Wednesday Wrestling Minutes - Your Weekly Source for NXT, Lucha Underground, Ring of Honor and Independent Wrestling News

NXT, 7/1

Kinda weird how on the NXT intro, they name a bunch of people, like the top people in NXT - Kevin Owens, Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, Tyler Breeze, Finn Balor and...Dana Brooke?

Vaudevillains out first. They take on NXT Briscoes, The Mechanics, who are apparently called Dash and Dawson now. WWE just really hates people having two names, don’t they?

Gotch and English working well together to work over Dawson, tagging in and out quickly and using double team moves. But Dawson and Wilder turn it around and start to take control.

Vaudevillains win with a Whirling Dervish in a short match. The crowd was relatively silent during that match and no surprise, they did nothing to really get the crowd into it.

Devin Taylor talks to Becky Lynch at the WWEPC for an update on her condition. She has a condition? Something was wrong with her? The only thing different I notice about her is she has a weird side braid going.

She sprained her hip flexor at Takeover and tried to hide it and work through it but she has to take a few weeks off to get back in shape and says when she comes back she’s going after the NXT Women’s title.

Baron Corbin out next. Seems like he’s getting a much more mixed reaction now - a mix between indifference and dislike. Corbin takes on some dude who looks like Bull Dempsey named Tucker Knight.

Corbin punches him a few times, slams his face in the mat then hits End of Days for the win.

In William Regal’s office, Enzo and Cass and the Vaudevillains are arguing and Regal looks like he’s about to lose his mind.

They both want to be the #1 contender and Regal tells them next week, they face off for the spot.

Who is Finn Balor, part 3.

Talks about the inspiration he gets from fan art about him and his character.

About how he created his name “Finn Balor” and Albert talks him up about how he keeps his head down and quietly does his work and that is more important than being flashy.

Albert talks about how he didn’t have to learn much in the way of actual wrestling but had to learn about how to work to cameras and pander to the crowd. He literally said “pander” which means “gratify or indulge (an immoral or distasteful desire, need, or habit or a person with such a desire, etc.).”

How his paint lets him channel a more aggressive part of his personality since he usually is more reserved and introverted.

Talks about how he felt that once he left Japan, he wouldn’t see a lot of the friends he made there ever again and shows an image of Balor 2 Sweeting Machine Gun and Bad Luck Fale and doing an awesome handshake with Machine Gun while wearing a Noam Dar shirt, a younger wrestler from the UK who I believe competed on the TNA British Boot Camp.

Ends with Becky Lynch saying that Finn Balor is the future of WWE and the future of the business. Then they get quotes from a bunch of kids all essentially saying “He’s really cool.” Because WWE despises their older, “smarter” fans.

They’re also putting the whole thing up on the Network together in one full package if you missed any parts.

William Regal watches Eva Marie in the ring...and is that Sara Del Rey?! Holy shit she looks different. Not sure who Eva is working with though.

Evil Emma out next with Dana Brooke. She takes on Carmella.

Evil Emma getting a much bigger reaction from the crowd than Carmella does. Carmella looking a little better in the ring but at the same time it kinda seems like this match is moving at half speed. Emma showing a much more aggressive side which is really working for her.

Carmella seems like she is getting some momentum going but gets tripped up by Emma then taps out to the Emma Lock. And Dana talks trash on Carmella after the match.

Bull Dempsey is in, like a cafeteria or something and pounding on a vending machine and yelling at it since I guess it ate his money. Drake Younger tells him to calm down, still wearing his ref shirt and I guess playing the ref even during backstage segments.

Bull picks up a chair and is gonna smash the machine as a crowd of people behind him at a table yell at him to stop but as he winds up to hit the machine, Regal grabs the chair and tells him to put it down and have a seat.

Bull has a bunch of stuff around his mouth (chocolate maybe?) and he starts to make an excuse to Regal but Regal stops him and wipes off a bit from his face, smells it then tastes it and seems disappointed. And tells Bull to get a grip and sort himself out because the next time Regal has to talk to him, he won’t like the outcome and Bull’s lips are trembling like he’s scared or going to cry. And then he mean mugs the machine as the segment ends.

Devin talks to Jason Jordan backstage. From last week apparently, after he lost with Sylvester LaFort.

He says how do you think I feel, the only reason I’m doing this is cause they’re making me do this…which is kinda meta. Like do this as in NXT? Or do this as in go through dumb tag partners until he winds up with Gable like we’ve all seen coming?

Soon, Gable comes in and tries to towel down Jordan’s face with his personalized towel but Jordan isn’t happy to see him. Gable says he watches all his matches (he studies, he’s not a creep) and Enzo and Cass made him look like a loser. He knows Jordan isn’t a loser and he wants to help prove to everyone else that he’s not. He’s ready. Willing. And Gable.

