Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW WTL X Super Jr. Tag Results & Report! (12/7/22)
The Super Jr. Tag League penultimate round!
The Super Juniors are so close, they can almost taste it!
NJPW continues on and the Super Jr. Tag League is almost done! Is it inevitable that Ace Austin & Chris Bey are finalists in the tournament? Or will they get burned by the #GLEATSAUCE?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Yuto Nakashima & Ryohei Oiwa VS Oskar Leube & Kosei Fujita; Leube & Fujita win.
- Six Man Tag: Suzuki-Gun VS Bullet Club; Suzuki-Gun wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Toru Yano, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomoaki Honma & Master Wato VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; LIJ wins.
- Super Jr. Tag League 2022: KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight VS TJP & Francesco Akira; TJP & Akira win.
- Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Ryusuke Taguchi & Clark Connors VS YOH & Lio Rush; Yoh & Lio win.
- Super Jr. Tag League 2022: DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS SHO & Dick Togo; Douki & Kanemaru win.
- Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask VS BUSHI & Titán; Bushi & Titán win.
- Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Alex Zayne & El Lindaman VS Ace Austin & Chris Bey; Zayne & Lindaman win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current Super Jr. Tag League standings!
Austin & Bey: 6-1, 12 points
Bushi & Titan: 5-2, 10 points
TJP & Akira: 5-2, 10 points
Yoh & Lio: 5-2, 10 points
Zayne & Lindaman: 5-2, 10 points
Taguchi & Connors: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Eagles & Tiger Mask: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Douki & Kanemaru: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
KUSHIDA & Knight: 1-6, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Sho & Dick: 1-6, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Super Jr. Tag League 2022: KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight VS TJP & Francesco Akira!
The Time Jet may be out of the running, but they could use this moment to turn it all around! Will Kushida & Knight find #Time2Fly? Or will Catch 2/2 not be denied their spot in the finals?
The Orchestrator, Gideon Grey, is here to make the introductions for the Public Enemy & Nova Fireball. The teams sort out and fans applaud as Knight starts against TJP. Fans rally as the two circle. TJP avoids Knight’s rush at the legs, gets around to a waistlock, but Knight switches. TJP sits, pries at the hold, but Knight brings him up to SLAM him down! Knight floats to a facelock, TJP rolls but Knight stays with him, but TJP slips away. Fans applaud this opening exchange and the two reset. Knight and TJP circle, knuckle lock, and TJP spins to wrench and wrangle Knight with a top wristlock.
Knight rolls, stands, TJP wrenches his arm again. Knight rolls, handsprings and wrenches back! Fans applaud while TJP works on a return. TJP rolls, spins, cartwheels, but Knight stops the headscissors to CHOP! Fans applaud as TJP staggers to ropes. Knight CHOPS TJP again, then whips TJP to ropes. They RAM shoulders but neither man falls. Knight flexes and fans applaud. TJP runs, they RAM shoulders again and Knight stays up. Knight says TJP doesn’t have it, but TJP kicks low! TJP runs, but Knight hurdles over! TJP rebounds, and he blocks the hip toss into a cobra twist! Fans applaud while Knight endures.
TJP drops for a ground cobra cradle, TWO! Knight whips, TJP stops himself and comes back to tie Knight’s one arm up, and he YANKS Knight’s other arm back! Fans applaud while TJP drags Knight away. Tag to Akira and Catch 2/2 mug Knight. They double whip but Knight DOUBLE FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES them down! Fans fire up as Knight brings Akira up. Knight wrenches Akira, tags Kushida, and he hands off the wrench. Kushida wrenches to a wristlock, then tags Knight back in. They hand off the wrench again, tag, and then hand it off again! Kushida CLUBS Akira’s arm, wrangles him down, and traps the arm to TWIST!
Fans applaud as Kushida drags Akira up to wrench again. Tag to Knight, they hand off the wrench again and again and again! Then they double snapmare to double knee drop both arms! Fans applaud but TJP runs in! Into a drop toehold and PENALTY KICK to the arm! Kushida & Knight secret handshake, then they double whip TJP to a corner. Then they double whip Akira into TJP! Kushida runs in to back elbow sandwich the champs! Knight runs in to STINGER SPLASH SANDWICH the champs! Knight pushes Akira aside to whip TJP corner to corner. TJP goes up and over, Akira returns for a RAILGUN DROPKICK!
Fans rally as Akira drags Knight up to CLUB him on the neck. Akira stomps Knight in the corner and digs his boots in! The ref counts, Akira stops at 4, then tags TJP. Catch 2/2 drag Knight up, they double whip him to ropes, and SOBAT, KICK, KICK and BASEMENT SHOTGUN! Cover, TWO! TJP sits Knight up to KNEE him in the back! TJP drops knees on the arm, then on a leg. Then TJP has the leg for a standing toehold. Knight endures, even as TJP twists the ankle! Fans rally, Knight fights up and stands. TJP stays clear of the haymakers but Knight breaks free. Knight kicks with the other way but TJP blocks it!
TJP slips around, but Knight ENZIGURIS TJP down! Fans rally, Akira grabs Knight’s legs but Knight kicks him away. But TJP runs past Knight to BLAST Kushida! Knight run sin but TJP goes up and over to get a TARANTULA! Akira intercepts Kushida at the apron for a TARANTULA! Fans fire up for the double shoutout to Tajiri, and Catch 2/2 lets off as the ref counts. Akira returns to his corner, TJP stalks Knight and fans rally up. TJP drags Knight up, scoops and SLAMS him, then goes to the apron. Slingshot SENTON! Tag to Akira, and he runs to go up the Electric Chair! “Take Picture!” But Knight JET FLIGHT DROPKICKS Akira down!
Fans fire up while all three men are down! Knight crawls, hot tag to Kushida! Kushida climbs up and AX HANDLES TJP down! Kushida KICKS and KICKS and KICKS Akira, then whips him to ropes. Akira reverses but Kushida FLYING FOREARMS! Kushida dodges to PELE! TJP kicks Kushida, runs, but into a hip toss! Cartwheel, basement dropkick! Fans fire up with Kushida and he winds up, but Akira blocks the Buzzsaw! Akira whips Kushida to ropes, but Kushida reverses. Akira sunset flips but Kushida stays up! Kushida has the arm, for an ARMBAR! The fans fire up as Kushida pulls back, but Akira rolls to the ROPEBREAK!
Kushida lets go quickly and fans rally up. They clap for “KU-SHI-DA!” as he wrenches Akira’s arm to an ELBOW BREAKER! Kushida aims, but Akira dodges the Penalty Kick! Akira CHOPS, but Kushida ROCKS! Akira SUPERKICKS, but Kushida SHOTEIS! Fans fire up while both men are down! Kushida crawls, hot tag to Knight! Knight hurries after Akira, brings him up and whips him to a corner. Knight runs in and Kushida runs in from the apron, SPLASH ENZIGURI COMBO! Knight hoists Akira up top, climbs up after him, but TJP gets in! TJP Electric Chair Lifts Knight, but Kushida HANDSPRING KICKS Akira!
Knight fights free of TJP while Kushida has a KIMURA on Akira! TJP lets Knight go to go after Kushida! TJP has the Electric Chair Lift, but Kushida fights free to get the HOVERBOARD KIMURA! Knight jumps to SUPER STEINER Akira! Fans fire up and Knight leaps, SATELLITE DDT!! Cover, TJP SLAMS Kushida onto it! Fans fire up while Kushida throws TJP out. Knight drags Akira up, fans clap “TIME TO FLY!” They double suplex but Akira fights it. Akira ROCKS and CHOPS on repeat! But Knight knees low! Time2Fly double whip but Akira shotguns the clothesline apart! And TJP runs in to DOUBLE BULLDOG!
Fans fire up and TJP blocks a kick to spin around, LEG CAPTURE BACK SUPLEX for Knight! Kushida DECKS TJP! Akira GERMAN SUPLEXES Kushida! Knight SLIDING SHOULDERS Akira down! Fans are thunderous as all four men are down! Knight sits up, he brings TJP up but TJP throws a forearm. Knight forearms back, so TJP forearms again. The forearms keep going, then TJP UPPERCUTS! Knight UPPERCUTS in return! The forearms return, Knight gets the edge! Knight runs, into a ROLLING SOBAT! TJP runs, ducks a lariat and SUPERKICKS! TJP runs, into a DROPKICK! Knight kips up and fans fire up again!
Knight runs corner to corner at TJP, but TJP goes up and over! TORNADO DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Knight is still in this and fans are thunderous! TJP drags Knight to a drop zone, goes up the corner, but Knight is up! Knight springs up to join TJP, he throws body shots, but TJP hits back. Fans rally as TJP slips under and trips Knight! Knight is in a Tree of Woe, TJP helps Akira walk the tightrope, for a MISSILE WOE DROPKICK! Knight is down in another drop zone and TJP goes back up! MAMBA SPLASH!! Cover, but Kushida breaks it! Kushida CLUBS Akira, CLUBS TJP, then BUZZSAWS Akira! Kushida runs, but into an ALLEY-OOP!
Fans fire up as Catch 2/2 sit Knight up! 2 BY 2!! Cover, Catch 2/2 win!
Winners: TJP & Francesco Akira, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kushida & Knight earn 0)
That’s two more points for a dozen total! Will the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions prove they are THE best tag team in the division?
Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Ryusuke Taguchi & Clark Connors VS YOH & Lio Rush!
The Wild Hips haven’t had much luck in the league, but they’re not giving up! Will Taguchi & Connors stampede through Direct Drive & The Bad Child? Or will the Men of the Hour still have time on the clock?
Taguchi and Connors reach into their bags, and they have beer again! Fans applaud, and the Wild Hips offer some to Yoh & Lio. Really? Right now? Sure! Think of it like a party. Fans applaud but Yoh & Lio aren’t sure, they’re technically working. Yoh and Lio take a can each, Connors & Taguchi crack theirs open and drink. Fans applaud, it’s now or never for Lio & Yoh. They argue it out, but Lio says his stomach doesn’t feel good. Connors understands and fans applaud. The beers are put aside for now, and the teams sort out. Lio starts with Connors and fans rally up at the bell. Lio and Connors circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock.
Connors shoots in but Lio sprawls and facelocks. Connors slips out to facelock and then waistlock then back to a facelock. Lio slips out to waistlock, they stand up, and Connors pries free to switch. Connors drags Lio down, goes back for a facelock, but Lio switches that onto Connors. Connors fights back up, throws a knee, and fans applaud as Connors headlocks. Lio powers up and out but Connors runs him over! Fans applaud again and Connors runs the ropes. Lio drops, then redirects to whip Connors. Connors redirects, too, and then again! Lio handsprings to dodge, then he mule kicks and ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up and Lio covers, TWO!
Lio has the fans rally up, and Lio wrenches Connors’ arm. Tag to Yoh, they double whip Connors and double kick. Yoh whips Lio but Connors avoids the scissor kick! Lio whips Yoh now but Connors avoids Yoh to rebound and run them both over! Fans fire up with Connors and he calls to Taguchi. Taguchi hops in, Connors EuroUppers Yoh. Yoh is in one corner, Lio is in the other and the Wild Hips combine. WHIP HIP into Lio! WHIP HIP into Yoh! And then another for Lio! And another for Yoh! Then Taguchi WHIP HIPS Connors into Lio, and then WHIP HIPS him into Yoh! Fans fire up as the Wild Hips butt bump.
