Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (12/30/22)
The last SmackDown of 2022!
We say good-bye to 2022 with the biggest SmackDown of the year!
Twenty years in the WWE, and John Cena returns to see 2022 off! But will he and Kevin Owens be victorious against Sami Zayn & Roman Reigns?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Sheamus w/ The Brawling Brutes VS Solo Sikoa w/ The Usos; Solo wins.
- SmackDown Women’s Championship: Ronda Rousey w/ Shayna Baszler VS Raquel Rodriguez; Ronda wins and retains the title.
- SmackDown Women’s Championship: Ronda Rousey w/ Shayna Baszler VS Charlotte Flair; Charlotte wins and becomes the new SmackDown Women’s Champion.
- Kevin Owens & John Cena VS Roman Reigns & Sami Zayn w/ The Bloodline; Kevin & Cena win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bray Wyatt is here!
The lights go down and the fireflies come out. The light shines behind the door, and when it opens, Bray makes his way out with his lantern. Bray enters the ring, puts out the lantern, and is in the spotlight. Bray grabs a mic and introduces himself to Tampa. “Honestly, deep down, I don’t really think of myself as a good person. Although I do try really, really hard, man. But when I look back on all the horrible things I’ve had to do to get to where I am today, man, honestly, I don’t regret much. However, last week, I did something that I do regret. And I wanted to apologize in all honestly. I attacked a cameraman in cold blood, and he didn’t deserve that, man. He didn’t deserve it.
“And if he’s watching this, man, I want you to know-” LA Knight is here! “Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Lemme talk to ya! Oh, I wanna apologize to the little camera man, boo hoo hoo. You gotta be kidding me. The master of the mind games, Bray Wyatt, getting gamed by the man they call the Mega Star, L A Knight. What happened to you, man? You can’t even keep your composure out here, you can’t even finish a sentence, and then you get all embarrassed, and you take it out on a poor cameraman. Wrong place, wrong time for him, I guess.” But Knight isn’t concerned about that. What he is upset about is Bray getting a goon to dress as “Captain Howdy” and assume that takes the heat off him. NO NO!
Knight says Bray is still a responsible party and it’s time to pay the check! “But hear this: You used to be something. You used to be a force.” Fans boo and chant “You Suck!” at Knight, but he tells them to pipe down. Knight gets into the ring and says Bray used to be something. But week after week, all he’s proven himself to be is a fraud and a loser, YEAH! But Knight has the medicine. The Royal Rumble’s coming down the pike. It will be Knight’s first, and he wants to make it a special one! And here’s how he’ll do that. Fans chant, “What?!” and Knight responds, “Huh?!” He tells them to shut up while he’s talking.
The way Knight makes it special is by taking Bray and putting him out of his misery when he breaks Bray like dishes! Bray says, “You little idiot. Who the hell do you think you’re talking to, son?” But Bray has been really patient, and he’s known in the back of mind he could’ve ended this whenever he wanted to. So Knight might be right! Maybe it is time Bray reminds Knight and the rest of us how cruel he can be when he feels like it. Fans like the sound of that! Bray says if we’re talking the Rumble, yeah, yeah, yeah. Challenge accepted! But then UNCLE HOWDY speaks! “Revel in what you are. Revel in what you are. Embrace the dark.”
Knight says that’s another of Bray’s tricks but the lights have gone down again. And here comes Howdy!! Howdy struts his way down the ramp with smoke and a spotlight following him. Howdy takes off the top hat, puts it aside, and goes up the steel steps. Knight is on his guard as he assumes this is 2v1, but even Bray gives Howdy space. Howdy stares Knight down, then looks at Bray. Howdy stands with Bray! Was Knight right all along? But then Howdy catches Bray in a clinch, for SISTER ABIGAIL!! Knight bails out while fans lose their minds! Knight can’t make heads or tails of this as Howdy takes his leave. Is Howdy his own man?
Sami Zayn walks up to the Bloodline locker room.
He knocks on the door, and Paul Heyman opens it up. They hug it out, and Heyman wants to hear how Sami’s Hanukkah. Oh, about as good as Heyman’s Ramadan. Blessed! It’s always a blessed day when Sami gets to see Heyman. So what can The Wise Man do for the Honorary Uce? Sami just figured he and the Tribal Chief should talk strategy. Wonderful idea, but Heyman and Roman Reigns were just talking, and the things Sami said last week, live to a global audience, that pledge of loyalty to the Bloodline and the declarative statements against John Cena and Kevin Owens, that passion that Roman’s always seen in Sami was finally brought to the surface!
Heyman says Roman is very proud of Sami. Sami says Roman looked proud, he seemed really happy about that. Yes, and mensch to mensch, if Heyman could, the whole concept of Roman Reigns, Undisputed Champion, The Tribal Chief, in the middle of the ring with Sami there and the fans are all chanting “SAMI! SAMI!” It just isn’t the right optics. Did Roman say something? No! But… Does he have to? Life on the Island of Relevancy is about staying three steps ahead at all times. But greenlight, delay tactics over, after you, sir. Sami laughs that off and walks inside the room, but Heyman sighs. Is there something just beneath the surface here?
Sheamus w/ The Brawling Brutes VS Solo Sikoa w/ The Usos!
Friday is once again Fight Night! The Fella is ready for the Bloodline’s Enforcer, and we already know this is gonna be a banger! But will The Celtic Warrior or the Street Champion of the Island be having the happier New Year’s Eve this weekend?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up and go around, then break. Fans rally, the two tie up again and Sheamus headlocks. Sheamus grinds the hold, Solo powers out but they RAM shoulders! Neither man falls and fans fire up again. Solo waistlocks but Sheamus wrenches out to an armlock. Sheamus grinds the shoulder, but Solo fights up to throw forearms! Solo powers out, Sheamus ducks ‘n’ dodges to RAM Solo! Solo rebounds to RAM Sheamus! Fans fire up and Solo UPPERCUTS Sheamus! Solo throws body shots, and a HEADBUTT! Solo whips, Sheamus reverses but Solo blocks the hip toss to CLOBBER Sheamus!
Fans fire up, the Usos cheer on Solo while the Brutes coach Sheamus. Sheamus goes to ropes but Solo CHOKES him! The ref counts, Solo lets off at 4, and Sheamus sputters. Solo soaks up some heat but Sheamus kicks low! Sheamus CLUBS then UPPERCUTS then CLUBS again! Sheamus ROCKS Solo, bumps him off buckles, then throws haymakers! The ref counts, Sheamus lets off at 4, and then Sheamus whips corner to corner. Solo reverses, runs in, but Sheamus BOOTS Solo! Sheamus runs to clothesline Solo up and out of the ring! Fans fire up but Solo is furious! Solo grabs a chair! The Usos calm their brother down while SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns and Solo clamps onto Sheamus’ shoulder! Sheamus grabs at Solo but Solo digs the claw in deeper. The fans rally up as Sheamus endures, and Solo shifts to a chinlock. Sheamus pries at the hold but Solo wrangles him down! Solo digs Sheamus into the mat, then sits him up for the chinlock again. Sheamus fights the hold, fans chant “UCEY! UCEY!” but Sheamus throws body shots and uppercuts! Sheamus runs but Solo fireman’s carries to SAMOAN DROP! Fans rally while Sheamus scrambles to a corner. Solo soaks up the cheers and jeers and mocks Sheamus pounding his chest.
Solo goes to the corner, runs in, but Sheamus LARIATS Solo down! Fans fire up and the Brutes coach Sheamus while the Usos seethe! Sheamus and Solo slowly rise, Sheamus blocks punches to give forearms! Sheamus whips, Solo reverses but Sheamus kicks! Solo roars, runs, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Fans fire up with Sheamus and he stalks Solo to the ropes. Sheamus has Solo against the ropes for BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Sheamus goes past ten to get 15!! Fans are thunderous as Sheamus lets Solo drop down! The Usos shout at Solo to get up, but Sheamus fires up. He pounds his chest, he runs in, but Solo SUPERKICKS first!
Sheamus comes back to KNEE Solo down! Cover, TWO!! Solo survives and Sheamus is shocked! Both men are down, but Sheamus stands first. Sheamus drags Solo up but Solo pulls the beard! Solo HEADBUTTS, but swings into the IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus drags Solo into the CLOVERLEAF!! Solo endures, he reaches out, but Sheamus drags him from the ropes! The Usos coach Solo and he fights his way back over. Jey pushes the ropes but the ref reprimands! Fans boo, but Jimmy drags Solo out of the hold! The Brutes storm up but Jimmy SUPERKICKS Pete Dunne! Ridge fights with both Usos 2v1!
The Usos get the edge on Ridge, but Sheamus is up top?! DOUBLE FLYING LARIATS take out the Usos!! But Solo YANKS Sheamus into the post! And then APRON URENAGES! Solo puts Sheamus in the ring, to give him the SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, Solo wins!
Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall
The Bloodline mugs Sheamus! Dunne gets up, but he gets a SUPERKICK! Ridge gets up, he gets DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Fans boo but Solo grabs that chair again. The Usos dig their boots in, then rain down fists. But Solo puts the chair around Sheamus’ neck! They’re gonna do Sheamus like they did Matt Riddle! But here comes DREW MCINTYRE! The Scottish Warrior storms his way to the ring, he BOOTS Jey and HEADBUTTS Jimmy! McIntyre stares Solo down, and fans fire up as they fire off! McIntyre dodges Solo to clothesline him out! McIntyre dodges Jimmy to CLAYMORE him down!
Fans are thunderous as the Brutes run off the Bloodline! This isn’t WarGames but the war is far from over! Will the Celtic Connection be just the combination that stops the Bloodline from doing what they want?
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Ronda Rousey w/ Shayna Baszler VS Raquel Rodriguez!
The Baddest Woman on the Planet has bullied just about everyone on the roster, but Big Mami Cool isn’t backing down. Raquel won a gauntlet match with one good arm, and even with the Queen of Spades being Ronda’s ace in the hole. Now Ronda has no choice but to put up or shut up and defend the title! Will Ronda still be feeling rowdy after tonight? Or will she have to rip Ricky Desperado’s other arm off to stop her?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who ends the year on top!
