NJPW 46th Anniversary Show Results, Grades, and Analysis

YOSHI-HASHI (CHAOS) vs. SANADA (Los Ingobernables de Japon)

YOSHI-HASHI wanted to continue showing his aggressive side here, as he attempted to take it to SANADA. Every win is important, with the New Japan Cup coming up. With the fate of the IWGP Tag Team titles in doubt due to EVIL being injured, SANADA needed a very strong win here. SANDA locked in Skull End on YOSHI-HASHI in the audience and slowly dragged him back toward the ring after weakening him.

YOSHI-HASHI eventually recovers and works over the neck of SANADA. SANADA, at great risk to his own neck, hit a springboard dropkick on YOSHI-HASHI. This proved to be a problem though, because YOSHI-HASHI managed to grab him and lock on a butterfly lock. SANADA made it to the ropes and escaped. As SANADA went for the Skull End, YOSHI-HASHI reversed, went for the Loose Explosion (Swanton Bomb), but failed to connect as SANDA got his knees up. SANADA went for a moonsault and missed.

Both men exchanged blows heading into the final portion of the match. After this, several near falls were exchanged. YOSHI-HASHI came close to pinning SANDA several times, but SANADA kept kicking out. YOSHI-HASHI was unable to pin SANADA so he went back to using a butterfly lock to try and submit SANADA. This failed as well. SANADA reversed a Karma attempt by locking on Skull End. After YOSHI-HASHI went unconscious, SANDA climbed the top rope and hit a moonsault for the win.

Result: SANADA (3/4 on my predictions).

RATING: 3.25 stars out of 5.

Simply solid match. YOSHI-HASHI tried very hard but is simply average in the ring. SANADA looked good, as he usually does. I expect SANADA to do very well in the New Japan Cup. You could be looking at the winner of the New Japan Cup right there, but time will tell.