Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE 205 Live Report! (4/10/18)

Published

7 years ago

April 10, 2018

Steven Mitchell

All images courtesy of the WWE Network streaming service

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kalisto VS Akira Tozawa; Kalisto wins.
Drew Gulak VS Mark Andrews; Gulak wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

We finally have a new WWE Cruiserweight Champion!

The finals of the Cruiserweight Championship Tournament, as started by 205 Live General Manager, Drake Maverick, happened on the Grandest Stage of Them All! The Heart and Soul of 205 Live battled fast and furious, pitting every ounce of their determination, grit and desire against each other. Cedric Alexander would derail one 0-5-4, survive another, and avoid the last before giving Mustafa Ali a powerful Lumbar Check. The Age of Alexander begins, how long shall it reign?

Percy Watson joins the 205 Live commentary team!

Just like Nigel McGuinness–who will be back in a couple weeks–Mr. Showtime himself now covers both 205 Live and NXT! And what a night to make his 205 Live debut on, as Cedric Alexander will be here later on to celebrate.

Kalisto VS Akira Tozawa!

Ahead of next week’s Cruiserweight Tornado Tag match, the Lucha House Party’s Samurai of the Sun and the Stamina Monster of the Rising Sun go mano y mano to gain momentum for their respective teams.

The bell rings and the two circle. Tozawa points out the chants for him before he ties up with Kalisto. They go around in a circle and Tozawa gets the waistlock, but Kalisto pries his way out to an arm wrench. Tozawa rolls to reverse the wrench, then shifts to the wristlock. Kalisto cartwheels and reverses the wristlock, bringing Tozawa to his knees. He brings Tozawa back up to a headlock, but Tozawa powers out. They speed up, Kalisto handstand walks and handsprings to headscissor Tozawa. Tozawa backs off to a corner, Kalisto starts up a “Lucha! Lucha!” chant. Tozawa comes back and they circle again. They tie up, Tozawa puts Kalisto up against the ropes. The break is clean but tense, and Tozawa starts up “AH! AH!” chants.

They tie up again, and Tozawa puts Kalisto in a corner. Tozawa backs off to stomp Kalisto, then whips him corner to corner. Kalisto goes up and over and things speed up again. Kalisto sunset flips, Tozawa rolls through, Kalisto ducks the Penalty Kick and rolls Tozawa but Tozawa ducks the Listo Kick. Tozawa flips Kalisto to his feet and fakes the chop, to hit the jab! Kalisto staggers to a corner and Tozawa starts up another “AH! AH!” chant while he stomps a mudhole into Kalisto. Tozawa backs off for just a moment, then brings Kalisto back up. Kalisto hits back with body shots, but Tozawa rocks him with another stiff jab. Tozawa snapmares Kalisto, runs and hits the Penalty Kick and the back senton. Cover, TWO, but Tozawa keeps on Kalisto with a chinlock.

Kalisto powers his way up and fights out of the hold, but Tozawa rocks him again with another stiff right. Tozawa chops Kalisto to a corner, then chops him again. He clubs and stomps Kalisto in the corner, then brings Kalisto up for a corner to corner whip. Kalisto slips out as Tozawa runs in, and then he swing kicks Tozawa away. Kalisto springboards and hits the seated senton, then keeps moving for a springboard corkscrew crossbody! Fans fire up as Kalisto mule kicks and runs, he hits Tozawa with a Spike-rana! Cover, TWO!

Tozawa rolls to a corner but Kalisto dropkicks him in the back. Kalisto stands Tozawa up, rams in a shoulder, then puts him on the top rope. Kalisto climbs up to join Tozawa, “Lucha House Party, baby!” But Tozawa fights back with body shots. They brawl up there, but Tozawa knocks Kalisto down. He’s in the drop zone, but springs up to swing kick Tozawa. Kalisto climbs up again, but Tozawa again fights him. Kalisto uses a headbutt, but it’s a bit double-edged as they both wobble. After some adjustments, Kalisto brings Tozawa up, for a rebound Spanish Fly!

Cover, TWO! Kalisto grows frustrated, but he crawls over to Tozawa on the mat. They brawl on their knees, then up to their feet. They throw right forearms back and forth, but Tozawa gets the edge. Kalisto comes back with furious palm strikes and an elbow! Tozawa back kicks, swings but slides under, spinning roundhouse! Cover, TWO! Now Tozawa feels frustration while Kalisto gets to a corner. Tozawa is in another corner and fans chant “AH! AH!” while he takes aim. He runs corner to corner but Kalisto evades to then SUPERKICK Tozawa! Tozawa is dazed, Kalisto keeps on him with a knee to the stomach, and then a rolling Death Valley Driver!

He keeps going, kicking Tozawa in the chest. Tozawa sits up again, so Kalisto kicks him again, and again. Every time Tozawa sits up, Kalisto kicks him down. Kalisto backs up to a corner, fires up, and runs in, but into a monkey flip that sends him into buckles! The referee checks on Kalisto while Tozawa drags himself to the apron. Tozawa pulls himself up to the top rope while Kalisto is still down. He stands up and takes aim, but Kalisto rolls out of the way. Tozawa isn’t bothered, he hops down and builds speed to blast Kalisto with a baseball slide dropkick that sends him into the announce desk! Then he builds more speed to DIVE!

The Tozawa Torpedo hits and sends Kalisto back into the announce desk. Kalisto staggers while Tozawa gets back on the apron, for a cannonball! The fans are fired up, and so is Tozawa. He gets Kalisto back in the ring while fans chant “205! 205!” Kalisto is in the drop zone, fans chant “AH! AH!” while Tozawa climbs up. SUPER SENTON, but into Kalisto’s knees!

Kalisto’s knees hurt from that impact almost as much as Tozawa’s back. The fans rally while Kalisto drags himself to his feet. Tozawa also stands, Kalisto runs for a second Spike-rana, but Tozawa blocks it! Tozawa brings Kalisto up but Kalisto rolls through to a sunset flip, TWO into Tozawa’s seated cover, TWO, but Tozawa comes back with a jackknife cover. TWO as Kalisto bridges out! Kalisto goes for a backslide but Tozawa flips over, only to run into Salida Del Sol!

