NJPW The New Beginning 2018 Night 1
January 27, 2018
Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center
Sapporo, Japan

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Transcription by Josh Lopez

First Match: Michael Elgin vs. Katsuya Kitamura 

Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Elgin backs Kitamura into the ropes. Referee calls for a clean break. Back to the Collar and Elbow Tie up. Elgin avoids a knife edge chop from Kitamura. Kitamura is showing off his pecks. Elgin applies a side headlock. Elgin and Kitamura starts running into each other. Kitamura fights out of the fireman’s carry position. Elgin with a knife edge chop. Elgin goes back to the side headlock. Kitamura connects with a Saito Suplex. Kitamura delivers a series of knife edge chops.

Kitamura bodyslams Elgin for a two count. Elgin side steps Kitamura into the turnbuckles. Elgin drops Kitamura with a Leaping Enzuigiri. Elgin with a DeadLift German Suplex for a two count. Elgin delivers a clubbing blow to the back of Kitamura. Elgin follows that with a knife edge chop. Kitamura and Elgin are currently in a forearm exchange.

Elgin with the cover for a two count. Elgin goes for The Stinger Splash, but Kitamura ducks out of the way. Kitamura connects with a Delayed Vertical Suplex. More blistering knife edge chops from Elgin. Kitamura PowerSlasms Elgin. Kitamura follows that with a Running Back Elbow Strike. Kitamura with a Gut Wrench Suplex for a two count. Elgin responds with a Leaping Forearm Smash.

Elgin lands a Missile Dropkick. Elgin with The Falcon Arrow for a two count. Elgin goes for a Buckle Bomb, but Kitamura counters with a Back Body Drop. Elgin with a flurry of forearm shivers to Kitamura. Kitamura Spears Elgin for a two count. Elgin blocks the Jack Hammer. Elgin with a series of short-arm lariats for a two count. Elgin Buckle Bombs Kitamura. Elgin plants Kitamura with The Elgin Bomb to pickup the victory.

Winner: Michael Elgin via Pinfall 

Second Match: Kushida, Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger, Manabu Nakanishi and Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Taka Michinoku, El Desperado, Taichi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Takashi Iizuka 

A pier six brawl breaks out before the bell rings. Desperado repeatedly stomps on Liger’s chest in the corner. Desperado is choking Liger with his boot. Stereo Boots from Desperado and Kanemaru. Liger with a Tilt-A-Whirl Back Breaker to Desperado. Tiger Mask follows that with the Tiger Driver. Taichi chokes Kushida with a mic stand. Liger locks in the Romero Special. Iizuka is biting Liger’s fingers. Taichi whips Liger back first to the steel guard rail. Suzuki Gun’s Female Valet smacks Liger in the face. Iizuka and Tenzan are brawling in the crowd. Taichi with a Bell Hammer Shot behind the referee’s back.

Iizuka hits Nakanishi in the back with a folding chair. Iizuka launches Kushida over the steel guard rail. Liger sends Taichi to the corner. Taichi side steps Liger into the turnbuckles. Taichi decks Liger with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Taichi rips off his pants. Liger blocks a Leg Lariat from Taichi. Taichi is trying to rip off Liger’s mask. Taichi tags in Iizuka. Iizuka starts biting through Liger’s mask. Iizuka is forced to break the referee’s five count in the corner. Liger tags in Tenzan.

Tenzan drops Iizuka with a Shoulder Tackle. Tenzan clears the rest of the ring. Taichi kicks Tenzan in the gut. Taichi starts mocking Tenzan. Tenzan clotheslines Taichi. Tenzan with a series of Mongolian Chops to Iizuka. Tenzan HeadButts Iizuka. Tenzan follows that with a Corner Clothesline. Tenzan with a Delayed Vertical Suplex for a two count. Iizuka rakes the eyes of Tenzan. Iizuka is biting Tenzan’s forehead. Tenzan connects with The Mountain Bomb.

Kushida and Michinoku are tagged in. Kushida ducks a clothesline from Michinoku. Kushida goes for a Roll Through DDT, but Michinoku blocks it. Suzuki Gun are mauling Kushida in the corner. Iizuka with an Inverted Atomic Drop to Kushida. Michinoku drops Kushida with a Spinning Heel Kick for a two count. Nakanishi runs through Taichi and Iizuka with a Double Clothesline.

