Taichi Overcomes a Stacked Deck
The main event of New Japan Road on November 7 in Yamagata featured an intense battle for the KOPW 2023 title. Taichi challenged SHO in a match where Yoshinobu Kanemaru served as the special guest referee. However, Taichi faced additional challenges as his signature offense was banned, and the loser would be prohibited from wrestling in Yamagata again.
If you missed the action, you can watch the replay now.
Right from the start, the crowd rallied behind Taichi, but unfortunately, the referee was not on his side. Kanemaru turned a blind eye to the interference from the HOUSE OF TORTURE faction, and he counted Taichi out faster while being slower with pinfalls for SHO. Kanemaru even took breaks to quench his thirst with alcoholic beverages, further hindering Taichi’s chances.
Frustrated by SHO’s offense and the unfair rules, Taichi fought back with his signature chops and biting kicks. However, when he attempted his Seitei Jujiho Superkick, Kanemaru reminded him that the move was banned. This distraction allowed SHO to strike with a spear. Despite the setback, Taichi managed to hit SHO with a gamen giri and locked in the Seitei Jujiro stretch. But Kanemaru called in reinforcements from the H.O.T faction.
Despite the odds, Taichi showed incredible resilience. When Kanemaru actively interfered after removing his mask, Taichi used the opportunity to send him crashing into SHO’s wrench. This action only fueled the fire as the H.O.T faction stormed the ring, but Taichi’s allies, Just Five Guys, fought back fiercely.
With no referee to hold Taichi back, it became a one-on-one battle between him and SHO. Taichi struck with a Hakuho Elbow and a Last Ride Powerbomb just as Red Shoes Unno rushed to the ring to replace the incapacitated Kanemaru. The three-count was made, and SHO was left contemplating a future outside of Yamagata’s wrestling scene.
For more details on this exciting match, you can visit the official NJPW website.