The bell rings and the two tie up. Ronda tries to turn Raquel but she can’t, and Raquel shoves Ronda away! They tie up again, Ronda puts Raquel in the corner and wraps the bad arm around the ropes. The ref counts, but Raquel shoves Ronda away again. Ronda smirks, and she comes back with shots aimed at the arm! Ronda then SLAPS Raquel, and stands on top of her. Ronda mocks the fans and they boo her. Raquel runs Ronda over! And again! Raquel drags Ronda up, scoops her, and SWINGING SIDE SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Ronda scrambles to a corner then bails out. Shayna is there to coach her while fans boo.
Raquel goes out after Ronda! Raquel ROCKS Ronda, fireman’s carries, then APRON SLAMS her! Ronda tumbles into the ring, clutches a leg, but Raquel puts her in a corner. Raquel then TOSSES Ronda across the way! Ronda ends up in the corner, Raquel runs in to SPLASH! And then again! Raquel runs in again, Ronda ducks and Raquel POSTS herself! Raquel falls out of the ring and Shayna mocks her while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Ronda wraps Raquel’s bad arm around ropes! The ref reprimands, but Ronda then grinds the bad arm against the ropes as she brings Raquel along! Ronda lets off at 4 and Raquel falls against the ropes. Ronda CHOKES Raquel now, and the ref counts again. Ronda lets off at 4, and KNEES Raquel in from the apron! Ronda stalks Raquel, drags her around, straitjacket kneebar! Raquel endures, reaches out but Ronda says she should just tap. Ronda hammers Raquel, but Raquel gets a high stack! TWO, and Raquel ROCKS Ronda! And again! But Ronda blocks to throw a body shot!
Ronda runs in, steps up, ELBOW JAB! Raquel goes to a corner, Ronda runs in but into an elbow! Ronda blocks Raquel’s boot for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Ronda mocks Raquel’s hand for bleeding, and then grabs at the bad arm. DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Raquel endures, fans rally up, and Raquel fights her way up! Raquel fireman’s carries Ronda for a SAMOAN DROP! Fans fire up and Shayna is growing worried! Raquel and Ronda slowly rise, and Raquel runs in to CLOBBER Ronda! And again! Ronda ducks the right but the LEFT comes in! Raquel crawls to the cover, TWO!! Raquel’s bad arm slowed her down but she’s not giving up!
Raquel drags Ronda up, CLUBS her, then scoops her. Fans rally and duel, Raquel swings but Ronda hits an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Raquel scrambles, clasps hands, then shifts to get Ronda’s legs! Raquel has the TEXAS CLOVERLEAF!! Ronda endures, rolls, and trips Raquel to an ANKLE LOCK!! Raquel endures and fans boo Ronda! Raquel turns over to BOOT Ronda away! Ronda runs back in, into a FLAPJACK! Both women are down and Tampa rallies up! Raquel drags Ronda up, hooks the leg, TEXANA- NO, Ronda shifts to have the arm! Ronda talks trash, and they tumble over the ropes!
Raquel lands on her feet, she has Ronda up again! Ronda freaks out, APRON TEXANA BOMB!!! Both women are down and Shayna panics while SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns again and Raquel has Ronda up in a suplex! Who knows how long she was holding it, but she SLAMS Ronda down! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Ronda survives by inches and Raquel grows a little frustrated. Raquel drags Ronda up but Ronda WRINGS the bad arm! Ronda goes after the arm and has the DOUBLE WRISTLOCK again! Raquel endures as Ronda leans on the hold! Fans rally and duel, Ronda claws at the mat, then powers through to roll and scoop Ronda! FALL AWAY SLAM! Tampa fires up again while both women are down! Raquel slaps the bad arm to get it going and fans rally with her!
Raquel stands, storms up on Ronda and drags her back up in a scoop! But Ronda sits up to get the arm again! And then she shifts into a SLEEPER HOLD! Raquel flails with Ronda on her as a backpack! Ronda talks trash to the fans, Raquel is fading, and Raquel drops to a knee! Shayna says this is it, but Raquel gets a second wind! Raquel RAMS Ronda into buckles! And again! Ronda still holds on, so Raquel roars, runs and RAMS Ronda face-first into buckles! Ronda is down but Raquel almost posted herself! Raquel runs to BOOT Ronda down! Shayna gets on the apron, Raquel BLASTS her! Raquel runs at the corner, TWISTING VADER! Cover, Shayna gives Ronda the ROPEBREAK!
The ref notices Shayna over there! The fans boo, they know it, too! The ref tells Shayna to back off, and Raquel storms up on Ronda. Raquel scoops Ronda to RAM her into the corner! Raquel puts Ronda up top, ROCKS her, then CLUBS Her! Ronda BOOTS the bad arm! Raquel ROCKS Ronda again! Raquel climbs up after Ronda, fireman’s carries, but Ronda throws elbows! Ronda shifts around for an ELEVATED ARMBAR!! The ref counts, Ronda holds on, and Raquel falls back! RAQUEL TAPS, RONDA WINS!!
Winner: Ronda Rousey, by submission (still SmackDown Women’s Champion)
The Queen of Spades was once again the insurance policy Ronda needed! Shayna helps Ronda celebrate, and Ronda gets the mic, but wait! That music! CHARLOTTE FLAIR IS BACK! THE Queen of WWE has returned! Ronda and Shayna stand their ground as Charlotte struts into the ring. Charlotte gets herself a mic as Tampa goes wild! Ronda says Charlotte’s arm must be better. How’s the rehab? Oh, Ronda already guesses that the elbow’s all better and Charlotte wants to challenge for the title at SummerSlam. Oops! That happened. Royal Rumble is sooner. But depends on how that arm is feeling, right? How’s the Queen feeling?
Fans “WOO~!” and Charlotte tells Ronda no, she’s challenging for the belt tonight! Fans go nuts but Shayna says no, they gotta go. But fans are thunderously chanting, “YES! YES! YES!” Ronda isn’t one to back down from a fight, so she throws the belt down! “You’re on, because I’m feeling spicy!” Shayna keeps trying to convince Ronda not to, because she just had one hell of a match against Raquel! Ronda says so what? IT’S ON!!
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Ronda Rousey w/ Shayna Baszler VS Charlotte Flair!
The bell rings, Charlotte BOOTS Ronda down!! Cover, TWO!!! Ronda survives and Shayna is on the apron already! Charlotte BOOTS Shayna down and fans are thunderous! Ronda rises, Charlotte runs in again, SPEAR!! But Ronda turns it around?! ARMBAR!! But Charlotte stacks Ronda! CHARLOTTE WINS!!!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by pinfall (NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion)
Ronda almost turned Charlotte’s ego around on her, only for Charlotte to turn it back around on Ronda! And now 2022 ends with The Queen back on her throne for a FOURTEENTH TIME!! Will 2023 be the Year of Flair?
The Bloodline talks in their locker room.
They’re sharing holiday stories and Sami says the kids don’t know how good they have it. Roman just wants to give his kids everything that he had growing up. Sami wants everyone to be on the same page tonight. It surely didn’t bother anyone that the fans chanted for Sami while Roman was out there, right? That doesn’t get to Roman at all, right? Roman sits there quietly, and then says, “God no!” Oh, okay, good! Sami didn’t think so. Roman wanted to say this, but the way Sami was locked in, how could anyone pay attention to anything else but what Sami was saying? If Sami has even 10% of that tonight, it’s a night off for Roman! It’ll be that easy!
Yes, it’ll be a great night. A great night for The Bloodline. Yeet! Secret handshake with Jimmy and Sami is feeling good. But will things really be Ucey to end 2022?
The Mysterio Familia Telenovela continues!
As if crashing Thanksgiving wasn’t bad enough, Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio crash Christmas at Grandpa’s house! Rey told Dom & Rhea this wasn’t going to happen again. Dom says he’s just here with open arms to celebrate with the family and Mami Rhea. Rey says they should take this outside. They go outside, Dom shoves Rey! Mama Mysterio goes to slap but Rhea blocks her! So Mama SLAPS Mami! Rhea is pissed, but cops are here! The police arrest Dominik for intruding! Rhea protests, she got hit! Dom told Rhea to get Finn and Priest! He won’t make it in jail! Rhea is furious, this is ruining Christmas! Dom did make bail, but will the Judgment Day learn not to be Grinches from now on?
Hit Row talks backstage.
They’re talking reverse limbo with The New Day! Is this low enough for Top Dolla to jump over? HA! The others in the locker room, such as Ricochet, Mad Cap Moss and the Maximum Male Models, have a good laugh. Dolla says the last time he tried jumping a broom didn’t work out so well, either. Woods says the last time Dolla jumped at all didn’t really work out. Kofi says he isn’t Top Rope Dolla, after all. Adonis says they may have jokes and all, but if Jimmy didn’t save Jey, Hit Row would be the new tag champs. Facts! Now, now, Adonis, let’s not jump to conclusions. Good one from Mace. Mansoor says they’re jumping the shark!
Moss says “Top Dolla? More like Flop Dolla!” OOOOH~! Mad Cap’s still got it! Ricochet says, at least now Dolla knows that it isn’t as easy as Ricochet makes it look. Oh, okay, okay. But then Dolla shoves Ricochet?! Guess that was one joke too far. Will Dolla cool off and learn to laugh at himself? Or will he be hopping mad all the way to a match with the King of Flight?
BREAKING NEWS on Bray Wyatt VS LA Knight!
At the Royal Rumble, it will be Bray’s return to action, in a PITCH BLACK MATCH! But what does this mean? And who will win such an ominous match?
Imperium heads to the ring!
Ludwig Kaiser, Giovanni Vinci & Der Ring General, GUNTHER, are here, and they look to look back at 2022 and their “path of destruction.” What will Imperium have to say about what they’ve done, and where they’re going next? We find out after the break.
SmackDown returns and Ludwig has the mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen. 2022 was the Year of Der Ring General!” Vinci says that Gunther has proven to be THE most dominant Intercontinental Champion in history! No man on SmackDown will take this title from him! But do not take their word from it, just take a look at the men who tried. A video packages rolls to give highlights of Shinsuke Nakamura, Rey Mysterio, Sheamus, and Ricochet all losing to Gunther. Gunther has the mic now, but BRAUN STROWMAN is here! And he storms his way right to the ring!
