By Sean Radican, Torch columnist

RADICAN’S NJPW “INVASION ATTACK 2015” REPORT
APRIL 5, 2015
SUMO ARENA
TOKYO, JAPAN
AIRED LIVE ON NJPWWORLD.COM

(1) Yuji Nagata & Captain New Japan & Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA & Yohei Komatsu vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Jushin Liger & Tiger Mark IV & Ryusuke Taguchi & Sho Tanaka in a 10 Man Tag match. Nakanishi kicked things off and went right into a chop battle. Nakanishi chopped Nagata into the corner, but Nagata eventually fired back with an exploder. Nakanishi got right back up and no sold a running boot. He eventually hit a spear and cleared the apron of Nagata’s partners. He then set up for a big running lariat, and connected, but Nagata kicked out. Nagata countered a clothesline and got his signature arm bar submission, but Taguchi broke it up. KUSHIDA and Tiger Mark had a fast-paced exchange that ended with Tiger Mask hitting a liger bomb for a 2 count. Liger got the tag and continued to work over KUSHIDA. Captain New Japan and Taguchi eventually tagged in and went at it. Captain New Japan went for a shoulder tackle off the ropes, but Taguchi got out of the way and worked him over with his funky weapon. Captain New Japan countered a flying hip attack with a punch to the rear end, but Taguchi caught him with a hip attack as he came off the ropes. The action broke down and everyone ended up going after Captain New Japan in the corner. Captain New Japan was nearly pinned after a power slam from Tanaka, but everyone made the save. Shelley ended up going at it with Tanaka. Shelley caught him with a superkick as he came off the ropes. Tanaka fired back and took out Shelley and KUSHIDA. Shelley and KUSHIDA wiped out Tanaka with a combination of moves. Shelley nailed Tanaka with a huge kick and hit white noise for the win.

Winners: Yuji Nagata & Captain New Japan & Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA & Yohei Komatsu

Star rating: (**) – This was fine for an opening match with Shelley looking strong getting the win in the end. Other than that, there wasn’t much memorable about the match.

(2) Bullet Club (Yujiro Takahashi & Tama Tonga & Cody Hall) vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Tomoaki Honma in a Six Man Tag match. The announcers went crazy when the camera went up close on Takahashi’s valet. Bullet Club ended up isolating Honma inside the ring after jumping their opponents to start the match. Tonga missed a running headbutt on Honma early and Honma connected with one of his own. The fans fired up as Honma also connected with a running headbutt on Hall. Kojima and Tenzan then got into the ring and went to work on Takahashi. Tenzan went up top and hit his signature knee drop/bulldog combination out of the corner and continued to work over Takahashi. Takahashi fired back on Kojima and tagged in Tonga, who began working him over. Takahashi tagged in and began hitting Kojima with some light kicks to the head. Kojima fired up and caught him with a spinning kick as he came off the ropes. Kojima got the tag and went to town on Takahashi in the corner with machinegun chops. The fans fired up as Kojima went up top and hit a diving elbow for a 2 count. Kojima decked Takahashi with a rolling elbow and flexed his pecs. Takahashi ended up biting Kojima’s fingers and nailed him with a suplex. Tonga got the tag and hit a big splash in the corner. He then slid all over the ring before hitting a big frog splash for a 2 count. Kojima fired back and hit an ace crusher. He set up for a lariat, but Tonga nailed him with a spear. Both men tagged out and Honma and Hall went at it. Hall took Honma down with a big running boot. The Bullet Club then nailed Honma with a series of big moves capped by a huge discus lariat from Hall to Honma for a 2 count. Everyone but Hall and Honma brawled to the outside. Hall set up for the Razor’s edge, but Honma slid out of it.

Hall fended off Kojima and Tenzan and went after Honma, but got caught by a leaping headbutt off the ropes from Honma. Kojima and Tenzan nailed Hall with a 3D. Honma then came off the top with his signature headbutt for the win as the fans went nuts.

Winners: Hiroshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Tomoaki Honma

Star rating: (**1/2) – This was a fun match. Hall got in some good power offense before being overcome by the numbers game in the end. It’s hilarious how the announcers freaked out when the camera zoomed in on Takahashi’s valet before and during the match.

