Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (11/30/21)
Prepare for War… Games!
The battle lines have been drawn in NXT!
Before going inside the sinister steel, advantage must be won! The NXT Universe voted, who competes in tonight’s Advantage Ladder Match?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Advantage Ladder Match: Kay Lee Ray VS Dakota Kai; KLR wins advantage for their team at NXT WarGames.
- Andre Chase VS Cameron Grimes; Grimes wins.
- WWE NXT Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Match: Kyle O’Reilly & Von Wagner VS Legado Del Fantasma; Kyle & Wagner win and will challenge Imperium at NXT WarGames.
- All-Inclusive Invitational: Joe Gacy w/ Harland VS ???; Gacy wins.
- Solo Sikoa VS Endris Enofe; Sikoa wins.
- Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta VS Valentina Feroz & Yulisa Leon; Indi & Persia win.
- Men’s Advantage Ladder Match: Johnny Gargano VS Bron Breakker; Breakker wins advantage for their team at NXT WarGames.
PLAY BY PLAY
Women’s Advantage Ladder Match: Kay Lee Ray VS Dakota Kai!
The teams meet on stage, fans are fired up, and the brawl breaks out! Referees hurry to put a stop to this, only KLR and #CobraKai are to fight! Dakota RAMS KLR into a ladder and knocks it over! Toxic Attraction, Shirai, Raquel and Cora go to the back while Dakota kicks KLR down. Dakota laughs while fans rally for “WAR~ GAMES! WAR~ GAMES!” Dakota puts KLR in the ring, the ref sounds the bell and KLR SUPERKICKS Dakota down! Dakota flops right out of the ring and fans fire up for KLR! She goes up and SUPER SWANTONS Dakota down! Fans lose their minds as KLR looks around and finds a new ladder.
KLR has the ladder but Dakota grabs the other end. They tug-o-war, but KLR RAMS Dakota into the apron! Dakota is stuck, KLR SUPERKICKS her again! Dakota flops down, KLR grins as she brings Dakota up again. Gory Especial, but Dakota fights out to SLAP KLR down! KLR gets up with a scowl and Dakota hurries into the ring! KLR chases her, Dakota bails back out and KLR keeps chasing. Dakota catches KLR to a dragon sleeper! TWISTING DDTÂ to the steel steps! Fans lose their minds all over again while Dakota fidgets and searches for stuff under the ring. Dakota brings out yet another ladder as fans rally for “NXT! NXT!”
Dakota makes this ladder into a ramp but KLR grabs at her foot. Dakota kick KLR away then whips her, only for KLR to reverse and send Dakota into those steps! KLR sees the ladder, puts it in the ring, and looks up at the briefcase. But Dakota yanks the ladder away to throw it down. KLR DIVES right onto Dakota! Dakota hits desk, KLR brings Dakota up to GOURD BUSTER her onto the ladder!! Dakota writhes and clutches her ribs! KLR puts the ladder back in the ring, looks up at the briefcase again, and starts setting the ladder up. “This is Awesome!” as KLR has the ladder under the briefcase and begins to climb. But Dakota gets in to bring KLR down, kick her low and throw her into buckles!
Dakota climbs, reaches out, but KLR yanks her back down! KLR ROCKS Dakota with a forearm and Dakota staggers around. KLR whips Dakota, Dakota reverses and KLR is sent into a ladder again! The ladder tips over, Dakota whips KLR into a corner, then BOOT WASHES! Dakota drags KLR to stomp her down, then she sets the ladder back up. Fans duel as Dakota climbs but KLR throws body shots. Dakota CLUBS KLR down, brings KLR up and bumps her off buckles. Dakota stomps KLR down, digs her boot in, then gives her more stomps. KLR pushes Dakota away and heads for the ladder but Dakota CLUBS her down!
Fans rally, Dakota CLUBS KLR, then CLUBS her again. KLR shoves Dakota, gets around and reels Dakota in for a GOURD BUSTER! Dakota is down, KLR goes up the corner! Dakota BOOTS KLR down! Then DECKS her into a Tree of Woe! Dakota climbs up, to WOE STOMP KLR to the apron!! Fans fire up as both women hit the floor and NXT goes picture in picture.
KLR writhes now, clutching a leg as she tries to get up. Dakota stands up and stomps KLR down. Dakota bumps KLR off the steps, then chokes her! KLR pushes Dakota away but Dakota goes into the ring to climb the ladder. Dakota smiles as she looks at the briefcase but KLR drags her back down. Dakota CLUBS KLR, stomps her, then kicks her around. Dakota climbs again, reaches the top but KLR gets a foot again. Dakota kicks her away, then hops down to shout at her. Dakota stands on KLR’s neck and back, then lets off to taunt the fans. KLR hits Dakota but Dakota CLUBS her down. Dakota straddle attacks KLR down, stomps her more, then drags her around for a HEEL HOOK!
KLR endures, clubs at Dakota’s legs, but Dakota kicks her back down! Dakota keeps on the heel hook, KLR fights back with more stomps from her free leg. KLR gets free, goes to a corner, but Dakota stomps her down! Dakota digs her boot into the bad leg, then lets off to put the leg on the ropes. Dakota PULLS the leg against the ropes, and lets off just to readjust and have a HEEL HOOK in the ropes! KLR endures, NXT returns to single picture, and fans rally and duel. KLR still endures, stomps with her free leg and gets free again. KLR bails out, but Dakota pursues. Dakota grins as KLR slowly stands. Dakota runs in but KLR spins her to a Gory Especial, KLR BOMB to the desk!!
KLR powers through while Toxic Attraction watches backstage. Dakota hurries as KLR climbs with one good leg, and Dakota goes up the other side! KLR and Dakota trade haymakers at the very top! KLR gets the edge, but Dakota blocks to SMACK KLR off the top! KLR falls, Dakota reaches up! Dakota has hands on the case, but she has to unhook the handle! KLR drags Dakota down! Dakota kicks KLR away, focuses her mind, and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS KLR!! Fans lose their minds again while Shirai, Raquel, Cora and even Zoey Stark are watching backstage, too. Dakota gets up, climbs again, but KLR drags her back down from under the ladder!
KLR gets Dakota stuck in the rungs, and SLAMS her into a Tree of Woe! Fans are thunderous as KLR climbs up and over Dakota, but Dakota just pulls her down. KLR SUPERKICKS Dakota and Dakota flops out of the Tree! KLR climbs up the ladder, touches the case, and unhooks it! KLR wins!
Winner: Kay Lee Ray (Shirai, Gonzalez, Jade & KLR have the advantage)
Toxic Attraction is furious! Dakota’s sadism may have cost them! Will this be the key to the Scary Queen of Scots, Evil Genius of the Sky, Big Mami Cool and #GenerationJade taking down Dakota, Mandy, Gigi & Jacy?
Andre Chase vents on Twitter.
Cameron Grimes tried to embarrass him in front of his students! Chase promises that this week on NXT, Grimes will get himself a Chase University sized ass-kicking!
The Grizzled Young Veterans sneak around backstage.
James Drake has the key to Brooks Jensen’s locker. He hands it off to Zack Gibson while keeping watch. But Ikemen Jiro still shows up and loudly asks what they’re doing. Gibson hushes him, and says this is a very sensitive operation. Sensitive operation? SHH! SHH! Kushida finds Jiro and Jiro says this is a very sensitive operation, shh. Everyone is hushing each other, but then Brooks & Briggs show up! GYV run off, Brooks asks what they were up top. Kushida says, “Shh!” and Jiro says, “Very sensitive operation.” Uh, okay.
Andre Chase VS Cameron Grimes!
“Professor” Chase is already in the ring and his student section is already fired up as the Carolina Caveman makes his entrance. Chase wants to make this a #TeachableMoment, but will he learn what it is to be a tune-up for Grimes going into his Hair VS Hair match?
The bell rings, the two circle, Grimes gets a leg but Chase hobbles to ropes. Chase turns things around to a facelock, Grimes WRINGS Chase out and tells him to “Kiss Mah Grits!” Chase gets up, Grimes counter punches him and KICKS him down! Grimes brings Chase up to bump off buckles, then whips him to ropes. Chase whips Grimes away but Grimes then puts Chase on the apron. Chase pulls Grimes’ hair to throw him down! Chase gets in, RUNNING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, but Chase jams an elbow into Grimes’ forehead. Chase CLUBS Grimes, whips Grimes to a corner, then stalks up behind him to RAM him into buckles!
Chase gets his student section to spell his name as he stomps away on Grimes. Chase brings Grimes up to scoop but Grimes slips out, shoves and RANAS Chase down! Grimes runs to rally with forearms! Grimes fires up and fans fire up with him! Grimes runs in to JUMP KICK in the corner! Chase falls, Grimes goes up, but Chase gets under the flying attack, only to turn around into a CAVE-IN!
Winner: Cameron Grimes, by pinfall
But Duke Hudson appears to sarcastically congratulate Grimes. Congrats on hi s last victory with a full head of hair. Hudson knows a guy who can do some computer wizardry, and here are some pics of what Grimes would look with different haircuts. First, the Karen. Call the manager on that one. Second, one of those half cuts. Hard to say if it’s half started or half finished. There are a few out here in the fans with that. Fans tell Hudson to shut up but he has the third one, the bowl cut. Fourth Stooge or Dumb, Dumber & Dumbest. And of course, the last one is Hudson’s pick, the full cue ball.
When Hudson humiliated Grimes, apparently Grimes just got more handsome. So Hudson will make him as bald as when he was born. Hudson will take the hair, the beard, and give Grimes a real reason to cry. Grimes sends a message back by throwing Chase into the ring, and bringing out the ELECTRIC CHEERS! But Chase’s top student saves him! Grimes gets a mic and tells Hudson, “I’m shaving you baaald~!” Who ends up fresh faced as a newborn baby this Sunday?
NXT announces the “Old School” representative tonight.
It’s Johnny Gargano! Will it not even matter who steps up from the New School against Johnny Freakin’ Wrestling? The “New School” is arriving at this very moment, so we find out who was chosen, after the break.
NXT, meet Endris Enofe.
All his life, he’s always come across doubters trying to mold him into what they wanted. As a id, he was told he’d never make it out of Inglewood, California. He was always looking over his shoulder. The struggle, the doubt, it was all there. But he signed up to give five and a half years to the military. His service ended with someone telling him that was all he could be and there was nothing else for him. But there he was, surrounded by doubters again. Their words isolated him. Much like his first opponent here tonight, Solo Sikoa, who fought alone on the streets just to prove himself. They’re not so different. But tonight, Endris proves that he has overcome, and he strives to be the Epitome of Excellence!
The “New School” is in the ring!
Alicia Taylor introduces Team NXT 2.0, and informs them that “Team Black ‘n’ Gold” will be represented by Gargano tonight. Before we find out who represents their team, how do they feel about WarGames? Carmelo hears the “Johnny Wrestling!” chants and says we’re looking at the future of the WWE. The Supreme Team meets the Dream Team, and their ice cream only needs one thing. “Ain’t nobody messing with The Kliq!” But Johnny Wrestling, he’s done it all in NXT. He’s had food on his plate for years! Big matches, big moments, championships and action figures, even video games. Melo isn’t asking Gargano to share, he’s saying, “Bring me my plate!”
Melo is the A Champion in NXT, and on Sunday, they’ll know how this goes. When Melo shoots, he don’t miss. We shootin’? Waller tells “Team Hot Dogs ‘n’ Handshakes,” they want the new kids to come in and carry their bags? Tie their bootstraps? Instead, they came in, slapped them in the face, and put it on social media. That is what a good sports entertainer does in 2021! As for that FLOP, LA Knight, Waller would be jealous, too, lad! There’s a fresher, more exciting and more handsome version of him on the scene, and that burns Knight up. But that’s just the #GraysonWallerEffect. Melo applauds that.
Bron Breakker says Ciampa comes out here, calls Bron puppy and even throws out “the math reference,” like Bron is drowning in a pool of his own inexperience. Ciampa wants to preach about his 17 years. Listen, that’s fine! Overlook Team 2.0! This week, at WarGames, they’re coming and will beat Black ‘n’ Gold to then come for the NXT Championship! Whoa, whoa, whoa! Bron bringing up gold? Tony D’Angelo knows about that himself, ‘ey! But enough about him. These four guys, they paved the road that they’re walking on right now, right? Of course he’s right. But that road has some potholes. Those holes need to be filled, with their heads! Starting with Pete Poppins!
Sunday at WarGames, the old school better bring their best, they’re gonna need it! Trick Williams says to talk that talk, Tony! Alicia directs things to the reveal for tonight’s advantage match representative. The winner is… BRON BREAKKER! Fans wanted to see it, and here it is! Bron says he will gladly fight- Gargano interrupts! “What I love about you NXT 2.0 Kids, you live in a unicorn vomit filled fantasy land.” They stand around talking about how they’ll beat the guys who put NXT on the map. Let Gargano tell them something. If not for guys like him, these five wouldn’t have a ring to stand in, and that’s the truth.
But they want to bury all that? Fine. Tonight, they get their opportunity, starting with Bron, “The Big Bad Booty Nephew himself!” But Bron, look. Gargano is here all by himself. But how about Bron showing he isn’t just the nephew, he’s also a man. Leave the team in the back, give the people what they want! Gargano VS Breakker, Ladder match, 1v1, man to man! What does Bron say? “I tell you what. You want a ladder match? I’ll leave my team behind tonight, and will gladly kick your ass!” The battle of young and old goes down in the main event, who gets the advantage for this battle of generations?
Backstage with El Legado Del Fantasma.
Tonight’s a big match, as a win leads to WarGames and the NXT Tag Team Championship match. The only thing in their way is the team of Kyle & Von, who Joaquin Wilde points out they’ve beaten already. They’ll do it again tonight. Raul Mendoza says foot on the ropes, foot not on the ropes, there will be no excuses tonight! Santos Escobar says that history is written by the winners. Hermanos, go out there and write the next chapter. Elektra Lopez says after WarGames, Legado will be draped in gold! That #1 contenders match happens after the break!
MSK are on their way!
