Part I: An Initial Cinderella Story

Sakura Genesis - April 4th, 2021

Kota Ibushi (c) v. Shingo Takagi - IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match

Coming from behind the curtain, the New Japan Cup 2021 Winner, Shingo Takagi walks down the entrance ramp with utter confidence in his stride. With the biggest match in his NJPW career looming right in-front of him, he stalks the ring apron, only looking forward, it's like he can only see the future from the perception from his pair of eyes. Upon entering the squared circle, he raises one fist in the air, while the other sits by his waist motionless, approaching the camera lens, he lets the audience in on knowing that he's ready for this moment, and he won't let this past month go unrewarded, not after such a successful cup. He promises that just like their last outing, the same result will be seen, as he becomes 2-0 over The Golden Star, and Ibushi stays winless over The Dragon!

Out next is Kota Ibushi, his confidence is rapidly increasing aswell, especially after his recent victory over El Phantasmo. However, as he quickly learned, LIJ is once again knocking at Ibushi's door, attempting to rip what is his once again, just as Tetsuya Naito did only a little over a month ago. He slowly strides down the entrance ramp, staring daggers at his challenger, knowing this might be his toughest challenger to date. Perching up to the apron, he gestures for Shingo to make his way over, as they share a deep stare, with the challenger welcoming the champion into the ring, the headliner of Sakura Genesis is just moments away from beginning, the two practically breathing on eachother, they take a step back, and await for the introductions to begin...

With the match finally started, Shingo politely requests for a lock-up with the opposition, and Ibushi kindly obliges. Takagi easily uses his strength advantage to outpower the champion, sending Kota into the nearest corner, upon doing so, he runs back to the opposite corner and thrusts forward for a shoulder block into the corner! Ibushi quickly falls down to his knees, but Shingo is yet to be finished, as he once again uses his utter strength to lift up Ibushi and send him right back down with a vertical suplex. Upon impact, Ibushi tugs at his spine, clearly feeling the affects of the maneuver, he once again picks up his opposition and throws him into the corner, unsurprisingly following up with a corner clothesline! Ibushi once again drops to his knees, but this time only to one knee, as Takagi continues the attack, stomping on the champion's neck, with this clearly being the targeted area, he locks in a headlock for good measure.

Wrenching on the neck, he rocks Ibushi back-and-forth, but clearly to no avail as Kota begins to work his way out of the hold, jamming his elbow into Takagi's gut repeatedly, he did this until Shingo had no other choice but to ease up, and let go of it. It gave both men a chance to make their way up to a vertical position, the two had enough of eachother, THEY WENT AT IT! BACK-AND-FORTH THEY WENT, A FLURRY OF STRIKES FROM BOTH MEN WAS SEEN, AS THEY WEREN'T EASING UP ONE BIT! This wouldn't stop until one fell down from pure exhaustion, which unfortunately that would go to Ibushi, as Shingo got the better of him. However, once Takagi picked up the dead carcus of one Kota Ibushi, and looked to pick him up in a fireman's carry position, but Ibushi instead countered this, PICKING UP THE BIGGER MAN AND LANDING A LAWN DART! 1...2...KICKOUT!

Realizing he may have to take some extra steps for the victory, he began to make his way up to the top rope, we all know what he's trying here, PHOENIX SPLASH! NO! SHINGO STOPS HIM IN HIS TRACKS, GRABBING ONTO HIS LEGS, PULLING THE GOLDEN STAR BACK DOWN TO THE CANVAS, REBOUNDING OFF THE ROPES AS HE HITS A PUMPING BOMBER!!! IBUSHI IS TAKEN INSIDE OUT, AS HE AWKWARDLY LANDS ON HIS NECK! Takagi isn't done here though, as he picks up the champion, looking to pick him up for an early Made In Japan, hoping to end this one early, IBUSHI COUNTERS! REVERSE FRANKENSTEINER OUT OF NOWWHERE, AS SHINGO LANDS ON HIS NECK THIS TIME AROUND! 1...2...KICKOUT! It's not over yet, as Ibushi looks to pick up the 212 pounder, but his back quickly gives out, which gives Takagi the opportunity to strike back with a DDT!

