All Japan Pro Wrestling: Champion Carnival April 23rd 2025

We’re back in Korakuen Hall where we have almost 1100 to watch some pro wrestling! Got some decently big matches here so here we go!

Takashi Yoshida [0] vs. XYON [2] – A Block Match

Background: Takashi is the former Cyber Kong of Dragon Gate who is now a gi-clad cheating brawler and a member of the Hokuto-Gun stable of monsters. His opponent is former WWE wrestler XYON, an Australian of Samoan ancestry who dresses like a big scary biker. Oh and Takashi has a chisel with him, as one does.

The Match: The ref warns Kuma Arashi at ringside not to do anything and Takashi seems to promise to be a good boy. We eventually get a lockup and XYON wins and eventually gives a clean break in the ropes. Takashi is impressed by this good sportsmanship and offers a handshake that XYON turns down to taunt Yoshida instead. XYON gets a headlock next and Takashi eventually manages to shove XYON off but the Samoan gets a shoulderblock and Takashi is absolutely flummoxed, the former man from Dragon Gate flexes a few times to warm up but he still can’t drop the Aussie, so Yoshida makes a big show of preparing to run and rebound off of the ropes…and he just throat thrusts XYON and rakes the nose instead. Ha! I mean I know it’s coming every time but just blatant cheating cracks me up. And Takashi now goes for the shoulder…and he just bounces off of XYON and powders. The Aussie follows and tosses Takashi around who is begging off and making ridiculous faces as he’s whipped around the ringside into barricades. Back in and XYON actually goes up…so Yoshida crawls away…but that just puts him in position for XYON to go up from a different turnbuckle…and Yoshida rolls away again and XYON just stomps on him and locks in a camel clutch. Takashi makes the ropes but XYON gets a corner charge, but a second is backdropped over the ropes and Takashi gets a throat thrust…and then another…and then 12 more. Yoshida then bounces XYON’s head on the ring post and the Samoan takes a spill and Yoshida drags him back in for a 2 count. Yoshida follows with some headbutts and we finally remember our wrestling racial stereotypes as Takashi knocks himself out…and then XYON falls forward landing a headbutt to the uh…lower abdominal region. XYON unleashes a strike flurry that drops Yoshida and now it’s his turn to strike at the uh…lower abdominal region as he takes a snap back bump and his foot flies up to hit XYON low. And now we get like 20 more throat thrusts. A framing taunt sets up a gamengiri of all things as Yoshida is now smiling and grinning in self-satisfaction. And Yoshida’s hubris is immediately paid back by XYON flying out of the corner with a clothesline and then a running shoulder thrust gets 3.

**½

Dare I say this is the best XYON has looked? They focused on what he can do well (running strikes) less on power moves he can’t really pull off and Takashi Yoshida is such an amusing doofus he can kinda carry the in-between bits with silly heeling.

Kengo Mashimo [4] vs. Shotaro Ashino [0] – A Block Match

Background: Kengo is The Assassin, a squat, armbreaking fast-kicking 2AW wrestler with a long blonde ponytail and baggy pants. Shotaro is the Master of Suplex, a squat, big throwing, ankle-locking All Japan man with a tightly coiffed hairdo. Shotaro has a goose egg right now and actually won a prior Champion Carnival but had to withdraw afterwards when he broke his arm and he has a not insignificant brace on his left elbow.

