Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Evolution Results & Report! (10/28/18)
WWE holds the first-ever All Women’s Pay-Per-View, Evolution! All the gold of the Women’s Division is on the line as history is made tonight!
Gifs can be found on http://frentique.tumblr.com
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Trish Stratus & Lita VS Mickie James & Alicia Fox w/ Alexa Bliss; Stratus & Lita win.
- Historic Women’s Battle Royal: Nia Jax wins and will challenge for the Raw Women’s Championship.
- 2018 Mae Young Classic Finals: Io Shirai VS Toni Storm; Storm wins the 2018 Mae Young Classic.
- Six Woman Tag: The Riott Squad VS Natalya, Bayley & Sasha Banks; Natty, Bayley & Banks win.
- NXT Women’s Championship: Kairi Sane VS Shayna Baszler; Baszler wins and becomes the new NXT Women’s Champion.
- SmackDown Women’s Championship Last Woman Standing Match: Becky Lynch VS Charlotte Flair; Lynch wins and retains the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
- Raw Women’s Championship: Ronda Rousey VS Nikki Bella w/ Brie Bella; Rousey wins and retains the Raw Women’s Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the WWE Evolution Kickoff Show!
Our commentary team for the night, Renee Young, Beth Phoenix and SmackDown GM Paige, are also our panel!
Charly Caruso leads the WWE Evolution Red Carpet!
And she’s currently joined by the Legit Boss, Sasha Banks, and The Goddess, Alexa Bliss. These staples of the Raw Women’s Division look wonderful as they prepare for their big matches. What is the significance of tonight? Alexa says this is proof that women can do anything. It started with the very first women’s match, and is now an all women’s PPV! Sasha says you can dream it up, but when it happens, it’s a dream come true. To be around all these other amazing women, Sasha cannot express all her gratitude and joy.
These two also made history with the first Women’s Match in Abu Dhabi. It was nerve wracking but it was awe-inspiring for the people to cheer “This is Hope!” It shows they’re making changes all over the world. That match was bigger than just wrestling. Women’s Wrestling is making changes and history, it means so much to show little girls that they can do it like the guys, but even better.
Red Carpet interview with Trish Stratus.
Can she put into words what tonight means to her? It’s very hard, she’s still pinching herself. Everything the women set out to do, this night brings it full circle for her. Her debut was here, and now she’s here at an event just for the women of wrestling. It means that it all made a difference. Did she ever expect this night? No, they were focused on baby steps. This is a huge step forward for a division that was under the radar for the longest time. The women kept the faith and now it’s grown into this global movement. And it means so much to her to side with Lita, her longest rival and friend. Their shared story also comes full circle as they give it their all, plus Mickie James, that energy will be great.
Carmella joins the panel!
The FABULOUS Princess looks 80’s fab and she’s so excited. The women on the panel, the women in the back, she’s so excited. Carmella’s own personal evolution from hair dresser to manager to former women’s champion is impressive in itself. She feels so fortunate to be part of another first-time-ever, she can’t help but smile.
Red Carpet interview with Natalya!
The Queen of Harts is ready for her Six Woman Tag, though she is overwhelmed and nervous. But all the superstars thrive on that feeling, because this moment is what everything has led to. She’s so grateful we’re here. How does she plan to deal with the Riott Squad? Ruby loves using number games, but the three former women’s champions all have plans to tap them out.
R-Truth joins the panel?
He says he talked to Paige in the back, even though she’s been out here the whole time, and says he’s got a spot in the Historic Battle Royal. Truth is honored to be part of such a big night, and vows to win that title shot against his good friend, Carmella. Carmella corrects him on all of that. Truth feels a little foolish, but promises to support Carmella i her efforts. Also, DANCE BREAK~!!
Red Carpet interview with Maria Menounos!
Maria believes the significance of tonight is honoring the past and celebrating the present, in all women’s sports. She reunited with the women from her ‘Mania match six years ago, and it was such a big moment to be even on a ‘Mania card. Now to have a whole card dedicated to women is amazing. Maria never thought this was coming, but always hoped it would. She had to be here to see it in person. And as a huge fan, what’s her most anticipated match? She can’t choose! They all deserve the spotlight. What about Ronda Rousey joining? She’s amazing, it’s been a great addition to it all.
Eve Torres joins the panel!
The “Disney Princess” is honored to be here sharing the moment. What does tonight mean as a former champion in her own right? “It’s a little unreal, to be honest.” Eve compares the Diva’s Era to this new era, and it seems so special to make up for all those raised hopes and then disappointments. She’s excited to see Ronda compete, and even Becky VS Charlotte. It’s all going to be stellar, everyone belongs here. What did hearing that announcement meant to the champions on this panel? Well it was something everyone wanted, worked for and expected, and now it’s here. It was vindication. But don’t discredit the men who stood by them, from coworkers, friends and husbands. This was a group effort and everyone got to have a sigh of relief when this was announced.
Stehpanie McMahon is on the Red Carpet!
The Raw Commissioner helped make this announcement, and is now feeling the goosebumps. It’s a women’s Wrestlemania tonight. She was part of the fight for this Women’s (R)Evolution, this must be a moment of satisfaction. Stephanie is so proud of all the current women, but knows that it was all the women all over the world in all the different promotions that made this possible. History is being made, and Stephanie gives her husband, Triple H “Paul”, is also a big part of training and acquiring the elite talent, both male and female, and working together equally with them. Women started stealing the show, and now women are the show! Stephanie hopes the world is blown away and left demanding more.
Nia Jax and Ata Johnson are on the Red Carpet!
The Irresistible Force helps her aunt celebrate her birthday, and now Nia will fight in the Historic Battle Royal. Nia hopes to make the entire family proud with a win tonight. Ata is so proud of both her nieces, Nia and Tamina, and is so excited to see this night. What would Nia say to future women wrestlers about what’s next? “Whatever we want.” The women are always innovating, and will continue to do that even tonight.
Ronda Rousey is on the Red Carpet!
The Baddest Woman on the Planet is also a best pal to The Queen of Spades, who challenges for the NXT Women’s Championship tonight. But there’s also camaraderie with all the women because this was a collective effort. “Making history” is used so much but this truly is worthy of those words. Ronda has butterflies right now, they’re growing. As a woman in sports, especially fight sports, what does this mean for gender equality? Ronda is looking forward to being a mother soon, and hopes that her daughters deal with less BS than she did, the same as her mom hoped Ronda dealt with less.
Now to Nikki Bella and the verbal jabs, what’s Ronda’s mindset? Because it’s gotten personal, the nicest thing to do would be to finish Nikki off quick. But given what Nikki’s said, Ronda won’t be so nice, she’ll make sure Nikki walks out looking different than how she walked in.
It’s time for a (R)Evolution
Divas became women. Inspiration spread and became courage and passion. Women competed in new places for the first time, and the chant was “This is Hope!” This was a childhood dream for each and every one. It didn’t start with just a few, it started with everyone. The dream was proving Women’s Wrestling was on par with the Men’s. The (R)Evolution is worldwide, and the (R)Evolution will be televised! This generation carries the torch from the previous, and is ready to pass it on to the next. Sugar, spice and everything nice, meet power, determination and fury. Past, Present and Future come together to prove that then, now and forever, Women’s Wrestling belongs.
Trish Stratus & Lita VS Mickie James & Alicia Fox w/ Alexa Bliss!
Two legends join forces to slap some respect into the Mean Girls of Raw! Trish & Lita are no strangers to #KickieJames, but will their time away be too much ring rust to overcome their opponents? Or are legends like fine wine?
The Goddess welcomes us all to WWE Evolution. She promises us an amazing night, but for Trish & Lita, “I get it. It’s way past your bedtime.” Turn those hearing aids up as she introduces some real leaders of the (R)Evolution in Foxy & Mickie! Alexa has to sit out because of a recent injury, but Alice leads the Red Queen and Mad Hatter to the ring.
The teams sort out, and Mickie starts against Lita. Fans are already thunderous as the two tie up. Mickie and Lita power each other around and Lita puts Mickie in a corner. The fans are on her side as she honors the break. Mickie shoves Lita, so Lita punches Mickie! Lita whips but Mickie reverses. Lita comes back with a headscissor! She rallies with lariats then a monkey flip into a ground ‘n’ pound! Lita brings Mickie up but Mickie knees low. Mickie tags Alicia, but Lita is right on her. Alicia sues the ropes but is still yanked into the ring! Lita throws Alicia around, then runs in at the corner for a clothesline. Alicia flounders but Lita whips her corner to corner. Lita sees Mickie and pulls her in, so now they’re both in the corner.
Tag to Trish, and Trish is a step stool, for Lita’s Poetry in Motion! Mickie slumps out while Trish aims at Ailcia. Alicia is furious as she ties up with Trish. Trish throws Alicia with a judo like hip toss. They trade hammerlocks, but Trish gets up to snapmare Alicia away! Trish waits for Alicia to come back, and gets her in another snapmare. Fans know “You Still Got it!” Trish tells Alicia tag Mickie, and she does. Fans are ready for this rivarly revival! Mickie trash talks Trish, but Trish gives it back. Mickie pokes trish, Trish throws a forearm. Now it’s a brawl back and forth! Trish gets the edge and whips Mickie. Mickie reverses, but Trish gets a Thesz Press! Trish fires fast hands, then runs in, but into a boot!
Mickie hops up, but Trish wants Stratusphere! Mickie stops that and now the two brawl on the top rope. Trish gets an edge again, then adjusts, for SUPER STRATUSPHERE! Cover, TWO!! Mickie survives but Trish drags her over. Tag to Lita, but Mickie scrambles away. The Mean Girls of Wonderland regroup, but then panic when Trish & Lita show dive. Alexa leads her girls away, they’re over this dream match. But Trish & Lita aren’t, they go right after Fox & Mickie! They all brawl, and Lita gets Mickie in. Foxy gets Trish down, then runs in, but accidentally boots Mickie! Lita knocks Alicia down, then climbs up top, but Alexa interferes by tripping her up! Alicia distracted the ref during that, and now Alexa’s BFFs pounce.
Mickie drags Lita over but Lita fights her off. Mickie tags Alicia and Alicia drops elbows on Lita. Fans rally for Lita but Alicia keeps pie-facing her. Alicia stomps Lita in a corner, then brings her over to bump off Mickie’s boot. Mickie tags in as fans rally for Lita. Mickie stomps Lita, lita hits back, Mickie stomps her again. Fans rally as Mickie puts Lita in a chinlock. Lita feeds off the energy and snapmares Mickie off. Mickie kicks Lita right down! Then she hits Trish just because. The ref holds Trish back but Lita gets back in. They work together to headscissor Mickie! But Mickie comes back with a neckbreaker, covers, TWO! Mickie tags Alicia and they mug Lita. Alicia Nothern Lights Lita, TWO! Alicia is furious and wraps Lita in a chinlock.
Fans rally up again as Alicia thrashes Lita around. Lita fights back, gets out of the scoop and hits a reverse DDT! Both women are down but everyone rallies up. Lita crawls, as does Alicia. Hot tags to Mickie and Trish! Trish rallies on Mickie with right hands. She runs, big snapmare then another! Trish whips and gives Mickie a sit-out spinebuster! Cover, TWO!! Mickie survives again and gets to a corner. Trish is on her with chops, and Mickie flounders around the ring. Trish puts some stank on an even bigger chop! Mickie kicks back, rolls Trish up, TWO!
Mickie aims, boot and facelock, but Trish is out and gets her own headlock. Stratusfaction! Cover, but Alicia breaks it just barely! Lita gets Alicia with a Twist of Fate! Then she goes up, to hit a Lita-sault on both women! Mickie flounders up, into a Chick Kick! Cover, Trish & Lita win!
Winners: Trish Stratus & Lita, Trish pinning
Greatness never dies, and that’s why Team Bestie succeeds! If this is just the beginning, what other amazing action will we see tonight?
Red Carpet interview with The Bella Twins!
