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New Japan's Destruction Tour took place in Hyogo's Kobe World Hall and it was an amazing show. New Japan Pro Wrestling seems to either be kicking it up a notch or it's just more exciting because they're starting to gain real momentum as a company on the world's stage. For whatever reason, it's still exciting.
Kenny Omega had to rush through rehab and get ready for this show where he would defend his IWGP North American Heavyweight Championship on the line against Juice Robinson.
But there were plenty more outstanding matches on the card. There would also be a surprising title change in the process going to show you never know what can happen with you have the right mixture of NJPW action in the ring.
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Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Hirai Kawato vs Katsuya Kitamura and Tomoyuki Oka
The show in Kobe was kicked off by a very nice opening contest. After a nice back and forth Hiroyoshi Tenzan made Tomoyuki Oka submit to the anaconda vice
Winners: Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Hirai Kawato
Togi Makabe, Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger, Ricochet and Ryusuke Taguchi vs Takashi Iizuka, Desperado, Taka Michinoku, Taichi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru
This match was kind of all over the place. There were plenty of spots as you can imagine in a multi-man match from New Japan Pro Wrestling. But it was exciting if you're into Suzuki-Gun.
The referee was distracted on a few occasions which is also expected. At one point Taichi shoved the ring bell up Ryusuke Taguchi's backside because that's what they decided would be a good idea. The spot did get a considerable amount of heat but the crowd though.
In the end, Richochet hit a Fosbury Flop and Togi Makabe hit a King Kong Knee Drop on Taka Michinoku to get the win.
Winners: Togi Makabe, Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger, Ricochet and Ryusuke Taguchi
Baretta
YOSHI-HASHI and Hirooki Goto vs Bad Luck Fale and Chase Owens
This match was okay. YOSHI-HASHI looked really good with Goto as his partner. These two are starting to make a very fine pair.
It could be possible we might be seeing YOSHI-HASHI and Hirooki Goto take their team to a much higher level very soon.
The finish of this match saw YOSHI-HASHI pinning Chase Owens after hitting Karma.
Winners: YOSHI-HASHI and Hirooki Goto
Yujiro Takahashi vs Baretta
Baretta has been making waves as a singles star in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Takahashi and Baretta brought a really good match to Kobe.
Takahashi belted Baretta with his cane after Baretta went for a dive. Following a wicked cane shot, Baretta received a fisherman's buster to the railing outside of the ring. Once they returned inside Takahashi hit the Miami Shine but Baretta kicked out at two.
The finish of this really good match saw Baretta rallying back and hitting a flying knee followed by a Dudebuster for the pinfall.
Winner: Baretta
Killer Elite Squad
War Machine vs Guerillas of Destiny vs Killer Elite Squad - IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Title Match
This match was intense from the getgo and they took it to the outside and even spilled out into the crowd for some brawling.
Each team had their points where they looked like they were going to win the contest but the perils of being in a triple threat match constantly got in the way. Lance Archer had a great spot where he hit a crossbody to the floor taking everyone out in the process.
After some more back and forth action War Machine looked like they were going to clean up but Guerillas Of Destiny started to fight back. They tried to hit the Guerilla Warfare but Raymond Rowe came in and wrecked everyone.
Hanson hit Fallout on Tanga Loa but Davey Boy Smith Jr ran in to break up the pinfall attempt. They kept this kind of nice action up for a bit and finally went for the finish.
Ramond Rowe fought back against his adversaries and even avoided a Killer Bomb. However, Killer Elite Squad eventually hit a Killer Bomb and Lance Archer got the pinfall. This was a very good match.
Winners AND NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions: Killer Elite Squad
Hiroshi Tanahashi and Michael Elgin vs Kota Ibushi and David Finlay
After some back and forth action where each team traded out tags, it was evident David Finlay and Michael Elgin liked to hurt each other and the same could be said of Tanahashi and Ibushi.
In the end, Finlay ate a lariat from Michael Elgin and took a bucklebomb. The finishing touch was an Elgin Bomb for the win. After the match was over Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi had an intense stare down as well which is likely going to set up a future encounter.
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Michael Elgin
Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano and Rocky Romero vs Tetsuya Naito, SANADA and BUSHI
This was a fun match to cool down the audience before the main event. Everyone got a nice little piece of business in and it was very enjoyable. Something is happening between Tomohiro Ishii and Tetsuya Naito as well which is very fun to watch.
The finish saw Ishii hitting BUSHI after a brainbuster for the pinfall.
Winners: Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano, and Rocky Romero
Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay defeated EVIL and Hiromu Takahashi
Each team consists of huge stars with outstanding talent so it was a joy to watch this one. They all had spots where they got to tease their finishers but for one reason or another, they didn't hit the mark.
As they mounted the tension toward the end of the match the crowd was getting really into this contest.
The finish saw Okada hitting EVIL with The Rainmaker and then Will Ospreay took control and hit the Ozcutter on Takahashi to pick up the pinfall.
Winners: Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay
Kenny Omega vs Juice Robinson - IWGP North American Heavyweight Title match
Kenny Omega was coming off of a knee injury but he promised he'd be back ready for Juice Robinson and he's a man of his word.
Omega was in Kobe to prove he's one of the best and Robinson was there to do the same. Juice Robinson's name was widely talked about for his standout performances in the G1 Climax Tournament and he was looking to have another go with The Cleaner.
But after a brutal contest, Kenny Omega would come out victorious. Even though he might have been beaten, there was plenty of respect for Juice Robinson's outstanding efforts.
It doesn't look like Kenny Omega has to search far for his next opponent because after the match was over Yoshi Hashi interrupted him to challenge for the IWGP North American Heavyweight title.
