Post by Josh Spicer on Jul 4, 2020 8:09:25 GMT -5
Aired on New Japan World on 3AM Eastern, 11PM Pacific
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New Japan Road
SUN. JULY 5. 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.
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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.
He introduces Pete and Cedric first who both get a fairly modest pop, followed by Roppongi 3K with Rocky who get a bigger set of cheers.
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Special Tag Team Match
Pete Dunne and Cedric Alexander vs. Roppongi 3K (Yoh and Sho with Rocky Romero)
Kevin and Chris do a great job building up the respect that the four men have for each other and it's supported by the handshakes that start out the match. They also focus on Cedric's match with Zach Sabre Jr. at Dominion. Another point that Chris brings up is that last week they were opponents, but they're partners this week.
The match itself is a fairly decent starting affair. Dunne and Cedric get the upper hand at the start of the match, but once it gets going and 3K get into it, it's Cedric who takes the brunt of the office.
The end comes not too long into the match when Cedric reverses a Roppongi 3K into a Tornado DDT which takes both Yoh and Sho down. He gets the hot tag and Dunne lights up both men with suplexes and chops and punches. Eventually, Sabre appears from the crowd and hurls Cedric off the apron. The two start to brawl on the outside while Dunne deals with the two-on-one. Eventually, Pete notices Cedric's predicament and yells at him to focus. Cedric tosses Zach into the barricade and gets on the apron. Pete turns around into a Roppongi 3K. Cedric goes to break it up, but Zach grabs his ankle. Shooting Star Press to Zach from the apron. Yoh kicks Cedric to the floor as he goes to break it up once again. Sho cinches in the pin.
Winners: Roppongi 3K (Yoh and Sho with Rocky Romero) at 7:29
After the match, Zach slinks away back through the crowd. Pete and Cedric have a confrontation in the ring, but it doesn't come to blows beyond Pete yelling at his partner.
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Kimihiko starts the intros for the next match by introducing GoD first, who get a huge set of jeers from the crowd. Liger and Tiger are next and get a tremendous pop. Tiger ignores the young lions at ringside who try to help him into the ring and quickly gets the match started before the bell.
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Special Tag Team Match
Bullet Club's Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tonga Roa) vs. Jushin Thunder Liger and Tiger Mask
It's worth noting that Rocky joins the announce table with 3K remaining at his side seated in chairs. Liger and Tiger don't really notice as they continue what is usually the Bullet Club antic of attacking before the bell.
Once things calm down, they acknowledge that Liger and Mask have a shot at 3K's Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship at Dominion. Rocky continues by adding that his time is ready but they're scouting the two veterans out because they are legends worthy of respect.
The match slows down with GoD using their cheating ways to get the upper hand on Liger. They focus a lot on Liger to the point where Tiger is getting more frustrated. Eventually, Tiger is going for the tag to Liger until Roa pulls him off the apron. From that point Tiger has had enough. He grabs a chair and goes after Roa, who runs away all around ringside. Tiger tries to throw the chair at Roa, who sets a young lion in his path, taking the brunt of that shot.
The end comes when Roa gets into the ring and quickly turns Liger's mask around. Tiger focuses a bit on kicking the young lion he already assaulted while Tama hits a Gun Stun to a disoriented Liger.
Winners: Bullet Club's Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tonga Roa) at 9:12
After the match, Tiger rolls into the ring as GoD hightail it out of there. Tiger is furious as 3K and Rocky get up and have a brief staredown before heading to the back. Tiger shakes his head and goes over to them. He turns Rocky around and starts to yell at him. It is at that moment that two members of the Organization enter the ring and start beating on Liger. They quickly set him up and go for a Springboard Hart Attack. However, Santos Escobar rushes from the back past 3K and Tiger into the ring. He starts to even the odds while the two of them flee back through the crowd. Tiger pops in and shoves Santos...who shoves back. 3K and Rocky leave the arena while Santos and Tiger have a staredown of their own. Eventually, Tiger and Liger both shake hands with Santos (the former fairly reluctantly) before heading out.
