Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (3/5/21)

Will Bryan get back in the Fastlane?

Published

2 years ago

March 5, 2021

Steven Mitchell

SmackDown grants a rematch but ups the ante!

Daniel Bryan either wins in a rematch with Jey Uso IN A STEEL CAGE and goes to Fastlane, or he will ACKNOWLEDGE the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

The Street Profits VS Sami Zayn & King Corbin; changed to…
Montez Ford w/ Angelo Dawkins VS King Corbin; Corbin wins.
Angelo Dawkins w/ Montez Ford VS Sami Zayn; Dawkins wins.
Dominik Mysterio w/ Rey Mysterio VS Chad Gable w/ Otis; Dominik wins.
Bianca Belair w/ Sasha Banks VS Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax; Belair wins.
Buddy Murphy VS Cesaro; Cesaro wins.
Steel Cage Match: Daniel Bryan VS Jey Uso; Bryan wins and will challenge Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship at Fastlane.

PLAY BY PLAY

Michael Cole opens SmackDown in the ring!

As it stands, the WrestleMania main event for the Universal Championship will be Roman Reigns VS Edge. But that could change if the man who started the Yes Movement gets his way! Daniel Bryan heads to the ring! Fans cheer with the Yes Fingers on their ThunderDome screens as Bryan gets a mic and Cole reminds us Bryan will face Roman’s “unhinged cousin” inside the Steel Cage. And if Bryan wins, he gets another chance at the Universal Championship at Fastlane! That would throw a wrench in the plans WWE had in the works of a tag team match, Bryan & Edge VS Roman & Jey. So then why is Bryan forgoing that tag match? Why has he turned his focus on Roman and the title?

Bryan says Cole is making a lot of assumptions, the biggest being that Bryan was even asked to be in a tag match. Not a single person told Bryan about this “great” idea to fight Roman & Jey at Fastlane. No one ran anything by him because they know Bryan “rolls with the punches,” does whatever is asked of him, shows up and works his ass off. So Bryan understands why no one asked him. Edge is the ultimate opportunist, and Roman doesn’t want to defend his title at Fastlane. But the thing is, Bryan is making a change to not be the old Bryan. Bryan sees there’s the dream match, Roman VS Edge. And Bryan gets it, Attitude Era VS The ThunderDome, everyone wants to see that, except for Bryan. And Bryan will do his damnedest to stop it from happening!

So Bryan takes this from here, and throws a video package for himself. It was the SmackDown Elimination Chamber, where Daniel Bryan ran the marathon and made it from start to finish to earn his opportunity at Roman’s title, only for Roman to pounce right then and there. Bryan came close but couldn’t defeat a fresh Roman, and then Edge pounced on Roman. In the present, Bryan says he has lost a lot in his career, and has gotten beaten up a lot in his career. So you think after winning his third Elimination Chamber match, and fighting valiantly against Roman, that loss wouldn’t be a big deal.

But rolling out of the ring, and Edge rolling in to Spear Roman and point at the WrestleMania sign, “never in my life have I ever felt like such a failure.” Bryan knows not everyone knows this, but he doesn’t have a lot of ambition. WWE did personality tests and they found that Bryan had the lowest ambition score they’d ever seen. How is it possible that Bryan is still successful? He isn’t sure, other than that he LOVES pro-wrestling. And if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life, and he’s never had to “work” a day for the last 21 years!

But for the last year, Bryan’s had in the back of his head that he’ll go from wrestler to dad, and put others ahead of him. He let those he saw as the future get opportunities and not him. But Edge hitting Roman and Bryan feeling like an absolute failure is because Bryan failed himself. In that moment, Bryan had a lot more ambition in him than any test could ever show! He looked at the WrestleMania sign and decided HE should be there! Not Roman, not Edge, but BRYAN! Roman and Edge are in the main event because BRYAN loves this! In the last three WEEKS, he’s wrestled more than Edge and Roman in the last three MONTHS!

Bryan wrestles every chance he can because he loves this! And so putting himself on the back burner was a disservice to himself! Bryan knows he can be the absolute BEST! Bryan steps into a steel cage with Jey Uso, and if he wins, eh goes on to Fastlane to face Roman for the Universal Championship! And beating Roman is the only way to main event WrestleMania, and this could be his last chance! But before Bryan can continue his passionate speech, Roman interrupts! Jey and Paul Heyman follow Roman, of course, but the confrontation will be face to face after the break.

SmackDown returns and Roman is now in the ring.

Roman has a mic to say, “I’m looking at the same guy. But you don’t sound like the same guy.” The way Bryan is talking is confusing. And if it’s confusing Roman, than it’s confusing the fans. Bryan is ambitious now? Driven now? No. Bryan is the underdog, the “little guy,” the lottery winner. The one who waits on the opportunity and sometimes it works out. Bryan isn’t ambitious. Men like Roman, and they’re rare, they’re ambitious. Roman has been driven since he was a child. If he wanted it, he takes it. Roman loves the business, too. Bryan doesn’t love this, he NEEDS this. Bryan has nothing else, and that’s not love. Love isn’t based off need but off service and what you’ll do for others.

Roman, for example, loves the WWE. Roman doesn’t need it, it’s everyone who needs him! SmackDown needs Roman! The crew and the cameramen need Roman! Heyman needs Roman, Jey needs Roman, Bryan needs Roman. And after Jey whoops Bryan, Bryan will understand that and know it in his heart. And then, Bryan will acknowledge Roman. If Bryan- Jey snatches Bryan’s mic to tell him not to worry about the title. This is as close as Bryan gets to it! Bryan has to get through Jey and that won’t happen! Bryan wanted the cage, but it isn’t locking Roman out, it’s locking Jey in! And tonight, Jey’s gonna get you! Jey tries to sucker punch Bryan but Bryan throws him out!

Bryan stares Roman down, and Roman sighs. Will Bryan be unstoppable as he goes back down the road to WrestleMania?

The Street Profits VS Sami Zayn & King Corbin!

Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are up and they want the smoke! But will this rematch with the Great Liberator and Wolf King be a speedbump on the road to WrestleMania and the SmackDown Tag Team Championships?

SmackDown returns and the Profits have mics as Sami makes his entrance. Sami admits, the Profits pulled off a “fluke” over him and Corbin. But tonight, Sami and Corbin will prove it was just luck. Corbin tells Sami that it’s enough. They’re not tag team partners! They’re not friends! Corbin doesn’t even like Sami! Corbin is a SINGLES competitor, so he’ll take on just one of the Profits. Oh, well, their schedules are free. Roode & Ziggler are dodging them so there is a lot of time. So if that’s what Corbin wants, how about he get in the ring to do that thing? Ford wants Corbin, so Dawkins gets Sami? Yep! Sweet, Dawkins gets to be in Sami’s movie!

Dawkins gives a quick shout-out to his boy, JZH, but Sami tries to sort things out. Is this a set up? Is Corbin in on this or something? Sami agreed to a TAG match, you can’t do this to him at the last second! So then it’s one? Tell ’em, fam! The Profits are up, and they want the smoke! Sami is upset, but the first of the now two singles matches begins!

Montez Ford w/ Angelo Dawkins VS King Corbin!

Ford and Corbin circle, tie up, and Corbin knees low! Corbin whips Ford to a corner, Ford goes up and over and handsprings to then dropkick Corbin! And dropkick again! Corbin staggers to ropes., Ford runs in but Corbin gets a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Corbin is upset with the ref but the count is the count. Corbin wants Sami to watch this as he drags Ford up. Corbin puts Ford in the corner, traps his arms and fires off body shots! The ref backs Corbin off, he drags Ford back up to whip corner to corner hard! Ford bounces off buckles, Corbin drags him back up and taunts Dawkins as he ripcord back suplexes for a yoyo SLAM!

