Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW AXS TV Report: New Japan Cup 2018 Semifinals!

Published

7 years ago

April 28, 2018

AXS TV’s coverage of the 2018 New Japan Cup continues! Juice Robinson will take on Hiroshi Tanahashi while Zack Sabre Jr. takes on Sanada. Will The Ace of NJPW continue his triumphant return from injury over the Flamboyant up and comer? Will it be the Cold Skull or the Technical Wizard who will #JustTapOut?

This review of The New Japan Cup 2018 will be as broadcast by AXS TV.
Therefore, all images are courtesy of AXS TV.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Juice Robinson VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Tanahashi wins and advances to the finals.
Zack Sabre Jr. VS Sanada; ZSJ wins and advances to the finals.

PLAY BY PLAY

AXS TV and NJPW review the action to this point.

Juice Robinson upsets Unbreakable Big Mike while the Once in a Century Talent survives Bullet Club’s Underboss. Meanwhile, Sanada silenced the Sublime Master Thief, and ZJS did as Taka Michinoku said: he made Kota Ibushi #JustTapOut. They are the final four, who will overcome who in order to fight for THE New Japan Cup’s title shot opportunity?

Juice Robinson VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!

It’s Taguchi Japan VS Taguchi Japan as young and old battle to take that last step to the finals. Will The Flamboyant or the Ace be the first to qualify for the coveted title opportunity?

We cut to both Juice and Tanahashi down on the ground outside the ring. Juice drags himself up to his feet with the help of barriers. He rallies the fans while he goes over to Tanahashi. Juice puts Tanahashi in the ring at the count of 9, then fires up before climbing to the top rope. Juice takes aim, but Tanahashi hits the ropes to trip him up! Tanahashi catches his breath under the bottom rope while Juice tumbles down to the mat. Now Tanahashi climbs, but Juice returns the favor, barreling into Red Shoes and the ropes to trip Tanahashi up! Tanahashi tumbles down now, and fans rally while they recover from crotch damage. They stir while Red Shoes checks on them. Tanahashi stands, followed by Juice.

Tanahashi throws a forearm, but Juice shakes it off to give one back. They trade more forearms, each daring the other to hit harder. The pace quickens as they continue back and forth. Tanahashi adds a European Uppercut, but Juice gives a chop! Tanahashi teeters so Juice chops him again. Juice gives a third, then fireman’s carry, but Tanahashi blocks the gutbuster to go after the leg! Grounded dragon screw! Fans rally for Tanahashi as he goes after the legs again. Juice crawls to ropes and gets the break. Tanahashi lets go, but then stomps the legs. He drags Juice up and whips, but Juice reverses. Tanahashi blocks the leg lariat to hit another dragon screw! Tanahashi goes back to the legs, and turns Juice over for the Texas Cloverleaf!

Juice endures the bending and pulling, and reaches for ropes. Tanahashi looses a bit of his grip, and Juice gets the ropebreak! Fans applaud Juice’s heart, but Tanahashi is still in control. He stomps the legs more, then dares Juice to stand. Juice starts, Tanahashi runs, but Juice gets Tanahashi with the full nelson slam! Cover, TWO! Juice has evened the playing field while we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns as Juice stands and fires up. He runs, and clotheslines Tanahashi down! Cover, TWO! Juice keeps his cool but the fans are on Tanahashi’s side. Tanahashi stirs but Juice is up again. Juice waits for Tanahashi, then prepares the chicken wings. He turns Tanahashi but Tanahashi shoves Juice, then dodges a clothesline to hit a slingblade! Cover, TWO, but so close! Tanahashi keeps going, climbing up top again. Juice stands and rocks Tanahashi with a left hook! Tanahashi teeters on top while Juice catches his breath. Juice slowly climbs up to join Tanahashi, and prepares the superplex, but Tanahashi resists. Tanahashi hits back and headbutts Juice down.

Tanahashi fires up while Juice stands back up, flying crossbody! But a roll through from Juice, TWO!! Juice can’t believe how close he was. Both men are down, tired from this no-time-limit match. They crawl to each other, Juice gets the facelock. He lifts Tanahashi in the suplex, but Tanahashi comes down and hits a swinging neckbreaker! Tanahashi doesn’t end it there, he brings Juice back up for a second! Then a– No, Juice blocks the third neckbreaker by hitting a suplex gutbuster!

Cover, TWO!! Even closer, but still not enough. Fans duel now between Juice and Tanahashi. Juice thinks on what to do, and he goes to a corner. He slowly makes his way up while Tanahashi stands, Juice hits a flying crossbody of his own! Juice is all fired up as he goes back to the corner and up again. Juice hits a frog splash! Cover, TWO!? But how?! Juice argues with Red Shoes, that couldn’t have been two! Fans are thunderous for Tanahashi while Juice grows frustrated.

Juice drags Tanahashi up, chicken wings, and the turn, but Tanahashi uses all his strength and turns it back around! But then Juice turns it further around! Tanahashi slips his arms out to go for a full nelson, but Juice breaks free. Juice elbows Tanahashi, but Tanahashi catches him with a left hand. Juice gives a left hand back, but Tanahashi gives another. Tanahashi grabs Juice in the full nelson, for the Dragon Suplex!