Nakanishi follows that with a Double Suplex to Desperado and Kanemaru. Kushida lands a Cartwheel Dropkick. Kushida with a HandSpring Back Elbow Strike. Liger takes out Desperado with a Running Senton off the ring apron. Tiger Mask lands a Suicide Dive. Kushida hits the Leaping DDT. Kushida with The HoverBoard Lock which forces Michinoku to tap out.

Winner: Kushida, Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger, Manabu Nakanishi and Hiroyoshi Tenzan via Submission 

Third Match: Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano 

Ishii and Takahashi will start things off. Takahashi kicks Ishii in the gut. Ishii blocks a Big Boot from Takahashi. Takahashi with forearm shivers to Ishii. Takahashi goes for three running shoulder blocks, but it’s to no avail. Takahashi and Ishii are in a slapping exchange. Takahashi starts kicking Ishii in the face. Ishii drops Takahashi with a Shoulder Block. Takahashi tags in Owens. Owens wants Yano to get in the ring.

Owens kicks Yano in the gut. Yano backs himself in between the ropes. Owens is mocking Yano. Owens is trying to rip off the turnbuckle pad. Takahashi fires off a Big Boot from the ring apron. Takahashi drives Yano back first to the steel guard rail. Takahashi is choking Yano with his pimp stick. Takahashi rolls Yano back into the ring. Owens drops Yano with a Palm Strike. Owens and Takahashi are cutting the ring in half.

Following a snap mare takeover, Takahashi lands a Running Leg Drop for a two count. Takahashi is grinding his hips in the center of the ring. Takahashi kicks Yano in the gut. Takahashi goes for a Fisherman’s Buster, but Yano blocks it. Yano drives Takahashi head to the canvas. Ishii and Owens are tagged in. Owens with a Back Elbow Strike to Ishii. Ishii responds with a ShoulderBlock. Ishii PowerSlams Takahashi. Ishii is mauling Owens in the corner.

Owens connects with a Bicycle Kick. Owens rakes the eyes of Ishii. Owens with a HammerLock Lariat for a two count. Takahashi with a Thrust Kick to Ishii. Owens levels Ishii with a Knee Lift. The Pimp Club hits their NeckBreaker Combination for a two count. Takahashi tosses Yano out of the ring. Owens slaps Ishii in the face. Owens with The Shining Wizard for a two count. Owens goes for the Package PileDriver, but Ishii blocks it. Yano avoids the SuperKick from Owens. Takahashi with a Forearm Smash to Yano. Owens inadvertently takes out Takahashi with a SuperKick. Yano with the Inverted Atomic Drop to Owens. Ishii follows that with a Clothesline. Ishii plants Owens with a Vertical Brain Buster to pickup the victory.

Winner: Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano via Pinfall 

Fourth Match: The Guerrillas of Destiny & Bad Luck Fale (c) vs. Ryusuke Taguchi, Toa Henare and Togi Makabe For The NEVER OpenWeight 6-Man Tag Team Championship 

Tanga Loa destroys Taguchi sun glasses before the bell rings. Loa and Taguchi will start things off. Taguchi delivers a series of forearm shivers. Loa kicks Taguchi in the gut. Loa delivers a clubbing blow to the back of Taguchi. Taguchi fires off two Running Hip Attacks, but Loa is still standing on his feet. Taguchi ducks a clothesline from Loa. Taguchi takes out the left knee of Loa. Taguchi connects with a Basement Dropkick. Taguchi with a series of Running Hip Attacks to Loa. Taguchi is trying to play mind games with Tonga.

Taguchi tags in Henare. Tonga dropkicks Henare. Fale and Loa knocks Taguchi and Makabe off the ring apron. Tonga with a Vertical Suplex for a two count. Tonga follows that with three Running Leg Drops. Tonga levels Henare with a Samoan Drop. Fale is choking Makabe with a Cable Chord. Tonga tags in Loa. Loa is applying pressure to the back of Henare’s neck. Loa with two Vertical Suplex’s to Henare. Loa connects with a Jack Hammer for a two count. Loa tosses Taguchi out of the ring. Loa tags in Fale.

Fale with a SledgeHammer Forearm to Henare. Bullet Club are cutting the ring in half. Tonga lands a Stinger Splash for a two count. Fale kicks Taguchi off the ring apron. Fale launches Henare back first to the turnbuckles. Fale goes for a Body Avalanche, but Henare ducks out of the way. Henare tags in Makabe. Makabe runs through Fale with a Body Avalanche.

