Welcome to our ongoing Live Results of NJPW G1 Climax: Dallas.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s 29th G1 Climax tournament begins today and will run until August 12, with the winner getting an opportunity to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 14 in January 2020.
Match results and points for each competitor will be updated throughout the show for each of the tournament’s nineteen events.
NJPW G1 Climax Dallas Results
Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) defeated Roppongi 3K (SHO & YOH). The bulk of the match were G.O.D. dominating the junior heavyweight tag team, with several hope moments for RPG 3K. Tama Tonga pinned YOH following a top rope powerbomb at 6:42.
Jeff Cobb & Ren Narita defeated Tomohiro Ishii & Shota Umino. The focus of this match was on Cobb and Ishii, who are each other’s first opponents in the B Block. They hit each other extremely hard, and the crowd was very excited. Cobb pinned Shota Umino after a Tour of the Islands to end the match at 7:18. After the match, Ishii and Cobb continued to fight each other until staff pulled them apart.
CHAOS (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) defeated Bullet Club (Jay White & Chase Owens). White received heavy boos from the American crowd. White is facing Goto in the main event of the first B Block show on July 13, and Goto looked strong in this match, overpowering Owens with relative ease. Goto pinned Owens following the GTR at 8:38.
Toru Yano, Juice Robinson & Jushin Thunder Liger def. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi & BUSHI). Most of the match involved the various wrestlers squaring off against their counterpart opponents, including a slugfest between Juice and Takagi, and Naito attempting to avoid Yano’s usual antics. The finish came when Yano delivered a low blow to BUSHI behind the referee’s back at 8:18.
G1 Climax 29 A Block Match: Lance Archer def. Will Ospreay Despite his loss, Ospreay got in a lot of offense on the heavyweight Archer and looked strong in defeat. The audience was rooting for Ospreay, but Archer kicked out of the Oscutter and managed to evade the Stormbreaker to get the victory. Lance Archer pinned Will Ospreay at 18:16 with the EBD Claw.
G1 Climax 29 A Block Match: Bad Luck Fale def. EVIL Bad Luck Fale overpowered EVIL with his superior size and strength early on, but EVIL managed to evade him at some points and land attacks of his own. EVIL took chairs out from under the ring, but Fale managed to use them against him. The referee was knocked out of the ring at one point and Fale hit a low blow on EVIL, and then finished him off. Bad Luck Fale pinned EVIL at 11:33 with the Bad Luck Fall.
G1 Climax 29 A Block Match: SANADA def. Zack Sabre Jr. The match emphasized that SANADA could very much keep up with Zack Sabre Jr. with regards to technical wrestling. They chain-wrestled and transitioned through holds but at a fast pace that kept the crowd energized, leading to a “New Japan” chant at one point. Eventually the match escalated, leading to SANADA using his trademark offense to finish Sabre off, but Sabre kept catching him with submissions. SANADA pinned Zack Sabre Jr. with a bridging O’Connor roll at 21:12.
G1 Climax 29 A Block Match: KENTA def. Kota Ibushi KENTA made a big impression in his first match in NJPW. This was a hard-hitting fight with many strikes, kicks, and angry faces. Ibushi went for a dive that KENTA countered, but Ibushi looked to hurt his ankle and was not moving as smoothly for the rest of the match. KENTA pinned Ibushi after a Go 2 Sleep at 20:51.
G1 Climax 29 A Block Match: Kazuchika Okada def. Hiroshi Tanahashi The crowd gave one of the loudest reactions of the night before the two even touched. It’s hard to say novel things about matches between Tanahashi and Okada, since they’ve wrestled many times before, but this match was a first for this rivalry between the two. In all the previous times that they fought during the G1 Climax, the match ended in a 30-minute time limit draw. Okada putting Tanahashi away as quickly, relatively speaking, as he did, demonstrated that Tanahashi is now fully in the rear view mirror for Okada. Okada pinned Tanahashi after a Rainmaker at 22:04.
The IWGP Heavyweight champion Kazuchika Okada wants revenge on Chris Jericho for his actions following the main event of Dominion yesterday. Okada scored a pinfall victory over Jericho using a pinning combination but then Jericho kept up the attack after the bell.
Jericho delivered his Judas Effect elbow and also used a chair to assault Okada post-match. He draped a chair around the champion’s neck and tossed him into the steel post on the outside. Hiroshi Tanahashi would eventually make the save, preventing Jericho from delivering more damage.
The attack left Okada too badly beaten to deliver his standard post-match address to the live crowd in Osaka. This led to a negative reaction from those in attendance when it was revealed Okada would not be delivering his post-match address.
Today in Japan, Okada spoke to media and said he wants revenge on Chris Jericho.
“I’m very upset. Very angry,” Okada said. “The match was done, and Jericho assaulted me. It was a sold out Osaka Jo Hall, and I couldn’t send those fans home happy. I’m sorry for them. But to Jericho, I’m not done and will pay you back down the road. That said, I’m still the champion and will represent as champion through Kizuna Road and the G1 Climax.”
Okada also commented on how the match was more Jericho’s style than Okada’s.
“That was absolutely a Jericho match,” Okada continued. “He has an uncanny ability to change the rhythm, think and catch you at times. He’s a great wrestler. But I don’t ever want to adopt that approach he has. I don’t respect his style. I don’t have any respect for that kind of low down fighting. He doesn’t need it, after however long he’s been in the business, in my opinion.”
Okada then said he is looking forward to the new challenges and challengers that the G1 Climax tournament will bring. He noted that he still has unfinished business with Jericho, however.
“I’m fine either way. If he wants me to put the belt on the line so I can get my revenge, that’s cool,” Okada said about possibly giving Jericho a rematch for the title. “But I feel he’s started something I need to finish.”
