NJPW Road To Sakura Genesis
March 30, 2018
Korakuen Hall
Tokyo, Japan

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Transcription by Josh Lopez

First Match: Tetsuhiro Yagi vs. Ren Narita 

Narita applies a front facelock. Yagi reverses the hold. Standing switch exchange in the center of the ring. Yagi slaps Narita in the face. Narita responds with a single leg takedown. Narita applies a side headlock. Yagi transitions into a top wrist lock. Yagi applies a hammer lock. Narita delivers multiple back elbow smashes. Yagi kicks Narita in the gut. This leads us to another long grappling exchange. Narita rolls Yagi over for a two count. Narita cranks in the side headlock. Yagi gets back to a vertical base. Narita drops Yagi with a shoulder tackle for a two count. Narita repeatedly stomps on Yagi’s back. Narita and Yagi are trading forearm smashes.

Yagi is mauling Narita in the corner. Narita fires back with over hand chops. Yagi with a Running Back Elbow Strike to Narita. Yagi follows that with a Bodyslam for a two count. Following a over hand chop exchange, Narita blocks the Hip Toss. Narita with a Standing Hip Lock for a two count. Narita repeatedly stomps on Yagi’s chest. Narita drops Yagi with a Elbow Knockdown for a two count. Narita bodyslams Yagi. Narita connects with a Back Body Drop for a two count. Narita stomps on Yagi’s shoulder. Narita tells Yagi to bring it.

Yagi responds with a series of Over Hand Chops. Yagi dropkicks Narita. Yagi bounces Narita head on the turnbuckle pad. Yagi with a Full Slam to Narita. Yagi with a Elbow Knockdown of his own for a two count. Yagi attacks the right knee of Narita. Yagi locks in the Boston Crab. Narita crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Yagi shoves the referee. Yagi rocks Narita with two knife edge chops.

Narita explodes out of the corner with a Running Dropkick. Following another forearm exchange, Narita HeadButts Yagi. Narita connects with a Belly to Belly Suplex for a two count. Narita unloads more forearm smashes. Yagi decks Narita with open hand slaps. Yagi with the cover for a two count. Yagi stomps on Narita ribs. Yagi applies the Boston Crab. Narita desperately reaches the bottom rope. Narita drops Yagi with a Open Hand Slap for a two count. Now Narita has Yagi trapped in the Boston Crab, but unfortunately time expires.

Match Result: No Contest via Time Limit Draw 

Second Match: Shota Umino vs. Yuji Nagata 

Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Nagata applies a side headlock. Nagata transitions into a wrist lock. Umino reverses the hold. Nagata with a Northern Light Suplex to Umino. Nagata blasts Umino with a Buzzsaw Kick. Umino responds with a Over Hand Chop. Nagata kicks the back of Umino’s hamstring. Nagata repeatedly stomps on Umino’s back. Umino fires back with chops and forearms. Umino tells Nagata to bring it. Nagata is pissed.  Nagata levels Umino with a Big Boot. Nagata and Umino are trading forearm smashes.

Following a snap mare takeover, Nagata kicks Umino in the back. Nagata locks in the Crippler Cross Face. Umino crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Nagata delivers the arm-ringer for a one count. Nagata applies a Key Lock. Nagata continues to apply pressure to the left shoulder of Umino. Umino creates distance with multiple forearm smashes. Nagata kicks Umino in the face. Nagata drives his elbow to the back of Umino’s neck. Umino is lighting up Nagata’s chest in the corner. Nagata with a series of buzzsaw kicks to Umino. Umino dropkicks Nagata.

Umino follows that with a Running Back Elbow Strikes. Umino lands a Missile Dropkick for a two count. Nagata blocks the double leg takedown. Umino avoids a Big Boot from Nagata. Umino drops Nagata with a Forearm KnockDown. Umino fires off another Missile Dropkick for a two count. Umino locks in the Boston Crab. Nagata and Umino are trading vicious strikes in the center of the ring. Nagata levels Umino with a Knee Lift. Nagata with a RoundHouse Kick for a two count. Nagata connects with an Exploder Suplex. Nagata applies The Nagata Lock II which forces Umino to tap out.

