Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/13/23)
Round two, fight!
Will Hiromu Takahashi make a recovery?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Hiromu Takahashi, lost his opening match in Best of the Super Juniors 30, but can he turn it back around in the second round?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS TJP; TJP wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS Dan Moloney; Kanemaru wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Lio Rush; Lio wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Robbie Eagles VS Clark Connors; Eagles wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: SHO VS Mike Bailey; Mike wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Kevin Knight VS Francesco Akira; Akira wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Titán VS Taiji Ishimori; Taiji wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: El Desperado VS BUSHI; Desperado wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS DOUKI; Hiromu wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: YOH VS Master Wato; Yoh wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings.
Mike Bailey: 1-0, 2 points
Taiji Ishimori: 1-0, 2 points
DOUKI: 1-0, 2 points
Lio Rush: 1-0, 2 points
Titán: 1-0, 2 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 0-1, 0 points
TJP: 0-1, 0 points
SHO: 0-1, 0 points
KUSHIDA: 0-1, 0 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Here are the current B Block standings.
Clark Connors: 1-0, 2 points
Dan Moloney: 1-0, 2 points
Master Wato: 1-0, 2 points
Robbie Eagles: 1-0, 2 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 1-0, 2 points
El Desperado: 0-1, 0 points
YOH: 0-1, 0 points
Francesco Akira: 0-1, 0 points
BUSHI: 0-1, 0 points
Kevin Knight: 0-1, 0 points
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS TJP!
The Timesplitter got caught off guard by Douki, and Public Enemy Number One got caught off guard by Titán. But that only adds to the aggression boiling up in both men. Who will prove their technical ability is superior in this second round opener?
The bell rings and fans rally up. TJP and Kushida circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Kushida wrenches, trips TJP, then has a leg for a standing toehold. TJP moves around but Kushida drops an elbow on the leg to have the toehold. TJP works on an escape so Kushida rolls TJP, snapmares and chinlocks, but TJP slips out to have a wristlock. Kushida slips through, wristlocks back, and brings TJP to his knees. TJP stands, snapmares free, and avoids Kushida’s grip. Fans cheer as both men reset. They go again, TJP headlocks then cravats for a neck wrench. TJP then wrenches an arm, hooks a leg, and spins Kushida to wrangle him.
Kushida headscissors to bring TJP down, and he pushes up to put on the pressure. TJP endures, Kushida thrashes around then pushes up again. TJP pushes back with a bridge but Kushida grabs an arm. Kushida wrenches but TJP rolls, hooks the leg again, and even has a chinbar. TJP brings Kushida to his knees, fishhooks Kushida’s face, but Kushida wrenches back. TJP rolls, spins, cartwheels, drops, but Kushida denies the headscissors. Kushida whips, TJP goes up and over, then things speed up, but Kushida catches TJP! They spin around, Kushida shoves TJP away then catches him into the IRON OCTOPUS!
TJP fights out, trips Kushida and has a standing toehold, then drops back for a HEEL HOOK! But Kushida stands up to have the same HEEL HOOK! They seesaw back and forth, and fans cheer. The two stop rocking, they stare down, and then they start throwing SLAPS! Then they both pull hair! The ref reprimands, both men let go at 4, and they reset. Fans applaud and the two circle again. They feel things out, Kushida shoots in to drop toehold but TJP stays up. Kushida slips around to a waistlock, he drags TJP down, and then floats to a facelock. TJP pushes up, Kushida pushes back, and then Kushida floats to a headlock.
TJP rolls to a cover, ONE, and TJP has the headlock now. Kushida fights up, powers out, but TJP stops himself to turn Kushida’s dropdown around on him! TJP traps an arm, then pulls Kushida into a SNAP BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Fans applaud while Kushida clutches his shoulder. TJP stalks Kushida to a corner but Kushida CHOPS! TJP UPPERCUTS! TJP brings Kushida around to snapmare, turn him over, tie up the legs, and then pull on them. Kushida reaches back to get a headlock but TJP fights free to keep on the legs. Kushida tries the headlock again but TJP just slips out and gets the legs again.
Fans rally as Kushida tries another headlock, but TJP slips through to now deathlock! And SNAP it! And SNAP it! And bridge back for a MUTA LOCK! Kushida endures, fights out of the facelock, and reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer while TJP lets go in frustration. Kushida hobbles up, but he drop toeholds. TJP stays up again, stomps Kushida’s leg, then puts him in a corner. TJP stomps Kushida into sitting down, then he rallies the fans up. TJP scrapes laces on Kushida’s face, then goes side to side, but Kushida gets up! TJP dodges the shotei to tilt-o-whirl into the CHRISTO OCTOPUS!
Kushida fights his way over, and then falls onto the ROPEBREAK! TJP lets go, and he drags Kushida up. Fans rally and duel, TJP throws hands but Kushida throws them back. TJP UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and whips to the corner. TJP runs in but Kushida dodges to then put a leg in the ropes. Kushida uses the ropes to help in the COBRA TWIST! The ref counts, Kushida lets off at 4. Kushida then climbs up the ropes to leap into the COBRA TWIST! TJP endures, moves over, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Kushida lets go quickly while fans applaud. Kushida then runs corner to corner to DROPKICK the arm!
TJP stumbles, Kushida runs, but into the ROLLING SOBAT! TJP runs, but into a hip toss! Cartwheel and dropkick! Fans fire up as Kushida says it’s time! Kushida watches TJP, then runs in to get the arm! TJP resists the Hoverboard, waistlocks, but Kushida switches. TJP switches back but Kushida switches again to get the arm and wrangle TJP into a HAMMERLOCK CRADLE! TWO!! TJP swings but misses, Kushida PELES! But TJP SUPERKICKS! Kushida swings but misses, TJP backslides! TWO! Fans rally up and TJP whips Kushida to ropes. Kushida handsprings, TJP dodges to springboard, but into an ARMBAR!!!
Kushida pulls on the arm, TJP rolls him through to get the stepover! Kushida avoids the STF to have the arm! TJP rolls, stands, cradles, TJP WINS!!
Winner: TJP, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kushida earns 0)
The Public Enemy snatches one away from the Timesplitter! TJP is on the board, and perhaps more importantly, has a win over a IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion! Will Akira come through and pin Knight to give Catch 2/2 those golden tickets? As for Kushida, he’s shockingly 0-2, will the third round be the charm?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS Dan Moloney!
The Heel Master bested his former teammate in El Desperado, while #DaDrilla made quite the impact in his BOSJ debut against Bushi. Who continues their winning ways through the second round?
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally, the two tie up, and Moloney shoves Kanemaru down. Kanemaru gets up, steadies himself, and Moloney picks up the whiskey! The ref says don’t, they’re in a match. But Moloney says this is English Whiskey, HIS whiskey! The ref still convinces Moloney to put the bottle down, and Moloney approaches Kanemaru. Kanemaru kicks low, headlocks, but Moloney powers out. They RAM shoulders and Moloney fires up! Fans fire up, too, and Kanemaru goes again. Kanemaru and Moloney RAM shoulders again, and Moloney eggs Kanemaru on. Kanemaru throws UPPERCUTS!
Moloney swings, misses, and Kanemaru throws more UPPERCUTS! Kanemaru ducks another chop, kicks low, and whips Moloney to a corner. But Moloney comes back to run Kanemaru over! Fans fire up and Moloney throws up the crown. Moloney headlocks Kanemaru, hits the takeover, but Kanemaru headscissors. Moloney kips free, but Kanemaru ducks another chop. Moloney stands Kanemaru up to CHOP him down! Cover, TWO! Moloney keeps cool, he drags Kanemaru back up and CLUBS him back down. Moloney stands Kanemaru again to snapmare and KICK in the back! Cover, TWO!
Moloney keeps cool while the fans rally up. Kanemaru grits his teeth but Moloney brings him up. Moloney snap suplexes, covers, TWO! Kanemaru kicks from below but Moloney eggs Kanemaru on. Kanemaru throws more kicks, but Moloney stands him up to CHOP back down! Moloney KICKS Kanemaru in the back, then wants the whiskey. The ref again says no so Moloney goes back to Kanemaru. Moloney stomps Kanemaru’s feet, puts him in a corner, and then whips corner to corner. Fans rally, Moloney runs corner to corner but Kanemaru BOOTS him! And BOOTS him again! Kanemaru runs, sunset flips, but Moloney stays up!
Moloney DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru hangs tough but Moloney aims from a corner. Moloney runs in but Kanemaru dropkicks the leg out! Kanemaru hurries after and gets the leg, for a SHIN BREAKER! And then a trip, into the FIGURE- NO, Moloney CHOPS Kanemaru! And CHOPS! And then CHOPS him down! Fans rally up while Moloney shakes out the bad leg. Kanemaru crawls away to a corner, Moloney runs in, but into another BOOT! Kanemaru runs in, tilt-o-whirls, but Moloney turns that into a suplex! Kanemaru slips out, waistlocks, but Moloney switches and spins to CHOP!
Fans rally, Moloney runs the ropes, but into another dropkick to the leg! Fans rally as Kanemaru SMASHES Moloney’s knee! Moloney writhes, Kanemaru steps through but Moloney kicks him away. Kanemaru returns to jackknife bridge! TWO and Moloney rolls through to Canadian Rack! Kanemaru slips off, shoves and victory rolls, TWO! Into the FIGURE FOUR!! Moloney endures, reaches out for ropes, but Kanemaru is in the way! Kanemaru thrashes around, puts on the pressure, and MOLONEY TAPS! Kanemaru wins!!
Winner: Yoshinobu Kanemaru, by submission (gains 2 points; Moloney earns 0)
The Heel Master is 2-0 to start the tournament, and he’s tapped both opponents out! Will the BOSJ soon belong to Just5Guys?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Lio Rush!
The Funky Weapon was fighting seriously against Taiji Ishimori but he lost, while the Bad Child overcame the House of Torture’s tricks. Will Taguchi stay serious and start winning? Or will Lio still be the Man of the Hour?
The bell rings and Taguchi rushes in! Lio avoids the dropkick, but Taguchi blocks Lio’s kick. Taguchi flips Lio, Lio lands on his feet, and things speed up. Lio redirects, redirects, and redirects! Taguchi gets tired already but Lio stops. Fans applaud as Taguchi sputters and catches his breath. Taguchi then HIP ATTACKS Lio out of the ring! And then triangle jump PLANCHAS! Direct hit and fans fire up while Lio tumbles away! Taguchi hurries after Lio, kicks him, puts him in the ring, and then slides in. Lio goes to a corner, Taguchi runs in, but into a BOOT! Lio runs at Taguchi, but into a HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO!
Taguchi drags Lio up, chicken wings, but Lio fights the lift. Lio spins out, ROCKS Taguchi, ROCKS him again, then whips. Taguchi reverses but Lio dodges the hip attack! Lio goes Matrix to dodge more, then kicks and ENZIGURIS! Taguchi bails out and fans rally up as Lio builds speed. Lio DIVES to take Taguchi out at the ramp! Lio hurries back into the ring and fans rally again. Lio builds speed again, to DIVE! Another direct hit and Lio fires up! Lio puts Taguchi in the ring and says it is time! Lio climbs the corner, FINAL HOUR onto knees!! Taguchi saves himself, then chicken wings, but Lio victory rolls! TWO!!
