NJPW “DESTRUCTION IN KOBE”, 9/21/14 (WPW/iPPV)
Kobe World Hall
8,000 Fans – Super No Vacancy

1. Tomohiro Ishii, Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov beat Yujiro Takahashi, Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson (7:51) when Romero pinned Nick after the Contract Killer.
2. Alex Shelley, Maximo & BUSHI beat TAKA Michinoku , El Desperado & Taichi (2:43) when Taichi was DQ’d.
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tomoaki Honma beat Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi, Tiger Mask & Captain New Japan (5:22) when Honma used the Kokeshi on Captain.
4. Special Tag Match: Kazushi Sakuraba & Toru Yano beat Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka (11:34) when Yano used the Akakiri on Iizuka.
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Ryusuke Taguchi beat KUSHIDA (c) (14:55) with an ankle hold to become the 69th champion.
6. Special Tag Match: Tetsuya Naito & Kota Ibushi beat AJ Styles & Tama Tonga (12:57) when Ibushi used a Phoenix splash on Tonga.
7. IWGP Tag Team Title: Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows (c) beat Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI (11:42) when Gallows pinned YOSHI-HASHI after the Magic Killer (6th defense).
8. Special Singles Match: Togi Makabe beat Hirooki Goto (14:38) with a King Kong kneedrop.
9. Special Singles Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Katsuyori Shibata (17:57) with the High Fly Flow.
10. IWGP Intercontinental Title: Shinsuke Nakamura beat Bad Luck Fale (c) (19:13) with the Boma Ye to become the 10th champion.

* Three months to the day after dropping the IWGP Intercontinental Title to Bad Luck Fale, Shinsuke Nakamura today regained “his” belt to take the number of reigns for the upstart title into double figures. Nakamura sunk the big man with his Boma Ye to begin his third reign as champion and send the fans home happy.

* Tanahashi avenged his G1 Climax loss to Shibata in the semi, but the big story came after it when the two, known for their rivalry inside and outside of the ring, shook hands to perhaps put an end to their long-standing grudge.

* Anderson & Gallows reign as IWGP Tag Team Champions, which began on January 4th at the Tokyo Dome, continued with a successful V6 defense over CHAOS’s Okada & YOSHI-HASHI with YOSHI-HASHI, who has sprung to life this month (and still has a NEVER Openweight Title match in a couple of days), falling to the Magic Killer.

* A long and painful 7 year wait is over. Ryusuke Taguchi is the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion for the first time since 2007. Back then, he was the young breakout star of the junior division and beat the likes of Minoru, Tiger Mask and Koji Kanemoto when the three were in their stronger years. He ended KUSHIDA’s brief reign as champion today with an ankle hold and after being in Devitt’s shadow for so many years, now may have a chance to rule the junior division again.

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 “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

-

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

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

-

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

-

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

NJPW “WRESTLE KINGDOM 7 ~EVOLUTION~ IN TOKYO DOME”, 1/4/13 (WPW/PPV/iPPV)
Tokyo Dome
29,000 Fans

0-1. Wataru Inoue, Tama Tonga & Captain New Japan beat Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Jado (5:58) when Tonga used the Headshrinker on Jado.
0-2. Ryusuke Taguchi, KUSHIDA & BUSHI beat Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask & Hiromu Takahashi (7:12) when BUSHI used a Firebird splash on Takahashi.
1. Special 8 Man Tag Match: Manabu Nakanishi, MVP, Strong Man & Akebono beat Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka, Yujiro Takahashi & Bob Sapp (7:53) when Nakanishi used an Argentine backbreaker on Iizuka.
2. NEVER Openweight Title: Masato Tanaka (c) beat Shelton Benjamin (6:41) with the Sliding D (1st defense).
3. IWGP Tag Team Title: Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. (c) beat Hirooki Goto & Karl Anderson (10:52) when Smith used the Killer bomb on Goto (2nd defense).
4. Special Singles Match: Yuji Nagata beat Minoru Suzuki (17:03) with a backdrop hold.
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title – 3WAY Match: Prince Devitt (c) beat Low Ki & Kota Ibushi (14:45) with an avalanche-style Bloody Sunday on Ibushi (1st defense).
6. Special Tag Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima beat Keiji Muto & Shinjiro Otani (15:36) when Tenzan used a moonsault press on Otani.
7. Special Singles Match: Togi Makabe beat Katsuyori Shibata (8:37) with a King Kong kneedrop.
8. Double Main Event I – IWGP Intercontinental Title: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) beat Kazushi Sakuraba (11:12) with the Boma Ye (4th defense).
9. Double Main Event II – IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) beat Kazuchika Okada (33:34) with the High Fly Flow (6th defense).

The “Wrestlemania of Japan”, New Japan’s annual January 4th Tokyo Dome super-show, lived up to its hype and then some more. For the first time ever a 1/4 show aired live for all of us outside of Japan on New Japan’s USTREAM channel and while the price was up from the other iPPVs at $35, it was full value for money. The PPV was about 4 1/2 hours long not including the dark matches.

Bushiroad owned New Japan really turned up the spectacle for this show with several pop culture tie-ins including musical acts and special entrances that I will go into a little more detail about below. If this was a glimpse of the New Japan to come, mixing a reasonable but not excessive amount of entertainment with the great wrestling and characters we’re used to, then I have no complaints.

New Japan claimed 29,000 paid for this show with an emphasis on “paid” which seemed to be a new standard of announcing an attendance, whether for just this show or not remains to be seen. Without doubt this looked to be the best Tokyo Dome attendance in years even though the listed attendance gave an almost opposite impression. I would guess under normal standards they would have claimed 50,000 if not more for this show. Next year 1/4 falls on a Saturday so if New Japan has another strong year it’s possible the company could edge closer to selling out the Dome again. UPDATE: President Sugabayashi confirmed the new practice of listing paid fans only, no more “sponsor announcements” (whether for just the Tokyo Dome or in general I don’t know). He also confirmed what I suspected that there were more fans than last year when the announced attendance was 43,000.

