Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Hell in a Cell Results & Report! (6/20/21)
Abandon all hope, ye who enter the Cell!
The WWE goes back to Hell earlier than usual!
It isn’t October yet, but the WWE couldn’t wait to step inside Hell in a Cell! Will Drew McIntyre’s run at the world title come to an All Mighty end?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Show – Mandy Rose w/ Dana Brooke VS Natalya w/ Tamina; Natalya wins.
- SmackDown Women’s Championship Hell in a Cell Match: Bianca Belair VS Bayley; Belair wins and retains the title.
- Cesaro VS Seth Rollins; Rollins wins.
- Alexa Bliss VS Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax & Reginald; Bliss wins.
- Kevin Owens VS Sami Zayn; Sami wins.
- Raw Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley VS Charlotte Flair; Charlotte wins by disqualification, Ripley retains the title.
- WWE World Championship Hell in a Cell Match: Bobby Lashley VS Drew McIntyre; Lashley wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the Hell in a Cell Kickoff Show!
Join Kayla Braxton, Jerry “The King” Lawler, John “Bradshaw” Layfield and Peter Rosenberg in discussing, analyzing and predicting the action tonight.
Sonya Deville joins the panel!
She joins in the discussion on the SmackDown Women’s Championship Hell in a Cell match, Bianca Belair VS Bayley! JBL wishes she was just Rosenberg’s replacement but maybe next time. But what does Sonya think we’ll see between Bianca and Bayley? Bianca is extremely talented as a pure athlete and as a superstar, but Bayley is playing the same old games. Bianca played the games right back, got Bayley back with them, and that forced Bayley to bring out that vicious side we know well. We know what that Bayley is capable of and will be bringing her best, but Bianca is already a big star in the division.
Rosenberg points out Bayley’s tweet from yesterday, where she promises that Bianca’s “idea of ‘Oh wow, WWE? That would be fun to try!’ becomes an ugly reality.” Bayley says this is her world and will see Bianca in Hell! So Bayley is saying that while Bianca is a great athlete, Bayley is going to prove she’s the better wrestler. Sonya says Bayley plays her mind games when she knows she can. And then when it doesn’t work, she goes back to her core of “vicious, aggressive, ruthless” Bayley. Kayla says Bianca has been on a roll but last Friday night, Bianca dared Bayley to get in the Cell. Bayley’s been in the Cell before, so is Bianca getting overzealous? Too much too fast?
King says this overconfidence could be her downfall. Bianca, not having been in the Cell before, has no idea what that’s like, while Bayley does know. There’s a saying and he’ll paraphrase here, “She who laughs last, laughs best.” And he predicts it will be Bayley. JBL agrees, you have to be careful what you wish for. “Hotrod” Roddy Piper and HBK Shawn Michaels played mind games all the time, but they were two of the all time best. Bayley is in that category now. The mean Bayley that was the longest reigning champion has always been there, and JBL predicts that will help her win.
Sonya cannot fault a champion that has stepped up and raised the ante. She respects Bianca calling Bayley out even knowing the experience edge Bayley has, so she’s going Bianca. We will see soon enough if Bianca’s boldEST move is a smart one!
The Kickoff Show returns, and Sonya talks Alexa Bliss VS Shayna Baszler.
Kayla for one has never seen Shayna this frazzled, so what exactly is going on? Sonya says there is nothing quite as daunting as this Alexa Bliss and her “maniacal ways.” No one can fully prepare for something like this. But that said, if there is anyone that can handle it, it’ll be Shayna and here’s why. Shayna is a decorated cage fighter and unpredictability is her strong suit. Sonya has the same background, she knows what it’s like to be locked into a cage and get hit in the face. Being able to be on the tip of your toes and be ready for anything is something Shayna is skilled in. Sonya chooses Shayna.
Rosenberg isn’t sure what to say about this. Alexa being this demented, Lily is in “timeout” or something, all that. But Sonya is right, Shayna is one of the few people who could stand in a crazy situation like this, with the pure fight experience she has, and come out of it on top. King counters by saying if we’re talking mind games, the recap package is enough to show that Alexa has gotten under Shayna’s skin. JBL adds that if Rosenberg never knows what to say, he can just stay quiet and let JBL handle things. King continues that when it comes to Alexa, he isn’t sure if she’s a witch, but he’s pretty sure her other car is a broom. Something weird is going on here.
Rosenberg tells JBL, “See? This is what we’ve got. Witchcraft!” And Rosenberg gets what King is saying, this isn’t normal stuff. JBL says Shayna’s complaining, sun in her eyes, shoe was untied, “Wah wah wah,” to avoid taking the blame for her own failures. But Alexa, who is a former champion, is living rent free in Shayna’s head. There is no way Shayna can overcome any of this. Rosenberg gets that, too. He feels Shayna is the one who can handle it, and better her than him. Wow, quoting himself, huh? You can’t use yourself as a source! Kayla puts a final touch on this that this will be unpredictable.
But moving on to the Raw Women’s Championship, Rhea Ripley VS Charlotte Flair. Rhea has been a great champion, just like Bianca, but Charlotte has been coming hard to get the title back. The brawl was wild, it took referees and officials to stop it, but then it kept going until Charlotte got a bloody nose. Charlotte is not happy to say the least. Kayla had Charlotte on today’s special edition of WWE’s The Bump, and Charlotte admitted she sees her younger self in Rhea. This could be good or bad for Rhea. Sonya agrees there. Charlotte is one of the most decorated and dominant champions as a 13 time women’s champion. She’s been around the block, has all the confidence in everything she does.
But that said, Rhea has all that, too! Strength, dominance, and no backdown. Others might, but Rhea has the confidence to go out there. It is experience that might get the win. Rosenberg says being in a position like Rhea’s as the new kid, new champion, she’s kicking butt all over the world, doing her thing. But at the same time, she’s in the early stages of learning how to be a champion, and she has to deal with someone like Charlotte who has a lot of experience. JBL agrees with that point, because this is next level. There is always that one match in a champion’s reign, where it is essentially champion VS champion, even if that other person doesn’t have a title.
This is Charlotte Flair! She is not in Ric’s shadow, she is standing on her own. Rhea is a terrific champion, but this could be her coming out party, if you will. She could show she is the champion, or find out that she still doesn’t stand up to Charlotte’s level. But it is very telling that Charlotte sees something of herself in Rhea. Kayla brings up how last year, we saw something like this play out with NXT. Rhea was the champion, she took on Charlotte, and Charlotte took that title from her. Rhea’s grown a lot, she has a title again, surely she won’t let history repeat itself. King says that everyone who gets in the ring thinks they’ll win. If you don’t, then you won’t. You need that confidence first.
Both Charlotte and Rhea are thinking they’re going to win tonight, but you don’t earn the title of “The Queen” for nothing. Charlotte is The Queen of women’s wrestling, King is not betting against the Queen. Kayla is excited, we’ll see if the Nightmare will finally overcome Charlotte tonight.
Backstage interview with Sami Zayn.
Megan Morant asks Sami about his long and storied history about Kevin. Sami asks if Megan knows about “karma.” Yes, karma is when- Sami interrupts and explains, “Karma is the idea that there is an inherent sense of justice in the universe. That things have a way of evening out. And that if you are a good person, an honest person, a truthful person, a liberator, a champion of the people, and dare I say, a borderline saint,” then in this life, you will be rewarded. If you are the opposite, such as a “selfish, backstabbing, corporate co-conspirator piece of trash like Kevin Owens, you will be punished.”
Sami admits he was skeptical about karma after having suffered injustice after injustice. But Sami then saw that karma is real! Because look at Kevin! Look at what’s been happening to him recently! Kevin lost his chances at the WWE Intercontinental Championship, not because of Sami but because of karma! And when Commander Azeez caved in Kevin’s windpipe, that wasn’t thanks to Sami! That was karma! Sami happens to know that Kevin is not 100% tonight! Kevin can barely breathe! If that’s not karma, then what is? So tonight, when Sami defeats Kevin, Sami won’t just be winning a match, no! He’ll get vindication! He’ll be serving cosmic justice! Sami loves karma, but will things turn right back around on him?
Mandy Rose w/ Dana Brooke VS Natalya w/ Tamina!
Stemming from the scrap between the #SexyMuscleFriends and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, the Golden Goddess looks to take the fight to the Queen of Harts! Will Mandy get her and Dana one step closer to a title match? Or will the #BOAT sink the challengers before they even set sail?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Natty headlocks to a takeover but Mandy headscissors. Natty kips free and resets with Mandy. Mandy headlocks now and hits the takeover, but Natty headscissors. Mandy kips free now and Dana cheers her on. Natty applauds somewhat mockingly, and ties up with Mandy again. Natty wrenches to a wristlock but Mandy handsprings and wrenches back. Mandy has the wristlock, but Natty rolls, handsprings and slips through to back drop! Mandy makes it a sunset flip, TWO! Natty rushes Mandy to get a waistlock. Mandy gets up, throws Natty down and has a wristlock, but Natty headscissors again.
Mandy moves around, gets Natty’s legs and turns her over to then hook the legs for a figure four knot. Natty reaches back to get a chinlock and drags Mandy off the leg lock. Mandy fights up and wrenches out to get a headlock. Natty endures the grind, powers out but Mandy goes up and over in the corner. Things speed up, Mandy rolls and eggs Natty on. They keep moving, Mandy hurdles Natty and drops but Natty jumps over. Natty eggs Mandy on now, then side steps her, only for Mandy to get around and roll her up. TWO, and the two reset again. Natty might be applauding genuinely this time as the two reset again.
Mandy kicks Natty low and fireman’s carries, but Natty fights free to go after an arm! They go around and Mandy gets a ropebreak. The ref counts, Natty lets off but Mandy YANKS Natty into the ropes! Mandy gets Natty in a corner for mudhole stomps! The ref counts, Mandy lets off but comes back to dig her knee in. The ref counts again, Mandy lets off and she taunts Tamina. Mandy stands Natty up to snapmare and drag her to a cover, ONE! Mandy keeps her cool as she brings Natty up, to DECK her with a right forearm! Cover, TWO! Mandy puts Natty in body scissors and squeezes. Natty endures but Mandy even uses a chinbar. Mandy taunts Natty that she CAN do it all!
Natty powers up, turns around and rains down fists! Mandy and Natty fight in facelocks, and Mandy powers out to get a guillotine, only for Natty to scoop and SLAM Mandy down! Mandy still gets up first and goes after Natty with forearms! Mandy hammers away on Natty’s back, drags her back up, and hooks her up for a modified Octopus Stretch! Natty endures but Dana taunts Natty. Natty powers out, gets around, and puts Mandy in a COBRA TWIST! Mandy endures as Natty cranks and SPANKS her! Mandy powers out and puts Natty in the Cobra Twist! Mandy throws down elbows, but Natty hip tosses Mandy!
Both women slowly rise, and Mandy rushes at Natty but Natty shoves her away. Mandy comes back but only gets buckles! Natty gets Mandy for a slingshot atomic sit-down! Natty steps on Mandy then basement SHOTGUN dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Mandy is proving she’s tougher than Natty thought but Tamina says Natty still has this. Natty gets Mandy up, RAMS Mandy into a corner and then fires off forearms! Natty hoists Mandy up top but Mandy boots her away! Mandy adjusts, leaps, and missile dropkicks! Mandy hurries to cover, TWO! Mandy is surprised but she shouldn’t be with Natty’s track record.
Natty sits up but Mandy is on her. Mandy reels Natty in, underhooks the arms, but Natty blocks the lift! Natty wrenches out, reels Mandy in but Mandy cradle counters! TWO, and a DISCUS from Natty takes Mandy down! Cover, TWO! Natty grows frustrated with the “glorified fitness model,” and she drags Mandy up by her hair. Mandy gets around to backslide! TWO, and a KNEE FROM A ROSE!! Cover, TWO!! Natty survives Mandy’s best shot and Mandy is shocked! Mandy goes for another knee but Natty blocks and spins her. Mandy ducks the discus to waistlock, but Natty switches and O’Conner Rolls! Cover, TWO, and Mandy has a schoolgirl! TWO!
Natty and Mandy fight for control, Natty goes for an arm! Mandy scrambles and gets a ropebreak! Natty lets go at 4 and Mandy checks her arm. Natty comes back, but Mandy trips her first! Jackknife cover, TWO as Natty bridges out! They spin, Natty trips Mandy and steps through! Mandy flails but Natty ties her up for the SHARPSHOOTER!! Mandy taps, Natty wins!
Winner: Natalya, by submission
This is why Natty is the winningest woman in WWE history! Will this make Mandy and Dana get more serious about their in-ring ability?
“Good evening, all you hell raisers out there.”
Thank you for tuning into the station of eternal damnation. You already know who she is: “Your villainous voice of choice; your hellish hostess through Hades; the one you can’t escape.” For first-time listeners, it’s okay to be scared. “Actually, if you ain’t scared, you should be!” The All Mighty is giving the Scottish Warrior one last chance at the dance! And here’s a special shout out to the women ready to step inside. “Slay, my lady warriors, slay!” The Queen haunts the Nightmare, and the one who laughs last will laugh b-E-S-T!
Our mysterious MC will sign off now, but before she goes, she wishes everyone standing at the gates of Hell good luck tonight. They’re gonna need it. Here’s one dedicated to you, as Ozzy Osbourne’s Straight to Hell rocks the ThunderDome! No apologies, no love lost, no more waiting! Hell in a Cell is here!
SmackDown Women’s Championship Hell in a Cell Match: Bianca Belair VS Bayley!
The EST wants to finally shut up the rude Role Model once and for all, and is willing to take on perhaps the scariEST match type possible to do it! Bianca has never seen the inside of this sinister structure but Bayley has, is this the boldEST move or the dumbEST?
The Cell is lowered, the introductions are made, and the belt is raised as the blue brand’s gold opens the ThunderDome’s last ride!
Bayley tells Bianca there’s no going back now. But Bianca dares Bayley to bring it already. The two circle, tie up, and Bianca scoops to SLAM Bayley! And scoops to SLAM her again! And then she CLOBBERS Bayley! Bayley bails out and Bianca mockingly asks what’s up. Bayley walks off those slams as Bianca eggs her on. Bianca rushes her at the apron but Bayley HOTSHOTS Bianca down! Bayley hurries to bring out a chair from under the ring! Bayley puts that in the ring, then adds a second chair. But Bianca gets Bayley first, only for Bayley to throw Bianca down by her hair! Bayley smiles as she gets a chair, but they both see the second one!
Bayley kicks the second chair away before Bianca can get it! Not even the fastEST can make up that distance. Bayley taunts Bianca with the one chair, swings, but Bianca drops down to get a sunset flip! TWO, Bianca schoolgirls, ONE! Bayley gets the chair back before Bianca can get it! But Bianca prepares her hair! Bianca forces Bayley to use the chair as a shield to defend against the hair whip! Bayley swings but Bianca dodges, and then shoves Bayley into the corner! Bayley sandwiches the chair between her and buckles, then staggers back into a dropkick! The chair goes into Bayley and Bayley goes down! Bianca is fired up as she dares Bayley to get up. Bayley does, and Bianca RAMS her!
Bianca digs her shoulder into Bayley, hoists her up top, and throws hands on her. Bianca sits Bayley up but Bayley throws furious body shots! Bayley swings but Bianca backflips away! Bianca is right up, stumbles a moment but steadies herself. Bayley still resists, drops down to the apron and SMACKS Bianca off the top of the post! Bayley brings Bianca through ropes to POST her! Then KNEES her into the post! Bayley hurries to cover, TWO! Bianca shows she’s the toughEST, but she’s not invincible as her arm is bothering her now. Bayley is after that arm with a hammerlock, then she RAMS Bianca into more buckles!
Bayley wraps the arm around ropes, clubs away on Bianca, then lets off to watch Bianca flounder away. Bianca tries to hold Bayley off but Bayley CLUBS her down. Bayley steps over the bad arm for a finger-bending mounted armlock! Bayley CLUBS Bianca down, covers, TWO! Bayley gets Bianca back up but Bianca fires off forearms with the good arm! But Bayley has the bad arm for a SHOULDER COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Bianca writhes but Bayley goes out to move the steel steps. Bayley gets the top half up and in, then drags them over to a corner. Bayley goes back for Bianca and drops elbows onto the bad arm.
Bianca rolls towards the steps, Bayley grabs her ponytail and stands on it on the steps! Bayley wants Michael Cole to praise her, but Bianca gets her ponytail free. Bayley mocks Bianca, but Bianca TRIPS Bayley! Bayley lands on her tailbone on the steps! But Bayley snarls and runs to KNEE Bianca in the corner! Cover, TWO! Yep, still the toughEST! Bayley stalks Bianca back towards the steps, grabs the braid again and ties it around the bottom rope! Bianca’s hair is becoming a hindrance now as Bayley has her stuck! Bayley runs, but Bianca uses the rope to trip Bayley! Bayley falls and SMACKS onto the steel steps!
Bayley bails out, Bianca gets free, and she TOSSES the steps! Bayley barely gets out of the way, but Bianca WRECKS her with a dropkick! Bayley runs into a support beam and now she has a bad arm! Bianca digs Bayley’s face into the steel fence to grate her face! But Bayley gets Bianca’s hand and BITES it!! Bianca staggers away in pain and in shock that Bayley would do such a thing! Bayley grabs the bad arm to KICK it against the steel! Bayley leaves Bianca behind to go looking under the ring again. Bayley finds a kendo stick now and mockingly shushes commentary as if it’s a secret. Bianca gets up, and Bayley SMACKS her in the ribs! Wait, that was a DOUBLE stick, two sticks taped together!
