{{short description|2016 New Japan Pro-Wrestling event series}} {{Infobox Wrestling event |name=Destruction (2016) |image=NJPW Destruction in Tokyo.jpg |caption=Promotional poster for Destruction in Tokyo, featuring various NJPW wrestlers |promotion=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |date={{dts|2016|09|17}}<ref name=DestructioninTokyo/><br />{{dts|2016|09|22}}<ref name=DestructioninHiroshima/><br />{{dts|2016|09|25}}<ref name=DestructioninKobe/> |venue=Ota City General Gymnasium<ref name=DestructioninTokyo/><br />Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall<ref name=DestructioninHiroshima/><br />Kobe World Memorial Hall<ref name=DestructioninKobe/> |city=Tokyo<ref name=DestructioninTokyo/><br />Hiroshima<ref name=DestructioninHiroshima/><br />Kobe<ref name=DestructioninKobe/> |attendance=2,803<ref name=DestructioninTokyo/><br />2,801<ref name=DestructioninHiroshima/><br />5,432<ref name=DestructioninKobe/> |lastevent=Road to Destruction |nextevent=New Japan Road: Ganbarou! Uonuma |liveevent=y |event=Destruction |lastevent2=2015 |nextevent2=Fukushima |event3=New Japan Pro-Wrestling events |lastevent4 = Lion's Gate Project 3 |nextevent4 = King of Pro-Wrestling }} '''Destruction (2016)''' was a series of three professional wrestling events promoted by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in 2016; '''Destruction in Tokyo''' on September 17, '''Destruction in Hiroshima''' on September 22, and '''Destruction in Kobe''' on September 25.
The events featured nine matches each, six of which were contested for championships. Collectively, these were the twelve to fourteenth events under the Destruction name. All three events aired live worldwide on NJPW World, with the Kobe event also airing on pay-per-view (PPV) in Japan.<ref name=DestructioninTokyo/><ref name=DestructioninHiroshima/><ref name=DestructioninKobe/>
==Production== ===Background=== From 2007 to 2013, NJPW held one "Destruction" event per year, later expanding to two shows in 2014 and 2015. 2016 was the first year in which the promotion would hold three events under the "Destruction" name. <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/newjapan/destruction.html | title = NJPW Destruction | accessdate=August 22, 2016 | work=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wrestleview.com/misc-news/50879-9-23-njpw-results-okayama-japan-okada-anderson | title = 9/23 NJPW Results: Okayama, Japan (Okada/Anderson) | last=Namako | first=Jason | date=September 23, 2014 | accessdate=August 22, 2016 | work=Wrestleview}}</ref>
===Storylines=== The Destruction shows featured nine professional wrestling matches, each of which involved different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers portrayed villains, heroes, or less distinguishable characters in the scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm |title=How Pro Wrestling Works |last=Grabianowski |first=Ed |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |work=HowStuffWorks, Inc. |publisher=Discovery Communications |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129050844/http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm |archivedate=November 29, 2013 }}</ref>
[[File:KUSHIDA IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.JPG|thumb|upright|Kushida, who defended the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship in the main event of Destruction in Tokyo]] [[File:Kenny Omega 2016.jpg|thumb|upright|Kenny Omega defended his status as the number one contender to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in the main event of Destruction in Hiroshima]] Destruction in Tokyo was main evented by Kushida defending the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against Bushi.<ref name=CardsPWT>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/08/22/new-japan-sets-huge-title-matches-post-g1-climax-okada-vs-marufuji-omegas-tokyo-dome-rights-new-roh-world-champ-adam-cole-roh-stars-big-title-matches/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822142504/http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/08/22/new-japan-sets-huge-title-matches-post-g1-climax-okada-vs-marufuji-omegas-tokyo-dome-rights-new-roh-world-champ-adam-cole-roh-stars-big-title-matches/ |title=New Japan sets huge title matches post-G1 Climax – Okada vs. Marufuji, Omega’s Tokyo Dome rights, new ROH World champ Adam Cole & more ROH stars in big title matches |last=Caldwell |first=James |archivedate=August 22, 2016 |date=August 22, 2016 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=CardsWON>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/daily-updates/daily-update-njpw-bayley-raw-ratings-improve-razor-ramon-goldberg-219246 | title = Daily Update: NJPW, Bayley to Raw, Ratings improve, Razor Ramon, Goldberg | date=August 23, 2016 | accessdate=August 23, 2016 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}</ref> The two previously faced off for the title on February 14 at The New Beginning in Niigata, where Kushida retained the title.