Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE TLC Results & Report! (12/20/20)
TLC: Trop Loves Championships!
WWE brings out the Tables, Ladders, Chairs, and CHAMPIONSHIPS!
2020 is almost over, but it’s about to get more painful! Will Roman Reigns still be WWE Universal Champion after tonight? Or can Kevin Owens #StunTheWorld and dethrone the Tribal Chief?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – 8 Man Tag: Daniel Bryan, Big E, Otis Dozovic & Chad Gable VS Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, Cesaro & King Corbin; Bryan, Big E, Otis & Gable win.
- WWE World Championship TLC Match: Drew McIntyre VS AJ Styles w/ Jordan Omogbehin; changed to…
- WWE World Championship TLC Triple Threat: Drew McIntyre VS AJ Styles w/ Omogbehin VS The Miz w/ John Morrison; McIntyre wins and retains the title.
- SmackDown Women’s Championship: Sasha Banks VS Carmella; Sasha wins and retains the title.
- Raw Tag Team Championships: The New Day VS The Hurt Business; The Hurt Business wins and become the new Raw Tag Team Champions.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler VS Asuka & ???; Asuka & Charlotte Flair win and become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
- WWE Universal Championship TLC Match: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Kevin Owens; Reigns wins and retains the title.
- Firefly Inferno Match: The Fiend VS Randy Orton; Orton wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the WWE TLC Kickoff Show!
The last kickoff show for the last WWE PPV for 2020! Join Charly Caruso, Booker T, Jeff Jarrett and Peter Rosenberg in discussing, analyzing and predicting all of tonight’s action!
MVP joins the kickoff show by video.
“Bring ’em out, bring ’em out!” Charly asks MVP what it would mean for The Hurt Business to add the Raw Tag Team Championships. It would be destiny fulfilled. Shelton Benjamin is one of the most decorated superstars, Cedric Alexander is a former Cruiserweight Champion, and MVP just reminded them of their past glory and got them back to their winning ways. So as the de facto leader, what advice does MVP give to his guys? Well Benjamin was a former tag team champion, so he knows what he’s doing. MVP just directs traffic. The New Day are clowns, it’s hard for MVP to respect them, but you have to acknowledge they are one of the greatest tag teams in this industry. But every day must end in night. And the only “new” we’ll be talking about is the new tag team champions.
Booker knows he and MVP both come “from the neighborhood,” and Alexander was the guy who needed that “dirt” on him. Has MVP had that talk with Alexander? Oh they’ve talked a lot lately, and in this re-emergence, Alexander now has that attack dog in him. We’ve seen a new Alexander. “They dropped, if you will.” Charly thanks MVP for his time and wishes his team luck in that title match up. Will the Hurt Business acquire new assets tonight at the expense of the 10-time tag team champions?
The Miz and John Morrison join the panel!
Hey, hey! Ho ho! They’re on the kickoff show, and Miz is feeling great as Mr. Money in the Bank. Is he cashing in? Well he doesn’t know. If the opportunity presents itself, then that opportunity will be taken. But if not, then no. What does that look like then> Morrison says this is about chaos and carnage, and a lot of people have a lot to lose. Morrison says even Roman and Kevin could be a target. So these two are working together? Why wouldn’t they? But who takes the case home? Miz is Mr. MITB so it is his. Morrison gets the first shot after, though. To cash in for a championship, they both understand how valuable the MITB is.
Then what about Omos, Jordan Omogbehin? Well we haven’t seen or heard much from him, but his presence alone, “you can’t teach tall.” Miz considers Omos as a factor. But McIntyre has been unstoppable! People keep asking why Miz hasn’t cashed in, but that’s because McIntyre is hard to pin! AJ Styles is also to be reckoned with. Miz felt the wrath of AJ Styles when Styles first came to WWE. Miz knows the talent on display is TLC, pain and torment!
But to cash in, the window has to be cracked, the back door has to be opened, but Miz doesn’t seem that confident. Morrison defends Miz’s confidence but Booker says he’s calling it like he sees it. Miz IS confidence! The most confidence in the WWE! And he is going to cash in, at the right time. Could it be tonight? Yes! Could it be tomorrow on Raw? Yes! Could it be months from now? Yes! But it isn’t if, it is when, and Miz will be champion! The Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century head off, will the opportunity present itself tonight?
R-Truth joins the kickoff show!
Asuka needs a tag partner, right? Truth had a #WWJCD moment. What Would John Cena Do? Truth officially declares, or rather offers, to be Asuka’s tag team partner! They can win and become champions! There are many reasons she should choose him! He knows Japanese, and has held more titles, title reigns combined, in WWE history! Well 45 of them are as 24/7 Champion. Please don’t say “45-time” 45 times… Truth hurries of, but will someone please remind him it’s the Women’s Tag Team Championships, not a mixed tag title match?
8 Man Tag: Daniel Bryan, Big E, Otis Dozovic & Chad Gable VS Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, Cesaro & King Corbin!
Quite a star-studded 4v4 match courtesy of SmackDown! Will the YES Movement, Mr. Five Count, the Blue Collar Brawler and the Alpha Academy Coach be able to best the group formerly known as the Artist Collective?
Naturally, the Wolf King has the Knights of the Lone Wolf, Steve Cutler and Wesley Blake, with him. Perhaps they’ll be factors in this match. The teams sort out, and Sami starts with Gable. But Sami wants Big E, so Gable obliges! Big E tags in, rushes Sami, but Sami tags out! So much for wanting after him. Corbin is in and he circles with Big E. They tie up, go around, and Corbin pushes Big E to a corner. Big E turns it around, but lets off at the ref’s count. Big E comes back for more but Corbin stays in the corner. Sami taunts Big E, Corbin knees Big E low! Corbin runs, Big E drops to then hurdle and elbow Corbin, but Corbin comes back to CLOBBER Big E!
Sami talks trash but Big E dodges Corbin. Corbin slides out, slides in but into the belly2belly! Tag to Gable but Cesaro tags in. The Swiss Cyborg headlocks, Gable powers out but Cesaro runs him over! Cover, ONE, Gable has the waistlock! Cesaro elbows out, headlocks but Gable powers out. Things speed up, Gable leaps but into Cesaro’s arms! Gable slips out and runs to arm-drag! And then he goes up to headscissor Cesaro! Gable wrenches, tags in Bryan, and Bryan hops up to drop ax handles on Cesaro’s arm! Bryan wrenches an arm to an elbow breaker, then he throws EuroUppers and KICKS in the corner! Bryan wrenches, whips Cesaro but Cesaro reverses.
Bryan goes up and over and keeps moving, ducks a clothesline to leap and lariat! Cesaro sits up, blocks the Yes Kick and trips Bryan, but Bryan denies the swing with a victory roll! TOW, and Bryan kicks, but Cesaro powers him to ropes! The ref counts, Cesaro lets off and Nakamura gets a cheap shot roundhouse! Tag to Nakamura, they combine for a KNEE and SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Nakamura drags Bryan around, cravats and grinds, but Bryan endures. Sami tags in, they mug Bryan and Sami fires off haymakers! Nakamura gets a cheap shot as the ref pulls Sami back. Sami taunts Big E, drags Bryan up to throw more hands, then he drags Bryan to the corner.