Lio ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi LARIATS Lio!! Fans fire up and Taguchi chicken wings, DODON TO THE THRONE! Cover, TWO!! Lio survives and Taguchi is shocked! Fans fire up as Taguchi puts Lio in a drop zone. Taguchi climbs, and he FROG SPLASHES but flops!! Lio hurries to get Taguchi up, fisherman and SPINNING BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up while both men are down! Lio sits up, Taguchi sputters some more, and Lio stands Taguchi up to ROCK him with a forearm! Taguchi ROCKS Lio back! Lio ROCKS Taguchi, Taguchi ROCKS Lio, repeat! But then Taguchi fakes Lio out to dropkick the legs!
Taguchi throws point blank hips! Taguchi runs, Lio redirects and then dodges Taguchi to send him to the apron! But Taguchi avoids the handspring attack! Taguchi springboards to MISSILE HIP! But Lio comes right back to HIP ATTACK?! Fans fire up with Lio and he drags Taguchi up! But Taguchi cradles! TWO!! Lio dodges to rebound, RUSH HOUR! Taguchi flops into the drop zone and Lio hurries up top! FINAL HOUR!! Cover, Lio wins!
Winner: Lio Rush, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi earns 0)
Another fast ‘n’ furious match from serious Taguchi, but again he loses out! Will the Funky Weapon continue to misfire in the tournament? Will Lio continue to make this tournament run on his time?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Robbie Eagles w/ Kosei Fujita VS Clark Connors w/ Gedo!
TMDK’s Sniper shot down Yoh while Bullet Club’s 100 Proof gave Kevin Knight quite the stiff shot. Will Eagles fly over the Wild Rhino? Or will there be No Chaser tonight?
The bell rings and Eagles rallies the fans with “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” Then he dropkicks Connors’ leg! Eagles KICKS away on the leg, CHOPS him, then whips. Connors reverses, but Eagles turns arm-drag into wheelbarrow and victory roll, and then a roll through into the EAGLES LOCK!! Connors flails and Gedo freaks out while fans fire up! Connors crawls, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Eagles lets Connors go and fans rally up again. Eagles runs in but Connors blocks the leg lariat! And then he CLOBBERS Eagles! Connors roars, stomps his foot to get his leg working, and he DEADLIFT GERMAN SUPLEXES!
Eagles flops out of the ring and Connors hobbles after him. Connors drags Eagles up, POSTS him, and Eagles writhes as he clutches the bad shoulder! Connors looms over Eagles, hauls him up, and snap suplexes him to the floor! Connors Too Sweets with Gedo then puts Eagles in the ring. Connors watches Eagles crawl and the fans rally up. Eagles chops but it doesn’t have much to it. Eagles chops again, and chops again, but Connors DECKS him! Connors stalks Eagles to the corner, drags him up, and whips him corner to corner. Eagles bounces off buckles, into Connors’ LARIAT! Connors then sits Eagles up for a full nelson!
Eagles endures as Connors thrashes him around. Fans rally up, Eagles fights up, and Eagles throws body shots. Connors knees low, whips Eagles corner to corner, but Eagles goes up and over to SNAP GERMAN! Fans fire up while both men are down. Eagles stands, and he KICKS Connors again and again! Eagles runs to LEG LARIAT! Fans rally and Eagles keeps going, but Connors elbows him away. Eagles basement 619s the legs! Eagles springboards around Connors, and gets him for an ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! Eagles holds the legs but Connors kicks him away! SPEAR!! Fans rally while Eagles writhes.
Connors aims from a corner as Eagles stands, and hits another SPEAR!! Connors doesn’t cover, he drags Eagles up and in, puts one out, but Eagles slaps Connors before falling over! Connors scowls, drags Eagles back up, but Eagles wrenches and gets around, schoolboy with bridge! EAGLES WINS!!
Winner: Robbie Eagles, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Connors earns 0)
Connors is furious but it’s his own fault for thinking 100 Proof meant bulletproof! Eagles is heading for the top of the block, will the BOSJ be mighty?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: SHO VS Mike Bailey!
The Murder Machine couldn’t cheat Lio last round, but Speedball better watch out. Will the House of Torture find a way to stack the deck? Or will Mike Bailey build on the momentum from beating IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Hiromu Takahashi?
But as Mike makes his entrance, Sho grabs a chair and rushes him at the ramp! Sho JAMS Mike, JAMS him again, and fans boo as Sho stomps Mike around. The ref reprimands but Sho shoves him away, it isn’t a match yet. Sho rips Mike’s jacket off, and JAMS Mike’s bare toes with the chair! The ref reprimands, warning Sho he can still be disqualified, so Sho says okay. Sho puts Mike in the ring, puts the chair aside, and the bell rings. Sho grins as he stands over Mike and stomps him down. Sho chinlocks but he also pulls the ears! The ref reprimands, Sho lets go, to then fishhook Mike!
The ref counts, Sho lets go of the nose, to bend the toes! The ref reprimands again, Sho lets go, and he taunts Mike. Mike shoves Sho, things speed up as Mike hurdles, but Sho avoids the monkey flip. But then Mike kips up to avoid the low kick! Then Mike feints Sho out to THRUST KICK! Sho bails out, Mike hurries out after him, but Sho takes a swing! Mike dodges, and he fires off that flurry of kicks from all sides! Fans fire up as Mike tops it off with an ENZIGURI! Mike hobbles, but he fires up with a “WOO!” Mike puts Sho in the ring, then climbs the corner, but Sho distracts the ref about his face, and EVIL appears!
Evil trips Mike and shoves him down! Fans boo, we all should’ve known this would happen! Sho stops distracting the ref and he CHOKES Mike on the ropes. The ref counts, Sho lets off at 4, and he stalks Mike to the other side. Sho fishhooks Mike again, the ref counts, and Sho stops at 4. Sho bends the toes again! The ref counts, Sho lets go, and then he drags Mike up. Mike CHOPS! Sho eggs him on so Mike CHOPS again! Sho keeps egging Mike on, so Mike CHOPS! Sho stomps the toes! Sho throws Mike out, and Evil has the chair! Sho distracts the ref so Evil can JAM Mike! Evil puts Mike back in, Sho covers, TWO!!
Sho is upset, and so is Evil! The ref realizes Evil’s here! Fans rally for Mike as he goes to ropes. Mike drags himself up, but Sho ROCKS him with a forearm! Sho stands Mike up for boxing elbows! Sho taunts Mike, but Mike blocks the whip! Sho stomps the toes again! Sho whips, Mike holds ropes to stop himself, and he BOOTS back! Sho runs in, but Mike throws him out! Fans fire up as Sho staggers around, and Mike builds speed, but Evil trips him! Fans boo but Evil shrugs. Sho gets back in, and he knuckle locks Mike’s arm to wrench and twist. And he steps on Mike’s toes, literally! Sho kicks, KICKS and SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO!
Fans fire up as Mike hangs tough! Sho is frustrated but he stalks Mike to a corner. Sho drags Mike up, pulls the ears, then knuckle locks. Sho wrenches and whips but Mike reverses. Sho ducks the kick, Mike ducks the punch and Mike goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! Sho bails out and fans fire up again. Mike builds speed, but he BOOTS Evil this time! Sho gets in but Mike BOOTS him back out! Mike goes up, TRIANGLE JUMP QUEBRADA! Direct hit and fans fire up! Sho is stuck all folded up for a second, but eventually flops over. The fans rally behind Mike as he hobbles over and drags Sho into the ring.
Mike stalks Sho, takes aim, and SPINNING SOBATS! And AX KICKS! And ROUNDHOUSES! Fans fire up again and Mike SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Sho hangs tough but Mike keeps cool. Mike takes aim as Sho sits up, but Evil distracts! Mike tells Evil to get down, then he rushes over. Evil gets away, but Sho waistlocks! GERMAN SUPLEX! Sho drags Mike back up, runs, and LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Mike is still in this and fans fire up! Sho hurries to bring Mike in and tuck the arms, STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Mike survives and fans fire up again! Sho is furious, and he drags Mike back up.
Sho lifts Mike but Mike RANAS! Cover, TWO! Mike PENALTY KICKS! And then MOONSAULT DOUBLE KNEE DROP! Fans fire up while Sho sputters and writhes. Mike feeds off the energy, grits his teeth and aims at Sho. Sho ducks the roundhouse, gets around to a waistlock but Mike switches. Sho grabs at the ref but the ref stays back. Evil grabs at the ref to distract him! Sho stomps Mike’s toes again! And then RAMS Mike into the ref!! Fans boo but Sho gets his “torture tool!” Sho aims, swings, but Mike ducks! Mike kicks but Sho ducks it, and he SMASHES Mike’s toes with the wrench!!
Sho grabs Mike’s foot and twists the toes! But Mike victory rolls! EVIL YANKS THE REF OUT!! Fans boo more as Evil stomps Mike! Sho stomps Mike, too! Fans tell Evil to go away, but the House of Torture puts one out. Evil has Mike’s foot, Sho gets the wrench, but Mike BOOTS Evil away! Sho runs in, but Mike takes the crane stance! CRANE KICK!! Fans fire up as Mike hops around. Mike focuses his power, spins, but hits EVIL with the roundhouse! Then he SUPERKICKS Sho! Fans fire up, Mike powers up again, ROLLING ROUNDHOUSE! Mike shoves Sho down into the drop zone, goes up, ULTIMA WEAPON!! Cover, Mike wins!!
Winner: Mike Baily, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sho earns 0)
Speedball is 2-0, also overcoming the tactics of the House of Torture! Will nothing stop Mike Bailey from being the Best of the Super Juniors?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Kevin Knight VS Francesco Akira!
The Jet and the Nova Fireball may have both lost last round, but none of that will matter here. The Intergalactic Jet Setters took the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships from Catch 2/2, and we already saw TJP avenge that loss. Will Akira also get payback on Knight? Or will the teams go 1-1 on the night?
Akira shoves Knight over the tag title win but the ref has them back up. The bell rings and Akira runs in to SHOTGUN Knight! Akira fires off forearms in the corner but Knight shoves him back. Akira fires off more forearms, Knight shoves him again, then scoops. Akira slips free, things speed up and Akira RANAS Knight out! Fans rally with “A! KI-RA!” and Akira builds speed. Knight slides in then PLANCHAS Akira down! Fans fire up, Knight puts Akira back in the ring, and Knight stomps him around. Akira goes to a corner, Knight brings him out to UPPERCUT! Knight snapmares Akira, runs, and BASEMENT SHOULDER TACKLES!
