Connect with us

Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Resurgence Results & Report! (5/21/23)

Long Beach is NJPW Strong!

Published

on

The Golden State is truly golden tonight!

NJPW is in Long Beach, California, and there’s treasure inside the Walter Pyramid! A one-night tournament crowns an inaugural Strong Women’s Champion!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Kickoff Match: BATEMAN VS The DKC; DKC wins.
  • Kickoff Match: Alex Coughlin VS Christopher Daniels; Coughlin wins.
  • Zack Sabre Jr. & Bad Dude Tito VS Bárbaro Cavernario & Virus; Barbaro & Virus win.
  • NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Mercedes Moné VS Stephanie Vaquer; Moné wins and advances to the main event.
  • NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Willow Nightingale VS Momo Kohgo; wins and advances to the main event.
  • Street Fight: Fred Rosser VS Juice Robinson; Juice wins.
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Hikuleo VS KENTA; Kenta wins and becomes the new NJPW Strong Openweight Champion.
  • Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Blackpool Combat Club; The BCC wins.
  • IWGP United States Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament, Opening Round: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Will Ospreay; Ospreay wins and faces Lance Archer at NJPW Dominion.
  • NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament Finals: Mercedes Moné VS Willow Nightingale; Willow wins and is the inaugural NJPW Strong Women’s Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

Fred Rosser heads to the ring!

Mr. No Days Off has a grudge match later tonight, but here’s on the kickoff show to address the fans! “Long Beach, you know what time it is! NJPW is celebrating its 5th anniversary at the LA Dojo, and NJPW Academy has been working hard. Let’s take a closer look at what NJPW Academy is all about.” Video rolls to advertise the 2023 season of the academy, starting July 24th. And Rosser says you know what time it is: It’s time to go to work! Will you get yourself going in pro-wrestling and the NJPW system this summer?

 

NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Mercedes Moné VS Stephanie Vaquer!

The CEO of Wrestling has quite the historic resumé, being a WWE Women’s Grand Slam Champion, as well as being the second-ever IWGP Women’s Champion. But now, she looks to add even more history to her name! Will Moné make it through the Dark Angel to go for the gold?

Fans are thunderous already just to see Mone in person, especially in her Cleopatra cosplay. The bell rings and fans rally as Mone stares down with Vaquer. They approach, tie up, and go around. Mone puts Vaquer in a corner, the ref counts, but Mone lets off. But then Vaquer kicks low and rolls Mone to a bridging cradle, TWO! Vaquer gets around Mone, waistlocks and SLAMS, then floats to a facelock. Mone spins free to wrangle Vaquer to a cover, TWO! Mone keeps on the arm but Vaquer arm-drags her. Vaquer trips Mone, rolls her, but Mone arm-drags back! Mone sweeps the legs, rolls Vaquer up, but Vaquer trips Mone to a cover, ONE!

Vaquer kicks Mone, headlocks for the takeover, but Mone keeps her shoulders up. Mone headscissors but Vaquer kips free. They go again, Mone hits another headlock takeover. Vaquer headscissors again, holds tighter, but Mone still kips free. Then double dropkicks cancel out! Fans fire up as the two stare down again. Mone and Vaquer reset, circle again, and fans rally up. Vaquer calls for the knuckle locks, Mone obliges, but then Vaquer throws Mone by her hair! Fans boo, things speed up, and Mone hurdles. Vaquer drops on the dropdown, TWO! Mone gets the Samson Clutch, TWO! Mone whips Vaquer but Vaquer reverses. Mone goes up to FLYING ARM-DRAG!

Vaquer comes back but Mone tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! BANK STATEMENT!! Vaquer flails, drags Mone along as she crawls, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Mone lets go to stomp fingers! Fans fire up as Mone ROCKS Vaquer, then knuckle locks. Money goes up and up and FLYING ARM-DRAGS again! Fans fire up as Mone goes corner to corner to elbow Vaquer! Mone keeps moving, but Vaquer follows to clothesline in the corner! Vaquer runs corner to corner but Mone clotheslines her! Mone puts Vaquer up top, but Vaquer blocks the haymaker for a HANGING ARMBAR! Mone almost goes up and over the ropes!

The ref counts, Vaquer lets Mone go and Mone scrambles away. Mone clutches the arm, Vaquer SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!! Mone survives but Vaquer mule kicks! Mone sputters while fans rally up, but Vaquer snapmares and wraps on the headscissors. Vaquer dribbles Mone’s head into the mat! That move looks familiar. Vaquer lets off to cover, TWO! Vaquer is frustrated but she drags Mone up. Vaquer wrenches, whips Mone to ropes, but Mone sunset flips! Vaquer stays up to STOMP Mone, then runs to drop the leg, brother! Fans rally up and Vaquer kicks Mone to a cover, TWO!

Mone goes to a corner, Vaquer storms up to bump her off buckles. Vaquer whips corner to corner, runs corner to corner, but Mone BOOTS her! Vaquer grabs the legs, puts them in the ropes, and DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS! Fans fire up while Mone writhes and clutches a knee. Vaquer drags Mone from the ropes, gets her legs and has a stump puller cover, TWO! Mone is still in this but Vaquer is after her. Mone YANKS her into ropes! Then she shoulders in from the apron, steps up to KNEE, but Vaquer comes back. Mone moves and Vaquer tumbles out to the floor. Mone aims to METEORA to the floor!

Fans are thunderous again and Mone nods. Mone fires up and fetches Vaquer to then TORNADO DDT to the floor! Another heavy impact and Mone puts Vaquer back in the ring. Cover, TWO!! Vaquer survives but the fans still rally behind Mone. Mone brings Vaquer up, whips her but Vaquer reverses. Vaquer runs in, but into DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! METEORA! Cover, TWO!! Vaquer survives and shocks Mone! Mone refocuses and the fans rally up. Mone says it’s over, and she drags Vaquer up. But Vaquer fights the backstabber to RAM her into a corner! Vaquer fires off headbutt after headbutt after headbutt!

Fans boo but Vaquer lets off to go corner to corner, but Mone dodges! Vaquer’s knees hit buckles, and Mone comes in, BOOT WASH! Fans fire up and Mone fires up again! Vaquer staggers, Mone climbs, and Mone CROSSBODIES! But Vaquer rolls it through! TWO!! But into the CROSSFACE!! Vaquer is using the same hold Mone loves to use!! Mone flails, the fans rally up and she crawls forward! Mone turns, ROPEBREAK, then jackknife! TWO!! Mone has the BANK STATEMENT!! Vaquer endures the crossface now, scoots as best as she can, reaches out and gets the ROPEBREAK! Vaquer survives by a foot!

Mone lets off in frustration, but Vaquer runs in! Mone gets around her, Gory Especial, but Vaquer fights free! Spin, DDT, and victory roll, TWO!! Mone survives but Vaquer keeps on her! Tuck and PACKAGE BACKBREAKER! Vaquer drags Mone to have the cross-leg clutch, TWO!! Vaquer grows frustrated as Mone is still in this! Vaquer drags Mone, suplexes, but Mone cradle counters, TWO!!! Vaquer escapes, blocks a right and DECKS Mone! Cover, TWO!! Vaquer runs to drop the leg but misses! Mone hooks the arms, rolls sideways to Gory Especial, but Vaquer fights it. So Mone RAMS her into the corner! And RAMS her again!

Mone turns around, BACKSTABBER! And then the Gory Especial, for the MONEY MAKER!! Cover, Mone wins!

Winner: Mercedes Moné, by pinfall (advances to later tonight)

Mercedes is on the money! She is going to the title match in the main event, will she be THE NJPW Strong Women’s Champion?

 

NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Willow Nightingale VS Momo Kohgo!

We know one half of tonight’s historic main event, now to learn the other half! The Babe with Power has been going strong in both AEW and ROH, but has yet to taste gold. Will she get her hands on the prize tonight? Or will she taste bitter defeat against the bright young Stardom star?

The bell rings and fans rally for Willow. She and Momo tie up, Willow powers Momo to a corner, but lets off. Willow flexes and fans fire up. Momo comes back, ties up with Willow, then shoots around to a waistlock. Willow pries free, switches, lifts, but Momo fights it. Momo pries free, wrenches and wristlocks, but Willow spins through and breaks free to then run Momo over! Fans fire up as Willow flexes again. Willow runs, things speed up, Momo hurdles and then dodges. Momo ducks the lariat, leaps the dropdown, and fans fire up as the two stand off. Willow and Momo rush in, Momo ducks the elbow but Willow blocks the whip!

Willow whips Momo to a corner, Momo goes up and over but Willow blocks the arm-drag! Willow drags Momo up to them SLAM her! Momo writhes and fans fire up. Willow stalks Momo to a corner, brings her up and CHOPS her! Momo is stinging, Willow runs, and Willow BASEMENT CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Momo is tough but Willow keeps on her. Mom dodges the clothesline, tilt-o-whirls, but Momo blocks again! SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Momo survives again but Willow ties up Momo in a GROUND OCTOPUS! Willow even kicks away on Momo! Momo endures, pushes back to a cover, TWO!

Willow lets Momo free, storms up and ROCKS her with a forearm! Willow runs in to back body block, then clothesline! Willow whips, scoops, and carries Momo for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Fans fire up, Willow fires up, and Momo flounders in a corner. Willow runs in, but into a DROPKICK! Momo runs corner to corner but Willow puts her outside. Momo avoids the haymaker, goes up top and leaps, to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Momo keeps on Willow, brings her around, but Willow swings. Momo dodges, tilt-o-whirls and RANAS! Willow is on the ropes, Momo dials it up! 619!!

Fans fire up, Willow staggers around and Momo goes up the ropes, springboard MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!! Willow survives and shocks Momo! Momo hurries to bring Willow up and reel her in. But Willow fights the fisherman to scoop! Momo slips free, waistlocks, but Willow throws elbows free! Willow runs, but into a SUPERKICK! Momo tries to scoop Willow, but Willow scoops Momo! Momo slips free, to FISHERMAN SUPLEX!? Bridging cover, TWO!! That wasn’t perfect but it sure was awesome! Fans fire up, Momo goes to a corner and runs in, CRUCIFIX- NO, Willow blocks!

Willow pops Momo around, to a POWERSLAM! Fans fire up while both women are down! Willow crawls over to Momo, brings her up, and Willow ROCKS her with a forearm! Momo shakes it off to ROCK Willow! The two stand, and Willow ROCKS Momo again! Momo ROCKS Willow! Willow ROCKS Momo, Momo ROCKS Willow, and then Momo gets the edge! Fans fire up as Momo keeps throwing shots! Willow reels Momo in for a short arm LARIAT! And then another short arm LARIAT! And then a third- NO, Momo gets around to waistlock! Willow elbows free, reels Momo back in, snap suplex!

Fans fire up and Willow aims from a corner. Momo goes to the other, Willow runs in to CANNONBALL! Willow drags Momo to a cover, TWO!?!? Momo survives and Willow can’t believe it! Willow drags Momo up and reels her in, for a gut wrench and- RANA!!! Momo covers, TWO!!! Willow barely gets outta that and fans are thunderous! Willow goes to ropes, Momo gets to her feet, and Willow runs in, but into a SUPERKICK! Momo hurries to TORNADO DDT!! Cover, TWO!!! Willow survives again and Momo is beside herself! Momo goes to a corner, roars and runs in, CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! ROPEBREAK!?!

Fans can’t believe it! One little miscalculation and Momo can’t believe it, either! Momo drags Willow up, runs in, but into a SPINEBUSTER!! High stack, TWO!?!? Momo survives and Willow is losing her mind! The fans are loving this, though, and Willow brings Momo back up. Willow winds up to LARIAT! But Momo fires up?!? Willow doesn’t believe it! Willow dodges Momo, fireman’s carries, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO?!?!? What is Momo made off!? Willow says that’s it, and she brings down the straps! Willow roars, the fans fire up, and Willow hauls Momo right up, BABE WITH THE POWERBOMB!!!

Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall (advances to later tonight)

Momo fought her heart out, but Willow had heart, body and spirit! Will Willow use all those to take that title?

 

Street Fight: Fred Rosser VS Juice Robinson!

Mr. No Days Off may be a teacher at the NJPW Academy, but he apparently didn’t learn his lesson to keep Toni Storm’s name out of his mouth. He called out Rock Hard and his wife again, and this time ups the ante with this No Disqualification style match! Will Rosser get revenge everything Juice’s done? Or will The Booster finally make Rosser take time off?

It seems this is a step up from the normal Street Fight, as the ring is already without buckle pads! And in their place, a door in each neutral corner, and a chair in each man’s corner. Juice makes his entrance, and he’s already got a kendo stick for himself. Juice gets impatient waiting on Rosser, but wait, here come some NJPW Academy students! They’re surrounding the ring like lumberjacks, raising the ante again. Rosser makes his entrance now, the arena bathed in red light! Rosser’s got a chain around his neck! Is Rosser about to unleash the junkyard dog inside him? He has the students stand down, but he knows he has their support.

The bell rings and Juice swings, but Rosser TACKLES him! Rosser rains down fists, but Juice turns it over to rain down fists of his own! Rosser turns it back on Juice to hammer away! Juice kicks Rosser away but Rosser uses the NUT CLAW!! Even The Nature Boy would be blushing! Rosser CHOPS Juice, then HEADBUTTS him! Rosser whips Juice to a corner, Juice reverses, and Rosser hits against a chair! But he comes right back to CLOBBER Juice! Fans fire up, Juice staggers up, and Rosser runs to clothesline Juice and himself out of the ring! Fans fire up with Rosser and he shows off the claw.

Rosser storms back after Juice, he talks trash on Juice, but Juice claws Rosser’s eyes! Juice brings Rosser up to whip him, but Rosser reverses! Juice hits railing hard, and right next to commentary! Juice staggers forward, into a LARIAT! Rosser is all fired up and he’s high fiving the crowd in the back section. Rosser TOSSES a chair, but Juice narrowly avoids it! Rosser throws more chairs, Juice narrowly dodges those! Juice crawls up the ramp and for the entrance, but Rosser catches up to him. Rosser CLUBS Juice, CLUBS him again, and again! Rosser talks trash and fans fire up again.

Rosser brings Juice up, reels him in, but Juice fights the piledriver! Juice backdrops Rosser on the floor! Fans fire up and Juice grits his teeth. Juice drags Rosser up, scoops him, and then SLAMS him on the floor! Juice roars, the fans fire up more, and Juice goes back for Rosser. Juice stomps Rosser around, then drops a SENTON! Rosser sputters and flounders but Juice brings him up. Juice scoops again, to SNAKE EYES off railing! Rosser clutches his chin and throat and the ref checks him. Rosser seems okay to continue, but Juice takes off his belt. Juice drags Rosser up and whips him into the POST!

Rosser clutches his face now, but Juice shows no mercy. Juice wraps the belt around Rosser’s neck! Juice CHOKES Rosser, while raining down headbutts! Juice pulls on the strap to CHOKE Rosser more! Rosser can only endure as this is all allowed! Juice uses the belt to drag Rosser into the ring! Juice pulls back to CHOKE Rosser more! Fans boo but Juice lets go. Rosser sputters, but Juice takes the belt off. Juice then rips Rosser’s shirt off, blows his nose in it, and even wipes his butt! Then he throws that shirt to the fans! Free souvenir…? Juice gets his belt again, and he tells Rosser, “Keep my wife’s name outta your EFFING mouth!”

Juice LASHES Rosser! And LASHES him! And LASHES him again! Again, and again, and again! Fans count along, Juice gets TEN lashes in before he stops! Rosser writhes and sputters, fans are torn, but Juice blows a kiss to his wife via the camera. Juice whips Rosser, and then DECKS him with a leather fist! Fans fire up as Juice positions a door. They chant “DOOR DOOR DOOR DOOR!” And Juice makes sure the other door is positioned just right, too. Juice then brings out a fistful of silver dollars! Juice is looking to revisit Rumble on 44th Street and how he cost Rosser the Openweight title! But Rosser dodges!

Rosser fireman’s carries, to CORNER DEATH VALLEY through a door!! Fans fire up and Juice writhes! Rosser then sees Juice’s belt…! Rosser grabs the strap, storms over to Juice, and rips Juice’s shirt off! Rosser then holds up the strap and fans are loving this! Rosser LASHES Juice! And again! And again! And again! Rosser LASHES Juice from the other side now! And then Rosser CHOKES Juice with the belt!! And fishhooks his face! And then Rosser drags Juice around by the strap! Juice fights up but Rosser tosses him over the ropes! Rosser is trying to HANG Juice!! Juice sits on the apron just a bit, but Rosser shoves him down.

Fans are thunderous and Rosser goes out to fetch Juice. Rosser sees a trash can, and figures why not! Rosser brings the can to ringside, and dumps the trash all over Juice! And then SMACKS Juice with the can! Insult to injury! Rosser puts the can in the ring, the fans are thunderous again, and Rosser grabs a chair. Rosser smacks the chair off the floor and fans are thunderous. A bloodied Juice wants mercy but Rosser JAMS him in the back! And SMACKS him on the back! Juice staggers around, but then Rosser CLOBBERS him, chair to head!! The crimson mask is pouring down onto Juice’s chest!

Rosser wants more plunder, and he finds a stop sign under the ring!? STOP SIGN TO THE FACE!! Did that stop sign just stop Juice? Rosser drags Juice up by his pants, brings him around, and crotches him on the railing! Juice’s fruit is getting crushed! Rosser gets Juice’s kendo stick, talks some smack on Juice and Toni, and then SMACKS Juice in the face! And on the BACK! And in the CHEST! Juice falls to the floor and Rosser throws the stick down. Juice goes looking for more things under the ring! Juice is sprinkling blood on the floor as he stands up and leans against railing. But Rosser bends him back against the railing! And ELBOWS him in the face!

Juice clutches his nose, but Rosser throws hands right to that bloody forehead! Rosser HEADBUTTS Juice, then drums his chest, letting the blood paint him. Rosser keeps looking for a certain something while Juice drags himself back to ringside. Juice finds a LADDER! Fans fire up as Rosser wears it around his neck, and walks with it to where Juice is. Rosser leans the ladder against the ring, kicks Juice and brings him over. Rosser trips Juice, to CATAPULT him into the ladder and post!! Juice falls back and Rosser dusts his hands off. Fans are thunderous as Rosser drags Juice up again. Rosser makes Juice eat the garbage!!

Rosser puts Juice in the ring while fans almost lose their lunch. Rosser drags Juice up, and digs his forehead against bare buckle!! Juice can only suffer the steel, but Rosser lets off to HEADBUTT him again! Juice goes back to a trash can, puts it around Juice, and Rosser gets his chain! Fans fire up as Rosser wraps his fist with it! Rosser PUNCHES the can! And again! And again! And again!! Rosser then gets a chair, raises it up, and fans fire up. Rosser SMACKS the can with the chair! Then SMACKS the very top!! Juice crawls while inside the can, and Rosser smacks the mat with the chair. The fans are thunderous as they join in, before another SMACK to the can!!

Juice falls out of the can, completely dazed. Rosser drags Juice up, hoists him onto the top rope, and then has him in a Tree of Woe. Rosser stomps away on Juice again and again, then CHOKES him in the Tree! Rosser rains down fists over and over, then lets off to grab the chain. Rosser uses the chain to bend Juice back towards the corner post!! Fans boo, but Rosser wants to hurt Juice! Rosser lets off and Juice flops out of the Tree. Juice crawls away, begs for mercy, but Rosser says that’s not happening. Rosser wraps the chain around his hand again. Rosser storms up on Juice but Juice wants him to stop!