Makabe sends GOD crashing to the outside. Makabe with two corner clotheslines to Fale. Makabe transitions into a Corner Mount. Makabe goes for a Northern Lights Suplex, but Fale blocks it. Taguchi with a Leaping Hip Attack to Fale. Makabe clotheslines Fale for a two count. Taguchi and Loa are brawling on the outside. Fale regains momentum with the Samoan Drop. Henare and Tonga are tagged in.

Henare with a Flying Shoulder Block to Tonga. Henare delivers a flurry of forearm shivers. Henare avoids The Stinger Splash from Tonga. Henare with another Flying Shoulder Block off the top rope for a two count. Taguchi Japan are mauling Tonga in the corner. Henare Spears Tonga for a two count. Loa HeadButts Makabe. Tonga fights out of the Fireman’s Carry Position. Tonga connects with a Spinning FlapJack for a two count. Tonga locks in The Dream Catcher which forces Henare to tap out. 

Winner: Still NEVER OpenWeight 6-Man Tag Team Champions, The Guerrillas of Destiny & Bad Luck Fale via Submission 

Fifth Match: Cody Rhodes, Hangman Page and Marty Scrull vs. Kota Ibushi, David Finlay and Juice Robinson 

Finlay and Scrull will start things off. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Scrull applies a wrist lock. Finlay reverses the hold. Following a snap mare takeover, Finlay applies a top wrist lock. Quick grappling exchange in the center of the ring. Plan A is not going so well for Bullet Club. Scrull lands a deep arm-drag. Finlay responds with a HammerLock. Finlay dropkicks Scrull. Finlay is mocking Scrull. Scrull tags in Rhodes. Finlay slides under Rhodes. Finlay tags in Ibushi. Rhodes decides to tag in Page. Page drops Ibushi with a shoulder tackle. Page leapfrogs over Ibushi. Ibushi goes for a Standing MoonSault, but Page ducks out of the way.

Page with a leg sweep. Ibushi avoids the Standing Shooting Star Press from Page. Ibushi delivers a Spinning Heel Kick. Ibushi follows that with a buzzsaw kick. Ibushi lands a Standing Corkscrew Splash. Ibushi tags in Robinson. Robinson with a series of Juice Jabs to Page. Scrull makes the blind tag. Robinson connects with a SpineBuster. Robinson is throwing Juice Jabs to Scrull. Robinson levels Scrull with a Shoulder Tackle. Robinson knocks Rhodes off the ring apron. Scrull has Robinson perched on the top turnbuckle.

Scrull delivers a SuperPlex for a two count. Scrull tags in Rhodes. Rhodes repeatedly stomps on Robinson’s chest. Rhodes and Page are cutting the ring in half. Page with vicious crossfaces to Robinson. Page whips Robinson neck off the middle rope for a two count. Scrull and Rhodes sends Ibushi and Finlay crashing to the outside. Rhodes drop toe holds Robinson to the canvas. Scrull fires off a Basement Dropkick. Page follows that with a Standing Shooting Star Press for a two count. Scrull dodges a leg lariat from Robinson. Scrull uppercuts Robinson. Robinson responds with a Double Knee GutBuster.

Ibushi and Rhodes engages in a long forearm exchange. Ibushi goes for a Standing MoonSault, but Rhodes gets his knees up in the air. Ibushi negates the Basement Dropkick from Rhodes. Ibushi with a Standing Corkscrew MoonSault for a two count. Finlay and Page are tagged in. Finlay decks Page with an Uppercut Forearm. Finlay blocks the Back Body Drop. Finlay goes for a Flying European Uppercut, but Page counters with a knee strike. Robinson explodes out of the corner and clotheslines Page. Scrull stomps on Robinson’s shoulder. Ibushi with a RoundHouse Kick to Scrull. Rhodes PowerSlams Ibushi. Page lays out Finlay with a Shooting Star Press.

Rhodes and Scrull goes for The Doomsday Dropkick, but Ibushi somehow lands on his feet. Rhodes inadvertently takes out Scrull with The Beautiful Disaster Kick. Robinson connects with a Running Cannonball Strike. Interesting sequence as Robinson accidentally drops Ibushi with a Leg Lariat. Page with a SomerSault Clothesline to Rhodes. Page sends Finlay crashing into Robinson. Finlay rolls Page over for a two count. Finlay goes for a Uranage Slam, but Page counters with The Rite of Passage to pickup the victory.

