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00:01The king and the king.
00:03The best place to fight the greatest.
00:07The final battle.
00:12I can't show the meaning of strength.
00:22I walk no way through the path.
00:25And...
00:27This summer, the top of the G1 CIMAX 35, the King Niske-Takushita.
00:42If you want to make the best, then you can become a pro wrestler.
00:47What does it mean to be the strongest?
00:49What does it mean to be the strongest?
01:11What does it mean to be the strongest?
01:14It's two Tokyo Dome main events.
01:17He's going to the Tokyo Dome as the f***ing champion.
01:30Only one.
01:34One and only.
01:37The strongest is only one.
01:40One and only one.
01:42New Prix can choose who you think the future of New Japan is.
01:47The best.
01:48The best.
01:49The best.
01:50The best.
01:51The best.
01:52It might have been necessary to beat me to the IWGP World Heavyweight title, but I don't think so much about it.
02:00I didn't think so much about it.
02:04Takeshita, what did you have to do to beat me in a G1 climax?
02:08You almost had to kick me.
02:09Well, to beat me to the IWGP World Heavyweight title, you all actually have to kick me.
02:22You, you. You're my dream.
02:25The world is the most popular thing.
02:27The world is the most popular thing to say to the fans.
02:32Japanese fans here, and that's something I truly appreciate.
02:35I'm the one who's f***ing presenting to Japan, not only in Japan, but all over the f***ing old you moron.
02:40The best thing is here. The best thing is...
02:45...IWGP World Heavyweight title.
02:51The first part is...
02:53...What I did, my Raid!
02:54...I did not miss the amount of the game.
02:55It's the main game.
02:56The main game is coming.
02:58It's the studio.
03:00I love that game.
03:01I found this, the movie.
03:03It's the game.
03:05It's the last part.
03:07It didn't like that game, but it didn't matter.
03:10It's the game.
03:13It's the game.
03:14It's the game.
03:16It's the game.
03:17The game takes a chance.
03:20We've long talked about it before, ever since Kenosuke Sikesh made his debut here in New
03:44Japan Pro Wrestling, born in DDT, chiseled in AEW, and here in NJPW to dominate the scene.
03:52No one could have expected the run that we saw from Takeshira this year's G1 Climax, but
03:57their G1 Climax 35 winner has another step to take to full world domination, and
04:03it has to come over Sabre Jr. tonight, Chris.
04:06But Takeshira is not just about world domination, it's about fearing a complex,
04:10an inferiority complex that he's had since he was the age of four, since he watched
04:15wrestling matches and then went out to restaurants with his dad and heard guys
04:19saying, well, it's the K1 guys, it's the pride guys, they're the real tough guys.
04:23Then when he got into wrestling, an inferiority complex of, oh, you're a pro wrestler,
04:27but you're a DDT pro wrestler, you're a DDT guy, that's not real strength.
04:32He goes over to America and see it as, well, you're a Japanese wrestler, that's not real
04:37strength, real strength is the IWTP, real strength.
04:41And the only way to get over an inferiority complex and beat those demons is to
04:46reclaim and flame true superiority here tonight in our main event.
04:51G1 Climax 35 winner, G1 Climax 35 winner,
04:56Komosuke Takeshita!
05:07G1 Climax 35 winner,
05:22But Walker, we've done a lot of talk about the Tokyo Dome over the course of this evening,
05:37the fastest selling Wrestle Kingdom of all time, comfortably on sellout pace.
05:43And on that night, we will celebrate the past as Hiroshi Tanahashi retires.
05:48We will celebrate the future as Aaron Wolfe makes his pro wrestling debut.
05:53But the question and the current has to be the focus.
05:57Who is the now? Right now, the now is Zack Sabre Jr.
06:00But will he be that way as he heads into potentially his third consecutive Tokyo Dome main event as World Heavyweight Champion?
06:08That is the masterful question that Sabre Jr. and Konosuke Takeshita will answer here tonight.
06:13The rubber match, one-in-one in singles competition, it all comes down here in your RIA Goku main event.
06:19IWGP,世界 Heavy-Q Champion, TMDK, The Frontman, Zack Sabre Jr.
06:31Ohhhh!
06:39In the next round, we will be changing from the champion belt of Zack Sabre Jr.
06:47Day 107 in the reign of your 13th IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
06:54Second reign goes the way for ZSJ, and will he be kissing that title goodbye when it's all said and done tonight, Chris?
07:01Well, I mean, you have to think back 364 days to the first reign that began at the expense of Tetya Naito.