That neck of Ibushi is acting up now, as he begins to tug at it for the second time in this contest, but Takagi honestly doesn't give a damn, WHICH LEADS TO A DEATH VALLEY DRIVER BEING EXECUTED! The momentum firmly in Takagi's hands, as it has been for quite a while now, he begs for Ibushi to make it to his feet, signaling for one last Pumping Bomber, but once the champion made it to his feet, Takagi was met with a SLAP! The maneuver being unsuccessful, Ibushi instead lays a few extra slaps to the right cheek of Takagi, but this just infuriates the challenger, AS HE HEADS FOR YET ANOTHER PUMPING BOMBER, BUT NO A HURRICANRANA IS MET! Shingo quickly rolls out of the ring via the bottom rope, and in-doing so, Ibushi takes advantage WITH A GOLDEN TRIANGLE MOONSAULT! BOTH MEN ARE NOW DOWN, THE ENERGY IN THE ARENA ONLY INCREASING DUE TO IT!

After a full 30 seconds of recovery, both competitors begin to rise to their feet, with Ibushi getting Shingo back in the ring first. He now heads up to the top rope, for his second attempt at the Phoenix splash, and once he attempts the maneuver, IT CONNECTS! With no interception from The Dragon, a count is able to begin... 1...2..KICKOUT! TAKAGI IS STILL ALIVE! Upon realizing this is to be true, Ibushi goes from behind, attempting to land a Kamigoye to the back of the skull, SHINGO TURNS AROUND AND LANDS A BLOOD FALL! INSTEAD OF HEADING FOR THE PINFALL, HE HEADS FOR YET ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT A MADE IN JAPAN, IBUSHI REVERSES AND CONNECTS WITH A LARIAT! This time Shingo was taken inside out, shaking in his boots, IBUSHI LANDS A KAMIGOYE!!! BUT HE'S UNABLE TO SECURE A PINFALL DUE TO HIS EXHAUSTION! Once they both reach their knees, a flurry of back-and-forth forearm strikes begin, as they are eventually looking to be at a stalemate at the moment.

This doesn't end until a few rage-filled strikes from Takagi sent the champion down to his back, realizing this is his moment, he begins to lift his opponent up to his feet, picking him up for an attempted finishing maneuver for the third time tonight, MADE IN JAPAN! MADE IN JAPAN! MADE IN JAPAN!!! IT CONNECTS, THIRD TIME IS THE CHARM! 1...2...NOOOOOOO!!! IBUSHI HAS SURIVIVED FOR NOW! However he isn't done here, as he lines up for one last Pumping Bomber attempt, once Ibushi gets up to a vertical position, SHINGO GOES FOR IT, NO V-TRIGGER TO TAKAGI! HE FALLS DOWN TO BOTH OF HIS KNEES, KAMIGOYE!!! 1...2...KICKOUT! ONCE AGAIN, ANOTHER KAMIGOYE! 1...2...3...!

Kota Ibushi (c) def. Shingo Takagi to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship (30:00)

Kota Ibushi is victorious in Ibushi/Takagi II, but his challengers only grow more challenging. Over the course of the next 30 days, the road shows are highly important for the champion, as you never know who could make their name known and challenge you next. This came at the hands of his former Golden Aces partner, Hiroshi Tanahashi who recently lost his NEVER Openweight Championship to the hands of Jeff Cobb at this year's Sakura Genesis event! In return however, Tanahashi was able to score a pinfall over his former foe, and earn a shot at the Heavyweight belt, possibly setting a new record of capturing that specific title belt 9 times. The match was made official for Night Two of Wrestling Dontaku on May 4th!

