Coverage

Mitchell’s Ring of Honor Report! (2/17/18)

Published

6 years ago

February 22, 2018

Steven Mitchell

ROH WRESTLING TELEVISION, Episode 335

All images courtesy of Fite.TV app and streaming service

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Flip Gordon VS Jay Lethal; Lethal wins.
WOH Championship Tournament Opening Round match: Brandi Rhodes VS Karen Q; Brandi wins and advances to the second round.
ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championships: The Bullet Club’s “Hung Bucks” VS SoCal Uncensored; The Hung Bucks win and retain the ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championships.

PLAY BY PLAY

SoCal Uncensored speaks.

“First we introduced ourselves in New York City” when they ambushed and beat down The Bullet Club’s Hangman and Young Bucks. Then they made it clear what they were after in Philadelphia with another ambush, going after the legs of Matt & Nick Jackson. And even when Hangman rallied other allies in the American Nightmare and Villain, SCU still came out the winners. Now, Scorpio Sky & The Addiction get their shot at the ROH Six Man Tag Team titles, but “what do you think is gonna happen?!” The Bullet Club’s end is near, and you can hear a new chant approaching. “S C U! S C U!”

But the Bullet Club responds.

Nick is so excited for tonight, but why? Because they get to go after SoCal Uncensored. Matt heard that, and that it’s for their fresh new belts.

After SCU attacked them from behind twice, tonight is about revenge. Hangman shouts, “You jumped my brothers from behind! Tonight, I break ALL your legs!” He’ll break all six legs, all six arms, and all three backs and necks! Good intensity, man. The Bucks like it, but remember, kids: BTE is Drug Free, and that’s the way to be. Can the Superkick Party keep the trios titles Addiction free?

Flip Gordon VS Jay Lethal!

The leader of #FlipArmy has always impressed, win or lose. But now he’s up against one of the best in the Franchise Player! Lethal wants back towards the ROH World Championship, can he jump over Flip on his way there?

The fans love “Both these guys!” Especially when both men uphold the Code of Honor. The bell rings, and the two circle. They tie up, Lethal gets the headlock. Flip powers out but Lethal runs him over with a shoulder. Lethal goes and things speed up. Flip flips over Lethal but Lethal sweeps the legs. Flip avoids that cover completely, but Lethal sweeps the legs again. Lethal covers this time, but Flip slips out and wraps an arm for La Mahistrol. Lethal counters into his own cover, TWO and Flip finishes the Mahistrol, TWO. They stand up, Lethal Injection– No! Flip blocked the impact with a handstand!

He shakes his fingers to say, “No no no” while the fans applaud that amazing save. They tie up again, Flip gets the headlock and control while we go to break.

ROH returns to Flip giving Lethal forearms and chops. Lethal falls back into a corner, and Flip brings him back out. Flip goes to whip but Lethal holds ropes, so Flip forearms him back down. Flip backs off while the referee checks on Lethal. Lethal is good to go, so Flip whips him corner to corner. Flip runs in and hits a flipping dropkick. The fans applaud the agility as Flip goes again and hits again. Flip wants one more, and so do the fans. He goes corner to corner agani but Lethal dodges! Flip hits buckles but tumbles back onto his feet. Lethal gets the waistlock but Flip elbows out. Flip runs but into a hip toss, Lethal cartwheels but Flip rolls away. Lethal keeps moving for a spinning forearm!

Flip goes down but the fans applaud. Lethal covers, ONE, but Lethal keeps his focus. He brings Flip back up and gives him a sharp chop. Lethal keeps on Flip in the corner with forearms and stomps, then another sharp chop. Flip goes to another corner, Lethal whips him hard corner to corner. Cover, TWO, but Lethal keeps on Flip with knee drops to the back. Another cover, TWO, and now Lethal grows a bit frustrated. He lifts Flip and hits a backbreaker, TWO! Lethal insists that count should be faster, before grinding a knee into Flip’s back for a grounded clutch. The fans rally for Flip as he endures. Flip gets up and to his feet but Lethal clubs him back down. Flip swings a kick, Lethal ducks but Flip hits the second! Lethal tumbles out of the ring, and Flip sees his chance. Flip builds speed and DIVES!

Just like Lethal, Flip gets back in to build speed again. Lethal comes in and boots Flip, not letting the young star steal his signature trick. Flip rolls out of the ring, and Lethal decides to show him how it’s done! He builds speed and hits the first DIVE!

The fans want the second, and Lethal rolls back in to build speed. Flip enters the ring after him, and SUPERKICKS him! Lethal rolls back out, Flip builds speed again, but has to abort halfway when Lethal slips back into the ring. Lethal builds speed but even he has to abort when Flip slips in. He hurries back onto the apron but Flip catches him with the elevated 619!

Lethal falls to the ground but stand back up. Flip mule kicks Lethal from the apron, then climbs a corner for a SUPER Corkscrew Asai!

Fans fire up as Flip takes Lethal down and we go to break.

ROH returns again and both men have reentered the ring. Lethal shows he’s serious now by taking off his elbow pads and wrist bands. Flip matches him by taking off his own elbow pads. Lethal throws the first forearm but Flip responds. They glare at each other before Lethal throws another, and Flip throws his response. Lethal chops, Flip chops back! Another chop from Lethal, another chop from Flip. Lethal gets a single leg takedown but Flip kicks him away with the other. Flip stands up but Lethal brings him back down. Lethal goes for the Figure Four but Flip counters with the small package, TWO! Lethal mule kicks and calls for his move. He handsprings, Flip follows, Flip hits the Spring-Blade!

The fans fire up as Flip lifts Lethal into the fireman’s carry. Lethal slips out and shoves Flip to ropes, but Flip uses ropes to hop up and over Lethal as he slides. Fireman’s carry again, Flip hits the Samoan Pop! Then he rolls Lethal to his feet to rock him with a Pele! Cover, TWO! Flip was close but Lethal wasn’t dual ROH World Heavyweight and World TV Champion for nothing. The fans rally while Lethal rolls to a corner, declaring “This is Awesome!” Flip drags Lethal up and then hoists him to the top rope. He chops Lethal before jumping up, but Lethal shoves him away. Flip runs back in but into a boot, but Flip still gets to the rope to hop up and hit Kinder Surprise!

Lethal sits back while Flip climbs up. Flip grabs at Lethal but Lethal slips under, and carries Flip in powerbomb position. Flip goes to counter with a huricanrana but Lethal blocks that with strength! Lethal transitions into the Figure Four!

Flip flails and reaches, and gets the ropebreak. Lethal lets go and the two make it to their feet. Lethal kicks the leg and Flip hobbles away. Flip dodges the second kick and responds with a forearm! Flip cycles between chops and forearms, then gives a kick and back elbow to another forearm. Lethal responds with his own stiff back elbow, but then Flip responds with a jumping knee strike! Flip runs, but his leg gives out on the springboard! Lethal takes advantage to full-nelson and dragon suplex!

Handspring, Lethal Injection!

Lethal wins! Another valiant effort from Flip but the Franchise won’t be stopped on his way back to the world title.

Colt Cabana interviews Jay Lethal on the ramp.

Cabana has some “interesting news” that he must share with him. On March 9th, in Las Vegas, Nevada, aka the home of the ROH Anniversary Show, “just officially announced”, Jay Lethal VS Dalton Castle for the ROH World Championship! Lethal was saying it already, “I will be the two-time Ring of Honor–” Marty Scurll appears?