The Match: Hot start as both guys fly in and trade elbows. Shotaro with an uppercut, a quick tease at a German and then an anklelock and he keeps at it, actually getting a German and then cranking in the anklelock. Kengo makes the ropes but Ashino keeps the hold on and gets chastised by the ref. Kengo bails to the apron and Shotaro teases a German off of it but Kengo elbows him down and tries a running punt but Ashino blocks and we get an anklelock on the outside…but Mashimo rolls forward and sends Shotaro in the barricade and uncorks some kicks to send Shotaro through the barricade’s door. And now the Assasin uses that door and slams it on Shotaro’s arm. Hammerlock slam into the ring post and it’s now time to roll back inside. More kicks as Kengo stretches his foot out, and then mixes in some arm work. Shotaro calls for a chop battle and Kengo obliges and they unleash some potatoes and Ashino gets the upper hand…so Kengo goes back to the arm with a takedown, a kick, and then a flying armbar but before he can get full extension Shotaro rolls into the anklelock and Kengot then turns that into an omoplata…and Shotaro manages to return to the anklelock. Pretty slick reversal sequence there. Kengo rolls to his back and tries a kick but Shotaro rolls through and keeps at the leg. Kengo is fingertips away but he gets dragged back to the center and he thinks about tapping before going up for an enzuigiri that Shotaro ducks, Ashino with a German attempt but Kengo slaps on an armbar! And even while armbared Shotaro powers through for a backdrop driver. Okay, this is kicking butt. Double-down and Ashino grabs at his arm and Kengo grabs the foot. Short knee by Kengo sets up a spin kick that whiffs and Shotaro lariats Mashimo into a .75 Jannetty. Backdrop driver gets 2.8 and Shotaro still can’t fully use his arm and that lack of a grip lets Kengo slip out of a bridging German at 2.9. Exploder is attempted next but Kengo floats over and gets his Mudo armbar with full extension and Shotaro submits.

***½

Well this was very good. Shotaro is more go-go-go and that’s a better fit for Shotaro’s style then somebody like Kento. Some slick counters and vicious submissions and two guys that just hate each other trying to rip their bodies apart.

Post-match Shotaro is clearly frustrated as his losing streak continues and Kengo jaws at him.

Ryuki Honda [6] vs. Ren Ayabe [2] – B Block Match

Background: Brothers in ELPIDA Ryuki and Ren are probably the most distinct members. Ryuki is brash, loud, crass, emotive, Ren is arrogant, stoic, and laidback. Ryuki is a pudgy brawler and Ren is a tall, slim athlete.

The Match: Standing grappling with Ren getting a wristlock, Ryuki reversing, and then Ayabe getting a headlock takeover and a headscissors. Now they lockup, Ren wins, and clocks him in the ropes so we’re off to the races with both guys throwing shots and Ren getting a shoulderblock to send Honda outside. More brawling on the outside and Ren sends Ryuki into the barricade…but Honda fires back with a shoulder and drops Ayabe. Back to the slugfest and Honda starts choking Ayabe on the barricade until the ref comes out and breaks it up. Honda continues to work the arm by slamming it against pieces of metal and Ren has had enough and boots Honda down. Finally we head back inside and Ren gets some back elbows in the corner but he throws a right and Ryuki goes for a sloppy armbar that Ren quickly gets out of but he’s selling his arm. Hooking clothesline by the big guy and a yakuza kick. Ren goes for the Iron Maiden next but Ryuki makes the ropes before it can get locked in. Death Roulette attempt next but Ryuki reverses for a brainbuster Honda tries to inject some energy into this match with a corner clothesline and a spear for 2. And what is an attempt at a kimura but my goodness Ryuki’s execution is not tight…but he is a sloppy brawler so it makes sense. Anyway Ayabe makes the ropes and Ryuki tries another corner charge but gets placed on the top and dropkicked to the outside. Ren teases a dragon suplex on the apron but Honda breaks and they slug it out and Honda gets a German on the apron and goes for the countout but Ayabe slips back in only to eat a corner charge, and Ren responds in kind and tries the dragon suplex again but gets lariated…and then Ryuki gets brainbustered. Hrm. Back to the slugfest and Ryuki remembers the arm is hurt and takes Ren down and gets am arm-catch chinlock. Ren uses his long legs to make the ropes though. Ryuki lariat one is blocked, but a follow-up lands and another running lariat gets 2.7 on Ren. Final Vent can’t go through and Honda is dropkicked and half-nelson slammed by Ren for 2.5. Ren’s Death Roulette is blocked again and Ryuki gets another lariat for 2 but he still can’t get the Final Vent…and he can’t get the ambar and we get a Ren dragon suplex immediately no-sold as Ryuki gets s German…that Ren no-sells and we get a bridging dragon suplex for 2.8 and then the Death Roulette gets 3.

