Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 32 Results & Report! (8/5/22)
ACE VS KING!
This could be the biggest night yet!
The biggest G1 Climax in NJPW history perhaps has its biggest night yet! JONAH VS COBB, TANAHASHI VS EVIL, will anyone be left standing?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Tama Tonga & Jado VS David Finlay & Kosei Fujita; Tama & Jado win.
- Tom Lawlor & Royce Isaacs VS Will Ospreay & Great-O-Khan; Ospreay & Khan win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Suzuki-Gun; LIJ wins.
- 10 Man Tag: Chaos VS Bullet Club; Chaos wins.
- G1 Climax, D Block: Juice Robinson VS Yujiro Takahashi; Yujiro wins.
- G1 Climax, B Block: Taichi VS Chase Owens; Taichi wins.
- G1 Climax, C Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Aaron Henare; Naito wins.
- G1 Climax, A Block: JONAH VS Jeff Cobb; Jonah wins.
- G1 Climax, C Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL; Tanahashi wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current standings!
A Block
- Kazuchika Okada: 3-0, 6 points
- Jeff Cobb: 2-1, 4 points
- Bad Luck Fale: 2-2, 4 points
- JONAH: 1-1, 2 points
- Lance Archer: 1-2, 2 points
- Tom Lawlor: 1-2, 2 points
- Toru Yano: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
B Block
- Jay White: 3-0, 6 points
- Tama Tonga: 2-1, 4 points
- SANADA: 2-2, 4 points
- Taichi: 1-1, 2 points
- Great-O-Khan: 1-2, 2 points
- Chase Owens: 1-2, 2 points
- Tomohiro Ishii: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
C Block
- Hirooki Goto: 2-1, 4 points
- Hiroshi Tanahashi: 2-1, 4 points
- Zack Sabre Jr: 2-1, 4 points
- Aaron Henare: 1-2, 2 points
- Tetsuya Naito: 1-2, 2 points
- EVIL: 1-1, 2 points
- KENTA: 1-2, 2 points
D Block
- David Finlay: 3-1, 6 points
- Will Ospreay: 2-1, 4 points
- Shingo Takagi: 1-2, 2 points
- YOSHI-HASHI: 1-1, 2 points
- Juice Robinson: 1-2, 2 points
- El Phantasmo: 1-1, 2 points
- Yujiro Takahashi: 1-2, 2 points
G1 Climax, D Block: Juice Robinson VS Yujiro Takahashi w/ Pieter & Sho!
The Booster is reeling from his loss to David Finlay, and Tokyo Pimp is just happy to have his playmate back. But will Yujiro be even happier when he takes down the Rock Hard Juice? Or will the House of Torture suffer loss?
Yujiro and Sho offer a Too Sweet against Juice but Juice doesn’t trust them. He tells Sho to GTFO for one, but Yujiro and Sho still Bullet Club 4 Life. Fans applaud for it, and Juice steps forward. Juice throws up the Too Sweet, to kick Sho low and HEADBUTT Yujiro! Juice calls Sho a stupid SOB and throws him out! Then the bell rings and Juice JABS again and again as fans rally up, then puts some stank on the left. But Yujiro rakes Juice’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Yujiro whips Juice. Juice reverses but Yujiro KNEES him down! Fans applaud while Yujiro looms over Juice. Yujiro rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Yujiro lets off but Juice pushes him away. Juice goes to a corner but Yujiro knees low. Yujiro throws back elbows, then he runs corner to corner. Juice blocks the boot and he elbows Yujiro back. Yujiro runs back in but into a scoop and SNAKE EYES! Juice runs to BOOT Yujiro down! Fans fire up and Juice stalks Yujiro to a corner. Juice drags Yujiro up, bumps him off buckles, and fans rally as Juice JABS and CHOPS on repeat! JAB, CHOP, JAB, CHOP, and then Yujiro whips corner to corner. Juice runs in and clotheslines, Yujiro sits down! But Sho saves Yujiro from the cannonball! Juice is annoyed, he PLANCHAS!
Sho and Yujiro both get clear, Yujiro creeps up but Juice elbows him away. Juice dodges Sho, then he DOUBLE LARIATS them both down! Fans fire up while Juice snarls over the HOT boys. Juice drags Sho up by his ears and whips him hard into railing! Sho writhes while Juice shouts at him to stay out of this match! Juice then goes back to fetch Yujiro, and whips him hard into railing! And then again! And then again! Yujiro slumps over the railing, Juice scoops him and gives him another SNAKE EYES! Fans applaud while Yujiro falls down. Juice goes back into the ring to refresh the ring count, then he pulls up floor mats!
Fans rally as Juice stalks after Yujiro. Juice drags Yujiro up, reels him in, but Sho saves Yujiro from the driver! Yujiro back drops Juice right on the bare floor! Yujiro drags himself into the ring to leave Juice behind, and the ring count starts. Juice sits up at 4 of 20, but he grits his teeth as he drags himself up to stand at 10. Juice is in and fans applaud, but Yujiro is right on him. Yujiro knees low, CHOPS Juice against ropes, then runs to BOOT! Juice flounders, Yujiro runs, but Juice BOOTS, only for Yujiro to block! Yujiro trips Juice to then basement boot! Yujiro drags Juice back up, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally up while both men are down. Yujiro stalks Juice to ropes, reels him in, INCOLLE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Juice survives and fans rally up. Yujiro shakes his head and drags Juice back up. Yujiro fireman’s carries, but Juice grabs the ref! Juice gets out of the fireman’s carry, to then fireman’s carry Juice! But Yujiro CLAWS Juice’s face! Yujiro slips away and then CHOP BLOCKS Juice! Fans rally up while Juice writhes, but Yujiro drags him up. Yujiro reels Juice in but no Pimp Juice! Juice back drops Yujiro away! Fans fire up as Yujiro crawls to a corner. Juice snarls, warns Sho, and runs corner to corner, to clothesline Yujiro down!
Juice hurries to go corner to corner again, CANNONBALL! Direct hit and fans fire up! Juice snarls at Sho again, then drags Yujiro back up. Juice fireman’s carries, JUICEBOX! Cover, TWO!! Juice is furious with the count but the ref defends it was fair! Juice gets in the ref’s face and even corners him, but the ref still defends it was a fair count! Juice goes back to Yujiro, SENTON onto knees! Fans rally up as Yujiro undoes the blue corner’s buckle pad! The Bullet Club Special is in play! Juice runs in, and Yujiro takes the pad away! Juice hits the bare buckles! Then Yujiro run sin, SATELLITE DDT! Fans fire up with Yujiro and he drags Juice up, PIMP JUICE!! Cover, TWO!!
Yujiro can’t believe Juice survives but again, the ref says that was a fair count. Fans rally up, Yujiro drags Juice up, but Juice wrenches out! Full nelson, but Yujiro breaks it! Juice chicken wings and turns, but Yujiro turns it back! Juice spins Yujiro but Yujiro ducks to kick low! BIG- NO, Juice BITES Yujiro! Juice uses Yujiro’s favorite move, then he CLUBS Yujiro’s arm! Yujiro ducks the left but not the RIGHT HAND O’ GOD! Juice then drags Yujiro into the chicken wings, but Sho distracts everyone! Juice is furious, but Yujiro goes to waistlock! Juice switches it around, O’Conner Rolls, with tights! TWO, and Juice is sent at the ropes, but he blocks Sho’s wrench attack!
But Yujiro rolls Juice up! Cover, TWO!! Juice escapes but he has Sho’s wrench! The ref takes it from him, but Juice blocks the low blow! Juice gets Yujiro up but Yujiro fights, and BITES back! Fans applaud, the ref reprimands, and Yujiro slaps Juice’s hand into the ref’s face! And then Yujiro shoves Juice into the ref himself! The ref goes down, Yujiro gets his pimp cane! Juice hurries over, CANE SHOT LOW BLOW!! Then a PIMP CANE HEADSHOT!! Yujiro drags Juice up, for BIG JUICE!! Cover, Yujiro wins!
Winner: Yujiro Takahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Juice gains 0)
The Tokyo Pimp cheats Juice, but he needed a lot of help to get it done. Will Yujiro need the entire house’s help to take the block?
G1 Climax, B Block: Taichi w/ Miho Abe VS Chase Owens!
The Holy Emperor is not quite where he thought he’d be in the block, but at 1-1, he still has a chance. As for the Crown Jewel, he thought he’d have an easy payday against Jay White, but that didn’t go as planned, either. Will Chase make his money the right way this time? Or will Taichi be the one to pull off a heist?
Taichi shows off his dancing pecs and the fans cheer. Chase can’t but no one should hold that against him. The bell rings and fans rally up as the two stare down. Taichi eggs Chase on and Chase copies Taichi’s sumo stance. Chase backs off to get more “chalk,” and then he steps forward. But then Chase backs off again. Taichi keeps cool and the two step up again. Chase just kicks Taichi! And CLUBS away on his back! Taichi CHOKES Chase to a corner! The ref counts, Taichi lets off quickly, but Chase comes back to knee low! Chase throws Taichi out, then whips him into railing! Taichi falls over and Chase shoos Miho-chan.
Chase drags Taichi up with a headlock, to punch him! Chase then brings Taichi around to show commentary, headlock PUNCH! The ref reprimands but Chase stomps Taichi down. Chase sits Taichi up to throw punch after punch! Chase then CHOKES Taichi with a camera cable! The ref counts, Chase lets off at 4, and Taichi sputters. Chase then puts Taichi in the ring and drops a knee! And another knee! Cover, TWO! Chase CHOKES Taichi! The ref counts, Chase lets off, then he drags Taichi up. Taichi kicks Chase in the leg! And again! And again! Chase picks the ankle and trips Taichi for a GROUND DRAGON SCREW!
