Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW WTL X Super Jr. Tag Results & Report! (11/27/22)

BOTH tournaments on one card!

Published

1 year ago

November 27, 2022

Steven Mitchell

Double up the tag team action!

NJPW is going big with this crossover! Both World Tag League and Super Jr. Tag League are here for a massive match card!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Super Jr. Tag League 2022: KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight VS BUSHI & Titán; Bushi & Titán win.
World Tag League 2022: Alex Coughlin & Gabriel Kidd VS Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare; Khan & Henare win.
Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Alex Zayne & El Lindaman VS SHO & Dick Togo; Zayne & Lindaman win.
World Tag League 2022: Aussie Open VS Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer; Aussie Open wins.
Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Ryusuke Taguchi & Clark Connors VS Ace Austin & Chris Bey; Ace & Bey win.
World Tag League 2022: Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens; Yano & Tanahashi win.
Super Jr. Tag League 2022: YOH & Lio Rush VS DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Yoh & Lio win.
World Tag League 2022: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi; Shane & Mikey win.
Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask VS TJP & Francesco Akira; TJP & Akira win.
World Tag League 2022: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Tetsuya Naito & SANADA; Goto & Hashi win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Super Jr. Tag League 2022: KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight VS BUSHI & Titán!

The #TimeJet is losing altitude, but the thing about time travel is that there’s always time! Will they be able to get back up and get those points? Or will Black Mask & El Inmortal keep the momentum going with their “we just beat the champs” energy?

The teams sort out and fans can cheer! They rally as the two circle. Knight and Titan feel out a knuckle lock, then Knight taunts Titan with his height and reach advantage. So Titan SOBATS and puts Knight in a corner. Titan wrenches and whips corner to corner but Knight reverses. Knight runs in but Titan goes up and over and handsprings away! Fans cheer for the agility, and then he runs at Knight. Knight leaps up and over! Titan gets around, knuckle locks and CHOPS, then he goes up and up to tightrope walk and springboard, but into Knight’s arms! Knight SLAMS Titan down!

Fans fire up as Knight BLASTS Bushi, then JUMPING SPLASHES Titan! Cover, TWO! Fans applaud and Knight brings Titan up to wrench. Tag to Kushida and fans cheer as Knight hands off the arm to an ELBOW BREAKER! Kushida drags Titan back up, wrenches and CLUBS the arm, then stalks Titan to ropes. Kushida whips Titan then hip tosses, to then cartwheel and dropkick! Cover, TWO as Titan slips out! Kushida watches Bushi closely as he wrenches Titan again. Tag to Kevin and Kevin takes the handoff. Knight wrenches the arm, tags to Kushida, and hands off the arm again. Kushida wrenches the arm then tags Knight.

Knight takes the handoff to wrench Titan, and then tags Kushida. Kushida goes up to drop an ax handle! Kushida brings Titan up and wrenches while Knight goes up. Fans rally as Kushida wrenches but Titan fights back. Kushida whips Titan corner to corner, but Titan goes up to CROSSBODY! But then Knight throws Titan down by his mask! Titan kips up and PELES Knight down! Titan hurries and tags in Bushi! Fans fire up and Bushi grinds his forearm into Kushida’s face. The ref counts, Bushi lets off, and Bushi CHOPS! And CHOPS! Bushi pushes Kushida down, covers, ONE! Bushi calls Titan in and Titan stomps Kushida down.

LIJ put Kushida in a corner, whip corner to corner, then Bushi hits a back elbow. Bushi sets up, INMORTAL IN MOTION! Then a feed to a lift, MISSILE DROPKICK SPINEBUSTER! Cover, but Knight breaks it! Bushi drags Kushida up and fans rally. Bushi snapmares Kushida into a chinlock, and digs his knee into Kushida’s back. Kushida endures but Bushi claws at Kushida’s face! The ref reprimands, Bushi stops to wrap on a headscissor squeeze. Kushida endures and moves around, he gets the ROPEBREAK! Bushi lets off but he stomps Kushida down. Bushi drags Kushida up but Kushida KICKS Bushi’s arm!

Kushida KICKS and KICKS, fans fire up and Kushida hits an ELBOW BREAKER on the arm! Titan tags in to stomp Kushida down! Titan snapmares and KICKS Kushida in the back! Fans fire up again as LIJ mug Kushida at the ropes. LIJ double whip but Kushida handsprings to DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! All three men are down and fans fire back up! Kushida rolls and hot tags Knight! Knight rallies with a SPLASH on Titan in one corner, SPLASH on Bushi in the other, then SPLASH on Titan! SPLASH for Bushi, but Titan BOOTS Knight! Titan goes up, but Knight DROPKICKS him down to the floor!

Fans fire up as Knight aims and PLANCHAS! Down goes Titan and Knight fires up! Fans rally as he drags Titan up and puts him in. Kushida Electric Chair Lifts, DROPKICK ELECTRIC CHAIR DROP! Cover, Bushi barrels in to break it! Fans rally up as all four men are down! Time Jet get up first, they whip Bushi to a corner, then Knight whips Kushida in. Bushi dodges Kushida, BOOTS Knight, then whips Kushida into Knight! Titan and Bushi knuckle lock so Titan can go up and up and tightrope walk to DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK! Fans fire up as Kushida spills out of the ring. Bushi builds speed and DIVES onto Kushida!

Fans fire up more as Titan brings Knight up. Knight fires off forearms and an uppercut! Knight runs, into a TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up more as Titan roars! Titan runs in to LOCO LARIAT! Bushi CODE BREAKERS! ANGEL INMORTAL!! Cover, LIJ wins!

Winners: Bushi & Titán, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kushida & Knight earn 0)

Los Ingobernables de Japon continues on, but there’s still a long way to go! Will Bushi & Titan keep up the pace to be a finalist? Has time run out for Kushida & Knight after all?

World Tag League 2022: Alex Coughlin & Gabriel Kidd VS Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare!

The #MechanicalBulls have yet to put up points, while the Dominator & Ultimate Weapon made the Mighty fall. Will Coughlin & Kidd end up conquered? Or will they be defiant against the United Empire?

The Orchestrator, Gideon Grey, is of course here to give Khan & Henare their introductions. The teams sort out and Khan calls out Kidd. Kidd says alright and they start. They circle, fans rally, and the two feel out a grapple. Kidd facelocks, waistlocks, and keeps on top of Khan as he moves around. The two break and fans applaud. Kidd takes a crane stance to mock Khan, and they tie up again. Kidd powers Khan back but Khan pulls on an ear! Khan headlocks Kidd and grinds him down. Kidd endures, fights up, powers out and tags Coughlin. The Mechanical Bulls run Khan over, then split the wishbone!

Henare runs in but Coughlin kicks him first. Kidd knee lifts and Coughlin CHOPS Henare down! Kidd runs to SENTON, and fans fire up as Coughlin flexes. Coughlin drags Khan up to suplex and walk over to the corner! Tag to Kidd before the SLAM, and then Kidd stomps Khan down. Kidd mocks the Empire’s pose, then hits a STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Kidd drags Khan up, but Khan shoots around to get a SLEEPER! But he also uses his ponytail! The ref reprimands, Coughlin shouts, “Stop choking him!” but Henare runs in to BLAST Coughlin off the apron! Khan holds on until the ref counts.

Kidd sputters while Henare ROCKS Coughlin on the outside. Khan ROCKS Kidd, CLUBS him to a corner, wrenches and CLUBS the arm, then knees low. Khan whips Kidd hard into the corner! Fans rally up as Khan bumps Kidd off buckles. Khan then sits on his throne! Fans applaud while Kidd sputters more. Khan pulls the arms back! The ref reprimands and counts, Khan hops down at 4. Tag to Henare and he drags Kidd up. Henare throws knees, snapmares and KICKS, then SENTONS! Fans rally up as Henare drags Kidd to a kneeling cover, TWO! Henare looms over Kidd, drags him back up, and KICKS him back down!

Henare drags Kidd up, tags in Khan, and Khan scoops Kidd to carry him around, before the SLAM! Kidd kneels for the cover, TWO! But then Khan DECKS Coughlin! Khan scuffs Kidd and kicks him around. Khan Mongolian Chops Kidd down! Fans fire up and Khan talks trash. Mongolian Chop! Kidd drops again but fans rally up. Khan stands Kidd up but Kidd blocks the chops! Khan tries to power Kidd down but Kidd powers back up! Fans fire up as the struggle back and forth continues! Kidd powers up and uses Tenzan Power Mongolian Chops! Fans fire up more as both men crawl! Hot tags to Henare and Coughlin!

The Android and Ultimate Weapon RAM shoulders, and they both roar! The forearms fly back and forth and fans fire up as they pick up speed! Henare roars and fires off a flurry! But Coughlin roars to knee low, UPPERCUT, and CHOP! Henare stays up so Coughlin whips him to the corner. Henare elbows him away, goes up and leaps, but into Coughlin’s arms! OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Fans fire up with Coughlin as he roars! Coughlin drags Henare for a short arm LARIAT! Cover, but Khan breaks it! Khan drags Coughlin up but Coughlin lifts Khan for a BIG back suplex! Coughlin shouts to Kidd, tags him in, and he whips Kidd in to clothesline Henare!

Coughlin whips Kidd back in to CHOP! Kidd hits an EXPLODER, Coughlin scoops Henare for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Kidd goes to the corner and goes up to MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up with the Mechanical Bulls as they flex. They run in but Henare moves, the DOUBLE LARIATS take Kidd out! Khan wraps onto Coughlin with a HITSUJIGOROSHI! But Coughlin gets up and over to CHOP Khan on the back! Coughlin gut wrenches but Khan slips free to Mongolian Chop from behind! Khan scoops, Henare SCREW HIGH KICKS Coughlin before the TTD!! Khan steals the Tenzan Tombstone Driver!

The Empire roars and flexes now! Fans fire up for the “monster rage,” but Kidd HEADBUTTS Henare! And HEADBUTTS again! But Henare body shots, ELBOWS, Kidd roars but the HEEL KICK hits! Then the RAMPAGE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Fans fire up as Kidd survives! Kidd dodges Henare, SUPERKICKS, and fires up! But Khan BOOTS him into the half nelson and torture rack! STREETS OF RAGE! Cover, The Empire wins!

Winners: Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Coughlin & Kidd earn 0)

The third time was not the charm for the Mechanical Bulls, and Khan wants the fans to cheer the Empire loudly! No, LOUDLY! The fans cheer more, and Khan promises that the entire United Empire will win tonight, from them to Catch 2/2 to Aussie Open! Will NJPW witness the full power of the United Empire here in Nagoya?

Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Alex Zayne & El Lindaman VS SHO & Dick Togo!

The #GLEATSAUCE burned the Wild Hips while the Murder Machine & Spoiler could not stop Ace & Bey. Will Zayne & Lindaman burn Sho & Dick with a fourth loss? Or can the House of Torture finally snatch one away?

But wait! Sho & Dick attack Zayne & Lindaman on the ramp! Sho and Lindaman brawl while Dick CLUBS Zayne up the ramp. Sho rakes Lindaman’s eyes while Dick CHOKES Zayne! Then Sho & Dick mug Zayne, and hit a PILEDRIVER to the stage! Sho laughs at Zayne’s pain while Dick CHOKES Lindaman! Sho disrespects the towel and the G-Rex title belt. Dick smacks Lindaman off the apron, then he and Sho whip Lindaman into railing! Sho puts Lindaman in the ring and the match finally begins. Dick stomps Lindaman, then Sho gets in so that they can both stomp. Fans boo and give thumbs down but Sho & Dick soak up the heat.

Dick & Sho drag Lindaman up, double whip him to ropes and then DOUBLE SPINEBUSTER! They hook up the legs, and sit Lindaman up for a DOUBLE KIMURA! The ref reprimands and counts, one of them is illegally in here. Sho & Dick let off, and Sho exits while Dick stomps Lindaman. Fans continue to boo but Dick drags Lindaman up to snapmare and FIST DROP! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Dick wraps on a chinlock. Lindaman endures and fans rally. Lindaman fights up, throws elbows and gets free, but Dick reels him back in. Lindaman SAYANAGIS Dick down! Fans rally but Zayne is still down at the top of the ramp!

Dick drags Lindaman away, tags in Sho, and Sho stomps Lindaman. Sho gets the legs and brings Lindaman into a BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Lindaman has the ROPEBREAK, but Dick slingshot sentons onto him! Fans boo as Sho brings Lindaman up for a POWER BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Lindaman survives and fans fire up! But Sho laughs at Lindaman’s pain and aims his bow. Sho drags Lindaman up and reels him in to tuck the arms. SHOCK- NO, Lindaman fights free with a back drop! Fans fire up as Zayne returns! But Dick trips Zayne off the apron! Fans boo but Sho drags Lindaman back into a POP-UP ARMBAR!

Lindaman moves around, but into the SNAKE BITE! Lindaman fades but fans fire up as Zayne gets in! Zayne stomps Sho down! Dick throws Zayne back out and Sho tags him in. Dick storms up to Lindaman, stomps him, then drags him up. Lindaman throws forearms and knees in return! Lindaman CHOPS Dick in the corner but Dick rakes the eyes! Dick argues with the ref to distract from Sho bringing in his wrench! Lindaman dodges and Zayne BOOTS Sho! Dick goes after Zayne, he and Sho double whip. But Zayne breaks the clothesline to DOUBLE RANA! Zayne schoolboys Sho and EDDY GORDO KICKS!