(3) IWGP Jr. Hvt. Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) vs. RPG Vice (Barreta & Rocky Romero). Barreta and Nick kicked things off going at it in the ring with a fast exchange off the ropes. Nick threw some crotch chops at Barreta, but Barreta fired back and hit a backdrop. Nick took a combination of moves and tagged in Matt, but Romero caught him with a gut as he tried to go for a splash off the top. Barreta danced back and forth on the apron before hitting a slingshot into a face stomp from the apron. Matt dragged Nick to the floor and The Young Bucks teased leaving the ring. I hope they realize they can lose their titles via count out. Romero and Barreta went after them down the aisle and The Young Bucks surprised them with a double superkick. Romero ended up tossing Barreta back into the ring to barely beat the 20 count. The Young Bucks went to work on Romero and Barreta with a series of double team moves and posed for the crowd. Matt hit a handspring back rake on Barreta in the corner and did the Flair strut. The Young Bucks continued to work over Barreta for a long period of time. The fans got behind Barreta and chanted his name. Matt told Romero to suck it while standing over Barreta and he ran into the ring and slapped Matt across the face. Matt superkicked Romero off the apron to the floor a short time later. Barreta caught Matt with a double stomp out of the corner, but Romero was still down on the outside.

Nick tagged in and hit a running knee on Barreta, but only got a 2 count. He went up top for a swanton, but Barreta got his knees up. Barreta then hit a swinging DDT on Nick and made the hot tag to Romero, who ran wild on The Young Bucks. Romero eventually hit a double hurricanrana on the Young Bucks and the fans fired up. He hit a running neck breaker on Nick, but could only get a 2 count. The action broke down and RPG Vice nailed Nick with a double knee strike. They nailed Nick with a series of moves capped by a running knee from Barreta, but Matt made the save. He dragged Nick to the corner and tagged himself into the match. Matt did crotch chops while hitting running clotheslines on Romero in the corner. They went back and forth. Romero ate a superkick, but no-sold it and told Matt to suck it before hitting a huge clothesline that left both men down on the mat. Holy crap! Romero tried to tag out, but Nick dragged Barreta to the floor. Nick hit a springboard x-factor on Romero and then a moonsault into a hurricanrana off the apron to the floor on Barreta. Matt held up Romero on the ropes and Nick came off the top with a swanton, but Romero kicked out at the last second. Romero countered more bang for your buck, but Matt set him up for an IndyTaker. Romero fought out and pushed Matt into Nick, who was on the turnbuckles. Romero went for a hurricanrana off the top, but Matt nailed him with a superkick. The Young Bucks then hit the IndyTaker, but Barreta pushed Nick into Matt to break up the pin! Holy crap. The Young Bucks pulled the ref in front of them and nailed Barreta with a double superkick. The Young Bucks hit a buckle bomb/enzuguri combination on Romero. They set up for more bang for your buck, but Barreta made a blind tag and suplexed Matt off the top. Romero wiped out Nick with a dive. RPG vice then hit an inverted piledriver/springboard missile dropkick combination on Matt for the win to become the champions!

Romero cut a promo and said they would be partying in Tokyo tonight, I believe and the fans cheered.

Winners: Rocky Romero & Barreta to become the new IWGP Jr. Hvt. Tag Team Champions

Star rating: (****1/4) – This was fantastic with both teams putting together one heck of a back and forth fast-paced match with some great sequences down the stretch. RPG Vice looks to be a very nice fit in the Jr. Hvt Tag division.

(4) IWGP Jr. Hvt. Champion Kenny Omega vs. Mascara Dorada. They went to a quick exchange early, but Omega casually walked out of the way of a springboard splash attempt from Dorada before putting the boots to him. Shelley, who was out as a second for Dorado got up on the apron, but the ref made him get down. Dorado fired back and hit an arm drag after stepping up off the ropes. He then jumped up to the second rope and hit a hurricanrana before wiping out Omega with a huge dive through the ropes that sent Omega over the barricade. Both men went back and forth on the outside and Dorada went for a hurricanrana off the apron, but Omega caught him and hit an apron bomb. Omega tried to come off the top, but Dorada got out of the way. He went for another springboard, but Omega nailed him with a dropkick for a 2 count. The fans tried to rally behind Dorada as Omega worked a chin lock and he eventually got to the ropes. Omega began working over Dorada and hit a big back breaker for a 2 count. Omega taunted Dorada with slaps to the head. Dorada got up and they began trading chops. Omega teased a chop and poked Dorada in the eye to drop him. Omega went for a running SSP a short time later, but Dorada got out of the way. Dorada hit a nice spinning DDT on Omega to begin his comeback. He then walked the ropes while holding Omega’s arm and nailed him with a dropkick for a 2 count.

