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.
Click here to join Stephen Moree’s live reaction and discussion!
(Live coverage will open in a new window/tab)
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!
Is Orange Cassidy coldblooded? Or just in control?
Before their AEW World Championship match at Full Gear, Jon Moxley puts Wheeler Yuta in Orange Cassidy’s way! Will Cassidy destroy The Decoder before going for The Maniac?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family; The Don Callis Family wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida; Kris wins.
- 2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger; Lashley wins.
- Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
- Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta w/ The Death Riders; Cassidy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family!
This All-Star 8 Man is going to make for a massive match! The Aerial Assassin, Dunk Zilla, The One & Only and the man the family foolishly forgot are now teamed together against Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Brian Cage & Lance Archer! Will Ospreay lead this team to victory ahead of the grudge matches at Full Gear? Or will Callis’ Alpha, Aussie Arrow, Machine & Murderhawk Monster make sure #EverybodyDies?
Well forget sorting out, Ospreay leads his team in attacking the Callis Family right on the ramp! The fans fire up as Hobbs is after Archer, Davis is after Cage, and of course Ricochet is after Konosuke while Ospreay is after Kyle! Hobbs smacks Archer off railing, Kyle CLUBS Ospreay on the back, but Ospreay kicks low. Ospreay sends Kyle into railing, rips the tearaway pants right off him, and then LASHES him with them! Davis sends Cage into railing while Ospreay uses those pants to SLING Kyle into more railing! Davis CLUBS away on Cage, Ospreay blows snot on Kyle’s pants, and Davis sends Cage into more railing.
Kyle turns things around to send Ospreay into railing! Konosuke helps Cage against Davis but Hobbs still throws hands on Archer. Kyle CLUBS Ospreay, CLUBS Ricochet, but Konosuke puts Davis in the ring. The bell rings and this is finally a match. Konosuke headlocks Davis but Davis fires body shots. Davis powers up and out, but Konosuke RAMS him! The fans fire up as Davis stays up. Davis runs to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke stays up and the fans rally. Konosuke runs to RAM Davis, but Davis runs. Konosuke bypasses, leaps, but Davis catches him for a TOSS! And a SENTON! The fans fire up with Davis, and Ricochet reaches out.
Davis tags Ricochet in , then holds the way open, for Ricochet to FOSBURY FLOP onto Konosuke! But Cage CLOBBERS Davis! Cage then RAMS Ricochet into the apron, POSTS him, but Ospreay PENALTY KICKS Cage! The fans fire up as Ospreay goes up, but Kyle UPPERCUTS him! The fans boo as Kyle goes up, CLUBS away on Ospreay, and Ospreay falls to the floor. But now Hobbs is up! Kyle says wait! Then he fires hands! Hobbs just CHOPS Kyle! Hobbs climbs up to get Kyle, but Archer CLUBS Hobbs! Archer drags Hobbs down, throws hands, then puts Hobbs in between steps and post! Hobbs fights back, but Cage sends Ospreay into the steps!
The fans boo as Hobbs’ leg is crushed between steps and post! Archer puts Ricochet in the ring while a medic checks Hobbs. Archer brings Ricochet up but Ricochet slips free to fire off fast strikes! Hobbs is being helped to the back and Ospreay is concerned that this is now 4v3. Ricochet still fires strikes on Archer, but Archer grabs Ricochet by the neck! CHOKE- NO, Ricochet RANAS Archer first! Archer tumbles, stands up, and Ricochet springboards, but Archer CLOBBERS Him out of the sky! Archer BLASTS Davis, then catches Ospreay out of the air! Archer TOSSES Ospreay away and fans boo. But Ricochet springboards back in!
Archer catches Ricochet, and he CHOKE SLAMS Ricochet out onto Ospreay and Davis! The fans boo as the Don Callis Family is in control, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cage & Kyle flex to soak up the heat, then Archer goes out after Ospreay and the rest. Konosuke fetches Ricochet into the ring, waistlocks, and then brings him away from the corner. Archer beats up on Ospreay while Konosuke fires knees into Ricochet. Ricochet tumbles to ropes but Konosuke is on him. Davis fires hands on Archer, then sends him into railing! Davis fires more hands, but Konosuke CHOKES Ricochet at the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke steps off and tags Kyle. Kyle stays between Ricochet and his corner. Kyle taunts Ricochet, stomps him around, then whips him to ropes. Kyle ELBOWS Ricochet down, then stalks him to a corner.
Kyle stomps away on Ricochet while Archer intimidates commentary. Kyle shouts at the camera while the ref counts, and Kyle steps off of Ricochet’s neck. Kyle bumps Ricochet off buckles, tags Cage, and Cage stands Ricochet up. Cage CHOPS Ricochet, then whips him to ropes for an ELBOW! Cage flexes while he taunts Ospreay & Davis. Cage drags Ricochet up but Ricochet RAMS him! And RAMS him! And fires forearms! Cage ROCKS Ricochet, then runs, but into a tiger wall kick and ENZIGIRI! Konosuke tags in and storms after Ricochet. Konosuke stomps Ricochet, then rains down fists! The ref reprimands while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Konosuke argues with the ref while Ospreay rallies the fans. Konosuke stays between Ricochet and his team, but Ricochet SLAPS Konosuke! Konosuke ROCKS Ricochet for it! Ricochet fires forearms and an UPPERCUT! Konosuke keeps Ricochet from his corner, reels Ricochet in, but Ricochet victory rolls! TWO, and Ricochet ducks a chop to handspring BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ricochet and Konosuke crawl, hot tags to Kyle and Ospreay! The fans fire up as these two fire fists and forearms! Kyle kicks and whips but Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Kyle!
Ospreay whips, Kyle reverses, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Kyle staggers, Konosuke tags back in! Ospreay dodges Konosuke to BLAST Cage & Archer! Ospreay fires fists on Konosuke, but Konosuke CLAWS Ospreay’s face! Konosuke runs, but Davis intercepts with a fireman’s carry! AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Or maybe in this case, just a United Empire Dental Plan! But in any case, Davis scoops Konosuke, for the LAWN DART CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but the fans fire up. Ospreay & Davis bring Konosuke up, double pump handle, but the #MurderMachines make the save!
Archer puts Davis in a corner, Cage ducks Ospreay’s haymaker to waistlock. Archer runs up, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Davis fires hands on Archer but Cage waistlocks, ripcords, and ROCKS Davis! Then fireman’s carry into the ASSISTED NECKBREAKER! The fans boo but the Murder Machines DOUBLE RIPCORD Ospreay up for Konosuke’s BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and shocks everyone! Archer argues with the ref but the count was fair. Konosuke tags Kyle while fans rally up behind Ospreay. Kyle smirks as he stalks Ospreay. Kyle BOOTS Ricochet off the apron for good measure!
Kyle tells Ospreay that this is how he wants it, right? All about Ospreay! Kyle stomps away on Ospreay in the corner, then digs his boots in! The ref counts but wait! Here comes Hobbs! Hobbs hobbles but Kyle hurries to send Ospreay to the Callis corner. Tag to Konosuke and then Kyle slides out. Kyle runs up on Hobbs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Hobbs makes his way to the corner. Ospreay fights free of the corner but Konosuke holds him back! Ospreay fires forearms, reaches out, repeat! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Konosuke reels Ospreay in! Konosuke hits a back suplex, but Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay dodges Konosuke, hot tag to Hobbs! The Powerhouse powers up to rally on Konosuke! The fans fire up as Hobbs TOSSES Kyle, but the Murder Machines attack! They reel Hobbs in, but Hobbs fights the double suplex! The fans fire up but the Murder Machines double whip. Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as Hobbs has targets in all corners! SPLASH for Konosuke! SPLASH for Cage! SPLASH for Kyle! SPLASH for Archer! The fans are thunderous and Hobbs brings the straps down. Archer kicks low, then runs, but Hobbs dodges, to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again, and Hobbs tags Davis!
Davis runs up to BOOT Konosuke, BOOT him again, but Konosuke just fires up! Ospreay CANNONBALLS onto Kyle while Konosuke fires hands! Konosuke spins, but Davis DECKS him! Davis roars, stands Konosuke up, but Konosuke backdrops back! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee to ENZIGIRI! Davis gut wrenches Konosuke, for a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, KYLE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but now Aussie Open is face to face! Kyle pie faces Davis, talks trash, but Davis glares at him. Kyle SLAPS Davis, so Davis TACKLES Kyle! Davis throws hands, Kyle gets up, and Davis runs up! Kyle dodges and Konosuke DECKS Davis!
Ricochet springboards, FLYING LARIAT on Konosuke! But Cage POP-UP POWERBOMBS Ricochet! Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Cage! Archer CHOKE SLAMS Hobbs! Ospreay hits the PIP PIP CHEERIO FOREARM on Archer! Ospreay dares Kyle to man up and fight him! Kyle snarls, gets in, and they fire forearms again! Kyle swings, Ospreay catches him, but Kyle breaks the full nelson with an elbow! Ospreay HOOK KICKS Kyle! Ospreay runs, Kyle dodges, but then Ospreay slips through the lariat! Kyle slips through the bomb, hoists Ospreay up, but Ospreay slips free! Kyle ducks the hook kick to SUPERKICK! Kyle runs, into the SPANISH FLY!!
The fans are thunderous as Ospreay takes aim from a corner! Kyle rises, so does Davis, and Ospreay runs up, Kyle uses Davis as a shield from the HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay freaks out, Kyle SUPERKICKS Ospreay out of the ring! Then Kyle DIVES onto Ospreay! Konosuke brings down his kneepad, aims at Davis, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!!
Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall
The Alpha stands tall over Davis as friendly fire takes out Ospreay’s team. But what happens when things divide into 1v1 matches? Will Konosuke still be International Champion after he and Ricochet go #OuttaThisWorld? Will Kyle prove that he IS The Protostar after tearing down Will Ospreay?
Jon Moxley & The Death Riders speak.
“Despite recent discoveries that Orange Cassidy is a snake, coldblooded, uncaring, unmoving, a serpent lurking in the darkest corners of the battlefield, my objective remains the same, my job on Saturday night remains the same. You may be this borderline sociopath, you may be a great guy just like everybody thinks. I don’t care if you’re a great guy. I don’t care what kind of person you are. When the bell rings on Saturday night, and the AEW World Championship hangs in the balance, you are a threat to my people. And I will destroy you.
“There’s so much more going on behind Orange Cassidy’s eyes than any of us could’ve imagined. You may make it to Full Gear with your mind in tact, but your body… For that matter, Darby Allin’s body… Still up for grabs.” Claudio jumps in, speaking in German about what he’ll do to Darby. Then in English, he says, “Tonight, I’m gonna end you.” Moxley pats Claudio on the shoulder. Will The Maniac’s top henchmen do his dirty work for him when they dismantle Cassidy & Darby? Or will it just be fuel on the fire for Freshly Squeezed & The Relentless One? Speaking of…
Darby Allin speaks.