Corbin tags in, the mugging continues, then Corbin puts Bryan on ropes to throw forearms into his back! Corbin taunts Otis, throws more clubbing forearms to Bryan’s back, then argues with the ref. Corbin laces Bryan in the ropes to stomps him! Tag to Sami and he gets in Big E’s face! The ref has to keep Big E back before Sami goes over to bump Bryan off the boots of Cesaro and Nakamura! Tag back to Corbin, Corbin throws haymakers then hoists Bryan up top. Corbin climbs, brings Bryan up, but Bryan resists the superplex! Bryan throws body shots, then headbutts Corbin! Corbin holds on but Bryan headbutts until Corbin falls! Bryan leaps and missile dropkicks!
Both men are down, the teams fire up, but Sami grabs at Big E! Big E chases Sami but Sami goes to the barriers! Cesaro EUROUPPERS Big E, Gable CANNONBALLS onto Cesaro! Bryan hot tags Otis! Nakamura is in, Otis rallies with big elbows! Otis whips Nakamura and FLAPJACKS him! Gable coaches Otis on and Otis hits a corner splash! Nakamura is down, but it’s time for the test! What will Otis do? He chooses CATERPILLAR ELBOW! Tag to Gable, they coordinate, but Nakamura ROUNDHOUSES Otis first! Gable ducks one kick but not the windmill! Tag to Cesaro, they combine for FLYING KNEE GUT WRENCH BOMB!! Cover, but Otis breaks it!
Otis throws Nakamura out, but Corbin SPINEBUSTERS Otis! Bryan dodges Corbin to hit the FLYING KNEE! Cesaro pop-up UPPERCUTS Bryan! Gable waistlocks Cesaro for CHAOS THEORY! Both men are down but Sami is lurking! Sami returns to the corner and tags in! Sami drags Gable up, but Gable slips out of Blue Thunder to tag in Big E! And Sami is alone!! Big scoop, but Sami slips out to BOOT! Sami runs corner to corner, into a Urenag-E! Big E scoops for the BIG ENDING! Cover, Big E and team win!
Winners: Big E, Daniel Bryan, Chad Gable & Otis Dozovic, by pinfall
Sami is a clever strategist but he didn’t #ThinkBig E-nough! Will this lead Big E back to the Intercontinental Championship that Sami clings to?
A storm is coming.
It isn’t raining cats ‘n’ dogs, but wood and steel! And with gold sprinkled in between! Will the Boss still be in charge against the #UNTOUCHABLE? Will the Empress of Tomorrow have a surprise for the sadistic Queen of Spades and Irresistible Force? Will a Viper be burned to ash by a Fiend? Will the tables, ladders and chairs raining down change the landscape of the WWE forever?
WWE World Championship TLC Match: Drew McIntyre VS AJ Styles w/ Jordan Omogbehin!
The Scottish Warrior and the Phenomenal One have their first-ever 1v1 encounter and it’s with the highest stakes possible! But between tables, ladders, chairs, Omos ringside and Mr. MITB lurking in the shadows, what will take the title away from McIntyre? CAN anything take the title away from him?
The introductions are made, the belt is already high above the ring, and the first high stakes battle of the night begins!
McIntyre takes time to take off the kilt and gauntlets but Styles fires off on him! Styles CHOPS away in a corner, gets a leg but McIntyre kicks him away. McIntyre runs in but Styles dodges to fire off haymakers and kicks and a CHOP! Styles brings McIntyre out but McIntyre suplexes and TOSSES Styles away! McIntyre glares as he stands Styles up to CHOP him! And then McIntyre TOSSES Styles again! Styles gets to a corner, McIntyre throws hands! McIntyre dares Styles to get up but McIntyre CHOPS Styles back down! Styles crawls, McIntyre stalks him, whips him corner to corner HARD and Styles bounces off buckles chest first!
McIntyre drags Styles up, whips him back the other way and Styles bounces off into haymakers! McIntyre stomps Styles’ leg then glare at Omos. Omos stays put but McIntyre drags Styles up to kick low. Styles throat chops! Styles runs, but McIntyre back drops him high and hard! McIntyre watches Styles flounder to a corner. McIntyre runs in but into Styles’ boot! Styles hops up, McIntyre CHOPS him off and to the floor! McIntyre goes out after Styles, and he brings Styles up to bump him off the announce desk! Styles slumps down and McIntyre clears off a table with ease. McIntyre brings the table closer and then drags Styles up.
McIntyre bounces Styles’ head off the table, climbs up and over, then brings Styles up to suplex. Styles fights free but McIntyre ROCKS him with a right! Styles flounders into furniture but McIntyre scoops him to SNAKE EYES those ribs off the barriers! McIntyre wants Omos to move out of the way, and he obliges, and McIntyre uses Styles to bowl chairs off another table! Strike! Styles reaches around but McIntyre brings him up again, to again SNAKE EYES off barriers! That was head first this time. McIntyre gets a ladder and puts it in the ring! McIntyre stands the ladder up right under the belt and begins his climb! Styles hurries back in and he SMACKS McIntyre’s leg with a chair!
McIntyre falls off the ladder and Styles takes it for his own! Styles climbs, but McIntyre hobbles up. Styles gets the chair again and sees McIntyre clutching that leg. Styles SMACKS McIntyre on the back! Styles slows down because of his own hurting body but he wedges the chair in a corner. McIntyre hobbles, uses ropes for support, but Styles stops him from climbing the ladder. Styles goes to bump McIntyre off the chair but McIntyre blocks, trips Styles up, and catapults him! But Styles uses that to get UP the ladder! McIntyre stops Styles with clubbing forearms, pries him off and then aims at the ladder, but Styles sunset flips! McIntyre rolls through to catapult Styles into the CHAIR! Styles’ plan backfires on him!
McIntyre clutches his leg but goes to the ladder. McIntyre climbs but Omos fetches more chairs for Styles! Styles THROWS the ladder into McIntyre’s back! McIntyre stops his climb and even comes down a rung, for Styles to chop block! McIntyre writhes, clutching his leg, and Styles steadies himself. Styles drags McIntyre up and RAMS his head into rungs! McIntyre is down, the ladder tips over, but Styles brings it around to push down onto McIntyre! McIntyre is even more dazed and Styles walks over to bring him up. Basement enziguri! Styles looms over McIntyre as McIntyre crawls to the ladder.
Styles drags McIntyre up, reels him in and wants the Clash, but McIntyre resists the lift! McIntyre spins out, FUTURE SHOCK! Styles flounders, McIntyre gets up and has the ladder back. McIntyre sees Styles in a corner, and decides to wield the ladder LIKE A SWORD! Styles manages to avoid a direct hit, and he CHOP BLOCKS McIntyre again! Styles yanks on the leg, slams it on the ladder, then puts it inside the ladder for a FULL METAL CALF CRUSHER! McIntyre can only endure as there is no tapping out in this kind of match! Styles lets go when he tires out, and he frees McIntyre’s leg of the ladder. Or rather he frees the ladder of McIntyre’s leg, so that he can stand the ladder up.
McIntyre anchors Styles’ foot but Styles stomps him down. Styles tells McIntyre if he doesn’t stay down, he’ll be put down! CHAIR SHOT to the back! And another! And then to the leg! McIntyre flails and writhes but now Styles puts the leg through the chair! Another FULL METAL CALF CRUSHER! McIntyre endures, moves around, but Styles just pulls on the leg more! McIntyre crawls onto the ladder, to SLAM Styles’ head off it! Styles lets go of McIntyre to clutch his own head! McIntyre frees his leg but both men are both still down. Styles crawls back to the ladder, works to stand it up, but McIntyre grabs the other end of the ladder! McIntyre RAMS the ladder into the corner, Styles trips McIntyre to drag him to a corner. Styles KICKS the leg, then SLAMS the leg against the post!
