Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 32 Results & Report! (8/9/22)
Will Naito Go To Sleep?
Tetsuya Naito fights to stay alive in the G1!
In what could be his last year in NJPW, Tetsuya Naito fights to stay alive in the biggest G1 Climax ever! But will Kenta make him Go To Sleep?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Tomohiro Ishii & Kosei Fujita VS BUSHI & Shingo Takagi; Bushi & Takagi win.
- Royce Isaacs & Tom Lawlor VS TAKA Michinoku & Zack Sabre Jr; Isaacs & Lawlor win.
- 8 Man Tag: The United Empire VS Bullet Club; The United Empire wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto & Toru Yano VS Bullet Club; Okada, Tanahashi, Goto & Yano win.
- G1 Climax, D Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS Yujiro Takahashi; Yujiro wins.
- G1 Climax, B Block: SANADA VS Chase Owens; Sanada wins.
- G1 Climax, B Block: Tama Tonga VS Taichi; Tama wins.
- G1 Climax, A Block: JONAH VS Lance Archer; Archer wins.
- G1 Climax, C Block: Tetsuya Naito VS KENTA; Naito wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current standings!
A Block
- JONAH: 3-1, 6 points
- Kazuchika Okada: 3-1, 6 points
- Jeff Cobb: 2-2, 4 points
- Lance Archer: 2-2, 4 points
- Tom Lawlor: 2-2, 4 points
- Bad Luck Fale: 2-3, 4 points
- Toru Yano: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
B Block
- Jay White: 4-0, 8 points
- Tama Tonga: 2-1, 4 points
- Taichi: 2-1, 4 points
- SANADA: 2-2, 4 points
- Chase Owens: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
- Great-O-Khan: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
- Tomohiro Ishii: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
C Block
- Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-1, 6 points
- Zack Sabre Jr: 3-1, 6 points
- Hirooki Goto: 2-2, 4 points
- Tetsuya Naito: 2-2, 4 points
- EVIL: 2-2, 4 points
- KENTA: 1-2, 2 points
- Aaron Henare: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
D Block
- David Finlay: 3-1, 6 points
- Shingo Takagi: 2-2, 4 points
- Will Ospreay: 2-2, 4 points
- YOSHI-HASHI: 2-1, 4 points
- Yujiro Takahashi: 2-2, 4 points
- Juice Robinson: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
- El Phantasmo: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
G1 Climax, D Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS Yujiro Takahashi w/ Pieter!
The Headhunter is still alive in the G1, but so is the Tokyo Pimp! Someone’s bubble could burst right here, will Hashi be able to #TurnItAllAround? Or will he be washed away by Pimp Juice?
While Hashi makes his entrance, Yujiro attacks him on the corner! Yujiro throws Hashi down, stomps him, and pulls Hashi’s jacket and NEVER Openweight Six Man title belt off him while the ref reprimands. The ref snatches the belt from Yujiro and Yujiro says he wasn’t gonna use it. Yujiro stomps Hashi, the bell rings and Yujiro rains down fists. The ref reprimands about the closed fists so Yujiro lets off. Yujiro drags Hashi up while fans rally for “HEAD-HUNT-ER! HEAD-HUNT-ER!” Yujiro CLUBS Hashi, drags him up, then ROCKS him with a forearm. And another! Yujiro whips Hashi to ropes, but Hashi elbows back!
Hashi runs Yujiro over, then kicks him low to hit the NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up with Hashi while Pieter panics for Yujiro. Hashi goes out after Yujiro but Yujiro kicks low. Yujiro whips but Hashi reverses and Yujiro hits railing! Yujiro falls over, but then hurries to grab things from under the ring. Yujiro has a chair, and as Hashi walks around the way, Yujiro JAMS Hashi! And CLOBBERS him! The ref reprimands, this is the same ref who called Juice VS ELP and disqualified ELP! Yujiro defends his innocence, but fans rally for Hashi. But then Yujiro goes and unties the red corner buckle pad! The remix of the Bullet Club Special!
The ref starts a ring count and Hashi sits up at 4 of 20. Hashi stands at 7, gets in at 9, but Yujiro drags him up. Yujiro whips Hashi into the bare buckles! Hashi writhes and flounders but fans rally up. Yujiro drags Hashi up to RAM Hashi into the buckles! The ref reprimands while Hashi writhes, but there’s nothing that can be done about the pad. Fans still rally but Yujiro drags Hashi back up. Yujiro scoops Hashi to SLAM him down, covers, TWO! Hashi survives and Yujiro is almost confused as to how. Yujiro fires forearms on Hashi over and over, all the way to the mat! Yujiro then drags Hashi up to snapmare and basement BOOT! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally but Yujiro argues the count. The ref says his count is fair, and fans rally up. Yujiro drags Hashi up but Hashi throws body shots! And a CHOP! That’s a stinger! Yujiro knees low, knees low again, then runs to BOOT Hashi against ropes! Yujiro drags Hashi up and reels him in, FISHER- NO, Hashi fights that off to suplex high and hard! Fans fire up and Hashi shakes out his bad arm. Hashi and Yujiro rise, and Hashi fires off strikes and a CHOP! Yujiro staggers away, Hashi runs in at the corner to clothesline! Hashi whips to CHOP, then mule kick! Hashi runs, HEADHUNTER! Fans fire up again while Yujiro flounders away.
Hashi drags Yujiro up, suplexes him to hang him out to dry, and then runs side to side for the dropkick! Yujiro flips down, Hashi keeps moving, basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and Hashi shakes out the bad arm. Hashi drags Yujiro up, reels him in, but Yujiro fights the lift and BITES the hand! The erf reprimands, but Yujiro CLUBS Hashi and whips him to ropes Hashi reverses but Yujiro holds ropes. Hashi runs in but Yujiro BOOTS! But Hashi comes back, into a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Yujiro drags Hashi up, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives and fans fire up again!
