Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 30 Results & Report! (9/24/20)

We’re back with B Block!

Published

4 years ago

September 24, 2020

Steven Mitchell

Will NJPW’s Double Champion keep winning?

Tetsuya Naito won to start his G1, but will he keep winning? Or will Zack Sabre Jr. make the IWGP Double Champion #JustTapOut?

NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

B Block – Hirooki Goto VS SANADA; Goto wins.
B Block – Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Toru Yano; Yano wins.
B Block – Juice Robinson VS KENTA; Robinson wins.
B Block – YOSHI-HASHI VS EVIL; EVIL wins.
B Block – Tetsuya Naito VS Zack Sabre Jr; Naito wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current B Block standings!

Tetsuya Naito: 1-0, 2 points
Juice Robinson: 1-0, 2 points
KENTA: 1-0, 2 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 1-0, 2 points
Toru Yano: 1-0, 2 points
SANADA: 0-1, 0 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 0-1, 0 points
EVIL: 0-1, 0 points
Hirooki Goto: 0-1, 0 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 0-1, 0 points

B Block – Hirooki Goto VS SANADA!

The Fierce Warrior and Cold Skull both lost and are looking to redeem themselves! Perhaps Sanada more than Goto, as Toru Yano used the tape to tie him to a Young Lion and win by count-out! Will Goto avoid a Skull End or continue to stall out in the G1?

The bell rings, the fans cheer and the two circle. Sanada and Goto tie up, Goto waistlocks but Sanada standing switches. Goto wrenches out, Sanada rolls and wrenches back to a hammerlock. Goto reverses the hammerlock onto Sanada, shifts to a headlock, but Sanada powers out. Goto runs Sanada over, fans cheer, and things speed up. Sanada hip tosses but Goto blocks to hip toss back! Goto runs but Sanada dumps him out! Sanada runs but fakes Goto out, but Goto avoids the moonsault! Goto kicks and whips but Sanada reverses to send him into railing! Sanada runs in but Goto boots him back. Goto swings but Sanada dodges, and Goto’s arm hits POST! The right arm is already in bad shape from Kenta’s Game Over crossface last round!

The ref checks on Goto but Sanada wrenches the bad arm and wraps it around railing. The ref reprimands Sanada, he lets up but then BOOTS the bad shoulder! Sanada goes to the ring and the ref checks on Goto. Goto is okay to continue so fans rally up. The ring count begins, climbs to 5 of 20, then 10 of 20 before Goto rises. Goto gets in at 14, but Sanada is on him and the bad arm! Sanada bends the arm back, Goto gets a ropebreak so Sanada slams the bad arm down. Sanada paces, Goto grits his teeth and stands, but Sanada clubs the bad arm. Goto leans on ropes, Sanada whips him and elbows him down. Goto avoids the standing moonsault but Sanada lands on his feet to basement dropkick from behind! Cover, TWO!

Sanada keeps his cool and goes after the bad arm again. Goto endures, fights his way up, throws body shots, then throws forearms. The bad arm can still hit, but Sanada hits the bad arm! Sanada grabs Goto but Goto blocks the back suplex and elbows away. Goto shoves Sanada away, Sanada runs back at the corner, but Goto dodges! SAIDO! Goto grits his teeth as he shakes out the bad arm and Sanada gets away to a corner. Goto runs in, windmill heel kick! Goto headlocks for the BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Goto brings Sanada back up. Goto fireman’s carries, Sanada kicks free but Goto elbows his waistlock away. Goto runs but Sanada hurdles, hurdles and dropkicks! Fans cheer while Goto bails out, Sanada PLANCHAS!

Fans cheer and Sanada encourages them to get louder. Sanada then goes back for Goto, brings him up and puts him in the ring. Sanada aims as Goto rises, springboard but Goto intercepts to a fireman’s carry! USHIG- NO! Sanada lands on his feet, knees low and runs but Goto follows! Sanada dodges, Goto follows again but Sanada side steps to O’Conner roll him! Goto fights out of the cover but ends up in the dragon sleeper! Sanada drops back, SKULL END! Goto endures, reaches, kicks around, and gets the ropebreak with a foot! Sanada lets go quickly and keeps his cool as he brings Goto back up. Sanada fireman’s carries now, but Goto fights out. Goto dodges the boot to DISCUS LARIAT! Both men are down because Goto’s bad arm is bothering him but the fans are rallying again.

Goto grits his teeth, drags Sanada back up, and has his own dragon sleeper! But Sanada denies GTR by spinning Goto into a dragon sleeper! But Goto spins back, but Sanada goes up and over to get the dragon sleeper back! Goto endures the standing Skull End, Sanada drops down but Goto rolls back to get a normal sleeper! Sanada snapmares out, gets Goto for a headlock but Goto slips out to sleeper! Sanada drops down but Goto shifts to ISSHIKI CRADLE! TWO, and Sanada rolls Goto to a ghost pin! TWO, Sanada runs into the fireman’s carry, Ushigoroshi to dragon sleeper! But Sanada victory rolls before the GTR! TWO!! Goto escapes by a narrow margin! Goto runs into Sanada’s fireman’s carry, Sanada STEALS USHIGOROSHI!!

The fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to continue. Sanada drags Goto up, puts on the dragon sleeper, but Goto spins around to suplex! Sanada fights that off, and again! Sanada suplexes Goto, puts him on the ropes, MAGIC SCREW! Sanada goes up top, MOONSAULT but misses! Goto avoids Sanada but both men are down as fans rally up again. Goto gets to the corner, Sanada sits up and fans rally more. Goto fires up, runs corner to corner at Sanada, but Sanada elbows him away! Sanada Quebrada to dragon sleeper! Goto slips around again, puts Sanada up, DRAPING INVERSE GTR! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives but Goto won’t let up now!

Goto drags Sanada back up, aims and kicks, but Sanada blocks! Goto headbutts, Sanada spins, but into the fireman’s carry! G T W!! Goto fires up as Sanada rises, BUZZSAW! Then dragon sleeper, TRUE G T R!! Cover, Goto wins!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Sanada earns 0

Redemption favors Chaos’ Fierce Warrior! Does Goto still have a fighting chance in the block, bad arm and all?

B Block – Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Toru Yano!

Speaking of the tentative Mr. KOPW 2020, he only has one point for taking his shortcut! Will he trump The Ace and get a full two points? Or will the Once in a Century Talent rebound from losing to the IWGP Double Champion?

The ref is much more thorough with his check of Yano given all the secret tape rolls last time. Yano’s clean this round, but is upset that the ref even questioned him. The bell rings, Yano and Tanahashi circle as the fans rally. Yano bails out and dares Tanahashi to come get him. Tanahashi tells him to come back in, but Yano keeps insisting Tanahashi follow him outside. The ref says Yano has to get back in but Yano argues back. The ring count begins, Tanahashi strums the air guitar, and Yano storms back into the ring. Yano says, “Okay, okay,” and he circles with Tanahashi. They approach, Yano shoots in and brings Tanahashi to the mat with a waistlock. Tanahashi switches, Yano switches back, and repeat.

Yano wrenches the arm, Tanahashi wrenches the arm and headlocks for the takeover, but Yano headscissors. Tanahashi pops out and the fans cheer as the two stand off. Yano and Tanahashi resets, but Yano shouts, “GOMENASAI! (I APOLOGIZE!)” as he goes for the buckle pad! Tanahashi clubs Yano before he’s done untying the pad. Tanahashi unties the pad himself?! And Yano grabs the other one! The ref only stops Tanahashi, but it seems Tanahashi learned to be ready from watching Yano VS Sanada. The ref tells Yano to get rid of the buckle pad, so Yano tosses it at Tanahashi! Yano dares the ref to tell Tanahashi the same. Tanahashi uses the pad as a guitar!

Tanahashi tosses the pad back to Yano, and fans cheer, so Yano considers strumming, too. But he just swings on Tanahashi instead! Tanahashi dodges the pad shot, grabs the pad, and DRAGON SCREWS the pad!? Yano goes flying either way! Yano bails out as fans fire up, and he flounders around the way. Tanahashi hurries after but Yano kicks low and sends Tanahashi into railing. Yano brings Tanahashi up the ramp but Tanahashi hits back. Yano whips Tanahashi into railing, the ref pursues to tell Yano to come back. Yano and Tanahashi return to the stage right by the entrance! The ring count begins, the two men brawl with forearm after forearm, and the count reaches 10 of 20! They keep brawling!

Yano rakes eyes and runs for it! Tanahashi hurries after, and we’re at 15! Tanahashi slides into home at 18! And Yano uses the AKAKIRI! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer while both men are down, catching their breath. Yano is up first, drags Tanahashi up but Tanahashi throws forearms! Tanahashi backs Yano down into a corner, whips him corner to corner, but Yano reverses! This is the safe corner to Tanahashi rebounds and forearms Yano down! Fans fire up with Tanahashi as he brings Yano up. Tanahashi scoops and slams Yano then goes to the second rope, for the sunset senton! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi waits for Yano to rise, but Yano grabs hair! Tanahashi breaks free but Yano kicks. Tanahashi catches that, DRAGON SCREW!

Yano bails out because this time his leg was the victim. Yano checks the knee but Tanahashi slingshots, but Yano dodges and the Plancha crash lands! Yano drags Tanahashi up, whips him into railing, and then goes looking for something. Yano finds tape! But Tanahashi kicks him first! Tanahashi stomps Yano down, takes the tape for his own, and uses it to blindfold Yano! The ring count climbs back to 10 of 20 and then 15 as Tanahashi finishes blinding Yano! Tanahashi is in, Yano flounders about, but gets in at 19.69! Tanahashi gives Yano a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Fans fire up with Tanahashi as Yano stands up.