The Villain would like to know “who’s giving out title matches? Who’s making decisions around here?!” Scurll reminds us that in his time here, he’s had zero chances at the ROH WHC. Lethal tells Scurll, “There’s a reason that I’m the #1 contender!” Lethal has a long list of people he’s defeated, “and in case you don’t remember”, Scurll is on that list as of Final Battle 2017. Scurll says that if Lethal’s so confident, “when you beat Dalton Castle”, Scurll wants to be first to challenge him. What does Lethal say? Lethal being “a man of the people”, he’ll give the people what they want. When Lethal beats Castle, he’ll have “no problem” beating Scurll again. That’s just perfect for Scurll. The Villain leaves, willing to wait for his opportunity. Can Lethal hit the jackpot and defeat the Peacock in honor of ROH’s 16th Anniversary?

The WOH Tournament continues!

ROH’s Women’s Division is making history by crowning its first ever Women of Honor Champion! The Exotic Goddess defeated the Queen Bee to be the first one in.

Tonight, Mrs. American Nightmare takes on a former Victory Pro-Wrestling Women’s Champion to see who will be the second woman into the second round. Brandi knows she is the “number one underdog in this entire tournament”, given that she’s only been a pro-wrestler for about two years. However, she trains hard day in and day out, making gains every match. As for Karen, she feels she is the one and only woman fans need to focus on. Brandi respects Karen, she is so skilled and intelligent. Karen lists the number of great victories she’s gotten, from the Gatekeeper, Kelly Klein, to the Virtuosa, Deonna Purrazzo, so the veteran, Sumie Sakai.

Brandi points out that Karen isn’t the reason why Brandi finally got her first win. The reason why Brandi won is because she was able to overcome Karen’s distractions. Karen was trying to make Brandi lose so this match wouldn’t even happen. Karen vows she won’t be stopped, but Brandi says she has everything to gain from this tournament. After all, who doesn’t love a good Cinderella story?

WOH Championship Tournament Opening Round match: Brandi Rhodes VS Karen Q!

As her theme song says, Karen Q wants to be nothing but “Victorious!” in this tournament. Will she add a new Women’s Championship to her record? Or will Brandi move on to represent the Bullet Club as WOH Champion?

One thing’s for sure, Karen shows no mercy. She attacks Brandi while she’s standing on the ropes! Karen forearms away while the referee hurries to ring the bell. She bumps Brandi off buckles then throws in more forearms. Karen whips Brandi corner to corner but Brandi goes up and over to arm-drag Karen. Brandi has Karen in an armlock but Karen gets to her feet. Karen whips Brandi but Brandi hurdles over her. Brandi kicks Karen then knee strike. She whips Karen and drops her with a dropkick. The fans applaud while Karen gets to a corner. Brandi storms over but Karen yanks her into buckles. The fans chant for Brandi while Karen stomps a mudhole into her. Karen shouts that she wants everyone to focus on her while she goes after Brandi. She puts Brandi in a corner, then chops before grinding in a boot. Karen backs off but then comes back to grind her boot back into Brandi’s face.

She backs off at 4, then embraces the heat as she goes to the opposite corner. Karen uses her diving and gymnastics skills to handspring and tumble corner to corner for the forearm smash. She keeps going and hits a back heel kick, then runs again for the boot! Brandi drops down but Karen fires up and throws Brandi with an exploder suplex! Karen has control while we go to break.

ROH returns to Karen still in control. Brandi is down, Karen runs to the ropes, somersault senton into standing moonsault!

TWO, and Karen grows frustrated. She drags Brandi over while fans rally. Karen climbs up to the top rope, takes aim and leaps, but her Frog Splash flops when Brandi rolls away! The fans rally for Brandi again while both women slowly stand up. Brandi blocks and responds then chops and chops Karen, she even gives a bionic elbow!

She keeps going, whipping but Karen reverses. Brandi dodges the double ax handle, and hits a Slingblade! Cover, TWO! She drags Karen up, but Karen gets the takedown. Brandi shoves Karen into a corner, then runs in but misses. Karen runs back in, but into a back elbow. Brandi hops up, but Karen deflects the missile dropkick. Karen rolls Brandi over and puts on the full Boston Crab!

Brandi endures and drags herself to ropes! She gets the ropebreak! Karen holds on until 4, then embraces some heat before going back to Brandi. Karen says, “I’ve had enough of you”, then chops and forearms away in the corner. She whips Brandi corner to corner but Brandi goes up and over. However, Brandi’s landing jams an ankle and she staggers back onto her butt. Karen wants at her, but Brandi needs to be checked. Karen doesn’t care, she grabs Brandi anyway, but falls for the trap! Small package, Brandi wins!! And gets out of the ring asap. Whether Karen likes it or not, Brandi is leaving her behind for the quarterfinals! Can she shock the world and go all the way?

Dalton Castle speaks.

“Cantaloupes, beanbag chairs, and baby bunnies.”

Imagine it all, the little rabbits hopping along. However, Marty Scurll interrupts.

The Villain apologizes for the interjection, but he felt this was the best time to talk to the champion, seeing as how Castle’s in “a very, very good mood.” He’d have to be in a good mood, since he’s going around offering title opportunities. What a good champion he’s become. But Scurll reminds Castle of the opportunity he once gave the Peacock. Scurll gets to his point, which he is sure Castle already knows, but should Castle retain his championship at the 16th Anniversary Show in Vegas, Scurll would like to be first up to challenge him. “How do you like them apples?” Castle feels Scurll doesn’t really know what he’s asking for. In that case, Scurll simply wants Castle to consider the deal. The Villain takes his leave, is he hoping to line up a shot no matter who wins between Castle and Lethal?

ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championships: The Bullet Club’s “Hung Bucks” VS SoCal Uncensored!

When The Addiction couldn’t gain ground in the ROH Two Man Tag Team Division, they recruited one Scorpio Sky to help them join the ROH Six Man Tag Team Division! They went right to work on the champions, but found extra motivation in the ultimatum from Joe Koff. Can they grab the titles off Hangman and the Young Bucks with ten months to spare?

The bell rings and the Problem Solver starts against his old nemesis in the Heavy Metal Rebel. Kaz throws a haymaker and Hangman responds, we have a fast and furious brawl already! They go back and forth, then at the same time, neither man backing down. The fists only stop flying because the two tire out, but then they come back for a solid collision of clotheslines. Hangman swings but misses, Kaz kicks low and whips him to a corner. Kaz runs in but Hangman runs out, Hangman runs Kaz over with a clothesline. Hangman keeps going with haymakers and stomps in a corner, but Daniels and Scorpio come in to attack from behind. They also go after the Bucks, then return to stomping Hangman. The referee wants them to go back to the corner, but while Kaz rolls out, Daniels & Scorpio whip Hangman. Hangman ducks the double lariat, swings two of his own, but Daniels & Scorpio duck. The Bucks come in, double dropkicks know Daniels & Scorpio down! Matt baits Daniels into Nick’s gutbuster, then runs to say “You’re dead, old man!” with a rolling neckbreaker-backbreaker combo!

Scorpio returns but gets double back elbows. The Bucks roll Scorpio into a wheelbarrow, Nick back kicks Scorpio before hitting the cutter!

Daniels returns and Hangman is ready. He lifts Daniels in a fireman’s carry, but then Kaz returns. Hangman’s ready for him, too, as he kicks Kaz low. Hangman dumps Daniels then uses Kaz for the dropsault!

The fans are loving this, they give a standing ovation to the Hung Bucks. The SCU roll out of the ring while fans chant “The! Elite! The the Elite!” SCU regroups and takes their time returning, but Nick won’t let them rest, he builds speed and FLIES!

He wipes out the entire SCU, but that’s not all. The Bullet Club coordinate, and together Terminator kneel. Fans start up the drums, and the Terminators rise. Hangman builds speed and the Bucks join in for a TRIPLE DIVE!

Hangman puts Kaz back in, slingshot for the Buckshot! Daniels breaks the cover, but Hangman shoves him away to rock him with a discus forearm. Hangman returns to Kaz but gets a jawbreaker. Tag to Scorpio, and he climbs up, only to jump into Hangman’s boot! Scorpio bails out of the ring but Hangman pursues. The Addiction go after him but he fights them both off. While Hangman’s busy with Kaz, Daniels grabs him from behind. Kaz backs up to swing a clothesline, but Hangman ducks to let that hit Daniels!

