Written by Jessie https://twitter.com/SisterJessiee
Dan Tamura & Ryuji Hijikata vs Kazumasa Yoshida & Takuho Kato
Yoshida and Kato were late additions as All Asia Tag Team champions Hokuto Omori and Yusuke Kodama were taken off the card due to being close contacts to someone with covid.
A good opener to start the show. All four men got time in the ring and looked energetic. Dan Tamura was the star spending the most time in the ring and taking the most punishment. Dan showing off his new submission gets the tap out win for his team.
NEXTREAM (Yuma Aoyagi, Atsuki Aoyagi & Rising HAYATO) vs Shuji Ishikawa, Black Menso-Re & Takao Omori
Poor Black Menso-Re. Shuji tried to do the Nextream corner pose and ends up squishing him. Another fun tag with all six looking like they were enjoying being in the ring, especially the Nextream boys. Nextream had a bit of trouble with their heavyweight oppositions but got some good hits in. A nice spot where the Aoyagi’s and HAYATO delivered three top rope moves in a row to Shuji. Shuji did dominate in the end taking out all three Nextream opponents and pinning HAYATO to win the match.
KAZMA SAKAMOTO, Seigo Tachibana & Takayuki Ueki vs Yoshi Tatsu, Izanagi & Devil Murasaki
The KAZMA/Tatsu feud is still going strong after KAZMA destroyed the Yoshi Tatsu Kingdom back in January. KAZMA and friends were very dominate most of the match, targeting the juniors at the start and hitting a triple powerbomb. Tatsu did get back into the match locking KAZMA in a submission. When it looked like KAZMA was fading Balyann Akki pulled the referee out of the ring. Tatsu was rolled up and Akki counted a fast three count. The bell rang and KAZMA, Ueki and Tachibana were declared the winners.
In a video package for Champions Night 3 was next showing special guest for the show. TARU from Voodoo Murders announced he was going to be there. LEONA, Mitsuya Nagai and Tatsumi Fujinami will also appear. And lastly Jake Lee will make his return from injury at Champions Night 3.
GAORA TV CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Shigehiro Irie (c) vs Isami Kodaka
Just like his last defence against Koji Doi this was a quick and powerful match from Irie.
Kodaka almost getting the win early with a kick and cover as soon as the bell rang. Kodaka stayed on the attack going after Irie’s leg and arm, locking him in submissions. Irie was able to bounce back using his strength and size to overpower Kodaka. Most of the match was submissions by Kodaka vs power from Irie. The last couple of minutes picked up with Kodaka getting another close three count following kicks and a knee to the head. After that Irie got up like house on fire and after a few moves and basically throwing himself at Kodaka he got the three count and his second successful defence.
A show of respect after the match has ended with Irie bowing to Kodaka while they were both down on the mat with Kodaka playfully hitting him on the head. No next challenger yet but it’s a good bet that someone will challenge for Champions Night 3.
WORLD JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
SUGI (c) vs Hikaru Sato
After a bit of a feeling out stage this turned into a match that favored Sato with some mat work and grappling. SUGI had a hard time breaking into the match but eventually did and was able to turn this into a match that more suited his style. This was really Sato’s day though. He got a lot of offence and able to reverse a lot of what SUGI threw at him. SUGI did try for a comeback but when he went to hit his firebird splash Sato moved, grabbed his arm and both legs. SUGI couldn’t break free and tapped out. Sato is the Junior Heavyweight Champion for the first time since 2017. He said backstage he will fight in the memory of the late Atsushi Aoki.
WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Runaway SUPLEX (Suwama & Shotaro Ashino) (c) vs Total Eclipse (Koji Doi & Kuma Arashi)
A great tag team title match between two great tag teams. They have been feuding all tour long. Doi got a clean single win over Ashino while Kuma got a win over Suwama with a little help from his Total Eclipse team members.
A fairly even match started with Total Eclipse targeting Ashino. Once Suwama was in he and Kuma went at it as Suwama was looking for payback. Kuma showing incredible strength by lifting Suwama with ease for a Samoan Drop and Torture Rack. Like recent tag title matches one man from each team wrestled the second half with their partner popping in every now and then. This time it was Ashino for Runaway SUPLEX and Doi for Total Eclipse. They had a thrilling second half with both hitting huge moves and getting close near falls. Suwama and Kuma still got some ring time in when they helped with in synch double ankle locks and double torture racks. Ashino able to get the better of Doi delivering a T-Bone suplex and winning for Runaway SUPLEX.
After the match Ryuki Honda ran in the ring and attacked Ashino with a chair. He said he wanted a match with him one on one at Champions Night 3. The two brawled with Ashino absolutely battering Honda.
TRIPLE CROW CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Kento Miyahara (c) vs Abdulla Kobayashi
It’s finally Kobayashi’s moment. He has waited for this for a long time. Originally, he was scheduled for a Triple Crown match on the second of January but that had to be pushed back because of an injury to then champion Jake Lee.
A lot of love for Kobayashi with BJW fans scattered around Korakuen Hall with banners and supporter towels. Dan Tamura showing his friendship with Kobayashi going strong by supporting him by being in his corner.
This exceeded a lot of people’s expectations. They started off slow building to bigger and more impactful moves in the second half. Kento learned a valuable lesson to never get into a headbutt contest with Kobayashi. He will lose. A previously stated the second half really picked up with both men putting in the work. Kobayashi almost getting the win after an elbow drop. If Kuma showed his strength picking up Suwama, Kento was out to one up him. He managed to lift Kobayashi up multiple times and deliver German suplex and lastly a shut down suplex to win.
After the match Shuji Ishikawa came out and said he was next in line to challenge. The match was made official and now Kento will face Shuji at Champions Night 3.
March Tour Dates – Dream Power Series 2022
07.03 – Monday
12.03 – Saturday
13.03 –
21.03 – Champions Night 3
27.03
29.03 –
All Japan can be watched at AJPW.TV for 900 Yen a month.
Video on demand shows (VOD) will be uploaded the next day.
Puroresu Gate 