**

Man this match was…forced. Just a lot of clunky sequences and start-stop stuff, armwork that never really went anywhere and just turned into a jumble of moves. They had some stuff going on that I liked parts of, and Ryuki’s explosions of violence are entertaining, but Ren felt off his game, I dunno if he was feeling the nerves from Korakuen or just has weak chemistry with Ryuki, but I never really got any character beats or moments of “okay this is who Ren is” in the match. Nothing was messed up, it was FINE, but it also wasn’t anything more than that. Disappointing.

Post-match Ren checks on Ryuki and we’re all golden, so ELPIDA remains FINE.

Madoka Kikuta [2] vs. Yuma Anzai [4] – B Block Match

Background: The battle between future aces as Dragon Gate’s Madoka Kikuta, the Hip Bomb Kid knowsn for his explosive hip-checks and weird permed hair is facing off Yuma Anzai and his bevy of suplexes and jumping knees. Yuma has the amateur wrestling edge and size, but Madoka is more experienced with almost 400 more matches which…wait he’s a 4 year vet, WHAT?

The Match: Both guys dance around and Yuma takes Madoka to the mat but the Dragon Gate man gets to his feet but is still backed into the ropes. Madoka realizes that grappling ain’t the plan so he uncorks a chop and Yuma breaks out a forearm. Anzai gets Madoka into the ropes again but Kikuta kicks his way free, unleashes another big ole chop…and Anzai dropkicks him down. Madoka powders, Yuma follows, and we get some beatings on the outside with Madoka eating a pretty stiff bump into the barricade on a whip but they slug it out with Kikuta’s chops getting the advantage, but when Madoka whips Yuma towards the barricade the Ace of the Future vaults the barricade and flies back with a springboard forearm and we go back inside. Yuma stomps down at Madoka but Kikuta goes back to the chops before he gets dropped with Anzai’s right hand. More abuse in the corner and the All Japan Ace is looking good before he misses a corner charge and Kikuta gets a hook kick that knocks Anzai down, but Yuma low-bridges Madoka outside and follows with a knee off the apron…that misses and Madoka pops up on the apron and lands a hip-check that does not miss and Anzai slams into the barricade. More chops keeps Madoka in control and he stomps Yuma into the barricade and hip-checks Yuma’s head into the steel. Anzai’s selling this like he got decapitated and Madoka is selling the impact too as he did charge hip first into metal bars. Madoka drags Yuma back in and he’s still selling his hip but Yuma is basically out on his feet and just lies in the corner while Kikuta stomps on him…and then gives another hip-check to the turnbuckle. Yuma gets to his feet and is immediately chopped down and eats another flying hip-check for a 2 count. More chops and Anzai is taking these great back-arching twists on them, Anzai finally gets something going by blocking a charge with the double boot and then coming off the middle rope for a missile dropkick and we get a double-down. Anzai now gets his comeback with the corner forearm and the belly-to-belly into the middle of the ring…but Madoka is like “my chops are just demolishing you, so let me keep chopping” and it works until Yuma gets a dropkick. Yuma tries for a German but can’t land it and we go back to the slugfest and we trade headbutts, a double slap drops both guys back and then on a charge Yuma gets his knee…but Madoka responds with another hip-check. German by Anzai! Discus lariat by Madoka and a double-down. Kikuta is up first and goes for a second rolling lariat but Yuma gets the dragon suplex and the jumping knee…for 1! Madoka might have kicked himself out of the match though as he’s just flopping afterwards and Yuma gets a bridging German for 2.9. Gimlet attempt by Yuma but Madoka gets a pair of hip-checks and a lariat and now Yuma kicks out at 1…but Madoka gets a followup for 2.8. Discus lariat has Yuma go .8 Jannetty and that’s 3.

***¼

Definitely hurt a bit by having similar agenting in the match just prior, but boy this was a LOT better. The contrast was more clear, Yuma is taller, more technically skilled, and more athletic, but Madoka has more grit and explosive power, and the basic psychology of a guy not having any response to the chops so he just kept chopping to stop Yuma’s momentum. Also building a big spot and having it influence the rest of the match (the hip-check to the barricade). Really solid stuff and I’d love to see a rematch. It also was maybe a BIT too long but that’s forgivable.

