Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (12/17/21)
The Tribal Chief returns!
Paul Heyman, you got some ‘splaining to do!
If Roman Reigns watched SmackDown last week, he knows his Special Counsel fired up Brock Lesnar like back in the day! Will Heyman be in hot water for it?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Sasha Banks & Toni Storm VS Shotzi Blackheart & Charlotte Flair; Banks & Storm win.
- The Viking Raiders VS Jinder Mahal & Shanky; The Viking Raiders win.
- Ridge Holland w/ Sheamus VS Cesaro; Holland wins.
- Naomi VS Shayna Baszler w/ Sonya Deville; Naomi wins.
- The New Day VS The Usos; The New Day wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Paul Heyman waits with the Universal Championship belt.
The Special Counsel is waiting at the driveway into the arena for the Head of the Table to arrive in Chicago’s All State Arena.
Sasha Banks & Toni Storm VS Shotzi Blackheart & Charlotte Flair!
When #BossTime & #ToniTime team up, it’s a good time! But when the wild child has The Queen backing her up, will Sasha & Toni be welcomed to a royal ball pit?
The teams sort out, Toni and Shotzi start and fans rally up. They tie up, go around, and then they break. Things get heated, they tie up again, and Toni gets a headlock. Toni hits a headlock takeover, but Shotzi pushes back with forearms. Shotzi gets the headscissors, but Toni moves around, hops and pops free. Shotzi gets up and the two reset. They tie up again, Toni wrenches to a wristlock, but Shotzi spins, wrenches, and ELBOW BREAKER! Shotzi has a wristlock, Toni rolls, kips up and breaks free to kick low. Toni whips, BOOTS Shotzi down, then drags her over to tag in Sasha. Fans fire up as Toni and Sasha double whip, but Shotzi tags out to Charlotte!
Fans “WOO~!” for the Queen as Charlotte and Sasha circle. They tie up, Charlotte puts Sasha in a corner but Sasha goes up the corner. Charlotte lets off, Sasha boots Charlotte! Sasha goes up and RANAS Charlotte down! Sasha then wheelbarrows, victory rolls, TWO! Body scissors, TWO! Sasha CHOPS Charlotte, tags Toni, and Toni stomps away! Toni fires forearms, EuroUppers, but Charlotte shoves her to ROCK her! Charlotte BOOTS Sasha just because, and she soaks up the heat! Charlotte drags Toni up but Toni gets around to hit the RUBY CUTTER! Cover, Shotzi breaks it! Shotzi throws Toni out hard so that she and Charlotte control the ring as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Sasha bumps Shotzi off buckles. She tags Toni, they double suplex Shotzi down, then Toni covers, TWO! Toni rains down fists on Shotzi, then she drags Shotzi up to tag Sasha back in. They double whip Shotzi to ropes, double elbow her down, and Sasha covers, TWO! Sasha stands on Shotzi’s hand and asks, “Where have you been?” Shotzi kicks from below but Sasha stomps her. Sasha bumps Shotzi off buckles, tags Toni in, and they mug Shotzi. Toni tags Sasha back in, Sasha stomps Shotzi down. Sasha wrenches but Shotzi breaks free, only for Sasha to block the kick! “Not in my house!” Sasha KICKS Shotzi, then DECKS Charlotte! But she turns around into a DISCUS!
Shotzi stomps Sasha, drags her up and Charlotte wants in. Shotzi tags Charlotte and Charlotte puts some stank on the CHOP! Sasha flounders out of the ring, Charlotte goes out after her. Charlotte brings Sasha up to RAM her into the barriers! And then she hauls Sasha up to carry her to the ring! Cover, TWO! Charlotte keeps on Sasha with a neck wrench and she leans on the hold. Fans rally for Sasha and that upsets Charlotte. Sasha gets up, throws body shots then JAWBREAKERS free! Sasha runs, into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Sasha survives but Charlotte scowls. Charlotte puts Sasha on the ropes, chokes her, then Shotzi tags in.
