Coverage
Mitchell’s NXT TakeOver: WarGames Results & Report! (12/6/20)
Prepare for war!
TakeOver goes back inside the sinister steel!
NXT is going to see 2020 off with a bang! Pat McAfee and his boys challenge the Undisputed Era, in a WARGAMES match! Who will be on top of the brand after tonight?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s WarGames: Team Shotzi VS Team Candice; Team Candice wins.
- Tommaso Ciampa VS Timothy Thatcher; Ciampa wins.
- Strap Match: Dexter Lumis VS Cameron Grimes; Lumis wins.
- NXT North American Championship Triple Threat: Leon Ruff VS Damian Priest VS Johnny Gargano; Gargano wins and becomes the new NXT North American Champion.
- Men’s WarGames: The Kings of NXT VS The Undisputed Era; The Undisputed Era wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the TakeOver Kickoff Show!
Join Wade Barrett, Sam Roberts and ESPN’s Ariel Helwani as they analyze, discuss and predict all the action for WarGames 2020!
McKenzie Mitchell reports on the WarGames teams.
She says that she managed to get comments from both men’s teams as they arrived. She certainly heard from Pat McAfee, who is so confident that he guaranteed his team would win. As for the Undisputed Era, they were all rather reserved as they went to ringside to survey the Capitol Wrestling Center’s take on the double-ring, double-cage structure. Perhaps they are already strategizing. Adam Cole said McAfee is a great talker, but the time for talk is over as it is time for war.
And on the Women’s WarGames end, McKenzie managed to get a word from William Regal, and he confirms that TakeOver starts WITH the Women’s WarGames match! A battle that started brewing at Halloween Havoc finally comes to blows tonight! Will Team Poison Pixie or Team Wild Child take ultimate revenge and take over the women’s division?
NXT shares Triple H’s comments on the North American Championship Triple Threat.
HHH knows that while Johnny Gargano and Damian Priest are “used to that big dance, used to that big game, used to that moment,” this is Leon Ruff’s first. How bad does that affect him? How nervous is he? How emotional is he? If Ruff can’t breathe, can’t catch his breath, and pressures himself into trying to beat both opponents, “he’s doomed.” Will Ruff listen to The Game and change tactics?
NXT throws it to The Bump’s Matt Camp and Ryan Pappolla.
They give us some quick analysis of the TakeOver card. Strap Match, Grimes VS Lumis, no running away from this one! Grimes can’t go to the moon strapped to Lumis, it’s Lumis’ to win. Then Thatcher VS Ciampa in a battle with fists, kicks and brains! Ryan says Thatcher is a bad man, but Ciampa’s song is “NO ONE WILL SURVIVE,” this is Ciampa’s win. Matt thinks that if Thatcher choked Ciampa out once he can do it again, they’re split. North American Championship Triple Threat, Ruff is on cloud nine but he’s got the biggest test of his life here in Gargano and Priest at the same time. Ryan may sound crazy, but in this season of miracles, Ruff can find a way! Matt says the Ghost Face(s) will help Gargano get this, it’s another split.
Then there’s TWO WarGames matches again. For the women, Team Shotzi VS Team Candice, a match only possible in NXT. Ryan agrees because both teams are stacked! It’s an even call, so you gotta go with X-factors, and for Shotzi Blackheart, Ryan says that’s Io Shirai. Matt says Candice’s team has the real X-factor, in Raquel Gonzalez. He says team Candice wins, another split. And of course, the men’s match, Undisputed Era VS McAfee and crew. Ryan says UE needs to keep it cool and not focus too hard on McAfee, and they’ll win. Matt says Team McAfee has Pete Dunne on their team, that’s why they win.
McKenzie interviews Cameron Grimes.
What is his strategy for facing Dexter Lumis in the Strap Match? Wait, what is he looking at? He’s looking at that stupid video Lumis made! Grimes ain’t scared of anybody! Grimes ain’t ever ran from anybody! “To tell you the truth, Dexter Lumis, you’re the one that’s scared! You ain’t said nothing and I’ve said everything I could ever say!” But after tonight, when Lumis is strapped to “the man,” Cameron Grimes, Lumis will be screaming! And he’ll be screaming that Grimes is GOING TOOOOO THEEEEE MOOOOON!
The sirens sound, and it is time… for WARGAMES!!
The double cage is lowering already, because it begins! “The match that the Undisputed Era made famous in NXT,” teams are going to drag each other into hell! Armies of four open fire inside the steel, who will win, and who will even survive?
Women’s WarGames: Team Shotzi VS Team Candice!
Though the Wild Child and her team has the advantage, being the first to add a fighter to the match at every interval, it’s all about how this match ends! The Poison Pixie started this war all because Shotzi kept things fair and square at Halloween Havoc. Will Candice’s team pay the price for her short fuse?
Speaking of, Team Candice makes their entrance first. They sort out, and #CobraKai wants to start this! Dakota goes to the double-ring while the others enter their shark cage. Then Team Shotzi makes their entrance, and Shotzi rides in on TCB MK II!! Bigger and badder than ever, it can fit all four rockstars on it! And it even shoots a (Nerf) missile at the cage as a warning shot! As such, the one to join Dakota in the cage is Ember Moon! Will Ember’s Law kick in and kick Team Kick’s captain to the curb?
The cages are locked and the five minute countdown begins! Dakota is in the second ring and Ember hurries over, but Dakota attacks with kicks and clubbing forearms! Ember tackles Dakota down and gives back those clubbing hands! Dakota hits back, wraps on a sleeper, but Ember pries at the hold. Dakota hops on as a backpack but Ember rolls for a senton! Fans fire up as Ember is free, but Dakota jumps the sweep. Ember ducks the kick then blocks a kick, but Dakota blocks, too! Dakota lifts but Ember headscissors Dakota to a corner! Ember runs in to KNEE Dakota, then goes side to side, but Dakota follows and BOOTS!
Dakota goes corner to corner but Ember follows to handspring ELBOW! Ember snapmares Dakota, and dropkicks her down! Then the leg sweep hits and Ember STOMPS Dakota down! And drops a senton! There’s still three minutes to go and Dakota crawls for the first ring. Ember grabs a leg, Dakota kicks her away and then SCORPION KICKS her down! Dakota rains down angry fists then digs Ember’s face into steel! Fans rally as Dakota talks some trash. Dakota grinds boots into Ember’s head, then stomps her down. Dakota drags Ember up, puts her on ropes and clubs her. Dakota runs but Ember dodges! Ember springs up to headscissor Dakota back to a corner!
Dakota comes back but swings into a wrench and Ember DECKS Dakota! Fans rally as we hit a two minute warning. Ember suplexes Dakota into the steel! Dakota scrapes down the side and then Ember runs, to TACKLE Dakota into the wall! Fans fire up for Ember as she drags Dakota out from the ropes. Ember then climbs, but Dakota KICKS her first! Dakota drags Ember out along the top rope, for a DRAPING- NO! Ember catches the GTK and rolls Ember for a SUPERKICK! Dakota flounders and crawls to the gap, and Ember runs in, only for Ember to BOOT her! Dakota gives Kowata kicks to Ember as she’s trapped, then BOOTS her back down!
Dakota climbs a corner, reels Ember in, SUPER KAI-ROPRACTOR! The clock is finally at 15 seconds and Dakota digs her knee into Ember’s back while pushing Ember’s face into the mat! The countdown hits zero and SHOTZI heads out! But before getting in, Shotzi brings some friends out from under the ring! It’s a toolbox, and a crowbar! Shotzi used those to build her tank back up and is going to use them to tear Dakota down! Dakota hurries to intercept but Shotzi gets her first with a shotgun dropkick! Dakota ends up in a corner, Shotzi splashes! Shotzi snapmares, runs and SLING DOGS! Then a BIG knee, and a ROLLING ELBOW!
Dakota wobbles into the QUESTION MARK KICK! Dakota ends up on ropes, Shotzi runs to CANNOBALL in! Shotzi drags Dakota up, shouts for Ember, but Dakota hits back! Dakota whips but Shotzi reverses to put Dakota in the gap. Shotzi ROUNDHOUSES then runs to WRECK Dakota with a dropkick! Shotzi joins Dakota in the gap, runs in and boots, but Dakota dodges! Dakota bumps Shotzi off steel, Ember comes over but Dakota BOUNCES her off the cage! Dakota focuses on Ember with a stomp and hammering hands! Shotzi enters the second ring to enziguri Dakota down! Shotzi clubs Dakota, and then digs her into the steel in return for Ember!
Shotzi brings Ember up for a suplex into buckles! Dakota is in a drop zone, Shotzi climbs, but Dakota gets up to enziguri! Dakota climbs to join Shotzi now, clubs her on the back but Ember clubs Dakota! Ember Electric Chair lifts Dakota, Shotzi joins in, SHOTGUN DOOMSDAY! Fans are fired up and the countdown hits zero again! Team Candice sends in RAQUEL GONZALEZ! Big Mami Cool has Shotzi and Ember right on her, but she shoves them away. Shotzi and Ember flank Raquel, throws some kicks and just keep out of range! They hammer Raquel down but she explodes out!
Raquel waits for someone to get up, and she CLOBBERS Ember! And BOOTS Shotzi! And elbows Ember! Raquel scoops Ember and swings her for a POWERSLAM! Shotzi kicks back then uses the ropes for a springboard into the huricanrana, but Raquel BOMBS Shotzi into steel! Dakota regroups with Raquel now and Raquel fireman’s carries Dakota to weaponize her! Dakota’s feet SMACK Ember, then SMACK Shotzi! Raquel sets Dakota down to stomp away on Shotzi! Raquel goes after Ember and TOSSES her! Dakota puts Shotzi in the second ring, Raquel clubs Ember that way. Raquel goes after Shotzi and whips her hard into a corner! Dakota BOOT WASHES Shotzi!
Raquel drags Ember up, scoops her, and Dakota runs, BOOT O’ DOOM! Dakota and Raquel grind their boots into Shotzi and Ember, respectively, then trade as Raquel throws forearms on Shotzi. Raquel whips Shotzi back in, Dakota goes to the gap and Raquel follows. Dakota climbs up and Raquel helps her steady herself, for a HUGE LEAPING LARIAT! Dakota wipes out Shotzi and Ember, and Raquel checks on Dakota. The countdown is zero, here comes RHEA RIPLEY! Raquel wants this showdown most of all! Nightmare and Desperado face off again, but Dakota returns! Rhea ROCKS Dakota, fights Raquel’s waistlock and BOOTS Dakota!
Rhea elbows free, Ember and Shotzi anchor Raquel and Rhea BOOTS Raquel down! Dakota hops onto Rhea but Rhea throws her off! Rhea cravats and knees away on Dakota, but Dakota kicks Rhea’s leg. Rhea reels Dakota in to clobber her over and over again! Ripcord and dropkick! Rhea whips Dakota corner to corner, reels her back in and HOOK KICKS! Then atomic FACEBUSTER! Raquel blocks Ember’s whip but Ember goes up and leaps to CODE BREAKER! Shotzi takes Raquel around for a springboard SUNSET BOMB! Rhea borrows Shotzi’s toolbox, opens it up and brings out… a short handle sledgehammer!
HHH would be proud as Rhea HAMMERS Dakota in the stomach! And then HAMMER her on the back! Ember and Shotzi keep Raquel in the second ring as Rhea takes off her belt. Rhea uses her belt to trap Dakota while Shotzi and Ember whip Raquel to a corner! Rhea fires off point blank shoulders into Dakota, and then SLINGS her into steel! Raquel comes back to CLOBBER Shotzi and Ember, and again the female titans stare down! Fans fire up as they talk some trash from opposite sides of the gap. They both get IN the gap and fire off hands! Raquel blocks a boot, scoops Rhea but Rhea fights up to TACKLE Raquel back to the first ring!
The countdown reaches zero as the two scrap on the mat, and Toni Storm joins in! Toni decides to bring in reinforcements, KENDO STICKS! Toni GERMAN SUPLEXES Rhea, then strips a crossbar? She removes a buckle pad while Raquel drags Rhea up. Toni and Raquel mug Rhea with kendo stick SMACKS! Shotzi and Ember get in but Toni ROCKS Shotzi! Toni strips another buckle but has to fight Ember and Shotzi off! Toni BOOTS Ember, drags Rhea up and whips her into a BARE BUCKLE! Rhea writhes while Raquel stomps Shotzi. Toni drags Ember up to whip Ember, but Ember blocks! Toni reels Ember in for a snap suplex!
Toni stomps Ember down, Raquel stomps Shotzi in a corner, and Dakota is watching Rhea in the second ring. Toni stands on Ember, and Raquel uses the crowbar on Shotzi’s side! Toni SMACKS Ember with a kendo stick! Raquel SMACKS Shotzi with a kendo stick! Rhea whips Dakota but Dakota reverses and Rhea hits steel! Toni chokes Ember with a kendo stick then intercepts Shotzi up top! Rhea intercepts Dakota up top on the other side, and then Raquel and Ember join in respectively! On one end, Shotzi has Toni AND Raquel while Ember and Rhea have Dakota caught! Team Shotzi coordinates, and in stereo, Shotzi hits DOUBLE SLICED BREAD while Ember and Rhea hit an ELECTRIC CHAIR BULLDOG!!
And the countdown hits zero again! The CWC is thunderous as IO SHIRAI is finally in! The Evil Genius has an idea of her own, and she brings in a LADDER!! Shirai gets that ladder in the ring, but isn’t done yet! Raquel closes the door on her?! Shirai smacks at Raquel’s fingers with a kendo stick of her own! Raquel BOOTS the door into Shirai and she goes flying! Raquel clears some space but Shotzi SMACKS her with a kendo stick! Raquel CLOBBERS Shotzi back, but Shirai brings in a second ladder!! Raquel stops that and RAMS Shirai off the steps! Raquel again slams the door shut and tells refs to shut up! Toni grabs at Ember as Ember grabs at Raquel.
Raquel stomps Ember, Toni adds stomps, and Raquel keeps the door shut. Raquel then grabs a kendo stick to SMACK Shotzi! But this allows Shirai to finally get in! And with a chair, no less! Ember CLUBS Toni, Toni SLAMS Ember on the gap’s steel! Raquel notices Shirai’s work and throws the chairs aside. Shirai is ready with her own, tosses it at Raquel and DROPKICKS it into her! Raquel still boots Shirai out?! And slams the door shut! Toni uses one of her own belts to lock the door!! Raquel drags Shotzi up but Shirai just climbs the cage itself! Shotzi is used to KNOCK Shirai down!
The final countdown hits and Captain Candice finally joins in! But the flaw in their perfect plan is that Shirai is now in Candice’s way! But Candice’s insurance policy, Indi Hartwell, attacks from behind! Indi throws Shirai into barriers! Candice then brings in more props, such as a trash can and it’s lid! Indi tosses chairs in for the team, too! Candice’s team brawls with Shotzi’s but it’s clear who has the edge. Candice closes the door, and Indi has a CHAIN to lock it up! Indi keeps the key in a special place so that the ref’s can’t do anything about this. Candice grins as she and her team SMACK away with kendo sticks! Candice BREAKS the stick on Shotzi’s back!
Raquel is after Rhea while Toni and Dakota keep on Ember. Shotzi hits back but that’s 4v1 and she gets SMACKED from all sides! Raquel stomps Rhea, Candice gives Shotzi a WICKED STEP SISTER! Cover, but the ref says this WarGames is NOT complete because Shirai isn’t in the ring! This is the OTHER flaw in their perfect plan! And Team Shotzi saves their captain! But that’s a 4v2 brawl! Wait, Shirai is up top, with the trash can?! Shirai makes the can her armor, for a FULL METAL CROSSBODY!! Down goes EVERYONE! And WarGames finally begins!! Also, Shirai is the only one excited about that landing. Shirai is also the first to get up.
Shirai grabs the hammer and HAMMERS Raquel! And HAMMERS Toni! And HAMMERS Candice! And then HAMMERS Dakota! Shirai runs, dodges Raquel, and gets help from Rhea to tilt-o-whirl TORNADO DDT Raquel! SHINKANSEN for Dakota! 619 for Toni! FLAPJACK for Candice! Team Candice ends up in one corner! Shotzi runs in to splash sandwich them, then SAIDO Candice! Rhea runs in to SPLASH and then TOSS Toni into steel! Ember runs in to back body press and then SIDE EFFECT Dakota! And then with a chair wedged against Raquel, Shirai gets a boost from Ember and Rhea to DROPKICK the chair into Raquel!