Yujiro crawls over while Pieter looks worried. Yujiro drags Hashi up, reels him in, but Hashi blocks the Intercollegiate Slam! Hashi CLUBS Yujiro but Yujiro ROCKS Hashi! Yujiro whips, Hashi reverses and wrangles Yujiro, into the BUTTERFLY LOCK! Yujiro endures, the fans fire up, and Hashi cranks way back. But SHO is here! Of course the Murder Machine backs up his House of Torture housemate! The ref tells Sho to go but Hashi lets Yujiro go to tell Sho himself! Yujiro crawls up behind Hashi to LW- NO, Hashi blocks it! Hashi drags Yujiro up but Yujiro rakes eyes! Yujiro whips, Hashi ducks and trips Sho up to then RAM him into railing!
Fans fire up as Hashi gets on the apron, and he shoulders into Yujiro to HOTSHOT him down! Hashi climbs and fans fire up again. Yujiro stands for the BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Yujiro survives but the fans still rally behind Hashi. Hashi drags Yujiro up, full nelsons, but Yujiro grabs the ref! Yujiro elbows Hashi away, then shoves the ref at him! Hashi shoves the ref back, Yujiro shoves him aside, SUPERKICK! SNAP DRAGON! And Hashi fires up to run, but Yujiro grabs at the ref! Hashi still DECKS Yujiro, then drags him up. Yujiro RAKES eyes! Yujiro whips Hashi then “falls” against the ref, so Sho can SMACK Hashi with a chair!!
Yujiro sits Hashi up, PIMP JUICE!! Cover, TWO!?! Hashi survives and Yujiro can’t believe it! Fans are thunderous as Yujiro pleads with the ref. Yujiro pounds the mat in frustration, then he drags Hashi up. Yujiro reels Hashi in for BIG- NO, Hashi fights off the juice to get a SLEEPER! Then a BACKSTABBER! Yujiro writhes now and fans rally back up. Hashi goes to a corner and aims at Yujiro. Yujiro sits up, BLINDSIDE KNEE! Hashi drags Yujiro up, full nelson to pump handle, but Sho distracts again! So Hashi RAMS Yujiro into Sho, schoolboy with bridge! TWO!! Yujiro escapes , blocks a lariat, but not the SOUTHPAW!
Fans fire up again as Hashi drags Yujiro back up! Full nelson, pump handle, but Yujiro fireman’s carries! But Hashi slips off to SUPERKICK! And then the spin, pump handle, but Yujiro fights free! Yujiro shoves Hashi into the buckles!! Hashi checks his face while Yujiro gets his pimp cane! But the ref sees that and tells Yujiro no! They argue over the cane, Sho has his wrench! But Hashi blocks it! So Sho LOW BLOWS, then WRENCH SHOT! Yujiro lets the cane go, hobbles over and drags Hashi up, to a BIG JUICE!! Cover, Yujiro wins!
Winner: Yujiro Takahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Hashi earns 0)
The Tokyo Pimp uses the stacked deck in his favor again, and he’s right behind David Finlay! Will Yujiro take over the block? Or will The Rebel refuse to fall?
G1 Climax, B Block: SANADA VS Chase Owens!
The Cold Skull is right on the edge, he needs this win to stay alive. Will Sanada keep the promise of a tranquilo semifinals alive? Or will the Crown Jewel get to play spoiler?
The bell rings and fans rally up. Chase wants to Too Sweet but Sanada says no, they LIJ fist bump. No, Too Sweet, open the fist. No, fist bump, put the Too Sweet away. Chase wants a handshake but Sanada still wants a fist bump. The two circle and fans rally up, “SA-NA-DA!” They feel out the grapple, Sanada avoids the leg pick, but Chase gets a waistlock. Sanada pries free to switch and waistlock, but Chase pries free to wrench and wristlock. Sanada pushes through to get the waistlock but Chase drops to arm-drag to an armlock. Sanada reaches over to clasp hands and get a chinlock but Chase clamps it’s a choke.
Chase powers through to get the arm again, but Sanada fights up to push Chase and arm-drag. But Chase holds on to arm-drag again! Fans rally as Sanada endures but Chase grabs fingers to bend them! Sanada endures the top wristlock so Chase covers, TWO! Fans applaud the technical exchange as the two reset. Sanada and Chase tie up, Sanada clinches to a waistlock then headlock and takeover. Sanada then floats to get the legs, BOW ‘N’ ARROW but Chase pops right out to a cover, ONE!! Fans applaud this new exchange, and Chase wants a handshake to say good job. Fist bump? No, handshake.
Fans rally up and Chase says he’s a good guy. Sanada accepts the handshake, but he blocks Chase’s cheap shot kick! Sanada knew better, and he trips Chase up! Sanada ties Chase up but Chase kicks him away. Chase trips Sanada and tries to steal Paradise! Chase can’t quite get it and Sanada kicks Chase away! Chase rebounds to run Sanada over! Things speed up, Chase sunset flips but Sanada rolls through to get the legs! Sanada tells Chase this is what he gets, but Chase apologizes! No good, Sanada puts Chase in the Paradise Lock! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans get louder, and Sanada runs in to dropkick Chase out of Paradise!
Chase bails out and fans fire up more. Sanada slingshots but Chase slides in. Sanada lands on the apron and shoulders in, but into a KICK! Chase then turns Sanada for a HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! Sanada flops to the floor and fans rally up. Chase goes out after Sanada to drag him up. Chase wants Bushi to watch this on commentary. Headlock PUNCH! Chase then snatches Bushi’s magazine away, and throws it away. Chase puts Sanada in the ring, drops a knee, then another knee! Chase then rains down fists on Sanada but the ref reprimands. Chaes lets off, fans rally for Sanada, but Chase stands on Sanada’s bad eyebrow! Cover, TWO!