Fans fire up and Knight flexes, then Knight covers. TWO, but Knight keeps cool. Knight brings Akira up, but Akira CHOPS! Knight CHOPS back! Akira goes to a corner, Knight whips him corner to corner, but Akira avoids the splash! Akira runs in but Knight puts him up top, to COHP! Knight then jumps right up, only for Akira to slip under! Akira trips Knight into the Tree of Woe! Akira goes corner to corner to basement dropkick! Knight falls out of the Tree, Akira covers, TWO! Fans rally but Akira drags Knight back up. Akira turns Knight for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans applaud as Knight is still in this.
Akira brings Knight up, wrenches his arm, and then hammerlocks. Akira traps an arm, drop toeholds and hooks him into a GROUND OCTOPUS! Fans rally while Knight endures and moves around. Knight reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Akira holds until the ref counts, and the fans rally up. Akira CLUBS Knight down, talks trash, then CLUBS him again. Knight crawls but Akira brings him up to CHOP! Knight gets in Akira’s face, then CHOPS back! Akira DOUBLE CHOPS! Akira whips, and CALF KICKS! Cover, TWO! Akira grows frustrated but the fans still rally. Akira drags Knight up but Knight throws body shots.
Knight UPPERCUTS Akira, ROCKS him with forearm after forearm, then whips. Akira avoids the dropkick! Akira stomps Knight, runs, but Knight scoops him for a BACKBREAKER! Both men are down and fans rally again. Akira goes to a corner, Knight hurries over, and Knight stomps and UPPERCUTS on repeat! Knight stomps a mudhole in but lets off as the ref counts. Knight then whips corner to corner, runs in and STINGER SPLASHES! Knight puts Akira up top, and says it’s time! But Akira jumps over Knight! Things speed up, but Knight DROPKICKS Akira down! Fans fire up again while both men are down.
Knight kips up and roars! He brings Akira up, whips him to ropes, and pops him up, SKY HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Akira is still in this and Knight grows frustrated. Knight pounds the mat and the fans clap along. Knight waits on Akira to stand, and then he runs in, but Akira denies the satellite! SUPERKICK! But Knight SUPERKICKS back! Knight whips, Akira rolls and SATELLITE DDTS Knight! Akira crawls to the cover, TWO!! Akira can’t believe Knight survives! The fans rally again, “A! KI-RA!” and Akira aims from the corner. Akira runs in, but Knight ducks the fireball! To pop-up, only for Akira to sunset flip! TWO!
Akira stands, Knight scoops him, but Akira cradles! TWO!! Knight ROLLING ELBOWS! Knight runs in at the corner but Akira BOOTS him! Akira goes up, but Knight JUMP STEINERS! And then STANDING SPLASH but onto knees! Akira gest going, and he SLIDING KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives again and shocks Akira! But Akira fires back up and the fans are with him. Akira brings Knight up, SPEEDFIRE!! Akira isn’t done there, he aims from the corner again. Knight sits up, into the NOVA FIREBALL!! Cover, Akira wins!
Winner: Francesco Akira, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Knight earns 0)
The flight was delayed again, and now Knight is 0-2! Akira goes 1-1, and Catch 2/2 sweep the Intergalactic Jet Setters! Will The United Empire win back the Junior Heavyweight Tag titles on the other side of the BOSJ?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Titán VS Taiji Ishimori!
El Inmortal tapped out the technical genius in TJP while the Bone Soldier tapped out a much more fired up Ryusuke Taguchi. Will it come down to technique or speed in this showdown between LIJ and Bullet Club?
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans build to a rally for “TITAN! TITAN!” Titan and Taiji tie up, Taiji waistlocks but Titan switches. Taiji wrenches to a wristlock, keeps Titan from ropes, but Titan rolls, handsprings and arm-drags, but Taiji kips up and arm-drags back. Titan sweeps to cover, ONE! Titan avoids the sweep but Taiji avoids the buzzsaw. Fans cheer as the two stand off, and even Taiji applauds. Taiji offers a handshake, but Titan is wary. Titan accepts it, but then Taiji rakes the eyes! The ref reprimands but Taiji CLUBS Titan to a corner. Taiji whips corner to corner, Titan reverses, but Taiji slips out to the apron.
Titan runs in, Taiji slips under, then back out to shoulder in. Taiji springboards but Titan gets under. Titan runs in, Taiji waistlocks and shoves, but Titan goes up and over to handspring away! Taiji runs in, Titan dodges to then RANA Taiji out of the ring! Fans fire up and Titan builds speed, but Taiji moves so Titan rolls and flips out of the ring. Titan then runs at Taiji, but into a scoop! LAWN DART into the post! The ref reprimands while Titan writhes, but Taiji grins as he leaves Titan behind. Taiji undoes the blue buckle pad, the Bullet Club Special is now in play. Titan staggers up, slides in, but Taiji storms up to him.
Taiji brings Titan up, snapmares, and then wraps up the arms, to go after the mask! Everyone seems to do this to Titan! The ref reprimands, counts, and Taiji lets off at 4. Taiji grabs the arm, wristlocks, and then drags Titan up to wrench the arm. Taiji hammerlocks the arm and RAMS Titan into the bare buckles! Titan writhes, the ref reprimands, but the damage is done. Taiji stomps Titan in the corner, the ref reprimands, so Taiji drags Titan up. Taiji wraps the arm around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Taiji stops, and Taiji wrenches to whip and WRING Titan’s arm! Titan writhes while Taiji looms over him.
Taiji sits Titan up into a cobra clutch! Titan endures, kicks around, fights up to his feet, but Taiji ripcords to RAM the shoulder, then hammerlock and BACKSTABBER! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Titan’s long leg helps him there! Taiji is annoyed but he CLUBS Titan. Titan SOBATS, but Taiji CLUBS Titan down! Taiji drags Titan up, whips him to ropes, but Titan holds ropes. Titan BOOTS Taiji, but Taiji ELBOWS Titan! Taiji whips, Titan reverses to TORNADO DDT! Taiji staggers up, and Titan dropkicks him out of the ring! Fans fire up with Titan and he builds speed, to DIVE! Direct hit near commentary!
Fans fire up and Titan KICKS Taiji. The ring count climbs, Titan drags Taiji up and into the ring at 8 of 20. Cover, TWO! Titan wants Taiji to get up, but he stomps him down. Fans rally, Titan stands Taiji up for a strike fest! Titan powers up but Taiji BOOTS him! Taiji runs but Titan goes Matrix to avoid the lariat! Then he CALF KICKS Taiji down! Titan hurries to whip, but Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER! Fans rally up again while both men are down. Taiji stands, he brings Titan up, and he wrenches to then POST Titan! The ref reprimands but again the damage is done. Taiji hammerlocks, half nelsons and scoops, for a SHOULDER BUSTER!
Fans rally as Taiji aims from the corner. Titan rises, Taiji runs in, but into a SUPERKICK! Titan runs in, LA MYSTICA! Roll into DRAGON’S LAIR! TWO!! Taiji hurries up but into a fireman’s carry, LANDSLIDE!! Cover, TWO!! Taiji survives again and fans rally up! Titan goes to a corner, skins the cat to the top, and then DIVING- NO, Taiji avoids the stomps! Taiji wrenches, LA MYSTICA in return, and has the arm! BONE LOCK!!! Titan crawls, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him away! Titan TAPS, Taiji wins!!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by submission (gains 2 points; Titan earns 0)
Another match, another win by tap-out! Will no one survive the Bone Soldier make sure #ItsReborn in the BOSJ?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: El Desperado VS BUSHI!
The Rogue Luchador and the Black Mask each took a loss in the opening round, but there’s still a long way to go in the tournament! Will Desperado stay strong for Team Strong Style? Or will Bushi make things tranquilo?
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up and duel, “DESPY!” “BUSHI!” The two tie up, Desperado headlocks but Bushi wrenches out. Desperado wrenches back, but Bushi wrenches again. Bushi keeps on the wristlock to hammerlock then headlock. Desperado spins him around to a facelock but Bushi slips around to a waistlock. Desperado wrenches out and headlocks. Bushi throws body shots and powers out, but Desperado runs him over. Things speed up, Bushi fakes Desperado out to kick him, then dropkick the leg! Desperado goes to ropes and Bushi kicks the leg out! Bushi’s building off Kanemaru’s work!
Bushi stomps Desperado, then SMASHES the knee! Fans cheer and Desperado bails out. The ref checks but Desperado says he’s still in this. Bushi goes out to stomp the bad leg! Bushi brings Desperado up, puts him in the ring, and fans applaud. Bushi takes off his shirt, and uses it to CHOKE Desperado! The ref reprimands, Bushi stops, and he kicks Desperado’s bad leg again. Desperado goes to a corner, asks for mercy, but Bushi just stomps him more. Bushi whips corner to corner, Desperado reverses and runs in, but into an elbow. Bushi goes up, leaps, and missile dropkicks the leg out!
Fans rally up as Bushi gets the legs. Bushi ties Desperado up in a modified Cloverleaf! Desperado endures, but Bushi puts on more pressure! Fans rally, Desperado reaches out, and he gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts and Bushi lets go at 4. Desperado crawls to the apron, Bushi kicks the bad leg, then he drags Desperado back in. Bushi drops an elbow on the knee, then stomps it. Desperado throws hands but Bushi knees low. Bushi CLUBS Desperado and has him in the corner. Desperado CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, but Bushi kicks the bad leg again! Bushi whips corner to corner, but Desperado falls over!
Fans rally, Desperado hobbles up, and Bushi runs in. Desperado picks Bushi up but Bushi fights off the spinebuster! Bushi runs but Desperado scoops for a BIG back suplex! Fans rally while both men are down. Desperado shakes out the bad leg, and he hobbles up. Bushi is in the corner, Desperado runs in, and elbows Bushi! Desperado then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Fans rally while Desperado brings Bushi back up. Desperado gut wrenches but Bushi fights free. Bushi goes to dropkick the leg but Desperado avoids it! Desperado CHOPS Bushi, but Bushi kicks the bad leg! BASEMENT DDT!
Desperado staggers, into a CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Desperado is still in this but Bushi gets the leg! Bushi SMASHES the knee into the mat again! And then sits down with a CALF KILLER! Desperado crawls, reaches out, but Bushi adds a facelock! Not quite an STF but good enough for this! Desperado still fights forward to a ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Bushi lets go at 4. Bushi grows frustrated with Desperado’s toughness, but he stomps Desperado at the ropes. Desperado stands to bump Bushi, but Bushi ROCKS him back. Bushi puts the bad leg in the ropes to DROPKICK it! And then DRAPING BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally as Desperado stays in this. Bushi drags Desperado back up, but Desperado wrenches out to roll him up, TWO, into the STRETCH MUFFLER! Bushi endures as Desperado thrashes the leg! Bushi rolls Desperado to a cradle, TWO!! Bushi rushes in, Desperado spins him around, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Bushi survives and the fans rally up. Desperado shouts, stands up, and fans fire up with him. Desperado drags Bushi up, underhooks the arms, but Bushi fights off Pinche. Bushi shoves Desperado to DROPKICK him down! Bushi roars now and fans fire up again!
