New Japan Pro Wrestling was in New Zealand this weekend for a big “On The Mat” charity event and IPPV. Their next even is on 11/15 from Singapore, which will feature a rematch between Shibata and EVIL for the Never Openweight title.
For those wondering, there was no Naito or Los Ingobernables de Japon, Shibata or a couple of others guys as half the crew is touring the UK this week.
(1) Henare def. Hiku Le’o. Henare is one of the new Young Lions and is actually from New Zealand so this was probably the biggest stage he’s been on in his home country. Hiku is a bigger dude, and according to F4W is the son of King Haku. I guess that would make him Taula Fifita, as the other two sons are Tanga Roa (Camacho) and Tama Tonga.
(2) Yujiro Takahashi & Bad Luck Fale of Bullet Club def. Yoshi-Hashi & Gedo of Chaos.
(3) John Strong Man def. El Terrible. This wasn’t advertised but the NJPW website said it took place, so… Strong Man is a former bodybuilder in his 40s, that toured for a couple of years with NJPW until 2013. His biggest match was probably either losing in the World Tag League finals, or an 8-man tag at Wrestle Kingdom 7 with Akebono. Terrible is a CMLL guy.
(4) Bobby Fish def. David Finlay to retain the ROH World TV title. Cool to see a ROH title defended in New Zealand on another promotion’s show. Gives it more of an actual “world” title feel.
(5) Hirooki Goto def. Paul Sayers. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Sayers work but the internet says he’s a retired New Zealand wrestler.
(6) Tama Tango, Tanga Roa & King Haku def. Juice Robinson, Hooligan Marcus Kool & Nasty Nate. Yes, that is 57-year-old wrestling legend King Haku, or Meng as you may know him, father of the two Bullet Club members he’s teaming with. He got a great reaction as Tonga and NZ are both part of the Polynesian islands and there’s a lot of crossover between stars in that region.
(7) Hiroshi Tanahashi def. Dalton Castle. This was said to be a really fun match.
(8) Jay White def. RJ Brewer. Brewer used to work for ROH back in the early days, even winning the Pure title at one point, but I haven’t heard his name in years.
(9) Kazuchika Okada, Rocky Romero & Trent Barreta def. Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks. Pretty great way to end a show!