Styles drags McIntyre out to throw a haymaker, then to RAM him down with another ladder! McIntyre is down and dazed, but Styles clears off a table and clears some space. McIntyre flounders over but Styles kicks him again. Styles takes a seat while McIntyre crawls, and then Styles throws more haymakers. Styles puts McIntyre on the table, rains down fists, and then goes back in the ring. Styles walks up the ladder wedged in the corner, but McIntyre gets up and THROWS a chair back at him! Direct hit and down goes Styles! McIntyre gets the table while Styles sputters and staggers about. McIntyre tosses the table in without even folding it up!
McIntyre gets his bad leg moving, stands the table back up, but Styles is after him. McIntyre elbows Styles, but runs into a drop toehold, into the corner ladder! McIntyre is down and dazed all over again! Styles drags McIntyre back up, whips him but McIntyre reverses. Styles slides under the table, then shoves it into McIntyre’s legs! Styles uses the table to leap, but McIntyre catches him! McIntyre OVERHEAD SUPLEXES Styles onto the ladder! Styles slides down the rungs while McIntyre gets to a corner. McIntyre works to get his bad leg moving again, and he heads over. Styles forearms McIntyre away, springboards, and hits a PHENOMENAL FOREARM!
Both men are down but they both roll to corners. Styles has Omos fetch him a new ladder, and he sets this one up under the belt. Styles climbs up, but McIntyre returns to grab at him! Styles kicks McIntyre but McIntyre still comes back! McIntyre gets Styles in a trophy lift, to TOSS out of the ring and through a table!! Referees check on Styles in the wreckage but McIntyre hurries to the ladder! McIntyre begins his climb, but here comes THE MIZ!! The Miz attacks McIntyre and Morrison has the briefcase! Miz POWERBOMBS McIntyre THROUGH THE TABLE!! Morrison gives the ref the briefcase because Miz is cashing in! THIS CHANGES THE MATCH TYPE!!
WWE World Championship TLC Triple Threat: Drew McIntyre VS AJ Styles w/ Omogbehin VS The Miz w/ John Morrison!
And as such, Miz is now climbing the ladder! Miz is grinning because he sees the title right above him! But OMOS gets involved! Omos yanks Miz off the ladder, cradles him like a child, and DROPS him through a TABLE! The cash-in is in jeopardy! Morrison SMACKS Omos with a chair, but the CHAIR breaks?! Omos barely felt that! Morrison sees he’s in trouble, and ditches the chair to bail out! Omos glares at Morrison, Morrison gets another chair as protection, but he falls over spare ladders! Morrison is up the ramp, Omos storms up that way, but the match is still going on! Miz, McIntyre and Styles are all in wreckage of tables, but McIntyre is the one in the ring!
McIntyre drags himself up, but Styles is back in now. Styles positions the ladder, McIntyre staggers but that leg is not cooperating. McIntyre hobbles over to get on the ladder, and the two are climbing! McIntyre has the lead based on his own natural height, but Styles manages to hit him in his leg! McIntyre keeps going and he hits back! McIntyre reaches at the belt but Styles punches him in the gut! Styles bounces McIntyre off the ladder but so does McIntyre! Miz is setting up another ladder next to theirs! McIntyre and Styles brawl but Miz climbs clear to the top! Mcintyre punches Miz, punches Styles, Styles falls down! GLASGOW KISS!
But Miz stays up and throws more hands! They go back and forth, they bounce each other off their ladders! McIntyre shoves Miz away! Styles springboards up to the top! Styles throws forearms, McIntyre throws hands, they brawl again! Styles sends McIntyre down into the ropes! But Miz is back! Miz hits Styles with haymakers! Miz reaches, Styles hits him! McIntyre uses Miz’s ladder to tip the other, and both men hit ropes! Styles tumbles out hard and Miz flounders, into a CLAYMORE!! McIntyre stands a ladder back up, climbs as fast as he can with his bad leg, he’s all alone up top! McIntyre WINS!
Winner: Drew McIntyre (still WWE World Champion)
The Scottish Warrior slays all of his adversaries! The Phenomenal One could not get it done, Mr. Money in the Bank went bankrupt, and the gold stays with McIntyre! If even these odds were not enough to knock McIntyre off the top, what in the world can?
Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.
The Tribal Chief’s Special Counsel is here, and Kayla brings up Kevin Owens’ ultimatum of winning the title, or die trying. “Aesthetics over competency again, I see.” But Heyman will give everyone the real question, “Is Heyman a sports fan?” Yes. And outside of the WWE, he likes NASCAR. Not for who wins, but for the crashes. Heyman is a sick individual, yes, but he likes that part of him.
Pro-wrestling is dangerous enough as it is, but tonight is carnage. People fall of ladders and through tables because they were hit by a chair. “Someone is going to get hurt bad tonight, and that someone’s name is Kevin Owens.” And Kevin will be hurt on purpose by your Tribal Chief, the undisputed Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman Reigns. And that is not just a prediction. That is a spoiler! Will Heyman again be proven right? Or will Kevin prove him oh so wrong?
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Sasha Banks VS Carmella!
The Boss, the blueprint, the standard of the Women’s Division has been the target of the #UNTOUCHABLE Princess of Staten Island ever since Carmella made her return. But while Mella has been successfully ambushing Sasha, and thought she had Sasha right where she wanted her, Sasha turned the tables on her! A disqualification ended the match these two had on television, but will things end very differently here on PPV?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the battle to see who is truly the baddest bitch on the blue brand begins again!
Sasha rushes Mella but Mella bails out right way! Mella claims she needs to make sure her ring gear is fitting just right, and she’s using the ring count. Mella returns at 5 but Sasha is right on her with fast hands! Mella knocks Sasha down and talks trash as she knocks her down. Mella drags Sasha up, whips, but Sasha reverses and trips her up to drag her out! Sasha bumps Mella off the apron, then uses the apron for an arm-drag! Sasha CLUBS Mella, puts her back in the ring, and covers, TWO! Sasha looms over Mella, drags her up but Mella SLAPS her! Mella drags Sasha back up, whips but Sasha reverses to throw Mella out! Luckily, Mella’s sommelier, Reginald, is there to catch her!
Sasha goes to the apron and leaps, but Reginald gets under the Meteora! Reginald then helps Mella give Sasha a huricanrana! Sasha gets up but Mella shoves Sasha into the steel steps! Mella puts Sasha in the ring, covers, TWO! Mella takes her time to adjust her gear and then she drags Sasha back up. Mella puts Sasha in a corner and stomps her down! The ref counts, Mella lets off at 3, but then runs in to BRONCO BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Mella drags Sasha back into a chinlock and talks trash while grinding her down. Sasha endures even as Mella bends her back, and Sasha fights up to hip bump. Mella ends up a backpack as Sasha rams her into a corner!