Braun steps in, he gets a mic, and he tells Gunther that he noticed something in that video: He wasn’t in it! That means Gunther hasn’t beaten Braun! Now, maybe Gunther’s boys are right, that there isn’t a man that can beat Gunther. But what about a monster? Imperium turns to leave but Braun tells them hold on, that wasn’t him asking for a title match. Braun is telling Gunther! Braun turns Gunther around but Vinci & Ludwig rush in! They mug Braun but he shoves them both away! Vinci tumbles out of the ring, Braun clotheslines Ludwig out! And that leaves Gunther alone! Gunther swings but Braun blocks the chop! And then he CLOBBERS Gunther!
Gunther bails out but Braun says it’s time to get on the tracks! The Strowman Express CLOBBERS Ludwig, CLOBBERS Vinci, but Gunther sends Braun through barriers! Gunther SMACKS Braun with a chair! Ludwig & Vinci drag Braun up for Gunther to SMACK again! Then Imperium sends Braun into steel steps! But that’s not enough, they put Braun in the ring. Gunther KICKS Braun’s arm, and has it in a top wristlock! Gunther pulls on the arm but Braun endures! Referees rush out, Imperium keeps them from Braun! Management get involved, Imperium stops them, but here comes Ricochet! With a chair!
Ricochet hurdles over Vinci! And SMACKS Ludwig on the run! Ricochet gets in the ring, Gunther clears out, but Ricochet still SMACKS him at the ropes! Vinci gets up, Ricochet swings on him! And he swings on Ludwig! Ricochet dares Imperium to do something but Adam Pearce appears to have everyone stand down. Will we get another showdown like last week’s Miracle on 34th Street Fight? Or will this battle need something even bigger to settle the score?
BREAKING NEWS on the next few weeks of SmackDown!
After the brawl between Braun and Imperium, Der Ring General is not going to have a choice! In two weeks, Gunther defends the Intercontinental Championship against Braun Strowman 1v1! Will Braun #GetTheseHands on that title? Or will even a monster fall to the might of Der Ring General?
And after everything we saw after Sheamus VS Solo, next week is the match-up we were always meant to see! Sheamus & McIntyre team back up to face the Usos for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships! Will the Celtic Connection finally be golden? Or will Jimmy & Jey still be the ones?
The Bloodline heads for gorilla.
Sami and Roman are ready, with the Usos talking them up. Will the Honorary Uce & Tribal Chief smash ’em and stack ’em to finish SmackDown?
Kevin Owens & John Cena VS Roman Reigns & Sami Zayn w/ The Bloodline!
The Prizefighter said he was done with Sami, but he continues to be a thorn in the side of the Bloodline. Things escalated and in a move to get ratings, a tag match was made! Kevin could choose anyone as his tag partner, and he chose the SIXTEEN-TIME WORLD CHAMPION! Will KO and Cena become more than just a problem? Or will the Tribal Chief & Honorary Uce ruin the return of the living legend?
Fans are thunderous for Cena’s entrance, but then The Bloodline makes theirs. The titles are raised and the pyro goes off. Then the Bloodline goes to the ring, they raise the belts again, and the second round of pyro goes off. Tampa Bay is fired up for everyone in this match as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns once more and the teams sort out. Kevin and Sami start and fans are fired up already as the two circle. Sami dares Kevin to bring it, and they tie up. Sami waistlocks, headlocks, but Kevin powers out. Sami springboards up and over to CLOBBER Kevin! Sami raises the finger, Roman smiles and fans are torn. Kevin kicks low but Sami denies the stunner! Kevin ROCKS Sami with fists, whips and CLOBBERS him with an elbow! Then SENTONS! Kevin stares Roman down but goes back to Sami. Sami slips out to the apron, Kevin storms over but Sami HOTSHOTS him! Sami kicks low then reels Kevin in.
Kevin fights the suplex to hang Sami out to dry! Sami flops off the ropes hard! Kevin eggs Sami on now! “You’re embarrassing yourself in front of the Tribal Chief!” Kevin then mocks Sami’s bloody nose, and wants Sami to show Roman what he’s got. Fans rally for Sami, but Sami looks to Roman. Roman reaches out for the tag, and Kevin mocks Sami that he’s being a good little lapdog. Sami tells Kevin, “Good luck,” and he tags in Roman! Fans now rally for Cena! Cena reaches out, and Roman tells Kevin to go ahead. Fans chant, “We Want Cena!” That’s something we haven’t heard in a long time, but then Roman CLOBBERS Kevin!
Roman stomps away on Kevin at the ropes, digs his boots in, but the ref counts and reprimands. Roman lets off at 4, drags Kevin up, and hits an URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Roman glares at Cena but drags Kevin back up as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns once again and Sami has Kevin in the Bloodline corner. But Kevin kicks and punches back! Kevin DECKS Roman, then fires off on Sami! Fans fire up but Sami gets around Kevin to HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Kevin’s right up to LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Cena shouts to Kevin and reaches out! Kevin and Sami crawl, Sami grabs at Kevin’s foot, and Roman trips Cena! Roman fires off hands then RAMS Cena into barriers! Fans boo and Sami runs out to BOOT Cena down! The Bloodline cheers, Sami goes back to the ring and he runs corner to corner at Kevin, but Kevin hits a SUPERKICK!
Both men are down again and Roman is confused! Sami and Kevin crawl but Cena’s still down! Sami runs in but into another SUPERKICK! Kevin whips Sami for a POP-UP POWERBOMB! Cover, Roman breaks it! Roman rains down fists on Kevin, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Roman drags Sami over and tags in. Roman then ushers Sami out, and he takes aim at Kevin. Roman raises his finger, he’s the one. Roman locks ‘n’ loads, but Kevin dodges the Superman to SUPERKICK! Kevin goes up top, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Roman survives but Kevin fires back up! Kevin whips Roman, to POP-UP- SUPERMAN PUNCH!!
Roman goes to the corner, fans are torn, but Roman lets out the battle cry! But Kevin dodges and the Spear hits POST! Roman flops back and Cena rises up! Fans are thunderous as Kevin and Roman crawl! Kevin and Roman hot tag Cena and Sami! Fans fire up as Cena dodges and then unleashes the shoulder tackles! And then the SPIN-OUT BOMB! And of course, “You Can’t See Me!” Roman is pissed, he runs in, but into a SPIN-OUT BOMB!! Cena tags Kevin, and together, they say “You Can’t See Me!” They run, DOUBLE FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE!! Is that ten? ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT for Roman!! Sami staggers, into a STUNNER!! Cover, Kevin & Cena win!!
Winners: Kevin Owens & John Cena, by pinfall
The Prizefighter and the GOAT just beat the Tribal Chief and his Honorary Uce! Will Sami take the heat for this one? Will Kevin be going after the Head of the Table and the Undisputed Universal title next?
My Thoughts:
A very good SmackDown to end 2022, but perhaps with one very odd move. After a truly great match from Ronda VS Raquel, which I figured Ronda would win with some help from Shayna, it was a great surprise to see Charlotte Flair back. And while the live audience was excited to see Charlotte put Ronda in her place, it all just seemed too fast. Charlotte beats Ronda in a very Flair way, or perhaps a bit Money in the Bank way, but who does it really help? Well, I mean, it helps Charlotte get ever closer to being the first 16-time Women’s Champion so she can parallel her father, but honestly, why not build this up towards the Rumble?
I do appreciate that Ronda was so confident she didn’t back down, giving her character consistency, but I feel like it just hurts Ronda and Raquel that Charlotte is still the favorite, even in the HHH Era. This feels like HHH’s first real misstep since taking over. Another segment that was good but still odd was everyone in the men’s locker room making fun of Dolla for his botched tope conjilo. I do get Dolla getting mad, but why not at Maximum Male Models so we can get a tag match? I suppose Dolla gets to shine as a singles guy against Ricochet, though I don’t see him winning.
Really good opening segment from Bray, Knight and Howdy. Knight still thinking Howdy and Bray were in cahoots was good character stuff, and that helped make Howdy suckering Bray in for that Sister Abigail more effective. The Pitch Black match, as rumored a few weeks ago, is still happening, but Howdy is more than likely going to get involved with that somehow. I’m more curious as to what the Pitch Black match is supposed to be. If it’s the same as the NXT UK World of Darkness and NXT Lights Out match, then that’s a bit lazy on WWE’s part, just having another name for a match where you dim the lights.
I love that we got to see the newest Mysterio family drama. I’m surprised they didn’t try and bring this up on Raw, but maybe they’re building towards something where the Judgment Day ends up on SmackDown so that Dom and Rey keep getting closer and closer to having a match with each other. If they pace it right, that match happens for WrestleMania for a real big blow-off. Speaking of blow-off, good stuff from Imperium and Braun, though I’m surprised Ricochet makes the save and it doesn’t turn into another tag match. Braun does get his title match, though, but I can’t be sure he wins. As great and popular as Braun is, Gunther is just as great and has good Heel heat, so he should keep going with this title.
Great stuff from Sheamus VS Solo, and of course the Usos interfere. But McIntyre making his return was great stuff. The Undisputed Tag title match we were meant to get before now happening to kick off 2023 is great, and while it’d be awesome for McIntyre & Sheamus to reign together, I just don’t see the Usos losing the titles on TV. But at the same time, I don’t know who will be coming after them for the Rumble. And good stuff from the rest of the Bloodline, such as Sami and Heyman with their hallway promo, and the private room promo where Roman again teased being upset but said he wasn’t.
The tag match was great, and I’m surprised there wasn’t something more from the Usos & Solo. But at the same time, Sami and Roman were trying to win on their own, and they end up losing on their own. Sami had a look at the end where he knew he was in trouble. For one, Sami did take the pin, but pretty sure Roman would never take the blame even if he was the one who lost. Sami will surely say he’ll make it up to Roman and Roman says of course Sami will make it up to him, and maybe we get a huge match between Sami and Kevin that determines whether or not Kevin can challenge Roman at the Rumble.
My Score: 8.4/10
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The Maniac takes on the Powerhouse!
In the wake of AEW Dynasty, in perhaps Will Hobbs’ biggest match, he takes on IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Jon Moxley! Will the Don Callis Family have even more gold?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW World Championship Eliminator: Swerve Strickland VS Kyle Fletcher; Swerve wins and denies Fletcher a title match.
- Mina Shirakawa w/ Mariah May VS Anna Jay; Mina wins.
- Casino Gauntlet: ??? wins and will challenge for the AEW International Championship at Double or Nothing.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
The Elite arrives at Daily’s Place.
