Post by Josh Spicer on Jun 26, 2020 7:02:09 GMT -5
Aired on New Japan World on 3AM Eastern, 11PM Pacific
New Japan Road
SAT. JUNE 27. 2020
Live from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan
The show starts off with a VTR detailing the New Japan Cup brackets for both Heavyweight and Junior Heavyweight and detailing all of the rewards contained within, all leading up to Dominion.
Once that's ended, we go ringside where Kimihiko Ozai gets the night going.
He details the card from top to bottom to remind all the fans in the arena and watching on New Japan World.
Once he is done, the bell rings and we get our first match. He introduces Joaquin Wilde first, who Kevin and Chris do a good job explaining to the crowd why he's here without going too much into the details of his signing. Wilde's arrogance immediately earns him some negative attention from the crowd. Cedric Alexander is introduced next and gets a bigger pop, though far from a loud one.
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vs. 
Special Singles Match
Cedric Alexander vs. Joaquin Wilde
Kevin and Chris start off the show by building up Cedric, who will participate in the Special Singles Match at Dominion against an unannounced opponent. Both men also hype up Joaquin Wilde, the newcomer who they build up as an underrated veteran in the industry.
The match itself doesn't run too long and serves mostly as a building piece for Cedric Alexander leading up to his hyped match at Dominion. Wilde gets some good shots in but the match is mostly a Cedric presentation.
The end arrives when Wilde goes for his Wilde Ride, but Cedric reverses it into a Sunset Flip. After a kick to the face, Cedric enzuguries Wilde, leading to a Lumbar Check that signals the end.
Winner: Cedric Alexander at 6:24
After the match Wilde sulks to the back, a pout obvious on his face. Cedric waves some thank yous to the crowd when the lights go out in the arena. Kevin says that he's "getting word" that they're announcing Cedric's opponent for Dominion right now.
A VTR plays in order to signal the opponent.
Zack Sabre Jr. has been announced for Dominion!
Once the video stops playing, Zack himself comes out to a decent boo. He does the deuces to the crowd before reaching the ring. He and Cedric have a stare down with Zack not saying much and Cedric looking forward to their match to come. Eventually, Zack smirks and turns around. He then wipes his feet to his soon-to-be-opponent before leaving a fired-up Cedric in his dust.
Kevin and Chris focus closely on the disrespect that was just shown.
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Following the segment, we seg seamlessly into the next match. Kimihiko introduces Ricky's team of good guys who gets a pop for Ricky alone before bringing out Bullet Club who get the obvious heavy jeers.
vs.
Special 8-Man Tag Team Match
Bullet Club (Jay White, Guerrillas of Destiny, and KENTA) vs Ricky Steamboat, Santos Escobar, and The Good Brothers
During the entrance, Kevin and Chris did a good job talking about GoD and the Good Brothers. When the match starts they're the first four that have a confrontation. GoD throw up the "Too Sweet" to them and Doc and Karl oblige. Despite that, they agree to keep things straight and clean. The confusion on if the Good Brothers have or have not officially rejoined Bullet Club continues.
The game really gets interesting when Ricky or Santos are in the ring. That's when Bullet Club really start their cheating ways.
The match itself is a decent affair for being the standard clustermess tag team match until Ricky goes for a Flying Crossbody to KENTA. That's when GoD pop in and throw him off the top turnbuckle, sending The Dragon through the English announce table. The medical staff do a good job of focusing on him and making sure he's safe.
This numbers game proves to be Team Steamboat's downfall as Doc and Karl focus on GoD outside of the ring, allowing KENTA to hit a Go 2 Sleep to Santos. Before KENTA can get the pin, Jay makes the tag, leaving KENTA confused. A final Blade Runner to Santos signals the end.
Winners: Bullet Club (Jay White, Guerrillas of Destiny, and KENTA) at 9:47
By this point, Ricky has already been brought to the back by the medical staff and while Kevin and Chris do focus a bit on that, the present story is in the ring. KENTA and Jay start having words. When GoD show up, the four "Too Sweet" (with KENTA a bit hesitant) before heading out.
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With the next match about to start, Kimihiko introduces Chaos' Japan first whom all get a good reaction from the crowd, especially with Kushida presently serving as their captain. Kevin and Chris also mention Kushida's "Junior Heavyweight Ace" status as well as Roppongi 3K being the current Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champs.
