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Category: NJPW

  • NJPW G1 Climax 27 Updated Results and Standings

    NJPW G1 Climax 27 Updated Results and Standings

    Day 5 of New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s annual G1 tournament concluded early Sunday morning. Below we have updated results and standings for the tournament thus far.

    Night 1 (A-Block)

    • Yoshi-Hashi defeated Yuji Nagata
    • Bad Luck Fale defeated Togi Makabe
    • Hirooki Goto defeated Tomohiro Ishii
    • Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi
    • Tetsuya Naito defeated Kota Ibushi

    Night 2 (B-Block)

    • Juice Robinson defeated Satoshi Kojima
    • Tama Tonga defeated Michael Elgin
    • Sanada defeated Evil
    • Kazuchika Okada defeated Toru Yano
    • Kenny Omega defeated Minoru Suzuki

    Night 3 (A-Block)

    • Hirooki Goto (4pts) defeated Yuji Nagata (0pts)
    • Tomohiro Ishii (2pts) defeated Togi Makabe (0pts)
    • Kota Ibushi (2pts) defeated Zack Sabre Jr. (2pts)
    • Hiroshi Tanahashi (2pts) defeated Bad Luck Fale (2pts)
    • Tetsuya Naito (4pts) defeated Yoshi-Hashi (2pts)

    Night 4 (B Block)

    • Toru Yano (2pts) defeated Satoshi Kojima (0pts)
    • Evil (2pts) defeated Juice Robinson (2pts)
    • Minoru Suzuki (2pts) defeated Sanada (2pts)
    • Kenny Omega (4pts) defeated Tama Tonga (2pts)
    • Kazuchika Okada (4pts) defeated Michael Elgin (0pts)

    Night 5 (A Block)

    • Zack Sabre Jr (4pts) defeated Yoshi-Hashi (2pts)
    • Hiroshi Tanahashi (4pts) defeated Yuji Nagata (0pts)
    • Bad Luck Fale (4pts) defeated Tetsuya Naito (4pts)
    • Kota Ibushi (4pts) defeated Tomohiro Ishii (2pts)
    • Togi Makabe (2pts) defeated Hirooki Goto (4pts)

    Current Standings

    A Block

    • Hirooki Goto 4pts
    • Tetsuya Naito 4pts
    • Zack Sabre Jr. 4pts
    • Hiroshi Tanahashi 4pts
    • Bad Luck Fale 4pts
    • Tomohiro Ishii 2pts
    • Kota Ibushi 2pts
    • Yoshi-Hashi 2pts
    • Togi Makabe 2pts
    • Yuji Nagata 0pts

    B Block

    • Kazuchika Okada 4pts
    • Kenny Omega 4pts
    • Juice Robinson 2pts
    • Tama Tonga 2pts
    • Minoru Suzuki 2pts
    • EVIL 2pts
    • Sanada 2pts
    • Toru Yano 2pts
    • Satoshi Kojima 0pts
    • Michael Elgin 0pts
  • Preview for Night 3 of New Japan’s G1 Climax Tournament

    Preview for Night 3 of New Japan’s G1 Climax Tournament

    It’s Night 3 in the G1 Climax tournament and the second round of matches in A Block. What have we got in store tonight?

    • Tetsuya Naito vs. YOSHI-HASHI – Los Ingobernables vs CHAOS in this one. Naito will want to build on the momentum of beating Ibushi from night 1 and YOSHI-HASHI will certainly want to get his first tick in the win column after falling to legend Yuji Nagata on the first night of action. I’m expecting a Naito victory here and his record to creep up to 4 points.

     

    • Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr. – Surely this will be main event? If you remember back to the WWE Cruiserweight Classic this was the final that most wanted but due to contractual differences we never got the bout. Well…..it’s finally here, arguably one of the finest technical wrestlers in the world versus a man that is still set for superstardom on the world stage. I really can’t get a gauge on who will win this match, it is still early in the tournament and it really could go either way, I’m predicting a Sabre Jr victory following on from his shock win against Tanahashi on night 1.

     

    • Yuji Nagata vs. Hirooki Goto – There are two matches tonight that will appease fans of Strong Style…this is the first. Nagata will want to build upon his victory against YOSHI-HASHI on night 1 and Goto will also be looking to get his second win after his hard fought bout against Tomohiro Ishii. I’m going with last year’s finalist Goto for this match.

     

    • Togi Makabe vs. Tomohiro Ishii – This is one of the matches that got me into New Japan in the first place. In a rematch from Wrestle Kingdom 9 Togi Makabe will be taking on longtime rival Tomohiro Ishii. This will be Strong Style personified and I expect that Tomohiro will get the victory, this is not one to be missed.

     

    • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale – This is the first match I have previewed where, on paper, the styles clash and I’m not expecting a blow away match. Fale has certainly improved during his time in New Japan and Tanahashi is a bona fide legend however I’m expecting a slow paced affair with Fale getting the victory following the Grenade.

  • NJPW G1 27 Night 2 Results: Kenny Omega vs. Minoru Suzuki

    NJPW G1 27 Night 2 Results: Kenny Omega vs. Minoru Suzuki

    G1 Climax 27 Night 2
    Korakuen Hall
    Tokyo, Japan

    Preliminary matches:

    • El Desparado and Zack Sabre Jr defeated Hirai Kawato and Kota Ibushi
    • Tiger Mask, Yuji Nagata, and Toi Makabe defeated Gedo, Ishii and Goto
    • Chase Owens and Bad Luck Fale defeated Finlay and Tanahashi
    • Bushi and Naito defeated Jado and Yoshi Hashi

    G1 Matches

    • Juice Robinson (2pts) defeated Satoshi Kojima (0pts)

      • Robinson picked up a win in his first ever G1 match.
      • He kicked out of a strong lariat and hit Pulp Friction for the win

    • Tama Tonga (2pts) defeated Michael Elgin (0pts)

      • Commentary played up how Tonga is the most elusive wrestler in the game, and has a very unique style.
      • Tonga countered a move from the 2nd rope into a Stun Gun and got the pin.

    • Sanada (2pts) defeated EVIL (0pts)

      • A battle between members of Los Ingobernables!
      • Finish of the match saw Evil repeatedly get out of the Skull End, but Sanada then hit a moonsault for the pin.

    • Kazuchika Okada (2pts) defeated Toru Yano (0pts)

      • A lot of your normal Yano shenanigans and comedy.
      • After both of them nearly getting counted out, Okada locked in the Red Ink and got the tap.

    • Kenny Omega (2pts) defeated Minoru Suzuki (0pts)

      • Omega went to do a moonsault from the guardrail early, but Suzuki kicked it out from underneath him. His leg landed on the guardrail and Suzuki would focus on it for much of the match.
      • There was a ref bump mid-way through the match when Suzuki pulled Red Shoes in front of him as Omega was going for a V-Trrigger knee.
      • This brought out Suzuki-Gun, which would eventually bring out Chase Owens and Bad Luck Fale.
      • At one point Omega hit everyone on Los Ingobernables with a top rope senton into the first couple of rows of seats.
      • The two factions cancelled each other out (possibly building towards a match at the next ROH PPV) and it was down to 1-on-1.
      • Suzuki focussed again on the leg but Omega made a comeback.
      • He hit quite a few V-Triggers, and there was also a fairly botched reverse hurricanrana attempt as well.
      • Then Omega hoisted him up and hit the 1-Winged Angel for the win.
  • Preview for Night 2 of New Japan’s G1 Climax Tournament

    Preview for Night 2 of New Japan’s G1 Climax Tournament

    New Japan Pro Wrestling’s annual G1 Climax tournament began this week with some incredible A Block action, including standout performances from Zack Sabre Jr and Kota Ibushi.