Chase shakes out his bad leg, drags Taichi back up, and he CLUBS Taichi on the back. Taichi kicks back but Chase ROCKS him with a right! Taichi CHOKES, but Chase CLAWS Taichi’s eyes! Chase brings Taichi around to CLAW Taichi’s back! Chase then ducks a back elbow to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Chase talks trash and slaps Taichi around. Chase drags Taichi up, ROCKS him, but Taichi KICKS back. Chase throws another forearm but Taichi throws another kick! Chase headlocks, Taichi powers out but Chase whips to run Taichi over! Fans rally while Chase shakes out his bad leg.
Chase drags Taichi up, hooks him up and hits a GUTBUSTER! Taichi writhes and clutches his ribs, but Chase paces around him. Chase asks Miho for a kiss, but she says no. Chase stomps Taichi in frustration. Chase asks for another kiss, but Miho tells him to shut up! So Chase rains down fists on Taichi! And throws knees! Chase goes back out and tells Miho to kiss him. She says no, so Chase says this is her fault! C-TRIGGER! Cover, but Chase lets Taichi up! Chase is staring Miho down to say this is all her fault! Taichi flounders to ropes and Chase wants Miho to watch. But Taichi dodges the C-Trigger and BOOTS! Then he dodges Chase to GAMANGIRI in the corner!
Fans fire up and Chase is dazed! Fans rally up behind “TA-I-CHI!” Chase rises, Taichi looms over him. Chase apologizes but Taichi KICKS and KICKS and KICKS him! Chase ends up in the corner but Taichi stands on his head! The ref counts, Taichi digs his boots in more, then backs off. Chase gets up, and throat chops Taichi! Chase CLUBS Taichi, whips him to ropes, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! Fans rally up behind Taichi and he reels Chase in for the DANGER- NO, Chase slips out to fire off a strike fest! Taichi SOBATS, Chase rebounds and LARIATS! But Taichi’s right up to AX BOMBER!
Chase gets up, but Taichi dodges to DANGEROUS SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! Chase survives but the fans rally up for Taichi. OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi aims from the corner, but Chase SUPERKICKS first! Both men are down and fans rally up. Chase goes to the red corner while Taichi goes to the blue. Chase runs corner to corner to forearm smash then snapmare. Chase keeps moving, Taichi ducks the Shining Wizard, but Chase sits on the sunset flip! TWO, Taichi has it, TWO! Chase SHINING WIZARDS! Cover, TWO!! Taichi survives and fans fire up! Chase drags Taichi up and scoops to SLAM! Chase then goes to a corner and climbs!
Fans rally, Chase leaps, but Taichi moves! Chase bails out of the King Kong Knee Drop, but he avoids the Yokozuna Elbow! Chase waistlocks but Taichi bucks him away. Chase BOOTS, Taichi GAMANGIRIS! Both men are down again and fans fire back up! Taichi grits his teeth and gets back up. Taichi roars, BUZZ- NO, Chase ducks, but Taichi gets around to waistlock. Chase swings a backhand but Taichi ducks it! Taichi gets Chase’s waistband but Chase fights the throw! Chase CHOKES Taichi! Taichi breaks free, but Chase fires off SUMO PALM STRIKES! Chase shoves Taichi back, eggs Taichi on, and Taichi runs in, into a C-TRIGGER!!
Chase gets Taichi up, tucks him in, but Taichi fights the driver to Alabama Lift! Chase fights that to try again, but Taichi fights again! Alabama Lift, BLACK- NO, Chase slips out and reels Taichi in Taichi wrenches out to get the waistlock, SUMO THROW! Fans fire up and Chase staggers, but he blocks the superkick to back elbow! Chase roars, but Taichi DECKS him!! Taichi drags Chase up, Alabama Lifts, for the BLACK MEPHISTO!! Cover, Taichi wins!!
Winner: Taichi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Chase gains 0)
Chase must regret not finishing Taichi when he had the chance! Taichi drags him up and Miho steps forward. Chase scrambles away before getting his comeuppance, will he be more careful next round? As for Taichi, will he finally get some momentum in the G1?
G1 Climax, C Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Aaron Henare!
Three matches deep and the Uncontrollable Charisma finally got on the board against his former friend, Evil! Meanwhile, the Ultimate Weapon started strong but has fallen since. Will Henare reload and redeem himself? Or will this be one ungovernable the United Empire can’t conquer?
Naito takes his time with his entrance attire, but Henare is patient. The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. Henare gives testing kicks but Naito stays clear. They approach, but Naito backs off. They go again, but then Naito backs off again. Henare storms forward in frustration and puts Naito on the ropes. The ref counts the ropebreak and Henare backs off, egging Naito on. Fans applaud as Naito stays cool and circles with Henare. They tie approach but Henare blocks Naito’s kick! Henare throws body shots, wrenches an arm, and whips Naito. Naito reverses and arm-drags Henare! Fans fire up and Naito kicks Henare to a corner.
Naito whips corner to corner, but Henare avoids the jump kick! Henare dodges a back elbow to then go up the corner, but Naito ducks the Flying Chuck! Naito comes back to RANA Henare and fans fire up as Henare bails out. Naito builds speed, but he fakes Henare out to tranquilo! Fans applaud but Henare is furious! Henare rushes in but Naito bails out now to troll Henare. Henare goes out after Naito but Naito kicks low and whips Henare into railing! But Henare comes right back! Naito kicks low again, whips Henare, but Henare reverses to send Naito into railing! Naito staggers and Henare runs him over!
Fans rally for Naito while he writhes. Henare stomps Naito, drags him up and then CHOKES him on the railing! The ref reprimands and counts, and Henare lets off at 4. Henare stares down Naito’s dad, then stomps Naito before dragging him up for a HEADBUTT! Naito staggers away, Henare CLUBS him against railing. Henare wrenches and knees Naito, then puts Naito in the ring. Henare paces, fans rally, and Naito stands. Henare KICKS Naito’s leg, KICKS again, then he fakes Naito out to DECK him! Cover, but the ref says no, that was a closed fist! Henare is upset, but fans rally as Henare rains down forearms!
Henare then shifts to get a HEEL HOOK! Naito claws at Henare but Henare twists the leg! Naito endures, claws at Henare more, but the ref reprimands. Henare pulls the leg but Naito rolls to the ROPEBREAK! Fans rally while Henare lets off. Henare looms over Naito at the ropes, drags him up, but Naito throws a body shot! Henare eggs Naito on so he throws more shots! Henare KNEES Naito low, and again, then runs, but Naito dropkicks him down! Fans fire up while both men are down! Naito gets up but Henare follows. Naito throws haymakers and kicks, then whips Henare to ropes to elbow him down! And then basement dropkick!
Fans fire up, Naito drags Henare up and whips him to a corner. Naito runs in to JUMP KICK! And then some stomps! Naito modifies Combinacion Cabron just for Henare, and still hits a dropkick! Fans fire up while Naito shakes out his legs. Naito drags Henare up, turns him, but Henare elbows free! Naito hits an atomic drop then runs Henare, for the NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, Naito gets up and brings Henare around. Naito cravats for a neck wrench, but Henare endures to throw body shots. Naito CLUBS Henare, whips him to ropes, but Henare reverses. Naito reverses back to enziguri but Henare ducks it! Henare gets the arms, MOTORCYCLE STOMP!
Fans rally up as Henare snarls and stands back up. Henare stalks Naito, then ROCKS him with a forearm! And body shots! And more forearms and shots in the corner! Fans fire up as Naito sits down, but Henare stands him up. Henare whips corner to corner, runs in and SHINING WIZARD! Snapmare and KICK! Naito writhes but fans rally up for him. Henare drags Naito up to KICK him down! Cover, TWO! Naito is still in this and Henare is frustrated. Fans still rally and Henare waits on Naito. Naito rises, but he ducks the heel kick! Naito shoves, kicks and TORNADO DDTs Henare down! Fans fire up while both men are down again!
Henare and Naito stir, but Naito sits up first. Naito brings Henare up and throws back elbow after back elbow! Henare drops to his knees and fans rally behind Naito as he stands Henare back up. Naito throws more back elbows, then lets go as Henare drops! Naito drags Henare up for even more back elbows! Henare ends up in a corner, so Naito puts him up top! Naito climbs up, CLUBS away on Henare, and then he climbs up all the way to SUPER STEINER! Fans fire up while Henare writhes, and Naito aims from the corner. Henare slowly rises, Naito runs in, CORRIENDO- BERSERKER BOMB from Henare!!
Both men are down, and the fans fires up again! Henare gets to ropes, drags himself up, and he storms over to Naito. Naito BOOTS Henare away, then BOOTS him again! Henare comes back, Naito dodges to SLAP Henare! Naito smirks as the fans fire up, but Henare just scowls. Henare HEEL KICKS Naito down!! Henare drags Naito to a corner, goes up the corner and flips everyone off! SUPER SENTON! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives and Henare grows frustrated. Fans rally up, Henare storms over and drags Naito up in a full nelson! Naito fights it off and arm-drags, then he elbows Henare to whip him to a corner!
Henare comes back, into Naito’s ROLLING KICK! And then the ENZIGURI! Naito whips, Henare reverses, Naito leaps, but into the half nelson! And then full nelson, ULTIMA!! Naito endures as Henare thrashes him around and the fans rally up! Naito starts to fade but he fights up, to jump and arm-drag! But Henare holds on! Henare puts on the body scissors! Fans rally as Naito keeps fighting and reaching out, but Henare keeps thrashing him around! Naito uses one last gasp for the ROPEBREAK! Henare thinks he won, but the ref says no, it was the ropebreak! Naito’s still in this. At least, maybe he is?