Nikki prepares for Ronda Rousey tonight, but what does she say about people thinking she “crossed a line” saying Mama Rousey is ashamed of her daughter. Brie speaks for them when she tells Kayla Braxton that, as an interviewer, things need context. Ronda brought up their love lives first. But this isn’t about pointing fingers, tonight is about the Evolution. The Bellas are going to dedicate Nikki’s match to Mrs. Rousey. She overcame such adversity ever time Ronda loses or breaks her word. Ronda says she’ll “end” Nikki? But Nikki Bella is Fearless and a #DoSomethingBella. The only thing ending is Ronda’s title reign.
Historic Women’s Battle Royal!
This match embodies the past, present and future coming together. Twenty women collide, but only one will win a shot at a Women’s Championship! Who will make history on this night that makes history all by itself?
The IIconics are so happy it’s happening! And it’s taking place in… Long Island? Ew. They all sound weird. They’re glad they don’t have the Long Island Accent. The IIconics see childhood heroes who paved the way, so they’ll repay them by paving the road “back to obscurity.” Billie & Peyton think they’re so funny. “Enjoy these precious few seconds, because soon it will all be over.” Then the women of the past can go back to doing whatever losers do. Tonight is about the future, and #TheFutureisIIconic! POSE! Billie & Peyton fangirl over each other, but the legends come after them first! The legends ELIMINATE the IIconics!
But now, legends stand across from the current women, and the real fight is on! It’s chaos as women pair off. Or in some cases, end up in trios. Asuka goes after Molly Holly, Tamina is after Alundra Blayze, but Lana is after Ember? Well not everything is clear cut. Mandy and Sonya work together and ELIMINATE Molly Holly! Then they target Kelly Kelly while Zelina Vega goes after Maria Kanellis. The duo formerly known as Absolution get Kelly over the ropes and ELIMINATE her! The other brawls continue, and Mandy gives Asuka some kicks. Torrie Wilson fights off Sonya but Mandy bails her friend out. Together, Mandy & Sonya fight with Torrie, and ELIMINATE Torrie! But then Mandy ELIMINATES Sonya?! Sorry, but it is everyone woman for herself.
Sonya storms off while Mandy stomps Lana. Alundra runs over Asuka and Naomi, but Nia Jax grabs her! Nia scoops Blayze out, and ELIMINATES her! Maria goes after Nia, the First Lady is back in action! She gives Nia a DDT, but she’s too much to push over. Tamina grabs Maria but Maria gives her a jawbreaker, and a furious bronco buster! Nia comes back for Maira and puts her on the apron. And with a headbutt, she ELIMINATES Maria! Vega gives Tamina CIEN KNEES! She drags Tamina up whiel Mandy goes after Nia. Tamina shoves Vega back for a SUPERKICK! Then she scoops Carmella for a Samoan Drop! The cousins meet and fans fire up for this amazing stare down. Nia and Tamina let out battle cries and go after everyone else! Family sticks together, but then have the ring to themselves.
Lana gets up, wishing them a Happy Lana Day. Tamina shoves Lana, Lana slaps Tamina! Lana kicks away on Nia, but to no effect. Double headbutts for the Ravishing Russian, before Tamina ELIMINATES Lana! Nia scoops Tamina for a slam! Asuka goes after Nia, a familiar foe from NXT! Naoim heps her frined out, but that’s too much for just them. More women join in, and we end up with a 4v4 suplex situation! The side that wins is Nia’s! All the women are down but the fans are fired up! Carmella returns and now she has control. DANCE BREAK~! Carmella flosses, but Ivory gets up. To join in! High ten! But then Mandy goes after Ivory and puts her on the apron. Carmella helps Ivory out and ELIMINATES Mandy!
But the fight is back on! Rear View for Tamina! Handspring elbow for Ember! Michelle McCool goes after Carmella while Ember suplexes and ELIMINATES Dana Brooke hard! Carmella runs, but into a powerbomb! Michelle puts Carmella up top, but here comes Ember! Springboard, into a boot! Michelle drags Ember up for a powerbomb, but Ember resists. Ember shovels Michelle out, then SUPERKICK! Ember ELIMINATES Michelle McCool!
Tamina fights off Asuka and Naomi, but gets a code breaker and dropkick! Naomi runs at Tamina but a back drop ELIMINATES Naomi! Ivory rocks Asuka for a facebuster! Carmella throws Ember at Nia but Nia shoves Carmella back. Ember hits Nia with a tornado DDT! Carmella runs but into a sidewalk slam! Carmella bumps Ember off her boot, Asuka goes after Ivory. The Fabulous Princess moonwalks, but Ember puts her on the apron! Ember forearms and ELIMINATES! Carmella! Tamina tackles Ember in a corner!
Our final five are Nia, Tamina, Ember, Asuka and Ivory! The last legend fights off Tamina, but she’s on the top rope. She leaps at Tamina, big crossbody! Ivory gets herself back up, and back up top. She wants one more, but Tamina throws Asuka at Ivory. Ivory tumbles, fights Asuka but a dragons crew and a hip attack ELIMINATES Ivory! Now we have Nia, Tamina, Ember and Asuka. The Empress and Shenom meet again and fans chant “NXT!” Asuka fires off strikes, then the pop-up knee. She runs at Ember but misses, SUPERKICK! Ember throws Asuka out and ELIMINATES her! But Tamina is ready. Ember turns around, but she blocks the superkick! She runs, but into a swinging slam! Nia takes advantage and goes after Tamina. Tamina SUPERKICKS Nia down!
Tamina runs into Ember’s elbow. Fans rally for Ember as she dodges Tamina to dropkick Nia. Ember roars as she runs and handsprings to forearm Tamina! Ember climbs high, for an Eclipse! She hurries to get Tamina up and out, Ember ELIMINATES Tamina! Now it’s just Ember and Nia! They were friends going into this, but only one can win this. Fans are thunderous as the two stare down. Ember runs at Nia but Nia runs her over! Nia drags Ember up but Ember kicks back. Nia tosses Ember! Ember comes back with forearms, then tries to tip Nia over. Nia fights her off and gut wrenches her out! Ember is on the apron and works to drag Nia out with her. Ember kicks Nia, then uses the ropes and a facelock! She drags Nia up and over, but wait, Zelina Vega?!
Zelina dumps them both to the apron, because she was never eliminated. But she thinks she’s won when she hasn’t! Nia is there when she turns around, and tries to reason with her. No going, so she rakes Nia’s eyes! Zelina leaps on for a sleeper but Nia pops her up for a trophy lift! Nia carries Zeilna around, and tosses her out onto Tamina! Nia ELIMINATES Zelina! But Ember is there, and dropkicks Nia to the ropes! Ember runs to clothesline Nia over and over. She gets a big run, but runs into a SPINEBUSTER! Nia drags Ember up, tosses her out, Nia WINS!
Winner: Nia Jax; earns a future Raw Women’s Championship match
The Irresistible Force was also unstoppable, and now she’s a #1 contender! The Samoan Dynasty triumphs, where and when will Nia get another Raw Women’s Championship reign?
In-ring interview with Nia Jax!
She made history! Nia is so emotional given everything the family is going through. Fans know “You Deserve It!” Nia is so happy to have shared the ring with legends, but now she focuses on that title. She’s one step closer, who would she rather face? Nikki or Ronda? Nia wishes the best of luck to both women and their match tonight. That winner better enjoy their moment, because it won’t last long.
2018 Mae Young Classic Finals: Io Shirai VS Toni Storm!
This is conclusion to the second-annual, 32-woman tournament that honors the memory of THE legend of Women’s Wrestling. It has boiled down to the Genius of the Sky and the Lightning from Down Under! Both women seek this career-defining moment, but who will achieve a dream?
The bell rings and another momentous match begins. Toni and Shirai shake hands to show they respect each other. Fans duel as these two tie up. Toni gets a headlock, but Shirai works her way out. Shirai gets her own headlock, but Toni pries her way out. Toni wrenches the wrist but Shirai reverses back. Toni spins and reverses that to a headlock takeover. Shirai headscissors but Toni fights it. Shirai does it again and gets Toni’s head. Toni works her way up and around and slips out. Shirai and Toni shake hands again as they start over. They tie up, Toni gets the arm again. Shirai flips, handsprings and wrenches the wrist. Toni spins, reverses to a hammerlock, but Shirai gets the wrist back. Toni spins, bends, rolls and breaks to fire off strikes! She runs, but Shirai drops down. Toni changes direction to dropkick Shirai! Cover, TWO!
Toni toys with Shirai a little, then brings her back up. She gives Shirai a stiff European Uppercut, then a forearm. Toni whips but Shirai ducks and handsprings. Toni gets out of the way but still gets a dropkick! Shirai kips up and fires up, as do the fans. Shirai stomps Toni, then steps on her before dropping knees. Cover, TWO, but Shirai gets a Rings of Saturn! Toni endures while fans rally up. Toni feeds off the energy to get moving, but Shirai hooks her with a leg. Shirai pulls Toni back but Toni gets the leg off. Toni powers her way up but Shirai rolls her through to keep the hold! Toni reaches with her legs, for the ropebreak! Shirai lets Toni go at 4, and Toni gets to a corner.
Shirai runs in but into a boot. Toni stands up, and goes up over Shirai. They run again, Toni gets Shirai in a German Suplex! Toni runs in for the hip attack! Then she puts Shirai in a drop zone, and climbs up! Toni can fly, but Shirai gets to the ropes. Shirai scares Toni, then springs up for a dropkick! Toni tumbles down to the ground! Shirai gets moving, and triangle ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit but both women are down. Shirai drags herself to the ring but doesn’t get in quite yet. She enters at 6 but Toni is back at 7. They end up on the apron together, and start brawling. Fans duel as Toni double underhooks. Shirai resists but Toni holds on, too. Toni tries again, but so does Shirai. They separate, Toni headbutts Shiari! And hits a German Suplex on the apron!!
Shirai tumbles down while Toni tumbles in. The ring count begins again as both women slowly stir. Shirai gets up at 7, flounders at 8, but gets in at 9! Toni is shocked, but she covers now, TWO! Toni is growing frustrated, but she goes after Shirai again. She throws forearms, but Shirai counters and fires her own! Fans duel as Shirai gets an edge. Shirai fires off furious and endless forearms, then an uppercut! Shirai runs, but into a clobbering clothesline! Toni drags Shirai up, STORM ZERO! Cover, TWO!? Shirai survives Toni’s best move!! Toni cannot believe it but many of the fans can’t, either. Shirai gets back to the bottom rope for safety, but Toni goes after her.
Toni drags Shirai up, but Shirai hotshots Toni back! Shirai slips into the ring, runs, and hits a 619! Shout out to her hero, Rey Mysterio, before she springboards for the sunset flip! Cover, TWO!! That was close! Toni flounders to a corner and fans continue to duel. Shirai gets to an opposite corner, and runs in for the meteora! She puts Toni in a drop zone and gets on the top rope. Shirai leaps, moonsault meets knees! Toni double underhooks, Storm Zero AGAIN! TONI STORM WINS!!
Winner: Toni Storm, by pinfall; 2018 MYC Winner
The Storm blots out sun and triumphs over the Genius of the Sky! She makes good on her second chance in the Mae Young Classic, and only increases her stock in the WWE.
The 2018 Mae Young Classic trophy is presented.
Triple H, Stephanie McMahon and Sara Amata all join the finalists in the ring. Toni’s hand is raised as the official announcement is made. Both women receive a bouquet of flowers, but Toni is the one who receives the crystal trophy to hold up in victory. What new heights will Toni achieve in her already stellar career? Will Io Shirai be just fine despite this loss?
Six Woman Tag: The Riott Squad VS Natalya, Bayley & Sasha Banks!
Ruby, Sarah & Liv doing what they want to who they want, and lately that’s been bully and beat up the Queen of Harts and the #LegitHuggable BFFs. Will Natty, Bayley & Sasha get payback? Or will WWE Evolution #StartARiott?