    The B Block of the tournament begins tomorrow and will feature the following bouts:

    • Minoru Suzuki vs. Kenny Omega – The leaders of Suzuki-Gun and Bullet Club/The Elite will face off in what will likely be the main event of the show. Kenny Omega will be looking to get his tournament off to a flying start after his win at last year’s G1. Minoru Suzuki is a legend in the Japanese scene and will be a unique test for Kenny stylistically. I’m going with Suzuki for this one as New Japan like to throw in the odd upset early on it the tournament.

     

    • SANADA vs. EVIL – Los Ingobernables collide! These two members of arguably New Japan’s most popular faction will look to start their tournaments with a win, I’m expecting an EVIL victory here.

     

    • Kazuchika Okada vs. Toru Yano – The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada will start this year’s G1 with a match against comedy figure Toru Yano. Yano has been a mainstay for years in the G1 and is sometimes a welcome break from the intense nature of the hard hitting tournament. I’m expecting an Okada win but would not be shocked if New Japan go for the upset.

     

    • Michael Elgin vs. Tama Tonga – Michael Elgin has gone from strength to strength in New Japan over the past year. His performances against the likes of Kenny Omega and Hiroshi Tanahashi has seen him become a firm favourite in the eyes of the New Japan faithful, I am definitely expecting him to take the win here.

     

    • Satoshi Kojima vs. Juice Robinson – Juice Robinson is another man who has been impressive over the last calendar year. His transition to the Japanese scene from NXT has been fluid and his popularity is higher now than it ever has been, I am fully expecting him to get the win over a game Kojima.

  • NJPW Director of U.S Operations Details Next Steps For Expansion

    NJPW Director of U.S Operations Details Next Steps For Expansion

    New Japan Pro-Wrestling executives were reportedly impressed by how well their two recent shows in L.A went. Kenny Omega however, has stated he felt NJPW under-estimated the support the promotion has in the United States. Omega has stated in interviews since that he feels the company should have tried to run a bigger building.

    It appears the shows were enough to convince NJPW that setting up a full-time office and dojo in Los Angeles is definitely the right next step.

    George Carroll Interview Highlights

    NJPW’s Director of US Operations, George Carroll, recently sat down with WrestleZone to discuss the company’s future plans.

    On NJPW’s Plans for Expansion:

    “This is going to be a global branding thing. I can’t go into too many details. We are very protective of what gets out there. Trust me, I’ve gone a little crazy with how stuff gets out and it’s easy to pinpoint how that stuff gets out when you know how protective we are with information. What’s next short term? As it has been laid out there. There are plans to open a dojo and an official LA office that will function for business and meetings. Which is insane at this time. First quarter of next year we should have some updates just based on the marketing team and when they want stuff to get out. I know that is very vague but we just can’t get too deep into it. There is a game plan in place and we don’t want to jump two steps ahead, fall down and have to pick ourselves up. We are being very strategic in how everything is getting out.”

    On Ring of Honor’s Support:

    “In fact I have personal dealings with the offices of Ring of Honor about things and everything has been great. They haven’t been anything but supportive of us and were there in Long Beach. We are here to support them. The relationship is great and it’s better for the business if that relationship stays strong. Not just for the promotions but for the talent.”

    On The Fans from the Los Angeles Shows:

    “I am appreciative and blown away by how respectful these fans were both of those nights. They came in expecting to get an authentic New Japan show and that’s exactly what they got. In return they treated themselves with respect. In retrospect I know the fans were really upset that they couldn’t throw streamers because that’s such a huge part of it but they were completely happy. They were completely respectful. It was mind blowing to me that by night two they were quiet like a Japanese audience would be. They reacted when there was something to react to. There was no hijacking going on. Having gone to PWG, ROH or WWE shows you see that stuff happen and there was none of that here. Again, to any of those fans out there listening, myself and the whole staff really appreciate what you did.”

  • NJPW G1 Climax 27 Night 1 Results

    NJPW G1 Climax 27 Night 1 Results

    The G1 kicked off early yesterday morning in Sapporo Japan.

    The first night of the tournament was highlighted by Kota Ibushi’s return, as he faced the 2013 G1 winner, Tetsuya Naito.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw77Qp8PWK0

    G1 Night 1 Results

    • Jushin Liger, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima defeated David Finlay, Juice Robinson & Michael Elgin
    • El Desparado, Taichi & Minoru Suzuki defeated Chase Owens, Tama Tonga & Kenny Omega
    • EVIL & Hiromu Takahashi defeated Bushi & Sanada
    • Toru Yano & Jado defeated Gedo & Kazuchika Okada
    • A Block
      Yuji Nagata defeated Yoshi-Hashi
    • A Block
      Bad Luck Fale defeated Togi Makabe
    • A Block
      Hirooki Goto defeated Tomohiro Ishii
    • A Block
      Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi
    • A Block
      Tetsuya Naito defeated Kota Ibushi

    The most notable upset was ZSJ defeating Tanahashi. ZSJ worked Tanahashi’s injured arm all match, and finally got the submission at the end.

    A Block Standings:
    Naito – 2pts
    Zack Sabre Jr – 2pts
    Bad Luck Fale – 2pts
    Hirooki Goto – 2pts
    Yoshi-Hashi – 2pts
    Yuji Nagata 0pts
    Togi Makabe 0pts
    Hiroshi Tanahashi 0pts
    Kota Ibushi 0pts
    Tomohiro Ishii

  • Kenny Omega to appear on First Ever NJPW ‘Talk Show’

    Kenny Omega to appear on First Ever NJPW ‘Talk Show’

    New Japan has announced that a brand new ‘talk show’ called Wonderland will be hitting the NJPWworld.com service this Friday.

    There are currently no further details on the show other than the first guest will be the IWGP United States Champion Kenny Omega. The show will be available to watch for FREE on the service so it will be well worth checking out if you have the chance.

    Kenny has also been busy promoting the ‘Being The Elite’ show he produces with the Young Bucks on YouTube.

  • Jim Ross Defends His Commentary At NJPW’s G1 Special

    Jim Ross Defends His Commentary At NJPW’s G1 Special

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has responded to people who were critical of his commentary during last weekend’s New Japan Pro Wrestling G1 Special.

    JR is a guest on the latest episode of the The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling podcast and details the entire week of events leading up to the two night spectacular and his disappointment with the entire social media backlash to his mistakes made during the live broadcast.  The full episode can be downloaded Tuesday on iTunes or by visiting The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling at Podomatic.

    Pre-Order JR’s Book, “Slobberknocker: My Life in Wrestling” At Amazon.com

    Jim Ross Responds To People Who Weren’t Satisfied With His Commentary For The G1 Special:

    “It is a real ambitious undertaking for the AXS TV folks who do do MMA 40 days a year (40 weeks a year on Friday night) or something like that but they had never done pro wrestling. So we had a brand new crew that had no and most essentially no experience whatsoever in pro wrestling. I thought that we rallied together and came through with an excellent effort, the desire and the will to be good was there. I had some flub ups and was asking which one is Jay (of The Briscoe Brothers) and which one is which and God almighty the guy we asked was one of the ringside guys and Josh Barnett and I said which one is which and one of the guys said: ‘Well, ( I can’t remember Mark or Jay) doesn’t have any front teeth.’  I said (okay) that doesn’t help me unless you are going to be shooting their smile, give me something. I got hammered on social media because I made that mistake and people forget that we are human and we are doing a live television show.”