Cover, Kalisto wins!

Winner: Kalisto, by pinfall

Lucha House Party’s leader gains major momentum for the coming Tornado Tag match with this victory. Will the result be the same when Gran Metalik and Hideo Itami are added to the mix? Or will Tozawa & Itami beat some respect out of their rivals?

Tony Nese talks with Mark Andrews backstage.

The High-Fiving, Stage-Diving Welshman is a bit surprised to be seeing the Premier Athlete ahead of his match with Drew Gulak. But Nese was Gulak’s friend, until he turned into “this sadistic, egomaniac.” If anyone deserves vengeance on Gulak, it’s Nese. But he still hopes Andrews goes out there and kicks Gulak’s ass. With the 8-pack powerhouse supporting him, can Andrews settle his grudge with the gritty Philly grappler?

Drew Gulak VS Mark Andrews!

Just as Tony Nese said, the self-proclaimed greatest grappler in the Cruiserweight or any Division in the WWE today has grown in arrogance as well as aggression. Can Andrews settle the score with the Philly Fury here in New Orleans?

Before the match, Gulak speaks. “I am nothing if not a man of the people, and I have heard your concerns.” Gulak asks, “What better time than now, for myyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy…! POWERPOINT, PRESENTATION~!!” Fans are so excited for its return, but “the answer to that question is, ‘anytime but now.'” Fans boo. There’s a time for presentations, but not when Gulak is destroying the “pop-rock dimwit”, Mark Andrews. This is not Microsoft Office master, Drew Gulak, no. This is “the best submission specialist in the WWE!” It doesn’t matter who you are, you step to Gulak, you WILL tap out. Gulak finishes his speech just in time, so that he isn’t interrupted by Andrews’ entrance.

The bell rings and they tie right up. Gulak powers Andrews back then whips him to ropes, but Andrews collides with him shoulder to shoulder. Neither man backs down, so Andrews speeds up and throws Gulak with a headscissors then with arm-drags. Gulak blocks the third arm-drag but Andrews slips around to the other side and gets the hat trick. Gulak slips out of the ring to catch his breath, and Andrews waits for him to return. The ring count begins but Gulak takes his time. He returns at 7 and shoulders into Andrews, but Andrews comes back to kick at the leg. Andrews kicks Gulak around the ring but Gulak brings him down with a wristlock. Gulak keeps Andrews grounded with wristlock after wristlock, then grinds a knee into his chest.

The fans rally for Andrews and Andrews rolls and handsprings to flip Gulak over. Andrews walks right into Gulak’s scoop, and Gulak goes for the dragon sleeper! Andrews resists then manages to victory roll Gulak, TWO! Gulak gets to a corner, Andrews runs in but Gulak puts him on the apron. Andrews shoulders back in, then slingshots over, into a wheelbarrow bulldog! Fans fire up for Andrews while Gulak gets out to the apron. Gulak shoulders in but Andrews counters with a dropkick. Andrews joins Gulak on the apron, and hops up for a huricanrana, but Gulak goes to counter with a powerbomb. Andrews slips out on the back end, but Gulak shoves him into the turnbuckle cross bars! Down goes Andrews, and Gulak watches him writhe in pain.

Gulak leaves Andrews to the mercy of the ring count while embracing the heat. The count reaches 5 as Andrews stirs, he beats the count at 7. Gulak goes right at Andrews with springboard stomps, then brings him up into a cravat neck wrench. Andrews endures, reaches, and fights out while the fans rally. Gulak snapmares but Andrews lands on his feet, only for Gulak to run him over with a back elbow. Cover, TWO, but Gulak keeps his cool. He brings Andrews up for a pendulum backbreaker, then another. Cover, TWO, so Gulak puts on a chinlock. Gulak squeezes and grinds Andrews while fans rally again. He wants Andrews to give up, but Andrews refuses. Gulak wrenches and thrashes Andrews around, but Andrews endures. Andrews powers up and fights back but Gulak grounds him with a knee to the ribs.

Gulak bends Andrews back in a chickenwing chinbar, but fans keep rallying. Andrews feeds off the energy to fight back again, but Gulak knees him down again. Cover, TWO, but Gulak grins as he toys with Andrews. He grabs Andrews’ wrist and pulls as he stands on Andrews’ throat. The referee counts, Gulak lets go at 4, but then goes back for another chinlock. Andrews endures and fights back again, jawbreaker rocks Gulak. Gulak shakes it off but Andrews hits him with a forearm. Andrews ducks the punch to enziguri Gulak! Gulak staggers and falls to his knees while Andrews gets space. Fans build to a rally again, and Andrews runs in for the 619 to the stomach!

Gulak staggers again, Andrews takes aim and springboards for the crossbody! Andrews fires up, and hits a corkscrew standing moonsault! Cover, TWO! Andrews catches his breath while Gulak gets to ropes. Andrews whips but Gulak holds ropes, so Andrews throws a forearm. Another try but Gulak reverses, so Andrews tilt-o-whirls into the crucifix. They go ’round ‘n’ ’round, and Andrews brings Gulak down in the crucifix!

Cover, TWO, and Andrews grows frustrated. Andrews gets to a corner and climbs but Gulak grabs his foot. Andrews enziguris Gulak away, then runs for another wheelbarrow, but Gulak shoves him away, to then clobber Andrews from behind! Cover, TWO! And Gulak is shocked. Gulak glares at Andrews, and slowly brings him up by his beard. Andrews revives and starts chopping away at Gulak! Gulak hits back with palm strikes, and now it’s a slap fest! Gulak shoves Andrews, tilt-o-whirl on the rebound, but Gulak blocks the DDT! He suplexes Andrews, but Andrews counters into StunDog Millionaire!

Down goes Gulak, and fans fire up for Andrews as he hurries to a corner. Andrews climbs up, takes aim, but Gulak rolls away to the far side. Andrews hops down and walks over, only for Gulak to yank him into buckles! And then Gulak drags Andrews into the Gu-LOCK!

Andrews taps, Gulak wins!

Winner: Gulak, by submission

This time, Gulak is merciful and lets Andrews out at the bell. He continues to prove how talented a submission wrestler he is, but is he truly the best in the WWE today?

