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New Japan Cup: Round 1 Results/Review & Round 2 Preview

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Alright, that concludes the first round of the New Japan Cup and I think to think it was an enjoyable first round with some great matches and some surprises that some of us didn’t expect. I wanted to cover just the first round matches instead of just doing the four shows with the same tag matches, but I will add some highlights on days that had them, so let’s get to it.

 

Yujiro Takahashi vs. Juice Robinson

Review:  I wish Yujiro used his solo theme more, it just fits him when he’s not used for eating the pinfalls in tag matches. Juice is still growing and proving to be one of the most improved guys on the New Japan roster and how far he’s come. From NXT, being a Young Lion, and to where he is now, just exemplifies hard work.

The match itself was a enjoyable for what it was, both getting some nice offense in their arsenal, some close calls, and had a good finishing sequence. Juice was able to pull a victory after taking a beating from Yujiro near the end and Juice made it clear who he looks to challenge after the match. In a press conference before the cup, he said he would fight Jay White for the United States Heavyweight Championship, but it looks like the belt wasn’t added on what the winner could fight since they still mentioned the other three instead. Juice made it clear that he wants to fight Goto for the NEVER Openweight Championship after having a great bout for it last year, let’s see if Juice can win the cup and get another chance.

Recommended:  I like to think it was a great way to start the cup with two underutilized guys on the roster.

 

Tomohiro Ishii vs. Michael Elgin

Review:  This is the one that has surprised me, and I will get to that near the end.Michael Elgin has had no luck lately with not getting as many opportunities as when he first joined NJPW. So being placed on the back burner of the roster, so he needed to prove himself, and the cup is a way to do it if he plans to win. Ishii is another work horse that has been putting on quality matches all year round just to make the fans happy. With his match quality and being CHAOS’ gatekeeper to prove if their worthy of fighting Okada, or if they have what it takes to be in New Japan.

The match was hard hitting and exciting despite some stuff being slow and a couple of sloppy moments. Both would put each other to their limit and even Ishii took a nasty Powerbomb spot and I don’t know how he was still standing after that. However, Michael Elgin would pull the surprise win with a Burning Hammer and move on to fight Juice Robinson in the Quarter Final Round. If I had one complaint it would be that the ending did seem to drag on a bit too long; with some overkill spots and an anti-climatic ending despite the move he used, just the crowd seemed burnt out and not care about the fact Elgin won. What title would Elgin go for if he wins? He could go for either of the three, depends on what he does and has to win.

Recommended:  Definitely worth a watch despite some of the cons of the match. If you’re into hard hitting action, then definitely give it a look.

 

Bad Luck Fale vs. Lance Archer

Review:  This was how I expected it to go between the two, not great, but nothing special about it either. It just felt like a standard match too which is a shame this is one of the places that Fale normally shines when it comes to singles action. Lance Archer really didn’t impress me all that much in this match except for randomly punching a Young Lion when they were outside. Had some decent moments, but not a lot to really talk about except that Bad Luck Fale won the match.

Recommended: Not really, I would just skip this one.

 

Taichi vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Review:  I could just watch Miho Abe all day. Anyway, Taichi has been enjoyable to watch lately ever since he announced that he would be moving up to the heavyweight division after fighting Tetsuya Naito at TakaTaichiMania. Maybe this is what he needed to refresh his career a little bit and open up to more possibilities as to where his career can go, I wish him luck on his new adventure.

Hiroshi Tanahashi looked like he hasn’t missed a beat, but I am worried about his health since he does need to take a long and deserved break to heal his injuries. I thought the match itself was great and the two meshed well together and gave us a fun quality type of match. Taichi looked strong in the match, giving Tanahashi a little bit of a run for his money, even doing some moves reminiscent of his trainer, Kawada, and there were a few times where I thought he would actually pull off the upset. But in the end, Tanahashi, broken and all, found a way to overcome him and move on to fight Bad Luck Fale next. Right now Tanahashi is still my pick to win the New Japan Cup, but what belt he would go for is still a mystery and probably will be until he wins the cup before decided to either get revenge on Suzuki or try to keep his record and fight Okada once again.

Recommended:  Absolutely, great fight and my favorite first round match thus far.