Bayley backs off and runs in, to SUNSET BOMB Bianca into the Cell wall! Bayley kicks at Bianca to get out from under her. Bayley says Bianca wanted this match and here it is! Bayley brings out another super kendo stick, like Darth Maul’s lightsaber! And another! Bayley makes the kendo stick line between ring and Cell, just like last year. Bianca comes back with a kendo stick! Bayley dodges but Bianca ROCKS her with a right hand! They play a little cat ‘n’ mouse in and out of the ring. Bayley doesn’t see Bianca waiting, and Bianca gives Bayley a SPINEBUSTER through the double super kendo sticks!! Bianca shoves Bayley back in the ring, covers, TWO!!
Bianca can’t believe Bayley survived, but just because she’s the toughEST doesn’t mean Bayley isn’t tough, too! Bianca finally gets one of those chairs, and she gets in to SMACK Bayley on the back! Bianca sees Bayley go to a corner, runs in at her with the chair, but Bayley BOOTS the chair into Bianca! Bianca is down while Bayley grits her teeth. Bayley gets the chair again, stands it up and puts Bianca’s bad arm through it! Bayley YANKS the arm over and over then JAMS it! Bianca clutches the arm but somehow it still has feeling. Bianca kicks Bayley from below but Bayley grabs the braid to keep Bianca close. Bayley stomps Bianca, then ties the hair to the chair!
Bayley reels Bianca in to then dig her boots in! Bianca endures so Bayley stomps her down! Bayley laughs at Bianca again, and says Bianca is trapped! So Bianca SLAPS Bayley! Bianca drags herself and chair over to ropes. Bayley run sin, but KNEES chair! Bianca got Bayley back and gets up. Bianca is free of the chair and she CHOP BLOCKS the leg! Bianca uses her braid to tie herself to Bayley’s arm! Bianca uses it to reel Bayley in over and over for shoulder after shoulder! Arm-drag and then drag outside, Bayley is thrown into steel! Bianca uses the kendo sticks to SMACK away on Bayley! Then the braid reels Bayley into more steel! Bianca RAMS Bayley into the steel again and again!
Bianca lets Bayley free and slaps her around. Bayley crawls but Bianca has a little laugh now. Bayley wants out but that’s not how HIAC works! Bianca laughs more as Bayley realizes the situation she put herself in. Bianca BOOTS Bayley into the steel! And dribbles her off it! Bayley staggers about, Bianca follows her around the way, but Bayley finds a ladder! Bayley RAMS the ladder into Bianca’s ribs! Bayley puts the ladder into the ring, then she drags Bianca up and into the ring. Bayley gets the ladder, but Bianca grabs the other end! They tug-o-war, and Bianca uses the corner to push off.
Bianca pushes Bayley all the way across the ring, but Bayley moves aside so that the ladder hits post! The ladder jams Bianca in the stomach, Bayley SMACKS Bianca off the rungs! Bayley gets the ladder for herself and she sets it down. Bayley puts Bianca inside the ladder to SLAM it shut on her! Bayley stands on the ladder to squeeze Bianca! Bayley drags Bianca up for a ROSE PLANTER!! But that’s a bit double-edged as Bayley’s leg takes some damage! Bianca rolls away, Bayley drags her back inside the ropes and covers, TWO!!! That was the closEST it could’ve been! Bianca survives and bails out but Bayley pursues.
Bayley drags Bianca in but Bianca sunset flips! TWO, Bayley has the cover and the ropes! TWO and Bayley is furious! Bianca gets back up, Bayley hurries after her, but Bianca blocks the leg takedown! Bianca wants a backslide, Bayley fights it off but swings into a double chicken wing! GlamEST Slam into buckles! Bianca puts Bayley in the drop zone, then presses the ladder down onto her. Bianca is going for broke as she goes up top! Bianca jumps but Bayley rolls with the ladder! Bianca rolls through, comes back and drops a BACK SENTON! Bayley is sandwiched between Bianca and the ladder!!
Bayley writhes and Bianca repositions the ladder. Bianca opens the ladder up, then torture rack lifts Bayley! Bianca aims for the ladder! FULL METAL KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca wins!!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall (still SmackDown Women’s Champion)
That was the nastiEST, wildEST and perhaps greatEST win in Bianca’s career! She is still champion and her legacy is still growing, will there be no denying that Bianca is the b-E-S-T yet?
Backstage interview with Bianca Belair.
Megan congratulates her on her win just now, what was her first HIAC like? That thing is brutal! But she had what it takes to keep the title. Bayley did kick Bianca’s butt, but Bianca will never forgive Bayley for how she treated her. Is Bianca finally through with the obnoxious Role Model’s ridicule?
Bobby Lashley and his ladies are partying even now!
MVP wants Bobby Lashley to remember, Drew McIntyre may have skill, and they may be in the Cell, but this is business as usual. The ladies say this is all Lashley! They’re all confident he’ll show McIntyre what’s what, and MVP wants Lashley to get in that zone. Lashley is turning on the Chief Hurt Officer mode, but will it be a little too late against the always-on Scottish Warrior?
Alexa Bliss speaks from the Playground.
“Wow! What a painful night for Bayley. But what a great night for Bianca! Anyway, it’s so nice of you guys to join me tonight in Hell… in a Cell!” Speaking of cells, Lily is still serving her timeout. Alexa says Lily is a little naughty, but not nearly as much as Shayna Baszler. Shayna brought all this upon herself, so don’t blame Alexa for what happens next. But there is a lesson to be learned! One: be careful what you wish for. Two: expect the unexpected. When you knock on Alexa’s door, you’ll never know who or what will answer. Will Twisted Lil’ Bliss make the Queen of Spades sorry that she didn’t say she was sorry?
Cesaro VS Seth Rollins!
The Swiss Superman already bested The Architect back at WrestleMania 37, and then again soon after. Rollins continues to see things with a more-than-skewed perspective, will Cesaro make him see things right after another spin?
But as Cesaro makes his entrance first, Rollins attacks from behind! Just like #WrestleManiaBacklash and thereafter! Cesaro goes after Rollins and he throws Rollins into barriers! Rollins gets up, they brawl, Cesaro puts Rollins in the ring then hurries in. Rollins is after Cesaro again, Cesaro pulls Rollins’ jacket off him! The ref has them both back off long enough for the bell to ring, and then Rollins leaps into a POWERSLAM! Cesaro rains down furious forearms, Rollins gets up and throws hands. The brawling continues, Rollins gets an edge then whips but Cesaro reverses to back drop!
Cesaro roars and glares at Rollins. Rollins gets up, Cesaro is after him and yanks him up by a leg to put him on the apron. Cesaro runs and BOOTS Rollins down! Rollins flounders up as Cesaro goes out after him. Cesaro storms over but Rollins kicks low. Rollins whips but Cesaro reverses to send Rollins into barriers! Cesaro runs side to side to EuroUpper Rollins down! Cesaro puts Rollins in at 7 of 10, climbs up a corner, and leaps to FLYING AX HANDLE Rollins down! Cover, ONE, and Rollins grimaces. Cesaro CLUBS Rollins, then bumps him off buckles. Rollins staggers, Cesaro throws more forearms and body shots.
Cesaro bumps Rollins off buckles again, then brings him around to EuroUpper! Rollins sputters, Cesaro throws more EuroUppers! The ref check son Rollins but Cesaro just throws more EuroUppers! Rollins kicks low, then gets Cesaro for a BUCKLE SHOT! Rollins scrapes Cesaro’s face on the rope! The ref reprimands, Rollins lets off but Cesaro grabs hair! They scrum in the ropes, the ref pulls them apart but Rollins pokes Cesaro in the eye! And ROCKS him with a right! Rollins waistlocks, Cesaro swings an elbow but Rollins spins Cesaro for a DDT! Cover, ONE!! Cesaro sits up while Rollins seethes. Rollins throws hands on Cesaro then digs his boot into Cesaro at the ropes!
The ref counts, Rollins lets off at 4, and Rollins brings Cesaro up to DECK him! Cesaro sits up again as Rollins winds up. “One punch!” Rollins DECKS Cesaro again, perhaps claiming he’s WWE’s One Punch Man compared to Cesaro’s Superman. Rollins whips, KNEES Cesaro against ropes, then whips back the other ay for another KNEE! Rollins reels Cesaro back in, but Cesaro blocks the suplex. Rollins throws body shots but Cesaro still blocks to suplex Rollins instead! Both men are down, Rollins rolls away to the apron and Cesaro crawls over. Rollins gets up, Cesaro swings on him but Rollins shoulders into Cesaro. Rollins shovels Cesaro up and out!
Cesaro gets up and is a bit punch drunk. Rollins leaps to FLYING KNEE! Cesaro goes down, a ring count starts, and Rollins gets Cesaro up and in at 7 of 10. Rollins aims from the apron, springboards, for another FLYING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Cesaro survives and Rollins is a bit frustrated now. Rollins stalks Cesaro, throws haymakers and keeps Cesaro down. Cesaro gets up again, but Rollins DECKS him again! Rollins sits Cesaro up to dig fingers into Cesaro’s bad eye! The ref counts, Rollins lets off, and he watches Cesaro stagger up. Rollins runs but Cesaro blocks the kick to EuroUpper! Rollins DECKS Cesaro again, but Cesaro’s right back up with another EuroUpper!
Rollins ROCKS Cesaro, Cesaro EuroUppers again! And again! Cesaro backs Rollins down with the flurry of EuroUppers and body shots! Cesaro lets off in the corner and catches his breath. Cesaro blocks Rollins’ clothesline to torture rack and SLAM Rollins down! Cesaro pulls of Rollins’ black glove while stomping him down! Cesaro makes Rollins eat his glove before the RAINMAKER?! Cover, TWO!! Rollins survives but Cesaro PUNTS the glove! Cesaro runs in to EuroUpper Rollins in the corner! Whip corner to corner, another EuroUpper! Cesaro keeps moving but into a mule kick! Rollins runs but into a SPINNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!!
Cesaro grits his teeth while he and Rollins are still down. Cesaro gets up, grabs Rollins’ leg, but Rollins flails for ropes. Rollins gets the ropebreak but Cesaro yanks him up and reel shim in! Rollins back drops Cesaro out but Cesaro lands on the apron to DECK Rollins! Cesaro climbs a corner, but Rollins springs right up there to join him! Cesaro holds off the superplex with pure power! Cesaro HEADBUTTS Rollins down! Cesaro adjusts, leaps, CROSSBODY but Rollins rolls it to a cradle! TWO!! Rollins dodges a EuroUpper to send Cesaro into buckles! Rollins waistlocks, Cesaro elbows free, but Rollins PELES!
Cesaro staggers and Rollins runs, to ROLLING ELBOW! Rollins reels Cesaro back in, DREAM SMASHER ELBOW!! Rollins shouts out Cesaro’s fellow King of Wrestling! Cover, TWO!! Cesaro survives the knockout shot and Rollins is beside himself! Rollins says, “You’re not gonna earn anything over me! You think you’re better than me?!” Rollins says Cesaro hasn’t earned anything, and he stomps away on the bad arm! And digs his fingers into Cesaro’s face! And then drags him into a FUJIWARA! Cesaro endures the armbar, powers up, and scoops Rollins! Rollins knees free, reels Cesaro in, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! But Rollins runs, BOOMERANG WIZARD! Cover, TWO!!
Rollins is beside himself again as Cesaro still stays in this. Rollins gets up, Cesaro flounders and Rollins aims from a corner. Rollins runs but has to dodge a clothesline! Rollins mule kicks, front kicks and sobats, but runs into a DISCUS! Both men are down but stirring. Rollins crawls to ropes, Cesaro stalks up behind him, and gets him for a SPINEBUSTER! To the SWING!! Around and around Rollins goes for 10, 15, and stops at 18! Cesaro goes for and gets the SHARPSHOOTER! Rollins endures, reaches for ropes, but Cesaro clamps onto that arm for a CROSSFACE! Cesaro rolls to have Rollins in the middle of the ring! Rollins rolls it to a cover, TWO!
Cesaro gets legs again and we’re back to the SHARPSHOOTER!! Rollins fights towards ropes but again Cesaro gets the arm! Cesaro STOMPS the arm down! And then again! And again! Cesaro reels Rollins in but Rollins uses it for a cradle counter! ROLLINS WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, the Architect finds a way to survive Cesaro! Rollins celebrates finally getting one on the board, but is this series far from over?
We return to the Kickoff Panel!
Kayla likes the “hot start” to the night. She recaps the wins we’ve seen so far, how does King feel about the night? Has it gone the way he thought it would? Not exactly, but he just loves the look on the faces of the losers. That scowl on Cesaro, and of course Bayley! A tough night for Bayley, Rosenberg couldn’t believe that KODÂ onto a ladder. Brutal for sure. Rollins finds a way and JBL dares someone to follow that. This is a loaded card and he is happy to be here in person. Still much more to go, and we have perhaps the most twisted one up next!
Alexa Bliss VS Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax & Reginald!
Ever since pulling the rug out from under The Fiend, Twisted Lil’ Bliss and her friend, Lily, have been doing whatever they want to the Raw Women’s Division. It got on the nerves of the Queen of Spades, and her disrespecting the “stupid little doll” has set off Alexa. Will there be no running and no hiding from what’s coming?
Sarah interviews Shayna, along with Nia Jax and Reginald, before the entrance. Can they explain in their own words what is going on with Shayna, Alexa and Lily? Shayna tells Sarah to never say that stupid doll’s name around her again. Okay but what is her response to Alexa’s cryptic warning about “expect the unexpected?” Does Shayna look like she cares at all what that lunatic has to say? Alexa has fun playing with dolls, Shayna has fun hurting people. Alexa started this, Shayna will end it! Nia agrees, but there’s nothing wrong with a little luck. Nia has Reggie wish Shayna luck but Shayna slaps him before he can kiss her hand. Nia says it’s fine, and the three head out.
The bell rings and Alexa has a sinister smirk as she and Shayna circle. Shayna hesitates seeing Alexa not even put up her dukes. They circle, Reggie distracts, and Shayna CLOBBERS Alexa! Shayna fires off in a corner, the ref counts and Shayna lets off at 4. Alexa just smirks as she gets up, but then grits her teeth as Shayna stomps her back down! The ref counts again, Shayna lets off at 4, but Alexa grins as she gets up again. Shayna runs in, Alexa dodges and Shayna knees buckles. Alexa contorts herself as she crawls back after Shayna. Shayna tries to shake that off but Alexa ROCKS her, KICKS her, and then runs in to double KNEE her against ropes!
Alexa stalks Shayna and Nia worries. Alexa drops a SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Alexa sees Reggie on the apron again but he does his best not to look her in the eyes. He doesn’t want to get hypnotized again! Alexa smirks but Shayna CLOBBERS her from behind! Shayna fires off in the corner, lets off to run back in and KNEE Alexa down! Alexa sits up and laughs?! Shayna is confused, and runs in to get Alexa up for a gut wrench SLAM! Cover, TWO! Alexa survives but is still relishing the fight! Shayna drags Alexa by her arm and wrenches for a double wristlock! Shayna tortures Alexa’s elbow and now Alexa is mad!
Alexa fights up, moves around, but Shayna shifts to a top wristlock! Shayna bends the fingers way back, but Alexa throws knees. Shayna gets up to stand on Alexa’s head! Alexa endures, even as Shayna twists the wrist. Shayna keylocks the arm! And STOMPS it!! Alexa writhes, finally feeling pain! Nia and Reggie applaud, but crying turns to laughter again?! Shayna gets the arm, wrenches it and twists it, but Alexa overpowers her? Shayna still bends the fingers but Alexa shouts, “LOOK AT ME!” Their eyes lock, and is Alexa hypnotizing Shayna?! Shayna resists, but she let go of the hold! Alexa ROCKS her again! And then CLOBBERS her!
Alexa rallies with big forearms then a THESZ PRESS! Fast hands but Shayna shoves her away! Alexa shrieks, gets Shayna up and reels her in, SPIKE DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Shayna survives and now Alexa is throwing a tantrum! That was a glimpse of the old Alexa but she calms down to KICK Shayna right back down! Alexa storms about, runs in and SHOTGUN dropkicks Shayna out of the ring! Nia and Reggie hurry to check on Shayna, but then Nia and Alexa lock eyes. The ring count is climbing and… Is Nia going to be Alexa’s puppet now? Shayna gets in the ring at 5 of 10, and Alexa IS controlling Nia! Reggie tries to snap her out of it, but Nia is used to SLAP Reggie!!
Alexa and Nia shout, but Shayna wraps on the KIRAFUDA KLUTCH! Alexa gets free to THROAT CHOP! And… TWISTED DDT!! Alexa goes up top for TWISTED BLISS!! Cover, Alexa wins!!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall
Nia is shaking off the hypnosis and has no idea what just happened! Though, does anyone really know what happened here? Is Alexa going to make the entire Raw Women’s Division dance to her tune?
Kevin Owens VS Sami Zayn!
The Prizefighter admits that he has done awful things to people throughout his career, and the Great Liberator wants him to pay for it all! Sami claims he will triumph over the #KOConspirator with his cosmic justice, but will Sami find out that karma is a two way street?
Sami keeps his distance from Kevin before the bell, and then they start throwing hands with the bell! Kevin backs Sami down to a corner, the ref counts, and Kevin lets off at 4. Sami hurries to ropes for defense but Kevin keeps him in the ring. Kevin DECKS Sami, stomps Sami, and throws more hands! Sami flounders about but Kevin CHOPS him off his feet! Sami goes to another corner, Kevin whips him corner to corner hard, and Sami writhes about. Kevin smirks as he stalks Sami and has him up in a corner. Kevin is still gasping and coughing but he CLUBS and stomps Sami down. Kevin CHOPS Sami, whips him corner to corner hard again, and Sami bounces off buckles!
Kevin takes a second to breathe, and he double stomps Sami in a corner! Kevin gets Sami up, throws forearms, and Kevin whips Sami to ropes to CLOBBER him with an elbow! Then a BACK SENTON! Kevin again has to catch his breath but Sami gets away in that gap. Sami bails out, Kevin goes out the side and comes in around the way. Sami kicks but Kevin blocks to kick the hamstring! Kevin whips Sami into barriers, then puts him in the ring. Kevin gets on the apron but Sami gets him in the ropes with a kick! Sami fires off on Kevin now, but the ref counts. Sami lets off at 4 and Kevin sputters again. Kevin gets up and CHOPS Sami! Sami headlocks to throw a punch!
