codebreaker, but was cut off. Okada and Goto teamed up on Bushi. Okada locked in a cobra clutch hold and forced the tap.

    Winners: Gedo, Hiroki Goto & Kazuchika Okada

    After the match, Okada called Sanada into the ring to get him to speak. Sanada got in the ring and threw the mic. Okada chased after Sanada and threw him to the ring post.

    Okada went under the ring and threw a bag inside. Okada nailed Sanada with a tombstone. He shoved Okada bucks in Sanada’s mouth and choked him out with the cobra clutch.

    6-Man Tag Match: Sho, Yoh & Jay White vs. Young Bucks & Kenny Omega

    Jay White wasted little time, taking out Young Bucks and attacking Omega from behind. A big boot was there for Omega. Sho and Yoh were in the ring with the Young Bucks.

    Yoh was triple teamed in the corner with kicks. Omega teased his Terminator dive, but White put a stop to that. Sho and Yoh took out the Bucks with sentons.

    Omega went for a knee, but Yoh pulled his leg. White reluctantly tagged in Sho. Omega was able to bulldog both men. He tagged in Nick Jackson, who dropkicked White and went to town on Sho and Yoh.

    Omega took out Sho, Yoh, and White with snap dragon suplexes. The Bucks and Omega nailed Sho with superkicks. White broke up a sharpshooter on Sho.

    V-Trigger found the mark on Sho. Omega went for a One-Winged Angel, but White interrupted. Bucks went for a Meltzer Driver assisted by Omega on Yoh. They nailed it for the three-count.

    Winners: Kenny Omega & Young Bucks

    After the bout, White nailed Omega with the Blade Runner.

    IWGP Intercontinental Title Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi (C) vs. Minoru Suzuki

    The two were in a feeling out process early in the match. Tanahashi targeted the arm and Suzuki returned the favor. Suzkui actually didn’t cheap shot the champion on a break.

    Suzuki locked in a leg lock. Tanahashi stood up to reverse it into his own submission. The champion stomped the challenger’s leg, but Suzuki laughed. Suzuki connected with a headbutt, followed by his signature armbar using the ropes.

    Suzuki threw the champion into the barricade. He grabbed a chair and attacked Tanahashi with it. The challenger landed some hard kicks to the body. Tanahashi got back in the ring and Suzuki continued his kicking spree.

    They got into a brief chop battle until Suzuki reversed a chop attempt into a Fujiwara armbar. Tanahashi egged Suzuki on to keep kicking him. The champion downed the challenger with a forearm.

    Tanahashi landed a senton off the top rope for a two-count. Suzuki threw his opponent into the corner and landed a big boot. Tanahashi caught a kick, but lost the dragon screw. They engaged in a striking battle that ended with Tanahashi getting the dragon screw.

    Tanahashi locked in the Texas Cloverhold. The challenger was able to get to the bottom rope. Suzuki delivered a dropkick right to the jaw of the champion. He applied the sleeper hold, but was pushed off.

    Tanahashi connected with the slingblade. He went for the crossbody and got it. The champion couldn’t follow up because of the way he landed on his knee.

    The champion struggled to climb the top rope. He went for High Fly Flow, but Suzuki got the knees up. He applied a heel hook. Tanahashi finally got to the bottom rope.

    Suzuki locked in the figure four. Tanahashi rolled over and found the ropes again. Suzuki landed his trademark clap combination. He locked in the sleeper hold and went for the Gotch Piledriver. Tanahashi swept the legs and locked in the Texas Cloverhold.

    Suzuki countered into an inside cradle for a two-count. Tanahashi hit slingblade for a near fall. Tanahashi was dropkicked in the knee. Suzuki once again applied the heel hook. The champion made it to the bottom rope.

    Suzuki shoved referee Red Shoes aside and kicked the champion in the leg numerous times. He went for the Gotch Piledriver again, but hit it this time. Instead of pinning Tanahashi, he locked in the heel hook again.

    The challenger readjusted and applied the heel hook yet again. Red Shoes had seen enough, we have a new IWGP intercontinental champion.

    Winner And NEW IWGP Intercontinental Champion: Minoru Suzuki

    After the match, Tanahashi was taken out on a stretcher. Suzuki talked about his title win to close out the show.

  • Hulk Hogan Almost Joined The Bullet Club

    Hulk Hogan Almost Joined The Bullet Club

    We reported earlier this month that WWE Hall Of Famer Hulk Hogan told The Associated Press that he is a fan of what The Bullet Club has been doing over in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). “The Hulkster” spoke to The AP to discuss RAW 25 and whether or not he’d be appearing. During the interview he said he’d love to jump on a plane and go over to Japan and ‘get involved with that Bullet Club.’:

    “I’m about ready to jump on a plane and fly to Japan and get involved with that Bullet Club, man. I’m so excited about those kids.”

