Round Of 16:

March 11th - Item Ehime (Ehime, Japan)

- EVIL v. Jeff Cobb

- Tetsuya Naito v. Toru Yano

EVIL v. Jeff Cobb

First-Ever Singles Match

With half the field gone, it's a high-stakes matchup kicking off the Round of 16 as Bullet Club co-leader goes head-to-head against United Empire's own in the form of Jeff Cobb. These two facing off for the first time in their career's, it certainly creates an unpredictable atmosphere, which is what makes the NJC tournament so special. Upon the bell ringing, the two highly competitive performers entangle in a lockup, engaging in a test of strength, as they both battle over the early advantage. With both having a similar stature, the battle of strength ended up in a stalemate, as the standard lockup is transitioned into a side headlock for EVIL, he pushes his opponent into the ropes, and once Cobb hits the ropes, he strikes his opposition with a huge shoulder block! EVIL is still standing! Cobb now attempting for another forceful attack, the NJC 2020 winner still not allowing himself to fall down the canvas, his opponent attempts to execute the the next logical action, as he strikes him with a lariat. Finally EVIL falls down to his back, Jeff smirking at a job well done, he begins to pick his opposition back up and sends him into the nearest corner, following up with a running European Uppercut into the corner!

Knowing this wouldn't take down the "King Of Darkness" down, he runs back to the other side of the ring and back to the corner for another uppercut, but EVIL is able to move out of the way, landing a rolling elbow to the tip of his opposition's chin. From there, he takes advantage of a staggered Jeff Cobb and lands a sidewalk slam, Cobb crashing down onto the canvas. Quickly after doing so, the first pinfall attempt of the evening begins...1...2.. KICKOUT! Quickly after the near-fall, EVIL strokes his hair, beginning to become quite irritated, and with that being said, recklessness began to set in. He keeps up the offence, getting to his feet and dragging KENJI up by the head near the ropes, landing a big Springboard stomp, Cobb quickly grabbing his abdomen area as the force of the strike reveals some vulnerability for the former NEVER Openweight Champion. Upon lifting him up back to his feet, he throws him into the corner, moving towards the Hawaiian wrestler and landing knee-after-knee strike. Cobb propped up to the ropes in the corner, EVIL walks to the opposite side of the ring, running back and landing a big clothesline! He steps up to the middle rope and starts raining down punches to his opponent's head, the calling of the ref not registering for last year's NJC victor. He looks over at the ref before landing another pair of punches.

He is doesn't just yet though, he looks to land even more, but Cobb slips out from the opposition's grasp, landing a huge kick to EVIL's back, leaving the champion perched on the middle rope, draped over the turnbuckle! He doesn't stay in this position for long though, as he lifts Cobb up to the top rope, still in a backwards position, as a back suplex follows! Both men are down on the mat for some time, the referee looking to perhaps start a count for them both. It gets to the count of 8 before either of them are able to rise to their feet, Cobb is able to get to his feet first, getting to one knee, trying to beat some life into his damaged limb. Especially considering the way he landed, it didn't look all too well, EVIL gets to his feet too, slowly stirring after that crazy event. The former grabs a gutwrench hold, looking to lift up EVIL for the gutwrench suplex, but his opponent counters as he keeps his feet grounded, and as he looks to lift up Cobb in a fireman's carry position, he escapes and lands a headbutt. However, upon running to the ropes, DICK TOGO SMASHES A KENDO STICK TO COBB'S BACK... EVERYTHING IS EVIL FOLLOWS! 1...2...3...! BULLET CLUB'S OWN EVIL ADVANCES TO THE QUARTERFINALS!

EVIL def. Jeff Cobb (15:06)

Tetsuya Naito v. Toru Yano

Head-to-Head Record: 1-0

As we move on with this evening's show, a change of pace is what may be needed. And oh boy...there's no other way to describe this upcoming match than just that, as the current KOPW 2021 Holder goes one-on-one against the former Double Champion in Tetsuya Naito. With the latter having took part in a much more physical endeavor last round than his opposition, the edge may go to the latter, but one thing we have learned over the years is never count out Tetsuya Naito! Yano makes his way to the ring, with his DVD's in one hand, and cleaning materials in the other, spraying the air as he makes sure COVID protocol is followed here. Naito is out next, he laughs at his opponent's action, marching down to the ring, barely looking at Yano at all... As the match begins, the two men stare at eachother for a few moments before the 42 year old veteran runs to the corner and attempts to take the corner-pad right off! Naito sees this and runs at his opponent, clobbering him in the back of his head, bringing him back to the center of the ring in an attempt to disrupt Yano's sneaky tactics. Following this, Naito made sure that Yano's illegal actions came to bite him, as a tornado DDT from the 2016 NJC victor is executed...Yano rolling as he grabs his neck in the process due to the impact of the maneuver.