Corbin taunts Ford, drags him up, but Ford gets around to hop on and be a sleeper hold backpack! Corbin RAMS Ford into buckles, but Ford holds on tight! Corbin pries free, snapmares but Ford handsprings through to mule kick, front kick and dropkick! Ford has Corbin in a corner, hits a splash, then runs, into a pop-up! But Ford turns that into a DDT! Ford kips up to STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ford keeps his cool as he heads for a corner. Ford hops up, Sami shouts at Dawkins but Ford shouts at Sami. Corbin rolls Ford, Ford rolls through to ENZIGURI! But Corbin still gets Ford for the END OF DAYS!! Cover, Corbin wins!!

Winner: King Corbin, by pinfall

Sami tells Corbin he just helped him so now Corbin has to help Sami! Dawkins wants after Sami, Sami gets on the apron, Dawkins BLASTS Sami off and Sami hits Corbin! Corbin gets mad at Sami but Sami explains that was because of Dawkins! Corbin doesn’t care, he’s leaving Sami behind! Will the Champion of the People be able to do this by himself? We’ll find out, after the break!

Angelo Dawkins w/ Montez Ford VS Sami Zayn!

SmackDown returns and the match is underway as Dawkins clubs and bumps Sami off buckles and in corners. Sami grabs ropes, Dawkins has a leg but the ref calls for the break. Sami clubs Dawkins, headlocks, but Dawkins powers out to run him over! Dawkins keeps moving, Sami hurdles but Dawkins hurdles back. Dawkins ducks to dropkick Sami down! Cover, TWO! Dawkins grabs a leg but Sami still holds ropes. The ref counts, Dawkins lets go and Sami goes out. Dawkins pursues, Sami kicks and elbows Dawkins then bumps him off barriers, then bumps him off the apron. Sami puts Dawkins in, gets in and CLOBBERS Dawkins from behind! Cover, TWO!

Sami keeps his cool as he looms over Dawkins. Sami stomps Dawkins, drags him up and throws haymakers. Sami puts Dawkins on the ropes and chokes him! The ref counts, Sami taunts Ford, but Sami lets off at 4. “This is what you get!” Sami drags Dawkins up, whips him and CLOBBERS him again! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Another, TWO! Sami argues the count but the ref says it was the same as the other times. Sami drags Dawkins up, throws more haymakers, then whips Dawkins to ropes again. Dawkins CLOBBERS Sami this time! Ford fires up as Dawkins rallies and hits the LEAPING ELBOW!

Sami ends up in a corner, Dawkins hits the CYCLONE SPLASH! BIG BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Ford coaches Dawkins and he drags Sami up. Dawkins has the hooks but Sami fights the exploder off. Sami swings but into Dawkins’ SILENCER! Cover, TWO! The butterfly corkscrew suplex didn’t work, and Sami gets to the apron. Dawkins pursues but Sami hotshots him! Sami reels Dawkins in, but he can’t get Dawkins up. Dawkins throws elbows, runs in but the cyclone gest buckles! Sami reels Dawkins in for a CORNER EXPLODER!

Dawkins staggers as Sami goes corner to corner, but Ford gets up close on Sami’s camera crew! Sami shouts at Ford to stop that, but Dawkins rolls him up! Dawkins wins!!

Winner: Angelo Dawkins, by pinfall

Did the cameras get that? Sami still cries conspiracy and shouts, “Who’s behind this?!” Sami doesn’t recognize the second guy and asks if he’s a WWE spy! The guy doesn’t know how to answer and Sami throws knees into him! Is the documentary going to start being about Sami’s spiral into madness?

Reginald Thompson, the Fabulous sommelier, finds Carmella backstage.

She says he likes playing games, right? Of course he does. This new game is called, “Who’s the Snake?” What? Mella says one of them took a chance on a lowly sommelier and made him a star, while the other betrayed that someone and is siding with Sasha Banks. Reggie says all of that has been for Mella! Well it’s game over. Reggie’s the snake! She slaps the tray out of his hand and FIRES him! What is Reggie going to do now that he’s without a boss?

Dominik Mysterio w/ Rey Mysterio VS Chad Gable w/ Otis!

To get payback on behalf of his father, Dominik is going to take on the Alpha Academy headmaster! But with the Dozer ringside, will Dom have to worry more about Rey than Gable?

SmackDown returns and the Alpha Academy make their entrance. The bell rings and Dom ties up with Gable. They go around, Gable waistlocks and throws Dom down. Dom gets up but Gable throws him back down, then floats to a facelock. Otis says Dom is alone and that’s why he’ll lose. But Dom runs around to throw Gable out! Gable gets back in but Dom arm-drags him! Dom cranks the arm, Gable gets up but Dom wrenches to a wristlock. Gable rolls, bridges, handsprings and spins to break free and headlock to then spin and spin and drop toehold! Gable has the leg, and SMASHES it into the mat! Dom gets up, Gable gets the leg again and hits a DRAGON SCREW!

Gable jams the knee, does it again, then covers, TWO! Gable keeps on Dom with a standing toehold and he pushes down hard on the leg. Dom endures, Rey coaches him through it and Dom kicks at Gable with the free leg. Fans rally, Gable gets the foot and Dom enziguris! Gable staggers to a corner,. Dom runs in but the monkey flip is turned around. Dom boots from up top, then leaps to huricanrana! Gable is in the other corner, Dom runs in to wheelbarrow throw him into buckles! Dom goes back up, leaps, but no tornado DDT! Gable gets Dom’s arms, TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Dom escapes and Gable can’t believe it!

Gable gets the legs, drags Dom to a drop zone and goes up top. Gable talks trash to Rey, and MOONSAULTS, but has to land on his feet as Dom moves! Gable waistlocks, Dom wheelbarrows to a victory roll but Gable sit son the cover, TWO! Dom reels Gable into a La Magistrol, DOM WINS!

Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall

Otis storms onto the apron but Rey WRECKS him with a dropkick! Otis hits announce desk, Rey LEAPS and SEATED SENTONS him onto the desk! The Mysterios regroup and retreat! The Alpha Academy is raging, but are they going to learn a lesson from the King and Prince of Lucha?

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins!

Kayla Braxton brings up Cesaro’s swing that seemed to last forever, and Rollins says it sure felt that way. And do you want to know why? Because it was forever! But the question is, why? Has Cesaro done that much to anyone else? No, that was rhetorical. But then why did he do it? Because he is afraid of “us.” Cesaro doesn’t want to #EmbraceTheVision because he knows “we” are strong! Cesaro wanted to embarrass Rollins and humiliate him! Rollins promises us that he won’t forget that. And Buddy Murphy is BACK?!

Murphy says he could help Rollins with this problem. Rollins doesn’t want to see Murphy. Murphy needs to leave, now. Is Murphy really trying to be Rollins’ disciple again? Will Rollins do just fine against Cesaro without him?

Bianca Belair w/ Sasha Banks VS Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax!

A partial rematch from the impromptu Elimination Chamber WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match, the EST and the Queen of Spades match up again 1v1! But will Bianca earn herself and The Boss momentum towards those titles? Or will Shayna do damage to the Women’s Rumble winner before she reaches WrESTleMania?

SmackDown returns as Bianca makes her entrance, followed by Sasha’s. That seems like a surprise to Bianca’s, despite the coming Fastlane match. But another surprise, or perhaps not, is that Reggie follows Sasha out like a stray puppy. The bell rings, Bianca and Shayna tie up, and Shayna gets an arm to wrench it. Bianca scoops Shayna, Shayna slips off and headlocks. Bianca slips through to headlock back, but Shayna powers out. Bianca goes up and over in the corner, handsprings and eggs Shayna on to then run her over! Bianca is fired up and she claps at Shayna to then say kiss this. Things speed up,. Bianca handsprings but Shayna blocks the dropkick to get he foot!

Bianca boots her away, dodges the knee, rolls Shayna up, ONE! Bianca yanks Shayna’s arm, steps over and hooks it to La Magistrol, ONE! Shayna has an arm, wrenches, twists the wrist, but Bianca endures. Bianca powers through to fireman’s carry, but Shayna slips out again to whip. Bianca goes up again but gets caught for a KICK to the arm! Nia cheers Shayna on while Bianca writhes. Sasha checks on her partner and coaches her up, and Bianca gets up in a corner. Shayna runs in to KNEE Bianca down! Shayna drags Bianca to a cover, ONE!! Shayna grows annoyed, she drags Bianca and wrenches the arm to a grounded wristlock. Bianca resists but Shayna twists it all the same.

