NJPW New Japan Soul 2025 Day 1 18th June 2025
Watch DailyMotion Full Show
Watch OK Full Show
Date & Time:
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Start Time: 6:30 PM JST (Japan Standard Time)
Location:
Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
Match Card:
- Shota Umino & Yuto Nakashima vs. House of Torture (EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi)
- Master Wato vs. Francesco Akira
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & El Desperado vs. Ren Narita & SHO
- Catch 2/2 (TJP & Akira) vs. DOUKI & Taichi
- YOH & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney)
- Main Event: SANADA vs. Gabe Kidd
Match Review:
The night kicked off with a fiery tag battle between Shota Umino and Yuto Nakashima against the ever-devious House of Torture. Umino showcased top-tier energy, keeping EVIL on the defensive, but outside interference proved costly as the H.o.T. stole the victory with underhanded tactics.
Master Wato vs. Francesco Akira delivered fast-paced action and crisp counters. Wato edged out a win with the Recientemente, but Akira’s offense kept the crowd buzzing.
Tanahashi & Desperado made an odd yet effective duo, working in sync against the chaotic energy of Ren Narita and SHO. The Ace scored the pinfall with a High Fly Flow, giving fans a nostalgic high.
Catch 2/2 and Just 5 Guys put on a technical tag masterclass, with TJP and DOUKI standing out. Ultimately, Taichi secured the pin with Black Mephisto.
Bullet Club War Dogs kept their dominance alive, overpowering YOH and Taguchi with aggressive brawling. Clark Connors finished things off with the No Chaser spear.
The main event between SANADA and Gabe Kidd was a hard-hitting war. Kidd brought pure violence and grit, targeting SANADA’s ribs, but the former world champion turned the tide with slick reversals and ended the match with Deadfall, silencing the brutal Kidd in a statement win.
Conclusion:
Day 1 of New Japan Soul 2025 delivered a blend of chaos, intensity, and emotional storytelling. The crowd at Korakuen Hall witnessed a powerful opening to the tour, highlighted by SANADA’s strong main event performance and the growing tension among tag team factions. With several key players heating up, the summer tour is off to a red-hot start.