Wait, Gulak isn’t as merciful as he seemed. He goes back to Andrews, and puts him BACK in the Gu-Lock! The referee tries to stop Gulak while Andrews flails around, but it’s Tony Nese to the rescue!

The Premier Athlete hits the ring and hits Gulak with a takedown and fast hands! Gulak scrambles away but Nese FLIES!

He takes out Gulak, then fires up in the ring! Nese dares Gulak to get up and finish this, but Gulak wants no part of an angry former friend. “You always were a cheater.” This grudge is far from settled, will Nese defeat his nemesis in the gritty grappling Gulak?

205 Live General Manager, Drake Maverick, meets with a new team.

He has heard their request, and will grant it. These two superstars will be in Cruiserweight Tag Team action next week, but he does have some reservations about it. Who is he referring to? Why, it’s the Ungentlemanly Alliance, Jack Gallagher & THE Brian Kendrick!

Maverick admits he’s rather happy to have the Man with a Plan back in action, but reminds everyone that given the eye-injury Kendrick suffered at the hands–or rather, knee–of Hideo Itami, Maverick just hopes this won’t turn into “a vendetta”. Gallagher says, “Frankly, Mr. Maverick, a vendetta with Mr. Itami at this point, it’s beneath us.” Kendrick adds that he’s just as happy to be back, and as far as Itami goes, “consider it water under the bridge.” Maverick doesn’t seem quite convinced, but we can all be sure that with this team back, the budding Cruiserweight Tag Team Division just got a whole lot… crueler.

Drake Maverick heads to the ring.

The man formerly known as Rockstar Spud has been all smiles the last 48 hours in regards to the Wrestlemania Cruiserweight Championship match. He speaks to the New Orleans crowd to say, “I’m not gonna keep you, but I just wanna say, has this been the best weekend of WWE or what?!” The fans agree, it’s been pretty great. Maverick admits that nothing made him prouder than being appointed 205 Live General Manager. And he thinks they’re doing a hell of a job, don’t you? He sat ringside right by the announce desk–John Cena was in the front row–but Maverick was over on the other side, and watched “the Heart and Soul of 205 Live battle it out” for the title, “and they tore the house down!” Now, that brings him to present the NEW Cruiserweight Champion himself, Cedric Alexander!

The Carolina Kid is here and proudly holding onto his title after fighting for so long to get it. He enters the ring to join Maverick, and Maverick hands him the mic to speak. Fans let him know, “You Deserve It!”, and he thanks them. He wants to say that two years ago, everyone chanted, “Please Sign Cedric!”, and because of that, Alexander made it all the way to Wrestlemania to walk out a champion! Fans chant, “Yes You Did!” Alexander keeps it simple, and on behalf of himself and his family, “Thank you.” He loves them all, but before he can say more, Mustafa Ali appears.

The Beacon of Light walks to the ring and stands across from Alexander. Fans chant for “Mustafa! Mustafa!” to show they respect him as much as they do Alexander. Ali speaks, telling Alexander, “I came out here to tell you something face to face.” As his Wrestlemania opponent, as a member of the Cruiserweight Division, and as Alexander’s friend, Ali wants to say that Alexander doesn’t just deserve it, he earned it. They shake hands while fans applaud. Ali lets Alexander know there’s a long line of challengers waiting in the back, but fans are hoping for “One More Match!” between these two friends. But Ali reminds Alexander he’s still in that line. Another man who is in that line is Buddy Murphy! But where is he? He’s behind Alexander! And he gets the champion up for Murphy’s Law!

Maverick and Ali don’t notice until Alexander hits the mat, and by the time they react, Murphy’s out of the ring. Fans boo and jeer but the Best Kept Secret doesn’t care, he made his statement. Ali checks on Alexander while Maverick reprimands Murphy. Murphy was going to get his opportunity, he didn’t need to do this! But again, Murphy doesn’t care. Ali and Alexander both glare at Murphy, but Murphy just signals that he’s coming for that belt. Will the Age of Alexander survive when it goes up against the Aussie Action Hero?

My Thoughts:

A pretty good episode of 205 Live, all things considered. Great to see Percy Watson moving up in commentary, and I assume that means once Nigel returns, all WWE programming will have three person teams. Kalisto VS Tozawa have a great opener, but something confused me about Kalisto having this singles match but Lince Dorado taking his place in next week’s Tornado Tag. That aside, great for Kalisto to win, keeping him afloat in the Cruiserweight singles division. And with the return of THE Brian Kendrick, the Cruiserweight Tag Team Division… Well it can actually be one now. And them claiming they’re done with Itami is surely foreshadowing that they aren’t, and will attack during the Tornado Tag to prompt a Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship match involving all three teams.

Gulak VS Andrews left a bit to be desired, though. It didn’t help that something happened in the crowd to distract so many. I will note that it at least looked like one of the largest crowds 205 Live has had, and they at least snapped back to attention in time for the important parts. Gulak wins to stay strong going into the feud we’ve been waiting for: Team PowerPoint Civil War! This has been building since the ‘Zo Train turned them on each other, and now we finally get to progress with it. The Cruiserweight Championship celebration was more an acceptance speech, but it was still great. I thought Ali was going to turn, but he’s too popular for that, so leave it to Murphy to be Heel! He kinda botched his ambush, but oh well. A match of Murphy VS Alexander is going to be physical and incredible.

My Score: 8/10

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Tanahashi’s Final Road to New Beginning!

Evil couldn’t end President Ace, but will The House of Torture still take the NEVER Openweight Six Man Championships from him?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Time Limit Draw.
YOSHI-HASHI & Katsuya Murashima VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Oiwa & Jackson win.
8 Man Tag: El Phantasmo, Jado, Shota Umino & Togi Makabe VS The United Empire; ELP, Jado, Shota & Makabe win.
Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Taiji Ishimori; Sanada & Taiji win.
Tomohiro Ishii & Tomoaki Honma VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Naito & Hiromu win.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins and become the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.
Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, El Desperado & YOH VS TMDK; TMDK wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture!

Evil tried to make WrestleKingdom 19 the last time we saw President Ace in this ring but he failed! However, his minions will not stop in trying to ruin the rest of Tanahashi’s last year. Will Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Sho take these titles back to the House? Or will The Ace, Joker & Rook stand tall?

