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00:00The action has blown into Chi-Town, and New Japan Pro Wrestling is back in Chicago for Windy City Riot.
00:08Tonight's lineup, first match, TJP versus Tom Lawler.
00:18Second match, Strong Women's Championship number one contender match, Mina Shirakawa versus Azumi.
00:30Third match, Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship.
00:35Champions, Royce Isaacs and Jarrell Nelson versus challengers, Kushida and Kevin Knight.
00:47Fourth match, Strong Openweight Championship 30-minute Ironman match.
00:53You need to be the champion. You need to be the champion.
00:57You need to be the champion. You need to be the champion.
01:04You need to be the champion.
01:06You need to be the champion.
01:07Champion, James Cain versus challenger Tomohiro Ishii.
01:14Fifth match, El Phantasmo, Rocky Romero versus Tensia Naito, T-Town.
01:29Sixth match, Special Singles Match.
01:33Zack Sabre Jr. versus David Finlay.
01:37Finlay.
01:41Main event, IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match.
01:46Umiro! Umiro!
01:48Umiro!
01:49Umiro!
01:51Umiro!
01:52Umiro!
01:53Umiro!
01:54Umiro!
01:55Umiro!
01:56I'm going to bring all of my goals to the guy.
01:58I'm going to take that belt.
02:02The champion Hiroshi Kototo versus challenger Shota Umiro.
02:13The main event Hiroshi Tadahashi final match in the United States.
02:18Chicago April 11th.
02:25Hello.
02:28Well, I think that's what I think.
02:34I think that's why I don't think I'm going to win.
02:38I want to be grateful to America.
02:41I think that's what I think.
02:43Well, finally, the next time is the Tanahashi Hiroshi.
02:49It's been a long, long time for us to take care of us.
02:57Furochi Tarahashi versus Kunosuke Chakesta.
03:06Windy City Riot begins now.
03:19Hello, wrestling fans. We are live here tonight for Windy City Riot 2025 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
03:31I'm with Walker Stewart alongside the A-Pot-O-T-O-M-O-P-A-S-C-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O-T.
03:47But of course, Tom Waller set to take on TJP in the opener.
03:52This is a huge opening match because Tom Waller is someone who has just been so synonymous with New Japan Strong.
04:01But he's got to start pulling out some big singles victories as well.
04:05And a win over someone like TJP could mean big things in the upcoming year.
04:09Yeah, you're absolutely right about that. Tom Waller, a former NJPW Strong Openweight Champion.
04:14But the rumor mill has been spinning, and TJP has been confirming them on the social media platform.
04:20We'll talk all about it.
04:22KAMI LOWER!
04:29I like this look for Tom Waller. I don't know, it's like giving...
04:32Is Impish Dennis the Menace a little bit here?
04:35Tom Waller is always giving in some way.
04:42Priceless Souvenir.
04:43And it was indeed the last time that we saw TJP on NJPW Programming.
04:52The final night of New Japan Cup 2025. An open challenge from El Phantasmo.
04:55Then NJPW World TV Champion, answered by TJP. And while TJP would not walk away with the title, would soften up and potentially have injured El Phantasmo.
05:08Heading into a new title defense that just took place April 5th in Ryogoku. We now have a new World TV Champion. And it's thanks to this man.
05:17Absolutely. TJP, although like you said, hasn't been successful in collecting gold personally, he has been an integral cog in the plan to bring more and more gold to United Empire.
05:31And that to me, TJP claims to be a leader. That to me is the behavior of a leader.
05:49And that is something that will be tested here tonight. As it is one-on-one, mano-a-mano, Tom Lawler, TJP.
05:58TJP!
06:12Now, Beta, as we get into the opening moments of this matchup, for us to talk about a little bit here.
06:17TJP, the news having come out that TJP competing tonight and going forward until otherwise as a freelancer.
06:25Still a member of United Empire, but TJP confirming himself on Twitter that he is no longer a member, a contracted member of New Japan Pro Wrestling.
