El Phantasmo & Shota Unno & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi vs EVIL - Hiroshi Tanahashi 25th Anniversary Match: NJPW KING OF PRO-WRESTLING 2024 (October 14, 2024)
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00:00New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
00:10Wrestle Dynasty.
00:13The Young Bucks are coming back, baby.
00:26Well, how about that, Chris?
00:28It's the Young Bucks returning to New Japan Pro-Wrestling for Wrestle Dynasty.
00:32What could we possibly be seeing?
00:35Oh, well, I don't know what the Young Bucks want in New Japan Pro-Wrestling,
00:40but I saw that video with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kenny Omega Walker.
00:45I know you did as well.
00:47January the 5th, Wrestle Dynasty.
00:49Tickets available around the world at jpw1972.com.
00:58Where, oh where in the world, is Shoto Umino and Co?
01:23I think I had that game once.
01:28Whoa, look at this.
01:54Tonight, folks, Ryuko Kusuma.
01:57Here comes the Roman Colosseum.
02:02I'm Tanahashi.
02:04No, I'm Tanahashi.
02:05We're all Tanahashi.
02:07Folks, tonight's King of Pro-Wrestling 2024 event is sponsored by Gladiator 2
02:12from legendary director Ridley Scott.
02:14Gladiator 2 continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in ancient Rome.
02:19Gladiator 2 is in theaters internationally November 15th and across the United States November 22nd.
02:27Oh, but tonight is all about that man.
02:47Korakuen Hall started October the 10th, 1999.
02:55Korakuen Hall, sorry, six minutes, 55 seconds.
02:59Tanahashi down to a Boston Crab from a strapping young Shinya Makabe.
03:0725 years, 2,808 matches.
03:11Three T1 Climax trophies, 30 championships, of which eight the IWGP heavyweight.
03:18He wrestles tonight as one of, no doubt, the all-time greats.
03:29Not to mention, he pays your salary, Walker.
03:32Ah, you're right about that.
03:34And that's the reason to celebrate enough.
03:38We celebrate tonight the 25-year anniversary of Hiroshi Tanahashi's career.
03:45Undoubtedly, inarguably, one of the best of all time.
03:59Chris Charlton, Hiroshi Tanahashi, the president of New Japan Pro-Wrestling,
04:06was approached in the office, and the question was arisen,
04:10Tanahashi-san, who do you want to wrestle for your 25-year anniversary match-up
04:15in the classic Tanahashi fashion?
04:17The battle of good versus the battle of evil.
04:20It is Tanahashi, El Phantasmo, and Shel Domino taking on House of Torture
04:25here tonight as we celebrate 25 years of the ace.
04:33I know Tanahashi knows his way around a bow and arrow, Walker,
04:36but I would love to see him launch that arrow straight into evil's black heart.
04:47It's great to see Phantasmo on the right team.
05:03Tanahashi!
05:08Tanahashi!
05:18The champion of the 86kg class, Tanahashi Hiroshi!
05:30Maybe you could call that Cupid's arrow straight to the hearts of everyone here
05:40in Ryogoku Sumo Hall.
05:42Tanahashi has been known to make people fall in love in the past.
05:46To allow the world to fall in love with professional wrestling,
05:54Hiroshi Tanahashi has dedicated 25 years to this incredible sport
05:59that we are all here to celebrate tonight.
06:01And here is to 25 more.
06:19Well, that stuff's legal, right?
06:21The swords, the spear.
06:23This looks like a regular House of Torture match-up, that's for certain.
06:27No, no, I think you've got to compete with that other House of Torture.
06:30You're the one who sent him in.
06:32You're the one who sent him in.
06:55And Chris, while we thank our friends over at Gladiator 2,
06:58how symbolic is it to see the defenders of New Japan Pro Wrestling,
07:04Vlad and Roman Ataira, here tonight?
07:07It is truly going to be a battlefield as three of the greatest representations in hentai take on
07:13the most evil force in professional wrestling here tonight.