Shotzi runs side to side, but Sasha dodges the rope attack! Charlotte is annoyed, Sasha crawls away, hot tag to Toni! Toni rallies on Shotzi with forearms, then hits a BIG atomic drop! Then another atomic drop! Toni ROCKS Shotzi, whips, but Shotzi reverses, only for Toni to CLOBBER her! Toni runs in, stomps Shotzi down, the ref counts and Toni lets off. Toni drags Shotzi up, brings her around, scoops but Shotzi slips out to waistlock! Toni switches, Charlotte tags in and Shotzi bucks free! Feed to Charlotte’s EXPLODER! Charlotte kips up and soaks up the heat as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Charlotte goes for the figure four, only for Toni to boot her into buckles! Toni crawls over, fans fire up, but Charlotte grabs at legs! Toni kicks Charlotte away again, hot tag to Sasha! Sasha KNEES Charlotte, then knuckle locks to go up and FLYING ARM-DRAG! Sasha dodges Charlotte, DECKS Shotzi, but Charlotte fights off the backstabber to tilt-o-whirl- Sasha CROSSBODIES out of it! Cover, TWO! Charlotte goes to a corner, Sasha runs in to METEORA! Then side to side for a KNEE! Sasha drags Charlotte to a cover, TWO! Sasha grows frustrated but fans rally up. Sasha slaps Charlotte around, throws forearms, but Charlotte hits back!
Fans fire up as the forearms go back and forth, Sasha gets the edge but Charlotte shoves and kicks back! Charlotte brings Sasha around to back suplex, but Sasha lands out of it to an O’Conner Roll! TWO, Sasha runs to wheelbarrow and BULLDOG! Charlotte is in a drop zone, Sasha goes up top! Toni tags in, Charlotte stands up, Charlotte avoids Meteora! Shotzi gets in, Sasha gives her a BACKSTABBER! Charlotte throws Sasha out but Toni’s up top! CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte escapes but Toni gets her right back up to bring her around! Charlotte pulls hair to then BUCKLE SHOT Toni down! Charlotte digs her boots in but lets off as the ref counts.
Charlotte drags Toni to a drop zone, steps on Toni on the way to the corner, and Charlotte goes up top. MOONSAULT, but Toni moves! Toni gets KNEES up for the standing moonsault! O’Conner Roll, with a BRIDGE! Toni & Sasha win!!
Winners: Toni Storm & Sasha Banks, by pinfall
Last week, Charlotte got herself disqualified! But this week, you can’t deny that Toni’s time is coming! Will she get an even bigger win when it’s for the title?
HAIL! KING WOODS!
Xavier sits on his throne as Kofi, Rick Boogs, Shinsuke Nakamura and more rock out. He says their admiration is appreciated. He bestows upon them the honor of kissing the royal fingers. Boogs kisses the hand. But “Hear ye, hear ye.” The Usos come in. Is this your king?! Where’d Woods get that crown? He looks like a cosplayer, pretending a lot. oh the ogres are here! Was it not last week that they got a royal beating upon their buttocks? Then New Day will gladly beat them again before Day 1 where they become the W! W! E! World! Tag! Team! Champions~! Then the Usos accept. They’ll beat New Day tonight, then beat them at Day One.
Oh, clever play off the catchphrase. Begone! The New Day laugh the Usos out, but who will be having the last laugh here in Chicago?
Natalya watches a highlight reel of last week.
Namely, of Xia Li coming to help Naomi fight off her, Shayna Baszler & Sonya Deville. Megan walks in to ask Natty about it, but Natty wants Megan to understand who she is talking to. She is talking to a Guinness Book of World Records record holder! She has had the most matches and PPV matches of any woman in WWE history. And yet Megan’s asking about Xia Li? “The Protector?” Xia had the audacity to viciously attack Natty and call that protecting Naomi. No no no. Not here. Xia is a nobody and Natty is the Best Of All Time! If Xia ever steps to Natty again, Xia will need a protector! Is the Queen of Harts betting too much on herself?
The Viking Raiders VS Jinder Mahal & Shanky!
While we know Day 1 has New Day VS Usos, these two teams plan on being ready for the day after! Will Erik & Ivar or the Modern Day Maharaja and sidekick be one step closer to the titles?
