Matt Riddle challenges Hiroshi Tanahashi, who responds ‘I have no idea who that guy is’

The Ace and president of New Japan said he’d have to do some research to figure out who Matt Riddle is.

It doesn’t look like there will be any rest for President Ace, as Hiroshi Tanahashi had to defend his newly won NJPW World Television Championship against Ryusuke Taguchi at New Year Dash. But it was what happened afterward that has NJPW fans and wrestling observers talking.

With Tanahashi still in the ring at Sumida City Gymnasium in Tokyo, the crowd went quiet as a video played. It was a challenge to the Ace from Matt Riddle, who introduced himself and said he’d see the NJPW president “soon.”

While many fans are familiar with Riddle from his time in WWE (which came to an end with his release last fall), Tanahashi was apparently not.

“Any time, I will do it,” Tanahashi said afterward. “But I have no idea who that guy is.”

Happily, Tanahashi added that he would “have to go back and do some research,” so he’ll know all about Riddle before they meet up in the ring.

What wasn’t immediately clear is where Tanahashi and Riddle might face off, as NJPW has big events coming up in both Japan and the U.S. over the next few months. Battle in the Valley in San Jose seems a little too soon since it’s just over a week from now on Jan. 13, though other matches were made for the event at New Year Dash — including Jon Moxley vs. Shingo Takagi in a No DQ showdown.

NJPW has its series of The New Beginning shows in Osaka and Sapporo in February, then just announced Windy City Riot in Chicago for April 12. Regardless of where it takes place, a Tanahashi-Riddle match will be exciting for some, distressing to others, and definitely not something anyone would have predicted for 2024 even a few months ago.

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NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 results: President, Ace, Champion as Hiroshi Tanahashi pins Zack Sabre Jr.

Hiroshi Tanahashi is wearing singles gold again after Wrestle Kingdom 18.

The first match for Hiroshi Tanahashi as president of NJPW is a title shot, though it’s no easy one since Zack Sabre Jr. has been the one and only NJPW World Television Champion. Sabre’s entrance video is cool because it features the names of everyone he’s beaten defending his title, eventually all getting crossed out.

The president wastes no time getting fans to chant for him as he warily locks up with ZSJ. That’s really the only way one should do that, honestly.

Sabre shows off a cool escape by sliding back between the Ace’s legs, then gets the better of him briefly with a hammerlock before taking repeated Twist and Shouts and a Sling Blade for a near fall.

Tanahashi heads right up top for a high cross body, but he catches knees on the High Fly Flow and is nearly beaten by a reverse bridge by Sabre. Tana blunders into a leg triangle but slowly turns it into a submission of his own … which of course Sabre reverses into an armbar.

The champ flows form one hold to another until Tanahashi can get a foot to the ropes for a break. A ZSJ kick to the chest is answered by a running dropkick before the men exchange holds again. Tanahashi keeps rolling his foe up for potential pinfalls to escape an armbreaker, which is a good idea.

Near falls are coming fast and furious and from both men. Sabre applies the octopus hold, and he escapes a dragon screw so he can do a few neck screws of his own. A PK connects, and Sabre looks like he’s working for the kill now.

A Zack Driver is countered to set off a crazy back and forth sequence, and it’s Tanahashi who is able to hold his opponent’s shoulders down for the three count. Though he looks astonished, Sabre respectfully hands the title belt to the president and walks out with TMDK.

The Ace gets the mic after his victory and says it’s been a while since he’s been a singles champion. He wishes the fans a Happy New Year

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NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 results: Naito, Okada, Finlay win big

Who got their hand raised in Tokyo Dome? We’ve got you covered with full NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 results.

If the calendar has flipped to January and a few days have passed to let it sink in, that can only mean one thing: It’s time for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom. The annual Tokyo Dome show is the biggest event in Japanese wrestling each year, and it’s a pretty big deal for fans around the world provided they can set their schedules accordingly.

As is tradition, Wrestle Kingdom 18 is headlined by an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match, this time with a bit of a student vs. teacher vibe as Sanada tries to fend off Tetsuya Naito. The final match on any Wrestle Kingdom card tends to set the direction for New Japan for months, but that may be true this time around more than ever.

U.S. fans will get to see two very familiar and accomplished faces from AEW. Bryan Danielson takes on Kazuchika Okada in a non-title match that could outshine even the main event, while Jon Moxley tangles with both Will Ospreay and David Finlay for a brand new championship.

More title bouts are up and down tonight’s card — seven in all out of 10 matches (plus the traditional New Japan Ranpo to kick things off). It should be a long but very exciting show.

We’ve got our sleep schedule rearranged and consumed our caffeine, and will be recapping the whole event right here.

