Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (12/28/20)
The LAST Raw of 2020!
Raw could be starting something as 2020 is ending!
2020 has been no less than awful, but it’s almost over! Will Raw bring the fireworks a few days early as Keith Lee will want answers out of Sheamus?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE World Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Keith Lee VS Sheamus; wins and will challenge Drew McIntyre for the title next week on Raw.
- The Miz w/ John Morrison VS Gran Metalik w/ Lince Dorado; Metalik wins.
- Dana Brooke w/ Mandy Rose VS Shayna Baszler; Baszler wins.
- AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Elias w/ Jaxson Ryker; Styles wins.
- Ricochet VS Mustafa Ali w/ Retribution; Ali wins.
- Charlotte Flair w/ Asuka VS Nia Jax w/ Shayna Baszler; Charlotte wins, by disqualification.
- 8 Man Tag: The Hurt Business VS The New Day, Jeff Hardy & Matt Riddle; The Hurt Business wins.
- Randy Orton VS Alexa Bliss?
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE and Raw mourn the loss of Jun Huber, aka Luke Harper.
Drew McIntyre heads to the ring!
The Scottish Warrior is feeling good, even though he knows his two friends, Keith Lee and Sheamus, are going to be battling tonight! McIntyre opens by saying, “It’s Monday, you know what that means. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it’s time for Monday Night Raw! The last Raw of 2020!” A crazy year for McIntyre. He started by winning the Royal Rumble, then beat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania, only to lose the title and regain it from Randy Orton. And McIntyre just wants to say thanks to all the fans for rallying behind him and motivating him. “There was a time in my career where I was the Chosen One of the powers at be.” But the fans were the ones who chose him and so he means it when he says thank you.
But now to the future! And it turns out, McIntyre will defend the World Championship on “Legend’s Raw” to start 2021. Legends like Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels are going to be here to watch McIntyre face either Sheamus or Keith Lee. And wouldn’t you know, here comes the Celtic Warrior! Sheamus joins McIntyre and apologizes for interrupting. McIntyre says it’s fine, people always interrupt. But he knows where Sheamus is going with this. Last week, McIntyre told Sheamus not to pull BS during the match. And he didn’t! He kept his word and didn’t do anything to Keith. 1-2-3, they won, and then it was fair game. McIntyre should’ve known better. Yes, he should have!
These two came up together, and are living the dreams together! Sheamus is a former world champion, McIntyre is the current. But we’re one week away from making a dream a reality! They’ve got goosebumps at the possible dream match between them. The highest of highs, the lowest of lows, and they’ll make the rest of the roster uncomfortable watching the physicality. After Sheamus mows through Keith with another Brogue kick, they’ll be kicking off the new year the right way! But speaking of, here comes Keith Lee! Keith says “this is real cute. Two best friends, one a former WWE Champion, one current,” and McIntyre looks proud of his old friend.
Yes, Sheamus is a clever boy. He waited until after the match, and kicked Keith in the face. McIntyre vouched for Sheamus, “You can trust him!” But there is ZERO trust now. McIntyre’s word is no better than Sheamus’. McIntyre tries to reason with Keith but Keith tells Sheamus that “every fiber” in his being wants to beat Sheamus’ face in right now. But they have to wait until the bell rings, and then Keith will FORCE an apology out of the Fella. And McIntyre, as a friend, you should consider your friends better, because Sheamus might do the same to him. Oh is Keith wondering why Sheamus kicked his head off? It’s because of Keith’s mouth! Keith keeps thinking Sheamus is going to betray McIntyre!
McIntyre shouts over the shouting, and says Raw should start right. McIntyre understands both men, so why wait and just have the match now? But a message to them both: it doesn’t matter who it is, next week will be the same as always, with McIntyre STILL WWE Champion! Keith gets riled up but Sheamus gets another BROGUE in! McIntyre can’t believe The Fella would do that, but it’s too late to reprimand him! This heated contender’s match begins after the break!
WWE World Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Keith Lee VS Sheamus!
Raw returns and McIntyre has joined commentary for this match. Saying that was all tense is an understatement. The bell rings and Sheamus fires off but Keith pushes him away! Sheamus comes back with more but Keith shoves him down again. Keith clinches and throws big knees and a BIG clubbing forearm! Keith throws big body shots and forearms in the corner, then brings Sheamus up. Keith reels Sheamus in, Sheamus fights back with knees and forearms of his own! Sheamus clamps onto an arm, CLUBS Keith on the back, then goes after the arm. Sheamus also fish hooks Keith’s face, but stops as the ref reprimands.
Keith fights up and throws Sheamus off! Keith kicks Sheamus to a corner, throws more body shots, and Sheamus staggers away to another corner. Sheamus kicks back, CLUBS away more, then straddles the arm to pull on it. Keith endures as Sheamus goes after the fingers, and he throws Sheamus off again! Sheamus kicks from the mat and gets Keith in the face! Sheamus stomps Keith, stands on the arm he’s been after, and even digs his heel into Keith’s face! The ref reprimands, Sheamus steps off to get the arm for a keylock. Keith endures as Sheamus grinds the arm and leans on the shoulder. McIntyre says Sheamus hits hard, but not harder than McIntyre.
Keith fights up, powers off the keylock and throws body shots as fans clap on their screens. Keith reels Sheamus in but Sheamus fights back with forearms! Keith staggers but he catches Sheamus to TOSS him up and out of the ring! Sheamus tumbles, gets up, but Keith pursues. Keith throws Sheamus into the LED apron! And then POSTS him! Keith stalks Sheamus near the announce desk, puts Sheamus in the ring at the count of 6, and gets in at 8. Sheamus kicks Keith between the ropes! Then bicycle KNEES Keith down! The ref reprimands as Keith tumbles down but Sheamus goes up! Sheamus LEAPS for a SUPER FLYING CLOTHESLINE! Keith is sent into the desk as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Sheamus cranks on Keith’s arm with a keylock! Sheamus throws knees to keep Keith down but Keith still fights up! Keith throws body shots, then knees of his own, and he lifts Sheamus with a gorilla press! But Sheamus slips off and ROCKS Keith back! Keith DECKS Sheamus! Sheamus goes to the apron, Keith stalks up behind him, and Keith drags Sheamus up by his head! Sheamus hotshots free, and gets Keith for the Bodhrain! Sheamus gives Keith about five beats then hotshots him again! Keith flounders, Sheamus climbs up and leaps again, into a POUNCE!! Keith clobbers Sheamus out of the air and McIntyre is enjoying this! “This is what Monday Night Raw is all about!”
Keith seethes as he runs Sheamus over! And again! Sheamus staggers, Keith splashes him in the corner! And then TOSSES him across the way! Sheamus staggers up into a ONE HAND SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Keith glares down at Sheamus as he drags him up by his beard. Keith reels Sheamus in, Sheamus fights out and shoves Keith. Sheamus throws big forearms and puts Keith in a corner. Sheamus whips, Keith reverses, and then Keith hits another corner splash! Keith runs and takes Sheamus down with an STO! Cover, TWO! Keith keeps his cool as he keeps on Sheamus. Keith reels Sheamus in, but Sheamus drops! Sheamus dropkicks the leg!
Sheamus runs to dropkick the legs out from behind! Keith falls, but he kicks Sheamus off the Cloverleaf! Sheamus comes back but Keith avoids the Brogue! CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives the “Cross Buick” but Keith is just seething again. Keith drags Sheamus back up, puts him in a corner and runs in, but Sheamus sends the splash into buckles! Sheamus manages to lift and hit WHITE NOISE! Cover, TWO!! Keith survives and Sheamus is losing his cool! Sheamus slaps Keith around, “Who do you think you are?!” Sheamus clamps Keith’s face but Keith powers out!
Keith brings Sheamus up but Sheamus throws headbutts! Keith just glares, headbutts and GRIZZLY MAGNUMS! POP-UP SPIRIT BOMB!! Cover, Keith wins!!
Winner: Keith Lee, by pinfall (NEW #1 contender to the WWE World Championship)
McIntyre has it right, that was one hell of a fight! Keith goes out to look his “friend” in the eye as he says he’s coming for the belt. McIntyre welcomes the challenge, but will he #BaskInHisGlory in the new year?
Elias warms up backstage.
Jaxson Ryker is there with him as there’s noise by the door. Elias says Ryker can just ignore that. Elias keeps playing, and Ryker chills out. Will the Drifter and his bodyguard be uninterrupted tonight?
The Miz w/ John Morrison VS Gran Metalik w/ Lince Dorado!
The Hollywood A-Lister still wants his Money in the Bank contract back, but perhaps he can earn a new opportunity in the meantime! Will Miz be ready for a Lucha House Party against the King of the Ropes?
Raw returns and LHP make their entrance. The bell rings and Metalik dodges Miz to roll him up! TWO, and Metalik tries an Oklahoma Roll! TWO, Victory Roll, TWO! Miz scrambles to the corner and Metalik says it was that close! Miz cools off, gives Metalik some applause, but then kicks low and throws haymakers! Miz brings Metalik up, whips him to ropes, but Metalik ranas in return! Miz flounders out of the ring, Metalik dropkicks him off the apron! Lince taunts Miz as Metalik goes up, and Metalik ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and down goes Miz! Metalik puts Miz in but Morrison lurks. Metalik is distracted, he springboards into a BOOT!
Miz seethes as he goes after Metalik with a rain of forearms! Miz drags Metalik up, puts him on the ropes and chokes him! The ref reprimands, Miz lets off at 3 to run and straddle attack! Miz still seethes as he argues with the ref. He shouts that he wants the MITB contract because he’s still Mr. MITB! Miz runs, and BOOTS Metalik down again! Miz keeps shouting “I AM Money in the Bank!” Miz goes after the mask, then wraps on a chinlock! Metalik endures, but Miz drags him into a deeper sleeper. Metalik fights out but Miz knees low! Miz back suplexes, Metalik lands on his feet and then boots back! SLING-DOG!
Lince fires up as Metalik runs up the corner and hits a missile dropkick! Metalik keeps moving, roll into the sunset flip! Cover, Metalik wins!!
Winner: Gran Metalik, by pinfall
The King of the Ropes pins Miz, a Grand Slam Champion! Does this mean Metalik is destined for something awesome in the new year?
Elias keeps jamming out.
Someone is pounding on the door! Ryker answer sit, and it’s Jordan Omogbehin! AJ Styles says they’re trying to listen to Mozart while Styles rights the wrong from TLC! They can’t hear nothing because Elias is playing whatever. Elias isn’t Johnny Cash, he’s Johnny TRASH! Omos laughs but Ryker gets riled up. And what’s Ryker gonna do about it? Elias keeps things from turning into a fight, and says they need to bring it down a bit. Ryker, thanks for standing up for Elias. But Styles is upset for good reason. He couldn’t get the job done at TLC. And at this point in Styles’ career, he doesn’t have many chances left.
Oh really? How about Elias fight Styles and Styles can end Elias’ career prematurely by breaking his fingers? Then no one will hear Elias’ stupid music ever again! BOOM! Styles and Omos head out, but will The Drifter accept that phenomenal challenge?
Dana Brooke w/ Mandy Rose VS Shayna Baszler!
The #SexyMuscleFriends are getting back on track, but they could end up derailed all over again! Will Dana keep the Queen of Spades from making her #TapNapOrSnap?
Raw returns as Shayna makes her entrance. The bell rings and Dana circles with Shayna. Shayna gives testing kicks but Dana doesn’t shy away. Dana blocks the kick to SLAP Shayna on the face! Then Dana dodges, and runs Shayna over! Mandy taunts Shayna while Dana rams her into the corner! Dana rams in more, the ref counts, but Dana lets off at 4. Dana snapmares Shayna, runs and handspring splashes onto knees! Shayna storms over to Dana and has the arm! Mandy protests, Shayna stomps but misses! Dana tries to roll Shayna up but Shayna holds ropes to block! Shayna brings the arm to the apron and twists it from wrist to elbow, to then SLAM on the edge!
The ref reprimands, starts a ring count, but Shayna gets in. Shayna grabs Dana’s arm, hooks it with a leg to drop down, then covers, TWO! Dana shakes out the arm, but Shayna is after it again! Shayna has it in a torturous keylock, then shifts around to bend the wrist way back! Dana endures as Shayna shifts back to a keylock and leans on the hold. Shayna stares Mandy down to get in her head, but Mandy rallies for Dana. Dana endures, fights up, and jawbreakers free! Shayna runs into an elbow, then a boot! Dana runs and rallies on Shayna with the good arm! Then a scoop slam!
Shayna flounders out of the ring, Dana runs and slides, but the kick is caught! Shayna spins Dana for a Kirafuda Klutch! The ref counts as they’re in the ropes, Shayna drags Dana out and drops her at the ring count of 6! Dana sputters, Shayna refreshes the count to then throw Mandy aside! The count starts again, Shayna has Mandy’s arm! Shayna has it on the steps but Mandy gets away! Dana Electric Chair SLAMS Shayna on the apron! They get in at 8 of 10, fireman’s carry, but Shayna slips out! Dana turns the Kirafuda into a roll-up, TWO! RUNNING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Shayna shocks Dana!
Dana hurries up to the top rope, aims and leaps, but Shayna avoids the splash! Step-up KNEE! KIRAFUDA! Dana taps, Shayna wins!
Winner: Shayna Baszler, by submission
The Queen of Spades could not be stopped! The Flex Appeal suffered, but now it’s Mandy’s turn! Shayna puts Mandy in the Kirafuda, Mandy taps but it doesn’t matter! Shayna lets go when she is satisfied! Is this a sign that it’s only a matter of time before Shayna and Nia Jax take the Women’s Tag Team Championships back?
Raw returns with Alexa’s Playground.
“Do you like my playground?” Alexa says “he” built this for her, and she can’t wait to show it to him when he gets back. But we haven’t seen him since the Inferno match, where things got a little heated. Maybe he’s waiting for Legend’s Night! He’d love to meet his hero, Hulk Hogan! Alexa says he’s been taking his vitamins and saying his prayers. But not even Alexa wants to know who or what he prays to. Or maybe he’s waiting for Orton to return to the playground! Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, that’s it! So Orton, come on down~! And the Viper makes his way to the ring.
Wait, why did the music cut out? Did Alexa do that wrong? Maybe Randy doesn’t want us to find “him.” That can’t be it! Alexa tries again! Randy Orton, come on down~! The music plays again, but still no Viper. Maybe Orton doesn’t want to play anymore. “I swear, you light someone on fire one time, and it goes straight to their head.” How rude of Randy. Wait, is that the Firefly Fun House? The door opens, and Randy’s there?! Orton “appreciates” the invite but he wanted to take advantage of how the Fun House would be empty, since Alexa’s in the ring and the Fiend was burnt to a crisp. So Orton wanted to see what was going on.
Oh hey, Huskis! BOOT! He’s a little heavier than he thought. Huskis needs to work on that diet. So on his way here, Orton thought about what Alexa said. She thinks The Fiend is coming back. Does she really think that? After what happened, does she really think? Orton doesn’t, but let’s say he does. Also Orton throws Mercy into Abby and they both fall down. Orton says IF The Fiend comes back, there will be nothing left but Alexa! So Orton will show us all how sick and demented he truly is, by making sure The Fiend has NOTHING to come back to.
Alexa is afraid as Orton takes Ramblin’ Rabbit and says before dealing with him, he did notice the fine piece of artwork on the wall. Orton makes sure the picture is nice and straight, before he rips Ramblin’s head off! Alexa begs Orton to stop! Orton laughs but Alexa challenges Orton to a match! Oh? Well okay. Is this where he is supposed to return, is that it? Challenge accepted! Does the Twisted Bliss know what she’s getting herself into?
Backstage interview with Charlotte Flair!
The Queen knows well how dangerous Nia Jax is, so is she ready for this 1v1? Six months ago, Nia injured Charlotte. But Charlotte returned, beat Nia and Shayna alongside Asuka. Is she ready? Absolutely. Is Nia to be feared? Absolutely. Is Nia a great competitor? Absolutely! But there is one person Charlotte always bets on, and it’s herself. Charlotte is ending 2020 as a champion, how is she going to start 2021? Any resolutions? The same one as every year: climb to the top, and stay there. Asuka joins in and says Nia is NOT ready for Charlotte! Happy new year! At least, will it be for the #QueensofTomorrow?
AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Elias w/ Jaxson Ryker!
The Phenomenal One and his enormous associate don’t want to #WalkWithElias, nor do they want to hear from Elias! Styles is still angry after The Miz cashed in and screwed him out of the world title, will he take it all out on Elias’ ten friends on his hands?
Raw returns and Elias makes his entrance. The bell rings and Styles circles with Elias. They tie up, Elias powers Styles to ropes then headlocks. Elias hits a takeover, Styles headscissors back but Elias pops out. Styles victory rolls fast, TWO! Elias keeps his cool as he and Styles go again. They tie up, Styles headlocks and hits the takeover but Elias headscissors. Styles pops out but Elias knees low! Elias throws haymakers and body shots in the corner, the ref counts but Elias lets off at 4. Elias stomps Styles, drags him up and CHOPS him off his feet! Elias brings Styles up, whips and back drops Styles high and hard! Cover, ONE! Elias looms over Styles and kicks him in the back.
Elias drags Styles around, then hooks the arm to drop knees! Elias brings Styles up, wrenches, and rams shoulder to shoulder! Elias lifts Styles by that arm, then drops him down to dig a knee into the shoulder. Styles endures, fights up, but Elias pulls hair. The ref counts, Elias lifts Styles again but Styles sunset flips! TWO, and Styles drop toeholds Elias onto ropes! Elias goes to a corner, Styles fires off fast hands! The ref counts, Styles backs off but he bumps Elias off buckles. Styles whips, Elias reverses but Styles slips up and over to dropkick Elias away!