SmackDown returns and Jinder & Shanky make their entrance. But a Raw recap took up a lot of time, so SmackDown goes back to break.
SmackDown returns again, and the Viking Raiders mug Jinder in their corner. Ivar Mongolian Chops Jinder, then tags in Erik. Ivar KNEES Jinder, Erik KNEES Jinder! Erik and Shanky stare down, but then Erik dodges Jinder, only to run into a KNEE! Tag to Shanky, Jinder feeds Erik to Shanky’s BOOT! Shanky scoops Erik for a SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Shanky drags Erik back up, bumps him off buckles, then elbows Erik down. Shanky elbows and KNEES Erik down! Shanky stays between the Vikings, fans rally up, and Erik throws body shots! Shanky shoves, CHOPS Erik, then CLOBBERS him! Cover, TWO!
Shanky drags Erik up and over, tag to Jinder, then Shanky throws another elbow. Jinder throws body shots then CLUBS Erik down. Jinder CLUBS Erik, Erik hits back with forearms! Jinder fires off, then stomps Erik down! Jinder digs his knee in, then drags Erik up to CLOBBER him! Jinder clamps on a chinbar and armlock but Erik endures. Fans fire up, Erik throws hands but Jinder ROCKS him! Jinder whips, Erik goes up and over and rolls, hot tag to Ivr! Ivar ROCKS Jinder, then CLOBBERS him! Scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Ivar keeps moving, BASEMENT CROSSBODY! Fans fire up, Ivar hits Shanky, but Shanky just scowls!
Jinder hits Ivar from behind, then whips, but Ivar cartwheels to LARIAT! Tag to Erik, Ivar scoop SLAMS Jinder! Erik scoop SLAMS Ivar onto Jinder! Cover, TWO! Erik drags Jinder up, Jinder JAWBREAKERS! Tag to Shanky and he runs in at Erik, only to miss in the corner! Tag to Ivar, Ivar runs in to clothesline Shanky! Erik DOUBLE KNEES Shanky down! Erik hoists Ivar up, ASSISTED HIP ATTACK Jinder gets in, Erik hits an EXPLODER! Ivar is up top, aiming at Shanky, VIKING SPLASH! Cover, the Viking Raiders win!
Winners: The Viking Raiders, by pinfall
Erik & Ivar win, they’re ready to RAID! Will it be the Usos or the New Day who are in the way of this warpath?
Happy Corbin & Mad Cap Moss still have Adam Pearce’s desk.
And with it, they still have Drew McIntyre’s claymore sword! They’re heading for gorilla, what will they do to the sword in the wood?
Heyman greets the car that pulls into the arena.
But it isn’t Roman Reigns. It’s BROCK LESNAR! Good ol’ Advocate! Heyman says he was expecting someone else. Oh, that’s alright. Maybe Roman, huh? Good luck with that. Lesnar pats Heyman on the shoulder and Heyman says thanks. But is this only going to turn up the heat on the Special Counsel?
SmackDown presents an all new Happy Talk!
Corbin & Moss make their entrance, then go to the ring. The desk is already there waiting, and Corbin welcomes the fans back to his show. If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands! This week, Corbin is extremely happy because of the new addition to the set. To Drew McIntyre, this sword is just a sword. But to Corbin, it is a multi-functional and highly expensive piece of furniture. It’s a hat rack, a cigar cutter, maybe even a nail file. Be careful, though! But the fact of the matter is, Corbin couldn’t be happier. Though, they could bring this to another level with one of Moss’ jokes!
“What do you call Drew McIntyre when he leaves his sword behind in a desk? The Glasgow Ditz.” Fans boo but Moss has another one. “Where can you find a discount kilt? I don’t know. Ask bargain basement Braveheart!” Here’s another one. “Why did Drew McIntyre’s girl decide to wear a suit? He thought someone should wear the pants in the relationship!” Corbin says Moss is amazing. He was going to leave the sword in the desk, but Moss should have it to go with his razor wit. Moss is honored, and he goes to pull the sword out of the desk, but it’s stuck! Corbin thinks Moss is joking around but Moss says he really can’t get it out.
