NJPW DESTRUCTION 1993

[Deleted]

Non-Televised:
Shinjiro Ohtani & Tatsuhito Takaiwa defeated Osamu Nishimura & Yuji Nagata when Ohtani pinned Nishimura off a Dragon Suplex Hold at 12:28.

Exhibition Match
"Super Rookie" Jun Akiyama fought to a 10 Minute Time Limit Draw with Black Cat. [/color]

DESTRUCTION '93
September 26th, 1993
Osaka Japan @ Osaka Castle Hall
Air Date: LIVE! On Fighting TV Samurai!

Opening Match

Jushin "Thunder" Liger, Koji Kanemoto & Michiyoshi Ohara

Vs.

Eddie Guerrero, Haku & Corazón de León (Los Amigos)

The Los Amigos team have Jinsei Shinzaki in their corner who consistently gets involved throughout the bout. With a loaded show the action is fast and furious here, with a fun dive sequence that kicks off with a Liger baseball slide/ running flip senton combo onto Jericho, includes a Guerrero springboard body block, a Kanemoto springboard twisted senton, freaking Ohara goes all "WATCH THE HEAVYWEIGHT" and dives to the outside, and GUESS WHO IT ENDS ON? HAKU WITH A SLING SHOT BODY BLOCK ONTO EVERYONE! Fun little bit there. Your finish see's LionHeart take some friendly fire in the form of a Haku super kick setting up a Ohara power bomb for the baby face victory in just under 12 minutes!

Your Winners: " Jushin "Thunder" Liger, Koji Kanemoto & Michiyoshi Ohara in 11:50 via pinfall. "

IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championship
Will The Curse Continue?


Champions: Ultimo Dragon & Gran Hamada 1st Defense (Los Amigos)

Vs.

El Samurai & Norio Honaga

Haku's right back out after our last match, with Dragon riding his shoulders to the ring as per usual. The curse tells the story here as it was the curse that lead to Samurai & Ultimo Dragon's team falling a part and the formation of Los Amigos. Here tonight Samurai seems focussed on revenge as we get a few fun exchanges between the pair. Ultimo & Hamada are doing the old school heel bit, with Ultimo selling like crazy for Samurai and trying to get away time and time again. Honaga gets a series of near falls off a series of roll ups on Hamada. Samurai nearly gets pinned off a Dragon Azteca Suplex but manages to pop his shoulder just before 3. Honaga gets to power out of the Dragon Sleeper of Ultimo at one point, but it's the gimmicks, the freaking gimmicks that get Los Amigos the victory. At first they almost backfire as Ultimo strikes with the powder to the face aimed at Honaga, but ends up getting his own partner and Hamada is blinded and nearly pinned off a Honaga roll up. But in time, the gimmicks pull thru as Honaga gets taken out by Haku, which gets the officials attention as Samurai sets up a Samurai bomb on Ultimo only for Hamada to enter the ring armed with that red, white & green painted crutch and WHAMO crutch shot to the back of Samurai! La Magistral from Ultimo follows and that's it.. THE CURSE HAS BEEN BROKEN! Finally for the first time since the belts creation back in December a team has SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDED the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championships, albeit under shady circumstances.

Your Winners AND Still Champions: " Ultimo Dragon & Gran Hamada 1st Defense via pinfall at 13:51. "

Post Match- Haku, Ultimo & Hamada continue the attack after the bell, but Liger & Kanemoto hit the ring for the save. Ultimo actually calls Haku off, so he looks strong here. They take to the microphone to lay out a challenge, but during Liger's challenge he's interrupted by Shinjiro Ohtani & Tatsuhito Takaiwa who are also there to challenge, with Ohtani mentioning that both Liger & Kanemoto have challenged before where as he hasn't. During this, Hamada sneaks in a shoves Kanemoto into Ohtani, and we've got ourselves a PULL APART between both baby face teams as various young lion's hit the ring to break it up, as Los Amigos stand by laughing. *CLIP* To backstage where Liger & Kanemoto are being interviewed when Ohtani interupts to point out that HE TOLD LIGER Kanemoto could not be trusted, and LOOK Kanemoto attacked him from behind right here tonight. Liger is left to think about it as Kanemoto tries to plead his case.

Special Attraction

JJ Jacks (Akira Nogami & Takayuki Iizuka)

Vs.