Hangman then knocks Kaz down with a clothesline before putting Scorpio back in. Hangman takes aim from the apron, but Daniels kicks out his legs! Scorpio takes advantage by hitting Hangman with a slingshot, wrecking ball dropkick. While the ref is busy with the protesting Bucks, Daniels brings Hangman up and whips him into Kaz’s lariat. The SCU embraces the heat while Scorpio mocks the Bucks with a One Sweet. Daniels puts Hangman back in, Scorpio covers, ONE. Scorpio snapmares Hangman and scrapes boots on the face. Tag to Daniels, he kicks Hangman in the ribs. He bends Hangman back on the ropes, but then backs off at 4. Daniels keeps the ref busy so that Kaz can choke Hangman on the ropes! The Bucks are irate while the challengers are underhandedly in control, we go to break.

ROH returns, and the SCU are still in control. Kaz knocks down the Bucks while fans rally for Hangman. He pushes Hangman to the SCU’s corner but Hangman fights back! Scorpio and Daniels go down, but Kaz kicks low. Kaz whips but Hangman slides out to SUPERKICK Scorpio! Hangman baits Kaz into a boot, then slingshots but Kaz dodges the Buckshot. They speed up, and collide with a big double clothesline!

Both men are down but the fans applaud. Kaz stirs, and tags to Daniels. Daniels grabs Hangman but Hangman pushes him away, hot tag to Matt! However, both Bucks get in and run both Daniels and Scorpio down with clotheslines. The Bucks kick low, then Nick runs for the pop-up double missile dropkick! Daniels and Scorpio end up in opposite corners, and the Bucks whip them. Scorpio and Daniels reverse, but the Bucks do-si-do and duck clotheslines to double SUPERKICK!

The Bucks keep going, working together so that Nick can run the ropes for an acrobatic dropkick-crossbody combo! They spot Kaz returning, headscissors and dropkick combo! The fans fire up as the Bucks target Daniels now. Matt has Daniels in powerbomb position while Nick goes to the apron. Matt puffs then puts it out, and they hit the buckle bomb kick combo!
Daniels collapses, Matt puts him position, and Nick climbs up. The Bucks build energy with the fans, and hit the standing moonsault Frog Splash combo!

Matt covers, TWO! The fans want the Bucks to “call Uncle Dave”, so they bring Daniels up again. However, Nick has to fight off Scorpio Kaz slithers in. Kaz slingshots Nick in for a cutter!

Matt lets Daniels go to go after Kaz, SUPERKICK! Daniels gets up, but gets a SUPERKICK! Daniels rolls out, Matt builds speed and hits Daniels with a wrecking ball dropkick. However, Scorpio returns to dropkick Matt mid-reentry. The Bucks regroup, but Scorpio FLIES!

But Hangman has climbed up high, he jumps for the SUPER Asai Moonsault!

Everyone is down but the fans are all fired up. Matt gets up and puts Daniels in the ring while fans declare “This is Awesome!” Daniels crawls while Matt fires himself up. Matt tunes up the band, SUP– No, Daniels deflects to then kick low. He calls for his move but Matt counters Angel’s Wings with a huricanrana! Kaz returns, armed with a title belt, but Matt SUPERKICKS him away. Daniels comes back in but Matt takes him down, and puts on the “Cease” Sharpshooter!

Daniels endures and drags himself to ropes, but Nick comes in for a slingshot facebuster! Nick keeps moving with a cartwheel asai onto Scorpio, and Matt drags Daniels away from the ropes. The sharpshooter is still on, so Kaz drags the ref out of the ring! Daniels taps but the ref doesn’t see it while arguing with Kaz. Nick won’t stand for this, so he triangle jump corkscrews onto Kaz!

But Scorpio uses that title belt as a weapon on Matt!!

This also goes unseen because the referee is busy checking on Nick and Kaz. Daniels covers, but there’s no count. The referee sees it, hurries back in, as does Hangman! Unfortunately, the referee is faster, and counts the three! The SCU WIN!!

The Bullet Club is besides themselves, but the SCU win to make Daniels an ROH Grand Slam Champion!

But now, Bully Ray appears!

The living legend and new ROH Enforcer comes out to address the controversy. Ever since Final Battle, Bully’s been to every show and watched every match. It’s like the Wild West out here, where everyone does exactly what they want to do. Wrestlers are “putting hands on referees, not following the rules, hitting people in the head with belts?!” Bully saw it all, and says that what’s lacking in Ring of Honor is the honor. The fans agree, but SCU doesn’t seem to care. But Bully lets us know he was just talking to COO Joe Koff. Koff told Bully to “do whatever you need to do to get some order back in this company.” Bully doesn’t want to be a boss, a general manager, or any kind of authority figure, but what he will be is THE Enforcer. That said, Bully is here to enforce the Code of Honor; the same Code “guys like Nigel McGuinness” started here. SoCal Uncensored won’t be getting away “with this crap” any more. What’s Bully talking about? He’s talking about restarting this match! The fans like that idea, and those are the voices that truly matter, because this is a decision “we are making together.” Bully and the fans determine what happens, so again, do the fans want to restart the match? “YES!!” And with that, Bully tells the ref to ring the bell!

ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championships: The Bullet Club’s “Hung Bucks” VS SoCal Uncensored, RESTARTED!

The SCU turn around, into TRIPLE SUPERKICKS!!

But they’re not done yet! The fans are thunderous as Nick goes to the apron to Penalty Kick Kaz down. Hangman takes Scorpio out with a Shooting Star shoulder!

Nick kicks Daniels out of a corner and Matt scoops him into piledriver position. With the fans at a fever pitch, Nick springboards for the FIVE STAR Meltzer Driver!!

The Hung Bucks win and retain! No Grand Slams tonight, just honor and justice!

Now Daniels and SoCal Uncensored are the ones besides themselves with rage. Will they be able to win those ROH Six Man Tag titles fair and square next time?

My Thoughts:

What an incredible episode of ROH right here. Flip Gordon is so close to being a big star, given the great performance he has against Jay Lethal. There was great story telling as well, with Lethal not wanting to lose to a younger guy just yet, but also that Flip only lost because of one mistake. Great to hear Lethal will be the challenger at the Vegas Anniversary Show, the equivalent of Wrestlemania for ROH. Also good to see Scurll come out to protest, same as how he did last week. Now I can’t be sure, but I think Marty Scurll is trying to set up some sort of verbal contract MITB situation in ROH. He keeps asking anyone and everyone connected to the ROH WHC for the first match up after they win/retain the title. I bet he’ll come out the moment Castle VS Lethal ends to “cash in” on their agreement, using their own word to keep them to it. And even if Castle or Lethal refuse to face him that night, he can use that against them to wear them down and goad them into a match. I’m not sure if Scurll will win the title even with that, but it’d be very creative and unique for ROH to do this.

Compared to last week’s match of Mandy VS Madison, Brandi VS Karen was a bit crisper of a WOH match. There was a part where Karen went a bit soft on the forearm smash, but otherwise she and Brandi played things just right. Brandi does a bit of Tweener tactics, but that’s just how Bullet Club is sometimes. Her possible next round opponents are Stacy Shadows or Tenille (Emma) Dashwood, and I’m going to go ahead and choose Tenille for that one. Brandi VS Tenille for a match of women WWE didn’t keep would be fun for ROH, and only a 51-49 split favoring Tenille in my estimation. Brandi beating the talented Karen and then surprising the exciting newcomer would be big for the wife of the man with the most lucrative contract in ROH history. Then the main event was really big, really unpredictable and therefore, really fun. I was shocked that SCU won, even if it was with underhanded tactics. Then it was more surprising to see Bully come out and be the “not authority figure” to correct things. Though in retrospect, it makes sense SCU doesn’t get it yet, because they still have literal months before their contracts are up. Their chase needs to be extended so that when they win closer to the deadline, it means even more to everyone.