The team holds Raquel down for the OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, but ALL of Team Candice breaks it! Team Shotzi clubs Team Candice back down, and then Rhea stomps Dakota. Rhea drags Dakota up but Dakota whips her into the steel! Dakota hits Shirai and throws her into steel, too! Toni and Ember are in the first ring and Ember has a wrench. Toni begs for forgiveness since she betrayed Ember, but Candice gets in to tilt-o-whirl takedown! And then the GargaNO Escape! Shotzi trips Toni to put her into CATTLE MUTILATION! Dueling submissions, but Candice lets Ember go to CLUB Shotzi!
Candice has the trash can lid and she aims at Shotzi. Candice swings, Shotzi dodges and Shotzi has a chair! Candice runs away and wants help! She gets a kendo stick, but steel beats bamboo! Then bamboo SMACKS Candice! And SMACKS Toni! And SMACKS Candice! Dakota CHAIR SHOTS Shotzi, but Shirai FULL METAL MISSILE DROPKICKS Dakota! Shirai clears some space to run corner to corner at Dakota, but Dakota sends her into buckles! Dakota goes side to side to BOOT Shirai into steel! Toni puts Shirai back inside the trash can but for a very different reason! Dakota goes up, FULL METAL DOUBLE STOMPS!
But the can is shut tight, Dakota struggles to drag Dakota out of the can! Cover, but Ember breaks it! Ember CROWBARS Toni!! And then whips Toni into steel! Dakota CHAIR SHOTS Ember! And again! Dakota sits the chair up, then gets another. Ember KICKS Dakota first, then CHAIR SHOTS Dakota! Ember sits the chairs together, dribbles Dakota off each of them, then sets her up against the backs of the chairs. Ember goes up to the top rope, aims, and ECLIPSES Dakota ONTO THE CHAIRS!! Fans are thunderous as Ember covers, but Toni uses the TRASH CAN to break it! Toni whips Ember into the bare buckle from earlier! Then underhooks, STORM ZERO ONTO THE CAN! Cover, Shirai breaks it!
Rhea joins in, and she stomps Toni. Rhea hooks Toni up in PRISM TRAP! Shirai DROPKICKS Toni out of it! Cover, TWO!?! Toni survives but the ladders come into play now! Shirai and Rhea put one ladder through the gap but Candice suplexes Shirai for a BRAIN BUSTER! Rhea runs at Candice but gets a trash can, and then FULL METAL SUPERKICK! Candice spots Shotzi getting a ladder and so she hurries over! Candice stops Shotzi from standing the ladder up, then shoves the ladder into her! Shotzi slumps down, Candice stands the ladder for herself and then gathers chairs. Shotzi goes after Candice with forearms!
Shotzi headbutts Candice and Candice falls on her own chair pile. Shotzi climbs but Candice hurries up after her! They brawl on the ladder, Candice falls back onto the chairs! Shotzi climbs all the way up, SUPER SENTON, ONTO CANDICE AND CHAIRS! But Candice used a chair on her stomach to deal as much damage as she could back to Shotzi! Their teams kick at each other in the other ring, and Rhea hoists Dakota up to FLAPJACK her! Shirai goes up again, for another OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, Rhea plays defense, but Toni barrels Rhea over to break the pin! Rhea CLUBS Toni, Electric Chair lifts and HOTSHOTS her!
Shirai goes up again, but Raquel back drops Rhea into the steel! Shirai is knocked off balance, Raquel bounces her off steel! Raquel goes up, Shirai fights her off and hops up, but Raquel holds off the huricanrana! Raquel brings Shirai back up, DESPERADO BOMB THROUGH THE LADDER!!! Cover in the gap, TEAM CANDICE WINS!!
Winners: Team Candice, by pinfall
They didn’t have the advantage, but they had Indi the #Impressive insurance policy, and the ace in Raquel Gonzalez! Speaking of Indi, she joins Candice and the team to celebrate! They wrecked the NXT Women’s Champion to win, but does that mean one of Candice’s team is up next to challenge for that title?
NXT hears from Finn Balor!
“To everyone watching tonight; everyone on the Network, everyone following online, and everyone in the locker room, enjoy your WarGames tonight. Enjoy the craziness, enjoy the big risks, enjoy the spectacle. But when those sirens stop, and the cage raises, we get back to what matters most. The time for team sports is over. This Wednesday, all eyes go back on the Prince.” What does Balor have planned for NXT after the smoke clears?
Tommaso Ciampa VS Timothy Thatcher!
For the Psycho Killer, true toughness isn’t about your bark but your bite. And right now, he wants to sink his teeth into the Professor of Pain. Will Thatcher learn a thing or two from the former NXT Champion tonight?
The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around in the elbow and collar, then Ciampa headlocks to hit a takeover. Thatcher rolls to get back to his feet and pries out of the headlock. Thatcher has the arm but Ciampa gets up before a wristlock can be put on. The two separate and fans continue to rally. Ciampa and Thatcher tie up again, they clinch, Ciampa facelocks but Thatcher waistlocks. Thatcher drags Ciampa to the mat, Ciampa headlocks in return, but Thatcher digs a forearm into Ciampa’s face. Thatcher wants the arm again, but Ciampa clasps hands. Thatcher KNEES Ciampa in the side, then mounts for a hammering palm strike!
Thatcher still wants the arm but they end up in ropes! The ref calls for the break, the two separate, but Ciampa comes back to CHOP and CHOP! Thatcher gets a leg, trips Ciampa up and cranks on the foot! Ciampa grabs at Thatcher’s face but the ref reprimands. Ciampa clubs Thatcher, chinbars and pries him off the foot. Thatcher endures but Ciampa CLUBS him. Thatcher slips out the back to give back clubbing forearms. Thatcher goes for a chinlock but Ciampa fights that off. Thatcher gets a cover, ONE, but Thatcher is after the arm again. Ciampa resists but Thatcher KICKS him! Ciampa snapmares and digs his knee in! Then clubs away on Thatcher’s chest!
Ciampa stomps Thatcher, blocks the kick and drops a knee on the foot! Ciampa SLAPS Thatcher, drops a knee on the leg, then SMASHES the knee into the mat! And again! Ciampa stands on the foot to then STOMP it! Thatcher kicks back, throws forearms but Ciampa kicks low. Ciampa throws Thatcher out hard, then follows, only for Thatcher to get in the ring. Ciampa gets in but Thatcher EuroUppers Ciampa off his feet! The ref checks on Ciampa after that shot, because Ciampa’s neck is still a concern. Thatcher paces impatiently but Ciampa still gets to his feet. Ciampa wants to continue so Thatcher ROCKS him with forearms and EuroUppers!
Thatcher drags Ciampa up for a half hatch suplex! Cover, TWO! Thatcher has the chinlock and he grinds Ciampa down. Fans rally for Ciampa and Ciampa fights his way over and gets the ropebreak. Thatcher lets off and KNEES Ciampa in the back! And KNEES him again! Ciampa ends up on the apron, Thatcher drags him out and SLAMS him onto the edge! Ciampa slumps down and Thatcher smirks as he stalks Ciampa. Thatcher puts Ciampa back in, back on the apron, and CLUBS Ciampa in the chest with the elbow! Thatcher gets in, covers, TWO! Ciampa sits up but Thatcher is on him with another chinbar. Ciampa endures, fights up and BITES Thatcher’s hand!
Thatcher clinches and BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES Ciampa down! Cover, but Thatcher’s in the ropes. Thatcher nods, he respects rules. Thatcher jams his knee into Ciampa’s back then drops an elbow! Cover, TWO! Ciampa CHOPS back but Thatcher brings him up for forearms. Ciampa throws forearms back, but Thatcher EuroUppers him off his feet! The ref shows more concern for the neck but Ciampa says he’s fine. Thatcher drags Ciampa up by his ears and then has a standing chinlock. Fans rally as Ciampa endures. Ciampa fights up, and jawbreakers free! Thatcher staggers, Ciampa rises but Thatcher clinches again. Ciampa shoves him away to CHOP and BOOT and CHOP!
Thatcher grabs Ciampa by his jaw to SLAP him down! Thatcher underhooks Ciampa and drags him up, but Ciampa manages to shove Thatcher up and DROP onto him! Both men are down now that Thatcher is gasping for air. Fans rally up for Ciampa as he and Thatcher slowly rise. Ciampa grabs Thatcher’s wrist but Thatcher throws a forearm! Ciampa forearms back, and the two brawl! The wrist control is still on and the forearms keep flying. Thatcher whips Ciampa away, Ciampa comes back, they collide head to head! Both men sit up and shake out the stars, but Thatcher shoves Ciampa. Ciampa boots back then rallies with clotheslines!
Ciampa clotheslines again and again and again, then LEAPING LARIATS! Fans fire up with Ciampa and he runs corner to corner to clothesline Thatcher again! Ciampa hoists Thatcher up top, climbs to join him, then goes way up, for a SUPERPLEX!! Both men are down but Ciampa crawls to the cover, TWO! Thatcher survives but he’s clutching his stomach again. Ciampa stands first and kicks Thatcher while he’s down! Ciampa drags Thatcher up, underhooks him now, but Thatcher fights free to THROAT CHOP! The ref reprimands but Thatcher facelocks! Ciampa resists the grovit but Thatcher clamps on tight! Ciampa fades fast!
The ref checks on Ciampa, but Ciampa gets a second wind and tackles Thatcher out of the ring! Both men hit the floor and fans fire up! A ring count starts and Thatcher sits up at 4. Thatcher drags himself up and in at 7. Ciampa flounders at 8 but is in at 9! Thatcher and Ciampa glare at each other as they stand up. Ciampa avoids the throat chop to GIVE the throat chop! KNEE TRIGGER! Ciampa runs to KNEE Thatcher down! And he puts on a BULLY CHOKE!! Thatcher endures but he’s fading! Thatcher has a bloody ear but he fights up! Ciampa keeps Thatcher from ropes and drags him back down! Ciampa hammers away on that bad ear!
Thatcher fights up, and gets into the ropes! The ref counts, Ciampa lets go but Thatcher GERMAN SUPLEXES! Thatcher grits his teeth and CLUBS Ciampa down! Now Thatcher has a wild-eyed grin, ear blood all over his own arm as he CLUBS Ciampa down! Fans still rally for Ciampa as Thatcher drags Ciampa up for a SNAP GERMAN! Ciampa sits up in a daze but flops over. Thatcher has another sinister grin as he stalks Ciampa. They both go to the apron but the ref tells them to get back in. Thatcher drags Ciampa up, “Bye, Ciampa!” But Ciampa holds ropes and fires off elbows! Ciampa is free but Thatcher DECKS him with a right!
Thatcher takes his time going back in, and Ciampa kicks him in the ropes! Ciampa drags Thatcher out but Thatcher HOTSHOTS first! Ciampa flails and sputters, Thatcher gets back in and he throws a HARD EuroUpper! Thatcher snarls as Ciampa gets back up, another EuroUpper floors Ciampa! Fans still rally behind Ciampa but Thatcher drags Ciampa back up. Thatcher throws another uppercut but Ciampa catches them! BACKLSIDE, ROPEBREAK! But Ciampa has Thatcher in the ropes and CHOPS him! And CHOPS him! And CHOPS him! CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! The ref counts, Ciampa stops and then BOOTS Thatcher! Ciampa has the GROVIT! To WILLOW’S BELL! Cover, Ciampa wins!
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa, by pinfall
Just as Ciampa said, the truly tough prove it, and Ciampa proved who was the tougher man here! Did Ciampa also prove he is deserving of something even bigger, better and tougher in NXT?
Strap Match: Dexter Lumis VS Cameron Grimes!
The Tortured Artist has become rather fixated on the Carolina Caveman, but to be fair, Grimes is rather… unique. Grimes claims he has never been afraid of anyone, has never ran away or tried to hide from anyone, but the video evidence is in their Halloween Havoc Haunted House of Terror match. With the leather keeping these two bound together, will Grimes prove he can face his fears and defeat them? Or will his body bear the marks of Lumis’ sadistic masterpiece?
Grimes brings a strap to the ring but the ref says the approved strap is in this bag. Grimes says it’s his strap or no strap. Lumis accepts the terms so the ref takes the other end of the strap. Grimes goes to a corner and “accidentally” yanks the strap away from the ref. The ref reprimands, Grimes “apologizes,” then Grimes CLOBBERS Lumis! The ref reprimands but Grimes stomps away on Lumis in the corner! Fans boo and Lumis bails out as Grimes gets fired up! Grimes goes out and CLOBBERS Lumis again! And then throws Lumis into boards! And kicks him! And posts him! And whips him into more boards!
Lumis tries to get in the ring but Grimes uses the strap to drag Lumis back out. And then Grimes body checks Lumis, leather first! Grimes smothers Lumis with the strap! Grimes KICKS Lumis again and puts him on the apron, to smother Lumis again! The ref reprimands and fans boo but Grimes gets in to stalk Lumis. Grimes KNEES Lumis down, stomps him, then grins as he takes a length of the strap, to LASH! Lumis dodges and ROCKS Grimes with the uppercut! They brawl back and forth, Lumis gets the edge and he whips Grimes, to THESZ PRESS! Lumis rains down rights but this match still isn’t officially on record! Lumis takes his end of the strap, puts it on, and the bell finally rings!
Lumis reels Grimes in as Grimes tries to run away, and there’s no more slack! Lumis blocks a boot, throws Grimes to a corner, and Grimes bounces off buckles to stumble into a leather LARIAT! Lumis LASHES but Grimes narrowly avoids it! Lumis follows Grimes, but Grimes SUPER FOREARMS! Grimes wraps Lumis’ face with the strap! Then KICKS Lumis, and whips him. Lumis reverses, Grimes goes up the fencing, but Lumis drags him back down! Grimes leaps into an UPPERCUT! Lumis reels Grimes back in, stomps him down, and follows him around the ring. Lumis brings Grimes to the announce desk for some punches, then throws him into boards!
Grimes hits hard and slumps down, but Lumis drags him back up. Lumis reels Grimes in to whip him into even more boards! Lumis drags Grimes up, and throws clubbing crossface forearms. Lumis drags Grimes up, uses the strap again to bring Grimes around, but Grimes RAMS Lumis into barriers! Grimes back suplexes Lumis up and over! Lumis hits hard and Grimes grins as he catches his breath. But there’s a tug at the strap, and Lumis rises! Grimes is scared of those eyes and he ROUNDHOUSES Lumis! Grimes pulls on the strap and Lumis flies back up and over the barriers! Lumis is down at ringside and Grimes brings him back up.
Grimes throws forearms, and keeps the slack short as he brings Lumis around. Grimes throws more forearms, Lumis staggers around and Grimes BOOTS him down! Fans rally and Grimes looms over Lumis. Grimes smears the leather in Lumis’ face, then whips him into the timekeeper’s area! Grimes again goes after Lumis’ eyes with the strap! Grimes throws things around, and uses the ref’s strap to SMACK Lumis on the back! Grimes grins as he empties the bag, and puts the bag over Lumis’ face as a blindfold! Grimes mugs Lumis, then LASHES him! And LASHES him again! Lumis flounders into fists and then Grimes puts Lumis back in.
Grimes uses the spare strap to choke Lumis, then winds up to LASH Lumis again! And again! Lumis flounders around blindly as Grimes soaks up the heat. Grimes drags Lumis up, but Lumis hits a SPINEBUSTER! Lumis takes the bag off his head and fans fire up! Lumis stalks Grimes to a corner, goes out to the apron, and wraps the strap around the post! Grimes is caught but he manages to JAB Lumis! Grimes uses the strap to YANK Lumis into the post! Fans rally up as Lumis staggers, and Grimes goes out to the apron. Grimes reels Lumis in for a PENALTY KICK! Lumis staggers back and leans against another post.
Grimes pulls on the strap to reel Lumis back in, for another PENALTY KICK! Grimes goes for another, but Lumis catches the kick! Grimes scrapes Lumis off but Lumis pulls Grimes off the apron to send him flying! Fans fire up for Lumis as he again LASHES Grimes! Grimes hurries into the ring but Lumis follows. Lumis LASHES Grimes again! Grimes flounders and spasms about but Lumis just LASHES him yet again! And again! And again! And again! Lumis corner clotheslines but Grimes slips out of the bulldog to CORNER GERMAN! Lumis flops down and Grimes goes out to the apron. Grimes puts a chair in the ring, and he aims at Lumis to SMACK him on the back! And SMACK him again!
Grimes soaks up the heat from the fans and gives his chair a kiss, before another SMACK to Lumis! Grimes sits the chair up, takes a seat and catches is breath while Lumis flounders around. Grimes reels Lumis in with the strap, but Lumis catches Grimes for a FALL AWAY SLAM! And a kip up! Fans fire up and Lumis snarls as he brawls with Grimes! Haymaker for haymaker, body shot and more! Lumis has the edge, but Grimes throws Lumis up and over! Lumis ROCKS Grimes with a right, climbs up top, but Grimes YANKS Lumis down! Payback for earlier! And then COLLISON COURSE! Cover, TWO!! Lumis survives and Grimes is beside himself!