The House walks out here showing off the belts they literally stole back at New Year Dash, but now the tables have turned! Tanahashi and team attack The House from behind! The fans cheer as The House finally tastes their own medicine! Tanahashi snatches back the belts so that he, Yano & Oleg can stand with them in the ring. The House protests but they’re one to talk. The introductions are skipped, the bell rings, and the brawl is back on as Tanahashi’s team goes back out after The House! Yano whips Sho, but Sho reverses to send Yano into railing! Sho stomps away on Yano, then helps Ren mug Oleg!

Yujiro turns things around on Tanahashi, and then he brings Tanahashi out to No Man’s Land! Sho bends Oleg’s fingers, puts his hand through the railing and pulls! The fans rally for Tanahashi’s team while the ref reprimands The House. Yujiro puts Tanahashi in, then he, Sho & Ren all stomp away! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but The House all put one out on Tanahashi. Yujiro stands Tanahashi up, then he and Sho double whip Tanahashi corner to corner. Yujiro runs in but Tanahashi dodges! Tanahashi then dropkicks Sho’s leg, then he dropkicks Narita’s leg! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs at Yujiro.

Yujiro dodges, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him away! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up again as Tanahashi air guitars. Tag to Yano and he TOSSES Yujiro out! Yano then brings Yujiro out into No Man’s Land, then to the back of the crowd to THROW into some open chairs! The fans cheer as Yano brings out that Great Bash Heel side, but the ref reprimands Yano. Yano tells the ref to leave him alone, and he has a chair! The ref stops Yano from hitting Yujiro! Yano argues with the ref, but now Sho & Ren mug Yano! The ref reprimands them but the mugging continues. Ren leads the ref away so Sho & Yujiro can CHOKE Yano with a chair!

The fans boo while The House also beats up Oleg & Tanahashi. Yujiro drags Yano up and then brings him back to ringside to POST him! Ren brings Oleg around with a headlock and sends him into railing! Then more railing! Then into the crowd! Yujiro uses Yano’s red chair to CHOKE him! The ring count finally starts, but Ren JAMS Oleg up with a chair! The count reaches 10 of 20 and The House returns to the ring. Yano is still down at 15! The fans rally, Yano rises up at 17, and he lurches in at 19! The fans cheer but Yujiro is annoyed. Yujiro drops a leg, then an elbow, then a HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Yano stays in this, but Ren sends Tanahashi into railing! Yujiro tags Sho, Sho CHOKES Yano with a boot to the neck! The ref counts, Sho stops, then Sho TOSSES Yano out! Sho keeps the ref distracted while Ren JAMS Yano up with a chair! Ren pushes Yano in, Sho covers, TWO! Yano survives and Sho is frustrated. Tag to Ren, he drags Yano up, and Ren whips Yano to ELBOW him down! Cover, TWO! Ren BLASTS Tanahashi off the apron! Ren grins as the ref now keeps Oleg back. Ren CHOKES Yano on the ropes, Sho joins in to CLAW Yano’s eyes, but then the ref counts. Ren lets off and Yano flops down.

Ren drags Yano up, but Yano pulls hair! Ren breaks free, knees low, then runs up. Yano dodges, clinches, and BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES! The fans fire up, Yano hot tags Oleg! Oleg jumps in and CLOBBERS Ren! Oleg then deadlifts Ren, but Sho attacks! The fans boo, Sho runs, SPEAR bounces off of Oleg! Oleg then deadlifts Sho! Shake, Shake, Shake! But Yujiro CLUBS Oleg! Yujiro & Ren double whip, but Oleg DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLES! The fans fire up and Oleg runs at the corner to SPLASH Ren! Then he scoops and TOSSES Ren! The fans fire up as Oleg then runs to SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

Ren survives but Oleg deadlifts Ren right to the fireman’s carry! Ren fights free, CHOKES Oleg, but Oleg breaks free! Oleg winds up but Ren ducks the chop! Ren CHOKES Oleg, the ref counts, but Oleg CHOKES Ren! The fans cheer, and then Oleg TOSSES Ren to the corner! Tag to Tanahashi and the fans fire up! Oleg and Tanahashi haul Ren up, double whip him corner to corner, then Tanahashi sends Oleg in! Oleg ELBOWS Ren, then Tanahashi SPLASHES! Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Ren into the drop zone! Oleg goes up, up and VADER BOMBS! Tanahashi goes up to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, Yujiro breaks it!

Oleg CLOBBERS Yujiro for that, then goes out after him. The fans fire up as Tanahashi powers up. Tanahashi runs, but Sho gets a cheap shot in! Ren BOOTS Tanahashi, tags Sho, and Sho BLASTS Yano! Yujiro turns things around on Oleg and now The House double whips President Ace! Sho runs in to forearm SMASH! Yuijro BOOTS! Ren ELBOWS Tanahashi! Ren & Sho snapmare Tanahashi, then hold the legs open! Yujiro shoves the ref aside, then FALLING HEADBUTTS Tanahashi down low! The fans boo but now Sho covers, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and Sho argues with the ref! The fans rally for Tanahashi, but Ren has his repaired pushup bar!

Ren takes aim, Tanahashi dodges, SHOTEI! Sho kicks, Tanahashi blocks to DRAGON SCREW! Yujiro runs up, but gets caught into a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up as Tanahashi crawls for his corner! Hot tag to Yano! Yano unties a buckle pad! The fans cheer, Yano whips, but Sho reverses! Yano stops from hitting the buckles, then he dodges Sho to send him into bare buckles! Yano rolls Sho up, TWO!! Sho escapes but Yano hurries to get Sho’s legs! Oleg hops in, CATAPULT into Oleg’s BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up as Yano then stands Sho up, ONIGO- NO, Sho fights free! Sho dodges, but the ref stops him from hitting a low blow!