Zayne fires off elbows and a mule kick, then runs, but Dick gets a cheap shot in! Sho clotheslines Zayne and himself out! Dick CLBOBERS Lindaman! Dick reels Lindaman in but Lindaman fights the Pedigree! Dick CLUBS Lindaman, but runs into an EXPLODER! Fans fire up and rally for Lindaman. Lindaman fires up and he brings Dick up into a waistlock. But Dick victory rolls! TWO, Dick ghost pins! TWO, into the CROSSFACE! Lindaman endures being bent back while Sho sends Zayne into railing! Lindaman crawls his way over, but Sho grabs Lindaman’s hand to bend the fingers! The ref reprimands and Sho lets go, but Dick rolls Lindaman away!

But Lindaman rolls it around to a cover! TWO!! Dick staggers up, Lindaman shoves him into Sho! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, GLEAT SAUCE WINS!

Winners: Alex Zayne & El Lindaman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Sho & Dick earn 0)

The House of Torture tried to take advantage but couldn’t capitalize! Are Sho & Dick doomed? As for Zayne & Lindaman, will they keep turning up to heat to eat up the rest of the block?

World Tag League 2022: Aussie Open VS Minoru Suzuki & Lance Archer!

Mark Davis & Kyle Fletcher won big in their first World Tag League tournament main event while the Meanest Team in the Tournament tore down Yano & Tanahashi. Will “Dunk-Zilla” and “The Aussie Arrow” stay spotless? Or will they learn that #EverybodyDies makes no exceptions?

Fans clap along and are ready, they sing nice and loud, “KAZE NI NARE~!” Gideon returns but is a bit wary of Suzuki & Archer. Young Lion Oskar Leube has to fetch the mic for Gideon so he can give Aussie Open their introductions. Suzuki gives some toying kicks as Aussie Open get in the ring but Fletcher shoves Suzuki back! The ref keeps the peace and teams sort out. Fans fire up as the big men start! Archer and Davis circle, but Archer steps outside as fans cheer for Aussie Open. Davis steps outside, too, and they RAM shoulders! Both men stay standing, so they go around the way and run in, to RAM shoulders again!

Neither man falls, so they go into the ring. Archer runs, Davis drops but the hip toss is blocked! Archer blocks Davis’ hip toss, but Davis blocks Archer’s hip toss. Davis ducks Archer’s lariat, then leaps over him! Archer scoops, Davis slips off, but Archer avoids the boot! Fans cheer that exchange, and Archer offers a fist bump. Davis isn’t sure about that, so he just kicks and fires off forearms! Davis whips, Archer ducks ‘n’ dodges to CROSSBODY! Fans fire up as Archer laughs! Davis hurries away to his corner and Archer goes to his. Suzuki tags in so fans want to see Kyle! Davis stands up to tag Kyle, and fans rally as the two step to each other.

The two stare down, Suzuki pie faces Kyle but Kyle shoves him back. Kyle talks trash but Suzuki eggs him on. Kyle CHOPS, but Suzuki doesn’t flinch. Fans fire up and Archer says Kyle F’d up now! Kyle eggs Suzuki on, and Suzuki CHOPS! Kyle drops to take a seat! Suzuki storms up on Kyle as he goes to ropes but the ref has Suzuki back down. Kyle stands back up and brushes himself off. Fans rally up and Suzuki wrenches an arm. Kyle wrenches back, wristlocks, but Suzuki kicks and wrenches. Kyle wrenches back again, but Suzuki wrenches him. Suzuki wrenches the other arm and steps through ropes to HOTSHOT the arm!

Kyle swings back but into a HANGING ARMBAR! Archer BLASTS Davis while the ref counts! Suzuki lets go at 4, he drags Kyle out, and Suzuki-Gun sends Aussie Open into railing! Suzuki twists Kyle’s arm with a KIMURA! Kyle kicks and flails, he can’t get out of it on the floor! Suzuki lets go to kick Kyle around while Archer stomps Davis against railing. Suzuki KNEES Kyle down, then bends him back against railing! Kyle claws at Suzuki but can’t get him to let go. Suzuki ELBOWS Kyle down, then he goes to the ring. Tag to Archer and Archer fetches Kyle. Archer brings Kyle around to CHOKE in front of the timekeeper’s area!

Archer SMACKS Kyle off the bell! Archer puts Kyle in the ring, taunts him over how Davis is still down, then Archer brings Kyle up for a short arm LARIAT! Tag to Suzuki and he puts on an ARMBAR! Kyle flails and kicks around, reaches out desperately, and finally has the ROPEBREAK! Suzuki lets off quickly to tag Archer back in. Archer puts Kyle in the corner, laughs at him, then runs corner to corner and back again for a BIG back elbow! He keeps moving, another back elbow! And then again, but Kyle dodges! Fans rally as Kyle crawls to the corner. Davis is back, but Archer keeps Kyle from him.

Kyle fires off forearms but Archer choke grips! Kyle breaks free, dodges, and SUPERKICKS! Archer drops to a knee and fans rally up. Hot tag to Davis! Davis breaks through the clothesline to BLAST Suzuki! Archer runs in and he blocks the boot, only for Davis to dodge the clothesline. Davis CHOP LARIATS in return! And again! And again! Fans fire up with Davis as he whips Archer to ropes. Archer reverses, Davis handsprings and ENZIGURIS! Davis roars, runs side to side, and SLIDING FOREARMS! Cover, TWO! Davis snarls and fireman’s carries, and he manages to lift Archer! But Archer slips off, shoves, only for Davis to dodge!

Davis clotheslines Archer up and out of the ring! Fans fire up as Davis goes out and picks up a Young Lion! Davis runs with Ryohei Oiwa and Kyle has Yuto Nakashima! They SANDWICH Archer with the Young Lions! Fans fire up as Davis puts Archer in the ring. Tag to Fletcher, Aussie Open picks Archer up! But Suzuki clamps a SLEEPER on Kyle! Archer powers out to FULL NELSON SLAM Davis! Suzuki whips Kyle to a corner, runs in and BOOTS! Archer back elbows! Snapmare, PENALTY KICK, SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Tag to Suzuki and he runs at Kyle in the corner, another BOOT! Snapmare and PENALTY feint as Kyle covers up!

Suzuki waits for Kyle to literally let his guard down, and then he KICKS him down! Cover, TWO! Suzuki rallies the fans and he brings Kyle up. Kyle fires a forearm but Suzuki just grins and laughs. Suzuki ROCKS Kyle, stalks him, and eggs him on. Fans rally, Kyle stands back up, and Kyle ROCKS Suzuki! Kyle eggs Suzuki on so Suzuki ROCKS Kyle! Kyle fumes and fires up to ROCK Suzuki! The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster, and Kyle gets the edge! Kyle roars, but Suzuki DECKS him! Fans fire up with Suzuki and he drags Kyle up into a SLEEPER! Kyle is fading already, but Suzuki spins him to reel him in!

Suzuki Gotch lifts but Kyle powers out with a back drop! Davis triangle jump DROPKICKS Archer! Kyle runs to GAMANGIRI Suzuki in the corner, then suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally up and Davis joins Kyle. Aussie Open hook Suzuki up, but Archer brings Davis away! Archer stomps a mudhole into Davis at the corner while Suzuki kicks Kyle’s legs out, for a SLEEPER! Kyle is fading, Suzuki spins him around! Archer brings Davis up, too, but Davis slips off! Davis shoves Archer into Suzuki! BOOT and fireman’s carry, POP-UP ROUNDHOUSE! Suzuki kicks Davis, CHOPS Kyle, and then fires off more CHOPS!

Fans rally as Suzuki CHOPS Aussie Open to their knees! Kyle blocks a chop, he and Davis double wrench to DOUBLE FOREARM! Kyle runs, LARIAT! But Suzuki stays up on rage alone! Kyle runs again but Suzuki ducks the lariat, only for Davis to LARIAT! But Suzuki still stays up! Suzuki roars, so Aussie Open LARIAT SANDWICHES him! Aussie Open hauls Suzuki up, COREALIS!! Cover, Aussie Open wins!!

Winners: Aussie Open, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Suzuki & Archer earn 0)

Maybe everybody dies, but Aussie Open is still alive! And they’re still undefeated in World Tag League! Will Davis & Fletcher truly be the future of tag team wrestling?

Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Ryusuke Taguchi & Clark Connors VS Ace Austin & Chris Bey!

The Wild Hips got burned by The Sauce & G-Rex, and now they go up against the hot hand of the #InevitableFinesse! Will Taguchi & Connors turn the fourth round into good luck? Or will Ace & Bey continue to have an impact in the league?

Bullet Club Too Sweets, and the Wild Hips present two beers! Bey & Ace want some, so Connors brings out a few more! But they’re a bit wet, so he and Taguchi wipe them off on their butts! Ace slaps the beers away, he and Bey don’t want those anymore. Taguchi & Connors crack open theirs and have a drink, but then Ace & Bey attack! But Connors & Taguchi don’t drop the beers! The bell rings, Ace & Bey whip Taguchi & Connors at each other, but they do-si-do with the beer! “Cheers!” and they cross-arm chug! Fans applaud but then Ace & Bey rush in again! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS Ace down while Connors just knees Bey away.

Taguchi and Connors chug while they WHIP HIP Ace! And WHIP HIP Bey! And then back to Ace! And then Taguchi whips Connors to HIP ATTACK Bey! Another WHIP HIP for Ace! Fans fire up as Wild Hips hip bump and never waste a drop! They finish chugging, and then Connors brings Ace up. Connors uppercuts Ace, whips him to ropes, but Ace holds ropes. Connors blocks the boot, flips Ace to the apron and ROCKS him! Fans rally as Connors runs Around the World, but Ace KNEES Connors first! Connors swipes but Ace handsprings around to PENALTY KICK Connors! Ace DECKS Taguchi and coordinates with Bey!

Bey builds speed, TOO SWEET CONJILO! Fans fire up as Bullet Club poses. Bey puts Connors in for Ace to stomp around. Ace stomps Connors, then hip drops the arm! Ace has the mounted armbar, and he brings out the ace up his sleeve! PAPER CUT! Ace hides the card, Bey says shush, it’s a secret. Ace drags Connors up but Connors CHOPS! But that was the cut hand! Connors clutches his hand and Ace CLUBS him down. Ace stomps Connors down and digs his boot in. He lets off as the ref counts, then he tags Bey. Ace hooks Connors up, Bey runs, SWEEP KICK RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP COMBO! And then STANDING MOONSAULT LEG DROP COMBO! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally up while Bey swaggers around. Bey basement boots Connors, then UPPERCUTS him in the back! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and Bey drags Connors up. Bey whips Connors to a corner, runs corner to corner, STINGER SPLASH! Bey brings Connors out to DISCUS HAYMAKER! Cocky cover, ONE! Bey cravats Connors to keep him down but Connors endures. Bey leans all his weight and even headstands, but the fans rally up. Connors fights up, throws body shots, but Bey KNEES him back! Bey runs at the ropes but Connors puts him on the apron. Bey hooks Connors up to keep him from Taguchi!

Bey KNEES Connors, slingshots up and over, and things speed up, Connors POUNCES Bey!! Both men are down and fans fire up again. Connors and Bey crawl, hot tags to Ace and Taguchi! Ace dodges to kick low and CHOP! Ace whips but Taguchi reverses to HIP ATTACK! Fans fire up again as Taguchi HIP ATTACKS at the ropes! And again! And then baseball slide to APRON HIP! Cover, TWO! Taguchi drags Ace up but Ace swings, into a back suplex! Ace lands on his feet to waistlock but Taguchi switches. Ace elbows free, runs, but Taguchi follows. HIP- NO, Ace turns that into an atomic drop! Taguchi hobbles and Ace says TOO SWEET YEARS OF DEATH!

But wait, Ace’s hand gets stuck! Taguchi’s iron cheeks clamp on! Fans fire up and Taguchi hops around, bringing Ace with him. Connors is in, he fires up, and he SPEARS Ace down! Fans fire up more as the Wild Hips combine their powers! “ORYA~!” CROSS HIPS!! Cover, but Bey breaks it! Bey SUPERMAN PUNCHES Connors, but Connors UPPERCUTS Bey! Then POUNCE HIP- NO, Bey dropkicks Taguchi out of the air! Ace HEEL KICKS Connors out of the ring! And then builds speed to hit the FLOP! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans fire up as Ace hurries to get on the apron. Triangle jump ENZIGURI!

Bey tags in, ONE TWO SWEET CUTTER!! And THE FOLD!! Cover, Bullet Club wins!

Winners: Ace Austin & Chris Bey, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Wild Hips earn 0)

And that’s four in a row! Ace & Bey keep on going, is it truly inevitable that they will take the trophies?

World Tag League 2022: Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens!

The Joker & The Ace could not survive Suzuki-Gun while The General’s Jewels blew up the House of Torture! Will Fale & Chase set off another Grenade? Or will Yano & Tanahashi make it a dud?

Yano & Tanahashi keep up the high school bad boy act. They squat, then show off the “SUGOI” muscles of Tanahashi. Bullet Club Too Sweets, then they squat. Yano & Tanahashi squat and then Bullet Club attacks! Chase throws Yano out, then he and Fale stomp Tanahashi! The bell rings, Bullet Club mugs Tanahashi, but fans rally up for The Ace. Chase whips Tanahashi to the corner, runs in but Tanahashi dodges! Tanahashi dropkicks Fale’s leg, then blocks Chase’s kick to DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up as Tanahashi tries to scoop Fale! But Fale’s too big! Fale CLUBS Tanahashi, scoops him, but Tanahashi slips free!