Chase clamps on a chinlock and he squeezes tight. Sanada endures and fans rally up, but Chase cranks the hold. Sanada fights up, throws body shots, but Chase scoops and SLAMS him! Chase goes to the corner, hops up and blesses his fist, but he blocks the boot! Chase wags his finger, but then misses the elbow drop! Sanada gets space, runs back in and dropkicks the leg out! Chase clutches his knee and fans fire up. Sanada fires up and runs in again, but Chase gets around! Sanada switches but Chase elbows him away. Chase runs, but Sanada hurdles, and hurdles, and dropkicks! Chase bails out and Sanada takes aim to PLANCHA!
Fans fire up as Chase goes down! Fans rally and Sanada puts Chase in the ring. Sanada covers, TWO! Chase gets up but Sanada is on him for a fireman’s carry. Chase slips off, Sanada fights the half nelson but Chase fires off a strike fest! Chase runs, but Sanada elbows him! Sanada goes to run but Chase reels him in, to schoolboy him into ropes! The ropes send Sanada down and Chase steps over, STF! Sanada endures and fans fire up, but Chase shifts to a full CROSSFACE! Sanada endures so Chase shifts right to a RINGS OF SATURN! Sanada moves around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud but Chase lets off in frustration.
Chase watches Sanada go to a corner. Chase runs in but Sanada BOOTS him! Sanada hops up but Chase GAMANGIRIS! Then SUPER FLYING MARE, into a SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives and fans fire up! Chase drags Sanada up, tucks him in, but Sanada fights the driver! Sanada fireman’s carries, throws him into the dragon sleeper, but Chase arm-drags free! Chase runs in at the corner, but into an elbow! Sanada QUEBRADA, but Chase catches him! Chase gives Sanada SNAKE EYES, then clamps on a SLEEPER! Sanada endures and fans rally but Chase sits Sanada down!
Chase leans on the hold, Sanada is turning red, but the fans rally up. Sanada reaches out and fans rally as he fights. Sanada powers back up, reaches out, and uses the corner to push back to a cover! TWO!! C-TRIG- NO, Sanada dodges and O’Conner- NO, Chase blocks to steal SKULL END!! Sanada fades, and Chase lets him go to further copy Sanada’s style! Chase goes up the corner, ROUNDING- NO, Sanada moves! Chase crashes and fans rally up again! Sanda goes up, ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto knees! Cradle cover, TWO!! Sanada escapes at the last second, and fans fire up as he fires off forearms! Chase roars, but Sanada ROLLING ELBOWS!
Sanada runs, into a C-TRIGGER! Sanda roars, C-TRIGGER again!! Chase drags Sanada up, tucks him in, but Sanada RANAS free! And then pop-up TKO!! Chase is down, Sanada goes up again, ROUNDING BODY PRESS hits!! Cover, TWO!! Into SKULL END!!! Chase flails, fans rally up, and Chase is fading out! Chase gets a second wind, pops free of the sleeper, but Sanada fights to get the SKULL END again!! Chase flails, reaches out, but he PASSES OUT!! Sanada wins!!
Winner: Sanada, by submission (gains 2 points; Chase earns 0)
The Crown Jewel didn’t tap out, but he still met his Skull End in this one! Sanada is moving on up, but will he be able to take the block from Jay White?
G1 Climax, B Block: Tama Tonga w/ Jado VS Taichi w/ Miho Abe!
The Good Bad Guy and the Holy Emperor are tied for second in the block, but Jay White is pulling away with his 4-0 streak. Who wins here to then take aim at the Switchblade?
Taichi shows off the dancing pecs and fans applaud. The bell rings and fans rally up as the two stare down. Tama and Taichi slowly circle, tie up, and Tama powers Taichi to ropes. The ref calls the break and Tama lets off with a pat on the shoulder. Tama and Taichi egg each other on, and they circle again. They tie up, Tama powers Taichi back again, but the ref calls for the ropebreak. Tama lets off slowly but Taichi dares him to take a shot. Tama just pats Taichi on the shoulder again. Fans applaud the sportsmanship and Taichi asks what’s wrong. Did Tama and Jado go soft after leaving Bullet Club? Taichi then grabs his bag of tricks, and tosses Tama his bag of tricks.
Tama opens it up, and sees the Iron Claw!! It’s like Tama’s seen a ghost! Taichi says go ahead, hold it! No, that’s bad juju! Fans fire up for the claw and Taichi holds it out to Tama! Tama says no, put that away. Taichi tosses it at Tama and Tama swats it away! Taichi picks it up and stomps Tama! The ref reprimands as Taichi digs his boot in. Taichi lets off at 4 but still wants Tama to wear the iron claw! Tama swats him away and the ref has Taichi back off. Taichi lets the claw go to stomp Tama down! Taichi talks trash on Jado but the ref counts as Taichi stands on Tama’s neck. Taichi kicks Tama out of the ring, then whips him into the railing!
Fans rally up but Taichi uses camera cable to CHOKE Tama! The ref reprimands, counts, and Taichi lets go at 4. Taichi dares Jado to do something but Jado stays back. Taichi gives Jado a free shot but Jado refuses. Taichi goes back to Jado and CLUBS him down! Taichi drags Tama up and into the ring and fans rally up. Taichi stomps Tama, kicks him around, then taunts him. Taichi says if Tama’s the Good Bad Guy, then hit him below the belt! Taichi drags Tama up to CHOKE him! The ref reprimands and Taichi shoves Tama down. Taichi keeps egging Tama on, then drags him up to snapmare and KICK!
