Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam MetLife Report! (9/5/21)
Will The Dragon slay the EVIL?
Will Darkness Fall and give the King of Darkness his throne?
The Summer Struggle is finally over, but now we’re in the final innings! Will Shingo Takagi still reign atop NJPW? Or will EVIL strike him out?
NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii VS Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan; Cobb & Khan win.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori VS El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Desperado & Kanemaru win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Triple Threat Tag: The Dangerous Tekkers VS Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Tetsuya Naito & SANADA; Dangerous Tekkers win and retain the titles.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Robbie Eagles VS Hiromu Takahashi; Eagles wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo; Takagi wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii VS Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan!
The Rainmaker finally fell to the Hawaiian Hulk, but that was just the first trilogy! Will the Stone Pitbull help Okada get back up and turn things around? Or will the United Empire win as a united duo against Chaos?
Cobb is of course very smug while the teams sort out. Okada dares him to step up, but The Dominator starts instead. In that case, Ishii starts for Chaos, and fans rally with the bell! Khan and Ishii circle, feel out the grapple, and tie up shoulder to shoulder. Khan shoots in but Ishii blocks, only to be put against the ropes. The ref calls for the break, Khan lets off with a pat on the shoulder and a smack to the head. Ishii storms after Khan but Khan kicks low then MONGOLIAN- No, Ishii dodges the chops and blocks the iron claw! Ishii wrenches, Khan rolls, drop toeholds and has a leglock! Ishii stays up with his hands to get Khan in a leglock of his own!
Khan rolls, Ishii holds on, but Khan kicks his way free. Fans cheer that technical exchange as the two reset. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, Ishii powers Khan to the Chaos corner, and Okada tags in. Okada runs and DECKS Cobb while Ishii fires off on Khan! Chaos brings this outside, Okada whips Cobb hard into railing! Fans cheer while Ishii does the same to Khan, and then Okada whips again. Cobb reverses to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly Suplex Okada down! Fans fire up as Cobb hobbles over and stomps Okada. Khan deals with Ishii on his head, and the United Empire regroups as fans rally up for Okada. Cobb stands Okada up to RAM him into the apron!
Cobb puts Okada in the ring for Khan and Khan uses a knee to cover. TWO, but Khan keeps cool. Okada sits up but Khan is right on him. Okada throws forearm after forearm but Khan knees low! MONGOLIAN CHOP! And another! Okada falls, Khan takes aim, Mongolian THRUST! Cover, TWO! Okada stays in this but Khan is just softening him up. Tag to Cobb, the United Empire mugs Okada with a headbutt to the ribs! Cobb CLUBS Okada but Okada just gets mad. Okada throws a forearm, Cobb eggs him on. Okada keeps throwing forearms, Cobb keeps egging Okada on, then Cobb headbutts Okada again! Okada goes to a corner, Cobb gets him up to whip and scoop!
Okada slips out of the Tour to get the arm! Cobb resists the Money Clip, Ishii sees Khan running around the way and gets him first! Cobb RAMS Okada into a corner and is free of the armlock. Cobb runs in but Okada pops him up! Alabama lift to the REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up as both men are down in the ring, then rally up as Okada rises. Okada tags in Ishii, he runs and RAMS shoulders Cobb! Cobb rams back, they go again, then Ishii whips Cobb to a corner. Ishii runs in to clothesline, but Khan CLUBS Ishii from behind! Ishii whips Khan into Cobb! Ishii runs in, Khan gets away so only Cobb takes the clothesline! Khan runs the ropes but Ishii CLOBBERS him!
Cobb whips Ishii to the corner, but Ishii rebounds off buckles to run Cobb over! Fans fire up as Ishii growls and watches Cobb. Cobb stands, Ishii brings him around and suplexes, but Cobb is too big for that! Cobb tries to suplex Ishii but he fights that, too. Ishii and Cobb fight over suplex control, but Cobb wrenches to clinch. Ishii fights out of the belly2belly but then catches Cobb’s clothesline to spin him around! Ishii manages a suplex! Fans fire up as Cobb stands right back up! Ishii dodges the superkick but runs into an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! But then Ishii stands right back up! Ishii dodges the superkick again to ROCK Cobb with a forearm! Ishii runs but into a dropkick!
Fans fire up while both men are down. Cobb crawls for the Empire corner and tags in Khan! Khan stomps around and drags Ishii up. Khan whips Ishii to a corner and then clotheslines him in the back! Khan hoists Ishii up top backwards, and MONGOLIAN CHOPS Ishii into the Tree of Woe! Okada protests as Khan digs his boots into Ishii’s chin, but then Khan runs corner to corner from the three point stance for a SLIDING BOOT! Fans cheer that athleticism and Khan lets the ref figure out the Tree of Woe. Ishii is freed but Khan is right on him with a cover. TWO, but Khan simply drags Ishii up to gut wrench dead lift! GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!
Khan DECKS Okada just because, then Cobb gets in. The United Empire drags Ishii up, double whip him to a corner, then Khan whips Cobb in for a LEAPING- Ishii dodges so Cobb hits buckles! Ishii runs at Khan, Okada runs in at Cobb, simultaneous corner clothesline and back elbow from Chaos! Okada kicks Cobb but Cobb wrenches to avoid the DDT! Okada throws forearms on Cobb but Cobb ROCKS Okada with one! Cobb runs, but into Okada’s FLAPJACK! Khan runs in, but is sent into Ishii’s forearm! Okada boots Khan into Ishii’s BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Ishii keeps cool as he drags Khan up by his ponytail and Okada goes after Cobb on the outside.
Khan forearms Ishii back, then forearms again. Ishii hits back, they brawl while Cobb RAMS Okada into railing. The brawling speeds up and the fans rally with every hit! Ishii gets the edge, and he ROCKS Khan into a corner. Ishii whips, Khan reverses and Cobb returns! Ishii hits buckles then Cobb hits the back elbow! Khan runs in to clothesline, then he brings Ishii around, SUPERKICK BOOT SANDWICH! Cobb reels Ishii in to suplex, Khan adds a BOOT to the SLAM! Cover, Okada breaks it! Cobb CLUBS Okada, Okada ROCKS Cobb back! Okada CLUBS Cobb, Khan CLUBS Okada. Khan whips Okada, Okada reverses but Cobb catches Okada out of the air during his dropkick!
Okada fights free of Cobb’s grip but then Khan CLUBS Okada on the back. Khan runs, but into a proper Okada dropkick! Fans fire up but Cobb fires off forearms and CHOPS on Okada! Cobb runs, but into a dropkick from Okada! Okada and Ishii fire up with the fans, and Okada clears Cobb out while Ishii aims at Khan. Ishii runs but Khan blocks lariat to the STANDING CROSSFACE! And then the IRON CLAW! Khan lifts Ishii but he slips out of the Eliminator to reel Khan in. Khan suplexes first but Ishii fights that off and wrenches an arm! Ishii blocks Khan’s boot but Khan ROCKS Ishii with a forearm! Ishii HEADBUTTS to intercept the Mongolian Chop!
Khan roars and BOOTS Ishii after all! Ishii roars and swings, but into a SLEEPER IRON CLAW! ELIMINATOR!! Khan covers, Cobb keeps Okada out, The United Empire wins!!
Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall
The Dominator takes down the Stone Pitbull while Cobb keeps the Rainmaker from being a difference maker! Is the United Empire going to rise as Chaos falls?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori VS El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
Bullet Club’s Cutest Tag Team (their name for themselves, at least) aren’t happy they lost the Super Junior Tag League, but they’ll gladly take down Suzuki-Gun’s duo on the big stage! Will the Headbanger, the Bone Soldier Reborn, and whatever is or isn’t in ELP’s boot, stop the Rogue Luchador and Heel Master from getting these titles again?
The introductions are made, the titles are raised, and after Bullet Club puts away all their cool entrance gear away, we see if the 2021 SJTL winners can become champions!
Suzuki-Gun doesn’t wait for Bullet Club to Low Sweet and sort out, they attack right away! ELP & Taiji hit back and the bell rings as the four brawl! Bullet Club gets the edge, ELP DECKS Kanemaru while Taiji throws Desperado out. ELP CHOPS Kanemaru, throws him out now, and Taiji sets Suzuki-Gun up. ELP climbs as fans fire up, then walks the tightrope, but doesn’t moonsault! ELP thinks he’s being so clever, but Suzuki-Gun mugs Taiji! Kanemaru gets in and sneaks up behind ELP to kick him low! Kanemaru CLUBS and whips ELP, ELP goes up and over and baits Kanemaru in to springboard crossbody! Cover, TWO! ELP rolls and LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!
Fans cheer but ELP gets annoyed as he drags Kanemaru up. Half straitjacket and torture rack, but Kanemaru lands on his feet out of the toss! Kanemaru rakes ELP’s eyes and has him in a corner. Kanemaru whips ELP corner to corner, runs in but into a back elbow. ELP runs but into Kanemaru’s low dropkick! ELP manages to handstand out of his leg getting hit! But then he has to stand on his feet again and his knee bothers him. Kanemaru runs to dropkick the leg out again, and this time ELP falls on his face! Desperado DECKS Taiji on the outside, Kanemaru gets ELP’s bad leg and SMASHES it into the mat. Tag to Desperado, he stomps the bad leg, but ELP CHOPS back!
Desperado digs his boot into ELP’s leg even harder now! Kanemaru returns to add on and the ref counts. Suzuki-Gun lets off, and ELP clutches both leg and face. Desperado drops a knee into ELP’s leg, then ties up the legs in a BUTTERFLY STRETCH! ELP tries to grab at Desperado’s mask but Desperado knuckle locks the hand and adds to the pressure of the leglock! ELP flails and reaches and gets the ropebreak! The ref wants Desperado to undo the hold and he lets off on the pressure, but ELP CHOPS him again! But then Desperado just adds pressure again! ELP grabs the ropes and the ref calls for the break again! Desperado lets the hold go to “oops!” and drop a knee on the leg.
Tag to Kanemaru, he kicks Taiji off the corner before ELP can tag out. Kanemaru then stomps the bad leg, drags ELP away to the far side, and puts the leg on the rope. Desperado holds it in place for Kanemaru to DROP down on it! ELP hobbles up but Kanemaru kicks him down at the corner. Kanemaru whips ELP hard into the Suzuki-Gun corner, then Desperado drags him down. Kanemaru argues with the ref so that Desperado can SLAM ELP’s leg into the post! ELP flops out, Desperado kicks him around, and ELP goes into the ring. Kanemaru gets ELP for a HALF BOSTON CRAB! ELP endures, reaches out and gets another ropebreak! Kanemaru lets go at the count of 4!
Desperado tags in, Kanemaru stomps ELP more, and Desperado adds on. The ref reprimands but Suzuki-Gun splits the wishbone! Cover, ROPEBREAK! ELP saves himself again but Desperado keeps on him. Desperado goes to suplex but ELP RAMS him into the Bullet Club corner! Taiji is back and he tags in as ELP RAMS his shoulder into Desperado more! Bullet Club mugs Desperado in the corner, and ELP adds on more forearms. Taiji brings Desperado up and whips him to ropes, but Desperado reverses, only for Taiji to arm-drag and arm WRINGER! Taiji elbows Kanemaru down then goes back to Desperado to stomp him.
Fans rally as Taiji hammerlocks Desperado’s bad arm and brings him up. Taiji RAMS Desperado into buckles, shoulder first! Taiji drags Desperado back up, ELP tags in, and ELP climbs up as Taiji holds onto Desperado. Fans fire up and ELP plays it up with a drum roll, before the jump and CLAW! Taiji keeps Kanemaru down while ELP JAMS his elbow into Desperado’s face. ELP brings Desperado up, tags Taiji back in, and yes, Taiji climbs up top. Taiji plays it up before he leaps to CLAW Desperado! ELP has Desperado on the ropes as he CLAWS Desperado in the chest now! The ref reprimands but Taiji brings Desperado around to put in a Tree of Woe.
Taiji knows down Kanemaru again before he runs corner to corner to SLIDING BOOT! Desperado is stuck in the Tree, ELP tags in and Bullet Club goes to the opposite corner. Taiji runs in again for another SLIDING BOOT! ELP fires up, he and Taiji take aim, and they both run corner to corner, to jump up and dig their boots into Desperado’s groin! The ref reprimands but Kanemaru makes the save! Only to get mugged, and for ELP to CLAW his back! Bullet Club hoists Kanemaru up for a DOUBLE Tree of Woe! And a DOUBLE standing on the groins! The ref reprimands but fans cheer the creativity. ELP drags Kanemaru out of the Tree to throw him out of the ring.
Tag to Taiji and Bullet Club gets Desperado up. Desperado fights back but still gets mugged. Bullet Club double whips, but Desperado holds ropes. Taiji runs in, is put on the apron, and then Desperado sends ELP into Taiji! Taiji falls, ELP staggers, Desperado gives ELP a SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up while both men are down, and Kanemaru calls to Desperado from the corner! Desperado gets up, but Taiji denies the tag by tripping Kanemaru up! ELP drags Desperado away to the Bullet Club corner and Taiji tags in. ELP slowly CLAWS Desperado’s back, and Taiji lines up his shot. Taiji runs in, blocks Desperado’s boots and puts him in the ropes!
Taiji runs side to side, SLIDING GERMAN! Cover, TWO! Taiji drags Desperado up and around to hammerlock and then elbow away on the shoulder! Taiji stands Desperado up, gets Desperado up for a SHOULDER BREAKER, then covers! TWO, and Desperado survives, but is still writhing and shouting. Taiji gets Desperado up but Desperado blocks the gut wrench. Taiji CLUBS away on Desperado, whips him to ropes, but Desperado reverses. Taiji handsprings, Desperado catches him but Taiji fights free. Desperado reels Taiji back in for a BIG back suplex! Both men are down again and Kanemaru is back on the corner! Desperado rolls and tags Kanemaru in!
Kanemaru DECKS ELP, drags Taiji up to whip, but Taiji reverses and ELP gets a cheap shot in! The Bullet Club double whips Kanemaru to a corner but Kanemaru BOOTS Taiji and dodges ELP! Kanemaru CLAWS ELP and throws him out! Kanemaru whips Taiji to the corner, Taiji Tiger Feints, goes in and out and around to shoulder Kanemaru! Taiji springboards, Kanemaru gets under to mule kick, then Kanemaru runs. Kanemaru ducks, dodges and tilt-o-whirls for a DDT! Both men are down but fans fire back up. Kanemaru crawls to a cover, TWO! Taiji is still in this but Kanemaru drags him up to reel him in.
Kanemaru scoops, gets the dragon sleeper, but Taiji spins around! Kanemaru blocks the suplex to try his own, but now we have a battle for suplex control. Taiji throws body shots, Kanemaru still blocks, but Taiji gut wrenches instead! CIPHER- NO! Kanemaru sits on Utaki to make it a cover, TWO!! Taiji narrowly escapes and Kanemaru argues the count but the ref says it was fair. Kanemaru runs at Taiji in the corner, but into a boot! He tries again but Taiji ax kicks him now! Kanemaru tries a third time but he runs into a BUCKLE SHOT! ELP calls to Taiji, Taiji rolls that way and tags ELP in!
ELP hobbles to Kanemaru, whips him to a corner, then sends Taiji in for DOUBLE KNEES! Taiji climbs up, ELP gives him a boost with the Electric Chair, for the TOSS CODE BREAKER! Taiji holds Kanemaru in place as ELP climbs up, ELP SUPER BACK SENTONS Kanemaru down! Cover, TWO!! Kanemaru survives and Bullet Club grows frustrated but the fans fire back up. ELP reels Kanemaru in, hooks up the arms, but Kanemaru back drops free! Taiji goes after Desperado as ELP sunset flips! Kanemaru rolls through and gets the legs for a FIGURE FOUR! Desperado RAMS Taiji into railing while ELP endures the leglock! Kanemaru even adds an ankle lock to it!
ELP reaches for ropes, Kanemaru flails to add leverage, and then he goes after the boot itself! Kanemaru wants to expose the secret just like anyone else! ELP gets the ropebreak but Kanemaru takes his time letting off on the hold. Tag to Desperado, they drag ELP up and Kanemaru gives him a SHINBREAKER! Desperado adds a CHOP BLOCK! Cover, TWO!! But Desperado puts the leg in a STRETCH MUFFLER! Taiji runs in, gets caught by Kanemaru, CAMEL CLUTCH! Dual submissions are torturing the Bullet Club! ELP gets around to get the ROPEBREAK! Taiji is let free but Desperado adds more damage to the leg. Desperado stands ELP up but ELP fights off the combo move!
ELP switches with Desperado and shoves him at Kanemaru! Then ELP rolls Desperado up, with tights! TWO, and ELP hurries to fire forearms! Desperado hits back, they brawl now with forearms back and forth and the fans rally up. Desperado kicks the leg, throws more forearms but ELP stomps Desperado’s foot! Is the boot weighted after all?! ELP boots Mono Loco too to then mule kick! ELP hooks up the arms to steal PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, TWO!! Fans cheer but Taiji shoves Kanemaru into railing! Bullet Club regroups and drags Desperado back up. Taiji gut wrenches for CIPHER UTAKI! ELP is up top, THUNDER KISS 86!! Cover, Kanemaru BOOTS ELP down!
Kanemaru CLUBS Taiji, stomps ELP, repeat! Taiji BOOTS Kanemaru in return! Taiji takes aim as Kanemaru bails out, TRIANGLE MOONSAULT! Taiji tells ELP to finish this and ELP aims from the corner! ELP undoes the laces on his shoe? ELP wants to use the totally weighted shoe but his leg is bothering him too much, so he takes a swing! Taiji distracts the ref but Desperado dodges the shoe shot! MONO LOCO!! Down goes ELP, and Desperado picks up the shoe! Taiji shoves the ref into Desperado! They’re working to cover up the secret! Taiji grabs the shoe, but Desperado hasn’t let it go! Fans rally up as they have a tug-o-war over ELP’s shoe!
