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NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2 brought the culimination of a spectacular two-day event. With the largest crowd for the company since the global pandemic in the Tokyo Dome, fans would witness a tremendous show that was filled with masterful performances.
The main event saw Kota Ibushi defending his newly-won IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships against "Switchblade" Jay White. Ibushi defeated Naito on Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 1 to win the IWGP Dual Gold and faced the man who beat him for the G1 Climax 30 Right To Challenge Contract.
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There would be four other title matches on the card with some big encounters in store for the evening. With all of that said, let's take a look at what transpired at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2.
Toru Yano vs. BUSHI vs. Bad Luck Fale vs. Chase Owens in a Four Way for the KOPW 2021 Provisional Trophy (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2)
Our opening match at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2 was the Four Way Match to determine the first KOPW 2021 with the final four from last night's New Japan Rambo. There was Toru Yano, BUSHI, Bad Luck Fale and Chase Owens.
At the bell of this Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2 opener, Bad Luck Fale and Chase Owens tried the finger poke of doom for Fale to win, but Yano and BUSHI broke it up. We then got an exchange with Yano and BUSHI. Yano removed the turnbuckle pad before Chase and Fale came in to take control.
BUSHI then came in and took over with suicide dives to the outside. Yano broke up a pin for BUSHI and threw him into the exposed turnbuckle. Yano then tried bodyslamming Fale, but Fale fell on top. BUSHI then was left alone with Chase. He hit the rewind kick, backstabber and went for the MX. However, Chase caught him. Chase and Fale hit the grenade launcher with Owens pinning BUSHI, but Fale broke up the pin.
The Bullet Club members argued until the ref got in the way. They lifted the referee, which gave Yano the opportunity to hit a double low blow and pin BUSHI for the win in seven and a half minutes. Toru Yano is the new KOPW 2021 after being the KOPW 2020 at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2. This was a fun comedy match.
Results: Toru Yano defeats Bad Luck Fale, BUSHI and Chase Owens to win the KOPW 2021 trophy
Star Rating: **1/2
El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs Master Wato and Ryusuke Taguchi w/Hiroyoshi Tenzan for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2)
Our next match at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2 was El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru of Suzuki-Gun defending the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Titles against Master Wato and Ryusuke Taguchi. The challengers defeated the champions in the Junior Tag Team Championships tournament last year.
Master Wato came out hot with a running dropkick at the bell of this Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2 match. Wato knocked Despy to the outside and hit a flying tornado over the top rope to the floor. Taguchi tagged in and tried to get Desperado to run the ropes with him, but Kanemaru cut him off. Suzuki-Gun used a steel chair on Taguchi's knee to gain the advantage.
Taguchi finally tagged out to Master Wato in this Wrestle Kingdom title contest, who came in with a springboard back elbow. Kanemaru cut him off, using the referee on four occasions. He finally hit an enziguri and tagged out to Desperado. Every time Suzuki-Gun thought they had control, Master Wato regained control. He tagged out to Taguchi, who used his buns of steel on Desperado. He hit a hip attack and then the three amigos.
After some counters, Taguchi hit a reverse powerslam and looked for the Bumaye. Kanemaru cut him off, attacking the knee again. Despy then locked on Numero Dos on Taguchi. However, Master Wato broke up the submission in this Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2 contest.
Master Wato and Taguchi double teamed Despy, ending with the Bumaye for a two count. Wato ran Despy into Kanemaru with the Whiskey bottle. The ref was distracted taking Kanemaru out of the ring, which gave Despy the chance to hit a closed fist and Pinche Loco for the win and retained their titles in over 13 minutes at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2. This was a nice little tag team match.
Results: El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeat Master Wato and Ryusuke Taguchi via pinfall
Star Rating: ***
Shingo Takagi vs Jeff Cobb for the NEVER Openweight Championship (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2)
Our third match at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2 was Shingo Takagi defending the NEVER Openweight Championship against Jeff Cobb of the Empire. Cobb gained this opportunity by pinning Takagi in the World Tag League 2020.