Tanahashi climbs up top again. He hits High Fly Flow to Juice’s back!

But that’s not all, Tanahashi goes back up again! High Fly Flow to Juice’s front! Cover, Tanahashi wins!

Winner: Tanahashi, by pinfall

The Ace stays alive in the tournament! Juice gave it his all, but it wasn’t enough to stop this Once in a Century Talent. Who will meet Tanahashi in the finals?

Zack Sabre Jr. w/ Taka Michinoku VS Sanada!

One of NJPW’s best submission wrestlers, if not already THE best, has an arsenal of holds with which he can torture his opponents. However, the Cold Skull of Los Ingobernables de Japon only needs one. Who will make who #JustTapOut to then meet The Ace in the New Japan Cup Finals?

Taka Michinoku again speaks before the match. “The New Japan Cup Tournament 2018 semifinals…” Zack Sabre Jr. VS Sanada, who wins? Fans cheer “Zack!” And who wins it all? “Zack!” Who takes the New Japan Cup? The man who can finish anyone with any lock anywhere. The man with unlimited submission holds. And the man who already beat Naito and Ibushi, the Submission Master, ZSJ, Zack Sabre Jr! And anyone who gets in his way, will give up and #JustTapOut! Let’s begin this semifinal match. Sanada, “C’mon over here!”

The bell rings, and we begin this no-time-limit match. Sanada and ZSJ circle, feeling each other out. They tie up, but ZSJ gets away from Sanada’s grip. They go again, and ZSJ gets the armlock takedown. He wrenches the wrist but Sanada stands up. ZSJ spins around to keep that wrist control, and brings Sanada back down. He shifts to a headlock and wants the armlock but Sanada reaches with his legs to get the ropebreak. ZSJ lets go and Sanada stands back up. They circle again, tie up, but now Sanada gets wrist control. Sanada wrenches ZSJ but ZSJ rolls, only to be brought down. Sanada shifts to a keylock but ZSJ rolls around to stand up. ZSJ grabs Sanada’s head but Sanada brings ZSJ back down to the mat.

ZSJ rolls around and stands up while grinding a forearm into Sanada’s face. He rolls and bends to reverse the wristlock back onto Sanada. Sanada rolls and spins and even cartwheels to then throw ZSJ with an arm-wringer. Fans applaud this impressive exchange while both men go to corners. Both Sanada and ZSJ work to get feeling back into their arms as they circle again. Sanada calls for a test of strength and ZSJ accepts. Sanada brings ZSJ to his knees with the knuckle lock, but ZSJ turns it around on him. ZSJ brings Sanada to his knees but Sanada turns it back. It becomes a double knuckle lock, but ZSJ uses that to stand back up. He and Sanada go shoulder to shoulder, both trying to find a point of leverage.

Sanada brings ZSJ down to the mat and it’s a cover, TWO as ZSJ bridges. ZSJ moves around and pries himself out of the knuckle locks to then trap one of Sanada’s arms and wrench the other. ZSJ shifts that into a double armlock, and even uses his chin to keep the top arm back.

Sanada endures but ZSJ rolls him over to a cover, TWO as Sanada manages to sit back up. ZSJ again shifts around for a seated motorcycle stretch, and digs his forehead between Sanada’s shoulders. Sanada works to stand up but ZSJ holds on. Sanada uses his power to turn the hold onto ZSJ! ZSJ endures the stretch and stands up, but he doesn’t have the pure strength to turn Sanada. Sanada adds a boot into it and pulls back on ZSJ. ZSJ stands to try the rotation again, but Sanada still powers him down. ZSJ works at it a third time, and manages the turn, only for Sanada to turn it all the way back. With power not working, ZSJ uses agility as he flips and kicks Sanada off the hold. Sanada kip-ups, then throws ZSJ out of the ring.

Sanada builds speed, but tumbles to the apron when ZSJ gets clear. Now Sanada shows off his agility as he tumbles back into the ring. ZSJ grows frustrated, and even threatens a young lion at ringside. Michinoku calms ZSJ down while we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns, and ZSJ takes a good part of the 20-count to compose himself. He gets back in at 18, and circles with Sanada again. ZSJ won’t tie up with Sanada yet, he needs a few more seconds. When they do tie up, Sanada uses another double knuckle lock to bring ZSJ to his knees. Sanada even brings ZSJ down to his elbows. ZSJ rolls back and reverses the knuckle locks, then wraps Sanada up in a straitjacket. ZSJ brings Sanada down to his knees, but Sanada reverses the hold with a double arm-drag. Sanada bends ZSJ back with the straitjacket, but ZSJ stands up. He reverses the hold but Sanada uses another arm-drag to reverse it back. ZSJ uses a foot to pry out of the straitjacket, but Sanada pulls ZSJ right back into it.