Taguchi sets up on the corner and Connors brings Yoh around. But Yoh reverses and sends Connors into the Funky Weapon! Lio returns to LARIAT Connors down! Taguchi hops down and runs at Yoh, but Yoh atomic drops the hip attack! Yoh scoops and SLAMS Taguchi, then he and Lio hook Taguchi’s legs into the ropes! Not quite a Tree of Woe, more a Bush of Woe. Fans rally as Lio and Yoh fire up. They hook up, ROLLING DIVING HEADBUTT into the Bush! Fans fire up while Taguchi flops over. Yoh drags Taguchi to the apron, and he uses the ropes in a Paradise Lock!? Yoh learned a form of Paradise!
Connors returns but Yoh kicks him down. Yoh drags Connors up to ROCK him with a forearm, and then stomp him in the corner. Tag to Lio, he and Yoh double whip Connors to DOUBLE ELBOW! Then Lio runs to get a wheelbarrow boost from Yoh, WHEELBARROW SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Lio taunts Taguchi then clamps onto Connors with a sleeper and body scissors! Yoh plays defense, but Taguchi can’t get free anyway. Connors fights up with Lio as a backpack, and he RAMS Lio into the corner! Yoh tags in, Connors hurries to his corner, but he can’t tag Taguchi like that! Lio whips Connors to the corner, Yoh & Lio mug him!
Yoh & Lio drag Connors up again, throw forearms and haymakers, then Yoh has Connors on ropes. Yoh throws more forearms, puts him back in the corner, but Connors fights back with forearms and elbows! Fans rally, Connors crawls, but Lio drags him up for a BIG back suplex! Fans rally, Yoh & Lio drag Connors up and double whip. Connors ELBOWS Yoh away but Lio kicks him low. Lio runs, Connors drops and POUNCES Lio into Yoh, and Yoh falls on Taguchi! Taguchi’s free from Paradise! Fans fire up as Connors hurries over, hot tag to Taguchi! Taguchi fires up, and he HIP ATTACKS Yoh at the ropes! Then HIP ATTACKS Lio at the ropes!
Taguchi keeps going, another HIP ATTACK for Yoh! Another HIP ATTACK for Lio! Baseball slide and APRON HIP for Yoh! Fans fire up and Taguchi takes aim from the apron. Springboard and MISSILE HIP! Taguchi covers, TWO! Taguchi drags Yoh up but Yoh swings, into a waistlock. Yoh elbows free, runs, but Taguchi follows! Yoh catches the hip attack into a waistlock, but Taguchi elbows free. Taguchi fakes Yoh out into running into a HIP ATTACK! Fans fire up and Taguchi runs side to side! PEOPLE’S T-BAG!! Cover, TWO!! Yoh survives and fans fire up. Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style! “ORYA~!”
But Lio gets in the way, and offers the beer! He wants to have the drink now? Lio gets the fans to applaud for it, and they crack open the beers. They drink, and Lio hits a STUNNER on Taguchi! Lio laughs at Taguchi falling for it, then he HAANDSPRING KICKS Connors off the apron! Lio hurries to get another drink of beer, then he builds speed! But then Lio feels queasy! Connors runs in to SPEAR Lio down! Fans fire up, Connors drags Yoh up but Yoh throws forearms! Yoh ROCKS Taguchi, UPPERCUTS Connors, but runs into DOUBLE HIP ATTACKS! The Wild Hips combine their powers, take a drink, and show the RED UNDIES! CROSS HIPS!!! Cover, Lio breaks it!!
Fans fire up and Connors throws Lio out. Taguchi stands back up and fans rally. Taguchi stands Yoh up, to ENZIGURI! Fans fire up and Taguchi drags Yoh up into chicken wings! But Yoh wheelbarrows and victory rolls, only for Taguchi to sit on it! TWO!!! But Taguchi has OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Yoh flails, reaches out, moves around, and Connors keeps Lio on the outside! Yoh scrambles to get a BEER! Yoh stands up to make Taguchi drink!! Taguchi chugs, Yoh shakes him up!! Taguchi is dizzy now, but he SPITS the beer! He’s gone from The Rock to The Game! Taguchi kicks low, runs, but into 3K!!!! Cover, the Men of the Hour win!!
Winners: Yoh & Lio Rush, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Taguchi & Connors earn 0)
It’s all about the game and how you play it, but the Wild Hips got beat at their own game! Will Yoh & Lio close in on that outside shot to the finals?
Super Jr. Tag League 2022: DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS SHO & Dick Togo!
Japones Del Mal & The Heel Master got the biggest win they could by beating the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! Will that momentum help them finish strong? Or will the House of Torture ruin things for them right before the end?
Both sides argue about the other needing to be thoroughly checked. After all, Douki has the pipe and Kanemaru has the whiskey, but the Murder Machine has a wrench and the Spoiler has his choker. But for now, the teams sort out and Dick starts against Kanemaru. Fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Dick powers Kanemaru to ropes, but lets off as the ref counts. Kanemaru dodges the sucker punch and tells the ref that’s what he was talking about! Dick apologizes, and offers a handshake. Kanemaru says don’t even bother with that. Dick shakes Sho’s hand and Sho hops in to shake the ref’s hand. Dick also shakes the ref’s hand.
Douki steps in and the House of Torture offers him a handshake, too. Douki & Kanemaru reach out to accept, but then they block the cheap kicks! Douki throws Sho’s foot into Dick, then he throws Sho out while Kanemaru rolls Dick up! TWO!! Dick escapes, Douki goes out after Sho while Kanemaru stalks Dick to the corner. Dick pokes Kanemaru in the eye! Dick then whips corner to corner but Kanemaru reverses. Dick BOOTS Kanemaru, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Tag to Douki, Suzuki-Gun SMASH both knees! Cover, TWO! Douki stomps Dick around, then puts the leg on the ropes for a HIP DROP!
Fans rally while Douki drags Dick up. Douki kicks low, whips Dick to ropes, then runs in, only to be put on the apron. Dick swings but Douki shoulders into him. But Sho trips Douki up! Dick BLASTS Kanemaru, Sho stomps Douki around by commentary. Sho drags Douki up, brings him all the way to the back wall, rakes the eyes, and then goes into the rear stage area! Sho sends Douki into the wall! Dick keeps after Kanemaru while Sho whips Douki at the edge! Douki keeps from falling, he turns around and Sho BOOTS him off the stage! Fans applaud as Sho stands tall. Sho stomps Douki in front of the back row, then says to turn our attention back to ringside.
The ring count starts while Dick waits on Douki. Sho wants the count to go faster, and then he touches the Super Jr. Tag League trophy. Fans rally as Douki stands, and he hurries up the aisle! We’re at 12 of 20, Sho gets on the mic to shout that this is over! Sho rings the bell himself! The ref tells Sho no, but Sho makes the ref raise his hand in victory. Doukik returns! But Sho and Dick mug him! The ref reprimands them, counts, but both Sho and Dick let off at 4. Douki fights up but Dick fights off the scoop. Dick throws body shots and he CLUBS Douki down! Dick scoops and SLAMS Douki down! Dick then clamps onto Douki’s arms for a motorcycle stretch!
Fans rally as Douki endures and reaches out. Douki gets the ROPEBREAK, and Dick lets off. Dick scrapes his sole on Douki’s face, then he tags Sho. Sho runs to BLAST Kanemaru, then he and Dick mug Douki. Douki hits back but Sho rakes the eyes! Sho shoves Douki down, brings him back up, and throws him out of the ring. Sho distracts the ref so Dick can ROCK Douki! Dick puts Douki back in for Sho to ROPE GUILLOTINE! Cover, the ref refuses because of shenanigans. Sho stomps Douki then covers, TWO! Fans fire up while Sho is upset with the ref. Sho drags Douki back up but Douki throws forearms! Sho rakes the eyes!
The ref reprimands but Sho grins as he brings Douki up again. Douki blocks the suplex and fans rally. Sho powers Douki up but Douki fights it. Douki powers Sho up, but Sho bends Douki’s fingers! Sho suplexes but Douki slips out! Douki waistlocks but Sho elbows free. Sho runs, but into a FLYING HEADBUTT! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Sho and Douki crawl, hot tag to Kanemaru! Kanemaru stomps on Sho then BLASTS Dick! Kanemaru whips, Sho reverses but Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Kanemaru drags Sho up, SHIN BREAKER and then a dropkick to the legs! Kanemaru steps through for a FIGURE FOUR!
Sho endures the leglock and Kanemaru trashes about! Dick gets in to stomp away on Kanemaru! The hold is undone but the ref reprimands Dick. Kanemaru drags Sho around, stomps the legs, but Sho bends the fingers! So Kanemaru rakes Sho’s eyes! The ref reprimands them both, Kanemaru kicks Sho and runs. But Sho uses the ref as a shield! Sho then runs but now Kanemaru uses the ref as a shield! Kanemaru kicks low, ELBOWS Sho in the head, then runs, but Dick gets a cheap shot in! Sho SPEARS Kanemaru down! Tag to Dick and the House of Torture stomps away on Kanemaru. They whip him corner to corner, then Sho runs in.
Kanemaru dodges Sho, kicks Dick and sends him into Sho! ENZIGURI for Dick! Fans fire up while all three are down! Douki calls out and Kanemaru heads that way! Hot tag to Douki! Douki goes up to CROSSBODY! Dick staggers up, Douki dodges him to springboard BACK ELBOW! Douki drags Dick into the drop zone, for a RUNNING DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Douki drags Dick up and hooks him up! But Dick fights the Gory Especial to snapmare and ghost pin! TWO! CROSSFACE!! Fans rally while Douki endures! Douki reaches out, claws his way over, but Dick rolls him way!
But Douki slips out to waistlock! He baits Dick into a double pump handle and he flips Dick over! Douki then rolls Dick into ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Fans fire up while Dick endures! But then Sho drags the ref out! Sho gets in to stomp away on Douki! The Young Lions check on the ref while Sho gets his wrench! But Douki gets his PIPE! Fans fire up as Douki’s is bigger! Sho still swings but Douki dodges! Douki swings but Sho dodges! Douki blocks the wrench attack and Sho drops it! Douki JAMS Sho with the pipe, then CHOKES him with it! But Dick slides in to use the SPOILER CHOKER! But Kanemaru takes a swig!
Yujiro & Evil rush out from the back! But Kanemaru WHISKEY MISTS Yujiro! Then he KICKS the ropes to hit Evil down low! Then Kanemaru WHISKEY MISTS Dick! But Sho LOW BLOWS Kanemaru! Everyone falls at the same time! Fans fire up and rally as the ref returns! The ref can’t make heads or tails of what happened, but Dick and Douki stay in the ring. Dick drags Douki up, underhooks, but Douki blocks the Pedigree! Dick CLUBS Douki down, drags him back up and tries again. But Douki wrenches out! Dick rakes the eyes! Dick gets the whiskey and tags a swig!? But Douki HELL STABS! The whiskey spews into the air!
Douki drags Dick back down, ITALIAN STRETCH #32!!! Dick verbally quits, Suzuki-Gun wins!!
Winners: Douki & Yoshinobu Kanemaru, by submission (gain 2 points; Sho & Dick earn 0)
Incredible! Douki the underdog has gotten his team to three wins in this latter half of the tournament! Is this a sign that things are finally clicking for Japones Del Mal?
Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Robbie Eagles & Tiger Mask VS BUSHI & Titán!
The Flying Tigers may not have a shot at the finals, but they can shoot down another team’s chances! Will the Sniper of the Sky and the Junior Heavyweight legend eliminate LIJ? Or will the Black Mask y El Inmortal stay alive for one more round?
