New Japan Pro Wrestling “Dominion” iPPV
June 21, 2014
Osaka, Japan (Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium)
Recap by: Jason Namako of Wrestleview.com
We see video highlighting the big moments from the first 6 months of 2014 in New Japan Pro Wrestling, then see video highlighting the big matches on tonight’s iPPV.
IWGP Junior Tag Team Titles: The Time-Splitters (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) (c’s)
Matt throws his jacket at KUSHIDA before the bell and crotch chops him. Nick & KUSHIDA start. Nick backs KUSHIDA into the ropes and crotch chops him. Nick works over KUSHIDA’s arm, but KUSHIDA reverses out. Nick uses his agility to regain control. Snapmare into a keylock. KUSHIDA takes down Nick and works over his leg. Nick with another snapmare, but KUSHIDA quickly regains control. Side headlock, a series of evasions, then KUSHIDA with an armdrag, but Nick avoids a second. Nick stomps away at KUSHIDA, Matt tags in. KUSHIDA fights out of the Bucks’ corner and sends Matt into a hot-shot by Shelley. Roll-up by KUSHIDA for a nearfall. Time Splitters begin making frequent tags working over Matt’s arm. Matt comes back with a throat thrust, but Shelley with hiptosses on both Bucks. Savate kick to the ribs and a running dropkick to Matt. Matt rakes Shelley’s eyes, then takes a shot at KUSHIDA. Matt avoids a superkick and crotch chops Shelley, before heading out to the outside, but Matt is met by a seated senton by KUSHIDA off the apron, wiping him out! Shelley with overhand chops to Nick in the ring. Gut shot/running kneelift combo by the Time Splitters on Nick. STEREO SLINGSHOT PLANCHAS BY THE TIME SPLITTERS WIPES OUT THE BUCKS!! KUSHIDA runs into a boot by Matt in the corner. KUSHIDA rolls through a Sunset flip attempt, then Shelley with a double stomp off the top to Matt. Nick with a forearm to both Time Splitters on the apron, but they avoid a springboard and hit stereo kicks on Nick. Big chop by Shelley to Matt, followed by a knee to the ribs and a back club. Spinebuster slam, then Shelley locks in a half crab. Nick comes in and hits some right hands on Shelley to try and break it up, but Shelley won’t release the hold! Nick finally forces him to release, but Shelley hits a big knee to the ribs of Nick. Matt avoids a charge and the Bucks hit the backflip headscissors/dropkick combo, knocking Shelley off the apron!
Nick works over Shelley’s injured arm on the outside, while Matt sends KUSHIDA into the barricade. Back in, Matt works over Shelley’s injured arm while talking trash. Hammerlock applied, crowd wills on Shelley. Shelley fights out, but Nick trips him up and Matt with a sliding dropkick. Matt stomps away at Shelley. Nick in, Bucks with a double back elbow and the gutbuster/flipping neckbreaker combo, but KUSHIDA breaks up the pin. Nick stomps away at Shelley’s injured arm while talking more trash. Another crotch chop by Nick, but Shelley fights back. Nick then with a windmill kick to Shelley’s injured arm for a nearfall. Nick drives Shelley’s arm across his own shoulder, then goes shoulder-to-shoulder multiple times. Armbar applied, crowd wills on Shelley again. Shelley fights back, then avoids a charge, sending Nick to Matt, knocking Matt off the apron. Nick sent to the outside, but Matt stops Shelley from tagging in KUSHIDA. Matt spits at KUSHIDA, but then runs into a boot by Shelley. Shelley leaps over Matt and goes to tag KUSHIDA, but Nick pulls KUSHIDA off the apron before he can do so. Matt with a Spear to Shelley, then the Bucks with a springboard splash/standing moonsault combo on Shelley for a nearfall. Nick runs into a boot by Shelley, Matt sent onto the apron. Bucks goes for the double kick combo, but Shelley ducks and Nick knees his own brother in the face!