Bushi hobbles after Desperado, brings him up, and reels him in, but Desperado slips around! EL ES CULERO! Desperado wins!!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Bushi earns 0)
Desperado snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! He avoids going 0-2 but Bushi doesn’t, will Desperado bring Strong Style back to the BOSJ?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS DOUKI!
The Ticking Timebomb had a fiery main event match with Mike Bailey but came out on the losing end. Meanwhile, Japones Del Mal shocked everyone by pinning Kushida. Will Douki pull off another shocker here? Or will Hiromu get back on track towards a fifth BOSJ tournament win?
Hiromu’s picture diary entry for Douki is that he looks like something bought on Amazon. But then Douki WRECKS Hiromu with a dropkick at the apron! The bell rings and Douki builds speed, but Hiormu gets in to fireman’s carry! Douki slips fere, Hiromu wheelbarrows him, but Douki turns that into a full nelson! Hiromu arm-drags free and pops Douki up but Douki RANAS Hiromu back out! Douki builds speed but Hiromu ducks the slide. Hiromu pops Douki up to the apron, but Douki rebounds to DDT Hiromu to the floor! Fans rally up, Douki drags Hiromu up and puts him back in the ring.
Douki hurries after Hiromu but Hiromu bails back out. Douki stomps Hiromu, stands him up, and DDTs him to the floor again! Red Shoes checks on Hiromu but he’s okay to continue, so the ring count starts. Fans rally up as Hiromu stirs. Hiromu sits up at 8, stands at 11 and slides in at 12. Douki drags Hiromu up, turns him and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Hiromu hangs tough but Douki chinlocks and bends Hiromu against his knee. Hiromu endures, fans rally up again, and Hiromu crawls his way forward to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts and Hiromu even grabs at Douki, but Douki lets go at 4.
Douki brings Hiromu up but Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Douki rakes the eyes! Douki suplexes Hiromu but Hiromu slips out to waistlock. Douki elbows free, runs, but Hiromu follows to RANA Douki now! Fans applaud while both men are down. The fans rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he goes to a corner. Douki runs in, only gets buckles, and Hiromu clotheslines Douki to then snapmare and basement dropkick! Hiromu brings Douki up, fireman’s carries, but Douki fights free again. Douki shoves Hiormu to a corner but Hiromu BOOTS him! Hiromu runs, but Douki dodges! Douki swings, Hiromu spins him, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally again and Hiromu sits up, clutching a shoulder. Hiromu fires up and the fans fire up with him. Hiromu brings Douki up, fireman’s carries, but Douki fights free to a waistlock. Hiromu switches, Douki throws elbows, and Douki runs, but Hiromu reels him in. Douki breaks free, kicks and ENZIGURIS, then clinches for a swing and SAHAWARI! Bridging cover, TWO! Hiromu escapes and the fans rally up. Hiromu goes to a corner but Douki runs in, and he blocks Hiromu’s boots to pop him into a Gory Especial! But Hiromu fights free and arm-drags Douki. Douki knees low, runs, but into a POP-UP-
NO, Douki turns things around into ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Hiromu moves around, drags Douki along, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Douki holds until Red Shoes counts, and fans rally back up. Douki goes to the apron, takes aim, and slingshots, but Hiromu denies Daybreak! Hiromu powers Douki to a fireman’s carry, for a CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Both men are down again and fans rally back up. Hiromu rises, drags Douki up, but Douki fights the fireman’s carry. Hiromu powers through again, throws Douki into a dragon sleeper, but Douki spins around. Hiromu still suplexes Douki, but Douki fights that!
Hiromu keeps trying, he fireman’s carries again, for DYNAMITE PLUNGER! Cover, TWO! Douki survives but Hiromu and the fans fire up! Hiromu drags Douki back up, fireman’s carries again, but Douki sunset flips! TWO, into ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! Hiromu endures, drags Douki along again, but Douki rolls him from ropes! But Hiromu fights out to jackknife, TWO! Douki manages to bridge up and spin Hiromu into the Gory Especial! DOTON NO JUTSU!! Cover, TWO!! But back into ITALIAN STRETCH 32!! Hiromu endures, but Douki pulls on the arms! Hiromu fights back up, but Douki just pulls harder!
Hiromu is fading! He’s tipping over! But Hiromu gets a second wind, brings Douki along, reaches out and gets the ROPEBREAK with a foot! Fans cheer and Red Shoes counts, Douki lets go at 4. Douki shakes his head, he goes back to the apron. Douki takes aim as Hiromu rises, for DAYBREAK!! Cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives and Douki can’t believe it! Fans fire up and Douki roars! Douki brings Hiromu into the wheelbarrow, lifts, but Hiromu uses that to hit a COMPLETE SHOT! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Douki drags Hiromu up, but Hiromu pushes him back! Douki ducks the superkick! Hiromu ducks the enziguri!
Hiromu waistlocks Douki, Douki switches, Hiromu throws an elbow but Douki ducks it to HELL STAB! Douki runs, but Hiromu dodges to HIROMU- DOUKI-CHAN BOMBER?!? Fans are thunderous as Douki watches Hiromu rise. Douki runs, to DOUKI-CHAN BOMBER AGAIN!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up while Douki slashes his throat! Douki torture racks, swings, MARISHITE!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? Douki can’t believe that Hiromu survives! But Douki roars and he brings Hiromu back around. Wheelbarrow, but Hiromu arm-drags and rolls to fireman’s carry! TIMEBOMB!!! Cover, HIROMU WINS!!!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Douki earns 0)
Douki came so, so close, but the champion manages to turn things around in the end! Will Hiromu be able to make it to the end of BOSJ 30 and go for number five?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: YOH VS Master Wato!
Mr. Direct Drive couldn’t avoid Robbie Eagles’ eagle eye and is down one. But the Way of the Grandmaster made it through the fire against Francesco Akira. Will Yoh rev back up and get on track? Or will he also be extinguished by Wato?
The bell rings and the fans duel. “WATO! WATO!” “YO-OH! YO-OH!” Wato and Yoh circle, feel things out, and Wato gives a testing kick. Yoh walks it off, comes back, and knuckle locks with Wato. They go shoulder to shoulder in a test of strength, and Wato makes Yoh bridge back. Yoh powers back up, and he now makes Wato bridge back! Cover, ONE as Wato bridges again. Yoh brings Wato up, wrenches and hammerlocks, but Wato reaches back to wrench and wristlock. Yoh rolls, kips and cartwheels to handspring and arm-drag! The two stand off, and fans cheer as Yoh copies Wato’s pose. Wato shows Yoh how it’s done, and the two circle again.
They tie up, Wato headlocks, but Yoh pulls hair. Red Shoes reprimands so Yoh lets go to throw body shots. Yoh powers out but Wato runs him over! Things speed up, Yoh hurdles, Wato leaps over, and then Wato comes back. Yoh dodges, BOOTS Wato, then shoves him to drop and bypass, then drop toehold! Yoh keeps moving but Wato avoids the basement dropkick! Wato rolls Yoh but Yoh scrambles away before Wato can lock on Vendaval. Fans applaud and Wato smirks. Wato builds speed, but Yoh gets away to the back corner of the arena. Fans cheer as Yoh dares Wato to join him. Wato says Yoh needs to come back.
Yoh takes his time, and he starts a “WATO! WATO!” chant. Wato doesn’t fall for the games so Yoh has no choice but to return to ringside. Yoh slides in, Wato KICKS Yoh, then whips him to a corner. Yoh goes up and over, things keep moving, and Yoh RANAS Wato out! Yoh then PLANCHAS Wato down! Fans fire up with Yoh as he struts up the ramp. Yoh comes back, stomps Wato, then brings Wato up to put him in the ring. Fans rally, Yoh climbs, and Wato stands for the CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Yoh drags Wato up, ROCKS him with a forearm, then whips him to ropes. Yoh ELBOWS Wato down, brings him back up, and turns him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Yoh keeps going and has a headscissor squeeze on Wato! Fans rally as Wato endures and Yoh thrashes around. Wato rolls towards ropes but Yoh rolls him away. Yoh thrashes more but Wato rolls and rolls into the ROPEBREAK. The fans applaud as Yoh lets go, but with some toying kicks. Yoh gives more toying kicks as he stands over Wato. Wato sits up and Yoh eggs him on. Wato CHOPS back! Yoh grits his teeth so Wato throws forearms! Yoh kicks low, bumps Wato off buckles, and wrenches an arm to whip corner to corner. Yoh runs in, but into a BOOT! And then another BOOT! Wato runs in to BULLDOG!
Fans rally up and Wato goes to a corner. Wato runs in at Yoh to elbow him down! And then BOOT him! And then whip to ropes, to CALF KICK! Yoh bails out but Wato builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit and down goes Yoh! Fans fire up with Wato and he brings Yoh up. Wato puts Yoh in the ring, aims from the apron, and fans rally up. Yoh stands, Wato springboards, but Yoh dodges! Wato comes back, crucifix takedown, RECIENTEMENTE! Cover, TWO! Yoh escapes the mouse trap but fans rally up more. Wato fires up and he brings Yoh around into VENDAVAL!! Fans rally up while Yoh endures the butterfly stretch!
Yoh kicks around, reaches out, but Wato pulls on the hold! Yoh rolls it to a cover, TWO!! Wato lets Yoh go in time, and Yoh goes to ropes. Wato storms over, to ROUNDHOUSE the bad arm! Yoh staggers, into another ROUNDHOUSE! Wato aims, and ROUNDHOUSES the bad arm again! Wato taunts Yoh, Yoh eggs Wato on, so Wato ROCKS him with a forearm! Wato whips Yoh to ropes, Yoh reverses and DROPKICKS! Fans fire up while both men are back down! Yoh drags Wato up, reels him in, suplexes, but Wato knees free. Yoh ducks a kick, Wato blocks the elbow, but Yoh goes Matrix to dodge!
Wato blocks a kick, but Yoh blocks a kick! Yoh DRAGON SCREWS Wato’s leg! Fans rally up again while both men are down. Wato crawls to a corner, but Yoh watches him closely. Wato stands, Yoh runs in, and Yoh elbows Wato! Yoh hoists Wato up top, climbs up after him, and fires up! Fans fire up with Yoh, but Wato resists the superplex! Wato throws body shots and Yoh steps back. Wato stands but Yoh ROCKS him first! Yoh climbs back up, has Wato again, and he SUPERPLEXES! Yoh rolls through, to the FALCON- NO, Wato slips out! Wato shoves Yoh to a corner, runs in, but Yoh puts him on the apron!
Yoh swings but into Wato’s GAMANGIRI! Wato springboards, FLYING UPPERCUT! Fans rally up again and Wato roars! Wato waits on Yoh, and Yoh rises, into the SCREW HIGH KICK! Wato then drags Yoh up, GERMAN SUPLEX! But Yoh lands on his feet! Yoh dropkicks the legs out! Yoh underhooks Wato, but Wato fights the lift and shoves Yoh away! Yoh rebounds, into the ROLLING SOBAT! Wato fires back up, he reels Yoh in, but Yoh switches to shove Wato. Scoop and GOROSHI! Both men are down again and fans rally back up! Yoh and Wato stir, crawl after each other, and they go forehead to forehead.