Fans rally up while the ref checks on Naito. Naito is conscious and he starts pushing up off the mat. Henare CLUBS Naito! And again! And again! Naito gets back up, Henare catches the punch to a half nelson! Then to the fisherman, and then the torture rack! Naito slips off but Henare throws a hard body shot! Naito falls and writhes, but Henare vows to end this! Henare fisherman’s and torture racks, STREETS OF- DESTINO!! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up again as Naito is back in this! Naito drags Henare up, brings him around, wrench and tilt-o-whirl, DESTINO!!! Cover, Naito wins!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Henare gains 0)
Naito’s comeback continues, and the Ultimate Weapon has been eliminated! Is there still a chance the G1 Climax can be tranquilo?
G1 Climax, A Block: JONAH w/ Bad Dude Tito VS Jeff Cobb!
This could be the biggest match in the biggest G1 ever! The Top Dog is 1-1 while the Imperial Unit is 2-1, but this could truly shake up the A Block! Will Jonah rock Cobb with Death From Above? Or will he end up taking a Tour of the Islands?
The bell rings and fans fire up as the two titans step to each other. They’re about the same height, but Jonah is colossal. Jonah shoves Cobb but Cobb shoves back. Jonah smirks and they tie up. They go around, but still in a deadlock, and they break. Fans applaud, they go again, and they go around again. They both dig in their heels, and then they both break. Fans applaud again and Jonah wants a test of strength. Cobb accepts the knuckle locks, and they go shoulder to shoulder. Jonah starts powering Cobb back, and Cobb drops to a knee! Cobb grits his teeth and fights up, but Jonah kicks low! Jonah headlocks but Cobb powers Jonah back.
Cobb powers out but Jonah RAMS him! They both stay up and fans fire up! Jonah eggs Cobb on, Cobb runs and RAMS Jonah, but again they both stay up. Fans fire up, the two RAM and RAM and RAM again and again and again! Fans fire up with each shot, but Cobb gets in Jonah’s face. Jonah shoves, Cobb shoves, then they back off to corners. They both run in and RAM, and they both bounce off the collision to fall out of the ring! Fans are thunderous as both men get back up. They stare at each other from across the way, and then they meet at the ramp side. They egg each other on, run and RAM each other again, and they both stagger away to the corners!
Jonah storms up on Cobb but Cobb throws forearms first! Cobb ROCKS Jonah, but Jonah BOOTS Cobb! Jonah gets up onto the apron, for a FLYING SHOULDER! Cobb tumbles to the corner! Fans fire up again as Jonah opens the gate to No Man’s Land. Jonah drags Cobb through to SLAM the gate door shut! Cobb writhe and Jonah holds up his hands. Red Shoes reprimands but Jonah leaves Cobb behind. Jonah fist bumps Tito and Tito talks trash but fans rally up for Cobb. Cobb manages to sit up and crawl as the ring count starts. Cobb drags himself up at 5 of 20, hobbles over at 8, and drags himself onto the apron.
Cobb stands at 12 but Jonah BOOTS Cobb back down! Jonah goes out after Cobb, to RAM him into the apron! Cobb writhes on the floor and Jonah looms over him. Jonah drags Cobb up, puts him in the ring, and then Jonah stands on Cobb at the ropes! Red Shoes reprimands and Jonah steps off. Cobb sputters and fans rally up, but Jonah twists Cobb’s ear then claws his face! Red Shoes reprimands again, Jonah lets off and KICKS Cobb in the side! Jonah then wraps on a rear bearhug! Cobb endures the squeeze as Jonah leans on him. Jonah drags Cobb up but Cobb throws back elbows. Cobb goes to ropes, but Jonah runs in to kitchen sink knee Cobb down!
Fans rally up for Cobb but Jonah shakes his head. Jonah drags Cobb up, but Cobb throws body shots! And a CHOP! Jonah knees low, runs, but Cobb SPLASHES at the ropes! A bit double-edged, but Cobb gets moving. Jonah SPLASHES at the ropes, then runs, but Cobb dodges and LARIATS! But with all that momentum, Cobb tumbles out of the ring! Fans rally up and Cobb gets back in the ring. Cobb reloads and runs in but Jonah dodges. Cobb dodges and DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide!! Like two buses crashing! Fans are fired up as both men sputter on the mat. Cobb and Jonah slowly rise, and they go head to head on the mat.
Jonah ROCKS Cobb, but Cobb ROCKS Jonah! Jonah throws a body shot, but Cobb CHOPS! Jonah CHOPS, Cobb throws forearms! Jonah gives the forearm back, but Cobb hits back again. They go back and forth and fans fire up with every shot! Jonah wobbles, Cobb ROCKS him again! And again! Jonah staggers to a corner, Cobb fires off more forearms and more CHOPS, on repeat! CHOP CHOP, forearm forearm! Cobb lets off and fans rally again. Cobb whips Jonah corner to corner but Jonah reverses, only for Cobb to bounce off buckles and run Jonah over!! Fans fire up and Cobb aims at a corner. Jonah gets up, Cobb runs in and runs Jonah over again!
Cobb wants Jonah to get back up, and he does. Cobb runs Jonah over a third time! Fans fire up more as Cobb looms over Jonah. Cobb reels Jonah in, pump handles and lifts for an OVERHEAD SUPLEX!! Fans are thunderous after seeing that superhuman feat of strength! Cobb crawls, covers, TWO! Jonah is still in this but fans rally for Cobb. Cobb hauls Jonah up to whip to ropes! Jonah holds ropes, and BOOTS Cobb back! Cobb DROPKICKS Jonah back! Fans fire up for that feat of agility, and Cobb whips Jonah again. Jonah SPEARS Cobb down! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives and fans are thunderous again!
Jonah snarls, looms over Cobb and brings him up. Jonah reels Cobb in but Cobb fights off the lift! Jonah CHOPS Cobb to a corner, then CHOPS him again. Jonah runs corner to corner, but Cobb dodges the splash! Cobb storms in but into a back elbow! Jonah goes up to CROSSBODY, but Cobb catches him!? To then POWERSLAM! But Jonah rolls through it! TWO!!! Jonah hurries to SUPERKICK!! Cobb staggers, Jonah runs, to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Fans are thunderous again as Cobb survives! Jonah drags Cobb up and HEADBUTTS him to a corner. Jonah hoists Cobb up top to ROCK him, then climb up after him.
Fans rally as Jonah drags Cobb up. But Cobb fires off body shots! Cobb GRIZZLY MAGNUMS, but Jonah HEADBUTTS back! Jonah climbs up after Cobb again, and then to the very top! Fans fire up but also worry as Jonah hits a SUPERPLEX!!! The ring stays intact so Jonah goes up top! DEATH FROM ABOVE!!! Cover, Jonah wins!!
Winner: Jonah, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Cobb gains 0)
There was no Tour of the Island, there was only the tsunami! The Top Dog is now in second place, will he even conquer the Rainmaker? As for Cobb, can he pick himself back up after this quite literally crushing defeat?
G1 Climax, C Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!
The Ace of the Universe meets the King of Darkness in perhaps the most important match of their block! Evil lost to Naito but Naito lost to Tanahashi. Will Evil lose to Tanahashi, too? Or will this be the one time a King beats an Ace?
Evil and Dick Too Sweet, then Tanahashi shows off the muscles and the fans cheer. The bell rings and fans rally, “Let’s Go, Ace!” Tanahashi and Evil circle, they tie up, but Evil locks low! Evil headlocks, Tanahashi endures and pries free, to then power the headlock onto Evil! Fans fire up and now Evil endures the grind! Evil powers up but can’t power out as Tanahashi holds on tight! Evil tries again, and he pulls Tanahashi’s hair! Red Shoes reprimands but then Tanahashi pulls Evil’s hair! Red Shoes reprimands them both, but Tanahashi throws body shots. Tanahashi whips but Evil reverses, only for Tanahashi to elbow from the corner!
Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Direct hit, and the fans fire up for the air guitar! Evil bails out and fans rally with Tanahashi. Tanahashi goes to the apron but Dick creeps over. Tanahashi sees him, Red Shoes reprimands him, and Dick backs off. Tanahashi also sees Evil try the apron skirt trap and stays back. But then Evil trips Tanahashi off the apron! And then RAMS him into the timekeeper’s area! Abe-san goes down hard! Evil grabs a mic and while Red Shoes helps Abe-san, Evil CHOKES Tanahashi! Evil wants Tanahashi to give up but Tanahashi refuses! Red Shoes reprimands and Evil lets go. Fans rally up for “Let’s Go, Ace!” as Evil leaves him behind.
Tanahashi drags himself up the railing and hobbles into the ring. Evil stands on Tanahashi’s face but Red Shoes reprimands. Evil steps off, then drags Tanahashi up. Tanahashi ROCKS Evil, then again! And again! Evil whips Tanahashi into bare buckles! Dick took the buckle pad! Tanahashi writhes and Evil drags him to a cover, but Red Shores refuses to count! He knows what’s up with the buckle pad! Fans cheer but Evil is furious! Evil drags Tanahashi up and he tosses Tanahashi out. Evil then gets in Red Shoes’ face as Dick attacks Tanahashi! Dick puts Tanahashi in, Evil covers, TWO! Evil tries again, TWO! And again, TWO!!