Manabu Nakanishi & Masa Saito

Fun for what it is. JJ Jacks play subtle heels here as they bully Nakanishi throughout the bout. Saito doesn't get to work much, but he's got his working boots on here tonight as he's got some fun exchanges with both Nogami & the ever growing Iizuka (looking jacked here tonight). Nakanishi seems to be on the same work out routine, and gets a few fiery comebacks showing off his power. Saito gets a near fall off Akira off his trademark Saito Suplex. Finish is a HUGE upset as Akira holds Nakanishi for a Iizuka dropkick, but Nakanishi breaks free and Nogami gets taken out by his own partner! Saito takes out Iizuka as Nakanishi hoist Nogami onto his shoulders with the Argentine Backbreaker (Human Torture Rack)! Nogami tries to hold on but has no choice but to give it up! YOUNG LION NAKANISHI HAS JUST SUBMITTED AKIRA NOGAMI! Saito & Nakanishi have just upset the JJ Jacks here tonight at Destruction!!

Your Winners: " Manabu Nakanishi & Masa Saito in 11:50 via submission. "

Post Match- Nogami is pretty livid with his partner, who proceeds to apologize profusely for the misfire.

Grudge Match

Scott "Flash" Norton (Fuyuki-gun)

Vs.

Power Warrior

Talk about a power battle, and that pun is totally intended. Slow feeling out process with each man trading shoulder tackles trying to over power the other. Test of strength see's Power bust out a bridge but Norton's there with a knee to the gut to put a stop to that. It takes a while to pick up, but once the business gets there it's a whole lotta freaking fun. We trade near falls off lariats, a Power Warrior powerslam nearly seals the deal only for Norton to pop the shoulder just before 3. Some stiff chops throughout the match also add to the intensity here. Power does get in some arm work and does look for the submission off the strangle hold gamma, but Norton's able to break free each time out. This leads to Norton scoring with a lariat but not being able to follow up. He's in the corner as Power makes his way to his feet and charges only for Norton to move out of the way sending Power crashing into the buckles. Power slam connects on the rebound..

1..

2..

POWER KICKS UP JUST BEFORE 3!

Norton with a quick DDT on the follow up before setting him up...

POWER BOMB CONNECTS!!

1..

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3!!! NORTON WINS THE POWER BATTLE!

Your Winner: " Scott Norton in 16:59 via pinfall. "

Intermission/ Extended Ad Break

During which we get interviews with both IWGP Heavyweight Champion: Genichiro Tenryu & Challenger Tatsumi Fujinami putting over the match as a "Dream Match", with Fujinami promising to win the title back for New Japan. We also get highlights of Hiroshi Hase's Greatest 18 Title victory over Barry Windham from the televised "Road to Destruction" We also take a detailed look at next month's Super Grade Tag League with a FULL run down of the teams which you can read HERE.

[Deleted]

Grudge Tag Team Match

"Genius Wizard" Keiji Mutoh & "Mr. G1" Masahiro ChonoVs.

Satoshi Kojima & Tatsutoshi Goto (Fuyuki-gun)

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Fuyuki-gun break just about every rule in the book to gain an advantage whenever they can, but Mutoh & Chono truly are a super team here and the end result is never in jeopardy. Near the end Kojima loads up his elbow pad and tries for the loaded lariat on Mutoh, who side steps and Goto gets taken out by his own partner! Chono strikes from the apron by pulling Kojima throat first across the top rope, Mutoh QUICKLY follows things up with a back breaker and it's to the top rope for a moonsault! No cover instead Kojima gets locked in the figure four as Chono holds off Goto, and that's all she wrote for the Fuyuki-gun duo! Chono & Mutoh are now two and one against Fuyuki-gun!

Your Winners: " Masahiro Chono & Keiji Mutoh via submission at 8:02. "

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Special Singles Grudge Match

Awesome Gladiator

Vs.

"Macho Body" Hiromichi Fuyuki (Fuyuki-gun)

An interesting story here as Fuyuki relies heavily on outside interference from Kojima & Goto throughout the bout, and when not well he's running for his life. Within a few minutes we get a ref bump, a table is set up by the heels out on the floor and Awesome is placed upon it but makes his own save. Power Gladiator is involved at this point to chase Goto away. Kojima ends up taking a boot to the gut and is PROMPTLY POWER BOMBED OVER THE TOP ROPE AND THRU THE FREAKING TABLE AS IF HIS NAME WAS MASATO TANAKA! As Awesome celebrates, there's Fuyuki with a low blow, quick roll up and of course our official is awaken now...

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KICK UP!

Fuyuki opts to mock Muta after hitting a back breaker by busting out one of his poses before slowly heading to the top. He pays for this as Awesome recovers and promptly brings him down off the top rope WITH A RUNNING RELEASE AWESOME BOMB! No cover, instead he moves him into position before pointing to the top rope...

AWESOME SPLASH CONNECTS!

Power leads the crowd in counting along...

