Shibata may be adding another move to his repertoire and it came courtesy of the legendary Kevin Von Erich.
Marshall and Ross Von Erich reunited with Dustin Rhodes on the latest episode of AEW Collision as the company finds itself deep in the heart of Texas which means their father was not far off. The family was backstage with Rhodes who made clear that he had his generational good brothers’ backs.
They may soon have another ally as it was caught by fan footage during Ring Of Honor tapings that Kevin Von Erich was showing Shibata the proper way to administer the treachorous Claw, a move that has put many a many down at the notorious Sportatorium.
Shibata was clearly excited and honored for the moment as the Japanese star was in the ring with Kevin, the brothers and Dustin.
There could be a good trio feud forthcoming as Chris Jericho and The Learning Tree recently had an angle where they took out Shibata, Samoa Joe and HOOK one by one.
Marshall & Ross Von Erich have always been an ultimate babyface tag team as they cut a great deal of their pro wrestling teeth in Major League Wrestling and Japan. The brothers even became the MLW World Tag Champions by defeating MJF and Richard Holliday years back.
Dustin Rhodes continues to wrestle for AEW as he’s been in a select bit of high-profile matches, even competing in a World Title eliminator match. He also recently made clear he has no plans to retire anytime soon.
AEW has a lot of people on their roster with incredible stories, but few are as dramatic as Katsuyori Shibata. He nearly died in 2017 from a brain injury after wrestling Kazuchika Okada. Shibata collapsed after that match and was taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma. Now, he is gearing up for his return.
Although Shibata was signed to AEW, he hasn’t been around in recent memory. It seems that he had another hurdle to get over this time around. Now, he is gearing up for his return despite having visa issues.
TOMORROW, Sat 3/16 Ottawa, ON Saturday Night #AEWCollision TNT 8pm ET/7pm CT
In a new development, Fightful Select has reported that Katsuyori Shibata is slated to clash with Bryan Danielson in a high-stakes showdown set for AEW Collision. That being said, there was a tough road for Shibata at the end of 2023.
Sources close to the situation have revealed that Shibata faced an unexpected hurdle in November, compelling him to return to Japan due to pressing visa issues. This turn of events led to him relinquishing the ROH Pure Title to Wheeler YUTA.
What’s Next For Shibata in AEW
Despite these setbacks, it was made clear that AEW President Tony Khan harbored substantial hope for Shibata’s future within the company. Additionally, insiders indicated that Shibata harbored contentment with his tenure in AEW.
Recent developments have seen Shibata’s visa woes resolved. This encouraged the powers-that-be in AEW to seize the opportunity and thrust him into a marquee matchup against Bryan Danielson on the next Collision episode.
SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more in the pro wrestling world. Please keep checking back for more stories and updates that you need.
New Japan has announced that a company legend will be making a small appearance at each of their US tour dates. Katsuyori Shibata is the head trainer of the company’s Dojo in Los Angeles. The former NEVER Openweight Champion will be addressing the crowds before each of the dates in Los Angeles, Charlotte and Nashville before bell time.
New Japan had to scramble and make huge changes to the tour recently. With the government shutdown in the United States the company were unable to get the necessary visas for their Japanese talent to perform in America. The cards will now feature almost exclusively US based talent. The company released the following statement regarding Shibata’s involvement:
“NJPW LA Dojo head coach Katsuyori Shibata will make a special appearance at each of THE NEW BEGINNING USA tour cities.
Shibata will address the crowd to welcome our fans attending the first NJPW US tour in Los Angeles, Charlotte and Nashville before bell time. There will also be an opportunity to photograph him in the ring.
Fans will have the chance to hear Shibata’s thoughts on the New Japan spirit — a wrestler trained in the New Japan dojo and now training new wrestlers as the head coach of the LA Dojo. We hope our fans will support the next generation of stars trained by Shibata.
Once again, we would like to express gratitude to our US fans and hope you look forward seeing the work put in by Shibata and the LA Young Lions before the biggest matches of their career.”
Ring Of Honor has announced that popular New Japan Pro Westling star, Katsuyori Shibata, will be in attendance for all three nights of their Texas ‘Road to G1 Supercard’ events this January.
