Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SummerSlam Results & Report! (8/11/19)
Toronto hosts WWE’s Biggest Party Of The Summer!
SummerSlam brings the heat to Toronto!
So much is happening in perhaps the biggest SummerSlam ever! But will Seth Rollins even be able to make it after all Brock Lesnar has done to him?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Show – WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Drew Gulak VS Oney Lorcan; Gulak wins and retains the WWE Cruiserweight Champion.
- Kickoff Show – Buddy Murphy VS Apollo Crews; Murphy wins, by disqualification.
- Kickoff Show – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross VS The IIconics; Bliss & Cross win and retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.
- Raw Women’s Championship Submission Match: Becky Lynch VS Natalya; Lynch wins and retains the Raw Women’s Championship.
- Goldberg VS Dolph Ziggler; Goldberg wins.
- WWE United States Championship: AJ Styles w/ The OC VS Ricochet; Styles wins and retains the WWE United States Championship.
- SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bayley VS Ember Moon; Bayley wins and retains the SmackDown Women’s Champion.
- Kevin Owens VS Shane McMahon; Owens wins and keeps his job.
- Charlotte Flair VS Trish Stratus; Flair wins.
- WWE World Championship: Kofi Kingston VS Randy Orton; Double Count-Out, Kingston retains the WWE World Championship.
- Finn Balor VS “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt; Wyatt wins.
- WWE Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar w/ Paul Heyman VS Seth Rollins; Rollins wins and becomes the new WWE Universal Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the SummerSlam Kickoff Show!
Join Jonathon Coachman, Charly Caruso, Beth Phoenix and David Otunga as they recap and predict all the action of tonight!
JBL and Sam Roberts are ringside, too!
The once and former “wrestling god” and Sam are both excited for a certain legend returning, in Goldberg! The Miz wanted at Dolph Ziggler, but given Ziggler’s constant disrespect, Miz took a step back to let a living legend go after the Show-Off. No, it wasn’t Shawn Michaels, it’s GOLDBERG! Is Ziggler next? Or is he going to finally end nostalgia’s influence on the WWE Universe?
Miz joins the panel!
#TorontoIsAwesome, but how awesome was it for Miz to swerve Ziggler like that? Miz always has something up his sleeve. Ziggler was talking a lot of smack, but now he’ll have his chance on this grand stage to back it all up. And whatever is left of Ziggler will have to face Miz tomorrow on Raw! Miz had this idea as far back as Ziggler insulting Goldberg on that Miz TV. Miz wants Ziggler to finally back his words up, if it should be you, make it you! Otherwise, Ziggler isn’t going to win tonight or tomorrow. Ziggler’s bitterness only shows Miz that he’s not motivated enough to work harder and do more than a legend. And if that’s not enough, make the fans beg for more.
Miz hangs around a little longer to talk the WWE World Championship, Kofi Kingston, finally getting to right a wrong against Randy Orton. The Viper doesn’t regret holding Kofi back, and doesn’t regret calling Kofi “stupid.” Beth remembers Kofi going through that, and knows this will only motivate Kofi more. Miz feels that like with Ziggler, everyone needs to take responsibility for their own careers. Orton is at the best he’s ever been, being this motivated and ready. But at the same time, this is the Orton Miz wants to see Kofi finally beat. Otunga even feels Kofi has matured thanks to those years of waiting, and that has only made Kofi more determined. Coach throws things to Sam and JBL, and Sam is just as pumped for this as anyone else. But JBL sees things as just making excuses. Kofi did need this time to mature, because now he’s a global phenomenon! But Orton himself is amazing, so JBL is sure this is going to be a match of modern day icons. Who comes away with this having proven their side right?
Backstage interview with Charlotte Flair.
The Queen is preparing for her showdown with Trish Stratus, but might still be stinging from that literal slap to the face. Charlotte says Trish is revising history to say that women of her era started the (R)Evolution. But no, the legitimate athletes like Charlotte did that. Trish wants that #OneMoreMatch, pining for the glory days. But Trish will bow down to the Queen of ALL Eras! WOO~!
Mick Foley joins the panel!
As one of the targets of The Fiend, what does he feel are Finn Balor’s chances? Well his feel good moment got ruined by Bray Wyatt’s theft of the Mandible Claw that made Mick feel helpless. Mick already made the claw more powerful with Mr. Socko, but the true terror is the nerve hold focusing on nerves under the tongue and under the chin. From the one time The Fiend did that to him, Mick knew he’d mastered it. Mick gives some insight to multiple personas. It keeps the opponent off balance, and more worried about survival than victory. Is Finn going to be worried more about surviving Bray than beating him tonight?
Backstage interview with Kevin Owens.
Even considering his title matches, is tonight really the biggest night in his career? He won’t down play those amazing moments, but tonight is definitely important because he fights to stay in the WWE. Why isn’t Shane McMahon putting up equal ante? Because he IS a McMahon. Shane does what he wants, says what he wants, and has no integrity no matter what. But that doesn’t matter. Kevin gets Shane in the ring. Kevin putting his career on the line was the bait needed to bring Shane into the ring so that Kevin can vent years of frustration and beat the hell out of Shane. The PPV may be called SummerSlam, but this is going to be the Kevin Owens Show. Will Kevin crush Shane so bad he can’t wrestle again? Or is this gamble going to backfire?
The OC find Finn Balor!
Long time no see, Good Brothers. They’re all golden, that’s good. They’ve been running Raw and showing this is their world. And this will continue tonight when the Phenomenal Styles finishes Ricochet once and for all! But hey, Little Brother Balor has The Fiend! Styles has been getting “good luck” wishes, but Finn might need them instead. Now, now, Styles. Luck has nothing to do with this. Finn is ready for the mind games. Yeah, yeah, but look what Bray did to Foley and Angle! So the OC is offering their brother a little bit of help. Shake with a Too Sweet. No? Well he’s got time to change his mind. What will Finn do knowing he has Bray’s darkest dark side coming for him?
Kickoff Show – WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Drew Gulak VS Oney Lorcan!
Perhaps the hardest hitting match tonight, the Boston Brawler won this opportunity through a spectacular Six Pack Challenge! But will he be able to pry the gold from the grip of the gritty Gulak? Or will he only feel the pain and punishment promised by the Philly Stretcher?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we truly kickoff the action!
Gulak shotgun dropkicks Oney right away! Gulak headlocks and wrenches a wrist, but Oney rolls and trips Gulak to a cover. ONE and Gulak headlock takedowns. Oney headscissors but Gulak pops out, to narrowly avoid a chop! Fans cheer the stand-off as the two circle. Gulak and Oney tie up, and Oney powers Gulak back. Gulak turns things around to a waistlock but Oney slips out to another takedown. Oney turns Gulak over for a facelock but Gulak slips out to a hammerlock. Fans rally as Oney resists, but Gulak still gets him in a recliner cover. TWO, but Gulak wrenches the hammerlock harder. Oney rolls and gets up but Gulak wrenches the shoulder. Oney powers Gulak to the corner, but the ropebreak comes at 4. Oney CHOPS away on Gulak’s chest! Gulak gets to another corner but Oney whips him corner to corner and follows close with a clothesline. Gulak returns the favor! Then he scoop slams Oney, legs into ropes! Cover, TWO! Oney catches his breath while Gulak glares down at him.
We go picture in picture as Gulak twists Oney into a modified abdominal stretch. He gets that recliner cover again, TWO! Gulak has Oney’s leg trapped, then pulls the other in a modified Crab! Oney endures, even as Gulak claws his head! Oney turns and hammers Gulak off him! We return to single picture as Gulak headbutts Oney down. Cover, TWO! Gulak chinlocks Oney down to the mat, but Oney endures again. Fans build to a rally as Oney fights his way up. Oney pries at the hold but Gulak just locks it up tighter. Oney keeps trying, and starts turning it over! He CHOPS Gulak more! Then throws European Uppercuts! Gulak staggers about but Oney whips. Gulak reverses but Oney hits a blockbuster on the run! Cover, TWO! But the Fury of 205 Live fires up. Gulak bails out but Oney follows. Oney CHOPS Gulak against the barriers, and they end up by the announce desks.