I missed the dark matches if they were screened at all but the show opened with an eight man tag. 9 years ago Bob Sapp vs. Akebono was watched by about 40% of Japan and was one of the biggest fights in history as Akebono the sumo legend was going up against Sapp the pop culture icon who had been a sensation that year not just as a K-1 fighter but as a celebrity in general. “Sapp Time” couldn’t be avoided, it was everywhere you looked. But many years later their star has faded, Sapp little more than a novelty act and Akebono a respectable pro wrestler who has kept his career going. They were added on to what looked a generic New Japan vs. CHAOS match to give it a little more of a “Tokyo Dome” feel. The match was lighthearted and entertaining enough for an opener. Sapp did hardly anything except take offense, he was a far cry from the invincible beast who held the IWGP Heavyweight Title many years ago and almost a self-parody. Nakanishi racked Iizuka with his Argentine backbreaker for the win.

The only major disappointment of the show was Masato Tanaka vs. Shelton Benjamin for the recently established NEVER Openweight Title. With the IWGP Intercontinental Title having an unexpected rise in status that would be accelerated further on this show, the NEVER title from New Japan’s sub-brand could be seen as a replacement for that. But what promised to be something of an ECW throwback was a basic sprint with no real excitement. A couple of nice moments but it was short and didn’t really feel like a title match. Tanaka won with his Sliding D to successfully defend the new title for the first time.

Thing started to pick up when the Killer Elite Squad defended their IWGP Tag Team Title against Goto & Anderson in a rematch of the 2012 World Tag League final. The Killer Elite Squad, comprised of Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr., appeared out of nowhere as a team late last year and won the belts off the famous Tenzan & Kojima duo before beating them again to really establish themselves. Today was their first post-TenKoji challenge against two more prolific singles wrestlers. Archer entered on a motorbike and along with his partner wore a cool mask to the ring. Goto & Anderson had a gimmicked entrance of their own as Anderson shot what looked to be t-shirts or something out of several bazookas along the Tokyo Dome rampway. The match turned out to be a good display of traditional tag wrestling with the KES coming out on top after two Killer bombs on Goto. So the Killer Elite Squad seem to have replaced Bad Intentions as the dominant foreign tag team of New Japan.

Yuji Nagata and Minoru Suzuki had their third New Japan Tokyo Dome match. It could be seen as overkill but some rivalries in pro wrestling never get old. We saw TAJIRI vs. Super Crazy what felt like 100 times on ECW TV and PPVs back in the day and never got bored of them. These two wrestle as such a high level that you’re always guaranteed something good and this was very, very good. Once again we were treated to spectacle as Ayumi Nakamura performed Suzuki’s famous “Kaze ni Nare” entrance music live on stage. The match will be remembered mostly for some entertaining slapfest where they just delivered slap after slap, Nagata occasionally interupting them to throw some stiff kicks. They were 1-1 on Dome shows before this and I’d hazard a guess that this was the decider as it probably won’t happen again at the Dome. And it was Nagata who picked up the win with his backdrop hold and continued to be relevant long after the younger generation have taken over leadership in New Japan.

New Japan has rarely ever done a good 3WAY match in my memory. The Chono vs. Fujita vs. Lesnar one from the Dome in 2005 stands out as particularly bad. So I was a little worried that today’s IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title 3WAY match between three of the world’s most exciting juniors Prince Devitt, Low Ki, and Kota Ibushi would disappoint. My worries were unfounded as they put on one of the smoothest, slickest, and high quality junior matches I’ve seen in a long time. It was under 15 minutes long but wrestled at a great pace with many exciting moments including a couple of great dives, Ibushi’s the pick of them. Low Ki entered dressed as Agent 47 from Hitman and carrying two pistols… a cool look but jaws dropped when people realized he was going to wrestle in this suit which he did without any problems somehow. Towards the end you just couldn’t guess who was winning but Devitt hit a Bloody Sunday off the top rope on Ibushi to successfully defend his title for the first time. The junior title has lacked stability since Devitt’s previous reign having gone from him to Ki to Ibushi and back to Devitt within 6 months but I get the feeling this Devitt reign may last a while again.

New Japan’s most famous tag team of the last 15 years, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima, squared off against the legendary Keiji Muto & Shinjiro Otani in a special tag match. All four are New Japan dojo trained wrestlers with Tenzan, Kojima, and Otani from the same era, but only Tenzan and Kojima belong to New Japan now so it was a reunion. Initially designed to showcase the son of the late, great Shinya Hashimoto, Daichi, it had to be altered when Daichi broke his arm and Otani stepped in. In a match full of nostalgia and goosebump-inducing moments, Otani entered to Hashimoto’s old theme, now used by his son Daichi who seconded him. Then Muto entered to one of his famous New Japan themes and the crowd was really excited and emotional. TenKoji then entered to their remixed theme and the match began. It wasn’t one of the better matches on the show but the quality of the event was so high that it was still good with Otani showing he still has much to offer. Years pass but like Liger, Keiji Muto somehow keeps going strong despite his knees having been shot since the 90s. Despite the individual brilliance of Muto & Otani, the teamwork of Tenzan & Kojima was the difference maker as Otani succumbed to Kojima’s lariat followed by Tenzan’s moonsault. Daichi Hashimoto was irate after the match and got into a little scuffle with the winning team but it was brief and didn’t lead to anything. Hashimoto’s New Japan debut will have to wait but will definitely happen when he is healthy again.