Elias bails out, Styles slingshots but Elias moves! Styles lands on the apron, Elias drags him into a fireman’s carry, and he gives Styles SNAKE EYES the apron! Elias POSTS Styles shoulder first! Styles writhes as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Styles fires off on Elias in a corner. Styles whips, Elias reverses but Styles goes up and over and rolls, but Elias KNEES him down! Cover, TWO! Styles survives being blindsided but Elias drags him back up. Elias bumps Styles off buckles, wrenches the arm and goes up the corner. Elias starts his cover of Old School, then hits the METEORA! Cover, TWO! Styles survives his Walk With Elias, but Elias just talks trash to him and Omos. Elias clamps on a chinlock and then shifts to a cobra clutch. Styles endures, fights his way up, throws elbows low and puts Elias on ropes. Elias ROCKS Styles with a right then throws Styles out!
Elias catches his breath, those elbows were very low. Ryker creeps over but Omos scares him off! The ref reprimands both bodyguards and they both stand down. Elias goes out to fetch Styles, but he is wary of Omos. Elias puts Styles in, keeps his eyes on Omos, then goes after Styles in the ring. Elias wrenches an arm, Styles throws big haymakers! Elias cranks on the wrist more but Styles throws more haymakers! Styles is free, he ducks a haymaker from Elias to give off the Phenomenal Blitz! SLIDING FOREARM! Omos rallies and Styles fires up! Styles has Elias in a corner and he hits a leaping clothesline! Styles fireman’s carries for USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!
Styles keeps his cool as Elias survives. Styles drags Elias up, reels him in, but Elias slips out of the Clash. Styles rocks Elias, runs but misses in the corner, only to boot back! Styles is on the outside, springboards, but Elias fireman’s carries! Styles slips off, Elias standing switches to hit DRIFT AWAY!! Cover, TWO!?! Omos rallies for Styles but Ryker says Elias has this! Elias goes up top, but Styles trips him up first! Styles gets space, runs back but into a boot! Styles hits back with a PELE! Elias tumbles down, Omos coaches Styles and Ryker grows worried for Elias. Elias and Styles slowly rise and Elias fireman’s carries for a TKO! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives again!
Elias tries to figure out what to do, and he grits his teeth as he drags Styles back up. “You are no longer Phenomenal!” Elias brings Styles up, but Styles slips out of the fisherman to kick, kick and enziguri! Elias staggers around to a corner, Styles runs in but is put on the apron! Styles forearms Elias away, adjusts and springboards, PHENOMENAL FOREARM! Cover, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall
Omos says, “That’s what I’m talking about!” Ryker helps Elias get out of the ring, will Elias learn to be more considerate?
Ricochet VS Mustafa Ali w/ Retribution!
The One and Only finds himself between a rock and a hard place. He will not give in and join Retribution, but he doesn’t want to be beaten down and stepped over anymore. Something has to give! Will Ricochet finally break through or break down?
Raw returns as Retribution makes their entrance, and their leader steps into the ring. The bell rings and Mustafa holds his arms open. But Ricochet throws haymakers, then tackles Ali for ground ‘n’ pound! Ali gets away but Ricochet runs at him to CHOP, throw punches then CHOP again! Ricochet throws EuroUppers, whips Ali corner to corner, then runs in to CHOP again! Ricochet scoops and slams Ali, then runs to drop an elbow! Cover, ONE! Ali crawls but Ricochet drags him up. Ali elbows free, runs but Ricochet dodges and handsprings to headscissor! And a dropkick! Cover, ONE!
Ricochet keeps on Ali by pulling some hair. The ref reprimands but Ali pulls Ricochet’s ears! Ali whips, Ricochet reverses and back drops Ali! Ricochet stalks Ali to a corner and Ali wants mercy. But Ali just tricks Ricochet into getting closer and he yanks Ricochet into buckles! Ali fires off haymakers and CHOPS as Retribution taunts Ricochet. Ali whips Ricochet corner to corner, Ricochet bounces off buckles into Ali’s neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Ali keeps his cool as he watches Ricochet get to another corner. Ali runs in but is put on the apron! Ricochet elbows Ali back then slips out to grab at him. Ali ROCKS Ricochet back and climbs up the corner!
Ali drags Ricochet up, Ricochet ROCKS Ali back! Ricochet goes up top but Slapjack distracts! As does Reckoning! T-Bar and Mace TOSS Ricochet off the top and onto barriers! Ricochet crashes down, Ali adjusts, SUPER SPLASH!! Ricochet sputters and gasps as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Ali is after Ricochet in a corner. Ricochet throws punches back and backs Ali down! Ricochet whips, Ali reverses and blocks boots to spin him around, for a DRAPING BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Ali glares at Ricochet as he stomps him down. Ali wraps on a chinlock but Ricochet endures. Retribution tells Ricochet to give up but fans clap on their screens to rally behind him. Ricochet fights up, throws body shots but Ali knees low. Ali drags Ricochet up to scoop slam and elbow drop! Cover, TWO! Ali wraps on the chinlock again and leans on Ricochet. Ricochet still endures, even as Ali says he stands no chance!
Ricochet fights up again, throws more body shots but Ali CLUBS him down! Ali brings Ricochet up and around to suplex, but Ricochet slips out to shove Ali into buckles! Ricochet catches his breath before running in but Ali goes up and over. Ali turns around into an elbow and mule kick, then Ricochet flips up and over to GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down and Retribution is freaking out! Ali and Ricochet stir, slowly rise, and they start throwing hands. Ricochet gets the edge and DISCUS LARIATS Ali down! Ricochet fires himself up, drags Ali up and fireman’s carries. The back gives out and Ali gets away.
Ali comes back but Ricochet fireman’s carries again, for the KICK BACK! The falling kick hits, Ricochet covers, but Mace drags Ali out of the ring! The ref reprimands, but now Retribution flanks the ring! Ricochet doesn’t care that he’s surrounded, he goes to the corner, and triangle jumps to get T-Bar with an APRON DDT!! Slapjack comes around into a dropkick! Mace runs in, Ricochet dodges and sees Ali! Ricochet goes out to the apron to SHOTGUN DROPKICK Ali into a post! Ricochet avoids Mace again to roll back and TORNADO DDT Mace to the floor! Ricochet is the One and Only One Man Wrecking Crew!
The ring count is 8, Ricochet puts Ali in and is back up top! SHOOTING STAR onto knees!! KOJI KLUTCH!! #LightsOut! Ricochet IS out, Ali wins!!
Winner: Mustafa Ali, by submission
The King of Flight has been grounded! Retribution wins again with another stacked deck, but Ali gets the mic to tell Ricochet, “When are you gonna learn that you have no chance?!” Ali gives Ricochet one last chance to erase all his regrets and have a new outlook! It will be a new beginning. “Join Retribution. What is your decision?” Ali holds the mic out to Ricochet, who takes it from him. “Ali, I’ve made a decision. I will… NOT join Retribution!” RECOIL!! Ricochet bails out and leaves Retribution alone with their rage! The One and Only will be defiant until the end! But how will this end for Ricochet and Ali?
Backstage interview with Nia Jax!
With Shayna Baszler by her side, Nia says she heard what Charlotte said. Charlotte is smart to be afraid, and that fear warms Nia’s heart. Nia does have a few New Year’s Resolutions, though. One: end Charlotte’s rise to the top before even making to the first rung. Two: get the tag team titles back. And three: enter the Women’s Royal Rumble, throw everyone else out, and when Nia wins, face the Raw Women’s Champion, whoever that might be. Shayna likes that idea. Will the Irresistible Force and Queen of Spades look to win big in 2021?
Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre!
The Scottish Warrior knows he is facing Keith Lee for the title, does he have anything to say about that? McIntyre is just excited all the way. It will be Legend’s Night, and McIntyre wants to give them a match that’s legendary. Keith may not like what has happened the last few weeks, but McIntyre sees the spark Keith needs to be on top. They’re going to beat the hell out of each other, and McIntyre is happy for Keith. Keith can prove to the world he can do it. Keith can beat just about anyone in the WWE, except for McIntyre. Will that legendary battle end the way McIntyre thinks it will?
Charlotte Flair w/ Asuka VS Nia Jax w/ Shayna Baszler!
This 1v1 match has been a long time coming! The Queen owes Nia a receipt for that arm injury half a year ago! Will Charlotte ruin Nia’s new year before it’s even begun?
Raw returns and Nia makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two stare down. They slowly approach, then quickly tie up! They’re in a deadlock but Nia powers Charlotte back, only for Charlotte to put her on the ropes. The ref counts, the break is honored, and Nia taunts Charlotte, “How’s the arm?” They tie up again, Nia gets around but Charlotte is after Nia’s arm. Charlotte pulls but Nia clubs Charlotte away. Charlotte and Nia reset, go again, and Charlotte gets around to headlock. Nia tries to power out but Charlotte holds tight! Asuka cheers as Charlotte grinds the headlock, but Nia powers her to a corner. Nia rams into Charlotte but the ref counts and Nia stops at 4.
Nia reels Charlotte in to ram shoulders again and again, and Charlotte drops to a knee. Nia taunts the Queen, wrenches and wrings the arm out! Charlotte holds the shoulder but Nia drags her up again. Nia whips Charlotte to a corner, but Charlotte tumbles out to the apron to shoulder and boot back in! Charlotte BOOTS again and Nia falls to her knees! Charlotte dropkicks Nia out of the ring! Nia is on her feet again but Charlotte eggs her on. Nia takes a moment to cool off, gets back on the apron, and Charlotte lets her get in. Then Charlotte spins past the ref to fire off forearms!
Nia is on the ropes but Charlotte pushes her against them! The ref counts, Nia shoves Charlotte away. Charlotte comes back and dropkicks Nia again! And then Charlotte hits a wrecking ball dropkick to send Nia into the announce desk! The ring count starts, Shayna creeps over but Asuka is there to BACK HAND Shayna down! Nia runs at Charlotte but is sent into steel steps! Charlotte puts Nia back in, drags Nia by a leg, and spins through, but Nia throws Charlotte into buckles! Charlotte clutches her head and Nia glares as she runs in, CORNER SPLASH! Charlotte flops down, Nia covers, TWO! The Queen is still in this as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Nia has Charlotte down in a cobra clutch! Charlotte endures, fights her way up and elbows free! Charlotte kicks low, gets around and hits a neckbreaker! Nia staggers into CHOPS! Charlotte CHOPS Nia to a corner, CHOPS more, and blocks a boot to SLAP Nia! Charlotte puts the leg on ropes but Nia avoids the knee drop! Nia scoops, Charlotte slips out and throws Nia down! Charlotte drags Nia to a drop zone, climbs up the corner, but Nia gets up to trip Charlotte up! Fireman’s carry but Charlotte sunset flips to high stack, TWO! Charlotte runs, into a pop-up POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!!
Asuka rallies behind Charlotte but Nia drags Charlotte around. Nia runs but misses the leg drop! Charlotte gets up and staggers, but she gets the legs to trip Nia, steps through, but Nia boots her away! Shayna distracts, Asuka runs in but is sent OVER the desk! Charlotte BOOTS Shayna, avoids Nia and rolls Nia up! TWO, but Charlotte gets the legs! Figure Four! Nia fights and Shayna gets in to KIRAFUDA!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by disqualification
The Queen is caught by the Queen of Spades, and Nia stomps Charlotte’s leg! Asuka runs back in to run off Nia and Shayna, and the winner is STILL Charlotte! Nothing was settled between Nia and Charlotte, will it take the tag team championships to do that?
The Hurt Business arrives.
MVP says it was a championship Christmas for them, and they’ve got big plans for 2021. But they ask someone on his phone to move out of the way. When he looks up, he’s startled by who he’s surrounded by, and falls right over! MVP, Lashley, Alexander and Benjamin are ready to rule the new year, but will their battle with old foes ruin those plans?
Angel Garza walks around backstage.
He finds a poster with the newspaper headline, “GREAT GARZA.” This is of course in reference to Matt Garza, the MLB baseball player. But then Charly Caruso comes by to interview Garza and asks how he feels his first year on Raw was. “Just like everyone else, my year had ups, downs. I’ve loved, swiped left, right, and met you.” But this new year is almost here, and with it comes new beginnings. Who knows? Maybe Garza will introduce himself into one of the legendary female superstars next week. Yes, he surely will. But Charly is curious who this rose is for. A gentleman never tells, but R-Truth runs into Garza! The 24/7 Championship chase runs through and Garza has no idea what that was about. But sadly, the rose has been trampled. He gives it to Charly and says, “It’s the thought that counts.”
The New Day and Hardy Bros talk backstage.
Riddle and Hardy tell Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods to congratulate Big E on their behalf for becoming the NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion! It’s about damn time! And please believe that once the New Day get their titles back, they will take a triple champion picture together, and gently touch their tips together for the IG. Riddle says that is dope indeed. But they have a huge task ahead. They need a sweet new name of the quadro! And Riddle is thinking that they’re all bros and stallions, so what about The Little Bronies? No, that’s technically taken, copyright issues and all.
Okay, what about… The Positively Hard Bros? Umm… Well the match is next so we’ll talk about it later. Wait, what about the pancakes? Wait! RAIN-BROS! Yes!! But nicknames aside, will this quartet be a hit in the huge 4v4 after the break?
8 Man Tag: The Hurt Business VS The New Day, Jeff Hardy & Matt Riddle!
Raw returns as Riddle makes his entrance and joins his RainBros in the ring. Then the Hurt Business makes their entrance, and MVP has a mic. “Before we destroy what’s left of the New Day, Jeff Hardy and Riddle, the Chief Hurt Officer, the United States Champion, the All Mighty, would like to make an exclusive business forecast for our 2021 operations.” Pay close attention. Lashley declares for the Men’s Royal Rumble match, meaning he will main event this year’s WrestleMania! It’s official. Done deal. With that news, will the Rocky Mountain Machine roll into the Rumble with massive momentum?
The teams sort out, and Riddle starts with “Prime” Alexander. Alexander knees low and clubs away on Riddle but Riddle forearms back! Riddle spins Alexander but Alexander bocks the Pele to roll Riddle for a dropkick! Alexander is fired up, but Riddle gets him for a gut wrench suplex! Alexander scrambles away to Lashley! Lashley and Riddle circle, tie up, and Riddle headlocks. Lashley powers out then runs him over! Lashley runs, catches Riddle’s leap, but Riddle goes for a guillotine! Only for Lashley power out and suplex SLAM Riddle down! Lashley puts Riddle in the corner, stomps him, then tags in MVP. MVP fires off forearms and stomps of his own!
The ref backs MVP off, the Hurt Business get some shots in, and MVP stomps Riddle more. Tag to Shelton Benjamin and they mug Riddle, to then snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Benjamin keeps Riddle from the corner and rams him into an open corner. Benjamin rams his shoulder in more, lets off at the ref’s count of 4, then brings Riddle back up. Riddle hits back with body shots but Benjamin throws forearms. Benjamin ROCKS Riddle, scoops but Riddle slips out. Riddle shoves Benjamin at the corner and KICKS him down! Tag to Hardy, BROETRY in Motion! Tag to Woods and Woods stomps away on Benjamin! Tag to Kofi and the stomping stampede begins!
Tag to Riddle, he gets to be a stallion in the stampede! Tag to Hardy and he adds on! Hardy hits the HARDYAC dropkick! Riddle intercepts MVP, Kofi intercepts Alexander, and Woods mule kicks Lashley! Kofi kicks, Riddle dropkicks and Hardy clotheslines Lashley out! Lashley is furious, because he went up and over the top rope a la the Rumble! MVP cools Lashley off but that’s hard to do in itself, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Riddle is fighting MVP off, but MVP throws Riddle’s foot down on the mat! Then MVP STOMPS the foot! Alexander taunts Riddle that this is why they wear boots! MVP covers, ONE, but he throws forearms to put Riddle in the corner. MVP rams his shoulder in, Lashley tags in and Lashley runs to RAM into Riddle! Lashley drags Riddle up, clinches, and hits a COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Riddle survives but Lashley glares at Hardy and the New Day. Tag to Benjamin, he and Lashley mug Riddle, and stomp his bare feet again! Riddle throws body shots, Benjamin throws haymakers, then Benjamin drags Riddle away.
Benjamin kicks the leg, then drags Riddle around into a Half Crab! Riddle endures but Benjamin sits deep! Riddle crawls, gets the ropebreak, and Benjamin lets go fast. Benjamin drags Riddle up, Riddle throws hands but Benjamin throws Riddle out! MVP goes out to mockingly ask how Riddle feels. The ref counts, MVP backs off and the count is to 6. Benjamin is on Riddle, Alexander tags in before Lashley can, which confuses MVP a bit. Alexander hits a back suplex, covers, TWO! Alexander keeps Riddle down with a knee in the back and a chinlock on tight. Riddle endures, fights up and the fans clap on their screens.
Riddle fights back, Alexander elbows him down and tags in Benjamin. They mug Riddle, Benjamin puts Riddle on ropes then tags in Lashley. Lashley throws crossface forearms while he has Riddle on the ropes! Tag to Alexander and Alexander brings Riddle up. Riddle throws body shots, then a ROUNDHOUSE! Alexander is dazed, hot tag to Kofi! Kofi springboards and ax handles Alexander! Kofi hits the Hurt Business, chops Alexander down then dropkicks! Kofi keeps moving, leaping lariat! Kofi runs for the NEW~ DAY~ Boom Drop! Kofi claps it up but Benjamin grabs at him! Kofi DECKS Benjamin but MVP distracts, Alexander attacks!
Alexander back suplex, Kofi slips out and Woods tags in! Kofi DIVES onto Benjamin and Lashley! Alexander runs but Woods trips him up! Woods slingshots to elbow drop! MVP runs in to throw Woods but Woods throws MVP! Alexander runs into a drop toehold onto ropes! Woods runs to slide Alexander and wreck MVP! Woods gives Alexander a rope GUILLOTINE! Hardy is up top and he LEAPS out onto MVP! Woods powers up for a DISCUS! YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH~! Tag to Hardy, he goes back up, SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, but Lashley breaks it! Lashley throws Woods into a corner, but runs in to POST himself!
Woods sees MVP and MVP CLOBBERS him! Kofi leaps but MVP dodges to BOOT Kofi down! Riddle ROUNDHOUSES MVP down, Benjamin throws Riddle. Riddle is on the apron, Benjamin KNEES him down! Hardy gives Benjamin a TWIST OF FATE! Lashley tags in, but he runs into a kick! And the spinning mule kick! Lashley still charges, but into a clinch. But the jawbreaker is turned into a HURT LOCK!! Hardy flails, but he taps! The Hurt Business wins!
