Los Ingobernables de Japon (LIJ) member and NEVER Openweight Champion Shingo Takagi made the V4 defense of the title against former NEVER Openweight Champion and Suzuki-Gun leader Minoru Suzuki during Summer Struggle in Jingu.
As expected, Suzuki and Shingo traded the sharp strikes that have become the staple of the NEVER Openweight Championship. Shingo looked determined to tie the defense record for the title, and Suzuki seemed that he wanted to prove that he still has a lot left in the tank.
The two battered one another, leaving regular New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) viewers filled with the violence associated with the title. In what some could deem a slight surprise, Suzuki would get the fall on Shingo at the 14 minute and 56-second mark with the Gotch Style Piledriver technique to begin his second reign as NEVER Openweight Champion.
Toa Henare, who is currently in New Zealand is eager to return to an NJPW ring and challenge Suzuki for the title he’s had his eye on since the beginning of 2020.
The second match saw a 4-Way match to determine would be the first KOPW (seemingly King of Pro Wrestling) titleholder. CHAOS member Kazuchika Okada, LIJ member Sanada, Suzuki-Gun member El Desperado, and CHAOS member Toru Yano vyed to determine who would take the title first.
Toru Yano was up to usual Toru Yano antics as he looked to outsmart his opponents who were far more engaged in the sportsmanship aspects of the match.
However, Yano was able to catch his unit mate with a low blow and gained the fall over him with a Vertical Cradle at the 7 minute and 1-second mark.
With the victory, Yano will be able to defend the KOPW title under unique stipulations that will go under a fan vote.
The opening match saw a contest between athleticism and cunning. Hontai member Master Wato took on Suzuki-Gun member Yoshinobu Kanemaru.
In what felt like a physical chess match, Wato was able to use his superior athletic ability to gain the advantage over Kanemaru at moments, yet Kanemaru was able to counter with his mental acumen.
After faking Wato out, Kanemaru was about to gain the fall at the 7 minute and 31-second mark with a Sunset Flip. The two will likely meet each other again in the future.
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