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After the arena is cleared out, Kimihiko introduces Naito and Takahashi first who get an outstanding pop. That alone is enough to match the set of cheers that the Legion of Doom get once they are introduced.
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Special Tag Team Match
Los Ingobernables de Japon (Testuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi) vs. Legion of Doom (Animal and Hawk)
Chris and Kevin once again focus on the Heavyweight and Junior Heavyweight Champions teaming up but also focus on Animal and Hawk, who will be facing Guerrillas of Destiny at Dominion.
The match itself is nothing to really write home about. Hiromu is the obvious one to start taking the brunt of offense against LoD, but even still, the chemistry isn't all there.
The end comes when Animal and Hawk go for a Doomsday Device to Hiromu. Hiromu rolls backwards off Hawk's shoulders, allowing Animal to just sail right over his partner's head. Hawk turns around into a Superkick by Hiromu which takes him out of the ring. Hiromu ducks a clothesline by Animal and tags in Naito. He and Animal trade some offense for a bit but lone member of LoD is no match for a Superkick by Hiromu into a Destino by Naito.
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon (Testuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi) at 8:06
After the match, we get the same VTR that aired last week, though this time Naito is out here to see it in person.
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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.
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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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Once the VTR ends, Naito and Hiromu take a few moments to acknowledge it before waving it off and heading to the back.
When they are gone, Kevin and Chris go over the card for Dominion as it is right now.
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Dominion 7.12 in Osaka-jō Hall
SUN. JULY 12. 2020
Live from Osaka-jō Hall in Osaka, Japan
Double Gold Dash for the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships
Tetsuya Naito (C) vs. Winner of New Japan Cup Heavyweight Block Finals
New Japan Cup Heavyweight Block Bronze Match - Vacant IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship
Pete Dunne vs. Person Not Pinned in New Japan Cup Heavyweight Block Finals
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
Hiromu Takahashi (C) vs. Winner of New Japan Cup Junior Heavyweight Block Finals
Winner Gets an IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Match at a Later Date
Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tonga Roa) vs. Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal)
4-Way NEVER Openweight Elimination Match for the NEVER Openweight Championship
Loser of New Japan Cup Heavyweight Block Finals vs. Loser of New Japan Cup Junior Heavyweight Block Finals vs. Winner of New Japan Cup Junior Heavyweight Block Bronze Match vs. Winner of New Japan Rumble
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
Roppongi 3K (Yoh and Sho with Rocky Romero) (C) vs. Jushin Thunder Liger and Tiger Mask
Special Singles Match
Cedric Alexander vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
They bring up that the card itself will be finalized after the show tonight.
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After that is completed, Kimihiko starts up the New Japan Rumble. Chris translates that the rules are as follows: two men start in the ring. After that, a man will enter after a minute and a half. A person is eliminated either by throwing them over the top and both feet hit the floor, pinfall, or by submission. The last person standing will win the New Japan Rumble and will qualify for the 4-Way Never Openweight Match at Dominion.
New Japan Rumble - Winner Qualifies for 4-Way NEVER Openweight Match at Dominion
The match starts out with KENTA and a returning Juice Robinson!
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Kevin and Chris are surprised by Juice's return but not as stunned as KENTA, who takes the brunt of his offense. Eventually, KENTA roundhouses Juice, taking him back a bit to allow the next entrant to enter.
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It's Santos Escobar! He pops in and takes no prisoners. He tackles both KENTA and Juice with no care for allegiances or their health. Once both men are down, Santos plays to the crowd. He gets down and finds himself clotheslined by Juice. The next entrant comes out.
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It's Dragon Lee! He springs in and takes down KENTA and Juice with a simultaneous dropkick. Unfortunately, this doesn't last long as two members of the Organization pop in, including the one with the pipe. They focus on Juice, Dragon, and Santos, with specific focus on the latter. KENTA is hiding in the corner. After a pipe shot to Santos, a powerbomb to Juice, and an enzuguri to Dragon, they head back through the crowd. KENTA takes advantage and hooks Santos' legs which eliminates him.
