NJPW 46th Anniversary Show
March 6, 2018
Ota City General Gymnasium
Tokyo, Japan

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Transcription by Josh Lopez

First Match: Ren Narita, Tetsuhiro Yagi, Shota Umino, Tomoyuki Oka, and Yuji Nagata vs. Ryusuke Taguchi, Kushida, Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger, and Hiroyoshi Tenzan in a 10-Man Tag Team Match 

A pier six brawl breaks out before the bell rings. Nagata kicks Tenzan in the gut. Yagi with an Elbow Drop for a two count. The Young Lions delivers a Triple Dropkick. Taguchi side steps Yagi into the turnbuckles. Taguchi drops Oka with a Running Hip Attack. Taguchi follows that with a Double Hip Attack to Narita and Umino. Yagi is throwing multiple forearm shivers. Taguchi decks Yagi with his third hip attack of the match. Taguchi tags in Tiger Mask. Tiger Mask repeatedly slaps Yagi in the chest. Yagi reverses out of the irish whip. Tiger Mask thrust kicks the midsection of Yagi. Tiger Mask with a Spinning Heel Kick for a one count. Tiger Mask with a Double Leg TakeDown to Narita. Tiger Mask tags in Liger.

Liger is putting the boots to Yagi. Liger locks in The Romero Special. Nagata breaks the submission. Teznan HeadButts Yagi for a two count. Tenzan levels Yagi with Two Mongolian Chops. Yagi responds with a dropkick. Yagi tags in Nagata. Nagata with multiple roundhouse kicks across the chest of Tenzan. Nagata lands a Helluva Kick. Nagata goes for The Exploder Suplex, but Tenzan blocks it. Nagata ducks a clothesline from Tenzan. Nagata proceeds to dropkick the left knee of Tenzan. Following a forearm exchange, Nagata rocks Tenzan with a Forearm Smash. Tenzan connects with The Mountain Bomb. Nagata responds with an Exploder Suplex. Kushida and Umino are tagged in.

Umino is trying to wear down Kushida with Forearm Shivers. Kushida goes for a HandSpring Back Elbow Strike, but Umino ducks out of the way. Umino drops Kushida with a Forearm KnockDown. The Young Lions clears the ring. The Young Lions are demolishing Kushida in the corner. Umino lands a Missile Dropkick for a two count. Umino locks in the Boston Crab. Oka also has Taguchi trapped in the Boston Crab. Liger Palm Strikes Umino. Kushida decks Umino with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Kushida lays out Narita with a Step Through DDT. Umino kicks Kushida in the gut. Kushida responds with a Hip Toss. Kushida follows that with a Cartwheel Dropkick. Kushida has Umino trapped in the HoverBoard Lock. Umino rolls Kushida over for a two count. Kushida transitions into a Cross Arm Breaker which forces Umino to tap out.

Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, Kushida, Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger, and Hiroyoshi Tenzan via Submission 

Second Match: Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, and Toru Yano vs. Juice Robinson, David Finlay, and Toa Henare in a 6-Man Tag Team Match 

Ishii and Henare will start things off. You know the drill, we have ourself a forearm fest in the center of the ring. Henare goes for two running shoulder tackles, but Ishii stands still. Ishii tells Henare to bring it. Henare ducks a clothesline from Ishii. Ishii rocks Henare with a big haymaker. Henare finally drops Ishii with the shoulder tackle. Following a HeadButt Exchange,  Ishii tags in Yano. Henare attacks Ishii from behind. Henare is trying to play mind games with Yano. Henare tags in Finlay. Yano starts ripping off turnbuckle pads. Yano side steps Finlay into the exposed steel. Finlay kicks Yano in the gut. Finlay follows that with a Running European Uppercut. Yano rakes the eyes of Finlay. Finlay responds with a series of forearm smashes. Yano drives Finlay’s head to the canvas. Yano throws Finlay out of the ring.

Ishii launches Henare over the steel guard rail. Yano introduces Finlay back first to the ringside barricade. Finlay gets back into the ring at the count of seven. Yano whips Finlay back first across exposed the steel in the corner. Yano tags in Goto. Goto decks Finlay with a Back Elbow Smash for a two count. Goto applies a rear chin lock. Goto locks in a Single Leg Boston Crab. Finlay crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Finlay uppercuts Goto. Goto goes for the Ushigoroshi, but Finlay lands back on his feet. Finlay dropkicks Goto. Yano attacks Finlay from behind. Finlay with a Belly to Back Suplex to Ishii. Finlay makes the hot tag to Robinson.

