Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (4/8/2020)

One. Last. Beat.

Published

3 years ago

April 9, 2020

Steven Mitchell

NXT takes over USA Network!

Apologies to Tampa, but more of the TakeOver plan moves to television! Who stands tall as THE heart of NXT after #OneLastBeat?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender Ladder Match: Chelsea Green VS Mia Yim VS Candice LeRae VS Io Shirai VS Tegan Nox VS Dakota Kai; Shirai wins and will challenge Charlotte Flair for the title.
Partial Replay – NXT UK 3/12/20: Finn Balor VS Alexander Wolfe w/ Imperium; Balor wins.
Indus Sher w/ Malcolm Bivens VS Ever-Rise; Indus Sher wins.
One Last Beat: Tommaso Ciampa VS Johnny Gargano; Gargano wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT’s most intense and storied rivalry all started with one moment.

It was TakeOver: Chicago three years ago. DIY lost, and Tommaso Ciampa lost it! A throw into an LED wall and an Air Raid Crash off the announce desk through spare tables sparked a saga. “In the history of NXT, there has been no greater rivalry, no personal issue more intense than what we have witnessed over the last few years between Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa.” Both men have given blood, sweat and tears while trying to take the other man’s heart and soul. The Black Heart and the Rebel Heart have fought each other over and over, and tonight it all ends. Two walk into a building, one walks out, and “it’s done.” When it is over, it is over forever. This will be Gargano VS Ciampa, #OneLastBeat.

NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender Ladder Match: Chelsea Green VS Mia Yim VS Candice LeRae VS Io Shirai VS Tegan Nox VS Dakota Kai!

There is a NEW NXT Women’s Champion after WrestleMania, and yet it is also an old one. Charlotte Flair is back on top of the black ‘n’ yellow, but she’s already going to have a challenger lined up! Who among this super six pack stands atop the ladder as #1 Contender?

The bell rings and all six women stare down. Then things spark into brawls! Tegan of course goes after Dakota and Candice goes after Shirai! Mia goes after Green in a corner and stomps her down. Shirai stomps Candice while Dakota bumps Tegan off buckles. Shirai hits a swinging meteora! But Dakota throws Shirai out! Dakota clubs Mia and Green scurries away. Dakota tells Raquel to get her a ladder, and a tall one! Raquel does as ordered while Dakota stomps whoever moves. The ladder is in but Mia and Candice dropkick it back out at Raquel! They glare at Dakota, who tries to calm them down. But then Dakota bumps into Tegan, and she stops smiling. Dakota ends up in a 3v1 punch cycle!

Candice throws haymakers and chops and fires off! Tegan runs in to uppercut Dakota, then gives Green a shot just because. Mia adds on to Dakota and Green, then so does Candice! Green tumbles down and Tegan gives Dakota the CANNON-BOAR! Mia adds her CANNON-BALL, and they both help Candice hit a BIG cannonball! These three feel good working together, but then Candice gets clear as Shirai flies in! Shirai takes Mia and Tegan down with a missile dropkick! Candice runs back in but gets a flapjack! The Evil Genius goes out to drag a new ladder from under the ring. Meanwhile, Robert Stone helps Green get a table! Shirai has her ladder in but Candice climbs it like steps! Shirai shakes her off and kicks her low, to Alabama lift! Candice fights free and lifts, but Shirai resists.

Shirai blocks a kick but not the enziguri! She staggers, but still SHOTEIS Candice back! Green gives them BOTH a bulldog to the ladder! The Hot Commodity clears the ring with a grin as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Green now has a chair. But Mia trips her and she falls on said chair! Mia drags Green out to throw hands but Green throws them right back. Tegan gets in but Dakota follows to throw hands. The former Team Kick partners brawl fast and furious! Tegan choke grips but Dakota breaks free to Scorpion Kick! Tegan rebounds to HEADBUTT! She runs but into a big forearm! Dakota runs but Tegan uppercuts! Tegan runs but Dakota follows Around the World to BOOT! Dakota runs corner to corner but Tegan follows! Dakota dodges her at the last second, but the boot is blocked to another uppercut! Tegan choke grips and CHOKE SLAMS! Tegan sees Green slide a ladder in and stands on it. They tug-o-war, and Tegan rams Green into railing!

Tegan stands the ladder up under the contract briefcase. She climbs up but Dakota hurries after her! Dakota and Tegan are both up top and Dakota SMACKS Tegan off the top! But Candice YANKS Dakota down and Dakota SMACKS off a rung! Tegan clings to her side and Candice climbs up. The two friends hesitate, but Green and Dakota attack in that opening! Green DECKS Tegan and Dakota feeds Candice to buckles! Dakota and Green climb and brawl but get yanked down by Mia and Shirai! Mia knocks Green down and Shirai kicks Kai. They climb now, but Candice returns with a ladder. She and Tegan bring that over while Dakota goes back after Shirai. Dakota kicks Shirai out of the ring and Green goes after Mia while Candice and Tegan set up this other ladder.

Mia kicks Green away while Tegan and Candice climb. Dakota returns to go after Tegan and Green goes after Candice. Green brings Candice down then goes back after Mia. Mia elbows Green away and keeps climbing. Dakota and Tegan take each other out, leaving Mia alone to reach for the briefcase! But Candice pulls her back down! Candice swings, Mia ducks, and wrenches Candice’s arm, PROTEC YA NECK! Mia leaves Candice down and heads up again, but Green SMACKS her with a chair! Green tosses the chair to Mia to then BOOT, but she misses! Green is caught in the rungs of a ladder set in the corner! Mia gives Green’s knee a CHAIR SHOT! Green screams and Mia pushes her out of the ring. But Shirai returns to basement dropkick Mia! Shirai GUILLOTINE CATAPULTS Mia into the ladder!!

Shirai shouts that this is her time! She hurries up the ladder, but RAQUEL pushes her over!! Shira falls onto everyone else! The irony is that Raquel just took out Dakota, who she’s supposed to be helping! NXT goes to break while everyone is down!

NXT returns as Raquel guards the ladder. She throws Candice out then makes sure everyone else is down. Robert Stone says Green is not a threat now, so Raquel hurries to help Dakota. They go into the ring, and Raquel even lifts Dakota on her shoulders. Raquel climbs for Dakota, but Mia returns! Mia attacks Raquel but Raquel boots her down! Dakota is at the top but Candice yanks her down! Raquel climbs up and drags Mia up by her hair! Mia fights back with body shots and forearms! Mia gets under Raquel and wants to bomb! Raquel holds on but Tegan joins in! Tegan choke grips Raquel, and together, she and Mia SUPER CHOKE SLAM BOMB Raquel THROUGH A TABLE!! But Mia goes all out for it, taking herself out with Raquel!!

Tegan watches Mia and Raquel in the wreckage a little too long, and Dakota goes after Tegan on the top rope! Dakota runs side to side, to BOOT Tegan down! Tegan crashes through a ladder bridge!! So much carnage at ringside!! Dakota sees she’s alone with Raquel down, and Candice is climbing! Dakota hurries to stop her, and they’re both up top. They both have a hand on the case, but Candice SMACKS it off Dakota’s head! Shirai springboards in to SMASH Dakota’s head off the ladder! Dakota falls but even Candice stumbles back. Shirai ducks Candice to waistlock and GERMAN SUPLEX! BUZZSAW MISSES! Candice waistlocks and GERMANS Shirai!

Robert Stone says this is Green’s chance! Green hobbles up and into the ring with him cheering all the way. Green drags herself up the rungs but her bad leg is too much. Stone throws off his jacket to climb up on the other side! He hesitates the higher he goes, and then helps Green from the other side. They’re almost there, but Shirai and Candice tip the ladder over! Green falls onto the ropes and gets tangled up!! Everyone is down, but Shirai and Candice are still in the ring! They both bring the ladder back up and start to climb again. Candice reaches the top first, but Shirai stops her from touching the case. They brawl way up high, back and forth. Candice throws haymakers and Shirai wobbles.