Kazuchika Okada defeated Chris Jericho to retain his IWGP Heavyweight championship today in Osaka, Japan. Okada used a traditional pinning combination to get the win and an enraged Jericho attacked the champion after the bell.
Jericho draped a chair around Okada’s neck and tossed him into the steel post on the outside. Hiroshi Tanahashi, who was at ringside doing commentary, made the save and prevented Jericho from delivering even more punishment.
Jericho then cut a promo critical of both Tanahashi and Okada. Okada was unable to deliver his usual post-match promo due to Jericho’s attack.
This is Okada’s 5th reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion and his title defense against Jericho was his 27th combined. He is now just 1 behind Tanahashi’s all-time record of 28 total title defenses.
Okada already holds the record for most combined days spent as champion (1580+), longest single reign (720 days), and most title defenses in a single reign (12).
Upcoming NJPW Schedule
Up next for New Japan will be the Kizuna Road tour from June 14th to 25th. The promotion will then be in Australia for a show in Melbourne on the 29th and Sydney on the 30th.
The G1 will then kick-off in Dallas on July 6th before returning to Japan for the rest of the tour beginning on July 13th.
An unforgettable night of action in Osaka Jo Hall!
We're aware that fans will want to experience #njdominion unspoiled, and will not post match results on global SNS until noon JST Monday.
Chris Jericho believes that by the time the summer is up, he’ll hold both the IWGP Heavyweight and AEW World championship belts. Jericho faces Kazuchika Okada tomorrow in Osaka at NJPW Dominion for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. On August 31st, he’ll take on Adam “Hangman” Page for the inaugural AEW world title at All Out in Chicago.
Jericho took part in a recent NJPW press conference to promote tomorrow’s Dominion event.
“Think about how big of a name Chris Jericho is right now,” Jericho said at the press conference. “Just one week ago I headlined in the very first AEW show and beat Kenny Omega, Okada’s greatest rival, beating him with the Judas elbow. Here I am 10 days later, headlining Dominion with New Japan. Nobody else can do that. Nobody else is a big enough star to headline Las Vegas and Osaka within two weeks.”
“Kenny Omega – I beat him. Okada – I’ll beat you, I’ll be the IWGP Champion and at All Out I’ll beat Hangman Page and be the AEW champion,” he continued.
12 HOURS AWAY
Osaka Jo Hall sees the annual kickoff to the summer!
Five title matches atop a phenomenal star studded card!
Jericho also spoke about unifying the WCW and WWE championships in 2001 during the press conference.
“I’ll be double champion just like when I beat The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin both on the same night to become WWE and WCW double champion,” Jericho continued. “That was a lifetime ago now here we are in 2019, Okada versus Jericho; a dream match, one of the biggest matches you could ever have.”
Awesome to see the legendary #RikiChoshu today!! Last time I saw him he made me drink dark @AsahiBeerUSA until I barfed…. @ NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING【OFFICIAL/ENGLISH】 https://t.co/J7HXoYJuld
Okada had the following to say to his challenger at the press conference:
“Finally I could get to meet Chris Jericho. You call yourself the Painmaker, I guess it means you’re going to make it pain?!” Okada asked about Jericho’s new nickname in NJPW. “But surely Pro-Wrestling is painful anyway no? You’ve had IC championship matches, no DQ matches and other sorts here in New Japan, but this is the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. This is something quite different to what you’ve experienced before, please allow me to teach you.”
New Japan Pro Wrestling presented Wrestling Dontaku in Fukuoka on May 3rd and 4th. There was one title change at the event and multiple matches booked for next month’s Dominion event in Osaka.
Hirooki Goto, Juice Robinson, Mikey Nicholls & Tomoaki Honma defeated Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens, HIKULEO & Jay White)
Bullet Club (El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori) defeated Dragon Lee & Will Ospreay
Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito) defeated Kota Ibushi, SHO & YOH
Tomohiro Ishii defeated EVIL
IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada (c) defeated SANADA
Storylines From NJPW Wrestling Dontaku
Kota Ibushi and Tetsuya Naito’s rivalry has been building in tag matches. They will meet at Dominion for the IWPG Intercontinental Championship.
Ominous videos featuring a knife-wielding man in a bar have been shown following Juice Robinson matches. “Times Up” is the tag line on the videos.
Chris Jericho sent a video message to Kazuchika Okada which aired after Okada defeated SANADA.
Bullet Club celebrated their 6-year anniversary by welcoming El Phantasmo into their ranks, he will compete in the Best of the Super Juniors. Otherwise, the stable did not have a good weekend.
Hiroshi Tanahashi announced he would return from injury on June 5th. Jay White took offense to this and told Tanahashi to get to the back of the line. He and Gedo then attacked him.
Chris Jericho is returning to New Japan Pro Wrestling. He will challenge IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada for the title at Dominion on June 9th.
Jericho appeared via video message at today’s Wrestling Dontaku event to announce his return. You can view Jericho’s video message in the player below:
“I am Chris Jericho, I am the pain-maker,” Jericho said. “And on June 9th at Dominion in Osaka, I will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and I’m going to win. I’m going to win!”
Chris Jericho Returning to New Japan Pro Wrestling
Multiple members of the AEW roster have it written into their contracts that they are able to wrestle for NJPW as well. Jericho spoke to the Wrestling Observer about if he felt the promotion would use them back in February:
“I don’t know if it’s a smart business move for [NJPW] not to use us, especially when we want to do it,” Jericho said. “It’s not cheap to work there but I think the business dividends are way more than what the money that they’re spending on it is. I can’t speak for them, I just know there hasn’t been much talk lately after a lot of talk. They know where to find me and my door is open, and I’m interested and want to do it, but as far as anything further with them, I can’t say there’s anything on the horizon right now.”
Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega at Independent Wrestling Event
Last night, both Jericho and Kenny Omega appeared unadvertised at an independent wrestling event. A user on Twitter posted video of their appearance which can be viewed below:
New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) is currently on their ‘Road To Dontaku’ tour, post-G1 Supercard. This hasn’t stopped them from hyping their upcoming G1 Climax 29 event, which takes place from July 6th. The big difference from this year’s tournament compared to previous iterations is in the companies continued international intent, with the G1 kicking off from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
With their Royal Quest show taking place in London later this year, and the G1 Climax beginning in the United States, New Japan are clearly still aggressively pushing into Western markets.
The company has now revealed four wrestlers who will be in Dallas on the first day of the G1 tournament.
IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kazuchika Okada, IWGP Intercontinental Champion, Kota Ibushi, Tetsuya Naito, and Jay White, will all be present for the show in Texas. The tweet added that they will be announcing the full list of tournament entrants at a later date.
All of the announced talents recently wrestled at the historic ROH/NJPW co-promoted G1 Supercard show.
The event took place last Saturday from Madison Square Garden in New York. It was during this event that both Okada and Ibushi would emerge victorious as newly crowned champions, defeating Jay White and Tetsuya Naito, respectively.
Kazuchika Okada is once again the IWGP Heavyweight champion. He defeated “Switchblade” Jay White tonight inside Madison Square Garden at ROH/NJPW G1 Supercard.
Okada earned the right to challenge White after winning the 2019 New Japan Cup. He is now a 5x champion. White’s title reign ends after just 55 days and no title defenses.
Okada holds several IWGP Heavyweight championship records:
Most combined days spent as champion: 1,516
Longest single reign with the title: 706 days
Most consecutive title defenses: 12
He trails Hiroshi Tanahashi in two categories. Tanahashi has held the title 8x and defended it 28x while Okada has won the title just 5x and defended it 25x.
Full Results From G1 Supercard
Kenny Kingwon an Honor Rumble match (eliminated Jushin Liger and the Great Muta to win)
Jeff Cobb defeated Will Ospreay (title vs title) – Cobb wins NEVER Openweight Championship, retains ROH TV title
Rush defeated Dalton Castle
Kelly Kelin defeated Mayu Iwatani (c) – new WOH World Champion
Flip Gordon, Juice Robinson & Mark Haskins defeated Bully Ray, Shane Taylor & Silas Young – Streetfight rules
Dragon Lee defeated Bandido vs Taiji Ishimori (c) – new IWGP Junior Heavyweight champion
Guerillas of Destiny (c) defeated EVIL & Sanada, the Briscoes, and PCO & Brody King – retain IWGP Heavyweight tag team championships, win ROH tag team championships
Zack Sabre Jr. (c) defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi – retains British Heavyweight Championship
Kota Ibushi defeated Tetsuya Naito (c) – new IWGP Intercontinental champion
Matt Taven defeated Jay Lethal (c) and Marty Scurll – ladder match – ROH World Championship
Kazuchika Okada defeated Jay White (c) – new IWGP Heavyweight Champion
Last night at the at the City Hall Plaza Aore Nagaoka in Niigata, Kauzuchika Okada defeated SANADA in the finals to become the winner of the 2019 New Japan Cup.
The main event of the upcoming G1 Supercard is an IWGP Championship match against the current champion Jay White. The winner of the New Japan Cup, Kazuchika Okada, will face White for the title on April 6 at the Madison Square Garden.
This is actually the second time Okada has won the New Japan Cup. He previously won it in 2013, and went on to challenge then IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi at the Invasion Attack 2013 event and won. It would be interesting to see if Okada can manage to do the same this time too.
The “Switchblade” on the other hand has not defended his title since winning it on February 11 at The New Beginning in Osaka event.
Ring of Honor Wrestling (ROH) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) are co-promoting the G1 Supercard event in New York City’s Madison Square Garden on April 6th during WrestleMania 35 weekend.
The G1 Supercard event will air live on pay-per-view via cable and satellite FITE TV for $39.99 as well as on HonorClub and NJPW World. The two promotions will be announcing more matches for this show in the coming days. Here’s the updated card:
IWGP Heavyweight Champion Jay White vs. Kazuchika Okada
ROH World Champion Jay Lethal vs. Marty Scurll vs. Matt Taven – Triple Threat Ladder Match
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori vs. Dragon Lee and Bandido – Triple Threat Match
IWGP Tag Team Champions Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa vs. ROH Tag Team Champions The Briscoes
NEVER Openweight Champion Will Ospreay vs. ROH World Television Champion Jeff Cobb in a winner takes all match
Women of Honor World Champion Mayu Iwatani vs. TBA
On April 6th, NJPW and ROH will perform in front of a sold-out Madison Square Garden. No matches have been made official for the event. There is a rumored main event match being talked about, however. The show’s potential main event was addressed recently on Wrestling Observer Radio. According to Dave Meltzer, the rumored main event is Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Kazuchika Okada.
“That’s the match I’ve heard,” Meltzer said referring to Tanahashi vs Okada. “I don’t think it’s official or anything. When I was in Japan that was what everybody was saying but I don’t know if that was more rumor and what would make sense. It’s kind of like if you don’t have Omega in the main event then you have to have Tanahashi and Okada.”
Tetsuya Naito was discussed as someone who could be put in the main event as well. Chris Jericho’s name came up in the discussion too.
Tanahashi vs Okada is one of the most storied rivalries in NJPW history, however. The two have met in 13 single’s match. They each have a record of 5-5-3 against each other dating back to 2010.
Some members of the Elite have specifically mentioned they will not be performing on April 6th. Cody had the following to say on the show to Sports Illustrated late last year:
“After 10 years with WWE doing ’Mania weekend and two more with ROH, I am leaving that weekend for the boys and girls of the WWE.”
New Japan Pro Wrestling presented their annual New Year’s Dash show from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo earlier today. The show aired live and for free on their streaming service, NJPWWorld.com.