Robinson fires up with Two Corner Lariats. Robinson connects with a Running Cannonball Strike. Robinson follows that with a SpineBuster to Goto. Robinson with a Leaping Senton Splash. Robinson is delivering Juice Jabs to all three members of Chaos. Robinson takes down Goto with a Running Clothesline. Robinson tags in Henare. Henare is unloading forearm shivers on Goto. Henare ducks a clothesline from Goto. Henare runs through Goto with a Leaping Shoulder Block. Following another forearm exchange, Henare levels Ishii with a Western Lariat. Henare lands a Diving Shoulder Block for a two count. Robinson, Finlay, and Henare are triple teaming Goto in the corner. Henare Spears Goto for a two count. Stereo Crossbody Blocks from Robinson and Finlay. Henare HeadButts Goto. Goto responds with The Ushigoroshi. Goto plants Henare with The GTR to pickup the victory.

Winner: Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, and Toru Yano via Pinfall 

Third Match: Roppongi 3K (c) w/Rocky Romero vs. Hiromu Takahashi & Bushi vs. El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru in a Triple Threat Tag Team Match For The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship 

Yoh and Takahashi will start things off. Takahashi and Yoh are trading back and forth open hand chops. Takahashi kicks Yoh in the gut. Takahashi applies a side headlock. Takahashi drops Yoh with a shoulder tackle. Takahashi follows that with a knife edge chop. Yoh responds with a knife edge chop of his own. Yoh ducks a clothesline from Takahashi. Yoh hits the Tilt-A-Whirl HeadScissors TakeOver. Yoh tags in Sho. R3K are putting the boots to Takahashi. Yoh drop toe holds Takahashi into a Sliding Dropkick from Sho. Stereo Dropkicks to Bushi. Suzuki Gun drags R3K out of the ring. Takahashi and Bushi lands Stereo Wrecking Ball Dropkicks. Takahashi drives Kanemaru sternum first into the steel guard rail. Takahashi rolls Sho back into the ring. Takahashi stomps on Sho’s back. Takahashi tags in Bushi.

Bushi is choking Sho with his t-shirt. LIJ hits their Leg Trapped Cutter Combination for a two count. Kanemaru tags himself in. Sho goes for a dropkick, but Kanemaru holds onto the top rope. Kanemaru delivers a Back Body Drop. Kanemaru rams his boot across the face of Sho. Desperado lightly kicks Sho in the face. Desperado bodyslams Sho. Desperado follows that with a Frog Splash to the back for a two count. Sho tries to create distance with multiple open hand chops. Desperado connects with a SpineBuster for a two count. Takahashi tags himself in.

Takahashi rakes the eyes of Desperado. Takahashi throws Desperado out of the ring. Takahashi knocks Yoh off the ring apron. Takahashi with a knife edge chop to Sho. Takahashi runs through Sho with a Corner Clothesline. Takahashi delivers a Basement Dropkick for a two count. Kanemaru is back in the ring. Kanemaru with a Helluva Kick to Sho. Kanemaru with a SuperPlex for a two count. Kanemaru locks in the Boston Crab. Sho crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Desperado whips Bushi back first to the steel guard rail. Kanemaru goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Sho lands back on his feet. Sho’s back is giving out. Sho with a Snap Vertical Suplex to Kanemaru. Sho tags in Yoh.

Yoh with rapid fire dropkicks to Suzuki Gun. Yoh kicks Desperado in the chest. Yoh drops Desperado with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Yoh with a Running Forearm Smash to Kanemaru. Following a forearm exchange, Kanemaru dropkicks the knee of Yoh. Kanemaru drives his elbow to the back of Yoh’s head. Double Leapfrog from LIJ. Takahashi sends Kanemaru out of the ring with the Basement Dropkick. Yoh decks Bushi with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Yoh tags in Sho. Sho knocks Takahashi off the ring apron. Sho with a Forearm KnockDown to Bushi. Sho takes out the legs of Takahashi. Sho dropkicks Takahashi into the steel guard rails. Sho Spears Bushi for a two count.Desperado responds with a Big Boot.

Sho takes out Suzuki Gun with a Double Spear. Sho with a Corner Clothesline to Bushi. Sho SuperKicks Bushi for a two count. Sho follows that with a German Suplex. Sho eats back elbow smash from Takahashi. Takahashi lays out Desperado with an Avalanche SunsetFlip PowerBomb on the floor. Bushi ducks a clothesline from Sho. Bushi lands a Suicide Dive. Yoh delivers a SomerSault Plancha. Sho and Bushi are trading forearms in the center of the ring. Stereo Jumping Knee Strikes from R3K. R3K connects with their Dominator/Running Cutter Combination for a two count. Yoh uppercuts Bushi. Sho follows that with a BackStabber. Yoh dropkicks Bushi. R3K goes for The 3K, but Takahashi counters with a German Suplex. Bushi spits green mist into Sho’s eyes. Kanemaru from out of nowhere spits mist into Bushi’s eyes. Kanemaru low blows Takahashi behind the referee’s back. Desperado rolls Sho over to pickup the victory.