Naito follows him to the outside area, Yano rolling over near the guardrail, Naito falls right into his trap. Running at his opposition, Yano rolls out of the way in the nick of time, which lands "El Ingoernable" in hot water, CRASHING INTO THE GUARDRAIL! From there, Yano searches underneath the ring, pulling out a roll of duck tape... proceeding to tape up one of Naito's legs and the other to Tsuji's. Entering the ring, it's clear that Yano will have no problem taking the countout victory... as the count starts, he tries to get the tape off of him, as the Young Lion obviously can't fit through the guardrail due to his large stature. Once the count of 17 arrives, the combined speed of both Naito & Tsuji, are able to get the duck tape off of both of them, which results in the former champion being able to make it into the ring at the last second. A sense of disbelief arises upon Yano's face, he quickly looks for a low-blow but Naito ducks under and lands a missle kick! Yano is now down on his back! Naito shouts as he calls for his finishing maneuver, he picks up his opponent and lands a DESTINOOO-WAIT NO, YANO LANDS A LOW-BLOW...NAITO GRABS THE HAND, TWISTING IT! Following this is a DESTINOOOOOOOOOOO! THE LIJ LEADER ADVANCES TO THE QUARTER-FINALS!

Tetsuya Naito def. Toru Yano (7:15)

March 13th - Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium (Aichi, Japan)

- Minoru Suzuki v. KENTA

- Hiroki Goto v. Kazuchika Okada

Minoru Suzuki v. KENTA

Head-to-Head Record: 1-0

Last meeting 16 years ago in NOAH, Minoru Suzuki was able to get the better of KENTA on that night, but with almost two decades elapsing since then and both men growing immensely aswell, it's possibly time for some revenge. With this matchup meaning a lot to both men, instead of the usual sluggish movements, they both lock up, but where the match would usually begin with a technical display, gets forgone for descent into heated striking. Strike-after-strike, forearm-after-forearm, this not coming to a conclusion until Suzuki lands a gut shot to the opposition, whipping KENTA across to ring to run the ropes. He ducks a clothesline, landing a shoulder check on the rebound, but Suzuki quickly gets back up to his feet and this time he whips the Bullet Club member to the ropes. The NJC USA 2020 winner ducks another clothesline, but this time he goes for a mid kick, one of his bread and butter moves, in-which Suzuki catches the leg, and drops KENJI to the mat with a dragon screw leg whip. He keeps up the offence to KENTA's left leg with more dragon screws, smartly targeting the limb that could end the match for him, trying to eliminate the GTS from his opposition's arsenal, the pressure of his leg hopefully giving it out, the gameplan is plain & simple. KENTA yells in pain with every wrench Suzuji takes onto his left knee with these vicious dragon screws. Isolating the leg, he goes further and lands a knee drop onto the knee, reveling in the early control he's taken during this match.

He keeps the favorite grounded, not with holds, but with confident stomps. Both to KENTA's legs and the midsection. He is eventually able to crawl his way to the corner, where Suzuki starts choking him with his foot, only releasing at the last opportunity to the referee's count. He's a fighter and a bruiser, the rules are just something to be used and manipulated, if it means inflicting more brutality, of course. KENTA gets to his feet, this time a little more hesitant when approaching, starting to use some feints to bait Suzuki into making a move, countering a forearm attempt with yet another mid kick, cringing a little at the damage already caused. It's not enough to neutralize his kicks, but he's noticeably slower with the strikes than he would be. Both men throw more strikes, with Suzuki being able to equalize again, this time with a mid-kick of his own, attempting to transition into a grapple of some sort onto KENTA's knee, but the opposition is too wily, able to kick the veteran away. Moving closer to the ropes, he readies himself on the apron, looking to catch a breather, but quickly after doing so he jumps and vaults onto the top rope, flying across the ring, but Suzuki has him scouted.