    He continued, “I wish we did not have those errors but I can tell you this. When I saw the Briscoes on Sunday I apologized to both of them for screwing that up and I took complete responsibility for it even though I got bad information (you know) I own it. It is my deal and so I apologized to those guys because I have great respect for their work and I always have so I wish we had not done that. I don’t live this product. Kevin Kelly and Don Callus are there, they live it all the time and they were there in the building doing some stuff but I think that people will see that our second show was much more cleaner and much smoother than was our first show. Of course the second show also was highlighted by the United States title tournament but I thought that the final match with Omega and Ishii was absolutely tremendous. The Young Bucks had a real good match on that second night with Roppongi Vice and it ended up being Roppongi Vice’s apparent last match as a team. I was very and really happy that I had the chance to do two live shows and not in voice overs but actually sitting in the arena, sitting at ringside and being able to do what I enjoy doing more than anything or any other phase of the wrestling business and that is do live commentary.”

    For this and every other episode of The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling, you can subscribe on iTunes, Podomatic, Player FM, Tune In Radio and The IRW Network. Follow them on Twitter @TwoManPowerTrip.

    Shop Jim Ross’ BBQ Products at WWEShop.com

  • NJPW – 1st Day of G1 Climax Tournament to Air FREE on NJPWWorld.com

    NJPW – 1st Day of G1 Climax Tournament to Air FREE on NJPWWorld.com

    Arguably the biggest annual tournament in pro wrestling is set to begin on July 17th. New Japan’s G1 Climax is a round robin tournament held over the course of a month. The tournament has been in existence since 1974 in various forms and this is the 27th iteration.

    Previous winners of the tournament include Antonio Inoki, Andre The Giant, Hulk Hogan, Shinsuke Nakamura, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada and last year’s winner Kenny Omega.

    The winner of the tournament is granted a briefcase, this briefcase contains a contract for an IWGP World Heavyweight Title Match at the January Tokyo Dome/Wrestle Kingdom event next year.

    New Japan has announced that the first day of the tournament will be available to watch for FREE on NJPWworld.com. This opening event includes Tanahashi vs Zack Sabre Jr and Kota Ibushi vs Tetsuya Naito.

    Keep an eye on SEScoops for full coverage of the prestigious tournament as it unfolds.

  • Cody Gets Good News After MRI

    Cody Gets Good News After MRI

    On Friday night in Los Angeles, Cody wrestled arguably the most impactful match of his career. He challenged IWGP heavyweight Kazuchika Okada, in the main event of an important card for the promotion.

    Many are calling his match with Okada “better than expected”. The results of a recent MRI also provided Cody with some good news.

    Potential Cody vs. Kenny Omega Feud, Shows Over WM Weekend

    Both nights of the NJPW Los Angeles shows featured teased dissension between Cody and Kenny Omega. The two members of Bullet Club each hold distinguished singles championships. Cody is the new ROH champion, and Omega won the inaugural IWGP US championship on Saturday. With news that Omega’s championship will be defended on ROH shows, one has to wonder if a power struggle is brewing between the two stars.

    The shows this weekend were considered a huge success for NJPW. Recent rumours suggest the company is considering holding evens in New Orleans over WM33 weekend. Plans to open a Los Angeles office and dojo are also being considered.

  • Young Bucks Criticize NJPW Commentator

    Young Bucks Criticize NJPW Commentator

    During NJPW’s Los Angeles specials over the weekend, the Young Bucks appeared to make several moderately heated comments towards NJPW commentator, Josh Barnett.

    Barnett didn’t engage with the Bucks, and the incident was largely ignored on commentary. Recently, the Bucks appeared on Sean Waltman’s podcast, and clarified their criticism of Barnett’s commentary.

    Young Bucks on 12360 w/ X-Pac Highlights

    On Josh Barnett’s Commentary:

    Matt Jackson: “I feel like he should be doing his job instead of trying to get whatever he wants over for himself. He has a certain style he likes and it comes across so much like obviously, Josh doesn’t like this style.”

    Nick Jackson: “Announcers are not supposed to get themselves over. You’re supposed to get the product over.”

    On Possibly Going to WWE:

    Matt Jackson: “Our names are always floating up according to our buddies. If you asked me right now no, why do I even need to go there at this point, in a year in a half from now the landscape may change. We may have to go somewhere different, do something different to get hot again. I’ll never ever say never.”

    On Deal with Hot Topic:

    Matt Jackson: “The CEO of Hot-Topic was actually at WrestleMania, and he kept seeing Young Buck T-Shirts, Kenny Omega T-Shirts, Cody Rhodes T-Shirts and Bullet Club T-Shirts. So he was like ‘WOW, Why don’t we have those T-Shirts in our shop.’ So he called someone from WWE to find out who owned all of these shirts. When WWE said no, we don’t own those shirts, he was like ‘What? I need to find out who owns them.’ He finds out who owns Pro-Wrestling Tees and calls Ryan (Owner of PWT) to see if any way he can get the t-shirts. So Ryan contacted us and we’re like yeah let’s get it done. They just talked to us yesterday about an exclusive Elite T-Shirt.”

  • Update On NJPW’s US Expansion: Planned Tour, LA Office & Dojo

    Update On NJPW’s US Expansion: Planned Tour, LA Office & Dojo

    Following the success of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s G1 Special tournament this past weekend, the promotion has big plans to continue their expansion in the Untied States.

    During Night 2 of the the double-header event from Long Beach, California, it was announced that New Japan will be returning to the United States next year for more shows.  Courtesy of @Strigga from PuroLove.com, Kidani said they would like to tour in the United States no later than March/April 2018.

    Additionally, there are plans to open an office in Los Angeles later this year and for New Japan to open a dojo in Los Angeles by early 2018.

    For those who didn’t catch Nights 1 and 2 of the G1 Special over the weekend, Night 2 replays this Friday night on AXS TV.

    Discussion: Do you follow New Japan Pro Wrestling? If so, how do you think it compares to American promotions like WWE, Ring of Honor and Global Force Wrestling?

  • Kenny Omega Mocks Seth Rollins’ Leaked Photo Incident

    Kenny Omega Mocks Seth Rollins’ Leaked Photo Incident

    Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks have satirized Seth Rollins’ leaked photo incident from 2015. For those who don’t remember, Seth’s ex-fiancee admitted to posting nude photos of Seth, along with former WWE developmental prospect, Zahra Schreiber on Seth’s social media accounts.

    The latest episode of Omega and the Young Bucks’ “Being the Elite” YouTube show, pokes fun at the incident.

    Being the Elite Highlights

    • Segments for this week’s episode were filmed while the trio were at the Long Beach Convention Centre for the 2 NJPW G1 Special shows.
    • The episode focussed on a mysterious “DM”. The Bucks want to release the “DM” but the rest of Bullet Club is unsure.
    • The Bucks ask Cody about the DM shortly after his loss to Kazuchika Okada, and get a rather cold response in return. This could be more teasing of dissension amongst Cody and the rest of BC.
    • After Omega won the US title the Bucks informed Omega they had enough votes from BC to release Omega’s DM. Omega then blames Cody for this, which leads to a group argument amongst Bullet Club. Many of them still upset they murdered Adam Cole in a previous episode.
    • Matt required Cody and Omega to hug it out and said he’d delete the controversial DM.
    • Unfortunately NJPW referee Red Shoes found the photo and shared the DM.
    • The fake DM’s are at the end of the episode.

    the Tweet looks very similar to Rollins’ from 2 years earlier:

    https://twitter.com/MattJackson13/status/882079720849891328

  • Full NJPW G1 Special Night 2 Results

    Full NJPW G1 Special Night 2 Results

    NJPW G1 Los Angeles Special Night 2
    NJPWWorld.com
    July 2nd 2017
    Long Beach Convention Centre

    Jushin Liger, KUSHIDA, Dave Finlay vs. Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu (Tempura Boyz) and YoshiTatsu

      • 8-9 minute fast-paced opening match.
      • Crowd was really into Liger, Finlay and Kushida
      • Finish of the match was a triple submission: Liger with the surfboard on Komatsu, Finlay with a stretch muffler on Tatsu, and Kushida with a kimura on Tanaka.
      • Tatsu was the legal man and he tapped, giving the good guys the win in the opener.
      • Kushida and the Tempura Boyz shared some words after the match. Tanaka and Komatsu are NJPW young lions currently on loan to CMLL.