“Claudio, I’m gonna keep this really short. Let’s not forget you’re the one who put the chair around Bryan’s neck and pulled the trigger on his career. Every single one of you Death Riders will have your day. And Claudio, today’s your day.” Will Moxley’s men be dealt with in brutal fashion before he suffers the same?
The Hurt Syndicate arrive.
Renee Paquette waits in the parking lot as an SUV pulls up, and she welcomes Montel Vontavious Porter, Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley to the show. She heard MVP has a surprise in store, what’s he got planned? MVP says yes, there is a special treat for the AEW audience, and that is this announcement: The All Mighty Bobby Lashley will be in action here tonight on Dynamite in Reading, Pennsylvania, prior to his PPV debut on Saturday! Renee asks if MVP is at all concerned to put Lashley in a match- OH NO, Swerve attacks!! Swerve knocks Lashley over, then laughs as he gets away!
Shelton helps Lashley up but that ambush might’ve been with Swerve’s own silver chain. Will Lashley elect not to compete tonight after all? Or is he about to make an example out of whatever poor soul is put in front of him?
Adam Cole is here!
Reading fires up as the Panama City Playboy makes his way to the ring. They join in with the “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” Cole grabs a mic to ask, “Who’s ready for Storytime with Adam Cole, Baybay?” Reading sure is ready! Cole wishes so so badly that he could get his hands on MJF this Saturday, but he’s not. MJF did everything in his power to make sure he and Cole didn’t fight on Saturday, and he succeeded. But do you know who else succeeded last week? Roderick Strong did! The fans cheer as Cole says he and Roddy have the exact same goal: Give MJF the ass whooping of a lifetime! And that is exactly what happens at Full Gear!
The fans cheer, and wait, Kyle O’Reilly makes his way out here. The longtime friend of Cole & Roddy makes his way out here, and already has a mic. Kyle isn’t sure if Cole remembers, but 14 years ago, right here in Reading, PA, Cole and Kyle had their second match ever against each other. They’ve come a long way. Being associated with Cole has given Kyle some incredible highs, and some serious lows. And through those lows, Kyle knows Cole better than anyone. Which makes Kyle the only one willing to tell Cole the truth. The truth is, this crusade against MJF has got to end before someone gets hurt.
This obsession, Cole needs to wash his hands of it. His ankle has already been reconstructed, what’s next? Cole has friends willing to take a bullet for him, Kyle included, but Cole has got to stop having his friends fight his battles. Roddy barely makes it out alive last week, and now he wants to fight MJF! He wants to END MJF, all because of Cole. Kyle just doesn’t have a good feeling about any of this. Cole asks Kyle what he’s trying to say here. Kyle doesn’t think Roddy can handle MJF? Kyle asks Cole if he really thinks MJF isn’t already three steps ahead. MJF hasn’t been here for weeks but he’s pulling all the strings.
Cole should know that dealing with MJF is like playing with fire, and Kyle doesn’t wanna see his friends get burned. Cole needs to realize why so many of his friends are willing to go to war for him, and it’s because he is a great leader, an elite pro-wrestler, and a great friend, who doesn’t wanna see his friends get hurt. At least, so Kyle thinks. But Cole has to face facts: MJF is more of an evil bastard than Cole will ever be, and that is a good thing. Kyle drops his mic and walks away. Cole drops his mic, and has a lot to think about. Does Kyle have a point? Can Cole just let Roddy handle MJF and then move on?
Orange Cassidy speaks.
“A little later tonight, I’m gonna make an example out of you, Wheeler Yuta. And I’m gonna show everybody exactly what I’m gonna do this Saturday to you, Jon Moxley. And that’s walk down to that ring and beat you, alone.” But The Conglomeration steps in. Mark Briscoe has Rocky Romero & Tomohiro Ishii with him as he asks Cassidy, “What sense does that make, man?” Moxley said himself, there’s five Death Riders, one Cassidy. Conglomeration has his back, they are here for him. Cassidy says no, no one else needs to get hurt. Get hurt? What’s Cassidy talking about? The Conglomeration are ready to scrap!
PLEASE!! Cassidy is asking them… They don’t have to believe him or even understand him. But just promises him they’ll stay back here. If Cassidy insists, then so be it. Cassidy says there you have it, Jon. Five of you, one of him. Do what you’re gonna do. Because at Full Gear, Moxley’s gonna need all the help he can get. Cassidy is himself wanting the best for his friends, but will that work out for the betterment of AEW? Or is he just playing into Moxley’s hands?
Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida!
The #BornAgainKristen bodied the bullies that are Mercedes Mone & Kamille the last time she saw them, but she still needs to tune up for Full Gear. However, taking on the THREE-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion might be more than just a workout. Win, lose or draw, will the Shining Samurai get Kris ready for The CEO?
The bell rings, Kris and Shida shake hands and the fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and Kris wrenches to a wristlock. Shida handsprings and wrenches back, then hammerlocks. Kris reaches back, hits a headlock takeover, but Shida headscissors. Kris kips free and the fans cheer while the two reset. Shida and Kris circle again while the fans fire up. The two tie up, Shida wrenches and hammerlocks, then CLUBS Kris on the back. Shida CLUBS Kris again, then waistlocks. Kris fights the lift with elbows, then switches. Kris SLAMS Shida, then flips her over. Shida kips up to arm-drag Kris! Kris ends up in a corner, and Shida runs up to KNEE her!
Shida climbs up and the fans cheer as she rains down fists! But Kris stops Shida at 5 and carries her out of the corner! Shida slips free, Kris blocks a lariat to SWEEP the leg! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shida is tough and she goes to ropes, but Kris whips her to a corner. Kris runs up but into a RANA! Kris cartwheels through! Then she CLOBBERS Shida! The fans fire up while Kris flexes. Kris drags Shida into a motorcycle stretch but Shida endures. The fans rally up and Shida fights to her feet. Shida arm-drags Kris down, and wraps her in a straitjacket stretch! Kris fights up with a bridge, but Shida hops on!
The fans rally while Kris RAMS Shida into a corner! Shida holds onto the straitjacket and pulls! The ref counts, Shida lets go at 4, and then MISSILE DROPKICKS! Kris tumbles and the fans duel as Shida fires up! Shida goes outside, drags Kris to the apron, and CLUBS her! Shida runs to KNEE LIFT! Kris flops to the floor and fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Shida brings Kris up again, and whips her into railing hard! Kris writhes, Shida drags her up, and then Shida whips Kris into more railing! Kris writhes again and Shida refreshes the ring count. Shida sits Kris in a corner to rain down fists! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands, so Shida stops. Shida brings Kris around, pushes her into the ring, and then stalks her. Shida stomps Kris around, brings her up, and snap suplexes! Kris writhes but Shida brings her up again. Shida then snap suplexes Kris into a corner! Shida drags Kris to a cover, TWO! Kris stays in this but Shida stays on her with a chinlock stretch!
Kris endures being bent back, and she reaches out with her free arm. Shida pulls back more but Kris rises up! Shida is again a backpack, but then she slips down. Kris fires body shots, slips around and lifts for a BIG back suplex! Kris huffs ‘n’ puffs as she rises up, but then Shida dodges the sliding forearm! Ghost pin! TWO, and Kris has a cradle! TWO! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris PELES! Shida staggers, but she comes back to ENZIGIRI! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks both women and they’re okay to continue, so a standing count begins. Shida and Kris stir at about 4 of 10, then rise up at 6.
Kris grabs Shida, but Shida fires a forearm! Dynamite returns to single picture as the shots go back and forth. Shida fires a flurry, then whips Kris to ropes. Kris ducks ‘n’ dodges, then dodges a knee! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Kris as she whips Shida to a corner. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT, then she goes side to side for a KNEE LIFT! Shida ends up in ropes but Kris reels her in. Fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and the fans fire up again! Kris hoists Shida up, gut wrenches, but Shida slips free! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shida eggs Kris on, then dodges her to fire forearms! Kris just shakes her head!
Shida fires more shots, but Kris fireman’s carries! But Shida slips free, straitjacket roll-up! TWO!! KNEE STRIKE! And then short arm LARIAT! Shida takes aim, but she starts to doubt the Katana! Shida runs up but Kris dodges the boot to then scoop and INVERTED SLAM! Then Kris aims, DISCUS- NO, Shida backslides her! TWO!! Shida reels Kris in, suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO?!? Kris survives and Shida is shocked! Shida brings Kris up but Kris fires body shots and forearms! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris wrenches to kick! Kris runs, but into the JUMP KNEE! Shida hurries to suplex, but Kris turns it around!
Shida slips out of Kris’ suplex to slip around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Shida roars, aims, KATA- NO, Kris gut wrenches! Tuck and STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Shida gave Kris a powerful match, but clearly Shida has to iron out her own crisis of confidence. Kris still shows Shida respect by helping her up. But wait, here comes Mercedes Mone & Kamille! The fans boo The CEO & Brickhouse but Mone has a mic. “Readiiiiing~! Say hello to your C E O!” The fans boo instead. Mone asks Kamille if she wants to hear a fun fact about Pennsylvania. The 76ers have had yet another terrible season! Embarrassing~! But shoutouts to Mone’s Celtics for another incredible victory. The fans boo Boston but Mone says another person with an incredible win was Kris Statlander. Mone is rarely impressed by her competition.
Does anyone else want to hear another fun fact? “NO!!” Well, Mone has held the TBS Championship longer than Kris! So at Full Gear, Mone will NOT lose, because she is The CEO, the greatest TBS Champion of all time! And she will NEVER lose this title! Fans tell The CEO to STFU, but Mone tells Kamille go get the job done! She is so pissed off! GO! NOW! Kamille walks up the steps past Mone, but with only one good arm! Mone says hurry up, but Kamille looks at both Shida and Kris. Kamille takes as swing, but Kris blocks to ROCK her! Shida QUESTION MARK KICKS Kamille! Then Kris & Shida TOSS The Brickhouse!
Shida goes out after Kamille, but then Mone goes after Kris! Mone goes for the backstabber, but Kris holds onto ropes! Mone is almost stuck up there, but Kris pops her around! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! The fans fire up as Kris stands tall over The CEO! Will Kris once again become the Face of TBS? Or will Mone find a way to win even without her insurance policy?
The Hurt Syndicate has a cameraman with them.
MVP says hold on, he and Shelton have found Swerve. They go after the man in the big fur jacket, but that’s not Swerve! Swerve gave his jacket to the guy, but MVP & Shelton still beat this guy up for helping Swerve. MVP says they’ll find Swerve later, Lashley has his match up next. And it’ll be a 2-on-1 Handicap?! The All Mighty really IS mad, what poor duo is about to be destroyed?
AEW hears from Jay White and Hangman Adam Page.
