Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Strong Style Evolved Report! (3/25/18)

This review of NJPW: Strong Style Evolved will be as broadcast by AXS TV.
Gifs courtesy of http://frentique.tumblr.com
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 6 Man Tag: Roppongi 3K VS SoCal Uncensored; RPG3K wins.
- Taguchi Japan’s Juice Robinson & David Finlay VS Chaos’ Hirooki Goto & Gedo; Robinson & Finlay win.
- Chaos’ Chuck Taylor & Toru Yano VS Killer Elite Squad; Killer Elite Squad wins.
- The Guerrillas of Destiny VS Cody & Marty Scurll; Cody & Scurll win.
- 8 Man Tag: Dragon Lee & Taguchi Japan VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; LIJ win.
- Jyushin Thunder Liger VS Will Ospreay; Ospreay wins.
- Chaos’ Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii VS Suzuki-Gun’s Minoru Suzuki & Zack Sabre Jr; Suzuki & ZSJ win.
- IWGP United States Championship: Jay White VS Hangman Page; White wins and retains the IWGP USC.
- Golden☆Lovers VS The Young Bucks; Golden☆Lovers win.
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PLAY BY PLAY
For NJPW, the G1 Special in the USA was only the beginning.
NJPW, as well as their partner in ROH, has ascended to new heights, and have even evolved. The stars are out to outshine each other, from top to bottom of tonight’s match card. Strongest of all, the Switchblade as the new IWGP United States Champion already has a major contender in the Bullet Club’s Problem Solver. And as the Bullet Club Civil War grows stronger, the reunited Golden Lovers wish to show Omega’s other friends, The Young Bucks, who really is the best tag team in the world today. Tonight is about survival of the fittest, tonight is about who has evolved.
6 Man Tag: Roppongi 3K VS SoCal Uncensored!
Rocky Romero helped Sho & Yo evolve from Tempura Boyz into Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! Meanwhile, The Addiction adapted and added Scorpio Sky in order to pursue trios titles. Which team will have proven themselves the better adapter here tonight?
The fans chant for “Rocky! Rocky!” as he starts against Scorpio. Rocky and Scorpio circle, tie up, and Rocky gets the arm wrench. Scorpio rolls and rolls then spins to bring Rocky to the mat. Rocky stands back up but can’t grab hair because Scorpio is bald. Rocky hits Scorpio so Scorpio hits back, and they move to chops. Scorpio changes to forearms, Rocky gives a strike fest. Rocky whips but Scorpio reverses to a takedown, roll and neckbreaker! The fans applaud as Scorpio backs off and watches Rocky. Scorpio tags Kaz while Rocky tags in Yo. Kaz kicks low, puts Yo in a headlock, but Yo fights and powers out. Kaz runs Yo over but Yo is right back up, only for Kaz to kick and whip again. Yo runs and whips Kaz, to then run Kaz over with a flying elbow.
Tag to Sho, Yo hits Scorpio and Daniels, then Sho & Yo double whip. Things speed up, drop toehold to dropkick! Daniels runs in but he gets dropkicks, and RPG3K has SCU on the defensive. Kaz rakes Sho’s eyes and tags Scorpio, Scorpio fires of on Sho. Things speed up again, Sho dropkicks Scorpio! Kaz back in but he gets the knee, and the fans chant for “Roppongi! Roppongi!” Yo tags back in, and clubs Kaz down. He snap suplexes, cover, TWO. Kaz wants a time-out but there are none in wrestling. He wants a handshake, Yo kicks him instead. Yo backs Kaz down then whips but Kaz reverses, cheap kick from Daniels! Yo rocks Daniels with a right, then he fights Kaz back. He runs, but Scorpio trips him up, Kaz springboards but doesn’t quite get it, still drops the legs.
Daniels tags in and keeps on Yo, then whips Yo to ropes for the calf kick. Daniels grinds a knee into Yo, then brings Yo over to tag in Kaz. The Addiction double whip while fans rally, Kaz body shots, Scorpio adds double stomps and then Daniels the STO, Kaz the leg drop, cover, TWO! Kaz grinds Yo with the facelock but Yo stands up and fights back. Fans rally again but the referee gets distracted. Rocky tags in, and clubs away on Kaz, but the referee stops that. Kaz brings Yo over and hangs him up on the ropes, to then kick him right in the chest. Daniels takes advantage with the Arabian press! He puts Yo back in the ring, Scorpio slingshots in for the cutter! Cover, TWO! Scorpio can’t believe that, but he tags Kaz back in.
Together, they put Yo in a corner and whip him corner to corner. Yo dodges the splash, then Kaz’s lariat, to tag in Rocky! Rocky springboards for the crossbody! He gets a two-for-one huricanrana on Daniels and Scorpio! He has the Addiction corner to corner for the infinite clotheslines! Kaz dodges but he still gets The Addiction at the same time! Rocky rallies the fans and punches on Kaz. He whips Kaz corner to corner, Kaz slips out but misses his lariat, Rocky knees him then springboards for the dropkick to Kaz’s back! Cover, but Daniels breaks it. Sho & Yo come in and go after Scorpio and Kaz. All six men are in, double whip but Kaz and Scorpio hold ropes. Sho & Yo run over but get dumped out of the ring. Rocky goes for Sliced Bread but Kaz grabs Rocky into tombstone position! Scorpio targets Sho & Yo and FLIES!
Meanwhile, The Addiction hit Best Meltzer Ever! Kaz covers, but Yo manages to break it! The fans are loving this. Yo fights Daniels and Scorpio alone, which doesn’t go his way. They double whip, but Yo dodges, the cutter hits Daniels! Yo enziguris Scorpio down, then regroups with Rocky and Sho. Sho tags in, he goes after Kaz. Yo helps out, they double whip but Scorpio tags in. Sho & Yo see it coming with a kick, then Yo slingshots over!
Sho German Suplexes once, twice, but Scorpio fights off the hat trick. Scorpio runs, but into the double knees! Yo bringS Scorpio up, suplexes for Sho, and together they hit the running dominator cutter! Cover, TWO!! Frustrated, Sho gets Scorpio up for Yo’s elbow. Backstabber to dropkick, but they’re gonna keep going. They rally the fans, then stalk Scorpio. They hit the 3K! Cover, Roppongi 3K wins!
Winners: Roppongi 3K (Romero, Sho & Yo; Yo pins)
Chaos’ flashy trio are victorious here against one of ROH’s top teams, can they find their way back to the IWGP Jr. Tag Team titles?
Taguchi Japan’s Juice Robinson & David Finlay VS Chaos’ Hirooki Goto & Gedo!
Juice & Finlay have been on a roll as of late, but they’re going up against veteran stars in the Fierce Warrior and the Rainmaker’s right hand man. Will youth and exuberance finally win out against old age and treachery?
The Flamboyant Juice starts with the NEVER Openweight Champion, who are very familiar with each other. Goto gets the waistlock but Juice pries his way out to the standing switch. Goto gets the reversal, but Juice reverses back. Juice wristlocks but Goto rolls to put on a hammerlock then headlock. Juice powers out, they collide but neither falls. The two stare down, Goto runs again, and Juice again withstands his shoulder. Juice runs now, fans cheering him on, but Goto bounces off his shoulders. Things speed up, Juice runs Goto over with the back elbow! Juice drops the back senton, then covers, TWO. Juice stares Gedo down, then brings Goto up for a chop. He whips Goto corner to corner, Goto reverses the whip but runs into a boot.
Juice runs but he and Goto collide with clotheslines. Juice fires up and runs again, but Goto follows. Goto misses, dodges, then gets Juice on the return. Finlay runs in but Goto catches him into a suplex onto Juice! The fans applaud while Goto stomps on Juice.
Goto bleeds from the mouth but is not bothered by it as he crossface punches Juice against the ropes. He stretches Juice back with a chinlock, knee digging into Juice’s back. The fans rally and Goto elbows Juice in the head. Goto tags to Gedo, Gedo keeps on Juice at the ropes with rakes to the eyes. Gedo stalks Juice while he reaches for Finlay, only to bring Juice back. He bumps Juice off Goto’s boot, then Goto tags in to drop more elbows. Juice fires back, so Goto rocks him with another heavy right.
Goto stalks Juice, tags in Gedo, and together they whip Juice for double shoulders. Gedo taunts Finlay, then rakes Juice’s eyes again. The referee counts and reprimands, Gedo lets up on Juice. Gedo taunts Juice while fans rally, Gedo jabs and jabs but Juice kicks to punch back! The fans chant “Juice! Juice!” with every punch, but then Gedo pokes his eyes. Juice returns the favor, and Gedo staggers over into Finlay’s punch! Hot tag to Finlay, and Goto comes in to intercept. Finlay still rallies on Goto, then whips but Goto reverses. Finaly gose up and over, builds speed and runs Goto over with the leaping elbow! He has Goto and Gedo in opposite corners, so he goes corner to corner for endless back elbows! Finlay pushes Gedo out, hops up, and hits a flying EuroUpper! Cover, TWO, but the fans are rallying for the Son of Fit Finlay.
Finlay goes for a cutter on Gedo, but Gedo pushes him away into Goto’s fireman’s carry and Ushigoroshi! Gedo adds a mule kick, then covers, but Juice breaks it. Goto is right on Juice and they brawl again. Juice runs but into the fireman’s carry, only to slip out for the full nelson slam! Juice is fired up, but Gedo gets him with an uppercut. He gives one right back, then slingshost to take Goto out. Finlay fires up as he stalks Gedo, for the stunner! Cover, Finlay & Juice win!
Winners: Robinson & Finlay
Flamboyant but ferocious, Finlay and Juice make quite the team already. If they found a way to defeat veterans like Goto & Gedo, will they be able to climb up to the top of NJPW’s Heavyweight Tag Team Division?
Chaos’ Chuck Taylor & Toru Yano VS Killer Elite Squad!
The Kentucky Gentleman and the Sublime Master Thief are set to take on some serious hard-hitting and un-apologetically obnoxious bad boys of Suzuki-Gun. Will the jovial and carefree combination be able to best the brutality of Archer & Davey Boy Jr?
Not when KES goes right at them before the bell! Archer beats down Yano outside while Davey Boy beats up Chuckie T in the ring. The fans chant for Chuck even as Davey Boy headbutts him. Chucke gets Sole Food out of a whip reversal, then puts Davey in a standing Octopus! Davey powers out but Chuck slips away. Chuck misses the enziguri but gets a big deadlift German Suplex from Davey. Davey boots Yano down, which fans boo, then he clubs Chuckie T. Tag to Archer, who throws heavy rights and chops. He runs corner to corner, but Chuckie gets a boot up. He goes to powerbomb, but Archer body drop shim up and over, then reels him into a lariat.
Fans boo the bad attitudes, but Archer keeps on Chuckie with a clubbing forearm. He walks up for some Old School, then all the way to tag Davey. Fans admit that was good with their applause. Davey taunts Yano but Chuck fights back with right hands. Davey still picks Chuck up and throws him down. Cover, TWO, but Davey chinlocks Chuck to grind him down. Fans rally for the Kentucky Gentleman, and Chuck feeds off it to fight out. Davey knees low then whips, belly2belly suplex, cover, TWO. Fans keep going for Chuckie but Davey turns him over for a Boston Crab. He adds a leg, that’s almost a Lion Tamer. Chuck endures, and fans rally, but Davey just lets him out to drop an elbow. He rains rights right into Chuck’s head, then tells the fans to shut up when they boo.
Tag to Archer, Archer gets in Yano’s face and Yano backs away from the ring. Archer stalks Chuck, the fans rally but Archer still runs Chuck over with a shoulder. Yano tries to come back but Archer scares him again. Fans try to give Yano courage, but Yano isn’t so sure. Archer tags Davey and KES mug Chuck in their corner. Davey double underhooks, then butterfly suplexes Chuck far. Cover, TWO, but back into a chinlock. The fans chant for “Chuckie T! Chuckie T!” Chuck fights out but ends up in KES’s corner again. Archer tags in and they mug Chuckie more. They go for the spinebuster lariat, but Chuckie ducks and turns it into a DDT on Davey!
Yano returns to his corner, the fans rally, and Chuckie fights off Archer to hot tag Yano! Yano throws forearm after forearm, but Archer hits him back. Archer runs, Yano grabs hair but Archer slaps him away. Archer whips Yano but Yano holds ropes! Yano taunts Archer, and then gets in the ropes for safety. The fans join in on the trolling, which infuriates Archer. Archer runs in, Yano dodges him. Then Yano begs for mercy. He tries the low blow, but Archer saw it coming! Archer whips but Yano reverses into the Atomic Drop. Nothing happens… And Yano freaks out to the ropes. The trolling continues but Archer doesn’t care, he knocks Yano down to the floor.
Fans boo but Archer just mocks Yano. Archer runs, but Yano ducks to deny him a target. Archer exits the ring, Yano trips him up! Then Yano gets out of the way and lets Davey collide with Archer! Chuckie T FLIES in outta nowhere! KES goes down, and Yano realizes he’s still standing. The fans want to see this, and he builds speed, to untie the pad!
Yano grabs the buckle pad, and tosses it to Archer. Archer swats it, then goes in, but Yano is upon him with stomps. That do nothing… Archer roars and grabs Yano’s hair, but so does Yano to Archer. They both want the other to let go, Yano gets the yank. Only to turn back around into an angry Archer.
Tag to Chuckie, then Archer hits those exposed buckles! Chuckie grabs Archer but Archer powers him up and over, sunset flip! TWO! Chuckie gets to a corner and knees back, then tries again. PILEDRIVER! Cover, but Davey breaks it. Yano throws him out, and Chuckie keeps on Archer. Davey hits Yano back, but Chuckie is climbing up high. MOONSAULT! But he lands on his feet when Archer rolls. Chuckie tries the backslide but no go, so he forearms Archer a few times. Chuckie runs, but into the POUNCE! Then CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO, into Crucifix! TWO!!
So close, so the KES want to finish this. Full-nelson lift but Chuckie fights back. He SUPERKICKS Archer, then with fans rallying, he gives Davey and Archer clotheslines in the corner. But archer follows and gets Chuckie with one of his own. Then the full-nelson, KILLER BOMB!! Cover, The Killer Elite Squad win!
Winners: Killer Elite Squad (Archer & Smith, Archer pins)
Being carefree doesn’t do it here. “Everybody dies” when they go up against Archer & Davey Boy, and Archer even calls out the “B Bros”. KES wins matches, they don’t. Are Archer & Davey Boy ready to take out #DemBoyz, the Briscoes, on their road to the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships?
The Guerrillas of Destiny VS Cody w/ Brandi Rhodes & Marty Scurll!
The Bullet Club Civil War spreads as now it drags in Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa to go against the would-be Leader and his pal in The Villain. Will the Bullet Club still be fine after yet another rivalry? For that matter, the fans are more on Scurll’s side than they are Cody, so will Cody’s ego be fine after this match?
Cody wishes to speak first, however, and grabs a mic. Fans boo, so he hands the mic to Scurll. The fans cheer, but then boo when Cody takes the mic back. The mic isn’t on, so the fans cheer again. The mic turns on and Cody speaks, insisting “Bullet Club is fine.” What isn’t, is booking this match. Cody says there will be no Bullet Club VS Bullet Club match. But here’s some knowledge as to why: because the members of The Bullet Club are all friends.