The two men had a strong lockup and immediately exchanged forearms. Things picked up quickly in a fast sequence, ending with Cobb landing a dropkick that sent Shingo to the floor. Cobb threw Takagi into the guardrail and hit a huge belly to belly suplex.
Back in the ring, Cobb then applied on a bearing, which Shingo fought out of. Shingo regained control in this Wrestle Kingdom title match, hitting a belly to back suplex. The two men fought on the apron with Cobb looking for a Razor's Edge to the outside. Takagi escaped and knocked Cobb to the floor. He then hit a diving tope con giro to the outside.
Back in the ring, Takagi looked for Noshigami, but Cobb reversed and hit a Spin Cycle. Cobb hit rolling gutwrench suplexes and looked for a powerbomb, but Shingo hit a hurricarana. Cobb regained control and hit a Razor's Edge into a sitout powerbomb for a near fall. Takagi then hit a death valley driver out of nowhere.
Shingo rallied the Tokyo Dome crowd at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2. He then hit a massive superplex and followed with a wheelbarrow suplex. Shingo went for a sliding lariat, but Cobb caught him and hit a pair of suplexes. The two men met in the middle of the ring and exchanged strikes. Cobb hit a German Suplex, which Shingo responded with a lariat that knocked himself out of the ring.
Back in the ring, Cobb caught Shingo with the Gonzo bomb for a two count. Shingo reversed out of Tour of the Islands and attacked the knee of the challenger in this Wrestle Kingdom battle. Takagi then followed with Made In Japan for two. Cobb hit a German Suplex and followed with the Tour of the Islands, but his knee gave out stopping him from the pin. Shingo then kicked out at two.
Cobb met the Pumping Bomber with a lariat. He then followed with a moonsault powerslam. Cobb was bleeding from the nose at this point. Shingo then hit a Pumping Bomber, but Cobb didn't leave his feet. Takagi then hit a belly to belly suplex and followed with a massive Pumping Bomber. Shingo then hit Last of the Dragon for the win and retained his title in over 21 minutes at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2.
That was an absolute banger of a match. It was an excellent heavyweight slugfest that continued to pick up in physicality as it went on. This was awesome stuff from two of the best at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2.
Results: Shingo Takagi defeats Jeff Cobb via pinfall
Star Rating: ****1/2
*Intermission followed*
Special Singles Match: EVIL w/Dick Togo vs SANADA (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2)
Action resumed at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2 with a grudge match between EVIL of the Bullet Club and SANADA of Los Ingobernables de Japon. The former stablemates were also former IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions and World Tag League winners twice. EVIL turned on LIJ and joined the Bullet Club after the New Japan Cup 2020. However, SANADA beat EVIL in the B Block Finals of the G1 Climax 30.
There was a slow start with EVIL trying to dictate the pace of this Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2 contest. SANADA got control, using the paradise lock that sent EVIL to the floor. EVIL got his way by ramming SANADA into the guardrail hard, which knocked down the timekeeper's table. He then used the steel chair homerun.
Back in the ring, EVIL ran SANADA into the exposed turnbuckle that Dick Togo assisted with. He then took SANADA back to the floor and rammed him into the guardrail again. When action returned to the ring, EVIL went for covers, but couldn't get the win. SANADA regained control attacking EVIL's knee and then hitting a dropkick. He followed with planchas to both EVIL and Dick Togo to the floor. Togo helped EVIL regain the advantage in this key Wrestle Kingdom match and set up a table at ringside.
SANADA hit a Tiger Suplex for two in this Wrestle Kingdom 15 grudge match. He followed with the Skull End, but EVIL ran him into the exposed turnbuckle again. EVIL worked over SANADA's back and hit a massive superplex. He then followed with the Darkness Scorpion, but SANADA got to the ropes. EVIL hit Darkness Fall for a near fall in this Wrestle Kingdom encounter.
