[Results] New Japan“DESTRUCTION "09", 11/8/09

New Japan is in the hands of Shinsuke Nakamura, at least for the time being. Nakamura again faced his generation rival Hiroshi Tanahashi in the main event of today’s show, New Japan’s sixth and final Sumo Hall event of 2009 and it’s fourth show at the famous building in under three months. Tanahashi sought the belt he had to vacate due to a loss in the G1 semi finals when Nakamura put him on the shelf, while Shinsuke looked to avoid another short reign as his previous ones were. The two battled in what many considered to be their greatest match so far and a potential candidate for Tokyo Sports’ match of the year, Nakamura showing “strength” and Tanahashi showing “beautiful technique”. Nakamura was again just too strong for Tanahashi though, a series of brutal strikes ending with a decisive Boma Ye which secured his successful V2 defense. Shinsuke then nominated the only man to pin him since the G1 final, Yuji Nagata, as his next challenger. Look for this to happen probably in Aichi this December as the shadow of IGF continues to hang over New Japan - but there was no Josh Barnett or anyone there today (at least not on camera).

Togi Makabe earned revenge for Takashi Iizuka’s series of attacks lately, including his parking lot assault on the GBH kingpin recently, in a Chain Death Match. This was a bloody and brutal match which saw Makabe just stagger to his feet and win by KO. Makabe achieved a much needed comeback after failing to follow up on his G1 victory by winning the IWGP Heavyweight Title. Hirooki Goto’s career continues to struggle a little after another big match loss today, this one to ZERO1 ace Masato Tanaka. This was said to be a terrific match and one of the best two of the show along with the main event, Tanaka winning with his Sliding D. The question “Where to next for Goto?” came up for many fans after this result, the young upstart falling further behind Nakamura and Tanahashi. G1 Tag League winners, Bad Intentions, made their second challenge for Team 3D’s IWGP Tag Team Title this year. It was Team 3D’s V1 defense after winning the belts back in America and they found Bernard & Anderson tougher opposition this time. Unfortunately there was to be no decisive outcome as the two American teams battled to a double countout. Bernard was quick to demand a rematch, the Tokyo Dome surfacing as a possible location for that.

Mexican hero Mistico was finally toppled and relinquished his grip on the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title and it was to the man he defeated for it. Yes, Tiger Mask is back on top (yet again) after completing another revenge storyline and submitting the lucha phenom with a modified armlock. Tiger Mask becomes a 6-time IWGP Jr. Heavweight Champion, second only in reigns to 11-time champion Liger.

NJPW “DESTRUCTION ‘09″, 11/8/09 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
7,500 Fans

1. Jado & Gedo beat Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt (9:32) when Gedo used the Gedo clutch on Taguchi.
2. TAJIRI beat Kazuchika Okada (9:03) with a la magistral.
3. Manabu Nakanishi, Takao Omori & Koji Kanemoto beat Masahiro Chono, Jushin Thunder Liger & AKIRA (9:44) when Nakanishi used an Argentine backbreaker on AKIRA.
4. Yuji Nagata & Wataru Inoue beat Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii (11:00) when Nagata used a backdrop hold on Ishii.
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Tiger Mask beat Mistico (c) (12:01) with a modified armlock to become the 58th champion.
6. IWGP Tag Team Title: “Team 3D” Brother Ray & Brother Devon (c) vs. Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson went to a double countout (15:42) (1st defense).
7. Special Singles Match - DESTRUCTION AWAKING!!: Masato Tanaka beat Hirooki Goto (14:28) with the Sliding D.
8. Chain Death Match - DESTRUCTION BURST!!: Togi Makabe beat Takashi Iizuka (16:55) by KO.
9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) beat Hiroshi Tanahashi (22:47) with the Boma-Ye (2nd defense).