Winner: New IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru via Pinfall 

Fourth Match: Yoshi Hashi vs. Sanada 

Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Hashi backs Sanada into the ropes. The referee asks for a clean break. Hashi goes for a knife edge chop, but Sanada ducks out of the way. Sanada kicks Hashi in the gut. Sanada applies a side headlock. Sanada drops Hashi with a shoulder tackle. Hashi leapfrogs over Sanada. Sanada SomerSaults over Hashi. Hashi lands a deep arm-drag. Hashi ducks a clothesline from Sanada. Hashi connects with a HeadScissors TakeOver. Hashi with a SlingShot Crossbody Block. Hashi repeatedly stomps on Sanada’s back. Hashi slaps Sanada in the chest. Sanada throws Hashi back first to the steel guard rail. Sanada locks in The Skull End. Sanada and Hashi are brawling in the crowd.

Sanada brings Hashi back to the ringside area. Sanada rolls Hashi back into the ring. Sanada drives his elbow to the back of Hashi’s neck. Sanada locks in the Cravate. Sanada with Muay Thai Knee Strikes to Hashi. Following a snap mare takeover, Sanada applies a rear chin lock. Hashi gets back to a vertical base. Hashi creates distance with stiff bodyshots. Hashi dropkicks the right knee of Sanada. Hashi drops Sanada with a Spike DDT. Hashi brings his lighting quick offense to Sanada. Hashi connects with The Bunker Buster. Hashi follows that with a Running Knife Edge Chop. Hashi has Sanada hanging on the top rope. Hashi dropkicks the back of Sanada for a two count.

Hashi goes for a NeckBreaker, but Sanada lands back on his feet. Sanada leapfrogs over Hashi. Sanada dropkicks Hashi. Sanada delivers a SlingShot Crossbody Block. Sanada is trying to pump up the crowd. Sanada with a SpringBoard Missile Dropkick. Hashi gets Sanada trapped in the ButterFly Lock. Hashi stomps on Sanada’s shoulder. Hashi goes for a German Suplex, but Sanada lands back on his feet. Sanada hits The Saito Suplex. Sanada follows that with a TKO for a two count. Hashi blocks The Skull End. Hashi kicks Sanada in the face. Sanada responds with Skull End. Hashi creates separation with a BackStabber. Hashi with a NeckBreaker to Sanada. Hashi goes for a Swanton Bomb, but Sanada gets his knees up in the air.

Hashi avoids a MoonSault from Sanada. Following a forearm exchange, Hashi slaps Sanada in the face. Sanada responds with a series of forearm shivers. Hashi SuperKicks Sanada. Sanada uppercuts Hashi. Sanada ducks a clothesline from Hashi. Hashi transitions into a inside cradle for a two count. Sanada kicks Hashi in the gut. Hashi connects with The Western Lariat for a two count. Hashi follows that with a Running SitOut PowerBomb for a two count. Hashi goes back to the ButterFly Lock. Sanada desperately crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Hashi goes for Karma, but Sanada counters with Skull End. Sanada lands a MoonSault to pickup the victory.

Winner: Sanada via Pinfall 

Fifth Match: Tetsuya Naito vs. Taichi w/Miho Abe 

Taichi attacks Naito with the microphone stand before the bell rings. Taichi and Natio are brawling in the crowd. Taichi goes for a PileDriver, but Naito blocks it. Taichi repeatedly kicks Naito in the head. Taichi PowerBombs Naito on the stage. Taichi mocks Naito. Naito gets back in the ring at the count of nineteen. Taichi with a disrespectful cover for a two count. Taichi rips off Naito’s hoodie. Naito fires up with a series of Open Hand Chops. Taichi thrust kicks the midsection of Naito. Taichi rakes Naito’s eyes. Naito lands a Desperation Boot out of the corner. Naito with a NeckBreaker to Taichi. Naito follows that with a Sliding Dropkick. Taichi is trying to regain his composure on the outside. Naito is throwing Taichi around the ringside area.