Sasha snapmares out, runs and BASEMENT METEORA! Cover, TWO! Mella goes to a corner, Sasha runs in but is put on the apron. Sasha KNEES Mella back, drags her out, and turns her around, but Mella switches out of the Backstabber to hit an apron EDGE O’MATIC! Or maybe a Mella Matic? Mella puts Sasha in, covers, TWO! Mella keeps on Sasha with a motorcycle stretch and she digs a knee into Sasha’s back. Mella shouts, “You’re not the Boss!” Sasha fights up as fans clap on their ThunderDome screens. Sasha elbows out then scoops Mella for a BACKBREAKER! Mella hobbles over but Sasha blocks the kick to KNEE Mella back!
Sasha runs at Mella in the corner, METEORA! Sasha snap suplexes, una amiga! Dos amigas! And then THREE AMIGAS! Sasha smiles as she gives her tribute to Latino Heat, and then she drags Mella to a drop zone. The tribute isn’t over as Sasha climbs up, for a FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Mella survives and shocks Sasha! Sasha works to keep her cool, but she says Mella messed up. Sasha reels her in but Mlela backs Sasha into buckles! Mella throws elbow after elbow but the ref counts, so she stops at 3. Mella runs back in but into a BOOT! Sasha hosp up and leaps, but Mella gets under! Mella runs, into a tilt-o-whirl, into a MELLA BUSTER! Cover, TWO!?!
Mella tries again, TWO!! Mella is furious, she high stacks, TWO!! Sasha is still in this and Mella is in disbelief! Mella drags Sasha back up, then feeds Sasha to Mella’s boot! Mella goes up, for the HANGING NECKLOCK! The ref counts, Mella lets go at 4, and then adjusts her gear again. Mella drags Sasha by her hair to pull against the ropes! Sasha SLAPS Mella and that angers Mella! Mella clubs away with furious fists on Sasha’s back! The ring count begins but Mella says to be patient. FABULOUS KICK to Sasha! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Mella is furious! Sasha flounders away but Mella stalks over. Sasha throws Mella into buckles! Sunset flip, TWO!
Sasha gets Mella for Deadly Nightshade! Sasha drags Mella up to the top now, but Mella throws body shots back! Mella clubs Sasha, adjusts position, and FABULOUS STEINERS! But Sasha sunset flips through, TWO!! Sasha runs into a roll up, TWO! Sasha spins Mella for a backslide, TWO! They roll over, fight up, and Mella reels Sasha back in. Sasha trips to the jackknife, TWO! Mella has the CODE OF SILENCE!! Sasha endures the necklock, rolls to pop out but Mella fights off the crossface! RINGS OF SATURN, WITH A NECKLOCK!! Mella stomps away on Sasha’s head!! Sasha manages a cover, TWO!! Mella let Sasha go and Sasha is gasping in a corner.
Mella runs in but her Bronco Buster misses! Sasha rolls Mella to a takedown and a BANK STATEMENT CROSSFACE!! Mella crawls around, reaches with her legs and arms, Reginald gets her out of the hold! The ref reprimands Reginald but Sasha LEAPS to METEORA Reginald down! But another FABULOUS KICK! And another FABULOUS KICK! Mella puts Sasha in, covers, TWO!?!? Mella is beside herself as Sasha survives again! Mella refuses to believe this, and she shouts, “You are NOT better than me, Sasha!” Mella slaps Sasha over and over and keeps shouting at her! Mella drags Sasha up, but Sasha pops out of the facebuster to get the CROSSFACE!! Mella flails, but she taps! Sasha wins!
Winner: Sasha Banks, by submission (still SmackDown Women’s Champion)
And it is STILL #BossTime for SmackDown! Mella had her assistant helping her and she still couldn’t put Sasha away! Will Sasha be popping bottles to celebrate this victory tonight?
Billie Kay talks with Asuka backstage.
Billie asks Asuka if she just saw that match. Billie just knew Sasha would retain. Maybe Billie’s clairvoyant? She’ll add that to her resume real quick. And speaking of, Billie presents her headshot and resume to Asuka. We all know Asuka needs a tag team partner, Billie is a former tag team champion, so she’d be a great partner against Nia and Shayna. And in the skills section, Billie is proficient in Japanese! Really? Asuka fires off Japanese and Billie says “Right back at you.” Billie even made her own mask to match Asuka’s! Asuka says enough! Clearly Billie did not understand. But thank you, but no thank you. The position has been filled. Billie is NOT ready for Asuka! Thanks, bye. But then if Asuka has a tag partner all set up, who is it?!
Raw Tag Team Championships: The New Day VS The Hurt Business!
The title matches do not stop! The 10-time W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~ are hoping to hold onto the gold against the very hungry Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander! But will Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have to kiss their assets good-bye tonight?
Backstage, Charly Caruso asks if the New Day is ready. How is this match going to be different from the last time? Well Kofi puts it like this: it won’t be. But the longer answer: it definitely won’t be. The Hurt Business have gone against the New Day before, but this is #BigMatch New Day! The Butt Hurt Business will be even more butt hurt because 2020 ends as it began: with the New Day as tag team champions. Why? BECAAAUSE- It’s still not quite right without Big E. But the point is, NEW! DAY ROCKS!
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and the teams sort out, with Kofi starting against Alexander!
Alexander rushes Kofi but gets a SUPERKICK for it!! Cover, TWO! Kofi drags Alexander up, hits a Russian Leg Sweep, then tags Woods. Kofi twerks on Alexander as Woods drops the SUPER LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Woods drags Alexander up as MVP shouts for him to tag out! Kofi tags in, rams into Alexander, Woods rolls Alexander for Kofi’s crossbody! Cover, TWO! Kofi keeps Alexander away from Benjamin with a snapmare. Tag to Woods, penalty kick to sliding lariat, and Kofi’s rebound splash! Woods dragon sleepers for a SAVING GRACE! Cover, Benjamin breaks it up!
Benjamin and MVP coach Alexander and Alexander kicks Woods away. Benjamin tags in to clobber Woods! Benjamin snap suplexes Woods, covers, TWO! MVP helps Alexander hydrate while Benjamin whips Woods for a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Benjamin drags Woods back up and whips, but Woods ducks and dodges to slide and ROLLING ELBOW! Woods whips, wrenches and puts Benjamin on ropes! Kofi tags in as Woods builds speed, sliding attack onto Benjamin and he wrecks Alexander with a dropkick! The Hurt Business is reeling from that 2-for-1 special, Kofi springboards and STOMPS Benjamin down! Cover, TWO!
Woods keeps on Alexander with elbows and Kofi kicks Benjamin. Kofi mule kicks, tags Woods, PLANCHA for Alexander and GET OVER HERE for Benjamin! Cover, TWO! The New Day is fired up and Woods brings Benjamin up. Woods CHOPS Benjamin, and CHOPS and CHOPS, then whips. Benjamin puts Woods on the apron but Woods hits him away, Benjamin KNEES Woods back! Benjamin throws Woods hard into the buckles! Tag to Alexander, and Alexander aims at Woods, to PENALTY KICK him in the back! MVP says the kick was good! Alexander puts Woods in, covers, TWO!
Alexander rains down elbows, digs knuckles into ribs, and then pulls Woods back in a chinlock. Alexander drags Woods over, tags Benjamin in, and Benjamin stomps Woods down. Benjamin drags Woods up and wrenches to an elbow breaker! Benjamin keeps on the arm but MVP wants to hear it snap. Benjamin stomps Woods, tags Alexander back in, and Alexander throws elbows. Alexander clamps on claws into Woods’ shoulder and he taunts, “How’s that nerve feeling!?” Woods endures, fights up and fights back but Alexander DECKS him with a right! Alexander runs, handsprings, but into Woods’ enziguri! He neutralizes the Neuralizer!