My Score: 8.5/10

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Up Next

Mitchell’s NJPW Report: AXS TV New Beginnings in Sapporo Part 1!

Don't Miss

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Report! (2/21/18)

AEW Coverage

Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (4/24/24)

Anybody can get it!

Published

3 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Steven Mitchell

The Maniac takes on the Powerhouse!

In the wake of AEW Dynasty, in perhaps Will Hobbs’ biggest match, he takes on IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Jon Moxley! Will the Don Callis Family have even more gold?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

AEW World Championship Eliminator: Swerve Strickland VS Kyle Fletcher; wins and
Mina Shirakawa VS Anna Jay; wins.
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

The Elite arrives at Daily’s Place.

They roll up together in the same SUV, showing off all their gold, from Kazuchika Okada still being the AEW Continental Champion to The Young Bucks being the NEW AEW World Tag Team Champions. Matthew congratulates The Rainmaker, and says he is so proud. Nicholas says he is proud of being the first-ever THREE-TIME AEW World Tag Team Champions. Wait, who is this pulling up next? It’s JACK PERRY! He just smiles at the cameraman, and Matt says alright, gentlemen, it’s a big night! They head in, but then security flags Jack down, saying he can’t be here.

Matt has security stop there, Jack is with The Elite. Hands off the merchandise. And cameraman, stick with The Elite, they’ve got some business to attend to. The Scapegoat walks with The Elite, just what will they do on this Homecoming night?

Orange Cassidy is here!

Daily’s Place fires up as Freshly Squeezed makes his way out, or rather is TOSSED out by Trent Beretta! Trent’s modified the old T-Shirt so it now reads, “Trent ~~& Orange~~ w/ Chuck Taylor win the big one.” Trent DECKS Cassidy down the ramp while fans boo the further betrayal! Trent DECKS Cassidy again, and Cassidy flops into the ring! Trent rains down fists, soaks up the heat, and then he gets a mic. “Chuck. Chuck, it’s time. Please get out here.” Trent waits, but tells the fans they have no idea what they’re talking about so please. Chuck walks out on stage and Trent apologizes? He is sorry… that he didn’t do this a long time ago!

Trent is sorry that Best Friends spent five YEARS hugging a narcissistic p*ick! Cassidy was brought in here to be their sidekick, yet somehow he made Best Friends into his lackies! Best Friends fought for Cassidy, protected him, did EVERYTHING for him, and yet Cassidy gave them NOTHING! Cassidy does NOT care about Chuck! Cassidy is NOT his friend! Trent looms over Cassidy while the fans rally for “FRESHLY SQUEEZED! FRESHLY SQUEEZED!” Trent tells Chuck that Trent cares about him. Trent IS Chuck’s friend. So please… Do the right thing and give the people what they want. Trent tosses the mic to Chuck so he can respond.

Trent holds his arms open, and then Chuck holds his arms open, to then stop and say he always thought Trent was a POS! Chuck DECKS Trent!! Trent tumbles away, gets back up, but avoids Chuck’s haymaker! The Kentucky Gentleman tells Trent he knows that they won’t clear Chuck for a fight in this ring. But Chuck doesn’t wanna fight in this ring, he wants to fight in the damn parking lot!! The fans go nuts hearing that! Trent shakes his head, but will he have no choice but to fight his former Best Friend?

Jon Moxley speaks.

“I am confident tonight that I will defend successfully my IWGP Championship, but I don’t want you to mistake that for arrogance, or ignorance, or an underestimation of my opponent, ‘Powerhouse’ Hobbs. I know exactly who ‘Powerhouse’ Hobbs is, what he’s capable of. A truck of a man who hits like one, too. Born and bred with a killer instinct, an instinct I can see and smell from a mile away. I’m acutely aware of what’s at stake tonight. I know it’ll only take one mistake for my entire world to come crashing down around me. And I know that this Callis Family put a hit out on my friend, so I know just how far they’re willing to go to get an edge to win.

“But nobody knows better than me what it takes to get to the top. More importantly, what it takes to stay at the top. So I know, honestly, for me, tonight’s gonna suck. It’s gonna be a walk through Hell. A march through mud and fire, slings and arrows, a march through Hell. But there’s no place I’d rather be, there’s no better way to feel alive. I don’t play golf, man. This is pro-wrestling, this is the king of sports, the greatest thing int he world. And tonight, I’m gonna remind the world just who I am, in case they’ve forgotten. When all the oxygen is pulled out of Powerhouse’s lungs and his carcass hits the canvas, they’re gonna feel it, from Jacksonville to Tokyo!”

The Maniac heads out, but will the Book of Hobbs’ next chapter be written in gold?

AEW World Championship Eliminator: Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS Kyle Fletcher!

Whose Dynasty? SWERVE’S DYNASTY! Because The Realest did dethrone the One True King of Wrestling Television to become the NEW AEW World Champion! Prince Nana leads the way with his dance as Swerve looks to be a fighting champion! Will Swerve snipe the Aussie Arrow? Or will the Don Callis Family already have a win on a world champion to start the night?

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/23/24)

GO ACE! GO ACE!

Published

23 hours ago

April 23, 2024

Steven Mitchell

The House of Torture gets another try!

Despite losing in the NEVER Openweight Six Man title tournament, the House of Torture get one more shot against Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg! But will shuffling the deck really help the King of Darkness trump President Ace?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Shoma Kato VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
8 Man Tag: El Desperado, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & Katsuya Murashima VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg win and retain the titles.
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Yota Tsuji VS Gedo; Tsuji wins.
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: BUSHI VS Gabe Kidd; Gabe wins.
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Shingo Takagi VS Clark Connors; Takagi wins.
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Tetsuya Naito VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Drilla wins.
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Hiromu Takahashi VS David Finlay; Finlay wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture!

Don’t adjust your screens, this is not a rematch from Wrestling World in Taiwan. That’s because while The Ace, the Joker and the Rook won the tournament, they’re up against a different formation! The King of Darkness and Heel Master now have Tokyo Pimp as their third man, but will that change be enough to change the result? Or will Tanahshi-sachou and team be an undefeated combination?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if Darkness Falls!

The teams sort out, and Oleg starts against Yoshinobu Kanemaru. The fans rally behind “BO-LU-TIN! BO-LU-TIN!” as he circles with Kanemaru, but then Evil & Yujiro attack! The fans boo, Tanahashi & Yano hurry in but Evil & Yujiro get them first! Kanemaru drags Oleg out of the ring to stomp him down while Evil & Yujiro have Tanahashi & Yano in corners. Yujiro fires forearms, Evil CHOPS, then the House all whips. But Oleg reverses and sends Kanemaru into railing! And Tanahashi & Yano reverse to send Evil & Yujiro into each other! Oleg returns to CLOBBER Evil & Yujiro! The fans fire up as now Yano & Tanahashi intercept Kanemaru.

Tanahashi & Yano whip Kanemaru to Oleg for a scoop and SLAM! The fans rally behind the champs as Oleg paces around Kanemaru. Oleg stomps Kanemaru, tags Tanahashi, and Tanahashi eggs Evil on. Evil tags in, Tanahashi kicks first! Tanahashi fires hands, UPPERCUTS, then tears away the “President Evil” shirt to TOSS it away! Evil is furious, he made that himself! Tanahashi throws a body shot, then whips Evil corner to corner. Evil reverses, runs in, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up for the air guitar and Tanahashi tags in Yano! Yano unties a buckle pad, dodges Evil, then gives Evil the pad!