Grimes sits his chair back up, has Lumis rest on the chair, and he gives back those LASHES! Lumis sits up in the chair, Grimes points to the moon, but the Cave-In is caught! Grimes arm-drags out of Silence and throws elbows. Lumis catches Grimes again but Grimes elbows free. Grimes spins Lumis, scoops him, but Lumis slips out and uses the strap to trip Grimes up! Grimes hits the chair on the way down! The strap wraps the legs, and then SILENCE! Grimes flails, fades, but the strap wraps around his head! Grimes taps, Lumis wins!
Winner: Dexter Lumis, by submission
And Lumis shuts up Grimes’ big mouth! But if Silence is golden, will Lumis be golden soon enough?
A clock is ticking.
A vulture perches. It watches NXT. The apocalypse is not cancelled. “Tick. Tock.” Can it be?! Will we see Karrion Kross return before the clock strikes midnight on 2020?!
NXT North American Championship Triple Threat: Leon Ruff VS Damian Priest VS Johnny Gargano!
In the unlikeliest twist in 2020, an arrogant Johnny Gargano thought he could break his curse by cheating the system. The Archer of Infamy made sure to even things out against the rig wheel of challengers, and in the end, the underdog became the unlikeliest of champions! But now, to prove he isn’t a joke, he’s taking on the most serious challenge he’s ever faced! Will the Cinderella story continue to live happily ever after? Or will one of the former champions reclaim the throne and wake Ruff up from his dream come true?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Ruff’s first-ever TakeOver match, with the highest stakes possible, begins!
Ruff is wary of his challengers, but Gargano waistlocks him first! Gargano shoves Ruff at Priest, Priest shoves Ruff aside and Gargano SUPERKICKS Priest down! Gargano rolls Ruff up, TWO! Gargano cradles, ONE! Gargano scoops and slams Ruff to cover, TWO! Ruff survives this opening salvo but Gargano CHOPS him to the corner! Priest is up on the apron but Gargano dropkicks him out! Gargano corner clotheslines Ruff, but then Ruff slips out to forearm back! Ruff goes up and around and under and dropkicks Gargano back! Ruff knuckle locks, CHOPS and goes around the ropes to springboard RANA! Ruff dropkicks Gargano down and fans fire up!
Ruff stomps Gargano in a corner but Priest returns. Priest again pushes Ruff aside to fire off big hands on Gargano! Ruff squeezes in to throw hands on Gargano. Priest tells Ruff to stay out of his way and throws him out! Gargano boots Priest but Priest shoves him. Gargano dodges dodges Priest, Ruff missile dropkicks them both! Only Gargano goes down, so Ruff is ready to throw hands with Priest. Priest tells Ruff to go home, but Ruff throws a kick! And then body shots! Priest shoves Ruff, Ruff slides under and CHOPS! Priest doesn’t even flinch! Priest choke grips and lifts Ruff, then grabs Gargano! But Ruff kicks free and Gargano throws hands!
Gargano wants Ruff to help him and Ruff does, and they hammer Priest down. DOUBLE ENZIGURI! Gargano and Ruff DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE Priest out! Gargano runs and DIVES! Direct hit and Priest hits barriers! Gargano tells Ruff to go, and Ruff runs, but Gargano is tricking him! Gargano shoves Priest away to slingshot SPEAR Ruff down! Cover, TWO!! Ruff survives the betrayal and Gargano seethes. Gargano tells Ruff he’s a joke, and then tells his fans that they’re jokes! But Gargano says the joke is over. But Priest drags Gargano out and ROCKS him with a right! Priest SMACKS Gargano off boards, then stalks him around the way. Priest drags Gargano up to ROCK him again!
Ruff LEAPS from the ramp! But Priest catches him, BOOTS Gargano, and then puts Ruff down. Priest says this is his last warning, but Ruff says he’s not a joke! Ruff SLAPS Priest, Priest ROCKS Ruff! Priest’s rage boils up and he drags Ruff into the crucifix lift, for a RAZOR’S EDGE, into the barriers! And the barriers fall over like dominos!! Priest realizes just how hard he tossed Ruff and feels awful for it, and the ref checks on Ruff’s condition. Other refs come out to check, and Priest asks how he’s doing. The refs tell Priest to just stay back and give Ruff some room. Priest apologizes, but now this championship match continues without the champion!
Gargano CLOBBERS Priest from behind! Gargano clubs Priest, Priest knees low but Gargano RAMS Priest into the ramp! Gargano tries to use the ramp, needs to go again, and he TORNADO DDT’S Priest to the floor! Priest gets up and Gargano says “I told you! He can’t hang!” Gargano leaves Ruff in the past and puts Priest on the ramp. Gargano aims from the ring, but Priest blocks One Final Beat! Priest puts Gargano through the ropes but Gargano escapes the Reckoning, only for Priest to ROCK Gargano with a right! Priest then steps up and leaps, but Gargano dodges, only to run into a windmill kick! Cover, TWO!
Priest drags Gargano up, but Gargano slips under, only for his chop to be blocked! Gargano avoids the bell clap to hit a STANDING SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO! Priest flounders to a corner, Gargano runs in, but Priest boots him away! Priest boots again but Gargano dodges, the BELL CLAP hits! Gargano ducks a roundhouse to throw forearms, then he fakes Priest out to mule kick the leg and BUZZSAW! Gargano runs into a LEAPING ROUNDHOUSE! And then staggers into a LARIAT! Both men are down, Priest rolls to the ramp and the fans fire up. Priest rises, but Ruff returns?! Ruff uses Priest as a step for a FLYING LARIAT on Gargano!
Ruff dropkicks Priest away, tackles Gargano and rains down furious fists! Gargano gets away, Ruff builds speed and goes up, to FLY out onto both opponents! Fans are thunderous for Ruff as he puts Gargano in! Ruff stalks Gargano, reels him in, and headlocks, but Gargano denies the buckle bulldog! Ruff just goes up and leaps for a CORKSCREW CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives and Ruff shakes his head. Ruff figures the first-ever Triple Crown winner in NXT would survive that. Ruff climbs up the corner but Gargano throws haymakers first! Gargano dumps Ruff down off the top and grimaces as he drags Ruff up. Gargano DECKS Ruff with a left!
Gargano drags Ruff up and whips, but Ruff rebounds to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Priest is floundering back up into the ring as Ruff climbs the corner again. Ruff sees Priest, and Priest says no more chances. Priest gets under Ruff’s leap, Ruff ducks and dodges but Priest BOOTS him down! Gargano swings into Priest’s clutches! Priest adds Ruff on, DOUBLE COMPLETE SHOT! Priest grits his teeth as he sees Gargano and Ruff go to opposite corners. Priest stomps around, and leaps to elbow Ruff! Then runs to elbow Gargano! Back to Ruff! Then Priest suplex TOSSES Ruff at Gargano with the Broken Arrow!
Priest gets Gargano up, but Gargano slips out to POST Priest! Gargano gets Ruff up and scoops him, to LAWN DART Ruff into Priest! Priest ends up in the double-ring gap and Ruff flounders. Gargano goes after Priest in the gap with haymakers. Gargano tries Priest up in the ropes of the second ring! Gargano waves by to Priest, then goes back to Ruff. Gargano scoops Ruff but Ruff slips out to O’Conner roll but Gargano bucks him off! Ruff CRUCIFIX DRIVERS! Cover, TWO!! Gargano escapes and fans are thunderous! Ruff goes to a corner, Priest works to free himself, but Ruff aims at Gargano for the FROG SPLASH but it flops!
Gargano gets Ruff in the GargaNO Escape, right in front of Priest! Priest shouts at Ruff not to quit, and then Priest frees himself! Priest helps Ruff get to ropes and then KICKS Gargano away! Gargano runs back in but into another ROUNDHOUSE! Priest climbs up and leaps for the FLYING WINDMILL! Priest sees Gargano bail out and Ruff stay in. Ruff avoids the back elbow and LARIATS, but Priest stays up! Ruff tries again, but Priest is too big! Priest whips Ruff, Ruff goes for the rebound but Gargano SUPERKICKS Ruff down! Again Priest feels remorse for what happened to Ruff, but Gargano enziguris!
Priest denies One Final Beat to the SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM! But wait, it’s GHOST FACE again!! The ref tells him to stay away, but there are TWO OTHER Ghost Faces?! They’re attacking Priest on behalf of Gargano! Priest fights them off with elbows and BOOTS and a kick! Priest throws two out then CLOBBERS the third! The Ghost Faces regroup and retreat, but there are more on the outside side?! Priest BOOTS one down and then FLIES out onto them all! And then he goes back in to FLY out onto the others! All six Ghost Faces are down, but Gargano DIVES! Priest caches him for an APRON CHOKE SLAM! For Ruff’s FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Priest breaks it just in time!!
Priest finally catches his breath and he stands over Ruff. Priest drags Ruff up by his ear but Ruff fires off furious fists from all sides! Priest shoves, Ruff kicks! Ruff runs but Priest CYCLONE KICKS! Priest runs at Gargano, Gargano tilt-o-whirls but the takedown is blocked to- NO! No Reckoning, SUPERKICK! ROUNDHOUSE from Priest! CYCLONE KICK for Gargano! Priest sees he’s got an opening, and he roars as he drags Gargano back up! But another Ghost Face uses a PIPE on Priest!! Lucky number seven saves Gargano! But then Ruff rolls Gargano up! Gargano slips out to SUPERKICK! Gargano goes to the apron, aims and ONE FINAL BEAT for Ruff!! Cover, Gargano wins!!
Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall (NEW NXT North American Champion)
History is made again for Johnny TakeOver, as he is a three-time North American Champion! But he had a seemingly endless supply of Ghost Face aces in the hole. Will Gargano finally break his curse and hold onto this title a little longer this time? And wait! Lucky Ghost Face number seven turns out to be AUSTIN! It was Austin all along! Does this mean it’ll be #TheJohnnyGarganoWay #AllDay?
2020’s been a real bummer.
But NXT has something very special planned for 2021. The first Wednesday of the New Year, will be New Year’s EVIL! What will the black ‘n’ gold have in store as we wipe the slate clean?
Men’s WarGames: The Kings of NXT VS The Undisputed Era!
Pat McAfee and his pack of mercenaries have done whatever they’ve wanted since TakeOver: 31, but that could all change now that Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong are back! And though the UE has been in each and every single Men’s WarGames match since it debuted in NXT, they’re only 1-2! Will the UE break even as they break McAfee, Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch down to the last piece?
First, the Undisputed Era make their entrance. For the first time, they do not have the advantage, but Kyle doesn’t let that bother him as he steps up first. Then McAfee’s team enters, and the Bruiserweight says he’s up first. McAfee is totally okay with that, especially when you consider Dunne is the only man on his team with WarGames experience, and was part of a team that beat the Undisputed Era. Kyle’s also happy to see Dunne, because Kyle wants revenge for both the betrayal and the advantage match screwjob! Dunne steps inside and the five-minute countdown begins!
Kyle and Dunne stare down and slowly circle. They approach and feel things out, Kyle tries testing kicks. Dunne stays clear, knuckle locks with Kyle, and then have a test of strength as they go shoulder to shoulder. They go around, Dunne gets a leg but Kyle counters to get a leg. Dunne gets around, facelocks, Kyle slips out but Dunne hooks the leg again. Kyle gets away and the two stand off. Fans fire up as the two circle again. They tie up. Kyle slips around but Dunne puts him on the ropes. Dunne dumps Kyle down then goes to ground ‘n’ pound, but Kyle has his leg guard. Kyle goes for a triangle but Dunne slips out! Dunne kicks but Kyle blocks, only for Dunn to spin through the dragon screw!
Dunne wants fingers but Kyle avoids the snap! Kyle rolls out of the omoplata to get the arm! Dunne avoids the armbar but Kyle avoids a stomp to the arm, and then Dunne backs off before the kick comes in! Dunne goes to the gap and baits Kyle into a triangle hold of his own! Kyle ends up in the gap, but he goes to the second ring. Dunne lets him go but Kyle gets Dunne’s arm for a takedown! Kyle wants a kimura but Dunne fights up. Kyle wrenches, waistlocks and GERMANS, but Dunne lands on his feet to BUZZSAW! McAfee is happy to see that! Dunne then hammerlocks Kyle’s arm and grabs the other to torture the fingers!
Dunne bends the wrist, twists the elbow and pulls on the shoulder, to then STOMP! Kyle gets up, puts Dunne in a corner but Dunne turns things around to CHOP! Kyle turns things back around to fire off body shots! Dunne has the fingers again and puts them throw fencing! Dunne uses steel for leverage as he bends the joints! Kyle body shots but Dunne lets off to whip. Kyle reverses, Dunne goes up and over, Dunne picks a leg and rolls Kyle to STOMP the hands! BUZZSAW! But Kyle counters the bomb to a GUILLOTINE! Dunne fades already! Kyle KNEES Dunne down! Dunne sits up, Kyle drags him back up but Dunne X-PLEXES, to the ARMBAR!
Kyle flails and moves around to get a leg! HEEL HOOK! Dunne endures now but the first countdown is ending! Dunne heel hooks Kyle back and they end up in a corner. The clock hits zero and Oney wants in! McAfee is again fine with that, and the #STARDESTROYER rushes Kyle! They brawl with forearms and CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Kyle blocks a chop to knee, kick and palm strikes! Dunne CLOBBERS Kyle! Oney and Dunne have Kyle in a corner, Oney back elbows in again and again! Kyle kicks but Oney ducks to HALF ‘N’ HALF! Dunne PENALTY KICKS an arm out! Dunne and Oney just loom over Kyle as they still have two minutes to go!
Dunne has the arms and the legs, for a Surfboard! And Oney CHOPS Kyle, then basement DDT’s him down! Kyle rolls back to the gap but Oney goes over, only for Kyle to DRAGON SCREW a leg! Dunne gives chase, Kyle gets him for a DRAGON SCREW! Kyle has them both stuck in ropes as he climbs up, and Kyle stomps Dunne away, to then GUILLOTINE KNEE DROP Oney! But Dunne missile dropkicks the leg out! Kyle clutches his knee and he still has to wait for reinforcements. Dunne drags Kyle around, wrenches an arm while Oney gets a leg, it’s an armlock Half Crab fusion! Kyle endures because there’s nothing else he can do! But the time is almost up!
The clock hits zero again and for the UE, it’s BOBBY FISH! Dunne and Oney hurry to intercept but Fish hits them first! Fish spins Dunne around to fire off strikes! Dunne ducks a roundhouse but not the mule kick! Fish knees Oney then EXPLODERS Dunne into Oney! Fish shouts for Kyle and he goes after Oney! Fish whips Oney for a SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up but Dunne kicks Fish from below! Fish staggers over, but he throws Dunne into the gap! Kyle BOOTS Dunne down, and now reDRagon has Oney! Oney throws uppercuts, runs, but into a pop-up ROUNDHOUSE! Kyle brings Oney up, he and Fish combo for a DRAPING BUTTERFLY DDT, and then a BOOSTED Wheelbarrow German!
Dunne goes after Kyle and gets a HOVERBOARD KIMURA! Fish sleeper holds Dunne and drags him off! Kyle mule kicks Dunne, then reDRagon DOUBLE BUZZSAW! Fans fire up and reDRagon stomps Oney down. Fish drags Dunne up and throws knees in the corner while Kyle digs boots into Oney. Oney kicks Kyle away but Fish goes over to bring Oney up. Fish has a leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Oney clutches his leg, Kyle regroups with Fish but Dunne throws hands! Fish ROCKS Dunne, Kyle and Oney grapple with leg locks. Dunne knees Fish and has the wristlock! Kyle wants to get Oney for an armbar, and Dunne uses the cage to torture fingers!
The countdown returns as Fish clubs Dunne away! Burch gets in for McAfee’s team, and he goes under the ring! Burch brings in something in a bag and then DECKS Fish! And ROCKS Kyle! And spins Kyle for a EuroUpper! Burch opens that mystery bag, and he has a CRICKET BAT! Burch swings on Kyle but Kyle dodges! Burch runs to corner clothesline, enzigujri and then GERMAN! Kyle flounders to the gap and Dunne grabs the cricket bad the dig into Fish’s fingers! Burch brings out another cricket bat and he JAMS it into Kyle’s ribs! Kyle flops to the gap, Dunne keeps hitting Fish’s arm with his bat, and we’re at a two minute warning.