07:16And how appropriate is it that Tanahashi, at this censor,
07:20a man that has helped carve the empire of New Japan Pro Wrestling,
07:27from great empires of Rome to grand empires of dirt.
07:57And one of the biggest dorks in professional wrestling,
08:10Dick Togo, makes his way down to ringside.
08:13And I'm ready for Dick to get out of Ryogoku tonight.
08:16And here comes Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Yutaro Takahashi and Evil.
08:22The Calvary has made their way to Ryogoku.
08:25The clown car is emptied.
08:55Yutaro Takahashi and Evil.
09:15Evil, the biggest fraudster, well, next to Dick Togo.
09:19There is in professional wrestling still claims that he's the president in New Japan Pro Wrestling,
09:25not Hiroshi Tanahashi.
09:27Evil probably thinks, oh, Tanahashi's been wrestling 25 years, I've been wrestling for 30.
09:42And we're already getting started here tonight.
09:44It is the fourth day of House of Torture.
09:46And let's be honest, the house has the lights on here tonight.
09:49Now that Ren Narita has won the World Television Championship.
09:52Yeah, it certainly sets the pace.
09:55And I'm not a big fan of the fact that we got three House of Torture matches effectively in a row here coming up.
10:03Because it means that should all the good guys not take care of H.O.T.,
10:11they'll be in show's corner coming up as well, I'm sure.
10:17And that is going to be an attempt here for El Phantasmo, Shoto Umino and Hiroshi Tanahashi.
10:22Oh, the finer points. El Phantasmo new to Hontai Walker.
10:29Let's see.
10:30Look at that.
10:31Dragon Screw.
10:34El Phantasmo has been wrestling a long time himself, Walker.
10:37That was probably his first ever Dragon Screw.
10:39Yeah, you're right. 18 years of in-ring experience for El Phantasmo.
10:44And not quite the 25 that we're celebrating tonight.
10:49Here's an ELP staple.
10:50Yeah, he's usually been on the antagonistic end of the fence as El Phantasmo over the years.
11:02As Kanemaru sends Umino right into that turnbuckle.
11:05And Tanahashi facing the attack of the house tonight.
11:09Remember last time we were here in this building for the G1 Climax Final,
11:13House of Torture tried to recruit El Phantasmo to their number,
11:18gave him a House of Torture t-shirt,
11:21and when El Phantasmo was morally conflicted,
11:24they took that opportunity to pin Tanahashi.
11:28Dick Togo pinned Tanahashi last time we were here.
11:31I can't believe it.
11:32That's still a black mark on all of professional wrestling history.
11:37As the tag is made, Yujiro Takahashi, your legal man.
11:40And let's not forget, it was a very long and tumultuous mental battle for El Phantasmo
11:46throughout that entire G1 Climax to lead to that moment.
11:49And preying on the moments of weakness from people that they want to indoctrinate into their cult.
11:54That's what the house does, Chris.
11:55Yeah, that's exactly right.
11:57They enjoy seeing people at their most vulnerable.
12:00Look out.
12:01Cover here for Yujiro, and it's two.
12:04And repeated cover attempt for Takahashi.
12:06And one more time out, and it's going to be a three-beat.
12:09And a different result.
12:11Survey says no.
12:14El Phantasmo, meanwhile, we have not seen since G1 Climax,
12:18has been competing for our friends over at RevPro
12:20as we continue on the road to Royal Quest IV.
12:23Tickets on sale in JPWUK.com.
12:26Hiroshi Tanahashi, a big night coming up at Royal Quest IV.
12:28Indeed.
12:29Tanahashi and Ishii going for those strong Openweight Tag Team Championships.
12:33In with a good shot as well, given how banged up Shane Hayes and Mikey Nichols are.
12:39Tanahashi firmly focused on what's in front of him here.
12:48Kanemaru, you know, wants those knees targeted of El Phantasmo.
12:53You can see, oh, spiked Phantasmo down, and that's a hard landing.
12:57Kanemaru trying to take the advantage off the cover.
12:59And it's just two.