Tama Tonga, OG BC! GoD, the three time IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! Wrestlers like them is what made Bullet Club cool in the first place. And it’s “superstars” like Cody that make it popular today! The fans agree with the former more than the latter, by saying “F*** you, Cody!” Cody mishears that as “Team Cody”. But the studs here and the lovely woman of Brandi, it’s all Team Cody! Right, Tama?
Tama stares at Cody holding the mic out at him. Loa takes it for him, and says that Cody cannot deny Long Beach and the world this match. “Especially the Bullet Club family”, “Too Sweet! Woop Woop!” Therefore, the scheduled match will happen, and if there is a team the GoD is on, it’s definitely not Team Cody. Cody takes offense and attacks Loa! The bell rings, and Tama gets right in Cody’s face. Tama fires off on Cody, whips him, then arm-drags him! Loa returns to clothesline Cody out, but then Scurll tries to be on their side? Brandi protests as Scurll tells Cody to get out of there! But Scurll isn’t fooling anyone, GoD stare him down and run him over! Scurll regroups with his friend, Cody, giving him an apologetic hug.
The fans chant for “GoD! GoD!” while Scurll returns to face Loa. Scurll wants a handshake? Loa refuses, so Cody tags in. Loa helps Cody with the ropes, and then the two circle. Cody tags back to Scurll. Scurll and Loa circle, fans rally, and they tie up. Loa gets the wristlock, Scrull spins and rolls to reverse. Scurll gets the headlock but Loa lifts him up. Scurll headlock takeovers but Loa headscissors, Scurll pops out to flap his wings. Loa just rock shim with an uppercut. Tag to Tama and Tama headbutts Scurll down. Tama scoop slams and elbow drops, Scurll scurries to a corner. Scurll hits back and tags to Cody. Cody whips but Tama reverses, Cody evades but still gets the splash on the other end!
Tama stalks Cody, then rocks him with an uppercut. He whips Cody to ropes but Cody evades, Brandi bails Cody out. She then holds Tama off while Scurll gets a sneak attack on Loa! Scurll comes over, and apron SUPERKICK! Tama goes down and Scurll wants a kiss. Cody kisses him on the cheek, then puts Tama back in the ring.
Cody stomps Tama while fans rally. He drags Tama up in an arm wrench then tags to Scurll. Scurll throws hands then brings Tama down, for a hammerlock stomp! Tama writhes in pain but Scurll keeps on that arm with another hammerlock stomp. Scurll drags Tama up, Cody tags in and they mug Tama in the corner. Cody drags Tama up for a suplex, and holds him up for a good ten seconds before dropping him on his face.
Cody does push ups to show off, Tama sweeps his arms, Cody kicks Tama then tags to Scurll. Scurll hits Loa before stomping Tama’s arm. Scurll drags Tama up but Tama hts back. Tama runs but fall sfor the fake, Scurll mule kicks his legs out. Scurll calls for it, the fans fire up for it, he spins for it, “CHICKENWING” but Cody tags in. Cross- No, Tama reverses and steals the Cross Rhodes! Both men are down while fans rally, and Tama tags Loa. Loa tanks the chops, but realizes it’s the padding. He unzips and lets Cody go to town on him, but it still doesn’t slow Loa down. Loa rallies with lariats, then whips Cody into the hip toss neckbreaker. Scurll runs in, gest the Samoan Drop! Loa drags Cody up, but Cody slips out of the back suplex to springboard for the Disaster Kick!
Cody climbs up top, Tama stops him with a SUPER PUNCH! Tama climbs up, SUPERPLEX! But that’s not all, Tama climbs up top now, but Scurll rocks him. Scurll climbs up, SUPERPLEX of his own! The fans applaud and Scurll fires himself up. Marty climbs up but Loa intercepts him, for a SUPERPLEX! Scurll and Loa both slip out of the ring, and Cody stands up to hit the Terminator Pose. Fans boo as he copies Kenny Omega, then builds speed, only to run into a SPEAR from Loa! Loa covers, Scurll breaks it. Scurll mule kicks Loa then helps Cody up. They bring Loa up, Cody catches Tama, and then double kicks to complete shot! They return to Loa, but Loa shoves Scurll at Cody. Scurll stops himself, Cody catches Loa, but Loa dodges to let Scurll hit Cody.
Loa catches Scurll, Scurll backs Loa up, Tama runs in but Scurll dodges. Scurll thinks Loa and Tama collide, but Loa catches his brother and gently sets him down. Loa tackles Scurll to a corner and Tama hits a big splash! Tama sees Cody coming, they run around, dropkick from Tama knocks Cody down. Loa returns, fireman’s carry, but Cody slips out and the GoD collide. Cody grabs Loa, Cross Rhodes! Cover, Cody & Scurll win!
Winners: The Bullet Club (Cody & Scurll, Cody pins)
The civil war rages on but that’s one battle in favor of the American Nightmare. Will #TeamCody rack up enough victories to establish himself atop the entire faction?
8 Man Tag: Dragon Lee & Taguchi Japan VS Los Ingobernables de Japon!
This match showcases the relationship of NJPW and their other partner, CMLL, as stars of Japan and Mexico team together to determine faction supremacy. Can Naito lead Bushi, Sanada and Hiromu to victory over Funky Weapon, the Time Splitter, the Ace and The Wonder Boy?
Fans are excited for just about everyone in this match, but it is Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tetsuya Naito starting. The fans are thunderous for this IWGP Intercontinental Championship rematch, dueling evenly between the two. Naito and Tanahashi circle, but then Sanada comes in and clobbers Tanahashi. He and Naito both stomp Tanahashi, but then Tanahashi fights back. It’s 2v1 so it doesn’t work. Sanada holds Tanahashi, then Naito spits on him. Naito runs but Tanahashi sends him into Sanada, then throws them both with the headlock-headscissors. Tanahashi tags Dragon Lee but Naito gets away. The fans want Hiromu, and so does Lee! Naito gives fans what they want, tag to Naito. the CMLL rivalry reignites with furious chops back and forth! And it doesn’t slow down! The fans give a standing ovation for this endless chop fight.
Back and forth, back and forth, neither man gives in. Lee gets an edge, then whips but Hiromu reverses. Things speed up, Hiromu headscissors but Lee lands on his feet! They go again, rebound German from Lee to Hiromu! Lee runs and FLIES! He takes out Hiromu, then drags him back in for stomps. Lee kicks something away, then flips off LIJ before all of Taguchi Japan attacks them! They whip Hiromu, then start a train. Taguchi rallies his men for the train as it goes Kushida, Lee and Tanahashi! Taguchi feels good now, they feed Hiromu to his hip attack. Kushida Mahistrols, TWO! Things calm down and Kushida puts Hiromu in an armlock. He shifts to a double chickenwing with a bridge for Cow Mutilation. It becomes a backslide, TWO, but Kushida keeps on Hiromu with an arm wrench and shoulder breaker.
Hiromu gest to a corner and doges, Naito dropkicks the legs and Sanada dropkicks the head. Bushi and Naiot take out Taguchi Japan and then Hiromu keeps on Kushida. Hiromu grinds a boot into Kushida’s throat, then backs off at the count. He brings Kushida into a corner, tags to Bushi. Naito holds Kushida for Bushi’s missile dropkick, Bushi-rooni stands him back up. Tag to Sanada, who drags Kushida up and whips corner to corner. Kushida tries to boot but Sanada blocks and brings Kushida into the Paradise Lock! Fans cheer as Sanada backs up, and dropkicks Kushida out of paradise. Tag back to Bushi, who drags Kushida into a chinlock. The fans rally for Kushida, Kushida fights out, but Bushi uses his shirt as a weapon! Bushi chokes Kushida until the referee sees him. Bushi lets go, then goes after Taguchi Japan. Kushida arm-drags and dropkicks Bushi back!
Kushida crawls to his corner but no one is home. Sanada tags in and brings Kushida up for a whip. Kushida handpsrings and back elbows Sanada, both men go down! The fans rally as Tanahashi returns. Kushida sees him and tags! The Ace rallies on Sanada, then Bushi, then hits Hiromu and Naito. He keeps going, crossbody on Sanada! Hiromu comes in, he and Bushi whip but Tanahashi fights them off. Tanahashi catches both kicks and double dragon screws them away! He then runs, but Sanada dodges. he goes from crossbody to dragon sleeper, but Tanahashi manages to turn it around on him! Sanada breaks out, whips, but Tanahashi reverses. Sanada tumbles to the apron, then springboard missile dropkcisk back in!
Both men are down, and now Naito and Taguchi himself are there. The fans rally, hot tags to Naito and Taguchi! Taguchi rallies with hip attacks all over the place. He hits Naito again and again, then whips to ropes. Naito reverses but Taguchi does it back, into the drop toehold and ankle lock! Kushida comes in, Bushi sunset flips but Kushida gets him into the Hoverboard! Sanada runs in, Tanahashi dropkicks him down for the Texas Cloverleaf! Three submissions side by side but Hiromu breaks them all!
Lee takes Hiromu out, and whips him to barriers! Taguchi and Naito keep fighting, Taguchi goes for a hip attack but Naito dodges. Naito enziguris, runs, but Taguchi rolls to the ankle lock again! He keeps Naito from ropes, but Sanada come sin for the dragon sleeper. Tanahashi runs, Slingblade! Bushi code breaker, but then Kushida the fast ball! Hiromu lariats, Lee bicycle boots, then runs, but overhead suplex into the buckles! Naito atomic drop, SUPERKICK to jackknife, TWO. Naito calls for it, hits Destino! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon (Naito pins)
LIJ were tranquilo the entire time, and come out the victors. With such charismatic and chaotic unity, will the Ungovernable rule over all of NJPW in the near future?
Rey Mysterio is here!
Though he’s injured, the King of Lucha still appears for the match he wanted with another living legend in Junior Heavyweight wrestling. And he told himself that he’d come out to apologize, because it’s unfortunate that he tore his bicep. The match meant for him and Liger won’t happen, but that doesn’t mean it’ll never happen. Mysterio respects Liger too much for it not to. He promises to check this off his bucket list, so as soon as he can, he’ll return and wrestle for NJPW. The fans like the sound of that, and Mysterio gives a “Booyaka from the 619 to the 562!”
Jyushin Thunder Liger VS Will Ospreay!
Injuries or not, the show must go on. Liger may not get the King of Lucha, but he will get the Aerial Assassin of the UK. Can the current IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion best one of the best in Jr. Heavyweight wrestling ever?
The bell rings and they furious tie up. Liger gets the wristlock, then the takedown, and puts Ospreay in a seated surfboard! He rocks back and gets Ospreay up for the chinlock variant! Ospreay endures, Liger lets go, and prepares the surfboard proper. Liger hoists Opsreay up for the full Mexican Surfboard! Ospreay pops out of it again, but Liger chops away on him. Liger wrenches the arm then whips corner to corner, but Ospreay jumps up and over. Ospreay uppercuts, then runs corner to corner for the hesitation dropkick! Ospreay stalks Liger, then drags him up for another EuroUpper. The fans rally while Ospreay knocks Liger down, and Ospreay turns Liger around for a hammerlock and recliner! Liger gets the ropebreak, so Ospreay lets him go.
Ospreay drags Liger up while the fans sing for him, and puts Liger in a chinlock. Liger endures, stands up and fights out. Ospreay kicks back then whips but Liger reverses. Liger dodges the handspring and hits Ospreay with a backbreaker. Then from the apron, a cannonball flattens Ospreay down! The fans fire up as Liger drags Ospreay up. They go around the railing to the entrance way, brainbuster from Liger to Ospreay! Liger returns to the ring and leaves Ospreay out there, to then pose and embrace the cheers. Ospreay is okay to compete, somehow, but is at the mercy of the 20 count. The count gets to 10 before Ospreay stirs. Ospreay hears the count hit 15, but crawls. At 19, he full sprints to beat the count at 19.5!
Liger is on Ospreay with a BIG corner Shotei, then the Liger Bomb! Cover, TWO, but Liger keeps his cool. He drags Ospreay back up and puts him on the top rope. Liger climbs up, and “OSU”, SUPER Steiner, that Ospreay lands on his feet! His legs jam, yet he still hits a handspring PELE! Liger rolls out, Ospreay hobbles but still builds speed, to FLY! The Sasuke Special hits, but Ospreay takes a moment to recover his breath and the feeling in his leg. He hops over to Liger to put him back in the ring at 7. Ospreay takes aim from a corner, the fans build to a rally, and he springboards for the clothesline! Then standing shooting star, TWO!
Ospreay keeps his cool, and drags Liger up in the dragon sleeper. Liger slips around but Ospreay gets around for the dropkick. Liger’s on the ropes, and maybe… Ospreay calls for it, runs, and 619- No, Liger ducks it! He kicks low and counters the flip kick with the rolling kick. Liger runs, into Spanish Fly! Cover, TWO! Ospreay takes aim at Liger from a corner while the fans build to a rally. Robinson Special spinning kick! He isn’t done there, he springboards, OsCutter blocked to another brainbuster! Cover, TWO! Liger won’t slow down, he says it’s over. He drags Ospreay up onto the top rope, then climbs up with him. Liger positions this, for a SUPER BRAINBUSTER!
Ospreay is dazed but Liger can’t make the cover right away. Liger crawls over, ropebreak! It’s all Ospreay could do to survive, but Liger keeps calm.
Liger stands up and calls for it, but Ospreay ducks the Shotei. Hook kick, but SHOTEI on the run! High stack cover, TWO!! And Liger can’t believe it. He just fires up and calls for another. Ospreay counters into a POWERBOMB! TWO!! Ospreay keeps going, buzzsaw to mule kick to OSCUTTER! Cover, Ospreay wins!
Winner: Will Ospreay
The champion proves he’s better than even a legend! He has the respect of Liger, as well as Mysterio. Can the Aerial Assassin carry the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Division to even higher heights?
Ospreay speaks.
“Junior Heavyweight wrestling at its best, folks.” Ospreay hopes that when he’s 53, he can still wrestle like Liger. For everything the past, present and future Liger has done, Ospreay cannot thank him enough. The fans agree as they chant “Liger! Liger!” Ospreay knows that he wants to carve out his own legacy. To do that, Ospreay must go through legends. He looks right at Mysterio. Fans can boo, fans can cheer, but Ospreay is no replacement! He is THE Jr. Heavyweight Champion, and “consistently for six years”, he’s been putting on “the damn best wrestling matches” possible! Ospreay will put the title on a new level, so he wants OSPREAY VS MYSTERIO!! And so do the fans! Once Mysterio is healed, let’s do this.
But then Scurll attacks! The Villain smacks his familiar foe, but then Mysterio gets in the ring. Scurll snatches the mask! And puts it on to mock both him, Ospreay, and every fan watching.
Scurll stomps Mysterio but Liger runs him off. The Villain sent his own message to the champion and the legends, when will Scurll get his taste of the title? Mysterio shakes Liger’s hand, and then Ospreay’s. When will these two different yet both equally amazing matches happen?
Chaos’ Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii VS Suzuki-Gun’s Minoru Suzuki & Zack Sabre Jr!
The IWGP Heavyweight Champion and the Stone Pitbull take on Undisputed British Tag Team Champions, as well as the IWGP Intercontinental Champion and 2018 New Japan Cup winner. It is such a star-studded match, will Chaos make it rain? Or will Suzuki and ZSJ make them feel the pain?
