WWE recently took to Twitter in order to ask the WWE Universe, who has the best air guitar?
The poll featured footage of Undisputed Era’s Kyle O’Reilly and NXT newcomer, Eric Bugenhagen. The two rock out in the video footage, which is accompanied by the statement that they are, supposedly, “The guitar heroes we deserve.”
Turns out there might be an even better contender for the title of air guitar champion. Another wrestler has stepped forward to claim this particular crown.
Not “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, no.
Responding via Twitter, former-IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Hiroshi Tanahashi, would respond to WWE’s question. His response was a simple emoji of a man holding his hand up, the hashtag “#GOACE,” and a guitar.
It’s rare for New Japan wrestlers to really engage with WWE social media, but “The Ace” couldn’t help himself when it came to this particular challenge.
Hiroshi Tanahashi has, of course, been thrilling audiences for years by playing the air guitar after his matches, usually to close the show.
“The Ace”
Despite reasserting his “Ace” status, Tanahashi has just suffered a major loss to Bullet Club leader, Jay White.
“Switchblade” shocked the world, much in the same way as Kazuchika Okada did, this past Monday when he bested Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. The victory has firmly established Jay White as the top star in NJPW, with Bullet Club returning to their dominant ways.
Where does Tanahashi go from here? Is it the twilight of his career, or does “The Ace” have more in him?
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.
Next January’s Wrestle Kingdom 13 event is being pushed as an event headlined by a battle of core ideologies.
On one side, you have Hiroshi Tanahashi, who doesn’t believe that New Japan Pro Wrestling should sacrifice the very things that made them so unique. So Japanese.
The other side of the argument is fronted by The Elite’s Kenny Omega, representing an outsider who wants to help bring global recognition to the promotion by adapting its style into something new. Evolving it into something he deems suitable.
It’s been an engaging feud so far — one that flirts with real-life tensions that exist within the company over alleged concerns of rampant “Westernization” that dilutes the “Strong Style” nature of Japanese puroresu.
Now an important voice has just been added to this feud: Harold Meij.
“They’re Almost Two Extremes To Each Other”
Meij is the current NJPW CEO, and has been speculated to have caused upset within the locker room with his recent decisions to reshuffle high-ranking New Japan corporate officials.
Speaking to Uproxx about their January extravaganza, Meij ruminated on the ideological clash between Omega and Tanahashi, juxtaposing it with NJPW’s philosophical stance.
“We talked a little bit about the philosophy, and I think that’s one of the things that sets New Japan apart from a lot of other promotions, or other sports for that matter, is we emphasize more the philosophical part… Keeping that in mind, I have to say that the Tanahashi vs. Kenny is going to be something special. Because they’re almost – I almost want to say they’re almost opposites, they’re almost two extremes to each other.”
“He Is The Epitome, Really, Of The Tradition Of New Japan”
“[…] if you’ve seen any of the comments that both have given, I mean, Tanahashi, for example, on the one hand, he is the essence of New Japan. He’s almost Mr. New Japan. I mean, he started with New Japan, he was brought up as Young Lion, he was there during the bad times, he was there during the good times. I mean, he’s been taking a lot of initiatives to help the company as well. Not just inside the ring, of course, as a wrestler, but also outside the ring he did a lot of PR. He went to personally sell tickets during our darker times… he is the epitome, really, of the tradition of New Japan. It’s in his DNA…that’s who he is.”
“Now, Kenny on the other hand,” he continued, “[…] incredibly high-quality moves, incredible stamina and agility, but he’s almost self-taught. Almost. He didn’t go to the dojo, obviously, so he doesn’t have that part of him. He came from other experiences from the world. He’s wrestled and fought the world, really. So it’s almost, you know, two polar opposites. And yeah, I almost have to say that I almost don’t want to see the outcome of that.”
With Fighting Spirit Unleashed about to take place this Sunday at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California, njpw1972.com have been running a series of interviews with some of their top stars before they arrive on American soil.