Shibata will be in attendance in order to sign autographs and take photos with fans as part of the promotion’s pre-event Meet and Greets.
One of NJPW’s most prominent stars during his time with the company, ‘The Wrestler’ has not competed in-ring following his brutal matchup with Kazuchika Okada on April 9th, 2017, during New Japan’s Sakura Genesis event.
Shibata suffered a severe injury via a vicious headbutt during the match that led to him to experience paralysis to the right side of his body. This injury has led to speculation that Shibata is most likely done wrestling.
He has since been assigned as Head Coach for New Japan’s American dojo, located in Los Angeles, California.
NJPW has released a series of YouTube documentaries following his journey adjusting to life in America and his new role within the company, entitled ‘California Dreamin’.”
Road To G1 Supercard
You can meet Shibata on the following dates:
ROAD TO G1 SUPERCARD – DALLAS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24TH
BELL TIME @ 07:30 PM CT
GILLEY’S DALLAS
1135 S LAMAR ST
DALLAS , TX 75215
ROAD TO G1 SUPERCARD – HOUSTON
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25TH
BELL TIME @ 07:30 PM CT
NRG ARENA
NRG PKWY
HOUSTON , TX 77054
ROAD TO G1 SUPERCARD – SAN ANTONIO
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26TH
BELL TIME @ 07:00 PM CT
AUSTIN HIGHWAY EVENT CENTER
1948 AUSTIN HWY
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78218
New Japan Pro Wrestling has posted a new video to their YouTube channel.
Documenting “The Wrestler” Katsuyori Shibata’s journey segueing into his new role as NJPW LA Dojo’s head coach, it is the first of a two part series and features English subtitles, running for just over 21 minutes.
NJPW visited the LA Dojo in July to cover the wrestling camps taking place during that time. They state that “the footage reveals the inner workings of their Dojo system.”
Sakura Genesis
Shibata has been away from in-ring action since his brutal match up against “The Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada at Sakura Genesis 2017. The men would wrestle for an astounding 38 minutes before Okada finally defeated Shibata.
The aftermath of the match, however, left a lot of people concerned over Shibata’s well being. During the match itself, Shibata delivered a headbutt to Okada that split him open. Shibata subsequently collapsed backstage and was rushed to a hospital, where it was discovered that he had a subdural hematoma and required emergency surgery.
On April 13th, Dave Meltzer reported that Shibata would probably never be cleared to wrestle again.
Come August 13th, at the 2017 G1 Climax Finals, Shibata made a surprise appearance, simply expressing, “I am alive. That is all.”
NJPW note that the second part of this documentary will be aired soon, so be sure to catch up on Part 1 before it does!
‘The Wrestler’ Katsuyori Shibata made his emotional return to NJPW at today’s G1 Climax finals. He appeared halfway through the show to greet the crowd and stated “I’m alive! That’s all!” Shibata suffered from a subdural hematoma during his last bout with Kazuchika Okada earlier this year and it was reported that we would likely never enter the squared circle to compete again.
Shibata was visibly moved by the crowd’s response to his return, check the video below and let us know what you think in the comments.
Katsuyori Shibata faced IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada in the main event of yesterday’s Sakura Genesis show.
After the bout, Shibata reportedly collapsed backstage and was rushed to a local hospital.
Shibata was suffering from a subdural hematoma and underwent emergency surgery, he is now recovering but will miss New Japan’s next tour as a precaution.
A subdural hematoma is usually caused by a head injury, it is where blood collects between the skull and the surface of the brain.
Zack Sabre Jr made his debut appearance for New Japan Pro Wrestling at today’s 45th Anniversary event in Tokyo, where he faced Katsuyori Shibata for Revolution Pro Wrestling’s British Heavyweight Championship.
During the match Minoru Suzuki interfered on Sabre Jr’s behalf and used a Gotch style Piledriver on Shibata, giving Sabre Jr the opportunity to hit his signature Penalty Kick to secure the pinfall victory and win back the RPW title.