Shayna stands on Bianca’s head, pulls the arm around, and TWEAKS it! Sasha grows worried but she coaches Bianca up. Shayna runs back in. Bianca dodges! Shayna knees buckles. but hurries after Bianca! Shayna gets the arm, Bianca scoops with the good one to SLAM her down! Shayna gets up but Bianca ROCKS her! Bianca runs in to RAM Shayna into the corner! Bianca rams and rams and fires off with the good arm and even some stomps! Bianca drags Shayna up to a suplex! And a kip up! Bianca shakes out the bad arm, claps at Shayna, then whips her to back drop her! Nia is the one getting upset now as Bianca chicken wings for the Glam-

NO! Shayna victory rolls Bianca out of the ring! Reggie is there and he says no hard feelings, but Bianca shoves him down! Bianca gets in, Shayna KNEES her down! Both women are down and Reggie flounders up near Nia. Nia shoves Reggie at Sasha, and runs over! Reggie moves ,Sasha gets bulldozed! Bianca is distracted, Shayna gets the KIRAFUDA! But Bianca powers to the Torture Rack, KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca wins!!

Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall

The EST pulled it off and KOD sealed the deal! But Bianca tells Sasha to handle things with Reggie. Tag titles or not, Bianca and Sasha need to have a fair match at Mania. Reggie helps Sasha up, and she smiles, but then SLAPS Reggie! Sasha told Reggie to stay out of her business! When it rains, it pours. Will Reggie be pouring himself a drink to drown his sorrows?

Roman talks with Jey in their suite.

Roman wants Jey to understand that if Jey wins, the Universal Championship is safe until Mania. But if Jey loses, Roman will have to defend it at Fastlane. That part is fine, but Jey losing is an embarrassment to him and the family. Jey cannot embarrass the family. Jey says he’s got this, but will he prove that when caged up with a determined Daniel Bryan?

Buddy Murphy VS Cesaro!

The former disciple might be trying to show Rollins what he can do by taking the Swiss Cyborg head-on! Will Cesaro prove that if he can defeat Rollins’ former protégé, he really doesn’t need Rollins’ vision?

But of course Rollins makes his presence known! Rollins goes ringside to watch Cesaro in person, and the bell rings. Cesaro runs at Murphy, waistlocks and SLAMS him, then dead lift gut wrenches Murphy for a suplex! Rollins joins commentary, Cesaro covers Murphy, ONE! Murphy elbows Cesaro away, runs but Cesaro follows. Murphy leaps but into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Cesaro is after Murphy’s legs but he gets to the apron. Murphy then yanks Cesaro out and stomps Cesaro’s hand away! Murphy WRECKS Cesaro with a dropkick, then builds speed to FLY! Direct hit and Murphy tumbles to the ramp. Murphy puts Cesaro in, climbs up top, and leaps for a METEORA! Cover, TWO!

Murphy grits his teeth and he digs his knee into Cesaro then KICKS him in the back! Cesaro shoves Murphy away but runs into a boot! Murphy hops up again, leaps, but into a EuroUpper! Murphy staggers back, Cesaro catches his breath, and Cesaro grits his teeth. Cesaro runs in to EuroUpper again! Cesaro whips, EuroUppers, and repeat! And repeat! Cesaro runs to BOOT Murphy down! Cesaro drags Murphy back up as Rollins vents about the swing, and Cesaro puts Murphy IN THE SWING! Cesaro swings Murphy around and around and around and around and Rollins complains and Cesaro keeps going! Cesaro stops after 20, and puts on the SHARPSHOOTER! Murphy taps, Cesaro wins!

Winner: Cesaro, by submission

Rollins applauds Cesaro despite all he was just saying. But Cesaro smiles back just as mockingly. Will Cesaro do more than just embarrass and humiliate Rollins when they get in the ring together?

Reggie sulks as he packs up his things and heads out.

But he spots Sasha’s private room and decides to knock on the door. Sasha answers, and Reggie tries to apologize, but she says NO! Well, guess that’s that. But then Reggie sees the tag champions and Shayna says, “Smell that?” Reggie reeks of failure! But where’s wine boy going? Thirsty for a fight? Nia says Shayna should chill. Doesn’t she see what Nia sees? Reggie’s kinda cute. Huh? Is the sommelier about to go from bully bosses to boss bullies?

Apollo Crews is here!

And he is further representing his Nigerian royal heritage by having bodyguards by his side, and a spear in his hand! Apollo has his guards lead the way into the ring first, then he follows. Apollo fetches a mic and he says everyone is telling him how they don’t like the new Apollo. But the good news is, this isn’t the “new” Apollo, this is the REAL Apollo! This is who he is, how he talks, and he is a descendant of Nigerian royalty! He is a REAL African American! This is his Nigerian Elite Guard, the protector of his family for many generations. Apollo remembers being a young boy hearing stories about these men, about his heritage.

At the time, he was too ashamed to accept his heritage because he would be made fun of. He wanted to fit in, and be just like “you.” But “you” never accepted him! Even his own “friends” just wanted to mock him. “Did you live in a jungle? Did you ride lions to school?” Apollo was ashamed, but the truth is, these stories about his ancestors, some of the most feared and respected men in all of Nigeria, who would dominate and conquer anyone. The more Apollo went into his roots, the more he realized things were repeating themselves. Big E was disrespecting him, and Apollo would hear his ancestors telling him to stand up and claim his birthright. So Apollo did what he had to do.

“Big E, I know you’re at home, nursing your injury. And I know you fear walking in the sight of me.” But Big E is coming back next week, and that makes Apollo happy! Apollo is no longer the man Big E once knew and dismissed. Apollo won’t fit in, he’ll proudly stand out! He will DEMAND a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship!! Big E will fall before Apollo’s feet, and Apollo will leave Big E a broken man for life! And Big E will be hunted for Apollo’s complete and total victory! The Nigerian Prince has issued his ultimatum, but will Big E be coming back only bigger and stronger?

Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville try to reason with Natalya and Tamina.

They’re clearly upset that Sasha & Bianca are getting a title match over them! Have Pearce & Sonya not seen how dominant Natty & Tamina have been? Of course they have! But that’s not the match that was made. Pearce apologizes and dismisses himself. Sonya says Pearce simply made a different decision. Will the Queen of Harts and the Daughter of Superfly force Pearce to reconsider?

Backstage interview with Jey Uso.

Does he perhaps feel any extra pressure- There’s no pressure! Jey thrives off of this! “DB shouldn’t have popped off on Big Uce!” Now they’re in the Uso Penitentiary! But then Bryan CLOBBERS Jey from behind! Bryan doesn’t say anything, but that was clearly a taste of Jey’s own medicine. Will Jey start to crack under the pressure of defending the family? Will Bryan force Roman to defend his title?

SmackDown has a special bonus DING DONG, HELLO~!

Bayley walks in through the door to say that tonight is a special rehearsal for a new segment. Other shows do “Mean Tweets,” but Bayley is loved by everyone so she has something she’s calling Sweet Tweets! RoleModel1452 says “Bayley can truly do it all! They’d never give a talk show to someone like Sasha banks!” Then EllenDegeneres1 says “Forget about Edge and Roman Reigns, the Ding Dong Hello Show should be the main event of WrestleMania!” And lastly, WWESuperfan says “Ding Dong Hello is…” Wait, wait, wait. How did this one get in here? Bayley doesn’t even finish it and throws the card away. She SLAMS the door, but will she have something to say to that supposed superfan?

Steel Cage Match: Daniel Bryan VS Jey Uso!