ZSJ ducks under and uses the arms in a pumphandle flip and he puts Sanada back, but Sanada still flips the hold back onto ZSJ! Michinoku coaches ZSJ, ZSJ stands and bends back to spin and put Sanada back, but Sanada uses yet another arm-drag to put ZSJ back in it. Fans applaud this back and forth while ZSJ stands. ZSJ shimmies the arms down, thereby slipping out of the straitjacket entirely. He then hits Sanada with a EuroUpper, but runs into Sanada’s headscissors! ZSJ gets out of the ring, but Sanada slingshots onto him!

They both go down with the slingshot dive, but Sanada is up first. He checks his wrists while ZSJ rests against the barriers. Sanada fetches ZSJ and puts him in the ring. Fans applaud while Sanada enters from the other side. He goes back to ZSJ and rocks him with a right forearm. He stands ZSJ up for another, and waits while ZSJ checks his face. ZSJ stands up and hits back with a EuroUpper and a kick, but Sanada blocks to then go for the Paradise Lock. ZSJ resists at every turn, and brings Sanada down into an armbar! Sanada rolls it and goes for the dragon sleeper! ZSJ scrambles out of that to then Pele kick Sanada’s arm, then Pele kick the other arm! Sanada gets to a corner for safety, but ZSJ walks over. ZSJ simply stands on Sanada’s shoulders and face to toy with him.

Red Shoes has ZSJ back off, and Sanada slips out of the ring. Sanada takes time to recover his arms. He returns at 10, but ZSJ is on him and those arms in a seated hammerlock. ZSJ goes after the free arm and bends it from fingers to wrist. He shifts it to a crucifix cover, TWO, but ZSJ maintains the almost Rings of Saturn style hold. Sanada endures as ZSJ rolls him around more, into a cradle-like cover, but Sanada gets the ropebreak thanks to his legs. ZSJ is annoyed, but he backs off while Sanada rests in the corner. Fans rally while Sanada stands. Sanada chops ZSJ over and over, but ZSJ kicks the arm. ZSJ runs, Sanada jumps, but ZSJ catches his leg and brings him down a la flapjack. ZSJ then slips right into a grapevine leg and arm lock.

Now ZSJ shifts to a Disarmer, and bends the fingers and wrist before standing up for a hammerlock twist. Sanada writhes while ZSJ walks around. Red Shoes determines Sanada is okay to continue, so ZSJ goes right after the arms again. He twists the wrist and even the elbow. Fans rally while Sanada resists, and Sanada gives ZSJ a forearm. ZSJ wrenches the arm but Sanada hits him again. Sanada keeps hitting ZSJ then whips corner to corner, but ZSJ ducks the boot. ZSJ headbutts the stomach and gives another EuroUpper before running again. Sanada jumps over a couple times then dropkicks ZSJ down! Sanada puts the dazed ZSJ into the Paradise Lock! ZSJ protests being humiliated, but that doesn’t stop Sanada from dropkicking him out of Paradise!

Sanada stands again while ZSJ clutches his bottom. ZSJ resists the saido suplex, and gets the arm before giving another EuroUpper. Sanada staggers, but still lifts ZSJ in the fireman’s carry, only for ZSJ to bring him down with an armbar. ZSJ keeps going, but Sanada gets the ropebreak. This submission showcase continues after we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns one more time as ZSJ stands back up. He walks around while fans rally for Sanada. ZSJ kicks Sanada’s arms, and even toys with him, but Sanada makes him pay with big forearm shots. Sanada whips but ZSJ blocks the hip toss, right into the abdominal stretch! Sanada endures while the fans rally for him, and he reverses the hold onto ZSJ! ZSJ pries his way out to then put the hold back on to Sanada. Sanada turns it back, but ZSJ turns it back again, and they go around and around until Sanada shoves ZSJ away. Sanada then grabs ZSJ for a big back suplex! Cover, TWO! Sanada hurries to a corner, MOONSAULT, but he lands on his feet as ZSJ evades. They run at each other, but ZSJ knocks Sanada over with the EuroUpper.

ZSJ runs again, Penalty Kick! Both men are down from exhaustion, but ZSJ gets himself moving again. ZSJ doesn’t cover, he bends Sanada’s arm back for the hammerlock stomp! Sanada clutches that arm, but ZSJ goes after the other for another hammerlock stomp. ZSJ catches his breath while Sanada writhes in pain. ZSJ toys with Sanada as he kicks the shoulders. He goes after one arm in another Disarmer, then gives it another hammerlock stomp. Sanada gets to a corner, but ZSJ dares him to fight. Sanada throws a forearm, then another, but ZSJ gives back EuroUppers. ZSJ whips but Sanada tumbles to the apron to then springboard for a missile dropkick!

Both men are down again. Michinoku coaches ZSJ up while fans rally for Sanada. Both men get to opposite corners. They run at each other again, ZSJ gives another EuroUpper. Sanada lifts ZSJ in a fireman’s carry, but ZSJ slips into a guillotine! Then the hoverboard armlock! But Sanada uses more power to work out of the hold, and spins ZSJ to the dragon sleeper! He swings ZSJ around, but ZSJ spins back around to give Sanada the arm snap! ZSJ stands, then runs, but into the roll-up and the dragon sleeper. Sanada lifts with the inverted suplex, but ZSJ slips out and under for the double leg takedown. ZSJ hops forward for the chicken wing roll and bridge back! TWO, into Skull End!