Tanahashi runs but Yano senses what’s coming! Yano grabs and finds the ref, and uses him as a shield! Are Yano’s other senses heightened without his sight? Tanahashi bails out of Sling Blade, the ref doesn’t see Yano kick and LOW BLOW!! Then URAKASUMI! Cover, YANO WINS?!?

Winner: Toru Yano, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Tanahashi earns 0

How?! Is Yano the Japanese Daredevil? Spider-Man? Some kind of psychic?! Either way, Yano gets one over on Tanahashi and keeps on winning! Will he somehow find a way to become not just Mr. KOPW but the G1 Climax 30 winner? Is there still time for Tanahashi to rebound in his own run?

B Block – Juice Robinson VS KENTA!

The Flamboyant One and the Fang Revived are hot off wins in the opening round, but only one can keep that fire going! Who will be burning brighter and who will be cooling off in round two?

The bell rings and Juice is ready but Kenta stays back. Kenta stays in the ropes as a defense but Juice backs off. Kenta comes out but backs away again as Juice approaches. Juice backs off again and Kenta finally leaves the corner. The two circle, fans rally up, and Kenta bails out. Juice grows annoyed but that’s the point. Juice slides out but Kenta slides in. Juice gets in but Kenta fires off punches and stomps! The ref counts, Kenta stops and whips but Juice kicks back! Juice hits the headlock takeover and grinds Kenta down. Kenta keeps his shoulders up, pulls hair and brings Juice to a headscissors. The ref reprimands but Juice pops free. Juice blocks the kick and JABS! Kenta bails out before Juice can get more.

Kenta paces, pats his IWGP United States Championship contract briefcase for reassurance, and gets back in the ring just as Juice goes out. Kenta rushes at Juice but Juice throws a forearm first! Juice shoulders in but Kenta KICKS and KICKS him! Kenta goes up while Juice is stuck, for a GUILLOTINE KNEE! Fans can’t help but cheer that one as Kenta goes back to Juice. Kenta stands on Juice’s head but lets up at the ref’s count. Juice is on the apron, Kenta drags him back in and whips. Kenta runs Juice over with an elbow, covers, ONE! Kenta keeps right on Juice with a chinlock. Kenta digs his knee into Juice’s back but Juice endures. Juice reaches back but Kenta cranks Juice’s neck to stop Juice from doing the same. Kenta snapmares Juice and KICKS him in the back!

Kenta mocks the fans applauding much like Jay White did the other day. Kenta drops knees on Juice’s head, then drags him back up. Kenta turns Juice for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Kenta wraps Juice right up in a chinlock and grinds Juice down. Fans rally up, Juice fights up, but Kenta throws Juice down by his hair! Kenta sits Juice up to KICK him again! Juice writhes, Kenta covers, TWO! Fans cheer but Kenta toys with Juice now. Kenta kicks at Juice, Juice sits up and Kenta KICKS! And KICKS! Juice grits his teeth but Kenta KICKS him down! Kenta stands on Juice for a cocky cover, TWO! Kenta clamps onto Juice with another chinlock but Juice endures. Fans rally up, Juice gets a second wind and fights up. Juice throws body shots, is free and runs, but Kenta gets the sleeper!

Juice powers up to back suplex high and hard! Both men are down and fans fire up again. Juice gets up, pumps up and JABS! And JABS! JAB! JAB! Juice faces Kenta with the left to DDT instead! Cover, TWO! Juice keeps his focus as he brings Kenta up. Juice fireman’s carries but Kenta rakes eyes! Kenta shoves and SPINNING POWERSLAMS Juice down! Kenta starts his own weird clap rhythm that no one can follow, and then he stomps Juice more. Kenta kicks and kicks and kicks! He fisherman suplexes Juice and lateral presses, TWO! Kenta grows annoyed with Juice as he drags Juice back up. Kenta whips Juice corner to corner but Juice reverses. Juice runs in but Kenta boots him away! Juice comes back, blocks this boot, but Kenta thumbs Juice’s eye!

Kenta goes up, reels Juice in, tornado hotshot! Juice staggers about, Kenta hits a flying lariat! Cover, TWO! Kenta keeps his cool as he drags Juice up. Kenta waistlocks, Juice elbows but Kenta clubs him. Kenta runs but into a FLAPJACK! Juice LEG LARIATS! Both men are down again but the fans rally up. Kenta rolls to one side while Juice is on the other. Juice runs at Kenta in the corner and clotheslines! He goes corner to corner but Kenta follows and clotheslines! Kenta goes corner to corner but Juice follows to clothesline back! Juice runs, Kenta follows but Juice dodges and Kenta only gets buckles! Juice LARIATS point blank! Kenta sits down, Juice goes corner to corner again and CANNONBALLS! Cover, TWO! Juice grows frustrated but the fans still rally.

Juice stomps and claps, and the fans follow. We Will Rock You as Juice puts Kenta up top. Juice CHOPS Kenta, climbs up to join him, but Kenta blocks the superplex! Kenta throws body shots, then rakes Juice’s eyes! Kenta headbutts over and over and sends Juice down! Juice flounders up to his feet, Kenta leaps, missile dropkick! Juice ends up in the other corner, Kenta runs in to BOOT! And then corner to corner for the HESITATION DROPKICK! Juice is down, Kenta goes back up! DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Juice survives Kenta’s coup de grace but Kenta drags Juice up for more. Kenta fireman’s carries, Juice blocks and elbows away. Kenta back kicks, reels Juice in and puts him through the ropes! DRAPING DDT! Cover, TWO!! Juice survives again but Kenta has him on the ropes.

Kenta runs to knee Juice in the back! And he keeps going, but Juice gets around to FULL NELSON SLAM! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Kenta rises but Juice grabs at Kenta, too. They both stand, Kenta throws a forearm! Juice throws one back, so Kenta forearms again. They brawl, Juice gets the edge, then ROCKS Kenta! Kenta stays up and gets in Juice’s face. Juice ROCKS him again! Kenta shakes it off to ROCK Juice! Juice ROCKS Kenta, and again, and again! Juice headbutts, Kenta forearms and back hands! And back hands! But Juice LARIATS back! Fans fire up with Juice as he drags Kenta up into the fireman’s carry. JUICE BOX GUTBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Kenta survives but Juice grits his teeth.

The fans rally up as Juice brings down the straps. Juice fires up and brings Kenta up for chicken wings. PULP- NO! Kenta rolls Juice up, TWO! Juice swings, misses, Kenta ROCKS Juice over and over with slapping rights! Juice goes down, Kenta fires up! Kenta drags Juice up and into a fireman’s carry but he can’t get Juice up. He tries again, has Juice up, but Juice slips out! Juice has the arms, turns Kenta but Kenta slips out for the fireman’s carry! GO TO- NO! Juice blocks the leg and ROCKS Kenta with that right! LEFT HAND OF GOD!! Juice drags Kenta back up, underhooks and turns him, PULP FRICTION!! Cover, Juice wins!!

Winner: Juice Robinson, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Kenta earns 0

Not only is this a HUGE win for Juice in the G1, he just pinned the current IWGP US Championship #1 contender! Does Juice have the juice to take that contract from Kenta in the near future?

B Block – YOSHI-HASHI VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

The Head Hunter looks to #GetBackUp from being knocked down by Juice, and the King of Darkness was shocked by Zack Sabre Junior! Will Yoshi-Hashi see Everything Is Evil? Or will darkness fall to the vindicated Six Man Tag champion?

As Hashi hits the ring, Evil has a chair! Evil swings on Hashi but Hashi hits him with his staff first! Hashi also runs Dick out of the ring! And then he goes after Evil again! Red Shoes gets the chair out of the ring but tells Hashi to let up. Hashi does, takes off the jacket and the bell rings to put this on record. Hashi fires off forearms over and over and over and over in the corner! Hashi stops at Red Shoes’ count, but brings Evil up to CHOP him! Fans cheer as Hashi whips Evil corner to corner. Evil reverses but Hashi comes back with a CHOP! Hashi runs and runs Evil over! Dick is furious as Hashi stomps Evil. Evil gets to ropes, Hashi stomps him more. Hashi stands Evil up to CHOP him and fans cheer.

Hashi whips Evil but Evil holds ropes to block. Hashi elbows Evil, CHOPS him, and whips him again. Evil reverses, gets in Red Shoes’ face, and Dick trips Hashi up! Dick whips Hashi to railing! Hashi spasms and writhes but Dick digs his boot into him! Evil goes out and grabs chairs! Red Shoes tells him to stop but Evil leaves the chairs on the ground. Evil brings Hashi up, to snap suplex onto the chairs!! Hashi writhes again as Evil gets in the ring. Red Shoes keeps his eyes on Dick but Evil is untying the blue corner’s pad. Dick leaves Hashi be and fans build to a rally. Hashi gets up and in and fans cheer his toughness. Evil drags Hashi around to stomp his back. Evil drags Hashi up, scoops and slams him, and then covers. TWO!

Evil and Dick are annoyed but Evil toys with Hashi. Evil taunts the fans but they cheer for Hashi. Evil pushes Hashi around but Hashi fires back with forearms! Evil whips Hashi to the blue corner, and the bare buckles! Evil drags Hashi up, clubs him on the back then shoves him to club him more. Evil scoops Hashi for the BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Evil tries again, TWO! Again, TWO!! Evil is frustrated and fans rally up. Evil looms over Hashi, drags him up, and suplexes, but Hashi blocks! Hashi suplexes Evil but Evil fights it off. They fight over suplex control, and it’s Hashi who gets Evil up and over! Fans cheer and rally as Hashi gets up. Hashi waits for Evil to rise, and he throws palm strikes and CHOPS! Hashi whips, Evil reverses but Hashi dropkicks low!