“Hangman. You and I are on that same path to that same destination, trying to grasp at that same prize. 2024 still has some time left for The Switchblade to share the spotlight with Hangman once more!” But the Blackhat Cowboy asks White if he knows “Who the hell I am?! I am the Hangman! I am THE man! They named this whole godforsaken PPV after ME!” White says when he makes Hangman TAP, it will be a public declaration! But Hangman says White can’t make him tap, even if his life depended on it! These two vicious gunslingers will write one more chapter in their storied rivalry, but who comes out riding off into the sunset?
2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger!
The All Mighty thought he’d have an easy night getting in a little warm-up, but The Realest quickly reminded him why he’s the most dangerous man in AEW! Lashley’s now doubling down to make a point, will there be nothing left of Keys & Cheese after tonight?
The bell rings and while the fans rally for Cheeseburger, he and Keys each argue the other should start. Lashley runs up and TOSSES Burger across the ring! Keys runs away, Lashley runs to RAM into Burger! Lashley brings Burger up, Keys runs in, but Lashley catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Lashley drags Keys up and TOSSES him out! Lashley then turns to look at Burger in the corner. The fans rally for Burger, but Lashley CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but MVP & Shelton high-five Lashley. Lashley drags Burger up to gut wrench, Canadian Rack, and DOMINATOR! Keys runs in to break the cover!
The fans cheer Keys as he fires hands, but Lashley just gets angrier! Keys short arm LARIATS, but Lashley stays up! Keys runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Lashley storms around, then aims at Keys. Keys staggers into the SPEAR! Lashley isn’t done there, and he clamps on the HURT LOCK! Keys can’t open that lock, he is OUT! Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
MVP & Shelton join Lashley in the ring to celebrate, but then “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” The fans fire up, and here comes Prince Nana with a chair! Nana eggs the Hurt Syndicate on so Shelton storms out after Nana. MVP watches the rest of ringside for Swerve, but Swerve slides out from under the ring! The fans fire up as Swerve slips in to CHAIN PUNCH Lashley!! MVP gets on the apron but Swerve DECKS MVP with a chain punch! And then Shelton eats a chain punch! The fans are thunderous as Swerve aims, and hits a HOUSE CALL on Lashley! Swerve hurries to the top rope, and he gives Lashley a KILL STOMP!!
The fans are thunderous as Swerve stands over Lashley! MVP & Shelton get up and get in, but Swerve escapes, chain draped on his neck! Will AEW then, now and forever be whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Backstage interview with Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa.
Renee is now with the AEW Women’s World Champion and her best friend, the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Champion. They are planning their Championship Champagne Celebration for Full Gear, BUT Friday Night Rampage will feature the two of them teaming up for the first time in just over a year. Mariah says no champion deserves a celebration more than her. Her rise to the top was meteoric, and her reign will be historic. She takes ish and makes it shine, any time and any show, against anyone. In Mariah’s division, you hold this title, or you die.
Mina says yes, Mariah has been working so hard. She came back to tell her she is so very proud. And Mina will give Mariah a celebration she’ll never forget! Mariah says the “H Cup Angel” (Mina) and the “Woman from Hell” (Mariah herself) are going to make Rampage into Glampage. Everyone wants Mina, but Mina wants Mariah. And then… They’ll dance! These two shimmy and shake their way out, will they finally be toasting their victories at Full Gear?
Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli w/ The Death Riders!
The Relentless One told The Swiss Superman that revenge was coming, and here is Darby’s chance! Will Darby avenge Bryan Danielson? Or will he just be the next to fall?
The bell rings and Darby stares Claudio down. Darby takes some deep breaths then circles with Claudio. Darby slips around to waistlock but Claudio flings him off, only for Darby to roll to his feet. They circle again, and the fans rally behind Darby. Darby and Claudio feel things out, tie up, and Darby headlocks. Claudio lifts Darby but Darby thrashes the hold. Claudio throws Darby off, runs up, but Darby uses that to get around and springboard arm-drag! The fans fire up while Claudio bails out, and Darby taunts Claudio with some drop steps. Claudio snarls, but then Darby fakes him out with a slingshot!
Claudio is annoyed and takes a swing but Darby slingshots up and over! Darby taunts Claudio again while the fans rally up. Claudio cools off before he storms up the steel steps. Claudio pops Darby up but Darby keeps from hitting buckles! Darby ELBOWS Claudio away, goes up, then leaps, but Claudio catches him! Claudio SLAMS Darby down, flips him back to his feet, but Darby slips around to waistlock. O’Conner Roll, TWO! Darby springboards to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Claudio bails out but the fans fire up. Darby goes up a corner, and he SUPER COFFIN SPLASHES into a waistlock! Claudio swings and THROWS Darby away!
Darby staggers to his feet but Claudio runs up, to POUNCE Darby into railing! Darby writhes against the railing, but Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT Darby up and over! Fans freak out as Darby hits the floor! Claudio leaves Darby behind while the ring count climbs, but Darby drags himself up at 7. Claudio goes back out after Darby to suplex! Claudio holds Darby up while he marches up the steps! The fans fire up for this feat of strength and balance, and then Claudio TOSSES Darby back into the ring! Darby writhes again while Claudio steps back in. Claudio stalks Darby, talks some trash, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio looms over Darby, then deadlift gut wrenches for a GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! Darby writhes while Claudio stands over him again. Claudio watches Darby crawl towards a corner and stalks him. Claudio drags Darby up, brings him around, and ROCKS Darby with a forearm! Darby pushes Claudio, then CHOPS! Claudio DECKS Darby! Darby tumbles out of the ring! The ref wants Claudio to stay back while Darby drags himself up. Darby is back in before the count starts, but then Claudio DOUBLE STOMPS him! Claudio kicks Darby around, then clamps on with a neck wrench!
Darby endures, fights up, but Claudio powers him down. Darby BITES Claudio’s hand! The ref reprimands but Darby fires off forearms on Claudio. Claudio HIP TOSSES Darby up and out of the ring! Darby hits the floor and flounders around while the ref reprimands Claudio. Claudio again waits on Darby, and then he DOUBLE STOMPS Darby the moment he’s in! The ref counts as Claudio stands on Darby at the ropes. Claudio steps off at 4, brings him around, and clamps on an armlock and chinbar. Darby endures, fights around, and manages to fireman’s carry Claudio! But Claudio rains down elbows! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL even!
Claudio clamps on with a double wristlock and he grinds Darby down. Darby still endures and the fans rally up again. Darby fights around and Dynamite returns to single picture. Darby fires body shots but Claudio knees low! Claudio then HIP TOSSES Darby into a corner! Darby tumbles out of the ring but Claudio pursues! Claudio SWINGS Darby into railing! Then Claudio fireman’s carries, to TOSS Darby back in the ring! Claudio storms in while Darby flounders away. Darby flops back out of the ring but Claudio pursues him again. Darby trips Claudio up and traps him in the apron skirt! Darby then fires forearms, and BITES Claudio’s ear!
The fans fire up but Claudio shoves Darby away. Darby slides into the ring then DIVES onto Claudio! And then runs to DIVE again! Down goes Claudio and the fans fire up! Darby crawls over to bring Claudio up and into the ring. The fans fire up as Darby climbs up a corner, though slowly given all the damage to his back. That lets Claudio trip Darby up! Darby is stuck up top, and Claudio climbs up after him. Claudio gut wrenches for a SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio can’t believe it! The fans fire up but Claudio calls for the swing! Claudio grabs the legs, but Darby twists to a victory roll! TWO!!
Claudio escapes and runs up, but Darby ducks ‘n’ dodges, roll and- WHOA, Claudio has to fight to stay up, and then he deadlifts Darby! Darby pops through to CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Darby and Claudio crawl for ropes. Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again and again and again! The ref backs Claudio off, but then Claudio fires off body shots! Darby flops over but Claudio has the legs. Claudio FLIPS Darby up and over the ropes, but Darby lands on the apron! Claudio BOOTS Darby down! The ref wants Claudio to hold on but Claudio goes out after Darby.
Claudio drags Darby by his legs, then SWINGS him around! Into steel steps!! The fans lose their minds, the ref reprimands Claudio, but Claudio doesn’t care. The fans tell Claudio he is sick, but Claudio TOSSES Darby over the announce desk!! Schiavone, Excalibur & Matt Menard narrowly avoid becoming collateral damage! But Claudio clears the desk and brings Darby up. Claudio puts Darby on the desk, then stands over him. The ref reprimands but Claudio just ignores him. Claudio drags Darby up, and gorilla presses him! SUPER DUPER TOSS onto the timekeeper’s table!! The fans lose their minds as Darby is down but that table’s somehow still standing!
The ref checks on Darby but Claudio storms right over! The ref tells Claudio to stop so they go to the ring. Claudio lets the ring count start, and yet Darby somehow stirs at 4 of 10! The fans rally as hard as they can and Darby crawls his way over! Darby is still far away at 7! But then he powers up and LEAPS in at 9!! But Claudio LARIATS Darby inside-out!! Cover, Claudio wins!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall
Darby truly is relentless, with durability like no other, but it just wasn’t enough against the strength and brutality of Claudio! Will no one stop The Death Riders from running roughshod over AEW?
Backstage interview with Private Party.
Renee is with Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy and brings up that at Full Gear, the AEW World Tag Team Championships are on the line in a Fatal 4 Way. Private Party takes on The Acclaimed, The Outrunners and The Kings of the Black Throne. In such a match, the champs do NOT have to be pinned or submitted to lose their titles, so what is their strategy? Brother Zay says they obviously can’t tell her that, the other teams are watching. But it seems like the odds are against them. Fortunately, the odds have been against them their whole lives, their whole careers, just like against The Young Bucks.
But look what happened: Private Party defied the odds, beat The Bucks, and are your AEW World Tag Team Champions. That is the same thing that happens on Saturday. They leave Newark, New Jersey still your tag team champions. Because there ain’t no party like a Private Party, that’s a flex. Oh, speaking of! It’s AJ & Big Justice! They’re fired up to be here, but Justice wants to know what that face Zay made was last week. Oh, right, this one, with the chin scratching. And AJ says they’ve got a BIG announcement coming up after this! Maybe some double chunk chocolate cookies? BOOM!!
A green Porsche Taycan pulls up to the middle of nowhere.
And out steps MJF. The Wolf of Wrestling tells the hobo to “go get it” as he throws spare change off to the side like birdseed. MVP then sits back and tells Roderick Strong, “You’ve been through so much. The kid who grew up trailer park trash with two abusive alcoholic parents. For crying out loud! Your own mother shot your father right in front of you. That’s traumatizing. And as you know, Roddy, trauma is the result of an overwhelming sense of danger, powerlessness and fear. However, healing is a result of feeling safe, empowered and supported. That’s why you’d do anything for Cole. He makes you feel all those positive things that you lacked.