Oney helps Dunne go after Fish, and Burch talks trash on Kyle. Kyle picks a leg for a HEEL HOOK! Burch is tapping, if only this match was complete! Dunne goes after Kyle with a FLYING STOP to Kyle’s arm!! Kyle clutches what could be a broken elbow! And then Burch SMACKS Kyle with the back! That’s for six, aka a cricket home run. Oney and Burch give a “cheers” with the bats, then Oney hands his to Dunne. Dunne wedges the bat into Kyle’s leg for a cricket calf killer! Burch taunts Kyle then helps Oney with Fish. Dunne stomps Kyle’s leg as Burch and Oney club Fish. The countdown reaches 10 seconds as Fish tries to fight back in a 3v1 situation!
Dunne twist a foot, Fish falls, but here comes RODERICK STRONG! But Oney BLASTS him with a EuroUpper right away! Burch and Oney fire off on Strong, then whip him, but he DOUBLE LARIATS them both down! Strong fires off on Burch, then on Oney, then he whips Oney for a dropkick! Dunne hurries over but Strong gets him for a half nelson BACKBREAKER! And then Burch swings on Strong, but gets a knee and a BIG back suplex! Strong fires up and fans fire up with him, but Oney puts Strong in the gap. Strong BOOTS Dunne, forearms Oney and enziguris Burch! Strong runs side to side in the gap, giving everyone forearms as he goes! And then again the other way! And again to KNEE Dunne!
Strong TOSSES Dunne into the second ring! Strong goes after Oney, but Oney throws him into steels! Kyle goes after Dunne but Dunne grabs Kyle’s nose! Dunne and Oney throw Kyle and Strong into the steel! Burch and Fish brawl, Dunne is after Fish in the gap and throws him at the steel! McAfee’s team dig boots into Fish and Strong, then they club and EuroUpper Kyle! Oney and Burch double whip and double elbow Kyle, then they mug Fish and Strong! Oney CHOPS Strong, Dunne STOMPS Fish’s arm on steel! Burch stomps Kyle but Kyle hooks the leg to a heel hook! The countdown is back, and finally Captain McAfee enters!
McAfee has an idea, and he brings out a TABLE from under the ring! The table even has Fish’s name on it! McAfee gives that table to his team and they know what to do with it. McAfee brings out another table, and this one has Kyle’s name on it. Clearly he made sure these were here for reDRagon. Those tables are put in the gaps, then McAfee just tosses chair after chair in, before bringing out a table for Strong! McAfee’s team continues to mug the UE as the furniture is moved in. McAfee brings out one more table, and yes, this is for Cole, baybay. With his team firmly in control, McAfee finally joins in.
Burch and Oney set up a table for McAfee in a corner, and then Dunne RAMS Strong into buckles. Dunne brings Fish towards the table labeled for him while Oney and Burch have Strong. Dunne gives Kyle an elbow breaker to keep him down, then Burch and Oney mug Strong. They put Strong on his table, and then McAfee climbs up, to MOONSAULT Strong through the table! McAfee’s team all high-five over that one! Fans boo and the final countdown finally arrives! And that means this match finally has ADAM COLE BAYBAY!! Cole hurries over, but he had something planned, too! Cole brings out a fire extinguisher, and hoses off McAfee’s team!
Cole then grabs a chair, gets inside and he JAMS Oney! SMACKS Burch! SMACKS Oney! THROWS the chair at Dunne but Dunne dodges! So Cole BACKSTABBERS! And PELES Oney! And fireman’s carries to USHIGOROSHI Burch! Fans fire up with Cole as he stares at McAfee in the second ring. McAfee dares Cole to bring it on, so Cole storms over, only for Dunne to stand in his way. “Screw you!” Dunne and Cole brawl, Cole rocks Dunne but Dunne DECKS Cole! Dunne gives Cole some Danielson Stomps! And then pump handles for a BITTER- DDT!! Cole counters and then runs, but McAfee catches him! Dunne enziguris Cole down!
McAfee brags about his big brain and Dunne grabs Cole’s fingers. Kyle SMACKS Dunne from behind! Payback for weeks ago! Kyle says if McAfee wants to be a wrestler, he’s in WarGames, time to put that money where his mouth is! Kyle dares McAfee to take a free shot, and McAfee gets in. Cole SMACKS McAfee! And then rains down right hands! Dunne clobbers Cole and it’s a huge brawl! Fish throws Oney, Dunne throws Cole, Bruch rams Strong and McAfee fires off with Kyle! Fish stomps Oney, Strong hammers Burch, Cole has Dunne down and Kyle throws knees on McAfee! Kyle KICKS McAfee but Dunne has Cole’s hands in the table leg! Dunne STOMPS the leg to crush Cole’s hand!
Dunne goes after Fish and kicks him down! Dunne gives Fish a suplex but Fish slips out to sleeper! Strong fires off on Burch but Oney BLOCKBUSTERS Fish! Kyle staggers over and AX ‘n’ DOUBLE SMASH with Strong on Dunne! Cover, but Oney breaks it! Oney whips Strong into the gap hard! Burch and Oney drag Kyle up, LONDON BRIDGE!! Cover, Fish breaks it! Oney RAMS Fish into steel, Cole BOOTS Oney and then BOOTS Burch! McAfee chop blocks Cole!! Fans boo as Dunne and McAfee stomp Cole together. Oney and Burch regroup, McAfee lets out a “WOO~!” and steps through for a FIGURE FOUR!
McAfee’s team plays defense as Cole endures the leg lock! Fish, Strong and O’Reilly fight fist to fist, but Cole turns things around! McAfee endures the pressure now, Dunne is in an Ankle Lock! Fish has Oney in a sleeper, Strong has Burch’s leg! Dunne breaks free to KICK Cole! The hold is undone but the damage was done. Burch and Oney go back after the UE to throw down fists. Oney brings a table up as Burch DECKS Fish. The table is put in the second ring, but Strong HOTSHOTS Dunne! Burch and Oney set up the table marked for Cole, but Strong ROCKS McAfee! Fish joins in, they brawl with Oney and Burch!
McAfee is in the gap as Oney CHOPS! Fish BOOTS, Strong and Oney DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE! Burch ROCKS Fish but Fish ROUNDHOUSES Burch! Those four are all down in the second ring, leaving Dunne, McAfee, Cole and Kyle in the first ring. Cole superkicks but Dunne blocks to throw Cole down! ARMBAR, but Cole makes it a cover, TWO! Dunne enziguris, then goes to suplex, but he gets a LAST SHOT BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Dunne survives but Cole finally throws his shirt away. Cole brings up one of the other tables, and stands it up. This is the Kyle table, and then he brings Dunne over to a corner. Cole drags Dunne up top, but Dunne pulls on fingers!
Strong and Fish save Cole but Burch goes after them. Kyle goes after Burch and throws hands. Burch ends up on the Cole table, and Fish and Strong have Dunne up! They DOUBLE BOMB Dunne onto Burch, but the table doesn’t give! Strong climbs up, and he FROG SPLASHES through them both!! Fans are thunderous as the Cole table is used up! Cole adjusts but McAfee springs up! Cole resists, and shoves McAfee down, he crashes through the Kyle table!! Cole hops down, wreckage is cleared, and Cole regroups with the UE. They bring Burch up to throw him into Dunne and steel! Cole wants to end this, and Oney is thrown into Burch and Dunne!
Kyle runs in and back body blocks Dunne into steel! Fish runs in and body blocks Dunne into steel! Strong KNEES Dunne, Cole SUPERKICKS Dunne, and Dunne is done! Now they start on Oney! Kyle, Fish, Strong and Cole hit him in turn! Then Burch gets the same! McAfee’s mercenaries are down and fans are fired up! McAfee somehow stands back up, and sees he’s all alone. McAfee asks they spare him, his back is hurting from the table. But the four UE go after McAfee, and drags him off the steel! They won’t let him forfeit by escaping! And they mug him 4v1!!
Cole throws McAfee into steel! Then Kyle throws McAfee into steel! Fish and Strong throw McAfee together! “Ain’t so tough now, are you, Pat?!” They dare him to talk trash now! They put McAfee in the gap and slap him around. They take his shirt off and then Cole lines it up. But Dunne, Burch and Oney make the save! They throw hands, Dunne stomps away on Strong, then Oney and Burch do the same to reDRagon. McAfee gets up and his guys help him around. Oney and Burch have Fish in an Electric Chair but Kyle makes the save! Strong has Dunne in a corner, Burch throws Fish away and goes after Kyle! Kyle is in the Electric Chair, EUROUPPER DOOMSDAY!!
Fish CLOBBERS Burch! Dunne and Cole fight on the top rope! Dunne wobbles and Cole hits a SUPER LEAPING NECKBREAKER! Strong has McAfee, for a SUPERPLEX!! ALL EIGHT MEN ARE DOWN!! The fans are thunderous as everyone crawls around. The teams regroup, stand together, and stare down the other side. It’s a brawl like the one from when it was UE VS Dunne-Ricochet-War-Raiders! But wait, where’s McAfee? He’s up on the VERY TOP of the cage!! And he SWANTON BOMBS #ForTheBrand!!! All eight men are down again!!
Dunne and Kyle crawl to the second ring and glare at each other as they slowly rise. The first two in are still standing, and now they’re throwing forearms back and forth! Fans rally up and Kyle ROCKS Dunne! Dunne ROCKS Kyle back, and then they pick up the pace! There’s no slowing down! Kyle ROCKS Dunne again and Dunne flops down! Kyle drags Dunne up by his hair but Dunne gets the fingers! Kyle wrenches to ELBOW BREAKER! And AX to- DUNNE’S SMASH! Dunne blocks the yo-yo lariat to get the fingers! SNAP!! Then pump handle, to BITTER END!! Cover, TWO?!?! Dunne can’t believe Kyle survives!!
Kyle sits up in a daze but Dunne drags him around. Dunne brings Kyle to the gap, and though the table says “Fish,” Dunne wants to use it on Kyle! But Kyle slips out of the bomb to suplex Dunne for a FULL METAL BRAIN BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!??! Dunne survives and now Kyle is shocked! Kyle gets up and sees the chair. Kyle sits that chair up, drags Dunne over to it, and puts him through it! Kyle goes to a corner, Dunne barely moves, but McAfee CHAIR SHOTS Kyle down! Kyle falls through the ropes, McAfee aims at Cole. Cole dares him, McAfee swings but misses! Cole fires off with fury, and has the chair for his own! But McAfee LOW BLOWS! It’s not illegal in WarGames!!
McAfee mocks Cole but he misses the punt, Cole BOOTS McAfee down! Cole goes to a corner and wants to take us back to TakeOver: 31! But Burch yanks Cole down! Cole SUPERKICKS Burch! Fish SPEARS Burch through the FISH table!! McAfee SUPERKICKS Cole!! And then he hops up, PANAMA SUN- SUPERKICK! Cole goes back to the corner, and hits the TRUE PANAMA SUNRISE!! Cover, TWO!?!?! McAfee survives a move that put him away before! Cole says that’s fine, he’ll gladly put McAfee away with something more! Cole brings the knee pad down, says BANG, but Oney takes the LAST SHOT WIZARD for McAfee!
Dunne KICKS Cole, brings the chair over, and hits a BITTER END to the chair back!! Cole sputters and gasps, Dunne covers but Strong STOMPS it apart! END OF HEARTACHE! Oney swings his chair but Strong dodges, Fish helps out for a FULL METAL STRONG ANNIHILATION! Kyle walks the tightrope to FLYING KNEE DROP onto Oney’s head! Cover, the Undisputed Era wins!!
Winners: The Undisputed Era, by pinfall
And the war is over! Cole, Fish, O’Reilly and Strong may be 2-2 in the overall record, but this win means so much more than numbers can speak to! Have they finally shut McAfee up? Is NXT now, then and forever Undisputed?
My Thoughts:
This was a really great TakeOver! The kickoff show had good promos and sports show talk from the special guests, sorry I missed Helwani’s. Bookending the night with WarGames matches made sense, and the women starting was fine. In retrospect, it perhaps gave away that Shotzi’s team was going to lose, so I feel like it would’ve worked just fine as the main event. But given the Undisputed Era, as Faces, won theirs, this is also fine. NXT wasn’t going to have both Face teams win, but I would’ve still done it that way. Though then maybe Shotzi and her team look way too strong.
Indi getting involved does help with the power balance, she’s a good reason as to why Team Candice won. I do like the strategy of trying to keep out the other team’s fourth for as long as possible. Shirai with the trash can dive was a great way around it, too. And with Shirai essentially Face, it makes sense that Heels win so that Heels move up to challenge her. I have a feeling this will end up pitting Raquel and Dakota in opposition to Candice and Toni, with Indi of course being Candice’s back-up. And I bet the build is quick enough so that someone can challenge Shirai for “New Year’s Evil.” The Evil Genius needs to be on a show with the word “Evil” in it, it’s only logical.
Ciampa VS Thatcher was a very good match, and the (more than likely accidental) bloody ear definitely adds to the concept of it being about toughness. Ciampa wins to build up his momentum, and with Balor calling everyone in the men’s division out, I have a feeling Ciampa is a frontrunner for facing him for the title. Lumis VS Grimes was a really good strap match, and Lumis wins again, meaning he has to be poised for a title shot. And given how Gargano won that great Triple Threat to be champion again, Gargano VS Lumis is an excellent next feud for both. Gargano is about as mouthy as Grimes so that makes for a good foil to Lumis being eerily silent.
Priest had good character work in that Triple Threat given he doesn’t dislike Ruff but still has to beat him up. And of course Ruff became an even bigger star with how he kept up with two big names. And while having seven Ghost Faces in one segment was a bit much, I love that Austin Theory turned out to be THE Ghost Face, as I’d hoped. Austin and Indi are now the “kids” in the #TJGW sitcom parody that they’ve created, and that will make for a great overall story as Austin and Indi help Gargano and Candice in trying to keep/gain gold.
And UE winning in the main event was to give us fans a “happy ending,” but that itself surprised me. I suppose that means UE is staying in NXT, no jumping to SmackDown or Raw, which will surely be best for UE overall. But I can’t be sure what they do next then, as they’ve checked everything off the list. I suppose they could at least attempt to take all the titles back, only to fail, but wouldn’t that mean they leave for RawDown at that point? I’m not sure what’s planned, but I’m sure NXT will execute a near perfect plan.
My Score: 9.4/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s IMPACT x NJPW Multiverse United Results & Match Ratings: 3.30.2023
Late start times, card changes and special opponents! WrestleMania weekend blesses wrestling with some weird stuff. Multiverse United NJPWxIMPACT!
So the IMPACT! episode was just the pre-show plus some talking and never televised matches, thus not really worth discussing. I really don’t love the show starting at 11pm est on a Thursday, but yeah I know, ‘first world problems’ OR ‘now you know how EU feels’. I never said it was worse, I don’t want you to put it in perspective, I just wanted to complain.
Either way, I’m not really invested in most of these matches except KENTA vs Suzuki and Tanahashi vs Bailey. I can only hope some of these matches add to a few stories since injuries mixed up a lot of IMPACTs plans; and of course I hope a few of them are good enough to justify being up so late.
Now let’s just get to the show!
.@JodyThreat is on her way to @IMPACTWRESTLING!#IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/G4jiL6d7ek
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) March 31, 2023
Ratings:
- X Division Championship: 6 Man Scramble: Rich Swann vs Trey Miguel (c) vs Kevin Knight vs Frankie Kazarian vs Clark Connors vs Rocky Romero: Trey retains via Pinfall – *
- 8 Man Tag: Eddie Edwards, Tom Lawlor, JR Kratos & Joe Hendry vs Callihan, Fred Rosser, Alex Coughlin & PCO: PCO wins via PCO-Sault – ** 1/2
- Jeff Cobb vs Moose: Cobb wins via Tour of the Islands – *** 1/4
- Knockouts #1 Contender 4 Way: Gisele Shaw vs Deonna Purrazzo vs Masha Slamovich vs Miyu Yamashita: Deonna wins via Queen’s Gambit – ***
- IMPACT Tag Team Championships: Bullet Club (Ace & Bey) (c) vs Motor City Machine Guns vs Aussie Open vs TMDK: Bullet Club retain via ABC 1-2-Sweet – *** 1/2
- Lio Rush vs Kushida: Kushida wins via Hoverboard Lock – *** 3/4
- NJPW Strong Open Weight Championship: KENTA (c) vs Minoru Suzuki: KENTA retains via Cradle w/Feet on Ropes – *** 1/4
- Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Speedball Mike Bailey: Tanahashi wins via High Fly Flow – ****
Results:
X Division Championship: 6 Man Scramble: Rich Swann vs Trey Miguel (c) vs Kevin Knight vs Frankie Kazarian vs Clark Connors vs Rocky Romero
Trey kicks things off by just verbally berating everyone, so they dog pile on the dipshit. Then we get a Human Centipede of Headlocks, which is a little dumb but it was the opening goofball spot; and then we get the stupid simultaneous 5 way Dropkick, ugh. After the leg pick, Trey comes in, drops everyone, gets cocky and then gets dropped. Rocky Lariats Kaz out of the ring and then Knight and Swann double team Connors.