Today, NJPW has released an informative interview with New Japan’s Ace, and G1 Climax 28 winner, Hiroshi Tanahashi.
Tanahashi has been vocal recently over his lack of respect for Bullet Club leader, Kenny Omega, and has openly called out wrestlers he wants to face in the build to Wrestle Kingdom 13, including Okada, who was also recently interviewed.
This discussion is no different, with Tanahashi openly admitting frustration over New Japan’s booking decisions with their last American foray, March’s Strong Style Evolved event. That night was headlined by The Young Bucks versus Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi.
Strong Style Devolved
Looking back, Tanahashi remarked that he “recorded a podcast afterward with KUSHIDA. I think he’d had a few drinks and was mad, asked ‘Was that really a New Japan main event?!?’”
Tanahashi admits he was frustrated as well, confessing, “That was the booking that the company felt was best for the American fans. I wasn’t so much thinking ‘that’s the wrong move’, but I did think ‘maybe it’s time to reflect on where the rest of us are lacking’. We weren’t in a position where our programs were main event worthy,” he explained, “and I think the responsibility for that fell on us somewhat.”
“The Real Deal. That’s What I Want To Show Them”
He then broached an issue that seems to have been weighing on his mind – one that is as candid as it is critical:
“I really felt then that if NJPW was going to keep going to America, we needed to stop trying to alter things to try and make them more American. It should be New Japan Pro Wrestling, as is, in the States. We really need to show that ‘Made In Japan’ aspect, I think.”
Juxtaposing this with a memory of watching the WWE in 2002, Tanahashi said, “I want to show that Made In Japan feel. With NJPW World there are so many fans now that watch our cards live or near live. I want to bring them what they see streaming on their devices in person right in front of them,” he said, before recalling, “It reminds me of when WWE came to Japan and I was at the show. It would have been 2002 maybe? The Rock was definitely there (March 1 2002, Yokohama Arena). They had a Japanese ring announcer translating what the English announcer said. Whenever that guy spoke he got booed.”
“They were saying ‘forget the translation, we want to see the authentic American product’ I think. I think there are American fans that want the same from NJPW. Not something rearranged for ‘American tastes’ but the real deal. That’s what I want to show them.”
The third and final NJPW Destruction show of 2018 took place Sunday, September 23 in Kobe, Japan at the Kobe World Hall.
The main event of the show saw Hiroshi Tanahashi defend his Wrestle Kingdom 13 IWGP Championship title shot against Kazuchika Okada. The two wrote another memorable chapter in their epic rivalry, considered by many to be the best of this generation.
The aftermath of the main event may prove to be memorable as well, as Okada’s former manager, Gedo, and CHAOS stablemate Switchblade Jay White turned on Okada after the bout.
Here are the full results from the show:
Yota Tsuji drew with Yuya Uemura – The two Young Lions went to a ten minute time limit draw
Roppongi 3K (SHO & YOH) b. Ren Narita & Shota Umino – YOH won by pinfall on Narita after a Falcon Arrow
Tiger Mask & Jushin Thunder Liger b. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado – Tiger Mask won by pinfall after a crucifix on Kanemaru
Satoshi Kojima, Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi & Hiroyoshi Tenzan b. Tomoaki Honma, Togi Makabe, Ryusuke Taguchi & Ayato Yoshida – Nagata pinned Yoshida with a High-Angle Suplex
The Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Beretta) b. Killer Elite Squad (Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Lance Archer – Beretta won by pinfall on Archer with a crucifix
CHAOS (Switchblade Jay White, YOSHI-HASHI & Will Ospreay) b. Taguchi Japan (Juice Robinson, Toa Henare & David Finlay) – Jay White won by pinfall after a Blade Runner on Henare
Los Ingobernables De Japon (Tetsuya Naito, EVIL & SANADA) b. Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr. & TAKA Michinoku) – EVIL picked up the pinfall victory after hitting Everything is EVIL on Michinoku
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title Tournament Semifinal: KUSHIDA b. BUSHI – KUSHIDA won by pinfall after hitting BUSHI with two Back to the Futures
Hiroshi Tanahashi b. Kazuchika Okada – Hiroshi Tanahashi won by pinfall after hitting a High Fly Flow
It appears that NJPW’s Ace, Hiroshi Tanahashi, may already be looking past Kazuchika Okada and Jay White. In an interview with a Japanese radio station, Tanahashi had some harsh words for his future opponent, Kenny Omega. This is assuming he can defend his G1 briefcase against both Chaos members.