Last week’s count-out was neither win or loss, so a deal was struck on Talking Smack: Bryan and Jey have a rematch, and if Bryan wins, he gets his Fastlane title match; if Bryan loses, he must ACKNOWLEDGE Roman! But it was Bryan who raised the stakes even higher by wanting the steel cage to be the stipulation! Will the Goat’s gamble pay off and get him his golden ticket? Or will Jey leave Bryan in WrestleMania lockdown?

Jey steps inside the cage, but Roman and Heyman make their entrance! The Tribal Chief already put pressure on Jey, but he’s really digging in the screws now. Heyman makes sure to get Roman a chair so that he can have a seat at the ramp. Will Roman be here to personally congratulate his cousin? Or personally accept Bryan’s challenge? We’ll find that out, after the break!

SmackDown returns, the bell rings and Bryan rushes Jey with forearms! Jey hits back and it is a brawl! Bryan ROCKS Jey with a EuroUpper, then KICKS a leg to whip. Jey reverses and RAMS Bryan into the steel! Jey drags Bryan up, clubs him and RAMS Him into the steel again! And again! Jey tells Bryan to acknowledge Roman! He digs Bryan’s face into the steel and Roman is there to stare at Bryan. Bryan refuses to say anything so Jey clubs him down. Roman tells Jey to do more and Jey hauls Roman up to fireman’s carry and LAWN DART Bryan into steel! Jey calls for the door and walks over but Bryan catches him in the ropes!

Jey fires off on Bryan but he goes back in to ROCK Bryan with an uppercut! Jey climbs the side but Bryan pursues! Bryan gets a foot, drags Jey back down and then smashes him off the steel! Jey smashes Bryan again, then hops down to trip Bryan! Bryan is stuck on the top, Jey DECKS him off it! Jey drags Bryan up, RAMS him into the corner, then tells Roman he’s got this as he goes side to side. Bryan blocks to SMASH Jey off the steel, off the buckles, then YANKS him into the wall! Heyman watches Roman closely as Bryan climbs up. Bryan leaps to missile dropkick Jey down! Jey writhes and crawls, he sees the door! Jey heads that way but Bryan PENALTY KICKS an arm!

Bryan wrenches Jey to elbow breakers! And then RAMS Jey into more steel! And then brings Jey around for another elbow breaker, and another RAM into steel! Jey flops down but Bryan drags him up to wrench and whip,. Jey reverses, Bryan goes up and over and dodges to go up again! Bryan heads for the top but Jey hurries to bring him down! Bryan lands on his billy goat again, and Jey stomps away on the knees! Jey winces for a moment before he stomps more. Jey climbs, but Bryan sits up! Bryan anchors Jey, climbs up to join him, and then headbutts him! Bryan headbutts Jey to send him back to the top rope, but Jey fireman’s carries Bryan for a SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Both men are down as SmackDown goes to another break!

SmackDown returns one more time, and both men are up on top of the cage! They’re brawling with haymakers and headbutts! Bryan rocks Jey, tries to slip to the outside, but Jey holds on with a facelock! Jey drags Bryan back inside and they’re on the top rope. Bryan smashes Jey off steel, and gives him YES KICKS up there! Jey wobbles but he manages to SUPERKICK Bryan down! Jey adjusts to USO SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Bryan survives and Jey is too sore to be frustrated! Jey crawls to the door and it opens for him. Bryan crawls after Jey and anchors a foot. Jey grabs at the frame, gets up, but Bryan spins him around, only to get the DRAGON WHIP KICK!

But Bryan ROUNDHOUSES Jey! Jey SUPERKICKS again! Cover, TWO!! Jey is beside himself, but Roman is like stone as usual. Jey sits up and wants the door to open again, but Bryan GHOST PINS! TWO, and he has Jey caught for endless elbows! And then, a turn to the omoplata, but Jey moves around to ground ‘n’ pound wildly! Jey wants to hurt Bryan more than anything! Jey lets off to catch his breath, and he looks to Roman. Jey grabs Bryan’s legs, and catapults him into steel! Bryan flops down, but Jey again looks to Roman. Jey says he’ll end this, and he goes up the side of the steel. But Bryan pursues again! Bryan catches up to Jey and anchors him as he climbs up again!

Bryan throws headbutts, Jey goes back to the ropes, and Bryan adjusts on top. Bryan is going to the outside, but Jey grabs his head with a cravat! Jey drags Bryan back in but Bryan headbutts Jey again! Bryan has Jey and RAMS him into the steel again and again! Bryan underhooks for a SUPER BUTTERFLY SUPLEX!! Roll through, to the YES LOCK!! Jey endures, flails, crawls, and gets the ropebreak, BUT IT DOESN’T MATTER! No ropebreaks or disqualifications in a cage match! Bryan pulls back even harder!! Jey taps, BRYAN WINS!!

Winner: Daniel Bryan, by submission (faces Roman Reigns for the title at Fastlane)

The Universal Championship is taking a detour! Bryan is taking a stand against the establishment again, can he repeat what he did for WrestleMania 30 and make it into YEStleMania?

My Thoughts:

A pretty great episode for SmackDown, but there is a lot I do not like for the build to Fastlane and other stories from this. Firstly, Buddy Murphy trying to reconnect with Rollins. Obviously, the stuff with Aaliyah Mysterio wasn’t working, wasn’t going to work, and was a bit dumb to do in the first place. But you can’t just reset Murphy to before all of that. Don’t have Murphy reach out to Rollins at all, just have him return by surprise here against Cesaro. That match was still okay, because Rollins was on commentary and Cesaro did the swing to get at Rollins and all of that. But I am annoyed that WWE (Vince) is throwing Murphy back in just because they don’t know what else to do with Murphy. Rollins VS Cesaro is just fine on its own, have someone else #EmbraceTheVision instead of Murphy relapsing back to being the disciple.

Then the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship developments are very odd. It’s fine that the champions are defending the belts at all, but announcing that it’s just going to be the Elimination Chamber match-up again is odd. I did appreciate that another team was upset by this, so there might be more story to it than what we got. Pearce sure seems really close to these titles given what we saw on NXT. If this all turns out to be a huge story between all three brands, then I’ll be all for it, but it is hard to see that from where we are. And while Reggie being fired by Mella and rejected by Sasha is following what I expected, I’m not sure how I feel about Nia suddenly taking interest in him. Whenever it is that Shayna and Nia split, I don’t think Nia needs a sidekick, so it’s just odd she’d care about Reggie at all.

The Profits having singles matches was a good way to both fill time but also have more story with Corbin and Sami. Corbin puts a stop to the tag team with Sami, the Profits get to go 1-1 on the night, keeping things a bit even for them as we head for Mania. The SmackDown Tag Team Championships story will certainly have something for Mania, so the slow burn isn’t so bad. Gable VS Dom was good, and it works that Dom gets a quick victory. Another tag match is coming, and though the Profits will protest, I bet Sonya sets up the winner of that against the Dirty Dawgs. That can be for Fastlane, then Profits getting their rematch can be for Mania to make it even bigger.

Apollo’s promo was very good, though I’m surprised he’s got bodyguards now. The spear is cool, though. Big E’s return is in time for Fastlane, so that could be the match for the Intercontinental Championship. And with how this Apollo is, it could go either way. Then the main story, once again the Universal Championship with Roman, is going great. Bryan’s promo to start the night is a bit recycled from Talking Smack but still just as strong and passionate, and then his thwarting Jey’s sneak attack to then come back with one of his own is great stuff. Bryan is taking the fight to the establishment again, and Fastlane is going to be great with Roman VS Bryan fair and square, both guys at 100%. I still feel like Roman wins in the end, because WWE can’t resist Spear VS Spear, but Bryan’s going to make it one hell of a match.

My Score: 8.3/10

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

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Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/19/23)

The semifinals are here!

Published

13 hours ago

March 19, 2023

Steven Mitchell

The New Japan Cup 2023’s Final Four!