Sami stomps Kevin, brings him up and whips him to ropes to LARIAT! Kevin scrambles as Sami wants a chinlock. Sami throws clubbing crossfaces, then lets off while Kevin coughs and sputters again. Sami stands Kevin up now, reels him in, but Kevin blocks the suplex. Kevin tries a suplex, and hangs Sami out to dry! Sami flops off, Kevin runs corner to corner to corner clothesline! Kevin gasps but he comes back with a CANNONBALL! Kevin drags Sami to a cover, TWO! And now things get harder for Kevin because of his coughing and sputtering. Sami drags himself to ropes, Kevin stalks over to him.
Kevin keeps Sami from running away with a fish hook in the mouth! But Sami YANKS Kevin into the ropes! Kevin sputters as he bails out, and Sami builds speed to FLY! Tope conjilo hits but Kevin gets up as he sputters and coughs his way to the timekeeper’s area. Kevin gets in the ring, Sami sees he’s vulnerable. Sami wants after Kevin but the ref has him stay back. Kevin holds a hand, Sami wants to keep going, but the ref won’t let him. Sami doesn’t believe Kevin’s arm injury and he BOOTS Kevin down! Sami stomps Kevin over and over, the ref reprimands and Sami lets off. Kevin refuses to give up so Sami stomps him more! And rains down rights!
Kevin can only guard as Sami ground ‘n’ pounds. Sami lets off and Kevin kicks from below! Sami drops an elbow onto Kevin’s throat! Kevin bails out and is hurting all over! The ref has Sami stop and Kevin is struggling just to stand now. Kevin holds the wrist, gasps, but fires off forearms on Sami! Takedown and ground ‘n’ pound! Kevin’s fury is helping him fight through the pain, but only so much. Sami gets to a corner, Kevin stomps a mudhole into him, but lets off as the ref counts. Sami bails out, Kevin pursues and LARIATS with the good arm! Kevin refuses to stop but a ring count is climbing! Kevin gets in at 6, but goes out to SWANTONÂ onto knees!!
Sami and Kevin are both down with a new count climbing! Sami hurries to get Kevin up, in and reels him in, BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?! Kevin survives with everything that hurts and Sami is furious! Sami stalks Kevin to ropes, throws crossface forearms, but Kevin gets up to ROCK Sami with the good forearm! Kevin still hangs back but Sami goes after him with haymakers. The ref wants Sami to back off but he won’t as Kevin wobbles in the ropes. Kevin hits back now, haymakers and CHOPS on repeat! BOOT! Sami staggers into another BOOT! Sami swings but Kevin kicks! STUN- NO! HALF ‘N’ HALF!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Talk about #JustKeepFighting!
Sami hammers Kevin but Kevin back hands from below, these two won’t stop! It is a scrum and McAfee for one loves it! Sami and Kevin stop as both catch their breath, and Kevin gets to the apron. Kevin SLAPS Sami, Sami hammers and stomps Kevin off the apron! Kevin leans on the announce desk to get up while coughing and sputtering. Sami has a bloody lip, but he storms over, into a kick and STUNNER!! Kevin drags himself up with one good arm to get into the ring! The ring count is 5 of 10 and Sami is still down! Sami sits up at 7, flounders at 8, stumbles at 9, but gets in at 9.99!! Kevin would sigh if not for his hurt throat.
Sami is dazed, Kevin coughs, and yet Sami still throws a jab! Kevin HEADBUTTS Sami! And uses his shoulder! Sami throws haymakers and jabs, Kevin fires off, they’re brawling on their knees! Kevin gets the edge with so many headbutts! Kevin stomps Sami on the ropes in a rage and the ref is counting! Kevin just lets off at 4.5! Sami is half in and half out of the ring, but Kevin storms back over. Kevin drags Sami up with his good arm but Sami HOTSHOTS the bad one! Sami hurries in as Kevin is down, BLINDSIDE SHINING WIZARD! Kevin’s throat hits ropes!! Kevin staggers into a HELLUVA KICK!! Cover, Sami wins!!
Winner: Sami Zayn, by pinfall
Whether this was cosmic justice or not, this was a grudge match that was out of this world! Sami vindicates himself, but is karma far from done with these two eternal frenemies?
Raw Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley VS Charlotte Flair!
Anyone else getting deja vu? The Nightmare was NXT Women’s Champion, the Queen was incredibly confident she’d change that, and it did go the challenger’s way at WrestleMania 36. But a year has made both women stronger, tougher and meaner. There may have been distractions and detours, but these two finally meet 1v1 again. Will Rhea be living a nightmare as history repeats itself? Or will this be a redemption story for the underdog champion?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who has grown more since April of 2020!
Wait, Charlotte snatches the belt from the ref, throws it to Rhea, then DECKS her! The ref reprimands Charlotte because this is before the bell! Rhea is furious, she demands this go down, and it begins! Charlotte rolls Rhea up, TWO! Rhea gets up but into Charlotte’s BOOT! Charlotte shouts at Rhea as she bails out, “That’s why you’re number two!” Rhea fumes, the ring count begins, but Charlotte eggs Rhea on. Rhea tells her to back off, and then gets in at 6 of 10. They approach, Charlotte kicks low and goes to buckle bump but Rhea blocks to bump Charlotte! Rhea fires off hands, Charlotte ROCKS her back! It is a brawl, just like Raw! Rhea spins and back elbows!
Rhea whips Charlotte to a corner, Charlotte reverses and Rhea hits hard! Charlotte rushes in, Rhea dodges, and then Rhea BOOTS Charlotte down on the return! Rhea snarls while Charlotte checks her face. Rhea goes up top, but Charlotte kicks a leg out! Rhea tumbles to the mat and Charlotte stomps away on her! The ref counts, Charlotte lets off but then digs her boots in! The ref counts, Charlotte stops at 4 and wraps on a sleeper hold. Charlotte thrashes Rhea around but Rhea endures. Charlotte leans on the chinlock but Rhea reaches with legs. Charlotte keeps Rhea from ropes and then wrangles her back down.
Rhea keeps moving, gets up, but Charlotte throws her down by her hair! Charlotte drags Rhea back up, goes to suplex, but Rhea blocks to suplex instead! Charlotte slips out to shove Rhea into buckles! Charlotte runs and clotheslines Rhea out of the ring! Rhea crawls, Charlotte goes out and BOOTS her into barriers! Charlotte applauds herself and then puts Rhea in the ring. Cover, TWO! Another try, ONE! Another, ONE!! Charlotte has a wild grin, apparently amused by Rhea’s resilience. Charlotte drags Rhea up, KICKS her in the leg, and Rhea drags herself as she suffers a Charlie horse. Charlotte CLUBS Rhea down then dares her to get up.
Charlotte keeps kicking Rhea, has the leg and wraps it around the ropes! Charlotte pulls on the leg to go after the knee, but Rhea pulls on hair. The ref reprimands and counts, Charlotte lets off by dropping an elbow. Rhea gets to a corner, Charlotte runs in but into boots. Charlotte blocks them to ROCK Rhea again! Charlotte puts the leg on the ropes but Rhea avoids the knee drop! Charlotte hobbles into forearms! Rhea gets around Charlotte, reels her in and hits a short-arm clothesline! And another! Ripcord but Charlotte breaks free, only for Rhea to bob ‘n’ weave and HEADBUTT! Charlotte wobbles into a SUPERKICK!
Rhea has to get her bad leg moving as Charlotte goes to the apron. Rhea hobbles over, gets Charlotte up but Charlotte ROCKS her! Charlotte shoulders in but Rhea dodges, only for Charlotte to catch the kick! DRAPING KNEEBAR! The ref counts the ropebreak but Charlotte lets go at 4.5! Rhea hobbles again, but still comes back to WRECK Charlotte with a dropkick! Rhea goes out to fetch Charlotte into the ring, and then growls as she goes up the corner! Rhea climbs, leaps, and missile dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Rhea growls again as she hammers and clubs Charlotte. Rhea gets the legs, PRISM TRAP!!
Charlotte is caught, but she rolls to throw Rhea into buckles! Rhea is dazed, Charlotte pushes her out to hit NATURAL SELECTION! Cover, with legs on the ropes! TWO!?! Rhea kicks out and the ref noticed too late, Charlotte is surprised either way! Charlotte goes after Rhea again, scoops but Rhea slips out to waistlock! Charlotte elbows free, runs in but boots buckle! Rhea gets Charlotte for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Charlotte tumbles to the opposite corner and Rhea has to get her bad leg working again. Rhea runs corner to corner, but Charlotte gets her for a BACKBREAKER to BUCKLE SHOT! Rhea is dazed again as Charlotte drags her around.
Charlotte slithers to the corner and goes up top. MOONSAULT! Rhea moves but Charlotte STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!! El Idolo’s combo did not help The Queen finish this! Charlotte is after the leg, jams knee into knee and then steps through! Rhea makes it a cradle, TWO! Charlotte runs, boot feint to ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Another El Idolo move but still not a victory! Charlotte rains down forearms on Rhea, then has the leg to KICK it! Charlotte steps through but Rhea boots her to the apron. Charlotte BOOTS back, and then climbs back up. Rhea CLUBS her first! They brawl, Rhea goes after Charlotte’s legs then her shoulders!
Rhea hobbles up the corner to join Charlotte, and stands her up for a SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Rhea is writhing but also raging as Charlotte survives! Charlotte seems to be grinning through the pain, but Rhea kicks at her. Charlotte and Rhea start throwing hands as they stand and it is fast and furious! Charlotte CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! About time she uses those! Charlotte runs in but only gets buckles! Rhea pump handles for the RIPTIDE!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!! Charlotte’s ring awareness saves her and Rhea can’t believe it! Charlotte bails out as Rhea shouts in frustration. Rhea wants out after Charlotte but the ref says no.
Rhea doesn’t listen, she goes out the side. She hobbles around the way, but hobbles into a kick to the leg! Rhea hits apron on the way down, goes to the steel steps, and Charlotte dropkicks the bad leg into them! Rhea is shouting in pain as she writhes and rolls. The ring count is 8 of 10, both women get in at 9! Charlotte SPEARS Rhea down! And gets the leg, for a FIGURE FOUR! Rhea shouts at Charlotte, slaps and clubs the leg lock, but Charlotte pushes and bridges. Rhea rolls first to get the ROPEBREAK! Charlotte is frustrated and swings on Rhea, but Rhea drags Charlotte with her to the floor! Rhea is free but shouting in pain.
The ring count has started again as both women get up. Rhea goes to the announce desk, Charlotte runs at her, but Rhea YANKS the desk hood off and it hits Charlotte! The ref calls the match?!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by disqualification (Rhea Ripley retains the title)
Rhea doesn’t even understand that’s what happened, she fires off furious fists and forearms! Rhea puts Charlotte on the apron to hammer away! The ref tells her to stop, the match is done! Charlotte is pissed, too, Rhea gets in and Charlotte tackles her! They just want to fight!! Charlotte claims that DQ was on purpose, but Rhea throws her into buckles! Rhea hobbles up, gets Charlotte in the pump handle, for a RIPTIDE!! Charlotte recovers as Rhea leaves, and while Charlotte says, “You’re learning!” Rhea says, “Just doing what you would do to me!” The Raw Women’s Championship remains with the Nightmare, but will the controversy only keep the door open to the Queen?
WWE World Championship Hell in a Cell Match: Bobby Lashley VS Drew McIntyre!
The Rocky Mountain Machine wants to be done with the Scottish Warrior, and the feeling is mutual. To make it worth both men’s time, they each added a stipulation. McIntyre put this match inside the devil’s playground, but Lashley says that when McIntyre loses, McIntyre can no longer challenge for the world title while it belongs to Lashley! Is that motivation enough for McIntyre to reach the top a third time? Or is there no stopping the All Mighty?
The Cell touches down again, the introductions are made and the title is raised as we see how it all ends for these two titans!
MVP promises this ends tonight for McIntyre as McIntyre and Lashley stare down. They get face to face but then Lashley bails out to go looking under the ring! McIntyre goes after Lashley with haymakers and elbows! McIntyre whips Lashley into the steel, then digs his face into it! Lashley can only endure as McIntyre brings him around for more haymakers. McIntyre hauls Lashley up to RAM him into steel! McIntyre scowls as he brings Lashley around the way and POSTS him! McIntyre gets the steel steps, raises them high overhead, but Lashley kicks his leg out! The steps drop, Lashley RAMS McIntyre into the Cell! Lashley digs his knee into McIntyre’s head to push him into the steel!
Lashley drags McIntyre up, MVP nods and Lashley goes to suplex. McIntyre blocks, to suplex and TOSS Lashley into steel! Lashley tumbles down, MVP checks on him through the fencing, but McIntyre goes back for the steps! McIntyre RAMS Lashley down with them! Lashley is in a daze as McIntyre dares him to get up. McIntyre RAMS Lashley again! McIntyre puts the steps aside to bring Lashley back up. McIntyre puts Lashley in the ring, drags him up again, and underhooks the arms! Lashley wrenches out to ROCK him with a right! But McIntyre BOOTS back! McIntyre hauls Lashley up, clinches and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes!
Lashley flounders out of the ring, McIntyre pursues and MVP hurries to coach Lashley from outside. McIntyre gets a kendo stick and SMACKS Lashley down! McIntyre gets Lashley up and uses the kendo stick in a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP into the steel! Lashley crawls but McIntyre gets a TABLE! McIntyre stands the table up in a corner of the Cell, but MVP slips his cane into the Cell! Lashley gets it to CANE SHOT McIntyre in the throat! And again! Lashley looms over McIntyre as McIntyre gasps for air. Lashley drags McIntyre back up, and RAMS McIntyre into the steel now! Lashley digs his boots into McIntyre then lets off.
McIntyre sputters and hobbles, MVP tells Lashley to stomp McIntyre out! Lashley RAMS McIntyre into the apron, then RAMS him into steel! They go to the base steps, Lashley gets McIntyre up but McIntyre shoves Lashley into the post! McIntyre fireman’s carries, shifts position, AIR RAID CRASH to the STEPS!! MVP panics as he sees his champion down! McIntyre steps up and over Lashley to go looking under the ring. McIntyre finds another table! McIntyre sets this table up near the ring, then fetches Lashley. McIntyre throws punches, dribbles Lashley off the steel over and over and over, then lets him flop to the floor!
Lashley flounders, McIntyre gets him up again, and brings him around the steps. McIntyre lines things up but Lashley throat chops again! MVP tells Lashley to catch his breath quick so he can go after McIntyre more. Lashley gets McIntyre up for headbutt after headbutt after headbutt! Both men are down, exhausted, but Lashley gets up to bring McIntyre around the way. Lashley whips McIntyre into the steel, but McIntyre rebounds to CLOBBER Lashley! McIntyre gets Lashley up and bumps him off the top half of the steel steps. McIntyre puts Lashley in the ring, brings out chairs and shouts, “We’re just getting started!”
McIntyre puts three chairs in the ring, takes one and wedges it in a corner. McIntyre runs at Lashley but gets an elbow for it! McIntyre staggers, gets through a boot to elbow back, and has Lashley’s legs! INVERTED ALABAMA SLAM onto a chair! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre is frustrated but he keeps his focus as he gets the other chair. McIntyre SMACKS Lashley on the back! Lashley crawls, McIntyre goes up top with a chair, for a FLYING CHAIR- NO! Lashley catches McIntyre and wants the full nelson! McIntyre runs at a corner and uses the buckle to knock Lashley away! SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife cover, TWO!!
But McIntyre gets Lashley right up for a SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Lashley lives and McIntyre is a bit surprised. McIntyre watches Lashley crawl and MVP is stressing out. McIntyre KICKS Lashley out of the ring! McIntyre taunts Lashley to show how badass he is, and then he kicks Lashley down the way. McIntyre gets the steel steps again, takes aim, and RAMS him again! Lashley flounders, McIntyre lifts the steps, but Lashley RAMS them into McIntyre’s face, and steel fencing! And then again! And again! Lashley pushes the steps aside so he can hammer away on McIntyre’s head, and CHOKE him! Lashley lets off as MVP continues to sing his praises!
Lashley finds the kendo stick and brings it over to McIntyre. McIntyre sits up in a daze, MVP says this is what McIntyre asked for! Lashley passes the stick to MVP, and MVP uses the stick to wedge McIntyre into the corner! McIntyre is still defiant with double middle fingers! Lashley fires off haymakers in a rage! And chokes McIntyre against the kendo stick! And fires off body shots! Lashley roars right in McIntyre’s face, then gets space. McIntyre breaks free of the stick! But he runs into a COMPLETE SHOT! MVP says that they hurt McIntyre, and now they will finish him! Lashley puts McIntyre in the ring, and gets one of the chairs.
Lashley sits the chair up, gets McIntyre up, FULL METAL COMPLETE SHOT! McIntyre somehow sits up, but Lashley gives him another FULL METAL COMPLETE SHOT! Lashley doesn’t end it here, he goes to get something more. MVP likes that, he wants Lashley to punish McIntyre! Lashley has a new kendo stick and he SMACKS McIntyre! And again! And again! Lashley eggs McIntyre on as he SMACKS him, and McIntyre is getting mad! McIntyre stands up, and blocks the stick! GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT! Lashley staggers, McIntyre has a chair and he JAMS Lashley! Lashley pokes McIntyre in the eye! Lashley ducks the blind chair shot, and shoves McIntyre into the ref!
Lashley whips McIntyre at his own corner chair, but McIntyre reverses to RAM Lashley into it!! McIntyre gets Lashley turned around, FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, but the ref can’t call it!! McIntyre sees this, and shouts to another ref to get in as substitute! The ref obeys, opening the cage door. Lashley gets the HURT LOCK! McIntyre fights, arm-drags free, an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes Lashley! Another chair, another JAB and SMACK! Chair TOSS! Lashley flounders, into a CLAYMORE!!! Cover, but where is the ref? There he is! But MVP drags the ref out to stop the count!! Opening the Cell let MVP in, too!