Tyler Breeze out now. He takes on Tye Dillinger. Breeze still really over but the “Perfect 10” gimmick that Dillinger has been doing at live shows seems to be gaining traction too.

Dillinger being the aggressor early on, hammering Breeze in the corner and the ref has to back him up a few times. Dillinger drops a few knees and mocks Breeze, taking pictures with his hands.

Dillinger starts to take in the “10” chants and Breeze seizes the opening to take control. Breeze picks up the win with a Beauty Shot.

I could definitely see these two feuding in the future once Dillinger starts playing the Perfect 10 more heavily on TV. And Dillinger should be the heel in that program too, sabotaging Breeze’s since he believes himself to be the only Perfect 10 and is resentful of Breeze being a model and everyone calling him gorgeous.

In the locker room, Emma and Dana admire the NXT Women’s title which is hanging up on a locker. Devin comes in and says she’s supposed to be interviewing Sasha Banks and Dana starts patting her on the head.

Sasha comes in and asks them what they’re doing in her locker room. Emma says they’re just hanging out, thinking about trying the title on. Dana says since they’re taking over the NXT division (but forgets to say Women’s division), they’re coming after Sasha and the title. They’re making lots of enemies – calling out Charlotte, messing with Carmella, confronting Sasha Banks.

Sasha says she is The Boss and runs this division and if they want to go, she’ll take them both on. Dana asks Emma if that sounds like a challenge and she agrees and says but there’s two of us and one of you. Dana says but who would want to team with her since she’s been such a…and Sasha stops her and says excuse me? I’ll find a partner.

Main event time – Finn Balor and Samoa Joe vs Kevin Owens and Rhyno.

Joe and Rhyno start in the ring first. Rhyno goes after Joe first but Joe easily backs him into the corner with quick strikes then tries to go after Kevin Owens, but Owens jumps off the apron and Rhyno hits Joe in the back.

Balor and Owens tag in and Owens getting the better of him in their exchanges. Owens throws him outside and tells Rhyno to get on him as he goads Joe into the ring but the ref holds him back.

Owens tags Rhyno back in and he goes to work on Balor. He picks him up in a stalling vertical suplex and squats him three times as Balor struggles to get free. Nothing like making your #1 contender look strong but having his tag partner be the hot tag.

Rhyno tags Owens back in and he starts making faces at Joe as he takes Balor to Chinlock City. Owens hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle shoulder blocks and drops Balor down and does the You Can’t See Me to Joe instead of Balor then drops the fist down on Balor. He goes for an AA but Balor gets out and double stomps on Owens. They tag out and Joe goes crazy on Rhyno and gets a 2 count after a senton.

Owens distracts Joe and Rhyno hits a spinebuster for 2. Rhyno tags out and Owens rushes in on Joe but gets slammed with a uranage. Balor tags in and tells Joe to set him up for the Coup de Grace but Joe sets Owens in another corner for the Muscle Buster as Rhyno pushes Balor off the top.

Rhyno accidentally gores Owens and Balor shotgun dropkick to Rhyno into Owens in the corner. He hits another corner dropkick on Owens then a Coup de Grace for the win.

Lucha Underground, 7/1           

Chavo walks into Dario Cueto’s office and Cueto greets him saying “There he is, the man who killed the legend of Blue Demon – twice.” Chavo says he says he wants Cueto to honor his final request – he wants a title match with Prince Puma and Cueto says he can have it tonight. Chavo wants no DQ and Cueto says “For you, anything?” Chavo says it would really help if he could get rid of Konnan and his cane and Cueto says if Konnan gets involved, Chavo wins the title automatically.

In the ring first is Delavar Daivari with Big Ryck. He takes on Texano who is without his weird leather cowboy outfit. And he’s coming down the steps like faces usually do.

He goes right at Daivari and beats him down but Daivari runs out of the ring and behind Ryck. Daivari gets back in the ring and Texano follows and Daivari attacks him as he gets back in and keeps on Texano, working his leg.

Daivari distracts the ref and Ryck gets a few stomps on Texano. Daivari locks in a Figure Four but Texano turns it over to reverse the pressure. They exchange chops and Texano hits a leg lariat for 2. Texano goes for a powerbomb but Daivari turns it into a facebuster.

Ryck grabs the bull rope and wraps it around his fist and Daivari pushes Texano toward him but Texano ducks the punch and hits a big super kick. Texano lands a sitout powerbomb and gets the win over Daivari.

Konnan talks to Puma while Puma works out. He says it doesn’t matter that Cueto stacked the deck against him. He’s known Chavo a long time and he’s a lot of things – a liar, a cheater and unscrupulous – but he aint a champion.