Woods and Alexander crawl, hot tags to Kofi and Benjamin! Kofi springboard ax handles Benjamin first! And he hits Alexander, then rallies with CHOPS on Benjamin! Dropkick! Benjamin gets up, Kofi LEAPING LARIATS! MVP shouts at Benjamin but Kofi BOOTS Alexander down! Kofi runs for the Boom Drop, but gets caught! Alexander tags in, climbs up, Benjamin moves Kofi around, but no Doomsday! Kofi victory rolls and STOMPS Benjamin! Kofi catches Alexander for SOS! Cover, TWO!! MVP is panicking as Kofi watches Alexander. Kofi claps it up, spins, but Alexander ducks Trouble to back suplex! Kofi lands out, whips Alexander but Alexander reveres! Kofi goes up, up and over, but Alexander gets under to come back with a KNEE! BRAIN BUSTER! Cover, but Woods breaks it!
Benjamin brawls with Woods, KNEE, to Alexander’s NEURALIZER! Benjamin hits PAYDIRT on Woods! Kofi is down, Alexander tags back to Benjamin, and Benjamin drags Woods up. OLYMIPC- NO! Kofi slips out to dropkick Benjamin down! Alexander is there, Kofi KICKS him, too! Kofi slips out to swing kick Benjamin! Kofi goes up, but Benjamin ROCKS him first! Benjamin climbs, drags Kofi up but Kofi fights back! Kofi headbutts Benjamin away, adjusts, but Benjamin ROCKS him again! Benjamin goes up, brings Kofi right up, for a HALF HATCH SUPERPLEX! Benjamin fires up and wants to hit Kofi with something more, but Alexander tags in!? Alexander drags Kofi up, LUMBAR CHECK!! Cover, The Hurt Business wins!!
Winners: The Hurt Business, by pinfall (NEW Raw Tag Team Champions)
MVP doesn’t mind Alexander improvising, because they just took the titles! The Hurt Business’ treasury is growing larger, and Bobby Lashley is there to celebrate with them! Will they soon take over all of Raw together?
Sami Zayn confronts Kayla Braxton.
“Oh, there she is! Little Ms. Journalist!” She must be proud of leaking that audio that breached his privacy! Does she have no shame? But Sami stops himself and apologizes. He just wants to know who gave her the audio. Was it Big E? Sami will deal with it himself. Kayla apologizes, but a journalist doesn’t reveal their sources. Oh is she lecturing him on ethics?! He is the ONLY ONE who knows about ethics in the WWE! Will Sami rant and rave until this mystery is solved?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler VS Asuka & ???
Nia and Shayna have bullied the Ravishing Russian for months, but while her spirit did not break, they finally broke her physically. Lana is not able to compete tonight for the opportunity she and the Empress of Tomorrow won together, but WWE is allowing for a substitution! Who is it that Asuka has chosen for her new teammate? It’s… THE QUEEN, CHARLOTTE FLAIR!! She finally returns and wants her own revenge on Nia! They’ve been rivals before, but will Charlotte and Asuka now reign together?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and Asuka starts against Shayna to start this wrestling royal showdown!
Asuka and Shayna circle, feel the grapple out, and Asuka gets a leg. Shayna waistlocks, Asuka switches, but Shayna rolls to get free and KICK Asuka back! Asuka shakes her head but Shayna KICKS her again! Asuka ducks the next kick to give KICKS! Shayna blocks a kick but Asuka gets an arm! They roll, Asuka wants the armbar but Shayna moves around to trap an arm! Hair down, but Asuka dodges the stomp! Asuka and Shayna stand off, but Charlotte wants in! Asuka gives her the tag! The Queen of Spades and Queen of Flair stare down, but then Charlotte blasts past Shayna to hit Nia! Charlotte elbows Shayna down and gets the leg but Shayna kicks her away!
Shayna and Charlotte circle, but Shayna grins as she tags to Nia. That’s what Charlotte wanted anyway! Charlotte and Nia tie up, Charlotte waistlocks but Nia rams her into the corner! Nia keeps hitting, then runs in, but Charlotte dodges! Charlotte headlocks, Nia powers out and the two collide. Neither falls, Nia dares Charlotte to bring it, so Charlotte kicks and headlocks. Asuka tags in, fire off kicks, then fast hands! Asuka back kicks then whips, but Nia reverses. Asuka holds ropes and she elbows back then ROUNDHOUSES and CODE BREAKERS! Nia stays up so Asuka kicks her in the corner! Asuka goes up but Nia ROCKS her!
Nia fireman’s carries, Asuka flails to a sunset but Nia drags her up to headbutt! Nia POSTS Asuka in the corner, tags Shayna, and they throw Asuka down. Nia sets the arm up for Shayna’s STOMP! Shayna keeps stomping the arm, then covers, TWO! Charlotte coaches Asuka but Shayna has the cording hold. Shayna tortures the elbow then the wrist and fingers! Asuka endures, Shayna twists it around to a double wristlock, but Asuka fights up to roll her! ONE, Shayna CLOBBERS Asuka! Shayna drags Asuka up, throws her into buckles, then tags in Nia. Nia drags Asuka down then YANKS her into the post! Nia drags Asuka up to whip her hard into barriers!
The ring count climbs but Nia takes her time. Nia puts Asuka in at 6, tags Shayna, and they wrap the arm around ropes to throw body shots! The ref reprimands, Shayna brings Asuka out to twist the arm around into another double wristlock. Asuka endures as Shayna goes after the elbow more, then Shayna shifts. Asuka goes after Shayna’s arm now! Shayna pulls hair, whips, but Asuka wrenches back to kick away! Shayna blocks a kick, trips Asuka up, and covers, TWO! Charlotte was ready just in case but Asuka survives. Shayna throws Asuka out, tags to Nia, and Nia goes around to go after Asuka. Nia scoops Asuka but Asuka slips off to shove Nia! Nia avoids post but not BACK HAND!
Asuka hurries back in, Nia gives chase, and Shayna lurks around the way, Asuka kicks Nia away, ROUNDHOUSE! But Shayna yanks Charlotte down! Charlotte DECKS Shayna for it, and tags in! Charlotte CHOPS away on Nia! Charlotte’s father, Ric Flair, is watching backstage! Charlotte whips, Nia reverses but Charlotte kicks back! Charlotte runs to BOOT Nia down! Shayna returns but gets a kick! And an EXPLDOER! Shayna flops out while Charlotte kips up! Charlotte runs, blocks a boot to give a forearm! Charlotte puts the leg on a rope to drop a knee! Nia staggers, Charlotte BOOTS her down! Cover, TWO!
Charlotte keeps her cool but Shayna gets Nia out. Asuka SLIDING KICKS Shayna! Charlotte goes up and aims, MOONSAULT takes the champions down! Charlotte fires up as she gets back up and she puts Nia back in at 6 of 10! Charlotte is in at 7, gets Nia’s legs, and ties them up, but Nia kicks her away! Nia reels Charlotte in but Charlotte fights the fireman’s carry! Asuka tags in, Nia gets Charlotte for the SAMOAN DROP! Asuka is up top and leaps to missile dropkick Nia all the way to her corner! Shayna tags in, Asuka dodges, but Shayna ducks a kick to wrench the arm! Kirafuda, but Asuka slips out! Asuka wants her lock but Shayna wrenches the arm! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!
