NJPW x STARDOM Historic X-Over will see the top stars of the two promotions clash for the first time in a series of mixed-tag matches.
This included former MMA stars Tom Lawlor and Syuri taking on the formidable duo of Giulia and Zack Sabre Jr in a fun contest that saw Lawlor and Syuri overcome the more technical ‘Zack Sabre Giulia’.
This was followed by a huge 8-Person match with members of Suzuki-Gun on both sides of the ring. In a chaotic affair, Taichi and Yoshinobu Kanemru teamed with Tam Nakano and Natsupoi to face their teammates, El Desperado and DOUKI, who partnered with Starlight Kid and Momo Watanabe for one night only. Double Suntory Surprise from Kanemaru and Natsupoi gave the opening Taichi and Nakano needed to get the win.
Before the main event title matches, a historic 6-Man Tag Team bout marked the last time The Great Muta would appear in an NJPW ring. As the legendary star nears the end of his storied career, he teamed up with Toru Yano and Kazuchika Okada to do battle with the United Empire’s Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb and Aaron Henare. Muta continued his rivalry with O-Khan, taking The Dominator out with his patented red mist. Okada then dropped Henare with the Rainmaker to give his team the victory.
In the NJPW x STARDOM Historic X-Over semi-main event, Shota Umino attempted to win gold in his first match since returning from excursion. The young star faced off against Will Ospreay with the IWGP United States Championship on the line in a fast-paced match that saw the Roughneck making his mark on the company in his return to action in Japan. Despite everything Ospreay threw at him, including brutal elbows to the back of his head, Umino kept coming back for more. However, in the end, he couldn’t overcome the Hidden Blade and Stormbreaker, and Ospreay retained the US title for the fourth time.
The story didn’t end there though as, following the bout, Kenny Omega appeared on the screen to challenge Will Ospreay at Wrestle Kingdom 17! Ospreay showed no hesitation in accepting the match.
In the main event, KAIRI and Mayu Iwatani resumed hostilities for the first time in five years when they battled to determine the first-ever IWGP Women’s Champion. The two went all out in a spectacular main event, but in the end, KAIRI overcame her old rival with an Insane Elbow to become the champion. After a show of respect to Iwatani, she was presented with the belt and gave an emotional victory speech.
KAIRI was then challenged by Tam Nakano for the first defence of the title which will take place at Wrestle Kingdom 17. NJPW’s biggest show of the year is on January 4th, 2023 in the Tokyo Dome.
NJPW x STARDOM Historic X-Over 2022 Results
LA Dojo (Gabriel Kidd, Alex Coughlin, Clark Connors & Kevin Knight) defeated Noge Dojo (Oskar Leube, Kosei Fujita, Ryohei Oiwa & Yuto Nakashima)
STARDOM Ranbo – MIRAI won the 15 Person Timed Battle Royal
CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI, YOH & Lio Rush) defeats Bullet Club House of Torture (EVIL, SHO, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo)
Queen’s Quest (Saya Kamitani, AZM & Lady C) defeats Donna Del Mondo (Himeka, Mai Sakura & Thekla)
Mixed Tag Match: Syuri & Tom Lawlor defeat Giulia & Zack Sabre Jr.
Mixed Eight-Person Tag Match: MelTear (Tam Nakano & Natsupoi) & Suzuki-Gun (Taichi & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) defeat Black Desire (Starlight Kid & Momo Watanabe) & Suzuki-Gun (El Desperado & DOUKI)
Mixed Tag Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Utami Hayashishita defeat Hirooki Goto & Maika
United Empire (Mark Davis, Kyle Fletcher, TJP, Francesco Akira & Gideon Grey) defeats Los Ingobernables De Japon (Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi, SANADA & BUSHI)
The Great Muta, Kazuchika Okada & Toru Yano defeat United Empire (Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb & Aaron Henare)
IWGP United States Championship Match: Will Ospreay (c) defeats Shota Umino
IWGP Women’s Championship Match: KAIRI defeats Mayu Watanabe