New Japan Pro Wrestling returns to Korakuen Hall this Sunday for its annual Sakura Genesis event. The show will be headlined by Kazuchika Okada’s record-tying 11th defense of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, as he puts the greatest title reign of the last three decades on the line against British submission specialist Zack Sabre Jr.
The Golden Lovers reunite as Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi team up to face Cody Rhodes and Hangman Page, just one week before Omega and Cody go to war over the future of Bullet Club. Plus, Will Ospreay puts the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight title on the line against the man who has had his number for years, “The Villain” Marty Scurll.
Sakura Genesis kicks off live on New Japan World at 3:00 a.m. ET featuring both traditional Japanese commentary and English commentary from Kevin Kelly and Don Callis. We will have complete live coverage of the show down below as soon as the event gets started.
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NJPW Sakura Genesis
April 1, 2018
CHASE OWENS & YUJIRO TAKAHASHI vs. THE YOUNG BUCKS
The two sides shake hands before the bell, agreeing that there’s no bad blood here despite the overall implosion of the Bullet Club. Takahashi attacked from behind and they put the boots to the Bucks, so it looks like they’ll be playing the heels today. Early on they isolated Nick and worked him over with quick tags, keeping Matt completely out of the match on the outside. Chase had some great offense including reversing a bulldog into a backbreaker/killshot combo, and some great fast-paced exchanges with Matt. He was really the star of the match to be honest. He almost snuck the win after escaping the Indytaker and hitting Jewel Heist but the Bucks broke it up. Matt put him in a Sharpshooter and sat way down on it, while Nick came through the ropes with a facebuster, leaving him no choice but to tap out. // Winners: The Young Bucks
There was some hostility after the match but ultimately Chase and Yujiro shook hands with the Bucks and they all left together. Commentary pointed out that this is the Bucks official first win since moving to the Heavyweight division.
Chase Owens looked great in that opening match. Stole the show. Young Bucks over Owens & Takahashi with a Sharpshooter/Facebuster combo in a fun opening bout. #NJSG pic.twitter.com/1KEEJv3LtC
— Michael Killam (@MikeKillam) April 1, 2018
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