The teams sort out and the Juvenile Delinquent, Liv, starts with Queen of Harts, Natty. The two tie up and go around the ring. Liv puts Natty in a corner, then SLAPS her! Natty chases Liv to the other side, but the Squad back Liv up. Liv kicks Natty then throws her down by her hair. Liv says “kiss thiss”, but then sees Natty’s duck coming. She teases Natty but gets a slap for it! Tag to Sasha, and they give Liv a #Legit Hart Attack! Liv tags to Sarah, and the Kentucky Valkyrie goes after Sasha. They trade chops, then Sasha goes acrobatic to arm-drag. Sasha dropkicks Sarah, covers, TWO. Sasha brings Sarah over, tag to Bayley! The Boss & Hug Connection work together for big knees and meteora! Sasha feeds Sarah to Bayley for the hotshot! Sarah is outside, Bayley pursues.
Bayley dropkicks Sarah through the post! She puts Sarah back in, but has to avoid Ruby. She bumps Ruby off the apron, but runs into a dropkick trap! Sarah drives Bayley into the post, and now the Squad has control. Ruby taunts Bayley while Sarah drags her out. Cover, TWO! Tag to Liv, and they mug Bayley. Liv elbows Bayley in the ribs, then puts her in a seated stretch. Fans rally up but Liv grinds Bayley’s ribs more. Bayley endures as she works her way out and fights back. Liv drives her back, Sarah tags in, and they stomp a mudhole into Bayley. Sarah drags Bayley down with a cobra clutch. Fans rally as Bayley gets back up. Sarah knees Bayley low then tags Ruby. They mug Bayley more, and then Sarah tags back in. Ruby catapults Bayley into Sarah’s forearm! Cover, TWO, and the Squad grows frustrated.
Sarah puts Bayley in a corner to stomp a new mudhole. She backs off at 4, then lets out a howl. Sarah runs but Bayley gives her snake eyes! Bayley reaches but has to snake eyes Sarah again. She crawls but Sarah is on her. Sarah whips but Bayley reverses. Ruby tags in but Bayley blasts the corner up. Bayley hurries but Ruby trips her up. Ruby gets in and Liv tags, for another catapult, but Bayley hits Liv! Bayley clobbers Ruby and starts crawling for her corner. Sarah gets in but is thrown back out, so she trips up Natty and clobbers her down! Liv grabs Bayley and drags her away. Tag to Ruby, and the Squad continues to isolate Bayley. They double whip but Bayley fights them off! Bayley hotshots Liv, crawls but Ruby stops her. Bayley shoves her away, hot tag to Sasha!
The Boss rallies, blocks a kick to give a kick! She runs in the corner but is put on the apron. She knees Ruby away, then climbs up, for meteora! Cover, TWO! Sasha grows frustrated, but keeps focus. She brings Ruby up, scoops but Ruby slips out to mule kick. Ruby runs back in but Sasha turns her. Ruby fights her off but ends up in a crucifix pin. TWO, Sasha gives Ruby a knee. Ruby kicks Sasha back then shoves. Bayley tags in, roll through to backstabber to Bayley2Belly! Cover, but Liv barrels into them all! Both best friends are down while Sarah saves Ruby. Ruby tags to Sarah, Sasha tags back in. Sasha hits Liv then meteora press on Sarah!
Fans fire up as Sasha takes aim at the Squad. She runs, FLIES, but is caught, to be tossed into barriers!! The Squad puts Sasha back in, covers, TWO!! Sasha survives and Sarah is shocked. Sarah grits her teeth as she tags Liv in. Liv climbs while Sarah brings Sasha over in an Electric Chair. They coordinate, Riott Doomsday! Tag to Ruby, tag to Sarah, combination back senton! Sarah covers, but Natty breaks it! Sarah hits Natty and throws her back out. She goes abck to Sasha for stomps. Liv tags in and coordinates with Sasha for an enziguri. Tag to Ruby and she climbs up top. Ruby aims, but Bayley protects her friend with her body. That’s fine by Ruby, stage-dive senton! Cover, TWO!? Bayley’s body was enough to help Sasha survive! Ruby is furious as she tags Liv in.
Liv aims at Sasha but Sasha dodges the enziguri. Liv tags back out, Sarah and Rub work together again, but misses the senton! Hot tag to Natty! Natty hits a discus lariat! Then a German Suplex! Natty keeps on Sarah with a whip, but Sarah elbows. Ruby tags in but Sarah takes the wheelbarrow facebuster. Liv tags in as Ruby gets a scoop slam. Natty stacks Ruby and Sarah, for a DOUBLE Sharpshooter! Liv pounces with a facebuster! Cover, TWO!! Natty survives and The Squad is at a loss for words! Liv stalks Natty as Natty looks for tags. No one home, Liv stomps Natty out! Liv continues to stalk Natty, and runs in, but for a pop-up! Tag to Bayley, Natty bombs Liv! Bayley Macho Elbows! Then DIVES on Ruby & Sarah! Sasha Frog Splashes! Cover, Sasha’s team wins!
Winners: Natalya, Bayley & Sasha Banks, Sasha pinning
Viva la Evolution as a shout-out to Latino Heat helps Sasha’s team win! They celebrate with one big hug, where will this major team victory lead the three former champions?
NXT Women’s Championship: Kairi Sane VS Shayna Baszler!
This furious feud dates back to the inaugural Mae Young Classic tournament. The Pirate Princess won that crystal trophy, but The Queen of Spades won the title first. Kairi would take the title from Shayna in their third meeting, but Shayna claims that was more her losing than Kairi winning. The fourth time around will prove who is the better woman as an NXT title is defended on a main roster PPV for the first time ever!
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin! Shayna and Kairi circle, Shayna throws a kick. Kairi stays up, then lunges in. She gets a waistlock but Shayna tosses her off. They go again, and Shayna powers Kairi to a corner. Shayna grinds her forearm but backs off at 4. She trips Kairi up then eggs her own with her spade hands. Kairi ducks under Shayna to then kick her down! Kairi taunts back with the telescope hands. Shayna kicks but gets caught. Kairi kicks but Shayna avoids. Shayna goes for her hold but Kairi gets out. Kairi throws a hand but gets caught again. Kairi works against the sleeper, so Shayna grabs hair. Shayna whips but Kairi wheelbarrows to a stunner!
Fans fire up as Shayna staggers back. Kairi “swims”, to run in and hit the Sliding D! Kairi springboards for double stomps on the apron! Shayna tumbles down as she coughs for air. Kairi keeps on Shayna, but Shayna reverses. Shayna whips but Kairi jumps onto the steps. Kairi jumps over Shayna to hit a big palm strike. She runs in but Shayna blocks that Sliding D to drive Kairi into the steps! Shayna refreshes the count to put Kairi back in. Shayna storms over to Kairi and puts her in a hammerlock. She throws Kairi into buckles, then drives in a knee. She runs and slides to come back for another knee! Kairi is stunned, Shayna gut wrenches and slams her! Cover, TWO! Kairi grits her teeth as she crawls, but Shayna is on her again.
Shayna grabs the arm and begins the torture as she twists elbow, wrist and shoulder! Shayna hammerlocks the arm, to STOMP IT! Kairi clutches her arm as fans boo and jeer Bully Baszler. Shayna doesn’t care as she covers, ONE. Shayna keeps on Kairi, and has her in a seated double wristlock. Kairi endures as fans rally up. Kairi gets to her feet and rolls Shayna, TWO! Shayna ducks Kairi to get the arm again. Shayna has a mounted armbar, and moves around to twist it more and more. Kairi endures, but Shayna yanks back!! Kairi goes to the ropes, that arm could be worse than broken. Shayna toys with Kairi now, but Kairi gets mad. Kairi uses her good arm to throw a forearm, so Shayna throws one. Kairi gives another, Shayna gives another.
They go back and forth, but Shayna kicks the bad arm. Shayna runs, but Kairi gets her with a forearm. Kairi runs but Shayna gets her with a knee. Shayna runs, into a backhand! Both women fall but fans fire up! Fans chant “NXT! NXT!” as the referee counts. Kairi crawls over to Shayna, but not for a cover. Kairi goes after the legs with her Anchor Lock!! Shayna endures, slips around, and gets the bad arm! Shayna tweaks it quick and Kairi is down. Kairi writhes but Shayna is on her arm again. Kairi puts Shayna in a corner and fires off wild strikes! The referee backs her off, but Kairi just fires up more. Kairi whips but Shayna reverses. She blasts out for a SPEAR! The Interceptor hits its mark, but Kairi isn’t done. Kairi marches the plank, runs back in, another shoulder tackle! Then blockbuster! Cover, TWO!
Kairi isn’t done yet, she brings Shayna up and to a corner. She hoists Shayna up for the Alabama Slam! Shayna’s down, so Kairi climbs up! But Shayna knows this, and kicks Kairi on the way. She has a hangman’s armlock!! Shayna lets go at 4 to send Kairi tumbling to the floor. Shayna mocks the Pirate Princess before she fetches Kairi. She puts Kairi in, then waits for Kairi to get up. Shayna suplexes but Kairi turns it into a DDT! Kairi hurries up top to use that good elbow. But Shayna rolls out. Fans boot and jeer, but Kairi doesn’t care where Shayna goes. SUPER CROSSBODY!! Direct hit!
Fans fire up for Kairi throwing caution to the wind! But then Shayna throws Kairi into barriers. Shayna runs back in, but Kairi dumps her out onto the other MMA Four Horsewomen, Marina and Jessamyn! All three are wiped out, but Kairi isn’t done with Shayna yet. Kairi drags Shayna back over, but Jessamyn goes after her! Kairi back hands her! The champ puts challenger back in the ring, back in the drop zone, but then Marina rushes the ring! Marina gets kicked away, then rocked with a back hand. Shayna gets teh Kirafuda Klutch!! But Kaiir makes it a cover, TWO!! Kairi flounders but gets Shayna in a waistlock. Roll up, TWO! Into Jessamyn’s kick!? Kirafuda Klutch!! Kairi is stuck, flailing but fading! Kairi tries for a second wind, but she’s OUT!
Winner: Shayna Baszler, by submission; NEW NXT Women’s Champion
The Queen of Spades steals this one, all thanks to her friends! She may be the first-ever two-time Women’s Champion, but not without controversy. Will NXT GM William Regal have something to say about this on Wednesday?
SmackDown Women’s Championship Last Woman Standing Match: Becky Lynch VS Charlotte Flair!
The Lass Kicker and Queen of Flair were friends, but the problem there is that there could only be one champion. Becky wanted the title back so badly, that when her “best friend” took it away right in front of her, she snapped! The now Relent-Lass Straight Fire burned down bridges, and now wants to make Charlotte burn. Charlotte is willing to return that fire, but only one woman can be left standing. Who will walk away from this historic event having won a title, but lost a friend forever?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Becky points out how the fans are on her side. Charlotte shrugs that off, and we begin! Fans do not slow down in chanting for Becky as she and Charlotte circle. They rush each other. Charlotte dodges but Becky evades. Charlotte blocks but Becky evades again. Becky shoves Charlotte but Charlotte shoves her back! Charlotte struts as Becky is counted! Becky scrambles up and clotheslines Charlotte down. The ref counts but Charlotte kips up. The two stare down and rush each other. Charlotte gets the takedown but Becky pushes her away. Becky comes back with forearms! Becky drops a leg, mocks the strut before dropping an elbow, then drops another leg.
The ref counts and Becky swaggers about. Charlotte gets up but Becky is on her with EuroUppers. Charlotte counters to hit the neckbreaker! Becky reverses the whip but runs into a shoulder. Charlotte hurries to the top rope, but Becky stops her. Becky throws Charlotte down! The count begins but Charlotte is up at 4. Becky is on her again with the Becksploder! Charlotte is in a corner with the new count. She’s up at 3, and goes to boot Becky. Becky counters with a EuroUpper, then climbs up to leap. Charlotte dodges and boots Becky down! Becky is under the count now, but she gets up at 4. Fans duel now as Charlotte runs in. Becky bumps her off buckles but Charlotte gets up. Becky throws her all the way out and has the ref count. Charlotte uses the announce desk for help and gets up at 4.
