Post by Josh Spicer on Jun 27, 2020 8:46:37 GMT -5
Aired on New Japan World on 3AM Eastern, 11PM Pacific
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New Japan Road
SAT. JUNE 27. 2020
Live from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan
Before the show can officially begin, we actually go backstage to Harold Meij, who is seen in front of press earlier today. The following is presented in English with Japanese subtitles.
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Harold Meij: I have gathered all of you here to answer questions regarding the draw in the semi-finals in the Heavyweight Block of the New Japan Cup that took place last night. Myself, Chairman Sugabayashi-san, and numerous representatives on the board itself have discussed how to continue following this eventful circumstance we find ourselves in.
In an ideal world we would have the two men face-off once more with no time limit to determine a definitive winner. However, as time is short and we have only one more event between now and Dominion, the unfortunate truth is that this rematch can not take place at the current time.
We have thus decided that the match next week...in the finals for the New Japan Cup in the Heavyweight Block...will be a 3-way match. Curt Hennig will take on Kota Ibushi and Hiroshi Tanahashi in a one-fall match. The match itself will have a 60 minute time limit in order to give the men more time to determine a definitive winner. And a definitive winner...will be had.
The winner of that 3-way match will face Tetsyuya Naito in the Doublle Gold Dash at Dominion...as originally planned. The wrestler who is not pinned in that match...will face Pete Dunne at Dominion for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship.
In regards to the person who is pinned in the 3-way match tonight. Due to the extraordinary circumstances, I have allowed that person to be the first qualifier of the NEVER Openweight 4-Way Match for the NEVER Openweight Championship at Dominion.
At this time we will not be taking any further questions, and we'd like to thank all the fans for coming out tonight...especially given the trying times we face. Thank you.
A similar pre-recording was aired for Japanese viewers, though with Meij speaking entirely in Japanese with English subtitles.
A similar pre-recording was aired for Japanese viewers, though with Meij speaking entirely in Japanese with English subtitles.
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The show then leads into the 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.
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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 Team Dunne first. A brief note by Kevin and Chris (Rocky is with Roppongi 3K in the back) brings up an intrigue that the newcomer and young star Pete Dunne is captaining the team. They also hype up Escobar and bring up last night with Liger and Tiger. Tiger is looking less than happy tonight.
Team Hennig is introduced next and they get a more subdued reaction but certainly a mostly positive one. Cedric's match with Zack Sabre Jr. at Dominion is mentioned as well as Curt's match in the Heavyweight Block finals against both Tanahashi and Ibushi next week, as was made clear by earlier by Harold Meij.
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vs.
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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
As previously mentioned, Tiger is a not a happy camper tonight. He focuses on Cedric, the youngest on the opposing team, right out of the gate. Tiger brings in Liger who goes a bit easier on him. Pete is given the tag and gives some shots to Cedric as well. When Santos tries to get in, Tiger cuts him off with a tag of his own, which confuses both his own teammates and the commentary table.
It's right about then that Zack Sabre Jr. joins Kevin and Chris at the announce table. Kevin tries to needle Zack a bit about if he'll stay there throughout the match and Zack obviously plays offended.
As with most clustermess tag matches, the match isn't anything too special. Each men get their own in with the exception of Santos who gets a few shots before being immediately tagged out by Tiger Mask. Chris is the one to mention that these two have a Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Match at Dominion.
The end comes when all but Tiger, Liger, Santos, and Curt are outside of the ring. Zack gets off the table and bum rushes Cedric, tossing him into the barricade and beating up on him for a bit. Shelton and Charlie focus away from Pete to take care of Zack, who just slinks away as they approach him. In the ring, Tiger gets the tag to Santos, who starts to take umbrage at this disrespect shown by the veteran. Santos shoves Tiger away, leading to a Perfect Plex. Liger calms Santos down and just avoids breaking up the three count.
Winners: Curt Hennig, Cedric Alexander, and Wrestling's Best Tag Team at 7:47
After the match, we are left with Liger, Tiger, and Santos. Pete takes one look at them arguing before heading to the back. Tiger gets in Santos' face, palming him to the mat. Liger steps in and keeps Tiger back. Tiger shoulders his partner before exiting the ring. Liger lifts Santos up, who is rightfully unhappy. As he is exiting, a young lion holds the rope for Tiger. When said young lion gets down from the apron, Tiger slams him onto the floor. Tiger then leaves, shaking his head in frustration. Kevin mentions that between the Lions' Roar initial disrespect, the Major Stars' climbing disrespect from last night, and now how Tiger just reacted, it's becoming clear that Tiger is losing what patience he might have had. An obvious notion but it needed to be put out there.
