New Japan Pro-Wrestling begans 2009 with the task of pushing a struggling industry forward, and with stars from all over said industry as well as the American industry, put on an acclaimed Tokyo Dome show today that drew the biggest crowd to the building for some time. Superstars from across the globe united for “WRESTLE KINGDOM III IN TOKYO DOME” and put on a show full of colour, variety, and interest. A story many years in the making culminated with the clash of IWGP Heavyweight Champion and teacher, Keiji Muto, battling his talented disciple Hiroshi Tanahashi in his V5 defense of the title. Muto dethroned Tanahashi’s great rival Nakamura for the belt last April and reigned supreme until today when the student finally surpassed the teacher. Half an hour of pure professional wrestling excited the fans, and at times it seemed almost certain Tanahashi was beaten, but he came back and hit two High Fly Flows for the win and title. Tanahashi took the microphone and told the fans he loves them and New Japan. When asked who he wants to be his first challenger, he shouted “Shinsuke!”, saying they have to decide who is the ace of New Japan, as he doesn’t think there is room for two. Nakamura defeated Tanahashi this time last year, then again in March, so Tanahashi clearly wants to undo that with two successive victories of his own. Nakamura confronted Tanahashi backstage and said he’d fight him any time. Muto said backstage that he has passed Tanahashi his sash after doing his best for over half a year to raise the worth of the title, and suggested he will withdraw now and leave New Japan wrestlers to move their company forward.
Shinsuke Nakamura and his cohort Hirooki Goto stood firm and defended the lion mark against NOAH boss Mitsuharu Misawa and his “bodyguard” Takashi Sugiura in a hot match that showed the thrilling nature of interpromotional conflict. This featured many heated moments, including a stage where all four were laid out on the mat after a series of finishers: Goto’s Shouten on Sugiura, Misawa’s Emerald Frosion on Goto, then Nakamura’s Landslide on Misawa. It finished with the two men who lit up the Tokyo Dome most in this match, Nakamura and Sugiura, Nakamura taking Sugiura down with a flying cross armbreaker for the tap out win. Backstage, Nakamura said they had won, plain and simple, and if any NOAH wrestlers have a problem with that, to come and complain - don’t hide. Goto called it a “perfect victory” and said he is looking forward to hearing the excuses of NOAH wrestlers. Misawa said backstage that he hopes New Japan and NOAH can continue working together in both rings this year.
“The World’s Strongest Tag Team” Team 3D, Brother Ray and Brother Devon, grasped the IWGP Tag Team Title out of MVP’s hands today, with Makabe & Yano for the second year running losing a hardcore match to the famous American team. The turning point came when Makabe hit Yano with a chain lariat by accident, leaving him prone to Team 3D, and the Dudley Death Drop finished off Makabe and meant that Team 3D add yet another title to their huge cabinet. The tragic tale of perennial underachiever Manabu Nakanishi continued in the other New Japan vs. NOAH match on the show, when he fell to GHC Heavyweight Title #1 contender, Jun Akiyama, in an entertaining sprint. Nakanishi kicked out of two Exploders at a one count, but then succumbed to the more deadly wrist-clutch variation. Akiyama made it clear that he has no intention of stepping away from New Japan opposition and put his name forward as a candidate for more matches if things are to continue.
ZERO1 ace Masato Tanaka came to the Tokyo Dome with the intention of killing two birds with one stone: avenge his October loss to Yuji Nagata and win back the World Heavyweight Title in the process. He did neither, as again Mr. Saikyo proved too strong in a shorter, but equally exciting fight today. Nagata landed a backdrop, face punch, another backdrop, then a backdrop hold to put away Tanaka for the second time running. Shinjiro Otani, who Nagata did beat in a singles match not too long ago, looked bitterly at Nagata post-match, suggesting that it could be he who challenges next. Nagata said backstage that it would cheapen ZERO1’s title for Otani to face him again so suddenly, and suggested an “out of season” Fire Festival to determine a worthy rival.