Mike D Vecchio [6] vs. Yuma Aoyagi [2] – B Block Match

Background: Mike is a sorta super-athlete with explosive power and crazy hops, while Yuma is a versatile wrestler who doesn’t take things seriously and likes messing with the mind of his opponents. Mike is also undefeated so far and Yuma is uh…not. Mostly cause he kinda keeps screwing around.

The Match: Both guys pose and taunt to the cheers of the fans while Mike seems into it and Yuma is uh, taking the piss. Lockup and Mike wins and gives a clean break, so Yuma attacks him out of the break and lands a tilt-a-whirl headscissors and a taunt as he’s trying to get into MIke’s head. The Belgian grabs the arm but Yuma uses his athleticism to counter but a more impressive display of athleticism by Vecchio gets him out of that and Yuma powders. Mike sets up a dive but Aoyagi evades and tries to sneak attack but he gets booted down and Mike lands the dive. We get the ship, a snake eyes on the apron, and overall abuse from Mike. Back in and Mike goes up…and Yuma tries to roll away but Mike just drops an elbow from 3/4ths across the ring, and he goes up again with a 450 that Yuma dodges and Aoyagi gets a dropkick. Stinger splash by Yuma and now he goes high with a reverse crossbody and then a diving crossbody. Yuma’s got hops too! Yuma calls for the finish but Mike gets a jackknife pin and a spinning gamengiri, but walks into a Rock Bottom by Yuma. Another corner and Yuma goes up to the second rope but Mike’s gamengiri knocks Yuma outside and a no hand plancha wipes out the Insidious Fighter. Back in and Mike gets a springboard leg lariat and Yuma tries to fight back but Mike just brainbusters him, superkicks him, and then gets a doctor bomb for 2. Double-jump OzCutter by Mike but he telegraphs it and Yuma gets a neckbreaker to counter it, then a lariat and the Rockstar Buster for 2.8, the Fool gets 3 to finish.

**¾

Okay so Mike matches kinda have a ceiling for me as they’re basically just him doing All The Stuff, but I do think him just being this unstoppable force can be used well, and Yuma trying the mind games, being trucked, and him just countering a big move and landing three of his own for the win? Very much dig that finish. I also appreciate that Yuma is the one that breaks the formula the most of AJPW matches.

Post-match Yuma cuts a promo, seems to thank the fans and makes bold claims, maybe, probably, possibly.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. [6] vs. Kento Miyahara [4] – A Block Match

Background: Partners in the World’s Strongest Tag Determination League, Kento is the fiery and flashy heartbeat of All Japan though he’s been on a bit of an underwhelming streak recently as the younger acts have supplanted his position but he’s massively over and their biggest star. Davey Boy of course has a famous dad and is a dude with plenty cups of coffee in various promotions, but he’s only been world champion in AJPW. DBSJ is playing a pretty standard respectful gaijin babyface here and Kento is beloved but also far more likely to heel out on a guy.

