NJPW “KING OF PRO-WRESTLING”, 10/13/14 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
9,100 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

1. Special 8 Man Tag Match: Togi Makabe, Yuji Nagata, Tomoaki Honma & Kota Ibushi beat Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga (7:48) when Ibushi used a Phoenix splash on Tonga.
2. NWA World Jr. Heavyweight Title: Chase Owens (c) beat BUSHI (7:02) with the Package Driver.
3. NWA World Tag Team Title: Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima (c) (11:22) when Archer used the Killer bomb on Kojima to become the 76th champions.
4. Special Tag Match: Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba beat Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka (5:30) when Yano used the Akakiri on Iizuka.
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title – 3WAY Match: KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley (c) beat Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson and Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov (18:56) when KUSHIDA used a horizontal cradle on Koslov (3rd defense).
6. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Ryusuke Taguchi (c) beat El Desperado (12:12) with an ankle hold (1st defense).
7. NEVER Openweight Title: Tomohiro Ishii beat Yujiro Takahashi (c) (17:48) with a brainbuster to become the 5th champion.
8. Special Tag Match: Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata beat Shinsuke Nakamura & YOSHI-HASHI (13:49) when Shibata used a PK on YOSHI-HASHI.
9. Tokyo Dome IWGP Heavyweight Title #1 Contender Match: Kazuchika Okada beat Tetsuya Naito (19:17) with the Rainmaker.
10. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi beat AJ Styles (c) (27:04) with the High Fly Flow to become the 61st champion.

* Hiroshi Tanahashi becomes the first wrestler to ever hold the IWGP Heavyweight Title seven times after beating AJ Styles in today’s main event. He had been tied on 6 reigns with Tatsumi Fujinami and now not only does he have the most successful defenses, but the most reigns. A living legend? Perhaps he may not be given such a status until later in his career, but as a man with so much success and the figurehead of New Japan’s revival, it isn’t a stretch to consider him a legend already.

* Guess who’s back? Naofumi “Yoshi Tatsu” Yamamoto appeared to save Tanahashi from a Jeff Jarrett guitar shot. The New Japan dojo graduate looks to have returned home following his WWE exit some time back. Yamamoto last appeared for New Japan on 11/2/07 at Korakuen Hall, so his return comes after almost 7 years away.

* Tanahashi is set to face old rival Kazuchika Okada in the 1/4 Tokyo Dome main event, after Okada retained his #1 contendership by beating Tetsuya Naito in the semi final. Tanahashi and Okada’s match was confirmed so unless of any unexpected events that will headline the next “WRESTLE KINGDOM”.

* Tomohiro Ishii regained the NEVER Openweight Title from Yujiro Takahashi, the man who took it from him, and so begins his second reign.

* After a tag success today, Katsuyori Shibata challenged Shinsuke Nakamura for a shot at his IWGP Intercontinental Title, a match many would be pleased to see, especially if they save it for the Tokyo Dome.

* Ryusuke Taguchi’s long awaited second reign as IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion avoided the same fate as KUSHIDA’s first, as he bypassed his first challenger, forcing El Desperado to tap out.

* Time Splitters retained the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title for the third time in a 3WAY Match, beating the Young Bucks and Forever Hooligans when KUSHIDA rolled up Koslov.

* The legendary Tenzan & Kojima dropped the NWA World Tag Team Title, won in the same building this April, as their old nemesis’ the Killer Elite Squad returned and took the belts from them. Kojima hit Tenzan with an accidental lariat during the match and there was some tension between the two. Something to keep an eye on in the upcoming tag league…

* BUSHI failed to win the NWA World Jr. Title from Chase Owens and after that match the NWA’s Bruce Tharpe called out the great Jushin Thunder Liger. Liger said he wanted one last run with a title, hinting that perhaps finally retirement is on the mind (NOOOO!), and he could be next to challenge Owens.

Six titles will be defended at this year’s “KING OF PRO-WRESTLING”, which takes place at Sumo Hall on October 13. The biggest of them all sees AJ Styles make his V3 defense of the IWGP Heavyweight Title against ace Hiroshi Tanahashi in what could be a match that helps define the 1/4 Tokyo Dome main event. The other match that could do likewise sees Okada again risk his 1/4 title shot, this time against the “Stardust Genius” Tetsuya Naito.

Ishii attempts to win back the NEVER Openweight Title when he challenges Yujiro, Taguchi defends his IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title against El Desperado, and the Time Splitters must fend off the challenge of both the Young Bucks and Forever Hooligans in a 3WAY Match for the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title.

Earlier on the card, two major NWA titles will be defended with the legendary Tenzan & Kojima continuing their neverending feud with the Killer Elite Squad as Archer & Smith challenge for the NWA World Tag Team Title. And an unfamiliar face enters New Japan as Chase Owens defends the NWA World Jr. Heavyweight Title against masked man BUSHI.

Unless plans have changed and I missed it, USTREAM’s iPPV service is ending on October 1 and this show isn’t advertised, so it is unlikely to air on iPPV. New Japan is apparently looking into other ways to show the events live to foreign audiences.

NJPW “KING OF PRO-WRESTLING”, 10/13/14 (WPW)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan

1. Special 8 Man Tag Match: Togi Makabe, Yuji Nagata, Tomoaki Honma & Kota Ibushi vs. Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga
2. NWA World Jr. Heavyweight Title: Chase Owens (c) vs. BUSHI
3. NWA World Tag Team Title: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima (c) vs. Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.
4. Special Tag Match: Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title – 3WAY Match: KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley (c) vs. Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson vs. Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov
6. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Ryusuke Taguchi (c) vs. El Desperado
7. NEVER Openweight Title: Yujiro Takahashi (c) vs. Tomohiro Ishii
8. Special Tag Match: Shinsuke Nakamura & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata
9. Tokyo Dome IWGP Heavyweight Title #1 Contender Match: Kazuchika Okada vs. Tetsuya Naito
10. IWGP Heavyweight Title: AJ Styles (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

NJPW “DESTRUCTION IN OKAYAMA”, 9/23/14 (Samurai! TV)
Convex Okayama
3,600 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

1. Captain New Japan, Ryusuke Taguchi & BUSHI beat Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask & Maximo (5:05) when BUSHI used the MX on Maximo.
2. Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson beat Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov (9:57) when Nick pinned Romero after the More Bang For Your Buck.
3. Kazushi Sakuraba, Toru Yano & Gedo beat Minoru Suzuki, Takashi Iizuka & TAKA Michinoku (5:51) when Yano used the Uragasumi on TAKA.
4. Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata beat Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma (7:31) when Shibata used a PK on Honma.
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley (c) beat El Desperado & Taichi (15:01) when KUSHIDA pinned Taichi after the I-94 (2nd defense).
6. Special Tag Match: Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii beat Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga (11:44) when Nakamura used the Boma Ye on Tonga.
7. NWA World Tag Team Title: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima (c) beat Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi (15:08) when Kojima used a lariat on Nagata (4th defense).
8. NEVER Openweight Title: Yujiro Takahashi (c) beat YOSHI-HASHI (13:29) with the Miami Shine (1st defense).
9. Special Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tetsuya Naito beat AJ Styles & Doc Gallows (13:15) when Naito used a Stardust press on Gallows.
10. Tokyo Dome IWGP Heavyweight Title #1 Contender Match: Kazuchika Okada beat Karl Anderson (19:55) with the Rainmaker.

* Naito challenged Okada to a shot at his #1 contendership after the main event. This is a repeat of 2012 when Okada also won the G1 and risked his January title shot, beating Anderson and Goto that year. He beat Anderson today and next in line is Naito…

* After success in a tag match, Tanahashi challenged AJ Styles and it looks like those two could headline KOPW next month.

* YOSHI-HASHI’s second title shot in three days ended in failure as he lost to the Bullet Club’s Yujiro in a NEVER Openweight Title bout. Ishii issued a challenge after the match, wanting to take back the NEVER belt.

* KUSHIDA immediately bounced by from losing his IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title by successfully defending the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title with Shelley over El Desperado and Taichi. Both Forever Hooligans and the Young Bucks want a shot at the belts, so a 3WAY Match could be coming up at Sumo Hall.

* BUSHI challenged Chase Owens for a shot at the NWA World Jr. Heavyweight Title during the show, another match that could take place at Sumo Hall next month.

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi will headline “WRESTLE KINGDOM 8″ at the Tokyo Dome, the third time this combination has main evented the famous 1/4 show. On 1/4/05 the two young men were given the big responsibility of headlining an otherwise terrible Tokyo Dome show and did well, with Shinsuke winning. Then a more mature Tanahashi and Nakamura headlined again, this time for the IWGP Heavyweight Title, on 1/4/08, Shinsuke again winning. Now, the two are established superstars of the Japanese industry and won a fan vote with 20,422 votes to headline the show above Okada vs. Naito (11,886 votes), perhaps a sign that fans are not yet ready to accept Naito as a top guy.

The full card for 1/4 was announced today with a few big additions. Hirooki Goto returns from injury to resume his fierce rivalry with Katsuyori Shibata in a singles match. Togi Makabe and King Fale will meet in a “King of Destroyer Match” where there will be no pinfalls or submissions, only a KO or TKO finish.

Toru Yano will bring a mystery partner to the Tokyo Dome to face Minoru Suzuki & Shelton Benjamin. Satoshi Kojima gets a second chance at Rob Conway’s NWA World Heavyweight Title as the two meet. And World Tag League winners Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows cash on on their chance to take the IWGP Tag Team Title, as they face the Killer Elite Squad.

So, a stacked card, so stacked that there isn’t even space for the likes of Tenzan, Nakanishi, Yujiro, Liger, and Tiger Mask, although it’s possible there will be a dark match with these.

NJPW “WRESTLE KINGDOM 8 IN TOKYO DOME”, 1/4/14 (WPW/PPV/iPPV)
Tokyo Dome

1. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title – 4WAY Match: Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson (c) vs. KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley vs. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi vs. Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov
2. IWGP Tag Team Title: Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. (c) vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows
3. NWA World Heavyweight Title: Rob Conway (c) vs. Satoshi Kojima
4. Special Tag Match: Yuji Nagata & Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Daniel Gracie & Rolles Gracie
5. Special Tag Match: Minoru Suzuki & Shelton Benjamin vs. Toru Yano & X
6. King of Destroyer Match: Togi Makabe vs. King Fale
7. Special Singles Match – Hirooki Goto Return Match: Hirooki Goto vs. Katsuyori Shibata
8. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Prince Devitt (c) vs. Kota Ibushi
9. Double Main Event I – IWGP Heavyweight Title: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito
10. Double Main Event II – IWGP Intercontinental Title: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Prince Devitt will challenge Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Title in the main event of New Japan’s last big show before the G1 Climax on 7/20. Okada’s V3 defense of the title will be unlike his others and he may have more than just the Irishman to face, with the BULLET CLUB becoming renowned already for their outside inteference. Laughter7 return to New Japan once again with Kazushi Sakuraba returning from injury to face Yuji Nagata in a long awaited singles match, while old classmates Katsuyori Shibata and Hirooki Goto have their third singles match on successive big shows with Goto searching for his first win after a defeat and draw. La Sombra faces Shinsuke Nakamura in a Special Singles Match and if Sombra overcomes his upcoming V1 defense of the IWGP Intercontinental Title in Mexico against Volador Jr., you would think this would become a title match with Shinsuke given chance to reclaim the belt he dropped to Sombra in Mexico.

The newly returned Tetsuya Naito challenges Masato Tanaka for the NEVER Openweight Title, Naito having originally been the poster boy of the tournament to determine the first NEVER champion before pulling out due to injury. IWGP Tag Team Champions face GHC Tag Team Champions as Tenzan & Kojima make their V2 defense of the IWGP belts against Yano & Iizuka. The NOAH belts are not on the line and the CHAOS team may not even hold them by that point as they defend against Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls on NOAH’s major 7/7 show at Tokyo Ariake Colosseum. After their heated exchanges in a tag match yesterday, Minoru Suzuki and Tomohiro Ishii go to war in a Special Singles Match and Suzuki Gun will also have the chance to win the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title when TAKA & Taichi challenge Forever Hooligans in the second match.

Before the big 7/20 show, there will be two title matches on 7/5 at Korakuen plus the announcement of G1 Climax participants. Before he challenges Gedo’s friend Okada for the big one, Devitt makes his V4 defense of the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title against Gedo himself. Meanwhile, fan favourites Tanahashi and Liger unite to challenge El Terrible & Tama Tonga for the CMLL World Tag Team Title. New Japan will be going head-to-head with the WWE’s Sumo Hall show in Tokyo when they run Korakuen on 7/5.

NJPW, 7/5/13 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Super Strong Machine vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Jado
2. Togi Makabe, Manabu Nakanishi, Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA vs. Yuji Nagata, Hirooki Goto, Captain New Japan & Takaaki Watanabe
3. Tomohiro Ishii, Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
4. Tetsuya Naito, Tomoaki Honma & La Sombra vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi
5. Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Karl Anderson & Bad Luck Fale
6. CMLL World Tag Team Title: El Terrible & Tama Tonga (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jushin Thunder Liger
7. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Prince Devitt (c) vs. Gedo

NJPW, 7/7/13
New Sunpia Takasaki

1. Sho Tanaka vs. Yohei Komatsu
2. Manabu Nakanishi & Tiger Mask vs. Captain New Japan & KUSHIDA
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs. Yuji Nagata & Takaaki Watanabe
4. Tomohiro Ishii, Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
5. Hirooki Goto, Tetsuya Naito, Tomoaki Honma & La Sombra vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Yujiro Takahashi, YOSHI-HASHI & Jado
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Karl Anderson, El Terrible & Tama Tonga
7. Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Prince Devitt & Bad Luck Fale

NJPW, 7/9/13
Tsuruga Castle Gymnasium

1. KUSHIDA & Takaaki Watanabe vs. Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu
2. Yuji Nagata & Hirooki Goto vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Captain New Japan
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Tiger Mask vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Gedo
4. Tomohiro Ishii, Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
5. Togi Makabe, Tetsuya Naito & La Sombra vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Yujiro Takahashi & YOSHI-HASHI
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomoaki Honma & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Karl Anderson, El Terrible & Tama Tonga
7. Kazuchika Okada & Jado vs. Prince Devitt & Bad Luck Fale

NJPW, 7/10/13
Yamagata City Sports Center #2

1. Sho Tanaka vs. Yohei Komatsu
2. Yuji Nagata, Hirooki Goto & Takaaki Watanabe vs. Manabu Nakanishi, Captain New Japan & KUSHIDA
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Tiger Mask vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Jado
4. Tomohiro Ishii, Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
5. Tetsuya Naito, Jushin Thunder Liger & La Sombra vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Yujiro Takahashi & Gedo
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Karl Anderson, El Terrible & Tama Tonga
7. Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Prince Devitt & Bad Luck Fale

NJPW, 7/13/13 (Samurai! TV)
Sapporo Teisen Hall

1. Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA vs. Takaaki Watanabe & Sho Tanaka
2. Yuji Nagata & Hirooki Goto vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Tomoaki Honma
3. Rocky Romero vs. Taichi
4. Tomohiro Ishii & Alex Koslov vs. Minoru Suzuki & TAKA Michinoku
5. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jushin Thunder Liger & Captain New Japan vs. Karl Anderson, El Terrible & Tama Tonga
6. Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Prince Devitt & Bad Luck Fale
7. New Japan & CMLL vs. CHAOS Elimination Match: Togi Makabe, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Tetsuya Naito & La Sombra vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka, Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi

NJPW, 7/14/13 (Samurai! TV)
Sapporo Teisen Hall

1. Takaaki Watanabe vs. Yohei Komatsu
2. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka, Jado & Gedo
3. Alex Koslov vs. TAKA Michinoku
4. Tomohiro Ishii & Rocky Romero vs. Minoru Suzuki & Taichi
5. Yuji Nagata & Hirooki Goto vs. Yujiro Takahashi & YOSHI-HASHI
6. Tetsuya Naito, Tomoaki Honma & La Sombra vs. Kazuchika Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura & Masato Tanaka
7. New Japan vs. BULLET CLUB Elimination Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe, Manabu Nakanishi, Jushin Thunder Liger & Captain New Japan vs. Prince Devitt, Karl Anderson, El Terrible, Tama Tonga & Bad Luck Fale