Tanahashi fires off fast hands, runs, but Fale runs him over! Fale drags Tanahashi to ropes, tags in Chase, and then Bullet Club stands on Tanahashi’s back! The ref reprimands but they salute before stepping away. Fans rally for Tanahashi but Chase drags Tanahashi up. Chase bumps Tanahashi off buckles, tags in Fale, and then whips Tanahashi. Body shot, knee lift, LARIAT! Fale covers, but Yano breaks it! Chase sends Yano out and Fale tags him in. Chase drags Tanahashi up but Tanahashi forearms back. Chase BELL CLAPS Tanahashi, then throws him down by his hair! Chase has Tanahashi’s head between his feet, to NECK TWEAK as he falls back! Cover, TWO!

Chase drags Tanahashi up, bumps him off buckles, and tags in Fale. Fale whips Chase in, Chase forearm smashes then Fale SPLASHES! Fale scoops and SLAMS Fale, then Chase climbs up. But Yano hurries over to spray Chase with his cleaning product! Fale CLOBBERS Yano for that, ROCKS him and scoops him, to SLAM him! Fale runs but Yano avoids the elbow drop! Chase CLUBS Yano, ROCKS him, then ROCKS him again. Fale stomps Tanahashi, then he and Chase both whip Tanahashi and Yano. But Tanahashi & Yano hold the ropes! They taunt Bullet Club, then get around them to RAM them into each other!

DOUBLE LOW- NO, Chase & Fale each catch Yano! The ref reprimands, but Tanahashi DOUBLE LOW BLOWS! Roll-up on Fale, Tanahashi & Yano win!!

Winners: Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Fale & Chase earn 0)

The Once in a Century Talent has learned much from the Producer! And with that, they’re finally on the board! Will The Joker & The Ace be able to pull off a late round comeback?

Super Jr. Tag League 2022: YOH & Lio Rush VS DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

The Men of the Hour are just outside the top spot while Japones del Mal & The Heel Master are lagging behind. Will Yoh & Lio keep up the momentum? Or will Douki & Kanemaru start playing spoiler?

As soon as the introductions are over, Douki & Kanemaru attack! Kanemaru is after Lio while Douki throws Yoh out. The bell rings and Kanemaru stomps a mudhole into Lio. Douki goes out after Yoh and CLUBS him while Kanemaru bumps Lio off buckles. Kanemaru whips Lio corner to corner, but Lio goes up and over and runs. Lio redirects himself, and again, then slides under the boot to SPRINGBOARD RANA! Fans fire up, but Douki kicks and CLUBS Lio! Yoh gets in, Douki kicks him. Douki runs but Lio and Yoh both handspring to dodge! They mule kick, front kick and ENZIGURI Douki, into a NECKBREAKER from Yoh!

Fans fire up while Douki bails out. Lio HANDSPRING KICKS Kanemaru off the apron, then builds speed with Yoh. But Douki & Kanemaru get in to dropkick their legs out! Douki kicks Yoh out of the ring and then whips him into railing! Kanemaru brings Lio up to whip, and dropkick the legs out again! Kanemaru SMASHES the knee on the mat, then tags in Douki. Lio hobbles and falls, Douki drags him back to drop an elbow on the leg! Douki has a toehold but Lio endures. Douki drags Lio over to put the leg on ropes and HIP DROP it! Lio clutches his leg but Douki stomps him. Douki distracts the ref so Kanemaru can CLUB the leg on the apron!

Kanemaru tags in with the ref none the wiser. Fans rally as Lio gets back in the ring, and Kanemaru stomps Lio down. Kanemaru BOOTS Yoh for good measure, then throws Lio out. Kanemaru distracts the ref so Douki can SMASH the knee on the floor! Douki then drags Lio up to put him in for Kanemaru to cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Kanemaru stomps Lio down. Kanemaru stalks Lio, stomps him around, but fans rally for “LI-O RUSH! LI-O RUSH!” Lio kicks, Kanemaru blocks it, and he keeps Lio from Yoh to flip Lio! Lio lands on his feet, but his leg jams! Douki grabs at Lio but Lio elbows him away.

Kanemaru runs in but Lio BOOTS him away. Kanemaru runs back in, Lio slips under, but Kanemaru grabs a leg! Kanemaru drags Lio away from Yoh, but Lio hops up to ENZIGURI! Hot tag to Yoh! Fans fire up as Direct Drive rallies on Suzuki-Gun! Yoh dodges Kanemaru, dodges again, and FLYING FOREARMS! Fans rally as Yoh brings Kanemaru up again. Yoh scoops, SLAMS, and climbs up the corner for a TWISTING SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up with Yoh as he drags Kanemaru up. Yoh reels Kanemaru in and suplexes, but Kanemaru slips out to waistlock. Yoh elbows free, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs!

Kanemaru drags Yoh around, steps through, and has the FIGURE FOUR! Douki intercepts Lio, throws him back out, then goes out after him. Kanemaru thrashes but Yoh endures the hold! Yoh reaches out, tries to turn Kanemaru over, but Kanemaru blocks it. Yoh drags himself and Kanemaru over, to get the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer and Kanemaru lets go as the ref pries at the hold. Kanemaru stomps Yoh’s leg, then drags him up, SHIN BREAKER! Kanemaru kicks the leg, runs again, but Yoh scoops! But Kanemaru slips through! Yoh reel shim back in to FALCON ARROW! Both men are down and fans fire up!

Yoh and Kanemaru crawl as the fans rally up. Hot tags to Douki and Lio! Lio blocks a kick to fire off palm strikes and an uppercut! Lio runs, but Douki follows, only for Lio to duck under and send Douki out! Lio DIVES and Douki is sent into barriers! Fans fire up as Lio puts Douki back in. Lio rallies the fans as he pounds the mat. Lio then runs to springboard, but Douki blocks Rush Hour! Douki waistlocks, Lio switches but Douki elbows free! Douki kicks and ENZIGURIS! Douki runs, and LARIATS Lio inside out! Douki DECKS Yoh for good measure and Kanemaru gets in. Kanemaru runs to UPPERCUT in the corner!

Douki climbs, Kanemaru scoops, BRITISH FALL to DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO, but into ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Lio endures and fights to his feet, and he moves around, only for Douki to drag him down and roll away from the ropes! ITALIAN STRETCH! But Yoh stomps Douki down! Douki HELL STABS Yoh in return! Fans rally as Douki aims at Lio from the apron. Slingshot, DAYBREAK!! Cover, TWO!?! Kanemaru sends Yoh into railing while Douki fires back up! Douki brings Lio around, wheelbarrows, SUPLEX DE- NO, Lio fights off the full nelson! Lio switches and feeds Douki to Yoh’s JUMP KNEE!

Yoh roars, runs, but Douki uses the ref as a shield! ENZIGURI! Fans fire up as Douki goes back for Lio. Kanemaru has his whiskey and tags a swig! Douki brings Lio over, but Lio ducks! The WHISKEY MIST hits Douki! Yoh SUPERKICKS Kanemaru down! And then Yoh SUPERKICKS Douki! Lio fires up, runs, springboards, RUSH HOUR!! Yoh PLANCHAS Kanemaru! Lio hurries up top, for the FINAL HOUR!! Cover, the Men of the Hour win!

Winners: Yoh & Lio Rush, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Douki & Kanemaru earn 0)

The Heel Master trying to tip the scales ended up messing them up! Kanemaru & Douki are 0-4, will they be drinking to forget? As for Lio & Yoh, they’re building up speed at just the right time, will they take over Super Jr. Tag League?

World Tag League 2022: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi!

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but they fell to the United Empire, and the House of Torture could not beat Bad Luck. Who will have better luck here in the third round?

But as The Mighty make their entrance, SHO & DICK attack from behind! The House of Torture is stacking the deck right from the start! Fans boo as the House of Torture mug the Mighty! The ref reprimands but the match hasn’t started so no one can be disqualified yet. Evil smacks Shane off the apron, then smacks him off it again before putting Shane in the ring. The bell rings and Evil uses the Mighty’s towel to CHOKE Shane! Dick & Sho distracts the ref, but the ref finally sees that and counts. Evil lets off at 4, then kicks Shane around. Evil runs, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane snapmares and basement dropkicks!

Fans fire up and Shane throws his shirt at Evil. Shane stomps Evil, KICKS him around, then KICKS him more! Shane BOOTS Evil, reels him into a clinch, but Evil grabs at the ref! Evil then switches with Shane to RAM him into the ref! The ref falls out of the ring, fans boo, but Yujiro BLASTS Mikey off the apron! Evil throws Shane out, Sho goes after Mikey and rakes the eyes! Sho and Yujiro mug Mikey and go out into the crowd while Evil and Dick mug Shane and go up the ramp. Evil CLAWS Shane’s back, fans boo more, but Evil lines Shane up for Dick to JAM in the ribs with a chair! Yujiro does the same to Mickey!

Fans tell Dick & Sho to go away but Dick just soaks up the heat. Evil suplexes Shane to the ramp! Evil grins and he looms over Shane. Evil scuffs Shane, drags him up, and even Dick helps bring Shane over to the ring. Shane fights back but Evil rakes his eyes! Fans rally as Evil puts Shane in and the House of Torture surrounds him. They all stomp away on Shane! Fans boo even harder but Evil just laughs. The House of Torture “put one out” on Shane, and then Sho drags the ref up. But Mikey goes after Sho! Sho rakes Mikey’s eyes! The ref is back in the ring, Evil claws Shane’s eyes again, then covers. ONE!!

Fans applaud as Shane refuses to go down easy. Yujiro tags in and he kicks Shane low. Yujiro kicks, snapmares, and drops a leg! And then an elbow! And then a headbutt! Cover, TWO! Evil is frustrated but fans fire up as Shane stays in this. Yujiro drags Shane up, bumps him off buckles, then tags in Evil. Shane hits back but Evil smothers him in the corner. The ref reprimands, Evil lets off and CHOPS! Fans rally and Shane hits back again, but Evil CHOPS again! Shane throws a forearm, but Evil pushes Shane back. Yujiro holds onto Shane and Evil winds up, but he CLAWS Shane’s face! Fans boo again and the ref reprimands.

Evil lets off, then dares Mikey to get in and hit him. The ref keeps Mikey back, Evil puts Shane in a corner and tags Yujiro. Yujiro storms up to Shane, snapmares and basement BOOTS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Yujiro kicks at Shane. Yujiro pie faces Shane but Shane throws body shots! Fans rally up and Shane throws more shots, but Yujiro kicks low. Yujiro runs, but Shane deflects the boot to UPPERCUT Yujiro down! Fans fire up as Shane crawls over, hot tag to Mikey! Mikey rallies on the Tokyo Pimp with lariats, then whips him to a corner for a clothesline! Mikey whips, Yujiro gets around and ducks an elbow, but right into a DDT!

Fans fire up and Mikey BLASTS Evil! Mikey fires up, runs corner to corner and clotheslines Yujiro! He whips corner to corner to clothesline again! Evil runs in but Mikey dodges, and Evil’s clothesline hits Yujiro! Mikey whips Evil but Evil reverses, only for Mikey to come back and DOUBLE LARIAT Evil & Yujiro! Fans fire up again as Mikey roars! Mikey drags Yujiro up, reels him in, but Yujiro wrenches out and BITES Mikey’s hand! The ref reprimands but Mikey kicks Yujiro. Mikey runs but Sho trips him up! Fans boo but Yujiro BOOTS Mikey down! Shane gets in but Yujiro blocks the kick and claws the eyes!

Yujiro throws Shane down and runs to basement BOOT! Evil digs his knee into Mikey’s head at the corner, then he and Yujiro double whip corner to corner. Yujiro runs in to BOOT, Evil runs in to clothesline! Evil then hits a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Yujiro basement BOOTS again! Cover, TWO! Mikey is still in this and Sho is furious! Sho argues with the ref, but this outrage is just so Dick can use the SPOILER CHOKER on Mikey! Fans boo as Mikey endures, but then Shane whips Evil into railing! Shane BOOTS Yujiro, then sends Dick out! Shane BLASTS Sho, but Yujiro waistlocks. Shane switches, Mikey rushes over, HIGH LOW ROCK ‘N’ ROLL!

Evil runs in but Mikey gets around him to waistlock, BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER COMBO! Fans fire up with The Mighty as they roar! Shane and Mikey drag Yujiro up, trophy lift, THUNDER VALLEY!! Cover, The Mighty win!!

Winners: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Evil & Yujiro earn 0)

They were battling the House of Torture 4v2 the entire time, and they still won! Will Shane & Mikey make a mighty comeback? Should the King of Darkness and team just admit that not Everything Is Evil?

Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask VS TJP & Francesco Akira!

The Flying Tigers are back up are shooting down Suzuki-Gun, but Catch 2/2 is stinging from their first loss! Will Eagles & Tiger pile on? Or can the Public Enemy & Nova Fireball redeem themselves?

Oh look, Gideon Grey is back. He gives the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions their introductions, as well as one for Red Shoes. Gideon makes a bit of fun of Tiger Mask, and then Catch 2/2 attack with dropkicks! The bell rings as Gideon bails out. Catch 2/2 double whip Eagles but he reverses to send TJP away. Eagles CHOPS Akira, then sends TJP into him to knock him down! Then Eagles dodges TJP’s clothesline to mule kick a leg out. Eagles runs, DOUBLE SLIDING LARIAT! Fans fire up while Catch 2/2 bails out. Tiger & Eagles build speed, they DOUBLE DIVE! Down go the champs and fans fire up!