They roll up together in the same SUV, showing off all their gold, from Kazuchika Okada still being the AEW Continental Champion to The Young Bucks being the NEW AEW World Tag Team Champions. Matthew congratulates The Rainmaker, and says he is so proud. Nicholas says he is proud of being the first-ever THREE-TIME AEW World Tag Team Champions. Wait, who is this pulling up next? It’s JACK PERRY! He just smiles at the cameraman, and Matt says alright, gentlemen, it’s a big night! They head in, but then security flags Jack down, saying he can’t be here.
Matt has security stop there, Jack is with The Elite. Hands off the merchandise. And cameraman, stick with The Elite, they’ve got some business to attend to. The Scapegoat walks with The Elite, just what will they do on this Homecoming night?
Orange Cassidy is here!
Daily’s Place fires up as Freshly Squeezed makes his way out, or rather is TOSSED out by Trent Beretta! Trent’s modified the old T-Shirt so it now reads, “Trent & Orange w/ Chuck Taylor win the big one.” Trent DECKS Cassidy down the ramp while fans boo the further betrayal! Trent DECKS Cassidy again, and Cassidy flops into the ring! Trent rains down fists, soaks up the heat, and then he gets a mic. “Chuck. Chuck, it’s time. Please get out here.” Trent waits, but tells the fans they have no idea what they’re talking about so please. Chuck walks out on stage and Trent apologizes? He is sorry…Â that he didn’t do this a long time ago!
Trent is sorry that Best Friends spent five YEARS hugging a narcissistic p*ick! Cassidy was brought in here to be their sidekick, yet somehow he made Best Friends into his lackies! Best Friends fought for Cassidy, protected him, did EVERYTHING for him, and yet Cassidy gave them NOTHING! Cassidy does NOT care about Chuck! Cassidy is NOT his friend! Trent looms over Cassidy while the fans rally for “FRESHLY SQUEEZED! FRESHLY SQUEEZED!” Trent tells Chuck that Trent cares about him. Trent IS Chuck’s friend. So please… Do the right thing and give the people what they want. Trent tosses the mic to Chuck so he can respond.
Trent holds his arms open, and then Chuck holds his arms open, to then stop and say he always thought Trent was a POS! Chuck DECKS Trent!! Trent tumbles away, gets back up, but avoids Chuck’s haymaker! The Kentucky Gentleman tells Trent he knows that they won’t clear Chuck for a fight in this ring. But Chuck doesn’t wanna fight in this ring, he wants to fight in the damn parking lot!! The fans go nuts hearing that! Trent shakes his head, but will he have no choice but to fight his former Best Friend?
Jon Moxley speaks.
“I am confident tonight that I will defend successfully my IWGP Championship, but I don’t want you to mistake that for arrogance, or ignorance, or an underestimation of my opponent, ‘Powerhouse’ Hobbs. I know exactly who ‘Powerhouse’ Hobbs is, what he’s capable of. A truck of a man who hits like one, too. Born and bred with a killer instinct, an instinct I can see and smell from a mile away. I’m acutely aware of what’s at stake tonight. I know it’ll only take one mistake for my entire world to come crashing down around me. And I know that this Callis Family put a hit out on my friend, so I know just how far they’re willing to go to get an edge to win.
“But nobody knows better than me what it takes to get to the top. More importantly, what it takes to stay at the top. So I know, honestly, for me, tonight’s gonna suck. It’s gonna be a walk through Hell. A march through mud and fire, slings and arrows, a march through Hell. But there’s no place I’d rather be, there’s no better way to feel alive. I don’t play golf, man. This is pro-wrestling, this is the king of sports, the greatest thing int he world. And tonight, I’m gonna remind the world just who I am, in case they’ve forgotten. When all the oxygen is pulled out of Powerhouse’s lungs and his carcass hits the canvas, they’re gonna feel it, from Jacksonville to Tokyo!”
The Maniac heads out, but will the Book of Hobbs’ next chapter be written in gold?
AEW World Championship Eliminator: Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS Kyle Fletcher w/ Don Callis!
Whose Dynasty? SWERVE’S DYNASTY! Because The Realest did dethrone the One True King of Wrestling Television to become the NEW AEW World Champion! Prince Nana leads the way with his dance as Swerve looks to be a fighting champion! Will Swerve snipe the Aussie Arrow? Or will the Don Callis Family already have a win on a world champion to start the night?
The bell rings and the fans rally for Swerve as he stares Kyle down. They circle, get face to face, talk some trash, and then Swerve goes for a leg! Kyle facelocks to fight the takedown, then slips around to a waistlock. Swerve switches and hammerlocks, but Kyle reaches back to headlock. Swerve cranks the hammerlock, but Kyle reaches for legs. Kyle manages to switch, snapmare and then ghost pin, TWO! Kyle headlocks but Swerve slips right out to hammerlock again. Swerve grinds Kyle down but Kyle fights to the ROPEBREAK. Swerve lets off and waits on Kyle. Kyle stands, the two reset, and they tie up again.
Swerve headlocks, Kyle powers up and puts Swerve on ropes. The ref counts, Kyle lets off but then takes a swing! Swerve ducks the chop, snapmares Kyle down and slips around to roll Kyle to a cradle, TWO! Kyle hurries after a leg, but Swerve spins around, victory roll and step over, SHORT ARM SCISSOR! Kyle scrambles around to stack, TWO! Swerve gets up, Kyle goes for a leg, but Swerve steps over. Kyle dodges the dropkick, but then Swerve avoids the Penalty Kick! Both men block the other’s kick, and the fans fire up as they both let off. The two reset, the fans rally for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Swerve and Kyle circle, Kyle kicks but Swerve blocks, only for Kyle to ROCK Swerve with a forearm. Kyle whips, Swerve goes up and over then JUMP SOBATS! The fans fire up as Kyle sputters, and then Swerve UPPERCUTS, snapmares, and goes up to FALLING UPPERCUT! Swerve hits the Griddy and the fans fire up! Swerve says “DU~VAL~!” and the fans echo it. Swerve goes for Kyle but Kyle gets to ropes. Swerve waits on Kyle, goes for an arm, wrenches, but Kyle whips Swerve out! Kyle runs to CALF KICK Swerve to the floor! The fans boo but Kyle snarls and Swerve checks his arm. Kyle goes out after Swerve, brings him around, but tells Nana to back off.
Swerve BACK DROPS Kyle away! Kyle writhes, Swerve goes to the apron and he tells fans to pay attention, get off their phones. PENALTY KICK and Kyle goes down! The fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Swerve struts around before he fetches Kyle, and whips him into railing! Swerve again tells fans to watch the show, not their phones. He fist bumps the front row, gets Kyle back up, and pushes him into the ring. Swerve has Kyle on the apron to CLUB him. Swerve then stalks Kyle to a corner, ROCKS him, then has him on ropes. Swerve UPPERCUTS Kyle, whips him to ropes, but Kyle reverses to scoop and SLAM! Swerve writhes while Kyle mockingly shouts, “Whose house?!” Kyle even gets on a corner to soak up the heat and tell Jacksonville up theirs! Kyle goes back to Swerve, Swerve throws body shots, but then Kyle swings. Swerve blocks to fire more body shots!
Swerve turns Kyle for a NECKBREAKER! Swerve drags Kyle around, covers, TWO! Kyle is still in this but Swerve clamps onto him with an armlock and chinbar. Swerve grinds his elbow into Kyle’s face, then grabs the other arm. Swerve wrangles Kyle into a CAMEL CLUTCH, but then makes it a SLEEPER STRETCH! Kyle still endures, fights free, and Dynamite returns to single picture as he stands. Kyle fires body shots, but Swerve grabs the arm. Kyle KICKS and KICKS but Swerve blocks, slips around, LEG CAPTURE BACKBREAKER! Swerve again grinds on the arms, pulls on back, but Kyle slips through to arm-drag free!
Swerve has the wristlock but Kyle fires forearm after forearm! Swerve swings, Kyle swats it to SLAP Swerve! Kyle whips, Swerve flips up and around but Kyle SUPERKICKS him! Then scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! A camera is backstage, and we see The Elite plus Jack Perry walking right up to Tony Khan’s office. Matthew doesn’t even knock as he leads the way right in. In the ring, Swerve and Kyle rise while the fans rally up. Swerve goes to ropes, Kyle runs in, but is put on the apron! Kyle waistlocks to drag Swerve out, and half nelsons! Swerve fights that, slips around, APRON NECKBREAKER!
The fans rally for Swerve while he shakes out his arm, then he encourages them to get louder. Swerve goes up the corner, Kyle slowly sits up, APRON KILL STOMPS!! Swerve clutches a leg, that was a risky move that may have been double-edged! Swerve walks off the pain and fans rally up. Swerve pushes Kyle into the ring, hurries to another corner, and then runs up, HOUSE- NO, Kyle catches the foot! ANKLE LOCK!! Kyle THRASHES the foot but Swerve endures! The fans rally for Swerve as he fights around, reaches out, but Kyle drags him away from ropes! GRAPEVINE!! Swerve is caught, and Kyle is even stomping Swerve’s back!
Swerve endures, the fans are thunderous, and Swerve crawls to the ROPEBREAK! Kyle lets go but keeps his eyes on Swerve. Kyle brings Swerve around to KICK him in the chest! And KICK him again! And KIJCK again, but Swerve blocks! Swerve ROCKS Kyle, Kyle ROLLING ELBOWS! Swerve MULE KICKS, HAYMAKERS, and whips to HIP TOSS! Roll through to the deadlift, but the bad foot holds Swerve back! Kyle suplexes, Swerve slips around and half nelsons but Kyle breaks that. Swerve still O’Conner Rolls so that he can BOOT from below! Kyle wobbles, into the SOMERSAULT FLATLINER! Swerve rolls through again, for the BRAINBUSTER!
The fans fire up as Swerve crawls back to cover, TWO!! Kyle survives and Swerve is frustrated. Swerve snarls, drags Kyle up for a gut wrench, but Kyle flails and kicks his way to turn it around! But then Swerve flails and kicks to turn it back around! So Kyle drops, victory roll and deadlift, into the JUMPING TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives and now Kyle is frustrated! Kyle pounds the mat, Callis tells him number four, and Kyle nods. Kyle goes outside, looks under the ring, but then shakes his head. Kyle doesn’t wanna do number four, he awnts to do it his way! GAMANGIRI! He puts Swerve up top and climbs!