Oney CHOPS more, then brings Gulak to the ring. Oney puts Gulak in but Gulak gets him in the GuLOCK! Oney endures, rolls, but Gulak traps an arm! So Oney uses a leg for the ropebreak! Gulak lets go at 4, and Oney gasps for air. Oney drags himself up, and he goes at Gulak for the half nelson! Gulak slips out but Oney also escapes. Gulak fights off the half nelson, but misses with the lariat. Oney dodges, but then they both take each other down with clotheslines! Fans fire up while both men are down. A standnig count begins, and the two stir at 4. Gulak sits up at 5, followed by Oney at 6. They two stand at 7, and now they brawl! Oney SLAPS, Gulak kicks, and they start going wild with hands! Gulak rocks Oney then starts slapping away on his head and back! But Oney hulks up! Only for Gulak to slap him down! Oney keeps fighting, but into another GuLock! But rolls over! TWO!!
Oney keeps on Gulak with that jaw grip! Oney slaps, slaps and SLAPS! Then EuroUppers! Gulak wobbles but gets another! Oney runs, Half ‘n’ Half standing switch, but Oney blasts Gulak with another EuroUpper! Fans fire up with Oney’s fury, but Gulakg ets to the apron. Gulak pulls the skirt in as Oney drags Gulak back. Oney stomps the hand so Gulak finally lets go. But as the ref handles the skirt, Gulak throat punches Oney! Torture rack, Cyclone Crash! Gulak wins!
Winner: Drew Gulak, by pinfall; still WWE Cruiserweight Champion
Gulak survives Oney’s fury with a cheap shot. Will Oney fight his way back to another chance? Or does Gulak move on to new competition?
Jerry Lawler and Booker T tag in for the second hour panel!
Both Hall of Fame Kings join in, but they’re joined by Drake Maverick. He wants to know about the real story: the WWE 24/7 Championship, and how it is affecting Maverick’s life. Has anyone seen R-Truth? Maverick vows to the fans that he will not leave Toronto without getting that title back! He vows to bring that title home to Renee Michelle, and they can finally consummate the marriage! If only Maverick looked in front of the desk, because Truth and Carmella are chilling with the title and some snacks.
Truth and Carmella come out when the coast is clear, and the block is hot! Want some popcorn, King? No, thanks. The Fabulous Truth were even here last night for TakeOver. But wait, here comes Maverick and a referee! They have a FOOD FIGHT! And then Maverick chases Truth, only for Mella to trip him! Off they go! The chase is on, but will it be Maverick’s night before SummerSlam is done?
Backstage interview with Natalya!
The Queen of Harts returns home to Canada, confused that Becky Lynch says she’s both a good girl but also a traitor for training Ronda Rousey. But instead of dragging her name through the mud, Becky is going to be getting dragged around in the Sharpshooter. And then Natty will have that Raw Women’s Championship.
Kickoff Show – Buddy Murphy VS Apollo Crews!
The Aussie Juggernaut isn’t in the best mood or best condition after getting roughed up by a riled up Roman Reigns. Will he still be able to overcome the rising star in this last-minute match?
The bell rings, and Murphy hits Apollo with a knee trigger! Cover, TWO! Apollo survives that sudden attack, but Murphy throws him into buckles. Murphy stomps a Melbourne mudhole and has fans on his side. Murphy walks the mudhole dry tot hen stomp more. He snapmares and kicks Crews quick, covers, TWO! Murphy drives his knee in then kicks again, cover, TWO! Murphy keeps Crews down with a chinlock, but fans rally up. Apollo fights up and powers Murphy to a corner, then arm-drags him off. Things speed up and the two collide with crossbodies! Both men are reeling from the rib damage but fans rally up. Murphy walks into an enziguri then gets haymakers from Apollo. Apollo mule kicks, boots and clotheslines Murphy down! Apollo kips up and fans fire up as he dropkicks Murhpy!
Murphy rebounds, but slips out of the slam into an arm-drag. Murphy boots Apollo back, then hops up, into Apollo’s Samoan Drop! Standing moonsault, TWO! Apollo keeps his cool and says he’s gonna raise the roof. Apollo waits for Murphy to stand, and he trophy lifts Murphy! Murphy slips out, shoves, but runs into an elbow. Apollo hops up, but gets an enziguri to the back! Murphy tucks Apollo in for SUPERKICK and POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Apollo survives and fans cheer as the two stir. Murphy gets up first, though, and fans rally. Murphy drags Apollo up but Apollo throws haymakers> Murphy gives them back, then a strike fest! Stop the foot but miss the knee to get a BOOT! Apollo runs into another knee trigger! Murphy pump-handles but Apollo victory rolls! TWO, and Apollo tosses Murphy out! Apollo slingshots, mule kicks, but his moonsault misses! Murphy sends him into steel steps! Then runs to FLY! Air Aussie takes Apollo down! Toronto cheers as Murphy puts Apollo back in. But Rowan attacks!?
Winner: Buddy Murphy, by disqualification
Big Red won’t let Murphy just claim who attacked Roman Reigns! He throws Murphy all around ringside, into barriers over and over! Murphy slowly stands, and Rowan runs him over with the flying body check! Rowan drags Murphy’s body around, to powerbomb him into a post!! “Keep my name out of your mouth!!” Daniel Bryan simply watches as Rowan leaves Murphy down in a writhing heap. Is this only confirmation that they were the ones going after Roman?
Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.
Toronto is actually glad to have The Drifter here! And he asks them, “Who Wants to Walk With Elias?!” Toronto does! Elias has been here all week, singing autographs and doing private performances. Toronto is special. He wrote a song, so please silence phones, hold applauds and… Well fans anticipate the third part, “shut your mouths!” The fans cheer instead. Elias begins playing, “You know how I know I’m in Toronto? You people think you’re the center of the universe. You know how I know I’m in Toronto? Because I’ve been here a week, and I want ot leave here in a hearse.” You know how you know you’re n Toronto? These are the people who don’t give up. You know how you know you’re in Toronto? The only thing Elias doesn’t see is a Stanley Cup. You know how you know you’re in Toronto? Elias ain’t got nothing good to say. You know how you know you’re in Toronto? He wants to join Kawhi in LA.
“You think you know me?” And thrash drums means… EDGE!! Toronto’s Rated R Superstar is here!! And he joins Elias in the ring to a standing ovation. And he SPEARS Elias! That’ll shut him up. Will Elias think twice before running his mouth in Canada?
Kickoff Show – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross VS The IIconics!
The Goddess and Loony Lass only just won these titles in a Fatal 4 Way on Raw, but now they’ll prove they’re worthy of the belts by taking on the former champions 2v2! Will #BlissCross go to infinity and beyond? Or will the future be IIconic again?
Peyton Royce and Billie Kay have microphones as they head to the ring. “What would SummerSlam be without the longest reigning WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions~?” It wouldn’t be anything. But it’s okay, they’re here. And the Toy Story rejects never pinned them for the titles! So now they’ll take back what is theirs! Because they are still the future, and the future is still #IICONIC! Strike the pose. The teams sort out and we begin with Alexa and Billie.
Alexa and Billie tie up and Billie headlocks. Alexa stomps Billie’s feet to turn the headlock around. Billie powers out then pulls hair, so Alexa trips Billie! Alexa has her Buzz laser pose! Billie ignores the non-existent not-weapon, only to fall for Alexa’s dropkick! Tag to Peyton, and Alexa drop toeholds her down! Tag to Nikki, and they double whip Peyton in. Alexa whips Nikki in for the splash, then the bulldog! Nikki Rex climbs up top, leaps and crossbodies Peyton down! Cover, TWO! Nikki waistlocks but Peyton elbows out and rolls Nikki up. TWO, tag to Billie. Nikki runs in but gets a hotshot to heel kick! Billie covers, TWO! Billie rains down rights on Nikki then covers again, TWO! The IIconics are furious as they tag. They double wrench, kick and kick Nikki down. Billie mocks Nikki then Peyton wraps on a thrashing chinbar.