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 results:

(please click on any match with a link for full details)

  • Great-O-Khan, Taiji Ishimori, Toru Yano and Yoh win the KOPW 2024 New Japan Ranbo, meaning they head to New Year Dash to compete for the Provisional KOPW 2024 Championship
  • Catch 2/2 (Francesco Akira and TJP/The Aswang) def. Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors and Drilla Moloney) by pinfall to become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, aided greatly by TJP’s transformation into The Aswang
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi def. Zack Sabre Jr. by pinfall to become the new NJPW World Television Champion
  • Yuya Uemura def. Yota Tsuji by pinfall
  • House of Torture (Evil and Ren Narita) def. Shota Umino and Kaito Kiyomiya by pinfall, with the help of plenty of interference from the rest of House of Torture and a timely shot from a push-up bar
  • Tama Tonga def. Shingo Takagi by pinfall to become the new NEVER Openweight Champion
  • Nic Nemeth (known as Dolph Ziggler in WWE) and brother Ryan Nemeth are shown making their way to “VIP seats”
  • Guerrillas of Destiny (Hikuleo and El Phantasmo) def. Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi) by pinfall to become the new IWGP Tag Team Champions and retain the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship
  • El Desperado def. Hiromu Takahashi by pinfall to become the new IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion
  • David Finlay def. Will Ospreay and Jon Moxley to become the inaugural IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion
  • On his way out, Finlay makes a point of stopping in front of Nic Nemeth, and after exchanging words, he shoves Nemeth; that touches off a brawl that continues until and even after they are pulled apart
  • Kazuchika Okada def. Bryan Danielson by pinfall
  • Tetsuya Naito def. Sanada by pinfall to become the new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion
  • After the match, Naito is attacked by EVIL and Dick Togo, but Sanada helps fight them off

Hiroshi Tanahashi will keep wrestling even as NJPW president

The Ace of New Japan Pro-Wrestling has lofty goals both in and out of the ring as a wrestling president.

The Ace of New Japan Pro-Wrestling has a brand new position in the company, but that doesn’t mean he’s leaving his more familiar one behind just yet.

Just a few days after Hiroshi Tanahashi was announced as the new president and representative director of NJPW, he took part in a press conference to discuss the changes to the promotion’s leadership team. Among the topics were Tanahashi’s goals in his new role, including selling out the Tokyo Dome for Wrestle Kingdom — though he cautioned that it could take several years to achieve.

Tanahashi also made it clear that he’s not retiring from the ring just yet, and that he will continue to wrestle while attending to his duties as president on days when there are no shows (translation h/t to NJPW Global).

“I’ll be on the road with NJPW when the company is on the road, but when New Japan is in Tokyo, I will be in the office,” Tanahashi said. “We have a lot of wrestlers here in NJPW, and in that off time, it isn’t on me necessarily, but our wrestlers to combine preparation and training with promotional work as well.”

He also predicted that he’d have no problem meeting the demands of both roles.

“There’s an extent to where I have to live in this dual role a bit to find out just what it’s like, and how much I can handle,” he said. “But I’ve never been tired, so I think I’ll be fine.”

Tanahashi noted the feeling that he had as a fan before becoming a wrestler and how he’d like to recapture that, with people “going home and over dinner or beers talking about how much fun the show was.” He also said he told the roster about his promotion on Dec. 22, the day before it was officially announced, and that even longer tenured veterans gave their support.

It certainly can’t hurt in the arena of public perception to have the most recognizable star from New Japan’s time of peak popularity during the 21st century as its top executive. It’s clear there’s work to be done to reach those heights again, but Tanahashi certainly appears to be up for the challenge.

And he’s not giving up on lofty ambitions in the ring either, even at age 47.

“I’m thinking about what I have left as an active wrestler,” he said. “Through that time the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship is still my top goal. Maybe people might balk at that answer! But I will give it my all in the ring and out.”

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Hiroshi Tanahashi is now president of NJPW

The Ace is now the president as Hiroshi Tanahashi gets a new title in a NJPW leadership shakeup.

First he was the Ace of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Now Hiroshi Tanahashi has an even loftier title: president.

NJPW announced that after a meeting of the company’s board and shareholders on Dec. 23, some changes were being made to the leadership structure. The biggest one was Tanahashi replacing Takami Ohbari as president/representative director. Hitoshi Matsumoto also becomes a director, replacing Michiaki Nishizawa, with Taro Okada, president and CEO of Bushiroad Fight, also becoming a part-time director.

For Japanese wrestling fans (and many American fans as well), Tanahashi needs no introduction. The 47-year-old is one of the most important stars in New Japan history, helping to lead a resurgence from a very down period and carrying the promotion on his back for much of the 2010s. Among many other honors, he’s held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship eight times and is both a NJPW Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion.

What this means for the remainder of Tanahashi’s in-ring career should be fascinating to see. He’s scheduled to compete at Wrestle Kingdom 18 in January, New Japan’s biggest annual show, challenging Zack Sabre Jr. for the NJPW World Television Championship.

Probably not coincidentally, New Japan announced that Tanahashi will address fans directly as president at that event. Before that, though, there will be a press conference on Dec. 26 to discuss the management changes, and that should be of great interest to anyone who follows the company.

Katsuyori Shibata on New Three Musketeers: ‘We hate each other anyway’

Time to open the Forbidden Door for Katsuyori Shibata to face some of his old NJPW contemporaries?