Four is bad luck in Japan, but these four are grateful to be in the New Japan Cup semifinals! David Finlay VS Tama Tonga, Sanada VS Mark Davis, who will win to go for it all?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Shota Umino & Oskar Leube VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; Shota & Oskar win.
Six Man Tag: Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & Ryohei Oiwa VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
8 Man Tag: Ryusuke Taguchi & Team Strong Style VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
YOSHI-HASHI & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Kyle Fletcher; Cobb & Fletcher win.
Shingo Takagi & BUSHI VS Aaron Henare & Great-O-Khan; Henare & Khan win.
YOH & Lio Rush VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Naito & Hiromu win.
New Japan Cup 2023, Semifinals: Tama Tonga VS David Finlay; Finlay wins and advances to the finals.
New Japan Cup 2023, Semifinals: SANADA VS Mark Davis; Sanada wins and advances to the finals.

PLAY BY PLAY

New Japan Cup 2023, Semifinals: Tama Tonga w/ Jado VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!

The Good Bad Guy settled things with Bullet Club, but fate has intervened to have him face the NEW leader! Will Tama get past Finlay and into the finals? Or will the Rebel take over everything?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Tama and Finlay circle, Tama claps to get the fans going more, and then he ties up with Finlay. They go around, Tama puts Finlay on ropes, but he lets off slowly as the ref calls break. Fans applaud and the two reset. They circle, fans rally up for Tama, and the two tie up again. Tama powers Finlay back but Finlay turns it around to have Tama on the ropes. The ref calls the ropebreak again, Finlay lets off slowly, but then swings on Tama! Tama dodges, then hits a headlock takeover! Tama grinds Finlay down, but Finlay keeps his shoulders up. Finlay fights to his feet, powers out, then slips around to headlock!

Tama powers out, hurdles, drops, then DROPKICKS Finlay down! Finlay bails out while fans fire up! Tama storms up to the ropes and slingshots but Finlay slides in! Tama lands on the apron, Finlay storms up but Tama ROCKS him with a forearm! Tama hurries in, and he arm-drags Finlay around! Finlay blocks the next, whips, but Tama reverses. Tama hurdles, but gets caught to a fireman’s carry! HOTSHOT, then BIG back suplex! Fans applaud, that was a good sequence, but Tama crawls to a corner. Finlay stalks Tama, drags him up, and UPPERCUTS him! Finlay whips corner to corner hard and Tama bounces off buckles! Finlay covers, TWO!

Fans rally but Finlay stomps Tama’s hand! Tama clutches that hand, but Finlay fishhooks his face! The ref reprimands, Finlay lets off, and Finlay says that was the nose, not the eyes. The ref doesn’t believe him. Finlay throws Tama out! Gedo tells the ref to leave Finlay alone, but the ref reprimands Gedo for getting on the apron. Finlay drags Tama up to RAM him into railing! No Man’s Land disappears as the railing go back! Finlay rains down fists, but fans rally up for Tama. The ref reprimands Finlay but he drags Tama up and puts him in the ring. Finlay covers, ONE!! Tama is hanging tough but Finlay is amused.

Finlay digs his knee into Tama’s face, he wants the ref to Too Sweet but the ref says no thanks. Finlay drags Tama up, whips him hard into the corner, and Tama bounces off buckles again! Fans rally while Finlay taunts them, “You think Tama’s getting to the finals?” Finlay stomps Tama, then springboard stomps! The ref reprimands, but Finlay clamps on with a cobra clutch. Finlay thrashes Tama around but Tama endures. Gedo tells Tama to give up but Jado coaches Tama to hang tough. Fans rally, Tama fights up and throws hands, but Finlay CLUBS him down! Finlay stomps and elbows Tama, but the ref counts.

Finlay lets off, he brings Tama up to whip corner to corner, but Tama comes back to CLOBBER Finlay! Fans fire up but Gedo is mad! Jado coaches Tama, Gedo coaches Finlay, but Tama is the first to stand. Tama roars, CLOBBERS Finlay, and ELBOWS him! Tama whips, Finlay reverses but Tama CLOBBERS Finlay again! OFF COMES THE VEST! Finlay goes to a corner, Tama runs in, STINGER SPLASH! And then clinch, for an EXPLODER! Finlay scrambles away and out of the ring, but Tama PLANCHAS! Direct hit this time and the fans fire up! Tama slides into the ring to let the ring count handle Finlay.

Finlay sits up at 5 of 20 so Tama goes out to fetch him. Tama puts Finlay in, stalks him to a corner, and Finlay wants mercy, but gets body shots instead! Tama whips Finlay out and then back into the corner, runs in, but Finlay elbows him away! Finlay storms up, but into a scoop! Finlay slips free to CHOP BLOCK! Tama writhes and clutches his knee but Gedo is loving this! The ref checks on Tama but Tama refuses to let this stop him. Finlay storms up on Tama to sit him up, “Look at this beautiful face!” CROSSFACE FOREARM! Gedo likes those, so Finlay sits Tama up again, to CROSSFACE FOREARM!

Finlay drags Tama up again, and he fires off MORE crossface forearms! Fans rally for Tama but Finlay looms over him. Finlay drags Tama up by his hair, sits him up, and BLINDSIDER LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Tama is still in this and Finlay is annoyed. Finlay paces around while Tama slowly rises. Finlay drags Tama up, gut wrenches and Canadian Racks, but Tama slips free! TONGAN TWIST!! Both men are down and fans fire back up! Fans rally as Tama and Finlay stir. Both men crawl over to each other, and Tama ROCKS Finlay with a forearm! Finlay ROCKS Tama right back! Finlay eggs Tama on and Tama sits up.

Tama ROCKS Finlay with another forearm, but Finlay ROCKS Tama again! Tama growls, he and Finlay sit up again. Tama ROCKS Finlay, Finlay ROCKS Tama, repeat! They throw forearms as they slowly stand, and they speed up as the fans rally! Finlay gets the edge, Tama fires off a strike fest! Finlay rebounds but into SRC!! Tama goes to a corner, fans fire up as he climbs, and Tama aims! SUPREME FLOW!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives but Jado and Tama rally the fans by pounding the mat. Finlay drags himself up with the ropes, Tama runs in, GUN- NO! Finlay rolls Tama, with tights! TWO!! GUN- NO!! Finlay blocks again!

Finlay drags Tama up with a dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, OSAKA STREET CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up while Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay aims as Tama rises, Jado warns Tama of what’s coming, but Finlay runs in, into a KNEE! Tama SUPER- NO, Finlay dodges to DEEP SIX!! Tama staggers up, into a SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!!! Tama survives and Gedo is furious! Finlay argues the count but the ref says that was all fair. Fans rally back up, but Finlay brings down the kneepad. “X marks the spot!” Finlay drags Tama up but Tama is deadweight. Finlay still hauls Tama up, suplexes, but Tama slips free!

Tama rolls Finlay, ties up the legs, and he has a SHARPSHOOTER!! Finlay endures and fans fire up! Tama sits deep on the hold, Finlay flails and fights forward! Finlay claws at the mat, but Tama goes deeper! Finlay fights back up, crawls and reaches out, but Tama drags him away again!! Finlay shouts in pain but he hasn’t given up yet! Another fight forward, and Finlay gets the ROPEBREAK! Tama lets go and Finlay writhes in pain, but the fans rally up again. Tama drags Finlay up, hooks an arm, but Finlay fights and RAMS Tama into a corner! And again and again and again! The ref counts, Finlay lets off and staggers away.

Tama runs in, but Finlay fights off the DDT! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Finlay gut wrenches to a CLIFFHANGER DDT! Cover, TWO!!! Finlay is beside himself but Tama survives again! Fans are thunderous for Tama but Finlay is right on him. Suplex and- NO, Tama fights, wrenches, but Finlay ROCKS him! But Tama cradles!! TWO!!!! Finlay escapes but the SUPERMAN PUNCH hits! BLOODY SUNDAY!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Finlay barely survives but Tama just pounds the mat. Finlay rises up, GUN- NO!! Finlay blocks, spins Tama, suplexes, GUN- NO!! Finlay blocks again and ROCKS Tama!