Santos Escobar has been eliminated.
The next entrant is quick to enter.
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It's John Hussy! He comes out dressed as a "sexy samurai" as Kevin puts it, sword and all. He dances to the ring and immediately tries to make friends with KENTA. KENTA ignores that and goes for a Go 2 Sleep to Dragon, who gets down and throws KENTA into John, who hits the mat looking offended. Superkick to KENTA by Dragon. Juice and Dragon duke it out for a bit before the next entrant comes out.
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It's Karl Anderson! He rushes to the ring and immediately hits a Gun Stun to Dragon. Juice tries for a move, but Karl throws him over the top. Juice stays on the apron as Karl hooks Dragon for a pin.
Dragon Lee has been eliminated.
Juice springs back into the ring, but finds himself colliding with a Superkick by Hussy which takes Juice to the mat. Hussy turns around into a Go 2 Sleep. KENTA turns around into a Gun Stun. He tries to pin KENTA, who kicks out! The next entrant comes out as Karl goes for Juice, who kicks out as well!
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It's Rocky Romero! Kevin and Chris are surprised by Rocky's appearance but otherwise decide that it's not their call to make if he qualifies or not. Rocky enters the ring to Karl...and is immediately hit with a Gun Stun that puts him away.
Rocky Romero has been eliminated.
As Rocky is shoved out of the ring, Karl and KENTA have a confrontation. KENTA offers a "Too Sweet"...which Karl accepts. KENTA tries to go for Hussy, but Karl turns him around. The two have a brief confrontation before Karl offers his hand. KENTA shakes it before going for a Go 2 Sleep. Karl gets down and goes for a Gun Stun. KENTA tosses him away towards the ropes. KENTA hits a Running Knee which sends Karl over the top and to the floor.
Karl Anderson has been eliminated.
The next entrant quickly comes out.
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It's Doc Gallows! He hits the ring and immediately Big Boots KENTA, then Juice, then Hussy. Doc starts getting hyped up as Karl rolls back into the ring. The two do a "Too Sweet" of their own before double teaming the three left in the ring. Rocky tries to reenter but gets another Gun Stun by Karl. He is then tossed back over the top. Doc and Karl nod their heads before hitting a a Magic Killer to Hussy. Doc cinches the pin on John.
John Hussy has been eliminated.
Karl and Doc shake hands and hug as the next entrant comes out.
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It's EVIL! He slowly hits the ring, waiting patiently for Doc and Karl, who just stand there waiting. EVIL finally enters the ring and sets up for the two-on-one. He won't have to wait long as the next entrant comes out.
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It's Sanada! Kevin and Chris point out the convenience of it as Sanada rushes to the ring. After a bit of tension, KENTA and Juice try to interfere. This isn't taken lightly and the two teams focus on them. EVIL and Sanada on Juice, Doc and Karl on KENTA. This eventually ends with KENTA reversing a Magic Killer by getting down and hitting a Go 2 Sleep to Karl, sending him out of the ring. Doc runs for KENTA, who lowers the top rope, sending the other Good Brother to the outside a well.
Doc Gallows has been eliminated.
EVIL and Sanada go for a Magic Killer of their own to Juice as the next entrant comes out.
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It's David Finlay! Once again Kevin and Chris point out the convenience of it as Finlay hits the ring and breaks up the Magic Killer. He hits a Superkick to both EVIL and Sanada before looking towards Juice. The two share a huge hug which gets a massive pop from the crowd. Kevin and Chris applaud Lifeblood for their returns to New Japan. KENTA tries to break it up but gets a Left Hand of God. David follows it up with a Prima Nocta...which Juice follows up with a Pulp Friction. The next entrant comes out then.