Impressively, Suzuki catches KENTA on his shoulders right into a Juji-Gatame, the fast but effective move now is now locked in! KENTA begins to scream in pain, as he is positioned in the center of the ring, he can't possibly make it to the ropes. But rather begins to move to a position where he can pick his opposition up, sending Suzuki into THE CORNER! SUZUKI IS DROPPED RIGHT ONTO HIS HEAD! Upon realizing the predicament that his opposition is now in, he runs to the other side of the ring and back to the other with a CORNER DROPKICK! A quick pinfall attempt follows...1...2...KICKOUT! He keeps up the offence, getting to his feet and dragging Suzuki up by the head this time, hitting a big knee lift to the gut of Suzuki, as he falls to his knees from the force of the strike, the wind no doubt knocked out of him. Impact from KENTA!! Absolutely flattening his opposition into the mat! Minoru grunts with a pushed exhale, he tries to make it to his feet, but a series of thrust kicks to his skull from KENTA keep him down, but that only infuriates the Suzuki-Gun leader, as he gets up to his feet out of rage... LANDING A HUGE SLAP...THIS INFURIATES KENTA THIS TIME AROUND, LANDING A KOUTOBU KICK... WHICH EVENTUALLY LEADS TO THE GTS BEING EXECUTED! KENTA IS VICTORIOUS!

KENTA def. Minoru Suzuki (16:00)

Kazuchika Okada v. Hirooki Goto

Head-to-Head Record: 7-7

This being the fifteenth time these two have faced off in singles action, it is quite clear that they know eachother very well. With their most recent encounter being in 2016, a lot has changed since then which should make for a highly competitive contest, here in Aichi the two stare at one another for a bit. Kazuchika Okada has just come off a highly physical battle against Shingo Takagi, while Goto has done the same with the only difference being Taichi. As the bell rings, the big-fight feel around this one is felt, as in many ways the winner of this contest could indeed go on to secure the entire tournament. The matchup begins with a classic lockup, Okada takes the early advantage, pushing Goto down into a headlock, as he cranks the head of his opposition, who tries to reverse with a suplex, but he blocks the maneuver. Goto pushes Okada off, as the latter bounces off of the ropes, and he goes for a dropkick, but nobody's home, as Goto holds onto the ropes with a firm grip. With "The Rainmaker" down on the ground, one third of the NEVER Openweight Champions wastes no time, nailing a huge roundhouse kick to the head of Okada! Upon impact, he retreats to the corner, possibly not expecting such fiery offense from his opposition.

As Goto charges at him, Okada moves, and uses the momentum of his opposition to force him into the corner. He then begins to stomp away at the midsection of Hirooki Goto, backing up and landing a sliding dropkick! Okada quickly attempts for an early pinfall victory, red shoes in position aswell...1...2...KICKOUT! Both men work their way back up to a vertical base following the kickout, feeling each other out as both men have hit some high impact maneuvers already early on in this contest. Now going on the attack, Goto immediately runs at his opponent, looking to land a devastating Muramasa, as it ends up connecting, which leaves Okada having his socks knocked right off! As Goto holds his right shoulder, he begins to stir in the ring, shaking off the effect of the damage he has inflicted thus far in this contest, Okada rolling out of the ring, he calls for his opponent to join him where he stands. Waiting over five years for this very moment, a brawl ensuses between both men, back-and-forth they go, until Hirooki is thrown into the guardrail! A dropkick following this, as the champion falls over that same guardrail, crashing down to the floor.

Staggering to his feet, Goto doesn't really know where he is, which gives Okada enough time to run back to the other side of the outside area and back for a SPLASH OVER THE GUARDRAIL! Okada heads back into the ring, as the count continues... Goto finally meeting his opposition back into the ring at the count of 19! A close one indeed, Goto throwing his opposition onto his shoulders, and brings him down onto his knees with a Fireman's Carry Backbreaker! Instead of going for the cover, the brutalization is evident, as Okada's nose seems to be injured to a degree, as it's bleeding from the left nostril, with a pinfall attempt following this...1...2...KICKOUT! This time with Okada kicking out, he begins to lift up into a seated position, as Goto looks for a Penalty Kick...BUT OKADA DUCKS UNDER AND GRABS ONTO HIS OPPOSTION'S LEG! Attempting to lock in a one-leg boston crab, but he's pushed off, as Goto locks on for a possible GTR...NO OKADA ESCAPES AND LIFTS HIM UP FOR A TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER. He's calling for it now...LIFTING HIM UP ONCE MORE...THIS TIME WITH THE RAINMAKER...IT CONNECTS!!! Immediately falling into the cover...1...2...3... OKADA DOES IT, BREAKING THE TIE!

