13 Ups & 3 Downs From NJPW Dominion 6.9 2019

2. A Muted Ending

Dominion's closing angle saw a flustered Chris Jericho go right back after Kazuchika Okada.

First, he went to work with a little ground and pound, before bringing a chair into play, then flattening 'The Rainmaker' with a glacial Judas Effect elbow. The chair assault continued thereafter. 'Y2J' placed it around Okada's neck then ran him into the post, before setting up a table, attempting a Powerbomb... and being met by an angry Hiroshi Tanahashi, who leapt away from the announce booth.

A promo followed. Jericho spat barbs at the country of Japan, Tanahashi, and Okada ("happy championship, b*tch!"), having declared himself the greatest wrestler of all time. He stuffed the IWGP Heavyweight Champion's dollar bills down his crotch then wiped them against the camera lens in an act as gross as his promo was arrogant, but while this all sounds good on paper, it barely got over.

Dominion 6.9 went off the air on a flat note. The bulk of the crowd just wasn't into it as it was going down, despite it involving the promotion's two biggest homegrown stars, and loud jeers filled the building as soon as Tanahashi and Okada disappeared to the back. A shame, as the bulk of the show was outstanding.

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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.