Power Struggle was a brisk show and full of noteworthy moments on the way to Wrestle Kingdom 19.
Here are some notes from the show:
- After EVIL and Ren Narita defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi and Oleg Boltin, EVIL threatened to cut Tanahashi’s hair. After a save by Jado, Ryohei Oiwa intervened to confront Narita to presumably challenge Narita for his NJPW TV Title. Before he could proceed, Jeff Cobb staked his claim to a rematch.
- In a surprise title change, Great O’Khan and HENARE beat Shane Haste and Mikey Nichols before World Tag League. Nichols repeated his G1 spots from 2023 where he busted himself open with headbutts.
- Kenny Omega returned and gave a speech in Japanese. He stated that he hoped to return on January 5th, and he’d like to test himself against one of the young talents in New Japan Pro Wrestling, a place he also considers home. The rumored match of Tanahashi/Omega vs The Young Bucks may not happen until later or not at all. After the Super Junior Tag League match, Chris Charlton reported that Omega and Gabe Kidd got into an altercation backstage. That may be the Wrestle Dynasty match.
🕊️POWER STRUGGLE ～SUPER Jr. TAG LEAGUE 2024～🏆@KennyOmegamanX が衝撃発言‼️
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) November 4, 2024
「AEWのフルタイムメンバーなんだけど、もしよろしければ、このリング…新日本のリングで復帰したい」#njpwworld で配信中📡
視聴＆登録⏩https://t.co/9iZJzPgCfN #NJPW #njpwworld #njpst pic.twitter.com/a3CxDL8iyw
- The Super Junior Tag League Final was an excellently paced match that went from one of the better matches of the tournament to the best match of the tournament. TMDK’s Kosei Fujita and Robbie Eagles defeat Catch 2/2, which also makes Fujita the youngest winner of SJTL ever. Expect a title challenge for the pair against The Intergalactic Jet Setters soon. The Jet Setters arrived and challenged BOTH teams to a match. Finally, War Dogs arrived to add to the match and we have a four way at Wrestle Kingdom.
- Douki defeated Master Wato in Wato’s first match back since his ACL tear. A hell of a match, it went into high gear after Douki kicked out at one on a pinfall attempt. El Desperado returned wearing a shirt tributing El Phantasmo to make a claim for Douki’s IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 19.
- David Finlay retained the Global Title when after Taichi hit Black Mephisto, SANADA interfered with the pinfall count, eventually costing Taichi the match. SANADA is the newest member of War Dogs. After, Finlay called out Yota Tsuji and challenged Tsuji to a Wrestle Kingdom match for the Global Title. Tsuji accepted and the match is on.
- During the show, it was announced that Hiromu Takahashi and Tetsuya Naito will team for World Tag League, as will Hiroshi Tanahashi and Jado.
- The main event of Zack Sabre Jr vs Shingo Takagi was an excellently wrestled match that was born of the G1 bouts this year between the two. Zack primarily targeted the right arm of Takagi. The match went nearly 30 minutes, with Zack winning the instant classic with a Zack Driver. After, Shota Umino challenged Sabre to an IWGP Heavyweight Championship match and Zack can choose when it happens. After the celebration, Ricochet attacked Sabre. He then challenged Sabre for Wrestle Dynasty on January 5th.
メインイベント終了後、ザックの背後に現れたのは”AEW”所属のスーパースター @KingRicochet ‼️#njpwworld で配信中📡
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) November 4, 2024
視聴＆登録⏩https://t.co/9iZJzPgCfN #NJPW #njpwworld #njpst pic.twitter.com/e3nc60U0xE
Wrestle Kingdom 19 matches
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs EVIL
IWGP Jr Tag Team championship: Intergalactic Jet Setters (c) vs Catch 2/2 vs War Dogs vs TMDK
IWGP Jr Heavyweight championship: Douki (c) vs El Desperado
IWGP Global championship: David Finlay (c) vs Yota Tsuji