Once upon a time, before he returned from a serious head injury that could have killed him and well before he became a fixture in AEW and ROH, Katsuyori Shibata was part of what New Japan Pro-Wrestling called “The New Three Musketeers.” Intended as the next generation of the original incarnation of The Three Musketeers (Keiji Muto, Masahiro Chono and Shinya Hashimoto), the trio included some names you might recognize: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura.

Perhaps it’s no surprise that since Shibata enjoyed the least professional success of the group (due in large part to a detour into MMA), The Wrestler doesn’t look back fondly on that part of his career. Or maybe it’s just part of his current, “I don’t like jokes” persona.

Either way, Shibata was asked about The New Three Musketeers by RJ City on the latest episode of “Hey! (EW)” and he didn’t hold back his irritation about the question.

Using his phone to translate, which is also part of his ongoing gimmick, Shibata said, “It’s nothing to do with me wrestling in AEW. We hate each other anyway.”

The bit for the whole interview is that City is flustered by Shibata’s responses, as you can see below.

Though they currently work for three different companies, Shibata, Tanahashi and Nakamura have come together on occasion, including for Antonio Inoki’s wake last fall.

Shibata hasn’t shared a ring with either of The New Three Musketeers since 2016, but given AEW’s close working relationship with NJPW, crossing paths with Tanahashi is something that could still happen. At least based on his exchange with City, it doesn’t sound like it would be a friendly reunion. Maybe something for Tony Khan and Rocky Romero to keep in their back pocket for the next Forbidden Door.

NJPW G1 Climax 33 Night 16 results: Naito, ZSJ come up big in D Block finale

Five men entered the final night of D Block matches with a chance of advancing in NJPW G1 Climax 33.

Throughout their long and storied careers, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tetsuya Naito have faced each other in singles matches more than a dozen times. But except for when a title was on the line, the Ace and the LIJ leader have arguably never battled with stakes as high as they are tonight in Night 16 of G1 Climax 33.

The final night of D Block competition sees five men still mathematically alive for two spots in the quarterfinals. The edge goes to Jeff Cobb, Zack Sabre Jr. and Naito, who all sit on eight points before they hit the ring in Hamamatsu.

But Hirooki Goto, who wrestles Sabre, and Tanahashi are still in the mix at six points apiece. They’ll need wins and results in other matches to go their way, but can get one of the tiebreakers they will need by winning tonight anyway.

If Cobb and ZSJ both win, it’s possible that Tanahashi will know he can’t advance before he even hits the ring. Still, the chances he’ll just roll over and allow Naito to cruise to victory seem essentially nonexistent, and the story that NJPW has been telling with respect to Naito and the G1 Climax feels like it’s a now or never situation. To use a baseball analogy that the man himself would probably appreciate, we’re beyond the bottom of the ninth and into extra innings.

As far as the tag team matches before the block action begins, the most interesting one features Eddie Kingston, whose time in New Japan is not quite over yet even though he was bounced from the tournament the previous night. He’s supposed to join the English commentary team after his match, which should be fun.

Buckle up, here we go.

G1 Climax 33 Night 16 results:

House of Torture (Sho and EVIL) def. Yuto Nakashima and Eddie Kingston by pinfall

Kevin Kelly takes exception to EVIL being announced as ‘Mr. G1,’ and he and Sho waste no time taking the fight well into the crowd on opposite sides of the ring.

The House of Torture forms a human chain to, well, torture the Young Lion in an abdominal stretch, but Kingston is able to make the save. Eddie gets to treat both of his opponents to chops and exploder suplexes when he tags in.

Nakashima, who’s sporting a nifty new haircut, gets to show off some of his stuff against Sho (sorry), who he eventually places in a Boston Crab. Sho steadies the ship by pulling the ref into the way, and he uses a wrench shot the reg doesn’t see to set up the Shock Arrow for the victory.


TMDK (Kosei Fujita and Mikey Nicholls) def. Ryohei Oiwa and Kaito Kiyomiya by pinfall

The Young Lions on each side have some history with each other and start out against each other. The larger Oiwa wins a striking battle, but Fujita hangs with him and goes over to hit Kiyomiya as well.

Nicholls seems to be in a foul mood, biting Oiwa’s forehead at one point while we all wait for Kiyomiya to enter the fray. That finally happens after Oiwa dropkicks both of their opponents, and he and Oiwa are eventually able to isolate Nicholls.

Unfortunately for the Young Lion, Nicholls ends up hitting him with a Death Valley Bomb and a sliding lariat, securing a win for the TMDK duo.


Master Wato, Hikuleo and Shota Umino def. Bullet Club War Dogs (Gedo, Gabe Kidd and David Finlay) by submission

Kelly notes that Finlay broke his share of rules but did win C Block without any interference from other members of Bullet Club. That’s something, one supposes. He has his hands full with Umino early on here, however.

Kidd is able to lend a hand from the outside, mocking the fans as he does so. Also Kidd and Finlay end up biting Umino’s fingers on both hands at the same time.

A tag to Hikuleo turns out to be the cure for what’s ailing Umino, though Kidd is able to trick him into running into Wato in the corner. He almost gets pinned by Gedo, which would be embarrassing, but hits a springboard uppercut before things start to break down.