Kazuchika Okada def. Hiroki Goto (19:34)

March 14th - Baycom Gymnasium (Hyogo, Japan)

- SANADA v. Yuji Nagata

- Will Ospreay v. Zack Sabre Jr.

SANADA v. Yuji Nagata

Head-to-Head Record: 1-1

Between these two men, the scoreboard looks like this: 1-1, with the most recent matchup happening just a few weeks ago, where SANADA prevailed over Yuji Nagata. Now the latter is looking for some revenge, could he do so by eliminating the "Cold Skull" from this year's NJC tournament quite early on? And we're off! Before they get into any action, the two walk up to each other in the middle of the ring, the two competitors stare each other down before SANADA shoves Nagata down onto his back. Possibly a sign of disrespect to the veteran, he shoots right back up to her feet and shoves SANADA backward this time, the NJC 2019 finalist quickly responds by locking his opposition in a headlock, drawing him down closer to the ground by getting on one knee. He flips Nagata into a sitting position before locking in the hold deeper, using the space between his forearm and bicep wisely. Eventually, the former two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion is able to slither out of the hold and wrap his arms around SANADA's waist before shoving him forward off the ropes. In the rebound, he grabs the arm of the long-time LIJ member, pinning his arm behind his back whilst delivering forearms to his back.

Nagata now spins his opponent around, and while still holding his wrist, pulls him toward her before leveling him with a kneel kick! SANADA immediately yells out in agony as he falls on his back quite awkwardly. Nagata is able to use his weight to get on top of his opposition, raining down a massive elbow to his head, looking for another one now, but this time SANADA comes at his opposition down low, sweeping him off his feet and immediately mounting him, raining down punches to his head. Nagata immediately grabs onto the bottom rope, forcing his his opponent to discontinue his assault. However, he gets right back up to his feet and tells SANADA to bring it while he sits near the bottom rope, regathering himself. Slowly making it to his feet, immediately meeting him with a dropkick, sending him to the outside with a clothesline! Costa is now fully in control of this match, and keeps the pressure up by shoving Mikey against the announcer's table, landing some devastating chops to his chest that ring through the whole arena. SANADA fully in control of this contest now, and keeps the pressure up by shoving Nagata against the guardrail once he meets him on the outside, landing some devastating chops to his chest that ring through the whole arena.

He then rolls back in the ring briefly, breaking the count before rolling back out, content with dealing punishment to the absolute icon on the outside. He picks up Nagata from his slumped position on the same guardrail, but he fights back with a massive slap across the face! SANADA puts his hand to his face momentarily before shutting down the possible comeback with a huge slap of his own. The two continuing their brawl, with multiple forearms/slaps to eachother, before once again entering the ring, this time together. With the slaps on the outside changing both of these competitor's minds on their approach to this contest, both stumbling back up to a vertical base, allowing SANADA to head up to the top rope, spring-boarding off of it for a missle dropkick! Both men finally have a moment to recover from this highly physical battle, and they use it well, as once they both make it to their feet... ADRENALINE OUT OF NOWHERE! SANADA catching Nagata with a TKO, which eventually leads to A SKULL END BEING LOCKED IN! Now in the center of the ring... THERE IS NO WHERE FOR NAGATA TO GO... AS HE HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO TAP! SANADA ADVANCES TO THE QUARTER-FINALS!

SANADA def. Yuji Nagata (13:45)

Zack Sabre Jr. v. Will Ospreay

Head-to-Head Record: 8-4

While these two competitors have went one-on-one an overall 12 times, it's been over a full calendar year since just them two have shared a ring together. But there's still a sour taste in the mouth of Zack Sabre Jr., due to him losing his RPW British Heavyweight Championship the last time they met, vengeance has to be on his mind, and what better way of accomplishing that then eliminating Ospreay early on in this year's NJC tournament! With this match getting started, Ospreay takes his sweet time to abide by the referee's call to get started, as the two competitors stare eachother for quite sometime, what actually feels like ages. After doing so, the two ensue in a lockup, as Sabre quickly transitions into a waistlock and hoists up the current British Heavyweight Champion with an impressive dragon suplex! Sabre with the bridge...1...2...OSPREAY KICKS OUT! The recipient of the attack begins to stir to his feet once he kicks out, a pained look on his face still from the rough landing. Sabre scrambles to his feet too and stops his opposition's comeback with a blatant closed fist right across Ospreay's chin! He stumbles on his feet for a moment, almost falling to one knee before pulling through the pain, giving Zack a swift forearm strike in return. Grunting in pain, Ospreay kicks Zack in the gut, and kicks Zack in the gut, followed by a dropkick for good measure.