NJPW New Year’s Dash 1/5 Results
1. Roppongi 3K (Sho & Yoh) and Rocky Romero (CHAOS) defeated the Killer Elite Suad and Takashi Iizuka (Suzuki-Gun)
Yoh got the pin on Iizuka with a roll-up.
2. Chase Owens and Yujiro Takahashi defeated Tomoaki Honma and Toa Henare
Kevin Kelly and Chris Charlton talked about how the future of Owens and Takahashi was uncertain after the departure of the Elite. Charlton noted that both still wore the Bullet Club colors and logo, however.
Owens picked up the pin on Honma after delivering his cradle piledriver.
3. Juice Robinson and David Finlay defeated the Best Friends (Chuckie T & Beretta) (CHAOS) via DQ
This match ended like several others did in the World Tag League recently. Chuckie T pulled out several chairs and begun hitting his opponents, causing the disqualification. Beretta tried to calm him down but Chuckie got loose from him after the match and delivered a piledriver to Juice Robinson onto a chair.
Yesterday after Wrestle Kingdom, Beretta let it be known he wants a shot at Juice’s IWGP United States title.
4. Will Ospreay, Tomohiro Ishii and Hirooki Goto (CHAOS) defeated Yuji Nagata, Kushida, and Jeff Cobb
They replayed Ospreay’s elbow to Ibushi from Wrestle Kingdom. After he delivered the move, Ibushi was dead weight when Ospreay picked him up for Storm Breaker.
Ospreay picked up the pin on Kushida after Storm Breaker here too. Before giving him his finish, however, Ospreay looked as though he was going to give Kushida the same elbow he gave Ibushi but then decided not to. Kelly then said Ospreay could break out that dangerous move at any time.
Ishii and Nagata had to be separated after the match and Cobb and Goto were also getting at each other a bit as well.
5. NEVER 6-Man Tag Team Championships
Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, & Taiji Ishimori (Bullet Club) (c) defeated Toru Yano, Ryusuke Taguchi, & Togi Makabe
Yujiro Takahashi and Chase Owens interfered in this match, allowing Bullet Club to successfully defend their titles. Tanga Loa picked up the pin on Makabe with his Apes**t piledriver.
After all 5 beat down the challengers after the match, Owens and Takahashi put their hands up in a 2-sweet gesture.
Tama Tonga looked as though he didn’t want the others to accept Owens and Takahashi back into the group but then turned and hugged both guys.
The rest of the group celebrated with Owens and Takahashi being officially brought back into Bullet Club
6. Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr, El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Taichi (Suzuki-Gun) defeated Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, SANADA, Shingo Takagi and BUSHI (LIJ)
This match started with Taichi hitting Naito in the head with a chair before the bell.
Taichi would eventually get the pin on Naito later in the match and then continued the beat down after the match as well. He would then challenge Naito to a match for the Intercontinental championship. We could get that at one of the New Beginning shows at the end of the month.
7. Jay White, Bad Luck Fale, & Gedo (Bullet Club) defeated Yoshi-Hashi, Hiroshi Tanahashi, & Kazuchika Okada
White and Bullet Club continue their undefeated streak against Okada and Tanahashi when they team up.
This match was also Yoshi-Hashi’s return match. He was injured with a concussion back in September. He also took the pin here after taking Blade Runner from White.
White challenged Tanahashi for a match at the post-match press conference yesterday and continued his taunting of the new champion after the match before leaving to close the show. White vs Tanahashi for the title could be booked for the New Beginning shows as well.
Kazuchika Okada will once again be competing on the Wrestle Kingdom 13 pay-per-view (PPV) this year. The New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star has been in the main event of the past four Wrestle Kingdom PPVs. This year, however, he will not be headlining the show. His match with Jay White will go on before the IWGP Heavyweight Title contest.
Kenny Omega will be defending his championship against Hiroshi Tanahashi. Recently, Okada did an interview with NJPW to preview his match-up with Jay White inside the Tokyo Dome. During their conversation, Okada was asked about how he feels not headlining this year’s event:
“Honestly, I’m not that upset about it. If this was any other sport, the same sport isn’t going to dominate all the time. The Giants aren’t going to run the table every year. … The Dome is always the Dome.
“So the setting hasn’t changed. But the scenario, not a main event, not a title match. What’s that even like? I can’t remember, so I want to see for myself. I might get pumped up just like a title match, or it might be very different, I won’t know until January 4th, so I’m kinda excited, honestly.”
Check out the full card for Wrestle Kingdom 13 here:
Main Card
IWGP Heavyweight Title Match: (C) Kenny Omega vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
IWGP Intercontinental Title Match: (C) Chris Jericho vs. Tetsuya Naito
Kazuchika Okada vs. Jay White
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title Match: (C) KUSHIDA vs. Taiji Ishimori
IWGP United States Title Match: (C) Cody vs. Juice Robinson
IWGP Tag Team Title Match: (C) Guerrillas of Destiny vs. The Young Bucks vs. EVIL and SANADA
RevPro British Heavyweight Title Match: (C) Tomohiro Ishii vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Title Match: (C) Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado vs. Roppongi 3K vs. BUSHI and Shingo Takagi
IWGP NEVER Openweight Title Match: (C) Kota Ibushi vs. Will
Pre-Show
Gauntlet Match to determine #1 Contenders for NEVER Six-Man Titles: Ryusuke Taguchi, Toru Yano, and Togi Makabe vs. David Finley, Jeff Cobb, and Yuji Nagata vs. Best Friends and Hirooki Goto vs. Killer Elite Squad and Minoru Suzuki vs. Marty Scurll, Adam Page, and Yujiro Takahashi
What do you think about Okada not main eventing this year’s Wrestle Kingdom 13?