Wato ends up hitting a nice Russian leg sweep on Gedo, then transitions to Vendaval and gets a verbal submission. The War Dogs re-enter the ring after the bell with weapons, and Kidd makes it clear he wants to prevent Hikuleo from advancing in the tournament, throwing a chair at the big man’s head.


United Empire (Henare and Great-O-Khan) def. Tomoaki Honma and Tomohiro Ishii by pinfall

If you want to see some straightforward slugging, this is the match for you. It starts with Ishii and Henare, and the fans seem to appreciate it. Honma gets himself into even more trouble against Khan until he battles back with a DDT.

Ishii returns with a vengeance, scoring a near fall on Khan after a back suplex. He fights out of a submission hold and tags are made so that Honma and Henare can square off.

Honma hits his trademark diving headbutt but takes a series of kicks and a headbutt in return. Streets of Rage wins it for Henare, while Ishii and Khan need to be pulled apart while scrapping on the outside.


Strong Style (Ren Narita, El Desperado, and Minoru Suzuki) def. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Bushi, Yota Tsuji, and Shingo Takagi) by submission

Tsuji and Narita, who fought to a draw in their G1 match, start things out. Suzuki smiles as he tags in, and both he and Tsuji laugh it up while smacking each other. Strong style is fun, apparently!

The two masked men get to work against each other until Desperado ends up taking abuse from everyone on the LIJ side. Desperado looks like he’s in trouble in Tsuji’s Boston Crab, but he crawls to the ropes to force a break.

Shingo and Suzuki end up paired off as well, which the fans like. They dig Bushi’s tope suicida as well, and thing start to break down right after that.

Narita and Bushi are the legal men and end up alone in the ring, and Bushi ends up tapping out to the Cobra Twist.


Alex Coughlin def. Toru Yano by pinfall in a D Block match

Eddie Kingston has joined Kelly on commentary for this one, watching as Kidd helps Coughlin attack Yano on the walkway before the match begins. The War Dogs pile sections of the barricade on Yano and choke him with a towel, all before the bell.

Alas, Coughlin overplays his hand and gets a drop toehold into a chair, then several chair shots to boot. Yano hauls Kidd back up the ramp with his neck in a chair, then battles Coughlin well into the crowd. They fight through some of the closer sections and finally into the ring to officially start the match.

Kidd returns to the fray once the ref takes a bump, grabbing a table and setting it up on the floor. Yano escapes being suplexed to the floor but he’s still outnumbered. He powerbombs Kidd through the table, possibly taking care of him for now.

Yano gets a pair of scissors and has to be stopped from using them on Coughlin. But as the ref deals with that, Coughlin uses his title for a belt shot and follows with a jackhammer for the victory.


Jeff Cobb vs. Shane Haste fight to a draw by double countout in a D Block match

Kingston talks about the wear and tear you take competing in the G1. It’s true that it can’t be too fun by the time you get to the final block match. Cobb shows off both his power and his athleticism, getting Eddie to say “it’s not fair.”

Somehow, Haste is able to get Cobb up for a powerbomb on the apron. But all that ends up getting him is a serious series of clotheslines in the corner, then a big running suplex that leads to a near fall.

Haste battles back with a big Falcon Arrow for two. They stand and trade chops and forearm shots until Haste can blast Cobb to the outside with a dropkick.

Up the ramp they go, passing the halfway mark of the time limit. With the ref counting, Cobb tries to return to the ring, but Haste does all he can to prevent it. He holds on for all his might and gets a draw by double countout, keeping things alive for his teammate, Zack Sabre Jr.


Zack Sabre Jr. def. Hirooki Goto by submission

Not sure if Goto is mathematically still alive or not, though with a win and a Naito loss he can end up in a cluster of wrestlers with eight points. ZSJ controls his own destiny: win and he’s into the quarters.

Goto starts out strong, battering Sabre from corner to corner until ZSJ grabs his leg. A backbreaker has Goto sliding out to the floor to try to stop the onslaught.

Sabre keeps working over his opponent’s back, shifting to his right arm as well. A Cobra Twist has Goto in a lot of trouble, especially when he gets dragged to the ground. But he’s able to escape and run through some of his offense to earn a near fall.

Suddenly Goto has plenty of momentum and the fans behind him, but ZSJ catches him coming off the top rope and he needs to get his foot to the bottom rope to make a desperation break of the hold. Goto holds on to stop Sabr from kicking him in the chest, and both men stagger each other until Goto prevails with a huge lariat.

Both men hit each other with suplexes and backbreakers, ending up on the mat at the same time. A Zack Driver connects, but he’s too beaten up to cover as the 10-minute mark arrives.

The fans urge them on as they trade forearm shots again. Sabre kicks at both arms but is dropped by kicks in return. A big slam sees Goto cover, but Sabre kicks out at two.