Omega tried to mount a comeback from the apron, but Dorada got a running start and jumped over the top rope and hit a hurricanrana that sent Omega to the floor. Holy crap! Dorada went up top a short time later, but Omega got his boots up on a swanton attempt. Omega tried to lift Dorada onto his shoulders, but Dorada countered and got a near fall with a rollup. Omega got Dorada on his shoulders again and hit a big spinning back breaker for a near fall and the crowd applauded for the kick out. Dorada countered Omega and rolled over him and got a pinning combination for a 2 count. They went back and forth and Dorada hit an inverted code red for a 2 count. They battled near the apron with both guys going for a suplex. Omega got on the ropes, but Dorada nailed him with a kick. He then went up top and walked the ropes and hit a hurricanrana for a near fall and the crowd gasped. Dorada went up top and walked the ropes and hit a gorgeous moonsault, but didn’t go for the cover. He told Omega to suck it and lifted him up onto his shoulders, but Omega slid behind him and hit a dragon suplex for a 2 count. They went back and forth and Omega hit a jumping knee strike and then a one-arm variation of future shock for the win.

Omega told the wrestlers on the floor that they couldn’t band together and beat him. He said he’s cleaned up Mexican garbage and Japanese garbage. He said there’s only American garbage left and he looked at Alex Shelley. Omega said Shelley would be cleaned up next. Shelley got into the ring and brought Omega’s hand gun to his chest. The fans chanted for Shelley and Omega told him he’s a chump.

Winner: Kenny Omega to retain the IWGP Jr. Hvt. Championship

Star rating: (***1/2) – This was a good match with some great back and forth action. Dorada hit some spectacular moves during the match, especially the running hurricanrana over the top rope with Omega on the apron that sent both men crashing to the floor. Dorada countered Omega throughout the match, but ended up falling short. Omega worked a much more serious style and didn’t do any of his usual shenanigans here.

The Kingdom was out first for their shot at the IWGP Hvt. Tag Team Titles. Maria led Bennett and Taven down to the ring. The camera zoomed in on Maria’s backside as The Kingdom posed near the apron. The announcers went crazy as Maria shook her rear end for the camera.

Anderson waved at Maria before the match began. Gallows yelled at him to stay focused on the match.

(5) IWGP Hvt. The Bullet Club (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) vs. The Kingdom (Michael Bennett & Matt Taven (w/Maria). Anderson blew Maria a kiss and Taven took exception. Anderson continued to talk to Maria on the floor. Bennett and Anderson eventually tagged in and went at it. Anderson caught Bennett coming off the ropes and nailed him with a back breaker. He punched Bennett several times, but Anderson stopped him and pointed at Maria. Anderson and Gallows went to the floor after Maria. They chased her into the ring, but Bennett saved her. Gallows eventually caught Bennett with a kick and Anderson sent Taven off the apron with a running kick. Gallows told Anderson to focus and tagged him in to continue working over Bennett. Anderson eventually stopped and smiled at Maria before going back on the attack. Gallows worked over Bennett and then knocked Taven off the apron once again. Bennett knocked Anderson off the top and nailed him with a missile dropkick. Both men tagged out and Taven ran wild on Anderson. Taven hit a big neck breaker on Anderson and tagged in Bennett. Bennett hit a twist of fate on Anderson, but only got a 2 count after Taven hit a splash off the top. Anderson fired back on The Kingdom and eventually sent Bennett into Taven. Gallows then nailed Bennett with a big boot and yelled at Maria.

Anderson and Gallows hit a tandem neck breaker on Bennett, but Taven broke up the top. They hit a running kick/TKO combination on Taven a short time later. Anderson then hit a neck breaker over his knee on Bennett for a 2 count. Taven ran back into the ring and sent himself and Gallows to the floor with a big running splash. Anderson nailed Bennett with a big running boot for a 2 count and the fans fired up. Maria got up on the apron and the announcers went nuts. Anderson smiled and Gallows yelled at him. Maria began dancing on the apron and Anderson shimmied up next to her. Gallows grabbed Maria off the apron and Anderson told him to stop. The Kingdom wiped out Anderson with a series of moves. Taven wiped out Gallows with a big dive over the top to the floor. The Kingdom then hit a spiked piledriver on Anderson for the win.

