We have the two anti-hero factions of the last two decades clashing – as for one night only, Great Bash Heel is back. Togi Makabe has brought Tomoaki Honma, Tomohiro Ishii and Toru Yano – as well as the returning Shiro Koshinaka – all to take on Los Ingobernables De Japon. L.I.J is at full power tonight with all five members in the mix – and when they’re all together they might as well be invincible.
With the first ever IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Shiro leading the charge, Great Bash Heel hit the ring for the first time in years. It was Shinsuke Nakamura who brought around the end of G.B.H – taking everyone but Honma away from the leadership of Togi Makabe to create the CHAOS faction.
Great Bash Heel Fall To Los Ingobernables De Japón
Shingo & Ishii would but heads during ring introductions ahead of their first round match in the New Japan Cup later this week. SANADA had led L.I.J down to the ring, now carrying singles gold for the first time in NJPW. Shiro would start for G.B.H – though a brawl would break out with L.I.J hitting first and fast.
Makabe would be able to get some downward punches of Naito, before Yano hit the ring and threw Naito into an exposed steel corner. L.I.J would have Yano beaten down real fast after rushing the ring. Takahashi & BUSHI took turns kicking Yano in their corner, before SANADA applied the Paradise Lock. Shiro would roll Yano free before SANADA could hit the dropkick.
Some hip attacks would land from Shiro to L.I.J – before some kicks to the IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion. Ishii & Takagi hit the ring and traded shoulder tackles, with Shingo getting the edge before some jabs to the jaw in the corner. A powerslam failed to take Ishii down, as did a brainbuster. Ishii would show Shingo how its done, before Honma got the tag.
Honma nailed Kokeshi, but only got a two count. L.I.J would retake control for a four way dropkick on Honma, before a sliding lariat got the near fall. Ishii made the save, but L.I.J again cleared the ring as Takagi set up and hit Last of The Dragon for the victory.
Bishamon Meet Team Six Or Nine In Openweight Tag Team Clash
Normally on NJPW anniversary shows – we see the Heavyweight champion vs. the Junior Heavyweight Champion. However, that happens tomorrow in the opening round of the New Japan Cup – so tonight we instead have the tag team champions of NJPW clashing. Bishamon are the IWGP Tag Team Champions – while Six or Nine are the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. All that’s on the line here is bragging rights, and a show of who the best tag team in NJPW is!
Goto would kick off action with Taguchi, who drove Goto to the ropes. Taguchi is known for his comedy, but knew to be a touch more serious in this match. Goto took the headlock, but Taguchi was able to turn this hold around. They traded shoulder tackle attempts, before Taguchi hit the flying hip attack.
YOSHI-HASHI hit the ring and a double shoulder tackle took Taguchi down, before a hip toss saw Goto toss his partner like a weapon. Master Wato intervened with a running hurricanrana, before YOSHI-HASHI & Goto tossed him out. They beat Taguchi down with the War Drum attack – before settling into some control with their corner
The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Reign Supreme
Taguchi would break free with a rolling hip attack, before tag to Wato. He’d send both halves of Bishamon to the floor, and hit a Tope Con Hilo over the top rope. Wato is still young in the grand scale of NJPW, but his potential is clear. Taking YOSHI-HASHI back into the ring, a missile dropkick would land before an attempt at German Suplex.
YOSHI-HASHI was able to fight free and get a tag to Goto, but Wato nailed the leg lariat and got the tag. Taguchi hit a trio of B-Triggers, before the three amigos attempt in the ring. Goto would block the third and final suplex. Wato & Taguchi would set up a near fall using a hip attack, before YOSHI-HASHI hit the Bunker Buster.
Taguchi would get Goto into an ankle lock in the ring, with YOSHI-HASHI having to make the save! Some hip attacks would follow, before Bishamon set up a Manhattan Drop. Violent Flash took out Master Wato, before Taguchi would fight out of GYR. A thrust kick from YOSHI-HASHI wuld stun Taguchi however, and Shoto would get the win.
Who can stop the dominance of Bishamon? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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