Knowing that Sabre is someone who can win out of nowhere, so keeping control of the match is crucial for his strategy. The crowd rally behind him with clap-after-clap as he gradually picks up some momentum sending even more pain writhing through the veins of the former tag champion, as a standing corkscrew shooting star press is landed! Upon impact, Sabre holds onto his ribs tightly, clearly they are hurting. Returning to his feet though, he immediately stops Ospreay's momentum, locking in a chin-lock, tightening the hold, attempting to suffocate his opponent. Not for long though, as Ospreay is able to escape and slips around for a waistlock, this time going for a deadlift german suplex, but Sabre wiggles out of it, with the NJC 2018 winner pushing Ospreay into the corner. With rage in his eyes, he as he snorts before running to tackle his opponent down, but Ospreay leapfrogs! Falling into the corner now, he repositions himself on the ropes...as he's not looking too hot at the moment, Zack going for him again, but SANADA jumps again! On the rebound, Zack's hopes to tackle his opponent are dashed with a big Silent Whisper from "The Commonwealth Kingpin!"

Ospreay doesn't let the chance of momentum escape him as Ospreay rolls under the ropes and out of the ring, hoping to get a moment's respite from this sudden burst of resilience from his opponent. The crowd are on the edge of their seats as Sabre follows him to the outside of the squared circle, running forward and locking in an octopus hold! The count now beginning, Ospreay is desperately trying to escape the hold, knowing that this could eventually lead to a countout attempt by the highly intelligent Sabre, and upon doing so he is able to wiggle his way free and step upon the apron, landing a TORNADO DDT OFF OF IT! Ospreay connects and Sabre crashing down to the mats at ringside, the audience clapping loudly at Ospreay's feat of athleticism. Taking a moment to recover, he gets to his feet and throws his opposition back inside the ring, the champion lining up in the corner for a HIDDEN BLADE... IT CONNECTS! THE STORMBREAKER FOLLOWS... AS OSPREAY IS ABLE TO SECURE THE THREE COUNT AND ADVANCE TO THE QUARTER-FINALS!

Will Ospreay def. Zack Sabre Jr. (22:03)

March 15th - Korakuen Hall (Tokyo, Japan)

- David Finlay v. YOSHI-HASHI

- Jay White v. Hiroshi Tanahashi

YOSHI-HASHI v. David Finlay

Head-to-Head Record: 1-0

These two last meeting almost five years ago, David Finlay was able to overcome YOSHI-HASHI. But with the latter growing exceptionally since their last encounter, this could end up going either way this time around. The bell rings suddenly, but what's this? YOSHI-HASHI jumps down from the turnbuckle he was once seated on-top of and runs towards Finlay, both men colliding in a big shoulder check, throwing hands as the bell rings. The referee hastily moves out of the way, not expecting such fiery offense by both competitors to kick us off, as it looks like neither man is content with a feeling out period tonight, going right into trying to win as quickly as possible! Finlay lays in some forearm smashes to the collar of the "Head Hunter", but the stocky opposition starts to shrug off the strikes, glaring at one third of the NEVER Openweight Tag Team Champions in the eyes before sending his opponent a few steps back following a meaty knife edge chop. The crowd clapping, clearly respecting such competitive competition this early on, and it grows even louder as HASHI responds by running forward and chops Finlay right back. He grimaces as he crawls to the corner, getting back to his feet, only to get smashed by a huge running body avalanche from KENJI, who runs to the opposite corner, returning with yet another huge running body chop in the corner.