The Match: They dance around a bit before Davey just grabs a lockup, bullrushes Kento to the ropes and gives a clean break. Kento tries to dance around again but Davey gets the headlock takeover and immediate kip-up out of the headscissors and Miyahara is definitely in “okay so I’m in some trouble here” mode. Davey gets a wristlock next but Kento picks the angle and tries to do something but Davey is in control on the mat as well. More fancy grappling from Smith and he gets Kento in a camel clutch and then a juji-gatame. Kento breaks and we get some standing stuff and we get into the ropes again, and Davey just clobbers Kento and I’m honestly baffled. He was winning, why would he also cheat? Anyway Kento does a sorta low-bridge on Davey and we go outside and Miyahara boots down Davey and then gets some headbutts that Kento sells more than Smith. Miyahara gets his own whip reversed and then Davey stomps him down. Back inside and we get more stomps as Davey goes at the lower abdominal region, and I’m being legit here, these blows aren’t anywhere near the block and tackle. More shots to the bread basket and another camel clutch from Davey. Elbow drop follows and then a snap suplex rolled into a crucifix pin for 2 and then a chinlock, then a double-arm stretch. Kento tries to reverse it and almost does before Davey spins back into it. Kento FINALLY manages to reverse it and Davey immediately goes into the ropes. We have a break and Davey is on offense first as he was in control of most of the match. Kento is getting stomped and kicked and otherwise beaten down and he’s all wobble-legged. Kento hulks up and gets the roll-through into the double-dropkick but he gets a corner charge and Davey just slugs him down and drops him on the top rope to set up a superplex. Kento blocks it but Davey gets a headbutt to the gut to set up a powerslam out of the corner, but Miyahara slips out and we’re back to a slugfest. Kento with a big boot and a German to finally get consistent offense and he follows with a Blackout knee into the ropes but Davey is too tough and comes back with a jumping knee and a fisherman’s buster for 2. Kento can barely make his feet and Davey sets up the powerbomb but Kento gets the big back body drop and rests in the corner as the crowd goes wild. Kento goes for a brainbuster but Davey goes back to the gut with some shots and places Kento on the top rope again and this time DBSJ pulls off the superplex for 2.8. Bulldog Bomb follows after more struggling and Kento kicks out at 2.999 and the crowd is banana. Davey now goes up for a diving leg drop but Kento slips out! Kento goes for the Shutdown Suplex but DBSJ turns that into a backdrop driver…and Kento reverses that into a crossbody! 1-2-Davey rolls over into a pin for his own 2 count. Kento hits the ropes with a Blackout attempt and Davey makes that a Scoop Powerslam and the Bulldog Bomb gets 3.

***

Best match of the tournament so far for Davey who needs a charisma monster like Kento to sell huge and kinda keep the match together. Davey has the physical stuff but he’s oftentimes so dull and clunky. But Davey did his job well here, he looked like a physical marvel that Kento had no answer for, couldn’t get anything going, and his comebacks just had no chance to. Sometimes a guy is just better than you and Davey’s undefeated streak continues.

Post-match Davey cuts a promo about how he’s gonna win it all. Righteous. And the big pandering babyface pandering about how he loves All Japan, don’t make me like you ya big lummox.

Hideki Suzuki [4] vs. Jun Saito [4] – A Block Match

Background: Weirdly similar and opposed. Hideki is the legit martial artist shooter challenger to the arrogant and dominant Triple Crown champion.

The Match: Both dance around a bit before they actually grapple. Jun gets Hideki in the ropes and gives the clean break and walks away. Hideki fires back with a headlock and both work that for a while. Jun with a backdrop suplex to send Hideki outside.The champ styles for a bit but gets dragged outside and tossed around. Hideki takes over and does the biz on the outside while Jun bumps. Saito comes back a bit with brawling but Hideki overall has the upper hand and sends Jun back in. Hideki follows and gets some Kawada kicks done at about 30% speed Jun stands up but gets taken down with knees and HIdeki goes for a slam…but Jun reverses into his own (after some sandbagging or just poor bumping from Suzuki). Jun now stomps away in the corner and chokes with a boot. Another slam by Jun and a running elbow dorp and then the arrogant cover and Saito UNLEASHES THE HAIR. Hideki tries to stop Jump from doing the rope-assisted steps but the champ pulls it off and then gets a Yakuza kick and a delayed brainbuster. Another Yakuza kick is blocked by Hideki’s boots in the corner and he gets a hanging choke in the ropes and Suzuki tries to get a katahajime but Jun makes the ropes and it’s back to brawling. Saito just cuts that off immediately with a big boot that goes straight into Hideki’s gut and then a chokeslam that’s countered with HIdeki’s guillotine…and Jun turns that into a brainbuster, lands the chokeslam and we get a Hulk Hogan-level bump from Hideki on it. Psycho Break attempted but Hideki rolls through, gamengiri and the Hybrid Driver and a Dragon Suplex, Jun gets the All Japan no-sell into a spear and Jackhammer though for 2.8. Jun places Hideki on the top rope and they struggle there until a Jun headbutt slows down Hideki and we get the superplex. Jun charges again but Hideki gets a Finlay roll to counter that and throws body shots to a cornered Saito until the ref pulls him away. This lets Jun get his own strike flurry into a lariat for a 2 count. Hideki floats over on a brainbuster and gets a dropkick into some hammer and anvil elbows and a pair of PKs and then a grounded manji-gatame, Hideki transitions into a sleeper next and super obviously calls spots and I guess Jun is out and Hideki gets a pinfall on the unconscious Jun.