07:07Zack Sabre Jr. was then in the same position that Konosuke Takeshita is now.
07:13The G1 Climax winner facing the World Heavyweight Champion.
07:18Takeshita called his shot, wanted to do it right here in RIA Goku.
07:23And that puts the added pressure, the added onus.
07:30There will be a lot of talk, there will be a lot of talk, Walker, however this match goes, but there will be a lot more over Tetya Naito if he loses this one.
07:38If you are the G1 winner, you've chosen to forgo the Tetya Naito main event spot, to do it here, and if you lose, then a lot of people will be saying, well, Konosuke Takeshita ruined the G1.
07:50It's something that you and I heavily discussed on the coveted NJPW English podcast.
08:00It's something we've discussed live on air here, and it's been a topic of conversation among our fans.
08:04Takeshita and Sabre Jr. are like, the reception that Takeshita had in Ariake Arena.
08:10People cheering for evil over Konosuke Takeshita just due to the point that evil, at the very least, he's a bastard, he's a homegrown talent, though.
08:18And that was the focus for those fans in that arena.
08:20Do you think that's a shared philosophy for the fans in Ryogoku?
08:24Does that impact our main event?
08:25I don't think it impacts the main event in terms of how they're going to wrestle it.
08:29I do think that it is going to impact the main event in terms of what we hear today.
08:32You know, I asked him about it last week.
08:36He was very wry and said, well, if somebody cheers evil over my opponent and then cheers that opponent over me,
08:43well, I have to have something to think about.
08:45I think when it comes down to in clutch, the fans here in Ryogoku are going to back Zack Sabre Jr. over Konosuke Takeshita.
08:56And I think that comes down to, you know, I mean, Takeshita, his position as a triple contracted athlete,
09:03you know, is going to affect his drive.
09:05And I know that Takeshita has been open, saying backstage this won't be the last time he wrestles in a cerulean blue ring this year.
09:13Win, lose, or draw.
09:15But he's not going to be making all the towns that Zack Sabre Jr. is.
09:18Yeah, can you hit it a little bit more, expand on that controversy for me.
09:22A lot of people have been talking about, well, Takeshita wasn't on the Destruction Tour.
09:25Takeshita didn't want to be on the road to King of Pro Wrestling.
09:28And I don't think it's as much he doesn't want to be.
09:30It's that he's contracted other places.
09:33He has dates in AEW.
09:34He has to wrestle in DDT.
09:35He's taking on the world of pro wrestling, not just in JPW.
09:38That's the scope he looks at.
09:39And yes, and he's doing so as an individual.
09:42He says, you know, if I'm in AEW, I'm not AEW's Takeshita.
09:46If I'm in New Japan, I'm not New Japan's Takeshita.
09:49I'm just Konosuke Takeshita.
09:50And that's admirable.
09:52But I think, you know what I mean, Zack Sabre Jr., in the meantime, has been someone that's been very clearly New Japan Pro Wrestling's World Heavyweight Champion.
09:59And done so on a global scale.
10:01He's wrestled in 13 countries this year.
10:03And done it as our champion.
10:06And I think the fans recognize that.
10:10It's something that fans of New Japan can collectively say, hey, cover here, one.
10:15Collectively say, hey, I think it's admirable that Takeshita wants to take on the world.
10:18But what we want as an IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is someone who's present.
10:22Can you comment on that?
10:24Yeah, I mean, it's a fair comment.
10:27It's a fair comment to make.
10:28And I know it's been something that's a show to me.
10:30I know it's been very salty about.
10:32He was saying backstage, hey, who won the G1 again?
10:34You know what I mean?
10:35I think there is certainly that argument.
10:40But at the same time, ultimately, this is competition and this is combat.
10:44You know, if you have an issue with it, well, you should have won the goddamn G1.
10:47Right.
10:47Do you know what I mean?
10:48And it's an argument, Chris, that Sabre Jr. has been looking to forego as well.
10:52Yeah.
10:52Shut that down in the media very quickly.
10:54He said, well.
10:54Oh, a barren hour there.
10:56Cover a quick kick out at one.
10:58And we're back to the standstill.
11:00Sabre Jr. is saying, well, I'm fighting the world representing New Japan Pro Wrestling.
11:04Takeshita's fighting the world representing Pro Wrestling as a whole.
11:08And there's nothing wrong with that.
11:10But it's all about who prevails on top.
11:12Sabre Jr. has full confidence that he's going to prevail tonight.
11:15Yeah, sure.