Yoh throws a forearm, but Wato throws it back. Yoh throws another forearm, so Wato throws it back. Both men stand, and the forearms keep going! They go faster and faster and the fans rally up! Yoh gets boxing elbows in, then kicks a leg out! Yoh brings Wato up, and DECKS him! Fans fire up and Yoh brings Wato back up. Yoh half nelsons, then full nelsons, but Wato breaks free to victory roll! TWO!! Yoh escapes, runs in and spins Wato around to underhooks! Wato wrenches out, but Yoh blocks his kick, DRAGON- NO, Wato sits on the screw to cover, TWO!!! Yoh escapes and hurries to ropes!
Yoh powers up, but Wato ducks the superkick! ROUNDHOUSE! Wato gets just enough of Yoh, and he fires back up! Wato drags Yoh up, Yoh reaches for ropes, but Wato still waistlocks! But Yoh throws elbows to fight the suplex! Yoh swings, but into the chicken wings! But Yoh slips around to POISON-RANA!! And SUPERKICK!! Wato wobbles and fans fire up as Yoh brings him in! Short arm LARIAT!! Wato is dazed but the fans are thunderous as Yoh roars! Yoh drags Wato back up, reels him back in and underhooks, for DIRECT DRIVE!!! Cover, Yoh wins!!
Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)
Wato beat the Nova Fireball, but he could not withstand Yoh’s electricity! Will Wato be able to turn the tides in the next round?
As for Yoh, tired as he is, he gets the mic to say, “OSHAAA!! Everyone in Nagano, are you stunned?” Fans cheer, so hard to say. But Yoh asks “One more thing: do you like me?” Fans cheer again so that’s a yes. Yoh asks if they love him, and they cheer again. Yoh says, “If you do…! If you do…!! If you do… Let’s stun the world together!” Fans cheer, and then Yoh thanks Wato for the match. Yoh drops the mic, ready to take the block! Will Direct Drive #StunTheWorld by becoming the Best of the Super Juniors?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Mike Bailey: 2-0, 4 points
Taiji Ishimori: 2-0, 4 points
Lio Rush: 2-0, 4 points
Titán: 1-1, 2 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 1-1, 2 points
DOUKI: 1-1, 2 points
TJP: 1-1, 2 points
SHO: 0-2, 0 points
KUSHIDA: 0-2, 0 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-2, 0 points
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Robbie Eagles: 2-0, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-0, 4 points
Clark Connors: 1-1, 2 points
Dan Moloney: 1-1, 2 points
El Desperado: 1-1, 2 points
YOH: 1-1, 2 points
Master Wato: 1-1, 2 points
Francesco Akira: 1-1, 2 points
BUSHI: 0-2, 0 points
Kevin Knight: 0-2, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great second night for NJPW and BOSJ, though maybe not as many shocking things as there were last night. Great matches all the same, and it makes sense that TJP & Akira each beat Kushida & Knight. That’s easily the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match after the BOSJ. That was a great first match between both teams, the rematch will be even better. Taguchi losing again though he’s being more serious in his style also makes sense, because as great as the matches are, it’s not in his style. The moment Taguchi goes back to his butt based tactics, he will pull off a win and can spoil things for someone in the A Block.
Hiromu rebounding makes sense but Douki still looked great even in defeat. A little surprised he wasn’t the main event, but apparently Yoh and Wato got that nod here tonight. That match could’ve gone either way since we’re still this early in the tournament, but Yoh winning was a nice move. Yoh’s changing up his look a bit, and he’s adding just a bit of edge to his style and personality, so this win is a good way to show he’s growing and adapting to what is needed to get up in the ranks.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Did you know that challenger in French is still “challenger?”
In a WrestleMania rematch, AJ Styles takes on LA Knight in a #1 contender’s match, to challenge WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at Backlash in France!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s match: AJ Styles VS LA Knight; Styles wins and will challenge Cody Rhodes for the title at Backlash.
- SmackDown/WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: The Street Profits VS New Catch Republic VS The Authors of Pain VS Legado Del Fantasma; The Profits win and will challenge A-Town Down Under for the titles.
- Carlito w/ Zelina Vega VS Santos Escobar w/ Elektra Lopez; Santos wins.
- WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley VS Naomi; Bayley wins, by disqualification, and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s match: AJ Styles VS LA Knight!
After fighting their way through Triple Threats, the Phenomenal One and the Mega Star meet again, YEAH! It’s a WrestleMania Rematch, the winner moving on to Backlash, YEAH! Will AJ Styles avenge his loss at the biggest WrestleMania ever? Or will everyone from here to France know whose game it is?
The bell rings and the two step to each other. The fans in Pittsburgh “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” and Knight lets Styles know it. Styles snarls, they tie up, and they go around. Knight puts Styles in a corner, the ref counts, but Knight lets off slowly. Styles kicks low! The fans boo but Styles headlocks. Knight pulls hair, throws body shots, then headlocks in return. Styles pushes Knight to ropes, powers up and out, then hurdles, drops and DROP- NO, Knight avoids the dropkick to BOOT, and LARIAT! Knight then TOSSES Styles out of the ring, storms out after him, and brings him to commentary. Knight SMACKS Styles off the desk! And again! And again!
The fans chant “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” with every SMACK, then Knight tops it off with one last SMACK! Knight drags Styles up and into the ring, storms in, but Styles KICKS Knight in the ropes! Styles reels Knight in, but Knight back drops Styles up and out! Styles flounders on the floor, Knight runs to WRECK him with a dropkick! Styles hits desk again and Steel City is loving “L! A! KNIGHT, YEAH!” as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Styles soaks up the heat as he taunts Knight. Styles brings Knight up, but Knight fires haymakers! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight backs Styles down, whips, but Styles ducks ‘n dodges! Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges, then DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Both men are down and the fans fire up. Both men slowly sit up, crawl around, and then stand. Styles fires a shot, but Knight gives it back! The haymakers go back and forth, “YEAH! BOO! YEAH!” Styles staggers but he still ROCKS Knight! Knight ROCKS Styles again and again, but Styles throat chops! Styles fires off the Phenomenal Blitz, but Knight ducks the lariat!
Knight JABS, JABS, JABS, and DECKS Styles! Knight stomps a mudhole in at the corner, “YEAH!” Knight then runs corner to corner to KNEE Styles down! The fans fire up, Knight puts Styles up, and Knight ROCKS Styles. Knight climbs, but Styles ROCKS him back! Knight staggers away, but returns to spring right up! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives that crash but both men are down again. The fans rally as Knight rises, and he brings Styles around. Knight reels Styles in, suplexes, but Styles slips free! Styles goes to a corner, ELBOWS Knight away, then goes up to QUEBRADA DDT! Cover, TWO!
The fans fire up as Knight stays in this and Styles starts losing his cool. The fans rally for Knight but Styles looms over him. Styles brings Knight up and in, but Knight RAMS him into a corner! Knight then scoops Styles, but Styles slips free to roll up, TWO!! Knight escapes, swings, but Styles dodges to PELE! Knight ends up in a corner, Styles runs in, but Knight puts Styles on the apron! Styles ROCKS Knight, springboards, but Knight gets under! Styles comes back, into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Then JUMP ELBOW DROP! The fans fire up with with Knight as he storms around. Styles rises, Knight winds up, B F- NO, Styles bails out!
The fans boo but Knight storms over. Knight drags Styles up but Styles HOTSHOTS him! And pokes him in the eyes! Then ROCKS him! And springboards, to PHENOMENAL FOREARM!! Cover, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the Undisputed WWE Championship)
Styles bent the rules, but a win is a win! He will get his shot at the American Nightmare in Lyon, France, will this year’s Backlash be phenomenal?
The Bloodline arrives backstage.
The car pulls up, Solo Sikoa steps out in a suit, and Paul Heyman is there to greet him. Nice threads, Solo. Tama Tonga walks over and Solo says meet the newest member of The Bloodline, Solo’s MFT. The Wise Man is stunned. But Solo cuts him off to ask if Kevin Owens is here. Heyman hesitates and Solo asks again, is Kevin here? If he is, he’s probably already in the locker room. Then take them to him. Heyman obeys and leads on. There have already been changes to the chain of command, is there about to be a change to the landscape of SmackDown, too?
Nick Aldis is in the ring.
In a familiar scene to Monday Night Raw, there is a podium with something under a satin sheet. The SmackDown General Manager welcomes to Pittsburgh the Chief Content Officer, Paul “Triple H” Levesque! The fans fire up as The Game makes his way to the ring! HHH joins Aldis in the ring, gets a mic, looks around at the crowd as he revels in the cheers, then says, “On the heels of the biggest, most epic, history making, record breaking, epic, unbelievable WrestleMania of all time, we are here tonight, sold out, 15 thousand strong, Pittsburgh, PA! So let me say, welcome to SmackDown!” The fans cheer that!
HHH wants to take a moment to say that he thinks Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis are both doing great jobs at leading their respective brands into the future. Thank you to both of them. And when we talk about the future, we have to talk about the history made coming into the future. So when history is made, HHH wants it to be represented here befitting of those that make it. So Aldis, if we could, let us bring the… champions out here. Aldis says without further ado, the NEW SmackDown Tag Team Champions, Austin Theory & Grayson Waller. The fans boo as A-Town Down Under make their way, blue belts in hand.
Theory & Waller join Aldis and HHH in the ring, mics already in hand, and they soak up the heat from Steel City. Waller says this is huge. Monday, we saw the second place champions get new belts. And now A-Town Down Under will be presented new titles! Theory says speaking of truth, didn’t Truth think HHH was a magician? Well, who knows what magic trick HHH has to make these guys look better than they already do, but hey, give it a try. HHH says congratulations on becoming tag team champions, so he will show them what they will wear going forward. From now on, they will be the WWE Tag Team Champions.
Reveal! In the style of the Attitude Era and Ruthless Aggression Era belts, the solid gold shines. HHH offers a handshake, but Waller leaves him hanging to shake Theory’s hand! Aldis makes it clear to them. They ever pop off and disrespect HHH like that, here’s a real magic trick: A-Clown Down Under will disappear, permanently! The fans like the sound of that! Aldis snatches the blue belts away since they won’t need them, and speaking of disappearing, there’s a chance one of the following four teams will make their title reign disappear. That #1 contenders match starts right now! The fans fire up, but which team defies the odds to get some golden tickets to France?
Backstage interview with Naomi.
Kayla Braxton is with The Glow and says last week, she beat Tiffany Stratton to get this title opportunity tonight. Will the friendship with Bayley get in the way of this match? Naomi says no, of course not. Bayley’s her sister, and she needed help against Damage CTRL, so Naomi was more than happy to help. But in no way will friendship get in the way of this opportunity. It has been over two YEARS since Naomi’s last WWE singles championship match, and there is nothing that will get in the way of making the most of this moment. Now last week, Tiffy Time felt the glow, so that same energy keeps going tonight.