Wrestling Dontaku Night Two - May 4th, 2021

Kota Ibushi (c) v. Hiroshi Tanahashi - IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Match

While these two share a well-known friendship, over the past six years they have shared the ring together 5 times when it was just the two of them. In-which Tanahashi has been able to best Ibushi three individual times, while the other has only been able to do so twice. Including when The Ace took Ibushi's chance to share a ring with his best friend Kenny Omega inside of the Tokyo Dome, over three years ago. The challenger makes his presence known first, as Tanahashi walks out from behind the curtain to the usual ovation from his thousands of supporters, hoping for one last miracle run for the legend, he continues to walk down the entrance ramp, knowing that this isn't the same Ibushi from the last time they met, but rather a much-more dangerous one in-fact. Once he enters the ring, he makes his usual hand gesture in the air, before gesturing a title belt around his waist, as he awaits for the champion to appear from the back...

Out comes Kota Ibushi, with his face absolutely beaming, his confidence at an all-time high after just coming off a huge win against The Dragon only a month prior. He actually gets a mixed reaction, as many are favoring The Ace here tonight, but he doesn't care too much, striding down the entrance ramp and on-top of the apron. Waiting a few moments to feel the energy in the arena, before entering it through the middle rope, the two not getting too close towards one another, respecting their personal space. However, eventually once they did do so, Ibushi offered him a simple handshake, and the challenger kindly obliged, setting the mood for what should be a classic headliner on night two, proceeding to back into their own individual corners, the bell sounded throughout the arena, signaling the initial start of their 6th singles encounter together.

Once the bell had rung, this match would begin with a simple lock-up, nothing too fancy, but they didn't want that, pure wrestling is exactly what they wished for. Ibushi used his strength to take control of this match early on, tugging at the wrist for what seemed like an eternity, but for Tanahashi it was only a matter of seconds before he countered this and sent his opponent into the corner, following up with a huge forearm into that same corner! Not stopping there though, he continued the attack, doing so with a flurry of strikes to the noggin of the champion, not letting up, he began to do the same thing but with his foot to Ibushi's right shin. this quickly became a targeted area for the 38 year old, falling to his bottom due to the clear agonizing pain, which gave Tanahashi the chance to back up, giving Ibushi the chance to recuperate, a strange sign of respect there.

Once he is able to do so, Kota makes it to his feet, with the two shaking hands once more, Ibushi brings Tanahashi closer, stating the following - "You're better than that, don't make rookie mistakes". Tapping him on his chest, Ibushi leans back and asks for a slap on the right cheek, Tanahashi declines, which inevitably makes the champion incredibly irritated, AS HE SLAPS TANAHASHI INSTEAD! THIS CREATES A BACK-AND-FORTH BATTLE OF SLAPS! Both men's cheeks becoming instantly red, respect has quickly turned into disrespect, with two Warriors battling it out for the same prize. Once the war of strikes had come to a close, Ibushi decided to throw his opposition into the ropes, hoping to land a maneuver off the rebound, Tanahashi had other things in mind, AS HE EXECUTED A SLINGBLADE OFF THE REBOUND INSTEAD! AN EXTREMELY EARLY ONE ASWELL! With the attack continuing, he decided to target the legs once again, grabbing onto Ibushi's left one, and HITTING A DRAGON SCREW, AND ANOTHER ONE FOR GOOD MEASURE!

Quickly after doing this, he locks in a one-legged Boston Crab! The pain is clearly evident, as Ibushi begins to scream due to it, wailing his arms in the desperate need of finding the bottom rope. He began to crawl towards the nearest one, HE'S ALMOST THERE... JUST INCHES AWAY... TANAHASHI PULLS HIM BACK TO THE CENTER OF THE RING! Continuously wrenching at the champion's leg, Ibushi once again begins his venture to the bottom rope, inches away again, HE GETS THERE! A sense of disappointment comes across the face of Tanahashi almost immediately, he just can't believe it. He isn't giving up though, as he begins to pick up Ibushi, lining up for yet another dragon screw, Kota catches him AND PICKS HIM UP FOR A LAWN DART, NO TANAHASHI GETS OUT OF IT, TWELVE-SIX CONNECTS, AND UPON IMPACT IT SEEMS THAT THE CHAMPION MAY BE OUT! 1...2...KICKOUT! JUST SIMPLY GETTING HIS SHOULDER OFF THE MAT IS ENOUGH!