After the bout Sabre Jr donned a Suzuki-Gun t shirt and appeared to accept the invitation from Minoru to join the group.
New Japan Pro Wrestling have announced that several title matches will take place on March 6th 2017. The event is to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the promotion and will air live on New Japan World (5am est.)
NJPW 45th Anniversary Show Lineup
Jushin Liger and Hirai Kawato vs. Tiger Mask and Tomoyuki Oka
Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi, Gedo and Jado (CHAOS) vs. El Desparado, Taka Michinoku, Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Minoru Suzuki (Suzuki-Gun)
Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi and David Finlay vs. Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa, Yujiro Takahashi, Bad Luck Fale and Kenny Omega (Bullet Club)
Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, Bushi and Sanada (Los Ingobernables) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin, Kushida and Juice Robinson
RPW British Heavyweight Championship
Katsuyori Shibata (c) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. *
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship
Hiromu Takahashi (c) vs. Ryusuke Taguchi
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
Roppongi Vice (c) vs. Taichi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru (Suzuki-Gun)
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
Tomohiro Ishii and Toru Yano (c)(CHAOS) vs. Tomoaki Honma and Togi Makabe (GBH)**
Kazuchika Okada (CHAOS) vs. Tiger Mask W***
* Zack Sabre Jr. is making his NJPW debut ** This match was made after GBH beat CHAOS at Togi Makabe’s anniversary show this weekend. *** non-title match. Tiger Mask W is played by Kota Ibushi and is from the current Tiger Mask anime series.
When it was announced that Chris Hero had re-signed with WWE and would be returning to NXT it created a chasm across the Independent wrestling scene, both in the United States and Europe.
After his original departure from WWE back in 2013, Hero toured the world performing for numerous promotions big and small and establishing himself as quite possibly the best independent wrestler on the planet. What is truly astonishing is the quality and variety of matches that Chris Hero had in 2016; from his bouts in UK based Revolution Pro against Tomohiro Ishii and Katsuyori Shibata, his show stealing PROGRESS bouts against Mark Andrews and Marty Scurll, his PWG tag bout alongside Tommy End against Fenix & Pentagon Jr through to his EVOLVE matches with Dick Togo, Timothy Thatcher, Zack Sabre Jr……and Matt Riddle.
One of Hero’s biggest draws was that he seemed just as happy performing in front of thousands of fans as he did in front of a smaller crowd, eager to help as many promotions as possible gain traction and build their fan base.
Before I started writing this I saw a tweet from a very small UK based promotion stating that Matt Riddle would be performing for them in April against Josh Bodom, himself an up and coming star on the UK scene. Counter this with Riddle’s other matches so far in 2017 in the UK for the likes of Rev Pro and PROGRESS and you can see why I drew the comparison to Hero, he appears to be working for independents big and small.
Now, Riddle has only been wrestling for around 3 years and while he is not quite at the caliber of a Chris Hero just yet, he certainly has all of the tools to get there. Ever since his departure from UFC Riddle has taken to Pro Wrestling at an astonishing rate, earning him comparisons to the likes of Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar. His natural charisma and ability to read is what established him as a star in EVOLVE.
Riddle’s temperament seems to be the same as Hero’s, he wants to work for as many companies as possible, get as much experience as he can and build his brand globally. As I mentioned before the hole that Chris Hero left in the Independent scene was substantial. Indie companies desperately need a performer that can come in and elevate both your company and the stars on your roster Matt Riddle looks set to be the man to fill those boots with his willingness to work in diverse matches against a litany of different opponents.
Here are the results from New Japan Pro Wrestling’s ‘The New Beginning’ event that took place in Osaka, Japan to a gate of around 5,500 people:
TAKA Michinoku b. Henare – TAKA took the win in just under 5 minutes after hitting the Heavy Killer Number 1
Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima b. Yoshitatsu & KUSHIDA – Kojima took the pinfall victory for his team after hitting a Lariat on Yoshi Tatsu
Yuji Nagata, Juice Robinson, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask IV b. Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, Jado & Gedo – Juice continues to impress in his NJPW by taking the pinfall victory over Jado, expect him to have a strong showing in the New Japan Cup as he is expected to enter.