Eagles & Tiger drag Akira up and put him in. Fans chant along with “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” Eagles brings Akira around to whip him into the corner, and then Flying Tigers DOUBLE KICK Akira! TJP rushes in but Eagles blocks a kick and hooks him up to TURBO BACKPACK! Cover, Akira breaks it! Tiger throws Akira out, Eagles CLUBS TJP to a corner, and throws some forearms. Flying Tigers kick, KICK, but TJP moves and the SUPERKICK hits Tiger! Eagles brings TJP up to whip but TJP goes up and over. Akira returns, TJP helps him to RAILGUN DROPKICK Eagles!

Fans fire up, Akira runs and wheelbarrows with TJP to BOOSTED CODE BREAKER Eagles! TJP runs to LARIAT Eagles down! Cover, TWO! Eagles survives but Akira dropkicks Tiger out of the ring. Catch 2/2 double whip and double hip toss into the POWERBOMB NECKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, but Tiger breaks it! Akira kicks Tiger back out, then TJP drags Eagles up. TJP bumps Eagles off buckles, then sits him down to dig his boot in. TJP mocks the “Robbie Robbie Robbie!” before he gives Eagles scrapes to the face. TJP runs side to side, to BOOT WASH! Fans fire up and they want another! TJP obliges, but Eagles SOBATS!

Eagles runs, but into a BOOT! But Eagles hits STANDING SLICED BREAD! Eagles crawls over, hot tag to Tiger! Tiger goes up top to CROSSBODY TJP! Akira gets in and hooks Tiger’s arms. TJP runs in but Tiger BOOTS TJP away. Tiger then KANGAROO KICKS Akira away! TJP runs in again but Tiger scoops TJP for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Tiger keeps cool as he whips TJP to a corner. Tiger ROUNDHOUSES TJP, then reels him into underhooks. TJP blocks the lift but Tiger keeps trying. TJP shoots around, Tiger switches but TJP elbows free. TJP runs, Akira tags in before the springboard LARIAT!

Fans fire up and TJP throws his shirt to the crowd! Free souvenir as TJP drags Tiger up. Akira climbs up the corner, DOUBLE STOMP REVERSE DDT COMBO! Akira drags Tiger to the drop zone and TJP goes up top for the MAMBA SPLASH! Cover, but Eagles breaks it!! Fans fire up while all four men are down! TJP and Eagles crawl to each other to go forehead to forehead. Eagles whips, TJP reverses and ROLLING SOBATS! TJP runs, but Eagles DROPKICKS! Akira runs in but Eagles ducks the enziguri! ROUNDHOUSE, SUPERKICK, and ENZIGURI! Fans fire up with Eagles and he cravats, for SLICED- NO, Akira slips free!

Eagles waistlocks but Akira victory rolls to STOMP 182! Fans fire up as Eagles and TJP flop out of the ring. Tiger staggers up, Akira is on him! Tiger switches, chicken wings, but Akira ducks and TJP’s SUPERKICK hits Tiger! Akira then chicken wings Tiger to pop him up into a waistlock, but Eagles ENZIGURIS Akira again! Eagles then DIVES to take out TJP! Tiger SOBATS and TIGER DRIVERS!! Cover, TWO!?!? Akira survives and fans fire up again! Tiger keeps his cool as he brings Akira up. Tiger BUZZ- NO, Akira ducks and rolls Tiger up, TWO! Tiger rushes in but into an ENZIGURI! Akira reels Tiger in, but Tiger wrenches out, crucifix takedown! TWO!!!

But Tiger drags Akira into a REVERSE DOUBLE ARMBAR!! TJP runs in but Eagles wheelbarrows and victory rolls him, into a RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Catch 2/2 endure stereo submissions! TJP crawls over to Akira, to grab at Tiger’s mask!” TJP drags Tiger off Akira! Eagles lets TJP go to kick him out. Flying Tigers drag Akira up but he fires off forearms! Akira CHOPS Eagles, runs, but Eagles spins him around! SOLE FOOD, into TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, but TJP breaks it in time!! Eagles throws TJP back out and goes to the apron. Eagles and Tiger aim at Akira in the corner, DOUBLE KICK COMBO!

Akira sits down but Tiger drags him back up! Tiger hoists Akira up top then climbs. Fans rally as Tiger brings Akira up, but TJP trips Eagles! TJP Electric Chair Lifts Tiger! Akira adjusts, but Tiger slips off! Tiger gets under Akira’s leap, but TJP dodges Tiger! Akira SUPERKICKS Tiger! Eagles springboards, but TJP DROPKICKS him outta the sky! But Tiger fires off KICKS on Catch 2/2! Then forearms! Tiger runs, into the ALLEY-OOP FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!!! Tiger survives and fans fire up again! But “CATCH! NI NI!” starts up. TJP sits Tiger up, the champs run, 2 BY 2!! Cover, Catch 2/2 wins!

Winners: TJP & Francesco Akira, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Eagles & Tiger earn 0)

The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions redeem themselves in the fourth round! Will they make sure no one else gets a win off them for the rest of the league?

World Tag League 2022: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI VS Tetsuya Naito & SANADA!

#Bishamon could not stop the future of tag team wrestling that is Aussie Open, but the Uncontrollable Charisma & Cold Skull are feeling just fine after two big wins. Will the Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter #GetBackUp? Or will Naito & Sanada help Nagoya be tranquilo tonight?

The jackets are put aside, but of course Naito takes his time with his entrance attire. The teams sort out, LIJ fist bumps, and fans applaud as Naito starts against Goto. Fans rally and chant for “NA-I-TO!” at the bell. Naito just stares at Goto, but then chants for “GO-TO! GO-TO!” start. The two circle, approach, but then Naito backs off. They circle more, approach again, but Naito backs off. Then they finally tie up, and Goto puts Naito on the ropes. Red Shoes calls the break and the two let off slowly. Goto pats Naito on the shoulder and fans applaud. But then Naito rushes Goto to put him on ropes!

Red Shoes counts, Naito pushes Goto but lets off as Red Shoes reprimands. Naito grins but Red Shoes tells him to let go of Red Shoes. Naito lets go, but Sanada pulls Goto’s hair! Naito kicks low and Red Shoes reprimands them. Naito CLUBS Goto, whips him corner to corner, but Goto comes back to run him over! Goto DECKS Sanada, stomps Naito, then tags Hashi. Bishamon double whip and double shoulder Naito down! Then HIP TOSS SENTON! Sanada runs in but Bishamon kicks him low and drums away on him! Then Bishamon drums Naito! Fans fire up as Hashi drags Naito up. Hashi hangs Naito out to dry and Goto holds him, so Hashi can run side to side and dropkick! Cover, TWO!

Hashi keeps cool and drags Naito up. Hashi CLUBS Naito, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again! Naito wobbles, but he blocks the whip by holding ropes! Hashi CLUBS Naito, mule kicks and whips, but Naito reverses! Sanada trips Hashi up and Naito dropkicks Hashi down! Goto rushes in but into a drop toehold and basement dropkick! Naito kicks Hashi out and LIJ goes after Bishamon. Naito whips Hashi into railing! Sanada stomps Goto down, Naito drags Hashi back up. Naito CHOKES Hashi on the railing! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Naito lets off to CLUB Hashi down. A ring count starts, Naito stomps Hashi down.

Naito goes into the ring at 10 of 20 but Hashi is still down at 13. Hashi sits up at 15, stands and slides in at 17! Naito drags Hashi up, cravats and throws shoulders. Hashi hits back but Naito CLUBS and whips! Naito runs to JUMP KICK, leg sweep, COMBINACION CABRON! Fans fire up for Naito’s pose, then he tags in Sanada. Sanada stomps Hashi around, brings him up, and CLUBS him. Hashi staggers but Sanada CLUBS him again. Naito grabs hold of Hashi in the corner, and LIJ mugs Hashi. Sanada drags Hashi up, whips him to ropes, and ELBOWS him down! Cover, TWO! Fans applaud as Hashi hangs tough.

Sanada tags Naito and Naito drags Hashi up to a NECKBREAKER then PLUMA BLANCA! Naito thrashes Hashi around while taunting Goto. Goto gets in to stomp Naito, but Sanada throws Goto back out. Naito lets Hashi go, tags Sanada, and Sanada wrenches and whips Hashi corner to corner. Sanada runs in but blocks Hashi’s boot! Sanada trips Hashi, and fans cheer as Sanada ties Hashi up. But Hashi powers out of Paradise! Sanada kips up and trips Hashi again, to put him in Paradise! Fans applaud and cheer and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans oblige, Sanada runs in and dropkicks Hashi out of Paradise! Cover, TWO!

Sanada drags Hashi up, suplexes, but Hashi fights that off! Hahi tries to suplex but Sanada fights that off. They fight for suplex control as fans rally and duel. Hashi gets Sanada up, but brings him into the HEAD- NO, Sanada fights the Head Buster! Hashi dodges the lariat, to hit a HEADHUNTER! Fans fire up while both men are down! Hashi and Sanada crawl, hot tag to Goto! Goto runs Sanada over, BLASTS Naito, then fires off forearms on Sanada! Goto whips Sanada to the corner for MURAMASA! And BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Goto drags Sanada back up. Got fireman’s carries, but Sanada fights free!

Sanada waistlocks but Goto elbows free! Goto runs but Sanada dropkicks his leg! Goto hobbles, so Sanada dropkicks him down! Fans rally while both men are down. Sanada crawls over, hot tag to Naito! Naito stomps Goto down, drags him up, and ROCKS Goto to a corner. Naito whips but Goto reverses. Goto runs in but Naito BOOTS him! Naito runs, wrenches Goto but Goto avoids the elbow! Goto deflects the boot to DISCUS LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! Hashi runs Naito over, then elbows him down! Hashi whips, Naito holds the ropes and BOOTS back!

Naito runs to RANA Hashi down! Hashi goes to a corner, Naito runs in, but Hashi CHOPS him! Hashi mule kicks, turns Naito, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Hashi brings Naito up. Naito blocks the suplex, but Hashi keeps trying. Hashi throws body shots, suplexes, but Naito knees free! Hashi CHOPS! Hashi runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Naito drags Hashi back up, hoists him up top, then climbs up after him! But Hashi slips down and brings Naito off the corner! Naito fights free of the bomb, blocks a kick and CLUBS the leg, to CHOP again! Hashi fires up and the fans fire up with him!

Hashi runs corner to corner but Naito dodges! Sanada runs in to back elbow! Feed to Naito’s atomic drop, and then Hashi fires off the big back elbows! Sanada keeps Goto on the outside as Naito goes up and reels Hashi in. ESPERANZA! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives but Naito drags him back up. Fans rally as Naito wrenches and tilt-o-whirls, DESTI- NO, Hashi blocks and Goto gets in! G Y- NO, Naito kicks Hashi away and slips around Goto, Sanada DROPKICKS Goto down! Hashi runs in but into an atomic drop! KICK, ENZIGURI, BIG back suplex, rolling jackknife! TWO!!! Hashi escapes and fans fire up!

LIJ coordinate and they drag Hashi back up. Sanada gives Naito the boost but Hashi stops the tornado to send Naito into Sanada! Naito blocks a kick to give a kick, but Hashi suplexes Naito first! Fans fire up as all four men are down! Hashi and Naito stir, and Goto climbs back onto the apron! Hashi crawls to his corner, but Naito crawls to his, hot tags to Goto and Sanada! Sanada dodges Goto but Goto deflects the boot, only for Sanada to duck the discus! Sanada reels Goto in but Goto elbows Sanada away. Goto runs, but Sanada hurdles! And hurdles! And DROPKICKS! Fans fire up again as Goto bails out. Sanada goes to the ropes to PLANCHA!

Fans fire up and Sanada brings Goto back up. Sanada puts Goto in the ring and fans rally again. Sanada aims from the apron now and Goto stands up. Sanada springboards but Goto gets under! Goto fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Goto snarls and he drags Sanada up. Goto dragon sleepers, but Sanada spins around to suplex! Goto fights that, they fight for suplex control, but Goto lets off to DISCUS LARIAT! Fans rally even harder and Goto drags Sanada back up. Dragon sleeper, but Sanada drops to victory roll! TWO!!! Even Goto’s surprised he escaped!

Sanada ELBOWS, ROLLING ELBOWS, then roars! Sanada runs, but Goto fireman’s carries! Sanada slips off but Goto dodges, HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK from Hashi! Fans fire up as Hashi CHOPS Naito off the apron! Bishamon call their shot, they say it’s lights out! They stand Sanada up, hook him up, but Sanada BOOTS Hashi away! Naito trips Hashi and drags him out while Sanada spins things around on Goto! SKULL END!!! But Hashi whips Naito into railing! Goto endures and reaches out, but he’s turning red! Goto starts fading! Sanada lets him go and puts him in a drop zone! Sanada goes up top, for ROUNDING BODY-

NO, Goto moves! Sanada lands on his feet, Hashi dropkicks him down! Naito ELBOWS Hashi down then basement dropkicks him! But Hashi’s right up to LARIAT Naito! Fans are thunderous as all four men are down again! Goto and Sanada stir while Hashi and Naito roll out of the ring. Goto staggers up to his feet and powers up! Sanada sits up, BUZZSAW! Goto drags Sanada up, fireman’s carries, USHIGO- NO, Sanada lands on his feet! Goto rushes in but Sanada gets around to O’Conner B- NO, Goto blocks the bridge, Hashi SUPERKICKS! Goto fireman’s carries, FIERCE FLASH!! Hashi BLASTS Naito off the apron!