    Winners: Liger, KUSHIDA & David Finlay (Tatsu submitted to Finlay)

    IWGP US Championship Tournament (Semi-Final)
    Kenny Omega (Bullet Club) vs. Jay Lethal

      • Lethal was coming into this one with injured ribs.
      • Omega started the match by kicking Lethal in the ribs when the ref was calling for a clean break on the ropes.
      • He worked Lethal’s ribs on the outside and rolled him back in.
      • Back in the ring, Omega went for the 1-Winged Angel, but Lethal rolled out of it and gave Omega a series of super-kicks.
      • Lethal then hit a Lethal Injection, but Omega rolled out of the ring afterwards.
      • Lethal then gave Omega 3 suicide dives on the outside, knocking him into the guardrail.
      • Lethal rolled Omega back in and gave him a flying elbow drop for a near-fall.
      • As Omega kicked out, Lethal grabbed his leg and locked in a figure four leglock, as he continued to go for his big moves early.
      • Omega got to the ropes but was now favouring his leg.
      • Lethal worked his leg with kicks and a couple of kneebreakers.
      • Lethal went for his second Lethal Injection but Omega countered it into a backstabber, which hurt his leg some more.
      • After that, Omega began to work Lethal’s back and ribs.
      • Lethal landed a blue-thunder power-bomb but wasn’t really able to capitalize.
      • Omega brought out the V-Trigger knees and took control afterwards. He hit a cross-legged neckbreaker, dragon suplex, doctor-bomb, and several more knees.
      • Omega went for the 1-winged angel but Lethal attempted to counter it into a hurricanrana. Omega countered Lethal’s counter however and hoisted him back up on his shoulders, re-positioned him on his shoulders and finally hit the 1-Winged Angel to get the pin.

    Winner: Kenny Omega

    IWGP US Championship Tournament (Semi-Final)
    Tomohiro Ishii (CHAOS) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (Suzuki-Gun)

      • Zabre Jr hit a pele kick on Ishii’s arm early and then proceeded to work the limb the rest of the match.
      • ZSJ would lock in a submission on Ishii, and Ishii would counter with headbutts, chops, a superplex and various other power moves, but ZSJ would eventually get back on offence and lock in a submission. Ishii probably never got more than 1 move in a row.
      • Ishii went for a lariat but ZSJ grabbed his arm and locked in an armbar with a head scissors. Ishii made several attempts to get the ropes but was thwarted several times, as Zack pinned back his various limbs. Eventually Ishii just rolled his entire body into the ropes and got the break.
      • ZSJ went for a guillotine but was countered, Ishii hit a brainbuster and got the pin.

    Winner:  Tomohiro Ishii

    Volador Jr, Dragon Lee, Jay White, Juice Robinson, Titan  vs. Bushi, Evil, Sanada, Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi (Los Ingobernables)

      • Very lucha-styled 10-man tag match.
      • Plenty of lucha style comedy spots as well, once leading Josh Barnett to proclaim he was having an existential crisis.
      • Finish of the match was Jay White pinning Bushi after giving him a flatliner.

    Winner: Volador Jr., Dragon Lee, Jay White, Juice Robinson and Titan (White pinned Bushi)

    Michael Elgin and War Machine vs. Hangman Page and the Guerillas of Destiny (Bullet Club)

      • Haku came out with GoD!! He’s the father of both Tama Tonga and Tanga Roa.
      • Bit of a surprise in the end of this match, as Hangman Page hit his reverse piledriver finish on Ray Rowe and got the pin.
      • Page lost to an injured Jay Lethal yesterday, so needed a good result here and he got it.
      • Page then said into the camera that War Machine’s tag titles are his, though he neglected to mention who his partner is.

    Winners: Hangman Page, Tama Tonga, and Tanga Roa (Page pinned Rowe)

    • Naoki Sugabayashi, through an interpreter, announced that NJPW would return to the United States in 2018.

    IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships
    The Young Bucks © (Bullet Club) vs. Roppongi Vice (CHAOS)

    • Young Bucks have really been incorporating more sharpshooters into their offence lately.
    • They worked on Beretta’s back a good portion of the match, which would play into the finish.
    • They started the match by countering all of each other’s moves, and Josh and Ross played up how well the two teams know each other.
    • Later in the match Young Bucks hit More Bang For Your Buck for a nearfall.
    • Roppongi Vice got in quite a bit of offence as well. Beretta gave Nick Jackson a piledriver on the apron and then a running knee.
    • Roppongi Vice also countered two Meltzer Driver attempts by the Bucks.
    • Vice managed to hit Strong Zero, but Matt Jackson kicked out. Can’t say I’ve ever seen anyone kick out of that move before.
    • The Bucks would later give Rocky Romero a Meltzer Driver on the floor. Nick springboarded off the top rope into a corkscrew and got one hand on Romero as Matt brought him down with the tombstone piledriver.
    • This left Beretta all on his own, and he played the valiant wrestler trying to battle back against the odds. They super-kicked him once in the face, and then another to his injured back.
    • They then gave another Meltzer Driver to Romero, and wrapped both guys in sharpshooters. Romero tapped, giving the Bucks the win.

    Winners: the Young Bucks

    • After the match Ricochet hit the ring and took out both Matt and Nick.
    • He challenged them to a tag title match along with his partner Rysuke Taguchi.
    • Ricochet also said he wanted to be at the show yesterday but “A certain underground fighting company are being pricks right now”
    • Roppongi Vice then broke up! Romero cut a promo, saying the team had achieved all they had set out for, and that it was time for Beretta to go up to the heavyweight division.
    • They hugged and the crowd chanted for them. Romero never said he was retiring, but said “he was done with it”, so his future is left a little vague.
    • They’d been together 3 years, won the jr tag titles on 4 occasions and won the super junior tag tournament.

    Marty Scurll, Bad Luck Fale, Yujiro Takahashi and Cody (Bullet Club) vs. Will Ospreay, the Briscoes and Kazuchika Okada (CHAOS)

      • Cody had a separate entrance from the rest of the Bullet Club.
      • The story of this match was really how much the live crowd did not like Cody.
      • In the opening moments of the match, the fans chanted for Cody to tag out to any member of the Bullet Club.
      • Naturally, Cody got the pin for his team. He hit Cross Rhodes on Ospreay and pinned him.

    Winners: Bullet Club (Cody pinned Ospreay)

    IWGP Intercontinental Championship
    Hiroshi Tanahashi © vs. Billy Gunn

      • Tanahashi was coming into this one with an injured shoulder.
      • Gunn took the advantage by out powering Tanahashi and focussing on his injured shoulder.
      • Tanahashi started to come back after he pulled down his opponent’s tights to reveal neon green trunks underneath. Gunn did the same thing back to Tanahashi later, but there were no trunks underneath.
      • Gunn hit his cobra clutch slam for a near fall.
      • Gunn then hit a Fame Asser after Tanahashi missed a High Fly Flow for another nearfall.
      • Tanahashi then hit a slingblade clothesline and a HIgh Fly Flow and got the pin.
      • They shook hands after the match and gave each other respect.