Shirai blocks Candice’s hand, then rakes her eyes!! Candice falls back onto the corner ladder! Shirai finishes the ascension, and grabs the briefcase off the hook! Shirai wins!!

Winner: Io Shirai (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Women’s Championship)

The Evil Genius shouts her own praises in Japanese as she literally sits atop everyone else! But will she finally be at the very peak of the NXT Women’s Division after facing the Queen of All Eras?

NXT looks back on The Prince VS Imperium!

After defeating Johnny Gargano in Portland, Finn Balor openly wondered what his next move would be. To that effect, NXT UK’s Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel told Balor that it would be to fall in line behind The Ring General, WALTER. Balor refused and was beaten down for it that very night. But then Balor would turn the tables and go to NXT UK to take the fight to them!

Balor glares at Walter as he stomps Wolfe down. “You want some, Walter?!” Balor springboard stomps over and over, and says they’re all for Walter! The ref backs Balor off and Wolfe slowly rises. Fans are thunderous as Balor hits Wolfe with a SLINGBLADE! Fans troll Imperium with “Walter is a baby~!” Balor aims from a corner but Aichner and Barthel go after Balor! He fights them off but Wolfe LARIATS Balor down! The referee EJECTS Imperium! Imperium protests but fans sing, “Hey hey hey~! Good bye!” Balor and Wolfe rise, and Balor glares as he throws forearms. Wolfe gives them back and we have a brawl!

Balor runs into a EuroUpper and enziguri! Wolfe reels Balor in, but Balor slips out of the bomb to trip up and DOUBLE STOMP Wolfe! Fans fire up as Balor is in the corner. Wolfe denies the Slingblade to roll Balor up, TWO!! BOOT and GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO! Wolfe drags Balor up to a fireman’s carry but Balor slips around to a sleeper! Dragon sleeper, elbow drop DDT! Balor aims from a corner again, SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Wolfe bounces off buckles and Balor heads up top! COUP DE GRACE!! But Balor won’t end it there, he gives Wolfe 1916! Cover, Balor wins!

Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall

Wolfe went at Balor, but he missed and got taken down instead!

Finn Balor speaks.

“Walter. You and I share a lot of traits.” They both do things on their own terms. They both have control over their own worlds. But here they are, both poised to make their next moves. This time will pass, and Walter will learn that the NXT UK Championship he holds is on borrowed time. Will the Prince take over the UK when he and Walter meet again?

Indus Sher w/ Malcolm Bivens VS Ever-Rise!

Bivens Enterprises brings a new destructive force to the NXT Tag Team Division. Rinku and Suarav already showed the Bro what they can do. Will we all see just how much more they have in their arsenal?

The teams sort out and Rinku starts against Matt Martel. They tie up, Martel waistlocks and headlocks, then wristlocks and wrenches. Rinku isn’t bothered at all and he throws Martel off! Chase Parker tags in and Rinku dares him to bring the fight. Rinku swings, Parker dodges and Parker sucker punches Suarav! Parker throws hands on Rinku and CHOPS! Rinku just roars and throws Parker at ropes! Parker holds ropes to boot back! Tag to Martel, and Ever-Rise throws hands on Rinku together! Martel powers Rinku to the corner and Parker adds the enziguri! Martel CHOPS Rinku then tags Parker before tripping Rinku up. Parker slingshots to drop an elbow on Rinku’s back! Bivens is mad as Parker covers, but Rinku powers out at ONE! Rinku is up and LARIATS Parker down!

Rinku drags Parker up and brings him to the corner. Tag to Suarav and Indus Sher double whips. They double shoulder Parker down! Suarav drags Parker up to scoop and SLAM! He glares at Martel before looming over Parker. Suarav tags Rink and they bring Parker up for a double HIP TOSS! Rinku stays between Parker and Martel as Martel rallies. Rinku BOOTS Parker down! And stomps him down to the Bivens Enterprises corner. Rinku drags Parker up to scoop for a sidewalk slam! Tag to Suarav and Rinku DECKS Martel! Indus Sher drags Parker up to whip into an open corner. Suarav corner clotheslines hard! Bivens is pleased as Suarva tags Rinku back in. Indus Sher mugs Parker in the corner, then Rinku CLUBS Parker down. Rinku drags Parker up and CLUBS him again!

Parker throws forearms back and scrambles, but Rinku drags him away from Martel. Rinku DECKS Martel again then tags Suarav. Indus Sher whips Parker to a corner. Rinku runs in for a corner clothesline, and feeds Parker to Suarav’s BOOT! They finish this with the backbreaker elbow drop! Cover, Indus Sher wins!

Winner: Indus Sher, by pinfall

The lions have destroyed their first opponents and Bivens promise they’ll do more of the same! Will the NXT Tag Team Championships simply be prey for Rinku and Suarav?

Adam Cole speaks.

“Bravo, Velveteen.” He beat Bobby Fish because he got lucky. Unfortunately for Dream, lightning never strikes twice. Especially when it comes to the greatest NXT Champion ever in Adam Cole Baybay. Cole explains something to Dream: Dream does not deserve a shot! Dream is a pretender but Cole is the real deal! Cole has proven it time and again. How many times does he have to explain it to Dream so Dream understands? If Dream keeps pushing, maybe Cole will one day feel the need to end the Experience. How about shattering the spotlight? And when that happens, there will be nothing Dream can do about it. And that is Undisputed.

NXT shares Charlotte Flair’s post-match interview after Night 2.

Charly Caruso starts to congratulate her, but The Queen says she doesn’t need anyone to do that. Charlotte says that when she was little, Ric Flair had custom cars, custom robes, and custom suits. Everyone thinks the suit makes the man, but no. Ric always said the man makes the suit. So therefore, the title doesn’t make the wrestler, it is the wrestler that makes the title. Charlotte has been Raw Women’s Champion, SmackDown Women’s Champion, and even retired the Diva’s Championship. Now she is a two-time NXT Women’s Champion. Rhea Ripley was alright. But she does what ever other woman does: Bow down to The Queen. “WOO~!” Will Charlotte once again make the black ‘n’ yellow brand bow to her?

NXT also shares Rhea Ripley’s own post-match interview.

The Mosh Pit Kid can’t help but be emotional after losing the title she fought so hard to win. “She’s a lot better than I expected.” That’s all she can say now, but when and where will the Nightmare be back?

One Last Beat: Tommaso Ciampa VS Johnny Gargano!

The Cruiserweight Classic. TakeOver: Chicago I and II. TakeOver: Brooklyn 4, and everywhere in between. Three years culminates in one night. Which heart of NXT takes its #OneFinalBeat?

Johnny Gargano pulls up to the location HHH found for him and Ciampa. Candice is also in the car and walks with him. Gargano even redesigned his DIY shirt to be #TJGW. Gargano tells Candice it’ll be alright, and she gives him something wrapped in a brown paper bag. She drives off to wait as Gargano heads inside. HHH waits in the ring, and both Gargano and Ciampa arrive at the same time. “Alright, guys. Right on time.” This is where it ends. It starts in this ring and ends in this ring. It doesn’t matter what they do to each other, but when it is done, it is done. Senior referee Drake Younger will officiate the match to simply count pins and submissions. Nothing more, nothing less. HHH tosses down his chair and says that once he’s out the door, “it’s on.”