The ref reprimands Evil and confiscates the pad, and Yano SLAPS Evil on the head! Yano whips, Evil reverses, but Yano avoids the bare buckles. Evil runs up to SLAP Yano, and shove him into the buckles! Kanemaru & Yujiro BLAST Tanahashi & Oleg off the corner! Evil SMACKS Yano with the pad! Evil TOSSES Yano out of the ring, distracts the ref, and that lets Dick DECK Yano! Dick drags Yano up and puts him in the ring for Evil to cover. TWO! Evil is upset with the “slow count,” and he tags Kanemaru. Kanemaru runs to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Kanemaru ELBOWS Yano in the head!

Kanemaru snapmares Yano down into a chinlock and drags him to the corner. The ref reprimands but Yujiro tags in. Kanemaru lets go, so that Yujiro can CHOKE Yano! The ref counts, Yujiro lets off, and he drags Yano back up. Yujiro whips Yano into the bare buckles! Yano suffers his own trick, and Yujiro brings him up to knee low. Yujiro snapmares, drops a leg, then drops an elbow! Then he drops a HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Yujiro tags to Evil. Evil BLASTS Tanahashi & Oleg off the corner! Dick distracts the ref so Evil can put Yano in the COBRA TWIST, and link up with the others!

The fans boo but the House gets away with that. Evil covers, TWO! Evil is even more upset with the ref, and he drags Yano up. Evil reels Yano in for a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Wait, who is ringing the bell? Dick is ringing the bell, and Kanemaru is giving the announcement that they’ve won! The fans boo, this is of course a farce. Tanahashi & Oleg storm over, scaring off Dick and Kanemaru. Evil tags Kanemaru, then TOSSES Yano outside. Kanemaru drags Yano back up to whip him into railing! Then DDT to the floor! Yano is down in enemy territory while Tanahashi argues with the ref.

The fans rally up but Yujiro puts Yano in. Kanemaru covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Kanemaru drags Yano around. Yano is dead weight so Kanemaru leaves him behind to BLAST Tanahashi! Kanemaru drags Yano up but Yano pulls hair! Kanemaru CLAWS Yano’s eyes! Kanemaru whips, Yano reverses and throws him down by his hair! The fans fire up as Yano crawls, hot tag to Oleg! The fans fire up as Oleg CLOBBERS Kanemaru, BLASTS Evil & Yujiro, then runs in at the corner. Kanemaru BOOTS Oleg, runs, but into a POP-UP BEARHUG! Kanemaru endures, but then Oleg turns that into a BIG suplex! The fans fire up as Oleg storms around.

Oleg deadlift gut wrenches, but Dick gets on the apron. Oleg drops Kanemaru to scare Dick off. But then Yano puts Dick in! Dick prays and begs for mercy, but Oleg just deadlift gut wrenches him! Shake, Rattle and THROW! And a kip up!? Oleg then gets Kanemaru back up, Shake, Rattle, and some more shaking, and THROW! Oleg roars, runs, and SPLASHES down! Cover, Evil & Yujiro break it! Then they BLAST Tanahashi & Yano! The House stomps away on Oleg, then drag him up. They double whip Oleg to a corner, then Yujiro BOOTS! Evil clotheslines! They snapmare, Kanemaru distracts the ref, and Dick goes up!

The fans boo but Dick hits the DICK CHOP! Kanemaru covers, TWO!! The fans fire up but Evil tags back in. Evil and Kanemaru get Oleg up to suplex, but Oleg fights it! Oleg DOUBLE SUPLEXES back! Hot tag to Tanahashi! Ace of the Universe meets King of Darkness, and Tanahashi runs to CLOBBER Evil! Tanahashi fires forearms and body shots on Evil, then scoop SLAMS him into a drop zone! Tanahashi goes up to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Tanahashi as he waits on Evil. Tanahashi runs, but Evil goes to the corner! Evil LARIATS Tanahashi down! Tag to Yujiro and he storms up on Tanahashi.

Yujiro brings Tanahashi up to knee low and fire forearms. Yujiro CHOPS then runs up, to BOOT! Yujiro then runs, to BOOT again! Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi runs, but Yujiro TOSSES him out! Evil is there to set Tanahashi up for a whiskey bottle shot! Evil puts Tanahashi back in, then he and the rest go after Oleg and Yano! Yujiro gets Tanahashi up for an INCOLLE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Yujiro goes for his pimp cane, but the ref stops him! That leaves Dick open to use the SPOILER CHOKER on Tanahashi!! The fans boo as President Ace suffers! Tanahashi fades out, Dick slips away, and Yujiro laughs.

Yujiro drags Tanahashi up while the fans rally. Yujiro reels Tanahashi in, but Yano gets in to grab Yujiro! Kanemaru gets in while the ref is distracted again! But Yano ducks, the WHISKEY MIST hits Yujiro! LOW BLOW for Kanemaru! But Evil LOW BLOWS Yano! So Tanahashi LOW BLOWS Evil! Dick gets in but Tanahashi kicks the ropes! Dick falls, Oleg returns, and he gets Yujiro up! Tanahashi climbs, Oleg hits the KAMIKAZE SENTON! Then Tanahashi HIGH FLY FLOWS!! Cover, Team Go Ace wins!

Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

The House of Torture tried their usual tricks, but Tanahashi’s team proved they could play that, too! The Ace, the Joker & The Rook stand tall again, will The House have to start playing a different game?

LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Yota Tsuji VS Gedo!

While Los Ingobernables de Japon and the Bullet Club War Dogs have already done battle on this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, tonight is a best of five series! Will it be Gene Blast or Blacksmith that sets the tone for tonight?

The moment Yota hops off the corner, Gedo takes a swing! Yota dodges and GENE BLASTER!! The bell rings, Yota covers, Yota wins!!

Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall

Well not sure about the tone but this sure set a new record! From bell the bell, that was FIVE SECONDS! Score one for LIJ already, and Yota helps roll Gedo out of the ring. Will LIJ make this a shut out? Or will the other War Dogs be a bit smarter about the pitches they throw across the plate?

LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: BUSHI VS Gabe Kidd!

Round two is here sooner than expected after what we just saw, and the Black Mask is up against the #WarReady Mad Man. Gabe vows to take back everything NJPW used to mean, but will he get War Dogs on the board? Or will Bushi keep things tranquilo?

Bushi climbs onto the corner and Gabe rushes him! Bushi jumps over, the bell rings and Bushi DROPKICKS Gabe down! Bushi whips, Gabe reverses but Bushi ducks ‘n ‘dodges to RANA! Gabe bails out, Bushi builds speed, but Gabe gets away. Bushi slides out, but Gabe kicks and CHOPS! Gabe UPPERCUTS Bushi down, then drags Bushi up to dig at Bushi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Gabe storms around and mockingly calls upon the wrestling gods. Gabe runs but Bushi dodges, Gabe crashes into railing! The fans fire up while Bushi rises. Bushi brings Gabe up, fires forearms, then brings Gabe around. Gabe blocks the bump off the apron to whip Bushi hard into railing!

Bushi flounders and Gabe snarls while the fans rally up. Gabe storms out to open the way to the orange bleachers! Gabe ROCKS Bushi, brings him around and they go up into the stands. Gabe HEADBUTTS Bushi down, shouts “I’m a MAD MAN, y’know!” then continues up to the next level. Bushi fights the lift but Gabe CLUBS him! Gabe lifts again but Bushi still fights! Gabe CLUBS away on Bushi, CHOPS and HAYMAKERS! Gabe backs up, flips everyone off, and he runs back in, but Bushi dropkicks the leg! Bushi SMACKS Gabe off railing, then he goes up higher into the stands! Bushi stands on the ledge, to SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go Gabe and the Young Lions!

