New Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS TV (August 5th) Three New Episodes In A Row! Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Tetsuya Naito, Kazuchika Okada vs AJ Styles & Much More!
Welcome to the FIghtful.com recap for this weeks episodes of New Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS TV; yes I said episodes! This week they gave us a real treat and decided to give us three back to back new episodes. I’m Ryan Cook and I’ll be taking you through all of the action, get ready for three hours of Good Ol’ JR Jim Ross and Josh Barnett! This weeks edition is set to be out of this world as we have Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Tesuya Naito, Kazuchika Okada vs AJ Styles and much more!
EPISODE 1
Tomoaki Honma vs YOSHI-HASHI
YOSHI takes the early advantage as the match starts, smartly focusing on the heavily taped up back of Honma. Honma goes for the Kokeshi headbutt early, but misses then YOSHI sends Honma outside and into the railing, back first. YOSHI pulls Honma back in with a suplex then hangs him on the top rope and hits a dropkick to the injured back for a quick 2 count. YOSHI quickly follows up with a half boston crab, but Honma gets to the ropes. YOSHI rips the bandages off of the back of Honma then they exchange kicks and chops in the corner as we go to commercial.
As we come back from commercials both men go for a suplex, but are countered then Honma finally lands a headbutt and a DDT. Honma hits a blockbuster off the top rope for a quick 2 count. YOSHI hits a neckbreaker for a quick 2 count then Honma hits a headbutt off the top rope to the chest of YOSHI then hits a headbutt off the ropes. Honma goes up to the top rope for the Kokeshi off the top rope, but YOSHI rolls out of the way. They exchange clotheslines in the center, YOSHI turning Honma inside out for a quick 2 count. YOSHI goes for a swanton, but Honma gets out of the way, following it up with a headbutt to the back then the chest for a close 2 count. YOSHI hits a superkick, but Honma hits a headbutt out of no where then hits the Kokeshi off the top rope for the pin and the win.
Winner: Tomoaki Honma via pinfall with the Kokeshi headbutt
Bad Luck Fale, Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson vs Toru Yano, Kazushi Sakuraba & Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke and Anderson start the match off, Karl quickly backing Shinsuke into his corner and tagging in Gallows as The Blullet Club try to isolate the ring, but Shinsuke manages to tag in the mma legend Sakuraba who kicks the legs of Gallows, but is dropped then hit with a series of elbows as Fale and Anderson take out Shinsuke on the outside. Gallows tags in Fale who stands on Sakuraba the distracts the referee so Anderson can choke him. Fale then sits on Sakuraba with all his weight for a quick 2 count, tagging Karl back in right after. Sakuraba goes for an arm breaker out of no where, but Karl somehow gets out. Sakuraba tags in Shinsuke who knocks Fale and Doc off the apron then hits the good vibrations in the corner on Anderson. Shinsuke hits the double knees on an Anderson who’s perked on the top rope for a quick 2 count. Shinsuke goes for the Bomaye, but gets a superkick to the face from Fale. Anderson and Gallows do some double team moves for a quick 2 count. Shinsuke manages to tag in Toru Yano who is quickly dispatched by Fale. Tama Tonga gets into the ring, but Yano hits a double low blow for the roll up and the win.
WInner: Toru Yano via pinfall
-After the match Anderson says he wants to face Shinsuke backstage for the IWGP Intercontinental Title.
Togi Makabe vs Tomohiro Ishii NEVER Openweight Title Match
Makabe gets the upper hand early, using his strength to outmuscle the smaller Ishii, sending him outside the ring then goes for an Irish whip, but Ishii counters, the two exchanging lariats first outside the ring, then inside, each man dropping the other. They start exchanging forearms, Makabe hitting Ishii repeatedly, but he just tells him to keep hitting him then Ishii drops Makabe with a forearm of his own. Ishii follows up with a headbutt and a series of chops that sends Makabe to his knees, following up with a verticle suplex. Ishii hits more chops on Makabe who tells him to keep at it, going for another lariat, but Makabe turns it into a fallaway powerslam as we go to commercial.