LIJ also get a good pop. The three celebrate with their titles lazily, but are mostly focused on their opponents. Tetsuya Naito is suspiciously absent, though they are being escorted by Hiromu Takahashi.
vs.
Special 6-Man Tag Team Match for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship
Los Ingobernables de Japon (EVIL, Sanada, and BUSHI with Hiromu Takahashi) (C) vs. Chaos' Japan (Kushida and Roppongi 3K with Rocky Romero)
The match isn't anything to write home about. Kevin and Chris focus more on the wrestler's various exploits and ventures in the coming month than the fact that this is for a championship. Nevertheless, BUSHI and Kushida do come to blows quite often with their match coming up tomorrow. EVIL, Sanada, and Roppongi 3K also spend some time attacking each other.
A decent match that the commentators are also barely into ends with a Magic Killer to Sho after everyone else keeps Kushida, Yoh, and Rocky from breaking it up.
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon (EVIL, Sanada, and BUSHI with Hiromu Takahashi) (C) at 8:22
No, the story actually takes place afterwards. After LIJ have left the arena, Chaos' Japan are left in the ring. As Kushida goes to leave, he is bumrushed from behind by Taiji Ishimori, who nails Kushida in the leg with a pipe. 3K and Rocky notice only after Taiji has hit Kushida with the pipe a few more times, damaging his leg even further. Once Kushida's teammates pop in, Taiji flees back through the crowd. Kushida is helped to the back by his teammates as Taiji returns to the ring for the next match.
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Taiji is given a quick introduction, having already been in the ring when Kimihiko is ready. PAC comes out next and makes a quick power walk to the ring. As he arrives, he immediately slaps Taiji in the face. The match has something of an unofficial beginning as the two come to the blows. Once Lee comes out--unannounced due to Kimihiko rightfully getting out of dodge--the match officially begins.
vs. 
vs. 
Second Chance Opportunity - Winner is Entered into Junior Heavyweight Block Semi-Final
Dragon Lee vs. PAC vs. Bullet Club's Taiji Ishimori
As has been the theme so far, Kevin and Chris bring up shortly why this match is taking place without mentioning the specifics of Ospreay's absence (although they do mention his name and Chris is allowed to state that they take all allegations seriously and that Will and Devlin's case are being investigated with the latter also being mentioned by name).
The match is already a quick starter with the action not really slowing down much. All three men are involved throughout the entire match. PAC and Dragon both attempt to keep Taiji away from the action to focus on each other. Each time this occurs the crowd unleashes a pop with every Dragon and Pac stare down.
Eventually, Taiji does what a Bullet Club member does and reintroduces his pipe. Kevin and Chris sell up that "dastardly" weapon as potentially injuring yet another wrestler with Chris even dropping an idea that maybe Taiji was the Organization member who first introduced the weapon. This isn't brought up further though.
The finish comes when PAC goes for a Black Arrow to Dragon. Lee pops up and hurricanranas PAC to the mat. The Bastard lands on his feet though. Dragon and PAC trade high-flying reversals for a bit until PAC headscissors Dragon towards the ropes. Taiji nails him in the face with the pipe from the outside. This allows PAC to nail a particularly nasty Tombstone. During the pin, Taiji tosses PAC over the top. Noticing him landing on the apron, Taiji clocks PAC in the head with the pipe. One Bloody Cross later and Taiji has secures the semi-final spot in the New Japan Cup.
Winner: Bullet Club's Taiji Ishimori at 16:43
After the match, PAC and Dragon have one final face-off alone until PAC walks away, pissed and annoyed. Dragon bows to the crowd before heading out himself.
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Before the final few matches can take place, we get a brief glimpse at the updated card for tomorrow's show.
New Japan Road
SUN. JUNE 28. 2020
Live from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan
New Japan Cup Junior Heavyweight Block Semi-Finals
Ricky Steamboat vs. Bullet Club's Taiji Ishimori
New Japan Cup Junior Heavyweight Block Semi-Finals
Los Ingobernables de Japon's BUSHI vs. Chaos' Japan's Kushida
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Finals
The Legion of Doom (Animal and Hawk) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (EVIL and Sanada)
Special Tag Team Match
Chaos' Japan (Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii) vs. The Organization (Masked Man 1 and Masked Man 2)
Special Tag Team Match
Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi) vs. Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tonga Roa)
Special 6-Man Tag Team Match
Chaos' Japan (Kota Ibushi and Roppongi 3K with Rocky Romero) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. and The Major Stars
Special 8-Man Tag Team Match
Curt Hennig, Cedric Alexander, and Wrestling's Best Tag Team vs. Pete Dunne, Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask, and Santos Escobar
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Kevin and Chris also take a bit of time to go over Ricky Steamboat. They say that he has suffered a few injuries that will be nagging him, mostly his right arm and rib area, but Ricky has said he is dedicated to participating in the semi-final match tomorrow night against Taiji.