Corbin gives it a try, and even Corbin can’t remove the sword! They both try, but it’s really in there. So here comes McIntyre! McIntyre smirks at the futile efforts of Corbin and Moss. McIntyre goes to the ring, and he says, “What’s the matter, lads? Are we having some performance issues?” Moss swings on McIntyre but gets DECKED! McIntyre throws Moss out then HEADBUTTS Corbin! There’s the Glasgow Kiss! McIntyre takes hold of the sword, and he removes it in one go! So does McIntyre rule all of England or something? McIntyre aims at Corbin but Moss gets him out of there before we end up with two halves of Corbin! Will Corbin & Moss learn to stop joking around for once?
Sonya Deville & Adam Pearce are visited by Sami Zayn.
They’re surprised Sami’s alive. And that he’s also not wearing the neck brace or leg cast… Sami’s lawyer said he no longer needed it. Wait, lawyer? Not doctor? Uh, doctor, right! Anyway, not the point. Sami just came by to wish them a happy holiday. Oh, really? Yes, really! Sami may not like the commercialization of the holiday, but he cares about the spirit. Such as the spirit of giving. So he wants something? No! He earned a Universal Championship match but was robbed of it when Lesnar decimated him and left him for Roman to pick the bones. So how long will it take for Sami to get his real opportunity? Because he remembers being robbed of the Intercontinental Championship a YEAR ago!
Sonya & Pearce know Sami loves the Intercontinental Championship, so they can give him something. Next week, Sami will be in a 12 Days of Christmas 12 Man Gauntlet. Winner faces Shinsuke Nakamura for the Intercontinental Championship. Not much of a gift, though. But it’s the gift that keeps on giving! Okay, okay, fine. Happy holidays, Sami! Sonya & Pearce are excited, but will the Great Liberator even survive to the end of such a match?
Ridge Holland w/ Sheamus VS Cesaro!
The Northern Grit has been learning from the Celtic Warrior, a truly great and accomplished superstar. But is Ridge about to learn something from the Swiss Superman that not even Sheamus can teach him?
Sheamus being in the ring makes Cesaro wary, but it’s to distract Cesaro! Ridge CLOBBERS Cesaro with his Billy club! Sheamus laughs at Cesaro’s pain, and then he and Ridge soak up the heat. Cesaro bails out to catch his breath, will he be okay to compete after the break?
SmackDown returns and Cesaro’s ribs are all taped up now. He says he’s still good to go, and he gets in the ring while the ref has Sheamus and Ridge keep their distance. The bell rings, Ridge RAMS Cesaro right to a corner! Ridge throws knees and then he throws body shots! Cesaro drops to a knee, Ridge grins and brings Cesaro up to KNEE him low. Sheamus loves what he sees, and Ridge scoops Cesaro to hit a BACKBREAKER! “Look at the power, lads!” Ridge grins as he has a chinbar and leg for a modified Bow ‘n’ Arrow! Cesaro endures a knee in his ribs but fans rally up. Ridge then lets go to drop a knee into Cesaro’s back!
Ridge drags Cesaro up, headbutts the bad ribs, then reels Cesaro in for a cobra twist! Cesaro endures the stretch, and even the elbow in his side! Ridge CLUBS Cesaro, but Cesaro powers up. Ridge blocks the hip toss to throw another body shot! Cesaro EuroUppers, then hits a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up and Sheamus looks worried as Ridge goes to a corner. Cesaro runs in to EuroUpper, then back elbow, then fire off body shots. Ridge hits a body shot of his own! But Cesaro comes back to clothesline Ridge out! Cesaro goes out and EuroUppers Ridge against barriers! Cesaro says this is on Sheamus, and he puts Ridge into the ring.
Cesaro drags himself up but Sheamus distracts him again! Ridge hits the ribs, then scoops Cesaro for NORTHERN GRIT!! Cover, Ridge wins!