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-new-beginnings-hiroshi-tanahashi-vs-kenny-omega-iwgp-ic-title-207526 | title = NJPW New Beginnings: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Kenny Omega for the IWGP IC Title | last=Meltzer | first=Dave | authorlink=Dave Meltzer | date=February 13, 2016 | accessdate=August 22, 2016 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}</ref> Afterwards, Bushi began eyeing a rematch opportunity with Kushida, which eventually came during the 2016 Best of the Super Juniors tournament, where Bushi defeated Kushida in their final round-robin match on June 6, eliminating the reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship from the finals of the tournament. Following the match, Bushi made a challenge for a title match,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-best-super-juniors-report-block-winners-determined-tomorrows-finals-214116 | title = NJPW Best of the Super Juniors results: Block winners determined for tomorrow's finals | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=June 6, 2016 | accessdate=August 22, 2016 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}</ref> which was made official on August 22, the day after Kushida had won the 2016 Super J-Cup.<ref name=DestructioninTokyoCard>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=17213 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823004939/http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=17213 |script-title=ja:【9月17 日（土）大田区大会・全カード決定！】Kushidaの“IWGPジュニア”にBushiが挑戦！“NEVER選手権”柴田vsフィッシュも実現！ |archivedate=August 23, 2016 |date=August 22, 2016 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=Japanese |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the buildup to the title match, NJPW noted the similarities between the two wrestlers with both being 33-years old and having come to NJPW from other organizations (Kushida from Smash and Bushi from All Japan Pro Wrestling).<ref name=DestructioninTokyoCard/> Despite having already been granted the title shot by NJPW, Bushi suggested he would boycott the match unless he was nominated as the challenger by Kushida himself. After being pinned by Bushi in a six-man tag team match on September 12, Kushida officially appointed Bushi as his next challenger.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/592537/ | script-title=ja:【新日】IWGPジュニア王者Kushida 正式にBushiを挑戦者指名 | date=September 13, 2016 | accessdate=September 13, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}}</ref> Destruction in Tokyo would also feature another title match, where Katsuyori Shibata defended the NEVER Openweight Championship against Bobby Fish.<ref name=CardsPWT/><ref name=CardsWON/> This match was made as a result of events that took place at a Ring of Honor (ROH) event in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 20, where Fish successfully defended the ROH World Television Championship against Shibata.<ref name=DestructioninTokyoCard/> Fish would be the first junior heavyweight wrestler to challenge for the NEVER Openweight Championship since April 2014.<ref name=CardsPWI>{{cite web | url = http://pwinsider.com/article/104251/detailed-new-japan-pro-wrestling-destruction-event-previews.html?p=1 | title = Detailed New Japan Pro-Wrestling Destruction event previews | last=Crockett | first=Paul | date=August 22, 2016 | accessdate=August 23, 2016 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> In the week leading to the title match, Shibata was sidelined with a cervical spine injury, forcing him to miss NJPW's September 14 and 15 events.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/593294/ | script-title=ja:【新日】ＮＥＶＥＲ王者・柴田 頸椎負傷で青森大会を緊急欠場 | date=September 14, 2016 | accessdate=September 14, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}}</ref> However, it was announced that the title match would go on as scheduled.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/593958/ | script-title=ja:【新日】柴田勝頼 １７日のＮＥＶＥＲ防衛戦強行 | date=September 16, 2016 | accessdate=September 16, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}}</ref>
Destruction in Hiroshima was main evented by Kenny Omega taking on Yoshi-Hashi.<ref name=DestructioninHiroshimaCard>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=17216 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823014126/http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=17216 |script-title=ja:【9月22 日（木・祝）広島・全カード決定！】メインはケニーvsYoshi！ オカダvsファレ！ オスプレイvsアダム・コール！ ブリスコ兄弟vsヤングバックス！ |archivedate=August 23, 2016 |date=August 22, 2016 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=Japanese |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=CardsPWT/> On August 14, Omega defeated Hirooki Goto in the finals to win the 2016 G1 Climax, becoming the first foreigner to win the annual tournament.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/580952/ | script-title=ja:【新日Ｇ１】初出場初優勝！ケニー・オメガが史上初の外国人覇者に | date=August 15, 2016 | accessdate=August 22, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese | archive-date=August 23, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823165246/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/580952/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> During the tournament, Omega suffered three losses, against NEVER Openweight Champion Katsuyori Shibata, IWGP Intercontinental Champion Michael Elgin and Yoshi-Hashi.