“It’s why I was no different than you. It’s why I trusted him. Unfortunately, the difference between you and I: Cole for me was a mirage of what I wanted him to be. A fraud, a liar. And whilst Cole is a fraud, I do actually believe deep down, in his narcissistic, sociopathic, frail, feeble frame, is a man who cares about Roderick Strong. This is precisely why upon further contemplation, I am happy you won, Roddy. Because I want Adam Cole to watch a person he cares about suffer! And because of your White trash upbringing, you aren’t intelligent enough to realize that you don’t have a prayer. And I’m sending you back to where you belong. To your grimy little trailer park.
“And after the match, you’ll be in so much physical anguish, you’ll wish your mother hadn’t shot your father, but instead shot you.” As if this scumbag couldn’t stoop any lower, he brings up Roddy’s past to hurt him. But will Roddy make sure MJF’s future is the one full of pain and suffering?
Backstage interview with AJ & Big Justice.
Renee is with the Costco Tiktok sensations and says that in the Full Gear Zero Hour, we will see #BigBoomAJ take on QT Marshall in a match 20 YEARS in the making. AJ says it may have been 20 years in the making for QT, this all started for AJ when QT threw the double chunk chocolate cookies down! Renee says AJ has not been in the ring in those 20 years, is he concerned about how his body will hold up? AJ isn’t worried about that, because he just has one strategy, and that’s the strategy they use each and every day. That strategy is to bring the BOOM~! But hey, there’s another special announcement.
Because when AJ rings QT’s bell, and he Power-Booms QT right in the middle of that ring, there is only one guy they want ringing the bell: Big Justice’s best friend, THE RIZZLER! Time to bring the BOOM~! Will QT be sleeping on the mat for The Rizzler? Will he be skibidi? Fanum Tax? Why are those even words?
Tony Schiavone is on stage.
And he welcomes out The Undisputed Kingdom! The fans cheer as Roderick Strong makes his way out, accompanied by Matt Taven & Mike Bennett. Schiavone brings up Roddy VS MJF at Full Gear, and we just heard all that disgusting stuff MJF had to say. Roddy’s response is that to be honest, he has not slept a wink since last week. IT is finally happening! Roddy feels like a kid on Christmas morning. He finally gets his hands on “MAAAAAX~!” The fans echo that, and Roddy says if MJF was here tonight, and not hiding out there, Roddy would ask him: Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his childhood?
Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his parents? You don’t think Roddy’s heard that stuff before? His whole LIFE, that is what people brought up! His mom’s an addict, his dad’s an addict, mom shot dad. Good job, Max, you made Roddy feel like he was in elementary school again. And people may look at Roddy’s past and feel sorry for him, but Roddy asks us not to. Because looking at MJF, Roddy feels sorry for him. Understand this, Max. With Roddy’s life, he learned that to get the most out of life, you have to earn it. If you wanna break the cycle, you have to earn it. And that is what Roddy’s done ever since he was a kid!
And now looking at MJF, he’s been spoon-fed everything. And when something doesn’t go his way or something happens and he doesn’t like it, MJF throws a temper tantrum like a baby until that changes. So Roddy wants MJF to do something for him: Look in the mirror and think about all the things that MJF has done to people. The manipulating, the backstabbing, the using. MJF needs to realize, when the bell rings at Full Gear, MJF will pay for all those sins. With every chop, with every punch, with every elbow, with every backbreaker! And when it is all over, Roddy walks to his hotel room for the best night of sleep in his life because he earned it.
Especially because Roddy will know he has broken MJF’s back, and left him humbled! Roddy is all fired up, and the fans are with him! Will MJF finally get what’s coming to him? Or will he give Roddy nightmares for the rest of his life?
AEW shares footage taken from last Saturday night.
First, a recap video of Daniel Garcia thwarting Jack Perry’s attempts to abduct and torture Matthew Menard, as well as the joyride they took in the Scapegoat bus, with Perry as the hood ornament. And now, they have Perry strapped into a chair, the bus headlights as the only source of light. Menard is behind the camera as he asks Perry how he’s feeling. How’d that work out for him, huh? Garcia splashes Perry with water to wake him up, and says “Let’s have a conversation. I’m all ears.” Perry chuckles and says Garcia thinks he’s so much better than him. Look at where they are! Garcia shouts back that he doesn’t wanna be here!
Garcia just wants to wrestle, but AEW is full of savages! Perry tried to take Daddy Magic’s life! And those in power just sit back and watch, pretending that nothing’s going on. So what do they do? Gotta take the power back, right? Perry counters with, “Everybody’s got a code. Everybody cares about right and wrong until it costs them something. Until they have to SACRIFICE!” Garcia gets in Perry’s face, grabs him by the mouth, and says Perry’s always going on about sacrifice but Perry has no idea what Garcia’s had to go through! Perry has NO idea what Garcia’s had to sacrifice to be here!
Garcia knows where Perry wants him to go, but Garcia promises that he’s never gonna go there. Perry smirks, then SPITS in Garcia’s face. Garcia wipes that off his face and says bet. Garcia’s got something for Perry, so just wait right there. Garcia goes to the bus while Perry mockingly asks what he’s gonna do. Menard tells shut up, Jack! Life must be so hard for him! What’s Jack got to be sad about?! Garcia comes back and he has a crowbar! Perry dares him to go ahead. Garcia raises the bar, but he SMASHES up the bus! Garcia throws the crowbar away and Perry laughs. Is that it? Garcia tells Menard they’ll get out of here. What? Where’s Garcia going?
Perry says yeah, walk away. Menard tells Perry that Garcia’s gonna whoop his ass! Just wait! Menard leaves, Perry shouts into the night, but will The Face of TNT soon be the one sacrificed for the greater good?
Renee Paquette presides over the ROH World Championship contract signing.
She welcomes us backstage to the signing for this match, which will happen next week, Dynamite: Thanksgiving Eve, in Chicago. The challenger, Tomohiro Ishii, is on her left, and the champion, Chris Jericho, is on her right. Jericho, as champion, you have the honors to sign first. Jericho smiles and waves as he says, “Hi, guys.” But Renee, you should know better. A champion of Jericho’s caliber does not just sign a contract thrust at his face randomly. He has a whole legal team that needs to approve this contract. Renee says it was sent to said legal team last week. Oh, really? What about today? The now! Jericho lives in the now!
Jericho says he’ll get this checked by his legal eagles one more time. But for now, wait here. Choto matte kudesai. Jericho steps around the corner and then down the hall. He smiles at his own picture on the wall. What a good looking guy. But wait, Ishii has followed Jericho to the hall. Jericho is a bit worried as he keeps moving. Jericho tries to block Ishii’s path but a trash can isn’t enough. Jericho tells staffers that Ishii wants to talk to them. They step in the way but Ishii pushes them aside. Jericho moves faster, pushes more people in the way, but Ishii pushes them aside. Was that RJ City?
Jericho goes up some stairs but Ishii follows. Ishii’s even gaining ground! Jericho goes through a doorway and ends up in the concourse! Fans cheer as Jericho and Ishii keep up their cat ‘n’ mouse game. Jericho decides to go into the stands! Ishii follows, and they head down the bleachers towards ringside! Jericho hurries over railing but so does Ishii. They go into the ring, and now Jericho tells Ishii to stop following him! Jericho wants a mic, a mic is brought, and Jericho says hey, listen, Ishii. Jericho would sign this contract, but he doesn’t have a pen. Ishii has a pen! Oh. Ishii clicks it for Jericho, and pushes it into him.
Jericho takes the pen, looks at the contract again, and still hesitates. Jericho signs his part, and then hands things over to Ishii. But then BRYAN KEITH & BIG BILL ATTACK! It was all a massive set-up! Bad Apple & Redwood beat down Stone Pitbull, and then sit him up! Jericho has the pen ready, but here comes The Conglomeration! Mark Briscoe & Rocky Romero rush in, and Mark TACKLES Jericho! Rocky fires off on Bill while Mark CHOKES Jericho! Keith saves Jericho from Mark but Mark fires hands on Keith! The fans fire up, but then Bill SKYSCRAPER- NO, Mark UPPERCUTS Bill first! Rocky adds on!
The fans fire up as The Conglomeration pinballs Bill, and then Ishii CLOBBERS him! Bill tumbles out, but Rocky DIVES! Bill is sent into railing! Keith stands up, into a kick and underhooks! JAY DRILLER! Jericho stands up, Ishii has him, and hits a BRAINBUSTER!! Conglomeration stands tall over The Learning Tree and his Branches, and now Ishii signs his part! The match is now official, and Ishii is looking to take a bite out of Jericho! Will The Conglomeration have the ROH World Championship to be thankful for this year?
Backstage interview with Jamie Hayter.
Renee is with the former AEW Women’s World Champion and notes that last time, we were going to hear from her, only for her to be interrupted by Julia Hart. What is Hayter’s reaction to that? Well, yeah, she isn’t angry, but she is baffled why Julia chose to interrupt Hayter. They’ve never really spoken or interacted, or even wrestled each other. Hayter is just curious as to why Julia felt it was okay to do that. Granted, Julia can do whatever she wants, Hayter moves to the beat of her own drum just as much as Julia. But… if Julia wants to have a chat-
Uh oh, something is happening to the video! Brody King’s message echoes, “It’s time to come home.” Julia Hart walks through the woods. Brody says The House is her foundation. She has seen her rebirth. Now it is time to rebuild. She has woken up stronger, more determined, and more dangerous than ever. Julia aims her arrow to shoot down a target: her past self. Her obstacles are just bull’s eyes. She is the Princess of the Black Throne, and the Keeper of Secrets. She is Julia Hart, and her heart grows harder. She hits her mark, but will she find Hayter Hits Hard?
Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta!
Freshly Squeezed has been accused of being coldblooded and uncaring, but he got pretty heated as he told The Conglomeration to keep themselves safe tonight. He goes 1v1 with The Decoder, a young man who was once Cassidy’s student, and who left him behind to join the then Blackpool Combat Club. If anyone is uncaring, it is Yuta with how he would then follow Jon Moxley’s lead in the destruction of Bryan Danielson and Chuck Taylor. Who will be the more ferocious fighter tonight, this close to Full Gear?
The bell rings and Yuta SHOTGUNS Cassidy! Yuta follows Cassidy to a corner to CHOP, then ROCK, then CHOP again! Yuta whips corner to corner but Cassidy goes up and out. Cassidy bumps Yuta off buckles, climbs up top, but has to leap over. Yuta comes back but Cassidy catches him to a backslide! TWO, but Cassidy reels Yuta in for a cradle! TWO! Yuta pulls on an ear! But Cassidy arm-drags and wrangles Yuta into the SEATBELT! TWO!! Yuta escapes and the fans fire up as these two stand off. Yuta huffs ‘n’ puffs, but Cassidy shows he wants a grapple. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but Cassidy blocks a kick!