Nikki endures and fans rally up. Nikki fights her way up but Peyton pulls her hair! Tag to Billie, and the IIconics double knee Nikki down. Billie shouts at Alexa before clubbing Nikki down into the chinbar. Fans rally but Billie rakes Nikki’s face! The referee reprimands her, but Billie holds onto Nikki’s arm. Nikki fights up again, but Billie knees low. Billie gut wrenches Nikki down to a cover, TWO! The IIconics are shrill as they tag back in. Peyton kicks Nikki down then pushes her around. Peyton clubs Nikki then kicks her over. Nikki reaches for Alexa but Peyton clubs and stomps away. Nikki gives her a jawbreaker back! Peyton keeps Nikki from Alexa, but Nikki gets free, double facebusters take them both down! Peyton and Nikki crawl, hot tags to Billie and Alexa!
The Goddess rallies on Billie! STO, Insult2Injury! Alexa kicks Peyton back out, then mocks the IIconic pose, only to get a BOOT! Cover, but Nikki saves it! Every Kick Begins with Kay, but this win isn’t IIconic yet. Tag to Peyton, but Alexa reverses the bulldog. Alexa kicks Billie into Nikki’s sleeper! Alexa ducks the heel kick, but Peyton gets her in a Gory Bomb! Cover, TWO!! Alexa survives and Peyton is losing her cool. Fans rally as Peyton throws a tantrum worthy of Alexa herself. Alexa boots but is blocked, DIVINE RIGHT! Alexa goes up top, time to fall with style! But BIllie distracts, only for Nikki to go after her. TWISTED BLISS! Cover, Bliss-Cross wins!
Winners: Alexa & Nikki, Alexa pinning; still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions
It seems for Alexa and Nikki, they have a friend in each other. Will they keep this reign going through Raw’s advertised match with Asuka and Kairi?
Welcome to the North.
The biggest party of the Summer. The struggle, the sacrifice, and this is just the beginning. This will not be easy. Nothing that matters ever is. These once-in-a-lifetime moments are what you need to grab hold onto and never let go. But who will hold onto their titles? Who will hold onto their legacies? And who will show the world who they are?
Raw Women’s Championship Submission Match: Becky Lynch VS Natalya!
The Man and the Queen of Harts used to be good friends. But differences over this title tracing all the way back to Ronda Rousey has caused a rift between them. Now the claws are out and the fire is lit, who makes the other give up in a battle of Disarm-Her and Sharpshooter?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin this heated opening match!
Becky and Natty stare down as the fans duel. They circle and Becky SLAPS Natty! Natty SLAPS back! Becky tackles Natty to a corner and fires off furious fists and stomps! Fans fire up with the Lass Kicker, but Natty comes back with big hands! Natty hits the Discus lariat! Becky gets to a corner and pushes Natty away to then send her into buckles. Becky throws uppercuts and a mule kick, then the jump kick! Becky throws Natty with the Becksploder! Fans duel, with Becky having the stronger support. Becky snap suplexes Natty to an armbar! Natty counters with a grip but gets caught into a Triangle Hold! She powers up and short bombs, but Becky holds on! Becky keeps the hold and they roll. There are no ropebreaks in this match, but Natty uses them for leverage!
Natty gets Becky up but Becky slips around to a deathlock! Natty endures, but she grabs Becky’s head. Becky slips out and wants her signature, but they tumble outside! Becky has a guillotine on the apron, but Natty rams her into barriers! Natty then trips Becky up to swing her around into the barriers! Fans fire up with Natty as she looms over Becky. She rams a knee into Becky’s legs! “You like that?!” Natty slaps Becky then stomps her, then puts her in the ring. Natty sweeps the legs and has Toronto on her side now. She fires off furious fists and stomps in the corner, but Becky slaps back! Natty drags Becky up to snap suplex her into ropes! Becky clutches her legs, but Natty is on her with a grounded dragon screw! Natty chokes Becky on the ropes, but there are no disqualifications, either.
Natty clubs Becky down then kicks her in the ribs. Becky still has fans so Natty tells those fans to shut up! Natty throws hands on Becky but Becky throws hands back. Becky even throws knee strikes, and more uppercuts. Becky hobbles, but is put on the apron. Natty shoulders out, misses, but catches Becky’s kick! Natty hotshots the leg, then throws Becky into the post! Natty climbs up to have the ropes help in a Sharpshooter! Becky screams from this elevated modification! Natty pulls but Becky claws at the skirt and post. Becky gets a leg free and escapes, even though she tumbles to the floor. Natty hurries after Becky, then warns the commentary. But it’s Becky who throws Natty into the desk! Becky then throws Natty into the steel steps, arms first! Natty clutches her elbow while Becky rests her leg. Fans duel as Becky drags Natty back in.
Becky climbs the corner, but Natty climbs up to join her! They go all the way up, for a SUPERPLEX! Both women are down, but there are no counts or covers for this match. Natty stirs, slowly followed by Becky. The fans rally back up as Natty stands first. Natty targets the legs but Becky kicks her in the face! Natty kicks back, runs on Becky, but Becky blocks the dropkick! Becky STEALS THE SHARPSHOOTER! Natty endures her family’s own move, and fans are thunderous both ways! Becky sits but Natty crawls for ropes! Natty rolls to send Becky into buckles! Natty is free, and Toronto agrees, “This is Awesome!” Becky boots back then dodges the Discus, only for the jump kick to be countered! Natty STEALS THE DISARM-HER!!
Becky endures her own hold as her arm is pulled way back. Becky rolls and gets to the ropes, but that doesn’t matter with no ropebreaks! Natty pulls but Becky rolls again to get the legs. Natty pushes off the Sharpshooter, to GET the Sharpshooter!! Fans are thunderous all over again as Becky endures. Becky crawls but Natty drags her away! But Becky keeps fighting, to pull herself all the way out to the apron. Natty keeps pulling, but Becky claws at the skirt. Natty drags Becky away, and works to reapply the hold, only to get caught in the Disarm-Her!! Becky has her own hold now, and pulls with all her might! Toronto duels as Natty endures. Natty taps, Becky wins!
Winner: Becky Lynch; still Raw Women’s Champion
This opener turned up the heat, but it was Becky who survived the flames! Will The Man continue her reign as Summer gives way to Fall?
Backstage interview with Trish Stratus!
Toronto’s own Six-Time Women’s Champion put her passion into that slap. How is she feeling about having fans, friends and family in the audience? Nervous, excited, but not at all afraid. Her light shines brightest under the spotlight. The hardest part has been waiting for this match to happen. Charlotte Flair acts like the women of today are that much better than the previous generations. Pioneers seem to be taken for granted these days. Charlotte will see how lucky she is to be in this generation and not Trish’s. Trish will prove to everyone that not even the Queen could walk a mile in the boots of the Queen of Queens.
Goldberg VS Dolph Ziggler!
The Show-Off has shown very little respect for the legends that have “limped out” to the ring. Ziggler wants to put the nostalgia out of its misery, but will he be the one left in the past?
Before Goldberg makes his entrance, Ziggler grabs a mic to speak. “You are looking at the best thing that could happen to this show. You are looking at the best thing that could happen to WWE. You are ALL looking at the best damn thing that has ever happened to pro-wrestling!” We’ve all seen legends come and go, but “ol’ DZ” is still here stealing the show! Ziggler wouldn’t be surprised if Goldberg didn’t show up tonight. He doesn’t really “show up” for matches. And Goldberg Fears Ziggler! Ziggler DARES- Well, Goldberg IS here, and he makes his entrance now. Fans echo his name as he walks the halls, and as he comes through the pyro! Goldberg hits the ring, and we begin!