Naomi is also looking forward to next week’s WWE Draft, where she will walk in the NEW WWE Women’s Champion. Naomi is ready, but will she be able to best Bayley in Bayley’s first title defense?
WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: The Street Profits VS New Catch Republic VS The Authors of Pain VS Legado Del Fantasma!
SmackDown returns as Legado makes their entrance, followed by Akam & Rezar with the Final Testament. Waller & Theory are on commentary, Waller admitting he wants any team but AOP, and Theory saying these teams are fortunate to have real superstars leading their division. In this form of Fatal 4 Way, only two teams are active, so the Big Strong Boi, Tyler Bate, starts against Montez Ford. They circle, tie up, and Ford headlocks. Bate powers up to pry at the hold but Ford clamps on tighter. Bate powers up and out, drops, but Ford leaps over! The fans cheer, things keep moving, Bate feints high to drop low!
Bate shows knuckle lock, Ford obliges, but Bate wrenches, baits and double pump handles to FLIP Ford! Cover, TWO! Ford gets up to sweep and cover, TWO! Bate steps over, La Magistrol, TWO! Ford gets up, dropkicks cancel out, and both men kip up! The fans fire up and the two reset. But then Humberto Carrillo sneaks a tag, before he DECKS Bate with a sucker punch! Ford dodges Humberto but Angel Garza holds the ropes open! Ford tumbles out, Garza tags in, and Humberto sits Ford up. Garza runs in to KNEE Ford down! The fans boo, Garza drags Ford to a cover, TWO! Garza back suplexes, Ford lands out!
Ford tags Dawkins and he dodges Garza to FLYING ELBOW! Garza tags out to Akam, but then the Bruiserweight, Pete Dunne, tags in off Dawkins! Rezar tags, Dunne runs up but Akam LARIATS him down! Rezar DECKS Dawkins, then the AOP start clearing the corners! But Ford goes up to leap, but into an URENAGE! The fans boo but the AOP roar and soak up the heat. Waller’s worst case scenario might end up reality, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and the fans rally as Ford endures a facelock. Ford fights up, pries at the hold, but Rezar shoves him to ELBOW him down! Rezar talks trash, Waller taunts the Steelers players sitting in the front row that they don’t really know what championships are, and then Rezar sucker punches Dawkins down! Rezar stands Ford up, Canadian Racks and bends him! Ford endures, the fans rally, but Rezar thrashes Ford around! Ford kicks and flails, he gets free, hot tag to Dunne! Bate sneaks a tag, Dunne GAMANGIRIS Akam and then NCR fire off on Rezar! The fans fire up, Humberto runs in, but Dunne dodges to SNAP GERMAN!
Bate & Dunne STOMP Humberto’s hands! Then BASEMENT DROPKICK! Garza runs up, but into the REBOUNDER GERMAN COMBO!! The fans fire up with NCR, but Rezar runs up! He grabs Dunne, but Bate says Bop up, BANG! Bate fireman’s carries Rezar?! But Rezar ELBOWS right free! Dunne GAMANGIRIS, Ford SUPERKICKS, and Dawkins ENZIGIRIS! Rezar wobbles, and everyone helps Bate gets Rezar up! BIG STRONG AIRPLANE SPINE! But then Legado CLOBBER Bate and Rezar! They BOOT Dunne, whip the Profits but the Profits reverse to TOSS Legado out! Ellering coaches Rezar while the Profits regroup.
Bate gets up, Dawkins ROCKS him! Dawkins brings Bate to the very top, but Dunne CLUBS Dawkins! NCR mug Dawkins but Ford joins in! They brawl, but AOP add on! Humberto finds Rezar to tag in, before the DOUBLE TOWER OF DOOM!! Bate’s the only one left up top, so Legado mug him! They double trophy lift Bate, to DOUBLE ROCKET LAUNCH him onto everyone!! Humberto then finds Bate, sunset flips and rewinds, Garza jumps, MISSILE DROPKICK DOOMSDAY! Cover, DUNNE BREAKS IT! “This is Awesome!” as all eight men are down around ringside, and Waller says this is gonna be easy pickings for A-Town Down Under now.
Dunne grabs Garza, Bate has Humberto, STEREO ANKLE LOCKS!! Grapevine for Garza! But Humberto BOOTS Bate onto Dunne! Legado is free, Ellering has AOP regroup, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Rezar CLUBS Dawkins down. Rezar soaks up heat, taunts the other teams, then CLUBS Dawkins again. Rezar brings Dawkins up again, but Dawkins fires off body shots! Rezar KNEES low, reels Dawkins in, talks more trash, and lifts Dawkins up, to POWERBOMB! But then Dunne runs up to ROCK Rezar! Akam gets in to scoop Dunne and SLAM him on Dawkins! Cover, TWO! Rezar looks to Ellering and he coaches AOP. Rezar HAMMERS Dawkins, Akam tags, and AOP get NCR up! The fans boo but NCR RANA free to send AOP into each other! Ford jumps in, as does Garza.
All the teams realize, they gotta do something about AOP. So they all mug AOP! The fans fire up as AOP tumble out, but now who strikes first? Dunne runs up but Garza SUPERKICKS him first! Bate waistlocks Garza and Ford winds up, but Garza ducks so the BACKHAND hits Bate! Garza SUPERKICKS Ford, but Dawkins DECKS Garza! Humberto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! Cover, TWO!! Theory says if A-Town Down Under were in this match, he’d knock everyone out and Waller could just sneak in to cover. Humberto and Dawkins rise and go to corners. Humberto runs up, but Dawkins POUNCES him away!
Dawkins gets Humberto up, Ford returns and tags in! Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Humberto and Ford climbs! The stars are out for the BLOCKBUSTER DOOMSDAY! Cover, DUNNE BREAKS IT! Another save from the Bruiserweight and Ford is frustrated. Dunne drags Dawkins up to CHOP, but Dawkins ROCKS him! Dawkins whips Dunne out of the ring, but Dunne grabs the arm! And he pulls off the glove so he can SNAP fingers! The fans fire up, but Ford ENZIGIRIS Dunne down! Ford brings Humberto up, Humberto JAWBREAKERS! Bate tags in off Ford, BOOTS Garza, then runs up, but into a POP-UP! But Bate RANAS Humberto!!
Bate then DUMPS Garza out, goes to the apron, and Dunne lines up targets. Bate and Dunne climb, Ford runs in, NCR DOUBLE ARIHARA MOONSAULT while Ford FLIES over the corner post!! Down goes Legado and AOP!! The fans are losing their minds as Bate hurries to get Humberto up. Bate puts Humberto in, reels him in, underhooks, but Humberto fights it! Humberto back drops but Bate lands on his feet! Humberto cradles, TWO! Humberto LARIATS Bate, tag to Garza! Legado gets Bate up, feed to the POP-UP KICK!! #FTY! Humberto then DIVES to take out Dunne! Garza goes up the ropes to LIONSAULT!!
But Ford flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! The fans are thunderous as everyone is down again! Bate flounders, Dawkins tags in! Dawkins whips Legado, Ford joins in, THE REVELATION!! Cover, PROFITS WIN!
Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the WWE Tag Team Championships)
Waller & Theory are relieved it isn’t AOP, but they still look a bit annoyed that it is Ford & Dawkins. The Profits are Triple Crown Tag Team Champions from Raw to SmackDown to NXT, but will they soon add the WWE Tag Team Championships to make it a grand slam?
Backstage interview with Bayley.
Byron Saxton is with The Role Model, and brings up the emotional moment from Monday Night Raw where Rhea Ripley had to relinquish her title. But let us focus on Bayley’s title, as she defends it for the first time against Naomi. Where is her head at ahead of the main event? Bayley says after seeing Rhea vacate the Women’s World Championship on Raw, Bayley appreciates her reign more. She is focused, and she has realized she’s THE Women’s Champion in WWE right now, something she does not take for granted. Because we all know that with the WWE Draft, things are bound to change.
And as excited as Bayley is to face her friend, Naomi, one thing that won’t change is her as THE WWE Women’s Champion. Bayley is just as confident at Naomi, so something’s gotta give! Will The Role Model #FeelTheGlow? Or will she still be shining with gold after tonight?
Paul Heyman talks with Solo Sikoa.
The Wise Man apologizes that they haven’t found Kevin Owens, but he has to be here somewhere. Just look at the time. They will find him, somewhere. Solo stops listening and heads to gorilla. Heyman follows after, but Solo gives him a look. Heyman says he isn’t trying to upset Solo. Please believe him. The last person on this planet Heyman wants to piss off is Solo. But respectfully, Solo is making decisions that are not his to make, yet. One day, these will all be Solo’s decisions. But not now, not here! These are decisions that can only be made by one man. Solo asks Heyman if he’s done talking. Heyman asks if MFT is coming with Solo.
Solo just gives a thumbs up, with that taped thumb. The music hits and Solo makes his entrance, Heyman still following all the way into the ring. What does the Enforcer have planned? We’ll find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Heyman has the mic to give his usual introduction. And he doesn’t know if there is a list of the most brilliant backstage maneuvering politicians int he history of the WWE, but if there were, Heyman would have to think that he personally is in the top… Well, permit Heyman, with Solo’s permission, to explain what’s going on right now within The Bloodline, “the premier act in the history of WWE.” The fans chant, “We Want Roman!” but Solo shrugs that off. Heyman assures us that as The Wise Man for… Heyman gets emotional, so Solo just snatches the mic! The fans boo but Solo paces.
Solo tries to talk but the fans boo. Solo says last week, he had to lose a brother! He had to! It was in order for him to find a new one! His MFT, Tama Tonga! And with that, a bloodied Kevin Owens is tossed out, by the Good Bad Guy! Tama shoves Kevin down the ramp, stalks behind him, and referees rush out to stop him from doing anything further! Kevin can’t even sit up, but Tama steps over him to go to the ring. The fans boo as Tama joins Solo in the ring while the refs help Kevin to his feet and to the back. Tama raises his finger to the sky, because he acknowledges Solo! Heyman has no choice but to go along, but wait! Kevin is heading back down the ramp!?
The fans fire up as Kevin shows his grit and defiance! He drags Tama out to fire off hands!! The fans cheer but then Solo whips Kevin into steel steps! Solo drags Kevin back up, puts him in the ring, but now security rushes in! Tama storms in after Kevin but Kevin TACKLES Tama! The security gets Kevin away from Tama, but Solo SAMOAN SPIKES Kevin down!! The fans boo but then Tama SPLASHES Kevin! Tama rains down fists on that bloody wound, then he DECKS guard after guard! Producers try but Tama is a madman! Tama shoves everyone away so he can slip out of the ring, to grab a chair!!
The fans boo as Tama storms back in, but now Aldis steps up! Aldis warns The Bloodline here, and Solo has Tama stand down. Solo takes the chair from Tama to show they’re done here. The fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but the damage is done. Solo & Tama are a dangerous duo, will nothing and no one stop them from taking over SmackDown?