The teams sort out, Eagles calls out Titan, so LIJ fist bumps. Fans applaud as Titan and Eagles circle. They tie up, Eagles wrenches an arm to a wristlock, but Titan rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. Eagles endures the wristlock now, but he uses the ropes to flip through and wrench back. Titan endures now, rolls, kips up and bridges to then handspring and wrench back! Fans rally as Titan wrenches again. Titan whips corner to corner, Eagles reverses but Titan goes up and over to handspring away. Fans cheer and things keep moving. Titan jumps over, whips Eagles but Eagles reverses to go up and around and arm-drag! But Titan handstands walks!
Titan rolls, handsprings, and fans fire up as things keep moving. Titan hurdles, Eagles counters the arm-drag to a takedown, and then he handsprings to basement dropkick! Fans cheer the opening exchange as Eagles covers, TWO! Eagles keeps on Titan, brings him over, and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Tiger and he KICKS and KICKS and KICKS Titan down! Tiger stomps Titan, brings him up and ROCKS him with a forearm. Tiger runs but Titan DROPKICKS him in return! Fans rally and Titan rolls to tag in Bushi! Bushi stomps Tiger, bumps him off buckles, then CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Bushi pushes Tiger out, turns him, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Bushi goes after Tiger’s mask! The ref reprimands, Bushi stops going after the laces to pull at the chin! The ref reprimands and counts, Bushi stops at 4. Bushi stomps Tiger down, then he tags in Titan. Titan climbs while Bushi drags Tiger up. Bushi wrenches an arm and Titan DOUBLE STOMPS it! Titan kicks Tiger around, then mule kicks him. Titan snapmares Tiger to PENALTY KICK! Fans rally and Eagles coaches Tiger, but Titan stands Tiger up. Tiger throws body shots, then throws KICK after KICK! Titan blocks a kick but Tiger SPIN KICKS him away!
Fans rally, Tiger rolls and hot tags Eagles! Eagles springboards up and over Titan, BLASTS Bushi, then RANAS Titan! Fans fire up as Eagles WHEEL KICKS Titan and kips up! Titan bails out, Eagles builds speed, but Bushi trips Eagles up! Titan mule kicks Tiger, CLUBS him down and gets back in the ring. Titan KICKS Eagles while he’s down, then he tags Bushi. Fans rally as LIJ mug Eagles, then double whip him corner to corner. Bushi runs in to back elbow Titan, and then sets up for INMORTAL IN MOTION! Feed to a lift, DROPKICK SPINEBUSTER COMBO! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Titan BLASTS Tiger!
Fans rally up as LIJ loom over Eagles. They kick Eagles around, drag him up and double whip again. Eagles reverses to send Bushi away and then he knees Titan low. Bushi returns and Eagles sends him into Titan! Titan falls, Eagles mule kicks Bushi then runs, BASEMENT DROPKICK BLINDSIDE LARIAT COMBO! Fans fire up while all three men are down! Eagles crawls for his corner, hot tag to Tiger! Tiger goes up top and CROSSBODIES Bushi down! Titan CLUBS Tiger, holds him up, but Tiger BOOTS Bushi and KANGAROO KICKS Titan! Bushi returns, into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally as Tiger brings Bushi back up. Tiger underhooks Bushi but Titan runs in! Tiger mule kicks Titan, Eagles runs in to KICK, and then DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSES take Titan down! Fans fire up and Bushi fires forearms on both Flying Tigers! Bushi fires off on Tiger, but Eagles SOBATS Bushi! Eagles cravats Bushi and Tiger gives him a boost into the ASAI DDT! Roll and feed to the underhooks, TIGER DRIVER! Cover, Titan breaks it! Eagles throws Titan out and Tiger goes to a corner. But Titan POSTS Eagles! Tiger reaches the top but Titan attacks him first! Titan ROCKET LAUNCHES Tiger off the corner!
Bushi crawls to the LIJ corner, hot tag to Titan! Titan roars, fans fire up, and Titan springboard MISSILE DROPKICKS! Titan drags Tiger up, reels him in and suplexes for the GOURD BUSTER, to a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Tiger is still in this and fans rally up. Tiger goes to a corner, Titan powers up and runs in, LOCO- NO, Tiger BOOTS Titan away! Then crucifix takedown! TWO!! Into the REVERSE DOUBLE ARMBAR!! Titan endures, flails, Eagles intercepts Bushi into the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! But Titan gets the ROPEBREAK! The Flying Tigers let LIJ go and Eagles kicks Bushi out.
Eagles rallies the fans and he joins Tiger in bringing Titan up. The Flying Tigers double whip Titan to a corner, Eagles goes to the apron. They both run in, ENZIGURI ROUNDHOUSE COMBO! Fans fire up as Tiger brings Titan up to the top rope. Bushi rushes in but Eagles springboards and missile dropkicks the legs out! Tiger climbs up after Titan, underhooks the arms, and fans rally up! SUPER BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Titan survives, but Tiger has a KIMURA! Titan endures as Tiger also traps his head! Bushi barrels through Eagles to break it up! Fans rally as Bushi fires forearms on Eagles.
Eagles knees low, Bushi ducks a roundhouse to spin Eagles into a DDT! Tiger fires off on Bushi, knees low and SOBATS! Tiger runs, but into a DROPKICK! Bushi runs to BLAST Eagles! Then Bushi builds speed to DIVE onto Eagles! Fans fire up and Titan roars! Titan drags Tiger up, reels him in to a fireman’s carry, and spins for the LANDSLIDE! Cover, TWO!! Tiger survives again and fans fire up! Bushi returns as Tiger goes to a corner. Titan runs in, LOCO LARIAT! Bushi hits the CODE BREAKER! Titan springboards, but slips! Angel Inmortal is more a diving headbutt botch! Bushi hurries to get Titan back up and Titan resets.
Bushi watches Eagles while Titan COAST2COAST dropkicks Tiger!! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Bushi & Titán, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Eagles & Tiger earn 0)
It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective! LIJ stay alive for another round, will they make the Super Jr. Tag League finals tranquilo?
Super Jr. Tag League 2022: Alex Zayne & El Lindaman VS Ace Austin & Chris Bey!
The #SAUCEHEARTS holds their fate in their own hands! If they win, they take over the top spot! If they lose, their bubble bursts right before the end! Can Zayne & Lindaman stop the Inevitable? Or will Ace & Bey keep things Too Sweet?
The teams sort out, Zayne steps up and calls out his former friend, Ace. Ace & Bey Too Sweet and then point finger guns at Zayne. Lindaman says, “Boo~!” but Ace starts against Zayne. The fans rally as the two stare down, but then Ace tags out to Bey. Bey & Ace laugh at Zayne thinking he was going to get his way. Zayne and Bey circle, fans rally up again, and the two tie up. They go around, Zayne puts Bey on ropes but he stares Ace down. Red shoes counts the break, Zayne lets off with a pat on Bey’s shoulder. Bey acts like he’s gonna punch, but he just hands Red Shoes some of his gold chains that’re coming loose.
Zayne and Bey reset as fans rally up, and Bey gets around to waistlock. Zayne works on the hold but Bey shifts to a headlock. Zayne throws body shots, then elbows, then he powers out, only for Bey to pull on Zayne’s beard! Bey laughs and flexes while Red Shoes reprimands. Bey headlocks, but Zayne powers up to put Bey on ropes! Zayne then powers out to wrench Bey’s arm. Bey endures the wristlock, but Zayne pulls on Bey’s beard! Tag to Lindaman and Lindaman kicks Bey low. Fans applaud as Lindaman wrenches and wristlocks Bey to then YANK the arm! Lindaman YANKS the arm again, and he keeps Bey from Ace.
But Bey pulls Lindaman’s hair! Red Shoes reprimands but Bey knees Lindaman low, tags Ace, and Bullet Club mugs Lindaman. They double whip Lindaman corner to corner, Bey runs in but Lindaman picks Bey up! AIR RAID CRASH! Ace runs in and knees low. Ace whips, Lindaman reverses and SAYANAGIS! Then BASEMENT DDT! Fans fire up with Lindaman and he looms over Ace. Lindaman drags Ace, scoops him and SLAMS him, then rallies the fans as he goes to the corner. Lindaman runs, stomps and goes to the other corner! Fans fire up as Lindaman climbs, but Ace wants Red Shoes to check him. This is a distraction so Bey can trip Lindaman up!
Ace hobbles over and tags in Bey. Bey BLASTS Zayne, then he and Ace double whip Lindaman! POMMEL KICK, and then FINESSE IN MOTION! Bey feeds Lindaman to Ace’s drop toehold and Eddy Gordo Kick! Bey DOUBLE STOMPS Lindaman down! Bey stands on Lindaman in a cocky cover, TWO! Fans applaud while Bey drags Lindaman up. Bey ROCKS Lindaman, drags him up again, and then CLAWS Lindaman’s eyes! Red Shoes counts, Bey lets off and pretends he can’t hear the fans rallying up. Bey KICKS Lindaman in the side, then coordinates with Ace. Bey bumps Lindaman’s face off Ace’s boot!
Red Shoes reprimands while Bey tags Ace. Bullet Club double wrench Lindaman, double CLAW his back, then double drop toehold to Too Sweet CLAW his back! Fans applaud while Ace stomps Lindaman. Cover, TWO! Fans applaud more, Ace stomps Lindaman more. Ace CHOKES Lindaman with his shirt, then drags Lindaman up to gut wrench suplex! Ace stands on Lindaman before a LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Ace KNEES Lindaman in the back, and again, but Lindaman gets up to ROCK Ace! And again! But Ace NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Ace drags Lindaman up and tags in Bey.
Bullet Club mugs Lindaman, double whip him to ropes but Lindaman holds ropes. Ace runs in but Lindaman steps aside to send him tumbling out! Bey runs in but Lindaman puts him on the apron. Bey holds onto Lindaman to keep him from Zayne, and Bey shoulders in. Bey slingshots up and over, but Lindaman CLOBBERS him! Fans fire up, hot tag- NO, Ace trips Zayne off the apron! Bey CLOBBERS Lindaman while Ace stomps Zayne. Bey snapmares and UPPERCUTS Lindaman in the back. Cover, TWO! Bey argues the count while fans rally up. Bey sits Lindaman up for a chinlock and grinds him down.
Fans rally as Lindaman endures. Lindaman fights his way up, throws elbows, but Bey CLUBS Lindaman down! Tag to Ace, and Ace brings Lindaman around, DOUBLE SWEEP COMBO! And then the STANDING MOONSAULT LEG DROP COMBO! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up while Ace grows frustrated. Ace drags Lindaman up, whips him hard into the corner, and Bey CHOKES Lindaman while Ace distracts Red Shoes with talk about Zayne. Red Shoes keeps them apart, and then Ace goes over to Lindaman. Ace tags Bey, drags Lindaman up, and Bey takes a crane stance. Bey crane steps to then poke Lindaman in his eyes!
Fans applaud while Bey crane steps around. Bey drags Lindaman up, reels him in, and says he’s gonna give us three amigos. But Lindaman blocks the first amigo! Bey throws body shots, then a knee! Uno Amigo! Then Dos Amigos! Then THREE AMIGOS! Bey kips up and fans applaud. Bey goes up the corner, fans fire up, and Bey mocks Zayne with “ITADAKIMAAASU~!” MOONSAULT, but Bey has to roll through when Lindaman moves! Lindaman runs in, gets around, kicks Bey’s legs out then dropkicks him in the back! Fans fire up while both men are down, hot tags to Ace and Zayne! Zayne fires off hands on Ace, then spins him for the DISCUS LARIAT!