Kanemaru runs in and has his whiskey bottle! Low kick and BOTTLE SHOT! Desperado has ELP’s shoe and puts it on like a glove! ELP WEIGHTED BOOT MONO LOCO!!! ELP is down again, but that might’ve been double-edged for Desperado’s fist! Kanemaru stays fired up and gets the ref up. Desperado reels ELP in, hooks up the arms, PINCHE LOCO!! Cover a la the Deadman, SUZUKI-GUN WINS!!
Winners: El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
What a powerful victory in the MetLife Dome! Desperado still clutches his fingers, just what IS in ELP’s boot? But at least they have the gold! Will this newest reign be worth all the pain?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Triple Threat Tag: The Dangerous Tekkers VS Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Tetsuya Naito & SANADA!
NJPW is putting Strong Style convention aside a moment to see which duo is truly the best! The odds are not in favor of Taichi & Zack Sabre Jr., but can they still overcome them to keep Chaos and Los Ingobernables de Japon without these belts? Or is two teams one too many even for them to #JustTapOut?
Three sets of introductions are made, the Tekkers show off their merchandise and the tag titles are raised. Taichi and Sanada already have a quick showdown of dancing pecs as the teams sort out. In this kind of Triple Threat, only two teams are active at a time, so the challengers are already arguing about who starts against the champions. Fans rally up as things get tense, and of course the Tekkers welcome the challengers to start with each other. Goto-Hashi gets pissed and they literally kick LIJ out! Then they go after the Tekkers to show they’re getting the first turn! The bell rings and now we start this three way dance!
Hashi throws hands on ZSJ while Goto puts Taichi in a corner. ZSJ hits back with EuroUppers while Goto whips Taichi corner to corner. Goto runs in but Taichi dodges. ZSJ runs in but Goto dodges. Hashi runs in but ZSJ dodges! Goto dodges Taichi, ZSJ dodges Hashi, and back again! The teams stand off, and then LIJ returns to attack them all! Sanada and Naito throw out Goto and Hashi and then Sanada eggs ZSJ on. ZSJ runs in but Sanada dumps him out, then LIJ goes after Taichi. They double whip Taichi to ropes, then double HIP TOSS! Then camel clutch and basement dropkick! ZSJ returns, he gets a drop toehold to basement dropkick!
Goto-Hashi return and Goto throws Naito out while Hashi is after Sanada! Goto-Hashi whip Sanada to ropes, double shoulder him down, then coordinate for the hip toss senton! Naito returns but he gets hit first. Goto-Hashi drum away on Naito’s back! Sanada rushes in but he gets drumming, too! Fans fire up with Goto-Hashi but Taichi runs in. Goto kicks and whips him to a corner but ZSJ returns! Taichi dodges and ZSJ uppercuts Goto while Taichi BOOTS Hashi! ZSJ sets up both Goto-Hashi for Taichi’s DOUBLE AX BOMBER! Fans fire up as Tekkers regroup and Taichi stays the legal man. Taichi drags Goto up and snapmares him to KICK him in the back!
Goto seethes, but Taichi CHOKES him! The ref sees that and counts. Taichi lets off and argues that’s not a choke. THIS is a choke! The ref counts again, Taichi stops again and then TWO HAND CHOKES! The ref counts, Taichi lets off and Taichi gets in the ref’s face. Taichi goes back to Goto and kicks him around. Taichi smirks as he toys with Goto, and Naito calls to Goto to tag him. Goto CHOPS away on Taichi, but Taichi choke grips! Goto choke grips back, they’re both choking each other! Hashi jumps in and he helps Goto choke Taichi! The ref reprimands them all, so Naito joins in! THREE people are choking Taichi! Sanada hops in, finds a spot, and is now the FOURTH!
The ref reprimands all of them for all this chocking, but ZSJ runs in! Taichi is tossed aside and ZSJ gets mugged by all the challengers! They get ZSJ down and stomp away on him! ZSJ bails out, and so that leaves Goto-Hashi and LIJ staring down. LIJ offers the fist bump, and fans cheer as Chaos considers it. Nope! Goto-Hashi just attack and throw LIJ out again! Goto goes back to Taichi and drags him up from the ropes. Goto CLUBS Taichi to the Chaos corner, digs his boots in, then lets off as the ref counts. Goto stomps Taichi more, drags him back up and bumps him off buckles to then stomp and club him from behind! The ref counts and Goto lets off to tag Hashi.
Hashi stomps Taichi now, drags him back up and CLUBS him on the back. Fans rally as Hashi hangs Taichi out to dry. Goto keeps Taichi stuck on the top rope as Hashi runs, and Hashi dropkicks Taichi down! Cover, TWO! Hashi drags Taichi back up, snapmares him down and clamps on a chinlock. Taichi endures the knee in his back and the stretch in his neck. Sanada goes after Hashi and throws him to the LIJ corner so Naito can tag in! Naito stalks Taichi to ropes and keeps him from ZSJ. Naito whips Taichi to ropes and elbows him down, then runs to basement dropkick! Naito grabs at Taichi but Taichi kicks from below! Naito drops an elbow and then clamps on a headlock!
Taichi pulls Naito’s hair but the ref reprimands. Taichi tries digging at Naito’s eyes so Naito digs at Taichi’s nose! The ref reprimands, Naito shifts to get the Pluma Blanca! Taichi endures the leg hook full nelson and fans rally up. Taichi moves around, Naito sees Goto coming but can’t let go before Goto stomps him down! Goto stomps Taichi, too, then bails out. Naito keeps Taichi from Goto and then tags in Sanada. LIJ mugs Taichi while staring Goto-Hashi down. Sanada brings Taichi up, blocks a kick and trips Taichi to put him in the Paradise Lock! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. ZSJ is helpless as Sanada dropkicks Taichi out of Paradise! Cover, TWO!
Fans fire up as Sanada brings Taichi up again. Sanada facelocks but Taichi powers him to a corner! It’s the Chaos corner and Goto tags in! Goto fires off on Taichi and Sanada with stomps! Goto brings Taichi around, snapmares and digs his knee in with the chinlock. Taichi grabs at Goto’s hair now, the ref reprimands, so Taichi throws hands from below. Goto jams his elbow into Taichi’s forehead, then goes to DECK ZSJ! Taichi gets up and throws Goto down by his hair! Taichi looks for ZSJ but he isn’t in the corner anymore! Naito offers a tag but Taichi refuses, and Goto BOOTS Naito down anyway! Goto brings Taichi around and whips him into a corner. MURAMASA!
Taichi staggers, Goto whips again but Taichi reverses to HOOK KICK! Both men are down and fans fire up as ZSJ is back on the corner! Taichi heads over, hot tag to ZSJ! ZSJ goes after Goto with EuroUppers! ZSJ runs, Goto follows but ZSJ spins him to snapmare and NECK TWIST! Hashi gets in, ZSJ blocks the chop to hammerlock and ARM TWIST! ZSJ runs at LIJ’s corner but they drop down to avoid the boot. ZSJ goes after Goto and boots, but Goto blocks it! Goto spins ZSJ, waistlocks but ZSJ switches. Goto switches back, ZSJ victory rolls to trip him up to the EURO CLUTCH! Cover, Naito and Sanada break it!
Naito stomps Goto, Sanada stomps ZSJ and fans fire up. LIJ whips ZSJ corner to corner, ZSJ stops himself, and then dodges Sanada to sweep the legs on Naito for a NECK TWIST! Sanada runs in, ZSJ spins him around and WRINGS out the arm! ZSJ runs and EuroUppers Goto! Goto roars, deflects ZSJ’s boot and DISCUS LARIATS! Everyone is down and fans fire up again! ZSJ crawls away while Goto catches his breath. Goto runs in to MURA- NO! ZSJ blocks the wheel kick to an STF! Taichi plays defense, he gets Hashi for SEITEIJYUJIRYOU! Tekkers have dual submissions on Goto-Hashi and fans are thunderous!
ZSJ steps through with a leg to have a Fujiwara and headscissor combo! Naito gets in to stomp away on ZSJ! Sanada joins in, then LIJ CLUBS Taichi down! Taichi chokes Sanada, ZSJ headbutts Naito low! LIJ is thrown back out and the Tekkers focus on Goto. ZSJ EuroUppers Goto for Taichi to BUZZSAW! Taichi wants more, so OFF COME THE PANTS! ZSJ gets Goto up as Taichi powers up, but Hashi runs in to clothesline Taichi down! Goto slips out of the suplex and waistlocks but ZSJ resists the lift! ZSJ elbows at Goto but Goto holds on tight! Goto powers up to SLAM ZSJ down! Goto gets ZSJ back up, Hashi joins in, FIERCE HEADHUNTER!! Cover, TWO!!
ZSJ survives the blockbuster leg sweep combo, but Goto drags ZSJ up but ZSJ kicks Hashi away to deny the next combo move! ZSJ RAMS Goto into a corner, but Naito tags in! Naito throws hands on Goto then Naito throws Goto out. Naito whips ZSJ corner to corner to rocket kick and leg sweep, COMBINACION CABRON! Fans fire up as Naito hammerlocks and hooks ZSJ. ZSJ resists, switches, but Naito arm-drags him away! Naito still ends up in a corner and ZSJ runs in. Naito dodges, Sanada returns and back elbows! Feed to more elbows then a dropkick! Atomic drop to back suplex! Jackknife cover, Goto breaks it in time!
Sanada throws Goto out, Naito gets ZSJ up and puts him on the top rope. Naito climbs up the corner to SUPER STEINER! Fans fire up and Naito aims from the corner. ZSJ slowly flounders up, Naito runs in, but Taichi BOOTS him first! Hashi runs in to tackle Taichi! Hashi drags Naito but Sanada dropkicks Hashi down! Goto LARIATS Sanada! Taichi AX BOMBERS Goto! Naito spins Taichi around for a NECKBREAKER! ZSJ CLOBBERS Naito with a EuroUpper! Fans fire up again as all six men are down! Hashi, Goto and Sanada flop to the outside, but Hashi gets back on the apron. Hashi sneaks over to the Chaos corner while Naito returns to the LIJ corner.
Naito stands, Hashi tags in off ZSJ! Hashi runs and CHOPS Naito! Then whips to CHOP and mule kick, into a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Naito survives but Hashi keeps his cool. Hashi drags Naito up, reels him in, and gets Naito up for- A RANA! Naito counters the bomb but Hashi comes back with a spin back kick! Hashi reels Naito back in, for a RUNNING POWERBOMB!! Goto DECKS Sanada, but the Tekkers attack Goto! They double whip but he DOUBLE LARIATS them down! Fans are fired up again as Goto-Hashi sets Naito up, but Naito kicks free! Goto suplexes, Naito slips out, but Hashi SUPERKICKS! They get Naito up, G Y W!! Cover, ZSJ breaks it in time!!
Goto stomps ZSJ, puts him in a corner and then whips him corner to corner. Goto runs in, ZSJ dodges to EuroUpper Hashi! Goto comes back to DECK ZSJ! Taichi runs in, Goto fireman’s carries for USHIGOROSHI! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Goto down, but Hashi SUPERKICKS ZSJ! Again, everyone is down and the fans are thunderous! Sanada reaches out for Naito and Naito crawls that way, tag to Cold Skull! He O’Conner Rolls and sits deep on it! TWO, Hashi runs into a back elbow! Sanada Quebrada but Hashi gets under, only for Sanada to RANA! Hashi bails out, Sanada takes aim, PLANCHA! Direct hit and fans fire up behind Sanada!
Sanada drags Hashi up and puts him in the ring. Sanada drags Hashi up, fireman’s carries, but Hashi fights free. Hashi waistlocks, Sanada throws elbows and then rams him into a corner. Sanada whips corner to corner but Hashi reverses. Sanada goes up, out and springboards in, but Hashi gets under and Goto gets Sanada for a fireman’s carry! SUPERKICK to USHIGOROSHI! Goto DECKS Taichi, he shouts to Hashi to finish this as he PLANCHAS out to hit both Tekkers! Hashi wants Sanada to stand and Sanada rises. Hashi runs but into a boot! Hashi still CHOPS, then SUPERKICKS! BASEMENT METEORA! Cover, TWO!!
Fans stay fired up as Hashi gets Sanada up for a full nelson, then spin. Sanada slips out of the slam to dragon sleeper! Hashi arm-drags free, and LARIATS Sanada down! Cover, TWO! Hashi fires up and stands Sanada back up, half nelson and spin but again Sanada counters. Shove to Naito’s ENZIGURI, then Sanada fireman’s carries for a TKO!! Cover, Goto breaks it! Goto fires off on Sanada, Naito kicks him and throws him out! Fans rally as Naito and Sanada regroup. LIJ drags Hashi up, but they have to watch for the Tekkers and Goto. Naito lets Sanada go solo as Sanada hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Sanada keeps cool.
ZSJ returns and he attacks Naito! EuroUppers in the corner but Naito fights back! Naito throws ZSJ out, Sanada ROCKS Taichi! Naito rushes over but Taichi catches him! ZSJ runs in but Naito gets around to reel him in. Naito kicks Taichi as he hits a TORNADO DDT on ZSJ! ZSJ bails out but Sanada goes for Hashi. Sanada spins Hashi to the dragon sleeper! Fans are thunderous as Hashi counters to an inside cradle! TWO and Sanada O’Conner Rolls, to the dragon sleeper! Hashi drops to victory roll! TWO!!! Sanada gets up and runs, into a scoop! But he slips right out, to get the dragon sleeper! SKULL END!!
Hashi is caught in the body scissors, Naito makes sure Goto and the Tekkers are still down and fans are thunderous again! Hashi pops free of the sleeper but Sanada keeps the scissors! Sanada gets the sleeper again with the other arm, and drops back for SKULL END!! Hashi endures, refuses to give up, and fans are rallying up hard as ever! Sanada pulls back, Hashi is fading! The ref checks on Hashi, but he gets a second wind! Sanada keeps Hashi trapped, and Hashi is fading again! Hashi’s turning purple, so Sanada lets him go to go to the corner! But Taichi tags in before the ROUNDING BODY PRESS!!! ZSJ drags Sanada into a sleeper, feed to Taichi’s CHOKE-
No! Sanada holds off the slam! So Taichi has ZSJ help, and they CHOKE BACK SUPLEX SLAM!! Goto HEADBUTTS Taichi and DECKS ZSJ! But Taichi hits the three point stance, RUNNING FOREARM SMASH! But Naito runs in, Corriendo- ZSJ stops Destino for Taichi, and then drags Naito down into a grounded cobra twist cradle, to the JIM BREAKS SPECIAL! Taichi SUPERKICKS Hashi down!! Taichi fires up, drags Hashi to his feet, Alabama lift for BLACK MEPHISTO!! Cover, Tekkers win!!
Winners: The Dangerous Tekkers, by pinfall (still IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Not even two teams at once could stop the Sliest Wrestler and the Submission Master! Naito is pissed and he stomps Hashi, only for Goto to CLUB him down. The Tekkers laugh at these literal lowers and celebrate their triumph. Will there be no stopping the Tekkers now that they’ve hit this one out of the park?
The G1 Climax 31 blocks are announced!
For A Block: Kota Ibushi; Tetsuya Naito; Shingo Takagi; ZSJ; Toru Yano; Tomohiro Ishii; Yujiro Takahashi; Kenta; Tanga Loa; and Great-O-Khan!
For B Block: Sanada; Taichi; Yoshi-Hashi; Hirooki Goto; Jeff Cobb; EVIL; Tama Tonga; Chase Owens; Kazuchika Okada; and Hiroshi Tanahashi!
The Autumn is about to heat up again as the yearly tradition returns once more! Plus, JAMProject is providing this year’s tournament theme song, “Max the Max!” It will definitely be showtime, but who will burn the brightest and reach the goal?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Robbie Eagles VS Hiromu Takahashi!
The Sniper of the Skies shocked many when he dethroned El Desperado to have this belt for his own. But now, the Ticking Timebomb is back and he’s ready to have some fun again! Will Eagles be able to fly away with this title? Or will Hiromu-chan be the one shooting Eagles down instead?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, the shootout for the gold begins!
Eagles rushes Hiromu and BOOTS! Hiromu CHOPS and Eagles CHOPS back! They CHOP and CHOP and CHOP then get forehead to forehead. Hiromu shoves Eagles then headlocks him. Eagles powers out, Hiromu runs him over but things speed up. Hiromu runs Eagles over again, eggs him on, but Eagles trips Hiromu to get the headlock. Hiromu powers out, dodges Eagles then runs him over! Things keep moving and Eagles hurdles while Hiromu leaps. Hiromu blocks a kick, flips Eagles and sweeps the legs. Hiromu covers, ONE! Eagles sweeps the legs and covers, ONE! Eagles handsprings up and fans cheer.
Eagles and Hiromu stand off as fans rally up. Hiromu and Eagles slowly circle, then go forehead to forehead again. Hiromu shoves Eagles and eggs him on again. Eagles swings but Hiromu dodges to CHOP him off his feet! Hiromu whips but Eagles blocks by holding ropes. Hiromu CHOPS Eagles again, whips him after all, but Eagles goes up and around and arm-drags! Eagles keeps moving, ducks and dodges to RANA Hiromu down! Eagles eggs Hiromu on now but Hiromu dodges the wheel kick. Hiromu and Eagles duck and dodge strikes, Eagles blocks a clothesline to then block a kick, but Hiromu denies the backpack to a backslide.
Eagles rolls through but Hiromu reels him in for a suplex. Eagles fights that and waistlocks but Hiromu switches. Eagles counters that with a Shiranui! Hiromu spins through that to dragon sleeper but Eagles snapmares the inverted suplex away. Eagles runs in at Hiromu in the corner but Hiromu puts him outside. Eagles ROCKS Hiromu, springboards but Hiromu ducks under. Hiromu scoops Eagles to a fireman’s carry but Eagles slips off to victory roll! Hiromu kicks him away but Eagles rebounds, only for Hiromu to duck the Penalty Kick! Eagles keeps going, anticipates Hiromu’s drop down and drops a knee on the bad leg!