1..

2..

3!! Revenge for Awesome here tonight as he picks up a huge and dominant victory over Fuyuki-gun's leader!

Your Winner: " Awesome Gladiator in 9:59 via pinfall. "

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IWGP Tag Team Championship
Decession Match

Interm IWGP Tag Team Champions: King's Road (Steve Williams & Johnny Ace)

Vs.

Super Strong Machine & Shinya Hashimoto

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The IWGP Tag Team Championships were vacated as a result of Steve Williams regular tag team partner: Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy 's real life "incident" on a flight back home to the states at the tail end of July (Overdose), as a result Williams was allowed to pick a new partner in Johnny Ace (who jumped ship from All Japan in the process) and the pair have been recognized as the "interim" champions. Much like Gordy & Williams, the team are being presented as outsiders, hence the name "King's Road" (The style of rival All Japan) Hashimoto & Machine, the home team, defeated Hiromichi Fuyuki & the Awesome Gladiator to earn their place in this match right here. Hashimoto, much like Hase, has set a personal goal of bringing the lost championships back to New Japan, and his quest starts here and now. The crowd is firmly behind the home team here, and rightfully so as Hashimoto can easily be considered the "ace" of the promotion at this time.


Machine kicks things with Ace, we do some circling before locking up with Machine backing Johnny into the corner. Surprisingly we get a clean break without incident. Second lock up see's Ace grab a waist lock only for Machine to make it to the ropes forcing a break. That's clean and we get a mild applause from some of the fans as a result. We battle for control over a top wrist lock for a bit, before Ace manages to take his foe off his feet with a drop toehold, Machine's in the ropes so we've got no follow up. Lock up in the center of the ring see's Ace grab a side headlock. Machine shoots 'em off into the ropes and next thing you know it we're trading shoulder blocks with neither man giving an inch. Ace is back off the ropes but eats a knee to the gut on the rebound from Machine! Machine hits the ropes, lariat gets ducked under and Ace rebounds with a jumping back elbow to the jaw flooring the "cult" favorite! Ace poses a bit before grabbing a front facelock and dragging his foe to his corner, tag to Williams who thanks to Ace holding 'em into position works in a kick to the rib cage.

Ace takes to the corner as Williams scores with another kick, viscous knife edge follows before dragging him out of the corner and scoring with heck of a headbutt right between the eyes! Machine's on wobbly knees now as Doc scores with ANOTHER headbutt right between the eyes! Few big right hands follow, with Machine BLOCKING a huge one! BIG DROPKICK takes Doc off his feet! Doc recovers as Hashimoto gets tagged in. We both jockey for position here, but Doc ends up shooting a takedown and grabbing hold of Hashimoto's leg. Half crab is avoided, as Doc moves to reach for the throat of a grounded former IWGP champion and EATS A KICK TO THE FACE IN RETURN! SOLEBUTT TO THE GUT as Hashimoto makes it to his feet, BUT DOC FIRES BACK WITH A FOREARM SMASH TO THE JAW! Hashimoto sells for a bit before FIRING OFF A HUGE ROUNDHOUSE! Doc rest against the ropes and WHAMO HE EATS ANOTHER VISCOUS ROUNDHOUSE TO THE CHEST! Irish whip and Doc takes one of Shinya's trademark spinwheel kicks on the rebound! Huge Hashimoto chant as he covers..

1..

2..

DOC PRESS SLAMS HIM OFF BEFORE 3!!

Shinya actually strikes before Doc makes it to his feet with a kick to the back. Doc's then dragged into the corner and we get a tag to Machine, after doubling up on 'em for a bit Doc is shot into the ropes and taken down with a pair of back elbows from both men. Machine covers quickly but Doc's up at 1. Machine works 'em over with a front face lock for a bit, but Doc shows TREMENDOUS POWER hoisting his foe into the air and ramming him back first into the King's Road corner! Ace is tagged in and Doc holds Machine back in the corner as Ace unloads with a few kicks and an forearm to the jaw. Deliberate knee to the gut follows! Well placed elbow to the back of the neck floors SSM! Elbow drop and a cover...

1...

Kick up!

Sleeperhold with a body scissors attached is locked in as Machine's in some real trouble now. Hashimoto tries to enter but gets cut off by the official. Doc does the same, and Shinya uses that as an opportunity to enter and break up the hold with a jumping double kneedrop to the head of Ace! Machine's up and another big dropkick sends Ace crashing to the canvas! Johnny rolls to the floor as the former IWGP Heavyweight champion gets the tag! Hashimoto's out there after 'em. Irish whip into the rail is set up, BUT BIG JOHNNY REVERSES SENDING HASHIMOTO CRASHING INTO THE RAIL! Hashimoto walks it off as Ace re-enters the ring. Shinya's actually first to strike grabbing a handful of hair and WHAMO lets Ace have it with a kick to the face! A second one backs 'em into the corner, where Shinya pulls him out and HERE WE GO BRAIN BUSTAHHHH COMING UP.... NO! ACE PUTS THE BREAKS ON AND COUNTERS TO A VERTICAL SUPLEX!