 

Kota Ibushi vs. YOSHI-HASHI

Review:  First off, HASHI, you’re not the ‘Viper’ so shame on you. Second, I am confused by how he is booked since he’ll have his moments to show he actually can shine, but then it just disappears until the next tournament. So that’s a huge gap where he doesn’t do a whole lot outside of that and kinda hard to take him too serious.

These two do work surprisingly well together, showing that when they worked at G1 Climax last year and again it in this match right here. There were a couple of sloppy moments, but not enough to take away from the match at all, since they still made everything they wanted to do exciting. I didn’t like that the Canadian Destroyer was used because I’m one of the few that think it’s a move that you shouldn’t kick out of instead of just using it as a spot much like the Burning Hammer. Kota picked up the win in a nice back and forth match, and was expected to do so. But can he win the whole thing? While it is possible, I wouldn’t see him win the title unless he gets rid of his fear of commitment.

Recommended:  I would definitely give it a watch.

 

Zack Sabre Jr vs. Tetsuya Naito

Review:  Before I start I do wanna say that I am not the biggest fan of Zack Sabre Jr. I will give him credit that I love his submission holds and his technical ability is amazing, but when it comes to everything else, it’s pretty bland. However, I do like that he actually shows personality when he goes to Japan and being involved with Suzuki Gun. This match though was just great, the story behind it, the atmosphere of the crowd, and just the chemistry between these two.

I really enjoyed how Zack was working various spots on his body just so he can use any part to make him tap out for any situation in the match. Zack picked up the surprise him making him tap out in a very nice submission while TAKA hypes him up like how Gedo does to Okada. I kinda figured Naito would lose here and it’s not really a punishment either, as quite a few top guys like Tanahashi and Okada have both gone through losing the first round of the cup and built themselves back up again. Naito is definitely going to get another chance against Okada, but it’s good that they hold it off for a while, as Zack looks to avenge his G1 losses to both Naito and next, Ibushi. If he keeps this up then there might be a good chance that he can actually make it to the finals or even win the thing depending on who he fights.

Recommended:  You should very much so watch this match, just a great bout.

 

Toru Yano vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr

Review:  This isn’t the best match, but this is the more entertaining out of the first round. Toru is pretty much how you would expect him to be in this type of match, with his comedy and dirty tactics to try and win it as quick as possible. But, Smith made sure that wouldn’t happen here as we actually get a match out of it instead of just a quickie.

Smith was able to showcase more of his talent in here and I wish he would do more single work to see how he could really do here, but just tournaments is the best we’re gonna get out of him. Toru would eventually get the win after about ten minutes with a countout and was expected how he would win instead of a pinfall. Normally expect Yano to win the first round of the cup and then loses the next round, so expect the same thing to happen here.

Recommended:  I think it’s worth a viewing if you like to have a couple of laughs or if you just like Yano.

 

Chuckie T. vs. SANADA

Review:  Chuckie to me just felt so odd and out of place in this tournament and did question why. But I guess due to both Trent and Makabe being injured, they needed someone and it’s a good chance to see how he can do for a solo match in New Japan. SANADA I believe is going to have an impactful year in 2018 and his match with Okada last month was only the beginning of his progression.

Chuckie didn’t do too bad in this match, but nothing to praise and I’m sure he’ll have more opportunity in the upcoming future. The match itself went pretty well and had a couple of awkward spots to hold it back a little to make it better, but it still wasn’t bad and SANADA was able to pick up the needed win over Chuckie with a Moonsault after applying the Skull End. I have a sinking feeling that the Moonsault might bite him in the ass during the tournament, but we will see.

Recommended:  I would give this one a watch, good wrestling and nice to see SANADA coming out of his shell more with each match.

Now that the first round matches are out of the way, let’s take a look at the quarter final matches and see who will make it to the semi-final.

Juice Robinson vs. Michael Elgin

Bad Luck Fale vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

Toru Yano vs. SANADA

And here’s what I think what it might look like when it’s over.

Juice Robinson vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Zack Sabre Jr vs. SANADA

 

Favorite Match: Zack Sabre Jr vs. Tetsuya Naito

Least Favorite Match: Lance Archer vs. Bad Luck Fale

Score: 8/10

I hope you all enjoyed reading about the first round and I’ll see you all at the quarter finals next.