Becky decides to look under the ring, and has a kendo stick! Becky SMACKS away on Charlotte with the bamboo! Charlotte goes writhing but Becky pursues and SMACKS her more. Charlotte blocks a swing, but Becky kicks her down. Becky bumps Charlotte off the apron edge, then goes looking for other things. Fans say “We Want Tables!” but Becky finds chairs first. Becky brings one of those out, but Charlotte tosses some into the ring. Becky does the same, so Charlotte raises the stakes. Both women throw in more chairs, raising the ante. Fans chant “E C Dub!” as chair after chair is put in the ring. All the chairs are in the ring, so Charlotte brings out a table! Becky stops that as she hits her with a flying forearm! Becky stalks Charlotte as she crawls. Charlotte gets Becky with her own exploder!
Becky is down for the count, but gets up at 5. She grabs a chair from the ring, and SMACKS Charlotte while she’s setting up the table! Becky jabs Charlotte with it, then SMACKS her again! Becky drags Charlotte around while fans chant “You Deserve It!” They go into the ring, and Charlotte is being counted again. Becky watches as Charlotte gets up at 5. She throws Charlotte onto the chair pile! Charlotte is being counted, but Becky makes a new chair pile. Charlotte is up at 6, so Becky brings her around! Becky wants the exploder but Charlotte fights her off. Charlotte gives Becky a back suplex on the chair pile! Becky and Charlotte are both down but Charlotte is stirring. Charlotte stands at 7 as she rolls out. Becky drags herself up at 8, but flounders.
Charlotte goes for another table! She sets a table in the ring, but then Becky hits a jump kick! Charlotte goes down and Becky sets up the table. Charlotte stands at 5 thanks to the announce desk. Becky finishes with the table but sees Charlotte coming. She back kicks, then urenages Charlotte on those chairs! The count returns, and Charlotte stirs but clutches her neck. Charlotte slowly stands and makes it at 8, so Becky goes after her again. Becky bumps Charlotte off the table to then put her on the table. Becky climbs up now, but Charlotte stops her! Charlotte stomps away on Becky, then puts her on the table. She clubs away on Becky with forearm after forearm. Charlotte then staggers her way over to the corner and climbs up. Charlotte moonsaults, on Becky! The table does NOT break!!
Both women are down, but Charlotte is up first. Charlotte sets that table back up, but Becky flounders over. Charlotte bounces Becky off the wood, then puts her back on. The Queen climbs up again, for a swanton! This time the table breaks! But both women are down again, and the count begins. The count passes 5 as they both sit up. It reaches 8 as Charlotte and Becky scramble up, to stand at 9! Becky flops back down while Charlotte slumps out of the ring. Charlotte drags out a LADDER! And she puts it in the ring. This unofficially becomes a TLC match now. Becky clobbers Charlotte, the ladder manages to stay up. Becky pushes it down then drags it over. She goes back to Charlotte as fans declare “This is Awesome!”
Becky scoop slams Charlotte on the ladder! Charlotte is down and the count begins. She manages to stand at 6, so Becky gets her again. Charlotte slips out and chop blocks! She kicks away on the leg, drags Becky over, and laces it through the ladder… Charlotte stomps the legs, then re-laces the legs, for the Figure Four! And FIGURE EIGHT! Becky taps but that doesn’t matter, this is a Last Woman Standing! Becky endures the torture, but grabs a chair. She smacks Charlotte’s legs, and gets free. The count returns but can Becky stand with bad legs? The count passes 5 as Charlotte gets up. Becky rolls out to stop the count, but those legs are not doing well. Charlotte goes out to follow Becky, but Becky shoves her into the steps!
A new count begins as Charlotte clutches an arm and Becky clutches her legs. Becky shouts “Stay down!” but Charlotte refuses. So Becky shoves her into a post! Charlotte’s down again while Becky props herself up. The count restarts and climbs past 5 again. Charlotte manages to get up but Becky’s leaving with the belt! Charlotte chases her down and chops her in front of the fans! Chop after chop but Becky throws forearms now. They go back and forth, Becky staggering on one good leg. Charlotte keeps giving chops so Becky keeps giving forearms. Charlotte gets an edge, Becky flops around on noodle legs. They go back to the ring as Charlotte tosses Becky over the barrier. Charlotte clears off the announce desk! She drags Becky over to bounce her off another desk.
Charlotte kicks Becky while she’s down, then drags out a new ladder! Charlotte sets it up by the announce desk, and fans anticipate what she’s planning. Becky does, too, and hits Charlotte with the title belt! Becky drags Charlotte over now, and bounces her off the desk. She sets Charlotte on the table, positions the ladder, and climbs. Becky aims, leaps, SUPER leg drop through the desk!! Both women are down but fans are losing their minds! Becky gets up at 7, but Charlotte is slower. Charlotte still gets up at 8, so Becky boots her down! Becky rains down rights, then bounces her off the floor. Becky buries Charlotte in arm chairs, even taking Renee Young’s. She uses the chairs from the ring, too, and then what’s left of one of the tables.
A count begins, and Becky is confident she’s won. The count passes 6 as Charlotte stirs, and she emerges at 9!? Charlotte glares at Becky, she’s like something from a horror movie in Becky’s eyes. Becky runs but Charlotte chases her and SMACKS her with that kendo stick! Becky flounders, into Charlotte’s SPEAR! Both women are down again, and a new count begins. Charlotte doesn’t wait for the count, she drags Becky around. She still has the table from earlier to use, so she stands it up. Charlotte drags Becky back up and bounces her off wood. She puts Becky on the table, and begins a new climb.
Charlotte reaches the top rope and aims for the table, but Becky gets up! Becky SUPER BOMBS Charlotte THROUGH THE TABLE!! Fans are thunderous as the count returns. The count passes 5 but Charlotte somehow stirs. It reaches 7, then 9… Charlotte’s still on all fours, Becky wins!!
Winner: Becky Lynch; still SmackDown Women’s Champion
The Lass Kicker keeps the Queen down and holds her title up high! Charlotte definitely needs help, but Becky leaves her behind again. If not even this much could stop Becky, what can?
Raw Women’s Championship: Ronda Rousey VS Nikki Bella w/ Brie Bella!
The Baddest Woman on the Planet thought the Bella Twins were trustworthy. That the Bella Twins were respectful. And that the Bella Twins were her friends. But she was wrong. She found out the Bella Twins were just after the spotlight and the title. The Fearless Nikki faces Ronda tonight, will she catch the Rowdy Women’s Champion off guard? Or will Ronda rip her arm off?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin! Ronda and Nikki circle and tie up. Ronda throws Nikki down quick! Nikki scrambles to ropes, but Ronda teasingly encourages her to stand back up. Nikki stands, they tie up again, and Ronda throws her again. Ronda has the arm, but does put on the armbar to show it was that easy. Nikki gets Ronda’s leg, but Ronda brings her back around to an armlock. Again, Ronda shows her how easy it is. Ronda lets Nikki go and Nikki gets more frustrated than if she already lost. Nikki and Brie talk quickly, and Brie moves around. Ronda keeps her eyes on Nikki, and throws her right out! But then Brie marches over, and Nikki shoves Ronda into the post!
Nikki gets back in the ring and waits for Ronda. She gets Ronda by the hair, Ronda gets loose, but not Brie shoves Ronda into a post! Nikki fetches Ronda to put her in, then covers. ONE, but the Bellas keep their cool. Nikki puts Ronda in a chinlock and Brie taunts her. Ronda endures and works against the hold. Ronda moves around but Nikki traps an arm. Nikki taunts Ronda while fans duel. Nikki knees Ronda low, then tosses her out. The Bellas soak up the heat, then Nikki shoves Ronda into barriers. She bounces Ronda off the apron, then puts her back into barriers. Nikki puts Ronda in, covers, TWO! Brie coaches Nikki up as Nikki puts on a headscissor squeeze. Ronda endures as Nikki drags her around. Nikki does push ups as she squeezes Ronda, but Ronda rolls out and free.
Ronda gets to a corner and Nikki comes over. Ronda shoves her away, but Brie gets a cheap shot! Nikki puts Ronda in a corner and bumps her off buckles. She drags Ronda around and slams her into the post! Nikki shoves Ronda back in and covers, TWO! Nikki puts Ronda back in a chinlock, but Ronda gets up. Now Nikki has an abdominal stretch, and drives in her elbows. Ronda powers out but Nikki keeps the hold on. Ronda turns red as Nikki pulls on her more. Fans rally up as Ronda tries to pry her way out. Nikki wrangles her down but Ronda gets up again. Ronda throws Nikki off and can breathe again. Nikki gets to a corner, and back elbows Ronda away. Nikki hits the Fearless Enziguri! Cover, TWO!! The Bellas grow frustrated as Ronda survives.
Nikki drags Ronda back up and into a corner for shoulders to the stomach. Nikki backs off at 4, then hoists Ronda way up. Fans duel as Nikki climbs up to join Ronda. Nikki wants a superplex, but Ronda holds on. Ronda shoves Nikki away, but Brie gets up. Nikki strikes in the distraction! Nikki climbs up again, but Ronda holds on. Ronda and Nikki fight, Nikki falls down. Ronda adjusts, and leaps for a crossbody! But Nikki gets clear! Ronda crashes and burns while Brie chants “YES! YES!” for her sister. Nikki is smug as she targets Ronda. She slides but Ronda dodges! Brie helps Nikki while Ronda clutches her ribs. Nikki’s neck is an issue, but she’s back in.
Nikki lines up a kick but Ronda blocks! Ronda trips Nikki, rolls to the fireman’s carry, but Brie gets up on the apron again. Brie grabs Nikki’s hand, but ends up part of the fireman’s carry!! Ronda gives both Bellas a ROWDY SLAM! Fans are thunderous as all three women are down. Ronda gets up first and glares at Nikki. Ronda fires up for strike mode! Nikki staggers up and into a boot! She stands again, for the punches! Ronda reels Nikki out for a monkey flip and the ground ‘n’ pound! Ronda drags Nikki back up, judo throw after judo throw. She dares Nikki to get up again. Nikki drags herself up in a corner, but covers up. Ronda just SLAPS Nikki. Ronda stands Nikki up, cradles her, for the Fall Away! Nikki slumps out of the ring and Brie is panicking.
Ronda fetches Nikki, she’s not letting Nikki off that easy. She puts Nikki in, Brie sucker punches Ronda! But that only angers Ronda, who reels Brie in for a throw across the announce desk! Ronda returns to Nikki, but Nikki gets an Ala-Bella Slam! Cover, TWO!! Nikki cannot believe Ronda survives again! Nikki drags herself away while Ronda gets up. Ronda runs in but into the post! Nikki brings Ronda up, Rack Attack!! Cover, TWO?! Ronda still lives and Nikki is shocked! Nikki has one last idea, as she climbs up top. Ronda gets her with body shots, but Nikki forearms Ronda away. Ronda comes back, leaps up, SUPER takedown, into the ARMBAR!! Nikki taps, Ronda wins!
Winner: Ronda Rousey, by submission; still Raw Women’s Champion
It didn’t matter that Nikki was Fearless, Ronda is peerless! Rowdy Ronda retains her Raw Women’s Championship and is still the Baddest Woman on the Planet. She celebrates with her husband in the front row while the Bellas regroup and retreat. If Nikki failed, will Brie give it a go? Will Brie just end up the same as her sister? Or is Ronda moving on to another challenge?
Speaking of…
Nia Jax watches backstage. The win in the battle royal gives Nia her shot at Ronda’s title, but where and when will she want it?
And lastly…
Ronda meets all the other WWE women on the stage to celebrate the entire night! Viva la Women’s Wrestling! Viva la Evolution!
My Thoughts:
There were many reasons to be worried about this PPV, that it could just end up a glorified episode of Raw or even SmackDown. After watching this event, I personally feel that all those worries were put to rest, because this was great! The Kickoff Show was fun, lots of great interviews, and R-Truth was classic. Then, much like an NXT TakeOver, it was very smart to start with a tag team match like Trish-Lita VS Foxy-Mickie. It was a good adjustment for Alexa Bliss to meddle, because it added to how great Trish & Lita came off. Those two could make a serious run again, as at least part-timers. Then the “Historic” Battle Royal was chaotic but in a good way, and far exceeded expectations. Nia winning can work as she and Ronda never had a clean finish, so a rematch from Money in the Bank is fine.
