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"INDICATE OF NEXT" was New Japan's second and final Tokyo Dome event of 2001, and as the show title suggested, the main focus was on a generation clash, the old against the new. The new generation was represented by two young stars, Yuji Nagata and NOAH's Jun Akiyama, teaming for the first time after forming a friendship in June. But they faced tough opposition from the old generation in the main event, having to tackle Keiji Muto and Hiroshi Hase. Kensuke Sasaki made his return to New Japan following a long excursion to America prompted by his crushing defeat to Shinya Hashimoto in April. His opponent was reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kazuyuki Fujita, a tough return match for the former ace. After wins over two MMA fighters, Gary Goodridge and Kazunari Murakami, Manabu Nakanishi sought to make it three, facing New Japan trueborn, Tadao Yasuda, in a feature match. Tatsumi Fujinami celebrated his 30th anniversary in wrestling by teaming with old rival Bob Backlund against the legendary Funk Brothers. And much more took place, including junior action and participation from the newly arrived giants, Silva and Singh.

Foreign participation:
Bob Backlund
Dory Funk Jr.
Gary Goodridge (PRIDE)
Giant Silva (CMLL/Team 2000)
Giant Singh (Team 2000)
Terry Funk

Special participation:
Hiroshi Hase (BATT)
Jun Akiyama (NOAH)
Kazuyuki Fujita
Tadao Yasuda

NJPW "INDICATE OF NEXT", 10/8/01 (WPW)
Tokyo Dome
61,500 Fans - Super No Vacancy

1. Jushin Thunder Liger, El Samurai & Minoru Tanaka beat AKIRA, Jado & Gedo (11:18) when Tanaka used the Minoru Special on AKIRA.
2. Handicap Match: Giant Silva & Giant Singh beat Yutaka Yoshie, Kenzo Suzuki, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Wataru Inoue (9:06) when Silva used a Giant press on Inoue.
3. Gary Goodridge beat Michiyoshi Ohara (3:36) by referee stop.
4. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Kendo Kashin beat Masayuki Naruse (c) (0:26) with a cross armbreaker to become the 41st champion.
5. Tatsumi Fujinami 30th Anniversary Match: Tatsumi Fujinami & Bob Backlund beat Dory Funk Jr. & Terry Funk (10:40) when Fujinami used a backslide on Dory.
6. Riki Choshu & Osamu Nishimura beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima (10:40) when Choshu used a lariat on Tenzan.
7. Manabu Nakanishi beat Tadao Yasuda (6:02) with a front sleeper.
8. Kensuke Sasaki Return Match: Kazuyuki Fujita beat Kensuke Sasaki (6:36) by referee stop.
9. Yuji Nagata & Jun Akiyama Pro Wrestling NOAH beat Keiji Muto & Hiroshi Hase (28:04) when Nagata used a backdrop hold on Hase.

Points of note:

  • Before the opening New Japan vs. Team 2000 junior match kicked off, Gedo took the microphone and shouted, "A big surprise has been prepared today! Come on!", and the familiar theme of Koji Kanemoto played! Kanemoto, injured since March, appeared in a black costume with sunglasses, and shook hands with the T2000 punks. By doing so, he betrayed his close friend and former tag team partner, Minoru Tanaka, who was involved in the opening match. Although Liger, Samurai & Tanaka defeated AKIRA, Jado & Gedo, Tanaka was clearly effected by Kanemoto's turn to BLACK. Kanemoto said he knew Tanaka's weak point, and would exploit it when he returned to action later in the month! A new junior war had begun!

  • Chono, absent from in-ring competition on the show, led his new team, "Club 7", comprised of Giant Silva and Giant Singh, to the ring in a spectacular visual. Although Silva had competed on the previous series, this was Singh's first match since showing up in August. The giants faced Yoshie, Kenzo, Tanahashi & Inoue in a Handicap Match, and although the four put up a spirited fight, the young natives were outmatched by the monsters opposite them. Silva dropped a Giant press on both Tanahashi and Wataru at the same time, pinning them both (with Wataru the legal man) for the 3 count!