Heyman goes to the parking lot.
He’s in shock, but Aldis finds him and pulls him along. Was Heyman aware of this? Aldis shows Heyman the aftermath of one car T-boning another! And in case Heyman can’t guess, the struck car was Kevin’s. The attacking car was Tama’s! Heyman says this wasn’t authorized! No, Heyman, Aldis is speaking now. He gets this is a conflict within The Bloodline, but on his show, things are settle din the ring. Next week is the Draft, a lot of eyeballs on it, and a lot top brass are gonna be here. So Aldis will not tolerate this behavior. So make sure The Bloodline understands. Because, Heyman, if you don’t, the repercussions will be equally savage.
Aldis brings Heyman in close to tell him losing isn’t the only thing that has consequences. Will the Wise Man be able to rein in such an unruly force as Solo and Tama?
Carlito w/ Zelina Vega VS Santos Escobar w/ Elektra Lopez!
The LWO still doesn’t believe Legado’s claims that they had nothing to do with Dragon Lee going down before WrestleMania, so they’re going to get to the bottom of this one themselves! Will Caribbean Cool make the Emperor of Lucha confess his crimes? Or will Santos prove he was right all along?
The bell rings and the two talk trash. Then they start throwing hands! Carlito backs Santos down but Santos gets around to whisper something in Carlito’s ear. Carlito ELBOWS Santos away, runs up and hits a THESZ PRESS! Carlito then bumps Santos off buckles, fires hands, then has him in another corner. Carlito whips corner to corner, runs up, but Santos BOOTS him! Santos runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Vega coaches Carlito to stay on Santos and he brings Santos up. Carlito ROCKS Santos, whips, but Santos KICKS him! Santos runs, but into a DROPKICK! Carlito kips up and the fans fire up!
Santos is on the outside, the ref won’t let Carlito go after him, but then Carlito WRECKS Santos with a dropkick! Carlito loads up to PLANCHA! Direct hit on Santos and Carlito hoists Vega up to celebrate! The fans cheer the LWO on as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Santos whips Carlito hard into buckles. Carlito falls over, Santos soaks up the heat, then Santos HEADBUTTS Carlito to a corner. Santos then CHOPS, gets space and runs in, to DOUBLE KNEE! Carlito slumps in the corner but Santos puts him up top! Santos GAMANGIRIS then climbs up! SUPER STEINER! Carlito flounders, Santos pushes him to a cover, TWO! Vega is relieved but Santos huffs and puffs. Santos rains down fists on Carlito, then clamps on a top wristlock. Carlito endures and Vega coaches him while the fans rally. Carlito rises, throws body shots, then LARIATS!
The fans rally as Carlito starts to rally with more clotheslines, and an ELBOW! Carlito kicks, runs, and KNEE LIFTS! Santos wobbles, Carlito LARIATS again! Cover, TWO! Santos is tougher than that but Carlito says he’s going up! Carlito climbs, but then Lopez gets on the apron! Vega storms right over to YANK her down! The fans fire up as Vega goes up, and RANAS, only for Lopez to block! Lopez SWINGS Vega into barriers! Carlito ROCKS Santos, steps in, but the ref is reprimanding Lopez so he misses Santos KICK ropes to jam Carlito low! Santos reels Carlito in to POST him, then brings him back for the fireman’s carry! PHANTOM DRIVER!! Cover, Santos wins!
Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall
La Madrina helps The Emperor steal this victory, them taking down the Caribbean Cool and La Muneca! Whether or not Legado beat down Dragon Lee, will nothing stop them from conquering SmackDown?
VIP Skybox interview with Damage CTRL!
Kayla is with Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, Kairi Sane & Asuka as they sit way up in the back. What made the former WWE Women’s Champion and crew want a special view of this main event? Dakota takes offense for Iyo with the use of “former” there. Is Kayla trying to disrespect them? Iyo will take that title back when they’re good and ready. But for now, they’re here to watch two people they can’t stand tear each other apart! Does Dakota need to remind everyone here that DMG CTRL is still the most dominant force in the WWE!? The fans boo but Dakota says the Kabuki Warriors are STILL the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, and that will not change-
WAID! Jade Cargill is here! She makes her entrance from the other skybox, with Bianca Belair alongside her! The strongEST duo argues with DMG CTRL, their own title intentions clear. But for now, it’s time for the main event! Who shines with gold here in the Steel City? We find out, after the break!
Cody Rhodes speaks.
The American Nightmare is in the UK as part of Raw’s tour, but he still took time to say, “What is the task? Run up the score, leave no doubt, right? Formerly, the task was ‘win the big belt, in the big place.’ We’ve done that. Now, it’s a whole new frontier for us, undiscovered country.” There’s an old expression: the title can make the man, or the man makes the title. Which will it be for Cody? He’s in London tonight, the O2, 16 THOUSAND, then it’s on to Belfast, Ireland. Cody is keeping his promise to bring this title all around the world. Back home, AJ Styles has emerged the #1 contender to this championship.
So then, it will be two Georgia boys duking it out in Lyon, France. The first time ever, at that. Styles has an unprecedented reputation in pro-wrestling. The modern day Excellence of Execution, if you will. Styles rarely misses. But the same goes for Cody. So Backlash in France, Cody looks forward to it. The contract signing is next week, even as the WWE Draft is going on! Will things be explosive when American Nightmare and Phenomenal One meet face to face?
WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley VS Naomi!
SmackDown returns and Bayley makes her entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and either we shine or we glow!
The bell rings, the fans rally, and the two circle. The two tie up, go around, and Bayley headlocks. Naomi powers up but Bayley wrenches to wristlock. Naomi slips through, rolls Bayley up, ONE!! The fans rally as the two go again. Naomi waistlocks, Bayley headlocks to hit a takeover, and she makes it a cover, TWO! Naomi fights up to her feet, powers up but Bayley wrenches gain. Naomi waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls, ONE! Both women get up, Naomi ducks the boot but Bayley arm-drags her around! Bayley has the cording hold, the fans rally up, and Naomi fights to her feet. Naomi whips Bayley away, but Bayley runs her over!
The fans cheer and Bayley tells DMG CTRL she’s watching them, too. Things speed up, Naomi does the splits to duck under, then she comes back to kick from below! She drags Bayley into a cradle, ONE!! Bayley hurries to step over, LA MAGISTROL! ONE!! Naomi and Bayley get up, Naomi trips Bayley to jackknife, ONE!! Ghost pin, TWO! Both women hurry up, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans rally while both women are down, evenly matched in this chess game so far. Both women rise, and Naomi SHOTGUNS first! Then she runs up, uses the ropes to slingshot and BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Naomi is frustrated but keeps her focus.
Naomi drags Bayley up, Bayley shoves her away. Naomi dodges the lariat to hit REAR VIEW! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives but Naomi lets her know it was that close, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Bayley whips Naomi to a corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Bayley gets up, Naomi runs up, JAWBREAKER! Bayley ends up in a corner now, Naomi runs in, and she forearm SMASHES! Naomi then runs Bayley corner to corner for a BUCKLE BULLDOG! Naomi slips out to the apron while Bayley flounders, and Naomi climbs. The fans duel as Naomi CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Bayley is tougher than that but Naomi knows that. Naomi keeps her focus while DMG CTRL, Bianca & Jade all focus on them. Naomi ROCKS Bayley, tries the ropes again, but Bayley stops the bulldog to SMACK Naomi off buckles!
Bayley then reels Naomi in, SAIDO! High stack, TWO! Naomi is still in this and Bayley remembers Naomi’s tougher than that, too. Bayley drags Naomi into a drop zone, then goes up the corner! Bayley aims, to MACHO ELBOW onto knees! Bayley writhes, Naomi goes to the apron. Bayley stands, runs up, but into a ROUNDHOUSE! Naomi slingshots, for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bayley survives and Naomi is stunned! Naomi refocuses, goes to the corner, and goes up to SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT onto knees! Bayley returns the favor and both women are down. Bayley shakes out the leg, stands and runs, to KNEE Naomi down!
Bayley hurries to put Naomi back in a drop zone, and then hobbles her way to a corner. Bayley climbs, to MACHO ELBOW!! Direct hit this time and Bayley covers, TWO!! Naomi survives and Bayley is frustrated. Bayley hobbles on the bad leg, leans on ropes while she catches her breath, and the fans duel even more. Bayley stalks Naomi, hooks her up, but Naomi PELES free! Naomi hurries to a corner, Bayley runs up, but Naomi goes up to sunset flip! TWO!! But into the BUTTERFLY LOCK!! Bayley endures, reaches out with her legs, but then she tucks to a cover, TWO!! Naomi gets up, both women throw forearms!
They both wobble, storm up, and Bayley eggs Naomi on. Naomi wants this, right? So hit her! Naomi fires a forearm, Bayley hits back! Naomi winds up to forearm, Bayley comes back with another! The fans fire up as the forearms go harder and faster! Bayley gets the edge, but Naomi SWATS one, to SCORPION KICK, and then JUMP KNEE! Bayley tumbles out of the ring, Naomi PLANCHAS! Direct hit and a hard one, both women are down on the floor! The ring count starts, Naomi stirs at 3 of 10. Naomi brings Bayley up, but BAYLEY2BELLY onto the desk!! The count is 7! Naomi flounders on the desk, but then TIFFANY ATTACKS BAYLEY!!!
Winner: Bayley, by disqualification (still WWE Women’s Champion)
Tiffany makes herself the center of attention as always as she ruins this main event! She dribbles Naomi off the desk, then RAMS Bayley into steel steps! Then she drags Naomi off the desk to POST her! Tiff storms back over to Bayley, puts her in the ring, then adds Naomi in, too. Tiff says sorry not sorry, but it’s Tiffy Time! Tiffy goes to the corner, for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER! Tiff flexes over both champion and challenger, having upset Bianca & Jade but having entertained DMG CTRL. But will Wrestling Barbie pay for pissing off the Role Model?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown that also acted as a WWE Draft go-home. Great match from Styles and Knight to open the night but also follow-up their WrestleMania match. Naturally, Styles wins because then he and Knight are 1-1 in 1v1 matches, and also natural Face VS Heel right there. Good promo from Cody Rhodes, that title match is going to be awesome. Awesome new looks for the WWE Tag Team Championships, though maybe too much gold. Nothing really pops when it’s all the same color, so they should’ve had silver on the WWE logo and the words, “Tag Team Champions,” but it’s still a great redesign.
We also got an awesome Fatal 4 Way tag match, with Theory & Waller decent on commentary. And pieces are falling into place for what I was thinking: Profits win the right to face Theory & Waller, we’ll surely get Lashley wanting the US Championship, we’ll get a good faction feud there as we approach those title matches. Also good continuation of the LWO VS Legado feud with Carlito VS Santos, and distractions of course helped Santos win. There’s gotta come a point where Carlito reveals it was him, Dragon Lee, it was him all along! Now, that would make like the third turn since the start of this rivalry (Santos to Heel, Andrade to Face and Carlito to Heel) but hey, the drama is heightened each time, and maybe Dragon Lee will actually get a win in this feud.