06:33Competing freelance has its risks, it has its rewards. The risk being, if you aren't picking up any victories, you have the potential to not be brought back anytime soon.
06:41It's a fight for survival for TJ tonight.
06:43Yeah, it adds a new sense of urgency to everything that he does.
06:47But sometimes, Walker, the key is just to switch it up to give yourself something new to fight for.
06:53And honestly, I think Tom Lawler needs to find something like that himself.
06:57Maybe he's getting it tonight here from the people in Chicago.
07:01To me, these are two men who are both looking to turn things around personally.
07:09Although, again, Tom seems to have the support here.
07:13Yeah, we thought for some time Tom Lawler could have a future as a tag team athlete alongside Fred Rosser.
07:19It's the first time in a long time, one of the longest times actually, that we have not seen Fred Rosser on a New Japan of America event.
07:25And more to come from Fred Rosser shortly in the year of 2025.
07:29But it's on Tom Lawler to prove it here.
07:31As we have a rematch actually from this year's, or last year's, MLW Opera Cup, the quarterfinals.
07:36TJP defeating Tom Lawler in their one and only singles encounter on that night.
07:40TJP got the win that time.
07:42But that has also given Tom Lawler time to think about it.
07:45You know as soon as this match, here's a cover.
07:47As soon as this match was announced, Lawler started working on a game plan.
07:51You know, a lot of news coming out of Ryogoku Samoa Hall.
07:56The IWGP World Heavyweight title on the line in one of our two double main events here tonight.
08:01Thanks to the news coming out of Ryogoku.
08:04But one of the more interesting pieces, best of the Super Junior 32 lineup has been announced, Beta.
08:09And a very interesting omission in that of TJP not wanting to compete as a junior heavyweight, it seems, in the New Japan landscape anymore.
08:17Well, he's looking to get Tom Lawler tied up.
08:19But, yeah, that is interesting because, again, it seems to speak to this new version of TJP as he turns a corner.
08:26Whoa, just getting turned around by Tom Lawler.
08:29And fantastic grapplers we have in the ring. Go ahead.
08:32But, yeah, as TJP, oh, shoulders down.
08:34As TJP reimagines himself and reforms himself, it would make sense that he would try to fight in a different division as well.
08:42You know, to go from the public enemy as we see him to An Capitan, a leadership position in the United Empire, as disputed as some might find it.
08:52To the Aswan, which we have seen multiple times have its influence, even in the blood that we saw spit in the middle of the ring earlier on.
08:58Look at this.
09:00Oh.
09:01Oh.
09:02And that is a rough stretch of it.
09:03John Lawler, instead, incredible grappler in his own right, and is going to find his way to the arm of TJP.
09:08Oh, but look at TJP.
09:10Very quick.
09:12Oh.
09:13Looking to extend the arm himself.
09:15Yeah, very much trading back and forth.
09:17Anything you can do, I can do better.
09:19Has the shoulders quickly down, and TJP thrusts out at two.
09:23And this is a different kind of position for TJP to be in, because there are few who can out grapple him.
09:29As you see here, just trading hold for a hold.
09:33Uh-oh.
09:42Whoa.
09:44They rolled all the way through.
09:46And TJ and Tom have not had enough of one another yet.
09:49Ah.
09:57Oh, they're all the way in the ropes.
09:59And that is the only bit of safety that these two men are going to have with one another here tonight.
10:07That throws the break.
10:09Back even, but you can see TJP, a little bit of a limp.
10:13Tom Lawler, he's stretching out the leg as well.
10:21The question being, what comes next for TJP as an openweight or junior heavyweight competitor?
10:26Rather, heavyweight, no longer looking to compete junior as the lack of inclusion and best of the super junior.
10:30Can't allow us to infer.
10:32Could there be openweight gold in the future for TJP?
10:37Oh.
10:38And to be proven here tonight against the former strong openweight champion and Tom Lawler.