Fans fire up as Zayne storms up on Ace, fires off boxing elbows, then mule kicks! Zayne runs but Bey runs in to SOBAT! Bey whips, Zayne ducks ‘n’ dodges, then he DOUBLE RANAS Bey & Ace! Fans fire up and Zayne swings, but Bey catches him! Ace runs up but Zayne BOOTS him! Zayne elbows free of Bey to knee him low, then he runs again, DOUBLE ROLLING SCISSOR KICK! Fans fire up again as Zayne focuses on Ace. Zayne stalks Ace, drags him from the corner, and he pulls the kick pad away from the boot! Ace kicks Zayne away, but Zayne blocks the roundhouse! Zayne drags Ace down and Ace desperately claws for the ropes! ROPEBREAK!
Zayne holds on but Bey drags Ace out to safety. But then Lindaman runs in and he uses Zayne as a boost to SOMERSAULT SENTON out onto Bullet Club! Fans fire up with that direct hit, and Zayne waits on them to stand back up. Fans rally, Lindaman drags Ace up for Zayne and puts him in. Zayne drags Ace up, reels him in, but Bey SUPERMAN PUNCHES Lindaman! Zayne suplexes, Ace slips out and goes to ropes. Zayne runs in, he blocks Ace’s boot and flips him to the apron. Bey gets up to join Ace, Zayne runs in but he gets DOUBLE KNEES! Ace & Bey dump Zayne out, and then Bey gets in to build speed. Bey FLIES and takes out Zayne!
Lindaman swipes at Ace but Ace handsprings up and over! Ace PENALTY KICKS Lindaman down! Ace and Bey get Zayne up, Ace slingshots in and kips up to build speed! THE FALL TO GLORY! Fans fire up for the Fosbury Flop and Bey says that was great! Ace puts Zayne in the ring, fans rally up and Bullet Club sees Zayne go to the corner. Bey sets up, but Zayne ducks the pommel kick! Zayne BOOTS Bey, puts Ace in the corner to ELBOW, then he hoists Ace up top. Bey runs in but is sent into Ace’s knees! Zayne uses Bey to get up and SUPER STEINER Ace! And GERMAN SUPLEX Bey onto Ace! Fans fire up as Zayne drags Ace up.
Zayne scoops for the BAJA BLAST! Cover, TWO! Ace survives but Zayne keeps his focus. Lindaman returns, he and Zayne coordinate. Lindaman drags Ace up and Zayne goes to the corner. Lindaman hits KUMAGOROSHI, and Zayne shouts “ITADAKIMAAASU~!” Zayne climbs up, but Bey GAMANGIRIS him down! Lindaman storms over but Bey GAMANGIRIS him, too! Ace hits a BIG back suplex on Lindaman, and Bey climbs up after Zayne. Zayne is reclined along a top rope, Bey DOUBLE STOMPS him down! Bey drags Zayne up and torture racks! Ace steps in to FLYING CHUCK and Bey spins to RACK NECKBREAKER!! Ace covers, TWO!?!?
Fans are thunderous as Zayne survives! Bullet Club grows frustrated, but they decide to bring out the trump card. But Lindaman BOOTS Ace! And ROCKS Bey! And ROCKS Ace! Lindaman fires off on Bey, then BOOTS Ace! Lindaman whips but Ace reverses. Bey SPLASHES Lindaman, hoists him up top, and then Ace goes up top with Bey. They bring Lindaman up, but Zayne CLUBS them first! Zayne adds on now, for a TOWER OF DOOM, DOUBLE POWERBOMB SUPERPLEX!! Fans fire up as all four men are down! They all stir, and Bey slowly rolls out of the ring, as does Lindaman. That leaves Zayne and Ace alone.
Zayne crawls over to Ace, and Ace SLAPS Zayne! Zayne SLAPS Ace, and they SLAP back and forth! Then they throw forearms back and forth! Fans rally as the two fight up to their feet to throw more forearm shots! Ace gets the edge, knees low then swings, but Zayne spins him! Ace blocks the lariat, Zayne blocks the kick! Zayne ducks a kick to wrap Zayne up! TACO- NO, Ace slips out! Ace KNEES, KNEE LIFTS and HEEL KICKS! Zayne wobbles, Ace runs, THE FOLD!!! Cover, LINDAMAN BREAKS IT!! Fans are thunderous as Lindaman waistlocks Ace and deadlifts! Bey saves Ace to PELE Lindaman!
Fans fire up, Bullet Club coordinates, ONE TOO- NO, Lindaman catches the cutter to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bey lands on his feet, but Lindaman GERMAN SUPLEXES! Zayne kips up, Ace BOOTS him, but Zayne ducks the roundhouse! Lindaman GERMAN SUPLEXES! DOUBLE BRIDGE!! SAUCEHEARTS WIN!!!!
Winners: Alex Zayne & El Lindaman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Ace & Bey earn 0)
INCREDIBLE! The top team falls, and now we have a NEW top team! Can the Bullet Club still have an impact on the Super Jr. Tag League finals?
As for SAUCEHEARTS, Lindaman gets the mic to say he and Zayne just won! “This league started back on November 21st in Korakuen, and now we’re here. I’m delighted we won the main event here, in Sasebo.” Fans applaud as they’re happy to see it, too. Lindaman says he’s “got a lot of personal feelings for this place. My father was born and raised in Sasebo. My mother was also born and raised in Sasebo. Make no mistake, Sasebo runs in El Lindaman’s veins.” Fans applaud to know he’s one of theirs. But then Lindaman says, “Sorry, I lied! I’m from Tokyo! Sorry! I might have told a little white lie about Sasebo, but I’m not lying when I say we’re taking this Super Jr. Tag League!”
Fans applaud that, and Lindaman continues to say, “After this win here, we’ll continue to do the same when we face Douki & Kanemaru. Then we’re off to the finals in Sendai.” Fans also applaud that. Lindaman says he’s proud to be holding the mic after a NJPW main event, but some fans may not know him. “El Lindaman doesn’t belong to NJPW, but I represent the promotion known as GLEAT. But since I have the mic, mind if I close this the GLEAT way?” Fans applaud, they’d love to see it! Lindaman says, “For those of you unfamiliar in Sasebo, let me give you a crash course! Don’t worry, it’s very simple. Learn it and try it at home.
“When I say, ‘Let’s,’ you pump your fist and shout, ‘GLEAT!’ Did you get that?” Fans applaud, as that is pretty simple. So are they all ready? Lindaman then admits, he didn’t get the pin so Zayne should have a part to say. They can “remix” this for the occasion and get some “Itadakimasu” in. Lindaman asks, “Everyone, did you enjoy NJPW today?” Fans applaud because they did! “Did you enjoy Super Jr. Tag League?” Fans applaud because they did! Then watch them as they head for the finals in Sendai! “Everyone in Sasebo, let’s… GLEAT! And…” “ITADAKIMAAASU!” The SAUCEHEARTS are fired up, but will they bring the heat all the way to the tournament finals?
Here are the NEW Super Jr. Tag League standings!
Zayne & Lindaman: 6-2, 12 points
Austin & Bey: 6-2, 12 points
Bushi & Titan: 6-2, 12 points
TJP & Akira: 6-2, 12 points
Yoh & Lio: 6-2, 12 points
Taguchi & Connors: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Eagles & Tiger Mask: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Douki & Kanemaru: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
KUSHIDA & Knight: 1-7, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Sho & Dick: 1-7, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
A great event for the Super Jr. Tag League, and I am surprised that we still have FIVE teams, aka half the block, still alive going into the final round! Hilarious stuff from Wild Hips VS Yoh & Lio with the beer and the references to The Rock, Stone Cold and I suppose Triple H. Douki & Kanemaru getting a win over Sho & Dick was great, even if it didn’t affect the finals. Eagles & Tiger gave LIJ a great match but LIJ was the team I expected to win out. I did not, however, think #GLEATSAUCE #SAUCEHEARTS Zayne & Lindaman were gonna get this one, and that is great stuff. It is revenge on Ace for him betraying Zayne and joining Bullet Club, and keeps him and Lindaman alive.
Now, three of the five matches on Friday the 10th matter, with LIJ VS Yoh & Lio, Zayne & Lindaman VS Douki & Kanemaru and Catch 2/2 VS Ace & Bey. Yoh & Lio have a “win and they’re in” scenario for having beaten SAUCEHEARTS and Bullet Club, and they’d eliminate LIJ from the running. And for LIJ, they beat Catch 2/2, who beat everyone else, but they lost to Bullet Club. Ace & Bey would have to lose for LIJ to get in, but then I think that gives us LIJ VS Catch 2/2 for the finals. That match-up seems to fit the story, but I wouldn’t mind another scenario just so we don’t get LIJ VS Catch 2/2 before a potential WrestleKingdom title match.
My Score: 8.8/10
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Nothing is over until Carmelo Hayes says it’s over!
Not able to accept his loss at Stand & Deliver, Carmelo Hayes drags Trick Williams into the cage! Will Trick ever be able to get past… HIM?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Noam Dar w/ The Meta Four VS DIJAK; Dar wins.
- Sol Ruca VS Lola Vice; Lola wins.
- Ridge Holland VS Joaquin Wilde; Ridge wins.
- Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Je’Von Evans; Dragunov wins.
- Thea Hail w/ Chase U VS Tatum Paxley; Tatum wins.
- Malik Blade & Edris Enofe VS The Authors of Pain w/ The Final Testament; AOP wins.
- Josh Briggs VS Ivar; Ivar wins.
- Steel Cage Match: Carmelo Hayes VS Trick Williams; Trick wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Noam Dar w/ The Meta Four VS DIJAK!
The Meta Four’s idea to parody #HardJustice obviously didn’t make Dijak laugh, but it’s the Scottish Supernova who will take the heat for it. Will Dar teach Dijak to have a sense of humor? Or will “Mr. PLE” prove he’s no joke?
The bell rings and the two circle. They approach, Dar gets around to headlock, but Dijak powers out. Dar RAMS shoulders but Dijak doesn’t budge! Dar kicks, kicks, bobs ‘n’ weaves and he kicks Dijak’s leg out! Dijak ducks the buzzsaw to choke grip! Dar choke grips, but that’s not as effective. Dijak SHOVES Dar into a corner, but Dar avoids the haymaker to KICK, KICK and KICK! Dijak blocks,. Dar SLAPS! Dar grabs an arm to wrap around ropes, but Dijak shoves him away. Dijak storms up on Dar, brings him up, reels him in, but Dar wrenches to KICK the arm! BACKHAND! Dijak wobbles, Dar runs up to CLOBBER him! Cover, ONE!!
Dar clamps onto Dijak’s arm and he pulls it back. The fans rally as Dijak fights up and rolls through. Dijak avoids the sweep, whips Dar to ropes, but Dar holds ropes to bail out. The Meta Four coaches Dar and fans him off, but Dijak storms out! Dar slips back inside, but Dijak BOOTS him! Dijak then springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, Dijak covers, TWO! Dar stays in this and the fans rally up. Dijak drags Dar up, whips him to ropes, then scoops Dar, but Dar tilt-o-whirls into a GUILLOTINE! Dijak endures, powers up, and he RAMS Dar into the corner! Dar holds on! Dijak powers up again, but Dar throws headbutts!
Dijak pries the body scissors to KNEE Dar, and FLING him out of the ring!! The fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” while NXT goes picture in picture.
Dijak snarls while Meta Four checks Dar. They fan him but Dijak storms out after him. Dijak drags Dar up, stands him up against barriers, and CHOPS! Dijak talks trash, Dar shoves him back, but Dijak storms up. Dar fires forearms, but Dijak knees low! Dijak CHOPS Dar and Dar spasms from the pain! Dijak brings Dar around, puts him in the ring, but Dar bails out the side. The Meta Four get in Dijak’s way but he just pushes through. Dijak drags Dar up to then scoop, only for Meta Four to get in the way again! Dar slips free, and he POSTS Dijak! Meta Four taunts Dijak, then Dar KICKS Dijak against the apron!