<ref name=CardsPWI/> Omega's loss against Yoshi-Hashi in their opening match on July 22 was considered a major upset,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.pwinsider.com/article/103547/new-japan-pro-wrestling-2016-g1-climax-day-2-report.html?p=1 | title = New Japan Pro Wrestling 2016 G1 Climax day 2 report | last=Macklin | first=Matthew | date=July 22, 2016 | accessdate=August 22, 2016 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> and after winning the tournament Omega called the loss humiliating and nominated Yoshi-Hashi as the first challenger for his G1 Climax winning prize; a contract for an IWGP Heavyweight Championship match on January 4, 2017, at Wrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo Dome.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/580988/ | script-title=ja:【新日】Ｇ１覇者ケニー 防衛戦の相手にYoshi-Hashi指名 | date=August 15, 2016 | accessdate=August 22, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}}</ref> The match was made official on August 22.<ref name=DestructioninHiroshimaCard/> Other featured matches included reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada taking on Bad Luck Fale. During the 2016 G1 Climax, Fale defeated Okada, who afterwards demanded a rematch with him. Due to Okada already being set to defend the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Naomichi Marufuji on October 10 at King of Pro-Wrestling, the title would not be on the line in the match with Fale.<ref name=DestructioninHiroshimaCard/> However, Fale stated that if he were to win at Destruction in Hiroshima, he wanted a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at NJPW's New Zealand event on November 12.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/591507/ | script-title=ja:オカダがファレに“豪快雪辱”を宣言 | date=September 10, 2016 | accessdate=September 10, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}}</ref> Also on the card, reigning ROH World Champion Adam Cole returned to NJPW, taking on 2016 Best of the Super Juniors winner Will Ospreay.<ref name=DestructioninHiroshimaCard/><ref name=CardsPWT/><ref name=CardsWON/> This would mark Cole's singles match debut in NJPW.<ref name=CardsPWI/> On August 29, NJPW announced that the match would be contested for Cole's title.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=17255 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905154654/http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=17255 |script-title=ja:9.22広島大会で“ROH世界王者”A・コールにオスプレイが挑戦！ 9.25神戸大会のエルガンvs内藤は“インターコンチ選手権”に！【DR16】 |archivedate=September 5, 2016 |date=August 29, 2016 |accessdate=August 29, 2016 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=Japanese |url-status=dead }}</ref> Destruction in Hiroshima's only title match would see The Briscoe Brothers (Jay Briscoe and Mark Briscoe) defend the IWGP Tag Team Championship against The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson).<ref name=DestructioninHiroshimaCard/><ref name=CardsPWT/> The Young Bucks made a challenge for the "heavyweight" tag team title on August 21 after successfully defending the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship against The Motor City Machine Guns.<ref name=DestructioninHiroshimaCard/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/super-j-cup-2016-finals-live-results-will-ospreay-vs-matt-sydal-218911 | title = Super J-Cup 2016 finals live results: Will Ospreay vs. Matt Sydal | last=Meltzer | first=Dave | authorlink=Dave Meltzer | date=August 20, 2016 | accessdate=August 22, 2016 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}</ref> Though the two teams work in different weight divisions in NJPW, they had a history with each other from ROH, where the tag team division has no weight limits.<ref name=DestructioninHiroshimaCard/> This match would mark the first time in NJPW history that the reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions challenge for the IWGP Tag Team Championship.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=1197&c=9306 | title = Destruction in Hiroshima | accessdate=September 22, 2016 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=Japanese}}</ref>
Destruction in Kobe was main evented by Michael Elgin taking on Tetsuya Naito.<ref name=DestructioninKobeCard>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=17215 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823003735/http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=17215 |script-title=ja:【9月25 日（日）神戸・全カード決定！】エルガンvs内藤！ オカダvs丸藤がタッグ戦！“6人タッグ王者”小島＆リコシェ＆サイダルにコール＆バックスが挑戦！ |archivedate=August 23, 2016 |date=August 22, 2016 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=Japanese |url-status=dead }}</ref> The match was originally announced as a "potential" IWGP Intercontinental Championship match, provided that Elgin first successfully defended the title against Donovan Dijak at an ROH event on August 27.<ref name=DestructioninKobeCard/><ref name=CardsPWI/> Elgin went on to defeat Dijak to make the main event of Destruction in Kobe for the title.