Jeff Cobb vs Yota Tsuji vs Ren Narita - NJPW WORLD TV Championship 3-WAY Match: NJPW KING OF PRO-WRESTLING 2024 (October 14, 2024)
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00:00In the 5th round, we will have a 3-way match between New Japan 1 and 2 at the KB Championship.
00:06The match will last 15 minutes.
00:30I think you're gonna have to act pretty quick, lest that event be sold out.
00:35And speaking of sold out, Walker...
01:00...has been defended outside of a one-on-one competition.
01:03Ren Narita has forced the hand of the IWGP board. It is now official.
01:14In Narita's mind, it is a hand that should have been played him a long time ago.
01:19He was in the finals of the tournament to crown the first ever NJPW World TV Champion.
01:24And now he vies to be the 6th.
01:30NJPW WORLD TV CHAMPIONSHIP
02:01NJPW WORLD TV CHAMPIONSHIP
02:10Unlike Ren Narita...
02:13...it can heavily be argued that Yozo Tsuji has more than earned this opportunity here tonight...
02:19...in Ryogoku Sumo Hall.
02:21The last NJPW WORLD TV title match on record...
02:24...in Korakuen Hall September 8th on the Road to Destruction...
02:27...saw champion Jeff Cobb go the entire distance...
02:31...with Yozo Tsuji a 15 minute time limit draw.
02:34And a lot of people saying, Chris...
02:36...that if only 5 more seconds were added to that time limit...
02:40...we would have seen a new World TV Champion.
02:42Yeah, there was no doubt as I was...
02:45...my view of ringside was exactly that.
02:48But there wasn't 5 more seconds.
02:50There's only 15 minutes on the clock in World TV Championship matches.
02:54That might be what wins and loses this for our challengers.
03:25NJPW WORLD TV CHAMPIONSHIP
03:49You said of Ren Narita...
03:51...a force in the hand of the World TV Champion Jeff Cobb.
03:55Let's not forget that Narita did beat Jeff Cobb...
03:58...in typically controversial form during the G1 Climax.
04:02Add on to the fact that Jeff Cobb has unfinished business...
04:06...with Yozo Tsuji stemming from that 15 minute draw...
04:10...and that's why the Imperial Unit has taken this match up.
04:13We've taught strategy.
04:15We've said that Jeff Cobb needs to play king of the mountain...
04:17...and run out the clock in this one.
04:19But there is no doubt that Jeff Cobb does not want to do this.
04:22He would want to pin both of these guys at the same time if he can.
04:26A career defined by dominance as Jeff Cobb...
04:29...and a championship reign to be defined the same exact way by the end.
04:33...the champion, the greatest empire, the Imperial Unit, Jeff Cobb.
04:48And for the uninitiated three way match rules...
04:51...first to be pinned or submitted...
04:54...we will see a new champion.
04:57First to be pinned or submitted, we will see a new champion or the retention of such here
05:04tonight.
05:05Yeah, that means that Tsuji can pin Narita, Narita can pin Tsuji, the championship would
05:11change hands.
05:12Jeff Cobb doesn't even have to be involved in the decision.
05:18But if this goes to the 15 minute time limit, then that is a defense in the books for a
05:23champion.
05:24I really argue the 15 minute time limit, the most impactful part of this matchup.
05:29It's not the addition of a third man on any side of the playing field.
05:33As Narita not afraid to play with a time limit here and both men Cobb and Tsuji setting aside
05:40their differences.
05:41The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
05:48The man that wants to hit my enemy before me is also my enemy, maybe.
05:54You know, Chris, there's a really intriguing secondary narrative to this matchup regarding
05:59the three musketeers.
06:03First ever singles championship to be won, Yota, Tsuji, Ren, Narita involved here tonight
06:08very well could be the first of the three.
06:10Yeah, that's true.
06:11Some brain genius in the marketing department last year took Yota, Tsuji, Ren, Narita, Shoto
06:16and called them the three musketeers, the three people at the head of this new generation.
06:22That is a label that has a lot of weight in New Japan pro wrestling.
06:25It was designed to put the cat among the pigeons.
06:31Mount Tsuji crashes down.
06:34And wow, it's just unfair.
06:40Yeah, but but it's unfair to Ren, Narita.
06:45So it's OK.
06:46No, it's fair, but it's unfair against Narita.
06:57We have not seen a three-way in New Japan pro wrestling since Wrestle Kingdom this year.
07:02The IWGP global heavyweight champion being crowned for the first time, won by David Finlay.
07:07Jeff Cobb powering down Yota, Tsuji.
07:12Jeff Cobb has never beaten Tsuji in their three singles encounters, loss in the New
07:17Japan Cup, loss in the G1 Climax and a draw of the World TV Championship.
07:22Racing against time here as Tsuji, hey, a little bit of Lucha Libre influence here tonight.
07:28Out of the former CMLL standout, Tsuji, no, not enough power.
07:33Yeah, I think that's the difference.
07:35Jeff Cobb can easily lift Tsuji a little bit more effort.