Winners: The Hurt Business, by submission
Despite the hard fight Hardy and friends put up, the US Champion is too mighty! And then the rest of the Hurt Business goes after New Day! But Woods shoves Alexander into the apron, Kofi slips off Benjamin’s scoop to mule kick him down! Riddle sneaks up on Lashley to spin him around, FINAL FLASH!! The Hurt Business is left behind, and are no longer in a good mood after that win! Will Lashley look to make Riddle a ragdoll in the new year?
Miz and Morrison sulk backstage.
Morrison tells Miz that they can get past this. John Cena lost that one match to Kevin Federline, right? Kevin Feder…?! MIZ IS MR. MITB!! Well, was. Adam Pearce finds them and says they look as miserable as the Cleveland Browns did. Pearce has the briefcase? Going to throw that in his face now? As much as Pearce would love to throw it in his face literally, and very hard, no. Pearce is here to return it to Miz. What? Well, the loophole was correct, and Miz is the only one who can officially cash this in. Morrison did it at TLC but he’s not Mr. MITB. So once again, this briefcase is back in Miz’s “grubby little hands.” Happy holidays.
Miz and Morrison are PUMPED! And they dance all up and down the stairs rather awkwardly… Will they use this second chance to properly cash-in and take the world title?
Alexa Bliss heads back to the ring!
But she’s not dressed to compete. She made a challenge to Randy Orton, but apparently she didn’t mean a match. Plus, WWE doesn’t usually do co-ed competition. Even so, Alexa still dares Orton to come out, and Orton walks out to join her. Orton has a mic and says, “Where is he?” Alexa says this is not about him. This is about her! Alexa walks out of the ring, goes over to the timekeeper’s area, and grabs… a present? She brings the gift box back to the ring and tears away the wrapping paper. There is a very normal cardboard box inside, and she opens that up… to bring out a gas can and matches?!
Alexa carries the gas can and matches over to Orton, and sets them down at his feet. She then takes a few steps back, kicks the box out of the ring, and challenges Orton to do to her what she did to The Fiend!?! She wants to be set on fire?!? Alexa lies down and waits, but Orton doesn’t take her seriously. Alexa gets up, walks back over to him, takes the gas can back, then pours some gas out from the center and back to Orton. Then she stands on the puddle of gas and dares him. “I just did the job for you. So go ahead. Light the match and do to me what you did to him!” Alexa lies down on the puddle, and shouts for Orton to do it!
Orton still isn’t so sure, and she gets even more upset. Alexa storms back over, takes the gas can back a second time, and brings it back over to make an even bigger puddle of gas! A ring of it, actually. Is he not going to do it? Maybe he doesn’t have the guts! Just look at him. Orton says he’s sick, twisted, demented. But he’s not. Because if he was, he’d light the match! But he’s nothing! “Nothing but a little bitch!!” Alexa DRENCHES herself with the gasoline!! She glares at Orton through her soaked hair, and Orton looks down at the matches.
Orton says, “You think that I won’t do it?” Orton bends down to pick up the matches, keeping his eyes on her just in case. “You think that I’m not capable? I want to do it. But I know that it’s what you want me to do, so right now I’m trying to process the whole thing.” Orton knows he enjoys watches pain and suffering, and that is what he wants to do here, but this is what she wants, too! Do you think Fiend went to hell and you want to join him? FINE! Maybe Orton will set her on fire! Or, maybe he won’t. But then the lights start going down. Orton may have been right all along.
But wait. Instead of the Fiend’s lights, the MATCH is lit! Orton drops the match, but then the rest of the lights go out!! What happens?! Does he set Alexa on fire or not?!? We won’t know until the new year!!!
My Thoughts:
Well that was a wild Raw to end the year on. That cliffhanger just now did not work the way they’d hoped, as far as I’m concerned. Obviously no one was really getting set on fire, but couldn’t they have hinted at it by showing the match touch gasoline and just some fire erupting before cutting away? But up until that moment, Orton and Alexa were going an amazing job tonight. Alexa recycled a bit of her lines from the previous playground promo, but Orton returning the mind games by finding and vandalizing the Fun House was a good touch. This all still has to lead to a Firefly Fun House match, but Orton should’ve either left to leave Alexa frustrated, or the Fiend should’ve returned to debut whatever new form he’ll be taking. Anything more than a cliffhanger that falls flat.
Opening with the world championship story was a good move, to give Keith VS Sheamus time to breathe. It was a great set-up to the match, a great match, and a great result. McIntyre VS Keith for “Legend’s Night” is fine, but I would think McIntyre retains. His story with Sheamus still has a lot to it, and I think this means Sheamus is the one to challenge at the Royal Rumble. Of course, and perhaps rather disappointingly, Miz gets the MITB contract back without any real struggle, and though the victory dance he and Morrison was hilarious, this just seems too soon and too dumb. And yet the detail is so specific, it is clear they were going to do this right from the moment on TLC. Metalik got a big win off Miz, but it means very little now because Miz gets what he wants anyway.
Poor #SexyMuscleFriends. They looked to have a triumphant moment where they’d finally get even with Shayna, but nope, Shayna solos them. Charlotte and Nia have a great match, even with Shayna “ruining” the end, but at least Asuka was there to save Charlotte. Clearly on the Raw end of things, Nia and Shayna are going to be in line for a rematch before the Rumble. And it has to be before because Nia, and clearly Shayna, will be in the Women’s Rumble match. Asuka VS Charlotte is going to be built simply by Charlotte again bringing up how she said she returned as a favor, and so Asuka will return the favor by giving Charlotte a match. Win or lose, the Queens of Tomorrow will surely stick together for their tag title run, but it could be used to create dysfunction.
I actually liked how Styles VS Elias was set up through Styles and Omos being upset about the noise, aka Elias’ music. Styles VS Elias was a really good match, but naturally Styles wins. It wasn’t quite full Heel VS Heel, and I’m thinking Styles and Omos turn Face through this. To be fair, it works because Styles is great no matter what, and Omos is definitely showing enough personality now to be a Face. Ricochet VS Ali was a really good match, too, especially with Ricochet fighting off the henchmen by himself. Ricochet loses to mostly set up that swerve on his decision, but I still feel like he needs to find allies of his own to finally fight back.
Garza continues to have cringey segments, but I like that his attempts at being suave were ruined by the 24/7 Championship chase. And I almost feel like Garza should get involved with that so it can be used to comically ruin more of his attempts. The 8 Man Tag was a great main-event match, and Riddle’s promo beforehand felt a bit more like himself rather than what WWE was writing him to be like last week. The Hurt Business still wins because they deserve to be a very strong unit, and Lashley VS Riddle is still being built. That title match should certainly happen on the way to the Rumble, or even on the Rumble PPV, and it should be on the same level as what we got out of Keith VS Sheamus tonight.
One thing I also need to add is that with this being the first wrestling program since Jon Huber, aka Luke Harper, aka Brodie Lee, sadly passed away, I loved every little thing the superstars did to pay tribute to him. McIntyre opened the show with the phrase Huber loved to use on social media, “It’s [day of the week], you know what that means.” And a few times, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah,” was said, which Huber as Harper did very often during his matches. Plus, the use of the discus lariat, especially when Woods did it with the little hand gesture Harper would do before, was such a great way of showing how much Huber meant to everyone he worked with here in WWE. Needless to say, Huber will be missed by so many.
My Score: 8.3/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/19/24)
Still together for Round 5!
We’ve reached the halfway point!
As Best of the Super Juniors 31 hits round five, it’s time to see who stays alive in the blocks, and whose windows get slammed shut!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Drilla wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: BUSHI VS Kosei Fujita; Bushi wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: DOUKI VS Dragon Dia; Douki wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: Kevin Knight VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Kanemaru wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Taiji Ishimori; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: Titan VS Clark Connors; Connors wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Ninja Mack; Hiromu wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: TJP VS HAYATA; TJP wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS SHO; Eagles wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: El Desperado VS Blake Christian; Desperado wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings!
Blake Christian: 4-0, 8 points
Titan: 3-1, 6 points
Kevin Knight: 3-1, 6 points
El Desperado: 2-2, 4 points
Kosei Fujita: 2-2, 4 points
Clark Connors: 2-2, 4 points
HAYATA: 2-2, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 1-3, 2 points
BUSHI: 1-3, 2 points
TJP: 0-4, 0 points
Here are the current B Block standings!
KUSHIDA: 3-1, 6 points
Taiji Ishimori: 3-1, 6 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 2-2, 4 points
SHO: 2-2, 4 points
Francesco Akira: 2-2, 4 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-2, 4 points
“Drilla” Moloney: 2-2, 4 points
DOUKI: 2-2, 4 points
Ninja Mack: 2-2, 4 points
Dragon Dia: 0-4, 0 points
Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
The Nova Fireball burned the Bone Soldier while the 44 Caliber crushed the Infinity Carat Diamond with overwhelming strength! But this match here is personal given how Drilla betrayed The United Empire. Will Akira finally put this War Dog down? Or will it be another Drilla Killa from the Abunai Gaijin?
The bell rings and Drilla dropkicks Akira’s legs! Drilla stomps Akira at the ropes, the ref counts and reprimands, and Drilla finally lets off at 4. The fans boo while Akira clutches his knee, but the ref keeps Drilla back. Akira gets up so Drilla kicks out the leg, stomps it, then digs his boot into it! The ref counts again as they’re in the ropes, and Drilla lets off to get in the ref’s face. Akira gets up to fire a forearm, but there’s no base behind it with the bad leg. Drilla eggs Akira on, Akira throws more forearms, but Drilla trips him. Akira kicks Drilla away with the good leg, but Drilla’s right back! Drilla trips Akira, then DDTS the leg! Then HEEL HOOK!
Akira endures, the fans rally, but Drilla pulls on the leg! Akira crawls along and drags Drilla with him, for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, the ref counts, and Drilla lets go, but then drags Akira back from ropes! HEEL HOOK! Akira scrambles and has the ROPEBREAK! Drilla lets go at 4, and this time Akira gets away to the outside. The ref checks Akira while Drilla taunts the Fireball. Akira pounds the mat in frustration, hobbles back into the ring, and the fans rally behind him. Drilla stands Akira up to CHOP him! Drilla runs up but Akira ELBOWS from the corner. And ELBOWS again! Akira then tilt-o-whirls to DDT!
The fans fire up while both men are down, then rally up as Akira shakes out the leg. Drilla stands first, though, but Akira blocks the kick! Akira fires forearms and a CHPO! Drilla takes a swing but Akira ducks to fire forearms and a CHOP! The fans cheer while Drilla sputters. Akira tries to run but the bad leg won’t let him take a step! Akira gets frustrated, but then Drilla KICKS the legs out! Drilla taunts Akira, then tells the ref to back up. But Akira catches Drilla to a cradle! TWO, and Drilla ENZIGIRIS Akira down! Drilla kicks Akira around, brings him up, and laughs at his pain. Drilla SLAPS Akira on the back, but Akira trips him! JACKKNIFE BRIDGE! TWO!!
Drilla escapes, Akira hobbles up, but Drilla again kicks the leg! HEEL HOOK!! Akira endures while the fans rally up! Akira TAPS, Drilla wins!
Winner: “Drilla” Moloney, by submission (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
Drilla won but he won’t let go! He’s like a dog with a bone! Young Lions get involved, so Drilla lets go, only to THROW the Young Lions out! Then he goes back for Akira for HEEL HOOK!! Akira suffers, the ref reprimands, and Drilla finally lets Akira go. The fans boo but Drilla laughs. Will nothing stop the Abunai Gaijin from tearing through the rest of the block? Will Akira even be able to fight in the BOSJ’s second half?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: BUSHI VS Kosei Fujita!
The Black Mask escaped being last place at TJP’s expense, but the Ichiban Young Punk is riding high after taking down 100 Proof. Will Bushi make round 5 tranquilo? Or will is it still true that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
But as Bushi gets on the apron, Fujita BLASTS him down! Fujita then builds speed to FLY! Direct hit and the fans fire up! The fans rally behind “FU-JI-TA!” as he snatches Bushi’s mask cover and throws it down. Fujita puts Bushi in, the bell rings and Fujita sits Bushi up for the PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer, Fujita drags Bushi up, and Fujita suplexes, but Bushi fights it! Fujita tries again, Bushi still fights! Bushi then slips free to waistlock, but Fujita elbows free. Fujita whips, Bushi reverses and Bushi dropkicks the legs out! Bushi sits Fujita up to KICK him in the back! Bushi then bumps Fujita off buckles and CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS!
Bushi puts Fujita’s leg in ropes to pull! The ref counts, so Bushi DROPKICKS the leg. The fans rally, Bushi stomps the bad leg, then he ties Fujita up into a TRAILER HITCH! Fujita endures and the fans rally up. Fujita crawls forward, bringing Bushi with him, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Bushi holds on until the ref counts, and then Bushi looms over Fujita. Bushi brings Fujita up, reels him in, but Fujita fights the lift! Fujita CLUBS away on Bushi, but Bushi kicks low. Bushi whips, Fujita reverses and GAMANGIRIS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Fujita goes to a corner, Bushi goes to the other.
Fujita runs corner to corner to CHOP! Fujita shoves Bushi down, then goes up and out, to springboard in and MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Fujita sits Bushi up to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Fujita waistlocks to deadlift! Bushi fights with elbows but Fujita ducks under and hits a GUILLOTINE! Fujita brings Bushi down, they roll, and end up in the ROPEBREAK! Fujita lets off and the fans cheer. Fujita then storms up to Bushi, brings him up, and ducks the enzigiri! Deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Fujita as he drags Bushi back up and in.
Fujita suplexes, but Bushi fights that, to FISHERMAN SCREW! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Fujita goes to a corner, hobbles up and finds Bushi. Fujita brings Bushi up to fire forearms. Bushi wobbles, Fujita runs, but Bushi ROCKS him back! Bushi runs but Fujita CHOPS! Fujita roars, runs, but Bushi DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up and Bushi goes to a corner. Fujita stands, Bushi runs up, CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again and Bushi rises. Bushi roars, climbs, and he takes aim. Fujita rises, turns around, MX!! Cover, Bushi wins!
Winner: Bushi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Fujita earns 0)
Maybe The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but they do fall! Fujita is now dragged down the ranks, will he be able to climb back up? Will the Black Mask be a dark horse in this race?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: DOUKI VS Dragon Dia!
Japones Del Mal has had a roller coaster ride in this round robin, but the Infinity Carat Diamond has only been going one direction: down. Will this finally be Dia’s chance to shine? Or will Douki have back to back wins?
The bell rings, Dia runs up but Douki dodges! Douki wags his fingers, whips, but Dia ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ slides to then tilt-o-whirl arm-drag! And DROPKICK! The fans fire up, Dia stalks Douki, and Dia whips corner to corner. Douki reverses, runs up, but Dia trips him into the buckles! Then Dia hops on for a sunset flip! Douki rolls through but Dia KICKS him! STANDING SHOOTING STAR! TWO! Douki is still in this but Dia fires right up! Dia climbs a corner, the fans rally, and Douki rises. D D D D- NO!! Douki stops the 4DT to SAHAWARI SUPLEX! Briding cover, TWO!! Dia escapes and the fans fire up again!
Douki keeps his cool and he drags Dia up. Dia breaks free, CHOPS, but Douki eggs him on. Dia CHOPS again, and CHOPS again! Douki HELL STABS! Dia SOBATS! Dia runs up, Douki does the splits! Dia tumbles out, Douki slingshots, but Dia tiger feints the legs out! Then Dia ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and the fans fire up! Dia storms up on Douki, brings him up, and puts him in the ring. The fans rally, Dia brings Douki up for the leg hook, and END OVER! Cover, TWO!! Douki survives but Dia aims from the corner. The fans rally, Dia runs up, rolls, but into a Gory Especial! But Dia slips free to arm-drag!
Douki stands, BOOTS and goes ot the apron! But Dia avoids Daybreak! Dia is on the apron, he trips Douki, then CORKSCREW SPLASHES! Into ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Douki has Dia caught, pulls on the arms, but Dia fights his way around! Douki rolls Dia from ropes, but Dia jackknifes it! TWO!! Dia ghost pins, TWO!! Douki escapes again but Dia wheelbarrows. Douki stops the somersault to full nelson! SUPLEX DE- NO, Dia fights free! Douki dodges an elbow to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Douki drags Dia up! The fans rally as Douki fireman’s carries, and swings, but Dia slips around to REPTILIAN KAI! Ghost pin cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Douki survives! Dia grits his teeth, rises back up, and he goes to a corner! Douki rises and the fans rally up. D D D D- NO! Douki gets around! Dia switches, Douki elbows free, but Dia keeps him from running. Douki kicks free but Dia ducks the enzigiri to ENZIGIRI back! Douki swings, Dia dodges and rolls, REPTILIAN- NO, Douki pops him around, Electric Chair into Wheelbarrow! Full nelson, SUPLEX DE LA LUNA!!! Bridging cover, DOUKI WINS!
Winner: Douki, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Dia earns 0)
A fast and furious fight from the start, but Dia’s determination to hit that DDDDT may have been his undoing! Will Dia ever get points on the board at this rate? Will Douki prove he’s ready to be the Best of the Super Juniors?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: Kevin Knight VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
The Jet is flying high, eyeing that top spot, but the Heel Master is looking to reroute him. Will Kanemaru be sipping his whiskey in first class? Or will Knight drop him back in coach?
Of course Kanemaru attacks while Knight’s being introduced! Kanemaru KICKS and CLUBS Knight, the bell rings and Kanemaru whips, but Knight reverses! Knight hurdles, hurdles then DROPKICKS! Kanemaru bails out, Knight kips up and takes his coat off, to then build speed! Kanemaru hurries away but Knight slides out and goes to the corner! Knight PLANCHAS but Kanemaru gets away again! Knight lands on his feet, Kanemaru runs up to dropkick the legs out! Knight writhes, Kanemaru storms up on him, and SMASHES the knee on the floor! The fans boo and Knight flounders away, but Kanemaru goes around the other way.
