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.

NJPW “DESTRUCTION ’12″, 9/23/12 (WPW/PPV)
Kobe World Hall
8,000 Fans – Super No Vacancy

1. Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii beat Captain New Japan & Tama Tonga (9:16) when Ishii used a brainbuster on Captain.
2. KUSHIDA, Alex Shelley & BUSHI beat Rocky Romero, Alex Koslov & Gedo (9:37) when Shelley used the I-94 on Koslov.
3. Low Ki beat Daisuke Sasaki (8:45) with a diving footstomp.
4. Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer & Harry Smith beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata (12:02) when Suzuki used a Gotch-style piledriver on Nagata.
5. Togi Makabe beat Kengo Mashimo (9:02) with a King Kong kneedrop.
6. Kazushi Sakuraba & Katsuyori Shibata beat Wataru Inoue & Hiromu Takahashi (3:03) when Shibata used a PK on Takahashi.
7. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Kota Ibushi (c) beat Ryusuke Taguchi (17:06) with a Phoenix splash (2nd defense).
8. Hirooki Goto, Tetsuya Naito & Karl Anderson beat Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazuchika Okada & Yujiro Takahashi (15:08) when Goto used the Shouten Kai on Okada.
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) beat Naomichi Marufuji (23:35) with the High Fly Flow (3rd defense).

* Tanahashi overcame a stiff V3 defense of his IWGP Heavyweight Title in the main event of today’s sold out Kobe show, beating the man who upset him in the G1 Climax, NOAH’s Naomichi Marufuji. Tanahashi had little time to recover before Minoru Suzuki was in the ring challenging him for a title match, which would be a rematch of this January’s Tokyo Dome show and also another G1 rematch, as Suzuki was one of three men (the others being Marufuji and Anderson) who beat Tana in that tournament.

* Kota Ibushi’s second run as IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion continues to impress as today he survived the challenge of Taguchi in another difficult defense. Like Tanahashi, Ibushi was greeted by his probable next challenger right after winning as the man he defeated to win the title, Low Ki, made his presence felt and demanded another match with the high-flying champion.

* Kazushi Sakuraba and Katsuyori Shibata are finally here! The invading duo ran through Wataru Inoue and young lion Hiromu Takahashi in just 3 minutes to advertise their re-arrival in New Japan. Togi Makabe, who earlier had beaten Suzuki Gun’s newest member Kengo Mashimo, appeared after the match to challenge the two, and Makabe & Inoue vs. Sakuraba & Shibata has already been determined for October’s Sumo Hall show.

* Manabu Nakanishi is back! Or almost. After well over a year out of action with a serious injury, the big man announced in the ring today that he will return to action at Sumo Hall. Kobe responded with a loud “Nakanishi!” chant.

* As things stand the 10/8 Sumo Hall show is looking likely to have Tanahashi vs. Suzuki (IWGP Heavyweight), Ibushi vs. Low Ki (IWGP Jr. Heavyweight), Sakuraba & Shibata vs. Makabe & Inoue, and Nakanishi’s return. There are also whispers of a Nakamura vs. Goto rematch for the IWGP Intercontinental Title after Goto impressively pinned Okada today in a six man tag match.

–> “G1 CLIMAX SPECIAL 2011” <--

NJPW “KANTARO HOSHINO MEMORIAL SHOW”, 9/19/11 (WPW/PPV)
Kobe World Hall
7,800 Fans – Super No Vacancy

1. TAKA Michinoku & Taichi beat Tomoaki Honma & Kyosuke Mikami (8:30) when TAKA used the Just Facelock on Mikami.
2. Kantaro Hoshino Memorial Match: Koji Kanemoto beat Makai #28 (5:25) with an ankle hold.
3. Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka, Tomohiro Ishii & Gedo beat Hirooki Goto, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Tama Tonga & Killer Rabbit (12:42) when Yano used the Oni Koroshi on Rabbit.
4. Special Singles Match: Yuji Nagata beat Hideo Saito (9:24) with a backdrop hold.
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Prince Devitt beat KUSHIDA (13:30) with the Bloody Sunday to become the 62nd champion (decision match).
6. Special 6 Man Tag Match: Masato Tanaka , Davey Richards & Rocky Romero beat MVP, Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi (10:02) when Richards used the Contract Killer on Taguchi.
7. Special Singles Match: Minoru Suzuki beat Wataru Inoue (13:02) with a Gotch-style piledriver.
8. Special Singles Match: Tetsuya Naito beat Yujiro Takahashi (12:37) with a Stardust press.
9. Special Singles Match: Togi Makabe beat Lance Archer (11:22) with a King Kong kneedrop.
10. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) beat Shinsuke Nakamura (26:07) with the High Fly Flow (7th defense).