Bishamon sets Sanada up again, SHOTO!!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!!

Winners: Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Naito & Sanada earn 0)

Los Ingobernables de Japon takes their first loss this World Tag League! Is there cause for concern that Naito won’t make it to his final WrestleKingdom?

As for Goto & Hashi, Goto gets the mic to say, “Bishamon is back in Nagoya!” Fans fire up for that! Goto then says, “And… Cheering is back in Nagoya!” Fans cheer even more for that! Goto wants to literally hear it, “Who do you think will win World Tag League?” It’s hard to say who the fans are cheering for, but then they join in a chant of “BI-SHA-MON! BI-SHA-MON!” Goto admits there are “mixed opinions. But next time we’re here, it’ll be after we win World Tag League and come back as champions!” Fans do like the sound of that. Goto finishes with, “Until then, it’s lights out time! SHOTO!!”

Will Goto & Hashi use this momentum to go back-to-back as World Tag League winners and win the titles?

My Thoughts:

A great event for this series, and it’s been a while since I’ve done an entire NJPW show. I really like that despite all their efforts in both tournaments, the House of Torture can’t even buy a win. They’re really the scrubs of NJPW at this point, but this is all making it bigger for when each team finally gets that one win to spoil someone’s run. Great win for Yano & Tanahashi to finally score some points, and a great win for Aussie Open on Suzuki & Archer. And Khan was right, all of the Empire won tonight to prove they’re a very strong faction.

Taguchi & Connors drinking beer while wrestling that first half of the match was funny stuff, but I figured Ace & Bey were going to stay undefeated. That first loss also has to be big, that might happen right as finalists are decided. Super Juniors are going again on Monday, which is a surprise when World Tag League is a round behind them. There are more 3-1 teams than I expected, Yoh & Lio are one of them and they’re up next for Ace & Bey. They might give Ace & Bey a great match but I don’t know if round five is where Ace & Bey take their first loss.

The main event was awesome stuff, and Bishamon winning was a bit of a surprise, but it really shouldn’t since they won WTL last year. But this does put some pressure on Naito & Sanada, which is good for the story. It couldn’t just be smooth sailing for LIJ, so this is a good time to get that loss out of the way and have LIJ push harder towards the finals.

My Score: 8.8/10

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

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Anybody can get it!

Published

4 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Steven Mitchell

The Maniac takes on the Powerhouse!

In the wake of AEW Dynasty, in perhaps Will Hobbs’ biggest match, he takes on IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Jon Moxley! Will the Don Callis Family have even more gold?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

AEW World Championship Eliminator: Swerve Strickland VS Kyle Fletcher; Swerve wins and denies Fletcher a title match.
Mina Shirakawa w/ Mariah May VS Anna Jay; Mina wins.
Casino Gauntlet: ??? wins and will challenge for the AEW International Championship at Double or Nothing.
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

The Elite arrives at Daily’s Place.

They roll up together in the same SUV, showing off all their gold, from Kazuchika Okada still being the AEW Continental Champion to The Young Bucks being the NEW AEW World Tag Team Champions. Matthew congratulates The Rainmaker, and says he is so proud. Nicholas says he is proud of being the first-ever THREE-TIME AEW World Tag Team Champions. Wait, who is this pulling up next? It’s JACK PERRY! He just smiles at the cameraman, and Matt says alright, gentlemen, it’s a big night! They head in, but then security flags Jack down, saying he can’t be here.

Matt has security stop there, Jack is with The Elite. Hands off the merchandise. And cameraman, stick with The Elite, they’ve got some business to attend to. The Scapegoat walks with The Elite, just what will they do on this Homecoming night?

Orange Cassidy is here!

Daily’s Place fires up as Freshly Squeezed makes his way out, or rather is TOSSED out by Trent Beretta! Trent’s modified the old T-Shirt so it now reads, “Trent ~~& Orange~~ w/ Chuck Taylor win the big one.” Trent DECKS Cassidy down the ramp while fans boo the further betrayal! Trent DECKS Cassidy again, and Cassidy flops into the ring! Trent rains down fists, soaks up the heat, and then he gets a mic. “Chuck. Chuck, it’s time. Please get out here.” Trent waits, but tells the fans they have no idea what they’re talking about so please. Chuck walks out on stage and Trent apologizes? He is sorry… that he didn’t do this a long time ago!

Trent is sorry that Best Friends spent five YEARS hugging a narcissistic p*ick! Cassidy was brought in here to be their sidekick, yet somehow he made Best Friends into his lackies! Best Friends fought for Cassidy, protected him, did EVERYTHING for him, and yet Cassidy gave them NOTHING! Cassidy does NOT care about Chuck! Cassidy is NOT his friend! Trent looms over Cassidy while the fans rally for “FRESHLY SQUEEZED! FRESHLY SQUEEZED!” Trent tells Chuck that Trent cares about him. Trent IS Chuck’s friend. So please… Do the right thing and give the people what they want. Trent tosses the mic to Chuck so he can respond.

Trent holds his arms open, and then Chuck holds his arms open, to then stop and say he always thought Trent was a POS! Chuck DECKS Trent!! Trent tumbles away, gets back up, but avoids Chuck’s haymaker! The Kentucky Gentleman tells Trent he knows that they won’t clear Chuck for a fight in this ring. But Chuck doesn’t wanna fight in this ring, he wants to fight in the damn parking lot!! The fans go nuts hearing that! Trent shakes his head, but will he have no choice but to fight his former Best Friend?

Jon Moxley speaks.

“I am confident tonight that I will defend successfully my IWGP Championship, but I don’t want you to mistake that for arrogance, or ignorance, or an underestimation of my opponent, ‘Powerhouse’ Hobbs. I know exactly who ‘Powerhouse’ Hobbs is, what he’s capable of. A truck of a man who hits like one, too. Born and bred with a killer instinct, an instinct I can see and smell from a mile away. I’m acutely aware of what’s at stake tonight. I know it’ll only take one mistake for my entire world to come crashing down around me. And I know that this Callis Family put a hit out on my friend, so I know just how far they’re willing to go to get an edge to win.

“But nobody knows better than me what it takes to get to the top. More importantly, what it takes to stay at the top. So I know, honestly, for me, tonight’s gonna suck. It’s gonna be a walk through Hell. A march through mud and fire, slings and arrows, a march through Hell. But there’s no place I’d rather be, there’s no better way to feel alive. I don’t play golf, man. This is pro-wrestling, this is the king of sports, the greatest thing int he world. And tonight, I’m gonna remind the world just who I am, in case they’ve forgotten. When all the oxygen is pulled out of Powerhouse’s lungs and his carcass hits the canvas, they’re gonna feel it, from Jacksonville to Tokyo!”

The Maniac heads out, but will the Book of Hobbs’ next chapter be written in gold?

AEW World Championship Eliminator: Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS Kyle Fletcher w/ Don Callis!

Whose Dynasty? SWERVE’S DYNASTY! Because The Realest did dethrone the One True King of Wrestling Television to become the NEW AEW World Champion! Prince Nana leads the way with his dance as Swerve looks to be a fighting champion! Will Swerve snipe the Aussie Arrow? Or will the Don Callis Family already have a win on a world champion to start the night?

The bell rings and the fans rally for Swerve as he stares Kyle down. They circle, get face to face, talk some trash, and then Swerve goes for a leg! Kyle facelocks to fight the takedown, then slips around to a waistlock. Swerve switches and hammerlocks, but Kyle reaches back to headlock. Swerve cranks the hammerlock, but Kyle reaches for legs. Kyle manages to switch, snapmare and then ghost pin, TWO! Kyle headlocks but Swerve slips right out to hammerlock again. Swerve grinds Kyle down but Kyle fights to the ROPEBREAK. Swerve lets off and waits on Kyle. Kyle stands, the two reset, and they tie up again.

Swerve headlocks, Kyle powers up and puts Swerve on ropes. The ref counts, Kyle lets off but then takes a swing! Swerve ducks the chop, snapmares Kyle down and slips around to roll Kyle to a cradle, TWO! Kyle hurries after a leg, but Swerve spins around, victory roll and step over, SHORT ARM SCISSOR! Kyle scrambles around to stack, TWO! Swerve gets up, Kyle goes for a leg, but Swerve steps over. Kyle dodges the dropkick, but then Swerve avoids the Penalty Kick! Both men block the other’s kick, and the fans fire up as they both let off. The two reset, the fans rally for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”

Swerve and Kyle circle, Kyle kicks but Swerve blocks, only for Kyle to ROCK Swerve with a forearm. Kyle whips, Swerve goes up and over then JUMP SOBATS! The fans fire up as Kyle sputters, and then Swerve UPPERCUTS, snapmares, and goes up to FALLING UPPERCUT! Swerve hits the Griddy and the fans fire up! Swerve says “DU~VAL~!” and the fans echo it. Swerve goes for Kyle but Kyle gets to ropes. Swerve waits on Kyle, goes for an arm, wrenches, but Kyle whips Swerve out! Kyle runs to CALF KICK Swerve to the floor! The fans boo but Kyle snarls and Swerve checks his arm. Kyle goes out after Swerve, brings him around, but tells Nana to back off.

Swerve BACK DROPS Kyle away! Kyle writhes, Swerve goes to the apron and he tells fans to pay attention, get off their phones. PENALTY KICK and Kyle goes down! The fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Swerve struts around before he fetches Kyle, and whips him into railing! Swerve again tells fans to watch the show, not their phones. He fist bumps the front row, gets Kyle back up, and pushes him into the ring. Swerve has Kyle on the apron to CLUB him. Swerve then stalks Kyle to a corner, ROCKS him, then has him on ropes. Swerve UPPERCUTS Kyle, whips him to ropes, but Kyle reverses to scoop and SLAM! Swerve writhes while Kyle mockingly shouts, “Whose house?!” Kyle even gets on a corner to soak up the heat and tell Jacksonville up theirs! Kyle goes back to Swerve, Swerve throws body shots, but then Kyle swings. Swerve blocks to fire more body shots!

Swerve turns Kyle for a NECKBREAKER! Swerve drags Kyle around, covers, TWO! Kyle is still in this but Swerve clamps onto him with an armlock and chinbar. Swerve grinds his elbow into Kyle’s face, then grabs the other arm. Swerve wrangles Kyle into a CAMEL CLUTCH, but then makes it a SLEEPER STRETCH! Kyle still endures, fights free, and Dynamite returns to single picture as he stands. Kyle fires body shots, but Swerve grabs the arm. Kyle KICKS and KICKS but Swerve blocks, slips around, LEG CAPTURE BACKBREAKER! Swerve again grinds on the arms, pulls on back, but Kyle slips through to arm-drag free!

Swerve has the wristlock but Kyle fires forearm after forearm! Swerve swings, Kyle swats it to SLAP Swerve! Kyle whips, Swerve flips up and around but Kyle SUPERKICKS him! Then scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! A camera is backstage, and we see The Elite plus Jack Perry walking right up to Tony Khan’s office. Matthew doesn’t even knock as he leads the way right in. In the ring, Swerve and Kyle rise while the fans rally up. Swerve goes to ropes, Kyle runs in, but is put on the apron! Kyle waistlocks to drag Swerve out, and half nelsons! Swerve fights that, slips around, APRON NECKBREAKER!

The fans rally for Swerve while he shakes out his arm, then he encourages them to get louder. Swerve goes up the corner, Kyle slowly sits up, APRON KILL STOMPS!! Swerve clutches a leg, that was a risky move that may have been double-edged! Swerve walks off the pain and fans rally up. Swerve pushes Kyle into the ring, hurries to another corner, and then runs up, HOUSE- NO, Kyle catches the foot! ANKLE LOCK!! Kyle THRASHES the foot but Swerve endures! The fans rally for Swerve as he fights around, reaches out, but Kyle drags him away from ropes! GRAPEVINE!! Swerve is caught, and Kyle is even stomping Swerve’s back!

Swerve endures, the fans are thunderous, and Swerve crawls to the ROPEBREAK! Kyle lets go but keeps his eyes on Swerve. Kyle brings Swerve around to KICK him in the chest! And KICK him again! And KIJCK again, but Swerve blocks! Swerve ROCKS Kyle, Kyle ROLLING ELBOWS! Swerve MULE KICKS, HAYMAKERS, and whips to HIP TOSS! Roll through to the deadlift, but the bad foot holds Swerve back! Kyle suplexes, Swerve slips around and half nelsons but Kyle breaks that. Swerve still O’Conner Rolls so that he can BOOT from below! Kyle wobbles, into the SOMERSAULT FLATLINER! Swerve rolls through again, for the BRAINBUSTER!

The fans fire up as Swerve crawls back to cover, TWO!! Kyle survives and Swerve is frustrated. Swerve snarls, drags Kyle up for a gut wrench, but Kyle flails and kicks his way to turn it around! But then Swerve flails and kicks to turn it back around! So Kyle drops, victory roll and deadlift, into the JUMPING TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives and now Kyle is frustrated! Kyle pounds the mat, Callis tells him number four, and Kyle nods. Kyle goes outside, looks under the ring, but then shakes his head. Kyle doesn’t wanna do number four, he awnts to do it his way! GAMANGIRI! He puts Swerve up top and climbs!