McIntyre glares a hole through MVP and MVP talks trash, but the door is relocked! MVP realizes he’s trapped! He turns around into McIntyre’s hands! McIntyre dribbles MVP around ringside! McIntyre shoves MVP into the ring, and aims from a corner. CLAYMORE FOR MVP!! Montel Vontavious Porter pays for his role in all this, but McIntyre isn’t done. McIntyre has MVP on the outside and is shouting in his face how MVP has brought this upon himself. But Lashley sneaks up behind! HURT LOCK!! McIntyre rams Lashley into steel over and over but he’s still stuck! McIntyre keeps going, they both GO THROUGH THE TABLE!! The one McIntyre left in a corner finally comes into play!!
McIntyre drags himself out of the wreckage, drags Lashley up out of the same wreckage, and they get in the ring. McIntyre drags Lashley to center, but he wants to make Lashley suffer now. Lashley crawls, McIntyre SMACKS him with the chair! Lashley snarls at McIntyre so McIntyre SMACKS him again and again and again! McIntyre aims from a corner, Lashley flounders up, CLAY- NO! Lashley ducks and avoids the kick! McIntyre ends up on the apron, Lashley hurries over and POSTS McIntyre, then CHOKE SLAMS him through the other table!! Lashley goes out after McIntyre to get him up and into the ring again.
Lashley doesn’t bother with a pin here, he wants to finish this off with his one-shot-kill. McIntyre drags himself up, Lashley runs in, but the Spear gets buckles! Backslide, TWO!!! GLASGOW KISS! Lashley staggers, McIntyre gets him up, FUTURE SHOCK DDT!! But McIntyre won’t end it here, and he takes aim from the corner again. Lashley stands, but MVP anchors McIntyre’s foot! Lashley rolls McIntyre up and pulls tights! Lashley wins!!!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall (still WWE World Champion)
THIS is how the All Mighty defeats the Scottish Warrior?! If not for MVP, Lashley wouldn’t have lasted this long! But sadly, a win is a win, and a loss is a loss. McIntyre is BLOCKED from challenging for the world title so long as the Lashley has it! And with an insurance policy like MVP, will Lashley ever lose it?
My Thoughts:
Well, another Hell in a Cell, another mixed bag of results. Firstly, for the kickoff show, I did like that Sonya stuck around a bit more, certainly to talk the three women’s matches, but I feel like she still could’ve given general predictions for the men’s matches. It’s not like the men on the panel only talked about the men’s matches and stayed quiet during the women’s matches. If we’re talking equality, let Sonya at least give her ideas on one of the grudge matches we had. The kickoff match being a singles match was actually the best move given how depleted Vince has made the RawDown Women’s Tag Division. The champs, Sexy Muscle Friends and ShayNia are the only teams right now after all the releases, they gotta stretch things out.
Opening with the SmackDown Women’s Championship HIAC made 111% sense to sandwich the show with HIAC matches, and this one was a great one. There was a lot of creativity just on how Bayley and Bianca used Bianca’s braid, and they managed to use the Cell just enough to justify it being there. Honestly, if this were Extreme Rules and not HIAC, I could’ve seen them do a lot of the same spots, like the hair tied to ropes or chairs. But whatever, WWE will do what it wants. Bianca retaining also makes 111% sense, she is building up to be stronger and stronger. Money in the Bank is next, it’ll be the first one with live fans, I’m thinking Bianca will retain there, too.
I almost thought they were going to schedule all the SmackDown matches in a row and then do all the Raw matches in a row, but I suppose a slight shuffle was good enough. Cesaro VS Rollins was on par with their WrestleMania 37 match, maybe a touch better given the story of them knowing each other’s moves better now. Rollins winning and in an inconclusive cradle counter was the right call. These two could easily make it a best of 5, or at least use MITB as part of the story. Perhaps even the rumored return of King of the Ring? They meet in the SmackDown bracket finals, and whoever wins probably defeats even the Raw finalist.
Alexa VS Shayna, and by proxy taking on Reggie and Nia, was certainly more an interesting segment than a good match. There were elements to the in-ring action that made Twisted Alexa feel almost literally like The Fiend, which is still a good thing, but I’m surprised they went away from Reggie as the puppet to Nia. It does make more sense, though, as Alexa would want the strongest one under her power. I wonder if Shayna and Reggie will have to put aside their differences to keep Nia from becoming Lily’s human host body. It seems just the right balance of hokey and actual quality story telling that is WWE’s wheelhouse.
Sami VS Kevin was an awesome match, even without it being in the Cell. We all know Kevin was selling bad throat, but I hope he was also selling bad arm. It didn’t seem to come up that naturally, even with Sami’s tope conjilo landing on him hard. An injury now would really derail this awesome story. Assuming Kevin is good to go, we’re going to get plenty of gloating from Sami and then Kevin will go after him, claiming it is karma back on him. They, too, could even look to use MITB or KOTR to settle this if WWE really wanted fans to show up/tune in for summer SmackDowns.
What was really awkward for this year’s HIAC was for the last two matches, both belonging to Raw we should note, having dirtied up finishes. Everything about the main event was awesome up until the “controversy.” Granted, HIAC matches have no disqualifications, but Lashley doesn’t come out looking that strong when MVP had to help him multiple times. Though to counter back again, this is no worse than Roman Reigns as Universal Champion, really. Could be why Roman’s stopped needing Jey to help, Roman needs to look stronger than other top champions so he stops cheating to win while they start cheating to win. Guess I have to commend Vince on some shrewd tactics there.
I do think Rhea VS Charlotte, being an awesome match, actually benefits in their story for having the Champion’s Advantage finish. Rhea hasn’t had much going for her, so that her beating Charlotte clean almost seems the less interesting move. The brutality continuing after the bell and that little bit of verbal exchange as Rhea left both add some depth back into the story and to Rhea’s character. I don’t think there’ll be a double turn, Charlotte is having too much fun being Cruella da Heel. But if Rhea is becoming a savvier Face, maybe even a Tweener, it could really lend to Rhea taking on anyone and everyone (that Raw has left) over the summer.
My Score: 8.7/10
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The Maniac takes on the Powerhouse!
In the wake of AEW Dynasty, in perhaps Will Hobbs’ biggest match, he takes on IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Jon Moxley! Will the Don Callis Family have even more gold?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW World Championship Eliminator: Swerve Strickland VS Kyle Fletcher; Swerve wins and denies Fletcher a title match.
- Mina Shirakawa w/ Mariah May VS Anna Jay; Mina wins.
- Casino Gauntlet: Will Ospreay wins and will challenge for the AEW International Championship at Double or Nothing.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs; Moxley wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Elite arrives at Daily’s Place.
They roll up together in the same SUV, showing off all their gold, from Kazuchika Okada still being the AEW Continental Champion to The Young Bucks being the NEW AEW World Tag Team Champions. Matthew congratulates The Rainmaker, and says he is so proud. Nicholas says he is proud of being the first-ever THREE-TIME AEW World Tag Team Champions. Wait, who is this pulling up next? It’s JACK PERRY! He just smiles at the cameraman, and Matt says alright, gentlemen, it’s a big night! They head in, but then security flags Jack down, saying he can’t be here.
Matt has security stop there, Jack is with The Elite. Hands off the merchandise. And cameraman, stick with The Elite, they’ve got some business to attend to. The Scapegoat walks with The Elite, just what will they do on this Homecoming night?
Orange Cassidy is here!
Daily’s Place fires up as Freshly Squeezed makes his way out, or rather is TOSSED out by Trent Beretta! Trent’s modified the old T-Shirt so it now reads, “Trent & Orange w/ Chuck Taylor win the big one.” Trent DECKS Cassidy down the ramp while fans boo the further betrayal! Trent DECKS Cassidy again, and Cassidy flops into the ring! Trent rains down fists, soaks up the heat, and then he gets a mic. “Chuck. Chuck, it’s time. Please get out here.” Trent waits, but tells the fans they have no idea what they’re talking about so please. Chuck walks out on stage and Trent apologizes? He is sorry…Â that he didn’t do this a long time ago!
Trent is sorry that Best Friends spent five YEARS hugging a narcissistic p*ick! Cassidy was brought in here to be their sidekick, yet somehow he made Best Friends into his lackies! Best Friends fought for Cassidy, protected him, did EVERYTHING for him, and yet Cassidy gave them NOTHING! Cassidy does NOT care about Chuck! Cassidy is NOT his friend! Trent looms over Cassidy while the fans rally for “FRESHLY SQUEEZED! FRESHLY SQUEEZED!” Trent tells Chuck that Trent cares about him. Trent IS Chuck’s friend. So please… Do the right thing and give the people what they want. Trent tosses the mic to Chuck so he can respond.
Trent holds his arms open, and then Chuck holds his arms open, to then stop and say he always thought Trent was a POS! Chuck DECKS Trent!! Trent tumbles away, gets back up, but avoids Chuck’s haymaker! The Kentucky Gentleman tells Trent he knows that they won’t clear Chuck for a fight in this ring. But Chuck doesn’t wanna fight in this ring, he wants to fight in the damn parking lot!! The fans go nuts hearing that! Trent shakes his head, but will he have no choice but to fight his former Best Friend?
Jon Moxley speaks.
“I am confident tonight that I will defend successfully my IWGP Championship, but I don’t want you to mistake that for arrogance, or ignorance, or an underestimation of my opponent, ‘Powerhouse’ Hobbs. I know exactly who ‘Powerhouse’ Hobbs is, what he’s capable of. A truck of a man who hits like one, too. Born and bred with a killer instinct, an instinct I can see and smell from a mile away. I’m acutely aware of what’s at stake tonight. I know it’ll only take one mistake for my entire world to come crashing down around me. And I know that this Callis Family put a hit out on my friend, so I know just how far they’re willing to go to get an edge to win.
“But nobody knows better than me what it takes to get to the top. More importantly, what it takes to stay at the top. So I know, honestly, for me, tonight’s gonna suck. It’s gonna be a walk through Hell. A march through mud and fire, slings and arrows, a march through Hell. But there’s no place I’d rather be, there’s no better way to feel alive. I don’t play golf, man. This is pro-wrestling, this is the king of sports, the greatest thing int he world. And tonight, I’m gonna remind the world just who I am, in case they’ve forgotten. When all the oxygen is pulled out of Powerhouse’s lungs and his carcass hits the canvas, they’re gonna feel it, from Jacksonville to Tokyo!”
The Maniac heads out, but will the Book of Hobbs’ next chapter be written in gold?
AEW World Championship Eliminator: Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS Kyle Fletcher w/ Don Callis!
Whose Dynasty? SWERVE’S DYNASTY! Because The Realest did dethrone the One True King of Wrestling Television to become the NEW AEW World Champion! Prince Nana leads the way with his dance as Swerve looks to be a fighting champion! Will Swerve snipe the Aussie Arrow? Or will the Don Callis Family already have a win on a world champion to start the night?
The bell rings and the fans rally for Swerve as he stares Kyle down. They circle, get face to face, talk some trash, and then Swerve goes for a leg! Kyle facelocks to fight the takedown, then slips around to a waistlock. Swerve switches and hammerlocks, but Kyle reaches back to headlock. Swerve cranks the hammerlock, but Kyle reaches for legs. Kyle manages to switch, snapmare and then ghost pin, TWO! Kyle headlocks but Swerve slips right out to hammerlock again. Swerve grinds Kyle down but Kyle fights to the ROPEBREAK. Swerve lets off and waits on Kyle. Kyle stands, the two reset, and they tie up again.
Swerve headlocks, Kyle powers up and puts Swerve on ropes. The ref counts, Kyle lets off but then takes a swing! Swerve ducks the chop, snapmares Kyle down and slips around to roll Kyle to a cradle, TWO! Kyle hurries after a leg, but Swerve spins around, victory roll and step over, SHORT ARM SCISSOR! Kyle scrambles around to stack, TWO! Swerve gets up, Kyle goes for a leg, but Swerve steps over. Kyle dodges the dropkick, but then Swerve avoids the Penalty Kick! Both men block the other’s kick, and the fans fire up as they both let off. The two reset, the fans rally for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Swerve and Kyle circle, Kyle kicks but Swerve blocks, only for Kyle to ROCK Swerve with a forearm. Kyle whips, Swerve goes up and over then JUMP SOBATS! The fans fire up as Kyle sputters, and then Swerve UPPERCUTS, snapmares, and goes up to FALLING UPPERCUT! Swerve hits the Griddy and the fans fire up! Swerve says “DU~VAL~!” and the fans echo it. Swerve goes for Kyle but Kyle gets to ropes. Swerve waits on Kyle, goes for an arm, wrenches, but Kyle whips Swerve out! Kyle runs to CALF KICK Swerve to the floor! The fans boo but Kyle snarls and Swerve checks his arm. Kyle goes out after Swerve, brings him around, but tells Nana to back off.
Swerve BACK DROPS Kyle away! Kyle writhes, Swerve goes to the apron and he tells fans to pay attention, get off their phones. PENALTY KICK and Kyle goes down! The fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Swerve struts around before he fetches Kyle, and whips him into railing! Swerve again tells fans to watch the show, not their phones. He fist bumps the front row, gets Kyle back up, and pushes him into the ring. Swerve has Kyle on the apron to CLUB him. Swerve then stalks Kyle to a corner, ROCKS him, then has him on ropes. Swerve UPPERCUTS Kyle, whips him to ropes, but Kyle reverses to scoop and SLAM! Swerve writhes while Kyle mockingly shouts, “Whose house?!” Kyle even gets on a corner to soak up the heat and tell Jacksonville up theirs! Kyle goes back to Swerve, Swerve throws body shots, but then Kyle swings. Swerve blocks to fire more body shots!
Swerve turns Kyle for a NECKBREAKER! Swerve drags Kyle around, covers, TWO! Kyle is still in this but Swerve clamps onto him with an armlock and chinbar. Swerve grinds his elbow into Kyle’s face, then grabs the other arm. Swerve wrangles Kyle into a CAMEL CLUTCH, but then makes it a SLEEPER STRETCH! Kyle still endures, fights free, and Dynamite returns to single picture as he stands. Kyle fires body shots, but Swerve grabs the arm. Kyle KICKS and KICKS but Swerve blocks, slips around, LEG CAPTURE BACKBREAKER! Swerve again grinds on the arms, pulls on back, but Kyle slips through to arm-drag free!
Swerve has the wristlock but Kyle fires forearm after forearm! Swerve swings, Kyle swats it to SLAP Swerve! Kyle whips, Swerve flips up and around but Kyle SUPERKICKS him! Then scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! A camera is backstage, and we see The Elite plus Jack Perry walking right up to Tony Khan’s office. Matthew doesn’t even knock as he leads the way right in. In the ring, Swerve and Kyle rise while the fans rally up. Swerve goes to ropes, Kyle runs in, but is put on the apron! Kyle waistlocks to drag Swerve out, and half nelsons! Swerve fights that, slips around, APRON NECKBREAKER!
The fans rally for Swerve while he shakes out his arm, then he encourages them to get louder. Swerve goes up the corner, Kyle slowly sits up, APRON KILL STOMPS!! Swerve clutches a leg, that was a risky move that may have been double-edged! Swerve walks off the pain and fans rally up. Swerve pushes Kyle into the ring, hurries to another corner, and then runs up, HOUSE- NO, Kyle catches the foot! ANKLE LOCK!! Kyle THRASHES the foot but Swerve endures! The fans rally for Swerve as he fights around, reaches out, but Kyle drags him away from ropes! GRAPEVINE!! Swerve is caught, and Kyle is even stomping Swerve’s back!
Swerve endures, the fans are thunderous, and Swerve crawls to the ROPEBREAK! Kyle lets go but keeps his eyes on Swerve. Kyle brings Swerve around to KICK him in the chest! And KICK him again! And KIJCK again, but Swerve blocks! Swerve ROCKS Kyle, Kyle ROLLING ELBOWS! Swerve MULE KICKS, HAYMAKERS, and whips to HIP TOSS! Roll through to the deadlift, but the bad foot holds Swerve back! Kyle suplexes, Swerve slips around and half nelsons but Kyle breaks that. Swerve still O’Conner Rolls so that he can BOOT from below! Kyle wobbles, into the SOMERSAULT FLATLINER! Swerve rolls through again, for the BRAINBUSTER!
The fans fire up as Swerve crawls back to cover, TWO!! Kyle survives and Swerve is frustrated. Swerve snarls, drags Kyle up for a gut wrench, but Kyle flails and kicks his way to turn it around! But then Swerve flails and kicks to turn it back around! So Kyle drops, victory roll and deadlift, into the JUMPING TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives and now Kyle is frustrated! Kyle pounds the mat, Callis tells him number four, and Kyle nods. Kyle goes outside, looks under the ring, but then shakes his head. Kyle doesn’t wanna do number four, he awnts to do it his way! GAMANGIRI! He puts Swerve up top and climbs!
Kyle has Swerve up on the very top, lifts, but Swerve fights! Swerve throws body shots, haymakers, and then he ROCKS Kyle! Kyle ends up in the Tree of Woe, and Swerve hits WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!!! Kyle survives but Swerve just reloads! HOUSE CALL!! Cover, Swerve wins!!
Winner: Swerve Strickland, by pinfall (denies Kyle Fletcher a title opportunity)
The Realest crosses Kyle off the list, and Callis is disappointed Kyle didn’t play things how he wanted. Are tensions rising in the Don Callis Family? Who will be next to step to Swerve’s Dynasty?
BREAKING NEWS for Dynamite!
As AEW returns to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, so will The Cleaner! Kenny Omega finally makes his way back to Dynamite, what will he have to say about The Bucks’ new Elite?
Backstage interview with Thunder Rosa.
