Coverage

Mitchell’s Ring of Honor Report! (7/21/18)

Published

6 years ago

July 26, 2018

ROH WRESTLING TELEVISION, Episode 357

The Peacock is banged up and bruised, but he’ll still putting his ROH World Championship on the line! Against THREE opponents! Will he survive as champion?

All images courtesy of the Fite.TV app and streaming service

OFFICIAL RESULTS

WOH Championship: Sumie Sakai VS HZK (Hazuki) w/ Oedo Tai; Sumie wins and retains the WOH Championship.
ROH World Championship Fatal 4 Way: Dalton Castle w/ The Boys VS Matt Taven VS Cody w/ Bernard the Business Bear VS Jay Lethal; Lethal wins and becomes the new ROH World Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

ROH reviews Best in the World 2018!

The Briscoes battled with the Young Bucks for the ROH World Tag Team Championships, and would score another win for Sandy Fork VS Everybody. The Greatest Man That Ever Lived and the K I N G went from great friends to bitter enemies in a grudge match. The Franchise Player made back another loss with a win over the Time Splitter. The Purple Mist and World Television Champion would punish the Problem Solver in their No Disqualification match for the title. A Bully would be run off by someone his own size. And a Peacock would survive both an American Nightmare and a British Villain to remain on top. With BitW finally behind us, what will happen going forward?

Jay Lethal heads to the ring!

The Franchise is here coming off his win over Kushida. He lets us know that when he won, “it wasn’t just a victory for me.” Lethal reminds us of the goal he set for himself, that if he’s going to return to the world title scene, he’d be at the top of his game. And if you ask Kushida, he’ll tell you that Lethal is. The best way to get back to the top was to avenge his losses, as few as they were. Best in the World, Lethal completed the list, so the only thing left to do is to get back in the world title picture. Lethal therefore officially declares while everyone is watching and listening, “Dalton Castle, I want a shot.” Fans like the sound of that, but instead of Castle appearing, it’s The Kingdom’s Matt Taven!

“No, no, no!” Taven protests as he storms out to the ring. How many times does Jay Lethal need? How many opportunities will he get? In six years, Taven’s gotten only two, and it’s the only belt he hasn’t had. The fans can boo but it’s all true. Two shots in six years, yet it always ends with interference and ROH did nothing about it. By the way, nice salmon shirt. Taven would be dressed up too but he actually does work. Castle has been ducking Taven with fake injuries, so Taven is the REAL World Champion! Fans still boo as he calls himself the “Uncrowned King”! Lethal needs to get in line behind him. But now, a former World Champion appears. It’s Cody!

The American Nightmare also brings Bernard the Business Bear! Cody and Bernard go to the ring, and Cody joins the conversation. Taven teases him over the black eye, but Cody admits Taven has a point. Taven is in line for a shot, as is Lethal. “But guys, I am next in line for a title shot.” However, the world champion himself appears now!

“Well this is pretty wild right here.” The last time this many people wanted something he had, it was 1997 and he got a Tamagachi. Jay and Cody look sharp, by the way. But to make something clear to all three, Castle feels like his body was run over by a herd of wildebeest. And yet he’s still ROH World Champion, and still has a diamond heart. He won’t back down from a challenge. And if it’s all three at once, then he’s up for it. Fans chant “Fatal Four Way!” and Castle is up for one of those. He’ll even do it TONIGHT! Is the Peacock courageous or crazy?

WOH Championship: Sumie Sakai VS HZK (Hazuki) w/ Oedo Tai!

The Ray of Sunshine and inaugural Women’s Champion defends her title for the second time ever. Stardom’s World Tiger #4 wants to make up for not winning the tournament, can she make good on this golden opportunity?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but there’s no Code of Honor. HZK slaps Sumie’s hand away then swings on her, but Sumie ducks to Mongolian chop! The bell rings and Sumie is already fired up. She whips but HZK reverses to throw her down by her hair! There’s that new found edge from joining Oedo Tai. HZK picks Sumie up and throws her to a corner. She gets the fans into it as she claps while scraping her boot into Sumie. HZK then runs for the corner to corner for another boot wash! Sumie ends up outside the ring but HZK fetches her. She throws Sumie into barriers while Oedo Tai lurks.