Translated from Japanese, Tanahashi criticized Omega’s in-ring style. The wrestler claimed that it lacks drama because there is no narrative flow to his matches.
“Kenny’s puroresu is like watching a movie with no Kishotenketsu (dramatic arc of traditional Japanese narratives).”
Tanahashi stated that only the last 5 minutes of an Omega match matter because there’s no story being told.
.@tanahashi1_100 says “Kenny’s puroresu is like watching a movie with no Kishotenketsu (dramatic arc of traditional Japanese narratives).” He feels that the last 5 minutes of a Kenny match is all that matters, because there’s no story. – Via @sumidab local radio. #njpw#goace
He admitted that he respected previous Bullet Club leaders, Prince Devitt (now wrestling as Finn Balor in the WWE) and AJ Styles, believing they were dedicated to the Bullet Club.
With Omega, however, he thinks that ‘The Best Bout Machine’ has a poor attitude – one that leads him to want to “own” everything.
Kenny has had some harsh words in the past for his potential Wrestle Kingdom opponent, calling Tanahashi a “complete egomaniac” and describing his fanbase as a “dwindling mini cult.”
G1 Vengeance
The winner of the G1 Climax tournament receives a briefcase with a contract for a title shot at Wrestle Kingdom inside.
Tanahashi, this year’s winner, was quick to highlight two opponents he wanted to face before Wrestle Kingdom 13 on January 4th 2019.
In his post #g128 press conference now 3 time winner Hiroshi Tanahashi said there's no doubt that the G1 champion will become the center of attention in the second half of 2018. He already has an opponent in mind to whom he lost at Wrestling Dontaku and who he drew with in the G1 pic.twitter.com/YlhVyI3cV5
“Switchblade” Jay White was the only wrestler to defeat Tanahashi. Okada fought him to an epic 30-minute draw on the final night of the tournament. The Ace hasn’t forgotten.
What do you Tanahashi’s chances are of making it to the Tokyo Dome in order to claim his opportunity? And do you agree with Tanahashi’s opinion on Omega?
New Japan Pro Wrestling are now building up to their biggest show, January’s Wrestle Kingdom from the Tokyo Dome.
One of the stops on the way to Wrestle Kingdom is Power Struggle, and this year’s iteration already has some intriguing titles matches set up:
IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs Kota Ibushi – Kota Ibushi spent a good amount of time away from the company, performing on the UK independent scene as well as the WWE Cruiserweight Classic. Tanahashi has been a fine Intercontinental Champion, however he has not elevated the belt in the same way that former champion Shinsuke Nakamura managed and there’s a good chance that Kota wins here to setup a match against Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Will Ospreay (c) vs Marty Scurll – Ospreay became the first ever British born IWGP Junior champion when he defeated KUSHIDA at King of Pro Wrestling, Marty Scurll has the opportunity here to become the second ever. This is a rivalry that has transcended companies and the New Japan faithful are in for a real treat.
NEVER Openweight Championship: Minoru Suzuki (c) vs Toru Yano – The most lopsided match on the card? You’d think so but Yano has this uncanny ability to beat Minoru Suzuki at will. Low blows and roll ups seem to be the order of the day when it comes to this match-up however I expect Suzuki to finally overcome Yano and show his dominance heading into the Tokyo Dome on January 4th.
New Japan has announced that the njpwworld.com site will post a free match from their archives every Monday.
NJPW has been posting several high profile bouts for free over the past couple of months although sporadically, this move appears to be another step in their goal for expansion into the Western territories of North America, the UK and Europe.