After the match, Gallows yelled at Anderson on the outside while The Kingdom celebrated in the ring.

Winners: Matt Taven & Michael Bennett to become the new IWGP Hvt. Champions

Star rating: (**1/2) – The action was good here, but I can’t believe the story of the match was Anderson was smitten by Maria and it distracted him throughout the match and ultimately led to The Bullet Club dropping the straps here. Huge win for Taven & Bennett on this stage.

A video package aired for G1 Climax 25. It showed a map of Japan and ran down the 19 dates on the tour beginning on July 20 and ending August 16. That’s insane!

Ishii got into Makabe’s face when he got into the ring and help up the Openweight belt before their partners separated them. They introduced the participants in the upcoming Six Man Tag by alternating one person at a time from each team. Nakamura was the last person to come out and he got a good pop from the fans.

(6) Togi Makabe & Hirooki Goto & Tetsuya Naito vs. IWGP IC Champion Shinsuke Nakamura & NEVER Openweight Champion Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI. Goto and Nakamura started things off. Nakamura went for his vibration boot early on Goto and connected with it. Nakamura mocked Goto by making goggles over his eyes with his hands. Goto fired back and took Nakamura down with a shoulder tackle. He went to town on Nakamura in his own corner and Makabe tagged himself into the match. Makabe knocked Ishii off the apron and told him to bring it. Nakamura tagged Ishii in and both guys began trading bombs as the fans fired up. Ishii hit a big headbutt in the corner and a running clothesline, but Makabe shook it off and pounded him down to the mat. Both men began exchanging big forearms again. They then began exchanging slaps. Makabe took Ishii down with a shoulder tackle and tagged in Naito. Naito hit his signature running senton on Ishii and put the boots to him. Naito whipped Ishii and he went right after Makabe on the apron. The action broke down with Makabe and Ishii brawling on the outside. Nakamura and Goto also paired off. Ishii ended up getting Makabe’s chain and he choked him with it. He then wrapped the chain around his fist and hit a big running punch. Once the action settled down Naito got cut off and Nakamura began working him over in the ring.

Nakamura continued to taunt Goto with a goggle gesture. He then booted him off the apron before tagging in HASHI. Naito took a series of moves in the corner capped by a big neck breaker from HASHI. HASHI followed up with a big slam, but only got a 2 count. Naito fired back on HASHI and went for a tornado DDT. HASHI blocked it and went for a neck breaker, but Naito fought out of it and hit a flying forearm and both men were down. Naito and Ishii tagged in and went back to war. Makabe hit a big lariat in the corner before mounting Ishii and landing several punches. He followed up with a northern lights suplex with a bridge for a 2 count. Makabe nailed Ishii with a clothesline, but he wouldn’t go down. Ishii fired back with a clothesline and Makabe wouldn’t go down. Both men kept going for clotheslines, but neither would go down. Makabe finally wiped out Ishii with a big clothesline and hit a huge powerbomb for a 2 count. Makabe hit several big forearms in the corner, but Ishii shrugged them off and continued to walk at Makabe while absorbing several elbows. Makabe went off the ropes, but Ishii dropped him with a huge clothesline. Ishii favored his shoulder and tagged in Nakamura. Makabe wiped out Nakamura with a clothesline and tagged in Goto. Goto yelled at Nakamura and then began nailing him with kicks and strikes in the corner. HASHI came in and broke it up. Goto ended up alone in the ring, but he thwarted a triple team attempt in the corner and wiped out everyone. Goto cleared the ring and began exchanging strikes with Nakamura in the middle of the ring. Nakamura caught Goto with a spinning kick and hit a reverse powerslam. He made the goggle gesture again and went for the Boma ye, but Naito cut him off with a springboard dropkick. Everyone ended up in the ring and Makabe wiped out HASHI and Nakamura with a double clothesline. Nakamura nailed Goto with a jumping kick off the rope and went for a running knee in the corner, but Goto got out of the way. Nakamura hit a jumping Boma Ye out of the corner and went for another one, but Goto caught him and hit a neck breaker over his knee. The announcers went insane and Goto hit a Saito suplex, but HASHI and Ishii broke up the pin. The ring cleared again with just Goto and Nakamura left alone to go at it. Goto knocked HASHI off the apron and went back and forth with Nakamura. He wiped him out with a huge clothesline and finished him off with the hellavator for the pin with Makabe held Ishii back from making the save. Holy crap!