Cassidy reels Yuta in for a headlock, but Yuta powers up and out. Cassidy ducks ‘n’ rolls, tilt-o-whirls, but Yuta suplexes! Into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Yuta tumbles out and fans fire up! Cassidy builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Yuta and the fans fire up again! Cassidy brings Yuta up, whips, but Yuta reverses to reel Cassidy in! Cassidy fights the suplex, but then Yuta fights a suplex. Yuta suplexes, to RAILING BRAINBUSTER!! Cassidy writhes and fans are stunned! Yuta stomps Cassidy, then leaves him behind for the ring count. Cassidy crawls into the ring, Yuta exposes a crossbar, and then he GRINDS Cassidy’s face into the steel!
The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Yuta steps off at 4. Cassidy seethes as he rises up, but Yuta has him at the corner. Cassidy kicks Yuta’s legs out and Yuta falls onto a turnbuckle! Yuta falls back, Cassidy climbs, but Yuta grabs Cassidy first! Yuta drags Cassidy down but Cassidy fires hands. Yuta squeezes the facelock tight, then hits an APRON DDT! The fans boo Yuta while Cassidy writhes, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cassidy clutches his neck while Yuta waits in the ring. A ring count starts and Yuta eggs Cassidy on. Cassidy reaches up as the count reaches 5 of 10, but he doesn’t sit up until 6. Cassidy hobbles up, stumbles and falls, but springs back to life! He slides in at 9! Only for Yuta to be right on him! Yuta reels Cassidy in, but Cassidy turns that into BEACH BREAK! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy is too sore to be frustrated. They both sit up, and Yuta crawls his way over to a corner. Cassidy rises, checks his neck, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Yuta goes up, but Cassidy JUMP FOREARMS! Cassidy positions Yuta just right before he climbs the corner.
Yuta resists but Cassidy still brings Yuta up. Yuta continues to fight the suplex, throws body shots, then shoves Cassidy down. Cassidy rolls back to his feet, runs back up the corner, but Yuta again fights the suplex! Cassidy fires hands, but Yuta fires back! They brawl up top, Cassidy HEADBUTTS Yuta! But Yuta HEADBUTTS back! They both wobble, but then Cassidy BITES Yuta! The ref reprimands, but Cassidy CLAWS Yuta’s back! This is very Moxley of him to do! And then Cassidy hits the SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the ref checks. They’re both okay to continue, so a standing count begins!
Cassidy sits up, spots Yuta, and heads that way. Yuta sits up, they fire forearms as they stand! Dynamite returns to single picture as these shots go back and forth. The fans fire up for Cassidy but boo Yuta as the shots go faster and faster! Yuta BITES Cassidy’s forehead! Yuta spits then runs, but Cassidy dodges! BODY BLOW! SUPERKICK! Yuta sits down, Cassidy runs, PENALTY KICK! Cassidy slashes his throat, hauls Yuta up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy seethes. Cassidy rains down fists on Yuta! The ref reprimands about closed fists and hair pulling, but Cassidy doesn’t stop until the ref counts 4.
Cassidy stands, and he throws off the elbow pad! Cassidy aims at Yuta, runs up, but Yuta ducks the punch! GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta runs to CHOP in the corner! And then a wrench and PAIN THRILLER! The fans boo while Yuta seethes and stands over Cassidy. Yuta sits Cassidy up, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! But Cassidy blocks one! And bends fingers, to then SNAP them! The fans fire up as Cassidy SNAPS finger after finger! Yuta swings, Cassidy BOOTS him, then serves up SOLE FOOD! Scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy is busting out all his best friends’ best moves, but he hasn’t gotten it done!
Cassidy aims, loads up, and ORANGE- NO, Yuta ducks! Orange fights the suplex, switches to O’Conner Roll! TWO, Yuta dodges Cassidy, scoops him, and CROSS LEG TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO?!? Cassidy survives and Yuta is furious! The fans are thunderous, but Yuta rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Cassidy grits his teeth but he’s almost a ragdoll! Yuta lets off to then hook the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION!! Cassidy endures as Yuta thrashes him around! Cassidy powers up as the fans rally, and he kicks around to the ROPEBREAK!! Yuta holds on, the ref counts, and Yuta finally lets go at 4!
The ref reprimands Yuta, but Yuta pushes past the ref to go outside the ring. Yuta grabs a chair! Yuta storms into the ring while the fans boo, and the ref says don’t do it! Cassidy dodges the chair shot! Victory roll, CASSIDY WINS!!
Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall
Yuta is in disbelief! Cassidy beat him with a technical move! Yuta snarls but the ref keeps him back. Cassidy did what he promised in beating Yuta, but then he stares his former student down. Is Cassidy going to offer a handshake? WAIT, PAC ATTACKS! The Bastard BOOTS Cassidy down so we’ll never know what Cassidy was going to do! The fans boo more but Pac & Yuta stand on Cassidy. The rest of the Death Riders appear, and Marina Shafir has duct tape! The AEW World Trios Champions stomp away on Cassidy, like vultures picking the bones. Moxley steps into the ring while Marina hands the tape over to Pac.
Claudio puts Cassidy’s hands in his pockets, and then Pac tapes them in! Cassidy is physically bound, and Moxley paces around. Cassidy is pushed around by all the Death Riders, then Moxley DECKS him! Claudio hauls Cassidy back up, the Death Riders keep bullying him, and then Moxley SLAPS Cassidy down! But the bullying continues as they stand Cassidy up. Cassidy “kicks” Moxley! Defiant to the end! But Moxley DECKS him again! Moxley paces around more, then stomps Cassidy right on the face! Moxley leads The Death Riders away, and The Conglomeration finally comes out here.
Mark has scissors to cut Cassidy loose, and the fans boo as The Death Riders still retreat. Cassidy tries to stand up, but he has to use ropes to do it. Even so, Cassidy stands on his own two feet. Moxley eggs on the fans while Cassidy puts his sunglasses on. And then hands up, and then into the pockets! Try as they might, The Death Riders could not break the Freshly Squeezed fighting spirit! Will Cassidy finally become AEW World Champion? Or will Moxley find a way to break Cassidy at Full Gear?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home Dynamite here, though it felt like it contracted Go Home Syndrome. A lot of recap and other promos, but good promos all the same. Good follow-up from last week with Hayter and Hart, that will probably really get going after Full Gear. Good promo from Mariah & Mina to hype up their celebration segment for Full Gear, and with Toni Storm’s announcement of her retirement, you can bet Toni is anything but retired! Toni Storm most assuredly will return very soon, maybe even to ruin the celebration and spark another feud. I still want us to get to Mariah VS Mina but maybe Storm moves things back so that Mariah VS Mina happens in 2025.
Good promo from Private Party to also have AJ & Big Justice show up. The promos didn’t really add much to any of the matches, though. I’m very sure AJ does hit the BOOM on QT to win, and then Private Party finds a way to survive the Fatal 4. Great stuff with Perry, Garcia and Menard, that was another very action movie kind of promo, maybe even like that grittier Batman movie. But with Garcia not sinking to the same lows as Perry, that will be why Garcia loses. Honestly, why not just have Perry blatantly get himself disqualified? What great heat for Perry while keeping Garcia strong in not becoming TNT Champion.
Great promos in this MJF story. I appreciate Cole throwing his support behind Roddy was good, as well as Kyle O’Reilly wanting Cole to just leave it at this. MJF of course insults Roddy over his past while also trashing Cole at the same time, but great response from Roddy. Also I’m not a car guy so it took me a little too long to Google out what car MJF was driving. Anyway, given all these promos, I am very confident MJF wins at Full Gear and then Cole still wants after MJF, only for Kyle to have to fight Cole to make him stop. Then we’ll maybe get Cole VS MJF at Worlds End, or even some time in 2025.
Very good stuff with The Hurt Syndicate, even with them getting jumped by Swerve. Poor Cheeseburger, that’s one fan favorite that got fed to Bobby Lashley. But Swerve getting the better of the Hurt Syndicate again and again tonight, all the more reason Lashley wins at Full Gear. Very good promo vignette from White and Hangman to hype up their grudge match, which still feels it could go either way since they’re tied on the year. And Jericho and Ishii had perhaps simultaneously the most clever and most ridiculous contract signing segment ever. And of course Jericho worked out some sort of trap, only for it to go badly for him and his team. But with that, that means Ishii is losing next week, as I figured he would.
Awesome opening match with the 8 Man, and I liked that they had Hobbs do the “fighting through the pain” angle in the match. Also, great bit with Kyle Fletcher sending Davis into harm’s way so that the Callis Family can get the better of Ospreay’s team. I thought the Faces were going to win here, but the math now says Ospreay finds a way to beat Kyle, and maybe Ricochet takes the International Championship from Konosuke Takeshita. The Continental Classic is coming, and they could easily use that round robin to get Konosuke back to a feud with Kazuchika Okada and they battle for the Continental Championship at Worlds End like we should’ve gotten at WrestleDream.
Awesome match from Kris VS Shida, and I appreciate the crisis of confidence for Shida. Kris gets a great win to go into Full Gear, and then Kris and Shida get the better of Mone & Kamille, so all the more reason Mone finds a way to survive. As for Kamille, I feel like she should ditch Mone for being treated like crap by Mone, and maybe we can get a feud of Mone VS Kamille going into 2025. And of course, plenty of promos from Death Riders and “Team AEW” members. Moxley just kinda went on and on about stuff he’s already said in reference to Cassidy, but I did like Claudio going bilingual in talking trash on Darby.
Awesome matches from those stories, of course. Darby really got thrown around but he continues to show that toughness. Claudio getting the win mostly keeps Darby back so that Darby can build towards a world title match at Worlds End. Cassidy VS Yuta was great stuff, too, with great back and forth of Cassidy wanting to end it quick, having to grit it out with Yuta, and then Cassidy still finding a way to end it with a quick pin. And they did a good job muddying the math. Cassidy wins the match, but the Death Riders beat him down, only for Cassidy to literally stand tall at the end of the show. I still don’t see him taking the world title from Moxley, though, with Darby still in the wings, but this could end up Cassidy’s best match yet.
My Score: 8.9/10
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!
Will this be the mightiest Tag League yet?
It’s time for NJPW World Tag League 2024, and this year already looks mighty good as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr, is in the A Block! Will he and Ryohei Oiwa make everyone #JustTapOut?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Masatora Yasuda; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Taiji Ishimori & The Filip Brothers; Taiji & The Filip Brothers win.
- Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Douki & Taka Michinoku VS The United Empire; Taichi, Douki & Taka win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Takagi & Tsuji win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
PLAY BY PLAY
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!
The Roughneck is bringing Everyone’s Kokeshi along for the ride, but this league might already be too much to handle. Can Honma help Shota bring about his Paradigm Shift? Or will they just get conquered by the United Empire?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against The Imperial Unit. The bell rings and Shota runs up to RAM Cobb! And RAM! And RAM! Cobb stays up so Shota kicks low. Shota runs to RAM Cobb, but Cobb rebounds to CLOBBER Shota! The fans cheer while Cobb stalks Shota. Cobb brings Shota up to whip him to a corner. Shota comes back to RAM Cobb! Cobb stays up, so Shota clinches! Cobb fights free with elbows, but Shota dodges a lariat to RAM Cobb! Cobb falls over! The fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Cobb up again. Callum runs in so Shota shoves Cobb aside to catch Callum. Shota shoves Callum at Honma for a shoulder tackle!