Great stuff in Bayley VS Naomi, as well as all the promos. DMG CTRL watching from the skybox, same as Bianca & Jade, was good stuff. The tag title match is definitely coming for Backlash, that will be great stuff. But I should’ve figured Tiffany would “ruin” the main event so that there won’t really be a choice between Bayley and Naomi. The Draft is coming, hopefully they think to keep all three on the same brand, and probably here on SmackDown, so that those three can have it out. I don’t know the chances of a Triple Threat for Backlash but it still feels possible. Though at the same time, I don’t think they’d take the title off Bayley after only a month, so she’d probably use Tiffany against Naomi to retain.
And what wild stuff with this new, more vicious Bloodline. Solo is in a suit because he certainly thinks he is Tribal Chief already, given Roman Reigns did give him the nod as “Tribal Heir” a few months ago. And while Tama is the MFT, which everyone is already wondering what that even means, it’s clear he’s also the right hand man and a loose cannon at that. Without the Draft, it’d be pretty wild for Jimmy to come back and help Kevin against this new Bloodline. With the Draft, we could get Jey back on the same brand as his family and then he and Jimmy stand against Solo and Tama. But either way, it’ll be a wild ride in this new chapter and I’m all for it.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.18.2024
Motor City Machine Guns either go out on their backs, or head to Rebellion as champs! Lets see how they finish their current run in TNA!
No burying the lead here! The Main Event is The System versus Motor City Machine Guns, and it’s the Go Home episode before Rebellion! So we’re guaranteed a damn good tag match, and we should get either new wrinkles, or ways to keep the storylines cooking going into the Pay-per-View.
With all the rumors and innuendo about the Guns being on their way out, I think we all assume that MCMG is losing, but my inner fanboy is still excited.
Part Three: Acceptance @TheJonGresham #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/NE9FPzCCz2
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024
Ratings:
- Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone: Hammerstone wins via Torture Rack – SQUASH
- LSG vs Joe Hendry: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – SQUASH
- Mustafa Ali & GYV vs Cody Deaner, Jake Something & Rhyno: Ali wins via 450 Splash – ** 3/4
- Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna: Rosemary wins via Spear – ***
- Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alisha Edwards: System wins via Roster Cut + Knee Party – *** 1/4
Results:
So we kick off the match with Josh coming out to commentary again to watch Hammerstone’s match. They really need a new way to try and keep heat without reusing the same tired gimmick of “ring side seat” to a Squash match.
Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone
Guido tries to shoot the half, but Hammerstone shrugs him off, lifts him like a child and runs him into a corner, few short shots and then just tosses him across the ring. Hammer gets a little distracted talking smack to Josh and eats a foot, but then tosses Guido with the ole Sack of Shit move and keeps working over Guido.
Hammer shoves Clayton, and provokes him to push him back right in front of the referee. She ejects them, Guido tries to take advantage but when he goes for the pinfall Hammer kicks out immediately and presses Guido out of thing through the ropes. Continues to dog walk Guido, puts the head gear on the ECW Original and then Torture Racks him while staring directly at Josh, and of course picks up the submission victory.
.@XiaBrookside and @Ashamae_Sebera face off NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/Q0S3wSRpeu
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024
LSG vs Joe Hendry
Hendry cuts a little promo, mentioning the Fat Uncle Phil joke…something about shopping at the TOP Dollar Store. Solid mic work.
LSG is a damn good local talent, he’s been seen in ROH and AEW in the past (perhaps others, but that’s what comes to mind immediately for me), but we all know this is an enhancement match. A few nice chain wrestling spots early, but Hendry uses his power to stop the smaller wrestler, Sack of Shit into Standing Ovation and the match is over quickly.
Mustafa Ali & GYV vs Cody Deaner, Jake Something & Rhyno
Well okay, having Deaner ask the crowd if they wanted a 3v2 or their third member…RHYNO…is pretty much a no brainer in Philly. But at least the gimmick isn’t quite as cringe as I expected.
Jake starts with Zack Gibson and throws him around. Jake goes for the tag and Deaner asks the crowd who Jake should tag, and the crowd picks Rhyno. Rhyno Whips Gibson into a corner, Drake actually softens the impact, allowing Gibson to fire back, tag out, but Rhyno levels both GYV members and then even knocks Ali off the apron. Rhyno tries to call to the crowd to tag in Deaner and that goes over like a fart in church. He tags him in anyway, and the crowd is kinda dead and doing whatever it wants after the obvious ECW chants when Rhyno tagged in.
GYV take a couple lumps but they of course start to work over Deaner and capture some momentum. Solid tandem work from GYV, they cut off Deaner from making a tag and goad Jake a little to cause the ref to block off the babyfaces so the heels can take a few shortcuts. Cody eventually makes the tag to Rhyno, hot tag, he tries to set up the Gore but the GYV manage to stop him in his tracks and hit an Enzuigiri to daze the Man Beast, he falls to his corner and Jake tags himself in. Jake literally runs them all over, tags in Cody and Launches him from the Top Rope into Zack Gibson. Ali makes the save and Jake tries to get his hands on Ali, but the GYV keep throwing themselves at him, literally. The triple team finally gets the best of Jake, they hit 3 Dives and then post Jake, so they gather around Cody like hyenas.
They forgot about Rhyno, he’s set up for a Gore, he Gores Drake, Gibson and Ali take out Rhyno, but then Cody starts to fight back. Ali stops Deaner’s offense with an Avalanche Sunset Bomb, then hits his 450 Splash. Jake barely misses being able to break up the pin.
.@TheEricYoung channels "The Sickness" as he prepares for FULL METAL MAYHEM with @FrankieKazarian at #Rebellion! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/tm1TqxZBLo
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024
Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna
Jody tries to start quickly with Shoulder Tackles, Lariats and Scoop Slams, and it does seem somewhat effective. Rosemary is having trouble finding offense against the intensity, but she keeps kicking out. Shotgun Dropkick finally gives Rosemary an opening, she goes into full mount and rains down strikes. Rosemary shoves Jody into a corner and Bites her in the corner. Jody tries to fight out, they go across and Rosemary catches her with the legs and puts her in the Upside Down. Splash in the corner from Rosemary, Exploder Suplex and Jody is eating a lot of offense.
Rosemary looks like she’s caught after she gets tripped up into the ropes and Jody goes for her Rope Knee into the German, but Rosemary dodges. Rosemary hits her own suplex and pulls out a beautiful Last Chancery! I haven’t seen her do that in a long time. Jody manages to fight to the ropes, Rosemary is a little slow to capitalize and eats a Pump Kick. Rosemary goes flying into the ropes, Jody hits the Double Knees into the German this time for 2, and they trade a few haymakers after that. Jody folds Rosemary with a low Lariat, Zombie rise spot a few times, Jody goes for a pinfall and Rosemary kicks out.
Havok jumps up on the apron, Dani meets her and they decide to step down, but the distraction was enough. Jody turns around and eats a Spear. Rosemary wins!
Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alisha Edwards
Eddie and Shelley start off, and its a very simple slow start. Mostly an early stalemate, the typical Japanese style the TNA seem to love to employ. Starters tag out, but then Shelley with the blind tag, Sabin Baseball Slides out, picks Eddie’s ankle and sends his face bouncing off the apron, while Shelley sneaks up being Myers and they hit a tandem move before we cut to commercial. Off of the commercial it looks like Eddie and Myers regained control. But a nice Jawbreaker from Shelley sends Eddie falling back into the MCMG corner. Dragon Screws to both legs from Sabin and Shelley, and we get the Dragon Screw dissection spot for the Guns.
Myers gets sick of things, tries to get involved, but Simultaneous Figure Fours from the MCMG makes The System look silly. Alisha does the classic “push the rope forward” gimmick to assist Eddie in breaking the hold. She keeps chirping at Shelley until she finally grabs his foot. Shelley doesn’t take kindly, tries to grab her by the hair but she gets away, Shelley eats a strike and falls back to the ropes so Lish can just throttle him with the rope, Sabin walks over and acts like he’s going to PK her and the look of disgust on her face is hilarious, like “how dare he threaten to kick her”. Would I be mad is Masha decides to team with Lish and they win the Knockouts Tag titles? No, because the Knockouts Tags are trash. But I still prefer Lish as valet/manager.
Shelley starts fighting back after another commercial break, Eddie tries to cut him off, but Sabin clocks Eddie and Shelley manages to make the tag and Sabin comes in. Lights up both System members, Kick off Tornado DDT, into a Running Gamengiri. Eddie tries to counter but Shelley assists, tandem strikes, Double Baseball Slide into the classic MCMG spot 5 Hole Dive! Keeping up with the classics Shelley stacks the System members on each other and hit the Missile Dropkick/Flatliner spot. As the Guns are rolling, Sabin accidentally catches Sabin with his foot and The System take control! They hit their pieces of the System Overload spot, but Sabin kicks out. Roster Cut attempt from Myers, but Shelley is back. High Speed Dirt, Machine Gun Sandwich, but Lish grabs Shelley’s foot when they’re setting up Skull and Bones. Shelley gets dropped on the turnbuckle and thrown out, Sabin eats the Roster Cut followed up with Boston Knee Party and System retains!
Its a little weird to have had the two commercial cuts and the fact there’s still Nic Nemeth to follow. So it feels a little flat, I hope this wasn’t their swan song match, because it was nice to see some classic spots, but it was entirely too abbreviated.
Nemeth comes out, goes into the crowd and finds a kid with a kendo stick and borrows a beer from someone, so he does a bit of a Sandman tribute. Moose cuts off his promo basically immediately. He throws out the “can’t beat the system” line again, and Nic rolls with the punches well. Moose uses a few cute analogies about Nic having a failure laden past, but Nemeth bites back and its really damn good. He says he can see it in Moose’s eyes that he thinks he’s getting in the ring with Dolph Ziggler, but no, there is no more old Dolph Ziggler, just the new Nic Nemeth. And Moose’s cool seems to be slightly shaken after those words. Good promo.
Overall Score: 6.5/10
So this was okay, if it didn’t end as strongly as it did, I would’ve rated this much lower. Two squash matches in the beginning, reusing the Josh comes out to the announce table to watch trope is boring, hell even Clayton’s shove to Hammerstone was super lame looking. The Deaner match was luke warm at best, but things picked up around the Rosemary match.
Lets also not overlook the segments with ASH & Xia, Jonathan Gresham’s whole deal and EY having to return to the violence/sickness/world class maniac, whatever you want to call it, were all great building blocks. This definitely wasn’t what I would call a strong Go Home, but it didn’t hurt things for Rebellion. The whole injury of Cardona was addressed, which honestly sounded weird since Jordynne basically said she was expecting them to have a backup plan so she has a backup plan. I don’t really like how that video package came across.
But who knows, all I know is, this wasn’t an awful episode, it just wasn’t really strong either. Here’s to hoping Rebellion Saturday is still strong.
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