After all the belts are put away, ZSJ talks it out with Suzuki and will start against Okada. The bell rings, the two circle but fans are on Okada’s side. ZSJ backs him up and gets the waistlock, but Okada reverses. ZSJ slips away and fans applaud. They tie up again, ZSJ gest around again to a roll and float over to put Okada in a modified headscissors. Okada pops out but ZSJ is ready, and they separate. ZSJ teases Okada as he backs up to a corner.
They circle again, ZSJ gets the hands and bends Okada’s arms back. He digs a fist and elbow into the spine then stands Okada up. Okada tries to power through but ZSJ keeps control of the arms and shoulders. Okada tries again and gets the reverseal! He bends and wrenches ZSJ now, but ZSJ works to turn it back around. No go, Okada wrenches deeper.
ZSJ gives it another go, but Okada turns it all the way through, so ZSJ flisp and kicks. Okada swings him out, ZSJ barely avoids The Rainmaker itself. ZSJ backs to a corner, and Minoru calls him over. Minoru tags in, Ishii tags in. The two toughest men get in each other’s face, then throw forearms! They dare each other to hit harder, and they do! Back and forth they go, neither man backing down. Forearm after forearm, but Suzuki finally gets an edge. He whips but Ishii dodges to run him over! Suzuki boots him away then catches him in the ropes for the hanging armbar! ZSJ gets a cheap shot on Okada, and then Suzuki drags Ishii out. ZSJ flips everyone off as he puts Okada in an abdominal stretch while Suzuki puts Ishii into barriers.
The referee tries to get control but no go, Suzuki has a chair and SMACKS Ishii with it. Suzuki keeps going, putting Ishii into the crowd. He pursues and they fight among the fans. ZSJ EuroUppers Okada on the other end, and laces Okada’s arm through the railings. ZSJ kicks the railing to jam Okada’s arm, then Suzuki comes over to add on a chop. The 20 count is at 10 before Ishii and Suzuki return to the ring, but they keep going. Ishii chops and chops but Suzuki doesn’t seem bothered by them at all. Suzuki laughs and encourages him to chop more, then chops Ishii right back! ZSJ holds Ishii by the nose as Suzuki mugs him.
Tag to ZSJ, and he brings Ishii to a Fujiwara armbar. Okada comes in but that allows Suzuki to get an Ankle lock! Then they switch around! They both Fujiwara and crossface Ishii!
Suzuki gets away without a trace, and ZSJ stands on Ishii’s legs and knees in a figure four.
The fans duel, ZSJ tags to Suzuki. Suzuki mugs Ishii, then snapmares to boot Okada! He returns to Ishii and puts him in a kneebar! Ishii flails as Suzuki heel-hooks it, but manages the ropebreak. Suzuki lets go at 4, then goes at Ishii more. Ishii eggs him on, so Suzuki stomps him out for it. Suzuki slaps Ishii over and over, Ishii slaps back. Suzuki headbutts Ishii then tags ZSJ. ZSJ takes his time as he toys with Ishii’s bad leg. Ishii endures the toying kicks, then fires up. ZSJ kicks harder but Ishii is sturdier than that! He catches a kick, waistlock but ZSJ elbows out. He tries a drop toehold but Ishii deadlifts for the German Suplex!
Okada is back, Ishii tags him in! Okada rallies, even booting Suzuki down for good measure. He runs ZSJ over, then whips him corner to corner. Okada back elbows then DDT’s ZSJ, covers, TWO! He brings ZSJ up, but ZSJ slips out for the front choke. Okada elbows, ZSJ EuroUppers. ZSJ runs in, but Okada catches him, reverse neckbreaker becomes an Octopus! ZSJ brings Okada to the floor, Suzuki intercepts Ishii. Okada gets a ropebreak so ZSJ lets go. ZSJ brings Okada up for the full nelson but Okada slips out. ZSJ slips back around, back to the Octopus. Suzuki keeps Ishii out of the ring, but Okada breaks out into the Tombstone, only for ZSJ to slip to the Hoverboard! He brings Okada to the mat for a Coil Lock and stretches that other arm! Ishii busts in to break the hold!
Suzuki hits Ishii again, then returns to his corner. Fans rally while ZSJ stalks Okada. He stomps Okada, drags him up, and hits him with another EuroUpper. ZSJ toys with Okada more, but Okada hits him with a forearm. ZSJ hits another EuroUpper, and fans duel as the two brawl. Okada forearms, ZSJ EuroUppers, ZSJ runs but Okada hip tosses! Okada cobra clutch but ZSJ breaks out for another EuroUpper. He tries another EuroUpper but Okada backslides it to the Rain- No, ZSJ blocks to kick to the arm! Tag to Suzuki, and now Suzuki goes after the arm. He kicks it, and brings Okada to Sleeper, piledriver, but Okada reverses into the reverse neckbreaker! Both men are down but the fans are applauding, hot tag to Ishii.
Ishii goes after Suzuki with chops, forearms and back to chops. He doesn’t stop, but Suzuki dares him to hit harder. Ishii does, then whips Suzuki corner to corner, but Suzuki botos him back. They brawl again, ferocious as bfore, and the fans love it. Ishii dares Suzuki to keep hitting him, so Suzuki winds up for a stiff one! Somehow Ishii shakes it off, and gives one back. Suzuki stays standing somehow, to load up and hit another. Ishii staggers, is he out? No, he shakes it off again, and the fans fire up! Ishii winds up to hit Suzuki, who staggers back but stays standing. Suzuki puts some stank on this next one, and Ishii staggers again.
Suzuki keeps going, not giving Ishii his turn. He then runs, but into Ishii’s shot. Suzuki resists the suplex, then guillotines, but Ishii suplexes him! The two get up, speed up, Suzuki the sleeper but Ishii breaks out, to run into the kitchen sink! Tag to ZSJ, ZSJ clocks Okada, and then takes his time with Ishii. He drags Ishii up, corner to corner wip, then runs in for teh EuroUpper. Suzuki adds his boot, then snapmare for the double Penalty Kick. Cover, but Okada breaks it! Suzuki throws Okada out, then follows to clobber the champ. ZSJ stalks Ishii, waiting for him to stand. The Penalty Kick is caught, HEADBUTT! Ishii still has life as he powerbombs ZSJ! TWO, and Okada fights off Suzuki on the outside.
ZSJ goes after Ishii with another guillotine, and Ishii fades. He powers out, Okada is there to feed ZSJ to a forearm. Okada dropkicks ZSJ, then dropkicks him again, and Ishii adds the lariat. Suzuki barrels in to break the cover just in time. Okada throws Suzuki out but Suzuki drags him out, too. ZSJ EuroUppers Ishii but Ishii swats that kick away. Ishii runs, but ZSJ grabs him into the Octopus! The takedown to the cross armbreaker, and Okada is too busy with Suzuki’s sleeper! ZSJ shifts around to a modified ankle lock while Suzuki kneebars Okada. Ishii reaches but ZSJ grabs that free arm. Napalm Death is in! Ishii quits, Suzuki-Gun wins!
Winners: Suzuki-Gun (Suzuki & Sabre Jr, Sabre with the submission)
But the torture doesn’t end here! ZSJ puts Okada in the Octopus! He doesn’t care about ringing bells or respect, he just wants to make the IWGP Heavyweight Champion suffer. Then Suzuki goes after the referee, they wristlock and ankle lock for Double Hell!
The Meanest Man in the World and his young protege show no mercy to anyone. Will either man show remorse as they take on Chaos’ Rainmaker and Pitbull in 1v1 action?
Special Announcement:
July 7th, 2018, NJPW WILL return to the United States! The G1 Special’s second year will hit the Cow Palace, in Fighting Spirit Unleashed!
IWGP United States Championship: Jay White VS Hangman Page!
The Switchblade is only the second man ever to hold NJPW’s newest title. And he did it by playing a long game against the Cleaner: he got Omega’s attention as a prospective Club member; then betrayed him upon the offer. Omega may have underestimated White while seeking revenge, because somehow, someway, White won in the end.
However, the Problem Solver wouldn’t let anyone ignore his win streak, and got in White’s face. Page wants that title more than anyone has wanted anything in their life, and now fights to prove himself a star in his own right. Which man will survive when they bring a Switchblade to a gun fight?
The belt is shown, Red Shoes does the weapon check. Both men are clear, and we begin. White taunts Page with a handshake, and this sparks a brawl. White gets chops, Page swings but misses, takes another chop. Page puts White in a corner but Whtie still chosp him. White chops again, Page’s chest is already red. Page revesres the whip but White runs him over. White runs but Page dodges, but whti dodges back, Page boots him down. Page rains down rights, then tells Red Shoes to shut up. Red Shoes won’t be intimidated, so Page suplexes Whiet down. Cover, ONE, but Page keeps his cool. He drags White up but White fights back. Page knees low, runs, but into White’s dropkick. White drags Page up, back suplex back, cover, ONE.
White keeps on Page, going for a leg lock. He puts Page in the Deathlock, then tucks it in, for the Muda Lock! Page endures, and even powers up, but White brings him back down. The fans rally, Page powers up but White rakes the nose and eyes. Page still crawls free of the arms and clubs White away to get the ropebreak. The hold is undone and Page slips out, but White follows to chop him again. White chops Page against the barriers, then follows him around the corner. Page kicks and clubs back to finally give White a chop of his own. Now Page stalks White, but White kicks and chops again. They go back in the ring, White dumps Page to the apron and punches him. Page side steps and knees White, then turns him around for the hotshot neckbreaker to the apron!
White tumbles to the floor, Page drags him up, to throw him into railing! Page grinds a foot into White’s head, but Red Shoes insists they go back into the ring. Page lifts White up, fireman’s carry to long dart White at a post! White goes down in a heap, and Page takes a moment to catch his breath before entering the ring. No Champion’s Advantage on the 20 count, but Page doesn’t want it that easy, either. He puts White in the ring, then kicks him while he’s down. Page pumphandles White up in a deadlift Fall Away bridge! TWO, and Page grows frustrated. The fans rally for Hangman, but White hits back. White EuroUppers then forearms, but Page hits back. Page whips White but White reverses. White jumps but Page catches him into a fireman’s carry and flipping backbreaker! Cover, TWO, and the frustration continues.
Fans rally while Page stalks White. He toys with the champ, wanting White to show him something. White stands up and forearms Page, then chops. Page kicks back, then suplexes White up. White slips out and waistlocks, Page fights him, but White still saido suplexes Page down! The fans rally again while both men stir and stand up. White stalks Page, chops him sharply and again. A third chop, then White whips. Page reverses, White dodges then jumps up to knock Page over with a back elbow. White drags Page up, half-hatch and roll through for another. Another roll through, but Page blocks the third as he backs White to a corner. White pushes out, then throws Page into buckles. He runs back in for a EuroUpper, then suplexes Page into the buckles. Cover, TWO!
White keeps his cool as he stands up and stalks Page. He drags Page up, Fisherman but Page resists. White chops Page, then goes for it again, but Page counters to the small package, TWO! They both clothesline and collide, then stagger. Page swings but White Half ‘n’ Half but Page lands on his feet. Page runs, but into the Complete Shot, followed by the deadlift German Suplex! Bridge, TWO, but White is perhaps too tired to be frustrated. He lifts Page again, but Page slips out, so another chop it is. White whips but Page holds ropes. He chops Page again, then whips but Page reverses to a fireman’s, to hang White up, hanging DDT!
The fans rally again as both men slowly stir. Page slips to the outside, and takes aim from the apron. He punches White away, but not far enough so he hits him again. White staggers, Page wants to slingshot but still has to clobber White. Page hits him again to send him back, then slingshots, into a forearm from White! White brings Page through the ropes for yet another chop, and another EuroUpper. Another chop, and another chop, and Page’s chest is very red. One more chop, and Page falls to the apron.
White goes out to join him, then drags him up, preparing his finisher from up there. Page resists with all his might, fighting White off. Both men sway, Page swings but into the apron Compete Shot! White has the cameras move back as he gets back up, deadlift snap German suplex to the apron!
Fans lose their minds over it while Page slumps to the floor.
White shows no remorse as he drags Page back up and into the ring. He drags Page up backwards onto the top rope. White climbs up, prepares a waistlock, but Page holds on for dear life. White clubs away, but Page won’t let go. Page fights White off, then turns around. They brawl on the top rope with haymakers, then chops. Page eggs White on, and White responds. Page gets the edge with elbows to White’s head. He stands up on the top rope, SUPER SWINGING NECKBREAKER!!
Both men are down from that impact, but Page crawls to a cover, TWO! White slowly stirs, but Page is already staring him down. They brawl on their knees, and White even laughs. The brawl continues as the two make it to their feet. They fire up and fire off faster forearms. Page gets the edge, but White gets another chop. White runs but into a forearm. Page tries to bulldog but White back suplexes Page up and out of the ring! White keeps going, he saido suplexes Page to the floor! White touches his title before dragging Page back up and into the ring. He stalks Page while the fans rally. White drags Page up, for another saido suplex! Page stands up, and fights against another attempt, but White still saido suplexes. White calls for the end, brings him up but Page slips out. Page tilt-o-whirls to the powerbomb!
Page drags White up with the fans rallying. He lifts White, for the PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO, and Page seems at a loss. He goes to a corner, and climbs up top… MOONSAULT but lands on his feet as White evades. Page goes to the apron, Shooting Star Press tackles White down! Page climbs up again, the fans rallying, SUPER MOONSAULT!! He wipes White out again, then puts him back in the ring. Page takes off the elbow pad, takes aim from the apron, slingshot for the Buck Shot! TWO! Page can’t believe it, but the fans love it as they duel for both men.
Hangman stands up and brings White up in position. White resists, clubs Page but Page tries a gain. Sunset flip, high stack, TWO. White body shots and strike fest, Half Nelson suplex! He keeps going, wanting the fisherman. He gets Page up, Kiwi Crusher! TWO! It was just enough, but WHite won’t let that slow him down. He brings Page up, Page SPITS in White’s face. White turns around, into a SUPERKICK! Then the roaring elbow! RITE OF- No, BLADE RUNNER!! Cover, White wins!
Winner: Jay White (retains IWGP United States Championship)
The Switchblade is still the second-ever IWGP USC as he successfully defends his title. White celebrates, but not for long! He gets a SPEAR from David Finlay! The former tag team partner of White sarcastically presents the winner to the fans, but about that. Finlay told White they would never be done fighting, so White has one month. On April 24th, Finlay wants his match! The Son of the Man Who Loves to Fight wants a big title fight in Korakuen Hall, will he get one over on his former friend?
Golden☆Lovers VS The Young Bucks!
The #GoldenReunion at Honor Rising was a success, but Matt & Nick Jackson took offense to Kenny Omega’s claims. The REAL greatest tag team in wrestling today might be decided right here, in a true dream match! The Elite were friends, can they still be friends after this?
Matt keeps Nick back while the fans duel. The teams keep cool as Kota Ibushi and Matt start. Fans still chant for “The! Elite! The the Elite!” as Matt says, “I want Kenny!” Kota considers it as the fans chant for Kenny Omega, and the tag is made. Omega comes in and tries to talk with Matt, but Matt just smirks. Matt eggs Omega on, choose your other friend over him again. Matt sucker punches Kota, and fans boo while Matt tags out to Nick. Omega isn’t sure what to make of this, so he tags Kota in. Kota and Nick circle while the fans duel again. They tie up, Nick gets the headlock, but Koata powers out. Things speed up, Nick dodges the kicks and moonsault, and fans are fired up.