As we come back, Ishii repeatedly tries to take Makabe out with lariats, but is turned inside out then sent into the corner and after 10 punches to the head of Ishii, Makabe hits a nothern lights suplex for a quick 2 count. They exchange forearms and chops in the center of the ring with Ishii chopping Makabe in the throat, dropping him. Ishii hits a back body drop then whips Makabe into the corner and drops him with a chop, sitting him on the top rope. Ishii hits a deadlift superplex off the top rope for a close 2 count, what strength this guy has. Makabe hits the King Kong Powerbomb, but only gets a close 2 count, JR mentioning Brusier Brody who was called King Kong Brody in Japan, the inspiration for the move for Makabe. Makabe sets Ishii up on the top rope, going for a german suplex off the top rope, but Ishii holds on, countering with back elbows, turning around, the two exchange forearms on the top rope. Ishii gets the upper hand drops Makabe with a headbutt, hitting a flying knee off the top rope to the back of Makabe’s head. Makabe goes for another german, but Ishii counters, hitting an enzugiri and a lariat for a close 2 count as we go to commercial.
They exchange lariats and right hands in the center of the ring as we come back. Makabe hits a bridged german suplex out of no where for a very close 2 count. Makabe goes for a spider german suplex off the top rope and hits it, going for the King Kong Knee Drop, but Ishii rolls out of the way then dives his head into Makabe. Ishii hits Makabe with a running lariat for a quick 2 count, hitting a release dragon suplex then a sliding clothesline for a much closer 2 count. Ishii then hits a stalling brainbuster on Makabe for the pin and the win.
Winner: Tomohiro Ishii via pinfall with a brainbuster.
EPISODE 2
Kenny Omega Vs Matt Sydal IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title Match
The match starts with a clean break after a lockup with Omega taunting Sydal, acting like he’s going to hit him, only to back away. Omega smartly tries to keep the high flyer Sydal grounded with a series of headlocks, countered with a head scissors, Sydal getting a headlock by himself. They exchanging arm drag takeovers, but Omega counters. They mention Omega’s career in DDT. Sydal hits a headscissor into a running back elbow that drops Omega in the corner then hits a shotgun dropkick for a quick 2 count. Bourne hits a drop toe hold into a scorpion lock, but Omega gets to the ropes. Sydal quckly follows up with a series of kicks to the leg of Omega then focuses on his legs on the ground. Omega takes control, choking Sydal in the corner then distracts the referee so Cody Hall who is ringside can do it next, taking a drink of water while Sydal recovers. Omega hits a scoop backbreaker for a quick 2 count, JR and Josh mentioning that just because Kenny seems crazy, doesn’t mean he’s not one of the most talented wrestlers in the world. Omega hits a backbreaker for a quick 2 count as we go to commercial.
Omega is control as we come back, but then goes for a back body drop, only for Sydal to counter into a cross body in mid air, very athletic move by the former WWE Superstar. Sydal hits a meteora out of no where, following up with a beautiful standing moonsault for a close 2 count. Sydal hits a frakensteiner off the top rope for a quick 2 count then goes up to the top rope again, but Omega meets him. Kenny goes for a superplex, but Sydal kicks him off, following up with a headscissors then a kick that sends Omega outside. Sydal then dives over the top rope and takes out both members of The Bullet Club. Sydal gets Omega back into the ring and goes for a diving meteora, only for Omega to catch him and turn it into a gutwrench sitout powerbomb for a very close 2 count. JR and Josh bring up Dr.Death Steve Williams who innovated the move, JR being very good friends with him. Omega hits a delayed verticle suplex only for Sydal to counter into a roll up for a close 2 count. Sydal hits a brutal reverse frankensteiner out of no where then goes for Air Sydal, but Omega gets the knees up. Kenny hits a brutal full nelson suplex that turns Sydal inside out then hits a flying knee, finishing up with a One Winged Angel for the pin and the win.