KUSHIDA in, springboard chop to Nick. Back elbow and a flying forearm to Nick, then a backflip kick onto the apron and an enziguri to Matt. Springboard dropkick to Matt sends him to the outside. KUSHIDA sets to dive, but Nick trips him up. KUSHIDA avoids a Matt charge as Matt knocks Nick off the apron accidentally! Enziguri and a front backbreaker to Matt. KUSHIDA heads up top, moonsault for a nearfall. Crowd chants for KUSHIDA. Matt avoids a head kick and sends him right into a Nick superkick. Shelley avoids an apron moonsault by Nick and wipes him out with a flying knee! Matt with a dropkick through the ropes on Shelley, but as Matt skins the cat back in, KUSHIDA nails him with a sliding dropkick, sending Matt to the outside. Shelley holds the Bucks as KUSHIDA heads up top, FLIP DIVE WIPES OUT THE BUCKS!! Back in, Shelley lifts up Matt and the Time Splitters hit a Doomsday Missile Dropkick, but Nick breaks up the pin. Nick stomps away at the Time Splitters, but then they hit an inverted atomic drop/dropkick combo and a Camel Clutch/cartwheel dropkick combo on Nick. Sandwich knee strikes in the corner on Matt, followed by a Shiranui/Powerbomb combo from off the middle rope, but Nick breaks up the pin again! Superkick by Nick to Shelley, then a spinning back elbow to KUSHIDA and a tornado DDT off the apron to Shelley! KUSHIDA with a Koppo Kick to Nick, knocking him off the apron, but Matt nails KUSHIDA from behind. Handspring Elbow to Matt, but Matt stops a tilt-a-whirl DDT attempt. SIX SECOND ABS BY THE BUCKS ON KUSHIDA, SHELLEY BREAKS UP THE PIN!! Shelley sent to the outside, Nick wipes him out with a running apron kick. Buckle Bomb/Enziguri combo by the Bucks, then an assisted Draping 450 Splash by Nick, but KUSHIDA KICKS OUT!! Bucks go for More Bang for your Buck, but KUSHIDA avoids Nick’s 450 Splash and crotches Matt on the ropes, placing him in the Tree of Woe. Shelley with an overhead belly-to-belly on Nick that sends him into Matt in the corner! KUSHIDA with a tilt-a-whirl into the Hoverboard Lock (Kimura) on Nick as Shelley wipes out Matt with a tope suicida on the outside!
Nick tries to roll out of the hold, but KUSHIDA keeps the hold applied! NICK TAPS, NEW CHAMPIONS!!
Winners and NEW IWGP Junior Tag Team Champions: The Time-Splitters by submission (The Hoverboard Lock)
Time Splitters celebrate their title win afterwards.
“The Bad Boy” Tama Tonga vs. “The Stardust Genius” Tetsuya Naito
Tonga attacks Naito before the bell. Series of gut shots in the corner, then Tonga chokes Naito. Tonga stomps away at Naito in the corner. Naito goes up & over, Tonga misses a clothesline and Naito with a rana. Naito goes for the slingshot dropkick in the corner, but Tonga catches him and hits a spinning flapjack, sending Naito to the outside. Tonga goes out after him and hits a series of back clubs. More gut shots, followed by a right hand. Elbow to the back of the head, but Naito sends Tonga into the barricade. Tonga catches Naito and hits the spinning flapjack, hot-shotting Naito throat-first across the barricade! Tonga gets back in, then Naito is able to get back in by the ref’s 18 count. Tonga with a leaping legdrop for a nearfall. Tonga chokes Naito, followed by a series of knees to the ribs. Series of shoulders to the ribs and stomps by Tonga in the corner. Snapmare into a chinlock by Tonga. Crowd wills on Naito. Naito fights back, but Tonga with a headbutt. Naito avoids a charge, then catches Tonga’s boots and hits a draping neckbreaker. Naito with a hiptoss and a sliding dropkick. Snapmare, followed by a running senton, Naito fires up. Running dropkick in the corner, followed by the slingshot dropkick. Naito mocks Tonga’s crawl across the ring, but Tonga blocks a German attempt. Tonga slips out of a Tornado DDT, hits a back suplex. Tonga with an avalanche in the corner, then does his crawl around the ring. Big splash for a nearfall. Naito slips out of a reverse DDT, but Tonga hits the Roll of the Dice for the nearfall. Naito blocks a Butterfly attempt and hits an enziguri, followed by a release German, stacking Tonga on his head! Naito with a flying forearm, followed by a slam.
Naito heads up top, Stardust Press for the win.
Winner: “The Stardust Genius” Tetsuya Naito by pinfall (Stardust Press)
Hirooki Goto & “The Mad Dog” Katsuyori Shibata vs. “Blue Justice” Yuji Nagata & Tomoaki Honma
Honma gets right in Shibata’s face before the bell. Honma with a clothesline to Shibata and a forearm to Goto early. Big chops to Shibata by Honma, followed by a series of stomps. Double sledge to the back, then another chop. More stomps by Honma, but Shibata fights out of their corner and all three exchange strikes, with Honma & Nagata taking advantage and Nagata raining down forearms on Shibata in the corner! Snapmare and a back kick by Nagata. Honma in, double sledge to the back of Shibata. Slam for a nearfall. Shibata breaks Honma’s grip and hits a HUGE headbutt, dropping Honma to the ground.