Winner: Cody Rhodes, Hangman Page and Marty Scrull via Pinfall

Sixth Match: Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito vs. Will Ospreay & Yoshi Hashi 

Takahashi and Naito attacks Ospreay and Hashi before the bell rings. Takahashi whips Ospreay sternum first to the steel guard rail. Naito hits Hashi in the back with a stick. Naito is trying to intimidate the japanese announcers. Hashi sends Naito crashing into the steel guard rail. Hashi takes out Naito’s shirt. Hashi lands a knife edge chop. Hashi rolls Naito back into the ring. Hashi with a clubbing blow to the back of Naito. Hashi repeatedly stomps on Naito’s chest. Hashi tags in Ospreay. Ospreay with a Forearm Shivers to Naito. Naito spits at Ospreay. Ospreay responds with a Running HeadScissors TakeOver. Ospreay is trying to play mind games with Naito.

Takahashi attacks Ospreay from behind. Naito and Hashi are brawling in the crowd. Takahashi and Naito are double teaming Ospreay in the corner. Takahashi drives Naito knee to the canvas. Takahashi rams Ospreay face into Naito’s boot. Naito kicks Ospreay in the knee. Ospreay knocks Naito off the ring apron. Ospreay drops Naito with a HandSpring Enzuigiri. Ospreay tags in Hashi. Hashi hits the Bunker Buster. Takahashi kicks Hashi in the gut. Hashi lays Takahashi flat on the top rope. Hashi delivers a Running Basement Dropkick which sends Takahashi crashing to the outside.

Hashi follows that with a NeckBreaker for a two count. Hashi kicks Naito in the jaw. Naito responds with a Hip Toss. Naito with a Sliding Dropkick to Hashi. Naito tags in Takahashi. Takahashi lightly kicks Hashi in the face. Hashi SuperKicks Takahashi. Hashi tags in Ospreay. Ospreay and Takhashi are trading back and forth shots. Ospreay with a Clubbing Buzzsaw Kick to Takahashi. Ospreay decks Takahashi with a Running European Uppercut. Ospreay goes for the Hesitation Dropkick, but Takahashi ducks out of the way. Ospreay lands a 619. Ospreay dives over Takahashi. Takahashi dropkicks the right knee of Ospreay.

Ospreay responds with a Hesitation Dropkick. Ospreay hits the Standing Phoenix Splash for a two count. Ospreay goes for a Reverse DDT, but Takahashi lands back on his feet. Takahashi with a PopUp SitOut PowerBomb to Ospreay. Takahashi tags in Naito. Naito knocks Hashi off the ring apron. Naito with The Step Up Enzuigiri to Ospreay. Naito drops Ospreay with a NeckBreaker for a two count.

Naito goes for The Detsino, but Hashi gets in the way. Ospreay connects with a SpringBoard Forearm Smash. Takahashi is brawling with Hashi on the floor. Naito and Ospreay are fighting for position on the top rope. Naito goes for a Top Rope Hurricanrana, but Ospreay lands back on his feet. Ospreay decks Naito with the Robinson Special. Ospreay leapfrogs over Takahashi. Naito low blows Ospreay behind the referee’s back. Naito rolls Ospreay over to pickup the victory. After the match, Hashi starts brawling in the crowd with Naito.

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito via Pinfall 

Seventh Match: Bush, EVIL and Sanada vs. Gedo, Hirooki Goto and Kazuchika Okada 

Sanada and Okada will start things off. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Okada backs Sanada into the ropes. Sanada pats on Okada’s chest. Sanada leapfrogs over Okada. Sanada lands two deep arm-drags. Okada applies a HeadScissors Leg Lock. This lead us to a stand off in the center of the ring. Gedo and Bushi are tagged in. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Bushi backs Gedo into the ropes. Gedo kicks Bushi in the face. Gedo delivers multiple haymakers. EVIL kicks Gedo in the back. Goto returns the favor on the other side of the ring. Okada and Goto with a Double Back Elbow Strike to Bushi. Chaos are triple teaming Bushi.

Gedo with a flurry of jabs to Bushi. Bushi starts grabbing Gedo’s beard. Gedo uppercuts Bushi. Gedo is trying to rip off Bushi’s mask. Sanada knocks Okada and Goto off the ring apron. EVIL whips Goto back first to the steel guard rail. Sanada and Okada are brawling on the ramp. Bushi is choking Gedo with his t-shirt. Bushi is forced to break up the referee’s five count. Bushi tags in Sanada. Sanada lands a Flying Double Axe Handle Strike for a two count. Sanada gets trapped in the Paradise Lock. Sanada fires off a Basement Dropkick. Sanada tags in EVIL.