Legends of two continents united against GBH, as Riki Choshu, Masahiro Chono, Kurt Angle, and Kevin Nash entered one by one to their theme tunes, presenting a great spectacle to fans. Chono stopped and shook hands with Angle, then Nash joined them and they followed Choshu to the ring. As expected, this was a short and fast paced match that quickly showed the characteristics of each wrestler. Angle scored the win with his ankle lock on Anderson, but right after was laid out by Bernard’s Bernard Driver. Angle said backstage that he wants to half-murder Bernard, and a singles match between the two could be on the cards in New Japan or TNA. Three months ago at Kobe World Hall, a very short IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title reign for Tiger Mask ended when he was surprisingly beaten by Low Ki. He swore revenge immediately after and achieved it today with a decisive victory over the GBH junior. Tiger won what was a very straightforward match with a modified Tiger suplex hold to regain the title for Jr. Sekigun. Tiger said he had come up with this new version of his finisher at the dojo.
The other junior tag title spilled into TNA too, as the Motor City Machine Guns, Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin, ended the dream IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title reign of NO LIMIT. This was an exciting action-packed match that ended when the Americans used their Made in Detroit finisher on Naito to lift the belts. Shelley said backstage that if anyone wants to win the title back, they are going to have to travel to America and do it in TNA. He suggested Jado & Gedo or Minoru & Devitt fly over, but said it’d be a waste of ticket cost, as they won’t win in the “Impact Zone”. Jushin Thunder Liger is no longer a teen! The legend today had his 20th anniversary match by teaming with old rival Takuma “Naoki” Sano against Wataru Inoue & Koji Kanemoto. They pretty much sprinted out of the blocks and went back and forth until Liger busted out his old avalanche-style brainbuster on Kanemoto for the win. All four men raised each others’ arms after the match and Liger suggested taking his team with Sano to the NOAH ring shortly. He is also interested in challenging new IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion, Tiger Mask, and trying to win the belt he hasn’t held since 2000.
Today’s show opened in style with the Japanese landing of Mexican superstar Mistico at the Tokyo Dome, as he teamed up with New Japan youngsters Taguchi and Devitt against the rudo trio of Averno, Jado & Gedo. Mistico wow’d fans with his dazzling moves and used his spectacular La Mística on countryman Averno for the tap out win. Mistico seemed to say backstage that he will be coming back to New Japan in February and wants the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title.
NJPW “WRESTLE KINGDOM III IN TOKYO DOME”, 1/4/09 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Dome
40,000 Fans
0. Milano Collection AT, Minoru & Taichi Ishikari beat Mitsuhide Hirasawa, Kazuchika Okada & Nobuo Yoshihashi (6:24) when Milano used a super scrap kick on Yoshihashi.
1. Wrestle Kingdom Grand Opening VIENTO DORADO: Mistico, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt beat Averno, Jado & Gedo (9:50) when Mistico used the La Mística on Averno.
2. Jushin Thunder Liger 20th Anniversary Match: Jushin Thunder Liger & Takuma Sano 
beat Wataru Inoue & Koji Kanemoto (8:47) when Liger used an avalanche-style brainbuster on Kanemoto.
3. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title ~Tread on!!~: Alex Shelley 
& Chris Sabin beat Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito (c) (13:21) when Sabin pinned Naito after the Made in Detroit to become the 22nd champions.
4. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title ~Ballistic interception~: Tiger Mask beat Low Ki (c) (8:48) with a modified Tiger suplex hold to become the 56th champion.
5. Fighting Holdings Competition: Riki Choshu, Masahiro Chono, Kurt Angle & Kevin Nash beat Giant Bernard, Takashi Iizuka, Tomohiro Ishii & Karl Anderson (7:09) when Angle used an ankle lock on Anderson.
6. World Heavyweight Title ~Crusade for Justice~: Yuji Nagata (c) beat Masato Tanaka 
(11:41) with a backdrop hold (3rd defense).
7. New Japan vs. NOAH Battle Tendencies ~the invasion~: Jun Akiyama beat Manabu Nakanishi (10:27) with a wrist-clutch Exploder.
8. IWGP Tag Team Title - Hardcore Rules: “Team 3D” Brother Ray & Brother Devon beat Togi Makabe & Toru Yano (c) (15:34) when Ray pinned Makabe after the 3D to become the 52nd champions.