Kyle has Swerve up on the very top, lifts, but Swerve fights! Swerve throws body shots, haymakers, and then he ROCKS Kyle! Kyle ends up in the Tree of Woe, and Swerve hits WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!!! Kyle survives but Swerve just reloads! HOUSE CALL!! Cover, Swerve wins!!
Winner: Swerve Strickland, by pinfall (denies Kyle Fletcher a title opportunity)
The Realest crosses Kyle off the list, and Callis is disappointed Kyle didn’t play things how he wanted. Are tensions rising in the Don Callis Family? Who will be next to step to Swerve’s Dynasty?
BREAKING NEWS for Dynamite!
As AEW returns to Canada via Manitoba, the Cleaner will return! Kenny Omega finally makes his way back to Dynamite, what will he have to say about The Bucks’ new Elite?
Backstage interview with Thunder Rosa.
Renee Paquette is with La Mera Mera and notes her being so close to winning the AEW Women’s World Championship, only to fall short. What does Rosa feel went wrong out there? Rosa says she can either stand here and complain about what happened, or she can move on. Honestly, Rosa could bring up who Deonna Purrazzo again got involved in her business, or how “Antonia Tormenta” kicked Rosa in the ovarios. But she won’t. She’s just proud of herself for- Oh, wait, Deonna walks in. The Virtuosa doesn’t get it. Rosa says she doesn’t wanna talk about Deonna, yet all she does is say her name!
Deonna dares Rosa to say things to her face, and Rosa tells Deonna en Espanol that she’s already told her before. The two start shoving, security rushes in, will we see these two have it out before one of them goes back for Toni Storm?
Mina Shirakawa w/ Mariah May VS Anna Jay!
Speaking of Toni Storm, her protege’s old mentor has been coming around AEW & ROH more and more, mostly because of Mariah May. Will Stardom’s Fighting H Cup Idol prove she’s elite? Or will Anna remind us she’s still the Star of the Show?
The bell rings and the two circle. They approach, Anna dodges and she takes a bow. The fans cheer, but Mina says okay, c’mon now. Then Mina dodges and shimmies! Anna mockingly applauds before she BOOTS Mina down! Anna brings Mina up to fire off forearms, then shows off her assets. Anna runs, but Mina dropkicks the legs out! Mina then runs to SHOTGUN Anna down! Mina grabs a leg to SMASH the knee! Mina steps over to SPLASH onto the leg, then struts around. The fans fire up as Mina brings Anna up, ties up the legs, and then DOUBLE KNEE SMASHES! Mina gets the legs again, steps through, but Anna kicks her away.
Anna runs in but Mina dodges in the corner. Mina ducks a forearm, ROCKS Anna with a forearm, then goes up to REBOUND ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Mina stays on Anna while the fans rally. Mina dragon sleepers, but Anna fight the suplex! Anna swings, Mina dodges and tilt-o-whirls, to then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Mina drags Anna by her leg, drops an elbow on the knee, and then another! And then another! And another! Mina shakes it up again and the fans cheer as she drops one more elbow! Mina steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Anna endures, crawls, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Mina lets go and Anna goes to the apron.
Mina lines up a shot, runs in, but Anna ducks to CLAW the eyes! Anna brings Mina into the ropes, give her a kiss right in front of Mariah, and HOTSHOT NECKBREAKERS! Mariah is upset but has to stay back, and Anna goes in to cover, TWO! Mina hangs in there while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Anna CHOKES Mina, lets off as the ref counts, and then she drags Mina up. Mariah says boo Anna, but Anna puts Mina in a corner. Anna digs her boot in, lets off as the ref counts, and Mina sputters as Anna brings her around. Anna ROCKS Mina, brings her around and bumps her off buckles. The fans rally, Anna CHOPS Mina, then she struts. But Mina runs up to ROCK Anna! Anna CLUBS Mina, then pushes her around. Anna stands on Mina but that’s a CHOKE! The ref counts, Anna steps away, and she blows kisses at everyone. Anna brings Mina up, to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Anna is frustrated but she brings Mina back to ropes.
Anna CHOKES Mina more, taunting Mariah to reach out, then Anna steps off as the ref counts. Mina coughs, Anna brings her up, but Mina fires body shots! Anna CLUBS Mina and has her in a corner. Anna drags Mina up, CHOKES her more, but the ref counts. Anna lets off, Mina coughs and sputters, but Anna soaks up the heat. Anna drags Mina up, cravats and snapmares, then clamps on a FULL NELSON! Mina endures, fights around, and Mariah cheers Mina on as she fights up. Mina throws elbows to fight the hold, but Anna holds tight! Dynamite returns to single picture as Mina breaks free and ROCKS Anna!
Anna comes back to ROCK Mina, but Mina ROCKS Anna again! The fans rally as the forearms go back and forth! Anna gest the edge, runs, but into a ROLLING ELBOW! Anna stands, into Mina’s URAKEN! Anna flounders to a corner, Mina roars and runs in, but Anna puts her on the apron! Mina knuckle locks, ROCKS and climbs up to FALLING KNEE DROP onto Anna! Cover, TWO!! Anna survives but Mina keeps her focus. Mina ROCKS Anna again, brings her in, but Anna wrenches out of the suplex to HOOK KICK! Then Gory Especial, GORY BOMB! Shoutout to Tay and Anna covers, TWO!!
Anna is beside herself but Mariah is also worried. Anna brings Mina up but Mina fights the STO! Mina gets free, blocks a kick, and DRAGON SCREWS! Then she steps through on the legs, FIGURE FOUR! The fans “WOO~” but Anna endures and fights to the ROPEBREAK! Mina lets go fast to go up a corner. MISSILE DROPKICK! Anna staggers back up, into the GLAMOROUS SWORD! Cover, TWO!! Anna survives Mina’s enzigiri but Mina drags her into the dragon sleeper! GLAM- NO, Anna slips free to have the QUEENSLAYER!! Mina flails, reaches out, but Anna is too busy staring down Mariah! Mina wrenches out to wrangle Anna!
Mina hooks legs, GLAMOROUS COLLECTION MINA! MINA WINS!!
Winner: Mina Shirakawa, by pinfall
Anna got cocky and got caught! Mariah brings in the champagne and glasses, and they toast the victory! But then Anna CLOBBERS Mariah and DECKS Mina! The fans are torn as Anna puts the QUEENSLAYER on Mariah!! Mariah flails, but here comes Toni Storm! The champ runs Anna off to protect her protege! “How DARE~ you!” Storm checks on Mariah, but wait! SERENA DEEB is here! The Professor of Professional Wrestling is looking rather glamorous herself as she struts out, tosses Storm’s shoes aside, and looks at the AEW Women’s World Championship! Deeb sits down beside it on the ramp and has the camera come in close.
Deeb says she could hold the title up, but she won’t. Because instead, she’s going to make the AEW Women’s Division a promise: the next time she holds the belt, it will truly belong to her as the NEW AEW Women’s World Champion. Deeb is undefeated, will she remain that way all the way through dethroning Timeless Toni Storm?
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The House of Torture gets another try!
Despite losing in the NEVER Openweight Six Man title tournament, the House of Torture get one more shot against Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg! But will shuffling the deck really help the King of Darkness trump President Ace?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Shoma Kato VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- 8 Man Tag: El Desperado, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & Katsuya Murashima VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg win and retain the titles.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Yota Tsuji VS Gedo; Tsuji wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: BUSHI VS Gabe Kidd; Gabe wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Shingo Takagi VS Clark Connors; Takagi wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Tetsuya Naito VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Drilla wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Hiromu Takahashi VS David Finlay; Finlay wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture!
Don’t adjust your screens, this is not a rematch from Wrestling World in Taiwan. That’s because while The Ace, the Joker and the Rook won the tournament, they’re up against a different formation! The King of Darkness and Heel Master now have Tokyo Pimp as their third man, but will that change be enough to change the result? Or will Tanahshi-sachou and team be an undefeated combination?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if Darkness Falls!
The teams sort out, and Oleg starts against Yoshinobu Kanemaru. The fans rally behind “BO-LU-TIN! BO-LU-TIN!” as he circles with Kanemaru, but then Evil & Yujiro attack! The fans boo, Tanahashi & Yano hurry in but Evil & Yujiro get them first! Kanemaru drags Oleg out of the ring to stomp him down while Evil & Yujiro have Tanahashi & Yano in corners. Yujiro fires forearms, Evil CHOPS, then the House all whips. But Oleg reverses and sends Kanemaru into railing! And Tanahashi & Yano reverse to send Evil & Yujiro into each other! Oleg returns to CLOBBER Evil & Yujiro! The fans fire up as now Yano & Tanahashi intercept Kanemaru.
Tanahashi & Yano whip Kanemaru to Oleg for a scoop and SLAM! The fans rally behind the champs as Oleg paces around Kanemaru. Oleg stomps Kanemaru, tags Tanahashi, and Tanahashi eggs Evil on. Evil tags in, Tanahashi kicks first! Tanahashi fires hands, UPPERCUTS, then tears away the “President Evil” shirt to TOSS it away! Evil is furious, he made that himself! Tanahashi throws a body shot, then whips Evil corner to corner. Evil reverses, runs in, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up for the air guitar and Tanahashi tags in Yano! Yano unties a buckle pad, dodges Evil, then gives Evil the pad!
The ref reprimands Evil and confiscates the pad, and Yano SLAPS Evil on the head! Yano whips, Evil reverses, but Yano avoids the bare buckles. Evil runs up to SLAP Yano, and shove him into the buckles! Kanemaru & Yujiro BLAST Tanahashi & Oleg off the corner! Evil SMACKS Yano with the pad! Evil TOSSES Yano out of the ring, distracts the ref, and that lets Dick DECK Yano! Dick drags Yano up and puts him in the ring for Evil to cover. TWO! Evil is upset with the “slow count,” and he tags Kanemaru. Kanemaru runs to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Kanemaru ELBOWS Yano in the head!
