- Published on
NJPW Osaka Dream Night
- Authors
- Name
- Tails Azimuth
New Japan Pro Wrestling's Osaka Showdown Report
August 28th, 2003 - Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan
In a stacked card that showcased the best of New Japan Pro Wrestling, fans were treated to a thrilling night of action at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. With an attendance of 6,000 and a live broadcast on pay-per-view, this event was one for the ages.
Early Matches
Ryusuke Taguchi kicked things off with a dominating performance against Hirooki Goto, securing the win in just under eight minutes. Next up, Yutaka Yoshie continued his winning streak by defeating Blue Wolf in an evenly contested match.
Six-Man Mayhem
The first tag team action of the night came in the form of a six-man match featuring Heat (Masahito Kakihara and Tiger Mask) taking on Jushin Thunder Liger, Koji Kanemoto, and Wataru Inoue. A fast-paced and hard-hitting contest that saw all six competitors get their share of offense, ultimately resulting in the victory for Heat.
Title Contenders
Shinsuke Nakamura put his skills to the test against Osamu Nishimura, but unfortunately came up short, losing via submission in a thrilling 15-minute bout. Meanwhile, Hiroshi Tanahashi successfully defended his IWGP U-30 Openweight Title Hair vs. Mask Match against Makai #2, showcasing his incredible aerial abilities en route to victory.
Quick Wins and Dominant Performances
Manabu Nakanishi made quick work of Kazunari Murakami, finishing him off in just two minutes flat. In the following match, Makai Club (Ryushi Yanagisawa and Tadao Yasuda) dominated Enson Inoue and Yuji Nagata to earn the victory.
Main Event Mayhem
In a highly anticipated main event, Hiroyoshi Tenzan clashed with Shinya Makabe. The two competitors gave it their all, but ultimately it was Tenzan who emerged victorious in an intense 11-minute contest.
Cage Death Main Event
And finally, the night's pièce de résistance - Yoshihiro Takayama vs. Masahiro Chono for the IWGP Heavyweight Title. This highly anticipated match lived up to the hype, with both men giving it their all in a brutal Cage Death Match that lasted nearly 34 minutes! In the end, Takayama emerged victorious, retaining his title and cementing his status as one of New Japan's top stars.
Final Thoughts
New Japan Pro Wrestling's Osaka show was an absolute must-see event from start to finish. With a mix of high-flying action, technical grappling, and hard-hitting strikes, there was something for everyone on this stacked card. If you missed it, do yourself a favor and track down the replay - you won't be disappointed!
Card Details
- Date: 28 Aug 2003
- Promotion: New Japan Pro Wrestling
- Arena: Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
- Attendance: 6000
- Type: Pay Per View
- Broadcast Type: Live
- Broadcast Date: 28 Aug 2003
Matches
Ryusuke Taguchi defeat Hirooki Goto in a Singles Match
Match Time: 07:56Yutaka Yoshie defeat Blue Wolf in a Singles Match
Match Time: 08:44Heat, Masahito Kakihara and Tiger Mask defeat Jushin Thunder Liger, Koji Kanemoto and Wataru Inoue in a Six Man Tag Team Match
Match Time: 09:25Osamu Nishimura defeat Shinsuke Nakamura in a Singles Match
Match Time: 15:42Hiroshi Tanahashi
(C)defeat Makai #2 in a IWGP U-30 Openweight Title Hair vs. Mask Match
Match Time: 11:10Manabu Nakanishi defeat Kazunari Murakami in a Singles Match
Match Time: 02:00Makai Club (Ryushi Yanagisawa and Tadao Yasuda) defeat Enson Inoue and Yuji Nagata in a Tag Team Match
Match Time: 07:10Hiroyoshi Tenzan defeat Shinya Makabe in a Singles Match
Match Time: 11:36Yoshihiro Takayama
(C)defeat Masahiro Chono in a IWGP Heavyweight Title Cage Death Match
Match Time: 34:06