Winner: Kenny Omega via pinfall with the One Winged Angel
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Tetsuya Naito G1 Climax Briefcase Match
Naito as always, takes forever to get ready, coming to the ring with someone who looks just like him in the same suit and mask. The match starts, but Naito just walks around the ring, completely ignoring Tanahashi, acting like he wants to lock up, but turning away immediately. Tanahashi starts getting impatient, playing right into the game of Naito who gets the early advantage when Tanahashi shows a bit too much agression, sending Tanahashi over the top rope and to the outside. Tanahashi rolls back into the ring, only for Naito to immediately roll right out of the other side as they show the masked person ringside again.
Naito hangs out on the outside until Tanahashi hits a baseball slide that sends Naito into the railing, following up with a cross body over the top rope, but Naito isn’t there and Tanahashi crashes and burns. Naito is in complete control on the outside, setting up a chair then sitting Tanahashi in it, running back and hitting a front dropkick into the seated Tanahashi. Naito then brings the chair into the ring and leans back, relaxing. Tanahashi gets back into the ring at the count of 18 as Red Shoes takes the chair out of the ring. Naito puts Tanahashi into the tree of woe then hits a shotgun dropkick, then applies a headscissor submission, but is unable to get the tap.
Naito then hits a spinning neckbreaker for a quick 2 count, kicking the camera man immediately after. Naito then applies a reverse chin lock, only to break it himself, push Red Shoes away. Naito stomps on the grounded Tanahashi then spits on him, attempting to spit on him once he stands up, only to get a european uppercut and a flying forearm for his troubles. Tanahashi finally seems to be getting some offense here, applying a cloverleaf, but not able to get the tap as Naito gets to the bottom rope. Naito rolls out of the ring, then gets up on the apron, but Tanahashi like a snake, wraps his arms around Naito’s leg and hits a dragon screw leg whip that grounds Naito on the outside, following up with a High Fly Flow off the top rope to Naito that sends him crashing to the floor, the masked fellow not even moving an inch during the entire thing. Tanahashi tosses Naito back into the ring then goes for another High Fly Flow, Naito countering with a knee to the midsection of Tanahashi as we go to commercial.
Naito is in control as we come back from commercial, hitting his signature leg sweep move in the corner then a frakensteiner off the top rope. Tanahashi grabs a hold of Tanahashi and goes for a roll up, but only gets 2, Naito laughing afterwards. Naito stomps on the grounded Tanahashi. Tanahashi gets up and hits him with a series of forearms then Naito spits in his face and they exchange forearms with Naito getting the better of the exchange. Naito goes for a dragon suplex, but it’s countered into a swinging neckbreaker by Tanahashi. The crowd cheers for Tanahashi as he stands up, going for a slingblade, only to be countered by Naito who goes for one of his own and lands it. Naito hits Gloria out of no where, but only gets a close 2 count. Naito sends Tanahashi into Red Shoes who falls to the outside. Naito rolls out of the ring then Tanahashi is dropped by the masked man, who is revealed to be Takaaki Watanabe. Watanabe grabs a hold of Tanahashi and tosses him into Naito who hits a low blow then Watanabe hits a german suplex. Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata come out and clear the ring, tossing Watanabe out of the ring, evening the score so Tanahashi and Naito are in the ring by themselves. Naito hits a low blow then gets a roll up for a close 2 count. Naito, annoyed he didn’t win, knocks down Red Shoes for a second time. Naito goes for Destino, only to be countered with a slingblade who hits two High Fly Flows for the pin and the win.
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi via pinfall with the High Fly Flow
-After the match Watanabe lays Goto out with an STO before quickly leaving the ring. Backstage Naito reveals that Takaaki is now known as the King of Darkness; EVIL.
