NJPW (Project 19)

[superkix]

Hell yeah, Okabayashi in the final. Pulling for him to win it. He's the best.

[Captain Redneck]

50 minutes ago, superkix said:

Hell yeah, Okabayashi in the final. Pulling for him to win it. He's the best.

I didn't even come close to doing a decent job as illness has ran rampant throughout our home. I will do a better job with the IC Tournament. It was to/felt rushed after I read it.

[Captain Redneck]

Feb 13th, Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Hall

Kevin Kelly: It's the dawn of a new day here in New Japan Pro Wrestling and today is the start of the 12 man IWGP IC Title Tournament. We have wrestlers from all over the globe in this one and it should be action packed. Gedo, can you think of someone who could be considered a front runner in this Tournament?
Gedo: Shinsuke Nakamura has something to prove. He was knocked out in the first round of the Heavyweight Tournament and he needs a good showing here to get back into the good graces of these fans. 

Hirooki Goto vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, 1 fall 30 minutes.

You have the older veteran against a younger veteran in Goto. Tenzan comes to the ring confident and has Satoshi Kojima by his side. The match starts and Goto uses his speed advantage over Tenzan and starts to try and wear down the older Tenzan. Goto starts to work over Tenzan's limbs and is doing so effectively. Thinhs changes when Goto sends Tenzan into the near corner and charges, only to find the ring post as he hits it square on his shoulder. Tenzan is feeling the backing of the crowd and starts to work over the injured arm of his opponent. Tenzan uses various armbars and joint locks to further wear Goto down. Tenzan then decides to hit Goto in the upper shoulder with some of his famous Mongolian chops. Goto however, kicks Tenzan in the stomach and the crowd starts to boo. Tenzan is down on the mat as Goto uses a Penalty Kick to the face of Tenzan. Goto continues to batter Tenzan to the point that referee Red Shoes looks concerned. Sensing that he has done enough damage, Goto picks Tenzan up and hits his GTR and goes for the cover. He is surprised when Tenzan shows that fighting spirit and kicks out at 2. Goto precedes to go to an old favorite and delivers his Shouten Kai, which completely knocks Tenzan out. It's an easy cover for the win.

WINNER in 12:47, Hirooki Goto

Togi Makabe vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, 1 fall 30 minutes.

The King Kong Gorilla is on the loose as soon as the bell rings. Makabe has the upper hand by using his brawling tactics against Nakamura. Nakamura then gets his footing back and counters with several vicious kicks to the chest of Makabe. Nakamura takes advantage and hits several running knees to the head of his opponent. Nakamura sets Makabe up for the Bomaye, but Makabe sees it coming and blocks it. Makabe hits Nakamura with a Northern Lights suplex and takes him to the corner and starts to work over the body of Nakamura. Makabe sets Shinsuke up on the tunrbuckles and after several attempts, connects on his Spider suplex. Makabe climbs the ropes and goes for his King Kong Knee Drop, but Nakamura is playing possum and moves out of the way. Makabe is stunned and Nakamura goes into the corner and waits on Togi to turn his way. Nakamura charges and this time hits the Bomaye, goes for the cover and gets the win.

WINNER in 10:28, Shinsuke Nakamura
 

Masa Kitamiya vs. Toa Henrae

The former young lion is in the biggest match of his career and going against the veteran Kitamiya won't be easy. Henrae and Kitamiya have a back and forth beginning to the match as Henrae is keeping up with the more experienced Masa. Henrae actually has the power advantage in the contest and is keeping Kitamiya off balance so far. Henrae makes his first mistake as he misses a dropkick and Masa starts throwing Toa around using multiple German suplexes. Since he has Henrae on the mat, he starts to work on the legs of the young opponent, trying to take away some of his speed. Kitamiya weakens Henrae down enough and applies his Prison Lock leg hold and Toa tries his hardest to wiggle out. The more he tries to get out, the more painful the hold becomes. Henrae has no choice but to tap out to referee Asami.