Goto in, stomps away at Honma. Goto with a series of forearms and stomps in the corner, then chokes him with his boot. Snapmare and a back kick, Nagata knocked off the apron. Nagata has to be held back by the ref. Half crab applied by Goto on Honma, Honma gets to the ropes. Shibata in, series of uppercuts and stomps to Honma in the corner. Shibata chokes Honma with his boot, but Honma gets to his feet. Shibata with a big forearm and rakes his knee against Honma’s face. Snapmare, but Shibata with a running kick that knocks Nagata off the apron! Series of open-hand slaps by Shibata to Honma. Honma catches a kick, but Shibata with another series of open-hand slaps. Honma fires back with some slaps of his own, but Shibata with a big slap. Shibata off the ropes, but Honma catches him with a big lariat.
Nagata in, series of chest kicks to Shibata in the corner. Shibata with some big forearms, then they exchange forearms with Shibata gaining the advantage, raining down forearms on Nagata in the corner. Shibata goes to head into the corner, but Nagata follows him in with a running boot! Another strike exchange, but Nagata this time gains advantage. Nagata hits an Exploder, but Shibata POPS RIGHT UP and hits a Backdrop Driver! Goto in, series of chest kicks to Nagata. Nagata takes down Goto and applies the Fujiwara armbar with the eyes rolling back in his head! Shibata breaks it up, but Honma with a shot to Shibata. Honma in, series of chops to Goto. Running forearm in the corner, followed by a bulldog. Running falling headbutt by Honma, followed by a running back elbow. Nagata with a running boot in the corner on Goto, followed by an Exploder. Honma heads up top and hits a Blockbuster, but Shibata breaks up the pin. Nagata sends Shibata to the outside. Honma with a slam on Goto and calls for the diving headbutt. Honma heads up top, but Goto avoids the diving headbutt! Goto with a spinning heel kick in the corner, but Honma blocks a Backdrop Driver. Strike exchange, with Honma gaining advantage, but Goto with a big headbutt and a PK, Nagata breaks up the pin. Shibata sends Nagata to the outside and goes out after him. Honma slips out of a slam, but Goto blocks a German. No one goes down off 3 stereo clothesline attempts by Honma & Goto, then Goto catches Honma and hits a Fireman’s Carry Neckbreaker. Goto goes for Shouten Kai, but Honma counters with an inside cradle for a nearfall. Shibata & Nagata brawl in the crowd as Goto nails Honma with a big clothesline.
Goto hits the Ura Ushikoroshi (Torture Rack into a shoulder breaker) on Honma for the win.
Winners: Hirooki Goto & “The Mad Dog” Katsuyori Shibata by pinfall (Ura Ushikoroshi)
Afterwards, Shibata & Nagata continue to brawl all the way to the back and into the corridor of the building. In the ring, Goto celebrates his team’s win.
NWA Tag Team Titles: The Killer Elite Squad (“The American Psycho” Lance Archer & “The Canadian Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith Jr.) w/TAKA vs. TenCozy (Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan) (c’s)
KES attack the champs before the bell. No one goes down off a shoulder tackle between Smith & Tenzan. Tenzan then with a shoulder tackle to Smith. Series of Mongolian chops by Tenzan, but Smith with a forearm. Smith off the ropes, but Tenzan with a spinning heel kick. Archer & Kojima tag in. Kojima with a side headlock, but no one goes down off a shoulder tackle. Archer runs into a boot and a forearm. Tenzan and Kojima trade strikes on Archer, knocking him down. Slingshot elbow drop/falling headbutt combo by the champs on Archer, Smith knocked off the apron by Kojima. Kojima hits the rapid-fire chops on Archer, then knocks TAKA off the apron, but the distraction allows Archer to hit Kojima with a Black Hole Slam.
Archer with a series of short-arm clotheslines on Kojima. Smith in, double shoulder tackle and a legdrop/splash combo by KES for a nearfall. Crowd wills on Kojima. Kojima fights back, but Smith with a series of knees to the ribs. Suplex by Smith, Tenzan breaks up the pin. Smith sends Tenzan to the outside. Camel Clutch applied by Smith, then he removes Kojima’s nasal strip. Archer in, avalanche to Kojima. Archer with a delayed suplex on Kojima, Tenzan breaks up the pin again. Archer sends Tenzan to the outside. Back club to Kojima, Smith tags in. Smith with a kick to the groin of Kojima. Russian Leg Sweep and a legdrop by Smith for a nearfall. Crowd again wills on Kojima. Big slam by Smith, Archer tags in. Kojima avoids a corner charge, then hits a big forearm.
