Coverage

Andrew’s G1 Climax 31 Day 2 Results & Match Ratings: 9.19.2021

First night of B Block for the G1! Can the Ace of the Universe brave the rain? Don’t honorable warriors bow to Holy Emperors? Let’s find out who gets those early points!

Published

3 years ago

September 19, 2021

Andrew Balaz

First night of B Block for the G1! Can the Ace of the Universe brave the rain? Don’t honorable warriors bow to Holy Emperors? Let’s find out who gets those early points!

We get the worst possible match up of the block out of the way early! YOSHI-HASHI vs EVIL – the battle of who will suck the least! Aside from that we also get Tama Tonga vs SANADA which should be really fun given both men’s ability for technical wrestling.

On paper this is really solid, aside from the first match. Let’s see what happens!

Ratings:

EVIL w/Dick Togo vs YOSHI-HASHI: EVIL wins via Everything is Evil @17:15 – ** ¼
Jeff Cobb vs Chase Owens: Cobb wins via Tour of the Islands @12:11 – ***
Tama Tonga vs SANADA: SANADA wins via Japanese Leg Clutch @19:04 – *** ½
Taichi vs Hirooki Goto: Taichi wins via Black Mephisto @18:30 – ****
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Kazuchika Okada: Okada wins via Rainmaker @29:36 – **** ¼

Results:

EVIL w/Dick Togo vs YOSHI-HASHI

You know, the last time I really enjoyed EVIL’s work was in the New Japan Cup last year when he just dismantled YOSHI-HASHI. Hopefully we get more of that, because I’m never gonna understand the fascination people have with YOSHI-HASHI beyond just that underdog sad puppy kind of pity. If YOSHI-HASHI finds a way to win, it will give him a ton of momentum since the Japanese crowd seem to Kayfabe hate EVIL while the Western fans just hate EVIL. If EVIL wins, well then, it is YOSHI-HASHI, so no one is shocked.

EVIL dominates early with a little bit of a misleading tactic from Dick Togo and going after the ring bell guy multiple times, as is tradition. YOSHI-HASHI makes his comeback and the crowd is behind him. EVIL and Togo have to cheat a bit more, Darkness Scorpion on the outside, but the crowd is still supporting YOSHI-HASHI well. YOSHI unveils a new move, like a Pumphandle Backbreaker, he even transitions from the Butterfly Lock to a Sleeper Hold.

HASHI fights off Togo a few times, blocks a low blow, blocks the Everything is Evil, but EVIL counters Karma. HASHI does pull off a Flying Armbar that he transitions into a Cradle, but Togo is in the ring distracting the referee. HASHI gets basically a 6 count, then he goes to complain and EVIL finally gets the Low Blow. HASHI then succumbs to Everything is Evil.

Speaking of as is tradition, HASHI gave it a shot, had his hope moments, and failed. I am not surprised nor upset because HASHI is a waste of roster space to me.

Jeff Cobb vs Chase Owens

Chase tries to go right after Cobb at the bell, which was the wrong answer. So Chase starts using his head and he manages to navigate himself into a position to focus on Cobb’s legs and even a little bit of neck work. But given the power difference, going after the legs is smarter.

There was definitely a strategy from Owens, but for a good chunk of the match, Chase was just used like a sandbag. Chase had some great flashes, catching Cobb with V Triggers, Low Dropkicks and even using the ropes more than usual. Chase hit a Missile Dropkick followed by a Kip Up, which I don’t think we’ve ever really seen him do either. Cobb goes for Tour of the Islands but Chase counters it twice. Has a nice flurry, even hits a great Corkscrew Pump Kick, but Cobb is just too much. He shrugs things off a little, hits a Super Kick and knocks Chase into the ropes he stumbles back into Cobb’s arms and takes a tour.

Much better match than expected if we’re being honest.

Tama Tonga vs SANADA

Tama starts with the gamesmanship early, with offering a handshake, then going through a lengthy spot which ended in a Dueling Dropkick where no one had the advantage. In a turn we don’t usually see, Tama takes off his vest and the fans and SANADA are even impressed. So Tama smiles and takes the time to pander and preen, offer SANADA a handshake again, but SANADA is pensive. Tama then goes to the corner to play to the crowd, allows SANADA to go to the other corner (as SANADA is want to do), then after a little showing off, Tama attacks before SANADA turns off the corner.

SANADA is on the outside, beats the count, then Tama takes him back out and they brawl a little. We see a Paradise Lock, Tongan Twist, TKO, Stinger Splash and Magic Screw! The Magic Screw usage from SANADA is interesting since Tama has a billowing feud with The Good Brothers, so any Magic Killer/Gun Stun references are obvious shots. Speaking of that, Tama tries the Gun Stun and SANADA just catches him, falls back and goes into the Skull End.