Laughter7′s invasion of New Japan has been a great highlight of recent months. Laughter7 is comprised of Kazushi Sakuraba the pro wrestler who became a legend in MMA with his “Gracie Hunter” persona and his protégé Katsuyori Shibata, a New Japan trueborn who walked out on the company years ago just as they were pushing him to superstardom with Tanahashi and Nakamura. He embarked on a thoroughly mediocre MMA career and was largely forgotten by pro wrestling fans before his sudden return last year. The two had dominated every match for months leading to this show with Shibata the man in focus but today would be Sakuraba’s turn in the main spotlight as Shibata was placed just outside of the main event against one of New Japan’s “enforcers” Togi Makabe. This was a fight from the start and entertaining but not quite as intense as I expected. They traded offense in a good brawl but the finish was quite surprising as Makabe beat Shibata in rather dominating fashion with his King Kong kneedrop. I had expected Shibata to beat Makabe and Nakamura to beat Sakuraba to set up the big Nakamura vs. Shibata reunion match, but was wrong. My feeling that may or may not be right was that this was belated punishment for Shibata’s betrayal of a company that put so much faith in him. I really hope he sticks around as there is so much he could offer, feuds with Tanahashi, Nakamura, and Goto – all of whom he has history with – haven’t even been explored yet.

The first of the “double main event” saw Shinsuke Nakamura defend the IWGP Intercontinental Title against Kazushi Sakuraba. Nakamura is such a character who oozes charisma, style, and likeability. Even as the co-leader of New Japan’s top heel group he is just impossible to hate. After their recent awkwardness in a tag match together, there was a legitimate fear this could be a disaster though. Sakuraba has very little recent pro wrestling experience and Shibata had been doing much of the work in tags. What a surprise then this was. In the USTREAM chat people were going nuts over this match and for good reason, it is one I will remember for years and already a frontrunner for my 2013 match of the year. There was a tense and special atmosphere as they faced off just like the old New Japan vs. shoot-style outsider matches during the New Japan vs. UWF, New Japan vs. UWFi, and New Japan vs. UFO feuds. In the 2000s we had the shoot-style outsiders but it was ugly and awkward most of the time with the exception of some good matches (mostly featuring Kazuyuki Fujita), this was the opposite of that and was “shoot-style pro wrestling” rather than “a messy clusterf*ck of pro wrestling and MMA”. I was disappointed when they shook hands at the start because I thought it could lead to a boring “polite” match. After a feeling out process, Nakamura slapped Sakuraba in the face and BOOM we had lift-off. It turned into a pro wrestling masterclass with Sakuraba finally stepping out of Shibata’s shadow in this New Japan stint and coming across as a lethal, dangerous fighter who Nakamura struggled to compete with. The match had one of the most brutal knees to the face I’ve ever seen which replays showed caught Nakamura full force. I could feel my heart racing as I watched this, willing Nakamura to win but sensing it was Sakuraba’s for several reasons – Shibata having already lost, Nakamura missing the Boma Ye, and how dangerous Saku’s arm submissions came across as. The drama was immense. Nakamura escaped the chickenwing armlock but a while later was back in it, which convinced me it was game over. But somehow he escaped it and also survived a cross armbreaker and won with his Boma Ye to an enormous Tokyo Dome pop. They shook hands and hugged afterwards, showing great respect to each other. I felt this match elevated Nakamura even more than he already has been. There are almost no “New Japan vs. outsider” matches that could do this anymore but this did, while at the same time his IWGP Intercontinental Title also moved much further away from the midcard belt it originally seemed to be. An absolutely amazing match, a throwback to old times and a style Bushiroad boss Kidani seems to love and will hopefully ask to see more of in New Japan. 30 minute classics are great as we’d find out right after this but the true feel of Strong Style is in matches like Nakamura vs. Sakuraba.

New Japan went back a year to show Okada’s abysmal return from TNA Wrestling on the 1/4/12 show where he and YOSHI-HASHI (in a dark match today that highlighted their contrasting fortunes) had a real dud of a match. Okada later challenged Tanahashi to a title match and was largely laughed at or booed as no one took him seriously. What would follow would stun the Japanese wrestling scene as within a year Okada became one of the industry’s biggest stars and won the Tokyo Sports MVP award. His title reign so soon after returning could have bombed hard but he turned himself into a star with the IWGP Heavyweight Title. Since losing the title back to Tanahashi in June the build to the big rematch has been great with the two clocking up important wins as the time drew near for their clash of destiny. J-Pop band BREAKERZ performed live on the stage just before the main event as New Japan continued to crank up the spectacle value and implement pop culture into the product, which is one way of trying to get pro wrestling back into the mainstream consciousness. The band would accompany Tanahashi to the ring shortly after but Okada’s entrance was the best of the lot as he slowly descended on an elevator looking like the perfect bad boy, a new Tokyo Dome remix of his theme playing. As he hit the ring money rained down on the crowd, signalling the arrival of the new superstar, the “Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada. The match began slowly as you could tell it was going to be long but was never anything less than great. With a double main event you expect both matches to offer something different and these were complete opposites. This was modern pro wrestling at its best and a match worthy of its hype. The last 15 or so minutes were out of this world and the Tokyo Dome crowd was red hot as you just couldn’t guess who was winning. Okada kicked out of the first High Fly Flow and survived Tana’s Texas Cloverleaf hold despite his hand flapping and coming so close to tapping out. Okada fought back but could never hit the Rainmaker, not even once, and always seemed one step behind Tanahashi to me. Tanahashi eventually won with a perfectly executed High Fly Flow and proved yet again he is the king of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. The match was almost 35 minutes long but was not boring at all. I was really disappointed Okada didn’t win, I was expecting it to catapult him to new levels, but you just can’t deny what a great champion Tanahashi is. Time and time again he delivers in these matches and wins over the crowd. And while I wanted Okada to win, I do think Tanahashi was the better performer on the day and showed his greatness. He is about 11 years older than Okada and this match established that he still has the edge but unless the rumours of Okada going to WWE are true (which I hope they are not, New Japan will cultivate his potential far better than WWE possibly could), he will be the star of New Japan in years to come.

