NJPW “DOMINION 6.16″, 6/16/12 (WPW/PPV)
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
6,850 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

1. Kota Ibushi , Kenny Omega & Daisuke Sasaki beat Prince Devitt, KUSHIDA & BUSHI (10:48) when Ibushi used a sit-down Last Ride on BUSHI.
2. YOSHI-HASHI, Tomohiro Ishii & Rocky Romero beat Yuji Nagata, Wataru Inoue & Captain New Japan (9:26) when Ishii used a brainbuster on Captain.
3. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask beat TAKA Michinoku & Taichi (9:20) when Tiger used a Tiger suplex hold on Taichi to become the 32nd champions (decision match).
4. Special Tag Match: MVP & Shelton Benjamin beat Karl Anderson & Tama Tonga (10:19) when Benjamin used the Paydirt on Tonga.
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Low Ki (c) beat Ryusuke Taguchi (12:32) with the Warrior’s Wrath (1st defense).
6. IWGP Tag Team Title: Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka (c) vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima went to a double countout (2:41). (RESTART) Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka (c) vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima went to a no contest (12:26).
7. Special Tag Match: Shinsuke Nakamura & Masato Tanaka beat Hirooki Goto & Tetsuya Naito (13:28) when Tanaka used the Sliding D on Naito.
8. Special Singles Match: Togi Makabe beat Minoru Suzuki (16:21) with a King Kong kneedrop.
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Kazuchika Okada (c) (28:06) with the High Fly Flow to become the 58th champion.

* Another complete sell out for New Japan with people turned away, the company remains on fire and the healthiest it has been in many years.

* The first “Rainmaker” era is over as a rematch from February in the same building saw ace Hiroshi Tanahashi avenge his IWGP Heavyweight Title loss to upstart Kazuchika Okada by defeating him in a memorable main event. Okada has seemed unstoppable since he shocked the wrestling world and defeated Tanahashi, but the leader of New Japan struck back today and defeated the CHAOS man with his High Fly Flow. Thus begins Tanahashi’s sixth reign as champion, equaling Tatsumi Fujinami’s record six reigns that Tanahashi seems very likely to better in his career. Masato Tanaka and Togi Makabe, both big winners on the show, appeared after the match to challenge Tanahashi for the title.

* Makabe feels he deserved a shot after a big win over Suzuki Gun leader, Minoru Suzuki, in the semi final. This grudge feud that has been going on for much of the year came to a head in Osaka with Makabe pinning Suzuki for an important victory.

* Tanaka’s own shout for a title shot came in the seventh match as he and CHAOS leader Nakamura defeated Hirooki Goto & Tetsuya Naito. Naito, who has been a little unfocused lately and arguing constantly with Tanahashi who he seems a little bitter (jealous?) of, fell to Tanaka’s Sliding D.

* The TenKoji vs. Yano & Iizuka feud showed no signs of ending in Osaka as Tenzan & Kojima were granted a rematch for the IWGP Tag Team Title that they lost to the CHAOS tandem in Fukuoka last month. The match had barely started before both teams were counted out. President Sugabayashi ordered a restart and a more orderly bout began but after 12 1/2 minutes the referee completely lost control and had to throw the match out.

* The Best of the Super Jr. final was repeated just days after the event in which Ryusuke Taguchi stalled the Low Ki juggernaut. Low Ki had won nine matches in a row without a defeat until Taguchi defeated him in the final, setting up an enticing V1 defense of the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title for Ki in Osaka. But despite his big tournament win, Taguchi was unable to get the job done on a bigger stage tonight as he was beaten. DDT’s Kota Ibushi, returning to New Japan after a long absence due to injury, appeared afterwards and challenged Ki to a title match that could be quite spectacular. This could happen on the joint New Japan/All Japan anniversary show at Sumo Hall in July.

* For the first time since 2006, Jushin Thunder Liger appeared as Kishin Liger as he and Tiger Mask met TAKA Michinoku & Taichi for the vacant IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title. The Kishin Liger persona was debuted in the legendary Liger vs. Great Muta match at Kobe World Hall in 1996 and revived briefly in 2006 when Liger destroyed Bad Boy Hido. He and Tiger Mask finally got their shot at the belts today as they were supposed to last month in Fukuoka but Davey Richards was unable to appear, forcing the title to be held up. In their way stood TAKA & Taichi but they proved to be little match for the fearsome Kishin Liger who went on a rampage, spitting red mist in Taichi’s eyes which allowed Tiger Mask to drop the young punk with his Tiger suplex hold for the win. So Liger finally wins IWGP gold again for the first time since he and AKIRA won these sames belts in 2008, while this is Tiger Mask’s first title since dropping the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title to Marufuji on 1/4/10.