Hashi CHOPS Evil in the corner, whips and CHOPS and then mule kicks! Hashi reels Evil in to scoop but Evil slips out the back. Evil shoves but Hashi dodges his clothesline to hit the BLOCKBUSTER! Fans fire up with Hashi as he WRECKS Dick with the baseball slide! Hashi CHOPS Evil at the ropes, brings him around and suplexes to hang Evil out to dry. Hashi runs and dropkicks Evil down! Then he keeps going to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Hashi keeps his focus as he has the fans rallying behind him. Hashi goes up top, but Evil trips him up! Hashi lands on his short staff! Evil CHOPS Hashi, climbs up top, but Hashi fights back with body shots. Evil still tries the superplex but Hashi keeps fighting back! Evil rakes eyes!

Evil goes up even higher, for the SUPERPLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Hashi lives and Evil is furious! Fans rally up, Evil stands first and drags Hashi up. Evil fireman’s carries but Hashi blocks it off, but not for long! Hashi silps out the back, Evil elbows him away then whips him to a corner. Hashi reverses but Evil reverses and Hashi hits bare buckles! Evil whips Hashi back into the bare buckles! And then fireman’s carries, DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives and Evil is losing his cool! Evil drags Hashi up, slashes the throat, and spins Hashi around, but Hashi fights the STO off. Evil still tries but Hashi gets away! Hashi baits Evil in, Evil stops himself from running into bare buckles, but Hashi bumps him off them! And then whips him into them! Evil staggers, Hashi SUPERKICKS!

Both men are down but the fans fire up! Evil checks his face but he’s not bleeding. Evil drags Hashi up, Hashi throws forearms! Evil CHOPS, Hashi CHOPS, Evil spins but Hashi SUPERKICKS! Hashi runs, Evil goes to the corner, but Hashi still LARIATS him down! Fans fire up and Hashi fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Hashi keeps going, and puts Evil in the BUTTERFLY LOCK! Evil endures, Dick is on the apron, but Hashi DECKS him! Evil CLUBS Hashi, wants Dick to help out but Red SHoes warns them not to! Hashi reverses to whip and Evil bumps into Dick! BACKSTABBER, to BUTTERFLY LOCK! Evil endures, reaches out, scoots, but Hashi cranks him away from the ropes!

Fans rally, Evil reaches around and grabs Hashi’s ear! Evil pulls, but Hashi CRANKS the lock! Hashi leans on Evil and Evil starts to fade. Evil comes so close but refuses to giving up! Evil gets his second wind and scoots around, but Hashi drags him away again!? The fans rally as hard as they can, Red Shoes checks on Evil but Evil keeps fighting! Evil keeps trying, but Hashi gets that arm for a double wristlock! Butterfly Chicken combo!! Evil uses his leg to get the ropebreak!! Hashi lets go but a lot of damage was done! Fans rally again as Evil sputters. Hashi drags Evil up, Evil pushes Red Shoes, but Hashi catches the low blow! Hashi SLAPS Evil, runs, but into a LARIAT! Evil evens things and both men are down!

The fans rally back up and the two stir. Evil is up first, he drags Hashi around, spins him, but still no STO! Pump handle but no Karma! No STO either, SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Hashi runs, for the METEORA!! Cover, TWO!?! Evil survives but Hashi will not stop! The fans are thunderous as Hashi slams Evil and climbs up! Hashi leaps, for the SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!? Hashi’s Loose Explosion didn’t end it!! Hashi drags Evil back up, tries another full nelson, but Evil grabs at Red Shoes! Dick SMACKS Hashi with a chair!! Evil keeps Red Shoes away and the SPOILER CHOKER hooks Hashi!

Hashi is caught at the ropes but fans rally and he fights it off!! Hashi frees himself and DECKS Dick! Evil runs into the mule kick! Hashi runs and LARIATS!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans can’t believe this as Hashi pump handles, but no Karma! Evil shoves Hashi at Red Shoes then LOW BLOWS!! EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Cover, EVIL WINS!

Winner: Evil, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Hashi earns 0

Hashi put up perhaps the best fight in this G1, but he could not stop the combination of Evil and Dick! Will the King of Darkness rise back to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship? Will Hashi still have time to #GetBackUp in the block?

B Block – Tetsuya Naito VS Zack Sabre Jr!

The IWGP Double Champion made a promise to add the G1 Climax trophy to his collection, but every match is an opportunity for someone to punch their own golden ticket! Will Naito stay Tranquilo? Or will he #JustTapOut to ZSJ?

Naito sets the belts down on the mat before getting in, but ZSJ steps on them and kicks them over to Naito’s corner! As if Naito doesn’t abuse those belts enough on his own… Naito takes off his elaborate entrance attire much quicker this time, but not so quick as not to annoy ZSJ. The bell rings and fans cheer already as the main event of round 3 begins. The claps are either for “NA-I-TO” or “Z-S-J,” but Naito doesn’t really mind either way. The two circle, feel out the grapple, and Naito avoids ZSJ shooting in. Naito shoots back but ZSJ uses a leg guard to get the arm. ZSJ wrenches but keeps his distance and lets Naito go. Fans cheer the exchange as the two reset.

Naito and ZSJ try again, Naito facelocks and drags ZSJ down. ZSJ slips out, gets the arm for a hammerlock but Naito powers his way to a cover. ZSJ chinbars back, Naito slips out to hammerlock, shoot the half and cover, ONE! Naito stays on ZSJ but ZSJ rolls through to get the leg. Naito gets the ropes, ZSJ lets off fast and Naito bails out to walk it off as fans cheer again. ZSJ waits as Naito walks around the way. Naito slow rolls back in and resets with ZSJ. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. ZSJ gets the arm for a wrench, but Naito rolls and wrenches back. Naito has the wristlock, cranks on it, and ZSJ rolls to bridge and step through for another wrench. ZSJ trips Naito up to then have control. ZSJ twists the wrist, bends fingers, but Naito scrambles to get the ropebreak.

ZSJ backs off and lets Naito up. The two go again, Naito gets a leg but ZSJ has a clinch. Naito goes under the leg, waistlocks but ZSJ switches. Naito grabs the ropes, ZSJ lets go but leans on Naito to mock the Tranquilo. Fans cheer, admitting they like that. Naito shrugs it off and circles with ZSJ. ZSJ knuckle locks, spins and wristlocks to arm-drag Naito down. ZSJ has the keylock but Naito endures, even as ZSJ digs a knee into his chest. Naito rolls back, ZSJ cranks the arm, but Naito rolls again. Naito is up, ZSJ cranks the arm but Naito grabs the ropes. ZSJ spins through to wristlock but Red Shoes counts. ZSJ lets Naito go clean but then whips. Naito reverses and arm-drags ZSJ! Naito kicks, runs and huricanranas! ZSJ bails out, Naito builds speed but fakes ZSJ out to Tranquilo.

ZSJ gets in to use the arm in a ghost pin! TWO, ZSJ tries La Magistrol! TWO, ZSJ tries Oklahoma roll to a jackknife! TWO!! Naito barely escapes and even he is surprised! Naito kicks ZSJ and puts him in a corner! They clinch, Red Shoes calls for the break, but Naito snapmares to put ZSJ in a chinlock. Naito drags ZSJ into a modified triangle hold but ZSJ manages to headscissor Naito at the same time. Naito pops out to crank on ZSJ’s head! ZSJ endures, kicks his way over and gets the ropebreak with a foot. Red Shoes counts, Naito lets go at 3 but brings ZSJ around. Naito puts ZSJ on the ropes, and CLUBS him down! And again! Naito whips ZSJ, ZSJ counters the hip toss to chicken wings but Naito resists, so ZSJ goes for the cobra twist!

Naito hip tosses free, but ZSJ bridges up to snapmare and NECK TWIST Naito! And ANOTHER! ZSJ sits down to catch his breath while fans cheer. ZSJ stalks Naito to ropes, brings him up on the apron and through the ropes for a HANGING GUILLOTINE! Red Shoes counts, ZSJ lets go and pushes Naito off the apron! Naito crashes into railing! ZSJ drags Naito up as fans rally and puts him back in. ZSJ even resets the railing for commentary’s sake. ZSJ has Naito in the necklock now, and digs knuckles in where he can before he CRANKS on the hold! ZSJ also grabs an arm and has Naito folded up! ZSJ has BOTH arms, this is almost Hurrah but Naito gets a leg on the ropes! ZSJ lets him go and fans cheer the technical exchange. Naito sits up, ZSJ brings him up but Naito throws haymakers!

Naito backs ZSJ down, whips him corner to corner but ZSJ puts him on the apron and sweeps the legs! Naito tumbles down to the floor! Red Shoes starts a ring count and it climbs to 10 of 20 before Naito sits up. Naito slowly stands at 15, and gets in at 17. ZSJ stands on Naito’s head at the ropes, Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but ZSJ lets up at 3. ZSJ toys with Naito giving those weak kicks. Naito gets up but ZSJ rocks him with a EuroUpper! Naito boots back but ZSJ EuroUppers again. Naito boots, ZSJ EuroUppers and snapmares! ZSJ has a cravat but Naito pushes ZSJ in the face over and over. ZSJ grabs that other arm to add it to the hold, but Naito kicks his legs to get up. ZSJ keeps the cravat but Naito throws body shots!

ZSJ cranks and snapmares but Naito bridges up to spin ZSJ and hit a neckbreaker! Both men are down and fans cheer again. Fans rally up as ZSJ and Naito sit up. Naito stands first but ZSJ follows. Naito throws haymakers and kicks then whips to run ZSJ over with an elbow! Naito whips ZSJ to a corner, and runs in for a rocket kick! Leg sweep and swinging dropkick, COMBINACION CABRON! Naito poses, covers, TWO! ZSJ sits up and checks his face but Naito keeps his cool. Naito brings ZSJ up, ZSJ swings on him but into the backbreaker and leg hook full nelson! ZSJ endures but manages to hook a leg on Naito’s arm. Naito fights that off and cranks harder, but ZSJ kicks and moves around. ZSJ reaches, rolls and gets the ropebreak! Naito claims he needs help so Red Shoes helps free ZSJ.