HHH leaves the ring, walks to the exit, and looks back one last time before pushing through the doorway. Gargano and Ciampa both get in the ring, keeping their eyes on each other, and HHH’s chair. They step forward, but Ciampa kicks the chair aside. Ciampa says they don’t need that, it’s about him and Gargano. Gargano throws the first punch and it begins! Ciampa backs Gargano down but Gargano hits low. Gargano throws haymaker after haymaker! He whips but Ciampa reverses, and Gargano takes an HBK tumble up the buckles. Gargano gets in but Ciampa stomps him down. Ciampa throws Gargano out but Gargano stays on the apron. Ciampa runs but into an enziguri! Gargano slingshots in, but into a knee! Ciampa catches his breath and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Ciampa grabs HHH’s chair after all. He aims at Gargano but Gargano hits low! Gargano reaches for the chair but Ciampa kicks him down! Gargano curses from pain in his arm but Ciampa is on him with stomps. Ciampa says they were brothers, but asks who turned on who. He stomps Gargano’s legs then guillotine catapults him into the bottom buckle! The ref checks on Gargano while Ciampa catches his breath. Ciampa knows Gargano isn’t going to stop this here, he’s “Johnny Wrestling.” Ciampa claws at Gargano’s face as he brings him up against the ropes. Gargano resists the DDT and drags Ciampa out. Gargano swings Ciampa’s leg into the post! And then again! And again! Ciampa flops down to the floor but he won’t let the ref check on him.

Gargano mocks Ciampa’s pain as he boots him down. “How long’s it been? How does it feel?” Gargano throws hands on Ciampa while he’s down on the floor. Ciampa crawls but Gargano drags him up. Gargano brings Ciampa over for a suplex but Ciampa fights him off. Ciampa suplexes Gargano to SLAM him into the post! The ref checks on Gargano again but just as Ciampa said, he isn’t quitting. Ciampa clears off a spare table but Gargano gets in the ring. Ciampa pursues but Gargano stomps away on him! Gargano kicks Ciampa out to then build speed and DIVE! Direct hit and Ciampa tumbles away! Gargano sits on the apron and mocks “Daddy” with the slow clap and a pat on the back. Gargano brings Ciampa up to throw into random furniture! And then boot him further in!

Gargano pushes things aside to drag Ciampa back up for more punches. He dares Ciampa to get up after each one, and he punches him so hard, the trash can starts to break! “Heart and soul of NXT? This is it?” Gargano drags Ciampa up and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Ciampa writhes but Gargano just brings out a new trash can. Gargano SMASHES it on Ciampa’s back! Gargano says he’s disappointed in Ciampa, because he expected more. He puts Ciampa back in the ring and looms over him. Ciampa throws hands but Gargano stomps him down for it! Gargano mocks Ciampa for all the talk of being tough. How many surgeries did he come back from? The torn labrum gets a JAB from the chair! The torn ACL gets a JAB from the chair! And who can forget the neck! Gargano JAMS Ciampa in the back!

The ref checks on Ciampa but Gargano won’t let this stop. Gargano takes a seat and says this is what Ciampa wanted. The ref says this is going too far, but Gargano doesn’t care. Gargano brings the chair up again, to SMACK Ciampa on the back! Gargano paces and grins. “Don’t worry, old man. You’re not going to last much longer.” Gargano wedges the chair into a corner then brings Ciampa up. But Ciampa reverses the whip to send Gargano into the chair! Both men are down and writhing in pain as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns again as Ciampa stands up. He goes after Gargano but Gargano throws him out of the ring! Gargano slingshots, into a trash can lid SMACK! Things are even now but Ciampa still has the lid. “You want to see how my ACL’s doing?!” Ciampa uses the lid for a FULL METAL KNEE! Gargano flounders but Ciampa SMACKS him down again! Gargano reaches and grabs HHH’s chair but Ciampa stands on his hand! And stomps it! Ciampa brings the chair around and puts it around Gargano’s neck! Flashbacks to TakeOver: Chicago II’s brutal Street Fight! But this time, Ciampa throws Gargano into a post!! Then he gives back all the mocking applause and pats on the back, before stomping away! “QUIT! QUIT!” But Gargano refuses.

Ciampa takes off his shirt as Gargano crawls. Ciampa throws cables down on Gargano, then finds the trusty old crutch. Nostalgic, isn’t it? Ciampa brings the crutch over and Gargano begs for mercy. But Ciampa uses it to choke Gargano! Ciampa says if Gargano wants to talk injuries, he’ll talk injuries! Ciampa powered through the torn ACL in that tag match for Gargano! Not for the fans, but for him! Ciampa kicks Gargano around, but they end up by the table. Ciampa throws more haymakers but Gargano hits back, so Ciampa stomps him back down. Gargano flounders about and finds a fire extinguisher! Another flashback! Gargano grins while Ciampa grabs a water bottle. Ciampa washes out his eyes but Gargano is right on him.

Gargano brings Ciampa over to a table and lifts, but Ciampa resists. Ciampa throws body shots and forearms to then reel Gargano in. Ciampa lifts and POWERBOMBS Gargano through the table!! Gargano gasps and sputters and Ciampa’s eyes still sting, but this is far from over. Ciampa says this is going to end in the ring, so that’s what’ll happen. Another flashback as Ciampa undoes the strings on the ring mat! Ciampa stomps Gargano down for good measure before pulling the ring mats up! The ref says THIS is too far, but Ciampa also ignores him. The wood is exposed once again! “I’m sick of the lies! I lived with him so I know!” Ciampa goes out to fetch Gargano, but Gargano throws cable. Gargano misses wide right and Ciampa kicks him down for it. Ciampa brings Gargano up for more haymakers and Gargano flounders into trash.

Gargano heads for the door, but Ciampa says it’s supposed to end in here! Ciampa pursues, and Gargano RAMS him with a road case! And then bounces him off the top! Gargano throws Ciampa into the side of a truck trailer! And again! Gargano punches Ciampa against the tires over and over and over! Gargano goes back for the road case, and runs it at Ciampa! Ciampa moves and the case hits tires instead. Ciampa crawls under the trailer to go out the other side. Gargano looks for Ciampa but he’s already gotten on top of the cab. Ciampa then goes up to the top of the trailer. Gargano sees him up there and now it’s a stand-off. Ciampa dares Gargano to join him, so he does. The ref follows them and the two brawl! They throw hands fast and furious over and over and over!

Gargano SUPERKICKS Ciampa, but Ciampa CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Ciampa spins into another SUPERKICK! Gargano brings Ciampa up but Ciampa BOOTS him back! Ciampa drags Gargano to the edge but Gargano elbows him. “Is this fun!? I think it’s fun!!” Ciampa stomps Gargano but Gargano hits back! Gargano drags Ciampa to the edge now, in the GargaNO Escape! Gargano cranks back on Ciampa’s neck but lets go when his grip gives up. He drags Ciampa up but Ciampa blocks the kick! Ciampa kicks back but Gargano SUPERKICKS anyhow! Ciampa BOOTS, Gargano SUPERKICKS again, but both men fall over! And NXT goes to break!

NXT returns once again and Gargano hobbles his way back to the arena. Ciampa rises and follows after. Ciampa doesn’t see Gargano until Gargano kicks him from the folded bleachers! And then Gargano LEAPS onto Ciampa, sending them both crashing through a table!! Gargano drags himself away while Ciampa gasps and sputters. Gargano rains down fists on Ciampa and says it ends how it started. He drags Ciampa up and into the ring. They’re on the exposed wood now, and Gargano throws in trash can lids and steel chairs. Gargano stalks over to Ciampa and throws more haymakers in the corner. Gargano picks up speed as he punches and stomps Ciampa down! “This is it!” He puts Ciampa up top, throws more haymakers, then climbs up to join him.

Gargano brings Ciampa up in a fireman’s carry but Ciampa clubs and elbows back! Ciampa picks up speed, too, and then keeps going. Ciampa brings Gargano up, for a SUPER AIR RAID CRASH TO THE FLOOR!! The referee can’t believe what these two are doing to each other! He checks them both but they’re somehow still moving. Ciampa sits up while Gargano feels around. Gargano finds the ring frame but Ciampa is the one to bring him up and in. Ciampa covers, TWO!! Gargano refuses to be the heart that dies and NXT goes to another break.

