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NJPW Road to Sakura Genesis 2025: A Thrilling Prelude to Spring’s Biggest Showdown
April 2, 2025 – The road to Sakura Genesis 2025 is heating up, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling delivered another explosive chapter in the build toward one of the most anticipated events of the spring season. The Road to Sakura Genesis tour has been nothing short of spectacular, with rivalries intensifying, championships being defended, and young lions proving their mettle against hardened veterans.
Last night’s event was a masterclass in storytelling, in-ring action, and dramatic twists—setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable Sakura Genesis on April 6. From shocking returns to brutal faction warfare, let’s break down everything that went down on April 2nd’s Road to Sakura Genesis and what it means for the future of NJPW.
Main Event: Chaos vs. Bullet Club – The War Escalates
The main event saw Kazuchika Okada leading his CHAOS brethren (Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, & YOSHI-HASHI) against the villainous Bullet Club unit (Jay White, KENTA, Taiji Ishimori, & Gedo) in an eight-man tag team war.
This was more than just a preview—it was a statement. With Okada set to challenge Jay White for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Sakura Genesis, tensions were at an all-time high. The match was a brutal, fast-paced encounter, with both factions pulling out all the stops.
- KENTA and Ishii reignited their rivalry with stiff strikes and brutal forearm exchanges.
- Goto and Ishimori showcased their contrasting styles, with Goto’s power overwhelming Ishimori’s speed—until the Bone Soldier used his agility to counter.
- Jay White and Okada had a tense staredown mid-match, teasing their impending showdown.
In the end, CHAOS picked up the victory after Okada nailed White with a devastating Rainmaker, sending a clear message before their title clash. Post-match, White smirked and whispered something to Okada, hinting at mind games ahead of Sakura Genesis.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Roadblock
The semi-main event featured a high-stakes IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender’s Match, as Hiromu Takahashi took on El Desperado in a rematch of their legendary 2022 feud.
This was an absolute barnburner—Takahashi’s reckless abandon clashed with Desperado’s calculated brutality. The crowd was electric as both men traded near-falls, with Hiromu hitting a Time Bomb II only for Desperado to kick out at the last second.
In a shocking twist, SHO (of House of Torture) interfered, attacking both men and causing a no-contest. The faction’s leader, EVIL, then appeared on the screen, laughing maniacally before declaring:
“The House always wins. At Sakura Genesis… destruction comes.”
With current champion Robbie Eagles watching from commentary, it’s clear that the Junior Heavyweight division is in chaos—and a three-way title match may be imminent.
Strong Style Clash: Shingo Takagi vs. Great-O-Khan
In a hard-hitting Strong Style Openweight showdown, Shingo Takagi and Great-O-Khan tore into each other with unrelenting force.
- O-Khan’s Mongolian Chops left deep red welts on Takagi’s chest.
- Takagi fired back with blistering lariats, nearly decapitating O-Khan at one point.
- The finish came when Takagi spiked O-Khan with the Last of the Dragon, securing a decisive win.
Post-match, Takagi grabbed a mic and called out Tetsuya Naito, demanding a match at Sakura Genesis.
“Naito… you’ve been avoiding me. But at Sakura Genesis, we settle this. No more games.”
Could we see Takagi vs. Naito in a battle of two of NJPW’s most charismatic stars?
Young Lions Step Up: Tsuji & Uemura Shine
The future of NJPW was on full display as Yota Tsuji and Yuya Uemura faced off against TMDK’s Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls in a thrilling tag bout.
- Tsuji’s raw power was a sight to behold, as he lifted Haste for a brutal Death Valley Driver.
- Uemura’s technical prowess shined as he locked Nicholls in a deep Boston Crab, nearly forcing a submission.
Though the veterans ultimately won, Tsuji and Uemura proved they belong in the upper mid-card. Rumors swirl that Tsuji may challenge for the NEVER Openweight Championship soon—could Sakura Genesis be his breakout moment?
Tag Team Turmoil: Dangerous Tekkers Reunite?
In a six-man tag match, Zack Sabre Jr. teamed with TMDK (Bad Dude Tito & Kosei Fujita) to take on Togi Makabe, Tiger Mask, & Ryusuke Taguchi.
While this was mostly a showcase for Sabre’s technical wizardry, the real story came after the match. Taichi’s music hit, and the Holy Emperor appeared on the ramp, staring down ZSJ.
The two former Dangerous Tekkers partners had a tense standoff before Taichi simply said:
“Sakura Genesis… it’s time.”