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For the next match, Kimihiko introduces Zack and the Major Stars first. They get what amounts to a respectable boo. Not too loud or anything but certainly nothing too impressive, for lack of a better term. John and Matthew come out wearing Buckingham Palace Guards' uniforms. Zack just finds it humorous.
Chaos' Japan is introduced next with Kota taking the charge right to the ring to immediately start the match.
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vs.
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vs.
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Special 6-Man Tag Team Match
Chaos' Japan (Kota Ibushi and Roppongi 3K with Rocky Romero) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. and The Major Stars
There's very little of the comedy selling we've come to know from the Major Stars and much more of Kota taking it to John. Kevin and Chris bring up Kota's frustration in recent weeks. Rocky overhears it and makes it clear on the additional headset that just because they've had their differences does not mean anything. He actually gets a bit miffed and tells them to stop stirring the pot for no reason.
Roppongi 3K quickly get Matthew out of the ring, allowing Cedric to pop up and start attacking Zack. The ref pays this no attention, instead focusing on Kota taking apart John. Cedric and Zack actually brawl into the crowd.
The end comes as quick as it started as Kota roundhouses John. He hits his knees like he's barely conscious and probably becomes unconscious with a quick and sudden Kamigoye.
Winners: Chaos' Japan (Kota Ibushi and Roppongi 3K with Rocky Romero) at 1:58
After the match, the chaos dies down a bit with Matthew dragging John away like he's a sack of potatoes. Kota and Rocky have a small confrontation in the ring. Kota calms down and the four do end up walking away together though.
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Ideally the next match won't go so quickly as Kimihiko takes some time to introduce GoD first, accompanied by Jay White and KENTA. Their 8-Man Tag from last night is referenced with Jay essentially taking the win from KENTA. The four in the ring share a "Too Sweet" though.
When LIJ are introduced things are certainly a lot more calm. Not to mention a lot more weird, but I guess that's par for the course. Kevin and Chris bring up Naito and Hiromu's championship matches at Dominion and how interesting it is to have the Heavyweight and Junior Heavyweight champs team-up like this.
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Special Tag Team Match
Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi) vs. Bullet Club (Guerrillas of Destiny [Tama Tonga and Tonga Roa] with Jay White and KENTA)
The match begins in typical Bullet Club fashion: with an outnumbered beat down of the good guys. Once things calm down it is Hiromu who hits a sunset flip powerbomb from the apron to KENTA right into Jay to take both of them both out. Hiromu and Naito get some offence on Tonga before a distraction by Tama allows for an unseen low blow to Takahashi.
From there it's a bog standard tag match. Nothing too exciting or gripping happens to make it stand out beyond GoD's vagrant cursing and Hiromu's vagrant oddness.
The end comes in an interesting manner so follow along. Hiromu Superkicks Tama off the apron, sending him to the floor. While still on the apron, Jay goes for a move to Hiromu. In the ring, KENTA goes for a Go 2 Sleep to Naito. Hiromu shoves Jay into Naito's legs while still in the fireman's carry. This allows Naito to roll out and hit a Destino to KENTA. Hiromu gets into the ring and Supericks Jay off the apron into Tama on the outside. Tama catches him in a bridal's carry. Roa goes for a Stun Gun to Naito, who shoves him into Hiromu. Hiromu goes for a Time Bomb, but Roa reverses it by throwing Hiromu over the top, which inadvertently is turned into a senton to both Jay and Tama. Naito hits a distracted Roa with a Destino to pick up the win.
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi) at 10:31
After the match, Bullet Club take a moment to be pissed before nailing a quick "Too Sweet" and hitting the back. Naito and Hiromu take a moment to celebrate in the ring before heading to the back as well.
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Kimihiko introduces Chaos' Japan first with Hiroshi and Ishii entering together. The two are pumped with Hiroshi seemingly focused on nothing but what's about to come. Kevin is about to question said focus but stops as Rocky joins the announce team. The trio do agree that Harold Meij and the board need to do something about the Organization.
When said gentlemen come out, they are wearing wrestling singlets along with tights, gloves, and a mask that blocks their skin and their hair so that they remain completely unknown. They also come out with no music.
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Special Tag Team Match
Chaos' Japan (Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii) vs. The Organization (Masked Man 1 and Masked Man 2)
Once the Organization members enter the ring, the thinner one (MM1) is quick to kick Ishii down low before the bell rings. Hiroshi is slow to respond and suffers a running dropkick from the bulkier one (MM2). The bell rings and while Ishii takes time to recuperate, Hiroshi is focused on by both members of the Organization.
For the first bulk of this match, Hiroshi gives a lot of time to sell for the Organization members. Given Hiroshi is still also dealing with the draw last night, it's made obvious he isn't 100%. Rocky cuts Kevin and Chris off before they bring up Tanahashi's focus.