Tama roars, but Finlay fires off a flurry of forearms! Finlay spins, into a HEADBUTT! GUN- NO, Backslide! Deadlift TRASH PANDA!!! Cover, Finlay wins!!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Even El Phantasmo has to give old rival Finlay credit on that one. Gedo gets the mic to make the announcement official: The Rebel wins, and he just beat the NEVER Openweight Champion! Finlay will take the EFF over everything! Gedo needs the Rebel, Bullet Club needs the Rebel, and the world needs the Rebel! But will the Rebel get what he wants in the tournament finals?

New Japan Cup 2023, Semifinals: SANADA w/ Just5Guys VS Mark Davis w/ The United Empire!

New team, new look! The Cold Skull is looking sharp, but will he still bring about a Skull End? Or can Dunkzilla conquer the Cup on behalf of the United Empire?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as Davis and Sanada circle. Davis eggs Sanada on but Sanada feels things out. They keep circling, tie up, and Sanada headlocks. Davis powers out, Sanada RAMS shoulders, but neither man falls! Sanada ducks Davis’ chop, gets an arm and wrenches, but Davis whips Sanada away! Davis CHOPS this time, and Sanada is stinging. Davis whips, Sanada dropkicks the legs out! Sanada whips, Davis cartwheels, then scoops and SLAMS! And SENTONS! Fans fire up while Sanada bails out, but Davis goes out after Sanada. Davis brings Sanada up to whip him into railing!

Sanada drops to his knees, but Davis drags Sanada up to ROCK with a forearm! Great-O-Khan is on commentary and he waves the glowstick in praise. Davis puts Sanada on the apron to CLUB and KNEE and CLUB again! Davis gets space, fans rally up, and Davis runs in to KNEE LIFT Sanada into the ring! Crowns up and the Empire high-fives. Davis gets in the ring while Sanada sputters. Davis knees for the cover, TWO! Davis clamps onto Sanada’s arm but Sanada endures. Fans rally, Sanada fights up to his feet, and he throws forearms! Sanada wrenches but Davis DECKS him! Davis drags Sanada up but Sanada waistlocks!

Davis fights free of the hold, CHOPS Sanada to the corner, then whips him corner to corner. Davis runs in but Sanada dodges the splash! Sanada reels Davis in to back suplex, but Davis turns it into a CROSSBODY! Davis drags Sanada back up and back suplexes, but Sanada lands on his feet! Sanada hits the BIG back suplex! Both men are down but their teams coach them while the fans rally up. Sanada kips up, and then he fires up! Sanada DROPKICKS Davis, Davis stays up, so Sanada DROPKICKS! And dropkicks, but misses this time! Davis runs, but Sanada dropkicks the legs out! Then he DROPKICKS Davis out of the ring!

Sanada takes aim and PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Davis! Sanada stares down the Empire, but then he encourages the fans to get louder. The fans oblige and Sanada likes that. Sanada may have a new haircut but he is still Sanada. Sanada puts Davis in the ring, drags him up to fireman’s carry, but Davis fights it! Davis fireman’s carries now, but Sanada fights it! Only for Davis to rise up again! Sanada fights more, gets to the apron, and he counter punches! Sanada slingshots, but Davis HOTSHOTS him! And then TRIANGLE JUMP FOREARMS! Sanada falls, and Davis DIVES?!? Direct hit into the railing!

Fans fire up as No Man’s Land disappears again! Red Shoes checks both men, they’re both okay to continue, but their teams argue about territory. The ring count starts, Davis drags Sanada up at 7 of 20. Davis puts Sanada in at 10 of 20, aims from the corner and climbs up! Sanada rises, Davis FLYING SHOULDERS him down! Cover, TWO! Sanada is still in this but Davis keeps his cool. Davis drags Sanada up, but Sanada blocks the lift! Sanada throws down elbows, but Davis CHOPS him! Davis whips, Sanada goes up and out and springboards in to MISSILE DRPOKICK! Davis stays up!?

Davis swings, misses, and Sanada CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! But Davis KNEES low! Davis back suplexes but Sanada KNEES free! Sanada runs, into a LARIAT! Davis hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up and rally as Sanada survives. Davis drags Sanada by a leg, says it’s time to end this! But Sanada kicks Davis away, so Sanada JABS him down! Davis gets the legs, YANKS Sanada up, but Sanada rolls through! Sanada fireman’s carries to T K O!! Cover, TWO!! Davis is still in this, but Sanada goes up top! ROUNDING BODY- NO, Sanada has to roll through as Davis moves! Davis scoops to POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!!

Davis drags Sanada up, wrenches and torture racks, but Sanada slips free! Sanada ELBOWS Davis, QUEBRADAS and has the dragon sleeper! Davis snapmares free to clothesline in the corner! Sanada falls over and fans fire up! Davis climbs the corner, goes to the very top, and DIVING SPLASH, but he FLOPS as Sanada moves! Sanada goes up, ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto the knees!! Davis cradles Sanada, TWO!!! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Davis rises first, drags Sanada up, and fans rally up. Davis swings, but Sanada blocks the forearm to fire UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT!

Sanada spins, into JAB! But he still ROLLING ELBOWS! Davis ENZIGURIS!! Sanada is down and Davis fires up! Fans rally, Davis throws off the elbow pad! Davis waits, Sanada rises up, Davis keeps moving, LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!?! Sanada survives and fans fire up again! Davis stalks Sanada to the corner, then runs side to side, SLIDING FOREARM! Davis shouts “DEAD!” and he drags Sanada up into the torture rack! But Sanada slips free again! O’Conner BRIDGE!! TWO!?! Davis escapes by nanoseconds! Sanada storms up, but Davis trips him! Davis has the legs, Close Your Eyes and Count to F@#$!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? HOW?!?!?

The fans, the Empire and Just5Guys are all going nuts! Davis roars, he wrenches, torture racks, but Sanada slips free again! SIDEWINDER DDT!!! Cover, SANADA WINS!!!!

Winner: Sanada, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Davis drove the Cold Skull into the ground, but then Sanada did it back to him! Will Davis find his singles success another time?

Wait, David Finlay and Gedo make his way back out to the ring to see the other finalist in person. Gedo gets the mic to say they just want to give Sanada words of support. Gedo tells Sanada to do his best, because in Nagaoka, Finlay’s gonna beat his face in with the shillelagh, and throw him out of the ring like trash! “See You Next Time, Just Five Losers!” Gedo and Finlay leave, having copied and mocked Sanada’s catchphrase and his new team. Sanada gets the mic to say, “Oi, Finlay! And the people of Gunma. I promise I will beat Finlay on Tuesday, and come back here as the New Japan Cup winner.” Fans applaud that! Sanada then tells Gedo and Finlay to get outta here.

Finlay and Goto leave, flipping Sanada off over their shoulders. Sanada says this debut with J5G is a day he’ll never forget. Fans applaud that, and the mic is handed over to Taka Michinoku. Taka says, “Soon enough, it’ll be us who changes the scene here in NJPW! JUST! FIVE! GUYS!!” The Cold Skull is red hot, but will that heat bring him through to win it all?

My Thoughts:

A great semifinals for the New Japan Cup! Both matches were awesome stuff, and though Tama came close, I figured Finlay would win. He has been winning since his Heel turn and joining the Bullet Club, but he hasn’t quite won the Club over, yet they can’t really deny him, either, because he’s now in the finals of the tournament. The big things in Sanada VS Davis were Sanada’s new look, and that he buries that piledriver. But similarly to Finlay, Sanada’s getting a push because of the big change in allegiance, and now they’re both in this great match for the finals that honestly could go either way.

Gedo as booker does love to push the guys he backs as a manager, but Finlay’s story could be more about controlling Bullet Club than getting the title. And Sanada has openly stated he sees Okada as a rival and Okada reciprocated, so revisiting that now, with Sanada and Okada both having changed ever so slightly, we could get an awesome match for the world title.

My Score: 9/10

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

Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/18/23)

It’s lights out, but for who?

Published

2 days ago

March 18, 2023

Steven Mitchell

Who rounds out the Final Four?