10:42You want to climb the ranks, you're going to pick up wins over champions or the former.
10:46TJ to the outside underneath now.
10:48And very quickly.
10:50Whoa.
10:51Yeah, that is a beautiful fluid state.
10:53Tom Lawler has put it.
10:55Oh no, this is bad news for Tom Lawler.
10:58Oh, the snap on the shoulder.
11:05You know, it takes a set of guts to bet on yourself to go the unsafe route.
11:12TJP has done that his entire career and we're keeping it that way here.
11:16Whoa.
11:17Ah, Tom Lawler right out of the way.
11:19That's a timeout that's being called and there are no timeouts in professional wrestling data.
11:24Lawler out there still shaking out the arm as well.
11:28He might need this moment to try to recover.
11:33Taking his time getting back to the ring.
11:35Oh.
11:36Oh, kick up.
11:37Five minutes at pass.
11:38Five minutes.
11:39Tom Lawler have a lot of power-based offense, a lot of arm-based offense in his own right.
11:45And TJP, that is an extension of the olive branch that we see right here.
11:49Yeah, inviting Lawler to get back inside the ring and finish this.
12:00Oh, and Tom Lawler very quickly taking the advantage of the arm.
12:04And that might be the last time we see TJP try and play fair tonight.
12:08And that Lawler just unleashing.
12:11And he has targeted the arm, the shoulder of TJP.
12:17A lot of success in Japan for United Empire back in Ryogoku Sumo Hall for Sakura Genesis.
12:23We have new IWGP tag champs, new NJPW World TV champion.
12:27It's on TJP to keep the momentum rolling for the green and black.
12:31Oh, he's trying to free himself from this cross arm breaker.
12:35He made it to the ropes.
12:36But Lawler had that on for every millisecond he could.
12:40And this is the struggle TJP is going to have competing in an open weight position.
12:43Tom Lawler, a definitive heavyweight who reigned as a former strong open weight champion,
12:48knows what it's like to face junior heavyweights and heavyweights alike.
12:51Oh, Lawler went right back to the arm and separates the shoulder.
13:00A divorce court separation cover here one more time for Tom Lawler.
13:04And it's not going to be enough on the public enemy.
13:06Tom Lawler attempting to keep it in his pace.
13:12The Fall River, Massachusetts native slow and steady is going to win this race for the filthy one.
13:18A little disrespectful there.
13:20Oh, definitely a lot disrespectful there.
13:22Well, maybe that's what TJP needs.
13:24A little bit of a wake-up call here.
13:25Oh, and that's going to wake you up.
13:28And Lawler whips TJ into the corner and this is the evasion TJP needed.
13:39Separates it, closes the distance.
13:41Drop kick to the back of the head.
13:43We'll see this now, Veda.
13:44Tom Lawler often enough headed back to the outside.
13:47But one of these days it's going to cost him.
13:49And that day may be tonight.
13:51TJ, drop kick to the outside.
13:54Takes down Lawler.
13:56One.
13:57Two.
13:58Count is on with Lawler crumbled at ringside.
14:03Three.
14:04Four.
14:05And TJP could be looking for it a little.
14:18Oh!
14:19NBA Jam.
14:21Shoved right into the face of Tom Lawler.
14:24And that is confidence in spades written on the face of the public enemy.
14:32Coming in hot.
14:33And connects.
14:43And a little shout out here tonight.
14:45TJP to one Shinjiro Otani.
14:50One junior heavyweight to an incredible open.
14:52TJP through Tom Lawler.
14:54Oh, Lawler's out.
14:55TJP is repositioning him here.
15:00And we're going to see if TJP can find what he's looking for.
15:10Whoa.
15:11And it's not going to come easily at that hole.
15:13Tom underneath.
15:15Here we go.
15:16Oh, big combination by TJP.
15:19Oh, the single D face breaker down the way.
15:24Yeah.
15:25And the spinning wheel for TJ lays out Tom Lawler.