But wait! TONI STORM is here!! She’s actually here and she’s getting in the ring! Toni LOW BLOWS Rosser!! But it doesn’t work? Rosser pulls out a SPORTS CUP!! He was prepared! So Toni SLAPS him instead! Fans cheer Toni on as he tells him off while fans are losing their minds! Rosser dares her to come closer then. Rosser starts stepping closer, Toni starts stepping back, but then Rosser takes her head in his hands and KISSES HER?! Fans can’t believe Rosser is using the lip lock on Toni! Rosser stops, says her kiss tastes gross, so Toni winds back! Rosser ducks her punch, and fireman’s carries her!

Rosser spins and spins and spins Toni, but Juice LOW BLOWS Rosser! No more cup, so now it hurts! And then STORM ZERO!! Juice covers, TWO!?!? Rosser survives and Toni is pissed at the ref! The ref says the count was fair, so Juice and Toni work together. Toni gets a chair, Juice drags Rosser up, and Juice chicken wings Rosser. Toni puts the chair underneath, but Rosser kicks it away! SLEEPER! Storm CLUBS away on Rosser! And kicks him! Rosser keeps holding on, shifts his grip, CROSSFACE CHICKENWING! But then Storm gets the kendo stick! Rosser shoves Juice into Toni! And then fireman’s carries Juice, GUTBUSTER DROP!!

Rosser steps over, STF CHICKENWING!! Juice endures, reaches around, flails, but Storm is back! She has a BOTTLE!? She SMASHES the bottle on Rosser’s head!!! Storm then positions a door in a corner, and she shouts to Juice to finish this. Fans rally for “DOOR! DOOR! DOOR!” Juice runs in, CANNONBALL through the door!! Juice gets right out of the wreckage, and he has the stop sign in place! He calls to Storm, she says “KISS THIS!” Storm runs in, SWEET HIP MUSIC into the stop sign and into Rosser’s face!! Juice drags Rosser up, reels him in, Toni places a chair in the right spot, FULL METAL JUICE IS LOOSE!! Double cover, Juice wins!

Winner: Juice Robinson, by pinfall

Juice may’ve started it, but Rosser pushed it too far and he’s the one who pays for it. Storm hugs her hubby, his blood getting on her nice white shirt. Juice & Storm stand tall over Rosser, will they both be all the stronger for this?

 

Kyle Fletcher is here!

Fans cheer the Aussie Arrow, who is looking sharp for not just having two tag titles, but for being in a great looking suit. Kyle gets a mic as fans chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!” “OI OI OI!” Kyle says, “Could not have a NJPW event in the United States, let along Long Beach, without at least one half of your first-ever dual NJPW Tag Team Champions. Ahem, and also, the best tag team in the woooorld~!” Fans cheer that! Kyle says he is of course here alone, and he is here not dressed to wrestle. So then why is he here? It’s not about Orange Cassidy, the longest reigning International Champion in the world.

The reason Kyle is here is… not so happy. “As you all know, Aussie Open has been on the tear of a lifetime this year. We have literally the hardest schedule in the entire world, and we have done that because we have proven we wanna be the best of all time, mate. However, with a schedule that hectic, you pick up a couple bumps, a couple bruises here and there. Both myself and Mark Davis have.” But it would seem Davis picked up a bigger bump… Davis came back, got checked out, and he cannot wrestle right now. Fans boo but Kyle says we don’t know how long it’s gonna be for. One thing we know for sure is that Aussie Open can no longer defend their tag titles at Dominion on June 4th.

Fans boo out of disappointment but Kyle says that after they’ve spoken so much about how the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles are the most prestigious titles in the entire world, it would be pretty disingenuous to hold onto belts they aren’t able to defend. So today, Kyle is here to announce that Aussie Open must vacate both the IWGP Heavyweight and NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships. Fans boo out of further disappointment, but then chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!” “OI OI OI!” in support. Kyle continues to say that those close to him know how much both belts mean to him.

“The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships were literally the picture on my lock screen for four years straight, that’s how much they mean to me, so holding them are a dream come true. And we wanted this title reign to put us with the best to ever hold them, because they are the most prestigious tag belts in the entire world.” Fans cheer that, and Kyle says from the bottom of his heart, he is sorry that he cannot give the world the reign we all deserve. The fans again chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!” “OI OI OI!” in support. Kyle says next, Dominion will see a match to between “House of Bore-ture,” and Bishamon, in a DOUBLE TITLE MATCH!

But Kyle makes one thing clear to whoever wins that match and thinks they’re gonna keep those belts. “Aussie Open will be back in a NJPW ring sooner than you think.” Fans cheer that! And Kyle says by God, they will stop at absolutely NOTHING to get these back!! Even if it means practically killing the rest of the roster. And when Aussie Open get the belts back, they will continue the legendary run, “and Aussie Open will continue to run, the, world.” A hard moment for Kyle, but a golden opportunity for the House of Torture’s Evil & Yujiro Takahashi and Bishamon, Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi. Who will take the place of the best tag team today?

 

NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Hikuleo VS KENTA!

In quite the shocker at Wrestling Dontaku, the Young Guerilla shot down Fang Revived and took his title! Kenta wants a rematch, but will he be able to make Hikuleo #GoToSleep? Or will Hikuleo ruin Kenta’s resurgence?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!

Wait, Kenta grabs the belt! He rushes Hikuleo, but Hiku BOOTS him down! Deja vu, anyone? The bell rings and Hiku goes to Kenta. Kenta might be playing possum like he was last time, so Hiku just drags him up to put in a BEARHUG! Kenta BELL CLAPS free, but Hiku UPPERCUTS him! Hiku whips Kenta to ropes, but Kenta holds ropes to bail out. Fans cheer the savvy but Hiku watches Kenta stagger around the outside. Kenta fires up the fans, but then Hiku reaches down to grab him with both hands! Hiku drags Kenta up, but Kenta HOTSHOTS him away! Hiku staggers, Kenta runs in, but into a CHOP!

Kenta drops to his knees! Kenta sputters, fans “WOO~!” and Hiku CHOPS Kenta on the back! And CHOPS him in the chest again! Kenta staggers up, Hiku DOUBLE CHOPS! Kenta falls from Hiku’s Grizzly Magnum, and Hiku waits for him. Kenta crawls to his corner, he grabs something, but Hiku drags him up. Kenta has his own shirt, and then chokes himself with it?! He’s framing Hiku!! The ref falls for it, Hiku argues it was all Kenta, but then Kenta knocks Hiku into the ref! And LOW BLOWS- NO, Hiku blocks it! Hiku is pissed, but Kenta claws the eyes! Kenta runs, but Hiku UPPERCUTS! And then clotheslines Kenta out!

Kenta crawls around the outside, Hiku picks up the shirt! Fans fire up, but then Hiku drops the shirt and fans boo. They wanted to see him actually choke Kenta! Hiku stalks Kenta, CHOPS him, and follows him to the ramp. Kenta crawls but Hiku drags Kenta up. Kenta throws body shots but Hiku DECKS him! They go closer to the entrance, but Hiku CLUBS Kenta on the back! Kenta staggers around, Hiku says this is HIS title. Hiku ROCKS Kenta and Kenta goes through the curtain. Hiku goes back there after him, and something’s going on. There’s someone hitting someone, but who is winning the brawl?

Kenta returns first! Fans cheer but what’d he do to Hiku? Kenta puts the ref in the ring, tells him to start counting, and Hiku is back. Kenta shoves the ref down again! Hiku hobbles, Kenta rushes him and ROCKS him with a forearm! Kenta KICKS the legs, throws haymakers, but Hiku gets mad. Hiku hobbles, but he blocks the kick to the leg! Hiku spins Kenta to CHOP him again! Hiku stalks Kenta around the way, but Kenta throws body shots. Hiku ROCKS Kenta, then scoops him, and SNAKE EYES off the railings! Fans fire up and want that “ONE MORE TIME!” Hiku drags Kenta up, scoops him again, and SNAKE EYES off more railing!

The ref is back, he wants this back in the ring, but Hiku pats him on the head. Hiku drags Kenta up, they go further to the back, and fans want it “ONE MORE TIME!” But Kenta JAWBREAKERS! Kenta throws hands and kicks! Hiku sputters, Kenta drags him even further back. Kenta kicks the bad leg, then reels Hiku in. Hiku RAMS Kenta into railing!! The railing pops off where they’re secured! Hiku drags Kenta up, to RAM him into the railing again! Fans fire up, the ref tells them to get back to the ring, but Hiku instead opens railing up to look under the bleachers. Fans fire up, and Hiku brings out a TABLE!!

Fans are loving this but the ref tells Hiku not to do this. Hiku sets the table up and he drags Kenta up. Hiku choke grips, the ref says no but the fans say yes! But then Hiku DECKS Kenta, technically doing what the ref wants. But then wait, Hiku is bringing Kenta into the stands!? Hiku ROCKS Kenta, they go up the steps and fans move aside for them. Hiku drags Kenta up at the railing! The ref tells Hiku to definitely not do this! Hiku shoves the ref away, and he goes tumbling into Young Lions! Hiku lifts Kenta, but Kenta fights for his life!! Kenta gets back down, but Hiku choke grips him again! So Kenta LOW BLOWS him!!

Hiku leans against the railing, and Kenta sees the table is down below. Kenta hoists Hiku up?! Fans freak out, Hiku goes up and over and falls through the table!!! Fans lose their minds even more than during the Street Fight! The ref checks Hiku while Kenta crawls his way back down the steps. A ring count finally starts, but can either man even make it? We’re at 7 of 20 as Kenta crawls on the floor! Hiku drags himself from the wreckage at 11! Kenta has a head start but he’s still a long way’s away! Kenta slides in at 17! What about Hiku!? Hiku is still out, Kenta wins!!!

Winner: Kenta, by count-out (NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)

There’s no Champion’s Advantage in this scenario, so Kenta takes the title BACK!! But if this is what it took just to survive Hikuleo, will Kenta have to make sure Hikuleo never, ever, EVER challenges him again?

 

Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Blackpool Combat Club!

From Dream Team to Dream Trio, Kazuchika Okada and his friends took the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships from Team Strong Style! But #SHOOTER immediately called The Rainmaker out and said he was bringing some friends. With The Ace busy later tonight, Rocky Romero steps in alongside Okada and Tomohiro Ishii, will they be able to stop the Paradigm Shift? Or will they be beaten down by Shota Umino, Wheeler Yuta & JEEEEEON~ MOXLEY?

Just as they do in AEW, the BCC make their entrance through the crowd, and Long Beach loves it! But of course, Rocky, Ishii and Okada make traditional entrances from the ramp. Fans are fired up for everyone in this match already as the trios sort out. Shota steps up and wants Okada! Fans fire up for that, but Okada says no thanks. Ishii starts and the bell rings. Fans rally as the Roughneck ties up with the Stone Pitbull. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Shota uses height as leverage to put Ishii on ropes. The ref counts, Shota lets off, and then feints a chop to pat Ishii’s shoulder instead. The Okada move!

The fans fire up as Shota stares Okada down but Ishii steps in the way. Shota throws forearms but Ishii doesn’t back down. Ishii then throws a forearm, and the forearms start going back and forth! Fans rally up as they go faster and faster! Shota shows no signs of slowing, but then Ishii ROCKS him! And ROCKS him! And whips, but Shota uses that to DECK Okada! Ishii rushes in, Shota dodges and DECKS Ishii! Okada gets up but Shota hits him again! Shota eggs Okada on, so Okada tags in! Fans fire up as Okada grabs Shota by the neck! Shota breaks free to fire off on Okada! Shota whips, Okada reverses and BOOTS Shota!

Okada drags Shota up while fans fire up, and Okada throws Shota out. Okada fires off on Shota, then whips him hard into railing! Shota staggers, Okada borrows a fan’s drink to throw it at Shota! Okada then puts Shota back in the ring, kicks him around, but mostly toys with Shota. Shota gets up so Okada slaps him around. Shota stands to fire forearms! And an UPPERCUT! Shota runs, but Okada gets him for a FLAPJACK! Fans fire up and Okada tags in Rocky. Fans fire up for Azucar as he CHOPS and ROCKS Shota! Rocky whips, Shota reverses and clinches to scoop and DROP! Then BASEMENT UPPERCUT!

Fans rally and Shota stomps Rocky down. Shota bumps Rocky off buckles, tags in Yuta, and fans boo as Yuta CHOPS Rocky! Yuta snapmares Rocky to drop a big knee! Cover, TWO! Yuta pushes Rocky around, ties the legs up, and he brings Rocky into a BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Rocky endures, fans rally, and Rocky pops free to a cover! ONE, into the ARMBAR! Yuta flails and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Rocky lets off to KICK Yuta! And CHOP! And ROCK! Rocky whips, Yuta reverses but Rocky slides under, keeps moving, and pop-up RANAS! Fans fire up and Rocky feeds off the energy. Rocky ROCKS Yuta, but Yuta ROCKS Rocky!

Rocky ROCKS Yuta, but Yuta ROCKS Rocky! Yuta eggs Rocky on, Rocky roars, and he fires off a flurry of forearms! Rocky then dodges Yuta to UPPERCUT! Yuta goes to a corner, Rocky runs in, and he starts up the Forever Clotheslines! Rocky gets two, then three, but Yuta rushes in! Rocky dodges Yuta, but then Yuta gets around Rocky to wrench and OLYMPIC SLAM! Fans fire up, Yuta drags Rocky up and lifts, to then put him on the top rope. Yuta climbs up, fishhooks Rocky’s face and BITES his forehead! Then he CLAWS Rocky’s back! Ishii and Okada protest, but the ref keeps them back. This allows Moxley to rush over and BITE Rocky’s forehead!

Rocky falls back into a Tree of Woe, and Yuta CLUBS away on the knees! Fans boo but Yuta tags Moxley. Fans fire up as Moxley slithers and watches Rocky. Moxley BOOTS Rocky to the corner, and throws point-blank clotheslines! Then he drags Rocky out to X PLEX! Cover, TWO! Rocky hangs tough but Moxley has a leg for a CALF KILLER! Rocky endures, moves around, but Moxley steps over into the STF! Rocky endures but Okada storms in! Okada stomps Moxley into letting go, but then Shota goes after Okada! Shota kicks Okada out of the ring, literally! But Okada comes back! Shota hits Ishii, Okada fires off on Shota!

Yuta rushes in to get his shots in on Ishii while Shota throws Okada back out! Things are getting rough, and Moxley KICKS Rocky in the chest! And again! And again! Moxley drags Rocky up, runs, but Rocky blocks a kick to trip Moxley and step through! SHARPSHOOTER, but Yuta DECKS Rocky! Fans are torn but Moxley throws Rocky out hard. The ref stops Okada from rushing in again, but that allows Yuta to get shots off on Rocky! Yuta whips Rocky into railing! Moxley goes out to fetch Rocky, and Moxley CROTCHES Rocky on the railing! Moxley then goes back into the ring and he tags Shota in.

Yuta fetches Rocky for Shota and Shota covers, TWO! Shota drags Rocky up, CLUBS him, then he DECKS Okada! Shota goes out after Okada and whips him into railing! And Yuta gets a shot in on Rocky! Shota then drags Rocky up for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Shota tags Moxley back in, and Shota drags Rocky to trip him. Then Shota drags Rocky back up, for a HART ATTACK with Moxley! Cover, TWO! Moxley has the legs, TEXAS CLOVERHOLD! A shot at Tanahashi with this! Rocky endures and fans rally up. Rocky pushes up, crawls his way over, and gets the ROPEBREAK!

Moxley holds on until the ref counts 4. Moxley drags Rocky up, CHOPS him against ropes, then talks some trash right in Rocky’s face. Moxley flips off Ishii, but Rocky UPPERCUTS! Rocky springboards to TORNADO DDT! Moxley staggers around, hot tags to Yuta and Ishii! Ishii runs Yuta over, but Shota runs in! Ishii dodges Shota, waistlocks, but avoids the elbow. Shota dodges Ishii now, but comes back to get run over! Moxley kicks Ishii, whips him to a corner, but Ishii comes back to run Moxley over! Fans fire up and Ishii goes back to Yuta. Ishii drags Yuta up but Yuta throws forearms! Ishii just glares at him!

Yuta throws more forearms but Ishii leans into them! Yuta eggs Ishii on so Ishii ROCKS Yuta, and SAIDOS! Cover, TWO! Yuta is still in this but Ishii waits on him to sit up. Ishii then runs, but Moxley trips him up! Yuta hoists Ishii for an atomic drop and ENZIGURI! Tag to Moxley and he hits a CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives but Moxley rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Ishii falls over, Moxley wraps on a BULLY CHOKE! Yuta and Shota BLAST Rocky and Okada! Shota stomps away on Okada as Moxley pushes up on the hold! Ishii is fading! Fans rally as the ref checks, the hand drops once!

Ishii gets a second wind and the fans are thunderous! Ishii crawls around, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Moxley lets go at 4. Tag to Shota, but Yuta also steps in. Moxley says they’re gonna finish this. Moxley drags Ishii up with Yuta’s help, and they set him up for Shota. But Ishii fights free! Ishii sends Yuta into Moxley then Moxley into Yuta! And then Shota into Moxley! GERMAN SUPLEX for Shota! BRAINBUSTER for Moxley!! They’re all down and the fans are thunderous! And Okada is back on his corner! Ishii crawls over, reaches out, hot tag to the Rainmaker! Okada storms right up on Okada to fire off forearms!

Okada whips, Shota reverses but Okada ELBOWS him down! Fans fire up again, Okada whips Shota corner to corner, then Okada runs in to ELBOW again! Kick and DDT! Cover, TWO! But Okada’s standard formula is working, so he drags Shota back up. Fans rally, Okada scoops, but Shota fights free! Shota clinches to OVERHEAD suplex! Fans fire up again and Shota goes to a corner. Shota runs corner to corner to UPPERCUT Okada! Then Shota goes out, slingshots in, DDT!! Okada staggers up, Shota kicks low and hooks the arms, but Okada back drops free! Shota runs back in, Okada pops him up to the REVERSE NECKBREAKER!

Rocky and Ishii go after Moxley and Yuta while Okada hauls Shota up. Scoop and SLAM, and then Okada goes to a corner. Okada climbs, for the MACHO ELBOW! And of course, that leads to the Rainmaker Pose~! Fans are thunderous, but Moxley is in to flip Okada off! Okada and Moxley glare, no one interrupts the money shot! Okada and Moxley start throwing forearms! The fans are thunderous as the shots go back and forth! Okada wobbles, but he winds up to ROCK Moxley! Moxley throws body shots and a forearm! Moxley runs, Okada gets around, DISCUS- FOREARM from Moxley! Moxley runs, into the DROPKICK!

Moxley falls out of the ring, and Okada flips him off! But Shota sneaks up to POP-UP UPPERCUT Okada! And SWINGING NECKBREAKER! And then the underhooks, but Ishii LARIATS Shota! Okada hurries to tag in Rocky, and Rocky runs in to JUMP KNEE! Ishii LARIATS! Okada BOOTS! Ishii suplexes to hang Shota out to dry, Rocky FLYING KNEES Shota down! Cover, TWO!! Ishii keeps Moxley out and Chaos fires up! They whip Shota to a corner, Rocky runs in to clothesline! Ishii adds a clothesline! Okada adds an elbow! Okada puts Shota up top for Rocky and Rocky is right after him, FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!