Taichi covers, but he’s also choking! ONE, but Taichi tries again. The ref sees the choke this time and reprimands. Taichi says that’s not a choke, THIS is a choke! The ref reprimands and counts, and Taichi lets off. Taichi argues with the ref, drags Tama up, but Tama throws forearms! Taichi eggs him on and then wrenches to HOOK KICK! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and Tama snarls. Taichi paces, dares Tama to go get the claw. Tama refuses so Taichi KICKS him! Taichi says use the claw, but Tama says no! So Taichi KICKS him again! Tama roars and eggs Taichi on so Taichi KICKS! Fans rally as the KICKS keep coming!
Tama eggs Taichi, then fires off haymakers! Taichi CHOKES him to a corner! The ref counts, Taichi lets off and whips corner to corner. Tama comes back, but into a BOOT! Tama comes back again to LARIAT Taichi! Both men are down and fans fire up! Tama rises and he waits on Taichi to stand. Tama runs in to LARIAT again! And elbow! And scoop SLAM! Fans fire up more and Tama drags Taichi up. Tama reels Taichi in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Tama keeps his cool and paces around. Fans rally up, Tama drags Taichi up into the dragon sleeper, but Taichi CHOKES from underneath!
The ref reprimands, but Taichi CHOKES with the other hand! Tama breaks free with a EuroUpper, then throws more EuroUppers to put Taichi in a corner. Tama whips Taichi corner to corner then runs in, but Taichi dodges the splash to GAMANGIRI! Fans fire up as both men are down, and Jado and Miho coach their guys up. Taichi sits up first, then stands, and he waits on Tama. Tama sits up, but he ducks the buzzsaw! Taichi dodges the Superman Punch, BOOTS Tama, but Tama comes back, into another GAMANGIRI! Fans fire up again and Taichi rises back up. Taichi roars, and OFF COME THE PANTS!
Taichi aims from a corner and powers up, but then the fans rallying makes him think. Will Taichi use the claw?! Taichi goes to it, grabs it from his bag, and he puts it on! Taichi laughs maniacally but Jado points it out to the ref! The ref tries to stop Taichi but Taichi shoves him away! Taichi tries to resist its call, but the iron claw is so powerful! Tama fireman’s carries Taichi! SRC!! The ref takes the claw away, Tama hurries to the corner and climbs up! SUPREME FLOW!! Cover, TWO!! Taichi survives but the fans fire up! OFF COMES THE VEST! Tama and Jado get the fans to clap along with the mat drums.
But wait, is it…? Now Tama is hearing the call of the claws! Tama goes over to take it from Taichi’s corner! Jado tells Tama to let those guy! The ref tells Tama, too! But the fans rallying seems to make the call stronger! Tama looks at Jado and Jado tells him no! But Taichi says DO IT! DO IT NOW! Tama is conflicted, too! Tama presses the claws into his own head, but then throws it to the ref! GUN- NO, Taichi throws Tama down to GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!!! GUN ST- NO!! Taichi drags Tama up, DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Cover, TWO!?!? Tama survives and shocks everyone! Miho shouts to Taichi and Jado coaches Tama as the fans are thunderous!
Taichi roars, rises up, and he drags Tama up for Alabama Lift. Tama fights that to underhook, but Taichi slips out. AX- NO, Tama catches Taichi to a dragon sleeper. But Taichi slips out before the twist, and then fights the German Suplex! Taichi PELES Tama, but Tama ENZIGURIS back! Taichi wobbles, Tama stalks him, and runs in, into a ROUNDHOUSE! But Tama stays up!? Tama and Taichi run in, Tama dodges Ax Bomber to TONGAN TWIST!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous again! Tama and Taichi go to opposite corners and drag themselves up to their feet. Taichi and Tama run in, DOUBLE LARIATS!
Neither man falls, they try again! DOUBLE LARIATS! Tama and Taichi lean on each other but they’re still up. Tama throws a forearm first but Taichi throws a kick! Tama throws a forearm, Taichi throws a kick! Tama fires off fast hands but Taichi SOBATS! Taichi runs, into a DROPKICK! But he’s right up to AX BOMBER!! Fans fire up and Taichi drags Tama into the Alabama Lift, BLACK M- NO, Tama slips free to SUPERMAN PUNCH! Then he blocks the superkick to GUN- NO, Taichi shoves Tama away! YOKO- NO, no elbow! Tama and Taichi clinch and fight, Taichi hits the SUMO THROW!
Fans fire up and Taichi hits the three point stance! Taichi runs in, GUN STUN!!! Cover, Tama wins!!
Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taichi earns 0)
And the Good Bad Guy is just behind the Switchblade! Tama then grabs the Iron Claw. He tells Taichi this is over! He then hands the claw back to Taichi, and Taichi is shocked. Will Tama shoot down his last two opponents to take the block?
G1 Climax, A Block: JONAH w/ Bad Dude Tito VS Lance Archer!
The Top Dog is on top of the block after taking down the Rainmaker! But the battle of monsters only gets bigger, will Jonah be able to Torpedo the Murderhawk Monster’s run? Or will Archer show that no matter how big you are, #EverybodyDies?
Archer waits for Jonah at the apron, but Jonah steps right up to him. Archer moves back and Jonah gets in the ring. The bell rings and fans rally up, “JO-NAH!” “ARCH-ER!” Archer and Jonah get face to face, but Archer is taller. Archer says if Jonah wants to do something different than “all this flippin’ and floppin’ crazy sh*t,” then let’s go. Archer dares Jonah to swing on him. Jonah winds up to fire a forearm, and Archer gives it back! Jonah forearms again, Archer gives it back and eggs Jonah on. Fans rally as the forearms go back and forth, faster and faster! Jonah CHOPS and Archer smirks. Archer CHOPS and Jonah growls.