Winner: Ridge Holland, by pinfall
Sheamus celebrates with his protégé, but the Fella was definitely why Ridge won at all. Ridge literally KICKS Cesaro out of the ring, will Ridge and Sheamus look to run roughshod over SmackDown?
McIntyre looks for Corbin & Moss.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are~!” He wants to hear one of their hilarious jokes! Is the punchline going to be that McIntyre gets the last laugh?
Naomi heads to the ring!
She didn’t get her fair match with Sonya Deville, will she get any match at all tonight? Or will Sonya have another abuse of power up her sleeve?
SmackDown returns and Naomi has the mic. “So, every year, I make myself a little Christmas list. And each year, there isn’t ever much on my list, just like this year. There’s only one thing, and that is to face Sonya Deville one-on-one.” Naomi says Santa is here early and “Cruella” is listening. Sonya’s done everything but face Naomi, so how about she get out to the ring and they do this tonight?! Where you at?! Sonya walks out and says this is very unprofessional> She’s said it before and will say it again. When the suit’s on, Naomi can’t touch her. But that’s okay.
Instead, she has an alternate. Someone who has been literally begging to get in the ring with Naomi and is superior to her in every single way. It’s Shayna Baszler. Fine, but only if Sonya will step in the ring. Sonya gets in the ring, she just needs to take off the jacket. But then Shayna attacks from behind! And she goes after Naomi’s leg with elbow drop after elbow drop, then a LEG DDT! Ref, ring the bell.
Naomi VS Shayna Baszler!
Shayna drags Naomi around by the leg, and has a HEEL HOOK! Naomi kicks, flails, fights the grip, reaches for ropes, but Shayna drags her away. Naomi sits up to make it a cover! NAOMI WINS!!
Winner: Naomi, by pinfall
Shayna got cocky and got caught! When will Sonya gear up and actually take Naomi on for real?
Corbin & Moss are hiding.
But Megan finds them and asks them if she can turn on a light. No, turn those off! But McIntyre got his sword back and they didn’t seem very happy about it. So if he found them, they wouldn’t be happy? Corbin is always happy! He’s happy cuz he’s rich, he loves his life, and he can look down on commoners and smile. Corbin is happy because he’ll be laughing all the way to New Year’s. At Day 1, McIntyre will go 1v1 and LOSE… to Moss. Isn’t that awesome? Moss tries to laugh it off but he doesn’t like being the butt of the joke. Will New Year’s be what brings Moss & Corbin down for once?
The New Day VS The Usos!
Sure, they have a match at Day 1, but neither team wants to wait to shut the other up! Will this non-title match go through? Or does the Bloodline have a plan in mind?
SmackDown returns and the Usos make their entrance. The teams sort out and “Sir Kofi” starts against “Main Event Jey.” They tie up, Jey headlocks but Kofi powers out. Jey runs Kofi over, holds up a finger for #WeTheOnes, then things speed up. Kofi drops, hurdles, hurdles and jumps again but Jey stays back. Kofi catches Jey for SOS! Cover, TWO! Kofi kicks Jey at the ropes, CHOPS him, but Jimmy tags in. Kofi whips, Jey reverses but Kofi ROCKS him! Jey shoves Kofi into Jimmy’s ENZIGURI! Jey CLOBBERS Kofi, Jimmy gets in to drag Kofi up. Jimmy bumps Kofi off buckles and fires off haymakers! The ref counts, Jimmy lets off but Jey gets a shot in.
Jimmy drags Kofi up to ROCK him with an uppercut, Jey tags back in, and the Usos mug Kofi with a mule kick to the ribs! Jey tags Jimmy back in, Jimmy drags Kofi to wrap on a chinlock. Jimmy grinds Kofi down, fans rally up, and Kofi fights up. Kofi slips out but Jimmy keeps him from Woods. Kofi throws hands, then dodges to SUPERKICK Jimmy down! Fans fire up as Kofi crawls, hot tag to King Woods, but Jey distracts the ref!! The ref doesn’t see the tag so it doesn’t count! Jimmy drags Kofi back in with a chinlock, then feeds him to Jey’s LARIAT! The Usos soak up the heat and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns again and Jey hits Kofi while he’s up top! Kofi hits back, then SPLASHES Jey while he’s standing! Fans fire up, hot tags to Jimmy and Woods! King Xavier finally rallies on Jimmy, but Jey whips him to a corner! Woods BOOTS Jey the hits the HONOR ROLL! Jimmy whips but Woods tilt-o-whirls to a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Fans fire up with Woods and he runs to clothesline Jimmy out! Woods runs to WRECK Jimmy with a dropkick! Woods gets Jimmy back in the ring, hurries to the corner and climbs up, to SUPER LEG DROP! Cover, TWO!! Woods grits his teeth, drags Jimmy up, but Jimmy kicks. Woods blocks but gets the DRAGON WHIP!