It’s official! Ryusuke Taguchi and Low Ki go to war again just days after Taguchi defeated Low Ki to win the Best of the Super Jr. for the first time. That win moved him into instant contendership for Low Ki’s IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title and the two will collide for it in Osaka. As reported yesterday, the vacant IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title will also be on the line as the masked hero team of Liger & Tiger face Suzuki Gun’s TAKA Michinoku & Taichi. On top of those, the most notably additions are the return of the MVP & Shelton Benjamin tag team and the long awaited return of DDT’s Kota Ibushi, last seen in New Japan holding the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title before a serious injury kept him out of action long-term.

NJPW “DOMINION 6.16″, 6/16/12 (WPW)
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium

1. Prince Devitt, KUSHIDA & BUSHI vs. Kota Ibushi , Kenny Omega & Daisuke Sasaki
2. Yuji Nagata, Wataru Inoue & Captain New Japan vs. YOSHI-HASHI, Tomohiro Ishii & Rocky Romero
3. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi (decision match)
4. Special Tag Match: Karl Anderson & Tama Tonga vs. MVP & Shelton Benjamin
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Low Ki (c) vs. Ryusuke Taguchi
6. IWGP Tag Team Title: Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka (c) vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima
7. Special Tag Match: Hirooki Goto & Tetsuya Naito vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Masato Tanaka
8. Special Singles Match: Togi Makabe vs. Minoru Suzuki
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

“Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada makes his V3 defense of the IWGP Heavyweight Title on 6/16 at the same building where he won it and against the very man he won it from, ace Hiroshi Tanahashi. This super-battle could spell the end of Okada’s reign if the record-breaking previous IWGP Heavyweight Champion can avenge his February loss. Another rematch set sees Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka make their first defense of the IWGP Tag Team Title against TenKoji, with Tenzan & Kojima granted a quick rematch after dropping the belts to the CHAOS tandem in Fukuoka days ago. And still another rematch sees the ongoing feud between Togi Makabe and Minoru Suzuki continue as they collide in singles action. Also revealed for this show are the return of DDT’s former IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion, Kota Ibushi, the return of Shelton Benjamin, and MVP’s involvement.

Before the big Osaka show is a smaller one later this month and a title match has been announced for that too, as Hirooki Goto makes his V2 defense of the IWGP Intercontinental Title against CHAOS member Tomohiro Ishii. These had quite an entertaining feud several years ago and this should be a good match, with Goto hoping to get back on track after coming just short of winning the IWGP Heavyweight Title from Okada in Fukuoka.

Finally, block division and match schedule for the upcoming Best of the Super Jr. has been announced, with lots of enticing matches set. New Japan has warned that Davey Richards is not 100% certain to be in the tournament after his recent car accident and his involvement is pending a medical check. This tournament also marks the start of BUSHI’s one year loan from All Japan.

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NJPW “NJPW 40TH ANNIVERSARY ~ NEW JAPAN LIVE”, 5/20/12 (J SPORTS)
Matsushita IMP Hall

1. Ryusuke Taguchi & KUSHIDA vs. Hiromu Takahashi & Takaaki Watanabe
2. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka, Jado & Gedo
3. Togi Makabe, Yuji Nagata & Wataru Inoue vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
4. Tama Tonga vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
5. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tetsuya Naito & Captain New Japan vs. Kazuchika Okada, Masato Tanaka & YOSHI-HASHI
6. IWGP Intercontinental Title: Hirooki Goto (c) vs. Tomohiro Ishii

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NJPW, 5/27/12 (Asahi Newstar)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Jado vs. Daisuke Sasaki
2. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Alex Kozlov vs. TAKA Michinoku
3. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Low Ki
4. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Tiger Mask vs. Davey Richards
5. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Angel de Oro vs. Taichi
6. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: BUSHI vs. Rocky Romero
7. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Prince Devitt vs. KUSHIDA
8. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Pac

NJPW, 5/28/12
Chiba Port Arena Sub Arena

1. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Alex Kozlov vs. Black Tiger
2. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Low Ki vs. Daisuke Sasaki
3. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: TAKA Michinoku vs. Davey Richards
4. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: KUSHIDA vs. BUSHI
5. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Gedo
6. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Prince Devitt vs. Taichi

