- 13 hours ago
Category
ð¥
SportsTranscript
00:00To be continued...
00:30Well, wrestling fans, it is time for our semi-main event of the evening.
00:55I'd like to officially welcome Joel Maloney to the booth as we get set here tonight.
01:00And it was just 24 hours ago, Drolla, where yourself and Shingo Takagi lost out in World
01:07Tag League competition.
01:08An incredible main event battle against Vichemot.
01:12You said it earlier on when you joined this just moments ago, there's no shame in losing
01:16to an incredible tag team.
01:17And you have to know that that's on your mind and Takagi's mind.
01:20But truth be told, Great Okan and Cal Newman have been less than great as a unit.
01:25United Empire has been falling into shambles of sorts, it starts to feel.
01:29But right now, leading the block, and if they win tonight, they take first place in this
01:34league.
01:35Well, I think we could call that a happy accident, because they've not really been the most cohesive.
01:41This is, what, the third or fourth time doing commentary on the B block.
01:46They've watched these matches in person, I've seen the clips online on the other days.
01:49They've not been cohesive at all.
01:52You've got a little man on the apron doing his best to try and hold everything together,
01:57but, you know, you've got to wonder how much of it's been love, how much of this has been
02:02a happy accident.
02:03Like, not trying to toot our own horn.
02:05Me and Shingo were as cohesive as could be.
02:07All we needed to do was meet that one team that's been a little bit more cohesive for
02:10a little bit longer.
02:11Boom, here I am sitting with you, knocked out of the block.
02:14Boom, here I am sitting with you.
02:41Who is the GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion, gearing up for action and pro wrestling.
02:46No one to come and get some Oxide Tag Team action, soon to come to close out 2025.
02:52But before that, we still have a World Tag League to close out.
02:56And Hiromu Takahashi and David Finlay are ready to serve as the spoilers to United Empire
03:02here tonight.
03:03That is if the leader of the Bullet Club, the Boss Dog, gets his way, Trilla.
03:07Yeah, it is.
03:08Yeah.
03:09It seems to have been somewhat cohesive.
03:12Well, that's definitely a stretch of the word, in my opinion.
03:16But you know, you and Takagi, y'all were right.
03:19It's rained from the very beginning, it felt.
03:21You had something to bond over.
03:22You love knocking the heads off of your opponents.
03:24Yeah.
03:25But David Finlay and Hiromu Takahashi have been in this power struggle throughout the World Tag
03:29League tournament.
03:30Finlay's saying that he's the leader of this team.
03:33Hiromu's saying, well, I've been around in New Japan longer than you've even been here.
03:37So I'm your senpai, you should listen to me.
03:40These two haven't been able to figure it out yet.
03:42Well, like we say, Finlay's a 32-year veteran.
03:44Came out of the womb into the ring.
03:46And I understand Hiromu's gripe, but Hiromu's never led a team, as far as I know.
03:55When we had Tetsuya Naito here, he was the one calling the shots in that team.
03:59Now we have the unaffiliated, who kind of got affiliated with us pretty quickly.
04:03And as the Wardogs, we have a leader.
04:05It's David Finlay.
04:07For almost three years.
04:08In fact, no, for three years.
04:09That's been our leader.
04:11So I can understand Hiromu's gripe, but the facts are the facts.
04:17I think United Empire have been having maybe a two-year grind about that themselves.
04:26Yeah, well, I mean, it all goes back to the Wardogs taking on United Empire just about two years ago.
04:33Not even taking on, eliminating them.
04:35We were the ones that left in that castle, that Empire was in dust.
04:39And they've been trying to put the ashes and then form it into some kind of weak shape ever since.
04:45It all started with the elimination of Will Ospreay from New Japan Pro Wrestling and wherever that man is right now.
04:50I hope he's having the time of his life.
04:52But for right now, all of his friends have been left in the dust.
04:54Calum Newman and Great Okan still trying to put things together.
04:57And I'll tell you right now, Drolla, I mean, we talk down United Empire.
05:01We say that they've fallen apart.
05:02But right now, Newman and Great Okan, even if by accident, even if unintentional,
05:06sitting at the top of Block B right now.
05:09Well, look, Calum Newman is an incredibly skilled young man.
05:13Great Okan, I really couldn't give a shit about.
05:15I don't see...
05:17I don't see what...
05:19I don't know what he is.
05:20You know, comes out just a certain way.
05:23He's like an undead Mongolian soldier.
05:26Then he blows vape smoke out his mouth.
05:29And then he gets in the ring and he's wearing MMA shorts and he's got a vampire teeth mouthguard.
05:33Sure.
05:34You know?
05:35I see your point.
05:36Or a couple of them.