“GOLD~BERG!” echoes out in Toronto as the two circle. Ziggler and Goldberg get face to face, but Ziggler backs up, to SUPERKICK Goldberg down! Cover, ONE! Ziggler wants Goldberg to get up, he does, SUPERKICK again! Cover, ONE! Ziggler is still fired up, but he gets a SPEAR! Goldberg says that was one. He looms over Ziggler as Ziggler flounders and writhes. Goldberg brings Ziggler up and brings him in, for the suplex… and JACKHAMMER! Cover, Goldberg wins!
Winner: Goldberg, by pinfall
And that’s all the icon needed to teach Ziggler a lesson! Will Ziggler think twice before running his mouth again?
Guess not, because Ziggler trash talks Goldberg, saying Goldberg doesn’t have the guts to actually fight him. Goldberg marches back to the ring as Ziggler flounders back to a corner. Fans cheer Goldberg on as he gets back in the ring. Ziggler drags himself up, but Goldberg is ready. Ziggler heads over, and gets another SPEAR! Is Ziggler done trying to prove a point?
Nevermind, Ziggler’s talking again. “Anybody can get lucky twice!” Ziggler knows Goldberg doesn’t have the balls, and never did. It’s why he was a joke in this business and Ziggler’s the best! “I will never be defeated! I will never stay down! I’m the best thing going today-” Goldberg returns! Ziggler’s mouth may not stay down, but Goldberg swats the mic away and has to haul him to his feet. Goldberg pats Ziggler on the back, to then SPEAR him again! Is the third time the charm for shutting Ziggler up?
The New Day check on Kofi Kingston.
Kofi reps the Raptors, as Big E frames it as Viper VS “Oh So Black Mamba!” The Raptors have a good luck charm for Kofi, and it’s the man who “wants all the dip on his chip.” It’s DRAKE! Wait, no, that’s Drake Maverick. Well, close enough, right? Maverick is ready for some sick rhymes. But also where is Truth? That was clearly a lie. No one is appeased, this is a waste of time, Maverick has more important things to do. But he’s keeping the unicorn and the chains. Well that’s fine. But in seriousness, this is a decade in the making! Kofi will show Orton he failed to hold Kofi back! Kofi proves beyond a shadow of a doubt NOTHING holds him down! The New Day is FIRED UP! But will the Viper put the flames out with just one RKO?
WWE United States Championship: AJ Styles w/ The OC VS Ricochet!
The Phenomenal One wanted the Machine Gun and Doc Gallows to get their edge back, but they helped him get his back, too. It all started with slaps, then escalated to ambushes and sneak attacks! But now, Styles and Ricochet go one more time, can the One and Only regain the title?
Wait, in the foreign correspondent tables, the British table… “Shania Dwayne” and “D’Wayne Gretski” look familiar… And Drake Maverick comes looking for Truth! By the time he reaches the British table, Dwayne and D’Wayne are gone!
Back to the match at hand, introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin this battle of WWE (DC) Titans!
Styles throws hands but Ricochet counter punches and CHOPS. Ricochet whips and CHOPS, then does it the other direction. Styles uses the ropes as defense, and then he tries a sucker kick. Ricochet blocks to swing Styles into a punch! Ricochet runs out and fakes Styles out! He dodges Anderson, hops over Gallows and huricanranas Styles! Ricochet puts Styles in the ring then takes aim, but Styles gets all the way to the other corner. Ricochet runs in but misses, still landing on his feet on the second rope. But Styles chop blocks and topples Ricochet up! Ricochet gets caught up, too, so Styles stomps a mudhole into that knee. Styles backs off at the ref’s count and Ricochet frees himself. Ricochet hobbles but Styles sweeps the leg!
Fans duel as Styles pushes Ricochet around. Styles stomps the bad leg again, then brings Ricochet up. Ricochet hits back with forearms, but Styles just kicks the bad leg out! Ricochet clutches the leg and writhes but Styles grins. Styles grabs the bad leg and jams the knee into the mat! Fans still duel as Styles drops elbows on the leg. Styles puts the leg in a toehold but Ricochet fights back. They stand and Styles ducks the enziguri the smash the knee again. Ricochet grits his teeth in pain as he crawls away. Styles looms over Ricochet while the OC mock Ricochet’s pain. Styles kicks the bad leg and Ricochet goes to the apron. But Styles grabs the leg to wrap it in the ropes! Styles lets up at 4 but is still grinning as he goes after Ricochet again. Styles hooks the leg but Ricochet fights back with forearms. Ricochet misses the enziguri again but comes back with the heel kick!
Both men are down but fans rally up. The OC coach Styles as Ricochet uses the ropes to stand. Ricochet counter punches Styles, then backs him down to whip. Styles reverses but Ricochet breaks free to manage a headscissor! Ricochet hobbles in but is put on the apron. Ricochet bumps Styles off buckles then kicks him away! Ricochet manages a springboard on ONE leg, to hit the flying lariat! Cover, TWO! Ricochet grows frustrated, but he refocuses and brings Styles up. Ricochet wants a fireman’s carry but Styles fights out. Styles swings, Ricochet spins him and hits a jumping neckbreaker! One-leg standing Shooting Star! Cover, TWO! Styles is still in this and Ricochet’s bad leg is slowing him down. Ricochet still gets up and drags Styles to his feet.
Fans rally as Ricochet knees Styles to a drop zone. Ricochet climbs but Styles is back up. Styles goes at Ricochet but Ricochet sunset flips! TWO, and Styles kicks the bad leg out! Ricochet hobbles up but Styles kicks him out! Fans duel hard as ever with the OC lurking. Styles wrecks Ricochet with the dropkick! The OC applaud while Styles takes his time getting Ricochet up. Styles puts Ricochet in and drags Ricochet up. He wants the Clash, but Ricochet slips out. Ricochet elbows back, but runs into the USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! The OC grow annoyed with Ricochet but Styles is most frustrated. Styles goes back to Ricochet and drags him up. He wants the Clash again but Ricochet rams him into a corner! Ricochet rolls away to the far corner, but Styles runs in, only to be put on the apron. Styles slingshots back in but gets hands from Ricochet.
Ricochet runs into boots, and Styles bumps him off buckles. Styles runs in, but Ricochet boots him away. The somersault is stalled by the bad knee, but he still dodges and enziguris! Cover, TWO! Fans rally back up and Ricochet gets to his feet. Ricochet drags Styles up and wants a suplex, but Styles resists. Ricochet throws forearms and tries again, but the bad knee stops that. Styles rolls Ricochet to a Calf Crusher! Styles pulls back hard and deep, but Ricochet reaches back to bounce Styles off the mat. And into an ANACONDA VICE! Styles punches but Ricochet wrenches! Styles fish hooks and Ricochet lets go! Ricochet rolls away but now Styles has to check on his arm. Styles throws a punch but misses. Ricochet boots and Northern Lights! Float over to a dead lift twisting suplex! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives and Ricochet is beside himself!
Fans rally and Ricochet drags Styles into a drop zone. Ricochet wills himself to a corner, but he has to fight off the OC! Moonsault wipes out big Doc Gallows! Ricochet returns to the corner, but Styles is up to trip him up! Ricochet gets crotch’d and now Styles turns Ricochet around. Ricochet fights back and Styles falls! Ricochet stands, but has to mule kick Anderson away. Styles revives as Ricochet stands, to counter the Phoenix Splash INTO STYLES CLASH!! Cover, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall; still WWE United States Champion
The OC helps Styles out time and again, and he stands tall with the title! The Club is still golden, but will they be able to continue helping each other out? And what of Finn Balor later tonight?