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It's Shota Umino! Shota hits the ring and tries his luck with who's in it. Rocky once again tries to reenter but is quickly clotheslined over the top by Shota. Dropkicks to David and Juice. EVIL dodges and hits an Everything is Evil to him. Karl and Doc get on the apron and distract Sanada. This is enough for KENTA to toss him over the top and to the outside.
Sanada has been eliminated.
EVIL is pissed and tries to go for them, but KENTA catches him in a Go 2 Sleep which keeps him down.
EVIL has been eliminated.
The next entrant comes out.
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It's Shelton Benjamin! EVIL and Sanada have a staredown with The Good Brothers who walk towards the back. Shelton makes himself known immediately with a springboard bulldog to KENTA. He then unleashes suplexes galore to Juice, David, and Shota before hitting a T-Bone Suplex to KENTA, who kicks out! Shelton doesn't have to wait on his own for long as the next entrant comes out.
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It's PAC! The Bastard hits the ring and immediately takes it to Shelton. The two trade reversals for a bit before PAC hits an enzuguri to Shelton which takes him to the mat. PAC goes for a Black Arrow, but David runs towards him. PAC leaps down and rolls through. Tombstone to David. Juice tries to throw PAC out of the ring, but he reverses it, sending Juice to the apron. Shota follows with a dropkick to PAC's back, which sends him into Juice and sends Juice to the floor.
Juice Robinson has been eliminated.
PAC turns around and sees Shota Umino, staring him down. The next entrant then comes out.
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It's Tomohiro Ishii! He rushes to the ring and clotheslines everybody from David, to Shota, to PAC, to KENTA, to Shelton, to even Rocky who gets back in and is sent back over the top. Ishii goes for a Brainbuster to Shota, but Shota fights out, only to be turned inside out with a massive Lariat. The next entrant comes out.
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It's Matthew Breeze! He comes out dressed as a geisha girl, fan and all. He takes his time to get to the ring. When he arrives, he is clotheslined over the top and to the floor by Ishii who it seems has no time for sexy cosplay.
Matthew Breeze has been eliminated.
Matthew is pissed but accepts his defeat...by Superkicking a young lion. Ishii focuses on David as the next entrant comes out.
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It's Charlie Haas! He enters and focuses on Ishii. Shelton joins in and the two start double teaming people. They eventually get David on the top rope with his legs on Charlie's shoulders. Shelton then hits a Leapfrog to David. The two then throw David over the top and to the floor.
David Finlay has been eliminated.
PAC tries to interfere, but his taken down by a double clothesline. He gets up and tries for a move, but Shota pops in and throws PAC over the top and to the floor!
PAC has been eliminated.
PAC gets up and stares back at Shota as the next entrant comes out.
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It's Jay White! In the ring, Shota gets nailed with a Go 2 Sleep by KENTA, which puts him away.
Shota Umino has been eliminated.
Jay White ignores PAC and hits the ring, attacking everyone in sight. He and KENTA share a brief "Too Sweet" before double teaming all that they can. PAC drags Shota out of the ring and starts beating him on the outside. Jay catches a Shelton Superkick. Shelton tries to turn that into a Dragon Whip, but Jay ducks it. Blade Runner to Shelton that takes him out.
Shelton Benjamin has been eliminated.
KENTA goes for a Go 2 Sleep to Haas, who gets off and goes for a German Suplex. KENTA flips out and lands on his feet. When Haas gets up, he takes a Running Knee by KENTA. Jay follows that up with a Blade Runner to Haas.
Charlie Haas has been eliminated.
Jay and KENTA share another "Too Sweet" as the 19th entrant comes out.
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It's Ren Narita! He focuses more on PAC, who was still beating up on Shota. Ren tosses PAC into the ring and starts to beat up on him. Rocky tries to get in once more, but is quickly dispatched with a Go 2 Sleep into a Blade Runner. Bullet Club roll him out of the ring as Ren clotheslines PAC out and over the top. Ren turns out into a Clothesline by Ishii. Ren gets up and turns into another Go 2 Sleep into a Blade Runner.
Ren Narita has been eliminated!