05:37So, we've got one guy that's a great singles wrestler, especially for his age.
05:42We've got another guy that can pull it out of the bag on occasion.
05:46But as a team...
05:47They've been pulling it out of the bag more times than not.
05:50I'll tell you right now how the Block Math lines up, Drolla.
05:52It's going to be a night of numbers here in the booth.
05:54It is United Empire in a position to take the lead spot in Block B.
06:00If United Empire win here tonight, they are automatically into that B1 position on 10 points.
06:06If United Empire lose here tonight, that will automatically, no matter the result of our main event, put Riohei Oyewa and Zack Sabre Jr. in B2.
06:14So, TMDK certainly hoping for United Empire loss here tonight.
06:18Yeah, meanwhile it is Numan and Okan.
06:22Yeah, just redecorating the venue really quick.
06:24Yeah, I mean, it's certainly starting a fight like something is on the line.
06:28And you start to feel...
06:29You're the one who brought this up to me in the English booth just a few nights ago.
06:32This idea that, I mean, if United Empire goes away, you can't exactly imagine seeing Great Okan and Hontai or Calhoun and Hontai.
06:40Will we even see Jacob Austin Young again?
06:42You know, these are the questions.
06:44Yeah, it would definitely change a lot of their landscape.
06:48I think the past two years for them ever since we eradicated Will Ospreay from the company.
06:55They kind of keep going through phases where they get along, they don't get along, they elect a captain, the captain disappears.
07:02These are left to argue. Calhoun Newman was happy-go-lucky, now he's got a brand new attitude on him.
07:09You know, I can kind of see where it's coming from.
07:13And meanwhile, oh, Calhoun Newman and David Finley.
07:16Well, Finley just sent face-first into the wall here tonight.
07:19And meanwhile, we're going all around the arena here.
07:24Great Okan sent Koromo Takahashi face-first into that table.
07:28And it is Okan and Newman something to fight for here.
07:32But I'll tell you right now, Jola, I know that you've had this conversation with Finley and the War Dog locker room in the past.
07:37I mean, any opportunity that Finley and the War Dogs can get to tear down United Empire another peg,
07:42more than you already have, you're going to take it with ease.
07:44Oh, dude, we're going to take it here.
07:46Nothing changed.
07:47There's, you know, you know, Walker, when the War Dogs are not in Rockin', the people didn't like us.
07:52People used to boo us, they used to chant Kyrie, they used to tell us to go home.
07:56Now they love us, but really, not much of our creed changed.
08:00We've never liked these guys.
08:02We've never liked these guys.
08:04The majority of this unit is built up of foreigners.
08:07You know, you've got the little Italian one that's going to learn like perfect Japanese and watch his manga and he's trying, you know.
08:13They're never going to accept you as one of their own.
08:16We love these people, but we love these people because they're Japanese and we respect them and what they are.
08:21They respect us for being foreigners in their country, right?
08:24We never liked these kids.
08:26I've got a little bit more respect for Callum now that he's starting to figure out being a prick to get you a little further in life.
08:31I have no respect for that motherfucker on the apron with a little vampire teeth in his mouth.
08:37Yeah, well, Callum Newman certainly has adopted a bit of a darker take to himself in the latter half of 2025.
08:44Meanwhile, Great Okan almost undergoing an identity crisis as it is Okan who makes the tag.
08:50Serious identity crisis, didn't he?
08:54Entrances of identity crisis.
08:56Oh, come on.
08:58Great Okan, meanwhile, going to try and have some fun with Hiromu Takahashi here tonight.
09:04There's a fine line between having fun and winning matches, Droa.
09:08And you have to be skilled enough to be able to do both at the same time.
09:11Could this be it for Khan?
09:13Well, I don't think when he's in the ring with someone asking him as a Hiromu Takahashi,
09:17he should be playing no silly game.
09:19Especially when you've got, you know, a finley on the apron.
09:23It looks like he's getting some charge back in his back room.
09:26All he needs is a touch.
09:31And that's what you get for playing.
09:33Yeah, Hiromu Takahashi trying to fire off these chops.
09:36Meanwhile, a couple others come the way of Okan.
09:39No!
09:40Hiromu!
09:41With some chops of his own.
09:44Oh, and you don't take those chops away from Okan.
09:47Drag and screw leg whip from Hiromu.
09:49Oh, everyone's firing on all cylinders here tonight.
10:01Tag made, here comes David Finley.
10:04I know David Finley gonna take great pleasure in taking out great Okan here tonight.
10:09If he's able to put him down for the pin.
10:11I know that you think he is.
10:12We still gotta wait for our official result.
10:14Yeah, it's not over till the fat lady sings or the fat mongolian man screams when he does a chop.