NXT returns once again, and Ciampa hobbles ringside. He finds the crutch and brings it back to the ring. This is yet another flashback as he aims at Gargano. But Gargano SMACKS Ciampa’s bad knee with the trash can lid! Gargano drags Ciampa in, and uses the crutch to trap an arm! Ciampa resists but Gargano gets it around! It may not be a knee brace, but it’s still being used in the crossface! Ciampa endures as Gargano cranks back! The two move around and Ciampa grabs the lid! Ciampa SMACKS Gargano in the face! Gargano SMACKS him back with it! And again! And again and again and again! Gargano only stops because he gets tired. Both men are sore and exhausted, but it is Gargano who uses the crutch now. Gargano flounders about as he supports himself with it, and SUPERKICKS Ciampa back down!

Ciampa is in a daze but Gargano brings him up again. Gargano supports himself on the crutch again, for yet another SUPERKICK! Ciampa teeters over and Gargano flounders about. Gargano shouts at Ciampa, “You’re a failure!” A failure as a man! As a husband! And as a father!! But Ciampa laughs?! Gargano sits him up and dares him to keep laughing. Ciampa is a monster, and he’ll finally pay! Gargano swings but Ciampa dodges! Ciampa kicks low then stomps Gargano! Ciampa has the crutch to hit Gargano over and over and over and over, until the crutch breaks apart! He wants Gargano to say all that again! He shouts in Gargano’s face about it! “You’re a piece of s*it!” Ciampa knows Gargano isn’t done, so he dares him to get back up. But Ciampa sits down to catch his breath, and NXT takes one last break.

NXT returns as Gargano sits up. Ciampa aims with the jagged crutch, but Gargano ducks! Gargano goes for a headlock but Ciampa slips out to use the crutch in a crossface! Ciampa gives Gargano a taste of his own medicine as he cranks back! The ref asks Gargano if he’s done, but Gargano pokes the ref in the eye!! The financial punishment doesn’t matter, just as long as Gargano doesn’t lose the match! Ciampa lets go of Gargano in frustration, and runs at Gargano. But Gargano moves, and the ref is hit with the Psycho Knee!! Younger goes down and Gargano SMACKS Ciampa with the crutch!! Gargano flounders after Ciampa and puts him back in the ring. But what doe sit matter without a ref?! Ciampa gets Gargano with the DRAPING DDT TO HARD WOOD!! The final flashback needed to win, but there’s no one to count!!

Ciampa sits against the ropes, completely exasperated. And yet, Gargano reaches for his hand, like in the days of their friendship. Ciampa pulls his hand away from Gargano, and finds the crutch again. Or, what’s left of it. Gargano has the other piece of the crutch! Ciampa stalks up behind Gargano, but runs into a SUPERKICK! Gargano swings but into a boot! Both men have pieces of crutch, and they both SMASH the other! Candice finally walks in, perhaps wondering what’s taking so long. And she sees them both down in the ring. She’s almost in tears as she joins the two. “What’re you guys doing?! Stop!!” Ciampa and Gargano realize she’s there, and back away to opposite ends. Candice asks who this Johnny even is. And she asks if Ciampa is happy doing this to his friend and her husband.

But then she dares him to finish it. Go ahead, they’ve gone this far. Gargano reaches for Candice, but she LOW BLOWS HIM!? WHY, CANDICE, WHY!? She leaves without another word, and even Ciampa seems speechless. Ciampa kneels by Gargano’s side, because Candice just did something far worse than anything he has done tonight. Ciampa again has compassion for his friend, and helps him sit up. They stand, but Candice returns to LOW BLOW Ciampa!!! And Gargano laughs?! This was the plan all along! Because the thing wrapped in paper before, was a CUP!! A protective athletic cup protected Gargano’s Johnny! “You lose!” Gargano drags Ciampa up and the ref comes to, in time for Gargano to STEAL the Fairy Tale Ending!! Cover, Gargano wins!!

Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall

Mr. & Mrs. Wrestling concocted a scheme that no one saw coming! And now, Ciampa can never get his revenge. What happens now that this feud has had its #OneFinalBeat?

My Thoughts:

An incredible second part to the spread out TakeOver card! The only real low parts of tonight were in the middle. I appreciate getting some NXT UK footage to fill for time but I feel like there could’ve been more to Finn Balor calling out Walter. If the timeline was different and TakeOver went as originally intended, we probably would’ve gotten a great NXT UK Championship match in Walter VS Balor that then also tied into NXT UK’s Dublin event. But WWE surely has all of this in their back pocket for when the world gets over the virus. And while replaying the Raw package of Charlotte’s win, complete with Charlotte’s interview, thankfully we got Rhea’s too. Rhea has her own real-life problems with her work visa, but hopefully that gets sorted quickly so she can come back.

Obviously Indus Sher was going to win, but I’m surprised they let Ever-Rise do as much as they did. Word is that there will have to be big changes to both the NXT Tag Team and Cruiserweight Championship plans since there’s crossover with the UK that can’t happen now. A shame if titles are stripped, but at least the WWE would be showing more consistency in the rules of defending a title. The Women’s Ladder Match was an incredible opener, and I’m thrilled Io Shirai is the #1 contender. As I’ve been saying about Kairi Sane wanting to go back to Japan, Shirai is in the same boat (no pun intended given Kairi is the Pirate Princess). Shirai winning this match doesn’t guarantee she wins the title when it’s Charlotte she’ll be challenging. But at the same time, a loss to Charlotte doesn’t mean Shirai is gone. Yet.

The #OneLastBeat/#OneFinalBeat (I hate it when WWE changes their marketing) was incredible, too. It’s hard to follow great cinematic matches like the Boneyard or the Firefly Fun House, but the one thing this had was that it was an actual match. But this one was definitely the best thing NXT put on since having to do Empty Arena shows. I loved that this was just dripping with references to everything over the last three years. It especially focused on the Unsanctioned Match to get Gargano his career back, and the Street Fight thereafter. But the best was the twist of Candice’s Heel turn. She was the only one not to go Heel yet, so that adds a new layer to this. I’m still lost as to the motivations, though. Was there an affair we don’t know about? Either way, great stuff and I’m ready for what’s next.

My Score: 9.3/10

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

Up Next

Mitchell’s WWE NXT UK Results & Report! (4/9/20)

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Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (4/8/2020)

AEW Coverage

Mitchell’s AEW Double or Nothing Results & Report! (5/28/23)

What’re the odds?

Published

43 seconds ago

May 28, 2023

Steven Mitchell

Will the Devil of AEW pay for his sins in Sin City?

Double or Nothing raises the stakes on MJF by putting him in a Fatal 4 Way for the AEW World Championship! Will his reign of terror survive a weekend in Las Vegas?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Buy-In – High Stakes Six Man Tag: Hook & The Hardy Boyz VS Ethan Page & The Gunns; win and
AEW International Blackjack Battle Royal: ??? wins and
AEW TNT Championship Ladder Match: Wardlow VS Christian Cage w/ Luchasaurus; wins and
AEW TBS Championship: Jade Cargill VS Taya Valkyrie; wins and
AEW Women’s World Championship: Jamie Hayter w/ Britt Baker & Hikaru Shida VS Toni Storm w/ The Outcasts; wins and
AEW World Tag Team Championships, Special Referee Mark Briscoe: FTR VS Team Triple J w/ Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh; wins and
AEW World Trios Championships Open House Rules Open Challenge: The House of Black VS ???; win(s) and
Anarchy in the Arena II: The Elite VS Blackpool Combat Club; win(s).
Unsanctioned Match, Special Enforcer Sabu: Adam Cole VS Chris Jericho; wins.
AEW World Championship Fatal 4 Way: MJF VS Sammy Guevara VS “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry VS Darby Allin; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage of Double or Nothing will begin later tonight]

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

Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/28/23)

It’s a battle of dark horses!