Jonah CHOPS, Archer CHOPS, repeat! The CHOPS gain speed and fans rally up! The CHOPS become SLAPS and they go faster and faster, and both men slowly drop to their knees! They still SLAP each other and lean on each other! Fans fire up and the monsters catch their breath. Then they start throwing forearms from their knees! They stand back up, Archer ROCKS Jonah! Archer runs but Jonah breaks the clothesline! But Archer breaks through Jonah’s clothesline! Jonah HEADBUTTS Archer low, then hits a DDT! Fans fire up as both men are down! Fans rally up, Jonah stands and he looms over Archer.
Jonah ELBOWS Archer, but Archer shoves him. Jonah CLUBS Archer, Archer eggs him on so Jonah ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS him! Archer falls back down and fans fire up again. Jonah runs to ROLLING SENTON! Fans rally as Archer flounders to a corner. Jonah stalks up behind Archer and throws a heavy body shot! Jonah stands Archer up to throw haymakers! Archer chuckles but Jonah RAMS into him again and again! Jonah digs his shoulder in, Archer clubs Jonah but Jonah doesn’t feel it. Jonah lets off as the ref counts, then comes back to claw at Archer’s face! The ref counts, Jonah lets off at 4, and fans rally up.
Jonah drags Archer up, CHOPS him, but Archer CHOPS! Jonah ROCKS Archer in return! Archer sputters and Jonah catches his own breath. Fans rally up and Jonah stomps Archer in the gut! Jonah bumps Archer off buckles but Archer pushes him back. Jonah throws back elbows and Archer sits down. Jonah runs to clothesline Archer, then whips him corner to corner. Jonah SPLASHES, runs, but Archer follows to CLOBBER Jonah from behind! Fans fire up as both monsters slowly rise. Archer runs in at Jonah to back elbow! Then he runs again, to back elbow again! Archer goes again, a THIRD back elbow! Fans fire up as Jonah falls over!
Archer drags Jonah into the drop zone and fans fire up, TWISTING VADER! Cover, TWO! Archer snarls and fans rally up. Archer drags Jonah up and reels him in, but he can’t scoop! Jonah scoops Archer to SLAM him! And SENTON but Archer moves! To SENTON, but he misses, too! Fans fire up as both monsters are down again! Archer grits his teeth but he grins as he brings Jonah up. Archer throws forearms but Jonah gives them back. Fans rally as the forearms keep going, and Archer gets the edge! But Jonah bobs ‘n’ weaves to LARIAT! Archer stays up to BOOT back, then he ripcords for the HELLICOASTER!! Cover, TWO!!
Fans fire up more as Jonah survives that supersized ride! Archer grins and prepares the claw! Jonah rises, Archer reaches for his face! Jonah fights against the claw but Archer powers through! Jonah CLUBS the arm away, fires off haymakers, then HEADBUTTS! Jonah runs, but Archer goes the other way, DERAILER! But Jonah stays on track!! And comes back with the BODY CHECK!! Fans are thunderous after that human demolition derby! Jonah gets up in the corner, sees Archer is down, and he decides to climb! But Archer hits ropes to trip Jonah up! Fans rally as Archer climbs up behind Jonah and rains down fists!
Archer says, “Let’s do a big ass effin’ German!” Jonah doesn’t want to and he fires off back elbows! Archer staggers away and Jonah turns around. Archer ROCKS Jonah with a forearm! Archer then uses the elevation to inverted crucifix lift! But Jonah slips off! Jonah blocks the boot, ducks the haymaker, and LARIATS!! Fans fire up and Jonah drags Archer back up. Jonah reels Archer in, clamps on and lifts, BLACK FOREST BOMB!!! Fans are thunderous but Jonah goes up! But Archer rises!? STEP-UP KNEE!! Jonah flops down to the apron and fans rally again! Archer joins Jonah on the apron, but Jonah SUPERKICKS!
Jonah aims as Archer tumbles away, FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Both monsters are down on the outside and fans rally again. Jonah roars and drags Archer up. Jonah whips Archer but Archer reverses! Jonah hits railing hard, and it causes the timekeeper’s table to move back! And Abe-san thought only Evil was going to give him trouble! Bad Dude Tito coaches Jonah to get up, but Archer runs in! CANNONBALL!! Tito gets in to take some of the hit!! Archer may have just crushed both TMDK members! Fans fire up as Archer drags himself up and the ring count begins. Archer drags Jonah up at 4 of 20 to smack Jonah off the apron!
The count is 8 of 20 as Archer clamps on the choke grip! Jonah breaks free and HEADBUTTS, then SPEARS Archer down! We’re at 12 of 20, Jonah gets on the apron! Archer stands up there with him to ROCK him! Jonah LARIATS Archer back into the ring at 15! But Archer BLASTS Jonah at 18!! Jonah staggers, and the count hits 20!! Archer wins!!
Winner: Lance Archer, by count-out (gains 2 points; Jonah earns 0)
Jonah has lost to count-out again! First to Toru Yano the trickster, and now to the Murderhawk Monster! But a win is a win, and now Archer leads the block! Will Jonah be able to salvage this in the final round? Or will Archer go to the semifinals and makes sure #EverybodyDies?
G1 Climax, C Block: Tetsuya Naito VS KENTA!
The Uncontrollable Charisma has scratched and clawed to stay alive, but those two strikes mean he could be struck out any moment! Will tonight be the night Naito’s run ends? Or will he refuse to #GoToSleep?