Eagles basement dropkicks Hiromu out of the ring then takes aim. Eagles builds speed to DIVE! The tope sends both men into the railing! Hiromu gets stuck in a gap while Eagles crawls away. Eagles has Saitama fire up as he goes back for Hiromu. Eagles drags Hiromu back up, CHOPS him, then refreshes the ring count so he can CHOP Hiromu again. Hiromu goes around the way, Eagles pursues, but Hiromu CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Eagles kicks low, KICKS Hiromu against railing, then CHOPS him off his feet! Eagles puts Hiromu in the ring and fans cheer his sportsmanship. Eagles stomps Hiromu around and focuses on the bad leg.
Hiromu clutches his leg but Eagles CLUBS him on the back. Cover, ONE, but Eagles tries again. ONE, and Eagles is annoyed. Eagles locks up Hiromu’s legs and encourages the fans to get louder. The fans do get louder as Eagles deathlock STOMPS the legs! Hiromu clutches his knee again and Eagles covers, TWO! Hiromu CHOPS from below and that annoys Eagles even more. Eagles eggs Hiromu on and Hiromu CHOPS again! Eagles KICKS the bad leg but Hiromu CHOPS back! Eagles KICKS, Hiromu CHOPS, repeat! Hiromu fires up but Eagles switch-kicks his leg! Eagles runs, Hiromu dodges and returns to RANA! Fans fire up as both men are down again!
Hiromu gets his bad leg moving while Eagles slowly sits up. Fans rally, Hiromu grins as he rises. Eagles kicks the bad leg, brings Hiromu around and whips but Hiromu reverses to corner clothesline! Snapmare and basement dropkick! Eagles bails out of the ring but Hiromu aims from the apron. Hiromu leaps for the FLYING SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Eagles hits railing and tumbles through the gateway! Fans rally up as Hiromu hobbles over. Hiromu fetches Eagles into the ring and then hurries to suplex for a FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Hiromu focuses on getting his leg moving rather than his frustrations, and he hobbles back to Eagles.
Hiromu stands Eagles up, fireman’s carries but Eagles slips out to shove him towards a corner. Eagles DOUBLE KNEES, then rolls back to run in. Hiromu dodges and knees hit buckles! But Eagles blocks the superkick to turn Hiromu around! Hiromu shoves out of the Turbo Backpack and Eagles ends up in a corner. Eagles comes back but into a SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Hiromu goes to the far corner, Eagles runs in but into an OVERHEAD suplex into the buckles! Fans are fired up again as both men are down. Hiromu and Eagles stir, Hiromu gets his bad leg moving again and slowly sits up. Eagles follows but Hiromu brings him up first.
Hiromu fireman’s carries, Eagles fights and gets free. Eagles ducks forearms and elbows but Hiromu ROCKS Eagles with his fifth! Hiromu whips, Eagles reverses but Hiromu holds ropes to BOOT back! Eagles Tiger Feints the legs! Springboard and missile dropkick to the legs! Eagles gets the legs, rolls Hiromu around and gets the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Hiromu endures and fans fire up as Eagles pulls on the legs! Hiromu drags himself over, reaches out, but Eagles adds more pressure to the leglock! Hiromu refuses to quit and he gets the ropebreak! Eagles holds on until Red Shoes counts, and Eagles hurries to get Hiromu up! STANDING SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO!
Eagles keeps focus as fans fire up. Eagles fires himself up and rolls Hiromu to the backpack. Hiromu fights free, GERMAN SUPLEX! Eagles lands on his feet to ROUNDHOUSE, SUPERKICK and PELE! Hiromu staggers from the kick combo, and Eagles reels him in for a CORNER- NO! No more slices of bread! Hiromu fireman’s carries to the CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Both men are down again after that impact and fans fire up again! Hiromu slowly drags himself away, still clutching his knee. Hiromu forces himself to stand while Eagles finally sits up. Eagles is in a daze and stays in the corner but Hiromu brings him up. Fireman’s carry for a TOSS HOTSHOT!
Hiromu runs and SUNSET POWERBOMBS Eagles to the floor!! Red Shoes goes out to check both men but they’re somehow both okay to continue. Fans rally up and a ring count begins. The count reaches 10 of 20 before Hiromu stands, and he gets in at 13. The count passes 15 as Eagles slowly rises, and he’s in at 19! Hiromu runs in to SHOTGUN DROPKICK again! And GERMAN SUPLEX! Eagles roars to his feet, but Hiromu LARIATS him down! DEEP stack cover, TWO!! Eagles survives and so far, so does his reign! Fans rally as Hiromu rises again. Hiromu drags Eagles up, fireman’s carries again, spins but Eagles sunsets! TWO and Hiromu SUPERKICKS!
Eagles roars but Hiromu dodges him to SUPERKICK again! Hiromu roars, drags Eagles up and suplexes for VICTORY ROYALE! Cover, TWO! Eagles still stays in this but Hiromu just shakes his head. Hiromu stands, hobbles over to Eagles and fans are thunderous again. Hiromu dragon sleepers but Eagles victory rolls! TWO, Eagles schoolboys with a bridge! TWO and Hiromu scoops for a dragon sleeper, to inverted suplex! Eagles slips out, Hiromu gets him for a regular suplex, but Eagles fights back with knee after knee! Hiromu turns things to a fireman’s carry, spins, TIMEBOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!? Eagles survives again and shocks Hiromu!
Hiromu fires up once more and he gets Eagles back up. Hiromu runs to LARIAT Eagles down! But he’s not done there! Hiromu gets his bad leg moving again as he dragon sleepers. Eagles again fights the inverted suplex but Hiromu just hits a DEEP reverse DDT! Hiromu reaches his boiling point and he gets Eagles up in the inverted suplex! TIMEBOMB MK- NO! Eagles flails and they end up in the corner. Eagles gets to the top rope but Hiromu CHOPS him! Hiromu catches his breath and gets his leg moving again while fans rally up. Hiromu climbs to join Eagles now, stands on the very top rope, and flips, only for Eagles to block the wheelbarrow!
Eagles CLUBS away on Hiromu, leaps over and rolls but has to take a moment. Hiromu adjusts in that time and he BOOTS Eagles away! Eagles tries again, another BOOT! Eagles PELES and then SHOTGUN DROPKICKS Hiromu’s bad leg! Red Shoes checks on Hiromu but Hiromu won’t let this stop him. Eagles climbs up and brings Hiromu into position, SUPER TURBO BACKPACK!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Hiromu survives and fans are thunderous again! Eagles watches Hiromu flounder as he aims from a corner. Eagles runs in, BASEMENT SUPERKICK! Eagles hurries to a corner but Hiromu hurries after him! Hiromu anchors Eagles’ leg to prevent him from climbing!
Eagles pulls Hiromu up by his hair and quickly apologizes before he SUPERKICKS him again! Eagles goes up, 450 SPLASH to the legs! Then the RON MILLER SPECIAL!!! Hiromu flails, claws, reaches out for ropes but Eagles does his best to anchor Hiromu! Hiromu still makes his way forward but Eagles drags him back! Hiromu reaches out to Red Shoes just to keep himself from giving up! Eagles adds as much pressure as he can to the hold but Hiromu keeps fighting! Hiromu claws his way forward again, but Eagles lets off so he can kick and club away on the bad leg! Eagles even drops a knee on the knee! And then the RON MILLER SPECIAL returns!!!
Hiromu endures all over again as fans reach electric levels! Eagles pushes up to add as much pressure as he can, and Hiromu curses as he taps out!! Eagles wins!!!
Winner: Robbie Eagles, by submission (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
The champion no longer feels like an underdog! Dome to dome, Eagles has defeated two of the best in the Junior Heavyweight Division today! Is there no one in NJPW who can doubt the Sniper of the Skies now?
Wait, Desperado makes his way back out to the ring? Even with that bad hand, the newly crowned tag champion clearly wants to talk singles title. “How’re you feeling, amigo? Congratulations.” Now, surely some stupid people are wondering what the hell Desperado’s doing out here since he already lost to Eagles once. He admits that he lost to the same submission hold, but after the G1 got announced, Junior Heavyweights will be taking a bit of a backseat for a bit. But he won’t let Eagles forget him. This isn’t “out of sight, out of mind.” Desperado says in English, “I want a rematch. But I hate just a rematch.”
Now this is just Desperado’s idea but… If Eagles accepts, then Desperado’s IWGP Junior Tag title-which he struggles to take off his neck with the bad hand-will also be on the line. Whoa~! Eagles just needs to have a partner, and Eagles says he does in Tiger Mask. Fans cheer that and Eagles is given the mic. “Listen, Desperado. I said after our match, any time you could’ve asked for a rematch.” Instead, Desperado waits until Eagles is beaten, broken and very tired. But fair enough, he did do something like that to Desperado. Though, if Desperado’s willing to give Eagles a shot at the tag titles, then challenge accepted!
“But I’m gonna tell you what I told Hiromu, and what you learned last time.” In Japanese, Eagles tells Desperado that he is the one who will come out the winner! The IWGP Junior Heavyweight belts are going to be on the line in the background of the G1, but when and where will these showdowns go down?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS EVIL w/ House of Torture!
FINALLY! This has been brewing since Wrestle Grand Slam Tokyo, and now after the Summer Struggle, the Dragon and the King of Darkness will have it out in another dome. Will Takagi demolish this “House of Torture” before it builds up too big? Or will Evil reign at the very top once again?
Speaking of that HOT garbage, Yujiro Takahashi and the newly recruited Sho are with Dick Togo and the King of Darkness as they go to the ring. Takagi makes his entrance but is not intimidated by Evil’s pawns. Red Shoes surprisingly allows all three of Evil’s cronies to stay, and the Bullet Club boys Low Sweet. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who gets the walk-off here in MetLife!
Fans rally up as Takagi and Evil stare down. Takagi and Evil approach but then Evil bails out to slow things down. Evil tells Takagi to stay back while he talks things out with his boys. Sho gives some quick tips, Evil slides back in, and then Sho gets a chair! It’s the same chair he broke on Yoh, as you can see in the loose seat that just falls out of it. Takagi steps to Sho and he steps away, but Evil gets Takagi in a headlock! Takagi powers up and pries the hold but Evil holds on tighter. Takagi wrenches out, headlocks back, and fans rally up. Evil pulls hair, powers out but Takagi rams shoulders! Evil rebounds and he runs Takagi over!
Evil gives toying kicks to Takagi but fans rally up. Takagi gets up, Evil CHOPS him, then CHOPS again! Takagi eggs Evil on and Evil CHOPS again. Takagi goes to chop but Evil pokes him in the eye! Evil runs and rams Takagi, Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS back! Takagi shows off the dancing pecs and fans fire up. Takagi gets Evil up, whips and KNEES him against ropes, then runs to run Evil over with a shoulder! Takagi flexes, brings Evil back up, then reels him in for a snap suplex! Evil writhes, Takagi covers, TWO! Evil bails out, Takagi pursues, and Takagi throws hands on Evil! Evil shouts in pain, Takagi whips him into railings, then watches Evil fall over.
Takagi dares Sho to do something, then he gets fans to rally up. Takagi makes sure Abe-san is okay, then he gets Evil up. Takagi bumps Evil off the apron, then says he’ll do one more. He stands Evil up again to indeed bump him off the apron again. Fans cheer and Takagi brings Evil around to fireman’s carry. But Dick makes the save while Sho and Yujiro distract the ref! Takagi chases Dick around the way, into the ring, and Evil runs in! Takagi sees that coming and blocks the clothesline to ROCK Evil! Takagi runs but Sho trips him up! Sho whips Takagi into railing! Yujiro finally leaves Red Shoes alone while Takagi crawls.
Evil goes out to fetch Takagi, and oh no! He RAMS Takagi into Abe-san!! Red Shoes reprimands, but Abe kept the world title safe! Takagi thanks Abe for his sacrifice, and then drags himself up to his feet. Takagi snarls at Evil and gets in the ring, only for Evil to knock him back out! Takagi keeps himself from running into the timekeeper’s area, but then Evil goes out and RAMS him back into it! Abe again keeps the belt safe but how much can Abe take? Evil laughs and he fetches his favorite chairs from under the ring. Evil goes back to Takagi, brings him around the way and throws some knees. Evil puts one chair around Takagi’s head then has the other, CHAIRSHOT HOME RUN!
Evil smirks and goes back into the ring while Red Shoes checks on Takagi. Takagi says he’s okay to continue so the fans rally up. Evil paces and pretends this cheering is for him while his boys watch Takagi. Red Shoes returns to the ring to start a ring count. Takagi drags himself up, grabs at the chairs Evil used, but they’re falling apart as they are. Takagi throws them under the ring and gets in after Evil. Evil kicks and whips Takagi to the bare corner! The Bullet Club just love exposing the blue corner, no matter what match it is. Evil gets Takagi up but Takagi throws forearms back! Takagi fights through the pain but Evil knees low and throws him out.
Evil distracts Red Shoes and the HOT boys torture Takagi! They throw Takagi in, Evil covers, but Red Shoes knows the shenanigans were being had so he refuses to count! Fans cheer Red Shoes asserting his authority, so Evil puts Takagi in a cobra twist! Dick reaches out and that starts the chain! Takagi endures, Red Shoes realizes something is up, but Dick lets go. Evil keeps on the hold, HOT claims innocence, but then they form a chain of Evil to Dick to Sho to Yujiro to the railing! Red Shoes sees that and kicks Dick’s hand! Evil also gets hit from that and he lets Takagi go! Red Shoes put HOT on notice as Evil gets Takagi up. FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!
Evil grows annoyed but the fans cheer and Red Shoes stands his ground. Evil kicks Takagi to a corner, taunts him, then slaps him around. Evil wrenches an arm, whips but Takagi blocks by holding ropes! Evil tries again but Takagi still holds ropes. Evil CHOPS, whips but Takagi reverses. Evil stops from hitting the bare buckles, Takagi runs in, and Evil sends him into the buckles! Takagi staggers and Evil runs, into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Fans fire up as both men are down! Takagi gets the fans to rally up again as he rises in a corner. Evil slowly rises, Takagi runs in and rallies with big shoulders! Scoop SLAM and a BACK SENTON! Cover, TWO!
Takagi fires up and fans rally behind him again. Takagi drags Evil up but Dick gets on the apron. Red Shoes tells him to hop down but Evil’s gotten away to ropes. Takagi CHOPS Evil, whips him to ropes but Evil holds ropes to bail out. Takagi is annoyed but he goes out after Evil and clamps right onto him. But now the HOT boys just attack right in front of Red Shoes! Red Shoes reprimands Sho and Yujiro but Dick barges in to whip. Takagi reverses and sends Dick into railing! Takagi then fireman’s carries and SNAKE EYES Evil off the apron! Fans fire up as Takagi tells Abe to move aside! Abe does, taking the belt with him, and Takagi TOSSES Evil into the timekeeper’s area!
Takagi drags Evil up and smacks him off the timekeeper’s table! Takagi makes sure Evil takes a seat, then makes sure Dick is right next to him. Takagi bounces both their heads off the table then climbs up over them to go back to ringside. Sho and Yujiro attack again! They mug Takagi but he RAMS them into Evil and Dick!! Karma from all those times Evil’s done that to Abe! Fans rally up and Red Shoes finally EJECTS the House of Torture! The Young Lions usher out Sho and Yujiro, and even Dick now that he’s back up! They protest but Red Shoes says he’ll disqualify this if he has to! House of Torture leaves and now things are truly 1v1 between Takagi and Evil!
Takagi fetches Evil while Abe gets a new timekeeper’s area. Takagi knees Evil low, brings him around the way and into the ring. Fans cheer as this match continues properly! Takagi gets fans rallying up again and he stomps Evil around. Takagi stands Evil up, Evil swings on Takagi but into backslide hooks! Evil fights the Gory Especial and tries to back Takagi into the bare corner! Takagi blocks that, elbows Evil away, but Evil kicks and whips. Takagi reverses, Evil breaks free but Takagi CLUBS Evil’s clothesline away! Takagi gets the Gory Especial now, for NOSHIGAMI! Fans fire up while Takagi catches his breath. Takagi then reels Evil into a WHEELBARROW GERMAN!
Takagi grits his teeth as fans rally back up. Takagi sits Evil up, runs and SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Takagi gets the “OI! OI! OI!” claps going and powers up. Takagi drags Evil up, pump handles but Evil throws elbows. Takagi knees low, runs, but Evil shoves Red Shoes in the way! Takagi stops, but Evil kicks low! Evil suplexes Takagi up and puts him on Red Shoes’ shoulder! MAGIC KILLER! Everyone is down, Red Shoes included, but fans rally back up. Takagi goes to a corner, Evil slowly rises, and Red Shoes also slowly stands. Evil runs in to clothesline Takagi! Evil hoists Takagi up to the top rope, climbs up to join him, and SUPERPLEXES!
Both men are down again and writhing from that landing as fans fire up! Evil gets the legs, steps through, SHARPSHOOTER! Takagi endures as Evil sits deep! Fans rally as Takagi refuses to quit! Takagi powers up and manages to get the ropebreak! Red Shoes calls for the break, but Evil holds on until the count of 4 for maximum damage. Evil sits in a corner and watches Takagi writhe while fans still rally. Evil drags Takagi up, fireman’s carries, and DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and Evil is beside himself! Evil argues with Red Shoes but Red Shoes says that was a fair count.
Evil stands up, slashes the throat and says he’ll finish this! Spin and EVER- NO! Takagi fights the STO to fireman’s carry, but Evil slips out to shove! Takagi stops himself from hitting those bare buckles, he runs at Evil but Evil still wants his STO! Takagi fights that again so Evil shoves him into the buckles! But Takagi comes right back to LARIAT!! Fans are thunderous as both men are down this time! Takagi catches his breath, crawls over to Evil and stands him back up. Dick sneaks back to ringside and Evil rakes Takagi’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands, Evil lets off and he stands on Takagi’s head as he talks trash.