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://pwinsider.com/article/104345/-ring-of-honor-field-of-honor-results-from-brooklyn-ny.html?p=1 | title = Ring of Honor Field of Honor results from Brooklyn, NY | last=Johnson | first=Mike | date=August 27, 2016 | accessdate=August 28, 2016 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> The match stemmed from the 2016 G1 Climax, where Naito defeated Elgin.<ref name=DestructioninKobeCard/> Afterwards, Elgin offered a title match to Naito, who accepted. Though he took part in the tournament to crown the inaugural IWGP Intercontinental Champion in May 2011, this would mark Naito's first ever shot at the title.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/583066/ | script-title=ja:新日・内藤 エルガンの指名受諾！ＩＣ王座に照準 | date=August 19, 2016 | accessdate=August 22, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese | archive-date=August 21, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821164648/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/583066/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> The event also featured outside participation from the Pro Wrestling Noah promotion with Atsushi Kotoge, Daisuke Harada and Naomichi Marufuji teaming with Toru Yano to take on the Chaos quartet of Gedo, Jado, Kazuchika Okada and Yoshi-Hashi.<ref name=DestructioninKobeCard/> The match not only built up the IWGP Heavyweight Championship match between Okada and Marufuji, but also a GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match between champions Kotoge and Harada and challengers Gedo and Jado.<ref name=DestructioninKobeCard/> Toru Yano, who teamed with the Noah trio in the match, was also a member of Chaos, but held the GHC Tag Team Championship with Marufuji in Noah.<ref name=DestructioninKobeCard/><ref name=CardsPWI/> This led to problems between Yano and Marufuji with the latter beginning to question his partner's ultimate allegiance in the week leading to Destruction in Kobe.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/595673/ | script-title=ja:【ノア】越境タッグ王者 丸藤＆矢野組に亀裂！？ | date=September 21, 2016 | accessdate=September 21, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese | archive-date=September 22, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922051053/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/595673/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> The event's second title match was scheduled to feature Matt Sydal, Ricochet and Satoshi Kojima defending the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship against the Bullet Club trio of Adam Cole and The Young Bucks.<ref name=DestructioninKobeCard/><ref name=CardsPWT/> The champions had won the title on July 3 by defeating another Bullet Club trio, made up of The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-kizuna-road-2016-live-results-katsuyori-shibata-defends-never-title-young-bucks-kenny | title = NJPW Kizuna Road 2016 live results: Katsuyori Shibata defends NEVER title, Young Bucks, Kenny Omega | last=Meltzer | first=Dave | authorlink=Dave Meltzer | date=July 2, 2016 | accessdate=August 22, 2016 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}</ref> However, on the day of the show, the champions were stripped of the title due to Sydal failing to make the show because of travel issues with David Finlay replacing him in a new match for the now vacant title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=17429 |script-title=ja:【お知らせ】マット・サイダル選手が飛行機トラブルのため9.25神戸大会を欠場。デビッド・フィンレー選手が代打出場でNEVER6人タッグは「王座決定戦」に変更 |date=September 25, 2016 |accessdate=September 25, 2016 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=Japanese |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925073455/http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=17429 |archivedate=September 25, 2016 }}</ref> Destruction in Kobe's undercard was also set to feature the culmination of a storyline, where Yoshitatsu had announced a fan poll on Twitter to decide whether Captain New Japan would get to remain a member of his anti-Bullet Club stable Hunter Club. Yoshitatsu had formed the group the previous April with Captain as its first member, but had recently become upset with his stablemates poor performances, which led to him creating the poll.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=1110&c=8554 | title=Invasion Attack 2016 | accessdate=September 25, 2016 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=Japanese}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game2.php?e=1189&c=9403 | title = Road to Destruction | accessdate=September 25, 2016 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=Japanese}}</ref>