Woods still dodges, Kofi tags in, Woods goes out after Jey but ends up getting TOSSED into barriers! Kofi leaps, Jimmy gets under, but Kofi gets Jimmy for S- NO! Jimmy powers out, dodges Trouble in Paradise and SUPERKICKS Kofi down! Cover, TWO! Jimmy is shocked but he tags in Jey. Woods gets in, distracts back so now the ref doesn’t see that! Jey argues, Woods shoves him down! Jimmy sings on Woods, but turns around into TROUBLE IN PARADISE! Kofi covers, New Day wins!!
Winner: The New Day, by pinfall
Turnabout is fair play! Will the Usos end up the same way at Day 1?
Now Roman Reigns arrives.
Heyman should’ve known he’d be in a Mercedes rather than a GMC. But Roman goes out the other side, not even allowing Heyman to open the door for him. “Let’s go to my ring.” Heyman follows his Tribal Chief, but what will Roman have to say about everything he’s seen since last week?
SmackDown says Merry Christmas next Friday!
Christmas Eve will see Toni Storm challenge for the SmackDown Women’s Championship, is it going to be a very merry #ToniTime? And the 12 men have been chosen! Sami Zayn, Drew Gulak, Mansoor, Cesaro, Ricochet, Jinder Mahal, Shanky, both Viking Raiders, both Los Lotharios and Sheamus compete in the 12 Days of Christmas Gauntlet! But who will be the partridge in a pear tree facing Shinsuke Nakamura at Day 1?
Roman Reigns heads to the ring.
Fans are torn as the Head of the Table and Special Counsel stand on stage. Roman holds up the Universal Championship and the pyro goes off. Then Heyman carries the belt as a banner as they get in the ring. Roman again holds up the belt for the second round of pyro. The Usos appear again, they must’ve stayed ringside after losing to the New Day. Heyman hands the mic over to Roman and he says, “Chicago. Acknowledge me.” Plenty of fans seem willing to do that, but many more boo. Roman says he’s said this before and he thought he made it very clear. “I don’t like it when my cousins lose.” He puts a hand on Jey’s shoulder and asks if he knows that. Jey does.
But they’re family. They can get through anything, because they’re blood. But Heyman, on the other hand… He’s not blood. And Heyman should know better than anyone that Roman can’t have people disrespecting him. You disrespect him, you disrespect the family. So Roman will ask these questions again because he thought he knew the answers, but… “Can I trust you, Wiseman?” Roman took a week off and yet he knows what happened. Heyman seems a bit shady. So to get it straight, did Heyman know Brock would return at SummerSlam? Did Heyman know Brock would be at Madison Square Garden? Did Heyman know Brock’s suspension would be lifted?
Heyman isn’t sure how to answer any of that and that upsets Roman. Chicago says Heyman screwed up, and Roman says damn right he has. But this is the most important for Heyman: Is he a Special Counsel? Or is he an Advocate? Heyman is again unsure how to answer. Fans are voting, “Advocate! Advocate!” Heyman wants the mic to speak, but Roman isn’t giving his up. So Heyman gets a different mic, and then takes a moment to think. He seems to be getting a headache. But Roman cuts Heyman off to make sure Heyman acknowledges Roman with the truth. “Why are you protecting Brock Lesnar from me?”