Catrina appears and tells them if Puma survives tonight, he’s going to need all the help he can get because at Ultima Lucha, Mil Muertes will destroy anyone who stands between him and his title. Mil appears and stares down Puma but in a flash, they are gone. Konnan tells Puma it’s all mind games not to let Catrina get in his head.

Konnan talking to someone in the locker room, saying this mystery guy has the go ahead to act as Mexico and deliver on its promise to their old friend Chavito.

Next out, Hernandez to take on Drago.

Hernandez pushes down Drago but he pops back up quickly. Hernandez tries to push him around because of his much bigger size but Drago hates Hernandez for attacking him last week.

Hernandez showing off his huge power advantage over Drago but perhaps taking too much time to show off and discounting Drago’s ability. Drago starts to take a little advantage with his high flying outside of the ring but Hernandez crucifix powerbomb Drago onto the apron then pulls an audience member up and takes his belt and begins whipping Drago. Striker said that Cueto told the refs this close to Ultima Lucha to just let the boys fight so I guess that means there’s pretty much no DQs anymore.

Hernandez pulls Drago back into the ring with the belt and begins hanging him with the belt over the top rope. Rick Knox tries to get the belt off of Hernandez but can’t and calls for the bell.

Hernandez gets on the mic and says the dumbass fans don’t know dragons aren’t real. That Drago is just a man and that he just whipped his ass. And if anyone has a problem with that, get in the ring and he’ll whip their ass too.

Chavo getting ready for his match when Catrina shows up behind him. She says if he beats Puma, the celebration will be short lived because at Ultima Lucha, Mil Muertes will destroy the man who holds the championship. And Chavo says well I guess I’ll see you both at Ultima Lucha.

Marty the Moth already in the ring, creeping out Melissa Santos. He takes on…Alberto El Patron?! Man, Cueto really doesn’t like Marty. Alberto has the AAA Title on him too.

Alberto goes right at Marty and hammers him in the corner. Marty tries to fight back but Alberto starts working the arm and hits the cross arm breaker and Marty taps out quick.

Alberto gets on the mic and calls out Johnny Mundo. He says he has to thank Mundo. He thought they were friends but when Mundo put him through Cueto’s window, he woke up the evil side of Alberto. And that was the biggest mistake of his life because that side is vicious, crazy, ruthless and sadistic. And that’s the part coming for Mundo. And that it wasn’t just the biggest mistake – but his last.

Chavo out now for the main event with The Crew. Vampiro points out that he hasn’t seen Bael in weeks.

Prince Puma comes down to the ring by himself. Konnan is down at the ring and is allowed to stay but if he gets involved, Chavo wins the title.

Starts off with lots of good technical wrestling. Puma gets the best of Chavo for most of the exchanges but it isn’t long before the Crew gets involved and starts beating down Puma. It seems like Chavo hurt his leg, his hamstring or something, and tries to get to the top rope for the frog splash as the Crew holds down Puma. But Konnan motions for someone to come from the back and Texano hits the ring and attacks the Crew!

Texano takes out both Crew members and allows Puma to hit the 630 on Chavo for the win. Texano on the mic says Mexico isn’t just coming for him – Mexico is right here! Chavo really playing up his injured leg and I’m not sure if it’s a work or not.

In the locker room, Chavo is trying to work out the pain in his leg. Blue Demon Jr walks in and Chavo is immediately nervous. He says don’t worry, I don’t fight people who are already hurt, I’m not like you, I’m a good man.

Chavo trying to get in his head, saying Texano has to do his dirty work now and that maybe Mexico has decided that Texano is the man now, after Demon couldn’t get the job done. He never heard fans cheer for Demon the way they cheered for Texano because he is Mexico and Demon is just some has-been who lives in Miami.

Blue Demon is incensed at that and slams Chavo around on the locker and yells at him “I am Mexico! I am!” and walks out as Chavo cowers but then grins to himself.

Ring of Honor

DA 7/1 results

Addiction vs Okada and Gedo first.

Hahaha you can see me like the whole time on hard cam.

Okada and Gedo getting the best early on, with Gedo using his crafty/sneaky veteran tricks to keep Kaz and Daniels off balance. But Addiction start using some questionable tactics of their own to take control of Gedo. But soon he tags in Okada to turn the tide. Gedo tags back in and Addiction pins him with a Celebrity Rehab. But Okada hits the Rainmaker clothesline on Daniels after.

Page vs Watanabe next.

Geez they don't even get a jobber entrance, the match is already started when they come back from commercials. Colby helping page by attacking Watanabe behind the ref back. Watanabe starts to regain momentum but again Colby hits Watanabe when ref isn't looking to let Page hit his finish and get the win. And Steve Corino doesn't look too happy about it.