Naito rolls Taichi back into the ring. Naito is putting the boots to Taichi in the corner. Naito spits at Taichi. Naito gets Taichi tied in the tree of woe. Naito hits the Draping NeckBreaker. Naito with a nonchalant cover for a two count. Naito kicks Hashi in the back Naito goes for the Rebound Dropkick, but Hashi blocks it. Taichi sends Naito crashing into the steel guard rail. Taichi with a Buzzsaw Kick for a two count. Taichi rips off his pants. Taichi goes for a SuperKick, but Naito counters with an Inverted Atomic Drop. Naito with a Swinging DDT. Naito places Taichi on the top turnbuckle. Naito with an Avalanche Hurricanrana for a two count. Naito goes for Destino, but Taichi counters with a Saito Suplex.

Taichi with a Lariat to the back of Naito’s neck. Taichi follows that with an Inside Out. Taichi connects with a Last Ride PowerBomb for a two count. Naito leapfrogs over Taichi. Naito drops Taichi with a Reverse Hurricanrana. Taichi takes out the legs of Naito. Naito goes for a German Suplex, but Taichi counters with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Naito responds with a German Suplex. Naito hits Gloria for a two count.

Taichi blocks The Destino. Taichi low blows Naito behind the referee’s back. Taichi has Naito trapped in the Gedo Clutch for a two count. Taichi goes for a SuperKick, but Naito counters with a Rolling Kick. Taka Michinoku hops on the ring apron to distract the referee. Naito avoids a microphone stand shot from Taichi. Naito decks Taichi with the Step Up Enzuigiri. Naito shoves the referee into Michinoku. Taichi dropkicks Naito. Naito responds with a Pop Up Low Blow. Naito breaks the microphone stand over Taichi’s head. Naito plants Taichi with The Destino to pickup the victory.

Winner: Tetsuya Naito via Pinfall 

Sixth Match: Minoru Suzuki (c) vs. Togi Makabe For The IWGP Intercontinental Championship 

Suzuki kicks Makabe in the face. We have ourself a forearm shiver fest in the center of the ring. Suzuki drops Makabe with a Forearm Smash. Makabe ducks under a Big Boot from Suzuki. Makabe runs through Suzuki with a shoulder tackle. Makabe is throwing more forearms at Suzuki. Suzuki wants more punishment. Suzuki slaps Makabe in the face. Suzuki walks into more forearms from Makabe. Suzuki collapses in the corner. Makabe throws Suzuki sternum first to the steel guard rail. Makabe rolls Suzuki back into the ring. Suzuki delivers a stiff bodyshot. Suzuki reverses out of the irish whip. Makabe decks Suzuki with another shoulder tackle. Suzuki locks in a Triangle Choke on the top rope.

Suzuki drives Makabe’s leg to the steel ring post. Suzuki attacks Red Shoes. Suzuki attacks Makabe in the knee with a folding chair. Suzuki glances at the commentary team. Red Shoes steals the chair from Suzuki. Suzuki repeatedly stomps on the injured knee of Makabe. Suzuki applies a side headlock. Suzuki HeadButts Makabe. Suzuki floats over into a Knee Bar. Makabe crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Suzuki talks smack to Makabe. Suzuki dishes out clubbing soccer kicks. Makabe PowerSlams Suzuki. Makabe transitions into a Corner Mount. Makabe connects with a Northern Light’s Suplex for a two count.

Suzuki regains momentum with multiple back elbow smashes. Suzuki proceeds to slap Makabe in the face. Suzuki delivers a Helluva Kick. Suzuki goes for The PK, but Makabe blocks it. Following a supremely long forearm exchange, Makabe is having a hard time getting back on his feet. Makabe drops Suzuki with a Death Valley Driver. Makabe places Suzuki on the top turnbuckle. Makabe delivers an Avalanche Spider Suplex. Makabe goes for The King Kong Knee Drop, but Suzuki ducks out of the way. Suzuki locks in the Knee Bar. Suzuki transitions into the Heel Hook. Makabe finally reaches the bottom rope to break the hold.

Makabe slaps Suzuki in the face. Makabe connects with a German Suplex. Suzuki goes for a Mule Kick, but Makabe counters with a Western Lariat for a two count. Suzuki dropkicks Makabe. Suzuki locks in the Sleeper Hold. Suzuki goes for The Gotch PileDriver, but Makabe blocks it. Makabe is wearing down Suzuki with Over Hand Chops. Suzuki responds with a series of Palm Strikes. Suzuki kicks the injured knee of Makabe. Suzuki ducks a clothesline from Makabe. Suzuki goes back to the Sleeper Hold. Suzuki plants Makabe with The Gotch PileDriver to pickup the victory.