10:21Oh, come on.
10:22But we're gonna figure this out.
10:23Yeah, we certainly are.
10:24Well, Finley able to have some fun now.
10:28Cover here on Okan.
10:29Two count only.
10:30Come on, Okan.
10:31Yeah, David Finley taking acknowledgment to, well, what's happening in the corner.
10:36Jacob, get yourself down off the apron, man.
10:39You ain't big enough to beat this tag team.
10:41Yeah, well, Jacob Austin Young is admittedly the reason that United Empire first started getting their gears underneath him.
10:47Put the first two points up on the board for Newman and Okan especially.
10:50This is true, but he's also gotta remember he's the second.
10:54You get up on that apron, you get a little bit too involved at the wrong time.
10:57Yeah, that would be a disappointing way to end this league for United Empire.
11:02Because I think Jacob's aware now, maybe the first time he was a viewspan and called him.
11:06Another happy accident, right?
11:08But now he's strung together a few moments to help his team get the win.
11:11He knows that.
11:13He's gonna let that not blow him up, you know, give him a big head about things.
11:18You guys are a team.
11:19The whole reason that this hasn't been working for the past two years is because they haven't worked like a team.
11:25Nobody knows their role in that team, Walker.
11:27Yeah, well, David Finlay certainly knows his role with Horobu.
11:30And he has been the one throwing Horobu around this entire tournament.
11:34Did not bring him to the semi-finals, but it might allow them to cut down Okan and Newman before they can get rolling here.
11:40And his great Okan, all the fire in the world behind him right now.
11:56And Okan now.
11:57Beautiful judo takedown here from Okan out of the corner.
12:04Certainly one of the most unique athletes you're gonna find on the New Japan roster.
12:07Okan trying to put down Finlay.
12:09That boot passes by.
12:11And it's Finlay who takes the shot in first.
12:13No!
12:14The battle cry from Okan.
12:16And Finlay might have just got the win knocked out of him.
12:19Tag made, we welcome Cal Newman back into it.
12:25Newman and Okan know all the pressure and what it means here tonight in Izuka City.
12:30Huh?
12:31Huh?
12:32Where?
12:33Where you going, eh?
12:34You going soft.
12:39Huh?
12:40Come in, Savage King.
12:41Huh?
12:42You ain't shit, huh?
12:43You going soft.
12:45Come on in.
12:46Fuck off!
12:52I mean, look at this drill.
12:53Callum is smiling, is laughing in the face of Finlay after these shots.
12:57I'm telling you now, that score is not going to be much worse.
13:01Newman now, one of the roundhouse, ducked underneath.
13:03Finlay planted down right on the knee.
13:10And where's that small gone now, huh?
13:12It's certainly a long way from home right now.
13:14David Finlay trying to make his way closer to the red corner.
13:17Got it in the tag.
13:19Here comes Hiromu.
13:22I think a lot of people in this tournament, Trilla,
13:24have been underestimating Hiromu Takahashi,
13:26one of the greatest juniors of all time.
13:29Oh, and now, Hiromu tossing David Finlay around the ring.
13:34Hold up.
13:36Oh, my gosh.
13:42Hiromu Takahashi tossing around the leader of the Bullet Club.
13:47Oh, and Finlay sent in to Okan.
13:51And one more time.
14:00Now, Finlay makes a pretty good projectile, too, honestly.
14:04And Hiromu wipes out Jake Lawson Young at ringside as well.
14:12Oh!
14:17I mean, that is the most amount of control we've seen Hiromu have over Finlay
14:21throughout the past 14 nights of tournament action.
14:25And now, Hiromu looking to do the number on Cal Neumann.
14:27Neumann has to win here tonight to solidify his spot at the top of Block B.
14:36Moromo cover here on Neumann and a two-count once again.
14:39Ten minutes deep in the 30-minute time limit.
14:54We may not need to go much longer at the rate we're moving.
14:56Hiromu will try to keep the pace high with the Prince of Pace Newman.
15:00Oh, going to win out in the end.
15:03Who's it going to be?
15:07Beautiful.
15:08Tejanes from Hiromu.
15:10Up on the shoulder.
15:11Time bomb inbound.
15:13Planning out Neumann.
15:15Cover here for Hiromu.
15:17Still not enough to eliminate United Empire.
15:21Come on, come on, come on!
15:23Come on, come on!
15:25Come on, come on!
15:26Come on!
15:27Come on!
15:28Come on!
15:29Oh, yeah!
15:33Oh, yeah!
15:39Yay!
15:40Fuck me!
15:42Woo!
15:43Woo!
15:45Woo!
15:46Woo!