Adam Cole makes his return from injury and takes on IWGP Champ AJ Styles. (First two matches were from N2 but this is N1)

They shake hands but then Cole spits in Styles hand after he let's go.

Just such a good match I don't want to look away to take notes. Cole tried to control the pace early but AJ firing back with big moves and starting to go after Coles shoulder. Styles wins an awesome match after 2 Hollow Points and a Styles Clash. Afterward Styles pulls up Cole they exchange words with AJ pointing at his title. Cole wants to shake but Styles is hesitant. Then Cole makes him shake and leaves the ring.

For 7/8:

Dalton Castle vs Watanabe

The Kingdom (Cole, Bennett and Taven) vs Michael Elgin and reDRagon

And we’ll hear from new ROH World Champion Jay Lethal and Roderick Strong

Austin Aries coming back to ROH

http://www.rohwrestling.com/news/breaking-news-former-2x-roh-world-champion-returning

Coming back for first time in 5 years on July 17 in Las Vegas. Doesn’t say opponent or how long he’s staying around though

Card so far for July 17:

Wild Card main event

Jay Lethal, Roderick Strong, and Moose vs. Jay Briscoe, Dalton Castle and Kyle O’Reilly

Young Bucks (IWGP Jr champs) vs RPG Vice

Three way elimination match for TV #1 contender

Qualifying matches are:

Christopher Daniels vs Mark Briscoe

Matt Taven vs Bobby Fish

Frankie Kazarian vs ACH

Plus ROH/PCW annual Supershows of Honor on November 27-29. The PCW Twitter spoiled the first match with an image that says “4 shows in 3 days” as well as the first match, an 8-man tag with Elgin, Jay Briscoe, Adam Cole and Delirious vs Dave Mastiff and three other guys I don’t recognize cause I don’t follow British wrestling too closely. (Looked at roster on PCW site and one of them is Kris Travis but I can’t figure out the other 2)

https://twitter.com/pcw_uk

New Japan Pro Wrestling

Dominion, July 5, 2015
Osaka-jo Hall in Osaka, Japan

Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi, Ryusuke Taguchi, Mascara Dorada and Sho Tanaka def. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask and Yohei Komatsu

IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title Match
The Young Bucks (c) def. RPG Vice and reDRagon

Tomoaki Honma and Naito def. Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale and Takahashi)

Katsuyori Shibata def. Sakuraba

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title Match
KUSHIDA def. Kenny Omega to become the new champion

NEVER Openweight Title Match
Togi Makabe (c) def. Tomohiro Ishii

IWGP Tag Team Title Match
Bullet Club (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) def. The Kingdom to become the news champions

Hiroshi Tanahashi def. Toru Yano

IWGP Intercontinental Title Match
Hirooki Goto (c) def. Shinsuke Nakamura

IWGP Heavyweight Title Match
Kazuchika Okada def. AJ Styles to win the championship

G1 Climax 25 Block reveal and selection of matches

Block A

AJ Styles (Current IWGP Heavyweight Champion)

Togi Makabe (Current NEVER Openweight Champion, Winner in 2009)

Hiroyoshi Tenzan (Current NWA Champion, 3 Time Winner in 2003, 2004, 2006)

Hiroshi Tanahashi (Winner in 2007)

Tetsuya Naito (Winner in 2013)

Katsuyori Shibata (3rd G1 in a row)

Toru Yano (9th G1 in a row)

Doc Gallows (2nd G1 in a row)

Bad Luck Fale (2nd G1 in a row)

Kota Ibushi (Missed 2014 G1 due to injury)

Block B

Kazuchika Okada (Defending G1 Winner. 2 Time Winner in 2012, 2014)

Hirooki Goto (Current IWGP IC Champion, Winner in 2008)

Yuji Nagata (Winner in 2001)

Satoshi Kojima (Winner in 2010)

Shinsuke Nakamura (Winner in 2011)

Tomohiro Ishii (3rd G1 in a row)

Yujiro Takahashi (6th G1 in a row)

Karl Anderson (6th G1 in a row)

Michael Elgin (Making his G1 Debut – ROH)

Tomoaki Honma (2nd G1 in a row)

Both blocks will produce some very fun match ups but overall, A looks like the stronger block but B could produce some great matches too.

Obviously, the match ups that Styles will have with Tanahashi, Ibushi, and Shibata will be showstealers but I’m looking for big things out of Shibata and Ibushi in this G1 too since they seem to be poised to get the next big singles runs in NJPW.