Shota endures, fights, but Rocky has the DIABLO ARMBAR! But Yuta breaks it! Fans boo but Yuta whips. Rocky reverses, runs in, but Yuta catches the body block to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta roars, runs, but into a JUMP KNEE! Yuta rewinds, and he blocks Rocky’s kick! Yuta ducks the enziguri but Rocky’s REWIND HEEL hits! Moxley’s back and he CLOBBERS Rocky! Ishii’s back and he blocks Moxley’s lariat! Moxley blocks Ishii’s lariat, but then Ishii dodges Moxley’s lariat, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, Ishii blocks a boot but Moxley ROCKS Ishii with a forearm! Ishii ROCKS Moxley with a forearm!

Both men roar, and Moxley KING KONG LARIATS Ishii! But Okada gets Moxley in a waistlock! Ripcord and RAINMAKER!! Fans go wild, but then Shota gets in and kicks Okada low! DEATH RIDER!! Rocky UPPERCUTS Shota, runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him a la Okada! And then DEATH RIDER for Rocky!! Cover, BCC WINS!!!

Winners: Blackpool Combat Club, by pinfall

The Roughneck sends a message right to the head of Chaos! Is the Dream Trio’s reign as NEVER Six Man Tag Team Champions already in danger? Is the Paradigm Shift coming for NJPW?

 

Backstage interview with Mercedes Moné.

Emily May is with The CEO ahead of the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship tournament finals. How does that all feel? Mone says one down, one to go. And who is it but none other than Willow Nightingale! Mone already told her once so she’ll say it again, Mone will get a pillow for Willow because she’s going to sleep! Willow will learn real quick who the CEO of NJPW really is. Because she’s ready to be the first-ever NJPW Strong Women’s Champion! #BankOnThat!

 

IWGP United States Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament, Opening Round: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Will Ospreay!

Two former IWGP United States Champions battle as part of the tournament to name Kenny Omega’s next challenge. On top of that, The Ace and the Kingpin have both faced The Best Bout Machine in the past. But waiting on the other side of the bracket is another former champion in Lance Archer. Who wins here to face the Murderhawk Monster in the finals?

The bell rings and the fans are thunderous already. Ospreay and Tanahashi encourage them to get louder so the fans oblige, and it is electric! Tanahashi and Ospreay tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and are in a deadlock. Tanahashi manages to power Ospreay back, puts him on ropes, and the ref counts. Tanahashi lets off slowly but cleanly, and even Ospreay applauds. The two reset, fans duel, “TANAHASHI!” “WIL OSPREAY!” Tanahashi air guitars with the rhythm, but Ospreay air drums a wild solo! Tanahashi jams on the guitar, it’s a damn air rock concert! Ospreay then asks for a timeout, he’s running out of air.

The two go again, tie up, and Tanahashi waistlocks. Ospreay switches, Tanahashi switches, but Ospreay wrenches. Tanahashi wrenches back, wristlocks, but Ospreay rolls, handsprings, wrenches and hammerlocks to a headlock. Fans cheer the technical ability, but then Tanahashi slips out to headlock Ospreay. Ospreay powers out, Tanahashi runs Ospreay over, and Ospreay bails out. Fans fire up while Ospreay catches his breath again. The ring count starts, Ospreay returns, and the two circle. They apporach, Ospreay kicks and CLUBS and ROCKS Tanahashi to a corner. Ospreay throws more shots, and an UPPERCUT!

Ospreay whips corner to corner, runs in but Tanahashi elbows him! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! And more air guitars! Tanahashi throws the guitar away, and then he goes back for Ospreay. Tanahashi throws body shots and follows Ospreay to ropes. Tanahashi whips, Ospreay holds ropes to stop himself, and then Ospreay FLAPJACKS Tanahashi onto the ropes! And then Ospreay DROPKICKS Tanahashi off the ropes! Fans fire up, Ospreay aims, PLANCHA! Direct hit and Ospreay air drums again! A ring count starts, Ospreay goes back to Tanahashi and brings him up at 5 of 20. Ospreay SMACKS Tanahashi off the apron!

Ospreay puts Tanahashi into the ring after 7, and then looms over him. Ospreay scrapes the soles off Tanahashi’s face! The ref reprimands, Ospreay “apologizes,” and he brings Tanahashi up. Ospreay HEADBUTTS Tanahashi, bumps him off buckles, and then CHOPS him! Fans “WOO~!” and Ospreay takes a bite of that juicy fruit. Ospreay CHOPS Tanahashi again! Ospreay whips corner to corner hard and Tanahashi bounces off buckles. Cover, TWO! Ospreay keeps cool and fans rally up. Ospreay scuffs Tanahashi with his boot, gives him more toying kicks, then ELBOWS Tanahashi on the top of his head!

Ospreay drags Tanahashi up, scoops him, and gives him a SPIN-OUT BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is annoyed by the count but the ref says it was fair. Ospreay slaps Tanahashi around while fans rally up. Ospreay eggs Tanahashi on, then drags him up. Tanahashi fires forearms! And forearms! But Ospreay knees low! Ospreay whips Tanahashi to ropes, but Tanahashi hits FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up with The Ace and he fires off shots on Ospreay! Ospreay staggers, Tanahashi gives him more body shots. Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Ospreay into the drop zone, then he goes up the corner!

Fans fire up for the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is still in this but Tanahashi keeps his cool. Fans rally up, Tanahashi runs, but Ospreay CHOPS! Tanahashi keeps moving, and Ospreay CHOPS again! Tanahashi shrugs it off, and then he fires off forearm after forearm! Tanahashi whips, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Ospreay goes to the apron and he gets the fans to be even louder. The fans return to thunderous levels and Ospreay takes aim. Tanahashi rises, Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO!! That forearm was good but not quite phenomenal.

But Ospreay says he’ll finish this, and he adjusts his elbow pad. Ospreay drags Tanahashi up, turns him, and CHELSEA GRIN ELBOWS! But Ospreay isn’t done, he goes to the corner. Ospreay aims, runs in, but Tanahashi roars! Tanahashi dropkicks Ospreay’s leg! Fans are still rallying, Tanahashi runs in, but he blocks Ospreay’s boot! KNEE JAMMER! Tanahashi puts the leg in the ropes, to DROPKICK it! And then DRAGON SCREW it! Fans fire up while Ospreay clutches that knee, but Tanahashi gets both legs! Ospreay throws hands but Tanahashi still drags him around! Ospreay resists, but still ends up in the TEXAS CLOVERHOLD!

Fans rally as Ospreay still tries to fight this! Ospreay crawls, reaches out, but Tanahashi drags him back and sits deep on it! Ospreay still endures and fans rally harder! Ospreay crawls again, ROPEBREAK! Tanahashi lets go in frustration and perhaps some exhaustion. Tanahashi stomps Ospreay’s leg, then waits on him to rise. Fans fire up, Tanahashi runs, but Ospreay gets around to waistlock. Tanahashi elbows free, but Ospreay CHOPS! Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi powers up, but Ospreay HOOK KICKS! Both men go down and fans are thunderous! A standing count starts as both men stir.

Ospreay shakes his bad leg and we hit 5 of 10. Fans rally up more, Ospreay rises and the count stops. Ospreay sits Tanahashi up, and he throws a forearm. Tanahashi fires up to throw a forearm! Ospreay fires up and he throws another forearm! Tanahashi fires up again and throws another forearm! Ospreay stands up in a rage and fans go wild as he shakes the ropes! Tanahashi also stands, and the forearms start flying! They go back and forth, again and again, and Ospreay wobbles! Tanahashi ROCKS him again, and again, and again! But Ospreay fires off Kawada Kicks! And a CHOP!

Tanahashi staggers to a corner, Ospreay runs in to BOOT! That was one hell of a kick and Ospreay pushes Tanahashi down. Ospreay goes up the corner and fans fire up. The bad leg makes it tricky but Ospreay still reaches the top. Tanahashi stands, Ospreay BLINDSIDE PIP PIP CHEERIOS! Ospreay then drags Tanahashi up, underhooks, lifts, STORM- SLINGBLADE?! Tanahashi turns things around and fans are thunderous! Tanahashi runs to SLINGBLADE again! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives but Tanahashi goes to a corner! Tanahashi climbs, Ospreay stands, HIGH FLY ATTACK! But Ospreay rolls it through, TWO!

Tanahashi ghost pins, TWO!!! Ospreay swings but Tanahashi catches him to a full nelson! Ospreay elbows free but Tanahashi dropkicks the leg from behind! Tanahashi gets that leg, DRAGON- NO, Ospreay spins through to STOMP 182! Fans are thunderous again as Ospreay calls his shot! Springboard, OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO!??! Tanahashi survives but Ospreay goes right to a corner! Elbow pad ready, Ospreay takes aim, HIDDEN BLADE!!! But that’s still not enough!? STORMBREAKER!!!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (advances to the tournament finals)

The Commonwealth Kingpin trumps the Ace of the Universe and wins big here tonight! But will Ospreay be 100% in time to face the Murderhawk Monster in Dominion?

 

Backstage interview with Willow Nightingale.

Emily is with the Babe with the Power now, and we’re just moments away from the finals for the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship! Willow says she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t a little nervous. Actually, even that’s a lie. She’s a lot nervous, but here we are. Willow trusts herself, trusts her training, trusts her heart, and honestly, the only thing she can do is be the best Willow she can be, and that is what she’s gonna do. Willow takes a deep breath, Emily wishes her luck, and Willow fires herself up before going to gorilla!

NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament Finals: Mercedes Moné VS Willow Nightingale!

Finally, the moment of truth is here! Both women competed just earlier tonight, but one of them will close the night as a brand new champion! Who proves they are truly NJPW Strong?

Willow changes from purple to gold to show how optimistic she is about getting the gold. Earlier, Mone was Cleopatra. Now, because Long Beach is near Los Angeles and Disneyland, Mone is Snow White! The introductions are made, the shiny new belt is raised, and we see who is truly the strongest of them all!

The bell rings and fans are thunderous already for this historic moment. They then go past thunderous right into volcanic! Mone and Willow circle, both feeling the energy of this moment. “This is Awesome!” and both women appreciate that sentiment. Mone and Willow are just as fired up now, and they feel out the grapple. Willow then settles down, and offers a handshake. Mone smiles, considers it, and fans say “YES! YES! YES!” Mone says okay, and they shake hands! Fans cheer the respect, but then Willow uses her power to bring Mone to her knees! Mone SLAPS Willow back! And then headlocks!

Willow powers out, Mone slides under to sunset flip, ONE! Mone headlocks again, Willow powers up to back suplex but Mone lands on her feet! Mone rolls Willow, high stacks, TWO! Mone hurries to bring Willow up but Willow CHOPS! Mone goes to ropes, Willow whips her, Mone RANAS, but Willow blocks! Willow brings Mone up but Mone sunset flips, TWO! Willow hurries to sit on Mone, TWO! Willow looms over Mone, fans fire up, HIP DROP FLOPS as Mone moves! Mone hooks arms, rolls Willow like she did Vaquer, but Willow booty bumps free! Mone swings, Willow blocks, spins and ROCKS Mone!

Willow runs to POUNCE Mone into the ropes!! Fans are thunderous again as Mone flops out of the ring!! Willow is soaking it all up and she goes out after Mone. Willow runs in to LARIAT Mone back down! Fans fire up again, Willow rolls in and wants the count. After all, there’s no Champion’s Advantage when there’s no champion. The count reaches 9 of 20 but Mone slides in at 11. But Willow SPLASHES her in the corner! Willow brings Mone out, short arm LARIAT! Willow drags Mone up for another short arm LARIAT! Willow reels Mone in again, short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO!!

Willow has a frustrated smirk but she looms over Mone. Willow drags Mone up, scoops, and she SLAMS Mone down. Willow flexes, fans fire up, and Willow drags Mone up again. Another scoop and SLAM, and then Willow brings Mone up. Mone slips free to CHOP BLOCK a leg! Willow stays up and she ELBOWS Mone down! Willow is feeling it now and she covers, TWO! Willow nods, she knows Mone’s tougher than that. Willow drags Mone up, bumps her off buckles, and CHOPS! Mone scrambles away, stinging in her chest. Willow shouts at Mone, CHOPS her again, and Mone staggers away to another corner.

Willow storms up but Mone turns things around to CHOP, CHOP and WINDMILL CHOP! But Willow turns things around to ROCK Mone! Willow whips corner to corner, Mone reverses, but Willow handsprings and ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up again and Willow is having fun now. Willow drags Mone up in a facelock but Mone flails. Willow leans on Mone to keep her down and the fans duel. “LET’S GO, WILLOW!” “C E O!” Mone fights up, JAWBREAKERS, then runs, but into a LARIAT! Willow drags Mone up, short arm- NO, roll up! ONE, but Mone blocks a kick to KNEE back! Mone runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER!

Willow has the legs, and she turns Mone over, BOSTON CRAB!! And it’s deep!! Mone endures being bent back so far, but she reaches out for ropes! Willow adjusts, keeps on it, but Mone fights around! Mone flips Willow off, before the ROPEBREAK! Willow lets go, Mone goes to a corner, and Willow RAMS into her! Willow puts Mone up top and ROCKS her with a forearm. Willow climbs up but Mone fires off forearms! Willow hits back, CLUBS Mone, then hoists her up to the very top. STALLING SUPERPLEX!!! Cover, TWO!!! Mone survives and no one can believe it! The fans continue to rally while Mone crawls to a corner.

Willow refocuses, brings off the wrist tape, and she runs in, but Mone dodges! Mone comes back, Willow puts her on the apron but Mone bumps her, ROCKS her, and repeat! Mone fires off again and again and fans fire up! Willow staggers back and Mone goes up the corner. Willow SLAPS her first! Willow ROCKS Mone again, climbs back up, but Mone rains down elbows! Mone adjusts to HOTSHOT Willow! Mone hurries back in, he covers, TWO!! Willow stands first, she brings Mone up, and scoops to RAM her into a corner! And then corner to corner, but Mone slips free! Willow staggers back, into the BACKSTABBER!

Mone drags Willow up and over, into the BANK STATEMENT!!! Willow flails, crawls, drags Mone along, but then turns and rolls! Willow hauls Mone up and moves her around, gut wrench into the BABE WITH THE POWERBOMB!!! Cover, TWO!??!? Mone barely gets an arm up, and no one believes it!! Willow snarls, brings the straps down, and she hauls Mone up again. Willow brings Mone in, gut wrenches again, BABE WITH THE POWERBOMB AGAIN!!! Cover, WILLOW WINS!!!!

Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall (INAUGURAL NJPW Strong Women’s Champion)

The Walter Pyramid erupts in celebration! Even Willow seems in shock that she won! Willow may not have won the AEW Women’s World Championship, she may not have won the ROH Women’s World Championship, but she IS the first-ever NJPW Strong Women’s Champion!!! And of course, as is NJPW tradition, she won the main event so she closes out the show! Willow gets the mic and takes a moment as fans chant “You Deserve It!” Willow says “OHHHH~ my goodness!” She thanks the fans for all of this love and support. “I have so much gratitude. Thank you. I have so much gratitude for all of you.

“I have so much gratitude and respect for everyone who was in the tournament, who performed tonight, who helped pave the way for a championship like this to be here. To have one award that is from four different companies. I’m just… I think an opponent like Mercedes…” Fans cheer and Willow encourages it as she gets emotional. “… is like the most prolific women’s wrestler of our generation. And to be able to share the ring with her is an honor. To be able to be in front of you guys is an honor. This is the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship!” Fans cheer that, and Willow says she fought for YEARS and YEARS to be on a stage like this, and to have a moment like this!

So it’s not lost on her what it took to get here, and what is ahead of her. Fans chant for Willow again, and she says, “This is amazing! GAH! But really, really, thank you to everyone. Momo, Stephanie, Mercedes, all frickin’ put it all out here tonight! So, honestly, thank you for believing in me, thank you for helping me get this far. And it’s only the beginning, folks.” Willow winks, drops the mic, and returns to celebrating! Willow makes history and shocks the world, will the world soon belong to her?


My Thoughts:

What an amazing night for NJPW, especially stateside. Technical difficulties aside, and some production quality stuff aside (too many cuts between the ringside cams, some audio quality issues given the acoustics of the arena), this was probably NJPW’s best night in the US so far. Now, there was a bummer moment where Kyle Fletcher revealed Mark Davis’ injury and how Aussie Open is out of action for the time being. As he said, they were on the cusp of ramping things up in the entire (non-WWE) world of tag team wrestling, but now that won’t happen. Bishamon VS House of Torture is happening because it was going to be a Triple Threat last I recall, so that’s fine. I would hope Bishamon wins, though, if only because House of Torture means more typical Heel cheating to retain titles.

I did skip the kickoff show matches because they were kickoff show matches, free on YouTube even, but of course Coughlin wins to have momentum going into facing Shibata. DKC winning was a great surprise, though. And I skipped ZSJ & Bad Dude Tito losing to Barbaro & Virus cuz I knew Tito was taking that finish. Insane Street Fight from Rosser and Juice, and great to see Toni show up here to be part of it. This almost felt like a Double Turn, where Rosser is Heel and Juice is now Face (at least in the NJPW scope of things, AEW is a different story). I mean, you don’t bring up someone’s spouse, then basically sexually harass them and stay the Face.

Really good NJPW Strong Openweight Championship match but I did not think they’d go so hardcore. But a count-out win is a great way to keep Hikuleo strong while putting the belt back on Kenta, though I feel like the title change itself is a letdown. Yes, Kenta is now a historic two-time Strong Openweight Champion, but I guess that just means when we eventually get Bullet Club VS Guerrillas of Destiny (and El Phantasmo, too?), the Faces will be underdogs who then earn title matches with their win. Feels almost like NJPW booked themselves into a corner again when it came to writing a Bullet Club Civil War style story.

The Six Man Tag was really wild and hectic but that seemed fitting since we’re talking Blackpool Combat Club. Also, the faction is called Chaos, there really should be more actual chaos with them. But Shota getting the pin here was also really great stuff. Okada VS Moxley is definitely a match a lot of people want to see, but obviously there’s a lot to get out of a Okada VS Shota match, too. Tanahashi VS Ospreay was also awesome, neither man can put on a bad match. Tanahashi being a NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Champion with Okada and Ishii, it makes sense Ospreay goes over. Ospreay VS Archer is going to be wild, I just hope Ospreay’s body holds together because he goes so hard in there.

And of course, what a great one-night tournament for the brand new Strong Women’s Championship. Mone beating Vaquer was rather obvious, she’s Mercedes Mone/Sasha Banks. Willow beating Momo wasn’t quite a given but it definitely felt mostly in Willow’s favor. Mone VS Willow was an awesome main event, and with Willow dominating so hard, I thought Mone was going to pull off the comeback win. Case in point, that supposed kickout after the first powerbomb. But then to everyone’s surprise, Willow still wins out! Kudos to Mone putting over Willow, and great promo from Willow to show respect back.

I don’t watch NJPW Strong, no real time in the schedule, but Willow will surely show that belt off in AEW and ROH, maybe make some cross-promotional matches to help get eyes on NJPW Strong and ROH.

My Score: 9.1/10


Powered by RedCircle


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

AEW Coverage

Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (4/17/24)

JEEEEEEON, MOXLEEEY!

Published

on

There is truly a Paradigm Shift in pro-wrestling today!