Published

29 mins ago

May 28, 2023

Steven Mitchell

Who is THE Best of the Super Juniors?

NJPW’s 30th Best of the Super Juniors tournament comes to a close, and who would’ve bet on Master Wato VS Titán? So then, who do you think wins it all?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Togi Makabe & Boltin Oleg VS Oskar Leube & Yuto Nakashima; Makabe & Oleg win.
Clark Connors VS Ryohei Oiwa; Connors wins.
YOH & Lio Rush VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita; Yoh & Lio win.
10 Man Tag: The Intergalactic Jet Setters & Third Gen VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
Six Man Tag: Chaos VS The House of Torture; No Contest.
8 Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii & Ryusuke Taguchi VS El Desperado, Ren Narita, Shota Umino & Mike Bailey; Desperado, Narita, Shota & Bailey win.
8 Man Tag: Just5Guys VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; LIJ wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 30 Finals: Titan VS Master Wato; Wato wins and will challenge for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.

PLAY BY PLAY

8 Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Shota Umino, El Desperado, Ren Narita & Mike Bailey!

The Dream Trio NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions defeated #SHOOTER when he had a couple big Young Lions with him, but now the ante is upped! Will the Rainmaker, The Ace of the Universe, the Stone Pitbull and the Funky Weapon win as an iconic quartet? Or will the Rogue Luchador, the Son of Strong Style, and Speedball help the Roughneck redeem himself?

Fans cheer for Tanahashi’s abs, and then the teams sort out. Shota calls Okada out but Okada walks right to the corner. Therefore, Taguchi starts, but Shota pushes him aside to stare at Okada. Taguchi is rather disheartened in the neutral corner, but the fans rally for “TA-GU-CHI!” so that reencourages him. Shota still pushes him aside, and Taguchi is sad again. But the fans rally up again and Taguchi fires back up! Shota lets it go and instead, Mike Bailey starts. The bell rings and we get an A Block rematch as the two tie up. Mike wrenches an arm, Taguchi rolls and trips Mike and has a toehold.

Mike rolls over, stands up, facelocks back and then wrenches to a hammerlock and headlock takeover. Taguchi headscissors, Mike kips free, and fans cheer the standoff. The two go again, tie up, and Taguchi arm-drags! Mike trips Taguchi, things speed up, Mike handsprings up and over. Things keep moving, Mike hurdles then drops but Taguchi holds ropes to stop himself, and he avoids the roundhouse. Taguchi runs in, Mike dodges the hip attack, but then Taguchi dodges the clothesline. Mike dodges a clothesline, Taguchi runs but Mike KICKS the hip attack! Fans fire up and Mike DROPKICKS Taguchi down!

Mike brings Taguchi up, headlocks, and he tags in Desperado! They mug Taguchi, then bring Taguchi up to double whip. They DOUBLE CHOP, roll Taguchi to his feet, and Desperado lifts Taguchi for an ATOMIC DROP! Mike lines up the shot, he KICKS Taguchi in the butt! Taguchi goes flying, into Ishii! Ishii doesn’t budge, Taguchi slumps down, but Ishii tags in. Ishii rushes in but into double kicks! Desperado & Mike double whip, but Ishii runs them both over! Narita gets in, Ishii intercepts and sends him into an UPPERCUT from Okada! Okada then sends Narita into a FLYING FOREARM from Tanahashi!

Shota runs in at Okada but Okada sends him into a low dropkick from Tanahashi! Ishii dropkicks a leg, too, then Okada BOOTS Shota down! Fans fire up as the Dream Trio flexes and roars together, and Taguchi returns to join in on that. Okada’s a bit confused by that but Tanahashi gives Taguchi a fist bump. Okada gives him a fist bump, too, but Ishii leaves Taguchi hanging. Ishii eggs Desperado on, brings him up, and fans rally up. Desperado swings, Ishii dodges, but then Ishii swings and Desperado dodges. Desperado swings again but Ishii spins him around, only for Desperado to wrench out.

Desperado swings again, Ishii spins him again, but Desperado slips out and shoves Ishii to ropes, for a scoop and BIG back suplex! Fans fire up and Desperado drags him up, but Ishii suplexes first! Fans rally, Ishii drags Desperado up again, and Ishii bumps Desperado off buckles. Ishii CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, but Desperado roars! Desperado throws forearms but Ishii doesn’t budge! Ishii CHOPS Desperado down! Tag to Okada and fans rally up. Okada brings Desperado up to ROCK him with a forearm. Okada scoops Desperado to SLAM him by the ropes. Okada then goes out to SLINGSHOT SENTON back in!

Fans rally and Okada paces around. Okada stares down with Shota while he brings Desperado up, and he CLUBS Desperado. Tag to Tanahashi, he and Okada double whip. They double shoulder Desperado down and fans rally back up. Tanahashi drags Desperado up but Desperado CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Tanahashi throws a hard body shot! Tanahashi waistlocks, Desperado elbows free and switches, but Tanahashi fights free with elbows. Tanahashi swings, but into a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while both men are down! Desperado and Tanahashi crawl, but Ishii runs in to CLUB Desperado!

Ishii whips, Desperado reverses, but Ishii bounces off buckles, only to run into a SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up again while now three men are down! Desperado crawls, staggers up, Shota tags in! Shota CLOBBERS Tanahashi, intercepts Taguchi with a scoop and DROP! Then he BASEMENT UPPERCUTS Taguchi down! Shota rushes Okada but Okada ROCKS him first! Okada BOOTS Shota, whips him, but Shota reverses to DROPKICK Okada! Fans fire up with Shota and he has Tanahashi. Shota whips Tanahashi corner to corner, runs and UPPERCUTS, then FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!

Shota wasn’t quite perfect but he still gets the legs. STF! But Okada gets in and he kicks Shota! Shota fires off on Okada and throws him out! Shota then goes after Tanahashi but Tanahashi blocks the kick to DRAGON SCREW! And he tags in Okada! Fans fire up as Okada TOSSES Shota out, and goes out after him! DDT to the floor! Fans fire up and Okada drags Shota up. Okada puts Shota in, he kicks him around, just toying with him, and even dares Shota to hit back. Shota gets up, and he winds up, but Okada catches him into the MONEY CLIP! The rest of the team BLASTS Shota’s team, though Taguchi lags behind.

Taguchi plays defense while Shota endures. Shota fights up, and he RAMS Okada into a corner! Shota runs in but Okada BOOTS him! Okada runs in, but into an EXPLODER! Fans fire up while both men rise. Shota fires up and he runs, to UPPERCUT Okada at the ropes! Shota then slingshots, DDT!! Fans fire up more, Shota wants to finish this, but Narita tags in!? The other young star wants his pound of flesh from Okada! Narita fires off forearms on Okada, UPPERCUTS, then whips to LEAPING LARIAT! Narita brings Okada up again, whips him to a corner, and runs in, but Okada dodges! Okada runs in, but into a BOOT!

Narita runs in, but into the FLAPJACK! Shota returns, but Okada DROPKICKS him! Fans fire up while they’re all down, and Taguchi reaches out! Okada crawls over, hot tag to Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS Narita in the corner, whips him corner to corner and HIP ATTACKS again! Taguchi keeps moving, but Narita catches him! Taguchi fights the Cobra Twist to trip Narita, but Narita kicks free. Narita runs in, body scissor takedown! And then step through, but Taguchi cradles! TWO!! Taguchi and Narita hurry up, Taguchi clips Narita’s leg and rolls him up deep! TWO, but OH MY GAH ANKLE!