Kyle has Swerve up on the very top, lifts, but Swerve fights! Swerve throws body shots, haymakers, and then he ROCKS Kyle! Kyle ends up in the Tree of Woe, and Swerve hits WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!!! Kyle survives but Swerve just reloads! HOUSE CALL!! Cover, Swerve wins!!

Winner: Swerve Strickland, by pinfall (denies Kyle Fletcher a title opportunity)

The Realest crosses Kyle off the list, and Callis is disappointed Kyle didn’t play things how he wanted. Are tensions rising in the Don Callis Family? Who will be next to step to Swerve’s Dynasty?

BREAKING NEWS for Dynamite!

As AEW returns to Canada via Manitoba, the Cleaner will return! Kenny Omega finally makes his way back to Dynamite, what will he have to say about The Bucks’ new Elite?

Backstage interview with Thunder Rosa.

Renee Paquette is with La Mera Mera and notes her being so close to winning the AEW Women’s World Championship, only to fall short. What does Rosa feel went wrong out there? Rosa says she can either stand here and complain about what happened, or she can move on. Honestly, Rosa could bring up who Deonna Purrazzo again got involved in her business, or how “Antonia Tormenta” kicked Rosa in the ovarios. But she won’t. She’s just proud of herself for- Oh, wait, Deonna walks in. The Virtuosa doesn’t get it. Rosa says she doesn’t wanna talk about Deonna, yet all she does is say her name!

Deonna dares Rosa to say things to her face, and Rosa tells Deonna en Espanol that she’s already told her before. The two start shoving, security rushes in, will we see these two have it out before one of them goes back for Toni Storm?

Mina Shirakawa w/ Mariah May VS Anna Jay!

Speaking of Toni Storm, her protege’s old mentor has been coming around AEW & ROH more and more, mostly because of Mariah May. Will Stardom’s Fighting H Cup Idol prove she’s elite? Or will Anna remind us she’s still the Star of the Show?

The bell rings and the two circle. They approach, Anna dodges and she takes a bow. The fans cheer, but Mina says okay, c’mon now. Then Mina dodges and shimmies! Anna mockingly applauds before she BOOTS Mina down! Anna brings Mina up to fire off forearms, then shows off her assets. Anna runs, but Mina dropkicks the legs out! Mina then runs to SHOTGUN Anna down! Mina grabs a leg to SMASH the knee! Mina steps over to SPLASH onto the leg, then struts around. The fans fire up as Mina brings Anna up, ties up the legs, and then DOUBLE KNEE SMASHES! Mina gets the legs again, steps through, but Anna kicks her away.

Anna runs in but Mina dodges in the corner. Mina ducks a forearm, ROCKS Anna with a forearm, then goes up to REBOUND ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Mina stays on Anna while the fans rally. Mina dragon sleepers, but Anna fight the suplex! Anna swings, Mina dodges and tilt-o-whirls, to then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Mina drags Anna by her leg, drops an elbow on the knee, and then another! And then another! And another! Mina shakes it up again and the fans cheer as she drops one more elbow! Mina steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Anna endures, crawls, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Mina lets go and Anna goes to the apron.

Mina lines up a shot, runs in, but Anna ducks to CLAW the eyes! Anna brings Mina into the ropes, give her a kiss right in front of Mariah, and HOTSHOT NECKBREAKERS! Mariah is upset but has to stay back, and Anna goes in to cover, TWO! Mina hangs in there while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Anna CHOKES Mina, lets off as the ref counts, and then she drags Mina up. Mariah says boo Anna, but Anna puts Mina in a corner. Anna digs her boot in, lets off as the ref counts, and Mina sputters as Anna brings her around. Anna ROCKS Mina, brings her around and bumps her off buckles. The fans rally, Anna CHOPS Mina, then she struts. But Mina runs up to ROCK Anna! Anna CLUBS Mina, then pushes her around. Anna stands on Mina but that’s a CHOKE! The ref counts, Anna steps away, and she blows kisses at everyone. Anna brings Mina up, to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Anna is frustrated but she brings Mina back to ropes.

Anna CHOKES Mina more, taunting Mariah to reach out, then Anna steps off as the ref counts. Mina coughs, Anna brings her up, but Mina fires body shots! Anna CLUBS Mina and has her in a corner. Anna drags Mina up, CHOKES her more, but the ref counts. Anna lets off, Mina coughs and sputters, but Anna soaks up the heat. Anna drags Mina up, cravats and snapmares, then clamps on a FULL NELSON! Mina endures, fights around, and Mariah cheers Mina on as she fights up. Mina throws elbows to fight the hold, but Anna holds tight! Dynamite returns to single picture as Mina breaks free and ROCKS Anna!

Anna comes back to ROCK Mina, but Mina ROCKS Anna again! The fans rally as the forearms go back and forth! Anna gest the edge, runs, but into a ROLLING ELBOW! Anna stands, into Mina’s URAKEN! Anna flounders to a corner, Mina roars and runs in, but Anna puts her on the apron! Mina knuckle locks, ROCKS and climbs up to FALLING KNEE DROP onto Anna! Cover, TWO!! Anna survives but Mina keeps her focus. Mina ROCKS Anna again, brings her in, but Anna wrenches out of the suplex to HOOK KICK! Then Gory Especial, GORY BOMB! Shoutout to Tay and Anna covers, TWO!!

Anna is beside herself but Mariah is also worried. Anna brings Mina up but Mina fights the STO! Mina gets free, blocks a kick, and DRAGON SCREWS! Then she steps through on the legs, FIGURE FOUR! The fans “WOO~” but Anna endures and fights to the ROPEBREAK! Mina lets go fast to go up a corner. MISSILE DROPKICK! Anna staggers back up, into the GLAMOROUS SWORD! Cover, TWO!! Anna survives Mina’s enzigiri but Mina drags her into the dragon sleeper! GLAM- NO, Anna slips free to have the QUEENSLAYER!! Mina flails, reaches out, but Anna is too busy staring down Mariah! Mina wrenches out to wrangle Anna!

Mina hooks legs, GLAMOROUS COLLECTION MINA! MINA WINS!!

Winner: Mina Shirakawa, by pinfall

Anna got cocky and got caught! Mariah brings in the champagne and glasses, and they toast the victory! But then Anna CLOBBERS Mariah and DECKS Mina! The fans are torn as Anna puts the QUEENSLAYER on Mariah!! Mariah flails, but here comes Toni Storm! The champ runs Anna off to protect her protege! “How DARE~ you!” Storm checks on Mariah, but wait! SERENA DEEB is here! The Professor of Professional Wrestling is looking rather glamorous herself as she struts out, tosses Storm’s shoes aside, and looks at the AEW Women’s World Championship! Deeb sits down beside it on the ramp and has the camera come in close.

Deeb says she could hold the title up, but she won’t. Because instead, she’s going to make the AEW Women’s Division a promise: the next time she holds the belt, it will truly belong to her as the NEW AEW Women’s World Champion. Deeb is undefeated, will she remain that way all the way through dethroning Timeless Toni Storm?

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/23/24)

GO ACE! GO ACE!

Published

1 day ago

April 23, 2024

Steven Mitchell

The House of Torture gets another try!

Despite losing in the NEVER Openweight Six Man title tournament, the House of Torture get one more shot against Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg! But will shuffling the deck really help the King of Darkness trump President Ace?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Shoma Kato VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
8 Man Tag: El Desperado, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & Katsuya Murashima VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg win and retain the titles.
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Yota Tsuji VS Gedo; Tsuji wins.
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: BUSHI VS Gabe Kidd; Gabe wins.
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Shingo Takagi VS Clark Connors; Takagi wins.
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Tetsuya Naito VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Drilla wins.
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Hiromu Takahashi VS David Finlay; Finlay wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture!

Don’t adjust your screens, this is not a rematch from Wrestling World in Taiwan. That’s because while The Ace, the Joker and the Rook won the tournament, they’re up against a different formation! The King of Darkness and Heel Master now have Tokyo Pimp as their third man, but will that change be enough to change the result? Or will Tanahshi-sachou and team be an undefeated combination?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if Darkness Falls!

The teams sort out, and Oleg starts against Yoshinobu Kanemaru. The fans rally behind “BO-LU-TIN! BO-LU-TIN!” as he circles with Kanemaru, but then Evil & Yujiro attack! The fans boo, Tanahashi & Yano hurry in but Evil & Yujiro get them first! Kanemaru drags Oleg out of the ring to stomp him down while Evil & Yujiro have Tanahashi & Yano in corners. Yujiro fires forearms, Evil CHOPS, then the House all whips. But Oleg reverses and sends Kanemaru into railing! And Tanahashi & Yano reverse to send Evil & Yujiro into each other! Oleg returns to CLOBBER Evil & Yujiro! The fans fire up as now Yano & Tanahashi intercept Kanemaru.

Tanahashi & Yano whip Kanemaru to Oleg for a scoop and SLAM! The fans rally behind the champs as Oleg paces around Kanemaru. Oleg stomps Kanemaru, tags Tanahashi, and Tanahashi eggs Evil on. Evil tags in, Tanahashi kicks first! Tanahashi fires hands, UPPERCUTS, then tears away the “President Evil” shirt to TOSS it away! Evil is furious, he made that himself! Tanahashi throws a body shot, then whips Evil corner to corner. Evil reverses, runs in, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up for the air guitar and Tanahashi tags in Yano! Yano unties a buckle pad, dodges Evil, then gives Evil the pad!

The ref reprimands Evil and confiscates the pad, and Yano SLAPS Evil on the head! Yano whips, Evil reverses, but Yano avoids the bare buckles. Evil runs up to SLAP Yano, and shove him into the buckles! Kanemaru & Yujiro BLAST Tanahashi & Oleg off the corner! Evil SMACKS Yano with the pad! Evil TOSSES Yano out of the ring, distracts the ref, and that lets Dick DECK Yano! Dick drags Yano up and puts him in the ring for Evil to cover. TWO! Evil is upset with the “slow count,” and he tags Kanemaru. Kanemaru runs to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Kanemaru ELBOWS Yano in the head!

Kanemaru snapmares Yano down into a chinlock and drags him to the corner. The ref reprimands but Yujiro tags in. Kanemaru lets go, so that Yujiro can CHOKE Yano! The ref counts, Yujiro lets off, and he drags Yano back up. Yujiro whips Yano into the bare buckles! Yano suffers his own trick, and Yujiro brings him up to knee low. Yujiro snapmares, drops a leg, then drops an elbow! Then he drops a HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Yujiro tags to Evil. Evil BLASTS Tanahashi & Oleg off the corner! Dick distracts the ref so Evil can put Yano in the COBRA TWIST, and link up with the others!

The fans boo but the House gets away with that. Evil covers, TWO! Evil is even more upset with the ref, and he drags Yano up. Evil reels Yano in for a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Wait, who is ringing the bell? Dick is ringing the bell, and Kanemaru is giving the announcement that they’ve won! The fans boo, this is of course a farce. Tanahashi & Oleg storm over, scaring off Dick and Kanemaru. Evil tags Kanemaru, then TOSSES Yano outside. Kanemaru drags Yano back up to whip him into railing! Then DDT to the floor! Yano is down in enemy territory while Tanahashi argues with the ref.

The fans rally up but Yujiro puts Yano in. Kanemaru covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Kanemaru drags Yano around. Yano is dead weight so Kanemaru leaves him behind to BLAST Tanahashi! Kanemaru drags Yano up but Yano pulls hair! Kanemaru CLAWS Yano’s eyes! Kanemaru whips, Yano reverses and throws him down by his hair! The fans fire up as Yano crawls, hot tag to Oleg! The fans fire up as Oleg CLOBBERS Kanemaru, BLASTS Evil & Yujiro, then runs in at the corner. Kanemaru BOOTS Oleg, runs, but into a POP-UP BEARHUG! Kanemaru endures, but then Oleg turns that into a BIG suplex! The fans fire up as Oleg storms around.

Oleg deadlift gut wrenches, but Dick gets on the apron. Oleg drops Kanemaru to scare Dick off. But then Yano puts Dick in! Dick prays and begs for mercy, but Oleg just deadlift gut wrenches him! Shake, Rattle and THROW! And a kip up!? Oleg then gets Kanemaru back up, Shake, Rattle, and some more shaking, and THROW! Oleg roars, runs, and SPLASHES down! Cover, Evil & Yujiro break it! Then they BLAST Tanahashi & Yano! The House stomps away on Oleg, then drag him up. They double whip Oleg to a corner, then Yujiro BOOTS! Evil clotheslines! They snapmare, Kanemaru distracts the ref, and Dick goes up!

The fans boo but Dick hits the DICK CHOP! Kanemaru covers, TWO!! The fans fire up but Evil tags back in. Evil and Kanemaru get Oleg up to suplex, but Oleg fights it! Oleg DOUBLE SUPLEXES back! Hot tag to Tanahashi! Ace of the Universe meets King of Darkness, and Tanahashi runs to CLOBBER Evil! Tanahashi fires forearms and body shots on Evil, then scoop SLAMS him into a drop zone! Tanahashi goes up to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Tanahashi as he waits on Evil. Tanahashi runs, but Evil goes to the corner! Evil LARIATS Tanahashi down! Tag to Yujiro and he storms up on Tanahashi.

