Naito brings the fireworks as he regains double IWGP gold

The Tokyo sun that had beaten down on competitors for the majority of Summer Struggle in Jingu Stadium Saturday had appropriately set in time for the main event, and the walkout of the King of Darkness EVIL as he prepared to defend the IWGP Intercontinental and Heavyweight Championships against Tetsuya Naito. 

Claiming a mental and physical edge over Naito for the majority of the Summer Struggle tour, EVIL appeared to have the upper hand over his challenger even without the presence of Dick Togo, but the Spoiler’s presence loomed over the early goings of the match, the two getting into a shoving exchange at the bell and opening the door for a belt shot from EVIL. 

Illegal offense continued from the double champion as the referee was blinsided, a signature chair around the neck doing its damage to Naito, and EVIL removing the turnbuckle covering as El Ingobernable did his best to recover. After repeated shots into the exposed steel, Naito was able to dig down deep with a headscissors whip and a corner combination before going to work with some neck targeted offense of his own. 

A Darkness Falls  attempt from EVIL was countered with a neckbreaker onto the floor, and big hits continued from both men. A top rope Frankensteiner from Naito and a superplex from EVIL did not seal the deal, but as momentum swung in Naito’s favour, EVIL seized illegal control. 

Naito avoided errant contact with the referee pulled in his path, but EVIL intentionally sent Red Shoes Unno into the buckle instead, sending Togo into the ring right on cue. Acting unilaterally however, first BUSHI and then SANADA evened the odds taking care of the Spoiler, and then Gedo as he made his own run-in. 

Now down to a true singles encounter, both EVIL and Naito were trying for a knock out blow. EVIL rocked Naito with a thunderous lariat, but Naito would resist successive EVIL attempts instead hitting Valiente and then Destino to take double IWGP Championships for the second time. 

Now a three time IWGP Heavyweight and six time Intercontinental Champion, Naito would recall post match the teenage boy who had watched from left field in Jingu Stadium 21 years earlier now becoming the double champion on this historic stage. Fireworks streaming from behind Jingu, Tokyo saw a spectacular end to a spectacular summer.