PAC hits the back after throwing Shota into the barricade one last time. KENTA and Jay focus on Ishii as the final entrant comes out.
The fans who know immediately release a loud and thunderous pop as the Whole Dam Show itself hits the stage.
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It's Rob Van Dam!
He hits the ring like a house of fire and starts taking out everybody in sight, which at this point is only the three in the ring. RVD hits a flying kick to Jay which takes him down. RVD goes for a Five Star Frog Splash to Ishii, but KENTA comes up top, hitting a double underhook suplex which sends both men to the mat. Ishii tries to pick up KENTA, but is low blowed from behind by Jay. Ishii hits the mat.
It is then that four members of the Organization come out. They beat down on all four guys left in the ring, but it's then that Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask, and Santos Escobar hit the ring. The three of them focus on taking out the four members and getting them to the back.
Once the smoke from that is cleared, Jay and KENTA are the first to get up. KENTA hits a penalty kick to Ishii which takes him down slightly. Go 2 Sleep to Ishii into a Blade Runner.
Tomohiro Ishii has been eliminated.
From there, Jay and KENTA share one last "Too Sweet" before Jay grabs KENTA and throws him out and over the top.
KENTA has been eliminated.
Jay and KENTA have a staredown with KENTA quite frankly furious. Jay spends some time staring and following KENTA's gaze as he walks around the ring yelling at him. KENTA hits a Go 2 Sleep to Rocky who tries to once again reenter the ring. Jay stares on as KENTA walks to the back, his eyes never leaving Jay's for a few seconds.
Eventually, once KENTA leaves, Jay smirks and turns around into a kick by RVD. RVD goes for a Five Star Frog Splash, but Jay moves. Jay goes for a Blade Runner, but RVD kicks out of it. Superkick, Rolling Thunder to Jay. RVD throws Jay over the top, but he lands on the apron. The two begin trading blows for a bit until Jay ducks a roundhouse. He grabs RVD between the middle and top ropes before hitting a quick Blade Runner onto the apron.
Jay gets RVD back into the ring and hits one final Blade Runner to end the Rumble.
Winner: Bullet Club's Jay White at 34:57
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Kevin and Chris take some time to cool the crowd down and go over the New Japan Cup. They start with the Junior Heavyweight Block and recap the matches we've seen so far. When Jordan and Will come up they do not mention them by names but do show their matches. The winner of the following Bronze Match will be entered into the 4-Way NEVER Openweight Match at Dominion with Jay White and three other men to be decided tonight.
The finals of that same block will also be held tonight between Ricky Steamboat and Kushida. The winner will get a shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi at Dominion while the loser will also enter into the 4-Way NEVER Openweight Match.
Finally, they go over the Heavyweight Block, with some major focus on the first ever draw that took place last week before Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi. After Harold Meij's announcement, they relay the information. The winner of the finals tonight will face Tetsuya Naito at Dominion in the Double Gold Dash. The person not pinned will face Pete Dunne for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. And finally, the person who is pinned will be entered into the 4-Way NEVER Openweight Match.
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With that out of the way, we lead into the Bronze Match. Kimihiko introduces Taiji first who gets a fairly major set of jeers mostly due to his assaults on Kushida recently and due to being accompanied by Guerrillas of Destiny. BUSHI is introduced next and gets a much more positive reaction. He is accompanied by Hiromu Takahashi.
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New Japan Cup Junior Heavyweight Block Bronze Match - Winner Qualifies for 4-Way NEVER Openweight Match at Dominion
Bullet Club's Taiji Ishimori with Guerrillas of Destiny vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon's BUSHI with Hiromu Takahashi
Kevin and Chris talk about Taiji having to qualify twice to get this far in the tournament while focusing on BUSHI's great run so far. They also hone in on Taiji's obsession with taking out Kushida.
The match gets under way with both wrestlers focused on beating each other down with strikes. The match really gets going when Taiji gouges BUSHI's eyes and chop blocks him. From there, Taiji focuses intently on the leg.