Evil is furious again but fans fire up more. Fans rally, Evil kicks Tanahashi around, but Tanahashi fires forearms back! Evil rakes the eyes, so Tanahashi rakes Evil’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands both men, but Tanahashi whips. Evil reverses, but Tanahashi uses that to WRECK Dick with a dropkick! Tanahashi then dodges Evil to hit FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up more and Tanahashi drags Evil up. Tanahashi fires more forearms, then scoops and SLAMS Evil into a drop zone! Tanahashi goes up the corner to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Evil is still in this but Tanahashi keeps cool as the fans rally up.
Tanahashi waits on Evil to rise, then Tanahashi runs the ropes, but Evil ducks the slingblade! Evil blocks the kick, hands the foot to Red Shoes, then mule kicks Tanahashi down! Tanahashi writhes but fans rally up. Evil drags Tanahashi to the corner to POST Tanahashi up the middle! And then SLAM a leg into the post! Red Shoes reprimands, Evil “apologizes,” but then SLAMS the leg again! Red Shoes reprimands and Evil “apologizes” again, just to distract him from Dick digging a chair into Tanahashi’s leg! Tanahashi suffers but crawls back to center. Evil grins and stomps away on Tanahashi’s leg! Evil then drops an elbow on the knee!
Fans rally for Tanahashi but Evil still smirks. Evil gets both legs, steps through and turns Tanahashi over! DARKNESS SCORPION! Tanahashi endures the Sharpshooter as Evil drags him away from ropes and sits deep! Fans rally and Tanahashi fights up, to then crawl forward to the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud but of course Evil holds on until Red Shoes counts 4. Evil is frustrated, but he drags Tanahashi up to a fireman’s carry. Tanahashi throws elbows, blocks a kick, and hits a DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up and Tanahashi gets his legs moving. Evil crawls to ropes and Dick coaches him on, but Tanahashi runs in!
Tanahashi blocks the boot, has the leg, DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi then gets the leg again, GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And INVERTED GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Fans are thunderous, Evil shouts in pain, and Tanahashi keeps going! TEXAS CLOVERLEAF!! Evil endures, crawls forward and reaches out, but Tanahashi drags him from ropes! Fans fire up as Tanahashi sits deep! The bell rings, but Red Shoes says he didn’t call for it!! That was DICK!! That SOB tricked us all and Evil is free from the suffering! Red Shoes glares at Dick, and he EJECTS him!! The Young Lions drag Dick away! Why didn’t they do this from the start?
But as Tanahashi gets up, Evil gets a chair! Evil CHUCKS the chair at Tanahashi’s head!! Both men are down with Red Shoes none the wiser! Fans rally up for Tanahashi as Red Shoes returns, and he sees the chair. Red Shoes gets the chair out and lets things continue. Evil rises but fans still rally behind Tanahashi. Evil drags himself up the ropes and snarls. Tanahashi rises, Evil runs, to LARIAT! But Tanahashi stays up on sheer will alone! Fans fire up so Evil runs again, to LARIAT! But Tanahashi still stays up! Fans rally, the elbow pads come off and Evil runs, but Tanahashi dodges, only for Evil to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!!
Again, fans are thunderous and Evil is furious! Evil staggers to his feet, slashes his throat, and drags Tanahashi back up. Evil spins Tanahashi around, but Tanahashi fights through to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Fans fire up again as both men are down! Even Young Lions are pounding the mat to cheer Tanahashi on. Tanahashi stands, he brings Evil up and throws body shots. Tanahashi whips, Evil reverses but Tanahashi SLINGBLADES! And SLINGBLADES again! Tanahashi keeps moving, a third SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives the hattrick but Tanahashi hurries to a corner. Tanahashi climbs, HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, SHO yanks Red Shoes out!
Sho stomps away on Tanahashi, drags Tanahashi up and bumps him off bare buckles! And then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Sho bails out and ushers Dick to return, with another ref! Dick makes this ref get in the ring and Evil covers, TWO!! Tanahashi is still in this! And his kick-out sends Evil into the second ref! Dick gets back in the ring, and he says he’s gonna put one out on Tanahashi. Evil drags Tanahashi up, but here come MORE refs! One grabs Dick, just as Tanahashi kicks him away! Dick and the third ref go down! Tanahashi suplexes Evil and places him on the fourth ref, MAGIC KILLER!! But it sends the ref flying!!
Fans are thunderous as no less than seven people are down at ringside! But sadly, Sho isn’t one of them! Sho has his wrench, he rushes in, but Tanahashi blocks! They fight over the wrench but Dick uses his SPOILER CHOKER! Tanahashi MULE KICK LOW BLOWS Dick away! And then LOW BLOW UPPERCUTS Sho! Fans fire up again but Evil LOW BLOWS Tanahashi from behind!! Cover, but there’s no ref to count!! Fans laugh at the karma hitting Evil! Evil is pissed, is there no one to count this? Fans rally up, “Let’s Go, Ace!” but Evil drags Red Shoes up and in. Evil tells Red Shoes to do his job! Evil then drags Tanahashi up, fireman’s carries, DARKNESS FALLS!! Cover, TWO!!!
Fans are thunderous again as Tanahashi survives! Evil snarls and slashes his throat to say this is over! Evil drags Tanahashi up, reels him in and spinshim around, EVERYTHING- GROUNDED COBRA! Cover, TANAHASHI WINS!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Evil gains 0)
Evil is even more upset! He isn’t out of the running, but he isn’t anywhere closer to the top! But Evil throws Young Lions away, to drag Tanahashi up. Tanahashi LOW BLOWS Evil!! That’s what Evil gets! Will he get more of what he deserves as the G1 continues?
As for Tanahashi, after getting some ice and catching his breath, he gets the rest of the refs in the ring. All four refs stand with Tanahashi, and they all raise their hands victoriously! Tanahashi then gets the mic to say, “Agh…! Everyone, thank you for staying with us late tonight! Moments like these, every minute and every second is so, so important to me. Thank you very much. Out front, and in the back, even when it feels like we hit a wall, this energy keeps us going. So please, watch wrestling with a smile on your face and in your hearts as you continue to support us. Thank you all!” Fans applaud in thanks back to Tanahashi.
Tanahashi hears the “Let’s Go, Ace!” and he gets out his air guitar! Fans cheer and Tanahashi tells Matsuyama, “LET’S ROCK~!” Fans fire up as the air guitar concert is on! Tanahashi jumps, but again his legs are hurting. Fans still applaud, “Let’s Go, Ace!” and he stands back up. Tanahashi says, “Last one!” The fans cheer the encore, and then Tanahashi throws the air guitar to the fans. Fans still applaud, will Tanahashi give another encore? A fan throws their air guitar to him, and here we go! True last time for tonight! Big finish and Tanahashi throws the guitar back.
Tanahashi gets the mic back and says, “Everyone, sorry for overdoing it, even after I remarked how late it was. But I really wanted to give you all a show. Thank you very much. Finally, Matsuyama… AISHETEMASU~!” Tanahashi now leads the C Block, but will this win lead him to the semifinals?
Here are the new standings!
A Block
- Kazuchika Okada: 3-0, 6 points
- JONAH: 2-1, 4 points
- Jeff Cobb: 2-2, 4 points
- Bad Luck Fale: 2-2, 4 points
- Lance Archer: 1-2, 2 points
- Tom Lawlor: 1-2, 2 points
- Toru Yano: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
B Block
- Jay White: 3-0, 6 points
- Tama Tonga: 2-1, 4 points
- Taichi: 2-1, 4 points
- SANADA: 2-2, 4 points
- Great-O-Khan: 1-2, 2 points
- Chase Owens: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
- Tomohiro Ishii: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
C Block
- Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-1, 6 points
- Hirooki Goto: 2-1, 4 points
- Zack Sabre Jr: 2-1, 4 points
- Tetsuya Naito: 2-2, 4 points
- EVIL: 1-2, 2 points
- KENTA: 1-2, 2 points
- Aaron Henare: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
D Block
- David Finlay: 3-1, 6 points
- Will Ospreay: 2-1, 4 points
- Shingo Takagi: 1-2, 2 points
- YOSHI-HASHI: 1-1, 2 points
- Yujiro Takahashi: 2-2, 4 points
- El Phantasmo: 1-1, 2 points
- Juice Robinson: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
A great night for the G1 once again, and some real big results coming out of this. Yujiro beating Juice was a surprise, but of course it was with a lot of cheating to do it. Juice is now out because he lost to the current block leader, David Finlay. Even if Finlay and Juice both ended this 3-3, Juice would be second to Finlay. But oddly, fans in Matsuyama seemed more on Yujiro’s side than Juice’s, so they were actually fired up for Yujiro as opposed to other matches in this G1. We also got a great match from Taichi and Chase, and I had a feeling Taichi would win. Taichi’s bigger than just being 1-1 right now, and still bigger than Chase, he needed the win.
Naito VS Henare was great stuff, and of course Naito wins again. He can’t be out of the running right after his triumphant win last round. Naito takes Henare out of the running with this win, and keeps his own hopes alive, I’m pretty sure it’ll come down to the very last round for Naito. Jonah VS Cobb was awesome stuff! How could not it be with everything they were doing? And what a great surprise that Jonah won! I thought Cobb was getting this one to stay right behind Okada, but maybe it’ll be Jonah who is chasing after Okada and that top spot.
And of course, Tanahashi VS Evil was great stuff, both on the match and the overbooking. Getting the entire ref corps involved was great, and of course Tanahashi wins. Evil isn’t out but him losing puts the pressure on. Tanahashi has the lead for now but has yet to face Goto, who is still near the top. Tanahashi VS Goto could determine the block, though we did get that match just before Forbidden Door… Well, maybe Goto can build upon that, using how Tanahashi got the win to go for the AEW World title, so that Goto can’t let Tanahashi take another opportunity from him. This stuff is just heating up, I can’t wait for tomorrow’s next round.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?