Tag to the good Doctor who enters with a boot to the face and a few clubbing blows before locking in a sleeper. Hashimoto draws from the crowd and begins to make it back to his feet only for Doc to release the hold and score with some clubbing blows to the neck! He sends his foe crashing into the corner and charges him after him with a Stinger Style splash that see's him follow thru and end up on the apron, WHERE HE CHARGES AN ON COMING SUPER STRONG MACHINE AND FLOORS HIM WITH A RUNNING SHOULDER SENDING HIM CRASHING TO THE OUTSIDE! Hashimoto turns around, AND DOC SCORES WITH A RUNNING LARIAT FROM OUT ON THE APRON TAKING HIM DOWN! Ace enters the ring and charges to cut off a recovered Machine out on the apron... grabs him cravat style by the head and DROPS HIM THROAT FIRST ACROSS THE TOP ROPE WITH AN ACE CRUSHER AS WILLIAMS COVERS HASHIMOTO...

1...

2...

KICK UP!

Doc now pitches Shinya to the outside and Ace is out there after 'em.. here's Williams now as Ace whips Hashimoto into a RUNNING LARIAT FROM DOC OUT ON THE FLOOR! Doc poses a bit, drawing some heat before heading back in the ring. Ace taunts a downed Hashimoto for a bit before trying to lift 'em and EATING A PAIR OF KICKS TO THE HEAD! Ace sells for a bit before stomping on the head of "the King Of Destruction" and rolling 'em back into the ring where Doc awaits. Williams drags him to the center and covers..

1...

2..

Kick up.

Doc forces him to his feet, and HASHIMOTO POPS OFF A ROUNDHOUSE TO THE CHEST! Second one is CAUGHT AND DOC BORROWS ONE FROM HIS RIVIAL FUJINAMI AS HE SCORES WITH A DRAGON SCREW LEGWHIP! HALF CRAB IS APPLIED SECONDS LATER, BUT HERE'S MACHINE TO BREAK IT UP! NO! HERE'S ACE WITH A RUNNING FOREARM SMASH TO SEND MACHINE BACK OUT TO THE FLOOR! Williams still has that half crab applied, dead in he center of the ring! NO HERE's MACHINE AGAIN, this time with a boot to the face to floor Doc and finally break the hold! Tag to Ace now who continues with the leg work by hoisting his foe up off the mat and driving his knee into the canvas! Elbowdrop to the inner thy sets up a leglock, but HASHIMOTO COUNTERS TO A CROSS ARMBREAKER! Doc's in to break it up before the arm can fully be extended.

Tag to Williams follows shortly there after. And Doc CONTINUES with the leg work, dropping to the floor and wrapping the former IWGP champion's leg around the ring post with tremendous authority! AND AGAIN AS HASHIMOTO HOWLS IN PAIN! Doc taunts Machine a bit before going back to the legs, but Shinya's able to kick 'em off, Doc responds with a stiff kick to the skull, and a series of jabs to the jaw as Shinya makes his way to his feet! ROUNDHOUSE from Hashimoto IS CAUGHT YET AGAIN AS DOC SCORES WITH ANOTHER DRAGON SCREW LEGWHIP! HALF CRAB IS APPLIED YET AGAIN! With DOC REALLY WRENCHING IT IN NOW! Machine attempts to break it up, but our official is there to prevent it. Hashimoto DRAWS from the fans and is able to make it to the ropes for the break! But has the damage been done?

Williams with a few stomps to the worked over leg before tagging out to Ace. Ace sizes 'em up as he makes it to his feet and SCORES with a dropkick to that leg! Hashimoto hobbles to the canvas, and now it's Ace with that half crab! Hashimoto's in the ropes right at the start, but Ace is slow to break not releasing till 4! Ace backs 'em into the corner, knife edge chop before sending 'em into the other side and following 'em in with a running lariat! And back over to the other side for one more! Cravat is locked in.. ACE CRUSHER COMING UP... NO MACHINE ENTERS AND BREAKS IT UP WITH A BOOT TO THE GUT! As Machine heads back to the corner, Ace turns around and EATS A SPINNING BACKFIST FROM HASHIMOTO FLOORING 'EM! Both men are down as Shinya reaches over and MAKES THE HOT TAG TO SUPER STRONG MACHINE! A few stiff shots before firing Ace into the ropes and SCORING WITH A LARIAT! Doc enters and Machine ducks a clothesline and TAKES HIM OUT WITH A LARIAT TOO! Machine soaks in the cheers before lifting his foe to his feet, vertical suplex coming up, NO MACHINE BOUNCES 'EM ACROSS THE TOP ROPE AND SCORES WITH A SLING SHOT SUPLEX! Fist drop follows and a cover...