Kazuchika Okada has spent much of 2018 dealing with “Switchblade” Jay White. First, the New Zealander joined CHAOS but then defected and joined Bullet Club at King of Pro Wrestling in October.
Now, Okada will face Jay White in a special grudge match at Wrestle Kingdom on January 4th. Okada spoke to NJPW1972.com about facing the 26-year-old upstart.
“I feel that Jay White is the toughest foreigner in New Japan right now,” Okada said. “I really do. Tougher than Jericho, tougher than Omega.”
“It’s more than potential,” Okada continued. “I think he’s the toughest right now. The world might not know it yet, but they just might after he faces me January 4th.”
Kazuchika Okada On NJPW in 2019
Not that Okada is looking past his test at Wrestle Kingdom 13 but he’s also looking toward the future. Okada spoke about NJPW’s many lofty plans for the upcoming year as well.
“It’s full on for sure. MSG is coming up and we’re tearing it up overseas too,” Okada continued. “But I think we need to do our thing in Japan and make sure neither side is neglected. If we’re doing well in Japan, we’ll do well internationally as well, and the other way, guys killing it in the US are making the fans in Japan proud. ‘The NJPW we love so much managed to sell out Madison Square Garden’. I think there’s all sorts of ways we can blow fans away.”
Tokyo Sports has named Hiroshi Tanahashi as the MVP Of The Year.
The publication released the names of the winners of their annual Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards where Tanahashi won the MVP Award with eighteen votes. Kazuchika Okada was second in place with twelve votes and Kenny Omega in the third place with three votes.
Tanahashi gave the following statement after being selected as the winner of the MVP Award:
“It is I, 2018’s MVP Hiroshi Tanahashi. Since the final of the G1 Climax, I realized that I have once again become the center of the Wrestling world, whether it was during my fight over the challenger rights contracts or in the lead-up to WK13. I’ve been continually thinking about how to appeal to people who have never seen professional wrestling. In the past, Pro-Wrestling was more broadly known in Japanese culture. The broadcast of “World Pro-Wrestling” every Friday at 8.00pm gave the public the chance to see legends such as Mr. Inoki, Mr. Choshu and Mr. Fujinami come to local gymnasiums and has made Pro-Wrestling more famous as a result. Since I first became champion in 2006, I’ve often said the mic after headlining the main event “Thank you very much for today” or “I love you!” and performed air guitar. There have been some fans, however who have felt “Why is he saying things like that?” but I’ve always tried to reply “I will be f-ing famous!” by demonstrating my in-ring ability. This year, I think, was the first year I actually achieved that goal. Although it is still only half-way through it’s run, movie I starred in has exceeded 100 promotional events and 1,000 media spotlights. It showed the passion of professional wrestling and was able to connect with the general public nationwide. From influencers in the business world to famous people, I’ve spoken to numerous people now who have felt that “Pro-Wrestling is really fun!” I’ve always strived to achieve my goal of “It would be great if I could be famous!” I didn’t expect to win the MVP award, so I’m pleasant surprised. Thank you very much.”
Tanahashi has won the award three times before, first in 2009, then in 2011 and in 2014.
Mr. Okamoto of Tokyo Sports explained that the reason for selection of Tanahashi as the winner was his G1 Climax tournament victory, which served as a deciding factor. Another reason cited was the fact that Tanahashi is helping aleviate the image of professional wrestling in Japan by starring in movies and TV shows.
This is also the sixth straight year a wrestler from New Japan Pro-Wrestling has won the award.
Additionally, the Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega match for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-Jo Hall was awarded the Best Bout Award.
“Thank you. Since I have won the this award many times, please enter me into the Hall of Fame,” said Kazuchika Okada on his match winning the prize.
“We’ve done it for the second consecutive year. Even though there is a feeling that the story of Okada and I has ended after having four matches in a year and a half, I want to do it again someday,” Kenny Omega. “These matches have pushed me to the best physical condition of my life and wee were able to accomplish special things together. I’ve been able to combine that classic New Japan style with unpredictable newness. With the upcoming ideological clash at Wrestle Kingdom, we will prove that there is a home for every type of wrestling.”
Here is the list of all the awards and their recipients:
MVP Award
Hiroshi Tanahashi (New Japan Pro-Wrestling)
Best Bout Award
Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega
(New Japan Pro-Wrestling)
Outstanding Performance Award
Naomichi Marufuji (Pro Wrestling Noah)
Fighting Spirit Award
Kaito Kiyomiya (Pro Wrestling Noah)
Technique Award
Tetsuya Naito (New Japan Pro-Wrestling)
Best Tag Team Award
Shuji Ishikawa and Suwama (All Japan Pro Wrestling)
Newcomer Award
Utami Hayashishita (World Wonder Ring Stardom)
Joshi Puroresu Grand Prize
Tsukasa Fujimoto (Ice Ribbon)
It’s a rivalry that seemed destined to last forever as each man strove to prove they were the dominant competitor in New Japan Pro Wrestling. But now, six years into their historic feud now turned friendly competition, Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi about to team up together for the first time ever.
With both having a common enemy in new Bullet Club member, Jay White, it has led the men to a tense truce and unlikely alliance.
As part of New Japan’s current World Tag League tournament, we will get the opportunity to witness ‘The Ace’ and ‘The Rainmaker’ join forces on both the 29th and 30th of November.
?Tanahashi and Okada finally team together?
On Thursday 29th and Friday 30th, Tanahashi and Okada, the two heated rivals will finally be on the same side! Don't miss this historic match!
The first match will see Okada, Tanahashi, and KUSHIDA face off against Jay White, Bad Luck Fale and Taiji Ishimori — a clash that also further developments the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight feud between the champion, KUSHIDA, and Ishimori.
The next day, the team will see Rocky Romero bolster their ranks in an eight-man tag team match as they compete against White, Fale, Ishimori, and the man who betrayed Okada, Gedo.