==Events== ===Destruction in Tokyo=== [[File:BUSHI 2016.JPG|thumb|upright|Bushi, who captured the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship in the main event of Destruction in Tokyo]] [[File:Adam Cole September 2015.jpg|thumb|upright|Adam Cole, who successfully defended the ROH World Championship at Destruction in Hiroshima]] In the first title match of the show, Katsuyori Shibata defended the NEVER Openweight Championship against Bobby Fish. Throughout the match, Fish worked on Shibata's legitimately injured neck. At the end of the match, Shibata blocked Fish's brainbuster attempt, hit him with a headbutt and locked him in a sleeper hold, which he followed up with his finishing maneuver, the ''PK'', to win the match and make his second successful defense of the NEVER Openweight Championship. After the match, Fish's reDRagon tag team partner Kyle O'Reilly entered the ring and challenged Shibata, which was accepted by the champion.<ref name=DestructioninTokyo/><ref name=DestructioninTokyoWON/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/594609/ | script-title=ja:【新日】柴田勝頼 首の痛みこらえＮＥＶＥＲ王座Ｖ２ | date=September 18, 2016 | accessdate=September 18, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}}</ref> Following the event, it was announced that Shibata would be taken off the rest of the tour and would be replaced in his scheduled tag team matches in Hiroshima and Kobe by Tomoaki Honma and Manabu Nakanishi, respectively.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=17400 | script-title=ja:【お知らせ】柴田勝頼選手欠場に伴う、対戦カード変更に関して | date=September 20, 2016 | accessdate=September 21, 2016 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=Japanese}}</ref>
In the main event of the show, Kushida made his sixth defense of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against Bushi. Bushi was accompanied to the match by an unidentified new member of his ''Los Ingobernables de Japón'' stable, who had debuted earlier in the week. The man interfered in the match and, after a ref bump, Tetsuya Naito, another one of Bushi's stablemates, entered the ring to also attack Kushida. He was, however, attacked and taken away from ringside by Michael Elgin. Towards the end of the match, Kushida went for his finishing hold, the ''Hoverboard Lock'', but Bushi countered it into a ''Canadian Destroyer''. Bushi then hit his finishing maneuver, the ''MX'', twice to win the match and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, ending Kushida's nine-month reign.<ref name=DestructioninTokyoWON/><ref name=DestructioninTokyoPWT/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/594604/ | script-title=ja:【新日】BushiがKushida撃破 まさかのIWGPジュニア戴冠 | date=September 18, 2016 | accessdate=September 18, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}}</ref>
===Destruction in Hiroshima=== The first title match of Destruction in Hiroshima saw the reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks challenge The Briscoe Brothers for the IWGP Tag Team Championship. Towards the end of the match, The Young Bucks went for their finishing maneuver, the ''Meltzer Driver'', but Jay Briscoe countered it into a ''Jay Driller'', after which he pinned Matt Jackson following the ''Doomsday Device'' to win the match and retain the title. After the match, The Briscoe Brothers were attacked by the previous IWGP Tag Team Champions, Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa, who demanded a title rematch.<ref name=DestructioninHiroshima/><ref name=DestructioninHiroshimaWON/> The next match saw Adam Cole defend the ROH World Championship against Will Ospreay. Cole retained the title after pinning Ospreay following the ''Panama Sunrise'' and the ''Last Shot''.<ref name=DestructioninHiroshima/><ref name=DestructioninHiroshimaWON/> The following match saw reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada defeat Bad Luck Fale in a non-title match to avenge the loss he suffered during the 2016 G1 Climax.<ref name=DestructioninHiroshima/><ref name=DestructioninHiroshimaWON/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/596720/ | script-title=ja:【新日】丸藤とのＩＷＧＰ戦へ弾み オカダがファレに雪辱 | date=September 23, 2016 | accessdate=September 23, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}}</ref>
The main event of the show featured Kenny Omega defending his contract for an IWGP Heavyweight Championship match at Wrestle Kingdom 11 against Yoshi-Hashi. The match featured outside interference from Omega's Bullet Club stablemates The Young Bucks. Towards the end of the match, Yoshi-Hashi landed his finishing maneuver, the ''Swanton Bomb'', but Omega kicked out of the resulting pinfall attempt. Omega then hit Yoshi-Hashi with a reverse hurricanrana, a knee and then pinned him for the win with the ''Katayoku no Tenshi{{Broken anchor|date=2025-01-01|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=Kenny Omega#In wrestling|reason= The anchor (In wrestling) has been deleted.}}''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/596724/ | script-title=ja:【新日】ケニー 実現させるぞ！「ジャパニーズドリーム」 | date=September 23, 2016 | accessdate=September 23, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}}</ref> After the match, Yoshi-Hashi's Chaos stablemate Hirooki Goto entered the ring to challenge Omega for his contract. Omega, who had defeated Goto in the finals of the 2016 G1 Climax, responded by telling him to "Go to Hell".<ref name=DestructioninHiroshima/><ref name=DestructioninHiroshimaWON/>