A series of counters almost has Sabre get the pin. A big headbutt comes back in response, but ZSJ is able to get the octopus hold applied. He rolls back onto the mat, and Sabre is just torturing Goto with a variety of holds. Hirooki fights it but eventually has no choice but to verbally submit. Sabre is into the quarters with 10 points.


Tetsuya Naito def. Hiroshi Tanahashi by pinfall in a D Block match

This has the proper big fight feel, though Tanahashi nearly wins it in seconds with an inside cradle. He smiles as if to say “I almost got you.”

The Ace stays on offense and is able to play his air guitar before catching Naito with an arm drag. The LIJ frontman pulls his foe down by his hair, then does more of the same to bend Tana over the top rope before a baseball slide sends Tanahashi into the barricade and gives him time to pose.

Naito pulls off a full nelson with his legs on the mat, then hits a neckbreaker for two. He twists Tanahashi’s neck before running into a boot in the corner, and the Ace responds with a jumping forearm shot.

There’s a corner bodyslam and somersault senton that forces Naito to kick out at two. A dropkick to Naito’s left knee sets up the dragon screw, but Naito fires back with another shot to his opponent’s neck as 10 minutes remain.

Naito wants his corner combination but gets a dragon screw instead, and both men are down. Tanahashi heads up top and launches into a huge cross body to the floor.

A Sling Blade sets up another cross body in the ring, but Naito foils the High Fly Flow by getting his knees up. Both men battle to their feet to exchange strikes, with Naito scoring with an atomic drop and elbow shots.

Only five minutes are left, so Naito needs to step on the gas. He finds the mark with Esperanza but gets caught in another inside cradle, then a third. Naito barely kicks out but gets caught in Sling Blade and has to kick out yet again after a straitjacket German suplex.

Naito spits on his foe before pulling off a DDT, and he holds on for the three to advance to the quarterfinals.


 

NJPW G1 Climax 33 night 4 results: Naito, Tonga get key wins in Sendai

Tetsuya Naito is also looking to bounce back from his 0-1 start during night 4 of G1 Climax 33 action in Sendai.

One of the great things about the G1 Climax is the way it creates the same kind of urgency so prevalent in unscripted sports with some of its early matchups. Such is the case with the night 4 main event in Sendai, which pits two wrestlers against each other who stumbled out of the gate with losses in Sapporo.

Neither Tomohiro Ishii nor Tama Tonga have anything to hang their head over despite the position they’re in. Ishii dropped his C Block opener to Bullet Club leader David Finlay, who is unquestionably as hot as he’s ever been.

Tonga, meanwhile, lost a hard fought contest with EVIL, who has a history of being a tough out at the G1 — especially when he turned his back on LIJ a few years ago. Just like in, say, the NFL, it’s too early in week 2 of block competition to call tonight’s main event a must win, but it sure won’t be easy for the loser to rally from an 0-2 start to make the knockout portion of the tournament.

Speaking of EVIL, he’ll be trying to hand Eddie Kingston his first ever G1 loss in a battle of winners from the first night of C Block action. And Tetsuya Naito, who always seems to have dreams of propelling himself to Wrestle Kingdom using the G1 as a launchpad, will look to right the ship with a victory over 1-0 Hirooki Goto.

We’re anxious to take it all in from Sendai, so let’s see what’s popping in the second night of C and D Block matches.

G1 Climax 33 night 4 results:

Zack Sabre Jr. def. Toru Yano by pinfall

Kevin Kelly notes that Yano has only one victory ever over Sabre, and it was in a KOPW bout where there were no corner pads. Kosei Fujita comes to the ring instead of ZSJ and is introduced as Zack. Sabre appears on the walkway, much to Yano’s dismay, attacking from behind just as the bell rings.

Sabre has Fujita reinforce the ties on all the corner pads, but Yano turns the tables by taping Zack’s legs together. He has to hop back to the ring that way and barely beats the ref’s 20 count.

While Yano is frustrated seeing all the corner pads taped in place, Fujita slips some scissors to ZSJ, who is free but acting like he’s not. That works to lure Yano in to be pinned.


David Finlay def. Mikey Nicholls by pinfall

Both these men are 1-0 entering the night, though Finlay figures to be a heavy favorite to make it two straight wins. Nicholls is able to weather a fast start by the Bullet Club leader and fire back with some stiff offense of his own.

That’s not enough for him to hang for too long, however, as Finlay wears him down with shots to the back of the head before eventually finding the mark with Oblivion.


Jeff Cobb def. Alex Coughlin by pinfall

Just an opinion, but Coughlin’s crazy guy act comes off like he’s trying a little too hard. These two have met just once before, when Coughlin was still a young lion, and Cobb won.

Coughlin makes a tour of the ringside area and teases using his tag team title belt as a weapon, then hurls a young lion at Cobb as well before hurling his foe into the barricade. He shows off some nice strength back in the ring as well with a gutwrench suplex on the larger Cobb.

A couple of additional suplexes allow Coughlin to continue his eyebrow-raising power display, but the Tour of Islands takes him as a passenger eventually and he isn’t kicking out from that.