Heyman chuckles a bit nervously here. Heyman takes another moment, and he says, “My Tribal Chief, I’m not protecting Brock Lesnar from you.” Heyman quickly asks God for help on this last part. “I’m protecting you from Brock Lesnar!” Jimmy & Jey says that is disrespect! Roman hugs Heyman and says, “I love you, Wiseman. And I thank you for your honesty. And I thank you for 40 years of service to my family. And you’re fired.” Just like that?! And then a SUPERMAN PUNCH!! Roman terminates Heyman, and then has Jey get a chair for him! Wait, Roman wants another chair. Roman puts Heyman’s head on the first, and then holds the second.
BUT HERE COMES LESNAR! The Beast is here to save Heyman! Jimmy & Jey rush him but get CLOBBERED at the ramp! HALF HATCH for Jey! Then Brock fireman’s carries Jey for an F5!! Lesnar is fire dup but Jimmy SUPERKICKS him! But Lesnar is back up to F5 Jimmy!! Roman dares Lesnar to do something while he has a chair. Lesnar rushes in, Roman fires off with the chair! Again and again, but Lesnar still gets up?! F5 for Roman!! Chicago is going nuts as Lesnar looms over Roman! Fans want “One More Time!” so Lensar gets Roman up to F5 AGAIN!! Is The Conqueror back?! Will we see a NEW Reigning, Defending, Undisputed Universal Heavyweight Champion at Day 1?!
My Thoughts:
This was a pretty good SmackDown, but what an awesome ending! New Day VS Usos happening here just because was a great match but a weird booking choice. Of course, this is what happens when WWE cuts so many people that could have matches against Usos and New Day as tune-ups. Hell, they could’ve even had it be The Viking Raiders VS Usos and Jinder & Shanky VS New Day. But then I guess Roman’s segue of Usos losing and being family wouldn’t have worked out. Roman confronting Heyman and everything that stemmed from it was amazing. I love how much drama Heyman put into saying he was protecting Roman, given the match history between Roman and Lesnar.
Roman wanting to con-chair-to Heyman was a pretty wild tease, too, and Lesnar made an awesome save. There’s still a couple weeks, but I feel like this means Roman retains at Day 1. New Day winning against Usos also makes me think Usos retain at Day 1. I’m also surprised the SmackDown Women’s Championship won’t be on Day 1 with them having the match next week. The women’s tag that started the night was good, though it took a moment to get going. Toni and Shotzi had a hard time with, well, timing, but I think that’s because this was their first time meeting in the ring as opponents. Toni getting the win in this match surely means Charlotte retains for Christmas.
I do like that we’re getting something big for the Intercontinental Championship. A 12 Man Gauntlet is going to be a lot of fun, and probably half the show. Out of the 12 men, I doubt the tag teams are going to win, so that’s like half the field out of the running right there. Though, maybe Jinder could, I wouldn’t mind seeing Nakamura VS Jinder, maybe even Shanky VS Boogs on the side. I would think Sami finds a way to win, though, I would love seeing him interact with Boogs, too. Plus, Sheamus has a thing building with Cesaro after he helped Ridge win. I would think Cesaro still gets a tag partner to face Ridge & Sheamus at the same time. Mansoor? Ricochet? Drew Gulak since he’s still here somehow?
Naomi confronting Sonya just to get a filler win over Shayna was whatever, I feel like this should’ve been Xia Li having a match against even just a “local enhancement talent.” Natty did have a good promo calling Xia out, that will be a great match. Sonya might wait until Day 1 or even the Royal Rumble to face Naomi fair and square, and maybe still in some kind of stipulation match just so she can bend the rules to her advantage. Same goes for how McIntyre’s story with Corbin & Moss. The Happy Talk segment had fans chanting “CM PUNK!” because it took way too long to get to the point: Corbin & Moss can’t do anything with the sword and McIntyre gets it back. Day 1 has a match but it’s against Moss, so clearly they’re saving McIntyre VS Corbin for Royal Rumble.
My Score: 8.3/10
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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: ??? wins and will challenge for the AEW International Championship at Double or Nothing.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs; wins and
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 Canada via Manitoba, the Cleaner will return! 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?
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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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