Kanemaru watches Knight slide in so he slides in. Kanemaru drags Knight up, to SHIN BREAKER! Kanemaru holds on, trips Knight, and ties up the legs into a FIGURE FOUR! Knight endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Kanemaru claims he needs help, so the ref undoes the leglock. Knight clutches his knee, but Kanemaru drags him from ropes. Kanemaru YANKS the bad leg, then he stomps it. Knight hobbles away to ropes but Kanemaru kicks the bad leg more. Kanemaru brings Knight around to whip, then he dropkicks the leg out again! Kanemaru stalks Knight, grabs the leg, and drops an elbow on the knee!
Kanemaru has the leg in a toehold, but Knight endures. Kanemaru pulls on the bad leg, but Knight fights around to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Kanemaru lets off, but he drags Knight from ropes again, to SMASH the knee! Knight writhes, goes to a corner, but Kanemaru stands on the bad knee! The ref counts, Kanemaru lets off, and Kanemaru pushes past the ref. Kanemaru stomps Knight’s leg, stomps him more, then stalks him to a corner. Knight stands, Kanemaru puts the leg in ropes, but the ref counts. Kanemaru pulls until 4, then he stomps Knight down. Kanemaru drags Knight out of the corner, but Knight throws body shots!
Kanemaru kicks the bad leg again. Knight fights the shin breaker this time, but Kanemaru kicks the leg again! SHIN- SUNSET FLIP! TWO! Kanemaru gets up, the fans rally, but Kanemaru kicks Knight. Kanemaru whips, Knight comes back to LARIAT! Knight fights through the pain to rally on Kanemaru! Knight whips, Kanemaru reverses, but Knight goes up and over! Knight then jukes Kanemaru for a SKY 2 HIGH! But he can’t cover from the pain in his leg! The fans fire up as Knight runs and JET SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru is still in this but the fans are behind Knight. Knight drags Kanemaru up and fireman’s carries.
Knight throws Kanemaru but Kanemaru lands on his feet! Kanemaru dropkicks the bad leg! The fans rally, Kanemaru gets the legs and steps through, but Knight cradles! TWO! Kanemaru escapes, Knight goes to a corner. Kanemaru runs up, but into a BOOT! Knight goes up and leaps, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Knight is a little frustrated but the fans rally up as he goes to the corner. Kanemaru rises, Knight runs in, but Kanemaru uses the ref as a shield! Then as a weapon as he shoves the ref into Knight! Kanemaru ENZIGIRIS Knight, then goes to his whiskey! Kanemaru takes a swig, but Knight SATELLITE-
NO, Kanemaru slips under, kicks the bad leg, but Knight still pops Kanemaru up! WHISKEY MIST!! Kanemaru then trips Knight, into the FIGURE FOUR! The fans boo and Knight tries, but Knight taps! Kanemaru wins!
Winner: Yoshinobu Kanemaru, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Knight earns 0)
The Heel Master grounds The Jet with a bad wheel, but Knight isn’t out of the running just yet. Will Knight be able to course correct and head for the top? Will Kanemaru continue to mess up plans with these underhanded tricks?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Taiji Ishimori!
The Timesplitter and Bone Soldier both suffered their first losses last round, but they’re still holding the top spots. Who gets put on the bubble while the other gets a little more breathing room?
The bell rings and the fans rally up for “KU-SHI-DA!” as he and Taiji circle. They feel things out, Taiji goes for a leg but Kushida does the same. Taiji facelocks, rolls with Kushida, then rolls Kushida, but Kushida slips free. The fans cheer that fast opening exchange and the two reset. Kushida and Taiji feel things out again, tie up, and Kushida wrenches to then snapmare. Kushida gets both arms for a motorcycle stretch, but Taiji rolls over, kicks free, wrenches back, steps over then arm-drags! Kushida kips up to arm-drag! Taiji ghost pins, ONE, and Kushida wants an arm. Taiji throws Kushida down, floats to a lateral press, ONE!
Taiji clamps onto the arm but Kushida slips around to waistlock. Taiji fights but Kushida full nelsons. Taiji fights but Kushida spins him back into the full nelson. Kushida spins Taiji to arm-drag, then hammerlocks. Taiji rolls, headscissors but Kushida kips free. Kushida goes for the legs but Taiji jumps over! Kushida jumps on to body scissor, but Taiji keeps an arm back. Kushida still wants to knuckle lock? Taiji obliges, but then Kushida wants the kimura! Taiji gets free of the body scissors to waistlock but Kushida switches. Kushida then spins to get the arm! Taiji fights off the double wristlock and the fans rally up.
Kushida throws elbows then wrenches Taiji’s arm. Taiji uses ropes to flip through, then he wrenches back. Taiji hammerlocks, spins and wrangles Kushida, but Kushida headscissors! Kushida grabs Taiji’s leg to stop the kip up, and now it’s a modified cradle! KUSHIDA WINS!!!
Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taiji earns 0)
Taiji is absolutely stunned! He got caught by a rather simple move, and now Kushida’s the top of the block! Will Kushida be able to win this whole thing in the blink of an eye? Will the Bone Soldier just have to be quicker on the draw from now on?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: Titan VS Clark Connors!
El Inmortal could not stop All Heat from firing up, but 100 Proof knows what that’s like. However, will Connors add on to the misery with No Chaser? Or will Titan overcome defeat by keeping the faith?
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two run in! They RAM shoulders, then fire forearms back and forth! Connors ROCKS Titan, whips, but Titan reverses, TORNADO- NO, Connors stops the DDT, then runs Titan over! The fans applaud the show of strength, but then Connors drags Titan up and TOSSES him out. Connors goes out to bring Titan up and CLUB him. Connors says hey to Drilla on English commentary, then he brings Titan up. Connors says watch this, and he brings Titan to the back of the crowd! Then he goes up the bleachers! But Titan throws body shots and brings Connors back down!
The fans cheer as the two return to floor level, Titan knees low and he brings Connors to the ring. Connors throws body shots now, and he SMACKS Titan off the apron! Then Connors throws a Young Lion into Titan! Shoma Kato sure has seen a lot action for not even being in this tournament. The ref reprimands but Connors drags Titan up. Connors goes after the mask! The ring count climbs, the fans boo, but Connors wrenches Titan’s neck! Connors stands Titan up to POST him! Titan falls, we’re past 10 of 20, and Connors leaves Titan behind. Connors mocks Titan’s pose and even prayer, but Titan slides in at 15!
Connors drags Titan up but Titan fights the suplex. Connors knees low, snapmares Titan, then stomps him! Connors runs up to JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud but Connors goes after the mask! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, and Connors lets off of the laces. Connors stalks Titan, tells fans to shut up, then he brings Titan up. Titan CHOPS! Connors CHOPS back! Titan drops to his knees but Connors stands him up and whips. Titan holds ropes to avoid the powerslam, then BOOTS back! Connors ELBOWS Titan, reels him in, but Titan hangs Connors out to dry! Connors slips to the apron, and he ducks Titan’s punch!
Connors throws Titan down by his mask, but Titan kips up to PELE! Titan then builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit on Connors and the fans fire up! Titan rises, the fans fire up more, and Titan KICKS Connors in the side! Titan brings Connors up to CLUB him, puts him in the ring and covers, TWO! Titan is frustrated but he CLUBS Connors. Connors ROCKS Titan with a forearm! Titan ROCKS Connors in return! Connors ROCKS Titan, Titan ROCKS Connors, and they both stand. Connors fires another forearm but so does Titan! The fans rally as they pick up speed, going back and forth, forearm for forearm!
Connors gets the edge, winds up, but Titan bobs ‘n’ weaves to fire off a strike fest! SOBAT! Titan runs, but Connors goes the other way, JEEP FLIPPER!! The hangtime on that one! Titan flounders around, Connors seethes, and Connors takes aim from a corner. Connors barks, runs in, but Titan BOOTS back! And SOBATS! KICKS! PALM STRIKE! WHEEL KICK! The fans fire up and Titan roars! Titan hurries to get Connors up into a fireman’s carry. Connors fights free and waistlocks but Titan switches. Titan shoves, follows, and TORNADO DDTS! The fans rally up more as Connors flounders to a corner.
Titan aims, throws off an armband and runs, LOCO LARIAT! Titan hurries back up top, aims, and DIVING- NO, Connors dodges the stomps! Connors runs in, Titan dodges, and Connors stops from tackling the ref! Connors runs up again but Titan goes Matrix! CALF KICK! The fans fire up and Titan roars! Titan grabs Connors’ leg, steps through, but Connors SNATCHES the mask!! The fans boo, Connors loses grip of the mask and Titan gets it back! Even Connors isn’t sure what happened, but then he runs up to SPEAR!! Connors drags Titan up, for NO CHASER!! Cover, Connors wins!
Winner: Clark Connors, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Titan earns 0)
Connors messing with the mask was just enough to mess up Titan’s flow, and that’s all Connors needed to snatch this win. Connors also Too Sweets Drilla, will nothing stop these War Dogs from running the whole tournament? Will Titan be able to get past this defeat and be tranquilo again?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Ninja Mack!
The Ticking Timebomb and American Shinobi are both 2-2, trying to keep up with the top of the block. Hiromu got a big win over Sho just last night, will he get another big win here? Or will the Ninja from Noah turn the tides?
Hiromu taunts Drilla on his way to handing Milano Collection AT-san tonight’s framed picture. The fans rally up already, and Mack makes sure Hiromu notices the “NINJA! NINJA!” chant. The bell rings, the “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” comes through. But then “NINJA! NINJA!” returns. Hiromu waits on Mack but Mack still kneels in his corner. Then Mack somersaults forward, and offers a handshake. Hiromu is a little wary, but he does kneel. The fans cheer as Hiromu shakes Mack’s hand, and Mack puts up his dukes while still kneeling. Hiromu is confused, but they still tie up. They go back and forth while kneeling and the fans rally up!
Mack headlocks, then he grinds Hiromu down. Hiromu headscissors, Mack kips free, but then returns to his knees! The fans cheer, the two tie up again, and Mack waistlocks. Hiromu wrenches free, hammerlocks, but Mack drags him down to a cover. ONE, Hiromu headscissors but Mack kips free again, and they stay on their knees! The fans cheer this unique low style match. They tie up, and Mack arm-drags Hiromu to an armlock! Mack arm-drags free, and it’s back to the knees! They tie up again, Mack fireman’s carries for the takeover, then has the arm. Hiromu arm-drags free again, but Mack’s still on his knees!
Hiromu runs up, Mack trips him, but Hiromu kicks him away. Hiromu headlocks, and now we’re standing as Mack powers up and out. Hiromu RANAS but Mack handsprings through! The fans cheer and the two reset. Hiromu runs up, Mack dodges, but Hiromu RANAS again! Mack still handsprings through! The fans cheer for “NINJA! NINJA!” but Hiromu kicks him. Hiromu whips, Mack reverses, but Hiromu RANAS again, only for Mack to handspring and flip! The fans cheer but Hiromu gets frustrated! Hiromu runs up, but Mack dumps him out! Mack then builds speed, but Hiromu slides in to ELBOW him down!
The fans rally while Mack checks his chin. Mack goes to a corner, Hiromu storms up and CHOPS! Mack scrambles away but Hiromu follows on his knees. Mack turns around, Hiromu CHOPS! Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs, and clotheslines! Hiromu snapmares to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Hiromu walks over to Mack on his knees. Mack CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS back! Mack CHOPS again, Hiromu CHOPS him down! Mack sits up, Hiromu stands him up, and then Hiromu scoops to SLAM! Hiromu clamps on a headscissor squeeze! Mack flails and fights around while fans rally.
Mack reaches out, moves around, and has the ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets go quickly, then mocks the “NINJA! NINJA!” But Mack throws body shots back! Hiromu CHOPS Mack, whips him to ropes, but Mack reverses. Hiromu holds ropes, then runs up to RANA! Mack still handsprings through! Mack says no ranas today, but then Hiromu dropkicks Mack’s leg out! Hiromu smirks and wags his finger, then goes to Mack. Mack KICKS Hiromu away! Mack kips up and SCREW KICKS! Hiromu tumbles out of the ring, Mack builds speed, and SASUKE- NO, Hiromu slides in! Then he SUNSET FLIP- NO, Mack blocks the bomb and flips free!
Mack runs back up, Hiromu TOSSES Mack into the ring, but Mack just rolls and handsprings to SASUKE SPECIAL SUNSET FLIP, and then APRON POWERBOMB!! The fans are thunderous while Hiromu writhes and flounders around. Mack hobbles over to bring Hiromu up and into the ring. The fans rally as Mack goes up the corner and takes aim. DIVING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives but Mack covers again, TWO!! Hiromu is still in this but the fans fire up as Mack drags him to a drop zone. Mack CHOPS Hiromu, goes up the corner again, and fans cheer “NINJA! NINJA!” for the NINJA BOMB onto knees!
Hiromu fireman’s carries and rolls to bring Mack up! TIMEBOMB 1.5!! Cover, TWO! Mack survives the 1.5 but Hiromu still has more in his arsenal! The fans are thunderous as Hiromu runs, but Mack ducks the lariat to backslide! TWO! Mack cradles, TWO! Hiromu wrenches and hooks Mack but Mack slips free! Hiromu RANAS, but again Mack handsprings and flips through! But Hiromu jumps on for TRIANGLE D!! The fans duel as Mack endures, and Mack TAPS!! Hiromu wins!!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by submission (gains 2 points; Mack earns 0)
The American Shinobi may be spring loaded, but he couldn’t bounce back when caught like that! Will the Mack attack just have to fight harder in the second half of this tournament? Will Hiromu blow up the top of the block and return to the finals?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: TJP VS HAYATA!
The Public Enemy is feeling like anything but a leader right now given he’s dead last in the block. But could this halfway point be a turning point for TJP? Or will he be further lost in the Silence of Darkness?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two stare down. The two circle, feel things out, and tie up. TJP wrenches, hammerlocks, but Hayata switches that onto TJP. TJP sits down, rolls, and trips Hayata to a toehold. Hayata tries to chinlock but TJP fights it off. TJP pulls on the leg, but Hayata uses his other one to hook TJP for an ARMBAR! TJP sits up quick and turns Hayata over to then float up to a chinlock. Hayata endures so TJP traps an arm, floats and turns Hayata in one motion, and covers, TWO! TJP facelocks Hayata, brings him up to wrench and wristlock, but Hayata slips in to wrench and wristlock in return.
TJP fights up, rolls, spins, cartwheels then drops to TWIST SCISSORS! But Hayata headscissors back! TJP headstands, the fans cheer, and TJP turns Hayata over. TJP rolls back to tie up the legs, BOW ‘N’ ARROW! The fans cheer, but Hayata pops free to cover, ONE! TJP sweeps and covers, ONE! Hayata arm-drags, TJP arm-drags, and both men handspring up! The fans fire up while the two stand off. Hayata and TJP reset, TJP offers a handshake, but Hayata leaves him hanging. TJP and Hayata circle, tie up, and Hayata powers TJP to a corner. The ref counts the break, Hayata lets off slowly, but then he forearms TJP!
TJP puts Hayata in the corner to UPPERCUT! TJP whips corner to corner, Hayata reverses but TJP goes up and over. Things speed up, TJP Spider-Mans to the apron but Hayata HANDSPRING KICKS him down! Hayata then PLANCHAS and down goes TJP! The fans fire up while Hayata stands up. Hayata brings TJP up, then POSTS him! The fans rally for TJP while he crawls, but Hayata drags TJP up, to POST him again! TJP falls back, checks his nose, but Hayata brings him up again. Hayata puts TJP in, the fans applaud, and Hayata stomps TJP around. Hayata clamps on a chinlock and he grinds TJP down.
TJP endures, the fans rally up, and TJP stands. TJP powers up and out, but Hayata runs him over! Things keep moving, TJP hurdles but into an atomic drop! Hayata flips TJP for a cover, ONE! The fans cheer but Hayata keeps calm. Hayata stands TJP up to ROCK him, then has him at ropes. Hayata ROCKS TJP, whips him, but TJP holds ropes. TJP BOOTS back, runs up but Hayata ducks! TJP BOOTS Hayata’s lariat away, then drags him down! TJP traps one arm, has the other, DARK SACRIFICE! The fans fire up with TJP and he watches Hayata rise. TJP SOBATS, SNAP HALF HATCHES, then stands back up!
SNAP HALF HATCH! TJP has two, he gets Hayata up, THREE HATCH AMIGOS! Or maybe Three Kaibigan so it’s Tagalog. The fans rally up as TJP aims from the corner. Hayata stands, TJP runs up to back elbow in the corner! TJP then sits Hayata down so he can scrub Hayata’s face! The fans cheer and TJP goes side to side, to BOOT WASH! The fans cheer more and they want it again! TJP obliges and he scrubs Hayata’s face some more! TJP runs side to side again, for the BOOT WASH! The fans fire up, TJP throws up the crown, and then he stands Hayata up. TJP puts Hayata up in the Tree of Woe, then he goes up the corner.
The fans fire up as TJP aims, WOE STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Hayata is still in this but the fans rally behind TJP. TJP pounds the mat and fans clap along, “T! J P! T! J P!” TJP aims, runs up, but Hayata gets around him to roll him up! TWO! Hayata takes a swing but TJP catches it to spin and FINAL CUT! Cover, TWO! Not so final but the fans rally behind TJP. TJP goes for the corner and climbs up. But Hayata trips him up first! Hayata CLUBS TJP, climbs up, then brings TJP to the top! TJP fights the superplex! TJP throws body shots, but Hayata crosses the arms! TJP fights that and shoves Hayata down! MAMBA- NO, TJP has to bail out as Hayata moves!
TJP whips, Hayata reverses and PELES TJP down! TJP flounders to a corner, Hayata goes to the other. Hayata runs up to SHOTGUN TJP down! Hayata then scoops to SLAM TJP into the drop zone! SECOND-ROPE SAULT! Cover, TWO! TJP stays in this and the fans fire up again but Hayata says he’ll end it now! Hayata crosses TJP’s arms, reels him in again, but TJP fights the lift! Hayata kicks him, kicks again, then reels TJP in. But TJP RAMS Hayata into the corner! TJP staggers back, runs up, but Hayata dodges! TORNADO- NO, TJP stops the DDT to SUPERKICK! Hayata SUPERKICKS! Hayata runs, into a WHEEL KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down!