The ref and Sho argue, but Yujiro & Ren mug Yano! They double whip Yano, but Yano grabs ropes. Yano then sends Ren into Yujiro to DOUBLE LOW BLOW them! Atomic drop for Sho! Tanahashi runs up, SLINGBLADE! Oleg deadlifts Sho right into a fireman’s carry and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! But YOSHINOBU KANEMARU is here! The Heel Master gets on the apron, but Young Lions already apprehend him! Yano hauls Sho up, for ONIGOROSHI!! Cover, KANEMARU TOSSES THE YOUNG LION ONTO THE REF! The fans boo but Kanemaru attacks Yano! But then Yano hits him with an atomic drop!

Kanemaru WHISKEY MISTS!? Sho LOW BLOWS Yano!! Sho rolls Yano up, HOUSE OF TORTURE WINS!!

Winners: The House of Torture, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

What a travesty! A miscarriage of justice! Evil isn’t even here, but his army of darkness just won the gold! Yano is upset, Tanahashi is disappointed, but Oleg is mad! Oleg storms back in, only for Yujiro to BELT SHOT him down! Yujiro then kicks Oleg out, and shows he’s pretty sore from the low blow. Will these belts help the House feel much, much better?

Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, El Desperado & YOH VS TMDK!

The Fierce Warrior won the New Japan Ranbo to earn his shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, so that means he and Zack Sabre Jr. will do battle for the New Beginning! Will the Rogue Luchador & Direct Drive help Goto gain the upper hand? Or will Kosei Fujita & Robbie Eagles help The Mighty Front Man prepare for war?

The teams sort out while all of TMDK’s title belts are put aside. The Japanese Young Punk steps to Despy, so Despy accepts. The fans cheer and the bell rings. Despy and Fujita stare down while the fans rally. Despy has the majority, and the two circle. They feel things out, Despy facelocks but Fujita slips around to waistlock. Despy slips out, moves around, but Fujita stays on him. They go around, break, and the fans cheer. They tie up, Despy wrenches to hammerlock, but Fujita elbows free to hammerlock back. Despy switches, Fujita switches, repeat! They go hammerlock for hammerlock, but then Despy top wristlocks to wrangle FUjita!

The fans cheer, Fujita fights up, but Despy shifts to a cording hold. Fujtia whips but Despy reverses and arm-drags! Fujita comes back, he avoids the arm-drag, and then he CHOPS! Despy is stinging, but Fujita CHOPS him again! And CHOPS him again! The fans cheer, Fujita CHOPS again, but now Despy CHOPS! Fujita CHOPS, Despy ends up in the Mighty corner, and Eagles tags in. Eagles CHOPS, but then Despy CHOPS! Eagles shoves Despy and says he’s bored. He wants Yoh! The fans rally for Yoh, so Despy tags him in. The fans cheer as Yoh and Eagles circle. Wait, Yoh starts up the “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!”

Eagles is rather amused, and says not bad. Eagles starts it up for himself, but Yoh sneaks up! Eagles stops the schoolboy and sits on the cover, TWO and Yoh has the sunset flip! TWO, both men stand and point at the other! The fans applaud, then Yoh kicks low. Yoh whips, Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Eagles runs in, Yoh sidesteps but Eagles hurdles. Eagles RANAS then WHEEL KICKS! Eagles kips up and the fans cheer. Eagles puts Yoh in a corner, and he says “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP! “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP! “ROBBIE!” CHOP! “ROBBIE!” CHOP! “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP!

The fans cheer while Yoh flounders around. Eagles whips, Goto sneaks a tag, then Goto & Yoh DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Eagles! They BLAST ZSJ and Fujita, then call to Despy! Despy says no thanks, they can go ahead. “Se~ no!” DRUM BEAT on Eagles’ back! Goto asks if Despy is sure he doesn’t want in, and Despy says it’s fine. Goto CLUBS Eagles, but Eagles fires body shots! Eagles fires a forearm, but Goto knees low! Goto fireman’s carries, but Eagles fights free. Eagles waistlocks, Goto elbows free and runs, only for ZSJ to trip him up! Eagles BLASTS Yoh & Despy off the apron while Fujita basement dropkicks Goto!

ZSJ spins Goto around to be on the apron, then gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans cheer and ZSJ brings Goto out to UPPERCUT him down! ZSJ brings Goto up to UPPERCUT again, then UPPERCUTS him again! Goto stumbles and falls, Eagles CHOPS Yoh, and Fujita CHOPS Despy! ZSJ brings Goto up and wrenches his arm, then wrenches it again. But Goto fires forearms in return! ZSJ UPPERCUTS Goto again, the CHOPS continue by the ramp side, and ZSJ puts Goto in. Eagles tags ZSJ in whiel Fujita and Despy CHOP each other back and forth. ZSJ clamps on a headscissors and he squeezes tight!

Goto endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go cleanly and brings Goto to the corner. Tag to Fujita and he stomps Goto. Fujita drags Goto up while fans rally, and Fujita wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Fujtia wrenches again, ELBOW BREAKER! And again, ELBOW BREAKER! Fujita wrenches, top wristlocks, and he wrangles Goto to the mat. Fujita STOMPS that arm, then he tags Eagles. The Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions get Goto’s arms while ZSJ steps in to have a leg! Goto endures as TMDK cycles through the armlocks and leglocks! Red Shoes counts but TMDK keeps rotating before he reaches 4!

Then TMDK returns where they started, and Goto endures the DOUBLE STRAIGHT ARMBARS and INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Red Shoes counts, all three men let go at 4! ZSJ stands, he still has the deathlock, and he bridges back! Goto endures, keeps his shoulders up, but ZSJ stands to tag in Eagles. Eagles drags Goto around, then hits a KNEE JAMMER! Tag to Fujita, they drag Goto up, and they double whip him to ropes. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down, ZSJ hops in for a NECK TWIST! Goto sits up into a DOUBLE PENALTY KICK! Cover, Despy breaks it! The fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands.

Despy stands down, but Fujita BLASTS him off the apron! Fujita drags Goto up, wrenches, and whips him to a corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP, then he snapmares to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Fujita coordinates with TMDK. Fujita drags Goto up, and he wants to do the Chaos drum thing? ZSJ isn’t so sure but Eagles is for it. Eagles steps in, but Yoh runs up! Eagles kicks Yoh, and “Se~ no!” Eagles & Fujita DRUM on Yoh! The fans cheer and ZSJ acts like he doesn’t know what’s going on. The fans cheer for ZSJ to join in, but he puts up the X, that’s not for him. Eagles & Fujita DRUM away on Goto!