NJPW, 7/15/13 (Samurai! TV)
Sapporo Teisen Hall

1. Sho Tanaka vs. Yohei Komatsu
2. Takaaki Watanabe vs. Rocky Romero
3. Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma & KUSHIDA vs. Manabu Nakanishi, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask
4. Tomohiro Ishii & Alex Koslov vs. Minoru Suzuki & Taichi
5. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Tetsuya Naito & La Sombra vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Masato Tanaka
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Captain New Japan vs. Yuji Nagata & Hirooki Goto
7. CHAOS vs. BULLET CLUB Elimination Match: Kazuchika Okada, Yujiro Takahashi, YOSHI-HASHI, Jado & Gedo vs. Prince Devitt, Karl Anderson, El Terrible, Tama Tonga & Bad Luck Fale

NJPW, 7/17/13
Obihiro City Gymnasium

1. Sho Tanaka vs. Yohei Komatsu
2. Manabu Nakanishi, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Captain New Japan, KUSHIDA & Takaaki Watanabe
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & YOSHI-HASHI
4. Tomohiro Ishii, Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
5. Tetsuya Naito, Tomoaki Honma & La Sombra vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Yujiro Takahashi & Jado
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe & Hirooki Goto vs. Karl Anderson, El Terrible & Tama Tonga
7. Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Prince Devitt & Bad Luck Fale

NJPW, 7/20/13 (WPW/PPV)
Akita Municipal Gymnasium

1. Manabu Nakanishi, Tomoaki Honma, Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA vs. Yujiro Takahashi, YOSHI-HASHI, Jado & Gedo
2. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov (c) vs. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
3. Special Singles Match: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Minoru Suzuki
4. IWGP Tag Team Title: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima (c) vs. Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka
5. NEVER Openweight Title: Masato Tanaka (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito
6. Special Singles Match: La Sombra vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
7. Special 8 Man Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe, Jushin Thunder Liger & Captain New Japan vs. Karl Anderson, El Terrible, Tama Tonga & Bad Luck Fale
8. Special Singles Match: Hirooki Goto vs. Katsuyori Shibata
9. Kazushi Sakuraba Return Match: Yuji Nagata vs. Kazushi Sakuraba
10. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Prince Devitt

-

NJPW “NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING IN MIYAKO FISH MARKET II”, 7/21/13
Miyako Fish Market

1. Yuji Nagata vs. Takaaki Watanabe
2. Tomohiro Ishii, Jado & Gedo vs. Minoru Suzuki & Taichi
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe, Hirooki Goto & Tetsuya Naito vs. Kazuchika Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura, Yujiro Takahashi & YOSHI-HASHI

NJPW “DOMINION 6.22″, 6/22/13 (WPW/PPV/iPPV)
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
7,240 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

0. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi beat Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask (7:09) when Taichi used a Taichi-style Gedo clutch on Tiger.
1. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov (c) beat KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley (13:09) when Romero pinned KUSHIDA after the Contract Killer (1st defense).
2. Karl Anderson, Tama Tonga & Bad Luck Fale beat Yuji Nagata, Ryusuke Taguchi & Captain New Japan (8:19) when Fale used the Grenade on Captain.
3. IWGP Tag Team Title – 3WAY Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima (c) beat Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka and Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. (11:50) when Kojima used a lariat on Archer (1st defense).
4. NWA World Heavyweight Title: Rob Conway (c) beat Manabu Nakanishi (8:32) with the Ego Trip.
5. Minoru Suzuki & Shelton Benjamin beat Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii (12:36) when Benjamin used the Paydirt on Nakamura.
6. Tetsuya Naito Return Match: Tetsuya Naito beat Yujiro Takahashi (15:01) with a Stardust press.
7. Special Singles Match: Katsuyori Shibata beat Hirooki Goto (13:16) with a PK.
8. Prince Devitt beat Hiroshi Tanahashi (15:33) with the Bloody Sunday.
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Kazuchika Okada (c) beat Togi Makabe (25:04) with the Rainmaker (2nd defense).

* “Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada retained his IWGP Heavyweight Title against Togi Makabe before a packed house in Osaka tonight. In an exciting match, Okada overcame a really tough challenge from the former champion and after spiking Makabe with a tombstone piledriver, finished him off with the Rainmaker to conclude a 25 minute war. Okada was immediately challenged by Bullet Club leader Prince Devitt who is set for his first ever shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Title after picking up the biggest win of his career in the semi final. Devitt, the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion and Best of the Super Jr. winner, has completely dominated and conquered the junior division so facing Tanahashi, the face of the company, was a real test of his credentials in the heavyweight division. Unlike most of his junior matches, Devitt couldn’t beat Tanahashi without help but did beat him after help from Anderson and Fale, a second Bloody Sunday getting the job done and securing a momentous victory for the Irishman. Okada vs. Devitt looks set to happen at the pre-G1 big show on 7/20 and will determine who enters pro wrestling’s biggest tournament as IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Okada “reverse” challenged Devitt asking that Gedo get a shot at his IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title.

* After their double KO last month, former university friends Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata went at it again in a match that has people raving. In an intense stiff war that saw them trade vicious headbutts, Shibata weakened Goto with a sleeper hold before landing a PK for the big win. Shibata’s Laughter7 tag partner Kazushi Sakuraba announced on the show that he will a return from injury on 7/20 and challenged Nagata to a singles match!

* Tetsuya Naito returned from a very long injury absence against the man who put him on the shelf, former NO LIMIT tag partner Yujiro Takahashi. This was a difficult return match for Naito which Yujiro largely dominated, but Naito’s fighting spirit saw him come back and win with a Stardust press. Much will be expected of Naito in the coming months.

* The NWA Invasion continued with Rob Conway’s second NWA World Heavyweight Title defense on a New Japan show. After defeating Kojima earlier this year he today faced another third generation veteran, Manabu Nakanishi. Conway defeated Nakanishi with his Ego Trip (elevated DDT) and New Japan has still yet to throw anyone at him who can bring the historic NWA World Heavyweight Title to the company.

* The IWGP Tag Team Title was again contested by multiple teams as Tenzan & Kojima (IWGP Tag Team Champions) made a successful V1 defense of their belts against Yano & Iizuka (GHC Tag Team Champions) and the Killer Elite Squad (NWA World Tag Team Champions). Archer & Smith Jr., who were very unlucky to lose the belts last month in a 4WAY Match as neither was pinned, had the match won but the referee was knocked out. TenKoji took advantage of this, Kojima nailing Archer with a lariat for the win. Yano did what Yano does and stole the belts after the match.

* The TIME SPLITTERS vs. Forever Hooligan series continued with yet another addition to this entertaining if slightly overdone series. Having won the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title back last month, Romero & Koslov were able to prevent another title switch as they successfully defended the belts against KUSHIDA & Shelley with Rocky pinning KUSHIDA.

Seven titles will be defended across two shows as New Japan presents “INVASION ATTACK” on 4/7 at Sumo Hall and “ROAD TO INVASION ATTACK” two days earlier at Korakuen Hall. At Korakuen, the Killer Elite Squad will make their V4 defense of the IWGP Tag Team Title against Nakamura & Ishii after accepting a challenge from the CHAOS team yesterday. Prince Devitt makes his V3 defense of the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title against Alex Shelley and like the tag match this also leads into another title match two days later. Another match of note at Korakuen is GHC Tag Team Champions, Yano & Iizuka, facing the all-star Suzuki & Takayama duo (non-title).

On to Sumo Hall and there will be a triple main event featuring three title matches! Of course the biggest of them all sees Hiroshi Tanahashi make his V8 defense of the IWGP Heavyweight Title against New Japan Cup winner Kazuchika Okada. Tanahashi’s previous reign lasted from 1/4/11 to 2/12/12 before Okada took the belt off him. But Tanahashi then won it back on 6/16/12 and has held it since, and looks to continue his domination of Japan’s most prestigious title in April. Nakamura makes his V7 defense of the IWGP Intercontinental Title against Davey Boy Smith Jr. in a direct sequel to the IWGP Tag Team Title match two days earlier, and of course he beat Smith’s tag partner Lance Archer in his previous defense. The NWA invasion begins with Rob Conway defending the historic NWA World Heavyweight Title against Satoshi Kojima, Kojima’s most high profile match for a while.

Nagata once again locks horns with Sakuraba but not in the singles match he requested, instead another tag as he and Goto face Saku & Shibata. In a rematch from the New Japan Cup second round, Minoru Suzuki looks to avenge his defeat to Toru Yano, while Tomoaki Honma makes his formal return by teaming with Makabe against Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi. The CMLL World Tag Team Title will be on the line as New Japan’s Tama Tonga and his partner El Terrible defend the belts against La Mascara & Valiente. Akebono and Bob Sapp return for the first time since 1/4 in another New Japan vs. CHAOS eight man tag, and the show opens with TIME SPLITTERS’ V3 defense of the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title against 4-time champions Apollo 55. This show should be on iPPV like most other important New Japan events these days, but nothing announced just yet.

NJPW “ROAD TO INVASION ATTACK”, 4/5/13 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Road to INVASION ATTACK I: Ryusuke Taguchi vs. KUSHIDA
2. Road to INVASION ATTACK II: Yuji Nagata & Hirooki Goto vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Captain New Japan
3. Road to INVASION ATTACK III: Togi Makabe, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs. Yujiro Takahashi, YOSHI-HASHI & Jado
4. Road to INVASION ATTACK IV: Minoru Suzuki & Yoshihiro Takayama vs. Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka
5. Road to INVASION ATTACK V: Hiroshi Tanahashi & BUSHI vs. Kazuchika Okada & Gedo
6. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Prince Devitt (c) vs. Alex Shelley
7. IWGP Tag Team Title: Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii

NJPW “INVASION ATTACK”, 4/7/13 (WPW)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan

1. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley (c) vs. Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi
2. Special 8 Man Tag Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Manabu Nakanishi, Super Strong Machine & Akebono vs. Takashi Iizuka, Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Bob Sapp
3. CMLL World Tag Team Title: El Terrible & Tama Tonga (c) vs. La Mascara & Valiente
4. Special Tag Match: Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi
5. Special Singles Match: Toru Yano vs. Minoru Suzuki
6. Special Tag Match: Yuji Nagata & Hirooki Goto vs. Kazushi Sakuraba & Katsuyori Shibata
7. Triple Main Event I – NWA World Heavyweight Title: Ron Conway (c) vs. Satoshi Kojima
8. Triple Main Event II – IWGP Intercontinental Title: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.
9. Triple Main Event III – IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada

NJPW “ANNIVERSARY SHOW”, 3/3/13 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
2,015 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

1. Anniversary Opening Match: Hiromu Takahashi & Takaaki Watanabe beat Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu (8:43) when Takahashi used a crab hold on Komatsu.
2. Hirooki Goto, Karl Anderson, Tama Tonga & Ryusuke Taguchi beat Yuji Nagata, Wataru Inoue, Super Strong Machine & Captain New Japan (9:23) when Anderson used the Gun Stun on Captain.
3. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley (c) beat Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask (11:22) when Shelley used the Shelley clutch on Tiger (2nd defense).
4. Togi Makabe, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Manabu Nakanishi beat Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka, Yujiro Takahashi & YOSHI-HASHI (12:27) when YOSHI-HASHI was DQ’d.
5. Elimination Match: Minoru Suzuki, Davey Boy Smith Jr., Kengo Mashimo & TAKA Michinoku beat Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, Jado & Gedo (19:50) when Suzuki threw Okada over the top rope.
6. IWGP Intercontinental Title: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) beat Lance Archer (15:01) with the Boma Ye (6th defense).
7. Anniversary Special Singles Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Prince Devitt (17:23) with the High Fly Flow.

* New Japan ran it’s 41st anniversary show before a packed house at Korakuen Hall today with a good show headlined by a Champion vs. Champion match. IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Hiroshi Tanahashi, faced IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion, Prince Devitt, in an exciting match between the undisputed leaders of New Japan’s two weight divisions. Tanahashi’s title wasn’t on the line and in the end it didn’t matter for him as he defeated Devitt with the High Fly Flow after 17 1/2 minutes. An irate Devitt left without a handshake after the match having failed in his big opportunity to beat New Japan’s leader.

* Shinsuke Nakamura made a successful V6 defense of the IWGP Intercontinental Title against one half of the IWGP Tag Team Champions, Lance Archer. Nakamura pinned Archer following his Boma Ye to make it three defenses already this year for Shinsuke against three wrestlers of completely different styles (Sakuraba, La Sombra, Archer) as he continues to give New Japan’s secondary title its own unique identity.

* CHAOS vs. Suzuki Gun also continued with an Elimination Match in which Suzuki himself ended it by throwing opposite team leader Okada over the top rope. New Japan allows over the top rope eliminations in these matches which often means the bigger names don’t get pinned or submitted.

* “TIME SPLITTERS” KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley made a successful V2 defense of the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title and what a big win it was as they defeated the masked junior legend team of Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask. After Shelley finished off Tiger, the masked duo asked for a rematch but backstage Taguchi also asked for a title match on behalf of Apollo 55 (he and Devitt).

A few of catch-up notes as I’ve been busy in recent weeks:

* Koji Kanemoto has confirmed that he is no longer a New Japan wrestler, a move that seemed long overdue as he’s had nothing to do with New Japan for a while now but continued to sign annual contracts perhaps out of old loyalty to the company he started and spent all of his career at before venturing out into other promotions (mostly All Japan). I’ve never really found out what has happened that made Kanemoto have problems with New Japan as seems to have been the case.

* Young lion Hiromu Takahashi is heading to the UK on a long-term learning excursion after this year’s Best of the Super Jr., as he looks to build a style and identity for himself like so many before him.

* MVP, Shelton Benjamin, and Low Ki have all left New Japan after stints with the company. MVP joined with much hype but was never really able to ascend to main event level and peaked by becoming the founding IWGP Intercontinental Champion. Low Ki was a key member of the junior division in the three way feud between he, Devitt, and Ibushi and I’m disappointed to see him go especially as the junior division isn’t exactly packed with big names.

* Having been bought out by Speed Partners, All Japan is now looking to lift itself again and the new owner of the company Nobuo Shiraishi has decided to provoke industry leader New Japan to get attention. Shiraishi said only Nagata and Nakamura are good wrestlers in New Japan which has upset a number of New Japan wrestlers who have lashed out at him on Twitter. Shiraishi seems to like MMA and may order All Japan wrestlers to fight in it, to which Bushiroad’s Kidani replied that he is 10 years out of date with his thoughts and that things have changed. Shiraishi also “threatened” to buy New Japan and Kidani was insulted by the blatant disrespect, saying this means war between New Japan and All Japan.

New Japan has announced the full card for its 41st anniversary show at Korakuen Hall on 3/3, which is completely sold out in advance. As expected it will be headlined by the big IWGP Heavyweight Champion vs. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion match as company ace Hiroshi Tanahashi faces junior ace Prince Devitt in the battle of two men who have largely dominated their weight classes in recent years. However, despite Devitt’s calls for a shot at Tanahashi’s title this will be a non-title match.

What will be a title match is Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Lance Archer as Shinsuke makes his V6 defense of the IWGP Intercontinental Title against the IWGP Tag Team Title co-holder. Nakamura is really giving the IC Title its own character with matches of all styles, and this defense against the tall American powerhouse will come after defenses this year against shoot legend Kazushi Sakuraba and lucha star La Sombra.

Along with Nakamura vs. Archer, CHAOS vs. Suzuki Gun also continues in the form of an Elimination match as Okada leads Ishii, Jado & Gedo against Suzuki, Davey Boy Jr., TAKA & Mashimo. As per usual with New Japan’s Elimination Matches over-the-top rope eliminations are allowed. “TIME SPLITTERS” KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley make their V2 defense of the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title against the “junior legend duo” of Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask after accepting the challenge from the veteran masked men.

Aogi-gun reunites as Yuji Nagata brings his small group back together to face Goto, Anderson, Tama & Taguchi. Along with Wataru and Captain New Japan (who was a member under his original name Mitsuhide Hirasawa before going overseas), we see a very rare appearance nowadays of the legend Super Strong Machine (Junji Hirata, but he’ll deny it!) who has been with New Japan since 1978. The anniversary show opens in very traditional fashion as for the first time all four of New Japan’s active young lions appear in the same match.

New Japan has confirmed its first advance on Sumo Hall for 2013 in the form of “INVASION ATTACK” on 4/7. Whether the name foreshadows anything or is unclear at this stage. There will also be a Korakuen show leading directly into it two days before.