Dijak gets in the ring, Dar pursues, and Dar stomps Dijak around. Dar KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Dijak wobbles, Dar reels him in, but Dijak’s too big for a fisherman suplex! Dijak throws body shots and then suplexes Dar away! Both men are down while Dijak catches his breath. Dijak rises, and he takes aim as Dar stirs. Dar stands, into the choke grip! But Dar ROCKS Dijak with a left hand! Then roll into CHAMPAGNE SUPER KNEEBAR! Dijak endures, even as Dar twists the ankle! Dijak fights around, sits up, and the two start throwing hands! NXT returns to single picture as Dar and Dijak go back and forth!
Dijak ROCKS Dar again and again, but Dar fires a flurry in return! The fans rally for Dijak as he roars, and he ROCKS Dar again and again and again! Dijak is free, and he KICKS Dar in the face! Meta Four panics, Dijak watches Dar rise. Dijak hobbles up to ELBOW Dar down! And ELBOW again! Dijak runs, breaks through the lariat and FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up while Dar flounders to a corner. Dijak storms up and puts Dar in the corner to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP, repeat! Meta Four freaks out as it’s TIME TO FLY! The fans are thunderous behind Dijak while Dar flounders around.
Dijak aims, spins, but Dar jumps on! GUILLOTINE, but Dijak pries the hold open fast! Dijak choke grips, and he brings Dar up for HIGH JUSTICE!! Cover, TWO?!? Dar survives and Meta Four is very relieved. Dar sputters while the fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” Dijak drags Dar back up, reels him in, but Dar fights with elbows! The fans rally, Dar reels Dijak in and still wants the fisherman! Dijak throws body shots, so Dar wrenches to KICK the leg! Dar reels Dijak in again, but Dijak throws more body shots. Dijak shoves Dar, Dar stops himself then dodges the boot! Dijak gets hung up, Dar goes up to FLYING LARIAT!
Dar hurries to get Dijak in, FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Dijak survives, but Dar ARMBARS!! Dijak flails, reaches out, but Dar keeps changing his grip! Dijak stacks Dar, TWO! SUPERKICK! The fans fire up as Dar flounders. Dijak runs up, but Dar dodges, so Dijak hits buckles and tumbles up and out of the ring! Dar runs up to CLOBBER Dijak into the steel steps! The fans boo but Dar runs up to DROPKICK! Dar puts Dijak in, Dijak staggers to his feet, into the BACK ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Dijak survives and the fans fire up! Dar is beside himself, fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this is just the opener!
Dar aims from the corner, Dijak rises, and Dar runs in, into a SUPERKICK! Dar QUESTION MARK KICKS! Dijak roars, spins, into the HAYMAKER! Dar runs, into the CYCLONE BOOT!! The fans are thunderous and Dijak storms around! Dijak calls his shot, but Oro gets on the apron! Dijak swings on Oro, Oro ducks it, but then Dijak SUPERKICKS! NOVA ROLLA!! Cover, Dar wins!
Winner: Noam Dar, by pinfall
The numbers game wins again as Main Man Mensah bites the bullet! Will Dar use this momentum to make his way towards a title opportunity?
Ilja Dragunov meets with Ava Raine.
The Czar visits the NXT General Manager in her office as she brings up that next week is the start of the two-week Spring Breakkin’. Yes, and he adds that it’ll be the last week of Trick Williams in NXT as Dragunov will defend this title. Yes, well, we’ll see. But tonight’s main event is Trick VS Melo in a Steel Cage, and yet Dragunov doesn’t have a match. That doesn’t seem fair given the title match. Well, she’s the GM, she can do what she must. Then that means Dragunov will be in action! But… he does get to pick his opponent. He welcomes that challenge.
But then he wants her to send a message to the entire NXT locker room that whoever stands eye to eye with him first will be the one to have that match with the Mad Dragon. Dragunov heads out while Ava sends the message, who will take this Open Challenge as their opportunity to reach the top?
Tatum Paxley speaks.
“I always wanted to be good. That’s every little girl’s dream: fitting in, playing with dolls, living the life just like the ones in the fairytales. But then I realized… no matter how good I am, nobody wants to play with girls like Tatum Paxley. The cool girls didn’t wanna be my friend. But I didn’t need them. I found the one thing that would be good to me as long as I was good back. It didn’t matter who held it, because I will always be there for it. Charlotte, Bayley, Asuka, Shayna, Kairi, Rhea, Iyo, Raquel, Roxanne, Indi, Tiffany, Becky, Lyra…
“Oh, Lyra. I loved you. I wanted to be you, because you were the closest thing to good as there was! And I was a good girl because I fought hard to keep that championship with you! You were the only one that really let me in, and that title made us real best friends. We were so close! But then, you lost the one thing that I love most, the NXT Women’s Championship. Lyra, you broke my heart. So what is Lyra to me now? Nothing. And I see now that Roxanne is the coolest girl in class. But I can’t have that anymore. It needs to be me. Lyra, my sweet dove, you’re in my way.” Twisted Tatum’s come to play, but will she be the one that’s good enough to challenge the champion?
Sol Ruca VS Lola Vice!
The Sol Surfer was just telling it like it is, and that upset the Mayor of Vice City. Will Lola cause Sol to wipe out before Spring Breakkin’? Or will Sol continue to ride a wave of momentum towards title opportunities?
NXT returns as Sol makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Lola wrenches and clamps onto the arm, but Sol cartwheels and lifts Lola! Sol slams Lola down then has the cording hold. Lola headscissors, Sol kips free then trips Lola to flip over her! Lola sits up into the mule kick! Cover, TWO! Sol clamps onto an arm, wrenches, then wristlocks. Lola wrenches back, kicks then mule kicks! Sol goes to a corner, Lola storms up and whips, but Sol goes up and up and over! Sol keeps moving, Lola drops down but Sol handsprings through the hip toss to FACEBUSTER! Then DROPKICK!
Lola goes to a corner, Sol runs in but Lola dodges to BACKHAND! The fans rally while Sol sits up in a daze. Sol stands, Lola fires off lightning kicks! Lola puts Sol in a corner, goes to the far corner and reminds us, “I’M A LATINA~!” She shakes her hips then HIP ATTACKS! Cover, TWO! Lola gets in Sol’s face, saying she’s the next champ, then she AX KICKS Sol down! And KICKS her in the side! Lola storms up on Sol, brings her around to KICK and KICK, then she brings Solo up. Solo ROCKS Lola, ROCKS her again, but Lola BODY BLOWS! Lola clamps on with a SLEEPER! Sol endures, fights up and has Lola as a backpack!
The fans rally as Sol RAMS Lola into buckles! Lola jumps back on for the SLEEPER! Lola’s still a backpack, so Sol swings and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Sol flounders to the corner, Lola runs up, but Sol dodges! Sol CLOBBERS Lola, CLOBBERS her again, then springboards to CROSSBODY! Sol scoops Lola and POWERSLAMS! Then STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Solo keeps cool and the fans rally. Sol goes to the apron to springboard, but she has to roll through as Lola moves! Lola runs up, Sol dodges and goes up! Lola anchors legs, Sol kicks her away and FLYING SUNSET FLIPS! TWO, and Lola stands! Sol ducks a kick to SUPERKICK!
Solo goes up and up and then CARTWHEEL- BLAIR HITS THE ROPES! The ref reprimands, but Lola HEEL KICKS Sol down! Cover, Lola wins!
Winner: Lola Vice, by pinfall
Blair with the assist there as Lola scores major points. It’s buenas noches for now, but then Natalya tells Lola hey! Natty’s on the tron and says Lola kept Natty from winning a title she never held before. Well now, Natty will fight Lola on her turf, in her match, to test her. So now is Lola’s chance to show us what she’s got. Time for Lola to show us her heart. In two weeks, Spring Breakin Night 2, Natty VS Lola… in NXT UNDERGROUND!! The fans fire up as the BOAT is looking to sink Vice City, but who will move on to be a step closer to title opportunity?
NXT Anonymous is watching…
This was yesterday as Ridge Holland talked with Ava about his in-ring return. Only for Joaquin Wilde to storm up and tell Ridge to just admit who he really is. Ridge put hands on Wilde to RAM him into the wall and shout “You don’t KNOW who I really am!” Ava reprimanded Ridge for his outburst and Ridge stormed off. Ridge is clearly still working on his inner rage, but will he let all of it out on Wilde tonight?
Arianna Grace meets with Gigi Dolin.
The self-appointed Miss NXT says there is still so much to work on with “Giorgina” before Spring Breakin’. Surely she’ll be late. But no, Gigi is actually early, to Grace’s surprise. Yeah, because the sooner they start, the sooner they get this over with. Arianna isn’t gonna make her bow and curtsey or whatever, is she? They’ll get to etiquette later. The first essential is the dress. Time to go show shopping! Think of your body as a canvas. The way Gigi dresses now… Makes people think she’ll kick their head in if they get too close? Yes. And what a horrifying vision that is! They need to strive for peace, not the opposite.
That prize is within their grasp, they just need to change Gigi’s attire and soften that rather… harsh exterior. Gigi sighs and says fine, but at least make it black. It goes with everything, she already has shoes that match. Black? No, no, no! Why not? Arianna says she’ll take the lead. Gigi just needs to open her mind and allow elegance to come right in. They’ll have Gigi looking like Arianna in no time! Gigi sighs, but just how bad can this get?
Ridge Holland VS Joaquin Wilde!
Yorkshire Grit is starting to loose his grip on his emotions. His bad mood made him sloppy and that’s how he accidentally hurt Cruz Del Toro. But will there be no accidents with what Wilde’s gonna do to get payback? Or will he push Ridge one step too far?
The bell rings, Ridge asks what Wilde wants from him about Cruz’s hand. Wilde fires off forearms! Ridge SHOVES Wilde, CLOBBERS him, and says what happened with Cruz was an accident! Ridge grabs at Wilde, Wilde slips under, and Wilde kicks low to UPPERCUT! Wilde runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then goes up and up to TORNILLO CROSSBODY! Cover, ONE, but Wilde DROPKICKS Ridge out! The fans fire up with Wilde, he PLANCHAS but Ridge moves! Ridge pushes Wilde, Wilde stops from hitting post, so Ridge UPPERCUTS! Ridge fires forearms, but then Wilde ducks! Ridge hits post, then Wilde SUPERKICKS!
Ridge gets in the ring, Wilde runs in, but Ridge puts him on the apron! Wilde ducks one lariat but not the RIGHT! Wilde falls off the apron but fans boo Ridge as he huffs and puffs. Ridge keeps insisting Cruz’s hand was an accident. Wilde gets in, Ridge traps him in ropes to UPPERCUT again and again! Ridge BOOTS Wilde down, covers, TWO! Ridge clamps onto Wilde with the armlock and he grinds the shoulder. Wilde fights up, throws body shots, but Ridge traps the arms! Ridge HEADBUTTS and Wilde ends up in a corner. Ridge runs in to SPLASH, then OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Wilde flounders, Ridge runs up, but Wilde dodges!
Wilde runs back in, ELBOWS, then runs to come back, but Ridge POUNCES! Ridge drags Wilde up, throws knees, then reels him in. Ridge hoists Wilde up, but Wilde DDTS! The fans rally, and Shawn Spears appears on stage. The Chair Man insists that the truth is painful, and Ridge storms up. Wilde ELBOWS Ridge, fires off haymakers then whips, but Ridge reverses. Wilde springboards to FLYING CHUCK! Then JAWBREAKER! Then POP-UP BOOT! Ridge staggers, Wilde spells it out, “L! W! O!” But Ridge runs back up! Wilde goes Matrix to then NECKBREAKER! Ridge bails out and the fans fire up with Wilde!