But Charlotte tags in! Asuka gets away and Charlotte gives Shayna a backbreaker to buckle shot! BOOT for Nia! Charlotte smirks but Shayna creeps up behind! Charlotte fights the Kirafuda off but Shayna cradles, TWO! Charlotte has the legs, FIGURE FOUR! Bridge, FIGURE EIGHT!! Nia drags Charlotte off her own hold! FLYING HIP ATTCK from Asuka to Nia! Charlotte holds ropes to avoid the Kirafuda, but Shayna brings her away! Charlotte rolls to a cover, TOW! NATURAL SELECTION! Cover, Charlotte and Asuka win!!
Winners: Charlotte Flair & Asuka, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Asuka is a double champion, and the Queen is a GRAND SLAM CHAMPION! Will this combination of Empress and Queen be even more unstoppable than Nia and Shayna?
Big E and R-Truth are laughing about something backstage.
Sami confronts them! It WAS Big E who gave Kayla the audio! No, Sami, don’t worry about that leak. But go on somewhere else with that conspiracy theory. Truth has a conspiracy thesis. “Your lips don’t touch when you say the word ‘touch,’ but they do when you say the word, ‘separate.'” Sami says Big E is not as clever as Sami, because Sami is still Intercontinental Champion while Big E has been a joke ever since going water! Alright, Sami, keep playing these games. Big E will see him soon. Big E’s scary seriousness gets both Truth and Sami to leave, but will Sami find himself being chased by a powerful contender?
WWE Universal Championship TLC Match: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Kevin Owens!
The Tribal Chief, the Head of the Table, this Samoan sociopath, has been instilling fear and pain into not only those who oppose him, but his own flesh and blood. Jey Uso has fallen in line, and others shy away. But not the Prizefighter! Kevin has defiantly fought back and claims that he will be champion, or die trying. Will Roman make it so that Kevin never fights again? Or will Kevin #StunTheWorld and take away the title?
Roman Reigns enters first for the title to be hoisted high above the ring. But Kevin shows up out of nowhere and attacks! He fires off fists on Roman, the bell rings to start the match, and Kevin stomps a mudhole into Roman! Roman shoves Kevin but Kevin fires off on Roman! Kevin runs corner to corner to CANNONBALL! Roman is down, Heyman is stressed out, and Kevin goes out after Roman! Kevin whips Roman into barriers, then CANNONBALLS again! Kevin drags Roman back up, and whips him into steel steps! Roman is down and writhing, so Kevin goes up to the apron, for an APRON FROG SPLASH! Direct hit and now Roman is gasping!
Kevin finally leaves Roman behind for a moment, and he’s fetching a ladder! Kevin puts the ladder in, but here comes Jey Uso! Kevin SUPERKICKS Jey down! Kevin goes back out, gets a chair and he JAMS it into Jey’s ribs! And SMACKS Jey on the back! Kevin SMACKS Roman on the back with the chair, too! Kevin storms after Jey but Jey ROCKS Kevin with the uppercut! Jey kicks but into the CHAIR! Kevin SMACKS away on Jey’s leg! Kevin puts the chair around the leg, then STOMPS the chair! Jey writhes and clutches his foot and Kevin says him he should’ve stayed in the back!
Kevin clears off the announce desk and he drags Jey over! The refs and medics want Kevin to spare Jey, so Kevin does. And Roman returns with a DRIVE-BY DROPKICK! Kevin falls off the apron and Roman grits his teeth. Roman throws the desk hood down on Kevin, then finds something more while Jey is helped to the back. Roman has the steel steps and he RAMS Kevin down! And RAMS him again! And then hammers away with the steps! Then Roman tosses the steps aside in anger! Roman sees the ladder in the ring, but he wants something to end Kevin first. Roman drags Kevin up and into the ring, and then fetches another ladder.
Roman puts this shorter ladder in while Kevin gets up, and Roman SMASHES Kevin with that ladder! And then swings and SMACKS Kevin, and again! And then Roman hammers Kevin with this ladder! Roman digs the ladder into Kevin’s ribs! Kevin keeps trying to fight but Roman stomps him down. Roman puts the ladder on ropes, stomps Kevin more, then fetches chairs. Roman mumbles to himself as he puts the chairs in, then he stomps Kevin’s hand! And SMACKS Kevin on the back! Kevin gets the other chair and tries to swing back, but Roman hits chair with chair into Kevin! Roman just hammers away with the chair on Kevin’s ribs! And another chair shot to the back!
Roman smiles a bit as he sets up the chairs together, side by side. Kevin gets up, hits back with haymakers and body shots, but Roman ROCKS him with a right! Roman fireman’s carries but Kevin slips out! Kevin wants to bomb but Roman back drops him onto the chairs! Roman takes a moment to talk to himself again, “I’m gonna torture this fool,” then he brings Kevin up. Roman throws Kevin out, moves things around in the ring, and stands the tall ladder up. The ladder is under the belt, Roman climbs up, but Kevin SMACKS Roman with a chair! And again! Roman is down and Kevin SMACKS him again! Heyman is feeling that one!
Kevin sits a chair up, brings Roman over, and fisherman BUSTERS Roman onto the chair!! Roman writhes, Heyman is shocked, and Kevin tells Roman, “You’re making me do this!” Kevin goes to the ladder, climbs up now, and grabs the belt! But Jey is back!? Jey is on one good leg as he drags Kevin down, and the two of them brawl! Kevin kicks and punches and kicks! Kevin rains down rights on Jey, but a SUPERMAN PUNCH takes Kevin down! Roman and Jey move the ladder aside for now, and Jey fetches a table for the Head of the Table! And not just one, but another table! Roman makes sure the ladder is out of the way enough for these tables to be set up.
Roman stomps Kevin to keep him down, and the tables are set up. Roman has one propped up in a corner, Jey stands his up on its own. Again, Roman talks to himself. Roman stands on Kevin’s head and grinds him into the mat! “This is because you pissed me off!” Roman drags Kevin up but Kevin keeps fighting him. Roman feeds Kevin to Jey but Kevin kicks back! SUPERKICK even! STUNNER for Roman!! Kevin clears the ring of the Bloodline and hurries to get the ladder back up! Kevin heads up, but Jey anchors a foot and drags him down! Jey and Kevin brawl again, Kevin kicks Jey’s bad leg! Kevin has Jey by the announce desk, and uses a POP-UP POWERBOMB to put Jey through it!
Kevin hobbles over to flip pieces of the desk onto Jey! The Bloodline tried to bury him, he’s burying one of them! With armchairs, too! Kevin goes back to the ring, climbs up the ladder, is at the top, but Roman returns! Roman keeps Kevin from touching the belt, throws hands, but Kevin throws hands back! Kevin punches Roman but Roman rakes eyes! Kevin falters, Roman goes around to his side, and drags him down to throw haymakers. Kevin stays standing against ropes, and he hits back! Kevin SUPER- No, Roman blocks the kick to POWERBOMB Kevin onto the short ladder!