Their rental car with its GPS says they’re almost there. Nothing will get in their way. Wait, why did Nash Carter have to say that? Wes Lee is sure something will go wrong now! Nash says Wes should drive next time, then. But the car corrects “dipsh*t” Nash, he’s turning left when he should be turning right. Wait, did the car just- You’ve arrived. About damn time. It only took you five weeks. “The Shaman is inside. Go forth and find your destiny.” Well no idea where this GPS came from, but it better watch its ass. How about Wes watch his? Nash has Wes calm down, they’re here. They exit the car, and they are fired up!
They go up to the building, they have the supplies and each other. Wes, you knock. Nash is all nervous. The door opens, and standing there in the light is… “It’s him.” But who?! Who is the Shaman?!
WWE NXT Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Match: Kyle O’Reilly & Von Wagner VS Legado Del Fantasma!
Controversy in their previous showdown is why the question remains: Who is worthy of the opportunity? Will the rag tag duo of Kyle & Von make it work? Or will this be Wilde’s & Mendoza’s time?
Von starts against Mendoza and fans rally up. They tie up, Wagner tosses Mendoza to a corner then dares him to come back. Mendoza steps up, catches the arm and wrenches to YANK. Wagner CLUBS the arms, Mendoza CHOPS and kicks but Wagner reverses the whip. Mendoza goes out, ENZIGURIS, springboards but Wagner gets under. Mendoza comes back, tilt-o-whirl but Wagner blocks the kick to whip and shoulder tackle Mendoza down! Mendoza goes to a corner, tag to Kyle, Kyle KICKS and Wagner HEADBUTTS, repeat! Kyle drags Mendoza up, wrenches and hammerlocks then headlocks. Mendoza endures the grind, fights his way over and tags in Wilde.
Kyle gets Wilde with a headlock but he powers out. Legado DOUBLE SPINEBUSTERS, then split the wishbone before double basement dropkicks! Cover, ONE! Deep leg hook cover, TWO! Wilde knees, shoves and CLOBBERS Kyle! Cover, TWO! Another deep hook, TWO! Wilde seethes, but he RAMS Kyle into the corner. Tag to Mendoza, he stomps Kyle then CLUBS him. Mendoza CLUBS Kyle again, talks trash, but Kyle trips Mendoza to get the foot! Mendoza gets the ropes then kicks Kyle away. Mendoza kicks Kyle to ropes, whips him to ropes but Kyle reverses. Mendoza sunset flips but Kyle stays up to get the ARMBAR! Mendoza makes it a cover, TWO!
Mendoza kicks Kyle but Kyle boots back! Tag to Wagner, Mendoza whips but Kyle reverses. Mendoza goes up but Kyle stops that for Wagner to LEAP FROG ATTACK! And then waistlock SLAM! Wagner rolls to a cover, TWO! Wagner has a bearhug, and here comes Xyon Quinn? Quinn stares at Escobar and Lopez from across the ring, but Wagner still has Mendoza down as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns while Wilde has Kyle down with a chinlock now. Escobar and Lopez see Quinn approaching, but Escobar puts Lopez in the way. Quinn and Lopez lock eyes as they circle, but Quinn fires off on Escobar! They brawl, Lopez hurries after them. Kyle fights up to thro body shots and ROCK Wilde! Kyle runs but Mendoza is there. Wilde dropkicks Kyle down! Clothesline and tag! Mendoza runs in, clothesline and tag! Wilde runs in to clothesline and tag, then Mendoza does the same! Wilde goes again, then Mendoza tops it off with a GAMANGIRI! Tag to Wilde before Mendoza snap suplexes! Kyle gets up, Wilde SWANTONS! Cover, TWO!
Wilde grows frustrated but Wilde clamps on a chinlock. Kyle fights up but Wilde knees low to turn him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Wilde drags Kyle up, tags Mendoza, they double whip Kyle corner to corner. Kyle boots Mendoza back, then puts Wilde on the apron. Wilde ROCKS Kyle, but Wagner BOOTS Wilde! Kyle crawls, Mendoza anchors a foot! Kyle hops up, tag to Wagner! Wagner fires off on Mendoza, reels him in and LARITS! Then a LEG LARIAT! Wagner whips Mendoza for a POWERSLAM! Wilde gets in, for a COMPLETE SHOT! Wagner gets Mendoza up, OLYMPIC SLAM! Cover, TWO!!
Wagner drags Mendoza up, whips him to a corner, then runs in, but Mendoza dropkicks legs out! Wagner hits buckles, but he pops Mendoza up. Mendoza lands on the ropes to springboard missile dropkick Wagner down! Fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” as both men crawl. Hot tags to Wilde and Kyle! Kyle fires off forearms but so does Wilde! Wilde gets the edge but Kyle comes back with more! They keep going, back and forth, faster and faster! Fans are loving it! Wilde gets the edge but Kyle KICKS, KNEES and sweeps! Wilde jumps that and ROCKS Kyle! Kyle yoyos but Wilde dodges! Wilde blocks a kick to DDT!
Fans fire up for “LEGADO! LEGADO!” but Wilde SLAPS Wagner! Wagner gets in, the ref has to keep him back! Wilde signals to Mendoza, he runs in, but Wagner dumps him out! Kyle knees Wilde, tags Wagner in, and Wagner pops Wilde up for the KICK! Then HIGH LOW!! Cover, Wagner & Kyle win!!
Winners: Kyle O’Reilly & Von Wagner, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championships)
Wagner may be green but he’s got a THREE-TIME tag team champion to guide him! Will they bring that #TotalAnnihilation to Imperium at WarGames?
Backstage interview with Imperium.
They just learned who their challengers will be. Their thoughts? They both answer in German and Italian but realize “these people” need a chance to understand. So in English, Marcel Barthel says “It does not matter.” But Kyle & Von show up to say they’ve bounced back. These misfits are ONE WIN AWAY from those titles. See you at WarGames, dumbasses! Barthel keeps Fabian Aichner calm, but will Kyle & Von unleash on Imperium and take those titles away?
NXT, here’s another Tiffany Epiphany.
Tiffany says that since she was born, her daddy called her a princess. A princess should always have the best cars, shop at the best boutiques, and wear the best clothes. Who looks at the price tags anyway? It’s just numbers. And where she shops, Black Fridays and Cyber Mondays don’t exist. Daddy says she can have anything she wants. Tiffany Stratton is on her way, but how will she fare actually putting in the work?
All-Inclusive Invitational: Joe Gacy w/ Harland VS ???
Gacy and his hulking cohort are in the ring as he introduces himself. Standing here is how they believe the future of the NXT Cruiserweight Division will be. They believe the reign of Roderick Strong has created a “toxic and unrealistic environment,” for both the fans and the competitors. In the world of Gacy, this division won’t be about specific height requirements, weight shaming, or even gender bias standing in the way of progression. Tonight, he invited three competitors to give them his best in front of the world as he prepares to dethrone Strong at NXT “Conflict Resolution.” So please, sit back, relax and enjoy your glimpse at the future.
Gacy first starts against #ThaKid. They circle, tie up, Gacy facelocks but Tha Kid slips right out. They tie up again, Tha Kid headlocks but Gacy powers out to run him over. Things speed up, Tha Kid tilt-o-whirls but Gacy stays up. Tha Kid facelocks, Gacy shoves him away but Tha Kid mule kicks then dropkicks! Gacy gets mad and BOOTS him down! Then stomps him to a corner! Gacy clotheslines, reel shim in and hits an URENAGE! Gacy hauls Tha Kid up, and GUT WRENCH POWERBOMBS! Cover, Gacy wins this first round!
Winner: Joe Gacy, by pinfall
Gacy helps Tha Kid up, and gives him a hug to show no hard feelings. Gacy gets the mic to say, “Now, I would love to give this young lady an opportunity.” Tesha Price steps into the ring, the bell rings and they circle. This is historic in that it’s co-ed, but here comes the Diamond Mine! Malcolm Bivens says Gacy didn’t need to create this spectacle. But y’know what’s missing? Legitimacy! So how about a legitimate fighter, like teh NXT Cruiserweight Champion, steps up? What Gacy’s done is saying this is history tonight, because this is the first, and the very last, All-Inclusive Invitational. At WarGames, Strong and Diamond Mine shut Gacy up for good!
Gacy tells Mr. Bivens that there is no need for this aggression. Gacy respects the passion, but please leave the others outside so that Gacy can talk to Strong person to person. Oooh~! Bivens and Strong step up to the ring and Bivens says Gacy’s done messed up now. Gacy asks Mr. Strong if he allows Mr. Bivens to always speak for him. Strong says he’s done with talking. Strong DECKS Gacy, the invitational is done, and Strong even decks Gacy’s heavyweight guest! But Gacy handsprings and LARIATS Strong down! Harland gets Gacy out of the ring before the Creed Brothers rush in, and fans want to see this fight one way or another!
Will Gacy open the gates when he wins the title? Or will Strong slam them shut when he retains?
Backstage interview with Solo Sikoa.
McKenzie asks him about his mask with Endris Enofe, and how Endris made reference to him. Solo says he gets it. Endris is from the streets of Inglewood. He was in the military, too. But this ain’t the military or Inglewood. Endris steps to the Street Champion of the Island. That right there is a challenge. But Boa walks up, straining to keep the power of Tian Sha contained. Solo says sorry, he can’t understand him. Boa’s on his own with this one. Solo heads out, will he prove there is a difference between him and the rest?
Solo Sikoa VS Endris Enofe!
Both men have been fighting against doubt and the odds for their whole lives, but the difference between these two is that only one can win! Who lives up to their own expectations as they collide here tonight?
The bell rings, Solo and Endris circle. They tie up, Endris headlocks but Solo powers out to run him over. Endris gets up, Solo eggs him on. Endris comes back, Solo gets the arm and wrenches to an elbow breaker! Robert Stone is watching from the ramp now as Solo has a chinbar. Solo sees Stone taking notes, he wrings Endris but Endris gets up to waistlock. Solo gets free, KICKS a leg, and then runs to FALLING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! Solo drags Endris back up, to KICK him back down! Solo stomps away, Stone likes what he sees, but Endris throws body shots. Solo CLUBS Endris, whips him to ropes but Endris dodges to jump, into a SWINGING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!
Fans fire up with Solo and he stomps Endris down. Solo CHOPS Endris down, but Endris avoids the elbow drop to PENALTY KICK! Endris shouts out his frat, STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, ONE!! Endris hurries to run and BASEMENT BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Endris snarls, drags Solo up, but Solo tosses him away! Endris rebounds but into a KICK! Solo snarls, fans fire up with him, and he body shots, haymakers from all sides, then URAKENS! KICK to the leg, BUZZSAW to the head! Then the SENTON! Cover, TWO! Endris survives the onslaught but Solo runs in at the corner, only to miss! Endris dodges to fire off haymakers!
Endris has Solo in a corner but Solo shoves him down! Endris dropkicks back! Endris runs in to KNEE Solo, then he hops up and leaps, CROSSBODY! Endris fires up, he brings Solo up, DDT! Endris then hurries to a corner, climbs up, 450, but Solo dodges! Endris rolls through and Solo gets him for a SAMOAN DROP! Solo climbs now, FLYING SPLASH! Cover, Solo wins!
Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall
But BOA attacks! He’s in full Tian Sha form as he HELL STABS Solo’s neck! Endris CLUBS Boa but Boa just grabs Endris! Solo runs back in but Boa retreats! Solo wins tonight, and he shows respect to Endris. Will they both have to watch out for Boa creeping in the shadows?
Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta talk backstage.
They have to focus. They can’t lose like last week. But then a phone rings and Indi answers. Is this Indi Hartwell? Yes. This is Parker Sullivan, from the hospital. Dexter Lumis is… missing. What?! Well they can’t find him, he’s gone. Is Persia gonna have to do a handicap match? Indi says no, she’ll be fine. But what about Dexter? Persia’s sure he’ll be fine. For now, they have their match! They gotta go! Indi hurries off with Persia, but will she have problems focusing on anything other than Lumis?
NXT Media interviews Xyon Quinn.
How’d that fight with Santos earlier end? “End? The way I see it, it’s only just begun.” But Lopez finds him. She tells him to relax, she’s here alone. She wishes he wouldn’t mess with Legado. But she admires someone who marches to the beat of their own drum. She wishes him luck against Escobar next week. He’ll need it.
Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta VS Valentina Feroz & Yulisa Leon!
First Lumis gets hurt and now he’s gone missing! Will Mrs. Lumis be able to focus? Or will love cost her another win?
Indi starts against Feroz but she’s spacing out again. Feroz shoves her so Indi shoves back. Feroz fires off forearms and kicks, but Indi shoves her away again. Feroz leaps, Indi catches her, but Feroz slips out to KICK a leg out! Feroz shoves Indi down, has the leg and DDT’s the foot! And then again! And then she twists the foot in a standing toehold. Indi endures, kicks free, but Leon tags in. Feroz gets Indi up, Leon climbs up, missile dropkick! Leon does a dance before the STANDING MOONSAULT! Leon gets a leg and turns Indi for the HALF CRAB! Indi endures, Persia coaches her up, Indi reaches out. “Do it for Dexter!” That gets Indi to fire up!
Indi powers out, tag sin Persia, and Persia BOOTS Leon! She CLOBBERS Feroz, CLOBBERS Leon, then scoops and SNAKE EYES Leon! Leon staggers into a fireman’s carry and SIT OUT FACEBUSTER! Cover, Persia & Indi win!
Winners: Persia Pirotta & Indi Hartwell, by pinfall
Now that was impressive! Indi is still worried, but will she and Persia be able to fight up towards the tag titles #ForDexter?
“Those who talk the most usually have nothing to say.”
But in NXT, it’s different. A locker room full of stars who back it up. He won’t talk about what he’ll do, he’ll just show us. He isn’t what NXT wants, he’s what NXT needs. He is Draco Anthony, and his actions will speak louder than their words.
Men’s Advantage Ladder Match: Johnny Gargano VS Bron Breakker!
Johnny Wrestling got the “Big Booty Nephew” to do things his way, and this will truly be 1v1! Will Gargano continue to show why he is the heart of NXT? Or will Bron break Gargano and take the advantage for the new school?
NXT returns and Bron makes his entrance. The bell rings and Gargano eyes the briefcase while he and Bron circle. They tie up, Bron shoves Gargano down and flexes. Gargano smirks and nods as he and Bron circle again. Gargano rolls to get a leg, but Bron headlocks back. Gargano brings Bron down, steps over, headlocks but Bron powers up and powers out. Bron rusn Gargano over again and runs, but Gargano stays low. Bron facelocks, gator rolls and deadlifts to a suplex! Bron even holds Gargano up with one arm as he walks around before the SLAM! Bron fires up, fans fire up and bark as he puts Gargano in a corner.