The match is a good one with Taiji really dedicated to taking out BUSHI's leg. BUSHI tries valiantly to get out of whatever Taiji has but it's never enough. Eventually, Taiji has BUSHI in a Figure Four. BUSHI eventually sprays Taiji in the face with his mist which gets him out of it. From there, BUSHI is able to get some modicum of a comeback, though slowed down by his injured leg.
The end comes when BUSHI gets Taiji on the mat. BUSHI goes for an MX, but Taiji rushes forward and clips the injured leg. From there, Taiji sets BUSHI him on the top rope and hits a Bloody Cross from up there. Taiji sits on BUSHI and hooks both legs to get the pin.
Winner: Bullet Club's Taiji Ishimori with Guerrillas of Destiny at 13:19
After the match, Kevin and Chris talk about Taiji and Jay now both being in the 4-Way NEVER Openweight. Hiromu and BUSHI share a moment in the ring with each other before heading to the back together.
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For the next match, Kimihiko introduces Kushida first who gets a loud pop, but not as loud as Ricky Steamboat's, who is introduced second.
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New Japan Cup Junior Heavyweight Block Finals - Winner Faces Hiromu Takahashi at Dominion
Ricky Steamboat vs. Chaos' Japan's Kushida
Kevin and Chris focus on Kushida's hurt leg, which is wrapped and noticeably slow to be used. They also bring up Ricky's performance in the tournament thus far.
The match is fantastic given Kushida is working slowly. Ricky has a few moments to capitalize by attacking the leg, but opts instead for an arm drag or a suplex or a headlock. Kevin and Chris are both surprised because Ricky is a renowned veteran in the industry but is giving Kushida some kinda leeway. This eventually costs The Dragon who doesn't go for it once and ends up in a Hoverboard Lock. Ricky gets to the ropes but tensions start to rise from there.
Kushida focuses a lot on Ricky's arm despite his own bum leg. The two trade blows every so often, but Kushida is the one on top for a while. He isn't afraid of it injuring him and locks in various holds on Ricky's arm, as well as kicking and punching it when necessary. Eventually, Ricky reverses a Cross Armbreaker into a Powerbomb. Ricky goes up top for a Flying Crossbody, but Kushida joins him. Kushida hits a Flying Spanish Fly to Ricky before locking in a Hoverboard Lock.
The end comes when Ricky finally focuses on Kushida's injured leg, hitting it a couple times while in the Hoverboard Lock. Kushida refuses to let go, but does give Ricky a few inches to play with. This allows Ricky to cinch the bad leg and the head of Kushida and roll him up. Ricky takes the whole mile and gets the win.
Winner: Ricky Steamboat at 19:05
After the match, the two shake hands and bow in the ring. Kushida limps away, with Kevin and Chris noting he will face Taiji in the 4-Way NEVER Openweight along with Jay White. Ricky spends a few more moments celebrating with the crowd before leaving on his own.
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The main event is here with Kevin and Chris making it known that a winner will be had here tonight. There will be the standard 60 minute time limit, but Harold Meij has guaranteed a winner no matter what.
Kota Ibushi is introduced first to a fairly decent pop. Kevin and Chris note that he is not carrying his IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team belt. When Hiroshi Tanahashi enters to a bigger pop, he is also not carrying his Tag Team belt. Kevin and Chris talk about it for a bit and how it means this isn't about Golden☆Ace or Chaos' Japan. This is entirely about the Double Gold Dash.
Curt Hennig is the last to be introduced and while his pop isn't as big as Tanahashi's, he is still given a decent set of cheers from the crowd.
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New Japan Cup Heavyweight Block Finals - Winner Faces Tetsuya Naito at Dominion, Wrestler Not Pinned Faces Pete Dunne at Dominion, Wrestler Pinned Enters into NEVER Openweight 4-Way
Curt Hennig vs. Chaos' Japan's Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Chaos' Japan's Kota Ibushi
The match gets started with Kota and Hiroshi immediately coming to blows. Curt rolls out of the ring and lets them fight. He even takes some time and joins in on commentary. The three have a good, fun time watching Kota and Hiroshi fight amongst themselves. This mini-match goes for a good ten minutes before Kota is thrown from the apron onto the English announcer's. Kevin and Chris get a few smacks but Curt takes most of it.