The fans are thunderous as Bushi rises, and he brings Gabe up. Bushi headlocks Gabe to bring him back down the bleachers. Gabe throws body shots but Bushi throws hands in return. Bushi brings Gabe back to ground level, then through the gate. They return to ringside but Gabe CLUBS Bushi down again. Gabe HEADBUTTS, then he puts Bushi in. The fans rally, but Gabe drags Bushi around to ROCK him again. Gabe has Bushi on the apron, CLUBS him again, then brings Bushi out. Bushi fights the suplex to throw body shots! Gabe HEADBUTTS again, but Bushi fires more hands! Bushi puts Gabe in and the fans cheer.

Bushi drags Gabe up but blocks his haymaker to spin and DDT! Cover, TWO! Bushi goes to a corner while Gabe sputters. Gabe stands, Bushi runs in, but no Code Breaker! Gabe ELBOWS, JABS and YUKON LARIATS! Gable copies Takagi, covers, TWO! Gabe flips off the fans, they boo, and so he just flips them off more. Gabe eggs Bushi on, taunts him, so Bushi CHOPS! Gabe dusts himself off, Bushi CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS, says Bushi ain’t got nothing, but Bushi fires a flurry! Gabe CHOPS again, Bushi DOUBLE CHOPS! Gabe UPPERCUTS, then he gut wrenches! But Bushi slips free and shoves!

Gabe blocks one kick, ducks the enzigiri, but not the REWIND HEEL! Bushi reels Gabe in, for a DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and flounders away while the fans fire up. Gabe flops right out of the ring but Bushi pursues. Bushi drags Gabe up, but Gabe HEADBUTTS him back down! Gabe rips away the LIJ shirt to tell them to suck it! Gabe SPITS on the shirt, throws it down, then goes back for Bushi. Gabe puts Bushi in, Bushi goes to a corner, and Gabe runs in to clothesline! Gabe suplexes, Bushi slips free, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and uses the ref as a shield! BLACK MIST!! Bushi gets the better of Gabe and hooks the arms!

Gabe fights the backslide, BOOTS the ref, so the ref can’t see the Bushi Roll! Bushi would’ve had this one! Bushi goes to check on the ref but Gabe storms up to HAYMAKER! Gabe shouts at the ref, drags him back up, and then storms over to Bushi! PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Gabe wins!

Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall

The series is tied 1-1, and Gabe shouts for water to wash out the mist. LIJ VS War Dogs aside, Gabe now has momentum going into his NEVER Openweight Championship match with Shingo Takagi. Will the Rampaging Dragon be just as #WarReady as Gabe after tonight?

LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Shingo Takagi VS Clark Connors!

Speaking of the NEVER Openweight Champion, he’s third up in the batting order, ready to drive home another run. Will the Rampaging Dragon score and soar towards Wrestling Dontaku? Or will he be struck out by 100 Proof?

Takagi and Connors get in each other’s face and talk some trash. Connors shoves but the ref has them both back down. Connors gets all fired up, Takagi says okay then, and the bell rings, only for Connors to bail out. The fans boo Connors trolling them, but he says tranquilo. Takagi paces while Connors goes around the outside. Takagi dares Connors to get in but Connors dares Takagi to come on out. The fans rally up so Connors goes back to the apron. Connors steps in, fires up, but then bails out. But Takagi pursues! They go around the ring, back in, and then Connors RAMS Takagi! But Takagi doesn’t fall!

Connors runs again, RAMS Takagi, but still Takagi stays up. Connors fires forearm after forearm after forearm, but then Takagi ROCKS, KNEES, CLUBS and CHOPS! And JABS! Takagi whips, Connors ducks ‘n’ dodges to RAM Takagi! Takagi rebounds, but Connors runs him over! The fans fire up while Takagi goes to a corner. Connors runs corner to corner to clothesline, then he reels Takagi in. Takagi fights the suplex, and he suplexes Connors instead! The fans fire up again but Connors bails back out. Takagi pursues, JABS, then SMACKS Connors off the apron. Takagi follows Connors around, POSTS him, and the fans cheer.

Takagi stomps Connors, Connors goes around the way but Takagi follows. Takagi runs up to BOOT Connors, then follows him. Connors uses a Young Lion as a shield, then shoves him into Takagi! Connors then whips Takagi into railing! Takagi leans against railing and Connors UPPERCUTS! Connor opens the gate and pushes Takagi into No Man’s Land. Connors brings Takagi around to SMACK off the wood bleachers! Takagi hits back, they brawl, and Takagi knees low! Takagi whips, Connors reverses and Takagi is sent into the wall of the hallway! Connors throws up the Too Sweet but the fans boo.

Connors brings Takagi back to SMACK into the gate, then POST! Connors reels Takagi in, to snap suplex to the floor! Takagi writhes, the ref reprimands but Connors wants the ring count to start. The ring count does start, and Connors scoops a Young Lion to SLAM him onto Takagi! And then he grabs another Young Lion to SPINEBUSTER onto Takagi! Connors slides into the ring at 10 of 20 while Takagi pushes the Young Lions off him. Takagi stands at 17, hurries up at 18, but Connors SPEARS him down! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this and the fans rally, but Connors keeps on Takagi with a half nelson.

Takagi fights as Connors goes for the full nelson! Takagi reaches out but Connors keeps him from ropes. Takagi fights to his feet, powers up, but Connors keeps the nelson! The fans rally more as Takagi keeps fighting. Takagi powers the hold open, but Connors spins him to knee low! Connors whips, but Takagi avoids the snap powerslam! Takagi runs up to SLIDING- NO, Connors dodges, but runs into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! The fans fire up and Takagi goes to a corner. Connors flounders around, rises up, and Takagi storms up to the corner. Takagi clotheslines, then JABS and CHPOS on repeat! Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS and CHOPS!

Takagi whips corner to corner, runs in to clothesline again, then short arm LARIAT! Takagi scoops Connors to SLAM him, then he goes up and up for the FALLING ELBOW DROP! Takagi hauls Connors up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Connors is still in this but Takagi looks around. The fans rally with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi says, “OI, KORAKUEN! TOKI GA KITA!!” The time has come and the “OI! OI! OI!” continues. Takagi brings Connors up, pump handle, but Connors fights the lift! Connors throws elbows, then ROCKS Takagi! Takagi eggs Connors on, Connors throws another forearm! Takagi fires back!

Connors fires more forearms, but Takagi HEADBUTTS! Connors HEADBUTTS, but he’s the one wobbling! Connors ROCKS Takagi with a forearm, then eggs Takagi on. Takagi ROCKS Connors with boxing elbows! Takagi runs, Connors follows to LARIAT against ropes! Connors runs but Takagi follows to KNEE against ropes! Takagi keeps moving, Connors gets under to come back and POUNCE! Then a whip and SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! But Connors powers up and runs, to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!?! The fans fire up but Connors aims from a corner! Connors runs in to SPEAR!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous!

Connors rises, Takagi stirs, and Connors brings Takagi up. But Takagi fights No Chaser! Takagi wrenches out to JAB! And HEADBUTT! Connors dodges the lariat, but runs into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Takagi runs up to PUMPING BOMBER! Then SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Connors shakes his head as he stays in this, but Takagi roars! Takagi pump handles for MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Connors survives and shocks Takagi, but the fans are thunderous again! “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi powers up. Takagi runs, but Connors dodges! But PUMPING BOMBER still finds him! Cover, Takagi wins!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall

We’re halfway done and LIJ takes the lead! Takagi has momentum for himself, too, but will the Rampaging Dragon be #WarReady for Gabe Kidd? Or will Wrestling Dontaku be the end of the road for Takagi?

LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Tetsuya Naito VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!

The Uncontrollable Charisma may no longer be IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but we all know he never lets things get to him. Will he therefore stay tranquilo as he looks to win this series for his team? Or will he lose a shootout with the .44 Caliber?