Renee Paquette is with La Mera Mera and notes her being so close to winning the AEW Women’s World Championship, only to fall short. What does Rosa feel went wrong out there? Rosa says she can either stand here and complain about what happened, or she can move on. Honestly, Rosa could bring up who Deonna Purrazzo again got involved in her business, or how “Antonia Tormenta” kicked Rosa in the ovarios. But she won’t. She’s just proud of herself for- Oh, wait, Deonna walks in. The Virtuosa doesn’t get it. Rosa says she doesn’t wanna talk about Deonna, yet all she does is say her name!
Deonna dares Rosa to say things to her face, and Rosa tells Deonna en Espanol that she’s already told her before. The two start shoving, security rushes in, will we see these two have it out before one of them goes back for Toni Storm?
Mina Shirakawa w/ Mariah May VS Anna Jay!
Speaking of Toni Storm, her protege’s old mentor has been coming around AEW & ROH more and more, mostly because of Mariah May. Will Stardom’s Fighting H Cup Idol prove she’s elite? Or will Anna remind us she’s still the Star of the Show?
The bell rings and the two circle. They approach, Anna dodges and she takes a bow. The fans cheer, but Mina says okay, c’mon now. Then Mina dodges and shimmies! Anna mockingly applauds before she BOOTS Mina down! Anna brings Mina up to fire off forearms, then shows off her assets. Anna runs, but Mina dropkicks the legs out! Mina then runs to SHOTGUN Anna down! Mina grabs a leg to SMASH the knee! Mina steps over to SPLASH onto the leg, then struts around. The fans fire up as Mina brings Anna up, ties up the legs, and then DOUBLE KNEE SMASHES! Mina gets the legs again, steps through, but Anna kicks her away.
Anna runs in but Mina dodges in the corner. Mina ducks a forearm, ROCKS Anna with a forearm, then goes up to REBOUND ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Mina stays on Anna while the fans rally. Mina dragon sleepers, but Anna fight the suplex! Anna swings, Mina dodges and tilt-o-whirls, to then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Mina drags Anna by her leg, drops an elbow on the knee, and then another! And then another! And another! Mina shakes it up again and the fans cheer as she drops one more elbow! Mina steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Anna endures, crawls, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Mina lets go and Anna goes to the apron.
Mina lines up a shot, runs in, but Anna ducks to CLAW the eyes! Anna brings Mina into the ropes, give her a kiss right in front of Mariah, and HOTSHOT NECKBREAKERS! Mariah is upset but has to stay back, and Anna goes in to cover, TWO! Mina hangs in there while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Anna CHOKES Mina, lets off as the ref counts, and then she drags Mina up. Mariah says boo Anna, but Anna puts Mina in a corner. Anna digs her boot in, lets off as the ref counts, and Mina sputters as Anna brings her around. Anna ROCKS Mina, brings her around and bumps her off buckles. The fans rally, Anna CHOPS Mina, then she struts. But Mina runs up to ROCK Anna! Anna CLUBS Mina, then pushes her around. Anna stands on Mina but that’s a CHOKE! The ref counts, Anna steps away, and she blows kisses at everyone. Anna brings Mina up, to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Anna is frustrated but she brings Mina back to ropes.
Anna CHOKES Mina more, taunting Mariah to reach out, then Anna steps off as the ref counts. Mina coughs, Anna brings her up, but Mina fires body shots! Anna CLUBS Mina and has her in a corner. Anna drags Mina up, CHOKES her more, but the ref counts. Anna lets off, Mina coughs and sputters, but Anna soaks up the heat. Anna drags Mina up, cravats and snapmares, then clamps on a FULL NELSON! Mina endures, fights around, and Mariah cheers Mina on as she fights up. Mina throws elbows to fight the hold, but Anna holds tight! Dynamite returns to single picture as Mina breaks free and ROCKS Anna!
Anna comes back to ROCK Mina, but Mina ROCKS Anna again! The fans rally as the forearms go back and forth! Anna gest the edge, runs, but into a ROLLING ELBOW! Anna stands, into Mina’s URAKEN! Anna flounders to a corner, Mina roars and runs in, but Anna puts her on the apron! Mina knuckle locks, ROCKS and climbs up to FALLING KNEE DROP onto Anna! Cover, TWO!! Anna survives but Mina keeps her focus. Mina ROCKS Anna again, brings her in, but Anna wrenches out of the suplex to HOOK KICK! Then Gory Especial, GORY BOMB! Shoutout to Tay and Anna covers, TWO!!
Anna is beside herself but Mariah is also worried. Anna brings Mina up but Mina fights the STO! Mina gets free, blocks a kick, and DRAGON SCREWS! Then she steps through on the legs, FIGURE FOUR! The fans “WOO~” but Anna endures and fights to the ROPEBREAK! Mina lets go fast to go up a corner. MISSILE DROPKICK! Anna staggers back up, into the GLAMOROUS SWORD! Cover, TWO!! Anna survives Mina’s enzigiri but Mina drags her into the dragon sleeper! GLAM- NO, Anna slips free to have the QUEENSLAYER!! Mina flails, reaches out, but Anna is too busy staring down Mariah! Mina wrenches out to wrangle Anna!
Mina hooks legs, GLAMOROUS COLLECTION MINA! MINA WINS!!
Winner: Mina Shirakawa, by pinfall
Anna got cocky and got caught! Mariah brings in the champagne and glasses, and they toast the victory! But then Anna CLOBBERS Mariah and DECKS Mina! The fans are torn as Anna puts the QUEENSLAYER on Mariah!! Mariah flails, but here comes Toni Storm! The champ runs Anna off to protect her protege! “How DARE~ you!” Storm checks on Mariah, but wait! SERENA DEEB is here! The Professor of Professional Wrestling is looking rather glamorous herself as she struts out, tosses Storm’s shoes aside, and looks at the AEW Women’s World Championship! Deeb sits down beside it on the ramp and has the camera come in close.
Deeb says she could hold the title up, but she won’t. Because instead, she’s going to make the AEW Women’s Division a promise: the next time she holds the belt, it will truly belong to her as the NEW AEW Women’s World Champion. Deeb is undefeated, will she remain that way all the way through dethroning Timeless Toni Storm?
Kris Statlander & Stokely Hathaway are in the ring.
Dynamite returns as the Galaxy’s Greatest and #BigStoke are here, balloons at all the corners of the ring, and the fans cheering them on. Stokely says, “In 1977, Bill Withers created one of the greatest songs of all time, Lovely Day. And that’s exactly how I felt when one of my best friends became TBS Champion at Dynasty!” The fans cheer that! Stokely wants to know, is Jacksonville ready to partaaay~?! They sure sound like it! Stokely says Caprice Coleman is on commentary, Krissy Stat is right here, and she says this one’s for Willow.
“She is the Babe with the Power, and we are here to give her her flowers She reminds us that nothing matters and to smile anyway, because every time we see her, she brightens our day. I’m standing her in silver because she is our gold. And now, she has the TBS Championship to hold.” Stoke says with all due disrespect, that was two packs of ass! So let’s just bring out the NEW Face of TBS, “HOO! HOO!” WILLOW~ NIGHTINGALE! Coleman sings along with the theme song just like in ROH, and the Babe with the Championship makes her entrance. Willow gets the mic, Stokely says when this whole thing to started, he didn’t like her. Well she didn’t like him, either.
Stokely says Willow was like a fungus that they couldn’t cut off. But look at them now! Willow earned that title, and they are proud of her! Willow thanks Stokely and Kris, and is proud of herself, too. Because tonight in JACKSONVILLE~, the very place where she hit the big time. She’ll take us back to Spring of 2020. Willow was right here, in the front row, trying to get her big break. Then in 2022, she was in the ring, Tony Schiavone stepped in to join her, and on that big tron, we saw the graphic: Willow is All Elite! But tonight, Willow isn’t trying to catch a break, she is not a rookie. She is THE FACE OF TBS!! WHAT WHAT!
But wait, here comes The CEO. Mercedes Mone again steps on Willow’s moment, just like she did at Dynasty. But it’s already obvious why as she struts her way to the ring. Mone gets her own mic while the fans chant “C E O! C E O!” Mone tells “Jacksonviiiiille~” to say hello to the C E O. Willow tells Mone this has to be like the fourth time she’s done this. And this is Willow’s time! So it just feels like if Mone has something to say, then go ahead and say it. Mone says she just wanted to congratulate Willow! And to enjoy the celebration now, because in just 23 days, at Double or Nothing, you will be looking at the NEW Face of TBS, Mercedes Mone.
The fans are torn, but Mone says she just wanted to ask if Willow was the b*tch who attacked her in the dark two weeks ago! What? Why would she? Kris steps up to tell Mone that Willow got attacked just last week, so how do we know Mone didn’t do that? Well how do we know it wasn’t Kris?! They argue, Stokely speaks up and says while he hates getting up in women’s business, we all know it was Julia Hart. Willow says even before this whodunnit, it feels like there’s been a personal vendetta against her. Does Mone really think Willow meant to injure Sasha during the NJPW Women’s Tournament? Stokely says of course Mone thinks that, but then Kris shuts him up.
Mone asks Willow if she really just asked if Mone blames Willow for almost ending her career. Is Willow really asking if Mone blames Willow for all the pain and suffering Mone went through? Is Willow really asking if Mone was blaming Willow for taking away the one thing Mone loves most for a whole year? Willow doesn’t want the truth, she just wants to feel better about what she did to Mone. Willow says she genuinely feels so awful what happened. But there were a lot of questions and doubts for her, too. She went to hotel room, she looked at the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship, and she should’ve been smiling.
But the whole time, she wondered to herself, “Could I have beaten Mercedes Mone at 100%?” And then the next day, Willow saw everyone saying that online. She heard the locker room saying it! And so that NJPW Strong Women’s title reign has quite the asterisk next to it. But THIS title reign? This? There is NOT asterisk next to this! The fans fire up for that! So at Double or Nothing, Mone, Willow wants you at 100%! Because Willow wants to show Mone that she CAN beat her, and why Willow IS TBS Champion. The fans fire up for that! Mone says to enjoy it while she can, because they both know deep down, Willow CAN’T beat Mone.
The fans are torn as the two stare down, and then Mone says bye. Kris grabs at Mone, Mone turns around and mistakenly SLAPS Willow!! Kris has to stop Willow from retaliating, and then refs get out there to stop it! Kris’s mistake only just turned up the heat on this one! Will there be no holding back from the CEO or the Babe with the Power when it’s Double or Nothing?
Alex Marvez waits outside Tony Khan’s office.
Jack Perry is the first to exit and Marvez says they’ve been in there a long time. Is Jack reinstated in AEW? Jack doesn’t answer and moves on, so Marvez asks “Okada-san” if that’s the case. The Rainmaker just pats Marvez on the shoulder and follows Jack. Nicholas, is Jack All Elite again? Matthew, please, Marvez needs the scoop! Is Jack Perry once again in AEW? Matt wishes he had a better scoop for Marvez, but things are still uncertain. One thing Matt will tell Marvez is… Tony Khan literally just agreed to talk with Jack in the ring, live here tonight. That’s still a pretty big scoop! Will TK bring the Scapegoat back into the fold?
Casino Gauntlet!
AEW shuffles the deck and puts a golden opportunity for Double or Nothing on the line! This isn’t your typical gauntlet, either! It is “sudden death,” so anyone that scores a pinfall or submission wins, BUT! There are also timed intervals, so more and more competitors will be added, meaning things can get really crazy really quickly. One way or another, the AEW International Champion will have a new challenger, but who will it be when it’s the luck of the draw?
First out, it’s King Switch! Jay White leads Austin & Colten Gunn out as the NEW unified AEW & ROH World Trios Champions, but will Bullet Club Gold be adding even more gold to the collection? Second out, Top Flight’s Dante Martin! Will Angel Dorado get himself a golden ticket instead?
Jay White VS Dante Martin!
The bell rings, the two circle, and they tie up. White pulls hair to put Dante in the corner, but Dante slips free. They circle again, Dante waistlocks but White switches. White headlocks, Dante powers up but can’t power out as White holds on. White wrenches to wristlock, but Dante flips through and breaks free. White CHOPS, then CHOPS, then CHOPS again! Dante is stinging, the fans “WOO~” and White says guns up! White whips, runs in, but Dante slips out to the apron! Dante then goes up and around, GAMANGIRIS, then springboards. White gets under, Dante comes back, and turns hip toss into RANA! Then he DROPKICKS White down! Cover, TWO!
White bails out, Dante builds speed, and Dante FLIES, but has to handspring through as White moves! White CHOPS, CHOPS, and then brings Dante around. APRON- NO, Dante slips free of the suplex to JUMP KNEE! Dante puts White in, hurries to the apron, and then slingshots to roll, only for White to catch him! EXPLODERÂ out of the ring! But here comes the third man, PENTA EL ZERO MIEDO! The Man with No Fear now makes this a Triple Threat, will he be able to survive these odds?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo!
White storms up but Penta GAMANGIRIS him away! Penta goes up the corner, leaps, CROSSBODY! Penta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges then SLINGBLADES! Dante returns, but into a SLINGBLADE! Penta whips Dante corner to corner but Dante reverses. Penta SUPERKICKS back, then pops Dante up on the corner, for another SUPERKICK! Dante wobbles into Penta’s fireman’s carry, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Penta spins for the SWINGING DEATH VALLEY! Penta then goes back to a corner, climbs up, but White SHOVES Him to the ramp! White then runs up, fireman’s carries, but Penta fights free! And SUPERKICKS! White flops to the apron, Penta uses him as a step to get up and in and hit a DESTROYER on Dante!! Fans lose their minds as Penta stands, and says “CERO! MIEDO!” Dante bails out so Penta goes after White. Penta CHOPS White, then hears the fans rally up. Penta goes out after Dante, gets him in the ring, and stands him up against ropes. Penta winds up, to CHOP! Dante grits his teeth, but White BOOTS Penta down!
White stands Penta up, CHOPS Penta, but Penta CHOPS in return! Penta hears the fans rallying for “CERO! MIEDO!” and he goes back to SUPERKICK White! Penta stands Dante up, whips him to ropes and SUPERKICKS him down! But then White gets Penta for a cradle, TWO!! Penta escapes, White UPPERCUTS him down! White snarls, stomps Dante, then stomps a mudhole into Dante at the corner. White drags Dante up, whips him to ropes, and back drops him away! White covers, TWO! Penta is after White but White scrambles away as Dynamite returns to single picture. Penta brings Dante up, but Dante fights the suplex!
White storms back in, CLUBS them both down, and next up is KYLE O’REILLY! Whoa, #CombatKyle is now #CleanKyle as his hair and beard are trimmed. Maybe he’s going back to those babyface assassin days!
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly!
Kyle KICKS White down, KICKS Penta down, and KICKS Dante down! Kyle fires forearms on White, then wrenches. Dante gets up, Kyle BOOTS him away, then gives White an ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle wrenches Dante, BOOTS Penta, then hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Wrench on Penta, ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle whips, Penta reverses but Kyle goes up and over. Kyle also ducks Dante so Dante’s LARIAT takes down Penta! Dante runs up, Kyle blocks the kick and gives it to Penta. Then Kyle gets one of Penta’s legs, DOUBLE DRAGON SCREW!! White KNEES Kyle low, runs but into a KNEE from Kyle! Kyle snapmares White, runs, but feints to then SLAP him!
The fans fire up while White frowns. White gets up but Kyle fires off fast strikes! KICK, LEG SWEEP, and the fans fire up! Dante wheelbarrows Kyle, but Kyle drops that into the ARMBAR! White stomps but Kyle catches that, to a HEEL HOOK! White flails, ROPEBREAK! Kyle lets go, and now we add WILL OSPREAY! Will the Aerial Assassin take his momentum from Dynasty and make it Double or Nothing?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay!
Ospreay storms right in, Kyle staring him down! They fire forearms and the fans are thunderous already! Ospreay fires up to fire off a flurry! Kyle KICKS, whips, but Ospreay BOOTS back! Ospreay goes up and out to springboard, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Penta runs up to KICK Ospreay’s leg! Dante gets in, he and Penta double whip, but Ospreay handsprings to DOUBLE PELE! But White SLEEPER- NO, Ospreay arm-drags free! These two know each other well and the fans are thunderous to see this one! White and Ospreay shake hands, but then White CLAWS Ospreay’s face! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS!
White clinches, but Ospreay fights free to CHOP! Ospreay whips, White holds ropes to bail out, but the fans boo. Dante kicks Ospreay and runs, into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO! And out comes LANCE ARCHER! The Murderhawk Monster says #EverybodyDies, will that be the case in this sudden death gauntlet?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay VS Lance Archer!
Ospreay shakes his head, but Archer storms right in! Ospreay gets in Archer’s… well, chest, but he fires off forearms! Archer DECKS him! Kyle returns, Archer LARIATS! Penta runs up, Archer LARIATS! White runs up, into a half nelson, dragon sleeper, but Dante jumps in! But into Archer’s hand! CHOKE SLAM DDT COMBO!! Penta jumps onto Archer, fires off hands, then whips. Archer reverses to CLOBBER Penta! Kyle gets up, Archer choke grips, but Kyle turns slam into GUILLOTINE! Kyle thrashes, but Archer THROWS him away! Kyle goes to the apron, Archer DECKS Kyle! Ospreay BOOTS Archer, goes up, but Archer STEP-UP KNEES!
Archer picks Ospreay up in the reverse crucifix! BLACKOUT BOMBÂ onto the others on the outside!! The fans are thunderous and Dynamite goes picture in picture!
Archer storms out to go looking under the ring. Archer brings out a TABLE! Daily’s Place loves it as Archer sets up the furniture at ringside. Archer positions that but Ospreay runs up to fire shots! Archer knees low, SMACKS Ospreay off apron, and then goes around to BOOT Kyle down! And CLUB White down! And get another TABLE! Archer drags that table over White, then sets it up with the other. Archer drags Ospreay up, but Ospreay fires forearms first! Archer RAMS Ospreay into railing! Archer CLUBS away on Ospreay, SMACKS Kyle off apron, BOOTS Dante, then CLUBS White. Archer brings White over, and SMACKS him off the table.