WINNER: via submission in 8:59, Masa Kitamiya

Sanada vs. Tama Tonga

Speed is the word in this match as both wrestlers are using their amazing quickness and agility in this one. It's a back and forth match until Sanada misses a springboard to the outside as Tonga moves just in time. Tonga then uses the outside to his liking, throwing Sanada around like a rag doll. Tama hits Sanada with a "Stinger Splash" while Sanada is leaning on the guardrail. Tonga gets back into the ring as referee Red Shoes is counting to 12. Sanada struggles to his feet and makes it back in by 17. Tonga uses his speed and brawling to wear down the already weakened Sanada. Tonga sets Sanada up for his Fireman carry flapjack , but can only get a 2 count. This wakes up Sanada as he starts to fire back with various flying maneuvers like a cross body block and several dropkicks. Sanada sets Tonga up for a German suplex, but Tonga slips out and hits a Stun Gun out of nowhere and gets the upset victory.

WINNER: Tama Tonga in 14:11

Manabu Soya vs. EVIL

You have 2 powerhouses going at it here and this match is a complete brawl. Both wrestlers are using everything including the kitchen sink in this one. The action spills to the outside as they fight up towards the crowd. There are chairs going all over the place as referee Asami starts his count. Neither wrestler is even paying attention to Asami as the count gets to 14. They make their way back to the ring at the count of 19, but Asami still can't get control of the action. EVIL is busted open from a chair shot and hits Soya with a low blow. Asami missed this and this allows EVIL to take control of the match. EVIL hits several suplexes and a devastating Fisherman's buster. EVIL is able to connect with "Darkness Falls", which is his version of a Fireman's carry spine buster. EVIL goes for the win, but Soya kicks out at 2 3/4. EVIL grabs Soya and sets him up for the STO, but Soya counters into a "Power Booster" suplex. EVIL is stunned and Soya lifts EVIL up again and nails his Death Valley Bomb. He covers, but only gets 2. The crowd is into it as both wrestlers get to their feet and slug it out with forearms in the middle of the ring. Soya gets the advantage and goes to pick EVIL up again, but EVIL reverses things and quickly connects with an STO and gets the pin fall.

WINNER: EVIL in 18:22

Will Ospreay vs. Kaito Kiyomiya 

They start out with some nice chain wrestling as neither man can get an advantage. Both young men are wise beyond their years and both have an excellent wrestling IQ. It's back and forth for the first 20 minutes as Ospreay and Kiyomiya counter everything that the other man throws at him. Ospreay makes a slight mistake and misses a a standing shooting star press. This allows Kaito to work on the upper body of Ospreay. Kaito has Ospreay in a Cobra Twist and Ospreay is trying to reach the ropes. Ospreay is finally able to hip toss Kaito to the canvas, but can't follow up. Kaito runs toward Opsreay and hits a prefect running elbow to the jaw. Kaito then hits a double underhook face buster, covers, but can only get 2. It is announced to the crowd that there is only 2 minutes left in the match as Kaito is trying with all of his might to put the British high flyer away. Kaito sends Will into the ropes, but Ospreay ducks under and rebounds off to hit his OsCutter out of nowhere. Realing he needs to move fast, Ospreay whips Kaito into the ropes and charges from the opposite side and connects with Essex Destroyer DDT. Kiyomiya's momentum takes him to the outside. Instead of going after Kiyomiya, Ospreay lets referee Red Shoes count. at 16, Kaito tries to get up, but falls back to the concrete. Red Shoes reaches 19 and then 20 as Kaito's right hand grabs the bottom rope to try and pull himself back up. Ospreay's hand is raised in victory.

WINNER: Will Ospreay in 29:37 via countout

Kevin Kelly: The 1st round is over and there are some really intriguing match-ups in the 2nd round. I see Will Ospreay being at a disadvantage as his match had to take a lot out of him. You can say the same about EVIL and he really took a beating before claiming a victory.

Gedo: Watch out for Tama Tonga as he isn't afraid to bend the rules to win a match. I sense that Nakamura will have a difficult time against Goto, but maybe EVIL will reign supreme! Ha Ha Ha....

[Captain Redneck]

Kevin Kelly: After a short intermission, we are ready to start the 2nd round. Referee Red Shoes is in the ring.