TJP and Hayata stir, sit up, and head for each other. TJP fires a forearm, but Hayata gives it back. TJP fires another forearm, so Hayata gives it back! They stand, the forearms keep going and the fans rally up! TJP gets the edge, then runs, but Hayata atomic drops! Hayata runs to BULLDOG! Hayata then hauls TJP up, crosses the arms, but TJP NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Hayata still has TJP’s arms! TJP reels Hayata in! STRAITJACKET DDT!! TJP aims, runs up, ONE BY ONE!! Cover, TWO!! Hayata survives and TJP is stunned! The fans are thunderous as TJP pounds the mat and goes back to a corner.
TJP climbs, MAMBA SPLASH onto knees! Hayata crosses those arms, STRAITJACKET DDT! Cover, TWO!! TJP survives and Hayata is furious! The fans are thunderous as Hayata gets TJP up! 403- CRADLE!! TJP WINS!!
Winner: TJP, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Hayata earns 0)
TJP snatches victory from the jaws of defeat, and he lives for another round! Will the United Empire’s new leader pull off one of the biggest comebacks in the BOSJ? Will the Silence of Darkness still find a way to shine?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS SHO!
The Sniper of the Skies is neck and neck with the Murder Machine in this race to the top. Will the Soul of PWA Champion get one over on the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion? Or will Sho continue to lie, cheat and steal until he’s won it all?
For whatever reason, Sho tries to pester Kosei Fujita by leaning on him, even pushing his shoulder into Fujita’s chest and stomach. Fujita gets annoyed and he shoves Sho away, and Sho pretends like he just got hurt by Fujita! The fans either cheer because that’s what he deserves or boo because they know it’s a farce. The ref argues with Fujita, Eagles defends Fujita’s innocence, but Sho sneaks up behind Eagles. Eagles blocks the low blow! Sho panics, Eagles says shake hands, and they do. And then Eagles bends fingers! The bell rings, Eagles gets up and around to arm-drag! Eagles keeps moving, he hurdles Sho to then RANA! Sho staggers up, into a WHEEL KICK!
Eagles kips up and the fans fire up. Sho bails out, Eagles builds speed, but then he flips off the ropes as Sho moves. The fans cheer while Sho is upset. Sho still wants Fujita removed from ringside, then he snatches Eagles’ belt! And a chair! Sho wants to smash Eagles’ belt! The ref and Eagles say don’t do it! And then Yujiro shows up! The ref stops Tokyo Pimp where he is, but Sho JAMS Eagles with a chair! Eagles sputters and staggers away, Yujiro keeps the ref distracted, and Sho JAMS Eagles again! Sho puts Eagles’ belt next to the Junior Heavyweight belt, and he brings Eagles into the crowd! Sho has fans move aside, but then decides to go to a different section.
Sho keeps having fans clear out, but then he goes to the merch section! Sho SMACKS Eagles off a table! Eagles falls over, Sho steps on Eagles’ neck, but the ref reprimands. Sho leaves Eagles behind and returns to ringside. The fans boo but Eagles stands back up. The ref is busy arguing with Sho about the chair, the count hasn’t started so Eagles makes it back to ringside. But then Sho kicks Eagles, and suplexes him onto the chair! Eagles writhes and Sho leaves him behind again, and now the ring count begins! Eagles pounds the floor in frustration while he’s down at 5 of 20. Eagles stands at 8 and slides in at 9, but Sho stomps him down!
Sho drags Eagles up, whips him to ropes, and Sho kitchen sink knees him down! Sho grins, he stands on Eagles’ stomach and stomps him more! Sho then has the arms so he can DRAGON STOMP the abs! Eagles endures, and Sho shifts into a half straitjacket clutch! Eagles endures, even as Sho digs a knee into the stomach! Eagles pries at the hold, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, but Sho stands on Eagles’ chest! The ref reprimands and the fans boo, but Sho steps away. Sho then stomps Eagles and insults Australia. Sho storms up on Eagles in a corner, slaps him around, then stomps him more.
Sho digs his boots in, the ref reprimands and counts, but Sho lets off at 4. Sho grins while he looms over Eagles. Sho talks trash, kicks Eagles, but Eagles throws body shots. Eagles CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Sho kicks low! Sho reels Eagles in to hang him out to dry! Then Sho gut wrenches Eagles off the ropes, for a GUT BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Eagles stays in this and the fans rally up but Sho is annoyed. Sho grabs the Soul of PWA belt again, but the ref reprimands. Sho sets the belt down, but then steps on it! The fans boo, Eagles grabs at the belt, but Sho asks what’s wrong. Eagles fires forearms and backs Sho down!
The fans rally but Sho kicks low. Sho whips Eagles to a corner hard, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Sho comes back, but Eagles drops low to get under for the sunset! TWO, but Eagles steps through, only for Sho to kick him in the stomach! Sho then fireman’s carries Eagles, puts him on the top rope, and CLUBS away on Eagles’ side! Sho runs corner to corner and back again, TOP SHELF KNEE! Sho drags Eagles down, covers, TWO! Sho is frustrated but the fans rally up. Sho slashes his throat and vows to end this one. Sho drags Eagles up, reels him in and tucks the arms, STRAITJACKET- NO, Eagles wrenches free and slips around, schoolboy bridge! TWO!
Sho gets up, but Eagles dropkicks the legs out! The fans rally up, Eagles grits his teeth and KICKS Sho in the chest! And KICKS! And KICKS! Eagles’ stomach hurts, but he runs, only for Yujiro to trip him up! Sho distracts the ref, Yujiro CLAWS Eagles’ eyes! The fans boo but Yujiro holds Eagles in place! Sho runs up, but Eagles ducks and Sho BLASTS Yujiro! Eagles gest around Sho, CHOP BLOCKS then runs, BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Sho tumbles out, the fans fire up and Eagles builds speed. Eagles DIVES and takes out both Sho & Yujiro! The fans fire up while everyone is down, and the ring count starts. Eagles roars and rises at 6 of 20!
Eagles drags Sho up at 10, puts him in at 11, and the fans fire up with Eagles. Eagles springboards in, to MISSILE DROPKICK the legs! The fans fire up, Eagles runs, LEG LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Sho is still in this, but he flounders away to a corner. Eagles runs up to DOUBLE KNEE! Eagles then rolls, returns, basement 619! Eagles snarls, runs back in, METEORA! The fans fire up as Eagles stacks Sho, TWO! Sho survives but Eagles drags Sho from ropes. The fans fire up and Eagles steps through, but Sho pulls on Eagles’ scarf! The ref reprimands, Sho lets go, and Eagles SPINNING TOEHOLDS the leg!
The fans fire up while Sho writhes, and Eagles goes up and out. Eagles rallies the fans and he climbs the corner. 450 SPLASH but Eagles has to roll through as Sho moves! Sho runs up, Eagles blocks a kick, but Sho fights the backpack and bends the fingers! Eagles breaks free, SOBATS, then runs, but the ref is a shield! Sho SPEARS Eagles down! The fans rally while Sho has a wild grin on his face. Sho drags Eagles up, tucks the arms, STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Sho is furious with the ref but the count was fair. Sho aims his bow, drags Eagles up and reels him back in. Sho pump handles, lifts, but Eagles slips free!
Eagles steps over, ROUNDHOUSES, SUPERKICKS and PELES! Sho wobbles and the fans fire up! Eagles cravats, but Sho powers out! Yujiro is there but Eagles BOOTS him! Eagles dodges Sho, waistlocks, but Sho switches. Eagles fights the lift, to cravat and ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! But into the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Sho endures, but Yujiro gest on the apron! Fujita drags him down! Sho crawls for ropes , but Eagles drags him away! Eagles puts on the pressure, but Sho grabs at the ref! Yujiro’s up to something, HE RINGS THE BELL! Eagles thinks he’s won but no, it was a fake out! The fans boo as Eagles is confused!
Sho laughs at Eagles for falling for it, but Eagles just gets the leg again! Sho BOOTS Eagles into the ref! And Yujiro goes after Fujita! Then Yujiro joins Sho in the ring and they beat down Eagles! The fans boo more but Yujiro bumps Eagles off buckles. Yujiro whips corner to corner, then runs in to BOOT! Sho runs in to clothesline! Sho snapmares Eagles and sets him up for Yujiro’s FALLING HEAD- BOOTS! Eagles kicks Yujiro, he kicks Sho, and the fans fire up! Eagles fires off forearms on Yujiro and Sho! Eagles fires a flurry on Sho, but Yujiro kicks low! Yujiro grabs his cane! The fans boo but Eagles dodges! Fujita springboards in to MISSILE DROPKICK Yujiro!
The fans are thunderous, but Sho has his Torture Tool! Fujita blocks the wrench attack, and then Eagles wrenches Sho’s arm! They lift Sho up for a MAXXY BOMB!! And then Fujita PLANCHAS Yujiro! The fans are thunderous as Eagles reloads and aims at Sho! HYPERION!! Cover, Eagles wins!
Winner: Robbie Eagles, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sho earns 0)
Eagles pulls the trigger and he shoots down the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion! This on top of their wins over the War Dogs, will TMDK look to grab up all the Junior Heavyweight gold? Will Sho have to really rethink his game plan to avoid giving out more golden tickets?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: El Desperado VS Blake Christian!
The Rogue Luchador could not ground The Jet, and now he’s facing the near unstoppable All Heat! Will Desperado get burned again? Or will he bring down THE GCW Champion on his way back to the top?
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. Blake taunts the fans calling for “DESPE~!” The two tie up with knuckle locks, then Despe rolls to wrangle Blake and wrench to a wristlock. Blake rolls, cartwheels, slips through and wrenches to then clap with Despe’s hand. Blake wristlocks, hammerlocks, but Despe rolls to wrench and wristlock back. Blake fights up, powers through and waistlocks to then spin, snapmare, body scissor and roll to a cover, TWO! The fans applaud and even Despe claps. Blake mocks Despe clapping for him, and the two reset. They tie up, Despe wrenches and wristlocks but Blake wrenches back.
Despe wrenches, Blake wrenches, repeat, but then Blake CLAWS Despe’s eyes! Blake mocks Despe, whips him to a corner, but Despe reverses. Blake BOOTS back, goes up, but Despe YANKS him down! The fans cheer while Blake writhes. Despe SPLASHES down, covers, ONE! Despe stands on Blake’s leg, Blake reaches for ropes, but Despe stomps the leg! The fans rally as Despe stalks Blake, gets a leg, and he drops an elbow on the knee! Blake tries to fight back, he pulls at the mask, but Despe pulls on the leg! Despe stands up to stomp the leg, but Blake kicks free with the good leg! Despe storms back up but Blake wrenches, hammerlocks and RAMS Despe into buckles!
Blake brings Despe into the ropes, grabs the bad arm, and then turns Despe so that he can stand on the arm and bend it back! Red Shoes reprimands, the fans boo, but Blake STOMPS the arm! Despe flounders away, the fans rally up, but Blake drops down, springboards in, and FLYING LARIATS! Blake mocks the applause then flips everyone off. The fans boo but Blake goes back to Despe. Blake drops KNEES on the elbow! Despe goes to ropes, Blake follows and pulls the arm around the ropes! Red Shoes counts, Blake lets off at 3, then mocks the fans cheering “DESPE~!” Despe throws body shots, then whips, but Blake handsprings and wheelbarrows! Somersault and KNEE DROP!
The fans are torn over the agility, but Blake flips them all off anyway. Despe flops out of the ring while clutching his elbow, but Blake pursues. Blake drags Despe around for a MOUNTED ARMBAR! Blake adds a double wristlock variation, but lets off as Red Shoes reprimands. Red Shoes wants this in the ring, but Blake drags Despe to the corner and wraps the bad arm around the post! Then Blake YANKS Despe into the post! Red Shoes reprimands again, but Blake goes looking for things. Blake brings out chairs! He lets one go to bring the other over, but Red Shoes says don’t do it. Blake lets Red Shoes have that chair, to get the other! Blake JAMS the bad arm!!
The fans boo but Blake sits in the chair to mockingly applaud. Blake then puts Despe’s arm through that chair to bend it! Blake mocks the booing now, but Despe gets free. Blake has the bad arm, he brings Despe around to snapmare, then he steps over for an ARM TWIST! Despe writhes but Blake kicks him around. Despe throws hands but Blake ROCKS him! Blake pulls on the bad arm, claps with Despe’s hand, then clamps on a double wristlock! Despe fights but Blake CLUBS him, brings him along, and body shots him in front of the bleachers. Blake gets space, and comes back with railing! Blake CHUCKS it into Despe!
The fans boo, Red Shoes reprimands, but then Blake wraps Despe’s arms around the railing! Blake ROCKS Despe, wrenches, and UPPERCUTS the arm! The fans boo, Blake gets more space, and he mockingly claps. Blake runs all the way back in, and FLIES over the railing to take out Despe! The fans are again torn because that was still impressive. Blake again mocks the fans cheering on “DESPE~!” and brings Despe up. Blake UPPERCUTS the arm but Despe CLUBS Blake with the other! Blake hits an ELBOW BREAKER on the bad arm! Blake leaves Despe behind to get in the ring, and argues for the count to start.
Red Shoes does start the count, but Despe rises up. Despe reaches the ring at 6, rolls in at 8, and the fans cheer. Blake smirks and storms back up on Despe. Blake wraps the arm around ropes, then YANKS it as he lets off. Blake drags Despe up, then HALF ‘N’ HALF SUPLEXES! Blake slashes his throat, vowing to end it now. Blake aims from a corner, runs up, and STEP UP- NO, Despe avoids the stomp! Blake’s leg jams a bit, but he still kicks first. Blake whips, Despe reverses and scoops for a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up while both men are down! Despe and Blake go to corners, and Despe drags himself up with one good arm.
The fans rally, Despe runs corner to corner, and he ELBOWS Blake! Then Despe reels Blake in to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Despe SPLASHES Blake’s leg! Then GROUND DRAGON SCREWS! Now Blake writhes and the fans fire up! Despe nods as the fans rally up behind him. Despe gets the bad leg, YANKS it, then puts on the STRETCH MUFFLER! Blake endures, reaches out, but Despe grabs the arm, NUMERO DOS! Blake flails with his one free arm but Despe drags him back! Blake still fights forward, to the ROPEBREAK! Despe lets go, but “Oops!” he drops knees on the knee! Blake crawls away and Despe shakes the bad arm.
Despe storms up on Blake, whips, but Blake holds ropes! Despe KICKS Blake’s leg and Blake goes to a corner. Despe runs in, Blake dodges and BOOTS! Blake then goes up and out, springboards back in, and he DOUBLE STOMPS the bad arm! Blake wrenches but Despe fights the takedown! Despe scoops, Blake slips free, and Blake staggers to ropes. Despe runs up but Blake dumps him out! Despe is on the apron, Blake blocks his punch to GAMANGIRI! Despe falls to the floor, Blake builds speed, and Blake FLIES! Direct hit and the fans fire up again! Both men are down, Red Shoes checks them both, and they’re both okay to continue.
The fans rally as Blake and Despe stir. The ring count starts, Blake rolls closer at 3 of 20. Both men are still down at 5, but Blake drags himself up and in at 9. Despe sits up at 12, hurries over, but the bad arm holds him back! We’re past 15! Despe rises, Blake wants it faster! Despe slides in at 19! Blake springboards in to 450 SPLASH on the back!! Cover, TWO!! Despe survives, but ends up in a FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Blake thrashes the arm, puts on as much pressure as he can, but the fans are rallying behind Despe as he fights around! Despe reaches out, claws at the mat, and manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, but Blake BITES Despe’s hand!
Red Shoes reprimands and the fans boo but Blake lets Despe go. The match passes 15 minutes, one of the longer matches tonight, and the halfway point of the time limit. Blake goes back to Despe, he throws a forearm, but Despe scowls. Despe fires forearm after forearm, but Blake ROCKS him in return! Blake stands, Despe growls, and Despe throws more forearms! Blake ROCKS him again! Despe glares at Blake, Blake eggs him on, so Despe fires another flurry! Blake UPPERCUTS! Despe KICKS the leg! Blake KICKS the arm! Blake hobbles, wrenches and WRINGS the bad arm out! Blake goes to a corner, slashes his throat, and runs up to STEP UP- SPINEBUSTER!
The fans fire up as both men are down again! Despe roars, he drags Blake up and underhooks, PINCHE- NO, Blake fights it to wrench and PELE the arm! But Despe CHOPS! Blake kips up to SUPERKICK! Despe wobbles, Blake fires up, but Despe ROCKS him! And ROCKS him again! Blake rebounds to JUMP KNEE!! Blake fires up, runs, but Despe DECKS him!! Despe underhooks for TIGER DRIVER!! Despe then drags Blake back up for PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, Despe wins!!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Blake earns 0)
All Heat finally runs out of steam, but Despe still needs the ice for his arm! It was a fiery main event to be sure, but will this first loss take the air out of Blake’s sails? Or can he get hot again in the next round?
As for Desperado, he gets the mic, and he promises someone will translate this for Blake later. When they faced off in America, Desperado thought there’d be more to follow. Desperado waited so long for this, but it was worth the wait! Thanks for the great match! The fans cheer that! Desperado says he was waiting so long, he could’ve made it to the finals twice and lost twice. Whether or not anyone else has waited for this, he’s waited so long to get this! And if we have to wait any longer, even Despe will get bored of himself! So watch closely, because he’s gonna win the whole thing! The fans cheer that! Will the Rogue Luchador, even with a bad arm, claw his way to the top?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Blake Christian: 4-1, 8 points
El Desperado: 3-2, 6 points
Clark Connors: 3-2, 6 points
Titan: 3-2, 6 points
Kevin Knight: 3-2, 6 points
HAYATA: 2-3, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-3, 4 points
BUSHI: 2-3, 4 points
Kosei Fujita: 2-3, 4 points
TJP: 1-4, 2 points
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
KUSHIDA: 4-1, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 3-2, 6 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 3-2, 6 points
Robbie Eagles: 3-2, 6 points
“Drilla” Moloney: 3-2, 6 points
DOUKI: 3-2, 6 points
SHO: 2-3, 4 points
Francesco Akira: 2-3, 4 points
Ninja Mack: 2-3, 4 points
Dragon Dia: 0-5, 0 points
My Thoughts:
Another awesome round for the BOSJ here, though the results weren’t quite so shocking this time. I will say, it seems like Dia is gonna keep riding the bottom of the block until he has to spoil someone’s run. TJP meanwhile gets a great first win in taking down Hayata. If nothing else, maybe there could be a NJPW VS Noah story where TJP challenges for the GHC National Championship. Great match from Kushida and Taiji for the top spot in B Block, and a very fun match from Hiromu and Mack. Hiromu and Kushida each winning is fitting, they’re both great choices for semifinalists. But with a win over Hiromu and Taiji already, Kushida has all but locked in a spot in the semifinals.