Ibushi is certainly out of it, there is no doubt about it, but just as we thought this to be true, he surprises us by beginning to crawl out of the rope, he simply falls out of the ring! Tanahashi's instincts kick in and follow him to the outside aswell, once he gets to where Ibushi lays on the ground, he once again goes for the legs, but instead IBUSHI KICKS HIM IN THE FACE! AGAIN! AGAIN! Doing this until he can reach his feet, he begins to hop on the particular foot, rushing back into the ring, as his opponent follows him once again. THE CHALLENGER IS CAUGHT WITH A HURRICANRANA! Tanahashi smartly doesn't roll out to the floor, but instead goes to the corner, as IBUSHI RUSHES OVER TO IT, TANAHASHI ESCAPES THE WARPATH AND INSTEAD REBOUNDS OFF THE ROPES AND HITS A TWIST AND SHOUT! FOLLOWING THIS UP BY HEADING TO THE MIDDLE ROPE, CONNECTING WITH A DIVING SUNSET FLIP, 1...2...KICKOUT!!!

With The Golden Star still in this one fortunately, but unfortunately for him, he doesn't get much time to breath, as Tanahashi begins to lift him up off the cold canvas, heading to the ropes once again following this, HE REBOUNDS OFF OF THEM AND ATTEMPTS FOR ANOTHER SLINGBLADE, V-TRIGERRRRRRR!!!! CATCHING THE CHALLENGER OFF-GUARD, HE USES THAT FOR A GOLDEN STAR POWERBOMB, WAIT NO - SLINGBLADE! FEELING AS THIS IS TRULY HIS MOMENT, THAT THIS IS HIS CHANCE, HE HOPS OVER THE TOP ROPE AND UP THE TOP ROPE IN LIGHTING QUICKSPEED, HIGH FLY FLOW CONNECTS! THE EXHAUSTION SETTLING IN, HE CAN BARELY MAKE IT OVER FOR THE COVER, BUT HE DOES IT! 1...2...KICKOUT! Ibushi barely knows where he is, which is when he began to get back to his feet, he simply fell right back down head-first to the canvas!

This gives Tanahashi the chance to take the advantage once again, LOCKING IN A BANGING CLOVERLEAF LOCK! Once again working on these legs, he wrenches on them, hoping for the champion to tap-out. But quickly after the tugging had begun, IBUSHI ESCAPES, KICKING HIS OPPONENT INTO THE CORNER! UPON TANAHASHI REBOUNDING OFF OF THEM, HE'S MET WITH YET ANOTHER V-TRIGGER! HE IMMEDIATELY GRABS BOTH OF THE ACE'S ARMS, AND BRINGS HIS OPPONENT DOWN BACK TO SIZE WITH A KAMIGOYE! TANAHASHI FALLS DOWN SLOWLY, AS HIS DREAMS OF BECOMING A 9X WORLD CHAMPION SLOWLY FADES! 1...2...3...!

Kota Ibushi def. Hiroshi Tanahashi to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship (32:09)

Dominion 6.13 - June 13th, 2021

Kota Ibushi (c) v. Kazuchika Okada - IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match

After toppling The Ace for the third time, Kota Ibushi's presence has become certainly daunting. His recuperation stage didn't last as long as many thought it would though, as a tag victory on the Road To Dominion for Kazuchika Okada, saw him earn a long-awaited opportunity at the strap that made him famous over 9 years ago! Now with a chance for him to become the top player in NJPW once more, the road quickly became one path instead of two, which is quickly seen from the arena's silence quickly turning into a fully energized one, as The Rainmaker makes his way out from the back, and into the open air of Osaka Jo Hall, money splashing down from the ceiling, as he raises both of his arms right on cue. He thrusts forward down the entrance ramp, and into the squared circle, as he calls for The Golden Star to make his way out to the ring, wanting to get this contest started!

