NJPW Dominion 2018: Results, Grades, and Analysis

Will Ospreay (CHAOS) (c) vs. Hiromu Takahashi (Los Ingobernables de Japon) – IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship

This match starts with a bang as Hiromu hit a belly to belly into the corner, and Hiromu went for the sunset flip powerbomb, but Will blocked. They ended up flying up the ramp, and Ospreay hit a huge flip dive off the ramp. Ospreay went for a Storm Breaker on the concrete, but Hiromu blocked and both men ended up back in the ring.

Ospreay began to lock in a series of ground based moves and submissions, slowing the match down a little. Hiromu hit a running hurricanrana then a shotgun dropkick on the outside of the ring, sending Ospreay crashing to the mats outside. Takahashi hit a flying senton on Ospreay and got a 2 count. Hiromu hit a popup powerbomb but Will kicked out.

Ospreay hit a springboard flying forearm and not long after he hit a Space Flying Tiger Drop to the outside of the ring. Back in the ring, Ospreay went for an OsCutter, but Hiromu caught him and hit a high angle German suplex. There was an insane sequence of moves that I couldn’t even keep up that ended in a Code Red by Hiromu on Will, and both men were down.

Ospreay and Hiromu exchanged a series of forearms on the apron. Will Ospreay draped Hiromu over the top rope and hit a Shooting Star Press onto Hiromu’s back. Ospreay hit Corkscrew Shooting Star Press and Hiromu kicked out.

Ospreay went for the Stormbreaker, but Hiromu escaped. Hiromu jumped on the middle rope, dove off, got caught by Ospreay, but hit a Canadian Destroyer on Ospreay!

Hiromu locked on a triangle choke. Ospreay picked him up and dumped him on his head! Hiromu kicked out.

Hiromu sent Ospreay flying to the apron and hit his sunset flip powerbomb onto the floor! Back in the ring, Ospreay almost hit the Stormbreaker, but Hiromu reversed into a triangle choke. Ospreay picked him up again, but Hiromu caught him and hit a Butterfly Piledriver! Holy crap! Takahashi followed this with a Death Valley Driver into the corner! Hiromu hit the Time Bomb and got the pinfall! Hiromu wins!

Result: Hiromu Takahashi

Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5

My goodness, this was insane. What a match. It was clearly timed just right to not overshadow the things that are to come, but still be spectacular in its own right. Fantastic match here. Hiromu Takahashi has Mr. Belt back, and he’s over the moon happy.