While NJPW has been keeping a bit of a low profile following Wrestle Kingdom 16 – mainly running cards full of multi-man tag team matches, last night was an exception. Just one week away from a two night finale to the Golden Series tour, we would see the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship take focus as Master Wato got his first chance to claim singles gold.
A Solid If Not Unremarkable Undercard
This would come in the main event, while the undercard was more a touch more interesting than usual. We’d see Hiromu Takahashi team with BUSHI in a losing effort against DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru. An all star team of Yugi Nagata, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kazucika Okada had a thrilling six man showing against Los Ingobernables De Japon.
Satoshi Kojima would fall to Great-O-Khan in singles action, while Tiger Mask got his first singles win since 2019 against Gedo. In the semi-main event, SHO would defeat his former tag team partner of YOH in a 20 minute clash, which was perhaps better than their match at Wrestle Kingdom 16.
Despite Master Wato Giving His All In First NJPW Singles Title Shot – El Desperado Remains Champion
After getting what many viewed as a lucky submission victory over El Desperado at Wrestle Kingdom 16 – Master Wato had his biggest chance to shine since returning from excursion. A chance to become IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion was huge for Wato, and a victory would have been enough to shut up a lot of his doubters. However, after shutting down Best of The Super Juniors winner Hiromu Takahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 16, Desperado was more than ready for the challenge of Wato.
Over the course of a nearly thirty minute clash, Wato threw everything he had at El Desesperado. He proved that he has the fighting spirit of a champion, and nearly had Desperado beat on a few occasions through the use of his Vendeval submission. However, in the end the combo of the Pinche Loco facebuster and Numero Dos submission hold would see Desperado get his second title defence
Following the match, Desperado would talk up ‘big dreams’ for the future of his reign which includes a string of defences against wrestlers from other companies and countries before a potential defence against his longtime tag team partner Yoshinobu Kanemaru.
Will NJPW allow Desperado to defend against names outside of the NJPW roster? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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