===Destruction in Kobe=== [[File:Tetsuya Naito IWGP Intercontinental Champion.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Tetsuya Naito, who captured the IWGP Intercontinental Championship in the main event of Destruction in Kobe]] Prior to the match between the Hunter Club team of Yoshitatsu and Captain New Japan and the Bullet Club team of Chase Owens and Yujiro Takahashi, Yoshitatsu announced the result of his poll; fans had voted Captain out of the group. This led to Captain turning on Yoshitatsu, attacking him with Owens and Takahashi, ending the match in quick fashion.<ref name=DestructioninKobe/><ref name=DestructioninKobeWON/> In a backstage interview, Bullet Club leader Kenny Omega welcomed Captain New Japan to the stable, but called his character ridiculous and told him to come up with a new name and costume.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=1198&c=9270 |title=Destruction in Kobe |accessdate=September 25, 2016 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=Japanese |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927082029/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=1198&c=9270 |archivedate=September 27, 2016 }}</ref> The first title match of the show featured the Bullet Club trio of Adam Cole, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson taking on David Finlay, Ricochet and Satoshi Kojima for the vacant NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship. The match ended with Ricochet pinning Nick with a shooting star press to win the match and the title. Following the match, Finlay challenged The Young Bucks for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship in the ring, while backstage the new champions were challenged themselves by the Chaos trio of Beretta, Rocky Romero and Will Ospreay.<ref name=DestructioninKobe/><ref name=DestructioninKobeWON/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/597544/ | script-title=ja:【新日本】ＮＥＶＥＲ無差別級６人タッグ王座は小島組が王座奪回 | date=September 26, 2016 | accessdate=September 26, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}}</ref>
The semi-main event of the show saw the Chaos team of IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada, Gedo, Jado and Yoshi-Hashi take on their stablemate Toru Yano and the Pro Wrestling Noah trio of Atsushi Kotoge, Daisuke Harada and Naomichi Marufuji. Yoshi-Hashi won the match for his team by pinning Harada for the win. Afterwards, Okada and Yoshi-Hashi challenged Yano and Marufuji to a match for their GHC Tag Team Championship on October 8, two days before Okada and Marufuji face off for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.<ref name=DestructioninKobe/><ref name=DestructioninKobeWON/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/597541/ | script-title=ja:【新日本】オカダが丸藤との前哨戦制しＩＷＧＰ戦へ弾み | date=September 26, 2016 | accessdate=September 26, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}}</ref> The main event of the show saw Michael Elgin defend the IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Tetsuya Naito. Late in the match, a ref bump led to outside interference from Naito's ''Los Ingobernables de Japón'' stablemates Bushi, Evil and Sanada as well as Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kushida, ending with Elgin powerbombing Bushi over the top rope onto his stablemates. Elgin then went to hit Naito with his finishing maneuver, the ''Elgin Bomb'', but Naito countered it into his own finishing maneuver, ''Destino'', then hit the move a second time to win the match and become the new IWGP Intercontinental Champion.<ref name=DestructioninKobe/><ref name=DestructioninKobeWON/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/597537/ | script-title=ja:【新日本】ＩＣ王座奪取の内藤「中邑色を消す」 | date=September 26, 2016 | accessdate=September 26, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}}</ref>
==Aftermath== The day after Destruction in Kobe, it was announced that with Captain New Japan joining Bullet Club, he would be known as "Bone Soldier" going forward.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://pwinsider.com/article/104950/new-japan-pro-wrestling-news-and-notes.html | title = New Japan Pro Wrestling news and notes | last=Macklin | first=Matthew | date=September 26, 2016 | accessdate=October 8, 2016 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> He made his debut under the name on October 8.<ref name=NJPW100816>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1199 | script-title=ja:New Japan Road ～がんばろう！Uonuma 2016～ | accessdate=October 8, 2016 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=Japanese}}</ref> That same day, David Finlay, Ricochet and Satoshi Kojima made their first successful defense of the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship against the team that had challenged them backstage at Destruction in Kobe; Beretta, Rocky Romero and Will Ospreay.<ref name=NJPW100816/> At a Pro Wrestling Noah show that same day, Gedo and Jado captured the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship from Atsushi Kotoge and Daisuke Harada, while Naomichi Marufuji and Toru Yano retained the GHC Tag Team Championship against Kazuchika Okada and Yoshi-Hashi.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://noah.co.jp/result.php?tour_id=1668 | title = Autumn Navig. 2016 | accessdate = October 8, 2016 | work = Pro Wrestling Noah | language = Japanese | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180420074739/http://www.noah.co.jp/result.php?tour_id=1668 | archive-date = April 20, 2018 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