Wilde builds speed, and DIVES, into a POWERSLAM!! Ridge drags Wilde up and into the ring, hauls him up into a PACKAGE DDT! Cover, Ridge wins!
Winner: Ridge Holland, by pinfall
Wilde may have let his emotions get the better of him, but Ridge is still conflicted. Spears smiles, is Ridge’s “truth” about to come to light?
Josh Briggs visits the medical center.
He’s getting his ribs checked and he says he feels much better now. Though, it’s still a bit painful to breathe and move around, is that normal? Yes, especially given those ribs were broken. Briggs needs to be careful until he’s truly 100%, but he’s “cleared as tolerated.” Briggs thanks the doc, but then Ivar checks in. Ivar asks if Briggs is good and Briggs says yeah, he’s cleared and ready to go after Oba Femi again. Ivar says he likes the grit, but he’s been in this room so many times before. Take it from Ivar, give it a couple more weeks so he can fully heal up. In that time, Ivar can have his match with Oba, and then when Ivar wins the title, Briggs is first up. How’s that sound?
Briggs says absolutely not. Ivar can go back to Raw and get his ass kicked by Sheamus again. Okay, okay, Ivar sees how this is gonna go. Then tonight, Ivar VS Briggs, winner fights Oba. Briggs says then go put on the war paint and he’ll see Ivar tonight. The Viking Raider and the Blue Collar Brawler are ready to throw hands, but who will get their hand raised at the end of the night?
Brinley Reece posts to TikTok.
She wants everyone to know she, Malik Blade & Edris Enofe are all going to work out at the Performance Center and wants them to join in. #BrinActive! They pump up to take on “Ohp.” Who? Y’know, A O P. Oh, Authors of Pain… But Edris says knowing their luck, by the time AOP is done with them, they’ll be SOL. Brin puts it together she’s been saying it wrong, but yeah they are scary. But who cares! She’ll be in their corner! Edris says no she’s not! Malik smooths it over by saying they can’t let their bad juju rub off on Brin. Edris says they need any kind of luck right now. They have been losing and losing!
Malik calms Edris down and says they just have to believe. Brin says exactly! Believe in the lift! Let’s go! Well, Brin’s always positive, will Edris ever see things her way? Or will Akam & Rezar write them off completely?
Andre Chase finds Thea Hail backstage.
She thanks him for coming to talk. He appreciates her wanting to meet, even with her match against Tatum tonight. After last week, they need to talk this out. They sit, and Thea says Jacy wasn’t lying about that bet. Nope. Last July, Chase was already knee deep into his gambling. At the time, he had things under control. Which is why he felt right betting on Thea against Tiffany Stratton. He knew deep down, Thea could do this. Thea could become the youngest NXT champion in history, so when asked if he was for or against, he went all in on Thea. But then seeing her suffer, her refusing to tap out, tears flowing down her cheeks, Chase had to throw in the towel.
In that moment, he didn’t care what it cost him, he just wanted Thea to be okay. Then why didn’t he tell her? She treated him so badly after that! Why didn’t he say something? Because she didn’t sign up for that, she just wanted to win a title. Then what about the towel? Honestly, he just hoped she would understand where his heart is, both that night and every night. He’s always in Thea’s corner. Then she is sorry! She hugs him and he says it’s okay. Chase U looks stronger than ever, but will there be another chance at a title for Thea in the future?
The D’Angelo Family is here!
The fans cheer as The Don leads Stacks, Rizzo & The Legal Eagle out to the ring, having finally returned to NXT after his loss at Stand & Deliver. Tony feels a little better showing off the new suit, then he gets the mic. Tony says after he and Stacks lost the tag titles, he talked about rapid growth in the family. He never said it was gonna be easy, but he knew it was worth it. And if you ask him how, when he’s not NXT Champion, Tony thinks about where they were a year ago. They made Pretty Deadly disappear, but they faced serious allegations. Now he looks at Stacks and the Consigliere, Luca Crusifino, both ready to crack skulls and add gold to the family.
Tony looks to Adrianna, the future of the NXT Women’s Division! And at Stand & Deliver, he went toe-to-toe with one of the toughest men in NXT history! Tony and Dragunov had a fight, one of the hardest fights Tony has ever gone through, and Tony lost. But this is about going one more round when you can’t. Toughness comes from longevity, and he’s here to tell you- Well, No Quarter Catch Crew interrupts first. Charlie Dempsey has the mic to tell Tony he doesn’t appreciate their dealings from last week were made public. What kinda business is he running here? Is Dempsey talking to Tony? Oh yeah, he sure is!
NQCC get in the ring but Tony tells them they came to the Family to take care of one of their own, all because they didn’t have the cajones to do something themselves! No problem, they’re the experts. Yeah, well, when it comes to taking someone out- Oh oh oh, stunad! No specifics, okay? There’s people watching. Yeah but Tony said- Hey, Charlie, didn’t Tony just say no specifics? Tony says they’re No Quarter, right? Well, Tony hasn’t gotten his full quarter, so when’re they gonna pay up? What? Payment? Wasn’t this for the good of the business? There was trash that needed to be taken care of, and they did that. It did the industry some good while they were at it.
Luca tells Mr. Dempsey that they’re still on the hook for services rendered. But the Don has a suggestion: They can either settle the debt, or it gets handled the way the D’Angelo Family always does it. Damon Kemp says no way, this was supposed to be done for the- Whoa, whoa, Damon, no one was even talking to you. Tony says he’ll say this to all three. Tony doesn’t do this for charity, or about feelings. This is about business, and in his business there is a code that you don’t betray. So listen up. It doesn’t matter who NQCC think they are, but they wanna come out here and interrupt him? Don’t think so.
Charlie tells Tony, “Is there anything else you wanna say to me? Is that it?” Tony says that Heritage Cup looks pretty nice. Oh does he? Well, don’t look at the cup, look at Charlie. That cup represents the competition and skill that takes place in this ring. It doesn’t need to be held by some two-bit gangster in wrestling boots! Charlie didn’t have a problem with that when Tony took care of this situation. So is Charlie gonna pay up? Over his dead body that some lowlife scumbag disgraces that cup! Scumbag? Well… Tony takes off the suit jacket, and says how bout this? They brawl! The fans fire up as The Family clears the ring of the NQCC!
The battlelines have been drawn, is The Family about to test that Catch Clause?
Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS ???
The NXT Champion is just fine with facing anyone in the back ahead of facing Trick Williams one last time next week! But then who will step up to be the “tune up?” Lexis King, Joe Gacy, and a lot of others rush out here! They all brawl, but in from the crowd side, it’s JeVon Evans! Ya boi bouncy~, and he quite literally jumps to the front of the line! Dragunov likes the Young OG’s guts, but will he beat those guts right outta him here tonight?
The bell rings and Evans fires forearms with Dragunov! The fans fire up as they go back and forth over and over! Dragunov fires boxing elbows but Evans BOOTS! Dragunov BOOTS, Evans rebounds to spin but Dragunov ducks the kick! GERMAN SUPLEX! Dragunov holds on, he drags Evans up, and GERMAN SUPLEXES again! The fans chant “DAT BOI!” “BOUNCY~!” but Dragunov drags him up again. Evans pries free, elbows, but Dragunov rebounds to PELE! Then GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Evans flounders to a corner, Dragunov runs in, but blocks a boot! Dragunov blocks another try, puts that leg in the ropes, and then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS!
The fans fire up while Evans slumps down, and Dragunov scrubs him with his boot! Dragunov runs side to side, but into a SUPERKICK! The fans fire up again as Evans has Dragunov dazed! Dragunov stands, he ROCKS Evans, but Evans ROCKS Dragunov! Evans blocks a chop to CHOP, then repeat! Evans CHOPS, CHOSP and CHOPS, the fans “WOO~” again and again. But Dragunov block sone, to HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Then GERMAN SUPLEX, but Evans lands out of it! Evans runs to SCREW HIGH KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Evans and Dragunov rise again.
Evans winds up to KICK! Dragunov wobbles, so Evans KICKS again! Evans goes up and rebounds, but Dragunov turns Rana into POWERBOMB! Evans grits his teeth as he sits up, but Dragunov runs and runs and runs to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Evans survives being turned inside-out but Dragunov nods. The fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” as Dragunov brings Evans up. Dragunov fireman’s carries, but Evans fights free! Dragunov hits buckles, Evans reels him in but Dragunov fights with elbows and knees! CONSTANTINE- SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Dragunov survives that sudden turn around and the fans are loving it!
Evans aims from a corner as he goes up and up, but Dragunov CHOPS first! And SLAPS Evans right to the apron! Evans BOOTS back, springboards, but into a CHOP!! Dragunov sits Evans up so he can run and KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! Evans survives and the fans are thunderous! Dragunov reels him in, “This is Awesome!” as Evans fights the bomb, and DDTS! Dragunov flounders out of the ring, Evans goes to the far side. Evans snarls as he gets to his feet, and he builds speed to FLY!! Direct hit at the ramp! Evans puts Dragunov in, hurries up again, and FROG SPLASHES onto knees! Roll through and deadlift, Dragunov powers Evans up to a fireman’s carry!
Dragunov then hits a CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Dragunov goes to the corner, “UN! BE! SIEG! BAR!!” TORPEDO MOSCOW!! Cover, Dragunov wins!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall
The Young OG showed guts and ability beyond his years, but he’s still a little early if he wants to be champion. Dragunov does show Evans respect, will we see this showdown again one day?
Backstage interview with Karmen Petrovic.
Kelly Kincaid is with Karmen to speak on Natty facing Lola in the first-ever Women’s NXT Underground match. Will Karmen help her train? 1000% yes! Karmen will get Natty training, but her schedule is so crazy right now. She’s on the WWE Europe tour, but then in walks Lola. Lola says Karmen can help Natty all she wants, but Natty is entering Lola’s world, and will be playing by Lola’s rules. Sure, Natty has guts, but she can’t handle the Latina Heat. Karmen can be in her corner, teach Natty all she knows, but it won’t mean a thing. Just wait until you see who Lola has in her corner. See you at next week’s contract signing. Adios~!
Sol talks with Ava backstage.
Blair cost Sol nine months of her career, a year of Wendy Chu’s, so much of Nikkita Lyons’, and Sol’s match tonight! Sol NEEDS to end this. Ava hears that, but Sol already had her match with Blair. No, not just another match. Sol wants Blair in NO DISQUALIFICATIONS! Is that what she wants? Sol says she will not stop until Blair has to be carried outta here. Sol storms off, is she going to wash Blair away with the tide? Or is this all playing right into Blair’s hands?
Thea Hail w/ Chase U VS Tatum Paxley!
The fire is back inside the top prospect, and she’s ready to blaze a trail back to title contention! But will we all hail Thea? Or will the twisted outcast not stop until she’s the one on top of NXT?
NXT returns and Tatum makes her entrance. The bell rings and Thea rushes up. Tatum slips around, waistlocks and SLAMS, then floats around to smile right in Thea’s face. Thea is creeped out and backs up, but Tatum slithers up. Thea rushes in again, but into another waistlock. Thea arm-drags free, runs up, but into a scoop! Thea arm-drags Tatum, runs up to back body block, then runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Tatum goes Matrix! Thea leaps over, the two stare down, and the fans fire up. Tatum reaches out but Thea grabs that arm! Thea SPLASHES down on it, and Tatum flounders to a corner. Thea runs in but only gets buckles!