Goto stands up and grabs Fujita by the face! Eagles CLUBS Goto, he and Fujita double whip, but Goto DOUBLE LARIATS first! The fans fire up while they’re all down! ZSJ storms in and grabs Goto’s leg! ANKLE LOCK! Goto endures, fights around, and rolls through to throw ZSJ! ZSJ comes back to RAM Goto, then he runs, only for Goto to RUN him over! The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Despy! Despy runs at the corner to ELBOW Fujita! Despy reels Fujita in for a suplex, high and hard! Cover, TWO! Despy fires up and the fans are with him! Fujita underhooks, PINCHE- NO, Fujita fights free!

Fujita swings but Despy blocks the chop! Despy knees low, whips, but Fujita reverses to GAMANGIRI! The fans cheer while both men are down! Fujita roars while he rises up, and he storms back to Despy. Fujita waistlocks, deadlifts Despy, but Despy fights the suplex with elbows! Despy is free, but Fujita runs up to slip around and backslide! Despy rolls through, Fujita KICKS him down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Fujita fires up again. Fujita drags Despy back up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Despy fights that. Despy wrenches, but Fujita ROCKS him! Despy ROCKS Fujita in return!

Fujita and Despy keep the wristlock while they fire forearm after forearm back and forth! The fans rally up as the shots go faster and faster, but then both men wobble! Fujita fires a forearm, then another! Despy ROCKS Fujita in return! Despy runs, Eagles slips in, SOBAT! Fujita UPPERCUTS! Eagles scoops Despy but Yoh makes the save! Eagles kicks Yoh, he and Fujita double whip, but Yoh reverses to crisscross them into each other! FALCON- NO, Eagles slips out, but Yoh switches! Yoh feeds Eagles to Despy’s ELBOW! Yoh reels Eagles back in, FALCON ARROW! The fans fire up but Fujita runs up!

Despy & Yoh double kick, double whip, but Fujita DOUBLE SHOTGUNS! Fujita kips up, the fans fire up, and Fujita whips Despy, but Despy reverses to SPINEBUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita and Despy crawl for their corners, hot tags to Goto and ZSJ! The fans fire up as both men run in, Goto LARIATS ZSJ! Goto roars and the fans are with him! Goto fires a flurry of forearms, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! ZSJ survives and Goto fires up again! Goto fireman’s carries but ZSJ pulls on an arm! Goto powers out and ROCKS ZSJ!

Goto runs, ZSJ wrangles him to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Eagles & Fujita BLAST Yoh & Despy off the arm! They have Yoh & Despy stuck on the outside with armlocks while ZSJ has the DISARMER! Yoh breaks free of Eagles and DROPKICKS ZSJ! Eagles returns to SUPERKICK Yoh! Despy is in, Eagles slips around and feeds him to Fujita’s MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up and TMDK drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms on Eagles & Fujita! They DOUBLE CHOP, then double wrench! MAX- NO, Goto fights free and kicks Fujita! Goto deflects Eagles’ kick to LARIAT! Fujita kicks Goto, runs, but Goto follows! LARIAT!

ZSJ RAMS Goto, whips, but Goto reverses! Fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! The fans fire up while ZSJ clutches his head. Goto hauls ZSJ up, dragon sleepers, but ZSJ drops down! Goto drops onto ZSJ for a cover, TWO!! ZSJ is up, Goto sends him into a corner! RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP, into a GOTO SAN SHIKI!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ escapes, BOOTS Goto, then runs! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Goto roars, runs, but ZSJ KCIKS the lariat, PELES the other arm, then SWEEPS the legs! Goto falls, but then sits up, into a PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up and ZSJ hurries to drag Goto back up.

ZSJ scoops, ZACK- NO, Goto slips free and has the SLEEPER! Goto sits ZSJ and rolls him, GOTO NI SHIKI!! TWO!! ZSJ has the legs, JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH, with bridge!! TMDK WINS!!

Winners: TMDK, by pinfall

It was a fast and furious finish of technical holds, but who else but the best technical wrestler in the world would pull it out? Goto is frustrated for getting caught like that, but will he avenge himself in just 12 days?

As for TMDK, Eagles starts off by saying, “G’day, Sendai!” Eagles then pretends to check his watch, and asks, “Rocky doki desu ka? <Where is Rocky?> Zabishii. <How lonely.>” The fans chuckle at Eagles’ fake crying, and Eagles then tells Yoh & Rocky that next month in Osaka, see you then! The fans applaud, and then Eagles offers the mic to Fujita. The fans cheer Fujita on, and Fujita accepts. “That lariat turned me inside out, so I’ll keep this short! I’m beating El Desperado!” The fans cheer that, ready to see Fujita challenge Desperado for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on Tuesday, February 4th!

And lastly, that brings things to The Front Man. ZSJ takes the mic to say, “People of Sendai, thank you very much!” The fans cheer, but then ZSJ tells “Ko-kun” and “Robbie-chan” to “cut that drumming bit. It was lame.” The fans chuckle again, and ZSJ says 2025 isn’t the Year of the Snake. No, it’s all orange! ZSJ promises that TMDK won’t just paint NJPW orange, but the entire world! “Osaka will be here soon enough. Goto, this is your last chance. Let’s make the most of it.” The fans like the sound of that! ZSJ says they’ll end with this: This year revolves around TMDK! Arigato gozaimashita! The fans are ready, will the New Beginning in Osaka be Mighty?

My Thoughts:

A very good event for NJPW, though “Road to” always indicates more tune-up filler than thriller. Gabe Kidd going after Yota Tsuji and the Global Heavyweight Championship is an interesting development, but that is going to be a great match. The NEVER Openweight Six Man Championship match was really good stuff, and I was only a little surprised that The House of Torture won. Firstly, Tanahashi has to lose those titles at some time, so might as well pull off the Band-Aid now before The New Beginning events. Then this works with the story from Oleg and Josh Barnett where Barnett wants to help Oleg reach that singles title level.