Returning triumphant from the Windy City Riot, Jon Moxley brings the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship to AEW Dynamite! But will someone from NJPW come after him?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Mixed Tag Match: Adam “Edge” Copeland & Willow Nightingale VS Brody King & Julia Hart; Brody & Julia win.
  • Six Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada & The Young Bucks VS PAC, Penta El Zero Miedo & Daniel Garcia; Okada & The Bucks win.
  • Deonna Purrazzo VS Mariah May w/ Toni Storm & Luther; Deonna wins.
  • Orange Cassidy VS Shane Taylor w/ Shane Taylor Promotions; Shane wins.
  • Will Ospreay VS Claudio Castagnoli; Ospreay wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jon Moxley heads to the ring!

Indianapolis, Indiana fires up as the NEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion walks in from the back of the crowd! The Maniac shocked the world when he defeated Tetsuya Naito in Chicago and added NJPW’s top prize to his already incredible list of accolades. Moxley goes to the ring, gets the mic, and the fans chant for him as he says, “One of the first championships I ever won, y’know, Salvation Army Community Center at Fountain Square right here in Indianapolis.” The fans cheer that! Moxley continues by saying even back then 20 years ago, he was swimming up stream, never had help.

In fact, a lot of people tired to tell him what he can and can’t do, what he can and can’t accomplish. His words to those people now is the same as back then: kiss his ass and watch him! Watch as he climbs mountain after mountain after mountain. Because being great is not about what others say, it’s about what’s inside. Now, if you didn’t know, this is THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. The fans chant “You Deserve It!” and Moxley say this title is steeped in history, illustrious to the extreme, and he has been chasing it for five years. Five years of pain, heartache, wins and losses, pints of sweat and blood, thousands of miles across the ocean.

Five years ago, people said Moxley holding this title, and live on American TV, was impossible. But it wasn’t impossible. Not if they knew what was inside Moxley. That is what this is all about. When your back is against he wall, how deep can you dig? When you feel you have nothing left, choking on your own blood, how deep are you willing to dig and how far are you willing to go? Are you willing to dare to show the world how great you are? THAT is what AEW is about! The fans cheer that, too! Moxley says this brings him to his point: The Don Callis Family. The fans boo now, but Moxley continues.

There are very talented individuals in league with Don Callis. Don Callis is a creep. The fans cheer that! Moxley says he has no time for Callis, but he is feeding these guys lies and those guys are buying it. And then those guys put a hit out and tried to hurt Moxley’s friend and teammate, Bryan Danielson. Now, if you’re putting a target on Bryan’s back, you might as well put one on Moxley’s. You wanna get violent? You wanna be tough guys? Well, you’re welcome to come find Moxley, he’ll be here all night. But he suspects that maybe, he’s not their type. What he could do is run up on them with a tire iron. He could run them over in the parking lot.

But he gets the sense that that wont’ teach the DCF anything. So he’ll pick the biggest, baddest, meanest one of all of ’em, “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs, and challenge Hobbs to a match one week from tonight in the main event of Dynamite in Jacksonville, Florida. Hobbs will accept, because in that match, Hobbs will find out just how out of his depths he is stepping to the IWGP World Champion. Because Moxley won’t make it quick or easy. He will drag Hobbs to the deepest waters that there are, and Hobbs will look around and see no shore. When he asks the ref for the rescue, Hobbs will know the difference between him and Moxley, and that Callis is feeding him lies.

Hobbs will know that he, like everyone else in this business, NO ONE can touch Moxley! There are a lot of great wrestlers in this world, but there is and only ever will be ONE Jon Moxley! The fans fire up for that, but will Hobbs survive the homecoming at Daily’s Place?

 

Mercedes Mone speaks.

“Last week, somebody attacked me in the dark because they were too afraid to face me in the light. But as the CEO, I always get right back up. And as the CEO, I can’t wait to pay back that b*tch that attacked me last week. Lights off, huh? That sounds a little too familiar, Julia Hart.” Mercedes didn’t think Julia was the kind to be a coward. Or maybe, it was someone who wants us to think it’s Julia? Maybe it’s someone who doesn’t wanna face Mercedes when she’s healthy. Either way, Mercedes puts the entire division on notice, and she will watch that Mixed Tag Match. But remember this: There’s a price to pay when you mess with Mone.

 

Mixed Tag Match: Adam “Edge” Copeland & Willow Nightingale VS Brody King & Julia Hart!

Speaking of that Mixed Tag, Dynamite is about to get Rated R as the TNT Champion and the Babe with the Power are stepping to the King of Death and the TBS Champion! Will Copeland & Willow have the edge going into Dynasty? Or will even now, The House Always Win?

Wait! Willow is down and out! A medic checks her but she says she’s fine. Kris Statlander & Stokely Hathaway aren’t so sure, but there is Dynasty to think about. And then the lights go out in the arena! And when they come back up, surprise! Brody is in the ring and he CLOBBERS Edge! Julia laughs from the stage as Brody TOSSES Edge out. The fans hoot and bark as Brody whips Edge hard into the barriers! Brody CHOPS Edge, stalks him, then whips him into more barriers! Brody makes Edge take a seat, fires off forearms, then hoots as he gets space. The fans hoot along and Brody comes back, to CROSSBODY Edge against the LEDs!

Brody stands, the ref reprimands but this isn’t even a match yet! Did the House just take out their enemies in quick fashion? Edge crawls towards the ring, he isn’t gonna let the House have their way! Edge drags himself up to the apron and into the ring, and the fans fire up as the bell rings! Brody runs up to SPLASH in the corner! Edge falls over, Brody storms around, then Brody drags Edge up as Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Brody CHOS Edge, has him on ropes, and CHOKES him on the ropes! The ref counts, Brody steps back, and Julia gets a cheap shot in! Then she CHOKES Edge while the ref is still busy with Brody! Brody storms up on Edge, suplexes high and hard, then stalks up behind Edge. Brody drags Edge up, ROCKS him, and Edge ends up in a corner. Brody digs his boots in, the ref counts again, but Brody lets off at 4. Edge sits down in the corner and Brody gives him scuffing, toying kicks. Brody lets off to stand Edge up, and CHOP him down! Brody CHOKES Edge on ropes again, but lets off as the ref counts.

Edge sputters, Brody drags him around, and Brody whips Edge hard into the corner! Edge falls, Brody storms up and stands on Edge’s face, but the ref counts. Brody steps back, Edge goes to the apron, but Julia is there to CHOKE him! The ref is none the wiser and Julia mocks the fans. Brody has Edge under ropes for the GUILLOTINE CATAPULT! Brody drags Edge back up, and CHOPS him to a corner. Brody CHOPS again, Dynamite returns to single picture, and Brody hoists Edge up top. Brody climbs up to rain down fists! Brody only goes to three before he hauls Edge up, but Edge fights the superplex!

The fans fire up as Edge and Brody trade body shots. Edge then HEADBUTTS away on Brody, and BITES his forehead! Edge DECKS Brody off the corner, then adjusts. Brody stands, Edge FLYING LARIATS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Julia coaches Brody, he sits up to fire a forearm! Edge fires back, they go shot for shot, then Brody CHOPS! Edge CHOPS! They CHOP, throw forearms, and the fans fire up behind Edge! Edge kicks and IMP- NO, Brody throws him away! Edge dodges the lariat to LARIAT! Brody stays up so Edge runs up to clothesline in a corner! And again! And again!

Edge fires shots, runs side to side, then BOOTS Brody! The fans fire up as Brody leans on the ropes! Edge runs again, for another BOOT! Edge huffs and puffs and he brings Brody around, IMPALER! Cover, TWO! Brody is still in this and Julia coaches him up. Edge stays on Brody, but Brody TOSSES him to the corner! Edge BOOTS back, goes up, and FLYING BLOCKBUSTERS! The fans fire up as Edge rises, and he has a wild look as he goes to the corner. Edge runs in, but Brody LARIATS him down! Julia is fired up, and Brody drags Edge to a corner. Brody storms around as he hoots, then he runs corner to corner to CANNONBALL but only gets buckles!

The fans fire up as Edge and Brody are both down! Julia coaches Brody, the fans rally, and here comes Willow! Taped up as she is, Willow’s on the corner! Brody drags Edge up and in, but Edge reaches out! Willow tags in! She goes up and she CROSSBODIES Brody! Then she chases after Julia! Julia says no no no, but then Edge SPEARS Brody! Willow hoots now, the fans join in, and Willow gives Brody a CANNONBALL! Julia runs in with a chain! CHAIN PUNCH!! The fans boo as Julia says the House Always Wins! Edge LARIATS Brody out of the ring, but Julia clamps on the HARTLESS LOCK! Willow is OUT, The House of Black wins!

Winners: Brody King & Julia Hart, by submission

The Princess of the Black Throne made sure to have an ace up her sleeve to take this one from Willow! But wait! Here comes Mone! And she has a chair! Julia laughs as she slips away, taking her title with her. The House of Black won tonight, but will they establish their Dynasty?

As for Mone and Willow, well Mone still has the chair and is considering her options. Edge slides back in, so Mone stands down. Edge shakes Mone’s hand, long time no see. Mone still wants to go Double or Nothing, but will she be facing the Keeper of Secrets? Or will it be a long awaited rematch with the Babe with the Power?

 

Backstage interview with Samoa Joe.

Renee Paquette says we’re just four days away from Dynasty, a PPV where the AEW World Championship will be on the line 1v1, Samoa Joe VS Swerve Strickland. Renee says that in this situation, just Joe and Swerve, how does Joe see Swerve as an opponent? Well, first, Joe viewed Swerve as a worthy adversary. Someone who some day might be a great champion. But for now, he’s just a nuisance. Joe says Swerve is not someone who has overwhelming speed, strength, size, no. He’s just someone who keeps standing back up after getting knocked down. No matter how many times Joe puts Swerve in the dirt, Swerve just gets back up.

To Joe, that doesn’t seem like a prerequisite to becoming a champion, that’s a punching bag. Then Renee wants to run this back to last week on Dynamite. Joe is always calm, cool, collected and in the driver’s seat. But after last week, Swerve getting his shot in on Joe, then Swerve & Nana holding up the AEW World Championship, Joe’s reaction… Walk us through what that was. As expected, Joe was worried his property was in the hands of someone who will never possess it. That maybe this belt would need to be disinfected before it could be TV ready. You don’t know where Nana’s been!

As for Swerve, Joe will focus on his track record and what he represents. It seems that with every title Swerve has challenged for, he has come up short. Is that not right? Seems like Swerve’s a choke artist. Every championship, every opportunity, every time he tries, he comes just so close, then swerves off target. History will repeat itself at Dynasty, as at Dynasty, Joe will do what he always does, and that is destroy the opposition, cement his legacy as the greatest AEW World Champion of all time, and for Swerve, “my friend, unfortunately you are a choke artist. And come Dynasty, you won’t have to worry about it. I’ll be the one choking you out instead.”

The One True King of Wrestling has spoken, but will he still end up dethroned by The Realest?

 

AEW takes a closer look at The Young Bucks VS FTR Part 4.

But as the highlights of ladder matches and of All In London 2023 play, the Bucks themselves interrupt. This package sucks, who edited this together? Cut, cut! The video stops, and we cut to gorilla. Matthew Jackson “apologizes” to FTR, but tonight’s episode is already running short on time, so they gotta bump this from the show. But Matthew promises, the full package will go on social media. And Nicholas sure hopes FTR is watching, because they’re about to beat their friends’ asses in a really cool Six Man Tag. And yeah, it’s a tune-up for Dynasty! A ladder match for the tag titles? Are you kidding? The Bucks perfected that match!

And the Bucks will then become AEW’s first-ever THREE TIME World Tag Team Champions. But what about tonight, Rainmaker? Kazuchika Okada says, “Hey, Pac! You will not make it to Dynasty. You are a dead man!” Cue the music, time for the badass entrance using that elevator thing. But will the New Elite really be rolling into St. Louis with momentum? Or are they underestimating the Top Guys’ allies?

Six Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada & The Young Bucks VS PAC, Penta El Zero Miedo & Daniel Garcia!

The trios sort out and The Rainmaker starts against The Bastard as a preview of their Continental Championship match. The fans rally behind Pac, but then The Bucks CLOBBER him, and Okada BLASTS Pac’s corner! The fans boo as The Elite stomps away on Pac, then the Bucks stand down. Okada tags Nick, he storms up but Pac SOBATS! KICKS! And SOBATS! Pac runs to SHOTGUN BOOT! The fans fire up and Pac tags Penta. They double whip, double hip toss, then they coordinate, STANDING MOONSAULT LEG DROP COMBO! Cover, TWO! Penta runs up to KICK Nick in the leg! The fans rally with “CERO! MIEDO!” as Penta has Nick on ropes.

Penta whips, Nick reverses, and Matt gets a cheap shot! Penta GAMANGIRIS Matt, but Okada BOOTS Penta down! The fans boo as Nick distracted the ref the entire time. Nick stomps Penta, tags Matt, and Matt rains down fists! The fans boo, but Matt tags Nick back in. The Bucks double whip Penta to a corner, then Matt runs in, only for Penta to TOSS him out! Nick runs up, Penta makes him handstand on the corner, and Penta SUPERKICKS! Nick staggers, Penta tags Garcia! Garcia rallies on Nick, wrenches and clinches, HALF HATCH! The fans fire up as Garcia clotheslines in a corner! Garcia goes up, and he rains down fists!

The fans count all the way to nine, then Garcia winds up to DO HIS DANCE! Garcia lets off, runs up on Okada and BLASTS him! Garcia LARIATS Nick, whips him to ropes, but Nick reverses. Okada trips Garcia and drags him out! But Garcia ROCKS Okada first! Matt runs up, Garcia DECKS him! But Nick PENALTY KICKS from the apron! Nick BLASTS Pac off the apron, Matt YANKS Penta down, and The Elite attacks while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Matt drags Penta up to whip him into railing! Penta tumbles over into the front row! Nick sends Pac into railing, then soaks up the heat. Matt throws hands on Pac, and he mocks Garcia’s dance, too! Okada puts Garcia in the ring for Nick, Matt mocks the front row, and Nick rains down fists on Garcia! Nick goes all the way to nine, so also mock the dance! Nick lets off to tell everyone that’s a FINE! Nick stomps Garcia, kicks him around, then he tags Okada. Okada storms up to CLUB Garcia, then he drags Garcia around. Okada snapmares Garcia, runs and basement DROPKICKS! The bucks applaud while Okada stands over Garcia.

Okada tags Matt, Matt drags Garcia up and whips him into the corner. Matt runs up but into an ELBOW! Garcia storms up, but Matt scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Nick tags in, slingshot LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Garcia grits his teeth, he pie faces  Nick, but Nick drops a knee on Garcia’s back. Matt gets on a mic to talk to Taz, and to also say hi to Excalibur and Tony Schiavone. Nick CHOKES Garcia on ropes, lets off at 4, and he runs up to SHINING WIZARD! Matt keeps doing his own play by play as Nick bumps Garcia off buckles. Dynamite returns to single picture, Okada holds Garcia in place and Nick runs in, but Garcia BOOTS Nick!

Garcia elbows Okada away, CHOPS Nick, repeat! Matt is concerned on “commentary,” Nick runs back in but Garcia sends him into Okada! Matt says to get him, but Nick waistlocks Garcia. Garcia wrenches to SAIDO free! Matt asks for the tag, Nick tags him, and Matt still holds onto the mic as he stomps Garcia! Matt says it’s fine, he’s got this. Matt promises the ref he won’t hit Garcia with the mic. Matt instead talks trash, shouting, “You think you’re better than me, Garcia?! HUH!?” Matt then pie faces Garcia! Matt eggs on “the kid,” dares Garcia to show him the reason they hired him, and Garcia gets up to reel Matt in!

Matt freaks out, saying he’s sorry, they’re good! But Garcia still gives Matt the SAIDO! The fans fire up while Garcia crawls, hot tag to Pac! Pac RAMS into Matt, slingshots up and over then keeps moving to CLOBBER him! And CLOBBER him again! Pac whips, Matt reveres but Pac stops, sidesteps and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Nick runs in, but he also gets a SNAP GERMAN! The Bucks stagger up, Pac climbs a corner, DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK! The Bucks bail out, the fans fire up, and Pac goes up a corner! ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Down goes both Bucks and the fans are thunderous! Pac even dares Okada to get some! Okada says he’s not legal, he can’t!

Pac still taunts Okada, but then Matt CLOBBERS Pac from behind! Okada tags in, now he’s legal. Okada then BLASTS Penta, and Nick steps back in. Okada and Nick get Pac up, they double whip him to a corner, then Okada sends Nick in. Pac puts Nick on the apron, Matt’s on the other side, and Okada runs in, DOUBLE GIRI ELBOW COMBO! Okada then brings Pac up, Alabama Lifts, and REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Cover, Penta KICKS it apart! The fans fire up while Pac and Okada are both down! They stir, crawl, hot tag to Penta! CROSSBODY for Okada! Penta runs, SLINGBLADE for Nick! SLINGBLADE for Matt!

Penta catches Okada, tuck and pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, The Bucks break it! The fans boo but Nick rains fists down on Penta. The Bucks whip Penta to Okada, but Penta wheelbarrows and victory rolls, DOUBLE SATELLITE- NO, The Bucks back drop free! Garcia storms up, blocks Nick’s superkick to send it into Matt! Then Garcia reels Nick in, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Matt superkick feints to DDT Garcia! Pac is up, he HOTSHOTS Matt, then slingshots to CUTTER! The fans are thunderous as Pac glares at Okada. Pac drags Penta to the corner, tags in, and “This is Awesome!” as we get that title match preview after all!

Okada fires a forearm, Pac gives it back, and they keep going back and forth! Pac gets the edge, then whips, but Okada reverses. Okada runs up, into a SUPERKICK! The fans are thunderous as Pac goes up the corner! But Matt trips Pac up! Pac crashes down to the mat, but the fans rally as Garcia rises! Pac crawls over, hot tag to Garcia! Garcia fires off forearms on Okada, then CHOPS! Garcia runs, into a DROPKICK! Okada drags Garcia up, scoops, but Garcia slips free to trip him! Jackknife bridge, TWO!! Okada escapes, gets around, and sends Garcia into DOUBLE GAMANGIRI! Then gut wrench and TOMBSTONE!!

Penta runs up, but Okada dodges the slingblade! Okada scoops Penta to TOMBSTONE!! Nick & Matt get in, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS into the RAINMAKER!! Cover, New Elite wins!

Winners: Kazuchika Okada & The Young Bucks, by pinfall

The Continental Champion smirks as he looms over the Dragonslayer, but The Bucks sit Garcia back up! E V P TRIGGER!! Garcia suffers for being friends with FTR, and then the Bucks bring out a ladder! Penta gets up but Matt DECKS him! Matt stomps Penta, stands on him, and Nick brings Garcia over. Scoop SLAM onto the ladder! Garcia writhes, but the Bucks still aren’t done! They open the ladder, stick Garcia inside, and then squeeze it shut on him! Okada & Matt hold Garcia down while Nick climbs up, but Pac returns! Pac runs the New Elite off with that bell hammer! The Bastard already had reason enough to go after them, but will he take out his rage on Okada?

As for The Bucks, they’ve got the momentum and the upper hand going into that Ladder match! Will they be the ones making history? Or will Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood be the ones to establish their Dynasty?

 

Dynamite returns with Taz in the ring.