11:15I think both men do.
11:16Absolutely champion and challenger.
11:17Both men do.
11:18And otherwise, they wouldn't be here.
11:20They wouldn't have the right to be here.
11:21And they wouldn't have earned that right to be here.
11:24You know what I mean?
11:24Ultimately, Mike Rake's right in this business.
11:26You have to be the strongest.
11:27And what happens then is not only do you have the gold, but with the gold comes the power, right?
11:32And the power to, you know, in the words of somebody else, a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion in their own right,
11:39to change the world going forward.
11:41To change the face of professional wrestling.
11:43Something that Zack Sabre Jr. has done in his own way as World Heavyweight Champion.
11:47And something that Takeshita seeks to do.
11:50Whether it's change Japan, change the world, or anything in between, Takeshita line right out of the gate.
11:56This is your G1 Climax 35 winner for a reason.
12:01Sabre Jr. knows what it's like to be in those shoes, to be the challenger, a G1 Climax winner.
12:08You have to fight for the most coveted prize in professional wrestling.
12:12Takeshita also recognizes and wants to represent those IWGP letters, but doesn't want to limit himself to that.
12:18No, and I think, well, that's the argument both sides.
12:22Fable connects.
12:23Beautiful.
12:24You know, I mean, I think that's the argument on both sides.
12:26If you are the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, you're the best professional wrestler in the world.
12:32And we want to be able to say that, yes, we have the best wrestler in the world,
12:36but you can see the best wrestler in the world every single night on these dates, in these towns, across Japan.
12:42You know, I mean, I think that's the drive for us as promoters and as a company.
12:48As a take to the ropes here, not somewhere that Zack Sabre Jr. typically likes to go.
12:54Considers it as showing a crack in the armor, a sign of weakness, but taken right in nonetheless.
12:59Takeshita wanting to take a technical approach in the interim here.
13:04Going to combine it with power, and that's going to work to Takeshita's favor.
13:07Yeah, and what he was doing just as he came back, and I think that was a surprise.
13:10He went to the ropes with that body scissors, and Zack was a little bit of a tweak on those muscles and that rib area.
13:19That has long, long, long, long for years been an issue for Zack Sabre Jr.
13:24Those intercostal muscles never truly healing, just like this.
13:28Sabre Jr. takes full control.
13:30A large, large athlete is Takeshita.
13:33Sabre Jr. is going to bend every limb to his own benefit.
13:36I mean, you look at the way, Chris, Sabre Jr. became world champion for a second time in his career.
13:43Ended what was said to be a legendary run from a legendary wrestler in Hiroki Gotoh.
13:47Now Sabre Jr. wants to kill a legend before it even really begins in the alpha Takeshita.
13:53Yeah, and said as much in that video that we saw.
13:56You know, we think about what we did just to get here.
14:00That G1 Climax, both G1 Climax matches, they share a knockout over the other.
14:06Kronosuke Takeshita confessing he doesn't remember much of the semi-final after he was lit up with an overhand right.
14:15Same match, Zack Sabre Jr. was dropped right on top of his head.
14:18Takeshita was choked out in his hometown of Osaka.
14:21That's still something lingering.
14:23A one-in-one singles record.
14:25All singles match has taken place within the past few months or so in the last G1 Climax.
14:32And Takeshita, that means it is a recent feeling.
14:36Sabre Jr. as well, that uppercut is going to take Takeshita down to the canvas.
14:41Do you feel there's any added pressure on the side?
14:44And I hate to talk about it with Rocky Romero president at ringside.
14:47The Don Callis family, there's an upcoming AEW World Tag Team title match
14:50where Takeshita and Kazuchika Okada have to team alongside one another.
14:54You think Takeshita wants to walk in World Champion.
14:56Yeah, maybe at some point, you know, if I want to do a little bit of a Sabre-ism right comment here,
15:00I would almost think we're up to the point where we can have a Don Callis family versus House of Torture
15:04full 11-on-11 football match at this point.
15:07But, you know, I mean, I think Don Callis family extremely, extremely strong over in AEW.
15:14You control the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
15:17You're within a hair, and I know that, you know what I mean,
15:20the Continental Classic over there has to be getting underway fairly soon.
15:23You know what I mean, that puts you in line for a prestigious championship over there.
15:27You know what I mean, it could be in a position where they hold all the gold,
15:31not just in America, but worldwide.
15:35Takeshita, no unit affiliation here in New Japan Pro Wrestling.
15:40Fighting for himself solely and openly against Zack Sabre Jr.