* New Japan ace Hiroshi Tanahashi returned from an excursion to CMLL in Mexico and made a successful V7 defense of his IWGP Heavyweight Title against his greatest rival Shinsuke Nakamura. It was the traditional IWGP vs. G1 Climax match held in September or October and as always the two put on a great show for the sold out Kobe World Hall. But for the second time in this, his fifth reign as champion, Tanahashi defeated Nakamura and looks close to unstoppable in a reign that has now entered its eighth month.
* Tanahashi’s next challenger will be G1 Climax runner-up Tetsuya Naito who finally turned around his 0-2 record against former NO LIMIT tag partner Yujiro Takahashi today by pinning the man who betrayed him following a Stardust press. Naito appeared after Tana’s victory over Nakamura and issued his challenge
* Following singles victories for both today, Togi Makabe and Minoru Suzuki are set to do battle at Sumo Hall next month after Makabe had harsh words for the Pancrase man.
* After close to a year of performing in the company as a freelancer, Satoshi Kojima showed up for the first time since the G1 Climax today and announced he is formally rejoining New Japan! Kojima left the company with the All Japan breakaway crew of Keiji Muto and Kendo Kashin way back in January ’02 but can now officially call himself a New Japan wrestler again. Kojima nominated sworn friend Hiroyoshi Tenzan as his return match opponent for “DESTRUCTION ’11″ on 10/10 at Sumo Hall.
* The IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title is back in New Japan hands but only after Kota Ibushi was forced to vacate the belt, leading to today’s decision match between Prince Devitt and KUSHIDA. Devitt held the title for almost a year in his previous reign that Ibushi ended in June but was too strong for KUSHIDA in this decision match, hitting the Bloody Sunday to begin his second reign as champion. Can Devitt hold the belt for such an epic length of time as he did last time?
* After he beat former young lion disciple Hideo Saito, Nagata was attacked by another CHAOS member, Toru Yano, who assaulted him with scissors and said he would shave Nagata’s hair off. Nagata declared war on Yano.
* Of course as the title suggests, this show was held in tribute to the late Kantaro Hoshino who passed away last November. Hoshino and his son for years had done exceptional work promoting shows like these in Kobe and helping New Japan get good attendances just like today’s. A former wrestler and manager (of the Makai Club) in New Japan, Hoshino is sorely missed. “BISSHIBISHI!” President Hoshino!

–> “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.

-

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

-

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!

For the first time since Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Jun Akiyama opened the 2003 G1 Climax, New Japan packed Kobe World Hall to the rafters today with a capacity crowd of 8,000 fans turning out to see the first ever IWGP Heavyweight Title match in the hotspot. Togi Makabe has found himself in second place so much over the past year and half, finishing runner-up in no less than three tournaments, and failing to win the IWGP Heavyweight Title. Each time he is in touching distance, but never gets the job done, and sadly for him, it was the same today. And yet one can’t overlook Makabe pushing Keiji Muto to his limit and beating him bloody, again coming close to winning the prestigious title. But mighty Muto continued a reign that started in April, wrapping Makabe’s own chain around his knee and hitting a Shining Wizard, then following with a moonsault press to complete a successful V3 defense. It was the man who Muto took the belt from, young superstar Shinsuke Nakamura, who appeared in the ring after the match and challenged Muto for a chance to regain what was taken from him. Muto shook hands with Nakamura and “HOLD OUT” hit, and now the rematch looks on for 10/13 Sumo Hall! TenKoji’s reunion continued with another win over GBH as they bested Iizuka & Ishii, Tenzan submitting the WEW Heavyweight Champion with his Anaconda Vice. Iizuka also used a chain in this match to torment Tenzan, and there were signs that Tenzan vs. Iizuka in a Chain Death Match could also be added to Sumo Hall.

A new threat has emerged in New Japan’s junior division. He first appeared last year as TNA superstar Senshi, then again as RISE’s new recruit earlier this year, but was injured right away. Then he returned at the beginning of this tour as a GBH member, and already Low Ki has struck gold, today ending a fairly brief fourth reign as IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion for Tiger Mask. This was Tiger’s V1 defense and it went wrong as Low Ki drilled Tiger with his Ki Krusher ‘99 for the unlikely title win. Tiger Mask swore on his honour to avenge this loss and win back the belt, but another title has entered GBH custody for the time being. On the undercard, New Japan Sekigun and RISE united, as Tanahashi, Nakamura, Goto & Wataru beat the team of Yano, Bernard, Fuller & Anderson when Nakamura forced Anderson to tap out. There are signs of Tanahashi, who has been quiet since returning from a long-term injury, of heading to America for an expedition, possibly with some TNA appearances again.

NJPW, 9/21/08 (WPW)
Kobe World Hall
8,000 Fans - Super No Vacancy

0. Kazuchika Okada beat Nobuo Yoshihashi (5:07) with a crab hold.
1. GREATEST Jr. BATTLE in KOBE: Koji Kanemoto beat Jushin Thunder Liger (8:12) with an ankle hold.
2. Milano Collection AT beat Taichi Ishikari (8:27) with the Victoria Milanese.
3. Yuji Nagata, Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito beat Manabu Nakanishi, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt (11:06) when Nagata used a backdrop hold on Devitt.
4. Jado, Gedo & Tomoaki Honma beat Riki Choshu, Masahiro Chono & Mitsuhide Hirasawa (7:29) when Honma used a diving headbutt on Hirasawa.
5. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shinsuke Nakamura, Hirooki Goto & Wataru Inoue beat Toru Yano, Giant Bernard, Rick Fuller & Karl Anderson (16:16) when Nakamura used a flying cross armbreaker on Anderson.
6. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Low Ki beat Tiger Mask (c) (15:17) with the Ki Krusher ‘99 to become the 55th champion.
7. TENKOJI vs. GBH “Crimson WARS”: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima beat Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii (12:23) when Tenzan used the Anaconda Vice on Ishii.
8. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Keiji Muto (c) beat Togi Makabe (19:16) with a moonsault press (3rd defense).