Makabe signaled that he wanted the NEVER title at Makabe after the match. Goto pointed at Nakamura after the match and signaled that he wanted an IC title shot. Makabe continued to jaw at Ishii and began nailing him with forearms. They went at it as several wrestlers and attendants tried to keep them apart.

Winners: Hirooki Goto & Tetsuya Naito & Togi Makabe

Star rating: (***3/4) – Excellent Six Man Tag match with several storylines unfolding. Nakamura mocked Goto to start the match, but ended up taking the fall to him in the end. It looks like they’re set up for a future headline match for the IWGP IC Championship. Makabe and Ishii also had some great exchanges and a pull-apart brawl after the match, so it looks like they will be going at it for the NEVER Openweight Championship. The crowd was way into this match and the finish was hot.

(7) Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba. Yano laughed while the fans chanted for Tanahashi. Yano kept backing away from Tanahashi each time he tried to lock up with him. Tanahashi tried to chase him on the floor, but Yano rolled right into the ring. Yano finally avoided a lockup and tagged in Sakuraba. Tanahashi then tagged in Shibata. Both men got ankle submissions on the mat before Shibata ended up rolling under the ropes. Shibata backed Sakuraba into the ropes and teased a clean break before nailing him with a big overhand slap to the chest. Shibata tried to follow him to the floor, but Sakuraba rolled back into the ring. Tanahashi got the tag and dropped a knee on Shibata before going after Yano on the apron, but he dropped down to the floor. Yano ended up grabbing Tanahashi and he dragged him to the floor and tossed him into the guardrail. He then took one of the turnbuckle pads off and tossed Tanahashi back into the ring where Sakuraba nailed him with a big double stomp to the chest. Yano tagged in and whipped Tanahashi into the exposed turnbuckles. Shibata tried to run into the ring, but Sakuraba whipped him into the exposed turnbuckles as well. Sakuraba went to work on Shibata on the outside while Yano continued to work over Tanahashi in the ring. Yano got a near fall after tripping Tanahashi into the ropes where Sakuraba nailed him with a big slap.

Tanahashi fired back and took Yano down a short time later, but Yano dragged him to the mat by his hair. Tanahashi then returned the favor a short time later. Shibata got the tag and forearmed Yano into the corner and signaled for Sakuraba to tag in. Shibata immediately went to work on Sakuraba with a series of forearms in the corner. He then nailed him with a big running dropkick. Shibata put Sakuraba’s shirt his head and nailed him with a big kick to the back. Sakuraba managed to reverse a figure 4 a short time later and he began nailing Shibata with some big knee strikes. Sakuraba and Shibata went back and forth going for sleepers. Sakuraba got a choke sleeper and Tanahashi couldn’t get him off his back. Shibata eventually got to the ropes, but Sakuraba immediately got a kimura while Yano took care of Tanahashi on the outside. Shibata eventually was forced to tap.

Shibata sold his arm on the floor after the match and was handed an ice pack. Shibata eventually ditched the ice pack and walked to the back holding his arm.

Winners: Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba

Star rating: (**3/4) – Going into the match it looked like this was going to be about Tanahashi getting a measure of revenge on Yano, but instead it was Sakuraba taking the attack to Shibata and tapping him out with a kimura. I wouldn’t mind seeing Shibata and Sakuraba have a feud in the coming months.

They went to a video package highlighting Okada’s loss to Tanahashi at WK 9. They went to footage of Fale hitting the bad luck fall on Okada to defeat him. They showed Okada getting a measure of revenge at the NJPW Cup Final show last month by pinning him in a tag match after hitting the rainmaker. This was a really good video that told Okada’s story of falling apart after losing to Tanahashi at WK 9 with Fale being a thorn in his side.