Kota Ibushi is out next, sporting a brand-new Golden & Black attire, with of-course his beautiful World Championship belt draped over his right shoulder, he takes a few moments to appreciate where he is now, headlining this year's Dominion 6.13 event! He proceeds to scale down the entrance ramp, taking it slow, as his eyes don't come off of his challenger, he will hope to repeat the events of last year's G1 Climax contest, where Ibushi came out victorious. Continuing his path to the squared circle, he doesn't waste time on the apron, or entering through the middle rope, but instead under the bottom rope, proving that wasting time isn't what he's about, bur rather getting directly to the action. Once the stare-down between the two commence, this championship bout had begun, and their 5th singles match together exclusively in New Japan began aswell.

Meeting a handful of times before, Kazuchika Okada has usually come out on-top, but due to his G1 Climax victory last year, Kota Ibushi has to be confident walking into this one. This was one hell of a contest, and one that deserved a Dominion headliner, both men had shared words over the last couple of weeks, but only one competitor was able to walk out with the richest prize in Japan. That man was eventually Kota Ibushi, as a failed Rainmaker attempt, ultimately led to a V-Trigger, followed up by two Kamigoys, was able to get the job done. Ibushi headed into the 31's G1 Climax annual tournament, as the IWGP Heavyweight Champion and a huge chip on his shoulder!

Kota Ibushi def. Kazuchika Okada to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship (30:40)

G1 Climax 31 - A Block

- Kota Ibushi

- Jon Moxley

- Will Ospreay

- Toru Yano

- KENTA

- Juice Robinson

- Jeff Cobb

- Ryu Lee

- Great-O-Khan

- Tomohiro Ishii

G1 Climax 31 - Night One

Kota Ibushi v. Juice Robinson

With these two only sharing a ring once in their NJPW Career's, they look to rekindle these flames, as the first two points of the G1 Climax are on the line! Both of these competitors prove to share a similar wrestling style of technical/high-flying, and use it to aid them to a spectacular contest, as the first night's headliner showcases why not only Kota Ibushi, but Juice Robinson deserves to be in this annual tournament, especially when it began to heat up as a flying forearm staggered the champion, as he rebounded off the ropes for a huge lariat! In the end though, Robinson looked to end it all with a classic roll-up, Ibushi came out with the victory after a beautifully-placed Kamigoye! 1...2...3...! Ibushi was able to score his first two points of the tournament, as he's off to an extremely impressive start!

Kota Ibushi def. Juice Robinson (23:06) (2 Points)

G1 Climax 31 - Night Three

Kota Ibushi v. Jeff Cobb

Only sharing a ring once in their tenures, Cobb is looking for some sweet, sweet, revenge after his loss to the current Heavyweight Champion in last year's tournament. Throughout the duration of this contest, Cobb looked absolutely fantastic, bringing it to what many could say, the top player of NJPW! While he may have used his powerful move-set to dominate his opposition, Ibushi used his high-flying style to win over the crowd, and eventually win the match! This came after Jeff looked to finish Ibushi off with a Tour Of The Islands, but instead was met with an abrupt knee crashing into the bridge of his nose, which eventually led to his demise as a Kamigoye led to a 1...2...3...! The Heavyweight Champion continues his journey through the G1, scoring another two points in the process!

Kota Ibushi def. Jeff Cobb (18:34) (4 Points)

G1 Climax 31 - Night Five

Kota Ibushi v. Toru Yano

Toru Yano is usually known for upsetting the biggest of stars in these tournaments, but Ibushi has looked absolutely fantastic thus far, and doesn't want to ease up. Throughout this contest, a comedic style would ensue, as Yano hoped to play tricks on the World Champion, using the turnbuckle pads, duck-tape, and even the usage of low-blows to aid a possible victory. The harder he tried to outsmart The Golden Ace, the more he seemed to regret it, as an eventual low-blow attempt, led to Ibushi catching his opposition's arm, kicking it to the side, sending Yano crashing down to the canvas with a V-Trigger, the hope of upsetting one of the best is fading. And it the dream would absolutely shatter once the Kamigoye struck... 1...2...3...! Six points for The Golden Ace, as he moves on to the thought of a possible eight, as he rolls into night seven with one hell of a test.

