NJPW x NOAH Wrestle Kingdom 17 Results: Tadasuke [1] Defeats BUSHI [0], Hiromu Takashi [1] Defeats Haijima Ohara [1] As Best Of Five Series Begins (01/21)

The major focus of this second night of Wrestle Kingdom 17 action is the feud between Los Ingobernables De Japon & Kongo. Last year, they met in a huge 10 man tag team match, and this year – it’s a best of five series. Five members of L.I.J will meet five of the best in Kongo, starting with BUSHI & Tadasuke. It was Tadasuke who lost the match for Kongo in 2022, and he wants to redeem that loss and start Kongo on the right path tonight.

BUSHI & Tadasuke Are Both Glue Guys In Their Factions

BUSHI would rush in with the dropkick as this match began, getting right at Tadasuke. He’d pull at the face, before whipping him into the barricade out on the floor. BUSHI tried for another toss, but ended up hitting it himself. Tadasuke would hit a big boot to the face, allowing him to take control in the ring.

BUSHI would be placed throat first across the bottom rope, and would run into a leg drop. Modified Dragon Sleeper would be applied in the ring, with Tadasuke trying to choke BUSHI out. The shirt of BUSHI would be torn off, before Tadasuke would level him with a stiff chop to the chest.

BUSHI would hit the running hurricanrana to regain some control, before sending Tadasuke back to the floor – and would dive through the ropes with a suicide headbutt to the chest. Missile dropkick would follow in the ring, with Tadasuke able to recover and hit the DDT. Tadasuke took a backstabber before the codebreaker, before calling for MX.

BUSHI would jump off the middle rope and right into a lariat from Tadasuke. They’d trade strikes in the ring, with Tadasuke really putting his all into each one – only for BUSHI to hit a rare lariat. It spilled to the floor, with BUSHI hitting a neckbreaker over the barricade. Back in the ring, BUSHI would hit the mist and tried for the BUSHI Roll – only to be countered.

The pinfall was counted – and Tadasuke starts this night with a win for Kongo. They’d keep the brawl going after the bell, with Tadasuke not exactly looking a winner – he would still celebrate putting this to 1-0 Kongo to start the series.

Los Ingobernables De Japon & Kongo Put Their Junior Aces In The Mix

Back on January 4th, Hiromu Takahashi would win his 5th IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship – and tonight, has to look away from his upcoming defence against YOH. He is part of the battle for respect between Los Ingobernables De Japon & Kongo – as he faces someone who can match his speed and skill with a eight time GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion Haijima Ohara. The resumes of both men put them as the junior aces of their factions, but who will claim the win?

Hiromu would miss the dropkick as the match began, ending up in a side headlock. Ohara would look to keep Hiromu on the mat as this match began, shifting things into a backbreaker and getting an early near fall. Half crab would be applied by Ohara, with Hirmou forced to go to the floor to get free of the hold.

Ohara would not let Hiromu get his breath, rolling him back into the ring and applying a surfboard stretch. Hiromu would be able to hit a dropkick to the face when free, his first bit of offense in the match. The diving senton to the floor would miss, with Ohara simply side stepping – clearly doing his scouting.

A pumphandle backbreaker would land in the ring – getting Ohara another near fall. Tequila Sunrise would be avoided, and Hiromu hit the Death Valley Driver into the corner. Time Bomb was attempted but the back gave out before another backbreaker. Single Leg Crab would be applied again, with Hiromu again going to the bottom rope.

Hiromu Takahashi Was Pushed Hard By Hajime Ohara

Hiromu would be able to hit the lariat to gain back some ground, before hitting the pop up powerbomb and Falcon Arrow. It’s clear that this match was almost an afterthought for Hiromu coming in, while Ohara was laser focused coming in. They’d trade strikes in the middle of the ring, with Ohara showing more life at this stage of the match.

Ohara would take a thrust kick and came back with a tilt a whirl driver for a near fall. Submission would applied in the middle of the ring, and somehow was able to fight to break the hold before having to verbally submit as his arms and legs were caught. Thrust kick would be absorbed, but the Hiromu Bomber was not.

Victory Royale would get the near fall for Hiromu, before setting up Time Bomb II for the victory. Hiromu was able to pull things together in the end, but if he ever meets Ohara again – he won’t be overlooking him. This ties things 1-1 in this Best of Five series.

Should Hajime Ohara & Tadasuke get spots in Best of the Super Juniors? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.

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