(8) Bad Luck Fale vs. Kazuchika Okada (w/Gedo). Okada went right after Fale and nailed him with several forearms. Fale fired back and Okada went to the ropes before returning fire with several forearms. Fale slumped, but Okada went to one knee after taking a big forearm. Okada fired back and took Fale down before nailing him with a basement dropkick. The fans chanted for Okada, but Fale caught him with a big shoulder tackle as he came off the ropes. They ended up on the outside and Fale went to work on Okada and tossed him into the guardrail several times. Fale went after the announcer and took his tie, which he used to choke Okada. He then tossed Okada into the guardrail once again. Gedo got in Fale’s face, so Tonga tossed him into the guardrail and the fans booed. Fale continued to toss Okada into the guardrail on the outside. Fale began working over Okada inside the ring a short time later with a nerve hold. The fans fired up and chanted for Okada. Fale sat on top of Okada and continued to work the nerve hold. He then let go and grabbed Okada’s hair before letting it go because of the ref’s count. Fale stood on top of Okada, but the ref wouldn’t count a pin. Okada tried to fire back on Fale and hit several forearms. He nailed Okada with a kick and bounced off the ropes, but Fale decked him with a big boot for a 2 count. Fale went for a big splash off the ropes, but Okada got out of the way. Okada then clotheslined Fale over the top to the floor.

Okada nailed Fale with a running on the outside and he went flying over the guardrail. Okada then went for a splash over the apron, but Fale caught. Okada slid out of a slam attempt and clotheslined Fale over the guardrail before letting out a big scream. Okada tossed Fale back into the ring and went to work on him. Okada went for a tombstone, but Fale blocked it. Fale eventually caught Okada with a Samoan drop as he came off the ropes. Fale followed up with a big splash in the corner and a running splash off the ropes for a 2 count as the announcers freaked out. The fans tried to rally behind Okada. Fale kept going for his choke into a thumb to the throat, but Okada blocked it. Okada went for the tombstone again, but Fale blocked it. Okada countered Fale and ran him into the corner before hitting a big slam. Okada then went up top and dropped a big elbow. Okada signaled for the rainmaker, but Fale blocked it. Fale went for his choke slam into a thumb to the neck, but Okada blocked it. Fale then picked Okada up by the throat and tossed him into the turnbuckles. Fale went for the bad luck fall, but Okada hit a neck breaker over his knee and both men were down as the fans chanted for Okada. Okada went for a tombstone again, but Fale fell on top of him. Okada got up and nailed Fale with a kick to the head, but Fale caught him with a spear off the ropes for a near fall.

Fale hit a slam and went up top very slowly. He eventually connected with a big splash off the top, but Okada kicked out at the very last second. The fans really fired up and chanted for Okada. Fale went for the bad luck fall, but Okada slipped out and nailed him with a dropkick to the back of the head and both men were down. Holy crap! Fale went for his choke into a thumb to the throat again, but Okada slid out and nailed him with a dropkick. Fale countered the rainmaker, but Okada hit a German with a bridge for a 2 count. Okada went for the rainmaker again, but Fale nailed him with several elbows only to eat a big dropkick off the ropes. Okada’s face immediately swelled up, but he managed to nail Fale with a tombstone and the fans went nuts. Okada then finished Fale off with a huge rainmaker for the win! Holy crap!

Okada put his foot on Fale after the match and posed for the fans.

Winner: Kazuchika Okada

Star rating: (***3/4) – It’s amazing what a good story can do for a match that I would never be interested in on paper. These two told a really good story with Okada constantly countering the bad luck fall and kicking out of several of Fale’s signature power moves during the match. Fale on the other hand was able to counter out of the tombstone and the rainmaker several times until the end when Okada hit his signature combination for the win. It looks like Okada is back after this win over Fale.

A video package for Styles-Ibushi aired highlighting Ibushi winning the NJC 2015 by beating Goto in the finals. They showed Ibushi picking up wins over Gallows, Yano, Naito, and Goto to win the tournament. They then went to footage of Ibushi picking A.J. Styles and the IWGP Hvt. Title after winning the NJC. Footage was shown of Styles and The Bullet Club. Styles said he loves New Japan. He said it has the best wrestling roster in the world. They showed Ibushi speaking in Japanese. Styles said Ibushi is an amazing talent, but at the end of the day he has to face him. Styles also called Ibushi an amazing high-flyer. Styles says when he holds the IWGP Hvt. Title longer than any other wrestler, his goal is to win G1. Styles said he wants to be the best at what he does. This was another really good video package to set up the main event.

They played ceremonial music for the IWGP Hvt. Championship match before Ibushi came out first. Ibushi came out with his NJC trophy. Styles was out next with several fans trying to too sweet him as he made his way to the ring.