Bron RAMS his shoulder in, and again, and again. Fans duel, Bron whips but Gargano RANAS! Bron staggers up into a dropkick! Bron bails out, Gargano hurries to PLANCHA! Direct hit and down goes Bron! Fans fire up as Gargano goes to get the big ladder on the ramp! But Bron CLUBS him and the ladder falls. Bron scoops Gargano to SNAKE EYES him off the apron! Bron fetches the ladder now, puts that in the ring, but he avoids the baseball slide! Bron SMACKS Gargano with the ladder, puts the ladder back in, then stands it up. Gargano gets in to climb the ladder! Bron shakes Gargano off, pushes the ladder down but Gargano fires off forearms!
Bron forearms back, breaks through the discus and then POWERSLAMS Gargano down! Bron throws Gargano out, gets the ladder again and stands it back up. Bron climbs, Gargano gets to the apron. Bron runs over, into the SLINGSHOT SPEAR! Gargano goes right up the ladder, paws at the briefcase, but Bron drags him down! Gargano dodges, swings through the ladder to dropkick, then shoves the ladder into Bron! Bron and ladder go down, Bron bails out> Gargano takes aim, builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and Bron tumbles over the desk! Fans are thunderous as NXT goes picture in picture!
Gargano checks his leg, he didn’t have the best landing out of that, either. Bron drags himself up from the armchairs but Gargano sets the desk hood up against the desk itself. Gargano ROCKS Bron with a forearm, but Bron hits back! Gargano THROWS Bron onto the hood and cracks it! Bron flops to the floor, Gargano catches his breath, and he takes the desk hood to SLAM it down on Bron! Gargano drags Bron up to throw haymakers, then goes to the steps to walk up to the apron. Gargano gets in the ring, gets the ladder back up, but Bron crawls in. Gargano throws more forearms, Bron ROCKS Gargano back! Gargano staggers but he kicks low and throws more forearms.
Bron gets Gargano for a Belly2Belly! Both men are down but crawling for the ladder. NXT returns to single picture as fans are thunderous again! Gargano and Bron climb opposite sides, but they brawl up top! Bron gets the edge, knocks Gargano down, but Gargano comes back to tip the ladder! Bron tumbles through the ropes and to the floor! Gargano hurries to get the ladder back up as fans fire up again! But Bron returns to run and RAM the ladder into Gargano! The ladder even falls on Gargano! Bron drags Gargano up, clinches, and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! Fans say, “This is Awesome!” as Bron sets the ladder up against ropes.
Bron gets Gargano up but Gargano fires off forearms! Only to run into an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly onto the ladder!! Fans lose their minds while Gargano writhes in pain! Bron snarls, gets Gargano back up, and sets him against the ladder. Bron goes around to the corner, climbs up and ELBOW DROPSÂ onto ONLY ladder as Gargano moves!! Bron writhes in pain now after that crash and burn! Gargano drags the ladder off the ropes, picks it up and sets it on the top rope. But Bron throws body shots and low knees! Bron choke grips Gargano to whip, but Gargano ducks the ladder! Gargano drop toeholds Bron into the ladder battering ram!
Bron is down, Gargano adjusts the ladder’s position, then climbs up. Bron stops Gargano with haymakers, and smacks him off the ladder. Gargano is across the ladder, Bron trophy lifts Gargano and ladder, but Gargano slips off! SUPERKICK to Bron and the ladder! And then another SUPERKICK! Bron drops the ladder, Gargano calls upon the powers of DIY! Bron flips Gargano off, so Gargano SUPERKICKS him even harder!! Fans are thunderous as Gargano gets up, hobbles over to the ladder, then drags Bron up. Bron RAMS Gargano into a corner, Gargano elbows away on Bron. Gargano goes up but Bron throws body shots. Gargano hits back but Bron still climbs the corner.
Bron brings the straps down, stands on the very top, SUPER STEINER! Both men are down and fans are electric! Bron gets up, goes to the ladder, brings it up and fans again declare “This is Awesome!” Gargano throws forearms to stop Bron from climbing, then ROLLING ELBOWS! And another ROLLING ELBOW! Bron stops the third to trophy lift Gargano, only for Gargano to hit a DDT!! Gargano crawls to the ladder, but so does Bron. They both climb, fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this has to end somehow. Gargano SMACKS Bron with the briefcase! Bron falls, Gargano steadies himself, but Bron is right back up! Bron yanks Gargano off to a POWERSLAM!!
Bron gets back up, goes up the ladder, and has the briefcase! Team 2.0 wins!!
Winner: Bron Breakker (Breakker, Hayes, D’Angelo & Waller have the advantage)
You can call him the Big Booty Nephew, but now the odds drastic go down for Team Black ‘n’ Gold! But speaking of, Ciampa, Knight and Dunne regroup with Gargano, and they rush the ring! WarGames comes early and the fans are loving this! But how much more insane will it get with these eight inside the double ring, double cage construct of destruction!?
My Thoughts:
This was a great go-home to WarGames for NXT, as well as still setting up things outside of the… Well, it isn’t a “TakeOver” because it’s not in the name, but it isn’t a PPV because you have to have the Peacock or WWE Network for it. “Special event,” I guess? Well anyway, bookending the episode with the ladder matches was the right choice. Gives you a reason to start, gives you a reason to stick around. Great brawl from the women’s teams, Dakota having the edge to start definitely felt like a set-up for KLR to win. The Faces winning here makes me think the Heels win at WarGames, thereby strengthening Toxic Attraction per Vince’s wishes.
Grimes VS Chase was definitely just tune-up filler so Grimes has momentum going into Hair VS Hair. The promos from Hudson and Grimes after weren’t that good, but you can’t really do a whole lot with Hair VS Hair other than saying, “You’re gonna be bald, loser!” Kinda wish Hudson had a tune-up, too, for Grimes to taunt him during. That would’ve been good build in the go-home. We’re being introduced to a lot of new people really quickly with Tiffany Stratton getting a second video, then being introduced to Draco Anthony, and then we met Endris Enofe on the same night he debuts and then loses to Solo Sikoa.
Boa going Tian Sha like a Jekyll & Hyde continues to be a pretty good story for him, and I like that he’s going after a guy with (at least in kayfabe) some real grit and fighting experience. Solo VS Boa is going to be a pretty good one to see. Also, I just figured out who that person napping on the couch is. That’s Karen Q. Since she’s not being Mei Ying anymore, she’s just snoozing until creative knows what the hell to do with her. Should’ve been her and Xia Li as a tag team while they were all still in NXT, but oh well. Indi & Persia get another quick win thanks to Persia, and I wonder if tension builds where Persia feels Indi is too hooked on Dexter to be a good tag partner or friend.
For that matter, I think Robert Stone could have a really interesting new Robert Stone Brand. He was scouting Persia before, he was scouting Solo this week, but he could easily switch and recruit Endris as a swerve. If not for WWE moving the pieces around, the Franky Monet Brand could’ve added more members, but maybe Stone gets a resurgence to give us another co-ed faction on the level of the Diamond Mine. Diamond Mine crashing the All-Inclusive Invitational is only a minor bummer, as I thought we’d at least see Gacy and Tesha Price tie up. I feel like Gacy is riding that Tweener line since Diamond Mine aren’t Faces, but I still don’t see Gacy winning to create some kind of NXT Open Division.
I think this week’s MSK segment was the best one because it was hilarious with the banter from the GPS. But what a tease to show us a silhouette but nothing else of “The Shaman.” Kyle & Von winning was of course going to happen, they’re Faces and Imperium are Heels. I wish Von had an insult in German ready just to throw it Imperium’s face that Americans can learn/know more than English. Xyon showing up to brawl with Escobar was great, and their match next week will hopefully be a very good showing for Xyon. Too bad we haven’t gotten Walter in NXT 2.0, we could’ve had 3v3v3 of Imperium VS Legado VS Quinn-Kyle-Von somehow.
Then the men’s advantage match was good stuff. Gargano was the natural choice, and then Team 2.0 had pretty decent promos to talk trash on the “Black ‘n’ Gold” team. Gargano had a great promo on Bron, though, and “Big Booty Nephew” was a great deep cut reference to Scott Steiner. They had a great ladder match, and I figured that with the Faces getting advantage for the women, the Heels (which yes, each member of 2.0 outside of Bron is a clear Heel) would win for the men. The brawl was a great way to end, fans ate the entire main event segment up, and it was a classic WWE way to end. But I can’t be sure who wins. Team 2.0 has advantage, the brawl keeps things even as far as the math, but I can’t be sure Black ‘n’ Gold wins if this is NXT 2.0 and it’s all about the new kids now.
My Score: 8.9/10
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The Maniac takes on the Powerhouse!
In the wake of AEW Dynasty, in perhaps Will Hobbs’ biggest match, he takes on IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Jon Moxley! Will the Don Callis Family have even more gold?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW World Championship Eliminator: Swerve Strickland VS Kyle Fletcher; Swerve wins and denies Fletcher a title match.
- Mina Shirakawa w/ Mariah May VS Anna Jay; Mina wins.
- Casino Gauntlet: Will Ospreay wins and will challenge for the AEW International Championship at Double or Nothing.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs; Moxley wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Elite arrives at Daily’s Place.
They roll up together in the same SUV, showing off all their gold, from Kazuchika Okada still being the AEW Continental Champion to The Young Bucks being the NEW AEW World Tag Team Champions. Matthew congratulates The Rainmaker, and says he is so proud. Nicholas says he is proud of being the first-ever THREE-TIME AEW World Tag Team Champions. Wait, who is this pulling up next? It’s JACK PERRY! He just smiles at the cameraman, and Matt says alright, gentlemen, it’s a big night! They head in, but then security flags Jack down, saying he can’t be here.
Matt has security stop there, Jack is with The Elite. Hands off the merchandise. And cameraman, stick with The Elite, they’ve got some business to attend to. The Scapegoat walks with The Elite, just what will they do on this Homecoming night?
Orange Cassidy is here!
Daily’s Place fires up as Freshly Squeezed makes his way out, or rather is TOSSED out by Trent Beretta! Trent’s modified the old T-Shirt so it now reads, “Trent & Orange w/ Chuck Taylor win the big one.” Trent DECKS Cassidy down the ramp while fans boo the further betrayal! Trent DECKS Cassidy again, and Cassidy flops into the ring! Trent rains down fists, soaks up the heat, and then he gets a mic. “Chuck. Chuck, it’s time. Please get out here.” Trent waits, but tells the fans they have no idea what they’re talking about so please. Chuck walks out on stage and Trent apologizes? He is sorry…Â that he didn’t do this a long time ago!
Trent is sorry that Best Friends spent five YEARS hugging a narcissistic p*ick! Cassidy was brought in here to be their sidekick, yet somehow he made Best Friends into his lackies! Best Friends fought for Cassidy, protected him, did EVERYTHING for him, and yet Cassidy gave them NOTHING! Cassidy does NOT care about Chuck! Cassidy is NOT his friend! Trent looms over Cassidy while the fans rally for “FRESHLY SQUEEZED! FRESHLY SQUEEZED!” Trent tells Chuck that Trent cares about him. Trent IS Chuck’s friend. So please… Do the right thing and give the people what they want. Trent tosses the mic to Chuck so he can respond.
Trent holds his arms open, and then Chuck holds his arms open, to then stop and say he always thought Trent was a POS! Chuck DECKS Trent!! Trent tumbles away, gets back up, but avoids Chuck’s haymaker! The Kentucky Gentleman tells Trent he knows that they won’t clear Chuck for a fight in this ring. But Chuck doesn’t wanna fight in this ring, he wants to fight in the damn parking lot!! The fans go nuts hearing that! Trent shakes his head, but will he have no choice but to fight his former Best Friend?
Jon Moxley speaks.
“I am confident tonight that I will defend successfully my IWGP Championship, but I don’t want you to mistake that for arrogance, or ignorance, or an underestimation of my opponent, ‘Powerhouse’ Hobbs. I know exactly who ‘Powerhouse’ Hobbs is, what he’s capable of. A truck of a man who hits like one, too. Born and bred with a killer instinct, an instinct I can see and smell from a mile away. I’m acutely aware of what’s at stake tonight. I know it’ll only take one mistake for my entire world to come crashing down around me. And I know that this Callis Family put a hit out on my friend, so I know just how far they’re willing to go to get an edge to win.
“But nobody knows better than me what it takes to get to the top. More importantly, what it takes to stay at the top. So I know, honestly, for me, tonight’s gonna suck. It’s gonna be a walk through Hell. A march through mud and fire, slings and arrows, a march through Hell. But there’s no place I’d rather be, there’s no better way to feel alive. I don’t play golf, man. This is pro-wrestling, this is the king of sports, the greatest thing int he world. And tonight, I’m gonna remind the world just who I am, in case they’ve forgotten. When all the oxygen is pulled out of Powerhouse’s lungs and his carcass hits the canvas, they’re gonna feel it, from Jacksonville to Tokyo!”
The Maniac heads out, but will the Book of Hobbs’ next chapter be written in gold?
AEW World Championship Eliminator: Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS Kyle Fletcher w/ Don Callis!
Whose Dynasty? SWERVE’S DYNASTY! Because The Realest did dethrone the One True King of Wrestling Television to become the NEW AEW World Champion! Prince Nana leads the way with his dance as Swerve looks to be a fighting champion! Will Swerve snipe the Aussie Arrow? Or will the Don Callis Family already have a win on a world champion to start the night?
The bell rings and the fans rally for Swerve as he stares Kyle down. They circle, get face to face, talk some trash, and then Swerve goes for a leg! Kyle facelocks to fight the takedown, then slips around to a waistlock. Swerve switches and hammerlocks, but Kyle reaches back to headlock. Swerve cranks the hammerlock, but Kyle reaches for legs. Kyle manages to switch, snapmare and then ghost pin, TWO! Kyle headlocks but Swerve slips right out to hammerlock again. Swerve grinds Kyle down but Kyle fights to the ROPEBREAK. Swerve lets off and waits on Kyle. Kyle stands, the two reset, and they tie up again.