Taguchi holds on tight but Mike runs in to fire off the lightning kicks! He goes an extra couple kicks before the ENZIGURI! Fans are thunderous but Tanahashi CLOBBERS Mike! Mike kicks, Tanahashi blocks and flips Mike, but Mike lands on his feet! SOBAT! AX KICK! BUZZ- NO, Tanahashi blocks to ROCK and whip, but Mike reverses! Mike ROCKS Tanahashi, snapmares and goes up, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Fans fire up while Tanahashi bails out. Mike goes to the corner, TRIANGLE QUEBRADA! Direct hit on The Ace! Desperado and Ishii return, Ishii RAMS Desperado and whips but Desperado reverses.

Desperado ROCKS Ishii, runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and SPEARS! Fans fire up as Desperado and Narita double whip Taguchi. Narita runs in, but into a HIP ATTACK! Desperado avoids the hip attack, but then runs into a HIP ATTACK after all! Taguchi fires up, he runs, but Narita catches him, EXPLODER BRIDGE! But Okada breaks the cover! Shota attacks Okada and throws him out! Shota is after Okada on the outside, and POSTS him! And then Shota takes the timekeeper’s table, to SMACK Okada with it!! Fans fire up and so does Narita! Narita brings Taguchi up, reels him in, but Taguchi fights the suplex!

Narita shoves Taguchi, Taguchi blocks the kick, Taguchi spins Narita but Narita ducks the enziguri! Narita ENZIGURIS, then NORTHERN LIGHTS! Roll through and wristlocks, for the spin and COBRA TWIST! Taguchi taps, Narita’s team wins!

Winners: El Desperado, Ren Narita, Shota Umino & Mike Bailey, by submission

The Son of Strong Style breaks the Funky Weapon! And perhaps bigger than that, The Roughneck floored The Rainmaker! Is this new wave going to wash away the old guard?

The winning team shakes hands, but things get tense between Desperado and Speedball, who could’ve been tonight’s BSOJ Finals showdown. Maybe that’s what they’re arguing about. And then they start throwing CHOPS! Mike KICKS! Desperado CHOPS! Mike KICKS! Desperado likes that, and they make up? They fist bump, and fans cheer the strange sense of brotherhood. As for Shota, he gets the mic and says, “Okada…! Mr. Okada, please wait. Okada, Tanahashi, Ishii, you have the Six Man Tag titles… If you’d be so kind, I’d like to challenge for them.” Ishii gets back in the ring and asks who with?

Shota says he naturally has tag partners! One is Jon Moxley, and the other… is CLAUDIO CASTAGNOLI! The ROH World Champion!? Shota tells Okada, “I guarantee I will be the one to beat you and take those titles.” Shota tosses the mic down and Okada steps in to pick up the belt. Okada says “Moxley and Claudio? Those are pretty damn awesome partners. But! Make sure you don’t let your two daddies down.” Okada leaves, but will he and his Dream Trio be able to survive this Paradigm Shift?

8 Man Tag: Just5Guys VS Los Ingobernables de Japon!

Yes, we just saw this same showdown on Friday as part of the semifinals event. However, this isn’t guaranteed to go the same way as last time. Will Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi & Bushi turn the tides? Or will Sanada, Taichi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Douki be on top again?

Fans chant “Let’s Go, Taichi!” while the teams sort out. J5G give the thumbs up, LIJ give the fist bump, and the LIJ attack, just like Friday! And just like Friday, Hiromu keeps Douki in while the others throw everyone else out! Douki claws Hiromu’s eyes, the ref reprimands, and Bushi gets in to CLUB Douki! Bushi & Hiromu double whip Douki but Douki ducks the elbows to springboard DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! Douki stomps Hiromu, bumps him off buckles, and then stomps a mudhole in. Douki digs his boot in, the ref counts, and Douki lets off. Douki tags Taichi and Taichi digs his boot in! So does Douki! And Kanemaru CHOKES Hiromu!

The ref reprimands, Taichi lets off, but the others hold on! The ref reprimands and counts, Kanemaru and Douki let off at 4. Fans rally for “HI-RO-MU!” now as Taichi drags him up. Taichi has the motorcycle stretch and he stands on Hiromu’s back. Hiromu fights up, works to turn things, but Taichi holds him back. Fans rally, Taichi cranks the hold, but Hiromu fights up again! Hiromu tries to turn things, but Taichi brings him down to a knee. Fans rally as Hiromu keeps fighting! Hiromu turns things around, but Taichi turns them right back around! Tag to Kanemaru and Kanemaru stomps Hiromu.

Kanemaru whips, and CHOP BLOCKS the leg! Then he gets the leg for a SHIN BREAKER! Hiromu hobbles away but Kanemaru stomps the leg. Kanemaru whips Hiromu to the corner, runs in, but Hiromu BOOTS him! Hiromu runs in, but into an ELBOW! Kanemaru runs, tilt-o-whirl, but Hiromu denies the DDT! Kanemaru kicks the bad leg, CLUBS Hiromu, then runs, into a kick! Bushi runs in to dropkick the other leg out! Hiromu basement dropkicks Kanemaru! Takagi gets in, he and Bushi BLAST the rest of J5G! Bushi goes out after Taichi, Takagi stomps Kanemaru and Hiromu hobbles to tag Naito.

Naito drags Kanemaru up, he and Hiromu double whip to DOUBLE CHOP! And then DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for “NA-I-TO!” now as he drags Kanemaru up. Naito throws those heavy back elbows! Kanemaru falls over, Naito tags Bushi. Bushi stomps Kanemaru to a corner, CHOPS him, and CHOPS him, and CHOPS him again! Bushi pushes Kanemaru down, covers, TWO! Bushi drags Kanemaru into a chinlock and digs his knee into Kanemaru’s back! Kanemaru endures, kicks around, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Bushi lets go, but then he CLUBS Kanemaru down!

Tag to Takagi, and Bushi bumps Kanemaru off buckles. Takagi CLUBS Kanemaru, brings him up and reels him in. Kanemaru fights the suplex, so Takagi shifts around for a back suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Takagi eggs Kanemaru on. Takagi brings Kanemaru up but Kanemaru throws hands! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! But Takagi HEADBUTTS Kanemaru! Kanemaru goes to a corner, Takagi CHOPS him! Takagi whips Kanemaru corner to corner, runs in, but blocks a boot to clothesline! Fans fire up with Takagi and he brings Kanemaru out. Takagi suplexes, Kanemaru slips out, but Takagi elbows him!

Takagi runs, but Kanemaru dodges to run, tilt-o-whirl, and DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi and Kanemaru crawl, hot tag to Sanada! Fans fire up as Cold Skull DROPKICKS Takagi! And DROPKICKS Naito! Bushi & Hiromu mug Sanada, double whip him to a corner, and then Bushi runs in. Sanada dodges Bushi to dropkick Hiromu’s leg out! Bushi returns, into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans oblige and Sanada shows off the dancing pecs. Sanada waits on Takagi but Takagi gets under the Plancha! Sanada shoulders back in, springboards, but Takagi gets under!

Takagi ELBOWS, runs, but Sanada dropkicks the legs out! Both men are down but Sanada rolls to tag in Taichi. Taichi kicks Takagi around, then gives him Kawada Kicks. Takagi shakes his head so Taichi kicks, snapmares and KICKS! Takagi gets mad, stands up, but Taichi SOBATS him down! Taichi teases stealing Takagi’s catchphrase, but then BUZZ- NO, Takagi blocks the kick, CLUBS the leg, ROCKS and whips, but Taichi reverses to HOOK KICK! J5G BLASTS LIJ in return! Taichi drags Takagi up, but Takagi fights the Saido! Takagi fireman’s carries, Taichi slips free but Takagi ELBOWS him!