Minoru Suzuki, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Taichi b. Kazuchika Okada, Rocky Romero & Barreta – Kanemaru took the win over Rocky Romero, yet another win for him over the IWGP Junior Tag Team Champion
NEVER Openweight 6 Man Tag Championship Match – SANADA, EVIL & BUSHI b.Hiroshi Tanahashi, Manabu Nakanishi & Ryusuke Taguchi – SANADA hit the Skull End on Nakanishi to dethrone the champions in their first defence. Los Ingobernables are crowned the 11th champions
Revolution Pro Wrestling British Heavyweight Championship Match – Katsuyori Shibata b. Will Ospreay – Shibata retains his title in an EXCELLENT bout, cementing Will Ospreay as a true global star. Shibata’s next opponent for the belt will most likely be Zack Sabre Jr in the UK
IWGP Tag Championship 3WAY Match – Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano b. Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Takashi Iizuka – Yano rolled up Davey Boy Smith Jr in a schoolboy to retain his and Ishii’s titles, this was their second successful defence
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Match –Hiromu Takahashi b. Dragon Lee – Takahashi hit the TIME BOMB in around 18 minutes to retain his title in his first official defence. Taguchi appeared after the match and will likely be the next challenger for the belt
IWGP Intercontinental Championship Match – Tetsuya Naito b. Michael Elgin – Naito hit the Destino to retain his title in his 3rd defence, The Los Ingobernables stable celebrated after the match as all members now hold a championship in NJPW
???????THE NEW BEGINNING in OSAKA?2?11???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? #njnbg#njpwpic.twitter.com/i7PpjwJQkr
Here are the results from New Japan Pro Wrestling’s ‘The New Beginning’ show that took place in Sapporo, Japan:
Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado b KUSHIDA & Hirai Kawato – Desperado hit the Guitara de Angel on Kawato to take the win for his team. He now looks set to join the Junior ranks in NJPW following a staredown with KUSHIDA after the match.
Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata b. Yoshitatsu, Henare & Tomoyuki Oka – Nagata took the submission win with the Nagata Lock 2 on Oka.
Will Ospreay, Jado & Gedo b. Katsuyori Shibata, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask IV – Ospreay hit the OsCutter on Tiger Mask to take the pinfall victory. He stated after the match that he would defeat Shibata for the Revolution Pro British Heavyweight Championship on February 11th
YOSHI-HASHI b. Takashi Iizuka – YOSHI-HASHI took the win in around 7 minutes with the Karma
Michael Elgin, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Manabu Nakanishi, Ryusuke Taguchi & Dragon Lee b. Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, EVIL, BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi – Dragon Lee won the bout following the Death Nukadora in around 13 minutes, he and Takahashi had a staredown after the bout ahead of their clash over the IWGP Junior Heavyweight belt on February 11th.
IWGP Junior Tag Championship Match: Rocky Romero & Barreta b. Taichi & TAKA Michinoku – Barretta hit the Strong Zero on TAKA Michinoku to retain the belts for Roppongi Vice in their 1st defence as champions.
NEVER Openweight Championship Match: Hirooki Goto b. Juice Robinson – Goto successfully defended his NEVER title after hitting the GTR for the pinfall victory. This was his first defence since winning the title from Shibata at Wrestle Kingdom.
IWGP Tag Championship Match: Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano b. Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. – Yano rolled up Makabe in a schoolboy for the pinfall victory, this was also Ishii/Yano’s first title defence.
IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match: Kazuchika Okada b. Minoru Suzuki – Okada hit the Rainmaker on Suzuki for his third successful title defence. No one appeared after the match to challenge Okada for the belt however Okada hinted that Tiger Mask W may be his next feud.
