The second Summer Struggle event a part of the massive build-up towards the August 29th, Summer Struggle in Jingu featured event saw the continuation of several programs that have been brewing over previous weeks, especially over the past several days.
The opening match saw Satoshi Kojima, Togi Makabe, and Ryusuke Taguchi defeat Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) Los Angeles (LA) Dojo Young Lion, Gabriel Kidd. Taguchi pinned Kidd at the 9 minute and 33-second mark with the Dodon.
Kidd once again stepped up to Makabe before the match, in what seemingly will eventually result in a singles match between the two.
The second match saw Los Ingobernables de Japon (LIJ) members NEVER Openweight Champion Shingo Takagi and Bushi defeated CHAOS members Yoshi-Hashi and Toru Yano at the 7 minute and 44-second mark when Bushi was able to reverse a vertical cradle from Yano into a pinfall of his own.
The third match saw Suzuki-Gun members Minoru Suzuki and El Desperado defeat Yuji Nagata and NJPW Noge Dojo Young Lion Yuya Uemura when Suzuki pinned Uemura with a Gotch Style Piledriver. Suzuki taunted Nagata with a cocky cover on Uemura, which led to Nagata and Suzuki trading blows once again after the match.
Suzuki would challenge Nagata to another confrontation once the two separated.
Suzuki: Nagata! Let's do it. New Japan Pro-Wrestling! Get a place ready. Set a date. Set a date for Yuji Nagata's public execution.
LIVE: https://t.co/qY4UokiziC#njpw #njsst pic.twitter.com/svzyjIk1kR
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) July 27, 2020
Signs are pointing towards Nagata and Suzuki meeting once again at Summer Struggle in Jingu while continuing to draw heat towards their rivalry throughout the Summer Struggle tour.
The fourth match saw Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, and Master Wato defeat IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions (Zack Sabre Jr/Taichi), Yoshinobu Kanemaru, and Douki when Ibushi defeated Douki with the Kamigoye at the 12 minute and 8-second mark.
The match was of high quality and is an example of how NJPW began its rise to international prominence since 2010. The quality of wrestling was better than the marquee scene of the promotion between 1999-2005, and better than a lot of matches that pass for marquee attractions across the world today.
After the match, Dangerous Tekkers once again exchanged words with the Golden Ace team of Tanahashi and Ibushi. It’s possible Dangerous Tekkers could make their v1 defense of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Golden Ace at Summer Struggle in Jingu, but there could be a swerve between now and August 29th.
The fifth match saw Bullet Club members Yujiro Takahashi and Gedo defeat CHAOS member Kazuchika Okada and Show when Yujiro pinned Sho with Pimp Juice at the 10 minute and 15-second mark. Okada had several words for Yujiro after the match, a sign their program will continue for the foreseeable future.
The marquee match saw Bullet Club members IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental ‘Double Champion’ Evil, Taiji Ishimori, and Dick Togo defeat LIJ members Tetsuya Naito, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi, and Sanada when Ishimori submitted Hirmou with the Yes Lock.
Ishimori took advantage of Hiromu’s damaged shoulder and imposed his will on the champion throughout the match.
Evil and Sanada were kept apart for most of the match, an indication that the former Cold Darkness tag team partners will have a featured match somewhere down the line. After the match, Ishimori insisted on a match being made between him and Hiromu for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.
Ishimori: Hiromu, is this decided now? Me and Hiromu for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. Make the match already!
LIVE: https://t.co/qY4UokiziC#njpw #njsst
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) July 27, 2020