Sanada with a Back Elbow Strike to Gedo. EVIL follows that with a Running Senton for a two count. EVIL goes for the Fisherman’s Buster, but Gedo blocks it. Gedo ducks a clothesline from EVIL. Gedo with a Low Angle Thrust Kick. Gedo tags in Goto. Goto with a Vertical Suplex to Bushi for a two count. Goto goes for the Ushigoroshi, but EVIL lands back on his feet. EVIL blocks the Western Lariat. EVIL with a Thrust Kick to the midsection of Goto. The Running Bulldog gets a two count. Sanada knocks Gedo off the ring apron. Goto repeatedly slaps Sanada in the chest. Goto clotheslines Sanada. Goto tags in Okada.

Okada with a series of forearm shivers to Sanada. Okada drops Sanada with a Running Back Elbow Strike. Okada levels Sanada with a DDT for a two count. Sanada blocks the Reverse NeckBreaker. Sanada leapfrogs over Okada. Sanada dropkicks Okada. Okada fights out of the Skull In. Okada goes for a Basement Dropkick, but Sanada holds onto the ropes. Sanada locks in Skull In. Okada goes for The RainMaker, but Sanada counters with a Belly to Back Suplex.

Bushi lands a Missile Dropkick. Bushi follows that with a Swinging NeckBreaker for a two count. Bushi with a Double Knee Strike to Okada. LIJ are double teaming Okada. Bushi connects with a BackStabber for a two count. EVIL and Goto are brawling on the floor. Bushi goes for MX, but Okada ducks out of the way. Gedo drops Bushi with a Straight Right Hand. EVIL responds with a Inside Out Lariat. EVIL and Sanada goes for The Magic Killer, but Okada and Goto counters with Stereo Ushigoroshi’s. Okada locks in the Cobra Clutch which forces Bushi to tap out.

Winner: Gedo, Hirooki Goto and Kazuchika Okada via Submission 

Eight Match: The Young Bucks & Kenny Omega vs. Roppongi 3K & Jay White w/Rocky Romero 

White attacks The Elite before the bell rings. White with a series of knife edge chops to Omega. White repeatedly stomps on Omega’s chest. Omega drops White with a Big Boot. The Bucks with stereo boots to R3K. Nick Jackson lands a Double Dropkick. The Bucks with Stereo Basement Dropkicks to Sho. Matt Jackson knocks White off the ring apron. The Elite with Trifecta Enzuigiri to Yoh. White drags Omega out of the ring. R3K with Stereo Planchas to the outside. White connects with a Belly to Back Suplex. White is choking Omega with his boot.

White is ignoring R3K. Omega fires off a knife edge chop. Omega is distracted by Yoh. R3K attacks Omega behind the referee’s back. White tags in Sho. Yoh drop toe holds Omega into a Sliding Dropkick from Sho. R3K knocks The Bucks off the ring apron. Omega takes outs legs of R3K. Omega hits The Double Kotaro Krusher. Nick delivers a Running Dropkick to White. Nick decks Yoh with a Spinning Back Elbow Strike. Nick follows that with a Running Double Knee Strike in the corner. Nick connects with a Bulldog/Lariat Combination.

Nick continues this sequence with an assisted Old-School/Crossbody Block Combination. Matt Jackson levels Sho with a SomerSault Reverse DDT for a two count. Matt goes for the Lawn Dart, but Sho lands back on his feet. Following a standing switch exchange, Sho shoves Matt into his brother. Sho fires up with a series of German Suplex’s. Omega responds with a collection of Snap Dragon Suplex’s. Trifecta SuperKicks to Sho for a two count. Nick lands a SpringBoard Plancha. Matt Buckle Bombs Sho. Matt lays Sho flat on the middle rope. Nick hits the Draping Swanton Bomb for a two count.

Sho blocks a SuperKick, but Nick. Sho goes for a Over Head Belly to Belly Suplex, but Nick lands back on his feet. Nick locks in the SharpShooter. White breaks up the submission attempt. White dodges a V-Trigger from Omega. Matt Spears White. Matt kicks Yoh in the gut. R3K responds with Stereo Jumping Knee Strikes. Sho connects with a BackStabber. Yoh follows that with a Single Leg Dropkick.

