New Japan Pro Wrestling aired their “Invasion Attack 2016” event on the New Japan World service on Saturday night from Tokyo, Japan. Here are the results:
– Bullet Club’s Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi beat Ryusuke Taguchi & Juice Robinson.
– Kojima & Jushin Liger & Yuji Nagata beat Sakuraba & YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano in a six-man tag match.
– RPG Vice (Rocky Romero & Baretta) beat IWGP Jr. Hvt. tag champions Matt Sydal & Ricochet to capture the IWGP Jr. Hvt. Tag Titles.
– IWGP Jr. Hvt. champion KUSHIDA beat Will Ospreay to retain the IWGP Jr. Hvt. Title.
– Tanahashi & Yoshi Tatsu & Michael Elgin beat NEVER Openweight six-man tag champions Bullet Club (Kenny Omega & Young Bucks) to capture the NEVER Openweight Six-man Tag Titles.
– NEVER Openweight champion Shibata beat Tenzan to retain the NEVER Openweight Title.
– Bullet Club’s Tama Tonga & Tanga Roa beat IWGP World tag champions Honma & Togi Makabe to capture the IWGP World Tag Titles.
– New Japan Cup winner Naito beat IWGP World Hvt. champion Kazuchika Okada to capture the IWGP World Hvt. Title.
Highlights from last week are shown when Donovan Dijak made his surprise return to confront Jay Lethal and the House of Truth. Lethal cuts a backstage promo, “Tempers are high and emotions are out of control, and I’m going to try to keep it together, because my best friend is in the hospital right now. Donovan Dijak congratulations, I don’t know what your goal was, but.you were successful in getting my attention. The World Heavyweight Champion is speaking to you. Was this your sad, pathetic attempt to get a shot? Well, it didn’t work, because you don’t deserve it. Last year, when you won the top prospect tournament, it was Truth’s idea to bring you in, shape you, groom you. We tried his way, now we’re going to try mine. You don’t deserve to be here in Ring of Honor, you don’t deserve the friendship that was shown to you by the House of Truth. Be sure to tell Prince Nana that Jay Lethal is coming and, I’ll tell you what, you ain’t going to survive this one.”
Kevin Kelly and Mr. Wrestling 3 welcome us to Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas, Nevada.
reDRagon vs Kazuchika Okada and Gedo
reDRagon is out first to their entrance music, “Dance Away” by the Damn Valentines (who sound a lot like The Misfits). The Rainmaker is out next to much fanfare, followed behind by his partner Gedo. The fans throw gold Okada dollar bills at the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. (Interestingly enough, total combined weights of Okada & Gedo are announced at 406 vs reDragon at 421, but the tale-of-the-tape graphic has them listed at 426 vs. 427.) Okada and Gedo refuse the code of honor, legendary referee Tiger Hattori signals the match to start, the bell rings, and we’re off.
Gedo and Bobby Fish start it off, each men take pause to groom their facial hair. Gedo rakes the arm, takes Fish to the mat with a headlock, Fish tries to roll out, throws Gedo off the ropes, leapfrog, armdrag attempt, blocked, kick to the head, Gedo gets caught with knee lock, but Gedo reaches the ropes, and we get a clean break. Kelly comments on the good sportsmanship shown by Fish. Fish asks Gedo if he wants to tag in Okada, Gedo looks confused. Fish lays flat on his back, then beefcake poses, and welcomes in Okada. When Okada comes in, Fish tags in O’Reilly.
Collar-and-elbow lock up between O’Reilly and Okada. Kelly and MW3 talk about the recent flare up to O’Reilly’s cauliflowered right ear. He’s had it drained several times since Adam Cole irritated it at the ROH 14th Anniversary show. Okada backs O’Reilly into the ropes, the referee calls for the break, Okada fakes a cheap shot, then pats him on the chest. O’Reilly rolls his eyes. Another lock up, Okada hits the ropes, shoulder block to O’Reilly, O’Reilly ducks, leapfrogs, ducks, leapfrogs, then catches himself on the ropes. O’Reilly knocks Okada to the mat, runs up his back, throws him off the ropes, sunset flip, but O’Reilly gets in a cross armbreaker. Gedo comes in and punches O’Reilly in his ear. Okada tags in and continues to work on O’Reilly’s ear. Okada kicks him in the gut, picks him up, slams him down, goes to the outside, and flips over the top rope for a senton. Okada covers but O’Reilly kicks out at 2, and we go to commercial.
After the break, O’Reilly and Gedo exchange blows until Gedo grabs O’Reilly’s cauliflower ear again. Okada comes in and knocks Fish off the apron, O’Reilly ducks a double clothesline, kick to the gut, kick punch punch kick punch kick, and finishes with a leg sweep to Okada knocking him to the mat. O’Reilly gets the hot tag to Fish, Fish comes in with a sliding forearm, crossbody splash into Okada in the corner, back elbow drop, goes for a kick, misses, then picks Gedo up and suplexes him onto Okada, pin attempt, but Okada kicks out.
Okada delivers a knee, Fish delivers a knee, Okada goes for a jackknife powerbomb, Fish rolls through, and Okada drops Fish on his head. Okada picks up Fish, plants him to the mat, climbs to the top turnbuckle, and hits a top rope elbow drop. Okada picks up Fish again, spins him around, goes for The Rainmaker, Fish ducks it, picks him up in his shoulders, and Samoan drops Okada to the mat. Both men are down. Gedo tags in, knocks O’Reilly off the apron, picks up Fish, delivers a neckbreaker, superkick, pin attempt, but Fish gets out at 2. Gedo sets up for the Exploder, but Fish now fighting back with elbows to Gedo until Okada hits a standing dropkick, Gedo with an inverted pin attempt, but Fish gets out. Fish to his feet, backs Okada into the corner, Okada knocked to the outside, Fish sends Okada into the ringpost, then Fish and O’Reilly attack Gedo in the corner with fast smashing double-team offense. Fish covers Gedo, but Okada makes the save. Okada now trading forearms with reDRagon until O’Reilly hits the Ax and Smash. reDRagon picks up Gedo and hit Chasing the Dragon for the win.
Winner: reDRagon
reDRagon congratulate each other and we go to commercial.
When we return, we see highlights from last week between War Machine and the Briscoes. The Briscoes cut a pre-recorded promo, “The current reigning and defending ROH Tag Team Champions, Hanson and Rowe, War Machine, listen up. Fellas, we got a message for ya and it ain’t nothing abstract, it ain’t going to blow your mind. Boys, you ain’t never beat us. Four times we’ve been in the ring together, and you ain’t never beat us. And you know damn well, you’re the champions, congratulations, but you can’t call yourself the best when you ain’t beat Dem Boys. But don’t get it twisted, y’all ain’t the only ones with something to prove. It’s been too long, it’s been 3 years since Dem Boys held those titles. It’s been too long, man. Y’all ain’t the only ones with something to prove.”
Adam Cole vs Kushida (Non-Title Match)
Adam Cole weighing 207 pounds, makes his way to the ring. Out next, wearing his purple Back to the Future vest, from Tokyo, Japan weighing 192 pounds IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Kushida. The fans pop big and litter the ring with streamers. MW3 tells us Kushida has a both an MMA background and a baseball background. The two men to exchange the code of honor, the bell rings, and we begin.
They circle each other, collar-and-elbow tie up, Kushida gets backed into the corner, the referee calls for the break, Cole backs up and yells, “Adam Cole, bay bay!” Kushida looks confused, draws air quotes, and the fans laugh. Kushida goes to fight from his backside (as per his Jiu-Jitsu training) and tries to swat Cole away. MW3 tells us Kushida is a student of Tajiri. Kushida takes Cole to the mat, spins around his back, slaps him on the back of the head, and yells, “Kushida, bay bay!” Cole with a boot, headlock by Cole, reversal headlock by Kushida, Cole throws Kushida off the ropes, misses with the clothesline, fujita armbar, and then Kushida delivers a stomp to the back of the head. Kushida throws Cole off the ropes, reversal, Kushida catches himself in the ropes, flips to the outside, but meets an enziguri to the back of the head. Cole tells the fans to scurry at ringside so he can throw Kushida into the crowd, but instead Cole turns around, gives them an up yours gesture, and we go to commercial
When we return, Cole has Kushida in a headlock, Kushida fights out, hits the ropes, but Cole hits a back elbow and bows for the crowd. Kushida rakes Cole’s arm on the apron, Kushida flips back in and knocks Cole to the mat. Kick kick by Kushida, he gets caught by Cole, Cole punches him in the leg, then an atomic drop by Kushida, low dropkick, cartwheel and a dropkick to the side of the Cole’s head. Kushida working on Cole’s left arm, Kushida goes for a kick that misses, Cole connects with a kick, Kushida misses a clothesline, Cole connects again with a kick, Cole runs the ropes, but Kushida follows him with a cannonball that knocks Cole to be outside. Kushida climbs to the top turnbuckle, and then a crash-and-burn swanton onto the floor. The fans chant “Kushida!”
Cole gets back in at 10, but gets met by a standing drop kick from Kushida, then a top rope moonsault press, but Cole gets the knees up. Cole then hits a running Shining Wizard, pin attempt, but Kushida kicks out at 2. Kushida syncs a tarantula Hoverboard lock, Cole grabs the referee for leverage to break the hold, before the referee yells, “You keep your hands off me!” Cole picks up Kushida, small package, Kushida catches Cole in the hoverboard lock, rolling pins by both men, kickouts. They run the ropes, smash each other with forearms, bicycle kick by Cole, jumping enziguri to Kushida, and then Kushida delivers a Kuroda strike knockout blow to Cole. Kushida hits the ropes, rolls through, Hoverboard Lock, Cole nearly gets to the ropes, Kushida brings him back to the center of the ring. Cole picks Kushida up on his shoulder, Kushida slides down, Hoverboard Lock again, Cole reverses, pin attempt, stacks him, Kushida kick out. Both men to their feet, Cole catches Kushida, but Kushida hits a superkick. Off the ropes, reversal, Kushida goes for the flying back hip block, but Cole kicks him in the head, then inverted neckbreaker onto the knee and Cole covers, 1-2-3.
Winner: Adam Cole
Dalton Castle cuts a backstage promo, “Every time I meet someone, I’ve thought about how to fight them. Silas, I’ve met you a lot. It’s not about how I’m going to fight you, but what I’m going to fight you with. Maybe I’ll use a colander, maybe I’ll fill your pants up with flesh-eating piranhas. I don’t know how many years I got left on this planet and I’m going to get weird.” (Note: this promo was cut from the Comet broadcast.)
When we return, we are shown footage from the 14th Anniversary Show of MCMG reuniting.
The Addiction vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Tag Team Grudge Match)
“The Almighty” Christopher Daniels and “The Heavy Metal Rebel” Frankie Kazarian are out first. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin make their way to the ring to Alex Shelley’s music and entrance graphic. Nigel McGuinness has joined on commentary. Daniels and Sabin start it off. “The Ring General” walks around the ring with his hands folded behind his back. They tie up, Kazarian and Shelley come in, and this thing has broken down already. All four men are in the ring, shot to Sabin, Irish whip to Shelley, Addiction throws both MGMG to the center of the ring, MCMG does the dosey doe, splash Addiction in the corner, throw Addiction into each other, and toss them out of the ring. The fans applaud and we go to commercial.
