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NJPW King of Pro Wrestling 2019: Results, Highlights and Analysis

By Franny Crocker

TOKYO, JAPAN - OCTOBER 07: Kazuchika Okada and SANADA pose for photographs after a signing ceremony during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling New Japan Road at Korakuen Hall on October 07, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN - OCTOBER 07: Kazuchika Okada and SANADA pose for photographs after a signing ceremony during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling New Japan Road at Korakuen Hall on October 07, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /
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https://twitter.com/njpwworld/status/1183696598133440512?s=20

YOSHI-HASHI & Tomohiro Ishii & Hirooki Goto vs Yujiro Takahashi & KENTA & Jay White

Here’s the premise: Goto is currently Jay White’s waking nightmare, endlessly haunting him with challenges to the IWGP Intercontinental Championship that White persistently, aggressively, and loudly rejects every single time. YOSHI-HASHI and Ishii are out for KENTA’s blood over his betrayal during the last night of the G1. Yujiro, and more importantly Pieter, are also here.

First of all, it’s weird to put a six-man match that mostly equates to some narrative progression after a title defense, but the junior division has been notoriously undervalued in terms of importance in a mixed-division show. I digress.

This match quickly dissolves into chaos, as both Ishii and YOSHI-HASHI want to put their hands on KENTA — YOSHI-HASHI somewhat over the frustration of trying and failing to win the Never Openweight Championship at Fighting Spirit Unleashed in New York. For Ishii, somewhat over his loss of the Never Openweight Championship to KENTA at Royal Quest in London. Both still for the initial betrayal. It’s a mess.

Goto and White have snap exchanges, moving quickly in and out of the ring, desperately trying to counter each other. At one point, White slides into the ring while Goto is distracted and attempts to put him down with Bladerunner, but Goto flattens him with a lariat. Yujiro is left in the ring with Goto and Chaos takes the win over Bullet Club with a GTR. White’s avoidance toward Goto will likely continue to be an issue until he learns to throw himself into the fight, which he may have to in the event that he’s forced to defend his title.

Ishii attacks KENTA long after the bell rings and it only escalates backstage. As these feuds simmer — some of them coming from a place of palpable bitterness and contempt — it’ll be interesting to see which of them end in a grudge match and which of them end in a title change.

Bullet Club holds a lot of gold right now, and both Goto and YOSHI-HASHI have been on an upward swing. Something’s gotta give.

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