We’re just going through a few greatest hits spots. Each guy is going to get moments of doing something cool, then there’s a pinfall scramble on Kaz after Knight catches him mid Leg Drop. This definitely is just spots and a little comedy, so its a weird combination of a Japanese Rumble and stupid Indy show. Oh look a Tower of Doom spot, I’m so shocked, no one has ever done that before *glances at Indy Garbage Multi-Man Bingo Card* – Yeah that’s a Bingo.
Oh Forever Lariats start Rocky’s time in charge but its cut short by Connors just Spearing everyone into tomorrow. Knight tries to dodge the Spear and keep Connors in the corner, but when he tries to jump up and pluck him off the perch, Connors hits an Avalanche Spear. Trey runs in, pushes Connors out of the ring and steals the pinfall.
Shit match, spots for spots sake, at least the finish was a little clever.
8 Man Tag: Eddie Edwards, Tom Lawlor, JR Kratos & Joe Hendry vs Callihan, Fred Rosser, Alex Coughlin & PCO
Well these teams make no damn sense. So it should be interesting who eats the pin (I’m assuming Coughlin), and if this goes anywhere.
Callihan and Eddie start off, no baseball bats in sight, but they start with a Hockey Fight. Callihan with a T-Bone Suplex, tags in PCO and Eddie retreats and tags in Lawlor. Lawlor wants Rosser though, and PCO obliges. Rosser drops Lawlor early, but Lawlor gets the advantage and tags in Hendry. Tags are quick, Rosser does some moronic short hammers that Hendry absorbs and just looks stupid as hell. Coughlin gets tagged in, tries to fight Hendry with power, fails and Kratos comes in.
Kratos is winning early until Kratos tries a Corner Splash, and Coughlin literally catches him and then a Overhead Belly to Belly, flinging Kratos across the ring. Alex tags in PCO and now we get a monster fight. PCO hits the Avalanche Frankensteiner and then the match breaks down. Everybody in, throwing hands and Callihan/Lawlor decide to stick in the ring. Car crash spots with Planchas, Suplexes onto the apron, PCO tosses Eddie over, wants to Dive, but Kratos cuts him off with a Pounce. Kratos looks outside, decides to fly himself. PCO comes back to life, PCO Sault onto the pile of people on the outside.
Somehow we boil back down to PCO and Kratos, who were actually the legal wrestlers. Rosser and Eddie decide to pick up the pace a bit in the ring. A weird corner combination and successive Hip Attacks into a Northern Lights Suplex Hold for 2. Rosser tries for a submission, Shining Wizard from Lawlor to break it up, Coughling comes in and suplexes both of men at the same time. Hendry is in, scoops Rosser and Coughlin, stacked up Sack of Shit, but then Callihan pops in, throwing hands but the Lawlor team gets the best of things for now.
JR Kratos gets tagged in, looks to try and put away Rosser but Rosser gets out of it and tags in PCO. Stare down of the big boys and then strike exchange. Scorpion Death Drop from PCO, into PCO-Sault and that’s the match!
Jeff Cobb vs Moose
All I will say is, my boots.
They go for the classic big guy thing of Shoulder Tackle trades, then he Leap Frog’s Cobb, and connects with the Okada Dropkick. Cobb does take Moose off his feet, and Moose powders. He gets back in, they tie up and then start trading chops in the corner until Cobb finally cuts off Moose with a Dropkick of his own, following up with the Gachimuchi Sault for 2.
Cobb mocks Moose as he’s face down and Cobb does the Moose chant while standing on him like a surf board. Moose reverses the offense, throws him into the corner follows with a Dropkick and then a Hesitation Dropkick. Moose charges, Cobb gets the foot up, climbs the ropes, GO TO HELL – for 2. Moose sets up for Lights Out, Cobb dodges and Moose goes shoulder first into the turnbuckle.
Climbing the corner, Cobb collects Moose and goes for the Outside-In Avalanche Vertical Suplex. After a 2 count, they both are slow to get up and throw stumbling and haggard punches. Moose tries to punctuate things with the Rolling Forearm, Cobb sneaks him tries for his own Rolling Elbow but Moose catches him. They mirror one another’s offense, Lariats, Kip Ups and then a big crash in the middle that sends both falling out of opposite sides of the ring.
Once they get in, they both start throwing hands again. Cobb tries to scoop him up, Moose slips it, pushes him into the corner, goes up top. Cobb pushes him back, Moose leaps to the top and finally pays back the Superplex from earlier. Moose tries for Lights Out, Cobb moves but Moose stops himself this time. Cobb tries to hit the ropes, Moose with the Pump Kick, into the Escalera Backflip for 2, as Cobb rolls through and lifts up Moose from the mat. Moose is getting manhandled a bit but manages to slip away at first, Rolling Forearm…but he’s caught by Cobb and Cobb turns it into a Tour of the Islands for 3!
Knockouts #1 Contender 4 Way: Gisele Shaw vs Deonna Purrazzo vs Masha Slamovich vs Miyu Yamashita
The crowd cheers on Masha, Miyu and Deonna, but Boos Gisele.
Gisele powders before the tie up, Masha gets thrown out at first and then its Deonna and Miyu. They actually shake hands and there’s some respect. Miyu tries the power with the Shoulder Tackles but Deonna doesn’t budge. Miyu gets frustrated, throws a kick, Deonna ducks and takes Miyu off her feet. Gisele picks the leg on Deonna and drops her to have a little bit of a kick battle with Miyu. Miyu gets the best of that, Deonna hits them both with a Baseball Slide, Masha with a middle rope Crossbody. Gisele climbs the corner and a Corkscrew Splash into the pile on the outside.
As Gisele is trying to work over Deonna in the ring, Masha comes out of nowhere with a Waterwheel Kick to drop Gisele. Deonna turns the tide with a Headscissors and Moonsault from Deonna. Miyu tries the Mochizuki Triangle Kick but Masha ducks. So Miyu starts running between all three just looking for something to connect. Big kicks from all four women end up dropping all of them at some point. All four women do different rope run cut off spots.
Deonna hits another Headscissors and looks for the Fujiwara on Masha. Masha rolls to try and turn it into a pinfall but over rotates. So the lack of needing to break the pin threw off Miyu and Deonna’s timing. So the Triangle Kick spot is a little weird looking. Gisele drops Miyu, Masha hits an Avalanche Russian Destroyer on Gisele but Deonna goes after Masha.
Skull Kick from Miyu, Denouement from Gisele, Powerbomb into Queen’s Gambit, Deonna wins!
Sloppy towards the end, but generally decent and entertaining with logical spots.
IMPACT Tag Team Championships: Bullet Club (Ace & Bey) (c) vs Motor City Machine Guns vs Aussie Open vs TMDK
Shane Haste and Alex Shelley start off the match. Haste feigns a lock up and tries a quick kick, as Tito sneak attacks, so the Guns and TMDK start exchanging. Aussies try to get cute but MCMG deposits them with TMDK. Bullet Club try a cut off but MCMG dump them on the other side. Quick Dive on the stacked side as MCMG try for Skull and Bones on Shane, but he gets out of it, Tito also makes sure to help out a bit, Shane hits a huge corner Cannonball as he tags in Tito. Tito Slingshot Senton and Shelley is getting worked over.
Quirky offense from Shane is weird but effective. He tags in Tito, who looks like he’s gonna do an avalanche move but hops down and just punches Alex. Tito drops Sabin, goes to the top, misses his Splash as Alex looks around, sees no Sabin but Chris Bey offers his hand and Alex begrudgingly takes it. Fluid offense from Bey, Code Red really gives him momentum until Aussies blind tag Tito and start clearing the ring. Fletcher does the pass off Stalling Suplex to Davis after the tag and a cocky tag from Davis is only 2. Bey is trying to fight through the tandem work from Aussie Open, manages to tag in Ace and he opens with the Triangle Kick that Fletcher ducks but he connects with Davis. Ace with his okey doke on the apron as he dodges all of TMDK, ABC 1-2-Sweet attempt but Sabin breaks with a tag. MCMG with some classic tandem offense on Aussie Open. 5 Hole Dive from the Guns, then Bey with a Tope con Hilo after a blind tag. Davis stops the tandem attempt by just Avalanche Powerbombing them both, Pendulum on Bey for 2.
Corealis attempt, but Ace stops it, signature spam time! High Speed Dirt from MCMG, Davis stops the tandem attempt with a Double Lariat, Bullet Club also tries but Davis won’t be stopped. Shane Haste makes a valiant effort but it looks like Haste is about to get finished until Tito sends Fletcher flying off the tope rope. Tito tries to take out Bullet Club but ABC 1-2-Sweet retains!
Lio Rush vs Kushida
I mean, Kushida can’t lose this when he’s got a title shot at Rebellion. No one wants to see Lio Rush make the title match a Triple Threat.
Kushida goes to the ground doing the Inoki taunt. Kushida wants to try and neutralize the high flying stuff. Lio plays a little keep away and then slides through Kushida’s legs and does the Full Guard Inoki kind of smarmy taunt. Back and forth, Tanaka Punch from Kushida but Lio with a Matrix dodge and they keep exchanging strikes. Lio tries to keep things quick but the Handspring Heel Kick sends Rush to the floor, little Liger style Muscle Pose and Rotate before Lio turns things around a little once Kushida follows him to the outside.
Rush is trying to stay under the bottom rope but Kushida isn’t really giving much space. He continues to step on and twist the different arms and the referee is letting it play a little. Kushida twists both Rush’s wrists and then tried to turn it into a Cradle before Kushida drops down basically with a Figure Four on the arms. Kushida is putting huge and almost vicious focus on the arms. What happen to our happy little Time Splitter?
Lio connects with Kushida, tries to hit the ropes with a Handspring but Kushida just PKs either his face or one of the arms, just simple, violent and effective. Rush starts just using his body as a weapon and throws himself into Kushida to try and find some space. Rush tries to go to the top, Kushida meets him, hunts for the Hoverboard but Rush fights him off twice. Frog Splash but Kushida moves, Rolling Elbow from Kushida, responded by a Pele Kick, they start swinging and as they’re falling to their knees big swings clock both at the same time.
Kushida starts absorbing Lio’s attacks, as he sells the arm damage, Rush goes for a Naciente, but Kushida stop the momentum and goes for the Hoverboard. Lio gets out of it, Back to the Future attempt countered into a Cradle for 2. A few strike attempts, swings and missed, Lio connects with a kick. Goes to try and collect Kushida but he finally hits Back to the Future…for 2! Arm Breaker, PK to the arm attempt, but Lio moves, Poison Rana, Springboard Low Rope Stunner (a little sloppy) but still gets a 2. Lio goes for a Frog Splash, Kushida catches him coming down and sinks in the Hoverboard Lock for the win!
I’m not a fan of Lio, but that was much better than I expected.
NJPW Strong Open Weight Championship: KENTA (c) vs Minoru Suzuki
KENTA toys with Suzuki a little early, not really committing fully to a lock up, rubs his head and then retreats into the ropes pretending to stretch. Suzuki finally gets frustrated with the rope break play and kicks KENTA in the ass, literally. Hanging Arm Bar from Suzuki as he has to break because its illegal, and then Suzuki starts exploring the outside of the ring with KENTA’s face. KENTA turns around the Whip, and then rolls Suzuki in for a second to break the count as he then pulls him back out to throw strikes.
Strikes, Eye Rakes, just rough tactics from both men. KENTA stomps down on Suzuki as he starts coming back in, turns his back on Suzuki and Suzuki kicks him. KENTA paintbrushes him a few times disrespectfully, as Suzuki starts staring him down. Eye Gouge, Rude Awakening, and now PK’s to his back and Suzuki is just getting agitated. Suzuki stands up, and KENTA tells him to hit him. So they trade a little and then the Eye attacks continue, which is great story since KENTA is annoyed when Suzuki went after his face a few weeks ago. So its turnabout being fair play…to a degree.
Snap Mare from KENTA, stomps to the face, KENTA lowers the knee pad, feigns the Knee Drop but stops and wipes his boots on Suzuki’s face. Again, pissing off Suzuki. KENTA connects with about a dozen kicks as Suzuki rises and gets more annoyed. Punishes KENTA in the corner with big Elbows, chokes him a little with the boot, Knee Lift, Irish Whip, Yakuza Kick into Snap Mare and a PK of his own. Suzuki went for short Hamstring Kicks to drop KENTA and sink in a Heel Hook. KENTA rolls to the ropes and gets the submission break.
Murder Grandpa is now in control, not quite Garvin Stomps but KENTA is being stepped on. Jawbreaker from KENTA into an old school Jake Roberts style DDT. Avalanche Lariat for 2. KENTA speeds up a little and Figure Four! Suzuki gets to the ropes, KENTA tries to German Suplex, but Suzuki blocks. *looks at watch* OH it’s Fighting Spirit O’Clock. Suzuki wins the strike exchange, takes a little bit to take in the crowd reaction, as they now trade Big Boots. KENTA cuts off Suzuki’s Boot with his own, hits a second one and Suzuki retreats to the corner. Busaiku Knee in the corner, Hesitation Dropkick, Double Footstomp…for 2! KENTA calls for Go 2 Sleep, Suzuki fights out causing KENTA to crumble down and Suzuki sinks into a Sleeper Hold. Rope runs, end around, Sleeper almost, and again, but KENTA throws the referee, Low Blow on Suzuki, Cradle with feet on the ropes for the win!
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Speedball Mike Bailey
Tanahashi has an amazing ability to help create matches around his limitations; he also does well in clash of styles matches. This could be surprisingly really good.
Bailey offers the handshake, Tanahashi is suspect at first but eventually concedes to do it and its clean from both of them. Tana starts with the Top Wristlock, Bailey does the back and forth rolls, takes down Tana and manages to wrestle him into the corner. Tana turns things around in the corner, Bailey tries to look for a clean break but Tanahashi takes a small liberty with a body shot. Tanahashi then sends him into the corner and hits his Twisting Crossbody nicely. Bailey with his Naomi Kicks (if you will), punctuated with an Enzuigiri to send Tanahashi to the outside. Bailey stays on top of the living legend, a few strikes and a Running Kick as he sends Tanahashi back in.
After missing a High Risk move, Tanahashi slides in with a Low Dropkick, and he starts working on Bailey’s left leg. Stomps, Punches, playing air guitar on Bailey’s leg and then going back to working on the knee. Bailey tries to fight back from the corner but Tana responds with a big ole bitch slap. Bailey gets a head of steam, drops Tanahashi, Sole Butt, Sweep, Standing Shooting Star Press for 2. Bailey fights through the left leg pain to try a Buzzsaw Kick, but misses as Tanahashi comes off the ropes with the Flying Forearm. Big shots, Scoop Slam, Avalanche Senton for 2. High Fly – no – Bailey cuts him off, Gamengiri and pulls Tana down. Bailey tries to charge at him while he’s on the apron, but Tanahashi catches his foot, Dragon Screw through the ropes and the same when he tries to reenter the ring.
Bailey jumps over the Baseball Slide and spring right into the HUUGE Asai Moonsault which barely misses the guardrail and catches enough of Tanahashi as we get to 19 with the 20 count. Crawling up into the kneeling position, Forearm Strikes ensue. A few kicks from Bailey, then Tana catches him and wants to Dragon Screw, but Bailey twists into a Double Leg Cradle but Tana kicks out. Standing Double Knees into a heavily hampered well sold Buzzsaw Kick…again only 2.
Tornado Alley…but Tanahashi charges and counters with a Slingblade! Tana goes to the top for High Fly Flow but Bailey pops up as fast as he can so Tana waits. They start fighting on the top turnbuckle, Tana clocks him and Bailey’s upper half drops to the mat, but he starts pulling himself up before Tana can do anything. Avalanche Frankensteiner, a few powered through Side Kicks, Torando Alley connects! Ultima Weapon – MISSES! Knees into canvas, Bailey has no knees left at this point. Tanahashi charges with the clothesline, Backslide counter, 2.9 – Cradle attempt but Twist and Shout triplicate counters. Sling Blade off the ropes, High Fly Flow attempt again, connects for 3!