Winner: Yuji Nagata via Submission 

Third Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Manabu Nakanishi, and Tomoyuki Oka vs. Togi Makabe, Michael Elgin, and Ryusuke Taguchi in a 6-Man Tag Team Match 

Oka is talking smack to Makabe before the bell rings. Taguchi and Nakanishi will start things off. Nakanishi avoids a spinning heel kick from Taguchi. Taguchi catches Nakanishi off the guard with the small package for a two count. Nakanishi pounds fists with Taguchi. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Nakanishi backs Taguchi into the ropes. Taguchi repeatedly kicks Nakanishi in the gut. Taguchi ducks a clothesline from Nakanishi. Taguchi delivers multiple hip attacks. Nakanishi knocks Elgin and Makabe off the ring apron. Nakanishi tags in Oka.

Oka with Forearm Shivers across the back of Taguchi. Oka with the cover for a two count. Oka bodyslams Taguchi for a two count. Oka applies a front facelock. Oka brings Taguchi to the corner. Oka tags in Tenzan. Tenzan kicks the ribs of Taguchi. Tenzan drops Taguchi with a Mongolian Chop. Tenzan is mauling Taguchi in the corner. Tenzan with a Corner Clothesline. Tenzan follows that with a Vertical Suplex for a two count. Tenzan clears the ring. Makabe is pissed. Tenzan HeadButts Taguchi. Taguchi responds with Over Hand Chops. Taguchi creates distance with a Running Hip Attack. Taguchi tags in Makabe.

Makabe runs through Tenzan with a shoulder block. Makabe knocks Oka off the ring apron. Makabe with Forearm Shivers to Tenzan. Nakanishi attacks Makabe from behind. Makabe with Corner Lariats to Tenzan and Nakanishi. Makabe transitions into a Corner Mount. Tenzan blocks the Northern Lights Suplex. Tenzan with Two Monoglian Chops to Makabe. Makabe clotheslines Tenzan for a two count. Makabe and Tenzan are charging into each other. Tenzan HeadButts the chest of Makabe. Tenzan connects with The Mountain Bomb. Oka and Elgin are tagged in.

Oka is throwing forearms at Elgin. Elgin responds with multiple knife edge chops. Oka tells Elgin to bring it. Oka drops Elgin with a Shoulder Tackle. Elgin goes for a PowerSlam, but Oka lands back on his feet. Elgin blocks a Big Boot from Oka. Elgin with a German Suplex for a two count. Tenzan kicks Makabe in the gut. Makabe takes out Tenzan and Nakanishi with a Double Clothesline. Elgin kicks Oka in the gut. Elgin goes for a PowerBomb, but Oka counters with a Back Body Drop.

Oka side steps Elgin into the turnbuckle pad. Oka with a Body Avalanche to Elgin. Oka follows that with a Side Belly to Belly Suplex for a two count. Elgin kicks Oka in the face. Elgin staggers Oka with a Jumping Enzuigiri. Elgin with a Massive Lariat for a two count. Elgin connects with a Buckle Bomb. Elgin plants Oka with The Elgin Bomb to pickup the victory.

Winner: Togi Makabe, Michael Elgin, and Ryusuke Taguchi via Pinfall 

Fourth Match: Hirooki Goto, Jay White, and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Juice Robinson, David Finlay and Toa Henare in a 6-Man Tag Team Match 

White and Finlay will start things off. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. White backs Finlay into the ropes. Finlay ducks a clothesline from White. Finlay delivers clubbing blows to the back of White. Finlay repeatedly stomps on White’s chest in the corner. White blasts Finlay with a knife edge chop. White follows that with a Forearm Knockdown. Finlay responds with multiple uppercuts. Finlay leapfrogs over White. Finlay dropkicks White. Finlay bounces White’s head on the turnbuckle pad. Finlay tags in Henare. Henare is throwing haymakers at White. Henare knocks Ishii off the ring apron. Henare HeadButts the chest of White. White responds with a dropkick. Ishii drags Henare out of the ring.

Ishii launches Henare over the steel guard rail. Ishii and Henare are brawling in the crowd. Ishii hits Henare with a folding chair. Ishii rolls Henare back into the ring. White the cover for a two count. White tags in Ishii. Ishii lightly kicks Henare in the head. Ishii dishes out knife edge chops. Ishii tells Henare to bring it. Henare slaps Ishii in the chest. This leads us to a long forearm exchange in the center of the ring. Ishii tags in Goto. Goto drops Henare with a Back Elbow Smash for a two count. Goto locks in a Single Leg Boston Crab. Henare crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Goto targets the lower back of Henare. Goto with a Knee Lift to Henare. Henare responds with a Leaping Shoulder Tackle. Henare tags in Robinson.