Kota Ibushi def. Toru Yano (5:00) (Six Points)

G1 Climax 31 - Night Seven

Kota Ibushi v. Jon Moxley

With six points to his name, Kota Ibushi felt as he truly couldn't be stopped, that was until the IWGP United States Champion, Jon Moxley came rolling into town. In his second-ever G1 Climax Tournament, he was riding high and that was quickly shown throughout the duration of this matchup, as both men joined in an incredibly physical battle, that shared not just high-flying content but aswell as technical maneuvers aswell. However, Ibushi had the champion rocking after an absolutely terrifying V-Trigger, followed up by an attempted Kamigoye, but instead his head met the canvas with a Death Rider! Moxley was able to score an extra two points, while also pinning the IWGP Heavyweight Champion clean, something not many competitors can say they have done!

Jon Moxley def. Kota Ibushi (Six Points)

G1 Climax 31 - Night Nine

Kota Ibushi v. Tomohiro Ishii

In their 5th singles match together, Kota Ibushi and Tomohiro Ishii partake in what may be their finest outing yet, the two would go back-and-forth for some time, much like their past matchups, there was never a clear superior athlete, just two incredible ones.

G1 Climax 31 - Night 11

Kota Ibushi v. Ryu Lee

A current Junior Heavyweight v. a former Junior Heavyweight, one for the ages indeed! Both of them used their high-flying abilities and technical prowess, to aid them to a highly spectacular outing, one that could've truly went either way. However, it came to a decisive conclusion when Lee's chance to put it all together and score an extra two points wasn't meant to be, an attempted running knee strike was quickly scouted by Ibushi, as he landed a fine-looking German Suplex! Lee has commingly been known for his resilience, but unfortunately for him, a Kamigoye rushing into the tip of Lee's nose sent his two points fading, while the champion has earned it fair-and-square, after a fantastic encounter.

Kota Ibushi def. Ryu Lee (17:09) (10 Points)

G1 Climax 31 - Night 13

Kota Ibushi v. Great-O-Khan

In possibly his greatest challenge yet thus far, Kota Ibushi goes toe-to-toe against United Empire's own, Great-O-Khan. This contest proved to be a difficult task for the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, as for the majority of it, The Dominator absolutely decimated Ibushi, showcasing his clear strength advantage over his opposition. Even at one point executing a devastating Eliminator to please the many watching, but after a clear kick-out, a shockingly well-placed roll-up ended the big man's tournament, but luckily for Ibushi, he was able to score yet another two points, calculating to a full 12, as he gets ever closer to a possible third final in a row!

Kota Ibushi def. Great-O-Khan (27:02) (12 Points)

G1 Climax 31 - Night 15

Kota Ibushi v. Will Ospreay

These two have shared some fantastic encounters between eachother on numerous occasions, but what must hurt the most for The Commonwealth King, is that he's only beaten Kota Ibushi once in his career thus far. However, this was a brand new Ospreay and it was proven time-and-time again in this contest, but Ibushi showcased his technical, high-flying, and overall impressive skills against United Empire's own, and coming off of toppling Ospreay's stablemate two nights prior, it must have come to quite a shocker to the champion, when a Stormbreaker from Ospreay began Ibushi's regression of his tournament, and got handed his second loss in the 31'st G1 Climax Tournament.

Will Ospreay def. Kota Ibushi (26:45) (12 Points)

G1 Climax 31 - Night 17

Kota Ibushi v. KENTA

In their last outing in the G1 Climax, the latter was able to overcome the former on the first night, but coming into their third singles match between eachother, a lot has changed since then. Which is why it seemed to be a highly difficult task for both of them, as this back-and-forth contest, presented both competitor's skills to it's absolute fullest, and in the closing moments of this match, a failed Kamigoye ultimately led to a Go-To-Sleep ending Ibushi's G1 Climax hopes! Sitting at 12 points to end this tournament, he now must wait to find out who challenges him at WrestleKingdom 16.

KENTA def. Kota Ibushi (29:45) (12 Points)