But don’t overlook B block. Pretty much the only weak point is Takahashi since Okada, Nakamura, Ishii and Anderson will have awesome matches with anyone, Goto will continue to be solid, Honmamania will run wild, Nagata is still great despite his age, Kojima doesn’t mail it in nearly as much as Tenzan, and I think Elgin will surprise a lot of people. If his bruising mix of power moves and high-impact strikes is used correctly in Japan, he could put on a lot of good matches.

Most anticipated:

Day 1

Shibata vs Styles

Tanahashi vs Ibushi

Day 2

Nagata/Honma

Okada/Elgin

Nakamura/Anderson

Day 3

Shibata/Naito

Yano/Styles

Day 4

Goto/Anderson

Nagata/Nakamura

Okada/Honma

Day 5

Makabe/Shibata

Ibushi/Styles

Tanahashi/Naito

Day 6

Goto/Honma

Ishii/Anderson

Nakamura/Elgin

Day 7

Shibata/Ibushi

Naito/Styles

Day 8

Honma/Elgin

Nakamura/Ishii

Goto/Okada

Day 9

Makabe/Naito

Tanahashi/Yano

Day 10

Nagata/Ishii

Okada/Anderson

Goto/Nakamura

Day 11

Makabe/Styles

Naito/Ibushi

Day 12

Nagata/Elgin

Honma/Anderson

Okada/Ishii

Day 13

Naito/Yano

Tanahashi/Shibata

Day 14

Elgin/Anderson

Honma/Nakamura

Goto/Ishii

Day 15

Ibushi/Yano

Tanahashi/Makabe

Day 16

Goto/Elgin

Nagata/Okada

Honma/Ishii

Day 17

Tenzan/Naito

Makabe/Ibushi

Tanahashi/Styles

Day 18

Ishii/Elgin

Nakamura/Okada

Nagata/Goto

G1 Climax 25 Complete Schedule

7/20

1. Yohei Komatsu, Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger & Yuji Nagata vs. Jay White, David Finlay, Mascara Dorada & Tomoaki Honma 

2. Captain New Japan & Hirooki Goto vs. Cody Hall & Yujiro Takahashi 

3. YOSHI-HASHI & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tama Tonga & Karl Anderson 

4. Ryusuke Taguchi, Satoshi Kojima & Michael Elgin vs. Gedo, Tomohiro Ishii & Kazuchika Okada 

5. (Block A) Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Doc Gallows 

6. (Block A) Togi Makabe vs. Toru Yano 

7. (Block A) Tetsuya Naito vs. Bad Luck Fale 

8. (Block A) Katsuyori Shibata vs. AJ Styles

9. (Block A) Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi 

7/23

1. Tiger Mask & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Jay White & Yohei Komatsu 

2. Captain New Japan, Kota Ibushi & Togi Makabe vs. Cody Hall, Doc Gallows & Bad Luck Fale

3. YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano vs. Tama Tonga & AJ Styles

4. Mascara Dorada, Tetsuya Naito & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Ryusuke Taguchi, Katsuyori Shibata & Hiroyoshi Tenzan

5. (Block B) Satoshi Kojima vs. Tomohiro Ishii 

6. (Block B) Hirooki Goto vs. Yujiro Takahashi

7. (Block B) Yuji Nagata vs. Tomoaki Honma

8. (Block B) Kazuchika Okada vs. Michael Elgin

9. (Block B) Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Karl Anderson 

7/24

1. Yohei Komatsu, Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger & Satoshi Kojima vs. Jay White, David Finlay Jr., Mascara Dorada & Michael Elgin

2. YOSHI-HASHI & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Cody Hall & Yujiro Takahashi

3. Captain New Japan & Hirooki Goto vs. Tama Tonga & Karl Anderson 

4. Ryusuke Taguchi, Tomoaki Honma & Yuji Nagata vs. Gedo, Kazuchika Okada & Shinsuke Nakamura

5. (Block A) Kota Ibushi vs. Doc Gallows

6. (Block A) Togi Makabe vs. Bad Luck Fale

7. (Block A) Toru Yano vs. AJ Styles

8. (Block A) Katsuyori Shibata vs. Tetsuya Naito 

9. (Block A) Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan 

7/25

1. Captain New Japan, Tiger Mask, & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Cody Hall, Tama Tonga & Doc Gallows

2. David Finlay Jr., Mascara Dorada & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Gedo, YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano 

3. Jay White & Kota Ibushi vs. Bad Luck Fale & AJ Styles

4. Ryusuke Taguchi, Katsuyori Shibata & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Yohei Komatsu, Togi Makabe & Tetsuya Naito 