Kota and Nick circle again as fans chant “Ibushi! Ibushi!” They tie up, Nick goes to kick but Kota blocks, Nick blocks a kick but Kota hits the next two. Nick tags Matt, Matt gets kicked in that bad back! Matt slumps to the ground while Kota stomps and stomps, but Omega comes in to back Kota off? Omega is torn between friends, but Matt still shoves Omega down! Kota kicks Matt, so Nick comes in and kicks both Golden Lovers. Nick runs, but into double back elbows. The Golden Lovers go after Matt, double whip and double leap frog. Matt stops himself and throws Omega out. He kicks Kota, Nick comes in for a kick and facebuster, then neckbreaker backbreaker! Double hip toss and dropkicks for Omega, the fans fire up for The Bucks!
Matt wrecks Kota with a dropkick, then holds the ropes open, but Omega intercepts Nick to flapjack him onto Matt’s groin! Matt goes down with more than a sore back, and Nick ends up out there with him. Omega goes Terminator and the drums start up. He rises, builds speed, but Nick SUPERKICKS Omega mid-flight!
Omega crashes down, his feathers flying. The Bucks work together, to acrobatically somersault onto the Golden Lovers! Nick puts Kota in the ring while Matt checks under the ring. Nick leg drops on Kota, Matt keeps exploring. Matt finds a TABLE!
Matt makes Omega look at it, the stakes are raised because of The Cleaner. The Bucks dispute what to do, but Matt says it’ll be fine. Omega staggers while Nick keeps on Kota in a corner. Nick whips corner to corner hard, and Kota goes down. Nick brings Kota back up, whips him again, but Kota fights back. Kota tries to boot but Nick spins him around for the draping neckbreaker, and holds it for Matt to slingshot senton on! Nick bumps Kota off the buckle, then tags Matt. Matt whips Kota into the corner, but Kota dodges! Matt hits Nick, Kota kicks Matt in the back! Kota runs, hops up, then over to the other side to jump on Nick!
Fans cheer as Kota slowly enters the ring. He heads for his corner, but Matt grabs his foot. Kota forearms Matt, then keeps crawling, but Nick trips Omega off the apron! Matt drags Kota up again, and puts one out on him, to powerbomb lift. Buckle bomb kick combo! But Matt’s back slows him down again. Nick tells him to cover, he does, Omega breaks it.
Omega coaches Kota up, but Matt is upon him again. Fans rally as Kota kicks Matt away. Kota crawls, but Matt yanks him away. Matt runs, but into the dropkick! Both men are down, and crawl for their corners. Hot tag to Omega! Omega climbs up, and crossbodies on Matt! He rallies on Nick, then swings. Nick dodges and whips, but Omega reverses, only for Nick to reverse into a back elbow. Nick sees Kota coming and stops him with a kick. Matt comes in to alley-oop Nick for the headscissors. Omega hits Nick but Matt handsprings. Kota intercepts Nick with a missile dropkick, then kicks Matt in the back again! Omega enters and Golden Lovers target Nick. They double whip and leap frog, roundhouse to leap frog bulldog! Nick gets out of the ring, and the fans sense what’s coming. Golden Lovers go to corners, run and CROSS SLASH!
Matt stays up but Kota throws Matt to the floor mats. Omega goes over to help Kota and they pursue Matt in the ring. Fireman’s carry, rolling senton, shooting star and both moonsaults! Cover, TWO! Golden Lovers keep going, bringing Matt up to go after his back. Omega ax handles Matt down, then stomps him. Matt asks if that feels good for Kenny to do! Omega doesn’t respond, he just puts Matt in a corner. He whips corner to corner hard, and Nick is worried for his brother. Kota tags in and keeps on Matt’s bad back. Matt grits his teeth and spits in Kota’s face. Kota forearms Matt again and again, then brings him over to tag in Omega. Omega brings Matt up, running backbreaker! Matt screams in pain, and the time warning is given.
Omega brings Matt back, tags in Kota, and Kota snapmares to a chinlock. The fans still duel while Matt endures, and another rally begins. Matt stands up and fights back, then runs to trip Omega up. He shoulders into Kota, slips under, but Kota keeps him from getting to Nick. Kota whips, Matt slips out, but Omega has him with an apron back suplex! Kota drags Matt up, but Matt sips out of the back suplex. Hot tag to Nick!
Nick kicks and elbows on the Golden Lovers, then clotheslines Omega to bulldog-clothesline them both! The fans fire up as Nick puts Kota in a corner. Omega saves Kota and chops Nick. He whips but Nick reverses. Omega goes up and over, headscissors but Nick rolls through to backstabber Kota! Matt baits Omega and dumps him out, for Nick to DIVE! They keep going, Shining Wizard to Kota, assisted Sliced Bread and another Shining Wizard! Cover, TWO!
The Bucks are tired and sore but not frustrated just yet. Nick drags Kota around while fans rally. He climbs up, but Matt tags in. They get an idea, and Matt climbs up to join Nick. The Bucks aim but Kota goes after them both. He dumps Nick down then goes after Matt. Matt resists and fights back, but Omega comes over to help. The Golden Lovers DOUBLE SUPERPLEX!!
Everyone is down but stirring. The Golden Lovers decide on their next move, and drag Matt over to an open corner. Fans fire up as they sense what’s coming. The Golden Lovers climb up together, but Nick trips them up! Matt throws Kota down while Nick German Suplexes Omega to the apron!
Nick brings that table over, turning it into a bridge between ring and barriers. He bumps Omega off it, and Matt climbs up. Matt aims at Kota, but Nick wants him to hit Omega. The Bucks argue out who to hit but Kota springs up to Pele Matt! Matt teeters, Nick gets in and goes at Kota, and clotheslines himself out with Kota! Omega gets up, sees the table and sees Matt, Electric Chair, but Matt fights back furiously! Kota clubs Matt, and springboards up for a SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX!
Cover, TWO!! Somehow Matt survives, and Kota can’t believe it. But he signals to Omega to finish this. The fans declare “This is Awesome!” as the two drag Matt up. The Golden Lovers want the Trigger but Nick drags Omega out. Omega puts Nick into the barriers, and Kota brawls with Matt.
They go back and forth, then Kota unleashes a strike fest. SUPERKICK from Matt! But he runs into a V-Trigger! Kota’s lariat adds on, then lifts up, for the Last Ride sit-out! TWO!? Kota sits Matt up, V-Trigger again! Cover, Nick breaks it! Omega throws Nick out, then tells Kota to go after Matt. Kota stands up and brings Matt up, kicking that bad back again. He keeps kicking, and Omega dumps Nick into the fans. Matt takes another kick and gets in Kota’s face, but Kota snapmares and kicks him more. Matt dodges a kick and gets knees up for the moonsault, then puts on the Sharpshooter! Kota endures but Omega is back, to haymaker Matt until he lets go. “C’mon, Kenny!!” Kenny gives Matt more, Nick SUPERKICKS outta nowhere! The Bucks stand up, Nick FLIES to take Omega out!
Matt goes back to Kota with the Sharpshooter. The fans cheer while Kota endures. Nick slingshots to facebuster, then cartwheels for the tornado DDT on Omega! Matt sinks the hold in deeper, and endures his own bad back as he bends Kota. But the back gives out, Kota is freed. The fans rally once more while Matt crawls to ropes. He’s on the far side from his brother. Matt walks over and tags Nick, they want to finish this. Nick climbs up while Matt brings Kota up. Matt gives haymakers, then fireman’s carry but the back limits him. Nick helps his brother, then hurries to dropkick Omega away again. Matt rolling senton, Nick 450, but the Matt drops the elbow on Omega through the table!!
Fans lose their minds all over again, but Matt grins because that was apparently worth it.
Nick checks on his brother in the wreckage, and helps him back in. Matt stands and brings Kota back up, to hold him up on the ropes. Nick climbs up again, for the draping 450! Cover, TWO!? Frustration sets in as the Bucks are at a loss for what to do. They stand up while the fans duel once again. Kota revives and fights back with haymakers and chops! He takes Nick’s kick, swings it but Matt avoids, and Nick sweeps Kota’s legs for a double SUPERKICK! Omega SUPERKICKS Nick, then goes after Matt. Matt boots him back but Omega shovels Matt onto his shoulders. Matt slips out, SUPERKICK from Nick, SUPERKICK from Matt! Kota DOUBLE Peles the Bucks! Everyone is down but the fans are thunderous! At this point, the fans hope they “Fight Forever!”
Omega and Matt somehow stand, and they brawl. They go back and forth, haymaker for haymaker, no signs of slowing. Omega Snap Dragon Suplexes Matt, but Matt is up to PILEDRIVER Omega! Matt stands up first and takes off that weight belt, to SMACK Omega with it! SMACK, then SMACK for Kota. Red Shoes tries but fails to stop Matt. Matt swings, Omega ducks and hits him in the back again. Omega takes that belt in his own hand, and throws it away. He V-Triggers Matt point blank, then again. Omega double guns, but Matt SPEARS! Matt drags Omega up and Nick is there. Matt can’t lift Omega, that bad back is stopping him. Nick kicks Kota away and helps Matt get Omega for the Tombstone, but Kota anchors Nick, to then LAST RIDE THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE DESK!!
Omge reverses the tombstone, Kota flies in for the GOLDEN Indietaker! TWO!? But how?! Omega drags Matt up, Electric Chair and then roundhouse! They’re not done, gut wrench sit-out! TWO, and the Golden Lovers are further shocked. Omega loads up, and though he doesn’t want to, he drags Matt up again. SUPERKICK from Matt! Kota saves Omega and kicks Matt down. Kota says to do it, so “BANG!” V-Trigger!
That won’t be all, he lifts Matt up, but hesitates. Matt shouts for him to do it! ONE WINGED ANGEL!
Cover, Nick breaks it! The fans chant for “New Japan! New Japan!” because this match is that good.
All four men slowly stir, and Nick asks Omega, “What’s your problem?” Nick swears it isn’t over, and begs his brother to get up with him. Kota stands up and tells Omega to finish this. Nick fights them off to protect Matt, haymakers and chops back and forth. He focuses on Kota, but Omega V-Triggers to Kota’s German Suplex! Omega lowers his knee pad as he and Kota drag Matt up. The Golden Lovers take aim, Golden Trigger!
Double cover, The Golden Lovers win!
Winners: The Golden Lovers (Omega & Ibushi)
The victory is theirs, but Omega knows it was at great cost. Whether or not Matt ever recovers, the friendship of The Elite may never come back. And all that aside, will this win lead the Golden Lovers to ascend to the very top of tag team wrestling the world over?
But wait, Cody reappears?
He seems upset with Matt and Nick! Cody seems to be saying something about them having one job to do. Nick tries to back Cody off of Matt, but Cody shoves him down! Matt comes to his brother’s aid, but Cody gets angry. Omega and Kota return to run Cody off! Fans boo the American Nightmare out of the arena, and then Omega turns back to the Bucks. And he offers them a hand. Nick takes it, and then they hug! Omega also goes over to Matt, and offers that same hand. Matt doesn’t accept it. Matt exits the ring, and insists Nick follow. The Bucks leave together, the fractures in Bullet Club still too fresh for healing.
Omega takes a mic, and speaks. “Y’know, sometimes it’s a sad world we live in, where friends have to go to war with one another.” Wars have casualties. This isn’t the usual Kenny Omega. He wishes he could be happy, but there is a silver lining. That is that the Golden Lovers are still back, and here to stay. And before you know it, NJPW will come back to “a backyard near each and every one of you.” Omega assures us, whether NJPW likes it or not, the Golden Lovers will be in a featured match up, because they love to party with the fans. Omega wishes the Bullet Club’s issues could be solved sooner rather than later, but people like Cody only know how to talk. In the end, Omega will beat the “ever-living poop” out of him.
“And if you liked today’s match up, we have no choice but to up the ante” for the Cow Palace! “And so with that”, the banged up Omega and Ibushi wish us ado. “Good bye and good night, BANG!” If this is only the beginning, how monumental will the next NJPW event in America be?!
My Thoughts:
Hot damn was this a good night of wrestling. Leaving commercials out during matches was a smart move, no sense in breaking up the action with ads and no one misses any action, live audience or at home watching. The matches were all top quality, and some were perhaps even perfect given the stories. Great crossover in RPG3K VS SCU, and while Sho & Yo want the regular tag titles back, this win could also position RPG3K for trios titles in both ROH and NJPW. Robinson & Finlay winning is great for both of them, but we both know now that Finlay also wants singles gold against Jay White. Naturally KES defeat Yano & Chuckie T, mostly because they’re just that big and mean and on a roll. If they’re calling out Chaos’ Briscoes, that will be a great match for the aggression alone.
Cody continues to be a brilliant Heel in the story of “Bullet Club is (Not) Fine”, and it just gets better the more members of Bullet Club are brought into it. Naturally he fails to recruit the Guerillas to his side, they’re likely to be on their own side if it came to it. Cody still wins, though, to keep himself strong ahead of his ROH Supercard of Honor match with Omega to settle the first phase of this massive story. There was so much history in the Taguchi VS LIJ match, it really showcases the partnerships of NJPW, ROH & CMLL. As I said for Honor Rising, LIJ is growing into the faction to watch.
Ospreay VS Liger was great for being a true impromptu match, and NJPW even brilliantly weaves it into Ospreay’s own mission. Ospreay VS Mysterio, Mysterio VS Liger, Ospreay VS Scurll Nth time around, all are going to be great matches to elevate the Jr. Heavyweight title as well as Ospreay himself. Suzuki & ZSJ were brutal to Okada & Ishii, that match perfectly sets up the two separate singles title feuds. ZSJ’s new attitude is so great to make him the Heel against Okada, and Suzuki VS Ishii will truly be an example of iron sharpens iron. And speaking of, wow did Page VS White do the same. Those two will help push NJPW & ROH forward, and then Finlay going after White will also bring up the US title. Page still has his place in the Bullet Club story, so he’ll be fine even in losing.
Golden Lovers VS Young Bucks just raised the bar on any and every kind of match any and all companies put on for big events from this point forward. The Bullet Club story is compounded with the tag team superiority aspect, and it just kept going like they really were going to #FightForever. Matt’s bad back on top of the conflict in Omega’s heart really gave this match a unique story, but Golden Lovers win because their reunion can’t be weakened just yet. Plus, Cody shows up to add on another helping of the Bullet Club story. The uncertainty is so great for everyone involved, especially the fans. I can’t wait to see how they top all of this, if that’s even possible.
My Score: 9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.8.2025
We get to see Alicia Fox in action and a dog collar match! Definitely an odd combination, so let’s see what happens!

As I feel like I say every week, the best parts of TNA are on NXT. I really can’t tolerate Dreamer and Delirious’ idea of creative. This shows have been slapdash early 00s MTV humor and nonsense angles. We open the show with Trick Williams, so of course you know he’s gonna be a dick and Hendry’s gonna try and get even.
At least this spawned an interesting concept with the TNA Heavyweight Championship being defended on NXT Battleground. So it’s nice that Hendry and TNA are getting exposure, but honestly it’s only Hendry, and the constant milking on the TNA side of “hearing from Hendry” is making me ill.
I feel like I’ve seen Johnny Gobs all over since Nekrogoblikon came out with new music. Not mad at it, just didn’t have that on my Bingo card.