Kanemaru snapmares Yano down into a chinlock and drags him to the corner. The ref reprimands but Yujiro tags in. Kanemaru lets go, so that Yujiro can CHOKE Yano! The ref counts, Yujiro lets off, and he drags Yano back up. Yujiro whips Yano into the bare buckles! Yano suffers his own trick, and Yujiro brings him up to knee low. Yujiro snapmares, drops a leg, then drops an elbow! Then he drops a HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Yujiro tags to Evil. Evil BLASTS Tanahashi & Oleg off the corner! Dick distracts the ref so Evil can put Yano in the COBRA TWIST, and link up with the others!
The fans boo but the House gets away with that. Evil covers, TWO! Evil is even more upset with the ref, and he drags Yano up. Evil reels Yano in for a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Wait, who is ringing the bell? Dick is ringing the bell, and Kanemaru is giving the announcement that they’ve won! The fans boo, this is of course a farce. Tanahashi & Oleg storm over, scaring off Dick and Kanemaru. Evil tags Kanemaru, then TOSSES Yano outside. Kanemaru drags Yano back up to whip him into railing! Then DDTÂ to the floor! Yano is down in enemy territory while Tanahashi argues with the ref.
The fans rally up but Yujiro puts Yano in. Kanemaru covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Kanemaru drags Yano around. Yano is dead weight so Kanemaru leaves him behind to BLAST Tanahashi! Kanemaru drags Yano up but Yano pulls hair! Kanemaru CLAWS Yano’s eyes! Kanemaru whips, Yano reverses and throws him down by his hair! The fans fire up as Yano crawls, hot tag to Oleg! The fans fire up as Oleg CLOBBERS Kanemaru, BLASTS Evil & Yujiro, then runs in at the corner. Kanemaru BOOTS Oleg, runs, but into a POP-UP BEARHUG! Kanemaru endures, but then Oleg turns that into a BIG suplex! The fans fire up as Oleg storms around.
Oleg deadlift gut wrenches, but Dick gets on the apron. Oleg drops Kanemaru to scare Dick off. But then Yano puts Dick in! Dick prays and begs for mercy, but Oleg just deadlift gut wrenches him! Shake, Rattle and THROW! And a kip up!? Oleg then gets Kanemaru back up, Shake, Rattle, and some more shaking, and THROW! Oleg roars, runs, and SPLASHES down! Cover, Evil & Yujiro break it! Then they BLAST Tanahashi & Yano! The House stomps away on Oleg, then drag him up. They double whip Oleg to a corner, then Yujiro BOOTS! Evil clotheslines! They snapmare, Kanemaru distracts the ref, and Dick goes up!
The fans boo but Dick hits the DICK CHOP! Kanemaru covers, TWO!! The fans fire up but Evil tags back in. Evil and Kanemaru get Oleg up to suplex, but Oleg fights it! Oleg DOUBLE SUPLEXES back! Hot tag to Tanahashi! Ace of the Universe meets King of Darkness, and Tanahashi runs to CLOBBER Evil! Tanahashi fires forearms and body shots on Evil, then scoop SLAMS him into a drop zone! Tanahashi goes up to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Tanahashi as he waits on Evil. Tanahashi runs, but Evil goes to the corner! Evil LARIATS Tanahashi down! Tag to Yujiro and he storms up on Tanahashi.
Yujiro brings Tanahashi up to knee low and fire forearms. Yujiro CHOPS then runs up, to BOOT! Yujiro then runs, to BOOT again! Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi runs, but Yujiro TOSSES him out! Evil is there to set Tanahashi up for a whiskey bottle shot! Evil puts Tanahashi back in, then he and the rest go after Oleg and Yano! Yujiro gets Tanahashi up for an INCOLLE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Yujiro goes for his pimp cane, but the ref stops him! That leaves Dick open to use the SPOILER CHOKER on Tanahashi!! The fans boo as President Ace suffers! Tanahashi fades out, Dick slips away, and Yujiro laughs.
Yujiro drags Tanahashi up while the fans rally. Yujiro reels Tanahashi in, but Yano gets in to grab Yujiro! Kanemaru gets in while the ref is distracted again! But Yano ducks, the WHISKEY MIST hits Yujiro! LOW BLOW for Kanemaru! But Evil LOW BLOWS Yano! So Tanahashi LOW BLOWS Evil! Dick gets in but Tanahashi kicks the ropes! Dick falls, Oleg returns, and he gets Yujiro up! Tanahashi climbs, Oleg hits the KAMIKAZE SENTON! Then Tanahashi HIGH FLY FLOWS!! Cover, Team Go Ace wins!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
The House of Torture tried their usual tricks, but Tanahashi’s team proved they could play that, too! The Ace, the Joker & The Rook stand tall again, will The House have to start playing a different game?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Yota Tsuji VS Gedo!
While Los Ingobernables de Japon and the Bullet Club War Dogs have already done battle on this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, tonight is a best of five series! Will it be Gene Blast or Blacksmith that sets the tone for tonight?
The moment Yota hops off the corner, Gedo takes a swing! Yota dodges and GENE BLASTER!! The bell rings, Yota covers, Yota wins!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall
Well not sure about the tone but this sure set a new record! From bell the bell, that was FIVE SECONDS! Score one for LIJ already, and Yota helps roll Gedo out of the ring. Will LIJ make this a shut out? Or will the other War Dogs be a bit smarter about the pitches they throw across the plate?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: BUSHI VS Gabe Kidd!
Round two is here sooner than expected after what we just saw, and the Black Mask is up against the #WarReady Mad Man. Gabe vows to take back everything NJPW used to mean, but will he get War Dogs on the board? Or will Bushi keep things tranquilo?
Bushi climbs onto the corner and Gabe rushes him! Bushi jumps over, the bell rings and Bushi DROPKICKS Gabe down! Bushi whips, Gabe reverses but Bushi ducks ‘n ‘dodges to RANA! Gabe bails out, Bushi builds speed, but Gabe gets away. Bushi slides out, but Gabe kicks and CHOPS! Gabe UPPERCUTS Bushi down, then drags Bushi up to dig at Bushi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Gabe storms around and mockingly calls upon the wrestling gods. Gabe runs but Bushi dodges, Gabe crashes into railing! The fans fire up while Bushi rises. Bushi brings Gabe up, fires forearms, then brings Gabe around. Gabe blocks the bump off the apron to whip Bushi hard into railing!
Bushi flounders and Gabe snarls while the fans rally up. Gabe storms out to open the way to the orange bleachers! Gabe ROCKS Bushi, brings him around and they go up into the stands. Gabe HEADBUTTS Bushi down, shouts “I’m a MAD MAN, y’know!” then continues up to the next level. Bushi fights the lift but Gabe CLUBS him! Gabe lifts again but Bushi still fights! Gabe CLUBS away on Bushi, CHOPS and HAYMAKERS! Gabe backs up, flips everyone off, and he runs back in, but Bushi dropkicks the leg! Bushi SMACKS Gabe off railing, then he goes up higher into the stands! Bushi stands on the ledge, to SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go Gabe and the Young Lions!
The fans are thunderous as Bushi rises, and he brings Gabe up. Bushi headlocks Gabe to bring him back down the bleachers. Gabe throws body shots but Bushi throws hands in return. Bushi brings Gabe back to ground level, then through the gate. They return to ringside but Gabe CLUBS Bushi down again. Gabe HEADBUTTS, then he puts Bushi in. The fans rally, but Gabe drags Bushi around to ROCK him again. Gabe has Bushi on the apron, CLUBS him again, then brings Bushi out. Bushi fights the suplex to throw body shots! Gabe HEADBUTTS again, but Bushi fires more hands! Bushi puts Gabe in and the fans cheer.
Bushi drags Gabe up but blocks his haymaker to spin and DDT! Cover, TWO! Bushi goes to a corner while Gabe sputters. Gabe stands, Bushi runs in, but no Code Breaker! Gabe ELBOWS, JABS and YUKON LARIATS! Gable copies Takagi, covers, TWO! Gabe flips off the fans, they boo, and so he just flips them off more. Gabe eggs Bushi on, taunts him, so Bushi CHOPS! Gabe dusts himself off, Bushi CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS, says Bushi ain’t got nothing, but Bushi fires a flurry! Gabe CHOPS again, Bushi DOUBLE CHOPS! Gabe UPPERCUTS, then he gut wrenches! But Bushi slips free and shoves!
Gabe blocks one kick, ducks the enzigiri, but not the REWIND HEEL! Bushi reels Gabe in, for a DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and flounders away while the fans fire up. Gabe flops right out of the ring but Bushi pursues. Bushi drags Gabe up, but Gabe HEADBUTTS him back down! Gabe rips away the LIJ shirt to tell them to suck it! Gabe SPITS on the shirt, throws it down, then goes back for Bushi. Gabe puts Bushi in, Bushi goes to a corner, and Gabe runs in to clothesline! Gabe suplexes, Bushi slips free, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and uses the ref as a shield! BLACK MIST!! Bushi gets the better of Gabe and hooks the arms!
Gabe fights the backslide, BOOTS the ref, so the ref can’t see the Bushi Roll! Bushi would’ve had this one! Bushi goes to check on the ref but Gabe storms up to HAYMAKER! Gabe shouts at the ref, drags him back up, and then storms over to Bushi! PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Gabe wins!
Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall
The series is tied 1-1, and Gabe shouts for water to wash out the mist. LIJ VS War Dogs aside, Gabe now has momentum going into his NEVER Openweight Championship match with Shingo Takagi. Will the Rampaging Dragon be just as #WarReady as Gabe after tonight?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Shingo Takagi VS Clark Connors!
Speaking of the NEVER Openweight Champion, he’s third up in the batting order, ready to drive home another run. Will the Rampaging Dragon score and soar towards Wrestling Dontaku? Or will he be struck out by 100 Proof?
Takagi and Connors get in each other’s face and talk some trash. Connors shoves but the ref has them both back down. Connors gets all fired up, Takagi says okay then, and the bell rings, only for Connors to bail out. The fans boo Connors trolling them, but he says tranquilo. Takagi paces while Connors goes around the outside. Takagi dares Connors to get in but Connors dares Takagi to come on out. The fans rally up so Connors goes back to the apron. Connors steps in, fires up, but then bails out. But Takagi pursues! They go around the ring, back in, and then Connors RAMS Takagi! But Takagi doesn’t fall!