SANADA blocked Everything Is EVIL and ran EVIL into the exposed turnbuckle. He then followed with a back suplex and TKO for a two count. The referee is knocked down by EVIL, which brought Dick Togo in the ring with a steel chair to SANADA. Togo and EVIL double teamed SANADA and hit Magic Killer. SANADA pushed EVIL in the ropes, which crotches Togo. He then rolled up EVIL for two. SANADA followed with Skull End and hit the Muta moonsault. He went for another, but EVIL got his knees up.
SANADA looked for Skull End again, but EVIL distracted the referee to allow Dick to put the Spoiler's Choke on. SANADA blocked and pushed EVIL into Togo, which put Dick through the table at ringside. SANADA then got a close near fall with the cradle he won with in the G1. EVIL then hit a half and half suplex and followed with a lariat for a near fall. SANADA blocked a low blow and hit Everything Is EVIL. He followed with a Pop up TKO and hit the Muta moonsault for the win in nearly 24 minutes at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2.
This was a very good match that might have been the best between these two men at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2. It exceeded expectations and brought an energized performance from SANADA.
Results: SANADA defeats EVIL via pinfall
Star Rating: ***3/4
Taiji Ishimori vs Hiromu Takahashi for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2)
Our semi main event for Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2 was Taiji Ishimori defending the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against Hiromu Takahashi. Ishimori defeated Hiromu to win the title back at Summer Struggle in Jingu. Takahashi then won the Best of Super Juniors 27 and beat El Phantasmo yesterday to gain this opportunity.
Things started fast in this Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2 semi main event. A series of reversals brought the action to the apron. Hiromu went for the sunset flip powerbomb, but Ishimori flipped out and ran into a pop up powerbomb from Takahashi into the apron. Hiromu slammed Taiji on the ramp and went up the aisle. He went for a running dropkick, but Ishimori caught him and hit a side suplex.
Ishimori then hit a moonsault from the second rope to the outside. Taiji removed the corner mat and ran Hiromu shoulder first into the steel, then back in the ring. The champion then attacked the hand and shoulder to weaken the challenger in this Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2 title match. Hiromu moved out of the way of the sliding German and hit a hurricarana.
Action in this Wrestle Kingdom 15 battle went to the floor where Takahashi hit the shotgun dropkick off the apron to the floor. Back in the ring, he followed with the falcon arrow for two. Ishimori countered a corner attack with an enziguri and followed with the sliding German. He then hit a springboard 450 onto the injured shoulder. Ishimori then locked in the Yes Lock, but Hiromu made the ropes.
Ishimori reversed a pop up powerbomb into a hurricanrana, but Hiromu reversed a corner attack into a belly to belly suplex into the corner. Takahashi hit a wheelbarrow into a complete shot and followed with the DVD into the corner. He then hit a DVD in the center of the ring.
The two men traded kicks. Hiromu countered a handspring kick into a German suplex, but Ishimori came back with a Canadian destroyer. They traded strikes center-ring with Ishimori getting control with repeated stiff forearms. Ishimori then applied the Yes Lock with Takahashi bleeding from the nose in this Wrestle Kingdom 15 encounter. Hiromu made it to the ropes to break the submission.
Hiromu reversed the tilt twirl into the Victory Royal for two. Takahashi followed with a lariat and then a DVD into the exposed turnbuckle. He hit the Time Bomb on Ishimori for a near fall. After a series of counters, Ishimori reversed Victory Royal into the Yes Lock. He then looked for Bloody Cross, but Hiromu reversed into a corkscrew Victory Royal. He then followed with Time Bomb 2 for the win and new champion in over 25 minutes at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2.
This was a sensational IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match. It had insane pacing, awe inspiring sequences and a hard hitting undertone. This was a great performance by both men at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2.
Results: Hiromu Takahashi defeats Taiji Ishimori via pinfall (new champion)
Star Rating: ****1/4
Kota Ibushi vs Jay White for the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2)
Our main event at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2 was Kota Ibushi defending the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships against "Switchblade" Jay White. White earned this opportunity by beating Ibushi at Power Struggle for his G1 Climax 30 Right To Challenge Contract. Ibushi defeated Naito yesterday to win the IWGP Dual Gold. He has lost three straight to Switchblade.
