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The NJPW World TV Championship has belonged to El Phantasmo for most of the year. Since winning the title at Wrestle Kingdom, he has gone on to have many successful title defenses. Sure, he lost it for a spell to Great-O-Khan, but he quickly won it back, and now continues his second reign.

Tanahashi Jam

To kick things off for this second half of the year, we resumed ELP’s open challenge series for his TV title, a challenge that would end up answered at Tanahashi Jam by none other than ELP’s former tag team partner Taiji Ishimori. It was a unique reunion to be sure, but a title was up for grabs, and the two former junior tag team champions went head to head. The two knew each other very well from their history together, but it was the junior-turned-heavyweight who won here, giving ELP another successful defense.

G1 Climax

With that, we now turn our attention to the G1 Climax. Last year’s tournament wasn’t so kind to ELP, as he finished at the bottom of his block with 6 points. This year, with renewed momentum from his TV title reign, he hoped to improve on that record, which he managed to do, attaining 8 points. Granted, two points came via forfeit from the injured Gabe Kidd, and he still finished at the bottom of the block among those who didn’t forfeit, but it was a better showing nonetheless.

King of Pro-Wrestling

However, now that the G1 Climax was done, it was time we returned to the TV title. However, this time, it would not be an open challenge. No, instead, ELP would name his next challenger: Hiroshi Tanahashi. ELP has long wanted to have a match with Tanahashi, whether as singles opponents or in a tag team. With Tanahashi’s retirement approaching quickly, this may be the last time he gets a chance to do so. King of Pro-Wrestling saw the battle between the two, in Tanahashi’s final Sumo Hall match. However, the match went to 15 minutes as ELP had Tanahashi in his own Cloverleaf. As per the rules of the TV title, the match was ruled a draw, and though it might not have gone the way he wanted, it would still be another successful defense for ELP.

World Tag League

Now having had his singles match, ELP sought to have his other wish granted by teaming with Tanahashi in World Tag League. The two were set to team in last year’s tournament, but ELP’s cancer diagnoses sidelined those plans. Now that he’s healthy and able, the two were finally able to form that team, as ELP accompanied the Ace in his final World Tag League. However, it wasn’t the best outcome for the two, finishing on a losing record of 3-4. However, they were able to end on a high note by derailing House of Torture on the final night of block competition.

With his little sidequest with Tanahashi finished, ELP resumed his duties as TV champion. As they were not able to make the playoffs, ELP decided to hold his open challenge on the day of the Finals, where it was answered by TMDK’s heater, Hartley “Big Jag” Jackson. ELP would have to find a way to deal with someone the size of Jackson, but he was able to overcome the massive man, notching another defense. 

Road to Tokyo Dome & Wrestle Kingdom 20

ELP would continue his open challenge, declaring that he intended to defend the title at Wrestle Kingdom. Before that, he had another open challenge on the road to Tokyo Dome, which saw Ryusuke Taguchi step up to the plate. Another opponent from ELP’s history as a Junior Heavyweight, but ELP was still able to beat the Funky Weapon. With that defense, ELP was set to make good on his intention to defend the TV title at Wrestle Kingdom, but he would not have to wait to see who his opponent would be, as DDT’s Chris Brookes came out to confront ELP and declare himself as the challenger at the Tokyo Dome.

And so, it’ll be El Phantasmo defending his NJPW World TV Title against DDT’s Chris Brookes. It’ll be Brooke’s first appearance at a major New Japan show, and it doesn’t get more major than Wrestle Kingdom. Which gaijin will reign supreme?

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