Here are the results from Revolution Pro Wrestling’s first York Hall show of the year. The promotion has been growing rapidly in popularity over the past year and with this absolutely stacked card that trend looks set to continue:
RPW Interim British Cruiserweight Championship Match:Josh Bodom b. Ryan Smile – Bodom took the win via pinfall to become the Interim Crusierweight Champion. The Interim title has been introduced as current champion Will Ospreay is tied up with New Japan & Ring of Honor commitments
RPW Undisputed British Tag Team Championship Match: Joel Redman & Charlie Sterling b. War Machine – Redman and Sterling took the win to retain their titles after hitting a spinning tombstone on Rowe
YOSHI-HASHI b. Pete Dunne – YOSHI-HASHI took the win after hitting the Karma
Zack Sabre Jr. b. Marty Scurll – Sabre took the win after avoiding a Crossface Chickenwing attempt and rolling Scurll up for the three count
Trent Seven b. Trevor Lee – Seven took the win after hitting his second Snap Piledriver of the match to take the pinfall
Jay White b. Martin Stone – NJPW Young Lion Jay White took the upset win after making Stone tap with a Boston Crab
RPW Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship Match: Katsuyori Shibata b. Matt Riddle – In what was easily the MOTN Shibata retained his title using a rear naked choke. Shibata will now defend his belt against Will Ospreay at the NJPW New Beginning show in February
Here is the final card for this weekend’s High Stakes event presented by Revolution Pro Wrestling. Tickets are still available for the event and if you are able to make it to York Hall in Bethnal Green, London then it is certainly worth the trip:
British Heavyweight Championship Match – Katsuyori Shibata vs Matt Riddle
If Shibata wins then he will defend the Championship at NJPW’s New Beginning event in February against Will Ospreay
– Marty Scurll vs Zack Sabre Jr
– YOSHI-HASHI vs Pete Dunne
– Trevor Lee vs Trent Seven
– Martin Stone vs Jay White
British Tag Team Championship Match – War Machine vs Redman and Sterling
New Japan have officially announced the cards for their two ‘New Beginning’ shows that take place on February 5th/11th in Sapporo and Osaka, Japan respectively. Following the events of the New Years Dash show Suzuki-Gun are set to make a huge impact on the landscape of New Japan with the group’s leader Minoru Suzuki set to face IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada for the belt in Sapporo on February 5th.
Also notable is the inclusion of a Revolution Pro Wrestling title bout between Shibata and Will Ospreay on the Osaka show. Shibata won the RPW British Heavyweight title from Zack Sabre Jr at the company’s last York Hall show.
The cards line up as follows:
New Beginning in Sapporo (02/05/17)
KUSHIDA & Hirai Kawato vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado (Suzuki-Gun)
Yuji Nagata & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs. Yoshitatsu & David Finlay & Henare
Katsuyori Shibata & Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask IV vs. CHAOS’ Will Ospreay & Gedo & Jado
YOSHI-HASHI vs. Takashi Iizuka
Michael Elgin & Hiroshi Tanahashi & Manabu Nakanishi & Ryusuke Taguchi & Dragon Lee vs. Tetsuya Naito & SANADA & EVIL & BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Match – Roppongi Vice (c) vs. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi (Suzuki-Gun)
NEVER Openweight Championship Match – Hirooki Goto (c) vs. Juice Robinson
IWGP Tag Team Championship Match – Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano (c) vs. Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. The Killer Elite Squad
IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match – Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Minoru Suzuki
New Beginning in Osaka (02/11/17)
Yoshitatsu & Hirai Kawato vs. David Finlay & Henare
Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & KUSHIDA vs. Suzuki-gun’s Takashi Iizuka & Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado
Juice Robinson & Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask IV vs. YOSHI-HASHI & Gedo & Jado
Kazuchika Okada & Rocky Romero & Beretta (CHAOS) vs. Minoru Suzuki & TAKA Michinoku & Taichi (Suzuki-Gun)
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship Match – Hiroshi Tanahashi & Manabu Nakanishi & Ryusuke Taguchi (c) vs. SANADA & EVIL & BUSHI
Revolution Pro British Heavyweight Championship Match – Katsuyori Shibata vs. Will Ospreay
IWGP Tag Team Championship Match – Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano (c) vs. Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Killer Elite Squad
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Match – Hiromu Takahashi (c) vs. Dragon Lee
IWGP Intercontinental Championship Match – Tetsuya Naito (c) vs. Michael Elgin
Here are the results from New Japan’s annual New Year Dash show. This is traditionally seen as New Japan’s version of the ‘Raw After Mania’ and the main storylines/feuds heading into February’s New Beginning shows start to take shape.