When we come back, Kazarian is on the outside, sunset flip over Sabin, reversal, pin attempt, kick out. Sabin holds Kazarian’s arm while Shelley comes off the top rope. Now Shelley holds Kazarian’s arm while Sabin leapfrogs over Shelley’s back, then they take turns jumping off each others back with running forearms on the Addiction. They throw Kazarian off the ropes, atomic drop, low dropkick, rolling neckbreaker, and then a kick to the face. Shelley climbs up on the second rope, opens up the five-hole, and Sabin connects with a suicide dive to the outside. Sabin throws Kazarian back in the ring, Shelley goes to the top rope, Kazarian is staggered, cross body block, pin attempt, but Kazarian kicks out at 2.
Kazarian gets to his feet, Shelley sizes him up Paparazzi Productions style, climbs to the top rope, gets 5 shots to the head before Daniels comes over distract. Shelley takes out Daniels and then Kazarian. Shelley rushes in with a forearm, Daniels pull Shelley’s legs off the second turnbuckle, and then Kazarian with a backbreaker to Shelley. Sabin tries to come in, but the ref stops him, and Addiction double-team Shelley in the corner. Kazarian picks Shelley up, club to the back of the head, throws him off the ropes, punch to the gut, knee to the face, swinging neckbreaker by Kazarian, Daniels covers for the pin, 1-2, kickout. Daniels holds Shelley in the corner, stomp stomp, Kazarian tags in. Addiction keep tagging each other in and stomping on Shelley. Kazarian poses in the ring while Daniels stands on Shelley’s hand.
Shelley now trying to fight out against both men, hits the ropes, ducks under Kazarian, but meets a clothesline, Daniels flips Kazarian onto Shelley, and then Daniels hits a second rope moonsault. Daniels stands with a boot on Shelley’s chest, the referee counts, but Sabin comes in to break up, and we go to commercial
When we return, Addiction have Shelley isolated in the corner. Daniels tags in Kazarian, Irish whip to the corner, spear, then Kazarian leaps over the top rope with a DDT to Shelley, pin attempt, but Sabin runs in and breaks it up. McGuinness tells us, “Shelley is taking a lot of damage.” Kazarian tries to hook him for a suplex, but Shelley fights out, Daniels comes in, and then Shelley nails a stunner/DDT combo on both of them at the same time. Shelley goes for the tag, but Daniels pulls Sabin off of the apron. Kazarian with a snapmare takeover, kicks to the back, and Addiction have Shelley in their corner again.
Addiction throws Shelley off the ropes, he ducks a double clothesline, turns around, gets caught by Daniels, kicks Kazarian and drops him to the mat, then Shelley delivers a drop toe hold to Daniels that slams Daniels head first into Kazarian’s groin. MW3 says, “Right in the ding ding!” Sabin with a crossbody block onto both members of Addiction, 3 elbows to Daniels, wrenches the arm, kick to the stomach, goes to throw Daniels off the ropes, reversal, Sabin ducks a clothesline, and hits a clothesline of his own. Sabin runs to the corner with a back elbow, climbs to the top rope, kicks Kazarian in the chest for good measure before leaping at Daniels, they run the ropes again, Sabin tries to leapfrog, Daniels catches him, Sabin gets out, and then meets a springboard DDT onto Daniels, Sabin hooks him, 1-2, but Daniels kicks out.
Addiction catch Sabin in a basket catch, double team offense, pin, but Shelley is in to break it up. Daniels up on the top turnbuckle, Kazarian positions Sabin to lock fingers with Daniels, but Daniels rolls through and then Daniels jumps to the outside. Kazarian catches Sabin and delivers a diamond-cutter over the top rope, but Sabin kicks out. Addiction go for Celebrity Rehab, but Sabin counters, Shelley in now, Daniels hits an STO, Sabin with an enziguri, MCMG catch Kazarian on their shoulders, and then spin him to the mat. MCMG double-team kicks to Daniels, Sabin with a neckbreaker, then holds Daniels while Shelley comes off the top for a diving crossbody for the Skull and Bones finisher. Sabin scores the victory.
Winner: Motor City Machine Guns
After the bell, Addiction take out MCMG until Matt Sydal and Kushida run down to make the save. While they are checking on MCMG, The Young Bucks come in and deliver a superkick to Kushida. Shelley takes out Matt, then Nick and Sabin go at it. Addiction, Sydal, and Kushida are in now as well. The bell is ringing while all four teams brawl. It’s a donnybrook, as the credits roll, the faces (MCMG, Sydal, Kushida) gain control of the ring, hug each other, and the show ends.
Teruaki Kanemitsu and Hirai Kawato competed to a time-limit draw (10:00)
Jay White defeated David Finlay via submission (8:20)
Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger, KUSHIDA defeated Gedo, Beretta, and Rocky Romero via submission (8:41)
YOSHI-HASHI and Toru Yano defeated Manabu Nakanishi and Yuji Nagata (7:53)
Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzan defeated Ryusuke Taguchi and Katsuyori Shibata (11:25)
Juice Robinson, Michael Elgin, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomoaki Honma, Togi Makabe defeated Tanga Roa, Tama Tonga, Yujiro Takahashi, Bad Luck Fale, Kenny Omega (10 Man Elimination Tag Team Match) – Hiroshi Tanahashi was the final survivor (23:47)
Kushida welcomes us to the finals of the Best of the Super Junior Tournament XXII held June 7th at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Yoyogi Park, Japan. Tonight we will see Kushida vs Kyle O’Reilly in the tournament finals.
Kushida speaks in backstage interview. “Before the tournament started, it reached my ears that I was the favorite to win. If I’m the most probable winner, I had to bring up the energy and be the number one from the start. You know, in terms of content and outcome, I felt responsible for that. As far as O’Reilly, I know he’s popular in Ring of Honor. He first came to New Japan just last year. It was for the G1 IWGP Junior Tag Team matches held at the Tokyo Dome. I faced him a couple of times, so I knew how close he was from those fights. But in Japan, he’s mostly known as a tag specialist. He’s unpredictable as a singles player. As his opponent, a part of me was a bit scared. But I really felt that the crowd got to know them as Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly of reDRagon. They got to grasp what they’re about. Through my match it became more evident. In that sense, the fight was a very worthwhile match. There was an Ring of Honor tour right before in May. I fought in a three-way match against Kyle O’Reilly and Chris Sabin. And from that match, I gained confidence and I was also amazed. If I face them in a singles match, I felt that I could show a new side of me. A new and improved version of Kushida. I felt very excited.”
Kushida vs Kyle O’Reilly – Finals of the Best of the Super Junior Tournament XXII
Jim Ross and Josh Barnett introduce us to commentary. Kyle O’Reilly is out first. JR tells us that O’Reilly is a student of the game, a former rugby player, trained in MMA. Kishida is out next trained at the Takata Dojo in Tokyo, Japan when he was a junior in high school and has wanted to be a wrestler all of his life. While training in Canada, Kushida had to borrow money from his mother to get wrestling training. So far, O’Reilly and Kushina have only lost one match each in the tournament. The announcements are made, the silver winged trophy is shown. And we go to commercial.
After the commercial, O’Reilly extends a handshake to Kushida. The two men size each other up, jockeying for position, they push each other to the ropes. O’Reilly grabs the leg, Kushida on the mat fighting from his back, they exchange mat wrestling maneuvers, now O’Reilly fighting from his back and locks in an armbar. The two men break the hold and are back up. Kushida goes right back to mat, fighting from his backside again, still jockeying for position, Kushida grabs the leg of O’Reilly, forearms, elbows, back-and-forth. O’Reilly pushes Kushida’s shoulders to the mat, count, break, count, break, Kushida counters with a bridge. O’Reilly tries to break the bridge by slamming his legs into Kushida hips. Kushida hooks in a body scissors, O’Reilly reverses, tries for the STF, headlock, Kushida spins out. Kushida does some cartwheels, then spins around O’Reilly back, goes for a kick that misses, the men separate, and the fans applaud.
They lock up again, O’Reilly gets a headlock, really wrenches it in. Kushida fights out, throws O’Reilly off the ropes, shoulder block by O’Reilly. Off the ropes again, O’Reilly grabs ahold of the ropes, then runs up and over Kushida’s back, hooks a backslide, but Kushida kicks out. Inverted atomic drop slows O’Reilly down, Kushida hits a cartwheel off the ropes, and a stomp to the back of the head. Kushida catches O’Reilly in an armbar, O’Reilly trying to reverse by rolling and flipping out, O’Reilly gets a foot on the bottom rope, and the ref breaks the hold. Rolling short-armed scissor, Kushida lands knife-edge chops to O’Reilly, Irish whip into the corner, but Kushida meets a boot. O’Reilly somersaults out, kick kick, drop leg sweep, and Kushida is down. O’Reilly lateral press pin attempt, Kushida kicks out at 1. O’Reilly picks up Kushida, delivers a backbreaker, pin attempt, Kushida kicks out at 2. O’Reilly picks him up, they exchanged forearms, O’Reilly syncs in an arm ringer, then hammer lock takedown on Kushida and Kushida screams in pain at his left arm. O’Reilly continues the attack on the left arm. Arm ringer, hammerlock, Kushida to the mat. O’Reilly delivering elbows, kicks, then a sliding knee to Kushida’s left arm, O’Reilly grabs him by the nose and stretches his face and then syncs in a wrist lock on the other arm. How far can Kushida’s wrist rotate?! O’Reilly hits a cartwheel facebuster DDT and we go to commercial.
As we return, Kushida is on the mat, O’Reilly picks him up by the trunks, goes for a vertical brainbuster, Kushida wiggles out, a series and kicks from Kushida and then an arm rake over the top rope. Kushida spring boards off the top rope with a chop to the head, kick kick kick, off the ropes, reversal and Kushida lands a springboard back elbow. Kushida goes to throw O’Reilly for an Irish whip, but his arm is still in pain. O’Reilly crawls between Kushida’s legs on his hands and knees, Kushida does the same to O’Reilly, then a double wrist lock attempt, transition into a cross armbreaker, another double wrist lock attempt, but O’Reilly counters into the cross armbreaker of his own. Kushida is back up, thunderous swing by O’Reilly, and then catches him with a naked choke and hooks the legs into a full octopus. Kushida has the double wrist lock synced in, they tumble through each other, til they hit the ropes. Kushida is rabid and will not let go of the arm wrench. O’Reilly tries to fight off, but Kushida with a kick to the ribs, Kushida goes to the top rope, looking for the double wrist lock again, but O’Reilly is up with shots to the rib, and then a flying wristlock counter by O’Reilly, knocking Kushida’s head violently to the mat. O’Reilly syncs in an armbar submission, Kushida looks dazed and completely out of it. They spin out, brainbuster attempt, Kushida wiggles out, and then a German suplex by Kushida, but O’Reilly lands on his feet. O’Reilly goes to the turnbuckle rope for a clothesline, but Kushida catches him into a German suplex of his own, and then a double wrist lock DDT from the top rope.
Kushida lands an over-the-shoulder arm ringer, O’Reilly tries to fight back, but gets knocked to the outside. Kushida climbs to the top rope and delivers a shooting star press onto O’Reilly on the floor. Kushida back in the ring and the ref starts the count on O’Reilly. O’Reilly back in and lands a triangle choke, Kushia gets his foot underneath the bottom rope, and the referee calls for the break. O’Reilly sets Kushida up on the top rope, Kushida attacks the arm and knocks O’Reilly off. Kushida tries to get himself off the turnbuckle, O’Reilly pops back up, and follows him up again. Kushida is looking dead on his feet. O’Reilly picks him up and then a belly-to-back suplex off the top rope. Kushida’s eyes are closed. O’Reilly pin attempt, 1-2, kickout, and commercial.
