The first round of New Japan’s World TV tournament has ended with two more advancements and a special appearance by The Great Muta on Wednesday’s card.
In front of a cheering crowd at Korakuen Hall, Ren Narita scored his biggest singles win to date by pinning Tomohiro Ishii in the main event.
The two had a terrific match that included Narita threatening with an armbar and later kicking the injured body part of Ishii. Ishii connected with a head butt and followed with a lariat for a near-fall.
After each connected with an enzuigiri, Ishii came off the ropes and into a bridging belly-to-belly suplex (Narita Special) by Narita, who scored the pin after 14 minutes and 33 seconds.
It was an electric atmosphere for the main event with the cheering crowd adding so much to the significance of the win for Narita.
In the other tournament match, Toru Yano defeated Great O-Khan after a roll-up.
O-Khan had Yano in the Sheep Killer and applied his grip for the Eliminator when the lights went out in the venue.
When they turned on, the Great Muta was present at ringside and proceeded to blow green mist into the face of O-Khan and led to the roll-up by Yano.
Backstage, Muta stated he wanted to team with Yano and Kazuchika Okada and face O-Khan at the Historic X-Over card on November 20th at the Ariake Arena.
The following matches are set for the second round of the TV Title tournament:
*David Finlay vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (Oct. 27)
*YOSHI-HASHI vs. EVIL (Oct. 27)
*SANADA vs. KENTA (Oct. 30)
*Ren Narita vs. Toru Yano (Oct. 30)
The semi-finals will take place on November 5th at Battle Autumn and the final is scheduled for Wrestle Kingdom on January 4th.