White used a distraction from Gedo to get early control in this Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2 main event. Ibushi came back with a running mid kick that sent White to the floor. Gedo grabbed Ibushi, but got hit with an elbow. Switchblade took advantage of Ibushi getting back in the ring to hit a DDT.
Back on the floor, White hit a high angle back suplex with Ibushi landing his neck on the apron. He then worked over the ribs of Ibushi on the apron. An attack on the ribs was how he won at Power Struggle. Back in the ring, White stomped on the ribs. Switchblade got into an argument with the referee in this Wrestle Kingdom 15 closer, which gave Kota an opening to land a mid kick.
Ibushi followed with a standing moonsault for two. On the floor, White pushed Ibushi ribs-first into the guardrail. Switchblade then focused his attack on both the ribs and knee of Ibushi in this Wrestle Kingdom 15 title contest. This was the two plans that he used to beat him the past two meetings. White hit a running European Uppercut and followed with the Blade Buster for two.
Ibushi caught White with a frankensteiner that sent him to the floor. Back in the ring in this Wrestle Kingdom 15 match, Switchblade dropped Ibushi ribs-first on the top rope and followed with a suplex into the corner for a two count. The two men traded strikes and then cradles, which led to Ibushi landing the Bastard Driver.
White countered the Bomaye into a snap back suplex and followed with the uranage for two. He then hit the Kiwi Crusher for another two. Ibushi used White's momentum for a back suplex and hit the Bomaye for a near fall in this Wrestle Kingdom 15 closer. White reversed a lariat into the backslide with his feet on the ropes like how he won at Power Struggle, but the referee caught him before the three. Ibushi then hit the buzzsaw kick.
He looked for the Phoenix Splash, but Gedo distracted. White then hit consecutive dragon screws and applied the TTO submission. Ibushi made the ropes though. White got wrist control and kicked at Ibushi's face, which angered the Golden Star bringing his dark side out in this Wrestle Kingdom 15 main event. Kota responded with palm strikes and stiff kicks.
Ibushi challenged White to a strike exchange, in which Kota kept knocking him off his feet and eventually to the floor. White got back in and begged Ibushi to pin him, but Kota slapped and ran down strikes. The ref tried to pull him off, but he knocked him down. That led to White hitting a low blow. On the floor, White worked over the ribs and back using the apron, guardrail and ring post.
Back in the ring, White hit the Complete Shot and two deadlift German Suplexes. Kota blocked a third on the apron and hit the deadlift German Suplex from the apron to the ring. He followed with the Last Ride sitout powerbomb for a near fall in this Wrestle Kingdom 15 battle. White reversed Kamigoye into a sleeper suplex with Ibushi landing on his neck. He hit another and followed with a Regal Plex for a near fall. Ibushi reversed Blade Runner into the Kamigoye for a near fall.
Kota hit the Phoenix Splash, but before he could get the three, Gedo pulled the referee out. Ibushi blocked a brass knuckles punch from Gedo and hit the Kamigoye. Ibushi brought the ref back in, but Switchblade caught him with the Blade Runner for a near fall in this Wrestle Kingdom 15 barnburner. White then locked on TTO again, but Ibushi made it to the ropes. White caught Ibushi's knee and hit the Regal Plex for two. He followed with a sleeper suplex and looked for the Blade Runner, but Ibushi caught him with a V Trigger.
After a series of reversals, Ibushi hit a lariat and then a reverse Kamigoye. He then followed with another Kamigoye for the win and retained the titles in over 48 minutes at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2. This set the record for the longest match in Tokyo Dome history. Post match, SANADA came down and challenged Kota Ibushi to be his next opponent after Wrestle Kingdom 15. Ibushi accepted. He then cut a promo to close the show.
This was a simply outstanding, epic encounter. It was so emotion-driven, filled with amazing storytelling, impeccable selling and superb pacing. This was a fantastic ending to Wrestle Kingdom 15 weekend.
Results: Kota Ibushi defeats Jay White via pinfall
Star Rating: *****