When we return both men are on the canvas. O’Reilly kick to the solar plexus, Kushida tries to fight back, O’Reilly catches him in a suplex, and Kushida kicked out. O’Reilly to his feet first, kick to the back, forearm, Kushida goes down to one knee, stands up and knocks O’Reilly the f*** out. Ref goes lift O’Reilly’s arm and check on him, but O’Reilly screams in pain as his arm is still hurt. Kushida gets caught in an arm wringer, but then delivers a Pele kick. O’Reilly with a running lariat, Kushida off the ropes, O’Reilly with another lariat, clothesline, lateral press Kushida kicks out. Fast offense O’Reilly suplex, armbar, cross armbreaker, chain wrestling maneuvers. Kushida’s arm still hurting, O’Reilly’s arm is still hurting. O’Reilly goes to transition into the omoplata, but Kushida grab the ropes. Fans chant Kushida. Bobby Fish yelling from the outside. O’Reilly nails a kick to the sternum, goes after the left arm again, but Kushida fights out. O’Reilly syncs in a front choke while they’re standing on the apron. Kushida gets out and lands a brainbuster on O’Reilly on the apron. Both men are laid out, the ref (wearing red shoes) counts to 19 before both roll into the ring, and we hit our last commercial break.
When we return, both men are on their knees exchanging forearms. Both men are exhausted, can barely move their arms, Kushida spitting, O’Reilly’s sweating. They make their way to their feet, O’Reilly forearm, Kushida is disoriented and having a hard time staying on his feet. Kushida shakes it off and then delivered a bunch of forearms to O’Reilly, now O’Reilly is staggering, stumbling. They both grab each other by the hair, exchange shots, both men throwing haymakers, punch punch punch, forearm forearm forearm, advantage O’Reilly. Barnett says this has broken down to a hockey fight! O’Reilly connects with a running knee, both men are fighting one-armed. Kushida hits a neck breaker, pin attempt, but O’Reilly kicks out. Kushida climbs to the top rope, corkscrew moonsault, but did not get 100% of it, hooks the legs, 1-2, O’Reilly kicks out. Kushida connects, then spins around, floats over, double wrist Hoverboard lock. O’Reilly reaching for the ropes, but Kushida pulls him back to the middle of the ring, O’Reilly has nowhere to go, and finally taps.
Winner of the Best of the Super Junior Tournament XXII: Kushida (30:45)
Kushida’s teammates from New Japan (including Tiger Mask) join him in the ring to help him celebrate. The ref raises his arm, they give him an ice pack, and Kushida climbs the turnbuckle to pose for the crowd. Bobby Fish is in the ring helping O’Reilly, he’s got the ice pack as well. Both competitors look at each other, Kushida drops to his knees, O’Reilly drops to his knees. They bow to each other, placing their foreheads to the mat. O’Reilly raises his arm, Kushida hugs O’Reilly, and we go to commercial
O’Reilly cuts a promo in the back, “I don’t know what else to say right now, but they say a man admits defeat when a man is defeated. And tonight Kushida was the better man, he beat me at my own game, he tapped me out. But rest assured, I’ve been one of the top Junior Heavyweights in the world the last 3 weeks, and tonight, Kyle O’Reilly is not the best tonight, but give me 365 g*ddamn days, and next year at this exact moment, at this exact place, I will have my hand raised. I will be holding the trophy, and once again Kyle O’Reilly will prove to the entire world, that I am the best of the Super Juniors.”
Kushida stands in the ring holding the trophy, the referee hands him the mic. “Thank you for cheering me on in the Super Junior. For the Super Junior to continue on, for the next centuries to come, please support us again next year. It’s not important where you’re from, it’s important where you’re heading, it’s not about what you’ve done, it’s about what you’re going to do. I will bring a brighter future to New Japan’s Junior. With all of my heart, thank you.”
Streamers fall from the ceiling as Kushida climbs the turnbuckle, hugging the trophy, and holding a check for 5 million yen. Fellow New Japan competitors pose behind Kushida. JR mentions that while there was not a lot of high-risk maneuvers, this was a good wrestling match. Video is shown of Kushida as a child and young man. Kushida walks over with the trophy and shakes the hand of Jushin Thunder Liger. Cut to backstage promo.
Kushida says, “As for myself, I always admired New Japan Junior, now I’m part of it. I wanted to win against O’Reilly. I thought we were the same person. I wanted to move up in New Japan become a regular and become famous. The fight wouldn’t have been so fierce if it wasn’t against O’Reilly. But if it was against Rocky Romero, Bobby Fish, or the Young Bucks, I felt after the match that would be brothers in arms, a type of friendship was formed. I’ve been wanting to bring Super Junior to a much bigger stadium, it’s been my ultimate wish. After the match against Kyle O’Reilly, I feel that the tide is running in our favor. There are more opportunities now to move up. I want to get better, I want to be more specific, I want to fight in a main event match. I want the Junior category to get more attention. It means that the rivalry between O’Reilly and I will continue. There’s also a Ricochet and Matt Sydal and let’s not forget my brother Shelley will return. I can’t wait until next year’s Super Junior.” Jim Ross congratulates Kushida and says so long everybody.
Recap of Ring of Honor TV for the week of March 27, 2016
Kevin Kelly and Mr. Wrestling 3 introduce the show from Sam’s Town Live, Las Vegas Nevada. Tonight we kick things off with a four corner survival match.
Roderick Strong vs. Adam Page vs. Moose vs. Matt Sydal
Out first is former ROH World Television Champion, Roderick Strong, who lost his belt to Tomohiro Ishii at Honor Rising. The lights go out, the Clockwork Purple video entrance plays, and Adam Page poses on the ramp. Next the ‘Moose Nation’ music hits and Moose walks to the ring, led by Stokely Hathaway. Competitor number four is “Reborn” Matt Sydal, wearing the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship he won with his partner Ricochet from The Young Bucks at The New Beginning in Osaka. Adam Page refuses the code of honor, and we’re underway.
Sydal and Strong start off, arm rake, reversal, headscissors takeover, headlock, Sydal throws Strong off the rope, Strong knocks Sydal down, ducks under, leapfrog, ducks under, spinning side kick. Sydal gets in a kick, another kick, Irish whip to the corner, but meets an elbow, and then Strong catches Sydal with a backbreaker, cover 1-2, Sydal kicks out. Strong flips Sydal over his shoulder and Page tags himself in, slam to the corner, leapfrog, Page gets in a boot, and then a dropkick. Page pushes Strong to the other corner, and then rakes a forearm across the face and nose. Page looks for a suplex, but Strong reverses, flops Page across the ropes, dumping him to the outside. By the rules of a four corner survival match, Moose is able to declare himself legal with Page now on the outside. Moose is in the ring and wants some action punching and chopping with his orange and white football gloves, and then Moose with a sit-down powerbomb on Strong, pin attempt, but Page in to break it up. Moose dropkicks Page with his orange and white, size 16, boots. Sydal back in the ring hits the ropes, headscissors, spins around Moose, and then an ugly drop thigh hold and Moose. Sydal goes flying to the outside, Moose catches him and delivers a powerbomb on the apron, Strong comes through with a baseball slide taking Moose out, and then Page hits a running shooting star press on Strong. Page throws Strong back into the ring and we go to commercial.
After the break, Page and Strong in the ring, Page delivering chops and then a running dropkick in the corner. Pin attempt 1-2, but Strong kicks out. Page picks up Strong on his shoulders, Strong grabs the rope and makes it to the apron, Moose climbs the apron trying to get back in the ring, but receives a kick and then a side slam across the apron. Back in the ring, Sydal and Page do a roll up, bridge, and kickout. Moose comes in with the “Moose punches” until he gets caught by Strong. Moose comes back with a forearm to Strong, now to Page, then running forearms in each corner that turns Page inside out. Moose sits Page up on the top rope, then sits Sydal on the top rope, and delivers a standing dropkick to both of them, knocking them to the outside. Strong comes back and delivers a kick to Moose, and now sets Moose up on the top rope. Sydal runs in does a springboard off the rope into a hurricanrana, flipping Moose to the mat. Strong picks Moose up on his shoulders, delivers to go-to-sleep, then Page flips over the rope and delivers a running clothesline and DDT on Strong. Sydal in, catches Page by the boot, then gets a boot of his own.
But all of the sudden, running down the ramp is BJ Whitmer, who grabs the leg of Page. Page gets back in the ring and gets a kick from Sydal. Sydal hits an enziguri on Strong, jumping knee to Page, Sydal climbs to the top rope, and hits a shooting star press on Page, Strong breaks up the pin attempt. Strong hits a vertical back breaker that flips Sydal inside out, and then Strong connects with a running knee that knocks Page out, 1-2-3. Strong wins.
Winner: Roderick Strong
After the break, Adam Cole’s “Something for you” music hits, he walks to the ring, stands on the apron, and points at the high hair bun on his head. Cole takes the mic, “Are you ready for story time with Adam Cole, bay bay? I’m assuming that a lot of you expect me to come out here and talk about this downward spiral I was on, losing to Matt Sydal on world television, losing in the main event at ROH’s 14th Anniversary, dropping the ball and not getting the job done. I confidently stand here before you, the best pro wrestler on the planet. The reason being, there’s not a man in that locker room or anybody watching Ring of Honor around the world that can deny I am the undefeated Ring of Honor Champion. A guy like Kyle O’Reilly should not even have been in my rematch. I beat Kyle O’Riley at Final Battle and I will continue to beat Kyle O’Reilly. Sad news everybody, Kyle O’Reilly will never be Ring of Honor Champion. That’s a promise I will keep, another promise I will keep is that I will be the man who dethroned Jay Lethal for the ROH World Championship. His days are numbered, it’s done it’s finished, in a one-on-one situation with Adam Cole, bay bay, he don’t stand a chance. Jay Lethal always has the House of Truth watching his back, O’Reilly has Bobby Fish over his shoulder. Me? I have my Kingdom. With or without my Kingdom, I can promise you, one day, very, very soon, this face is your next ROH World Champion.”
The Kingdom’s music hits and it’s the surprising return of Matt Taven. Taven hobbles to the ring on a crutch, microphone in pocket. Cole helps him through the ropes and they hug. Taven speaks, “For the first time in 2016, The Kingdom is back on Ring of Honor television. We are going to pick up right where we left off in 2015, dominating professional wrestling. Not just here in ROH, not just in Japan, but all around the world, exceeding more than we ever have in our careers. Everyone except for you.” Taven turns and looks at Cole.
Kelly and MW3 are in shock, “What? What in the world!” Cole ask, “Matt, what are you talking about?” Taven interrupts, “No no no, you had two chances to win the ROH World Title and what did you do? You blew them both. And to think, I joined the Kingdom because I thought Adam Cole… he’s a big star, Adam Cole…I should attach my name to you, it’ll boost my stock. But what are you doing? You got hurt and I had to keep you relevant. Adam, you’re not better than me. And the only real star of The Kingdom was me.”
Cole on the mic, “You have a lot of nerve to be saying…” Taven interrupts, “I have a lot of nerve? I have a lot of nerve? The last time we were in this room together, you said that I dropped the ball. I blew my knee out a minute into Final Battle and continued wrestling for another 10-12 minutes. It probably cost me another 6 months of my career. But the thing is Adam, the thing is, this is the end. I don’t want to hear it. Adam, what I hear from you, you think things are finished, but they have only just begun. The Kingdom will be rebuilt in my image, and the only thing finished with The Kingdom is you.” Taven drops the mic and walks out of the ring. Kelly wonders “What will Adam Cole do now?” and we go to commercial break.