07:41Took a lot out of Yota Tsuji though, Chris, cover here and it's two.
07:45That's the thing, I think Jeff Cobb can do what Tsuji can do with relative ease.
07:50We've seen him use that Marlow crash on his own for Jeff Cobb.
07:55Tsuji can do what Jeff Cobb can do, but it takes more effort.
08:00And that might be key.
08:02Tsuji, ah, sweep of the legs here from damn Ren Narita.
08:09Call a spade a spade here, Chris.
08:12You saw the reaction online, nobody wanted to see Ren Narita put in this matchup.
08:16He did not earn that spot.
08:18Well, I mean, you could say he earned it.
08:21He didn't beat the champion during the G1 Climax, Walker.
08:24I mean, it was just the way, I think even Jeff Cobb said, all you had to do was ask.
08:30All you had to do was make your case, get on the microphone.
08:33But no, you had to watch a great match, a great main event, ruin it.
08:38Come down, smack each other with that damn push-up board he has.
08:45And that stump puller right here from Ren Narita.
08:47Yota Tsuji back inside the fray, by the way.
08:54So difficult to try and get a submission.
08:56I think you have to be absolutely sure it's going to be a quick tap out.
08:59Jeff Cobb's not one to tap out quickly.
09:01Not the best choice of holds in a three-way environment.
09:04And you'd argue that the best submission wrestler in this matchup
09:07would be the aforementioned Ren Narita.
09:10I would say absolutely.
09:12As Narita, yeah, looking to prove it here tonight.
09:14Yeah, cross arm breaker and immediately to that bottom rope is Yota Tsuji.
09:20Narita frustrated.
09:22I think this environment not exactly suited to his in-ring stylings,
09:29but maybe suited to his rule-breaking, Walker.
09:32That's the other key about three-ways, very hard to be DQ'd in them.
09:35Look out!
09:37Cobb set off the apron here, and it's back down to Narita and Tsuji alone.
09:41Look out!
09:42Oh, Tope Tsuji Seda to the outside.
09:47Oh, man.
09:49Hunters on that side of the building having a hell of an experience tonight, Walker.
09:53You're right about that.
09:56First, it's day 164.
09:58Look out, look out, look out!
10:00Oh, man.
10:01Oh, man, our monitors have gone out.
10:03Now they're back on.
10:07Three defenses on record for Cobb.
10:09What in the world is this idiot thinking?
10:11None of them on his mind tonight.
10:12Oh, man.
10:17Up close and personal tonight for Ryogoku.
10:19We thought, who had the high ground?
10:21Who'd be king of the mountain this match?
10:23Right now, there's nobody with the high ground.
10:25No one in the ring five minutes deep here.
10:27Yes.
10:30Oh, man.
10:35Almost seen elements of Ren Narita developing into this heavyweight Kanemaru.
10:40That's a great point to make.
10:43And sometimes I think, as much as Narita was a great get for House of Torture,
10:47Kanemaru might have been the best get for that faction
10:52in terms of how he molds the people underneath him.
10:55What's a house without a foundation?
10:57As all Narita right out of the way.
10:59And Cobb in with the uppercut.
11:03As Tsuji up and down to head is caught.
11:07Look at this from Cobb.
11:10Ungodly strength from Cobb.
11:15A grown man putting you in four different positions in midair.
11:22And a dropkick to boot.
11:25Well, for now, it's Cobb who's king of the mountain, Walker.
11:34King of the world, king of television is Jeff Cobb, but for how much longer?
11:42Wanted that shot instead.
11:43Here comes Tsuji in on Narita.
11:47Oh, monkey flip attempt potentially.
11:51Cobb a step ahead.
11:53What is this now?
11:55No.
11:56No, you don't think.
11:58This can't be.
11:59You don't think.
12:00This can't be.
12:01Oh, no.
12:10There is a reason why he's called the imperial unit.
12:15And there's a reason he is the defending champion here tonight.
12:26Jeff Cobb now.
12:28Oh, what in the world?
12:30He's beckoning Tsuji in.
12:31Wait a minute.
12:32Tsuji back body drop.
12:34Great strategy.
12:36Oh, what in the?
12:38Why not?
12:39Wow.
12:40He might be.
12:41Wait a minute.
12:42The cover.
12:43The cover.
12:44And broken up by Cobb.
12:45Nearly cost himself his own world TV title.
12:48And this is the problem with Jeff Cobb at points, Chris.
12:51He can get a little bit too cutesy, a little bit too fun for himself.
12:55He almost cost himself when he did win the world television championship,
13:01Walker, because he was trying to out grapple Zack Sabre Jr.
13:05Got to dance with what brung him.
13:07Here we go.
13:08No shot here.
13:11And a curb stomp from Tsuji to break it up.
13:13Here we go.
13:14Double pinning attempt here.
13:16Which one?
13:17Neither.
13:28Narita rolling to the floor.
13:29The effects of that curb stomp.
13:31That's given Tsuji a big benefit here if he can get going and hit Cobb.