The following matches are currently available to view:
Kazuchika Okada vs Hiroshi Tanahashi G1 CLIMAX 26 (2016)
In the late 90s, the old NWO faction would release “paid advertisements” on Nitro. Bullet Club is now doing the same in NJPW.
The faction has been the focal point of NJPW’s marketing strategy for their July 1st and 2nd shows in L.A, and have now released the following video:
Bullet Club at NJPW G1 L.A Special
Somewhat surprisingly, Cody will receive an IWGP heavyweight title shot on night 1 of the 2-night event. At Dominion, Cody defeated Michael Elgin in what turned out to be a pretty important match.
The rest of the announced lineup so far:
NJPW July 1st 2017 Lineup
the Briscoes, Will Ospreay, & Roppongi Vice (CHAOS) vs. Bad Luck Fale, the Young Bucks, Yujiro Takahashi & Marty Scurll (Bullet Club)
Jushin Liger, Volador Jr., Dragon Lee & Titan vs. Sanada, Evil, Bushi & Hiromu Takahashi (Los Ingobernables)
IWGP U.S Championship Tournament (1st Round)
Jay Lethal vs. Hangman Page (Bullet Club)
IWGP U.S Championship Tournament (1st Round)
Juice Robinson vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kushida, Jay White & David Finlay vs. Billy Gunn, Yoshi Tatsu, Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu
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.
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
New Japan have announced the dates of this year’s New Japan Cup:
The First round matches will be taking place on March 11th/12th.
The Second round matches will be split between 4 shows from March 13th through to March 17th
The Semi-Final bouts will be taking place on March 19th
The Final will take place March 20th
The winner of the annual tournament will then decide to challenge for either the IWGP Heavyweight, IWGP Intercontinental or NEVER Openweight title at the company’s April 9th show at the Ryogoku Kokugikan.
The tournament has a very prestigious history, previous winners include Hiroshi Tanahashi, Yuji Nagata, Kazuchika Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kota Ibushi and the 2016 winner Tetsuya Naito.
The winner of this year’s tournament is likely to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight title as the current champion Kazuchika Okada does not yet have a clear feud going forward. After his bout at New Beginning with Minoru Suzuki he hinted at Tiger Mask W as a possible challenger for his belt, this may lead to Tiger Mask finally being unmasked as Kota Ibushi and leading to a program for the title.
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 the third and final day of the CMLL/NJPW Fantasticamania shows, the event is available to view on the NJPW World service now:
Cavernario, Jado & Gedo b. Blue Panther Jr., Soberano Jr. & Henare – Cavernario took the win for his team following the Cavernaria on Blue Panther Jr
Stuka Jr., Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask IV b. Hechicero, OKUMURA & Raziel – Tiger Mask took the win for his team after hitting a Tiger Suplex on Raziel
Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI b. Dragon Lee & Titan – BUSHI took the win after catching Titan in the BUSHI ROLL. After the match Takahashi took Dragon Lee’s mask
Ephisto, Kazuchika Okada & Will Ospreay b. Maximo Sexy, Juice Robinson & Ryusuke Taguchi – Okada hit the Rainmaker on Taguchi to take the win via pinfall
Rush, Tetsuya Naito, SANADA & EVIL b. Atlantis, Hiroshi Tanahashi, KUSHIDA & David Finlay – Naito took the pinfall win over Finlay
Mistico b. Euforia – Mistico took the win after hitting the La Mistica in just over 11 minutes
Volador Jr. b. Ultimo Guerrero – Volador Jr took the win after hitting an incredible Avalanche Spanish Fly
Here are the results from CMLL and New Japan Pro Wrestling’s co-branded Fantasticamania show that took place at the world famous Korakuen Hall (01/21- Day 2). If you are unfamiliar with Lucha style wrestling then this show (available on NJPW World) is certainly worth a watch.