Takagi fights up and snarls but Evil gives toying kicks again. Takagi eggs Evil on, blocks a kick and fires off boxing elbows! Takagi DECKS Evil as he tops it off! Takagi roars and fans fire up with him as he drags Evil up. Fans get louder as Takagi pump handles but Dick makes his presence known! Takagi DECKS Dick, blocks Everything to pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, Dick drags Red Shoes out and throws him down!! Dick gets something and then jumps into the ring! Dick stomps away on Takagi and uses the SPOILER CHOKER! Takagi fights it off as he has before, and then fireman’s carries Dick for a- Wait, Yujiro is back!? PIMP CANE SHOT!!
Yujiro sits Takagi up, PIMP JUICE!! Takagi is down and fans are stunned! But with House of Torture getting Red Shoes up, fans rally back up. Evil crawls over to Takagi and covers, but Red Shoes is reluctant. Red Shoes does count, TWO!! Takagi kicks out so hard, Evil knocks into Red Shoes! Dick gets in to use the SPOILER CHOKER again!! Takagi snarls but he’s caught this time! Takagi is fading, Evil has a chair, but here comes BUSHI! Bushi slides in to dropkick the chair into Evil! Bushi ENZIGURIS Dick, then swings Yujiro into a BACKSTABBER! Bushi makes sure Takagi is okay, but here comes Sho! Sho drags Bushi up into a GERMAN SUPLEX!
Sho grabs the chair Evil brought in and smirks as he goes after Takagi. Sho sits Takagi up, takes aim, HEAD SHOT!! Another seat busted out of the frame! Sho then reels Takagi in, tucks the arms, but here comes Naito and Sanada! Fans cheer as the rest of LIJ is here but Sho gets them with chair jabs to the ribs! Sho runs but into Naito’s kick! Sanada dropkicks the legs out, Naito basement dropkicks Sho out! PLANCHA from Sanada for Sho! Dick grabs the title belt and brings it in! Naito kicks Dick first and kicks him out! Evil LOW BLOWS his former leader down! Naito flops out of the ring but fans rally up behind Takagi as Evil eyes the belt.
Evil picks up the belt, takes aim at Takagi and dares him to get up. Takagi does stand, but he ducks the belt shot and then blocks the second! Fans fire up as the two push each other! Takagi kicks low, thinks about the belt shot, but Evil and Red Shoes both tell him no! Takagi says he’s better than that, and hands the belt to Red Shoes. AND he blocks the low blow! Evil still tries Everything but Takagi shoves him away to ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Fans are electric and Takagi feeds off it! Takagi runs, to PUMPING BOMBER!! But Takagi isn’t done and he roars as he goes back for more! LIJ keeps HOT down, Takagi pump handles and torture racks, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!! Cover, Takagi wins!!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Championship)
Los Ingobernables de Japon thwarts the underhanded efforts of the one who betrayed them all! Hiromu also makes his way out to the ring now, still battered from his battle with Eagles. HOT gets out of there fast, will they try to get even with LIJ in the future? As for Takagi, he finally gets to celebrate his defense! LIJ joins him in this great moment, the one victory the team can hang their hats on tonight. Takagi gets fans to clap for “L I J! L I J!” as each member takes a corner and Takagi takes the mic.
“This isn’t just about me. This is about the last three weeks. These last three weeks have been tough. So that’s why I, Shingo Takagi, have something very important to say to everyone watching NJPW right now, both here and around the world. I can’t believe I caught COVID…” It has been three weeks since Takagi last wrestled, and he’d be lying if he wasn’t a bit unsure about things. But he had to fight to get rid of all that anxiety, and that is what drove him in this victory here tonight.
Takagi isn’t overlooking the virus in the least. But as pro-wrestlers, getting in the ring is a source of strength for all of them. And as such, Takagi had to show the pride of all of pro-wrestling and represent both this industry and this company with strength. Given the result, Takagi proved that to be true! This was big today. And from one man who made a comeback to another, Takagi formally welcomes Hiromu back to the ring! Hiromu, did you already get banged up again? Hiromu plays it off and Takagi knows Hiromu isn’t taking time off again so soon. LIJ shares a bit of a laugh there, and Takagi says that finally and once again, LIJ is all together again! Fans definitely cheer that.
Takagi encourages the fans to applaud more, and then says that he is far from done as IWGP Heavyweight Champion. There is a lot to do, a lot to be done, and he will keep going for many more miles. He grows a bit hoarse, so he tops it off with, “I have one last thing to say: that’s it.” Mic drop and pyro goes off to celebrate The Dragon staying at the top of NJPW’s mountain! LIJ regroups again for their photo op with the world champion! But with the G1 Climax just a couple weeks away, will the LIJ heavyweights be ready to run the gauntlet and chase The Dragon?
My Thoughts:
A great second day for NJPW’s weekend, and wow, all these matches went the distance. Again, sorry I skipped the Stardom dark match but this show was about 3 and a half hours even without it. The United Empire continues to build momentum, and I am really hoping either Aaron Henare can make a return, or they recruit new members to bolster their numbers again. Will Ospreay’s group is still young and small, but seeing how some sub-factions are starting to form, the United Empire feels like they’re getting lost in the mix. The Junior Tag titles changing hands was quite the surprise, but it was a great match, and of course Despy has a way to double down.
Skipping to the Junior Heavyweight singles title, Eagles defeating Hiromu was itself the status quo change. Eagles is moving up in the ranks and is showing he can be on the same level as the other big names. If they’re going to be doing these title matches at any time, it’ll be in October when the G1 has their final few events. For one, we’ve got good kayfabe reasons as to why Desperado and Eagles both need to heal up, since Desperado had that brilliant weighted boot boxing glove spot. As was pointed out on commentary, they could use the last two days, 10/20 and 10/21, to do these two Junior Heavyweight title matches, the tag titles first then singles title second.
Speaking of the G1, we got a great field here, and great to know Guerrillas of Destiny are on their way back to Japan with this. First-time entries like Chase Owens, Tanga Loa and Great-O-Khan are going to freshen some things up. We’ve seen a lot of times these last few years, guys like Bad Luck Fale being in it to take losses to the bigger names, great to see the torch being passed to the Crown Jewel here. But as I said for Kota Ibushi yesterday, I can’t see him being in his fourth straight finals, let alone winning three years in a row. Ibushi is great, but he technically should just have a match owed to him from Takagi so they can do that on the side as the finals give us a new winner.
The Triple Threat Tag was great just on how chaotic and constant the action was. Speaking of chaos, I figured Chaos’s Goto-Hashi weren’t winning since they and Ishii are still NEVER Openweight Six Man Champions. Therefore, Tekkers were either retaining or LIJ was adding to their collection. I still feel bad for Sanada that he hasn’t gotten much more than tag titles, so perhaps Tekkers retaining here is a sign Sanada can find his way towards gold of his own. Tanahashi being in the G1, I feel that is to set up US Championship stories rather than him getting to the finals, so I wouldn’t mind at least seeing something happen between Cold Skull and Ace in B Block to set up a title match.
And of course, Takagi VS Evil was wild in its own way. While NJPW doesn’t usually do stuff like this, thereby having some leeway, I do find it a bit much that Red Shoes didn’t throw House of Torture out sooner than he did. At the same time, I really appreciate them playing a long game on the many timekeeper table spots with Evil and Abe-san. Takagi gets payback for Abe, LIJ joins in to take the overbooking to its natural peak, and of course Takagi still wins. Takagi’s promo to end was very good, and I expect him to have a strong showing in the G1 for one of the few times where the champion looks poised to take it all and determine his own fate.
My Score: 9.1/10
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The storied rival has its final chapter!
For the last time, John Cena and Randy Orton battle over the WWE Championship! This time, it is on Backlash, in Orton’s hometown of St. Louis!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE United States Championship Fatal 4 Way: Jacob Fatu VS Drew McIntyre VS LA Knight VS Damian Priest; Fatu wins and retains the title.
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria VS Becky Lynch; Lyra wins and retains the title.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio VS PENTA; Dominik wins and retains the title.
- GUNTHER VS Pat McAfee; Gunther wins.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: John Cena VS Randy Orton; Cena wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the WWE Backlash Countdown Show!
Join Michael Cole, Wade Barrett & Big E in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action on this highly anticipated night!
Backstage interview with Lyra Valkyria.
Byron Saxton is with The Morrigan and asks how she is feeling tonight. She looked up to Becky Lynch for so long, only for her to stab her in the back. And at the same time, Lyra has dedicated this match to Bayley. How is Lyra going to manage all her emotions? Lyra says there is so much going on in her head, but the way to deal with it is focusing on the main emotion: embarrassment. She gave herself “the ick” looking back and seeing how she ate everything Becky fed her. Becky would’ve had a friend for life in Lyra, but then Becky turned on her. And what did The Man expect? For Lyra to run home to Dublin and cry?
No! That shows Lyra that Becky underestimated her. Lyra meant it when she said she is the better wrestler now. Becky may still be the bigger star, but when that bell rings, Lyra will show that she was never a stepping stone. Becky becomes Lyra’s stepping stone, as well as the crowning name on the long list of opponents when Lyra retains the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Lyra is locked in, but will the Luck of the Irish favor her in the end?
Vic Joseph joins the panel!
The Voice of NXT helps plug Battleground, but he also gives Lyra her props. From NXT UK to NXT USA, Vic has seen Lyra achieve her potential every step of the way. The NXT Women’s Championship match between Lyra and Becky was all about someone from the NXT roster stepping up and proving herself, and Lyra did just that. Lyra took the NXT Women’s title off Becky, but will Lyra keep the Women’s Intercontinental title from Becky? Or is #BeckyHogan going to step on Lyra to get ahead?
Jackie Redmond & Peter Rosenberg tag in for the panel.
Cole & Barrett have to go prepare for calling Backlash, so Jackie and Peter join Big E in looking back on memory lane. John Cena VS Randy Orton as a rivalry predates the iPod, Wikipedia, and even the original Xbox! 25 years later, will this truly be the end of an era for WWE?
Pershard Owens sings the Star Spangled Banner.
Talkin’ ’bout a detonator…
The fuse is let, and tonight is about to be explosive. Egos, attitudes, grudges, ambitions, motivations, and glory, it’s overflowing! WrestleMania was historic, but now everyone will face the Backlash!
WWE United States Championship Fatal 4 Way: Jacob Fatu VS Drew McIntyre VS LA Knight VS Damian Priest!
The Samoan Werewolf only just took this title “for the family” at WrestleMania, and yet now the stakes are raised! The Scottish Warrior wants to fight a real fighter, the Mega Star wants to redeem himself from his loss, and the Archer of Infamy wants to kill two birds with one stone by avenging his own loss while putting gold back around his waist. Will one of these challengers get what they want? Or will Fatu dog walk all of ’em, YADADA MEAN!?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really all gas and no brakes with it!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as all four men look at each other. Knight talks some smack but St. Louis is loud for “FATU! FATU!” Knight runs up to throw hands on Fatu, Priest and Drew go after each other! Fatu fires back and they trade shots. Priest and Drew are on the outside while Knight throws hands “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Priest CLUBS Drew, Fatu TOSSES Knight, and then Fatu runs corner to corner. Knight dodges, Fatu hits buckles, and Knight hits a JUMP NECKBREAKER! Priest is back in the ring, but Knight gives him a BIG back suplex! Knight WRECKS Drew with a dropkick, then RAMS into Fatu!
Knight slingshots to SHOUDLER TACKLE Fatu! Knight sunset flip BACKBREAKERS, then he dodges Drew to pop-up and POWERSLAM! The fans fire up as The Mega Star is unlocking that kavorka! Spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW- NO, Priest catches Knight, but Knight kicks free! DDT! Knight runs and DOUBLE ELBOW DROPS! Fatu shoves Knight, scoops, but Knight slips free, REVERSE DDT! Cover on Fatu, ONE!! Fatu is tougher than that, but Knight drags Fatu up. Fatu RAMS Knight into a corner, fires hands, then he ROCKS Priest! Knight ROCKS Fatu, Priest ROCKS Fatu, and Knight runs, they HIGH-LOW COMBO!
The fans fire up for that teamwork, and then Priest & Knight POST Fatu! Fatu flops out of the ring, but Priest avoids Knight’s cheap shot! BELL CLAP! Drew RAMS Knight into Priest, then OVERHEAD SUPELXES Knight! Priest runs up, but into a SPIENBUSTER! Drew has Knight again, NECKBREAKER! Then a NECKBREAKER for Priest! Fatu is back, but Drew gives him a NECKBREAKER! Drew kips up, the fans fire up, and Drew aims at Fatu. Drew runs up, but Knight LARIATS! Fatu SUPERKICKS Knight! Fatu kicks Knight out, ELBOWS Priest away, then goes up. Priest JUMP KICKS! Priest climbs up to the very top, SUPER STEINER!
Fatu flounders, Priest rises, and Priest clinches Knight for a FLATLINER! Priest goes out to run around the ring, and he FLYING AX HANDLES Fatu! Priest puts Fatu back in, then dodges a shot to ROUNDHOUSE Fatu! Priest knuckle locks Fatu, St. Louis wants tables, but Priest goes Old School to CROSSBODY Drew! Fatu runs up, Priest dodges, COMEBACKER LARIAT! Fatu flounders out, Priest runs to ELBOW Drew! And ELBOW Knight! Priest runs, and he LARIATS Drew up and out! Knight swings, misses, and Priest DREAMCAST KICKS! The fans fire up and Priest goes back out. Priest runs in but Fatu POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS Priest onto the barriers!
The fans fire up with Fatu, and then Fatu stares down with Drew. The fans fire up even more as these alpha males step into the ring. This is the match-up Drew wanted all along, and the two men step up. The hands start flying and the fans fire up! The fans are strongly on Fatu’s side, but the hands keep going faster and faster! Fatu gets the edge, but Drew HEADBUTTS! Drew runs, but Fatu BODY CHECKS him! Drew is right up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but runs into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! The fans are thunderous, and Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK on Drew! The fans fire up again, and Fatu drags Drew to the drop zone.
Fatu climbs the corner as St. Louis declares, “This is Awesome!” Fatu nods, reaches the top, but Drew is up to CLAW Fatu’s face! The ref reprimands but that’s all he can do! Drew goes up to the top, but Knight trips Drew up! Knight puts Drew in the Tree of Woe to stomp away, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight then runs corner to corner and back again, KNEE for Drew! Knight then climbs up, has Fatu on the very top, but Fatu HEADBUTTS Knight down! Fatu adjusts, but Drew sits up! SPIDER SUPLEX throws Fatu onto Knight! But Fatu’s right up to HIP ATTACK Drew!! And then he DIVES onto Priest!! Fatu is all fired up and the fans are thunderous!
Fatu goes up again, SEWANTON BOMB on Drew! Fatu geeks out, but gets B F T!! Priest has Knight, SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Drew hits a CLAYMORE on Priest!!! Priest falls on Knight for a cover! DREW BREAKS IT!! The fans are electric as all four men are down! “This is Awesome!” and that might be an understatement now! Priest flops out of the ring, Fatu and Drew go to corners, and Knight finds his way to another. The fans rally, Fatu geeks out, and Fatu runs, into a FLYING HEADBUTT! And then a kick and FUTURE SHOCK!! Then Drew has Knight, but Knight wrenches out! B F- NO, Drew powers out, reels Knight in, FUTURE SHOCK!!
Drew kips up, the fans fire up, and Drew calls his shot! Drew gives the countdown, “THREE! TWO! ONE!!” CLAYMORE for Knight!! Cover, PRIEST yanks the ref!! Priest really does screw Drew this time! Drew is furious but Priest drags him out now! Priest and Drew throw hands and the fans fire up! Drew THROWS Priest and himself over the barriers! Fatu is up, he brings Knight around for HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Fatu has Knight down, goes up, up, BEST MOONSAULT FLOPS!! Knight rises up, goes to the corner, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP FLYING AX HANDLE! And then the BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP!! Cover, TWO!?!
Fatu survives and Knight is beside himself! Priest and Drew are brawling in the crowd! Priest SMACKS Drew off a road case! Priest makes Drew look into the camera, “He’s bored at work!” Priest ROCKS Drew, but Drew ROCKS Priest! They go up to some upper deck, and Priest ROCKS Drew again! They stand on road cases, but Drew HEADBUTTS! Drew reels Priest in, takes aim, but Priest CLAWS Drew’s face! Priest decides to do what Drew was planning, and with the straps down, SOUTH OF HEAVEN DOWN THROUGH THE TABLES!!! The fans go nuts with Priest and Drew down in the wreckage!!
Producers and medical hurry to check Drew and Priest, but that just means Knight and Fatu are the only two left! Knight RAMS Fatu into the apron, then POSTS him! Knight hobbles but he brings Fatu back up to SMACK him off the desk! Fatu is on the desk, and Knight uses a piece that fell off to SMACK Fatu! Knight keeps Fatu on the desk, and he looks for a perch. The fans fire up as Knight climbs the corner! “L! A! KNGIHT!” NO, Solo Sikoa gets Fatu clear! Knight is furious but Solo tells him it’s not going down like that. Knight storms up on Solo, but a LARIAT hits outta nowhere!! IS THAT JEFF COBB?!?
The fans go nuts as now the Imperial Unit is Solo’s new enforcer! Cobb THROWS Knight around, POSTS him, and then runs to SPLASH Knight against the post!! Cobb drags Knight up, puts him in the ring, and Fatu sees what’s going on. Fatu is not happy with Solo bringing in reinforcements when he didn’t want it, but Solo still serves Knight up on a silver platter. Fatu doesn’t look the gift horse in the mouth, and he gives Knight a HIP ATTACK!! Fatu puts Knight in the drop zone, goes up and up, BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Fatu wins!
Winner: Jacob Fatu, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
The Samoan Werewolf may not like Solo bringing in a ringer, but he still keeps his gold. Will nothing stop “the family” now that they’ve reloaded the arsenal?