5. (Block B) Tomohiro Ishii vs. Yujiro Takahashi 

6. (Block B) Satoshi Kojima vs. Michael Elgin 

7. (Block B) Hirooki Goto vs. Karl Anderson

8. (Block B) Yuji Nagata vs. Shinsuke Nakamura 

9. (Block B) Tomoaki Honma vs. Kazuchika Okada

7/26

1. Yohei Komatsu, Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger & Hirooki Goto vs. Jay White, David Finlay Jr., Mascara Dorada & Tomoaki Honma 

2. Captain New Japan & Yuji Nagata vs. Cody Hall & Yujiro Takahashi 

3. YOSHI-HASHI & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tama Tonga & Karl Anderson

4. Ryusuke Taguchi, Satoshi Kojima & Michael Elgin vs. Gedo, Kazuchika Okada & Shinsuke Nakamura 

5. (Block A) Doc Gallows vs. Bad Luck Fale

6. (Block A) Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Toru Yano

7. (Block A) Togi Makabe vs. Katsuyori Shibata

8. (Block A) Kota Ibushi vs. AJ Styles

9. (Block A) Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tetsuya Naito

7/28

1. Tiger Mask & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. David Finlay Jr. & Ryusuke Taguchi

2. YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano vs. Cody Hall & Doc Gallows

3. Mascara Dorada, Kota Ibushi & Togi Makabe vs. Yohei Komatsu, Katsuyori Shibata & Hiroyoshi Tenzan

4. Captain New Japan, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tetsuya Naito vs. Tama Tonga, Bad Luck Fale & AJ Styles

5. (Block B) Yuji Nagata vs. Yujiro Takahashi 

6. (Block B) Hirooki Goto vs. Tomoaki Honma

7. (Block B) Tomohiro Ishii vs. Karl Anderson

8. (Block B) Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Michael Elgin

9. (Block B) Satoshi Kojima vs. Kazuchika Okada

7/29

1. Mascara Dorada & Tiger Mask vs. Jay White & David Finlay Jr. 

2. Yohei Komatsu, Ryusuke Taguchi, Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata vs. Cody Hall, Tama Tonga, Yujiro Takahashi & Karl Anderson

3. Captain New Japan, Tomoaki Honma & Michael Elgin vs. YOSHI-HASHI, Tomohiro Ishii & Shinsuke Nakamura

4. Jushin Thunder Liger & Hirooki Goto vs. Gedo & Kazuchika Okada

5. (Block A) Toru Yano vs. Doc Gallows

6. (Block A) Togi Makabe vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan

7. (Block A) Katsuyori Shibata vs. Kota Ibushi

8. (Block A) Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale

9. (Block A) Tetsuya Naito vs. AJ Styles

8/1

1. Jay White & David Finlay Jr. vs. Cody Hall & Doc Gallows

2. Yohei Komatsu, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Togi Makabe vs. Mascara Dorada, Kota Ibushi & Tetsuya Naito

3. Captain New Japan, Tiger Mask & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Tama Tonga, Bad Luck Fale & AJ Styles

4. Ryusuke Taguchi, KUSHIDA & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Gedo, YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano

5. (Block B) Satoshi Kojima vs. Yujiro Takahashi

6. (Block B) Yuji Nagata vs. Karl Anderson

7. (Block B) Tomoaki Honma vs. Michael Elgin

8. (Block B) Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tomohiro Ishii

9. (Block B) Hirooki Goto vs. Kazuchika Okada

8/2

1. Yohei Komatsu, Ryusuke Taguchi, KUSHIDA & Satoshi Kojima vs. David Finlay Jr., Mascara Dorada, Tiger Mask & Tomoaki Honma

2. Jay White & Michael Elgin vs. Cody Hall & Yujiro Takahashi 

3. Captain New Japan, Yuji Nagata & Hirooki Goto vs. YOSHI-HASHI, Tomohiro Ishii & Shinsuke Nakamura

4. Gedo & Kazuchika Okada vs. Tama Tonga & Karl Anderson

5. (Block A) Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Kota Ibushi

6. (Block A) Katsuyori Shibata vs. Bad Luck Fale

7. (Block A) AJ Styles vs. Doc Gallows 

8. (Block A) Togi Makabe vs. Tetsuya Naito 

9. (Block A) Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Toru Yano

8/4

1. Ryusuke Taguchi & Tiger Mask vs. Jay White & David Finlay Jr. 

2. Yohei Komatsu & Katsuyori Shibata vs. YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano

3. KUSHIDA & Tetsuya Naito vs. Mascara Dorada & Kota Ibushi

4. Captain New Japan, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Togi Makabe vs. Tama Tonga, Bad Luck Fale, Doc Gallows & AJ Styles