Michinoku shouts for ZSJ to resists. Sanada goes to completely lock it in, but ZSJ slips out and around to get that bridge again! TWO!! ZSJ can’t believe he didn’t get it. Sanada gets him with a EuroUpper of his own! Fans rally again while ZSJ is reeling. Sanada brings him up, fireman’s carry, but ZSJ slips to a backpack sleeper, then climbs around to the front, for a triangle hold! He brings Sanada down to the mat, and grabs the free arm for an armbar. Sanada endures, but he’s fading. He uses a last gas to deadlift ZSJ up, powerbomb position to fireman’s carry to the TKO!

Cover, TWO!! Sanada grows frustrated with ZSJ but the fans are thunderous. Sanada stands and feeds off the crowd. ZSJ stands but Sanada has the double chicken wing, and hits tiger suplex! TWO, but he keeps going. Sanada hits ZSJ with a backbreaker, then hurries to a corner, for the MOONSAULT! But into ZSJ’s knees! Then the triangle! ZSJ drives his elbows into Sanada’s head then adds a keylock to the triangle. Sanada reaches but fades. He tries once more to deadlift, but ZSJ just shifts things to the coil lock. ZSJ wants the Rings but Sanada reaches. Sanada can’t, and ZSJ puts him in a hold very much like what he used on Kota Ibushi!

Sanada endures, reaches with his legs, but now ZSJ grabs those for a Bow ‘n’ Arrow modification. ZSJ headbutts Sanada’s ribs, then pulls back. Sanada verbally quits, ZSJ wins!

Winner: ZSJ, by submission

The only reason Sanada didn’t tap out was because the Technical Wizard had both arms trapped. And again, Michinoku asks, “Zack Sabre Jr. VS Sanada, who won?” And he knows everyone knows who ZSJ’s opponent in the finals will be. It may be Hiroshi Tanahashi, but it doesn’t matter who it would be. You step to ZSJ, “Just Tap Out!” So who will win between Tanahashi and Zack Sabre Jr? Who will win the New Japan Cup 2018? You’re already looking at the 2018 New Japan Cup Champion, the man who can finish anyone with any lock, anytime, anywhere. The man who knows unlimited holds. And the man who defeated Naito, Ibushi and now Sanada, the Submission Master, ZSJ: Zack Sabre Jr! Will Michinoku’s predictions come true again in the final round?

Backstage interviews.

ZSJ admits Sanada’s Skull End is a “good submission”, but not against the Submission Master’s 7822 different submissions. By ZSJ’s count, he only used about five or six in that match. And for Tanahashi, a living legend, ZSJ makes sure he knows “all legends must die.” Tanahashi is held together by hair spray and athletic tape. ZSJ wants to put the Ace out of his misery. The cup will be ZSJ’s, as will Okada’s IWGP Heavyweight title. Confident as ever, will the Technical Wizard force Tanahashi to #JustTapOut?

My Thoughts:

Another great pair of matches. I thought there’d be more of Juice VS Tanahashi, but since both matches went pretty long, there probably wasn’t a way to fit them both into one hour, with commercials. What we did see of Juice VS Tanahashi was still really good, and Juice is slowly making gains in the heavyweight division. But as Juice is not there yet, Tanahashi goes over to be one of this year’s finalists.

Then ZSJ VS Sanada, from start to finish, was so great with the submission holds as the way to tell the story. ZSJ is touted as the Submission Master, the best of all submission users, but Sanada gave him quite the challenge. But because Sanada played ZSJ’s game, he ends up losing. ZSJ builds a lot of momentum defeating Ibushi and two members of LIJ on the way to the finals, and we get a great story going into the finals: Tanahashi has a grudge against Suzuki-Gun, especially Minoru Suzuki, and now tries to get to Minoru through his protege.

My Score: 8/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/9/25)

The time is now!

Published

2 hours ago

May 9, 2025

Steven Mitchell

SmackDown is in O-H! I-O!

24 hours before Backlash and his Undisputed WWE Championship defense, JOHN CENA is on SmackDown! Will Dayton, Ohio get an Attitude Adjustment?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

LA Knight & Damian Priest VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu; Knight & Priest win.
Chelsea Green & Piper Niven w/ Alba Fyre VS Zelina Vega & Alexa Bliss; Zelina & Alexa win.
WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Nia Jax VS Jade Cargill; Nia wins and will challenge Tiffany Stratton for the title.
Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes; wins.
Los Garza VS Rey Fenix & Andrade; win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Backstage interview with Damian Priest.

Byron Saxton catches the Archer of Infamy at gorilla and knows his match is moments away. Byron brings up tomorrow night’s Fatal 4 Way for the United States Championship at Backlash, how is he feeling? Priest says he was good with just getting his hands on Drew McIntyre. But now the idea of becoming a two-time US Champion and getting his hands on Drew, that’s pretty… Oh, there he is. LA Knight steps up and wishes Priest all the luck in the world. But Knight is in that match tomorrow night, too, and anyone who gets in his way of the title, the backlash will be swift and severe!

