We are now on the road to the next major NJPW event, Power Struggle. With the card in place, we know what to expect – as the opponents of big singles matches like Shingo Takagi vs. Zack Sabre Jr. will meet in multi-man tag team action. Road To shows aren’t always worth the watch, but the main event of tonight was something to behold – as Suzuki Gun took on Los Ingobernables de Japon in an eight man elimination challenge. Also in action was a returning Aaron Henare, KENTA, Hiroshi Tanahahsi & Kazuchika Okada.
Fun Undercard Action Gets Korakuen Hall On Their Feet, Aaron Henare Returns To Ring
With a packed crowd in Korakuen Hall to impress, Ryohei Oiwa would team with Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask to take on Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Master Wato & Ryusuke Taguchi. We’d see some great action from Tiger Mask IV, who is just a few weeks away from his 19th Best of The Super Juniors Tournament. Oiwa showed some young lion babyface fire, and Eagles was plain incredible like always. However, Oiwa was a weak link and found himself isolated in a Boston Crab from Master Wato leading to a tap out.
Up next, a united House of Touture took on the NEVER Openweight Six Man Champions & Kosei Fujita. Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Goto defend their belts against EVIL, SHO & Takahashi at Power Struggle. Despite their best efforts – even getting the jump on H.O.T before the bell, Fujita got isolated and beaten – much like Oiwa in the opening contest, a chair shot and submission from SHO ending things. Not a great start to the tour for the champs, but none of them fell and they had a great match like always.
Up next, we had a return to the ring of Aaron Henare for the United Empire. Henare had been injured ahead of the G1 Climax, and hopefully can make his tournament debut next year. Tonight, he’d fight alongside Great O-Khan, perhaps signalling intentions for them to team up in World Tag League, as they were able to overcome Toru Yano & Satoshi Kojima. O-Khan & Cobb have a better chance of winning World Tag League, but Cobb might have bigger plans for Wrestle Kingdom.
Tama Tonga & KENTA Scout Their Power Struggle Opponents
One of the biggest matches set for Power Struggle sees Hiroshi Tanahashi take on KENTA as he defends the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. These two legends in the making clashed in 2020 over the contract to battle for this championship, and on this tour will tangle in tag team action. With usual partner Kota Ibushi out, Tanahashi called on old rival Yuji Nagata to assist him.
KENTA had Gedo on his side, which was ultimately a mistake. Both Tanahashi & Nagata were way too much for Gedo whenever he was in the match, essentially leaving KENTA in a handicap situation. When he was on top, it was because KENTA had beaten someone down. A Texas Cloverleaf would take Gedo down, ending this one with ease.
Speaking of big matches at Power Struggle, Tama Tonga has his biggest singles match ever as he takes on Kazuchika Okada again, with a chance to main event Tokyo Dome hanging in the balance. With Tanga Loa & Jado to back him, he would get a chance to get more familiar with Okada, who teamed with Great Bash Heel.
Okada would even carry the old IWGP Heavyweight Championship to the ring with him, showing that his demands after G1 win were met. Tama Tonga was motivated to hit that Tiger Driver ‘98 or Gun Stun early on Okada, but was unable. Instead we would get a proper match here, with everyone giving their best (except Jado). In the end, Tama Tonga nailed Gun Stun on Honma for the win.
Suzuki-Gun Has Deck Stacked Against Them – Still Overcome L.I.J
With Minoru Suzuki still overseas in America and Taichi taking some time off to mend his injured ribs following a hard fought G1 Climax – we have Zack Sabre Jr. leading a team of junior heavyweights to take on Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi, BUSHI and SANADA. Thankfully, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado are Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, and DOUKI is absolutely insane.
This one was fought under elimination rules. However unlike WWE elimination matches, being sent over the top rope counts for an elimination here. ZSJ & Shingo started the match, looking for a flash submission and KO respectively. These two are magic together, and their exchange here was proof of that, as they battled in and out of the ring.
BUSHI was almost the first one out of the match, but was able to fight off DOUKI & Desperado. Instead, DOUKI fell first after a Pumping Bomber from Shingo. ZSJ came into the ring and countered a sliding lariat into an arm snap – a beautiful counter. Shingo was taken out by ZSJ, being put over the top rope – choked out and dropped to the floor!
Takahashi got things back in control by taking Kanemaru off the apron with a dropkick, putting this one to 3-2 in favor of L.I.J. Desperado sent Takahashi over the top and to the floor, putting it to 2-2. SANADA got him with the European Clutch, meaning ZSJ needed to take down SANADA & BUSHI. He’d trade pinfalls with SANADA, before sending him over the top rope and attacking the fingers to send him down.
With just BUSHI left – ZSJ would counter headscissors into an ankle lock. Leg was grapevine, and BUSHI barely got the rope. A BUSHI roll almost got the three count, and an Apron DDT set up MX. ZSJ caught BUSHI, trapped all his limbs in Total Submission for the win.
Whenever a “Road To…” show in NJPW has an elimination match – watch it. They’re never high stakes but their action is frantic and stupidly fun. This was a great example of the style, and proves ZSJ has stepped up a main event level. Match Rating: 3.75/5 (*** 3/4)
Has Shingo Takagi met his match in Zack Sabre Jr? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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