But the OC isn’t done with Ricochet! Gallows drags him up and with Anderson, MAGIC KILLER! Is this the last time these three beat down Ricochet just because? Or will things only get more Too Sweet?
The Street Profits are having fun.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today” for the 32nd SummerSlam. It has been LIT! GOLD~BERG~! But in Jurassic Park, #WeTheNorth! And how about Alexa and “mah girl” Nikki retaining their tag titles? Is that so? Real talk, Nikki, @ your boy on the ‘Gram. He’s shooting his shot. But wait. It’s… RIC FLAIR~! What up, boys? Stylin’, Profilin’, Nature Boy is ready to get down! WOO~~! What more goes down during the biggest party of the summer?
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bayley VS Ember Moon!
The Hugger was given the right to choose her opponent, and she chose the War Goddess! However, these two have turned a friendly rivalry into a game of one-upping the other. Will Bayley come to regret choosing Ember for her contender? Or will she deny an Eclipse in Toronto?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin this match to prove who is worthy!
Bayley and Ember circle and tie up. Bayley headlocks and takeovers but Ember gets up. Bayley just throws Ember again, and again. Ember headscissors but Bayley pops out. Bayley blocks an arm-drag to get a fireman’s takedown. But Ember sweeps the legs! Ember forearms and kicks but Bayley jumps the sweep. Bayley headlocks again, but Ember fights back. Ember powers out but Bayley whips and clothesliens Ember in the corner. Bayley runs but Ember follows to back elbow! Ember runs but Bayley follows to knee! Bayley runs but Ember follows to handspring forearm! Ember runs and springboards for a crossbody, TWO! Ember grins as she has Bayley down. She kicks Bayley in the back and then brings her up for knees to the stomach.
Ember runs again to shotgun dropkick Bayley to ropes! Ember splashes down for a cover, TWO! Fans duel as Ember knees Bayley in the back. Ember turns Bayley around and clubs away before putting on the Bow ‘n’ Arrow. Bayley endures and works on the hold. Fans rally and Bayley fights her way up. Ember powers Bayley to a facelock but Bayley fights with body shots. Ember knees low then whips, but Bayley reverses. Bayley has Ember on the apron, but Ember denies the hotshot! Ember gets in and runs, springboard but she flops! Bayley knees Ember on the run! Then a clothesline folds her up! Cover, TWO! Ember escapes the stacked cover, but Bayley keeps her cool. Fans rally up as Bayley brings Ember around. Bayley suplexes Ember onto the rope and clubs away! Then she drags Ember in for a hanging suplex! Cover, TWO!
Bayley keeps her cool as she brings Ember to a corner. Ember fights back but still gets buckles. Bayley stomps away, and fans sing for her as she throws body shots. Ember kicks Bayley away, then puts Bayley on the apron. Ember SUPERKICKS Bayley then ROCKS her with a right! Ember runs, but Bayley blocks the dive! Bayley sees the floor below, but Ember fights for life. Ember is free, but Bayley yanks her into the ropes! Bayley hotshots Ember in the corner! Ember flops into the ring, but Bayley hauls her up top. Bayley puts Ember in a Tree of Woe, and goes corner to corner for a springboard elbow! Cover, TWO! Ember still lives, but Bayley keeps her focus. Bayley drags Ember around, hooks the legs, and has an Inverted Crab! She has a hard time holding both legs, but she still leans hard on Ember’s back! Ember clubs an ankle and Bayley hobbles away. Then Ember reaches up to headscissor Bayley into ropes! Bayley gets up and elbows Ember down! Ember dodges the elbow drop to SUPERKICK again!
Both women are down but Bayley rolls away to be safe from the cover. A ring count begins, but Ember runs, only to dive into Bayley’s forearm! Bayley gets a new count and heads up top. Ember rises to club that bad ankle again! Ember climbs up and has Bayley for a SUPER STEINER! Then underhhooks and Canadian rack, twisting code breaker! Cover, TWO!! Ember’s new move wasn’t enough to end Bayley, and she’s growing frustrated. Ember refocuses and drags Bayley up. Bayley elbows back, and fights off the German Suplex. Ember fights off the belly2belly, but runs into boots. Bayley hops up again, but Ember yanks her off into a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Bayley still lives and Ember is moving from frustrated to furious.
Bayley grabs Ember’s leg but Ember kicks Bayley off! Ember goes to a corner and climbs up top, because she wants to end this. Bayley hurries over and grabs Ember, SUPER BAYLEY2BELLY!! Cover, Bayley wins!!
Winner: Bayley, by pinfall; still SmackDown Women’s Champion
The Eclipse was eclipsed out of nowhere! And Bayley earns her win to keep this title! What is next for the Huggable champion as we move into Fall?
Kevin Owens VS Shane McMahon!
The Prizefighter admits this is a risky gamble, but it is the only move he could make to lure the Best in the World into this fight. Can Kevin win to keep his job and shut Shane’s tyranny down? Or is this the last Kevin Owens Show ever?
Naturally the Canadian crowd supports Kevin over Shane. Shane takes a moment to say something. “Ladies and gentlemen, to ensure that this is a fair contest, and this is called right down the line, allow me to please introduce to you the special guest enforcer,” ELIAS! The Drifter returns, and no one is surprised given Shane’s abuses of power over the last few months. Shane has Elias promise to be fair and unbiased, but we all know it’s a farce. The bell finally rings, and Shane bails out. Kevin chases after but Elias is in his way. Shane gets back in and a ring count begins. Kevin leaves Elias behind at 5, but he does keep his eyes on Shane’s henchman. Shane bails out again and taunts Kevin. Kevin chases again, but Elias trips him! Kevin gets pissed but Shane just gets back in the ring again. The count passes 5, Kevin is in at 8. Shane sucker punches Kevin into a corner!
Shane throws hands but Kevin gives it all back! The ref counts and Kevin lets up at 4. To then DECK Shane with a big right! Kevin goes corner to corner, CANNONBALL! Toronto is fired up for the Prizefighter as he clotheslines Shane out! Kevin waits for Elias to check on Shane, and then runs, only for Elias to be a roadblock. Kevin goes out but Shane sucker punches him, and tosses him into barriers! The referee checks on Kevin for a moment, and sees he’s okay to continue. The ref starts a new count, and Kevin crawls at 6. Kevin is in at 7, but Shane throws those jabs and kicks. Shane eggs Kevin on as he kicks away. Shane backs off at 4, but fans say, “Shane You Suck!” Shane throws hands but Kevin gets shots in. Kevin covers up as Shane throws hands, then he throws hands back! Shane knees Kevin low over and over, then clubs away on Kevin. Russian Leg Sweep, cover, ONE!
Shane throws hands but fans let him know “You Can’t Wrestle!” Kevin rocks Shane again, but Shane comes back with more hands. Kevin forearms but Shane throws hammer fists. Shane whips but Kevin reverses, to pop up. Shane slips out to DDT! Cover, TWO! Shane keeps his cool, and jokes around with Elias. Shane wants to be the new Hitman, as he goes for the Sharpshooter! Kevin kicks free of it, then pops Shane for the powerbomb! But Elias argues with the ref!? Kevin argues with Elias but Shane rolls Kevin up! TWO, and Kevin clobbers Shane! Kevin is losing his cool over Shane’s power abuse. Elias throws a chair in!? Elias dares Kevin to do something, and so does Shane. Kevin really wants to, but he knows better than that. Shane SLAPS Kevin, and Kevin really, really wants to! But he won’t. Kevin suckers Elias and Shane in, Shane hits Elias! SUPERKICK!