As always, Naito takes his time with his entrance attire. Drilla mockingly asks what happened to his belt, but Naito doesn’t let that get his goat. The fans rally for Naito and that annoys Drilla. Naito puts the pants away, the bell rings, and Drilla runs up! But Naito puts him on the apron, and sweeps the legs! Then he DROPKICKS Drilla down! Naito goes out slowly to fetch Drilla, CLUB him on the neck, and then CLUB him again. Naito CLUBS Drilla more, cravats for a neck wrench, and even grinds Drilla against railing! The ref counts, Naito puts Drilla in, and the fans applaud. But Drilla comes back to WRECK Naito with a dropkick!

Drilla whips Naito hard into railing, and Naito gets stuck! Drilla dumps him over, tells fans off about cheering for Naito, then drags Naito up and around. Drilla CHOPS Naito, follows him along the way, and whips him hard into railing! The fans applaud the impressive speed and strength, but Drilla leaves Naito behind as Naito slumps into the front row. The ring count climbs, Naito sits up at 7 of 20. Naito finds his way around to the gate at 12, steps in at ringside, and rolls in at 15. Drilla throws Naito’s hat at him, then stomps away! Drilla drags Naito up, HEADBUTTS him, then has him on ropes. Drilla CHOPS and Naito staggers.

Drilla eggs Naito on so Naito fires forearms! Naito whips, Drilla reverses and ELBOWS Naito down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Naito but Drilla digs his knee into Naito’s neck! The ref counts, Drilla lets off to get in the ref’s face, but the ref reminds Drilla to respect his authority. Drilla kicks Naito around, steps on Naito’s head, then taunts the fans. Naito gets up to throw hands but Drilla hits back! They go back and forth, forearm for forearm, but then Drilla CHOPS! Drilla runs, into an ELBOW! Drilla rebounds, but Naito hip toss NECKBREAKERS! The fans rally as Naito rises and Drilla writhes. Naito drags Drilla up to fire forearms and kicks!

Naito whips, arm-drags, then he ELBOWS Drilla down to basement dropkick in the back! Naito turns Drilla for a NECKBREAKER! Drilla writhes, Naito pushes him to a cover, TWO! Naito keeps on Drilla with a cravat neck wrench. Drilla endures, fights around, and he fights up. Drilla breaks free, CLUBS Naito, then runs, but Naito catches him to a dragon sleeper, NECKBREAKER! Drilla fights the legs but Naito still hooks him into the LEG HOOK NELSON! Drilla endures, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! Naito again “forgets” how to undo the hold, so the ref pries the legs away.

Drilla is free and clutches his neck, but Naito paces around. Naito drags Drilla back up, but Drilla CHOPS! Naito fires a forearm in return! Drilla CHOPS! Naito forearms! The shots go back and forth, Drilla grunts and has a crazy grin. Drilla fires a forearm, Naito mocks the grunt! Naito fires back, both men grunt and fire forearms again! Drilla CHOPS, but then Naito ROCKS him, SPITS on him, and fires off more forearms! Drilla gets under, shoves Naito then hurdles, drops and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Naito and Drilla go to opposite corners, and Drilla runs corner to corner! Drilla blocks a boot but Naito SPITS!

Naito runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Drilla horks up and SPITS a big one at Naito, then DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Naito stays in this and Drilla is seething. Drilla slashes his throat and throws up the Too Sweet. Drilla drags Naito up, reels him in, but Naito fights the lift. Drilla ENZIGIRIS Naito, then gets him back up! Canadian Rack, but Naito arm-drags Drilla into the ref! The ref tumbles all the way out, Naito atomic drops Drilla and ENZIGIRIS! COMPLETE SHOT, and then PLUMA BLANCA!! Drilla endures, flails, is he tapping? But there’s no ref anyway! Wait, David Finlay rushes out here!

The Rebel taunts Naito while swinging the shillelagh! Naito lets Drilla go, only for JAKE LEE to show up!?! Talk about a CrossOver, the Good Looking Emperor is here in NJPW and he fires hands with Naito!! The fans are going nuts, but Naito gets the edge! Only for Jake to KNEE low! Jake puts Naito in a corner, takes aim, and runs in to HELLUVA KICK!!! Or as he calls it, #FaceBreakShot! Naito staggers into Drilla’s arms, for the DRILLA KILLA!!! Cover and the ref is back, Drilla wins!!

Winner: “Drilla” Dan Moloney, by pinfall

The Rebel gets the Madness Dark Side to help him screw over Naito, and now this series is all tied up again! But then Finlay & Drilla beat Naito down more! Jake steps in, and the War Dogs back away. Jake stands on Naito’s chest, then stomps away! Is Jake going to destroy Naito once and for all? But wait! Here comes Hiromu! The Ticking Timebomb ROCKS Jake, ROCKS Drilla, then fires off on Finlay! But then Drilla & Finlay mug Hiomru! They double whip, but Hiormu ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Hiromu goes out after Finlay, but Drilla CLUBS Hiromu! They POST Hiromu, but what about the main event!?

Red Shoes hurries out here, the fans tell Jake and Drilla to go home. Jake literally kicks Naito out of the ring and then stands him up against railing. Jake gets space, takes aim again, and Finlay makes Hiromu watch the FACE BREAK SHOT that sends Naito into the front row!! The fans boo and tell Jake to go home. Jake smirks as he takes his leave with Drilla, the damage done. Is there an alliance between Jake’s Good Looking Guys and Finlay’s War Dogs? Is Naito just the first casualty of many?

As for Finlay and Hiromu, Finlay RAMS Hiromu into railing! And then RAMS him in again! Finlay RAMS Hiromu a third time, then he soaks up the heat. Red Shoes reprimands, but this isn’t officially a match yet. Finlay takes aim, he runs in, but Hiromu sends him into railing! Hiromu gets Finlay in, the bell rings, and it’s time to settle the score!

LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Hiromu Takahashi VS David Finlay!

Hiromu fireman’s carries, CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Hiromu fireman’s carries again, but Finlay slips away! The fans rally for Hiromu as he eggs Finlay on. Finlay snarls, storms back up but Hiromu then SUNSET FLIPS! Finlay holds ropes to throw down hands! Hiromu staggers away, Finlay fireman’s carries him now! Finlay runs and THROWS Hiromu at a post! The fans boo while Finlay throws up the Too Sweet and taunts them all. Finlay leaves Hiromu behind, he tells the fans they look stupid, then he goes back to fetch Hiromu. Finlay slaps Hiromu around, drags him up, and throws him into the ring.

Finlay crawls to a cover but Red Shoes says nope, too many shenanigans. Finlay is upset, there were a lot of shenanigans both ways. But Finlay drags Hiromu up to suplex and TOSS Hiromu! Now things are fine and Finlay covers, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Finlay mocks the “MOTO! MOTO!” Finlay whips Hiromu hard into a corner! Hiromu falls then crawls, and Finlay taunts him that it’s too easy. Finlay stalks Hiromu to another corner as the fans rally up, but Finlay makes Hiromu smile! Finlay says smile like Tsuji! Red Shoes reprimands, Finlay lets off, but then he drags Hiromu up to whip hard into another corner!

Hiromu staggers and falls out of the ring and Red Shoes checks him. Finlay waits on Hiromu while he writhes on the floor. Finlay mockingly says “Moto! Moto!” Red Shoes has Finlay stay back, and the ring count starts. Hiromu stands at 4 of 20 while Finlay lounges on the ropes. The fans rally, Hiromu rolls in at 10, but Finlay brings him back up. Finlay scoops and carries Hiromu around for a BACKBREAKER! Finlay says he’s strong AF, and then he kicks Hiromu around. Finlay mocks the fans chanting for Hiromu, and that makes them boo Finlay. Finlay pushes Hiromu around, so Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS!