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria VS Becky Lynch!
When they say, “Never meet your heroes,” perhaps those people were talking about this scenario right here. The Morrigan & The Man were bonded by their Irish blood, and by how the younger followed in the footsteps of the elder. They’ve battled over the NXT Women’s Championship and even won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania. But the moment they lost those titles, Becky showed her true colors and betrayed Lyra! Becky called Lyra “recycling,” or rather, “less offensive trash,” but will Becky be the one thrown out this time? Or will Becky take away a title just as Lyra did to her back in the day?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who the real Lass Kicker is around here!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Lyra and Becky circle, tie up, and they go around. Becky puts Lyra in the corner, the ref counts, and Becky lets off to talk trash. Becky shoves, Lyra shoves, and the two reset. They tie up, Lyra waistlocks, Becky switches, and Becky SLAMS Lyra down. Becky smothers Lyra into the mat, then waistlocks again. Lyra fights up, ELBOWS free, then runs. Becky dodges and RUNS Lyra over! Becky flexes, talks trash, then soaks up the heat. Things speed up, Lyra drops down then hurdles, but Becky hits an arm-drag, only for Lyra to ghost pin! TWO, and Becky arm-drags again!
The fans boo but Becky soaks it up. The two reset, tie up, and Lyra waistlocks. Becky elbows Lyra, whips her to ropes, but Lyra slides under! Lyra blocks a kick, trips Becky, and then turns Becky over with the REVERSE CRAB, to then go for the arms! MEXICAN SURFBOARD! Becky endures as Lyra swings her around! Lyra drops Becky, stands on the legs, and then hooks the legs up! Becky resists but Lyra still gets the arms to pull her back, into the ROMERO SPECIAL! Becky endures, Lyra rolls and pulls Becky back into the ROMERO SPECIAL! Becky still endures, but Lyra rolls her and pulls her back again! A third ROMERO SPECIAL! Then a cover, TWO!
Becky escapes, but Lyra waistlocks. Becky switches, Lyra spins through and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Becky scrambles and Lyra says she told her she’s the better wrestler! Lyra then dodges to ENZIGIRI! Becky bails out, the fans “WHEW~” with Lyra, and she WRECKS Becky with a dropkick! The fans fire up and Lyra puts Becky in the ring. Lyra climbs, but Becky trips her up! Becky THROWS Lyra down, then snarls as she rains down fists! The fans boo but Becky seethes as she paces around. Becky signals that she will be champion! She CLOBBERS Lyra, smothers her into the mat again, then HAMMERS away on Lyra! Cover, ONE!!
Lyra is tougher than that, but so is Becky given she has a bloody cut on her elbow. Lyra ELBOWS Becky but Becky CLUBS Lyra! Becky stands Lyra up to SLAP her! And CHOP her! And CHOP again! Lyra falls into a corner but Becky soaks up the heat. Becky stands Lyra up, runs corner to corner, but Lyra dodges! Becky hits buckles, but then she dodges to JUMP KICK! And BECKSPLODER! Lyra writhes, Becky covers, ONE!! Becky argues the count with the ref, then goes back to Lyra. Becky talks trash on Lyra, CHOKES her on the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Lyra goes to the corner but Becky brings her around to TOSS her out!
Lyra is on the floor, Becky builds speed, and Becky WRECKS Lyra with a dropkick! Becky THROWS Lyra into barriers, then SMACKS her off more barriers! “Is this your girl?” Becky tells Lyra’s fiancé to thank her! Lyra fires forearms off on Becky! Becky POSTS Lyra in return! Becky puts Lyra in the ring, covers, TWO! The fans rally for Lyra but Becky talks more trash. Becky SLAPS Lyra, pie faces her, but Lyra just stares defiantly! Then Lyra SLAPS Becky back! The SLAPS fly, Becky clinches, but Lyra cradle counters! Roll through, into a RUNNING FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Both women are down and the fans fire up!
Lyra feeds off that energy and she rises up! Lyra runs and LARIATS! And LARIATS! And SOBATS! KICKS! HEADBUTTS, KICKS again, then runs, cartwheel and ENZIGIRI! Becky staggers around, Lyra GUT WRENCH BOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives and Lyra is beside herself! Becky goes to the apron but Lyra drags her up. The fans rally m ore, but Becky ROCKS and ROUNDHOUSES Lyra! Becky climbs, but Lyra ROCKS her first! Lyra reaches the top, and fans actually duel as Lyra stalling SUPERPLEXES!! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives, reminding us why she’s a Grand Slam Champion!
The fans rally up and Lyra has Becky for a fireman’s carry! Becky fights free, waistlocks, but Lyra switches! O’Conner Roll, TWO! Becky has the O’Conner, but wants the rope! The ref stops that! The fans boo and Becky “apologizes,” but then she runs up on Lyra! Lyra scoops, Becky slips free, EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, TWO!! Lyra survives and Becky is growing frustrated. The fans rally for Lyra more and Becky dares Lyra to get up. Lyra rises, Becky clinches, but Lyra slips free to shove Becky into buckles! Lyra runs up, Becky dodges, but Lyra stops the jump kick! Lyra DUMPS Becky out, takes aim, and PLANCHAS! Down goes Becky!
The fans fire up as Lyra hurries to put Becky back in. Lyra climbs the corner, takes aim, TURN OF FORTUNE!! Cover, TWO!!! Lyra is frustrated, but she hurries back up! MOONSAULT onto knees! Becky turns that around on Lyra while the fans fire up! Becky crawls her way over to Lyra, both women stand, and the forearms fly! Becky ROCKS Lyra but Lyra ROCKS Becky right back! The shots pick up speed, Lyra gets the edge, but Becky KNEES low! UPPERCUT into a hook! Becky fights the backslide, SLAMS Lyra down, ARMBAR!! Lyra clasps hands, rolls through, and she has the ARMBAR!!
Becky fights, rolls, high stacks, TWO! Becky steps over, DISARM-HER!! Lyra rolls Becky to a cover, TWO!! Becky clinches, MANHAND- ARM-DRAG! Cover, TWO!! MANHANDLE SLAM!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Lyra survives and Becky cannot believe it! St. Louis is thunderous, “This is Awesome!” Becky is freaking out trying to figure out what to do. Becky just HAMMERS away on Lyra! The fans boo but Becky goes to the outside. Becky grabs a chair! The fans boo but The Man is getting desperate! Becky brings the chair in, the ref stops her, and they tug-o-war over the chair! Becky give sit up to the ref, but that lets her untie a buckle pad!
Becky drags Lyra up, brings her around and whips, but Lyra reverses! Becky stops from hitting steel but Lyra GERMAN SUPLEXES! And HEEL KICKS! MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives and Lyra is beside herself! The fans rally while Lyra now thinks on what she must do. Lyra drags Becky up, fireman’s carries, but Becky fights free! Becky shoves Lyra into a buckle! MANHANDLE SLAM!! Cover, TWO?!?! Lyra survives one thing after another and Becky is going berserk! Becky HAMMERS away on Lyra again, and even DRIBBLES Lyra head off the mat! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Becky stands Lyra up.
Becky aims but the ref sees the bare buckle! The ref stops that, goes to fix things, but Lyra fireman’s carries! NIGHTWING DRIVER!!! The ref is too busy with the buckle! Cover, TWO!?!?!? Becky survives thanks to her shenanigans and Lyra is completely frazzled! Lyra drags Becky up, fireman’s carries, but Becky still fights! Clinch and MAN- NO, wheelbarrow for the victory roll! TWO, and Becky SLAPS Lyra! Roll-up, high stack, TWO! Lyra has a victory roll, LYRA WINS!!!
Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion)
Becky attacks Lyra! The Man is a sore loser! DISARM-HER!! The ref reprimands, pries at Becky’s grip, but Becky refuses to let go! More refs rush in, Becky still doesn’t stop, so producers are needed! Adam Pearce shouts right at Becky, and only now does Becky let go!! Lyra is down, potentially her arm and even her nose broken by the woman she once looked up to! Becky scowls, wants to go back for more, but the producers stand in her way. Did Becky still coset Lyra her title with all the damage she did? Or can The Morrigan rise up and keep her #ShinyShiny?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio VS PENTA!
Though it took a Fatal 4 Way to win it, and an Irish Ace in the hole to keep it, “Dirty Dom” thinks he is already the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time, as well as the greatest Mysterio and the greatest luchador ever. But now, the Man with Zero Fear gets another shot, and hopefully it’ll be a fair one. Will Penta prove he is the greatest? Or will Dom have another dirty trick up his sleeve?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly El Campeon!
The bell rings and Dom circles with Penta. Dom talks trash but the fans rally behind Penta. Dom shoves Penta, so Penta DROPKCISK Dom! Penta runs up, Dom dodges and fires hands! Dom whips, Penta ducks ‘n’ dodges and RANAS! Dom tumbles, the fans fire up, and Penta runs in. Dom dodge the kick, comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! The fans cheer because that was impressive, and Dom runs up again. Penta pops him up to SUPERKICK him upside-down! Then BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Dom stays in this and Penta nods respect. The fans rally for Penta while Dom goes to a corner.
Penta runs in, Dom pops him up to crotch him on the ropes! Dom then DROPKICKS Penta down to the floor! The fans cheer, Dom builds speed, and Dom DIVES to TORNADO DDT! Dom flexes and fans cheer because that was impressive, too! Dom refreshes the ring count then mocks Penta’s swagger. Dom stomps Penta, fans actually sing for “Dirty, Dirty Dom~!” Dom stands Penta up to CHOP, but Penta CHOPS in return! The CHOPS go back and forth, then Dom dodges to SHOVE Penta into steel steps! Dom rolls into the ring and flexes. The fans cheer, Dom goes out to drag Penta up, and Dom puts Penta in.
Dom hears the fans dueling, tunes out the taunts, and he slingshots to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Penta stays in this and Dom argues the count. The ref defends it, so Dom just stomps away on Penta! Dom uses the Finn style jump stomps, then he rains down fists! Dom lets off to soak up cheers and jeers, then covers, ROPEBREAK! Dom is annoyed and he CLUBS Penta into the chinlock. Penta endures, claws at the hold, and fights up. Penta fires body shots, but Dom fires knees! Dom whips, Penta KICKS him, then Penta dodges to come back, SLING-DOG! The fans fire up and Dom bails out. Penta goes up, up, and from the post, SUPER CROSSBODIES!
The fans fire up as Dom and Penta crash down! The ring count starts, both men stir at 3 of 10, and Penta rises up. Penta pushes Dom into the ring, huffs ‘n’ puffs, and he climbs up the corner. Penta leaps, but into Dom’s kick! Dom snap suplexes, that’s Uno Amigo! Then another suplex, but Penta slips free! Penta shoves Dom, but Dom drop toeholds him onto ropes! Dom dials it up, but Penta ducks the 619! Penta GAMANGIRIS, then slingshots to CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Dom survives and both men are down! The fans rally up and Dom DROPKICKS Penta! Dom runs up, OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!!
Penta survives Liv’s move and Dom is furious! Dom runs up, Penta puts him on the corner, and Penta GAMANGIRIS! Penta climbs, but Dom shoves him down! Penta CHOPS from the apron, then runs up, but Dom BOOTS him! Dom hops down, reels Penta in, but Penta fights the suplex! Penta ENZIGIRIS, then runs up, APRON DESTROYER!!! Both men are down and the fans go nuts! But wait, here comes Carlito! Judgment Day let Dom come out here alone, but Caribbean Cool isn’t gonna let this go down! But this is all so Finn & JD can get Penta up! Finn gets an idea and grabs a chair!
But the ref sees Finn! Finn’s improvising just cost him his chance! The ref EJECTS Judgment Day!! The fans fire up as now things are 1v1 again! Carlito can’t believe Finn messed this up! Penta FLIES onto Judgment Day! The fans fire up but wait, Finn avoided disaster! Where’d he go? Penta hobbles, rolls into the ring, and SUPERKICKS Dom down! Penta vows to finish this, but Finn returns! Finn distracts the ref now, and EL GRANDE AMERICANO is here! Grande HEADBUTTS Penta with that loaded mask!!! Dom goes up, FROG SPLASH!!! Cover, DOM WINS!
Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
The Prince almost screwed things up, but then he managed to turn things around with help from the supposed other greatest luchador in history! Will Judgment Day owe Chad Gable- Er, uh, El Grande Americano big time for this?
GUNTHER VS Pat McAfee!
Once again, Der Ring General lost a championship, at WrestleMania, against someone he surely felt was beneath him. And while his ego was still hurting, he lashed out against Michael Cole in an attempt to intimidate and silence commentary. Pat stepped up for his friend, got beat up for it, but he isn’t going to back down just because Gunther is a bully. In fact, Pat has always believed in standing up to bullies, which is why he’s getting back in the ring! Will Pat win one for all the underdogs out there? Or will Gunther unleash all of his anger and silence Pat for good?
The bell rings and Pat throws his shirt to the crowd! The fans fire up as Pat and Gunther circle. They feel things out, Gunther smirks but Pat is stone cold serious. The fans taunt Gunther with, “You Tapped Out!” but Gunther ignores that. He and Pat tie up, and Gunther shoves Pat to a corner. Pat sees what he’s dealing with now, but he still comes back to circle with Gunther again. They tie up, Gunther headlocks and THROWS Pat! The ref checks Pat but Pat stands back up. Pat and Gunther circle again, tie up, and Gunther grabs an arm! Gunther wrenches Pat, wrangles him down and steps over. Gunther pie faces Pat around and the fans boo.
Gunther wrenches, wristlocks, but Pat rolls, rolls, handsprings, and wrenches! But Gunther breaks free! Pat avoids the chop and the fans fire up! Pat and Gunther circle again, and Gunther is oddly amused. Pat and Gunther tie up, and Pat headlocks! Gunther powers Pat to ropes, Pat shifts to a facelock, but Gunther puts Pat on the apron! Pat holds on, the ref counts, and Pat lets go slowly. Gunther pats Pat on the head, and Pat says okay. Pat ROCKS Gunther! Pat slingshots, runs, and fires forearms! Pat runs, into a CHOP! Pat is right down and coughing for air! Gunther drags Pat up, just to CLUB him back down!
Gunther stomps and kicks Pat around, pushes Pat, but Pat comes back to JAB! JAB! HAYMAKER! Pat fires hands, and even CHOPS! Gunther eggs Pat on! Pat CHOPS, the fans fire up, but Gunther wants more! Pat CHOPS, but Gunther CHOPS Pat down again! The fans boo as Gunther glares at Michael Cole. Gunther stalks Pat to a corner, talks trash, “You wanna play with the big boys, huh?” Gunther CHOPS Pat in a corner, CHOPS again, then stomps a mudhole! Gunther stops and Pat puts up his dukes! The fans rally, but Gunther CHOPS Pat down! The fans boo and Cole tells Gunther fine, just pin and finish it!
Gunther decides not to do that, he wrenches and whips Pat instead. Gunther CLOBBERS Pat, but Pat avoids the elbow drop! Pat KICKS Gunther! That NFL punt wasn’t quite enough, and Gunther snapmares Pat! Gunther KICKS Pat now! Pat writhes, but he still rises up! The fans rally behind Pat and he stands again. Pat roars, Gunther eggs him on, and Pat spins to CHOP! Gunther CHOPS, but Pat stays up to CHOP! Gunther BOOTS Pat down now! Gunther glares at Cole, dares Cole to help Pat, but Wade Barrett tells Cole to just sit down. The fans still taunt Gunther with, “You Tapped Out!” as Gunther goes back to Pat.
Gunther talks trash on the fans, then he brings Pat up. Gunther dares Cole to keep cheering his guy on. Cole says stop toying with Pat then! Pat SLAPS Gunther! Gunther CHOPS Pat, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Pat sputters, Cole says just end it then! Gunther looms over Pat, eggs him on, and Pat still rises up! Gunther clamps onto Pat’s head, and then has the SLEEPER!! Pat is already red from everything else, but wait! Pat pries at the grip! Gunther is amused as Pat manages the ROPEBREAK, but then Gunther GERMAN SUPLEXES! Pat flounders and Gunther paces. Gunther laughs as the fans boo, because Gunther knows only he can end this.
Gunther soaks up the boos and he stalks Pat to ropes. Pat sits up, Gunther clamps onto him again, and Gunther uses a facelock to put Pat in a corner. Gunther CLUBS Pat, reels him in, and hoists Pat up top! Gunther CLUBS Pat, then climbs up. The fans rally for Pat, and he holds on for dear life! Pat fires elbows and he knocks Gunther down! Pat adjusts, and manages to MOONSAULT! Gunther moves, Pat lands out, GERMAN SUPLEX! Pat lands out?! PUNT!! PUNT!! And then a PUNT!!! Cover, ONE?!?! Gunther takes all those shots and is just pissed!! Gunther eggs Pat on, so Pat SLAPS him! Gunther eggs Pat on more, so Pat SLAPS again!
Pat SLAPS, Gunther CHOPS, but Pat just feeds off that now! The CHOPS keep going, and then Pat ELBOWS Gunther! The forearms go back and forth, Pat fires fast hands, Gunther guards! Pat runs, and he BOOTS Gunther! Pat keeps moving, to SUPERKICK! Shoutout to the Panama City Playboy, but Gunther reels Pat in for a POWERBOMB!! Cole says fine, just end this match already! Gunther clamps on the BOSTON CRAB!! But Pat endures! Cole goes to the apron to tell Pat to keep fighting! But Gunther drags Pat back to rain down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! The fans cheer on Cole, but Gunther grabs him through the ropes!!
The fans boo as Gunther drags Cole into the ring! The ref reprimands and Cole says Gunther should just pin Pat already! Gunther pushes Cole around, has him by his tie, then reels Cole in! But Pat BOOTS Gunther! Gunther BOOTS Pat!! Gunther glares at Cole as Cole is on the outside again. Pat O’Conner Rolls! TWO!! Pat bails out, Cole coaches him, but Gunther is on Pat again! Gunther suplexes, but Cole trips Gunther!! Cole holds Gunther’s foot down as Pat covers, TWO!!! Gunther is pissed, but Pat puts on the SLEEPER!!! Gunther flails, powers out, and short arm LARIATS!! Gunther drags Pat back up, and he stares Cole down before putting on the SLEEPER!!!