(9) IWGP Hvt. Champion A.J. Styles vs. Kota Ibushi. The fans fired up after the opening bell rang. Ibushi’s right hand was heavily bandaged. Both men tied up and Styles tossed Ibushi to the floor during the early going. Ibushi got back into the ring, but Styles hit an arm drag and waved his finger at Ibushi. Styles told Ibushi that he’s not ready for this. Ibushi fired back and sent Styles packing with a hurricanrana and the fans fired up. They went to a fast paced exchange with both men going for pinning combinations. Styles went for the Styles clash, but Ibushi kicked out and got a pinning combination for a near fall. Styles didn’t seem happy after that exchange. They went to another fast exchange that ended with Ibushi nailing a seated Styles with a big kick to the chest. Ibushi caught Styles with another dropkick as he came off the ropes a short time later and the fans fired up. Ibushi went for his post moonsault, but Styles ran up to the apron and cut him off. Ibushi fought Styles off and went for it again, but Styles got out of the way and eventually hit a German on the floor. They showed a nice replay of Ibushi landing on his feet after missing the moonsault only to have Styles nail him with a German. Ibushi barely beat the 20 count and Styles went on the attack inside the ring. There were several members of The Bullet Club on the outside, but they hadn’t interfered in the match yet. Ibushi tried to mount a comeback, but Styles caught him with his signature dropkick off the ropes. Ibushi ended up on the floor and Styles followed him to the outside. Styles showed Ibushi the title and told him he would never have it before dropping him stomach first over the guardrail. Styles got the last chancery on Ibushi, but he managed to break free.

Styles taunted the fans and told them to chant for Ibushi while he worked a chin lock on the mat. The fans fired up a bit and Ibushi tried to get to his feet, but Styles dragged him back down to the mat. Styles shouted he’s the best while working over Ibushi. Styles went for a springboard a short time later, but Ibushi nailed him with a kick. The fans fired up a bit and Ibushi hit a pair of big kicks to the chest. Styles ducked a running kick from Ibushi, but he went right into a standing moonsault for a 2 count. Styles blocked a kick and went after Ibushi’s leg with a strike. He then hit a basement dropkick and began working over Ibushi’s leg on the mat. Ibushi elbowed his way out of a leg submission, but Ibushi caught him with a jumping double stomp as he came off the ropes and both men were down. The fans fired up and chanted for Ibushi. Ibushi connected with his post moonsault to the floor a short time later and the fans gasped. Ibushi set up on the apron and landed a springboard missile dropkick that sent Styles flying across the ring. Ibushi hit a slam and went right into a springboard moonsault for a 2 count. Styles countered a dragon suplex, but Ibushi immediately hit a snap German for a 2 count. They went back and forth in the corner and Styles ended up suplexing Ibushi into the turnbuckle pad. Styles hit an inverted springboard DDT a short time later, but Ibushi kicked out at the last second. The fans fired up with Styles selling disbelief. Styles set up for the Styles clash, but Ibushi flipped out of it. They went back and forth exchanging strikes. Styles hit a flipping kick, but Ibushi didn’t go down and hit a big flipping kick to Styles’s head and both men were down. Holy crap!

Ibushi went up to the top rope and went for a springboard dragon suplex on the apron, but Styles fought him off. Styles then connected with a big springboard forearm. Styles hit a big face buster and grabbed a handful of tights for a 2 count. Styles followed up with the bloody Sunday DDT. He pointed the gun at Ibushi’s head and signaled for the finish, but Ibushi kicked his way out of the Styles clash. Styles rolled through on Ibushi and got the calf killer a short time later. . Ibushi tried to turn it into a pinning combination, but Styles rolled through and held on to the submission. Ibushi struggled, but eventually got to the ropes. Ibushi fought out of Styles’s grip with several big jumping knees to the head, but Styles got up and nailed him with a huge clothesline. Styles went up top and dragged Ibushi up with him. He looked to be setting up for a top rope Styles clash, but Ibushi nailed him with several punches. Ibushi went for a hurricanrana, but Styles blocked it and went for the Styles clash. Ibushi managed to kick his way out of it. Ibushi then hit a springboard top rope hurricanrana for a near fall and the fans gasped. Styles slipped out when Ibushi went for a powerbomb a short time later. Ibushi went for it again, but Styles fought out. Ibushi finally nailed Styles with a huge lariat. Ibushi tried to lift Styles up for the last rights sit out powerbomb and he hit it, but Styles kicked out at the last second and the fans gasped. Ibushi signaled for the finish. Styles tried to grab him, but Ibushi kicked him away. Omega got up on the apron and Ibushi looked at him. He then went for the Phoenix splash, but Styles caught him and hit the Styles clash for the win. Holy crap!

