Originally tonight, we were supposed to see KUSHIDA go one on one with the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Taiji Ishimori. It was set to be a non-title match, as KUSHIDA seeked to prove he belongs in NJPW after a failure of a run in WWE. However, KUSHIDA would be unable to make the show due to illness, but Ishimori will not be getting a night off. Master Wato has stepped up – and looks to prove he belongs in the title hunt.
NJPW World Television Championship Announced
Before this match we’d get a special announcement from the NJPW president. A big piece of information was promised, with a celebration of the most important connection NJPW has right now. There is a new championship to be announced as part of on-going 50th anniversary celebrations, with a lot of them being with TV-Asahi.
It’s the NJPW World Television Championship. Every title match will have a 15 minute time limit, with a high speed style encouraged for these matches – and it’s hoped younger wrestlers will step up. A tournament will be set soon to crown the first champion. Matches will be uploaded for free to NJPW World, ensuring everyone gets a chance to see this new belt. This tournament will conclude at Wrestle Kingdom 17.
Master Wato Starts Off Fast, Has Arm Targetted
Wato would start the match in a hurry with a dropkick, before some mid-kicks in the ropes. Ishimori would get a moment to breathe after the referee broke the strikes up. Wato was driven out to the floor and into the barricade, before being hit with a TKO over the barricade – a potential match ender in the opening minutes.
Back in the ring, Ishimori would expose a corner of the ring as Wato tried to find his feet on the floor. Wato would make it back to the ring before the twenty count, only to be whipped into the exposed steel. A neck crank would land, with Ishimori in complete control. The shoulder breaker would land, setting Wato up for the Bonelock down the line.
Ishimori would nail some heavy handed chops in the corner, before an arm drag into a snap in the middle of the ring. Wato would fight to his feet, but the arm would be yanked and he’d fold to the mat in pain. Ishimori would be caught with a quick strike and was sent to the floor, before Wato kept the pressure on with a dive to the floor.
Springboard uppercut attempt would be turned into a crossface, but Wato would be able to get his foot on the bottom rope. Ishimori would hit a double knee armbreaker, getting a near fall. Wato was able to once again find his feet and looked for a German Suplex, before being able to grapple himself into Vendaval. Ishimori would struggle to get free – using the bottom rope.
A Victory Over The Champion
Wato would connect with the springboard uppercut, before an Avalanche German Suplex for a two count. Crucifix Bomb would bring an even closer near fall, with Wato stringing together big blows to get the better of the champion. RPP would be attempted, but Ishimori would roll out of the way – letting Wato crash and burn.
Ishmori would send him into the corner with a shotgun dropkick, before driving him into the ring post shoulder first. The old school shoulder breaker would follow, before La Mistica into Bone Lock. Stuck in the center of the ring, Wato would pull himself close to the ropes, but Ishimori would reposition.
Bloody Cross would be blocked before a Recientemente would actually get Wato the victory! With this victory over the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, the future of Wato looks bright for the ending stretch of 2022. Can Wato repeat this with the title on the line?
We might find out, but El Desperado & Hiromu Takahashi would look to steal his moment. There’s a line to get to Ishimori, and no one in this building thought Wato would get the win. Ishimori would try to flee his three potential challengers, but was goaded back into the ring. He’d call for a Fatal Four Way, looking to taking them all down at once.
Will Taiji Ishimori remain the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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