.@Santana_Proud and @_trickwilliams just crossed paths—then @AJFrancis410 & @KCwrestles tried recruiting @TheSamiCallihan… and sparked beef with Santana in the process.
Wait… IS THAT @JohnGoblikon!?
WATCH #TNAiMPACT! on TNA+: https://t.co/afG9MKyLaa pic.twitter.com/EQwH3BjPFE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 9, 2025
Ratings:
- Rosemary vs Lei Ying Lee – Lei wins via Thunderstruck – *
- Great Hands vs Aztec Warriors: Aztec Warriors win via Laredo Driver + Arabian Moonsault – * 1/2
- Trey Miguel w/Wentz vs Mustafa Ali w/Tasha & Hands: Ali wins via Crucifix Blade Runner – ** 3/4
- Victoria Crawford vs Brittnie Brooks: Victoria wins via Flying Axe Kick – Squash
- Dog Collar Match: International Championship Match: Steve Maclin (c) vs Eric Young w/Northern Armoury: Maclin retains via KIA – ***
Results:
Hey look, Trick comes out and does exactly what I said. He’s arrogant, he’s basically doing his own version of a Ric Flair promo. I do like the line about having two girls, one named Lexis who drives a Mercedes and Mercedes who drives a Lexus. It’s that right balance of dumb and clever to make me chuckle. Hendry of course comes out with his game face on, security tries, fails, and Hendry gets a measure of revenge.
Rosemary vs Lei Ying Lee – Lei wins via Thunderstruck
Okay even though I don’t mind Xia as a wrestler anymore, Brookside is on commentary and she’s…awful. She’s like an Arianna Grace with no charisma. Her little integrity shtick got lame halfway through the word the first time she said it.
This match goes about how you expect which is why it’s not much to discuss. Rosemary does her usually brawling, biting and using the 5 counts with the Upside Down. But as expected, she tries to use the Brass Knucks, Xia comes off of commentary to stop her from using the weapon, and Lei catches her with Thunderstruck. I guess this was supposed to keep the Xia angle with some heat, but it’s really dumb. I don’t want to see any more of this Angel vs Demon, which one will turn crap. It’s boring, it’s cliche and for babies.
At least Lei Ying Lee is gorgeous and one hell of a wrestler. Hopefully she gets away from Rosemary and Xia soon.
Great Hands vs Aztec Warriors
Laredo and Octagon take early turns on Jason Hotch, Octagon even pulls off some rope acrobatics like he thinks he’s Rey Fenix. Hands try to take a few shortcuts, but the actions stays quick, the Cali crowd is behind the Luchadors. Stereo Tijeras, Five Hole Dive from Laredo into an Asai Moonsault from Octagon. Laredo Driver into Handstand Arabian Moonsault, and Aztec Warriors win handily.
After the fact Ali attacks the Aztec Warriors, Tasha and the Hands are trying to calm down Ali but then the Rascalz run out. Maybe we’re getting an early start to the Trey vs Ali match.
Trey Miguel w/Wentz vs Mustafa Ali w/Tasha & Hands
Hopefully this is something worth actually typing about instead of WCW Thunder level of rushed throwaway trash.
They trade early chops, but Ali is pissed, no sells Trey and rocks him with a Forearm. Trey tries to Baseball Slide through the legs and roll into a Sunset Flip, but Ali rolls through, comes up with Trey and Powerbombs him moving immediately into Ground and Pound. Ali goes for a Reverse Powerslam, but Trey escapes it, tries to use his quickness, trips up Ali for a second as he goes to the apron and then he catches Trey in the ropes and hits the Draping DDT off the apron. Outside In Neckbreaker from Ali into a Standing Tornillo.
Ali throws Trey into the ropes, Trey tries something but Ali catches him, flips him vertical and then Dragon Suplex looks nasty. Ali heads back to the apron, wants the Outside In Rolling Neckbreaker, but Trey catches him with a Cutter! Trey puts a little Shake Rattle and Roll together, Ali tries to block the last one so Trey hits the ropes and lands a Lionsault. Ali powders and eats a Dive, Trey throws him back in, Meteora! 1-2-kick out! Trey gets a little frustrated but tries a front facelock, they trade cradles, Ali throws him to the ropes, Trey tries that Rewind Tiger Feint, but Ali hits a Missile Dropkick. Ali tells the Hands to finish things but Wentz comes out flying. Ali drives Wentz into the post, throws Trey back in and mouths off to Wentz. When he turns he eats Trey’s Knee Slide Tornado DDT.
Tasha distracts the ref, Hands attack Trey with a Double Choke Bomb on the Apron and Ali kills Trey with Crucifix Blade Runner.
Hardys come out to talk, they get a solid pop from the crowd, but nothing interesting gets said. The old “we let you down” promo and they’re trying to get across a fandom nickname of “Diehardyz” and that’s corny. They punctuate their part before the Nemeths of course come out with some Obsolete and Delete references. Ryan starts talking and gets booed loudly, so that’s nice, they both play in it well. Ryan makes some goofy faces, Nic and him poke fun at the Hardys and the fact that Jeff can’t come to Canada because he’s prohibidabido.
So Santino comes out, says next week Jeff and Nic will have a singles match, so Matt will get a tag match against the Nemeths with a partner of his choosing. Kind of a stock standard promo, but the Nemeths and Santino made it fun.
Huh, coming back from commercial there’s a video package from WWE showing the last time Jeff Hardy and Nic Nemeth had a match. 16 years ago.
Victoria Crawford vs Brittnie Brooks
Brittnie is Chris Bey’s girlfriend and Alicia was always one of my favorites.
Victoria clocks Brittnie early, but Brittnie fires back, Victoria gets annoyed, hits her beautiful Northern Lights Suplex Hold for only a two. Victoria drives Brittnie into the corner, Brittinie tries to fight out, but Victoria catches her with a Tumbling Headscissors Take Over and then a Flying Axe Kick. Victoria’s gorgeous self wins, and Victoria looked pretty decent in the squash.
Masha comes out, attacks Victoria, so Tessa makes a save. Santino makes a tag match next week Blanshard and Crawfish vs Slamabitch and a partner of her choosing. Robert Stone overrides Santino and picks her partner for her and chooses Nikkita Lyons.
Tessa Blanchard is GOING OFF on @AriannaGraceWWE! @milanmiracle @MrStoneWWE
WATCH #TNAiMPACT! on TNA+: https://t.co/afG9MKyLaa pic.twitter.com/7pnK7OG167
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 9, 2025
Dog Collar Match: International Championship Match: Steve Maclin (c) vs Eric Young w/Northern Armoury
EY sandbags in the corner at the bell and then catches Maclin with an opportune yank of the chain and then starts a little dirty boxing and chain choking. Cardona is out on commentary because there’s a number 1 contender match next week for the International title. EY grinds the chain across Maclin’s face and the bridge of his nose, and he’s bleeding 40 seconds into the match.
Maclin powders but since it’s a dog collar match the jabronis get involved immediately. Maclin is bleeding like his last name is Rhodes, the jabronis get in some pot shots and EY just whips him with the chain, uses the post, just goes for classic deliberately paced hardcore brawl tactics. Maclin does manage to get a small flurry, EY does the Flair Corner Flop, then EY and the jabronis eat a SCUD before we go to commercial.
We come back, Maclin is back to getting murdered, and now all the potential number 1 contenders and either on commentary, the ramp or in the back watching a monitor. Even Mance Warner looks a little concerned and horny at the same time with the blood. Maclin is so bloody he looks like a post explosion scene from The Boys. Maclin fires, whips EY in the ropes, grabs him mid run, Headbutts him a few times, Jumping Thesz Press into the Ground and Pound with some chain whips. Jabronis come in and eat a Busakiu and Backbreaker, EY tries to take advantage but EY eats an Olympic Slam. Another Busaiku for EY, Jar Headbutt connects! EY kicks out at two, then powders but Maclin follows and wraps the chain around his neck and starts throwing EY around by the throat. Dorks fly at Maclin, he deflects them, but EY yanks the chain and Maclin falls off the apron. EY throws him back in, another two count. EY heads to the top, Maclin crotches him, bald Jabroni eats a Powerbomb, hair Jabroni heads a Buckle Bomb. EY slips the Tree, so Maclin puts the jabronis in the corner, Stacked Tag Em and Bag Em, Nerds get Caught in the Crosshairs!
EY sees the chance, kick to the gut, Piledriver! 1-2…KICK OUT! EY calls for the Macho Elbow but Maclin gets up, pulls him off the top with the chain and KIA! Maclin retains!
Overall Score: 4/10
A generally disappointing episode. The first hour felt like WCW Thunder written by Meth addicted Racoons. But the second hour starting with Mustafa, turned out to be okay. I’ve always enjoyed Alicia Fox aesthetically and she wasn’t bad in the ring, Mustafa being edgy is cool, Ryan Nemeth is a treasure, Tessa is still great and the dog collar match was decent.
So a mixed bag definitely. Rosemary is honestly useless anymore. She only gets a pop because of the gimmick, but her storylines have sucked, her matches aren’t great and this whole Infantile Sting knockoff of trying to stick to her morals and integrity and not do the mean things. Aztec Warriors are basic lucha stuff with no gimmick beyond the fact they’re luchadors. Lastly, the Trick Flair opening segment was okay at best but really just just paint by numbers.
It’s a sad turn of events when my favorite wrestling program anymore is WWE main roster stuff. Yikes…2025 is weird.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Will Dax & Cash learn to Fear The Red Death?
FTR put the blame on Daniel Garcia for how things went down between them, but now Garcia plans on taking one of the Top Guys out!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ricochet VS Angelico w/ Serpentico; Ricochet wins.
- 8 Man Tag: The Don Callis Family VS The Outrunners, Bandido & AR Fox; The Don Callis Family wins.
- Anthony Bowens w/ Billy Gunn VS Lee Johnson w/ Blake Christian; Bowens wins.
- Willow Nightingale VS Kris Statlander; Kris wins.
- Konosuke Takeshita & Josh Alexander VS The Dark Order; Takeshita & Alexander win.
- “Speedball” Mike Bailey VS Dralistico; Bailey wins.
- Daniel Garcia VS Dax Harwood w/ Cash Wheeler & Stokely Hathaway; No Contest.
PLAY BY PLAY
Toni Storm is here!
Or rather, she’s still here given just last night, the TIMELESS AEW Women’s World Champion won a Fatal 4 Way Eliminator. And now she’s in the special box seat “balcony” with mic in hand. Detroit cheers and she blows kisses before saying, “So many men have taken a shot at me in here, I’m feeling like Abraham Lincoln. I will never forget my first. It was messy, it was sweaty, and painful. But I only wanted more. Once a month, once a week, twice a week, I was hooked. But then, it only became more risky. One at a time, then two at a time. And three at a time! Incorporating random objects, all the while being watched by perverts.”
The fans cheer being perverts but then Toni says, “One day, it will not end well for me. It will break my body and soil my soul. But in the end, I know it’s what I was born to do. And if you think I was referring to sexual intercourse, then get your minds out of the gutter!” Toni takes a moment before she continues, “Because the best bang could not compare to fighting for this!” She holds up the title and the fans cheer more! “I am not waiting for a Hayter or a CEO. So next week, line up the next batch of slop tarts, because baby wants to binge!” The fans also like the sound of that! Toni says spit on it and sit on it, and let’s get TIMELESS~!
The fans applaud and Toni takes a bow. Beach Break just got that much bigger, but who will take their shot at The Tramp that is The Champ?
Backstage interview with Paragon.
Lexy Nair is with Adam Cole, Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly to ask them about the 2 Out of 3 Falls last Saturday. Roddy says that to say they’re disappointed is an understatement. He and Kyle are one of the best teams on this planet, and they thought it’d be like riding a bike. But it has been a bit more difficult than they thought. Kyle agrees that they’re frustrated and disappointed, but what they aren’t doing is taking anything away from themselves. They’re the Paragon and they’re still one of the best tag teams out there. And any other day, any other time, 99 out of 100, Kyle & Roddy win that match.
Cole agrees, and he knows that was tough last week. But they are one of the best teams in the world. There will be plenty of chances to prove that this year. But in step the Grizzled Young Veterans and Zack Gibson says say that again. He can’t believe Paragon has the nerve to stand here sulking and complaining. Honestly, this three are three of the best ever. The problem is, they’ve gone soft! They’ve forgotten what it is to fight for their sport. So any time they’re ready, GYV will remind them what that’s like. Kyle & Roddy say why not. GYV will be the first time that gets stomped on Paragon’s way back to the top!
GYV laugh that off then take their leave. But when and where will Liverpool’s Number One & Mr. Mayhem take on the Savior of the Backbreaker & the Violent Artist?
Ricochet VS Angelico w/ Serpentico!
The One & Only just got a big win last night alongside the Young Bucks, but now he looks to get a win on his own. Will Ricochet make Detroit #OuttaThisWorld two nights in a row? Or will tonight belong to Spanish Announce Project’s South African Stud?
The bell rings and the fans rally as Angelico and Ricochet circle. They feel things out, circle more, then Angelico leaves Ricochet hanging by smoothing his hair. Ricochet says ha ha, more bald jokes. Ricochet waistlocks, the fans chant, “He Has Hair!” but Ricochet hammerlocks and snapmares to then ghost pin, TWO! Ricochet taunts Angelico that this is professional wrestling, not modeling. Angelico trips Ricochet to cover, ONE! Angelico has a cording hold and he keeps Ricochet from the ropes. Ricochet wrenches, but Angelico gets the cording hold back! Ricochet endures, reaches out, but Angelico arm-drags him to the mat!
The fans cheer more, but Ricochet kips up. Angelico wrangles him back down! Ricochet claws at Angelico but Angelico polishes the bald head! The fans cheer and Angelico keeps on the arm. Ricochet fights up again, but Angelico wrangles him back down! Angelico gives Ricochet more polish, then stands him up to wrench and cording hold. Ricochet throws a body shot, flips up and over, but Angelico switches arms for a modified Cobra Twist! Angelico holds up his hand and the fans cheer, but Ricochet fights free and bails out. The fans boo but then Angelico sneaks up to clamp on shoulder claws!
Ricochet fights back, and he THROWS Angelico to the floor! Ricochet skins the cat, then TORNILLO PLANCHAS! Ricochet takes down Angelico, taunts Serpentico, then goes storming off to grab a chair! Ricochet chases off #SNAKEMAN, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Ricochet gets up on the barrier to soak up more heat, and he even flicks sweat off his bald head! Ricochet puts Angelico in the ring, stalks him to ropes, then CHOKES him! The ref counts, Ricochet backs off, and Serpentico coaches Angelico. Angelico sputters but Ricochet brings him up for a snapmare. Ricochet digs his knee into Angelico’s back as part of the chinlock. Angelico endures, fights up, and fires body shots. Angelico is free, runs the ropes, but Ricochet DROPKICKS him down! Ricochet taunts the fans, covers Angelico, TWO! Angelico is tougher than that but Ricochet covers again, ONE! And again, ONE! And again, ONE!!
Ricochet throws a fit and SLAPS Angelico down before arguing with the ref. The ref defends the count, so Ricochet just stomps away on Angelico’s back! Ricochet taunts the fans, goes back to stomp Angelico and kick him around, then he kicks Angelico to the ropes. Angelico rises to BODY BLOW! And JAB! Ricochet staggers back, Angelico fires more shots! Angelico runs, KICKS the backdrop away, then runs again, only for Ricochet to FLAPJACK him off ropes and JUMPING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Angelico survives and Collision returns to single picture. Ricochet storms his way to a corner while the fans boo.