1..

2...

KICK UP!

Machine fires 'em off into the ropes, SAMOAN DROP CONNECTS! Cover..

1..

2...

Kick up!

Machine motions for the end as he lifts Ace to his feet, NO ACE FIRES OFF A FOREARM SMASH! MACHINE FIRES OFF ONE OF HIS OWN AND DOWN GOES ACE! Ace rolls to the apron and the Machine's right out there after 'em. Both men on the apron now, AND HERE'S DOC TO CHARGE MACHINE SENDING BOTH MEN CRASHING TO THE FLOOR! Ace actually gets the worst of it, and here's Doc on the outside to charge RIGHT INTO A LARIAT FROM THE SUPER STRONG MACHINE! Machine rolls his foe back into the ring and sets him up, RELEASE DEVIL WINDMILL SUPLEX CONNECTS!

Cover...

1...

2...

Doc breaks it up just before 3!

Machine hooks 'em up for another, and here's Doc again with a clubbing axehandle blow to the back to break it up! JUMPING DDT FROM ACE FOLLOWS! Ace MAKES THE TAG TO WILLIAMS! Williams CHARGES... Lariat is ducked under.. waist lock from Machine.. Doc counters with back elbow to the jaw! Doc hooks 'em up... BELLY TO BELLY coming up... NO MACHINE COUNTERS WITH A HEADBUTT! He rolls to the corner HOT TAG TO SHINYA HASHIMOTO! Hashimoto hits the ropes, AND IS CAUGHT AND PLANTED WITH A POWER SLAM! Doc hooks the leg..

1...

2...

KICK UP JUST BEFORE 3!!

Doc now shoots him into the ropes... SPINE BUSTER! ARN ANDERSON STYLE SPINEBUSTER!!

Cover..

1..

2...

KICK UP!!

DOCTOR BOMB coming up... NO! Machine hits the ring, Doc see's him coming and releases his hold on Hashimoto only to FLOOR 'em with a set of hands to the throat! Ace is in now, and he takes over on Hashimoto.. Doc to the top rope... ODE TO GORDY coming up here as ACE PASSES HIM TO DOC'S SHOULDER AS WILLIAMS SCORES WITH A TOP ROPE OVER THE SHOULDER POWER SLAM!!!!

Cover as Ace holds off Machine..

1..

2...

HASHIMOTO POPS THE SHOULDER JUST BEFORE 3!!!!!!!

Ace to the top rope now as Doc hoist Hashimoto up on his shoulders... DOOMSDAY DEVICE CONNECTS!!!!!!! THIS HAS TO BE IT RIGHT HERE....

Cover..

1...

MACHINE BREAKS IT UP AT 1!!

Machine and Ace are trading blows now... MACHINE DUCKS A WILD SWING AND SCORES WITH A CHOKESLAM!!!!! Machine however TURNS AROUND INTO A SIT OUT SPINEBUSTER FROM DR. DEATH!!!

Doc tosses Machine to the floor, before heading to the outside where Hashimoto is selling the Doomsday Device and rolls 'em back into the ring. Doc now to the top rope.... Hashimoto pulls himself to his feet... AND HERE's DOC SOARING INTO THE AIR WITH A TOP ROPE FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE!!!!!!

Cover...

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2...

AND HASHIMOTO POPS THE SHOULDER JUST BEFORE 3!!!!!!!!!!! HOW THE HELL DOES HE DO IT?

DOC POUNDS ON THE MAT IN FUSTRATION! WHAT DOES HE HAVE TO DO TO PUT DOWN SHINYA HASHIMOTO???

Doc now forces him to his feet and fires him into the ropes... he lowers his head... AND EATS A JUMPING DDT FROM THE FORMER IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!!!!!! Machine's in now and THEY BOTH grab Doc by the throat... DOUBLE CHOKESLAM!!!

Cover...

Machine holds off Ace..

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2...

KICK UP JUST BEFORE 3!!

Hashimoto now with a huge roundhouse to the back of the head! LARIAT FROM MACHINE! Shinya covers..

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2...

DOC POPS THE SHOULDER!

