13 Ups & 1 Down From NJPW's 47th Anniversary Show

4. Ishimori's Next Challenger Emerges

Dragon Lee Taiji Ishimori
NJPW

Just like he'd done at The New Beginning in Osaka, Taiji Ishimori got on the microphone after besting Jushin 'Thunder' Liger, trying to set-up his next big title defence. Unlike at New Beginning, he didn't have a specific opponent in mind.

Ishimori said that he'd put the belt on the line at Madison Square Garden on 6 April. He called for a Ring Of Honor wrestler to answer his open challenge, and out came Dragon Lee, who very much fancied the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title match, but said he would challenge as a CMLL representative, not ROH.

'BONE SOLDIER' accepted. The match is signed, and while we're still jazzed about a potential Dragon Lee vs. El Desperado apuestas match... holy sh*t, this is going to rule.

A first-time ever showing between two of the best in the world? Sign us up, immediately. These guys haven't even met on opposite sides of a tag before, let alone one-on-one, and this piece of booking should guarantee the G1 Supercard at least one ****1/2+ bout.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.