15:44is going to draw Takeshita in here.
15:49We know Takeshita, one of the best wrestlers in the stand that you're going to find.
15:53Sabre Jr. is up there with the best of them, too, though.
15:56Yeah, definitely.
15:56I asked Zack, are you going to try and grapple Takeshita, try and settle him?
16:01He said, well, no way.
16:03It's never going to...
16:05You can think in that position, but it's never going to play out that way,
16:09given how hard both of us were willing to hit during the G1.
16:15One of that discus elbow shot, not going to happen.
16:17Sabre Jr. right back down to the canvas.
16:20Takeshita, immediate on the cover for the win.
16:22Nearly stole the world title.
16:24And a huge exploder suplex out of the Alpha.
16:31You do not become G1 Climax winner on accident, Chris.
16:36It comes from grit, drive, determination to be the best in the world.
16:41Same thing goes the way for holding IWGP gold.
16:44Right, and if you have done both, then absolutely.
16:47And you've done both, and you've main-evented,
16:49and one as the main-eventer, twice in succession in the Tokyo Dome
16:54on the biggest stage we have.
16:56You know what I mean?
16:56That's something that Zack Sabre Jr. has tasted that Takeshita hasn't.
17:00You know what I mean?
17:00That line in that video, man.
17:02The only one versus the one and only.
17:04That's what we've got here.
17:06And certainly Takeshita in a class of one, it seems.
17:10Zack Sabre Jr. trying to crawl to safety.
17:12We talked about it back in April.
17:23The one in a millennium is Kanalski Takeshita.
17:27But to prove that out here tonight, hits the ropes.
17:30Big boo-boo, Sabre.
17:32Man, rocked him.
17:36Rocked him.
17:37And I think we know what Takeshita wants next.
17:39Takeshita wants to fly here.
17:40Watch out for the alpha.
17:44Whoa, wipes out the world heavyweight champion.
17:52Take a look at that one more time here on Instant Replay, folks.
17:56Heavy crash landing.
17:58Sabre Jr. trying to stop that blow.
18:00It was going to hit one way or another.
18:07Great on referee Red Shizuno.
18:08Getting out to the outside here, checking on both competitors.
18:11But we've got to bring it back in now.
18:12Yeah, he'll actually tell him.
18:15Red Shoes is telling Arben, no, there won't be a count out needed.
18:20We will be able to get this back inside.
18:21But, well, maybe giving a little bit too much trust to the challenger.
18:25No, no, to catch that, to catch that, Sabre Jr. safe up on that apron.
18:29Look at that, bro.
18:30Whoa.
18:31Safety denied, though.
18:32Man, those ribs cannot get that foot free.
18:35Precarious position on the apron.
18:39No.
18:40Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute, wait a minute.
18:42Stop, stop, stop.
18:43Reaver, ground it.
18:44Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
18:46Oh, God.
18:47Oh, a one-two shot.
18:50Yeah.
18:50That was double impact, Chris.
18:54You said it yourself.
18:55Same shot that broke Godo's arm.
18:57And all the more so that Takeshi took the spill off the apron.
19:02Stop.
19:03That's that right arm, the predominant arm of Konosuke Takeshi.
19:09And he's not afraid to throw rights and lefts when we're talking about world-class elbows.
19:13That straight murder always comes from that right windup.
19:16No, no, no, no, no.
19:19Well, I think, I was gonna say it earlier on, it's actually Virginia's best shot here.
19:24Take your time, take your time.
19:25Certainly to get a submission on Takeshi to take advantage of that windup walker.
19:29And we've seen it, we talked about it in the G1, Takeshi, you know, he often takes just
19:35about a half a second long on that windup to uncork a big strike.
19:40And that windup time has now gotten longer with that elbow he has to shake loose.
19:43Now, it's gonna get longer over the course of this match.
19:50A twist to that right arm from Zack Sabre, Jr.
19:56You're not seeing anything new out of Sabre, Jr., nothing that we haven't expected before
20:00in World Heavyweight title contention, but he's doing it to the best that one possibly
20:05could inside the ring.
20:08When we talk about being the best technical wrestler in the world, you can remove the
20:11technical qualifier at any time.
20:13But that's only if he can survive Takeshi.
20:16Well, I think he's doing a pretty damn good job of it now.
20:19Nice.
20:20You know, that injury for Hiroki Goto back at Tanahashi Jam might have shown Zack Sabre,
20:32Jr. his true bread and butter.