EPISODE 3
Kazuchika Okada vs AJ Styles IWGP Heavyweight Title Match
This match is set to take up the entire hour so expect it to be amazing. The match starts with AJ playing to the crowd, both men exchanging holds, ending with a clean break. They exchange 5 pin attempts in 10 seconds then face off as the crowd cheers. They lock up again with Okada backing Styles into the corner, ending it with a clean break himself, mocking Styles. AJ hits Okada with a right hand, but is slapped and dropped by Okada. Okada hits a neckbreaker. Okada hits a springboard senton from the apron as Karl Anderson distracts the referee, Tama Tonga and Doc Gallows attacking Okada on the outside then tossing him back into the ring, only for AJ to toss him back out. Karl Anderson hits a brutal powerbomb on the apron to Okada then rolls him back into the ring as he somehow manages to kick out of a pin attempt by The Phenomenal One. Okada hits a series of forearms, only for AJ to drop him with a dropkick almost as good as Okada’s as we go to commercial.
AJ Styles is in control as we come back, hitting a snap suplex then tosses Okada outside. AJ plays to the crowd then goes out to meet Okada, but Okada backs him into the railing. Okada then goes for a whip, but AJ counters and Okada is sent into the railing as AJ rolls back into the ring, taking a drink of water real quick. Okada rolls back into the ring, but is grounded with a series of holds and chin locks. They get to their feet and exchange forearms with Okada getting the upper hand. Okada then hits a flying reverse forearm, hitting a DDT right after. Okada sits Styles up on the top rope then sends him to the outside with a beautiful dropkick. Okada goes to whip AJ into the railing, but hops overtop of it, Okada quickly following up with
an elevated DDT. Okada tosses Styles back into the ring and gets a quick 2 count as AJ gets his hand on the rope. AJ hits a springboard flying forearm that he’s now well known for in WWE, following up with a pump handle gutbuster for a quick 2 count. AJ sets Okada up for the Stlyes Clash, but Okada reverses into a flapjack as we go to commercial.
As we come back both men struggle to their feet, both exhausted from this grueling match. Okada gets to his feet and goes to hit a clothesline on Styles onto to get suplexed into the turnbuckle. AJ comes off the top rope, but rolls through, Okada then following up with his signature reverse neckbreaker. Okada goes for a tombstone, but Styles reverses, going for a german suplex, but it’s reversed, but AJ turns it into a sitout facebuster for a close 2 count. AJ goes for variation of a piledriver for a quick 2 count. AJ goes outside and goes for a springboard 450 splash, but hits nothing but canvas. Okada goes up to the top rope and hits a missle dropkick all the way to the other corner. Once they get to their feet they exchange forearms as dictated in every strong style match with Okada getting the upper hand with his signature dropkick then follows up with a german suplex and a rainmaker, going for the pin, but Anderson yanks Okada outside. Okada dispatches Anderson and Gallows then gets back in and dives out of the ring onto the Bullet Club members on the outside. Okada goes up top, but AJ meets him, hitting a superplex for a close 2 count as we go to commercial.
AJ goes for the Styles Clash as we come back, going for it twice, but Okada countering both times. AJ applies a calf killer submission out of no where, but Okada gets to the ropes. AJ goes for it again, but it’s reversed into a tombstone. AJ goes for bloody sunday, but it’s countered into a head scissors, but AJ counters with a pele kick. AJ goes for a Styles Clash then Okada counters into a reverse neckbreaker then a tombstone, but it’s countered; a lot of countering going on here, both men knowing that the next big move for be the last. They meet on the top rope, but Okada knocks Styles down, hitting him with a few clotheslines then a Rainmaker that turns Styles inside out for the pin and the win. What an epic, 30 minute match these two just had.
Winner: Kazuchika Okada via pinfall with the Rainmaker
-Tanahashi comes out and faces off with Okada. The main event of Wrestle Kingdom 10 is set.