Swerve headlocks, Kyle powers up and puts Swerve on ropes. The ref counts, Kyle lets off but then takes a swing! Swerve ducks the chop, snapmares Kyle down and slips around to roll Kyle to a cradle, TWO! Kyle hurries after a leg, but Swerve spins around, victory roll and step over, SHORT ARM SCISSOR! Kyle scrambles around to stack, TWO! Swerve gets up, Kyle goes for a leg, but Swerve steps over. Kyle dodges the dropkick, but then Swerve avoids the Penalty Kick! Both men block the other’s kick, and the fans fire up as they both let off. The two reset, the fans rally for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Swerve and Kyle circle, Kyle kicks but Swerve blocks, only for Kyle to ROCK Swerve with a forearm. Kyle whips, Swerve goes up and over then JUMP SOBATS! The fans fire up as Kyle sputters, and then Swerve UPPERCUTS, snapmares, and goes up to FALLING UPPERCUT! Swerve hits the Griddy and the fans fire up! Swerve says “DU~VAL~!” and the fans echo it. Swerve goes for Kyle but Kyle gets to ropes. Swerve waits on Kyle, goes for an arm, wrenches, but Kyle whips Swerve out! Kyle runs to CALF KICK Swerve to the floor! The fans boo but Kyle snarls and Swerve checks his arm. Kyle goes out after Swerve, brings him around, but tells Nana to back off.
Swerve BACK DROPS Kyle away! Kyle writhes, Swerve goes to the apron and he tells fans to pay attention, get off their phones. PENALTY KICK and Kyle goes down! The fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Swerve struts around before he fetches Kyle, and whips him into railing! Swerve again tells fans to watch the show, not their phones. He fist bumps the front row, gets Kyle back up, and pushes him into the ring. Swerve has Kyle on the apron to CLUB him. Swerve then stalks Kyle to a corner, ROCKS him, then has him on ropes. Swerve UPPERCUTS Kyle, whips him to ropes, but Kyle reverses to scoop and SLAM! Swerve writhes while Kyle mockingly shouts, “Whose house?!” Kyle even gets on a corner to soak up the heat and tell Jacksonville up theirs! Kyle goes back to Swerve, Swerve throws body shots, but then Kyle swings. Swerve blocks to fire more body shots!
Swerve turns Kyle for a NECKBREAKER! Swerve drags Kyle around, covers, TWO! Kyle is still in this but Swerve clamps onto him with an armlock and chinbar. Swerve grinds his elbow into Kyle’s face, then grabs the other arm. Swerve wrangles Kyle into a CAMEL CLUTCH, but then makes it a SLEEPER STRETCH! Kyle still endures, fights free, and Dynamite returns to single picture as he stands. Kyle fires body shots, but Swerve grabs the arm. Kyle KICKS and KICKS but Swerve blocks, slips around, LEG CAPTURE BACKBREAKER! Swerve again grinds on the arms, pulls on back, but Kyle slips through to arm-drag free!
Swerve has the wristlock but Kyle fires forearm after forearm! Swerve swings, Kyle swats it to SLAP Swerve! Kyle whips, Swerve flips up and around but Kyle SUPERKICKS him! Then scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! A camera is backstage, and we see The Elite plus Jack Perry walking right up to Tony Khan’s office. Matthew doesn’t even knock as he leads the way right in. In the ring, Swerve and Kyle rise while the fans rally up. Swerve goes to ropes, Kyle runs in, but is put on the apron! Kyle waistlocks to drag Swerve out, and half nelsons! Swerve fights that, slips around, APRON NECKBREAKER!
The fans rally for Swerve while he shakes out his arm, then he encourages them to get louder. Swerve goes up the corner, Kyle slowly sits up, APRON KILL STOMPS!! Swerve clutches a leg, that was a risky move that may have been double-edged! Swerve walks off the pain and fans rally up. Swerve pushes Kyle into the ring, hurries to another corner, and then runs up, HOUSE- NO, Kyle catches the foot! ANKLE LOCK!! Kyle THRASHES the foot but Swerve endures! The fans rally for Swerve as he fights around, reaches out, but Kyle drags him away from ropes! GRAPEVINE!! Swerve is caught, and Kyle is even stomping Swerve’s back!
Swerve endures, the fans are thunderous, and Swerve crawls to the ROPEBREAK! Kyle lets go but keeps his eyes on Swerve. Kyle brings Swerve around to KICK him in the chest! And KICK him again! And KIJCK again, but Swerve blocks! Swerve ROCKS Kyle, Kyle ROLLING ELBOWS! Swerve MULE KICKS, HAYMAKERS, and whips to HIP TOSS! Roll through to the deadlift, but the bad foot holds Swerve back! Kyle suplexes, Swerve slips around and half nelsons but Kyle breaks that. Swerve still O’Conner Rolls so that he can BOOT from below! Kyle wobbles, into the SOMERSAULT FLATLINER! Swerve rolls through again, for the BRAINBUSTER!
The fans fire up as Swerve crawls back to cover, TWO!! Kyle survives and Swerve is frustrated. Swerve snarls, drags Kyle up for a gut wrench, but Kyle flails and kicks his way to turn it around! But then Swerve flails and kicks to turn it back around! So Kyle drops, victory roll and deadlift, into the JUMPING TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives and now Kyle is frustrated! Kyle pounds the mat, Callis tells him number four, and Kyle nods. Kyle goes outside, looks under the ring, but then shakes his head. Kyle doesn’t wanna do number four, he awnts to do it his way! GAMANGIRI! He puts Swerve up top and climbs!
Kyle has Swerve up on the very top, lifts, but Swerve fights! Swerve throws body shots, haymakers, and then he ROCKS Kyle! Kyle ends up in the Tree of Woe, and Swerve hits WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!!! Kyle survives but Swerve just reloads! HOUSE CALL!! Cover, Swerve wins!!
Winner: Swerve Strickland, by pinfall (denies Kyle Fletcher a title opportunity)
The Realest crosses Kyle off the list, and Callis is disappointed Kyle didn’t play things how he wanted. Are tensions rising in the Don Callis Family? Who will be next to step to Swerve’s Dynasty?
BREAKING NEWS for Dynamite!
As AEW returns to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, so will The Cleaner! Kenny Omega finally makes his way back to Dynamite, what will he have to say about The Bucks’ new Elite?
Backstage interview with Thunder Rosa.
Renee Paquette is with La Mera Mera and notes her being so close to winning the AEW Women’s World Championship, only to fall short. What does Rosa feel went wrong out there? Rosa says she can either stand here and complain about what happened, or she can move on. Honestly, Rosa could bring up who Deonna Purrazzo again got involved in her business, or how “Antonia Tormenta” kicked Rosa in the ovarios. But she won’t. She’s just proud of herself for- Oh, wait, Deonna walks in. The Virtuosa doesn’t get it. Rosa says she doesn’t wanna talk about Deonna, yet all she does is say her name!
Deonna dares Rosa to say things to her face, and Rosa tells Deonna en Espanol that she’s already told her before. The two start shoving, security rushes in, will we see these two have it out before one of them goes back for Toni Storm?
Mina Shirakawa w/ Mariah May VS Anna Jay!
Speaking of Toni Storm, her protege’s old mentor has been coming around AEW & ROH more and more, mostly because of Mariah May. Will Stardom’s Fighting H Cup Idol prove she’s elite? Or will Anna remind us she’s still the Star of the Show?
The bell rings and the two circle. They approach, Anna dodges and she takes a bow. The fans cheer, but Mina says okay, c’mon now. Then Mina dodges and shimmies! Anna mockingly applauds before she BOOTS Mina down! Anna brings Mina up to fire off forearms, then shows off her assets. Anna runs, but Mina dropkicks the legs out! Mina then runs to SHOTGUN Anna down! Mina grabs a leg to SMASH the knee! Mina steps over to SPLASH onto the leg, then struts around. The fans fire up as Mina brings Anna up, ties up the legs, and then DOUBLE KNEE SMASHES! Mina gets the legs again, steps through, but Anna kicks her away.
Anna runs in but Mina dodges in the corner. Mina ducks a forearm, ROCKS Anna with a forearm, then goes up to REBOUND ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Mina stays on Anna while the fans rally. Mina dragon sleepers, but Anna fight the suplex! Anna swings, Mina dodges and tilt-o-whirls, to then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Mina drags Anna by her leg, drops an elbow on the knee, and then another! And then another! And another! Mina shakes it up again and the fans cheer as she drops one more elbow! Mina steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Anna endures, crawls, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Mina lets go and Anna goes to the apron.
Mina lines up a shot, runs in, but Anna ducks to CLAW the eyes! Anna brings Mina into the ropes, give her a kiss right in front of Mariah, and HOTSHOT NECKBREAKERS! Mariah is upset but has to stay back, and Anna goes in to cover, TWO! Mina hangs in there while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Anna CHOKES Mina, lets off as the ref counts, and then she drags Mina up. Mariah says boo Anna, but Anna puts Mina in a corner. Anna digs her boot in, lets off as the ref counts, and Mina sputters as Anna brings her around. Anna ROCKS Mina, brings her around and bumps her off buckles. The fans rally, Anna CHOPS Mina, then she struts. But Mina runs up to ROCK Anna! Anna CLUBS Mina, then pushes her around. Anna stands on Mina but that’s a CHOKE! The ref counts, Anna steps away, and she blows kisses at everyone. Anna brings Mina up, to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Anna is frustrated but she brings Mina back to ropes.
Anna CHOKES Mina more, taunting Mariah to reach out, then Anna steps off as the ref counts. Mina coughs, Anna brings her up, but Mina fires body shots! Anna CLUBS Mina and has her in a corner. Anna drags Mina up, CHOKES her more, but the ref counts. Anna lets off, Mina coughs and sputters, but Anna soaks up the heat. Anna drags Mina up, cravats and snapmares, then clamps on a FULL NELSON! Mina endures, fights around, and Mariah cheers Mina on as she fights up. Mina throws elbows to fight the hold, but Anna holds tight! Dynamite returns to single picture as Mina breaks free and ROCKS Anna!
Anna comes back to ROCK Mina, but Mina ROCKS Anna again! The fans rally as the forearms go back and forth! Anna gest the edge, runs, but into a ROLLING ELBOW! Anna stands, into Mina’s URAKEN! Anna flounders to a corner, Mina roars and runs in, but Anna puts her on the apron! Mina knuckle locks, ROCKS and climbs up to FALLING KNEE DROP onto Anna! Cover, TWO!! Anna survives but Mina keeps her focus. Mina ROCKS Anna again, brings her in, but Anna wrenches out of the suplex to HOOK KICK! Then Gory Especial, GORY BOMB! Shoutout to Tay and Anna covers, TWO!!
Anna is beside herself but Mariah is also worried. Anna brings Mina up but Mina fights the STO! Mina gets free, blocks a kick, and DRAGON SCREWS! Then she steps through on the legs, FIGURE FOUR! The fans “WOO~” but Anna endures and fights to the ROPEBREAK! Mina lets go fast to go up a corner. MISSILE DROPKICK! Anna staggers back up, into the GLAMOROUS SWORD! Cover, TWO!! Anna survives Mina’s enzigiri but Mina drags her into the dragon sleeper! GLAM- NO, Anna slips free to have the QUEENSLAYER!! Mina flails, reaches out, but Anna is too busy staring down Mariah! Mina wrenches out to wrangle Anna!
Mina hooks legs, GLAMOROUS COLLECTION MINA! MINA WINS!!
Winner: Mina Shirakawa, by pinfall
Anna got cocky and got caught! Mariah brings in the champagne and glasses, and they toast the victory! But then Anna CLOBBERS Mariah and DECKS Mina! The fans are torn as Anna puts the QUEENSLAYER on Mariah!! Mariah flails, but here comes Toni Storm! The champ runs Anna off to protect her protege! “How DARE~ you!” Storm checks on Mariah, but wait! SERENA DEEB is here! The Professor of Professional Wrestling is looking rather glamorous herself as she struts out, tosses Storm’s shoes aside, and looks at the AEW Women’s World Championship! Deeb sits down beside it on the ramp and has the camera come in close.
Deeb says she could hold the title up, but she won’t. Because instead, she’s going to make the AEW Women’s Division a promise: the next time she holds the belt, it will truly belong to her as the NEW AEW Women’s World Champion. Deeb is undefeated, will she remain that way all the way through dethroning Timeless Toni Storm?
Kris Statlander & Stokely Hathaway are in the ring.
Dynamite returns as the Galaxy’s Greatest and #BigStoke are here, balloons at all the corners of the ring, and the fans cheering them on. Stokely says, “In 1977, Bill Withers created one of the greatest songs of all time, Lovely Day. And that’s exactly how I felt when one of my best friends became TBS Champion at Dynasty!” The fans cheer that! Stokely wants to know, is Jacksonville ready to partaaay~?! They sure sound like it! Stokely says Caprice Coleman is on commentary, Krissy Stat is right here, and she says this one’s for Willow.
“She is the Babe with the Power, and we are here to give her her flowers She reminds us that nothing matters and to smile anyway, because every time we see her, she brightens our day. I’m standing her in silver because she is our gold. And now, she has the TBS Championship to hold.” Stoke says with all due disrespect, that was two packs of ass! So let’s just bring out the NEW Face of TBS, “HOO! HOO!” WILLOW~ NIGHTINGALE! Coleman sings along with the theme song just like in ROH, and the Babe with the Championship makes her entrance. Willow gets the mic, Stokely says when this whole thing to started, he didn’t like her. Well she didn’t like him, either.
Stokely says Willow was like a fungus that they couldn’t cut off. But look at them now! Willow earned that title, and they are proud of her! Willow thanks Stokely and Kris, and is proud of herself, too. Because tonight in JACKSONVILLE~, the very place where she hit the big time. She’ll take us back to Spring of 2020. Willow was right here, in the front row, trying to get her big break. Then in 2022, she was in the ring, Tony Schiavone stepped in to join her, and on that big tron, we saw the graphic: Willow is All Elite! But tonight, Willow isn’t trying to catch a break, she is not a rookie. She is THE FACE OF TBS!! WHAT WHAT!