The big surprise after the main event is that no new challenger showed his face and Tanahashi did his routine air guitar performance to send everyone home happy. No titles changed hands on the entire show and it felt much like closure for 2012. Perhaps “THE NEW BEGINNING”, New Japan’s next big show in February, is where new things may happen. Despite the lack of shake-ups this was a January 4th show for the ages and certainly one of the best I have ever seen. New Japan had a fantastic 2012 and 2013 has started even better as this year’s 1/4 show was much better than its equivalent last year. The event is available on VOD (video on demand) until 1/11 5pm JST if you want to watch it on New Japan’s USTREAM channel.

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

NJPW “NJPW 40TH ANNIVERSARY ~ WRESTLING DONTAKU 2012″, 5/3/12 (WPW/PPV)
Fukuoka International Center
6,500 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

1. YOSHI-HASHI, Jado & Tomohiro Ishii beat Strong Man, Captain New Japan & Tama Tonga (7:12) when Ishii used a brainbuster on Tonga.
2. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi beat Ryusuke Taguchi & KUSHIDA (8:16) when Taichi used a Taichi-style Gedo clutch on KUSHIDA.
3. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask beat Rocky Romero & Gedo (7:50) when Tiger used a crucifix hold on Gedo.
4. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Low Ki beat Prince Devitt (c) (21:01) with the Ki Krusher ’99 to become the 63rd champion.
5. IWGP Tag Team Title: Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima (c) (16:47) when Yano used the Oni Koroshi on Kojima to become the 59th champions.
6. Special Tag Match: Minoru Suzuki & Yoshihiro Takayama beat Togi Makabe & Yuji Nagata (13:43) when Suzuki used a Gotch-style piledriver on Makabe.
7. Special Singles Match: Shinsuke Nakamura beat Karl Anderson (12:15) with the Boma Ye.
8. Special Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tetsuya Naito beat Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi (13:59) when Tanahashi used the High Fly Flow on Takahashi.
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Kazuchika Okada (c) beat Hirooki Goto (24:55) with the Rainmaker (2nd defense).

* Who can stop the Rainmaker!? New Japan Cup winner and IWGP Intercontinental Champion, Hirooki Goto, remains unable to win the greatest prize available, the IWGP Heavyweight Title, after another near miss at a packed Fukuoka International Center today. It was a match that could have gone either way but the vigor and momentum of Okada carried him over the line as he finished off Goto with the Rainmaker. Tanahashi appeared after the match and challenged Okada to a match which would be a rematch of their February class where Okada shocked everyone by winning the title. And it looks like this match could take place at the very same building as last time, Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, with “DOMINION 6.16″ looming as New Japan’s next big show.

* Tanahashi had just teamed with Naito to defeat Tanaka & Yujiro before his post-main event appearance, pinning Yujiro after his High Fly Flow. There was said to be some issues between Tanahashi and Naito after the match which could be isolated or hint at some bigger problems.

* Shinsuke Nakamura avenged his upset New Japan Cup loss to Karl Anderson, which was one of my personal favourite matches of 2012 (the NJC match). This was a slightly shorter match but was also said to be very exciting with Shinsuke’s Boma Ye making the difference.

* The thorn in TenKoji’s side, CHAOS’ Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka, became a much bigger problem today. After beating TenKoji in a non-title match then Yano recently pinning Kojima in a singles match, the dastardly heels today went one step further by capturing the IWGP Tag Team Title from Tenzan & Kojima. After the Iron Fingers from Hell by Iizuka, Yano dropped Kojima with his Oni Koroshi for the huge win, very momentous for both men. This is Yano’s first title since he and Makabe held the IWGP Tag Title in 2008 while for Iizuka this is his first title since 1996(!) when he and Kazuo Yamazaki held the tag belts.

* Prince Devitt, the absolute ace of New Japan’s junior division for two years now, said going into his match with the “One World Warrior” Low Ki that he may be the underdog given Ki’s track record across the world where he has wrestled in almost every major promotion. Devitt had beaten Ki last year in New York in an IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title defense but today marked Low Ki’s true return to New Japan as he ended Devitt’s half-year reign as champion in an exciting match. Ki spiked Devitt with the Ki Krusher ’99 and finally the Irishman seems to have found his first worthy challenger since Kota Ibushi went down with a long-term injury.

Yano & Iizuka again stole Tenzan & Kojima’s title belts on Sunday at Korakuen after TenKoji had managed to get them back on the previous Korakuen show.

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

- IWGP Tag Team Title: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima (c) vs. Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka

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.

Masakatsu Funaki returns to his original home at last! New Japan announced five matches for “NJPW 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR ~ WRESTLE KINGDOM VI IN TOKYO DOME”, Japanese professional wrestling’s annual super-show at the Tokyo Dome in January. Funaki, who many New Japan fans have long waited to see in the company where he was trained, teams up with Masayuki Kono against Yuji Nagata & Wataru Inoue in a special tag match. New Japan and NOAH go to war as old rivals Hirooki Goto and Takashi Sugiura lock horns, while CHAOS’ Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano do battle with the duo of GHC Heavyweight Champion, Go Shiozaki, and Naomichi Marufuji. TenKoji’s revival grants them a shot at the most dominant IWGP Tag Team Champions in history, Bad Intentions, meaning whether they win or lose, Bernard & Anderson’s reign will have gone from 2010, all the way 2011, and into 2012. And of course, as we all knew, Hiroshi Tanahashi attempts to become the most successful IWGP Heavyweight Champion to ever live as he makes his V11 defense of the prestigious belt against Minoru Suzuki in the main event. More matches are yet to be added but these five promise lots of excitement.