And very good Six Man Tag main event to not only build Goto VS ZSJ but also Desperado VS Fujita. Great win for TMDK, but we have a lot of other Road to New Beginning events to build Goto VS ZSJ. A lot of filler 10 Man Tags are on the schedule, but I probably won’t be bothering with those. Despy VS Fujita will be great, but Fujita and Eagles are already the tag champions, so I don’t see Fujita winning. As for Goto VS ZSJ, ZSJ said it himself that this is very likely Goto’s last chance at ever being the top champion in NJPW, but I don’t see Goto winning. It’ll be an epic battle, but I feel like ZSJ is going to stay on top.

My Score: 8.7/10

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.30.25

Are we gonna get consecutive weeks of momentum or we gonna get the “LOL TNA” moment already?

Published

3 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Andrew Balaz

Coming off the first Live iMPACT! in 8 years, it has been pretty universally agreed upon that it was not a bad show. Good favor, a larger audience then they’ve had in years and TNA actually did fairly well establishing themselves as not a third rate duelist.

Let’s see if the good tidings continue or if things start to well…TNA.

The official liaison between @WWENXT and TNA, @AriannaGraceWWE, was rudely interrupted by Tessa Blanchard while speaking with @MeanGiaMiller!

Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/9IIhMDrtkn pic.twitter.com/8ImgauBAiO

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 31, 2025

Ratings:

Cora Jade vs Hyan: Cora wins via Jaded – ** 1/2
Brian Myers w/The System vs Leon Slater: Myers wins via Roster Cut – ** 3/4
Laredo Kid vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via 450 – ** 3/4
Eric Young & Josh Alexander vs Sinner & Saint: No Contest? EY Turned Heel – N/A
Ace Austin vs Wes Lee w/Tyson & Tyriek: Wes wins via Cardiac Kick – ***
Kaiba Boys (Nic & Ryan Nemeth) vs Fir$t Cla$$: Kaibas win via Danger Zone – ***

Results:

Nic Nemeth comes out to talk, doesn’t complain and says he’s just gonna dust himself off and start again. Ryan comes out to complain on behalf of “hiissss brrooother” and run down Hendry. Nic is playing babyface still and Ryan is instigating is typical little brother fashion. Nic tries to appease Ryan saying this could be a big year for both of them, so Fir$t Cla$$ music hits and KC Navarro cuts them off and hands off to AJ Francis. Ryan get mad at them interrupting, Nic tries to calm the situation but Ryan decides to agree to a tag match that Nic doesn’t seem like he wanted to go there. But Santino comes out and makes it official.

EXCLUSIVE: @XiaBrookside welcomed @WWENXT's @CoraJadeWWE to #TNAiMPACT, but things got HEATED fast!

Don't miss #TNAiMPACT TONIGHT at 8/7c on @AXSTV in the US, @Sportsnet 360 in Canada, and streaming worldwide on TNA+!

Get 1 month FREE of TNA+ with code: NXTNA pic.twitter.com/LP8ghA78Pv

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 30, 2025

Cora Jade vs Hyan

Hyan tries a Pump Kick, Cora catches it, lays her out and kicks her feet up in the corner getting cocky. Snapmare with the Hair, into a Springboard Single Stomp from Cora, Hyan is getting throttled along the ropes and putting up much of a fight to start. Hyan is usually just enhancement talent in TNA, even though she does have a solid pedigree in the indies and internationally. Hyan finally moves so Cora smashes herself into the corner, Wasteland from Hyan for a 1 count, Cora counters Hyan’s attempted offense and then hits Jaded for the win!

The match did what it needed to, Cora tried to lay in the boots further, Xia runs out to make a save but Cora baits her into a false sense of security and goes after Xia. So Masha comes out for the save on the person who made the save. Cora comes off looking pretty good and Masha scaring her off helps Masha’s aura.

.@MeanGiaMiller tries to get answers out of @WesLee_WWE, @TyriekIgwe_WWE and @_Tysonwwe_ for his attack on The Rascalz ahead of Lee's match with @The_Ace_Austin TONIGHT on iMPACT!

Watch #TNAiMPACT now on TNA+: https://t.co/9IIhMDrtkn

Get one month FREE with code: NXTNA pic.twitter.com/UIU5GgiylE

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 31, 2025

Brian Myers w/The System vs Leon Slater

Myers grabs the quick Headlock into the Shoulder Tackle and welcome back to 1997 wrestling starts. Myers got cocky, shot Leon into the ropes and eats a Shoulder Tackle from Leon, so a little showboating from Leon gets under Myers skin and causes him to make a few missteps. Leon hits the Feint Mule Kick into the Handspring Back Elbow for 2, but when he tries to continue, Myers pulls him down into the buckles. Myers looks for a Spear, Leon Leap Frogs and Myers eats turnbuckle. He powders, the System shields him from a dive, and we’re starting to see the numbers game come into play.

A Thrust Kick from Myers rocks Leon as he’s coming back in, Strong Irish Whip into a Gator Roll and then Sleeper Hold. Again, offense brought to you by Bill Clinton. Leon gets away from the Sleeper, tries to hit the ropes and Myers does his Baseball Slide Trip. Slow heel moves from Myers, Sleeper, Facelocks, Back Elbows…just slow classic heel offense. Leon tries to fire, eats a Knee Lift. Irish Whip but Leon counters by hoping the ropes to the apron, quick pop shot and then Springboard Crossbody into a series of Lariats and a Shotgun Kick! Leon has the momentum, Blue Thunder Bomb for two! Leon goes to the top, Myers is up, Leon rolls to the other side to avoid Myers, Myers eats a Leg Lariat from Leon and Myers pushes off, Bicycle Kick, Thrust Kick into Implant DDT for only two! Myers looks to Spear, gets rolled up in a Small Package, Kick out, dumped outside, Leon flies over the corner onto Myers!

System surrounds Leon, tries to get a few shots, but Leon has some quick offense for everyone. In the chaos, Lish puts a Ring on Myers’ hand so a Loaded Punch into Roster Cut and Myers wins!

