NJPW Dominion 6.9: Star Ratings For All 9 Matches
6. Hirooki Goto (C) Vs. Taichi Vs. Michael Elgin (NEVER Openweight Title)
Hirooki Goto enjoyed a productive NEVER Openweight Championship run. He hit the same heights as childhood friend Katsuyori Shibiata (to whom Goto dedicated his title win) did with the belt, but as promised, his reign revived the division's savage, berserk spirit. Sadly, it all came to an end at Dominion.
The three-way title match over-delivered. Such bouts often suffer for their format, as one wrestler is inevitably left chilling outside while the other two brawl, but there were no such problems here. Taichi, so long a persona non grata among western New Japan fans, looked perfectly at home with two of the promotion's baddest bruisers, but it was him that ate the decisive fall after a thrilling climax.
Taichi seized the advantage by rolling valet Miho Abe into the ring, prompting a distraction. He belted Elgin and Goto with his mic stand, scored a near-fall with a Superkick, but was soon cut off by 'Big Mike,' who 'Buckle Bombed Taichi solo, then again onto Hirooki to take the win and the belt.
Though a controversial figure away from the ring, Elgin's style means he's tailor-made to spearhead the division, and the fact that he didn't pin Goto preserves a potential singles match.
Star Rating: ***1/2