Backstage promo by Dalton Castle on Silas Young, “Rules. I’ve never been a big fan of the rules. Signs that tell me how fast I can go, restaurants that tell me what to wear. I’m a clothing-optional man! So I can relax, because Silas agreed to a fight without honor, for you will no longer be protected by rules.”
After the break, the announcers continue to talk about the Cole/Taven split.
Cheeseburger vs. Foxx Vinyer
Cheeseburger music hits and he comes out posing with the Shotei palm strike. In the ring already is Foxx Vinyer. Foxx has blue and white face paint, is wearing a black singlet with blue splotches and a blue wolf, he has on leg tassels, his head is half shaven, and a patch of hair is hanging off the side of his head. He offers to shake CHZB hand and then he smashes him over the head. Cheeseburger fights back with chops, then palm strikes to the chest, then a Mongolian chop. MW3 says, “He’s learning!” Then a boot to the midsection, Cheeseburger hits the ropes, but Foxx slams him to the mat, and hooks the leg 1-2, but CHZB kicks out. MW3 says, “Foxx looks like the love child of The Missing Link!” Foxx runs to the corner, Cheeseburger gets out of the way, climbs to the top rope, knee to the head. CHZB sets up for the Shotei palm strike, a move taught to him by Jushin Thunder Liger, and the fan start clapping. However, running down the ramp is the All Night Express. They beat up Foxx, throw him to the outside, pick him up together, and backdrop him into the apron.
Winner: No contest
ANX goes over to the announce table, grabs some microphones, point at Cheeseburger and climb into the ring. Titus is first on the mic, “Whoa whoa whoa, be easy cheesy. Put away the Shotei. We’re not here to do that to you, because we like you Burger. You’re like one of us, you are not like one of them.” King cuts in, “Juicy Burger, even though they cheer for you and chant ‘Cheeseburger!’ for you, they don’t like you. You’re out here risking your life, breaking your back, while they’re sitting in their seats and thinking ‘I could beat up Cheeseburger. That boy better eat a cheeseburger.’ They don’t put their bodies at risk like you do, like we do. They don’t know what it’s like going through a table. At the ROH 14th Anniversary show, my daughter sat in the first row and watched as my spine got bent over a ladder. I could see her tears in her eyes, but I can’t walk over to her, because my damn legs are numb. They don’t care about you Burger. Simple fact is, Cheeseburger, you got more heart in this little, teeny, tiny, minuscule, spaghetti string bicep than the most of you got your whole damn body. When we were the World Tag Team Champions, you loved us, you threw streamers for us, you popped champagne with us. And now we’re back, and damn well know we’re better than everybody. We’re Rhett Titus and Kenny King, the best damn tag team in the world.”
Titus says, “Now we’re going to do a segment called, ‘Wrestlers read mean tweets.” ‘All Night Express came out, and it was a mass exodus to the bathroom.’” Kenny points someone in the crowd, “You were probably the one who said that.” Titus continues, “We also got this one, ‘The All Night Express always remind me of a terrible overrated tag team.’” Titus points at someone in the crowd, “Was that you boy?” King address CHZB, “Cheeseburger, we’re the same dudes, we haven’t changed. I’m still carrying on as the Emperor of the City.” Fans boo. King responds, “How dare you treat me like that?” Titus says “You should have been throwing rose petals at his feet, when he walked into the building, that’s right!”
King continues, “Titus has got, and you might not be able to see this because he’s wearing the All Night Express t-shirt, available only at ROHWrestling.com, but Titus has got abs! Which now you ARE going to see, cuz he’s taking his damn shirt off. He’s got shoulders, he’s got eyes that hypnotize. Titus woah, don’t take your pants off in here! We’re still the same. But no, you’d rather cheer for spot monkeys with tassels on their legs like the Young Bucks. You’d rather cheer for those damn farmer rednecks the Briscoe Boys. You all look like you smell just like those bearded stinky chumps War Machine. Y’all even like Cheeseburger more than us.” Fans chant “Cheeseburger!” King says, “And that kind of means that you’re like us, but you’re also kinda like them. You’re smart dude, you know our catch phrase, read it on the back of the shirt, ‘If you ain’t runnin with us, you better run from us.’ And your ass ain’t running with us.” King turns around and decks CHZB, Titus joins in with stomps.
Kelly says, ‘You ran away from this company when you were the champ! And it’s not the fans fault, you can’t beat War Machine!” They go to leave, but come back in, pick CHZB up again, throws him in the air, and King nails a sidewalk spinning backbreaker. Titus connects off the top rope and Cheeseburger is not moving. War Machine runs to the ring, the Briscoes run to the ring, ANX to the outside. King says “There’s your damn heroes, look at this.” All 4 men stand in the ring yelling at ANX as ANX walks up the ramp. The Briscoes pick up War Machine’s ROH Tag Team belts and stand there looking at them. War Machine slowly turn, grab their belts back, and both teams exchange shots as we cut to commercial.
A rerun of the same promo from last week is shown, in which Jay Lethal and Truth talk about Hirooki Goto.
Hirooki Goto vs Jay Lethal for the ROH World Championship
After the commercial, it is main event time! Goto’s image appears on the screen. Kelly tell us, “Opportunities at the IWGP Championship have slipped through his fingers, leaving Goto to wonder which way he should go, what path he should take with his career.” MW3 says, “I don’t always agree, I don’t like the things he says or does, but when truth Martini does Jay Lethal is the greatest, there is no denying it. He’s the champion for a reason.” Jay Lethal hits the apron, poses with the belt, and streamers litter the ring. We go to Bobby Cruise for the introductions. “This is your main event, scheduled for one fall, for the ROH World Championship. Introducing first, the challenger out of Kuwana, Mei, Japan, Hirooki Goto. Accompanied by Truth Martini & Taeler Hendrix, wrestling out of Elizabeth, New Jersey, weighing 230 pounds, he’s the greatest first generation wrestler, Jay Lethal.” And we go to commercial.
When we return from break, the bell rings, and we’re off. Lethal grabs Goto and sends him to the corner, delivers stomps to the midsection, throws Goto off the ropes, Goto ducks a clothesline and then hits a shoulder block. Goto throws Lethal, reversal, armdrag, reversal, Lethal goes down. Goto kick, chop to the back, and then flips Lethal over, hooks the leg, cover 1, kickout. Kelly tells us, “Goto is attempting to become the second Japanese-born ROH champion (Takeshi Morishima). In the coming weeks, we will see Kenny Omega vs. ACH, plus the YB and reDRagon will be in action.” Goto is in full control, drops a forearm, Irish whip, but then runs into a boot by Lethal, and clothesline. Taeler Hendrix is on the outside, cheering on Lethal in her low-cut dress. Goto sets Lethal up on the turnbuckle, delivers three forearms, climbs to the top rope, but Hendrix climbs up on the apron. As Goto is distracted, Lethal slides underneath, drops Goto’s head to the turnbuckle, and then throws him to the outside. Lethal with a suicide dive through the middle rope, knocks Goto onto the ramp. Truth enters the ring, Hendrix poses on the apron, and Truth does a Truth-a-rooni. Lethal slides back into the ring to break the count, then goes back to the outside to get Goto, and throws him in the ring. Lethal covers Goto with a lax pin attempt without hooking the leg, and Goto kicks out. Lethal sends Goto to the corner and delivers about 10 stomps. Lethal goes back to the middle of the ring and poses for the crowd. Lethal picks up Goto, snapmare takeover, Lethal hooks in a headlock, and we cut to commercial.
We are back, Jay Lethal in control. Lethal delivering forearms to Goto’s head, until Goto stands up and gestures “Hit me again!” Chop chop, Lethal runs the ropes, Goto runs the ropes, and turns Lethal inside out with a clothesline. Goto delivers forearm, forearm, forearm, Irish whip to the corner, and then a spinning heel kick in the corner. Goto goes for the Saito suplex, Lethal fights out, goes for Lethal Injection, Goto fights out and hits a suplex, cover, 1-2, Lethal kicks out. Goto picks Lethal up on the shoulders, Lethal fights out, nails a big forearm, but Goto returns with a headbutt that knocks Lethal out cold. Lethal is dead on his feet. Goto picks him up on his shoulders, delivers an AA-style backbreaker on the knee, but Lethal somehow kicks out again. Hendrix reaches into the ring and grabs for Goto’s leg, but Goto turns around and steps on her hand. Lethal throws Goto into the ropes, Truth goes to smash him with the Book of Truth, but Goto stops him, stands up and turns around, but it met by a dropkick by Lethal, handstand DDT Lethal Injection, 1-2-3.
Winner and still ROH World Champion: Jay Lethal.
As the HoT poses in the ring, a returning Donovan Dijak runs down the ramp. He gets into the ring and exchanges forearms with Lethal, as the bell rings calling for the extracurricular action to stop. Lethal runs the ropes, but Dijack clotheslines him to the outside. Truth climbs in the ring and slams the Book of Truth across Dijack’s back. Dijack smiles, laughs and does the slow turn, as Truth apologizes and begs for his life. As Truth is backing up, he runs into Prince Nana, Truth turns back around around, and catches a big boot to the jaw from Dijack. The fans chant “You just killed him.” Dijack stands tall as the announcers say, “We have to get some help for Truth.”
Former WWE Superstar Yoshitatsu will be making his return to the ring at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Invasion Attack show on April 10th. Tatsu broke his neck back in December 2014 during a match against AJ Styles after a botched Styles Clash.
Yoshitatsu, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Michael Elgin will challenge NEVER Openweight Champions The Elite. Matt Jackson of the Young Bucks tweeted:
After the intro video package, the fans pop from Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas, NV. Mr. Wrestling 3 and Kevin Kelly are here, and we kick off the hour with a World TV Title match.
BJ Whitmer is out first. We are reminded that Whitmer picked up the controversial victory at the ROH 14th Anniversary show over Adam Page. The “Stone Pitbull” Tomohiro Ishii makes his way next. Bobby Cruise goes to make the announcement, but is interrupted by Veda Scott. Veda on the mic, “I’m just here to introduce myself to the new ROH TV champion. I’m Veda Scott and it is my job to ensure that my client Cedric Alexander gets every opportunity he deserves, one way or another. So BJ Whitmer, let’s talk. I just want to propose a slight change of plans. In this envelope, I have a certified check and it’s all for you on the express condition that you surrender your TV Title opportunity to Cedric Alexander right now. Let me speak! This is Vegas, you could cash this check you could have the best day, the best week of your life, and have a whole lot left over. You’re a wise man BJ and I know you’re going to make a wise decision.” BJ responds, “You mean to tell me that you think BJ Whitmer is the type of man who can be bought off?” The fans chant “Yes! Yes!” while Whitmer looks at the check. “Well, you would be absolutely correct in that assumption.” They shake on it, Whitmer takes the deal and gives up the TV Title opportunity. Kelly wonders, “How much money are we talking about?” And we go to commercial.