It is as Kimihiko is announcing the next match that Rocky Romero returns to the now reset announce table.
Jushin and Tiger are actually announced first much to the trio's surprise. They come out with the usual loud reaction which gets everyone pumped.
The Major Stars are announced next. They get a more mixed reaction following their illegal actions from last week, although they still do have a bit of the comedy. They come out with Liger and Tiger's masks on (John and Matthew respectively) which get the veterans rightfully angry.
vs. 
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Finals
Jushin Thunder Liger and Tiger Mask vs. The Major Stars (John Hussy and Matthew Breeze)
The match begins as it should with Liger and Tiger giving it to John and Matthew right at the bell. Despite the latter duo busting out the comedy selling and making the veterans look like gods, the mocking masks do not come off. An errant Matthew distracting the ref allows John to take a punch by Liger that sends his leg "accidentally" in between Liger's.
Last week we saw some good tag team maneuvers from John and Matthew and this week is no exception. Much like last week the two do a fantastic job of isolating Liger's leg, keeping him away from Tiger for much of the match, the two's masks remaining on the Stars' faces throughout it all. Matthew even gets Tiger all riled up and the crowd even more into it with a Tiger Suplex to Liger. The veteran kicks out at one though and that really gets Liger going.
One hot tag later and Tiger is the proverbial house of fire. Clotheslines and splashes and slams and suplexes to both men. Tiger gets both men into the same corner before getting up in their faces. He gives a ten punch salute to John before shoving him over to Liger. Liger hits a Liger Bomb to John before ripping the mask off his head and sending him careening to the floor. Tiger then does a ten punch salute to Matthew. He then rips the mask off his face before spitting into his face. One Tiger Suplex to Matthew later will end this one.
Winners: Jushin Thunder Liger and Tiger Mask at 12:13
After the match, whilst Liger and Tiger are celebrating, two members of the Organization roll on in. They start to beat down the veterans until the Lions' Roar come storming to the ring. The Organization are taken out and quickly flee as they came. The Lions' Roar offer their help and respect to the veterans. Liger is reluctant to take it, but eventually accepts. Tiger rolls out of the ring and leaves on his own.
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Rocky quickly makes note that his boys are ready for Liger and Tiger and that the veterans are going to be tough, but he knows Yoh and Sho can do it.
The trio at the announce table bring up the brackets for the Heavyweight Block of the New Japan Cup. The winner of the next two matches advance to the final next week.
Kimihiko introduces Pete Dunne first, who gets a respectable pop for being the athlete that he is. As expected, Curt gets a loud response from the Korakuen crowd.
vs. 
New Japan Cup Heavyweight Block Semi-Finals
Curt Hennig vs. Pete Dunne
Quite frankly this match was fantastic and arguably match of the night. The two trade holds and counters for the first five minutes until an errant punch by Pete sends Curt to the outside. From there it's a textbook brawl with neither man ever giving an inch as they slam each other into aprons, posts, barricades, floors, young lions, whatever they can find.
Curt gets the upper hand after throwing his gum into Pete's face, distracting him long enough for a perfect powerslam. Curt takes control over Pete's punching arm (the left one) making sure to wear it down aplenty. For a while it seems that for every inch Pete gets, Curt is right quick to shut it down and always to the left arm.
Even so, Curt does keep Pete down with some suplexes and quick roll-ups that the British lad always kicks out of. Pete eventually gets free with a pele kick and enzuguri which plants Curt to the mat. Pete starts to fight back, hitting Curt with kicks and right forearms whilst his bad arm dangles.
The match breaches 20 minutes (something Chris notes as there is a 30-minute time limit) before the Organization make themselves known once more. One member pops in and distracts Red Shoes. Pete and Curt take some time to focus on the two others that appear a for bit. Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii run out and get those two other members out of there.