On October 14, 2016, the Osaka Prefectural Police announced that Matt Sydal had been arrested at the Kansai International Airport upon trying to enter the country for Destruction in Hiroshima under suspicion of cannabis smuggling.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/605433/ | script-title=ja:新日プロ参戦マット・サイダル 大麻密輸で逮捕 | date=October 14, 2015 | accessdate=October 14, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese | archive-date=October 16, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016013926/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/605433/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Results== ===Destruction in Tokyo=== {{Pro Wrestling results table |results=<ref name=DestructioninTokyoWON>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-destruction-toyko-results-shibata-vs-bobby-fish-kushida-vs-bushi-221031 | title = NJPW Destruction in Tokyo results: Shibata vs. Bobby Fish; Kushida vs. Bushi | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=September 17, 2016 | accessdate=September 17, 2016 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}</ref><ref name=DestructioninTokyoPWT>{{cite web | url = http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/09/17/917-new-japan-destruction-tokyo-results-big-title-change-roh-stars-heavily-involved-bullet-club-vs-chaos/ | title = 9/17 New Japan "Destruction in Tokyo" Results – Big title change, ROH stars heavily involved, Bullet Club vs. Chaos | date=September 17, 2016 | accessdate=September 17, 2016 | work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref><ref name=DestructioninTokyoPWI>{{cite web | url = http://pwinsider.com/article/104783/917-new-japan-road-to-destruction-in-tokyo-report.html?p=1 | title = 9/17 New Japan Road to Destruction in Tokyo report | last1=Macklin | first1=Matthew | last2=Crockett | first2=Paul | date=September 17, 2016 | accessdate=September 23, 2016 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> |times=<ref name=DestructioninTokyo>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1196 | title = Destruction in Tokyo | accessdate=September 17, 2016 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=Japanese}}</ref> |match1=Roppongi Vice (Beretta and Rocky Romero) defeated David Finlay and Henare |stip1=Tag team match |time1=05:57 |match2=Manabu Nakanishi and Yuji Nagata defeated Hunter Club (Captain New Japan and Yoshitatsu) |stip2=Tag team match |time2=06:30 |match3=Tiger Mask, Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Jyushin Thunder Liger and Satoshi Kojima |stip3=Six-man tag team match |time3=08:53 |match4=Chaos (Gedo, Hirooki Goto and Tomohiro Ishii) defeated Bullet Club (Chase Owens, Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa) |stip4=Six-man tag team match |time4=11:05 |match5=Kyle O'Reilly defeated Juice Robinson |stip5=Singles match |time5=12:59 |match6=Chaos (Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay and Yoshi-Hashi) (with Gedo) defeated Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Kenny Omega and Yujiro Takahashi) |stip6=Six-man tag team match |time6=11:31 |match7=''Los Ingobernables de Japón'' (Evil, Sanada and Tetsuya Naito) defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin and Ryusuke Taguchi |stip7=Six-man tag team match |time7=13:12 |match8=Katsuyori Shibata (c) defeated Bobby Fish (with Kyle O'Reilly) |stip8=Singles match for the NEVER Openweight Championship |time8=16:41 |match9=Bushi defeated Kushida (c) |stip9=Singles match for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship |time9=21:03 }}
===Destruction in Hiroshima=== {{Pro Wrestling results table |results=<ref name=DestructioninHiroshimaWON>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-destruction-hiroshima-results-kenny-omega-defends-his-title-shot-221346 | title = NJPW Destruction in Hiroshima results: Kenny Omega defends his title shot | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=September 22, 2016 | accessdate=September 22, 2016 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}</ref><ref name=DestructioninHiroshimaPWT>{{cite web | url = http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/09/22/922-njpw-destruction-results-kenny-omega-defends-tokyo-dome-title-shot-rights-roh-world-title-match-briscoes-vs-bucks-tag-title-match-roh-stars-action/ | title = 9/22 NJPW "Destruction" Results – Kenny Omega defends Tokyo Dome title shot rights, ROH World Title match, Briscoes vs. Bucks Tag Title match, more ROH stars | date=September 22, 2016 | accessdate=September 22, 2016 | work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref><ref name=DestructioninHiroshimaPWI>{{cite web | url = http://pwinsider.com/article/104885/yoshihashi-vs-kenny-omega-cole-vs-ospreay-briscoes-vs-bucks-and-more-detailed-922-njpw-destruction-in-hiroshima-report.html?p=1 | title = Yoshi-Hashi vs. Kenny Omega, Cole vs. Ospreay, Briscoes vs. Bucks and more: detailed 9/22 NJPW Destruction in Hiroshima report | last=Macklin | first=Matthew | date=September 22, 2016 | accessdate=September 23, 2016 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> |times=<ref name=DestructioninHiroshima>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1197 | title = Destruction in Hiroshima | accessdate=September 22, 2016 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=Japanese}}</ref> |match1=Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Ricochet and Satoshi Kojima defeated Captain New Japan, Togi Makabe and Yoshitatsu |stip1=Six-man tag team match |time1=08:20 |match2=Bobby Fish, David Finlay, Kyle O'Reilly and Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Manabu Nakanishi, Tiger Mask, Tomoaki Honma and Yuji Nagata |stip2=Eight-man tag team match |time2=06:46 |match3=Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa) defeated Roppongi Vice (Beretta and Rocky Romero) |stip3=Tag team match |time3=08:35 |match4=Chaos (Hirooki Goto and Tomohiro Ishii) defeated Bullet Club (Chase Owens and Yujiro Takahashi) |stip4=Tag team match |time4=08:39 |match5=Hiroshi Tanahashi, Juice Robinson, Kushida and Michael Elgin defeated ''Los Ingobernables de Japón'' (Bushi, Evil, Sanada and Tetsuya Naito) |stip5=Eight-man tag team match |time5=12:38 |match6=The Briscoe Brothers (Jay Briscoe and Mark Briscoe) (c) defeated The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) |stip6=Tag team match for the IWGP Tag Team Championship |time6=15:02 |match7=Adam Cole (c) defeated Will Ospreay |stip7=Singles match for the ROH World Championship |time7=12:17 |match8=Kazuchika Okada (with Gedo) defeated Bad Luck Fale (with Yujiro Takahashi) |stip8=Singles match |time8=17:03 |match9=Kenny Omega (with Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) defeated Yoshi-Hashi (with Hirooki Goto) |stip9=Singles match for the Tokyo Dome IWGP Heavyweight Championship challenge rights certificate |time9=24:44 }}
===Destruction in Kobe=== {{Pro Wrestling results table |results=<ref name=DestructioninKobeWON>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-destruction-kobe-results-elgin-defends-his-title-against-naito-221491 | title = NJPW Destruction in Kobe results: Elgin defends his title against Naito | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=September 25, 2016 | accessdate=September 25, 2016 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}</ref><ref name=DestructioninKobePWT>{{cite web | url = http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/09/25/925-new-japan-destruction-results-elgin-defends-ic-title-vs-naito-new-six-man-tag-champs-bullet-club-gets-new-member/ | title = 9/25 New Japan "Destruction" Results – Elgin defends IC Title vs. Naito, new Six-man Tag Champs, Bullet Club gets new member | date=September 25, 2016 | accessdate=September 25, 2016 | work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref><ref name=DestructioninKobePWI>{{cite web | url = http://pwinsider.com/article/104932/full-925-destruction-in-kobe-new-japan-report.html?p=1 | title = Full 9/25 Destruction in Kobe New Japan report | last=Macklin | first=Matthew | date=September 25, 2016 | accessdate=September 25, 2016 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> |times=<ref name=DestructioninKobe>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1198 | title = Destruction in Kobe | accessdate=September 25, 2016 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=Japanese}}</ref> |match1=Henare, Tiger Mask, and Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Chaos (Beretta, Rocky Romero and Will Ospreay) |stip1=Six-man tag team match |time1=06:57 |match2=Bullet Club (Chase Owens and Yujiro Takahashi) defeated Hunter Club (Captain New Japan and Yoshitatsu) |stip2=Tag team match |time2=00:48 |match3=G.B.H. (Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma) defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Teruaki Kanemitsu |stip3=Tag team match |time3=08:29 |match4=reDRagon (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly) defeated Manabu Nakanishi and Yuji Nagata |stip4=Tag team match |time4=09:43 |match5=David Finlay, Ricochet and Satoshi Kojima defeated Bullet Club (Adam Cole, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) |stip5=Six-man tag team match for the vacant NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship |time5=14:18 |match6=Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Kenny Omega, Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa) defeated Chaos (Hirooki Goto, Jay Briscoe, Mark Briscoe and Tomohiro Ishii) |stip6=Eight-man tag team match |time6=12:27 |match7=''Los Ingobernables de Japón'' (Bushi, Evil and Sanada) defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi, Juice Robinson and Kushida |stip7=Six-man tag team match |time7=12:55 |match8=Chaos (Gedo, Jado, Kazuchika Okada and Yoshi-Hashi) defeated Atsushi Kotoge, Daisuke Harada, Naomichi Marufuji and Toru Yano |stip8=Eight-man tag team match |time8=11:31 |match9=Tetsuya Naito defeated Michael Elgin (c) |stip9=Singles match for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship |time9=32:06 }}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.njpw.co.jp/ The official New Japan Pro-Wrestling website] {{2016 NJPW events}} {{New Japan Pro Wrestling events|Destruction}}
2016 Category:2016 in professional wrestling Category:September 2016 in Japan Category:Professional wrestling shows in Tokyo