Welcome to the Fightful.com recap for this week's episode of New Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS TV, I'm Ryan Cook and I'll be taking you through all of the action as Shinsuke Nakamura defends his IWGP Intercontinental title against Karl Anderson then Tomohrio Ishii defends his NEVER Openweight title against Tomoaki Honma!
Shinsuke Nakamura vs Karl Anderson IWGP Intercontinental Title Match
They lock up early then get a clean break before a series of moves, very evenly matched early. Shinsuke takes Karl down then applies a front headlock, driving his knees into his head as JR and Josh explain the difference between a front headlock and a chancery. Bullet Club distract the referee and Gallows sends Shinsuke off the apron and into the railing throat first. Shinsuke tries to get back in the ring, but Karl dropkicks him onto the floor. Karl then hits a brutal powerbomb onto the apron as we go to commercial.
They exchange forearms then Karl hits a running powerbomb for a close 2 count; Karl in complete control since the beginning. Shinsuke applies a rear naked choke, but can't get the tap, opting for an exploder suplex. Shinsuke goes for the Bomaye, but Karl counters with a had a spine buster. They exchange forearms again, Karl landing a few European uppercuts then Shinsuke counters with a back elbow that drops him, following it up with a running knee attack for a close 2 count. Shinsuke goes for another Bomaye, but Karl gets out of the way then counters with a Gun Stun off the top rope. Anderson hits a...I actually don't know what that was, a reverse spinning cutter off the top rope?..for a quick 2 count then Shinsuke counters a Gun Stun with a landslide as we go to commercial.
Karl flips into the ring and hits a clothesline that turns Shinsuke inside out for a close 2 count then a Bernard Driver for a very close 2 count. Shinsuke counters a cutter with a cross arm breaker, but can't get the tap. Karl goes for another Gun Stun, but Shinsuke counters with a Bomaye to the back of his head. Shinsuke goes for another, but Karl counters then hits it the next time for the pin and the win. Great match by these two!
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura via pinfall with the Bomaye
Tomohiro Ishii vs Tomoaki Honma NEVER Openweight Title Match
They start with a lockup then exchange forearms, Honma dropping Ishii. Ishii drops him back then Ishii punches and chops him in the corner. Ishii is in control early, repeatedly dropping Honma back to the mat. Ishii applies a half Boston crab, but can't get the tap. They exchange headbutts then Ishii goes for a suplex, but Honma counters and hits a stalled suplex of his own. Finally, on his third attempt Honma hits a headbutt. Honma hits a blockbuster for a quick 2 then Ishii drops him with a series of punches and a headbutt. They exchange right hands then Ishii drops Honma with a stiff elbow. Ishii hits a stalled superplex for a close 2 count. Honma hits a DDT then hits a jumping headbutt that sends Ishii outside, following it up with a headbutt off the top rope and to the outside. Honma puts Ishii back in the ring, Ishii hitting a series of forearms then Honma slaps the hell out of Ishii, dropping him. Honma then drops him again with a clothesline for a very close 2 count. Ishii hits a back suplex, but Honma is right up then hits back to back falling headbutts for a very close 2 count. Honma hits a brainbuster then Ishii drops Honma with a brutal headbutt as we go to commercial; what a match!
They exchange headbutts in the center of the ring like two rams locking horns. Ishii hits a powerbomb for a close 2 count then Ishii hits a sliding clothesline for another close 2 count. Honma hits a springing headbutt then another then one off the top rope for a very close 2 count; I thought that was it. Honma drops him again with a few more then goes off the top rope, nicking him with one in the back. Honma somehow kicks out after another sliding headbutt, Ishii following up with a series of punches then a forearm right to the head as Honma goes for a headbutt. Ishii hits another clothesline that turns Honma inside out for a very close 2 count then follows it up with a brain buster for the pin and the win. Great strong style match by these two, almost 20 minutes of brutality.
Winner: Tomohrio Ishii via pinfall with a brain buster