    Matt Jackson of The Young Bucks, and Bullet Club member, told Sports Illustrated this past September that he’d love to have the opportunity to work with Hogan:

    “I’d love to welcome Hulk in. He’s honestly my favorite wrestler of all time, so working with him in any capacity would be fun.” His brother Nick added, “I’d love to have him walk us down the aisle at the Tokyo Dome while the three of us play air guitar. That would be a dream come true.”

    Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that negotiations actually took place to possibly have Hogan associated with The Bullet Club, however, Hogan was asking for too much money and members of the faction were hesitant to welcome him out of fear he’d jump right back to WWE the moment they showed any interest.

  • NJPW Lineups for New Beginning in Sapporo Shows

    NJPW Lineups for New Beginning in Sapporo Shows

    New Japan Pro Wrestling presents 2 shows this weekend.

    The New Beginning in Sapporo will be a 2-night event featuring 4 title matches. There will also be several multi-person tag matches to set up the New Beginning in Osaka on February 10th.

    New Beginning in Sapporo – Night 1 – January 27th

    1. Michael Elgin vs. Katsuya Kitamura
    2. Kushida, Tiger Mask, Jushin Liger, Kojima, & Tenzan vs. Taka, Desperado, Taichi, Kanemaru, and Iizuka (Suzuki-Gun)
    3. NEVER 6-Man Tag Team Championships
      Tanga Loa, Tama Tonga, Bad Luck Fale (Bullet Club) (c) vs. Taguchi, Henare, and Togi Makabe
    4. David Finlay, Juice Robinson, & Kota Ibushi vs. Marty Scurll, Hangman Page, & Cody (Bullet Club)
    5. Will Ospreay, YOSHI-Hashi (CHAOS) vs. Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito (LIJ)
    6. Gedo, Goto, & Kazuchika Okada (CHAOS) vs. Bushi, EVIL, & Sanada (LIJ)
    7. Sho, Yoh, and Jay White (CHAOS) vs. the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega (Bullet Club)
    8. IWGP Intercontinental Championship
      Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Minoru Suzuki (Suzuki Gun)

    New Beginning in Sapporo – Night 2 – January 28th

    1. Juice Robinson vs. Katsuya Kitamura
    2. Taguchi, Umino, Tiger Mask, and Jushin Liger vs. Taka, Desperado, Taichi, and Kanemaru (Suzuki-Gun)
    3. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii (CHAOS) vs. Leo Tonga and Yujiro Takahashi (Bullet Club)
    4. Henare, Kojima, Tenzan, & Togi Makabe vs. Chase Owens, Tanga Loa, Tama Tonga, and Bad Luck Fale (Bullet Club)
    5. Michael Elgin and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Takashi Iizuka and Minor Suzuki (Suzuki Gun)
    6. Kushida, David Finlay and Kota Ibushi vs. Marty Scurll, Hangman Page and Cody (Bullet Club)
    7. Gedo, Ospreay, Yoshi Hashi, Goto, and Kazuchika Okada (CHAOS) vs. Bushi, Takahashi, Naito, EVIL, and Sanada (LIJ)
    8. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championships
      the Young Bucks (Bullet Club) (c) vs. Roppongi 3K
    9. IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship
      Kenny Omega (Bullet Club) (c) vs. Jay White (CHAOS)
  • NJPW/CMLL Fantastica Mania Results (Jan. 22): Kawato’s Farewell Before Excursion

    NJPW/CMLL Fantastica Mania Results (Jan. 22): Kawato’s Farewell Before Excursion

    New Japan Pro Wrestling and CMLL are live today (Jan. 22) for the final Fantastica Mania event of 2018.

    The action takes place live inside Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. It begins at 4:30 a.m. ET. SEScoops has you covered with live results from today’s Fantastic Mania card. Big stars are set to appear such as Tetsuya Naito, Rush, Gran Guerrero, Volador Jr. and many more.

    Peep the live results below:

    Tag Team Match: Rysuke Taguchi & Fuego vs. Disturbio & Puma

    Fuego faked out Distrubio numerous times and landed a springboard arm drag. Disturbio and Puma doubled teamed Fuego. At some point, Taguchi landed a senton to the outside on Puma. The match ended with Fuego getting the la magistral pin on Disrubio.