Kevin hurries up top while Shane is down, SWANTON! But that’s not all, he goes up the other side! FROG SPLASH! Cover, but Elias drags the ref out! The fans boo but an official can’t disqualify an “official.” So Kevin CANNONBALLS onto them both! Kevin is enraged and he goes to Shane in the ring. And he sees the chair…! Kevin picks the chair up, and with no referees around… But Elias drags Kevin out! Kevin fights Elias off, then JAMS and SMACKS him with the chair! And again! And again! Kevin wears that chair out on Elias’ back! Then he whips Elias into the timekeeper’s area! Kevin has the chair, he sees Shane, but the true referee returns! Kevin stops himself, but as the referee puts the chair outside, Kevin LOW BLOWS Shane! Kevin smirks before hitting a STUNNER! Cover, Kevin wins!
Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall; keeps his job
And the KO Show stays in the WWE! Shane tries to stack the deck every time, but Kevin knocked this one down like a house of cards! Will Kevin be celebrating come Raw and SmackDown this week? Or will this only open a new can of worms?
Charlotte Flair VS Trish Stratus!
We have had amazing generational match-ups before, like Hogan VS Rock or Rock VS Cena, but now, we have Flair VS Stratus! Will The Queen of Queen City prove she is THE Queen of All Eras? Or is she still not on the level of the #QueenofQueens, the legend that blazed the trail?
The bell rings and Trish stares Charlotte down. Trish and Charlotte both smirk as they approach. Charlotte and Trish circle and tie up. They go around and Toronto sings the Canadian national anthem for Trish. Charlotte shoves Trish then throws her into a corner. Charlotte laughs but Trish comes back with a kick! Trish runs and Thesz Presses! Charlotte gets up but Trish tilt-o-whirl arm-drags, into a springboard huricanrana! But Charltote trips Trish to the Figure Four! Trish slips out to headscissor Charlotte again! Toronto tells Trish, “You Still Got!” Charlotte shakes her head, she doesn’t care what fans think. Charlotte and Trish circle, and Charlotte kicks Trish back. Charlotte brings Trish in to lift, but Trish arm-drags Charlotte out of the ring! Trish wrecks Charlotte with a dropkick, then aims from the apron. Trish leaps for a big Thesz Press and fast hands!
Fans fire up with Trish as she drags Charlotte around the way. They walk up the steps but Charlotte trips Trish up! Trish hits steel then the floor! Charlotte soaks up the heat while the ref checks Trish’s nose. Trish is not bloody, but Charlotte says “That easy!” Charlotte puts Trish in the ring and then brings her back out to throw into barriers! Trish goes down in a heap and Charlotte says she’s having fun. Charlotte puts Trish back in again, then takes her time stalking Trish. Charlotte kicks Trish while she’s down then bounces her off the mat. She bounces Trish again, then pulls her back into a deep chinlock. Trish endures the knee in her back and Charlotte pulling on the arms. Fans rally and Trish gets an arm free, but Charlotte pulls hair! Charlotte uses the hair to throw Trish on the mat again. She drags Trish back up, and throws her with an exploder! Charlotte kips up and fans “WOO~!” but then Charlotte mocks Trish’s pose.
Charlotte toys with Trish then pulls her against ropes. She lets up at 4 to “WOO~!” right at the ref. Charlotte says it’s still too easy, but Trish crawls to a corner. Charlotte drags Trish around, reels her in for a back suplex, but Trish counters with a crossbody! Cover, TWO, and Charlotte DECKS Trish! Charlotte drops a knee on Trish’s head, then takes time to insult the fans. Charlotte toys with Trish, and starts stomping and slapping Trish in a corner. Fans boo but Trish trips Charlotte up! Trish throws hands and puts her in the corner! Trish stomps away, then climbs up to rain down rights! Charlotte pushes Trish to the outside, then BOOTS her down to the floor! A ring count starts, but Trish stirs. Charlotte mocks Trish, holding the ropes open for her. Trish sits up and the count restarts. Charlotte keeps egging Trish on, but Trish is up at 5. The moment she’s in, Charlotte’s on Trish with elbows and knees!
Charlotte stomps Trish down hard! Charlotte steps on Trish as she heads up top. Moonsault FLOPS! Trish steps in for a tornado complete shot! Fans fire up as Charlotte and Trish rise. Charlotte is on Trish but Trish shoves her away. Trish SLAPS Charlotte, but Charlotte kicks out a leg. Charlotte whips Trish but Trish reverses to CHOP! Tirsh gives Charlotte some Flair medicine, then puts some stank on it! But Charlotte boots again! Charlotte hops up, but Trish goes for Stratusphere. Only for Charlotte to block! Trish sits up and the two start trading slapping rights! Trish sits up, but Charlotte blocks again, only to still get Stratusphere! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives, but Trish keeps her cool. Trish drags herself to ropes and fans rally. She takes aim, but Charlotte ducks the Chick Kick! Trish bucks Charlotte off only to get another BOOT! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte is shocked that Trish survives.
Charlotte drags Trish around and goes after the leg. She spins through, but gets caught in a cradle! TWO, and Trish victory rolls, to STEAL the Figure Four! Charlotte endures her own hold, but then Trish bridges to steal FIGURE EIGHT!! Charlotte endures her other signature hold, but Trish can’t hold the bridge. Charlotte reaches and gets the ropebreak! Trish lets Charlotte go but the damage has been done. Trish runs in, but Charlotte kicks her leg out. Charlotte stands as fans say “This is Awesome!” Charlotte runs in but Trish dodges! Trish has the headlock, runs at the ropes, STRATUSFACTION! Cover, TWO!!! Charlotte survives and Trish is furious. Trish and Charlotte glare as the fans again cheer.
The two start slapping and chopping back and forth! They stand and CHOP, and CHOP, and Trish gets an edge! Charlotte runs into the jackknife bridge, TWO! Charlotte’s boot misses, CHICK KICK HITS! Cover, TWO!?! Trish isn’t sure what she has to do to end this. But she waits for Charlotte to stand, but the BOOT hits first! Charlotte has the legs, Figure Four! Trish endures, but Charlotte bridges to HER Figure Eight! Trish can’t last any longer, Trish taps! Charlotte wins!!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission
Charlotte doesn’t need someone to pass a torch to her, she takes it for her own! The Queen of All Eras ascends to a new throne, but will she now be seeking a 10th title reign?
Fans show their love and respect by chanting “Thank You Trish!” Trish gets up and strikes her famous pose once more! Is this truly the last time we see Trish in the ring?
Seth Rollins prepares for his match.
And to check on him, it’s BRET HART! The Hitman himself encourages Rollins, and Rollins appreciates that. Will Rollins be able to slay the beast again when his ribs are so wrecked?
WWE World Championship: Kofi Kingston VS Randy Orton!
AWWWWWW~ Toronto~! This rivalry comes full circle from roughly 10 years ago. Back then, The Viper was just The Legend Killer, and he thought the not-Jamaican superstar was “stupid” for thinking he could compete at a world title level. But now, nothing is going to hold #Kofimania back! However, will he still be stopped by the three most dangerous letters in pro-wrestling today?
The introductions are made while Kofi and Orton jaw at each other, the belt is raised, and we begin this long-time-coming match-up!
Orton and Kofi circle, and Orton mockingly offers a pancake. Kofi slaps the flapjack away, getting serious now. Orton shoves, Kofi shoves, and they tie up. Orton puts Kofi in a corner but Kofi turns it around. Orton turns it back on Kofi but Kofi headlocks. The two get chippy and the ref manages to back them off. Orton throws the pancake at Kofi as fans duel, “Kofi’s Stupid!” “Randy Sucks!” Kofi and Orton tie up again, and Orton backs Kofi into a corner again. Orton throws EuroUppers and headbutts and Kofi staggers away. Orton whips Kofi corner to corner but Kofi comes back with a clothesline! Kofi is fired up as he goes to Orton with headbutts of his own. Kofi CHOPS Orton, and then whips Orton corner to corner. Orton reverses but Kofi goes up and leaps with ax handles!