Pat is down in the body scissors and he’s turning purple! The fans rally as Pat still fights, but Gunther traps his arms, too!! Pat is still fighting even now!! Pat rises up, throws elbows, and the fans are thunderous! Pat fires shot after shot but Gunther wrangles him back down!! Pat is caught again, and NOW he’s out! Gunther wins!!
Winner: Gunther, by submission
Gunther pushes Pat away and Cole is distraught. Cole goes to Pat’s side, feeling just a bit responsible for letting it go this far. Der Ring General grins as he still returns to his winning ways. Pat manages to sit up again now that he can breathe, and Cole helps him stand. Gunther and Pat stare each other down, and Gunther shows Pat a nod of respect! Gunther leaves, but will he be just as ruthless as he heads back for the mountaintop?
Undisputed WWE Championship: John Cena VS Randy Orton!
Both men have been here in the WWE for 25 years, never wrestling anywhere else, and never wanting to go anywhere else. And while he’s “gone Hollywood,” Cena still became the #NeverSeenSeventeen. The Viper is still only at 14, but he hopes to change that tonight as he now has the homefield advantage. Will the Legend Killer add one more name to that hit list? Or will Cena still be the Last Real Champion?
The fans obviously sing along with Voices as their hometown hero makes his entrance. Orton already seems to be getting chills hearing his hometown sing that for him. Then things turn to “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” even before the music plays. Then things turn to “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” with the music, even as Cena wears his St. Louis Blues inspired merchandise. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly the greatest of their generation!
The bell rings and the fans fire up as Cena and Orton circle. They feel things out, tie up, and are in a deadlock. The two break, the fans applaud, and the two reset. Orton and Cena circle again, tie up again, and are in another deadlock. They break again and the fans again applaud. St. Louis rallies behind “RANDY! RANDY!” which annoys Cena, but then he offers a handshake. The fans boo and Orton smirks. Orton steps up, Cena still offers, and Orton accepts. But then Cena pokes Orton in the eyes! Cena fires hands, headlocks, but Orton powers up and out. Orton runs Cena over, then he pokes Cena in the eyes!
The fans cheer, Cena bails out, and Orton goes to the corner so he can look down at Cena. The fans cheer more and Cena slides in. The two tie up, go around, and Orton puts Cena in a corner. The ref counts, Orton lets off at 4, but he counters Cena’s punch! Orton ROCKS Cena, headlocks, and the fans duel, “You Can’t Wrestle!” “YES, HE CAN!” Cena powers up and out, ducks down, and hurdles over! Orton still runs Cena over again! The fans fire up as Orton headlocks, hits a takeover, but Cena keeps his shoulders up. Cena endures, fights up, and powers out. Orton runs Cena over yet again! Cena bails out and the fans boo.
Cena wants to walk!? The fans boo more but Cena doesn’t care. But Orton rushes out to CLUB Cena from behind! Orton ROCKS Cena, ROCKS him again, and they return to ringside. Orton ROCKS Cena, Cena rolls into the ring, and Cena comes back to LARIAT! Cena rains down fists, the fans boo, but Cena stops to catch his breath. Cena brings Orton up to bump him off buckles. Cena climbs up and fans boo more as Cena rains down fists! The fans still count along, and Cena goes to 7 before he hops down. But Orton kicks low! Orton bumps Cena off buckles, then climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count and Orton goes past TEN, to hit TWENTY!!
The fans fire up and Orton backs off. Cena staggers around, Orton reels him in, and UPPERCUTS Cena down! Cover, TWO! Orton drags Cena to center to stomp a leg! The fans cheer and Orton stomps Cena’s other leg! Cena clutches his ankle, but Orton stomps Cena’s hand! The fans cheer as Orton picks Cena apart, with a stomp to the other hand! Orton pushes Cena down and runs up, to KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Cena stays in this but Orton stays focused. Cena goes to ropes, rises up, but Orton is on him with a kick down low! The fans cheer Orton and he whips, but Cena reverses. Cena clamps on a SLEEPER! And becomes a backpack!
Orton stays on his feet and Cena slips down. Orton powers up and out, and he catches Cena for a SLEEPER! Cena endures, but he drops to a knee. Cena fights up, powers out, and he grabs the SLEEPER again! The fans boo but Orton powers up and out. Orton has the SLEEPER! Cena powers out, to have the SLEEPER! Orton slips around to hit a BIG back suplex! The fans rally while both men are down. Orton and Cena stir, Cena goes to the ropes, and Orton is up. Cena ducks ‘n’ dodges to start up those SHOULDER TACKLES! And then the SPIN OUT BOMB! The fans boo but Cena smooths his hair. Cena smirks, raises his hand, and says the fans can’t see him!
Cena runs, and FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLES! Orton staggers, Cena fireman’s carries, but Orton slips free! Orton shoves Cena and LARIATS! And LARIATS again! Orton dodges then SNAP POWERSLAMS! The fans fire up while Cena flounders to the apron! Orton storms over there, drags Cena through the ropes, but Cena slips through to roll Orton up! TWO, and Cena has a leg! Orton fights off the crossface, but Cena powers through! STFU!! Orton endures, reaches out, but Cena drags him from the ropes! Orton BOOTS Cena away and Cena goes back to the apron! Orton runs up, has Cena in the ropes, DRAPING DDT!
The fans fire up while Cena sputters, and Orton starts to hear those voices! Orton watches Cena rise up, R K- NO, Cena powers out, fireman’s carries, and ATTITUDE- RKO?!?! Orton turns that around at the last second and the fans are losing their minds! “This is Awesome!” while both men are down again! Both men slowly rise up, Cena has Orton, but Orton ROCKS Cena! Cena ROCKS Orton! Orton kicks Cena low, but then Cena fires a body shot! Orton HEADBUTTS Cena, but Cena HEADBUTTS back! Orton ROCKS Cena again, but Cena ROCKS Orton again! Orton UPPERCUTS! Cena HAYMAKERS! Cena fireman’s carries, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cover, TWO!?!
The fans fire up as Orton survives while Cena grows frustrated. Cena waits on Orton to rise up, the fans duel again, and Cena fireman’s carries! Orton grabs ropes, Cena pries him free, but Orton slips off the carry! Cena ducks ‘n’ dodges to start more shoulder tackles, but into an RKO!!! The fans fire up but Cena flounders away to a corner! Orton clutches his shoulder, the RKO continues to be a double-edged move when you get right down to it. But wait! Orton wants to go yard! But Cena avoids the Orton Punt! Fireman’s carry and ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cover, TWO!!!! Orton survives again and Cena is beside himself!
The fans rally as hard as they can for Orton but Cena stalks Orton to a corner. Cena talks trash, and he mocks hearing those voices! Cena smirks as the fans boo, and then Cena decides to further copy Orton! Cena aims from a corner, runs up, but Orton dodges Cena’s kick! RK- NO, Cena shoves Orton into the ref!! The ref goes down, Cena has Orton again, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! But no ref means no pins! Cena smirks again, and he tells the fans, “Shh.” Cena goes outside, grabs the title belt, and Cole asks why he’s resorting to this. Cena says, “History.” Cena slips back into the ring with the belt, but Orton hits an RKO!!!
The ref stirs, Orton covers, and the ref counts! TWO!!!! The delay saves Cena and Orton is beside himself! Cena flops out of the ring, crawls off towards barriers, but Orton pursues. Orton huffs ‘n’ puffs and storms up on Cena. The fans call BS, but Orton thinks this is a good a place as any. Orton clears the desk! The ref reprimands but then Cena RAMS Orton into the ref!! The ref hits steel steps! Cena POSTS Orton, and the fans are dueling again! Cena sees the desk, and then smirks again. Cena decides to use another of Orton’s ideas, and he fireman’s carries Orton. But Orton slips free and fireman’s carries! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT onto the desk!!
Cena tumbles off the desk and to the floor! Then the desk breaks! They really made those sturdier than before. Orton mutters something while he clears space. Orton drags Cena up, SMACKS him off the pieces of the desk, then goes back to the ring. The fans fire up as Orton starts looking underneath the ring! Orton goes around the way, and tada! Orton brings out a TABLE! St. Louis fires up again as Orton sets the table up right where he found it, then he drags Cena over that way. Cena fires hands and SMACKS Orton off barriers! And off the steps! Cena fireman’s carries Orton, but Orton fights free! Orton fireman’s carries again!
Orton hits another ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, through the table!!! Once again, Orton gives Cena his move! Orton drinks some Prime Hydration, then goes back to Cena. Orton steps over Cena to drag him back up, and he puts Cena in the ring. “This is Awesome!” but the ref is still down! Orton huffs ‘n’ puffs and he hears those voices again! Cena stirs, rises to his feet, and RKO!!! Cover, here comes a spare ref!! The count, TWO!??!?!? Another delay saves Cena and Orton is at a loss for words! The ref defends the count was fair, but Cena has the belt again! Cena aims, runs up, but Orton dodge! BELT SHOT on Eddie Durango! RKO AGAIN!!!!
Orton covers, he would’ve won ten times over! Nick Aldis and his producers hurry to ringside to finally check on both refs. Orton argues with Aldis, they need another official! Aldis says okay but there aren’t many left to work tonight! Orton is furious, so he just RKOS Aldis! And RKO for each and every producer! Even Jamie Noble!! The fans are thunderous as Orton unleashes that 2009 Viper! Orton looms over Cena, seethes, and goes with the last thing he has in his arsenal. Orton lines up a shot, Cena rises up, BUT R-TRUTH gets in the way! Truth pleads with Orton to spare his “childhood hero!” Orton just RKOS Truth!!
Cena is up, and he LOW BLOWS Orton!!! The fans boo, but Cena isn’t done there! He has the belt, and he CLOBBERS Orton with it!!! Cena puts the belt outside, the first ref returns, and he counts the cover! CENA WINS!!!
Winner: John Cena, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Champion)
Cena’s first defense of his 17th world title is certainly one for the history books! It took multiple referees, tables, distractions, and even a friend/fan biting the bullet for him, and Cena comes out the other side still the champion. Cena takes the mic, and he shouts to cut the damn music! Cena says he doesn’t need the music, he needs competition. And he sure as hell doesn’t need the fans. “Drink it in, St. Louis. Because this is what the Last Real Champion looks like.” The fans boo as Cena holds up the title at the corner, but if this is what the Last Real Champion needs to survive the Viper, what more will it take for him to finish his Farewell Tour?
My Thoughts:
Despite the concerns from right after WrestleMania, this Backlash turned out amazing! It didn’t need a two hour preshow when there wasn’t gonna be a preshow match, but I get that they did so because this was the final Backlash for Cena, they needed time to talk about Cena becoming the 17 time world champion, and what facing Orton one more time meant to everyone. Cena VS Orton: The Final Time was definitely better than Cody VS Cena at Mania. There was a lot of talk of Cena “purposefully” giving a bad match at Mania and whether that saved it from actually being a bad match because of the meta, but I think they realized that this time, it had to be a legitimately good match.
And it was! It was great stuff from two icons of wrestling, no matter what anyone says. It’s that saying of “I’m not as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was.” It didn’t flip the classic moment of Orton slapping the ref to get disqualified, but Cena did still took out two refs through the course of this. Great stuff with Aldis and all those producers, aka former/retired wrestlers, taking RKOs so Orton could unleash his anger. And while I figured R-Truth would play a part, I didn’t think we’d get him taking an RKO. Cena of course resorts to all the cheating ways to win, but this is Heel Cena after all, what else would he do? And now there is some real intrigue as to who is next for Cena as he continues his farewell tour.
To go back to the top, awesome move with the Fatal 4 Way opening tonight. All four guys got their stuff in, it was wild, and yet, Solo Sikoa still gets involved, just as they implied last night. Additionally, Solo brought in a new member to the team, also as they implied. Personally, I still wanted Hikuleo, just so that Solo would be leading the entire Guerrillas of Destiny, but maybe they want to wait until Tama and Loa are health. At the same time, I can’t fault them for going with Jeff Cobb because he’s Jeff Cobb. Cobb is sturdy, strong, athletic, and anyone who has watched NJPW, ROH and/AEW already knows what he’s capable of. You can tell already that this only ups the tension within the faction, and we might get Cobb VS Fatu very quickly.
Lyra VS Becky was great, with Becky really doing her best to Heel her way through this. I really thought she was going to pull off a cheap win thanks to the buckle or some other trick, but Lyra does prove herself the better wrestler tonight. Now, with Lyra holding her nose and then playing up the damage to the rest of her body, they could be setting up some injury angle where she has to take time off, maybe even vacate the title. Lyra’s fiancé was right there, this could be Lyra’s out so the two of them can have their wedding and honeymoon and all that while Becky goes for the vacated title. Bayley could even return to be a major roadblock to that title, and we get a great match from Bayley VS Becky to crown a new champion.
Dom VS Penta was great, and St. Louis seems to be a Dom friendly crowd. Naturally, Judgment Day had to help, but also a logical move for El Grande Americano to get involved because of how Penta superkick’d Gable. Penta will surely confront Gable and get a match with El Grande, this can lead us into something for either Worlds Collide or Money in the Bank in June. As for Dom, things seem patched up in Judgment Day for now, but that could easily change at a drop of a hat. Honestly, Worlds Collide needs to be built starting this Monday, and maybe some AAA stars show up to call out “the greatest Intercontinental Champion/greatest Mysterio ever.”
And of course, for being a bit sudden, Gunther VS Pat was great stuff. It went about how I expected, with Pat just taking damage and getting back up. A little surprised Cole tried to help Pat cheat Gunther out of this, but it didn’t change the outcome. Gunther make Pat take a nap to get the win, but I did like the modicum of respect Gunther showed on his way out. Logan VS Jey is set for Saturday Night’s Main Event in a couple weeks, but much like Rollins, perhaps Gunther tries to change plans? Or maybe Gunther wants the Intercontinental Championship? Gunther should go for something, I’m just not sure what with all these other stories going on right now.
My Score: 9/10
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Will the Front Man have his Resurgence?
Hirooki Goto and Zack Sabre Jr. battle over the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, knowing that Shingo Takagi waits at NJPW Dominion!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Strong Survivor: Allan Breeze VS CJ Tino; Tino wins.
- Bea Priestly VS Viva Van; Priestly wins.
- Fred Rosser VS Matt Vandagriff; Rosser wins.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: World Class Wrecking Crew VS TJP & Templario; TJP & Templario win and become the new NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions.
- 8 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS The Young Bucks & The Good Brothers; The Bucks & Good Brothers win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Tomohiro Ishii VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Ishii wins and retains the title.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS El Phantasmo; Konosuke wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Zack Sabre Jr; Double Pinfall Draw, Goto retains the title.
- NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Mercedes Mone VS AZM VS Mina Shirakawa; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: World Class Wrecking Crew VS TJP & Templario!
No longer just for the West Coast, Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson are World Class! But will they start to take over the world from the West Coast? Or will the Aswang & Lion Warrior conquer them for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who is truly world class!
The teams sort out and then WCWC just attack! The bell rings, the fans boo, but Nelson stomps away on TJP! Isaacs TOSSES Templario, then WCWC double whip TJP. TJP leaps over the double lariat and Templario springboards to DOUBLE CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as now TJP & Temp have Isaacs. They double whip him to DOUBLE ELBOW, then roll him into a wheelbarrow and BULLDOG! The fans fire up and Temp SPLASHES the leg! And SPLASHES it again! Then stomps it! Temp wrenches Isaacs, tags TJP, and they double whip to HIP TOSS, then TJP becomes Templario’s weapon for a GOURD BUSTER SPLASH!
The fans cheer and TJP covers, TWO! TJP stays on Isaacs with an UPPERCUT! Isaacs goes to ropes, Nelson talks trash, but TJP tells Nelson to “SUCK IT!” TJP UPPERCUTS Isaacs, whips, but Isaacs catches TJP to a suplex! TJP slips free and wraps on the IRON OCTOPUS! Nelson runs in, CLUBS TJP and BLASTS Templario! Then BOOT and BACKBREAKER, into a BODY CHECK! The fans boo but Isaacs rains down fists! Tag to Nelson and WCWC wrench TJP for a DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! TJP staggers, Nelson dropkicks the legs out, then Isaacs deadlift suplexes TJP! Nelson covers, TWO! Nelson rains down forearms while the fans boo!
Nelson rains down fists, the ref reprimands, and Nelson “apologizes.” Nelson taunts Templario, bumps TJP off buckles, then tags Isaacs. Isaacs digs his boot into TJP while Nelson messes with TJP’s hair. Isaacs then BLASTS Templario while Nelson rains down fists! The ref reprimands WCWC but he also has to keep Temp from storming in. Isaacs & Nelson stomp away on TJP in the distraction and the fans boo. Isaacs taunts TJP to go tag Templario, then stomps him down! Isaacs clamps onto TJP’s arms for a motorcycle stretch! TJP endures, the fans rally, but Isaacs pulls on the arms! The fans boo WCWC while TJP still endures.
The fans rally harder for “T J P! T J P!” Nelson hijacks English commentary to talk trash, but TJP fights up to FLIP KICK Isaacs away! Isaacs hurries to whip TJP, but TJP goes Spider-Man to then slip under and RANA! The fans fire up while TJP and Isaacs crawl, hot tags to Templario and Nelson! Templario handsprings, then he fires forearms with Nelson! Templario gets the edge, trips Nelson, and things speed up. Nelson hurdles but Temp shoves. Nelson sunset flips, Temp rolls through but Nelson avoids the basement dropkick! Temp avoids a kick, rolls Nelson, but Nelson rolls through to RAM Temp! Temp comes back to SHOTGUN!