EVIL def. Eddie Kingston by pinfall

Eddie tries to bring an equalizer down to the ring with him as some Dick Togo insurance but still ends up getting jumped before the bell by EVIL. Togo trips Kingston at the first opportunity, so this is going right to plan by the House of Torture.

They battle into the crowd, where Kingston is hurled into some empty seats as EVIL attempts to win by countout. Eddie makes it back in time but just gets stomped for his trouble. He’s selling his butt off, for sure.

Kingston eventually gets EVIL lined up for some machine gun corner chops and works his way toward a near fall. But he’s thrown into the barricade again, much to the dismay of the poor ring announcer on the other side. EVIL locks on the Darkness Scorpion on the floor, and Togo almost makes Eddie miss the 20 count.

A ref bump allows Togo to play an even more active role, but Dick ends up taking a kendo stick show intended for Eddie, who goes to town on both of them. Kingston eventually chops down his foe and stacks up his pin, but EVIL kicks out at two.

EVIL manages to use the ref to unwittingly help deliver a Magic Killer, and now both wrestlers and the official are all down. Eddie gets EVIL in a stretch muffler but has to let go when Togo tries to lend a hand, and a low blow sets up Everything Is Evil for the win.


Hiroshi Tanahashi def. Shane Haste by pinfall

Haste does some impromptu guest English commentary while Tanahashi is being introduced. The Ace is holder of many G1 records, but as Kelly notes, is starting to give some wins back at this point in his career.

This is a much different challenge for Tanahashi than the technical showcase against ZSJ a few days ago, but the fans are able to rally him to a near fall after a somersault senton. He takes some shots to the had and back before pulling off a trademark dragon screw, but gets countered by a back suplex while looking for the Sling Blade.

Tanahashi finally hits the Sling Blade after a Twist and Shout, but Haste meets him on the middle rope. The Ace fights his way free and hits Aces High, then High Fly Flow for the dub.


HENARE def. Shingo Takagi by pinfall

These two know each other well, and start out at a deliberate pace before they inevitably start trading bombs. Shingo is able to outsmart his foe a little, however, and takes control on the outside.

A popup Samoan Drop finally puts HENARE on the front foot, and his Berserker Bomb gets a near fall, as does a senton. Shingo rallies behind a powerbomb for two, then tries choking out his foe on the mat.

Takagi calls for the finish but is outstruck by HENARE and hit with the Rampage, which nearly wins it. Shingo also has to get his boot to the ropes to break a submission hold.

HENARE wins a battle of headbutts but gets countered trying for Streets of Rage. He hits it on his second attempt but is too beaten up to cover right away, and Shingo rolls under the bottom rope.

Less than five minutes remain when Takagi connects on Made in Japan, but now it’s his turn to be slow to follow up. His running lariat gets only two as time ticks under three minutes to go.

After more heavy shots each way, the men lean on each other in the center of the ring. HENARE pulls off a second Streets of Rage and covers with less than 30 seconds left, and he just beats the bell with a pin.


Tetsuya Naito def. Hirooki Goto by pinfall

Naito’s early posing doesn’t sit well with Goto, who kicks him in the spine and sends him to the floor. Naito fights back with a neckbreaker on the outside, which takes a bit out of him too — but it’s Goto who is slow to beat the 20-count.

Both men have their moments over the next few minutes, including a springboard DDT by Naito. There’s a top rope hurricanrana as well, but it’s not enough to put Goto away.

An attack on Naito’s knees leaves both men on the canvas. Kelly notes that the last two matches between these two went past 20 minutes, which can’t happen under this year’s rules.

Goto hits the GTW but Naito makes him chase for the cover, and there are now less than five minutes left. A Ushikoroshi gets Goto a two count, but Naito counters his attempt at a GTR.

Naito hits a DDT out of the corner for a two count, and follows with a Destino to seal a win with just a few minutes remaining.


Tama Tonga def. Tomohiro Ishii by pinfall

Kelly passes along a statistical note on how tough Ishii is to beat in Sendai, though it’s Tama who gets out to a strong start. Ishii slugs his way back, as he is wont to do.

Tonga’s forearm shot sends Ishii to the mat and allows him to lead the fans in some clapping, and a powerslam earns him a near fall. Ishii counters a Tongan Twist with a vertical suplex, which works well.

Ishii pounds Tama down to the mat in the corner as Red Shoes checks on Tonga. They go back and forth a bit until Tama tries for Supreme Flow and finds no one home.

A big vertical superplex scores for Ishii and is good for a two count. He stalks Tonga but runs right into a dropkick, which looks to be a momentum changer. The Tongan Twist finds the target right at the 10-minute mark, and now Tama is calling for the finish and the fans are clapping again.

Ishii strikes before the Gun Stun can arrive, then headbutts his foe to the mat. A powerbomb leads to a stacked cover, but Tonga kicks out at two. He has to dig down and kick out again after a diving lariat.

Tama fires off several straight moves and off comes the shirt. He drops Supreme Flow and gets a very close two count of his own.

After shrugging off a dropkick, Tama hits the Veleno for a near fall. But Ishii has an answer in the form of his take on the Gun Stun, then runs the ropes with a big lariat that comes close to winning it.