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Mitchell’s ROH Death Before Dishonor Results & Report! (7/26/24)

YEEHAW!

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The word of the day is, “Gold!”

ROH brings Death Before Dishonor to Texas, and makes it bigger than ever! SIX championship matches, how drastically will the landscape change?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Zero Hour – MXM Collection VS Spanish Announce Project; wins.
  • Komander VS The Beast Mortos; wins.
  • Texas Deathmatch: Leyla Hirsch VS Diamante; wins.
  • ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championship Qualifier: Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs VS The Dark Order; wins and advances to Battle of the Belts 11.
  • ROH World Tag Team Championships: The Kingdom VS Tomohiro Ishii & Kyle O’Reilly; win(s) and
  • ROH World Television Championship Survival of the Fittest: Atlantis Jr. VS Lio Rush VS Shane Taylor VS Johnny TV VS Lee Johnson VS Brian Cage; wins and
  • ROH Pure Championship: Wheeler Yuta VS Lee Moriarty; wins and
  • ROH Women’s World Television Championship: Billie Starkz VS Red Velvet; wins and
  • ROH Women’s World Championship: Athena VS Queen Aminata; wins and
  • ROH World Championship: Mark Briscoe VS Roderick Strong; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]


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Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 7.25.2024

Slammiversary Fallout! Where do things go on the way to Victory Road?

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Well now we start the fall out of Slammiversary. Josh Alexander in his bad bitch summer, X-Speedball legacy, ABC got the t-a-g and Jordynne is still in charge of the Knockouts division. Like I said at the end of Slammiversary, all of the champions being Babyfaces is stupid. They need to drop a couple titles fairly quickly, because I don’t care what some people say, Nic Nemeth ain’t gonna bring any eyes to the brand. He’s about as hot as day old Hamburger Helper over a camping sterno.

We’ll probably open with the luke warm champion, so tune in like 10 minutes late for anything of substance to be happen.

https://x.com/i/status/1816629254349533588

Ratings:

  • Steve Maclin vs Cody Deaner: Maclin wins via KIA – *
  • AJ Francis w/Rich Swann & Josh Bishop vs Sami Callihan: AJ wins via Down Payment – **
  • Hammer Your ASH (ASH by Elegance & Alexander Hammerstone) vs JuggerYoung (Jordynne Grace & Eric Young): Hammer Your ASH wins via Torture Rack – ** 1/2
  • The System (Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers & JDC) w/Alisha Edwards vs Matt Hardy & The ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey): Broken Alphabet wins via Twist & Splash – ***

 

Results:

Nemeth gives the ole “I’ll be a fighting champion…blah blah” promo and drops the “any company” line that we’ve already understood what that means. Campaign Singh cuts him off…and I never thought I’d be happy for Campaign Singh to walk out and say anything…ever. And…Mustafa’s promo is worse than Dolph’s. He’s gone from parody to caricature even saying “it was the biggest screw job Montreal ever saw”. Like some of these lines are cheap heat, but most are just brain dead comments that wouldn’t get a reaction out of anyone (and the crowd was silent for that comment). Mustafa gets caught in an Archer “phrasing” moment about getting screwed hard, but this is painful. Promos written by 14 year olds everyone…

This ends with Ali challenging Nemeth for the World Title. While I’m not against walk up challenges, I watch Japanese wrestling, I don’t really get the point aside from doing it just to do it. 

ABC and Matt Hardy have a small promo, and I’m still not really a fan of Unbroken Matt Version 6.0. The floating between Broken voice and his normal voice sounds amateurish.

OH LOOK, finally a match 20 minutes into the show. And it’s my son Steve Maclin! OH CHRIST he’s facing Deaner. This has been 25 minutes of talking followed by the worst god damn attempt at a gimmick. Deaner’s little “Papa Santino told me I can wipe my ass only if the crowd agrees”. This gimmick should die in a fire.