Hashimoto now sets him up.. SPINWHEEL KICK.. NO DOC DUCKS!! Doc now sets him up... BACKDROP DRIVER IS TEASED BY HASHIMOTO PUTS THE BREAKS ON AND SCORES WITH A RIGHT HAND RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES! JUMPING ENZIGURI FROM HASHIMOTO! Machine & Ace are brawling out on the floor, ROUNDHOUSE FROM HASHIMOTO! Shinya hits the ropes...ACE IS ON THE APRON AND GRABS A CRAVAT AND DROPS HASHIMOTO THROAT FIRST ACROSS THE TOP ROPE! Hashimoto's wobbly as he turns around and is hooked and PLANTED TO THE CANVAS WITH A BEAUTIFUL BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX FROM DR. DEATH! Cover..

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3!!!!!! DR. DEATH HAS PINNED THE FORMER IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION AND KING'S ROAD ARE NOW OFFICIALLY THE IWGP TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!!!!

Your Winner AND New Champions: " King's Road in 19:24 via pinfall. "

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Post Match- Backstage see's a pissed off Hashimoto cover up in front of the camera just after being caught taking out his frustrations on a locker. King's Road get an interview doing the whole "We told you so" routine, and promising to further prove their superiority come the Super Grade Tag League.

Before our main event we're treated to highlights of WAR's Genichiro Tenryu defeating Shinya Hashimoto back at Double Impact to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. From there we're treated to Tatsumi Fujinami's run in last months G1 defeating Hiroshi Hase to win the tournament, and the face off between the two that occurred at a press conference two days ago. That brings us to tonight, where Fujinami has vowed to regain the title from the "outsider".

Destruction Main Event
IWGP Heavyweight Championship

Champion: Genichiro Tenryu 1st Defense (WAR)

Vs.

"Macho Dragon" Tatsumi Fujnami

Big fight feel is in the air, as tonight's main event is one that many thought could never happen. Newly crowned Greatest 18 Heavyweight Champion: Hiroshi Hase joins our team on commentary for this one. We stare each other down until the moment the bell sounds. Some circling before locking fingers, test of strength style lock up is teased only for Fujinami to try to shoot on the leg, Tenryu does a good job defending and ends up in control of a front facelock. Fujinami counters by grabbing and arm, Tenryu rolls free before any hold can be applied and we each stand tall in a fighting position as the crowd applauds. Lock up see's Fujinami grab a side headlock, he's shot off into the ropes but rebounds with a shoulder dazing Tenryu, WILD SERIES OF SLAPS to each side of the neck follows! Crowd let's out a "OHHHHH" as FUJINAMI HOOKS HIM UP FOR A DRAGON SUPLEX HERE IN THE EARLY GOING! Tenryu puts the breaks on, but Fujinami's still trying here but Tenryu's able to use his power to break the full nelson! Trademark knife edge chop! STIFF slap to the face from Tenryu! Tenryu hits the ropes, and the CROWD EXPLODES AS TENRYU TRIES A RUNNING BOOT BUT IS CAUGHT AND TAKEN DOWN WITH A DRAGON SCREW LEGWHIP!!!

Tenryu rolls to the outside for a breather, BUT KEEP YOUR EYE ON FUJINAMI WHO ISN'T GOING TO LET HIM BREATH AS HE SOARS INTO THE ROPES AND EXPLODES THRU THE MIDDLE ROPE TO THE FLOOR WITH A SUICIDE ELBOW SMASH AKA THE DRAGON ROCKET!!! THIS CROWD IS ON IT'S FEET AS FUJINAMI HEADS BACK INSIDE AND HITS THE ROPES AGAIN, SCORING WITH A SECOND DRAGON ROCKET SENDING TENRYU CRASHING BACKFIRST INTO THE RAIL!!!!!!

Back in the ring and Fujinami's going for a third..... NO TENRYU SCORES WITH A PUNCH TO THE FACE AS FUJINAMI LEANS THRU THE ROPES! Tenryu just unloads with some jabs as he holds at the hair, keeping his foe into between the top and bottom rope. Fujnami's nose is busted open as Tenryu pulls him out onto the floor. Irish whip sends Fujinami crashing into the rail! Tenryu with some deliberate foots to what could easily be the broken nose of Fujinami leads to the official stepping in and backing him up briefly, sending him back to the ring. Fujinami, with blood flowing from his nose, takes some of the count before rolling himself back into the ring at 5. Tenryu helps him up and pulls him into a beautiful backdrop suplex!

Cover...

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Kick up.