Laredo Kid vs Mustafa Ali

Slow start with Ali being arrogant into a Lucha stalemate section where there’s Satellite counters, Headscissors and a powder to break the nonsense. Corner counters, Overhand Chops from both, they tussle on the top rope, Ali backflips off the ropes, Laredo tries a Crossbody but Mustafa hits a Dropkick. Grounded Abdominal Stretch from Ali, Laredo tries to fight up and out, but Ali slams him back down, talks smack, slaps him and then eats a Michinoku Driver out of nowhere! But only a two count! Ali manages to pull Laredo into the corner pads, tries a dirty pin with feet on the ropes but the referee sees it, Laredo tries a Roll-Up in the disarray, Ali kicks out, they run back and forth, Ali just slides out thinking he’s outsmarted Laredo but Laredo hits the Suicida for a solid pop. Ali pokes the eye and grabs at the mask, Laredo is off kilter, Ali baits Laredo through the corner, hits the Draping DDT off the apron, slides Laredo back in and 450 for the win.

Eric Young & Josh Alexander vs Sinner & Saint

Jabroni duo comes out, and they look stupid, their music is generic Hot Topic trash and the one with hair walks like he’s pretending to be a Delirious fused with a Dinosaur. They look so insanely pathetic.

Dino-nerd tries a stand switch and suplex but Josh no sells and looks like the older sibling judging the little sibling’s stupidity. Bald jabroni tags in, does nothing, blind tag just for Josh to single handedly lay both out. Of course they’re trying to establish the loser squad, so the eventually have a good defensive moment that catches Josh and isolates him in their corner. He still mostly takes care of both of them. This is honestly pathetic.

Locomotion counter switches in the corner before a Shotgun Kick wipes out Josh, Dino-nerd tries a Lio Rush style splash but misses, Josh tags out, EY looks to tee off but he turns and lays out Josh. EY turns heel…that was not on my Bingo Card, but I’m not mad about it. EY has the maniacal look in his eyes again, so Sanity or Violence by Design could be back? Can he call the group SAnitY since they’re working with WWE now?

Ace Austin vs Wes Lee w/Tyson & Tyriek

Things start slow then a few quick strike spots from Ace. A grounded Heel Kick and Enzuigiri rocks Wes, Wes slingshots back in, Sunset, Ace dodges tries to stay crouched to get cute but Up Kick from Wes kicks Ace in the face. Wes crotches Ace on the top rope, Enzuigiri, Suicida leaves Ace laying on the ramp. Wes hits the Street Fighter combo in with Ace shoved in the corner, the crowd chants “Boring” so Wes revels in the negativity and mockingly does the Rascalz taunt. A few quick shots and Ace kicks out at one and holds the ropes as Wes just lights him up with kicks. Ace asks for more, and goes full Strong Style. A few round kicks to the chest before Wes decides to do the hell thing and a Spinning Thrust Kick to the side of the face. Wes puts Ace in a Key Lock and Ace struggles to his feet before barely slipping the lock.

They trade strikes, Triangle Kick misses for Ace but he manages to connect after with a strike, a few more, Click Click Boom, Seated Miz Lariats in the corner, Wes falls out of the corner, Triangle Kick for the near fall, but the offense isn’t over and Ace hits the Gutwrench Sitout Powerbomb! Ace looks for The Fold, Tyson and Tyriek make their presence felt, Ace does the apron dance and kicks them both in the face. Wes gets dumped out of the ring, Ace with a Fosbury Flop (not the best one he’s done), Tyriek picks the ankle long enough to slow down Ace as Ace walks into the Cardiac Kick!

Wes and crew attacks Ace after the match, so The Rascalz make the save. We’re obviously going to get a 6 man soon, and this is perfectly fine.

Kaiba Boys (Nic & Ryan Nemeth) vs Fir$t Cla$$

AJ starts with Ryan and just shoves him away and demands Nic, Nic gets the best of AJ but AJ tags in KC and KC gets in a few quick shots, some cute counters and showboating before eating a Dropkick from Nic. AJ comes in to try and take out Nic, the Kaibas take out AJ and then dump KC into AJ’s arms and hold the ring going to commercial.

During the commercial a little blind tag and Spiderman in the ropes taunt from KC caught Ryan off guard so First Class is in control. AJ is beating the hell out of Ryan in the ropes, then hits Tennessee Whiskey for the “Money Money Money” taunt. KC tags himself in and starts slapping Ryan around, Dropkick into 305 as KC cuts off Ryan from Nic, throws Ryan in the corner, Rolling Uppercuts, Snapmare, Roll through, Chest Stomp into a near fall. KC tags in AJ and a little tandem offense gives them another near fall but Mokuba refuses to lose…so far. AJ steps on Ryan’s chest and then lays in a few Overhand Chops. AJ slowing things down, looks for a power move but Ryan slips it into a Sleeper Attempt but AJ counters and slams Ryan down for another two count. Two Sidewalk Slams after getting bounced out of the corner, but Ryan keeps kicking out.

AJ takes Nic off the apron, looks for another Sidewalk Slam but Ryan turns it into a Satellite DDT. Simultaneous tag time, KC eats the fire from Nic, two Lariats, Stinger Splash, Rude Awakening, 10 Count Shots to the Heart for…AJ breaks it up! AJ looks for a Down Payment but Nic slips, Superkick, Ryan tries to rock AJ to no avail so they both Lariat AJ out and Avalanche Polish Hammer from Ryan lays out AJ. KC tries the Flash Pinfall but Nic rolls out, a few quick shouts, Spinning Heel Kick from KC for a 2 count. Nic hits a FAMEasser into Danger Zone after Ryan’s blind tag so Ryan gets the cover as Nic just laughs and takes it in.

Overall Score: 6.25/10

Nothing to really be offended by. Some of the stuff was a little low stakes or obvious filler, but stories moved forward with Cora, Wes and the Kaibas. Plus you know, Eric Young turning on Josh is a little unexpected. EY has been the fill in Dreamer/Scott with the “Ra-Ra” speeches and feel good crap for significant shows, so having him go back to Maniac is a nice twist.

Tessa also steering into this “Locker Room bully” persona is smart. It’s not a stretch from what people already think, so steering into the skid is very smart. I may not have been blown away by anything in this episode, but it was definitely decent and did a solid enough job showcasing the partnership and not making the TNA talent feel like an after thought.

All in all, very nice.