It was Gedo’s betrayal and Jay White’s unrelenting attack post-match at NJPW’s Destruction in Kobe event that would lead to this unlucky team coming together.
At a later New Japan show, ‘Road To Power Struggle’ on October 27th, Tanahashi would run in to save Okada from an assault at the hands of the Firing Squad, bringing the two men together in the face of a unified enemy.
Okada will eventually face Jay White at next year’s Wrestle Kingdom 13 event. Tanahashi, meanwhile, will be cashing in his G1 Climax briefcase for a shot against IWGP Heavyweight champion, Kenny Omega.
As we reported recently, Tetsuya Naito was approached by WWE around the time of this year’s Dominion event. WWE approached Naito with a view to bringing the Japanese star Stateside. Naito, being the (astute?) business man he is turned down the offer and opted to stay with New Japan. The Los Ingobernables leader stated in a recent interview with Tokyo Sports that “I didn’t even give it thought. This New Japan ring is already the world’s No. 1 stage. The fans know this. That’s why I think we should focus on our home crowd before looking international.” There have since been humorous reports of how Naito left the restaurant and left WWE officials with the bill, but these are not yet confirmed.
Speculation
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter recently made some interesting comments on WWE’s current stance of NJPW talent. As well as Naito, WWE are reportedly looking at two other stars to bring over. There are no names given, but Dave Meltzer claims that “one would be a huge surprise and the other would be a great worker who I didn’t see flourishing in the WWE system. But [they] also probably wouldn’t have any reservations about moving to the U.S. like many of the Japanese might.”
Again, we have nothing concrete but the descriptions given lead to three names in my mind. When you look at the phrase “a great worker who I didn’t see flourishing in the WWE system” I instantly think of Tomohiro Ishii. Tomohiro is one of the most well respected and tenured stars in Japanese wrestling currently, a bastion of ‘strong style.’ It’s long since been part of the general consensus that whilst Ishii is a top star in Japan he probably wouldn’t be suited to a WWE schedule or in-ring style. Ishii is also no stranger to performing abroad however, the Rev Pro British Heavyweight Champion appears regularly for Rev Pro in the UK and OTT in Ireland.
Ishii in WWE?
Would and could Ishii move over to the US to perform for WWE? He has the credentials and legitimacy that would fit alongside the likes of Kassius Ohno, Keith Lee and Matt Riddle. Should Ishii move to WWE if the opportunity arose? In my opinion no. Ishii has a specific and ‘stiff’ style that has lit up New Japan over the past decade, the ‘Stone Pitbull’ is one of those performers who doesn’t sit at the top of the card but he can easily be brought up and used if the need arose, kind of like a ‘strong style’ Dolph Ziggler.
“One Huge Surprise”
When Meltzer claims that “one would be a huge surprise” I turn to Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi. These two men are New Japan through and through but would have very different motivations for leaving. Okada is only 31 years old, tall and has charisma in droves, if WWE aren’t looking at him as a potential signee down the road then there is something drastically wrong. The ‘Rainmaker’ however is as previously mentioned a full bore ‘company guy,’ his last stint in the United States for TNA Wrestling may well have left a sour taste in his mouth and could have skewed any potential move to North America. Should Okada go to WWE? Not yet…but if WWE are looking to truly expand globally with the likes of NXT UK and potentially NXT Germany taking off soon then for your Japanese based product you MUST have Okada.
The ‘Ace’ of WWE?
So, we move on to Hiroshi Tanahashi, the ‘Ace’ of New Japan. Tanahashi is 41 years old and has had a long, knee injury stricken career. If you look at WWE’s top tier main event talent then Tanahashi isn’t even that old, but could he cope with a WWE schedule including house shows? Possibly not. Again I look at the phrase “huge surprise” and can’t help but think of what the ‘Ace’ could bring to WWE…Shinsuke Nakamura has had an interesting stop-start career in NXT and WWE, but Nakamura has seen some incredible success; Royal Rumble winner, United States Champion and NXT Champion just part of his WWE resume. Should Tanahashi go to WWE? Yes, yes he should.
There are probably New Japan diehards reaching for their pitchforks right now. “Hiroshi Tanahashi in WWE!? They will misuse him! He’ll be jobbing in no time!” That might be the case, or WWE could position Tanahashi as a top tier main event star alongside the likes of AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Daniel Bryan et al on Smackdown. Staying in Japan for your entire career is by no means a detriment, but if the biggest stage in the world is available to you and you have the charisma and starpower of Tanahashi why wouldn’t you take the chance? Nakamura took the chance and it worked, you can’t convince me otherwise.
NJPW has recently been adding more English language content to their YouTube channel. One of the new web series entitled ‘The Wire’ has posed an intriguing question to the fans of New Japan. Will Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada form an alliance?
‘The Ace’ of New Japan Tanahashi broke up an attack by the Firing Squad on Okada at the ‘Road To’ Power Struggle event on October 27th. Tanahashi stormed the ring and attacked Jay White, Tanga Loa and Bad Luck Fale. Tama Tonga then joined in the fray and got taken down by a double back elbow by Okada and Tanahashi.
The Okada/Tanahashi feud is one of the most pivotal in New Japan’s history. The two men have had some incredible matches in the past. Okada stated in a recent backstage interview that “shaking hands (with Tanahashi) was…friendly. I guess, for the first time, Tanahashi has finally made a friend. But, that doesn’t mean we are going to team up. But, let me thank you for helping me this time.”
Tanahashi also made some interesting comments, stating that “Even I don’t know what is going to happen. Pro Wrestling is…not only about betrayal.”
Kazuchika Okada will team with his CHAOS stablemate, Tomohiro Ishii, on Sunday night at Fighting Spirit Unleashed in Long Beach. They will take on the team of IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kenny Omega, and his Golden Lovers’ teammate, Kota Ibushi.