Becky Lynch and Nia Jax want to finally put this to an end, so tonight on Raw, it will be a Big Time Last Woman Standing match! Will the Irresistible Force force the WrestleMania 40 match to change?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers; DIY wins and advances to WrestleMania.
- Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance; Candice & Indi win.
- Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet; wins.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy; wins and advance to WrestleMania.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Awesome Truth VS Indus Sher; win(s) and advance to WrestleMania.
- Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax; wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is here!
North Carolina State University fires up and bounces along with Main Event Jey, and Pat McAfee plays a dangerous game standing on the armchairs! From Bret VS Owen to Matt VS Jeff, we’re about to get Jey VS Jimmy in the third-ever Brother VS Brother WrestleMania grudge match! Jey gets the mic as fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey welcomes us to Monday Night Raw, and wants us to check this out. He knows his brothers are somewhere in the building. He knows The Bloodline’s in the building. He knows how the Bloodline rolls! SO Big Brother Jimmy, where you at?! Where you at, Uce!?
Jey waits for someone to show up somewhere, and the crowd spots them first! Fans boo as Jimmy & Solo make their way from the back of the stands. Jimmy gets a mic and goes to the apron while Solo paces around the outside. Fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” again as Jey puts the sunglasses aside. The Usos stare each other down, the fans now chant “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey wants to say something, hesitates, but then says these two would always get to it but they always knew how to shake right back to this. But now it’s different. Regardless of what happened, the bad blood between them, Jey misses his brother. He does.
Jey knows Jimmy will say what he wants, but Jey doesn’t talk to him no more, doesn’t ride with him no more, doesn’t even see him no more! Jimmy can just come back. Jimmy says he never left! He protected Jey! Jey’s so dumb, he can’t see it! Jimmy is protecting Jey! It was Jey’s idea to leave The Bloodline, but Jimmy helped because he is Jey’s brother. So yeah, Jey leaves, and what happens? Lil’ Bro becomes the BIGGEST star on the Raw roster! Lil’ Bro becomes the top merch seller! Lil’ Bro goes off to become a tag team champion without Jimmy, but with CODY RHODES!? Who left who, Uce?
Jey forgot Jimmy! Everything Jey did that was big was cuz of Big Bro Jimmy! Everything! So listen loud and clear. The biggest moment in Jey’s career, the BIGGEST moment, is because of Jimmy! Jimmy stares Jey down, but Jey says no. Jey’s biggest moment in his career is going to be his dream match at WrestleMania 40: Jey VS Jimmy, and Jey knocks the yeet out Jimmy’s ass! Jey DECKS Jimmy, DECKS Solo off the apron, but then Jimmy SUPERKICKS Jey down! The fans boo but now Solo storms in and looms over Jey. Solo drags Jey up so Jimmy can look him in the face and tell him that Jey needs to get it right! JIMMY made Jey!
But here comes Cody Rhodes! The fans fire up as Cody DECKS Jimmy, then gets in to springboard and CODY CUTTER Solo!! The American Nightmare said he was gonna be a Bloodline Hunter, and he made sure they didn’t take out Jey! Cody tells The Bloodline it is only a matter of time before they lose it all at WrestleMania! Will Jey prove that younger or older doesn’t matter when he is the BETTER brother?
Adam Pearce is on the phone.
He’s telling Nick Aldis to stop being a hypocrite, telling Pearce to keep his roster in check when this is happening. But then Paul Heyman walks over and Pearce says he’ll call Aldis back. Pearce then asks Heyman what was all that, and Heyman says he owes Pearce an apology. He is sorry. That was not authorized by The Final Boss nor The Tribal Chief, and certainly not by Heyman. Jimmy & Solo went into business for themselves so Heyman apologizes. But listen, Pearce knows that there have been flight delays all day. Even private jets like theirs. Heyman is barely even dressed for TV, let alone has his make-up!
Pearce says those two were ready. Yeah, well, they got in on a different flight. But Roman Reigns is a chief of his word. Those two are already gone, out of the arena, and Pearce has Roman’s word. Call his bluff, put out a search party. Pearce knows Heyman is here on official business, which Heyman will handle, and then be gone. That is it. But when Heyman does his official business… everyone will be caught off guard. “And Mr. Pearce, sir, that’s not a prediction. That’s a spoiler.” The Wise Man heads out and calls Roman, but just what is Heyman teasing?
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers!
Unlike SmackDown’s mini-tournament, Raw and Adam Pearce say it’s win and you’re in! Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano want one more shot at Judgment Day, but so do Julius & Brutus! Will the Sicilian Psycho & Johnny Wrestling prove that when it comes to Mania Moments, you gotta do it yourself? Or will the Creeds be bringing golden tickets to the Diamond Mine?
Raw returns as The Creeds make their entrance. The teams fist bump to show respect, then the teams sort out. Julius starts against Ciampa, they circle and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, Ciampa goes for a waistlock but Julius facelocks. Julius wrangles Ciampa to the mat, flips him over, ONE, and Ciampa keeps moving. They trade facelocks, gator roll, and Julius gets another lateral press. ONE, but Julius gator rolls Ciampa around. Ciampa fights up, puts Julius on ropes, and the ref counts. Ciampa lets off, then CHOPS! Julius shoots in for the takedown! Julius has a leg, Ciampa fights but Julius turns him for the ANKLE LOCK!
Ciampa scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, and Julius lets off cleanly. Ciampa bails out, shakes it off, and he gets back in. They go again, Julius hits a fireman’s carry takeover! Tag to Brutus, and Julius feeds Ciampa to another fireman’s carry takeover! Brutus cording holds but Ciampa endures. Ciampa fights up, but Brutus facelocks. The fans rally as Brutus switches and rolls Ciampa. Ciampa fights up, headlocks, then ROCKS Brutus! Brutus DECKS Ciampa, then whips him to ropes. Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges, tag to Gargano! Ciampa slides, CHOPS, Gargano LARIATS and Ciampa JAWBREAKERS! Wrench and LARIAT!
Julius runs in, Gargano kicks and Ciampa gives him the boost for SLICED BREAD! The Creeds bail out, but DIY DOUBLE PLANCHA! Down go the Creeds, and DIY applaud and pat themselves on the back. The fans fire up and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Ciampa has Julius in a chinlock. The fans rally, Julius fights up to throw body shots, but Ciampa hits a back suplex! Julius lands out of it, but Ciampa elbows him away. Ciampa drop toeholds Julius, gets legs, but Julius BOOTS Ciampa away! Hot tags to Gargano and Brutus! Brutus rallies on DIY, TOSSES Gargano, then blocks Ciampa’s kick to get under and POWERBOMB him! Brutus sees DIY regroup, then he runs in to SPLASH them both! O’Conner on Ciampa, but Gargano runs up! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Brutus has a DOUBLE BRIDGE, TWO!! Tag to Julius and he gut wrench SLAMS Brutus on Ciampa!
Brutus helps Julius flip up and over to SPLASH onto Ciampa! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Julius drags Ciampa up. Ciampa throat chops! A bit dirty but Ciampa wants that win! Ciampa storms up on Julius, but Julius basement stalling suplexes!! The fans are thunderous, Gargano runs in, but Brutus intercepts! Brutus suplexes Gargano now, stalls, and then the Creeds SLAM and kip up! Then they both STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ciampa stays in this for DIY but the Creeds keep cool. Julius stomps Ciampa, tags Brutus, and they KNEE Ciampa around! Then they DOUBLE GUTBUSTER! Ciampa sputters but Brutus tags Julius in.
Julius drags Ciampa up, tags Brutus back in, and Brutus climbs. Julius Electric Chair Lifts, but Gargano makes the save! Gargano ROCKS Julius, Brutus ROCKS Gargano! Ciampa BOOTS Brutus, Gargano swings on Julius but is sent into Ciampa! Ciampa pushes Gargano back so he can ELBOW Julius! DIY set up again but Brutus stops the Sliced Bread! Julius DECKS Ciampa, KNEE into the WIDOWMAKER! Julius scrapes Gargano out, Brutus POUNCES Ciampa over the desk! Pat fires up with Brutus and so do the fans! The Creeds say they run this now, and then Brutus drags Ciampa up while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Julius has Ciampa in a chinlock. Ciampa fights up, and he JAWBREAKERS free! Ciampa ELBOWS Brutus down, BOOTS Julius, then runs up, only for Julius to catch him and toss him back! But then Ciampa catches Julius for a REVERSE DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down and crawling! Hot tag to Gargano! Gargano slingshots to KICK Julius, then he CLOBBERS Brutus! ENZIGIRI for Julius, then he runs to DOUBLE KNEE Brutus! BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up with Gargano while Julius ends up in another corner. Gargano runs in but is put on the apron!
Gargano GAMANGIRIS Julius, SUPERKICKS Brutus, then SLINGSHOT SPEARS Julius! Cover, TWO! Julius survives but Gargano puts him in a corner. Gargano CHOPS, then hoists Julius up top. Tag to Ciampa, Ciampa CHOPS Julius while Gargano DIVES onto Brutus! Ciampa CHOPS Julius again, goes up top, and fireman’s carries! Ciampa then tucks Julius in for the SUPER AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!! Julius survives again and shocks Ciampa! The fans are just as stunned, but Ciampa and Julius sit up. Ciampa stands, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! Julius sits back up as Ciampa puts some stank on the CHOP!
