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2/20/22 Results from New Japan’s New Years Golden Series, New Japan Cup, and more from From Hokkaido, Japan.
El Phantasmo, Taiji Ishimori and Jado vs. Kosei Fujita, Robbie Eagles and Tiger Mask
Ishimori pins Fujita after a Bloody Cross.
ELP was hesitant to throw a super kick in the match which pissed off Ishimori. The same thing happened last night. They were teasing heat between Ishimori and ELP.
Bad times for Bullet Club right now.
DOUKI and Taichi vs. Ryohei Oiwa and Tomohiro Ishii
Taichi pins Oiwa after hitting a Dangerous Backdrop.
Taichi and Ishii have words after the match.
El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Ryusuke Taguchi and Master Wato
Titles are not on the line in this match.
Taguchi tweaked his knee in the match. Kanemaru tried for a figure four leg lock. Taguchi kicks Kanemaru into the ropes and rolled him up in small package.
Taguchi pins Kanemaru.
Great O-Khan vs. Satoshi Kojima
O-Khan almost taps out Kojima in the opening moment of the match with a cross arm breaker. O-Khan tried to destroy Kojima’s right arm with a chair. Kojima counters sending O-Khan off the ring into the guardrail. O-Khan hurt his ribs. Kojima hits his big moves but cannot get the win.
O-Khan hits an Eliminator and pins Kojima.
Solid big man match. Both men fought like warriors.
They made an announcement that they will reveal the card for the Anniversary event on March 1, tomorrow on 2/21/22.
They also make an announcement about the New Japan Cup. The brackets will be announced tomorrow, 2/21/22. There will be 48 competitors including all title holders, heavyweights and jr. heavyweights. This is the biggest field of competitors ever.
I had a feeling this would happen. With the cancellation of shows recently, and the changing world of COVID, I wondered if they could keep it a Heavyweight only tournament. 48 competitors is a lot. I hope the wrestlers can stay healthy.
Tomoaki Honma, Yuji Nagata, Togi Makabe and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi and SANADA
Takagi pins Honma with Last of the Dragon.
Los Ingobernales de Japon looked awesome in this match. Shingo Takagi looks ready for the New Japan Cup.
KOPW 2022 Trophy - Dog Cage Match: the winner must lock their opponent in a dog cage: Toru Yano vs. Minoru Suzuki
Suzuki bring a bunch of handcuffs to the ring, and a dog collar chain, similar to the one in the famous Roddy Piper vs. Greg Valentine match.
They began the match grappling. Yano began slapping Suzuki in the head calling him an “idiot”. Suzuki drags Yano to the floor and runs Yano over with the dog cage. They fight into the cage and then battle back to the ring. Yano low blows Suzuki and hand cuffs Suzuki. Suzuki kicks Yano and hand cuffs Yano. They fight each other with hands cuffed. Suzuki pulls out a key and unlocks himself. He whips Yano with the dog collar chain. Suzuki wraps the collar around Yano’s neck and throws him over the top rope, trying to hang him. Suzuki dragged Yano around ringside. Suzuki took the bell hammer and tried to stab his eye. Suzuki tried to drag Yano into the cage. Yano used the young lion and threw him onto Suzuki. Yano got free from the collar and locked Suzuki and the young lion in the cage.
Toru Yano wins the KOPW 2022 Trophy.
Suzuki chokes out the young lion as they push the cage back to the locker room.
NEVER Openweight 6-man Championship: Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI and YOH, with Tomohiro Ishii vs. Yujiro Takahashi, SHO and EVIL, with Dick Togo
All hell breaks loose before the bell. Bodies are everywhere. Crazy match. SHO hits everyone with his wrench. Yujiro hits Big Juice on YOSHI-HASHI.
Yujiro pins YOSHI-HASHI.
House of Torture retains the NEVER Openweight 6-man Titles.
It was the typical House of Torture match. Nothing special.
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Tetsuya Naito vs. Kazuchika Okada
Awesome match! Back and forth match. They hit their biggest moves. Naito hit a Stardust press. My recap cannot do it justice. Please check it out on New Japan World.
Okada hits a wicked Rainmaker and pins Naito.
Kazuchika Okada retains the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
This was an amazing match, similar to last night, in that the best wrestling match closes the show. The disappointing thing is that all the nonsense from House of Torture is contrast to the main events seem pointless. These men could have great matches and have consistently good events each night. The rule breaking and shenanigans of House of Torture in three title pictures are unnecessary.
Okada takes the mic and thanks Naito and saying he was the best opponent for the 50th Anniversary. He thanks the fans and hopes we can overcome the circumstances and have full crowds again.
Tomohiro Ishii and Toru Yano toast Okada when he gets to the interview area.
Also, commenting on Jay White attacking Tama Tonga on Impact, this could be an angle only in the United States. However, this does affect how Bullet Club is presented in Japan. Kevin Kelly mentioned the angle on commentary. There is a clear separation between House of Torture and the rest of Bullet Club. Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa are still on the New Japan Roster page. Will this angle with Jay White and G.O.D. transfer to Japan? While House of Torture does their own thing, will this angle leave the original Bullet Club members like Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens, Taiji Ishimori etc, out in the cold or de-emphasized to some degree? Jay White is an awesome heel and could continue as the face of the Bullet Club in the U.S. However, Bullet Club as we knew it in Japan could be changed for good.
Thank you for reading.
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