Fujita retains IWGP strap

By JOHN F. MOLINARO -- SLAM! Wrestling
IWGP World heavyweight champion Kazuyuki Fujita defeated Don Frye to retain his title in the main event of New Japan's show at the Sapporo Dome today in Sapporo, Japan.

A disappointing crowd of 28,000 fans saw Fujita grab Frye in a front neck lock and secure a front guillotine submission to get the win in 17:22.

In the semi-main event, New Japan booker Masahiro Chono beat Triple Crown champion Keiji Mutoh (AKA The Great Muta) with the STF in a non-title match. Mutoh nailed Chono with his signature 'shining wizard' - knee to the head - before Chono grabbed Mutoh's leg and applied the STF for the submission in 16:09. Chono is now expected to challenge for Mutoh's Triple Crown strap in the future.

IWGP World tag tea champions Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima defeated the All Japan Pro Wrestling team of Taiyo Kea and Jinsei Shinzaki in 16:28 to retain their titles. Tenzan got the pin on Shinzaki following a moonsault press.

Masayuki Naruse won the IWGP Junior heavyweight title from Minoru Tanaka in 11:27. The ex-RINGS star pinned Tanaka following an uraken.

Gedo and Jado won the IWGP Junior tag titles from Jushin 'Thunder' Liger and El Samurai in 19:06. Jado forced Samurai to submit with a crossface to get win.

In other results: Mark Coleman defeated Yuji Nagata; Gary Goodridge of the PRIDE promotion beat Manabu Nakanishi; New Japan legends Riki Choshu and Tatsumi Fujinami teamed with Osamu Kido to beat Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kenzo Suzuki and Shinya Makabe; Tadao Yasuda beat Michiyoshi Ohara and in the opener Hiro Saito, AKIRA and Tatsutoshi Goto defeated Yutaka Yoshie, Osamu Nishimura and Shiro Koshinaka.

Several of the matches were broadcasted on the TV-Asahi network as part of a free broadcast special.

With files from Wrestling Observer