20:34We've seen multiple stomps to that right arm, very much in a Goto-esque style, and we're seeing
20:40a very similar effect tonight to Takeshi.
20:42He knows exactly what he needs to do to be able to beat Takeshi, because he has done it.
20:48You know, he needs the tenacity.
20:52He's just got to stick and stick and stick and stick.
20:56That's how he beat him in Osaka, hanging on to that choke.
20:58Yeah, it's attached to one of that blue thunder.
21:00Not gonna happen, though.
21:01Sabre, Jr., uppercut into the corner.
21:03Don't turn your back on the Alpha.
21:05Wow, but sending the shockwaves.
21:08Turn it around, blue thunder bomb!
21:13No!
21:14Sabre, Jr.
21:15Up and on the arm, right on the arm.
21:16Transitioned beautifully, beautiful.
21:20Takeshi didn't see it coming, but Sabre, Jr., had it scouted a mile out.
21:25You talk about taking five to give one big one, and that is certainly the case here.
21:34But the damage, the impact, furthermore, the neck, the ribs.
21:40Zack Sabre, Jr. didn't just want that arm, Walker.
21:43But Sabre wanted the legs he needed to keep all of Takeshi's body in clutch, and he couldn't do that.
21:52Canalsuke Takeshi may have started his pro-wrestling career in DDT, might have forged himself further in AEW.
21:59But let's remind those at home, this is always where Takeshi had envisioned being.
22:04Always what he envisioned fighting for, that IWGP gold, since the age of four years old.
22:09Well, yeah, but I mean, he's someone that, as much as he wanted to be in this spot, you know, he said in the interview, in that documentary,
22:17he never even allowed himself to want to be IWGP champion.
22:21That is the level, that is the pedestal that he has put this achievement on.
22:28But I certainly don't think it's gonna allow himself.
22:30He can think he can win until he can do it.
22:32Whoa!
22:33Lariat, damaged arm and all, cover, two count only.
22:45To lose that inferiority complex, and ascend further into godlike status,
22:51you have to hold those four letters in the heavyweight division.
22:55Yeah, and we said that in the past, you know, the godlike status, you said it yourself,
22:59change it before, talk about changing the world, the throughline, Kenny Omega,
23:04Kota Ibushi, and Konosuke Takeshiya, very, very clear in that DDT to New Japan Pro Wrestling.
23:10But Takeshiya, well, I mean, you talk about IWGP.
23:14Wanted, the bastard driver denied you.
23:19Two.
23:22Takeshiya with a chance and send himself in a class of one.
23:26German suplex.
23:27Locomotion, whoa!
23:29Let's get this one, two.
23:36Yeah, and you remember, and we talk about uniting the whole world of
23:40professional wrestling, you saw the clips as well as I did.
23:43When the announcement went up, Konosuke Takeshiya has won the G1 Climax to a crowd,
23:48to a DDT live event in Osaka, the level of applause and support that was there.
23:53The grass roots that Takeshiya has cultivated, and those grass roots have grown
23:58into a strong ass tree, and his name is Konosuke Takeshiya.
24:01Well, it's because they've been following since the beginning, the struggle from DDT to
24:06AEW, to New Japan Pro Wrestling, to one day hold the keys to the world in your hand.
24:11You've got to put down the champion, and the champion's still standing.
24:15Boot for boot, blow for blow, Saber Jr quicker in the draw, Zack Driver out of the way.
24:33No, no, no, and then he pulled his neck off.
24:36No.
24:39Watch, watch, watch.
24:40Beautiful.
24:42He topped that Nashie.
24:45And again.
24:47Sherman.
24:48No, no, no, no, no, Zack Driver.
24:54Tip for tap, blow for blow.
25:00This is the IWGP.
25:02Take a look one more time on your screen, folks.
25:15Zack Driver, a high angle landing for the G135 winner.
25:20For over 50 years, New Japan has been the king of sports, Walker.
25:26For over 40, those letters IWGP have meant that you are the king of the king of sports.
25:32Look at her, Zack, bro, you're good for her, man, okay?
25:36He's a man willing to let Rich's call a stop to this.
25:46They will fight to their dying breath to maintain those four letters or to seize them.
26:03And that right there is an invitation.
26:09It's an invitation or it might also be a trap set on the part of the champion, Walker.
26:17First, I want to listen in heavy to these shots here.
26:20You give it all you got, come on.
26:24You give it all you got.
26:26That right arm, that elbow, Chris, that Saber Jr. has worked over since the beginning of this matchup.
26:49You got to think, Saber, oh, man.