Kevin is down, Roman brings the short ladder around, and then brings Kevin over. The ladder is on its edge, Roman back suplexes Kevin onto the ladder! Roman follows Kevin out of the ring, moves things aside, and drags Kevin back up. Roman CHOKE SLAMS Kevin through a table! Roman checks on Jey under all the wreckage then throws the armchair onto Kevin! Roman drags Kevin up by his shirt, throws more haymakers but Kevin falls right over. Roman drags Kevin up again, and SAMOAN DROPS him through a table! Kevin coughs and sputters as Roman goes back to the ring. Roman is all alone with the ladder, and he takes his time climbing up.
Roman is at the top, but Kevin is back?! Roman chuckles in disbelief. Roman goes back down the ladder, kicks at Kevin, but Kevin keeps clawing at him. Roman can’t believe Kevin is doing this. “You’re embarrassing your family now.” Roman toys with Kevin, but Kevin SLAPS him! Roman SPEARS Kevin through a table! The table in the corner! But that was risky, as Roman is clutching his own neck and shoulder. Kevin flops out of the ring, and is still moving?! Kevin is crawling to another ladder, and says, “You’re gonna have to kill me!” Roman goes out as Kevin leans against the ladder to stand. Roman runs in and SPEARS, but Kevin moves! Roman blasts though barriers!!
Kevin drags himself back into the ring, climbs the ladder, and gets to the top! Kevin reaches at the belt but Roman is back in! Roman drags Kevin down, grabs him by the head and digs him into the ladder, to then throw him into it! The ladder tips over and Kevin falls again, and Roman is seething as he moves things aside. Roman walks into a SUPERKICK! And ANOTHER SUPERKICK! Kevin whips Roman for a POP-UP- SUPERMAN PUNCH! Roman hits back, runs, but into a POP-UP BOMB THROUGH A TABLE!! Roman flops out of the ring and Kevin gets the ladder! Roman stands the ladder up, climbs up, and grabs at the belt!
But JEY is back!! Jey climbs up, keeps Kevin from bringing the belt down, but Kevin headbutts Jey over and over! Kevin gives Jey a STUNNER! Kevin goes back up, reaches the top again, and grabs for the belt! Roman is back?! Roman LOW BLOWS Kevin through the rungs! Roman chokes Kevin out with the GUILLOTINE! Kevin fades, falls off the ladder, and Roman stands up to grab the belt off the holder!
Winner: Roman Reigns (still WWE Universal Champion)
The Tribal Chief still reigns! But it took so much out of Roman, Kevin, and even Jey, the Head of the Table’s insurance policy! Will anyone ever overthrow the Bloodline?
BREAKING NEWS for SmackDown!
Big E’s pin on Sami Zayn tonight has earned him a title match for Christmas! Will Big E give us the best present of all when he dethrones the Great Liberator?
Firefly Inferno Match: The Fiend VS Randy Orton!
Bray Wyatt and The Viper seem to be fated to battle again and again. But a rivalry has never been more heated than this! One will burn for the sins of the past, will this be a completely different kind of nightmare before Christmas?
Orton is wary as he gets in the ring with The Fiend, because The Fiend keeps watching him. The bell rings, the two slowly, slowly circle, and then Orton throws a haymaker! But The Fiend just laughs it off! Orton is put off by that as he still circles around. Orton kicks low but again The Fiend just laughs, and even sticks out his tongue. Orton throws another hand, then tries an RKO but is denied! The Fiend fires off haymakers, uppercuts, and a flurry of headbutts! Then The Fiend stomps Orton down, paces, and brings Orton up to uppercut him back down! Orton flounders, Fiend whips him and headbutts him down! Orton flounders even more and gets to a corner.
The Fiend storms over to drag Orton back up, reels him in, but Orton gets out of Sister Abigail to dropkick! The Fiend stays up and throat chops back! The Fiend rams into Orton in the corner, digs Orton’s face into ropes, then whips Orton to swing. Orton dodges but Fiend BODY CHECKS him! Orton fights off Sister Abigail to hit the back2backbreaker! The Fiend is finally down, but he’s up fast! Fiend denies an RKO to hit SISTER ABIGAIL! And NOW there’s fire! The Fiend summons it all around ringside, but Orton gets back in the ring. The Fiend fires off uppercuts, throws Orton back out, and they’re closer to the fire.
Orton hurries back in but Fiend drags him back out to ROCK him with an uppercut! Fiend bumps Orton off steel steps, and digs his thumbs into Orton’s eyes! Orton screams in pain but Fiend laughs! Fiend drags Orton over but Orton pushes away to avoid flames! Orton punches back, but runs into a clothesline! The fire spouts stronger with that impact, as if responding to The Fiend’s mood. The Fiend finds a leather strap and he LASHES Orton with it! And LASHLES him again! Fiend laughs as he LASHES Orton even more! Fiend has an even bigger, heavier strap of leather, and he LIGHTS IT ON FIRE! Fiend swings the burning leather but Orton moves! Strap meets flames and they erupt again!
Fiend reels back to keep himself from catching on fire. Orton throws hands and pushes Fiend close to flames but Fiend hits back. Fiend POSTS Orton, then brings out a PICKAXE!? Orton avoids getting chopped down! The Fiend finds the pickaxe is stuck, but Orton attacks! Wait is that a rocking chair? Fiend POSTS Orton again, and again, then rams him into barriers! The fires are getting hungrier but The Fiend sees the rocking chair. The Fiend brings the chair, and a gas can, and sets it up, to soak the chair in the gasoline! The Fiend draws a line with the gasoline, goes after Orton, but Orton avoids the flames! The Fiend whips Orton into steel steps!
The Fiend drags Orton over, makes him take a seat in the gas soaked chair, and then has a LIGHTER! Fiend lights the line of gas and it goes right for the chair! Orton moves before the chair is burned to ash! The Fiend laughs as he stalks after Orton, and has part of the steel steps! But Orton uses an AX HANDLE! Orton SMACKS and CLUBS Fiend with it, then RAMS Fiend with the steps! And RAMS him again! The flames are only getting hotter but Orton fetches a chain from under the ring! FULL METAL KNUCKLE! Orton keeps hitting The Fiend with the chain fist, and then uses the chains to choke the Fiend! The Fiend is inches from fire but he fights free!
Orton hurries back up, wraps his fist back up, and stalks Fiend into the ring. The Fiend catches Orton for an URENAGE! NECK SNAP! Fiend drags Orton up, brings him around and throws him back out. Fiend looms over Orton, and STOMPS his hand before he could grab the ax handle! Fiend takes the handle for his own, and ignites it! Orton kicks Fiend first! Orton drags Fiend onto the apron for a DRAPING DDT! And the fires are erupting again! Orton hears the voices in his head as he lurks close to The Fiend. The Fiend slowly stirs and stands, but he catches Orton into the MANDIBLE CLAW! Fiend is pushing Orton towards the fire! But Orton turns it around! Now Fiend is pushing Orton, but Fiend IGNITES!! Orton wins!!
Winner: Randy Orton
But The Fiend is still after Orton! Orton hits an RKO!! Orton looks at The Fiend as he is out cold but on fire! Is the Viper feeling remorse for what he’s done? Orton checks on Bray, kicks at him, but Bray isn’t moving… Orton leaves the ring, because he wants to be sure he’s gotten rid of The Fiend. He has the gas can, and there’s plenty still inside! Orton told the world before that he’s “the most evil son of a bitch” ever, and he is pouring the gasoline all over The Fiend’s body! Is he really going to…!? Orton fetches matches!