Finlay dusts himself off, eggs Hiromu on, so Hiromu CHOPS again! Finlay felt that one so he knees low. Finlay runs, Hiromu follows, and Hiromu RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Finlay flounders while Hiromu goes to ropes. Finlay runs up, but into a BOOT! Hiromu then has a HANGING HEADSCISSOR! Red Shoes counts, Hiromu lets go at 4 and he drags Finlay out to wheelbarrow FACEBUSTER to the floor! The fans rally up behind Hiromu and he goes to the apron. Hiromu aims as Finlay stands, FLYING SHOTGUN sends Finlay through the gate! The fans fire up with Hiromu as he pursues.

Hiromu smiles at TJP on English commentary, then gets a real “MOTO! MOTO! MOTO!” going. Hiromu gets Finlay up and in, and Finlay goes to a corner. Hiromu runs up to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Hiromu keeps his cool and he kicks Finlay around. Hiromu drags Finlay up, fireman’s carries, but Finlay fights free. Hiromu takes a swing, but Finlay catches him to an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Hiromu survives but Finlay scoops him, for the SWINGING IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives again and Finlay grows frustrated.

Finlay mocks Yota Tsuji as he powers up and goes to the corner. Hiromu rises, Finlay flips him off, and steals GENE- TRIANGLE D!! Hiromu has Finlay caught and the fans fire up! Finlay flails, tries to stack Hiromu, but Hiromu squeezes tighter! Finlay is fading and the fans fire up! But Finlay gets a second wind, deadlifts Hiromu, and POWERBOMBS him down! Finlay is free of D, but both men are down as the fans rally again. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, and lifts, but Hiromu RANAS to a cover! TWO!! Finlay escapes, kicks low and whips, but Hiromu slips free of Deep Six to wheelbarrow and COMPLETE SHOT!

The fans fire up while Finlay flounders! But Finlay sneaks his shillelagh into the ring! The fans rally for Hiromu while Finlay hides the shillelagh under him. Hiromu rises, Finlay shields the shillelagh from Red Shoes but Red Shoes is suspicious. Red Shoes sees the weapon! Finlay shoves Red Shoes away and takes a swing, but Hiromu dodges! SUPERKICK! Hiromu takes the shillelagh now! The fans are torn, but then Hiromu plays like Finlay did hit him! Red Shoes isn’t sure who to believe, but Finlay really is innocent this time! Finlay argues with Red Shoes but fans boo to help sell Hiromu’s trick.

Hiromu then runs to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! And then fireman’s carry! TIMEBOMB 1.5! Cover, TWO! Finlay is still in this but the fans are still with Hiromu. Hiromu fireman’s carries again, but Finlay fights free. Hiromu elbows, runs, but into an UPPERCUT! Finlay runs, but into a SUPERKICK! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER, but Finlay stays up! Hiromu runs again, but Finlay catches him spins him, ROLLING ELBOWS, then runs! Into a SUPERKICK! Finlay returns, for another SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! The fans are thunderous and Hiromu gets Finlay up, suplex and INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!!!

Finlay survives his own move but Hiromu won’t let that bother him! Hiromu drags himself up, dragon sleepers Finlay, but Finlay fights the suplex with knees! Finlay suplexes, but Hiromu knees free! Hiromu runs, but Finlay LARIATS! Finlay hauls Hiromu up, Canadian Rack, DOMINATOR!! Cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives and the fans are thunderous! Finlay goes to a corner as he thinks on what to do next. Finlay storms over to Hiromu, says it’s over now, and he drags Hiromu back up. But Hiromu slips out of the bomb to tuck the arms! Finlay wrenches out, but into TRIANGLE D!! Finlay flails, CLUBS at Hiromu, but he’s fading again!

Red Shoes checks, the fans rally up, and Finlay fights to deadlift again! POWERBOMB, but Hiromu just holds onto D!! Finlay is fading, flailing, reaching out, but Hiromu squeezes tight! Finlay deadlifts again! BUCKLE BOMB, and INTO OBLIVION!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Hiromu survives again and Finlay is beside himself! The fans are electric as Finlay shakes his head. Hiromu sputters but Finlay brings down the kneepads. Finlay slashes his throat and vows to end this! Finlay drags Hiromu back up, suplexes, but Hiromu slip free! Hiromu wrenches, pump handles, HIROMU-CHAN ROLL!! TWO!!! Finlay escapes and Hiromu is frustrated!

Both men catch their breath while the fans rally as hard as they can. Hiromu grits his teeth, pounds the mat, and rises up. Hiromu hobbles over but Finlay UPPERCUTS! Hiromu comes back, into another UPPERCUT! And another UPPERCUT! And another! And another, and another! But Hiromu stays on his feet, even as Finlay UPPERCUTS again! And again! And again!! Hiromu won’t stop, but Finlay won’t, either! The fans rally and Finlay eggs Hiromu on. Hiromu runs in, into another UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! Hiromu roars, runs, but into an UPPERCUT!! Hiromu drops to his knees, and Finlay says this is it!

Finlay suplexes, INTO OVERKILL!! Cover, Finlay wins!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall

Bullet Club War Dogs takes the best of five in the fifth and final round! It took much more than Finlay wanted, but Hiromu always gives it his all. Will the Timebomb be able to fire back up in time for the Best of the Super Juniors?

Wait, Drilla returns, and now the War Dogs mug Hiromu! But then Tsuji & Takagi return to run them off! The War Dogs egg them on and vice-versa, but then GABE KIDD runs in! He CLOBBERS Takagi, DECKS Tsuji, and the War Dogs beat up on LIJ! The fans boo but the War Dogs just keep stomping LIJ! Drilla stands Tsuji up for Finlay’s SHILLELAGH SHOT! Drilla gives Hiromu the DRILLA KILLA! Gabe hits Takagi with a PILEDRIVER! Drilla gets to hold on to the shillelagh so he can JAM Hiromu! Finlay gives Tsuji the OVERKILL!! The War Dogs stand tall over LIJ, but Finlay still gets the mic to talk.

“What have I been telling you people? I AM the Savage King! You all thought you saw cracks in my game, but that’s because I let you. You all thought you saw weakness in my War Dogs, but that’s because I let you. Time and time again, I have been steps ahead of everyone in this company. Time and time again, I have solved any problem that was put in our way. The only thing worse than fighting a man who knows how to hurt you is fighting a man who knows when. LIJ learned that tonight, didn’t they?” A young fan tells Finlay to shut up and the fans cheer the kid.

Finlay says you can strip him of championships, you can keep him from tournaments, but in the end, remember this: “HATE always finds a way!!” The Rebel has spoken, will he and his hateful War Dogs find a way to dominate all of NJPW whether we like it or not?

My Thoughts:

A great event for the Road to Wrestling Dontaku series. Great Six Man title match with Tanahashi’s team winning again, probably no more shots for House of Torture. Not really sure what House of Torture is supposed to do next, though. We’re seeing Narita go after Moxley and the IWGP World title, Jack Perry is technically back in AEW, Evil and Yujiro could try for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles but you know they’d lose to Bishamon. I’ve been thinking that House of Torture should join Jack in AEW for this stretch until Forbidden Door, have some interactions with The Young Bucks and Kazuchika Okada or something like that.

Really fun Best of 5 series, and it was hilarious that Yota beat Gedo so easily. Great wins for Gabe and Takagi going into their NEVER Openweight Championship match. For a moment, I thought LIJ was winning, given how badly the War Dogs beat up Naito with the help of their new pal, Jake Lee, a former GHC Heavyweight Champion and a big name in Pro-Wrestling NOAH. But then in the end, Finlay found a way to win against Hiromu, keeping him strong as he probably moves up from midcard titles to world title. If we go by the math, Takagi should win the NEVER Openweight title match, but it’d feed Gabe’s story better if he did get the title.

As for Hiromu, he probably gets a strong showing in Best of the Super Juniors, but since his streak of tournament championships was broken, who knows if he gets another one or if he puts someone else over.