Robinson clears the ring. Goto with Forearm Shivers to Robinson. Robinson ducks a clothesline from Goto. Robinson connects with a Belly to Back Suplex. Robinson follows that with a Corner Clothesline. Robinson with the Running Cannonball Strike. Robinson hits the Full Nelson Bomb for a two count. Goto fights out of the fireman’s carry position. Goto and Robinson are charging into each other. Goto decks Robinson with a Spinning Heel Kick. Robinson blocks the Saito Suplex. Robinson goes for Pulp Friction, but Goto counters with the Ushigoroshi. White dumps Finlay with a Snap Saito Suplex. Ishii and Henare tagged in.

Following a long forearm exchange, Henare drops Ishii with a shoulder tackle. Ishii fires back with forearm shivers. Henare responds with a Samoan Drop for a two count. Ishii goes back to kicking Henare in the corner. Ishii staggers Henare with a Throat Chop. Ishii goes for a PowerBomb, but Finlay counters with s a Basement Dropkick. Finlay takes out White with a Uranage Back Breaker. Goto with an Inside Out Lariat to Finlay. Robinson drops Goto with a Left Haymaker. Ishii with a Throat Edge Chop to Robinson. Henare Spears Ishii. Ishii puts down Henare with an Inside Out Lariat. Robinson kicks Ishii in the face. Henare follows that with a Western Lariat for a two count. Henare goes for a Samoan Drop, but Ishii counters with a HeadBuut. Henare slaps Ishii in the face. Ishii plants Henare with The Vertical Brain Buster to pickup the victory.

Winner: Hirooki Goto, Jay White, and Tomohiro Ishii via Pinfall 

Fifth Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kushida, Tiger Mask and vs. Roppongi 3K and Toru Yano in a 6-Man Tag Team Match

Tiger Mask and Yano will start things off. Yano is trying to play mind games with Tiger Mask. Yano tags in Sho. Yano attacks Tiger Mask from behind. Sho inadvertently knocks Yano off the ring apron. Tiger Mask leapfrogs over Sho. Sho levels Tiger Mask with a knee lift. Both men are knock down after a double crossbody block. Yoh and Kushida are tagged in. Kushida applies a side headlock. Yoh leapfrogs over Kushida. Yoh ducks a clothesline from Kushida. Yoh drops Kushida with a Running Forearm Smash. Yoh wraps his legs around the referee’s beck. Kushida delivers a sliding dropkick. Kushida connects with the arm-ringer. Yoh drop toe holds Kushida into a Sliding Dropkick from Sho. Stereo Dropkicks to Tanahashi. Yoh and Kushida are trading back and forth shots.

Yoh applies a hammer lock. Sho tags himself in. Sho slaps Kushida in the chest. Sho takes down Kushida with a knee lift. Sho kicks Kushida in the back for a two count. Sho applies a front face lock. R3K are cutting the ring in half. Sho knocks Tiger Mask and Tanahashi off the ring apron. Stereo Thrust Kicks from R3K. Yoh goes for a Stinger Splash, but Kushida ducks out of the way. Kushida takes down Sho with a HeadScissors TakeOver. Kushida follows that with a Hip Lock to Yoh. Kushida wraps the sequence with a Basement Dropkick. Kushida tags in Tanahashi.

Tanahashi with rapid fire elbow strikes to R3K. Tanahashi knocks Yano off the ring apron. R3K has the meeting of the minds in the center of the ring. Tanahashi bodyslams Sho on top of Yoh. Tanahashi delivers a Double Elbow Drop. Tanahashi goes for a SlingBlade, but Yoh counters with a SuperKick. Tanahashi slaps Yoh in the face. Yoh responds with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Yoh goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Tanahashi counters with a Twist and Shout. Tanahashi tags in Tiger Mask.

Tiger Mask with the Tiger Driver for a two count. Tiger Mask ascends to the top turnbuckle. Yoh sends Tiger Mask crashing to the canvas. Tiger Mask with two spinning heel kicks for a two count. Tiger Mask applies a Sitting Fujiwara Arm-Bar. Yano breaks the submission hold. Yano throws Tanahashi back first to the steel guard rail. R3K drops Tiger Mask with Stereo Jumping Knee Strikes. Yoh tags in Yano. Yano removes a turnbuckle pad.

Yano drives Tiger Mask head to the canvas. Tiger Mask whips Yano into the exposed steel. Kushida decks Yano with a Jumping Enzuigiri. Tiger Mask follows that with a Flying Crossbody Block for a two count. Yano blocks the Tiger Driver. Tanahashi dropkicks Yano into a Rolling Crucifix from Tiger Mask for a two count. R3K are double teaming Kushida. Kushida takes out R3K with a Double HandSpring Back Elbow Strike. Yano shoves Tanahashi into Tiger Mask. Yano connects with a double low blow. Yano with a schoolboy rollup to pickup the victory.