HZK scoop slams Sumie right to the floor mats! She then stares down a fan, and flips him off! HZK drags Sumie up to throw into another barrier, then puts her back in the ring. HZK runs and dropkicks Sumie back out! Fans fire up as HZK climbs up and takes aim. HZK leaps for a SUPER SENTON! Direct hit! The young upstart is in control while we go to break.

ROH returns and HZK grinds Sumie with a headlock. Sumie gets free but not for long, as HZK uses body scissors to roll Sumie around! HZK stops to make it a cover, TWO! Oedo Tai knows HZK was close as she drags Sumie up. HZK prepares a full nelson but Sumie breaks out. Sumie and HZK trade forearms back and forth. Fairfax is on Sumie’s side as she gets an edge. HZK knees low, then runs, but into a back elbow. Sumie whips but HZK reverses only for Sumie to reverse back. Sumie gives an elbow then runs, for a big forearm smash! Fans fire up with the champ as she drags HZK up. She hits a Northern Lights with a bridge, TWO!!

Sumie rallies the fans up as she runs, but into a bicycle kick! HZK drags Sumie up, Full Nelson Slam! Running senton! TWO! HZK was close again, but she doesn’t lose focus. She runs in corner to corner for the back elbow, then climbs up for the tornado DDT! Cover, TWO! That was close but not enough. HZK drags Sumie up but Sumie counters to a small package, TWO! Code Breaker outta nowhere from HZK! Both women are down but the fans are fired up. HZK stands first and drags Sumie over. She climbs up again, and fans rally up. She jumps, but her senton flops as Sumie rolls away. Sumie fires up now as she takes aim. HZK stands and Sumie runs in for a modified shining wizard! Sumie keeps going, swinging fisherman neckbreaker, the TJ Special! Cover, TWO!!

Sumie was super close, but she’s not done yet. She climbs up top, but HZK stirs. Sumie waits and the fans fire up, for a big missile dropkick! Sumie then gives HZK the swinging knee. HZK slumps out of the ring, but Oedo Tai goes to her side. Sumie climbs up, to SUPER Crossbody onto them all! Fans are thunderous while Oedo Tai is reeling. Sumie drags HZK back up and in, then drags her back up while fans chant “This is Awesome!” Sumie hits the Fisherman Buster! Cover, TWO! HZK is young but she has heart beyond her years. Sumie’s fine with that, as she drags HZK up again. Dragon sleeper but HZK slips out. HZK kicks but Sumie blocks to double stomp.

Sumie climbs up now, but HZK crawls over. They brawl and a headbutt knocks HZK down. HZK gets back up to kick Sumie’s legs out, then she hits a DRAPING Code Breaker! Cover, TWO!? Sumie shocks everyone, and Hana Kanamura is pissed. She argues with the ref, but here comes Kagetsu! HZK holds onto Sumie while Kagetsu throws a kick, but Sumie ducks and the kick hits HZK! Sumie gives Kagetsu a big saido suplex, then drags HZK up. Smash Mouth! Cover, Sumie wins!

Winner: Sumie Sakai, by pinfall; still WOH Champion

The Ray of Sunshine survives the shadowy trio of Oedo Tai to remain the first and only champion. Will Sumie’s streak continue on to be the best of all time?

Marty Scurll speaks.

The Villain makes sure ROH staff knows where his powder should be. But then ace reporter, Gregory Helmsworth, asks him about that world title triple threat he lost. Shane, Greg, whoever you are, now’s not the time. No need to get hot, Mr. Cobblepot. That was the last straw, Scurll attacks! Staff security tries to stop him, but they only suffer his wrath the same as Helmsworth. Scurll takes Helmsworth’s fingers, and snaps them! He DARES Helmsworth to come back for more. Will the Villain soon find a vengeful hurricane coming through?

ROH World Championship Fatal 4 Way: Dalton Castle w/ The Boys VS Matt Taven VS Cody w/ Bernard the Business Bear & Brandi Rhodes VS Jay Lethal!

The Peacock’s body may be brittle, but his heart is indestructible! Which one will carry him through this match when the “Uncrowned King”, American Nightmare and Franchise Player are all gunning for his gold?

The bell rings and all four men stand off, but then Taven rushes Castle. Cody and Lethal brawl, too, as they have history. Castle ends up outside but he brings Taven with him. They continue to brawl, Taven targeting the bad back. Lethal clubs Cody then chops him. He bumps Cody off buckles while Taven rocks Castle with haymakers. Lethal whips Cody but Cody stops himself to drop down for the uppercut. Cody whips Lethal, but Lethal reverses. Lethal hip tosses and dropkicks, then avoids Taven’s missile dropkick. Taven gets to a corner, and Lethal chops him. Lethal whips corner to corner but Taven goes up and over. Things speed up and Taven kicks, punches, but misses the heel kick. Lethal chops Taven, then whips him again.

Taven holds ropes to dump Lethal to the apron, and the Kick of the King sends Lethal down. Taven rushes Cody but ends up on the apron now, and gets the Beautiful Disaster Kick! Castle returns and gets Cody with the knee to slam. Castle runs and clotheslines Cody out. Fans rally and Castle builds speed, but only to strut! The Peacock sees Cody coming and sends him back out. Taven runs in to clothesline Castle out, but then Lethal does the same to Taven. Lethal takes aim, builds speed, and DIVES onto Castle and the Boys! He gets back in and DIVES onto Taven! Then he DIVES on Cody! The trifecta is complete but Lethal still wants more. Lethal aims and builds speed, to DIVE on Castle & The Boys again! Then he DIVES onto Taven again! Lethal aims at Cody again, but Cody uses Bernard as a shield!

Well that was a trifecta, but not on the right target. Fans are still thunderous while Lethal puts Cody in the ring. Lethal chops, Cody chops, but Lethal chops again. Lethal backs Cody down to a corner, then whips him corner to corner. Cody back elbows out, then has Brandi toss him the Ring of Honor! The referee stops that, but Cody takes advantage to low blow Lethal! Taven returns, but Cody blocks Taven’s low blow to send it at Castle. Castle catches the leg, which leaves Taven open to Cody’s low blow! The referee finally gets Brandi to back away, and this leaves Cody and Castle.

Fans rally up as the two circle. Cody throws a forearm but Castle gives a swift jab. Cody throws another forearm, and Castle throws another jab. The brawl continues back and forth, but Castle gets the edge. The bad leg slows Castle down but he still uses those arms. He jabs Lethal and scoop slams him. Lethal rolls away but Taven returns. Castle grabs Cody, but Cody reverses to a takedown. Cody goes for the American Deathlock while Lethal throws Taven into barriers. Lethal takes his time, letting Castle suffer. Lethal climbs up top but Taven pushes him down. Taven climbs up, for the Frog Splash on Cody! Cover, TWO! Castle’s reign is in danger while we go to break.

ROH returns as Taven whips Lethal corner to corner at Cody. Lethal reverses, and Cody sends Taven all the way out of the ring. Lethal kicks Castle then catches Cody, and hits the DDT and Complete Shot side-by-side! Cover on Castle, TWO! Lethal drags Cody up to throw him out. Lethal positions Castle, then climbs up top. Fans rally behind him, and he takes aim… for Hail to the- Nope, saw that boot coming, so Lethal adjusts to a Figure Four! Castle’s bad leg endures the legendary hold, and he grabs the referee to keep from tapping. Cody returns and drags Lethal off the hold, but Lethal snapmares out of Cross Rhodes. Lethal boots, enziguris and spins to roundhouse Cody out. Taven runs in but his boot misses. Lethal chops him on the ropes, then keeps chopping.

The chops keep coming, faster and faster, harder and harder, until Taven is on the mat! Fans fire up with Lethal as he is the only man standing. Lethal drags Taven up, whips, but Taven reverses. Lethal sunset flips but Taven rolls through for #JustTheTip shining wizard! Cover, but Castle breaks it. Taven gets an elbow from Castle, but boots back from a corner. Taven runs, into Bangarang position, but he school boys out of it! But the referee is busy with Lethal’s injury. He’s late to the count, TWO! Taven is shocked and furious, he would’ve been champion twice over by now! Cody creeps up behind, ducks the enziguri to then give Cross Rhodes! Cover, TWO!! Taven somehow survives, and Brandi is furious for Cody’s sake.

Castle gets up but gets hands from Cody. He hits back, and Lethal comes in. Castle hits Lethal, as does Cody. But then Castle and Lethal both hit Cody. Castle and Cody hit Lethal, but then Castle hits them both. Lethal hits Castle, and all three men drop to their knees. Fans are loving this as they all get back up. Lethal enziguris Castle, but Cody rocks Lethal with a haymaker. Cody whips but Lethal reverses. Cody goes up and over, spinning powerslam! Cover, TWO! Castle stands but runs into a kick. Cody springboards, Beautiful Disaster! Taven returns, CLIMAX! Cover, but Cody breaks it. Taven shouts, “I hate you!” at Cody, and now they brawl. Lethal stands up, handsprings, DOUBLE Lethal Injection!