Yujiro brings Tanahashi up to knee low and fire forearms. Yujiro CHOPS then runs up, to BOOT! Yujiro then runs, to BOOT again! Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi runs, but Yujiro TOSSES him out! Evil is there to set Tanahashi up for a whiskey bottle shot! Evil puts Tanahashi back in, then he and the rest go after Oleg and Yano! Yujiro gets Tanahashi up for an INCOLLE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Yujiro goes for his pimp cane, but the ref stops him! That leaves Dick open to use the SPOILER CHOKER on Tanahashi!! The fans boo as President Ace suffers! Tanahashi fades out, Dick slips away, and Yujiro laughs.

Yujiro drags Tanahashi up while the fans rally. Yujiro reels Tanahashi in, but Yano gets in to grab Yujiro! Kanemaru gets in while the ref is distracted again! But Yano ducks, the WHISKEY MIST hits Yujiro! LOW BLOW for Kanemaru! But Evil LOW BLOWS Yano! So Tanahashi LOW BLOWS Evil! Dick gets in but Tanahashi kicks the ropes! Dick falls, Oleg returns, and he gets Yujiro up! Tanahashi climbs, Oleg hits the KAMIKAZE SENTON! Then Tanahashi HIGH FLY FLOWS!! Cover, Team Go Ace wins!

Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

The House of Torture tried their usual tricks, but Tanahashi’s team proved they could play that, too! The Ace, the Joker & The Rook stand tall again, will The House have to start playing a different game?

LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Yota Tsuji VS Gedo!

While Los Ingobernables de Japon and the Bullet Club War Dogs have already done battle on this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, tonight is a best of five series! Will it be Gene Blast or Blacksmith that sets the tone for tonight?

The moment Yota hops off the corner, Gedo takes a swing! Yota dodges and GENE BLASTER!! The bell rings, Yota covers, Yota wins!!

Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall

Well not sure about the tone but this sure set a new record! From bell the bell, that was FIVE SECONDS! Score one for LIJ already, and Yota helps roll Gedo out of the ring. Will LIJ make this a shut out? Or will the other War Dogs be a bit smarter about the pitches they throw across the plate?

LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: BUSHI VS Gabe Kidd!

Round two is here sooner than expected after what we just saw, and the Black Mask is up against the #WarReady Mad Man. Gabe vows to take back everything NJPW used to mean, but will he get War Dogs on the board? Or will Bushi keep things tranquilo?

Bushi climbs onto the corner and Gabe rushes him! Bushi jumps over, the bell rings and Bushi DROPKICKS Gabe down! Bushi whips, Gabe reverses but Bushi ducks ‘n ‘dodges to RANA! Gabe bails out, Bushi builds speed, but Gabe gets away. Bushi slides out, but Gabe kicks and CHOPS! Gabe UPPERCUTS Bushi down, then drags Bushi up to dig at Bushi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Gabe storms around and mockingly calls upon the wrestling gods. Gabe runs but Bushi dodges, Gabe crashes into railing! The fans fire up while Bushi rises. Bushi brings Gabe up, fires forearms, then brings Gabe around. Gabe blocks the bump off the apron to whip Bushi hard into railing!

Bushi flounders and Gabe snarls while the fans rally up. Gabe storms out to open the way to the orange bleachers! Gabe ROCKS Bushi, brings him around and they go up into the stands. Gabe HEADBUTTS Bushi down, shouts “I’m a MAD MAN, y’know!” then continues up to the next level. Bushi fights the lift but Gabe CLUBS him! Gabe lifts again but Bushi still fights! Gabe CLUBS away on Bushi, CHOPS and HAYMAKERS! Gabe backs up, flips everyone off, and he runs back in, but Bushi dropkicks the leg! Bushi SMACKS Gabe off railing, then he goes up higher into the stands! Bushi stands on the ledge, to SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go Gabe and the Young Lions!

The fans are thunderous as Bushi rises, and he brings Gabe up. Bushi headlocks Gabe to bring him back down the bleachers. Gabe throws body shots but Bushi throws hands in return. Bushi brings Gabe back to ground level, then through the gate. They return to ringside but Gabe CLUBS Bushi down again. Gabe HEADBUTTS, then he puts Bushi in. The fans rally, but Gabe drags Bushi around to ROCK him again. Gabe has Bushi on the apron, CLUBS him again, then brings Bushi out. Bushi fights the suplex to throw body shots! Gabe HEADBUTTS again, but Bushi fires more hands! Bushi puts Gabe in and the fans cheer.

Bushi drags Gabe up but blocks his haymaker to spin and DDT! Cover, TWO! Bushi goes to a corner while Gabe sputters. Gabe stands, Bushi runs in, but no Code Breaker! Gabe ELBOWS, JABS and YUKON LARIATS! Gable copies Takagi, covers, TWO! Gabe flips off the fans, they boo, and so he just flips them off more. Gabe eggs Bushi on, taunts him, so Bushi CHOPS! Gabe dusts himself off, Bushi CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS, says Bushi ain’t got nothing, but Bushi fires a flurry! Gabe CHOPS again, Bushi DOUBLE CHOPS! Gabe UPPERCUTS, then he gut wrenches! But Bushi slips free and shoves!

Gabe blocks one kick, ducks the enzigiri, but not the REWIND HEEL! Bushi reels Gabe in, for a DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and flounders away while the fans fire up. Gabe flops right out of the ring but Bushi pursues. Bushi drags Gabe up, but Gabe HEADBUTTS him back down! Gabe rips away the LIJ shirt to tell them to suck it! Gabe SPITS on the shirt, throws it down, then goes back for Bushi. Gabe puts Bushi in, Bushi goes to a corner, and Gabe runs in to clothesline! Gabe suplexes, Bushi slips free, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and uses the ref as a shield! BLACK MIST!! Bushi gets the better of Gabe and hooks the arms!

Gabe fights the backslide, BOOTS the ref, so the ref can’t see the Bushi Roll! Bushi would’ve had this one! Bushi goes to check on the ref but Gabe storms up to HAYMAKER! Gabe shouts at the ref, drags him back up, and then storms over to Bushi! PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Gabe wins!

Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall

The series is tied 1-1, and Gabe shouts for water to wash out the mist. LIJ VS War Dogs aside, Gabe now has momentum going into his NEVER Openweight Championship match with Shingo Takagi. Will the Rampaging Dragon be just as #WarReady as Gabe after tonight?

LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Shingo Takagi VS Clark Connors!

Speaking of the NEVER Openweight Champion, he’s third up in the batting order, ready to drive home another run. Will the Rampaging Dragon score and soar towards Wrestling Dontaku? Or will he be struck out by 100 Proof?

Takagi and Connors get in each other’s face and talk some trash. Connors shoves but the ref has them both back down. Connors gets all fired up, Takagi says okay then, and the bell rings, only for Connors to bail out. The fans boo Connors trolling them, but he says tranquilo. Takagi paces while Connors goes around the outside. Takagi dares Connors to get in but Connors dares Takagi to come on out. The fans rally up so Connors goes back to the apron. Connors steps in, fires up, but then bails out. But Takagi pursues! They go around the ring, back in, and then Connors RAMS Takagi! But Takagi doesn’t fall!

Connors runs again, RAMS Takagi, but still Takagi stays up. Connors fires forearm after forearm after forearm, but then Takagi ROCKS, KNEES, CLUBS and CHOPS! And JABS! Takagi whips, Connors ducks ‘n’ dodges to RAM Takagi! Takagi rebounds, but Connors runs him over! The fans fire up while Takagi goes to a corner. Connors runs corner to corner to clothesline, then he reels Takagi in. Takagi fights the suplex, and he suplexes Connors instead! The fans fire up again but Connors bails back out. Takagi pursues, JABS, then SMACKS Connors off the apron. Takagi follows Connors around, POSTS him, and the fans cheer.

Takagi stomps Connors, Connors goes around the way but Takagi follows. Takagi runs up to BOOT Connors, then follows him. Connors uses a Young Lion as a shield, then shoves him into Takagi! Connors then whips Takagi into railing! Takagi leans against railing and Connors UPPERCUTS! Connor opens the gate and pushes Takagi into No Man’s Land. Connors brings Takagi around to SMACK off the wood bleachers! Takagi hits back, they brawl, and Takagi knees low! Takagi whips, Connors reverses and Takagi is sent into the wall of the hallway! Connors throws up the Too Sweet but the fans boo.

Connors brings Takagi back to SMACK into the gate, then POST! Connors reels Takagi in, to snap suplex to the floor! Takagi writhes, the ref reprimands but Connors wants the ring count to start. The ring count does start, and Connors scoops a Young Lion to SLAM him onto Takagi! And then he grabs another Young Lion to SPINEBUSTER onto Takagi! Connors slides into the ring at 10 of 20 while Takagi pushes the Young Lions off him. Takagi stands at 17, hurries up at 18, but Connors SPEARS him down! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this and the fans rally, but Connors keeps on Takagi with a half nelson.

Takagi fights as Connors goes for the full nelson! Takagi reaches out but Connors keeps him from ropes. Takagi fights to his feet, powers up, but Connors keeps the nelson! The fans rally more as Takagi keeps fighting. Takagi powers the hold open, but Connors spins him to knee low! Connors whips, but Takagi avoids the snap powerslam! Takagi runs up to SLIDING- NO, Connors dodges, but runs into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! The fans fire up and Takagi goes to a corner. Connors flounders around, rises up, and Takagi storms up to the corner. Takagi clotheslines, then JABS and CHPOS on repeat! Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS and CHOPS!

Takagi whips corner to corner, runs in to clothesline again, then short arm LARIAT! Takagi scoops Connors to SLAM him, then he goes up and up for the FALLING ELBOW DROP! Takagi hauls Connors up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Connors is still in this but Takagi looks around. The fans rally with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi says, “OI, KORAKUEN! TOKI GA KITA!!” The time has come and the “OI! OI! OI!” continues. Takagi brings Connors up, pump handle, but Connors fights the lift! Connors throws elbows, then ROCKS Takagi! Takagi eggs Connors on, Connors throws another forearm! Takagi fires back!

Connors fires more forearms, but Takagi HEADBUTTS! Connors HEADBUTTS, but he’s the one wobbling! Connors ROCKS Takagi with a forearm, then eggs Takagi on. Takagi ROCKS Connors with boxing elbows! Takagi runs, Connors follows to LARIAT against ropes! Connors runs but Takagi follows to KNEE against ropes! Takagi keeps moving, Connors gets under to come back and POUNCE! Then a whip and SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! But Connors powers up and runs, to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!?! The fans fire up but Connors aims from a corner! Connors runs in to SPEAR!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous!

Connors rises, Takagi stirs, and Connors brings Takagi up. But Takagi fights No Chaser! Takagi wrenches out to JAB! And HEADBUTT! Connors dodges the lariat, but runs into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Takagi runs up to PUMPING BOMBER! Then SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Connors shakes his head as he stays in this, but Takagi roars! Takagi pump handles for MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Connors survives and shocks Takagi, but the fans are thunderous again! “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi powers up. Takagi runs, but Connors dodges! But PUMPING BOMBER still finds him! Cover, Takagi wins!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall

We’re halfway done and LIJ takes the lead! Takagi has momentum for himself, too, but will the Rampaging Dragon be #WarReady for Gabe Kidd? Or will Wrestling Dontaku be the end of the road for Takagi?

LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Tetsuya Naito VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!

The Uncontrollable Charisma may no longer be IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but we all know he never lets things get to him. Will he therefore stay tranquilo as he looks to win this series for his team? Or will he lose a shootout with the .44 Caliber?

As always, Naito takes his time with his entrance attire. Drilla mockingly asks what happened to his belt, but Naito doesn’t let that get his goat. The fans rally for Naito and that annoys Drilla. Naito puts the pants away, the bell rings, and Drilla runs up! But Naito puts him on the apron, and sweeps the legs! Then he DROPKICKS Drilla down! Naito goes out slowly to fetch Drilla, CLUB him on the neck, and then CLUB him again. Naito CLUBS Drilla more, cravats for a neck wrench, and even grinds Drilla against railing! The ref counts, Naito puts Drilla in, and the fans applaud. But Drilla comes back to WRECK Naito with a dropkick!

Drilla whips Naito hard into railing, and Naito gets stuck! Drilla dumps him over, tells fans off about cheering for Naito, then drags Naito up and around. Drilla CHOPS Naito, follows him along the way, and whips him hard into railing! The fans applaud the impressive speed and strength, but Drilla leaves Naito behind as Naito slumps into the front row. The ring count climbs, Naito sits up at 7 of 20. Naito finds his way around to the gate at 12, steps in at ringside, and rolls in at 15. Drilla throws Naito’s hat at him, then stomps away! Drilla drags Naito up, HEADBUTTS him, then has him on ropes. Drilla CHOPS and Naito staggers.

Drilla eggs Naito on so Naito fires forearms! Naito whips, Drilla reverses and ELBOWS Naito down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Naito but Drilla digs his knee into Naito’s neck! The ref counts, Drilla lets off to get in the ref’s face, but the ref reminds Drilla to respect his authority. Drilla kicks Naito around, steps on Naito’s head, then taunts the fans. Naito gets up to throw hands but Drilla hits back! They go back and forth, forearm for forearm, but then Drilla CHOPS! Drilla runs, into an ELBOW! Drilla rebounds, but Naito hip toss NECKBREAKERS! The fans rally as Naito rises and Drilla writhes. Naito drags Drilla up to fire forearms and kicks!