Steve Maclin vs Cody Deaner

Deaner started off quick because Maclin was in disbelief that Deaner was actually gonna fight him. Maclin dodges a Crossbody, Busaiku Knee, and just starts beating on Deaner for fun. And this is fun, maybe Maclin can make sure Deaner gets stretchered out and written off forever. How do you call for an ambulance in French? Maclin with the old Back Breaker into a stretch. Deaner tries to nerd rage up, breaks the Back Breaker Stretch, his punch combo, into a Manhattan Drop and Bulldog. Deaner hits the Crossbody, but Maclin kicks out. This is entirely too competitive.

Deaner goes for the Deaner DDT, blocked, Olympic Slam into Splashing Deaner into the corner, Caught in the Crosshairs, K-I-A, thanks for coming you damn dweeb. Stay in Canada and don’t travel Deaner, please.

https://x.com/i/status/1816633784537874761

AJ Francis w/Rich Swann & Josh Bishop vs Sami Callihan

As the bell sounds, Sami knocks Rich off the apron, Low Bridges AJ, does the Beats of the Bodhran on AJ and then AJ eats the offense and strategizes with his crew. Bishop and Rich swarm the ring, Sami allows himself to get distracted so AJ slides in and starts beating on Sami. AJ throats Sami across the middle rope and Rich makes his presence felt, AJ distracts the referee and Rich gets in a lot of cheap shots. Bishop throws Sami back in the ring, and AJ keeps up the pressure. Lots of 5 count chokes and leverage moves. After the commercial break ends, Sami dodges a Tennessee Whiskey Knee, gets in a few shots before Rich trips Sami as he’s setting up a Dive, and then AJ takes advantage of the position and hits the goofball knee strike.

AJ calls for his Chokeslam, Sami tries to break it with Axe Handles, then claws the eyes. Sami goes for a Scoop Slam, gets him part way up and then falls over. AJ Chokeslam again, but he bites his hand and starts fighting back. Launches himself at AJ, sends him bouncing off the ropes and uses the momentum to hit that Scoop Slam that was teased earlier. Sami goes for a Western Lariat but eats a Big Boot. AJ does a little Hulk Hogan pose to signal a Leg Drop, but Sami dodges and then connects on a Sliding Lariat. Thumbs Up, Thumbs….interference. Rich distracts the ref, Bishop lays out Sami, AJ connects with the Down Payment.

Hammer Your ASH (ASH by Elegance & Alexander Hammerstone) vs JuggerYoung (Jordynne Grace & Eric Young)

ASH and Jordynne exchange slaps and then Jordynne starts to out muscle ASH. Spinebuster from Jordynne, Juggernaut Driver attempt, but ASH fights off, rope run, Sattelite DDT into both tagging out. EY does the Flair corner flop, slides back in between Hammer’s legs, and connects on a Neckbreaker. EY is the quicker of the two, but Hammer finally gets his hands on him and a Release Belly to Belly into a full mount raining of fists, then a near fall. Hammer smashes EY in a corner, Arm Wringer into an Irish Whip across, but EY moves and Hammer tags out to ASH. ASH levels Jordynne, peppers EY with a few shots and pulls him back to their corner and starts some tandem offense with Hammerman. Hammer Guerilla Presses ASH and throws her into EY for a near fall. Hammer looks to aim for either a Powerbomb or Nightmare Pendulum, but EY drops it into a Small Package, pinfall kick out, they both run, Double Lariat spot. The Knockouts get tagged in.

Jordynne is in control early, World’s Strongest Slam into a Vader Bomb. Juggernaut Driver attempt, but ASH fights it off and tags out to Hammer. Jordynne and EY do some schoolyard stuff with the old Push while Jordynne is down to trip Hammer. All four get in, ASH gets leveled, EY gets leveled, Hammer and Jordynne have a brief face off, but Hammer throws Jordynne to the apron and ASH connects with a Meteora from the apron. Death Valley Driver from Young on Hammer, ASH stares in shock, EY tells her to get, ASH runs away. EY goes up for his Macho Elbow, and ASH causes him to fall to Hammer’s feet, Torture Rack, and EY submits.

Josh Alexander comes out, with new heel music. And it’s not that bad, definitely better than some other people’s new music. Josh yells at the crowd a bit, says he can’t wait til he’s back in a real Canadian town, like his home of Toronto. Then he drops the mic in lieu of an explanation. The crowd chants him off with the “Nah Nah Nah Nah, Hey Hey Hey”. 

https://x.com/i/status/1816647373654724937

The System (Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers & JDC) w/Alisha Edwards vs Matt Hardy & The ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey)

JDC and Hardy start, but JDC quickly tags out to Myers and that doesn’t go well. Hardy grabs a hold of Myers, a few Delete chops, drags him to his corner and they all get in a few shots punctuated with Hardy getting tagged back in and an Elbow into Myers’ extended and worked on left arm. Myers stays isolated, back into the corner, Boot to the gut, Ace tags in and wallops Myers. Ace connects on Double Kicks, into Russian Leg Sweep and his half of Click Click Boom, for a 2 count. Myers finally gets free with a Jaw Breaker and tags out to Eddie. But The System gets no momentum, Ace stifles Eddie’s offense and starts a few quick tags with him and Bey for tandem offense. Moose finally comes down the ramp as Eddie kicked out of yet another pinfall attempt because The System has had nothing going for them. Eddie finally gets some offense since Moose was a big enough distraction.

Eddie thinks they have a spot, so he tags back in JDC, but The ABC stop him cold, tag in Matt Hardy, and Matt walks down JDC, but JDC Low Bridges. Matt is on the outside, so all of The System surrounds Hardy, then Joe Hendry’s music hits! That stops the heel beatdown, and we follow Hendry’s entire entrance. So that proves Hendry is bigger than the 8 other people in this frame. Not really sure if that’s optics you want to push along. Ace and JDC try to remind people there’s wrestling going on, but JDC thumbs the eye to get a little something going. Vertical Suplex for a near fall, tag out for Eddie and Eddie lights up Ace with some of those NOAH Chops. Ace retreats to the ropes and Alisha chokes him with the ropes while the ref is distracted.

Myers gets tagged in, Ace tries to use the crowd energy, Myers stops it at first but then Ace slips a Scoop Slam and tags out to Bey. Hot tag, strike rush, Double Stomp, educated feet, Leap Frog to the corner but Lish climbs on the apron and yells at Bey which stops his rhythm. Myers kicks his feet out and causes Bey to crash. Eddie tags in for a few shots, then to JDC and Slingshot Knees, Wringer Snapmare, Bow and Arrow Submission, and JDC is just doing solid wrestling work right now. Uppercut between the Shoulder Blades as Bey tries to get out, tag to Myers and Bey is still eating offense. Eddie tags in, Bey tries the Sunset Flip, but Eddie tags out before going over, so Myers folds up Bey for a near fall and then tags out to JDC who connects on a Standing Suplex, slams Bey’s face into the corner, Eddie tags in, and Bey finally fights up to his feet, Eddie just flatten Bey’s comeback, tries a Tiger Driver but eats an Enzuigiri for a simultaneous tag. JDC and Hardy come in, JDC tries to exit halfway in, but Hardy is wrecking shop. He disposes of Eddie, Myers slides in but eats a tandem Neckbreaker/DDT from Hardy. Face team does the Delete Corner Face Smashes. Poetry in Motion into a Side Effect into Corkscrew Swanton for only 2 since Myers breaks it up! Everyone throwing hands, referee is distracted, Moose comes in to Spear Hardy, but Hardy dodges and throws him into JDC (I get the call back), Hendry then lays out Moose with the big Lariat. Twist of Fate from Hardy, Splash from Bey, Broken Alphabet wins!

 

Overall Score: 4/10

Ugh, cliche promos, too damn much talking, a competitive squash match with an imbecile as our first “match”, into an overbooked and slow heel match, finally a decent tag match (with the right team going over), into another overbooked match with a “tease” for the mystery backup being more obvious than Jericho’s WWF debut.

Aside from the afore mentioned tag match, The Rascalz promo and The System Promo; this was hard to watch. A lot of cornball promos, Rosemary licks her conspiracy board, storylines got zero traction. Whoopity Doo, Ryan Nemeth got a match next week and we get an undead wedding.

While this was a bad episode, it was bad by at least new standards. We’re not back in the TNA Dark Days again, but this was…a useless show.


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