The fans fire up as Nelson tumbles out! Isaacs is in, Temp kicks but Isaacs blocks! Isaacs FLIPS Temp but Temp lands out! Isaacs whips but TJP tags in! Temp slips around Isaacs, shoves him to TJP for BOOTS, then TJP goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! WCWC regroups outside and the fans fire up. Temp holds the way open for TJP to Triangle Jump DROPKICK! Then TJP returns the favor so Temp can DIVE onto WCWC! The fans fire up with the Empire as they put Nelson back in. TJP goes up, up, and MAMBA- NO, Nelson dodges! TJP blocks a shot, SOBATS, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! Nelson dodges Temp but Temp goes up to DROPKICK back!
Isaacs is in, Temp dodges and V-TRIGGERS! Temp runs, but into a ROLLING ELBOW! All four men are down and the fans fire up! Isaacs and Temp bail out and the fans rally as TJP and Nelson go to corners. Nelson throws off the elbow pads and runs up, but into TJP’s TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again as Nelson flounders to the apron. TJP goes up, but Isaacs ROCKS him! Isaacs goes up, and stalling SUPERPLEXES! TJP flounders back up and Isaacs LARIATS him back down! Nelson hits a MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! TJP survives and the fans fire up! WCWC is furious, they whip to SPINEBUSTER and CATAPULT, for NO VASELINE!! Cover, Temp breaks it!!
Temp fires off on WCWC then runs, but into DOUBLE ELBOWS! WCWC soak up the heat, but they miss the Templarooni! The fans fire up as Temp dodges and uses Nelson to get up and RANA Isaacs! Temp then whips, Nelson reverses, but Temp drop toeholds Nelson into buckles! Wheelbarrow and GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up, but Isaacs is back! He POP-UP UPPERCUTS Temp down! The fans boo but Isaacs drags Temp back up. Isaacs whips, Temp reverses, and TJP goes up and over to TORNADO- NO, Isaacs stops that! TJP waistlocks, Isaacs switches, but TJP ducks so Temp’s SUPERKICK hits Isaacs!
Temp runs up on Nelson, Nelson slips around to waistlock Temp, but TJP waistlocks Nelson! Nelson steps through the O’Conner but TJP reaches up to headscissor Nelson forward for Temp to reel in and pick up! EL TEMPLO!! TJP goes up to MAMBA SPLASH!! Cover, ISAACS BREAKS IT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! TJP rises and THROWS Isaacs out! TJP aims to PLANCHA! Down goes Isaacs! Temp kicks away on Nelson, ENZIGIRIS, and TJP joins in. TJP Electric Chair Lifts and Temp goes up! Temp tightrope walks, FLYING FOREARM DOOMSDAY!! Cover, TWO!! Nelson survives and TJP is beside himself!
The fans rally up as TJP rises. Isaacs rolls back in, TJP holds him down with a facelock. Temp steps in, they double suplex, but Isaacs fights that to DOUBLE SUPLEX! TJP & Temp fight that, but Nelson anchors Temp! Isaacs shoves TJP into Temp, but TJP fireman’s carries Isaacs! Isaacs fights free, gut wrenches, but TJP turns that around!? Isaacs turns it back around, SPINNING TOMBSTONE!! Nelson whips Temp and pops him up, POWERBOMB! Another catapult, another fireman’s carry, and again, NO VASELINE!! Temp writhes and the fans boo, but WCWC kips up! They keep after Temp with another fireman’s carry.
Nelson and Isaacs take Temp to a corner, and Nelson steps on Temp’s back to- NO, TJP avoids the splash! Temp slips free to ENZIGIRI Isaacs! Nelson CLAWS TJP’s eyes and goes up another corner, to POP THE- NO, TJP catches Nelson to a backslide, but Nelson rolls through to cradle! Temp tips it over, THE UNITED EMPIRE WINS?!?
Winners: TJP & Templario, by pinfall (NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Nelson is stunned! He thought he had it, but the Lion Warrior gave Captain TJP the much needed assist! Nelson throws a fit before he and Isaacs storm off. Will all of NJPW, all over the world, soon belong to the United Empire?
8 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS The Young Bucks & The Good Brothers!
The War Dogs are still coming fresh off their win against The House of Torture, and now claim the right to be called THE Bullet Club! However, the Founding Fathers of Bullet Club seem to take offense. Matthew & Nicholas Jackson reunite with Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson, will they #ShowUsTheLight? Or will we see that David Finlay, Gedo, Gabe Kidd & Clark Connors are the ones that’re #JustTooSweet?
The fans bark for the War Dogs, and then they throw up their Too Sweet. The fans chant, “Too Sweet! WOOP WOOP!” and the Founding Fathers raise theirs, but the War Dogs attack! The bell rings, the fans are torn, but the brawl is on! Things spill out to the outside, Karl fires hands on Gedo, Finlay THROWS Matt over barriers, and then goes after Matt in the crowd! The fans fire up as Karl CLAWS Gedo’s face! Gabe sends Gallows into railing, but Nick TOSSES Finlay to ringside! Connors has Matt now and they brawl. Gedo CLAWS Karl’s face in return! Gabe and Gallows return to ringside, then go up the ramp.
Gabe and Gallows brawl, shout at each other, and then Gabe CHOPS! Gallows UPPERCUITS! Matt ROCKS Connors, and Finlay has Nick on the stage! Nick fights the suplex, then SUPERKICKS Finlay down the stairs! Finlay tumbles, Gallows CLUBS him, and they all set up for Nick to run and FLY! Nick bowls them all over and the fans fire up! Matt puts Connors in and Nick puts him in a corner. The Bucks whip Connors to a corner, then Matt LARIATS! Nick LARIATS! Karl JUMP KICKS! Gallows SPLASHES! Gallows scoops Connors and SLAMS him down! The fans rally up as Matt goes to a corner. He FLIES out onto Gabe & Finlay!
Anderson SENTONS Connors, Gallows SPLASHES, and then the Bucks coordinate! RISKY BUSINESS! The fans fire up for the Founding Fathers, and they call for the Too Sweet! The fans cheer as they wind up, but the War Dogs attack again! Finlay fires off on Matt, Gabe HEADBUTTS Gallows, Gedo has Karl and Connors has Nick! The War Dogs climb up in the corners, and they rain down fists! The fans count along, and we go all the way up to TEN! That’s forty total and the fans cheer! The War Dogs toss everyone out but Karl, and Gedo stomps him. Gabe SMACKS Gallows off railing, and Connors drags Karl up.
Connors whips Karl to the corner hard and Karl falls to the mat! Connors puts Karl in place, runs, and hits an ELBOW DROP! Connors drags Karl up, brings him around, and whips him into Finlay’s boot! Connors tags Gedo but Finlay digs his boots in. The ref counts, Gedo argues with him, but that lets Finlay & Gabe CHOKE Karl! Gedo storms up but Karl CHOPS him first! And CHOPS, but Gedo blocks to poke Karl in the eyes! The fans are torn, but Gedo CLAWS at Karl’s eyes! The ref reprimands and counts, and Gedo stops at 4. Gedo looms over Karl, pulls him back, and CLAWS at his face again!
The fans boo, the ref counts, and Gedo stops at 4. The fans are torn as Gedo throws up the Too Sweet, then he tags Finlay. Finlay stomps Karl to a corner, stomps a mudhole in, but stops as the ref counts. The fans rally and duel as Finlay stands Karl up. Finlay UPPERCUTS, runs corner to corner, and UPPERCUTS again! Finlay suplexes and THROWS Karl, then pushes him down for a cocky cover. TWO, but Finlay drags Karl away from his corner. Finlay bends Karl’s fingers while Gabe & Connors BLAST the OGs! Gabe grabs a mic to talk trash during the match! Gabe stomps Karl, and mockingly asks if this is 2013 again, when those “14-year-olds were still cool?”
Gabe mocks the Bucks and say they’re the Young CUCKS, because they’re bigger virgin nerds than anyone in this building! And F YOU, too!! Gabe tells Karl and Gallows that HE’s the resident bald white guy in NJPW now! But then Karl CHOPS Gabe! And CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Gabe DECKS Karl, the War Dogs BLAST the OGs, then Connors feeds Karl to Finlay. Karl dodges, sends Finlay into Connors, but Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe whips, Karl reverses, SPINEBUSTER! Hot tag to Gallows! The fans fire up as Doc BOOTS Connors, ROUNDHOUSES Finlay, and YAKUZA KICKS Gedo! Gallows whips Connors into Finlay!
Gallows runs to SPLASH them both, then runs to CROSSBODY Finlay & Connors! The fans fire up but Gabe attacks! Gab e BITES Gallows’ head, talks trash, but Gallows UPPERCUTS! Gabe COMEBACK- NO, he runs into the 12 STEP PROGRAM! Both men are down from that modified Sky High and the fans fire up! Hot tags to Finlay and Nick! Connors still jumps in with Finlay but Nick rallies on them with his strike fest combo! SHINING WIZARD for Finlay, then a BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up again and Nick tags Matt. The Bucks mug Gabe, double whip, but Gabe reverses. Nick goes up and Matt SUPERKICKS!
Matt cravats, Nick helps, ASSISTED SLICED BREAD! SHINING WIZARD! Finlay is up, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS hit him first! Matt puts Finlay in the ropes, Nick goes up, DRAPING SWANTON! Cover, TWO! Finlay survives but Matt tags Karl. Gallows joins in and the fans rally up. Gallows reels Finlay in, but Connors SPEARS him! Finlay hits Karl with an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! But he gets DSOUBLE SUPERKICKS again! The Bucks fake Connors out to DOUBLE DDT! Gabe blocks a kick, sends it into Matt, then UPPERCUTS! But Nick SUPERKICKS in return! Gabe rebounds, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS!
Gabe rebounds again, to DOUBLE LARIAT! Gallows is back, he and Gabe DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT! Gabe CHOPs, CHOPS, and UPPERCUTS! Gabe runs, into a GUN STUN!! We never thought that move would return to NJPW but here we are! Finlay flounders, hot tag to Gedo! Gedo JAWBREAKERS Karl, SUPERKICKS, and the rest of the Dogs hold down the OGs! Gedo mule kicks Karl now to GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!!! Karl escapes and the fans fire up! GUN STUN for Gedo!! Gabe runs up, dodges, COMEBACKER!! Gallows ROUNDHOUSES Gabe!
Connors & Finlay mug Gallows, double whip him, then Connors runs in, only for Gallows to DUMP him! Gallows DUMPS Finlay, too! YAKUZA KICK for Gedo, and into the E V P TRIGGER!! Matt says that’s not enough! Nick climbs up to be on Gallows’ shoulders! SUPER T K DRIVER!! The Bucks PLANCHA out to wipe out the Dogs! The Good Brothers top it off with a MAGIC KILLER on Gedo!! Cover, the Founding Fathers win!
Winners: The Young Bucks & Good Brothers, by pinfall
The War Dogs are beside themselves, but the OGs of Bullet Club still got it! The War Dogs step back into the ring, they look at their “senpai” while Gedo is helped to the back. The Bucks say no hard feelings, and offer the Too Sweet. War Dogs throw it up, just to Too Sweet with each other. It seems some things aren’t “4 life” like we thought. But with the Good Brothers back in town, will things be #JustTooSweet no matter where you look?
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Tomohiro Ishii VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
The Stone Pitbull took this title off Gabe in the Windy City Riot, and now he defends it against another of the War Dogs! Will Ishii survive the 44 Caliber? Or will his reign not even last a full month?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really got that dog in ’em!
The bell rings and the fans rally as Drilla and Ishii get face to face. Then Drilla fires forearm after forearm! Drilla whips, Ishii reverses, but Drilla RAMS Ishii! Ishii roars so Drilla fires more forearms! Ishii eggs Drilla on and leans into the shots! Drilla keeps throwing shots but Ishii backs him down! The fans rally behind Ishii, and he DECKS Drilla into a corner! The fans fire up and Ishii shakes off those forearms. Ishii CHOPS, and CHOPS, but now Drilla eggs him on! Ishii fires forearms but now Drilla leans into the shots! The fans fire up as Drilla ROCKS Ishii. Drilla runs but Ishii CLOBBERS Drilla!
The fans fire up and Ishii suplexes, but Drilla slips free! Drilla waistlocks, Ishii fires elbows, and things speed up. Drilla hurdles, drops down, then DROPKICKS! The fans are torn but Drilla shakes out his arms. Drilla looms over Ishii, kicks him, and CHOPS him! The fans “WOO~” while Ishii wobbles, and Drilla CHOPS again! Drilla CHOPS Ishii to the corner, then CHOPS again! Ishii eggs Drilla on so Drilla winds up and CHOPS! Drilla stomps away on Ishii, the ref counts, but Drilla digs his boot in. The ref counts, Drilla steps off, and the fans rally. Drilla grins and brings Ishii up, but Ishii fires body shots!
Ishii backs Drilla down but Drilla snapmares and KICKS Ishii in the back! Ishii writhes, Drilla covers, TWO! Drilla is annoyed but Ishii is tougher than that. Drilla drags Ishii up, reels him in, and hits a BIG back suplex! Ishii sputters and rolls to the apron. The fans rally as Drilla storms over to join Ishii. Drilla drags Ishii up, reels him in, but Ishii fights the lift! Drilla pushes Ishii and ELBOWS him down! Ishii LARIATS the legs out from under Drilla! Drilla hobbles up, runs in, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM on the floor! The fans fire up while the ref checks Drilla. Drilla is okay to continue, so Ishii drags him into the ring.
Drilla goes to a corner, Ishii runs in, and LARIATS! Ishii whips, Drilla reverses, but Ishii comes back to CLOBBER Drilla! The fans fire up more as Ishii shakes off that damage. Ishii drags Drilla up, but Drilla fights the lift with elbows! Only for Ishii to shift and SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but he’s frustrated with himself. Ishii kicks at Drilla rather mockingly, and Drilla stands in a huff! Drilla ducks the haymaker to ripcord and CHOP! Then he brings Ishii in for a PILE- NO, Ishii fights that, so Drilla grabs tights for a STUFF PILEDRIVER! Ishii writhes but Drilla also grits his teeth from pain, and the fans rally up.
Drilla and Ishii stir, and Drilla rises first. Drilla drags Ishii up, CHOPS and ROCKS him on repeat, and the fans “WOO~” with every CHOP! Ishii just stares Drilla down! Drilla CHOPS, ROLLING ELBOWS, but Ishii DECKS him! The fans fire up and Ishii finally feels that damage. Ishii clutches a shoulder but he storms up on Drilla. Ishii kicks Drilla, hoists him up top, and then climbs up after him. Ishii stalling SUPERPLEXES! But Drilla’s right up!? The fans fire up and Drilla returns, but Ishii LARIATS! Drilla HAYMAKERS! Ishii HEADBUTTS! Drilla ROLLING ELBOWS, then ducks the enzigiri! Drilla runs, but Ishii stuffs the Gore!
Drilla wrenches free of the facelock, but Ishii HEADBUTTS Drilla down! The fans fire up while Ishii staggers around. Ishii roars to fire back up and the fans are with him! Drilla slowly rises, Ishii runs, but Drilla catches Ishii to a MADE IN JAPAN!??! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives Drilla using Shingo Takagi’s move and the fans fire up! Drilla goes to a corner while the fans rally up. The fans are on Ishii’s side and that pisses Drilla off. Drilla aims and runs in, but Ishii KNEES him low! Ishii stands Drilla up, but Drilla SUPERKICKS! Ishii rebounds, but into the SPINEBUSTER! Drilla gets moving again, and he GORES Ishii down!! Cover, TWO?!?
Ishii survives and Drilla is beside himself! The fans rally while Drilla and Ishii are down again. Drilla sits up and slashes his throat, vowing to end this. Drilla stands and he brings Ishii up. Drilla reels Ishii in, but Ishii fights the lift! Drilla swats a lariat, ducks the other, but Ishii ducks the enzigiri to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Drilla and Ishii stir as the fans rally up more. They go to ropes, rise up, and they both run in! DOUBLE LARIATS! Ishii fires boxing elbows, but Drilla eggs him on! Ishii fires forearm after forearm, but Drilla DROPKICKS! Drilla runs, but Ishii LARIATS him down! Cover, TWO!
Drilla survives and the fans rally up! Ishii sits Drilla up, runs, and SLIDING- NO! Drilla catches Ishii into a clinch! URE- NO, Ishii slips free to waistlock! Drilla switches, ripcords and DROPKICKS! Drilla reels Ishii in and suplexes, for a BRAINBUSTER!! But Ishii rises?!? His fighting spirit keeps him moving, but Drilla runs to LARIAT! Ishii stays up, UPPERCUTS, and ENZIGIRIS! Both men fall again and the fans fire back up! Ishii headbutts the buckles to fire up, and the fans are with him! Ishii runs again, to LARIAT!! Drilla tumbles, Ishii pushes him to a cover, TWO!! Drilla survives but Ishii powers back up!
Ishii hauls Drilla up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Drilla slips fere! Drilla shoves, then catches Ishii to wrench and Canadian Rack! DRILLA- NO, Ishii lands out! Drilla avoids a lariat, then another, and GORES!! Cover, ONE!?!? Drilla is shocked and the fans are thunderous! Drilla goes to a corner and he aims again! Drilla runs up, but Ishii turns leg lariat into POWERBOMB! And SLIDING LARIAT!! Ishii roars, suplexes, and BRAINBUSTERS!!! Cover, Ishii wins!!
Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
The Stone Pitbull showed the young pup how it’s done! Will Ishii continue to prove no one is as NJPW Strong as him?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita w/ Rocky Romero VS El Phantasmo!
It was just last week at Wrestling Dontaku that The Alpha and Headbanga battled over the NJPW World Television Championship. They went 15 minutes for a time limit draw and both men want more! Will ELP get all he can when he takes this title from Takeshita? Or will Konosuke NEVER lose again?
The introductions are made, the NEVER belt is raised, and we see who NEVER gives up!