Tenzan in, but Archer blocks the Mongolian Chop. Tenzan with a headbutt, avoids a corner charge and hits a corner clothesline. Series of headbutts and stomps in the corner. Tenzan with a shot to Smith on the apron, then heads up top and hits the falling knee drop to the back of Archer’s head for a 1 count. Mongolian Chop, then Tenzan blocks an Archer goozle. Archer comes back with a big boot, then knocks Kojima off the apron. Archer with a slam on Tenzan, then heads up top. Archer with a moonsault for a nearfall. Archer gets in the ref’s face, then mocks Tenzan with his own Mongolian Chops. Archer off the ropes, but Tenzan catches him with the Mountain Bomb. Kojima in, but Smith with a running knee. Kojima avoids a corner charge and hits the rapid-fire chops on Smith. Running forearm in the corner, then Kojima heads up top. Top Rope Elbow Drop by Kojima for a nearfall. Strike exchange, with Kojima gaining advantage. Rolling elbow by Kojima, but Smith catches him with a powerslam for a nearfall. Kojima slips out of a suplex and hits a DDT. Archer knocked off the apron, then Kojima with an Ace Crusher on Smith. Off comes the elbow pad, but Kojima runs into a boot. Smith blocks the Lariat with a boot, then KES with a Hart Attack variation on Kojima for a nearfall. Tenzan knocked off the apron, then KES calls for the Killer Bomb. Kojima fights back, but Archer catches him. Tenzan stops the Killer Bomb and sends Archer to the outside. TenCozy with a 3-D on Smith, but Archer breaks it up. Archer with a chokeslam on Tenzan, but Kojima clotheslines Archer to the outside. Smith with a Tiger on Kojima for a nearfall. KES again call for the Killer Bomb and hit it on Kojima, but TENZAN BREAKS UP THE PIN!! Smith calls for the Bulldog Bomb, but Kojima slips out. Smith with knees to the ribs, but Kojima catches him with the Lariat!
Second Lariat by Kojima to Smith for the win.
Winners and STILL NWA Tag Team Champions: TenCozy by pinfall (Lariat)
TenCozy celebrate their title retention afterwards.
We see video highlighting the 2014 Best of the Super Juniors Tournament that saw Ricochet win and earn a IWGP Jr. Title shot on tonight’s show.
IWGP Junior Title: “The Future of Flight” Ricochet vs. “The Golden Star” Kota Ibushi (c)
The two shake hands as the bell sounds. Ricochet with a leg kick early. Ibushi with a leg kick of his own. Ricochet with a gut kick, a side headlock, but no goes down off a shoulder tackle. Ibushi with a shoulder tackle, but Ricochet kips right up! Ricochet shows off his agility with a series of evasions, Ibushi rolls through a Sunset Flip, Ricochet avoids a head kick and a standing moonsault, Ibushi avoids the Heliocentricity (Standing Shooting Star), but Ricochet lands on his feet as Ibushi goes to the outside, with Ricochet motioning that he almost had him. Ricochet with a kick to Ibushi as he gets back in. Ibushi misses a clothesline and Ricochet with the Rick-Rack (Zig-Zag) and the Heliocentricity for a nearfall. Ricochet with an uppercut, followed by a running uppercut in the corner and a kick to the back for a nearfall. Tequila Sunrise applied by Ricochet, Ibushi gets to the ropes. Series of chest kicks by Ricochet, followed by a chop. Ibushi fights back, but Ricochet with more chest kicks in the corner. Snapmare and a basement uppercut to the back of Ibushi’s head for a nearfall. More chest kicks by Ricochet, but it begins to fire Ibushi up. Another uppercut by Ricochet, but Ibushi blocks an Irish whip. Ricochet with a knee to the ribs, then catches Ibushi with a boot. Ibushi avoids a charge, heads up top and hits a missile dropkick, sending Ricochet to the outside. Ibushi runs to the top and wipes out Ricochet with a moonsault press on the outside! Back in, they exchange strikes, with Ibushi hitting a series of rapid-fire strikes, ending with a leg sweep and a standing corkscrew moonsault for a nearfall. Ricochet blocks a clothesline with his boot, then hits a running shoulder in the corner and a kick to the back. Ricochet with a springboard dropkick that sends Ibushi to the outside. Ricochet with a head of steam and LEAPS OVER THE CORNER POST, WIPING OUT IBUSHI WITH A FLIP DIVE!! Back in, Ricochet with a springboard crossbody for a nearfall. Ricochet with a Go 2 Sleep to the ribs for a nearfall. Ricochet heads up top, but Ibushi stops him. Ibushi goes up with Ricochet, but Ricochet blocks a Top Rope Superplex and knocks Ibushi down to the apron. Ibushi fights back, then goes for a SPRINGBOARD SUPER RANA, BUT RICOCHET FLIPS ONTO HIS FEET!! MY GOD!! Ricochet with a windmill kick and the Northern Lights/Brainbuster combo, but IBUSHI KICKS OUT!! Ricochet calls for the Benadryller, but Ibushi slips out. Both go for head kicks twice and both hit each other at the same time twice. Ricochet blocks a third, hits a spinning back kick, then a standing curb stomp and a rolling elbow. Ibushi blocks the Benadryller and TURNS RICOCHET INSIDE OUT WITH A LARIAT!! Golden Star Bomb by Ibushi, but Ricochet kicks out! Ibushi heads up top, but Ricochet avoids the Phoenix Splash! SPRINGBOARD SHOOTING STAR by Ricochet, but IBUSHI KICKS OUT!! Ibushi again avoids the Benadryller, but Ricochet DRILLS him with a spin kick! Ricochet goes for the Benadryller again, but Ibushi counters with a rana for a nearfall.