Naito stomps ZSJ in a corner, digs his heels in, then drags ZSJ back up. Naito cravats ZSJ now and cranks on the hold. ZSJ endures, digs forearms in Naito’s face and throws body shots. ZSJ rolls to throw Naito away but Naito boots him away! Naito dodges, ZSJ goes up and TORNADO DDT’s! Fans rally up as both men are down. ZSJ sits up, drags Naito up, and throws a EuroUpper! ZSJ full nelsons but Naito arm-drags free. ZSJ comes back with a huricanrana! He uses it to drag Naito down into a triangle hold! ZSJ squeezes tight and Naito is already red! ZSJ has the arm for a hammerlock, fans rally up and Naito starts to fade! ZSJ keeps shifting the arm around and then drives elbows into Naito’s head! Naito manages a ropebreak with a foot! ZSJ lets go and Naito can breathe again.

ZSJ undoes his wrist tape and makes sure his own arms are still alright. Naito sits up and fans rally again. ZSJ drags Naito up, throws EuroUppers over and over, then BOOTS Naito! Naito stays up so ZSJ tries again. Naito blocks the boot to sweep the leg! Naito brings ZSJ out from the apron for a DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Both men are down on the outside and fans cheer. Red Shoes checks and ZSJ is okay to continue. Fans rally, Naito sits up first as the ring count begins. The count reaches 10 of 20 before Naito drags ZSJ up. The count reaches 13, Naito puts ZSJ in at 14. Naito slowly follows but ZSJ rolls and crawls to a corner. Fans keep rallying as Naito aims at ZSJ. Naito runs in, ZSJ boots but Naito blocks to elbow back!

Naito drags ZSJ up to elbow him again, and again, and again! Fans cheer as ZSJ is down. Naito drags ZSJ up again for more elbows, ZSJ flounders and falls. Naito looms over ZSJ and kicks at him toyingly now. Naito drags ZSJ up, throws more elbows, ZSJ staggers into a corner! Naito RAMS ZSJ into the buckles, hoists him up top, and climbs up to join him. Naito sits ZSJ up, SUPER STEINER! ZSJ slowly rises as fans cheer again. Naito runs at ZSJ, but ZSJ elbows him away. ZSJ headbutts, uppercuts and whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Into the PLUMA BLANCA! ZSJ endures Naito’s take on the Koji Clutch and starts to pry at the hold. Naito squeezes tighter, but ZSJ uses his own legs to grab at Naito’s.

ZSJ is almost free but Naito holds on as best he can! ZSJ fights and rolls to the ropebreak! The fans cheer as both men continue to show such great technical prowess. Naito gets up first and fans rally up. Naito drags ZSJ up, hammerlocks and half nelsons, but ZSJ denies Gloria. Naito still tries, but ZSJ grabs hair. Naito clubs away on ZSJ, tries again, but ZSJ slips out to PELE the arm! Naito enziguris back! Naito whips, ZSJ reverses but Naito leaps, into the IRON OCTOPUS! ZSJ has Naito caught, pulls and wants Hurrah, Another Year! Naito endures as ZSJ keeps shifting through variations! Naito falls over, ZSJ moves him around, ground octopus! Fans rally more, Naito fights but ZSJ pulls on the arm as hard as he can! Naito kicks with his legs but he’s fading!

The fans rally harder as Red Shoes checks on Naito. ZSJ CRANKS again, brings Naito back, but Naito pushes and rolls into the ropes! The fans cheer again as Naito is free. ZSJ catches his breath while thinking what else he has to try in order to win. ZSJ brings Naito up but Naito throws a haymaker! Naito wobbles but stands up tall. ZSJ dares Naito to hit him again so Naito does. Naito hits ZSJ again, ZSJ throws EuroUpper after EuroUpper! ZSJ runs, ducks Naito’s punch to scoop! Naito fights out of the Zack Driver, but ZSJ tries again! Naito fights out, suplexes but ZSJ slips out to try the Octopus again! Naito pops out the back, Naito tilt-o-whirls for DESTINO! But Naito isn’t done with one, he wrenches and tilt-o-whirls, into ZACK DRIVER!! But ZSJ can’t cover, he falls over exhausted!

Fans are thunderous again as both men stir. ZSJ sits up first and fires himself up as he drags Naito up. ZSJ cranks on a facelock, then adds an arm! Naito endures as ZSJ cranks his head again. ZSJ scoops but Naito blocks and clubs back. Fans rally more as Naito clubs and whips. ZSJ gets under, pulls Naito into the EUROCLUTCH! TWO!! Naito kicks, his enziguri misses, ZSJ body scissors to the JAPANESE CLUTCH! TWO!?! Naito and ZSJ are up, ZSJ uppercuts but Naito rolling kicks! ZSJ rebounds to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ can’t believe Naito keeps surviving!

Fans rally again, ZSJ watches Naito close and scoops him! Naito kicks free to DESTINO! Cover, TWO!?! ZSJ survives but Naito says he’ll end it! Naito brings ZSJ up again, wrenches and tilt-o-whirls, for another DESTINO!! Cover, Naito wins!!

Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall; gains 2 points, ZSJ earns 0

Another match worthy of the title everyone is after, even though this is still only the G1! Naito keeps rising in the block, will he fulfill that promise he made in Osaka?

After having his turn with the ice pack, Red Shoes raises Naito’s hand in victory. Naito catches his breath, gets his baseball cap, and gets the mic. “Buenas noches, SAPPOROOOOO~!” Another round of A Block and B Block, did everyone here like their bit of NJPW and G1 Climax? The fans applaud because they surely did. They were supposed to be in Sapporo in July but COVID caused that to be canceled. It would’ve been NJPW’s first Hokkaido tour in seven YEARS, but it just couldn’t be helped. Naito thought he wouldn’t be able to show them his wrestling this year. “However, I’m glad that I was able to wrestle in front of all of you tonight. That makes me truly happy.” To all who came here today, “Gracias, amigos.”

Naito says the G1 continues all the way until October 18th. Until the final result is rendered, TRANQUILO! Please be patient and enjoy the ride! And of course, we end this in traditional fashion. Even though the fans can’t shout out loud, please join along in your hearts. “So, until the next time I see you all here, with big smiles…” For the second time, the G1 Climax finishes with the role call! “BUSHI! SANADA! Hiromu! Takagi! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! Los Ingoberrrrrrrnableeeees~! DE! JA! PON!” Yes, two main events and two wins for Naito, will he continue all the way to the end?

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

Tetsuya Naito: 2-0, 4 points
Juice Robinson: 2-0, 4 points
Toru Yano: 2-0, 4 points
EVIL: 1-1, 2 points
Hirooki Goto: 1-1, 2 points
KENTA: 1-1, 2 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 1-1, 2 points
SANADA: 0-2, 0 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 0-2, 0 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 0-2, 0 points

My Thoughts:

What another great night for NJPW in the G1, but NJPW is always great anyway. I was definitely surprised Sanada didn’t rebound, but maybe he finally wins in the third round. I am also very surprised Tanahashi hasn’t rebounded, but his match with Yano was incredibly entertaining. Yano is the only one with just 3 points, which again can be a very interesting detail to the story of the B Block. And much in the way that anyone who beats Naito gets a shortcut to a title shot, the first person to beat Yano could have claim to the KOPW 2020 trophy. How wild would it be if Naito beats Yano on his way to his promise of winning the G1, and the KOPW story ties in with the double title story? I am actually rather excited for how that match will turn out.

I also like that Kenta lost and Juice now has quick claim to the IWGP US Championship challenger’s contract. There’s still a lot to sort out with how Jon Moxley has that title but is also AEW World Champion. I’m going to need to keep a closer eye on NJPW Strong in case Moxley surprises everyone by even just sending a video message in. Moxley VS Kenta and Moxley VS Juice would both be great matches, and a rematch of Kenta VS Juice would be a great lead in for that. And perhaps a surprise in its own way was Hashi putting up such a great fight against Evil and Dick. It feels like Hashi is finally getting some shine, even though he’s still just a Six Man Tag champion. Maybe he gets a pivotal win to be someone’s spoiler loss to add to the drama.

My Score: 9.5/10

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

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Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (9/25/20)

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Andrew’s G1 Climax 30 B Block Results & Match Ratings: Day 4

Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024

We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!

Published

11 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Andrew Balaz

Rebellion had quite a few returns, Mike Santana, Sami Callihan and Broken Matt Hardy. All three of these guys could easily be main event players, and its nice to mix up and expand what felt like a rather small pool of potential challengers.

Under Siege is only like 2 weeks out, so we’ll see how the dots connect in such a short period of time.

.@AJFrancis410, Rich Swann, and rap legend @BunBTrillOG are IN THE HOUSE Meanwhile, @joehendry announces he will deliver an apology to Fir$t Cla$$ NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/4GNe2xWfyU

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Ratings:

Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz: Santana wins via Spin the Block – ** 1/2
#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander: Josh wins via Grapevine Ankle Lock – ***
ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside: Xia wins via School Girl Roll-Up – ** 3/4
Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands: Sami Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – SQUASH
Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – *** 1/4

Results:

Did @NicTNemeth say BROKEN? @MATTHARDYBRAND has arrived in the iMPACT Zone! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/HbkUangt6e

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

A weird opening that is just framed to put Nemeth and Hardy together against The System. Feels a little awkward, but who knows how it will play out.