Ricochet aims and 450- NO, he has to bail out as Angelico moves! Ricochet comes back but Angelico dodges again, Ricochet hits only buckles! Angelico swings, Ricochet dodges and shoves to TIGER WALL KICK! And SOBAT! KNEE! But Angelico KNEES in return! Ricochet rebounds to V-TRIGGER! ROLLING- NO, Angelico clinches for a LIFTING FLATLINER! The fans fire up while both men are down! A standing count starts, Ricochet and Angelico stir, and they rise at 5 of 10. Angelico counters a punch and then fires haymakers! Angelico whips, Ricochet reverses, but then Ricochet catches the leap!
Angelico fights Ricochet’s clinch with elbows, then whips, but Ricochet reverses, Angelico LEAPING LARIATS! And LEAPING LARIATS again! The fans fire up and Angelico storms up to Ricochet. Angelico whips, Ricochet reverses, but Angelico reverses back! COBRA TWIST, and the HEAD SLAPS! The fans fire up as Angelico just takes Ricochet to task! Ricochet sputters and staggers around, Angelico kicks and Canadian Racks! YOYO SLAM, into a hammerlock and HALF CRAB! Ricochet endures, reaches out, but Angelico gets the other arm! Ricochet kicks with his free leg and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans boo but Angelico lets go.
Ricochet goes to the apron, Angelico storms up, but Ricochet HOTSHOTS him! And then FLICKS the ropes at Angelico to hit down low! Ricochet then springboards and FLYING LARIATS! The fans boo but Ricochet runs for a STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Ricochet just keeps going, dragon sleeper for the VERTIGO!! Ricochet rolls back, locks ‘n’ loads, and SPIRIT GUN!! Cover, Ricochet wins!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall
Ricochet made sure Angelico was done before he got the 1-2-3, and now he gets the mic. “Go ahead. C’mon, I can’t hear you! I can’t hear you!” The fans boo and taunt him more and Ricochet says he welcomes it all! Their boos mean NOTHING to him, because he sees what they cheer for. And c’mon, if you cheer for the Detroit Lions, that means you’re dumb as hell. If you were smart, if you had any amount of common sense, you’d be cheering for him! The fans keep taunting him with “They’re Not Bald!” But Ricochet says the Eagles won the Super Bowl, what’re they talking about? They should be cheering him, because he’s been here less than a year and he’s beaten most of the favorites!
Brody King, Will Ospreay, Mike Bailey, Kevin Knight, Mark Briscoe, Swerve Strickland, and even Kenny Omega! All of them are AEW legends, and Ricochet beat them all! But wait, speaking of legends… Ricochet points out the living legend, Zach Gowen! Ricochet remembers growing up, watching wrestling, he was a huge fan of Zach Gowen. Huge fan. He remembers when big Brock would beat him up and down the arena, that was awesome. But the thing is, Daddy Gowen used to be on this side of the barriers, but now he’s on the other side of them. What happened, Zach? Doesn’t have a leg in the fight anymore?
Ricochet laughs at his own offensive joke, and then asks where that fire is now. He pushes Zach around, security rushes in and Ricochet says he wasn’t doing anything! They’re just talking! Then he BOPS each and every guard! They like that? Ricochet THROWS one guy into railing! Ricochet does his own commentary as he sends another one into the steel steps! Then he puts the third one in the ring, and says Zach might like this. The fans boo but now Ricochet brings out THE SCISSORS! Ricochet cuts this guy’s hair up! But Zach jumps into the ring!! The fans cheer as Zach snatches the scissors from Ricochet!
The fans cheer as Zach asks what is wrong with Ricochet! Ricochet says sorry, sorry! But then he KICKS Zach’s leg out! And then SPIRIT GUN!! The fans boo even more but Ricochet isn’t done with Zach. He takes Zach’s prosthetic leg away! The fans boo as loud as they can as Ricochet leaves with the leg! Ricochet isn’t just humiliating Zach Gowen, he’s committing a crime! Ricochet holds the leg up as a trophy, then mockingly limps with it. Will anyone ever humble the ego that is #OuttaThisWorld?
8 Man Tag: The Don Callis Family VS The Outrunners, Bandido & AR Fox!
Don Callis himself dared Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd to find a friend so they could settle things with Roppongi Vice and the Family, but the Outrunners did better than that! They found TWO friends! Will the Most Wanted ROH World Champion and the Whole Fox’n Show help the Youngest Men Alive humble Callis’ cronies? Or will Trent Beretta, Rocky Romero, Lance Archer & Kyle Fletcher use them to take out all of their frustrations?
Callis of course joins commentary while the teams sort out. Callis calls tonight “Don Callis Championship Wrestling,” and says Detroit boos him and his Family because it is a city of losers. Kyle Fletcher starts against Bandido and the fans fire up. Kyle and Bandido circle, the fans rally up more, and they tie up. They go around, Kyle puts Bandido on the ropes. The fans rally for Bandido and he dodges the chop to CHOP! Kyle swings, Bandido dodges and headlocks. Kyle powers up and out, Bandido RAMS him, but Kyle rebounds to RUN Bandido over! Kyle flexes, the fans boo, but then Turbo flexes and the fans cheer.
So Kyle BOOTS Turbo off the apron! Kyle runs, Bandido dodges, hurdles, but Kyle leaps over. The fans tell Callis off while things keep moving. Bandido slips around to tilt-o-whirl RANA! And then DROPKICK! Kyle falls against ropes, Trent tags in, and Trent CLOBBERS Bandido! The fans boo, Trent rains down fists, and the ref reprimands. Trent stops to tag in Rocky. Roppongi Vice mugs Bandido, then they DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! But Bandido lands out, tags AR Fox, and Fox BOOTS Rocky! And BOOTS Trent! Fox goes up, up, and CANNONBALLS! The fans fire up but here comes the Murderhawk Monster!
Archer scoops Fox into the crucifix lift! But Fox slips free, goes Matrix to dodge, and he ENZIGIRIS! Archer tumbles out, Fox whips Rocky to the corner, Rocky runs into Turbo’s BOOT! Truth adds a HAYMAKER, then Fox tags Turbo. Turbo brings Rocky around to wrench and wristlock. Truth tags in as they whip and atomic drop, UPPERCUT HART ATTACK! Trent is back, but he runs into a DOUBLE HIP TOSS! The fans fire up with The Outrunner as they run at the corners! BACK ELBOWS in stereo for RPG Vice! Then Outrunners trade, more ELBOWS in stereo! Then a feed to the BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up while The Outrunners wind it up!
“Turbo Floyd! You-” Well, Trent gets Rocky out of there, they do NOT give the people what they want. Archer is back and he double choke grips! DOUBLE CHOKE SLAM!! Archer BLASTS Fox & Bandido off the corner, Kyle is there to beat them up, and the fans boo as Archer stomps away on Truth! Archer stands on Truth in the corner and laughs while Collision goes picture in picture.
Archer stalks Truth tot he Callis corner. Rocky tags Archer in and they mug Truth. Archer bumps Truth off buckles, then whips him corner to corner hard! Truth falls to the mat, Archer puts him back in the corner, and Archer looms over him. Truth rises up to fire CHOPS, but archer eggs him on! Truth fires haymakers, then runs, only for Archer to DECK him! Tag to Trent and Trent stalks Truth while Archer TOSESS Turbo! Trent CHOKES Truth, CHOPS him, then talks trash. Trent winds up to CHOP again! Trent brings Truth over to bump off buckles, then he tags in Rocky. RPG Vice mugs Truth, whips him to a corner, and Kyle joins in.
Rocky runs up to ELBOW Truth, then Trent adds an ELBOW of his own! Kyle runs to forearm SMASH! Archer runs in and ELBOWS Truth down! Rocky covers, TWO! Truth survives the onslaught, but Rocky wrenches an arm. Tag to Kyle and Kyle KICKS then arm! Kyle mocks Truth reaching out for his corner, then stomps Truth down. Kyle stalks Truth to the ropes, mockingly holds Truth’s hand out, then scoops and SLAMS him in a snap! Kyle taunts Bandido, then he brings Truth up. Truth fires hands, but Kyle scoops and SLAMS again! Collision returns to single picture and he BLASTS Truth’s corner! Bandido avoids the shot and shouts at Kyle!
Kyle taunts Bandido, but Truth fires hands! The fans fire up but Kyle BOOTS Truth! Kyle suplexes, but Truth counters with a cradle! TWO, and Kyle is up, only for Truth to juke! Hot tag to Bandido! Kyle kicks but Bandido deflects and waistlocks. Kyle switches, shoves and runs up, but Bandido SUPERKICKS! Bandido goes up, up, and TORNILLOS! Down goes Kyle and he bails out! RPG Vice attack Bandido from behind! RPG Vice double whip, Bandido grabs ropes and he BOOTS them back! The Outrunners are in and they stereo ATOMIC DROP! RPG Vice tumble up and out of the ring! Archer runs in, Bandido holds the ropes down, but Archer doesn’t fall for it!
Archer ROCKS Bandido, but the Outrunners DUMP him out! The fans fire up as the Callis Family regroups by the ramp. Fox returns, and he coordinates with Bandido! Whip and pop-up, SUPER CANNONBALL!! The fans fire up as Fox hits a strike! And then The Outrunners form a staircase! Bandido runs to step, step, and ESCALARA CONJILO!! The fans are thunderous as Bandido puts Kyle in! The Outrunners set Kyle up and then wind it up! “Turbo Floyd! You sonova b*tch!” HANDSHAKE DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! Fox adds a SWANTON BOMB! Bandido adds a FROG SPLASH!! Cover, The Family breaks it!
The fans boo but The Outrunners brawl with the Family! Things tumble out of the ring, but Bandido aims at Kyle on the ropes! Bandido deals the hand, BLACKJACK- NO, Kyle switches through! DRAGON SUPLEX, but Bandido lands out! Bandido ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirls, but Kyle stops the DDT to MICHINOKU DRIVER!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! Kyle and Bandido crawl, hot tags to Fox and Trent! Fox RAMS Trent, goes up, up, and leaps over Trent to somersault and CANNONBALL Kyle! Then Fox wrenches Trent, catches the leg, and FISHERMAN BUSTERS! Archer grabs Fox, shoves him back, but Fox returns to DRAPING DDT!
Fox sees Rocky, Rocky kicks first, then Rocky whips. Fox reverses, Rocky is in the corner, Fox hits an A-LIST LARIAT! Kyle runs up but Fox ELBOWS him away! Fox skins the cat to DROPKICK Rocky and then backwards roll, CUTTER for Kyle! Then Fox avoids Rocky to hit a CUTTER!! The fans are electric and Fox has Kyle on the ropes! Fox builds speed, but Trent anchors his foot! Kyle hits a CALF KICK! The Outrunners BLAST Trent, but Archer CROSSBODIES The Outrunners! Bandido springboards in but Kyle catches him! Kyle calls to the boys, RPG Vice hit a DOUBLE JUMP KNEE! The fans boo but Fox is up!
Fox dodges RPG Vice, BOOTS Kyle, then DOUBLE CUTTER RPG Vice! The fans are thunderous again as Fox goes up, up, but Kyle distracts the ref! Archer grabs Fox, and he SUPER CHOKE SLAMS him down! RPG Vice then sits Fox up, wrenches and double pump handle! JACKAL DRIVER!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!
Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall
Trent shouts that no one will ever disrespect them again! Will Callis’ pack of jackals devour anyone and everyone that stands in their way?
BREAKING NEWS for Beach Break!
After the assault and humiliation that we saw earlier tonight, Zach Gowen is going to make his return to wrestling! Will Zach get revenge on Ricochet for taking things too far?
Jon Moxley speaks.
“So, we’re through the obligatory preamble, casualties on both sides. Last night, you took out my number one lieutenant. Now I could vow revenge and talk about all the things I’m gonna do to Samoa Joe once I get him inside that steel cage. But that would be rather rote, and probably mostly untrue. What do we know? The consensus is Samoa Joe is gonna kick my ass. And yeah, there’s nobody on the planet better at getting their ass kicked than me. The question isn’t whether Joe will beat me up. The question is, how long can he do it? Five, eight minutes? Ten? 20? 25? I’ve got all night.
“I know you don’t think very much of me, Joe, but you are one of the guys that I have genuine respect for. You are the embodiment of a champion. But you’re not the AEW World Champion, I am. And I know that no matter what happens to me inside that steel cage in Chicago, no matter what Hell is put on me, no matter what I am put through in that steel cage, I know I have been through worse. I have been through the kind of Hell, I have weathered the kind of storms, I have faced down the kinds of demons that would keep these kids up at night. So I don’t need to be feared or respected by you or anybody else. I just need you to show up.
“I don’t get along with the rest of the world because I am not like the rest of the world. And believe it or not, next week, there is nowhere else in the world I would rather be than locked inside a steel cage in Chicago with the AEW World Championship hanging in the balance, with the baddest man in pro-wrestling, Samoa Joe. I didn’t build my foundation on sand. When the storm comes through, the only thing that matters is who is the last man standing.” The Maniac has issued his ultimatum, will he ultimately be the baddest man in AEW?
Anthony Bowens w/ Billy Gunn VS Lee Johnson w/ Blake Christian!
The Pride of Pro-Wrestling is ready to prove he’s worthy of all the opportunities before him, but that means having others step to the plate. #BigShotty thinks he can get a hit off the 5 Tool Player, but will he be able to go yard? Or will he just get Molly Whopped and sent back to the dugout?
The bell rings and the fans rally behind Bowens. Bowens and Lee tie up, Bowens wrenches and wristlocks, but Lee wrenches back. Bowens slips through, wrenches and hammerlocks, then he spins and snapmares Lee to an Oklahoma Roll! TWO, and Bowens tries a cradle, TWO! Lee is up to headlock back, but Bowens powers up and out. Lee goes up and over, baits Bowens into a waistlock, but Bowens switches. Lee switches, then he shoves Bowens! “You’re nothing!” The fans boo and Bowens scowls. Lee talks more trash, but Bowens CHOPS Lee off his feet! Bowens stalks Lee to a corner, CHOPS again, and the fans “WOO~!”
Bowens CHPOS again, and again, and again! Bowens then stomps a mudhole into Lee! The ref counts, Bowens steps off at 4, and Bowens apologizes. Lee bails out, Bowens pursues, and Lee tries to apologize. But then Lee bumps into Daddy Ass! Lee looks and sees Billy, apologizes to him now, but Bowens ROCKS Lee! Bowens whips Lee hard into barriers and the fans fire up! Bowens puts Lee in the ring, but Lee kicks low! Lee eggs Bowens on, whips, but Bowens hurdles and mule kicks! Front kicks! FAMOUSER! The fans fire up and Bowens wrenches to lift Lee, SWING OUT FACEBUSTER! Cover, ONE?!?
Billy is annoyed, but then Blake gets on the apron! Bowens backs the Vanilla Babyface off, but then he dodges Lee’s sneak attack! Bowens fireman’s carries, Lee slips free and shoves Bowens to ropes. Billy wants after Blake but the ref keeps him back. Bowens ELBOWS Lee away, but Blake swipes at him! Lee then DUMPS Bowens out! Bowens staggers up, Lee FLIES, and he gets just enough of Bowens to take him down! Then Lee and Blake mock the scissor fingers! The fans boo but Lee puts Bowens in the ring. Lee reels Bowens in, suplexes, but Bowens slips free! Bowens shoves Lee away, runs up, and he blocks the boot! But not the ENZIGIRI!