**¼

So this was trending towards absolutely horrible with Hideki just being an awful match for Jun cause Saito is a sorta high-impact power guy and Hideki is an unwilling or incapable bumper who likes his slow grind-out fests. At some point they actually remembered the dynamic and the Wrestler vs. Grappler thing came through with Hideki using some actual judo/Real Fighter stuff to stymie Jun and get the win. And not just to slag Hideki, Jun seemed a little incapable of how to react to some of the Real Grappling offense of Hideki as well. That said, post-match and removed from the sludgy and repetitive brawling sequences, I liked that Jun totally no-sold Hideki’s Pro Wrestling offense (Finlay Roll and Dragon Suplex) but had no answer for Hideki’s chokes and kicks.

Anyway with the world champ taking a loss I guess that’s it for this show and…wait I’ve just been informed we have a main event tag-match with all the other guys that didn’t have singles matches bah gawd!

Aigle Blanc, Hokuto Omori, Kuma Arashi, MUSASHI & Ryo Inoue vs. Atsuki Aoyagi, Dan Tamura, Rei Saito, Rising HAYATO & Taishin Nagao

Background: Blanc, Omori, Kuma, and Rei are in the Carnival. MUSASHI, Ryo, Atsuki, Dan, HAYATO and Nagao are all juniors. I assume part of this match will be establishing a new contender for MUSASHI’s junior title or HAYATO’s All-Asia tag titles. Oh and Aigle’s team are all dressed as maids, I do not know the context and honestly I kinda prefer the mystery. Anyway the other team are all more experimental with their outfits, Taishin is Little Red Riding Hood, Atsuki is a sexy nurse, Tamura like a COWARD is just rocking a kimono, rising HAYATO is a schoolgirl and Rei is just in his regular gear, BOOOOOO!