Awesome win for Eagles over Sho, and Sho might have to give a lot of people title matches for the Summer. Awesome main event for Desperado and Blake, and a great win for Desperado here. No more undefeateds in this run, and a win over the A Block leader could be a sign that Desperado is going to the semifinals one way or another. However, in more unfortunate news is that Akira did end up legitimately injured during his match, as confirmed by NJPW themselves. Here’s hoping Akira can still compete in the tournament, he was doing great for being 2-3. If not, points by forfeit would go to Hiromu, Douki, Eagles and Sho. B Block is really strong with a lot of 3-2 records right now, free points would really help Hiromu, Douki and Eagles move past Taiji, who lost to Akira anyway.
My Score: 9/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/18/24)
Come together for Round 4!
Who will lead the blocks at the end of tonight?
Four men go into the Best of the Super Junior’s fourth round at 3-0. Will any of them be able to go 4-0? Or will they all run out of luck?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: Clark Connors VS Kosei Fujita; Fujita wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Dragon Dia VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Drilla wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: HAYATA VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Hayata wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: DOUKI VS Ninja Mack; Douki wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: BUSHI VS TJP; Bushi wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles; Eagles wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: Titan VS Blake Christian; Blake wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Francesco Akira VS Taiji Ishimori; Akira wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: El Deperado VS Kevin Knight; Knight wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS SHO; Hiromu wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings!
Titan: 3-0, 6 points
Blake Christian: 3-0, 6 points
El Desperado: 2-1, 4 points
Kevin Knight: 2-1, 4 points
Clark Connors: 2-1, 4 points
Kosei Fujita: 1-2, 2 points
HAYATA: 1-2, 2 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 1-2, 2 points
TJP: 0-3, 0 points
BUSHI: 0-3, 0 points
Here are the current B Block standings!
KUSHIDA: 3-0, 6 points
Taiji Ishimori: 3-0, 6 points
SHO: 2-1, 4 points
Ninja Mack: 2-1, 4 points
Francesco Akira: 1-2, 2 points
Robbie Eagles: 1-2, 2 points
“Drilla” Moloney: 1-2, 2 points
DOUKI: 1-2, 2 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 1-2, 2 points
Dragon Dia: 0-3, 0 points
Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: Clark Connors VS Kosei Fujita!
100 Proof is going strong, but the Ichiban Young Punk isn’t feeling so mighty. Even so, Fujita could make a big leap up the block if he wins here. Will TMDK have a golden ticket to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships? Or will he have to drown his sorrows with No Chaser?
The bell rings and Connors runs right in! Fujita dodges, RANAS, and Connors tumbles out! The fans fire up and Fujita builds speed, but Connors steps aside. So Fujita goes to the apron and PENALTY KICKS! The fans fire up with Fujita while Connors flounders back into the ring. Fujita storms after Connors, CHOPS him, then has him in a corner. Fujita CHOPS again, then follows Connors to another corner. Fujita CHOPS again, Connors snarls, and he goes to the fourth corner. Fujita CHOPS, Connors shoves him away. Fujita runs back in but Connors TOSSES him up and out! The fans boo while Fujita flounders.
Connors goes out after Fujita, drags him up, and runs him into a POST! Connors shouts, the fans cheer, but then Connors takes a fan’s TMDK shirt! Connors CHOKES Fujita with it, then throws it at a Young Lion. Connors then storms down the aisle, comes back for Fujita, and tells fans to shut up with the booing. Connors stands Fujita up and fans move aside! Connors BOWLS Fujita into the chairs! Strike! The fans boo, Connors tells them off but the fans tell him off back. Connors says no one boos him! Nobody! Connors takes a chair, throws it down on Fujita, then does it again and again with more chairs!
The ref reprimands, Connors leaves Fujita behind, and the fans rally up for Fujita. Fujita rises as the ring count starts, but Connors paces around the outside as he waits. The count reaches 10 of 20, then 13. Connors chuckles as Fujita crawls, but then Connors shoves a Young Lion into Fujita! Connors leaves Fujita behind and we’re at 17! 18! Fujita slides in at 19! Connors is mad at the ref for the slow count! The ref defends his count was fair. Connors tells fans off, has a cocky cover on Fujita, but the ref refuses to count. Connors scrapes Fujita’s face, drags him up, and snap suplexes! Then Connors runs to JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally up for Fujita but Connors is frustrated. Connors drags Fujita up, but Fujita blocks the snap suplex! The fans rally as Fujita continues to block. Connors throws body shots, but Fujita CHOPS! Connors wobbles, Fujita CHOPS again! Connors UPPERCUTS, Fujita wobbles and Connors runs, but into a LEG LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Fujita rises, waits on Connors, and then runs up to CHOP in the corner! Fujita snapmares Connors, goes up and out, and the fans rally as he takes aim. Fujita springboards back in, but into a SPEAR! Connors shakes his head, whips Fujita, and SNAP POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Fujita survives! Connors goes to a corner and takes aim. Connors barks, runs in, SPEAR!! Cover, but Connors lets off!? Connors grins and wags his finger, he wants Fujita to hurt! Connors calls out “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE! F you, punk!” Connors steps through to steal the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Fujita endures, the fans rally up, and Fujita claws his way around! But Connors drags him back! Fujita claws at the mat, powers up and has the ROPEBREAK! Connors lets go in frustration, The Sniper he is not. But Connors stomps Fujita around and drags him up. Connors reels Fujita in and calls his shot!
But Fujita fights the lift, wrenches and waistlocks, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Connors is still in this but Fujita still holds on! Connors fights the lift, throws an elbow, but Fujita CLUBS him back! Fujita runs, but Connors goes the other way! JEEP FLIPPER!! The fans boo but Connors reloads in the corner! Fujita slowly rises, Connors runs in again, SPEAR!! Cover, TWO?!?! Fujita survives and the fans are thunderous! Connors CLUBS away on Fujita, drags him up, but Fujita’s a ragdoll! The ref checks but Connors CLUBS Fujita more. But Fujita trips Connors, rolls and ties the legs up, QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH!!
Connors endures, reaches out, scrambles forward, but Fujita gets the arms! QUEEN ANGELITO’S SURFBOARD!! Connors endures, but Fujita has the chinlock now to really pull him back! Connors TAPS, Fujita wins!!
Winner: Kosei Fujita, by submission (gains 2 points; Connors earns 0)
Connors got cocky and now he pays for it! How will he explain this one to Bullet Club? As for Fujita, The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but will they be aiming for those tag titles after this tournament?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Dragon Dia VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
The Infinity Carat Diamond isn’t shining quite as bright as he’d hope being the bottom of this block. However, 44 Caliber hasn’t quite hit the mark, either. Will Dia be unbreakable even now? Or will he start to crack under the pressure?
The bell rings and the two stare down. The fans rally for Dia and the two circle. They tie up, and Drilla shoves Dia down! Drilla laughs and mockingly apologizes. Dia fires himself up, ties up with Drilla again, but Drilla THROWS Dia away! Drilla eggs Dia on, and Dia stands back up. Dia dodges to CHOP, CHOP and CHOP! Drilla shoves, Dia ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl arm-drag! The fans fire up and Dia keeps moving. Dia tilt-o-whirls twice, DEJA VU RANAS! The fans fire up and Drilla goes out to the apron! Dia GAMANGIRIS him down, then PLANCHAS, but Drilla catches him! Drilla pops Dia around, but Dia slips free to arm-drag again!
The fans fire up while Drilla writhes on the floor. Dia catches his breath, the fans rally up, and Dia drags Drilla up. Dia puts Drilla in, the fans applaud, and Dia hurries to bring Drilla up. Drilla CHOPS back! Dia comes back to CHOP, and CHOP, and CHOP! Drilla spins to CHOP! Drilla snarls, runs, but Dia DROPKICKS him! Drilla stays up, Dia runs up to ENZIGIRI! Dia fires up, drop toeholds Drilla, then runs up, 6- NO! Drilla blocks the call, brings Dia up, but Dia slips free and DROPKICKS Drilla onto ropes! Redial, 619! Dia then slingshot CORKSCREW SPLASHES! The fans fire up as Drilla goes out, and Dia ASAI MOONSAULTS!
The fans fire up again as Dia continues to bring out the Ultimo Dragon arsenal! Dia drags Drilla up and into the ring, then aims from a corner. The fans rally, Drilla stands, and Dia runs up, roll and- NO, Drilla fights it! But Dia rains down fists, and hits REPTILIAN RANA! Cover, TWO and Drilla sunset flips! To deadlift and POWERBOMB! Flip over, and Canadian Rack! DRILLA KILLA!! Cover, Drilla wins!!!
Winner: “Drilla” Moloney, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Dia earns 0)
Perhaps Drilla learned from watching Connors fail that you don’t show mercy, you get the job done! Will 44 Caliber continue to go for the kill until he’s the Best of the Super Juniors? As for Dia, he is still at the bottom, is he about to break?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: HAYATA VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
The Silence of Darkness and the Heel Master are near the back of the pack, both hoping to claw their way up. Will the GHC National Champion make quite the impact in the fourth round? Or will Kanemaru make things a bit hazy with his whiskey?
Oh well of course Kanemaru attacks during Hayata’s entrance! House of Torture 101 is do whatever you can to get the edge! Kanemaru then drags Hayata up to POST him! The ref reprimands and fans boo but Kanemaru stomps Hayata. Kanemaru tells the ref to leave him alone, even pushes him aside, and then he stomps Hayata. Hayata gets out of his coat but Kanemaru brings him around to SMACK off the commentary table! Kanemaru then drags Hayata by a leg, turns him over, and SMASHES the knee on the floor! Hayata writhes, Kanemaru leaves him behind, and the fans rally up. The ref checks, Hayata seems okay to continue.
Hayata gets in the ring, the bell rings, and Kanemaru is right on Hayata with a whip. Kanemaru dropkicks the leg out! Kanemaru then drags Hayata up for a SHIN BREAKER! Kanemaru drops an elbow on the leg, then traps the leg in a toehold. Hayata tries to fight back but Kanemaru cranks the knee! The fans rally as Hayata endures, crawls over, and has the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru lets go, but then drags Hayata from ropes to YANK the bad leg! Hayata writhes, Kanemaru storms up and stomps the bad leg! Hayata grits his teeth as he sits up, but Kanemaru grabs the leg, trips Hayata, and has a standing toehold!
Hayata endures as Kanemaru twists the ankle! Hayata pushes back but Kanemaru traps the leg for a KNEE JAMMER! Kanemaru lets off to then drag Hayata from ropes, and turn him for the HALF CRAB! Hayata endures, the fans rally, but Kanemaru sits deep! The fans rally as Hayata fights his way forward, to the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru holds on until the ref counts 4. The fans boo but Kanemaru looms over Hayata. Kanemaru stomps Hayata’s leg, but Hayata rises to fire forearms! Kanemaru kicks the bad leg, then grabs it for a SHIN BREAKER! Hayata falls over and Kanemaru paces around.
Kanemaru taunts Hayata, kicks him around, slaps him around, then kicks him some more. Hayata stands to ROCK Kanemaru! And ROCK him again! Kanemaru CLAWS the eyes! Kanemaru whips but Hayata reverses to ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up and Hayata gets up. Hayata goes to a corner, runs up and SHOTGUNS Kanemaru down! Hayata slaps the bad leg into working and the fans rally up. Hayata runs in at the corner, but into a BOOT! Kanemaru runs up but Hayata dodges! Hayata BOOTS back, goes up, and reels Kanemaru in, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up while Hayata crawls for the cover, TWO!
The fans rally behind Hayata as he drags Kanemaru up. Hayata scoops and SLAMS Kanemaru into a drop zone, then goes up the corner. Hayata manages the second-rope MOONSAULT but FLOPS as Kanemaru moves! Kanemaru dropkicks the bad leg! Kanemaru steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Hayata endures as Kanemaru thrashes and puts on the pressure! The fans rally, Hayata reaches out, and he fights to turn things, only for Kanemaru to turn it right back! Hayata endures, keeps fighting, and he turns things over! Kanemaru turns them back over but now they’re in the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru needs the ref to undo the hold?!
The ref pulls at the figure four, Kanemaru lets Hayata free, but then Kanemaru stomps Hayata. Kanemaru drags Hayata up to suplex, but Hayata slips free! But the leg jams! Kanemaru goes up, DEEP- DROPKICK! Hayata counters the flying DDT and now he brings Kanemaru up. Hayata cross the arms, STRAITJACKET DDT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Hayata brings Kanemaru up again. 403- NO, Kanemaru fights the DDT, trips Hayata, but Hayata cradle counters! TWO!! Hayata kicks, runs, but Kanemaru sends the ref into him! ENZIGIRI! The fans boo while both ref and Hayata go down!
Kanemaru mockingly checks on the ref, then gets his whiskey! Kanemaru takes a swig, brings Hayata up, but Hayata smothers him! Kanemaru pushes Hayata away, but then Hayata ducks the mist! Hayata waistlocks, but he blocks the mule kick! LOW BLOW!! And then 403 IMPACT!! Cover, Hayata wins!!
Winner: Hayata, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
The Heel Master tried to sneak one past the ref, but he ended up tasting his own medicine! Will he just have to drown his sorrows in what’s left of his whiskey? Will Hayata be able to turn things around now that he’s broke even at 2-2?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: DOUKI VS Ninja Mack!
Japones del Mal was riding high after beating Hiromu, but Drilla drove him right back down to Earth. As for the American Shinobi, he got cheated by Sho just like anyone else. Who rebounds from last round to head back up the block?
The bell rings and the fans rally up for Douki. Mack offers a handshake, and Douki accepts. The fans cheer the sportsmanship and the two circle. They tie up, Douki powers Mack back but Mack puts Douki in the corner. The ref counts, Mack lets off, and the fans applaud. They rally for “NINJA! NINJA!” The two tie up again, go around and end up in a corner. Douki turns things around on Mack, but lets off as the ref counts. The fans rally up for Douki again, and he ties up with Mack. Mack wrenches the arm to wristlock, but Douki rolls. Mack rolls with him! Douki rolls back but Mack rolls with him again!
Douki stands, they both cartwheel, and Mack keeps the wristlock! The fans rally, Douki spins and reaches back to headlock. Douki grinds Mack down but Mack powers up and out. Things speed up, Mack hurdles but Douki leaps over! Mack kips up, whips but Douki reverses. Douki drops down but Mack handstand walks over! Then Mack handsprings back to RANA, but Douki handsprings through! Things keep moving, Douki tilt-o-whirl RANAS, but Mack handspring and flips through! The fans fire up as the two stand off! Mack and Douki reset, and Mack takes a fighting stance. He eggs Douki on, and the fans rally up for Douki!
Douki strikes a fighting stance of his own! The two circle, and Mack kicks first! Douki blocks that but then Mack blocks the uppercut! Douki SOUTHPAW HELL STABS! Then he reels Mack in for a DDT! The fans rally, Mack goes to a corner, but Douki is on him with a whip. Douki ELBOWS Mack down, covers, TWO! The fans applaud, and Douki stalks Mack. Mack fires body shots! Douki KNEES low, runs, but Mack pops Douki up to “HADOUKEN!” palm strike! Douki falls back, Mack takes aim from the corner. Mack runs up, UPPERCUTS and then sends himself up and out! The fans fire upas Mack returns to RAM into Douki!
Mack slingshots to sunset flip, but Douki rolls through. Mack reels Douki in, lifts, but Douki slips free! Mack HOOK KICKS, whips, but Douki reverses! Mack headstands in the corner then BOOTS Douki down! High stack cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Mack tells Douki to just quit already. Mack drags Douki up, winds up, but Douki ducks the buzzsaw! Douki waistlocks, Mack switches, but Douki throws elbows. Douki goes to run but Mack reels him in. Douki kicks free, but Mack ducks the enzigiri to HEEL STAB! Mack runs up but Douki BOOTS him! Douki’s on the apron, DAY- CHOP!
Mack sends Douki down and then he builds speed! The fans fire up as Mack handsprings, but into a waistlock! Douki wheelbarrows but Mack slips free to roll Douki up! TWO, into ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! Mack endures and stays on his feet, but Douki pulls! Mack headstands for a cover?! TWO!! SUPERKICK!! Douki flops out of the ring, Mack fires up! The fans rally, Mack handsprings to SASUKE SPECIAL! The fans are thunderous and Mack brings Douki back up! Mack puts Douki in, covers, TWO! Mack hurries to get Douki up and reel him in. Mack lifts for the RUNNING POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Douki survives and the fans fire up again!
Mack fires up and calls for the finish! Mack goes up and NINJA- NO, Douki moves! Mack rolls through, but Douki BOOTS him! Douki goes up, Mack UPPERCUTS first! Mack goes up the corner after Douki, to SUPER STEINER that Douki sunset flips! TWO, but into ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! Mack fights around, reaches out, but Douki rolls him from ropes! ITALIAN STRETCH 32!! Mack is fading, he QUITS! Douki wins!!
Winner: Douki, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Mack earns 0)
The Mack attack could not stop Douki, and now The Italian Stretch #32 has two victims! Will Mack be able to get back up? Will Douki still find his way to the top of the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: BUSHI VS TJP!