9. New Japan vs. NOAH Battle Tendencies ~the encounter~: Shinsuke Nakamura & Hirooki Goto beat Mitsuharu Misawa & Takashi Sugiura (15:17) when Nakamura used a flying cross armbreaker on Sugiura.
10. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Keiji Muto 
(c) (30:22) with the High Fly Flow to become the 50th champion.
January 4th, 2009 - 4:23 am
I really would like to see one of the Americans come out with an IWGP belt again. I thought it was so cool when Angle paraded around TNA with the IWGP 3rd belt, and to see either Shelley or Sabin or 3D come to TNA with the tag titles would be a tremendously fun sight. I know the chances are slim, but I had to say it anyway.
If Low Ki drops the Junior tonight, I would think that could be a serious hint that he may come back to TNA to take up the role as the “Suicide” character.
I hope Tanahashi wins. He’s too talented to have deserved such a lousy run in TNA. He should be the crown jewel of New Japan.
January 4th, 2009 - 4:49 am
It makes sense for Team 3D to become IWGP World Tag Team Champions- its in keeping with their record in Japan and their record of having tag belts. Besides, when they lose the belts (which should be outside of Japan so their streak can be maintained) they can really push a tag team.
I don’t think the MCMG would be good Jr. Tag Team Champions at this time. Maybe if they could defend in the U.S, but I doubt that will happen. Preferably, if Team 3D win, they should defend it in TNA and have some New Japan talent travel to them, or else Team 3D should travel to Japan more.
If Low Ki were to rejoin TNA, which is doubtful, (he is a title holder and he is still ratehr new.) I think it would be as part of the Frontline. There are others who can play Suicide.
Its sad that TNA aren’t acknowledging that Tanahashi is in the Main Event- as far as TNA is concerned, he isn’t even at the Tokyo Dome show at all. Tanahashi, as far a former IWGP World Champion could surely be used better. It would add some more diversity. Besides, he doesn’t hit in the X-Divison, he is not a true “high-flyer”.
January 4th, 2009 - 4:52 am
I was gonna say that I don’t really see any titles changing hands except for Zero-1’s World Heavyweight Title, and the IWGP Title…
January 4th, 2009 - 5:03 am
The show is on match 6 at the moment I’ll post the winners below so if for some reason you don’t want to know don’t look.
*SPOILERS*
1. Mistico, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt
2. Jushin Thunder Liger & Takuma Sano
3. Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin *NEW* IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Champions
4. Tiger Mask *NEW* IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion
5. Riki Choshu, Masahiro Chono, Kurt Angle & Kevin Nash
January 4th, 2009 - 5:10 am
Tanahashi didn’t have a lousy run. The guy was there for like 3 weeks, he wasn’t going to win the World Title. I have no interest in another Tanahashi title reign, but at this rate it’s like moving from Iceland to Greenland.
Hate that the eight man got 7 minutes, bullshit. Glad the Machine Guns won the titles.
January 4th, 2009 - 6:03 am
Didn’t expect the two title changes so far. WIth MCMG I’ll love it if they can defend the titles regularly, but time will tell. I thought Tanahashi was still in TNA but I guess I’m wrong. In that case there was no reason to have used him in any high-profile match and even if he still was in TNA he has no reason to be holding a title. Other than the title changes things seem to be unsurprising, for me at least.
8 man tag only 7 minutes? Could have gone longer. A quick win ain’t gonna help GBH any and after last year i think Angle deserved better.
January 4th, 2009 - 6:08 am
Nagata retained his title and Team 3D won the tag titles.
January 4th, 2009 - 6:21 am
Like i said before team 3-d is now the greatest tag team in wrestling history… I been saying it every since this match was announced even though if Tenzan wasn’t hurt he ans Koji would have won …. and Congrats MCMG, TNA is 2 for 2 and now i wonder what that global impact dvd is gonna be like i will cop it now for sure.