  • PRIDE star, Gary Goodridge, bounced back from his September loss to Nakanishi by defeating Ohara. Although Ohara showed his recent MMA training, he was defeated by referee stop in 3 1/2 minutes.

  • After returning to New Japan in style on 9/16, Kendo Kashin challenged the man who won the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title in his New Japan debut match at the Sapporo Dome in July, Naruse. Kashin, still hot off his success in PRIDE, appeared as Tokimitsu Ishizawa, not wearing his mask! After absorbing a strike from Naruse, Kashin took him down with a cross armbreaker, and it was over... in a record-breaking 26 seconds! Ishizawa, the 41st champion, tore up his certificate, threw away his belt, and left quietly, before appearing in his mask as Kashin and accepting them. He also received a challenge from young lion, Shibata, for a shot at his newly acquired gold.

  • Tatsumi "The Dragon" Fujinami celebrated his 30th anniversary in wrestling with a very special tag match involving four Showa stars. He teamed with Bob Backlund to take on the famous Funk Brothers, Dory Jr. & Terry. In a match featuring many classic wrestling moves and holds, Fujinami picked up a win, backsliding Dory.

  • Having lost the IWGP Tag Team Title shortly before the Tokyo Dome convention, Tenzan & Kojima looked to bounce back against the team of Choshu & Nishimura. Tenzan brushed off the challenge by labelling the opponents imbalanced, but TenKoji lost for the second time in a row, Tenzan himself falling to a Riki lariat!

  • Nakanishi lived up to his billing of Mr. Unbelievable, making it three wins in a row over MMA stars, this time avenging his G1 Climax loss to Yasuda. Although troubled by Yasuda, Nakanishi caught him in a front sleeper for the submission, proving himself an equal to outside fighters with another win.

  • Naoya Ogawa appeared before the semi final, calling for opponents. He ran through some big names, roaring "Fujita! Sasaki! Yasuda! Nakanishi! Nagata!", and demanded a match at the 1/4/02 Tokyo Dome event. Ogawa said any of his named opponents would be sufficient, and said that pro wrestling must not lose to K-1, who it went head to head on live national TV with.

  • Former ace, Kensuke Sasaki, made his first New Japan appearance in 182 days. After losing by referee stop to Hashimoto at the Osaka Dome in April, Kensuke disappeared in humiliation, heading to America on an excursion. Sporting a new bald headed look and ring gear, Sasaki faced IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kazuyuki Fujita, and debuted the "new Kensuke style", a mixture of familiar moves and new sports-combat techniques, such as body blows and an STO. He dominated Fujita, attacking a leg and overwhelming him. However, a flurry of punches from the Inoki disciple caught Kensuke off guard, and the referee was quick to stop the match when he wasn't able to respond. Despite winning, the damage inflicted upon Fujita was clear, as he had difficulty walking and had to be carried to the back. Although not a winning return for Kensuke, his new style gained much attention and raised anticipation for his return to tours later in the month.

  • 61,500 fans watched a dream main event tag, as the G1 Champion, Yuji Nagata, and the GHC Heavyweight Champion, Jun Akiyama, faced the Triple Crown Champion, Keiji Muto, and the popular Hiroshi Hase. In a grueling match lasting over 28 minutes, the four displayed true pro wrestling in a show with many MMA-style matches, and charmed the fans with a great fight. Nagata continued his ascent to the top of the wrestling community by pinning Hase with a backdrop hold, giving the new generation a win over the older generation. As a result, this truly was "INDICATE OF NEXT"... an indication of the next generation.

    • Back to: "G1 WORLD 2001" (9/7/01 to 9/23/01)
    Forward to: "SURVIVAL 2001" (10/12/01 to 10/28/01)