Tenryu poses to a mixed reaction before kicking a downed Fujinami in the face yet again. He tries for another, BUT THE FOOT IS CAUGHT and Fujinami stands up and takes him down with ANOTHER DRAGON SCREW LEGWHIP AS THE CROWD GOES WILD! FIGURE FOUR IS APPLIED SECONDS LATER!! A close up here reveals that Fujinami's nose is INDEED broken. He's got the hold clamped on dead in the center still, with Tenryu trying to pry his legs apart to break free. Tenryu uses his height to make it to the ropes, and Fujinami quickly breaks to wipe some off the blood off himself. Tenryu from his back, still manages to drill a kneeling Fujinami with a few stiff kicks to that nose! The official checks on the nose as Tenryu poses to some heat. Fujinami shoo's the official off and rises to his feet but there's Tenryu with one of those trademark shot gun like knife edge chops of his. And another, and another! FUJINAMI fights back with a kick to the back of the leg! And two more! Side headlock see's Tenryu counter by shooting him off into the ropes, and running with 'em for a kitchen sink style knee to the gut! Tenryu helps 'em to his feet and here come the jabs to the nose as the official protest! JUMPING ENZIGURI to the back of the head! Fujinami's up against the ropes, virtually out on his feet as Tenryu sends him into the ropes and DRILLS HIM WITH A LARIAT ON THE REBOUND! Extremely laxed cover here...

1...

2..

Kick up.

Tenryu stays on him sitting him up for a rear chinlock, before bringing him to the mat and applying a headscissors hold as the crowd rallies behind the ONLY 4 time IWGP Heavyweight Champion. It's ruled a choke so a smiling Tenryu releases. He waits on Fujinami to rise to his feet... KNIFE EDGE is ducked! RIGHT HAND FROM FUJINAMI AS THE CROWD GOES WILD! SLAP TO THE SIDE OF THE CHIN FOLLOWS! AND A PALM THRUST... BUT TENRYU WITH A SET OF FIST TO THAT BROKEN NOSE ENDS THE COMEBACK RIGHT THEN AND THERE!

BAM! KNIFE EDGE! BAM ANOTHER! A THIRD FLOORS THE MACHO DRAGON! The official backs Tenryu off to check the nose of a downed Fujinami, it's here that we reveal that Tenryu's eye has swelled up from that right hand of the Dragon. Hase is shown quietly observing as Tenryu sets Fujinami up between his legs... power bomb connects! No cover, instead Tenryu climbs to the top rope... DIVING BACK ELBOWDROP CONNECTS!

Cover...

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2...

Kick up.

Tenryu now hoist him up vertical suplex style and just lets him drop to the canvas in a body slam style fashion. Laxed cover yet again...

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2...

Fujinami pops the shoulder just before 3!

The official stops to check on Fujinami again as a kneeling Tenryu raises his hand high to boo's. Once he's ruled okay Tenryu scores with another suplex slam. Tenryu poses to more boo's before finally covering, making sure to hook the leg...

1...

2...

Fujinami's up before 3!

Another power bomb coming up now... NO FUJINAMI KICKS HIS LEGS WIDLY AND COUNTERS TO A BACKDROP! WILD SERIES OF SLAPS TO THE CHEST, NECK AND FACE FOLLOW! FUJINAMI PLAYS TO THE CROWD BEFORE SCORING WITH ANOTHER HUGE SLAP TO THE SIDE OF THE FACE! SLEEPERHOLD BRINGS TENRYU TO THE MAT AS THE CROWD GOES CRAZY! YOU KNOW WHAT THIS SETS UP, AND HERE IT IS... DRAGON SLEEPER!! DRAGON SLEEPER!! DRAGON SLEEPER!! WILL TENRYU GIVE IT UP??? NOO!! TENRYU MANAGES TO SLIDE TOWARDS THE ROPES AND GET HIS FOOT UNDER JUST IN TIME TO BREAK UP THE HOLD!

Fujinami to the top rope now... DIVING KNEEDROP.... MISSES!! Tenryu QUICKLY BOUNCES off the ropes and SCORES with a lariat to the back of the head! Hits the other side AND DAMN NEAR FOLDS FUJINAMI IN HALF WITH ANOTHER LARIAT!! COVER...

1...

2...

3!!! TENRYU RETAINS!! TENRYU RETAINS!!

Your Winner And Still Champion: " Genichiro Tenryu 1st Defense in 11:48 via pinfall. "

Post Match- It's pretty obvious here as we end our show with a staredown between Tenryu & Hase. Still an amazing night, as our announcers (minus Hase obviously) run down what we've seen before sending us home. The outsiders have a good night, going 2-0 against our home town heroes. Can NJPW rebound? Only time will tell.