It's around that point when Hiroshi reverses a Double Suplex into a Double DDT. Hiroshi tries to get the tag, but a third Organization member pops up to distract the ref. As the tag is made, Marty Asami misses it. He gets Ishii out of the ring, allowing the two Masked Men in the match to beat on Hiroshi for a bit. While Marty is counting a pin, the third Organization member low blowed Ishii while he's on the apron, sending the Stone Pitbull to the floor in even more pain.
Rocky gets off commentary and rushes to the third man. The two confront each other. Rocky backs him off, but the two don't come to blows. MM2, who isn't legal, gets off the apron and distracts Rocky. This allows the third Masked Man (MM3) to attack him from behind. He tosses Rocky into the Japanese announcer's, cutting off their mics temporarily.
A few more minutes of the Organization focusing on The Ace eventually leads to another Hiroshi comeback. Ishii is back on the apron at this point and that's when the hot tag hits. Ishii comes to life by lariating the hell out of both Masked Men. Suplex to MM1. Stalling Suplex to MM2 onto MM1. On the outside, Rocky and MM3 get into it again. Eventually, Rocky gets on the apron, going for a move. MM3 hits him with the pipe mid-air. In the ring, Ishii goes for a Brainbuster to MM1. When MM3 distracts Asami once again, MM2 low blows Ishii once again. Hiroshi then takes care of MM2 by brawling with him on the outside.
The end finally arrives when Asami is focused on Hiroshi and MM2. MM3 rolls in and low blows Ishii with the pipe. MM1 then rolls Ishii up, making sure to hook the tights. And by god that actually does it!
Winners: The Organization (Masked Man 1 and Masked Man 2) at 12:58
After the match, Hiroshi rolls into the ring and just misses the count. MM1 and MM3 beat on Hiroshi for a bit until MM2 pops in. Ishii and Hiroshi are assaulted until Kota Ibushi runs on out with a chair. The Organization runs for the hills. Once they are gone, Kota and Hiroshi confront each other. Kota throws the chair away before staring The Ace down. Ishii gets in between them and tensions cool enough to head for the back along with Rocky.
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Kevin and Chris express well wishes to Rocky and the other members of Chaos' Japan before Kimihiko introduces the next match.
LIJ come out first and receive a good pop. Chris and Kevin attempt to do damage control about what just happened and try and move things on. The winners of this match will face Guerrillas of Destiny at Dominion after all.
The Legion of Doom are next and their pop is massive, as is expected. Kevin and Chris hope that LoD are safe from any interference from the Organization for the rest of the night.
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IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Finals
The Legion of Doom (Animal and Hawk) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (EVIL and Sanada)
Neither Animal or Hawk are exceptionally known for their athletic ability, even if they're not particularly slow or anything. What I'm trying to get at is that this match is a slugfest, beat 'em up from the get-go. It's stiff, it's hard, and it's rough. Even Sanada gets some good shots in now and again.
LIJ does get the upper hand enough to focus on Hawk. They take advantage of things long enough to keep him on the mat with various double teams.
The end comes when EVIL and Sanada go for the Magic Killer. That's when the Good Brothers appear at the top of the ramp. This distracts them long enough for Hawk to get down. He gets a few shots off before EVIL hits a Darkness Falls to Hawk. Sanada goes for a Moonsault, but after glancing for a bit at Doc and Karl, who haven't moved from the stage, it allows Animal to toss EVIL out of the ring and get Sanada on his shoulders. Hawk recovers enough to hit the Doomsday Device to seal the deal.
Winners: The Legion of Doom (Animal and Hawk) at 9:33
After the match, the Good Brothers leave the stage with smirks. LOD head to the back whilst LIJ sulk in their disappointment.
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We get a final run down of the semi-finals for the New Japan Cup in the Junior Heavyweight Block, along with a reminder that the loser enters the Bronze Match next week to qualify for the NEVER Openweight 4-Way Match.
Kimihiko introduces BUSHI first, who gets a modest pop given his team's mixed success tonight. Kevin mentions his win over Dragon Lee last week to get here.
Kushida is introduced next and he gets an even bigger pop. Kevin brings up his victory last week over PAC as well to qualify for the semi-finals. Things turn sour real quick when he is attacked from behind as he hits ringside. It's quick, but Taiji Ishimori rushes out and nails Kushida in the leg with the pipe. Red Shoes and the medical staff check on him. Despite being advised to not go through with the match, Kushida does.
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New Japan Cup Junior Heavyweight Block Semi-Finals
Los Ingobernables de Japon's BUSHI vs. Chaos' Japan's Kushida
The match is a nice cool down match--which is unfortunate to say--from the chaos we've seen so far. A much more soft and simple affair would be another good way to put it. It's not bad by any stretch it's just not trying too hard to be a phenomenal match. And maybe that's where it shines because the two do have fantastic chemistry. For every hold the other has, their opponent can match it right back.