    Winner: HIroshi Tanahashi

    IWGP US Championship Tournament Final
    Kenny Omega (Bullet Club) vs. Tomohiro Ishii (CHAOS)

      • They started the match with Ishii getting the advantage with shoulder tackles.
      • Then Omega gained control with a snap mare and kick to the back.
      • Ishii egged him on to kick him in the back some more, and Omega obliged.
      • Omega raked Ishii’s eyes when he kept coming forward. This actually got some booes.
      • Ishii countered with a suplex and Omega rolled to the outside.
      • Ishii landed chops which took Omega over the guardrail.
      • The Young Bucks were distracting the ref which prevented him from counting both guys out.
      • Ishii threw Omega into several rows of seats and dragged him back towards the ring.
      • Omega countered a german suplex on the outside by landing on his feet, he then gave Ishii a suplex on the floor, then got back in the ring.
      • Ishii got back in the ring and took Omega down with a shoulder tackle, then chopped him in the corner for a bit.
      • Omega started to battle back but Ishii chopped him down again and gave him a snapmare and kick to the back.
      • Omega started to egg Ishii on to kick him just like Ishii had done earlier, then they traded chops several times.
      • Ishii got the advantage in the chops, which took Omega through the ropes and onto the ring apron.
      • Ishii hit a powerslam.
      • They exchanged shots for a bit when Omega hit a DDT and they both stayed down.
      • Omega hit his firemans takeover followed by a 2nd rope moonsault for a nearfall.
      • After that, Omega hit a dropkick to the knee followed by his jumping fameasser to a standing Ishii.
      • Ishii rolled to the outside and Omega hit him with a diving senton plancha on the outside, but he started holding his knee afterwards.
      • As the ref (Red Shoes) was tending to Omega, the Young Bucks set up their own “gimmick table”.
      • Omega bounced up to show his knee was fine, then hit his opponent with a flying dropkick to the back of the head. Then he hit him with a back elbow in the corner.
      • Omega landed strikes in the corner for a period, but this seemed to only make Ishii grow stronger.
      • Ishii fought back but came off the ropes right into a hurricanrana by Omega.
      • Omega then tried to put Ishii through the table. As he was trying to give him a dragon suplex through the table, Ishii held on by biting the top rope. Omega eventually gave him the move through the table and onto the floor however.
      • Once back in the ring, Omega went to give him a 1-Winged Angel, but Ishii countered into a DDT.
      • Ishii then hit a superplex from the top rope for a nearfall.
      • Omega started to battle back with V-Trigger knees and got a nearfall.
      • Omega then hit his own brainbuster onto Ishii for a near fall.
      • A few spots later, Ishii actually hit a 1-Winged Angel onto Omega for a nearfall.
      • After that Omega took control with V-Trigger knees, hit a cross-legged neckbreaker, a reverse hurricanrana and several more V-Triggers.
      • Omega finally hit the 1-Winged Angel and got the pin to become the inaugural IWGP US Champion.

    Winner: Kenny Omega (inaugural IWGP US Champion)

    • After the match Omega was presented with the belt.
    • Cody entered the ring and ripped the belt away from him, but then gave it back and hugged him.
    • The rest of the Bullet Club also came out and they carried Omega on their shoulders in the ring .
    • Omega got on the mic and cut a promo thanking the fans. He said nobody in Japan believed this could be a success, and he said we’d sell out a bigger arena. Said they are coming back bigger and better next year. 
  • Inaugural IWGP United States Champion Crowned

    Inaugural IWGP United States Champion Crowned

    NJPW officially crowned their first ever IWGP United States Champion during the second night of the G1 Specials.

    Kenny Omega and Tomohiro Ishii had both advanced to the finals of the US Title Tournament and Kenny eventually won the belt using his patented ‘One Winged Angel’ finishing move.

    This move by NJPW puts the entire G1 tournament into question. Omega had been the favourite for a second straight G1 tournament win and a third match against IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada at next year’s Wrestle Kingdom show. It looks as though those plans will now be changed, likely with Tetsuya Naito getting the coveted briefcase at this summer’s G1 tournament.

    Are you excited by Kenny’s win? Let us know in the comments.

    https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/881725587290812416

    https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/881729890244075520

  • NJPW G1 Special Results: Omega vs. Elgin, Okada vs. Cody, more…

    NJPW G1 Special Results: Omega vs. Elgin, Okada vs. Cody, more…

    NJPW G1 Los Angeles Special Night 1
    July 1st 2017
    Long Beach Convention Center
    (AXS TV, Fight Network)

    • Beretta, Rocky Romero, Will Ospreay & the Briscoes (CHAOS) vs. the Young Bucks, Marty Scurll, Yujiro Takahashi & Bad Luck Fale (Bullet Club)

      • Matt Jackson directly into the camera: “They put us in the opening match, are you kidding me?”
      • High paced fun match.
      • Scurll got in a period of offence, using his normal moves: finger breaking spot, super kick to the shin, then got countered when he elaborately announced he was going for the chicken wing.
      • Ospreay hit a standing spanish fly on Scurll. Also a springboard shooting star press onto everyone.
      • Romero got a period of offence in as well, hitting “clotheslines forever” on the Young Bucks.
      • The Bucks looked to be going for the Meltzer Driver onto Romero, but Nick was pulled to the ground from the outside while Romero rolled up Jackson for the pin.
      • Romero seemed surprised he got the pin.
      • Matt Jackson to the camera “I’ve got a deal with Hot Topic, I can’t lose on TV!”

    Winners: Roppongi Vice, the Briscoes and Will Ospreay (Romero pinned Matt Jackson)

    • Titan, Dragon Lee, Volador Jr. & Jushin Liger vs. Hiromu Takahashi, BUSHI, EVIL & SANADA (Los Ingobernables)

      • Liger got a big ovation before the match began.
      • Seemed like Los Ingobernables had the bulk of the offence.
      • Takahashi distracted the ref, which allowed Evil to hit Titan with a chair.
      • Takahashi then hit Titan with the Time Bomb for the pin.

    Winners: Los Ingobernables (Takahashi pinned Titan)

    • IWGP US Heavyweight Title Tournament (Quarter-Final)
      Jay Lethal vs. Hangman Page (Bullet Club)

      • The IWGP United States Championship Belt was brought out by the CHairman of NJPW.
      • Before the match, Ross mentioned that Lethal suffered bruised ribs in a match with the Beer City Bruiser in ROH 8 days ago.
      • Page attacked Lethal before the bell to gain the early advantage.
      • The story of this match was Lethal battling through his injured ribs.
      • Lethal went for the Lethal Injection but Page countered it into an abdominal stretch.
      • He then went for the Lethal Injection a 2nd time, but Page countered again.
      • Lethal finally hit the Lethal Injection on his 3rd attempt (kinda botched) but he couldn’t make the cover because his ribs were too sore.
      • They both got back up and started exchanging strikes. Lethal got the advantage with an enziguri, hit Lethal Injection again and got the pin.

    Winners: Jay Lethal

    • IWGP US Heavyweight Title Tournament (Quarter-Final)
      Juice Robinson vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (Suzuki-Gun)

      • Sabre Jr. focussed on Juice’s arm for most of the match.
      • Robinson hit a jackhammer like slam, a standing senton, and a cannonball in the corner.
      • He then went for the Pulp Friction but Sabre Jr. countered that into an abdominal stretch.
      • Robinson went for the ropes, but Zack pinned both of his arms back in a modified stretch, causing Juice to submit.