Ospreay fires forearms on Archer, then brings him around to SMACK off the apron. Ospreay goes up, takes aim, and FLYING- BODY CHECK!! Archer just has Ospreay bounce right off him! White ROCKS Archer, ROCKS him again, then brings him around to the tables. White fireman’s carries, but Archer’s too big! Archer CLUBS White, CLUBS him again, then ROCKS him! Archer BOOTS Penta, sends him into railing, then goes back for White. White fights the choke grip but gets an APRON CHOKE SLAM for it!! Archer roars, White dangles before he flops, then Archer goes back up the apron. Archer grins while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Archer drags White up to the apron, but next is KOMANDER! The AAA Cruiserweight Champion’s entrance distracts Archer so that White can CLAW the eyes! We’re now at a Lucky 7 Way, is this where someone’s luck runs out?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay VS Lance Archer VS Komander!
Komander hurries to the corner, climbs up and tightrope walks, to FLYING RANA, but Archer blocks!! Archer brings Komander back up, only for Komander to RANA Archer down through the tables!! The Murderhawk Monster is hoisted on his own petard and even Komander is stunned! Komander hurries to springboard in at Ospreay, but Ospreay ducks! Komander rolls through, comes back and kicks, then runs, only for Ospreay to TIGER WALL KICK and- NO, Komander ducks the enzigiri, to TIGER WALL KICK back! Things speed up, Komander tilt-o-whirls around the world, DEJA VU DDT!! Cover, White breaks it!!
White clinches to URENAGE!! Cover, TWO!! Komander survives, but White goes back to Ospreay. But Ospreay flips up and through Bladerunner to LIGER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! White survives, but Ospreay takes off the elbow pad! White rises, but here comes JAY LETHAL! We’re at eight, how much longer can this go?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay VS Lance Archer VS Komander VS Jay Lethal!
Lethal runs in, Ospreay is ready and they brawl! Ospreay kicks, whips but Lethal reverses! Ospreay handsprings through the arm-drag but Lethal still cartwheels to DROPKICK! Dante returns but into the LETHAL COMBINATION! Penta is back and he KICKS Lethal’s leg! Penta whips, Lethal sunset flips but Penta rolls through. Lethal dodges and handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION!! But White’s back to clinch! Lethal slips free, but swings into the SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! White hurries to clinch again, but Dante MISSILE DROPKICKS them both down! Lethal runs in, Dante goes up and over, then Dante dodges Kyle!
Kyle CLOBBERS Lethal, ducks Dante’s enzigiri, AX & SMASH!! Ospreay returns, Kyle fights the nelson to fire off strikes! KICK, KICK, but Ospreay BUZZSAWS and HEEL KICKS! Kyle yoyos to LARIAT, but Ospreay slips through to pick Kyle up! But Kyle slips free to ROLLING ELBOW! Ospreay SUPERKICKS! Kyle YOYOS into HIDDEN BLADE!! Cover, TWO!!! Kyle survives but Ospreay calls for his shot! Underhooks, but wait, he hesitates. Storm Driver 93 damn near destroyed Bryan Danielson, does he want to do that to Kyle? Kyle back drops free first! Then ARMBAR!! But Komander is up top! CIELITO LINDO onto Kyle!! Cover, HIDDEN BLADE!!!
Ospreay drags Komander to a cover, OSPREAY WINS!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship)
The Assassin found a target and took them out! But here comes the Undisputed Kingdom, the Savior of the Backbreaker leading the way. Roderick Strong stares Ospreay down, with Mike Bennett, Matt Taven, Wardlow and Adam Cole all backing him up. Ospreay doesn’t back down, will he simply tear that gold away from The Kingdom?
Chris Jericho is here!
And as his new theme says, he is The Learning Tree. But what we see is that he is the NEW FTW Champion after cracking Hook in the head with a baseball bat at Dynasty. Jericho smiles and waves at the fans while he gets a mic, but they’re booing back. “Hey, guys! It’s true, I’m the new FTW Champion! It’s great, right? And there’s been a lot of negative connotation with the letters F T W. Does it mean F The World? Does it mean Forget The World? No, it’s none of those things, I’m changing it right here, right now. From now on, this means FOR The World Championship, because this was FOR all of you!”
The fans boo and Taz can’t stomach this on commentary. Jericho says “we” won this together! The whole world is buzzing and he knows why. Jericho is doing God’s work. The Wrestling God, that is, and that’s Terry Funk. Terry once told Jericho that it is now Jericho’s responsibility to teach the younger generation and take them to the next level, and that is what Jericho is doing! Thank you, Terry Funk, and thank you, fans. And thanks, Hook! What a great champion and a tough competitor in the ring. Hook beat the hell outta Jericho, but his only flaw is that there are still certain things he needs to take from The Learning Tree.
There are lessons Jericho wants to teach Hook, including how to get rid of the dead weight that surrounds him: Taz, Shibata, the collateral damage, and all the clowns that support him. More importantly, Hook, you need to listen to Jericho when he says to stay down. Jericho told Hook to stay down but Hook kept getting back up. Even after two Judas Effects! Hook forced Jericho to hit him in the head with the baseball bat. So that’s on Hook. But Jericho knows Hook is listening, thinking on the lessons he learned, and that is exciting to Jericho.
What is also exciting to Jericho is the list of men and women who have been drawn into the #JerichoVortex and come out the other side even bigger and better stars! So many! Jericho is so excited- Wait! “Big Bill” Morrissey is here! Bill has a mic already as he steps to Jericho in the ring. Bill tells Jericho, “I have been in the back listening to you, and I only have one thing to say.” Jericho waits as Bill thinks on his words, and Bill says he needs The Learning Tree! The fans boo, they were clearly hoping for something else.
Bill says everyone knows Jericho is the Socrates of Professional Wrestling! Always willing to give advice, to lend a hand, and to take a less established guy and bring him up to the top with him. That is Chris Jericho to a T. Jericho nods, and Bill knows there is a long line of guys foaming at the mouth for the very opportunity to be under the Learning Tree. But Bill wants Jericho to take this into consideration: there is nobody bigger than Bill, nor better fit for the Learning Tree. Jericho knows it deep down in his heart that Bill is the very best fit for The Learning Tree.
Jericho does have to say, Bill, he has been watching Bill a long time. A fan of his for years. It’s partly why Bill is in AEW. But Jericho will think on what Bill said, and he’ll keep his eye on Bill to see if what he says is true. Bill says go ahead and do that, because he’ll do just that. Just watch him. Bill heads out, Jericho says he sure will be. Let’s celebrate together! Jericho waves and gives a thumbs up, but will Bill be The Learning Tree’s first true pupil?
Backstage interview with The Don Callis Family.
Renee is with Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher and Callis himself as she congratulates Ospreay on becoming #1 contender to the International Championship. Callis, the rest of the Family has had an evening of ups and downs, so- Callis “apologizes” for interrupting but he has to say, he is so happy for the “golden goose,” and now Ospreay will have the gold. An international star deserves the International Championship. The only note Callis has, that Tiger Driver 91, AKA Storm Driver 93. He had that all set up, why didn’t Ospreay use it? No, Ospreay doesn’t wanna do that anymore. Not after what he did to Bryan.
Callis doesn’t understand, what happened? Ospreay says we all saw what happened to Bryan because of his neck, and Kyle O’Reilly has a bad neck, too. Storm Driver has to go. Callis doesn’t care about any of that, Ospreay should win! Roddy’s got a bad neck, so what’s gonna happen if Ospreay shows weakness? Fletcher speaks up saying that Ospreay still won, and he’ll win at Double or Nothing, what does it matter about that move? Callis tells Fletcher shouldn’t be talking about winning after how tonight went. Ospreay WILL be International Champion because he’s gonna nail Roddy with Storm Driver, break his neck, and take his title!
Now, Callis needs to go find Hobbs, he’s gonna coach Powerhouse to a championship tonight, just like Ospreay will win at the PPV. Callis leaves Ospreay and Fletcher behind, Fletcher apologizes on Callis’ behalf. Are the former Empire boys still united despite how Callis is leading this “family?”
BREAKING NEWS for Saturday Night!
Once again, Saturday nights are alright for fighting, and it will be another THREE HOUR BLOCK, but this one will be live coast to coast! The Bang Bang Gang will defend their Unified AEW & ROH World Trios Championships against Top Flight, will Jay White & The Gunns make Dante, Darius & Action breathe with The Switchblade? After what happened tonight, Toni Storm will take on Anna Jay, will Mariah May be avenged? And then on Rampage, Thunder Rosa and Deonna Purrazzo finally have it out 1v1, and we get the Parking Lot Brawl! Trent Beretta, Chuck Taylor, who proves they were the strongest Best Friend all along?
Collision and Rampage will follow NBA Playoff coverage, keep your eyes open for this one!
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs!
It was a Windy City Riot when The Maniac took this title off Tetsuya Naito, and he made a point of saying he runs from no challenge. NJPW’s Ren Narita and Shota Umino are both waiting on the other side of this match, will they still get their shot at Moxley? Or will the Don Callis Family start to take over the wrestling world?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who makes history in this historic main event!
The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out as the fans rally, and Moxley KICKS a leg. Hobbs stays up, feel things out with Mox, but Moxley KICKS again. The two tie up, Moxley waistlocks the SLEEPERS, but Hobbs RAMS Moxley into buckles. Hobbs throws elbows, stomps a mudhole, then fires hands! Hobbs puts Moxley in a corner, ELBOWS him, but Moxley CHOPS! Hobbs pie faces Moxley, Moxley CHOPS, but Hobbs ROCKS him. Hobbs talks smack, then whips Moxley corner to corner. Moxley stops himself, ROCKS Hobbs, then fires more forearms and KICKS! Moxley runs, but leaps into Hobbs’ arms!
Hobbs pops Moxley up but Moxley slips free to waistlock and GERMAN SUPLEX! But Hobbs is right up!? The fans fire up and Hobbs grins. Moxley runs up, into a clinch! EXPLODER! Moxley writhes, bails out, and Hobbs grins as he goes out after him. Hobbs CLUBS Moxley, but Moxley fires a forearm! Moxley SMACKS Hobbs off the timekeeper’s table, but Hobbs body shots in return! Hobbs SMACKS Moxley off railing, then he runs up, only for Moxley to avoid the boot! Hobbs gets caught up on the railing, Moxley BOOTS him over! Moxley goes up the railing, Hobbs rises, but Moxley AX HANDLES him down!
Moxley headlocks, brings Hobbs around the back of the fans, and throws hands. Moxley ROCKS Hobbs, Hobbs HEADBUTTS, and they brawl! The ring count starts, both men have until 20, and we’re at 4 now. Hobbs SMACKS Moxley off a trash can! Hobbs stalks Moxley around the way, CHOPS, then brings Moxley around to ROCK him! Hobbs stalks Moxley, CLUBS him, then pushes him. Moxley hobbles his way back to railing, but turns around to fire haymakers! Hobbs KNEES low, TOSSES Moxley over railing, then storms after him. The count is 15 but Moxley gets in the ring. Hobbs follows and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Hobbs storms up on Moxley, talks trash, but Moxley SLAPS him and flips him off! Moxley eggs Hobbs on so Hobbs BOOTS him down! Moxley flops to the apron then the floor. Hobbs storms out after Moxley, and RAMS him into railing! Hobbs scoops Moxley to APRON POWERSLAM! And APRON POWERSLAM again! And again!! Hobbs snarls, brings Moxley around and SLINGS him down! Hobbs leaves Moxley behind in the ring to soak up cheers and jeers, and even make the pecs dance. IWGP rules do let titles change hands on count-outs, will Hobbs settle for that? No, Hobbs goes out to fetch Moxley, wanting to beat him directly.
Moxley blocks a suplex, fires forearms, but Hobbs hits back! They brawl, Moxley whips but Hobbs reverses! Moxley hits railing hard, and slumps down. Hobbs sits Moxley up to throw down hands, then goes up to rain down mores fists! The ring count climbs, but Hobbs still goes to TEN! Hobbs brings Moxley around to suplex to the floor! Moxley hobbles away, but Hobbs storms up after him. They go up the steel steps and into the ring, and Hobbs eggs Moxley on. Hobbs stomps Moxley, soaks up more cheers and jeers, then BOOTS Moxley down as Dynamite goes to break!
Dynamite returns and Hobbs says he’s whooping Moxley’s ass! Moxley crawls, Hobbs brings him up, but Moxley CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Hobbs body shots, then BEARHUGS! Moxley endures, even as Hobbs squeezes tight! Hobbs throws body shots, Moxley throws elbows, and Moxley is free. But Hobbs CLUBS Moxley first! Hobbs whips Moxley to a corner, then has him on the rebound. Callis doesn’t want Hobbs to wait, keep on him! Hobbs whips Moxley to the other corner, runs in, but Moxley BOOTS! Moxley runs, but Hobbs SLAMS the cutter down! Moxley staggers up, Hobbs runs in, but the splash only gets buckles!
Hobbs falls, clutching a knee. Hobbs bails out, Moxley goes to ropes and takes aim. Moxley builds speed as Hobbs rises, to DIVE! Down goes Hobbs again! The ref checks Hobbs as Hobbs still clutches his knee. The fans rally for Moxley as he rises, fires himself back up, and then gets Hobbs up. Moxley puts Hobbs in, storms around to slide in from the other side, and then waits on Hobbs. Hobbs rises, hobbles, and Moxley runs up to RAM him into a corner! Moxley goes up to rain down fists! Moxley goes way past ten, all the way to TWENTY!! Moxley keeps going past even that! Hobbs can barely guard, Moxley gives him PARADIGM SHIFT!! Cover, TWO?!?
Moxley slips around to a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Hobbs sputters, flails, reaches out, but Moxley squeezes tight! Hobbs is fading, the ref calls it! MOXLEY WINS!
Winner: Jon Moxley, by submission (still IWGP World Champion)
Hobbs is a powerhouse, but even he needs to breathe! The Maniac has his first defense in the books, but NJPW Wrestling Dontaku is coming. Will the #SouledOut Ren Narita take this title from Moxley? Or is Moxley going to blast through him to then take on his former protege, Shota Umino? Wait! Konosuke Takeshita appears on stage. The Alpha wants his own shot at that IWGP World Championship, will he get in line ahead of Narita and Shota?
Backstage interview with Katsuyori Shibata.
Renee is with The Wrestler and brings up Jericho’s “choice words” for him. But what does Shibata have to say in response? Shibata uses his Google Translate voice-to-text to say, “Jericho called me deadweight and collateral damage. Next week, I’m going to damage him in his hometown of Winnipeg, and become FTW Champion.” So then that’s an official challenge for the title? “Yes, with FTW Rules. Jericho, I’m going to chop down your Learning Tree.” Okay then, Winnipeg, Jericho VS Shibata for the FTW title, it is official! Shibata then adds that the rhinestones on Renee’s shirt make a heart, how nice. Yes, she thought so, too.
Shibata is ready to take the fight to Jericho, will The Wrestler prove the Learning Tree is all bark and no bite?
Tony Schiavone is in the ring.
“Ladies and gentlemen… Jack Perry.” The fans are torn as The Scapegoat makes his way out, with no music since he isn’t an AEW talent anymore. Jack takes the mic from Schiavone while fans sing, “OH~ Cry Me a River~!” Jack says first thing’s first, he wants it known that he’s had some of the best nights of his life right here in Jacksonville! The fans cheer that! Jack says tonight… they have business to handle. And he wants to handle it right here, right now, face to face… with Tony Khan! Jack waits, the fans chant “He’s Our Scapegoat!” and here comes TK. Tony Khan joins Jack in the ring, as promised earlier tonight.
Jack says it has been a long road. TK agrees. Almost five years ago was the very first Double or Nothing. And since then, AEW has gone on to change the world. But now, TK, it is no secret they’ve had their ups and downs, haven’t always seen eye to eye. But Jack will say right now, from the bottom of his heart, he swears to God, the only thing that Jack has ever wanted is what’s best for AEW. The fans cheer that and TK applauds as he agrees there. So Jack just wants to ask TK to please shake his hand, reinstate him, and let’s go on to continue to change the world together. The fans like the sound of that!
TK gives a big thumbs up, he and Jack shake hands, and they hug it out! Jack is All Elite once again, and then Jack smiles at the camera… Jack raises TK’s hand, the fans cheer, and then Jack DECKS TK!! The Elite rush out here, from Nick to Matt to Okada, and they ask Jack what the hell! This is TK, THE boss of AEW! You can’t just do that, Jack! Jack nods, backs away, and The Bucks help TK sit up, but it looks a little suspicious…! The Bucks realize the optics, as does Okada, and they all say no no no, it’s not what anyone thinks. They help TK to his feet, and then Okada says do it. Matt scoops TK!! Nick goes up a corner!! T K DRIVER ON TK?!?!
The fans lose their minds as The EVPs stand over Tony Khan’s body! Jack drags TK to the center of the ring so all four of them can stand together. The refs rush out and ask what the hell is wrong with the EVPs! Jack says he waited for eight MONTHS to do that! Matt thanks Jacksonville for a great night, they love everyone so much! Jack, Okada, Nick & Matt leave the ring to have their curtain call on the stage. The Elite is running All Elite Wrestling now, are they going to change the world and remake it in their image?
As for Tony Khan, not only do wrestlers like Top Flight, The Infantry, Penta and Komander rush out to check on him, Tony’s father, Shahid Khan, is here! Shahid checks on his son, what will be done as the consequences for The Elite’s actions?