5. (Block B) Michael Elgin vs. Yujiro Takahashi

6. (Block B) Satoshi Kojima vs. Tomoaki Honma

7. (Block B) Yuji Nagata vs. Tomohiro Ishii

8. (Block B) Kazuchika Okada vs. Karl Anderson

9. (Block B) Hirooki Goto vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

8/5

1. Yohei Komatsu, Tiger Mask, Yuji Nagata & Satoshi Kojima vs. David Finlay Jr, Mascara Dorada, Michael Elgin & Hirooki Goto

2. Jay White & Tomoaki Honma vs. Cody Hall & Karl Anderson

3. Tomohiro Ishii & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi

4. Captain New Japan, Ryusuke Taguchi & KUSHIDA vs. Gedo, YOSHI-HASHI & Kazuchika Okada

5. (Block A) Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Bad Luck Fale

6. (Block A) Katsuyori Shibata vs. Toru Yano

7. (Block A) Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Doc Gallows

8. (Block A) Togi Makabe vs. AJ Styles

9. (Block A) Tetsuya Naito vs. Kota Ibushi

8/7

1. Yohei Komatsu vs. Jay White

2. David Finlay Jr. & Tetsuya Naito vs. YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano

3. Captain New Japan, Kota Ibushi, Togi Makabe & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Tama Tonga, Bad Luck Fale, Amber Gallows & AJ Styles

4. Mascara Dorada, KUSHIDA & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask & Katsuyori Shibata

5. (Block B) Yuji Nagata vs. Michael Elgin

6. (Block B) Tomoaki Honma vs. Karl Anderson

7. (Block B) Satoshi Kojima vs. Hirooki Goto

8. (Block B) Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Yujiro Takahashi 

9. (Block B) Kazuchika Okada vs. Tomohiro Ishii

8/8

1. Yohei Komatsu, Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask & Satoshi Kojima vs. David Finlay Jr., Mascara Dorada, KUSHIDA & Yuji Nagata

2. Jay White & Michael Elgin vs. Cody Hall & Karl Anderson

3. Captain New Japan, Tomoaki Honma & Hirooki Goto vs. YOSHI-HASHI, Tomohiro Ishii & Shinsuke Nakamura

4. Gedo & Kazuchika Okada vs. Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi

5. (Block A) Kota Ibushi vs. Bad Luck Fale

6. (Block A) Tetsuya Naito vs. Toru Yano

7. (Block A) Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. AJ Styles

8. (Block A) Togi Makabe vs. Doc Gallows

9. (Block A) Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Katsuyori Shibata

8/9

1. Jay White & David Finlay Jr. vs. Tama Tonga & Bad Luck Fale

2. Mascara Dorada & Kota Ibushi vs. YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano

3. Captain New Japan, Ryusuke Taguchi & Tetsuya Naito vs. Cody Hall, Doc Gallows & AJ Styles

4. KUSHIDA, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tiger Mask, Katsuyori Shibata & Togi Makabe

5. (Block B) Michael Elgin vs. Karl Anderson

6. (Block B) Satoshi Kojima vs. Yuji Nagata

7. (Block B) Kazuchika Okada vs. Yujiro Takahashi 

8. (Block B) Tomoaki Honma vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

9. (Block B) Hirooki Goto vs. Tomohiro Ishii

8/11

1. Jay White & Mascara Dorada vs. Cody Hall & Yujiro Takahashi

2. Captain New Japan & KUSHIDA vs. Tama Tonga & Karl Anderson

3. Yohei Komatsu & Hirooki Goto vs. David Finlay Jr. & Michael Elgin

4. Ryusuke Taguchi, Tomoaki Honma, Yuji Nagata & Satoshi Kojima vs. YOSHI-HASHI, Tomohiro Ishii, Kazuchika Okada & Shinsuke Nakamura

5. (Block A) Tetsuya Naito vs. Doc Gallows

6. (Block A) Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Katsuyori Shibata

7. (Block A) Kota Ibushi vs. Toru Yano

8. (Block A) AJ Styles vs. Bad Luck Fale

9. (Block A) Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Togi Makabe

8/12

1. Jay White, David Finlay Jr. & Tiger Mask vs. Sho Tanaka, Yohei Komatsu & Ryusuke Taguchi 

2. YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano vs. Tama Tonga & Bad Luck Fale

3. KUSHIDA, Togi Makabe & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Mascara Dorada, Kota Ibushi & Tetsuya Naito

4. Captain New Japan, Katsuyori Shibata & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Cody Hall, Doc Gallows & AJ Styles

5. (Block B) Karl Anderson vs. Yujiro Takahashi 

6. (Block B) Hirooki Goto vs. Michael Elgin

7. (Block B) Satoshi Kojima vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