A critical showdown is happening right here in the middle of the card! Neither Black Mask nor Public Enemy is on the board yet with their 0-3 records, something’s gotta give! Who leaves the other behind with a daunting 0-4 start?
The fans already rally and duel, “T J P! T J P!” “BU~SHI! BU~SHI!” The bell rings, both rush in, but TJP avoids the low dropkick! TJP stomps Bushi, strips Bushi of his LIJ shirt and throws it away! TJP whips Bushi to a corner, runs in, but Bushi BOOTS him! Bushi goes up to M- DROPKICK! The fans fire up and TJP goes corner to corner, to ELBOW! TJP then stomps Bushi down, and scrapes Bushi’s, well, mask really. TJP runs side to side, but he jumps over Bushi’s dropkick! TJP whips Bushi, Bushi reverses, but TJP goes Spider-Man, only for Bushi to dropkick him down! Bushi builds speed, but TJP returns to LARIAT!
The fans fire up was Bushi tumbles out. TJP builds speed, and he WRECKS Bushi with a dropkick! The fans fire up as TJP throws the crown up. TJP brings Bushi around, and POSTS him! The fans rally again as TJP stands in the ring. TJP goes back out to fetch Bushi and put him in the ring. TJP pounds the mat, fans clap along, “T! J P! T! J P!” Bushi rises, TJP runs up, ONE BY- NO, Bushi ducks and TJP almost runs into the ref! Bushi runs up, TJP dodges, and Bushi almost runs into the ref! TJP kicks low, reels Bushi in, and uses the ref in the TORNADO DDT! Cover, but the ref goes down! TJP realizes his mistake!
TJP checks the ref, goes back for Bushi, but he smothers Bushi to contain the mist! TJP then works up a BLOOD MIST but Bushi ducks! BLACK MIST!! Bushi reels TJP in, backslide and BUSHI ROLL! BUSHI WINS!!
Winner: Bushi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; TJP earns 0)
The Public Enemy tried to make things fast and furious but it all backfired! Bushi finally has points, is there still a chance he can take the block? As for TJP, what is he supposed to do to get out of this awful slump?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Robbie Eagles!
The Timesplitter must have turned back time somehow, because he is 3-0 and doesn’t look to be slowing down! Will he be able to keep it up? Or will the Sniper of the Skies be the first major speedbump?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. Fans start a “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” but it’s not quite as strong as other times. Kushida and Eagles knuckle lock, then Kushida steps over to wrench and cravat. Kushida brings Eagles to his knees but Eagles fights up. Eagles wrenches Kushida’s arm, wrenches it again and top wristlocks, but Kushida endures. The fans rally, Kushida slips around to waistlock, full nelson, then he spins Eagles to arm-drag him down. Kushida wrenches the arm to a hammerlock, pulls on it, but Eagles endures. Eagles sits up, rolls around and drop toe holds to facelock. Kushida rolls free and the fans cheer.
Kushida and Eagles reset, Kushida gets a leg, and then slips to a headlock. Eagles powers up and out, Kushida runs him over! Things keep moving, Eagles hurdles but Kushida leaps then backs up, to get the legs! Kushida turns Eagles over for a SEATED SURFBOARD! Eagles endures, fights up, and he fights to turn things around. The fans rally, Eagles gets an arm free and he goes up and around to arm-drag Kushida away! Eagles then runs to CHOP BLOCK the legs out! The fans fire up while Kushida clutches a knee. Eagles grabs that leg, isolates it, SLAPS it around, then winds up to PENALTY KICK the leg!
Eagles says he scores with that kick, then he stalks Kushida to a corner. Eagles CHOPS, then follows Kushida to another corner. Eagles UPPERCUTS, stomps the bad leg, then digs his boots in! The ref counts, Eagles drops back, and Kushida goes to the apron. Eagles goes out after Kushida, SLAMS the bad leg on the apron, and the fans applaud. Eagles goes to the crowd to fire them up, then he steps back into the ring. Eagles stalks Kushida, but Kushida CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Eagles kicks the bad leg! Kushida falls over, but Eagles gets the leg to step over. Eagles has a standing toehold, then SNAP LOCKS it!
Eagles ties the legs up in a FIGURE FOUR! Kushida endures, the fans rally, but Eagles keeps Kushida from ropes! Kushida rolls, Eagles rolls, and they end up in the ROPEBREAK! Eagles lets off the hold, brings Kushida up, and he puts Kushida in a corner. Eagles wrenches, whips, but Kushida barely makes it corner to corner! Eagles runs in to DOUBLE KNEE! Kushida sits down, Eagles comes back, METEORA! Eagles fires up and the fans are with him! Eagles drags Kushida to a high stack, TWO! Kushida also has the ropes, but Eagles goes up the corner. The fans rally as Eagles aims, but Kushida is up to GAMANGIRI!
Kushida shakes out the bad leg, climbs up after Eagles, but Eagles fires body shots and forearms! Eagles HEADBUTTS Kushida away! Kushida comes back to HANDSPRING KICK! Eagles falls to the apron then the floor! The fans rally up, Kushida goes to the apron and runs up, FLYING KNEE to the bad arm! Eagles hobbles away but Kushida gets him in the ring. Kushida takes aim, and he KICKS Eagles in the leg! And KICKS again! Kushida whips, Eagles reverses but Kushida handsprings to BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up as Kushida roars! Kushida goes to a corner, Eagles goes to the other. Kushida runs in, but Eagles dodges!
Eagles returns but Kushida HIP TOSSES him! Kushida handsprings to basement DROPKICK, but Eagles catches the bad leg! HEEL HOOK!! Kushida scrambles around, gets free, but Eagles keeps him from ropes! KNEEBAR!! Kushida endures again and the fans rally up! Kushida drags Eagles along, reaches out, but Eagles drags him back! Kushida basement O’Conner Rolls! Bridging cover, TWO!! Both men stand, Kushida runs up to KICK Eagles’ arm! And KICK! And KICK, but into the TURBO- NO, Kushida turns backpack into takedown! ARMBAR!! Eagles flails, fights around, rolls and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Kushida lets go in frustration.
The fans rally while both men are down and catching their breath. Eagles stands, but Kushida runs up to DROPKICK the bad arm! Kushida spins Eagles to ROLLING ELBOW! Eagles avoids the Penalty Kick! Kushida ducks the Roundhouse! Eagles avoids the Fastball to steal the FASTBALL! Kushida wobbles, Eagles reels him in but the bad arm holds him back. Eagles switches sides to cravat, SLICED- NO, Kushida slips free! Kushida jumps on for the HOVERBOARD!! Eagles endures, the fans fire up, and Eagles reaches out. Kushida goes after that arm now! Eagles clasps hands behind his back to stop that!
Eagles wrenches free to ROUNDHOUSE! SUPERKICK! ENZIGIRI! Kushida falls and Eagles roars! The fans fire up again and Eagles brings Kushida up. But Kushida cradle counters, then deadlifts into BACK TO THE FUTURE! But Kushida can’t hold onto the package! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Kushida vows to finish this, and he gets Eagles up. Fisherman, BACK TO THE- CRADLE! Kushida gets free, but Eagles gets around, schoolboy with bridge! TWO!! Kushida runs up, wheelbarrow, somersault then roll over! PENALTY KICK to the bad arm!! Eagles flounders around, stands, but Kushida jumps up! Into TURBO BACKPACK!!
Both men are down again and the fans rally as hard as they can! Eagles crawls to a cover, TWO!! But Eagles ties up the legs! Kushida kicks free, Eagles SUPERKICKS back! Eagles runs up, TRIGGER!! Cover, EAGLES WINS!
Winner: Robbie Eagles, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kushida earns 0)
Eagles pulled The Trigger and he shot down the former SIX-TIME Junior Heavyweight Champion! Will the Soul of PWA Champion soon prove he’s the Best of the Super Juniors?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: Titan VS Blake Christian!
It’s another critical showdown as El Inmortal and All Heat are both undefeated at 3-0! Titan wants to return to the finals and take that trophy, can he get through the GCW Champion to stay on course?
The bell rings and the two circle. Titan runs up, Blake dodges then whips. Titan goes up and over, handsprings away, and the fans fire up. Titan comes back, Blake slips out to the apron then flips away. Titan WRECKS Blake with a dropkick, builds speed, but Blake slides in as Titan rolls and flips up and out! Blake comes back to FOSBURY FLOP! Direct hit and the fans fire up! Blake brings Titan up, wrenches, then he wraps the arm around the post! The ref reprimands and counts, Blake lets off at 4, and the fans boo. Blake brings Titan up, puts him in, and he mockingly calls “Titan~” like the fans.
Blake HIP DROPS Titan, traps one arm, then stands on the bad one! Blake hushes the fans, so they can hear the SNAP! The fans boo while Blake mocks Titan’s pain. Blake brings Titan around into a keylock and he pulls on the arm! Titan scrambles forward to the ROPEBREAK! Blake SLAMS the arm down as he lets off! The fans boo but Blake flexes. Blake stands Titan up but Titan CHOPS! Titan fires forearms but Blake ROCKS him back! Blake snarls and he whips Titan to ropes. Titan reverses to TORNADO DDT, but Blake handsprings through! Titan is rather impressed! Titan runs up, but into a wheelbarrow, somersault and KNEE DROP on the bad arm!
Blake waits on Titan to rise up, then he builds speed, but Titan goes Matrix! Titan CALF KICKS back and the fans fire up! Titan runs up, but Blake puts him on the apron! Titan blocks a punch to GAMANGIRI! Titan springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Blake tumbles out, the fans fire up and Titan builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit and down goes Blake! The fans fire up and Titan rises! The ring count starts, Titan shakes out the bad arm and stalks Blake. Titan KICKS Blake at 10 of 20, drags him up and puts him in at 14, and the fans applaud. Titan pushes Blake to a cover, TWO! Titan keeps cool and the fans rally up.
Blake sits up, Titan CHOPS him! Blake CHOPS back! Titan CHOPS again, so Blake CHOPS again! They stand, and Titan CHOPS! Blake fires a forearm, then another, then another! Blake fires a flurry, winds up, but Titan kicks, kicks, SOBATS and SUPERKICKS! Blake ends up in a corner, and Titan runs in, but Blake BOOTS him! Blake somersaults to NECKBREAKER! Titan kips right up to PELE! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Titan rolls his way to a corner and the fans rally as he climbs. Titan aims but Blake avoids the double stomps! Blake RAMS Titan into the corner! Blake RAMS Titan in again and again, then YANKS the and arm!
Blake goes corner to corner, but Titan BOOTS him! And SOBATS! KICKS! Palm strikes and WHEEL KICK! The fans fire up, Titan roars, and Titan skins the cat to the top rope! DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Blake writhes, Titan pushes him to a cover, TWO!! The coup de grace wasn’t enough but the fans rally up behind Titan. Titan roars, drags Blake around, but Blake hooks him for a cradle! TWO! SCREW HIGH KICK! The fans rally again, Blake mocks Titan’s pose. Blake whips, Titan reverses, TORNADO DDT! And it hits this time! Titan wants Blake to get up, and Blake goes to a corner. The fans rally for Titan as he runs in, LOCO- JUMP KICK from Blake!!
Blake goes to the apron, springboards in, 450 SPLASH!! Cover, BLAKE WINS!
Winner: Blake Christian, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Titan earns 0)
Even the GCW Champion is a little surprised, but he says it is his time now! Is that true with him as the first to reach 4-0? Or will this one loss motivate Titan to fight that much harder to win the rest?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Francesco Akira VS Taiji Ishimori!
The Nova Fireball’s flame is flickering, but The Bone Soldier has been shooting down everyone in his way so far. Can Akira reignite and rise to the occasion? Or will B Block see #ItsReborn?
The bell rings and the fans rally up for “A! KI RA! A! KI RA!” as the two circle. Akira and Taiji tie up, Taiji headlocks and he grinds the hold. Akira fights up, powers up and out, but Taiji runs him over. Taiji runs, Akira drops down, hurdles, but then Taiji hurdle and drops down. But Akira RANAS Taiji out! The fans fire up and Akira builds speed, slides, but Taiji ducks under! Taiji scoops, Akira slips free and shoves Taiji! Taiji stops from hitting post, then dodges Akira. Akira stops from hitting the post, but then Taiji pokes him in the eyes! The ref reprimands but Taiji whips and POSTS Akira! Taiji then grabs bell hammer and a chair!
The fans boo but Taiji only has the hammer as the ref reprimands him. Taiji throws the hammer into the ring, the ref goes after it, and Taiji grabs the chair! Taiji runs up to JAM Akira in the head! Then Taiji SMACKS Akira on the back! Taiji soaks up the cheers and jeers, then leaves Akira behind. The ref checks on Akira, and Taiji unties the blue buckle pad! The Bullet Club Special is in play as Akira scrambles into the ring. Taiji is on Akira with a wrench, ELBOW BREAKER, and snapmare. Taiji steps over to hammerlock the arm, then cradles Akira into the ARMBAR! Akira endures, flails, reaches out, ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer, the ref counts, and Taiji lets go at 4. Akira shakes out the bad arm, the fans boo but Taiji tells the fans to shut up. Taiji stomps Akira to a corner, wraps the bad arm around ropes, but the ref counts. Taiji lets go at 4, CLUBS Akira on the neck, then whips him corner to corner. Taiji runs in but blocks boots to put Akira in the ropes. ENZIGIRI, then SLIDING- FLYING CUTTER! Akira gets Taiji first and the fans rally up again. “A! KI RA!” rises but Taiji claws the eyes! Taiji whips, Akira reverses to wrench, straitjacket, and NECKBREAKER! Akira runs to basement dropkick! Taiji bails out and the fans fire up!
Akira aims to PLANCHA! Down goes Taiji and the fans fire up with Akira! Akira puts Taiji in, goes up a corner, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Taiji is still in this but the fans still rally behind “A! KI RA!” Akira shakes out the bad arm, drags Taiji up, SPEED- NO, Taiji blocks the twist! Akira cravats to throw knees in, then tries again. But Taiji wrenches out to WRING the bad arm! Taiji scowls while he stalks Akira. Taiji drags Akira up, whips him to ropes, but Akira reverse. Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Both men are down and the fans fire back up. Taiji checks his head and neck, then goes back for Akira.
Taiji drags Akira up, and then POSTS him in the open corner! The ref reprimands, but Taiji hammerlocks and scoops to SHOULDER BUSTER! Akira writhes and Taiji drops back to the corner. Akira slowly rises as the fans rally up again. Taiji runs in to tilt-o-whirl, but Akira fights off La Mystica! Akira powers up to ROCK Taiji! Taiji ROCKS Akira! Akira shouts and ROCKS Taiji! Taiji shakes it off to ROCK Akira! The forearms go back and forth, then Taiji LARIATS! Akira stays up, Taiji runs, but Akira dodges. Taiji dodges but runs into the COLLISION COURSE! Cover, TWO! Taiji is still in this but Akira goes to a corner.
The fans fire up as Akira pounds the mat. “A! KI RA! A! KI RA!” Akira powers up, runs in, but Taiji ducks the Fireball! LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!!! Akira endures but Taiji pushes on that bad arm! Akira reaches out, claws his way over, but Taiji rolls him away from ropes! Akira rolls to a cradle, TWO!! Akira stands, Taiji scoops him into CIPHER- NO, Akira sits on the clutch! TWO!! JUMP KNEE! Taiji roars, BANG, and he reels Akira back in. BLOODY- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!!! Taiji escapes, Akira SUPERKICKS! Taiji wobbles, Akira knuckle locks to go up and up and TORNADO DDT! Taiji staggers around, into the FIREBALL!! Cover, Akira wins!!
Winner: Francesco Akira, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taiji earns 0)
Akira is all fired up now as he just took down one of the top guys in this block, if not the entire Junior Heavyweight Division! Is this a sign that Akira can become the Best of the Super Juniors? Will Taiji be able to reload after this loss to still keep a top spot in the tournament?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: El Deperado VS Kevin Knight!
The Rogue Luchador and The Jet are both just outside the top spots, but now the way is open! Will Desperado ground Knight’s flight? Or will Knight be just too fly to stop him now?
The bell rings and the fans rally up for “DE-SU-PE!” as he and Knight stare down. The two circle, feel things out, and then tie up. Desperado wrenches, wristlocks, but Knight rolls and wrenches through. Knight wristlocks, Despe reaches back to cording hold then wrench. Despe whips, Knight reverses and hip tosses! The fans cheer as Knight says he is tsuyoi! Despe gets up, Knight kicks him low. Knight whips, Despe reverses but Knight goes up and over! Despe trips Knight and goes for the leg! STRETCH MUFFLER! Knight scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Despe thrashes the leg all the same! Red Shoes counts, Despe lets off at 4.
Despe grabs Knight’s leg again, drags him back, but Knight stands up. Despe ducks the enzigiri, flips Knight, but Knight lands out! Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges to rally with big forearms! Knight then scoops to SLAM Despe, and JUMP SPLASH! Knight flexes, covers, TWO! The fans rally while Despe goes to a corner. Knight runs in to clothesline! Despe shoves Knight, ROCKS him with a palm strike, then another, then another! Knight UPPERCUTS back! Despe boots, Knight blocks, but Despe boots him away. Despe goes up but Knight ROCKS him! Depse ROCKS Knight back! Knight leaps to UPPER- NO, Despe stops it!
Despe then has the leg for a HANGING HALF CRAB! Red Shoes reprimands and counts! Despe lets Knight go, then hops down. Despe SPLASHES the bad leg! The fans rally, Despe drags Knight to the corner, and he SLAMS the leg into the post! Knight flops to the floor while the fans are torn, but Despe shrugs it off. Despe stands on the bad leg, then he SMASHES it on the floor! Knight flounders away and clutches the knee. Red Shoes wants this in the ring, and Knight hops in, but Despe follows after. Despe grabs Knight’s leg, steps over, and drops a leg on the knee! Knight writhes, but Despe hooks him up into an INDIAN DEATHLOCK!