Are we finally getting the long-awaited Sabre vs. Taichi singles match? Or could the Tekkers be reforming to challenge for the tag titles?
Final Thoughts: Sakura Genesis 2025 is Stacked
With just four days left until Sakura Genesis, the card is shaping up to be one of the strongest in recent memory. Here’s what we can expect:
Confirmed Matches:
- Jay White (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada – IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
- Robbie Eagles (c) vs. Hiromu Takahashi vs. El Desperado – IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (likely)
- Shingo Takagi vs. Tetsuya Naito (if confirmed)
- Potential Dangerous Tekkers Reunion or ZSJ vs. Taichi
Rumored Additions:
- Yota Tsuji challenging for the NEVER Openweight Title
- House of Torture shenanigans in the Junior Division
- A major surprise return or faction shake-up
Final Verdict: Don’t Miss Sakura Genesis 2025
If last night’s Road to Sakura Genesis event was any indication, April 6th is going to be an absolute spectacle. From championship clashes to faction warfare and the potential rebirth of legendary teams, NJPW is firing on all cylinders.
Will Okada reclaim his throne? Can Hiromu overcome House of Torture’s interference? And what will Taichi and ZSJ’s confrontation lead to?
One thing is certain: Sakura Genesis 2025 cannot be missed.
Stay tuned for more updates, and make sure to follow us for live coverage of NJPW’s biggest spring event!
What did you think of last night’s Road to Sakura Genesis? Who are your picks to win at the big event? Sound off in the comments below!
Very good show
I think his Ic run being so long hurt him as a credible world champion. It’s like he fought all the same guys and crushed them for a mid card belt now we are supposed to believe they are an actual challenge to him as a world champion? Lol when they took the intercontinental title off of him they should have moved him to SmackDown and put a new list of challengers in front of him. And moved Cody and the WWE championship to raw
Very good episode,
imagine being deluded enough to think a multi billion dollar company with guys who literally have wrestling in their blood hot shoted a heel turn storyline because they booked themselves into a corner. are you serious dude? that is the most ridiculous thing i have read in a minute lol. good luck bro.
Great episode.
Punk/Cody was there for the taking and Cena could’ve gone up against Gunther.
They knee jerked a heel turn because they booked themselves into a nepotism corner
Very good show
honestly don’t get the hate. like sure, there’s no major story here YET. But Punk/Rollins/Reigns has a lot of potential to be a high quality match. I’m legit looking forward to it and love that these three have wound up in a match together.
Great episode.
The triple threat match between them at Wrestlemania is gonna be awesome. Super stoked for this match
Great show
Let’s mention the women’s match in every live/hate challenge. Easiest task for this group of “journalists” ever. Each one of these love/hates are more embarrassing than the last. We get it, women’s wrestling is amazing and should main event every show and if a women’s match is bad it’s because where it is on the card or the booking it’s never the talent, all the women are top tier wrestlers.
Very good show
You wanna find out who the real simps and shills are? Mark down anybody who defends that main event match! Even the diehard AEW fans are crapping on that main event. It was terrible.
This Moxley stuff is stinking out the entire show and the dude seems to think he is Brock Lesnar.
The sad part is that this wasn’t a terrible show overall and with all things taken into an account. But at the end of the day, a bad ending can ruin a whole show for a lot of people. “Game of Thrones season 8” style.
Great show
So the crux of it all is that the PLE started strong…then ended with a sour belch.
The fans most remember how you left them and the fans are going to remember this show with a resounding “bleh”!
And any casual fan who watched with their buddies who are more diehard fans, may have left the viewing saying aloud, “That guy was pretty good. He should go to WWE”.
Great show.
I’ve said before but I think one of the issues here is that Tony is a massive fan of NJPW and often looks to emulate their PPV card structure. NJPW cards typically build to a climax with the big matches back to back and tend not to feature cool down matches or spots. Problem is western audiences haven’t been conditioned for that over the last 40 years, so often results in burnout. Personally I would have laid out the card like below giving breathing spaces, opening with the Steel Cage match and building to the Hollywood Ending as the main event.
Storm vs. May
Mox vs. Cope
Hangman vs. MJF
Hurt Syndicate vs. Outrunners
Takeshita vs. Omega
Swerve vs. Ricochet
Okada vs. King
Mone vs. Watanabe
Ospreay vs. Fletcher
Great episode.
Very good show, but the ending is what people remember. WWE ended Elimination Chamber with a huge heel turn. AEW ended Revolution with that abominable ending.
it doesn’t totally undo a great show, but it might have done more harm than good.