But wait, here comes The CEO. Mercedes Mone again steps on Willow’s moment, just like she did at Dynasty. But it’s already obvious why as she struts her way to the ring. Mone gets her own mic while the fans chant “C E O! C E O!” Mone tells “Jacksonviiiiille~” to say hello to the C E O. Willow tells Mone this has to be like the fourth time she’s done this. And this is Willow’s time! So it just feels like if Mone has something to say, then go ahead and say it. Mone says she just wanted to congratulate Willow! And to enjoy the celebration now, because in just 23 days, at Double or Nothing, you will be looking at the NEW Face of TBS, Mercedes Mone.
The fans are torn, but Mone says she just wanted to ask if Willow was the b*tch who attacked her in the dark two weeks ago! What? Why would she? Kris steps up to tell Mone that Willow got attacked just last week, so how do we know Mone didn’t do that? Well how do we know it wasn’t Kris?! They argue, Stokely speaks up and says while he hates getting up in women’s business, we all know it was Julia Hart. Willow says even before this whodunnit, it feels like there’s been a personal vendetta against her. Does Mone really think Willow meant to injure Sasha during the NJPW Women’s Tournament? Stokely says of course Mone thinks that, but then Kris shuts him up.
Mone asks Willow if she really just asked if Mone blames Willow for almost ending her career. Is Willow really asking if Mone blames Willow for all the pain and suffering Mone went through? Is Willow really asking if Mone was blaming Willow for taking away the one thing Mone loves most for a whole year? Willow doesn’t want the truth, she just wants to feel better about what she did to Mone. Willow says she genuinely feels so awful what happened. But there were a lot of questions and doubts for her, too. She went to hotel room, she looked at the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship, and she should’ve been smiling.
But the whole time, she wondered to herself, “Could I have beaten Mercedes Mone at 100%?” And then the next day, Willow saw everyone saying that online. She heard the locker room saying it! And so that NJPW Strong Women’s title reign has quite the asterisk next to it. But THIS title reign? This? There is NOT asterisk next to this! The fans fire up for that! So at Double or Nothing, Mone, Willow wants you at 100%! Because Willow wants to show Mone that she CAN beat her, and why Willow IS TBS Champion. The fans fire up for that! Mone says to enjoy it while she can, because they both know deep down, Willow CAN’T beat Mone.
The fans are torn as the two stare down, and then Mone says bye. Kris grabs at Mone, Mone turns around and mistakenly SLAPS Willow!! Kris has to stop Willow from retaliating, and then refs get out there to stop it! Kris’s mistake only just turned up the heat on this one! Will there be no holding back from the CEO or the Babe with the Power when it’s Double or Nothing?
Alex Marvez waits outside Tony Khan’s office.
Jack Perry is the first to exit and Marvez says they’ve been in there a long time. Is Jack reinstated in AEW? Jack doesn’t answer and moves on, so Marvez asks “Okada-san” if that’s the case. The Rainmaker just pats Marvez on the shoulder and follows Jack. Nicholas, is Jack All Elite again? Matthew, please, Marvez needs the scoop! Is Jack Perry once again in AEW? Matt wishes he had a better scoop for Marvez, but things are still uncertain. One thing Matt will tell Marvez is… Tony Khan literally just agreed to talk with Jack in the ring, live here tonight. That’s still a pretty big scoop! Will TK bring the Scapegoat back into the fold?
Casino Gauntlet!
AEW shuffles the deck and puts a golden opportunity for Double or Nothing on the line! This isn’t your typical gauntlet, either! It is “sudden death,” so anyone that scores a pinfall or submission wins, BUT! There are also timed intervals, so more and more competitors will be added, meaning things can get really crazy really quickly. One way or another, the AEW International Champion will have a new challenger, but who will it be when it’s the luck of the draw?
First out, it’s King Switch! Jay White leads Austin & Colten Gunn out as the NEW unified AEW & ROH World Trios Champions, but will Bullet Club Gold be adding even more gold to the collection? Second out, Top Flight’s Dante Martin! Will Angel Dorado get himself a golden ticket instead?
Jay White VS Dante Martin!
The bell rings, the two circle, and they tie up. White pulls hair to put Dante in the corner, but Dante slips free. They circle again, Dante waistlocks but White switches. White headlocks, Dante powers up but can’t power out as White holds on. White wrenches to wristlock, but Dante flips through and breaks free. White CHOPS, then CHOPS, then CHOPS again! Dante is stinging, the fans “WOO~” and White says guns up! White whips, runs in, but Dante slips out to the apron! Dante then goes up and around, GAMANGIRIS, then springboards. White gets under, Dante comes back, and turns hip toss into RANA! Then he DROPKICKS White down! Cover, TWO!
White bails out, Dante builds speed, and Dante FLIES, but has to handspring through as White moves! White CHOPS, CHOPS, and then brings Dante around. APRON- NO, Dante slips free of the suplex to JUMP KNEE! Dante puts White in, hurries to the apron, and then slingshots to roll, only for White to catch him! EXPLODERÂ out of the ring! But here comes the third man, PENTA EL ZERO MIEDO! The Man with No Fear now makes this a Triple Threat, will he be able to survive these odds?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo!
White storms up but Penta GAMANGIRIS him away! Penta goes up the corner, leaps, CROSSBODY! Penta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges then SLINGBLADES! Dante returns, but into a SLINGBLADE! Penta whips Dante corner to corner but Dante reverses. Penta SUPERKICKS back, then pops Dante up on the corner, for another SUPERKICK! Dante wobbles into Penta’s fireman’s carry, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Penta spins for the SWINGING DEATH VALLEY! Penta then goes back to a corner, climbs up, but White SHOVES Him to the ramp! White then runs up, fireman’s carries, but Penta fights free! And SUPERKICKS! White flops to the apron, Penta uses him as a step to get up and in and hit a DESTROYER on Dante!! Fans lose their minds as Penta stands, and says “CERO! MIEDO!” Dante bails out so Penta goes after White. Penta CHOPS White, then hears the fans rally up. Penta goes out after Dante, gets him in the ring, and stands him up against ropes. Penta winds up, to CHOP! Dante grits his teeth, but White BOOTS Penta down!
White stands Penta up, CHOPS Penta, but Penta CHOPS in return! Penta hears the fans rallying for “CERO! MIEDO!” and he goes back to SUPERKICK White! Penta stands Dante up, whips him to ropes and SUPERKICKS him down! But then White gets Penta for a cradle, TWO!! Penta escapes, White UPPERCUTS him down! White snarls, stomps Dante, then stomps a mudhole into Dante at the corner. White drags Dante up, whips him to ropes, and back drops him away! White covers, TWO! Penta is after White but White scrambles away as Dynamite returns to single picture. Penta brings Dante up, but Dante fights the suplex!
White storms back in, CLUBS them both down, and next up is KYLE O’REILLY! Whoa, #CombatKyle is now #CleanKyle as his hair and beard are trimmed. Maybe he’s going back to those babyface assassin days!
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly!
Kyle KICKS White down, KICKS Penta down, and KICKS Dante down! Kyle fires forearms on White, then wrenches. Dante gets up, Kyle BOOTS him away, then gives White an ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle wrenches Dante, BOOTS Penta, then hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Wrench on Penta, ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle whips, Penta reverses but Kyle goes up and over. Kyle also ducks Dante so Dante’s LARIAT takes down Penta! Dante runs up, Kyle blocks the kick and gives it to Penta. Then Kyle gets one of Penta’s legs, DOUBLE DRAGON SCREW!! White KNEES Kyle low, runs but into a KNEE from Kyle! Kyle snapmares White, runs, but feints to then SLAP him!
The fans fire up while White frowns. White gets up but Kyle fires off fast strikes! KICK, LEG SWEEP, and the fans fire up! Dante wheelbarrows Kyle, but Kyle drops that into the ARMBAR! White stomps but Kyle catches that, to a HEEL HOOK! White flails, ROPEBREAK! Kyle lets go, and now we add WILL OSPREAY! Will the Aerial Assassin take his momentum from Dynasty and make it Double or Nothing?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay!
Ospreay storms right in, Kyle staring him down! They fire forearms and the fans are thunderous already! Ospreay fires up to fire off a flurry! Kyle KICKS, whips, but Ospreay BOOTS back! Ospreay goes up and out to springboard, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Penta runs up to KICK Ospreay’s leg! Dante gets in, he and Penta double whip, but Ospreay handsprings to DOUBLE PELE! But White SLEEPER- NO, Ospreay arm-drags free! These two know each other well and the fans are thunderous to see this one! White and Ospreay shake hands, but then White CLAWS Ospreay’s face! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS!
White clinches, but Ospreay fights free to CHOP! Ospreay whips, White holds ropes to bail out, but the fans boo. Dante kicks Ospreay and runs, into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO! And out comes LANCE ARCHER! The Murderhawk Monster says #EverybodyDies, will that be the case in this sudden death gauntlet?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay VS Lance Archer!
Ospreay shakes his head, but Archer storms right in! Ospreay gets in Archer’s… well, chest, but he fires off forearms! Archer DECKS him! Kyle returns, Archer LARIATS! Penta runs up, Archer LARIATS! White runs up, into a half nelson, dragon sleeper, but Dante jumps in! But into Archer’s hand! CHOKE SLAM DDT COMBO!! Penta jumps onto Archer, fires off hands, then whips. Archer reverses to CLOBBER Penta! Kyle gets up, Archer choke grips, but Kyle turns slam into GUILLOTINE! Kyle thrashes, but Archer THROWS him away! Kyle goes to the apron, Archer DECKS Kyle! Ospreay BOOTS Archer, goes up, but Archer STEP-UP KNEES!
Archer picks Ospreay up in the reverse crucifix! BLACKOUT BOMBÂ onto the others on the outside!! The fans are thunderous and Dynamite goes picture in picture!
Archer storms out to go looking under the ring. Archer brings out a TABLE! Daily’s Place loves it as Archer sets up the furniture at ringside. Archer positions that but Ospreay runs up to fire shots! Archer knees low, SMACKS Ospreay off apron, and then goes around to BOOT Kyle down! And CLUB White down! And get another TABLE! Archer drags that table over White, then sets it up with the other. Archer drags Ospreay up, but Ospreay fires forearms first! Archer RAMS Ospreay into railing! Archer CLUBS away on Ospreay, SMACKS Kyle off apron, BOOTS Dante, then CLUBS White. Archer brings White over, and SMACKS him off the table.
Ospreay fires forearms on Archer, then brings him around to SMACK off the apron. Ospreay goes up, takes aim, and FLYING- BODY CHECK!! Archer just has Ospreay bounce right off him! White ROCKS Archer, ROCKS him again, then brings him around to the tables. White fireman’s carries, but Archer’s too big! Archer CLUBS White, CLUBS him again, then ROCKS him! Archer BOOTS Penta, sends him into railing, then goes back for White. White fights the choke grip but gets an APRON CHOKE SLAM for it!! Archer roars, White dangles before he flops, then Archer goes back up the apron. Archer grins while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Archer drags White up to the apron, but next is KOMANDER! The AAA Cruiserweight Champion’s entrance distracts Archer so that White can CLAW the eyes! We’re now at a Lucky 7 Way, is this where someone’s luck runs out?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay VS Lance Archer VS Komander!
Komander hurries to the corner, climbs up and tightrope walks, to FLYING RANA, but Archer blocks!! Archer brings Komander back up, only for Komander to RANA Archer down through the tables!! The Murderhawk Monster is hoisted on his own petard and even Komander is stunned! Komander hurries to springboard in at Ospreay, but Ospreay ducks! Komander rolls through, comes back and kicks, then runs, only for Ospreay to TIGER WALL KICK and- NO, Komander ducks the enzigiri, to TIGER WALL KICK back! Things speed up, Komander tilt-o-whirls around the world, DEJA VU DDT!! Cover, White breaks it!!
White clinches to URENAGE!! Cover, TWO!! Komander survives, but White goes back to Ospreay. But Ospreay flips up and through Bladerunner to LIGER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! White survives, but Ospreay takes off the elbow pad! White rises, but here comes JAY LETHAL! We’re at eight, how much longer can this go?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay VS Lance Archer VS Komander VS Jay Lethal!
Lethal runs in, Ospreay is ready and they brawl! Ospreay kicks, whips but Lethal reverses! Ospreay handsprings through the arm-drag but Lethal still cartwheels to DROPKICK! Dante returns but into the LETHAL COMBINATION! Penta is back and he KICKS Lethal’s leg! Penta whips, Lethal sunset flips but Penta rolls through. Lethal dodges and handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION!! But White’s back to clinch! Lethal slips free, but swings into the SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! White hurries to clinch again, but Dante MISSILE DROPKICKS them both down! Lethal runs in, Dante goes up and over, then Dante dodges Kyle!
Kyle CLOBBERS Lethal, ducks Dante’s enzigiri, AX & SMASH!! Ospreay returns, Kyle fights the nelson to fire off strikes! KICK, KICK, but Ospreay BUZZSAWS and HEEL KICKS! Kyle yoyos to LARIAT, but Ospreay slips through to pick Kyle up! But Kyle slips free to ROLLING ELBOW! Ospreay SUPERKICKS! Kyle YOYOS into HIDDEN BLADE!! Cover, TWO!!! Kyle survives but Ospreay calls for his shot! Underhooks, but wait, he hesitates. Storm Driver 93 damn near destroyed Bryan Danielson, does he want to do that to Kyle? Kyle back drops free first! Then ARMBAR!! But Komander is up top! CIELITO LINDO onto Kyle!! Cover, HIDDEN BLADE!!!
Ospreay drags Komander to a cover, OSPREAY WINS!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship)
The Assassin found a target and took them out! But here comes the Undisputed Kingdom, the Savior of the Backbreaker leading the way. Roderick Strong stares Ospreay down, with Mike Bennett, Matt Taven, Wardlow and Adam Cole all backing him up. Ospreay doesn’t back down, will he simply tear that gold away from The Kingdom?
Chris Jericho is here!
And as his new theme says, he is The Learning Tree. But what we see is that he is the NEW FTW Champion after cracking Hook in the head with a baseball bat at Dynasty. Jericho smiles and waves at the fans while he gets a mic, but they’re booing back. “Hey, guys! It’s true, I’m the new FTW Champion! It’s great, right? And there’s been a lot of negative connotation with the letters F T W. Does it mean F The World? Does it mean Forget The World? No, it’s none of those things, I’m changing it right here, right now. From now on, this means FOR The World Championship, because this was FOR all of you!”