Of course, Asuka not winning should’ve been a sign to me that I wasn’t getting my Japanese Strong Style sweep. Toni Storm winning over Io Shirai was quite surprising, but it did work better for her overall story in the WWE. Toni already has the NXT UK Division, though, so this win will surely be spun into her placement in the NXT UK Women’s Championship picture. Io Shirai is still fine in losing, she has a lot to do in the American NXT. I was even more surprised that Shayna won, and with help from the other MMA Horsewomen. This does help establish Jessamyn and Marina in the eyes of the WWE Universe as a whole, and will definitely lead to a Women’s Championship story for NXT TakeOver: WarGames. I wonder if Kairi can get friends for a Women’s WarGames…
The Six Woman Tag was another of the dreaded matches, but wow did the match itself make up for a lot. The Riott Squad was definitely a well-oiled machine, but I’m thinking Natty, Bayley & Sasha going over was so fans could cheer the Faces. I’m just not sure where any of this is going as a story without tag titles. That Last Woman Standing had one odd element, and that was that any knockdown was counted. I don’t remember that being how Gargano VS Ciampa Last Man Standing being that way. But even so, this Last Woman Standing Match puts some previous Last Man Standing Matches to shame! Though, I will say Charlotte was dangerously close to Super Cena/Roman territory, but Becky winning was the right move. Now we freshen things up on SmackDown going into Survivor Series.
The Raw Women’s Championship match was a lot better than expected, too, and it was actually thanks to the Bella Twins working together like that. Ronda toying with Nikki was fun, too, but the heat really got good when Brie started getting involved. Ronda obviously still wins, because fans will want Nia VS Ronda 2 far more than Nikki Bella w/ Brie VS Anyone. Plus, Ronda winning truly establishes that this is no longer a Diva’s Era, but the Women’s (R)Evolution. I really hope that this PPV becomes an annual tradition, so long as it can maintain this level of entertainment. AKA, keep HHH booking things because I’m pretty sure he was a major part of things behind the scenes.
My Score: 9/10
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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; Swerve wins and denies Fletcher a title match.
- Mina Shirakawa w/ Mariah May VS Anna Jay; Mina wins.
- Casino Gauntlet: Will Ospreay wins and will challenge for the AEW International Championship at Double or Nothing.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs; Moxley wins and retains the title.
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 w/ Don Callis!
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?
The bell rings and the fans rally for Swerve as he stares Kyle down. They circle, get face to face, talk some trash, and then Swerve goes for a leg! Kyle facelocks to fight the takedown, then slips around to a waistlock. Swerve switches and hammerlocks, but Kyle reaches back to headlock. Swerve cranks the hammerlock, but Kyle reaches for legs. Kyle manages to switch, snapmare and then ghost pin, TWO! Kyle headlocks but Swerve slips right out to hammerlock again. Swerve grinds Kyle down but Kyle fights to the ROPEBREAK. Swerve lets off and waits on Kyle. Kyle stands, the two reset, and they tie up again.
Swerve headlocks, Kyle powers up and puts Swerve on ropes. The ref counts, Kyle lets off but then takes a swing! Swerve ducks the chop, snapmares Kyle down and slips around to roll Kyle to a cradle, TWO! Kyle hurries after a leg, but Swerve spins around, victory roll and step over, SHORT ARM SCISSOR! Kyle scrambles around to stack, TWO! Swerve gets up, Kyle goes for a leg, but Swerve steps over. Kyle dodges the dropkick, but then Swerve avoids the Penalty Kick! Both men block the other’s kick, and the fans fire up as they both let off. The two reset, the fans rally for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Swerve and Kyle circle, Kyle kicks but Swerve blocks, only for Kyle to ROCK Swerve with a forearm. Kyle whips, Swerve goes up and over then JUMP SOBATS! The fans fire up as Kyle sputters, and then Swerve UPPERCUTS, snapmares, and goes up to FALLING UPPERCUT! Swerve hits the Griddy and the fans fire up! Swerve says “DU~VAL~!” and the fans echo it. Swerve goes for Kyle but Kyle gets to ropes. Swerve waits on Kyle, goes for an arm, wrenches, but Kyle whips Swerve out! Kyle runs to CALF KICK Swerve to the floor! The fans boo but Kyle snarls and Swerve checks his arm. Kyle goes out after Swerve, brings him around, but tells Nana to back off.
Swerve BACK DROPS Kyle away! Kyle writhes, Swerve goes to the apron and he tells fans to pay attention, get off their phones. PENALTY KICK and Kyle goes down! The fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Swerve struts around before he fetches Kyle, and whips him into railing! Swerve again tells fans to watch the show, not their phones. He fist bumps the front row, gets Kyle back up, and pushes him into the ring. Swerve has Kyle on the apron to CLUB him. Swerve then stalks Kyle to a corner, ROCKS him, then has him on ropes. Swerve UPPERCUTS Kyle, whips him to ropes, but Kyle reverses to scoop and SLAM! Swerve writhes while Kyle mockingly shouts, “Whose house?!” Kyle even gets on a corner to soak up the heat and tell Jacksonville up theirs! Kyle goes back to Swerve, Swerve throws body shots, but then Kyle swings. Swerve blocks to fire more body shots!
Swerve turns Kyle for a NECKBREAKER! Swerve drags Kyle around, covers, TWO! Kyle is still in this but Swerve clamps onto him with an armlock and chinbar. Swerve grinds his elbow into Kyle’s face, then grabs the other arm. Swerve wrangles Kyle into a CAMEL CLUTCH, but then makes it a SLEEPER STRETCH! Kyle still endures, fights free, and Dynamite returns to single picture as he stands. Kyle fires body shots, but Swerve grabs the arm. Kyle KICKS and KICKS but Swerve blocks, slips around, LEG CAPTURE BACKBREAKER! Swerve again grinds on the arms, pulls on back, but Kyle slips through to arm-drag free!
Swerve has the wristlock but Kyle fires forearm after forearm! Swerve swings, Kyle swats it to SLAP Swerve! Kyle whips, Swerve flips up and around but Kyle SUPERKICKS him! Then scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! A camera is backstage, and we see The Elite plus Jack Perry walking right up to Tony Khan’s office. Matthew doesn’t even knock as he leads the way right in. In the ring, Swerve and Kyle rise while the fans rally up. Swerve goes to ropes, Kyle runs in, but is put on the apron! Kyle waistlocks to drag Swerve out, and half nelsons! Swerve fights that, slips around, APRON NECKBREAKER!
The fans rally for Swerve while he shakes out his arm, then he encourages them to get louder. Swerve goes up the corner, Kyle slowly sits up, APRON KILL STOMPS!! Swerve clutches a leg, that was a risky move that may have been double-edged! Swerve walks off the pain and fans rally up. Swerve pushes Kyle into the ring, hurries to another corner, and then runs up, HOUSE- NO, Kyle catches the foot! ANKLE LOCK!! Kyle THRASHES the foot but Swerve endures! The fans rally for Swerve as he fights around, reaches out, but Kyle drags him away from ropes! GRAPEVINE!! Swerve is caught, and Kyle is even stomping Swerve’s back!
Swerve endures, the fans are thunderous, and Swerve crawls to the ROPEBREAK! Kyle lets go but keeps his eyes on Swerve. Kyle brings Swerve around to KICK him in the chest! And KICK him again! And KIJCK again, but Swerve blocks! Swerve ROCKS Kyle, Kyle ROLLING ELBOWS! Swerve MULE KICKS, HAYMAKERS, and whips to HIP TOSS! Roll through to the deadlift, but the bad foot holds Swerve back! Kyle suplexes, Swerve slips around and half nelsons but Kyle breaks that. Swerve still O’Conner Rolls so that he can BOOT from below! Kyle wobbles, into the SOMERSAULT FLATLINER! Swerve rolls through again, for the BRAINBUSTER!
The fans fire up as Swerve crawls back to cover, TWO!! Kyle survives and Swerve is frustrated. Swerve snarls, drags Kyle up for a gut wrench, but Kyle flails and kicks his way to turn it around! But then Swerve flails and kicks to turn it back around! So Kyle drops, victory roll and deadlift, into the JUMPING TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives and now Kyle is frustrated! Kyle pounds the mat, Callis tells him number four, and Kyle nods. Kyle goes outside, looks under the ring, but then shakes his head. Kyle doesn’t wanna do number four, he awnts to do it his way! GAMANGIRI! He puts Swerve up top and climbs!
Kyle has Swerve up on the very top, lifts, but Swerve fights! Swerve throws body shots, haymakers, and then he ROCKS Kyle! Kyle ends up in the Tree of Woe, and Swerve hits WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!!! Kyle survives but Swerve just reloads! HOUSE CALL!! Cover, Swerve wins!!
Winner: Swerve Strickland, by pinfall (denies Kyle Fletcher a title opportunity)
The Realest crosses Kyle off the list, and Callis is disappointed Kyle didn’t play things how he wanted. Are tensions rising in the Don Callis Family? Who will be next to step to Swerve’s Dynasty?
BREAKING NEWS for Dynamite!
As AEW returns to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, so will The Cleaner! Kenny Omega finally makes his way back to Dynamite, what will he have to say about The Bucks’ new Elite?
Backstage interview with Thunder Rosa.
Renee Paquette is with La Mera Mera and notes her being so close to winning the AEW Women’s World Championship, only to fall short. What does Rosa feel went wrong out there? Rosa says she can either stand here and complain about what happened, or she can move on. Honestly, Rosa could bring up who Deonna Purrazzo again got involved in her business, or how “Antonia Tormenta” kicked Rosa in the ovarios. But she won’t. She’s just proud of herself for- Oh, wait, Deonna walks in. The Virtuosa doesn’t get it. Rosa says she doesn’t wanna talk about Deonna, yet all she does is say her name!
Deonna dares Rosa to say things to her face, and Rosa tells Deonna en Espanol that she’s already told her before. The two start shoving, security rushes in, will we see these two have it out before one of them goes back for Toni Storm?
Mina Shirakawa w/ Mariah May VS Anna Jay!
Speaking of Toni Storm, her protege’s old mentor has been coming around AEW & ROH more and more, mostly because of Mariah May. Will Stardom’s Fighting H Cup Idol prove she’s elite? Or will Anna remind us she’s still the Star of the Show?
The bell rings and the two circle. They approach, Anna dodges and she takes a bow. The fans cheer, but Mina says okay, c’mon now. Then Mina dodges and shimmies! Anna mockingly applauds before she BOOTS Mina down! Anna brings Mina up to fire off forearms, then shows off her assets. Anna runs, but Mina dropkicks the legs out! Mina then runs to SHOTGUN Anna down! Mina grabs a leg to SMASH the knee! Mina steps over to SPLASH onto the leg, then struts around. The fans fire up as Mina brings Anna up, ties up the legs, and then DOUBLE KNEE SMASHES! Mina gets the legs again, steps through, but Anna kicks her away.
Anna runs in but Mina dodges in the corner. Mina ducks a forearm, ROCKS Anna with a forearm, then goes up to REBOUND ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Mina stays on Anna while the fans rally. Mina dragon sleepers, but Anna fight the suplex! Anna swings, Mina dodges and tilt-o-whirls, to then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Mina drags Anna by her leg, drops an elbow on the knee, and then another! And then another! And another! Mina shakes it up again and the fans cheer as she drops one more elbow! Mina steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Anna endures, crawls, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Mina lets go and Anna goes to the apron.
Mina lines up a shot, runs in, but Anna ducks to CLAW the eyes! Anna brings Mina into the ropes, give her a kiss right in front of Mariah, and HOTSHOT NECKBREAKERS! Mariah is upset but has to stay back, and Anna goes in to cover, TWO! Mina hangs in there while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Anna CHOKES Mina, lets off as the ref counts, and then she drags Mina up. Mariah says boo Anna, but Anna puts Mina in a corner. Anna digs her boot in, lets off as the ref counts, and Mina sputters as Anna brings her around. Anna ROCKS Mina, brings her around and bumps her off buckles. The fans rally, Anna CHOPS Mina, then she struts. But Mina runs up to ROCK Anna! Anna CLUBS Mina, then pushes her around. Anna stands on Mina but that’s a CHOKE! The ref counts, Anna steps away, and she blows kisses at everyone. Anna brings Mina up, to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Anna is frustrated but she brings Mina back to ropes.