8. (Block B) Yuji Nagata vs. Kazuchika Okada

9. (Block B) Tomoaki Honma vs. Tomohiro Ishii

8/14

1. Mascara Dorada, Tomoaki Honma & Satoshi Kojima vs. Tama Tonga, Yujiro Takahashi & Karl Anderson

2. Michael Elgin, Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Cody Hall, Nick Jackson & Matt Jackson

3. Manabu Nakanishi & Yuji Nagata vs. Captain New Japan & Hirooki Goto

4. YOSHI-HASHI, Kazushi Sakuraba, Tomohiro Ishii & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Michael Bennett, Matt Taven, Gedo & Kazuchika Okada (w/ Maria Kenellis) 

5. (Block A) Toru Yano vs. Bad Luck Fale

6. (Block A) Katsuyori Shibata vs. Doc Gallows

7. (Block A) Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Tetsuya Naito

8. (Block A) Togi Makabe vs. Kota Ibushi 

9. (Block A) Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. AJ Styles

8/15

1. Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu vs. Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly

2. Jay White & David Finlay Jr. vs. Nick Jackson & Matt Jackson

3. Michael Bennett, Matt Taven, YOSHI-HASHI, Kazushi Sakuraba & Toru Yano (w/ Maria Kanellis) vs. Cody Hall, Tama Tonga, Bad Luck Fale, Doc Gallows & AJ Styles

4. Katsuyori Shibata, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Togi Makabe & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Captain New Japan, Manabu Nakanishi, Kota Ibushi & Tetsuya Naito

5. (Block B) Tomohiro Ishii vs. Michael Elgin

6. (Block B) Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kazuchika Okada

7. (Block B) Tomoaki Honma vs. Yujiro Takahashi 

8. (Block B) Yuji Nagata vs. Hirooki Goto

9. (Block B) Satoshi Kojima vs. Karl Anderson

G1 Cimax 25 Finals, 8/16

(Announced So Far) 

IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championship

reDRagon (Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly) vs. The Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson) 

G1 Climax 25 Finals

Block A Winner vs. Block B Winner

All the shows in July at select from August will be on New Japan World live

New Japan book being crowdfunded

http://www.reddit.com/r/SquaredCircle/comments/3c8ugb/lions_pride_a_book_about_the_history_of_new_japan/

Chikara

Chikara selling replica masks at really reasonable prices - looks like most to all of their big stars represented and each are only $25. Those are the adult masks too. There’s a kids Jervis Cottonbelly which is only $10.

http://chikarapro.com/masks

Journey Into Chikara

Apparently Chikara is hosting a live, weekly show on, you guessed it, Wednesday night. I guess on YouTube but there isn’t any further info yet

Beyond Wrestling

“Americanrana ‘15” coming up on July 26 at Fete Music in Providence, Rhode Island

Took this card from their FB page: 

*A Year In The Making*
Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) vs. Death By Elbow (Chris Hero & JT Dunn)

*Americanrana ’14 Rematch*
Best Friends (Trent? & Chuck Taylor) vs. Team TREMENDOUS (Dan Barry & Bill Carr)

*Grudge Match*
Kimber Lee vs. Heidi Lovelace

*Non-Title Match*
IWGP Tag Team Champions The Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) vs. Biff Busick & Drew Gulak

*Teacher vs. Student*
Brian Fury vs. Donovan Dijak

*Pick Your Partner*
Beaver Boys (John Silver & Alex Reynolds) vs. Ryan Galeone & Brian Myers

*Atomicos Match*
Team Pazuzu (Chris Dickinson, Jaka, Mike Draztik, Angel Ortiz, Pinkie Sanchez)
vs. Da Hit Squad (Mafia & Monsta Mack), Nick Gage, Shynron, & ???

*First Time Ever*
Johnny Gargano vs. David Starr

*Casket Match*
Matt Tremont vs. Stockade

*Winners Take All Four Way*
Da Hoodz (Davey Cash & Kris Pyro) vs. Garden State Gods (Eric Corvis & Myke Quest)
vs. Sybmiote (Rickey Shane Page & Davey Vega) vs. Anthony Stone & Nicholas Kaye

Something about how Chuck Taylor is retiring and Beyond is promoting his last match at Americanrana.

I can’t tell if this is for real since Chuckie T usually says things like this a lot on his Twitter but other wrestlers and many fans have been responding to him begging for this not to be true (I’ll admit, I was one of them).

I’m hoping that Chuck Taylor is “retiring” because he is getting signed to NXT, but no one knows if that’s for real. You’d think that someone like Taylor would fit the WWE mold really well since he’s got a little bit of size and has more charisma than most of NXT put together.

And if Chuck Taylor ends up retiring for reals, I can’t wait until Zack Sabre Jr. becomes Chuck Taylor II.