.@JordynneGrace vs @miyu_tjp NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT will now be for the Knockouts World Championship! pic.twitter.com/YnKZjb9yjx

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz

Ahh I didn’t really pay attention to Santana’s theme at Rebellion, but its pretty damn cool. Good stuff.

Rascalz blindside Santana early, but the heel advantage doesn’t last more than a few moves. Santana whips Myron from corner to corner, hits a few Hip Attacks before Myron finally dodges one and starts using his unique offense and agility to his advantage. Matrix dodge, into an Leaping Outside Back in Slingshot Codebreaker. Some more offense and Santana powders to the ramp, Myron jumps over the rope and tries a Flying Cutter, but Santana blocks it, turns things around, gets pushed forward and hits the Rolling Cutter. Santana takes out the Rascalz, heads back into the ring, Myron tries to catch him unawares but eats the Spin the Block off the rope run! Santana wins fairly quickly.

Maclin’s music hits, he tries to employ the help of The Rascalz to attack Santana, but as soon as Maclin positions himself to get in, The Rascalz bail and flip off Maclin. Maclin makes it out of the confrontation relatively unscathed, but at least we know where he’s going for Under Siege probably.

OH FUCK ME WITH RUSTY KNIVES. Because Cardona is hurt Kon is paired with SDL, and she just challenges Jordynne and PCO to a tag match. WHY!? STOP IT. This is hot garbage.

Josh Alexander comes out…I wonder who’s Super Finisher he’s gonna conveniently kick out this time? Brian Myers? Frankie Kazarian? Rich Swann? Because yes, I’m still annoyed that Hammerstone has been in TNA for half a sandwich, he already connects with a Super version of his finish on tacks, and that’s not a finish. Oh Kaz’s music hits. Okay, so time for Josh to kick out of Fade to Black or Flux Capacitor. Kaz talks smack, says he won his match too so he should have a say in who’s number one contender. Josh challenges him, Kaz says not right now, but a referee runs out and says the match is official.

#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander

Kaz throws his jacket on Josh’s head, and attacks him with some strikes before Josh fights back and throws Kaz out. Commercial break, we see Kaz misses his Apron Guillotine, Josh goes for the Low Crossbody but Kaz dodges and Josh goes flying. Kaz starts throwing some chops and claws at the cauliflowered ears of Josh. Russian Leg Sweep from Kaz for a near fall. Josh swings wildly and Kaz ducks the strike and levels Josh with a Lariat.

Josh blocks a Vertical Suplex attempt, but Frankie pulls off a Fisherman’s Suplex after a few overhead strikes for a near fall. Josh stands up and connects with a straight right, rocks Kaz, Back Body Drop, into a Charging Forearm, Rolling Senton, 2 count! C4 Spike attempt countered into a Back Stabber and then Chicken Wing, but Josh fights it off, rolls through and into an Ankle Lock, Kaz kicks off and into a Head and Arm Cradle for a near fall and then the Guillotine Leg Drop into Slingshot DDT spot from Kaz for another 2 count!

Fade to Black, but its fought off, Big Boot but then Kaz counters the next move with a Power Slam into the Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop, but Josh grabs the Ankle Lock! Locomotion German Suplex time from Josh, Halfhatch Suplex after the Germans, floats over for a 2 count! C4 Spike attempt again, but Kaz fights it off, dumps him over the top rope, slingshots him in and into the Cutter for a near fall for Kaz! After the 2 Kaz grabs a chair and chain, the referee stops the chair of course, so he tries the chain, EY runs down and grabs the chain so Kaz pulls the Eddie Guerrero and the referee admonishes EY, but doesn’t DQ Josh. So as Kaz is busy laughing at EY, Josh picks the ankle, Ankle Lock with the Grapevine, Kaz taps.

Tensions are sky-high between @alexhammerstone and @JakeSomething_! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/LLCUJOCy7H

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside

Both are jawing at each other and then throw hands before Xia gets the upper hand with a Headscissors from the Top Turnbuckle, Charging Knees, a Flurry of Kicks, but when the ref forces some space in the corner, ASH is finally able to dodge and work over Xia with her Twisting Body Splash, a few choking moves, a corner Stomp into a Snap Suplex for 2. ASH is in charge elegantly, but the referee keeps forcing space on both of them when they go for corner attacks. Xia manages to take advantage a little, but ASH regains control, kicks Xia up the ramp and then lands her Cartwheel Back Elbow up the ramp. It actually looks pretty cool executed like that.

Headlocks and Hair Pulling to keep Xia down and using energy to kick out. ASH is getting frustrated but Xia is remaining persistent. ASH goes back to the Headlock, but Xia fights up, Jawbreaker, Back Elbow, Kick to the gut and Drop Toe Hold sends ASH face first into the middle buckle. Xia rips off 4 Double Knee Smashes to the back of ASH’s head into her Flying Crossbody for a close 2! Xia pulls her up, but ASH spins out, then Xia slips it, but ASH kicks her in the chest and deposits her to the outside and demands a count from the referee. Iceman puts Jeweled Knuckles/Rings on ASH’s hand, the referee catches her, removes the stuff from her fingers and Xia hits the School Girl Roll-Up for the flash win.

Fraud has thrown the Ballot Box Battle into chaos, but also paved the way for an explosive showdown between @TheTreyMiguel and @The_Ace_Austin NEXT WEEK to determine the #1 Contender for the X Division Championship! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/lYHrtgNrc3

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands

So the Good Hand Jobs are about to do their job to Sami. I’m just gonna assume Sami beats the hell out of both and wins with a Cactus Driver ’97. If anything interesting happens I might actually cover it, but come on now.

.@SteveMaclin has a proposition for @FrankieKazarian #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XY6lMdmSWo

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Kaz makes a Metallica reference with the “Wash Your Back So You Won’t Stab Mine”…and Sweet Amber is the only good song on St. Anger. So…I ain’t mad.

Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth

A little early ground wrestling and headlocks for control from both men. Nothing super flashy to start until we get to the rope run and Nemeth goes for the Flying Body Press to drop Eddie. Before Nemeth can follow up, Lish grabs his foot. Nic does have his brother Ryan in the crowd, trying to get chants going and do the old school ‘power up the babyface’ thing, but Eddie has been in control since Lish got involved. Simple offense, chokes, strikes, Snap Suplexes, Knee Drops, simple yet effective. But then Eddie ducks his head too early, Nemeth kicks him in the face, bounces his head off the buckles a few times, Dropkick sends Eddie reeling to the corner, Nemeth starts the 10 Count Punches but Myers hits the apron to distract and Eddie manages to slip the situation and push Nemeth to the floor.

Commercial break happens, Nemeth is trying to fight back with Chops, but a Kitchen Sink from Eddie puts Nemeth on the floor again! Clubbing blow from Eddie, but Eddie then misses the Hip Attack in the corner and Nemeth counters with the Rude Awakening into the 10 Count Rain of Elbows. Fame Ass-er miss, Eddie tries something but Nemeth turns it into that hesitation DDT for 2! Tuning up the band starts to build and Eddie powders to avoid it. Nemeth throws Eddie back in, goes to the top, but Eddie crotches him, rises up and hits the Superplex into Tiger Driver for 2! Eddie starts mocking with Tuning Up the band but Nemeth hits his own Superkick into an Olympic Slam for 2!

Both men just trade strikes Fighting Spirit style, Eddie says “Always Trust the System” and Nemeth shuts him up with a Headbutt. Danger Zone is blocked, Boston Knee Party gets ducked, they level each other with Lariats! Myers and Ryan Nemeth start fighting to distract the referee, Moose hits the ring and hits Nemeth with the belt. Eddie lands Boston Knee Party and The System wins again!

Overall Score: 6/10

A lame opening segment, a squash match, ASH by Elegance getting her first loss, and a weird way of just pulling the number one contender out of mid air makes for an awkward show. Also Kon still be involved in, literally anything, is negative. However, I can say there was a ton of stuff thrown at the wall this episode, so there’s a chance that some things landed better with other people than myself. The ballot segments were amusing, they overused the “I need to talk to you Santino” gimmick a bit much and personally I feel like having Jake versus Hammerstone is booking yourself into a weird corner.

But hey, the main event was fun, Nemeth getting laid out to the point that there could be a story reason to take him out of the Under Siege match. Kaz with the Metallica reference was pop worthy and I guess its a lot of ‘let’s see where it goes’ kind of angle creation. So it wasn’t complete trash, but its definitely a wait and see episode.

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

Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/25/24)

Champions need challengers!

Published

15 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Steven Mitchell

The Queen is coming for her crown!

Athena & Billie Starkz are the top champions in the ROH Women’s Division, but Queen Aminata’s coming after them! Who will she target first?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Isiah Kassidy VS Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes; Zay wins.
Six Man Tag: Top Flight VS The Dark Order; Top Flight wins.
Anna Jay VS Allysin Kay; Anna wins.
Johnny TV w/ Taya Valkyrie VS Will Austin; Johnny wins.
Six Man Tag: The Mogul Embassy VS MANDERS & BEEFTANK; The Embassy wins.
Yuka Sakazaki VS Leila Grey; Yuka wins.
ROH World Tag Team Championships Proving Ground Match: The Undisputed Kingdom VS The Outrunners; The Kingdom wins and denies The Outrunners a title match.
Taya Valkyrie w/ Johnny TV VS Laynie Luck; Taya wins.
Six Man Tag: Lance Archer & The Righteous VS Jon Cruz, GPA & Ren Jones; Archer & The Righteous win.
Abadon VS Nova; Abadon wins.
Triple Threat: Blake Christian VS AR Fox VS The Beast Mortos; Mortos wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Isiah Kassidy VS Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes!