Anna CHOKES Mina more, taunting Mariah to reach out, then Anna steps off as the ref counts. Mina coughs, Anna brings her up, but Mina fires body shots! Anna CLUBS Mina and has her in a corner. Anna drags Mina up, CHOKES her more, but the ref counts. Anna lets off, Mina coughs and sputters, but Anna soaks up the heat. Anna drags Mina up, cravats and snapmares, then clamps on a FULL NELSON! Mina endures, fights around, and Mariah cheers Mina on as she fights up. Mina throws elbows to fight the hold, but Anna holds tight! Dynamite returns to single picture as Mina breaks free and ROCKS Anna!
Anna comes back to ROCK Mina, but Mina ROCKS Anna again! The fans rally as the forearms go back and forth! Anna gest the edge, runs, but into a ROLLING ELBOW! Anna stands, into Mina’s URAKEN! Anna flounders to a corner, Mina roars and runs in, but Anna puts her on the apron! Mina knuckle locks, ROCKS and climbs up to FALLING KNEE DROP onto Anna! Cover, TWO!! Anna survives but Mina keeps her focus. Mina ROCKS Anna again, brings her in, but Anna wrenches out of the suplex to HOOK KICK! Then Gory Especial, GORY BOMB! Shoutout to Tay and Anna covers, TWO!!
Anna is beside herself but Mariah is also worried. Anna brings Mina up but Mina fights the STO! Mina gets free, blocks a kick, and DRAGON SCREWS! Then she steps through on the legs, FIGURE FOUR! The fans “WOO~” but Anna endures and fights to the ROPEBREAK! Mina lets go fast to go up a corner. MISSILE DROPKICK! Anna staggers back up, into the GLAMOROUS SWORD! Cover, TWO!! Anna survives Mina’s enzigiri but Mina drags her into the dragon sleeper! GLAM- NO, Anna slips free to have the QUEENSLAYER!! Mina flails, reaches out, but Anna is too busy staring down Mariah! Mina wrenches out to wrangle Anna!
Mina hooks legs, GLAMOROUS COLLECTION MINA! MINA WINS!!
Winner: Mina Shirakawa, by pinfall
Anna got cocky and got caught! Mariah brings in the champagne and glasses, and they toast the victory! But then Anna CLOBBERS Mariah and DECKS Mina! The fans are torn as Anna puts the QUEENSLAYER on Mariah!! Mariah flails, but here comes Toni Storm! The champ runs Anna off to protect her protege! “How DARE~ you!” Storm checks on Mariah, but wait! SERENA DEEB is here! The Professor of Professional Wrestling is looking rather glamorous herself as she struts out, tosses Storm’s shoes aside, and looks at the AEW Women’s World Championship! Deeb sits down beside it on the ramp and has the camera come in close.
Deeb says she could hold the title up, but she won’t. Because instead, she’s going to make the AEW Women’s Division a promise: the next time she holds the belt, it will truly belong to her as the NEW AEW Women’s World Champion. Deeb is undefeated, will she remain that way all the way through dethroning Timeless Toni Storm?
Kris Statlander & Stokely Hathaway are in the ring.
Dynamite returns as the Galaxy’s Greatest and #BigStoke are here, balloons at all the corners of the ring, and the fans cheering them on. Stokely says, “In 1977, Bill Withers created one of the greatest songs of all time, Lovely Day. And that’s exactly how I felt when one of my best friends became TBS Champion at Dynasty!” The fans cheer that! Stokely wants to know, is Jacksonville ready to partaaay~?! They sure sound like it! Stokely says Caprice Coleman is on commentary, Krissy Stat is right here, and she says this one’s for Willow.
“She is the Babe with the Power, and we are here to give her her flowers She reminds us that nothing matters and to smile anyway, because every time we see her, she brightens our day. I’m standing her in silver because she is our gold. And now, she has the TBS Championship to hold.” Stoke says with all due disrespect, that was two packs of ass! So let’s just bring out the NEW Face of TBS, “HOO! HOO!” WILLOW~ NIGHTINGALE! Coleman sings along with the theme song just like in ROH, and the Babe with the Championship makes her entrance. Willow gets the mic, Stokely says when this whole thing to started, he didn’t like her. Well she didn’t like him, either.
Stokely says Willow was like a fungus that they couldn’t cut off. But look at them now! Willow earned that title, and they are proud of her! Willow thanks Stokely and Kris, and is proud of herself, too. Because tonight in JACKSONVILLE~, the very place where she hit the big time. She’ll take us back to Spring of 2020. Willow was right here, in the front row, trying to get her big break. Then in 2022, she was in the ring, Tony Schiavone stepped in to join her, and on that big tron, we saw the graphic: Willow is All Elite! But tonight, Willow isn’t trying to catch a break, she is not a rookie. She is THE FACE OF TBS!! WHAT WHAT!
But wait, here comes The CEO. Mercedes Mone again steps on Willow’s moment, just like she did at Dynasty. But it’s already obvious why as she struts her way to the ring. Mone gets her own mic while the fans chant “C E O! C E O!” Mone tells “Jacksonviiiiille~” to say hello to the C E O. Willow tells Mone this has to be like the fourth time she’s done this. And this is Willow’s time! So it just feels like if Mone has something to say, then go ahead and say it. Mone says she just wanted to congratulate Willow! And to enjoy the celebration now, because in just 23 days, at Double or Nothing, you will be looking at the NEW Face of TBS, Mercedes Mone.
The fans are torn, but Mone says she just wanted to ask if Willow was the b*tch who attacked her in the dark two weeks ago! What? Why would she? Kris steps up to tell Mone that Willow got attacked just last week, so how do we know Mone didn’t do that? Well how do we know it wasn’t Kris?! They argue, Stokely speaks up and says while he hates getting up in women’s business, we all know it was Julia Hart. Willow says even before this whodunnit, it feels like there’s been a personal vendetta against her. Does Mone really think Willow meant to injure Sasha during the NJPW Women’s Tournament? Stokely says of course Mone thinks that, but then Kris shuts him up.
Mone asks Willow if she really just asked if Mone blames Willow for almost ending her career. Is Willow really asking if Mone blames Willow for all the pain and suffering Mone went through? Is Willow really asking if Mone was blaming Willow for taking away the one thing Mone loves most for a whole year? Willow doesn’t want the truth, she just wants to feel better about what she did to Mone. Willow says she genuinely feels so awful what happened. But there were a lot of questions and doubts for her, too. She went to hotel room, she looked at the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship, and she should’ve been smiling.
But the whole time, she wondered to herself, “Could I have beaten Mercedes Mone at 100%?” And then the next day, Willow saw everyone saying that online. She heard the locker room saying it! And so that NJPW Strong Women’s title reign has quite the asterisk next to it. But THIS title reign? This? There is NOT asterisk next to this! The fans fire up for that! So at Double or Nothing, Mone, Willow wants you at 100%! Because Willow wants to show Mone that she CAN beat her, and why Willow IS TBS Champion. The fans fire up for that! Mone says to enjoy it while she can, because they both know deep down, Willow CAN’T beat Mone.
The fans are torn as the two stare down, and then Mone says bye. Kris grabs at Mone, Mone turns around and mistakenly SLAPS Willow!! Kris has to stop Willow from retaliating, and then refs get out there to stop it! Kris’s mistake only just turned up the heat on this one! Will there be no holding back from the CEO or the Babe with the Power when it’s Double or Nothing?
Alex Marvez waits outside Tony Khan’s office.
Jack Perry is the first to exit and Marvez says they’ve been in there a long time. Is Jack reinstated in AEW? Jack doesn’t answer and moves on, so Marvez asks “Okada-san” if that’s the case. The Rainmaker just pats Marvez on the shoulder and follows Jack. Nicholas, is Jack All Elite again? Matthew, please, Marvez needs the scoop! Is Jack Perry once again in AEW? Matt wishes he had a better scoop for Marvez, but things are still uncertain. One thing Matt will tell Marvez is… Tony Khan literally just agreed to talk with Jack in the ring, live here tonight. That’s still a pretty big scoop! Will TK bring the Scapegoat back into the fold?
Casino Gauntlet!
AEW shuffles the deck and puts a golden opportunity for Double or Nothing on the line! This isn’t your typical gauntlet, either! It is “sudden death,” so anyone that scores a pinfall or submission wins, BUT! There are also timed intervals, so more and more competitors will be added, meaning things can get really crazy really quickly. One way or another, the AEW International Champion will have a new challenger, but who will it be when it’s the luck of the draw?
First out, it’s King Switch! Jay White leads Austin & Colten Gunn out as the NEW unified AEW & ROH World Trios Champions, but will Bullet Club Gold be adding even more gold to the collection? Second out, Top Flight’s Dante Martin! Will Angel Dorado get himself a golden ticket instead?
Jay White VS Dante Martin!
The bell rings, the two circle, and they tie up. White pulls hair to put Dante in the corner, but Dante slips free. They circle again, Dante waistlocks but White switches. White headlocks, Dante powers up but can’t power out as White holds on. White wrenches to wristlock, but Dante flips through and breaks free. White CHOPS, then CHOPS, then CHOPS again! Dante is stinging, the fans “WOO~” and White says guns up! White whips, runs in, but Dante slips out to the apron! Dante then goes up and around, GAMANGIRIS, then springboards. White gets under, Dante comes back, and turns hip toss into RANA! Then he DROPKICKS White down! Cover, TWO!
White bails out, Dante builds speed, and Dante FLIES, but has to handspring through as White moves! White CHOPS, CHOPS, and then brings Dante around. APRON- NO, Dante slips free of the suplex to JUMP KNEE! Dante puts White in, hurries to the apron, and then slingshots to roll, only for White to catch him! EXPLODER out of the ring! But here comes the third man, PENTA EL ZERO MIEDO! The Man with No Fear now makes this a Triple Threat, will he be able to survive these odds?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo!
White storms up but Penta GAMANGIRIS him away! Penta goes up the corner, leaps, CROSSBODY! Penta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges then SLINGBLADES! Dante returns, but into a SLINGBLADE! Penta whips Dante corner to corner but Dante reverses. Penta SUPERKICKS back, then pops Dante up on the corner, for another SUPERKICK! Dante wobbles into Penta’s fireman’s carry, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Penta spins for the SWINGING DEATH VALLEY! Penta then goes back to a corner, climbs up, but White SHOVES Him to the ramp! White then runs up, fireman’s carries, but Penta fights free! And SUPERKICKS! White flops to the apron, Penta uses him as a step to get up and in and hit a DESTROYER on Dante!! Fans lose their minds as Penta stands, and says “CERO! MIEDO!” Dante bails out so Penta goes after White. Penta CHOPS White, then hears the fans rally up. Penta goes out after Dante, gets him in the ring, and stands him up against ropes. Penta winds up, to CHOP! Dante grits his teeth, but White BOOTS Penta down!
White stands Penta up, CHOPS Penta, but Penta CHOPS in return! Penta hears the fans rallying for “CERO! MIEDO!” and he goes back to SUPERKICK White! Penta stands Dante up, whips him to ropes and SUPERKICKS him down! But then White gets Penta for a cradle, TWO!! Penta escapes, White UPPERCUTS him down! White snarls, stomps Dante, then stomps a mudhole into Dante at the corner. White drags Dante up, whips him to ropes, and back drops him away! White covers, TWO! Penta is after White but White scrambles away as Dynamite returns to single picture. Penta brings Dante up, but Dante fights the suplex!
White storms back in, CLUBS them both down, and next up is KYLE O’REILLY! Whoa, #CombatKyle is now #CleanKyle as his hair and beard are trimmed. Maybe he’s going back to those babyface assassin days!
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly!