Connors runs again, RAMS Takagi, but still Takagi stays up. Connors fires forearm after forearm after forearm, but then Takagi ROCKS, KNEES, CLUBS and CHOPS! And JABS! Takagi whips, Connors ducks ‘n’ dodges to RAM Takagi! Takagi rebounds, but Connors runs him over! The fans fire up while Takagi goes to a corner. Connors runs corner to corner to clothesline, then he reels Takagi in. Takagi fights the suplex, and he suplexes Connors instead! The fans fire up again but Connors bails back out. Takagi pursues, JABS, then SMACKS Connors off the apron. Takagi follows Connors around, POSTS him, and the fans cheer.
Takagi stomps Connors, Connors goes around the way but Takagi follows. Takagi runs up to BOOT Connors, then follows him. Connors uses a Young Lion as a shield, then shoves him into Takagi! Connors then whips Takagi into railing! Takagi leans against railing and Connors UPPERCUTS! Connor opens the gate and pushes Takagi into No Man’s Land. Connors brings Takagi around to SMACK off the wood bleachers! Takagi hits back, they brawl, and Takagi knees low! Takagi whips, Connors reverses and Takagi is sent into the wall of the hallway! Connors throws up the Too Sweet but the fans boo.
Connors brings Takagi back to SMACK into the gate, then POST! Connors reels Takagi in, to snap suplex to the floor! Takagi writhes, the ref reprimands but Connors wants the ring count to start. The ring count does start, and Connors scoops a Young Lion to SLAM him onto Takagi! And then he grabs another Young Lion to SPINEBUSTER onto Takagi! Connors slides into the ring at 10 of 20 while Takagi pushes the Young Lions off him. Takagi stands at 17, hurries up at 18, but Connors SPEARS him down! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this and the fans rally, but Connors keeps on Takagi with a half nelson.
Takagi fights as Connors goes for the full nelson! Takagi reaches out but Connors keeps him from ropes. Takagi fights to his feet, powers up, but Connors keeps the nelson! The fans rally more as Takagi keeps fighting. Takagi powers the hold open, but Connors spins him to knee low! Connors whips, but Takagi avoids the snap powerslam! Takagi runs up to SLIDING- NO, Connors dodges, but runs into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! The fans fire up and Takagi goes to a corner. Connors flounders around, rises up, and Takagi storms up to the corner. Takagi clotheslines, then JABS and CHPOS on repeat! Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS and CHOPS!
Takagi whips corner to corner, runs in to clothesline again, then short arm LARIAT! Takagi scoops Connors to SLAM him, then he goes up and up for the FALLING ELBOW DROP! Takagi hauls Connors up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Connors is still in this but Takagi looks around. The fans rally with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi says, “OI, KORAKUEN! TOKI GA KITA!!” The time has come and the “OI! OI! OI!” continues. Takagi brings Connors up, pump handle, but Connors fights the lift! Connors throws elbows, then ROCKS Takagi! Takagi eggs Connors on, Connors throws another forearm! Takagi fires back!
Connors fires more forearms, but Takagi HEADBUTTS! Connors HEADBUTTS, but he’s the one wobbling! Connors ROCKS Takagi with a forearm, then eggs Takagi on. Takagi ROCKS Connors with boxing elbows! Takagi runs, Connors follows to LARIAT against ropes! Connors runs but Takagi follows to KNEE against ropes! Takagi keeps moving, Connors gets under to come back and POUNCE! Then a whip and SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! But Connors powers up and runs, to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!?! The fans fire up but Connors aims from a corner! Connors runs in to SPEAR!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous!
Connors rises, Takagi stirs, and Connors brings Takagi up. But Takagi fights No Chaser! Takagi wrenches out to JAB! And HEADBUTT! Connors dodges the lariat, but runs into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Takagi runs up to PUMPING BOMBER! Then SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Connors shakes his head as he stays in this, but Takagi roars! Takagi pump handles for MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Connors survives and shocks Takagi, but the fans are thunderous again! “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi powers up. Takagi runs, but Connors dodges! But PUMPING BOMBER still finds him! Cover, Takagi wins!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall
We’re halfway done and LIJ takes the lead! Takagi has momentum for himself, too, but will the Rampaging Dragon be #WarReady for Gabe Kidd? Or will Wrestling Dontaku be the end of the road for Takagi?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Tetsuya Naito VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
The Uncontrollable Charisma may no longer be IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but we all know he never lets things get to him. Will he therefore stay tranquilo as he looks to win this series for his team? Or will he lose a shootout with the .44 Caliber?
As always, Naito takes his time with his entrance attire. Drilla mockingly asks what happened to his belt, but Naito doesn’t let that get his goat. The fans rally for Naito and that annoys Drilla. Naito puts the pants away, the bell rings, and Drilla runs up! But Naito puts him on the apron, and sweeps the legs! Then he DROPKICKS Drilla down! Naito goes out slowly to fetch Drilla, CLUB him on the neck, and then CLUB him again. Naito CLUBS Drilla more, cravats for a neck wrench, and even grinds Drilla against railing! The ref counts, Naito puts Drilla in, and the fans applaud. But Drilla comes back to WRECK Naito with a dropkick!
Drilla whips Naito hard into railing, and Naito gets stuck! Drilla dumps him over, tells fans off about cheering for Naito, then drags Naito up and around. Drilla CHOPS Naito, follows him along the way, and whips him hard into railing! The fans applaud the impressive speed and strength, but Drilla leaves Naito behind as Naito slumps into the front row. The ring count climbs, Naito sits up at 7 of 20. Naito finds his way around to the gate at 12, steps in at ringside, and rolls in at 15. Drilla throws Naito’s hat at him, then stomps away! Drilla drags Naito up, HEADBUTTS him, then has him on ropes. Drilla CHOPS and Naito staggers.
Drilla eggs Naito on so Naito fires forearms! Naito whips, Drilla reverses and ELBOWS Naito down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Naito but Drilla digs his knee into Naito’s neck! The ref counts, Drilla lets off to get in the ref’s face, but the ref reminds Drilla to respect his authority. Drilla kicks Naito around, steps on Naito’s head, then taunts the fans. Naito gets up to throw hands but Drilla hits back! They go back and forth, forearm for forearm, but then Drilla CHOPS! Drilla runs, into an ELBOW! Drilla rebounds, but Naito hip toss NECKBREAKERS! The fans rally as Naito rises and Drilla writhes. Naito drags Drilla up to fire forearms and kicks!
Naito whips, arm-drags, then he ELBOWS Drilla down to basement dropkick in the back! Naito turns Drilla for a NECKBREAKER! Drilla writhes, Naito pushes him to a cover, TWO! Naito keeps on Drilla with a cravat neck wrench. Drilla endures, fights around, and he fights up. Drilla breaks free, CLUBS Naito, then runs, but Naito catches him to a dragon sleeper, NECKBREAKER! Drilla fights the legs but Naito still hooks him into the LEG HOOK NELSON! Drilla endures, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! Naito again “forgets” how to undo the hold, so the ref pries the legs away.
Drilla is free and clutches his neck, but Naito paces around. Naito drags Drilla back up, but Drilla CHOPS! Naito fires a forearm in return! Drilla CHOPS! Naito forearms! The shots go back and forth, Drilla grunts and has a crazy grin. Drilla fires a forearm, Naito mocks the grunt! Naito fires back, both men grunt and fire forearms again! Drilla CHOPS, but then Naito ROCKS him, SPITS on him, and fires off more forearms! Drilla gets under, shoves Naito then hurdles, drops and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Naito and Drilla go to opposite corners, and Drilla runs corner to corner! Drilla blocks a boot but Naito SPITS!
Naito runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Drilla horks up and SPITS a big one at Naito, then DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Naito stays in this and Drilla is seething. Drilla slashes his throat and throws up the Too Sweet. Drilla drags Naito up, reels him in, but Naito fights the lift. Drilla ENZIGIRIS Naito, then gets him back up! Canadian Rack, but Naito arm-drags Drilla into the ref! The ref tumbles all the way out, Naito atomic drops Drilla and ENZIGIRIS! COMPLETE SHOT, and then PLUMA BLANCA!! Drilla endures, flails, is he tapping? But there’s no ref anyway! Wait, David Finlay rushes out here!
The Rebel taunts Naito while swinging the shillelagh! Naito lets Drilla go, only for JAKE LEE to show up!?! Talk about a CrossOver, the Good Looking Emperor is here in NJPW and he fires hands with Naito!! The fans are going nuts, but Naito gets the edge! Only for Jake to KNEE low! Jake puts Naito in a corner, takes aim, and runs in to HELLUVA KICK!!! Or as he calls it, #FaceBreakShot! Naito staggers into Drilla’s arms, for the DRILLA KILLA!!! Cover and the ref is back, Drilla wins!!
Winner: “Drilla” Dan Moloney, by pinfall
The Rebel gets the Madness Dark Side to help him screw over Naito, and now this series is all tied up again! But then Finlay & Drilla beat Naito down more! Jake steps in, and the War Dogs back away. Jake stands on Naito’s chest, then stomps away! Is Jake going to destroy Naito once and for all? But wait! Here comes Hiromu! The Ticking Timebomb ROCKS Jake, ROCKS Drilla, then fires off on Finlay! But then Drilla & Finlay mug Hiomru! They double whip, but Hiormu ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Hiromu goes out after Finlay, but Drilla CLUBS Hiromu! They POST Hiromu, but what about the main event!?
Red Shoes hurries out here, the fans tell Jake and Drilla to go home. Jake literally kicks Naito out of the ring and then stands him up against railing. Jake gets space, takes aim again, and Finlay makes Hiromu watch the FACE BREAK SHOT that sends Naito into the front row!! The fans boo and tell Jake to go home. Jake smirks as he takes his leave with Drilla, the damage done. Is there an alliance between Jake’s Good Looking Guys and Finlay’s War Dogs? Is Naito just the first casualty of many?
As for Finlay and Hiromu, Finlay RAMS Hiromu into railing! And then RAMS him in again! Finlay RAMS Hiromu a third time, then he soaks up the heat. Red Shoes reprimands, but this isn’t officially a match yet. Finlay takes aim, he runs in, but Hiromu sends him into railing! Hiromu gets Finlay in, the bell rings, and it’s time to settle the score!
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Hiromu Takahashi VS David Finlay!