26:54Saber is always about five moves ahead, but, well, ordinarily.
26:59I don't know whether he's thinking straight right now.
27:02One more, one more.
27:07The end goal for here, Walker, I don't think it's for Zack Saber Jr.
27:12to not to get you down.
27:14And to get him in a spot where he can get a submission.
27:17I caught you.
27:19He ain't getting it.
27:22That might have left a puncture wound in the body of Saber Jr.
27:31Right through the skull, right through the mind.
27:37The brain rattling against bone.
27:44And now that is deadly distance that has been created by the Alpha towards the World Heavyweight Champion.
27:50Got to try and close that distance, capture in for the gold.
27:53Here we go to Keshtar.
27:55Power, no.
27:56That's what Saber wanted.
27:58Now he's got it.
27:59Full power to Saber Jr.
28:01Full control for the World Heavyweight Champion.
28:05Saber Jr. goaded into Keshtar.
28:12Saw the power drive coming.
28:14And he's got all of it.
28:17And all Keshtar may see in the end is a black, black cloud over his world title opportunity.
28:24The Venus Flytrap Walker has snapped shut.
28:27And it's caught a juicy one.
28:29Saber Jr. has full control here.
28:33This is masterful technique from the World Heavyweight Champion.
28:37Tekeshtar is miles from the rope.
28:41It's ten feet, but it might as well be a hundred miles, Walker.
28:47Tekeshtar trying to kick, trying to pull his body to the ropes.
28:54To the ropes, there is no saving.
28:56There is no saving the Alpha right here, right now.
28:59No saving the Alpha, there's no stopping Saber.
29:02Red shoe's gonna stop it.
29:04He'll stop it if he has to.
29:06And to the bottom rope.
29:19Defying all laws of combat is Konosuke Tekeshta saving his opportunity.
29:29Combat time, space, physics, anatomy.
29:42How much time spent now?
29:43Hold a little bit over 60 seconds somewhere in the ballpark.
29:46It might have just cost Tekeshta everything.
29:50I mean, for any human being, and I would even go as far as to say Walker,
29:56for any of the people, the seconds that are gathered around that ring,
29:5960 seconds would be far, far too long for them.
30:0760 seconds in that hold would be too long for Hiroki Goto, Walker.
30:11It would be too long for Yodosuji, too long for Katsuchiko Okada.
30:15But just enough time for Tekeshta to have a state of execution.
30:20Come on, Tekeshta, fight!
30:25Tekeshta in a league of his own.
30:28But that league might have a contender, double Lariat, and both men still stand.
30:34A battle for position.
30:37A need for control.
30:40Tekeshta got that hurt elbow, that wounded side.
30:44Can he drive the legs?
30:46They're pulling one way or the other with that backside.
30:49Tekeshta got it.
30:50He wants it.
30:51He's got it.
30:52Back shoulder, no.
30:54Tekeshta.
30:59Last one.
31:01I don't think he got all of it though, Chris.
31:03That right elbow letting go, gravity doing God's work here.
31:06Power drive, power drive, that's all he needed.
31:09The right knee did the work, the right elbow couldn't work it.
31:13The final shot, a final testament, it's over.
31:18No.
31:19For everything that these two men have done in their careers, to bring them to tonight.
31:27A Ryukoku Sumo Hall main event, the world heavyweight title on the line.
31:32It could not have been for nothing.
31:33Tekeshta wants to be the wrestler that inspires Nations Charlton.
31:38My goodness.
31:39He might be on the path to it.
31:40My goodness.
31:41He might be on the path to it.
31:43I don't like the inspiration that has just struck Konosuke Tekeshta right here.
31:50And you remember that half rated fire, half brain buster.
31:55I don't think Zack Sabre Jr remembers it.
31:57He had to watch the video to have any inclination that that's what happened.
31:59That's what put Tekeshta through to the final in G-135.
32:06They were just as dangerous from this position though.
32:08Seated on the top rope.
32:10It's a fine, fine line between life and death.
32:21No, no, no, no, no.
32:24No, no, no.
32:25No, no, no.
32:26Seated on the top rope.
32:28It's a fine, fine line between life and death.
32:33No, no, no, no, no.
32:36Saber said you're gonna have to kill me if you want to take the gold away.
32:44Saber.
32:51Well, you said that you weren't welcome.
32:57We haven't seen anything we haven't seen before for Zack Sabre Jr.
33:01We ain't ever seen that for Zack Sabre Jr.
33:04Times aren't changing.
33:05Back of the net.