Taichi BOOTS Takagi, runs, but into a clothesline! Takagi runs, DOUBLE BOMBERS collide! They go again, Takagi dodges to run Taichi over! Taichi roars, but the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON- NO, Taichi BOOTS the lariat away! But Takagi just DISCUS BOMBERS! Fans fire up while both men are down! Both men crawl, hot tags to Naito and Douki! Douki blocks a kick, fires off forearms, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag! Naito elbows Douki down, but Douki dodges the basement dropkick to DOUBLE STOMP! Naito is right up but Douki DROPKICKS him out! Douki builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Young Lions take the hit for the fans!

Fans fire up as Douki puts Naito in. Douki aims, slingshots, DAYBREAK!! Naito gets spiked! Cover, Hiromu breaks it in time! Kanemaru throws Hiromu out for Douki and Douki wheelbarrows Naito! SUPLEX- NO, Naito fights the nelson. Douki HELL STABS, runs in, but Naito dodges. Hiromu clotheslines! Takagi clotheslines! Feed to the atomic drop, and the CODE BRAEKER! ROLLING JACKKNIFE! TWO!?!? Douki survives the LIJ blitz and fans fire up! Naito wrenches, but Douki backslides! TWO!! Douki has the arm, LA MAGISTROL! TWO!! Naito escapes again, but Douki runs in, into a SPINEBUSTER!

Naito drags Douki up again, wrench and- NO, Kanemaru dropkicks Naito’s leg! Bushi ENZIGURIS Kanemaru! Sanada fireman’s carries Bushi, throws him into the dragon sleeper, but Takagi runs in. Sanada kicks but Takagi blocks it, DRAGON SCREW! Taichi AX BOMBERS Takagi! Hiromu SHOTGUNS Taichi! Douki runs in but Hiromu sends him into Naito’s back elbow! ENZIGURI, and then SUPERKICK, and then ASSISTED TORNADO DDT! Fans are thunderous and Naito brings Douki back up. Tilt-o-whirl, DESTINO!! Cover, LIJ wins!

Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall

LIJ gets their win back from Friday, the series is 1-1! Takagi gives a look at the KOPW Championship and IWGP World Heavyweight Championship before they’re handed back to J5G. Will Takagi look to take at least one of those belts back for the summer? Is Sanada even defending his title at Dominion? Or will Yota Tsuji not make it back in time?

Best of the Super Juniors 30 Finals: Titan VS Master Wato w/ Hiroyoshi Tenzan w/ Los Ingobernables de Japon!

Both men entered the semifinals as the second seeds of their blocks, but they’re the ones standing here in the end! Will El Inmortal make history for Mexican luchadors in NJPW? Or will the Way of the Grandmaster lead him to the trophy?

The fans rally and duel already, “TI-TA-NN! TI-TA-NN!” “WA~TO! WA~TO!” LIJ fist bump once again, and the bell rings. The fans are thunderous already as the two stare down! The two circle, feel things out, approach but then back off. They tie up, break, tie up again, and Wato waistlocks. Titan switches to a facelock, but Wato switches to a nelson. Wato spins Titan to a cravat and snapmare and then wraps on a chinlock. Titan pushes to a toehold, Wato tries to keep the chinlock but Titan pulls the leg. Wato shifts to get an arm, but Titan stacks Wato! ONE and Wato goes for the armbar again. Titan powers up to stack again, ONE!

Wato still wants the arm but Titan pushes him around to headlock takeover. Wato headscissors, Titan turns him over and rolls back to have a deathlock! Wato rolls to get free, and the fans cheer the exchange. The two reset as the fans duel, and they feel things out. Wato knuckle locks, wrenches, wristlocks, and CLUBS the arm. Wato wrenches again, wristlocks again, but Titan rolls, handsprings, and arm-drags! Titan keeps the arm but Wato fights up to arm-drag back! Titan trips, covers, ONE! Wato trips, covers, ONE! Dropkicks cancel out and both men handspring up! Fans are thunderous as the two stare down again.

Titan and Wato circle, feel things out, knuckle lock, but then Titan SOBATS! Titan wrenches and whips Wato to a corner, but Wato reverses. Titan goes up and over and handsprings away, but Wato rushes in. Titan blocks the chop to knuckle lock and CHOP! Titan goes up the corner, tightrope walks, and jumps for the FLYING ARM-DRAG, but Wato handsprings through! Things speed up, Titan hurdles, Wato leaps, and Titan runs in, but Wato dodges to RANA! Fans fire up while Titan bails out! Wato builds speed, but Titan ducks. Wato stops himself, Titan looks up, and Wato PLANCHAS!

Fans fire up with Wato and he brings Titan up. Wato CLUBS Titan, puts him in the ring, and he pushes Titan around to a facelock. Titan fights around, Wato chinlocks but Titan gets the ROPEBREAK! Wato lets go quick and he stomps Titan. Wato stomps Titan some more, then brings him up. Wato CLUBS Titan, covers, ONE! Titan also grabs the ropes, and Wato lets off. LIJ coaches Titan, fans rally up, but Wato stomps him. Titan sits up, into a KICK! And another KICK! And another KICK! Wato runs, but Titan dropkicks the leg out! Fans fire up, Titan hurries to get the legs! LA CRUCETA!

Wato flails and crawls over, ROPEBREAK! Titan lets Wato go and fans rally up. Titan drags Wato and fans rally behind him as he stomps Wato’s stomach and thigh. Titan hooks the leg, ties things up, TRAILER HITCH! Wato endures and crawls around again. Wato reaches out as Tenzan coaches him, and he gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans rally as Titan lets Wato go. Wato clutches the knee but Titan stomps the leg. Titan stomps the leg some more, brings Wato up, but Wato throws body shots. Titan kicks the bad leg again, wrenches and whips, but Wato holds ropes to block! Titan SOBATS and then whips.

Wato reverses, Titan holds ropes to avoid the dropkick, and Wato’s leg jams! Titan then dropkicks the leg out! Fans fire up while Wato writhes. LIJ coaches Titan and the fans are with him as Wato goes to a corner. Titan powers up, runs in, but Wato BOOTS him! BULL- NO, Titan handsprings through the bulldog to basement dropkick! Wato bails out and fans fire up! Titan builds speed, but Wato GAMANGIRIS him first! Titan flops out, fans continue to rally, and Wato FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Titan! Wato still clutches the bad leg but Tenzan coaches him up. LIJ checks Titan, Red Shoes starts the ring count.

Wato stands at 4 of 20 first and fires up! The fans are with him, he fetches Titan at 9 of 20 to put him in at 12. Fans applaud and Wato aims from the apron. Titan rises, Wato springboards, FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Wato gets his bad leg working, then body scissors Titan into VENDAVAL! Titan scrambles and gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer and Wato lets off quickly. Wato brings Titan up, wrenches, and hooks Titan up, but Titan fights Recientemente to get the ROPEBREAK! Wato lets off, but KNEES Titan to the apron! Wato then brings Titan up but Titan GAMANGIRIS now!

Wato staggers away, comes back, but Titan slingshots to body scissor Wato up and out! Fans fire up, Titan powers up and he TOP ROPE QUEBRADA!! Direct hit and they wipe out into the commentary area! Fans are thunderous for “TI-TAN! TI-TAN!” while LIJ checks him. Wato and Titan stir as commentary fixes itself. The ring count starts, Titan sits up at 5 of 20. Titan stands at 7, fans cheer, and he hobbles his way back to the ring. Titan slides in at 10, Wato is just now sitting up. Wato stands at 15, but Titan FLIES out onto him! Fans fire up again as Wato goes back down! Fans are again thunderous for Titan!