Brother Zay and the Commander of the Skies are coming down from the high of competing against Rob Van Dam on April 20th, but they’re both ready to get back up. Will Kassidy earn his shot (shot shot) at a championship? Or will the AAA Cruiserweight Champion be aiming for ROH gold?

The Code of Honor is upheld, but Zay has his fingers crossed! Zay trips Komander at the bell, says he’s too smart, then he steps on Komander’s dropdown to say “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” and “SUCK IT!” Komander keeps cool, he and Zay tie up, and Komander headlocks. Zay pulls on the mask, powers up and out to hurdle, but then Komander steps on him! Komander mocks “SHOTS! SHOTS!” Zay runs up, Komander avoids the boot to then wrench, wrench and mule kick a leg! Kmoander steps over, rolls through, then rolls again, to a HALF CRAB! Zay endures, fights around, ROPEBREAK! Komander lets go and Zay stands back up.

The fans rally, Komander runs in but is put on the apron. Zay runs in but into a slingshot BOOT! Zay comes back but Komander goes up and headscissors Zay into buckles. Komander comes back to springboard, wheelbarrow, but Zay HOTSHOTS Komander and then throws him down! The fans boo but Zay says they don’t teach that at school. Just follow Zay and he’ll get your right. Zay then smothers Komander with his towel! The ref reprimands, Zay lets off and Komander sputters to a corner. Zay bumps Komander off buckles, CHOPS him, then stomps Komander down. Zay says “SHOTS! SHOTS!” as he gives stomp after stomp.

The ref counts, Zay lets off at 4 and dusts his shoes off. Zay goes back to scuff Komander, taunt him, but the fans rally up for Komander. Zay scuffs Komander more, eggs him on, but Komander fights up to fire hands! Zay ducks a roundhouse but not the HEEL KICK! Zay leans on ropes, Komander runs in but Zay puts him on the apron. Komander gets up but Zay triangle jump STUNNERS! Komander flops to the floor, Zay scowls and goes out after him. The fans rally, Zay backs Abrahantes off, and the fans boo. Zay goes back for Komander, SMACKS him off barriers, then grabs the chair.

The fans boo, Zay says watch this, it’s about to be an 8K. Zay runs and uses the chair to LAUNCH, into barriers! Komander avoids disaster, puts Zay in the ring, and he hurries to a corner. The fans fire up as Komander springboards, but Zay moves! Komander rolls through, ducks ‘n’ dodges then RANAS! The fans fire up while Zay bails out. Komander builds speed and WRECKS Zay with a dropkick! Then ASAI MOONSAULT and down goes Zay! The fans fire up, Komander drags Zay up and in, then he springboards again, for a SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO! Zay stays in this as fans chant “DOS! DOS! DOS!”

Zay goes to the apron, Komander storms up and stands him up. Zay shoves Komander away, goes up the corner, but Komander runs up! Zay anticipates and GAMANGIRIS! Zay goes up to SUPSER SUSNET FLIP, but Komander flips through!! The fans fire up and Zay is shocked! Zay still BOOTS Komander, fires forearms, but Komander bobs ‘n’ weaves to SLAP, UPPERCUT and power up! Zay turns Komander around but gets a SHOTEI! Komander then jumps up top POISON-RANA! The fans fire up again and Komander runs, but into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO! Or as the fans remind us, “DOS! DOS! DOS!”

Zay says Komander’s done wasting his time. Zay whips, Komander reverses but Zay reverses back to scoop, only for Komander to tilt-o-whirl sunset flip! TWO, but Komander tries a side roll sunset, TWO! Zay escapes, Komander dodges his haymaker and waistlocks. Zay switches, Komander switches back, but Zay grabs the ref! LOW BLOW MULE KICK!! The fans boo as Zay gets away with that one! Abrahantes protests but the ref can’t call what he didn’t see! Zay blows a kiss, before the INVERTED TWIST OF FATE! Cover, Zay wins!

Winner: Isiah Kassidy, by pinfall

Brother Zay didn’t break rules but he did find a loophole to DELETE Komander’s momentum. Will Zay soon have a WONDERFUL ascension to the top of ROH?

ROH hears from Bullet Club Gold.

It was backstage at AEW Dynasty this past Sunday that the Bang Bang Gang unified the AEW and ROH World Trios Championships! Jay White says, “Today, our destiny, fulfilling our destiny by building our Dynasty! Y’see, I’m full! I’m full of that feeling when I get to say, I told you so! When I came to AEW, joined forces with The Gunns, I said the Gunns were money! Brought them in along with Juice Robinson, to Bullet Club GOLD. I said I would bring you gold, and boys, we’re running out of space. Because we’ve got gold a plenty, haven’t we, boys? Cuz I’m the mother effin’ Catalyst of Professional Wrestling! I told you so!”

Austin says their backpacks are heavier on the ride home, but that extra weight just reminds him that the Bang Bang Gang runs this Trios ish! Colten says they like to have fun before and after, but during? They don’t take no ish! There’s this saying around here, “Restore the Feeling.” That’s something for the young guys to get on TV, but guess who are never mentioned? The Gunns! Is it because they’ve been in too many main events? Is it because they’ve been tag team world champions? And now they’re AEW & ROH Trios Champions! The Gunns are the best damn team in the world! White is the best singles man in the world!

And tonight, they are the BEST trio in the world!! And if you’re not down with that, they’ve got two words for ya: GUNS UP!! The Bang Bang Gang is firing on all cylinders, but will they be able to shoot down those who take aim at them?

Six Man Tag: Top Flight VS The Dark Order!

Speaking of the trios championships, Action Andretti, and the brothers Martin get their shot at the Bang Bang Gang this Saturday! Will Top Flight pick up speed going into that Collision? Or will Evil Uno, John Silver & Alex Reynolds prove they are worthy contenders?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the trios sort out, and Darius Martin starts against Johnny Hungy. The bell rings, the fans rally and the two circle. The fans rally for “JOHNNY HUNGY!” as the two tie up. Darius wrenches, wristlocks, but Silver spins and fireman’s carries for the takeover. Silver has the cording hold but Darius fights up. Silver wrenches but Darius spins, slips around, waistlocks, spins Silver and cravats for the neck wrench. Silver endures, powers up and out, but Darius rolls over the dropdown. Darius sweeps a leg to cover, ONE! Darius turns Silver’s sweep into a cradle, TWO!

Silver gets up but Darius arm-drags him back down. The fans cheer, Darius wrenches Silver and tags Action. Action runs to LEAP FROG ATTACK the arm! Action wrenches Silver, tags Dante, and Dante goes up to AX HANDLE the arm! Dante clamps onto the arm, digs a knuckle into Silver’s ribs, or was it a tickle attack? Tag to Darius and Dante snapmares Silver. Darius runs to basement dropkick! Cover, ONE!! Silver stays in this but Darius stays on him. Tag to Dante, Top Flight reel Silver in but the rest of Dark Order save him from the double suplex! So Action jumps in and Top Flight TRIPLE SUPERKICKS!

The fans fire up while Uno and Reynolds spill back out. Action and Darius aim, DOUBLE PLANCHA but Uno and Reynolds DECK them outta the air! Dante brings Silver up but Silver fights the half nelson to then whip Dante into the ropes! Silver then runs up, Uno & Reynolds join in, TRIPLE DROPKICK! Silver then waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX Dante into a bridging cover, TWO! Silver tags Reynolds and he short arm LARIATS Dante! Cover, TWO! Reynolds brings Dante up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Uno. Uno CHOPS Dante, then snapmares him to stomp him down! The fans rally for Uno as he tautns Action.

Uno goes back for Dante but Dante throws body shots. Uno CLUBS Dante, bumps him off buckles, and tags Reynolds. Silver holds Dante in whiel Reynolds whips Uno for the SPLASH! Uno goes again, but Dante dodges, goes up and over Reynolds, hot tag to Action! The Sight to See rallies on the Dark Order! ELBOW for Uno! BOOT for Silver! ELBOW for Reynolds! Uno kicks low, whips, but Action handsprings to DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up as Action kips up, and he runs in at Reynolds in a corner. UPPERCUT! Uno runs in but the SPLASH is sent into Reynolds! Uno staggers away, Action DECKS Reynolds!

Action aims, slingshot and SPLIT LEG but he has to bail out as Reynolds moves! Action just uses that to roll and PELE Uno! SPANISH FLY on Reynolds! Cover, Silver breaks it! Darius tosses Silver out but Silver ROCKS Darius! Darius drops down but Dante runs in and uses Darius as a step, POETRY IN MOTION! Silver falls, Reynolds dodges Darius to RAM Dante! Dante comes back, Darius helps him get up and over, then Dante helps in the TORNADO DDT! Darius sets Reynolds up for the STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, Uno shoves Dante onto it! Uno then CHOPS Darius down and goes to his corner.

Reynolds crawls over, hot tag to Uno! Uno fires forearms on all of Top Flight! Uno winds up, but Dante JUMP KNEES! Darius mule kicks! Action KICKS, Darius BUZZSAWS! But then Silver & Reynolds drag the Martins out! Uno dodges Action, tells him to STOP, then ROCKS him! The rest of Dark Order get in, Reynolds spins Action before the TRIPLE ROLLING ELBOWS!! Action wobbles, Uno reels him in, and Silver gives Reynolds the BOOST to take out the Martins! PILEDRIVER for Action! Cover, TWO!! Action survives and shocks the Dark Order! Uno cools off, tags Silver in, and Silver tags Reynolds.

The Dark Order surrounds Action and the fans rally up. They stand Action up, hoist him up, and Silver builds speed, but the Martins trip Silver! Darius drags Silver out, Action gets away and Dante baits Uno. Uno runs in, Dante goes up and over to JUMP KNEE Reynolds! GAMANGIRI for Uno, then Action SUPERKICKS! Dante DIVES to take out Silver, Darius steps in to COMPLETE SHOT Uno! Action and Darius have Reynolds for the double pump handle, DOUBLE LIGHTNING SPIRAL! Cover, Top Flight wins!