33:08The more things they change, the more things remain the same.
33:12World title status, Sabre Jr with the DDT.
33:16Straight up.
33:17Raging fire.
33:20Raging fire in the right elbow.
33:24Pain piercing through the body of the Alpha.
33:35A poor twist of fate for Konosuke and Takeshita.
33:42Sabre Jr too close to the ropes, Takeshita out of position.
33:46Well, I'm manning up to know where I'm wrong.
33:50He or Goku behind the challenger, behind perhaps a world to change.
34:04Sabre Jr, what's the world?
34:08And listen to the switch from the crowd immediately.
34:15Instant, because you know what?
34:17They don't want this match to end, and neither do we.
34:20That chicken wing, that chicken wing.
34:25That chicken wing was what, beat Gabe Kidd in the G1,
34:31beat Shingo Takagi in the G1, Walker.
34:33No, no, no.
34:35This is where you start to feel the urgency from Zack Sabre Jr, Chris.
34:46Back to old reliable as soon as things get a little testy.
34:50But what's the difference, Walker?
34:52The difference here is Zack Sabre Jr's ability to adapt that jazz artistry.
34:59The fact he can feel and not think.
35:03What thoughts are racing through the mind attack?
35:06My God, the knee races through the mind of the World Heavyweight Champion.
35:10It could be, will it?
35:12Yes, no.
35:14The elbow went, the driver's there.
35:16Zack Driver.
35:18Here we go.
35:27The Alpha kicks out.
35:33Both of them promised a match here at our main event.
35:41We would show beyond a shadow of a doubt.
35:44But the International Wrestling Grand Prix is the pinnacle of professional wrestling.
35:49And we said, we're seeing just that.
35:52But it's a pinnacle walker that's only meant for one.
35:55It's very lonely at the top of the mountain.
36:02Sabre Jr got there last year.
36:05He's in his night tonight to repeat history.
36:14It's a catch to asking for more.
36:18Between begging for more action, trying to find feeling in the fingers.
36:22Straight murder.
36:51That homicide charge might get downgraded to aggravated assault.
37:06Because Sabre Jr is still standing.
37:08Sabre Jr is still fighting.
37:12The involuntary manslaughter.
37:13The only way you're gonna take that title off is that Sabre Jr.
37:19The arm again.
37:24Takeshda trying to grapple with the best of Sabre Jr.
37:30Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
37:31Dropped on the neck.
37:33Holds on for dear life to the waist lock.
37:35To keep Sabre at bay.
37:41It's a grim, grim twist, Morgan.
37:43From the way Zack Sabre Jr entered this match with the IWGP title around his waist.
37:48And now it's Takeshda's grip that might throw it away from him.
37:52Man, he wrote the thesis.
37:56And now he's given a final education.
37:58Sabre Jr has been the one to deliver lessons around here more often than not in 2025.
38:06Kanosuke Takeshda will not let go.
38:14This is determination.
38:17This is the IWGP standard.
38:19Whoa.
38:22It's a catch stop.
38:27Damaged arm and all.
38:29Power drive knee.
38:30The lower half to force the will of the Alpha.
38:36Elbow pad, knee pad, no pads necessary where we're going tonight.
38:41Zack trying to sit up.
38:43He's trying to reach for something that's further and further from his grasp.
38:48But Steven's out.
38:50Power drive knee.
38:52One, two, one.
38:55He's done it.
39:13The standard has been redefined tonight.
39:24We have a new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and his name is Kanosuke Takeshda.
39:32One, two, two, one.
39:51History has been made, Walker.
39:53But the world has changed.
40:08You can call it a shockwave to humankind.
40:13A shot to the sport of pro wrestling.
40:17But right now, right here, is where the true work begins for
40:21the World Heavyweight Champion.
40:23Newly crowned.
40:24Congratulations, Konosuke Takeshita.
40:27IWGP, the World Heavyweight Champion,
40:3131分, 16秒.
40:34The new champion, Komosuke Takeshita.
40:44It's a quest, a mountain he's been trying to climb for his entire life.
40:51The desire of the tribe to be called the strongest.
41:00And now, Konosuke Takeshita is indeed the strongest.
41:07And the best professional wrestler on God's green earth.
41:11God bless pro wrestling when he created Konosuke Takeshita.
41:19God bless pro wrestling when he created Konosuke Takeshita.
41:32And will Takeshita bless new Japan pro wrestling or the greater world at large.
41:39We're gonna hear from your champion tonight.
41:42Zach.
