Taiji Ishimori has not been a fighting champion in NJPW, after refusing to grant KUSHIDA a title match and even losing to Master Wato in a non-title match. After avoiding title defenses for as long as possible, Ishimori now finds himself in a Fatal Four Way match in the Tokyo Dome. Hiromu Takahashi & El Desperado round out the match, making Wato the only man to never hold the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. Everyone has something to prove in this match, be it Ishimori proving he’s the best in the division, Wato proving he can win the big one, Takahashi proving he’s the ace of the division, and Desperado proving he can be a star without Suzuki-gun backing him. However – only one man can stand tall once this match ends.
All Out Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Action
Ishimori would be dropped as this match began from Desperado & Hiromu teaming up. This alliance held strong as Wato was run down with a double shoulder tackle. Ishimori & Hiromu would get into an argument, nearly having the match stolen by Desperado rolling up Wato. We’d get word of a potential backstage fight from Naito & Umino from the English commentary team – as Ishimori ran up the ramp.
Desperado would rush up, and was thrown onto the ramp. Hiromu came next, taking a shoulder breaker before Wato rushed up with a dropkick. Ishimori got away unscathed, and nearly won by getting all three challengers counted out. Back in the ring, Desperado was set up for a Sliding German Suplex, by Ishimori. Hiromu would apply D on Wato, as Desperado rushed in to get Numero Dos applied on Ishimori.
Wato would show some newfound power, lifting Hiromu into the Rampage Powerbomb, right onto Desperado & Ishimori. Hiromu would notice Ishimori on the apron and wanted the Sunset Bomb, but was unable to complete the move as Desperado set up a dive and Hiromu dodged. Wato would dive next, before Hiromu landed on all three men with the Hiromu Bomb.
Back in the ring, Hiromu would work on cutting everyone down with strikes, before Ishimori was taken into a spinebuster Desperado. Guitarra de Angel would follow, before Wato would cut him down with a strike. The backstage incident would be clairifed as actually being between the Los Ingobernables De Japon faction and KONGO from Pro Wrestling NOAH, who met at Wrestle Kingdom 16’s third night of action – more details to come after the show.
Master Wato Nearly Tastes Victory, Is Not On Hiromu Takahashi’s Level Yet
Master Wato would have the match won with Recientemente on Ishimori, but he let the pinfall go and looked for the Spiral Tap. Desperado would stop him on the top rope, before both men were taken down by Hiromu with a Tower of Doom. Hiromu would be folded with two forearm smashes before the Pinche Loco got a two count.
Desperado would fight back with the Time Bomb, but Time Bomb II was blocked by Wato hitting the flying lariat. Wato hit the Recientemente on Desperado, and would have won if Ishimori hadn’t pulled the referee from the ring. Ishimori took a chair to the back of Wato, before being hit with Recientemente again – with Hiromu would break the pinfall up this time.
Master Wato was so close he could taste it off the Everest German Suplex, but Hiromu was able to kick out. Recientemente was blocked into Time Bomb II – and Hiromu Takahashi is a five time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
Will Master Wato claim the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship in 2023? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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