Kevin and Chris bring up BUSHI potentially facing his stablemate at Dominion if he can win this match, but the thought is quickly forgotten when Kushida focuses more closely on BUSHI's arm. BUSHI attempts to get out of every hold Kushida has, but always falls right back into it.
Eventually, BUSHI gets Kushida in a pin. What everyone thinks might be a three ends up narrowly being a two. From there things pick up. Despite his wounded arm, BUSHI fights back against Kushida with whatever he has. BUSHI finally realizes Kushida's weakness and focus a bit on the leg. He isn't able to get at it too much due to his own damaged limb, but he does manage to powerbomb Kushida to the mat. He goes for an MX, but Kushida O'Connor rolls out of the way, sending BUSHI to the mat.
The end comes with Kushida capitalizes with a Back to the Future that BUSHI KICKS OUT OF! Kushida wastes no time and locks in the Hoverboard Lock. BUSHI drags himself towards the ropes, but Kushida rolls backwards to get back to the center of the ring and lock the hold in tighter. Despite his best efforts, BUSHI has no choice but to tap out.
Winner: Chaos' Japan's Kushida at 16:21
After the match, BUSHI takes a few moments to focus on his arm before extending his good one to Kushida. The two shake hands amicably with BUSHI allowing Kushida space to himself. He celebrates with the crowd a bit before heading to the back, albeit with an obvious limp.
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Kevin and Chris take a few moments to play the VTR that played as they went off the air last night.
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.
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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.
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The targets fade away to allow another "X" to be spray painted over him.
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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.
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They discuss who it might be for few moments, and while Chris plays coy it's obvious he knows who it is, being the expert he is.
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For the last semi-final match in the New Japan Cup Junior Heavyweight Block, Kimihiko brings out Taiji Ishimori first. He is going into this alone, believe it or not. Kevin and Chris bring up his victory last night over Dragon Lee and PAC to qualify for this match. Taiji gets an even bigger negative reaction when it's revealed he brought his pipe with him.
Ricky Steamboat comes out next and gets a huge ovation. Kevin and Chris say that he had a great match to qualify for this but don't mention who he beat to get here. They also bring up his taped ribs, courtesy of his attack last night by Guerrillas of Destiny.
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New Japan Cup Junior Heavyweight Block Semi-Finals
Ricky Steamboat vs. Bullet Club's Taiji Ishimori
Ricky stops Taiji from attacking him at the bell with a quick arm drag that sends both Taiji and the pipe flying out of the ring. Ricky jumps on Taiji real fast with a suicide dive and the two brawl on the outside for a bit.
The start of the match is heavily focused on Taiji trying to wound Steamboat in various ways and ending up being reversed into ways that hurt him. Whether it be the barricade, the apron, or the floor, Ricky always gets ahead of Taiji. Ricky gets Taiji into the ring and goes up top. Taiji dropkicks Ricky mid-Flying Crossbody. From there Taiji focuses heavily on his ribs, using various parts of the ring to damage them.
Once it becomes obvious that Taiji is getting arrogant, Taiji decides that it's enough and nails a Bloody Cross. Taiji does not, however, go for the cover. He instead gets his pipe, bringing it into the ring. When he argues with Red Shoes over using it, a member of the Organization runs out. He feigns like he's going to hit Ricky, but instead runs over and swipes the pipe from Taiji's hands.
The end comes when Taiji is flustered enough to not notice a quick small package from The Dragon, and wouldn't you know it, Taiji was too damn flustered to kick out.
Winner: Ricky Steamboat at 14:57
After the match, Ricky celebrates a for a few moments before being blindsided by a pissed off Taiji. He can barely get a shot off before Kushida limps out from the back. Kushida gets into the ring and gets a few punches on Taiji, but one kick to the leg sends him to the mat. A running knee by Taiji takes Kushida down further. Taiji goes for Ricky at this point, but The Dragon is recovered enough to get out and clothesline Taiji to the outside. He helps Kushida up and the two briefly shake hands with Kushida bowing to Steamboat in respect. Once Kushida leaves, Ricky grabs the mic.
Ricky Steamboat: Whoof...what a tournament huh?
This gets the obvious positive reaction.
Ricky Steamboat: I...am honored...and privileged to be wrestling in New Japan in front of all of you...as part...of the New Japan Cup. I want to thank every one of you for coming out tonight. I know it's hard right now...to focus on positive things, but I want to thank you for allowing us to entertain you through the troubling times we face. So...from the bottom of my heart...arigatou...gozaimasu...Korakuen Hall. Thank you.
With the crowd going home happy and pleased, Ricky heads to the back, allowing Kevin and Chris to sign us off.