NJPW “ANNIVERSARY SHOW”, 3/3/13 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Anniversary Opening Match: Hiromu Takahashi & Takaaki Watanabe vs. Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu
2. Yuji Nagata, Wataru Inoue, Super Strong Machine & Captain New Japan vs. Hirooki Goto, Karl Anderson, Tama Tonga & Ryusuke Taguchi
3. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley (c) vs. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask
4. Togi Makabe, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka, Yujiro Takahashi & YOSHI-HASHI
5. Elimination Match: Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, Jado & Gedo vs. Minoru Suzuki, Davey Boy Smith Jr., Kengo Mashimo & TAKA Michinoku
6. IWGP Intercontinental Title: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Lance Archer
7. Anniversary Special Singles Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Prince Devitt

NJPW “THE NEW BEGINNING”, 2/10/13 (WPW/PPV/iPPV)
Hiroshima Sun Plaza
4,780 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

1. Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi, Tama Tonga, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask beat Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka, Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Jado (8:20) when Nagata used a backdrop hold on Jado.
2. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley (c) beat Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov (11:26) when KUSHIDA used the Midnight Express on Koslov (1st defense).
3. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Prince Devitt (c) beat Ryusuke Taguchi (14:01) with the Bloody Sunday (2nd defense).
4. IWGP Tag Team Title: Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. (c) beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima (14:16) when Archer used the Killer bomb on Kojima (3rd defense).
5. Special Singles Match: Togi Makabe beat Yujiro Takahashi (8:00) with a King Kong kneedrop.
6. Special Tag Match: Kazushi Sakuraba & Katsuyori Shibata beat Hirooki Goto & Wataru Inoue (11:07) when Sakuraba used a Kido clutch on Inoue.
7. Special Singles Match: Shinsuke Nakamura beat Kengo Mashimo (11:21) with the Boma Ye.
8. Special Singles Match: Minoru Suzuki beat Kazuchika Okada (15:59) with a Gotch-style piledriver.
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) beat Karl Anderson (25:10) with the High Fly Flow (7th defense).

* “THE NEW BEGINNING” turned out to be anything but as a packed house of 4,780 fans in Hiroshima watched four successful title defenses today. I haven’t been able to watch the iPPV yet but was told the main event was sensational which is no surprise given the talent levels of the two men involved.

* Hiroshi Tanahashi made a successful V7 defensive of his IWGP Heavyweight Title over Karl Anderson in what was described as the best match of the show as mentioned. This was Anderson’s first shot at the title, quite belated given how impressive he has been in recent years, and he put up a good 25 minute challenge before succumbing to the High Fly Flow. Tanahashi is well on course to matching if not beating his V11 defense record set last year and other than Okada’s 3 month reign with two successful title defenses included, Tanahashi has now held the title for the better part of two years with 18 successful defenses since 1/4/11. No new challenger appeared after the match although Devitt’s recent surprise pinfall has brought up the idea he could challenge Tanahashi at the 3/3 anniversary show. If not, the New Japan Cup is next month and as always will produce a new contender.

* Kazuchika Okada suffered his second high profile defeat already this year as he fell to Suzuki Gun leader Minoru Suzuki in the semi final. Suzuki himself had lost at the Tokyo Dome like Okada, falling to Nagata, so it was an important match for both men. Suzuki showed how competitive he still is with the top dogs though, pinning Okada after his Gotch-style piledriver. This was the only thing resembling an upset on the show and may lead to the continuation of CHAOS vs. Suzuki Gun.

* In the other CHAOS vs. Suzuki Gun match, Shinsuke Nakamura unsurprisingly defeated K-DOJO’s Kengo Mashimo with his Boma Ye. After the match though, IWGP Tag Team Title co-holder Lance Archer – also a member of Suzuki Gun – appeared and challenged Shinsuke to an IWGP Intercontinental Title match.

* Laughter7 returned to New Japan after their complete defeat at the Tokyo Dome where Shibata was crushed by Makabe and Sakuraba narrowly lost to Nakamura in one of the best matches of recent times. Today they were back in tag mode as they face two men with strong links to Shibata, Hirooki Goto & Wataru Inoue. Inoue once again proved to be a fairly easy target for the hard-hitting tag team and Sakuraba went old school when he busted out a Kido clutch to finish off Wataru. What next for Laughter7?

* One of very few new rivalries of late has been Togi Makabe vs. Yujiro Takahashi, two of New Japan’s tough guys and recent scuffles led to a singles match today. Makabe continued his fine form so far this year by pinning Yujiro after his King Kong kneedrop and must be quite high in contention for a shot at Tanahashi.

* The Killer Elite Squad once again proved too much for TenKoji as they made a successful V3 defense of their IWGP Tag Team Title. Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. have so far proven much too strong for the most famous team of New Japan’s modern era, taking the belts off them, beating them in their V1 defense, and now beating them again in their V3 defense. Tenzan & Kojima did interupt that string of victories by beating the KES on the opening day of the 2012 World Tag League but compared to the three title matches that wasn’t important. The Killer bomb which has tormented TenKoji so was again their downfall today as Archer pinned Kojima after it.

* After half a year of the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title being traded between Devitt, Low Ki, and Ibushi, Devitt is hoping to keep hold of the title for a while in his third reign of champion. Today he made a successful V2 defense of the belt he has become so familiar with since 2010 against against his close friend and Apollo 55 tag partner, winning with the Bloody Sunday. For Taguchi it was more of the same – seen as New Japan’s great young junior hope some years ago, he won the title in 2007 for what was his only reign so far and beat big dogs like Minoru (Tanaka), Tiger Mask, and Kanemoto. But since then he has struggled to make the same impact outside of tag matches and again fell short today.

* The TIME SPLITTERS (KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley) made a successful V1 defense of their IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title against the team they took the belts off last November, Forever Hooligans (Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov). KUSHIDA pinned Koslov after his Midnight Express in what was the first of four successful title defenses on the show.

Bushiroad president Takaaki Kidani is reportedly stepping down according to Tokyo Sports. Kidani apparently brought in Sakuraba and Shibata without even telling Jado and Gedo, while two of New Japan’s biggest and most influential stars Tanahashi and Nakamura opposed the move. Kidani is a big pro wrestling fan who enjoyed the ‘shoot’ influence of the 80s and 90s and tried to bring some of it back with Laughter7′s invasion. However it seems some in New Japan are not in favour of this and the pressure may lead to Kidani’s exit. There was also talk of Kidani becoming an on-screen heel owner ala Eric Bischoff with the idea of an nWo style group pitched. There is the possibility of this being some sort of storyline especially as Kidani has been quite an innovative and progressive head figure since Bushiroad bought New Japan with things like the internet PPVs that allow us foreigners to watch New Japan coming from him. And despite the apparent opposition to Laughter7′s arrival in New Japan, the storyline played out very well culminating with one of the best matches I have seen in years yesterday, Nakamura vs. Sakuraba.

New Japan today announced lineups for “FANTASTICA MANIA 2013″, the now annual shows run in conjunction with CMLL. Three titles will be defended on the triple header including Nakamura’s next defense of the IWGP Intercontinental Title against La Sombra in what should be a very different match to Shinsuke’s clash with Sakuraba. Masato Tanaka makes his V2 defense of the NEVER Openweight Title at Korakuen Hall on 2/3 against Tomohiro Ishii in what should be an excellent match. The next big show which is due to be on iPPV I believe is “THE NEW BEGINNING” and is headlined by Tanahashi’s V7 defense of the IWGP Heavyweight Title against Karl Anderson in a rematch from the G1 where Anderson upset Tana on the final day to reach the final. After their big win over Muto & Otani, Tenzan & Kojima return to #1 contendership for the IWGP Tag Team Title and challenge the Killer Elite Squad who won the belts off them and beat them again in a title defense last year. Apollo 55 collide as Prince Devitt makes his V1 defense of the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title against his underachieving partner Ryusuke Taguchi. And “TIME SPLITTERS” KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley make their V1 defense of the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title against the team they won them from, “Forever Hooligans” Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov.

NJPW/CMLL, 1/18/13 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Tama Tonga & Titan vs. Euphoria & OKUMURA
2. Ryusuke Taguchi, BUSHI & Diamante vs. Yujiro Takahashi, Tomohiro Ishii & Rey Escorpion
3. Rush vs. YOSHI-HASHI
4. La Mascara, Mascara Dorada & Maximo vs. Volador Jr., TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
5. Special 6 Man Tag Match: Mistico, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Mephisto, Jado & Gedo
6. Special Singles Match: Prince Devitt vs. Dragon Rojo Jr.
7. Special Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & La Sombra vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Misterioso Jr.

NJPW/CMLL, 1/19/13 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Tama Tonga & Maximo vs. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
2. Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask & Titan vs. Jado, Gedo & Misterioso Jr.
3. Mascara Dorada & Diamante vs. Mephisto & OKUMURA
4. Prince Devitt, Ryusuke Taguchi & BUSHI vs. Dragon Rojo Jr., Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI
5. Special Singles Match: Mistico vs. Euforia
6. Special 6 Man Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi, La Mascara & Rush vs. Kazuchika Okada, Volador Jr. & Rey Escorpion
7. IWGP Intercontinental Title: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. La Sombra

NJPW/CMLL, 1/20/13 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Special Singles Match: Maximo vs. Taichi
2. 6 vs. 6 Torneo Cibernetico: Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask, Mascara Dorada, Diamante, Titan & BUSHI vs. Tomohiro Ishii, Jado, Gedo, Misterioso Jr., OKUMURA & YOSHI-HASHI
3. Special Singles Match: Rush vs. Rey Escorpion
4. NWA World Historic Welterweight Title: Dragon Rojo Jr. (c) vs. La Sombra
5. Mexican National Light Heavyweight Title: La Mascara (c) vs. Volador Jr.
6. Special 6 Man Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Prince Devitt & Mistico vs. Kazuchika Okada, Mephisto & Euforia

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NJPW, 2/3/13 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. NEVER Openweight Title: Masato Tanaka (c) vs. Tomohiro Ishii

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NJPW “THE NEW BEGINNING”, 2/10/13 (WPW/PPV/iPPV)
Hiroshima Sun Plaza

1. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley (c) vs. Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov
2. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Prince Devitt (c) vs. Ryusuke Taguchi
3. IWGP Tag Team Title: Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. (c) vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima
4. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Karl Anderson

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Plans to rename the New Japan Cup to the World War League seem to have been abandoned with the 2013 New Japan Cup announced. Six dates have been announced:

- 3/11 @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall SAMURAI!
- 3/17 @ Amagasaki Memorial Park Gymnasium SAMURAI!
- 3/19 @ Shirakawa City Central Gymnasium
- 3/20 @ Sendai Industrial Exhibition Hall Aztec Museum
- 3/22 @ Kumagaya Citizen Gymnasium
- 3/23 @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall WPW

New Japan presents one of its strongest lineups in a long time at “KING OF PRO-WRESTLING”, the new name of New Japan’s October show at Sumo Hall. From top to bottom this is a loaded card with all five IWGP titles being defended, and will be topped by the Tokyo Dome rematch of Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki for the IWGP Heavyweight Title. Tanahashi successfully defended the title against Suzuki in January in his previous reign as Okada has of course had a memorable first reign since then, but Suzuki hit back in the G1 Climax by beating Tanahashi. Speaking of Okada, he is willing to risk his number one contendership for the belt which he is contractually entitled to and will put it on the line against the on-fire “Machine Gun” Karl Anderson in a rematch of the 2012 G1 Climax final which Okada won.

Hirooki Goto is given chance to win back the IWGP Intercontinental Title against the man who took it from him, Shinsuke Nakamura, in the semi final while Sakuraba & Shibata face a tougher level of opposition this time with no young lion to bully as Makabe leads Wataru Inoue into war against the duo. NO LIMIT collide again as the former tag partners continue their endless grudge after Yujiro attacked Naito’s injured knee yesterday, leading to a big singles match between them at Sumo Hall. TenKoji finally make their V1 defense of the IWGP Tag Team Title after regaining them in July, taking on Suzuki Gun’s Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr., the latter being Harry Smith who has decided to rename himself in tribute of his late father.

And of course the juniors can’t be forgotten as the junior dream match is repeated, Kota Ibushi making his V3 defense of the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title against the man he won the belt from Low Ki. Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov make their V2 defense of the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title against the Japan-USA alliance of KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley. And what better way to start the show than with the return of the hugely popular Manabu Nakanishi? Nakanishi finally returns to action and teams with old friend Yuji Nagata and 2010 Tokyo Sports Tag Team of the Year partner Strong Man, who of course formed Muscle Orchestra with Nakanishi.

NJPW “NJPW 40TH ANNIVERSARY ~ KING OF PRO-WRESTLING”, 10/8/12 (WPW/PPV/iPPV)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan

1. Manabu Nakanishi Return Match: Manabu Nakanishi, Yuji Nagata & Strong Man vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii
2. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov (c) vs. KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley
3. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Kota Ibushi (c) vs. Low Ki
4. IWGP Tag Team Title: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima (c) vs. Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr.
5. Tetsuya Naito vs. Yujiro Takahashi
6. Togi Makabe & Wataru Inoue vs. Kazushi Sakuraba & Katsuyori Shibata
7. Tokyo Dome IWGP Heavyweight Title #1 Contender Match: Karl Anderson vs. Kazuchika Okada
8. IWGP Intercontinental Title: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Hirooki Goto
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Minoru Suzuki

Before then…

NJPW “THE MEMORY MEETING OF KASABOKO SUMMIT IN NIIGATA ON NJPW 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR”, 10/6/12
Niigata Nishikawa Sports Center

1. Hiromu Takahashi vs. Takaaki Watanabe
2. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Captain New Japan & BUSHI
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Jado
4. Togi Makabe & Wataru Inoue vs. Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI
5. Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Minoru Suzuki
6. Hirooki Goto & Tetsuya Naito vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Yujiro Takahashi
7. Hiroshi Tanahashi & KUSHIDA vs. Kazuchika Okada & Gedo

–> “NJPW 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR ~ KIZUNA ROAD” <--

NJPW, 7/22/12 (WPW)
Yamagata Sports Center
3,500 Fans – Super No Vacancy

1. Captain New Japan, Tama Tonga, BUSHI & Maximo beat YOSHI-HASHI, Jado, Gedo & Tomohiro Ishii (7:48) when Captain used the Caribbean Death Grip on Gedo.
2. KUSHIDA beat Low Ki (7:10) with a modified Japanese leg roll clutch hold.
3. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov beat Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask (c) (13:44) when Romero used the Contract Killer on Tiger to become the 33rd champions.
4. Special Elimination Match: Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi beat Togi Makabe, Yuji Nagata, Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi (16:46). Makabe threw Taichi over the top rope (9:23). Makabe used a King Kong kneedrop on TAKA (9:39). Archer threw Makabe over the top rope (10:41). Suzuki threw Nagata over the top rope (14:15). Archer threw Devitt over the top rope (15:41). Archer used the Blackout on Taguchi (16:46).
5. IWGP Tag Team Title: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima beat Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka (13:43) when Kojima used a lariat on Iizuka to become the 60th champions (decision match).
6. Special Tag Match: Tetsuya Naito & Karl Anderson beat Kazuchika Okada & Yujiro Takahashi (15:30) when Naito used a Stardust press on Takahashi.
7. IWGP Intercontinental Title: Shinsuke Nakamura beat Hirooki Goto (c) (16:50) with the Boma Ye to become the 4th champion.
8. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) beat Masato Tanaka (26:15) with the High Fly Flow (2nd defense).

* In front of a yet another sold out crowd for New Japan, Hiroshi Tanahashi overcame the fierce challenge of CHAOS’ Masato Tanaka in an exciting match to complete his V2 defense, ensuring that he goes into this year’s G1 Climax as champion just like last year. It took close to half an hour for Tanaka’s bold challenge to be put to an end but once again the New Japan ace proved his ability when he hit the High Fly Flow for the win. Tanahashi has now won fifteen IWGP Heavyweight Title matches over two reigns in the last one and a half years.

* The IWGP Intercontinental Title scene was shaken up as in the biggest match in the title’s short history, Shinsuke Nakamura dethroned generation rival Hirooki Goto to become the 4th champion. Although considered a secondary title, this belt now certainly holds more prestige and worth than it did before and Nakamura adds another trophy to his well decorated cabinet. This is Nakamura’s first singles title for two years and two months.