The fans boo and Taz can’t stomach this on commentary. Jericho says “we” won this together! The whole world is buzzing and he knows why. Jericho is doing God’s work. The Wrestling God, that is, and that’s Terry Funk. Terry once told Jericho that it is now Jericho’s responsibility to teach the younger generation and take them to the next level, and that is what Jericho is doing! Thank you, Terry Funk, and thank you, fans. And thanks, Hook! What a great champion and a tough competitor in the ring. Hook beat the hell outta Jericho, but his only flaw is that there are still certain things he needs to take from The Learning Tree.
There are lessons Jericho wants to teach Hook, including how to get rid of the dead weight that surrounds him: Taz, Shibata, and all the clowns that support him. More importantly, Hook, you need to listen to Jericho when he says to stay down. Jericho told Hook to stay down but Hook kept getting back up. Even after two Judas Effects! Hook forced Jericho to hit him in the head with the baseball bat. So that’s on Hook. But Jericho knows Hook is listening, thinking on the lessons he learned, and that is exciting to Jericho.
What is also exciting to Jericho is the list of men and women who have been drawn into the #JerichoVortex and come out the other side even bigger and better stars! So many! Jericho is so excited- Wait! “Big Bill” Morrissey is here! Bill has a mic already as he steps to Jericho in the ring. Bill tells Jericho, “I have been in the back listening to you, and I only have one thing to say.” Jericho waits as Bill thinks on his words, and Bill says he needs The Learning Tree! The fans boo, they were clearly hoping for something else.
Bill says everyone knows Jericho is the Socrates of Professional Wrestling! Always willing to give advice, to lend a hand, and to take a less established guy and bring him up to the top with him. That is Chris Jericho to a T. Jericho nods, and Bill knows there is a long line of guys foaming at the mouth for the very opportunity to be under the Learning Tree. But Bill wants Jericho to take this into consideration: there is nobody bigger than Bill, nor better fit for the Learning Tree. Jericho knows it deep down in his heart that Bill is the very best fit for The Learning Tree.
Jericho does have to say, Bill, he has been watching Bill a long time. A fan of his for years. It’s partly why Bill is in AEW. But Jericho will think on what Bill said, and he’ll keep his eye on Bill to see if what he says is true. Bill says go ahead and do that, because he’ll do just that. Just watch him. Bill heads out, Jericho says he sure will be. Let’s celebrate together! Jericho waves and gives a thumbs up, but will Bill be The Learning Tree’s first true pupil?
Backstage interview with The Don Callis Family.
Renee is with Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher and Callis himself as she congratulates Ospreay on becoming #1 contender to the International Championship. Callis, the rest of the Family has had an evening of ups and downs, so- Callis “apologizes” for interrupting but he has to say, he is so happy for the “golden goose,” and now Ospreay will have the gold. An international star deserves the International Championship. The only note Callis has, that Tiger Driver 91, AKA Storm Driver 93. He had that all set up, why didn’t Ospreay use it? No, Ospreay doesn’t wanna do that anymore. Not after what he did to Bryan.
Callis doesn’t understand, what happened? Ospreay says we all saw what happened to Bryan because of his neck, and Kyle O’Reilly has a bad neck, too. Storm Driver has to go. Callis doesn’t care about any of that, Ospreay should win! Roddy’s got a bad neck, so what’s gonna happen if Ospreay shows weakness? Fletcher speaks up saying that Ospreay still won, and he’ll win at Double or Nothing, what does it matter about that move? Callis tells Fletcher shouldn’t be talking about winning after how tonight went. Ospreay WILL be International Champion because he’s gonna nail Roddy with Storm Driver, break his neck, and take his title!
Now, Callis needs to go find Hobbs, he’s gonna coach Powerhouse to a championship tonight, just like Ospreay will win at the PPV. Callis leaves Ospreay and Fletcher behind, Fletcher apologizes on Callis’ behalf. Are the former Empire boys still united despite how Callis is leading this “family?”
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Once again, Saturday nights are alright for fighting, and it will be another THREE HOUR BLOCK! Collision and Rampage will follow NBA Playoff coverage, keep your eyes open for this one!
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs!
It was a Windy City Riot when The Maniac took this title off Tetsuya Naito, and he made a point of saying he runs from no challenge. NJPW’s Ren Narita and Shota Umino are both waiting on the other side of this match, will they still get their shot at Moxley? Or will the Don Callis Family start to take over the wrestling world?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who makes history in this historic main event!
The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out as the fans rally, and Moxley KICKS a leg. Hobbs stays up, feel things out with Mox, but Moxley KICKS again. The two tie up, Moxley waistlocks the SLEEPERS, but Hobbs RAMS Moxley into buckles. Hobbs throws elbows, stomps a mudhole, then fires hands! Hobbs puts Moxley in a corner, ELBOWS him, but Moxley CHOPS! Hobbs pie faces Moxley, Moxley CHOPS, but Hobbs ROCKS him. Hobbs talks smack, then whips Moxley corner to corner. Moxley stops himself, ROCKS Hobbs, then fires more forearms and KICKS! Moxley runs, but leaps into Hobbs’ arms!
Hobbs pops Moxley up but Moxley slips free to waistlock and GERMAN SUPLEX! But Hobbs is right up!? The fans fire up and Hobbs grins. Moxley runs up, into a clinch! EXPLODER! Moxley writhes, bails out, and Hobbs grins as he goes out after him. Hobbs CLUBS Moxley, but Moxley fires a forearm! Moxley SMACKS Hobbs off the timekeeper’s table, but Hobbs body shots in return! Hobbs SMACKS Moxley off railing, then he runs up, only for Moxley to avoid the boot! Hobbs gets caught up on the railing, Moxley BOOTS him over! Moxley goes up the railing, Hobbs rises, but Moxley AX HANDLES him down!
Moxley headlocks, brings Hobbs around the back of the fans, and throws hands. Moxley ROCKS Hobbs, Hobbs HEADBUTTS, and they brawl! The ring count starts, both men have until 20, and we’re at 4 now. Hobbs SMACKS Moxley off a trash can! Hobbs stalks Moxley around the way, CHOPS, then brings Moxley around to ROCK him! Hobbs stalks Moxley, CLUBS him, then pushes him. Moxley hobbles his way back to railing, but turns around to fire haymakers! Hobbs KNEES low, TOSSES Moxley over railing, then storms after him. The count is 15 but Moxley gets in the ring. Hobbs follows and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Hobbs storms up on Moxley, talks trash, but Moxley SLAPS him and flips him off! Moxley eggs Hobbs on so Hobbs BOOTS him down! Moxley flops to the apron then the floor. Hobbs storms out after Moxley, and RAMS him into railing! Hobbs scoops Moxley to APRON POWERSLAM! And APRON POWERSLAM again! And again!! Hobbs snarls, brings Moxley around and SLINGS him down! Hobbs leaves Moxley behind in the ring to soak up cheers and jeers, and even make the pecs dance. IWGP rules do let titles change hands on count-outs, will Hobbs settle for that? No, Hobbs goes out to fetch Moxley, wanting to beat him directly.
Moxley blocks a suplex, fires forearms, but Hobbs hits back! They brawl, Moxley whips but Hobbs reverses! Moxley hits railing hard, and slumps down. Hobbs sits Moxley up to throw down hands, then goes up to rain down mores fists! The ring count climbs, but Hobbs still goes to TEN! Hobbs brings Moxley around to suplex to the floor! Moxley hobbles away, but Hobbs storms up after him. They go up the steel steps and into the ring, and Hobbs eggs Moxley on. Hobbs stomps Moxley, soaks up more cheers and jeers, then BOOTS Moxley down as Dynamite goes to break!
Dynamite returns and Hobbs says he’s whooping Moxley’s ass! Moxley crawls, Hobbs brings him up, but Moxley CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Hobbs body shots, then BEARHUGS! Moxley endures, even as Hobbs squeezes tight! Hobbs throws body shots, Moxley throws elbows, and Moxley is free. But Hobbs CLUBS Moxley first! Hobbs whips Moxley to a corner, then has him on the rebound. Callis doesn’t want Hobbs to wait, keep on him! Hobbs whips Moxley to the other corner, runs in, but Moxley BOOTS! Moxley runs, but Hobbs SLAMS the cutter down! Moxley staggers up, Hobbs runs in, but the splash only gets buckles!
Hobbs falls, clutching a knee. Hobbs bails out, Moxley goes to ropes and takes aim. Moxley builds speed as Hobbs rises, to DIVE! Down goes Hobbs again! The ref checks Hobbs as Hobbs still clutches his knee. The fans rally for Moxley as he rises, fires himself back up, and then gets Hobbs up. Moxley puts Hobbs in, storms around to slide in from the other side, and then waits on Hobbs. Hobbs rises, hobbles, and Moxley runs up to RAM him into a corner! Moxley goes up to rain down fists! Moxley goes way past ten, all the way to TWENTY!! Moxley keeps going past even that! Hobbs can barely guard, Moxley gives him PARADIGM SHIFT!! Cover, TWO?!?
Moxley slips around to a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Hobbs sputters, flails, reaches out, but Moxley squeezes tight! Hobbs is fading, the ref calls it! MOXLEY WINS!
Winner: Jon Moxley, by submission (still IWGP World Champion)
Hobbs is a powerhouse, but even he needs to breathe! The Maniac has his first defense in the books, but NJPW Wrestling Dontaku is coming. Will the #SouledOut Ren Narita take this title from Moxley? Or is Moxley going to blast through him to then take on his former protege, Shota Umino? Wait! Konosuke Takeshita appears on stage. The Alpha wants his own shot at that IWGP World Championship, will he get in line ahead of Narita and Shota?
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The House of Torture gets another try!
Despite losing in the NEVER Openweight Six Man title tournament, the House of Torture get one more shot against Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg! But will shuffling the deck really help the King of Darkness trump President Ace?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Shoma Kato VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- 8 Man Tag: El Desperado, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & Katsuya Murashima VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg win and retain the titles.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Yota Tsuji VS Gedo; Tsuji wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: BUSHI VS Gabe Kidd; Gabe wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Shingo Takagi VS Clark Connors; Takagi wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Tetsuya Naito VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Drilla wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Hiromu Takahashi VS David Finlay; Finlay wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture!
Don’t adjust your screens, this is not a rematch from Wrestling World in Taiwan. That’s because while The Ace, the Joker and the Rook won the tournament, they’re up against a different formation! The King of Darkness and Heel Master now have Tokyo Pimp as their third man, but will that change be enough to change the result? Or will Tanahshi-sachou and team be an undefeated combination?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if Darkness Falls!
The teams sort out, and Oleg starts against Yoshinobu Kanemaru. The fans rally behind “BO-LU-TIN! BO-LU-TIN!” as he circles with Kanemaru, but then Evil & Yujiro attack! The fans boo, Tanahashi & Yano hurry in but Evil & Yujiro get them first! Kanemaru drags Oleg out of the ring to stomp him down while Evil & Yujiro have Tanahashi & Yano in corners. Yujiro fires forearms, Evil CHOPS, then the House all whips. But Oleg reverses and sends Kanemaru into railing! And Tanahashi & Yano reverse to send Evil & Yujiro into each other! Oleg returns to CLOBBER Evil & Yujiro! The fans fire up as now Yano & Tanahashi intercept Kanemaru.
Tanahashi & Yano whip Kanemaru to Oleg for a scoop and SLAM! The fans rally behind the champs as Oleg paces around Kanemaru. Oleg stomps Kanemaru, tags Tanahashi, and Tanahashi eggs Evil on. Evil tags in, Tanahashi kicks first! Tanahashi fires hands, UPPERCUTS, then tears away the “President Evil” shirt to TOSS it away! Evil is furious, he made that himself! Tanahashi throws a body shot, then whips Evil corner to corner. Evil reverses, runs in, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up for the air guitar and Tanahashi tags in Yano! Yano unties a buckle pad, dodges Evil, then gives Evil the pad!
The ref reprimands Evil and confiscates the pad, and Yano SLAPS Evil on the head! Yano whips, Evil reverses, but Yano avoids the bare buckles. Evil runs up to SLAP Yano, and shove him into the buckles! Kanemaru & Yujiro BLAST Tanahashi & Oleg off the corner! Evil SMACKS Yano with the pad! Evil TOSSES Yano out of the ring, distracts the ref, and that lets Dick DECK Yano! Dick drags Yano up and puts him in the ring for Evil to cover. TWO! Evil is upset with the “slow count,” and he tags Kanemaru. Kanemaru runs to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Kanemaru ELBOWS Yano in the head!
Kanemaru snapmares Yano down into a chinlock and drags him to the corner. The ref reprimands but Yujiro tags in. Kanemaru lets go, so that Yujiro can CHOKE Yano! The ref counts, Yujiro lets off, and he drags Yano back up. Yujiro whips Yano into the bare buckles! Yano suffers his own trick, and Yujiro brings him up to knee low. Yujiro snapmares, drops a leg, then drops an elbow! Then he drops a HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Yujiro tags to Evil. Evil BLASTS Tanahashi & Oleg off the corner! Dick distracts the ref so Evil can put Yano in the COBRA TWIST, and link up with the others!
The fans boo but the House gets away with that. Evil covers, TWO! Evil is even more upset with the ref, and he drags Yano up. Evil reels Yano in for a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Wait, who is ringing the bell? Dick is ringing the bell, and Kanemaru is giving the announcement that they’ve won! The fans boo, this is of course a farce. Tanahashi & Oleg storm over, scaring off Dick and Kanemaru. Evil tags Kanemaru, then TOSSES Yano outside. Kanemaru drags Yano back up to whip him into railing! Then DDTÂ to the floor! Yano is down in enemy territory while Tanahashi argues with the ref.
The fans rally up but Yujiro puts Yano in. Kanemaru covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Kanemaru drags Yano around. Yano is dead weight so Kanemaru leaves him behind to BLAST Tanahashi! Kanemaru drags Yano up but Yano pulls hair! Kanemaru CLAWS Yano’s eyes! Kanemaru whips, Yano reverses and throws him down by his hair! The fans fire up as Yano crawls, hot tag to Oleg! The fans fire up as Oleg CLOBBERS Kanemaru, BLASTS Evil & Yujiro, then runs in at the corner. Kanemaru BOOTS Oleg, runs, but into a POP-UP BEARHUG! Kanemaru endures, but then Oleg turns that into a BIG suplex! The fans fire up as Oleg storms around.