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

1. BLUE JUSTICE NEVER DIE: Yuji Nagata & Wataru Inoue vs. Masakatsu Funaki & Masayuki Kono
2. NJPW vs. NOAH BATTLE CONCENTRATION: Hirooki Goto vs. Takashi Sugiura
3. NJPW vs. NOAH BATTLE CONCENTRATION: Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano vs. Go Shiozaki & Naomichi Marufuji
4. IWGP Tag Team Title: Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson (c) vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima
5. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Minoru Suzuki

“POWER STRUGGLE” will live up to its name as today’s full card announcement for the 11/12 Osaka super-show confirmed that all five IWGP titles will be on the line and each one will have a New Japan vs. enemy faction theme. G1 Tag League 2011 winners Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer are granted their IWGP Tag Team Title match quickly as they face the most successful champions in the title’s 26 year history, Bad Intentions. This will be Bernard & Anderson’s V10 defense of the belts and although they already hold the defense record, reaching double figures would be a massive achievement for the two and is something they will want to do. 11 matches make up the show with two special tag matches also added today, including one-time tag partners from long ago Makabe and Takayama renewing their feud. The full card for 11/13 Kyoto was also announced.

* Correction from yesterday – the NJPW/CMLL shows will be on the 21st and 22nd of January, not the 23rd and 24th. Thanks to Walt for emailing me that correction.

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

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

NJPW “NEW JAPAN LIVE IN KYOTO”, 11/13/11 (Samurai! TV)
Kyoto KBS Hall

1. Hiromu Takahashi vs. Takaaki Watanabe
2. Tama Tonga vs. Kyosuke Mikami
3. Special 8 Man Tag Match I: Prince Devitt, Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA vs. Davey Richards, Rocky Romero, Jado & Gedo
4. Satoshi Kojima vs. King Fale
5. Special 8 Man Tag Match II: Togi Makabe, Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & Tomoaki Honma vs. Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
6. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Yuji Nagata & Wataru Inoue vs. Takashi Iizuka, Hideo Saito & Tomohiro Ishii
7. Special 8 Man Tag Match III: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, MVP & Tetsuya Naito vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano, Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi

–> “NEW JAPAN SOUL 2011” <--

NJPW, 7/3/11 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1,950 Fans – Super No Vacancy

1. Jado & Gedo beat Jushin Thunder Liger & Kyosuke Mikami (8:51) when Jado used the Crossface of JADO on Mikami.
2. Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi beat KUSHIDA & Hiromu Takahashi (10:02) when Devitt used a diving footstomp on Takahashi.
3. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Hideo Saito beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Yuji Nagata, Wataru Inoue & King Fale (12:57) when Nakamura used the Boma Ye on Fale.
4. Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi beat Strong Man & Tomoaki Honma (10:27) when Takahashi used the Tokyo Pimps on Honma.
5. MVP beat Tomohiro Ishii (12:10) with the TTB.
6. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi beat Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima & Tiger Mask (12:11) when Taichi pinned Tiger after Suzuki used a Gotch-style piledriver.
7. IWGP Tag Team Title: Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson (c) beat Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto (17:12) when Anderson used the Gun Stun on Goto (9th defense).

* Bad Intentions’ record-breaking IWGP Tag Team Title reign continued with a successful V9 defense over the all-star team of Tanahashi & Goto. Much of the attention was on Tanahashi vs. Bernard ahead of their tour-ending battle for Tana’s IWGP Heavyweight Title, but it was Anderson’s Gun Stun on Goto that decided the match and ensured yet another victory for the team that has reigned since June 19th, 2010.
* Hideo Saito (Mitsuhide Hirasawa) made his in-ring return, back from Puerto Rico, along with his new CHAOS leader Nakamura, back from Mexico with some a new haircut and some new attire. Saito was a man transformed from the clumsy, obedient young lion that left for his overseas excursion, a wild bearded man who seems to have lost much of his sanity. He targetted his former mentor Yuji Nagata, who he meets in a singles match on the tour climax.

* All participants for the 2011 edition of professional wrestling’s biggest tournament, “G1 CLIMAX XXI ~THE INVINCIBLE FIGHTER~“, were announced with a staggering 20 wrestlers involved in what will be a huge tournament! Yoshihiro Takayama and Minoru Suzuki are big outside inclusions, while it will be G1 debuts for Hideo Saito, MVP, Lance Archer, and La Sombra. Blocks and match schedule will be announced in the near future.

- Hiroshi Tanahashi (IWGP Heavyweight Champion / 2007 winner)
- Togi Makabe (2009 winner)
- Hirooki Goto (2008 winner)
- Hiroyoshi Tenzan (2003, 2004, 2006 winner)
- Yuji Nagata (2001 winner)
- Wataru Inoue
- Tetsuya Naito
- Shinsuke Nakamura
- Toru Yano
- Yujiro Takahashi
- Hideo Saito
- Giant Bernard (IWGP Tag Team Champion)
- Karl Anderson (IWGP Tag Team Champion)
- MVP (IWGP Intercontinental Champion)
- Lance Archer (free)
- Strong Man (CMLL)
- La Sombra (CMLL)
- Satoshi Kojima (free / 2010 winner)
- Minoru Suzuki (Pancrase MISSION)
- Yoshihiro Takayama (Takayama-do)

* Tetsuya Naito is the latest big name from New Japan to head to CMLL in Mexico, where he along with now former partner Yujiro have been before. Naito will return to New Japan close to the end of July, so will stay a month or so just like Nakamura.
* Some changes to the six man tag tournament that begins tomorrow. Brian Kendrick replaces Killer Rabbit to continue his team with Jado & Gedo that surprisingly formed in Osaka. With Nakanishi having been badly injured recently, he is out so Kanemoto leads the young lion tandem of Kyosuke Mikami and Hiromu Takahashi. And with Naito out of CHAOS and heading to CMLL, the soon to retire Dick Togo replaces him and teams with Yujiro and Tanaka.
* MVP returns for the summer tour, while Strong Man, Minoru Suzuki, Masato Tanaka, and CMLL star Hector Garza are other guests. Nakamura is also back from his CMLL expedition to lead CHAOS.
* Mitsuhide Hirasawa, permanently using his new ring name of Hideo Saito it appears, returns to New Japan on the tour and begins a feud with former teacher Nagata. Hirasawa or Saito as he will now be known is now a member of CHAOS.
* Yutaka Yoshie makes a rare return home on the 7/10 house show in his local Maebashi.
* Tanahashi vs. Bernard is the focus of the tour, with Tana & Goto challenging Bad Intentions for the IWGP Tag Team Title at Korakuen on 7/3 before Tanahashi defends his IWGP Heavyweight Title against Bernard on the big tour climax.