Fans clap for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” as he takes his time with his entrance attire. That annoys Kenta and he tells the fans to shut up. Kenta then tells Naito to hurry up, but that only makes Naito take longer. Kenta gets antsy and Naito seems to struggle with the shirt sleeves. Naito finally finishes by putting the pants away, and now the bell rings. Fans rally and the two stare down. Naito makes Kenta aware the claps are for “NA-I-TO!” and they circle. They approach, but Kenta pulls a Naito by backing off. Kenta uses the ropes as a defense, so Naito backs off. Kenta says Naito better follow the rules. Naito lets Kenta come back and they circle again.
Fans rally up but again Kenta goes to the ropes. Red Shoes has Naito back off, and fans rally up again. Kenta comes back, he and Naito circle and then Naito backs away to ropes. Naito trolls Kenta and Kenta says that’s stupid. Kenta and Naito circle again, fans rally back up, and then they tie up! Kenta pulls Naito’s hair, knees him against ropes, then whips. Naito reverses to arm-drag, kick low and toss Kenta out! Naito builds speed, but he fakes Kenta out to tranquilo! Kenta slides in and blocks Naito’s kick to claw Naito’s eyes! Kenta throws Naito out then he builds speed, to roll and mock Naito with a cutesy pose of his own.
Kenta dares Naito to come back, but Naito takes his time returning. Naito gets on the apron, but he avoids Kenta’s boot to drag him out and whip him hard into railing! Fans fire up and Naito brings Kenta around to whip into more railing! Red Shoes reprimands and Naito gets in, just to refresh the count. Kenta makes his way to the timekeeper’s area, and he grabs the bell hammer! Kenta CLOBBERS Naito with it!! Kenta drags Naito up to whip hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Kenta grabs a mic to scold Abe-san then he goes to fetch Naito. Kenta drags Naito up and POSTS him!
Naito writhes and Kenta stomps him. The ring count climbs, Kenta drags him up and puts him in at 6 of 20. Cover, TWO! Kenta argues about the count but Red Shoes says it is a fair count. Kenta KICKS Naito in the back, then stands on Naito with a cocky cover. Red Shoes refuses to count it so Kenta drags Naito up. Naito throws a haymaker! Kenta staggers to a corner, Naito runs in but Kenta puts him on the apron. Naito blocks the haymaker to ROCK Kenta back, then Naito shoulders in, into a KICK! Kenta goes up the corner for the GUILLOTINE KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Kenta keeps his focus.
Kenta unties a buckle pad and we have another Bullet Club Special remix. Kenta whips Naito into the bare buckles hard! Naito writhes and Kenta gets fans to clap along. Then he has them stop, and he stomps Naito down. Kenta drags Naito up and turns him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Kenta clamps on a headscissor hold! Naito endures the squeeze and fans rally up again. Naito moves around, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts and Kenta lets off at 4. Kenta drags Naito up to KICK him in the chest! And then KICKS him again! Kenta drags Naito up and whips him to ropes, to CLOBBER him! Cover, TWO!
Kenta clamps on with a chinlock and Naito endures as the fans rally up. Naito fights up to his feet, throws body shots, but Kenta throws Naito down by his hair! Fans rally again but Kenta paces around Naito. Kenta gives toying kicks then drags Naito up. Naito fires a forearm, then another, and then another! Kenta knees low, whips Naito to ropes, but Naito reverses and slips around, to NECKBREAKER in return! Fans fire up while Kenta slowly sits up. Naito also sits up, and the two slowly stand. Naito throws haymakers and kicks and whips Kenta to ropes. Naito elbows Kenta down then basement dropkicks him!
Naito gets Kenta back up, whips him at the corner, then runs in to JUMP KICK! Leg sweep, COMBINACION CABRON! Fans fire up as Naito poses! Fans rally as “NA-I-TO!” drags Kenta up to the BACKBREAKER! Then the LEG FULL NELSON! Kenta endures and eggs Naito on so Naito puts on more pressure! Kenta fights and reaches, fans rally, and Kenta crawls forward to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Naito holds on, claiming he needs help. Red Shoes pries at the hold, Naito lets it off and fans applaud. Naito drags Kenta up, catches his haymaker, but Kenta standing switches. Naito elbows Kenta away and runs, but into a POWERSLAM!
Fans fire up while both men are down again. Kenta crawls to the red corner, drags himself up the ropes, and fans rally up. Naito runs in but Kenta BOOTS him! Kenta goes up, reels Naito in, TORNADO HOTSHOT! Kenta then climbs up while Naito staggers away, FLYING LARIAT! Direct hit and fans fire up! Cover, TWO! Kenta keeps on Naito by going after a leg. STF! Kenta pulls back but Naito endures and fans rally. Naito reaches out while Kenta mocks the claps for “NA-I-TO!” Naito moves around, but he is fading! Naito uses a second wind to get over to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts and Kenta pulls back before letting off.
Kenta drags Naito up into a waistlock, but Naito fights the lift! Naito elbows free, but swings into a spin a DDT! Kenta covers, TWO!! Naito survives being spiked and fans are fired up again. Kenta drags Naito up, chicken wings him, but Naito fights off the lift! Naito elbows free but Kenta CLUBS him! Kenta eggs Naito on, but Naito blocks the kick and shoves Kenta away. Naito BOOTS Kenta, then TORNADO DDTs! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Naito crawls over to Kenta, drags him up with a cravat, but Kenta fights back with body shots. Naito fires off back elbow after back elbow! Fans applaud as Kenta drops to his knees.
Naito drags Kenta up, throws more of those heavy back elbows, and Kenta drops again. Naito stands on Kenta’s head to keep him down and the fans are thunderous. Naito drags Kenta up to throw even more back elbows! Naito drags Kenta back up to bump him off buckles. Fans continue to rally as Naito throws even more back elbows! Naito then hammerlock and half nelsons, for GLORIA! Cover, TWO! Kenta survives but Naito drags him right back up, to wrench, but Kenta shoves free! Kenta runs, into a SPINEBUSTER! And then wrench and tilt-o- NO, Kenta slips through and hangs Naito out to dry, for SUPER BRAINKILLER!!