Ibushi with a head kick, then hits the Phoenix-Plex (Bridging Package Alley-Oop Bomb) for the win.
Winner and STILL IWGP Junior Champion: “The Golden Star” Kota Ibushi by pinfall (The Phoenix-Plex)
Ibushi celebrates his title retention afterwards, then Ricochet presents him with the Junior Title. The two embrace and raise each other’s hands in a sign of mutual respect.
During intermission, full details of the 2014 New Japan G-1 Climax are announced. You can read them by clicking here.
Back from intermission, we see video on the tag match between Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakaruba against Takashi Iizuka & Minoru Suzuki that is next.
Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakaruba vs. Takashi Iizuka & Minoru Suzuki w/TAKA
Sakaruba & Suzuki start. Sakaruba takes Suzuki down, then goes to side guard. Suzuki gets to his feet and backs into the ropes. Sakaruba takes Suzuki down and they trade the advantage on mat. They get to their feet and Suzuki backs Sakaruba into the ropes. Yano in as Sakaruba & Suzuki go nose-to-nose. Suzuki tags Iizuka in. Iizuka chokes Yano in the corner. Yano with a drop toe hold, sending Iizuka into the ropes. Yano has words with Sakaruba, allowing Iizuka to nail Yano from behind. Yano with an eye rake, then Suzuki gets a shot in from the apron and grabs Yano in a hanging arm triangle in the ropes. Iizuka with a shot to Sakaruba, but then Yano sends Iizuka into the barricade. Suzuki with a chairshot to the back of Sakaruba, then they begin brawling towards the entranceway. Yano & Iizuka brawl in the crowd, with Iizuka choking Yano with a chair. Iizuka then chokes Yano with a cord. Sakaruba & Suzuki head back to the ring while Yano & Iizuka to continue to brawl around the building. Suzuki with chops to Sakaruba, then chokes him against the barricade. Back in, Iizuka stomps away at Yano, then chokes him some more. Ref is with Iizuka, allowing Suzuki to choke Yano. Suzuki in, half crab along with an armbar applied to Yano. Crowd wills on Yano, Yano gets to the ropes. Suzuki stomps away at Yano, then taunts Sakaruba. Suzuki draws Sakaruba in, allowing him to choke Yano. Iizuka sends Sakaruba into the crowd and throws him into a bunch of chairs. Suzuki with more kicks to Yano. Iizuka in and he hangs Yano over the ropes with the mic cord while the ref is with Suzuki. Ref finally sees it and removes the cord from Yano. Iizuka then wraps the mic cord around himself! Iizuka with more stomps to Yano and gains a nearfall. Sakaruba knocked off the apron, then Iizuka with a back club to Yano. Yano fights back, but Iizuka rakes the eyes. Yano with another drop toe hold, sending Iizuka into the ropes, then Sakaruba with a big right hand to Iizuka from the outside. Sakaruba in and he unloads with right hands from the mount on Iizuka. Cross armbreaker applied, but Suzuki breaks it up. Sakaruba with chest kicks to Suzuki, but Iizuka chokes him with the mic cord. Inverted atomic drop, Suzuki tags in. Suzuki with a running boot in the corner, followed by a snapmare and a PK for a nearfall. Keylock applied, but Sakaruba gets free and locks in an arm triangle. Suzuki gets free and goes to the choke. Suzuki goes for the Gotch Piledriver, but Yano breaks it up. Sakaruba Lock applied to Suzuki as Yano & Iizuka brawl. Iizuka breaks up the submission by choking Sakaruba with a string. Yano in and has Sakaruba removes the padding from the turnbuckles. Yano sent into the exposed turnbuckles, then Suzuki with a kick to the back. Suzuki blocks being sent into the exposed turnbuckles, then hits a series of forearms. Yano pulls him down by the hair, but Iizuka nails him from behind. Yano with a shot to Iizuka, then hits a kick down low to Suzuki. Akiari cradle by Yano, but Iizuka pulls out the ref before he can count the 3! Chair is thrown in and Suzuki nails Sakaruba with it off the apron, then to the back of Yano. Suzuki with the Choke to Yano, then Iizuka nails Yano with the Iron Fingers while the ref is down. Iizuka throws the ref back in.
Gotch Piledriver by Suzuki to Yano for the win.
Winners: Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka by pinfall (Gotch Piledriver)
Suzuki holds Sakaruba so that Iizuka can nail him with the Iron Fingers afterwards. Suzuki then lays out Sakaruba with the Gotch Piledriver. TAKA comes in and makes the faux 3 count for Suzuki on Sakaruba. Suzuki-Gun stands tall, celebrating their win.