* The seemingly endless TenKoji vs. Yano & Iizuka feud seemed to find some sort of resolution today as with four referees to avoid yet another non-finish, Tenzan & Kojima defeated the dastardly CHAOS duo in a decision match for the vacant IWGP Tag Team Title. The title was held up last month after a no contest while Yano & Iizuka were champions and New Japan officials deemed them unfit to reign as champions after that, demanding they earn the belts again in a fresh collision with TenKoji. But with four referees ensuring Yano & Iizuka could only bend the rules so much, the now 4-time IWGP Tag Team Champions came out victorious as Kojima sunk Iizuka with a lariat. It’s 13 1/2 years since the popular TenKoji duo first won these belts when they defeated Genichiro Tenryu & Shiro Koshinaka on 1/4/99 at the Tokyo Dome but they are stronger than ever in their latest reunion. Lance Archer appeared after the match to challenge TenKoji but didn’t say who his partner would be (Suzuki?).

* The IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title is back in CHAOS custody for the first time since Davey Richards & Rocky Romero were forced to vacate the belts in May after Richards couldn’t make a title match and his New Japan stay subsequently ended. Romero has since found a new tag partner in the impressive Alex Koslov and today they scored a huge win over Liger & Tiger Mask, who only won the belts themselves last month. Tiger Mask fell to the Contract Killer, meaning the last three champions have failed to even register one successful defense… a trend the new champions will be hoping to put an end to.

* In a huge upset on the undercard, KUSHIDA surprised the dominant Low Ki with a cradle to defeat the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion in a non-title match. This isn’t what Ki wanted ahead of his upcoming title defense against Kota Ibushi and for KUSHIDA, he will be watching that and could be the first to challenge the winner after today’s result.

New Japan today announced that CHAOS tandem Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka have been stripped of their IWGP Tag Team Title with immediate effect after the double non-finish in Osaka on Saturday. President Sugabayashi said they could not be deemed worthy champions after such a finish (or non-finish). It looks like the Osaka match won’t be recognised as Yano & Iizuka’s V1 defense either. But all is not lost for the dastardly duo as they have a quick chance to reclaim the title in a July packed with title matches.

Prince Devitt defends his NWA World Historic Middleweight Title, won earlier in the year when he traveled to Mexico, against Suzuki Gun’s Taichi on 7/8 at Korakuen Hall. At the end of the same tour, New Japan hits the Yamagata Sports Center with four huge title matches. As mentioned, Yano & Iizuka can regain the IWGP Tag Team Title but so can Tenzan & Kojima as the two sides meet in a decision match to determine the 60th champions. Whoever wins the IWGP Heavyweight Title clash at Sumo Hall on July 1st won’t have much time to enjoy that victory as either Tanahashi or Makabe will defend the title against Masato Tanaka later in the main event of the Yamagata show.

New Japan’s secondary singles belt, the IWGP Intercontinental Title, suddenly doesn’t seem quite so secondary as Hirooki Goto will make his V3 defense of the one-year old title against old rival Shinsuke Nakamura in a huge match that some would say is even bigger than the IWGP Heavyweight Title match. And finally, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask make their V1 defense of the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title against the foreign duo of Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov, the latter of whom impressed in the Super Jr. so has been invited back. Akebono, Kota Ibushi, and Daisuke Sasaki will appear on the 7/18-7/19 Sapporo Teisen Hall double header on this tour also. Update: CMLL’s Maximo has also been announced for the entire tour.

After the tour and before the G1, New Japan is again at Korakuen Hall with a show that sees Low Ki defends his IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title in an already much anticipated match against Ibushi.

NJPW, 7/8/12 (J SPORTS)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. NWA World Historic Middleweight Title: Prince Devitt (c) vs. Taichi

NJPW, 7/22/12 (WPW)
Yamagata Sports Center

1. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask (c) vs. Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov
2. IWGP Intercontinental Title: Hirooki Goto (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
3. IWGP Tag Team Title: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs. Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka (decision match)
4. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Winner of Tanahashi/Makabe (c) vs. Masato Tanaka

NJPW “NJPW 40TH ANNIVERSARY ~ LAST REBELLION”, 7/29/12
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Low Ki (c) vs. Kota Ibushi

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

“No Remorse Corps” Davey Richards & Rocky Romero have been forced to vacate the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title after Richards was involved in a traffic accident that has made his trip to Japan impossible. He is off upcoming shows and as mentioned the title is vacant but it won’t be decided tomorrow, with the undercard being adjusted to have normal matches instead. New Japan will announce a playoff for the vacant belts at a later date.

NJPW “NJPW 40TH ANNIVERSARY ~ WRESTLING DONTAKU 2012″, 5/3/12 (WPW/PPV)
Fukuoka International Center

1. Strong Man, Captain New Japan & Tama Tonga vs. YOSHI-HASHI, Jado & Tomohiro Ishii
2. Ryusuke Taguchi & KUSHIDA vs. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
3. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Rocky Romero & Gedo
4. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Prince Devitt (c) vs. Low Ki
5. IWGP Tag Team Title: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima (c) vs. Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka
6. Special Tag Match: Togi Makabe & Yuji Nagata vs. Minoru Suzuki & Yoshihiro Takayama
7. Special Singles Match: Karl Anderson vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
8. Special Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tetsuya Naito vs. Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Hirooki Goto

New Japan has revealed the full card for the major 5/3 show at Fukuoka International Center today, which includes four title matches and three special matches. As confirmed on the heels of his New Japan Cup win yesterday, Hirooki Goto will be Kazuchika Okada’s next challenger for the IWGP Heavyweight Title in the main event. Also confirmed was the much expected TenKoji defense of the IWGP Tag Team Title against CHAOS’ Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka, who defeated Tenzan & Kojima in a non-title match not long ago. The No Remorse Corps, Davey Richards & Rocky Romero, make their V1 defense of the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title against the masked super hero team of Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask, the first time this title has not been NRC vs. Apollo 55 this year. He’s back! “One World Warrior” Low Ki returns to New Japan for his latest stint and instantly challenges Prince Devitt for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title in a rematch from last year in America when Devitt won during New Japan’s tour of the east coast. Of the special matches announced, the standout is a rematch from the New Japan Cup where Shinsuke Nakamura and Karl Anderson blew the roof off Korakuen Hall with an incredible match that the “Machine Gun” won. Shinsuke will look to avoid a similar upset.

Tour matches before and after the Fukuoka show were also announced.

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–> NJPW 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR ~ NEW JAPAN BRAVE 2012 <--

NJPW, 4/21/12 (Samurai! TV)
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium #2

1. Tama Tonga vs. Hiromu Takahashi
2. Strong Man & Captain New Japan vs. YOSHI-HASHI & Tomohiro Ishii
3. Prince Devitt, Ryusuke Taguchi, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Low Ki, Rocky Romero, Jado & Gedo
4. Togi Makabe, Wataru Inoue & KUSHIDA vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
5. Special Singles Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Takashi Iizuka
6. Special Singles Match: Satoshi Kojima vs. Toru Yano
7. Special 8 Man Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Tetsuya Naito & Karl Anderson vs. Kazuchika Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura, Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi

NJPW, 4/24/12
Kaikyo Messe Shimonoseki

1. Wataru Inoue & Takaaki Watanabe vs. KUSHIDA & Tama Tonga
2. Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Low Ki & Gedo
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka, Rocky Romero & Jado
4. Togi Makabe, Yuji Nagata & Strong Man vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
5. Karl Anderson & Captain New Japan vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Tetsuya Naito vs. Kazuchika Okada, Yujiro Takahashi & YOSHI-HASHI

NJPW, 4/25/12
Shunan Shinnanyo Gymnasium

1. Wataru Inoue & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Ryusuke Taguchi & Tama Tonga
2. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Rocky Romero & Jado
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Strong Man vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii
4. Tetsuya Naito & Prince Devitt vs. Low Ki & Gedo
5. Togi Makabe, Yuji Nagata & KUSHIDA vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Karl Anderson & Captain New Japan vs. Kazuchika Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura, Yujiro Takahashi & YOSHI-HASHI

NJPW, 4/27/12
Kitajima North Park Gymnasium

1. Wataru Inoue & Takaaki Watanabe vs. KUSHIDA & Tama Tonga
2. Strong Man & Prince Devitt vs. YOSHI-HASHI & Low Ki
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Captain New Japan vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Jado
4. Togi Makabe, Yuji Nagata & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
5. Tetsuya Naito & Karl Anderson vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Kazuchika Okada, Yujiro Takahashi, Rocky Romero & Gedo

NJPW, 4/28/12
Kochi Sunpia Chres

1. Wataru Inoue & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Ryusuke Taguchi & Tama Tonga
2. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Rocky Romero & Gedo
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Strong Man vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & YOSHI-HASHI
4. Tetsuya Naito & Prince Devitt vs. Low Ki & Jado
5. Togi Makabe, Yuji Nagata & KUSHIDA vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Karl Anderson & Captain New Japan vs. Kazuchika Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura, Yujiro Takahashi & Tomohiro Ishii

NJPW, 4/30/12
Kumamoto City Distribution & Information Hall

1. Wataru Inoue & Takaaki Watanabe vs. KUSHIDA & Tama Tonga
2. Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Low Ki & Jado
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka, Rocky Romero & Gedo
4. Togi Makabe, Yuji Nagata & Strong Man vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
5. Tetsuya Naito & Karl Anderson vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & YOSHI-HASHI
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Captain New Japan vs. Kazuchika Okada, Yujiro Takahashi & Tomohiro Ishii

NJPW, 5/1/12
Oita Event Hall

1. Wataru Inoue & Hiromu Takahashi vs. KUSHIDA & Tama Tonga
2. Prince Devitt, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Low Ki, Rocky Romero & Jado
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Captain New Japan vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Gedo
4. Togi Makabe, Yuji Nagata & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
5. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tetsuya Naito vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Tomohiro Ishii
6. Hirooki Goto, Karl Anderson & Strong Man vs. Kazuchika Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura & YOSHI-HASHI

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NJPW “NJPW 40TH ANNIVERSARY ~ WRESTLING DONTAKU 2012″, 5/3/12 (WPW/PPV)
Fukuoka International Center

1. Strong Man, Wataru Inoue, Captain New Japan & Tama Tonga vs. YOSHI-HASHI, Jado, Gedo & Tomohiro Ishii
2. Ryusuke Taguchi & KUSHIDA vs. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
3. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Davey Richards & Rocky Romero (c) vs. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask
4. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Prince Devitt (c) vs. Low Ki
5. IWGP Tag Team Title: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima (c) vs. Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka
6. Special Tag Match: Togi Makabe & Yuji Nagata vs. Minoru Suzuki & Yoshihiro Takayama
7. Special Singles Match: Karl Anderson vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
8. Special Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tetsuya Naito vs. Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Hirooki Goto

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–> NJPW 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR ~ NEW JAPAN LIVE 2012 <--

NJPW, 5/4/12
Hiroshima Industrial Hall West Exhibition Pavilion

1. Hiromu Takahashi vs. Takaaki Watanabe
2. Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi & KUSHIDA vs. Davey Richards, Rocky Romero, Jado & Gedo
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Captain New Japan vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii
4. Togi Makabe, Strong Man & Wataru Inoue vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
5. Karl Anderson & Tama Tonga vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & YOSHI-HASHI
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Tetsuya Naito vs. Kazuchika Okada, Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi

NJPW, 5/5/12
Takamatsu City Gymnasium

1. Hiromu Takahashi vs. Takaaki Watanabe
2. Strong Man, Wataru Inoue, Captain New Japan & Tama Tonga vs. YOSHI-HASHI, Jado, Gedo & Tomohiro Ishii
3. Togi Makabe, Ryusuke Taguchi & KUSHIDA vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
4. Special Elimination Match I: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka, Davey Richards & Rocky Romero
5. Special Elimination Match II: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Tetsuya Naito & Karl Anderson vs. Kazuchika Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura, Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi

NJPW, 5/6/12
Okayama Orange Hall

1. Wataru Inoue & Tama Tonga vs. Hiromu Takahashi & Takaaki Watanabe
2. Captain New Japan vs. Yujiro Takahashi
3. Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi & KUSHIDA vs. Davey Richards, Rocky Romero, Jado & Gedo
4. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Strong Man vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii
5. Togi Makabe & Yuji Nagata vs. Minoru Suzuki & Taichi
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Tetsuya Naito & Karl Anderson vs. Kazuchika Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura, Masato Tanaka & YOSHI-HASHI

NJPW “THE NEW BEGINNING”, 2/12/12 (WPW/PPV)
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
6,200 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

1. Yujiro Takahashi & YOSHI-HASHI beat Tomoaki Honma & King Fale (7:51) when Takahashi used the RCT on Fale.
2. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii beat Jushin Thunder Liger, Captain New Japan & Tama Tonga (8:35) when Yano used the Oni Koroshi on Tonga.
3. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Davey Richards & Rocky Romero beat Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi (c) (15:10) when Richards used a powerbomb on Taguchi to become the 31st champions.
4. Elimination Match: Minoru Suzuki, Yoshihiro Takayama, Lance Archer, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi beat Togi Makabe, Yuji Nagata, Wataru Inoue, Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA (23:08). Archer used the Blackout on KUSHIDA (7:14). Archer used the Texas Tornado on Tiger (7:56). Archer threw Inoue over the top rope (10:32). Makabe threw TAKA over the top rope (11:11). Suzuki threw Nagata over the top rope (19:43). Suzuki used a Gotch-style piledriver on Nagata (23:08).
5. IWGP Tag Team Title: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima (c) beat Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson (17:47) when Kojima used a lariat on Bernard (1st defense).
6. IWGP Intercontinental Title: Hirooki Goto beat Masato Tanaka (c) (13:26) with the Shouten Kai to become the 3rd champion.
7. Special Singles Match: Tetsuya Naito beat Shinsuke Nakamura (17:38) with a Stardust press.
8. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Kazuchika Okada beat Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) (23:22) with the Rainmaker to become the 57th champion.

* The foundations of the Japanese pro wrestling industry have been shaken to the core after 24-year-old Kazuchika Okada ended the epic IWGP Heavyweight Title reign of Hiroshi Tanahashi today at a sold out Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. The scenario has been repeated a hundred times – young upstart returns from abroad to challenge the ace, fights bravely, before falling. But he didn’t fall! In a stunning outcome, Okada downed Tanahashi with his Rainmaker to end a 1 year, 1 month record-breaking reign and in doing so stunned New Japan fans worldwide. Few realized the show title “THE NEW BEGINNING” could be so literal and this wasn’t the only result that surprised people as Okada’s next challenger also pulled off a huge win…

* Tetsuya Naito, so often on the losing end in his feud with Shinsuke Nakamura, finally showed the results of his growth as a pro wrestler by beating the CHAOS leader today with his Stardust press. After defeating Nakamura and after Okada’s title win, Naito headed to the ring and challenged the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion to a match on New Japan’s 40th anniversary Korakuen Hall show on March 4th. And so on the day when the two men who brought New Japan out of the dark, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura, were beaten by two fast rising stars, a whole new generation announced its arrival in the biggest way possible.

* A man who has also been in Tanahashi and Nakamura’s shadow for so long, Hirooki Goto, also took a step forward on a tumultuous day by defeating Masato Tanaka to become the IWGP Intercontinental Champion. This long and competitive feud continued with Goto scoring a major victory for his career as it gives him the first heavyweight title of his career. Yujiro challenged him to a title match afterwards.

* On a day dominated by young generations, the revived and rejuvenated legendary tag team TenKoji also starred by making a successful V1 defense of their IWGP Tag Team Title against the team whose record-breaking reign they ended at the Tokyo Dome, Bad Intentions. Kojima sunk Bernard with his lariat to ensure he and Tenzan held on to the prestigious belts.

* Three of four titles changed hands today and the first saw the “No Remorse Corps” Davey Richards & Rocky Romero win back the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title from “Apollo 55″ Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi in the champions’ first defense since beating the gaijin tandem to regain them at the Tokyo Dome. This see-saw feud continued and may yet see more matches, but today’s came to a climax when Richards powerbombed Taguchi to make No Remorse the 31st champions.

New Japan has announced lineups for the upcoming joint New Japan/CMLL double header, the entire February tour, the latest edition of NEVER, and finally the big Osaka show in February where all roads lead. As expected it will be Kazuchika Okada who faces Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Title in Tana’s V12 defense in this record-breaking reign. Some very big news is that Okada does after all appear to have joined CHAOS after he appeared at the press conference with Gedo and is teaming up with CHAOS for the entire February tour. This, plus the addition of Okada’s Tokyo Dome opponent YOSHI-HASHI, means New Japan’s heel faction is heavily strengthened.