15:51Woo!
15:52Ah!
15:53Yeah!
15:54Oh, ho, ho!
15:55Neumann and Hiromu back in it as well.
15:57He's in it as well, the Robo-Chan bomber.
16:00There are bodies all over the arena here tonight.
16:06I gotta tell you right now, Trolley,
16:08you have known a lot of these men for a long, long time,
16:10and the human body at a certain point
16:13has to have an off button, an off switch.
16:16The body has to quit.
16:17The mind is not gonna allow it to, though.
16:21No, and the deeper you get in the tournament,
16:22your body starts to switch off more and more,
16:25but your brain seems to switch off.
16:27It's the opposite way.
16:29Um, wrestling in pain is a different kind of beast, Walker.
16:34Kind of pisses you off a little bit, unlocks a deeper level.
16:37I mean, you wake up, you're already in pain.
16:38What you got to worry about?
16:39You're just gonna end up in a little bit more pain each day.
16:42The start of a tournament is arguably harder meant to get to
16:45because you come in, you've had a little bit of time off,
16:46a couple of days, a week, maybe even a month off.
16:50You come in and the pain's all fresh.
16:51It's hard to get reacquainted with an old friend
16:53you don't really like, but when you're deep into a tournament
16:55like this, it's all about your mind.
16:59The mind is strong for both of these men.
17:02You're too legal, and Hiromu and Newman.
17:07This is a dangerous, dangerous position for the heavyweight to be in.
17:09Hiromu in full control right now, taking it to the high-risk district.
17:15Looks like he's trying to go for a super time bomb, huh?
17:18Maybe so, but Newman a little bit too heavy for Hiromu, maybe.
17:23And look to the corner now, great Okan beginning to stalk.
17:26And Okan, Okan's got Hiromu here.
17:31No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
17:38Oh, no, no, no, no, no!
17:41Haramu wipes out the Empire with one blow.
17:46And Finlay decapitating Newman!
17:49Took himself out of the door.
17:50Yeah, that was disgusting.
17:55Oh, no, no, no, Finlay, Finlay, things were going so well.
18:00Oh my gosh, they still are!
18:03What the fuck?
18:06Italy and Hiromu are riding high here.
18:10What is going on?
18:11This is incredible!
18:13What?
18:15What?
18:19Hiromu is built different here tonight.
18:21Hey, Hiromu, what the fuck are you doing?
18:23Yeah, we're all thinking the same thing, Buster.
18:26I love it, I love it.
18:30It's now Finley and Hiromu.
18:32There's been no better time to get on the right side than here.
18:35Let's watch Hiromu bob and weave.
18:38Oh, a roundhouse shot.
18:43That's going to take Hiromu down for now.
18:45Caught by Finley.
18:47Finley saves Hiromu.
18:51Hiromu rolled up for the moment.
18:53Got that shot ended, David.
18:56Here we go!
18:58Overkill.
19:01Overkill from Finley.
19:03Hiromu to put it away.
19:04Two points on the line.
19:09Could this be it?
19:12United Umpire are done.
19:15Good bad!
19:1714 though 34ç§.
19:18Takahashi Hiromu'såå©!
19:20No
19:30What?
19:31What?
19:32What was the win?
19:33This match here tonight did not go the way David Finley had envisioned, but I'll tell you right now, the result certainly has.
19:54Finley and Hiromo victorious. Two more points on the board. It's not going to be enough for the semi-final,
19:59but they may have just killed the dreams of United Empire in this year's tournament.
20:03It's so dangerous! It's so dangerous, so dangerous!
20:23Get a laugh with his head off, bro.
20:26This is certainly a sight. I mean, that was a spectacle and a half right there that we just saw.
20:33David Finley, Hiromo Takahashi. Two more points on the board. They'll be ending their World Tag League rider on a healthy six.
20:40And I don't think David Finley is the GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion.
20:56Well, he was moving like it.
20:57Well, he certainly was. No thanks to himself, of course.
21:01Yeah, I don't want to call a shot too early, Drola, but something tells me we're not going to be seeing a lot more of Finley and Hirolo as a team.
21:14I mean, these two, they managed to put six points on the board, and that's well and great, but I don't think they're going to be able to just figure out this dynamic.
21:21Well, honestly, the way they've been going about it so far, it seems to get the job done.
21:27I don't know if you want to make a tag team career out of beating looks out of your own partner.
21:33That might not be a long-term thing.
21:34Wrestling fans, it is time for your main event of the evening, a rematch from Ryugoku Sumo Hall.
21:48Here tonight in East Coast City, Shota Umino and Yuya Uemura take on the Knockout Brothers, Oscar and Yuta Ice.
Be the first to comment