The Match: Hokuto does some catgirl cafe nonsense and Rei literally snatches his wig and slaps him and it’s a PIER SIX BRAWL! Tamura shedding his kimono instantly to just rock the regular trunks is at least fitting to his character. Kuma Arashi accidentally body avalanches his own team as Rei Saito uses his masterful speed to dodge the attack. And then we get stereo dives off the entrance ways by Atsuki and HAYATO over the stairwell (though the camera kinda misses HAYATO’s crossbody). Back inside and we got Rei stomping out Hokuto. Rei sets up his delayed chops and MUSASHI interrupts so Rei chops him instead, but with the maid outfit protecting him it doesn’t hurt, so Rei does the reasonable thing and rips off MUSASHI’s top who of course acts tremendously embarrassed and the crowd boos. So Rei helps put the top back and just knees MUSASHI down instead, shoulderblock on Hokuto for a 2 count. Tamura in now and he’s having no part of this as he’s just grumpily slamming Omori but the Dark Wolf of Rebellion gets a complete shot and Team Maid runs in to assist with a superplex and it just ends with Hokuto being powerbombed by his own teammates as Dan holds onto the top rope. Team Cosplay now runs in to clear the ring and Tamura and Hokuto duke it out until Dan gets a lariat and Omori pops up for a low-angle German. Hokuto tags in Blanc who comes in with a springboard that Tamura dodges but some fancy footwork sets up a Capoeira-esque kick and then a flying headscissors takedown as Blanc is just TOO fast. Atsuki tries a tilt-a-whirl DDT but the Frenchman catches it and gets a Whiplash instead, now HAYATO runs in and he floats over a brainbuster and dives off the second-rope…into another of Blanc’s Whiplashes. Dropkick to Rei to snd him off the apron and Blanc hits a springboard plancha onto Team Cosplay and rips off some of the main outfit to throw to a fan. Back to Dan/Aigle but the masked Frenchman’s 450 is dodged and Dan gets a Samoan drop and that lets him tag in Rei. Saito uses his superior size to shrug off Blanc’s fancy moves and just runs him into the corner and chops the life out of him and then shoulders him down for 2. Blanc finally gets some offense with a springboard knee and he brings in Kuma Arashi with a senton and then the bear enthusiast tries to get Rei up for a torture rack but Rei is JUST TOO BIG. So Hokuto comes in to dropkick the knee, Kuma shoulders Rei down, and Arashi slams his boss onto Rei. And them Team Maid put Rei’s hair in pigtails! The temerity! And Rei chops Hokuto down and takes out Kuma with a crossbody before removing the tails to MASSIVE heat. Kuma responds with a torture rack and then a drop after a yowl. MUSASHI and Taishin tag-in and Little Red Riding Hook takes down the champ with a forearm flurry and then a dropkick! Tiger Feint Kick! Missile dropkick and Nagao loses his wig as he’s running wild. Brainbuster is floated over and MUSASHI gets a low dropkick and a jumping stomp and Team Maid run-in and all do corner charges on Taishin and then MUSASHI goes for a frog splash…and it whiffs! Team Cosplay back up Taishin who wipes everybody out with dropkicks and even reverses a Kuma brainbuster into his own! The rookie is on top! Atsuki lost his top but runs in with HAYATO and Tamura and now Team Cosplay is all running corner offense on the junior champ. Standing dropkick by Atsuki! Everybody runs in but it’s immediately defused and Atsuki goes up but Aigle Blanc cuts him off and gets a Spanish Fly and then ducks a Rei charge and goes for the springboard knee but is powerbombed now…but then Rei is crossbodied by Kuma. Kuma is Death Valley Drivered by Tamura. Tamura is RKO’d by Hokuto. Omori is dropkicked by Taishin. Taishin is Yakuza Kicked by Ryo (wait was he in this match?). And Inoue is Asai Moonsaulted by HAYATO. Rising goes up but Ryo cuts him off and then superplexes him to the outside on a giant pile of people and we reset to MUSASHI and Atsuki. Aoyagi superkicks the champ but eats an exploder suplex, and a second, a brainbuster by MUSASHI is floated-over and turned into a handspring by Aoyagi who is then caught for a German suplex by MUSASHI, but Atsuki flips out of THAT and then lands a 540 kick that staggers MUSASHI and when Aoyagi goes in he eats a Falcon Arrow. Pretty tight junior sequence. Bridging German by MUSASHI gets 2.8 and then the champ goes up for a frog splash for 2.9! The champ is undaunted though and loads up Atsuki for the emerald flowsion that Atsuki slips out and HAYATO flies in for a leg lariat to stun the champ. Atsuki with the handspring kick! Atsuki and HAYATO land a two-man Shouten Kai on MUSASHI and a 450 by Aoyagi gets 3.

***

Okay, this is VERY much reliant on how much “hey, they’re dressed silly” humor you can handle. But me personally being dressed like a goof is very funny. YMMV will vary on the crossdressing stuff but none of it seemed queerbaiting or transphobic to me. Rei was the heel not because he rejected his hair being made into pigtails, but because he wasn’t playing along with the bit at all. Overall this was just peak house show silly stuff and eventually a pretty competent junior story as MUSASHI was isolated by a pair of juniors who want to beat him (and were partners that are no longer partners) and then they took the champ down and set up a title-match (I assume).

Post-match Atsuki wins a giant placard (and assuredly something like a years worth of steaks or soap or shampoo or whatever these sponsor shows are about) and then cuts a promo where I’m pretty sure he challenges for the junior title.

Overall I dug this one! Not like career work or anything but a lot of guys doing tournament best work and of course an absolutely unhinged main-event, and unhinged is my favorite flavor.