Overall Score: 7.25/10
Well aside from the X Division pancake flipping marathon of trash; the card was pretty solid. Yes the outcomes were basically “LOL NJPW wins” (I swear if anyone tries to say Deonna was a win, don’t be dumb. Miyu is from TJP, which is owned by CyberFight the people that own NOAH and DDT, so NJPW had no stakes in that) – but at least the last half of the show pretty much delivered. Much like a Japanese card, the less interesting matches got out of the way early. I would’ve loved to see Miyu in the Rebellion title match, but between any AEW commitments she may still have and TJP, maybe she just couldn’t do an extended run with IMPACT.
Kushida starting to develop and edge is nice given who he’ll be facing in 2 weeks, KENTA and Suzuki probably still has fuel for Strong episodes, Bailey got a dream match and Ace & Bey are standing to put a stamp on their title reign. So all in all, for a little crossover event, they did fairly well adding a few wrinkles into matches and storylines, as well as, potentially setting up new ones. Like the first one to come to mind for me is: What are they going to do with Moose? Arrogance has been his gimmick for the last 4 or 5 years, but he keeps choking in big opportunities. So is he gonna spiral out but stay heel; or are they trying to break down his arrogance for a potential face run?
So, not a bad show with at the very least, Tanahashi vs Bailey being the match to watch.
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The champions of ROH prepare for the Supercard!
Before defending their titles in Los Angeles, the many champions of ROH are in action! Will Wheeler Yuta, Athena and The Embassy be ready for Friday?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Aussie Open VS Tony Nese & Ari Daivari w/ Mark Sterling; Aussie Open wins.
- Miyu Yamashita VS Shazza McKenzie; Miyu wins.
- Six Man Tag: The Embassy w/ Prince Nana VS JD Griffey, Dak Draper & Arjun Singh; The Embassy wins.
- Metalik & AR Fox VS The Infantry; Metalik & Fox win.
- ROH Women’s World Championship: Athena VS Emi Sakura w/ Mei Suruga & Baliyan Akki; Athena wins and retains the title.
- 8 Man Tag: Top Flight & The Lucha Brothers w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Rush, Dralistico & The Kingdom w/ Jose & Maria Kanellis; Rush, Dralistico & The Kingdom win.
- ROH Pure Championship: Wheeler Yuta VS Leon Ruffin; Yuta wins and retains the title.
- El Hijo del Vikingo VS Blake Christian; Vikingo wins.
- Eddie Kingston VS Christopher Daniels; Eddie wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Aussie Open VS Tony Nese & Ari Daivari w/ Mark Sterling!
Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis are ready to #ReachForTheSky at Supercard of Honor in LA, but the Varsity Athletes want to spoil things for them in St. Louis. Will this be a trap game for the Aussie Arrow & Dunkzilla? Or will the United Empire soon conquer ROH on top of NJPW?
The Code of Honor is upheld, and the teams sort out. Fletcher starts against Daivari and fans rally up for Aussie Open. Daivari tells them to shut up but the fans boo. Fletcher and Daivari tie up, Fletcher headlocks and grinds the hold. Daivari powers up and wrenches out to a hammerlock then headlock. Fletcher pries free to wrench back, to an ELBOW BREAKER! Fletcher keeps on the wristlock but Daivari rolls, wrenches and wristlocks. Fletcher rolls, wrenches, waistlocks and SLAMS Daivari! Daivari flounders and fans fire up. Daivari stands up, talks trash, then tags Nese. Nese flexes on Fletcher but fans boo.
Fletcher says those are so-so. But then he tags in Davis and the big man steps up. Nese says what he has is muscle, and Davis just has meat. Nese runs, RAMS Davis, but Davis stays up. Fans fire up but Nese runs again. They RAM again, but Davis just roars and flexes! Sterling says one more time, but N ese dropkicks the legs out. Fans boo, Nese runs, but Davis runs him over! Fans fire up and Nese flounders, Daivari tags in. Davis CHOPS Daivari off his feet! Tag to Fletcher, Aussie Open double whip Daivari to double CHOP! PENALTY KICK! SENTON! Fans fire up, Nese runs in but is put on the apron, SLINGSHOT UPPERCUT!
Fans fire up more as they throw the crowns up. Aussie Open set up in opposite corners, but Sterling anchors Davis! Fans boo, but Nese drags Fletcher out to POST him! The ref tells Davis to let Sterling go so Davis obeys. But Daivari RAMS Fletcher into the apron! Daivari stomps Fletcher, puts him in the ring, and fans boo as he drops knees. Daivari chants, “Aussie Aussie Aussie! SUCK IT!” Tag to Nese, and the Varsity Athletes mug Fletcher. Nese keeps Fletcher from Davis, whips him to ropes and CLOBBERS him with an elbow! Cover, TWO! Nese drags Fletcher up, tags Daivari in, and the mugging continues!
The ref counts as the Varsity Athletes throw double haymakers, but they let off. Daivari drags Fletcher up, turns him and hits a NECKBREAKER! Daivari goes to a corner, climbs up, and FLYING SPLASH FLOPS as Fletcher moves! Tag to Nese, Nese drags Fletcher from Davis and puts him in the corner. But Fletcher goes up and over, hot tag to Davis! Davis runs through Nese, SPLASHES Daivari, CHOPS Nese, repeat! Nese dodges, the Varsity Athletes double kick and double whip, but Davis cartwheels to DOUBLE LARIAT! Fans fire up with Davis and he brings Nese up. Davis CHOP LARIATS, then again!
Davis keeps on Nese with the CHOP LARIATS, then he brings Nese out. Wrench and torture rack, but Nese fights free! Throat chop! Nese runs, but into a pop-up POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Tag to Fletcher and fans rally up. Aussie Open stand Nese up but Daivari makes the save! The Varsity Athletes fire off haymakers, double whip, but Aussie Open both KICK back, and LARIAT on top! Fans fire up, Aussie Open hooks Nese up! But Sterling gets on the apron! The fans boo, Aussie Open drops Nese, but then Nese dumps Davis out! Daivari attacks Fletcher from behind, throws hands, and whips. Fletcher reverses, but misses in the corner!
Daivari GAMANGIRIS Fletcher, puts him up top, and Nese runs in to SHORYUKEN! Then ICONOCLASM CUTTER! Fans boo but Nese goes up top! PREMIER 450! Cover, TWO!! Fletcher survives and fans fire up! The Varsity Athletes can’t believe it! They BLAST Davis off the apron, run in at Fletcher, but Daivari gets a BOOT! Nese blocks a boot, but not the SUPERKICK! Davis is back, AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Daivari runs in, into a scoop, LAWN DART CUTTER! Davis and Fletcher go out and get the Varsity Athletes. They flank Sterling, he gets out of the way of the SPINEBUSTER SANDWICH!
Fans fire up, BOOT SUPERKICK for Sterling!! Sterling will wanna sue for that, but Nese gets the LARIAT SANDWICH! And the COREALIS!! Cover, Aussie Open wins!
Winners: Aussie Open, by pinfall
This was a big win, because Fletcher & Davis are the future of tag team wrestling! But will they be the future ROH World Tag Team Champions in Los Angeles?
Miyu Yamashita VS Shazza McKenzie!
One of Tokyo Joshi Pro’s shining stars, a big part of DDT Pro and Joshi wrestling in general, Miyu came so close to winning the AEW Women’s Championship back when she battled Thunder Rosa. The Rose Pink Nightmare is still hungry for gold, will she get closer to the ROH title? Or will the current World Series Wrestling Women’s Champion look to add to her collection?
The Code of Honor is upheld and the bell rings. Fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Miyu waistlocks but Shazza wrenches and switches. Miyu wrenches back but Shazza rolls, breaks free and wrenches back. Miyu rolls and wrings Shazza, to KICK Shazza in the back! Cover, TWO! Miyu KICKS Shazza more and more, putting her on the ropes. Miyu whips, Shazza reverses but Miyu blocks to SOBAT! Miyu runs but Shazza trips her, puts her on the apron and BOOTS her back into the ring! Shazza then springboard BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! Shazza keeps her cool, facelocks and brings Miyu up to whip.
Shazza KNEES Miyu at the ropes, whips again and KNEES her on the other side! Fans rally up, Shazza whips and KNEES Miyu again! Shazza reels Miyu in, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Miyu gets out of that tight arching suplex, but Shazza rains down some elbows. Fans rally up, Shazza AX KICKS Miyu! Shazza hooks Miyu up in a low Cobra Twist, but Miyu fires up! Miyu stands, throws Shazza right off, and then goes to a corner. Shazza runs in but into a BOOT! Shazza comes back, Miyu dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Then TRIANGLE JUMP ENZIGURI! Cover, TWO! Shazza gets up to throw forearms!
Miyu fires forearms in return, runs in and ROCKS Shazza! Shazza falls over, Miyu covers, TWO! Miyu drags Shazza up and around, ROCKS her with another forearm, then again. Waistlock, but Shazza switches. Miyu bucks the O’Conner, runs in and PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! Shazza survives that goal, but Miyu runs back in. She only gets buckles, and Shazza kicks the legs out. Shazza ties Miyu up in the ropes, to KICK away on Miyu! Shazza BOOTS Miyu down, then goes up the corner. Miyu stands, Shazza leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO and Miyu rolls it to a cover of her own, TWO! Miyu stands but Shazza ROCKS her!
Shazza cravats, Miyu powers out to low kick and HEEL KICK! Cover, Miyu wins!
Winner: Miyu Yamashita, by pinfall
A big win in her return to ROH, the Ace of Tokyo Joshi is rolling! Will Miyu be waiting on the other side of Supercard to challenge the champion?
Six Man Tag: The Embassy w/ Prince Nana VS JD Griffey, Dak Draper & Arjun Singh!
The Machine and Gates of Agony are heading to LA for Supercard, but they’re still hungry for action. Will they tear into the competition tonight before going after the All Heart Airforce?
The Code of Honor is upheld, though with a lot of tension. The trios sort out and Brian Cage starts against the 2019 Top Prospect. They circle, tie up, and Cage powers his way to a waistlock. Dak switches, headlocks, but Cage powers out. Things speed up, Cage hurdles but so does Dak. Cage scoops for a POWERSLAM! Fans fire up and Cage brings Dak up to throw forearms. Cage brings Dak around, whips him to ropes, but Dak springboards to back elbow, only into a waistlock! GERMAN SUPLEX! Dak flounders up, JD tags in, and Toa Liona wants in. Cage obliges with a tag, and Liona circles with JD.
Fans rally, JD throws kicks but Liona stays up. Liona rushes in, JD dodges to fire off fast hands and body shots! JD bobs ‘n’ weaves, JUMP KNEES, then SUPERMAN PUNCHES! Liona stays up, blocks a kick, and he just takes the forearms! Liona TOSSES JD away, and Singh tags in. Singh UPPERCUTS, mule kicks, ROLLING ELBOWS, and runs, into a BODY CHECK! Fans fire up with Liona and he tags in Kaun. The Gates fire up, Kaun SLAPS and whips Liona to SPLASH Singh! Liona feeds Singh to a LARIAT! Kaun drags Singh away, JD runs in but into an elbow! Cage gets in, he BLASTS Dak while the Gates SANDWICH JD!
Kaun stands Singh up to CHOP! Kaun CLUBS Singh into the corner, puts him up top and tags in Cage. Kaun picks Singh up, TOP ROPE BACKBREAKER! Singh flounders to the apron and Liona SENTONS! Liona drags Singh up to hand him off to Cage for the deadlift SUPERPLEX! Cover, The Embassy wins!
Winners: The Embassy, by pinfall
Nana is proud of his three headed monster! Nana mockingly shakes Singh’s hand, then Liona tosses Singh out. Will this trio of titans be unstoppable at Supercard?
Metalik & AR Fox VS The Infantry!
Speaking of the ROH World Six Man Tag Team titles, two of the challengers are in action tonight ahead of that big time match. Will the King of the Ropes and the Whole Fox’n Show be muy caliente? Or will Captain Shawn Dean and Carlie Bravo bring them down to the ground?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the teams sort out, and we start with The Captain and Metalik. Fans rally up as the two circle, and the two tie up. Dean headlocks, Metalik throws hands and powers out. Things speed up, Metalik drops, hurdles but Dean jumps over. Metalik dodges the clothesline, mule kicks and CHOPS! Dean ends up in a corner, Metalik CHOPS again. Metalik whips, Dean reverses, but Metalik BOOTS back. Metalik runs to SLING-DOG! Metalik keeps moving, he goes up and along the ropes to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Fox so Metalik drags Dean over to tag Fox in.
Fox and Metalik mug Dean, double whip him to a corner, and Metalik sends Fox in for a back elbow! Fox whips Dean to Metalik and Metalik tilt-o-whirl scoops, but OW, rough landing for The Captain! Fox drags Dean to a cover, TWO! Fox drags Dean, stomps him, then tags Metalik. Fans rally, Metalik kicks Dean around and fireman’s carries. Dean fights free, CLUBS Metalik and tags Bravo! Bravo dodges Metalik, spins him around and ROLLING ELBOWS! Metalik goes down and Carlie shakes out his arm. Carlie whips Metalik to the corner but Metalik goes up, only to get caught! Dean tags back in before the SNAKE EYES! NECKBREAKER!
Carlie KNEES Fox down, Dean stomps Metalik. Fox gets up and protests, but Dean stomps a mudhole into Metalik. Tag to Bravo, he drags Metalik up to throw hands. Fans count along and Carlie gets to TEN! Dean tags in, he gives Carlie an Electric Chair Lift! Fans fire up as they spin around and around, and they use that momentum so Carlie can whip Dean in to RAM Metalik! Dean then FLAPJACKS Metalik! Fox runs in but into a DOUBLE HIP TOSS! Carlie and Dean get the legs, then trade, to crisscross split the wishbone! Fox flounders away, Dean drags Metalik up, and Dean bumps Metalik off buckles.
Fans rally and duel, Dean tags in Carlie, and they snapmare Metalik. PENALTY KICK, SENTON, ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Carlie drags Metalik up and snap suplexes! Cover, Fox breaks it! The ref reprimands but Carlie puts Metalik in the corner. Carlie digs his boot in, Dean tags in and he runs in to BIG back elbow! Tag to Carlie, he RAMS in, then tag back to Dean! Carlie fakes Metalik out, HAYMAKER, and feed to the SKY HIGH! Cover, TWO!! Metalik survives and Dean is stunned. Dean tags Carlie back in, they bring Metalik up and put him on the top rope. Carlie climbs, Metalik fights back, the two brawl!
Metalik CHOPS Carlie, tucks him in, and SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS! Both men are down, but Dean gets in to drag Metalik back! Metalik hops up to ENZIGURI! Hot tag to Fox! Fans fire up as Fox rallies on Carlie with big clotheslines! Fox goes Matrix to dodge, then he PELES! Carlie staggers away but Dean full nelsons. But Fox spins through to hit an ANARCHY! Carlie BOOTS Fox, but Fox BOOTS back! Carlie kicks, KICKS, but Fox ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up, Fox runs back in, and back elbows! Fox snapmare rolls and CUTTERS! Cover, TWO! Dean almost had the break-up, but he goes after Metalik.
Dean whips Metalik to the apron. Dean runs in, but Metalik jumps over the slide to ASAI MOONSAULT in one go! Fans fire up, and Fox cravats Carlie. Carlie powers out, but Fox puts him on the ropes. Carlie HOTSHOTS back, slingshots and somersaults, to COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO!! Fox survives and Carlie can’t believe it! Fans rally up, Carlie aims and runs in, into a BOOT! Metalik tags in, Fox dodges Carlie, but Carlie BOOTS back. Carlie runs in, kicks and kicks and kicks, but the ref missed the tag! Fox BOOTS back, whips Carlie to the corner, but Carlie BOOTS! Fox goes up to ARABIAN FLY! Metalik tags in and he tightrope walks, LIMIT BREAKER! Cover, Metalik & Fox win!!
Winners: Metalik & AR Fox, by pinfall
A truly high-flying, hard fought fight, and now two thirds of the challengers are fired up! Will Blake Christian keep pace with his teammates later tonight?
ROH Women’s World Championship: Athena VS Emi Sakura w/ Mei Suruga & Baliyan Akki!
The Fallen Goddess called out the Magical Girl, Yuka Sakazaki, for Supercard of Honor, but is risking a lot with this title defense! Will Athena still go on to LA? Or will the Queen of Joshi rock her and take her crown?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the queen of ROH!