Nick with a Spinning DDT to Yoh. Omega decks Sho with the V-Trigger. Nick tags in Omega. Omega delivers more V-Triggers. Omega goes for the One Winged Angel, but he’s quickly distracted by White. White goes for The BladeRunner, but The Bucks counters with Stereo SuperKicks. Nick inadvertently takes out his brother with an enzuigiri. Yoh SuperKicks Omega. The Bucks brings their SuperKick Party to Yoh. The Elite plants Yoh with The IndyTaker to pickup the victory. After the match, White drops Omega with The BladeRunner

Winner: The Young Bucks & Kenny Omega via Pinfall 

Ninth Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Minoru Suzuki For The IWGP Intercontinental Championship 

Tanahashi and Suzuki starts things off with a quick test of strength. Tanahashi backs Suzuki into the ropes. Tanahashi pats Suzuki on the chest. Tanahashi applies a wrist lock. Suzuki transitions into a hammer lock. Tanahashi floats over into a front facelock. Suzuki backs Tanahashi into the ropes. The referee forces the clean break. Suzuki with a Waist Lock Go-Behind to Tanahashi. Suzuki applies a top wrist lock. Tanahashi with a single leg takedown to Suzuki. Suzuki applies a Knee Bar. Tanahashi crawls to the bottom rope to create separation.

Tanahashi starts wrenching on Suzuki left ankle. Suzuki grabs Tanahashi by his hair. Tanahashi applies an modified Indian Death Lock. Tanahashi kicks Suzuki in the hamstring. Tanahashi and Suzuki traded bodyshots. Suzuki applies a side headlock. Suzuki HeadButts Tanahashi. Tanahashi goes for a Clothesline, but Suzuki counters with a Cross Arm-Breaker. Tanahashi kicks Suzuki in the chest. Suzuki sends Tanahashi back first to the steel guard rail. Suzuki starts hitting Tanahashi with a Metal Folding Chair.

Suzuki bounces Tanahashi head on the ring apron. Suzuki fires a series of buzzsaw kicks on the floor. Suzuki locks in the Fujiwara Arm-Bar. Tanahashi places his boot on the bottom rope. Suzuki delivers more buzzsaw kicks across the chest of Tanahashi. Tanahashi uppercuts Suzuki. Tanahashi drops Suzuki with a Running Forearm Smash. Tanahashi bodyslams Suzuki. Tanahashi connects with a SomerSault Senton off the second rope for a two count. Tanahashi and Suzuki are trading back and forth shots.

Suzuki lands the Helluva Kick. Following a snap mare takeover, Suzuki starts kicking Tanahashi in the back. Suzuki goes for a Running Buzzsaw Kick, but Tanahashi blocks it. Tanahashi and Suzuki are in a middle of a long forearm exchange. Suzuki slaps Tanahashi in the face. Tanahashi responds with three Dragon Screw Leg Whips. Tanahashi locks in the High Angle Texas CloverLeaf. Tanahashi stomps on Suzuki’s knees. Suzuki is trying to create distance with multiple HeadButts. Tanahashi hits a Dragon Screw Leg Whip on the middle rope. Suzuki dropkicks Tanahashi. Suzuki locks in the Rear Naked Choke. Tanahashi with two Twist and Shouts.

Tanahashi connects with The SlingBlade. Tanahashi follows that with a High Fly Flow. Tanahashi goes for another High Fly Flow, but Suzuki gets his knees up in the air. Suzuki locks in the Heel Hook. Tanahashi responds with a Figure Leg Lock. Suzuki reverses the hold. Tanahashi crawls to bottom rope to create separation. Suzuki delivers a series of Clubbing Palm Strikes. Suzuki goes back to the Rear Naked Choke. Suzuki goes for the PileDriver, but Tanahashi counters with the Texas CloverLeaf.

Suzuki with an inside cradle for a two count. Tanahashi responds with The SlingBlade for a two count. Suzuki blocks the Dragon Suplex. Suzuki kicks Tanahashi in the knee. Suzuki lands a Running Dropkick into the injured knee of Tanahashi. Suzuki gets Tanahashi trapped in the Heel Hook. Suzuki shoves down the referee. Suzuki repeatedly kicks the injured knee of Tanahashi. Suzuki paint brushes Tanahashi. Suzuki connects with the PileDriver. Instead of going for the cover, Suzuki decides to apply the Heel Hook. Referee Red Shoe calls for the bell.

Winner: New IWGP Intercontinental Champion, Minoru Suzuki via Referee Stoppage 

Check out Episode 90 of the Josh Lopez Wrestling Podcast