The Suplex Machine promised Chris Jericho to set up a meeting with Hook, so he’s here as moderator as Lionheart makes his entrance. Jericho joins Taz in the ring, followed by Hook. Taz has the mic while fans chant “HOOK! HOOK!” Taz says he’s just here to make sure things go nice and easy. There have been some issues between both Jericho and Hook. That said, Jericho has the floor. Jericho has the mic to say he’s known Taz for 30 years, and he appreciates Taz getting Hook to come out here. And to Hook, Jericho thanks him for coming out here. Jericho just wants to clear up some things.

The reason Jericho pulled Hook off the apron last week was not to mess with Shibata. Shibata ended up collateral damage. Jericho just wanted to get Hook’s attention and let him know it felt like Hook wasn’t listening to him as much as he should. The fans boo and Hook eats chips while Jericho says he is doing this all for Hook. Some say Jericho’s the greatest of all time at this. Others talk about the learning tree. Jericho says he IS the learning tree. The fans boo more but Jericho wants Hook to think about the people who listened to Jericho’s “perfect parables,” his pearls of wisdom. Every single one of them has gotten to that next level.

MJF, Orange Cassidy, Eddie Kingston, Daniel Garcia, Jon Moxley, Will Ospreay, and so many more! Everyone that has come into the “Jericho Vortex” has come out the other side a better performer, a better wrestler, and to be honest, a better person. That is what Jericho wants for Hook. He wants them to scale to the highest of heights together. They can reach the top of Wizard Mountain so they can both breathe in the rarified air of Jericho and reach the top! Jericho knows he can get Hook there. So what does Hook say? Is he ready to put the animosity aside so he can sit under the brilliant branches of the learning tree?

The fans are booing and saying no. What does Hook say? “No!” The fans cheer and Jericho looks disappointed. What does Hook mean, “no?” Hook says he doesn’t need Jericho’s help. Dude, c’mon. Don’t be stupid. Taz stops Jericho there, but Jericho tells Taz to stop. The fans boo but Jericho says he’s doing what Taz should’ve done 30 years ago and give this kid some proper guidance! Seriously! But this is what Jericho is talking about. He needs to get Hook away from all this dead weight that’s been holding him back his entire life. Taz says Jericho needs to calm down but Jericho says Taz needs to stop.

Jericho again tells Hook that he has had people his whole life telling him how good he is, how he’s a future world champion, including Taz, his father. But Jericho says Hook is not as good as he thinks he is! The fans boo more and Taz speaks up again, only for Jericho to SHOVE him! The fans boo even harder, and now Hook is mad! Hook drops the mic, he storms up to Jericho, and then he SHOVES Jericho into a corner! Hook tells Jericho that he crossed the line. You wanna see how good Hook is? He’ll go another round with him, anytime, anywhere! Now get outta his ring! Jericho says Hook doesn’t mean that, but Hook says it again, get outta his ring!

Hook lets Jericho go and the fans sing “Hey hey hey, Goodbye~!” Jericho slowly takes his leave, trying to smooth things over, but it’s too late for that. When and where will the Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil get his hooks into Lionheart?

 

Backstage interview with Swerve Strickland.

Renee now sits down with the #1 contender to the AEW World Championship. In just a matter of days, Swerve’s career could change. Swerve could become the NEW AEW World Champion at Dynasty. In order to do that, he has to beat Joe. We heard from Joe earlier, what is Swerve’s reaction to Joe calling him a “choke artist?” Swerve chuckles at that. He’ll ask back, does Renee agree with Joe that Swerve’s a choke artist? No, she does not. He doesn’t think so, either. Joe talked about Swerve stumbling, title opportunity after opportunity. He isn’t wrong about that. Swerve has stumbled out the gate, stumbling throughout his career.

But guess what? Swerve’s always fallen forward into success. Just in this past year alone, Swerve was put in a coffin, got back up. He got stapled, body thrown into barbed wire, and he got back up. Not but a couple weeks ago, a man punched him in the face with a chain, bloodied him, and Swerve is still here. Swerve always gets back up. That’s his military upbringing, his warrior ethos: never give up, never quit. So Joe, call Swerve whatever you want. Punching bag, choke artist, a parasite, but guess what? This Sunday at Dynasty, he’ll also be calling Swerve the NEW AEW World Champion. “Whose house?”

Renee asks what makes Swerve so confident about Sunday? Swerve thinks about it, and says with all due respect, it isn’t something he should be answering to Renee. He should be saying this to Samoa Joe. Swerve takes off the mic, takes off his jacket and his hat to get up in the camera. Swerve promises to tell Joe this to his face, in that ring, tonight! Swerve storms off, but will Joe bother to meet him out there?

 

Deonna Purrazzo VS Mariah May w/ Toni Storm & Luther!

While The Virtuosa won’t be part of the sequel title picture with the leading lady, she’ll gladly take out the understudy! Will Deonna make sure Mariah can’t help Timeless Toni against Thunder Rosa? Or will Mariah make her mentor proud?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Mariah shoves Deonna down. Mariah pulls on Deonna’s hair, they tie up again, and Mariah puts Deonna in the corner. Mariah ROCKS Deonna, whips corner to corner but Deonna reverses. Deonna runs in, blocks a boot, THROWS Mariah by that leg, then runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Roll through, but Mariah scrambles out of the ring! The fans fire up as Storm is there to check on her protege, but Deonna builds speed! Storm gets Mariah out of the way as Deonna baseball slides, and Mariah DECKS Deonna!

Mariah whips Deonna into barriers, Storm taunts the “loser,” then Mariah puts Deonna back in. Deonna swings, Mariah ducks and ROUNDHOUSES! Mariah rams a shoulder in, only to get caught! Deonna drags Mariah out for a DRAPING DDT! Cover, TWO! Mariah goes to a corner, Storm coaches her, but Deonna runs up, Mariah goes up and over, ROCKS Deonna again, then puts Deonna up top. Mariah runs up to STRATUS- NO, Deonna shoves her away! So Mariah SHOVES Deonna to the floor! The fans cheer as Mariah poses, and Storm taunts Deonna again as Dynamite goes picture in picture.

The ref is busy with Mariah, and that lets Storm step on Deonna’s face! Mariah goes out to kick Deonna around, then CHOPS her against the apron. Mariah puts Deonna in, kicks her around, and then drags Deonna up. Mariah runs to SHOTGUN Deonna down! Cover, TWO! Mariah keeps calm, Storm coaches her and Mariah CHOPS Deonna. Mariah puts Deonna in a corner, bumps her off buckles, then digs her boot in. The ref counts, Mariah lets off, but Deonna dodges the chop to CHOP! And CHOP! Mariah knees low, snapmares, then she clamps on a chinlock. Deonna endures, even as Mariah thrashes her around.

Deonna fights up, but Mariah throws her by her hair! The ref reprimands, Mariah “apologizes,” then she kicks Deonna around. Mariah brings Deonna through the ropes to CHOKE her! The ref counts, Mariah lets off at 4, then she stalks Deonna to a corner. Mariah fires forearms, stomps a mudhole in, then lets off again. Mariah digs her boot into Deonna, lets off as the ref counts, then whips her corner to corner hard! Mariah runs in, Deonna ELBOWS her back, and Dynamite returns to single picture. Deonna ELBOWS Mariah again, goes up the corner, but Mariah runs up! Deonna BOOTS Mariah, then hits a FLYING KNEE on Mariah’s arm!

Deonna runs up to LARIAT Mariah, then whips her to ropes. Mariah reverses but Deonna KICKS back! And LARIATS again! The fans fire up as Deonna covers, TWO! Deonna is annoyed but she brings Mariah up. Mariah ROCKS Deonna! Deonna ROCKS Mariah! The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster, then Deonna gets the edge! Deonna runs up, but Mariah ROCKS her at ropes! Mariah runs, but Deonna catches her to the BACK2BACKBREAKER, and right into a takedown! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Mariah scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Deonna lets go at 4.

Deonna drags Mariah up, CHOPS her, and Mariah ends up in a corner. Deonna whips corner to corner, Mariah reveres but Deonna dodges to BOOT! Cover, TWO! Mariah survives but Deonna drags her right up. Deonna reels Mariah in, vows to end this, and lifts, but Mariah slips free of the bomb! HEADBUTT! Deonna flops into a corner, Mariah takes aim! Storm and the fans rally up, KISS THIS!! Mariah hits the hip attack, then TORNADO DDTS! Cover, TWO!! Deonna survives and shocks Mariah! Mariah drags Deonna up, Storm wants this to end. Mariah fireman’s carries, Deonna sunset flips! But Mariah sits on it! TWO!!

Deonna finishes the sunset flip, DEONNA WINS!!

Winner: Deonna Purrazzo, by pinfall

But Storm attacks Deonna! She and Mariah beat down The Virtuosa, but here comes Thunder Rosa! She CLOBBERS Luther, then dodges Mariah to BOOT Storm! Then ROUNDHOUSE for Mariah! La Mera Mera shoves Mariah out, has the fans all fired up, and Deonna gets in Rosa’s face. They argue, shove, and then Mariah trips Deonna to drag her out! Mariah and Deonna brawl, Storm takes aim, to kick Rosa low! But Rosa wrenches back to DECK Storm! Rosa gets Storm into a CAMEL CLUTCH, and brings out lipstick! Rosa SMEARS it all over Storm’s crazy face! Rosa gets payback for Storm disrespecting the face paint!

Storm scrambles away, Luther doing his best to clean her up. The Storm and the Thunder are about to clash, which force of nature will reign over the AEW Women’s Division?

 

Backstage interview with Bullet Club Gold.

Renee is now with the ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champions, but she has to get the Gunns to stop tapping the mic. This is a very exciting time in AEW as Dynasty is just days away. BCG asked for this time, what is going on? Jay White says it is very exciting but Renee doesn’t seem that excited. This is supposed to be her favorite time of the week! She gets to talk with the who? Bang Bang Gang. Aw c’mon, say it with feeling! Yeah, like this! BANG BANG GANG! The Bang Bang Gang has been having a blast the last couple of months. They did some scissoring, learned new catchphrases, sold new merch, made new friends, got new fans, and the boys even hung out with their old man.

And now everyone can see just how much better off Austin & Colten are without Daddy Ass and with #StepdaddySwitch. And y’know what? They’ll fulfill their destiny at Dynasty! How did this all start? Surprise, surprise, it is all about the gold. They are the ROH Six Man Champs, and Acclaimed have what BCG wants! The Acclaimed are the AEW World Trios Champions! They’ll put it all on the line, #WinnersTakeAll! And then we will see that THE greatest three man unit today is the Bang Bang Gang! And if you ain’t down with that, they’ve got two words for ya: GUNS UP! Jay White & The Gunns want it all, but will they lose it all in St. Louis?

 

The Acclaimed respond.

Daddy Ass says, “Well. It seems that you three have finally grown a set and showed everybody what your true intensions are, and that’s to get a shot at the championships that we now hold. Well, Jay White, I’ve already beaten the life outta you. And as for those other two, hell, I’ve been beating the hell out of them since they were little kids. You called down the thunder, well now you’ve got it.” Anthony Bowens says, “That’s right, Jay White. You wanna fight? This Sunday on Dynasty, you want us to put the AEW Trios titles on the line? Well guess what? We accept your challenge. So bring your little Ass Boys, bring your big golden bat, because guess what?

“The Scissor King has got a big golden bat of your own, and you can choke on it!” Max Caster says that’s right, “Twinkblade and the Ass Boys. You guys wanna make challenges? Well let us in on the fun, too. Just for old times, let’s run it back! Two on two, Acclaimed and the Ass Boys on Collision this week, and we’re gonna beat your ass, I’ve got no doubts about it! Because…” “EVERYONE! LOVES! THE ACCLAIMED!” The stakes have been raised, who will establish their Dynasty in the Zero Hour?

 

Orange Cassidy VS Shane Taylor w/ Shane Taylor Promotions!

Trent Beretta turns on Freshly Squeezed and now it’s all falling apart. And who better to kick someone when they’re down than Big Bad Shaney T. Boy? Will Shane rumble, bad man, rumble? Or will Cassidy fight like a man with nothing left to lose?

The bell rings and the fans rally behind Cassidy. But then Ogogo and Moriarty close in. Shane tells his guys it’s fine, he’s got this. Ogogo and Moriarty stand down. Shane eggs Cassidy on about how he took out Shibata. Shane even says Cassidy can give the people what they want and put his hands in the pockets. Cassidy puts his hands up, and then in the pockets! The fans cheer, Cassidy dodges Shane and SHOTGUNS! Shane stays up, Cassidy kips up, then he dodges again! Another SHOTGUN, another kip up, and Cassidy runs to SHOTGUN again! Shane stays up in a corner, but Cassidy runs in. Shane swings, Cassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirls, but Shane blocks!

Shane suplexes, Cassidy kicks and flails, but ends up on ropes. Shane hits LONDON TOWER! Cassidy flops out of the ring, Shane distracts the ref, and Moriarty stomps away on Cassidy! Moriarty THROWS Cassidy into barriers, then puts him in the ring. Moriarty acts innocent, and Shane puts Cassidy in the corner. Shane taunts Cassidy, puts his arms around ropes and hands in the pockets. Shane winds up to CHOP! Cassidy sputters as he drops to his knees. Cassidy flops out of the ring again, but the ref tells Moriarty & Ogogo to back off while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Cassidy clutches his neck, slowly sits up, but Shane goes out after him. Shane winds up and hushes the fans, only to throw Cassidy into the ring. Shane won’t do what the fans want, and he drags Cassidy up into a corner. Shane wraps the arms around ropes again, tucks them back in the pockets, and then argues with the ref. Shane ROCKS Cassidy, Cassidy flops against ropes, and Shane taunts him while stalking him. Shane puts Cassidy in a corner, talks trash and pie faces, but Cassidy fires haymakers! Cassidy fires off shot after shot, then winds up, but Shane bobs ‘n’ weaves and HEADBUTTS! Cassidy flops out of the ring again!

Moriarty mockingly cheers Cassidy on while Shane goes out to fetch him. Shane puts Cassidy on the apron, and CLUBS him! Shane then goes up to the apron, lines up the shot, APRON LEG DROP! Cassidy sputters as he flounders away, and Shane storms back in after him. Shane taunts Cassidy, and Cassidy “unleashes” body shots. Shane pie faces Cassidy, Cassidy fires more shots, then winds up. Shane encourages the fans to fire up, too, but then Cassidy SUPERKICKS! Shane wobbles, but he DECKS Cassidy! Shane stalks Cassidy to a corner, stands Cassidy up, and Dynamite returns to single picture.

Shane fires off hands, but Cassidy dodges the chop! Cassidy runs in, Shane puts him on the apron, but Cassidy ducks to ROCK Shane back! And bumps him off buckles! ROCK, BUMP, repeat! Cassidy dribbles Shane off the buckles over and over, then lets off as the ref counts. The fans fire up, Cassidy climbs up, but while Shane distracts the ref, Ogogo grabs a foot! Cassidy shakes Ogogo off but Moriarty gets the other foot! Cassidy kicks him away, too, but Shane choke grips! Shane has Cassidy with both hands, but Cassidy throws hands! Shane still holds Cassidy up so Cassidy fires off faster and faster shots!

Shane lets Cassidy go, Cassidy runs to tilt-o-whirl, but Shane blocks the DDT again! Shane suplexes, into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Shane wobbles, Cassidy runs to DIVE onto Moriarty! Cassidy then DIVES onto Ogogo! Cassidy keeps moving, takes aim, ORANGE- NO, Shane dodges! But Cassidy dodges, only for the SOUTHPAW to hit! Cover, TWO! Cassidy survives, Shane huffs and puffs, and Shane drags Cassidy up. Shane vows to end this, and he tucks Cassidy in, only for Cassidy to fight free! Cassidy tries to Alabama Lift?! Shane’s too big! Shane KNEES Cassidy, but Cassidy ORANGE PUNCHES!! Off comes the elbow pad, Cassidy reloads, ORANGE- HAYMAKER from Shane!

Cassidy wobbles, Shane winds up again, but ORANGE PUNCH!! Cover, Cassidy wins!!

Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall

But then Moriarty clamps on a SLEEPER!! The fans boo as Ogogo storms in and unbuttons his sleeves. The fans boo as STP mugs Cassidy! Ogogo shows off the Olympic level left hand, and then Shane says this isn’t it! Get Cassidy up! Ogogo & Moriarty drag Cassidy to his feet, but here comes Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal! But then BLAM, someone hits Daniels with a chair! And BLAM, same for Sydal! IT’S TRENT!!! Trent CHUCKS the chair into Sydal’s face! The fans boo, and Trent is still wearing the shirt, “Trent & Orange Win The Big One.” Trent glares at Cassidy, STP is a bit confused, but the fans tell off #JustTrent.

STP get Cassidy up again, and Shane DECKS Cassidy!! The fans boo harder, but Cassidy is put in the BORDER CITY STRETCH!! Cassidy suffers as Trent leaves. Best Friends no more, but did Trent just watch the end of Orange Cassidy?

 

PROGRAMMING REMINDER for Saturday!

This Saturday, April 20th, the night before Dynasty, it is Collision AND Rampage back-to-back for THREE hours of All Elite Wrestling! Make sure your DVR is set accordingly so you don’t miss a minute of Dynasty Weekend!

 

BREAKING NEWS for Collision!

Just 24 hours before all their title matches on Dynasty, Okada & The Young Bucks are back in action against Pac & FTR! Will The New Elite win another trios match? Or will the #TopBastards have momentum going into St. Louis?

 

Roderick Strong speaks.

“Kyle, your comeback was sweet. I swear to you, I smiled and I cried because I was so happy to have you back. But there’s something that you didn’t realize.” Roddy is of course referring to how Kyle could do it on his own, so long as he didn’t get in Roddy’s way. Roddy finishes by saying, “When we step into the ring, I am going to break you, and I am going to end you forever!” Another friendship turned sour all because of pride and greed, but will the Savior of the Backbreaker be Kyle’s doom? Or will there be no End of Heartache when Kyle takes the International Championship away from The Undisputed Kingdom?

 

Will Ospreay VS Claudio Castagnoli!

The Don Callis Family tried to break the Blackpool Combat Club, and they just about did it to Bryan Danielson at the end of Collision last Saturday. Will the Swiss Superman exact some revenge on behalf of the American Dragon? Or will the Aerial Assassin simply sharpen his blade using Claudio’s body?

Dynamite returns as Claudio makes his entrance. Don Callis has magically appeared on commentary because “the golden goose,” “The King of the Bangers,” is here thanks to him. The bell rings and Claudio immediately UPPERCUTS Ospreay to the corner! Claudio drags Ospreay to a cover, TWO!! Claudio keeps the hot start going as he hauls Ospreay up, reels him in, and tucks the arms! RICOLA- NO, Ospreay slips free to ROCK Claudio, whip, but Claudio reverses. Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges and RAN- NO, Claudio blocks the rana to pop Ospreay around into a BACKBREAKER! Ospreay clutches his back while fans are torn.

The fans rally for Ospreay as hard as they can, but Claudio stands Ospreay up to ROCK him! Claudio storms up on Ospreay in the corner, throws a body shot, but Ospreay CHOPS in return! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Claudio UPPERCUTS Ospreay down! The fans fire up, Claudio whips Ospreay to a corner, then runs up, into a BOOT! Ospreay goes up to FLYING RANA! Claudio tumbles away, gets up, but Ospreay BOOTS him out of the ring! The fans fire up, Ospreay aims but Claudio moves. No plancha and the fans boo, but Ospreay storms out after Claudio to CHOP him again! Ospreay ROCKS Claudio, but Claudio RAMS Ospreay into barriers!

The fans rally, Claudio RAMS Ospreay into railing! Claudio whips Ospreay at the LED, but Ospreay leaps over! Claudio runs up, but Ospreay ROCKS him first! Ospreay then goes up onto the barrier, to FLYING FOREARM! Down goes Claudio and the fans fire up! Ospreay SMACKS Claudio off aprons, fires shots, then puts Claudio in the ring. Fans sing for “OSPREAY~, OSPREAY OSPREAY OSPREAY~!” as he goes up the apron. Ospreay springboards but Claudio trips him up! Fans boo but Claudio drags Ospreay in, runs side to side, and DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans boo as Claudio stands on Ospreay and stomps around.

The ref reprimands and counts, Claudio steps off at 4, but then DOUBLE STOMPS again! Claudio brings Ospreay up, scoops, and hits a BACKBREAKER! Claudio bends Ospreay back against his knee, but Ospreay endures. Ospreay gets his hands in, throws hands on Claudio and stands up. They trade forearms, the fans rally, and Claudio eggs Ospreay on. Ospreay ROCKS Claudio! Claudio ROCKS Ospreay! Ospreay fires a flurry, but Claudio ROCKS him again! Claudio brings Ospreay around to ROCK him in the back! Claudio eggs Ospreay on, whips, but Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl and again, DEJA VU RANA!

The fans fire up as Claudio bails out! Ospreay gets fans to join in “OI! OI! OI!” then he runs up to PLANCHA! But Claudio catches him! APRON BACKBREAKER! Ospreay writhes, Claudio soaks up the heat, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Claudio stomps Ospreay around, drags him up, and then whips him hard into the LED barrier! Claudio leaves Ospreay behind to step into the ring, and he lets the ring count handle this. Ospreay rises, clutches his side and hobbles his way into the ring. Claudio is there to stomp away on him! Claudio drags Ospreay up, Ospreay fires a forearm! Claudio fires back, they throw forearms back and forth again, but then Ospreay snapmares and KICKS Claudio! Claudio gets right up to snapmare and run, to UPPERCUT Ospreay! Cover, ONE!! Ospreay stays tough and Claudio grows frustrated. Claudio then clamps on with a chinlock.

Ospreay endures, fights up, throws body shots, then puts Claudio in a corner. Ospreay whips corner to corner but Claudio reverses, and Ospreay hits buckles hard! Claudio does a little victory lap before he cheers himself on. Then he drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Claudio clamps a chinlock right back on, and the modified S grip lets him wrench Ospreay’s head. Dynamite returns to single picture as Ospreay endures, fights up, and throws body shots. Claudio knees low, runs, but into the TIGER WALL KICK and ENZIGIRI! Ospreay whips, Claudio reverses but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Callis says he told Ospreay in their strategy meeting that he needs “moves in bunches” to take down Claudio. The standing count starts, but both men stir. Claudio drags himself up with ropes, but Ospreay just kips up! “This is Awesome!” and Ospreay fires up! Ospreay runs in corner to corner, BOOT! Ospreay shoves Claudio down, goes to the apron, springboard and PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay keeps calm while he brings Claudio back up. Ospreay underhooks, but Claudio blocks the lift! So Ospreay fires Kawada Kicks! Claudio UPPERCUTS! Claudio UPPERCUTS but Ospreay catches it!

Ospreay backslides, TWO! But then Ospreay steps through to SHARPSHOOTER! The fans fire up as Claudio endures his favorite hold! But as such, Claudio powers up, trips Ospreay, and now Claudio has the SHARPSHOOTER! Ospreay endures, the fans rally, but Claudio sits deep! Claudio reaches back, hooks an arm, and shifts to a CROSSFACE! The fans duel as Claudio rolls Ospreay from ropes! Ospreay rolls to a cover, TWO! Claudio BOOTS Ospreay, whips, but Ospreay handsprings again! Claudio gets under, ducks ‘n’ dodges, springboard, into a SUPERKICK! Underhooks, TIGER DRIVER! Cover, TWO!!

Ospreay is beside himself while both men are down, but the fans are thunderous! The fans want them to “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this match has a time limit! Ospreay rises, he brings Claudio in and underhooks again, but Claudio still resists! Ospreay fires more Kawada Kicks, but Claudio RAMS him into a corner! Claudio lets off slowly, and pokes Ospreay in the eyes! The fans boo but Claudio UPPERCUTS again and again from all sides! The ref reprimands but Claudio UPPERCUTS until Ospreay sits down! Claudio then reels Ospreay in, short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Ospreay stays in this but Claudio stays focused.

Claudio scuffs Ospreay, the fans rally, and Ospreay rises. Claudio scuffs Ospreay more, slaps him around, but Ospreay fires a forearm. Claudio forearms back! The forearms turn to UPPERCUTS as Claudio fires from all sides! An UPPERCUT knocks Ospreay down, but he kips up to PELE! The fans fire up while Claudio wobbles, comes back, but Ospreay slips through the lariat! Ospreay reels Claudio in, but Claudio slips out of the bomb to UPPERCUT! Tuck the arms, RICOLA- RANA!! Cover, TWO!!! Claudio escapes but the fans are thunderous for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” Ospreay aims as Claudio rises, BUZZSAW and HEEL KICK!

Ospreay calls his shot, goes to the ropes and springboards, but Claudio catches him! Torture rack, BURNING HAMMER!! Cover, TWO!!! Ospreay survives and the fans fire up again! Claudio calls his shot now, and he sits Ospreay up. Claudio runs, runs, but Ospreay SPANISH FLIES!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives, but off comes the elbow pad! Ospreay aims, runs up, but into a POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!!! Callis came outta his seat but Ospreay is still in this! Claudio says it’s time, and the fans fire up! Claudio gets Ospreay’s legs, for the GIANT SWING! But Ospreay sits up!? And slips through to DDT!!

Ospreay goes up and up and LEAP OF FAITH!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives that sky twister, but Ospreay aims! HIDDEN BLADE!!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall

The Aerial Assassin takes down the Swiss Superman in an instant classic! Even Callis says that’s incredible! But wait, Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher & Will Hobbs show up to mug Claudio! The fans boo, but Ospreay is rather surprised by this. Callis takes no responsibility for what his guys are doing, but Takeshita still drags Claudio to the ramp. This is like at the end of Collision! But unlike last time, here comes MOX! The fans fire up as the DCF regroups in the ring, only for Moxley to jump in from the crowd! Moxley fires hands on everyone, but that’s still a 3v1 fight! Hobbs and Fletcher mug Moxley, but he throws Kyle away to fire off with Hobbs!

Claudio is up, he DUMPS Takeshita into the stands! Moxley sends Hobbs running, and now the BCC regroups! Ospreay is still confused and upset and he storms off. Will the #BillyGOAT still get a fair fight with Bryan Danielson at Dynasty? Will Moxley humble Hobbs as part of AEW Homecoming? Well BREAKING NEWS for Collision tomorrow night! Bryan Danielson returns to action alongside Claudio Castagnoli to take on Kyle Fletcher & Konosuke Takeshita, IN A BUNKHOUSE BRAWL! Will the American Dragon breathe fire and burn down the Don Callis Family all in one weekend?

 

Swerve heads to the ring!

Just as he promised, and with Nana by his side, The Realest is here. He has the music cut to say that this Sunday in St. Louis, the main event of Dynasty, it is Swerve challenging Samoa Joe for the AEW World Championship. The fans chant “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Swerve gets in the ring and says he was asked earlier tonight, how does he believe he’s going to defeat Joe? That answer is simple: remember last week, when he knocked Joe on his ass and had him scurrying like a little b*tch? Joe had fear in his eyes! He was quivering! Swerve was standing there, the title above his head, and it looked mighty good on him.

Joe showed Swerve everything he needed to see. Joe was scared! The fact that Joe knows Swerve’s gonna beat him and win the title. Swerve’s just out here with the people of Indianapolis, he’s just waiting on Joe to come out here so he can say all this to Joe’s face, like a man. So Swerve’s here, Nana’s here, so Joe, bring your Sweet Tooth ass out here! Swerve waits, and here comes Joe! But security stands in the way! This is the man Swerve wants, and he says he just wants to talk, so he can knock Joe’s ass out again! The cluster of Joe and the security guards gets closer and closer, so Swerve goes up and up! Swerve SUPER STOMPS the whole thing apart!!

The fans lose their minds as Swerve stares Joe down! Swerve says he is taking this from Joe, and then the fists fly! Joe whips Swerve into steel steps! Joe puts Swerve in the ring, fetches his belt, and says Swerve’s taking nothing from him! Joe storms into the ring, smirks as Nana checks on Swerve, and then Joe mocks Nana’s dance. Nana turns around and says hold on now! Joe storms up on Nana, but Swerve gets up to BOOT Joe! Swerve aims, for a HOUSE CALL! Joe is down but Swerve goes up! The fans are thunderous, but Joe trips Swerve up! Nana panics as Joe tells Swerve that he is NOT that man!

Joe HEADBUTTS Swerve, tucks him in, and hits the MUSCLE BUSTER!! Joe looms over Swerve, picks up the title, and holds it up high. Will this be the scene at the end of Dynasty? Or will Swerve finally have his moment?


My Thoughts:

A great Dynamite as the go-home to Dynasty, great escalating of things between Blackpool Combat Club and Don Callis Family. Moxley has a really good opening promo, and he surprisingly calls out Hobbs. Ospreay has an awesome main event with Claudio, and of course Ospreay wins to have momentum going into Dynasty. And I do appreciate that he is against how the Don Callis Family is doing things. They didn’t need to beat up Claudio, he isn’t even part of Dynasty, and now that even backfired as there’s going to be a BIG tag match on Collision as one last go-home to Dynasty. Pretty sure Bryan & Claudio win that so Bryan has momentum, too, making Dynasty’s dream match much more unpredictable.

Good promo from Mercedes Mone, and I like that her hair was colored to match the new Dynamite colors. But also, good detail for her to think how I was thinking, the attack on her could’ve just been Willow making us think it was Julia. Really good Mixed Tag with how someone, apparently Julia, attacked Willow beforehand. It ended up mostly an Edge VS Brody match that way, but good heroic entrance by Willow. But of course the House cuts corners to win, and great save by Mone to run Julia off. This does tease Mone VS Julia but I’m very certain the go-home math says Willow wins the TBS Championship to make Double or Nothing the rematch from the NJPW Strong Women’s title tournament.

Also good stuff in the AEW Women’s World title story as Deonna VS Mariah was a great match. Good win for Deonna, but of course Storm attacks her and that brings out Rosa. Rosa stands tall here, so the math indicates Storm retains. But at the same time, there’s still potential for Storm and Mina Shirakawa to fight over Mariah as opposed to fighting over a title. Or maybe they’ll fight over both? After all, May is Double or Nothing, so it could be a bit of both. Or like, Storm retains the title, but Mina “wins” Mariah to her side, #RoseGold does stuff in AEW or even ROH, and Storm will be without one of her insurance policies.

Great stuff in the story of New Elite. I actually liked The Bucks interrupting the hype package because it started too FTR friendly, and we got a great Six Man Tag. Of course The New Elite beat Pac, Penta & Garcia, but I was kinda hoping FTR was going to make the save to better set up the Six Man Tag I honestly thought we were getting tonight. Pac & FTR VS Okada & Bucks has to go really wonky, though, that’s a lot of go-home math that affects many titles. Meanwhile, Jericho’s face to face with Hook went about as expected in that Jericho ruins it cuz of his ego. Him shoving Taz was the unexpected part but it got Hook mad, and so we’re definitely getting Hook VS Jericho for the FTW Championship at some point.

Good promo from Roddy to hype up his match with Kyle, maybe Kyle has a tune-up match during Collision or Rampage this Saturday so he has momentum going into the match. Great match from Cassidy VS Shane, and while Shane Taylor Promotions interfered a lot, Cassidy winning was of course happening. STP beating him down, and Trent stopping the save was some wild stuff, though. A little surprised no one’s interviewed Trent, or tried and then get shot down by Trent, but him still wearing the “win the big one” shirt kinda implies what broke him. The moment they didn’t win the big one, after all the losses leading up to this, Trent finally gave up on Best Friends.

I am very happy that Acclaimed VS Bang Bang Gang is going to be Winners Take All for the trios titles. Good promos from both sides, but I just hope the winners will bring their AEW and ROH titles to both Collision and ROH TV on Honor Club. We finally got Kyle Fletcher back on ROH TV, the other male champions of ROH need to show up. And uh, for that matter, if Wheeler Yuta is unable to compete at all with his injury, Tony Khan needs to figure out what to do with the ROH Pure Championship. But I think we all know what’s going down with the AEW World Championship. Great promos from both Joe and Swerve, then a great final confrontation to close the night. And per the math, Joe stands tall, meaning Swerve is taking that title at Dynasty.

My Score: 8.9/10


Powered by RedCircle


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

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (4/16/24)

Rage in the cage!

Published

on

Nothing is over until Carmelo Hayes says it’s over!

Not able to accept his loss at Stand & Deliver, Carmelo Hayes drags Trick Williams into the cage! Will Trick ever be able to get past… HIM?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Noam Dar w/ The Meta Four VS DIJAK; Dar wins.
  • Sol Ruca VS Lola Vice; Lola wins.
  • Ridge Holland VS Joaquin Wilde; Ridge wins.
  • Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Je’Von Evans; Dragunov wins.
  • Thea Hail w/ Chase U VS Tatum Paxley; Tatum wins.
  • Malik Blade & Edris Enofe VS The Authors of Pain w/ The Final Testament; AOP wins.
  • Josh Briggs VS Ivar; Ivar wins.
  • Steel Cage Match: Carmelo Hayes VS Trick Williams; Trick wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Noam Dar w/ The Meta Four VS DIJAK!

The Meta Four’s idea to parody #HardJustice obviously didn’t make Dijak laugh, but it’s the Scottish Supernova who will take the heat for it. Will Dar teach Dijak to have a sense of humor? Or will “Mr. PLE” prove he’s no joke?

The bell rings and the two circle. They approach, Dar gets around to headlock, but Dijak powers out. Dar RAMS shoulders but Dijak doesn’t budge! Dar kicks, kicks, bobs ‘n’ weaves and he kicks Dijak’s leg out! Dijak ducks the buzzsaw to choke grip! Dar choke grips, but that’s not as effective. Dijak SHOVES Dar into a corner, but Dar avoids the haymaker to KICK, KICK and KICK! Dijak blocks,. Dar SLAPS! Dar grabs an arm to wrap around ropes, but Dijak shoves him away. Dijak storms up on Dar, brings him up, reels him in, but Dar wrenches to KICK the arm! BACKHAND! Dijak wobbles, Dar runs up to CLOBBER him! Cover, ONE!!

Dar clamps onto Dijak’s arm and he pulls it back. The fans rally as Dijak fights up and rolls through. Dijak avoids the sweep, whips Dar to ropes, but Dar holds ropes to bail out. The Meta Four coaches Dar and fans him off, but Dijak storms out! Dar slips back inside, but Dijak BOOTS him! Dijak then springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, Dijak covers, TWO! Dar stays in this and the fans rally up. Dijak drags Dar up, whips him to ropes, then scoops Dar, but Dar tilt-o-whirls into a GUILLOTINE! Dijak endures, powers up, and he RAMS Dar into the corner! Dar holds on! Dijak powers up again, but Dar throws headbutts!

Dijak pries the body scissors to KNEE Dar, and FLING him out of the ring!! The fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” while NXT goes picture in picture.

Dijak snarls while Meta Four checks Dar. They fan him but Dijak storms out after him. Dijak drags Dar up, stands him up against barriers, and CHOPS! Dijak talks trash, Dar shoves him back, but Dijak storms up. Dar fires forearms, but Dijak knees low! Dijak CHOPS Dar and Dar spasms from the pain! Dijak brings Dar around, puts him in the ring, but Dar bails out the side. The Meta Four get in Dijak’s way but he just pushes through. Dijak drags Dar up to then scoop, only for Meta Four to get in the way again! Dar slips free, and he POSTS Dijak! Meta Four taunts Dijak, then Dar KICKS Dijak against the apron!

Dijak gets in the ring, Dar pursues, and Dar stomps Dijak around. Dar KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Dijak wobbles, Dar reels him in, but Dijak’s too big for a fisherman suplex! Dijak throws body shots and then suplexes Dar away! Both men are down while Dijak catches his breath. Dijak rises, and he takes aim as Dar stirs. Dar stands, into the choke grip! But Dar ROCKS Dijak with a left hand! Then roll into CHAMPAGNE SUPER KNEEBAR! Dijak endures, even as Dar twists the ankle! Dijak fights around, sits up, and the two start throwing hands! NXT returns to single picture as Dar and Dijak go back and forth!

Dijak ROCKS Dar again and again, but Dar fires a flurry in return! The fans rally for Dijak as he roars, and he ROCKS Dar again and again and again! Dijak is free, and he KICKS Dar in the face! Meta Four panics, Dijak watches Dar rise. Dijak hobbles up to ELBOW Dar down! And ELBOW again! Dijak runs, breaks through the lariat and FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up while Dar flounders to a corner. Dijak storms up and puts Dar in the corner to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP, repeat! Meta Four freaks out as it’s TIME TO FLY! The fans are thunderous behind Dijak while Dar flounders around.

Dijak aims, spins, but Dar jumps on! GUILLOTINE, but Dijak pries the hold open fast! Dijak choke grips, and he brings Dar up for HIGH JUSTICE!! Cover, TWO?!? Dar survives and Meta Four is very relieved. Dar sputters while the fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” Dijak drags Dar back up, reels him in, but Dar fights with elbows! The fans rally, Dar reels Dijak in and still wants the fisherman! Dijak throws body shots, so Dar wrenches to KICK the leg! Dar reels Dijak in again, but Dijak throws more body shots. Dijak shoves Dar, Dar stops himself then dodges the boot! Dijak gets hung up, Dar goes up to FLYING LARIAT!

Dar hurries to get Dijak in, FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Dijak survives, but Dar ARMBARS!! Dijak flails, reaches out, but Dar keeps changing his grip! Dijak stacks Dar, TWO! SUPERKICK! The fans fire up as Dar flounders. Dijak runs up, but Dar dodges, so Dijak hits buckles and tumbles up and out of the ring! Dar runs up to CLOBBER Dijak into the steel steps! The fans boo but Dar runs up to DROPKICK! Dar puts Dijak in, Dijak staggers to his feet, into the BACK ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Dijak survives and the fans fire up! Dar is beside himself, fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this is just the opener!

Dar aims from the corner, Dijak rises, and Dar runs in, into a SUPERKICK! Dar QUESTION MARK KICKS! Dijak roars, spins, into the HAYMAKER! Dar runs, into the CYCLONE BOOT!! The fans are thunderous and Dijak storms around! Dijak calls his shot, but Oro gets on the apron! Dijak swings on Oro, Oro ducks it, but then Dijak SUPERKICKS! NOVA ROLLA!! Cover, Dar wins!

Winner: Noam Dar, by pinfall

The numbers game wins again as Main Man Mensah bites the bullet! Will Dar use this momentum to make his way towards a title opportunity?

 

Ilja Dragunov meets with Ava Raine.

The Czar visits the NXT General Manager in her office as she brings up that next week is the start of the two-week Spring Breakkin’. Yes, and he adds that it’ll be the last week of Trick Williams in NXT as Dragunov will defend this title. Yes, well, we’ll see. But tonight’s main event is Trick VS Melo in a Steel Cage, and yet Dragunov doesn’t have a match. That doesn’t seem fair given the title match. Well, she’s the GM, she can do what she must. Then that means Dragunov will be in action! But… he does get to pick his opponent. He welcomes that challenge.

But then he wants her to send a message to the entire NXT locker room that whoever stands eye to eye with him first will be the one to have that match with the Mad Dragon. Dragunov heads out while Ava sends the message, who will take this Open Challenge as their opportunity to reach the top?

 

Tatum Paxley speaks.

“I always wanted to be good. That’s every little girl’s dream: fitting in, playing with dolls, living the life just like the ones in the fairytales. But then I realized… no matter how good I am, nobody wants to play with girls like Tatum Paxley. The cool girls didn’t wanna be my friend. But I didn’t need them. I found the one thing that would be good to me as long as I was good back. It didn’t matter who held it, because I will always be there for it. Charlotte, Bayley, Asuka, Shayna, Kairi, Rhea, Iyo, Raquel, Roxanne, Indi, Tiffany, Becky, Lyra…

“Oh, Lyra. I loved you. I wanted to be you, because you were the closest thing to good as there was! And I was a good girl because I fought hard to keep that championship with you! You were the only one that really let me in, and that title made us real best friends. We were so close! But then, you lost the one thing that I love most, the NXT Women’s Championship. Lyra, you broke my heart. So what is Lyra to me now? Nothing. And I see now that Roxanne is the coolest girl in class. But I can’t have that anymore. It needs to be me. Lyra, my sweet dove, you’re in my way.” Twisted Tatum’s come to play, but will she be the one that’s good enough to challenge the champion?

 

Sol Ruca VS Lola Vice!

The Sol Surfer was just telling it like it is, and that upset the Mayor of Vice City. Will Lola cause Sol to wipe out before Spring Breakkin’? Or will Sol continue to ride a wave of momentum towards title opportunities?

NXT returns as Sol makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Lola wrenches and clamps onto the arm, but Sol cartwheels and lifts Lola! Sol slams Lola down then has the cording hold. Lola headscissors, Sol kips free then trips Lola to flip over her! Lola sits up into the mule kick! Cover, TWO! Sol clamps onto an arm, wrenches, then wristlocks. Lola wrenches back, kicks then mule kicks! Sol goes to a corner, Lola storms up and whips, but Sol goes up and up and over! Sol keeps moving, Lola drops down but Sol handsprings through the hip toss to FACEBUSTER! Then DROPKICK!

Lola goes to a corner, Sol runs in but Lola dodges to BACKHAND! The fans rally while Sol sits up in a daze. Sol stands, Lola fires off lightning kicks! Lola puts Sol in a corner, goes to the far corner and reminds us, “I’M A LATINA~!” She shakes her hips then HIP ATTACKS! Cover, TWO! Lola gets in Sol’s face, saying she’s the next champ, then she AX KICKS Sol down! And KICKS her in the side! Lola storms up on Sol, brings her around to KICK and KICK, then she brings Solo up. Solo ROCKS Lola, ROCKS her again, but Lola BODY BLOWS! Lola clamps on with a SLEEPER! Sol endures, fights up and has Lola as a backpack!

The fans rally as Sol RAMS Lola into buckles! Lola jumps back on for the SLEEPER! Lola’s still a backpack, so Sol swings and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Sol flounders to the corner, Lola runs up, but Sol dodges! Sol CLOBBERS Lola, CLOBBERS her again, then springboards to CROSSBODY! Sol scoops Lola and POWERSLAMS! Then STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Solo keeps cool and the fans rally. Sol goes to the apron to springboard, but she has to roll through as Lola moves! Lola runs up, Sol dodges and goes up! Lola anchors legs, Sol kicks her away and FLYING SUNSET FLIPS! TWO, and Lola stands! Sol ducks a kick to SUPERKICK!

Solo goes up and up and then CARTWHEEL- BLAIR HITS THE ROPES! The ref reprimands, but Lola HEEL KICKS Sol down! Cover, Lola wins!

Winner: Lola Vice, by pinfall

Blair with the assist there as Lola scores major points. It’s buenas noches for now, but then Natalya tells Lola hey! Natty’s on the tron and says Lola kept Natty from winning a title she never held before. Well now, Natty will fight Lola on her turf, in her match, to test her. So now is Lola’s chance to show us what she’s got. Time for Lola to show us her heart. In two weeks, Spring Breakin Night 2, Natty VS Lola… in NXT UNDERGROUND!! The fans fire up as the BOAT is looking to sink Vice City, but who will move on to be a step closer to title opportunity?

 

NXT Anonymous is watching…

This was yesterday as Ridge Holland talked with Ava about his in-ring return. Only for Joaquin Wilde to storm up and tell Ridge to just admit who he really is. Ridge put hands on Wilde to RAM him into the wall and shout “You don’t KNOW who I really am!” Ava reprimanded Ridge for his outburst and Ridge stormed off. Ridge is clearly still working on his inner rage, but will he let all of it out on Wilde tonight?

 

Arianna Grace meets with Gigi Dolin.

The self-appointed Miss NXT says there is still so much to work on with “Giorgina” before Spring Breakin’. Surely she’ll be late. But no, Gigi is actually early, to Grace’s surprise. Yeah, because the sooner they start, the sooner they get this over with. Arianna isn’t gonna make her bow and curtsey or whatever, is she? They’ll get to etiquette later. The first essential is the dress. Time to go show shopping! Think of your body as a canvas. The way Gigi dresses now… Makes people think she’ll kick their head in if they get too close? Yes. And what a horrifying vision that is! They need to strive for peace, not the opposite.

That prize is within their grasp, they just need to change Gigi’s attire and soften that rather… harsh exterior. Gigi sighs and says fine, but at least make it black. It goes with everything, she already has shoes that match. Black? No, no, no! Why not? Arianna says she’ll take the lead. Gigi just needs to open her mind and allow elegance to come right in. They’ll have Gigi looking like Arianna in no time! Gigi sighs, but just how bad can this get?

 

Ridge Holland VS Joaquin Wilde!

Yorkshire Grit is starting to loose his grip on his emotions. His bad mood made him sloppy and that’s how he accidentally hurt Cruz Del Toro. But will there be no accidents with what Wilde’s gonna do to get payback? Or will he push Ridge one step too far?

The bell rings, Ridge asks what Wilde wants from him about Cruz’s hand. Wilde fires off forearms! Ridge SHOVES Wilde, CLOBBERS him, and says what happened with Cruz was an accident! Ridge grabs at Wilde, Wilde slips under, and Wilde kicks low to UPPERCUT! Wilde runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then goes up and up to TORNILLO CROSSBODY! Cover, ONE, but Wilde DROPKICKS Ridge out! The fans fire up with Wilde, he PLANCHAS but Ridge moves! Ridge pushes Wilde, Wilde stops from hitting post, so Ridge UPPERCUTS! Ridge fires forearms, but then Wilde ducks! Ridge hits post, then Wilde SUPERKICKS!

Ridge gets in the ring, Wilde runs in, but Ridge puts him on the apron! Wilde ducks one lariat but not the RIGHT! Wilde falls off the apron but fans boo Ridge as he huffs and puffs. Ridge keeps insisting Cruz’s hand was an accident. Wilde gets in, Ridge traps him in ropes to UPPERCUT again and again! Ridge BOOTS Wilde down, covers, TWO! Ridge clamps onto Wilde with the armlock and he grinds the shoulder. Wilde fights up, throws body shots, but Ridge traps the arms! Ridge HEADBUTTS and Wilde ends up in a corner. Ridge runs in to SPLASH, then OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Wilde flounders, Ridge runs up, but Wilde dodges!

Wilde runs back in, ELBOWS, then runs to come back, but Ridge POUNCES! Ridge drags Wilde up, throws knees, then reels him in. Ridge hoists Wilde up, but Wilde DDTS! The fans rally, and Shawn Spears appears on stage. The Chair Man insists that the truth is painful, and Ridge storms up. Wilde ELBOWS Ridge, fires off haymakers then whips, but Ridge reverses. Wilde springboards to FLYING CHUCK! Then JAWBREAKER! Then POP-UP BOOT! Ridge staggers, Wilde spells it out, “L! W! O!” But Ridge runs back up! Wilde goes Matrix to then NECKBREAKER! Ridge bails out and the fans fire up with Wilde!

Wilde builds speed, and DIVES, into a POWERSLAM!! Ridge drags Wilde up and into the ring, hauls him up into a PACKAGE DDT! Cover, Ridge wins!

Winner: Ridge Holland, by pinfall

Wilde may have let his emotions get the better of him, but Ridge is still conflicted. Spears smiles, is Ridge’s “truth” about to come to light?

 

Josh Briggs visits the medical center.

He’s getting his ribs checked and he says he feels much better now. Though, it’s still a bit painful to breathe and move around, is that normal? Yes, especially given those ribs were broken. Briggs needs to be careful until he’s truly 100%, but he’s “cleared as tolerated.” Briggs thanks the doc, but then Ivar checks in. Ivar asks if Briggs is good and Briggs says yeah, he’s cleared and ready to go after Oba Femi again. Ivar says he likes the grit, but he’s been in this room so many times before. Take it from Ivar, give it a couple more weeks so he can fully heal up. In that time, Ivar can have his match with Oba, and then when Ivar wins the title, Briggs is first up. How’s that sound?

Briggs says absolutely not. Ivar can go back to Raw and get his ass kicked by Sheamus again. Okay, okay, Ivar sees how this is gonna go. Then tonight, Ivar VS Briggs, winner fights Oba. Briggs says then go put on the war paint and he’ll see Ivar tonight. The Viking Raider and the Blue Collar Brawler are ready to throw hands, but who will get their hand raised at the end of the night?

 

Brinley Reece posts to TikTok.

She wants everyone to know she, Malik Blade & Edris Enofe are all going to work out at the Performance Center and wants them to join in. #BrinActive! They pump up to take on “Ohp.” Who? Y’know, A O P. Oh, Authors of Pain… But Edris says knowing their luck, by the time AOP is done with them, they’ll be SOL. Brin puts it together she’s been saying it wrong, but yeah they are scary. But who cares! She’ll be in their corner! Edris says no she’s not! Malik smooths it over by saying they can’t let their bad juju rub off on Brin. Edris says they need any kind of luck right now. They have been losing and losing!

Malik calms Edris down and says they just have to believe. Brin says exactly! Believe in the lift! Let’s go! Well, Brin’s always positive, will Edris ever see things her way? Or will Akam & Rezar write them off completely?

 

Andre Chase finds Thea Hail backstage.

She thanks him for coming to talk. He appreciates her wanting to meet, even with her match against Tatum tonight. After last week, they need to talk this out. They sit, and Thea says Jacy wasn’t lying about that bet. Nope. Last July, Chase was already knee deep into his gambling. At the time, he had things under control. Which is why he felt right betting on Thea against Tiffany Stratton. He knew deep down, Thea could do this. Thea could become the youngest NXT champion in history, so when asked if he was for or against, he went all in on Thea. But then seeing her suffer, her refusing to tap out, tears flowing down her cheeks, Chase had to throw in the towel.

In that moment, he didn’t care what it cost him, he just wanted Thea to be okay. Then why didn’t he tell her? She treated him so badly after that! Why didn’t he say something? Because she didn’t sign up for that, she just wanted to win a title. Then what about the towel? Honestly, he just hoped she would understand where his heart is, both that night and every night. He’s always in Thea’s corner. Then she is sorry! She hugs him and he says it’s okay. Chase U looks stronger than ever, but will there be another chance at a title for Thea in the future?

 

The D’Angelo Family is here!

The fans cheer as The Don leads Stacks, Rizzo & The Legal Eagle out to the ring, having finally returned to NXT after his loss at Stand & Deliver. Tony feels a little better showing off the new suit, then he gets the mic. Tony says after he and Stacks lost the tag titles, he talked about rapid growth in the family. He never said it was gonna be easy, but he knew it was worth it. And if you ask him how, when he’s not NXT Champion, Tony thinks about where they were a year ago. They made Pretty Deadly disappear, but they faced serious allegations. Now he looks at Stacks and the Consigliere, Luca Crusifino, both ready to crack skulls and add gold to the family.

Tony looks to Adrianna, the future of the NXT Women’s Division! And at Stand & Deliver, he went toe-to-toe with one of the toughest men in NXT history! Tony and Dragunov had a fight, one of the hardest fights Tony has ever gone through, and Tony lost. But this is about going one more round when you can’t. Toughness comes from longevity, and he’s here to tell you- Well, No Quarter Catch Crew interrupts first. Charlie Dempsey has the mic to tell Tony he doesn’t appreciate their dealings from last week were made public. What kinda business is he running here? Is Dempsey talking to Tony? Oh yeah, he sure is!

NQCC get in the ring but Tony tells them they came to the Family to take care of one of their own, all because they didn’t have the cajones to do something themselves! No problem, they’re the experts. Yeah, well, when it comes to taking someone out- Oh oh oh, stunad! No specifics, okay? There’s people watching. Yeah but Tony said- Hey, Charlie, didn’t Tony just say no specifics? Tony says they’re No Quarter, right? Well, Tony hasn’t gotten his full quarter, so when’re they gonna pay up? What? Payment? Wasn’t this for the good of the business? There was trash that needed to be taken care of, and they did that. It did the industry some good while they were at it.

Luca tells Mr. Dempsey that they’re still on the hook for services rendered. But the Don has a suggestion: They can either settle the debt, or it gets handled the way the D’Angelo Family always does it. Damon Kemp says no way, this was supposed to be done for the- Whoa, whoa, Damon, no one was even talking to you. Tony says he’ll say this to all three. Tony doesn’t do this for charity, or about feelings. This is about business, and in his business there is a code that you don’t betray. So listen up. It doesn’t matter who NQCC think they are, but they wanna come out here and interrupt him? Don’t think so.

Charlie tells Tony, “Is there anything else you wanna say to me? Is that it?” Tony says that Heritage Cup looks pretty nice. Oh does he? Well, don’t look at the cup, look at Charlie. That cup represents the competition and skill that takes place in this ring. It doesn’t need to be held by some two-bit gangster in wrestling boots! Charlie didn’t have a problem with that when Tony took care of this situation. So is Charlie gonna pay up? Over his dead body that some lowlife scumbag disgraces that cup! Scumbag? Well… Tony takes off the suit jacket, and says how bout this? They brawl! The fans fire up as The Family clears the ring of the NQCC!

The battlelines have been drawn, is The Family about to test that Catch Clause?

 

Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS ???

The NXT Champion is just fine with facing anyone in the back ahead of facing Trick Williams one last time next week! But then who will step up to be the “tune up?” Lexis King, Joe Gacy, and a lot of others rush out here! They all brawl, but in from the crowd side, it’s JeVon Evans! Ya boi bouncy~, and he quite literally jumps to the front of the line! Dragunov likes the Young OG’s guts, but will he beat those guts right outta him here tonight?

The bell rings and Evans fires forearms with Dragunov! The fans fire up as they go back and forth over and over! Dragunov fires boxing elbows but Evans BOOTS! Dragunov BOOTS, Evans rebounds to spin but Dragunov ducks the kick! GERMAN SUPLEX! Dragunov holds on, he drags Evans up, and GERMAN SUPLEXES again! The fans chant “DAT BOI!” “BOUNCY~!” but Dragunov drags him up again. Evans pries free, elbows, but Dragunov rebounds to PELE! Then GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Evans flounders to a corner, Dragunov runs in, but blocks a boot! Dragunov blocks another try, puts that leg in the ropes, and then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS!

The fans fire up while Evans slumps down, and Dragunov scrubs him with his boot! Dragunov runs side to side, but into a SUPERKICK! The fans fire up again as Evans has Dragunov dazed! Dragunov stands, he ROCKS Evans, but Evans ROCKS Dragunov! Evans blocks a chop to CHOP, then repeat! Evans CHOPS, CHOSP and CHOPS, the fans “WOO~” again and again. But Dragunov block sone, to HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Then GERMAN SUPLEX, but Evans lands out of it! Evans runs to SCREW HIGH KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Evans and Dragunov rise again.

Evans winds up to KICK! Dragunov wobbles, so Evans KICKS again! Evans goes up and rebounds, but Dragunov turns Rana into POWERBOMB! Evans grits his teeth as he sits up, but Dragunov runs and runs and runs to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Evans survives being turned inside-out but Dragunov nods. The fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” as Dragunov brings Evans up. Dragunov fireman’s carries, but Evans fights free! Dragunov hits buckles, Evans reels him in but Dragunov fights with elbows and knees! CONSTANTINE- SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Dragunov survives that sudden turn around and the fans are loving it!

Evans aims from a corner as he goes up and up, but Dragunov CHOPS first! And SLAPS Evans right to the apron! Evans BOOTS back, springboards, but into a CHOP!! Dragunov sits Evans up so he can run and KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! Evans survives and the fans are thunderous! Dragunov reels him in, “This is Awesome!” as Evans fights the bomb, and DDTS! Dragunov flounders out of the ring, Evans goes to the far side. Evans snarls as he gets to his feet, and he builds speed to FLY!! Direct hit at the ramp! Evans puts Dragunov in, hurries up again, and FROG SPLASHES onto knees! Roll through and deadlift, Dragunov powers Evans up to a fireman’s carry!

Dragunov then hits a CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Dragunov goes to the corner, “UN! BE! SIEG! BAR!!” TORPEDO MOSCOW!! Cover, Dragunov wins!

Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall

The Young OG showed guts and ability beyond his years, but he’s still a little early if he wants to be champion. Dragunov does show Evans respect, will we see this showdown again one day?

 

Backstage interview with Karmen Petrovic.

Kelly Kincaid is with Karmen to speak on Natty facing Lola in the first-ever Women’s NXT Underground match. Will Karmen help her train? 1000% yes! Karmen will get Natty training, but her schedule is so crazy right now. She’s on the WWE Europe tour, but then in walks Lola. Lola says Karmen can help Natty all she wants, but Natty is entering Lola’s world, and will be playing by Lola’s rules. Sure, Natty has guts, but she can’t handle the Latina Heat. Karmen can be in her corner, teach Natty all she knows, but it won’t mean a thing. Just wait until you see who Lola has in her corner. See you at next week’s contract signing. Adios~!

 

Sol talks with Ava backstage.

Blair cost Sol nine months of her career, a year of Wendy Chu’s, so much of Nikkita Lyons’, and Sol’s match tonight! Sol NEEDS to end this. Ava hears that, but Sol already had her match with Blair. No, not just another match. Sol wants Blair in NO DISQUALIFICATIONS! Is that what she wants? Sol says she will not stop until Blair has to be carried outta here. Sol storms off, is she going to wash Blair away with the tide? Or is this all playing right into Blair’s hands?

 

Thea Hail w/ Chase U VS Tatum Paxley!

The fire is back inside the top prospect, and she’s ready to blaze a trail back to title contention! But will we all hail Thea? Or will the twisted outcast not stop until she’s the one on top of NXT?