Tana fights, SANADA reapplies, Moonsault attempt gets countered and Tama pulls out a Butterfly Piledriver which I have never seen him use before. Gun Stun attempt again, backfires, O’Connor Roll into the Japanese Leg Clutch and SANADA barely steals the two points!

Taichi vs Hirooki Goto

Taichi is doesn’t a great job at being a walking AJPW reference. Not only does he take from his mentor Toshiaki Kawada, he’s started transitioning his Choke Hold into a Nodo Otoshi Chokeslam ala Akira Taue. As clean as Taichi has wrestled lately, we still see those Suzuki-Gun tendencies where he uses the guardrail and the camera cables to gain a few advantages.

Goto however doesn’t know how to quit. Goto fires back with a choke of his own, then we get a small comedy spot where both are choking one another simultaneously. There are plenty of signature moves that get traded, Taichi with the Gamen Giri and Axe Bomber; Goto pulls off many of his cooler moves. Ushigoroshi, Shouten Kai, most of the high impact moves not named GTR.

This really came down to who could hit their homerun move first. Goto blocked the Superkicks often, even after Taichi took his pants off. Goto breaks out of the Black Mephisto, lands a headbutt, Taichi reels back with a Rolling Elbow and finally hits Black Mephisto! Holy Emperor wins!

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Kazuchika Okada

Fight number 15 between the face of the last generation and the current generation! Okada is leading the count at 6-5-3. Can Tanahashi even things up again?

The early goings are very much a chess match. Simple moves like Arm Drags, Headlocks and Head Scissors. Okada’s arrogance does spark Tanahashi a little, so that’s when we start seeing the Dragon Screws even the bad knee game. As the action goes to the outside, Okada feigns Tombstoning Tanahashi off the apron, but Tanahashi slips out and Dragon Screw again! Then we see the Flying Crossbody on the outside (I do like Kevin Kelly calling the non-Finisher version Aces High).

Tana goes for a High Fly Flow in the ring, Okada gets his knees up and turns it into a Money Clip. Tana gets out of the Money Clip, then we start seeing Okada pick up the pace. Commentary really starts reminding everyone that the 3 draws all came in the G1, so they have a history of drawing in the G1. Okada hits the Elbow Drop, does the classic Rainmaker pose with the zoom out, but Tana ducks the Rainmaker. Sling Blade, the off the ropes Sling Blade…and now we get to the desperation spots. They both have a waistlock in and jockey for Tombstone control. Okada gets the best of it, Jumping Tombstone but Tana refuses to quit.

Okada almost steals the win with that craft Double Leg Cradle, but not quite. Classic Million Dollar Dropkick, leads to a Rainmaker Tana can’t dodge and we see The Rainmaker start strong!

Overall Score: 8/10

All in all, a better tournament day than Day 1. Hell, YOSHI-HASHI vs EVIL wasn’t complete crap and the fact the fans were really into does once again remind us why EVIL is a thing. None of the matches were really bad, unlike Day 1 (here’s looking at you KENTA vs Yano).

Tama looked great, Chase looked surprisingly good, Tana and Okada showed up while Taichi is still doing the Lord’s work.

B Block:

Taichi / 1-0 / 2 Points
Kazuchika Okada / 1-0 / 2 Points
Jeff Cobb / 1-0 / 2 Points
EVIL / 1-0 / 2 Points
SANADA / 1-0 / 2 Points
Tama Tonga / 0-1/ 0 Points
Hiroshi Tanahashi / 0-1/ 0 Points
Chase Owens / 0-1/ 0 Points
Hirooki Goto / 0-1/ 0 Points
YOSHI-HASHI / 0-1/ 0 Points

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

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024

We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!

Published

5 mins ago

April 25, 2024

Andrew Balaz

Rebellion had quite a few returns, Mike Santana, Sami Callihan and Broken Matt Hardy. All three of these guys could easily be main event players, and its nice to mix up and expand what felt like a rather small pool of potential challengers.

Under Siege is only like 2 weeks out, so we’ll see how the dots connect in such a short period of time.

.@AJFrancis410, Rich Swann, and rap legend @BunBTrillOG are IN THE HOUSE Meanwhile, @joehendry announces he will deliver an apology to Fir$t Cla$$ NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/4GNe2xWfyU

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Ratings:

Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz: Santana wins via Spin the Block – ** 1/2
#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander: Josh wins via Grapevine Ankle Lock – ***
ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside: Xia wins via School Girl Roll-Up – ** 3/4
Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands: Sami Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – SQUASH
Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – *** 1/4

Results:

Did @NicTNemeth say BROKEN? @MATTHARDYBRAND has arrived in the iMPACT Zone! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/HbkUangt6e

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

A weird opening that is just framed to put Nemeth and Hardy together against The System. Feels a little awkward, but who knows how it will play out.