Omega didn’t look too happy about what he had done on the outside after the match and was slow to get into the ring to celebrate with Styles. Omega clapped for Styles, but didn’t look thrilled. They went to Ibushi being help to the back by a couple of young boys. The Bullet Club made the ref give Styles his title. Omega clapped and hugged Tonga and Takahashi. They handed Omega Styles’s trophy as Styles celebrated up top.

Okada then ran into the ring and wiped out the Bullet Club. He then dragged Styles off the turnbuckles and nailed him with a huge rainmaker. Gedo cut a promo and Okada held the IWGP Hvt. Title over Styles. Okada posed with the title over Styles and then did the rainmaker pose as his signature confetti filled the ring. What an awesome post-match segment to set up Styles vs. Okada! Okada put the belt over Styles, who sold death on the mat. The Bullet Club came back into the ring and Okada and Gedo bailed to the floor. The Bullet Club tried to help Styles to his feet and he nearly collapsed. Takahashi and Tonga then helped Styles to the back. Omega was nowhere to be seen.

Winner: A.J. Styles to retain the IWGP Hvt. Title

Star rating: (****) – This was a really good match with Ibushi constantly blocking the Styles clash throughout the match until Styles caught him coming off the top at the end with a Phoenix splash thanks to a distraction from Kenny Omega on the apron. The match dragged for portions in the middle and was brought down a bit by Ibushi’s inconsistent selling, but overall this was really good. The post-match segment with Okada laying out The Bullet Club and Styles to set up a future match for the IWGP Hvt. Championship was excellent.

Overall thoughts: (8.0) – This was a very good card from NJPW. Without the IC and NEVER championships defended, the show was compelling from start to finish and not only did the action deliver in the ring, but several matches were set up for the future on the show. The big news coming out of the show is that Okada looks to be Styles’s next challenger for the IWGP Hvt. Championship.

The show got off to a bit of a slow start, but picked up with an excellent match with The Young Bucks dropping the IWGP Jr. Hvt. Tag Team Titles to RPG Vice. These two teams had really good chemistry together and the match was excellent. I’m looking forward to seeing more from Romero & Barreta. Omega-Dorada was another good match on the undercard. Dorada is a lot of fun to watch and Omega turned down his antics and wrestled a more serious match. I enjoyed his new “The Cleaner” gimmick when it debuts, but he was way too obnoxious to take seriously, so I was happy to see him dial it down a bit. They did a good job during the post-match segment with Alex Shelley stepping up to be Omega’s next challenger.

The Togi Makabe & Hirooki Goto & Tetsuya Naito vs. IWGP IC Champion Shinsuke Nakamura & NEVER Openweight Champion Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI match bordered on excellent. I really enjoyed how the match set up Goto-Nakamura for the IC Championship and Makabe-Ishii for the NEVER Openweight Championship. The fans were hot for the action and really were into the post-match brawl where the Goto-Nakamura and Makabe-Ishii angles played out to set up their future title matches.

Okada-Fale was another really good match on the card. NJPW did a good job of building up a storyline to make this match interesting with Okada falling apart after WK 9 and losing to Fale. Okada got his revenge and then some in this match, as he seemed to have his swagger back.

The main event was excellent, but it dragged for a portion in the middle with Styles in control. Ibushi never sold the work Styles did on his leg to set up the calf cutter, which took the match down a notch. That being said, this match got really good down the stretch and it was a nice touch to have Omega look conflicted after causing Ibushi the match. The finish with Styles catching Ibushi in mid-air while going for the Phoenix splash and hitting the Styles clash for the win was ridiculous.

NJPW did a brilliant job of hammering home the fact that Okada was back after the match, as he ran down to the ring and wiped out The Bullet Club before taking out Styles with a vicious rainmaker. Gedo then cut a promo to send the fans home with Okada posing over Styles with the IWGP Hvt. Championship. This was really nicely down and I can’t wait to see Styles-Okada down the line.

Overall, this was a really good show with a number of important storylines playing out to set the stage for the coming months. There were a number of very good to excellent matches on the card, but this show is a must to see the return of Okada from his fall at WK 9.

***

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