Cedric Alexander vs ROH TV Champion Tomohiro Ishii
Back from the break, they lock up collar-and-elbow, Cedric Alexander backs Ishii to the ropes. Forearm from CA, Ishii is unfazed. CA delivers another 3 forearms, Ishii still unfazed. Ishii throws CA off the ropes and they run into each other. Ishii challenges him to go at it again, CA bounces, Ishii bounces, and CA falls to the mat. 3 forearms from CA, then a chop by Ishii to the throat and CA is down again. Ishii picks him up and delivers a series of chops, headbutt, then throws him off the ropes but CA reverses and Veda Scott pulls the foot of Ishii before CA hits a dropkick. CA delivering stomps to Ishii, forearm to the back to the head, chops, snapmare takeover, dropkick to the side of the head. Pin attempt, 1-2, Ishii kicks out, another cover Ishii kicks out again. CA stomps on Ishii’s head, headlock, Ishii tries to fight out but gets an elbow to the head. The fans chant Ishii, CA walking around the ring hitting and kicking Ishii in the head. Ishii gets angry and stands up. Shrugs off 7 or 8 forearms and even starts leaning into them. He finally returns with a forearm of his own, then a splash in the corner, chop forearm chop forearm chop forearm. Irish whip, reversal, Ishii explodes out of the corner and turns CA inside out with a shoulder block. Vertical drop brainbuster, cover, 1-2, CA kicks out. Ishii goes for powerbomb, but CA blocks and flips Ishii. Ishii getting to his feet, CA sizing him up, Ishii gets out of the way, but CA turns with a kick off top rope. Michinoku driver, cover, but Ishii kicks out, CA is shocked. CA gets up, hooks Ishii by the tights, but Ishii syncs in a headlock and delivers some elbows, CA gets in kick, kick, spinning kick until Ishii returns a hard (and loud) headbutt. Slinging lariat, CA caught him, backslide pin attempt, Ishii kicks out. Ishii with a lariat, but CA kicks out. Ishii growls to the crowd, picks up CA and nails a second vertical drop brainbuster, 1-2-3, and that’s it.
Winner and still ROH TV Champion: Tomohiro Ishii
Ishii stands over top of CA yelling and holding the title in his face. Mr. Wrestling 3 wonders if Veda Scott will ask for a refund. Ishii stops by the announce table and continues yelling. Kelly says “You’re the man. You’re the champion.” Mr. Wrestling 3 translates what Ishii said, “He said nobody can beat him.” And we’re off to commercial.
When we return, the Addiction’s music hits. Kelly tells us Addiction has a bone to pick because recently the ROH 14th Anniversary show turned into an unlikely reunion for Motor City Machine Guns.
Kazarian on the mic, “Big news! The MCMG are back together again. And while it may give all of you a warm fuzzy feeling, it makes us, the men who were betrayed, sick to our damn stomachs. Chris Sabin..” The fans chant “Motor city!” “Chris Sabin… you silly stupid little turd. Out of the goodness of our hearts we rescued you from the bowels of obscurity and made you relevant once again. Without us, you’d be as bad as Detroit’s economy. What do you do? You betray us and run to Shelley, into the safety of your MCMG buddy, pointing at your stupid hands. And it’s only fitting it happened here in Las Vegas, Nevada. It can be said this is world capital for bad decision making. Go ahead chanting, because lions don’t lose sleep over opinions of sheep. So Sabin, I’ll chalk this up to bad decision making, but what you owe us is an a apology.” Daniels interrupts on the mic shouting, “No no Frankie, that’s not the way a friend treats you. I expect that from Ring Of Honor cuz they’re jealous and trying to hold us back. I expect that from these simple-minded fans because they’re them and not us. Yeah, I’d hate to be you (fans), trust me. It’s not a big deal, it’s a blip on the radar, cuz everything about tag team in ROH begins and ends with the Addiction. Machine Guns, I don’t care if you consider yourselves the younger generation, the new generation, or the next generation, cuz we are generation killers and we are going to end this reunion before it even starts.” Shelley’s music and entrance graphic hits, and out come Sabin and Shelley. The fans chant “Motor City!” Sabin speaks up, “So anyway, from the looks of things, you 2 seem to be a little confused. Its simple, I’ll explain to you, in this moment I’ve come to realization that you 2 are nothing more than bitter douchebags. That’s the only reason I’m standing with my best friend Alex Shelley and not you guys anymore. So from the sounds of it, seems like 2 you are trying to pick a fight. So if you want to do this, we could do it right here, right now, what do you think?” MCMG take off for the ring, but Addiction hightails it out of Dodge. Daniels says “So wait, what you’re telling me is, what you’re telling me is, you want to fight us right here, right now? You simple-minded sheep want so to see MCMG against the Addiction right now? I’m sorry, that’s not how it works. Children don’t tell adults what to do, adults tell children what to do. So you young kids understand, the vets will decide when this match goes down, and it’s up to us. You can stand here and point your hands and these douchebags can cheer all you want. You don’t deserve our attention one bit.” Commercial.
Truth Martini and Jay Lethal cut a prerecorded promo on Hirooki Goto. Truth says, “Goto you’re going 1-on-1 against the greatest ROH heavyweight champion that ever lived. If life don’t check you, I will.” Lethal jumps in, “Goto, when we meet, you will ‘go to’ the hospital. See what i did there? I’m going to send you back to the Land of the Rising Sun with a notebook and that notebook will read one thing, Jay Lethal is the greatest.” Commercial.
The Briscoes vs. Reno Scum
We’re back. Tag team action, Reno Scum is out first in their leather jackets, weighing a combined total of 462 pounds. Adam Thornstowe and Luster the Legend make their way to the ring. The Briscoes music hits and the fans go nuts. Out come Dem Boys to a raucous ovation. The bell rings, MW3 wonders if Reno Scum the same S.C.U.M. from a few years ago. Kelly tells him no, that was a brief time in ROH history. Bell rings, lock up, whip to the corner. Mark leapfrogs, snapmare takeover, dropkick, tags Jay in, and they tag team a multiple headbutt combo. Thornstowe gets a clothesline from Mark, clotheslines from Jay takes him to the outside. Mark hits a baseball slide diving through middle rope. Thornstowe is thrown back in ring, Jay sends him off the ropes, hits a dropkick, goes for the pin, 1-2, kickout. Jay tags Mark in, Mark delivers shots to ribs, Thornstowe fights back, knocks Jay off the apron rope, but Mark catches him. Mark hits Thornstowe, sends him to corner, reversal, then a spear on Mark in corner, elbow, and Thornstowe tags in Luster. Together Renco Scum split Mark’s legs, drag him to corner, elbow, cover, pin, kick out. They drag Mark over to the corner again, both men slam him into turnbuckle, then deliver blows to the back and yell to the crowd. Mark tries punch out, more punches, Thornstowe sends Mark to turnbuckles and tag in Luster. Thornstowe stands on the apron pointing his fingers like a gun when Luster slaps Mark loud like a gunshot. Snapmare takeover, headlock, and the fans chant “Man up.” Mark tries to fight out, but whip corner, still throwing punches, Mark hits a jumping enziguri, but then Luster catches him and runs him into corner, puts him on his shoulders, but Jay into break it up. Luster tags in Thornstowe and they cut off the ring. They hold Mark’s arms over the ropes and hit a chest splash, Thornstowe tags in, whip to corner, Luster goes for spear but misses. Thornstowe takes out Jay, then catches Mark on the ropes but Mark lands on his feet after a flip and makes the hot tag to Jay. Jay comes in like a storm hits 3 huge clotheslines, then the redneck uppercut, headbutt off the ropes kicks and forearms but Death Valley Driver, neckbreaker, cover, 2 but Luster kicks out. Chops from Mark, runs into a boot, but Mark counters with a Mongolian chop. Suplex on Luster, then Mark uses his head to push and roll him out of the ring. Thornstowe in by himself, splashes in the corner, Mark picks him up, Jay hits a running neck breaker, pin attempt, but Thornstowe kickout at 2. Mark gives the “finish him” sign and Jay sets him up for Jay driller but Luster comes back in and pushes Mark into Jay, forcing a collision. Luster hits a german suplex and double stomp to the heart on Mark, goes for the pin, but Jay breaks it up. Jay and Luster exchange blows, goes for Jay Driller, can’t hook it and then a thunderous clothesline. Thornstone catches Mark, but Mark bounces upside down on his head, lands on his feet, and climbs to the top rope. Mark hits the Froggy Bow, Luster tries to break the count, but Jay stops him 1-2-3.
Winner: The Briscoes
Jay yells at camera, fans chant “Man up.” Both teams are shown in the ring shaking hands and showing respect.
Dalton castle cuts a pre-taped promo, “Silas Young, isn’t this exciting? It’s kind of like getting the band back together. One last rendezvous, one last sadie hawkins dance. Why are the boys not here? Will the boys be there when I face you? I don’t want them there. I don’t want them exposed to what i’m going to do to you. They’re sensitive, they have sensitive ears, sensitive eyes. They can’t handle a fight without honor.”
“Unbreakable” Michael Elgin and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs The Young Bucks
After comercial Kelly says “Its main event time.” MW3 says, “No, its not. Its PARTY time!” And the Young Bucks come out to big cheers from the fans. Kelly tells us “The YB are the hottest act in pro wrestling today.” The fans litter the ring with streamers, Nigel McGuinness joins us on commentary, and we learn that in 2 weeks, we’ll see Addiction vs MCMG. Next out is Unbreakable Michael Elgin. They tell us Elgin has been saying “Hey, make sure when you talk about tag teams in ROH, don’t leave us out of the conversation either. He means himself and his tag team partner” …and out comes Hiroshi Tanahashi, wrestling out of Ogaki, Japan. The announce team gives us the backstory, “What a great tag team they are (Elgin and Tanahashi). There’s a lot of animosity between the YB and both men, because when Tanahashi faced Kenny Omega for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, it was YB that assisted Omega. Elgin came down and physically removed both the Bucks.”
The tale of the tape shows Elgin and Tanahashi have the weight advantage at 494 lbs vs YB at 382 lbs. Fans chant YB. Kelly, MW3, and McGuinness debate which team has the overall advantage, “This team that came together in 2015 (Elgin and Tanahashi) has ambitious plans in 2016.” Kelley thinks YB have advantage because of experience. McGuinness says “Advantage Big Mike and Tanahashi.” MW3 says “I’ll give advantage to YB, but I think their arrogance might cost them.” YB refuse code of honor. Fans chant “2 sweet”, bell rings, and we’re off.
Elgin calls for the test of strength, Nick asks the fans, then raises his arm, but holds up the Wolfpack sign instead and pokes Elgin in eye. Nick off ropes, shoulder block, Elgin flexes and yells “Come on!” Nick hits Elgin, Nick bounces off Elgin and Elgin gives him chop chop. Nick thrown to the ropes, but he jumps over and flips, Nick spinning kick, goes to throw him, reversal, counter, jockeying for position, Nick slides over his back and tags Matt. Matt throws Nick off him then hooks Tanahashi with an upside down head scissor handstand at the ropes while Nick connects with a kick. Matt baseball slides through the ropes, and while Matt halfway skins-the-cat, Nick leaps over top of him to the outside. The crowd is going nuts for the Spot Monkeys and we go to commercial.