Winner: IWGP Intercontinental Champion, Minoru Suzuki via Pinfall 

Seventh Match: Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay 

Okada shakes hands with Ospreay before the bell rings. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Following a standing switch exchange, Ospreay delivers a waist lock takedown. Ospreay floats over into a front facelock. Okada transitions into a hammer lock. Ospreay reverses the hold. Okada responds with a top wrist lock. The long grappling exchange continues the center of the ring. Okada with a double leg takedown to Ospreay. Okada is wrenching the ankle of Ospreay. Ospreay applies a head scissors leg lock. Ospreay has Okada in a side headlock.

Following a long pinning exchange, we have a standoff. Okada is trying to regain his composure on the outside. Okada has Ospreay back in a top wrist lock. Okada with a bridging cover for a one count. Ospreay monkey flips Okada to the corner. Neither man refuses to relinquish wrist control. Okada goes for a Northern Lights Suplex, but Ospreay lands back on his feet. Okada avoids a spinning heel kick from Ospreay. Ospreay negates the Rain Maker from Okada. Ospreay goes for the OsCutter, but Okada ducks out of the way. Okada backs Ospreay into the ropes. Okada pats Ospreay in the chest. Ospreay responds with a slap. Ospreay takes down Okada with a Forearm/Palm Thrust Combination. Okada leapfrogs over Ospreay. Ospreay hits the Head Scissors TakeOver. Ospreay is showing off his athleticism.

Okada delivers a ShotGun Dropkick. Okada bodyslams Ospreay on the floor. Okada decks Ospreay with a Running Boot. Ospreay gets back in the ring at the count of sixteen. Okada taunts Ospreay. Ospreay is throwing haymakers at Okada. Okada levels Ospreay with a DDT for a two count. Okada follows that with a NeckBreaker for a two count. Okada applies a Straight Jacket Hold. Okada drives his knee to the back of Ospreay. Ospreay places his boot on the bottom rope to create separation. Ospreay HeadButts the chest of Okada. Ospreay ducks a back fist from Okada. Ospreay connects with The Pip Pip Cheerio. Ospreay decks Okada with a JawBreaker. Ospreay with a Running Back Elbow Strike to Okada. Ospreay lands a Hesitation Dropkick. Ospreay with a SpringBoard Clothesline.

Ospreay goes for the Reverse DDT, but Okada counters with a Knee Strike. Ospreay fires back with a Basement Dropkick. Ospreay hits a Standing Shooting Star Press. Okada avoids The Robinson Special from Ospreay. Ospreay thrust kicks the midsection of Okada. Okada responds with a FlapJack. Okada throws Ospreay back first to the steel guard rail. Okada rocks Ospreay with a Helluva Kick. Okada goes for a Lunging Elbow, but Ospreay counters with a SpringBoard Forearm off the steel guard rail. Ospreay lands a Space Fly Tiger Drop. Ospreay connects with a Inverted DDT for a two count. Ospreay follows that with a Robinson Special. Ospreay goes for The OsCutter, but Okada counters with a Cobra Clutch. Okada hits the Reverse NeckBreaker.

Okada runs through Ospreay with a European Uppercut for a two count. Ospreay brings his lighting quick offense to Okada. Ospreay SuperKicks Okada. Okada responds with a dropkick. Okada lands a Top Rope Elbow Drop. Okada lands a Rain Maker Pose. Okada does his signature Rain Maker Pose. Okada is staggering Ospreay with Clubbing Forearm Smashes. Okada lightly kicks Ospreay in the face. Ospreay is pissed. Following a forearm exchange, Okada uppercuts Ospreay. Ospreay decks Okada with a Step Enzuigiri. Okada responds with a Big Boot. Ospreay delivers a Standing Spanish Fly for a two count.

Ospreay takes down Okada with The Rain Maker for a two count. Ospreay ascends to the top turnbuckle. Ospreay lands The Implosion 450 for a two count. Ospreay goes for The OsCutter, but Okada counters with a TombStone PileDriver. Ospreay from out of nowhere turns a Rain Maker into a SitOut PowerBomb for a two count. Following a flurry of kicks from Ospreay, Okada dropkicks him in mid-air. Okada with a German Suplex for a two count. Okada clotheslines Ospreay. Ospreay goes for a HandSpring Cutter, but Okada counters with a Spinning TombStone PileDriver. Okada plants Ospreay with The Rain Maker to pickup the victory. 

Winner: Kazuchika Okada via Pinfall 

Check out Episode 95 of The Josh Lopez Wrestling Podcast