Kofi mule kicks and punches Orton in a corner, but the ref counts. Orton thumbs Kofi in the eye! The ref reprimands Orton but he doesn’t care. Orton stalks Kofi and whips him corner to corner. Kofi boots Orton back, then hops up again, only for Orton to shove him out to the barriers! Kofi crashes and burns but Orton slowly follows him. Orton drags Kofi up and yanks on the arm. He bounces Kofi off the announce desks as fans duel again. Orton refreshes the ring count, before dropping Kofi on the desk with a back suplex! Orton smirks as he looms over “stupid” Kofi. The ring count climbs and Orton puts Kofi back in the ring. Cover, TWO! Orton stomps away on Kofi’s limbs, a move he’s learned in the last 10 years. Orton pulls Kofi against the ropes, pulling on his hair. The ref counts but Orton lets up at 4. Orton drags Kofi up to EuroUpper him out of the ring.
Orton then goes out to fetch Kofi, and whip him at steel steps! But Kofi leaps over to leap back with more ax handles! The ring count starts again and Kofi kicks Orton around. Kofi puts Orton in the ring, but Orton rolls out the other side. Kofi goes to the apron and takes aim, but his leap misses! Kofi just hits the ground, and Orton clobbers him with a clothesline! Orton brings Kofi back over, back suplex for the American announce desk! Kofi writhes while Orton walks around. Orton brings Kofi up for EuroUppers against the Spanish desk. Orton puts Kofi back in, cover, TWO! Orton keeps his cool, because he’s in control. He looms over Kofi as fans duel again. Orton drags Kofi up to grind him into buckles. The ref counts and Orton lets up at 4, to then hoist Kofi up top.
Orton throws punches before climbing up. He stands Kofi up on the very top, but Kofi resists! Kofi fights back, but Orton headbutts. Orton tries again, but Kofi still holds the superplex off! Kofi clubs away on Orton’s back, and Orton drops down. Kofi punches Orton away, and leaps for a tornado DDT! Both men are down but Kofi crawls for a cover, TWO! Fans build to a rally and the two men stand. Kofi CHOPS Orton off his feet! And again! Kofi dropkicks Orton down, but he keeps moving. Leaping lariat! Fans fire up with Kofi as he runs and “NEW~ DAY~” Boom Drops! Now Kofi calls Orton “stupid!” as he aims from the corner. Fans clap along as Orton stands. But Orton blocks the Trouble in Paradise to the back2backbreaker, a classic move! Cover, TWO! Orton grows annoyed as Kofi survives.
Kofi goes to the apron, but Orton smirks as he walks over. Orton mocks the New Day claps, then drags Kofi through the ropes. Kofi knows this move, though, and tosses Orton out! Kofi hurries to a corner, climbs up high, and TRUST FALLS! He takes Orton out, but doesn’t stay down! Kofi drags Orton into the ring, then heads up top again. Orton stands and Kofi leaps, crossbody hits! Cover, TWO! Kofi feels how close he was, but he’s still not done. Kofi drags Orton up but Orton shoves him away. Kofi spins out but the kick is blocked! Orton drags Kofi through the ropes, for the draping DDT! But Orton won’t stop there, either. He hears the voices in his head! Orton wants Kofi to stand so much, he’s salivating. Kofi does flounder to his feet, and Orton goes, but Kofi backslide counters! TWO, TROUBLE misses! Kofi slips out and kicks Orton away! Crossbody, RKO!!
Orton smiles and laughs even though he hasn’t made the cover. Kofi rolls to the apron and onto the floor, and now Orton isn’t laughing. Orton goes out to fetch Kofi, and now fans have agreed they love “Both These Guys!” Orton spots Kofi’s family, and Kofi does, too. Kofi throws fast hands but he ignores the ring count!
Double Count-Out
Kofi doesn’t care, he just wants to unleash his fury! Kofi throws Orton into steel steps! And then goes under the ring to bring out a kendo stick! Kofi SMACKS away on Orton’s body! He has Orton staggering all around the ring as he hits him over and over! The stick breaks but Kofi still keeps after Orton! Kofi has lost his cool, but he’s going to end this now! Orton slowly gets up, his body stinging from the kendo strikes. Kofi spins, TROUBLE IN PARADISE! The Viper has been slain, but has this settled anything between Kofi and Orton?
Finn Balor VS “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt!
The Extraordinary Man has his own inner Demon, but it seems that the Eater of Worlds was hiding one of his own. Firefly Fun House was a surreal experience, but the terror Bray has put into legends and superstars is real. Can Finn stare fear in the eye and survive? Or will he be the Fiend’s first in-ring victim?
Speaking of Firefly Fun House, “LET. HIM. IN!” The lights go down, and then a lantern is inside the mouth of a disembodied Bray Wyatt head!? Because The Fiend has shed the old new Face of Fear for an even more frightening one! Finn is at a loss for words, as that puts even his Demon’s entrance to shame. But he works up the courage to get back in the ring, and this fight finally begins!
Finn is wary of the Fiend, but the Fiend grabs him first! The Fiend headbutts then stomps Finn, then finally takes off his jacket. The Fiend whips and runs Finn over with a headbutt! Finn flounders to a corner, but The Fiend is on him with big hands. The Fiend hears the fans chant “Yowie Wowie!” He whips Finn corner to corner but Finn goes up and over, but there’s the return of the Spider Walk! Finn runs in but gets caught! Finn fights free but The Fiend clobbers him down! The Fiend laughs before grabbing Finn for a sickening neck wrench! Finn is barely stirring, but The Fiend throws him down with an urenage!
The Fiend looks Finn in the eye, before looking at his own hands. The Fiend laughs more as he tries to keep his head on straight. He drags Finn up, for the Sister- NO, Finn slips out to Slingblade! And shotgun dropkick! Finn fires off furious kicks, but the Fiend shoves him away. Finn trips Fiend up for double stomps! Finn aims again, but The Fiend is up, to get another shotgun dropkick! The Fiend flops down and Finn climbs up, COUP DE- MANDIBLE CLAW!! The Fiend smothers Finn into the mat and makes it a cover, The Fiend wins!
Winner: The Fiend, by pinfall
Finn may be extraordinary, but not even that is enough for Bray’s new form. And then The Fiend teleports to the stage! Is this only the beginning of something truly wicked?
Fans can’t help but feel “That was Awesome!” However, Finn would disagree being on the other end of that debut. Will Finn be back to match monster with monster? Or does he need time to recover, both physically and mentally?
WWE Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar w/ Paul Heyman VS Seth Rollins!
The Architect used an ingenious plan at WrestleMania 35 to take the title, but it infuriated The Beast. The Beast would have a plan of his own when he hijacked the Men’s Money in the Bank match. And after some mix-ups, some bluffs and some threats, the Beast in the Bank would cash-in at Extreme Rules to take the title back. But apparently, that wasn’t enough for Lesnar to feel he taught Rollins a lesson. German Suplexes, F5’s onto chairs and then onto a stretcher’s frame, Lesnar would not leave Rollins be until his ribs were in horrible shape. Can the Beastslayer overcome and #BurnItDown? Or will Toronto forever be THE Suplex City?
Introductions are made, with Heyman of course taking the duties of introducing the “Seth-Stomping, Rib-Breaking, Ultimate Conquering Sultan of SummerSlam, YOUR reigning, defending, undisputed Universal Champion, BRRROCK! LLLESNARRR!” With that, the belt is raised, and we finally begin the main event!
Lesnar and Rollins circle, and of course Rollins guards his ribs. But even then, Lesnar kicks him there and rams his shoulder in! Lesnar then hauls Rollins corner to corner to ram him into buckles! He knees Rollins’ ribs HARD, and lets him hit the mat. Lesnar throws his shoulders in more, but lets up at 4. Rollins SUPERKICKS! But then he runs into a German, only to land on his feet?! CURB STOMP!! Cover, TWO!! Lesnar almost lost right there! Lesnar bails out while Rollins and Heyman are both shocked. Rollins gest to the apron, runs and knees Lesnar down! Rollins keeps moving as Lesnar hurries back in. Rollins aims and SUPERKICKS, into a German! But he again lands on his feet! SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK! CURB- No, fireman’s, F5!! But Lesnar goes the other way of Rollins and they’re on opposite sides of the ring. Fans already feel “This is Awesome!”