Fans are thunderous and Kenta crawls after Naito. Naito sits up so Kenta goes to a corner. Kenta takes aim as Naito is in the opposite corner. Kenta runs in to FLYING BOOT! Naito sits down, Kenta gets moving, HESITATION DROPKICK! Fans fire up and Kenta goes to the corner. Kenta climbs and takes aim again, COUP DE GRACE! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives and fans are thunderous again! Kenta stands back up, drags Naito up to a fireman’s carry, but Naito fights off to back elbow again! Then atomic drop and shove, Kenta ends up in the corner. Naito runs in, he blocks Kenta’s boots, and he puts Kenta in the ropes for a DRAPING NECKBREAKER!
Fans fire up as Naito stands back up. Naito drags Kenta over to a corner and hops up, ESPERANZA! Fans are thunderous again as Naito takes aim, but Kenta BOOTS him! Naito comes back, into a BUSAIKU KNEE!! Kenta drags Naito up to the fireman’s carry, GO TO- DESTINO!! Naito turns things around and we’re past 20 minutes! Fans are electric as Naito and Kenta stir! Naito and Kenta sit up slowly, then Naito lunges to forearm Kenta down. Fans rally up, “NA-I-TO!” but Kenta lunges and forearms back. Naito throws another forearm, but Kenta throws it back. Naito throws a forearm, both men grin and Kenta throws another.
Naito forearms, Kenta forearms, and fans rally as they keep going back and forth, harder and harder! Naito, Kenta, repeat, faster and faster! Naito eggs Kenta on but Kenta keeps giving shots! Naito ROCKS Kenta, fires off a flurry, but Kenta CROSS COUNTERS! And SLAPS, SLAPS, and SLAPS away! Kenta fires up but Naito ENZIGURIS! Naito whips, Kenta reverses but Naito FLYING FOREARMS! Naito gets Kenta up, tilt-o-whirl, but CRADLE! TWO!!! Naito survives, but Kenta hurries to bump Naito off the bare buckles! Roll-up, TWO!!! BUSAIKU KNEE!! Cover, TWO!!! Naito survives again and no one can believe it!
Kenta roars and he drags a bloodied Naito up! Fireman’s carry, GO TO- NO, Naito blocks to scoop, VALENTIA!! Naito roars and fans fire up with him! Naito drags Kenta up, wrenches and tilt-o-whirls, DESTINO!!! Cover, Naito wins!!!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kenta earns 0)
With five minutes to spare, Naito strikes Kenta down and out! The Fang Revived is eliminated from the running, having lost to Naito, Evil and Zack Sabre Jr. Will Kenta have to settle for being a spoiler from now on?
As for Naito, he catches his breath, puts on his baseball cap, and says, “Buenas noches, Hiroshima~! Is everyone enjoying the heat of NJPW’s first summer G1 in 3 years?” Fans applaud, because they are! Naito says he’s delighted to be here in his home of Hiroshima, “and to show you what it looks like when I win in the main event. I want to thank you fans for supporting LIJ and myself from the bottom of my heart. Gracias, amigos!” Naito notes he was two down but has won three straight, and this win has him tied in the “pennant hunt.” But he knows it won’t be easy, “it’s a real bottom-of-the-ninth scenario. But I’m swinging for the fences.”
Naito hopes everyone looks forward to how this G1 Climax plays out. “Let’s end this as usual. Unfortunately, due to COVID, you’re unable to cheer out loud with me today, but please, yell out in your hearts. Everyone, are you ready? Let’s close out night one of two G1 shows here in Hiroshima the only right way. Bushi! Sanada! Hiromu! Takagi! Y Naito! Nosotros, LOS INGOBERRRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!” Another great roll call, and Naito rolls on in the G1! But just as he said, he has to win it in the end! Will he have a walk-off or a strikeout to close out the tournament?
Here are the NEW standings!
A Block
- Lance Archer: 3-2, 6 points
- JONAH: 3-2, 6 points
- Kazuchika Okada: 3-1, 6 points
- Jeff Cobb: 2-2, 4 points
- Tom Lawlor: 2-2, 4 points
- Bad Luck Fale: 2-3, 4 points
- Toru Yano: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
B Block
- Jay White: 4-0, 8 points
- Tama Tonga: 3-1, 6 points
- SANADA: 3-2, 6 points
- Taichi: 2-2, 4 points
- Chase Owens: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
- Great-O-Khan: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
- Tomohiro Ishii: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
C Block
- Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-1, 6 points
- Zack Sabre Jr: 3-1, 6 points
- Tetsuya Naito: 3-2, 6 points
- Hirooki Goto: 2-2, 4 points
- EVIL: 2-2, 4 points
- KENTA: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
- Aaron Henare: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
D Block
- David Finlay: 3-1, 6 points
- Yujiro Takahashi: 3-2, 6 points
- Shingo Takagi: 2-2, 4 points
- Will Ospreay: 2-2, 4 points
- YOSHI-HASHI: 2-2, 4 points
- Juice Robinson: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
- El Phantasmo: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
Another great event for the G1, with matches that all mattered this time around. Hashi VS Yujiro was the most fired up fans got for a Yujiro match because they were fired up for Hashi. I suppose it’s okay that Yujiro won here, he is the one guy who beat Finlay so far, so if Finlay falls even once in the last two rounds, Tokyo Pimp could take the D Block. Sanada VS Chase was a very good match, and it was the right move for Sanada to win, but they also did it in a great way to benefit Chase. Chase passes out to the Skull End rather than tapping out, a la Stone Cold to the Sharpshooter, and that is a great honor for him. I bet there are big things for Chase on the other side of this G1.