Orton stands over the gas soaked Fiend, lights a match, watches it burn… and throws it down on The Fiend!! THE FIEND ERUPTS IN FLAMES, and the flames around the ring react in kind! Is Orton going to have a circle of hell all to himself?!
My Thoughts:
This was a great TLC PPV, but obviously with some glaring flaws. First, I don’t like that they didn’t include a separate Tables match and separate Chairs match for the matches that it could’ve worked for. If they had kept Lana in the match with Asuka, it could’ve been a Tables Tag match. That is a match that Lana and Asuka honestly still could’ve won because it’s just about getting someone through a table. Plus, that’s just using the story telling Vince was giving us in a logical way: Lana puts Nia through a table somehow, and wins the titles off her as the cherry on top. But I suppose two TLC matches and an Inferno Match makes up for that in WWE’s mind.
We got a good 8 Man Tag of what is basically the WWE Intercontinental Championship field, and Corbin. Big E gets a big win and a title match for Christmas SmackDown! I feel like that’s as good as having a match here tonight on the PPV, and I really think if Big E’s winning the title, he’s winning it then. And R-Truth was present tonight, yet no WWE 24/7 Championship moments so that was a tiny letdown. They could’ve gotten some SmackDown stars involved since PPV’s seem to be the best opportunity for that, but nope. It sounds like Truth is doing stuff on WWE Main Event, which is more of a reason I wish it was on the Network, not on Hulu.
Opening the main card with the WWE World Championship TLC was a clear sign there would be an MITB cash-in, and then we got it! Even before Miz and Morrison got involved, it was a great match of McIntyre VS Styles. And then with Miz and Morrison getting involved, OMOS got involved, and I love that they made a completely gimmicked chair that falls apart, just to sell that Omos is a tank in his own right. Sucks that Miz’s cash-in failed but this was the best opening for him. But McIntyre’s power is off the charts retaining in this situation, so whatever plans they have for him at Royal Rumble must be huge!
Sasha VS Mella was also very good, but of course “Reginald the sommelier” gets involved somehow. But it didn’t cost Sasha so I’m not really sure it helped anything. Honestly, I thought Mella’s new submission hold was going to win, but that thing got buried out the gate. Y’know, maybe Sasha VS Mella could’ve been a Champagne match to “redefine the C” for one night. It was being set up by Mella smashing bottles on Sasha this whole time, but much like Lana being removed from the Women’s Tag title match, WWE misses another opportunity they themselves set up.
And then, in said Women’s Tag title match, they could’ve given us Asuka & Mandy or Asuka & Dana, but they went with the answer that oddly enough, quite a few people predicted. It was great for Charlotte to return now, and the tag match was great because it was Charlotte, and now Charlotte is a Grand Slam Champion, but I feel like there was an opportunity missed again. I suppose they can still circle around for Dana and Mandy to get involved with the story, but Charlotte getting a tag title reign with Asuka must be because WWE is very concerned about Raw’s ratings.
New Day VS Hurt Business was a great tag title match, even without extra stipulations added on. Alexander and Benjamin worked well together, and just as I thought Alexander tagging in without warning would backfire, he instead takes the win for his own. The Hurt Business has three champions, and I really hope there’s a way for MVP to be 24/7 Champion with the others defending him so he can have a long reign. Of course, now the problem is, WWE has downsized the tag team divisions on Raw and SmackDown, so who is there on Raw to challenge Hurt Business other than the New Day? I suppose because of what’s been building, it’ll be Jeff Hardy & Matt Riddle, but then is Riddle also going to challenge Lashley for the US Championship to tease being a double champion? Vince has really written himself into a corner with how he’s booked things.
Roman VS Kevin was a great TLC match. Better than McIntyre VS Styles VS Miz, and perhaps the best one in a long time because of the story going into it. Kevin had a great sneak attack and just wouldn’t stop moving despite what happened to him. Of course Jey gets in, and he gets thrown around quite a bit himself. They did a great job teasing us into thinking Kevin was going to win, because he was so close to getting the belt with both hands at one point. But in the end, Roman finds a way to win, mostly because he remembers he can just low blow his opponent, then choke them out. Much like with McIntyre, I have no solid idea what is happening next, but I am so ready for it.
The Firefly Inferno Match wasn’t all that “Firefly,” I was expecting the puppets to get involved and for Ramblin’ Rabbit to perhaps get set on fire as part of his immortality gag where he just keeps coming back from the dead. But it was a decent Inferno Match, with Orton and Bray brawling, and the reference to original Bray using the rocking chair. This match was clearly partially edited because Orton would not have had time to get out of the chair before the fire got to him if it were live. But the editing just made things work out better, because obviously that was a dummy Fiend “unconscious” in the ring for Orton to set on fire. Been a long time since Orton’s tried burning someone alive *cough* Taker */cough* but this really escalates things between him and Bray. Bray could take this any which way, and he and Orton could still have a proper Firefly match come Rumble or Mania.
My Score: 8.6/10
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/19/24)
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
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/18/24)
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
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Hockey Talk- Playoff Payback? [051424]
Hockey Talk reviews the action from the second round of the 2024 NHL Playoffs and discusses who has stepped up...
Hockey Talk- Power Players [043024]
Hockey Talk reviews the action from the first round of the 2024 NHL Playoffs and looks forward to some intriguing...
Hockey Talk- 2024 NHL Playoff Preview [042224]
Hockey Talk previews the 2024 NHL Playoffs and discuss the stunning news that the Arizona Coyotes are moving to Salt...
Hockey Talk- Metro Mayhem [040924]
Hockey Talk looks at an absolutely wild playoff situation taking shape in the Eastern Conference while, out West, the battle...
The Pick N Roll: Sweet Sixteen
Join Patrick O'Dowd and PC Tunney as they breakdown the sweet sixteen of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (5/16/24)
Fallout from ThunderStruck!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (5/15/24)
Golden tickets are on the line!
Bandwagon Nerds #235: Card Subject to Change
The guys look at trailers for Lego: Star Wars and A Quiet Place. Plus, did the MCU reveal its next...
Bandwagon Nerds #234: Superhero Madness- The Elite 8
Superhero Madness continues with the Elite 8. All that plus the latest trailers for Cobra Kai, The Boys, The Acolyte,...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (5/1/24)
The Gerudo Sisterhood is (not) fine.
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/19/24)
Still together for Round 5!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Welcome To Rockville
DJ and Tina break down the 2024 Welcome to Rockville weekend!
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/18/24)
Come together for Round 4!
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (5/18/24)
Deonna Purrazzo's on a Rampage!
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (5/18/24)
Do it For The World!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Watch-Along Triple Feature
This week we watch not 1, not 2, but 3 awesome matches!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/17/24)
Sign on the dotted line!
DWI Podcast #431: Tornado Warning
DP and PC continue to breakdown the KOTR and QOTR brackets. When will the Uncle Howdy bit kick into full...
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/16/24)
B Block, round 3!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (5/16/24)
Step onto the Proving Grounds!
-
Coverage6 days agoMitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/13/24)
-
Coverage6 days ago
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/13/24)
-
Coverage5 days agoMitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (5/14/24)
-
Entertainment5 days ago
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (5/15/24)