Oleg deadlift gut wrenches, but Dick gets on the apron. Oleg drops Kanemaru to scare Dick off. But then Yano puts Dick in! Dick prays and begs for mercy, but Oleg just deadlift gut wrenches him! Shake, Rattle and THROW! And a kip up!? Oleg then gets Kanemaru back up, Shake, Rattle, and some more shaking, and THROW! Oleg roars, runs, and SPLASHES down! Cover, Evil & Yujiro break it! Then they BLAST Tanahashi & Yano! The House stomps away on Oleg, then drag him up. They double whip Oleg to a corner, then Yujiro BOOTS! Evil clotheslines! They snapmare, Kanemaru distracts the ref, and Dick goes up!
The fans boo but Dick hits the DICK CHOP! Kanemaru covers, TWO!! The fans fire up but Evil tags back in. Evil and Kanemaru get Oleg up to suplex, but Oleg fights it! Oleg DOUBLE SUPLEXES back! Hot tag to Tanahashi! Ace of the Universe meets King of Darkness, and Tanahashi runs to CLOBBER Evil! Tanahashi fires forearms and body shots on Evil, then scoop SLAMS him into a drop zone! Tanahashi goes up to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Tanahashi as he waits on Evil. Tanahashi runs, but Evil goes to the corner! Evil LARIATS Tanahashi down! Tag to Yujiro and he storms up on Tanahashi.
Yujiro brings Tanahashi up to knee low and fire forearms. Yujiro CHOPS then runs up, to BOOT! Yujiro then runs, to BOOT again! Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi runs, but Yujiro TOSSES him out! Evil is there to set Tanahashi up for a whiskey bottle shot! Evil puts Tanahashi back in, then he and the rest go after Oleg and Yano! Yujiro gets Tanahashi up for an INCOLLE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Yujiro goes for his pimp cane, but the ref stops him! That leaves Dick open to use the SPOILER CHOKER on Tanahashi!! The fans boo as President Ace suffers! Tanahashi fades out, Dick slips away, and Yujiro laughs.
Yujiro drags Tanahashi up while the fans rally. Yujiro reels Tanahashi in, but Yano gets in to grab Yujiro! Kanemaru gets in while the ref is distracted again! But Yano ducks, the WHISKEY MIST hits Yujiro! LOW BLOW for Kanemaru! But Evil LOW BLOWS Yano! So Tanahashi LOW BLOWS Evil! Dick gets in but Tanahashi kicks the ropes! Dick falls, Oleg returns, and he gets Yujiro up! Tanahashi climbs, Oleg hits the KAMIKAZE SENTON! Then Tanahashi HIGH FLY FLOWS!! Cover, Team Go Ace wins!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
The House of Torture tried their usual tricks, but Tanahashi’s team proved they could play that, too! The Ace, the Joker & The Rook stand tall again, will The House have to start playing a different game?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Yota Tsuji VS Gedo!
While Los Ingobernables de Japon and the Bullet Club War Dogs have already done battle on this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, tonight is a best of five series! Will it be Gene Blast or Blacksmith that sets the tone for tonight?
The moment Yota hops off the corner, Gedo takes a swing! Yota dodges and GENE BLASTER!! The bell rings, Yota covers, Yota wins!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall
Well not sure about the tone but this sure set a new record! From bell the bell, that was FIVE SECONDS! Score one for LIJ already, and Yota helps roll Gedo out of the ring. Will LIJ make this a shut out? Or will the other War Dogs be a bit smarter about the pitches they throw across the plate?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: BUSHI VS Gabe Kidd!
Round two is here sooner than expected after what we just saw, and the Black Mask is up against the #WarReady Mad Man. Gabe vows to take back everything NJPW used to mean, but will he get War Dogs on the board? Or will Bushi keep things tranquilo?
Bushi climbs onto the corner and Gabe rushes him! Bushi jumps over, the bell rings and Bushi DROPKICKS Gabe down! Bushi whips, Gabe reverses but Bushi ducks ‘n ‘dodges to RANA! Gabe bails out, Bushi builds speed, but Gabe gets away. Bushi slides out, but Gabe kicks and CHOPS! Gabe UPPERCUTS Bushi down, then drags Bushi up to dig at Bushi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Gabe storms around and mockingly calls upon the wrestling gods. Gabe runs but Bushi dodges, Gabe crashes into railing! The fans fire up while Bushi rises. Bushi brings Gabe up, fires forearms, then brings Gabe around. Gabe blocks the bump off the apron to whip Bushi hard into railing!
Bushi flounders and Gabe snarls while the fans rally up. Gabe storms out to open the way to the orange bleachers! Gabe ROCKS Bushi, brings him around and they go up into the stands. Gabe HEADBUTTS Bushi down, shouts “I’m a MAD MAN, y’know!” then continues up to the next level. Bushi fights the lift but Gabe CLUBS him! Gabe lifts again but Bushi still fights! Gabe CLUBS away on Bushi, CHOPS and HAYMAKERS! Gabe backs up, flips everyone off, and he runs back in, but Bushi dropkicks the leg! Bushi SMACKS Gabe off railing, then he goes up higher into the stands! Bushi stands on the ledge, to SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go Gabe and the Young Lions!
The fans are thunderous as Bushi rises, and he brings Gabe up. Bushi headlocks Gabe to bring him back down the bleachers. Gabe throws body shots but Bushi throws hands in return. Bushi brings Gabe back to ground level, then through the gate. They return to ringside but Gabe CLUBS Bushi down again. Gabe HEADBUTTS, then he puts Bushi in. The fans rally, but Gabe drags Bushi around to ROCK him again. Gabe has Bushi on the apron, CLUBS him again, then brings Bushi out. Bushi fights the suplex to throw body shots! Gabe HEADBUTTS again, but Bushi fires more hands! Bushi puts Gabe in and the fans cheer.
Bushi drags Gabe up but blocks his haymaker to spin and DDT! Cover, TWO! Bushi goes to a corner while Gabe sputters. Gabe stands, Bushi runs in, but no Code Breaker! Gabe ELBOWS, JABS and YUKON LARIATS! Gable copies Takagi, covers, TWO! Gabe flips off the fans, they boo, and so he just flips them off more. Gabe eggs Bushi on, taunts him, so Bushi CHOPS! Gabe dusts himself off, Bushi CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS, says Bushi ain’t got nothing, but Bushi fires a flurry! Gabe CHOPS again, Bushi DOUBLE CHOPS! Gabe UPPERCUTS, then he gut wrenches! But Bushi slips free and shoves!
Gabe blocks one kick, ducks the enzigiri, but not the REWIND HEEL! Bushi reels Gabe in, for a DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and flounders away while the fans fire up. Gabe flops right out of the ring but Bushi pursues. Bushi drags Gabe up, but Gabe HEADBUTTS him back down! Gabe rips away the LIJ shirt to tell them to suck it! Gabe SPITS on the shirt, throws it down, then goes back for Bushi. Gabe puts Bushi in, Bushi goes to a corner, and Gabe runs in to clothesline! Gabe suplexes, Bushi slips free, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and uses the ref as a shield! BLACK MIST!! Bushi gets the better of Gabe and hooks the arms!
Gabe fights the backslide, BOOTS the ref, so the ref can’t see the Bushi Roll! Bushi would’ve had this one! Bushi goes to check on the ref but Gabe storms up to HAYMAKER! Gabe shouts at the ref, drags him back up, and then storms over to Bushi! PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Gabe wins!
Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall
The series is tied 1-1, and Gabe shouts for water to wash out the mist. LIJ VS War Dogs aside, Gabe now has momentum going into his NEVER Openweight Championship match with Shingo Takagi. Will the Rampaging Dragon be just as #WarReady as Gabe after tonight?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Shingo Takagi VS Clark Connors!
Speaking of the NEVER Openweight Champion, he’s third up in the batting order, ready to drive home another run. Will the Rampaging Dragon score and soar towards Wrestling Dontaku? Or will he be struck out by 100 Proof?
Takagi and Connors get in each other’s face and talk some trash. Connors shoves but the ref has them both back down. Connors gets all fired up, Takagi says okay then, and the bell rings, only for Connors to bail out. The fans boo Connors trolling them, but he says tranquilo. Takagi paces while Connors goes around the outside. Takagi dares Connors to get in but Connors dares Takagi to come on out. The fans rally up so Connors goes back to the apron. Connors steps in, fires up, but then bails out. But Takagi pursues! They go around the ring, back in, and then Connors RAMS Takagi! But Takagi doesn’t fall!
Connors runs again, RAMS Takagi, but still Takagi stays up. Connors fires forearm after forearm after forearm, but then Takagi ROCKS, KNEES, CLUBS and CHOPS! And JABS! Takagi whips, Connors ducks ‘n’ dodges to RAM Takagi! Takagi rebounds, but Connors runs him over! The fans fire up while Takagi goes to a corner. Connors runs corner to corner to clothesline, then he reels Takagi in. Takagi fights the suplex, and he suplexes Connors instead! The fans fire up again but Connors bails back out. Takagi pursues, JABS, then SMACKS Connors off the apron. Takagi follows Connors around, POSTS him, and the fans cheer.
Takagi stomps Connors, Connors goes around the way but Takagi follows. Takagi runs up to BOOT Connors, then follows him. Connors uses a Young Lion as a shield, then shoves him into Takagi! Connors then whips Takagi into railing! Takagi leans against railing and Connors UPPERCUTS! Connor opens the gate and pushes Takagi into No Man’s Land. Connors brings Takagi around to SMACK off the wood bleachers! Takagi hits back, they brawl, and Takagi knees low! Takagi whips, Connors reverses and Takagi is sent into the wall of the hallway! Connors throws up the Too Sweet but the fans boo.
Connors brings Takagi back to SMACK into the gate, then POST! Connors reels Takagi in, to snap suplex to the floor! Takagi writhes, the ref reprimands but Connors wants the ring count to start. The ring count does start, and Connors scoops a Young Lion to SLAM him onto Takagi! And then he grabs another Young Lion to SPINEBUSTER onto Takagi! Connors slides into the ring at 10 of 20 while Takagi pushes the Young Lions off him. Takagi stands at 17, hurries up at 18, but Connors SPEARS him down! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this and the fans rally, but Connors keeps on Takagi with a half nelson.
Takagi fights as Connors goes for the full nelson! Takagi reaches out but Connors keeps him from ropes. Takagi fights to his feet, powers up, but Connors keeps the nelson! The fans rally more as Takagi keeps fighting. Takagi powers the hold open, but Connors spins him to knee low! Connors whips, but Takagi avoids the snap powerslam! Takagi runs up to SLIDING- NO, Connors dodges, but runs into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! The fans fire up and Takagi goes to a corner. Connors flounders around, rises up, and Takagi storms up to the corner. Takagi clotheslines, then JABS and CHPOS on repeat! Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS and CHOPS!
Takagi whips corner to corner, runs in to clothesline again, then short arm LARIAT! Takagi scoops Connors to SLAM him, then he goes up and up for the FALLING ELBOW DROP! Takagi hauls Connors up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Connors is still in this but Takagi looks around. The fans rally with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi says, “OI, KORAKUEN! TOKI GA KITA!!” The time has come and the “OI! OI! OI!” continues. Takagi brings Connors up, pump handle, but Connors fights the lift! Connors throws elbows, then ROCKS Takagi! Takagi eggs Connors on, Connors throws another forearm! Takagi fires back!
Connors fires more forearms, but Takagi HEADBUTTS! Connors HEADBUTTS, but he’s the one wobbling! Connors ROCKS Takagi with a forearm, then eggs Takagi on. Takagi ROCKS Connors with boxing elbows! Takagi runs, Connors follows to LARIAT against ropes! Connors runs but Takagi follows to KNEE against ropes! Takagi keeps moving, Connors gets under to come back and POUNCE! Then a whip and SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! But Connors powers up and runs, to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!?! The fans fire up but Connors aims from a corner! Connors runs in to SPEAR!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous!
Connors rises, Takagi stirs, and Connors brings Takagi up. But Takagi fights No Chaser! Takagi wrenches out to JAB! And HEADBUTT! Connors dodges the lariat, but runs into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Takagi runs up to PUMPING BOMBER! Then SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Connors shakes his head as he stays in this, but Takagi roars! Takagi pump handles for MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Connors survives and shocks Takagi, but the fans are thunderous again! “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi powers up. Takagi runs, but Connors dodges! But PUMPING BOMBER still finds him! Cover, Takagi wins!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall
We’re halfway done and LIJ takes the lead! Takagi has momentum for himself, too, but will the Rampaging Dragon be #WarReady for Gabe Kidd? Or will Wrestling Dontaku be the end of the road for Takagi?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Tetsuya Naito VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
The Uncontrollable Charisma may no longer be IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but we all know he never lets things get to him. Will he therefore stay tranquilo as he looks to win this series for his team? Or will he lose a shootout with the .44 Caliber?
As always, Naito takes his time with his entrance attire. Drilla mockingly asks what happened to his belt, but Naito doesn’t let that get his goat. The fans rally for Naito and that annoys Drilla. Naito puts the pants away, the bell rings, and Drilla runs up! But Naito puts him on the apron, and sweeps the legs! Then he DROPKICKS Drilla down! Naito goes out slowly to fetch Drilla, CLUB him on the neck, and then CLUB him again. Naito CLUBS Drilla more, cravats for a neck wrench, and even grinds Drilla against railing! The ref counts, Naito puts Drilla in, and the fans applaud. But Drilla comes back to WRECK Naito with a dropkick!
Drilla whips Naito hard into railing, and Naito gets stuck! Drilla dumps him over, tells fans off about cheering for Naito, then drags Naito up and around. Drilla CHOPS Naito, follows him along the way, and whips him hard into railing! The fans applaud the impressive speed and strength, but Drilla leaves Naito behind as Naito slumps into the front row. The ring count climbs, Naito sits up at 7 of 20. Naito finds his way around to the gate at 12, steps in at ringside, and rolls in at 15. Drilla throws Naito’s hat at him, then stomps away! Drilla drags Naito up, HEADBUTTS him, then has him on ropes. Drilla CHOPS and Naito staggers.