41:43Zach.
41:47Zach.
41:51I will treat this belt I took from you with the importance it deserves.
41:59I will treat this belt I took from you with the importance it deserves.
42:08Hey, hey, I can't do it.
42:28And calm down to the scattered booze.
42:31There's a lot of people in you, right?
42:36And absolutely none of you has any right to complain.
42:39I'm not just New Japan Pro Wrestling fans that are angry at what I have just done.
42:54There are wrestlers in this roster as well.
42:58So if you are angry, if you are mad, if you have a complaint,
43:04you need to make it direct to my face.
43:08We know it's gonna be a sellout at the monitors, Walker.
43:18Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute.
43:19Wait.
43:20Right down ramp side.
43:21We knew that there would be a bone to pick here, no matter who walked away with the title.
43:28Those blurred lines just became a lot clearer.
43:39I want to hear one thing from you.
43:51You knew I was coming, right?
43:57Next.
43:58Next.
43:59It's gonna be me to challenge for that title.
44:02It's gonna be me to challenge for that title.
44:06Now, are you gonna take that challenge?
44:12Are you gonna accept or are you not?
44:14Are you gonna accept or are you gonna accept or are you gonna accept or are you gonna accept?
44:27I never even began to imagine there would be you standing opposite me.
44:31Hey.
44:32Hey.
44:33Hey.
44:35Hey.
44:36Hey.
44:37Hey.
44:38Hey.
44:39Where are the young talent, New Japan Pro Wrestling?
44:42Why have you let this old veteran come up in front of you?
44:47Hey.
44:48You're gonna accept or not.
44:50Well, since it's you, you're okay to challenge.
44:55And there is a debt to be repaid from last year's G1 as well, but.
45:06I've met someone to be wrapped up in your revolution.
45:19My revolution is strength.
45:25For a revolution to truly die, history has shown that its leader must be put to death.
45:47And even then, there will still be murmurings, but Hiroki Goto may have been put on the shelf.
45:54That doesn't mean he's done.
45:56And now, we might have our next challenger for the World Heavyweight Championship.
46:00I've taken the title.
46:14What do you think?
46:16So, what do you think?
46:18Booing?
46:20That's it?
46:21That's it?
46:22That's it?
46:23That's it?
46:24That's it?
46:25That's it?
46:26And now, Min invited to either beer or cheer.
46:30I think we got a pretty healthy mix of both.
46:33Yeah, the divisive reception.
46:36So, if you cheered me, you're gonna have a hell of a fun ride.
46:48So, enjoy it.
46:50Wait.
46:53Come on.
46:57Come on.
47:02Come on.
47:03Come on.
47:04I've become a player here for the IWGP.
47:06As long as I am this IWGP champion, you're gonna see the very best of fights.
47:21And all of the wrestlers are number one, and all of the fans are gonna see the absolute best in sports,
47:32the absolute best in entertainment.
47:34You're gonna see a world where pro wrestling is everything.
47:38I know what it means to have this championship, and you can look forward to what that means, and that is my message.
47:49This is the 14th champion IWGP, G-Alpha, Kogosuke, Takeshita!
48:04Draped in gold in more ways than one.
48:18Since the establishment, Chris, of the International Wrestling Grand Prix,
48:33those four letters of the IWGP, it was prophesied that great men would hold these championships.
48:51But there is none greater than the IWGP Heavyweight title.
48:55And there is no one better in this world proven via a G1 victory, and the title around that man's waist,
49:02then the IWGP can also get to Kester.
49:04And every great man, from philosophy to professional wrestling, has met opposition.
49:18Well, it's the true greatest of men to go out to meet that opposition.
49:29Let's seek it.
49:31Let's seek to overcome it.
49:33And that is exactly the position that Konosuke Tikeshita has taken.
49:42Hiroki Goso clearly next.
49:44The when and where.
49:47TBA.
49:50I know.
49:52I am sure that this is not the last time we see the Alpha in New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2025.
50:02Tikeshita is one to stand and fight to protect that championship.
50:07Just as hard as he has been willing to stand and fight to win it.
50:11And you might not like it, but you have to respect it.
50:18And you have to say, and you have to acknowledge Konosuke Tikeshita.
50:23As of this day, October the 13th, 2025 is the world's best professional wrestler.
50:32blowing up the North Pole.
50:33The Boston icon.
50:34On a calendar day.
50:35The-
50:38The-
50:40The-
50:41The-
50:42The
50:43The-
50:45The-
50:48The-
50:49The-
50:50The-
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