Naito whips, arm-drags, then he ELBOWS Drilla down to basement dropkick in the back! Naito turns Drilla for a NECKBREAKER! Drilla writhes, Naito pushes him to a cover, TWO! Naito keeps on Drilla with a cravat neck wrench. Drilla endures, fights around, and he fights up. Drilla breaks free, CLUBS Naito, then runs, but Naito catches him to a dragon sleeper, NECKBREAKER! Drilla fights the legs but Naito still hooks him into the LEG HOOK NELSON! Drilla endures, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! Naito again “forgets” how to undo the hold, so the ref pries the legs away.

Drilla is free and clutches his neck, but Naito paces around. Naito drags Drilla back up, but Drilla CHOPS! Naito fires a forearm in return! Drilla CHOPS! Naito forearms! The shots go back and forth, Drilla grunts and has a crazy grin. Drilla fires a forearm, Naito mocks the grunt! Naito fires back, both men grunt and fire forearms again! Drilla CHOPS, but then Naito ROCKS him, SPITS on him, and fires off more forearms! Drilla gets under, shoves Naito then hurdles, drops and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Naito and Drilla go to opposite corners, and Drilla runs corner to corner! Drilla blocks a boot but Naito SPITS!

Naito runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Drilla horks up and SPITS a big one at Naito, then DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Naito stays in this and Drilla is seething. Drilla slashes his throat and throws up the Too Sweet. Drilla drags Naito up, reels him in, but Naito fights the lift. Drilla ENZIGIRIS Naito, then gets him back up! Canadian Rack, but Naito arm-drags Drilla into the ref! The ref tumbles all the way out, Naito atomic drops Drilla and ENZIGIRIS! COMPLETE SHOT, and then PLUMA BLANCA!! Drilla endures, flails, is he tapping? But there’s no ref anyway! Wait, David Finlay rushes out here!

The Rebel taunts Naito while swinging the shillelagh! Naito lets Drilla go, only for JAKE LEE to show up!?! Talk about a CrossOver, the Good Looking Emperor is here in NJPW and he fires hands with Naito!! The fans are going nuts, but Naito gets the edge! Only for Jake to KNEE low! Jake puts Naito in a corner, takes aim, and runs in to HELLUVA KICK!!! Or as he calls it, #FaceBreakShot! Naito staggers into Drilla’s arms, for the DRILLA KILLA!!! Cover and the ref is back, Drilla wins!!

Winner: “Drilla” Dan Moloney, by pinfall

The Rebel gets the Madness Dark Side to help him screw over Naito, and now this series is all tied up again! But then Finlay & Drilla beat Naito down more! Jake steps in, and the War Dogs back away. Jake stands on Naito’s chest, then stomps away! Is Jake going to destroy Naito once and for all? But wait! Here comes Hiromu! The Ticking Timebomb ROCKS Jake, ROCKS Drilla, then fires off on Finlay! But then Drilla & Finlay mug Hiomru! They double whip, but Hiormu ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Hiromu goes out after Finlay, but Drilla CLUBS Hiromu! They POST Hiromu, but what about the main event!?

Red Shoes hurries out here, the fans tell Jake and Drilla to go home. Jake literally kicks Naito out of the ring and then stands him up against railing. Jake gets space, takes aim again, and Finlay makes Hiromu watch the FACE BREAK SHOT that sends Naito into the front row!! The fans boo and tell Jake to go home. Jake smirks as he takes his leave with Drilla, the damage done. Is there an alliance between Jake’s Good Looking Guys and Finlay’s War Dogs? Is Naito just the first casualty of many?

As for Finlay and Hiromu, Finlay RAMS Hiromu into railing! And then RAMS him in again! Finlay RAMS Hiromu a third time, then he soaks up the heat. Red Shoes reprimands, but this isn’t officially a match yet. Finlay takes aim, he runs in, but Hiromu sends him into railing! Hiromu gets Finlay in, the bell rings, and it’s time to settle the score!

LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Hiromu Takahashi VS David Finlay!

Hiromu fireman’s carries, CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Hiromu fireman’s carries again, but Finlay slips away! The fans rally for Hiromu as he eggs Finlay on. Finlay snarls, storms back up but Hiromu then SUNSET FLIPS! Finlay holds ropes to throw down hands! Hiromu staggers away, Finlay fireman’s carries him now! Finlay runs and THROWS Hiromu at a post! The fans boo while Finlay throws up the Too Sweet and taunts them all. Finlay leaves Hiromu behind, he tells the fans they look stupid, then he goes back to fetch Hiromu. Finlay slaps Hiromu around, drags him up, and throws him into the ring.

Finlay crawls to a cover but Red Shoes says nope, too many shenanigans. Finlay is upset, there were a lot of shenanigans both ways. But Finlay drags Hiromu up to suplex and TOSS Hiromu! Now things are fine and Finlay covers, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Finlay mocks the “MOTO! MOTO!” Finlay whips Hiromu hard into a corner! Hiromu falls then crawls, and Finlay taunts him that it’s too easy. Finlay stalks Hiromu to another corner as the fans rally up, but Finlay makes Hiromu smile! Finlay says smile like Tsuji! Red Shoes reprimands, Finlay lets off, but then he drags Hiromu up to whip hard into another corner!

Hiromu staggers and falls out of the ring and Red Shoes checks him. Finlay waits on Hiromu while he writhes on the floor. Finlay mockingly says “Moto! Moto!” Red Shoes has Finlay stay back, and the ring count starts. Hiromu stands at 4 of 20 while Finlay lounges on the ropes. The fans rally, Hiromu rolls in at 10, but Finlay brings him back up. Finlay scoops and carries Hiromu around for a BACKBREAKER! Finlay says he’s strong AF, and then he kicks Hiromu around. Finlay mocks the fans chanting for Hiromu, and that makes them boo Finlay. Finlay pushes Hiromu around, so Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS!

Finlay dusts himself off, eggs Hiromu on, so Hiromu CHOPS again! Finlay felt that one so he knees low. Finlay runs, Hiromu follows, and Hiromu RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Finlay flounders while Hiromu goes to ropes. Finlay runs up, but into a BOOT! Hiromu then has a HANGING HEADSCISSOR! Red Shoes counts, Hiromu lets go at 4 and he drags Finlay out to wheelbarrow FACEBUSTER to the floor! The fans rally up behind Hiromu and he goes to the apron. Hiromu aims as Finlay stands, FLYING SHOTGUN sends Finlay through the gate! The fans fire up with Hiromu as he pursues.

Hiromu smiles at TJP on English commentary, then gets a real “MOTO! MOTO! MOTO!” going. Hiromu gets Finlay up and in, and Finlay goes to a corner. Hiromu runs up to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Hiromu keeps his cool and he kicks Finlay around. Hiromu drags Finlay up, fireman’s carries, but Finlay fights free. Hiromu takes a swing, but Finlay catches him to an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Hiromu survives but Finlay scoops him, for the SWINGING IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives again and Finlay grows frustrated.

Finlay mocks Yota Tsuji as he powers up and goes to the corner. Hiromu rises, Finlay flips him off, and steals GENE- TRIANGLE D!! Hiromu has Finlay caught and the fans fire up! Finlay flails, tries to stack Hiromu, but Hiromu squeezes tighter! Finlay is fading and the fans fire up! But Finlay gets a second wind, deadlifts Hiromu, and POWERBOMBS him down! Finlay is free of D, but both men are down as the fans rally again. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, and lifts, but Hiromu RANAS to a cover! TWO!! Finlay escapes, kicks low and whips, but Hiromu slips free of Deep Six to wheelbarrow and COMPLETE SHOT!

The fans fire up while Finlay flounders! But Finlay sneaks his shillelagh into the ring! The fans rally for Hiromu while Finlay hides the shillelagh under him. Hiromu rises, Finlay shields the shillelagh from Red Shoes but Red Shoes is suspicious. Red Shoes sees the weapon! Finlay shoves Red Shoes away and takes a swing, but Hiromu dodges! SUPERKICK! Hiromu takes the shillelagh now! The fans are torn, but then Hiromu plays like Finlay did hit him! Red Shoes isn’t sure who to believe, but Finlay really is innocent this time! Finlay argues with Red Shoes but fans boo to help sell Hiromu’s trick.

Hiromu then runs to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! And then fireman’s carry! TIMEBOMB 1.5! Cover, TWO! Finlay is still in this but the fans are still with Hiromu. Hiromu fireman’s carries again, but Finlay fights free. Hiromu elbows, runs, but into an UPPERCUT! Finlay runs, but into a SUPERKICK! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER, but Finlay stays up! Hiromu runs again, but Finlay catches him spins him, ROLLING ELBOWS, then runs! Into a SUPERKICK! Finlay returns, for another SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! The fans are thunderous and Hiromu gets Finlay up, suplex and INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!!!

Finlay survives his own move but Hiromu won’t let that bother him! Hiromu drags himself up, dragon sleepers Finlay, but Finlay fights the suplex with knees! Finlay suplexes, but Hiromu knees free! Hiromu runs, but Finlay LARIATS! Finlay hauls Hiromu up, Canadian Rack, DOMINATOR!! Cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives and the fans are thunderous! Finlay goes to a corner as he thinks on what to do next. Finlay storms over to Hiromu, says it’s over now, and he drags Hiromu back up. But Hiromu slips out of the bomb to tuck the arms! Finlay wrenches out, but into TRIANGLE D!! Finlay flails, CLUBS at Hiromu, but he’s fading again!

Red Shoes checks, the fans rally up, and Finlay fights to deadlift again! POWERBOMB, but Hiromu just holds onto D!! Finlay is fading, flailing, reaching out, but Hiromu squeezes tight! Finlay deadlifts again! BUCKLE BOMB, and INTO OBLIVION!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Hiromu survives again and Finlay is beside himself! The fans are electric as Finlay shakes his head. Hiromu sputters but Finlay brings down the kneepads. Finlay slashes his throat and vows to end this! Finlay drags Hiromu back up, suplexes, but Hiromu slip free! Hiromu wrenches, pump handles, HIROMU-CHAN ROLL!! TWO!!! Finlay escapes and Hiromu is frustrated!

Both men catch their breath while the fans rally as hard as they can. Hiromu grits his teeth, pounds the mat, and rises up. Hiromu hobbles over but Finlay UPPERCUTS! Hiromu comes back, into another UPPERCUT! And another UPPERCUT! And another! And another, and another! But Hiromu stays on his feet, even as Finlay UPPERCUTS again! And again! And again!! Hiromu won’t stop, but Finlay won’t, either! The fans rally and Finlay eggs Hiromu on. Hiromu runs in, into another UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! Hiromu roars, runs, but into an UPPERCUT!! Hiromu drops to his knees, and Finlay says this is it!

Finlay suplexes, INTO OVERKILL!! Cover, Finlay wins!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall

Bullet Club War Dogs takes the best of five in the fifth and final round! It took much more than Finlay wanted, but Hiromu always gives it his all. Will the Timebomb be able to fire back up in time for the Best of the Super Juniors?

Wait, Drilla returns, and now the War Dogs mug Hiromu! But then Tsuji & Takagi return to run them off! The War Dogs egg them on and vice-versa, but then GABE KIDD runs in! He CLOBBERS Takagi, DECKS Tsuji, and the War Dogs beat up on LIJ! The fans boo but the War Dogs just keep stomping LIJ! Drilla stands Tsuji up for Finlay’s SHILLELAGH SHOT! Drilla gives Hiromu the DRILLA KILLA! Gabe hits Takagi with a PILEDRIVER! Drilla gets to hold on to the shillelagh so he can JAM Hiromu! Finlay gives Tsuji the OVERKILL!! The War Dogs stand tall over LIJ, but Finlay still gets the mic to talk.

“What have I been telling you people? I AM the Savage King! You all thought you saw cracks in my game, but that’s because I let you. You all thought you saw weakness in my War Dogs, but that’s because I let you. Time and time again, I have been steps ahead of everyone in this company. Time and time again, I have solved any problem that was put in our way. The only thing worse than fighting a man who knows how to hurt you is fighting a man who knows when. LIJ learned that tonight, didn’t they?” A young fan tells Finlay to shut up and the fans cheer the kid.

Finlay says you can strip him of championships, you can keep him from tournaments, but in the end, remember this: “HATE always finds a way!!” The Rebel has spoken, will he and his hateful War Dogs find a way to dominate all of NJPW whether we like it or not?

My Thoughts:

A great event for the Road to Wrestling Dontaku series. Great Six Man title match with Tanahashi’s team winning again, probably no more shots for House of Torture. Not really sure what House of Torture is supposed to do next, though. We’re seeing Narita go after Moxley and the IWGP World title, Jack Perry is technically back in AEW, Evil and Yujiro could try for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles but you know they’d lose to Bishamon. I’ve been thinking that House of Torture should join Jack in AEW for this stretch until Forbidden Door, have some interactions with The Young Bucks and Kazuchika Okada or something like that.

Really fun Best of 5 series, and it was hilarious that Yota beat Gedo so easily. Great wins for Gabe and Takagi going into their NEVER Openweight Championship match. For a moment, I thought LIJ was winning, given how badly the War Dogs beat up Naito with the help of their new pal, Jake Lee, a former GHC Heavyweight Champion and a big name in Pro-Wrestling NOAH. But then in the end, Finlay found a way to win against Hiromu, keeping him strong as he probably moves up from midcard titles to world title. If we go by the math, Takagi should win the NEVER Openweight title match, but it’d feed Gabe’s story better if he did get the title.

As for Hiromu, he probably gets a strong showing in Best of the Super Juniors, but since his streak of tournament championships was broken, who knows if he gets another one or if he puts someone else over.