Matt is on the top rope, crossbody but Elgin catches him, lifts him up on his shoulders, Matt gets out and goes for a superkick but gets stopped. Tanahashi tags and they set up Matt in the corner, then Elgin running boot, spins and forearm also takes Nick off the apron. Tanahashi has Matt on the floor, delivers a forearm to back of Matt, European uppercut, then throws him back in ring and tags in Elgin. They both pick him up and hold him upside down in a delayed suplex, then finally back body drop. Nick is on apron and yells “What’s your problem?” Both Elgin and Tanahashi yell “suck it” as the give the crotch chop to Nick, and Tanahashi flicks his hand under his chin in insult for good measure. Kick to Matt, Tanahashi sends him to corner, while from the outside Elgin hooks Matt’s arms on the ropes. Nick tries to get in, but the ref stops him, and Tanahashi knocks him outside. Tanahashi goes to blast Matt in the corner, but stops short and rakes his fingernails down Matt’s back. The announce team tell us “Tanahashi is taking a play out of the YB playbook, rubbing salt in their wounds.” Elgin tags in, delivers a clubbing forearm to the back of Matt’s neck, and picks him up for another delayed suplex. Fans count up to 13, while Big Mike holds Matt in the air, before Nick runs into break it up, but instead Elgin hooks Nick and slams them both. Elgin goes for the cover, 1-2 kick out. Elgin picks Matt up, rams his head into the turnbuckle, tags in Tanahashi and the fans chant “Tanahashi!” Matt counters off the ropes, but Tanahashi traps him in an abdominal stretch. Dueling chants from the fans, “Let’s go Hashi! Let’s go Bucks!” Tanahashi plays some humain air guitar on Matt while stretching him. Matt drives an elbow to the knee, hip toss, goes for tag but Tanahashi gets him by the foot, and syncs in a headlock. Nick is yelling from top rope, Tanahashi yells “suck it” and Nigel says they really need to copyright that. Matt breaks the hold, gets in an elbow to Tanahashi, then to Elgin, back to Tanahashi, delivering right hands, until Elgin drags him out and meets a superkick, Matt slides under the legs and gets the hot tag to Nick. Nick delivers 1 dropkick, 2 dropkicks, 3 dropkicks, Nick is running the ropes, catches Elgin on apron. Running the ropes again, “Hey Tanahashi, suck it” and a face-plant from Nick. Nick is flying all around, over top rope, face first powerbomb, then a tornado DDT on the outside. The fans go nuts, Nick give a “2 sweet” to the camera and we go to commercial.
We’re back, senton from Nick, cover, hooks the leg, Tanahashi kicks out at 2. Matt up on the apron now, tags in, the fans chant “SUPERKICK!” Matt punches Tanahashi, Irish whip to corner, but runs into elbow, cross body off 2nd rope, and Tanahashi gets the tag to Elgin. Elgin delivers forearms to Matt, theN Nick, then Matt, then Nick, then Matt, then Nick. Splash to Nick, then Matt, then Nick, then Matt, suplex but Nick is there to catch Matt. Nick goes for a superkick but Elgin send Nick’s kick into Matt, then Elgin picks them both up, holding them in his arms, and hurls them across ring for a double suplex. Elgin pounds the turnbuckle the fans clap along. Elgin delivers a deadlift superplex Falcon Arrow on Matt, 1-2 but somehow, someway Matt found the strength to kick out. Buckle bomb, but Matt gets out, counter, Nick kick, up to the top rope, flip, Matt catches him, slam Elgin, tag team combo and MW3 asks “What on earth was that?” Then SUPERKICK! Matt says “see you later”, spin flip, Nick spin flip. Throws Tanahashi out. Fans chant “This is awesome!” Matt climbs to top rope, Kelly starts to say More Bang, but realizes he called the wrong move and stops himself, before Matt flips off top rope, Nick flips off top rope. Next Tanahashi tags, but Nick takes out Elgin, dragon screw leg sweep, SUPERKICK!, but Tanahashi runs through it and a clothesline turns Matt inside out. Tanahashi gives two thumbs up, climbs the turnbuckle, gets on Elgin’s shoulders, bends backwards and a whip slam onto Matt. Nick SUPERKICK!, Matt joins in for double SUPERKICK! and then another double SUPERKICK! MW3 sings SUPERKICK! in 3 different octaves, he loves SUPERKICKS! Matt picks up Tanahashi and yells “5 Star”, Nick yells “Meltzer Driver”, Matt goes for it, but Elgin catches him, Matt throw Tanahashi off, Tanahashi runs through slingblade on Matt Elgin picks him up and delivers a powerbomb. Tanahashi to the top rope, hits the High Fly Flow, it’s over folks, 1-2-3.
Winners: Michael Elgin and Hiroshi Tanahashi
Kelly says, a small measure of revenge for Elgin and Tanahashi. While Omega is still the IWGP Intercontinental Champion, at least they got the Bucks. He tells us “This is the best professional wrestling in the world today. Fans next week on ROH, the World Title is on the line, Hirooki Goto challenges Jay Lehal. You can’t miss it see you then.” Tanahashi hugs the fans on his way out.
Geto introduces the show. “We have for you today the matches held at Korakuen Hall on May 22. You’re watching Pro Wrestling Returns.” After the intro video package, Jim Ross welcomes us to AXS TV. He says “time permitting” we have 3 matches scheduled this hour featuring action from the 22nd ever Best of the Super Juniors tournament.
Yohei Komatsu vs Jushin Thunder Liger
Both men make their way to the ring. As soon as the bell sounds, Komatsu takes the advantage with an early dropkick, Liger to the outside. Komatsu follow after him and throws Liger back in the ring. Komatsu climbs to the top rope, as Liger gets up, Komatsu hits a flipping hit block, cover, 1-2, Liger kicks out. JR talks about the long career of Liger saying Komatsu has probably watched Liger most his life. Shotei palm strike to the face by Liger. Liger picks him up and delivers a powerbomb. Liger is back to his feet, trying to shake off the initial blows. Liger throws Komatsu to the outside, delivers a brainbuster on the floor to Komatsu, and we have our first commercial.
When we return Komatsu is still on the floor. The referee has started the 20 count. Komatsu crawls towards the ring, tries to dive in but collides with the ring apron, nearly getting himself counted out, but gets back up and slides in just before 20. Liger sets him up for a surfboard, then brings him back down for a reverse front sleeper. The referee checks his arm, Komatsu gets some forearm shots and Liger breaks the hold. Liger picks him up for another Liger bomb, 1-2, Komatsu kicks out. Barnett tells us “Komatsu is wrestling one of his idols. Could work in his favor, or if it gets in your head, it’ll bury you. Kill your hero is an honorable thing, but you have to do it with respect.” Liger locks in a camel clutch, then switches to a half Boston Crab. JR says “Iron Sheik would want royalties.” Komatsu gets to the ropes and breaks the hold. Liger throws him to the corner, but Komatsu meets him with kick, then forearms. Komatsu hits the ropes, but Liger hits a dropkick. Next Liger hits the ropes, but Komatsu hits a dropkick. Komatsu connects with half-hatch bridging suplex, then locks in a half Boston crab. Liger finds the ropes and breaks the hold. They lock up and both try for suplexes, but both block. Liger hits some short arm shots to the ribs, then locks him from behind. Komatsu hits some reverse elbows, but Liger hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Liger picks him up for another powerbomb, but Komatsu reverses into a pin attempt 1-2, Liger kicks out. Komatsu picks him up for a Falcon Arrow suplex, but Liger kicks out. Komatsu climbs the ropes but Liger is up and hooks him for a suplex off the ropes. However, Komatsu bounces right back to his feet and runs the ropes, until he runs into a Liger clothesline, cover 1-2, kick out. Liger to his feet, Komatsu struggling to get to his feet, another clothesline from Liger, cover again, but Komatsu gets his right shoulder up. Liger hits some more Shotei palm strikes to the head of Komatsu before Liger connects a vertical brainbuster. 1-2-3 and this one is over.
Winner: Jushin Thunder Liger (8:36)
Backstage, Liger says “He has some nice stuff, he’s flexible too. He has enough speed all he needs is experience. It’s straightforward. It’s too easy for me to read his next move. I’m excited to see his league matches. How much he will take in new moves. I’m eager to see how he’ll incorporate them in the match.” Komatsu is helped to the back and we go to commercial.
Mascara Dorada vs Kushida
After the break, Dorada is out first. JR tells us he is very accomplished luchador, former CCML World Welterweight Champion. Dorada hits the ring apron and spit sprays some water, ala Triple H. Next is Kushida in his Marty McFly outfit, making his way to the ring and flipping over the top rope. They shake hands and we begin this 30 minute, one fall match.
Both competitors start off with some mat wrestling, exchanging positions back-and-forth. Kushida does some nice spins around Dorada’s back. They lock fingers again, Dorada with a drop toe hold, goes for the STF. Again they exchange some chain wrestling maneuvers, before both men get back to a vertical base, and the fans cheer. Dorada drops Kushida, they hit the ropes, exchange flips until Kushida catches him in an armbar submission. More blows from Kushida while the armbar is in and then we get a clean break. Kushida rolls to the outside apron, dragging Dorada by the arm, and delivers an armrake using the rope. Kushida picks him up again, and another armrake on the other rope. Kushida throws Dorada off the ropes, atomic drop, then low dropkick, then another dropkick to the head, cover, 1-2, kickout. Kushida locks in a short arm scissor, Dorada goes to reverse, but Kushida transitions into omoplata. Kushida is still working on Dorada’s arm, wrenching it, stepping on it. Kushida picks up Dorada, delivers some knife-edge chops, and sends him to the corner. Kushida follows him in but meets a boot, Dorada goes for a flip, but misses, Kushida goes for backflip but Dorada gets the knees up and we’re off to commercial.
When we return, both men are on the mat, struggling to get to their feet, Dorada hits a chop, but Kushida sends him to rope, Dorada jumps from one rope to another and knocks Kushida to outside. Dorada climbs the turnbuckle and delivers a moonsault to the floor on Kushida. Dorada gives Kushida another chop, picks him up and throws him back into the ring. The fans applaud and show their respect. Dorada springboards off the ropes into a crossbody and pin attempt, but Kushida kicks out. Dorada climbs up top for another moonsault, but Kushida gets the knees up. JR says, “That move was rather advertised. You know what they say ‘Telephone, telegraph, tell-a-wrestler!’” Kushida to the top and hits a swan dive onto Kushida, both men crashing to the floor. The ref starts the count, Dorada gets back in at 15, but is immediately met with a running dropkick from Kushida. Arm ringer, then Kushida sends Dorada off the ropes, but a low dropkick from Dorada, and another near fall. Dorada picks him up, climbs to the top, walks the ropes, then a senton onto Kushida. Dorada picks him up into a fireman’s carry, sets him up for a backdrop but Kushida wiggles out. Dorada gets in some elbows and knees, but Kushida catches him coming off ropes, and hits the Hoverboard Lock floating double wrist takeover, locks in the arm behind his back, and before long Dorada taps out.
Winner: Kushida (8:53)
Kushida checks on Dorada after the match. They shake hands and embrace, showing mutual respect. After the match, Kushida comments in the back. “I debuted in Mexico 10 years ago. 10 long years actually. I finally had Lucha Libre eat out of my hand. This whole past year, I have been fighting against heavyweights. I’d like someday to make Super Jr go beyond Climax 1. I must do one thing for that. I have to win the Super Jr. Watch me climb up that ladder.”
After the commercial, we get a backstage interview with Gedo:
It was your first appearance in 3 years? “That’s right it was decided abruptly. Kenny Omega cancelled at the last minute. I didn’t think I had any business in the ring this year. Then all of the sudden they put me in.”
What was your impression of Taguchi? “My impression of him? If I allowed myself to be overwrought I felt that he was going to take the rhythm, my rhythm, so i was careful not to let him get the upper hand. I went at my usual pace. I always kept him in my mind, to take initiative of the match. That’s what is important. I won’t let the opponent have control.”
About your fans expectations? “Well you know when I went to the ring, the people seemed surprised. I somewhat felt the pressure. I didn’t think about it til I got on the ring. I was like really the main event. I had even been complaining about it. I went on the ring like there’s nothing I can do now, but the crowd reacted with a certain level of expectation for me. I was a bit relieved.”
Did it help that Okada was in the commentator seats? “I think so for sure. It makes a big difference where Okada was there or not. What was real exciting about it was that Okada was sitting there and I was fighting in the main event. It made a big difference.”