The Osaka show will see three rematches, two from the Dome and one from last year, with Hirooki Goto challenging Masato Tanaka for the IWGP Intercontinental Title as he looks to follow up on his big win over Takashi Sugiura. “No Remorse Corps” Davey Richards & Rocky Romero continue their long-running feud with “Apollo 55″ Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi as they are granted an immediate rematch for the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title, and finally “Bad Intentions” Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson are also given a quick rematch against new IWGP Tag Team Champions, “TenKoji” Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima.

All in all, a very eventful start to the touring year and New Japan seems as loaded with talent and diversity as it has in many year, especially with Minoru Suzuki also appearing to stick around after his Tokyo Dome loss to Tanahashi. Also of note, Hideo Saito seems to have transformed permanently into Captain New Japan!

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NJPW/CMLL “NJPW PRESENTS CMLL FANTASTICA MANIA 2012″, 1/21/12 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Danshoku Dino & Maximo vs. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
2. Tama Tonga & King Fale vs. YOSHI-HASHI & OKUMURA
3. Prince Devitt, Ryusuke Taguchi & Tiger Mask vs. Jado, Gedo & Misterioso Jr.
4. Hirooki Goto & KUSHIDA vs. Rush & Mascara Dorada
5. Tetsuya Naito, Jushin Thunder Liger & Diamante vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Yujiro Takahashi & Mephisto
6. Special Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & La Sombra vs. Kazuchika Okada & Volador Jr.

NJPW/CMLL “NJPW PRESENTS CMLL FANTASTICA MANIA 2012″, 1/22/12 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Prince Devitt, Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask & Tama Tonga vs. YOSHI-HASHI, Jado, Gedo & OKUMURA
2. Jushin Thunder Liger & Maximo vs. Misterioso Jr. & Taichi
3. CMLL World Welterweight Title: Mascara Dorada (c) vs. KUSHIDA
4. Special Singles Match: Hirooki Goto vs. Rush
5. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tetsuya Naito & Diamante vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazuchika Okada & Mephisto
6. NWA World Historic Welterweight Title: La Sombra (c) vs. Volador Jr.

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NJPW, 1/25/12
Shirakawa Central Gymnasium

1. King Fale vs. Takaaki Watanabe
2. Hiromu Takahashi vs. TAKA Michinoku
3. Tiger Mask, KUSHIDA & Captain New Japan vs. Takashi Iizuka, Jado & Gedo
4. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & Prince Devitt
5. Yuji Nagata, Tetsuya Naito & Tama Tonga vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii
6. Togi Makabe & Wataru Inoue vs. Minoru Suzuki & Taichi
7. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Tomoaki Honma & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Kazuchika Okada, Yujiro Takahashi, YOSHI-HASHI & Rocky Romero

NJPW, 1/26/12
New Sunpia Tochigi

1. King Fale vs. Takaaki Watanabe
2. Hiromu Takahashi vs. Gedo
3. Prince Devitt, Ryusuke Taguchi & Captain New Japan vs. Takashi Iizuka, Rocky Romero & Jado
4. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & Tiger Mask
5. Togi Makabe, Wataru Inoue & KUSHIDA vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
6. Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Tomohiro Ishii
7. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Yuji Nagata, Hirooki Goto & Tama Tonga vs. Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano, Yujiro Takahashi & YOSHI-HASHI

NJPW, 1/29/12 (J SPORTS)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Hiromu Takahashi & Takaaki Watanabe vs. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
2. Prince Devitt, Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask & Captain New Japan vs. Takashi Iizuka, Rocky Romero, Jado & Gedo
3. Tomoaki Honma, Tama Tonga & King Fale vs. Masato Tanaka , YOSHI-HASHI & Tomohiro Ishii
4. Special Singles Match: Yuji Nagata vs. Toru Yano
5. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & KUSHIDA
6. Special Tag Match: Togi Makabe & Wataru Inoue vs. Minoru Suzuki & Yoshihiro Takayama
7. Special Singles Match: Hirooki Goto vs. Yujiro Takahashi
8. Special Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tetsuya Naito vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Kazuchika Okada

NJPW, 1/30/12
Chiba Port Arena Sub Arena

1. Prince Devitt, Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA vs. YOSHI-HASHI, Rocky Romero, Jado & Gedo
2. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & Tama Tonga
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazuchika Okada, Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi

NJPW, 2/3/12
Nagano Sports Park Gymnasium

1. Prince Devitt, Ryusuke Taguchi & Captain New Japan vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Rocky Romero
2. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata vs. Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & Tama Tonga
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA vs. Kazuchika Okada, Yujiro Takahashi, Jado & Gedo

NJPW, 2/4/12
Wing Hat Kasukabe

1. Wataru Inoue, Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Rocky Romero, Jado & Gedo
2. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata vs. Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & King Fale
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tetsuya Naito & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii

NJPW, 2/5/12
Gifu Industrial Hall

1. Prince Devitt, Ryusuke Taguchi & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Rocky Romero, Jado & Gedo
2. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Tiger Mask vs. Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & KUSHIDA
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazuchika Okada, Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi

NJPW, 2/6/12
Takaoka Techno Dome

1. Prince Devitt, Ryusuke Taguchi & Tiger Mask vs. Rocky Romero, Jado & Gedo
2. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & KUSHIDA
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazuchika Okada, Masato Tanaka & YOSHI-HASHI

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NJPW “NEVER.8 ~GO TO THE NEXT LEVEL~”, 2/10/12
Osaka World Hall

1. KUSHIDA vs. Shoichi Uchida
2. Takaaki Watanabe vs. YOSHI-HASHI
3. Captain New Japan vs. Gedo
4. Hiromu Takahashi vs. Toru Yano
5. Karl Anderson vs. Tama Tonga
6. Yuji Nagata vs. King Fale
7. Tomoaki Honma vs. Yujiro Takahashi

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NJPW “THE NEW BEGINNING”, 2/12/12 (WPW/PPV)
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium

1. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi (c) vs. Davey Richards & Rocky Romero
2. IWGP Intercontinental Title: Masato Tanaka (c) vs. Hirooki Goto
3. IWGP Tag Team Title: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima (c) vs. Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson
4. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada

NJPW “NJPW 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR ~ WRESTLE KINGDOM VI IN TOKYO DOME”, 1/4/12 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Dome
43,000 Fans

0. Captain New Japan & Tama Tonga beat Tomoaki Honma & Kyosuke Mikami (8:47) when Tonga used the Headshrinker on Mikami.
1. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi beat Davey Richards & Rocky Romero (c) (12:44) when Taguchi used a front cradle on Richards to become the 30th champions.
2. AERIAL KINGDOM feat. CMLL SUPER ESTRELLAS: Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask, KUSHIDA & Mascara Dorada beat Atlantis, Valiente, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi (10:18) when Liger used a brainbuster on Valiente.
3. NEW JAPAN RESPIRATION – Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI Return Match: Kazuchika Okada beat YOSHI-HASHI (Nobuo Yoshihashi) (4:37) with the Rainmaker.
4. BLUE JUSTICE NEVER DIE: Masakatsu Funaki & Masayuki Kono beat Yuji Nagata & Wataru Inoue (6:34) when Funaki used a left kick on Inoue.
5. TOKYO MONSTER WAR: MVP & Shelton Benjamin beat Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi (9:41) when MVP used the Irreversible Crisis on Takahashi.
6. IWGP Tag Team Title: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima beat Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson (c) (12:40) when Tenzan used a moonsault press on Bernard to become the 58th champions.
7. NJPW vs. NOAH BATTLE CONCENTRATION I: Hirooki Goto beat Takashi Sugiura (12:35) with the Shouten Kai.
8. FIGHTING WITHOUT HONOR OR HUMANITY: Togi Makabe beat Yoshihiro Takayama (9:15) with a King Kong kneedrop.
9. NJPW vs. NOAH BATTLE CONCENTRATION II: Go Shiozaki & Naomichi Marufuji beat Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano (15:10) when Shiozaki used the Go Flasher on Yano.
10. GENIUS FACES GENIUS: Keiji Muto beat Tetsuya Naito (22:35) with a moonsault press.
11. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) beat Minoru Suzuki (25:59) with the High Fly Flow (11th defense).

* New Japan’s biggest announced Tokyo Dome attendance since 2006 (also 43,000) witnessed a spectacular show as the leader of the Japanese professional wrestling industry began its 40th anniversary year in style with the biggest event of the Japanese calendar. This was also the tenth 1/4 Tokyo Dome show that I’ve covered since launching this site in 2001 (but I did cover others on the old RSPW newsgroup before then!).

* Hiroshi Tanahashi, the iconic figure of the modern era in Japan, smashed Yuji Nagata’s IWGP Heavyweight Title defense record and became the most successful IWGP Heavyweight Champion of all time with the joint-most reigns and of course this defense record. Minoru Suzuki presented a difficult challenge in a 26 minute main event that could have gone either way before Tana landed his High Fly Flow to ensure a year to the day after winning back the belt, he begins 2012 with a firm grip on it. Tanahashi now has 11 successful defenses but there are still wrestlers lining up to face him. And one of them, Kazuchika Okada, stormed into the ring after the match and challenged Tanahashi to a title shot next (more below on Okada).

* Professional wrestling’s ultimate genius Keiji Muto returned home to New Japan to take on one of the emerging young stars of the company Tetsuya Naito. Naito has won comparisons to Muto with his excellent athletic ability and charisma and for a wrestler such as this (and Tanahashi in the past) facing the Wrestling Master has become something of a tradition. Naito starred in this Tokyo Dome semi main event opposite Muto (who entered to his memorable old New Japan theme TRIUMPH) in a 22 1/2 minute battle that saw him ultimately succumb to a moonsault press but only after a great battle and as any long-term New Japan fan knows a competitive loss to Muto (or the late, great Hashimoto) is as good as a win for a young wrestler. Naito refused to shake hands with Muto after the match but 2012 promises to be a big year for him.

* New Japan and NOAH locked horns once more on January 4th with two matches, including a tag match that saw a big confrontation between Nakamura (teaming with Yano) and Shiozaki (teaming with Marufuji). These two have history and with Shiozaki now the GHC Heavyweight Champion many eyes were on this bout. In the end Shiozaki pinned Yano but there were sparks between Nakamura and Marufuji after the match but Nakamura dismissed him backstage saying he hoped Marufuji enjoyed fighting him today as he won’t entertain the thought of fighting this mere junior again in singles or tag matches.

* Togi Makabe took on his former tag partner and now bitter rival Yoshihiro Takayama in a fierce match to settle their grudge. The two wasted very little time, getting straight to the heavy strikes and slams. Makabe won a complete victory over the once dominant force of Japanese pro wrestling to show just how far he has come in recent years, pinning Takayama following a King Kong kneedrop.

* The other New Japan vs. NOAH match saw another old rivalry renewed as the most successful GHC Heavyweight Champion in NOAH history Takashi Sugiura went to war with New Japan’s Hirooki Goto (who made a Kabuki style entrance in costume). Goto had another up-and-down 2011, still lacking the consistency needed to stay at the very top so this was very important as in the past he couldn’t beat Sugiura so had to change that at the Tokyo Dome in order to progress. And that he did, overcoming the powerful Sugiura with his Shouten Kai for the huge win and possibly just what he needs to make 2012 a great year. No doubt his ultimate target is the elusive IWGP Heavyweight Title but Goto suggested backstage that his main priority now are CHAOS’ Masato Tanaka and Yujiro Takahashi, and specifically Tanaka’s IWGP Intercontinental Title as of course Tanaka recently beat Goto in a defense.

* The most successful IWGP Tag Team Title holders of all time finally relinquished their grip on the belts today but it took a very special tag team to end a reign that began in 2010 and ended in 2012 for Bad Intentions. New Japan’s beloved TenKoji – Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima – back together, began their latest adventure with an emotional win over Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson. It took a lot to keep Bernard down but a moonsault from Tenzan finally did and TenKoji began their third reign as champions and first since their memorable run in 2000/2001. The two gave a great microphone performance after the match and in 2012 one of the most popular tag teams in Japanese history are back! Of course Bad Intentions still hold NOAH’s GHC Tag Team Title but have a difficult defense coming up against Jun Akiyama & Akitoshi Saito – history has shown double champions often lose both titles in quick succession, can they avoid that?

* MVP attempted to reverse the bad fortune put on him by CHAOS by bringing Shelton Benjamin to New Japan today as the two battled Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi. Tanaka has had MVP’s number lately, often thanks to outside interference, and after winning the IWGP Intercontinental Title from the former WWE superstar in October, again beat him in a defense last month. But with the help of Shelton today, MVP got one back on Tanaka and made Yujiro tap out to the Irreversible Crisis.

* Masakatsu Funaki made a long overdue return to the place it all started for this fighting icon, New Japan, teaming with former NEW JAPAN FACTORY (New Japan’s MMA branch) member Masayuki Kono against Yuji Nagata & Wataru Inoue. Fans enjoyed seeing Nagata vs. Funaki but after Funaki downed Wataru in 6 1/2 minutes, there was a definite feeling that a great rivalry between Nagata and Funaki had begun with the hope that they will meet again.

* Two of New Japan’s brightest young stars returned at once as Kazuchika Okada’s long stay in the USA and Nobuo Yoshihashi aka YOSHI-HASHI’s long stay in Mexico came to an end. Both made impressive entrances with elaborate new looks and YOSHI-HASHI made a sneak attack on Okada before the bell to try and seize the chance to beat the much larger man. But after some back and forth Okada won a complete victory over CHAOS’ newest member with his Rainmaker finisher, looking strong and dominant, which led to his challenge issued to Tanahashi later in the show.

* Jushin Thunder Liger made a triumphant return home to New Japan after a very long stay in Mexico’s CMLL and brought with him a colorful cast of CMLL stars in preparation for the upcoming “NJPW PRESENTS CMLL FANTASTICA MANIA 2012″ double header at Korakuen Hall. Liger led Tiger Mask, KUSHIDA & Mascara Dorada to victory over Atlantis, Valiente, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi in this entertaining match, the living legend dropping Valiente with a brainbuster for the win.

* The main show kicked off with an IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title match as Davey Richards & Rocky Romero made their V2 defense of the belts against previous champions Devitt & Taguchi (in crazy costume, see the top left picture in the collage above!). A lively opener ended when Taguchi cradled Richards, meaning the belts are once again in the hands of Apollo 55 who now begin their fourth reign having largely dominated this title since 2009 now. Devitt, the ultimate ace of New Japan’s junior division, is again a double champion as he also holds the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title. The only problem for New Japan is finding challengers for Devitt & Taguchi as they have beaten just about everyone in their last few reigns.

Hiroshi Tanahashi makes his V9 defense of the IWGP Heavyweight Title at “POWER STRUGGLE” next month against the man who stole it from him yesterday, CHAOS’ Toru Yano. Tanahashi had accepted a challenge from IWGP Heavyweight Title defense record holder Yuji Nagata before Yano attacked Tana and ran off with his belt, in doing so luring the ace of New Japan into agreeing to a title match against the super-heel. The show name is fitting as four title matches have been announced and all have a theme of New Japan army vs. rival faction. In addition to Tanahashi vs. Yano, CHAOS’ Masato Tanaka makes his V1 defense of the IWGP Intercontinental Title against old rival Hirooki Goto who he had a lengthy series of matches with not so long ago.

Prince Devitt makes his V2 defense of the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title against TAKA Michinoku, who challenged Devitt unsuccessfully in February during the Irishman’s previous reign. And new IWGP Jr. Tag Team Champions, Davey Richards & Rocky Romero, make their V1 defense against Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA. KUSHIDA has yet to hold a title in New Japan while Tiger Mask, once the dominant ace of the division, hasn’t held any IWGP gold since losing the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title at the beginning of 2010. TenKoji collide again as old friends and rivals Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima have another singles battle, going into this match 1-1 after recent matches.

Also announced today were full G1 Tag League cards. New Japan also runs a charity show on the 15th at the Miyako Fish Market for victims of the earthquake earlier this year. This will be free admission and will have just a few matches.

