NJPW On AXS Recap (11/20): Hiroshi Tanahashi Defends The IWGP Championship Against AJ Styles

Welcome to our coverage of NJPW on AXS. Tonight's show features an IWGP Heavyweight Championship match between Hiroshi Tanahashi and AJ Styles from New Beginning In Osaka 2015.

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. AJ Styles (w/ Bullet Club)

The crowd is behind Tanahashi, as he gets the better of the opening series, causing AJ to slide out of the ring. Styles comes back in and applies a head lock and trashes Tanahashi. Tanahashi reverses into a wristlock, and avoids a big styles dropkick attempt, but Styles lands one right after AJ goes for a dive but Tanahashi moves and AJ lands on his feet and gets Tanahashi dropkicked. Tanahashi misses a senton outside, and the Bullet Club lands some cheap shots.

AJ rolls Tanahashi back in the ring and lands a backbreaker and snap suplex. AJ whips Tanahashi into the corner and threatens to break Tanahashi's back AJ hits one flying forearm into the corner, but goes for another which Tanahashi dodges. Tanahashi tries to hit a Slingblade, but AJ turns it into a back suplex for 2. AJ puts Tanahashi in a bow and arrow hold, which Tanahashi turns into a flying forearm followed by a big backdrop. The Young Bucks grab at Tanahashi and he kicks them, then skins the cat to head-scissors AJ outside of the ring. Tanahashi hits a High Fly Flow on the Bullet Club outside and the crowd goes nuts. Tanahashi is busted open after banging heads with one of the,m

Tanahashi blocks a Bloody Sunday attempt by AJ, and hits a German suplex for a two-count. Tanahashi doesn't release and hits AJ with another German. Tanahashi goes for a third, but AJ low blows Tanahashi. With the ref's back turned Tanahashi returns the favor and low blows AJ. AJ targets the cut area with big strikes, working it over. A dazed Tanahashi grabs onto AJ's leg and lands a dragon screw to Styles in midair. Tanahashi connects with the Sling Blade and wants the High Fly Flow, but AJ gets his knees up. AJ tries a springboard 450 splash, but Tanahashi gets the knees up too. AJ goes for a frankesteiner, but Tanahashi blocks and tries to use the Styles Clash against AJ. AJ slips out though and gives Tanahashi a Pele kick.

AJ grabs Tanahashi off the turnbuckle and goes for a Styles Clash. Tanahashi struggles, but gets hit with a Hollow Point. Bloody Sunday and Styles Clash. That's all she wrote. AJ Styles wins!

Winner: AJ Styles via pinfall (Styles Clash)

The crowd is shocked. Styles shakes Tanahashi's hand after the match.

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