Hirooki Goto vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Both wrestlers know each other really well and it shows as action is underway. Both men trade kicks and chops for a few minutes. Nakamura tries a little chain wrestling, but Goto has an answer and is working on the leg on Shinsuke. Goto knows that he loves to use the Bomaye to finish off his opposition and is trying to take that out of the equation early on. Goto uses various leg locks and knee bars to soften the right leg up. Goto switches to a single leg Boston Crab and as Nakamura tries to wiggle out, Goto transitions into an STF. Nakamura is trying to reach for the ropes, but his long limbs can't seem to reach them. Nakamura is able to push off his left arm and is able to move to his back and starts to kick away at Goto. Several kicks hit Goto and he has to finally give up the hold to protect himself. Nakamura hits Goto with a leg sweep and Goto is on the canvas. Shinsuke starts to use his left leg now and hits Goto with some vicious knees into Goto's body. Nakamura starts to break out some submission wrestling holds and is now working on the left arm of Goto. After several minutes of mat wrestling, Nakamura goes for a cross arm breaker, applies it, but Goto is using his opposite hand to make sure that his arm doesn't straighten out completely. Goto actually uses his leverage and picks Nakamura up while the arm breaker is being applied and smashes Shinsuke to the mat several times, with him hitting his head hard on the canvas. Nakamura releases and Goto goes on the attack. Goto starts to brawl a bit, using elbows to the back of Shinsuke's head and neck. Shinsuke looks stunned and Goto goes for a Ura GTR, but Nakamura sees it coming and kicks Goto in the face with a spinning kick. Goto is down and Nakamura starts firing away with kicks and chops to the body of Goto. Nakamura works over Goto with various slams and suplexes as Goto is starting to show signs of really slowing down. Nakamura takes control even more with 3 Death Valley Drivers and goes for the pin, but Goto raises his shoulder up before the hand hits the mat for a 3 count. Shinsuke picks Goto up whips him into the corner and lays in several more kicks. He picks Goto up and sets him on the 2nd rope. Nakamura climbs up as Goto is trying to fight out of it. Nakamura is able to pick him up and hits a Landslide Samoan drop from the top turnbuckle. Nakamura rolls over and drapes his arm over the fallen Goto and gets the victory.

WINNER in 25:31, Shinsuke Nakamura

Masa Kitamiya VS. Tama Tonga

Tonga attacks before the bell sounds and throws Masa to the floor. Bad Luck Fale ( who is Tonga's second) starts to kick and punch away at Kitamiya as Tonga distracts Marty Asami. Fale then uses a chair to bash Masa over the head several times as the crowd boos and hisses at Fale. Fale is able to pick Kitamiya up and hits his Bad Luck Fall as Kitamiya's back and neck hit the concrete. Tonga jumps to the outside to rolls Masa back in the ring. After several vertical brain busters, Tama picks up Masa, who's barely able to stand at this point and hits a Stun Gun and goes for the cover. Tonga hooks the leg as Asmai counts to 3.

WINNER in 4:17, Tama Tonga

EVIL vs. Will Ospreay

Both men are coming into this match injured and it shows as neither man can muster enough energy to take advantage of the others injures. They are fighting out in the center of the ring and EVIL sends himself into the ropes and Ospreay and himself bang heads near the center of the canvas and fall down hard. Referee Red Shoes starts a count as neither man can get up. EVIL's cut has re-opened and Ospreay is holding his neck. Red Shoes gets to 7 and both men are trying to get up. The count gets to 8 and then 9 as EVIL is trying to push himself up by using his forearm. Ospreay isn't in no shape of continuing and isn't going to get up. Red Shoes then counts to 10 and as EVIL fell back to the mat. The match is a draw and both men are eliminated.

The Match was declared a DRAW after 8:14

Kevin Kelly: What a shame to end the dreams of both EVIL and Will Ospreay as neither man could continue their match. Both men were in really no shape to even compete in the 2nd round and it showed. This means that the finals will be Shinsuke Nakamura will face the surprising Tama Tonga at the Tokyo Dome. Tonga isn't afraid to break the rules and Nakamura will have to watch out for Bad Luck Fale with eyes in the back of his head.

Gedo: Nakamura needs to find a friend or 2 before the Tokyo Dome. If not, he has no chance if he can't combat Tonga's second on the outside. It appears that Shinsuke will get what he deserves after he left for America and leaving New Japan high and dry.

Kelly: You would say something like that wouldn't you. Next week we will be coming from the Saitama Super Arena to determine the finals of the IWGP Tag Team Title Tournament. Remember to watch us on NJPW World and follow New Japan on Twitter to find out any breaking news.