    Winner: Zack Sabre Jr. via submission

    • David Finlay, Jay White, KUSHIDA, & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Sho Tanaka, Yohei Komatsu, YoshiTatsu, & Billy Gunn

      • Josh and Ross talked about Tanahashi having an injured arm, and he has to defend the IC title against Billy Gunn tomorow night.
      • Kushida got a big cheer when he held up both the ROH TV title and the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight championship.
      • A good portion of this match previewed the Billy Gunn vs. Tanahashi match tomorrow.
      • Gunn’s team isolated Kushida, though he eventually made the hot tag to Tanahashi, who cleared house.
      • With everyone on the outside, Jay White hit a flatliner on Yoshi Tatsu for the win.
      • Tanahashi and Gunn had a brief staredown afterwards.

    Winners: Finlay, White, Kushida & Hiroshi Tanahashi (White pinned Tatsu)

    Intermission

    • IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
      Guerillas of Destiny ©(Bullet Club) vs. War Machine

      • Before the match, Rowe cut a promo saying that their opponents introduced weapons into the last match, so let’s have them legal in this match.
      • Tama Tonga was about to answer but then both brohters attacked War Machine to start the match. Weapons are legal.
      • GoD used a trash can early, which gave them the advantage for a bit.
      • Hanson started a comeback for War Machine by giving both members of GoD his own version of Clotheslines Forever.
      • A lot of good double team moves from each team.
      • Chase Owens interfered on behalf of his Bullet Club teammates, hitting members of War Machine with chairs.
      • War Machine battled back and hit Fallout through a table on Tanga Roa and got the pin to win the belts.

    Winners: War Machine (New Champions)

    • IWGP US Heavyweight Title Tournament (Quarter-Final)
      Tomohiro Ishii (CHAOS) vs. Tetsuya Naito (Los Ingobernables)

      • Naito attacked Ishii before the bell to start the match.
      • Each guy landed a lot of their moves.
      • Naito hit a frankensteiner, 2 flying dropkicks, german suplex, dragon suplex, but couldn’t hit Destino on 2 attempts.
      • Ishii hit mainly power moves, several lariats, chops, head butt, power-bomb, and countered Destino twice.
      • Ishii hit a brainbuster and got the pin.

    Winner: Tomohiro Ishii

    • IWGP US Heavyweight Title Tournament (Quarter-Final)
      Michael Elgin vs. Kenny Omega (Bullet Club)

      • Commentary mentioned that Elgin has never lost to Omega in a 1-on-1 match.
      • Elgin got most of the offence early, with a gorilla press slam and springboard splash.
      • Omega hit a hurricanrana which sent Elgin to the outside. He hit a plancha, and a fameasser on the ramp.
      • Omega gave Elgin a body slam on the outside at an 18 count and then got back in the ring. Elgin got back in just before the 20 count.
      • Elgin got back on offence, hitting moves such as a series of rolling german suplexes, which Ross referred to as the “3 Canucks”.
      • Elgin hit a turnbuckle powerbomb, Omega hit a dragon suplex, and each hit various other moves as well.
      • The finish of the match started when Omega hit Elgin with a running knee. Elgin initially shook off the first knee and charged back at Omega who gave him a 2nd knee, and that one wobbled him.
      • Omega hit some more knees and then a reverse-hurricanrana for a near-fall.
      • He hit yet another knee on Elgin and eventually got him up for the 1-Winged Angel and pinned him.

    Winner: Kenny Omega

    Updated IWGP US Championship Tournament Brackets:

    • Kenny Omega vs. Jay Lethal
    • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Tomohiro Ishii

    • IWGP Heavyweight Title Match
      Kazuchika Okada (c)(CHAOS) vs. Cody (Bullet Club)

      • The crowd really did not like Cody Rhodes (although some fans would later chant for him), this despite his all-American apparel he had on. Brandi was wearing a USA flag dress.
      • The match started with some grappling and then each trying to hit a few signature moves but getting blocked or avoided.
      • Okada went on offence first, landing a running dropkick to a seated Cody.
      • Cody escaped to the outside, where Okada eventually hit him with a running crossbody that took them both about 3 rows deep in the crowd.
      • Cody got on offence by catching Okada as he was getting back into the ring. He hit a flatliner, facebuster, and a springboard dropkick.
      • Cody got some heat by spitting at the referee and flipping off the fans.
      • It was mentioned that Cody has an injured shoulder.
      • Okada hit a neckbreaker and goes back on offence. He hits a series of running elbows to knock Cody down.
      • Okada continued on offence with a ddt and a running uppercut for a near-fall.
      • Cody was perched on the top turnbuckle, when Okada hit a dropkick to take him to the outside.
      • Cody countered a tombstone attempt on the outside into a back body drop.
      • Okada countered Cody’s draping ddt into his own draping ddt, and eventually thew him back into the ring.
      • Okada was going to the top rope but Cody countered by hitting a an arm drag off the top.
      • Cody then hit a Disaster Kick for a near-fall.
      • Okada countered a 2nd Disaster Kick with a flapjack.
      • Okada then hit a side-slam neckbreaker combo that nobody ever refers to by a name. He then hit a flying elbow and called for the Rainmaker.
      • Cody countered the Rainmaker attempt by grabbing Okada’s leg and rolling into a modified calf-slicer. Okada would eventually get to the ropes.
      • They ended up in a slap and strike contest, which was won soundly by Okada. He eventually knocked Cody all the way down and stomped on his back several times. This brought Brandi to ringside.
      • Okada hit him in the back with a dropkick, then landed a tombstone piledriver and called again for the Rainmaker.
      • Cody countered the Rainmaker attempt again, this time by spitting at Okada.
      • Okada just wiped off the spit and hit him with a partial Rainmaker, then picked him up and hit him with another Rainmaker.
      • This brought Kenny Omega to ringside with a white towel, just like Cody did for his match with Okada in Osaka.
      • The Young Bucks tried to talk some sense into Omega, as he started encouraging Brandi to throw in the towel for Cody’s sake.
      • Cody then countered another Rainmaker but was eventually hit with yet another dropkick.
      • Cody then countered yet another Rainmaker with his own Rainmaker and got a near-fall.
      • Cody grabbed the towel, wiped off his sweat from it, then made a rude gesture with it, and threw it at Kenny. This caused Ross to state that there are clearly issues within Bullet Club.
      • Okada then countered Cody’s Cross Roads attempt with his own Cross Roads for a near fall.
      • Cody went for Cross Roads again but Okada countered with knees, so Cody hit him with a slam instead for another near-fall.
      • Cody went for the 1-winged angel but was countered by Okada into a German suplex.
      • Okada then hit a jumping spinning tombstone followed by one more Rainmaker for the pin.

    Winner: Kazuchika Okada (7th Title Defence this Reign)

    • After the match Omega called for a mic as Okada was going to speak.
    • Omega said that he would not steal Okada’s moment, but said they have a date for a rematch in the G1.
    • Gedo then spoke english. He told the crowd that Okada is the future of strong-style.
    • Okada then spoke english and asked everyone how New Japan Pro Wrestling was? this got a big pop and the crowd chanted “New Japan! New Japan!”.
    • We then saw a backstage interview with Okada that was very loosely translated by Josh Barnett. Basically Okada said he underestimated Cody and complimented the American media.
  • NJPW Lineup for This Weekend’s G1 Los Angeles Specials

    NJPW Lineup for This Weekend’s G1 Los Angeles Specials

    Arguably the most important international show in New Japan Pro Wrestling history runs tomorrow night from Los Angeles. The show will air live on AXS TV with Jim Ross and Josh Barnett calling the action. In Canada, it will also air live on the Fight Network.