Winner: Roppongi 3K & Toru Yano via Pinfall 

Sixth Match: Minoru Suzuki, The Killer Elite Squad, El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, Sanada, Hiromu Takahashi and Bushi in a 10-Man Tag Team Match 

Suzuki shoves Naito before the bell rings. Naito is trying to play mind games with Suzuki. Takahashi and Desperado will start things off with rapid fire forearms. Takahashi slaps Desperado in the chest. Takahashi follows that with a knife edge chop. Kanemaru kicks Takahashi behind the referee’s back. Takahashi shoves Desperado into Kanemaru. Takahashi sends Kanemaru out of the ring with an aided HeadScissors TakeOver. Takahashi tugs on Desperado’s mask. Desperado rakes the eyes of Takahashi. Bushi attacks Desperado from behind. Takahashi delivers a Basement Dropkick. Takahashi tags in EVIL. EVIL kicks Desperado in the gut. EVIL with a Bow and Arrow Stomp to Desperado. EVIL follows that with a Senton Splash. EVIL tags in Sanada.

Sanada with a forearm smash across the back of Desperado. Sanada drops Desperado with a Back Elbow Strike. Sanada tags in Naito. Naito stares at Suzuki. Naito with a Neck Breaker to Desperado. Naito spits at Suzuki. Naito drives his elbow to Desperado’s back. Naito knocks Suzuki off the ring apron. Naito with a Corner Dropkick to Desperado. Suzuki responds with a Helluva Kick. A pier six brawl breaks out in Korakuen Hall. Suzuki repeatedly hits Naito with folding chairs. Suzuki applies a rear chin lock on the steel guard rail. Smith wraps a t-shirt around Bushi’s neck. Suzuki starts attacking Young Lions. Naito gets back in the ring at the count of nineteen.

Desperado stomps on Naito’s head. Desperado tags in Archer. Archer runs through Naito with a big shoulder tackle. Archer tags in Smith. KES are double teaming Naito. Suzuki locks in the Roped Assisted Arm-Bar. Suzuki Gun are cutting the ring in half. Smith with an Over Head Belly to Belly Suplex for a two count. Smith applies a rear chin lock. Smith bodyslams Naito. Smith drives Naito’s head into Kanemaru’s boot. Kanemaru with a Drop Down Dropkick to Naito. Kanemaru tags in Suzuki. Suzuki repeatedly kicks Naito in the head. Suzuki slaps Naito in the chest. Suzuki is mauling Naito in the corner. Suzuki delivers a Helluva Kick. Following a snap mare takeover, Suzuki hits The PK. Suzuki locks in the Heel Hook. Naito crawls to the bottom rope to create separation.

Suzuki applies a Rear Naked Choke. Suzuki goes for the Gotch Style PileDriver, but Naito counters with a Back Body Drop. Suzuki kicks Naito in the gut. Naito responds with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Naito follows that with a Leaping Forearm Smash. Naito tags in Sanada. Sanada clears the ring. Sanada blocks The ChokeSlam. Sanada dropkicks the left knee of Archer. Sanada leapfrogs over Archer. Sanada fires off a standard dropkick. Archer goes for a Bodyslam, but Sanada lands back on his feet. Archer launches Sanada to the turnbuckle pad. Sanada avoids a Stinger Splash. Sanada bodyslams Archer. Archer blocks the Paradise Lock. Sanada is trying to wear down Archer with Forearm Shivers.

Archer blasts Sanada with a Running Shoulder Block. Naito sends Suzuki sternum first to the steel guard rail. Naito is choking Suzuki with his boot. Sanada with a HeadScissors TakeOver to Archer. Bushi and Kanemaru are tagged in. They’re exchanging forearm smashes. Bushi with a HeadScissors TakeOver to Kanemaru. Bushi launches Desperado out of the ring. Bushi kicks Kanemaru in the face. Bushi lands a Missile Dropkick. LIJ with a Double Cutter for a two count. Bushi goes for the MX, but Kanemaru ducks out of the way. Desperado Spears Bushi. The war with Suzuki and Naito continues on the floor. Desperado with a Belly to Back Suplex to Bushi. Kanemaru follows that with a ShotGun Dropkick for a two count.