The New Japan Cup is getting closer to the end! Shota VS Finlay, Goto VS Tama, who will join Mark Davis and Sanada in the semifinals?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Oskar Leube & Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ & Fujita win.
YOSHI-HASHI & Tomoaki Honma VS Aaron Henare & Kyle Fletcher; Henare & Fletcher win.
Six Man Tag: Team Strong Style VS Bullet Club; Team Strong Style wins, by disqualification.
Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS The House of Torture; The United Empire wins.
8 Man Tag: Chaos VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Chaos wins.
New Japan Cup 2023, Quarterfinals: Shota Umino VS David Finlay; Finlay wins and advances.
New Japan Cup 2023, Quarterfinals: Hirooki Goto VS Tama Tonga; Tama wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

New Japan Cup 2023, Quarterfinals: Shota Umino VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!

The Roughneck took The Mighty’s Front Man to the limit and then won, but now he funs into Bullet Club’s newest leader. Will #SHOOTER be the one shot down? Or will another one bite the dust as Shota brings about a paradigm shift?

The two get face to face and start shoving. Red Shoes backs them off, the bell rings and the forearms start flying! Fans fire up as they go faster and faster, and Shota gets the edge! Shota fires off in the corner, but Finlay turns things around, only to miss! Shota fires off more, and even shoves his dad aside! Shota fires off knees and he CLUBS Finlay, then ROCKS him with a forearm! Fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Finlay up. Finlay throws forearms in return, whips, but Shota reverses to ELBOW Finlay down! Shota keeps moving to BASEMENT DROPKICK! Fans fire up again while Finlay checks his chin.

Shota kicks at Finlay, stomps him, but Finlay eggs him on. Shota stomps, Finlay throws a body shot, but Shota just BOOTS Finlay into the corner! Finlay kicks back from below, and even SPITS at Shota! Shota doesn’t flinch, so Finlay steps to him. Shota DECKS Finlay, then digs his boots in! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Shota lets off at 4 and talks trash. Shota stomps Finlay, stands him up and CLUBS him! Finlay goes to ropes, Shota ROCKS him with another forearm. Fans rally, Shota ROCKS Finlay again, and then whips Finlay to ropes. Finlay reverses to TACKLE Shota to the apron! And then all the way into railing!

Gedo likes that as Finlay RAMS Shota in again! Finlay taunts Red Shoes, then throws hands on Shota. Finlay smacks Shota off the apron, follows him around the way, and claws at Shota’s face! Finlay ELBOWS Shota down, Red Shoes reprimands, but Finlay claims it was just the nose. Finlay stomps Shota around on the ramp, going after the limbs. The ring count starts and Finlay drags Shota up at 6 of 20 to put in at 8. Fans applaud and Finlay paces. Finlay stomps Shota down, gives him toying kicks, but Shota sits up with a frown. Finlay UPPERCUTS Shota in the back, but Shota doesn’t budge!

Finlay gets in Shota’s face, then DECKS him! Finlay stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! Shota goes to a corner, Finlay HEADBUTTS then stomps away! Red Shoes reprimands as Finlay digs a knee in. Red Shoes counts, Finlay lets off at 4 and talks more trash. Fans rally up as Finlay brings Shota out. Finlay taunts the fans, “This is your boy?” Shota stands to ROCK Finlay! Shota hits back! Finlay CLUBS Shota down! Shota writhes but Finlay covers, ONE! Finlay clamps onto Shota with a cobra clutch to grind him down. Fans rally and Shota endures. Finlay shakes his head and pulls harder on the hold, but Shota still endures.

Shota fights up, Finlay knees him low and then again, and again. Finlay whips, Shota reverses to scoop, TOSS and UPPERCUT! Fans fire up while Finlay sits up in a daze. Shota storms up on Finlay, whips him to a corner, then runs in to UPPERCUT! Shota FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect so Finlay escapes, but Shota keeps his cool. Shota kicks Finlay but Finlay gives a body shot. Shota kicks and kicks and CLUBS Finlay, then brings him up. Finlay fights the clinch with elbow after elbow after elbow! Finlay runs, into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up and Finlay bails out!

Shota hurries out to the apron, Finlay stands and Shota CANNONBALLS onto him! Fans fire up with Shota again as he shakes the railing! Shota drags Finlay back up, puts him in the ring, and fans rally behind Shota. Shota aims, to slingshot DDT! Finlay writhes but Shota wants him to stand. Fans rally, but Finlay blocks the kick, and he spins Shota around, only to swing into Shota’s clinch. Finlay fights free, then he clinches back, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Shota is still in this and the fans rally but Gedo argues the count. Red Shoes says that was a fair count, so Finlay drags Shota up.

Finlay makes Red Shoes watch as Finlay CROSSFACE FOREARMS Shota! And again! Gedo likes that so Finlay gives more CROSSFACE FOREARMS! Finlay then sits Shota up to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Shota is still in this and the fans fire back up! Finlay argues the count but Red Shoes defends it was fair. Finlay kicks Shota around, waits on him to rise, and the fans rally. Shota stands, ducks the lariat, and EXPLODERS! Fans fire up again while both men are down! Red Shoes checks both guys and they slowly stir. They go forehead to forehead, and Shota throws a forearm! Finlay throws it back!

Finlay eggs Shota on, Shota ROCKS Finlay! Shota eggs Finlay on, so Finlay ROCKS Shota! Shota ROCKS Finlay again, so Finlay ROCKS Shota again! They go forearm for forearm, fans rally and the two stand. The forearms keep going, back and forth, faster and faster! Finlay UPPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Shota roars and UPPERCUTS in return! And again! Finlay rebounds into another UPPERCUT! Shota UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Fans fire up but Finlay throat chops! And throat chops again! Finlay fires off HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT, then he rains down fists!

Red Shoes reprimands, those are closed fists! Finlay lets off and claims palms but Red Shoes can tell. Fans rally for Red Shoes as he argues with Finlay. Finlay goes back to Shota, but Red Shoes has him stay back to check. Shota is still in this, but Finlay thinks he’s won by knockout. Shota grabs at Finlay’s foot, so Finlay gut wrenches to a Canadian rack! But Shota slips free to CROSS RHODES! Shota holds on, he drags Finlay up, CROSS RHODES! Shota drags Finlay up again, SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives but fans are thunderous behind Shota! Shota aims from a corner, runs in, but Finlay LARIATS!

Shota stands, but into a SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives and Finlay is shocked! Finlay drags Shota up to gut wrench, CLIFFHANGER DDT! Cover, TWO!!! Shota survives again and the fans are thunderous! Finlay scowls at Red Shoes and argues the count, but the count is still fair. Fans rally behind Shota, but Finlay brings down the kneepad. Finlay slashes his throat and he drags Shota back up. Suplex to- NO, Shota cradles! TWO!! Finlay escapes, and ROLLING ELBOWS! Shota staggers to a corner and Finlay hoists him up top. Finlay climbs up after Shota, fires off forearms, then brings Shota up.

Shota throws body shots to stop the superplex! Finlay fires forearms and HEADBUTTS! Finlay brings Shota up again, but Shota SUPER GOURD BUSTERS first! Shota then hurries down and runs in, SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Shota roars and the fans are thunderous again! Shota picks Finlay up but Finlay fights free. Shota kicks low, underhooks, but Finlay powers him back. Shota sends Finlay into buckles! And then TORNADO DDTS! Roll through to the pick-up, SNAP BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives but Shota roars! Fans rally behind Shota and he aims from the corner again.

Gedo shouts at Finlay but the fans rally up. Finlay rises, Shota underhooks, but Finlay fights the lift! Finlay stomps the leg! And then HEADBUTTS Shota down! Gedo says Finlay’s got it! Suplex, but Shota fights free! ENZIGURI! Finlay rebounds, but swings into hooks! Finlay fights the backslide to backslide, but Shota rolls through! Finlay suplexes, Shota slips free, backslide and underhooks! Finlay spins Shota around, suplexes, TRASH PANDA!!! Cover, Finlay wins!!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

Another hard-fought battle, and The Rebel comes out on top! Finlay stands on Shota to add insult to injury, then he throws Shota out to just add more insult! Gedo makes the official announcement that Finlay won, and then he says what Finlay did to Shota will happen to everyone else! “Okada! Okada! Are you listening? The Rebel’s coming for you! The Rebel is taking the eff over everything! I need the Rebel, the Bullet Club needs the Rebel, and the world needs the Rebel!” Will Finlay be unstoppable until he has taken everything?