NJPW “NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING IN MIYAKO FISH MARKET ~ EAST JAPAN EARTHQUAKE CHARITY”, 10/15/11
Miyako Fish Market

1. Tetsuya Naito vs. King Fale
2. Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano, Jado & Gedo

NJPW “NEW JAPAN LIVE IN YAMAGATA”, 10/16/11
Yamagata Sports Center #2

1. Hiromu Takahashi vs. TAKA Michinoku
2. Yuji Nagata & Kyosuke Mikami vs. Takashi Iizuka & Hideo Saito
3. Tetsuya Naito, Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA vs. Yujiro Takahashi, Jado & Gedo
4. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & King Fale vs. Satoshi Kojima & Tama Tonga
5. Togi Makabe, Wataru Inoue & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer & Taichi
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii

NJPW, 10/22/11 (J SPORTS)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Ryusuke Taguchi & Takaaki Watanabe vs. Kyosuke Mikami & Hiromu Takahashi
2. Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA vs. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
3. G1 Tag League – Block B: Takashi Iizuka & Hideo Saito vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Don Fujii
4. G1 Tag League – Block A: Yuji Nagata & King Fale vs. Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi
5. G1 Tag League – Block A: Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma vs. Strong Man & Tama Tonga
6. G1 Tag League – Block A: Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson vs. Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer
7. G1 Tag League – Block B: Togi Makabe & Satoshi Kojima vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Wataru Inoue
8. G1 Tag League – Block B: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano

NJPW, 10/23/11 (J SPORTS)
Kuki City Gymnasium

1. Ryusuke Taguchi & Takaaki Watanabe vs. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
2. Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA vs. Kyosuke Mikami & Hiromu Takahashi
3. G1 Tag League – Block A: Yuji Nagata & King Fale vs. Strong Man & Tama Tonga
4. G1 Tag League – Block A: Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer
5. Tetsuya Naito, Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii & Jado
6. G1 Tag League – Block B: Togi Makabe & Satoshi Kojima vs. Takashi Iizuka & Hideo Saito
7. G1 Tag League – Block B: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Wataru Inoue

NJPW, 10/24/11
New Sunpia Tochigi

1. Takaaki Watanabe vs. TAKA Michinoku
2. Yuji Nagata, King Fale & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Strong Man, Tama Tonga & Kyosuke Mikami
3. G1 Tag League – Block B: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Wataru Inoue vs. Takashi Iizuka & Hideo Saito
4. G1 Tag League – Block B: Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Don Fujii
5. Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer & Taichi
6. G1 Tag League – Block A: Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma vs. Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson
7. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA vs. Masato Tanaka , Yujiro Takahashi, Jado & Gedo

NJPW, 10/26/11
Chiba Port Arena Sub Arena

1. Kyosuke Mikami vs. Hiromu Takahashi
2. G1 Tag League – Block A: Strong Man & Tama Tonga vs. Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi
3. G1 Tag League – Block B: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Wataru Inoue vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Don Fujii
4. G1 Tag League – Block A: Yuji Nagata & King Fale vs. Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma
5. Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano & Jado
6. Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima, Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA vs. Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
7. G1 Tag League – Block B: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto vs. Takashi Iizuka & Hideo Saito

NJPW, 10/30/11 (J SPORTS)
Nishio City Gymnasium

1. Ryusuke Taguchi & Takaaki Watanabe vs. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
2. Tetsuya Naito, Tomoaki Honma & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Strong Man, Tama Tonga & Kyosuke Mikami
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Wataru Inoue, Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA vs. Takashi Iizuka, Hideo Saito, Jado & Gedo
4. G1 Tag League – Block A: Yuji Nagata & King Fale vs. Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer
5. G1 Tag League – Block A: Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson vs. Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi
6. G1 Tag League – Block B: Togi Makabe & Satoshi Kojima vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano
7. G1 Tag League – Block B: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Don Fujii

NJPW, 11/3/11 (J SPORTS)
New Sunpia Gunma

1. Ryusuke Taguchi & Hiromu Takahashi vs. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
2. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Wataru Inoue & Takaaki Watanabe vs. Yuji Nagata, King Fale & Kyosuke Mikami
3. G1 Tag League – Block A: Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson vs. Strong Man & Tama Tonga
4. G1 Tag League – Block B: Togi Makabe & Satoshi Kojima vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Don Fujii
5. G1 Tag League – Block B: Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano vs. Takashi Iizuka & Hideo Saito
6. G1 Tag League – Block A: Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma vs. Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer
7. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA vs. Masato Tanaka , Yujiro Takahashi, Jado & Gedo

NJPW, 11/4/11 (J SPORTS)
Tokyo Differ Ariake

1. Takaaki Watanabe vs. Hideo Saito
2. Kyosuke Mikami & Hiromu Takahashi vs. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
3. Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi & KUSHIDA vs. Takashi Iizuka, Jado & Tomohiro Ishii
4. G1 Tag League – Block A: Strong Man & Tama Tonga vs. Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer
5. G1 Tag League – Block A: Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma vs. Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi
6. G1 Tag League – Block A: Yuji Nagata & King Fale vs. Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson
7. G1 Tag League – Block B: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Wataru Inoue vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano
8. G1 Tag League – Block B: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto vs. Togi Makabe & Satoshi Kojima

NJPW, 11/6/11 (J SPORTS)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. G1 Tag League – Semi Final: Block A 1st place vs. Block B 2nd place
2. G1 Tag League – Semi Final: Block B 1st place vs. Block A 2nd place
3. G1 Tag League – Final:

NJPW “POWER STRUGGLE”, 11/12/11 (WPW/PPV)
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium

1. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Davey Richards & Rocky Romero (c) vs. Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA
2. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Prince Devitt vs. TAKA Michinoku
3. Special Singles Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Satoshi Kojima
4. IWGP Intercontinental Title: Masato Tanaka (c) vs. Hirooki Goto
5. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Toru Yano

NJPW “DESTRUCTION ’11″, 10/10/11 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
6,500 Fans

0. Kyosuke Mikami & Hiromu Takahashi beat King Fale & Takaaki Watanabe (8:47) when Mikami used a crab hold on Watanabe.
1. Schwarz, Weiss, Tiger Mask, KUSHIDA & Killer Rabbit beat Takashi Iizuka, Jado, Gedo, Tomohiro Ishii & Hideo Saito (7:53) when KUSHIDA used the 9469 on Gedo.
2. Yujiro Takahashi beat Tomoaki Honma (8:22) with the Tokyo Pimps.
3. Lance Archer beat Wataru Inoue (7:39) with the Dark Days.
4. Special Tag Match: Hirooki Goto & Tama Tonga beat Shinsuke Nakamura & Ultimo Guerrero (11:03) when Goto used the Shouten Kai on Guerrero.
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Davey Richards & Rocky Romero beat Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi (c) (13:29) when Richards used the Contract Killer on Devitt to become the 29th champions.
6. Satoshi Kojima Return Match: Satoshi Kojima beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan (10:08) with a lariat.
7. Special Singles Match: Yuji Nagata beat Toru Yano (12:08) with a reverse Nagata Lock III.
8. IWGP Intercontinental Title: Masato Tanaka beat MVP (c) (12:30) with the Sliding D to become the 2nd champion.
9. Special Singles Match: Minoru Suzuki beat Togi Makabe (13:15) with a Gotch-style piledriver.
10. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) beat Tetsuya Naito (29:19) with the High Fly Flow (8th defense).

* Tanahashi edges ever closer to Nagata’s defense record of ten by defeating G1 Climax runner-up Tetsuya Naito in a scintillating half hour main event at Sumo Hall. Naito continued to show he is now a threat to the upper echelon of New Japan but not quite there yet, pushing Tanahashi before succumbing to the High Fly Flow. Nagata himself appeared after the match and issued a challenge that Tanahashi seemed to accept before Yano appeared and hit Tana with a chair before running off with his belt.
* Minoru Suzuki downs Makabe with his patented Gotch-style piledriver and moves into contention for Tana’s IWGP Heavyweight Title. Suzuki’s sworn friend Yoshihiro Takayama showed up after the match and delivered an Everest German suplex to Makabe.
* Former ECW World Heavyweight Champion, Masato Tanaka, adds another international themed belt to his collection by defeating founding IWGP Intercontinental Champion, MVP, to become just the second holder of the recently established title in its history. Tanaka’s long-time rival Hirooki Goto issued a challenge after the match.
* Satoshi Kojima makes his formal return to New Japan as an affiliated wrestler for the first time in nearly a decade and avenges his G1 Climax loss to sworn friend and former tag partner Hiroyoshi Tenzan.
* Apollo 55′s record-breaking third reign as IWGP Jr. Tag Team Champions that lasted close to ten months finally comes to an end as gaijin tandem Davey Richards & Rocky Romero, who failed to lift the belts from Devitt & Taguchi back in May, become the 29th champions. Their win as well as Tanaka’s mean that CHAOS now have two IWGP belts in their custody after a recent title drought for the group. Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA challenged the new champions after the match while TAKA Michinoku wants a shot at Devitt’s IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title.

Tetsuya Naito’s massive year continues at Sumo Hall on October 10th when he challenges Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Title and attempts to break into the upper tier of New Japan. Naito reached the G1 Climax final and lost narrowly to the man Tanahashi beat yesterday, Shinsuke Nakamura, so will have to go to a new level in order to defeat the ace of New Japan. Ten matches were announced for the October super-show today with this match topping it.

Underneath, Makabe faces Suzuki while MVP finally defends his IWGP Intercontinental Title against someone other than Yano as he faces a man with much international experience, former ECW World Heavyweight Champion, Masato Tanaka. Nagata vs. Yano is set as expected, while Apollo 55 make their V8 defense of the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title against Davey Richards & Rocky Romero. They already beat this team in their V4 defense but aren’t afraid to beat the same team twice as they did TAKA & Taichi (V2 and V7).

Satoshi Kojima makes his official return as a New Japan wrestler, his first match as a fully affiliated member of the roster since 1/24/02 when he faces eternal friend Hiroyoshi Tenzan in a rematch from the G1 Climax. CMLL superstar Ultimo Guerrero also makes a special appearance as he teams with CHAOS leader Nakamura against Goto & Tama Tonga in a special tag match.

The opening match features “Schwarz” and “Weiss” who seem to be based on anime characters as President Sugabayashi mentioned that they are “special athletes” who are appearing as part of a tie-up with Bushiroad.

NJPW “DESTRUCTION ’11″, 10/10/11 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan

1. Schwarz, Weiss, Tiger Mask, KUSHIDA & Killer Rabbit vs. Takashi Iizuka, Jado, Gedo, Tomohiro Ishii & Hideo Saito
2. Tomoaki Honma vs. Yujiro Takahashi
3. Wataru Inoue vs. Lance Archer
4. Special Tag Match: Hirooki Goto & Tama Tonga vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Ultimo Guerrero
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi (c) vs. Davey Richards & Rocky Romero
6. Satoshi Kojima Return Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Satoshi Kojima
7. Special Singles Match: Yuji Nagata vs. Toru Yano
8. IWGP Intercontinental Title: MVP (c) vs. Masato Tanaka
9. Special Singles Match: Togi Makabe vs. Minoru Suzuki
10. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito

NJPW “NEW JAPAN LIVE IN UONUMA”, 10/8/11
Koide Village Gymnasium

1. Hiromu Takahashi vs. Takaaki Watanabe
2. Prince Devitt, Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA vs. Rocky Romero, Jado, Gedo & Tomohiro Ishii
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Kyosuke Mikami vs. Takashi Iizuka & Hideo Saito
4. Togi Makabe & Wataru Inoue vs. Minoru Suzuki & Taichi
5. Yuji Nagata, King Fale & Tama Tonga vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano & Yujiro Takahashi
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto vs. Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma

NJPW “HIROYOSHI TENZAN 20TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW”, 10/3/11 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Kyosuke Mikami, Hiromu Takahashi & Takaaki Watanabe vs. Rocky Romero, Jado & Gedo
2. Taichi vs. Hideo Saito
3. Tomoaki Honma, Tama Tonga & King Fale vs. Takashi Iizuka, Yujiro Takahashi & Tomohiro Ishii
4. Togi Makabe & Wataru Inoue vs. Minoru Suzuki & TAKA Michinoku
5. Yuji Nagata & Hirooki Goto vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA vs. Tetsuya Naito, Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi
7. Hiroyoshi Tenzan 20th Anniversary Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Masahiro Chono & Hiro Saito vs. Osamu Nishimura, Koji Kanemoto & Shinjiro Otani

Lineups for all but four of the shows making up “G1 CLIMAX SPECIAL 2011” have been announced with all roads leading to Kobe World Hall on 9/19. On 9/11 at Korakuen, “Apollo 55″ Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi make their V7 defense of the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title against the team they beat in their second defense back in March, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi. Four singles matches have been added to the 9/19 Kobe big show, including chapter three of Tetsuya Naito vs. Yujiro Takahashi, with the G1 Climax runner-up looking to get revenge over his former tag partner, who is now 2-0 up in singles matches since the team split. Tanahashi is missing for much of the tour as he will be in Mexico working for CMLL but the IWGP Heavyweight Champion will of course be back for his title defense against Nakamura.

Also announced today was the card for NEVER.7, which has a theme of young but established stars against less established young men, headlined by Naito vs. KUSHIDA.

NJPW, 9/3/11
Yokkaichi Australia Memorial Hall

1. Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Hiromu Takahashi
2. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tama Tonga vs. Tiger Mask & Tomoaki Honma
3. Yuji Nagata & King Fale vs. Toru Yano & Hideo Saito
4. Togi Makabe & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii
5. Wataru Inoue & Prince Devitt vs. Minoru Suzuki & Taichi
6. Hirooki Goto, Tetsuya Naito & KUSHIDA vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Yujiro Takahashi & Gedo

NJPW, 9/4/11
Twin Messe Shizuoka

1. Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Takaaki Watanabe
2. Prince Devitt & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA
3. Tama Tonga vs. Hideo Saito
4. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Yuji Nagata & Tomoaki Honma vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Gedo
5. Wataru Inoue & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Minoru Suzuki & Taichi
6. Togi Makabe, Hirooki Goto & Tetsuya Naito vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Yujiro Takahashi & Tomohiro Ishii

NJPW, 9/7/11
Saku City Gymnasium

1. King Fale vs. Hiromu Takahashi
2. KUSHIDA vs. Kyosuke Mikami
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Yuji Nagata & Tomoaki Honma vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Hideo Saito
4. MVP & Tama Tonga vs. Masato Tanaka & Tomohiro Ishii
5. Togi Makabe, Wataru Inoue, Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
6. Hirooki Goto, Tetsuya Naito & Tiger Mask vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Yujiro Takahashi & Gedo

NJPW, 9/8/11
Toyama Techno Hall

1. Tama Tonga vs. Takaaki Watanabe
2. KUSHIDA vs. Hiromu Takahashi
3. Yuji Nagata & King Fale vs. Toru Yano & Hideo Saito
4. MVP, Tetsuya Naito & Tiger Mask vs. Masato Tanaka , Yujiro Takahashi & Gedo
5. Togi Makabe, Wataru Inoue, Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
6. Hirooki Goto, Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii

NJPW, 9/9/11
Chichibu Cultural Sports Center

1. Kyosuke Mikami vs. Takaaki Watanabe
2. Tama Tonga vs. King Fale
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Tiger Mask vs. Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii
4. MVP, Tetsuya Naito & KUSHIDA vs. Masato Tanaka , Yujiro Takahashi & Gedo
5. Togi Makabe, Wataru Inoue, Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
6. Hirooki Goto, Yuji Nagata & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano & Hideo Saito

NJPW, 9/10/11
Tokorozawa Citizen Gymnasium #2

1. King Fale vs. Takaaki Watanabe
2. Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA vs. Kyosuke Mikami & Hiromu Takahashi
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Yuji Nagata & Tomoaki Honma vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Hideo Saito
4. Tetsuya Naito & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Gedo
5. Togi Makabe, Wataru Inoue, Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
6. Hirooki Goto, MVP & Tama Tonga vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Masato Tanaka & Tomohiro Ishii

NJPW, 9/11/11 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Kyosuke Mikami vs. Takaaki Watanabe
2. Jushin Thunder Liger & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA
3. Tomoaki Honma & Tama Tonga vs. Toru Yano & Gedo
4. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Yuji Nagata & King Fale vs. Takashi Iizuka, Hideo Saito & Tomohiro Ishii
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi (c) vs. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
6. Special Tag Match: Togi Makabe & Wataru Inoue vs. Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer
7. Special 6 Man Tag Match: Hirooki Goto, MVP & Tetsuya Naito vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi

NJPW “KANTARO HOSHINO MEMORIAL SHOW”, 9/19/11 (WPW/PPV)
Kobe World Hall

1. Special Singles Match: Wataru Inoue vs. Minoru Suzuki
2. Special Singles Match: Togi Makabe vs. Lance Archer
3. Special Singles Match: Yuji Nagata vs. Hideo Saito
4. Special Singles Match: Tetsuya Naito vs. Yujiro Takahashi
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Kota Ibushi (c) vs. KUSHIDA
6. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

NJPW “NEVER.7 ~GO TO THE NEXT LEVEL~”, 9/21/11 (Samurai! TV)
Osaka World Hall

1. Go To the Next Level I: Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Takaaki Watanabe
2. Go To the Next Level II: Yujiro Takahashi vs. Kyosuke Mikami
3. Go To the Next Level III: Hideo Saito vs. King Fale
4. Go To the Next Level IV: Toru Yano vs. Hiromu Takahashi
5. Go To the Next Level V: Hirooki Goto vs. Tama Tonga
6. Go To the Next Level VI: Tetsuya Naito vs. KUSHIDA

Full cards and match order (besides 8/14) for the upcoming “G1 CLIMAX XXI ~THE INVINCIBLE FIGHTER~” have been announced. Two very notable additions for the opening and closing day shows.