Bushi blocks the Vertical Suplex. Kanemaru rakes the eyes of Bushi. Bushi staggers Kanemaru with a Jumping Enzuigiri. Suzuki and Naito brings their brawl to the basement of Korakuen Hall. Bushi tags in EVIL. EVIL with a Corner Clothesline to Kanemaru. EVIL connects with Darkness Fall for a two count. Kanemaru blocks the STO. Kanemaru attacks the injured eye of EVIL. Sanada thrust kicks the midsection of Kanemaru. EVIL with an Inside Out Lariat to Kanemaru. LIJ hits The Magic Killer for a two count. KES goes for The Killer Bomb, but Sanada throws Smith out of the ring. Sanada takes out KES with a Flying Crossbody Block. EVIL plants Kanemaru with the STO to pickup the victory.

Winner: Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, Sanada, Hiromu Takahashi and Bushi via Pinfall 

Seventh Match: Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi Hashi w/Gedo vs. Zack Sabre Jr & Taichi w/Taka Michinoku 

Okada and Sabre will start things off with a test of strength. Sabre applies an arm-bar. Okada responds with a head scissors neck lock. Sabre kicks the wrist of Okada. Okada with a bridging cover for a one count. Sabre applies a wrist lock. Sabre transitions into a Cravate. Okada backs Sabre into the ropes. Okada pats Sabre on the chest. Okada blocks a Big Boot from Sabre. Okada locks in the Luchita. Sabre kicks the turnbuckle pad. Taichi is trying to calm down Sabre. Hashi and Taichi are tagged in. Taichi kicks Hashi in the gut. Taichi and Hashi are trading back and forth shots.

Taichi with a Buzzsaw Kick to Hashi. Hashi responds with a HeadScissors TakeOver. Hashi follows that with a deep arm-drag. Hashi ducks a clothesline from Taichi. Hashi hits The Bunker Buster. Sabre tries to the negate the tandem offense from Chaos. Sabre applies the Octopus Stretch. A pier six brawl breaks out on the outside. Sabre stomps on Okada’s right shoulder. Taichi hits Hashi with a folding chair. Sabre is wrenching Okada’s fingers. Sabre whips Okada into the steel guard rail. Taichi drives Hashi shoulder first to the steel ring post. Hashi gets back in the ring at the count of nineteen.

Taichi targets the injured shoulder of Hashi. Taichi tags in Sabre. Sabre applies an Arm-Trapped Single Leg Boston Crab. Suzuki Gun are cutting the ring in half. Taichi kicks Hashi out of the ring. Sabre attacks Hashi behind the referee’s back. Taichi stands on the back of Hashi’s shoulder. Taichi knocks Okada off the ring apron. Taichi tells Hashi to bring it. Hashi is pissed. Taichi kicks Hashi in the back. Taichi blocks a Big Boot from Hashi. Taichi drops Hashi with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Taichi rips off his pants. Taichi goes for a SuperKick, but Hashi ducks out of the way. Taichi stomps on the back of Hashi’s neck. Hashi creates distance with a Spinning Heel Kick. Hashi tags in Okada.

Okada with forearm knockdowns to Taichi. Okada takes a swing at Sabre. Okada kicks Taichi in the gut. Okada with a DDT for a two count. Sabre applies a Octopus Stretch on the middle rope. Taichi clotheslines Okada. Taichi tags in Sabre. Sabre slaps Okada in the chest. Okada responds with a Hip Lock TakeOver. Okada locks in the Cobra Clutch. Sabre transitions into the Octopus Stretch. Sabre with stiff uppercuts to Okada. Sabre applies a Guillotine Choke. Sabre follows that with a Omoplata. Hashi breaks the submission hold. Okada dropkicks Sabre. Hashi knocks Taichi off the ring apron. Hashi blasts Sabre with a knife edge chop. Hashi lays Sabre flat on the top rope.

Hashi dropkicks the back of Sabre for a two count. Hashi goes for a BodySlam, but Sabre lands back on his feet. Sabre applies a sleeper hold. Okada clotheslines Sabre. Hashi catapults Sabre into a DDT from Okada for a two count. Hashi hits The Hangman’s Neck Breaker for a two count. Okada and Taichi are brawling on the outside. Sabre kicks the right wrist of Hashi. Hashi responds with a Western Lariat for a two count. Hashi goes for a Running SitOut PowerBomb, but Sabre counters with the Octopus Stretch. Taichi dumps Okada with a Belly to Back Suplex. Sabre forces Hashi to tap out.

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr & Taichi via Submission 

Check out Episode 99 of The Josh Lopez Wrestling Podcast