My Thoughts:
A really good episode of Dynamite here, but they were really not handling the audio that well. It was so hard to hear quite a few of the promos, well delivered as they all were. Rosa VS Deonna being set up was a good move, that’s definitely gonna be great. Really good stuff from Jericho as he leans into the obliviously selfish veteran persona, and I was definitely surprised Big Bill wanting to join him. Shibata has a good promo to call Jericho out, but if it’s FTW Rules, pretty sure Bill is gonna screw Shibata over so Jericho wins. And great stuff with the former Best Friends, Chuck VS Trent in a Parking Lot Brawl is going to be awesome stuff, but I wonder if Orange Cassidy messes it up for Chuck.
Great stuff with the Don Callis Family through the night. Moxley had a good promo to hype up the main event with Hobbs, but unfortunately, I think the match got cut down because Hobbs actually got hurt. Moxley was of course retaining, but this doesn’t help. Konosuke stepping up is fine, though, a natural move given this BCC VS DCF story going on. Fletcher stepped up to Swerve in the match tonight, but it was also very clear Swerve was going to win. The Casino Gauntlet wasn’t really named well, and they didn’t really explain it properly before it started, but it was clearly based on William Regal’s Gauntlet Eliminator from NXT a couple years ago.
However, in execution, it was amazing! Great win for Ospreay and a great showing for all the wrestlers involved, Ospreay VS Roddy will be great stuff. But I also really like that they’re not only going with Ospreay being hesitant about Storm Driver, but they’re going with what I was hoping for. Ospreay and Fletcher are likeminded but that means they clash with how Callis wants to do things. This very well could lead to Ospreay & Fletcher VS Konosuke & Hobbs, so long as Hobbs isn’t out of action. Maybe Don Callis Family finds someone else to bring in to make up for that, but also as foreshadowing of Ospreay and Fletcher leaving the group.
I also like that they seem to be heading for another idea I had when it comes to Toni Storm, Mariah May and Mina Shirakawa. Great match from Mina VS Anna with a good win for Mina, but also Anna going Heel on her and Mariah. For that matter, that should mean Mariah and Storm are turning Face to counter, which is fitting since the fans love them so much anyway. Storm defends Mariah, she’ll definitely beat Anna this Saturday, and then we can move into Storm and Mina fighting for Mariah’s affections. And great stuff from the TBS Championship story. Great promos, for one, and then great detail that Kris gets Willow hit. Has it been Kris behind the attacks all along? If Willow somehow retains at Double or Nothing, Kris going after her would be a wild twist.
And of course, incredible stuff out of this story with Jack Perry’s return. Good opening bit as Jack arrives and the EVPs vouch for him, and good little backstage bit to set up the closing segment. I just knew the moment Jack asked for a handshake, he was just setting Tony Khan up. The entire Elite beating TK down was wild but powerful, and this is very much their nWo moment. This combined with Kenny Omega making his return next week, there is something big brewing in a very nWo VS Wolfpac kinda way. Kenny, Hangman & FTR uniting against Okada, Jack & Bucks? Feels like an awesome 8 Man to me.
My Score: 8.8/10
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The House of Torture gets another try!
Despite losing in the NEVER Openweight Six Man title tournament, the House of Torture get one more shot against Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg! But will shuffling the deck really help the King of Darkness trump President Ace?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Shoma Kato VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- 8 Man Tag: El Desperado, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & Katsuya Murashima VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg win and retain the titles.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Yota Tsuji VS Gedo; Tsuji wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: BUSHI VS Gabe Kidd; Gabe wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Shingo Takagi VS Clark Connors; Takagi wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Tetsuya Naito VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Drilla wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Hiromu Takahashi VS David Finlay; Finlay wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture!
Don’t adjust your screens, this is not a rematch from Wrestling World in Taiwan. That’s because while The Ace, the Joker and the Rook won the tournament, they’re up against a different formation! The King of Darkness and Heel Master now have Tokyo Pimp as their third man, but will that change be enough to change the result? Or will Tanahshi-sachou and team be an undefeated combination?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if Darkness Falls!
The teams sort out, and Oleg starts against Yoshinobu Kanemaru. The fans rally behind “BO-LU-TIN! BO-LU-TIN!” as he circles with Kanemaru, but then Evil & Yujiro attack! The fans boo, Tanahashi & Yano hurry in but Evil & Yujiro get them first! Kanemaru drags Oleg out of the ring to stomp him down while Evil & Yujiro have Tanahashi & Yano in corners. Yujiro fires forearms, Evil CHOPS, then the House all whips. But Oleg reverses and sends Kanemaru into railing! And Tanahashi & Yano reverse to send Evil & Yujiro into each other! Oleg returns to CLOBBER Evil & Yujiro! The fans fire up as now Yano & Tanahashi intercept Kanemaru.
Tanahashi & Yano whip Kanemaru to Oleg for a scoop and SLAM! The fans rally behind the champs as Oleg paces around Kanemaru. Oleg stomps Kanemaru, tags Tanahashi, and Tanahashi eggs Evil on. Evil tags in, Tanahashi kicks first! Tanahashi fires hands, UPPERCUTS, then tears away the “President Evil” shirt to TOSS it away! Evil is furious, he made that himself! Tanahashi throws a body shot, then whips Evil corner to corner. Evil reverses, runs in, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up for the air guitar and Tanahashi tags in Yano! Yano unties a buckle pad, dodges Evil, then gives Evil the pad!
The ref reprimands Evil and confiscates the pad, and Yano SLAPS Evil on the head! Yano whips, Evil reverses, but Yano avoids the bare buckles. Evil runs up to SLAP Yano, and shove him into the buckles! Kanemaru & Yujiro BLAST Tanahashi & Oleg off the corner! Evil SMACKS Yano with the pad! Evil TOSSES Yano out of the ring, distracts the ref, and that lets Dick DECK Yano! Dick drags Yano up and puts him in the ring for Evil to cover. TWO! Evil is upset with the “slow count,” and he tags Kanemaru. Kanemaru runs to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Kanemaru ELBOWS Yano in the head!
Kanemaru snapmares Yano down into a chinlock and drags him to the corner. The ref reprimands but Yujiro tags in. Kanemaru lets go, so that Yujiro can CHOKE Yano! The ref counts, Yujiro lets off, and he drags Yano back up. Yujiro whips Yano into the bare buckles! Yano suffers his own trick, and Yujiro brings him up to knee low. Yujiro snapmares, drops a leg, then drops an elbow! Then he drops a HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Yujiro tags to Evil. Evil BLASTS Tanahashi & Oleg off the corner! Dick distracts the ref so Evil can put Yano in the COBRA TWIST, and link up with the others!
The fans boo but the House gets away with that. Evil covers, TWO! Evil is even more upset with the ref, and he drags Yano up. Evil reels Yano in for a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Wait, who is ringing the bell? Dick is ringing the bell, and Kanemaru is giving the announcement that they’ve won! The fans boo, this is of course a farce. Tanahashi & Oleg storm over, scaring off Dick and Kanemaru. Evil tags Kanemaru, then TOSSES Yano outside. Kanemaru drags Yano back up to whip him into railing! Then DDTÂ to the floor! Yano is down in enemy territory while Tanahashi argues with the ref.
The fans rally up but Yujiro puts Yano in. Kanemaru covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Kanemaru drags Yano around. Yano is dead weight so Kanemaru leaves him behind to BLAST Tanahashi! Kanemaru drags Yano up but Yano pulls hair! Kanemaru CLAWS Yano’s eyes! Kanemaru whips, Yano reverses and throws him down by his hair! The fans fire up as Yano crawls, hot tag to Oleg! The fans fire up as Oleg CLOBBERS Kanemaru, BLASTS Evil & Yujiro, then runs in at the corner. Kanemaru BOOTS Oleg, runs, but into a POP-UP BEARHUG! Kanemaru endures, but then Oleg turns that into a BIG suplex! The fans fire up as Oleg storms around.
Oleg deadlift gut wrenches, but Dick gets on the apron. Oleg drops Kanemaru to scare Dick off. But then Yano puts Dick in! Dick prays and begs for mercy, but Oleg just deadlift gut wrenches him! Shake, Rattle and THROW! And a kip up!? Oleg then gets Kanemaru back up, Shake, Rattle, and some more shaking, and THROW! Oleg roars, runs, and SPLASHES down! Cover, Evil & Yujiro break it! Then they BLAST Tanahashi & Yano! The House stomps away on Oleg, then drag him up. They double whip Oleg to a corner, then Yujiro BOOTS! Evil clotheslines! They snapmare, Kanemaru distracts the ref, and Dick goes up!
The fans boo but Dick hits the DICK CHOP! Kanemaru covers, TWO!! The fans fire up but Evil tags back in. Evil and Kanemaru get Oleg up to suplex, but Oleg fights it! Oleg DOUBLE SUPLEXES back! Hot tag to Tanahashi! Ace of the Universe meets King of Darkness, and Tanahashi runs to CLOBBER Evil! Tanahashi fires forearms and body shots on Evil, then scoop SLAMS him into a drop zone! Tanahashi goes up to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Tanahashi as he waits on Evil. Tanahashi runs, but Evil goes to the corner! Evil LARIATS Tanahashi down! Tag to Yujiro and he storms up on Tanahashi.
Yujiro brings Tanahashi up to knee low and fire forearms. Yujiro CHOPS then runs up, to BOOT! Yujiro then runs, to BOOT again! Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi runs, but Yujiro TOSSES him out! Evil is there to set Tanahashi up for a whiskey bottle shot! Evil puts Tanahashi back in, then he and the rest go after Oleg and Yano! Yujiro gets Tanahashi up for an INCOLLE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Yujiro goes for his pimp cane, but the ref stops him! That leaves Dick open to use the SPOILER CHOKER on Tanahashi!! The fans boo as President Ace suffers! Tanahashi fades out, Dick slips away, and Yujiro laughs.
Yujiro drags Tanahashi up while the fans rally. Yujiro reels Tanahashi in, but Yano gets in to grab Yujiro! Kanemaru gets in while the ref is distracted again! But Yano ducks, the WHISKEY MIST hits Yujiro! LOW BLOW for Kanemaru! But Evil LOW BLOWS Yano! So Tanahashi LOW BLOWS Evil! Dick gets in but Tanahashi kicks the ropes! Dick falls, Oleg returns, and he gets Yujiro up! Tanahashi climbs, Oleg hits the KAMIKAZE SENTON! Then Tanahashi HIGH FLY FLOWS!! Cover, Team Go Ace wins!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
The House of Torture tried their usual tricks, but Tanahashi’s team proved they could play that, too! The Ace, the Joker & The Rook stand tall again, will The House have to start playing a different game?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Yota Tsuji VS Gedo!
While Los Ingobernables de Japon and the Bullet Club War Dogs have already done battle on this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, tonight is a best of five series! Will it be Gene Blast or Blacksmith that sets the tone for tonight?
The moment Yota hops off the corner, Gedo takes a swing! Yota dodges and GENE BLASTER!! The bell rings, Yota covers, Yota wins!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall
Well not sure about the tone but this sure set a new record! From bell the bell, that was FIVE SECONDS! Score one for LIJ already, and Yota helps roll Gedo out of the ring. Will LIJ make this a shut out? Or will the other War Dogs be a bit smarter about the pitches they throw across the plate?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: BUSHI VS Gabe Kidd!
Round two is here sooner than expected after what we just saw, and the Black Mask is up against the #WarReady Mad Man. Gabe vows to take back everything NJPW used to mean, but will he get War Dogs on the board? Or will Bushi keep things tranquilo?
Bushi climbs onto the corner and Gabe rushes him! Bushi jumps over, the bell rings and Bushi DROPKICKS Gabe down! Bushi whips, Gabe reverses but Bushi ducks ‘n ‘dodges to RANA! Gabe bails out, Bushi builds speed, but Gabe gets away. Bushi slides out, but Gabe kicks and CHOPS! Gabe UPPERCUTS Bushi down, then drags Bushi up to dig at Bushi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Gabe storms around and mockingly calls upon the wrestling gods. Gabe runs but Bushi dodges, Gabe crashes into railing! The fans fire up while Bushi rises. Bushi brings Gabe up, fires forearms, then brings Gabe around. Gabe blocks the bump off the apron to whip Bushi hard into railing!
Bushi flounders and Gabe snarls while the fans rally up. Gabe storms out to open the way to the orange bleachers! Gabe ROCKS Bushi, brings him around and they go up into the stands. Gabe HEADBUTTS Bushi down, shouts “I’m a MAD MAN, y’know!” then continues up to the next level. Bushi fights the lift but Gabe CLUBS him! Gabe lifts again but Bushi still fights! Gabe CLUBS away on Bushi, CHOPS and HAYMAKERS! Gabe backs up, flips everyone off, and he runs back in, but Bushi dropkicks the leg! Bushi SMACKS Gabe off railing, then he goes up higher into the stands! Bushi stands on the ledge, to SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go Gabe and the Young Lions!
The fans are thunderous as Bushi rises, and he brings Gabe up. Bushi headlocks Gabe to bring him back down the bleachers. Gabe throws body shots but Bushi throws hands in return. Bushi brings Gabe back to ground level, then through the gate. They return to ringside but Gabe CLUBS Bushi down again. Gabe HEADBUTTS, then he puts Bushi in. The fans rally, but Gabe drags Bushi around to ROCK him again. Gabe has Bushi on the apron, CLUBS him again, then brings Bushi out. Bushi fights the suplex to throw body shots! Gabe HEADBUTTS again, but Bushi fires more hands! Bushi puts Gabe in and the fans cheer.
Bushi drags Gabe up but blocks his haymaker to spin and DDT! Cover, TWO! Bushi goes to a corner while Gabe sputters. Gabe stands, Bushi runs in, but no Code Breaker! Gabe ELBOWS, JABS and YUKON LARIATS! Gable copies Takagi, covers, TWO! Gabe flips off the fans, they boo, and so he just flips them off more. Gabe eggs Bushi on, taunts him, so Bushi CHOPS! Gabe dusts himself off, Bushi CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS, says Bushi ain’t got nothing, but Bushi fires a flurry! Gabe CHOPS again, Bushi DOUBLE CHOPS! Gabe UPPERCUTS, then he gut wrenches! But Bushi slips free and shoves!
Gabe blocks one kick, ducks the enzigiri, but not the REWIND HEEL! Bushi reels Gabe in, for a DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and flounders away while the fans fire up. Gabe flops right out of the ring but Bushi pursues. Bushi drags Gabe up, but Gabe HEADBUTTS him back down! Gabe rips away the LIJ shirt to tell them to suck it! Gabe SPITS on the shirt, throws it down, then goes back for Bushi. Gabe puts Bushi in, Bushi goes to a corner, and Gabe runs in to clothesline! Gabe suplexes, Bushi slips free, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and uses the ref as a shield! BLACK MIST!! Bushi gets the better of Gabe and hooks the arms!
Gabe fights the backslide, BOOTS the ref, so the ref can’t see the Bushi Roll! Bushi would’ve had this one! Bushi goes to check on the ref but Gabe storms up to HAYMAKER! Gabe shouts at the ref, drags him back up, and then storms over to Bushi! PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Gabe wins!
Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall
The series is tied 1-1, and Gabe shouts for water to wash out the mist. LIJ VS War Dogs aside, Gabe now has momentum going into his NEVER Openweight Championship match with Shingo Takagi. Will the Rampaging Dragon be just as #WarReady as Gabe after tonight?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Shingo Takagi VS Clark Connors!
Speaking of the NEVER Openweight Champion, he’s third up in the batting order, ready to drive home another run. Will the Rampaging Dragon score and soar towards Wrestling Dontaku? Or will he be struck out by 100 Proof?
Takagi and Connors get in each other’s face and talk some trash. Connors shoves but the ref has them both back down. Connors gets all fired up, Takagi says okay then, and the bell rings, only for Connors to bail out. The fans boo Connors trolling them, but he says tranquilo. Takagi paces while Connors goes around the outside. Takagi dares Connors to get in but Connors dares Takagi to come on out. The fans rally up so Connors goes back to the apron. Connors steps in, fires up, but then bails out. But Takagi pursues! They go around the ring, back in, and then Connors RAMS Takagi! But Takagi doesn’t fall!
Connors runs again, RAMS Takagi, but still Takagi stays up. Connors fires forearm after forearm after forearm, but then Takagi ROCKS, KNEES, CLUBS and CHOPS! And JABS! Takagi whips, Connors ducks ‘n’ dodges to RAM Takagi! Takagi rebounds, but Connors runs him over! The fans fire up while Takagi goes to a corner. Connors runs corner to corner to clothesline, then he reels Takagi in. Takagi fights the suplex, and he suplexes Connors instead! The fans fire up again but Connors bails back out. Takagi pursues, JABS, then SMACKS Connors off the apron. Takagi follows Connors around, POSTS him, and the fans cheer.
Takagi stomps Connors, Connors goes around the way but Takagi follows. Takagi runs up to BOOT Connors, then follows him. Connors uses a Young Lion as a shield, then shoves him into Takagi! Connors then whips Takagi into railing! Takagi leans against railing and Connors UPPERCUTS! Connor opens the gate and pushes Takagi into No Man’s Land. Connors brings Takagi around to SMACK off the wood bleachers! Takagi hits back, they brawl, and Takagi knees low! Takagi whips, Connors reverses and Takagi is sent into the wall of the hallway! Connors throws up the Too Sweet but the fans boo.
Connors brings Takagi back to SMACK into the gate, then POST! Connors reels Takagi in, to snap suplex to the floor! Takagi writhes, the ref reprimands but Connors wants the ring count to start. The ring count does start, and Connors scoops a Young Lion to SLAM him onto Takagi! And then he grabs another Young Lion to SPINEBUSTER onto Takagi! Connors slides into the ring at 10 of 20 while Takagi pushes the Young Lions off him. Takagi stands at 17, hurries up at 18, but Connors SPEARS him down! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this and the fans rally, but Connors keeps on Takagi with a half nelson.