NXT returns and Tatum makes her entrance. The bell rings and Thea rushes up. Tatum slips around, waistlocks and SLAMS, then floats around to smile right in Thea’s face. Thea is creeped out and backs up, but Tatum slithers up. Thea rushes in again, but into another waistlock. Thea arm-drags free, runs up, but into a scoop! Thea arm-drags Tatum, runs up to back body block, then runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Tatum goes Matrix! Thea leaps over, the two stare down, and the fans fire up. Tatum reaches out but Thea grabs that arm! Thea SPLASHES down on it, and Tatum flounders to a corner. Thea runs in but only gets buckles!

Tatum scoops Thea to BACKBREAKER! Thea writhes, Tatum has Thea on ropes and bends her against them! The ref counts, Tatum lets off, but she KNEES Thea down. Thea goes to the corner, Tatum runs up, and she BODY CHECKS Thea into the buckles! Tatum digs Thea into the buckles but lets off as the ref counts. The fans rally for Thea and she fires forearms! Thea whips, Tatum reverses to knee low! Tatum grins as she GUT WRENCH PLEXES! Cover, TWO! Tatum top mounts Thea to say she’s the next champion, but Thea hits with body shots. Tatum hooks Thea’s legs and turns over, SPLADLE CHINLOCK! Thea endures as gravity does all the work!

Thea fights her way out, then fires forearms! Tatum hits back, and says the title is hers! Thea HEADBUTTS Tatum down! Tatum goes to ropes, comes back, but Thea wrenches for the ARMBAR CODE BREAKER! Thea whips and CLOBBERS Tatum! And CLOBBERS her again! Thea mule kicks a leg out, runs and ROLLNG NECKBREAKERS! But wait, is that Jazmyn Nyx? Jazmyn is mocking the “nerd” but Thea tells her “SUCK IT!” Thea scoops Tatum, POWERSLAM! SENTON! Thea shakes the ropes, but Jacy trips her up! The fans boo and Tatum ghost pins, Tatum wins!

Winner: Tatum Paxley, by pinfall

It seems no one can leave well enough alone, can they? Thea makes Jacy pay with a TOPE SUICIDA!! The fans fire up as Thea rains down fists on Jacy, but Chase and Riley get in there! Jacy hits Thea back but refs rush out to stop this! And then IN the ring, Lyra goes after Tatum! They brawl, refs have to divide and conquer, but the Morrigan is enraged! Will Thea humble the toxic Jacy once and for all? Will Lyra have vengeance on the two-faced Tatum?

 

Backstage interview with Roxanne Perez.

Kelly Kincaid says it looked like there was going to be a Stand & Deliver rematch between her and Lyra, but after- Oh, yeah, that freak finally turned on little her “girlfriend.” But it doesn’t matter how obsessed Tatum is with the title, or if Lyra has a chip on her shoulder, they can destroy each other for all Roxie cares. Beat each other to a pulp! Roxie will sit back, be entertained, and whoever makes it out of that fight in one piece maybe, just maybe, gets a title match. Wow, that was super easy. Like, what’s Ava even complaining about? Roxie sees it: Spring Breakin’, Roxie defends her title 1v1 against-

Ava walks in and says Roxie is so right. She made Ava’s job even easier! Why choose? Triple Threat! Roxie VS Lyra VS Tatum! NO! Of course Ava does this! Everyone is against Roxie, so why not Ava? Ava wants Roxie to lose her title without actually losing! Well, Roxie said Ava’s job is easy, but surely Roxie will do great. Ava leaves, Roxie is fuming, but will Roxie have no choice but to eat her words?

 

Malik Blade & Edris Enofe VS The Authors of Pain w/ The Final Testament!

It’s getting harder and harder to find the silver lining for Malik & Edris, and this time, platitudes like “there’s always next time” might not apply. That’s because Akam & Rezar, backed by Paul Ellerin, Karrion Kross & Scarlett Bordeaux, might just write their Final Chapter! Will Malik & Edris survive to fight another day? Or is there no upside to facing AOP?

NXT returns as Malik & Edris make their entrance, minus Brin like Edris said. The teams sort out, Akam starts against Edris. They tie up, Akam RAMS Edris into the corner and fires off hands! Akam swings, Edris dodges and fires off hands! Akam shoves Edris, Edris tags Malik and then Edris DROPKICKS Akam! Malik goes up to AX HANDLE! Akam stays up, Malik fires more hands! Tag back to Edris and he goes up, so he can AX HANDLE! Akam is still up, he headlocks, and Rezar tags in as Edris powers out. Akam whips, pop-up to Rezar for the CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO!

Edris survives and Rezar is already furious! Rezar HAMMERS away on Edris, then paces around. Edris drags himself to ropes, but Rezar is right on him. Tag to Akam, the AOP stand Edris up and Akam runs to KNEE Edris low! Rezar CLUBS Edris down, Akam clamps on and makes Edris look to Malik. Akam dribbles Edris’ face off the mat! Malik reaches out, the fans rally, but Rezar tags in. AOP gets Edris up, pops up and KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Edris survives and the fans rally again. Rezar seethes as he drags Edris away. Rezar reels Edris in, TOSSES him to a corner, then runs in, only to get buckles! Hot tag to Malik!

Malik dodges Rezar, BLASTS Akam and fires off on Rezar! Rezar stays up, swings, but Malik dodges to DROPKICK! Rezar tumbles out, Akam storms in but Malik SUPERKICKS! Malik builds speed, Edris tags in, Malik FLIES! AOP catches Malik!! But Edris FLIES but Malik’s thrown at him!! The fans go nuts as AOP are still monsters, and then AOP get a man each. SUPER COLLIDER!! Cover, AOP wins!

Winners: The Authors of Pain, by pinfall

The Final Testament makes up for their loss at WrestleMania, if only in part. But will they not stop until they’re once again wearing NXT gold? Speaking of, Nathan Frazer & Axiom are here! AOP attacked the champs last week so the dynamic duo want to return the favor, except the refs stand in the way. Will the Undeniable Hard-Hitting Truth be able to take the fight to the Final Testament?

 

Arianna & Gigi visit Lauren Nicole.

The shopping begins, and Gigi can’t believe Arianna thinks Gigi would actually wear anything from here. Like, what is this frilly halter top? Arianna wants “Giorgina” to understand that to become a princess, she must act, think and believe that she truly IS a princess. And Arianna for one thinks Gigi has all the makings to be one. OMG look at that dress! Arianna rushes over to grab the big green one. What does Gigi say? She hates it already. Like, so much. Nonsense! She’d look breathtaking in it! Well, Gigi could make it her own. Yes, Giorgina! Such a fast learner! Then Gigi has some ideas. She’ll try it on.

Arianna is ecstatic that Gigi is taking this seriously! Gigi slips into a dressing room, and there is definitely sounds of tearing. When Gigi comes out, she’s given the outfit a makeover! Yeah, Gigi does look good. She just had to “Gigi” the dress up a bit. She’ll wear it out, thanks. Spring Breakin’, here she comes! Arianna’s paying. Do they take credit?

 

Josh Briggs VS Ivar!

JBL’s seal of approval means a lot to Briggs, and he wants to finally prove JBL was right to give him the nod. He may have failed to take the North American title at Stand & Deliver, but will he fight his way to another shot here tonight? Or will the raid crash the party at Spring Breakin’?

NXT returns and Briggs makes his entrance, taped up quite a bit around the ribs. The bell rings, the two run up and Ivar BOOTS! Ivar whips, Briggs reverses but Ivar rolls off Briggs’ back! Ivar then cartwheels to dodge and he LARIATS Briggs down! The fans fire up, Briggs goes to a corner and Oba is watching as Ivar fires ELBOW after ELBOW! The fans chant “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” and Ivar whips Briggs to ropes. Briggs blows through the lariat to BOOT Ivar down! The fans fire up as Briggs storms up and whips back. Briggs scoops to SIDEWALK SLAM and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Briggs clutches the ribs, this is perhaps all double-edged right now.

Briggs powers through the pain, but runs up into a SEATED SENTON! The fans fire up while Briggs sputters. Ivar storms up on Briggs, drags him up and CLUBS him, but Briggs throws body shots. Ivar CLUBS Briggs again, has him on ropes, and then HEADBUTTS! Ivar runs, into an ELBOW! Briggs choke grips, but Ivar breaks free to BODY SHOT! Briggs sputters, Ivar reels him in, underhooks for the Canadian Rack! Briggs slips free, ELBOWS, and runs, into a SPINNING POWERSLAM! Briggs coughs and sputters, Ivar underhooks for the TIGER DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! Briggs survives and stuns Ivar!

Ivar storms around, goes to a corner and climbs up. The fans rally as Ivar aims for the VIKING- NO, Ivar rolls through the splash as Briggs dodge! BOSS MAN SLAM! TWO! Briggs’ bad ribs probably held that move back, but Briggs isn’t gonna stop! Briggs gets Ivar up, wrenches, and GUT BUSTERS! Briggs huffs, puffs, runs, and RAMS Ivar! Ivar tumbles out of the ring, and Briggs roars as he fights through the pain! Briggs goes to the apron, and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! Down goes Ivar and Briggs rises! The fans are torn as Briggs reels Ivar in. Ivar fights the lift to RAM Briggs into steel steps!

Briggs hobbles up, into the HEEL KICK! Ivar puts Briggs in, goes up the corner again, for the DOOMSAULT!! Cover, Ivar wins!

Winner: Ivar, by pinfall

Perhaps Briggs should’ve listened to Ivar earlier, he was nowhere near 100% and therefore had no chance of stopping the War Beard. Will Ivar raid right through The Ruler and take his throne?

Kelly Kincaid asks Oba his opinion on this win, and Oba just says, “Interesting.” Oba leaves, and he apparently clobbers Oro without a second thought! Main Man Mensah is upset that this keeps happening, when will he get his shot at The Ruler?

 

Steel Cage Match: Carmelo Hayes VS Trick Williams!

After he failed to Stand & Deliver, Melo could not stand the fact that Trick was going back for THE NXT Championship. Trick’s getting his shot at Dragunov one way or another, but will Melo make sure Trick doesn’t have a leg to stand on? Or will this be Trick finally saying goodbye and good riddance to HIM?

Before the match, Kelly Kincaid is with Melo at gorilla. He cuts her off to tell Trick that this ain’t over until Melo says it is. Trick thinks he’s gonna be a champion, that he’s gonna make it out of the cage in one piece, but Melo will make sure that doesn’t happen. Melo gave Trick everything he has here, and now he’s taking it all away from his ungrateful ass! Melo heads out, his personal security following behind. Then Trick makes his entrance and the fans go wild! NXT is ready to see Trick whoop Melo one more time because there’s no escape. The bell rings, the two storm up, and Melo shoves Trick. They circle, Trick runs up but Melo dodges!

Melo goes to bump off the cage but Trick blocks. Melo then blocks Trick trying that, then Melo gets space. Melo  rushes up, Trick headlocks but Melo powers out. Things speed up, melo jumps but into a scoop and SLAM! Trick then scoops to SLAM again! Trick scoops again, but Melo slips free to shove. Melo runs up, Trick dodges and Melo jumps up, but Trick brings him off the cage. The two circle again, Melo kicks low then runs, but he rolls off Trick’s back and Trick DROPKICKS! Trick scoops to SLAM again, then covers, TWO! The fans chant “Melo Got Whooped!” Trick whips, Melo holds ropes to stop himself, but Trick runs up to ROCK him!

Trick whips, Melo holds ropes again, then he sidesteps to SMACK Trick off steel! Melo runs, springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Melo then gets a baton from a security guard! Melo SMACKS Trick with the stick! Then SMACKS him again! And AGAIN! Trick writhes, the fans boo, but Melo SMACKS Trick down again! Melo mockingly conducts the booing while NXT goes picture in picture.

Melo taunts the fans, then he CHOKES Trick with the stick! Trick fights up, pulls the stick away, but Melo knees low! Melo JAMS Trick, SMACKS him on the back, then swaggers around. Trick slowly rises, Melo talks more trash as he winds up, but Trick blocks the stick! Melo kicks low, winds up again and SMACKS Trick low! Melo tosses the stick away to whip Trick, but Trick reverses and back drops! Melo flounders to ropes and Trick stands. Trick runs up, but into a drop toehold! Melo KICKS Trick, CLUBS away, then has the FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Trick rolls through to a cover, TWO! Melo CLOBBERS Trick!

Melo drags Trick up, wraps his arm around ropes and pulls! Trick can only suffer until Melo lets go. Melo puts the other arm around ropes to pull on that, then he has a SLEEPER! Trick endures, the ref reprimands, but Melo lets go when Melo wants. Melo SMACKS Trick off the steel! Cover, TWO! Melo seethes, he drags Trick around, and he ROCKS Trick. Trick ROCKS Melo back! Melo ROUNDHOUSES Trick, CLUBS him, and stomps away! Melo fires off wild shots while NXT returns to single picture. Melo has Trick in a corner, climbs up to stand on Trick’s head, and then stomps the arms against the ropes!

The fans boo, Melo SLAMS Trick’s arm against the steel, then SLAMS the arm again! The fans boo but Trick hits back! Melo stomps Trick, YANKS the arm against ropes, then stalks Trick. Melo whips, Trick blocks, then Trick whips. Melo reverses to ARMBAR CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Melo is frustrated but he clamps onto Trick’s bad arm. The fans rally as Trick endures, and Trick powers his way around. Melo brings Trick down to an ARMBAR! Trick powers his way to a cover, TWO! Melo lets Trick go to kick, whip, but Trick blocks! Trick reverses, but Melo reverses back to send Trick into steel!

Trick falls back, but Melo gets him up. Trick stops from hitting steel, but Melo kicks him through ropes to stomp him against steel! The fans boo but Melo soaks it up. Melo drags Trick back up, runs side to side, and he SPLASHES Trick against steel! And then SPLASHES him against steel again! Melo goes again, but Trick drops and Melo splashes into steel himself! The fans fire up while Trick rises! Melo kicks Trick, Trick blocks the whip to ROCK Melo. Trick whips Melo, Melo goes up but Trick follows! Trick clinches, SUPER BOOKEND!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Trick rises, the fans rally, and Trick pounds the mat.

Trick ROCKS Melo, Melo fires back! They go back and forth, Trick gets the edge, then whips Melo for the LEG LARIAT! LEG LARIAT! FLAPJACK! The fans fire up, Melo staggers and Trick aims! Trick spins but Melo rushes up to LA MYSTI- NO, Trick stops that to INVERTED SUPLEX! Trick kips up, the fans fire up with him, and he whips Melo into steel! And more steel! And more steel! And then the fourth wall! NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives but Trick lets the hair down! Trick drags Melo around, cartwheel and ripcord, but Melo arm-drags! Melo runs, but he’s sent into steel again!

Trick storms up, but Melo HOTSHOTS the bad arm! Melo climbs, aims, but Trick catches the three pointer for the BOOKEND! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives but Trick isn’t done with him! Trick fireman’s carries, but Melo DDTS! Cover, TWO! Trick is still in this but Melo stays on him. FIRST 48! Trick rebounds to LEAPING LARIAT! Melo comes back to V-TRIGGER! “This is Awesome!” as both men are down! Melo goes to the corner, Trick rises at center, and Trick runs up after Melo! SMACK off the steel! But Melo gives it back! Trick SMACKS Melo, Melo SMACKS Trick! They dribble each other off the steel again and again!

Trick and Melo wobble, but then Trick CHOPS! Melo CHOPS! Melo SMACKS Trick off steel, headlocks, SUPER BULLDOG but Trick superhero lands out of it! Trick shakes his head, Melo is furious, and Melo runs up! Trick dodges to SPIN KICK! But the personal guards climb the cage! Trick BLASTS a couple off the side, but there’s still another! Trick hurries to get that guy, but the fourth gets in with a chair!! Trick kicks that guy first then TOSSES Him around! And this is a BIG guy! Trick sees the guy stagger to the door, and BOOTS him out! Trick closes the cage, but Melo has the chair!! Trick dodges, runs up, FULL METAL TRICK SHOT!! Cover, Trick wins!!

Winner: Trick Williams, by pinfall

Melo tried to stack the deck but Trick’s shot don’t miss! And now, Trick climbs the cage to be level with the perch, where Dragunov is watching! Spring Breakin’, NXT Championship, and if Trick loses, he must LEAVE NXT. Will Trick’s final chance be the one chance he needs to finally be on top of the world?


My Thoughts:

A great NXT here as the go-home to Spring Breakin’ 2024. Great opening match from Dar and Dijak, and while the fans were super behind Dijak, of course Dar wins thanks to help from Meta Four. Dar is definitely being primed for some kind of title opportunity past Spring Breakin’, but Oro kinda got the karma for cheating when Oba Femi again clobbers him while simply exiting a room. Good promo from Briggs and Ivar to set up Briggs VS Ivar, which was a great match. The promo helped us understand how beat up Briggs is, so logically, Ivar would win. Oba VS Ivar is going to be great stuff, and I would think Oba wins.

Good NXT Anonymous promo to add heat to Ridge VS Wilde, and of course Shawn Spears shows up during that match. Ridge wins, though it’s hard to say he was that more brutal with Wilde than any other match, but maybe Ridge is going to end up more and more unhinged. Really good #gymtok promo from Brin, Malik & Edris, but of course AOP demolishes Malik & Edris in the match. Axiom & Frazer wanted after AOP but that’s rather reckless when AOP are both physically bigger than Bron and Corbin. I’m sure Axiom & Frazer find a way to win, but this is gonna be pretty brutal for the champs.

Great stuff in the Women’s Division building towards both the top title and the coming Women’s North American Championship. Great match from Sol VS Lola but we should’ve known Blair would mess Sol up. Then Natty calls out Lola, so we’re going to get awesome stuff out of both the “Beach Brawl” No Disqualification match and the NXT Underground match. And then really good promo where Mr. Chase and Thea finally make amends for last year, and good promo from Tatum putting the twist on how her character’s been this entire time. Kinda some long term storytelling with how Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn always sensed that darkness in Tatum.

Tatum VS Thea of course got Jacy & Jazmyn interfering, there has to be one final blowoff of Jacy VS Thea for Spring Breakin. And Lyra going after Tatum was great stuff, and Roxie was good in her promo. The Triple Threat was a wild move but Roxie might have a point, she could lose that title without being pinned, and then she gets drafted away. We saw Roxie be part of the Raw After Mania, maybe that’s where she’s headed. After all, we know Melo’s gonna end up on SmackDown. Great Steel Cage main event, and again I like that it was a use of the No Escape stipulation. Trick of course won, he’s got momentum going into what is surely his win next week.

As such, Dragunov might end up drafted away after he loses, and if so, his match tonight was even more awesome for him giving Je’Von Evans some shine in the Open Challenge tonight. Evans is definitely ahead of the curve, he’s going to be a big name very soon. The only real rough spot from tonight would probably be the D’Angelo Family interacting with NQCC. They made good points but the flow needed to be ironed out for it being live in front of the fans. For one, we’re getting a big Six Man Tag, and that will then give Tony D’Angelo momentum going into a Heritage Cup match with more than likely Dempsey.

But I think part of the awkwardness in the promo was them having to work-shoot away the Gulak issue. From how things were worded, NXT is siding with Ronda, as Gulak wasn’t even directly named in this whole thing, but they made it sound like he was the problem. Gulak wasn’t part of events during Mania Weekend or anything since, though there’s nothing on him being fired or suspended. we’ll just have to wait and see how this goes.

My Score: 8.8/10


Powered by RedCircle


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

Sports

Entertainment

Sports Entertainment

Buy A Chairshot T-Shirt!

Chairshot Radio Network

Trending

WP Twitter Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com