Kyle KICKS White down, KICKS Penta down, and KICKS Dante down! Kyle fires forearms on White, then wrenches. Dante gets up, Kyle BOOTS him away, then gives White an ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle wrenches Dante, BOOTS Penta, then hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Wrench on Penta, ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle whips, Penta reverses but Kyle goes up and over. Kyle also ducks Dante so Dante’s LARIAT takes down Penta! Dante runs up, Kyle blocks the kick and gives it to Penta. Then Kyle gets one of Penta’s legs, DOUBLE DRAGON SCREW!! White KNEES Kyle low, runs but into a KNEE from Kyle! Kyle snapmares White, runs, but feints to then SLAP him!
The fans fire up while White frowns. White gets up but Kyle fires off fast strikes! KICK, LEG SWEEP, and the fans fire up! Dante wheelbarrows Kyle, but Kyle drops that into the ARMBAR! White stomps but Kyle catches that, to a HEEL HOOK! White flails, ROPEBREAK! Kyle lets go, and now we add WILL OSPREAY! Will the Aerial Assassin take his momentum from Dynasty and make it Double or Nothing?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay!
Ospreay storms right in, Kyle staring him down! They fire forearms and the fans are thunderous already! Ospreay fires up to fire off a flurry! Kyle KICKS, whips, but Ospreay BOOTS back! Ospreay goes up and out to springboard, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Penta runs up to KICK Ospreay’s leg! Dante gets in, he and Penta double whip, but Ospreay handsprings to DOUBLE PELE! But White SLEEPER- NO, Ospreay arm-drags free! These two know each other well and the fans are thunderous to see this one! White and Ospreay shake hands, but then White CLAWS Ospreay’s face! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS!
White clinches, but Ospreay fights free to CHOP! Ospreay whips, White holds ropes to bail out, but the fans boo. Dante kicks Ospreay and runs, into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO! And out comes LANCE ARCHER! The Murderhawk Monster says #EverybodyDies, will that be the case in this sudden death gauntlet?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay VS Lance Archer!
Ospreay shakes his head, but Archer storms right in! Ospreay gets in Archer’s… well, chest, but he fires off forearms! Archer DECKS him! Kyle returns, Archer LARIATS! Penta runs up, Archer LARIATS! White runs up, into a half nelson, dragon sleeper, but Dante jumps in! But into Archer’s hand! CHOKE SLAM DDT COMBO!! Penta jumps onto Archer, fires off hands, then whips. Archer reverses to CLOBBER Penta! Kyle gets up, Archer choke grips, but Kyle turns slam into GUILLOTINE! Kyle thrashes, but Archer THROWS him away! Kyle goes to the apron, Archer DECKS Kyle! Ospreay BOOTS Archer, goes up, but Archer STEP-UP KNEES!
Archer picks Ospreay up in the reverse crucifix! BLACKOUT BOMB onto the others on the outside!! The fans are thunderous and Dynamite goes picture in picture!
Archer storms out to go looking under the ring. Archer brings out a TABLE! Daily’s Place loves it as Archer sets up the furniture at ringside. Archer positions that but Ospreay runs up to fire shots! Archer knees low, SMACKS Ospreay off apron, and then goes around to BOOT Kyle down! And CLUB White down! And get another TABLE! Archer drags that table over White, then sets it up with the other. Archer drags Ospreay up, but Ospreay fires forearms first! Archer RAMS Ospreay into railing! Archer CLUBS away on Ospreay, SMACKS Kyle off apron, BOOTS Dante, then CLUBS White. Archer brings White over, and SMACKS him off the table.
Ospreay fires forearms on Archer, then brings him around to SMACK off the apron. Ospreay goes up, takes aim, and FLYING- BODY CHECK!! Archer just has Ospreay bounce right off him! White ROCKS Archer, ROCKS him again, then brings him around to the tables. White fireman’s carries, but Archer’s too big! Archer CLUBS White, CLUBS him again, then ROCKS him! Archer BOOTS Penta, sends him into railing, then goes back for White. White fights the choke grip but gets an APRON CHOKE SLAM for it!! Archer roars, White dangles before he flops, then Archer goes back up the apron. Archer grins while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Archer drags White up to the apron, but next is KOMANDER! The AAA Cruiserweight Champion’s entrance distracts Archer so that White can CLAW the eyes! We’re now at a Lucky 7 Way, is this where someone’s luck runs out?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay VS Lance Archer VS Komander!
Komander hurries to the corner, climbs up and tightrope walks, to FLYING RANA, but Archer blocks!! Archer brings Komander back up, only for Komander to RANA Archer down through the tables!! The Murderhawk Monster is hoisted on his own petard and even Komander is stunned! Komander hurries to springboard in at Ospreay, but Ospreay ducks! Komander rolls through, comes back and kicks, then runs, only for Ospreay to TIGER WALL KICK and- NO, Komander ducks the enzigiri, to TIGER WALL KICK back! Things speed up, Komander tilt-o-whirls around the world, DEJA VU DDT!! Cover, White breaks it!!
White clinches to URENAGE!! Cover, TWO!! Komander survives, but White goes back to Ospreay. But Ospreay flips up and through Bladerunner to LIGER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! White survives, but Ospreay takes off the elbow pad! White rises, but here comes JAY LETHAL! We’re at eight, how much longer can this go?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay VS Lance Archer VS Komander VS Jay Lethal!
Lethal runs in, Ospreay is ready and they brawl! Ospreay kicks, whips but Lethal reverses! Ospreay handsprings through the arm-drag but Lethal still cartwheels to DROPKICK! Dante returns but into the LETHAL COMBINATION! Penta is back and he KICKS Lethal’s leg! Penta whips, Lethal sunset flips but Penta rolls through. Lethal dodges and handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION!! But White’s back to clinch! Lethal slips free, but swings into the SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! White hurries to clinch again, but Dante MISSILE DROPKICKS them both down! Lethal runs in, Dante goes up and over, then Dante dodges Kyle!
Kyle CLOBBERS Lethal, ducks Dante’s enzigiri, AX & SMASH!! Ospreay returns, Kyle fights the nelson to fire off strikes! KICK, KICK, but Ospreay BUZZSAWS and HEEL KICKS! Kyle yoyos to LARIAT, but Ospreay slips through to pick Kyle up! But Kyle slips free to ROLLING ELBOW! Ospreay SUPERKICKS! Kyle YOYOS into HIDDEN BLADE!! Cover, TWO!!! Kyle survives but Ospreay calls for his shot! Underhooks, but wait, he hesitates. Storm Driver 93 damn near destroyed Bryan Danielson, does he want to do that to Kyle? Kyle back drops free first! Then ARMBAR!! But Komander is up top! CIELITO LINDO onto Kyle!! Cover, HIDDEN BLADE!!!
Ospreay drags Komander to a cover, OSPREAY WINS!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship)
The Assassin found a target and took them out! But here comes the Undisputed Kingdom, the Savior of the Backbreaker leading the way. Roderick Strong stares Ospreay down, with Mike Bennett, Matt Taven, Wardlow and Adam Cole all backing him up. Ospreay doesn’t back down, will he simply tear that gold away from The Kingdom?
Chris Jericho is here!
And as his new theme says, he is The Learning Tree. But what we see is that he is the NEW FTW Champion after cracking Hook in the head with a baseball bat at Dynasty. Jericho smiles and waves at the fans while he gets a mic, but they’re booing back. “Hey, guys! It’s true, I’m the new FTW Champion! It’s great, right? And there’s been a lot of negative connotation with the letters F T W. Does it mean F The World? Does it mean Forget The World? No, it’s none of those things, I’m changing it right here, right now. From now on, this means FOR The World Championship, because this was FOR all of you!”
The fans boo and Taz can’t stomach this on commentary. Jericho says “we” won this together! The whole world is buzzing and he knows why. Jericho is doing God’s work. The Wrestling God, that is, and that’s Terry Funk. Terry once told Jericho that it is now Jericho’s responsibility to teach the younger generation and take them to the next level, and that is what Jericho is doing! Thank you, Terry Funk, and thank you, fans. And thanks, Hook! What a great champion and a tough competitor in the ring. Hook beat the hell outta Jericho, but his only flaw is that there are still certain things he needs to take from The Learning Tree.
There are lessons Jericho wants to teach Hook, including how to get rid of the dead weight that surrounds him: Taz, Shibata, the collateral damage, and all the clowns that support him. More importantly, Hook, you need to listen to Jericho when he says to stay down. Jericho told Hook to stay down but Hook kept getting back up. Even after two Judas Effects! Hook forced Jericho to hit him in the head with the baseball bat. So that’s on Hook. But Jericho knows Hook is listening, thinking on the lessons he learned, and that is exciting to Jericho.
What is also exciting to Jericho is the list of men and women who have been drawn into the #JerichoVortex and come out the other side even bigger and better stars! So many! Jericho is so excited- Wait! “Big Bill” Morrissey is here! Bill has a mic already as he steps to Jericho in the ring. Bill tells Jericho, “I have been in the back listening to you, and I only have one thing to say.” Jericho waits as Bill thinks on his words, and Bill says he needs The Learning Tree! The fans boo, they were clearly hoping for something else.
Bill says everyone knows Jericho is the Socrates of Professional Wrestling! Always willing to give advice, to lend a hand, and to take a less established guy and bring him up to the top with him. That is Chris Jericho to a T. Jericho nods, and Bill knows there is a long line of guys foaming at the mouth for the very opportunity to be under the Learning Tree. But Bill wants Jericho to take this into consideration: there is nobody bigger than Bill, nor better fit for the Learning Tree. Jericho knows it deep down in his heart that Bill is the very best fit for The Learning Tree.
Jericho does have to say, Bill, he has been watching Bill a long time. A fan of his for years. It’s partly why Bill is in AEW. But Jericho will think on what Bill said, and he’ll keep his eye on Bill to see if what he says is true. Bill says go ahead and do that, because he’ll do just that. Just watch him. Bill heads out, Jericho says he sure will be. Let’s celebrate together! Jericho waves and gives a thumbs up, but will Bill be The Learning Tree’s first true pupil?
Backstage interview with The Don Callis Family.
Renee is with Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher and Callis himself as she congratulates Ospreay on becoming #1 contender to the International Championship. Callis, the rest of the Family has had an evening of ups and downs, so- Callis “apologizes” for interrupting but he has to say, he is so happy for the “golden goose,” and now Ospreay will have the gold. An international star deserves the International Championship. The only note Callis has, that Tiger Driver 91, AKA Storm Driver 93. He had that all set up, why didn’t Ospreay use it? No, Ospreay doesn’t wanna do that anymore. Not after what he did to Bryan.
Callis doesn’t understand, what happened? Ospreay says we all saw what happened to Bryan because of his neck, and Kyle O’Reilly has a bad neck, too. Storm Driver has to go. Callis doesn’t care about any of that, Ospreay should win! Roddy’s got a bad neck, so what’s gonna happen if Ospreay shows weakness? Fletcher speaks up saying that Ospreay still won, and he’ll win at Double or Nothing, what does it matter about that move? Callis tells Fletcher shouldn’t be talking about winning after how tonight went. Ospreay WILL be International Champion because he’s gonna nail Roddy with Storm Driver, break his neck, and take his title!
Now, Callis needs to go find Hobbs, he’s gonna coach Powerhouse to a championship tonight, just like Ospreay will win at the PPV. Callis leaves Ospreay and Fletcher behind, Fletcher apologizes on Callis’ behalf. Are the former Empire boys still united despite how Callis is leading this “family?”
BREAKING NEWS for Saturday Night!
Once again, Saturday nights are alright for fighting, and it will be another THREE HOUR BLOCK, but this one will be live coast to coast! The Bang Bang Gang will defend their Unified AEW & ROH World Trios Championships against Top Flight, will Jay White & The Gunns make Dante, Darius & Action breathe with The Switchblade? After what happened tonight, Toni Storm will take on Anna Jay, will Mariah May be avenged? And then on Rampage, Thunder Rosa and Deonna Purrazzo finally have it out 1v1, and we get the Parking Lot Brawl! Trent Beretta, Chuck Taylor, who proves they were the strongest Best Friend all along?