[somethingsavage]

Awesome event, man. Super fun opener to kick things off. High spot from Haku! That would've brought me out of my seat, for sure. And then Ultimo & Hamada follow up by, oh ya know, just BREAKING A CURSE. No big deal. Hate to see the streak come to an end, but really - it was about time. Ran its course, for the most part. Still digging EVERYTHING about Los Amigos at the moment.

Mutoh & Chono continue to ride in overdrive, cranking on all cylinders like an efficient freaking machine. You'd never believe these guys were at each other's hearts & throats a few weeks ago - then again, maybe that's what built this bond to begin with. Sometimes, ya BURN the bridge to BUILD the bonfire. And it's working for these guys.

Dominant display by Awesome Gladiator. Warrior. Whatever. Gotta consider this an upset at this rate, although I could Awesome making a big splash in the long haul. He could be the next gaijin to watch, but we'll see.

Much as I loved your main event here, I won't even lie - the Tag Title decision match was the highlight for me. Just a fierce, ultra-intense, hard-hitting affair throughout. Everything, from start to the finish, felt like a thrill ride of hand-to-hand combat. I'm stoked about the possibilities with King's Road, which I've noted before - and the play on their All Japan ties is just neat. Hope to see ya gradually do more with it, quite frankly. At the moment though, it's cool to see them keep the gold - even if I AM a bit of a mark for the combo of Hashimoto & the Machine right now.

And then there was the send-home statement by Tenryu and Fujinami. What's to say, really? It was everything it needed to be. It delivered the goods. I think Tenryu needed a substantial win to solidify him anyhow, and this was about what you'd want for that. I bought into Shinya's reign ten-fold by the time you'd called it a wrap on that, and so maybe I wasn't fully supportive of the Tenryu decision - even if I did really like the way you got us there, with the buildup and execution of the actual changing of the guard.

Anyway, I liked the interaction with Hase. And, I must admit, the stereo Lariat-oooh comeback was a cool finish to put a stamp on your main event.

[Deleted]

Almost disappointed to see that Los Amigos representation take the loss in the opener, but as mentioned above, have to think ending that series with Haku taking to the air would be the most memorable moment fans take away. Also, just the thought of Liger, Kanemoto, Guerrero, and Jericho kicking things off in 1993, just enough to get the crowd pumped while still not having the star power attached on the Los Amigos team that it makes anything else hard to top or anything like that.

The loss is easily looked past in the second match as they finally break the curse. Big moment there that definitely gets to readers that have been catching your work since the start of it, and now the question is how long? Again too, another great match to kick things off. Dissension teased in the post match and the interview but here is hoping to see Liger and Kanemoto stick together and this is just going to be Kanemoto having to prove himself trust worthy.

Norton and Sasaki as the close out before intermission was a good call. Sasaki is starting to show some value for you in singles after having been kept to tags for so long (at least for me), and he is a good choice right now as an opponent to give somebody like Norton a big win. Norton himself has definite long term value here, and this is the type of match where in a year with build, they could just as easily be main eventing the show for the title or something.

Chono and Mutoh seem like they could be the team to beat in the Super Grade Tag League. Gotta think at minimum a strong showing to establish their bond being reformed. I am really most curious to where this all fits long term, but answers will be coming.

Awesome looks his namesake in that performance. Kojima takes the Tanaka spot and then on top of that I was thinking it was just to look strong before taking a defeat at the hands of Fuyuki, but he still beats him as well. He is really being built up strong, and a match with him and Norton coming out of this after he beat his partner would really be something.

King's Road establish themselves with that win after their run as interim champs, and while I have gone on record as not being a huge fan of Ace, he is growing on me in this role. Williams to me really steals the show in this match, whether it is a top rope flying shoulder tackle or power slam, or taking a double choke slam. Hashimoto's post match locker room fit follows up the loss of the IWGP title, and have to wonder, is it just frustration or the start of something more?

Good story telling in the final match as Tenryu seemed to not take Fujinami as seriously as he should with lax cover after lax cover, until Fujinami starts to make the comeback and almost takes it with the Dragon Sleeper. As mentioned above, a needed win by Tenryu to kick off his run as champion and the G1 win by Fujinami really added to it. However, Hase being positioned as the next challenger should be great! I like the possibilities given Hase was the man who brought the Greatest 18 championship back to New Japan, and now he can be the man who does so again with the IWGP title. Not sure how long we will have to wait for it as I could see a longer road being taken to get there, but you have me sold on it already.

Great show as New Japan seems to be back and firing on all cylinders with this effort!

[cdw]

Good show like the see Kings Road tag team . As allways great effort.