Takagi fights as Connors goes for the full nelson! Takagi reaches out but Connors keeps him from ropes. Takagi fights to his feet, powers up, but Connors keeps the nelson! The fans rally more as Takagi keeps fighting. Takagi powers the hold open, but Connors spins him to knee low! Connors whips, but Takagi avoids the snap powerslam! Takagi runs up to SLIDING- NO, Connors dodges, but runs into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! The fans fire up and Takagi goes to a corner. Connors flounders around, rises up, and Takagi storms up to the corner. Takagi clotheslines, then JABS and CHPOS on repeat! Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS and CHOPS!
Takagi whips corner to corner, runs in to clothesline again, then short arm LARIAT! Takagi scoops Connors to SLAM him, then he goes up and up for the FALLING ELBOW DROP! Takagi hauls Connors up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Connors is still in this but Takagi looks around. The fans rally with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi says, “OI, KORAKUEN! TOKI GA KITA!!” The time has come and the “OI! OI! OI!” continues. Takagi brings Connors up, pump handle, but Connors fights the lift! Connors throws elbows, then ROCKS Takagi! Takagi eggs Connors on, Connors throws another forearm! Takagi fires back!
Connors fires more forearms, but Takagi HEADBUTTS! Connors HEADBUTTS, but he’s the one wobbling! Connors ROCKS Takagi with a forearm, then eggs Takagi on. Takagi ROCKS Connors with boxing elbows! Takagi runs, Connors follows to LARIAT against ropes! Connors runs but Takagi follows to KNEE against ropes! Takagi keeps moving, Connors gets under to come back and POUNCE! Then a whip and SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! But Connors powers up and runs, to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!?! The fans fire up but Connors aims from a corner! Connors runs in to SPEAR!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous!
Connors rises, Takagi stirs, and Connors brings Takagi up. But Takagi fights No Chaser! Takagi wrenches out to JAB! And HEADBUTT! Connors dodges the lariat, but runs into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Takagi runs up to PUMPING BOMBER! Then SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Connors shakes his head as he stays in this, but Takagi roars! Takagi pump handles for MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Connors survives and shocks Takagi, but the fans are thunderous again! “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi powers up. Takagi runs, but Connors dodges! But PUMPING BOMBER still finds him! Cover, Takagi wins!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall
We’re halfway done and LIJ takes the lead! Takagi has momentum for himself, too, but will the Rampaging Dragon be #WarReady for Gabe Kidd? Or will Wrestling Dontaku be the end of the road for Takagi?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Tetsuya Naito VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
The Uncontrollable Charisma may no longer be IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but we all know he never lets things get to him. Will he therefore stay tranquilo as he looks to win this series for his team? Or will he lose a shootout with the .44 Caliber?
As always, Naito takes his time with his entrance attire. Drilla mockingly asks what happened to his belt, but Naito doesn’t let that get his goat. The fans rally for Naito and that annoys Drilla. Naito puts the pants away, the bell rings, and Drilla runs up! But Naito puts him on the apron, and sweeps the legs! Then he DROPKICKS Drilla down! Naito goes out slowly to fetch Drilla, CLUB him on the neck, and then CLUB him again. Naito CLUBS Drilla more, cravats for a neck wrench, and even grinds Drilla against railing! The ref counts, Naito puts Drilla in, and the fans applaud. But Drilla comes back to WRECK Naito with a dropkick!
Drilla whips Naito hard into railing, and Naito gets stuck! Drilla dumps him over, tells fans off about cheering for Naito, then drags Naito up and around. Drilla CHOPS Naito, follows him along the way, and whips him hard into railing! The fans applaud the impressive speed and strength, but Drilla leaves Naito behind as Naito slumps into the front row. The ring count climbs, Naito sits up at 7 of 20. Naito finds his way around to the gate at 12, steps in at ringside, and rolls in at 15. Drilla throws Naito’s hat at him, then stomps away! Drilla drags Naito up, HEADBUTTS him, then has him on ropes. Drilla CHOPS and Naito staggers.
Drilla eggs Naito on so Naito fires forearms! Naito whips, Drilla reverses and ELBOWS Naito down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Naito but Drilla digs his knee into Naito’s neck! The ref counts, Drilla lets off to get in the ref’s face, but the ref reminds Drilla to respect his authority. Drilla kicks Naito around, steps on Naito’s head, then taunts the fans. Naito gets up to throw hands but Drilla hits back! They go back and forth, forearm for forearm, but then Drilla CHOPS! Drilla runs, into an ELBOW! Drilla rebounds, but Naito hip toss NECKBREAKERS! The fans rally as Naito rises and Drilla writhes. Naito drags Drilla up to fire forearms and kicks!
Naito whips, arm-drags, then he ELBOWS Drilla down to basement dropkick in the back! Naito turns Drilla for a NECKBREAKER! Drilla writhes, Naito pushes him to a cover, TWO! Naito keeps on Drilla with a cravat neck wrench. Drilla endures, fights around, and he fights up. Drilla breaks free, CLUBS Naito, then runs, but Naito catches him to a dragon sleeper, NECKBREAKER! Drilla fights the legs but Naito still hooks him into the LEG HOOK NELSON! Drilla endures, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! Naito again “forgets” how to undo the hold, so the ref pries the legs away.
Drilla is free and clutches his neck, but Naito paces around. Naito drags Drilla back up, but Drilla CHOPS! Naito fires a forearm in return! Drilla CHOPS! Naito forearms! The shots go back and forth, Drilla grunts and has a crazy grin. Drilla fires a forearm, Naito mocks the grunt! Naito fires back, both men grunt and fire forearms again! Drilla CHOPS, but then Naito ROCKS him, SPITS on him, and fires off more forearms! Drilla gets under, shoves Naito then hurdles, drops and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Naito and Drilla go to opposite corners, and Drilla runs corner to corner! Drilla blocks a boot but Naito SPITS!
Naito runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Drilla horks up and SPITS a big one at Naito, then DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Naito stays in this and Drilla is seething. Drilla slashes his throat and throws up the Too Sweet. Drilla drags Naito up, reels him in, but Naito fights the lift. Drilla ENZIGIRIS Naito, then gets him back up! Canadian Rack, but Naito arm-drags Drilla into the ref! The ref tumbles all the way out, Naito atomic drops Drilla and ENZIGIRIS! COMPLETE SHOT, and then PLUMA BLANCA!! Drilla endures, flails, is he tapping? But there’s no ref anyway! Wait, David Finlay rushes out here!
The Rebel taunts Naito while swinging the shillelagh! Naito lets Drilla go, only for JAKE LEE to show up!?! Talk about a CrossOver, the Good Looking Emperor is here in NJPW and he fires hands with Naito!! The fans are going nuts, but Naito gets the edge! Only for Jake to KNEE low! Jake puts Naito in a corner, takes aim, and runs in to HELLUVA KICK!!! Or as he calls it, #FaceBreakShot! Naito staggers into Drilla’s arms, for the DRILLA KILLA!!! Cover and the ref is back, Drilla wins!!
Winner: “Drilla” Dan Moloney, by pinfall
The Rebel gets the Madness Dark Side to help him screw over Naito, and now this series is all tied up again! But then Finlay & Drilla beat Naito down more! Jake steps in, and the War Dogs back away. Jake stands on Naito’s chest, then stomps away! Is Jake going to destroy Naito once and for all? But wait! Here comes Hiromu! The Ticking Timebomb ROCKS Jake, ROCKS Drilla, then fires off on Finlay! But then Drilla & Finlay mug Hiomru! They double whip, but Hiormu ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Hiromu goes out after Finlay, but Drilla CLUBS Hiromu! They POST Hiromu, but what about the main event!?
Red Shoes hurries out here, the fans tell Jake and Drilla to go home. Jake literally kicks Naito out of the ring and then stands him up against railing. Jake gets space, takes aim again, and Finlay makes Hiromu watch the FACE BREAK SHOT that sends Naito into the front row!! The fans boo and tell Jake to go home. Jake smirks as he takes his leave with Drilla, the damage done. Is there an alliance between Jake’s Good Looking Guys and Finlay’s War Dogs? Is Naito just the first casualty of many?
As for Finlay and Hiromu, Finlay RAMS Hiromu into railing! And then RAMS him in again! Finlay RAMS Hiromu a third time, then he soaks up the heat. Red Shoes reprimands, but this isn’t officially a match yet. Finlay takes aim, he runs in, but Hiromu sends him into railing! Hiromu gets Finlay in, the bell rings, and it’s time to settle the score!
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Hiromu Takahashi VS David Finlay!
Hiromu fireman’s carries, CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Hiromu fireman’s carries again, but Finlay slips away! The fans rally for Hiromu as he eggs Finlay on. Finlay snarls, storms back up but Hiromu then SUNSET FLIPS! Finlay holds ropes to throw down hands! Hiromu staggers away, Finlay fireman’s carries him now! Finlay runs and THROWS Hiromu at a post! The fans boo while Finlay throws up the Too Sweet and taunts them all. Finlay leaves Hiromu behind, he tells the fans they look stupid, then he goes back to fetch Hiromu. Finlay slaps Hiromu around, drags him up, and throws him into the ring.
Finlay crawls to a cover but Red Shoes says nope, too many shenanigans. Finlay is upset, there were a lot of shenanigans both ways. But Finlay drags Hiromu up to suplex and TOSS Hiromu! Now things are fine and Finlay covers, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Finlay mocks the “MOTO! MOTO!” Finlay whips Hiromu hard into a corner! Hiromu falls then crawls, and Finlay taunts him that it’s too easy. Finlay stalks Hiromu to another corner as the fans rally up, but Finlay makes Hiromu smile! Finlay says smile like Tsuji! Red Shoes reprimands, Finlay lets off, but then he drags Hiromu up to whip hard into another corner!
Hiromu staggers and falls out of the ring and Red Shoes checks him. Finlay waits on Hiromu while he writhes on the floor. Finlay mockingly says “Moto! Moto!” Red Shoes has Finlay stay back, and the ring count starts. Hiromu stands at 4 of 20 while Finlay lounges on the ropes. The fans rally, Hiromu rolls in at 10, but Finlay brings him back up. Finlay scoops and carries Hiromu around for a BACKBREAKER! Finlay says he’s strong AF, and then he kicks Hiromu around. Finlay mocks the fans chanting for Hiromu, and that makes them boo Finlay. Finlay pushes Hiromu around, so Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS!
Finlay dusts himself off, eggs Hiromu on, so Hiromu CHOPS again! Finlay felt that one so he knees low. Finlay runs, Hiromu follows, and Hiromu RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Finlay flounders while Hiromu goes to ropes. Finlay runs up, but into a BOOT! Hiromu then has a HANGING HEADSCISSOR! Red Shoes counts, Hiromu lets go at 4 and he drags Finlay out to wheelbarrow FACEBUSTER to the floor! The fans rally up behind Hiromu and he goes to the apron. Hiromu aims as Finlay stands, FLYING SHOTGUN sends Finlay through the gate! The fans fire up with Hiromu as he pursues.
Hiromu smiles at TJP on English commentary, then gets a real “MOTO! MOTO! MOTO!” going. Hiromu gets Finlay up and in, and Finlay goes to a corner. Hiromu runs up to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Hiromu keeps his cool and he kicks Finlay around. Hiromu drags Finlay up, fireman’s carries, but Finlay fights free. Hiromu takes a swing, but Finlay catches him to an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Hiromu survives but Finlay scoops him, for the SWINGING IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives again and Finlay grows frustrated.
Finlay mocks Yota Tsuji as he powers up and goes to the corner. Hiromu rises, Finlay flips him off, and steals GENE- TRIANGLE D!! Hiromu has Finlay caught and the fans fire up! Finlay flails, tries to stack Hiromu, but Hiromu squeezes tighter! Finlay is fading and the fans fire up! But Finlay gets a second wind, deadlifts Hiromu, and POWERBOMBS him down! Finlay is free of D, but both men are down as the fans rally again. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, and lifts, but Hiromu RANAS to a cover! TWO!! Finlay escapes, kicks low and whips, but Hiromu slips free of Deep Six to wheelbarrow and COMPLETE SHOT!
The fans fire up while Finlay flounders! But Finlay sneaks his shillelagh into the ring! The fans rally for Hiromu while Finlay hides the shillelagh under him. Hiromu rises, Finlay shields the shillelagh from Red Shoes but Red Shoes is suspicious. Red Shoes sees the weapon! Finlay shoves Red Shoes away and takes a swing, but Hiromu dodges! SUPERKICK! Hiromu takes the shillelagh now! The fans are torn, but then Hiromu plays like Finlay did hit him! Red Shoes isn’t sure who to believe, but Finlay really is innocent this time! Finlay argues with Red Shoes but fans boo to help sell Hiromu’s trick.
Hiromu then runs to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! And then fireman’s carry! TIMEBOMB 1.5! Cover, TWO! Finlay is still in this but the fans are still with Hiromu. Hiromu fireman’s carries again, but Finlay fights free. Hiromu elbows, runs, but into an UPPERCUT! Finlay runs, but into a SUPERKICK! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER, but Finlay stays up! Hiromu runs again, but Finlay catches him spins him, ROLLING ELBOWS, then runs! Into a SUPERKICK! Finlay returns, for another SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! The fans are thunderous and Hiromu gets Finlay up, suplex and INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!!!
Finlay survives his own move but Hiromu won’t let that bother him! Hiromu drags himself up, dragon sleepers Finlay, but Finlay fights the suplex with knees! Finlay suplexes, but Hiromu knees free! Hiromu runs, but Finlay LARIATS! Finlay hauls Hiromu up, Canadian Rack, DOMINATOR!! Cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives and the fans are thunderous! Finlay goes to a corner as he thinks on what to do next. Finlay storms over to Hiromu, says it’s over now, and he drags Hiromu back up. But Hiromu slips out of the bomb to tuck the arms! Finlay wrenches out, but into TRIANGLE D!! Finlay flails, CLUBS at Hiromu, but he’s fading again!
Red Shoes checks, the fans rally up, and Finlay fights to deadlift again! POWERBOMB, but Hiromu just holds onto D!! Finlay is fading, flailing, reaching out, but Hiromu squeezes tight! Finlay deadlifts again! BUCKLE BOMB, and INTO OBLIVION!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Hiromu survives again and Finlay is beside himself! The fans are electric as Finlay shakes his head. Hiromu sputters but Finlay brings down the kneepads. Finlay slashes his throat and vows to end this! Finlay drags Hiromu back up, suplexes, but Hiromu slip free! Hiromu wrenches, pump handles, HIROMU-CHAN ROLL!! TWO!!! Finlay escapes and Hiromu is frustrated!
Both men catch their breath while the fans rally as hard as they can. Hiromu grits his teeth, pounds the mat, and rises up. Hiromu hobbles over but Finlay UPPERCUTS! Hiromu comes back, into another UPPERCUT! And another UPPERCUT! And another! And another, and another! But Hiromu stays on his feet, even as Finlay UPPERCUTS again! And again! And again!! Hiromu won’t stop, but Finlay won’t, either! The fans rally and Finlay eggs Hiromu on. Hiromu runs in, into another UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! Hiromu roars, runs, but into an UPPERCUT!! Hiromu drops to his knees, and Finlay says this is it!
Finlay suplexes, INTOÂ OVERKILL!! Cover, Finlay wins!
Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall
Bullet Club War Dogs takes the best of five in the fifth and final round! It took much more than Finlay wanted, but Hiromu always gives it his all. Will the Timebomb be able to fire back up in time for the Best of the Super Juniors?
Wait, Drilla returns, and now the War Dogs mug Hiromu! But then Tsuji & Takagi return to run them off! The War Dogs egg them on and vice-versa, but then GABE KIDD runs in! He CLOBBERS Takagi, DECKS Tsuji, and the War Dogs beat up on LIJ! The fans boo but the War Dogs just keep stomping LIJ! Drilla stands Tsuji up for Finlay’s SHILLELAGH SHOT! Drilla gives Hiromu the DRILLA KILLA! Gabe hits Takagi with a PILEDRIVER! Drilla gets to hold on to the shillelagh so he can JAM Hiromu! Finlay gives Tsuji the OVERKILL!! The War Dogs stand tall over LIJ, but Finlay still gets the mic to talk.
“What have I been telling you people? I AM the Savage King! You all thought you saw cracks in my game, but that’s because I let you. You all thought you saw weakness in my War Dogs, but that’s because I let you. Time and time again, I have been steps ahead of everyone in this company. Time and time again, I have solved any problem that was put in our way. The only thing worse than fighting a man who knows how to hurt you is fighting a man who knows when. LIJ learned that tonight, didn’t they?” A young fan tells Finlay to shut up and the fans cheer the kid.
Finlay says you can strip him of championships, you can keep him from tournaments, but in the end, remember this: “HATE always finds a way!!” The Rebel has spoken, will he and his hateful War Dogs find a way to dominate all of NJPW whether we like it or not?
My Thoughts:
A great event for the Road to Wrestling Dontaku series. Great Six Man title match with Tanahashi’s team winning again, probably no more shots for House of Torture. Not really sure what House of Torture is supposed to do next, though. We’re seeing Narita go after Moxley and the IWGP World title, Jack Perry is technically back in AEW, Evil and Yujiro could try for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles but you know they’d lose to Bishamon. I’ve been thinking that House of Torture should join Jack in AEW for this stretch until Forbidden Door, have some interactions with The Young Bucks and Kazuchika Okada or something like that.
Really fun Best of 5 series, and it was hilarious that Yota beat Gedo so easily. Great wins for Gabe and Takagi going into their NEVER Openweight Championship match. For a moment, I thought LIJ was winning, given how badly the War Dogs beat up Naito with the help of their new pal, Jake Lee, a former GHC Heavyweight Champion and a big name in Pro-Wrestling NOAH. But then in the end, Finlay found a way to win against Hiromu, keeping him strong as he probably moves up from midcard titles to world title. If we go by the math, Takagi should win the NEVER Openweight title match, but it’d feed Gabe’s story better if he did get the title.
As for Hiromu, he probably gets a strong showing in Best of the Super Juniors, but since his streak of tournament championships was broken, who knows if he gets another one or if he puts someone else over.
My Score: 8.8/10
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