Tonga takes first singles championship in NJPW
Tama Tonga headed into Dontaku on May 1 hunting for the NEVER Openweight Championship, and some much wanted revenge on EVIL, who was instrumental in his expulsion from BULLET CLUB two months earlier.
Tonga would not wait for EVIL to get in the ring, joining his opponent on the ramp as the King of Darkness made his entrance. Though Tama would bring the fight to EVIL, it wasn’t long before Dick Togo made his presence felt on the floor, and though Jado would somewhat neutralize the presence of the Spoiler, EVIL would capitalize. With a heavy suplex on the floor, and liberal use of the exposed steel turnbuckle, EVIL would keep control until Tama was able to shift his weight on a suplex attempt and dump the champion over his head.
The challenger kept moving, as did Togo, who hit the ring only to be punched right back out. A Tongan Twist followed, but EVIL would respond, his ring awareness helping to misdirect the challenger and rock Tonga with a lariat. Darkness Falls would later follow as Togo would assist with a chair; when this tact didn’t get the champion victory, Togo again came through in the clutch, ringing the bell when Tonga found a Scorpion Deathlock so the champion mistakenly thought the match was over.
In the ensuing confusion, Togo sent Tama into the referee, and set to work with his steel wire, but the Good Bad Guy refused to be choked. Instead, Togo and EVIL would land Magic Killer and went for the Super Powerbomb, but a kendo stick equalizer from Jado saw to it the World Class Double Team was denied. The recovered Tonga would strike with Gunstun, and a new NEVER Champion was crowned.
Tonga would have little time to celebrate however, as Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson hit the ring, the Machine Gun quick to issue a challenge to Tonga. A Gunstun to Tonga on the NEVER gold would solidify the claim, and it seems only a matter of time before the match gets made.