Tama connects on a Gun Stun out of midair, follows with the Jay Driller, and that’s enough to take it.

Once Ishii clears out of the ring, Tama gets some mic time to say this G1 will be his best ever.

NJPW G1 Climax 33 night 2 results: Kingston wins debut, Cobb knocks off Naito

EVIL and Zack Sabre Jr. also picked up big wins on night 2 of G1 Climax 33.

G1 Climax 33 got off to an intriguing start on night 1 in Sapporo, with Will Osprey taking an ‘L’ in his first match. Night 2 promises to have its share of talking points as well, as it’s the first time we’ll see the competitors from the C and D blocks in action.

There are some tasty matchups in store toward the end of the card, including Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr., and the main event that pits Tetsuya Naito against the power of Jeff Cobb. Still, the big draw for American wrestling fans is almost sure to be the G1 Climax debut of Eddie Kingston, who will have his hands full right out the gate with Shingo Takagi.

Without the multi-man matches that usually kicked off G1 Climax shows in some past years, it means we’ll be getting right to the tournament bouts on night 2. Let’s jump into it!

G1 Climax 33 night 2 results from Sapporo:

David Finlay def. Tomohiro Ishii by pinfall – C Block match

Nothing surprising in the opening minutes as Ishii and Finlay appear content to go right at each other. A chop block by the Bullet Club leader seems like a good idea, as it allows him to slow the pace.

The fans attempt to rally Ishii, but Finlay appears to have an answer each time. A big backbreaker coming out of the corner finds the mark, but Ishii kicks out at two.

Ishii’s big superplex gets a strong crowd reaction but isn’t enough to win the bout. After several near falls both ways, Ishii nails a headbutt and a powerbomb and still sees Finlay kick out in time.

A running clothesline also looks like it might win it for Ishii, but a series of counters allows Finlay to hit Into Oblivion and get the dub. Bullet Club teases some abuse for the Stone Pitbull after the bell but decides against it.


Hirooki Goto def. Toru Yano by pinfall – D Block match

These two wrestled a very quick match a few years ago, and the pace of the first few minutes makes it look like it might be over in a blink again. There’s almost always something wacky in any Yano match, and the two men tiring each other out on the floor by continually reversing Irish whips certainly qualifies.

So does Goto ending up wearing a mascot head against his will, nearly getting counted out. Goto manages to survive all the hijinks and pick up the win, however.


Mikey Nicholls def. Aaron Henare by pinfall – C Block match

Both of these gents are candidates to be the “guy who does surprisingly well” in C Block, but it’ll need to start with a win here. Nicholls suffers for his craft, getting busted open and bleeding pretty nicely from the face, probably during an exchange of headbutts.

A nasty running corner knee by Henare isn’t going to make his face feel any better, but to his credit, Nicholls prevails and picks up the victory.


Shane Haste def. Alex Coughlin by pinfall – D Block match

Coughlin is stronger than he looks. That’s the biggest takeaway from the first few minutes of this contest. He also tries to use some chairs and his title belt, but those efforts backfire, and Haste is able to put him away.


Eddie Kingston def. Shingo Takagi by pinfall – C Block match

Kingston just seems like he’s a perfect fit for Strong Style contests like this one. He certainly welcomes a chopping contest with the Dragon, which not everyone would.

Their battle goes to the floor as well, where Kingston simply runs over his foe before the ref begins to count. Into the corner they go, trading strikes until Eddie can execute a suplex for a near fall.

A lariat earns Shingo a breather as he fans begin to clap. He treats Eddie to a generous helping of the suplex game, though eventually both men end up down on the mat. Kingston shrugs off a flurry of offense to kick out at one, then kicks out at two following a running clothesline.

Kingston hits his own clothesline after a series of reversals, but now it’s Shingo kicking out at one. He isn’t as fortunate next time, however, and Kingston wins a hard fought G1 Climax debut.


Zack Sabre Jr. def. Hiroshi Tanahashi by pinfall – D Block match

This seems like a cruel first pairing for the Ace, who hasn’t been in the best of physical condition the last few months. Tanahashi holds up fine in the opening mat exchanges, but we’ll see if he can keep that up.

He’s certainly game for an exchange of uppercuts, and Tanahashi works his own submission game to boot. But ZSJ starts targeting his left leg, forcing him to endure both pain and taunting.

The Ace swings things back in his favor and even scores a near fall, and he hip tosses his way out of potential octopus hold danger. Tanahashi ends up on his back and threatening Sabre with a leg triangle, but the TMDK frontman escapes and goes after the left leg again.

Not even sure what ZSJ’s hold is called, but Tanahashi reaches the ropes to force a break. It’s his turn to dish out targeted damage, working repeatedly on Sabre’s left arm. Both men hit low dropkicks and the Ace nails a Sling Blade for a quick two count.

Tanahashi flies for a high cross body, but Sabre rolls through and kicks his foe in the chest for a near fall. As both men try to pull off armbars on each other, ZSJ is able to roll through and keep Tanahashi’s shoulders pinned just long enough for the ref to count to three.