Ryusuke Taguchi vs Gedo
Okada joins on commentary. Gedo is out first with the bandanna pulled down low over eyes. Gives Okada the Rainmaker money hand gesture. Next is the “Funky Weapon” Ryusuke Taguchi wearing some goofy shades. When he takes off the shades, he is wearing his bandanna over his eyes as well, mocking Godo. JR says “Must be a run on headbands this week.” Godo superkicks Taguchi to start the match. Gedo picks him up and back down into pinning combination but Taguchi kicks out. Gedo with kicks, positions Taguchi vertical on the apron, and delivers a sick DDT that Taguchi sells well. Funky Weapon is back in ring, but Gedo throws him right back out. Gedo grabs the ring mallet and smashes Taguchi multiple times. Jr says, “I guess everything is legal, even a ring mallet?” Barnett agrees, “I didn’t realize this was a falls count anywhere hardcore match!” Next Gedo takes off the turnbuckle padding and yells for the ref to count. JR says “Gedo’s asking the ref to count. See how good my Japanese is Josh?” Taguchi slides back in at 18. Geto rips Taguchi’s shirt off and sends him into the exposed turnbuckle with Irish whip. JR is amused at his own commentary, “A Japanese wrestler with an Irish whip? Sort of an international flavor!” Gedo is making fun of the Funky Weapon, playing to the crowd. Gedo with stomps to the back of the head, Gedo is establishing the pace. Picks up Taguchi by his hair, sends him into the unpadded turnbuckle again, slamming him into it repeatedly, then holds a knee to the face, but the referee makes him break it. Elbow to the back of the head, Gedo is really working over Taguchi’s neck. Now a hair pull into a front facelock with the knee being driven into back of Taguchi for extra leverage. Kick, picks him up, snapmare takeover, reverse chin lock, knee into the spine. Taguchi is in a lot of pain. The referee asking if he wants to give it up but Taguchi is trying to get to his feet. Taguchi lands an elbow to the stomach, but Gedo connects with another blow to the spine. Taguchi reverses, but Gedo gives him punches, dancing punches ala Road Dogg, then winds up for a big punch sending Taguchi to the mat. Gedo picks him up, snapmare take over again, then a superkick to the face while Taguchi is still on his knees. Gedo goes for a lax pin attempt, but Taguchi gets his left shoulder up. Gedo is very methodical with this, operating at as JR calls it a “sadistic, cruel pace.” Another chin lock, Taguchi reaches for the hair, but Gedo doesn’t have any hair. Back to their feet, Irish whip but a reversal, into another reversal, and Gedo avoids the exposed turnbuckle. Then a flip by Taguchi, he tries for some offense, but Gedo gets out. Gedo hits the rope and meets a jumping hip block by Taguchi, then another one. Taguchi now with another running hip block off the apron to the outside. JR tells us Taguchi is really using his “assets” and we go to commercial.
After the break, both men are still on the floor. Taguchi to his feet first, picks up Gedo, throws him into the ring, and connects with another hip block into the side of Gedo’s head. Taguchi goes to the rope, another hip block, another one, another one! With all these hip blocks, JR says Taguchi is “a hipster, if you will.” Lateral press and Gedo kicks out weakly. Taguchi locks Gedo, but Gedo reverses into a double chicken wing. Taguchi trying to get to the ropes, but he’s in a lot of pain. Gedo transitions into Gedo clutch cross face, but Taguchi reverses into an ankle lock on Gedo. Now another toe hold, Gedo tries for the ropes but can’t get there. Taguchi drags him to the center of the ring, but Gedo counters, flips into rollup, but the Funky Weapon kicks out. Both men in opposite corners, jumping hip attack by Taguchi, then pick up face first suplex. Taguchi ascends to the top rope and connects with another hip block off from up high. JR says Taguchi is “putting his best face forward.” Taguchi hooks the leg, but Gedo kicks out at 2. Taguchi picks up Gedo and locks in his own double chicken wing, but Gedo sends Taguchi into referee. They hit the ropes, Taguchi gets in a nice high kick, baseball slide low dropkick, near fall. Taguchi is back up with another toe hold ankle lock, dropping Gedo to the mat. Taguchi is really locking in the toe hold now, Gedo might tap. Gedo inching towards the ropes, Taguchi gets him back to the center of the ring, front face suplex, near fall. Okada is celebrating the fact his mentor is living to fight another day. The crowd is chanting Gedo’s name. Taguchi picks him up Gedo, but Gedo fights out and rolls to the outside. Gedo picks up the hammer again, Taguchi takes the hammer from him, swings and misses, connecting with the announce table. Taguchi carries the hammer back into the ring, but the ref wrestles it away from him and it throws it out. While the ref’s back is turned, Gedo hits a low blow, then Flatliner into the Gedo Clutch pin. Gedo wins.
Winner: Gedo (14:00)
Taguchi grabs an ice packs for his nether regions. The ref asks Gedo, Gedo denies, and the ref raises Gedo’s hand. Barnett says “If tree falls in forest and nobody is there to see it, did Taguchi get his balls wrapped?”
Backstage after the match, Taguchi is writhing in pain. “Oh my. Oh my. Oh my penny. Oh my penny. Oh my and Garfunk. It’s the most ultimate oh my and Garfunkel. I hope that… I hope my son feels better by tonight. I sincerely hope so.”
Outside the ring, Gedo and Okada celebrate. Okada has a mic in his hand. “Can I interview him?” A loud cheer from the fans. “You just won. How do you feel?” Gedo says, “Wait before that i just heard something. You said that I couldn’t win.” Okada tells him, “I said you can’t win the championship.” Gedo responds, “That’s cold man.” Okada explains, “No it’s not. No, no, I think you’ll win back-to-back, that’s what I meant.” Gedo says, “I earned confidence today” and the fans cheer. Okada plays to the crowd, “Isn’t Gedo considered a favorite to win our block?” Gedo says, “I won against him today. I would fight in a double title match in Osaka. I will face Kenny Omega in the Super Jr.” Okada replies, “Wow you’re fired up! Should we do it?” The fans are loudly chanting “Gedo!” They remind Gedo it was his first singles match for New Japan this year. Gedo responds, “Did you really just say that? To tell you the truth, it was my first time. As for the singles main event, it was my first in 2 years, since my match against Prince Devitt.” Continuing praise of Gedo, “You displayed a fantastic fight today, but the league matches will continue. You mentioned early the July 5 match at Osaka-jo Hall. Will you tell us your goal again?” Gedo says, “Rainmaker won’t just challenge for IWGP Championship that AJ holds, there’s no doubt he’ll get it. As for me? I’ll challenge thru Super Jr and Omega. Obviously money will rain. Thank you very much.” Gedo and Okada both get in ring, rainmaker pose, celebrate, and exchange congratulations.
Backstage interview with Gedo. “At first I thought he was acting strange, but if I get overwrought, he would get into rhythm. I pulled a surprise attack so he won’t get into a rhythm. Everything was hard to predict but in a good way. Looking back against bigger opponents. For example by winning, people think I might advance. In the end, it was Kushida and O’Reilly, those 2 advance. But anyone could advance, makes it interesting. Wrestlers that belong to Super Jr, they get most attention. There isn’t a Jr Heavyweight category elsewhere so they’re forced to match up against bigger opponents. Difficult class. Best stage for them to shine might be the matches here at New Japan. That’s what makes it interesting.”
IWGP Intercontinental Champion Kenny Omega is continuing to push for an inter-promotional super fight with WWE superstars The New Day. Along with The Young Bucks, Omega wants to put New Japan Pro Wrestling’s The Elite up against Big E, Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston.
Last month after capturing the NEVER Openweight 6-man titles at the ROH vs. NJPW “Honor Rising” show from Tokyo, The Elite officially called New Day out. On Friday, this statement came out from Omega explaining why he wants to make this fight happen:
Tonight, for the first time since his departure from WWE, Jim Ross returns to a regular gig doing pro wrestling announcing with his first episode of New Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS TV. This all came about when Mauro Ranallo, who had called the show with Josh Barnett up to this point, was hired by WWE to be the voice of SmackDown. AXS clearly knew what they had to do: Ranallo’s work had been so highly praised that very few announcers would have been seen as anything but a step down, even if they do good jobs, but Ross is THE legend of wrestling announcers in the modern era. Ross is also great for getting the show/product publicity.
AXS TV sent out a screener of tonight’s show recently, which I’ve watched. I won’t lie: There’s a bit of an adjustment. Ranallo and Barnett did this show together for a year, and were good friends before that, so they had developed a smooth rapport. As a unit, Ross and Barnett aren’t there yet. It was also strange to watch a show where you don’t see Ross (even though you know he’s dubbing 10 month old matches), and hear him in a studio when we’re used to hearing him at ringside.
That said? It’s Jim Ross! A motivated, a reinvigorated Jim Ross. He did his homework, called moves well, and drama…everything you’d really want from Jim Ross. What stood out to me, though, was how he set up Barnett. At one point, there was a spot where Ross mentioned how you can see how Shinsuke Nakamura’s mixed martial arts training and fighting experience came into play. Barnett seemed a little confused for a second before Ross explained how the front facelock/front headlock has so many uses in MMA that can be adopted in pro wrestling. It was a great touch.
It was a very solid debut, and I’m sure Ross gets into even more of a groove in future episodes. Check it out tonight at 9:00 p.m. ET on AXS TV.
Tokyo Sports and a number of pro wrestling websites have reported that Eiji Ezaki, best known as Hayabusa during his pro wrestling career, has passed away at 47 years of age. According to the Tokyo Sports report, he suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage in his brain, though it’s not clear yet if the brain bleed was a spontaneous event or if he had hit his head in a fall.
There were two phases to Ezaki’s career professional wrestling. The first, as a performer, really kicked off 1994, when, at the famous Super J-Cup one night junior heavyweight tournament, he debuted the Hayabusa gimmick in a losing effort against Jushin Thunder Liger. He quickly became one of the top stars in the company, becoming the lead babyface when company founder Atsushi Onita retired (for the second and far from last time) a year later. Under Hayabusa, while FMW still had its fair share of crazy brawls and exploding barbed wire matches, it become a more wrestling centric promotion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTbOv9mZqt8
The second phase, as a promoter, began in 2001, when he was paralyzed in the ring after a freak accident where he slipped performing a quebrada (Lionsault) in the ring, landing on his head. As he grew depressed in the hospital, his friend Hiromichi Fuyuki, the FMW booker and his in-ring rival who was dying of cancer, told him that while he himself didn’t have much time left, Ezaki still had the rest of his life and couldn’t give up. Last year, in the above ceremony at Korakuen Hall, in front of a crowd of hardcore fans and fellow legends he walked unassisted in public for the first time since his injury 14 years earlier.
In the United States, Hayabusa would be best known for his ECW pay-per-view appearance in 1998, where at Heatwave, he and Jinsei Shinzaki (Hakushi of WWF fame) lost to Sabu and Rob Van Dam. He spent a lot of time in Mexico, as well, mostly during the period in the early ’90s were he was fine-tuning the Hayabusa gimmick before debuting it in Japan. While best known for his high flying and participating in the crazy gimmick matches that Onita had made famous, he was a very well-rounded worker and had a number of great matches. FMW was one of the best promotions in the world in the late ’90s, and Hayabusa was key to that, along with Fuyuki, Masato Tanaka, Mike “The Gladiator” Awesome, Mr. Gannosuke, Tetsuhiro Kuroda, Yukihiro Kanemura, Gedo, and Jado. When the promotion veered into a more “WWF-style” direction, he even experimented with a new unmasked persona, “H,” which was inspired by The Rock, even using the Rock Bottom as a finisher dubbed the “H Effect.”
