NJPW Dominion 6.4 in Osaka-jo Hall results: Hiromu Takahashi squeaks by Master Wato

Hiromu Takahashi had just enough to retain his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against Master Wato at NJPW Dominion 6.4.

Carrying his Best of Super Juniors trophy, Master Wato heads down the ramp first. The English announce team reminds viewers of how Wato made his debut during the pandemic and finally has a chance to make it to the top of the mountain tonight. Hiromu Takahashi makes his entrance next as only he can.

Wato hears the cheers from his hometown fans as the bell rings, bringing a wry smile from Hiromu. He gets the better of the early exchanges, but the champ drags him to the floor and hammers him into the barricades several times. A dropkick off the apron sends Wato through the gate, and Hiromu brings him back in the ring to cover for a quick two.

Chops and a corner charge set up a low dropkick for Takahashi. He brings Wato up the ramp in the fireman’s carry position, then suplexes him on the ramp. The ref orders them back to the ring, then starts a count for Wato. Hiromu is amused as Wato rolls himself back down the ramp to help him get back there quicker and beats the 20 counts.

Wato retaliates with a dropkick to compose himself, then hits a nice tope con hilo to the outside. A bulldog follows, and he covers for a two count. They roll around on the floor until Hiromu can force a rope break.

A short series of counters ends with a falcon arrow for Hiromu. He picks up Wato and smashes him into the corner pad, but gets countered on the mat with a lot of pressure on his neck. Takahashi has to scoot forward on his backside to get his legs to the ropes for a break.

Hiromu gets in trouble on the apron, and ends up on the floor where he is a sitting duck for a torneo, Wato tries to come off the top rope but is countered and hits the mat hard.

It takes some doing, but Hiromu scores a near fall with the Dynamite Plunger. He connects with a clothesline, but his Time Bomb II is countered and leaves Wato looking for the RPP. Hiromu meets him in the corner and they battle back to the center of the ring. Wato hits Recientemente and gets another near fall.

A big German suplex and a bridge force Takahashi to kick out, then he nerly gets rolled up. Wato switches to Vendaval, and Hiromu looks like he’s fading but manages to hang in there. He’s not tapping out, and he summons up all the strength he has left to get his foot on the middle rope for a break.

Wato’s waistlock forces a series of elbows from the champ, who finds the mark with a series of kicks and a big lariat. Wato hits a spinning kick to the head and hits the Tsutenkaku German for two. Hiromu nearly rolls him up for the win, then hits a pair of kicks but can’t hit Time Bomb II. He hits the original Time Bomb instead, and that’s not enough to win it.

The fans are louder now as they get behind Wato. But the Time Bomb II is on the mark, and the hometown challenger goes down to defeat.

Click here for full NJPW Dominion 6.4 results from Osaka.