Lee SUPERKICKS Bowens, runs, but into the Rock, Paper, Scissors, SUPERKICK! The fans fire up and Bowens shows them how it’s done! He puts up the scissors, then shouts for his shot! But Blake gets on the apron! Bowens grabs Blake, Lee rolls Bowens up with tights, TWO!! MOLLY WHOP!! Cover, Bowens wins!
Winner: Anthony Bowens, by pinfall
Blake tried to tip the scales, but then he also storms into the ring! Billy gets in Blake’s way and Blake backs up. Blake “apologizes,” but then he takes a swing! Billy stops that and TOSSES Blake out! Billy says “SUCK IT!” Bowens grabs a mic to tell Detroit, “What you just saw was the Pride of Professional Wrestling! The perfect combination of power, athleticism, intelligence, the look, and The It Factor. And I am in a really good mood, so y’know what? Billy, throw ’em up! Detroit, throw ’em up! And make some noise!” And they SCISSOR FINGER~! For old time’s sake, Bowens embraces the old gimmick. But will nothing stop Bowens from making himself a contender?
The Gates of Agony are here!
Detroit cheers as Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona walk out to the ring, but they grab mics so they can talk. Kaun calls out Bryan Keith & Big Bill. “You think you’re gonna walk through these Gates unscathed, unburned, and redeem yourselves in the eyes of Chris Jericho?” The fans boo and Kaun says, “Hell no, Paradise has to be earned. And these Gates right here? They’re gonna stop you in your tracks.” Liona says, “And this time, we’re not doing it in a parking lot! Y’know why? Because we’re in Detroit! Why not do this right here, right now!?” The fans cheer and Liona tells Big Bill & Bryan Keith, you heard the people! Get out here and fight!
The shirts come off, and here come the Redwood & Bad Apple! They go right to the ring and the brawl is on! The fans fire up as Bill has Kaun and Keith has Liona! Bill hammers away on Kaun in a corner, Liona ROCKS Keith, but Keith roars! Keith runs, only for Liona to LARIAT him down! Bill BOOTS Liona down! Bill goes out after Liona, but then Keith LARIATS Kaun and himself up and out of the ring! Bill and Liona brawl, Linoa shoves Bill into railing and CLUBS him! Keith and Kaun brawl on the floor, Liona SMACKS Bill off steel steps! Liona fires up, the fans are torn, and Liona runs in, only for Bill to send him into railing! In fact, Liona goes over the railing!
Keith staggers but Kaun keeps after him. Kaun brings Keith to the ramp but Keith elbows free! Keith runs but Kaun fireman’s carries! SAMOAN DROP down through tables!! Fans lose their minds, and somehow Liona is up! Liona and Bill now brawl on the stage, even as security and producer Kevin Matthews try to stop this! But there’s no stopping it, and Bill BOOTS Liona! Liona wobbles, but then he roars! Liona SPEARS Bill off the stage and down through tables!! The fans lose their minds all over again! The Gates and the Branches are down around ringside, is the Learning Tree impressed watching this at home?
AEW hears from Anna Jay & Harley Cameron, as well as Penelope Ford & Megan Bayne.
The Queenslayer says, “Megan, you really like to pick fights, huh? I don’t care how big you are, how hard you hit, I will wrap my arms around you and make you sleep!” The Superbad Girl says Anna has been gone a long time, and the Megasus says things have changed. There is a new animal in this jungle, and having a pure heart, fat ass and good friends isn’t gonna cut it. But the wild Aussie tells the Megasus, “I bet your back is blown out after the fight that I brought last night!” Anna says don’t say it like. Ford tells Harley to stop hiding behind Anna’s fat ass already. Ford & Megan want them to fight and learn that mercy is the one thing they never mastered.
Harley shouts that she and Anna will SLAY THE MEGASUS, and all will FEEL THE WRATH! And so BREAKING NEWS for Beach Break Collision! Anna Jay VS Megan Bayne will happen next Saturday when Collision returns to TNT!
Willow Nightingale VS Kris Statlander!
Former friends, bitter enemies, and now maybe somewhere in between, the Babe with the Power and the Galaxy’s Greatest will battle 1v1 once more! But will we truly see she’s a #BornAgainKristen when this fight helps her make amends with Willow? Or will nothing Kris does matter, and Willow will smile anyway?
The bell rings and the two circle. The two start pushing, and then shoving, and then Willow wrenches to wrangle Kris. Kris fights up to wrench back and headlock, but Willow powers out to headlock in return. Kris powers up and out, then reels Willow in for her own headlock. Willow THROWS Kris away and the fans fire up! Willow wants Kris to take this serious, so Kris runs up to waistlock. Willow fights the lift and switches, Kris fights the lift in return. Willow powers through to SLAM Kris all the same! The fans fire up more while Kris grows frustrated. Kris storms up, but Willow boops her on the nose!
The fans are torn but Kris says if that’s how it’s gonna be… And she SLAPS Willow! Willow swings, Kris dodges and Kris trips Willow to then basement CROSSBODY! Kris mocks the Willow smile ‘n’ pose, TWO! Kris mocks the smiling but then Willow SLAPS her! The fans fire up so Kris CHOSP! Willow CHOPS! Is that a spider on the screen? The CHOPS keep going and the fans “WOO~!” Willow then fires off forearms! And an ENZIGIRI! Kris sputters to a corner, Willow storms up, and the fans cheer as she bumps Kris off buckles! Then she brings Kris to another corner for another buckle bump! And then the third corner! And the fourth corner!
The fans fire up as Willow completes the lap, snapmares Kris and BOOTS her down! Willow whips Kris again, but Kris sunset flips! TWO, Willow sits up into a BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO! Kris huffs ‘n’ puffs but she CHOSP! And ROKS! And CHOPS! Kris hooks the arms but Willow flips that around to a backslide, TWO! Kris Oklahoma rolls, TWO! Willow has the cover, TWO! Kris has it back, TWO! Both women stand, Kris scoops, but Willow slips free! Willow shoves Kris, Kris goes up the corner, BACK ELBOW! Kris flexes and the fans are torn, but she hurries to cover, TWO! The fans rally and Kris brings Willow up.
Kris runs, but Willow POUNCES her! PERIOD! Kris tumbles out, the fans fire up, and the ring count starts. Willow goes to the apron and she CANNONBALLS! The fans fire up more as Kris goes down! Willow high-fives the front row, then she goes back to drag Kris up. Willow reels Kris in, but Kris suplexes first! A hard landing on the floor and we’re past 5 of 10! Kris rolls in at 7, but rolls out while Willow rolls in. Kris grabs Willow and brings her back out while Collision goes picture in picture.
Kris brings Willow around to hit another suplex to the floor! Kris soaks up cheers and jeers, puts Willow back in the ring, and then soaks up more cheers and jeers. Kris runs and LARIATS Willow in the corner! Then she scoop SLAMS, covers, TWO! Willow is still in this but Kris stays on her. Kris whips Willow, Willow reverses, and Willow stays back as Kris goes up. Willow then CLUBS Kris on the back, and she reels Kris in for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Willow reels Kris into a GROUND OCTOPUS! Kris endures as Willow twists her around! Kris pushes it to a cover, TWO! Both women stand, Kris kicks low and snapmares for a body scissor squeeze!
Willow endures, even as Kris adds a half nelson to the mix! Willow fights around, reaches out, and throws elbows! The nelson is undone but Willow still elbows away at the legs! Kris lets Willow go, the two stand up, and Kris CHOPS! Willow seethes and winds up to CHOP back! Kris ROCKS Willow! Willow CHOPS Kris! Kris ROCKS Willow, Willow ROCKS Kris, and repeat! The shots go back and forth, then Willow fires a flurry! Kris fires her own flurry in return! Both women wobble, then they fire more shots! Collision returns to single picture as the shots keep going! Willow then slips around and GERMAN SUPLEXES!
Kris rises, and she gets around Willow to GERMAN SUPLEX! Both women stand, DOUBLE LARIATS collide, and both women fall back! The fans fire up while Kris and Willow go to opposite corners. Kris and Willow rise, then Willow runs up to back body block! Kris dodges the lariat and UPPERCUTS! Kris runs side to side to KNEE Willow! Kris whips, Willow cartwheels and BOOTS! Kris kips up to PELE! Kris runs, but Willow hits a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO!! The fans are thunderous and Willow has Kris in a corner. Willow LARIATS point blank again and again and again! The fans count all the way to nine, but Kris dodges ten!
Willow blocks the superkick, fireman’s carries, and she bumps Kris off buckles before- NO, Kris slips free! Kris waistlocks but Willow CLUBS away! Kris shoves Willow but Willow avoids the snap powerslam! Willow gut wrenches but Kris trips her! Jackknife bridge, TWO and Willow sunset flips it! TWO and both women stand! SUPERKICK from Kris! Kris runs to SCISSOR KICK! Cover, TWO!! Willow survives and Kris is shocked! The fans are thunderous and Kris hauls Willow up. Kris has the leg, but Willow wrenches and fireman’s carries, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Kris survives and Willow is beside herself!
Detroit is thunderous as Willow puts Kris in the corner. Willow bumps Kris off buckles, then she climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count, but Kris slips out to CLUB Willow on the back! Kris goes up and she has Willow on the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Both women are down and the fans go wild! Kris and Willow slowly rise again, and Kris takes aim! Kris winds up and DISCUS- LARIAT from Willow!! The straps come down and Willow hauls Kris up! BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB!!! But Kris flounders all the way out of the ring! Willow rises, but Wheeler Yuta is here. Yuta taunts former friend Kris, but this is to distract the ref!
Marina Shafir gets Willow with a CHAIN!! Marina CHOKES Willow, then KICKS her down! The fans boo but the Death Riders leave ringside. Kris has no idea what happened, she just tucks Willow in! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
The Problem flips off Willow and Detroit as she finally gets revenge on Willow. Will Willow be able to smile when she’s this pissed off at Marina?
Skye Blue speaks.
“Next week, Beach Break, AEW is back in Chicago. And so am I. I’m back, and I’m a violent little thing.” The Chicago Skye is dark and brooding once again, but will her future be bright?
Konosuke Takeshita & Josh Alexander VS The Dark Order!
Before they take on Will Ospreay & Hangman Page for Beach Break, The Alpha & Walking Weapon are going to make an example out of the Cowboy’s former friends. Will this be the end of The Dark Order once and for all? Or can Evil Uno & Alex Reynolds survive despite not having the Numbers?
Well, Konosuke & Alexander don’t even wait, they just attack! The bell rings, Konosuke TOSSES Uno and Alexander runs up on Reynolds! Reynolds dodges, runs back in, but Alexander ELBOWS him down! Then BOOTS him! Konosuke uses his own jacket to LASH Uno with those studs! Alexander throws his jacket off to keep on Reynolds, and the ref is so busy with Alexander that he misses Callis CLAWING Uno’s eyes! Alexander whips Reynolds, Reynolds goes up and over, but then Alexander puts him on the apron! Reynolds avoids the shoulder to GUILLOTINE KNEE DROP!
Alexander staggers away, the ref is distracted, and Konosuke YANKS Reynolds down! Konosuke sits Reynolds on the apron, CHOPS and hits a DRIVE-BY, then Alexander adds his CROSSBODY CHECK! Reynolds is down, Uno runs up, but Alexander dodges for the ALPHA ELBOW to take Uno down! Alexander puts Reynolds back in the ring, bumps him off buckles, and he tags Konosuke. Konosuke wrenches and reels Reynolds in, BLUE THUNDER- NO, Reynolds fights the bomb! Reynolds reaches out for Uno, but Konosuke reels him in! BIG back suplex, but Reynolds lands out! Reyhnolds shoves Konosuke aside, hot tag to Uno!
Uno ducks ‘n’ dodges and RANAS! The fans fire up and Uno tags Reynolds back in! They double whip Konosuke, but he breaks their double lariat! Reynolds dodges as Konosuke LARIATS Uno down! Reynolds comes back but into the BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Hot tag to Alexander, and he hoists Uno up into the Electric Chair! Konosuke goes up, JUMP KNEE DOOMSDAY!! Then they haul Reynolds up, DOUBLE ROLLING ELBOWS!! And from there, STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Callis Family wins again!
Winners: Konosuke Takeshita & Josh Alexander, by pinfall
Not only are these two rolling towards Beach Break, but Konosuke is red hot going into his NEVER Openweight Championship defense tomorrow night, NJPW Resurgence in California! Will all of the wrestling world soon belong to the Don Callis Family?
“Speedball” Mike Bailey VS Dralistico!
This match came about because La Faccion Ingobernable was upset Kevin Knight’s team won that $400,000 tag match and they decided to make him pay for it physically. LFI essentially screwed The Jet out of a Continental Championship opportunity, but Bailey is going to fight for his friend! Will Bailey start by taking out El Toro Blanco’s brother?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up, Dralistico puts Bailey in a corner, but the ref counts. Dralistico backs off, and he CHOPS! Dralistico fires hands, the ref counts, but Dralistico tells Bailey off. Dralistico runs, but Bailey blocks the superkick! Bailey swings, Dralistico ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Bailey drops down, hurdles over, and KICKS Dralistico down! The fans fire up while Dralistico bails out. Bailey builds speed, but Dralistico ducks the baseball slide! Bailey kicks, Dralistico blocks and flips Bailey! Bailey lands safe, but then Dralistico avoids the wall kick to ROCK him! Bailey comes back, Dralistico pops Bailey up, and Bailey mule kicks!
Bailey ASAI MOONSAULTS and down goes Dralistico at the ramp! The fans fire and Bailey hurries into the ring. Bailey is all fired up while Dralistico sputters. Bailey goes back out after Dralistico, then he drags Dralistico up. Bailey KICKS, and CHOPS, and then brings Dralistico around. Dralistico CLAWS the eyes! The fans boo but Dralistico RANAS Bailey into the steel steps! Then a SUPERKICK into the steps! Dralistico tranquilos and fans boo while Collision goes picture in picture.
Dralistico nods as the fans rally, and he stalks Bailey. Dralistico drags Bailey up, SMACKS him off the steel steps, then refreshes the ring count. Dralistico pretends he can’t hear the fans booing but he sees them give him thumbs down. Dralistico storms up on Bailey to CHOP him against railing! Dralistico then whips Bailey into the railing! Dralistico hops up onto the barriers so he can soak up the heat. Bailey crawls to the apron but Dralistico shoves him into the ring. Dralistico sits Bailey up, clamps on a GROUND COBRA TWIST, but Bailey endures! Dralistico throws down fists, then tells the fans to shut up!
Dralistico goes back to Bailey, stomps him, then drags him to a drop zone. Dralistico springboards to SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO! Dralistico tells everyone to tranquilo, then he stands Bailey up for a HEADBUTT! Dralistico looms over Bailey, stalks him to the ropes, and then KICKS a leg out! Dralistico puts Bailey on the ropes to CHOKE him! Collision returns to single picture as the fans boo and the ref counts. Dralistico stops at 4, then he KICKS Bailey in the leg! And he KICKS the leg again! Bailey hobbles, Dralistico kicks but Bailey blocks! Bailey KICKS and KICKS and KICKS in return! Then he CHOPS Darlistico in the corner!