Just days ahead of NJPW’s return to California, Okada spoke with NJPW1972.com about the promotion’s international expansion.
Kazuchika Okada On NJPW’s International Expansion
Okada was in the main event of NJPW’s first Long Beach show on July 1st, 2017.
“I felt like I had to show the people what New Japan Pro Wrestling was all about,” Okada said of his match that night. At the same time, I didn’t want to get caught up in catering to the American audience. I really wrestled that match as if it was in a Japanese venue.”
Okada wrestled Cody that night, who he offered up some heavy praise for.
“Like I expected, he was great,” Okada said of Cody. “I don’t know how much came from his dad and how much he developed by himself, but he’s obviously very charismatic, and more than that, he isn’t excessively flashy. Some fans see guys who do flashy moves and might think ‘this guys a great wrestler,’ or ‘that guys tough’, but without big showy moves, he’s able to get the fans to know he’s really tough. He’s so fundamentally sound, too. A really good wrestler.”
Despite dropping his recent match for the G1 Briefcase to Hiroshi Tanahashi, Okada stresses he is still the “face of NJPW.”
“I am the face of NJPW. I’m going to take that responsibility seriously, and I’m going to tear it up in the Walter Pyramid.”
This past Sunday at New Japan’s Destruction in Kobe saw the derailment of one of NJPW’s longest running factions. When Jay White attacked Kazuchika Okada it sent shockwaves through the CHAOS stable and even saw Okada’s former manager Gedo align with the ‘Switchblade’ Jay White.
New Japan has released an official translation on their YouTube channel of Gedo’s comments following the attack; “Did you two finish fighting yet? No matter which one of you won, neither of you deserves to be main-eventing the Tokyo Dome. You guys both lost to Jay White, you both are just losers. Gedo then grabbed the IWGP Heavyweight Championship contract briefcase and stated “This briefcase (the IWGP January 4th contract) truly belongs to the ‘Switchblade’ Jay White. Breathe with the Switchblade, New Era…coming soon.”
White comments Backstage
Jay White then appeared backstage to make the following comments in a backstage promo: “Okada, I told you. The day after New Year’s Dash when you brought me into CHAOS that I would come for you. What did you do? You laughed. You laughed at me and you laughed me off like I’m not a serious threat to you. Tell me Okada…are you laughing now? DO YOU STILL THINK THAT I’M NOT A THREAT to you and everything that you have accomplished? Everything that you have now do you still think that I’m not a threat to that? White then began to reference their G1 Climax bout in which the ‘Switchblade’ defeated Okada. “Tell me, where you laughing at the G1 when I beat you? Doesn’t look like you’re laughing now. You aren’t going to be laughing when I take the briefcase from Tanahashi…something that you couldn’t just do, you won’t be laughing when I take the MAIN EVENT of Wrestle Kingdom. You won’t be laughing when I take the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.“
The CHAOS stable in New Japan is seeing some turbulent times. This past Sunday’s Destruction in Kobe event saw ‘Switchblade’ Jay White attack the leader of the group Kazuchika Okada and align himself Okada’s former manager Gedo.
New Japan has now released a promo video of White before the attack happened. This follows his bout earlier in the night where he joined Will Ospreay and YOSHI-HASHI to defeat Taguchi Japan (Juice Robinson, Toa Henare & David Finlay). White took the win in that bout after hitting the Switchblade on Henare.
In his backstage promo Jay White began with the comment “Very familiar feeling. Every single time that Okada or YOSHI (I am calm) try to take the lead and think they know better we end up losing. Every single time…LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TODAY.” White was joined by Will Ospreay in the backstage area and referred to directly stating “Will (Ospreay) did great, nothing against Will, YOSHI wanted to beat them from the start himself…and then he GOT CAUGHT and got his ar*e kicked.” Luckily Will saved him then your’s truly had to finish the job just like that. We won and that’s the job…Okada, good luck.” Jay White then left the scene for Ospreay to make some final comments. You can check out the full promo below:
Gedo turned on longtime charge Kazuchika Okada In the aftermath of New Japan’s Destruction in Kobe show, aligning himself with ‘Switchblade’ Jay White.
The groundwork for this turn was laid last month after the G1 Climax tournament, when Okada announced that Gedo would no longer accompany him to the ring.
At first, many saw this as just the logical evolution of Okada’s character. As it turns out, it would have more to do with the ongoing storyline centered around dissension within the CHAOS faction.
The Turn
Okada battled Hiroshi Tanahashi in the main event at Destruction in Kobe, with the right to face the IWGP Heavyweight Champion at Wrestle Kingdom 13 at stake. After a grueling 35 minute classic, Tanahashi pinned Okada.
Switchblade Jay White ran in and first attacked Tanahashi, but then turned his attention to Okada. White laid into Okada with stomps and strikes, then went to the English announce desk, where he confronted CHAOS stablemate Rocky Romero. After Romero refused to give up his chair, White tossed him aside, and took the chair anyway.
YOSHI-HASHI ran down to make the save for Okada, but White hit him with the chair. Gedo then entered. He took the chair from White, only to hit Okada in the back with it. He proceeded to cut a promo on Okada, calling him a loser. This aligned him with White, and cemented the turn.
Gedo then announced that White will soon face Tanahashi with the title shot up for grabs.
CHAOS In Chaos
The state of the CHAOS stable has been in question for months, perhaps even as far back as January. White joined the stable after the Wrestle Kingdom Tokyo Dome show, but always seemed like an odd fit. CHAOS was by and large a group that played by the rules, while White played more of a heel.
White continued to splinter the group for the next several months. During the G1 Climax events, he would often team with YOH, but would leave his teammate to do most of the heavy lifting in their matches, and encouraged him to break rules.