.@JordynneGrace vs @miyu_tjp NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT will now be for the Knockouts World Championship! pic.twitter.com/YnKZjb9yjx

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz

Ahh I didn’t really pay attention to Santana’s theme at Rebellion, but its pretty damn cool. Good stuff.

Rascalz blindside Santana early, but the heel advantage doesn’t last more than a few moves. Santana whips Myron from corner to corner, hits a few Hip Attacks before Myron finally dodges one and starts using his unique offense and agility to his advantage. Matrix dodge, into an Leaping Outside Back in Slingshot Codebreaker. Some more offense and Santana powders to the ramp, Myron jumps over the rope and tries a Flying Cutter, but Santana blocks it, turns things around, gets pushed forward and hits the Rolling Cutter. Santana takes out the Rascalz, heads back into the ring, Myron tries to catch him unawares but eats the Spin the Block off the rope run! Santana wins fairly quickly.

Maclin’s music hits, he tries to employ the help of The Rascalz to attack Santana, but as soon as Maclin positions himself to get in, The Rascalz bail and flip off Maclin. Maclin makes it out of the confrontation relatively unscathed, but at least we know where he’s going for Under Siege probably.

OH FUCK ME WITH RUSTY KNIVES. Because Cardona is hurt Kon is paired with SDL, and she just challenges Jordynne and PCO to a tag match. WHY!? STOP IT. This is hot garbage.

Josh Alexander comes out…I wonder who’s Super Finisher he’s gonna conveniently kick out this time? Brian Myers? Frankie Kazarian? Rich Swann? Because yes, I’m still annoyed that Hammerstone has been in TNA for half a sandwich, he already connects with a Super version of his finish on tacks, and that’s not a finish. Oh Kaz’s music hits. Okay, so time for Josh to kick out of Fade to Black or Flux Capacitor. Kaz talks smack, says he won his match too so he should have a say in who’s number one contender. Josh challenges him, Kaz says not right now, but a referee runs out and says the match is official.

#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander

Kaz throws his jacket on Josh’s head, and attacks him with some strikes before Josh fights back and throws Kaz out. Commercial break, we see Kaz misses his Apron Guillotine, Josh goes for the Low Crossbody but Kaz dodges and Josh goes flying. Kaz starts throwing some chops and claws at the cauliflowered ears of Josh. Russian Leg Sweep from Kaz for a near fall. Josh swings wildly and Kaz ducks the strike and levels Josh with a Lariat.

Josh blocks a Vertical Suplex attempt, but Frankie pulls off a Fisherman’s Suplex after a few overhead strikes for a near fall. Josh stands up and connects with a straight right, rocks Kaz, Back Body Drop, into a Charging Forearm, Rolling Senton, 2 count! C4 Spike attempt countered into a Back Stabber and then Chicken Wing, but Josh fights it off, rolls through and into an Ankle Lock, Kaz kicks off and into a Head and Arm Cradle for a near fall and then the Guillotine Leg Drop into Slingshot DDT spot from Kaz for another 2 count!

Fade to Black, but its fought off, Big Boot but then Kaz counters the next move with a Power Slam into the Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop, but Josh grabs the Ankle Lock! Locomotion German Suplex time from Josh, Halfhatch Suplex after the Germans, floats over for a 2 count! C4 Spike attempt again, but Kaz fights it off, dumps him over the top rope, slingshots him in and into the Cutter for a near fall for Kaz! After the 2 Kaz grabs a chair and chain, the referee stops the chair of course, so he tries the chain, EY runs down and grabs the chain so Kaz pulls the Eddie Guerrero and the referee admonishes EY, but doesn’t DQ Josh. So as Kaz is busy laughing at EY, Josh picks the ankle, Ankle Lock with the Grapevine, Kaz taps.

Tensions are sky-high between @alexhammerstone and @JakeSomething_! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/LLCUJOCy7H

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside

Both are jawing at each other and then throw hands before Xia gets the upper hand with a Headscissors from the Top Turnbuckle, Charging Knees, a Flurry of Kicks, but when the ref forces some space in the corner, ASH is finally able to dodge and work over Xia with her Twisting Body Splash, a few choking moves, a corner Stomp into a Snap Suplex for 2. ASH is in charge elegantly, but the referee keeps forcing space on both of them when they go for corner attacks. Xia manages to take advantage a little, but ASH regains control, kicks Xia up the ramp and then lands her Cartwheel Back Elbow up the ramp. It actually looks pretty cool executed like that.