Julius brings the straps down! Julius fires a forearm, Ciampa hits back, and the fans fire up as the shots keep going! They go faster and faster, harder and harder, meaner and meaner! The fans fire up as this just turns into a brawl of haymakers and SLAPS! Ciampa then gets around, ripcord and HAYMAKER! ROLLING- TACKLE from Julius! And then the ANKLE LOCK!! Ciampa reaches out, moves around, but Gargano runs up! Julius kicks him, then gets him up with one arm to POWERBOMB! Then it’s back to the ANKLE LOCK on Ciampa! Brutus gets in to get Gargano for an ANKLE LOCK of his own!
The fans are thunderous as DIY endures! Ciampa and Gargano fight, turn things over, SICILIAN CROSSFACE and GargaNO Escape!! The fans are thunderous as The Creeds power up and lift both DIY! They fireman’s carry, then TOSS DIY into each other!! The fans are thunderous as Julius goes up to MOONSAULT onto Ciampa! Brutus MOONSAULTS, too! Cover, TWO?!?! Ciampa survives and the fans are loving this! Julius tags back in, Brutus climbs up! “This is Awesome!” as Julius Electric Chair Lifts Ciampa! But Ciampa VICTORY ROLLS to get under the Brutus Ball!! Cover, Brutus tips it! Gargano TOSSES Brutus then SUPERKICKS Julius!! Ciampa has the cover, DIY WINS!!
Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)
Julius can’t believe it! He kicked out at 3.1, but a loss is a loss! And for the first time ever, DIY is going to Mania! Will Philadelphia soon be historic for a DIY championship victory?
Judgment Day meets backstage.
Rhea Ripley is with Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor & JD McDonagh, but also Andrade. Dom says he’s always liked Andrade’s style, but things have changed since the last time he was in the WWE. The Judgment Day runs Raw now. Rhea says yeah, and they don’t extend invitations to just anyone. Judgment Day is very exclusive. JD says very exclusive. But if Andrade continues to impress them, they’ll see about making things happen. And Finn says he just heard that Andrade has a match next week, so the Judgment Day will be watching him. Sounds good. See you next week. But then in steps Damian Priest.
The Punisher says hello to El Idolo, and El Idolo says hello to Senor Dinero. Andrade heads out, will he quite literally win his way into the club? But as for Priest, Finn asks him what he was up to. Priest was getting a closer look at that DIY VS Creeds match. DIY won, but whatever, they can handle those guys. But JD, they thought he could handle Ricochet last week, and run the gauntlet, and then go to WrestleMania to bring even more gold back to Judgment Day. JD says he did he belonged in there. But also, he battered Ricochet, who got lucky at the end there. Right, Finn? Finn hesitates, and Rhea says Priest is right on this one.
Ricochet made a fool out of JD! A fool? Yes. A fool? Yes. That’s why tonight, Dom will make it right. Right, Dom? Yeah, Mami. Let’s go talk to Pearce to make it official. Dom & JD head out, and the others are confident Dom’s got this. But does he, though? Or will the One and Only have two wins over Judgment Day in as many weeks?
Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!
The Poison Pixie certainly lived up to that name last week when she bullied Maxxine Dupri as part of beating her and Ivy Nile last week. Will Candice’s toxic tongue strike again? Or will the party not be stopped by her harsh vibes?
The teams sort out and Candice starts against Kayden. Candice rushes up, Kayden gets around and O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Kayden springboards to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Kayden stalks Candice, Candice ELBOWS her away then tags Indi. Kayden dodges Candice to SUPERKICK, but Indi BOOTS Kayden! Cover, TWO! Indi drags Kayden up, tags Candice back in, and they mug Kayden. Candice CLUBS away on Kayden, fires off furious fists, then covers. TWO, and Candice grows frustrated already. The fans rally, Candice steps up but Kayden avoids the senton! Tags to Katana and Indi! Katana blasts past Indi, comes back and BULLDOGS!
Katana keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS Indi to a corner! The fans fire up as Katana stomps away on Indi! Indi shoves Katana, Katana runs corner to corner to A-LIST LARIAT! Katana shoves Indi down, runs up, but into a back suplex! Katana lands out, but her leg jams! The ref and Kayden check, then the ref keeps Indi back. Indi says okay, and she stays by Candice. But Candice tags in to WRECK Kayden! And she SLAMS Katana’s leg into the post!! HALF CRAB and DEEP! Katana taps, Candice & Indi win!
Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission
Candice smiles and celebrates with Indi, but Indi doesn’t want to. Candice says a win is a win, but just what is going on in her toxic mind?
Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.
NC State fires up again as The American Nightmare walks down the ramp, and this time the fans can sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro then gets the mic. “In less than three weeks time, I will stand opposed for the second year in a row, in the main event, with the lights on brightest, I will challenge for the WWE Undisputed Championship, against the greatest champion in all of sports, The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. And this Friday on SmackDown, Roman and I are going to have a little conversation, if you will. But there are… complications. Factors, elements, combustible elements, namely… The Rock.”
Fans boo but Cody says The Rock took to Instagram on Friday, and followed it up with “extremely entertaining” concert. Too bad The Rock didn’t wanna be here tonight. Something Cody took from the Instagram post: The Rock referred to himself as “Our Favorite Heel.” A bit of an inside term, but we’re not dumb, we know that means he’s the “bad guy.” Cody has known Heels. Bobby Heenan, Arn Anderson, Michael Hayes, “Superstar” Billy Graham, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair! Fans “WOO~” and Cody says he doesn’t think The Rock is a Heel. He’s just an assh*le. The fans go nuts hearing that!
Cody doesn’t want Rock getting upset, he doesn’t want the “seven bucks team” to get upset, he doesn’t want anyone getting emotional. Cody knows how Rock feels about emotions, he poked fun at Cody tearing up at discussing “finishing the story” with good friend, Michael Cole. There’s no crying in pro-wrestling, Jimmy Dugan, we get it. But hasn’t The Rock been crying behind the scenes this whole time? Once that hashtag came out, once fans chanted something else, The Rock cried to his buddies on the TKO board and said “Hey, this is gonna be some good PR for The Rock! I need to save WWE!” God knows, look at this house. They sure needed “saving,” huh?
The fans cheer but Cody says Rock wanted great PR. Until it wasn’t. TKO said OMG yes, put on the Gucci shirt, get those muscles looking big. It’s because they are Yes People, they are enablers, they won’t dare tell The Rock like it is, so Cody’s going to. Cody tells The Rock, “You’re a lot of things. You’re a lot of wonderful things. You are the Braham Bull, you are The Great One.” Cody still has shoes with The Rock’s logo on it! The Rock is the only guy Cody honestly feels is a Mount Rushmore wrestler. But he is also a terrible salesman, a carny succubus, and for those who don’t get what that means, The Rock is “a whiny b*tch!”
Fans lose their minds again but Cody says The Rock has been convinced otherwise. But don’t think that for two seconds this locker room needs The Rock more than The Rock needs it! That’s a rule of wrestling, nobody is bigger than the business! And sure, Cody brought up his mom, so it is fair game for The Rock to use that. But Cody knows The Rock’s mom. Here’s what Cody will tell us about The Rock’s mom. She is a wonderful lady, salt of the earth, she helped Cody chop Kevin in a dark match. Cody has nothing but respect for The Rock’s mom, something The Rock should’ve echoed back towards Cody’s mom.
But see, The Rock was talking about whipping Cody, handing a bloody weight belt to Cody’s mom, and normally someone as powerful as The Rock, Mama Rhodes would tremble. But The Rock doesn’t know Cody’s mom. Cody was more scared than she was, because she ain’t scared of nothing. This is the same woman who once jumped out of her chair at a Willie Nelson concert and beat up an undercover cop! She ain’t afraid of The Rock! Cody has been asked, April 6th, biggest tag match of all time, Rock & Roman VS Cody & Seth. Seth Rollins, the World Heavyweight Champion, a man The Rock should respect because that man has carried The Rock’s company!
How will Cody get past that match? How will April 7th look? Will it be a fair fight? Cody can tell us honestly… He doesn’t know. Cody does not know if it will be Bloodline Rules or not. Hell, he might not #FinishTheStory. “But Dwayne… What do you know? How can you be so sure of your own self, right?” The Rock hasn’t been in the ring in real action in years! April 6th, the bell is gonna ring, and what happens then? Is The Rock gonna bring The Great One, the hero we all had growing up? Is he bringing that #BigDwayneEnergy? Or is it gonna be LDS, Little D*ck Syndrome?! The fans chant “L D S! L D S!”
Cody says The Rock has referred to himself as The Final Boss. Kudos for that nickname, maybe he really is that. Maybe Cody is too naive to see it. But at WrestleMania, Cody doesn’t think The Rock will be The Final Boss. At WrestleMania, he’s just Roman’s side chick. But then ladies and gentlemen, his name is Paul Heyman, and he serves as The Wise Man to Your Tribal Chief, the reigning! Defending! Undisputed! WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman… Reigns! And as Special Counsel to the Bloodline, Heyman is here to say to Cody that the ideals that Cody and Heyman share are far greater than the interests on which they conflict.
By example, don’t you hate it when someone comes out to demand an apology? Not that Cody’s done that, but Heyman is still going to do that. Heyman came out here with some “friends” of his, and he apologized. For a Wise Man, that was pretty freakin’ stupid. One: because it didn’t work. Two: because it was just dumb. And for that, Cody, to you and the fans, Heyman humbly apologizes. Cody says whoa, whoa, whoa. He didn’t ask for an apology, and he certainly knows Heyman wants permission to be in the ring. Heyman is a Hall of Famer starting this year, if he wants into the ring, be Cody’s guest.