The end comes soon after when the ref is distracted by this chaos (pun) allowing the remaining Organization member to hang up Pete's arm on the top rope. Curt leads that right into a Perfect Plex which seals the deal.
Winner: Curt Hennig at 20:35
After the match, Curt hightails it as that last Organization member reenters. As Ishii and Tanahashi pop back out, the other two pop back in to start the numbers game. Kota Ibushi rushes out and evens it up. Dunne and Ishii head to the back as the two tag champions face off in the ring. Kevin, Chris, and Rocky are trying to figure out the line-up and what to do as everything seems to have been flipped all over but Red Shoes rolls back in and Kimihiko begins to announce the main event.
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Kota is raring to go as he is announced first. Hiroshi is slightly hesitant of the sudden start as he is announced second. When the bell rings, it's too late to do anything to stop it.
vs. 
New Japan Cup Heavyweight Block Semi-Finals
Chaos' Japan's Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Chaos' Japan's Kota Ibushi
The two teammates really don't seem to care that they are, in fact, allies. Hiroshi is the more resistant, giving Kota a bit more respect and leniency. Kota, however, is almost offended as he keeps slapping and nailing Hiroshi with strikes. When prompted about the two's arguments, Rocky quickly shuts it down. He says there's no tension or dissension in Chaos' Japan. They've had a bit of a shake-up recently but it's fine. When questioned on Hiroshi choosing to team with Ishii tomorrow and not his tag team championship partner, Rocky waves it off with a "we're all partners here. As long as it's in the name of Chaos' Japan, we're all in the same boat." The topic is dropped soon after.
Kota hits Hiroshi with one slap too many and Tanahashi decides that that's it. He responds in kind and the two start to get tense, exchanging slaps and punches and uppercuts and chops. Hiroshi cuts it off with a dropkick to Kota's leg. As is typical of a Hiroshi contest, this allows him to get the upper hand, focusing on Kota's leg for a part of the match.
A good while passes with Kota eventually locked tight in a Texas Cloverleaf. Kota keeps fighting though and reaches the ropes. Hiroshi shakes his head with a smile. He goes for another one but Kota kicks him square in the face, which accidentally busts Hiroshi's nose open. This doesn't stop Kota who begins to respond with palm strikes and roundhouse kicks. Hiroshi catches one, but is put down with another kick right to the nose.
As we breach the twenty five minute mark, it seems it's go time as it really picks up. Kota tries for his Golden Star Powerbomb but Hiroshi gets out and nails a Sling Blade. He goes for a High Fly Flow, but Kota moves out of the way. Kota goes for a Kamigoye, but Hiroshi catches the knee. Dragon Screw, High Fly Flow, but a KICKOUT AT TWO! Hiroshi goes for another, but Kota nips up and hits a DDT from the top rope which spikes the hell out of Hiroshi.
Kota goes for another Kamigoye and actually hits it! Unfortunately, three members of the Organization once again come out. One focuses on the ref while two others beat on Kota and Hiroshi. They hit a springboard Hart Attack to Hiroshi as well as a springboard Doomsday Device to Kota before heading out back through the crowd.
The clock hits one minute as Kota and Hiroshi get back up. They trade shots some more but it's actually Kota who gets the upper hand with a headbutt to Hiroshi. Hiroshi hits his knees. Kota nails the Kamigoye. Red Shoes gets on the mat for the count.
But Kimihiko announces zero just as Red Shoes' hand is up!
Decision: Time Limit Draw at 30:00
After the match, both Kota and Hiroshi are exhausted and are immediately helped by the medical staff and the young lions. Everyone is in a state of confusion with nobody really sure what's going to happen. Chris makes it clear there has never been a draw in the New Japan Cup.
We don't get an answer today as Hiroshi and Kota are helped to the back to a standing ovation. There's also no ending monologue. However, a VTR appears on the titantron.
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Some heavy guitar plays and numerous various wrestlers appear on the screen. They all have a brief video play of them of getting ready for a match before the feed pauses. Each men then get a red "X" spray painted over their still image.
The music crescendos as Tetsuya Naito's victory at Wrestle Kingdom 14 is seen. He gets on one knee before the video stops once more. Two targets form over both Naito's face and the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
The targets fade away to allow another "X" to be spray painted over him.
Naito is then transitioned into a deep blood red before we see a man in a spotlight standing ominously, albeit hidden by the shadows, with accompanying text.