The Code of Honor is barely upheld, and the bell rings. They throw forearms and Emi gets the edge! Emi CHOPS Athena off her feet, then laughs. Fans fire up, Emi runs at the ropes to BODY CHECK Athena off the apron! Athena flounders to the ramp and Emi taunts her. Athena rushes back up but Emi brings Athena around by her hair. Athena POSTS Emi, and hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Emi staggers away while Athena scowls. Athena stalks Emi, throws her down by her hair, and then she goes for the steel steps. Mei won’t let Athena do that, Emi rushes up, but Athena pulls hair to SMACK Emi off the apron!
Athena goes up the ramp, comes back, and she SHOTGUNS Emi into the apron! Fans fire up as Athena shouts, “This is MY show!” The ref checks Emi and Mei leaps off the steps! But Athena catches her! Mei begs for mercy but Athena pops her up to SLAM her down! Athena grins, mocks Mei, but Emi CHOPS Athena down! Fans fire up with Emi, and she runs in, BODY CHECK into the steps! Fans fire up as Emi laughs and now the ref checks Athena. Emi stands on Athena, then drags her up and HEADBUTTS! Athena flounders, Emi HEADBUTTS again! The ring count climbs but Emi mocks the champion, before another HEADBUTT!
Emi puts Athena in the ring, brings her back up, and Akki gets fans to rally for “EMI! EMI!” Emi climbs the corner, but Athena trips her up! Athena then drags Emi back into the Tree of Woe, for KICK after KICK after KICK to the back! Athena CLUBS Emi, then PENALTY KICKS her out of the Tree! Fans fire up, Athena drags Emi up and CLUBS her down. Emi sits up to throw body shots but Athena just CLUBS away on Emi! Athena then dribbles Emi off the mat! Fans fire up more as Athena scowls and stalks Emi. Emi grabs the ropes but Athena drops an elbow on her! Athena drags Emi up to whip her to a corner and clothesline!
Athena whips corner to corner to back body block! And then she whips Emi corner to corner again, soaks up the cheers and jeers, to then handspring- CHOP from Emi! Emi brings Athena up, underhooks, for a stalling BUTTERFLY BACKBREAKER! Emi drags Athena into the drop zone, goes up the corner, and fans rally up for Her Highness! MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Athena survives and Emi can’t believe it! Athena shakes out her leg, that’s where Emi landed. Fans rally up as Emi eggs Athena on. Athena stands, Emi ROCKS her! Athena says okay, and she ROCKS Emi back! Emi comes back to ROCK Athena!
Fans rally, Athena scowls and ROCKS Emi again! Emi ROCKS Athena! Athena SLAPS, Emi SLAPS, now it’s a SLAP fight! And a CHOP fight! Fans are thunderous as the shots go back and forth! Athena gets the edge, but Emi responds in kind! Fans are loving “ROH! ROH!” for this one! Emi CHOPS again, then SOUTHPAW LARIATS! But Athena kips up!? But Emi dragon sleepers! TWIST- NO, Athena cartwheels out! BOOT!! Cover, TWO!! Emi survives and now Athena is shocked! “This is Awesome!” as Athena rises again. Athena climbs a corner, Emi stands, O- NO!! Emi holds it off to dragon sleeper! TWISTER!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Emi fires up, the fans fire up, and Emi stands Athena up! Underhooks and BUTTERFLY BOMB! Athena makes it a cradle!? TWO!!! Emi escapes Athena’s sudden counter and fans are thunderous! Emi powers up, says she will be champion, and she SLAPS! SLAPS! SLAPS! Emi windmills the palm strikes, KICKS out the legs and DOUBLE CHOPS Athena down! Emi runs, but into a FOREARM! Athena reels Emi in, Canadian Rack, CLIFFHANGER! Into the CROSSFACE!! Emi flails, moves around, but Athena shifts to a deeper sleeper! Emi can’t get any ground, so she TAPS!! Athena wins!!
Winner: Athena, by submission (still ROH Women’s World Champion)
The Fallen Goddess did not fall, and she is going on to Supercard! She is going to get the match she wanted with Yuka! But wait, Athena is going after Emi’s leg! Athena drops knees on the knee! Fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Athena says, “I told you!” LEG DDT! Athena drags Emi to the apron! Then to the corner! Athena puts the leg in between steps and post! Mei jumps on to stop Athena! But Athena TOSSES Mei away! And DECKS her! WAIT! YUKA IS HERE! Yuka runs down to CLOBBER Athena!! Yuka puts Athena in the ring, she fires off hands and forearms! Fans fire up but security rushes out!
Fans boo, “LET THEM FIGHT!” Athena DECKS a guard, and jumps onto Yuka!! Yuka hits Athena back, the security drags Athena out of the ring! Athena just beats them down now! Yuka climbs the corner, for a MAGICAL GIRL SPLASH!! Yuka wipes out EVERYBODY! Fans are thunderous for Yuka as she holds up the belt, will the Magical Girl take that title for her own?
8 Man Tag: Top Flight & The Lucha Brothers w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Rush, Dralistico & The Kingdom w/ Jose & Maria Kanellis!
Aussie Open already won big, they’re ready to #ReachForTheSky. With that match being every team for themselves, will either of these quartets be able to coexist?
The Code of Honor is skipped, the teams sort out, and Dante Martin starts against Matt Taven, but Taven wants someone else. Fans rally up, Taven stays in the ropes and calls out Penta. Fans rally “CERO! MIEDO!” so Penta tags in. Penta and Taven step up, Taven says purple is HIS color. Penta tells Taven listen: CERO! MIEDO! Taven shoves Penta, so Penta takes off his glove. Penta tosses it to Alex and it is a touchdown! Taven mocks Penta by taking off his glove, and he SLAPS Penta with it! So Penta SUPERKICKS Taven! Mike Bennett gets in to DECK Penta! Fenix runs in, dodges Mike and SCREW HIGH KICKS!
Rush gets in to DECK Fenix! Dante springboard MISSILE DROPKICKS Rush! Dante kips up as Dralistico gets in to SCREW HIGH KICK him! Darius runs in and dodges Dralistico to DROPKICK! The Kingdom attacks Darius, double whip him, but the Lucha Brothers DOUBLE SUPERKICK The Kingdom! LFI rush in, the Lucha Bros dodge and Top Flight hurdle over! Top Flight DOUBLE DROPKICK LFI out! Fans fire up, Top Flight build speed but The Kingdom trips them! The Lucha Bros build speed, and DIVE into forearms from LFI! Fans boo but LFI drags the Lucha Bros out, Rush sends Fenix into barriers!
Rush and Dralistico stomp Fenix, The Kingdom GOURD BUSTER and BLINDSIDE ROLLING ELBOW Penta! Fenix rushes in but into a kick. Mike whips, Fenix tiger feint rewinds, but Mike blocks the heel kick! Mike trips Fenix, CATAPULTS him into Taven’s KICK O’ THE KING! And then Fenix falls back, Taven ELBOW DROPS him onto Mike’s knees! Cover on Penta, TWO! Taven drags Penta up, tags in Rush but LFI both hop in. Rush ROCKS Penta! Dralistico CHOPS Penta, LFI mocks Cero Miedo, and they double whip. Penta KICKS Rush, dodges Dralistico and SUPERKICKS him down! Hot tag to Dante!
Dante runs in but into a kick! LFI mugs Dante, snapmares and stomps away! Fans boo but LFI soaks up the heat. LFI mug Dante in the corner with CHOPS, then double whip. Dralistico clotheslines, Rush SPLASHES, and LFI snapmare to DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Rush takes a bow as he soaks up the heat. Dralistico drags Dante away, he and Rush stomp away. Fans rally for Dante but LFI pretend to field goal kick Dante. Rush drags Dante over, tag to Taven and tag to Mike. The Kingdom double whip Dante to the corner. Taven whips Mike in to ROCK Dante! Taven SPLASHES, then feeds Dante to a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!
Taven runs, Dante sits up for JUST THE TIP! Mike covers, TWO!! Dante survives, but Mike tags Taven. The Kingdom coordinates, but Datne back drops free! Taven hurries after Dante, but he dodges to hot tag Penta! Penta tags Fenix, the Lucha Brothers mule kick and, “UNO! DOS! TRES!” DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! LFI run in, they get DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Penta and Fenix coordinate, WHEELBARROW VICTORY SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Taven survives but Fenix goes corner to corner, only for Taven to dodge! KICK O’ THE KING! Mike gets in, he drags Fenix up and puts him up top.
The Kingdom coordinates, but Penta SUPERKICKS Taven! Fenix slips free of Mike’s clinch to feed the SLINGBLADE! Taven and Fenix hot tag Rush and Dante! Rush runs in but Darius tags in before the up ‘n’ over! SUPERKICK! STEP-IN COMPLETE SHOT! Dralistico rushes in, but into a SUPERKICK! Dante whips, Dralistico reverses, Darius pops Dante up and over, then Top Flight work together to TORNADO DDT Dralistico! Fans fire up as Top Flight goes after Rush. Rush shoves Dante away into Dralistico’s GAMANGIRI! Dralistico goes up to springboard, FLYING CODE BREAKER!
Darius rushes up but into a waistlock. Darius BOOTS Rush, elbows Dralistico, but Rush sends Darius to ropes. Darius rebounds into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Dralistico adds a springboard DESTROYER!! Darius flops out of the ring and fans rally up. Rush runs corner to corner, BULL’S HORNS!! Rush drags Darius to the cover, LFI & The Kingdom win!
Winners: Rush, Dralistico & The Kingdom, by pinfall
Top Flight & Lucha Brothers regroup on the outside, finding themselves on the ropes. But while El Toro Blanco, The Prince of Gold & Silver, Miracle Mike and #TheTrend are rolling into Supercard, who will #ReachForTheSky and bring home the titles?
Mark Briscoe is here!
Fans are all fired up to see the Sussex County Chicken ahead of Supercard and his ROH World Television Championship match. The ROH World Tag Team title he holds now will be high above the ring in LA, but he holds onto it for one more night as he gets the mic. “Yeah, baby! St. Louie, what’s good, baybay? I come to you tonight representing the Baddest Tag Team in the History of Time and Space, Dem Boys, the Briscoe Brothers.” Fans chant “DEM BOYS!” for the Briscoes, and Mark says tomorrow, in Cali, “it ain’t about tag team action. It’s the biggest singles match of my career.” Mark Briscoe VS Samoa Joe, for the ROH World TV title.
“And this one, let me tell you. This one’s a little bit different. This one’s hitting just a little bit personal, if you know what I mean.” Mark doesn’t just win this for himself. He wins it for his wife and kids, for his brother Jay and Jay’s wife and kids. He wins it for the family, for his mom and dad, for everyone home in Delaware, and everyone worldwide who rode with #DemBoys! “This is bigger than you’d ever know, you know what I’m saying?” But Mark wants Joe to listen. They’ve known each other a long time. Joe’s put some whoopings on Mark’s ass, Mark’s put some whoopings on Joe’s ass.
“But tomorrow night, the difference is, this time, I’m gonna win that title, because it’s my destiny.” Fans cheer for that! But then Joe is on the tron! “Mark! Your destiny? It’s your destiny to take the championship from me? You know what, you don’t need to worry about your destiny, you need to worry about the reality. And the reality is, I cannot believe the disrespect I’m seeing right now!” Mark is talking about destiny, dreams, what he’ll accomplishment instead of talking about survival and what he’s gonna do to beat Joe! Because Mark, you’ve forgotten the man Joe is, so Joe will remind you.
This is Samoa Joe! He is the ROH World Television Champion, the GREATEST ROH World Champion of all time! Samoa Joe is violence made flesh and ruthlessness manifest! Come Supercard of Honor, Joe will remind Mark of that. Joe is seething, Mark is pacing, and fans are fired up! What happens when destiny collides with brutality in Los Angeles?
Backstage interview with Jay Lethal.
Dasha Gonzales says Lethal requested this time, but it’s a bit surprising he’s alone since he’s usually with Jeff Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh. Yes, he did request this time because in a few moments, Mark will be coming around that corner, and there’s something Lethal needs to say to him alone, without Jarrett, Sonjay or Satnam. This has nothing to do with Triple J, this has to do with his personal relationship with Mark. Mark does walk over, and Lethal gets his attention. Lethal says that he needs to tell Mark, that with everything they’ve been through, they’re like family. So Lethal wants to be the first one to wish Mark luck at Supercard against Joe.
And Lethal knows there’s a lot on Mark’s shoulders, that this is a big moment for Mark and his family, because we’re all waiting for Mark to bring that belt home. Lethal says this has nothing to do with Triple J, this has everything to do with their history in ROH. Bring home that title, man! Mark shakes Lethal’s hand and Lethal heads out. Mark nods and appreciates that. Will Mark do it for the family, friends and fans all wanting to see destiny realized?
ROH Pure Championship: Wheeler Yuta VS Leon Ruffin!
The Blackpool Combat Club has been ripping their way through both AEW and ROH rosters, and The Decoder is going to get his wish at Supercard of Honor. He will take on The Wrestler, Katsuyori Shibata! But will he be bringing the belt? Or will the ultimate underdog be the one living the dream of becoming champion?
On stage are the judges, BJ Whitmer, Dean Malenko and Jerry Lynn, and Leon makes sure to shake each of their hands on the way to the ring. Yuta also shakes the judges’ hands, then joins Leon in the ring. The introductions are made, the newly redesigned and very shiny belt is raised, and we see if Yuta is worthy of it.
The Code of Honor is upheld, though maybe sarcastically from Yuta. The bell rings, the match is on the clock, and the two tie up. They go around, Yuta wrenches and CLUBS the arm, then bends the elbow. Yuta wristlocks, Leon rolls but Yuta wrangles him back down. Leon rolls and rolls, but Yuta wrangles him again. Leon rolls again, flips but Yuta wrenches to CHOP Leon down! Fans “WOO~” while Yuta gets a leg. Yuta drags Leon around into the HALF CRAB, then shifts to tie up the legs! Yuta fishhooks, then pulls Leon into the BOW & ARROW! But Leon pops free to a cover, ONE! Both men hurry up and Yuta knees low.
Yuta CHOPS Leon in the corner and fans “WOO~!” Yuta whips corner to corner, Leon goes up and out and catches Yuta for a HOTSHOT! Leon goes up and around, Yuta waistlocks, Leon hammers away on the grip, but Yuta still GERMAN SUPLEXES! Yuta flexes while fans are torn. Yuta stalks Leon to ropes, drags him up and has the wristlcok. Yuta wrenches, hooks Leon up and fans duel, “Let’s Go, Yuta!” “YUTA SUCKS!” Yuta shifts from Cobra Twist to IRON OCTOPUS! A message sent to Shibata but Leon endures and fights his way towards the ROPEBREAK! That’s the first, Leon has two more, but Yuta mocks Leon about that.
Leon goes to a corner, Yuta drags him up to throw him down by his hair. The ref reprimands but Yuta stalks Leon. Leon throws an elbow but Yuta ROCKS Leon! Yuta scoops, SLAMS and SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Yuta grabs a leg, steps through for a toehold, then ties up the legs. Yuta taunts Leon, Leon throws forearms, but Yuta DECKS Leon! Yuta stands and bridges to put on pressure! Fans are torn, Yuta mockingly applauds while he maintains the bridge. Yuta then crosses his arms, another message to Shibata. Leon fights to get the bridge undone, and he crawls his way around. Yuta stands to bridge again!
Leon endures, he reaches out, ROPEBREAK! That’s the second, he only has one left. Yuta smirks, this is playing right into his game plan. Yuta drags Leon up with a waistlock but Leon throws elbows. Leon is free, he ELBOWS Yuta again, then goes to a corner. Yuta runs in but only gets buckles! Leon ENZIGURIS then NECKBREAKERS! Fans fire up as Leon goes to the apron. Yuta runs in, into a GAMANGIRI! Leon springboards, goes around, and around, and under! Leon runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then DROPKICKS Yuta down! Fans fire up with Leon and he brings Yuta up! Yuta powers out of the Bulldog, but Leon springboards, into a FOREARM!
Yuta rains down forearms to Leon’s head, throws crossface forearms, then HAMMERLOCK CROSSFACES!! Leon taps, Yuta wins!
Winner: Wheeler Yuta, by submission (still ROH Pure Champion)
Yuta didn’t need a single ropebreak, and he didn’t even need six minutes. He mockingly shakes Leon’s hand to uphold the Code of Honor, then gets the mic. “Well, well, well… Mr. Ruffin, I applaud your efforts, but they just weren’t enough tonight. Just like Clark Connors’ efforts weren’t enough. Like Timothy Thatcher’s efforts weren’t enough. And like Katsuyori Shibata’s efforts will not be enough at Supercard of Honor against Wheeler Yuta.” Yuta sits cross legged just like Shibata, but with a big, smug grin. Wait! That music! SHIBATA IS HERE! Fans go wild and Yuta looks annoyed and surprised.