NJPW “J SPORTS CROWN 6 MAN OPENWEIGHT TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT”, 6/21/11 (J SPORTS)
Tokyo Differ Ariake

1. J SPORTS CROWN 6 Man Openweight Tag Team Tournament Prelude: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Wataru Inoue & King Fale vs. Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & Jushin Thunder Liger
2. J SPORTS CROWN 6 Man Openweight Tag Team Tournament Prelude: Hirooki Goto, Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii
3. J SPORTS CROWN 6 Man Openweight Tag Team Tournament – Round 1: Koji Kanemoto, Kyosuke Mikami & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, Madoka & Shinobu
4. J SPORTS CROWN 6 Man Openweight Tag Team Tournament – Round 1: Yuji Nagata, Super Strong Machine & Tiger Mask vs. Masato Tanaka , Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo
5. J SPORTS CROWN 6 Man Openweight Tag Team Tournament – Round 1: Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima & Tomoaki Honma vs. Lance Archer, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
6. J SPORTS CROWN 6 Man Openweight Tag Team Tournament – Round 1: Hiroshi Tanahashi, KUSHIDA & Mascara Dorada vs. Brian Kendrick , Jado & Gedo

NJPW “J SPORTS CROWN 6 MAN OPENWEIGHT TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT”, 6/22/11 (J SPORTS)
Tokyo Differ Ariake

1. J SPORTS CROWN 6 Man Openweight Tag Team Tournament – Round 2: Winner of Team Tanahashi/Team Kendrick vs. Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & Jushin Thunder Liger
2. J SPORTS CROWN 6 Man Openweight Tag Team Tournament – Round 2: Winner of Team Kanemoto/Team Kikuchi vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii
3. J SPORTS CROWN 6 Man Openweight Tag Team Tournament – Round 2: Winner of Team Nagata/Team Tanaka vs. Hirooki Goto, Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi
4. J SPORTS CROWN 6 Man Openweight Tag Team Tournament – Round 2: Winner of Team Makabe/Team Archer vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Wataru Inoue & King Fale

NJPW “J SPORTS CROWN 6 MAN OPENWEIGHT TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT”, 6/23/11 (J SPORTS)
Tokyo Differ Ariake

1. J SPORTS CROWN 6 Man Openweight Tag Team Tournament – Semi Final:
2. J SPORTS CROWN 6 Man Openweight Tag Team Tournament – Semi Final:
3. J SPORTS CROWN 6 Man Openweight Tag Team Tournament – Final:

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NJPW, 7/3/11 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Jushin Thunder Liger & Kyosuke Mikami vs. Jado & Gedo
2. Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. KUSHIDA & Hiromu Takahashi
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Yuji Nagata, Wataru Inoue & King Fale vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Hideo Saito
4. Strong Man & Tomoaki Honma vs. Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi
5. MVP vs. Tomohiro Ishii
6. Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima & Tiger Mask vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
7. IWGP Tag Team Title: Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto

NJPW, 7/8/11 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Differ Ariake

1. Takaaki Watanabe vs. Jado
2. Jushin Thunder Liger, Kyosuke Mikami & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Masato Tanaka , Yujiro Takahashi & Hector Garza
3. Prince Devitt, Ryusuke Taguchi & KUSHIDA vs. Kota Ibushi , Daisuke Sasaki & Madoka
4. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Yuji Nagata & Wataru Inoue vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Takashi Iizuka & Hideo Saito
5. Satoshi Kojima, Tomoaki Honma & Tiger Mask vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
6. Togi Makabe & MVP vs. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii
7. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Strong Man vs. Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & King Fale

NJPW, 7/10/11
Green Dome Maebashi Sub Arena

1. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Yuji Nagata vs. Takashi Iizuka & Hideo Saito
2. Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima & Tiger Mask vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
3. Strong Man, Yutaka Yoshie & Tomoaki Honma vs. Masato Tanaka , Yujiro Takahashi & Tomohiro Ishii
4. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & Hector Garza

NJPW, 7/13/11
Sapporo Teisen Hall

1. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Wataru Inoue, Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Masato Tanaka , Yujiro Takahashi & Tomohiro Ishii
2. MVP & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Toru Yano & Hector Garza
3. Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima & Tiger Mask vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
4. Hiroshi Tanahashi & KUSHIDA vs. Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson

NJPW, 7/14/11
Asahikawa Local Industry Promotion Center

1. MVP, Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Toru Yano, Jado & Gedo
2. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Yuji Nagata & Wataru Inoue vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Takashi Iizuka & Hideo Saito
3. Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima & Tomoaki Honma vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
4. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & KUSHIDA vs. Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & Tiger Mask

NJPW, 7/15/11
Muroran City Gymnasium

1. MVP, Strong Man & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano & Hector Garza
2. Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima & Tomoaki Honma vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
3. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Yuji Nagata vs. Takashi Iizuka & Hideo Saito
4. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & KUSHIDA vs. Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & Tiger Mask

NJPW, 7/16/11
Yakumo Town Gymnasium

1. MVP, Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Toru Yano, Jado & Gedo
2. Strong Man, Tomoaki Honma & KUSHIDA vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi
3. Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima & Tiger Mask vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
4. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson & Hector Garza