The fans fire up as Shota keeps moving and he SOMERSAULT SENTONS Callum! Shota then sets up so he and Honma can tabletop Cobb! Cobb sits up into Shota’s SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Shota tags Honma. The fans rally behind Honma as he CLUBS Cobb. Honma reels Cobb in, but Cobb suplexes first! Cobb SLAMS Honma down, then calls for Callum. Callum rises but Cobb says hold on. The “Cobby Cat” mocks Honma by bopping himself on the head. Cobb then runs to FALLING KOKESHI FLOP! Honma winds up and runs, but Callum is in the way! Cobb runs up, Honma dodges the lariat but Callum tags in.
Cobb dodges Honma, then shoves him at Callum. They pinball Honma around, and Callum BOOTS Honma while Cobb BLASTS Shota! Then Callum & Cobb coordinate to HIGH LOW with a shoulder tackle and leg sweep! The fans cheer and Cobb says You Can’t See Him! Callum stomps Honma, then KICKS him in the back. Honma gets mad but Callum scuffs him again and again. Honma rises, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Callum CHOPS and pretends that hurt his hand. Callum CLUBS Honma down but the fans rally up. Honma rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Callum kicks low, reels him in, but Honma fights the suplex!
Honma catches Callum’s lariat to spin and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum and Honma crawl, but Honma hot tags Shota! Shota rallies on Callum with big elbows! Shota whips, Callum reverses, but SHota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Callum! Cobb runs up, but Shota arm-drags him, then dropkicks the legs out! Cobb bails, Shota fires up, and the fans rally again. Shota whips Callum corner to corner, runs up on him, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Callum in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let that slow him down!
Shota waits on Callum, then runs, but Callum avoids Ignition to hook Shota! Shota fights the backslide so Callum whips him to a corner. Callum runs up but Shota dodges! Shota runs up but Callum goes up and over! Callum keeps moving, but Shota ROCKS him, UPPERCUTS him, and runs! Callum follows to ROCK Shota at the ropes! Callum runs, but then stops to fake out Shota’s dropkick! Shota sits up, but he ducks the Penalty Kick! Shota rolls Callum but Callum rolls through. Shota ROCKS Callum, then spins, but Callum dodges the rolling elbow! DREAMCAST KICK! Shota drops to his knees and the fans fire up!
Callum and Shota crawl, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb runs up to waistlock Shota for a deadlift! Shota fights with elbows, goes to run, but Cobb reels him in for a forearm to the back! Cobb runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up again and Shota heads for his corner. Hot tag to Honma! The fans rally as Honma CHOPS Cobb, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Honma puts Cobb in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up. Honma ELBOWS Cobb and hits a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma shows Cobb how it’s done! FALLING KOKESHI- NO! Now Honma FLOPS as Cobb moves! Callum runs up to SHOTGUN Shota off the apron!
The fans fire up as Cobb RAMS Honma into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH! Callum drops down and Cobb LEAPS over to ELBOW Honma! Callum comes back and Cobb pops him up to the apron! ENZIGIRI, then fireman’s carry! Callum climbs, DOUBLE STOMP ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! PENALTY KICK and GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Shota breaks it! The fans fire up and Shota TOSSES Callum! Cobb kicks Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota shouts to Honma and the fans fire up again. Honma rises and he storms up on Cobb. Honma & Shota double whip corner to corner!
Honma runs up to LARIAT! Honma feeds Cobb to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma LARIATS, Shota clinches, EXPLODER!! The fans cheer and Honma runs, SLIDING KOKESHI! Shota keeps moving, IGNITION! Honma covers, Callum breaks it! Shota stomps Callum out of the ring and leaves the rest to Honma. Honma drags Cobb up, but Cobb fights the suplex! Cobb ROCKS Honma, whips him, but Honma grabs ropes! Honma BOOTS Cobb, and Shota joins in! DOUBLE RUNNING KOKESHI! And then they DOUBLE FALLING KOKESHI! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Shota goes after Callum! CANNONBALL to the floor!
The fans fire up again as Honma climbs! FLYING- NO, Cobb catches Honma! SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives and the fans fire up again! But then Cobb reels Honma in, for a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, United Empire wins!
Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
A powerful showing from “The Kokeshi Brothers,” but they could not bring down Callum & Cobb. With the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships already on Great-O-Khan & Henare, will The United Empire completely dominate the NJPW Heavyweight Tag Division?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & ???
Los Ingobernables de Japon’s heavy formation is in this block, ready to rampage like twin dragons. If only The Sauce could’ve brought his own monster back. Who will be the substitute for Lance Archer? And can he help heat things up?
Zayne makes his entrance before anyone else, and asks to speak on the mic. A mic is given, and Zayne says, “Kon’nichiwa.” The fans applaud, and Zayne explains that when he was contacted this year for WTL, he was also informed that Lance Archer could not make it. Zayne knew he had to do one thing: find the most “delicious” tag partner he could find. And that man is… RYUSUKE TAGUCHI!? The fans can’t believe the Funky Weapon is joining Zayne in this tournament! And he wears a green version of Zayne’s gear! Are things about to get really spicy now?
The teams sort out, and Takagi is in disbelief. LIJ fist bumps and the fans applaud. Taguchi and Zayne bow, “Itadakimasu,” and Zayne starts against Yota. They circle, tie up, and Yota powers Zayne back. But Zayne powers Yota back! Yota powers up to power Zayne onto the ropes, but Zayne turns things around. The ref counts, Zayne lets off slowly with a pat on the shoulders, but Yota plays with Zayne’s hair. Zayne smirks and Yota grins as the two reset. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yota headlocks, but Zayne powers up and out. Yota RAMS Zayne but neither man falls. Fans cheer as Yota grins and Zayne plays with his own hair.
Things speed up suddenly, and Zayne sidesteps. Yota bucks the O’Conner Roll, then gets around Zayne. Zayne ELBOWS Yota away to a corner. Zayne runs up to BACK ELBOW and go to the apron in one go! Then he slingshots to RANA! Yota has a rough tumble, but he stands back up. Zayne runs up again, dodges the lariat and waistlocks, only to bring Yota back and run. Yota sidesteps Zayne then drops down, only for Zayne to IMPLODER KNEE DROP! The fans fire up but Zayne keeps moving, STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans cheer more while Zayne grins at Takagi. Zayne brings Yota up, tags Taguchi, and they double whip.
“Funky Sauce” misdirects Yota to hit a BULLDOG then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Taguchi stomps Yota. Taguchi brings Yota up, kicks low, then whips. Yota reverses but Taguchi RANAS! A little slippery, but then Zayne BLASTS Takagi off the apron! Funky Sauce takes aim, Taguchi PLANCHAS but flops as Yota moves! Zayne is on the apron but Takagi YANKS Zayne down! The fans rally but Takagi hauls Zayne up to whip him into railing! Yota drags Taguchi up and puts him in the ring. Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he stands Taguchi up. LIJ double whip Taguchi to then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!
The fans cheer and then Takagi SENTONS! Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Yota tags Takagi. The fans rally and duel while Takagi stands Taguchi up. Takagi bumps Taguchi off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then digs his shoulder in. The ref counts, Takagi steps back, and he snapmares Taguchi down. Tag to Yota and Yota drags Taguchi up. Yota snapmares Taguchi to ROCK him in the back! Taguchi falls back, Yota tags Takagi, and LIJ drags Taguchi up. They DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi hobbles in pain, falls to his knees, and Takagi BLASTS Zayne off the apron!
Takagi gets annoyed with this Funky Sauce, but Taguchi fires off CHOPS! Taguchi runs, but Takagi easily dodges the hip attack! Takagi then suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and the fans fire up. Takagi hears the fans dueling as he stomps Taguchi. Takagi KNEES Taguchi against the ropes again and again, then whips, for another KNEE! Takagi runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi and Takagi crawl, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne jumps in and DECKS Takagi, then he BLASTS Yota! Zayne swats a lariat to fire elbow after ELBOW!
Takagi blocks the superkick to CLUB the leg! Yota joins in, LIJ whips Zayne, but Zayne KICKS Takagi, mule kicks Yota, and runs, DOUBLE SOMERSAULT KICKS! The fans fire up and Zayne runs at Takagi. Takagi ELBOWS Zayne, BOOTS him, then goes up. Zayne returns to JUMPING STEINERS! The fans fire up while Zayne covers, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Zayne brings him right up. Zayne goes to scoop but Takagi fights it! Zayne CHOPS, scoops, and BAJA- NO, Takagi slips free! SLIDING- NO, Zayne dodges! Zayne mule kicks, runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!
Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota fires up and the fans are with him. Yota brings Zayne around to whip, but Zayne stops himself. Zayne dodges Yota, Yota dodges Zayne, and both men kick low! Yota comes back to BOOT! The fans cheer and Yota brings Zayne up again. Yota fireman’s carries but Zayne fights free. Yota ROCKS Zayne first! Yota tries another fireman’s carry but Zayne sunset flips it! TWO, and both men stand! Zayne rolls Yota, BASEMENT ENZIGIRI! Zayne hurries to hot tag Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS in a corner! Taguchi goes corner to corner, for another HIP ATTACK!
Taguchi keeps moving, but Yota runs up! Taguchi dropkicks Yota’s legs out! The fans fire up and Taguchi keeps going! Another dropkick to legs, then a LEG SWEEP! Taguchi rolls Yota into the OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Zayne BOOTS Takagi off the apron! Yota scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he brings Yota back up. Taguchi traps Yota and Zayne runs in to ELBOW! Zayne then sets up and Taguchi runs, SHOTGUN IN MOTION! Taguchi then brings Yota out to GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up as Zayne climbs! But Yota KICKS Taguchi away, then GAMANGIRIS Zayne off the corner!
Taguchi kicks Yota, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Takagi slides in, and he finds the camera, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has come, and they join in on a chant of “OI! OI! OI!” LIJ whips Taguchi to a corner, then Yota runs in to ELBOW! Takagi whips Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi adds a LARIAT, then feeds Taguchi to a BOOT! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! SUPERKICK! Taguchi is down, Yota covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans fire up. Takagi stands Taguchi up and throws him to Yota for a POWERBOMB! Cover, Zayne breaks it! Takagi drags Zayne up, LIJ mugs him, but he fights back with CHOPS!