January 4th, 2009 - 7:09 am
Ah, now Bubba’s “injury” can be justified. I would suppose that Devon will be getting an injury as well from the MEM so that Team 3D can defend in .jp for a while. Good for the MCGs. TNA really wasn’t focused on them. Maybe they can stay in .jp until Lethal/Creed have a chance to defend against them.
Problem with these Tokyo Dome shows is that the matches don’t last long. Budokan ones tend to be better from my observation. Seems like they try to stuff too many matches on the card and not give enough time to develop really good, memorable bouts.
January 4th, 2009 - 7:18 am
The Tokyo Dome is good for faster paced spectacle matches and that, excluding the main event (which was very long), is what today’s show was. People totally enjoyed the show and there were quite a few unexpected results to stop it being predictable (how many people guessed both tag belts would go to TNA)?
The booking of the show was classic New Japan - end one interpromotional situation (NJ vs. Muto) and fire up another (NJ vs. TNA). February Sumo Hall could well have a NJ vs. TNA theme now. Not sure if or how NJ vs. NOAH will progress from here, while Nagata will keep up his feud with 01 for a while, before (presumably) Otani wins it back after Nagata beat the ace of the company back to back.
January 4th, 2009 - 7:38 am
yeah, i can see why they would do the fast pace spectacle stuff. still it would be nice to see more of the undercard go beyond 15 minutes. also, you didn’t put the main event time so i made my statement based on the rest of the card.
NJ vs TNA might be good on NJ’s turf. I spotted a show in February at Ryogoku Sumo Hall. That might be a good place to hold a nice NJ vs TNA show (didn’t they do that last year?)
i’m curious what NJ is getting out of this in terms of elevating more of their people on TNA’s turf, since now TNA’s already received the IWGP heavyweight title, and now both tag titles.
also, any idea on well the card drew? last year’s was pretty bad with Kurt Angle as part of the main event.
January 4th, 2009 - 7:43 am
Don’t know the real number except that a). best real attendance in some time (they opened the second floor stands), b). far bigger real ticket % than in recent times, with lots of genuine pro wrestling fans rather than invited guests.
Best match was either the main event or semi final according to most reports, depending on what you prefer. The semi showed “fun”, with Nakamura and Sugiura lighting up the Dome, and the main showed “good wrestling”.
Best quote I’ve seen so far: “Tanahashi and Nakamura have become different people…” (on how both have matured into top stars)
January 4th, 2009 - 9:31 am
WOW! This is why I like puroresu, it wasn’t too predictable. I thought Tanaka would have taken the title back to Zero1, the MCM win shocked me and the 3D win surprised me.
Tanahashi winning came a little surprise, but part of me was secretly hoping for Mutoh to spoil, I’m a Mutoh mark. Hopefully this will lead to a good run for Tanahashi and NJPW can gain ground.
January 4th, 2009 - 11:06 am
I can’t believe they gave the belts to 3D, who haven’t had a good match that I recall since 2003.
January 4th, 2009 - 1:06 pm
Its not like they will have more then 1 or 2 more matches before losing the title. As Stu said its smart because it brings some interest in having the 2 tag titles go to TNA,setting up a big show like the february one for New Japan that they need to draw people again to
January 4th, 2009 - 1:31 pm
What is the Made In Detroit?
January 4th, 2009 - 2:03 pm
Giving the belts to 3d was a last minute move if TenKoji was there i guarantee they would’ve won
January 4th, 2009 - 3:40 pm
What is La Mistica and What is Made in Detroit?
January 4th, 2009 - 3:46 pm
I don’t know about Made in Detroit, but La Mistica is a spinning headscissors into a Fujiwara armbar. Pretty slick move in my opinion.
On a side note, glad to see the Dome show drawing what appears to be a big number. Hopefully this is a good sign for NJPW for the new year. Tanahashi has the belt, so all is well.
January 4th, 2009 - 4:47 pm
Suicide is Frankie Kazarian.
I am also shocked the Guns won the belts but I’d like to see whom they defend them against in TNA, same goes for Team 3D. I do agree, they are the best tag team in the world, they have surpassed the Steiners, Outsiders and the Road Warriors as the top american team.
January 4th, 2009 - 6:46 pm
Looking at my quote from earlier…I guess I should shut up before I make any predictions, lol.