Tatum scoops Thea to BACKBREAKER! Thea writhes, Tatum has Thea on ropes and bends her against them! The ref counts, Tatum lets off, but she KNEES Thea down. Thea goes to the corner, Tatum runs up, and she BODY CHECKS Thea into the buckles! Tatum digs Thea into the buckles but lets off as the ref counts. The fans rally for Thea and she fires forearms! Thea whips, Tatum reverses to knee low! Tatum grins as she GUT WRENCH PLEXES! Cover, TWO! Tatum top mounts Thea to say she’s the next champion, but Thea hits with body shots. Tatum hooks Thea’s legs and turns over, SPLADLE CHINLOCK! Thea endures as gravity does all the work!
Thea fights her way out, then fires forearms! Tatum hits back, and says the title is hers! Thea HEADBUTTS Tatum down! Tatum goes to ropes, comes back, but Thea wrenches for the ARMBAR CODE BREAKER! Thea whips and CLOBBERS Tatum! And CLOBBERS her again! Thea mule kicks a leg out, runs and ROLLNG NECKBREAKERS! But wait, is that Jazmyn Nyx? Jazmyn is mocking the “nerd” but Thea tells her “SUCK IT!” Thea scoops Tatum, POWERSLAM! SENTON! Thea shakes the ropes, but Jacy trips her up! The fans boo and Tatum ghost pins, Tatum wins!
Winner: Tatum Paxley, by pinfall
It seems no one can leave well enough alone, can they? Thea makes Jacy pay with a TOPE SUICIDA!! The fans fire up as Thea rains down fists on Jacy, but Chase and Riley get in there! Jacy hits Thea back but refs rush out to stop this! And then IN the ring, Lyra goes after Tatum! They brawl, refs have to divide and conquer, but the Morrigan is enraged! Will Thea humble the toxic Jacy once and for all? Will Lyra have vengeance on the two-faced Tatum?
Backstage interview with Roxanne Perez.
Kelly Kincaid says it looked like there was going to be a Stand & Deliver rematch between her and Lyra, but after- Oh, yeah, that freak finally turned on little her “girlfriend.” But it doesn’t matter how obsessed Tatum is with the title, or if Lyra has a chip on her shoulder, they can destroy each other for all Roxie cares. Beat each other to a pulp! Roxie will sit back, be entertained, and whoever makes it out of that fight in one piece maybe, just maybe, gets a title match. Wow, that was super easy. Like, what’s Ava even complaining about? Roxie sees it: Spring Breakin’, Roxie defends her title 1v1 against-
Ava walks in and says Roxie is so right. She made Ava’s job even easier! Why choose? Triple Threat! Roxie VS Lyra VS Tatum! NO! Of course Ava does this! Everyone is against Roxie, so why not Ava? Ava wants Roxie to lose her title without actually losing! Well, Roxie said Ava’s job is easy, but surely Roxie will do great. Ava leaves, Roxie is fuming, but will Roxie have no choice but to eat her words?
Malik Blade & Edris Enofe VS The Authors of Pain w/ The Final Testament!
It’s getting harder and harder to find the silver lining for Malik & Edris, and this time, platitudes like “there’s always next time” might not apply. That’s because Akam & Rezar, backed by Paul Ellerin, Karrion Kross & Scarlett Bordeaux, might just write their Final Chapter! Will Malik & Edris survive to fight another day? Or is there no upside to facing AOP?
NXT returns as Malik & Edris make their entrance, minus Brin like Edris said. The teams sort out, Akam starts against Edris. They tie up, Akam RAMS Edris into the corner and fires off hands! Akam swings, Edris dodges and fires off hands! Akam shoves Edris, Edris tags Malik and then Edris DROPKICKS Akam! Malik goes up to AX HANDLE! Akam stays up, Malik fires more hands! Tag back to Edris and he goes up, so he can AX HANDLE! Akam is still up, he headlocks, and Rezar tags in as Edris powers out. Akam whips, pop-up to Rezar for the CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO!
Edris survives and Rezar is already furious! Rezar HAMMERS away on Edris, then paces around. Edris drags himself to ropes, but Rezar is right on him. Tag to Akam, the AOP stand Edris up and Akam runs to KNEE Edris low! Rezar CLUBS Edris down, Akam clamps on and makes Edris look to Malik. Akam dribbles Edris’ face off the mat! Malik reaches out, the fans rally, but Rezar tags in. AOP gets Edris up, pops up and KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Edris survives and the fans rally again. Rezar seethes as he drags Edris away. Rezar reels Edris in, TOSSES him to a corner, then runs in, only to get buckles! Hot tag to Malik!
Malik dodges Rezar, BLASTS Akam and fires off on Rezar! Rezar stays up, swings, but Malik dodges to DROPKICK! Rezar tumbles out, Akam storms in but Malik SUPERKICKS! Malik builds speed, Edris tags in, Malik FLIES! AOP catches Malik!! But Edris FLIES but Malik’s thrown at him!! The fans go nuts as AOP are still monsters, and then AOP get a man each. SUPER COLLIDER!! Cover, AOP wins!
Winners: The Authors of Pain, by pinfall
The Final Testament makes up for their loss at WrestleMania, if only in part. But will they not stop until they’re once again wearing NXT gold? Speaking of, Nathan Frazer & Axiom are here! AOP attacked the champs last week so the dynamic duo want to return the favor, except the refs stand in the way. Will the Undeniable Hard-Hitting Truth be able to take the fight to the Final Testament?
Arianna & Gigi visit Lauren Nicole.
The shopping begins, and Gigi can’t believe Arianna thinks Gigi would actually wear anything from here. Like, what is this frilly halter top? Arianna wants “Giorgina” to understand that to become a princess, she must act, think and believe that she truly IS a princess. And Arianna for one thinks Gigi has all the makings to be one. OMG look at that dress! Arianna rushes over to grab the big green one. What does Gigi say? She hates it already. Like, so much. Nonsense! She’d look breathtaking in it! Well, Gigi could make it her own. Yes, Giorgina! Such a fast learner! Then Gigi has some ideas. She’ll try it on.
Arianna is ecstatic that Gigi is taking this seriously! Gigi slips into a dressing room, and there is definitely sounds of tearing. When Gigi comes out, she’s given the outfit a makeover! Yeah, Gigi does look good. She just had to “Gigi” the dress up a bit. She’ll wear it out, thanks. Spring Breakin’, here she comes! Arianna’s paying. Do they take credit?
Josh Briggs VS Ivar!
JBL’s seal of approval means a lot to Briggs, and he wants to finally prove JBL was right to give him the nod. He may have failed to take the North American title at Stand & Deliver, but will he fight his way to another shot here tonight? Or will the raid crash the party at Spring Breakin’?
NXT returns and Briggs makes his entrance, taped up quite a bit around the ribs. The bell rings, the two run up and Ivar BOOTS! Ivar whips, Briggs reverses but Ivar rolls off Briggs’ back! Ivar then cartwheels to dodge and he LARIATS Briggs down! The fans fire up, Briggs goes to a corner and Oba is watching as Ivar fires ELBOW after ELBOW! The fans chant “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” and Ivar whips Briggs to ropes. Briggs blows through the lariat to BOOT Ivar down! The fans fire up as Briggs storms up and whips back. Briggs scoops to SIDEWALK SLAM and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Briggs clutches the ribs, this is perhaps all double-edged right now.
Briggs powers through the pain, but runs up into a SEATED SENTON! The fans fire up while Briggs sputters. Ivar storms up on Briggs, drags him up and CLUBS him, but Briggs throws body shots. Ivar CLUBS Briggs again, has him on ropes, and then HEADBUTTS! Ivar runs, into an ELBOW! Briggs choke grips, but Ivar breaks free to BODY SHOT! Briggs sputters, Ivar reels him in, underhooks for the Canadian Rack! Briggs slips free, ELBOWS, and runs, into a SPINNING POWERSLAM! Briggs coughs and sputters, Ivar underhooks for the TIGER DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! Briggs survives and stuns Ivar!
Ivar storms around, goes to a corner and climbs up. The fans rally as Ivar aims for the VIKING- NO, Ivar rolls through the splash as Briggs dodge! BOSS MAN SLAM! TWO! Briggs’ bad ribs probably held that move back, but Briggs isn’t gonna stop! Briggs gets Ivar up, wrenches, and GUT BUSTERS! Briggs huffs, puffs, runs, and RAMS Ivar! Ivar tumbles out of the ring, and Briggs roars as he fights through the pain! Briggs goes to the apron, and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! Down goes Ivar and Briggs rises! The fans are torn as Briggs reels Ivar in. Ivar fights the lift to RAM Briggs into steel steps!
Briggs hobbles up, into the HEEL KICK! Ivar puts Briggs in, goes up the corner again, for the DOOMSAULT!! Cover, Ivar wins!
Winner: Ivar, by pinfall
Perhaps Briggs should’ve listened to Ivar earlier, he was nowhere near 100% and therefore had no chance of stopping the War Beard. Will Ivar raid right through The Ruler and take his throne?
Kelly Kincaid asks Oba his opinion on this win, and Oba just says, “Interesting.” Oba leaves, and he apparently clobbers Oro without a second thought! Main Man Mensah is upset that this keeps happening, when will he get his shot at The Ruler?
Steel Cage Match: Carmelo Hayes VS Trick Williams!
After he failed to Stand & Deliver, Melo could not stand the fact that Trick was going back for THE NXT Championship. Trick’s getting his shot at Dragunov one way or another, but will Melo make sure Trick doesn’t have a leg to stand on? Or will this be Trick finally saying goodbye and good riddance to HIM?
Before the match, Kelly Kincaid is with Melo at gorilla. He cuts her off to tell Trick that this ain’t over until Melo says it is. Trick thinks he’s gonna be a champion, that he’s gonna make it out of the cage in one piece, but Melo will make sure that doesn’t happen. Melo gave Trick everything he has here, and now he’s taking it all away from his ungrateful ass! Melo heads out, his personal security following behind. Then Trick makes his entrance and the fans go wild! NXT is ready to see Trick whoop Melo one more time because there’s no escape. The bell rings, the two storm up, and Melo shoves Trick. They circle, Trick runs up but Melo dodges!
Melo goes to bump off the cage but Trick blocks. Melo then blocks Trick trying that, then Melo gets space. Melo rushes up, Trick headlocks but Melo powers out. Things speed up, melo jumps but into a scoop and SLAM! Trick then scoops to SLAM again! Trick scoops again, but Melo slips free to shove. Melo runs up, Trick dodges and Melo jumps up, but Trick brings him off the cage. The two circle again, Melo kicks low then runs, but he rolls off Trick’s back and Trick DROPKICKS! Trick scoops to SLAM again, then covers, TWO! The fans chant “Melo Got Whooped!” Trick whips, Melo holds ropes to stop himself, but Trick runs up to ROCK him!
Trick whips, Melo holds ropes again, then he sidesteps to SMACK Trick off steel! Melo runs, springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Melo then gets a baton from a security guard! Melo SMACKS Trick with the stick! Then SMACKS him again! And AGAIN! Trick writhes, the fans boo, but Melo SMACKS Trick down again! Melo mockingly conducts the booing while NXT goes picture in picture.
Melo taunts the fans, then he CHOKES Trick with the stick! Trick fights up, pulls the stick away, but Melo knees low! Melo JAMS Trick, SMACKS him on the back, then swaggers around. Trick slowly rises, Melo talks more trash as he winds up, but Trick blocks the stick! Melo kicks low, winds up again and SMACKS Trick low! Melo tosses the stick away to whip Trick, but Trick reverses and back drops! Melo flounders to ropes and Trick stands. Trick runs up, but into a drop toehold! Melo KICKS Trick, CLUBS away, then has the FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Trick rolls through to a cover, TWO! Melo CLOBBERS Trick!