13:35Hit quickly.
13:36Here we go.
13:37Tsuji.
13:38No.
13:39Tsuji.
13:40No, no, no, no, no.
13:41Cobb.
13:42It's a hammer and sickle down.
13:45And up for the moonsault out of the way.
13:48Here is Tsuji.
13:53Oh, no.
13:55You just do not outpower Jeff Cobb.
13:58Or do you?
13:59Or do you?
14:00Try and take him down.
14:01Face breaker.
14:02No.
14:07Wait a minute.
14:08Tsuji.
14:09Drop kick.
14:10Don't curb stomp an Olympic athlete, Chris.
14:13No, dude.
14:15Wow.
14:16But he's hoisted him as Tsuji.
14:18Wow.
14:19Wow.
14:20Could it be?
14:2117 cross.
14:22And a cover here for Tsuji.
14:23New champion.
14:24No.
14:29It took all of Tsuji's strength to hit that 17 cross.
14:33He couldn't get the body on body on the cover.
14:37That's saving the World TV title for Jeff Cobb.
14:40Chris, these precious moments for Yoda Tsuji.
14:42He loves to take them in singles matches regularly.
14:44But he took a couple too many back in Cork and Hall.
14:47And it might be too many now.
14:48Yeah.
14:49I think you still have to have Ren Narita in the back of your mind.
14:53And you have to have that 15 minutes just the same.
14:57Oh, and Ren Narita from the back of the mind.
15:02Oh, come on.
15:07Ren Narita almost serving as a parasite in this three-way match.
15:15That's from the top.
15:16Hells guillotine connects.
15:19Cobb's down.
15:20Tsuji's down.
15:21Cover.
15:22And Cobb breaking that one up.
15:26Now five minutes left on the clock.
15:28Ren Narita trying to take an opportunity here.
15:32And now.
15:33Taking a knee.
15:34Taking a knee.
15:35That taped-up knee on Jeff Cobb.
15:39He's attacked with that push-up bar.
15:41And Ren Narita, I mean, is there any reason he has to break this up right now, Chris?
15:45Well, I mean, there can be disqualifications.
15:47Rare though they are, we have seen them in this environment.
15:51It would take the three-way down to a singles match if that happened.
15:54Oh, wow.
15:57Oh, well.
15:58Oh, look.
15:59Tsuji up to the top in the background.
16:01Look out.
16:02No!
16:03Curbs up off the top.
16:04Curbs up off the top.
16:06Cobb might be concussed.
16:07Cover here.
16:08And Narita breaking it up.
16:09I think Tsuji had Narita in his sights but took Cobb anyway.
16:13And it's a double.
16:15No.
16:16No, it's not.
16:17No.
16:24Lights out for sold out.
16:28Cobb's back up.
16:29Turn around.
16:30Here we go.
16:32It's a tour.
16:33No.
16:35Jeff Cobb.
16:36Jeff Cobb.
16:37Oh, no.
16:38Blast him.
16:39Pumps him with a knee.
16:40Cobb was getting wide, thought it would be Gene Blaster.
16:43It was a knee to the jaw instead.
16:45And now here we go.
16:47Three-point stance.
16:49No.
16:50Tour of the Islands.
16:53Narita's nowhere.
16:55No.
16:56Damn it.
16:57Damn it.
16:58Damn you.
17:00Damn you to hell.
17:01He did what he had to do, Walker.
17:05None of us here at Iwagaki liked it.
17:07But the ultimate opportunism.
17:10Here he is behind Jeff Cobb.
17:12Come on.
17:13Blocking the low blow shot.
17:15Here did Cobb.
17:24Cobb, it's a tour.
17:26Oh, no.
17:28Oh, no, no, no.
17:29Suji's out here on the floor.
17:30That's what started this whole thing.
17:32That push-up ball.
17:33Oh, no.
17:34Come on.
17:40Ren Narita.
17:41It's all said and done.
17:43It's a double cross.
17:48Ren Narita, the cover.
17:50And new world television champion.
17:59Why?
18:10Why?
18:15The match the world wanted on the marquee.
18:18The one that people wanted to see a conclusive ending to
18:22was not between Ren Narita and anyone on this roster.
18:25It was Jeff Cobb and Yota Suji.
18:28And in the end, Ren Narita has snuck his way in through the back door
18:33and claimed himself his first singles title in pro wrestling.
18:40I can't believe it.
18:42He might have snuck in in the back door, Walker,
18:45but he's going to leave through the front
18:47with a stop off at the pay window on the way.
18:51We talked about champions' advantages going into this matchup,
18:56but one thing a three-way favors the most is opportunists.
19:00And Ren Narita seized his opportunity tonight.
19:07It has happened.
19:08History has been made.
19:09Ryogoku is sold out here tonight.
19:21Oh, well, you talked about how we wanted to see Jeff Cobb
19:25and Yota Suji on the marquee.
19:27I think Jeff Cobb wants Ren Narita on a marquee and damn quick.