January 4th, 2009 - 7:33 pm
Wow, that very interesting! Tanahashi new champ, and the two tag titles go to TNA, that’s very interesting. 3D and and the Gunz will have to travel to Japan often.
January 4th, 2009 - 7:44 pm
Wrestle Kingdom 3 in Tokyo Dome was a ver great show all by itself. I was very happy when I found out that Tanahashi became the new IWGP Champion. I can’t wait for rematch between Tanahashi & Shinsuke Nakamura. I was also surprised that the Motor City Machine Guns won the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Titles from No Limit. Team 3D as the new IWGP Tag Team Champions was another surprise. Mistico’s debut was also exciting and I like to see him come back to NJPW and challenge Tiger Mask IV for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title.
January 5th, 2009 - 1:15 am
[...] Mistico & Averno in NJPW: Mistico, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt b Averno, Jado & Gedo (9:50, Mistica on Averno) [...]
January 5th, 2009 - 2:05 am
“Made in Detroit” is the name of the Machine Guns’ tag finisher. I don’t remember the last time I saw it used in TNA though. Anyway, an opponent is set on the second rope, facing the crowd. Then Sabin power bombs the opponent while Shelley hits his Sliced Bread #2 (aka Shiranui, for you non-TNA fans). The power bomb allows Sabin to immediately pin the opponent.
January 5th, 2009 - 9:31 am
i was at this show last night, (tokyo-time) it was awesome live havn’t watched it on vid yet so im not sure how well that will translate over to tv,
the dome was pretty packed one section of the stands was closed but the top stands were nearly full and most of the standing spots (u can pay like 500yen to enter the stadium and stand above the lower stands and watch the whole event)were gone as well
crowd was rabid for tanahashi’s win hopefully njpw use properly and he doesnt suffer any injuries
January 5th, 2009 - 10:57 am
Team 3D winning was a fucking farse. They shouldn’t even be on the show. What a joke!
Otherwise. Nagata/Tanaka was brilliant, as were the semi-main and the main event. The finish to Mutoh/Tanahashi was superb, and made me mark out big time, even thought I was rooting for Mutoh the whole way through.
January 5th, 2009 - 6:21 pm
my friend and I both thought this show sucked, especially the main which was long and a waste of time. It loooked like there were less people there too then last year. I’ll report on this and the other fifteen shows I went to soon.
January 5th, 2009 - 8:46 pm
You’ve got to be kidding on it sucking?
Most of it was good to very good (sans Team 3D).
Tanaka/Nagata was sensational.
January 6th, 2009 - 1:46 pm
Glad that Tanahashi got the belt back. Wasn’t suprised the Motor City Machine Guns won the jr. tag titles. It sucks that Makabe and Yano lost.Does any one know if Nakamura and Goto will face more teams frfom Noah?
January 7th, 2009 - 4:42 am
If people think team 3-D looked bad me and my friends in chicago are wondering how did Makabe and Yano hold these belts that long. (almost a year ) and how the hell did they win best tag Makabe i like but Yano ugh he cant wrestle and Makabe is a great heel .. but they are no where on the level of top American tags such as Miz n Morrison, or the Hardys, even LAX , even the best day Modern tag team of Americas Most Wanted would have looked better now them vs TenKoji i would loved to have seen.
January 7th, 2009 - 8:18 pm
They held the belts that long because they are fucking good as a team. Makabe was easily the breakout star in New Japan last year.
January 9th, 2009 - 4:24 am
But i agree Makabe was the breakout star of all of Japan last year,but I am glad New Japan saw 3-D for what they really are the best damn tag team in the world.. you name me one tag team American or in Japan who have done more than 3-D their style maybe not great and they might be slobs .. but when it comes to tag team brawling no team does it better. plus their resume says it all ECW, WWE, WCW, NWA, TNA, ALL JAPAN, NEW JAPAN ..every major wrestling fed they have held thier world tag titles ..now again which team has ever did that.
January 10th, 2009 - 3:16 am
Don’t care if they have done that, they absolutely suck balls in the ring and never should have been on the show, let alone beating MVP for the titles!