NEVER Champion “The Stone Pitbull” Tomohiro Ishii & “The Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada w/Gedo vs. IWGP Champion “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles & “Mr. Rated R” Yujiro Takahashi
Okada & Styles start. Styles takes down Okada and works over his arm. Okada counters out with a headscissors and turns over to put more torque on the hold. Styles gets free with a kip-up. Styles taunts the crowd. Okada backs Styles into the corner and does his pat on the chest. Styles with a gut shot, a chop and a right hand. Styles placed up top, but he kicks Okada. Styles goes for the Styles Clash, but Okada gets out. Okada goes for the Rainmaker, but Styles counters with a backslide for a nearfall. Okada with a roll-up for a nearfall. Styles with a right hand and a chop. Okada comes back with a back body drop. Ishii & Takahashi tag in. Takahashi with a gut kick and a series of forearms. Both back each other into the ropes with shoulder tackles, then Ishii with a big shoulder tackle. Ishii with a side headlock, but Takahashi bites his hand. Ishii with right hands, then Takahashi drops down to the outside. Takahashi plays cat & mouse with Ishii, but Ishii catches a kick and shoos Takahashi off. Ishii with a series of chops in the corner, then both rake each other’s eyes. Takahashi avoids a corner charge and hits a corner clothesline. Takahashi then with a Buckle Bomb, sending Ishii head-first off the bottom turnbuckle!
Ishii sent off the turnbuckles. Takahashi with stomps & forearms to Ishii in the corner, then chokes him with his boot. Styles in, elbow to the back of Ishii’s head. Slam and a leaping knee drop by Styles for a nearfall. Ishii sent off the turnbuckles again. Takahashi in, but Ishii fights back. Takahashi with slaps to Ishii, taunting him. Ishii fights back, but Takahashi with a boot to the face. Slam, but Okada breaks up the pin. Styles in, bridging Indian Deathlock applied. Okada comes in to break up the submission. Ishii fights back from underneath, then fires up in Styles’s face when Styles hits a series of forearms. Styles off the ropes, but Ishii catches him with a powerslam.
Okada in, back elbow to Styles, Takahashi knocked off the apron. One man flapjack to Styles, followed by a kip-up. Running knee to the ribs, but Styles slips out of a DDT and hits a knee to the ribs. Pumphandle gutbuster by Styles, then calls for the Styles Clash, but Okada counters out with the Emerald Frosion across the knee. Okada with a slam, then heads up top and hits the elbow drop. Okada motions for the Rainmaker, but Takahashi nails Okada from behind. Okada with a big boot to Takahashi. Styles with a savate kick and a chop to Okada, followed by a standing gourdbuster. Styles off the ropes, but Okada catches him with the Picture-Perfect Dropkick. Okada goes for the Rainmaker, but Styles avoids it and hits a series of rapid-fre strikes, ending with a spinning backfist and a big clothesline.
Ishii & Takahashi in. Takahashi with a running boot in the corner on Ishii, then slaps him some more to taunt him. Series of forearms, but it only fires up Ishii. Ishii with a big forearm, then a corner clothesline. Ishii goes up top with Takahashi and hits a superplex for a nearfall. Takahashi with a series of forearms, but Ishii with a big one. Ishii off the ropes, but Takahashi catches him with a hot-shot across the top rope. Ishii blocks the Deadlift German, but Takahashi with a boot. Ishii with a series of forearms, but Takahashi with an Olympic Slam, Okada breaks up the pin. Styles sends Okada to the outside. Takahashi with another forearm, then taunts the crowd. Takahashi off the ropes, but Ishii catches him with a big clothesline. Last Ride Powerbomb for a nearfall. Ishii goes for the Brainbuster, but Takahashi counters with a Fisherman’s Buster. Deadlift German by Takahashi for a nearfall. Takahashi with 2 clotheslines, but Ishii does not go down. Big headbutt and a big clothesline by Ishii for a nearfall. Takahashi slips out of the Brainbuster, then Styles with the springboard forearm to Ishii. Okada with forearms to Styles, then hits a big boot. Styles pulls down the top rope, sending Okada to the outside. Styles holds Ishii for Takahashi, but Ishii ducks and Takahashi accidentally hits Styles! Ishii sends Styles into Takahashi, then hits them with both with headbutts. Styles avoids a clothesline and hits Ishii with the Pele Kick, then Takahashi with a clothesline.
Miami Shine (Widowmaker) by Takahashi to Ishii for the win.
Winners: IWGP Champion “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles & “Mr. Rated R” Yujiro Takahashi by pinfall (Miami Shine)
Bullet Club celebrate their win afterwards with Takahashi holding up Ishii’s NEVER title belt. Styles & Okada have a staredown before Okada leaves.
IWGP Tag Team Titles: King Ace (“The Ace of the Universe” Hiroshi Tanahashi & “The Unchained Gorilla” Togi Makabe) vs. Gallows & Gun (“Machine Gun” Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) (c’s)
Anderson throws his shirt at Tanahashi before the bell. Tanahashi & Anderson start. Tanahashi with a side headlock into a hammerlock. Tanahashi with a side headlock takeover, Anderson with a headscissors to get out, but Tanahashi with a kip-up to get free, then Tanahashi does some air guitar to taunt Anderson. Tanahashi goes back to the side headlock, but Anderson grabs his hair. Tanahashi with a series of sledges to the ribs, but then Gallows pulls his hair from the apron. Anderson with a series of uppercuts, then bites his forehead in the corner and taunts the crowd. Anderson runs into a back elbow, then Tanahashi with a crossbody off the middle rope. Makabe in, but Anderson quickly gets free and tags in Gallows. Gallows talks trash to Makabe, but no one goes down off 3 shoulder tackle attempts. Gallows then with a big right hand to the injured jaw of Makabe. Tanahashi quickly tags in as Makabe drops down to the outside. Anderson in, series of uppercuts to Tanahashi. Tanahashi with an armdrag and a dropkick. Gallows catches Tanahashi off a crossbody and Anderson with a kick that sends Tanahashi to the outside. Gallows knocks Makabe off the apron, then sends him into the barricade and hits another big right hand to the injured jaw. Gallows then grabs a PIECE OF THE BARRICADE and drops it across Makabe multiple times! Makabe is still holding his jaw as Gallows then chokes Makabe with his own chain, followed by another right hand to the injured jaw. Anderson then hits Tanahashi with the apron powerbomb! Gallows & Gun taunts the crowd while the ref begins the 20 count on King Ace. Tanahashi JUST BARELY gets back by the count of 20. Anderson stomps away at Tanahashi, then unloads with right hands from the mount. Gallows in, snap suplex to Tanahashi while Anderson sends Makabe into the barricade. Series of elbow drops by Gallows to Tanahashi for a nearfall. Big right hand, Anderson tags in. Snapmare into a chinlock. Crowd wills on Tanahashi. Tanahashi fights back, but Anderson with another uppercut. Anderson avoids a Tanahashi dropkick, but Tanahashi avoids an Anderson back senton. Tanahashi goes to make a tag, but Makabe is still down on the outside. Gallows in and stomps away at Tanahashi. Anderson in, but Tanahashi fights out of the Gallows & Gun corner. Anderson rakes Tanahashi’s eyes, but Tanahashi comes back with a flying forearm.
Makabe in, knocks Gallows off the apron. Series of corner clotheslines to Anderson, followed by the 10 punches in the corner. Northern Lights for a nearfall. Anderson blocks a German, but Makabe with a clothesline for a nearfall. Makabe goes for another clothesline, but Anderson catches him with a spinebuster. Gallows in, but no one goes down multiple times off stereo clotheslines. Gallows with a gut kick, but misses a clothesline and Makabe nails him with a big clothesline. Tanahashi in, series of forearms and gut shots to Gallows. Dropkick to the knees, but Gallows catches a crossbody and hits a fallaway slam. Anderson in, running kick, followed by a Gallows avalanche. Back Suplex/Neckbreaker combo by Gallows & Gun, Anderson with a back senton, then Gallows with a big splash, but Makabe breaks up the pin. Gallows with another right hand to the injured jaw of Makabe. Anderson with a TKO to Tanahashi for a nearfall. Gallows & Gun go for the Magic Killer, but Makabe breaks it up. Makabe clotheslines Gallows to the corner, then hits a clothesline to Anderson. Tanahashi hits the Slingblade on Anderson, then heads up top. Tanahashi goes for the High Fly Flow, but Anderson gets the knees up, then cradles Tanahashi for a nearfall. Gallows with another shot to Makabe’s jaw on the outside. Tanahashi slips out of the Bernard Driver, but Anderson blocks the Dragon. Tanahashi slips out of the Gun Stun and another Bernard Driver attempt and hits the Dragon Screw. Makabe in, but Anderson gets the boot up off a charge. Gallows with a double sledge from behind. Makabe avoids a Gallows & Gun double team, double clothesline to Gallows & Gun! Tanahashi wipes out Gallows with a slingshot plancha, then Makabe with a powerbomb to Anderson for a nearfall. Makabe with a Death Valley Driver, then Tanahashi heads up top and hits the High Fly Flow! Makabe heads up top, but as the ref is checking on Tanahashi, Gallows nails Makabe in the back with a chair, knocking him off the ropes! Gallows then grabs Tanahashi and nails him with a chairshot to the back. In the ring, Gallows then hits Makabe with the Gallows Pole. Anderson covers Makabe, but MAKABE KICKS OUT!! Gallows & Gun go for the Magic Killer on Makabe, but Tanahashi breaks it up. Tanahashi with a series of gut shots and a jawbreaker to Gallows. Tanahashi off the ropes and goes for the Slingblade, but Gallows catches him. Magic Killer by Gallows & Gun to Tanahashi, sending him to the outside. Makabe fights back on Gallows & Gun, then goes off the ropes, but Anderson catches him with the Gun-Stun!