    Winners: Ryusuke Taguchi & Fuego

    Eight-Man Tag Match: Kushida, Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger & Star Jr. vs. Sho, Yoh, Rocky Romero & Okumura

    Romero did his clothesline in the corner spot to Kushida. Eventually Sho, Yoh and Okumura were mad at Romero for hogging the spotlight. Okumura’s manager slapped Romero. She went for her own clothesline on Kushida but missed and was inadvertently hit by Romero and Okumura.

    Kushida nailed Okumura’s manager with a suplex. Okumura eventually got the pin on Star Jr.

    Winners: Sho, Yoh, Rocky Romero & Okumura

    Third Place Tournament Tag Match: Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja vs. Cuatrero & Sanson

    Cuatrero and Sanson went on the attack, focusing on Roja. They did a double dropkick, but de Oro broke up the pin. Roja and de Oro locked in submissions.

    Roja was placed on the top corner, he landed his face buster on Cuatrero. Sanson made the save, but then he was place on the top. He grabbed de Oro and landed a torture rack to spinout powerbomb for the win.

    Winners: Cuatrero & Sanson

    Tag Match: Hirai Kawato & Atlantis vs. Gedo & Barbaro Cavernario

    This is Kawato’s farewell match before going on an excursion. Gedo and Barbaro tried unmasking Atlantis, but Kawato made the save. The action spilled into the crowd.

    Gedo threw Kawato into a chair. Back in the ring, Barbaro landed his slingshot reverse splash. Kawato was fighting back, but Gedo cut him off.

    Finally, Kawato was able to make the tag. Atlantis hit Gedo with a forearm and Kawato nailed Barbero with a springboard dropkick. He then landed a beautiful over the top rope senton.

    Kawato landed a hurricanrana from the top rope.  Barbero submitted Kawato with La Cavernaria.

    Winners: Gedo & Barbaro Cavernario

    Six-Man Tag Match: Drone, Soberano Jr & Volador Jr vs. Bushi, Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito

    Los Ingobernables de Japon attacked their opponents before the bell. Volador Jr. landed a hurricanrana on Naito. Later on, Naito tried unmasking Soberano Jr.

    Hiromu and Bushi teamed up on Volador Jr. Soberano Jr. landed a spinning crossbody on Hiromu and Bushi. Hiromu and Soberano Jr. engaged in a chop battle.

    Another chop battle ensued. This time with Bushi and Drone. Volador Jr. landed a missile dropkick on Naito. They all dove on LIJ on the outside. Back in the ring, Bushi was able to pin Drone with the Bushi Roll.

    Winners: Bushi, Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito

    Singles Match: Rush vs. Satoshi Kojima

    The two brawled right away. They went back-and-forth with chops. Neither man could get the edge with shoulder blocks. Rush took Kojima down with a dropkick. Rush kept slamming his opponent’s head on the announce desk and then choked him with cable wires.

    Rush grabbed a chair and nailed Kojima right on the head. Rush even grabbed his shirt and choked Kojima with it. With Kojima seated in the corner, he gave him a kick slap.

    Rush copied Kojima’s chops, which of course never end well. Kojima ended up nailing his chops in the corner. Kojima planted Rush with a DDT on the outside.

    Rush ran right into a lariat inside the ring, but Kojima’s leg wouldn’t allow him to make the cover. He went for another, but Rush countered it into his Rush Driver for the win.

    After the match, Naito, Hiromu and Bushi joined Rush for an LIJ pose.

    Winner: Rush

    Tournament Tag Final Match: Dragon Lee & Mistico vs. Gran Guerrero & Ultimo Guerrero

    Ultimo looked to wear down Mistico with submission holds. Mistico got out of danger and arm dragged his opponent. Dragon Lee was tagged in and he was facing Gran.

    The numbers game was too much for Lee and Misitco met the same fate. They slammed him down from the top rope. Lee fought back and took out Ultimo. Mistico then landed a hurricanrana on Gran. Lee and Mistico dove on their opponents on the outside.

    Mistico went up through the crowd and leaped off to hit Ultimo with a hurricanrana. In the ring, Lee and Gran had a chop battle. Lee eventually just hit a German suplex.

    Mistico was nailed by Ultimo’s front suplex from the top for a near fall. Misitco went for a hurricanrana off the top rope, but received a powerbomb for his efforts.

    Lee and Gran were back in the ring. Gran hit a modified suplex for a two-count. He then connected with a standing side slam. Lee hit the C-4. They had a chop off once again.

    Ultimo nailed Mistico with a reverse DDT from the top for the win.

    Winners: Gran Guerrero & Ultimo Guerrero

    After the bout, the CMLL participants of the Fantasticamania tour came out to celebrate the end. Kawato said a few words before his excursion. Ultimo Guerrero then gave his thoughts on the tour. Everyone posed to end the show.