Collision and Rampage will follow NBA Playoff coverage, keep your eyes open for this one!
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs!
It was a Windy City Riot when The Maniac took this title off Tetsuya Naito, and he made a point of saying he runs from no challenge. NJPW’s Ren Narita and Shota Umino are both waiting on the other side of this match, will they still get their shot at Moxley? Or will the Don Callis Family start to take over the wrestling world?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who makes history in this historic main event!
The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out as the fans rally, and Moxley KICKS a leg. Hobbs stays up, feel things out with Mox, but Moxley KICKS again. The two tie up, Moxley waistlocks the SLEEPERS, but Hobbs RAMS Moxley into buckles. Hobbs throws elbows, stomps a mudhole, then fires hands! Hobbs puts Moxley in a corner, ELBOWS him, but Moxley CHOPS! Hobbs pie faces Moxley, Moxley CHOPS, but Hobbs ROCKS him. Hobbs talks smack, then whips Moxley corner to corner. Moxley stops himself, ROCKS Hobbs, then fires more forearms and KICKS! Moxley runs, but leaps into Hobbs’ arms!
Hobbs pops Moxley up but Moxley slips free to waistlock and GERMAN SUPLEX! But Hobbs is right up!? The fans fire up and Hobbs grins. Moxley runs up, into a clinch! EXPLODER! Moxley writhes, bails out, and Hobbs grins as he goes out after him. Hobbs CLUBS Moxley, but Moxley fires a forearm! Moxley SMACKS Hobbs off the timekeeper’s table, but Hobbs body shots in return! Hobbs SMACKS Moxley off railing, then he runs up, only for Moxley to avoid the boot! Hobbs gets caught up on the railing, Moxley BOOTS him over! Moxley goes up the railing, Hobbs rises, but Moxley AX HANDLES him down!
Moxley headlocks, brings Hobbs around the back of the fans, and throws hands. Moxley ROCKS Hobbs, Hobbs HEADBUTTS, and they brawl! The ring count starts, both men have until 20, and we’re at 4 now. Hobbs SMACKS Moxley off a trash can! Hobbs stalks Moxley around the way, CHOPS, then brings Moxley around to ROCK him! Hobbs stalks Moxley, CLUBS him, then pushes him. Moxley hobbles his way back to railing, but turns around to fire haymakers! Hobbs KNEES low, TOSSES Moxley over railing, then storms after him. The count is 15 but Moxley gets in the ring. Hobbs follows and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Hobbs storms up on Moxley, talks trash, but Moxley SLAPS him and flips him off! Moxley eggs Hobbs on so Hobbs BOOTS him down! Moxley flops to the apron then the floor. Hobbs storms out after Moxley, and RAMS him into railing! Hobbs scoops Moxley to APRON POWERSLAM! And APRON POWERSLAM again! And again!! Hobbs snarls, brings Moxley around and SLINGS him down! Hobbs leaves Moxley behind in the ring to soak up cheers and jeers, and even make the pecs dance. IWGP rules do let titles change hands on count-outs, will Hobbs settle for that? No, Hobbs goes out to fetch Moxley, wanting to beat him directly.
Moxley blocks a suplex, fires forearms, but Hobbs hits back! They brawl, Moxley whips but Hobbs reverses! Moxley hits railing hard, and slumps down. Hobbs sits Moxley up to throw down hands, then goes up to rain down mores fists! The ring count climbs, but Hobbs still goes to TEN! Hobbs brings Moxley around to suplex to the floor! Moxley hobbles away, but Hobbs storms up after him. They go up the steel steps and into the ring, and Hobbs eggs Moxley on. Hobbs stomps Moxley, soaks up more cheers and jeers, then BOOTS Moxley down as Dynamite goes to break!
Dynamite returns and Hobbs says he’s whooping Moxley’s ass! Moxley crawls, Hobbs brings him up, but Moxley CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Hobbs body shots, then BEARHUGS! Moxley endures, even as Hobbs squeezes tight! Hobbs throws body shots, Moxley throws elbows, and Moxley is free. But Hobbs CLUBS Moxley first! Hobbs whips Moxley to a corner, then has him on the rebound. Callis doesn’t want Hobbs to wait, keep on him! Hobbs whips Moxley to the other corner, runs in, but Moxley BOOTS! Moxley runs, but Hobbs SLAMS the cutter down! Moxley staggers up, Hobbs runs in, but the splash only gets buckles!
Hobbs falls, clutching a knee. Hobbs bails out, Moxley goes to ropes and takes aim. Moxley builds speed as Hobbs rises, to DIVE! Down goes Hobbs again! The ref checks Hobbs as Hobbs still clutches his knee. The fans rally for Moxley as he rises, fires himself back up, and then gets Hobbs up. Moxley puts Hobbs in, storms around to slide in from the other side, and then waits on Hobbs. Hobbs rises, hobbles, and Moxley runs up to RAM him into a corner! Moxley goes up to rain down fists! Moxley goes way past ten, all the way to TWENTY!! Moxley keeps going past even that! Hobbs can barely guard, Moxley gives him PARADIGM SHIFT!! Cover, TWO?!?
Moxley slips around to a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Hobbs sputters, flails, reaches out, but Moxley squeezes tight! Hobbs is fading, the ref calls it! MOXLEY WINS!
Winner: Jon Moxley, by submission (still IWGP World Champion)
Hobbs is a powerhouse, but even he needs to breathe! The Maniac has his first defense in the books, but NJPW Wrestling Dontaku is coming. Will the #SouledOut Ren Narita take this title from Moxley? Or is Moxley going to blast through him to then take on his former protege, Shota Umino? Wait! Konosuke Takeshita appears on stage. The Alpha wants his own shot at that IWGP World Championship, will he get in line ahead of Narita and Shota?
Backstage interview with Katsuyori Shibata.
Renee is with The Wrestler and brings up Jericho’s “choice words” for him. But what does Shibata have to say in response? Shibata uses his Google Translate voice-to-text to say, “Jericho called me deadweight and collateral damage. Next week, I’m going to damage him in his hometown of Winnipeg, and become FTW Champion.” So then that’s an official challenge for the title? “Yes, with FTW Rules. Jericho, I’m going to chop down your Learning Tree.” Okay then, Winnipeg, Jericho VS Shibata for the FTW title, it is official! Shibata then adds that the rhinestones on Renee’s shirt make a heart, how nice. Yes, she thought so, too.
Shibata is ready to take the fight to Jericho, will The Wrestler prove the Learning Tree is all bark and no bite?
Tony Schiavone is in the ring.
“Ladies and gentlemen… Jack Perry.” The fans are torn as The Scapegoat makes his way out, with no music since he isn’t an AEW talent anymore. Jack takes the mic from Schiavone while fans sing, “OH~ Cry Me a River~!” Jack says first thing’s first, he wants it known that he’s had some of the best nights of his life right here in Jacksonville! The fans cheer that! Jack says tonight… they have business to handle. And he wants to handle it right here, right now, face to face… with Tony Khan! Jack waits, the fans chant “He’s Our Scapegoat!” and here comes TK. Tony Khan joins Jack in the ring, as promised earlier tonight.
Jack says it has been a long road. TK agrees. Almost five years ago was the very first Double or Nothing. And since then, AEW has gone on to change the world. But now, TK, it is no secret they’ve had their ups and downs, haven’t always seen eye to eye. But Jack will say right now, from the bottom of his heart, he swears to God, the only thing that Jack has ever wanted is what’s best for AEW. The fans cheer that and TK applauds as he agrees there. So Jack just wants to ask TK to please shake his hand, reinstate him, and let’s go on to continue to change the world together. The fans like the sound of that!
TK gives a big thumbs up, he and Jack shake hands, and they hug it out! Jack is All Elite once again, and then Jack smiles at the camera… Jack raises TK’s hand, the fans cheer, and then Jack DECKS TK!! The Elite rush out here, from Nick to Matt to Okada, and they ask Jack what the hell! This is TK, THE boss of AEW! You can’t just do that, Jack! Jack nods, backs away, and The Bucks help TK sit up, but it looks a little suspicious…! The Bucks realize the optics, as does Okada, and they all say no no no, it’s not what anyone thinks. They help TK to his feet, and then Okada says do it. Matt scoops TK!! Nick goes up a corner!! T K DRIVER ON TK?!?!
The fans lose their minds as The EVPs stand over Tony Khan’s body! Jack drags TK to the center of the ring so all four of them can stand together. The refs rush out and ask what the hell is wrong with the EVPs! Jack says he waited for eight MONTHS to do that! Matt thanks Jacksonville for a great night, they love everyone so much! Jack, Okada, Nick & Matt leave the ring to have their curtain call on the stage. The Elite is running All Elite Wrestling now, are they going to change the world and remake it in their image?
As for Tony Khan, not only do wrestlers like Top Flight, The Infantry, Penta and Komander rush out to check on him, Tony’s father, Shahid Khan, is here! Shahid checks on his son, what will be done as the consequences for The Elite’s actions?
My Thoughts:
A really good episode of Dynamite here, but they were really not handling the audio that well. It was so hard to hear quite a few of the promos, well delivered as they all were. Rosa VS Deonna being set up was a good move, that’s definitely gonna be great. Really good stuff from Jericho as he leans into the obliviously selfish veteran persona, and I was definitely surprised Big Bill wanting to join him. Shibata has a good promo to call Jericho out, but if it’s FTW Rules, pretty sure Bill is gonna screw Shibata over so Jericho wins. And great stuff with the former Best Friends, Chuck VS Trent in a Parking Lot Brawl is going to be awesome stuff, but I wonder if Orange Cassidy messes it up for Chuck.
Great stuff with the Don Callis Family through the night. Moxley had a good promo to hype up the main event with Hobbs, but unfortunately, I think the match got cut down because Hobbs actually got hurt. Moxley was of course retaining, but this doesn’t help. Konosuke stepping up is fine, though, a natural move given this BCC VS DCF story going on. Fletcher stepped up to Swerve in the match tonight, but it was also very clear Swerve was going to win. The Casino Gauntlet wasn’t really named well, and they didn’t really explain it properly before it started, but it was clearly based on William Regal’s Gauntlet Eliminator from NXT a couple years ago.
However, in execution, it was amazing! Great win for Ospreay and a great showing for all the wrestlers involved, Ospreay VS Roddy will be great stuff. But I also really like that they’re not only going with Ospreay being hesitant about Storm Driver, but they’re going with what I was hoping for. Ospreay and Fletcher are likeminded but that means they clash with how Callis wants to do things. This very well could lead to Ospreay & Fletcher VS Konosuke & Hobbs, so long as Hobbs isn’t out of action. Maybe Don Callis Family finds someone else to bring in to make up for that, but also as foreshadowing of Ospreay and Fletcher leaving the group.
I also like that they seem to be heading for another idea I had when it comes to Toni Storm, Mariah May and Mina Shirakawa. Great match from Mina VS Anna with a good win for Mina, but also Anna going Heel on her and Mariah. For that matter, that should mean Mariah and Storm are turning Face to counter, which is fitting since the fans love them so much anyway. Storm defends Mariah, she’ll definitely beat Anna this Saturday, and then we can move into Storm and Mina fighting for Mariah’s affections. And great stuff from the TBS Championship story. Great promos, for one, and then great detail that Kris gets Willow hit. Has it been Kris behind the attacks all along? If Willow somehow retains at Double or Nothing, Kris going after her would be a wild twist.
And of course, incredible stuff out of this story with Jack Perry’s return. Good opening bit as Jack arrives and the EVPs vouch for him, and good little backstage bit to set up the closing segment. I just knew the moment Jack asked for a handshake, he was just setting Tony Khan up. The entire Elite beating TK down was wild but powerful, and this is very much their nWo moment. This combined with Kenny Omega making his return next week, there is something big brewing in a very nWo VS Wolfpac kinda way. Kenny, Hangman & FTR uniting against Okada, Jack & Bucks? Feels like an awesome 8 Man to me.
My Score: 8.8/10
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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.
My Score: 8.8/10
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