NJPW, 7/18/11 (WPW/PPV)
Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena

1. Prince Devitt, Ryusuke Taguchi & KUSHIDA vs. Kota Ibushi , Kenny Omega & Daisuke Sasaki
2. Yuji Nagata vs. Hideo Saito
3. Special Singles Match: Satoshi Kojima vs. Minoru Suzuki
4. IWGP Intercontinental Title: MVP (c) vs. Toru Yano
5. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Giant Bernard

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NJPW, 7/19/11
Obihiro City Gymnasium

1. Hirooki Goto, Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Jushin Thunder Liger, KUSHIDA & King Fale
2. Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima & MVP vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Yuji Nagata & Wataru Inoue vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Hideo Saito

NJPW, 7/20/11
Shiranuka Town Gymnasium

1. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Yuji Nagata, Wataru Inoue & King Fale vs. Takashi Iizuka, Masato Tanaka , Yujiro Takahashi & Hideo Saito
2. Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Tiger Mask vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii

NJPW, 7/22/11
Hakodate Citizen Gymnasium

1. Hirooki Goto & KUSHIDA vs. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii
2. Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima & MVP vs. Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Yuji Nagata & Tomoaki Honma vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Takashi Iizuka & Hideo Saito

NJPW, 7/23/11
Aomori Industrial Hall

1. Togi Makabe, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Tomoaki Honma vs. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Hideo Saito
2. Satoshi Kojima & MVP vs. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Ryusuke Taguchi & KUSHIDA vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Yujiro Takahashi, Jado & Gedo

NJPW, 7/24/11
Akita Terrsa Hall

1. Hirooki Goto, Ryusuke Taguchi & KUSHIDA vs. Yujiro Takahashi, Jado & Gedo
2. Togi Makabe & Satoshi Kojima vs. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Yuji Nagata & Wataru Inoue vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Hideo Saito

NJPW “DOMINION 6.18″, 6/18/11 (WPW/PPV)
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
6,200 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

1. Koji Kanemoto beat Hiromu Takahashi (3:04) with a single-leg crab hold.
2. Brian Kendrick , Jado & Gedo beat Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA (8:33) when Kendrick used the Sliced Bread #2 on KUSHIDA.
3. CMLL World Welterweight Title: Mascara Dorada beat Ryusuke Taguchi (c) (8:26) by pinfall to become the 26th champion.
4. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Yuji Nagata & Wataru Inoue beat Takashi Iizuka, Masato Tanaka & Tomohiro Ishii (9:12) when Nagata used a backdrop hold on Ishii.
5. Special Singles Match: Yujiro Takahashi beat Tetsuya Naito (11:12) with the Tokyo Pimps.
6. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Kota Ibushi beat Prince Devitt (c) (13:49) with a Firebird splash to become the 61st champion.
7. Special Tag Match: Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer beat Togi Makabe & Satoshi Kojima (12:39) when Suzuki used a Gotch-style piledriver on Kojima.
8. IWGP Intercontinental Title: MVP (c) beat Toru Yano (10:50) with a leg roll clutch hold (1st defense).
9. Double Title Match – IWGP Tag Team Title & GHC Tag Team Title: Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson (c) beat Yoshihiro Takayama & Takuma Sano (c) (12:03) when Bernard used the Bernard Driver on Sano (8th defense) to become the 22nd GHC Tag Team Champions.
10. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) beat Hirooki Goto (25:28) with the High Fly Flow (5th defense).

* A packed house of 6,200 fans saw another great show by New Japan in the hotbed known as Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.
* TNA Wrestling’s Brian Kendrick, who became popular in Japan earlier in the 2000s as Spanky in ZERO-ONE, made a surprise appearance in the second match in the place of Killer Rabbit, teaming with Jado & Gedo.
* Taguchi’s half year reign as CMLL World Welterweight Champion ended at the hands of the man he won it from, Mascara Dorada, the Funky Weapon failing in his V3 defense of the belt.
* AKIRA returned to his old haunt after the fourth match to continue his feud with former JJ Jacks tag partner Iizuka from TAJIRI’s SMASH promotion. After the same match, Mitsuhide Hirasawa made his long awaited return to Japan, surprisingly betraying his Blue Justice mentor Nagata and possibly (awaiting confirmaiton) joining CHAOS!
* Yujiro drew first blood in what is likely to be a lengthy grudge feud with former NO LIMIT partner Naito, and Naito was gang attacked after the match before Honma made the save.
* Best of the Super Jr. winner, Kota Ibushi, ended Prince Devitt’s one year reign as IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion in an emotional match. After several high profile losses to Devitt, including the 2010 BOSJ final and a title match at this year’s Tokyo Dome show, Ibushi finally rose to the peak of the junior scene to capture the prestigious IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title. Although Devitt’s memorable reign came to an end on the same day his close friend Taguchi also dropped gold, Apollo 55 do still hold the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title remember.
* MVP retained the newly founded IWGP Intercontinental Title in a rematch of the tournament final where he won it, pinning Toru Yano with a cradle for a successful V1 defense.
* Bad Intentions made history twice over with one three count, smashing Chono & Tenzan’s IWGP Tag Team Title defense record while at the same time taking the GHC Tag Team Title from NOAH to become double champions. Bernard & Anderson cement themselves as one of the most dominant teams in Japanese tag wrestling history.
* Tanahashi retained the IWGP Heavyweight Title over Goto in what is being called an epic match. Goto came closer than ever to winning the title that has eluded him so far but disappointingly still wasn’t able to surpass Tanahashi and the wait continues. The two shook hands out of respect after the match, despite their recent bitter. After making history in the match beforehand, Giant Bernard appeared after the match and challenged Tanahashi! Tanahashi counter-challenged Bernard for a shot at the tag belts, with Goto as his partner. If the singles match is realized, Bernard has the chance to become a 3-crown champion.