Winners: Top Flight, by pinfall

Action, Dante & Darius are flying high and heading for Collision, will they take those unified World Trios Championships away from the Bang Bang Gang in the blink of an eye?

Backstage interview with Athena & Billie Starkz.

Lexy Nair is with the ROH Women’s World and Women’s Television Champions, and says “Ladies and gentlemen, we are calling an Emergency MEM, a Minion Empowerment Meeting.” The Fallen Goddess asks the Minions why they’re here, and Minion #400,237.75 knows why. This is because of Red Velvet and Queen Aminata. They decided to stick their noses in Athena’s moment. The main event of Battle of the Belts, live on TNT, the first time the Overlord has been on live TV in over a YEAR. And Aminata put her hands on Athena, put Athena on her head, and proved that she is nothing more than “a hot piece of porcelain hussy garbage.”

Billie says not to forget about Red Velvet. Velvet acted all high ‘n’ mighty, but she just forgot Billie hasn’t beat her yet. Lexy says then it seems there is some unfinished business. The champs bring Lexy in for an uncomfortable double side hug, and Athena says “Bestie” is right. There is unfinished business. And since MIT is a nonprofit, they’ll give a “scholarship to the biggest ass-whooping Queen Aminata and Red Velvet have ever seen. Got it?” Athena tells Queenie and “Blue Velvet” to either step up or step out. Challenge issued to the Queen and the Chef, but are the Overlord and her sidekick about to get cooked?

Mark Sterling speaks.

“Some people get into professional wrestling because they need to. You haven’t needed anything in your entire life. You have an unlimited amount of resources at your fingertips. Money, culture, knowledge. You wanted to excel at this business, so you got the best training, the best workouts, the best diets, the best gear, the best moves. If it’s not the best, it’s simply not you. But the wisest man doesn’t think he’s the best until he’s surrounded by the best. And now, we all are. You are Ariya Daivari. And you are a Premier Athlete. We are the Premier Athletes.”

The Premier Athletes are here in person.

Sterling talks to his stable and tells them the beginning of phase two was a success. They wanted to assert dominance over ROH, and he would say message sent. However, they were not aware that the message would be sent to ROH World Champion, Mark Briscoe, to Dalton Castle, and half of the ROH men’s locker room. It took SIX men to stand face to face to these three. They’ve got Ariya back and more pissed off than ever. They’ve got National Champion, Josh Woods. And they’ve got Tony Nese in peak, physical performance. Now, they all know The Infantry wasn’t personal. They were just in the line of fire.

The Infantry is just on a long list of people who do not deserve the opportunities. Opportunities that belong to these three physical specimens! Because these are The Premier Athletes. When and where will Sterling’s stable finally break through to that next level?

Backstage interview with Griff Garrison & Cole Karter.

Lexy is now with Maria Kanellis’ baby boys and says they haven’t had the best luck as of late. What’s next? Karter isn’t sure. They keep getting opportunities, but they keep failing. Karter recently had a match against Christopher Daniels, and he lost! Griff says Karter thinks that’s bad, but Griff lost his shot at the ROH World Championship. Griff has faced Mark Briscoe twice in his career, and he’s 0-2. Karter’s match wasn’t even for a title! Griff had so much more on the line! Maria then walks in and sees her boys are disappointed. Well, Mama is disappointed, too. They both could’ve done much better in their matches.

But every loss is an opportunity. Griff was in the ring with THIRTEEN TIME ROH World Tag Team Champion, Mark Briscoe! Karter was up against Christopher Daniels, a legend! Maria’s been in the ring with both of those men, and they have so much experience. That is what Griff & Karter gain every time they’re out there. Every single loss is an opportunity. And everyone around here is always jealous of the abs and the looks, and it’s great that they are. But eventually, they’ll be jealous of what these two do in the ring. And eventually, these two will get back her championships, the ROH World Tag Team Championships.

Maria leads the way, but does anyone wanna tell her that that would mean her baby boys going up against her husband, Mike Bennett?

ROH World Tag Team Championships Proving Ground Match: The Undisputed Kingdom VS The Outrunners!

Speaking of Mike Bennett, he and Matt Taven are still champions after the big assist from Wardlow at Supercard of Honor. But will the Kingdom need their War Machine again real soon? Or will they be able to handle Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum in 10 minutes or less?

The fans rally up for the Outrunners already while the Code of Honor is upheld Mega Powers style. The teams then sort out, and though Taven is confused, Bennett steps up and starts against Truth. The fans chant “TAVEN SUCKS!” but Taven just eggs the Melvins on. Truth and Bennett tie up, then Truth wrenches to wristlock. Tag to Turbo, he takes the handoff, and he nods as he wrenches and wristlocks. Bennett knees low, flexes on Turbo, then wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Bennett wristlocks, says this is old school wrestling, but Turbo powers up! The fans fire up as Turbo rolls, handsprings, and kips up! Turbo then BOPS Bennett on the head!

The fans cheer, Turbo tags Truth, and Truth wrenches to wristlock. Truth grinds the arm, whips, but Bennett reverses. Taven trips Truth up while Bennett’s all up in the ref’s face! The fans boo and Turbo protests but Bennett dropkicks Truth down! Bennett mocks the old school posing then takes a bow. Tag to Taven, he CHOPS Truth in the corner. Taven CHOPS again, digs his boot in, but the ref counts. Taven lets off to taunt Turbo, and Bennett gets a cheap shot on Truth! Bennett drags Truth up by his hair, the ref sees that and reprimands, but Taven ROCKS Truth. Taven whips, but Turbo trips Truth to actually save him from the crossbody!

Taven tumbles up and out of the ring, Truth gets up to tag Turbo! Truth then runs and Turbo holds ropes up, BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICK! Bennett runs up, is sent out, and The Kingdom regroups. The fans fire up for Turbo as he fires up, then PLANCHAS! Down goes The Kingdom and Turbo is all revved up! Turbo gets in the ring, shakes the ropes, then tags in Truth. The Outrunners coordinate, to spin and pose! The fans fire up but The Kingdom CLOBBER The Outrunners from behind! The fans boo but Bennett flexes. Bennett brings Truth up, CHOPS, and now fans chant “BENNETT SUCKS!”

Bennett CHOPS Truth, puts him in the corner, and tags Taven. Bennett feeds Truth to a BOOT, adds the BOSTON BAYONET, then Taven LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Truth is tougher than that, but Taven argues with the ref. The ref defends his count, so Taven brings Truth over to ropes. Taven CHOKES Truth but the fans boo. The ref counts, Taven lets off at 4, and Taven soaks up the heat. Truth sputters but Taven tags Bennett. The Kingdom mugs Truth, then Bennett keeps Truth from Turbo with a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Truth stays in this but Bennett stays on him with a chinlock and stretch. The fans rally as Truth endures.

Truth is red in the face but he fights to his feet. But Taven BLASTS Turbo! Bennett throws Truth by his hair! Turbo storms in but the ref has to stop him. Turbo is upset but Bennett stands on Truth’s face! Bennett clamps onto Truth with a chinlock and grinds him down with a knee in the back. The fans fire up, we pass five minutes as Truth fights up, but Taven runs at Turbo again! Turbo ROCKS Taven first this time! Truth then hits a BIG back suplex on Bennett! The fans fire up, Turbo is feeling it, and Truth crawls over! Truth staggers ot his feet, hot tag to Turbo! Turbo rallies on The Kingdom with big haymakers!

The fans fire up as Turbo scoops and SLAMS Taven! Then he scoops and SLAMS Bennett! Scoop and SLAM for Taven! Scoop and SLAM for Bennett! The fans fire up and Turbo drops an elbow! And another elbow! And then he winds up, flexes, and JUPM ELBOW DROPS! Taven runs up but Turbo kicks! Turbo reels Taven in, flexes again, and hits a BIG suplex! Turbo points to Truth, Truth tags in, and Truth goes up! FLYING FOREARM on Bennett! The Outrunners hurry to get Bennett up, but Taven ENZIGIRIS Truth to stop Boot Camp, er Vice City, or whatever they were calling it! Bennett shoves Turbo into Truth then rolls Truth up, with tights! The Kingdom wins!

Winners: The Undisputed Kingdom, by pinfall (denies The Outrunners a title opportunity)

Taven grabs the belts to celebrate and Bennett says that was too easy. But then the ref suspects shenanigans! Did Bennett pull tights? Bennett defends his innocence, as does Taven, and the ref drops the issue. Will The Kingdom do anything and everything they have to in order to stay champions?

Red Velvet & Queen Aminata speak.

The Chef and The Queen are backstage, and Velvet tells Athena, “There you go again. Stirring up the pot. Oh my gosh, we ruined your moment~! I’m done with you. Billie? You wanna hang with the big girls? You wanna get in big girl business? Then bring it on. Yes, I haven’t forgotten I beat you, twice. And I’ll do it again, and this time, I’m a beat you like your mama never did. You know why? Cuz I don’t roll with minions. I roll with royalty.” Aninata says that’s right. And Athena, oh, they feel so sorry for “ruining” the moment. Actually, Aminata would do it again and again and again. And wanna know why? Because Queen Aminata does not respect Athena as a champion!

Athena has ZERO honor! And no one knows better about honor than The Queen. And Velvet says, “Y’know what, Queen? I’m looking for a fight. Are you looking for a fight?” Aminata is definitely ready for a fight. Velvet says it is time to cook, eat, leave no crumbs, and take out the trash! This dynamic duo is ready to tear down the Forever Champion and her little buddy, will they take the gold right off Athena & Billie?