On day one in Fukuoka, Kota Ibushi makes his V2 defense of the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title against Ryusuke Taguchi. Having taken the belt off Taguchi’s tag partner Devitt, then having defeated Devitt in his first defense, Ibushi must now overcome the other half of Apollo 55.

Then on the tour climax at Sumo Hall, the long-running Apollo 55 vs. Golden Lovers saga continues when Devitt & Taguchi make their V6 defense of the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title against Ibushi & Kenny Omega, the team they regained the belts from in January after previously losing them to the DDT tandem.

NJPW, 8/1/11 (WPW/PPV)
Fukuoka International Center

1. G1 Climax – Block B: Wataru Inoue vs. La Sombra
2. G1 Climax – Block A: Giant Bernard vs. Hideo Saito
3. G1 Climax – Block A: Toru Yano vs. Yoshihiro Takayama
4. G1 Climax – Block B: Hirooki Goto vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Kota Ibushi (c) vs. Ryusuke Taguchi
6. G1 Climax – Block A: Tetsuya Naito vs. Yujiro Takahashi
7. G1 Climax – Block A: Togi Makabe vs. Lance Archer
8. G1 Climax – Block B: Satoshi Kojima vs. Minoru Suzuki
9. G1 Climax – Block B: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. MVP
10. G1 Climax – Block A: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Yuji Nagata

NJPW, 8/2/11 (Samurai! TV)
Fukuoka International Center

1. G1 Climax – Block B: Karl Anderson vs. La Sombra
2. G1 Climax – Block A: Lance Archer vs. Hideo Saito
3. G1 Climax – Block B: Wataru Inoue vs. Strong Man
4. G1 Climax – Block A: Giant Bernard vs. Yujiro Takahashi
5. Hirooki Goto, Jushin Thunder Liger & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Jado, Gedo & Tomohiro Ishii
6. G1 Climax – Block A: Yuji Nagata vs. Tetsuya Naito
7. G1 Climax – Block B: MVP vs. Minoru Suzuki
8. G1 Climax – Block A: Togi Makabe vs. Toru Yano
9. G1 Climax – Block B: Satoshi Kojima vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
10. G1 Climax – Block A: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Yoshihiro Takayama

NJPW, 8/5/11 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. G1 Climax – Block B: Strong Man vs. La Sombra
2. G1 Climax – Block A: Yujiro Takahashi vs. Hideo Saito
3. G1 Climax – Block B: Wataru Inoue vs. MVP
4. G1 Climax – Block B: Karl Anderson vs. Minoru Suzuki
5. G1 Climax – Block A: Giant Bernard vs. Lance Archer
6. G1 Climax – Block A: Yuji Nagata vs. Toru Yano
7. G1 Climax – Block B: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
8. G1 Climax – Block A: Togi Makabe vs. Tetsuya Naito
9. G1 Climax – Block B: Hirooki Goto vs. Satoshi Kojima

NJPW, 8/6/11 (J SPORTS)
Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium

1. G1 Climax – Block B: Hirooki Goto vs. La Sombra
2. G1 Climax – Block B: Karl Anderson vs. Strong Man
3. G1 Climax – Block A: Yuji Nagata vs. Yujiro Takahashi
4. G1 Climax – Block B: Wataru Inoue vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
5. Satoshi Kojima & MVP vs. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
6. G1 Climax – Block A: Togi Makabe vs. Hideo Saito
7. G1 Climax – Block B: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Minoru Suzuki
8. G1 Climax – Block A: Tetsuya Naito vs. Toru Yano
9. G1 Climax – Block A: Giant Bernard vs. Yoshihiro Takayama
10. G1 Climax – Block A: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Lance Archer

NJPW, 8/7/11 (J SPORTS)
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium

1. G1 Climax – Block A: Hideo Saito vs. Yoshihiro Takayama
2. G1 Climax – Block A: Toru Yano vs. Yujiro Takahashi
3. G1 Climax – Block B: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Wataru Inoue
4. G1 Climax – Block B: La Sombra vs. Minoru Suzuki
5. Tetsuya Naito & Tomoaki Honma vs. Lance Archer & TAKA Michinoku
6. G1 Climax – Block B: Strong Man vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
7. G1 Climax – Block B: Hirooki Goto vs. Karl Anderson
8. G1 Climax – Block A: Yuji Nagata vs. Giant Bernard
9. G1 Climax – Block B: Satoshi Kojima vs. MVP
10. G1 Climax – Block A: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Togi Makabe

NJPW, 8/8/11 (J SPORTS)
Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium

1. G1 Climax – Block B: Wataru Inoue vs. Karl Anderson
2. G1 Climax – Block B: Satoshi Kojima vs. Strong Man
3. G1 Climax – Block A: Yujiro Takahashi vs. Yoshihiro Takayama
4. G1 Climax – Block A: Tetsuya Naito vs. Lance Archer
5. G1 Climax – Block B: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. MVP
6. G1 Climax – Block B: La Sombra vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
7. G1 Climax – Block A: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hideo Saito
8. G1 Climax – Block B: Hirooki Goto vs. Minoru Suzuki
9. G1 Climax – Block A: Togi Makabe vs. Yuji Nagata

NJPW, 8/10/11 (Samurai! TV)
Yoyogi National Stadium Gymnasium #2

1. G1 Climax – Block A: Yujiro Takahashi vs. Lance Archer
2. G1 Climax – Block A: Toru Yano vs. Hideo Saito
3. G1 Climax – Block B: Satoshi Kojima vs. La Sombra
4. G1 Climax – Block B: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Strong Man
5. G1 Climax – Block B: Wataru Inoue vs. Minoru Suzuki
6. G1 Climax – Block B: Karl Anderson vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
7. G1 Climax – Block B: Hirooki Goto vs. MVP
8. G1 Climax – Block A: Tetsuya Naito vs. Yoshihiro Takayama
9. G1 Climax – Block A: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Giant Bernard

NJPW, 8/11/11 (Samurai! TV)
Yoyogi National Stadium Gymnasium #2

1. G1 Climax – Block A: Tetsuya Naito vs. Hideo Saito
2. G1 Climax – Block B: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. La Sombra
3. G1 Climax – Block B: Hirooki Goto vs. Wataru Inoue
4. G1 Climax – Block A: Toru Yano vs. Lance Archer
5. G1 Climax – Block B: MVP vs. Strong Man
6. G1 Climax – Block B: Karl Anderson vs. Satoshi Kojima
7. G1 Climax – Block A: Togi Makabe vs. Giant Bernard
8. G1 Climax – Block A: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Yujiro Takahashi
9. G1 Climax – Block A: Yuji Nagata vs. Yoshihiro Takayama

NJPW, 8/13/11 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. G1 Climax – Block B: MVP vs. La Sombra
2. G1 Climax – Block B: Wataru Inoue vs. Satoshi Kojima
3. G1 Climax – Block B: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Karl Anderson
4. G1 Climax – Block A: Yuji Nagata vs. Lance Archer
5. G1 Climax – Block B: Strong Man vs. Minoru Suzuki
6. G1 Climax – Block A: Tetsuya Naito vs. Giant Bernard
7. G1 Climax – Block A: Togi Makabe vs. Yoshihiro Takayama
8. G1 Climax – Block B: Hirooki Goto vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
9. G1 Climax – Block A: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Toru Yano

NJPW, 8/14/11 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan

1. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi (c) vs. Kota Ibushi & Kenny Omega
2. G1 Climax – Block A: Lance Archer vs. Yoshihiro Takayama
3. G1 Climax – Block A: Giant Bernard vs. Toru Yano
4. G1 Climax – Block A: Yuji Nagata vs. Hideo Saito
5. G1 Climax – Block A: Togi Makabe vs. Yujiro Takahashi
6. G1 Climax – Block A: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tetsuya Naito
7. G1 Climax – Block B: Karl Anderson vs. MVP
8. G1 Climax – Block B: Hirooki Goto vs. Strong Man
9. G1 Climax – Block B: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Satoshi Kojima
10. G1 Climax – Block B: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Minoru Suzuki
11. G1 Climax – Final: Block A 1st place vs. Block B 1st place

DDT’s Kota Ibushi & Kenny Omega made a successful V2 defense of the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title on home soil against Jado & Gedo yesterday, Omega pinning Gedo for the big win.

DDT “NEVER MIND 2010″, 12/26/10
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

- IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Kota Ibushi & Kenny Omega (c) beat Jado & Gedo (21:24) when Omega used the Croyt’s Wrath on Gedo (2nd defense).

Apollo 55 want revenge and aimed to achieve it quickly! Devitt & Taguchi head into DDT on November 14th in an attempt to reclaim the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title from the Golden Lovers, who dethroned the popular New Japan team at Sumo Hall. This will be a rematch from the battle that some are calling the best bout of 2010 and takes place in Osaka.

DDT, 11/14/10
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium #2

- IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Kota Ibushi & Kenny Omega (c) vs. Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi

NJPW “DESTRUCTION ‘10″, 10/11/10 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
8,800 Fans - No Vacancy

1. Manabu Nakanishi beat Tama Tonga (6:11) with an Argentine backbreaker.
2. Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & Tiger Mask beat Takashi Iizuka, Yujiro Takahashi & Tomohiro Ishii (11:32) when Ishii was DQ’d.
3. Jushin Thunder Liger Return Match: Masato Tanaka , Jado & Gedo beat Jushin Thunder Liger, Wataru Inoue & Tomoaki Honma (9:55) when Tanaka used the Sliding D on Honma.
4. Special Singles Match: TAJIRI beat Toru Yano (6:48) with a small package hold.
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Kota Ibushi & Kenny Omega beat Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi (c) (15:05) when Ibushi used a Phoenix splash on Devitt to become the 27th champions.
6. NJPW vs. NOAH Special Tag Match: Yuji Nagata & Koji Kanemoto beat Go Shiozaki & Atsushi Aoki (17:14) when Nagata used a backdrop hold on Aoki.
7. Special Singles Match: Hirooki Goto beat Shinsuke Nakamura (16:08) with the Shouten Kai.
8. Special Singles Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Tetsuya Naito (19:59) with a Texas Cloverleaf hold.
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Satoshi Kojima beat Togi Makabe (c) (19:12) with a lariat to become the 55th champion.

* Ishii tried to tear off Tiger’s mask, leading the DQ, and it appears these two have a feud going.
* TAJIRI misted Yano before rolling him up for the win.
* The IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title match was said to be off the charts, with some going as far to label it the best match of 2010 and worth the PPV price alone. Definitely look out for this one soon! Devitt’s 2-crown reign comes to an end after he is pinned by his BOSJ final opponent, Ibushi, and the belts enter DDT custody!
* The G1 Tag League 2010 tandems were announced after the fifth match.
- Block A: Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma, Hirooki Goto & Tama Tonga, Manabu Nakanishi & Strong Man, Yuji Nagata & Wataru Inoue, Super Strong Machine & King Fale, Masato Tanaka & Tomohiro Ishii.
- Block B: Hiroshi Tanahashi & TAJIRI, Bad Intentions (Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson), Shinsuke Nakamura & Daniel Puder, Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka, NO LIMIT (Yujiro Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito), El Terrible & El Texano Jr.
* The New Japan vs. NOAH tag match was another excellent battle with Shiozaki just falling short of his target of avenging his G1 loss to Nagata.
* Goto scored a big win over Nakamura in what was described as yet another great match. Goto’s credentials for a title match went up with this victory.
* Tanahashi defeated Naito in yes, you guessed it, another fantastic match between two of New Japan’s most gifted wrestlers. Naito struggled in a Texas Cloverleaf hold for a while before giving up. The impression from this match was that Naito is going to go right to the top sooner or later.
* Makabe’s first IWGP Heavyweight Title reign went wrong in his V3 defense! G1 Climax 2010 winner Satoshi Kojima began his second reign as champion after an epic war which saw him counter lariat Makabe for a very hard fought victory.
* Despite Nakamura’s loss to Goto, Kojima nominated him as his V1 defense, as Shinsuke beat Kojima during the G1 making him a worthy challenger.
* The show was said to have been one to remember with each of the last five matches worth going out of your way to see.

–> “CIRCUIT 2010 G1 CLIMAX SPECIAL” <--

NJPW, 9/26/10 (WPW/PPV)
Kobe World Hall
7,500 Fans - No Vacancy

0. Tama Tonga & King Fale beat Taichi & Kyosuke Mikami (7:13) when Tonga used the Tongan Twist on Mikami.
1. Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi & Tiger Mask beat Takashi Iizuka, Yujiro Takahashi & Tomohiro Ishii (8:51) when Tiger used a crucifix hold on Ishii.
2. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi (c) beat Jado & Gedo (15:50) when Taguchi used a Gedo clutch gaeshino on Gedo (1st defense).
3. Special Singles Match: TAJIRI beat Toru Yano (6:14) by DQ.
4. Koji Kanemoto 20th Anniversary Match: Koji Kanemoto beat Davey Richards (15:19) with a Tiger suplex hold.
5. IWGP Tag Team Title: Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson (c) beat Yuji Nagata & Wataru Inoue (20:06) when Anderson used the Gun Stun on Inoue (2nd defense).
6. Satoshi Kojima beat Tomoaki Honma (9:10) with a lariat.
7. Special Tag Match: Shinsuke Nakamura & Tetsuya Naito beat Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto (18:07) when Nakamura used the Boma Ye on Tanahashi.
8. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Togi Makabe (c) beat Masato Tanaka (18:08) with a King Kong kneedrop (3rd defense).

* Makabe defeated old rival Tanaka in a high impact match to set up his V4 defense of the IWGP Heavyweight Title with G1 winner Satoshi Kojima at Sumo Hall next month!
* The semi final built up both Goto vs. Nakamura and Tanahashi vs. Naito at Sumo Hall with the surprise outcome seeing Nakamura pin his greatest rival Tanahashi!
* Bad Intentions continue to control the three way tag feud that has spanned much of this year between they, Nagata & Inoue, and NO LIMIT, with a victory over Seigi Gun.
* Apollo 55 go on to defend the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title on 10/11 at Sumo Hall against DDT’s Kota Ibushi & Kenny Omega after beating the legendary Jado & Gedo today!
* Kanemoto vs. Richards was said to have been a fantastic match, showing that Kanemoto still has it after 20 years.

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NJPW “DESTRUCTION ‘10″, 10/11/10 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan

1. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi (c) vs. Kota Ibushi & Kenny Omega
2. Special Singles Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tetsuya Naito
3. Special Singles Match: Hirooki Goto vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
4. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Togi Makabe (c) vs. Satoshi Kojima

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New Japan has announced the schedule for its last tour of 2010, “CIRCUIT 2010 NEW JAPAN ALIVE“, which runs from November 19th to December 12th. It ends with a big double header in Aichi and Osaka.

- 11/19 @ Mie Prefectural Sun Arena Sub Arena
- 11/20 @ Tokoname City Gymnasium
- 11/22 @ Nagano Sports Park Gymnasium
- 11/23 @ Sanjo Welfare Hall
- 11/25 @ Yaizu City Gymnasium
- 11/26 @ Tottori Industrial Gymnasium
- 11/27 @ Tex Port Imabari
- 11/28 @ ITEM Ehime
- 11/29 @ Yamaguchi Butterfly Arena
- 12/1 @ Hiroshima Industrial Hall West Exhibition Pavilion
- 12/2 @ Fukuyama Big Rose
- 12/5 @ Akashi Municipal Industrial Exchange Center
- 12/11 @ Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium WPW/PPV
- 12/12 @ Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium SAMURAI!

