Master Wato defeats DOUKI in debut match at New Japan Cup finals

After weeks of hype, Master Wato arrived in NJPW on July 3, but instantly had his welcome party spoiled by DOUKI. That led to our third match on the New Japan Cup final card on July 11 in Osaka Jo Hall, as the young Master Wato had his first official match in NJPW against Suzuki Gun’s pipe wielding menace.  

DOUKI attempted to start hot as he swung at Wato with his pipe, but Wato was quick in response, dropkicking his opponent to the floor and hitting a twisting plancha and a huge springboard elbow for two, before DOUKI cut the young man off and set to work outside, sending Wato into the guardrail and taking advantage of a hobbled referee to make use of his signature pipe. 

In ring however, Wato was able to cut DOUKI off, with an impressive combination of strikes, forcing DOUKI to dig down with a lariat at the five minute mark. A Daybreak DDT followed for a near fall, and the black clad luchador tried for Suplex De Luna, but after a counter, Wato fired in a knockout power kick, and a powerbomb facebuster, before landing a spectacular Spiral Tap like maneuver called the RPP for the win. 

Post match however, Yoshinobu Kanemaru showed his displeasure at his Suzuki-Gun teamate’s defeat. He would attack Wato, laying the boots in until Hiroyoshi Tenzan made the save. Tenzan would raise Wato’s hand after the bell; does this mean the young master will now be part of hontai? Time will tell, but in the meantime, Wato seems to have found his next opponent, promising backstage ‘I’ll take all of (Suzuki-Gun) on one by one’. Certainly, expectations are high for the newcomer.