While Jim Ross had said last week that he would be calling boxing soon on CBS Sports Network, those were all of the details that he gave. Today, he officially announced the details as part of a press conference in Las Vegas (embedded above), which was covered by the Associated Press: Ross is going to be the play by play announcers for “Knockout Night at the D,” a a series of cards from the Downtown Las Vegas Event Center. The first show will be March 12th with Zab Judah vs. Josh Torres in the 10-round junior welterweight title main event.
Ross explained to the AP that “I can’t overnight become a boxing expert. There will be learned boxing fans, longtime fans, that are going know infinitely more about boxing than I do, and I have no problem with that. My strengths are storytelling and getting you to know the fighter, and then bringing that spontaneity, that voice that cuts through the clutter.” Color commentator Al Bernstein added that “Jim is an iconic broadcaster who comes from a different kind of telecast, but has already shown in brief forays into boxing [with Golden Boy Promotions on Fox Sports 1] that he is well studied and very respectful of the sport.”
– Tokyo Sports reports that New Japan Pro Wrestling President Kaname Tezuka has resigned. He had been brought in during a transition period for the company and is being replaced by Katsuhiko Harada.
– NJPW has announced the first round matches for the upcoming New Japan Cup tournament, which kicks off on March 3rd at the company’s anniversary show from Tokyo:
Yujiro Takahashi vs. Toru Yano
Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Michael Elgin
Togi Makabe vs. Tama Tonga
Tomoaki Honma vs Satoshi Kojima
Yuji Nagata vs. Hirooki Goto
Yoshi-Hashi vs Tetsuya Naito
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Evil
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale
The winner of the single-elimination tournament will face Okada at the Invasion Attack show on 4/10 at Sumo Hall.
WWE.com has officially announced the signing of Japanese Wrestling legend Shinsuke Nakamura. An article at WWE.com states that he’s signed with “WWE NXT,” so it looks like his match at TakeOver is not a one-time thing. That’s not surprising, since he was expected to acclimate himself in NXT for a while, but since WWE likely had to sign him to a lucrative deal to get him to jump from NJPW, it was expected that he was earmarked for the main roster. Maybe he still is, but they’re pushing him as an NXT signing for now.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque told WWE.com that “Talent is the lifeblood of our company, and the signing of Shinsuke Nakamura further demonstrates NXT’s commitment to bringing in the best talent from all over the world. His explosive style will make an immediate impact to an already dynamic NXT men’s division.” I’m sure we’ll hear more from WWE about him in the coming weeks.
Popular bilingual Twitter user Enuhito hipped English language Twitter to the news that broke in Japan today on sites like Tokyo Sports: Dual promotion star Kota Ibushi, who’s currently out of action with a neck injury, has left both NJPW and DDT to work as a freelancer out of his own company, Ibushi Pro Wrestling Research Institute. He’ll still be returning to action at DDT’s annual Sumo Hall show on March 2nd, but he’s no longer on their roster or NJPW’s.
It’s hard to figure out whether this is going to mean anything, substantively speaking. He’s obviously still working for DDT and will probably still work for NJPW, as well. It’s probably a matter of how many dates he’s obligated to work, especially with the responsibility being the top guy in DDT in addition to being a top guy in NJPW. Most likely not much actually changes in terms of who he works for when, but he dictates his terms a bit more. NJPW’s going to need him in light of the departures of A.J. Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura, so maybe that works out for the best. Plenty of big stars have had great runs as freelancers, maybe he can be next.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross and Josh Barnett will be calling the action for the upcoming season of New Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS TV, which premieres Friday night March 4th. The first promo has been released featuring JR & JB on commentary .
It looks like New Japan Pro Wrestling is continuing to learn from the simultaneous exodus of A.J. Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson, and Luke Gallows, which was made possible by the company having everyone under annual contracts that expire in January. Pro Wrestling Sheet majordomo Ryan Satin is reporting that Michael Elgin has been signed to a two year deal, so they’re clearly making changes by locking up one of the most promising foreign talents in the company.
Elgin had an iffy last few years in Ring of Honor, to the point that a lot of fans were skeptical of NJPW bringing him in for the G1 Climax tournament in August. But something clicked for him there, whether or it was increased confidence or something else, and he fit in great there. He’s become more charismatic than he’s ever been before and has gotten decent push as the tag team partner of long-time top NJPW babyface Hiroshi Tanahashi.
As for Elgin’s contract, Satin says “the deal allows Elgin to continue taking bookings wherever he’d like outside of Japan,” meaning “ROH, PWG and even big companies in other countries.” Presumably, he means that it’s a compliment to a full-time ROH contract, as they limit American bookings to ROH and PWG.
At Saturday’s ROH vs. NJPW “Honor Rising” show from Tokyo, Japan, The Elite (Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks) captured the NEVER Openweight 6-man tag titles from Toru Yano & The Briscoe Brothers. Backstage after the show, they issued a challenge to another popular 3-man faction, WWE tag team champions The New Day.
Also at Honor Rising Day 2, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson said farewell to New Japan Pro Wrestling. They are following AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura to WWE in the coming months.
The following are results from Saturday’s ROH vs. NJPW “Honor Rising” Night 2 show from Tokyo, Japan:
– Jay White defeated David Finlay, Jr.
– Matt Sydal & Jushin Liger defeated Delirious & Gedo
– Dalton Castle beat Kazarian
– Shibata & Goto and ReDragon defeated The Bullet Club’s Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga in an eight-man tag match. After the match, Gallows and Anderson said farewell to NJPW.
– Michael Elgin, Roderick Strong & Tanahashi defeated IWGP World Hvt. champion Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI in a six-man tag match.
– The Elite (Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks) captured the NEVER Openweight 6-man tag titles from Toru Yano & The Briscoe Brothers.
– ROH World Champion Jay Lethal defeated Honma. Afterward, Lethal & Martini aligned with Naito, EVIL, and BUSHI as part of the “Los Ingobernables de Japon” faction.
– IWGP Jr. Hvt. champion KUSHIDA defeated Kazarian (non-title match).
– Tanahashi, Honma, Michael Elgin & Moose defeated The Bullet Club’s Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga, Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall in an eight-man tag match.
– Bullet Club members Kenny Omega & the Young Bucks defeated Shibata & ReDragon in a six-man tag match.
– The Briscoes defeated Bullet Club’s Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows.
– ROH World Champion Jay Lethal & Naito defeated IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI.
– Tomohiro Ishii defeated ROH TV champion Roderick Strong to capture the ROH TV Title. Ishii won with a brainbuster.
At a couple different points tonight, the official WWE Games Twitter account tweeted these animated GIFs to hype Tuesday’s release of the Hall of Fame downloadable content pack for WWE 2K16, which is out this Tuesday:
It was already known that 1991 versions of Ric Flair and Tatsumi Fujinami plus a relevant match replay mode were in the Hall of Fame pack, but they had two matches that year. It seemed like it made more sense for 2K to base it off their match from Superbrawl in St. Petersburg, Florida, but from the above footage, it looks like they didn’t. Instead, 2K picked the OTHER Flair-Fujinami match, from the NJPW Tokyo Dome show that year, which is known as both WCW Japan Supershow and NJPW Starrcade ’91 In The Tokyo Dome. So that means that the arena that comes in the pack is an ersatz Tokyo Dome, faithfully recreated by 2K Sports. They can’t call it that (and I don’t believe WWE games ever name real venues), but 2K does a great job with the presentation of the arenas and this should be no exception.
Here’s the full lineup for the DLC pack, which, if this is any indication, should also include at least two more WCW arenas and some early ’90s WWF arenas along with period appropriate versions of the wrestlers:
“Macho Man” Randy Savage vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts
Rikishi vs. The Rock
Alundra Blayze vs. Paige
Larry Zbyszko and Arn Anderson vs. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat and Dustin Rhodes
Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Ric Flair
The Bushwhackers (Butch Miller and Luke Williams) vs. The Natural Disasters (Typhoon and Earthquake)
The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall) vs. Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray)
Ring of Honor sent us the following details for May’s WAR OF THE WORLDS tour featuring the stars of New Japan Pro Wrestling:
The stars of RING OF HONOR and NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING unite this May for the WAR OF THE WORLDS TOUR!
We already know that the action kicks off on Sunday, May 8th in Chicago Ridge with GLOBAL WARS live on pay-per-view. Tickets for this event are already on sale right now and can be purchase by clicking HERE.
As huge as this event will be, it’s only the start of the WAR OF THE WORLDS TOUR! The entire week is filled with ROH/NJPW action!
Saturday, May 14th – On Sale Now – Click HERE to purchase Terminal 5
610 West 56th Street
New York, NY
Doors open 5:30pm / 7pm Bell Time
Monday, May 9th – On Sale for Ringside Members Now – Click HERE to purchase Ford Community & Performing Arts Center
15801 Michigan Avenue
Dearborn, MI 48126
Doors open 6pm / 7:30pm Bell Time
Wednesday, May 11th – On Sale for Ringside Members Now – Click HERE to purchase TED REEVE ARENA
175 Main Street
Toronto, ON
Doors open 5:30pm / 7pm Bell Time
With stops in Chicago, Dearborn, Toronto, and New York City, the WAR OF THE WARS TOUR is an international collision of the best wrestlers on the planet and you don’t want to miss it! Speculation is already rampant that these events WILL sell out!
The NYC stop of the WAR OF THE WORLDS TOUR, Saturday May 14th at Terminal 5 will be sold exclusively thru Ticketmaster, and are on sale now!
ROHWRESTLING.com will have all the latest details for ticket release dates and ROH/NJPW stars signed to compete during this massive global collaboration. Clear your calendar today and get ready because the WAR OF THE WORLDS TOUR takes over May 2016!
The final lineups have been released for this weekend’s ROH: Honor Rising shows from Tokyo, Japan, which will feature top talent from NJPW and will stream live on NJPWWorld.com at 4:30am EST.
Honor Rising Night 1 (Friday 2/20):
ROH TV Champion Roderick Strong vs. Tomohiro Ishii
ROH Champion Jay Lethal & Tetsuya Naito vs. YOSHI-HASHI & Kazuchika Okada
The Briscoes vs. The Bullet Club’s Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson
Katsuyori Shibata & ReDragon vs. The Young Bucks & Kenny Omega
Frankie Kazarian vs. KUSHIDA
Tomoaki Honma & Hiroshi Tanahashi & Moose & Michael Elgin vs. The Bullet Club’s Cody Hall & Yujiro Takahashi & Tama Tonga & Bad Luck Fale
Jushin Liger & Matt Sydal vs. Dalton Castle & Ryusuke Taguchi
Delirious vs. Gedo
Honor Rising Night 2(Saturday 2/20):
ROH champion Jay Lethal vs. Tomoaki Honma
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team champions Toru Yano & The Briscoes vs. Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks.
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin & ROH TV champion Roderick Strong vs. YOSHI-HASHI & Tomohiro Ishii & Kazuchika Okada
ReDragon & Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Bullet Club’s Tama Tonga & Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson & Bad Luck Fale
Dalton Castle vs. Frankie Kazarian
KUSHIDA & Moose vs. Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI
Jushin Liger & Matt Sydal vs. Gedo & Delirious
David Finlay vs. Jay White
Please note: We are looking to hire someone to cover ROH & NJPW here at SEScoops. If you’re interested in this paid position, drop us a line at SEScoops@gmail.com!