Kyle O’Reilly, Ricochet & David Finlay b. Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask IV & Henare – Finlay took the win for his team
Yujiro Takahashi & Hangman Page b. Yoshitatsu & Billy Gunn – Hangman Page took the win after hitting the Right of Passage on Yoshitatsu
YOSHI-HASHI, Rocky Romero & Barreta b. Adam Cole and The Young Bucks – Yoshi-Hashi took the pinfall victory for his team after rolling up ROH Champion Adam Cole
Scott Norton, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Hiro Saito & Cheeseburger b. Kenny Omega, Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & BONE SOLDIER – Kojima hit the Lariat on BONE SOLDIER to take the win for his team
Michael Elgin & KUSHIDA b. Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi – Elgin took the win after hitting a Burning Hammer on Naito, he now looks set to be the next challenger for Naito’s Intercontinental Championship. CMLL Star Dragon Lee also appeared to attack longtime rival Takahashi and stated that he wants a shot at Takahashi’s IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title. Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Katsuyori Shibata, Yuji Nagata & Juice Robinson b. Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii & Will Ospreay – Robinson took the shock win over NEVER Champion Hirooki Goto to set himself as the next challenger for the title
NJPW/NOAH legend Minoru Suzuki appeared after the bout with his stable (The Suzuki Army) and attacked the members of CHAOS, Suzuki then proclaimed that all of New Japan’s titles will soon be theirs.
NEVER Openweight 6 Man Tag Championship Match – Hiroshi Tanahashi, Manabu Nakanishi & Ryusuke Taguchi b. SANADA, EVIL & BUSHI – Nakanishi hit the Hercules Cutter on BUSHI to win the titles and make Los Ingobernables’ title reign end after one day.
Rev Pro have announced more matches for their January show in the world famous York Hall in Bethnal Green, London. Having already announced two huge bouts in Riddle/Shibata and Scurll/Sabre Jr the mid card for the event is also starting to shape up nicely:
Here are the results from New Japan’s final event of the year at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan:
Ryusuke Taguchi & Yoshitatsu b. Jushin Thunder Liger & Henare – Taguchi took the win for his team after hitting the Dodon on Henare
Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano b. Yujiro Takahashi & BONE SOLDIER – Ishii hit the Brainbuster on BONE SOLDIER to take the pinfall victory
Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma & Juice Robinson b. Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & Chase Owens – Makabe hit the King Kong Knee Drop on Owens for the win
Yuji Nagata b, Manabu Nakanishi – Nagata hit the Exploder of Justice to take the win
Katsuyori Shibata & Tiger Mask IV b. Hirooki Goto & Jado – Shibata hit the Penalty Kick on Jado to take the pinfall victory
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, KUSHIDA & David Finlay b. Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, EVIL, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI – Kojima hit BUSHI with a Lariat to take the win for his team
Kenny Omega & Bad Luck Fale b. Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI – Omega hit the One Winged Angel on YOSHI-HASHI to gain the momentum leading up to his IWGP Heavyweight Title match against Okada at Wrestle Kingdom.