Heyman thanks Cody for that but he’s fine on the apron. He carries with him a message from The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Talk about Heels… You may think of Heyman anything negative you want, and that might be understanding the obvious. Heyman is not trustworthy, but Roman is a chief of his word. Heyman assures that this Friday on SmackDown, Roman will be face to face with Cody. American Nightmare, Tribal Chief, challenger and champion. And when they are face to face, there will not be a single other member of The Bloodline in sight. Except for Heyman, but he is no physical threat.
Heyman holds the title belt, the beads, whispers things in Roman’s ear, such as his love and respect. But Cody has Roman’s word that if he shows up on SmackDown, Roman will show up alone. Cody says Roman shows up alone, no Bloodline outside of Heyman, it’s a deal. They good? Heyman has some jet lag, he forgot one little point. And don’t boo him, he’s talking to Cody! Cody says yes they’re booing, and he’s about to go full Homelander and rip Heyman’s throat out if he doesn’t get to the point. Fans like the reference. Heyman composes himself and says if Roman Reigns shows up alone this Friday on SmackDown, then Cody must show up to SmackDown alone, too.
Cody steps closer to Heyman and Heyman is a bit nervous. Cody tells Heyman, “Deal!” They shake hands, and Heyman smiles. The Wise Man negotiated a purely one-on-one meeting between his Tribal Chief and American Nightmare, but can we trust Heyman was telling the truth about Roman telling the truth?
Nia Jax speaks.
“You know what I’ve realized? Becky Lynch has never beaten me. And after tonight, she never will. Because after I break her face again, I will be taking her spot at WrestleMania. I will finish business with Rhea Ripley, and not only will I walk out the Last Woman Standing, but I will become Women’s World Champion.” The Irresistible Force is ready for the Big Time, but will she A-Nia-late her?
Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!
It seems Pearce agreed to the idea that Dirty Dom should try and clean up The Irish Ace’s mess. Will Dom be able to get revenge on Ricochet? Or will Ricochet be the One and Only person holding their head high tonight?
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We’re just one step away from the Cup!
Cold Skull faces The Fierce Warrior, and Gene Blast faces The King of Darkness, and when the smoke clears, we will have our New Japan Cup finalists!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Boltin Oleg & Shoma Kato VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Mikey Nicholls; ZSJ & Mikey win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Tomohiro Ishii & Togi Makabe VS Just5Guys; Just5Guys win.
- Tanga Loa & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman; Loa & Taguchi win.
- Six Man Tag: YOSHI-HASHI, Toru Yano & Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Shota Umino, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & YOH VS The House of Torture; Shota, ELP, Leo & Yoh win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; LIJ wins.
- 2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL; Tsuji wins and advances to the finals.
- 2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto; Goto wins and advances to the finals.
PLAY BY PLAY
2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!
The Gene Blast overcame the tricks Ren Narita tried, but that’s because the House of Torture was saving all the good stuff so they could slay the Rampaging Dragon. Will the deck be even more stacked to make sure Everything is Evil’s? Or will Yota be one step away from LIJ VS LIJ at Sakura Genesis?
Well, Dick is making his way out here, but where is Evil? Oh, there he is. No tricks just yet it seems. But then Yota DIVES onto Evil! The fans fire up but Dick attacks Yota! Dick whips, Yota stops himself, and then scoops Dick for a BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Yota wants the bell. The ref says yes, ring the bell, and this is on the record! Yota stomps and CLUBS Evil, then whips, but Evil reverses! Yota hits railing, and then Evil whips him into more railing! Evil CHOKES Yota against the railing, Yota fights back, but the ref gets knocked aside! Evil puts Yota in so he and Dick can stomp away!
The fans boo but here comes the rest of the House already! Narita, Yujiro, Kanemaru and Jack all stomp away on Yota, but here come Bushi & Hiromu! It’s a replay of yesterday as LIJ fights off the House, but the numbers are still against them! The ref rushes in to tell everyone to stop! Evil shoves the ref out of the ring, Yota fires off on him, but Evil CLAWS Yota’s eyes! The House CHOKES LIJ, but the ref says stop! The bell rings, but what is the decision!? NO CONTEST!?
No Contest
What does this mean!? Someone has to advance, right? The finals aren’t until the 20th, how can there be a no contest? The House started this, where’re the consequences?! Yota gets up but Evil TOSSES him back out! LIJ regroups and Yota asks for a mic. Yota tells Evil that he’s sick and tired of this! They ARE gonna finish this match! The fans like the sound of that! All the refs come out, including Red Shoes, to discuss how this will be handled. For starters, they tell all the extras to get outta here! LIJ is cool with that, and Hiromu tells the House to come along. Evil says fine, and Jack, Kanemaru, Narita, Yujiro and even Dick reluctantly exit.
The announcement is officially made, and the bell rings! Yota and Evil rush in, Evil kicks low but Yota CLUBS away on Evil! Evil CLAWS the eyes! Evil kicks, runs, RAMS, but Yota rebounds to run Evil over! Then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Yota fires up and the fans are with him! Evil bails out but the fans rally for Yota. Evil wants Yota to stay back, then he slides in, only to slide right out! Yota runs out after Evil, but Evil kicks him! Evil RAMS Yota into the timekeeper! Abe-san and his table go flying! Evil gets the mic to tell Yota that this is what he gets! The fans boo but Evil tells them off, too! Evil stomps Yota then soaks up the heat.
Evil unties the blue buckle pad himself, then waits in the ring. The ref checks Yota and the fans rally up again. The Young Lions help Abe-san while Yota drags himself up. Yota slides in, the fans cheer, but Evil pulls on Yota’s hair! Evil wrenches the hair, then wrenches it again! And again! Evil CLUBS the hair! The ref reprimands but Evil just dusts off his hands. Evil covers, but the ref refuses to count! Evil is furious but he’s the one up to no good! The ref still says no, so Evil stands on Yota’s head. The fans rally up, Yota rises, and he grins as he winds up to ROCK Evil with a forearm! And ROCK him with another!
Yota ROCKS Evil again, but Evil whips him into the bare buckles! Yota falls and the ref reprimands about the missing buckle pad. Evil stomps Yota, covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Evil is annoyed. Evil scuffs Yota, taunts him, and drags him up. Evil CHOPS, Yota drops to his knees, but Evil stands him back up. Evil CHOPS again and Yota grits his teeth as he drops to his knees! Evil stands Yota up again, to fake the chop to CLAW the eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil lets off, and then Evil stands on Yota in a corner. The ref counts, Evil lets go of the ropes but that’s not the problem! Evil steps away, drags Yota up but claims he’s dead weight.
The ref checks, Evil stands Yota up and wrenches an arm. Evil whips Yota into a corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Evil runs in again, blocks the boot, but Yota brings Evil in for the STOMP! The fans fire up while Yota rests on the mat. The fans rally up and Yota rises again. Evil’s in the corner, runs out, but into the BACKBREAKER! COMPLETE SHOT! STOMP! The fans fire up again as Yota stands back up. Yota runs, to CURB STOMP!! Yota roars and the fans fire up again! Evil flounders while Yota aims. Yota runs in, but the ref is used as a shield! Evil kicks Yota low, then uses the ref in MAGIC KILLER!
All three men are down while the fans rally up again. Evil stands, he brings Yota up, and the ref also rises. Evil whips Yota into the bare buckles, then clotheslines him in! Then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, but Evil lets off?! Evil wants to torture Yota but it’s hard to say if Yota is still even in this. Yota opens his eyes, rises up, but Evil fireman’s carries! DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives, the fans fire up, but Evil is furious! Evil slashes his throat and vows to end this now! Evil drags Yota up, spins him around, but Yota fights the STO with elbows! Evil kicks low, whips again, but Yota stops from hitting buckles!
Evil runs in, Yota dodges and Evil hits the buckles! SUPERKICK!! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! We’re only ten minutes into this new match but this is on top of the madness from earlier. Evil drags Yota up, but Yota ROCKS Evil! Evil fights Yota’s fireman’s carry and CLUBS him, but both men wobble. Evil LARIATS, but Yota stays up! The fans fire up but Evil swings to LARIAT again! Yota drops to a knee, but he grins through the pain! Evil says alright, and he throws off his elbow pad. Evil runs to LARIAT! Yota grits his teeth to stay up! V-TRIGGER! Yota brings Evil in, suplexes, ORANGE CRUSH! Cover, TWO!!
Evil is still in this but the fans rally behind Yota again. Yota rises, drags Evil up, and then goes to the corner. Yota goes up and up and Evil moves the ref into the way! The ref takes the FLYING CURB STOMP!!! And now the House returns! The fans boo as Kanemaru, Dick, Yujiro, Narita & Jack all stomp away on Yota again! The fans tell them to go home, again, but these guys don’t care! They just put one out on Yota. They whip Yota to a corner, then DIck runs in to ELBOW! Kanemaru ELBOWS! Yujiro BOOTS! Jack SPLASHES! Narita ELBOWS! Then they snapmare and set Yota up! Dick climbs for the DICK CHOP!!
The fans boo but the House applauds their own dirtiness. But here come Bushi & Hiromu again! But they just get mugged again! They set Hiromu up for the DICK CHOP, while Bushi gets a JACK CHOP! The House then slithers away before a replacement ref rushes out here. Evil drags Yota up, winds up and runs, to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!! Yota survives and the fans are thunderous! Evil is at a loss for words, but he slashes his throat! He vows to end it for real, and he reels Yota in. EVERYTHING IS- Yota flips through!? And HEADBUTTS!! The fans fire up as Yota reels Evil in for a fireman’s carry! 70 CROSS!! Cover, TWO!!