New Japan Cup 2023, Quarterfinals: Hirooki Goto w/ Yoshi-Hashi VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado!

The Fierce Warrior and the Good Bad Guy have both had their run-ins with the United Empire, and they both came out on top to make it this far. But there’s only one spot left in the semifinals, who is the final of the final four?

The bell rings and fans rally up as the two circle. Goto and Tama tie up, Goto powers Tama back, but Tama breaks free. They reset, tie up again, and Tama powers Goto back. Goto turns things around to put Tama on the ropes, and Red Shoes calls the break. Goto lets off with pats on the shoulder and fans applaud. Tama and Goto circle again, tie up, and Tama headlocks. Tama grinds the hold, but Goto powers out. They RAM shoulders, but Tama keeps moving. They RAM shoulders again, both men egg each other on, so Goto runs. Goto dodges the lariat to run Tama over! Fans fire up while Tama staggers up.

Goto whips Tama corner to corner, runs in but into an elbow! Tama runs in but into a hip toss! Tama avoids the elbow drop, headlocks, but Goto powers out, only for Tama to FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! But now Goto avoids an elbow drop and fans fire up for the standoff! Goto and Tama circle again and fans rally back up. They tie up, Goto headlocks, and Goto grinds the hold. Tama powers up but Goto holds on tighter. Tama fights up, powers up again, but still can’t power out as Goto just holds tighter! Goto grinds the headlock more, but Tama fights up to throw body shots. Tama powers out this time, and things speed up.

Tama hurdles, but Goto counter a hip toss with a hip toss! Tama goes to ropes, Goto runs in, but Tama dumps Goto out to the apron! Tama swings but Goto counter punches! But then Tama GUN STUN STUN GUNS Goto down! Goto falls to the floor and Tama waits on the ring count. Goto stirs at 5 of 20, fans rally and Hashi coaches Goto up. Goto sits up at 12 of 20, but we past 15 before he stands! Goto slides in at 18! Fans applaud, but Tama drags Goto up to COHP! Tama whips, DROPKICKS and covers, TWO! Tama keeps cool as he looms over Goto. Tama brings Goto up, then CLUBS him in the chest again and again!

Fans rally while Tama paces around. Tama drags Goto back up, snap suplexes and covers, TWO! Tama clamps onto Goto with a chinlock and grinds him back down. Fans rally as Goto endures, but Tama brings Goto down to the mat. Goto kicks and flails, fights his way back up, and he throws body shots. Tama CLUBS Goto on the back, then ROCKS him with a forearm! And then another! Goto scowls but Tama eggs him on. Tama ROCKS Goto again, but Goto snarls. Tama fires off forearm after forearm! Tama then runs, but Goto blocks the boot! Goto throws the foot down but Tama ROCKS him with another forearm!

Goto blocks another boot, waistlocks, but Tama elbows free! Tama runs, Goto follows and LARIATS Tama down! Fans fire up while both men are down! Tama crawls to a corner but Goto is right on him. Goto whips corner to corner and runs in to MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Tama survives, and Jado coaches him up. Goto brings Tama up but Tama fires body shots and low headbutts! Tama whips, Goto reverses and he runs Tama over! Fans fire up as Tama bails out, and Goto hurries to PLANCHA! Direct hit and both men go down at the railing! Fans fire up as both men stir.

The ring count starts but Goto is already up at 2 of 20. He drags Tama up at 5, but Tama is deadweight so Goto stomps him. The count passes 10, Goto drags Tama back up at 13. Goto puts Tama back in at 15 and fans applaud. Goto fires up and fans rally behind him. Goto climbs up a corner, but Tama ROCKS him first! Tama throws another forearm, but Goto hits back! Goto ELBOWS Tama in the head, but Tama throws body shots. Tama ROCKS Goto, climbs up and CLUBS Goto on the back. But Goto throws body shots and forearms! Tama and Goto fire off back and forth, and Tama gets the edge! Tama stands Goto up for the SUPERPLEX!

Fans fire up while both men are down again! Red Shoes checks, both men stir, and the fans rally up again. Goto crawls to a corner but Tama runs in, STINGER SPLASH! And then EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Goto hangs tough and the fans rally up. Tama drags himself up with the ropes, and he storms over to Goto. Tama stands Goto up but Goto throws a forearm! Tama throws a forearm right back! Goto drops to a knee, but he grits his teeth. Goto stands up to ROCK Tama with a forearm! Tama shakes that off to ROCK Goto right back! Goto ROCKS Tama! Tama ROCKS Goto! The forearms go back and forth again!

Fans fire up as Tama fires off a strike fest! Tama whips, Goto reverses, fireman’s carries and USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and Tama clutches his neck. Goto roars and fans fire up with him! Goto drags Tama up, dragon sleepers, but Tama throws hands from below! Goto blocks that, spins Tama around, but Tama fireman’s carries! SRC! Tama flounders but finds his way over to the corner! Tama goes up, for the SUPREME FLOW! Cover, TWO!! Goto is still in this, but fans fire up with Tama! OFF COMES THE VEST! Tama watches Goto stir, and Tama pounds the mat. Fans clap along and build back up.

Goto rises, Tama runs in, GUN- NO, Goto blocks! Goto shoves, runs, Tama redirects but Goto follows! Tama dodges and runs, GUN- NO! Goto blocks, then deflects the boot! But Tama jumps, VELENO! Both men are down after the satellite DDT and the fans are thunderous! Tama rises first, the fans rally back up, and Tama takes aim from the corner. Goto flounders, rises, and Tama rushes in, GUN- NO, Goto puts him in the corner! DRAPING SHOUTO!! But Goto’s too tired to make the cover! Fans rally up again and Goto rises. Goto roars and Tama rises, BUZZSAW! Goto then drags Tama back up to fireman’s carry!

USHI- NO, Tama flips through! But Goto still blocks Gun Stun! Goto drags Tama back up, spins him around, but Tama SUPER FOREARMS! BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, TWO!?! Goto survives Tama’s shoutout to The Prince, but Tama roars! Tama drags Goto up, underhooks, but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches and HEADBUTTS! And then LARIATS!! Fans fire up as Tama goes flipping through the air! Goto roars and gathers all his strength! BUZZSAW!! And then another dragon sleeper! G T- NO!! Tama blocks to a backslide but Goto holds that off! Tama HEADBUTTS, and GUN STUNS!!! Cover, TAMA WINS!!

Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

The NEVER Openweight Champion bests one half of the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! The Fierce Warrior misses out on the final four, will he and Hashi simply regroup to focus on the tag titles for the Spring?

As for Tama, he shakes Goto’s hand to show respect, and the two hug it out. Goto raises Tama’s hand in victory, then lets him have the ring. Tama gets the mic to say, “HAMAMATSU~!” Fans cheer and Tama continues in Japanese,
“Really, thank you so much! Goto-san. That was amazing, thank you.” Fans cheer the respect shown, and Tama asks that everyone please keep supporting him! A short and sweet message from the Good Bad Guy, will he go all the way until he has his hands on the Cup?

My Thoughts:

Another really good night for the New Japan Cup, though not as shocking and wild as yesterday’s. Shota VS Finlay went about as expected in that Finlay goes over, but I am still impressed that Finlay is a Heel that doesn’t cheat to win. He didn’t need Gedo to do things for him here, Finlay just outdid Shota. And then we got a great main event where I was rather surprised that Tama won out. I thought Goto was going to go strong to the finals to put over the other side of the bracket. Instead, Tama gets a great win here and he’ll get to face Finlay next week, in a great rework of Tama taking on the Bullet Club.