I guess we’re doing this, then.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, Lumberjack Match: DOUKI [House of Torture] (c) vs. Tiger Mask

Tiger Mask is retiring on July 7, and this is almost certainly his last title match. In the past, he’s been a good wrestler – never really the top guy in the division, but certainly a good hand – but he’s now 55 and realistically hasn’t been the same since suffering a bout of diverticulitis in 2020. Moreover, he has wrestled very few competitive singles matches in recent years, so this could be a struggle – or, more likely, it’ll be full to overflowing with shenanigans.

Tiger Mask is accompanied by Toru Yano, Shota Umino, Master Wato, Aaron Wolf, Boltin Oleg and Mistico, who, interestingly, is the person Tiger Mask last defeated for this title, all the way back in 2009; DOUKI comes out with Don Fale, Ren Narita, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Dick Togo, Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi and SHO, though SHO goes right to commentary to bug YOH, who was already there. President Tanahashi certifies the match, which is always a nice touch. DOUKI gets tossed out and then quickly tossed back in by the faces a couple times early to demonstrate the rules, but then DOUKI gets tossed again on the House side of the ring and is given a quick time out by them while the faces protest and Tiger Mask gets pulled out and beaten up by Kanemaru. Shortly thereafter, Tiger Mask gets tossed into the House lumberjacks, who attack him, sparking a battle with the faces. Back in the ring, DOUKI tries to remove Tiger Mask’s mask, but Red Shoes reminds him that if he succeeded, it would be a disqualification. Tiger Mask gets tossed again and hit with a chair by Narita, then thrown back in the ring for a two count. However, Tiger Mask turns the tables by back-dropping DOUKI over the top rope into the members of the House, and then hits a tope suicida on the whole faction. DOUKI tries to make a break for it but is caught by Wolf and Boltin and returned to the ring. Tiger Mask maintains control and gets two with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, but then DOUKI tosses Tiger Mask into Red Shoes and the brawl is on. The House takes control and does their train spot and Togo’s chop to the groin, then tosses Red Shoes back in for a two count. DOUKI goes to the top for… something, but Tiger Mask hits the ropes and DOUKI gets crotched on the top turnbuckle, and Tiger hits a double-underhook superplex. Tiger Mask accidentally kicks Red Shoes, and the House runs in again, but this time Hontai takes the advantage, culminating in Mistico hitting a dive onto the House. Tiger Mask hits a Tiger Bomb, and Marty Asami runs in to count the pin, but it only gets two. Tiger Mask applies a crossface chicken wing, but Togo tosses Wato in the ring to distract Asami while Takahashi breaks the hold by hitting Tiger Mask with his cane. DOUKI applies the Darkness Stretch, but Tiger Mask makes the ropes. DOUKI goes for Daybreak, but Tiger Mask counters with a crucifix for two, then transitions to an armbar and then the crossface chicken wing. The House tries to interfere, but the faces prevent it, and Tanahashi gets on the mic and orders them to drag the House members out, which kinda runs counter to the point of a lumberjack match, but whatever. However, SHO is still at the commentary desk and attacks YOH, then goes to the ring to distract Asami while DOUKI is tapping out. Tiger Mask breaks the hold, smacks SHO, blocks the low blow attempt from DOUKI and hits a tombstone piledriver. Tiger Mask then hits the Tiger Suplex, but SHO takes out Asami and attacks Tiger Mask. However, YOH prevents SHO from hitting the Shock Arrow, tosses Asami back in the ring and holds SHO down. Tiger Mask goes for the Tiger Suplex again, but DOUKI kicks Asami, hits the low blow and applies the Darkness Stretch again. Tiger Mask gets to the ropes, but DOUKI takes the ref and SHO hits Tiger Mask and YOH with the cookie sheet… er, “black mirror,” and DOUKI applies the Darkness Stretch again. Tiger Mask is out cold, and Asami calls for the bell. Tanahashi, again, is not amused. This was exactly what you’d expect – basic stuff and lots of shenanigans. I’ve seen worse, but it’s definitely time to get this belt away from the House for a while so NJPW can remind people why juniors matter in this company, particularly with the Best of the Super Juniors coming up.

DOUKI insists that Tanahashi put the belt around his waist, and Tanahashi does it, albeit with increasing reluctance. DOUKI cuts a promo to end the show, during which he apparently announced that he won’t wrestle again on the Wrestling Dontaku tour (he is scheduled to be in a 10-man on night two) and he’s pulling out of the Best of the Super Juniors. I guess DOUKI might have a minor injury and needs a little time off, but if this is purely storyline, I have a feeling President Tanahashi won’t stand for it. We’ll see.