Lesnar pulls at the rib tape, and uses it to swing and throw Rollins to a corner! Lesnar stomps Rollins and says it’s “Punishment Time, B*tch!” Lesnar throws Rollins with a German Suplex, and this time Rollins lands on his shoulders! But Lesnar holds on, for another German Suplex! And then he drags Rollins up by his hair, just to give him a third German! Rollins bails out but Lesnar won’t leave him be. He throws Rollins with another German Suplex! Lesnar takes his time bringing Rollins back up and into the ring. Rollins flounders but Lesnar is right on him. Lesnar laughs as he waistlocks and Germans again! Rollins bails out again, but Lesnar still stalks him. Lesnar brings Rollins up, but Rollins shoves him into the post! And again!
Rollins hurries to get Lesnar into the ring, then takes aim. Rollins springboards, flying knee hits! But Rollins knows this won’t be enough, so he climbs again. Flying- GERMAN! Lesnar let Rollins fly into a corner again! Both men are down as Lesnar catches his breath and shakes out the cobwebs. Fans duel as Lesnar goes bare knuckle. He stomps and snap suplexes Rollins! Rollins gasps for air given those bad ribs, but it’s only going to get worse. Lesnar rams Rollins into the corner, then brings him out for a rear bearhug! Rollins endures the squeeze, reaches for ropes, but Lesnar just clubs him back down! Lesnar has Rollins on the ropes and chokes him. The ref counts and Lesnar lets up at 4 to toss Rollins down. Heyman mocks Rollins’ pain while Lesnar looms over him again.
Lesnar drags Rollins up to tackle him into a corner! Lesnar gets a running start, but only gets post! Rollins grits his teeth as he runs, to dropkick Lesnar down to the announce desk! But Rollins keeps moving, to DIVE! He topples Lesnar down, but that’s not enough! Another DIVE and another hit! Rollins wants it again, and DIVES, to be caught! And rammed into a post! Both men are down, Rollins’ plan having backfired! Lesnar stands first and fans build to a rally. Lesnar clears off the Spanish announce desk! But he turns into a SUPERKICK! Lesnar ends up on the desk, and Rollins hurries up top! Rollins LEAPS to FROG SPLASH Lesnar through the table!! Both men are down and fans are losing their minds! The referee checks on both men, but they’re somehow okay to continue.
Both men get up and drag themselves to the ring. The referee hasn’t counted, so both men are safe. Rollins gets up top again, to Frog Splash onto Lesnar again! But he bounces off, and takes aim from a corner! Rollins wants Lesnar to sit up just enough, CURB STOMP AGAIN! Cover, TWO!?! Lesnar still lives?! Heyman is relieved while Rollins is shocked. But Rollins still has fire inside, and he stomps. Fans chant “Burn It Down!” for Rollins as he aims again. Rollins runs, but into a fierman’s! F5- NO! SUPERKICK! A THIRD CURB STOMP!! Cover, Rollins WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall; NEW WWE Universal Champion
The Beastslayer hath slain the Beast AGAIN! And this time, with NO controversy! He didn’t need to low blow, he didn’t need to misdirect. He did it with broken freakin’ ribs, because he is Seth Freakin’ Rollins! Does this finally end things between him and Brock Lesnar?
My Thoughts:
For the trepidation and fears going into SummerSlam, this SummerSlam actually did great! I was glad we got some WWE 24/7 Championship shenanigans here and there, though not as much as I expected. The Cruiserweight Championship was good, but still not quite a 205 Live level match. If only they could find a way to put this title in the main show again. It seems they felt the need to shoe-horn in Murphy VS Crews even though Roman Reigns ended up nowhere on the show, which is somewhat a shame. But it does further some things, like Rowan going after Murphy but Bryan not really disapproving. I feel like this is the end of Murphy’s part in the story, and then things can build for Roman, Rowan and Bryan on the way to at least Clash of Champions in September, with or without Face Samoa Joe getting involved.
They definitely shoe-horned the Women’s Tag titles in, and it didn’t help they also advertised a Women’s Tag title match for Raw already. But the match itself was still a lot of fun, so it was okay for it to just be a formality against IIconics. I was really surprised to see the Raw Women’s Championship Submission Match start the main show, and I thought for a moment it was because Natty was actually going to win to make Toronto explode. The reaction would’ve been a great reason why, but naturally, Becky toughs it out and wins. Fans still love Becky so it didn’t sour anything per se, and it was such a great match anyhow, only diehards for Natty would’ve seen this as a bad thing. Also great to see Bret Hart have a cameo, it seems presenting AEW’s title didn’t hurt his standings with Vince.
The Goldberg-Ziggler match was great because it wasn’t just what we expected it to be, it was so over-the-top that it was actually hilarious. The match itself was classic Goldberg squashing his opponent, so that’s fun. But then Ziggler being so punch drunk (or rather Spear Drunk) that he kept egging Goldberg on to get more Spears, that was all amazing. But at the same time, this really needs to be the last time for Goldberg, because this kind of stuff is all he can really do anymore. On the flip side, WOW that Flair-Stratus match. THAT is how you use a legend/part-timer, because she let the younger star go over. Charlotte and Trish were so good in this match, so it’s great that Charlotte goes over to elevate her legacy. Bayley VS Ember was a great match, too, and it really worked for Bayley to intercept Ember’s finisher with her own. Chances are, Bayley circles back to Charlotte, but now it’ll be the Charlotte that beat Trish to give us an amazing match for Clash of Champions, regardless of who wins.
Ricochet looked great in the Nightwing cosplay, and he had another great match with Styles. It works out fine that the OC interfered and all that, because that counter of Phoenix Splash into Styles Clash was just so awesome. I’m not sure if Ricochet gets another chance at Clash where Gallows & Anderson are busy with their own match, or we start fresh with the other superstars. I would love to see Cesaro go Face for this match, or Strowman since he’s strong enough to overcome numbers. And while the OC offered Finn help, I was hoping he was going to surprise us with Demon. But no, still keeping Demon in the back pocket. All-white clad Balor puts up a good fight against The Fiend, who had an insanely good (and creepy) entrance, but Fiend wins because he just had to win. Fiend VS Demon at/in Hell in a Cell will be great, if Fiend racks up a win streak leading into that.
I’m actually surprised Shane didn’t stack the deck more against Kevin, but they still did a great job with how they handled it. Kevin gets to beat down Elias and get away with cheating Shane, but I feel like this will only escalate towards Survivor Series and Team Shane VS Team Kevin. I thought it would be Team Roman, but now it’ll be Kevin, since Roman has Bryan and Rowan. Kofi VS Orton was pretty good, but it did seem odd it was a Double Count-Out draw. I suppose it keeps both men strong and we can get a Clash of Champs rematch, but it was great to see Kofi tee off on Orton. I wonder if their CoC rematch is No DQ so we can get more of this.
And then we all worried what Lesnar VS Rollins was going to be this time, but WOW! They somehow handled this exactly right! All the Heel Heat Lesnar had built up really pays off for how Rollins was evading and countering, but of course Rollins still gets thrown around plenty. Something about it worked out the way it needed to, especially the announce desk splash spot, and this might have just corrected the awkward course Rollins was going. Hopefully with Heyman working Raw now, this momentum stays with Rollins so that fans care again. I would think Lesnar, mostly in character, wouldn’t want a non-Big-4 match, so maybe we can truly, truly start fresh for Rollins with any number of superstars who have just been waiting for a chance.
My Score: 8.7/10
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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…Â 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! EXPLODERÂ 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 BOMBÂ 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 DDTÂ 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, INTOÂ 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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