Headlocks and Hair Pulling to keep Xia down and using energy to kick out. ASH is getting frustrated but Xia is remaining persistent. ASH goes back to the Headlock, but Xia fights up, Jawbreaker, Back Elbow, Kick to the gut and Drop Toe Hold sends ASH face first into the middle buckle. Xia rips off 4 Double Knee Smashes to the back of ASH’s head into her Flying Crossbody for a close 2! Xia pulls her up, but ASH spins out, then Xia slips it, but ASH kicks her in the chest and deposits her to the outside and demands a count from the referee. Iceman puts Jeweled Knuckles/Rings on ASH’s hand, the referee catches her, removes the stuff from her fingers and Xia hits the School Girl Roll-Up for the flash win.

Fraud has thrown the Ballot Box Battle into chaos, but also paved the way for an explosive showdown between @TheTreyMiguel and @The_Ace_Austin NEXT WEEK to determine the #1 Contender for the X Division Championship! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/lYHrtgNrc3

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands

So the Good Hand Jobs are about to do their job to Sami. I’m just gonna assume Sami beats the hell out of both and wins with a Cactus Driver ’97. If anything interesting happens I might actually cover it, but come on now.

.@SteveMaclin has a proposition for @FrankieKazarian #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XY6lMdmSWo

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Kaz makes a Metallica reference with the “Wash Your Back So You Won’t Stab Mine”…and Sweet Amber is the only good song on St. Anger. So…I ain’t mad.

Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth

A little early ground wrestling and headlocks for control from both men. Nothing super flashy to start until we get to the rope run and Nemeth goes for the Flying Body Press to drop Eddie. Before Nemeth can follow up, Lish grabs his foot. Nic does have his brother Ryan in the crowd, trying to get chants going and do the old school ‘power up the babyface’ thing, but Eddie has been in control since Lish got involved. Simple offense, chokes, strikes, Snap Suplexes, Knee Drops, simple yet effective. But then Eddie ducks his head too early, Nemeth kicks him in the face, bounces his head off the buckles a few times, Dropkick sends Eddie reeling to the corner, Nemeth starts the 10 Count Punches but Myers hits the apron to distract and Eddie manages to slip the situation and push Nemeth to the floor.

Commercial break happens, Nemeth is trying to fight back with Chops, but a Kitchen Sink from Eddie puts Nemeth on the floor again! Clubbing blow from Eddie, but Eddie then misses the Hip Attack in the corner and Nemeth counters with the Rude Awakening into the 10 Count Rain of Elbows. Fame Ass-er miss, Eddie tries something but Nemeth turns it into that hesitation DDT for 2! Tuning up the band starts to build and Eddie powders to avoid it. Nemeth throws Eddie back in, goes to the top, but Eddie crotches him, rises up and hits the Superplex into Tiger Driver for 2! Eddie starts mocking with Tuning Up the band but Nemeth hits his own Superkick into an Olympic Slam for 2!

Both men just trade strikes Fighting Spirit style, Eddie says “Always Trust the System” and Nemeth shuts him up with a Headbutt. Danger Zone is blocked, Boston Knee Party gets ducked, they level each other with Lariats! Myers and Ryan Nemeth start fighting to distract the referee, Moose hits the ring and hits Nemeth with the belt. Eddie lands Boston Knee Party and The System wins again!

Overall Score: 6/10

A lame opening segment, a squash match, ASH by Elegance getting her first loss, and a weird way of just pulling the number one contender out of mid air makes for an awkward show. Also Kon still be involved in, literally anything, is negative. However, I can say there was a ton of stuff thrown at the wall this episode, so there’s a chance that some things landed better with other people than myself. The ballot segments were amusing, they overused the “I need to talk to you Santino” gimmick a bit much and personally I feel like having Jake versus Hammerstone is booking yourself into a weird corner.

But hey, the main event was fun, Nemeth getting laid out to the point that there could be a story reason to take him out of the Under Siege match. Kaz with the Metallica reference was pop worthy and I guess its a lot of ‘let’s see where it goes’ kind of angle creation. So it wasn’t complete trash, but its definitely a wait and see episode.

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

Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/25/24)

Champions need challengers!

Published

5 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Steven Mitchell

The Queen is coming for her crown!

Athena & Billie Starkz are the top champions in the ROH Women’s Division, but Queen Aminata’s coming after them! Who will she target first?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Isiah Kassidy VS Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes; wins.
ROH World Tag Team Championships Proving Ground Match: The Undisputed Kingdom VS The Outrunners; win(s) and
Abadon VS ???
Johnny TV VS ???
Taya Valkyrie VS ???
Six Man Tag: Top Flight VS The Dark Order; wins.
Anna Jay VS Allysin Kay; wins.
Six Man Tag: Lance Archer & The Righteous VS ???
Triple Threat: Blake Christian VS AR Fox VS The Beast Mortos; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Isiah Kassidy VS Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes!

Brother Zay and the Commander of the Skies are coming down from the high of competing against Rob Van Dam on April 20th, but they’re both ready to get back up. Will Kassidy earn his shot (shot shot) at a championship? Or will the AAA Cruiserweight Champion be aiming for ROH gold?

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