    Sunday night’s show will air on New Japan World. Both shows sold out quickly, and speculation is the company would like to run a bigger venue for future American shows.

    NJPW Lineups for This Weekend

    July 1st (AXS TV, Fight Network)

    • Beretta, Rocky Romero, Will Ospreay & the Briscoes (CHAOS) vs. the Young Bucks, Marty Scurll, Yujiro Takahashi & Bad Luck Fale (Bullet Club)
    • Titan, Dragon Lee, Volador Jr. & Jushin Liger vs. Hiromu Takahashi, BUSHI, EVIL & SANADA (Los Ingobernables)
    • IWGP US Heavyweight Title Tournament (Quarter-Final)
      Jay Lethal vs. Hangman Page (Bullet Club)
    • IWGP US Heavyweight Title Tournament (Quarter-Final)
      Juice Robinson vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (Suzuki-Gun)
    • David Finlay, Jay White, KUSHIDA, & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Sho Tanaka, Yohei Komatsu, YoshiTatsu, & Billy Gunn
    • IWGP US Heavyweight Title Tournament (Quarter-Final)
      Tomohiro Ishii (CHAOS) vs. Tetsuya Naito (Los Ingobernables)
    • IWGP US Heavyweight Title Tournament (Quarter-Final)
      Michael Elgin vs. Kenny Omega (Bullet Club)
    • IWGP Heavyweight Title Match
      Kazuchika Okada (c)(CHAOS) vs. Cody (Bullet Club)

    July 2nd (New Japan World)

    • IWGP US Heavyweight Title Tournament Semi Final Match A
    • IWGP US Heavyweight Title Tournament Semi Final Match B
    • IWGP US Heavyweight Title Tournament Finals
    • IWGP Intercontinental Championship Match
      Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Billy Gunn
    • IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championships
      the Young Bucks (c)(Bullet Club) vs. Roppongi Vice (CHAOS)
  • Kenny Omega on The Bullet Club’s Popularity in The U.S.

    Kenny Omega on The Bullet Club’s Popularity in The U.S.

    New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star Kenny Omega recently did a media call to help promote the promotion’s upcoming G1 Special shows from Long Beach, California from the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center. Two shows will be held at the venue, which seats around 13,500 people, and both sold out in two minutes with tickets being sold in 37 different states. If NJPW comes back around for a second run in the future, Omega thinks that given the ticket sale success this time around, the promotions should shoot for a much larger venue:

    “If we do it again, next time, you know, let’s double, triple, the size,” said Omega. “I think we can do it and that’s just me having faith in our product. And actually me just having faith in myself, the Bullet Club, the elite.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFO22tc6LvY

    Omega went on to claim that he believes The Bullet Club’s popularity in the United States is much bigger than NJPW realizes:

    “I think we as like the Bullet Club, especially, as household names, people are more familiar with us than I think maybe our company realizes,” said Omega. “And we’re all chomping at the bit to do more American stuff and we want to get in front of as many live faces as possible. I think with the proper promoting and especially if this show goes well, we can definitely go way above and beyond what we are doing in our first two shows and really go for it the next time we return to the States.”

    Kenny is set to take on Michael Elign in the first round of the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship Tournament on Saturday (July 1, 2017), which will continue on through Sunday.

    H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions

  • NJPW G1 Schedule Released: Omega vs. Okada August 12th

    NJPW G1 Schedule Released: Omega vs. Okada August 12th

    New Japan Pro Wrestling has announced the schedule for this year’s G1 tournament.

    Okada and Omega will meet in the round-robin of the portion, with their match being set for August 12th, the final night of the round-robin.

    NJPW G1 Schedule

    In a somewhat bizarre move, NJPW hasn’t announced each match, but rather the top two matches for each show:

    Monday July 17th (A Block):

    • Hiroshi Takahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
    • Kota Ibushi vs. Tetsuya Naito

    July 20th (B Block)

    • Sanada vs. Evil
    • Minoru Suzuki vs. Kenny Omega

    July 21st (A Block)

    • Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
    • Yoshi-Hashi vs. Tetuya Naito

    July 22nd (B Block)

    • Kenny Omega vs. Tama Tonga
    • SANADA vs. Minoru Suzuki

    July 23 (A Block)

    • Kota Ibushi vs. Tomohiro Ishii
    • Togi Makabe vs. Hirooki Goto

    July 25 (B Block)

    • B-Block: Kenny Omega vs. Toru Yano
    • Kazuchika Okada vs. SANADA

    July 26 (A Block)

    • Togi Makabe vs. Kota Ibushi
    • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hirooki Goto

    July 27 (B Block)

    • EVIL vs. Minoru Suzuki
    • Michael Elgin vs. Kenny Omega

    July 29 (A Block)

    • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. YOSHI-HASHI
    • Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tetsuya Naito

    July 30 (B Block)

    • Satoshi Kojima vs. Kenny Omega
    • Juice Robinson vs. Kazuchika Okada

    August 1 (A Block)

    • Yuji Nagata vs. Tomohiro Ishii
    • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi

    August 2 (B Block)

    • Satoshi Kojima vs. Minoru Suzuki
    • Kenny Omega vs. EVIL

    August 4 (A Block)

    • Tetsuya Naito vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
    • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Togi Makabe

    August 5 (B Block)

    • Satoshi Kojima vs. SANADA
    • Kazuchika Okada vs. EVIL

    August 6 (A Block)

    • Togi Makabe vs. Tetsuya Naito
    • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii

    August 8 (B Block)

    • Kenny Omega vs. SANADA
    • Kazuchika Okada vs. Minoru Suzuki

    August 11 (A Block)

    • Kota Ibushi vs. Hirooki Goto
    • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tetsuya Naito

    August 12 (B Block)

    • Toru Yano vs. Minoru Suzuki
    • Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega

    August 13

    A-Block Winner vs. B-Block Winner

     

     

  • G1 Tournament Blocks Announced: Omega and Okada in Same Grouping

    G1 Tournament Blocks Announced: Omega and Okada in Same Grouping

    New Japan Pro Wrestling has announced the blocks for this summer’s G1 tournament. Somewhat controversially, Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada are in the same group.

    Omega and Okada have had two much-talked about matches this year, the first at WrestleKingdom and the latest at Dominion. They are now scheduled to face to go 1-on-1 for a 3rd time in 2017, this time in the G1’s round-robin tournament.

    G1 26 Block Groupings

    A Block:

    • Hiroshi Tanahashi
    • Togi Makabe (GBH)
    • Tomohiro Ishii (CHAOS)
    • Hirooki Goto (CHAOS)
    • Yoshi-Hashi (CHAOS)
    • Bad Luck Fale (Bullet Club)
    • Yuji Nagata
    • Zack Sabre Jr. (Suzuki-Gun)
    • Kota Ibushi
    • Tetsuya Naito (Los Ingobernables)

    Block B:

    • Kazuchika Okada (CHAOS)
    • Toru Yano (CHAOS)
    • Satoshi Kojima
    • Michael Elgin
    • Juice Robinson
    • Tama Tonga (Bullet Club)
    • Sanada (Los Ingobernables)
    • Evil (Los Ingobernables)
    • Minoru Suzuki (Suzuki-Gun)
    • Kenny Omega (Bullet Club)
  • NJPW Posts “Manners and Rules” For Fans Attending LA Shows

    NJPW Posts “Manners and Rules” For Fans Attending LA Shows

    New Japan Pro-Wrestling is a different type of pro-wrestling to what many American fans are used to. As such, the promotion has announced a series of “manners and rules” for fans attending the company’s Los Angeles shows on July 1st and 2nd.