13:04El Phantasmo is well, well first with Yoshinobu Kanemaru.
13:08Several, several times when El P was teaming with Taiji Ishimori,
13:12they were face-off against Kanemaru in Desperado.
13:18So certainly, El Phantasmo knows Kanemaru's dirty tactics and how to combat them.
13:28As Phantasmo sends Kanemaru up and in.
13:32Boot up for Kanemaru, and Phantasmo still rocked after being spiked earlier on.
13:36Wow, look at this.
13:38Kanemaru pendulum swings, and Phantasmo takes the advantage.
13:47Ah, you called it at the top walk at the battle of good versus evil.
13:52Evil in.
13:53Can Phantasmo get there?
13:56Oh, no.
14:08And now it's evil in Kanemaru.
14:10Wait a minute, Phantasmo out on his feet.
14:12Yujiro taking out here at ringside, up and over, underneath.
14:15And Shoto wants that tag, and it's not enough.
14:20Phantasmo well-versed in the tag wrestling art,
14:23and Shoto Umino gets his taste tonight.
14:29Now Umino.
14:30As the torch has been a thorn in Umino's side ever since last year's World Tag League.
14:36Now on the run.
14:38Drop kick right through Yujiro Takahashi.
14:40Oh man, Dick Togo eating a shot here tonight.
14:44Well deserved.
14:47You think there might be a little bit of extra motivation on the part of Shoto Umino
14:51knowing Ren Narita has just become World Television Champion.
14:54Yeah, that eats it in.
14:56Ren Narita.
14:58On cover here off the Fisherman Suplex.
15:00And it's two.
15:01Every decision Ren Narita makes in life is made to piss Shoto Umino off.
15:06And Shoto Umino is pissed off right now, there is no doubt about it.
15:12Be a direct statement made if Umino could be the deciding factor in this match,
15:16in the winning end.
15:18Shoto Umino is trying to right the wrongs of a difficult G1 Climax,
15:24but it was one that ended with a win over Evil.
15:28Not going so well right now.
15:30It was one plate with a spine injury, by the way,
15:32and it is up once darkness falls and instead Umino out of the way.
15:36Umino trying to right one of those wrongs after he lost to Calum Newman
15:42in his first G1 matchup.
15:44Shoto Umino versus Calum Newman coming up Sunday at Royal Quiz.
15:54As tax man on all fronts, it's Tanahashi, it's Yujiro Takahashi.
16:08Bam, forearm shot from the ace.
16:10One of the best bands in the world, Walker, playing the hits here tonight
16:14in Ryogoku Sumo Hall.
16:17And everybody here is singing along.
16:23Tanahashi, scoop slam down to the corner.
16:29Bringing things up from the middle rope, you talk about hitting the classics.
16:32Senton, brought down, cover here for Tanahashi.
16:37Two.
16:47Are they chanting, go ace for Tanahashi or go away to Dick Togo, Walker?
16:51Either way, I'm completely fine with it.
16:53Come on.
16:55Togo just out of nowhere changing the trajectory of this match.
17:01And it's Yujiro, your legal man, but Kanemaru,
17:04And it's Yujiro, your legal man, but Kanemaru looks to take the advantage here.
17:12And it's train that is run on Tanahashi tonight.
17:20We're skipping the caboose and we're going straight to the dick.
17:23Come on, don't do it.
17:27It's dick to dick contact, damn you.
17:31Cover here for Yujiro.
17:34Broken up by Hontai tonight.
17:44They said lock dick up.
17:47Lock dick down.
17:51Yujiro's got that damn cane as well.
17:54It's Yujiro, no, no, no, no.
17:56Wait a minute, Tanahashi, Tanahashi.
18:00No.
18:07Watch out here.
18:08Oh, wait a minute.
18:09Right now.
18:11We all saw it, didn't we?
18:12You saw it.
18:13I did see it.
18:14You're right.
18:15Umino with the dropkick.
18:19Oh, man.
18:20Hontai on a roll here and rolling on to the outside.
18:25Overweight Phantasmo.