Backstage interview with The Infantry.

Lexy is now with Trish Adora, Carlie Bravo & Captain Shawn Dean, and we’ve seen them get on a roll. How are they continuing the momentum? Carlie is so glad she asked. Have no fear, you know The Infantry is here. Dean says yes, they are here. And there’s been nothing but targets on their backs. They said they’re the most popular team, and people have been after them. Carlie does realize now that they had those OG Ops, then those really big Ops, and last week, there’s Ops they didn’t even know about. But let’s not forget those really old Ops, the- Oh wait, The Outrunners walk in. Turbo & Truth are feeling good. They may not have targets on their backs, but they’ve got some guns!

Wait, wait, wait. Are they wearing brightly colored camo?! Okay, first they take the Infantry’s move, now they’re copying the swag? What’s next? Trying to take Adora and their homes? What the what, son? Dean has Carlie calm down. He’s always got great ideas. He does? Yes, because next week, Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida, they take this to where it all began! Finally, Infantry take The Outrunners to where they belong, and that’s Boot Camp! Hold on, The Outrunners have been using camo since The Cow Palace. Dean has to hold Carlie back on that one! Turbo has a better idea! Outrunners VS Infantry, Daily’s Place, where it all began!!

WHAT!? Didn’t they just- Fine, CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! Oh yeah? The Outrunners will do Infantry one better and THEY will accept! Let’s roll out! Copy that! WHAT!? Stop copying them, Outrunners!! But will Dean & Carlie finally get through the delusional duo and make them find their own schtick?

Backstage interview with Johnny TV & Taya Valkyrie.

Lexy is with Mr. & Mrs. TV Ready and notes the season finale of Johnny Loves Taya just dropped. How are they feeling? Amazing~! Everyone loves their show, they worked so hard on it for months. Ten episodes, the grand finale, it couldn’t have gone any better. And think about it: awards season! The acceptance speeches, the red carpets, the fashion moments. But in sneaks Aaron Solo. That sounds fun! Though they would’ve won more awards if they had this face on the show. Maybe next season? Johnny says maybe Aaron would’ve been on the show, if he supported it once. He didn’t tweet about it once! All their real friends did.

Uh, Aaron is the Retweet King! Especially those first three episodes. Aaron and Johnny argue but Taya has them calm down. Taya runs the socials for the show, and she can confirm, Aaron did retweet. Oh, well, thanks, bro. Yeah, man! Remember QTV? The handshake? They do the handshake, right down the rocket ship taking off. Aaron says see? They’re bros. Before Johnny Loved Taya, Johnny Loved Solo. Uh… No. Aaron is a loser! TV Ready people do not hang with losers. Remember how his name used to be S O L O W? They took the W away cuz he keeps getting L’s! He’s 0 and THIS CENTURY! Get a win already!

Aaron says fine, if that’s what they want, he will win. And he’ll prove to both of you that Aaron is TV Ready! Aaron heads out, and Taya says it’ scute that he’s so confident. Not that it’ll work out. And they got the last word. Aaron then says “Bye” from offscreen, so Johnny says, “Adios.” Aaron has bet on himself, but will he win out?

Triple Threat: Blake Christian VS AR Fox VS The Beast Mortos!

All Heart, The Whole Fox’n Show and the evolved Black Taurus are among the fastest, toughest and hungriest competitors around, and they’re all looking for that golden opportunity. Will Blake be rolling into NJPW’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament? Or will another big name prove they’re a big deal?

The Code of Honor is upheld between Fox and Blake, but not Mortos. The bell rings, Mortos stares down Fox and Blake. Fox runs in to RAM Mortos but bounces off! Blake RAMS Mortos but also bounces off! They both run up, but he runs them over! Fox & Blake both kip up, but Mortos choke grips them both. Mortos shoves Blake away, but Fox flips through the choke slam! Blake & Fox DOUBLE SUPERKICK Mortos down! Mortos bails out, Blake and Fox coordinate, and Fox runs. But then Blake sweeps the legs! Fox ends up on ropes, Blake runs to BASEMENT 619! The fans boo but All Heart also has some brains.

Blake aims from the apron, springboards in and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Fox flounders to a corner, Blake runs in, but Fox puts him on the apron. Blake RAMS into Fox, slingshots, but Fox goes out to then slingshot SENTONS! The fans fire up, Fox suplexes for ANARCHY! Blake bails, Mortos LARIATS Fox down! The fans fire up as Mortos roars, and Mortos drags Fox up. Mortos suplexes, Fox slips free to waistlock but Mortos switches. Mortos shoves, follows, then rolls off Fox’s back! Mortos SOBATS, KNEES, ELBOWS and snapmares, to then NECK TWIST! Then SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!

Fox survives that onslaught but Mortos roars again. Mortos drags Fox up, wrenches and grabs a leg, for a SHIN BREAKER! Fox writhes, Mortos gets legs and steps through, and Mortos ties Fox up for a NAVARRO DEATH ROLL! Fox endures the leg lock, but Blake DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS Mortos! The fans fire up and Blake smirks as he runs in at Mortos. Mortos BOOTS Blake, SLING-DOGS, then CRUCIFIX DRIVERS! Blake wobbles, Mortos whips to POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Blake survives but Mortos snarls. Mortos drags Blake up, UPPERCUTS him down, and Blake flounders to a corner.

The fans cheer as Mortos drags Blake back up. Mortos reels Blake in to back suplex, but Blake lands out! Blake dodges in the corner, then whips to ropes. Mortos reverses but Blake handsprings, wheelbarrows, SPLASH 182! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Mortos and Blake stir while Fox returns. The fans rally, Fox and Mortos stand first and Fox throws a haymaker! Blake adds a haymaker, he and Fox pinball Mortos around! They put him in a corner, throw more hands, then Fox goes up to rain down fists! Mortos shoves Fox away so Blake rains down fists. Mortos shoves him away, Fox returns to A-LIST LARIAT!

Mortos slumps down, Blake adds a LOW CROSSBODY! Fox skins the cat to DROPKICK Mortos, and then Fox goes to the apron. The fans fire up as Fox goes up, but Blake ROCKS him first! Blake goes up, brings Fox up, but Mortos adds on! The fans are going nuts already for the SPANISH FLY BOMB!! Cover on Blake, TWO! Cover on Fox, TWO!! Mortos snarls but he drags Fox back up. Mortos trophy lifts Fox, but Fox slips free to BOOT! Mortos tumbles out to the apron, and Blake SPEARS him down! Blake hurries to build speed so he can DIVE! Mortos stays up!? So Fox FLIES! Down goes Mortos and the fans fire up!

Fox puts Mortos in but Blake aims first! Springboard 450 SPLASH! Fox adds the SWANTON BOMB! But then Blake TOSSES Fox to cover Mortos, only for Fox to break it! Fox has had it with Blake being so sneaky, and TOSSES him out! Blake is on the apron, he ROCKS Fox, but Fox stops the slingshot! Fox has Blake in ropes, step-up DRAPING DDT! Roll through, but Mortos reels Fox in! Scoop and MORTOS DRIVER!! Cover, Mortos wins!

Winner: The Beast Mortos, by pinfall

Blake and Fox couldn’t say on the same page, and that allowed the minotaur of lucha to take the win! Will nothing stop The Beast Mortos from stampeding his way to a championship opportunity?

My Thoughts:

A good episode of ROH here at an hour and 38 minutes, but that made for quite a bit of filler. I did like the Six Meaty Men Slapping Meat Tag match of Mogul Embassy VS 1 Called Manders, BEEF and Calvin Tankman, but of course The Embassy won. Good return matches for Johnny and Taya, but I liked their promo with Aaron Solo better. It was a good use of continuity bringing up the failed QTV to pivot into a new story for Johnny TV now that Dalton Castle is moving on. Good promos from Mark Sterling, but a bit redundant again to have him hype up Ariya Daivari, then for him to talk directly to Ariya and the others.

Another confusing thing was the promo from The Infantry and Outrunners. Well, the promo wasn’t confusing, the timing was. Perhaps it was a victim of poor pacing as we’ve seen all over AEW & ROH. But I do appreciate we’re finally seeing these two teams have it out for ROH at Daily’s Place “next week,” aka prerecorded sometime this week. Outrunners had a good match with The Kingdom but of course The Kingdom won. But we’re getting an interesting detail where Maria wants her new boys, Griff & Karter, to go for those ROH World Tag Team Championships while her old boys, Bennett & Taven, still have them. Some sort of Kingdom Civil War angle in the works here?

Really good stuff with Zay winning by going to new lows, and really good Six Man Tag to give Top Flight momentum going into their title match with Bang Bang Gang. Really good promo from Bang Bang Gang and of course White & The Gunns are going to retain. And at least they did just what I was hoping by having a promo from Bullet Club Gold on ROH so that it counts as them being on this show. Just needs to keep happening, maybe with some in-person appearances. Not even matches, just BCG watching other trios fighting it out because they’re scouting, aka foreshadowing, new opponents.

Great main event Triple Threat but also a fast one, Mortos with the big win over Fox and Blake. While there’s something brewing for the ROH World Championship with Mark Briscoe being around Dalton Castle and The Premier Athletes, maybe Mortos can find himself in the world title scene for the next ROH PPV. And then great promos from Athena & Billie as well as Velvet & Aminata. We’re definitely getting a tag team match that will end up earning Velvet a shot at the Women’s TV title and Aminata a shot at the Women’s World title, and those will be awesome matches.

And if either of the champs is losing, I’m actually thinking it’s more Athena losing to Aminata than Billie losing to Velvet. I’ve said it before, Aminata’s proven herself worthy, and if she wasn’t gonna be inaugural Women’s TV Champ, might as well make her the woman that dethrones the undefeated Athena.