Wato and Titan stir again and Red Shoes restarts the ring count. Titan rises at 5 of 20 again as LIJ coaches him. But Titan flops over at 8! Wato rolls at 12, both men get to the apron, and Titan drags Wato up at 17 to put him in! Fans cheer the sportsmanship, and Titan crawls to a cover. TWO!! Wato survives and Titan is a bit frustrated. LIJ and Tenzan each coach up their guys, and Titan sits up again. Titan stands and roars! Fans fire up, Titan drags Wato but Wato pushes him away. Titan tries again but Wato pushes him again. Titan powers up, drags Wato up into the fireman’s carry, but Wato fights free!

Wato ROUNDHOUSES! Titan wobbles, but he fires off his strike fest! SOBAT and- NO, Wato spins Titan to SOBAT! But then Titan goes Matrix to CALF KICK! Wato wobbles, but he dodges the lariat to ZIGZAG! But Titan kips up!? To PELE!! Fans are thunderous as both men are down again! Titan and Wato stir, Titan crawls for ropes but Wato crawls for Titan. Wato grabs the tights but Titan brushes him off. Wato throws a forearm! Titan throws it back! Wato throws another forearm, but Titan throws it back! Wato throws another forearm, Titan throws it again, and they stand! Fans rally as the shots go back and forth!

Titan eggs Wato on, Wato ROCKS him! Titan fires off another strike fest! BACKHAND, and then Titan powers up! Titan runs, into an ELBOW! Wato whips, Titan reverses to TORNADO- NO, Wato fights the DDT to tilt-o-whirl, crucifix, RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO!! Titan survives and fans are thunderous again! Wato body scissors Titan, rolls him, and has VENDAVAL!! Titan kicks around, fans rally up, but Wato thrashes him! LIJ coaches Titan, Titan pushes and kicks around again, but he’s fading! Red Shoes checks, Titan gets a second wind and he gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer as Wato lets go in frustration.

Wato roars, he drags Titan up, and he waistlocks for TSU- NO, Titan fights the high angle German! Titan throws elbows, switches, shoves and TORNADO DDTS! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! LIJ pounds the mat to the rhythm of “TI-TA-NN! TI-TA-NN!” Titan rises, Wato goes to a corner. Titan powers up and runs corner to corner, LOCO LARIAT!! Wato flounders, Titan is slow to rising back up, but Titan still makes it to the apron. Titan roars and fans are behind him! Springboard, ANGEL INMORTAL!!! Cover off the double stomps to the back, TWO!??! But Titan still has the leg! TRAILER HITCH!!!

Wato endures as we pass 20 minutes, the longest match he’s had in the BOSJ yet! Wato shakes his head, flails around, Tenzan seems unsure if he should call it. Wato says no, so Tenzan tells him to get to the ropes! But Titan stands up, shifts and JAVE INMORTAL!!! Wato fights the crossface, crawls, flails, ROPEBREAK!!! The fans are electric as Titan lets go in exhaustion. Titan gets some space from Wato and he pounds the mat. Fans rally with him, as does LIJ. Off come the elbow pads, Titan brings Wato up, and he reels Wato in. Canadian Rack, spin and- NO, Wato slips free to waistlock!

Wato gets an O’Conner Roll, into TSUTENKAKU!!! Bridging cover, TWO!??! Titan survives but Wato shakes his head. Wato drags Titan up again, hooks him up, but Titan spins out to tilt-o-whirl, LA MYSTICA!! INTO A SEATBELT! TWO!?!?! Wato escapes and the fans are electric again! Wato staggers around, runs in, into a BOO! SOBAT! Front kick and CALF KICK!! Fans are thunderous, LIJ tells Titan to finish this! Titan goes to a corner, skins the cat to the top, and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? No one can believe Wato survives but Red Shoes assures us, he did!

LIJ shouts at Titan to keep going! Takagi holds up the Mexican flag, encouraging Titan to do this for his people! Titan drags Wato around, hooks a leg, but Wato drags him down into a cradle! TWO!! Wato and Titan get up, Titan SUPERKICKS! Wato SCREW HIGH KICKS!! Wato roars, drags Titan back up, TSUTENKAKU!!!! But he can’t bridge, so he just brings Titan up again! Chicken wings, for RECIENTEMENTE 2.0!!! Cover, WATO WINS!!

Winner: Master Wato, by pinfall (Best of the Super Juniors 30 Winner)

El Inmortal finally finals, and The Way of the Grandmaster has finally reached the mountaintop! With as hard as he fought to get to the finals, how hard will Titan have to fight to get back?

As for Wato, the trophy is presented by President Obari, they pose for the photo ops, then Wato has Tenzan hold onto the trophy for him as the NJPW banner is brought in by Ash Da Hero, the band who provided Shake Da Soul, the BOSJ’s theme song this year. Wato takes the banner from them and bows, then they pose together for the photo ops. And of course, Wato then gets the mic to say, “Hiromu-san. Please, come back to the ring.” Hiromu obliges, as he is the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Hiromu joins Wato in the ring, and Wato tells him, “Finally, I’ve been able to reach this point.”

As winner of Best of the Super Juniors 30, Wato knows he can, and wishes to, challenge Hiromu for his title. Hiromu takes the mic to tell Wato, “That was amazing. Congratulations. You’ve opened new doors for Junior Heavyweight wrestling. BUT! Whatever door you choose to open, I’ll be standing behind it. I’ll be delighted to accept your challenge.” Fans like the sound of that, and the two go forehead to forehead. Hiromu backs up to applaud, and Wato takes the mic back. Wato says that he wants it for his hometown of OSAKA! That means in DOMINION! Hiromu says okay, see you there!

Wato then finishes up by saying he has one last thing to say. “I have one more match to go to reach the top of the mountain.” Wato raises the trophy and the streamers flies! Wato poses with trophy and banner, will he soon be able to pose with the title? Or will the Ticking Timebomb knock Wato off the mountain to stay on top?

My Thoughts:

A great event for NJPW here to wrap up the BOSJ, but yeah, I did skip things again. Today is busy wrestling wise, y’know. NXT Battleground AND AEW Double or Nothing, only one of which I can do live later. But I did skim things to make sure I didn’t miss anything too big.

Speaking of which, the “No Contest” result in Chaos VS House of Torture is really what in WWE or AEW might’ve been called a Disqualification as Evil, in a desperate attempt to not lose to Bishamon before Dominion, dragged Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare off commentary to put them in the ring. This continues to build to what is now a Triple Threat now for the titles, Khan & Henare representing the Empire on behalf of Aussie Open. Now that it is a Triple Threat, we can make Steiner Math jokes, but also it could really go any which way. I personally just want anyone other than House of Torture, which I think the vast majority of fans would agree with.

Great stuff out of the Team Okada VS Team Shota 8 Man Tag, and I like that Shota wasn’t the only one who wanted after Okada given Narita lost the NEVER Openweight Six Man titles to Okada. But of course this leads Shota challenging the Dream Trio. I really wanted it to be Bryan Danielson as the third man but Claudio is still a great choice. Also he was the only other choice because they had Yuta join in for Resurgence just last week, and that didn’t seem like the combo they were using anyway. I don’t see The BCC winning at Dominion, though, as I don’t see Moxley and Claudio constantly going back and forth between Japan and the US.

Great 8 Man rematch from Just5Guys VS LIJ. I had a feeling things were going to be different from Friday, LIJ winning helps bring Takagi back into the conversation of challenging Taichi for the KOPW. I don’t think anyone is tired of seeing them face off, they always bring great stipulations and great matches through those stipulations. And of course, an awesome main event from the BOSJ Finals. The fans loved both these guys, but something about their support of Titan felt so strong, I really wish it was his win. But as I’ve also said, Wato has been doing solid work, from both great matches to knowing who his character is, so him getting the nod makes sense. Hiromu VS Wato now being for Dominion is huge, making an already big show even bigger.