Manabu Nakanishi will again try to stall the new generation’s leadership of New Japan when he challenges Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Heavyweight Title at Sumo Hall next month. Shinsuke’s V5 defense of the belt is now official, one day after he toppled the mighty Yoshihiro Takayama. NO LIMIT attempt to finish one piece of business from CMLL as they make their V1 defense of the IWGP Tag Team Title against the men who took their hair, El Terrible & El Texano Jr., the New Japan/CMLL relationship in full effect. February will be a busy month for Prince Devitt, as at Korakuen Hall on the 30th, he challenges new IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion, Naomichi Marufuji, in a rematch from the SUPER J-CUP final, then at Sumo Hall he and Taguchi defend their IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title against Jado & Gedo. And as for Tanahashi? He is interested in further battles with NOAH, after pinning Shiozaki yesterday but named no one in particular. He said if there was an offer, he’d consider it, and expects NOAH will be interested in throwing some wrestlers at the MVP this year.

NJPW “EXCITING BATTLE IN OKINAWA 2010″, 1/22/10
Okinawa Prefectural Budokan

1. Jushin Thunder Liger, Super Delfin , Kaijin Habu Otoko & Golden Pine vs. Ryusuke Taguchi, Shisaou , Mil Mongoose & Menso~re Oyaji
2. Riki Choshu & Kazuchika Okada vs. Yuji Nagata & Mitsuhide Hirasawa
3. Super Strong Machine & Tiger Mask vs. Koji Kanemoto & Nobuo Yoshihashi
4. Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs. Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka
5. Manabu Nakanishi, Hirooki Goto & Wataru Inoue vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Jado & Gedo
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii

NJPW, 1/30/10 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Naomichi Marufuji (c) vs. Prince Devitt

NJPW, 2/14/10 (WPW)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan

1. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt (c) vs. Jado & Gedo
2. IWGP Tag Team Title: Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito (c) vs. El Terrible & El Texano Jr.
3. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Manabu Nakanishi

41,500 fans flocked to the Tokyo Dome today to see “WRESTLE KINGDOM IV”, an exciting show with many memorable moments. “Strong Style” was the theme as IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Shinsuke Nakamura, met the returning Yoshihiro Takayama in a rematch from the same show six years before. As expected, this was quite physical and a very tight match, with Nakamura proving his strength again to begin the New Year and pinning Takayama after his Boma Ye, a more decisive victory than in 2004. Takayama is supposedly on the next tour poster and while I haven’t seen it, if so it would confirm continuing participation by the big man. To the surprise of some, it was Manabu Nakanishi who confronted Nakamura after the match and declared his candidacy to be Nakamura’s fifth challenger.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH did battle in an exciting four match series that, to the surprise of few, ended in a stalemate. Takashi Sugiura again defeated Hirooki Goto in their closest match yet over the GHC Heavyweight Title. Sublimely close, fans at one point were convinced that Sugiura would tap out but he didn’t, persisting and winning with his ankle hold. The biggest match of the 4 vs. 4 was right underneath, as the ace of New Japan, Hiroshi Tanahashi, battled the ace of NOAH, Go Shiozaki, in a blockbuster match that is earning early “Best Bout” candidacy in Japan. This was an action-packed match with Shiozaki coming close to victory, but Tanahashi’s experience giving him the edge as the MVP marched to a win with his High Fly Flow.

Naomichi Marufuji followed up on his SUPER J-CUP victory by facing the “end game” boss, Tiger Mask, in a dream match over the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title. This was said to be an excellent match with many spectacular moves and moments. Marufuji had to unleash his Tiger Frosion finisher to become the champion, achieving a junior title grand slam, and becoming the top junior in Japan. It will be a difficult task for New Japan’s juniors to bring home the title but the chase begins now. The series began with a short sprint as Togi Makabe made short work of GHC Tag Team Champion, Mohammed Yone. Yone jumped Makabe on the ramp, setting the pace in a short but eventful match. Makabe won overwhelmingly in the end with his top rope King Kong kneedrop and will look to get another over Yone when he and Honma enter the Global Tag League shortly, in the same block as Rikio & Yone, NOAH’s tag kings.

Legends assembled in one of the most entertaining matches of the night, as Terry Funk, Choshu, Chono, and Nakanishi beat Abdullah The Butcher, Yano, Iizuka & Ishii. The turning point came when Abby turned against Iizuka, leading to Nakanishi racking the CHAOS man for the submission win. TAJIRI vs. Aogi-gun picked up steam as he and Masato Tanaka defeated the dream tandem of Nagata & Akebono. Some tricks led to TAJIRI pinning Nagata after his Buzzsaw kick, raising the possibility of a singles match in the near future.

NO LIMIT, Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito, left Japan about a year ago as young lions in hunt of junior belts. Today, they returned with the big boys, in the form of the world famous Team 3D and G1 Tag League ‘09 winners, Bernard & Anderson. Team 3D fought Bad Intentions to a non-finish late last year setting up this natural rematch but in an attempt to convince NO LIMIT to return home, President Sugabayashi slotted them into this three way hardcore match. And what a return, as the two had people in shock, having bulked up to heavyweights and having completely changed their image. Comparisons to the legendary TenKoji were raised as NO LIMIT outsmarted both American tandems to capture the IWGP Tag Team Title, Yujiro pinning Anderson after the Limitless Evolution. In addition to the young stars that now lead New Japan, a potential “franchise” tag team emerged today.

Apollo 55 made a successful V4 defense of the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title against CMLL assassins, Ultimo Guerrero & Averno, in an exciting match. Taguchi sealed the win, pinning Averno after his and Devitt’s Black Hole Vacation. They nominated Jado & Gedo as their next challengers, wanting to finally exceed the “wrestling masters” and win the delayed decision match to see who New Japan’s top junior team is.

NJPW “WRESTLE KINGDOM IV IN TOKYO DOME”, 1/4/10 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Dome
41,500 Fans

1. New Japan Pro-Wrestling 2010 Beginning: Super Strong Machine, Wataru Inoue & Mitsuhide Hirasawa beat Jushin Thunder Liger, Koji Kanemoto & Kazuchika Okada (4:59) when Inoue used the Triangle Lancer on Okada.
2. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title ~Amistad combativa~: Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt (c) beat Ultimo Guerrero & Averno (9:07) when Taguchi pinned Averno after the Black Hole Vacation (4th defense).
3. IWGP Tag Team Title - 3WAY Hardcore Rules Match ~Victim and Greed~: Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito beat “Team 3D” Brother Ray & Brother Devon (c) and Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson (13:28) when Yujiro pinned Anderson after the Limitless Emotion to become the 55th champions.
4. Wrestle Kingdom Special Tag Match ~Blood Stream Blue~: TAJIRI & Masato Tanaka beat Yuji Nagata & Akebono (9:37) when TAJIRI used a Buzzsaw kick on Nagata.
5. Wrestle Kingdom Special 8 Man Tag Match ~The legend never rots~: Terry Funk, Riki Choshu, Masahiro Chono & Manabu Nakanishi beat Abdullah The Butcher, Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii (8:52) when Nakanishi used an Argentine backbreaker on Iizuka.
6. NJPW vs. NOAH Battle Effusions ~Wilderness~: Togi Makabe beat Mohammed Yone (5:39) with a top rope King Kong kneedrop.
7. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title ~Highest sky~: Naomichi Marufuji beat Tiger Mask (c) (14:14) with the Tiger Frosion to become the 59th champion.
8. NJPW vs. NOAH Battle Effusions ~Radiance~: Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Go Shiozaki (19:04) with the High Fly Flow.
9. GHC Heavyweight Title - NJPW vs. NOAH Battle Effusions ~Blast~: Takashi Sugiura (c) beat Hirooki Goto (20:54) with an ankle hold (1st defense).
10. IWGP Heavyweight Title - The newest, The strongest: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) beat Yoshihiro Takayama (15:51) with the Boma Ye (4th defense).

Hiroyoshi Tenzan is about to return with a bang, firstly in the TenKoji reunion and today announced a showdown with the legendary Kenta Kobashi! Tenzan is one of several New Japan wrestlers who will appear on Pro Wrestling NOAH’s May 6th Tokyo Nippon Budokan show. He will take promising young lion Kazuchika Okada with him and the two will face Kobashi and NOAH youngster Atsushi Ito. Once they were nicknamed “The Unbeatables”, Jushin Thunder Liger & Koji Kanemoto being the team that entered NOAH to bring home the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title in 2003. They re-board the Ark on the same show as they face Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Genba Hirayanagi in response to provocation from the team aimed at the New Japan legends. By the way, this show is on the same day as the second half of NJ’s Korakuen double header, the first half of which sees Hirooki Goto & Kazuchika Okada vs. Takashi Sugiura & Atsushi Aoki in another NJ vs. NOAH bout.

NOAH “GLOBAL TAG LEAGUE ‘09″, 5/6/09
Tokyo Nippon Budokan

- Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Genba Hirayanagi vs. Jushin Thunder Liger & Koji Kanemoto
- Kenta Kobashi & Atsushi Ito vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Kazuchika Okada

Both IWGP Tag titles were successfully defended at TNA’s “LOCKDOWN” PPV on the 19th. Team 3D went to war with Beer Money Inc. in an IWGP Tag vs. TNA Tag double title match and the world famous tandem came out on top, Brother Ray pinning Robert Roode after a 3D through the table. Meanwhile, NO LIMIT again failed to recapture the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title, this time in a 3WAY cage match as champions, the Motor City Machine Guns, defeated both them and Homicide and the 285lbs (yeah…) Shawn Hernandez. Both matches were officially sanctioned IWGP defenses unlike various others held in America in the past. The task remains for teams from New Japan to beat Team 3D and the MCMG.

TNA “LOCKDOWN”, 4/19/09 (PPV)
Philadelphia Liacouras Center

- 3WAY Tornado Six Sides of Steel Cage Match - IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley (c) beat Homicide & Shawn Hernandez and Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito (11:53) when Sabin pinned Naito after the Made in Detroit (3rd defense).
- Philadelphia Street Fight - IWGP Tag Team Title & TNA World Tag Team Title: “Team 3D” Brother Ray & Brother Devon (c) beat James Storm & Robert Roode (c) (13:57) when Ray pinned Roode after a 3D through a table (2nd defense) to become the 11th TNA World Tag Team Champions.

Hiroshi Tanahashi’s evolution continued today as the brilliant young superstar of the Japanese wrestling industry shone brightly and fended off the challenge of global superstar Kurt Angle today at Sumo Hall. The man who has helped bring so much back to the IWGP Heavyweight Title followed up on his Tokyo Dome victory over Keiji Muto and successful V1 defense over rival Shinsuke Nakamura by facing the former IWGP 3rd Belt holder, Angle, in an electric main event full of drama and great crowd heat. Tanahashi endured Angle’s ankle locks and bombs, winning cleanly and decisively with two High Fly Flows to further cement his status as the ace. Tanahashi, who will next defend against NJC winner Hirooki Goto in Fukuoka just under a month from now, declared that his evolution hasn’t finished yet.

Nakamura has been trying to keep up with Tanahashi since failing to lift the belt off him in February but a loss to Goto in the New Japan Cup didn’t help matter. Today, he risked losing to the other of the four men who top the new generation, Togi Makabe, who sought revenge for his NJC round one loss to Nakamura. Perhaps Makabe might have beaten Nakamura had not his GBH ally Toru Yano suddenly betrayed him with a chairshot, leading to Nakamura hitting the Landslide for the win. There was much confusion over Yano’s status after the match but the general question was is Yano about to join Nakamura in the fight against GBH? Yano himself fell to the on-fire Goto earlier in the show but only after a difficult challenge against the #1 contender for Tanahashi’s title.

Former tag partners and once upon a time trusted friends, Yuji Nagata and Takashi Iizuka, went to war in a Chain Death Match today, the first of its kind since Iizuka put Tenzan to sleep in the same building last October. Blood was shed, more of Iizuka’s than Nagata’s but the dangerous Iizuka again proved to be a handful as he hanged Nagata over the ropes with his chain until Nagata blacked out, forcing the referee stoppage. With this victory over Nagata and not a single fall defeat since last July, Iizuka can surely stake a claim for a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Title — if that is even in his plans.

Wild Child’s reunion went completely wrong! The long awaited revival of Manabu Nakanishi & Takao Omori, former IWGP Tag Team Champions, took place and with them facing Bernard and Anderson, the latter a young undercarder still learning the ropes, pretty much everyone expected a straightforward victory for the Japanese big men. And yet somehow, Omori blundered and was pinned not by Bernard but Anderson, leaving the reunion in tatters. Nakanishi raged after the match, unable to believe they had lost and now handed a dilemma - whether to choose Omori or Yutaka Yoshie as his regular tag partner.

Tiger Mask risked his IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title against Black Tiger’s mask today in the decisive battle between the two old rivals - and as it turned out, this was the same Black Tiger that Tiger Mask feuded with several years back. The first stage of the match ended inconclusively as both were counted out, leading to huge boos from the fans. But with the stipulation demanding an outcome it was restarted and Tiger Mask made short work of his challenger, pinning him with his new Destroy suplex hold. The fourth generation of Black Tiger then unmasked, revealing Rocky Romero at last and he shook hands with Tiger. And then came the twist - as the same Black Tiger in black who attacked Tiger Mask at the last Sumo Hall show, again appeared and laid out Tiger Mask with a Death Valley bomb, then unmasked him. So Black Tiger Romero seemed to be a front to a new threat in the life of Tiger Mask.

The Motor City Machine Guns, after fending off NO LIMIT on home soil in TNA, today faced “Apollo 55″ Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt in what was described as a very exciting match. This lasted much longer than the four minute NO LIMIT challenge for MCMG’s IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title and ended with Devitt falling to the Made in Detroit. Shelley and Sabin both expressed their will to keep defending the belts in both countries.

Hiroyoshi Tenzan appeared during the show to speak to the fans, his long absence nearing its end. Tenzan announced that both he and his famous tandem with Satoshi Kojima, TenKoji, will return on 5/3 when New Japan runs the Fukuoka International Center. The two will be targetting Team 3D’s IWGP Tag Team Title and with Wild Child’s reunion failing, could quickly be granted a shot at the TNA Wrestling duo.

NJPW “RESOLUTION ‘09″, 4/5/09 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
8,000 Fans

1. Koji Kanemoto beat Kazuchika Okada (8:27) by referee stop.
2. Tomohiro Ishii, Jado & Tomoaki Honma beat Wataru Inoue, Milano Collection AT & Taichi Ishikari (8:52) when Honma used a diving headbutt on Ishikari.
3. Resolution ‘09 Special 6 Man Tag Match - NJPW Greatest Heritage: Masahiro Chono, Jushin Thunder Liger & AKIRA beat Riki Choshu, Super Strong Machine & El Samurai (8:19) when AKIRA used a Musasabi press on Samurai.
4. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin (c) beat Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt (12:54) when Shelley pinned Devitt after the Made in Detroit (2nd defense).
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title - Belt Contra Mascara: Tiger Mask (c) vs. Black Tiger went to a double countout (6:47).
5a. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title - Belt Contra Mascara: Tiger Mask (c) beat Black Tiger (4:49) with a Destroy suplex hold (2nd defense).
6. Resolution ‘09 Special Tag Match - Big Comeback WILD HEART: Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson beat Manabu Nakanishi & Takao Omori (15:50) when Anderson used the Gun Stun on Omori.
7. Resolution ‘09 Special Singles Match - HUGE RIOT: Hirooki Goto beat Toru Yano (16:10) with a modified armlock.
8. Resolution ‘09 Special Singles Match - Bolt from the blue - Chain Death Match: Takashi Iizuka beat Yuji Nagata (21:58) by referee stop.
9. Resolution ‘09 Special Singles Match - The end of discord: Shinsuke Nakamura beat Togi Makabe (12:42) with the Landslide.
10. IWGP Heavyweight Title - WHICH IS GENIUS?: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) beat Kurt Angle (15:11) with the High Fly Flow (2nd defense).

NO LIMIT’s excursion to America ended in failure as they couldn’t do what they set out to — regain the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title from the Motor City Machine Guns. It started well for Yujiro and Naito when they defeated the TNA stars in a non-title match but their biggest match ended in defeat and its back to the drawing board for the young lions.

This confirms that the MCMG will make their next defense against Taguchi & Devitt on Sunday at Sumo Hall. Coincidentally (or not), the two today announced a new double team move that they plan to debut called the “Apollo 55″.

NJPW “RESOLUTION ‘09″, 4/5/09 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan

- IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin (c) vs. Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt