NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 16 Results 1/4/22
Tokyo Dome
Tokyo, Japan
You can follow me on Twitter @JoshLopezMedia
Transcription by Josh Lopez
Pre-Show Match: New Japan Rambo. The Final Four Will Qualify For The Fatal Four Way KOPW 2022 Provisional Championship Match
The Participants: (Chase Owens, Aaron Henare, Kosei Fujita, Yuto Nakashima, Ryohei Oiwa, Master Wato, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Minoru Suzuki, Satoshi Kojima, Taka Michinoku, Cima, Tomoaki Honma, Douki, Yuji Nagata, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Togi Makabe, Bad Luck Fale, Tatsumi Fujinami and Toru Yano)
Order Of Eliminations
1.) Kosei Fujita was eliminated by Minoru Suzuki via Submission (Heel Hook)
2.) Yuto Nakashima was eliminated by Minoru Suzuki via Submission (Kimura Lock)
3.) Ryohei Oiwa was eliminated by Minoru Suzuki via Submission (Sleeper Hold)
4.) Taka Michinoku was eliminated by Cima via Pinfall (Meteora)
5.) Master Wato was eliminated by Cima via Over The Top Rope Elimination
6.) Hiroyoshi Tenzan was eliminated by Yoshinobu Kanemaru via Pinfall (Rollup)
7.) Satoshi Kojima was eliminated by Yuji Nagata, Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Douki via Pinfall (Triple Cover)
8.) Douki was eliminated by Bad Luck Fale via Over The Top Rope Elimination
9.) Yoshinbou Kanemaru was eliminated by Bad Luck Fale via Over The Top Rope Elimination
10.) Tomoaki Honma was eliminated by Bad Luck Fale via Over The Top Rope Elimination
11.) Yuji Nagata was eliminated by Bad Luck Fale via Over The Top Rope Elimination
12.) Bad Luck Fale was eliminated by Togi Makabe via Over The Top Rope Elimination
13.) Aaron Henare was eliminated by Toru Yano via Over The Top Rope Elimination
14.) Togi Makabe was eliminated by Chase Owens & Toru Yano via Pinfall (Double Cover)
15.) Tatsumi Fujinami was eliminated by Chase Owens & Toru Yano via Pinfall (Double Cover)
The Winners: Toru Yano, Minoru Suzuki, Chase Owens and Cima
First Match: SHO w/Dick Togo vs. YOH
Yoh dropkicks Sho to the floor. Yoh lands The SomerSault Plancha. Yoh brings Sho up the ramp way. Sho denies The Direct Drive. Sho shoves one of the ringside attendants into Yoh. Sho bodyslams Yoh on the ramp way. Sho stomps on Yoh’s chest. Sho uses the ringside attendant as a weapon. Yoh gets back in the ring at the count of fifteen. Sho kicks Yoh out of the ring. Sho kicks Yoh in the back. Sho whips Yoh into the steel barricade. Sho rolls Yoh back into the ring. Sho hooks both legs for a two count. Sho repeatedly stomps on Yoh’s back and chest. Sho is choking Yoh with his boot. Yoh grabs the right leg of Sho. Sho rakes the eyes of Yoh. Sho goes for The Mid-Kick, but Yoh counters with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Yoh with a running elbow smash. Following a snap mare takeover, Yoh transitions into a ground and pound attack.
Yoh repeatedly stomps on Sho’s chest. Sho starts bending Yoh’s fingers. Yoh backflips over Sho. Sho blocks The SuperKick. Yoh avoids The Superman Punch. Yoh reverses out of the irish whip from Sho. Yoh dropkicks Sho. Yoh with The Bridging German Suplex for a two count. Sho denies The Direct Drive. Sho applies a wrist lock. Sho with combination kicks. Sho continues to rake the eyes of Yoh. Yoh ducks a clothesline from Sho. Yoh uppercuts Sho. Sho shoves the referee towards Yoh. Sho Spears Yoh. Sho with a corner clothesline. Following a snap mare takeover, Sho with forearm shivers. Sho repeatedly stomps on Yoh’s chest.
Sho goes for The Snake Bite, but Yoh rolls him over for a two count. Sho clotheslines Yoh. Sho PowerBombs Yoh. Sho hits The Cross Armed PileDriver for a two count. Sho goes for Shock Arrow, but Yoh lands back on his feet. Yoh applies The Star Gazer. The referee gets distracted by Dick Togo. Sho with a Release German Suplex. Sho with an Inside Out Lariat. Sho applies The Snake Bite. Yoh refuses to quit. Yoh puts his foot on the middle rope which forces the break. Togo continues to distract the referee. Sho grabs the wrench. Yoh runs Sho into Togo. Yoh connects with The Japanese Leg Clutch Hold. After the match, Sho attacks Yoh from behind. Sho grabs the wrench. Yoh SuperKicks Sho.
Winner: YOH via Pinfall
Second Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Ryusuke Taguchi and Rocky Romero vs. KENTA, El Phantasmo and Taiji Ishimori In A 6-Man Tag Team Match
Rocky Romero and El Phantasmo will start things off. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Phantasmo applies a side headlock. Romero whips Phantasmo across the ring. Phantasmo drops Romero with a shoulder tackle. Phantasmo flexes his muscles. Romero drops down on the canvas. Romero leapfrogs over Phantasmo. Phantasmo lunges over Romero. Phantasmo sends Romero into the ropes. Romero slides under Phantasmo. Romero and Phantasmo continues to run the ropes. Romero goes for a Hurricanrana, but Phantasmo cartwheels back onto his feet. Romero avoids The PK. Romero rolls Phantasmo over for a one count. Romero ducks a clothesline from Phantasmo. Romero with the backslide cover for a two count. Romero uppercuts Phantasmo. Phantasmo denies the monkey flip. Phantasmo puts Romero on the top turnbuckle. Romero kicks the right shoulder of Phantamso. Romero with a Flying Hurricanrana. Romero tags in Taguchi. Assisted Shiranui. Taguchi with a sliding hip strike for a two count. Taguchi with a hip smash. Taguchi whips Phantasmo across the ring. Taguchi goes for The Hip Attack, but Phantasmo holds onto the ropes. Phantamso tags in Ishimori.
Ishimori kicks Taguchi in the gut. Taguchi reverses out of the irish whip from Ishimori. Ishimori slides under Taguchi. Ishimori with a shoulder block. Ishimori dives over Taguchi. Taguchi ducks a clothesline from Ishimori. Standing Switch Exchange. Taguchi decks Ishimori with a back elbow smash. Taguchi goes for The Hip Attack, but Ishimori counters with The Atomic Drop. Taguchi finally drops Ishimori with The Hip Attack. The Mega Coaches clear the ring. Forever Clotheslines/Hip Attacks. Stereo Hip Attacks. Kenta punches Romero. Tanahashi attacks Kenta from behind. Kenta dumps Tanahashi out of the ring. Kenta is raining down haymakers. Kenta drives Tanahashi face first into the steel ring post. Ishimori gets Taguchi tied up in the tree of woe. Taguchi tags in Phantasmo. Nether Regions Attack. Phantasmo applies a wrist lock. Phantasmo slaps Taguchi in the chest. Phantasmo with The Old School Back Rake. Phantasmo tags in Ishimori. Ishimori with a flying back rake. Ishimori punches Romero in the back. Kenta with a blindside attack to Taguchi. Kenta drives Taguchi face first into the blue turnbuckle pad. Ishimori tags in Kenta.
Kenta repeatedly stomps on Taguchi’s ass. Kenta with the elbow drop for a two count. Taguchi with heavy bodyshots. Kenta drives his knee into the midsection of Taguchi. Kenta denies The Running Hip Attack. Kenta whips Taguchi into the turnbuckle pad. Taguchi with a Hip Attack. Taguchi tags in Tanahashi. Tanahashi delivers his combination offense. Kenta reverses out of the irish whip from Tanahashi. Tanahashi with a flying forearm smash. Tanahashi dropkicks Phantasmo off the ring apron. Tanahashi with Two Dragon Screw Leg Whips. Kenta avoids The SlingBlade. Kenta shoves Tanahashi towards the referee. Kenta rolls Tanahashi over for a two count. Kenta drops Tanahashi with The DDT. The referee is laid out on the floor. Kenta repeatedly whips Tanahashi with the kendo stick. Tanahashi kicks the kendo stick out of Kenta’s hands. Tanahashi decks Phantasmo with a back elbow smash. Mega Coaches tosses Bullet Club out of the ring. Stereo Slingshot Pescado’s. Tanahashi gives Kenta a kendo stick receipt. Tanahashi shoves the referee away which forces the disqualification. After the match, Tanahashi continues to whip Kenta with the kendo stick.
Winner: KENTA, El Phantasmo and Taiji Ishimori via Disqualification
Third Match: Tetsuya Naito, Sanada and Bushi vs. Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb and The Great O-Khan w/Aaron Henare In A 6-Man Tag Team Match
The United Empire attacks LIJ before the bell rings. Naito reverses out of the irish whip from Cobb. Cobb denies the deep arm-drag. Naito with an Inverted Atomic Drop. Naito shoves Cobb to the corner. Naito with a corner dropkick. Naito sweeps out the legs of Cobb. Cobb catches Naito in mid-air. Cobb drives Naito back first into the turnbuckle pad. Cobb drops Naito with a running shoulder tackle. Cobb with a forearm smash. Cobb drives Naito back first into the steel barricade. Cobb rolls Naito back into the ring. Cobb with a cocky cover for a two count. Cobb tags in Khan. Khan stands on Naito’s face. Naito grabs Khan’s braid. Khan drives his knee into the midsection of Naito. Khan unloads Two Mongolian Chops. Khan shoves Naito into the canvas for a two count. Khan tugs on Naito’s hair. Khan tags in Ospreay. Ospreay slams Naito’s head on the blue turnbuckle pad. Ospreay tags in Cobb. Cobb headbutts the lower back of Naito. Cobb is mauling Naito in the corner. Cobb punches Naito in the back. Naito with forearm shivers. Cobb HeadButts Naito. Cobb sends Naito to the corner. Naito side steps Cobb into the turnbuckle pad. Naito dropkicks the left knee of Cobb. Naito with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Cobb reverses out of the irish whip from Naito. Naito with a flying forearm smash. Cobb stops Naito in his tracks.
Cobb goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Naito lands back on his feet. Cobb ducks a clothesline from Naito. Naito kicks Cobb in the gut. Cobb denies the sunset flip. Sanada dropkicks Cobb. Basement Dropkick/Sunset Flip Combination. Sanada and Khan are tagged in. Sanada scores the forearm knockdown. Sanada with a deep arm-drag. Sanada ducks a clothesline from Khan. Sanada with The Atomic Drop. Sanada with a double leg takedown. Sanada applies The Paradise Lock. Sanada plays to the crowd. Sanada dropkicks Khan to the floor. Khan avoids The Slingshot Pescado. Sanada tells Khan to dive. Sanada ducks a clothesline from Khan. Sanada with forearm shivers. Khan grabs the left ear of Sanada. Khan with a knee smash. Khan rolls Sanada over for a two count. Khan nails Sanada with The Pump Kick. Khan with the bridging back press cover for a two count. Khan applies The Head & Arm Triangle Choke.
Khan drives his knee into the midsection of Sanada. Khan hammers down on the back of Sanada’s neck. Khan sends Sanada to the corner. Sanada with The SpringBoard Missile Dropkick. Sanada tags in Bushi. Bushi stomps on Khan’s back. Bushi ducks a clothesline from Khan. Bushi drops Khan with The DDT for a two count. Khan denies The Swinging Fisherman’s NeckBreaker. Khan with a judo throw. Khan tags in Ospreay. Ospreay hits Pip Pip Cheerio. Bushi denies The Storm Breaker. Naito dropkicks the left knee of Cobb. Naito goes for The Destino, but Cobb counters with a Back Drop Driver. Sanada dropkicks the left knee of Cobb. Sanada dodges The Pump Kick. Sanada drives his knee into the midsection of Khan. Khan reverses out of the irish whip from Sanada. Sanada decks Khan with a back elbow smash. Sanada dives over Khan. Sanada applies Skull End. Khan escapes the hold. Sanada with a forearm smash. Sanada goes for The Rolling Elbow, but Khan counters with The Sheep Killer. Khan nails Bushi with The Pump Kick. Ospreay goes for The StormBreaker, but Bushi lands back on his feet. Bushi with a forearm smash. Ospreay with a Pop Up PowerBomb for a two count. Ospreay connects with The Hidden Blade.
Winner: Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb and The Great O-Khan via Pinfall
Fourth Match: Katsuyori Shibata vs. Ren Narita
Hamstring Kick Exchange. Chain grappling exchange. Shibata has the leverage advantage in the early stages of this match. That leads us to a quick standoff in the center of the ring. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Shibata backs Narita into the ropes. Narita turns Shibata over. The referee calls for a clean break. Narita slaps Shibata in the chest. Strong lockup. Narita applies a side headlock. Shibata reverses the hold. Narita whips Shibata across the ring. Narita goes for the trip, but Shibata holds onto the ropes. Shibata grabs a side headlock. Shibata with a side headlock takeover. Narita answers with the headscissors takeover. Narita avoids The PK. Test Of Strength. Shibata with a single leg takedown. Shibata applies The Figure Four Leg Lock. Shibata with forearm shivers. Shibata drives his knee into the midsection of Narita. Narita with a running elbow smash. Narita repeatedly stomps on Shibata’s chest. Narita is choking Shibata with his boot.
Narita shoves down the referee. Narita abuses the referee’s five count. Narita with a knee lift. Narita with clubbing mid-kicks. Shibata answers with an inside trip takedown. Shibata sends Narita to the corner. Shibata with two running boots. Shibata with forearm shivers. Shibata uppercuts Narita. Shibata repeatedly stomps on Narita’s back. Shibata is choking Narita with his boot. Shibata delivers The Shibata Dropkick. Shibata with a Half Hatch Suplex for a two count. Shibata applies The Cross-Arm-Breaker. Narita transitions into The Narita Special No. 3. Narita applies a leg lock. Shibata grabs the bottom rope which forces the break. Narita repeatedly stomps on the left hamstring of Shibata. Narita hammers down on the left knee of Shibata. Shibata drops Narita with The Kitchen Sink.
Shibata with Two Mid-Kicks that sends Narita tumbling to the floor. Shibata rolls Narita back into the ring. Shibata ducks a clothesline from Narita. Shibata applies The Sleeper Hold in the ropes. Shibata denies The Overhead Belly to Belly Suplex. Narita with clubbing headbutts. Cobra Twist Exchange. Narita grabs the top rope which forces the break. Shibata with a Back Drop Driver. Shibata slaps Narita in the chest. Shibata maintains wrist control. Shibata with repeated mid-kicks. Shibata tells Narita to bring it. Shibata with The Pump Kick for a one count. Shibata clotheslines Narita for a two count. Narita blocks a boot from Shibata. Narita hammers down on the left knee of Shibata. Narita unloads a flurry of kicks. Second Hamstring Kick Exchange. Shibata with a palm strike. Shibata applies The Sleeper Hold. Shibata connects with The PK to pickup the victory.
Winner: Katsuyori Shibata via Pinfall
– There was a cleaning/disinfecting intermission during this broadcast.
Fifth Match: Tomohiro Ishii (c) vs. EVIL w/Dick Togo For The NEVER Openweight Championship
EVIL attacks Ishii before the bell rings. EVIL sends Ishii face first into the steel ring post. EVIL grabs two steel chairs. EVIL drives the chair into the midsection of Ishii. EVIL wraps a chair around Ishii’s neck. Ishii denies The Home Run Shot. Ishii and EVIL are swinging chairs at each other. Togo runs interference. EVIL drives Ishii back first into the steel barricade. The ring announcer goes down in the process. EVIL with a knee lift. EVIL wraps the chair around Ishii’s neck. Home Run Shot. Ishii regroups on the outside. EVIL removed the turnbuckle pad. EVIL repeatedly whips Ishii into the exposed steel. EVIL dumps Ishii out of the ring. Togo punches Ishii. Togo rolls Ishii back into the ring. EVIL goes into the cover for a two count. EVIL hooks the outside leg for a two count. EVIL hooks both legs for a two count. EVIL argues with the referee. EVIL toys around with Ishii. Ishii is pissed. EVIL with a forearm smash. Ishii answers with a knife edge chop. Ishii sends EVIL back first into the exposed steel.
Ishii drops EVIL with a running shoulder tackle. EVIL hammers down on the back of Ishii’s neck. Ishii runs around EVIL. Ishii ducks a clothesline from EVIL. Ishii with a Back Drop Driver. EVIL ducks a clothesline from Ishii. Standing Switch Exchange. EVIL pulls down the referee. Togo cracks Ishii with the chair. EVIL with The Fisherman’s Buster. Ishii applies a Full Nelson Lock. Ishii HeadButts EVIL. EVIL sends Ishii back first into the exposed steel. Ishii with a Running Lariat. Ishii puts EVIL on the top turnbuckle. Ishii with an Avalanche BrainBuster for a two count. Togo trips Ishii from the outside. EVIL and Ishii plays hot potato with the referee. Ishii blocks a lariat from EVIL. Ishii goes for a German Suplex, but EVIL tugs onto the referee’s t-shirt. Ishii inadvertently clotheslines the referee. Togo repeatedly stomps on Ishii’s back. Togo wraps the choker around Ishii’s neck.
Yujiro Takahashi clotheslines Ishii. Ishii denies The Big Juice. Ishii shoves Takahashi into Togo. Ishii side steps Takahashi into the exposed steel. Ishii with a chop/forearm combination. Sho answers with a Release German Suplex. Sho prepares for Shock Arrow. Yoh with a running forearm smash to Sho. Yoh SuperKicks EVIL. Yoh with The Slingshot Pescado. Marty Asami checks on both competitors. Ishii is trying to wake himself up in the corner. EVIL blocks a lariat from Ishii. EVIL with a Release German Suplex. Ishii rises back on his feet. EVIL with a short-arm lariat. Ishii HeadButts EVIL. Ishii denies Everything Is EVIL. Ishii blocks the low blow. Ishii with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Togo grabs the NEVER Openweight Title. Ishii with an Inside Out Lariat for a two count. Ishii goes for The Vertical Drop BrainBuster, but Takahashi counters with a low blow. The referee is distracted by Togo. EVIL nails Ishii with the NEVER Openweight Title. EVIL connects with Everything Is EVIL to pickup the victory.
Winner: New NEVER Openweight Champion, EVIL via Pinfall
Sixth Match: Zack Sabre Jr & Taichi (c) w/Miho Abe vs. Hirooki Goto & Yoshi Hashi For The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
Zack Sabre Jr and Yoshi Hashi will start things off. Test Of Strength. Sabre applies a wrist lock. Sabre avoids two chops. Sabre uppercuts Hashi. Sabre headbutts the midsection of Hashi. Sabre applies a side headlock. Hashi whips Sabre across the ring. Double Shoulder Tackle. Assisted Hip Toss. War Drums to Sabre. Taichi applies the greco roman throat hold. Sabre pulls Hashi out of the ring. Taichi sends Goto back first into the steel barricade. Taichi wraps the cable cord around Goto’s neck. Sabre applies a headscissors neck lock. Sabre grapevines the legs of Hashi. Hashi puts his foot on the bottom rope which forces the break. Sabre tags in Taichi. Taichi stomps on Hashi’s back. Following a snap mare takeover, Taichi kicks Hashi in the back. Taichi with repeated greco roman throat holds. The referee admonishes Taichi. Taichi tags in Sabre. Sabre headbutts the midsection of Hashi. Following a snap mare takeover, Sabre applies the cravate. Hashi with heavy bodyshots. Sabre blocks a chop from Hashi. Hashi dodges The Big Boot. Hashi delivers The Head Hunter. Hashi tags in Goto.
Goto with a running shoulder tackle. Goto knocks Taichi off the ring apron. Goto with a Spinning Wheel Kick. Goto with The Running Bulldog for a two count. Goto goes for The Ushigoroshi, but Sabre counters with a double wrist lock. Goto with a forearm smash. Sabre ducks a clothesline from Goto. Sabre applies The Octopus Stretch. Sabre fights out of the fireman’s carry position. Sabre applies a waist lock. Sabre avoids the back elbow smash. Sabre uppercuts Goto. Goto with The Misdirection Lariat. Taichi drops Goto with The Axe Bomber. Hashi answers with a Running Lariat. Sabre kicks the right shoulder of Hashi. Sabre with an Overhead Wrist Kick. Sabre dropkicks the left knee of Goto. Sabre with a Mid-Kick. Goto clotheslines Sabre. Goto with forearm shivers. Sabre with two uppercuts. Goto answers with a forearm smash. Sabre applies The Grounding Octopus. Taichi gets Hashi trapped in The Stretch Plum. Goto puts his foot on the bottom rope which forces the break. Goto denies The Holy Zack Driver. Belly to Back Suplex/Chokeslam Combination for a two count.
Taichi rips off his pants. Hashi trips Taichi from the outside. Goto with The Goto Nishiki for a two count. Goto goes for The GTR, but Sabre counters with The European Clutch for a two count. Goto blocks The PK. Goto hammers down on the right knee of Sabre. Sabre with an Overhead Wrist Kick. Goto hits The Ushigoroshi. Hashi and Taichi are tagged in. Taichi kicks Hashi in the face. Forearm/Running Boot Exchange. Forearm/Hamstring Kick Exchange. Taichi with a Mid-Kick. Hashi answers with a knife edge chop. Second Forearm/Hamstring Kick Exchange. Hashi delivers his combination offense. Taichi blocks a lariat from Hashi. Hashi with a blistering chop. Taichi nails Hashi with The Hook Kick. Hashi rises back on his feet. Taichi ducks a clothesline from Hashi. Taichi with The Dangerous Back Drop Driver for a two count. SuperKick Exchange.
Sabre kicks Goto off the apron. Hashi denies The Zack Mephisto. Hashi shoves Taichi towards Sabre. Hashi SuperKicks Sabre. Hashi avoids The Axe Bomber. Hashi with a Snap Dragon Suplex. Taichi rises back on his feet. Hashi clotheslines Taichi for a two count. Taichi denies Karma. Taichi fights out of the fireman’s carry position. Hashi SuperKicks Goto. SuperKick/Ushigoroshi Combination. Chaos connects with The Shoto for a two count. Goto with clubbing blows to Sabre’s back. Sabre uppercuts Goto. Chaos nails Sabre with The GYW. Taichi negates The Shoto. Taichi with The Gedo Clutch for a two count. Hashi goes for The SuperKick, but Sabre counters with The Ankle Lock. Goto goes for The Ushigoroshi, but Sare counters with The Guillotine Choke. Hashi SuprKicks Goto. Chaos delivers another Shoto to Sabre. Taichi side steps Goto into the turnbuckle. Taici with Two Kamagiri’s. Taichi goes for The Black Mephisto, but Hashi counters with The Canadian Destroyer. Goto connects with The Reverse GTR. Chaos plants Taichi with The Super Shoto to pickup the victory.
Winner: New IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, Hirooki Goto & Yoshi Hashi via Pinfall
Seventh Match: El Desperado (c) vs. Hiromu Takahashi For The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
Double Shoulder Block. Forearm Exchange. Chop Exchange. Desperado scores a right jab. Desperado applies a waist lock. Takahashi with a back elbow smash. Takahashi rocks Desperado with a forearm smash. Running Elbow Smash Exchange. Takahashi ducks a clothesline from Desperado. Forearm Knockdown Exchange. Takahashi runs into Desperado. Takahashi with a corner clothesline. Following a snap mare takeover, Desperado goes for a PowerBomb, but Takahashi counters with The D. Desperado goes for a PowerBomb, but Takahashi lands back on his feet. Desperado ducks a clothesline from Takahashi. Desperado with a Belly to Back Suplex for a one count. Takahashi ducks a clothesline from Desperado. Takahashi with a Release German Suplex for a one count. Desperado applies a waist lock. Takahashi decks Desperado with a back elbow smash.
Takahashi goes for a Pop Up PowerBomb, but Desperado counters with a Hurricanrana. Desperado with a SomerSault Plancha through the ropes. Desperado rolls Takahashi back into the ring. Takahashi hits The Sunset Bomb off the ring apron. Takahashi gets back in the ring at the count of nineteen. Second Forearm Exchange. Desperado fights out of the fireman’s carry position. Takahashi thrust kicks the midsection of Desperado. Takahashi kicks Desperado in the chest. Desperado denies The Death Valley Driver. Takahashi kicks Despeado in the face. Desperado hits The SpineBuster. Desperado with The Guitarra de Angel for a two count. Desperado with a Flying Splash for a two count. Takahashi denies Pinche Loco. Takahashi HeadButts Desperado. Desperado with a forearm smash. Takahashi answers with The Pop Up PowerBomb. Takahashi with an Overhead Belly to Belly Suplex into the blue turnbuckle pad. Takahashi with a Shotgun Dropkick. Takahashi follows that with The Dynamite Plunger for a two count.
Takahashi with a Running Death Valley Driver into the blue turnbuckle pad. Takahashi is fired up. Desperado with the rolling crucifix for a two count. Desperado ducks a clothesline from Takahashi. Takahashi denies Pinche Loco. Counter Fest in the center of the ring. Takahashi goes for The Time Bomb, but Desperado counters with Numero Dos. Takahashi with a Modified Destroyer. Takahashi with an Inside Out Lariat. Takahashi hits The Victory Royal for a two count. Desperado with The El Es Culero for a two count. Takahashi with Two SuperKicks. Desperado denies D’s Agony. Desperado with The Hitodenashi Driver for a two count. Desperado goes for Pinche Loco, but Takahashi counters with The Hurricanrana for a two count. Takahashi SuperKicks Desperado. Desperado delivers Loco Mono. Desperado connects with The Pinche Loco. Takahashi rolls Desperado over for a two count. Loco Mono Exchange. Desperado plants Takahashi with Two Pinche Loco’s to pickup the victory.
Winner: Still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, El Desperado via Pinfall
Eight Match: Shingo Takagi (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada For The IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
Feeling out process after the bell rings. Standing Switch Exchange. Wrist Lock Exchange. Takagi applies a hammerlock. Okada with a drop toe hold. Front Face Lock Exchange. Okada drop steps into a side headlock. Okada with a side headlock takeover. Takagi answers with the headscissors escape. Takagi is trying to keep Okada grounded. That leads us to a quick standoff in the center of the ring. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Okada backs Takagi into the ropes. Red Shoes calls for a clean break. Okada pats Takagi on the chest. Okada kicks Takagi in the gut. Okada applies a side headlock. Takagi whips Okada across the ring. Okada runs into Takagi. Shoulder Block Exchange. Okada with a drop toe hold. Okada with the elbow drop. Okada with a forearm smash. Okada drops Takagi with a NeckBreaker for a one count. Okada applies a rear chin lock. Takagi puts his foot on the bottom rope which forces the break. Following a snap mare takeover, Okada with a Sliding Dropkick. Okada dumps Takagi back first on the canvas. Takagi avoids The Slingshot Senton. Takagi decks Okada with a back elbow smash. Takagi scores a right jab. Takagi with The Ryukon Lariat.
Takagi clotheslines Okada over the top rope. Takagi slams Okada’s head on the ring apron. Takagi dumps Okada face first on the apron. Takagi poses for the crowd. Okada denies Made In Japan. Okada kicks Takagi in the gut. Okada hits The DDT on the floor. Takagi with a Deadlift Vertical Suplex on the floor. Takagi resets Red Shoe’s twenty count. Takagi drives Okada back first into the apron. Takagi rolls Okada back into the ring. Takagi stomps on the midsection of Okada. Takagi stands on Okada’s ribs. Takagi stomps on Okada’s back. Takagi backs Okada into the ropes. Takagi with Muay Thai Knee Strikes. Takagi with a running shoulder tackle. Takagi follows that with a Belly to Back Suplex for a two count. Takagi applies a bodyscissors hold. Okada puts his foot on the bottom rope which forces the break. Takagi with two elbow drops. Takagi with a Senton Splash. Okada is fighting from underneath. Takagi HeadButts Okada. Forearm Exchange. Takagi with a double handed chop. Takagi whips Okada across the ring. Okada ducks under two clotheslines from Takagi. Okada scores the elbow knockdown. Okada with two forearm knockdowns. Takagi dodges The Big Boot. Okada with The Flapjack.
Okada sends Takagi to the corner. Okada with a leaping back elbow smash. Okada kicks Takagi in the gut. Okada drops Takagi with The DDT for a two count. Takagi with clubbing blows to Okada’s back. Okada side steps Takagi into the turnbuckle pad. Okada puts Takagi on the top turnbuckle. Okada dropkicks Takagi to the floor. Okada with a Running Boot that propels Takagi over the steel barricade. Okada with a Flying Crossbody Block over the barricade. Okada rolls Takagi back into the ring. Okada delivers The Missile Dropkick for a two count. Okada applies The Money Clip. Takagi walks into the ropes which forces the break. Takagi blocks The Tombstone PileDriver. Takagi decks Okada with a back elbow smash. Takagi scores a right jab. Takagi with The Fake Out DDT. Okada with forearm shivers. Okada denies The Noshigami. Okada goes for The Money Clip, but Takagi counters with a deep arm-drag. Okada goes for The Reverse NeckBreaker, but Takagi lands back on his feet. Takagi hits The Noshigami. Takagi with a Pop Up Wheelbarrow German Suplex. Takagi hammers down on Okada’s back. Takagi goes for The Sliding Lariat, but Okada counters with The Money Clip. Okada with The Spinning Tombstone PileDriver.
Okada adds another Money Clip. Takagi puts his foot on the bottom rope which forces the break. Okada bodyslams Takagi. Okada lands The Flying Elbow Drop. Rain Maker Pose. Okada goes for The Rain Maker, but Takagi counters with The Western Lariat. Takagi mocks Okada. Okada kicks Takagi in the face. Okada with clubbing blows to Takagi’s back. Red Shoes admonishes Okada. Okada rocks Takagi with a forearm smash. Takagi with a short pumping bomber. Okada with The Big Boot. Takagi answers with a short-arm lariat. Okada blasts Takagi with The Shotgun Dropkick. Takagi answers with a Running Lariat. Okada regroups on the outside. Okada drives Takagi back first into the apron. Okada sends Takagi face first into the steel ring post. Okada brings Takagi up the ramp way. Takagi blocks The Tombstone PileDriver. Okada punches Takagi in the back. Okada uppercuts Takagi. Takagi with The Death Valley Driver on the ramp way. Okada gets back in the ring at the count of nineteen. Takagi with a corner clothesline. Takagi puts Okada on the top turnbuckle. Takagi with The SuperPlex. Takagi with The Sliding Lariat for a two count. Takagi follows that with Muay Thai Knee Strikes.
Takagi decks Okada with a back elbow smash. Okada dropkicks Takagi. Misfired Rain Makers. Okada with The Backslide Rain Maker. Okada maintains wrist control. Okada with a short-arm clothesline. Okada goes for The Rain Maker, but Takagi counters with Two Made In Japan’s for a two count. Takagi connects with The Pumping Bomber for a two count. Takagi goes for Last Of The Dragon, but Okada lands back on his feet. Okada drops Takagi with The Rain Maker. Second Forearm Exchange. Takagi with two palm strikes. Okada with three uppercuts. Takagi answers with combo forearms. Okada denies Last Of The Dragon. Okada applies The Money Clip. Takagi with The Sliding Elbow. Okada fights out of the fireman’s carry position. Takagi and Okada are trading back and forth shots. Okada with an Avalanche DDT. Takagi denies The Rain Maker. Okada with a German Suplex. Okada ducks a clothesline from Takagi. Takagi scores a right jab. Takagi HeadButts Okada. Takagi with a Massive Lariat. Okada denies Last Of The Dragon. Okada goes for The Landslide, but Takagi lands back on his feet. Takagi with The Dragon Suplex. Okada dropkicks Takagi. Okada nails Takagi with The Landslide. Okada plants Takagi with The Rain Maker to pickup the victory. After the match, Will Ospreay calls Okada the brand new interim IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Ospreay says that he’ll get sweet revenge tomorrow and Okada can go away from New Japan Pro Wrestling and become an actor because the company will be safe in his hands.
Winner: New IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Kazuchika Okada via Pinfall
Checkout Episode 290 of The Hoots Podcast