New Japan advances on the Tokyo Dome with “WRESTLE KINGDOM V” on January 4th, and the full card of 13 big matches were announced today! As expected, ace Hiroshi Tanahashi is the chosen one to try and bring home the IWGP Heavyweight Champion from freelancer Satoshi Kojima, who has returned to New Japan with such impact this year. The feud that never dies, Togi Makabe vs. Masato Tanaka, continues under it as in a rematch from their IWGP Heavyweight Title slugfest a few months ago, they collide again.

Two young men at the top of their promotions go to war again as Shinsuke Nakamura and Pro Wrestling NOAH’s great young hope Go Shiozaki meet one year to the day after Shiozaki faced Nakamura’s generation rival, Tanahashi, in the same building. One half of NO LIMIT, Tetsuya Naito, is thrown into the spotlight as he challenges the “Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy for the TNA World Heavyweight Title in the biggest match of Naito’s career to date. One of New Japan’s brightest young stars, Naito has impressed massively this year and is rewarded with this match.

Another of New Japan’s great young hopes, Kazuchika Okada, returns home after a lengthy spell in TNA Wrestling, as he teams with Hirooki Goto against GHC Heavyweight Champion, Takashi Sugiura, and the man who was in last year’s 1/4 main event, Yoshihiro Takayama. A very big return match for Okada, who will look to show his growth and make an impact. The Best of the Super Jr. final will be replayed, this time over the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title, as two of the most impressive junior heavyweights in Japan, Prince Devitt and Kota Ibushi, collide over the prestigious belt. This continues Devitt’s run of defending the belt against outsiders, the Irishman yet to have defended against one of New Japan’s own.

Old rivals Yuji Nagata and Minoru Suzuki reunite in combat on the heels of Suzuki return to New Japan days ago, in a rematch from the original “WRESTLE KINGDOM” titled show on 1/4/07. Rob Van Dam, known to all American wrestling fans, is another TNA star to hit the Dome as he battles CHAOS second-in-command, Toru Yano. And speaking of CHAOS, the dastardly Takashi Iizuka revives his blood feud from 2009 with the recently returned Hiroyoshi Tenzan in a “DEEP SLEEP TO LOSE MATCH”, where the only way to win is to render your opponent unconscious.

The road to the CMLL/New Japan co-hosted “FANTASTIC MANIA” show sees three of CMLL’s finest showcased at the Dome, as Hector Garza teams with New Japan’s own Jushin Thunder Liger against La Sombra & Mascara Dorada. The show will kick off with a bang as Bad Intentions defend their IWGP Tag Team Title in a 3WAY Match against Tokyo Sports Tag MVP winners, Manabu Nakanishi & Strong Man, and TNA Wrestling’s Beer Money Inc., who defeated Bernard & Anderson in a non-title match at the beginning of the G1 Tag League tour.

There will also be two dark matches for fans who arrive early, focusing on interpromotional junior action and the New Japan vs. CHAOS feud.

NJPW “WRESTLE KINGDOM V IN TOKYO DOME”, 1/4/11 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Dome

0-1. World Wrestling Interpromotional Match: Wataru Inoue, Tiger Mask, Tomoaki Honma & Tama Tonga vs. Yujiro Takahashi, Tomohiro Ishii, Jado & Gedo
0-2. World Wrestling Invitation Match: Koji Kanemoto & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Kenny Omega & Taichi
1. IWGP Tag Team Title – 3WAY Match: Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson (c) vs. James Storm & Robert Roode vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Strong Man
2. ROAD TO FANTASIC MANIA: Jushin Thunder Liger & Hector Garza vs. La Sombra & Mascara Dorada
3. DEEP SLEEP TO LOSE: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Takashi Iizuka
4. NJPW-TNA Greatest Showcase: Toru Yano vs. Rob Van Dam
5. NO JUSTICE, NO LIFE: Yuji Nagata vs. Minoru Suzuki
6. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Prince Devitt (c) vs. Kota Ibushi
7. NJPW vs. NOAH Battle Combustion I – Kazuchika Okada Return Match: Hirooki Goto & Kazuchika Okada vs. Takashi Sugiura & Yoshihiro Takayama
8. TNA World Heavyweight Title: Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito
9. NJPW vs. NOAH Battle Combustion II: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Go Shiozaki
10. The Absolute Exhaust: Togi Makabe vs. Masato Tanaka
11. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Satoshi Kojima (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Before the Tokyo Dome comes a build-up show at Korakuen with some big matches leading in!

NJPW “ROAD TO KINGDOM ~BATTLE XMAS!~”, 12/23/10 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Manabu Nakanishi & Tomoaki Honma vs. Toru Yano & Jado
2. Hirooki Goto & Tama Tonga vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito
3. Jushin Thunder Liger, Koji Kanemoto & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Taichi, X & X
4. Special 6 Man Tag Match: Togi Makabe, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Tiger Mask vs. Masato Tanaka , Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii
5. Special Tag Match: Shinsuke Nakamura & Gedo vs. Go Shiozaki & Atsushi Aoki
6. Special Tag Match: Yuji Nagata & Wataru Inoue vs. Yoshihiro Takayama & Minoru Suzuki
7. Special Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Prince Devitt vs. Satoshi Kojima & Kota Ibushi

–> “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.

TNA Wrestling presents an IWGP Tag Team Title vs. TNA World Tag Team Title match at the upcoming Lockdown PPV on April 19th at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia. It’ll be Beer Money Inc. (Robert Roode & James Storm) who recently appeared in New Japan against Team 3D, who of course took the IWGP Tag Team Title back to America. It’ll be a Steel Cage match and apparently both titles will be on the line but if history teaches us anything its not to consider it an official IWGP match until New Japan says so as there have been a handful of title defenses never sanctioned by New Japan, so we’ll wait and see if this one is.