NJPW, 5/30/12
Shinshu Sky Park Gymnasium

1. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Jado vs. Alex Kozlov
2. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Daisuke Sasaki vs. Black Tiger
3. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Tiger Mask vs. Ryusuke Taguchi
4. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Gedo vs. Angel de Oro
5. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Taichi vs. Pac
6. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Prince Devitt vs. Rocky Romero

NJPW, 5/31/12
Wel Sunpia Tsuruga

1. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Davey Richards vs. Black Tiger
2. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Jado
3. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Low Ki vs. TAKA Michinoku
4. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: BUSHI vs. Gedo
5. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: KUSHIDA vs. Rocky Romero
6. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Angel de Oro

NJPW, 6/1/12
Iwade Municipal Citizen Gymnasium

1. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Jado vs. Black Tiger
2. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Alex Kozlov
3. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Tiger Mask vs. Daisuke Sasaki
4. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Pac vs. Angel de Oro
5. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Taichi
6. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Prince Devitt vs. BUSHI

NJPW, 6/2/12 (J SPORTS)
Kyoto KBS Hall

1. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Alex Kozlov vs. Davey Richards
2. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Low Ki vs. Black Tiger
3. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Tiger Mask vs. TAKA Michinoku
4. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: KUSHIDA vs. Pac
5. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Prince Devitt vs. Gedo
6. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Rocky Romero

NJPW, 6/3/12 (Samurai! TV)
Akashi Municipal Industrial Exchange Center

1. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: TAKA Michinoku vs. Jado
2. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Daisuke Sasaki
3. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Tiger Mask vs. Low Ki
4. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Gedo vs. Pac
5. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Prince Devitt vs. Angel de Oro
6. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Jushin Thunder Liger vs. KUSHIDA

NJPW, 6/5/12
Kasukabe Convention Hall

1. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Daisuke Sasaki vs. Davey Richards
2. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Low Ki vs. Jado
3. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Black Tiger
4. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Pac vs. Rocky Romero
5. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Taichi vs. Gedo
6. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: BUSHI vs. Angel de Oro

NJPW, 6/6/12 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Daisuke Sasaki vs. Alex Kozlov
2. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Low Ki vs. Davey Richards
3. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Ryusuke Taguchi vs. TAKA Michinoku
4. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Tiger Mask vs. Black Tiger
5. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Angel de Oro vs. Rocky Romero
6. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: KUSHIDA vs. Taichi
7. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Jushin Thunder Liger vs. BUSHI
8. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Prince DEvitt vs. Pac

NJPW, 6/7/12
Tochigi Bunka Center Sub Hall

1. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Daisuke Sasaki vs. TAKA Michinoku
2. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Davey Richards vs. Jado
3. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Tiger Mask vs. Alex Kozlov
4. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Rocky Romero vs. Gedo
5. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: BUSHI vs. Taichi
6. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: KUSHIDA vs. Angel de Oro

NJPW, 6/9/12
Nagoya International Conference Hall

1. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: TAKA Michinoku vs. Black Tiger
2. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Alex Kozlov vs. Low Ki
3. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Tiger Mask vs. Jado
4. Best of the Super Jr. – Block B: Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Davey Richards
5. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Rocky Romero vs. Taichi
6. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: BUSHI vs. Pac
7. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: KUSHIDA vs. Gedo
8. Best of the Super Jr. – Block A: Prince Devitt vs. Jushin Thunder Liger

NJPW, 6/10/12 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Best of the Super Jr. – Semi Final: Block A 1st place vs. Block B 2nd place
2. Best of the Super Jr. – Semi Final: Block B 1st place vs. Block A 2nd place
3. Best of the Super Jr. – Final:

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NJPW “DOMINION 6.16″, 6/16/12
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium

1. IWGP Tag Team Title: Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka (c) vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima
2. Togi Makabe vs. Minoru Suzuki
3. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

New Japan and All Japan today announced that they will hold a joint 40th anniversary show at Sumo Hall on July 1st titled “WE ARE PRO-WRESTLING LOVE”. The presidents of both companies spoke of it today although with it still being quite far off could reveal little besides the concept of sharing their celebrations of 40 years in business. Despite being co-hosts, they did not rule out the possibility of promotion vs. promotion matches so it could be a little more intriguing in that sense than the “ALL TOGETHER” charity shows which were general a set of interpromotional tag matches.

NJPW/AJPW “NJPW & AJPW 40TH ANNIVERSARY ~ WE ARE PRO-WRESTLING LOVE!”, 7/1/12
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan

Meanwhile, New Japan has also announced that “DOMINION 6.16″ for Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium on June 16th, another big show.

NJPW “DOMINION 6.16″, 6/16/12
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium