Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Special in San Francisco! (7/7/18)
NJPW returns to the United States for another G1 Special! So many stars and so many titles will be featured in this massive event, from the Ticking Time Bomb defending his Jr. Heavyweight Championship, to a Dominion rematch for the Tag Team Championships, to the Bullet Club leaders facing off for THE Heavyweight Title!
Gifs can be found courtesy of http://frentique.tumblr.com/
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 10 Man Tag: Chaos’ Yoshi-Hashi, Gedo, Rocky Romero & Roppongi 3K VS The Bullet Club’s Guerrillas of Destiny, Haku, Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens; Bullet Club wins.
- Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano VS Minoru Suzuki & Zack Sabre Jr; Ishii & Yano win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kushida VS Hangman Page & Marty Scurll; Hangman & Scurll win.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Jeff Cobb; Goto wins and retains the NEVER Openweight Championship.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks VS EVIL & SANADA; The Young Bucks win and retain the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships.
- Kazuchika Okada & Will Ospreay VS Tetsuya Naito & Bushi; Okada & Ospreay win.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi VS Dragon Lee; Hiromu wins and retains the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.
- IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Jay White VS Juice Robinson; Juice wins and becomes the new IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion.
- IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Kenny Omega VS Cody; Omega wins and retains the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW is LIVE in the Cow Palace!
The “Madison Square Garden of the West” is host to another amazing G1 Special. Five titles are on the line, from the Junior Heavyweight to THE Heavyweight Championship. Rivalries are renewed and new ones are being born. Will the Superkick Party survive a rematch with SANADA & EVIL? Can Hiromu Takahashi get one over on Dragon Lee? Will The Cleaner’s first ever reign end at the hands of the American Nightmare? Is Bullet Club truly (not) fine?!
10 Man Tag: Chaos’ Yoshi-Hashi, Gedo, Rocky Romero & Roppongi 3K VS The Bullet Club’s Guerrillas of Destiny, King Haku, Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens!
It’s a MASSIVE showdown between two equally massive factions! Will Chaos conquer the Bullet Club in this opening bout? Or will dysfunction be put aside so that Bullet Club can stand tall?
The teams sort out and while fans chant “Too Sweet! Woop Woop!”, Yoshi-Hashi starts against King Haku. The bell rings and the two circle. Haku swipes at Gedo while fans chant for the Father of the Guerrillas. He and Hashi tie up, and Haku gets the waistlock. Hashi elbows out and then gets a headlock, but Haku powers out. They collide but neither man falls. Haku runs but that clothesline barely does a thing. Hashi runs again and that dropkick drops Haku. Hashi throws hands and backs Haku down, then whips corner to corner. Haku reverses to then clothesline Hashi in the corner! Haku tags Tonga Loa, but Tama Tonga comes in, at the same time. They triple headbutt Hashi together!
Fans chant “G O D!” for Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa. Rocky tags in, but he’s clearly the underdog here. He runs but barely moves Loa. Loa dares him to go again, but the result is the same. Rocky tries a third time, but still nothing. Things speed up on the fourth, and Rocky gets the headscissors! Rocky revs up to start on those endless clotheslines in the corner. He hits five, before Loa picks him up! Loa carries Rocky corner to corner while Tama Tonga comes in, BIG splash in the corner! The rest of Chaos is taken out by the other members of Bullet Club and it’s a brawl on the outside. Haku hits Rocky with a piledriver! Cover, TWO!
Tonga grabs the ref, not standing for the disrespect towards his legendary father. The referee is spared while Loa covers. TWO, but Rocky is alone in the Bullet Club corner. Loa puts Rocky into Chase’s boot, then tags Chase in. Chase hits a body shot, then throws haymakers. Rocky chops back, but Chase knees low. The Crown Jewel lifts Rocky for the pendulum backbreaker. Cover, TWO, but Chase keeps on Rocky as he tags in Tokyo Pimp. Yujiro mule kicks then snapmares Rocky, then hits a leg drop. Cover, TWO. Yujiro keeps Rocky in a chinlock, but fans rally up for Rocky. Rocky gets up and fights out, backing Yujiro down. He runs, but Yujiro picks him up while Chase takes out RPG3K.
Yujiro whips and kicks Rocky, Chase adds a kick, then Yujiro back suplexes Rocky. Rocky slips out, so Chae tries. Rocky slips out again, then ducks to double headscissor! Fans rally up while Rocky crawls. Hot tag to Yoh! Yoh rallies with dropkicks, then a dragon screw to Yujiro, then one to Chase. Yoh suplexes Yujiro but Yujiro slips out. Yujiro waistlocks but Yoh backs him down, and Sho tags in. Sho runs, takes out GoD, then hits Yujiro with a clothesline. Yoh hits one, theN Sho, then Poetry in Motion! RPG3K combine, but Yujiro slips out to push them into each other. Inverted DDT to Sho, then hot tag to Tama Tonga! Tonga stomps away on Sho, then scoop slams for the elbow! Fans fire up with him as he whips Sho. Sho SPEARS Tonga, then crawls for his corner. Tag to Gedo, and Gedo stalks Tonga.
Gedo jabs and jabs, but Loa stops his haymaker. Gedo throws hands on Loa, then jawbreaker to Tonga. He aims, but Tonga blocks the kick. Chase bicycle boots, but Hashi blasts him. Yujiro gets Hashi with the basement dropkick, but RPG3K combine for backstabber to shotgun kick! Loa hits both Sho & Yoh down, but Rocky springboards to hit both GoD! Rocky runs, and DIVES on Loa! Gedo SUPERKICKS Tonga, but Haku throat thrusts Gedo! The Samoan King has the throat, and feeds it to the Gun Stun cutter! Cover, Bullet Club wins!
Winners: Bullet Club, Tama Tonga pinning
While there is unrest in the rest of the Bullet Club, it would seem this unit of five is just fine with each other. Will this be the foundation of the faction after things settle down up top?
Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano VS Minoru Suzuki & Zack Sabre Jr!
The Stone Pitbull and the Producer have had their run-ins with the Meanest Man in the World and his Submission Master protege. Needless to say, it didn’t go well for the Chaos duo. But in this rematch in the States, will things even out? Or will Ishii & Yano again #JustTapOut?
The Pitbull dares the King of Pancreas to bring it, so at the bell, he does! Suzuki goes right at Ishii with boots, then whips. Suzuki boots in the corner, then whips again. Ishii comes back with a forearm, but now it’s a brawl. Back and forth, fast and furious, neither man backs down but the fans love it! There’s no end to it, but Suzuki gets the edge. He whips Ishii but Ishii runs him over. Ishii eggs Suzuki on, but ZSJ tags in. And now Yano wants in! Ishii tags, but Ishii goes after Suzuki without hesitation. As for Yano, he circles with ZSJ, but he’s very scary. Yano uses the ropes for safety, but then asks for a handshake. ZSJ takes it, only to get the wristlock. Yano grabs the ropes, but ZSJ holds onto the wrist. He lets go at 4, then waits for Yano.
Yano wants another handshake, ZSJ gets another wristlock, but Yano rakes the eyes. Yano gets to the ropes and taunt ZSJ. ZSJ grabs a leg, reels Yano in for several European Uppercuts, but Yano pulls him down by his hair. Yano celebrates, but ZSJ goes after the arms! ZSJ gets double wristlocks but Yano manages to get to the ropes. However, it’s on Suzuki’s side of the ring. Suzuki lets ZSJ Pele Yano’s arm before going after Ishii again! Suzuki puts Ishii into railing while ZSJ stands on Yano’s head. ZSJ wraps Yano up in an Indian deathlock while Suzuki chops away on Ishii. ZSJ bridges to put on leverage, then shifts to adding an armlock. Yano endures being tied up like that, and starts back pedaling for ropes. ZSJ grabs the other arm, but Yano uses a leg.
Fans rally while ZSJ lets go of Yano. ZSJ tags to Suzuki, and together they torture Yano with a Fujiwara armbar and Achilles Lock. Then they switch! Ishii protests, but that only gives the devious duo more time to damage Yano’s limbs. They flip Yano over for both an armbar and a heel hook. The referee finally sees and gets ZSJ to leave. Suzuki tags in ZSJ, and it’s just more of the same anyway. Tag back to Suzuki, and Suzuki throws hands on Yano. Suzuki mocks Yano, toys with him, but fans boo and jeer. Suzuki runs, but into an atomic drop! Yano tags Ishii, and he runs in, but into a boot. It does nothing! Ishii and Suzuki brawl again. Ishii runs, then forearms Suzuki, then corner clotheslines him! He trash talks Suzuki, then toys with him.
Suzuki only grows angry from those toying kicks to the head. Suzuki throws another forearm, but Ishii dares him to give more. Ishii hits Suzuki, then slaps him in the head. Suzuki gives Ishii a stiff forearm, then another. Ishii staggers, but stays standing. So Suzuki just gives him another shot, and another. Suzuki keeps going, and Ishii hits the mat. Ishii is okay to continue, so Suzuki toys with him now. Ishii stands and starts throwing forearms on Suzuki. He slaps Suzuki while trash talking, but Suzuki just sticks out his tongue like a wild man. Suzuki throws so many palm strikes, then gets Ishii in a sleeper hold! Ishii throws Suzuki off, then runs, but Suzuki gets around for another hold. Ishii throws Suzuki with a back suplex!
Fans rally up while both men crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Yano and ZSJ! Yano rakes the eyes, then goes for buckle pads! ZSJ stops him just in time, but Yano throws ZSJ off. Yano sings, but misses, and ends up in an octopus stretch. Suzuki picks up the pad to smack Yano with it. Suzuki throws Ishii out and they brawl on the outside again. ZSJ catches Yano’s low blow, then the haymaker, into the bridging pin, TWO! EuroUpper! ZSJ runs but into bare buckles! Yano shoves him at the ref, but ZSJ stops himself short. Low blow blocked by leg strength! But then Ishii runs ZSJ over! Yano covers, Chaos wins!!
Winners: Chaos, Yano pinning
What a shocking exchange! Yano’s trickery and Ishii’s toughness win out, but that just pisses Suzuki off. Suzuki grabs himself a chair, then rushes the ring. Security and Young Lions work to stop Suzuki, and manage to get him away from the ring. But ZSJ makes one of them pay for it by throwing him to the ground. Then Suzuki SMACKS the other with that chair. This feud is far from over, will Suzuki show any mercy next time?
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kushida VS Hangman Page & Marty Scurll!
The Ace and the Time Splitter have had their issues with the Problem Solver and Villain in their own paths before, but now all four men converge tonight. Can the main unit boys overcome Bullet Club’s proverbial lieutenants tonight?
Fans duel while both teams egg each other on, but things sort out to start with Scurll and Kushida. The junior heavyweights circle and tie up. Kushida gets the waistlock but Scurll reverses, only for Kushida to reverse back. Scurll spins and rolls to reverse back, but Kushida gets a takedown. Kushida grabs the facelock, and holds on as Scurll rolls. Kushida floats all over, then gets a waistlock. Scurll pries his way out but it ends up a full nelson. Scurll breaks it with a bump, then gets a full nelson of his own. Kushida tries to copy but ends up in an octopus! Kushida pries his way out to bring Scurll down but Scurll headscissors. Scurll takedown but Kushida headscissors, so Scurll flaps his wings. Tag to Hangman and Tanahashi!
Now the heavyweights circle, and fans are strongly behind Tanahashi. He and Hangman tie up, and Hangman reverses to a wristlock and headlock. Tanahashi powers out to his own headlock, but Hangman pulls on hair! Kushida protests, but that allows Tanahashi to pull Hangman’s hair. They go into a corner and Tanahashi throws body shots. He whips Hangman but Hangman reverses. Hangman runs in, but into a back elbow, and Tanahashi leaps for a crossbody! Tanahashi air guitars and fans fire up. Tanahashi mocks the wings and Scurll gets upset. Tag to Kushida, and Kushida drops ax handles on the arm. Kushida wrenches Hangman’s arm, then whips, but Hangman holds ropes. Hangman dumps Kushida out while Scurll takes out Tanahashi. They run together, SUPERKICK to SHOOTING STAR from the apron!
Fans chant “Too Sweet! Woop Woop!” while Hangman & Scurll target Taguchi himself. Taguchi doesn’t want any trouble, but that doesn’t stop them. They club Taguchi down and bring him into the ring. They double whip, he goes to hip attack, but they get clear. Taguchi crashes and burns out of the ring, having hurt his behind. Scurll grabs Kushida, and the Bullet Club double whip, drop toehold, dropkick, then shooting star and fist drop! Cover, TWO! Hangman keeps on Kushida and bumps him off Scurll’s bot. Tag to Scurll, and they work together again. Double whip Kushdia corner to corner, and Scurll hits the clothesline. He becomes a step stool but Kushida gives Hangman the Poetry in Motion! Kushida then handsprings to back elbow Scurll down! Fans rally while Kushida crawls. Hot tag to Tanahashi!
Tanahashi rallies on Scurll, whips corner to corner, but Scurll reverses. Tanahashi still comes out with a back elbow, then he wipes Hangman out for good measure. He gives Scurll a Dragon Screw, then fires up. Fans fire up with him as he scoop slams Scurll down. Tanahashi climbs up, somersault senton! Cover, TWO! Fans rally again as Tanahashi runs, but into Scurll’s crossface chicken wing! Scurll almost has it, but Tanahashi pries his way out. Fans rally for Tanahashi as he keeps those hands apart. Tanahashi breaks free but runs into a palm strike. He knocks Scurll down with one of his own, then tags Kushida. Kushida fires off on Scurll, but Scurll hits the leg. Kushida hip toss, cartwheel and dropkick!
Scurll dodges the Penalty Kick, and Hangman comes in to rock Kushida with a right. Tanahashi returns, but Hangman gets him first. Tanahashi reverses the whip to Slingblade Hangman down! Scurll comes back and fakes Tanahashi out for the mule kick. Scurll stomps Kushida’s hand, then grabs the fingers. Shh! Kushida breaks free but runs into a EuroUpper. Scurll runs into a spinning forearm, then ends up in a takedown, Hoverboard Lock! Tanahashi intercepts Hangman for the Cloverleaf! Double submissions, but Hangman crawls out of the ring. Scurll stands up while Tanahashi misses his slingshot. BUCK SHOT from Hangman! Tag to Hangman, and he jackknifes into Rite, but sunset flip! TWO! Discus forearm meets Pele! Kushida kicks out the arm, then runs, but Hangman blocks the Hoverboard, into RITE OF PASSAGE! Cover, Bullet Club wins!
Winners: Bullet Club, Hangman pinning
A mostly clean win from the devious Villain & Problem Solver, but a win is a win. Will Hangman do the same to Tanahashi in the G1 Climax tournament? Or will the Ace fine a way to win out in the end?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Jeff Cobb!
The All-Pro Universal Champion is quite the monster with his strength and speed, but he goes up against the Fierce Warrior for another belt. Will Chaos’ constant be able to conquer Mr. Athletic in this first-ever meeting?
The belt is presented and the bell rings as we begin! Fans are strongly behind Cobb as he circles with Goto. They tie up, and Cobb backs Goto to the ropes. Cobb honors the break, and they circle again. They tie up again, and Cobb again powers Goto to ropes. Goto turns it around, but Goto honors the break, for a moment. Goto kicks and clubs away on Cobb, then stomps. Fans boo and jeer, but Goto tunes them out as he whips Cobb. Cobb reverses, and the two collide. Cobb doesn’t back down, but he does let his hair down while Goto eggs him on. Goto tries to hip toss but ducks the clothesline, but not the flying shoulder!
Cobb drags Goto up and throws forearms and EuroUppers. He whips Goto corner to corner, then grabs Goto for a BIG overhead suplex! Fans rally up but Cobb runs into a boot. Goto goes up, but Cobb yanks him off and to the mat. Cobb drags Goto up, and gives him a stiff chop. Goto chops back, but Cobb chops again. Cobb whips but Goto dodges to bait Cobb over and out! Goto then slingshots, and wipes Cobb out! Goto gets up to club away on Cobb, then puts him into a post! Fans boo and jeer as Goto goes after Cobb more. The 20 count begins, but Goto puts Cobb back in at 8. Goto stalks Cobb with stomps, then brings him up for elbows. He snapmares Cobb, to drop the elbow. Fans boo and jeer more, but Goto just drops another. Cover, TWO!
Goto drags Cobb up for a neck wrench. Fans rally as Cobb endures, but Goto switches to a headscissors hold. Goto squeezes Cobb and props himself up. Cobb endures, then rolls his way to a ropebreak. Goto lets Cobb go, but then drags him up for another snapmare and chinlock. Cobb endures while fans rally again. Goto goes to drive in an elbow but Cobb blocks it! Cobb powers out, then dropkicks Goto down! Both men are down but fans rally up. Cobb staggers to ropes, then waits for Goto. He throws a forearm, then a chop, repeat. Cobb whips Goto corner to corner, and hits a leaping uppercut! Cobb lifts and swings Goto with the Sidewinder! Cover, TWO! Cobb is a bit surprised, but he’s not done yet.
Cobb drags Goto up, then lifts for a torture rack. Running slam! Fans fire up, because Cobb still has more. Standing moonsault, but it misses as Goto rolls away! Both men are down again, but fans rally again. Each man gets to a corner, then Goto runs in for the spinning heel kick! Goto suplexes Cobb, cover, TWO! Goto drags Cobb up, but fans are on Cobb’s side. Cobb resists the fireman’s carry with back elbows, then blocks the boot to give a stiff forearm. Cobb drags Goto up, scoop onto the shoulder to bump off buckles and hit the Oklahoma slam! Cover, TWO! So close but so far from finishing this match. Cobb stands up again, then runs, but the two collide with clotheslines. Neither falls, so they go again. They still stay up, so they go again, and it’s Goto that gets flipped! Standing moonsault hits! TWO!!
Cobb is shocked, but not done yet. He throws Goto, then scoops, but Goto slips out to a sleeper hold! Cobb gasps, reaching for ropes. Fans rally up and Cobb gets a second wind to throw Goto off. Goto and Cobb both stand, but Cobb sees Goto coming. Goto dodges the boot to give the spinning clothesline. Cobb dares him to do more, so Goto headbutts. Goto lifts Cobb, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives and that shocks Goto now. Goto brings Cobb up, but Cobb denies GTR with a suplex. Goto knees out, and tries to turn Cobb again. Cobb resists, so Goto clubs him. Reverse GTR! Cover, Goto wins!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall; still NEVER Openweight Champion
The Fierce Warrior manages to hold off the powerful behemoth that is Jeff Cobb. Goto starts over with this first successful defense, will he be able to hold onto it for a long time?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks VS EVIL & SANADA!
It’s a rematch from Dominion 2018, where “the best tag team in professional wrestling” took those titles from Los Ingobernables de Japon’s heavy hitting duo. Matt & Nick Jackson won in Osaka, but can they throw a victorious Superkick Party in their home state of California?
Fans chant “The! Elite! The the Elite!” for the champions as always. Cold Skull Sanada starts against Nick with the bell. They circle, but Sanada hits Matt. So Nick hits Evil! Nick whips but Sanada reverses, and things speed up. Nick stops himself but Sanada blocks the kick to spin Nick around for the dragon sleeper! Sanada lands on his feet through the snapmare, but Nick dodges the dropkick. Nick drops an elbow but Sanada dodges. Sanada drops an elbow but Nick dodges. Matt drops an elbow, Sanada dodges, then Evil drops a back senton but Matt dodges. Nick grabs Evil in headscissors but Sanada does the same to Nick. Matt comes back and grabs Evil’s legs. Fans sense what’s coming, as does Sanada, Sharpshooter that flips everyone over! A strange chain of submissions there.
But with only two men legal, there’s something illegal about this, so the referee has them all break. Matt regroups with Nick while Evil goes out. They double whip Sanada, hip toss and back-flip dropkicks! Headscissor dropkick for Evil, and fans fire up for The Bucks! The Bucks double whip Sanada again, double kick, then the alley-oop, but into a dropkick from Sanada! Evil blocks Matt’s kick, and feeds it to the ref, to then mule kick Matt in the ass. Matt rolls out from being butt hurt while Sanada grabs Nick. Sanada drags Nick over to a neutral corner, then whips him corner to corner. Sanada hits the corner clothesline, but Nick boots back. The boot is caught, and Sanada drags Nick out into the paradise lock! Nick is a pretzel, so Sanada dropkicks him out of paradise!
Tag to Evil, and LIJ drag Nick up for double whip. Back elbow to back senton, then cover, TWO! Evil grabs Nick into a half surfboard with those arms. Fans rally up and Nick feeds off it. Nick works against the hold but Evil keeps him grounded. Nick powers up again, but still can’t get free. Evil digs in a knee but fans keep rallying for Nick. Nick tries one more time, and manages to turn it around, only for Evil to turn it back around. So Nick dropkicks out! Fans rally again, and Nick crawls, but Sanada trips Matt right off the apron! Fans boo and jeer, but Sanada doesn’t care. Evil attacks Nick, then rakes the eyes. He whips Nick corner to corner but Nick slides out to trip up Sanada. Nick runs into Evil, but slips out of the back suplex to tag Matt!
Matt rallies on LIJ, but they get him with kicks. LIJ double whips, but he dodges to leaping lariat them both! Matt grabs Evil to throw haymakers and chops. Matt whips Evil but Evil holds ropes. Evil throws Matt to the apron, but Matt shoulders back in, then takes out Sanada with a cutter! Matt sunset flips in, legs to the Sharpshooter! The Cease is in, but that back bothers Matt again. Evil gets a ropebreak, so Matt tags to Nick. Nick kicks Sanada for good measure, then coordinates for the slingshot X-Factor. Nick goes to asai onto Sanada, but Sanada dodges to asai into dragon sleeper! Matt sees his brother in danger, and wrecks Sanada with a dropkick. But then Evil knocks Matt out, to build speed. SUPERKICKS! Sanada springboards, double missile dropkick! All four men are down but the fans are loving it.
Fans duel while all four men stir. Nick tags in Matt, but Evil tags in Sanada. Sanada and Matt trade haymakers back and forth. Matt kicks, then whips Sanada, but Sanada back elbows. Sanada quebradas, dragon sleeper, but Matt slices bread to get it on Sanada. Sanada turns it around again, for the swinging dragon sleeper! He climbs up top, moonsaults, but Matt evades. Sanada tumbles back out to the apron, but Matt gets him with a triangle jump DDT to the apron! Nick climbs up and aims at Sanada, 450 splash! Cover from Matt, TWO! The Bucks can’t believe it, but this isn’t over yet. Matt puts Sanada in the Sharpshooter, but Sanada drags himself towards ropes. Nick hits the swanton! Then he intercepts Evil, to FLY!
Sanada is alone, enduring the Sharpshooter. Sanada drags himself towards ropes, drawing so close to either the break or the tap. He powers up and gets the break! Matt lets Sanada go, thinking of what else to do. He tags in Nick, and Nick climbs up. Matt brings Sanada up for the fireman’s carry. More Bang for- No, knees disrupt that, and Sanada avoids the moonsault! Sanada crawls for his corner, and Evil is back to tag in! Evil German Suplexes Nick, then the same for Matt! Nick fights of another, but Evil still reels him in for another German! Evil fires up and runs in at Nick for a BIG clothesline. Then the fireman’s carry, Darkness Falls! Cover, TWO! Evil isn’t deterred, he brings Nick up. Nick slips free to back elbow. Nick suplexes but Evil counters. Sanada comes in, MAGIC KILLER! Cover, Matt breaks it!
Sanada throws Matt out but Matt brings him out, too. Evil drags Nick up, but Nick denies the STO. Matt puts Sanada into barriers, then he saves Nick from the slam. Deja vu to Dominion, but Evil dodges the SUPERKICKS, and they go into the ref! Evil double clotheslines both Bucks down! But with no ref to count, there’s no point in covering. Instead, Sanada pulls out some items from under the ring. He gives Evil a chair, but Evil misses. Evil and Nick play hot potato, but then Matt gets up, SUPERKICKS into the chair! SUPERKICKS for Sanada, then Matt prepares the chair on the mat. He brings Evil up as fast as he can with that bad back while Nick waits on the apron. Tombstone position, but Sanada trips up Nick! Evil reverses to the Tombstone, Ungovernable Driver on the chair!
Sanada wakes the ref, Evil covers, but Nick barely breaks it in time! Fans are all fired up, but Sanada throws Nick back out. Evil rises and calls for the finish. “This is Awesome!” as they prepare and hit Magic Killer! Cover, TWO!? How?! Sanada slingshots to take Nick out for good measure, and Evil waits for Matt. Matt reverses to back slide and SUPERKICK! Evil still goes after him, so Matt uses the STO! Sanada flies into SUPERKICKS! The Bucks hurry to get Evil up, then MELTZER DRIVER! Cover, The Bucks win!
Winners: The Young Bucks, Matt pinning; still IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions
Another thrilling close-call, but the Superkick Party rolls on! Their first heavyweight tag title reign continues, how far can Matt & Nick Jackson go in the Heavyweight Tag Division?
NJPW and AXS look at the Bullet Club Civil War.
Kenny Omega saw trouble coming from the very beginning when The American Nightmare used the faction to elevate himself. Cody manipulated the Young Bucks, Marty Scurll & Hangman Page, but Omega has already shown what he does to selfish members of the Club before. On the flip side, Cody saw Omega as too obsessed with his own goals and it was ruining the faction. The other members have been unsure which side to choose, but The Bucks found a way to decide. They chose Kenny. It cost Omega his match against Cody in ROH, but Cody took it as validation. Everyone else has reconciled aside from Cody, who is the “rotten apple” messing up the bunch. Is it hatred? Is it a matter of pride? More importantly, is it going to end with their match tonight?
Kazuchika Okada & Will Ospreay VS Tetsuya Naito & Bushi!
The Rainmaker is no longer IWGP Heavyweight Champion, the Aerial Assassin is no longer Jr. Heavyweight Champion, and LIJ’s Tranquilo leader is no longer Intercontinental Champion. Who will come out of this match with renewed vigor towards chasing the titles they lost at Dominion?
Fans are evenly split between Chaos and LIJ, especially Okada and Naito. Okada starts but wonders who is starting against him. Naito hears fans wanting him, so he obliges. Okada and Naito hear the fans fire up for them just being in the ring together. They circle, lunge, but Naito evades to keep things tranquilo. Naito and Okada circle but again Naito dodges. Fans enjoy the mind games, and Okada manages to shrug it off. They tie up finally, and Okada backs Naito to the ropes. Okada backs off, to fake the chop. Naito actually kicks then throws Okada out. Naito builds speed, to Tranquilo!
Fans love it, but Okada cools off before returning. Okada and Naito circle again, and fans rally up. Then Naito tags out to Bushi. Some fans boo and jeer but others still love the mind games. Okada tags in Ospreay, and now the junior heavyweights circle. Bushi kicks then slides off the back to headscissor, but Ospreay handsprings through to dropkick Bushi down. Bushi rolls out so Ospreay builds speed, to fake him out for the superhero landing. Naito rushes in but gets a kick for it! Bushi returns but Ospreay is ready with a chop. Ospreay whips Bushi to a corner, hits the back elbow, then sweeps the legs. Bushi gets up as Ospreay runs corner to corner, but Ospreay boots him away.
Ospreay runs again, but into a drop toehold, and Naito dropkicks in. Okada comes in, but Naito feeds him to Bushi’s sunset flip, which just feeds Okada back to Naito’s basement dropkick! Okada rolls out while Bushi returns to Ospreay. Bushi chokes and stretches Ospreay at the ropes, but backs off at 4. Meanwhile, Naito keeps on Okada on the outside. Bushi has Ospreay in the corner while fans sing for the Aerial Assassin. Bushi grinds his boot into Ospreay but stops at 4. Naito tags in, then stalks Ospreay to the ropes. He brings Ospreay around to whip to a corner, then jump kicks and sweeps the leg, swinging shotgun kick! Naito spits at Okada, then tags Bushi. Bushi wraps his shirt around Ospreay’s neck to choke him! He drops Ospreay with a neckbreaker, covers, but the ref sees the shirt. No count, and the shirt is tossed away.
Tag to Naito, and he toys with Ospreay. Ospreay fires up and pushes back, then gives forearms. Naito fakes the retaliation, only to kick Ospreay low. Naito whips Ospreay thne turns the boots away. Ospreay hits back from the apron but Naito gets under the springboard. Naito kicks, then runs, but into the flip dropkick and enziguri! Both men are down, but Ospreay is headed for his corner. Fans rally up, hot tag to Okada! Okada rallies on LIJ, then hits Naito. He builds speed and runs Naito over with an elbow! Bushi attacks but runs into a flapjack that splashes onto Naito! Okada kips up, then scoops Naito for the slam. Okada gets to the corner, aims at Naito, and hits the flying crossbody! Cover, TWO, but Okada keeps his cool while fans fire up.
Okada brings Naito up, but Naito blocks the gutwrench. Okada clubs Naito down then wrenches again, but Naito slips out into the dragon sleeper neckbreaker, and adds the dropkick to the back. Naito catches his breath, then brings Okada up. Okada resists Gloria, but Naito hits an enziguri. Hammerlock lift but Okada slips out to dropkick Naito in the back. Okada whips but Naito holds ropes to dodge the dropkick. Naito whips but Okada reverses, but Naito hits the flying forearm. Naito brings Okada up, tilt-o-whirl, but into the Tombstone, yet Naito slips out. He uses the ropes, but Okada blocks the tornado DDT with power! Okada lifts Naito, Air Raid! Both men are down but the fans applaud. They rally up for Okada as both men crawl. Hot tags to Ospreay and Bushi!
Ospreay and Bushi brawl with forearms back and forth. Bushi swings but Ospreay full nelsons. Bushi breaks free but gets the hook kick. Ospreay dragon sleeper suplex, but Bushi slips out. Bushi hits the swinging boots, then the missile dropkick! It’s a Bushi-rooni into double knees, then the swinging neckbreaker! Cover, but Okada breaks it. Naito throws Okada out, Bushi runs for a code breaker! Cover, TWO! Bushi isn’t done, though, as he climbs back up. He aims at Ospreay as Ospreay slowly stands. But he flies into a roundhouse! Naito baseball slides Ospreay, then dodges the Rainmaker lariat, but not that dropkick! Okada fires up as he pursues Naito. Bushi kicks Ospreay, but runs into a Spanish Fly! Cover, TWO! Ospreay fires up, Robinson Special kick! He drags Bushi up, double underhook to Stormbreaker!! Cover, Chaos wins!
Winners: Okada & Ospreay, Ospreay pinning
The former Heavyweight and Jr. Heavyweight Champions combine for a victory tonight, not letting their past defeats drag them down. Can the Rainmaker & Assassin climb back up to take back what they’ve lost?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi VS Dragon Lee!
This rivalry spans both NJPW and CMLL promotions, and sometimes even ROH. Lee is the current CMLL World Lightweight Championship while the Ticking Time Bomb won his belt back at Dominion after also winning Best of the Super Juniors 25. While Hiromu is NJPW’s best Junior, will Lee prove he’s the best in two companies?
But Dragon Lee doesn’t wait for the bell, he just waits for Hiromu to be done putting away his toys, to leap out with a crazy huricanrana! If there was any doubt, this proves there’s no love lost between these two. The bell rings, and we begin outside the ring as Lee whips Hiromu into railings then rams into him. Lee returns to the ring, builds speed, and DIVES! That was a dangerous tope suicida, but Lee still did it. He gets up and puts Hiromu into the ring. Hiromu gets to a corner, but Lee runs in for a dropkick and sweep to swinging dropkick, NAITO’s moves. Lee even mocks Tranquilo! Fans boo and jeer but Lee throws elbow after elbow into Hiromu. The referee backs Lee off, but only long enough for that corner to corner dropkick! Cover, TWO!
Lee keeps his focus as he drags Hiromu up for an ankle lock. Hiromu rolls through but gets stomped out. Lee puts on a chinlock, then rakes the face. Lee lets go, but then kicks Hiromu across the back. He keeps on Hiormu with a whip into a corner. Hiromu comes out with a headscissor, but Lee just handsprings through. They speed up, and Lee gets caught that time. Hiromu hits Lee with a clothesline and baseball slide dropkick! Lee gets out of the ring, but Hiromu doesn’t stop, John Woo from the apron! Hiromu climbs up top now, and aims at Lee, for a SUPER SENTON!! They crash and burn on the ground! Fans lose their minds after that one.
The 20 count begins, but Hiromu gets on the apron at 10. Lee grabs Hiromu, not wanting to end the count. Hiromu fights him off, but they both end up on the apron. They brawl, and the count stops as they go back and forth. Hiromu rocks Lee but Lee rocks Hiromu. Hiromu kicks Lee, then brings him up to the top rope. He climbs up with Lee, and fans fear for the wrestlers’ lives. Lee stops Hiromu’s crazy idea, and fans rally up as they brawl more. Each man fires up, and that headbutt rocks Hiromu into a Tree of Woe. Lee stands up, SUPER WOE STOMPS! Hiromu hits apron and then ground, and fans lose their minds all over again. Both men are down as a new 20 count begins. They stir at 6, but doesn’t stand until 9.
Lee gets on the apron, but Hiromu grabs him for the powerbomb! The count climbs, but Hiromu flounders around. They both get in at 19.5! Hiromu and Lee are already so sore, but somehow both stand up. Hiromu runs in for a big clothesline, then whips. Lee reverses to clothesline, but Hiromu reels him into a wheelbarrow German Suplex! Hiromu keeps going, but runs into a rebound German! Yet he springs up to German Lee back! But so does Lee! Hiromu Germans Lee again, but Lee gets up to give it back! Fans chant “Suplex City!” as Hiromu gives Lee another! Lee flounders, but he still goes towards Hiromu. Lee grabs Hiromu for yet another German suplex! Hiromu clotheslines, but Lee knee strikes into another German Suplex! SUPERKICK from Hiromu, then German! Lee Reverse-ranas, but runs into a massive clothesline!
Both men are down but the fans are loving it all! They chant “New Japan!” to show appreciation to the promotion bringing this to us. Fans rally up as both men stir, but a 10 count begins. Lee gets up with ropes while Hiromu gets up on his own. They go back towards each other, and trade sharp chops. Back and forth they go, sharper and sharper. Hiromu staggers but still comes back with a chop. Then he dares Lee to do the same, so Lee does! Both men drop to a knee from the stinging pain, but they don’t back off for long. They chop more, more, more, faster, harder, sharper! Fans are loving the endless chop fight going on in the ring. They shift to slaps now, then as hove. Hiromu and Lee trade blocks, but Lee gets the knee. Lee runs but into the overhead throw!
Hiromu grins before he lifts Lee, for a fireman’s slam! Cover, TWO! Hiromu drags Lee up again, but Lee slips out. Lee lifts Hiromu for a suplex but Hiromu slips out to SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs, but into Spanish Fly! Cover, TWO! Both men are down from exhaustion now, but fans rally up. Lee grabs Hiromu, but Hiromu headscissors out of the suplex, into the triangle hold! Lee resists, deadlifts, and powerbombs! But Hiromu holds on! Lee endures as he tries another deadlift, then shifts it to a Dragon Driver!
Fans lose their minds over the impact to Hiromu’s head, but Lee shows no mercy. Lee brings Hiromu up again, for a suplex to sit-out bomb! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives while Lee grows frustrated. Fans rally up while Lee brings Hiromu up. Lee knee lifts, then bomb lifts, but Hiromu pops out for a Destroyer! Cover, TWO!! But the Time Bomb still has more to give as he brings Lee up, fro THE Ticking Time Bomb! Cover, Hiromu wins!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall; still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion
This explosive feud was intense even before the bell. But in the end, the eccentric champion retains against one of his fiercest rivals in the world. Will Hiromu’s second reign last a long time with heart like that?
IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Jay White VS Juice Robinson!
The Switchblade snatched the belt from the inaugural champion, Kenny Omega, while the Flamboyant One has tried but failed to grab a title for himself again and again. The Switchblade upped the animosity between him and Juice, vowing Juice will walk away with nothing! Or will the actual American in this match be the first American to finally hold this title?
But there’s a special rule: Juice cannot use his cast as a weapon, on grounds of a disqualification. In other words, Juice might as well be fighting with one less hand. But Juice doesn’t care, he’s confident he’ll win even with just one hand. The belt is presented, both men are checked, and we begin!
White mocks the bad hand, so Juice tackles him and uses the good hand! White turns it around to throw hands of his own, but Juice turns it back again. They separate, and Juice crossbodies White out with him! Fans chant for Juice as he aims from the apron for the flying clothesline! Juice dusts himself off and puts White into railings. White clutches his arm but Juice is back on him. Juice throws White into railings and it crashes into the timekeeper’s area! Juice holds that belt, and says the timekeepers are just holding onto it for him. He then puts White back in the ring, and prepares his good hand. White stands, and Juice jabs away. “Juice! Juice!” echoes out, but he can’t use the left, so he just chops White.
White gets to a corner, and Juice hits a corner clothesline. But then White suplexes Juice out to the floor! Juice clutches his neck while White regroups. White goes out to fetch Juice, and put him into railings in return! The railing almost flies away with that impact. White mocks Juice’s fist pump while fans boo and jeer. White digs Juice out of the wreckage to then chop him across the chest. He then throw Juice into the timekeeper’s area, and practically bowls the table and chairs over! White eggs the fans on as they boo and jeer. The referee, Red Shoes, reprimands White and wants him to put this in the ring. Fans chant “You Suck!” at White as he puts Juice in. White suplexes Juice into buckles, then covers. TWO, but White is only annoyed.
White goes back to Juice with clubbing forearms across that back. He then tortures the bad hand with the wristlock and finger stretching. He even stands on and, while flipping everyone off, stomps said bad hand! Juice crawls, but White is on him. White hammerlocks for the scoop slam to beat up that bad hand. Fans jeer White but White responds with another middle finger. White brings Juice back up for another hammerlock. He tortures the arm while fans rally up for Juice. Juice gets to a corner but White keeps on the arm. Juice reverses and jabs with the good hand. He headbutts, but misses the kick. He elbows out of the waistlock, though, only to end up in a saido suplex! Fans boo White more, but he doesn’t care as he brings Juice over for a Muda Lock. He even uses the bad hand to choke Juice!
Fans rally for Juice as he endures the hold. Juice crawls as best as he can, and reaches for the ropes. White wrenches but Juice gets the ropebreak! White lets go at 3, but goes after Juice on the apron. He has Juice between ropes to throw EuroUpper after EuroUpper, then chops. He chops Juice again, then again, then again. White does not let up on Juice, but Juice tells him to “Eat sh*t!” White chops again, then runs, to EuroUpper Juice right out of the ropes. Fans boo and jeer White more, but White keeps mocking Juice. White waits for Juice to stand, and then copies the jabs. He jabs and jabs, then winds up the right, but Juice chops back! White chops, so Juice chops again. They go again, and White falls to a knee, only to wring out the arm.
White drags Juice back up, but runs into a spinebuster! Fans rally while both men get to corners. Juice runs in for the big clothesline. Juice gives a discus clothesline, then runs, but into a complete shot! White drags Juice up with a German Suplex! Bridge, TWO, but White goes after the bad arm with the Fujiwara! Juice endures the bend from elbow to fingers, but White makes it a modified Rings of Saturn on top. White tortures both arms, but Juice uses his legs for the ropebreak. Juice slips out of the ring but White pursues. White rams Juice into a post, then snap suplexes him into railing! The impact is so hard, it knocks JR out of his seat at commentary! Not that White cares, he just mocks JR and Josh. Josh is about to get in there himself!
White keeps his distance, and JR just wants to find his hat. Red Shoes tries to calm Josh down, but fans let White know he’s an “As*hole!” Josh returns to commentary, but White keeps on Juice. He yanks Juice into a post, then brings out chairs. White prepares a chair like a vice on Juice’s hand! White swings the other chair, but Juice gets his hand out in time! Juice swings at White, but only SMACKS the post. White goes after Juice with another saido suplex! White returns into the ring to refresh the count, then brings Juice up again. Juice grabs White with a headlock and elbows away on White. White clubs Juice back, then reels Juice in for another suplex. Juice slips out, to SPIENBUSTER White onto the apron! Fans are loving the intensity, and rally up for Juice again.
Red Shoes checks on both men, but somehow both men are okay to continue. Juice gets up and into the ring, but White grabs the bad hand. Fans chant “Juice S A!” while White and Juice end up on the apron. White brings Juice up, but Juice swings, only to end up in a complete shot on the apron. White gets up and deadlifts Juice, but Juice grabs ropes. Juice fights for his life, but White clubs away. White pulls but Juice holds on with all he has. The two keep fighting, but Juice elbows White away. Juice then switches, to a SUPER Russian Leg Sweep!! They crash and burn on the ground, and a 20 count begins. Neither man stirs until about 10, and don’t stand until 17! Juice gets in, but White barely makes it at 19.9.
Both men are crawling while fans rally up. They stand in opposite corners, Juice CANNONBALLS! Juice hoists White onto the top rope, then headbutts before climbing up. Fans fire up while Juice prepares something. SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO!! But Juice is not deterred, he has something left. He brings White up, turns him around, but the Unprettier is countered into an armlock! Juice crawls to the ropes and gets the break. White won’t let go, he just throws elbow after elbow! Red Shoes finally gets him to stop, but that doesn’t stop White’s egotistical posing. White brings Juice up, but Juice slips out of the Blade Runner. Juice goes to punch, but Red Shoes reminds him of using the cast! This distraction allows White to EuroUpper, but backslide counter! TWO, Blade– No, Pulp- No, White shoves Juice at Red Shoes! LOW BLOW!
Juice collapses and Red Shoes saw nothing. White runs in, but Juice dodges. Cast hand punch!! Red Shoes still didn’t see it, so Juice gets away with it. Juice drags White back up, turns him, PULP FRICTION!! Cover, TWO?!!? How!? Juice can’t understand why he’s still so far away from the title. But fans rally up for him, they believe in him. Juice stands and fires up! He brings White up, wants it again, but White hits the bad hand. White grabs Juice in the Half-Nelson Suplex! Then, he dodges the left hand for ANOTHER! White calls for his end, and brings Juice up again. Roll up! JUICE WINS!!
Winner: Juice Robinsin, by pinfall; NEW IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion
The first American for the American championship!! White’s ego got the better of him, and now Juice is the third-ever IWGP USHC! Juice is so happy, he hugs Red Shoes. White refuses to accept this, but the referee’s decision is final. Red Shoes officially gives Juice the belt, and the celebration truly begins! Will this title’s first American bring it to new heights?
IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Kenny Omega VS Cody w/ Brandi Rhodes & Bernard the Business Bear!
The Bullet Club has been through many transitions since forming as a faction. From the founding Prince Devitt to the Phenomenal AJ Styles to the current iteration, it has been one of the strongest factions in NJPW. But with The Cleaner having finally climbed the mountain, he is ready to settle things with the would-be leader, The American Nightmare. Omega is the face of pro-wrestling today, but will the Son of the Son of a Plumber ruin the dream already?
The belt is presented while fans chant “The! Elite! The the Elite!” Fans are definitely more on Omega’s side than Cody’s. For that matter, The Bucks are on Omega’s side more than Cody’s. The bell rings, and we begin.
Omega and Cody stare down, but Cody is again bothered by so many more people being on Omega’s side than on his. They circle, testing each other. Cody shoots a look at The Bucks, but the Bucks just shrug. What did he expect them to do? Cody and Omega circle again and finally tie up. They go around with waistlocks and standing switches, but Cody goes after the hand. Omega reverses, but Cody thumbs the eyes. Fans boo while Cody gruffly acknowledges the ropebreak. They back off, and fans boo and jeer Cody while Omega checks his eyes. The fans aren’t very nice to Cody, either. But Cody just takes it out on Omega as they tie up again.
They go back to a corner, and Omega honors the break. Cody doesn’t with that shove, but Omega keeps from retaliating. The two circle again, tie up, and Omega gets the headlock. Cody powers out, but Omega knocks him back with a shoulder. Cody pie-faces Omega so Omega kicks back. Now Cody gets the headlock but Omega powers out. Cody runs Omega over with the shoulder, and motions that the belt will be his. Things speed up and Omega hip tosses. Cody kicks back then headlock takeover but Omega headscissors. Omega headlocks but Cody reverses. Omega powers out to then chop Cody sharp. Cody slips out of the back suplex, kick to dropping uppercut. Omega ends up outside the ring, but Cody pursues.
Cody punches Omega around the way, then bumps Omega off the apron. Fans still curse out Cody, and that distracts him. Omega hits Cody, but Cody rams Omega into the apron. Cody puts Omega in the ring, then stalks him. Cody chops Omega in a corner, then chops again. Omega turns it around to chop back even sharper. Omega goes to chop a third time but Cody turns it around. Cody whips corner to corner but Omega reverses. Omega runs in but Cody goes up and over to hit the spinning powerslam. Cover, TWO! Cody keeps his cool while he gets back up.
Cody brings Omega up for a headlock and punches. Omega’s eye is bugging him, but he still reels Cody into a waistlock. Cody elbows out then runs, to duck the boot. Omega elbows back to dropkick the legs out. Omega runs, Kotaro Crusher bulldog! Cody rolls out of the ring, but the Terminator rises. Brandi coaches Cody up, but Omega builds sped. Cody uses Brandi as a shield! But he still get a dropkick. Omega slingshots but misses, and Brandi taunts him. Cody builds speed, to FLY! His springboard splash takes Omega out.
Cody hears the fans boo and jeer again, but he ends up arguing with The Bucks over putting things back in the ring. Cody instead throws Omega into barriers. He then takes off the weight belt, but simply tosses it to Matt. Cody whips Omega to the barriers near the timekeeper’s area instead. Omega boots back, then throws Cody over into the timekeeper’s area. Cody is on the table, but Omega uses the railings to springboard stomp him through it! Fans lose their minds at that one!
Omega regroups with the Bucks, to bring out another table! The Bucks don’t seem to want this either, but the fans sure do! Cody digs himself out of the wreckage, but Omega has the table set up. Omega puts Cody on it with forearms and chops, then climbs up into the ring. Omega takes aim, springboards, but Cody gets away. Luckily Omega saw it in time and he stops himself. But when he comes over to fetch Cody, Cody shoves the table into the ribs! Those ribs were banged up at Dominion, so Omega is a bit slow to returning to the ring. Cody kicks him on reentry, then clotheslines to complete shot! Cover, TWO!
Cody is frustrated, and he tries again, TWO. Omega gets to ropes but Cody is on him. Cody stretches Omega back against the ropes, then brings Omega over for clubbing forearms. He drives an elbow into Omega’s head, and then big body shots into those ribs. Fans duel while Cody throws Omega with an X-Plex. Cover, TWO, but Cody keeps Omega grounded. Cody shows off with push-ups, which fans boo and jeer. Omega chops Cody, but Cody puts Omega’s leg on the rope to kick the thigh. Cody drags Omega up while shouting at the Bucks. Cody snapmares then cravats Omega on the mat.
Omega endures while fans rally up. Omega pries his way out of the hold, then kicks Cody in the head. He clubs Cody int he back, then throws forearms. Cody knees low and whips, but Omega reverses into fireman’s carry. “You Can’t Escape”, but Cody does. Even so, Omega gets Cody with headscissors! Cody rolls out and tips over the table for good measure. Omega builds speed, to FLY! He wipes Cody out with the tope conjilo. Omega gets back up and puts Cody in the ring. Fans fire up as Omega climbs. Cody stands, and gets the missile dropkick to the back! Omega drags Cody up, cross-leg fisherman neckbreaker!
But Omega isn’t done there, as he loads up and BANG! Omega runs, but Cody dodges the Vi-Trigger. Waistlock but standing switch, V-Trigger at point blank. Omega tries the wristlock but Cody standing switches. Cody German Suplexes but Omega lands on his feet, another point-blank V-Trigger! Omega brings Cody up, Snap Dragon Suplex! Cody is dazed, but Omega is far from done with him. Cody elbows out of the full nelson, but they standing switch around, Cody copies the Snap Dragon! Both men crawl towards each other, and start throwing forearms. Cody kicks low, then throws forearms. Omega hits back, but Cody still comes back. Omega fires off three, then a boot. He runs, sunset flip, but Cody rolls through to Figure Four!
Omega endures the legendary hold, and fans rally up. Omega works to roll it over, but Cody holds it in place. Cody throws a haymaker, but so does Omega. They go back and forth, brawling while the leg hold is on. Cody wrenches the Figure Four but Omega starts slapping him. Cody slaps back, but Omega slaps harder. Omega then turns it over! Now Cody endures the pain! Cody gets the ropebreak, and the two separate. Fans rally up again while Cody bails out of the ring. Brandi checks on him, but Omega has since pulled out a ladder! The Bucks are definitely not for this. But Cody has himself a chair! This isn’t a TLC match, but it’s becoming one.
Omega puts the ladder in the ring while Cody has his chair. Red Shoes stops Cody from using the chair, so Cody just scoop slams Omega on that ladder! Cody positions the ladder to his liking, sticking it out from the apron. He goes over to Omega, but Omega resists with body shots. Omega suplexes but Cody fights out. Cody lifts, gordbuster ON the ladder! Matt & Nick check on Omega, but he’s somehow okay to continue. Cody puts the ladder all the way in the ring, then embraces the heat. Red Shoes reprimands him as he brings Omega up and puts him into the timekeeper’s railing. The railing also hits the ring announcer, so it’s not just Omega in pain.
Cody grabs the table and brings it back. The Bucks keep trying to talk sense into these tow, but neither man is listening. Cody stands the ladder up. Omega sees it as he rests against the table. Cody bumps Omega off the table, then sets him on the wood. He shoves the Bucks out of the way, but they take offense to that. Red Shoes keeps Matt from disqualifying this match, though you have to question the TLC element. Cody climbs, but Omega follows! The Bucks shout for them to climb down, but they instead brawl atop the steel. Fans chant “Please Don’t Die!” as both men teeter. Cody slaps, Omega SLAPS. Omega tells the Bucks to get back, because he grabs Cody for a… SUPER SUPERPLEX! But from CODY!
They crash land in the ring rather than through table, but it’s still just as crazy. Cody and Omega crawl for each other, “This is Awesome!” Cody covers, TWO!! But barely, as Omega only gets the one shoulder. Fans rally up for them again, but it’s Cody who rolls out. He asks Brandi for help walking over. She obliges, but he’s not retreating. Cody snatches the belt, and holds it up like it’s already his. The Bucks still try to reason with him, but it’s futile.
Cody brings the belt in, and aims at Omega. Red Shoes stops Cody, and Omega pounces with the Reverse-Rana! Omega stands up, reloads, but then Cody resists the electric chair. Cody shoves Omega into Red Shoes, but Omega shoves Red Shoes out of the way for safety. Beautiful Disaster kick! But no ref means no count, so no point in covering. However, it also means no rules, so Cody picks up the belt. Cody aims at Omega, but the Bucks plead with him not to. Fans boo and jeer, so Cody skips the bet. He wants Cross Rhodes but Omega slips out. Omega swings, full nelson into CROSS RHODES! Red Shoes returns, Cody covers, TWO!!
Everyone is down, and that includes Red Shoes. The Bucks take this time to get that ladder out of the ring, they don’t want this to go overboard any further. Cody stands up and grabs Omega. Omega slips out and whips Cody into a V-Trigger! He loads, BANG, V-Trigger! Omega keeps going, electric chair, but Cody reverses into Di– No, heel kick from Omega to Cody! Then, corner to corner V-Trigger! Omega keeps going, powerbomb lift, Doctor Bomb! TWO, so V-Trigger! Omega shows no mercy as he gives another V-Trigger! And with a running start, Cody blocks that Trigger, but only for a moment. Omega double underhooks but Cody resists. Omega backslides but Cody rolls through, V-Trigger again! Cover, TWO!
Both men are down from exhaustion, but fans are loving this. The Terminator drums begin, and Omega stands first. He brings Cody up, but Cody still resists the electric chair. Omega clubs away on the back, then electric chair lifts. He spins Cody around, but Cody resists. Even so, POWERBOMB THROUGH THE TABLE!! The table didn’t break, but maybe Cody did. The Bucks and Red Shoes check on Cody while Omega catches his breath in the ring. Brandi also checks on Cody, but Omega continues to show no mercy. The 20 count begins, and Omega brings Cody up and over at 8. Fans cheer, because they appreciate Omega wants to win this in the ring.
Omega reloads, BANG, but Brandi becomes Cody’s shield again. It’s her husband, after all, and she doesn’t want him to take any more damage. But even Cody says she needs to exit the ring, this is still a match. Omega BANG, then runs, but into a BIG lariat from Cody! Cody is too far away and too sore for a cover, though, and Omega gets up first. Cody follows, but Omega hits first. They trade forearms back and forth, then shift to chops. Omega brings it back to forearms, but Cody shoves. Cody runs into a V-Trigger, then Omega gives another. Omega double underhooks, butterfly piledriver! Cover, TWO!? Cody shows heart, but Omega shows his mean-streak, with another V-Trigger. Omega lifts Cody in the electric chair, One-Winged Angel! Cover, Omega wins!
Winner: Kenny Omega, by pinfall; still IWGP Heavyweight Champion
The Best Match Machine succeeds in his first ever defense of the top title. He fought so hard to get it, and he fought hard to keep it. Cody himself fought hard in trying to take it, but was just not strong enough. Omega takes Cody’s hand and helps him up to his feet, and the fans applaud the sportsmanship. The two look each other in the eyes, but not a word is said. Brandi helps Cody exit while Omega raises the belt in victory. Does this match mark the end of the Civil War?
Omega speaks.
“This is my first title defense as IWGP Heavyweight Champion. I’m proud that I could do it in a legendary building such as the Cow Palace.” But most importantly, he’s proud he could do it in front of these fans. Omega didn’t understand before how a line forms to knock the champion down. But they’re all human, they’re all deserving of second chances. Even Cody deserves one, and this effort tonight was “nothing short of valiant.”
Whether it be a pro-wrestler, an idol, or someone working at the popcorn stand, we all need to be given the very best life possible. Omega promises to give us the very best matches against anyone and everyone on the roster. There was speculation that this show wouldn’t go well, but from what he can tell, this place is full and the fans were lively as Hell. So thank you for everything, but he must now bid you adieu. “Good-bye, mwah, and good-night BANG.” This new chapter for Omega’s NJPW is just beginning. The rest of Bullet Club meets The Elite on the ramp to celebrate and throw up Too Sweets! But then Tama Tonga attacks?!
It’s a coup! The chief of the Tongan sub-faction and his brother and father beat down Omega in the ring!! Gun-Stun Bomb!! The Civil War is far from over, as Haku & GoD beat down the Bucks. But here comes Hangman! Hangman fights off the Tongans, but only for so long. Loa runs him over, then scoops him for a slam. So here comes Scurll! He has his umbrella and he tees off, until Tonga gets him with Gun-Stun. The Bucks are back up, but Haku knocks them back down. Tonga says “You did this!” to Omega, as if it’s his fault.
The other members, Yujiro & Chase Owens, come out to try and sort this out. But it seems not even they are safe! Loa saido suplexes Yujiro, then Chase gets hit with the spinning neckbreaker! The Tongans don’t stop here, as they bring in the chairs from the main event to SMACK anyone that moves. Haku then gives Omega the throat thrust for good measure.
What was meant to be a moment of celebration for all is ruined by this revolting revolution. Fans boo and jeer, but perhaps this is Tama Tonga the OG member bringing The Club back to its roots. Wait, Cody returns! Is he even able to fight in his condition? He hobbles his way to the ring either way, but he’s on Tama Tonga’s side?! NOPE! He attacks the Tongans! Only to get a Stun Gun! Then Omega is fed to Haku, father and sons hit a piledriver on the chair. The Tongan #FiringSquad has just downed the rest of the club without mercy. “This is family! There ain’t no leader!” The silver lining: Cody and Omega are back on the same side. Is this the beginning of a new and even more brutal Civil War?
My Thoughts:
Simply incredible. NJPW goes for over 4 hours, but all of it was spectacular. As a bonus, their match card went in the order it was advertised where a WWE card feels like it’s on shuffle. The opening 10 Man was a nice opener, and I did not get a hint of foreshadowing towards the end, which makes it even better. Isshi-Yano surprised me, I thought Suzuki-Sabre were going to win again. But I suppose this extends their story, because Ishii VS Suzuki is something I’d watch all the time. Then Hangman & Scurll win, so another point for Bullet Club. It almost resembles Dominion, where that was basically dominated by The Club. I was hoping Cobb would beat Goto, but perhaps it’s too soon for him to win a title in NJPW when he’s just debuted and is unaffiliated.
The Young Bucks score again for Bullet Club, and I loved the parallels and upgrades to the Dominion match. Okada looks odd in gear that isn’t what he was wearing as champion. Good to see him and Ospreay basically bounce back from their losses, but it also makes you wonder where Naito is going from his. At least LIJ still has Hiromu, he and Dragon Lee surprised everyone with all that was going on. Hiromu is definitely best junior right now. That US title match was great, White and Juice brought each other up to new levels. I really thought Josh was gonna beat the crap out of White, but obviously between the kayfabe of commentator and wrestler not being able to get violent, and the result of Juice FINALLY being champion, what we got was the superior choice.
Cody VS Omega was also insane, and the story of the Bucks and even Brandi trying to keep things from going too far was a great touch. In the end, Omega wins because it’d be a shame to end his reign so soon. And of course, that swerve from the Tongans was not expected at all. At least, not here tonight. Tama Tonga hinted at wanting to go against Omega in the past, but to think he’d do it in such riotous fashion with his brother and his father by his side. As I said, great to see Cody is back on the same side with Omega, but I have a feeling that (aside from Bad Luck Fale and possibly Taiji Ishimori) Tama Tonga will bring in more people to his side in order to match who Omega has on his side (The Bucks, Hangman, Scurll, Cody, Chase & Yujiro).
My Score: 9.7/10
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The champions of ROH are in action!
ROH has a NEW World Champion in Eddie Kingston! But will Katsuyori Shibata, the Mogul Embassy and Athena be able to hold onto their titles?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- ROH Pure Championship: Katsuyori Shibata VS Nick Wayne; Shibata wins and retains the title.
- Diamante VS Catie Brite; Diamante wins.
- Lee Johnson VS Lee Moriarty w/ Shane Taylor; Moriarty wins.
- Mercedes Martinez w/ Diamante VS Trish Adora; Mercedes wins.
- ROH Women’s World Championship: Athena VS Angelina Love; Athena wins and retains the title.
- Six Woman Tag: Leyla Hirsch & The Renegades VS Skye Blue, Willow Nightingale & Kiera Hogan; Skye, Willow & Kiera win.
- Ethan Page VS VSK; Ethan wins.
- Spanish Announce Project & Tony Nese w/ Mark Sterling VS El Hijo Del Vikingo, Metalik & Gravity w/ Alex Abrahantes; Vikingo, Metalik & Gravity win.
- Cole Karter & Griff Garrison w/ Maria Kanellis-Bennett VS Action Andretti & Darius Martin; Action & Darius win.
- ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championships: The Mogul Embassy w/ Prince Nana VS Willie Mack & The Infantry; The Mogul Embassy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Eddie Kingston speaks.
“I’m in pain. Uh, that stage hurts. Claudio hurts every time he hits you. Uh, I don’t like him as a human being, but I shook his hand because let’s be honest, he’s was a great ROH champion, and I’ve always said he’s a great wrestler. I just don’t like him as a person, and that’s not gonna change. But I can definitely show him that I’ve grown. I’ve grown up. Back in the day, I wouldn’t’ve shook his hand, I would’ve spat in his face and then I would’ve gloated. But bro, I grew up, man. I gave him his due and his respect. I’m just, uh, I’m proud. I’m happy.
“Uh, when I get back to the hotel, I’m not gonna be proud ‘n’ happy because now I gotta defend this championship and this championship, and that’s gonna be hard, but I like it. Without struggle, there is no progress, y’know what I mean? I’d feel weird if there was no struggle. But uh, this is dedicated to Xavier, the second-ever ROH World Champion. Rest in peace, bud. Thank you for everything you’ve done for this business. Thank you for being good to me in the locker room. But this one’s for you, dog. Because people should remember who you are, man. X marks the spot, baby. Love you, X. Rest in peace.
“I’m good now. I just wanna go see my parents. We good, Jean Carlo? We good, baby. New York in this mother, ya heard?” The Mad King has two crowns, how long shall he reign?
ROH Pure Championship: Katsuyori Shibata VS Nick Wayne!
The Wrestler is back, ready to put another man to the test. The Prodigy of Rain City is here, but will he reign so soon into his young career? Or will Shibata show him he still has a long way to go?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and our judges for this match are Jerry Lynn, Jimmy Jacobs and Dalton Castle. The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and we see if Wayne’s World can survive Shibata!
The two circle, feel things out, and Shibata waistlocks to drag Nick down. Nick shifts around but Shibata half nelsons. Nick fights up, wristlocks, then goes for a leg. Shibata sprawls to push Nick down, then he waistlocks. Nick goes for a leg but so does Shibata, and Shibata uses that to get a roll-up! Nick keeps his shoulder sup so Shibata lets off. Fans cheer and Shibata keeps after Nick but with a leg guard. Nick and Shibata grapple, Nick grabs a leg in a toehold but Shibata uses that to body scissor and chinlock. Nick pries at the hold, but Shibata shifts to go for an arm! Nick clasps hands and fans rally up as he moves around.
Nick stacks Shibata, but Shibata also keeps a shoulder up. Shibata powers Nick down to a short arm scissor! Nick endures, shifts, but Shibata has the mount pretty easily. Shibata slaps Nick around, then stomps him down! Nick goes to ropes but that is a neutral break. Fans rally as the two reset and feel things out. They knuckle lock, Shibata knees low and snapmares, but Nick ducks the kick! Fans fire up as the two reset. Shibata kicks Nick but Nick kicks back. Shibata blocks to have an ANKLE LOCK! Nick flails, reaches out, but endures as Shibata drags him back. Nick almost has ropes, then tries again, ROPEBREAK!
Shibata lets go as Nick uses his first. Nick holds on, Shibata tries to drag Nick away, but Nick kicks and kicks. Shibata lets go and Nick gets out of the ring to walk off the pain. Shibata heads out after Nick, but Nick kicks first! Nick whips and Shibata hits railing! Fans rally up as Nick runs in but Shibata BOOTS him down! Shibata then whips Nick into railing! Shibata whips Nick into even more railing! Nick gasps for air, but Shibata BOOTS him down! Shibata rolls into the ring, letting the count take care of Nick. Nick checks his face and clutches his neck at 5 of 10 but Shibata goes out to stand Nick up. Shibata puts Nick in and fans applaud.
Shibata stalks Nick, stomps him, then kicks him! Shibata kicks Nick more and more and fans rally. Shibata CHOPS Nick then brings him up again. Shibata CHOPS, Nick drops to his knees, and Shibata gives him more sharp yet toying kicks. Nick sits up, but Shibata just kicks him down! We hit five minutes and Nick CHOPS! Shibata just shrugs it off! Nick CHOPS, but Shibata eggs him on! Nick CHOPS, so Shibata CHOPS! Nick is stinging, Shibata runs and BOOTS Nick down! Nick roars and rises up but Shibata BOOTS him again! Shibata runs, but Nick UPPERCUTS! Nick runs to UPPERCUT Shibata down!
Fans fire up and Nick brings Shibata up to cravat. But Shibata denies Shiranui! Only for Nick to SHOTGUN on the return! Fans rally as Nick storms up to the corner. Nick fires forearms, then runs corner to corner, and a very Shibata like HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Fans fire up as Nick drags Shibata up. But Shibata breaks free! Nick BOOTS Shibata, throws a forearm, but Shibata just scowls! Nick throws another forearm but Shibata eggs him on. Nick throws more forearms, then a CHOP! And another CHOP and another CHOP, but Shibata leans into them! Shibata is backing Nick down like that! Nick fires forearms now, but Shibata DECKS him with just one!
Shibata whips Nick to a corner, then BOOTS him! Then Shibata rains down forearms to sit Nick down! Shibata stomps a mudhole, but Nick gets up! So Shibata UPPERCUTS him down! Shibata runs to HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Nick feels how it’s done, and Shibata hauls him up. HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO! Nick hangs in there but Shibata wraps on a chinlock! Nick fights up but into a COBRA TWIST! Fans rally as Nick endures, fights his way over, and has a ROPEBREAK! That’s his second of three as we pass eight minutes, and Shibata lets off with a knee to the side! Shibata reels Nick in to waistlock, but Nick fights!
Nick grabs the ropes again, that’s his third and final! But then Nick uses ropes to push up and over, then he mule kicks! Nick cravats, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Shibata is tougher than that but Nick hurries up. Nick full nelsons but Shibata breaks to switch. Nick fights the lift so Shibata ripcords. Nick ducks to ripcord and ROUNBDHOUSE! And SUPERKICK! Nick goes up and up and WAYNE’S- SLEEPER!! Shibata has Nick and Nick is fading fast! Shibata sits him down to PENALTY KICK!! Cover, Shibata wins!
Winner: Katsuyori Shibata, by pinfall (still ROH Pure Champion)
At nine minutes and 16 seconds, Shibata puts this one away! Nick shows skill beyond his years, and Shibata respects that by offering a handshake. Nick takes it to keep the Code of Honor, but when and where will Nick get another shot at gold?
Backstage interview with Lee Johnson.
Lexi Nair is with Big Shotty and brings up his match with Shane Taylor from last week, and how he has a match tonight with the newest member of Shane Taylor Promotions, #TAIGASTYLE, Lee Moriarty. How is Shotty feeling going into this match? Johnson tells Lexi, “Here we are again!” But wait, Shane Taylor Promotions walks in, and Moriarty tells Big Shotty that he hopes there were no hard feelings in what happened last week. Who knew Johnson would get distracted by Moriarty walking out there? Sure, Moriarty looks good, but just leave the past in the past. Code of Honor! Shake his hand. He promises it’s clean.
Shane says Johnson could always get knocked out again. Johnson stares Shane down and Lexi says they can all settle this in the ring. STP heads out, will Big Shotty be able to handle Moriarty with Big Bad Shaney T at ringside?
Diamante VS Catie Brite!
The Cuban Diamond is back in action on ROH, ready to shine in the spotlight once and for all. Will she show she can shine brighter than Brite? Or will Brite have a bright future here in ROH?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and Diamante DECKS Brite! Brite staggers up, Diamante fires off on her, then CHOKES her on the ropes! The ref counts, Diamante snapmares to then mess with Brite’s hair. Diamante then CLUBS away on Brite, but the ref reprimands about the hair pulling. Diamante CLUBS Brite down, puts her back on ropes, and CHOKES her again! The ref reprimands, Diamante lets off at 4, then she drags Brite up. Diamante says Brite ain’t on her level, then she SMACKS Brite off buckles! Diamante JABS, CHOPS and repeat! The ref counts, Diamante lets off, but then CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS!
The ref reprimands and counts more, so Diamante whips Brite corner to corner. Diamante runs in but only gets buckles! Roll up, TWO! Diamante staggers up, and she SHOTGUNS Brite down! Fans fire up as Diamante dusts herself off. Diamante drags Brite up, for the TWIST! Cover, Diamante wins!
Winner: Diamante, by pinfall
The Brite Light was simply used to make the Diamond shine! But when and where will Diamante get the gold that she wants?
Backstage interview with Willie Mack & The Infantry.
Lexi is with Trish Adora and the trio that will be challenging for the ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championships tonight. Which are currently held by the Mogul Embassy. Captain Dean says not for long. Bravo, hit ’em with the deal. Let ’em know why it’s not for much longer. Bravo tells Lex that he ain’t gon’ flex, and he’ll answer the question so first thing is this. Did Infantry become one of the hottest teams in ROH? Yep. Has adding the Mack Attack one of the hottest trios? Yep. So not only are they ready to win, they’re ready for war! He ain’t gonna talk no more, let Mack take over.
Mack says they are about to make history. With Adora by their side, they’ve got Shawn Dean, Carlie Bravo. Is this their first ROH title match ever? Uh, yeah… Wow, who knew? They really out here. Well, then the Embassy better watch out, they’re gonna do the damn thing. Mack may not have won that $25,000, but they’re gonna get these titles and have major capital! Let’s go, baby! Turn up! Bravo says have no fear, the future ROH World Six Man Champs are here! #CopyThat. The team heads out, will they be able to bring down those behemoths under Prince Nana’s command?
Lee Johnson VS Lee Moriarty w/ Shane Taylor!
We just heard from Big Shotty and #TAIGASTYLE, but now it is time to put some action behind those words! Will Johnson or Moriarty prove they are the alpha Lee in ROH?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Johnson wrenches, but Moriarty rolls. Johnson wrangles Moriarty but Moriarty kips up and clinches. Johnson wrenches to another wristlock but Moriarty spins, slips through and twists Johnson’s arm to an ELBOW BREAKER! Johnson gets away and fans rally as the two reset. They circle, feel things out, then Johnson trips Moriarty to waistlock. Moriarty fights up, pries free to switch and hammerlock. Johnson slips around to hammerlock back. Moriarty slips around but Johnson turns it right back around to have the armlock.
Moriarty tries again but again Johnson puts the hammerlock back on him. Moriarty does squats, then spins, but Johnson holds on! Moriarty pulls hair to put Johnson in a corner! The ref counts, Johnson lets off, but Moriarty ELBOWS Johnson! Fans boo but Moriarty soaks up the heat. Moriarty CHOPS, then he says one more! Only to feint and kick low! Moriarty soaks up the heat, whips Johnson but Johnson goes up and over! Moriarty hits buckles, Johnson ducks ‘n’ dodges, leap frogs and DROPKICKS! Moriarty bails out, fans fire up, and Johnson pursues. Johnson ROCKS Moriarty, then ROCKS him again!
Johnson CHOPS Moriarty and fans fire up! Moriarty staggers away but Johnson follows him, to CHPO him again! Johnson then puts Moriarty in the ring, slide sin but Moriarty stomps away on him! The ref counts, Moriarty lets off and he stands Johnson up. Moriarty CHOPS and fans fire up! Moriarty swings but Johnson dodges to CHOP back! Johnson headlocks, Moriarty powers out, and things speed up again, Moriarty’s kitchen sink knee knocks Johnson down! Johnson writhes while fans rally, and Moriarty stands Johnson up to snap suplex! Bridging cover, TWO! Moriarty still bridges while he mockingly applauds Johnson.
Moriarty wraps Johnson up in a seated abdominal stretch! Fans rally as Johnson endures, and Johnson fights up, only for Moriarty to knee low, but Johnson blocks! Trip and jackknife bridge! TWO, and Johnson goes for a leg. Moriarty steps over, whips Johnson away and things speed up, but Johnson rolls Moriarty again! TWO, and Moriarty CLOBBERS Johnson! But Johnson is up to CLOBBER Moriarty! Fans rally and a standing count starts! Johnson stands, goes to a corner, but Moriarty runs in. Johnson ELBOWS Moriarty, goes up and over and things speed up again. Johnson rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT, then a NECKBREAKER!
Johnson kips up and fans fire up with him! Moriarty clutches his neck as Johnson hauls him up, to a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Moriarty survives and Shane is relieved, but Johnson pounds the mat. Fans rally as Moriarty crawls to a corner. Johnson storms up but Moriarty YANKS him into buckles! The ref reprimands but Moriarty stomps away! The ref backs Moriarty off, but then he storms up to YANK Johnson up! Johnson lands on his feet, ELBOWS Moriarty again, then SUPERKICKS him down! Fans fire up as Johnson aims from a corner. Johnson goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and takes aim, to FROG SPLASH!!
Johnson bounces off the impact, crawls back to the cover, ROPEBREAK!! Moriarty survives by a literal foot but Johnson fires himself back up. Johnson whips, Moriarty holds ropes then HOTSHOTS Johnson! LEG LARIAT! Cover, Moriarty wins!
Winner: Lee Moriarty, by pinfall
Shane is proud of his new recruit for finishing that one in the blink of an eye! Will TAIGASTYLE help Shane Taylor Promotions take over ROH once and for all?
Athena puts Billie Starkz (and Lexi Nair) through Minion Training.
The Fallen Goddess says they are here for one thing and one thing only: They have consistently failed her time and again! So today, they are doing training! “Yes, Minion Overlord!” These are all things essential to them becoming the best minions they can be! Is that understood? “Yes, Minion Overlord!” Athena blows the whistle and it begins! First, running up and down the bleachers! You wanna be a minion? Let’s go! They also do standing ovation training, they shine the stage, and Lexi keeps Billie from pressing the “big red button.” Athena wants Billie to stop smiling and being happy. Only angry face from now on!
Athena also puts them through booing drills, where they are to boo Willow Nightingale. Athena makes sure Billie gets that through her head! Boo Willow! No smiles! Keep running! Then they ride the elevator together as Athena does the grades. Billie tries to sneak a peek but almost gets caught. Billie also has to throw away her pompoms. She tries to be intimidating to the others in the locker room. Though it’s more like a kid playing dinosaur or something… The Renegades leave and Billie thinks she “did it,” but Lexi explains that she in fact did not. And then they cross paths with Willow! Athena snaps her fingers and Billie boos! Willow asks why!
Athena says she likes what she’s seen today. Lexi has graduated MIT, so she will now Lexi Nair, “Minion Bestie.” Billie, you sucked. Athena leaves and Billie isn’t sure what to do with that. Will Billie ever not be on Athena’s bad side?
Mercedes Martinez w/ Diamante VS Trish Adora!
The OG Badass has been rolling back up the ranks, but the Afropunk is also primed for that number one spot. Who comes out in pole position in the chase for the title?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and they break. Adora grins but Diamante coaches Mercedes up. They tie up again, Mercedes waistlocks and she SLAMS Adora down. Mercedes headlocks, Adora powers up and powers out, but Mercedes pulls hair to bring Adora back in! The ref reprimands, but Adora lifts! Mercedes uses that to flying takeover! Mercedes says that was so pretty and thanks the fans for the cheers. But Adora rolls to a cover, ONE and Adora runs Mercedes over! Fans fire up as Adora taunts Mercedes. Mercedes swings, misses and Adora fires off forearms!
Adora winds up to ROCK Mercedes! Adora runs in to SPLASH in the corner! Adora fireman’s carries, but Diamante distracts so Mercedes can pull hair, get free and shove, then SPINEBUSTER! Fans rally up as Mercedes mocks the salute. Mercedes taunts Adora, kicks her around, then UPPERCUTS! Mercedes scuffs Adora, CHOKES her on the ropes, then lets off as the ref counts. Diamante CHOKES Adora now! Fans are torn but Diamante gets away with it. Mercedes UPPERCUTS Adora, then fireman’s carries. Adora fights free, shoves Mercedes, but Mercedes sidesteps to ROLLING ELBOW! Adora sits down but Mercedes stands her up.
Mercedes puts Adora on the ropes, DRAPING ANARCHY! Cover, TWO! Adora hangs in there and both Mercedes and Diamante are frustrated! Mercedes slaps Adora around, eggs her on, and fans rally up. Adora scowls, Mercedes fires palm strikes an an UPPERCUT! But Adora hits the BASEMENT GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up with Adora, and she BOOTS Mercedes down! Then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Mercedes hangs tough, she’s a former champion for a reason. But Adora drags Mercedes back up, fireman’s carries again, but Mercedes flails to sunset flip! Adora stays up to drag Mercedes up by her hair!
Adora short arm but Mercedes ducks to HALF NELSON SUPLEX! Then RUNNING KNEE!! Adora falls back, rises up slowly, into the BAYONET FOREARM! Mercedes then clamps onto the legs, SLAPS Adora into giving up the arms, and then pulls her back and back and up! BRASS CITY SLEEPER!! Adora taps, Mercedes wins!
Winner: Mercedes Martinez, by submission
Mercedes doesn’t let go until she’s good and ready. The OG Badass and the Cuban Diamond mock the Infantry, but will these two be the ones waiting on the other side of the Women’s World Championship match? Speaking of…
ROH Women’s World Championship: Athena w/ Billie Starkz VS Angelina Love!
The Fallen Goddess has yet to be dethroned in ROH, but tonight she faces the Pretty Psycho! Angelina has held titles before, even the Women of Honor World Championship that preceded this title! Will Angelina return to the top in this new era of honor? Or will nothing stop Athena’s already historic reign?
Athena is still in coach mode, telling Billie to get the fans fired up, but from behind Athena. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s ready to get crazy!
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and fans rally for Athena. Athena thanks them and she circles with Angelina. They tie up, go around, and then have a deadlock at the center. They break, Angelina and Athena each complain the other pulled hair. The ref didn’t see any of it, so the two go at it again. Angelina waistlocks, Athena switches but Angelina switches back. Athena switches again but Angelina runs to RAM Athena into buckles! But then Athena arm-drags her down! Athena keeps on the cording hold but Angelina endures. Angelina fights up, arm-drags and has the armlock on Athena.
Athena fights up, Angelina wrenches to a wristlock, but Athena flips and wrenches and arm-drags again! Athena kips up, fans fire up, but Angelina CLOBBERS Athena! Angelina cheers herself on but Athena kips up again. Angelina runs in, into a SOBAT! Then a trip, and METEORA! Cover, TWO! Angelina bails out, fans rally up, and Athena goes out after her. But Angelina uses Billie as a hostage! Then she throws Billie into Athena, and she throws Athena down! Billie says that’s not fair! Angelina puts Athena in, dribbles her off the mat, then stands over her. Angelina soaks up the heat but Athena sunset flips! TWO!
Angelina stacks, TWO! Athena stands but into a knee! Angelina scoops Athena to a SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Angelina is frustrated but the fans rally behind Athena. Billie cheers Athena on but Angelina wrangles Athena with a chinlock. Angelina grinds Athena down, but the fans rally up. Athena fights to her feet, but Angelina throws her down! Angelina smiles as she keeps on the chinlock. Fans rally, Athena fights up again, and Billie has pompoms! Athena BITES Angelina and arm-drags free! Fans fire up as Athena fires forearms! Athena BACKHANDS Angelina! Athena whips, Angelina reverse=s but Athena CLOBBERS her!
Fans fire up as Athena rallies! Then Athena wrenches, SOBATS, and ENZIGURIS! Athena howls and fans fire up! Athena handsprings to FOREARM in the corner! Athena snapmares Angelina, goes up top, but Angelina trips her up! Fans boo Angelina while Billie coaches Athena up. Angelina drags Athena off with a fireman’s carry but Athena slips off to shove. Athena runs in but only gets buckles! Angelina BOOTS Athena down! Cover, TWO!! Angelina is shocked, and Billie is halfway in the ring? The ref has her slip back out and Angelina says to watch her. Billie says she didn’t do anything!
Athena waistlocks, Angelina switches and rolls her up, but Athena rolls through to reel Angelina in! Canadian Rack, CLIFFHANGER GUTBUSTER! Cover, Athena wins!
Winner: Athena, by pinfall (still ROH Women’s World Champion)
Angelina Love gave Athena a fight worthy of this title, but only Athena proved worthy of this title! She is now 39-0, and Billie presents her with the whistle. Coach Athena takes it, smiles and nods, and says Billie is finally learning. Athena pats Billie on the head, the two head out, but how much further does Billie have to go before she is championship material herself?
Backstage interview with Maria Kanellis-Bennett, Cole Karter & Griff Garrison.
Lexi is with The First Lady of Wrestling and her new prospects, they are going to team up for the very first time together. Are they ready for this? The bigger question is if Griff is with The Kingdom. Griff wants to put this out there right now: this is a trial and error kind of thing. Like he said last week, he feels he’s lost a step after returning from injury, and this seems like a relatively good opportunity. So yeah, he is ready. Okay, good. See you out there. Karter repeats, “See you out there.” Will the Ivy League MVP be able to make it work with the Diamond in the Rough?
Six Woman Tag: Leyla Hirsch & The Renegades VS Skye Blue, Willow Nightingale & Kiera Hogan!
The Fallen Goddess is still atop the mountain, and all six of these young and hungry wrestlers want their shot! But will Charlette & Robyn be able to keep up with their #LEGIT partner? Or will Chicago Skye, the Babe with the Power and the Hottest Flame keep their own momentum going?
The Code of Honor is upheld, though maybe with some sarcasm and sass. The teams sort out and Robyn starts against Kiera. Fans cheer “Happy Birthday!” for Kiera and she ties up with Robyn. Robyn knees low and says this is her birthday gift! Robyn whips but Kiera ELBOWS her! Then RANAS! Robyn ends up in a corner, Kiera runs in to SHOTGUN her down! Kiera runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK! Then she goes side to side to BOOT WASH! Kiera drags Robyn around, covers, TWO! Kiera drags Robyn over, tags in Skye, and fans rally as they double whip. Robyn holds ropes but gets a SHINING WIZARD for it!
Kiera adds another HIP ATTACK! Fans rally as Skye YANKS Robyn down to then mule kick! Cover, TWO! But then Leyla and Charlette YANK Willow and Kiera down from the outside! The ref reprimands them while Skye drags Robyn up. Robyn dodges the forearm to ROCK Skye! Snapmare and then a cover, TWO! Robyn drags Skye up, tags Charlette, and the Renegades double suplex. They hold Skye up for five before the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Maria is on stage, she’s still hoping Leyla joins up. Charlette wraps on a chinlock but Skye fights up., Skye throws body shots but Charlette CLUBS her down!
Charlette puts Skye in the corner, RAMS into her, then RAMS her again! Maria likes it as Charlette bumps Skye off buckles. Tag to Robyn, and she cravat SLAMS! Charlette runs to ROLLING NECKBREAKER! Charlette holds on to bridge for a modified cravat neck wrench! Skye endures, CLUBS free, and then drags Charlette up. But Charlette SPINEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Skye hangs tough but Charlette drags her up. Charlette bumps Skye off buckles, tags Robyn, and Robyn whisps her in to back body block! Robyn runs in to KNEE Skye, but then Leyla tags in! Leyla finally has a turn, and she GERMAN SUPLEXES!
Leyla drags Skye up to GERMAN SUPLEX again! Maria likes what she sees as Leyla hits a third GERMAN SUPLEX! Leyla then sucker punches Kiera! Fans boo and Willow dares her to do that to Willow. Leyla runs in at Skye instead, but Skye ELBOWS her back! Skye knocks the Renegades down, but Leyla gets her for a snap takedown and LEGIT ARMBAR!! Skye hurries to stack, TWO! Leyla blocks a kick, but not the BASEMENT ROUNDHOUSE! Hot tags to Willow and Robyn! Fans fire up as Willow rallies on the Renegades! Willow DECKS Leyla for good measure! Willow fires off on Charlette but Charlette kicks low!
Charlette reels Willow in but Willow suplexes! Robyn makes the save, the Renegades mug Willow, but Willow fights the double suplex to DOUBLE SUPLEX the Renegades! Cover, Leyla breaks it! Leyla HAMMERS away on Willow but Kiera CLOBBERS her! Robyn goes after Kiera, Skye is after her, Charlette returns! The brawl breaks down, spills out of the ring, and Robyn runs up. Skye dodges but Robyn dodges! Robyn catches Skye to a BACK2BACKBREAKER! Kiera runs in, boots the lariat and then ROUNDHOUSES! Kiera reels Robyn in, HANGING NECKBREAKER! Charlette spins Kiera for a BACKBREAKER!
Willow is back, she hits an URENAGE! Leyla storms back in to SHOTGUN Willow! Leyla whips, Willow reverses and then POUNCES! PERIOD! Tag to Skye and Willow hauls Charlette up. Fireman’s carry, SUPERKICK to DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Willow BLASTS Robyn, Skye SUPERKICKS Leyla! Kiera runs in to DIVE and she takes out Robyn! Skye hurries to get Charlette up, for CODE BLUE! Cover, Skye’s team wins!
Winners: Skye Blue, Willow Nightingale & Kiera Hogan, by pinfall
Maria is no longer as impressed by Leyla as she was. Will the First Lady have to change tactics about her Kingdom’s Army?
Backstage interview with Angelico, Serpentico, Tony Nese & Mark Sterling.
Lexi is with this rather odd collection and says tonight, they will be teaming up in Six Man Tag action for the first time ever. What led to all this? Smart Mark says the Premier Athlete is always on the lookout for possible young up ‘n’ coming wrestlers to join the Premier Brand. This is a one time offer: if they win, FREE GROUP TRAINING! Maybe Nese can whip them into shape to have more muscles. Nese says they don’t look the part but he can work on that as a personal trainer. But they are to do exactly what he says, exactly what he does, and follow him to victory. Understand? You got it? Comprende, hombre?
And don’t come out there until he tells them. Sterling agrees, but does compliment Serpentico’s mask and the hand streamers. Sterling & Nese head out, and Angelico says those guys’ vibes are way off. Serpentico says they’re burros. Sterling heard that! Will this team work out so that they can work out?
Ethan Page VS VSK!
All Ego got a great win in his ROH return, showing his ego has mellowed out a bit. Will he continue to build back up? Or will the former Trustbuster bust him down even more?
The Code of Honor is upheld, though Page doesn’t let go right away. The bell rings, Page and VSK circle, and fans rally up for Page. Page has them get louder, so there’s still some ego. The two tie up, Ethan headlocks, but VSK pulls hair! VSK headlocks, Page powers out and then CLOBBERS VSK! Fans rally and Page complains about the hair pulling. Page then scoops VSK but VSK CLAWS the eyes! The ref reprimands but VSK ROCKS Page with a haymaker! VSK mocks the fans for cheering Page, then he storms up on Page. VSK whips but Page blocks! And again! Page reels VSK in to scoop and POWERSLAM!
Page fires up and the fans are with him! Page drags VSK up, reels him in, Canadian Rack! But VSK slips free, ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ slides to DROPKICK! But Page rebounds to run VSK over! VSK goes to a corner, Page runs in but only gets buckles! VSK mule kicks, front kicks, but the enziguri whiffs! Page wraps on a half straitjacket, then he scoops VSK and carries him around, for the CRADLE SUPLEX! Then a step-in CUTTER! Cover, Page wins!
Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall
Page shakes VSK’s hand to keep the Code of Honor, and he is rolling already! Will he truly be refreshed with a title opportunity?
Spanish Announce Project & Tony Nese w/ Mark Sterling VS El Hijo Del Vikingo, Metalik & Gravity w/ Alex Abrahantes!
The Premier Brand is looking to expand, but Angelico y Serpentico haven’t been sold just yet. Will they make a better trio than even they can imagine? Or will this alliance of luchadores bring them all crashing down?
Sterling of course has a mic to say that everyone knows this is Tony Nese. His client has something very important to say. “Penn State College. I tried telling this company, if we wanted to perform in front of real athletes, we should’ve done this show in Ohio State.” Fans boo but Nese says that he’s just being honest. Maybe if Penn didn’t spend so much time at The Creamery, they’d be in shape! Ladies, ladies, ladies, it’s called the Freshman 15, not Freshman 50. But Nese has great news for everyone. They all know he is a personal trainer, so before they have any more wrestling tonight, he is gonna treat each and every one of them to GROUP TRAINING!
Stand up! Let’s get going! Get off your lazy asses! Stretch! Reach up! But then Angelico y Serpentico make their way out! They stopped listening to Nese’s orders from earlier, is this partnership falling apart already? Then after Serpentico throws his streamers, Abrahantes’ trio makes their entrance, Gravity leading the way. The teams sort out, Nese tells SAP to watch and learn. Nese then makes Serpentico start against Metalik, and the Code of Honor is upheld. The bell rings, fans rally up and the two tie up. Serpentico wrenches, hammerlocks, facelocks, wrenches and whips, but Metalik goes up and over and keeps moving.
Metalik ducks ‘n’ dodges, Serpentico drops down and avoids the handspring elbow! Metalik avoids the boot to CHOP! Metalik whips, Serpentico reverses but Metalik elbows him down! Metalik runs in, Serpentico monkey flips him but Metalik lands on his feet! Things keep moving, Metalik scoops and BACKBREAKERS Serpentico! Cover, ONE!! Metalik keeps on Serpentico and brings him up to wrench. Tag to Gravity but Serpentico gets away. Gravity has to stay back as Serpentico goes to his corner. Angelico tags in, and he circles with Gravity. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but Angelico crisscrosses Gravity’s arms into a one-arm double armlock!
Gravity stomps at Angelico’s feet but Angelico easily avoids those. Then he wraps Gravity up in a straitjacket stretch! Angelico ripcords, whips, but Gravity holds ropes. Angelico rushes in, Gravity gets around, schoolboys but Angelico rolls through. Gravity kips up, flips through the wrench and arm-drags Angelico away! Fans fire up as Gravity runs in, ARABIAN PRESS ARM-DRAG! Another kip up while Angelico bails out, and Gravity builds speed. Angelico ducks but Gravity handsprings! Gravity space walks, tag to Vikingo! Fans rally up but Nese tags in to say he has to handle this. But Vikingo CROSSBODIES!
Nese rushes in, Vikingo dodges to whip, but Nese reverses. Vikingo reverses back to HEEL KICK! BOOT! ENZIGURI! Nese is in the corner and fans rally behind Vikingo. Vikingo runs up to GAMANGIRI! Nese wobbles, Vikingo goes up but Nese hurries away. Vikingo still springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Nese bails out, Vikingo builds speed and he goes up and up, pauses so physics can catch up with him, and Viking SKY TWISTERS! Direct hit and both men are down, so SAP rushes in! Gravity y Metalik dodge them to DOUBLE DROPKICK them out! SAP bails out and the luchadores DOUBLE TOPE!!
Fans are thunderous as Metalik y Gravity stand tall! “This is Awesome!” as Metalik puts Nese back in. Metalik CHOPS, CHOPS and runs, to KNEE Nese lose! Metalik fires the fans up, then runs, but Nese distracts the ref while Sterling trips Metalik up! Fans boo Smart Mark but Nese runs in to basement dropkick! Nese soaks up the heat, drags Metalik up and bumps him off buckles. Nese tells Angelico, “See how it’s done? Let’s see what you got!” Nese tags Angelico, Angelico snapmares Metalik and ties up one arm. Angelico uses the other arm for a RECLINER! Metalik endures, kicks around, and gets a ROPEBREAK!
Angelico lets off as Metalik saves himself by a literal foot. Angelico tells Nese that he does things with submissions. The people know it! Well, the fans chant “LUCHA! LUCHA!” Metalik crawls but Angelico brings him up. Nese tags himself in, he and Angelico mug Metalik, and Nese scoops Metalik to SLAM him! Then he drops a leg, brother! Nese says power style is how it’s done, then tags Angelico back in. Angelico argues with Nese, then brings Metalik up. Angelico puts Metalik on the top rope, CHOPS and CHOPS, but Metalik throws hands! Angelico goes up but Metalik CLUBS him! Metalik adjusts, to SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!
Nese is frustrated as Metalik and Angelico crawl. Hot tag to Gravity! Gravity LARIATS Angelico, LARIATS Serpentico, DECKS Nese, and repeat! Angelico gets around, full nelsons, but Gravity arm-drags free! Gravity runs in to POWERSLAM! Then he somersaults to STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, Nese breaks it! Nese brings Gravity up to whip, but Gravity holds ropes. Nese runs in but Gravity TOSSES him out! The ref checks Nese after that rough landing, but Angelico EDDY GORDO KICKS Gravity down! Metalik runs in to suplex Angelico high and hard! Serpentico runs in, Metalik blocks a kick to give a kick.
Metalik gets Serpentico up, SIT-OUT BOMB! Cover, but Nese SOBATS Metalik in the back! Fans rally up as everyone is down around the ring. Nese goes to his corner, Angelico drags Gravity over but Nese tags in! Angelico complains but Nese drags Gravity up. Nese wants to see how “ugly this SOB is!” He pulls at Gravity’s mask! Fans boo, and Serpentico storms in to stop Nese! As a luchador himself, #SNAKEMAN will not stand for this! The ref has Serpentico back off, Nese tells them to listen to him for once. Nese wants to tag out but SAP ditch him! Fans cheer, Sterling is freaking out, and Gravity stands to SUPERKICK! Nese falls, tag to Metalik!
Metalik goes up, for the tightrope SWANTON! Cover, the luchadores win!
Winners: El Hijo del Vikingo, Metalik & Gravity, by pinfall
Vikingo can’t get in the ring to celebrate, he took more damage to that hip than expected, but he and the team still celebrate. Will the AAA Mega Champion, the King of the Ropes and the Astronaut of Lucha still reach new heights in ROH?
Backstage interview with Ethan Page.
Lexi is now with All Ego and congratulates him on the win tonight. She says Ethan’s been on a roll, and he figures yeah, two is good enough for a roll. He wants to make it three, but the feeling he had after winning these couple weeks is something he hasn’t felt in the longest time. Everyone who has been watching Ethan these last three years has seen the ups and downs, and lately, it has been a lot of downs. But there was a really big bright spot in that spiral and it was the greatest night of his professional career. He wrestled for the most prestigious prize in wrestling today, the AEW World Championship, in his hometown with his family in the front row, it does not get better than that.
But then it didn’t go his way, and nothing else really has, but Ethan says to touch the gold, to feel the pressure, to be in the marquee match, and to be inches away from changing his life… He realized that ROH is the place for competition, and he needs to be competitive so that he can continue momentum, climb back up, and touch gold again. But this time, he won’t let go. That’s the plan. Then he has his groove back? Sure, go and say that. All Ego got his groove back! Will Ethan return to former glory and finally have gold to show for it?
Cole Karter & Griff Garrison w/ Maria Kanellis-Bennett VS Action Andretti & Darius Martin!
A brand new team, put together by The First Lady, takes on another young team that has been fingertips away from taking titles for their own. Will Maria’s investment pay off with a win tonight? Or will the Sight to See & Air Wolf take flight?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the teams sort out, and Karter starts against Darius. Fans rally, the two tie up and Darius wrenches to a wristlock. Karter whips, Darius reverses and arm-drags! Darius has the armlock, drags Karter up to wrench, and he tags Action. Action goes up but Karter gets away to tag in Griff. Maria cheers Griff on and he circles with Action. They tie up, Griff waistlocks and SLAMS Action down! Action fights around, pries free, switches, but Griff switches back to back suplex. Action lands on his feet to waistlock but Griff RAMS him back into the corner. Griff is free but Darius sneaks the tag!
Darius slingshots in to get ahead of Griff and keeps him from Karter! Darius RAMS Griff into Action’s knees, then Darius mule kicks. Action goes up to DOUBLE STOMP Griff on the back! Darius & Action BLAST Karter, then double kick Griff to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Karter returns, but into DOUBLE DROPKICKS! Fans fire up and Darius runs in, but Griff puts him on the apron. Darius RAMS Griff, Karter runs up but into an elbow! Griff storms up but Darius ROCKS him! Darius aims but Karter anchors him. Darius kicks Karter away, Action protests but that distracts the ref, allowing Maria to anchor Darius!
Darius kicks free, but turns around into a BOOT from Griff! Karter cheers but Griff asks what was that all about. Griff drags Darius up, bumps him off buckles, and tags in Karter. They mug Darius, Karter stomps a mudhole in, and Maria applauds. The ref counts, Karter lets off and even Griff says to keep things clean. Karter snap suplexes Darius, and then he soaks up the heat. Karter covers but it’s really a choke! The ref counts, Karter stops at 4, then Karter stalks Darius. Darius goes to ropes so the ref has Karter back off. Karter argues with the ref but that’s to distract, so that Maria can CHOKE Darius!
Maria gets away with it again but Action warns her. Darius staggers up into a DROPKICK from Karter! Cover, TWO! Maria defends her innocence but Griff is upset. Karter whips Darius to a corner, tags Griff in, and then Griff whips Karter in. Darius TOSSES Karter up and out! Then he goes up and over Griff! Griff hurries to get a leg, but Darius BOOTS him away! Hot tags to Action and Karter! Action dodges Karter to DECK Griff, then he DECKS Karter! Action rallies on them both, and fans fire up! Action whips but Karter reverses, only for Action to handspring and DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! Fans fire up as both Maria’s boys are down!
Action kips up while Griff and Karter go to opposite corners. Action runs in to RAM Griff! And then he SPLASHES Karter! Action runs corner to corner again but Griff dodges the splash! But then Action SHOTGUNS Griff into Darius’s GERMAN SUPLEX! Griff tumbles out but Karter shoves Darius into Action! Karter DECKS Darius, rolls Action, and puts his legs on the ropes! But Griff shoves them off the ropes! Karter and Maria argue with Griff, because Griff doesn’t wanna cheat! Karter says you don’t disrespect Maria! But then Action FLIES over Karter to take out Griff! And Darius SUPERKICKS Karter!
Darius reels Karter in to BRAINBUSTER! Tag to Action, he springboards to 450 SPLASH!! Cover, Action & Darius win!
Winners: Action Andretti & Darius Martin
Maria is not happy, but perhaps it was her own fault for thinking Griff was going to change his morals for the sake of success. Griff upholds the Code of Honor with Action & Darius, but then Karter says up theirs! Karter & Maria have Griff leave with them, is Griff going to ditch this team before long?
ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championships: The Mogul Embassy w/ Prince Nana VS Willie Mack & The Infantry!
Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona have been unstoppable as a trio with a 16-0 record in trios action. However, teams have been getting closer and closer. Will Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo bringing the Mack Attack along be exactly what brings these titans down? Or will nothing stop the Embassy’s reign of terror?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who gets to go on to Rampage tomorrow night!
The Code of Honor is upheld, the fans chant “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” and some do the Nana dance. Kaun starts against Dean, the bell rings, and Kaun rushes in! Dean avoids the boot, says it was close, and they circle. They tie up, Dean headlocks but Kaun powers out to run Dean over! Things speed up, Dena hurdles but Kaun shoves. Dean jumps over but Kaun CLOBBERS him! But then Dean avoids the senton! Dean DROPKICKS, Kaun staggers, but Dean wrenches and tags Bravo. The Infantry double whips, double hip tosses, and then they crisscross the legs to SPLIT that wishbone! Bravo says that’ll leave a mark.
Bravo drags Kaun up but Kaun CHOSP! Kaun wristlocks but Bravo gets free before Kaun tags Liona. Bravo says okay, that’s how it is, huh? Bravo and Liona circle, Liona rushes in but Bravo dodges to JAB! Bravo bobs ‘n’ weaves, JABS, then rope-a-dopes. But Liona TOSSES him to a corner! Liona runs in, Bravo dodges then comes back. Bravo jukes and ROCKS Liona! Fans fire up and Bravo talks some smack, but Liona stays up! Bravo turns around into a LARIAT! Liona glares at Mack, then goes back to Bravo. Liona scoops to put Bravo on the ropes, to fire KNEE after KNEE into him! The ref reprimands and Liona just fires off more!
The ref counts, Liona drops Bravo and roars at Mack & Dean. Liona then tags Kaun, and Kaun slingshot SENTONS! Bravo sputters but Kaun drags him up to snap suplex. Uno Amigo! Then a waistlock, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bravo fights but Kaun still hits the back suplex! Cover, TWO! Kaun kneels on Bravo’s head while he argues with the ref, and Bravo flails! Dean pushes Kaun over but Kaun just grins as he drags Bravo up. Kaun tags Cage and fans fire up for The Machine. Cage CHOPS Bravo, puts him in the corner and RAMS him! And RAMS him again! And CHOPS! Cage fires up the fans as he throws point-blank clotheslines!
Fans count as Cage picks up speed, and Cage gets to TEN! Cage whips corner to corner hard, and Bravo staggers into a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Bravo hangs tough but Cage drags him up. Cage ROCKS Bravo with a forearm, whips him corner to corner then scoops again, but Bravo slips free to BACKSTABBER! Fans rally up as Bravo crawls, but Cage grabs a leg! Cage drags Bravo back, ducks the enziguri, then drops an elbow! “Who betta than Cage?” Cage then sucker punches Dean! Cage stands Bravo up, suplexes, but Bravo slips free to hot tag Mack! Fans fire up as these rivals meet again, and Mack hits a SLINGBLADE!
Mack BLASTS Liona, lines up a shot on Cage, and body shots! Mack whips, to LARIAT! Then WHEEL KICK! Fans fire up and Mack scoops Cage, for a SLAM! Kaun storms in but Mack ducks the haymaker to DECK him! Mack BOOTS Liona off the apron, Nana protests, but Mack runs in at Cage to BOOT! Cage falls over, Mack covers, TWO! The Machine is tougher than that but Mack goes up the corner! Fans fire up, but Cage stands to GAMANGIRI! Cage drags Mack off the top, to then go up. Fans rally as Cage deadlift SUPERPLEXES Mack!! Mack writhes and “This is Awesome!” as Cage drags Mack back up.
Cage stands Mack up but Mack kicks low! Cage denies the stunner, but Mack ends up in his corner. Tag to Bravo before Cage SUPERKICKS Mack! Bravo ROCKS Cage, ROCKS him again, then spins him around to ROLLING ELBOW! Cage falls, Kaun runs in! Bravo spins him around, SIDEWINDER! Liona slides in while Bravo takes aim at Cage & Kaun. But then Bravo turns around, and he screams as he drops down under the Pounce! Liona wipes himself out and Dean PENALTY KICKS Cage! Dean runs in to JUMPING CLOTHESLINE in the corner! Dean goes out to PENALTY KICK Kaun, and Bravo runs up on Liona!
Bravo hits a KNEE SMASH! And SUPERKICK! Dean SUPERKICKS! Liona roars but Infantry shouts, “KICK HIM!” They DOUBLE SUPERKICK Liona, and Liona staggers into a DOUBLE SUP- NO, Liona fights it off! Liona DOUBLE SUP- NO, Mack saves the Infantry! STUNNER!! Then the Infantry reload, DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Fans fire up while Nana freaks out! Bravo tags Mack but Kaun runs in! Dean blocks a boot, gives it to Bravo, ENZIGURI and then NECKBREAKER! Cage is back and he LARIATS Bravo! Mack is up top, but Cage intercepts! Mack shoves Cage down, though! To then FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?
Cage survives and shocks Mack! But he and the Infantry regroup, and fans fire up with them! Mack, Bravo & Dean aim from corners, Mack STUN- NO, Cage denies Mack again! Kaun fireman’s carries Mack and tucks him, AIR RAID CRASH! Dean runs at Kaun, but Liona POUNCES him! Bravo is alone, Cage reels him in to a GERMAN SUPLEX! The Infantry is down and out, the Gates of Agony drag Mack up! They OPEN THE GATES!! Cage covers, The Embassy wins!
Winners: The Mogul Embassy, by pinfall (still ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champions)
The reign of terror continues! At least, for another 24 hours. Rampage: Grand Slam pits these monsters against The Hung Bucks! Will this dominance continue even as ROH and AEW blur the lines? Or will Hangman Adam Page once again hold these belts with Matt & Nick Jackson?
My Thoughts:
A very good ROH, and it seems ROH is sticking to an hour and 45 minutes. At least, I sure hope so, it still takes me far too long to do these. I will say there wasn’t any actual filler. Even Diamante beating a jobber than being ringside for when Mercedes Martinez beats Trish Adora can be seen as story for the duo of Diamante & Mercedes growing stronger. If only ROH had some more titles for the women’s division, because they’ve got a lot more talent than can fit into the world title scene. Good Six Woman Tag to feed into Leyla’s story with Maria, while also showcasing just what I said with how there are midcard title worthy talents.
Good stuff with Maria’s story of building The Kingdom’s Army, and there is a clear story to Griff not wanting to get on board with the Heel tactics, and he could break away to then have some real good matches with Karter. We got a very fun “Minion Training” vignette from Athena, Billie & Lexi, but that is not the two week window To Do List thing they set up literally last week. Feels like ROH wasn’t keeping track of what they were doing, but oh well. Athena VS Angelina Love was a good title match, but a quick one because yeah, Athena is that much better than Angelina. Still waiting for when Athena either pushes Billie too far and she rebels, or Athena creates a monster not even she can control, all leading to a title match between them.
Really good, really fun Six Man Tag with Nese sticking his foot in his mouth and making Spanish Announce Project turn on him. Good win for the luchadores, though Vikingo taking himself out of the match was not good. Vikingo needs to be more careful, he is running really hard and fast, much like Darby Allin. The Pure Championship was a really good opener, but I figured Shibata was winning over Nick Wayne. Nick still looked great, as he has since debuting in AEW, but he’s probably gotta wait until he’s 19 to get a championship. Also, it feels like ROH wants to build towards a rematch of Shibata VS Josh Woods at the next ROH exclusive PPV so Shibata isn’t losing before then.
Great promo from Eddie to get his reaction after winning the ROH World Championship. He pointed out he’s in for a busy schedule defending two titles in two companies, as I’ve been saying, but Eddie will be able to do it. And even then it is great story material for him to struggle with the schedule after a month or so. Really good promo from Johnson, Moriarty & Shane, then really good match from Moriarty VS Johnson. Shane called out Keith Lee last time, too, I wonder if Keith Lee joins Lee Johnson to take on Shane and Moriarty so we get even more Lees in the mix. Honestly, Keith Lee needs to get on something, and then move on to a title because duh, it’s KEITH LEE.
Ethan Page with a good win and good promo after, and while it’s a shame he won’t finish his story with The Hardy Boyz, that story went a few chapters too long anyway. Ethan getting going in ROH will be good stuff, maybe he can be a contender for Samoa Joe’s TV Championship. And then some really good stuff in the ROH Six Man Division, with a good promo from Mack & Infantry, and another great Six Man title match. But of course, with Hung Bucks VS Embassy set for Rampage (which has also been recorded by now), and how that feeds into Hangman VS Swerve at WrestleDream, no way was this match (which was recorded even before Rampage) was going to change anything. As I’ve been saying in the AEW articles, there is a chance the Hung Bucks win the titles, unless Swerve screws Hangman over.
My Score: 8.6/10
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Who hits the Grand Slam? And who strikes out?
Dynamite returns to Arthur Ashe, and Maxwell Jacob Friedman returns to New York to defend his AEW World Championship against Samoa Joe!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- ROH World & NJPW Strong Openweight Championships, Winner Takes All: Claudio Castagnoli w/ Wheeler Yuta VS Eddie Kingston; Eddie wins and becomes both ROH World & NJPW Strong Openweight Champion.
- Chris Jericho VS Sammy Guevara; Jericho wins.
- AEW International Championship: Jon Moxley VS Rey Fenix w/ Alex Abrahantes; Fenix wins and becomes the new AEW International Champion.
- AEW Women’s World Championship: Saraya w/ Ruby Soho VS Toni Storm; Saraya wins and retains the title.
- AEW World Championship: MJF w/ Adam Cole VS Samoa Joe; MJF wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
ROH World & NJPW Strong Openweight Championships, Winner Takes All: Claudio Castagnoli w/ Wheeler Yuta VS Eddie Kingston!
This isn’t a rivalry, this is a grudge that has gone on for just over a decade, and this will be the end of it all! Will the Swiss Superman take away the title the Mad King fought so hard to get? Or will Eddie prove he IS the better man?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who leaves Arthur Ashe a double champion!
The bell rings and fans are thunderous already as Eddie and Claudio stare down. They slowly approach, then Claudio just BOOTS Eddie down! But Eddie’s right up to CHOP! And CHOP! Claudio forearms, Eddie CHOPS, repeat! New York is behind their own as he continues to go back and forth with Claudio! Claudio fires off forearm after forearm, then he talks trash. “Is that all you got?” Eddie CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Claudio fires more forearms, then TOSSES Eddie out of the ring! But then Eddie drags Claudio out to whip hard into railing! Claudio hobbles, holding a knee, but Eddie choke grips him!
Fans fire up as Eddie MACHINE GUN CHOPS Claudio against the railing! Eddie ROCKS Claudio, brings him around, and whips him, only for Claudio to reverse and short arm LARIAT! Fans boo but Claudio soaks it up. Claudio drags Eddie up, ROCKS him, and stalks him. Claudio puts Eddie in the ring, fans rally up and Eddie catches Claudio in the ropes! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Eddie dropkicks that bad leg! Claudio avoids the next one and he deadlift gut wrenches, for the POWERBOMB! Claudio hobbles and fans boo, but Claudio drags Eddie up. Claudio reels Eddie in, but Eddie fights the lift!
Eddie CLUBS the bad leg, fans rally up, but Claudio SLAPS Eddie! Eddie SLAPS back! And GERMAN SUPLEXES! Fans fire up again as Claudio bails out to the apron. Fans chant “F HIM UP, EDDIE, F HIM UP!” Eddie storms over, and fires off backhand after backhand! Then URAKEN! But that hurts Eddie’s hand just as much! Claudio clamps on a SLEEPER in the ropes! But Eddie elbows free, only for Claudio to back suplex Eddie to the ramp! The LED Plexiglas ramp is a stiff worker, and Claudio looms over Eddie. Eddie is dazed and the fans rally up behind him. Claudio drags Eddie up, then stomps a hand!
Claudio then clotheslines Eddie back into the ring! Fans boo as Claudio climbs the corner. But Eddie rolls to the corner, only for Claudio to DIVING DOUBLE STOMP anyway! Claudio stomps Eddie, drags him up, and scoop SLAMS him! Claudio goes back up, to then DIVING HEADBUTT but FLOPS as Eddie moves! Eddie staggers up, but into an UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO!! Eddie is still in this and Claudio is fuming as Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio and Eddie go to ropes, and then Claudio storms over. Claudio CLUBS away on Eddie at the ropes, then he drags Eddie up. Eddie pushes Claudio away but Claudio reels Eddie in. Claudio suplexes but Eddie blocks! Claudio throws body shots, tries again, but Eddie still blocks! Eddie then suplexes Claudio up and over! Fans fire up while both men flounder. Claudio stands first, runs and he BOOTS Eddie in the head! And then Claudio scuffs Eddie, kicks him around, taunts and toys with him, but Eddie CHOPS! Claudio kicks, Eddie CHOPS! Claudio SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Eddie reaches out in time!
Claudio sits Eddie up and clamps on with a top wristlock chinlock combo! Fans rally up as Eddie endures being squeezed and twisted around. But then Claudio KICKS Eddie in the back, and STOMPS the hand! Then he STOMPS the other hand! Eddie clutches fingers, but Claudio drags Eddie up by an ear. Eddie CHOPS! And CHOPS! Dynamite returns to single picture as Claudio eggs Eddie on. Eddie CHPOS, Claudio fires UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT in the corner! Claudio sits Eddie down, the ref back shim off, but then Claudio fireman’s carries! T K O! Cover, TWO!! Fans are thunderous as Eddie hangs in there!
Claudio scuffs Eddie again, and that riles Eddie up. Claudio gives more toying kicks, then some harder shots. Eddie pounds the mat and fans fire up with him! Claudio kick sand kicks and kicks, and Eddie wobbles, only to sit up again. Claudio drags Eddie up to UPPER- NO, BACKSLIDE! TWO! Eddie ENZIGURIS! And then an EXPLODER!! Eddie has Claudio again, for a SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Claudio goes to a corner, Yuta coaches him, and Claudio sees Eddie go to the far side. Eddie runs in to clothesline! Eddie fires up and fires off MACHINE GUN CHOPS!! Claudio just brushes those off? Eddie CHOPS and CHOPS, then JABS! Claudio drops to a knee and fans are thunderous!
Eddie hauls Claudio up, Claudio fights the Northern Lights Bomb, so Eddie fires Kawada knees! Claudio JABS back! Eddie staggers, Claudio shakes out the cobwebs, and then both men stare down again. Fans fire up as the two step up, Claudio eggs Eddie on, then fires a forearm! Eddie CHOPS! Forearm! CHOP! Repeat! Claudio eggs Eddie on so Eddie CHOPS! Claudio UPPERCUTS! Eddie staggers back, steadies himself, and he CHOPS again! Claudio dusts that off, so Eddie CHOPS only for Claudio to catch it! HEADBUTT, short arm LARIAT!! Cover, TWO, but Claudio rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!
Claudio reels Eddie in, straitjacket for the RICOLA- RANA!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio has the cover, TWO!! Flashbacks to Supercard of Honor there, but Eddie is up! Into an UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO?!? Eddie survives and Claudio is furious! Claudio drags Eddie up, straitjacket, RICOLA BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! New York is electric as Eddie still lives! Claudio is beside himself, but he pulls off the elbow pad now. Claudio drags Eddie up, talks some trash, and UPPERCUTS! URAKEN!! URAKEN!! Then a half nelson, HALF ‘N’ HALF PLEX!! Claudio stands, into the URAKEN!! NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Fans are electric again as Eddie powers up! Eddie drags Claudio up, reels him in, but Claudio fights the lift! Claudio then UPPERCUTS! Eddie URAKENS!! And POWERBOMBS!! High stack, EDDIE WINS!!
Winner: Eddie Kingston, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight & NEW ROH World Champion)
He has done it! The Mad King has conquered Claudio and now reigns over two kingdoms! Yuta tells Claudio that yes, it really did happen. Yuta helps Claudio to his feet, and Eddie keeps his eyes on them. Claudio offers a handshake, and Eddie… accepts it! Claudio hands the ROH title over then takes his leave. Fans chant “You Deserve It!” and that is an understatement. How much more history will be made by Eddie Kingston now?
The Kingdom visits Roderick Strong in the hospital.
This was recorded sometime last week after Dynamite. Matt Taven & Mike Bennett sit by Roddy’s bedside as the nurse fluffs Roddy’s pillow. Mike says they wanted to invite everyone here so they could personally thank everyone for all the gifts and cards. Taven likes this card here. “I hope it makes your day brighter knowing how much everyone cares. Your attention to neck health awareness has been inspirational, and one day, I hope to be as neck strong as you. XOXO Olga.” Mike excuses the nurse and then Adam Cole visits. Roddy calls out to Adam and asks where he is, he can’t see. Then open your eyes.
Roddy does open his eyes and is happy to see Cole is here. Of course he is, he wouldn’t miss this for the world. Cole then says hi to The Kingdom and they ask him where he’s been. He got here as quick as he could. Oh, convenient, Cole shows up just as The Kingdom has to leave. Mike tells Roddy sorry, they gotta go. They’re going to be the new #1 Contenders to the ROH World Tag Titles. Roddy understands. He knows they don’t need it, but good luck. New champs coming soon. Taven then insults Cole’s shirt and pants. Is that how he dresses when he’s mourning? Cole says that’s real appropriate to say.
Cole then tells Roddy that he is glad Roddy is doing okay, and Cole hates to do this but he has to leave soon, too. Max has the world title match with Samoa Joe, and after what happened all last week, Cole has to make sure Max will be okay. Roddy says who cares! What about him? Cole wants Roddy to know he loves him, but Max is the one in danger. Roddy makes the bed sit up so he can look at Cole properly, just so he can tell Cole to go. Then Roddy lowers himself back down. Will Cole be able to help MJF through whatever is coming?
Backstage interview with Christian Cage & Luchasaurus.
Renee Paquette is with Captain Charisma and the AEW TNT Champion to bring up that this Friday, Rampage: Grand Slam, it will be Darby Allin & Sting taking on these two in a tag team match. Obviously, Christian & Luchasaurus have a ton of experience- Christian cuts Renee off to say they have a ton of experience in defending the TNT Championship. And at Rampage: Grand Slam, Christian & Luchasaurus walk through Darby & Sting, and then move on from them. But obviously, Darby isn’t going to move on until he gets another chance at Christian’s- er, their TNT Championship!
So here’s a proposition: Saturday on Collision, Darby VS Christian VS Luchasaurus in a Triple Threat for the TNT Championship! Sound good to Darby? Oh, and one more little wrinkle: if Darby wants his shot, then Sting is not allowed at ringside! And when Darby steps into the ring for their Handicap- er, Triple Threat… Then Darby has as much a chance of winning this championship as both the Yankees and the Mets! ZERO! As for Friday, bring your boy. Christian & Luchasaurus head out, will they dominate this entire week?
Chris Jericho VS Sammy Guevara!
For the first time ever, The Ocho and the Spanish God go 1v1 with each other! They’re both ready to fight harder than they ever have before, but who will come out on top?
Sammy’s entrance has him wearing an LED vest as a reference to all of Jericho’s light up jackets, and Sammy even has Monteasy live to rap the theme song! Is this Sammy’s time to take flight? Or will he be unable to get off the ground with Judas in his mind?
The bell rings and fans fire up as the two circle. Sammy offers a handshake, Jericho accepts it, and the two tie up. Jericho headlocks, then switches and hammerlocks to headlock again. Sammy powers out, but Jericho runs him over, only for Sammy to kip up! So Jericho slaps Sammy! Sammy slaps back, and the hands start flying! Fans fire up and Sammy CHOPS! Jericho CHOPS! Repeat! Sammy gets the edge, whips, hurdles, flips over, and Jericho stumbles into the DROPKICK! Fans fire up as Sammy spins to hit his pose! And Jericho still joins in? Sammy is surprised by that and Jericho SLAPS him again!
Sammy goes to ropes, Jericho storms up but Sammy rolls him up! ONE, and Sammy cradles! ONE, and Jericho CHOPS! And CHOPS! Sammy CHOPS! Jericho CHOPS! Jericho CHOPS again, then CHOPS Sammy in the corner! Fans fire up as Jericho whips corner to corner. Jericho runs in but into an elbow! Sammy swings, Jericho spins him around, TIGER BACKBREAKER! Sammy goes to the apron but Jericho storms over. Triangle jump, but Sammy ducks and Jericho hits the floor! Sammy builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Jericho! Fans fire up as Sammy puts Jericho in the ring.
Sammy goes up the corner, leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jericho hangs tough but Sammy keeps his cool. Sammy slashes his throat and he torture racks! But Jericho fights that, to hit a CODE BREAKER! Sammy goes to the apron again, but Jericho goes out after him. Fans rally as Jericho drags Sammy up, CLUBS him, but Sammy throws body shots. Jericho CLUBS and CLUSB and CLUBS Sammy, to then suplex. Sammy blocks, throws more body shots, but Jericho hits back! Then Jericho suplexes to the floor! Fans fire up while both men writhe and Dynamite goes picture in picture!
The ref checks both men but they’re okay to continue. Jericho drags himself up with the apron skirt, then soaks up the cheers and jeers from New York. Jericho drags Sammy up and SMACKS him off the desk! The ring count is climbing, but Jericho clears off the desk! Jericho SMACKS Sammy with the desk hood! Jericho slides into the ring to stop the count and soak up more cheers and jeers. Sammy stands up, and slides in at 9! Jericho stomps Sammy, drags him up and reels him in, for a BIG back suplex! Jericho smacks Sammy around, eggs him on, and brings him up again, but Sammy cradles! TWO! Jericho rushes in to BOOT Sammy down!
Jericho drags Sammy up again, puts him in a corner and on the top rope. Jericho CHOPS! And CHOPS! And then he climbs up, to rain down fists! Jericho goes all the way to TEN, then SUPER STEINERS! Sammy writhes, Jericho pushes him to a cover, TWO! Jericho huffs ‘n’ puffs and paces around as Dynamite returns to single picture. Fans rally, Jericho stands Sammy up and CHOPS! And CHOPS! Jericho eggs Sammy on, so Sammy CHOPS! And forearms! And CHOPS! Sammy fires off more, whips Jericho to ropes, but Jericho KICKS him away! Jericho runs, into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!
Both men stand and Jericho LARIATS Sammy down! And then LARIATS him again! Cover, TWO! Sammy is still in this and fans rally up. Jericho brings Sammy up, CHOPS him again, then has him in a corner. Jericho CHOPS, whips corner to corner, but Sammy goes up and over, ducks and steals the CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Jericho survives his own move and Sammy is beside himself. Jericho goes to the apron, Sammy runs in to BLAST him off! Jericho hits the desk! Sammy then goes to the apron, to then go up the corner?! Sammy aims, says a quick prayer, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS!
Sammy clutches a leg, puts Jericho in, and he fires up! Fans are with Sammy as he goes to the apron. Sammy springboards, into a DROPKICK! Sammy goes back to the apron, Jericho triangle jumps, into a CALF KICK! Not the cleanest but something got Jericho. Sammy SUPERKICKS to knock Jericho down, and then he goes back up top! FLYING CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Jericho just gets that arm up and Sammy grows frustrated. Sammy drags Jericho up, torture racks, GO TO- NO, Jericho blocks! Jericho trips Sammy and has the legs! WALLS OF JERICHO!! Fans are thunderous while Sammy endures!
Jericho sits deep on the hold, but Sammy reaches out! Sammy crawls his way forward, but Jericho drags him back! Sammy clubs at Jericho’s legs, tuck sunder and throws hands from below! Sammy then throws Jericho away! Sammy JUMP KNEES Jericho to a corner! Sammy runs in, is put on the apron, and Jericho ROCKS him! Jericho goes up the other side of the corner! Jericho drags Sammy up to join him, CLUBS him, but Sammy throws hands in return. They both stand on the top rope, to SUPER CUTTER!! Both men are down and fans are losing their minds! Sammy crawls to the cover, TWO!!!
Jericho is still in this but Sammy is too sore to be upset. Sammy and Jericho sit up, Jericho goes to ropes but Sammy is right on him. Sammy CHOPS, then whips. Jericho reverses, but Sammy avoids the dropkick! Sammy goes to the ropes, LIONSAULT onto knees!! Jericho counters his own move, and then runs to BULLDOG! Fans fire up as Jericho lines up the shot, Jericho LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!! Jericho grits his teeth, but he also has a sinister grin on his face now. Jericho throws down fists, then he brings Sammy up for a knee to the head! And another! And another! Jericho runs, into a JUMP KNEE!
Sammy torture racks! GO TO HOSPITAL!! But Sammy doesn’t cover!? Sammy goes up the corner instead, takes aim, and SHOOTING STAR- CODE BREAKER!!! Cover, Jericho wins!!
Winner: Chris Jericho, by pinfall
Sammy gambled and just got busted! Jericho wins, proving why he is the master and Sammy is the apprentice. But the real question is, can these two still be friends? Jericho offers a hand, Sammy accepts, and they hug it out! Fans cheer as Le Sex Gods stick together! But then Sammy LOW BLOWS Jericho?! Jericho falls against Sammy but Sammy shoves him down! And here comes Don Callis?! No, Sammy, no! But Don pats Sammy on the shoulder. Don threw his friendship with Jericho away, and now takes away Jericho’s last friend! Will the Spanish God soon be a wrestling god thanks to the Don Callis Family?
MJF & Adam Cole pull into the parking lot.
The brochachos pull up in an emerald green Porsche, and as he steps out of the car, Maxwell Jacob Friedman calls out Samoa Joe! “I’ve been holding a grudge against you for eight long years. And when you decided to shove me, I took that and I turned it into a little ball, and I put that chip on my shoulder. And tonight, I take that chip and I bash your skull in! See, it was bad enough when you shoved me. But you took, and you took, and you took, and you tried to take away the two things now that are most precious to me: you are trying to take away my AEW World Championship, and you are trying to hurt my brother, Adam Cole.”
That is where Joe messed up. Tonight, MJF will choke Joe out in front of thousands of New Yorkers, MJF’s people! And the last thing Joe is gonna hear as he fades out is… “M! J! F! M! J! F!” Because they’re better than you, and Cole gets a call? It’s Roddy? Seriously? He’s upset but Cole wants him to talk it out. Cole says he still has MJF’s back but this is an emergency. Roddy, relax, you are not gonna die! Cole heads out to talk with Roddy about his neck, and MJF tells Joe, “Your ass is mine.” Will the ROH World Television Champion look to change that with his own two hands?
Backstage interview with Don Callis & Sammy Guevara.
Renee walks up to ask them if this all but confirms that Sammy has joined the Don Callis Family, but Don says not to cut her off, “but all will be revealed this Friday on Rampage. C’mon, kid, we got a lot to celebrate.” The two traitors head out, but then cross paths with Daniel Garcia! Sammy and Danny stare down, and then Sammy asks if he has something to say. Don has Sammy stand down and says Danny is money. For now, the two of them will go. Don gets Sammy outta there, but what are Danny’s feelings? He left the JAS, but is he upset Sammy joined the DCF?
AEW International Championship: Jon Moxley VS Rey Fenix w/ Alex Abrahantes!
The Maniac made it past the human skyscraper that is “Big Bill” Morrissey, but now he has to face what he did to the Immortal Firebird almost a month ago! Will Fenix burn Moxley down? Or will Moxley ace this, game, set and match?
Moxley goes up the ramp so he can drop his belt on top of Fenix’s cape. Moxley taunts Fenix, Fenix storms up after Moxley and CHOPS! Fans fire up as the brawl is on! Moxley ROCKS Fenix, whips him at the ring but Fenix goes up the ropes to JUMP SOBAT! Fans fire up while Moxley flops to the floor. Fenix uses the ramp as a runway to FLY and take Moxley down! Fans lose their minds and Fenix crawls his way over to Moxley. Moxley is dazed but Fenix’s back is sore from that landing. Fenix still stands up and he drags Moxley up. Fenix ROCKS Moxley, CHOPS him against railing, and then puts Moxley in the ring.
The bell finally sounds so this is a match! Fenix baits Moxley, avoids the stomp and then shoulders into Moxley! Fenix slingshots to sunset flip, ONE! Moxley stacks, TWO! Moxley staggers, Fenix kips up and things speed up. Fenix handsprings over the leg sweep! Moxley swings, Fenix catches him to CHOP, knuckle lock, and go up and up and FLYING ARM-DRAG! Moxley stands back up and Fenix somersaults, into a FOREARM! Moxley is done playing around, and he runs to CURB STOMP! Cover, TWO! Fenix survives the shoutout to the Visionary, but Moxley rains down fists! Moxley then shifts to a cover, TWO!
Moxley has the double wristlock but Fenix fights up with body shots. Moxley facelocks but Fenix powers out to BITE the hand! Fenix BOOTS the punch, CHOPS and CHOPS but Moxley pokes the eyes! Moxley whips, Fenix tiger feints but into a BOOT! Fenix flounders to the ramp and then the floor but Moxley pursues. The ring count climbs and Moxley CHOPS Fenix against railing! Moxley dumps Fenix over into the front row! Fans fire up as Fenix drags himself up. Moxley drags Fenix up but Fenix throws body shots! Fenix ROCKS Mox, then pushes him away. Fenix jumps up onto the railing, but Moxley shoves him back down!
Moxley has Fenix on the railing, to DRAPING PARADIGM SHIFT!! Fenix is dazed now and Moxley gets a chair! The ref reprimands so Moxley puts Fenix in the ring. Cover, TWO! Fenix is hanging tough but Moxley eggs him on. Fenix chops but that was nothing, and Moxley BOOTS him! Moxley rains down fists, lets off, and Fenix crawls to a corner. Moxley storms over, brings him up, and clotheslines! Moxley flips fans off, runs in, but Fenix dodges to GAMANGIRI! And GAMANGIRI! And then JUMP SOBAT! Moxley staggers, into the SOMERSAULT CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! But Fenix hurries to a corner and goes right up! FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!!
Moxley is still in this but Fenix fires up again. Fans are with him as he runs, but into a KING KONG LARIAT! Moxley roars, fans fire up even more, and then Moxley flips off Fenix. Abrahantes coaches Fenix up, and he kips up to his feet! Fenix dodges Mox to SUPERKICK him out of the ring! Fenix goes out after him, brings him around, and puts him on the railing now! Fenix goes to the apron, then up the corner! Fans are losing their minds already, SUPER FLYING LEG DROP!!! Both men crash down and Dynamite goes picture in picture!
The ref checks both men and they’re somehow okay to continue. Abrahantes coaches Fenix as he and Moxley stir. Moxley crawls to the ring, Fenix follows and pushes him in. Fenix then aims from the apron, springboards, but into a kick! PARADIGM SHIFT!! Cover, TWO!! Fenix survives but Moxley just snarls and storms around. Moxley gets Fenix’s legs, ties them up, and has a TEXAS CLOVERLEAF!! Fenix endures, reaches out, and fans rally as he fights forward. But Moxley shifts to a CLOVERLEAF STF!! Moxley grinds the hold, then shifts to just a facelock. Moxley drags Fenix up, Gotch hold for the PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!!
Fenix survives again and Moxley is fuming! Moxley storms around the ring, Abrahantes coaches Fenix and the fans rally up. Moxley clamps on with a SLEEPER, then drags Fenix up again. Moxley CHOPS Fenix to the corner and Fenix drops to his knees! Moxley stands Fenix up to CHOP again! Dynamite returns to single picture and Moxley storms around. Fenix sputters, stands, and CHOPS! Moxley forearms, then he puts Fenix back in a corner. Moxley puts Fenix up top, climbs up to join him, but Fenix resists with body shots. Fans rally as Fenix HEADBUTTS and HEADBUTTS! Moxley falls, Fenix jumps to DIVING DOUBLE STOMP!!
Both men are down and New York is thunderous again! Fenix crawls to a cover, TWO! Fenix drags Moxley up and reels him in but Moxley resists the lift. Fenix CLUBS Moxley, but Moxley Alabama Lifts him! Fenix still CLUBS Moxley, they end up on ropes, and Moxley throws body shots! Moxley DECKS Fenix to the outside! Moxley goes out to run downhill, CURB STOMP ON THE RAMP!! Fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” for the Visionary as Moxley drags Fenix in. Moxley lifts, to stall, and PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Fenix survives and fans are thunderous again! Moxley is seething and he drags Fenix back up.
Moxley puts Fenix in a corner, CHOPS him, and CHOPS him, and then hoists Fenix up top. Moxley goes up, underhooks, but Fenix fights! Moxley falls, Fenix adjusts, SWANTON BOMB!! Then Fenix drags Moxley up and fireman’s carries, to BLACK FIRE DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! HOW?!? Fans call BS, that twitch could NOT have been enough! But Fenix figures F it, BLACK FIRE DRIVER again!!! Cover, FENIX WINS!!
Winner: Rey Fenix, by pinfall (NEW AEW International Champion)
New York cannot believe it but they are loving it! Moxley’s reign ends after just three defenses, and Fenix has his vengeance! Death Triangle regains the gold once held by The Bastard, will Fenix blaze his own trail with this title? As for Moxley, he is getting checked by medics, what condition will he be in after such an epic fight?
Samoa Joe speaks.
“Oh Maaaax~! You feel it, Max? The night is upon us, a great celebration! Tonight is a night of consequences. And Max, you have run your mouth, you have made your angst known, you have told the world you’ve harbored your grudge against me for eight years.” But MJF better be prepared to hold onto that grudge a little longer, because Joe will smash him from pillar to post, in front of MJF’s people! And tonight, Joe finishes taking what he was trying to take from MJF all those years ago. But it won’t be MJF’s future, it’ll be his championship. We’ve already seen the landscape shift, will the One True King of Wrestling Television add to that?
AEW takes a closer look at the ROH World Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders match.
Matt Hardy says that Friday on Rampage: Grand Slam, he and Jeff will compete in a match, with the winners going on to face MJF & Adam Cole for the ROH World Tag Team Championships at WrestleDream! But Matt Taven says they are the OGK, and the Melvins will put respect on the name of The Kingdom. Mike says that they do three things this Friday: Punch ’em in the wiener; hit ’em with piledrivers; and become the #1 Contenders! Best Friends join in, and Trent says this is one more shot for the boys to go on and get another shot to win the big one. Chuck knows MJF & Cole say they’re best friends, but we all know there is only one set of Best Friends that matter, and it’s these two!
Vincent says that a long time ago, being crazy meant something. But now, everybody’s crazy! The Righteous is here to purify AEW, and it starts this Friday on Rampage. Dig what they’re saying? It’s a Fatal 4 of four powerful teams, but who will come away with those golden tickets to Seattle?
AEW Women’s World Championship: Saraya w/ Ruby Soho VS Toni Storm!
The Outcasts used to be a strong trio within the AEW Women’s Division, but this very title is what tore apart the friendship of The Knight and the Lightning. Saraya won an All In London Fatal 4 to become champion, but Storm won the Fatal 4 to earn this match! Will Storm complete the #PortraitofaStar with some gold? Or will this Knight still reign?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the real star of the AEW Women’s Division!
The bell rings and Storm wants a hug? Saraya says no, she’s crazy as a loon and totally betrayed The Outcasts! Storm still offers, so Saraya SLAPS her! Fans boo and Storm looks hurt emotionally. Saraya SLAPS Storm again and says Storm is nothing without Saraya! “You need me! YOU NEED ME!” Then she SLAPS Storm again! So now Storm smiles? Saraya is confused, but Storm CHPOS her! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Ruby shouts from the apron but Storm rushes over! Storm avoids Ruby’s cheap shot to CHOP her down! But Saraya BOOTS Storm down! Fans boo but Saraya tells Storm she’s a stupid cow!
Saraya has Storm on ropes, goes to the apron, and fires off knee after knee after knee! Storm flops to the floor and Saraya soaks up the heat. But then Storm trips Saraya up! Saraya hits the apron, Storm pushes her back in the ring. Storm sees Ruby standing there, and she goes under the ring? What in the world? The ref goes to check with Saraya, Storm sticks her feet out and Ruby drags her out from under there. Storm has SHOES! She kicks Ruby, then SLAPS her with those slippers! Fans fire up and Storm goes back to the ring. The ref says drop the shoe, then snatches the slipper away. But he misses the HIGH HEEL SHOT!! Cover, TWO!!
Storm is furious that Saraya survives! Storm argues with the ref then throws a fit as Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Storm drags Saraya into ropes, drapes her out, to DRAPING DDT to the ramp!! Ruby rushes up to check Saraya, her neck is a major issue for her. Storm is torn between remorse and rage, but Saraya seems okay to continue. So Storm drags her in through the ropes, to DRAPING DDT again!! Cover, TWO!! Saraya survives and Storm seethes. Storm storms around, pursues Saraya out of the ring, but tells Ruby to back off. But that distraction allows Saraya to BOOT Storm! Saraya then SMACKS Storm off the desk! Storm staggers and flounders away, then Saraya CLUBS her! Saraya scowls as she stands Storm up to CHOP!
Saraya pushes Storm into the ring, tells fans off, then hops back in. But Storm ROCKS her! And CLUBS her! And CHPOS her! Saraya goes to a corner, Storm hoists her up top, and then ROCKS her! Storm climbs, Saraya hits back, they brawl up top! Storm CLUBS and CLUBS and CLUBS, then stands Saraya up. Saraya fights back with body shots, and she CLUBS away on Storm now! Saraya adjusts, to SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Storm survives and Dynamite returns to single picture! Ruby is furious while Saraya argues with the ref. Fans boo as Ruby tries to start a Saraya chant.
Saraya sits Storm up but Storm hits first! Saraya hits back, Storm hits again! They go back and forth, forearm for forearm, and fans fire up as Storm just HAMMERS away! Fans are thunderous for Storm and she grabs a turnbuckle. Storm rips the pad right off! The ref takes that but the buckle is still exposed. And then Storm gets the spray paint! Ruby snatches that away, payback for that TBS Championship screw job! The ref argues with Ruby, then with Storm, and Ruby rolls the can to Saraya! Saraya SPRAYS Storm in the face!! KNIGHT CAP!! Cover, TWO?!?! Storm survives the flashback to All In!
New York is thunderous but Saraya is furious! Saraya slaps Storm around, drags her up, and bumps her off buckles! And again! And then she considers the bare buckle. Saraya sits Storm in the corner but Ruby wants her to finish this! Saraya stomps but Storm blocks! Storm sets the foot down, to KISS Saraya!? And then reel her in! STORM ZERO!!! Cover, TWO!?! Storm’s kiss goodbye didn’t finish this! But Storm puts Saraya in the corner, against that bare buckle! Storm goes to the far corner, says “I’m sorry, I love you.” SWEET HIP- NO, Saraya moves and the buckle gets Storm in the booty! Saraya reels Storm in and onto the ropes, DRAPING KNIGHT CAP!!! Cover, Saraya wins!!
Winner: Saraya, by pinfall (still AEW Women’s World Champion)
Saraya shouts that Storm forced her to do that! Storm reaches out, but The Outcasts leave her behind. Will Saraya & Soho move on from Storm to conquer the entire AEW Women’s Division?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage: Grand Slam!
Considering it is a TWO HOUR special edition for Arthur Ashe, there’s more action to be had! And in a Mixed Trios match, Kris Statlander joins #OrangeHook to take on Anna Jay, Matthew Menard & Angelo Parker! Will the TBS Champion, the FTW Champion and Freshly Squeezed prove why they’re The Galaxy’s Greatest? Or will they owe some title shots to the sports… enner-tay-ners?
Then Skye Blue takes on Julia Hart in a battle of two young and hungry stars wanting their shot at some gold! Plus, after making a comeback at All In London, after sharing his side of the story, Mike Santana gets back in the ring! Will he blaze a trail to the top, all by himself?
BREAKING NEWS for Collision!
On top of the TNT Championship “Triple Threat” of Luchasaurus VS Christian Cage VS Darby Allin, Andrade El Idolo accepts Jay White’s challenge from last Saturday! Will the Latin Idol learn what it means to Breathe With The Switchblade? Then Rob Van Dam competes in his home state of Michigan, FTR defends the AEW World Tag Team Championships against The Workhorsemen, and Bryan Danielson gives Ricky Starks his rematch, in a TEXAS DEATH MATCH! With as much blood as was shed at All Out, how much more violent will the American Dragon and Absolute go?
AEW World Championship: MJF w/ Adam Cole VS Samoa Joe!
It’s the moment of truth! After watching the Grand Slam World Title Eliminator Tournament, Maxwell Jacob Friedman was very… happy(?) to see that the King of Wrestling TV won the right to have this match. MJF threw some Steiner math at Joe but now it’s time to put it to the test! Will the hometown antihero finally have his revenge? Or will we soon be calling him #TwoBeltJoe?
MJF’s entrance is an homage to Bret Hart and Mean Joe Greene. A kid shouts out to MJF, tells him to go get ’em, champ, and then MJF nods and gives the kid his scarf. And also whispers something before heading out. What’d he say? That the kid’s adopted?! Anyway… The introductions are made, the Triple B is raised, and we see who finishes Dynamite with a Grand Slam!
The bell rings and the fans are thunderous already for MJF. MJF and Joe circle, feel things out, and then Joe kicks a leg! MJF backs away to a corner, resets with Joe, and they feel things out again. Fans chant “He’s Our Scumbag!” but Joe just smirks. They circle, Joe corners MJF but the ref has him back off. So MJF pokes Joe in the eye! MJF hops on for a SLEEPER, but Joe THROWS MJF down! MJF clutches his neck, and conspicuous by his absence is Adam Cole. Was Roddy’s “emergency” more engrossing than Cole thought? Joe looms over MJF as MJF sits up, and MJF stands to say he’s okay. Joe CLUBS him down for it!
Joe stomps MJF, fans boo, but Joe stomps MJF on the neck! MJF goes to a corner, Joe JABS and JABS and JABS! Joe sits MJF down, then RIDGEHANDS him down! Fans boo but Joe just says “SUCK IT!” Joe eggs MJF on, drags him from the corner, and clamps on a neck wrench! MJF endures the torture but the fans rally up behind him. MJF fights up, throws body shots, but Joe throws him down by his hair! The ref reprimands but Joe drags MJF up to atomic drop! Joe runs but MJF dodges the boot! MJF kicks, Joe blocks and MJF apologizes, only to poke Joe in the eyes again! MJF jumps on for a SLEEPER!
Joe RAMS MJF into buckles! Joe is free, and he runs to BOOT! And SENTON! Cover, TWO! Joe paces, not at all bothered. Joe then drags MJF up, but MJF JABS, throat chops, and runs at the corner, into the “SIT YO ASS DOWN!” URENAGE! Joe paces while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Now Joe covers, ROPEBREAK! MJF saves himself by fingertips but Joe just drags him to the outside. Joe CLUBS MJF against the apron! MJF sputters, Joe drags him out and whips him hard into railing! MJF falls in a heap and Joe mockingly applauds. Joe then storms back over, drags MJF back up and puts him back in the ring. Joe CLUBS MJF again and MJF flounders away. Joe hurries in after MJF, CHOKES him on the ropes, but lets off as the ref counts 4. MJF sputters, only for Joe to KICK him in the side! Joe paces, drags MJF up, and snapmares to then neck wrench again! MJF endures all over again but the fans still rally.
MJF fights up, using Joe’s twisting for leverage, and he throws body shots! MJF runs, but Joe CLOBBERS him! Cover, TWO! MJF is hanging in there but Joe keeps his cool. Joe drags MJF up and puts him in a corner to JAB! JAB! JAB! And CHOP! MJF leans against ropes and the ref reprimands Joe, but Joe JABS MJF again as Dynamite returns to single picture. Fans rally as hard as they can for MJF and he fires forearms back! Joe HEADBUTTS, then he hoists MJF up top! Joe tucks MJF in but MJF sunset flips! Stack cover, TWO! SUPERKICK! MJF learned that one from his brochacho! But Joe stays up, so MJF short arm LARIATS!
Joe is still up so MJF LARIATS again! Joe is still up, so MJF runs to LARIAT! That takes as much out of MJF as it does Joe, but fans are thunderous as MJF goes again. Joe LARIATS MJF down!! Cover, TWO!! Joe is getting annoyed now but he rips MJF’s new shirt up! Then he wipes his butt with it and throws it down on MJF! Fans boo and MJF is furious, that was his loving tribute to the New York MLB legacy! Joe gives scuffing kicks and toying pie faces. MJF is getting mad now! Joe HEADBUTTS, and MJF just glares at him! Joe SLAPS MJF, then CLUBS him! MJF fires off forearms!
Joe puts MJF in the corner, but MJF dodges to CLAW the back, and bump Joe off buckles again and again and again! Fans count all the way to TEN! MJF goes up to then rain down fists! Fans count all the way to nine, because then MJF BITES Joe’s head!! The ref reprimands, Joe shoves MJF away, but MJF backflips and lands perfectly!! MJF has New York all fired up as he takes the kangaroo stance! KANGAROO KICK!! Joe flops out of the ring, MJF kips up and shakes the ropes! Fans are thunderous but MJF stops because his neck bothers him again. The chants of “M J F! M J F!” gets MJF back to his feet!
MJF pounds the mat, fans rally, and MJF builds speed! No doubts this time, MJF DIVE into a GAMANGIRI! Joe goes up to get MJF on the apron, fireman’s carry, APRON DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!!! Joe then laughs as he watches MJF down on the floor! Joe drags MJF up while fans boo, and Joe puts MJF in the ring. Cover, TWO!! MJF is still in this and the fans are thunderous again! Joe is amused, but also rather frustrated. Joe goes out, and he brings out a TABLE! Fans are torn but they do love tables! Joe puts that table against railing, then drags MJF out of the ring! The ref reprimands but Joe brings MJF over.
Joe clinches, and URENAGES MJF through the table!! The ref reprimands, fans boo, but Joe just laughs again. Joe drags MJF up out of the wreckage, puts him back in the ring, and covers, TWO?!?!? MJF survives and the fans are thunderous again! Joe nods, he might even respect the fighting spirit. But now he pulls padding off the concrete floor!! Joe drags MJF out of the ring again, the ref reprimands, and they go to the bare floor! But MJF fights free, to BITE Joe’s leg!! Fans fire up as MJF lets off that, to reel Joe in! But MJF’s neck won’t let him lift Joe! Joe kicks MJF, reels him back in, and gets him up to PILEDRIVER to the concrete!!!
Fans are losing their minds and the ref freaks out! The medics check MJF but Joe just has an evil smile on his face! Joe looms over MJF but the ref has him back off. Joe doesn’t care, he SWATS and BOOTS medics and security! Joe drags MJF up and into the ring! Joe figures he can pay the finds once he has two champ checks! Cover, TWO!??!?! Joe is stunned!! Devil or not, MJF is not human!! Joe drags MJF up, and he says MJF better give up or else. MJF SPITS in Joe’s face! So Joe DECKS MJF!! Joe then drags MJF back to his feet, runs, and LARI- NO, MJF slips through, reels Joe in, and manages a POWERBOMB?!?! Cover, TWO!!!!
The fans are electric as both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as Joe and MJF stir! Joe sits up, as does MJF. They stand, and Joe CHOPS! Joe runs, but MJF ROCKS him with a forearm! Joe CHOPS, but MJF seethes to forearm! They go shot for shot, MJF SUPERKICKS! Joe ROCKS MJF! And again, and again, and again! Joe runs one more time, but MJF gets around to a SLEEPER! But Joe gets around, to a COQUINA! MJF grabs at the ref, and then LOW BLOW MULE KICKS in the distraction!! Fans fire up as MJF gets away from Joe. MJF then gets his Dynamite Diamond Ring out! MJF gives it a kiss and puts it on the pinkie!
MJF runs in, but Joe puts the ref in the way! The ref sees the diamond ring and confiscates it! Then Joe LOW BLOWS MJF!! Joe puts MJF up top, tuck shim in, MUSCLE BUSTER!!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! HOW?!?!? Joe can’t even explain it!! The fans are volcanic as Joe drags MJF back up, into a SLEEPER!! MJF flails, reaches out, but Joe is leaning on him! The hand falls once! But wait! Here comes Adam Cole!! Cole coaches MJF on but the hand falls twice! Cole pounds the mat, fans rally up even harder, and MJF comes back to life!! MJF fights up and again Joe can’t explain it! MJF stands to BITE the arm!!
Joe lets go, MJF victory rolls! TWO!! MJF hurries to have a SLEEPER of his own!! Joe fights up, and he RAMS MJF into a corner! The ref had to bail out to avoid the impact! Cole distracts Joe on the apron, MJF undoes some wrist tape, and MJF CHOKES Joe with the wrist tape garrote!!! MJF hides it inside the sleeper!! The ref revives, MJF has Joe in body scissors!! The ref checks, Joe is OUT! MJF wins!!
Winner: MJF, by submission (still AEW World Champion)
MJF hides the evidence in his armpit, but then it falls out as the ref raises his hand in victory! MJF keeps the ref distracted and Cole takes care of truly hiding the evidence. MJF and Cole hug to celebrate, Cole had MJF’s back in the end. But Joe knows it, and he shoves Cole! MJF gets in the way to keep this from getting worse. Joe snarls, but he offers a handshake? MJF is wary, he knows all the tricks in the book, but fans want to see it. MJF takes the handshake, and there is now respect instead of a grudge. Will the One True King of Wrestling Television have to settle for defending his one crown?
As for the brochachos, they stand together with all their belts! The medics still check with MJF, that neck has to be killing him. With both the AEW World Championship and the ROH World Tag Team Championship around his waist, how long can MJF keep this up?
My Thoughts:
An awesome Dynamite for Grand Slam 2023, with the right balance of action and talking. A little surprised they didn’t open with the International Championship, but the Winner Takes All match was a great choice all the same. The right choice was made here with Eddie winning the ROH World Championship. Claudio doesn’t have to worry about going to ROH tapings when he only did so rarely, and Eddie can go back and forth between ROH and NJPW Strong, just as I’ve been saying since this match was teased. Then speaking of the International Championship, it was awesome stuff, but clearly, there was something along the lines of a concussion there with Moxley. Fenix wasn’t supposed to win, but winning the title given the injury makes sense. And hopefully Moxley is alright.
Jericho VS Sammy was great, and it was very surprising that Jericho won clean. But in the end, that’s because Sammy was gonna turn on him and join Don Callis! I like that Daniel Garcia’s part in this story is to now be the one member of the former JAS that left Jericho behind, who might now return to his side. Garcia VS Guevara is going to be great stuff, and at least there’s now more than two people in the Don Callis Family. Still waiting on Kota Ibushi responding to Don & Konosuke claiming they’re gonna end his career.
Really good promo from Christian Cage & Luchasaurus, but uh, isn’t having a TNT Championship match on Collision after the Rampage tag match a little too soon? Though, given Christian is only making such a match so he and Luchasaurus can beat down Darby and one of them still has the title is definitely more TV programming than PPV programming. Then maybe Darby gets a proper title rematch at WrestleDream to add another hometown wrestler to the card. The ROH World Six Man Tag Championships being the Rampage main event is great for the building story of Swerve VS Hangman, and might actually give Mogul Embassy a chance to retain.
Great title match from Saraya VS Storm, with great character work and references back to the previous matches. But as such, of course Ruby helps Saraya retain, and who knows where Storm goes from here. Good promo to set up the Tag Team Fatal 4 Way, but I still feel The Kingdom wins that to then challenge MJF & Cole. Great promo from The Kingdom with Roddy and Cole, and how that tied into Cole not being around for most of MJF VS Joe. Good promos from MJF and Joe, too, and we got a PPV worthy title match. MJF has now reached that Eddie Guerrero level where he can cheat and do Heel things but is still Face because the fans love him. As such, MJF wins, and it is great to see Joe show him respect.
Joe will still have plenty to do with his ROH TV title, and now I think AEW really commits to how Roddy & The Kingdom will get in between MJF & Cole, take those tag titles, and then MJF VS Cole Round 3 happens at like Full Gear to settle things once and for all.
My Score: 9/10
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