From there, Hiroshi hits a High Fly Flow from the turnbuckle onto both men over the barricade onto the outside. Hiroshi lets Curt stew by himself and brings Kota back into ringside and then the ring. Kota kicks out, but Hiroshi doesn't waste time and starts to bring it to Kota. Kota eventually dodges another High Fly Flow. He hits a Kamigoye and goes for it, but it is then that Curt pops in and breaks it up.
As the freshest man in the match by far, Curt takes advantage and keeps both men down whilst focusing on trying to win. Every pinfall he gets is interrupted by the third man. Powerslam, suplexes, even a powerbomb all leads to a broken up pinfall.
Curt eventually gets tired of it and gets Kota up...who manages to roundhouse Curt to the mat. With all three men down, it is a perfect time for three members of the Organization to come in. They focus on the three in the ring for a little bit with the pipe-wielding member hitting a pipe to both Kota and Hiroshi's gut. They go for Curt as well, but Ishii, Robinson, and Finlay run interference. After the Organization are deposited from the ring, it leaves Curt to try and get a pinfall, but both Tanahashi and Ibushi kickout.
Curt goes for a Perfect-plex to Ibushi...who kicks out! Curt goes for a Perfect-plex to Hiroshi...who also kicks out! Curt starts getting frustrated and grabs a chair from ringside. He goes for Ibushi, who ducks and hits a roundhouse to Curt. He goes for a Golden Star Powerbomb to Curt, who grabs the chair mid-move and blasts Kota with it. He also nails Hiroshi in the face with it before pitching the chair. He goes for Kota...who kicks out. He goes for Hiroshi...who kicks out!
Curt does a safe signal and goes for a Perfect-plex to Hiroshi, who reverses it into a Twist and Shout. Hiroshi goes for a High Fly Flow, but Kota crotches him up top. Kota climbs up and goes for a move to Hiroshi. Hiroshi headbutts and forearms out of it before shoving Kota off, who hits a Phoenix Splash to Curt. Hiroshi breaks that up with a High Fly Flow to Kota's back.
The end comes when Hiroshi goes for a High Fly Flow to Curt on the mat, who moves out of the way. Curt goes for a Perfect-plex, but Hiroshi ducks out and lands on his feet. He ends up right in front of Kota who hits a roundhouse and then a Kamigoye to Hiroshi. Curt rolls up Kota who kicks out, but Curt turns that right into a Perfect-plex. Hiroshi tries to crawl towards it but is nowhere near close enough to break it up.
Winner: Curt Hennig at 31:37
After the match, Curt hits the back, celebrating for his upcoming match against Naito. In the ring, Kota and Hiroshi have a stare down on their knees, with neither strong enough right now to get to their feet. Hiroshi offers a fist. Kota notices...but rolls out of the ring to the back, stumbling and with help from the young lions. Hiroshi takes some time but gets the mic.
The following is translated by Chris.
Hiroshi Tanahashi: [I wish...I could say that everything is fine...but that would be fooling myself and my allies. I am proud to have David Finlay *cheer* and Juice Robinson *cheer* back into the fold...but with Kushida-san hurt...and Ibushi-san and I...treading water...I can not say that things are fine.
I have enjoyed our return. I have enjoyed your return. Thank you for allowing us to entertain you at home...and you all in Korakuen Hall these last few weeks. We will see each other again...and hopefully on better terms with Chaos' Japan. Congratulations to Hennig-san. Pete Dunne...I look forward to our match. And thank you all for coming out to see us perform...for all of you.
Go Ace!]
Hiroshi doesn't do a guitar solo given his current state, but does accept some high-fives from the few fans in attendance.