The bell rings and the one hour time limit is on. ELP and Konosuke circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Konosuke headlocks, ELP powers up and out, but Konosuke runs him over! Things keep moving, ELP stays low then hurdles over, but Konosuke leaps over. Konosuke sidesteps, ELP rolls off Konosuke’s back, but Konosuke reels him in! BLUE THUNDER- NO, ELP sunset flips! But Konosuke rolls through! ELP still reels Konosuke in and tucks the arms, but then Konosuke wrenches free! ELP dodges the lariat, but Konosuke goes Matrix to avoid Sudden Death! The fans fire up as the two are in a standoff!
Konosuke and ELP reset, circle again, and the fans are dueling. Konosuke and ELP step up, and ELP CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” and ELP eggs Konosuke on. Konosuke winds up, but then ROLLING ELBOWS! ELP falls, the fans are torn, but Konosuke stands ELP up. Konosuke whips, ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then he somersaults to LIONSAULT! ELP bounces off the cover, and Konosuke is up to LARIAT ELP up and out! The fans are torn but Konosuke builds speed to FLY! Down goes ELP and the fans fire up! Konosuke drags ELP up, puts him in the ring, and then clamps on with a chinlock.
ELP endures, pries at the hold, but Konosuke shifts to go for an arm. The fans rally as ELP throws body shots, but Konosuke knees low! Konosuke whips, ELP reverses, but Konosuke FLYING UPPERCUTS ELP down! Konosuke clamps onto ELP with a double wristlock! ELP endures so Konosuke changes it to a COBRA CLUTCH! ELP fights around all the same, reaches out and has the ROPEBREAK! Konosuke lets go, ELP goes to a corner, and Konosuke storms up. Konosuke whips corner to corner hard and ELP bounces off buckles! The fans rally while ELP writhes on the mat. Konosuke watches ELP as he rolls away to ropes.
Konosuke stalks ELP, drags him up, and wrenches to put him in a corner. Konosuke whips ELP corner to corner, but ELP stops short! Konosuke runs in but ELP goes up and over! ELP runs in, but into a BOOT! Konosuke hops up, but ELP GAMANGIRIS him to the floor! The fans fire up and ELP builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Konosuke goes over railing! The fans fire up while both men are down! Konosuke rises as the ring count starts. ELP aims from the ropes! ELP did this in Japan, he’s gonna do it in California! SUPER DUPER THUNDERKISS!! Direct hit and the front row almost gets wiped out!
A Takeshita fan talks trash while showing off her Konosuke art, but Rocky is mad and throws off his jacket. ELP drags Konosuke up, CHOPS him back over the railing, and the ELP fans all “WOO~!” ELP storms after Konosuke, CHOPS him again, then puts him in the ring. Rocky gets up on the apron! The fans boo and ELP jumps, but Konosuke dodges! Konosuke then sidesteps to BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! ELP survives but Konosuke reels him in. ELP fights the suplex, but Konosuke powers through to suplex! ELP slips free, straitjackets and torture racks! BRAIN SALAD! Cover, TWO!!
Konosuke survives, but ELP kips up and the fans fire up! ELP tunes up the band and the fans cheer him on. ELP aims at Konosuke, for SUDDEN- NO, Konosuke blocks it to fire off boxing elbows! Then a ROLLING- NO, ELP mule kicks, front kicks, but then Konosuke BOOTS! ELP BOOTS! Konosuke rebounds but ELP ENZIGIRIS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Rocky coaches Konosuke, the fans rally for ELP, and both men rise. ELP and Konosuke go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! ELP grins as the shots keep going back and forth! Both men stand, and the forearms keep going! Konosuke ROCKS ELP and eggs him on!
ELP returns to ROCK Konosuke, and the forearms fly again! The fans fire up as the shots go faster and faster! Then DOUBLE FOREARMS send both men staggering back! ELP and Konosuke go to the apron now, and the forearms fly again! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and ELP ROCKS Konosuke! And ROCKS him again! Konosuke just ROCKS ELP in return! And again, and again, and again! Konosuke has ELP up against the corner, and hoists him up! Konosuke drags ELP onto his shoulder, but ELP fights free!
ELP mule kicks, then he reels Konosuke in! Konosuke fights the tuck, so ELP kicks him low! APRON PILEDRIVER!! Konosuke falls to the floor and Rocky is stunned! We pass 10 minutes while ELP rises up. ELP hears the ring count so he refreshes it, then he goes looking under the ring! ELP brings out a table! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands. ELP ignores that to set the table up at ringside. ELP then fetches Konosuke, drags him to the apron, and tucks the arms! Konosuke fights the lift, and ROCKS ELP! Then POWER DRIVE KNEES! Konosuke reels ELP in, but ELP fights the Blue Thunder with elbows! ELP rolls into the ring, but Konosuke avoids the shoulder!
Konosuke KNEES ELP back down and the fans fire up! Konosuke drags ELP up the corner, and the fans are already worried about what he’s planning. ELP fights with body shots, and then adjusts his position on the top rope! Konosuke fires body shots, then SUPER LARIATS ELP down!! Konosuke hurries to cover, TWO!! ELP survives and Konosuke is furious! Konosuke drags ELP up, scoops him, but ELP slips free to gut wrench! But Konosuke turns that back around! TOMBSTONE!! But Konosuke holds on! Konosuke stands up, tucks ELP in, BASTARD DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and the fans fire up!
ELP shakes his head, defiant against the damage done to him. The fans rally more but Konosuke brings ELP up. But ELP wrenches out, only for the ALPHA ELBOW to knock him down! POWER DRIVE- SUDDEN DEATH!! ELP hits first and the fans fire up! ELP hurries to reel Konosuke in, but Konosuke Alabama Lifts! And he spins ELP around for another BASTARD DRIVER!! And then a WHEELBARROW GERMAN SUPLEX!! The fans are thunderous, and ELP is right up!! LARIAT!! Cover, ONE?!!? WHAT?!?
ELP just runs again, goes up and up, and FLYING- ALPHA ELBOW!!! Cover, ONE!??! The fans are thunderous as both men defy expectations! ELP dodges a lariat to POISON-RANA!! Konosuke stands up but wobbles, and ELP ROLLING ELBOWS!! Cover, ONE?!?!?! HOW?!?! ELP shrugs it off to tune up! SUDDEN DEATH!! SUDDEN DEATH AGAIN!! And then C R 2!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Konosuke survives all of that and the fans are electric! Rocky is freaking out but “This is Awesome!” ELP is up, THUNDERKISS ATTACK! And then a somersault back to the apron, THUNDERKISS 86 SPLASH!!! Cover, ROCKY DRAGS THE REF OUT!!!
The fans boo as Azucar sours the taste of this one! The ref and Rocky argue, but ELP storms out to get Rocky! Rocky runs for it, but ELP SUPERKICKS him! ELP reels Rocky in and POWERBOMBS him through the table!! ELP goes into the ring, but the POWER DRIVE KNEE finds him! And then RAGING- CRADLE!!! TWO!!! Konosuke escapes, dodges, and ROLLING ELBOWS!! And then POWER DRIVE KNEES!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? HOW?!?!? Konosuke throws off his elbow pad, winds up, and ALPHA ELBOWS!!! Then the RAGING FIRE!!! Cover, Konosuke wins!!!
Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)
ELP kept his NJPW World TV Championship, but now Konosuke has kept his NEVER Openweight Championship! Is Konosuke going to prove he isn’t just The Alpha of AEW, but the Alpha of the World?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Zack Sabre Jr w/ Shane Haste!
The Fierce Warrior took this title from The Front Man at the New Beginning in Osaka, and the Goto Revolution has been on a roll these last few months. ZSJ wants the spotlight back, but there’s also a catch: The winner here must defend against Shingo Takagi at NJPW Dominion in June! Will it be out of the frying pan and into the fire for Goto? Or will this be ZSJ’s resurgence?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the G in IWGP is still for Goto!
The bell rings and the fans fire up as Goto and ZSJ stare down. Goto and ZSJ then circle, feel things out, and go around. They knuckle lock, then clinch, and ZSJ waistlocks. ZSJ shifts to a headlock but Goto wrenches out to wristlock. ZSJ rolls, bridges, spins and wrenches, but Goto headlocks! ZSJ hammerlocks, Goto goes to the ROPEBREAK, and the fans cheer this opening exchange. Goto and ZSJ reset, circle again, and the two tie up. ZSJ headlocks, grinds the hold, but Goto powers up and out. Fans sing for “OH~ Zack Sabre Junior~!” as he RAMS Goto! Goto rebounds to RUN ZSJ over!
ZSJ avoids the elbow drop, Goto avoids the Penalty Kick, and Goto hits a headlock takeover! ZSJ headscissors, Goto kips free and Goto deflects a boot, only for ZSJ to avoid the lariat! The fans cheer and the two reset again. ZSJ and Goto circle, feel things out, and ZSJ RAMS low! ZSJ whips, but Goto blocks a hip toss, only for ZSJ to do the same! ZSJ THROWS Goto down, then clamps on for the NECK TWIST! The fans fire up, and Goto goes to the apron. ZSJ steps outside and NECK TWISTS Goto again! The fans rally while ZSJ sits Goto up on the floor, and KICKS him in the back! ZSJ then UPPERCUTS, but Goto CHOPS!
ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Goto CHOPS, repeat! The fans rally while Goto falls back! ZSJ swaggers around a bit, rolls into the ring, and lets the ring count climb. Goto sits up at 7 of 20, stands at 10, and takes a moment before rolling in at 12. ZSJ kneels on Goto, the ref reprimands as they’re in the ropes, but ZSJ SNAPS the fingers! Goto bails out while clutching his hand, but the ring count starts again. ZSJ eggs Goto on, Goto shakes out the bad hand and rolls back in. ZSJ is after the hand again and SNAPS the fingers! ZSJ then wrenches the arm, steps over, and he reaches out to have the other arm! Goto endures this modified motorcycle stretch, but ZSJ wrangles him down!
ZSJ has a DOUBLE MOUNTED ARMBAR! Goto endures, the fans duel, and ZSJ pulls on the arms! Goto kicks around to the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go and kicks at Goto. ZSJ scuffs Goto, taunts him with more kicks, but Goto sits up. ZSJ kicks at Goto while taunting him more and more. Goto scowls and stands up. They shoulder bump each other, but then Goto CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS back, then storms up on Goto in a corner. ZSJ pushes Goto, slaps him around, but Goto SLAPS! Goto CHOPS, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, and ZSJ uppercuts. Goto reverses, runs in, but into a BOOT!
ZSJ runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto rises, he drags ZSJ up, and he ROCKS ZSJ with forearm after forearm! Goto whips, runs in, and MURAMASA! SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Goto stays focused and he brings ZSJ up. ZSJ fights the lift, pulls on an arm, and ZSJ wrenches. Goto fires forearms but ZSJ PELES the arm! Goto staggers, ZSJ runs, but then Goto follows again! Only for ZSJ to wrangle Goto to a FUJIWARA! Goto fights, ZSJ traps that arm, and then gets the other arm again! Goto endures the DOUBLE FUJIWARA! The fans rally, Goto fights around, but ZSJ steps over! Goto still gets the ROPEBREAK!
ZSJ lets go in frustration but the fans rally back up. Goto sputters but ZSJ stands him up. ZSJ UPPERCUTS Goto, has him on the ropes, then UPPERCUTS again! And again! ZSJ whips, Goto reverses, fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Goto and ZSJ stir, rise up, and Goto brings ZSJ up to ROCK him with a forearm! Goto eggs ZSJ on, so ZSJ ROCKS him back! Goto ROCKS ZSJ again, and again, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Goto ROCKS ZSJ, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, and repeat! They go faster and faster, harder and harder, and the fans fire up more! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again and again, but Goto spins him! URA GTR!
Goto runs and LARIATS ZSJ down! The fans fire up and we’re only at ten minutes! The fans hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” and considering there’s a one hour limit on this, they can definitely keep going! Goto rises and fires up again. Goto stands ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops back! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ can’t make the cover and the fans fire up again! Shane coaches ZSJ and the fans rally again. ZSJ makes it to ropes, stands back up, and he goes to a corner. Goto sits up, ZSJ runs in, PENALTY KICK! Deep stack cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans cheer again. Goto goes to a corner, ZSJ goes back to his, and ZSJ aims again.
ZSJ runs in but Goto puts him in the ropes! Then DRAPING SHOTO!! Both men are down again and the fans still rally! Goto rises and powers up! ZSJ sits up, into the BUZZSAW! Goto then drags ZSJ up, fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI again! Goto roars, the fans fire up, and Goto dragon sleepers, for G T- NO, ZSJ catches the arm, backslides, TWO!! ZSJ steps over, hammerlock and then CLARKY CAT!! ZSJ has the arms trapped again but Goto fights around! ZSJ pushes on the arms for an almost standing Clarky Cat! Goto endures, even as ZSJ pushes down hard on the arms! And has a leg! CLARKY CAT: BAD BALLOON REMIX!!
Goto fights with his free leg, so ZSJ shifts to focus on just an arm, URESHI ARMBAR!! Goto endures, fights with his legs, and still manages the ROPEBREAK!! ZSJ lets go in frustration and the fans fire up again! Shane coaches ZSJ to keep on Goto and the fans duel. ZSJ waits on Goto to sit up, and then he KICKS! Goto falls over, ZSJ paces, and Goto sits back up. ZSJ KICKS again! Goto falls back over, the fans rally, and ZSJ paces again. Goto sits back up, ZSJ eggs him on, and then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS! Goto falls in another heap and the fans continue to rally and duel. ZSJ lines up another shot to KICK, KICK, KICK! Goto blocks!
ZSJ SLAPS, SLAPS, SLAPS, and fires off fast SLAPS! Goto HEADBUTTS him in return! Shane is worried now as Goto HEADBUTTS again and again and again! Goto SLAMS ZSJ down, runs, and LARIATS ZSJ inside-out! The fans fire up as Goto drags ZSJ back up, fireman’s carries, and G T W!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and the fans fire up again! Goto shrugs that off to drag ZSJ up and dragon sleepers, but ZSJ drops down to victory roll, then EURO CLUTCH!! TWO!!! Goto escapes in time, and he clinches to a SLEEPER! Then roll, GOTO NI SHIKI!! TWO!! Goto fireman’s carries, ZSJ sunset flips, but Goto rocks it back, TWO!
ZSJ has the sunset flip, TWO!!! Goto narrowly escapes and the fans boo! Goto and ZSJ run back in, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Then they DOUBLE LARIAT again! And DOUBLE LARIAT again! The fans rally up while both men wobble. Goto eggs ZSJ on, ZSJ runs in, but into a fireman’s carry! Throw and G T- NO, ZSJ slips through, waistlocks, O’Conner BRIDGE, but Goto has a waistlock!! DOUBLE COVER, AND THREE!?!? The ref has to explain to the timekeeper to ring the bell, and then call it a DOUBLE PINFALL DRAW!!!
Double Pinfall Draw; Goto retains the title
ZSJ is pissed with the ref, and uses a GUILLOTINE CHOKE to take him down!! ZSJ grabs the world title, tosses it down at Goto’s feet, and the fans all call BS! ZSJ undoes his wrist tape, the fans tell the ref he sucks for this one, and Goto stands up to stare ZSJ down. This draw does not sit well with either man, but ZSJ pie faces Goto! ZSJ and Shane storm off while the fans boo, but there’s nothing that can be done about this decision now. Goto survived the rematch with The Front Man, will he be so lucky against the Rampaging Dragon?
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Mercedes Mone VS AZM VS Mina Shirakawa!
The CEO thought she was just getting one or the other for Resurgence, but that Double Count Out Draw in Chicago really upped the ante. Now both High Speed Bomb Girl and Fighting Gravure Idol get their shot, will one of them leave the Golden State wearing gold? Or will she still be #FourBeltsMone?
The introductions are made, the lavender belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
4 Corners Podcast: Playoffpalooza
Dave and Tunney discuss all the awesome action that has been going on in the NHL and NBA Playoffs!
4 Corners Podcast: Is It Drafty In Here?
Patrick and Dave discuss the NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders, and the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs!
4 Corners Podcast: Rory McIlroy, NBA Playoffs & NIL
Join Patrick and Dave every Tuesday as they cover the four corners of the professional sporting world!
4 Corners Podcast: Houston Still Has a Problem
This week, we discuss the NCAA Final Four, the NHL Playoff chase, the end of the Gr8 Chase and much...
4 Corners Podcast: Chalk & Chase
This week we talk a little MLB, discuss the red-hot Blues, the GR8 Chase, and whether a chalky NCAA Tournament...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (5/9/25)
June will be electric!
Bandwagon Nerds #287: Filling A Void
The Nerds review Thunderbolts*, check out the latest trailers, and celebrate Star Wars Day as only they can!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (5/1/25)
Let's live it up!
Attitude Of Aggression #308- Unidentified History: From Undesirable to Undeniable
This debut Episode examines how UAPs went from an undesirable topic of discussion into an undeniably important aspect of our...
Bandwagon Nerds #286: Hela Hath No Fury
VILLAIN MADNESS reaches its epic conclusion. Plus trailers for Predator: Badlands, Pee Wee as Himself, WWE Unreal and much more!
Mitchell’s WWE Backlash Results & Report! (5/10/25)
John Cena's Final Backlash!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Release The Backlash
Join DJ, Rob and Jason every week as they give their "Mindless" takes on Pro Wrestling and much, much more!
Mitchell’s NJPW Resurgence Results & Report! (5/9/25)
NJPW's back in the Golden State!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/9/25)
The time is now!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (5/9/25)
TGIROHF!
Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis
Chairshot Staff picks!!!
DWI Podcast #475: JAFC vs RKO
We give our picks and predictions for WWE Backlash!
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.8.2025
We get to see Alicia Fox in action and a dog collar match! Definitely an odd combination, so let's see...
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (5/8/25)
Collision on a Thursday?!
Mitchell’s WWE Evolve Results & Report! (5/7/25)
Hear ye, hear ye!