He stumbles forward as the match shows no sign of stopping, Finlay pulls HASHI into a gutwrench, looking to transition into a STO backbreaker but his opposition is able to escape and throw Finlay into the corner with an arm drag. Seeing his opportunity to even the odds against such an explosive challenger, YOSHI-HASHI connects with flying forearm, and grabs Finlay's head, going to hit the backstabber, trying for the big offence early, IT CONNECTS! HASHI tries to keep his balance, so the maneuver is even more effective, which he does indeed find a way to accomplish, the count begins once he falls to the cover...1...2...KICKOUT! YOSHI-HASHI scrambles to maintain this opening in the match, one wrong move, and it could call come crashing down. He starts laying consecutive knee drops to the body of the challenger before running back and landing a seated lariat once Finlay is lifted into a seated position, as it lands perfectly. The champion tries to hit yet another backstabber once he picks up his opponent, which his strategy to best his opponent, however but David Finlay reverses and attempts a Connor O'Roll...1...2... YOSHI-HASHI REVERSES IT INTO HIS OWN ROLLUP...1...2...3... HE DOES IT!!!

YOSHI-HASHI def. David Finlay (13:00)

Jay White v. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Head-to-Head Record: 3-2

It's the match we have all been waiting for, Jay White going one-on-one against Hiroshi Tanahashi! These two having five matches overall here in NJPW, with White being able to have the edge over The Ace with three wins out of the overall five, with their last outing being almost two years ago, it has given both men quite sometime to grow and prosper ahead of this contest. Switchblade is out first, unaccompanied, wanting to prove that he can once defeat the current NEVER Openweight Champion, but this time with no help from his Bullet Club bois. Tanahashi is out next, air guitaring his way to the ring, his eyes remain clearly laser focused upon White's eyes, as the champion reaches the ring, As "The Ace" makes his way down the ramp, the NEVER Openweight Championship draped over his shoulder, now entering the ring, still unable to keep his eyes off of his opposition, knowing exactly what White is all about and capable of. Both men beginning to undress, they get ready for what could indeed be Match Of The Tournament, but who will walk out of the last encounter of this portion of the tournament the victor?

It is time. The main event. Who will be moving onto the Quarter-Finals? The Switchblade or The Ace? Let's find out. The match kicks starts off slowly as both men get a feel for each other's strategies heading into this match. Tanahashi makes clean breaks initially, but gets goaded into making some swings at White after "The Switchblade" doesn't let his opponent take advantage, mocking "The Ace" in his typical snarky style, spitting in his face and shouting "You are no longer the standard barrier Tanahashi!" The veteran looks to be withholding his frustration as they begin to get further into the match. He is able to further take the lead, after successfully hitting a vertical suplex onto Tanahashi. He then starts targeting the neck and knees of the 44 year old, his two most known weak points after previous injuries. He takes Hiroshi into a neckbreaker position, even hitting a rope-hung neckbreaker as well for good measure, with an attempted pinfall following this immediately... 1...2...KICKOUT! "The Ace" is able to equalize with a forearm and whipping his opponent into the corner. He tries to land a knife edge chop in that same corner, but White has him scouted... or so we thought... an attempted forearm/slap combo is thwarted by Tanahashi, as WHITE IS TAKEN DOWN WITH A DRAGON SCREW! ANOTHER ONE WHILE HIS OPPONENT IS GROUNDED... OH MY GOSH!

White takes the brunt of Tanahashi's fiery offense, as he goes for one last dragon screw, White escapes and quickly pushes him off with a powerful kick to the tip of Tanahashi's chin. White is starting to gain some momentum, he tries for a saito suplex, it connects! A pinfall attempt gets countered into a pin attempt from Tanahashi, followed by one from White, both men doing their absolute best to pin the other. Their scuffle takes them to the ring apron, and White lifts up Tanashi onto his shoulders, and looks to land a titled neckbreaker, but White escapes and lands a neckbreaker of his own back inside the ring!! Tanahashi crumbles as he falls into the ring, continuing to lay the beatdown onto Tanahashi, the aforementioned competitor struggles, but is eventually able to get to the ropes. Which ultimately leads to White having to stop the current beating, both men staggering to their feet, they begin to exchange strikes in the middle of the ring, until multiple slaps to the right cheek of the former IWGP Intercontinental Champion, ultimately leads to a SLINGBLADE! HEADING UP TO THE TOP ROPE NOW, A HIGH FLY FLOW PERHAPS? HE GOES FOR IT...THE KNEES GET UP IN THE NICK OF TIME! White quickly makes it to his feet, as Tanahashi screams in agony upon impact... A BLADERUNNER LANDS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY...1...2...3...! JAY WHITE PINS THE NEVER OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION CLEAN!

Jay White def. Hiroshi Tanahashi (24:00)