    The post includes the following video published earlier this year:

    NJPW Rules and Manners

    “New Japan Pro-Wrestling is just as excited about the G1 Special in the USA, as you the fans are. As we prepare to bring these historic events to the United States, we want go over the Manners & Rules.”

    • Do not stand is aisles or open areas.
    • Be aware of your language and preventing others from enjoying the show. Keep language PG basically.
    • The venue does not allow streamers.
    • No video-taping the show.
    • Serious fines related to the publishing of video from the show.
    • Taking pictures is fine, and actually encouraged.
    • Have a great time!

    The full post can be read here.

  • Jim Ross on if he Changes His Style While Broadcasting For WWE & NJPW

    Jim Ross on if he Changes His Style While Broadcasting For WWE & NJPW

    New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) is set to do its first-ever G1 Special in the United States on Saturday, July 1st from the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California. WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross will be in attendance to call the action, and he recently participated in a media call to promote the historic event.

    During the call, Ross was asked if he has to change his broadcast style for different promotions from what he’d normally do in WWE. Here’s what he had to say:

    “Not at all,” Ross said. “You broadcast what you see. In your style. By and large, that’s how I work. It’s especially how I work now. It’s just natural instincts and both companies have been very, very good about allowing me to express myself and to interpret the matches to the very, very best of my ability.”

    “There’s no difference,” said Ross. “The product is sometimes different. It’s almost like calling football,” Ross said. “It’s still the game. It’s still wrestling. So for me I watch a wrestling match on my monitor or if I’m live in an arena, which makes it 10 times better, I watch what the cameramen provide me and I describe it accordingly.

    “With how I feel, with how the story is progressing and the execution of the talents. All the while you want to put the talents over as best you can. And sometimes it’s best not to say anything and let the crowd provide the lyrics. The wrestlers make the music and the announcers provide the lyrics,” Ross said. “It all starts with the music.”

    H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions 

  • NJPW Names Participants for G1 Climax 27

    NJPW Names Participants for G1 Climax 27

    New Japan Pro Wrestling has announced the participants for this year’s G1 tournament.

    For those unfamiliar with NJPW, the G1 is a round-robin tournament with wrestlers split into two blocks. The wrestler with the best record in each block meet in the tournament finals. The tournament winner will earn a title shot against the champion of their choosing at the Tokyo Dome show on January 4th.

    G1 Climax 27 Participants

    The tournament blocks will be announced on the 26th, and the tournament schedule on the 27th.

    Notable inclusion: Zack Sabre Jr, Kota Ibushi, Yuji Nagata (last tournament)
    Notable exclusions: Cody Rhodes

    1. Hiroshi Tanahashi
    2. Togi Makabe
    3. Michael Elgin
    4. Kazuchika Okada
    5. Hirooki Goto
    6. Tomohiro Ishii
    7. Toru Yano
    8. YOSHI-HASHI
    9. Kenny Omega
    10. Bad Luck Fale
    11. Tama Tonga
    12. Tetsuya Naito
    13. SANADA
    14. EVIL
    15. Satoshi Kojima
    16. Yuji Nagata
    17. Juice Robinson
    18. Minoru Suzuki
    19. Zack Sabre Jr.
    20. Kota Ibushi
  • Bullet Club Release “Paid Advertisement” For NJPW Los Angeles Shows

    Bullet Club Release “Paid Advertisement” For NJPW Los Angeles Shows

    In the late 90s, the old NWO faction would release “paid advertisements” on Nitro. Bullet Club is now doing the same in NJPW.

    The faction has been the focal point of NJPW’s marketing strategy for their July 1st and 2nd shows in L.A, and have now released the following video:

    Bullet Club at NJPW G1 L.A Special

    Somewhat surprisingly, Cody will receive an IWGP heavyweight title shot on night 1 of the 2-night event. At Dominion, Cody defeated Michael Elgin in what turned out to be a pretty important match.

    The rest of the announced lineup so far:

    NJPW July 1st 2017 Lineup

    1. the Briscoes, Will Ospreay, & Roppongi Vice (CHAOS) vs. Bad Luck Fale, the Young Bucks, Yujiro Takahashi & Marty Scurll (Bullet Club)
    2. Jushin Liger, Volador Jr., Dragon Lee & Titan vs. Sanada, Evil, Bushi & Hiromu Takahashi (Los Ingobernables)
    3. IWGP U.S Championship Tournament (1st Round)
      Jay Lethal vs. Hangman Page (Bullet Club)
    4. IWGP U.S Championship Tournament (1st Round)
      Juice Robinson vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
    5. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kushida, Jay White & David Finlay vs. Billy Gunn, Yoshi Tatsu, Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu
    6. IWGP U.S Championship (1st Round)
      Tomohiro Ishii (CHAOS) vs. Tetsuya Naito (Los Ingobernables)
    7. IWGP U.S Championship (1st Round)
      Michael Elgin vs. Kenny Omega
    8. IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match
      Kazuchika Okada (c)(CHAOS) vs. Cody (Bullet Club)

    NJPW July 2nd 2017 Lineup

    1. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag-Team Championships
      the Young Bucks (c) (CHAOS) vs. Roppongi Vice (CHAOS)
    2. IWGP Intercontinental Championship
      Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Billy Gunn
    3. U.S Championship Tournament Semi-Finals & Finals
  • Kazuchika Okada Ties the Great Muta, Moves Closer to Tanahashi’s Record

    Kazuchika Okada Ties the Great Muta, Moves Closer to Tanahashi’s Record

    NJPW held their second biggest show of the year Sunday from Osaka. 7 title matches took place at the event, including a 60-minute time limit draw between Kenny Omega and IWGP heavyweight champion, Kazuchika Okada.

    While he only retained his title on a time limit draw, Okada has now tied the Great Muta’s tally of total IWGP heavyweight title defences, and is moving closer to the all-time record.

    IWGP Heavyweight Champion: Kazuchika Okada

    Title Defences (current reign): 6
    Title Defences (all-time): 19
    Title Reigns: 4
    Total Days as Champion: 1,154

    Only 5 other wrestlers have ever had title reigns of equal or greater length in terms of title defences: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shinsuke Nakamura, Yuji Nagata, Shinya Hashimoto, and Tatsumi Fujinami. 

    Tanahashi holds the record for most title defences in a single reign, when he had 11 from 2012 to 2013.

    The title defence Sunday moved Okada into a tie with the Great Muta for 3rd most title defences all-time with 19. Should Okada defeat Cody on July 1st in L.A, he would tie Shinya Hashimoto for 2nd with 20 title defences. Tanahashi is again the leader in this category with 28.

    Greatest IWGP Heavyweight Champions of All-Time:

    1. Hiroshi Tanahashi – 7 Title Reigns – 28 Title Defences
    2. Shinya Hashimoto – 3 Title Reigns – 20 Title Defences
    3. the Great Muta – 4 Title Reigns – 19 Title Defences
    4. Kazuchika Okada – 4 Title Reigns – 19 Title Defences
    5. Tatsumi Fujinami – 6 Title Reigns – 13 Title Defences
    6. Yuji Nagata – 2 Title Reigns – 12 Title Defences
    7. Kensuke Sasaki – 5 Title Reigns – 9 Title Defences
    8. Shinsuke Nakamura – 3 Title Reigns – 9 Title Defences
    9. Riki Choshu – 3 Reigns – 5 Title Defences
    10. Big Van Vader – 3 Reigns – 4 Title Defences

    Antonio Inoki, the company’s 1st champion, held the title just the once, and defended it 4x.