Melo drags Trick up, wraps his arm around ropes and pulls! Trick can only suffer until Melo lets go. Melo puts the other arm around ropes to pull on that, then he has a SLEEPER! Trick endures, the ref reprimands, but Melo lets go when Melo wants. Melo SMACKS Trick off the steel! Cover, TWO! Melo seethes, he drags Trick around, and he ROCKS Trick. Trick ROCKS Melo back! Melo ROUNDHOUSES Trick, CLUBS him, and stomps away! Melo fires off wild shots while NXT returns to single picture. Melo has Trick in a corner, climbs up to stand on Trick’s head, and then stomps the arms against the ropes!
The fans boo, Melo SLAMS Trick’s arm against the steel, then SLAMS the arm again! The fans boo but Trick hits back! Melo stomps Trick, YANKS the arm against ropes, then stalks Trick. Melo whips, Trick blocks, then Trick whips. Melo reverses to ARMBAR CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Melo is frustrated but he clamps onto Trick’s bad arm. The fans rally as Trick endures, and Trick powers his way around. Melo brings Trick down to an ARMBAR! Trick powers his way to a cover, TWO! Melo lets Trick go to kick, whip, but Trick blocks! Trick reverses, but Melo reverses back to send Trick into steel!
Trick falls back, but Melo gets him up. Trick stops from hitting steel, but Melo kicks him through ropes to stomp him against steel! The fans boo but Melo soaks it up. Melo drags Trick back up, runs side to side, and he SPLASHES Trick against steel! And then SPLASHES him against steel again! Melo goes again, but Trick drops and Melo splashes into steel himself! The fans fire up while Trick rises! Melo kicks Trick, Trick blocks the whip to ROCK Melo. Trick whips Melo, Melo goes up but Trick follows! Trick clinches, SUPER BOOKEND!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Trick rises, the fans rally, and Trick pounds the mat.
Trick ROCKS Melo, Melo fires back! They go back and forth, Trick gets the edge, then whips Melo for the LEG LARIAT! LEG LARIAT! FLAPJACK! The fans fire up, Melo staggers and Trick aims! Trick spins but Melo rushes up to LA MYSTI- NO, Trick stops that to INVERTED SUPLEX! Trick kips up, the fans fire up with him, and he whips Melo into steel! And more steel! And more steel! And then the fourth wall! NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives but Trick lets the hair down! Trick drags Melo around, cartwheel and ripcord, but Melo arm-drags! Melo runs, but he’s sent into steel again!
Trick storms up, but Melo HOTSHOTS the bad arm! Melo climbs, aims, but Trick catches the three pointer for the BOOKEND! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives but Trick isn’t done with him! Trick fireman’s carries, but Melo DDTS! Cover, TWO! Trick is still in this but Melo stays on him. FIRST 48! Trick rebounds to LEAPING LARIAT! Melo comes back to V-TRIGGER! “This is Awesome!” as both men are down! Melo goes to the corner, Trick rises at center, and Trick runs up after Melo! SMACK off the steel! But Melo gives it back! Trick SMACKS Melo, Melo SMACKS Trick! They dribble each other off the steel again and again!
Trick and Melo wobble, but then Trick CHOPS! Melo CHOPS! Melo SMACKS Trick off steel, headlocks, SUPER BULLDOG but Trick superhero lands out of it! Trick shakes his head, Melo is furious, and Melo runs up! Trick dodges to SPIN KICK! But the personal guards climb the cage! Trick BLASTS a couple off the side, but there’s still another! Trick hurries to get that guy, but the fourth gets in with a chair!! Trick kicks that guy first then TOSSES Him around! And this is a BIG guy! Trick sees the guy stagger to the door, and BOOTS him out! Trick closes the cage, but Melo has the chair!! Trick dodges, runs up, FULL METAL TRICK SHOT!! Cover, Trick wins!!
Winner: Trick Williams, by pinfall
Melo tried to stack the deck but Trick’s shot don’t miss! And now, Trick climbs the cage to be level with the perch, where Dragunov is watching! Spring Breakin’, NXT Championship, and if Trick loses, he must LEAVE NXT. Will Trick’s final chance be the one chance he needs to finally be on top of the world?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT here as the go-home to Spring Breakin’ 2024. Great opening match from Dar and Dijak, and while the fans were super behind Dijak, of course Dar wins thanks to help from Meta Four. Dar is definitely being primed for some kind of title opportunity past Spring Breakin’, but Oro kinda got the karma for cheating when Oba Femi again clobbers him while simply exiting a room. Good promo from Briggs and Ivar to set up Briggs VS Ivar, which was a great match. The promo helped us understand how beat up Briggs is, so logically, Ivar would win. Oba VS Ivar is going to be great stuff, and I would think Oba wins.
Good NXT Anonymous promo to add heat to Ridge VS Wilde, and of course Shawn Spears shows up during that match. Ridge wins, though it’s hard to say he was that more brutal with Wilde than any other match, but maybe Ridge is going to end up more and more unhinged. Really good #gymtok promo from Brin, Malik & Edris, but of course AOP demolishes Malik & Edris in the match. Axiom & Frazer wanted after AOP but that’s rather reckless when AOP are both physically bigger than Bron and Corbin. I’m sure Axiom & Frazer find a way to win, but this is gonna be pretty brutal for the champs.
Great stuff in the Women’s Division building towards both the top title and the coming Women’s North American Championship. Great match from Sol VS Lola but we should’ve known Blair would mess Sol up. Then Natty calls out Lola, so we’re going to get awesome stuff out of both the “Beach Brawl” No Disqualification match and the NXT Underground match. And then really good promo where Mr. Chase and Thea finally make amends for last year, and good promo from Tatum putting the twist on how her character’s been this entire time. Kinda some long term storytelling with how Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn always sensed that darkness in Tatum.
Tatum VS Thea of course got Jacy & Jazmyn interfering, there has to be one final blowoff of Jacy VS Thea for Spring Breakin. And Lyra going after Tatum was great stuff, and Roxie was good in her promo. The Triple Threat was a wild move but Roxie might have a point, she could lose that title without being pinned, and then she gets drafted away. We saw Roxie be part of the Raw After Mania, maybe that’s where she’s headed. After all, we know Melo’s gonna end up on SmackDown. Great Steel Cage main event, and again I like that it was a use of the No Escape stipulation. Trick of course won, he’s got momentum going into what is surely his win next week.
As such, Dragunov might end up drafted away after he loses, and if so, his match tonight was even more awesome for him giving Je’Von Evans some shine in the Open Challenge tonight. Evans is definitely ahead of the curve, he’s going to be a big name very soon. The only real rough spot from tonight would probably be the D’Angelo Family interacting with NQCC. They made good points but the flow needed to be ironed out for it being live in front of the fans. For one, we’re getting a big Six Man Tag, and that will then give Tony D’Angelo momentum going into a Heritage Cup match with more than likely Dempsey.
But I think part of the awkwardness in the promo was them having to work-shoot away the Gulak issue. From how things were worded, NXT is siding with Ronda, as Gulak wasn’t even directly named in this whole thing, but they made it sound like he was the problem. Gulak wasn’t part of events during Mania Weekend or anything since, though there’s nothing on him being fired or suspended. we’ll just have to wait and see how this goes.
My Score: 8.8/10
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA Xplosion Results & Match Ratings: 4.12.2024
Okay now, I’m just happy Kevin Knight gets a little time to shine. with New Jersey’s own Steve Maclin!
Xplosion has been a waste of time since the new regime took over completely, and I can’t really see anything special about this episode. Still only promoting 1 match, prolly have an old match, an ICYMI and Gia’s interview.
It looks like the Around the Ring interview will be with Rosemary. So maybe that will be interesting, and I was recently talking about what’s been up with Kevin Knight since the Referendum match; so its nice to see him around. Knight shouldn’t win, but as long as he looks good, we might finally get a match worth sitting through old footage and a useless Top 5.
Ratings:
Steve Maclin vs Kevin Knight: Maclin wins via KIA – ** 1/2
Results:
TNA+Throwback Moment: Team 3D vs Motor City Machine Guns, Genesis 2007
Now I’ve said many times that I’m tired of all the clips and vault matches, but I’m also a MCMG fanboy…and this was prime TNA, so I’m at least amused. Plus to validate the match, we’ve got MCMG versus The System coming up on iMPACT!, so its just a nice old match to get the blood pumping.
Don West, You’ve Got to be Kidding Me! Trending Topics of the week:
5. New Full Blooded Italians.
4. Hammerstone vs Alexander, Last Man Standing
3. Myron Reed returns to The Rascalz
2. Nic Nemeth beating Alex Shelley
1. Jonathan Gresham officially signs with TNA
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times, this Top 5 is legitimately a waste of air. Its just dumb dirt sheet highlights mostly from 2 weeks ago because their filming schedule makes the topics old and uninteresting.
Gia’s Around the Ring interview is with Rosemary. She stays in gimmick, not quite as over the top as the one Alicia Atout interview from a few years ago, but Gia is leading “the demon” on why they picked Courtney. They talk about Gia visiting the Undead Realm and that they still don’t know where Taya is. She also reveals a Bunny top of her cane, and very obviously hints to Allie. So I wonder if this is her trying to speak it into existence or if it’s actually a hint. Did something finally make a point for foreshadowing in storylines?
TNA+Throwback Moment: MCMG vs Beer Money, 2 out 3 Falls, 8.12.2010 iMPACT!
Steve Maclin vs Kevin Knight
So basic opening, but when Maclin tries a Hip Toss, Knight also attempts to counter it and it looks really ugly and car crashy. Nothing dangerous, just a fall down “didn’t get all of it” kind of spot. If that’s the only misstep, at least it was at the beginning.
Maclin tries to slow things down, but a huge Twisting Crossbody off the rope keeps things going for Knight. Another miscue where Knight tries to dodge a Chop in the corner, but is hella slow and eats the chop to the eyes. I mean in a way the ugly execution makes the match feel more like a dirty brawl from the 80s, but with how choreographed everything is nowadays, its just odd. Maclin whips Knight to the ropes, Knight jumps over the rope to the outside, revels in his landing, turns around and eats a SCUD Missile from Maclin!
Fully in control, Maclin is working over Knight until Knight catches him with a desperation strike and then rides the momentum into a few nice High spots. There is a locomotion Cradle spot which is also a little wonky to put it nicely, Knight tries to jump on Maclin for a Jumping DDT, but Maclin shrugs it off and heads to the corner. Knight charges, Maclin throws him over his shoulder but Knight catches himself and lands on the ropes, Maclin just shoves him forward to crotch him on the top buckle, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs into KIA, and Maclin wins.
Overall Score: 4/10
Given this the old Bret Hart special. The main event was tolerable if not sloppy, the throwbacks having the Machine Guns made the fanboy side of me giddy, but I still hate all the old footage stuff. The main reason for the higher score than the last few weeks is as I already said, decent main event and my hope the convenient Bunny on the cane is foreshadowing and not just acknowledging. Depending on availability, Su Yung could always return to TNA with an “Undead Bunny”. Hell the possibility of a Suzie and Allie tag team is comedic gold.
But we’ll see if that goes anywhere. Its also sad when a 4 is a pretty big upgrade to the last month or so of these shows. Xplosion really is a waste of damn time when I have to scrape the bottom of the barrel to find crumbs of entertainment.
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!