Very good show
I can already see Trips the mark statues, Trips the mark with a 20 minutes speech, the camera focusing onTrips the mark every 30 seconds when he is on the crowd.
Great show.
I’m glad they are bringing it back to a nice venue. The idea of hosting it immediately after Smackdown is insane. Why not put a highlight show or broadcast the Hall of Fame instead of airing Smackdown that week.
best of the best
Very good show tonight
clickbait
clickbait
It’s good
Yes
Loving it
Fantastic Article
Raw vs SD
The only switches from Raw vs SD were Breakker, and Jax?
Super excited about Kiana James to Raw.
Super excited about Kiana James to Raw. She’s been great on NXT so hopefully they don’t ruin her momentum.
I dunno what the Final
I dunno what the Final Testament want, but at this point I am afraid to ask.
Save yourself time and money a
Save yourself time and money and just say everyone on smackdown will stay on smackdown, everyone on raw will stay on raw. What clown wrote this episode?!
Willow should NOT lose
Willow should NOT lose to Moñe at Double or Nothing.
I love the work Mariah’s done with Toni,
I love the work Mariah’s done with Toni, but Ngl I would also love her just gal-palling around with Mina for a spell
I’m all in on joshi invasion of AEW.
I’m all in on joshi invasion of AEW. I’m kinda down for joshi invasion of all promotions honestly
Danielson is also a 21st century
That line makes me laugh like Danielson is also a 21st century wrestler
I’ve never heard of.
Uhg, some other random wrestler from a promotion I’ve never heard of.
This is going to be a squash match right?
Wait, Anna Jay isn’t in Dark Order?
not even the security guard
not even the security guard with the hogan beard is dragging me out of daily’s rn
Kurt V Bret V Perfect
Three other Ospreay dream matches
V Kurt V Bret V Perfect
I have never seen mina before.
I have never seen mina before…. But from the entrance alone i am a fan
I’ve ever seen. Good lord
Anna Jay one of the finest women I’ve ever seen. Good lord
May gets all the ladies.
May gets all the ladies.
Daily’s Place just feels right
Anna Jay match in Daily’s Place just feels right
Is Mina’s theme
Is Mina’s theme a rip of Danza Kaduro? 🕺🏻
I enjoy Fallon’s work in ring,
I enjoy Fallon’s work in ring, and her character work. I just wish she didn’t scream so much- every single move.
Was late tuning in tonight,
Was late tuning in tonight, went and watched the women’s title match, Tatum showed up and showed tf out. Sad she didn’t win but the sky’s the limit
Jensen getting back together
first step to Briggs and Jensen getting back together
I wonder if Fallon Henley gets called up,
I wonder if Fallon Henley gets called up, she’s not really in any important angles in NXT.
John Cena style
Jasmyn has that chiseled chin. John Cena style
“Thank you, Trish Jacey”
Jacey Jayne wants Thea to say “Thank you, Trish Jacey”
What a woman
Her weave fallen off and her not skipping a beat. What a woman. I’m all in on jaida parker
Jaida to get her feet
This OTM side quest was good for Jaida to get her feet wet but her ceiling is sooo much higher than Lucien, Bronco & SCRYPTS
Really don’t like that it’s the Women’s NXT North American Championship.
Really don’t like that it’s the Women’s NXT North American Championship. Besides being an awkward mouthful, it’s too derivative of Men’s midcard title.
Gratitude is not an option
“Gratitude is not an option but a debt that you will repay to me” lmao damn Jacy sounds so badass and ominous 😭
She’s got a really bright future.
Jaida’s only been doing this for a year and a half. She’s got a really bright future.
I love the implied narrative that
I love the implied narrative that it’s Nattie who is singlehandedly selling out a WWE tour of Europe
All these talks about call-ups,
All these talks about call-ups, I feel Jacy Jayne is more overdue than most. One of the best character workers around.
I feel like Jaida has been winning every week
I feel like Jaida has been winning every week for a while now but it hasn’t really gotten her anywhere lol
Booker’s about to faint during
Booker’s about to faint during the sexiest contract signing of all time.
SOMEONE CLIP THAT LEXIS KING
SOMEONE CLIP THAT LEXIS KING PART IN THE NXT SHOP COMMERCIAL AND MAKE IT A MEME
So.. Natalya had a ton of work done
So.. Natalya had a ton of work done on her face right? She had some weird angles to it when the camera followed her walking
Any recognise the photographer
Any recognise the photographer in the Baron/Lexis segment?