Drilla eggs Naito on so Naito fires forearms! Naito whips, Drilla reverses and ELBOWS Naito down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Naito but Drilla digs his knee into Naito’s neck! The ref counts, Drilla lets off to get in the ref’s face, but the ref reminds Drilla to respect his authority. Drilla kicks Naito around, steps on Naito’s head, then taunts the fans. Naito gets up to throw hands but Drilla hits back! They go back and forth, forearm for forearm, but then Drilla CHOPS! Drilla runs, into an ELBOW! Drilla rebounds, but Naito hip toss NECKBREAKERS! The fans rally as Naito rises and Drilla writhes. Naito drags Drilla up to fire forearms and kicks!
Naito whips, arm-drags, then he ELBOWS Drilla down to basement dropkick in the back! Naito turns Drilla for a NECKBREAKER! Drilla writhes, Naito pushes him to a cover, TWO! Naito keeps on Drilla with a cravat neck wrench. Drilla endures, fights around, and he fights up. Drilla breaks free, CLUBS Naito, then runs, but Naito catches him to a dragon sleeper, NECKBREAKER! Drilla fights the legs but Naito still hooks him into the LEG HOOK NELSON! Drilla endures, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! Naito again “forgets” how to undo the hold, so the ref pries the legs away.
Drilla is free and clutches his neck, but Naito paces around. Naito drags Drilla back up, but Drilla CHOPS! Naito fires a forearm in return! Drilla CHOPS! Naito forearms! The shots go back and forth, Drilla grunts and has a crazy grin. Drilla fires a forearm, Naito mocks the grunt! Naito fires back, both men grunt and fire forearms again! Drilla CHOPS, but then Naito ROCKS him, SPITS on him, and fires off more forearms! Drilla gets under, shoves Naito then hurdles, drops and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Naito and Drilla go to opposite corners, and Drilla runs corner to corner! Drilla blocks a boot but Naito SPITS!
Naito runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Drilla horks up and SPITS a big one at Naito, then DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Naito stays in this and Drilla is seething. Drilla slashes his throat and throws up the Too Sweet. Drilla drags Naito up, reels him in, but Naito fights the lift. Drilla ENZIGIRIS Naito, then gets him back up! Canadian Rack, but Naito arm-drags Drilla into the ref! The ref tumbles all the way out, Naito atomic drops Drilla and ENZIGIRIS! COMPLETE SHOT, and then PLUMA BLANCA!! Drilla endures, flails, is he tapping? But there’s no ref anyway! Wait, David Finlay rushes out here!
The Rebel taunts Naito while swinging the shillelagh! Naito lets Drilla go, only for JAKE LEE to show up!?! Talk about a CrossOver, the Good Looking Emperor is here in NJPW and he fires hands with Naito!! The fans are going nuts, but Naito gets the edge! Only for Jake to KNEE low! Jake puts Naito in a corner, takes aim, and runs in to HELLUVA KICK!!! Or as he calls it, #FaceBreakShot! Naito staggers into Drilla’s arms, for the DRILLA KILLA!!! Cover and the ref is back, Drilla wins!!
Winner: “Drilla” Dan Moloney, by pinfall
The Rebel gets the Madness Dark Side to help him screw over Naito, and now this series is all tied up again! But then Finlay & Drilla beat Naito down more! Jake steps in, and the War Dogs back away. Jake stands on Naito’s chest, then stomps away! Is Jake going to destroy Naito once and for all? But wait! Here comes Hiromu! The Ticking Timebomb ROCKS Jake, ROCKS Drilla, then fires off on Finlay! But then Drilla & Finlay mug Hiomru! They double whip, but Hiormu ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Hiromu goes out after Finlay, but Drilla CLUBS Hiromu! They POST Hiromu, but what about the main event!?
Red Shoes hurries out here, the fans tell Jake and Drilla to go home. Jake literally kicks Naito out of the ring and then stands him up against railing. Jake gets space, takes aim again, and Finlay makes Hiromu watch the FACE BREAK SHOT that sends Naito into the front row!! The fans boo and tell Jake to go home. Jake smirks as he takes his leave with Drilla, the damage done. Is there an alliance between Jake’s Good Looking Guys and Finlay’s War Dogs? Is Naito just the first casualty of many?
As for Finlay and Hiromu, Finlay RAMS Hiromu into railing! And then RAMS him in again! Finlay RAMS Hiromu a third time, then he soaks up the heat. Red Shoes reprimands, but this isn’t officially a match yet. Finlay takes aim, he runs in, but Hiromu sends him into railing! Hiromu gets Finlay in, the bell rings, and it’s time to settle the score!
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Hiromu Takahashi VS David Finlay!
Hiromu fireman’s carries, CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Hiromu fireman’s carries again, but Finlay slips away! The fans rally for Hiromu as he eggs Finlay on. Finlay snarls, storms back up but Hiromu then SUNSET FLIPS! Finlay holds ropes to throw down hands! Hiromu staggers away, Finlay fireman’s carries him now! Finlay runs and THROWS Hiromu at a post! The fans boo while Finlay throws up the Too Sweet and taunts them all. Finlay leaves Hiromu behind, he tells the fans they look stupid, then he goes back to fetch Hiromu. Finlay slaps Hiromu around, drags him up, and throws him into the ring.
Finlay crawls to a cover but Red Shoes says nope, too many shenanigans. Finlay is upset, there were a lot of shenanigans both ways. But Finlay drags Hiromu up to suplex and TOSS Hiromu! Now things are fine and Finlay covers, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Finlay mocks the “MOTO! MOTO!” Finlay whips Hiromu hard into a corner! Hiromu falls then crawls, and Finlay taunts him that it’s too easy. Finlay stalks Hiromu to another corner as the fans rally up, but Finlay makes Hiromu smile! Finlay says smile like Tsuji! Red Shoes reprimands, Finlay lets off, but then he drags Hiromu up to whip hard into another corner!
Hiromu staggers and falls out of the ring and Red Shoes checks him. Finlay waits on Hiromu while he writhes on the floor. Finlay mockingly says “Moto! Moto!” Red Shoes has Finlay stay back, and the ring count starts. Hiromu stands at 4 of 20 while Finlay lounges on the ropes. The fans rally, Hiromu rolls in at 10, but Finlay brings him back up. Finlay scoops and carries Hiromu around for a BACKBREAKER! Finlay says he’s strong AF, and then he kicks Hiromu around. Finlay mocks the fans chanting for Hiromu, and that makes them boo Finlay. Finlay pushes Hiromu around, so Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS!
Finlay dusts himself off, eggs Hiromu on, so Hiromu CHOPS again! Finlay felt that one so he knees low. Finlay runs, Hiromu follows, and Hiromu RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Finlay flounders while Hiromu goes to ropes. Finlay runs up, but into a BOOT! Hiromu then has a HANGING HEADSCISSOR! Red Shoes counts, Hiromu lets go at 4 and he drags Finlay out to wheelbarrow FACEBUSTER to the floor! The fans rally up behind Hiromu and he goes to the apron. Hiromu aims as Finlay stands, FLYING SHOTGUN sends Finlay through the gate! The fans fire up with Hiromu as he pursues.
Hiromu smiles at TJP on English commentary, then gets a real “MOTO! MOTO! MOTO!” going. Hiromu gets Finlay up and in, and Finlay goes to a corner. Hiromu runs up to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Hiromu keeps his cool and he kicks Finlay around. Hiromu drags Finlay up, fireman’s carries, but Finlay fights free. Hiromu takes a swing, but Finlay catches him to an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Hiromu survives but Finlay scoops him, for the SWINGING IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives again and Finlay grows frustrated.
Finlay mocks Yota Tsuji as he powers up and goes to the corner. Hiromu rises, Finlay flips him off, and steals GENE- TRIANGLE D!! Hiromu has Finlay caught and the fans fire up! Finlay flails, tries to stack Hiromu, but Hiromu squeezes tighter! Finlay is fading and the fans fire up! But Finlay gets a second wind, deadlifts Hiromu, and POWERBOMBS him down! Finlay is free of D, but both men are down as the fans rally again. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, and lifts, but Hiromu RANAS to a cover! TWO!! Finlay escapes, kicks low and whips, but Hiromu slips free of Deep Six to wheelbarrow and COMPLETE SHOT!
The fans fire up while Finlay flounders! But Finlay sneaks his shillelagh into the ring! The fans rally for Hiromu while Finlay hides the shillelagh under him. Hiromu rises, Finlay shields the shillelagh from Red Shoes but Red Shoes is suspicious. Red Shoes sees the weapon! Finlay shoves Red Shoes away and takes a swing, but Hiromu dodges! SUPERKICK! Hiromu takes the shillelagh now! The fans are torn, but then Hiromu plays like Finlay did hit him! Red Shoes isn’t sure who to believe, but Finlay really is innocent this time! Finlay argues with Red Shoes but fans boo to help sell Hiromu’s trick.
Hiromu then runs to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! And then fireman’s carry! TIMEBOMB 1.5! Cover, TWO! Finlay is still in this but the fans are still with Hiromu. Hiromu fireman’s carries again, but Finlay fights free. Hiromu elbows, runs, but into an UPPERCUT! Finlay runs, but into a SUPERKICK! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER, but Finlay stays up! Hiromu runs again, but Finlay catches him spins him, ROLLING ELBOWS, then runs! Into a SUPERKICK! Finlay returns, for another SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! The fans are thunderous and Hiromu gets Finlay up, suplex and INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!!!
Finlay survives his own move but Hiromu won’t let that bother him! Hiromu drags himself up, dragon sleepers Finlay, but Finlay fights the suplex with knees! Finlay suplexes, but Hiromu knees free! Hiromu runs, but Finlay LARIATS! Finlay hauls Hiromu up, Canadian Rack, DOMINATOR!! Cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives and the fans are thunderous! Finlay goes to a corner as he thinks on what to do next. Finlay storms over to Hiromu, says it’s over now, and he drags Hiromu back up. But Hiromu slips out of the bomb to tuck the arms! Finlay wrenches out, but into TRIANGLE D!! Finlay flails, CLUBS at Hiromu, but he’s fading again!
Red Shoes checks, the fans rally up, and Finlay fights to deadlift again! POWERBOMB, but Hiromu just holds onto D!! Finlay is fading, flailing, reaching out, but Hiromu squeezes tight! Finlay deadlifts again! BUCKLE BOMB, and INTO OBLIVION!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Hiromu survives again and Finlay is beside himself! The fans are electric as Finlay shakes his head. Hiromu sputters but Finlay brings down the kneepads. Finlay slashes his throat and vows to end this! Finlay drags Hiromu back up, suplexes, but Hiromu slip free! Hiromu wrenches, pump handles, HIROMU-CHAN ROLL!! TWO!!! Finlay escapes and Hiromu is frustrated!
Both men catch their breath while the fans rally as hard as they can. Hiromu grits his teeth, pounds the mat, and rises up. Hiromu hobbles over but Finlay UPPERCUTS! Hiromu comes back, into another UPPERCUT! And another UPPERCUT! And another! And another, and another! But Hiromu stays on his feet, even as Finlay UPPERCUTS again! And again! And again!! Hiromu won’t stop, but Finlay won’t, either! The fans rally and Finlay eggs Hiromu on. Hiromu runs in, into another UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! Hiromu roars, runs, but into an UPPERCUT!! Hiromu drops to his knees, and Finlay says this is it!
Finlay suplexes, INTOÂ OVERKILL!! Cover, Finlay wins!
Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall
Bullet Club War Dogs takes the best of five in the fifth and final round! It took much more than Finlay wanted, but Hiromu always gives it his all. Will the Timebomb be able to fire back up in time for the Best of the Super Juniors?
Wait, Drilla returns, and now the War Dogs mug Hiromu! But then Tsuji & Takagi return to run them off! The War Dogs egg them on and vice-versa, but then GABE KIDD runs in! He CLOBBERS Takagi, DECKS Tsuji, and the War Dogs beat up on LIJ! The fans boo but the War Dogs just keep stomping LIJ! Drilla stands Tsuji up for Finlay’s SHILLELAGH SHOT! Drilla gives Hiromu the DRILLA KILLA! Gabe hits Takagi with a PILEDRIVER! Drilla gets to hold on to the shillelagh so he can JAM Hiromu! Finlay gives Tsuji the OVERKILL!! The War Dogs stand tall over LIJ, but Finlay still gets the mic to talk.
“What have I been telling you people? I AM the Savage King! You all thought you saw cracks in my game, but that’s because I let you. You all thought you saw weakness in my War Dogs, but that’s because I let you. Time and time again, I have been steps ahead of everyone in this company. Time and time again, I have solved any problem that was put in our way. The only thing worse than fighting a man who knows how to hurt you is fighting a man who knows when. LIJ learned that tonight, didn’t they?” A young fan tells Finlay to shut up and the fans cheer the kid.
Finlay says you can strip him of championships, you can keep him from tournaments, but in the end, remember this: “HATE always finds a way!!” The Rebel has spoken, will he and his hateful War Dogs find a way to dominate all of NJPW whether we like it or not?
My Thoughts:
A great event for the Road to Wrestling Dontaku series. Great Six Man title match with Tanahashi’s team winning again, probably no more shots for House of Torture. Not really sure what House of Torture is supposed to do next, though. We’re seeing Narita go after Moxley and the IWGP World title, Jack Perry is technically back in AEW, Evil and Yujiro could try for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles but you know they’d lose to Bishamon. I’ve been thinking that House of Torture should join Jack in AEW for this stretch until Forbidden Door, have some interactions with The Young Bucks and Kazuchika Okada or something like that.
Really fun Best of 5 series, and it was hilarious that Yota beat Gedo so easily. Great wins for Gabe and Takagi going into their NEVER Openweight Championship match. For a moment, I thought LIJ was winning, given how badly the War Dogs beat up Naito with the help of their new pal, Jake Lee, a former GHC Heavyweight Champion and a big name in Pro-Wrestling NOAH. But then in the end, Finlay found a way to win against Hiromu, keeping him strong as he probably moves up from midcard titles to world title. If we go by the math, Takagi should win the NEVER Openweight title match, but it’d feed Gabe’s story better if he did get the title.
As for Hiromu, he probably gets a strong showing in Best of the Super Juniors, but since his streak of tournament championships was broken, who knows if he gets another one or if he puts someone else over.
My Score: 8.8/10
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