Evil survives the swinging spinebuster and the House cheers! Yota drags himself to a corner, drags himself up with the ropes, and roars as he takes aim! Evil rises, but Yujiro distracts! Dick runs in, but gets a V-TRIGGER! The ref sees Dick, but misses the LOW BLOW! Then Evil RAMS Yota into the ref! That’s the second ref this match! Narita gets his push-up bar! The others set Yota up, but here comes SHINGO TAKAGI! The Rampaging Dragon has seen enough, and he’s still pissed from yesterday as it is! He dodges Narita to PUMPING BOMBER! Kanemaru & Yujiro kick Takagi, double whip, but he DOUBLE PUMPING BOMBERS!!
Jack gets in, but he gets ELBOW, JAB and YUKON LARIAT! Evil runs up but Takagi SWATS Evil’s lariat to JAB! Then feed to Hiromu’s SUPERKICK! Hiromu & Takagi set Evil up for Bushi’s BLACK MIST!! Evil can’t see, the PUMPING BOMBER turns him inside-out!! The fans are thunderous as LIJ helps Yota up! Red Shoes hurries out here, and Yota aims at Evil! GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, Yota wins!!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (advances to the finals)
The House of Torture ran out of tricks, and now there is light at the end of the tournament! Will Yota do LIJ proud and bring home the Cup?
2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!
One down, one to go. Yota Tsuji has made it through, now we see who joins him in the finals! Will the Cold Skull or Fierce Warrior be the one that steps closer to former glory?
The bell rings and the fans duel between “GO-TO-O!” and “SA-NA-DA!” Red Shoes measures the levels, and it seems to slightly favor Goto. Goto and Sanada circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Goto gets some leverage to put Sanada against ropes, but he lets off slowly. Goto pats Sanada on the shoulders and the fans cheer. The two reset, circle again, and tie up again. It’s another deadlock, but again Goto finds a way to put Sanada on ropes. Sanada turns things around, lets off slowly, and also pats Goto on the shoulders. The fans applaud and the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, then move to a clinch.
They fight for control, Sanada starts pushing Goto towards a corner but Goto slips away. They feel things out, knuckle lock again, then break. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, Goto waistlocks, but Sanada wrenches to wristlock. Goto rolls, wrenches, wristlocks, but Sanada spins, wrenches, only for Goto to roll! Goto gets a leg to trip Sanada up, and he has a toehold. Sanada fights back with a chinlock but Goto pulls on the leg. Sanada uses his free leg to hook Goto into an ARMBAR, but Goto clasps hands! Goto moves around, pops free, then headlocks. Sanada fights up, Goto grinds the headlock, but Sanada throws body shots.
Sanada powers up and out, but Goto runs him over! The fans rally as things speed up, and Goto counters hip toss with hip toss! Goto runs and he clotheslines Sanada up and out! The fans fire up and Goto slides out after Sanada. Goto stomps Sanada, drags him up, then CLUBS him on the neck! Sanada staggers, Goto CHOPS him, then kicks him, then CLUBS him! Goto whips but Sanada stops himself from hitting railing! Goto runs in but Sanada drop toeholds him into the railing! Goto goes down in a heap, but Sanada opens the gate. Sanada brings Goto through, then to the crowd! PILEDRIVER to the bare floor!
The fans are stunned but Red Shoes reprimands. Sanada leaves Goto behind and slides into the ring. The fans rally for Goto as the ring count begins. Goto crawls at 5 of 20, finds his way to ringside at 10, but still hobbles and crawls. He stands at 17 to slide in! The fans cheer, but Sanada stomps Goto. Sanada drags Goto up, CLUBS him on the neck, then brings him back up to CLUB him again. Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! Sanada eggs Goto on so Goto CHOPS again! Goto whips, Sanada reverses to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Sanada keeps cool and sits Goto up into a chinlock. Goto endures and the fans rally again.
Goto kicks forward, reaches out, but Sanada cranks on the hold! Goto keeps fighting, and has the ROPEBREAK! Sanada lets go cleanly, but then he stomps Goto while he’s down. Sanada then stands Goto up to CLUB him on the neck. Goto CHOPS in return! And CHOPS, and CHOPS, and has Sanada in a corner! Goto CHOPS again, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, but Sanada BOOTS first! Sanada runs, Goto follows, and Goto LARIATS Sanada down! The fans fire up and Goto rises, clutching his neck. Goto stands Sanada up to fire off forearms, then he whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA!
Sanada wobbles, into the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while Goto grits his teeth. Goto drags Sanada up, fireman’s carries, but Sanada fights free! Sanada waistlocks, Goto throws elbows, then runs. Sanada hurdles, hurdles, and DROPKICKS! Goto tumbles out of the ring, Sanada PLANCHAS him down! The fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans get louder and Sanada appreciates it. Sanada then goes back for Goto, brings him up and puts him in the ring. Sanada fireman’s carries but Goto throws elbows! Sanada turns around into Goto’s fireman’s carry, but then slips out into the dragon sleeper!
But Goto arm-drags free! Sanada kicks low, runs, but Goto follows! Sanada dodges this time, runs again, but Goto still follows! Sanada sidesteps this time, but Goto holds ropes to avoid the hurdle! Goto runs in, but Sanada fireman’s carries! T K O! Cover, TWO! Goto is still in this and the fans rally up! Sanada goes up the corner, ROUNDING BODY- NO, Sanada has to land out as Goto moves! Sanada runs in, but into the fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! They cheer on “GO-TO-O!” but the “SA-NA-DA!” chants are still there. Red Shoes checks them both, and both men slowly rise.
The two crawl towards each other, and Goto fires a forearm! Sanada shakes his head, eggs Goto on, so Goto throws another! Goto eggs Sanada on, so Sanada fires a forearm! Goto fires a forearm back, and the two stand. Sanada UPPERCUTS! Goto comes back to forearm! Sanada UPPERCUTS again, and Goto drops back to a knee! The fans rally, Goto stands again, and he forearms! UPPERCUT, forearm, repeat! Goto growls, fires a flurry of forearms, and he ROCKS Sanada! Sanada drops to his hand and knees but Goto powers up! Goto KICKS but Sanada blocks! Goto fires more forearms, then waistlocks, but Sandaa fights free!
Sanada runs, but Goto fireman’s carries! And he throws Sanada into the dragon sleeper! But Sanada turns around and suplexes, for MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Sanada roars as he rises up, and he aims from a corner. Sanada wants Goto to get up, and Goto sits up, into the SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then dragon sleepers, for the SKULL END!! Goto endures, flails, reaches out, but he’s caught in the body scissors! Goto fights around but he’s fading! The fans rally, Goto’s hand drops! Sanada lets him go to then climb! ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Goto survives but Sanada storms around. Sanada drags Goto up, reels him in and clinches, but Goto slips free to shove Sanada away! Sanada forearms, ROLLING- HEADBUTT from Goto! The fans fire up and duel, and Goto drags Sanada up. But Sanada breaks free! Goto HEADBUTTS again! Sanada falls back down and Goto steadies himself. Goto roars, the fans are with him, and Goto sits Sanada up. Goto runs to PENALTY KICK! Shoutout to Shibata and the fans fire up more! Sanada grits his teeth as he sits back up but Goto takes aim! BUZZSAW! And then he hauls Sanada up to dragon sleeper! G T- BACKSLIDE COUNTER! TWO!!!
Sanada and Goto hurry up, Sanada dodges to O’Conner BRIDGE!! TWO?!!? Goto escapes and shocks everyone! Sanada resets, runs in, SHINING WIZARD!! The fans are thunderous as Sanada roars and drags Goto back up! Clinch and DEAD- NO, Goto slips around to ripcord and fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Sanada survives but Goto is all fired up! The fans are thunderous as Goto dragon sleepers for G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (advances to the finals)
Don’t call it a comeback, Goto’s been here for years! Sanada’s hopes of being IWGP World Heavyweight Champion again have been delayed, how long must he wait for another chance?
As for Goto, he’s going back to the New Japan Cup Finals for the first time since 2016, and his seventh overall! But before he can get the mic to speak, Yota makes his way back out here. Yota steps into the ring and he gets the mic first. Yota tells Goto, “In order to open the door to a new era, we must do this.” The fans applaud that, and Yota continues by asking Goto, “Are you ready?!” Yota drops the mic at Goto’s feet, and Goto stands up to speak. “I also have something I want to show you. As a three-time New Japan Cup Champion, I will show you my strength.” The fans like the sound of that!
The Fierce Warrior stares down with Gene Blast, a true generational showdown on the horizon! Will Goto return not juts to former glory, but finally ascend to top of NJPW? Or will Yota make it LIJ VS LIJ for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?
My Thoughts:
A great semifinal round for this tournament, with quite a surprising main event. Sanada VS Goto was great stuff, and while I felt Sanada wasn’t winning the Cup, I didn’t think he’d be out this round. Yota VS Evil was rather creatively put together, too. I did not think the House would get so involved that at first it was a No Contest but then they restart under a ringside ban. Takagi making sure Yota won was good stuff, too, maybe we can get Takagi VS Evil for the NEVER Openweight Championship if they’re not gonna circle back to more Shota Umino VS House of Torture stuff.
Goto VS Yota is going to be great stuff, and Goto is clearly a top utility guy. He’s had so many New Japan Cup finals appearances, certainly among the most ever, but I don’t think he gets a fourth Cup win against Yota, one of the “new era Musketeers” that NJPW clearly loves. Yota VS Naito is definitely the title match for Sakura Genesis.
My Score: 8.9/10
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