Here are the results from the Road to Tokyo Dome show that took place 12/16 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
Yuji Nagata, Yoshitatsu & Ryusuke Taguchi b. Manabu Nakanishi, Tiger Mask IV & Henare – Taguchi took the pinfall victory over Henare
Tomohiro Ishii b. Chase Owens – Ishii took the pinfall victory in just over 8 minutes with the Brainbuster
SANADA, EVIL & BUSHI b. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & David Finlay – EVIL hit his namesake finisher on Finlay to take the pinfall victory for his team
Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma & Juice Robinson b. Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & BONE SOLDIER – Robinson hit the Pulp Fiction on Tonga to take the win leading into his match against Cody at the Tokyo Dome
Hirooki Goto & Jado b. Katsuyori Shibata & Jushin Thunder Liger – Goto took the win after hitting the GTR on Liger
Kenny Omega, Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi b. Kazuchika Okada, YOSHI-HASHI & Jado – Yujiro took the win after hitting the Pimp Juice on Jado
Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi b. Hiroshi Tanahashi & KUSHIDA – Takahashi took the win after hitting the TIME BOMB on KUSHIDA
Here are the results from New Japan’s World Tag League final that took place in the Sekisui Haim Super Arena in Miyagi:
Ryusuke Taguchi & David Finlay b. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask IV – Finlay took the pinfall victory over Tiger Mask
Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi b. Manabu Nakanishi & Henare – Yujiro hit the Pimp Juice on Henare to secure the victory for his team
Yoshitatsu & Billy Gunn b. Chase Owens & BONE SOLDIER – Billy Gunn hit the Fameasser on BONE SOLIDER to take the win in just over 5 minutes
War Machine b. Brian Breaker & Leland Race – Rowe hit the Fallout on Leland Race to secure the win
SANADA, EVIL & BUSHI b. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata – EVIL took the pinfall victory over Kojima after hitting his namesake finisher
Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI b. Katsuyori Shibata & Juice Robinson – Goto hit the GTR on Shibata to take the pinfall victory for his team
Tetsuya Naito & Rush b. Hiroshi Tanahashi & KUSHIDA – Rush hit the Rush Driver on KUSHIDA to take the win, after the match Hiromu Takahashi came out to the ring and laid out KUSHIDA before accepting Naito’s offer to join Los Ingobernables
Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii b. Kenny Omega & Hangman Page – Okada hit the Rainmaker on Page to take the win
World Tag League Final – Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma b. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa – Makabe hit the King Kong Knee Drop on Tanga Loa to secure the win and make Honma/Makabe the first team in New Japan history to win the tournament in consecutive years
2016 was arguably the biggest year in British wrestling history. Now one of the biggest companies in the UK Revolution Pro have announced the two matches that will headline the first York Hall show of 2017:
Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship Match – Katsuyori Shibata (c) vs Matt Riddle
“Best Friends/Bitter Enemies” – Marty Scurll vs Zack Sabre Jr
Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma defeated Hirooki Goto & Tomohiro Ishii in the final match of the World Tag League B BLOCK to take their place in the final against the current reigning IWGP Tag Team Champions Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa).
The final standings for the tournament blocks were:
Here are the results from Night 1 of the Co-branded Revolution Pro and New Japan Pro Wrestling Global Wars events.
Marty Scurll b. Jushin Thunder Liger – Scurll took the win after applying the Crossface Chickenwing
Honma b. Sha Samuels – Honma gained the pinfall victory after hitting a Kokeshi from the top rope
Yuji Nagata b. Pete Dunne – Nagata took the pinfall win after a hard fought back and forth match with the UK standout Dunne
Chris Hero b. Tomohiro Ishii – In what was undoubtably the match of the night, Hero took the pinfall after hitting a Gotch style piledriver
Will Ospreay b. Bushi – Ospreay took the win after hitting the OsCutter
Naito, Evil & Sanada b. Trent Seven, Tyler Bate & David Starr – Evil took the victory for his team by pinning David Starr
Katsuyori Shibata b. Zack Sabre, Jr. – Shibata hit a PK to take the pinfall victory and become the Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion. Chris Hero appeared after the match and challenged Shibata for the belt.
New Japan have officially announced the full card for their October 10th event ‘King of Pro Wrestling,’ here is how the card stacks up:
IWGP Heavyweight Title Match: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs Naomichi Marufuji
Tokyo Dome IWGP Challenge Rights Match: Kenny Omega vs Hirooki Goto
NEVER Openweight Title Match: Katsuyoshi Shibata (c) vs Kyle O’Reilly
Naito, SANADA, EVIL, and BUSHI vs Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin, KUSHIDA and Jay Lethal
IWGP Tag Title Match: The Briscoe Brothers (c) vs Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa)
IWGP Junior Tag Title Match: Young Bucks (c) vs Ricochet and David Finlay
New Japan vs NOAH Tag Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs Go Shiozaki, Maybach Taniguchi, Katsuhiko Nakajima & Masa Kitamiya