But tonight, Knight & Priest take on Solo & Fatu, and what they gonna do? Priest is glad Knight brought that up. They’re facing two of the baddest men on this entire roster. Priest isn’t worried about having Knight’s back, but about Knight having his. Knight says he came in here with a clean conscience, trust wasn’t an issue, but now alarm bells are going off, Priest is acting a little sus. Here’s the deal: If Priest has Knight’s back, Knight has Priest’s. If you do dirt, you get dirt, so don’t make Knight give you dirt. Let’s do the thing, hit his music! YEAH!

Knight leads the way into battle, but will he and Priest be rolling into Backlash after tonight? Or will it be all gas, no brakes with it, YADADA MEAN!?

LA Knight & Damian Priest VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu!

The teams sort out but Priest and Knight argue. Solo CLOBBERS Priest and tells Knight to get out! The bell rings as Solo fires off on Priest more! The fans boo, Solo soaks it up, then throws more hands. Solo CHOPS, HEADBUTTS, then fireman’s carries, but Priest fights free to BELL CLAP! Priest then KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! ROLLING ELBOW! Solo wobbles, goes to a corner, and Priest ROCKS him again! Priest runs corner to corner to BACK ELBOW! solo staggers, Priest runs to RUN Solo over! The fans fire up and Priest roars at Fatu. Priest wrenches Solo, knuckle locks, and goes up the corner. Priest goes Old School with the CROSSBODY!

The fans rally up, Priest winds up, and Priest runs, only for Solo to bail out! The fans boo but Priest goes out the side. Priest runs in around the way, uses the steps to leap in, and AX HANDLES Solo down! Fatu stares Priest down and Priest dares Fatu to do something. But then Knight WRECKS Fatu with a dropkick! Priest tells Knight he didn’t need that, but Knight says he was gonna do that because the title will be Knight’s again. They argue that point while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Knight tells Priest to focus on Solo and Priest puts Solo in the ring. Priest storms in but Solo UPPERCUTS! Priest comes back to ROCK Solo! Priest JABS and ROCKS Solo again and again in the corner, the ref counts, but Knight tags in. Priest is annoyed by that but he lets it slide. Solo takes a swing on Knight but Knight blocks to counter punch! Knight stomps away on Solo, the ref counts, but then Priest tags in. Knight lets that slide, and Priest whips Solo. Solo reverses, Priest grabs ropes and he ELBOWS Solo away! Fatu takes a swing, Priest dodges, and then Priest DECKS Fatu! But Solo LARIATS Priest up and out!

Solo argues with the ref, and Fatu CLBOBERS Priest! Knight protests but the ref has him stay back. Priest drags himself up with the desk, Solo tags Fatu, and Fatu fires hands! Fatu HEADBUTTS Priest, stalks after him, and SMACKS him off the barriers! Priest staggers away but Fatu is right on him, to SMACK him off the apron! Fatu puts Priest in, whips him to a corner, and Priest hits buckles hard! Priest falls to the mat, but Fatu puts him on the ropes to COHKE! The ref counts, Fatu stops at 4, but Solo HEADBUTTS Priest down! Solo soaks up the heat and Fatu throws hands. Fatu HEADBUTTS Priest down, then HEADBUTTS him again!

Fatu HEADBUTTS Priest again, tags in Solo, and they mug Priest. SmackDown returns to single picture as Solo clamps on a shoulder claw! Priest endures and fights up while the fans rally. Priest stands and pries the claw away, but Solo CLUBS him! Solo talks smack, but Priest ROCKS him! Priest reaches for Knight but Solo grabs his hand! Priest throws hands but Solo holds on! Priest still reaches out, still throws hands, but Solo dodges to BLAST Knight! Priest ELBOWS Solo down, but he doesn’t have anyone to tag! Solo SPLASHES Priest from behind! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Priest stays in this but Solo tags Fatu.

Fatu runs and SENTONS! The fans are torn but Fatu HEADBUTTS Priest down! And HEADBUTTS again! Fatu shouts all gas, no brakes! He HEADBUTTS Priest down, runs corner to corner, and HIP ATTACKS! Fatu snarls, he tags in Solo, and the fans boo. Solo soaks up that heat, then runs in, but Priest WHEEL KICKS Solo down! The fans fire up as Solo and Priest stir, and Knight rises! Priest and Solo crawl, hot tags to Fatu and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight fires haymakers on Fatu! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Knight whips, Fatu reverses, but then Knight didges the splash! JUMPING NECKBREAKER!

Knight scoops Fatu for the POWERSLAM! Knight mocks the geeking out, then spells it out! “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW DROP! Knight then kicks and B F- NO, Fatu powers out, swings, but into a BIG back suplex! Knight goes to the corner, he spells it out again, but Priest tags in! The fans boo and Knight is indignant, but Priest winds up to LARIAT Fatu down! Priest brings down the straps and he takes aim. But Knight manages to tag in! The fans cheer but Priest and Knight argue, Solo CLOBBERS them both! SUPERKICK on Knight! Solo stands Knight up for the SAMOAN- NO, Knight spins that around to B F T!! Cover, Knight & Priest win!

Winners: LA Knight & Damian Priest, by pinfall

The dysfunction didn’t stop them from winning, but now Knight and Priest start shoving! Then they start throwing hands! And Fatu CLOBBERS them both! The fans are torn as Fatu HEADBUTTS Knight then POSTS him! Then he POSTS Priest! HIP ATTACK for Knight! HIP ATTACK for Priest! And repeat! Fatu geeks out and the fans fire up! Fatu grabs his belt and holds it up. The fans in Dayton cheer the Samoan Werewolf, but wait! CLAYMORE!! The Scottish Terminator takes Fatu down! The fans boo but now McIntyre holds up the belt. Will McIntyre complete his Grand Slam by destroying three other men to do it?

R-Truth is cheering on Cena… in the parking lot…?

Jimmy Uso walks over and asks what Truth is doing. Truth says Cena is in the house tonight to talk Backlash. It is on! Uh, but Cena sucks, though. Whoa! Truth’s childhood hero says you should never give up, but sounds like Jimmy threw in the towel. Jimmy says No Yeet then heads out. Will Truth be the only one in the locker room on Cena’s side?

Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre.

Byron catches up with Drew and asks why he laid out Fatu, and Drew says it was a message to the Werewolf. Tomorrow night, Drew puts a silver bullet in him! But shouldn’t it be 1v1? Didn’t Drew win that #1 contender’s match with LA Knight? Didn’t Knight bring up the outside interference? Drew is a big details guy, cuz the devil is in the details. LA Knight shouldn’t have been in that match cuz he lost at WrestleMania! That’s BS! And speaking of BS, why is Priest in this match?! Drew told Priest that at Mania he would beat Priest in front of the world, in front of his family, brother, sister, father and mother, and he did that fair and square.

But Priest can’t succeed without Drew! Priest is rewarded with a spot in this match! BS!! And Fatu, the baddest dog in the yard, that’s who Drew wants to face. And when Drew wins, he’ll become a Grand Slam Champion. But Drew has some advice for Fatu so listen closely. “The problem when you’re all gas and no brakes~, is things are great when you’re mowing everybody down. But eventually, with no brakes, you hit a brick wall. And that brick wall is your next United States Champion, Drew McIntyre!” Drew heads out, will he make Backlash into a human demolition derby?

The Green Administration holds a funeral service…?

Alba Fyre says today, they are here to celebrate the Women’s US Championship reign of Miss Chelsea Green. But then Nick Aldis turns the lights on as he and Zelina Vega walk in. Aldis asks what in the world is going on. Piper Niven says sorry, this is a family and friends only event. Do they have clearance to be here? It’s HIS office! Chelsea say Alba was about to give one of the greatest #Eulogirlies, aka Eulogy for the Girlies, ever! She is in mourning! Zelina says spare us the crocodile tears. She’s mourning something she lost fair and square. So pathetic. Chelsea says Zelina doesn’t understand cuz she has zero friends!

Oh, wow, Zelina has zero friends? Well, maybe Chelsea & Piper should face Zelina and her non-existent friend in a match tonight. Aldis likes where this is going. Okay, then, see you in the ring tonight. Bye~! Zelina leaves, Chelsea says she is going through too much to do this! But she has no choice, that match is next! Just who does Zelina have in her corner to help against the Green Regime? We find out, after the break.

Aleister Black speaks.

“I guess this is the part where you expect me to speak in riddles. To pick up where I left off. Well, that part of myself, that man, I buried him. Ritualistically, violently. And funny enough, what I found six feet deep, it wasn’t death. No, no, it was the truth. And the truth is, I came back because I truly believe that I am the consequences this company so desperately needs. I am more than just the man that whispers in shadows, despite what you what me to do, despite what you think I might do. Now when I say that, I don’t mean that in a villainous way. No, this is so much bigger than just good versus evil. This is more than just the chants, the fog.

“Because this… This will cut deeper than any symbol could, deeper than I could ever do. I’m here to confront you, both mentally and physically. And you get to decide which one is worse. And as far as you, Carmelo, I haven’t quite figured you out. Or have I?” The Dark Father is still very mysterious, but will he make H1M #FadeToBlack?

Chelsea Green & Piper Niven w/ Alba Fyre VS Zelina Vega & ???

SmackDown returns as Chelsea fires Piper up. Zelina makes her entrance, and her partner is… ALEXA BLISS! Dayton cheers as their hometown girl stands side by side with La Muneca! Will these dolls make the Hot Mess & Miss P their playthings?

The teams sort out and Piper starts against Zelina. Zelina dodges Piper, runs up, but Piper scoops. Zelina slips free, Piper bucks the O’Conner, but then Zelina avoids the splash! Zelina sunset flips but Piper stays up. Zelina avoids the stomp, jumps again, but Piper catches her for a POWERSLAM! Piper drags Zelina over, tags Chelsea, and then Piper scoops and SLAMS Zelina! Chelsea goes up, up, and VADER FLOPS as Zelina moves! Zelina bumps Chelsea off buckles, JUMP KICKS her, then brings her around to ropes. Zelina calls her shot but Piper runs in! Zelina drop toeholds Piper into Chelsea! Zelina dials it up, DOUBLE 619! Cover, TWO!

Chelsea survives but Zelina points to Alexa. The fans cheer, but Chelsea THROWS Zelina down by her hair! The fans boo but Chelsea swings on Alexa. The ref keeps Alexa from retaliating, but Zelina kicks Chelsea. Zelina whips, Chelsea reverses and Piper gets a cheap shot in! Chelsea hooks a leg for a modified snapmare, then tags Piper! Piper runs and ELBOW DROPS! The Green Administration salutes but the fans boo, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Zelina fires forearms on Chelsea! Chelsea still keeps Zelina back, then she kicks low! Chelsea whips Zelina to a corner, but Zelina ELBOWS Piper! Zelina DUMPS Chelsea out, crawls her way over, but Chelsea tags Piper! Piper runs and ELBOW DROPS, but Zelina narrowly dodges! Zelina runs up, Piper catches her, then HEADBUTTS her! Piper scoops but Zelina swings to DDT! The fans fire up while both women are down! Zelina crawls, as does Piper, hot tags to Chelsea and Alexa! Dayton erupts and Chelsea panics! Alexa rallies on Chelsea, blocks a kick, and hits a DRAGON SCREW!

Alexa SLAPS, ROCKS, and runs up on Chelsea to tilt-o-whirl and RANA! Chelsea tumbles to ropes and Alexa runs in, DOUBLE KNEES! Alexa YANKS Chelsea back, then hits a BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Chelsea survives but Alexa drags Chelsea up. Alexa whips Chelsea into a corner, but Chelsea ELBOWS her away! Chelsea salutes as she climbs, but Alexa trips her up! Chelsea is in the Tree of Woe, Alexa DROPKICKS her down! The fans fire up as Alexa climbs the corner, TWISTED BLISS!! Cover, PIPER BREAKS IT! Zelina grabs Piper and hops on, CODE- NO, Piper blocks it! But Alexa KICKS Piper into the CODE RED!

The fans fire up and Zelina pushes Piper out of the ring. Zelina then METEORAS to the floor! Chelsea hooks Alexa’s arms and turns her! But Alexa powers out, and has the clinch! TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL!! Cover, Alexa wins!

Winners: Zelina Vega & Alexa Bliss, by pinfall

They might be small but they are mighty, Zelina & Alexa win big together! Will they stick together to keep the Green Administration out of power?

Rey Fenix is backstage.

And Santos Escobar finds him. Fenix doesn’t wanna hear it, and he tells Santos that Fenix won last week. No more conversation. Santos says yeah, he knows he lost. But he has one thing to say, and then he’ll go. Okay, fine, what is it? Santos asks, “Who said anything about a conversation?” LOS GARZA ATTACKS! Legado del Fantasma mugs Fenix, throws him around into road case after road case, but security and producers rush in! They get Legado to back off, and Andrade hurries over. El Idolo checks on Fenix, but did the Emperor of Lucha just get the revenge he wanted? Or will Legado work to make sure the Firebird never rises again?

Charlotte Flair is here!

Dayton is torn as The Queen struts her way to the ring. Charlotte still has someone hold the ropes open for her before stepping inside, and she smiles as she accepts cheers and jeers. Charlotte then grabs a mic to tell Dayton, “Your Queen has arrived! Here I am, coming off the greatest women’s match in WrestleMania history! And I need to give credit where credit is due. I was… I was out for almost two years, with a career-ending knee injury. And I took your champion to her absolute limit! Check this out, check this out.” Charlotte has the tron show an image of Tiffany Stratton near the end of the match.

Charlotte asks if that looks like someone who enjoyed her WrestleMania Moment? Charlotte enjoyed hers so much, she is going to announce her path back tot he WWE Women’s Championship! The fans are even more divided over that and she asks why they’re so disrespectful. Seriously! Why?! Charlotte is the Women’s Wrestling GOAT! THE Greatest Of All Time! See, if you continue to be this disrespectful, she will just leave Dayton and never come back. The fans cheer that! Charlotte says last chance, Dayton! The fans say bye bye already, and Charlotte throws her mic down in frustration! Charlotte storms off to the back, but then wait! “A storm is coming.”

Jade Cargill makes her way out here, the fans cheer, and Jade stares Charlotte down as they cross paths. Charlotte and Jade move on, but then Jade grabs that mic. Jade wants Charlotte to wait. “Before you go… You had your chance. Now head to the back of the line.” Jade throws shade, but will she be shining in the spotlight with her golden ticket? Or will the Irresistible Force make sure no one gets to Tiffany before her?

Charlotte returns backstage.

She argues with Aldis about leaving. He says she can’t just walk out. She isn’t “walking out,” she’s just leaving. Aldis says this is not how professionals handle business. Charlotte says she has done more for this division than anyone, and this is how he’s treating her? Aldis says she should be a leader and lead by example, not throw a temper tantrum when things don’t go her way! She says she can’t do this, and she wants her driver to take her to the airport. But then someone slams the door shut! It’s Alexa! And Alexa says, “Let’s chat.” A curious move from Lil’ Miss Bliss, but what does she have in mind for The Queen?

WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Nia Jax VS Jade Cargill!

SmackDown returns and Nia makes her entrance. But then wait! “It’s Tiffy Time!” Tiffany Stratton makes her way to ringside so she can watch this in person. The bell rings, Jade and Nia circle, and they tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Jade manages to push Nia back a couple steps. Nia digs in her heels and pushes Jade back those steps. Jade turns things around to put Nia in a corner, the ref counts, and Jade lets off at 4. Nia wants a timeout and talks trash on Tiff. Tiff talks trash back, then Nia rushes Jade. Jade slips around, waistlocks, but Nia ELBOWS her away. Nia CLOBBERS Jade and soaks up the heat.

Tiff and the fans boo but Nia whips Jade to a corner. Jade goes up and over, runs and RAMS Nia! Nia rebounds to RUN Jade over! Nia flexes, Tiff and Dayton boo more, but Nia soaks it up. Nia runs in and BACK ELBOWS Jade! Jade sputters, Nia brings her around, but Jade fires hands! Nia shoves Jade, Jade dodges and hurdles! Jade then SHOULDER TACKLES Nia down! The fans fire up and Tiff applauds as Jade brings Nia up. But Nia fights the fireman’s carry with knees and elbows! Nia fireman’s carries and SAMOAN DROPS! Jade sputters again and Nia runs, to drop the leg, brother! Cover, TWO!

Jade survives, Nia grows frustrated, but Tiff talks more trash as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Nia lifts Jade with a STRETCH MUFFLER! Jade endures, uses her core to sit up, and she sunset flips over! But Nia stays up! Only for Jade to avoid the hip drop! Tiff cheers for Jade to get going, and Jade hurries to bring Nia up! Jade fireman’s carries and the fans fire up for Jade’s SAMOAN DROP! Jade rises up again as the fans cheer her on! Jade runs up on Nia to ROCK her! And then ROCKS her again! Nia blocks the third shot to KNEE low! Nia brings Jade around, suplexes, but Jade fights that to suplex Nia! The fans fire up and Jade kips up! Jade huffs ‘n’ puffs and runs in at the corner, but Nia puts her on the apron!

Jade RAMS Nia, slingshots up and over and keeps moving, SUPERKICK! And a SUPERKICK! Nia staggers, into the SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Tiff is excited just like the fans as Jade watches Nia rise again. Jade runs up, but Nia gets under the boot! POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Jade survives and Nia is shocked! Nia shakes her head, rises up, and she drags Jade to a drop zone. Nia goes up, up, but Jade SUPERKICKS! Jade then ROCKET LAUNCHES Nia off the corner!! The fans fire up and Tiff cheers Jade on! Jade roars, climbs, and FROG SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!! Nia survives and Jade is beside herself!

Jade drags Nia up, reels her in, but Nia elbows free! And TOSSES Jade to a corner! Nia SPLASHES, then runs corner to corner, only for Jade to BOOT her down! Cover, TWO!? Nia survives and Jade is beside herself! BUT WAIT, NAOMI ATTACKS TIFF!! The fans freak out as Naomi RAMS Tiff into steel steps! Jade sees Naomi and wants after her, but Nia CLOBBERS Jade from behind! SENTON! Nia drags Jade to a corner while Naomi stomps away on Tiff! Nia goes up, up, and A-NIA-LATES Jade!! Cover, Nia wins!

Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Women’s Championship)

Give an assist to Naomi, Tiffany did not #ProceedWithCaution! Will Naomi help Nia tear Tiffany apart and take the title from whatever’s left?

The Street Profits walk the halls.

Mia Yim & B-Fab are there, and Michin says, “DAYUM! Y’all look messed up.” Fab says they still look so good drippin’ in all that gold. That TLC match was nothing less than fab-u-lous! The Profits thank Fab for that, and Fab says Dawks & Tez are doing their thing. Ford tells the ladies that they never lie. But also, they heard Mia & Fab put their foot down and talk tag titles. Tonight, right now, Ford & Dawkins are gonna do the same thing. Fab says tell ’em! Ford & Dawkins head to gorilla, what will the WWE Tag Team Champions have to say about what’s next? We’ll find out, after the break.

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Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (5/9/25)

TGIROHF!

Published

3 hours ago

May 9, 2025

Steven Mitchell

ROH? On a Friday? AND on YouTube?!

That’s right! ROH is on a Friday evening, and free on YouTube! Bandido VS Gringo Loco, and Red Velvet VS Laynie Luck, all on the Proving Grounds! Will contenders earn golden tickets to title opportunities? Or will the champions stand tall in Atlantic City?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Satnam Singh VS ???
Pure Rules Match: Deonna Purrazzo VS Ashley Vox; wins.
Jay Lethal VS Atlantis Jr; wins.
Spanish Announce Project VS Blake Christian & Lee Johnson; win.
Marina Shafir VS Leila Grey; wins.
ROH Women’s World Television Championship Proving Ground: Red Velvet VS Laynie Luck; wins and
ROH World Championship Proving Ground: Bandido VS Gringo Loco; wins and