Knight endures, Despe sits up and he pushes on the knees. Knight keeps his shoulders up, and he CHOPS! Despe eggs him on, Knight CHOPS more! Knight CHOPS, Despe “falls” and that puts more pressure on the legs! Knight reaches out, Despe mocks the “KE-VI-NN!” chants, but Knight fights to the ROPEBREAK! Despe undoes the leglock, then “Oops!” he falls on the bad leg! Red Shoes reprimands Despe’s usual tricks, but he brings Knight up. Knight throws body shots but Despe eggs him on. Knight throws a forearm, so Despe kicks the leg out! Despe whips corner to corner but Knight barely makes it halfway!
Despe storms up, but he avoids Knight’s dropkick! Despe gets the legs again and rolls into a STRETCH MUFFLER! Knight endures, reaches out, and he rolls free! Despe staggers up, into a DROPKICK! The fans cheer but that was a bit double-edged given Knight’s bad leg. The fans rally, Knight hobbles to a corner, and manages to run! Knight rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT, then whips. Despe reverses, Knight stops himself, and then Knight DUMPS Despe out! Knight manages to PLANCHA! Direct hit and the fans fire up! Knight says he’s still tsuyoi, and he puts Despe in. The fans rally up and Knight takes aim from the apron.
Knight shakes out the bad leg, steps inside to go up the corner. FLYING LARIAT! Knight still hobbles on the bad leg, but he brings Despe up to fireman’s carry! F5!! Cover, TWO!! Despe stays in this, Beast Incarnate, Knight is not. Knight still aims at Despe as he stands, SATELLITE- NO, Despe denies the DDT! Knight rolls under the lariat, PELE, but into an ANKLE LOCK! Roll and STRETCH MUFFLER!! NUMERO DOS!! Knight reaches out, but Despe THRASHES him! Despe drags Knight away from ropes, but Knight still fights with that one free arm! ROPEBREAK!! Despe lets Knight go, and the fans rally up.
Despe stomps the bad arm, reels him in, and underhooks! PINCHE- NO, Knight fights free! Knight leaps, but Despe still holds off the satellite! Despe GOURD BUSTERS, then runs up, but Knight wrenches! EDGE-O-MATIC! Both men are down and the fans fire up! The fans rally and duel as Knight forces himself to stand. Knight goes to Despe, Despe throws body shots. Knight ROCKS Despe and Despe goes to ropes. Knight eggs Despe on, but Despe gets pissed! Despe ROCKS Knight again and again! Knight fires up and DECKS Despe! The fans fire up and Knight drags Despe up. Despe KICKS the bad leg! And then runs to CHOP BLOCK!!
Knight flounders, Despe gets the leg, STRETCH MUFFLER! Knight rolls to a cradle, TWO!! Despe rises, ducks the leg lariat! Knight ducks the regular lariat! Knight puts Despe up top to PELE! Knight fires up and adrenaline helps him climb! Knight drags Despe up but Despe fights the superplex! Despe CLUBS the bad leg, then he shoves Knight down! Knight rolls back, runs up, UPPER ROOM!! The fans fire up with Knight and he aims from the corner! Knight runs to JUMPING DOUBLE STOMP!!! Cover, TWO!!! Despe survives but Knight roars! Despe slowly rises, Knight runs up, SATELLITE DDT!!! Cover, KNIGHT WINS!!!
Winner: Kevin Knight, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Desperado earns 0)
Truly tsuyoi!! The Jet revved his engines and he flew right over Desperado! Knight is now right behind Blake Christian and Titan, will he be flying past one of them, too? Will Desperado be able to rebound and be ready for All Heat in the next round?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS SHO!
The Ticking Timebomb only just got on the board last round against “Ryusuke Taguchi,” even though it was really Dragon Dia. But facing The Murder Machine could be his best bet back to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. Will Hiromu be ready for every trick in the book? Or will Sho show us something even more dastardly than ever before?
Wait, wait, wait. What is Sho doing with Hiromu’s framed headshot? And Sho gets the mic to say good evening. It his unfortunate duty to inform everyone that Hiromu could not be here tonight. He has a written statement for Abe-san to read. The fans boo this farce, and Sho intimidates Abe into reading it! The letter is supposedly written by Hiromu himself, apologizing to everyone here tonight that he is unable to compete against “the glorious champion, Sho.” Hiromu doesn’t want to “shame the people of Hachioji by losing to Sho.” Therefore, he cannot wrestle and must forfeit this match. Sho then says this is the truth, Hiromu gave him the letter himself.
Sho says that tonight’s main event will not happen, but the fans chant for “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” Sho says yes, he was so looking forward to this tonight. He leads the chant in support of Hiromu, and he “hopes” Hiromu will be alright for next round. Hiromu knows how the fans feel, but Sho will send us home happy with a closing word. The Best of the Super Juniors will have more, more, more, more, more, more fun with everyone~!! Wait, Hiromu’s music plays? Is this more Sho’s sarcasm? Red Shoes won’t raise Sho’s hand in victory because he doesn’t believe this for a moment! Wait, Hiromu IS here, all tied up like Ninja Mack was last round!
Hiromu still gets in the ring and he SHOTGUNS Sho down! Hiromu tells Red Shoes that they can get this going! Hiromu CHOKES Sho with the cuffs Sho put on him! The bell rings, Red Shoes reprimands about the choking, so Hiromu lets off. Hiromu stands Sho up but Sho kicks and whips. Hiromu ducks ‘n’ dodges and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Wait, from the look of it, Hiromu has doodles all over his face! The House of Torture was adding insult to injury apparently. Hiromu kicks Sho out of the ring, then he goes to the apron. Hiromu aims and FLYING SHOTGUNS but into a Young Lion!!
Sho uses Shoma Kato as a shield, then he stomps away on Hiromu! The fans boo, Sho just grins and brings Hiromu up. Sho brings Hiromu along by the cuffs, goes to the back segment of the crowd, and he BOWLS Hiromu into a chair. That’s weak, but then Sho takes a fan’s sign and throws it aside. Sho stomps Hiromu, stalks Hiromu with a chair, but Red Shoes reprimands. Sho puts the chair down, and he pulls on the cuffs to torture Hiromu’s hands! Red Shoes reprimands, Sho lets off, and then Sho leaves Hiromu behind for the ring count. The fans boo Sho, the count begins, and the fans rally up for Hiromu.
Hiromu runs in at 5 of 20 but Sho stomps him! Sho TOSSES Hiromu out, goes after him, and grabs the bell hammer! Red Shoes says no, so Sho throws that away. So then he gets as chair to SMACK Hiromu with! Red Shoes reprimands and Sho “apologizes.” Sho drags Hiromu up, scoops him and POSTS him! Sho then SLAMS Hiromu on the floor! The fans boo more but Sho just grins. Sho leaves Hiromu behind while Red Shoes calls for a key. Sho says he doesn’t know where the key to those went, oh well. A Young Lion hurries backstage to search, but Sho gloats like he’s won anyway. The fans boo and Hiromu storms back to the ring.
Sho hurries out after Hiromu so Hiromu leads him on a high speed chase through the crowd! Sho as the corrupt cop chases the noble hero criminal, all to give the Young Lion more time to find that key! The ring count starts, Hiromu stays away since his hands are still bound. But we’re past 10 of 20, Hiromu has to risk it! Hiromu watches Sho closely, then slides in. But Sho kicks low and CLUBS Hiromu down! Sho drags Hiromu up, THROWS him back out, and then goes out after him. Sho grabs his title belt, takes aim, but Red Shoes reprimands. Sho throws the belt aside, goes looking for a chair, but the key is here!
Sho SMACKS Hiromu again! Sho puts Hiromu in, but wait, was that not the right key? The Young Lions have to go looking again! Sho scoops and SLAMS Hiromu! Sho then gets the legs, and he turns Hiromu for the BOSTON CRAB! Sho wants to humiliate Hiromu with a Young Lion level hold! Hiromu endures, fights forward, but Sho drags him back! Sho sits deep on the hold, but Hiromu endures! The Young Lions return, still no luck!! The fans can’t believe it, but the Young Lions search a third time! Hiromu still fights to the ROPEBREAK! Sho lets go but he’s having fun messing with Hiromu now. Sho taunts the fans but they boo.
Sho kicks Hiromu around, taunts him, but Hiromu CLUBS him! Sho says that’s not fair, he used the cuffs as weapons! Red Shoes says Sho’s the one who gave Hiromu the cuffs! Sho avoids Hiromu but Hiromu CLUBS him again! Red Shoes ignores what’s going on, and the fans cheer that justice! Sho CLAWS Hiromu’s eyes, then runs, but Hiromu blows past him to RANA! The fans fire up because Hiromu can still use his legs! Sho bails out, Hiromu has a reprieve, and referee Kevin Sato is here with the key! So Sho gets in his way! The fans boo but Hiromu FLYING SHOTGUNS Sho! And finally, FREEDOM~!
The fans fire up as Hiromu can finally get his hands on Sho! Hiromu winds up but Sho goes scrambling away! Hiromu runs up, drags Sho up and throws him in! Hiromu drags Sho up to whip him to a corner and clothesline! Snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up and Hiromu drags Sho up to reel him in. FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Hiromu throws off the shirt House of Torture doodled all over, and he drags Sho up. Hiromu fireman’s carries to CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Oh wait, the House of Torture drew poo on Hiromu’s back. He probably doesn’t even know! But Hiromu fireman’s carries again, only for Sho to bend fingers!
Rede Shoes reprimands but Hiromu kicks, KICKS and whips. Sho reverses, Hiromu stops himself and BOOTS back! Then HANGING HEADSCISSORS! Sho grabs at Red Shoes, and YUJIRO is here! Tokyo Pimp attacks Hiromu and drags him down! REVERSE DDT to the floor! Yujiro puts Hiromu in for Sho, Sho drags Hiromu to a cover, but Red Shoes refuses because of how Sho mistreated him! Sho is furious but Yujiro gets on the apron to argue with him. Sho gets the Torture Tool! Sho aims, swings, but Hiromu ducks! Hiromu snatches the wrench, then throws it back to frame Sho! The fans cheer and Sho defends his innocence on this specific moment!
Red Shoes still confiscates the wrench, Hiromu runs, but then Red Shoes is used as a shield! LOW BLOW!! And then Hiromu is shoved into Red Shoes! Sho and Yujiro then stomp away on Hiromu! The fans boo but this is the House of Torture for you. They double whip Hiromu, then Yujiro BOOTS! Sho runs up to clothesline! Sho snapmares Hiromu then sets him up for the FALLING HEADBUTT LOW BLOW! Sho covers and Red Shoes is back to count, TWO!! Hiromu survives and the fans are thunderous! But Sho vows to end it now. The fans rally for “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” but Sho stalks him. Sho brings Hiromu up and in, STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?
The fans fire up and Sho is furious! Sho aims his bow and he drags Hiromu back up. Sho double pump handles, but Hiromu fights Shock Arrow! So Sho suplexes! Hiromu slips free to SUPERKICK! Sho wobbles, the fans rally up, and Hiromu grits his teeth. Sho flounders around, comes back, but Hiromu catches him into TRIANGLE D! Sho endures, pops free, and he BITES Hiromu’s thigh!! At least we hope that’s the thigh! Red Shoes reprimands, and Hiromu spits out the fabric from Hiromu’s shorts! Sho grabs Hiromu’s legs, holds him open, and even pushes Red Shoes aside! But Hiromu kicks Sho’s legs out first! And then TRIANGLE D!!
Sho flails inside the hold and the fans rally! Sho fights to stack Hiromu, then deadlifts him! POWERBOMB! But Hiromu holds on!! Sho flails, but he’s fading! Hiromu pulls on the arm as hard as he can! Red Shoes checks, Sho fights up and stacks Hiromu again! Sho deadlifts for a BUCKLE BOMB! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Hiromu and Sho rise, Sho runs, but into a SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs, Sho ducks the lariat then runs, but into the HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Hiromu roars and drags Sho up! Fireman’s carry, but Sho CLAWS eyes! Yujiro distracts Red Shoes, and Sho LOW- NO! Hiromu stops that to LOW BLOW Sho!!!
The fans cheer the poetic justice, and then Hiromu fireman’s carries Sho, to RAM him into Yujiro! Then VICTORY ROYALE!! Cover, TWO!! Sho survives but the fans fire up behind Hiromu again! Hiromu waits on Sho to rise, then runs in to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Hiromu isn’t done there, he hauls Sho up to OG TIMEBOMB!! Cover, Yujiro YANKS Red Shoes out!! The fans boo as the Tokyo Pimp has to get involved again! Yujiro stomps Hiromu, but here comes Bushi! Yujiro kicks Bushi, fires forearms, then runs, but Bushi TOSSES Yujiro right out! Bushi builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and down goes Yujiro!
The fans fire up as LIJ supports LIJ! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! And then inverted suplex, TIMEBOMB MK II!!! Cover, Hiromu wins!!!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sho earns 0)
Justice, true justice, has been served! The villainous Murder Machine loses in the main event he tried to steal, will he finally learn that crime doesn’t pay?
As for Hiromu, he gets a mic and he tells Sho to hold on. Hiromu has to admit, Sho really is amazing. Hiromu ought to commend Sho. AS IF! Sho should apologize to the great people of Hachioji and to all of Japan, the stupid moron! The fans cheer that! And then apparently, Hiromu winning the main event also won him a year’s supply of original Hachioji ramen? And to present the certificate is the owner of SUPER ALPS, Nobuhisa Shiozawa. The fans cheer this great honor for both of them, especially for a Hachioji native like Hiromu. Wait, would Sho have still been given this had he won? Well, all’s well that ends well.
Hiromu and Shiozawa-san have their photo op, and then Hiromu puts his prize aside so he can get back on the mic. The fans chant for “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” Hiromu then tells everyone, “I’m home.” The fans cheer with an “Okairi! <Welcome home!>” Hiromu does apologize that it had to be Sho for this match. But Hiromu does want to talk to Bushi. They’re in different blocks, meaning they could end up opponents down the line. Even so, Bushi helped Hiromu out here, and he thanks Bushi for that. The fans applaud that, too! Hiromu then says, “See you in the semifinals, or even the finals!”
Hiromu thanks everyone for coming tonight. He’s still bummed to see empty seats. This building can fit about 5 THOUSAND, it’s that big. The other day, he was in Niigata, went out for a late dinner, and there was a guy at the restaurant who was a fan. “Oh, it’s Hiromu!” All excited to see him and stuff. Hiromu was flattered, glad to chat. Hiromu asked the fan how the show was tonight, and the guy went, “Huh? There was a show tonight?” A funny story, but it also bummed Hiromu out. NJPW needs to promote better. When NJPW goes to all these different places, even the wrestlers try to promote a little.
And this was a guy who watches World Pro-Wrestling TV weekly! Even then, he didn’t know NJPW was in town! It’s not funny, it’s a real problem and NJPW is working to fix it. But it’s also on the wrestlers to promote the shows more. They gotta hit TV, radio, newspapers, everywhere! Plaster the towns with posters! Advertise anywhere and everywhere! The fans applaud that. Hiromu knows Hachioji is a big city, but he also knows there are a lot of people here who love pro-wrestling. But many still miss out on live shows. If they knew, how many do you think would be in here? And Hiromu knows it’d be a whole lot of fun! The fans cheer that!
“That’s why, wherever we go, big or small, we have to reach each and every person. It’s on each and every wrestler to do so. With that kind of promotion, we can let every fan know that wrestling’s in town and pack the house.” The fans cheer in support of that! Hiromu says they haven’t gone as far as they can yet. They can fill up the seats in here! It’s what he wants! This is Best of the Super Juniors, and the finals are gonna main event Osaka-Jo Hall! And of course it’s gotta be Hiromu in that ring, in that spotlight! Hiromu vows to win BOSJ 31! And then he’ll return here next year as the champion! The fans love the sound of that!
Hiromu wants everyone here to remember his words. “Get excited for the next time we’re in town.” And of course, in this BOSJ, they have to have more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE… FUN TOGETHER~! Hiromu is not just aiming for the trophy and the championship, he wants NJPW to have it all! But will he be able to have it all himself as the rounds keep on coming?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Blake Christian: 4-0, 8 points
Titan: 3-1, 6 points
Kevin Knight: 3-1, 6 points
El Desperado: 2-2, 4 points
Kosei Fujita: 2-2, 4 points
Clark Connors: 2-2, 4 points
HAYATA: 2-2, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 1-3, 2 points
BUSHI: 1-3, 2 points
TJP: 0-4, 0 points
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
KUSHIDA: 3-1, 6 points
Taiji Ishimori: 3-1, 6 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 2-2, 4 points
SHO: 2-2, 4 points
Francesco Akira: 2-2, 4 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-2, 4 points
“Drilla” Moloney: 2-2, 4 points
DOUKI: 2-2, 4 points
Ninja Mack: 2-2, 4 points
Dragon Dia: 0-4, 0 points
My Thoughts:
Another great round for NJPW here with both blocks going in one night. And great news that of all the matches heading towards Dominion, it will be the BOSJ 31 finals that take the main event. I suppose that means Moxley VS Evil will be second to last, with all the usual antics certainly keeping it from being just a real good match. But that aside, the standings took quite a shift here, with Kushida and Taiji both taking their first losses, right as they’re about to face off in Round 5. Knight getting that comeback win on Desperado was great stuff, and Blake Christian coming out as the ONLY 4-0 is some great stuff.
Bushi getting the win over TJP definitely adds to TJP’s crisis of confidence angle, and I suppose Dia losing again shouldn’t be too shocking given Drilla can’t let someone else get a golden ticket off him. Fujita getting one off Connors is great, though, and with Eagles having already beat Drilla, maybe we get Fujita & Eagles VS Connors & Drilla at Dominion, as I don’t see three-fourths of that making the semifinals. And it’d be pretty cool if TMDK got in on feuding with Bullet Club War Dogs as War Dogs transition away from other feuds.
Hiromu VS Sho was really good stuff, especially with these apparent “arrest” antics. Great win for Hiromu, and great promo from him, as well. Hiromu obviously wants Junior Heavyweight wrestling to come into its own, but he also wants NJPW to get back up to where it was before Pandemic. The lack of advertising and promoting was a rather quiet problem as far as an American fan like myself could tell, so I commend on Hiromu bringing that real conversation up and charging his fellow wrestlers and the company with fixing it, not just leaving it up to fans.
My Score: 9/10
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