With Gedo breaking away from Okada, and now championing White, what is the current state of the CHAOS group? Will White and Gedo start their own faction? How will Okada react? Let us know what you think in the comments
Hiroshi Tanahashi will be putting his Wrestle Kingdom title match in jeopardy on Sunday September 23rd. The ‘Ace’ of New Japan will step in the ring with Kazuchika Okada in an IWGP January 4th Challenge Rights match for the Destruction in Kobe show.
Traditionally the winner of the G1 tournament is expected to defend his title shot. Well, the G1 winner should defend against the competitors who beat him during the tournament. Interestingly Tanahashi announced that he would defend the rights against Okada even though their epic bout went to a time limit draw during this year’s G1.
Tanahashi spoke on camera following his bout at the ‘Road To’ event last night. The ‘Ace’ stated that “I know Okada far too well. Please show me the part of you that I’ve never seen before. But..just winning is not enough, because I’ve already lost and drew to him. It won’t satisfy me. Then what should I do? I’m looking for something more.”
Kazuchika Okada also appeared in a backstage interview segment, the former IWGP Heavyweight made the following comments: “It’s obvious isn’t it? Tokyo Dome and the IWGP Title…they need me. The answer is there. That’s why Tanahashi wants to beat me isn’t it? He needs to beat me in order to get to the Tokyo Dome. You’re being naive aren’t you? But the IWGP Title…The main event at Tokyo Dome is not your place. Well…we’re just getting started. There will be more preview matches. I will get everything out of Tanahashi and I will finish him in Kobe.”
The main event of All In was forced to be cut short. The match between Rey Mysterio Jr., Bandido, and Fenix against the Young Bucks and Kota Ibushi was supposed to run for 28 minutes. When all was said and done, however, the match went only about 12 minutes.
Today, Marty Scurll appeared on Sean Mooney’s podcast. He refuted that his match with Kazcuhika Okada was the reason the main event was cut short.
“People are saying 14 minutes over. No, no, no, no,” Scurll said. “The show ran 14 minutes over. A bunch of the other matches went over. But I guess our match is crucified because obviously, we were the match on just before last?”
Scurll and Okada’s match was the longest on the card at 26 minutes. Cody vs Nick Aldis was the second longest, going 22 minutes.
Jim Ross Calls Out Performers Going Over Alotted Time At All In
Jim Ross took to his podcast recently and called what led to the main event’s time being cut the result of unprofessional behavior.
“The last match was cut from 28 minutes to 12; that’s because the guys before them were trying to get their own s**t in and they went over,” Ross said. “It’s not funny really, because all they did was rob the main event and matches later on of time, and those matches are in those spots for a reason.”
It should be noted that Cody was running gorilla position for the second half of the show and has already taken responsibility for the error.
New Japan Pro Wrestling returns to Long Beach on September 30th, 2018. Only 3 matches have been confirmed for the show thus far, however.
The promotion has 3 big shows before Long Beach and will likely only announce more matches after the Destruction in Kobe event on the 23rd. In lieu of announcing more matches, NJPW has confirmed that several wrestlers will be apart of the show.
NJPW has just confirmed the following wrestlers for Fighting Spirit Unleashed on September 30th:
IWGP United States Championship
Juice Robinson (c) vs Cody
This will be Juice Robinson’s first defense of the title he won back in July. Following his title victory over Jay White, Juice only went 3-6 in the G1 Climax. He was sporting a broken hand during the tournament, however.
Robinson was trained by Cody’s father and often uses Dusty Rhodes’ trademark jabs during his matches. Cody defeated Juice at Wrestle Kingdom 11 on January 4th, 2017.
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) (c) vs The Guerillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa)
The Young Bucks won the IWGP Heavyweight Championships at Dominion in Osaka back in June. They then defended the titles against Evil and Sanada successfully at the G1 Special in San Fransico. Later that show, however, the Bucks were the victims of a beatdown at the hands of the Firing Squad.
The last time the Bucks were in the same ring as the Firing Squad, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa and Taiji Ishimori defeated them and Marty Scurll for the NEVER 6-Man titles.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Tournament (Semi-Final)
Will Ospreay vs Marty Scurll
Hiromu Takahashi was forced to vacate “Mr. Belt”, his name for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. Takahashi will be out of action for 9-12 months after sustaining a neck injury at the G1 Special in San Francisco.
The other semi-final match in the tournament will be between Bushi and Kushida on September 23rd.
The era of Kazuchika Okada being managed by Gedo has apparently come to an end in New Japan Pro Wrestling. The current belief is NJPW’s booker will no longer be accompanying Okada to ringside or delivering promos on his behalf.
“The whole reason for the dynamic was that Gedo was there to do Okada’s promos and make him feel special at first,” wrote Dave Meltzer. “Okada has gotten to where he doesn’t need anyone doing his promos and he’s already special.”
When the Rainmaker was first put with Okada, he was a cocky up-and-coming prospect. Now, Okada has been established as the greatest IWGP Heavyweight Champion of all-time, minus one record of Tanahashi’s he has yet to surpass.
Okada is scheduled to face Marty Scurll at All In. He will then join the Destruction tours back in Japan.
Kazuchika Okada Gedo
While Okada did not win the A-Block in this year’s G1, he was booked strong all the same. After losing to Kenny Omega, Okada’s character lost his confidence and, as a result, several matches. Okada lost a single’s match to Zack Sabre Jr. before the G1 began. To start the G1, Okada dropped his first two matches as well.
After losses to Jay White and Bad Luck Fale, Okada won his next 6 round-robin bouts before wrestling Tanahashi to a draw. Tanahashi then advanced to the finals where he defeated Kota Ibushi. The story with Okada is that once he got his confidence back, he wasn’t defeated again. Even though he didn’t win the tournament itself, Okada is back to looking like he can’t be beaten.