Magic Killer on Makabe by Gallows & Gun to retain the titles.
Winners and STILL IWGP Tag Team Champions: Gallows & Gun by pinfall (Magic Killer)
Gallows & Gun celebrate their title retention afterwards.
Main Event for the IWGP Intercontinental Title: “The Underboss” Bad Luck Fale w/Tama Tonga vs. “The King of Strong Style” Shinsuke Nakamura (c)
Feeling out process early. Fale with a head and arm choke, but Nakamura gets free, backs him into the corner, then plays with Fale and mocks his pose. Nakamura with a series of knees to the ribs in the corner, but Fale stops the shaky leg thing in the corner by pushing him off, then mowing him over with a shoulder tackle, sending Nakamura to the outside. Tonga goes after Nakamura, but Nakamura fights back. Fale nails Nakamura from behind, but then Nakamura sends Fale into the barricade. Nakamura charges in, but Fale nails him with a shoulder tackle. Fale sends Nakamura into the barricade, then clotheslines him over the barricade and into the crowd. Fale sends Nakamura into a bunch of chairs, then hits a back club. Ref begins his 20 count as Fale gets back in. Nakamura gets back in by the count of 13.
Fale stands on Nakamura’s back, using the ropes for leverage. Fale gains a nearfall. Fale drives his knee into Nakamura’s back and applies a chinlock. Fale pulls at Nakamura’s hair, then sends Nakamura into the turnbuckles. Fale with a series of gut shots, followed by a forearm, but that wakes up Nakamura. More forearms by Fale, then Nakamura SPITS AT HIM, causing Fale to unload with back clubs. Nakamura comes back with a knee to the ribs and a back heel kick. Nakamura with another knee to the ribs, then they exchange strikes, with Nakamura gaining advantage. Series of chest kicks by Nakamura, followed by the shaky leg thing in the corner. Nakamura places Fale across the top rope, but Fale avoids the running knee to the ribs and sends Nakamura off the turnbuckles. Nakamura blocks a suplex to the outside and hits a head kick, followed by a draping DDT for a nearfall. Nakamura kicks at Fale, then hits a series of looping knee strikes to the head, followed by a leaping kneedrop to the back of Fale’s head for a nearfall. Front chancery applied by Nakamura. Fale then counters out with a delayed suplex. Another strike exchange, then Fale with a gut shot. Fale with an avalanche and a Samoan Drop for a nearfall. Fale with a big splash across the back of Nakamura, then another one across the chest for a nearfall. Fale calls for the Grenade and goozles Nakamura, but Nakamura counters out with a knee strike. Fale misses a clothesline and Nakamura hits a one-legged dropkick.
Nakamura with an enziguri, then places Fale across the top rope and hits a trifecta of running knees to the ribs. Nakamura calls for the Boma-Ye, but Fale catches him coming in with a big clothesline! Fale hits the Grenade, but Nakamura kicks out! Fale calls for the Bad Luck Fall, but Nakamura slips out. Fale with an avalanche to the back of Nakamura in the corner, then heads up top! Nakamura stops him, then hits a head kick. Nakamura goes up top with Fale and HITS A SUPERPLEX!! Nakamura with a Backstabber, then locks in a Choke. Fale gets to his feet, then fights out of a reverse suplex. Nakamura with a knee to the ribs, then HITS THE REVERSE SUPLEX, with Fale landing RIGHT ON HIS HEAD! Nakamura goes to the middle rope and hits the 2nd Rope Boma-Ye! Second Boma-Ye, but FALE KICKS OUT!! Nakamura goes for a third Boma-Ye, but Fale catches him with a Spear! Another strike exchange, then Fale goozles Nakamura, but Nakamura with a series of forearms. Fale tries again, but Nakamura with more forearms. Fale double goozles Nakamura, then blocks a rana and hits a powerbomb for a nearfall. Fale with another Samoan Drop, then heads up top! SAMOAN SPLASH BY FALE, NAKAMURA KICKS OUT!!
BAD LUCK FALL!!! 1-2-3! NEW CHAMPION!!
Winner and NEW IWGP Intercontinental Champion: “The Underboss” Bad Luck Fale by pinfall (Bad Luck Fall)
Bullet Club comes out afterwards and celebrates Fale’s title win while Nakamura is checked on by attendants. Nakamura is stretchered out as Karl Anderson grabs a mic. Anderson says that the Bullet Club will continue to dominate New Japan and go after every single title belt until they have them all. That closes the show.