EVIL def. Tama Tonga by pinfall – C Block match

EVIL wastes no time showing his true colors, attacking Tama before the bell. He fares less well in the opening minutes of the actual match, but he eventually takes his foe partway up the ramp for a suplex and then fights further out into the crowd. EVIL rings the bell to imply he’s going to win by countout, but Tama hustles to return by the time the count gets to 19.

Jado urges on Tama along with the fans, and he responds with a corner splash for a two count. Red Shoes tries his best not to get caught up in the action, but he finally takes a bump.

That brings Dick Togo into the fray, helping to stomp Tama after smacking Jado off the apron. A Magic Killer gives EVIL a chance to cover just as the ref is coming to, but Tonga kicks out.

A Scorpion Deathlock puts Tama through some agony before he can work his way free. A flurry of offense includes a Tongan Twist, and he flies from the top rope with a splash for two.

Togo gets involved again and almost sets Tama up for Everything is Evil, but EVIL has to settle for a lariat instead after some counters. Darkness Falls is on target too, but Tama manages to kick out.

Though wobbly, Tonga is able to survive some lariats, coming back with an even stronger one of his own. Togo runs in and gets a Gun Stun, and Tama signals for the finish. Alas, after Red Shoes is shoved into the corner, EVIL uses a low blow to set up Everything is Evil and get the three count.


Jeff Cobb def. Tetsuya Naito by pinfall – D Block match

Naito matches always take a while to get going, but he probably wishes this one took longer as he’s thrown right into a battle on the outside. Cobb is able to match him dropkick for dropkick back in the ring, cracking a smile afterward.

Cobb teases a dive to the floor and does his version of Naito’s trademark pose. Naito is slow to rise and takes until the count of 16 to return to the ring, where more punishment awaits him.

That changes as he connects on several consecutive moves, including the Cabron Combinacion. He tries for an armbreaker but is hoisted to his feet, and they battle to the top turnbuckle where Cobb delivers a hellacious falling powerbomb. Jeff crawls for a cover but sees his foe kick out not once but twice.

Naito’s next flurry leads to a Destino attempt that is countered with a Tour of the Islands, and now both men are down as the ref counts. They beat the 10 count, leaning on opposite ropes.

Several near falls are scored by Naito before he is dumped on his head with a suplex. Another Tour of the Islands follows, and Cobb picks up a huge win.

Forbidden Door 2023 results: MJF cheats, defeats Hiroshi Tanahashi

MJF has to take a few shortcuts to get by New Japan’s Ace at Forbidden Door 2023.

Sticking with his guns in the build to this match, MJF wears a robe to the ring that says “New Japan is an indie.” He begins mocking Hiroshi Tanahashi as soon as the bell rings, doing a poor air guitar, but the Ace quickly shows him how it’s done. The champ dislikes that and heads up the ramp, to which Hiroshi gets a “coward” champ going.

MJF tries to ambush his challenger with a kick to the gut when he returns to the ring, but Tanahashi is ready for it. That doesn’t save him from being sent hard into the turnbuckles, then strung out over the top rope.

Sending Tanahashi back to the mat with a shoulder, MJF shows the crowd a double bird, but the Ace gets a rollup for two before falling victim to an abdominal stretch. MJF grabs the top rope for extra leverage, staying one step ahead of the referee and berating the fans while he does it.

The crowd tries to will Tanahashi to escape, and Bryce Remsburg finally has enough and kicks MJF’s arm off the ropes. Tanahashi starts to build momentum with forearms to the face and a scoop slam. He hits a senton off the middle rope and gets a two count.

The Ace goes up top, shoving MJF to the ground as he struggles with his footing. He flies and lands on the champ but sells some of the damage to his midsection. Now MJF tries to go up top, but he’s thrown down and hit with a Sling Blade for another near fall.

Is it time for the High Fly Flow? No, because MJF is able to hit the ropes to crotch his foe. That leads to a huge superplex by the champ, one that leaves both men stunned, though MJF is able to cover for two.

MJF signals for the end and looks for the Heatseeker, then switches tactics to a double underhook shoulderbreaker. He covers for another near fall but looks like he has hurt his knee a bit too.

The champ is in Tanahashi’s face calling him a joke. That seems to fire up the Ace, as do the “Go Ace” chants. MJF pokes him in the eyes and flicks off the crowd again, but he turns right into a Dragon Screw.

Tanahashi applies the Texas Cloverleaf, dragging MJF back toward the center of the ring. The champ reaches the ropes for a break, then knees Hiroshi in the gut. Tanahashi fights back with the Twist and Shout and another Sling Blade. He goes up top, but his High Fly Flow catches both knees of MJF.

Both men are down after that impact, with the fans clapping to urge them up. MJF is selling the heck out of his left knee, so credit to him. MJF finally grabs his belt, which Remsburg takes away from him, so Tanahashi’s schoolboy can only gets two.

When Tanahashi is shoved into Remsburg, however, MJF is able to sneak on his Dynamite Diamond Ring, and his ring-aided right hand allows him to get the pinfall and retain the title.

Click here for full AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2023 results.