Four title matches official; Jon Moxley in action
After an explosive night at Dontaku May 3, new challenges, new issues and new contenders have made for new matches made official for Dominion on June 4.
Yota Tsuji will challenge IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA. Last night at Dontaku, SANADA retained the world title in the face of a very game Hiromu Takahashi, only for his post match celebration to be interrupted by the mystery video that had been playing for weeks. This time, the man behind the mystery would be revealed as Yota Tsuji, who speared the champion out of his boots.
After a familiar chest thump, and after hauling Hiromu Takahashi away from the backstage area, speculation has been rampant over whether Tsuji may be part of Los Ingobernables De Japon. That speculation remains just that, but Tsuji’s first championship match back from excursion is now certain after arguably the most impactful reappearance in recent history. Can Tsuji capitalise on that impact with a world title win on his first attempt?
El Phantasmo will meet David Finlay for the NEVER Openweight Championship. At Dontaku, Finlay made good on a sinister promise to not only beat Tama Tonga for the NEVER Openweight Championship, but to ensure that he would be unable to leave the Fukuoka International Center on his own power. As Tama was stretchered away however, Finlay would be shocked by the returning ELP.
Phantasmo hadn’t been seen since being forcibly expelled from BULLET CLUB at Sakura Genesis, but had revenge on his mind as he levelled Finlay with Sudden Death and flew over the top rope to the Rebel. Vowing to take down every member of his former faction, he looks to start with Finlay June 4.
The IWGP Tag Team Championships will be on the line in a three way match as Aussie Open defend against Bishamon and HOUSE OF TORTURE. After Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher retained tag gold at Satsuma no Kuni, they would be confronted by Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI, who wanted a rematch from Sakyura Genesis. Before a challenge could be issued however, EVIL and Yujiro Takahashi attacked th champions from behind, and after interjecting themselves into Aussie Open’s affairs over the next week the champions had enough. Fletcher would grant Bishamon their rematch, while also bringing H.O.T into a volatile three way scenario at Dominion.
Jeff Cobb and Zack Sabre Jr. will square off in a rematch for the NJPW World TV Championship. It was a matter of sheer survival for ZSJ in Fukuoka, as he defended the TV gold, but only when the time limit ran out on a bout where the Imperial Unit had given Sabre a lot more than a run for his money. To the champion, a draw was as good as a loss, and ZSJ was quick to demand the match get run back in Osaka June 4.
Already annoucned for Dominion is a battle to determine the number one contender to IWGP United States Champion Kenny Omega. Lance Archer will face either Hiroshi Tanahashi or Will Ospreay, depending on the results of Resurgence in Long Beach May 21. Who will it be?
Also confirmed for Dominion, Jon Moxley will be in action, and alongside Shota Umino. After Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii captured the NEVER Openweight 6 man Championships at Dontaku, Okada specifically was confronted by Umino, who brought a video message from Moxley with him. With Tanahashi potentially facing Archer on the night, it isn’t clear just yet what format this match will take- or who else may be involved. Will we get answers at Resurgence May 21?
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