The fans fire up but Yota spins Zayne around to facelock, and Takagi wheelbarrows. Yota helps Takagi swing Taguchi down, then up for a BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! The fans fire up and Takagi leaves it to Yota. Yota takes aim and the fans rally. Taguchi rises, Yota runs in, GENE- LEG DROP!? And then La Magistrol! TWO!! Yota escapes in time, but Taguchi spins him to a backslide! TWO!! Yota escapes again! But Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi fires up and the fans are with him! But Takagi LARIATS! GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER!! And now Yota loads up, for the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
The Funky Sauce was hot, but they’re the ones that got burned! Will they be able to spice things up in the second round? Will Takagi & Tsuji keep the tag league tranquilo?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi once again clash with The Fang & The Jewel, both sides hungry for gold. Will it be Lights Out in the opening round? Or will someone just #Go2Sleep?
The teams sort out but then Bullet Club just attacks! Chase is after Goto and Kenta is after Hashi, and they put each man in corners. The bell rings to get this on record as Kenta TOSSES Hashi. Chase CHOKES Goto in the corner, then stands on him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off to bring Goto up. Chase ROCKS Goto, whips him, and Kenta POSTS Hashi! Chase hits a big hip toss then covers, TWO! The fans rally up while Chase stomps Goto’s leg. Chase scrapes his sole off Goto’s face, and Kenta whips Hashi again. Hashi reverses and Kenta hits railing in front of English commentary! Chase ROCKS Goto, CHOPS him, then whips.
Goto grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Chase! Hashi returns and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZENMAI! Kenta returns but Bishamon kicks him first. “Se no!” Bishamon BEATS Kenta like a drum! The fans cheer and Bishamon flexes. Goto then goes back to Chase to stomp and CLUB him down. Goto kicks Chase, Chase shoves Goto and ROCKS him with a forearm! Goto knees Chase low, runs, but Chase TOSSES Goto out! Goto hurries back up, he counter punches Chase, and then counter punches Kenta! Chase slips out to YANK Goto down and THROW him into railing! Kenta intercepts Hashi with a kick!
Kenta whips Hashi away into railing while Chase sends Goto into other railing! The ref reprimands but Chase brings Goto through the gate. Chase has fans move out of the way, but then brings Goto back to ringside. Chase grins as he trolls the fans and pushes Goto into the ring. Kenta CLUBS away on Hashi before leaving him behind. Chase pulls on Goto’s arms then TWEAKS Goto’s neck! Not a twist, but equally painful. Chase tags Kenta while the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Kenta pushes Goto into the corner, Goto hits Chase, but Kenta RAMS Goto! The ref reprimands and counts as Kenta RAMS Goto more!
Kenta sits Goto down, and digs his boot in! The ref counts, Kenta stops at 4, and he tags Chase back in. They stomp Goto more, then Chase headlocks for a sucker punch! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Goto up and he bumps Goto off Kenta’s boot. Tag to Kenta and Bullet Club double whips. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down then Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta covers again, TWO! Kenta argues with the ref but the count was fair. Kenta drops an elbow, drops another elbow, then covers, TWO! Kenta gets mad at Hashi for no reason, but the fans rally up for Goto. Kenta CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires CHOPS in return!
Kenta knees low, whips Goto to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into a BOOT! Kenta runs but Goto follows! Goto avoids Chase’s cheap shot to LARIAT Kenta! The fans fire up while Goto and Kenta are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hahsi BLASTS Chase! Kenta kicks Hashi low then whips him to a corner. Kenta runs up but Hashi CHOPS in return! And mule kicks! And turns Kenta for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi watches Kenta. Hashi waits on Kenta to rise, then runs up to CHOP! Hashi hoists Kenta up to hang him out to dry! The fans fire up as Hashi runs, and he DROPKCISK Kenta down! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer Hashi on as he brings Kenta up. Hashi reels Kenta in, lifts, but Kenta fights with fists! Kenta slips free of the bomb, then slips around Hashi to spin and- NO, Hashi suplexes first! But Kenta slips free again, and he spins Hashi around, to SPIKE DDT! Hashi is stood up on his head before falling over, and Kenta tags in Chase. Chase brings Hashi up and fireman’s carries. Hashi fights free of that, but Chase slips around to half nelson, lift, and SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Chase says time to end this! Chase takes aim, C- NO, Hashi dodges the trigger! Chase knees low, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs!
The fans fire up whiel both men are down! Chase clutches his leg while Hashi crawls. Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs at Chase to LARIAT in the corner! Goto whips corner to corner, runs up again, but Chase BOOTS him! But Goto comes back! Only for Chase to BUCKLE SHOT and STO, then SENTON! Kenta steps in and Bullet Club drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms and CHOPS! Kenta SOBATS! Chase KICKS! Kenta ROUNDHOUSES! Goto sits up into the “I HATE YOU!” PENALTY KICK! Cover, but Hashi breaks it! Kenta TOSSES Hashi then goes out after him. Chase drags Goto up and reels him in.
Chase tucks the arms but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches out but Chase ROCKS him first! Chase runs, Goto follows, but Chase ENZIGIRIS! Goto stays up, but the C-TRIGGER hits! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Chase hurries up! C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK!! And then the tuck for the PACKAGE PILE- NO, Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up, Kenta BOOTS Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries Kenta but Kenta slips free! Kenta shoves Goto into Hashi, then waistlocks Goto. Goto fights the lift, and then ducks, HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK for Kenta! The fans fire up as Bishamon regroups.
Hashi drags Chase up, whips him to Goto, but Chase BOOTS Goto! Chase swings on Hashi but Hashi ducks the lariat. Hashi powers Chase to ropes, Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then Hashi rolls Chase. Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has the legs! Chase BOOTS Hashi away! Chase then slips around to dragon sleeper, to steal G T- NO, Goto drops down to victory roll! Chase stands up, into a SUPERKICK! Goto drags Chase around while Hashi BLASTS Kenta! Dragon sleeper and SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)
Another classic in this storied rivalry, worthy of the titles themselves! Will this first win be the win that leads the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter back to the titles? Can Kenta & Chase borrow a page from Bishamon and #GetBackUp in the next round?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
TMDK has a team in each block, doubling their chances of taking this league. But perhaps burying the lead is the fact that THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is joining in the fun! Will The Front Man & The Mullet rock this league right from the start? Or will the Mad Man and the turncoat Cold Skull get this tournament #WarReady?
The teams sort out but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face. Gabe pushes Oiwa, they start, and they tie up at the bell. The fans rally as Oiwa and Gabe are in a deadlock. They go around at center, then Oiwa digs his heels in to push Gabe back. Gabe turns things around to put Oiwa on ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Gable lets off, to then CHOP! Gabe scoops and SLAMS Oiwa, then he goes for legs. Oiwa UPKICKS Gabe, then stands up to scoop and SLAM Gabe! Gabe UPKICKS back, both men get up and go face to face. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as Oiwa gets the edge, but Gabe CHOPS!
Gabe headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Gabe eggs OIwa on and he runs to RAM Gabe! They both run now, and they RAM shoulders again, and again, and again! Gabe CHOPS then runs, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Gabe! The fans fire up while Gabe bails out. Oiwa eggs Gabe on and Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes the railing in frustration, then he paces around the outside. Gabe cools off, slides in, but then tags Sanada. Sanada steps in slowly, so Oiwa tags in ZSJ. The two rivals circle and the afns rally behind “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” ZSJ and Sanada feel things out, knuclke lock, and ZSJ rolls to wrench.
Sanada is already frustrated so he kicks ZSJ low! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and then Gabe goes after Oiwa! Gabe CHOPS away on Oiwa while Sanada sends ZSJ into railing! And then more railing! Gabe does the same to Oiwa, and Sanada storms up on ZSJ. Sanada CLAWS ZSJ’s back, a definite attitude change showing. Gabe Too Sweets with Taiji Ishimori on commentary while Sanada pushes ZSJ into the ring. Sanada whips ZSJ to a corner, but ZSJ goes up, under, around, and RAMS into Sanada! ZSJ snapmares, Sanada handsprings through, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! Tag to Oiwa and he BLASTS Gabe!
Oiwa goes back to Sanada and stands him up. Oiwa wrenches an arm, YANKS it, then wrenches to YANK it again. Oiwa tags ZSJ and ZSJ brings Sanada around to wrench, step over, and wrangle into a mounted armbar! Sanada endures as ZSJ bends the fingers and isolates the arm, to STOMP it! The fans cheer, ZSJ tags Oiwa, and Oiwa CLUBS Sanada’s arm. Oiwa headlocks for a takeover, then isolates the arm in an short arm scissor! The fans rally while Sanada endures and kicks around. Sanada reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Oiwa lets Sanada go, but then Oiwa brings Sanada up.
Oiwa whips, Sanada reverses, and Gabe trips Oiwa up! Sanda BLASTS ZSJ while Oiwa drags Oiwa out of the ring! Now things spill out into the crowd! Gabe CHOPS Oiwa, then SMACKS him off empty chairs! Sanada BOWLS ZSJ into chairs! Not quite a strike, so Sanada JAMS ZSJ up with a chair! That picks up the spare, and we can hear Gabe’s CHOPS on Oiwa echo out. Gabe stomps Oiwa while Sanada CHOKES ZSJ with a chair! Red Shoes reprimands the War Dogs, but Gabe POSTS Oiwa! Gabe says War Dogs run this, but Red Shoes starts a ring count. Gabe flexes on Oiwa, then drags him up at 7 of 20.
Gabe puts Oiwa in at 10 and Sanada covers, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans rally behind him. Sanada is annoyed but he brings Oiwa up. Sanada CLUBS Oiwa, then bumps him off Gabe’s boot. Oiwa sputters while Sanada tags Gabe in. Gabe drags Oiwa up, mockingly asks where Zack-senpai went, then he UPPERCUTS Oiwa down. Gabe TOSSES Oiwa out, and he BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! Sanada whips Oiwa into railing! Gabe lifts ZSJ bu tZSJ wrenches free to KIMURA! Gabe powers through, to BITE ZSJ on the forehead! Sanada sends Oiwa into more railing, Gabe sends ZSJ through railing and into chairs!
Sanada BOWLS Oiwa into chairs now, there is the strike! Sanada continues to show his new edge as he JAMS Oiwa up with a chair. Red Shoes reprimands so Sanada brings Oiwa back to ringside. Sanada puts Oiwa in for Gabe and Gabe pushes Oiwa to a cover. Red Shoes says no, all the shenanigans were not right. Gabe gets in Red Shoes’ face about that, but Red Shoes stands his ground. Gabe storms around while the fans rally behind Oiwa. Gabe drags Oiwa up, to CHOP! Oiwa wobbles but he rises up. Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires forearms! Gabe DECKS Oiwa with just one! The fans still rally for Oiwa but Gabe stands on Oiwa’s face!