Shibata slides into the ring to look at Yuta, and Yuta stands up. Fans are losing their minds, and Yuta says he didn’t think Shibata would show up here. “Shibata, I want you to know how important this is to me.” Shibata wants the mic but Yuta says no, he’s still got something to say. Shibata used to be one of the most lethal strikers in pro-wrestling history. Shibata used to be- Shibata SNATCHES the mic away! And he gets in Yuta’s face! Fans fire up as there’s no more talking. Yuta backs away first, will he be the first to find there’s no “used to be” with Shibata? Will Shibata snatch away that title like he did that mic?
El Hijo del Vikingo VS Blake Christian!
While Supercard of Honor is an ROH event, the AAA Mega Champion is going to defend his title in LA! Will the greatest luchador of this new generation shine bright in St. Louis? Or will All Heart prove he’s worthy of the gold?
Fans are already losing their minds seeing EHDV. The Code of Honor is upheld and the bell rings. The two circle, tie up, and Blake arm-drags, sweeps and covers. ONE, Blake avoids the sweep and kicks low. Blake whips EHDV to ropes, EHDV reverses, drops, and Blake handsprings. EHDV arm-drags, sweeps, covers, ONE! DOUBLE DROPKICKS but those cancel out! Both men kip up and fans fire up! Blake and EHDV shake hands again to show there is sportsmanship here and fans fire up. The two go again, testing the waters. They tie up, Blake waistlocks but EHDV pries free. Blake snapmares, EHDV handsprings through!
EHDV arm-drags, things speed up again. Blake hurdles then drops, but EHDV avoids the dropkick! STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! EHDV arm-drags again and he grinds Blake down. Fans applaud these fast and furious exchanges, and Blake fights up. EHDV whips Blake to a corner, Blake reverses but EHDV reverses back to HEEL KICK! Blake wobbles, EHDV handsprings, goes up the corner, Blake runs in but into boots! EHDV takes a moment to steady himself, before going up and around and FLYING RANA! Blake flounders out of the ring while fans fire up! EHDV aims and goes up the ropes, to jump and IMPLODER CANNONBALL!
Fans lose their minds again with both men are down at the ramp! EHDV brings Blake up and puts him in the ring. Cover, TWO! All Heart hangs tough but EHDV keeps focus. EHDV BOOTS Blake down, CLUBS him, then brings him back up. EHDV ROCKS Blake with a forearm, then ROCKS him again! Blake leans on ropes and shakes out the stars going around his head. EHDV SOBATS, whips, but Blake ducks ‘n’ dodges and trips EHDV to basement dropkick! EHDV ends up on ropes, Blake runs in to basement TIGER FEINT! EHDV flounders back, Blake springboards, but EHDV gets under, only for Black to HANDSPRING PELE!
Fans fire up as EHDV bails out. Blake builds speed and FLIES! Fosbury Flop hits at the ramp and fans fire up again! Blake fetches EHDV, “This is Awesome!” as Blake puts EHDV in the ring. Blake covers, TWO! Blake brings EHDV up, ROCKS him with a forearm, and scoops to SLAM! Blake steps on EHDV to STANDING IMPLODER SENTON! Blake brings EHDV up to snap suplex! Fans rally, Blake nods while EHDV crawls to ropes. Blake drags EHDV up, snapmares, and clamps on a chinlock. Blake grinds EHDV but fans rally for “VIKINGO! VIKINGO!” EHDV endures, but Blake traps an arm to keep him down.
EHDV kicks around, reaches out, fights up to his feet, but Blake facelocks. EHDV throws body shots but Blake knees low. Blake whips, EHDV rebounds and gets around into SCREW HIGH KICK! EHDV then whips Blake to a corner, but Blake stops himself to elbow back! Blake goes up, leaps, but EHDV catches him! EHDV swings to SIDE SLAM! And then a roll to SUPERKICK! EHDV puts Blake near the ropes, goes up those ropes, and fans fire up for the INSIDE-OUT PHOENIX SPLASH! Cover, TWO!?! Blake survives because he is All Heart! EHDV keeps his focus, he stomps Blake into the corner and digs his boots in.
Fans rally, EHDV climbs, but Blake trips him! Blake Electric Chair Lifts to SNAKE EYES, and then GERMAN SUPLEX! EHDV stumbles and falls and fans fire up again. Blake storms up to EHDV, brings him out to the apron, and stands him back up. Blake Electric Chair Lifts again! But EHDV fights to APRON POISON RANA! A rough landing for both men but Blake definitely took the worse of it. EHDV shakes out the cobwebs, fans fire up as he builds speed, and goes up, only for Blake to get away. EHDV goes to the apron instead, leaps, but Blake avoids the cannonball! EHDV turns around, into a STANDING SPANISH FLY!
Blake holds on to drag EHDV up and put him in the ring! Springboard 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! EHDV survives and shocks Blake! “This is Awesome!” as Blake waits on EHDV to rise. Blake stands EHDV, but EHDV fires hands. Blake knees low, suplexes, but EHDV slips free to back suplex, to put Blake on the top rope! ENZIGURI! Fans rally again as EHDV climbs up behind Blake. EHDV stands Blake up, for a SUPER INVERTED- WAIT! Both men land on their feet!! They stare down, EHDV grins, but Blake LARIATS! Blake drags EHDV up, reels him in, POWER- RANA! Cover, EHDV wins!
Winner: El Hijo del Vikingo, by pinfall
Just when All Heart thought he had it, the AAA Mega Champion snatches it away from him! Fans give a standing ovation and even bow to the lucha libre prodigy. And best of all, Blake upholds the Code of Honor and even raises EHDV’s hand. With how great this non-title match was, will EHDV and Komander put on an instant classic on Supercard?
Backstage interview with Blake Christian.
Dasha knows that was a heartbreaking loss to Vikingo just now, but tomorrow is the ROH World Six Man Tag title against The Embassy. Blake says it would’ve been great to go in with a win, but- Prince Nana walks over. “Heartbreaking? Heartbreaking? HA! Heartbreaking is an understatement for what just happened out there, my friend. Take the night off tomorrow. The Embassy is a realistic and one of the most brutal teams you could possibly face. Take the night off tomorrow, okay? Do yourself a favor, Blake. How about that?” Blake asks Nana if he understands who Blake is.
Does Nana think Blake got the nickname, “All Heart,” for backing down? Nana says he does understand. Then the answer to Prince Nana’s idea is “Nah, nah.” Nana says that’s a good one. But is Blake sure about this? He’s positive. Then no problem. Oh, boys…! LIONA ATTACKS! He sends Blake into spare seating and then the wall! Metalik & Fox rush in, but Nana has his team stand down. This will be settled tomorrow. Blake may be All Heart, but will his body be able to carry him through? Or will there be more than hearts broken on Friday?
Eddie Kingston VS Christopher Daniels!
The Mad King was deemed unworthy by the Swiss Superman, but between winning his way up and getting in Claudio’s face, the champion couldn’t let it go. Eddie gets his shot at the ROH World Championship, but will he make it through the ROH Grand Slam winner?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings and fans rally for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” Eddie and Daniels circle, fans duel, and the two tie up. Daniels headlocks, Eddie powers out and they RAM shoulders. They stay up, Eddie headlocks, but now Daniels powers out. They RAM shoulders again, but neither falls. Daniels shakes out the arm, he dodges Eddie’s chop and runs to RAM Eddie again! Eddie stays up, and the two men nod. They circle, tie up, and Eddie headlocks. Daniels powers Eddie down to a knee, pops out the back and he headlocks in return. Eddie fights up and powers out, then things speed up.
Eddie drops then CLOBBERS Daniels with an elbow! Daniels goes to a corner, Eddie runs in to KNEE Daniels, then BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, ONE!! Daniels is hanging tough but Eddie stays right on him. Eddie brings Daniels up, for a SAIDO! Fans rally, and Eddie prepares the fist! Daniels rises, but he ducks the backhand! Eddie fights off the clinch, runs in at the corner, but into a BOOT! Daniels runs to SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Eddie goes to ropes, Daniels CHOPS him on the back! Daniels stands Eddie up to bend him against the ropes! The ref counts, Daniels lets off at 4, and then he puts Eddie in the corner.
Daniels climbs up to rain down fists on Eddie! Fans duel, Daniels lets off at TEN, and he CHOPS Eddie again! Daniels whips Eddie corner to corner hard, and Eddie drops to his knees. Daniels soaks up the cheers and jeers then brings Eddie back up. Daniels CLUBS Eddie on the neck, CLUBS him more and more and more! Daniels runs, to STO! Cover, TWO! Eddie is tough and Daniels grows frustrated. Daniels brings Eddie up but Eddie throws shots to the legs! Eddie fires body shots, CHOPS, then runs, to BOOT! Daniels wobbles, but he clinches for a COMPLETE SHOT! Into the KOJI KLUTCH!
Fans rally as Eddie endures and reaches out! Eddie gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Daniels lets off at 4. Eddie sputters but Daniels grows further frustrated. Daniels CLUBS Eddie, CLUBS him again, but Eddie throws body shots. Daniels CLUBS Eddie, Eddie throws a body shot, repeat. Eddie stands to fire a forearm but Daniels gives it back. They go back and forth with shots, Daniels knees low, and Daniels reels Eddie in. Daniels underhooks but Eddie fights the lift! Eddie back drops Daniels away! Fans fire up and Eddie goes to a corner. Daniels stands up, into a CHOP! And another! Daniels snarls, and brings down the straps!
Fans fire up and Daniels CHOPS! Eddie eggs Daniels on so Daniels CHOPS! Now Eddie brings down the straps! Eddie CHOPS, Daniels CHOPS, this is a CHOP fight! Fans “WOO~” again and again with every CHOP! Fans fire up, they’re thunderous as these two finally take a breath. Then Eddie roars! Eddie CHOPS, Daniels CHOPS, Eddie ENZIGURIS! Daniels staggers, Eddie hits an atomic drop! Eddie runs to BOOT Daniels down! Cover, TWO! Daniels is hanging in there, but Eddie clinches to EXPLODER! Daniels flounders to a corner and fans fire up. Eddie loads up, to MACHINE GUN CHOP! But Daniels BOOTS back!
Eddie shakes out the arm, Daniels CLUBS him down! Daniels scowls, his chest is stinging, so he puts the straps back up. Daniels drags Eddie up, headlocks and elbows away. Daniels runs, into a BOOT! But Daniels CHOPS in return! Eddie bobs ‘n’ weaves and ENZIGURIS! URAKEN! Daniels wobbles, into another URAKEN!! Cover, Eddie wins!
Winner: Eddie Kingston, by pinfall
The Fallen Angel falls to the Mad King! And Eddie bows in respect, and helps Daniels stand. Fans cheer the sportsmanship, and Daniels says Eddie has what it takes. If Eddie beat a Grand Slam Champion, will he be able to beat THE champion, Claudio Castagnoli? Wait, speaking of, here comes Claudio! The Swiss Superman has the redesigned and shined up new ROH World Championship on his belt, and he walks down to the ring with it. Claudio stands in the ring to stare Eddie down, and he holds up the belt. Wait, Eddie wants to do this now?! Claudio puts the belt down, and he takes his jacket off!
Claudio has the mic to say he doesn’t wanna wait! They’re doing this now! The ref gets back in the ring and fans fire up! Claudio takes off his shirt, but he’s in slacks! Oh, Claudio gets the belt back and slips away. Claudio says they do this on HIS time, which is also the scheduled time of Supercard. Daniels slides the mic back to Eddie so he can say, “Well… Ladies and gentlemen, what’s a diamond upside-down?” Fans know, and Eddie says he didn’t have to say it so he won’t be fined by HR. Eddie says he’ll wait until Friday. “And everyone here, I promise you this. If you don’t buy the PPV, you will feel like sh*t.”
And here’s why: Eddie NEEDS to be world champion! Eddie NEEDS to fulfill his destiny that he said he’d be when he was nine years old! Eddie told his mom that the reason why she doesn’t have a daughter-in-law, a grandkid, because Eddie cannot concentrate on that until he is world champion. Claudio talks trash but Eddie tells him to shut up, he’s not the one with the mic. And Claudio knows Eddie’s mom, he met her and Eddie’s family. Claudio shook Eddie’s father’s hand and kissed Eddie’s mom, and told them that he loves Eddie. But here’s a little inside look. When it was time for Claudio to do business, he ran to be a sports entertainer. Eddie stayed to fight.
Claudio can say he fought all day, but Eddie remembers when Claudio dressed up like an EFFING CLOWN over there! Don’t tell Eddie nothing! Go back to the circus, because ROH is about competition! Or maybe Claudio should get in the ring? Eddie will smack fire outta Claudio’s ass! Claudio leaves, Eddie tells the fans to buy the PPV, because Eddie will fight until he is dead in the ring. Eddie won’t stop, because of men like Christopher Daniels, men like Bryan Danielson–even though Eddie doesn’t like Bryan but he respects him–and his mentors, Homicide, Xavier–may he rest in peace–and the inaugural ROH Champion, LowKi.
Eddie lives through them, stands on their shoulders, and WILL BE ROH World Champion!! Also, tip your waitresses, try the veil. Eddie vows to give his life for ROH and pro-wrestling, will he finally live his life’s dream of being world champion?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of ROH, especially as a go-home. Now, ROH has only just returned to weekly programming, so they didn’t need a ton of video packages, and didn’t really have enough material for a ton of video packages. At the same time, they weren’t going to use up time for those because they need to get as much down in two hours as possible. Miyu VS Shazza was really the only filler match, and it was still a pretty good match that can still help build Miyu in the ROH Women’s Division. And having title matches here on a go-home is wild, even though neither title was going to change here tonight.
Athena VS Emi was an awesome match, Emi still looking strong even in losing. And it was great to see Yuka show up to brawl with Athena. Yuka stands tall, so she’s definitely not winning on Supercard. And then the ROH Pure Championship match was as close to a squash match as a Pure Rules match can be. Yuta taunting Shibata only to get Shibata was awesome! Yuta and Shibata side by side, it’s almost like Yuta is nWo/wannabe Shibata. Yuta will probably bend rules to keep the title, as Shibata’s first title since coming back should be in NJPW, not ROH.
Really good stuff in the various tune-up matches. Aussie Open had a great opener against The Varsity Athletes, and a great 8 Man Tag from the other four teams. I was a bit surprised the Heels won that, but it was LFI with the win so they’re going into the ladder match with momentum. Aussie Open won’t win, they’re going to be more focused on the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team titles in NJPW. LFI probably won’t win because they stand tall, but who knows, they could defy the math. I would think the Lucha Brothers win the titles to be Face champions that truly continue where The Briscoes left off.
Speaking of the Briscoes, great promo from Mark Briscoe, from Samoa Joe, and from Jay Lethal. Lethal shrugged off his Heel behavior from AEW to be kinda real here with Mark. There’s a very good chance Mark wins the TV title to give us a feel good moment at Supercard in the wake of losing Jay Briscoe. And then, chances are, Lethal shows his Heel side again by wanting the first title match against Mark. And I like that we’re seeing Dasha here, she doesn’t get to do as much onscreen in AEW, and it allows Lexi Nair to not do double duty between the companies.
Good squash match win for The Embassy, though a bit of a shame for JD Griffey to be stuck on that team. Great win for Metalik & AR Fox over The Infantry, though I think Metalik was trying to go too fast, hence that tilt-o-whirl botch with Dean. Amazing match from El Hijo del Vikingo and Blake Christian. Looking at what Blake’s been able to do, it just makes WWE releasing him during the NXT 2.0 era a bad move. Though at the same time, NXT 2.0 was gonna make him into a superhero character, but in a lame way, not in the sorta cool way Axiom is now.
But anyway, it made sense for EHDV to win, he is gonna go into that AAA Mega title match with momentum, and it’s anyone’s guess if he beats Komander or we get a new champion in LA. And of course, Embassy beat down Blake backstage. Pretty sure this is go-home math for Blake, Fox & Metalik finding a way to beat the big bad hosses. Supercard of Honor should at least have one title change, and if the Six Man titles are the ones, then that’s fine. The Gates of Agony can get in the ROH Tag Division and Brian Cage can get back in the singles division.
And we got a great main event from Eddie VS Daniels. Eddie winning makes sense because he needs momentum going into the world title match. We got a good interaction from Eddie and Claudio, as well as a really good promo from Eddie to call out Claudio. That match is going to be great stuff, but I can’t be sure if Eddie wins. Again, ROH TV only just came back and there are many possibilities for Claudio to face as we move into the summer, but the same goes for Eddie should he win.
My Score: 8.8/10
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