Ephesto, Raziel, Jado & Gedo b. Blue Panther Jr., Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask IV & Henare – Ephesto pinned Blue Panther to take the win for his team
Stuka Jr. b. OKUMURA – Stuka took the win in just under 8 minutes with a Torpedo Splash
Barbaro Cavernario, Kazuchika Okada & Will Ospreay b. Soberano Jr., KUSHIDA & Ryusuke Taguchi – Cavernario took the win for his team after hitting a Cavernaria on Soberano
Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, EVIL, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI b. Dragon Lee, Titan, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Juice Robinson & David Finlay – SANADA took the win for Los Ingobernables after hitting the Skull End on David Finlay
Ultimo Guerrero & Euforia b. Mistico & Volador Jr. – Ultimo took the win for his team with the Guerrero special on Volador Jr
Rush b. Atlantis – Rush hit the Rush Driver to secure the pinfall win in just under 11 minutes
CMLL World Heavyweight Championship Match: Maximo Sexy b. Hechicero – Maximo retained his CMLL World Heavyweight title after hitting an Avalanche style Frankensteiner on Hechicero
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.
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
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:
Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Will Ospreay b. Adam Cole, Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi – Ishii hit the Brainbuster on Yujiro to secure the win for his team
Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Ryusuke Taguchi & Bobby Fish b. Toru Yano, Jado, Rocky Romero & Barreta – Honma hit the Kokeshi headbutt on Romero to take the win
NJPW vs NOAH Special 8 Man Tag Match:Go Shiozaki, Maybach Taniguchi, Katsuhiko Nakajima & Masa Kitamiya b. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi – Shiozaki hit the Go-Arm Lariat on Nakanishi to take the win
IWGP Junior Tag Championship Match: The Young Bucks b. Ricochet & David Finlay – The Bucks hit the More Bang For For Your Buck on Finlay to retain their titles IWGP Tag Championship Match:Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa b. The Briscoes – Tonga hit the Guerrilla Warfare on Mark Briscoe to secure the win and make he and his brother the new IWGP Tag Team Champions
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin, KUSHIDA & Jay Lethal b. Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, EVIL & BUSHI – Elgin hit the Elgin-Bomb on Naito to take the win for his team
NEVER Openweight Championship Match:Katsuyori Shibata b. Kyle O’Reilly – Shibata took the win via referee stoppage at the 18 minute mark.
Tokyo Dome IWGP Heavyweight Title Contender Match:Kenny Omega b. Hirooki Goto – Omega hit the One Winged Angel to hold on to the briefcase that earns him an IWGP Title match at the Tokyo Dome in January 2017
?Winner: Omega (21:52) with the Katayoku no Tenshi.
IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match:Kazuchika Okada b. Naomichi Marufuji – Okada retained his title following a Rainmaker
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
Here are the results from New Japan’s Destruction in Tokyo event:
Rocky Romero & Barreta b. David Finlay & Henare – Barreta hit the Dudebuster on Henare to secure the win for his team
Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi b. Yoshitatsu & Captain New Japan – Nagata hit the Exploder of Justice on Captain New Japan for the win
Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma & Tiger Mask IV b. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Jushin Thunder Liger – Honma took the pinfall win after hitting the Kokeshi
Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii & Gedo b. Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & Chase Owens – Ishii hit the Brainbuster on Tanga Loa to take the pinfall victory
Kyle O’Reilly b. Juice Robinson – O’Reilly took the win after hitting the Armageddon, he is now the next challenger for the NEVER Openweight title
Kazuchika Okada, YOSHI-HASHI & Will Ospreay b. Kenny Omega, Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi – YOSHI-HASHI hit the Karma on Yujiro to secure the pinfall victory for his team
Tetsuya Naito, SANADA & EVIL b. Michael Elgin, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Ryusuke Taguchi – SANADA hit the Skull End on Taguchi to take the win
NEVER Openweight Championship Match: Katsuyori Shibata b. Bobby Fish – Shibata hit the Penalty Kick to take the pinfall win IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Match: BUSHI b. KUSHIDA – BUSHI took the pinfall win over KUSHIDA to become the 74th champion in IWGP JH history