Gabe soaks up the heat, scuffs Oiwa and stomps him around. Oiwa sits up, Gabe runs, but Oiwa reels him in! Gabe fights the waistlock, runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and Gabe crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Sanada! The fans fire up as ZSJ dodges Sanada, full nelsons, then spins him to a headlock. Sanada powers out but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada powers out to HIP TOSS, but ZJS UP KICKS! Sanada avoids the Penalty Kick, blocks the boot, but ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basment DROPKICK! The fans fire up and we’ve only hit 10 minutes!
ZSJ drags Sanada up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Sanada blocks the next to spin and suplex, but ZSJ says no to the Magic Screw! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada escapes but ZSJ stays focused. ZSJ stands Sanada up to scoop, but Sanada slips free. ZSJ fights the waistlock, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Sanada then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips free, to have the IRON OCTOPUS! The fans rally while Sanada endures, and Sanada powers out to have a leg! DROPPING DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ clutches the leg and Sanada takes aim! SHINING-
NO, ZSJ ducks, but Sanada catches him to a backslide! ZSJ rolls through to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Oiwa goes back to Sanada and brings him up. Oiwa whips Sanada to ropes, ELBOWS Him down, then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada! Oiwa deadlift GUT RWENCH PLEXES! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe CHOPS away on ZSJ and Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ & Oiwa DOUBLE DROPKICK Gabe down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he clamps onto Sanada with a SLEEPER! Sanada endures and fights up, but Oiwa thrashes him around!
Sanada still fights to his feet, slips around the back, and shoves Oiwa to ropes. Gabe trips Oiwa up! Oiwa kicks at Gabe but Sanada kicks ropes to jam Oiwa up! Sanada suplexes Oiwa into the MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Sanada crawls over, tag to Gabe, and Gabe storms right up on Oiwa. Gabe UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down! Gabe then puts Oiwa in a corner to fire off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Gabe digs his boots in while talking trash. Gabe shoves Red Shoes aside so he can keep stomping away on Oiwa! The fans rally and Red Shoes backs Gabe off.
Gabe seethes but the fans continue to rally for Oiwa. Oiwa grits his teeth as he sits up, but Gabe ROCKS him with another shot! Oiwa still looks up defiantly at Gabe, so Gabe fires shots! Gabe says Oiwa’s not worthy of being his NJPW Strong Openweight Challenger. Gabe says Oiwa’s just some “weak ass kohai!” Gabe SPITS on Oiwa, but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face! Gabe fires slapping strikes, blocks a shot, then SLAPS Oiwa again! Oiwa spins to DOUBLE CHOP Gsbe down! Sanada runs up and kicks low! Sanada whips, Oiwa reverses, but Sanada reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada!
Gabe runs up, ZSJ BOOTS him first! Gabe runs back in, slips out of the scoop, and he scoops ZSJ for EMERALD FLOWSON!! But Oiwa spins Gabe! Gabe avoids The Grip, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa is frustrated but the fans rally behind him. Oiwa hauls Gabe up, ANACONDA PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives again but Oiwa roars! Oiwa drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the gut wrench! Gabe CLUBS Oiwa on the back, then he gut wrenches! Oiwa fights back, wrenches out, and he blocks a lariat to spin. Gabe HAYMAKERS, and SAIDOS!! Gabe crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives! Gabe snarls and he drags Oiwa up. Gabe says this is the end. But Oiwa fights the suplex! Oiwa suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Oiwa still tries, but Gabe slips out to waistlock. Sanada DROPKCIKS Oiwa, Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe & Sanada work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Gabe suplexes again, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and tells Gabe to finish this! ZSJ RAMS Sanada, they brawl outside, and Gabe slashes his throat. Gabe drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oia slips through the gut wrench to backslide! TWO, and Gabe UPPERCUTS!
Gabe runs, but ZSJ is back! He BOOTS Gabe but Gabe SLAPS ZSJ! ZSJ KICKS the haymaker away to then ROUNDHOUSE Gabe! Sanada’s in to dragon sleeper! ZSJ arm-drags free, but Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ and Sanada flop out of the ring, leaving Oiwa and Gabe to rise up. They run at each other, to DOUBLE LARIAT! neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Oiwa PALM STRIKES! Gabe PALM STRIKES, CHOPS, JABS, rebounds, into a roll-up! Hig stack, TMDK WINS!!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall
Gabe is in shock! He gets right in Red Shoes’ face but Red Shoes says it was a fair count! Gabe then goes after Oiwa to CLOBBER him! The fans boo and Young Lions rush in, but Gabe eggs Oiwa on! So Oiwa obliges and they brawl among the fans! The Young Lions rush in to separate the two, but Gabe gets loose to CLOBBER Oiwa! They scrap, ZSJ joins in, and he pulls the two apart. Gabe kicks a chair in frustration, then goes into retreat. Wait, Oiwa chases Gabe to the ramp and beats him down! Young Lions again scramble in to stop this, but it just heads to the back! Sanada shrugs it off, will the #ColdWarDogs just have to try harder in the next round?
As for the winners, well, they’re no longer ringside so there won’t be any in-ring closing words. Backstage interviews begin, Gabe promises Oiwa will be put in the ground! Will the Mad Man show The Mullet what it takes to be NJPW Strong? As for ZSJ, he gathers himself, and tells NJPW Media that he doesn’t know where The Mullet went. Actually, no, he has an idea: The Mullet must be smashing the s*it outta Gabe. “Roy The Mullet” is the next NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Oiwa will hit Gabe so hard, his legs will turn into trombones! As for ZSJ, there is something rare happening in this year’s WTL, isn’t it?
Yes, it’s that the IWGP World EFFIN’ Heavyweight Champion is involved, as this should be! The first time the world champion’s been in this tournament in roughly a decade! ZSJ said he was gonna be a different kind of world champion for NJPW, and that he promises to take NJPW back to the top! Now obviously, a conflict of interests, as this tournament is Shane Haste’s & Mikey Nicholls’ to win, but ZSJ won’t give the boys an easy ride. ZSJ is dreaming~ of an all TMDK World Tag League finals! Then who knows, maybe Zack & Roy get the job done.
But ZSJ knows the Tokyo Dome is coming soon. And Shota Umino wants to be ZSJ’s challenger. ZSJ says he will be keeping his eyes wide open for Shota. ZSJ says he’ll have a DOUBLE main event in the Tokyo Dome, it’s in the bag. What about you, Shota? The Front Man heads out, having put the pressure on his challenger, but will all of NJPW soon belong to TMDK?
Here are the A Block standings!
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great start to World Tag League 2024, with just A Block opening things tonight. I will say those tune-up matches were interesting. Even though David Finlay is the Global Champion, it’s Taiji Ishimori that has apparently become Bullet Club’s international ambassador. Taiji brought Robbie X into the group, now he teamed with The Filip Brothers, Tome & Stevie, who knows who else Bone Soldier will recruit. Taiji’s team beating Tanahashi’s team, House of Torture cheating and beating Tanahashi’s friends, this is all putting the pressure on The Ace, meaning The Ace will win out at WrestleKingdom 19.
Shota Umino teaming with Tomoaki Honma, I wonder if this is to hold Shota back somehow. He is apparently still heading for WrestleKingdom and a world title match with ZSJ, so it’s not like Shota needs to win WTL, but I guess NJPW just wants Shota to give the fans a good time alongside a fan favorite like Honma. Also, Callum & Cobb have a fun new shirt for their team-up. I figured Zayne would need to improvise now that #MonsterSauce is no longer happening, and Taguchi was a great surprise choice. But #FunkySauce making its debut against a team as strong as Takagi & Tsuji was a shame because of course LIJ was winning that. Maybe Zayne & Taguchi can pull off a spoiler victory later on, but I don’t see Funky Sauce going that strong.
Bishamon VS Kenta & Chase really was an awesome match, and it is so surprising how Chase has grown in just the past couple years. Great win for Goto & Hashi, though, as they’re clearly the solid utility choices in the tag division. And what an awesome main event, with Sanada bringing out the most Heel stuff he’s done perhaps ever. A bit jarring really, but that’s just kinda old fashioned Heel turns for ya. Great win for TMDK, though, and definitely an unorthodox way of closing by having Oiwa and Gabe brawl all over ringside and into the back.
While ZSJ says it is big for the world champ to be in this tournament, which I do agree with on some level, it also makes some of the A Block action seem secondary. Gabe and Oiwa having their grudge was kinda the main motivator behind this match, and then it’ll be similar when Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa happens. There is the added drama of, “What if someone pins ZSJ? Will they get a world title match before WK19?” Maybe Shota solidifies his WK title match by being the one that pins ZSJ in their match, but it all just feels like more flash than substance. No one else is going to pin ZSJ, Oiwa probably takes whatever losses their team will take, so A Block’s story suffers for it.
My Score: 8.9/10
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!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Another Harbaugh Bowl Incoming
Josh Allen and the Bills deal KC their first loss of the season but, is this Buffalo team now favorites...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Who’s Your Fav Ninja Turtle?
Every team has now played more than half of their schedule and Tunney and Balaz got you covered as we...
Hockey Talk- The Hall Finally Calls [111224]
Hockey Talk celebrates Jeremy Roenick finally getting inducted into the Hall of Fame 16 years after his last game and...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Are The Lions Better Than The Chiefs?
With Rey Cash out on assignment, Andrew and PC take you through Weapon and Dumbass of the week along with...
Hockey Talk- Capital Gains [110524]
Hockey Talk looks at the surprising Washington Capitals and their captain, Alex Ovechkin, as he draws closer to the goal...
Bandwagon Nerds #263: Dawn Patrol
BWN continues its coverage of Game 7 featuring the 1987 Stanley Cup Final between the Oilers and Flyers, plus Star...
Bandwagon Nerds #262: Curse of the Great Bambino
BWN begins its coverage of Game 7 featuring the 2003 ALCS clash between the Yankees and Red Sox, plus MCU...
Bandwagon Nerds #261: Flying Figgity
The Bandwagon begins its 6th year by concluding its review of Agatha All Along and mulling over the question of...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (10/31/24)
IT'S TIME!
Hockey Talk- Jet Setters [102924]
Hockey Talk looks at the red-hot start to the season of the Winnipeg Jets and discusses how the defending champion...
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (11/20/24)
Dynamite is Freshly Squeezed!
Greg DeMarco Show: Looks That Kill
Patrick O'Dowd went to Arizona and he and Greg had themselves an extended weekend with IZW Looks That Kill!
Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (11/19/24)
It's Tag Season again!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (11/19/24)
There's a lot on the line tonight!
Classic POD is WAR: What Is Thank You Alex Trebek? (111220)
The Chairshot, brings you THE podcast that will absolutely have you questioning everything you thought you knew about professional wrestling,...
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (11/18/24)
It's a BIG night!
#TheOddity 018: That’s Alot Of Chalamets
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (11/16/24)
Championship or Bust!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Posthumously? Really??
Smash or Trash is back this week as the guys are talking beverages! Plus, some thoughts on the Mike Tyson/Jake...
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (11/15/24)
Ricochet is on a Rampage!