Tama VS Taichi was also great, with a very clever story of Taichi trying to push Tama into being a Heel again. Both men have yet to face Jay White, those matches will have a big impact on who takes B Block, but they both have to take on Great-O-Khan at some point. Tama VS White is on 8/16, I would think both men go into that with momentum, but that means Tama has to beat Khan during tomorrow’s event. Jonah VS Archer was huge, just like Jonah VS Okada, mostly for how it shapes the A Block. Jonah may have lost, but he’s only lost by count-out in the G1, and that is a huge implication. It means no one can put him down in the ring. If Archer can’t beat Okada on 8/16 and Jonah beats Fale, Jonah can still take this block and make a huge impact on the semifinals.
And of course, Naito VS Kenta was great stuff, especially with every match now having Naito on the bubble. Naito wins, Kenta is out, and now Naito has the entire week to rest up and prepare for Zack Sabre Jr. ZSJ beat Naito last year to open the G1, and Naito got hurt, so that you can basically say ZSJ cost Naito all those opportunities last year. Naito will want revenge, ZSJ could still be leading the block after beating Evil tomorrow, and then it all comes down to it on 8/16. The winner of Naito VS ZSJ will be your C Block semifinalist, unless Tanahashi wins against Goto AND Kenta before then. But given the drama, I feel like Tanahashi loses to one of those guys, putting all eyes on Naito VS ZSJ.
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; 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?
Cody Rhodes returns backstage.
And Jey says there he go! But real quick, Cody can’t be going to SmackDown alone. Cody says he gave them his word. But The Bloodline isn’t gonna play fair! They’re all gonna be there! If Cody needs Jey, Jeys’ got him. Cody hears that, but he knows what he’s dealing with. They shake hands and Jey heads out. Will Cody be able to have that fair, one-on-one meeting? Or does Jey have a point about The Bloodline?
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?
Raw returns and Dom has made his entrance. The bell rings, Dom and Ricochet circle, and they tie up. Ricochet waistlocks, Dom fights the lift and grabs ropes. The ref counts, Ricochet lets off, but Dom ELBOWS him away! Dom fires hands, soaks up the heat, then storms up, but into haymakers! Ricochet CHOPS, kicks then flexes on Dom. Ricochet whips, Dom reverses, but Ricochet goes up and over. Ricochet ducks ‘n’ dodges to then handspring back elbow! The fans fire up while Dom bails out! JD is there to coach Dom up, but Ricochet runs in! JD gets Dom to safety, but Ricochet handsprings to hero land!
The fans fire up, Ricochet then goes to ropes to TORNILLO PLANCHA! Direct hit on Dom and Ricochet tells JD to back off. Ricochet puts Dom in, Dom distracts the ref, but JD grabs Ricochet’s leg! Ricochet kicks JD away, but then Dom WRECKS Ricochet with a dropkick! Dom soaks up the heat and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Dom has Ricochet up top. Dom climbs but Ricochet throws body shots! The fans rally behind Ricochet as he sends Dom staggering. Ricochet hops down as Dom comes running back, and Ricochet GAMANGIRIS him away! Ricochet then springboards, but Dom trips him up! Ricochet flops to the mat, then Dom kicks and FACEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Ricochet is still in this and JD argues the count. Dom looms over Ricochet, scuffs him around, then mockingly cheers him on. Fans boo but Dom brings Ricochet up. Dom gives some Latino Heat, then suplexes! Uno Amigo, but fans boo.
Dom gets Ricochet up but Ricochet suplexes Dom instead! And then fireman’s carry, DYNAMITE KICK! Cover, TWO! Dom is still in this and JD coaches him but the fans rally for Ricochet. Ricochet stands, storms up on Dom, but Dom shoots around to roll him up! With tights! TWO, Ricochet blocks a kick and KICKS Dom down! Ricochet hurries up top, the fans fire up, but Ricochet has to bail out of the 450 as Dom moves! Dom runs in again, but into a SUPERKICK! JD gets on the apron, so Ricochet triangle jump DROPKICKS! But then Dom DROPKICKS Ricochet onto ropes! Dom dials it up but Ricochet ducks!
Dom spins around, into the RECOIL!! Cover, Ricochet wins!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall
But then JD runs in! Ricochet dodges, goes up and around, BOOTS JD away, then BOOTS him again! Ricochet even flips up and out of the ring at the same time! Ricochet gets the better of Judgment Day again, just how disappointed is Mami going to be in her Latino Heat this time?
Sami Zayn is backstage.
He finds Chad Gable and wants to talk with him. Last week’s match, that was an honor. Sami hasn’t been pushed like that in a long time, it could’ve gone either way. Gable says yeah, it was great. Thanks. Is Gable alright? Yeah, he’s fine. Kinda feels like not… Gable says he’s fine, so leave it at that. C’mon, man, how many years have they known each other? Sami knows when something’s bothering Gable, so he should just say it. Gable says look, last week, the WrestleMania opportunity, the whole thing, it just meant more to him. Sami says he’s been hearing Gable say that for weeks, and it is really unfair.
Does Gable really think he’s the only one this title opportunity matters to? Sami has a family, too! Sami’s kid cries when Papa loses a match, too. Sami has people he’s let down and is trying to make proud. After all the years put into this, Gable can’t tell Sami what matters more because he doesn’t know Sami like that. Gable has Sami calm down, and says he knows all that. But it isn’t all about that. Then what is all this? Gable says Sami can’t beat Gunther. Gable then leaves, and Sami is at a loss for words. Is this bitter side of Gable only going to get worse as we go down this Road to WrestleMania?
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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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