Hiromu fireman’s carries, CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Hiromu fireman’s carries again, but Finlay slips away! The fans rally for Hiromu as he eggs Finlay on. Finlay snarls, storms back up but Hiromu then SUNSET FLIPS! Finlay holds ropes to throw down hands! Hiromu staggers away, Finlay fireman’s carries him now! Finlay runs and THROWS Hiromu at a post! The fans boo while Finlay throws up the Too Sweet and taunts them all. Finlay leaves Hiromu behind, he tells the fans they look stupid, then he goes back to fetch Hiromu. Finlay slaps Hiromu around, drags him up, and throws him into the ring.
Finlay crawls to a cover but Red Shoes says nope, too many shenanigans. Finlay is upset, there were a lot of shenanigans both ways. But Finlay drags Hiromu up to suplex and TOSS Hiromu! Now things are fine and Finlay covers, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Finlay mocks the “MOTO! MOTO!” Finlay whips Hiromu hard into a corner! Hiromu falls then crawls, and Finlay taunts him that it’s too easy. Finlay stalks Hiromu to another corner as the fans rally up, but Finlay makes Hiromu smile! Finlay says smile like Tsuji! Red Shoes reprimands, Finlay lets off, but then he drags Hiromu up to whip hard into another corner!
Hiromu staggers and falls out of the ring and Red Shoes checks him. Finlay waits on Hiromu while he writhes on the floor. Finlay mockingly says “Moto! Moto!” Red Shoes has Finlay stay back, and the ring count starts. Hiromu stands at 4 of 20 while Finlay lounges on the ropes. The fans rally, Hiromu rolls in at 10, but Finlay brings him back up. Finlay scoops and carries Hiromu around for a BACKBREAKER! Finlay says he’s strong AF, and then he kicks Hiromu around. Finlay mocks the fans chanting for Hiromu, and that makes them boo Finlay. Finlay pushes Hiromu around, so Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS!
Finlay dusts himself off, eggs Hiromu on, so Hiromu CHOPS again! Finlay felt that one so he knees low. Finlay runs, Hiromu follows, and Hiromu RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Finlay flounders while Hiromu goes to ropes. Finlay runs up, but into a BOOT! Hiromu then has a HANGING HEADSCISSOR! Red Shoes counts, Hiromu lets go at 4 and he drags Finlay out to wheelbarrow FACEBUSTER to the floor! The fans rally up behind Hiromu and he goes to the apron. Hiromu aims as Finlay stands, FLYING SHOTGUN sends Finlay through the gate! The fans fire up with Hiromu as he pursues.
Hiromu smiles at TJP on English commentary, then gets a real “MOTO! MOTO! MOTO!” going. Hiromu gets Finlay up and in, and Finlay goes to a corner. Hiromu runs up to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Hiromu keeps his cool and he kicks Finlay around. Hiromu drags Finlay up, fireman’s carries, but Finlay fights free. Hiromu takes a swing, but Finlay catches him to an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Hiromu survives but Finlay scoops him, for the SWINGING IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives again and Finlay grows frustrated.
Finlay mocks Yota Tsuji as he powers up and goes to the corner. Hiromu rises, Finlay flips him off, and steals GENE- TRIANGLE D!! Hiromu has Finlay caught and the fans fire up! Finlay flails, tries to stack Hiromu, but Hiromu squeezes tighter! Finlay is fading and the fans fire up! But Finlay gets a second wind, deadlifts Hiromu, and POWERBOMBS him down! Finlay is free of D, but both men are down as the fans rally again. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, and lifts, but Hiromu RANAS to a cover! TWO!! Finlay escapes, kicks low and whips, but Hiromu slips free of Deep Six to wheelbarrow and COMPLETE SHOT!
The fans fire up while Finlay flounders! But Finlay sneaks his shillelagh into the ring! The fans rally for Hiromu while Finlay hides the shillelagh under him. Hiromu rises, Finlay shields the shillelagh from Red Shoes but Red Shoes is suspicious. Red Shoes sees the weapon! Finlay shoves Red Shoes away and takes a swing, but Hiromu dodges! SUPERKICK! Hiromu takes the shillelagh now! The fans are torn, but then Hiromu plays like Finlay did hit him! Red Shoes isn’t sure who to believe, but Finlay really is innocent this time! Finlay argues with Red Shoes but fans boo to help sell Hiromu’s trick.
Hiromu then runs to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! And then fireman’s carry! TIMEBOMB 1.5! Cover, TWO! Finlay is still in this but the fans are still with Hiromu. Hiromu fireman’s carries again, but Finlay fights free. Hiromu elbows, runs, but into an UPPERCUT! Finlay runs, but into a SUPERKICK! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER, but Finlay stays up! Hiromu runs again, but Finlay catches him spins him, ROLLING ELBOWS, then runs! Into a SUPERKICK! Finlay returns, for another SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! The fans are thunderous and Hiromu gets Finlay up, suplex and INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!!!
Finlay survives his own move but Hiromu won’t let that bother him! Hiromu drags himself up, dragon sleepers Finlay, but Finlay fights the suplex with knees! Finlay suplexes, but Hiromu knees free! Hiromu runs, but Finlay LARIATS! Finlay hauls Hiromu up, Canadian Rack, DOMINATOR!! Cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives and the fans are thunderous! Finlay goes to a corner as he thinks on what to do next. Finlay storms over to Hiromu, says it’s over now, and he drags Hiromu back up. But Hiromu slips out of the bomb to tuck the arms! Finlay wrenches out, but into TRIANGLE D!! Finlay flails, CLUBS at Hiromu, but he’s fading again!
Red Shoes checks, the fans rally up, and Finlay fights to deadlift again! POWERBOMB, but Hiromu just holds onto D!! Finlay is fading, flailing, reaching out, but Hiromu squeezes tight! Finlay deadlifts again! BUCKLE BOMB, and INTO OBLIVION!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Hiromu survives again and Finlay is beside himself! The fans are electric as Finlay shakes his head. Hiromu sputters but Finlay brings down the kneepads. Finlay slashes his throat and vows to end this! Finlay drags Hiromu back up, suplexes, but Hiromu slip free! Hiromu wrenches, pump handles, HIROMU-CHAN ROLL!! TWO!!! Finlay escapes and Hiromu is frustrated!
Both men catch their breath while the fans rally as hard as they can. Hiromu grits his teeth, pounds the mat, and rises up. Hiromu hobbles over but Finlay UPPERCUTS! Hiromu comes back, into another UPPERCUT! And another UPPERCUT! And another! And another, and another! But Hiromu stays on his feet, even as Finlay UPPERCUTS again! And again! And again!! Hiromu won’t stop, but Finlay won’t, either! The fans rally and Finlay eggs Hiromu on. Hiromu runs in, into another UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! Hiromu roars, runs, but into an UPPERCUT!! Hiromu drops to his knees, and Finlay says this is it!
Finlay suplexes, INTOÂ OVERKILL!! Cover, Finlay wins!
Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall
Bullet Club War Dogs takes the best of five in the fifth and final round! It took much more than Finlay wanted, but Hiromu always gives it his all. Will the Timebomb be able to fire back up in time for the Best of the Super Juniors?
Wait, Drilla returns, and now the War Dogs mug Hiromu! But then Tsuji & Takagi return to run them off! The War Dogs egg them on and vice-versa, but then GABE KIDD runs in! He CLOBBERS Takagi, DECKS Tsuji, and the War Dogs beat up on LIJ! The fans boo but the War Dogs just keep stomping LIJ! Drilla stands Tsuji up for Finlay’s SHILLELAGH SHOT! Drilla gives Hiromu the DRILLA KILLA! Gabe hits Takagi with a PILEDRIVER! Drilla gets to hold on to the shillelagh so he can JAM Hiromu! Finlay gives Tsuji the OVERKILL!! The War Dogs stand tall over LIJ, but Finlay still gets the mic to talk.
“What have I been telling you people? I AM the Savage King! You all thought you saw cracks in my game, but that’s because I let you. You all thought you saw weakness in my War Dogs, but that’s because I let you. Time and time again, I have been steps ahead of everyone in this company. Time and time again, I have solved any problem that was put in our way. The only thing worse than fighting a man who knows how to hurt you is fighting a man who knows when. LIJ learned that tonight, didn’t they?” A young fan tells Finlay to shut up and the fans cheer the kid.
Finlay says you can strip him of championships, you can keep him from tournaments, but in the end, remember this: “HATE always finds a way!!” The Rebel has spoken, will he and his hateful War Dogs find a way to dominate all of NJPW whether we like it or not?
My Thoughts:
A great event for the Road to Wrestling Dontaku series. Great Six Man title match with Tanahashi’s team winning again, probably no more shots for House of Torture. Not really sure what House of Torture is supposed to do next, though. We’re seeing Narita go after Moxley and the IWGP World title, Jack Perry is technically back in AEW, Evil and Yujiro could try for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles but you know they’d lose to Bishamon. I’ve been thinking that House of Torture should join Jack in AEW for this stretch until Forbidden Door, have some interactions with The Young Bucks and Kazuchika Okada or something like that.
Really fun Best of 5 series, and it was hilarious that Yota beat Gedo so easily. Great wins for Gabe and Takagi going into their NEVER Openweight Championship match. For a moment, I thought LIJ was winning, given how badly the War Dogs beat up Naito with the help of their new pal, Jake Lee, a former GHC Heavyweight Champion and a big name in Pro-Wrestling NOAH. But then in the end, Finlay found a way to win against Hiromu, keeping him strong as he probably moves up from midcard titles to world title. If we go by the math, Takagi should win the NEVER Openweight title match, but it’d feed Gabe’s story better if he did get the title.
As for Hiromu, he probably gets a strong showing in Best of the Super Juniors, but since his streak of tournament championships was broken, who knows if he gets another one or if he puts someone else over.
My Score: 8.8/10
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GO ACE! GO ACE!
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It's Trick Williams' last shot!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/22/24)
It's a golden Raw!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynasty Results & Report! (4/21/24)
AEW passes through the Gateway City!
Attitude Of Aggression #289- The Big Four Project: Survivor Series ’92
The guys review Survivor Series '92 including a watch-along of an instant classic: Bret "Hitman" Hart v. Shawn Michaels for...
Andrew’s TNA Rebellion Results & Match Ratings: 4.20.2024
Moose takes on Nic Nemeth fka Dolph Ziggler in the main event for the World Championship!!
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (4/20/24)
Kyle O'Reilly is on a Rampage!
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (4/20/24)
A high risk Collision!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/19/24)
Prepare for Backlash!