18:27Overweight Shoto Umino.
18:29It's just served.
18:30The ace with Yujiro.
18:31Here we go.
18:32Tanahashi, swing blade.
18:35How about the biggest hit of them all?
18:42Here we go.
18:43For 25 years.
18:47From the top.
18:48High fly below.
18:54And this one is over.
18:59Tanahashi, Yujiro, Shoto.
19:18No doubt in the world, one of the greatest ever to ever do this.
19:24And still going strong is Hiroshi Tanahashi.
19:27And now he can get these bums out of here.
19:53Come on, power.
19:54Extra high.
19:56You okay?
19:57An extra 10 yen if you...
20:05Tonight, fans filled out.
20:08Ryogoku Sumo Hall has been for this matchup.
20:12The Roman Coliseum.
20:14And the people showed out for blood.
20:16They wanted house of torture on a stick.
20:19And they got it here in the end.
20:21Tanahashi, victory over evil.
20:26And a win.
20:28For the past 25 years of a legendary career.
20:32Tanahashi has filled out Ryogoku after Ryogoku.
20:35After Ryogoku.
20:36Wait, wait, wait.
20:37We can't finish our anniversary without some words from the man himself.
20:40You gotta hear from the ace.
20:56Boss introduced himself to the people here.
21:00Not that he needs an introduction.
21:07And all in a flash, 25 years has gone by.
21:19And for 25 years, you've given me your love and support.
21:25And a few boos here and there.
21:30It's all thanks to you.
21:34Heartfelt gratitude.
21:45And it's great to be out.
21:48And I want forever to be fighting in front of such a great massive crowd.
21:58I want to keep fighting forever, but...
22:04The finish line is in sight.
22:132026 is the year I will be in Ryogoku.
22:18I'm in Ryogoku.
22:20I'm in Ryogoku.
22:22I'm in Ryogoku.
22:24I'm in Ryogoku.
22:26I'm in Ryogoku.
22:28I'm in Ryogoku.
22:30I'm in Ryogoku.
22:3226.
22:34January the 4th.
22:42One more year.
22:47And we will see anniversary 26, but not 27.
22:58I never get tired.
23:00I never feel down.
23:02And I never quit.
23:15And with that in mind, I will be giving all I have for one more year.
23:22January the 4th, 2026.
23:24We'll see Hiroshi Tanahashi's final wrestling match.
23:30January the 4th.
23:32January the 4th.
23:34January the 4th.
23:36January the 4th.
23:38January the 4th.
23:40January the 4th.
23:42January the 4th.
23:44January the 4th.
23:46January the 4th.
23:48January the 4th.
23:50January the 4th.
23:52January the 4th.
23:54January the 4th.
23:56January the 4th.
23:58Phantasmo, sudden death.
24:04I don't even, I'm red now.
24:06Oh, it can't get worse.
24:08It can't get worse.
24:16These vile, repugnant human beings.
24:28Go, go, go.
24:30Go, go, go.
24:32Go, go, go.
24:34Go, go, go.
24:36Go, go, go.
24:38Go, go, go.
24:40Go, go, go.
24:42Go, go, go.
24:44Go, go, go.
24:46Tanahashi, you don't deserve to be here.
24:52No, now Ivo...
24:54It's not your place.
24:56if you're gonna retire how about you retire right now you don't get to decide
25:07when you're done I decide when you're done because this is my company
25:14Oh my absolute garbage out the mouth of evil it's absolutely embarrassing this
25:30is an embarrassment the house of torture
25:37I'm at a loss for words this has been this has been one of the hardest moments
25:45for me to try and comprehend here tonight Hiroshi Tanahashi announcing an
25:50impending retirement of January 4th 2026 the best the best to ever step into a
25:57professional wrestling ring and these goddamn losers have to ruin the moment
26:06folks we're gonna do our best to try and pull ourselves together here but
26:12January 4th 2026 we'll see the last professional wrestling match for the ace
26:17of the universe forever the ace Hiroshi Tanahashi we're gonna we're gonna take
26:21some time