New champions crowned at NJPW Summer Struggle in Jingu

Four new champions were crowned this morning at NJPW’s Summer Struggle in Jingu event.

Tetsuya Natio once again reclaimed himself as double champion, regaining the IWGP Heavyweight title for the third time and the IWGP Intercontinental title for the sixth time. After a match full of ref bumps, interference, and back and forth action, Naito pinned EVIL with the Destino.

After the match, Naito put over Jingu Stadium, saying it’s the first time they have been back in 21 years. He thanked the fans for coming in under sweltering heat. He mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic but also said there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s overcome all of these obstacles.

Naito ended his promo with the usual roll-call, though none of the other members of Los Ingobernables de Japon came out to celebrate. The show ended with Naito doing his signature pose as fireworks went off. No one came out to challenge Naito following the match.

The IWGP Jr. title also changed hands. After 238 days, Hiromu Takahashi lost the title to Taiji Ishimori, who is now a two time champion. Hiromu went for a second time bomb for the finish, but Ishimori countered, hit an inverted bloody cross then eventually got the submission win with the crossface.

Toru Yano is the first to win the KOPW trophy, becoming the first ever provisional champion, pinning Kazuchika Okada after a low blow and a roll-up. Yano will defend the trophy under stipulation matches until the end of the year, when a champion is crowned.

Minoru Suzuki captured the NEVER title for the second time, ending Shingo Takagi’s run with the title after 210 days. Suzuki won the title after pinning Takagi with the Gotch piledriver

The next tour will start on September 3, with New Japan Road.