The fans fire up but Dralistico turns things around. Dralistico CHOPS Bailey, but Bailey just snarls! Bailey puts Dralistico in the corner to KICK! Dralistico CHOPS! Bailey KICKS again! Dralistico CHOPS again and again and again! Bailey just KICKS again and again and again! The fans fire up as both men fire up and Dralistico fires forearms now! The fans are thunderous and Bailey comes back to KICK! Dralistico KICKS, Bailey KICKS, repeat! KICK for KICK, then Bailey unleashes the LIGHTNING KICKS! Dralistico avoids the thrust kick, but Bailey ducks a heel kick! Both men KICK, but then Bailey kicks a kick away to HEEL KICK Dralistico down!
The fans are thunderous as Bailey busts out that Tae Kwan Do! Dralistico rises, Bailey SOBATS, AX KICKS, and BUZZSAWS! Bailey then runs to SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Bailey drags Dralistico right up, suplexes and FALCON ARROW into the drop zone! Bailey climbs up, takes aim, and ULTIMATE- NO, Bailey has to bail out as Dralistico moves! Bailey rolls through, but Dralistico dropkicks the legs out! Dralistico then floats over, LA MAGITROL, TWO!! Bailey has Dralistico’s arm and steps over, but Dralistico rolls through, only for Bailey to sit on the sunset! Cover, TWO! Dralistico finishes the sunset, TWO!
Bailey kicks, misses, but then STANDING MOONSAULT! Dralistico moves again so Bailey lands out! Dralistico jumps the sweep, jumps on, CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! The fans are thunderous as Bailey flounders! Dralistico reaches down to knuckle lock, but Bailey denies the cover with a Monkey Flip, into a DESTROYER!! The fans are electric as Bailey has Dralistico in the corner! Bailey runs up, but Dralistico DREAMCAST KICKS first! Bailey goes to the apron. Dralistico storms out after him, and Dralistico reels Bailey in. Bailey fights the underhooks, and he Alabama Lifts! Dralistico sunset flips but Bailey stays up!
Bailey breaks free and MOONSAULT KNEE DROPS on the apron! Dralistico coughs and sputters as he rolls into the ring and the fans fire up again! Bailey aims, spins, HEEL KICK!! Cover, Bailey wins!
Winner: “Speedball” Mike Bailey, by pinfall
The sequel was even better than the original! This rematch between Speedball and Prince of Silver was incredible, but wait! Here comes Rush himself! Bailey dares El Toro Blanco to bring those horns because he wants to keep on fighting! Rush says wait your turn, perro! When and where will Bailey look to take the bull by his horns and bring him down?
BREAKING NEWS for Beach Break: Dynamite!
Given Toni Storm wants more and more action, and since Chicago is Skye Blue’s backyard, they’ll be meeting in an AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Fatal 4 Way! Who will the two mystery participants be? And will anyone be able to score on the Whore We All Adore this close to Double or Nothing?
Daniel Garcia VS Dax Harwood w/ Cash Wheeler & Stokely Hathaway!
For the longest time, Red Death respected FTR and FTR respected him. But after FTR selfishly betrayed Adam Copeland and put themselves ahead of everyone else, Garcia could not stand by and do nothing. Garcia dared one of the Top Guys to step up, will he take that Top Guy out? Or will this (emotionally) hurt FTR more than it hurts Garcia?
The bell rings and Dax circles with Garcia. Garcia is also wary of how Cash and #BigStoke are moving around ringside. The fans taunt Dax with “BALD! BALD! BALD!” so it isn’t just Ricochet anymore. Dax and Garcia tie up, go around, and Garcia puts Dax in the corner. The ref counts, Garcia lets off slowly, but he pats Dax on his bald head. Dax brushes that off, he and Garcia circle again, and then they tie up. They go around, Dax puts Garcia in a corner, and the ref counts. Dax lets off slowly, but he sucker punches Garcia! The fans boo but Stoke likes that! The ref reprimands but Garcia shakes off the cheap shot.
Dax storms up and ROCKS Garcia again! And CHOPS! Garcia staggers away but Dax storms up to CHOP again! Garcia goes to another corner, but then he CHOPS in return! Dax turns things around to CHOP again! But Garcia CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Dax CHOPS right back! Garcia sputters as he sits down in the corner. Dax huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes back for Garcia, but Garcia CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Dax headlocks, Garcia powers up and out, but Dax runs him over! Garcia trips Dax, HAMMERS away with fists, but Dax gets up. Garcia keeps after him with a CHOP in the corner!
Garcia whips corner to corner, runs up, but Dax ELBOWS him away! Dax runs up, SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Garcia is down and the fans boo but Stoke & Cash cheer Dax on. Dax stomps and drops knees on Garcia at the ropes! The ref counts, Dax backs off, and Garcia checks his own neck. Cash talks trash, the ref has him back off, and Cash says he’s just talking! He’s allowed to do that, right? The fans still taunt Dax with “BALD! BALD! BALD!” Dax stands Garcia up, reels him in, but Garcia fights the lift! Dax pulls on Garcia’s hair to then CHOP him! Garcia bails out, Dax pursues, and Dax brings Garcia around.
Dax talks trash on the fans, then reels Garcia in. Garcia fights the lift again, trips Dax up, and then CATAPULTS Dax into the POST! The fans fire up while Dax falls in a heap! Garcia stands, rolls into the ring, but just long enough to refresh the count. Dax is busted open and Garcia is right on that bloody forehead! Dax wants mercy but Garcia only backs off to get space. Garcia puts up his dukes, does his dance, and then runs in for a DROPKICK! Dax hits barriers, but Garcia runs again! Another DROPKICK into the barriers! And then a third DROPKICK into the barriers! The fans fire up with Garcia as he goes one more time, only for Cash to stand in the way!
The fans boo as Cash says no more! Garcia seethes, and he still runs up, but Dax LARIATS Garcia down! Cash bought Dax time, and now Dax huffs ‘n’ puffs through his crimson mask. Dax puts Garcia in the ring, then he grabs the ring bell! The ref stops Dax and they tug-o-war over it! Dax lets the ref have the bell, but then Garcia trips Dax! Garcia steps through, and he turns Dax over for the DRAGON TAMER!! But Stoke distracts the ref, letting Cash drag Garcia out! DRAPING NECKBREAKER to the floor! Cash points to commentary to give a thumbs up, but wait! DADDY MAGIC is here! The fans cheer as Matt Menard CLOBBERS Cash!
The fans fire up, Stoke freaks out, and Menard fires off on Cash in a corner! Detroit is all fired up as Collision goes picture in picture!
Cash runs away to the back but Menard pursues! Now things are a bit more even, with Stoke coaching a bloodied and dazed Dax. Dax staggers to his feet, goes over to Garcia, and drags him up to put him in the ring. Dax talks more trash on the fans, then he storms in after Garcia. Dax suplexes and hits a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Garcia is still in this and Dax grows frustrated. The ref checks Dax while the fans rally behind Garcia. Dax is okay to continue, and he brings Garcia up, only for Garcia to cradle! TWO!! Dax stands and LARIATS Garcia down! Dax huffs ‘n’ puffs and TOSSES Garcia to the apron! Dax brings Garcia through the ropes, to then CHOP!
Dax KICKS and ROCKS Garcia on repeat! Then he reels Garcia in for a DRAPING DDT! Cover, TWO! Dax rains down fists without hesitation! Dax hears the fans taunting him so he dares them to do something. Dax holds the ropes open but obviously no one takes the offer. Dax drags Garcia up, CHOPS him, and he storms up on Garcia at the ropes. Garcia ROCKS and CHOPS in return, but Dax CHOPS again! Garcia sputters and falls back while Dax soaks up the heat. Dax paces around Garcia, taunts Detroit more, and Collision returns to single picture. The fans boo as hard as they can but Dax talks trash on Garcia now.
Dax kicks at Garcia, egging him on. Garcia scowls as Dax pie faces him! The fans rally, Garcia rises, and Dax looks worried. Dax SLAPS Garcia, but Garcia just clamps onto Dax’s neck! Dax breaks fere, Garcia CHOP, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Garcia CHOPS away on Dax at the ropes! The fans fire up and Garcia whips, but Dax reverses. Garcia LARIATS, Dax staggers, so Garcia runs again! Another LARIAT but Dax still stays on his feet! Garcia runs, Dax ROCKS him, and then Dax whips. Garcia reverses, Dax reverses to wrench, but Garcia dodges the lariat to LARIAT! Down goes Dax and the fans fire up!
Stoke is frustrated for Dax as the fans rally up. Garcia storms up on Dax to climb up. Garcia rains down fists, and the fans count all the way to nine. Garcia foams at the mouth before he hits TEN! The fans fire up, Garcia waistlocks, but Dax holds onto a buckle pad! That pad comes loose, Garcia still hits a SAIDO! The fans fire up as Garcia covers, TWO!! Dax survives but Garcia goes for the legs. Dax CLAWS at Garcia’s face and shoves him away! Garcia still gets the legs and trips Dax up! DRAGON- NO, Dax fights and BOOTS Garcia into the bare steel! SLINGSHOT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Garcia survives and Detroit is thunderous!
Stokely is seething and Dax is pissed, but the fans continue to rally for “DANNY! DANNY!” Dax goes up, and Garcia CHOPS first! Garcia climbs, brings Dax up, and they go to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!! And then a roll through! Garcia hoists Dax up to the top rope again, and goes back up top! Another SUPER DUPER PLEX!! But Garcia isn’t done, he’s taking Three Amigos to a new level! The fans are thunderous as Garcia goes to the next corner, hoists Dax up, and climbs again! The fans want the hattrick, and Garcia brings Dax up! SUPER DUPER THREE AMIGOS!!! Both men are down and the fans are electric!
Stokely is furious as Garcia crawls to a cover! ROPEBREAK!! Garcia miscalculates and that works out for Dax! “This is Awesome!” and that might be an understatement! Dax and Garcia rise, go forehead to forehead, and then they go forearm for forearm! Garcia gets the edge and the fans love it! Garcia BOOTS Dax out of the ring, then pursues! Stoke has to run away before Garcia CLOBBERS Dax from behind! They go into the crowd, the fans fire up as they’re even closer to the action now! This brawl goes through the stands, around behind commentary, and Dax SMACKS Garcia off railing! And then off more railing!
Schiavone & Nigel just mind their own business, and yet Dax still feels the need to push Nigel’s headset off him! The fans boo and Nigel seethes. Nigel stands up, Dax dares him to do something! Detroit tells Dax he done F’d up, but Nigel just puts his headset back on. Nigel says he is a professional, but a professional commentator. Dax is the wrestler, so Nigel will not touch him. Dax SHOVES Nigel down! Nigel is furious but Dax already storms off to find Garcia. Dax puts Garcia in the ring, but Garcia reels Dax in! Dax fights the lift, Stoke barks from the apron! The ref backs stoke off, but Dax LOW BLOWS Garcia!
But now Nigel is storming down to ringside! Garcia fights the lift and Nigel is on the apron! Dax storms up on Nigel, but Nigel RAMS Dax down low! UPPERCUT! But Cash is back! He kicks Nigel low, reels him in, but Nigel WRINGS Cash out! Garcia LARIATS Dax up and out, and clearly by now the ref has just thrown this one out!
No Contest
Menard is back and he LARIATS Cash up and out! The fans fire up as Menard, Garcia and McGuinness stand tall together! FTR kept pushing buttons but they pushed the wrong ones! Will Stoke, Dax & Cash have to fear the repercussions of their actions?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision, but it apparently caught a bit of the Go Home Syndrome. There were quite a few recap packages I skipped but clearly they are working to hype Beach Break for next. Moxley’s newest promo was alright, didn’t really add much, because as I said just last night, Moxley surely finds a way to retain with help from The Death Riders. I will say, it made a lot of sense for the remaining Death Riders to cost Willow. Marina and Willow still have beef, and I’m still hoping on my idea from last night: Shayna Baszler shows up, teams with Marina, we get Shayna & Marina VS Willow & Kris. Let’s up the ante and get another classic Street Fight Tag out of Kris & Willow.
Great promo from Toni Storm to open the night, and good to hear Skye Blue is back. Another Fatal 4 Way Eliminator makes me wonder if one of the mystery entrants ends up taking the loss. There was also that spider during Kris VS Willow, which I believe is a teaser for Thekla. Thekla could easily jump into the Fatal 4 Way and get close to winning, but who knows. And as I said last night, not sure why they’re holding Athena back from doing much of anything right now. With Supercard of Honor now delayed to July to coincide with All In: Texas, Athena should really be getting involved more on AEW TV so people don’t forget she exists.
Very good stuff with Bowens VS Lee, and I appreciate the albeit lazy way they changed Bowen’s logo so that it doesn’t resemble the Shane Taylor Promotions’ STP. Bowens of course wins, but his promo after was pretty much the same as his other ones. At least he did one last scissoring with Billy. Bowens is unfortunately not going to get a title story right now with all the champions preoccupied in something else. Though honestly, I feel like there is a way for Okada VS Bowens to be a great match, and then someone violates the Continental Rules so that Okada loses without really losing. Best way I can think of is Swerve is hunting The Bucks, they go ringside, and since Bucks are associate with Okada, that’s a violation on his part, and it adds more heat to whatever big thing Double or Nothing has planned.
Great stuff from the Don Callis Family in all their matches. I wasn’t expecting a big 8 Man Tag, and I’m a little disappointed Brody King wasn’t one of the participants, but maybe that’s the next phase. Great showing from the Faces, especially AR Fox. Fox is in a similar boat to Bowens where he certainly deserves title opportunities but TK just isn’t seeing how to write it. But between that and the dominance Konosuke & Alexander over Dark Order, it feels like the Don Callis Family get their comeuppance with Hangman & Ospreay winning next week.
Ricochet VS Angelico was rather outta nowhere but it was still a great match. It was also clearly a vehicle so Ricochet could start beef with Zach (Zack?) Gowen and give us a Beach Break match between them for the real deepcut long time wrestling fans. Much like Bowens and Fox, I feel like Ricochet is waiting on a title to be freed up from story so he can go get those titles. Such as Paragon now feuding with Grizzled Young Veterans for a minute, which in a way keeps Adam Cole isolated. TK should’ve just given us Ricochet VS Cole for the fun of it because Ricochet VS Cole would be incredibly fun stuff. They could even revisit their NXT history if they wanted to.
Great stuff with Gates of Agony and Learning Tree, that was much better than last week’s. I really hope this gives us a Tornado Tag match. For that matter, why aren’t we getting that in the story of Anna Jay & Harley Cameron VS Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford? Good promo from those teams to hype up… just Anna VS Megan… It’d make Beach Break Collision feel all the bigger but whatever, maybe they feel Ford still isn’t up to speed after that Fatal 4 Way last night. But doing a chaotic tag match could help iron out some of that so that Ford can just focus on what she is good at with the gymnastics and throwing hands.
And awesome stuff with Garcia VS “Dax the Axe” in the main event. And yeah, I didn’t put it in myself, but they’re really committing to that as Dax’s ring name right now. Great to see Menard helping Garcia, and even Nigel standing up for himself against Dax. A “No Contest” result was a little odd but I suppose that’s like saying it is a draw where no one goes over. But with the Faces standing tall, maybe Nigel steps in and teams with Garcia right now for Double or Nothing so that Garcia teaming with Cope is the All In moment.
My Score: 8.8/10
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