15:28And everybody's down.
15:38Count is on.
15:40This has been such a physical, physical contest so far.
15:55Oh.
15:56Oh, and TJP, that was a great movement.
15:59Right there.
16:00The knee right to the side and ahead of Lawler.
16:02Has TJ in position.
16:06And that's an OK Dojo staple.
16:08Class of 2002 is TJP.
16:10He is not afraid to remind you of it.
16:12And Tom Lawler is going to experience how.
16:15Right in the center of the ring.
16:17You can see Lawler is trying to reposition.
16:21Trying to reach for the ropes.
16:26Tom Lawler only has one arm free.
16:28Barely if at that.
16:29And that's going to have to change very soon for Lawler to find his way out.
16:35Lawler muscled through.
16:36There it is.
16:37Watch it.
16:38Tombstone driver.
16:41From Lawler to TJ.
16:43The cover.
16:44And a kick out.
16:46From TJP.
16:48It was a pass.
16:4910 minutes.
16:52We're a little over 10 minutes into this matchup.
16:54It's the same move that put down El Fantasmo.
16:57When TJP faced him.
16:59And now it's going to be Tom Lawler who looks for it here tonight.
17:04Oh massive.
17:05Massive.
17:06Massive chop.
17:07And Lawler.
17:08He's climbing up as well.
17:09Oh.
17:10Control of the arm.
17:11Elevated.
17:12A high risk.
17:13High reward situation.
17:14For either side of the playing field.
17:15Tom Lawler down.
17:16And TJP in prime position.
17:17On the red corner.
17:18Oh but wait.
17:19Lawler.
17:20Springs to his feet.
17:21Lawler looking for it.
17:22Saw it earlier.
17:23Here we go.
17:24Super plex through.
17:25And now.
17:26Lawler back to it.
17:27Oh.
17:28Oh.
17:29Oh.
17:30Yeah.
17:31In the cover for Lawler.
17:32Not enough.
17:33Oh.
17:34Oh.
17:35Oh.
17:36Oh.
17:37Oh.
17:38Oh.
17:39Oh.
17:40Oh.
17:41Oh.
17:42Oh.
17:43Oh.
17:44Oh.
17:45Oh.
17:46Oh.
17:47Oh.
17:48Oh.
17:49Oh.
17:50Oh.
17:51Oh.
17:52Oh.
17:53Oh.
17:54Oh.
17:55And that is going to be objected to by many in the side of referee Adam Gulp.
17:57Oh.
17:58Oh.
17:59It looked like TJP was out.
18:01Oh.
18:02The suspenders are down.
18:03Oh.
18:04And you know what that means.
18:05Business is about to pick up.
18:14Wait.
18:15TJP able to fight out.
18:16Yeah.
18:17right on the nose and a rolling elbow to TJP well they're both rocked TJ TJ
18:29watch it step up tornado DDT spike waller down find his way knee off the dome
18:36and it's TJP with a sense of urgency making his way to the top and if it is
18:41it's all over from the top
18:50for TJP
18:59I know a lot of people are doubting some of the decisions of TJP but it looks like
19:04just like you said walkers betting on yourself going all in on yourself can pay
19:10dividends if it looks like it is turning things around for TJP
19:16and it's going to take more than one single victory for the full turnaround
19:21but by God TJP has started the movement here tonight and continued what was built upon
19:27back in Riadoku Sumo Hall by United Empire
19:30what does the future look like for TJP
19:33you're gonna want to stick around to post fans comments and we very well find out
19:37sooner rather than later
19:50as wrestling fans we thank you so much for joining us here tonight live in Chicago Illinois
19:55Chicago Illinois on special NJPW world pay-per-view
19:58we are moving on to your next match coming up
20:01the number one contendership to Mercedes winning
20:04NJPW strong women's title is on the line
20:07Mina Shirakawa takes on Azami one on one
20:11coming up next
20:12coming up next