But Taven and Cody both roll away before he can cover one. Castle returns and scoops Lethal. Lethal slips out to give a cutter! Lethal fires up and the fans do, too. He handsprings again, Lethal Injection! Cover, but Taven drags the referee out! If Taven isn’t champ, no one else will be champ. But then Brandi SLAPS him! ROH Fatal 4 Ways can have disqualifications, but the ref lets this one slide. The match continues after one last break.

ROH returns once more, and Cody has a chair! He brings it around, but Lethal takes aim. Lethal DIVES, but Cody shields himself with the chair! Cody walks over to Lethal, but Taven FLIES! Taven walks over to them, and drags Cody into the ring. Taven looks under the ring, and finds a table! Fairfax hates Taven but the love this idea. Taven puts the table back in and starts setting it up. He drags Cody over to a corner and hoists him up top. Taven keeps Cody still with a swing kick, then climbs up to join him. Taven goes way up, but Castle returns! Castle adds on, and his powerbomb sends the SUPERPLEX through the table!!

Lethal returns and covers Taven, but ROPEBREAK saves the match. Fans know “This is Awesome!” as the ref clears the table out. ROH staff helps with that while Lethal goes after Castle. He and Castle brawl with big haymakers and slapping palm strikes. The brawl speeds up to be fast and furious! Castle gets the edge, but then misses his discus to get Lethal’s SUPERKICK! Lethal runs, handsprings, but misses the cutter. Castle gets him up and spins him around, but Lethal turns that to a victory roll! Then that becomes a Figure Four, but Castle turns it into a small package! TWO! Lethal dodges, handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION! Cover, LETHAL WINS!

Winner: Jay Lethal, by pinfall; NEW ROH World Champion

He’s done it!! The Franchise finishes his quest for redemption by once again becoming ROH WHC! Taven is furious over the screw job, while Cody and Brandi are distraught. As for the former champion, Castle stands up and faces the new champion. Lethal sets the belt down, and offers a handshake. Castle accepts it to uphold the Code of Honor. When and where will The Peacock come back for the rematch?

My Thoughts:

A great episode of ROH, though it does point out the glaring flaw in their system: TV coverage. They only now give a recap of Best in the World when that happened weeks ago. ROH does their best using Honor Club to keep fans more current with their events, but their TV needs to do something to help the company as a whole grow. But that aside, the two matches we got were great. The Women of Honor Championship was a fun match, and it really established Stardom’s Heel trio here as they almost get the upset on Sumie. Sumie wins so that Oedo Tai doesn’t have belts from both promotions, and to grow her legacy as the inaugural champion. Chances are it’ll still be Kelly Klein who takes that belt off Sumie as the strongest Heel in the WOH Division.

Then the “scheduled” ROH World Six Man Tag titles were moved back a week. In kayfabe, that’s because Taven was put into the World Championship. In reality, it was also way too soon. Kenny King, Chuckie T & Eli Isom only just became #1 contenders, give them time to rest and prepare to challenge the champs. But that’s fine, because this “impromptu” World Championship Fatal 4 Way was great. Of course, Honor Club had this match weeks ago, too, so anyone who closely followed ROH news already knew Lethal won. However, it was still great to see it for myself, everyone was so good in the match. Lethal wins, or rather Castle loses, because Castle is clearly worn down from all the matches he’s had while champion. Castle will recover while Lethal takes the baton, but the controversy following him might complicate things. Only time will tell how his reign goes.

My Score: 8.5/10

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Related Topics:Coverage Featured Ring of Honor Ring of Honor World Championship Ring of Honor Wrestling ROH

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The Raw Before Christmas!

Published

16 minutes ago

December 23, 2024

Steven Mitchell

The Hollywood A-Lister’s got his own nightmare before Christmas!

Christmas is just a few days away, but things aren’t merry and bright for Raw! The Miz must face his fears as he faces Dexter Lumis 1v1!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Natalya VS Alba Fyre VS Iyo Sky; wins and advances to the next round.
Chad Gable w/ Team American Made VS Akira Tozawa w/ The Alpha Academy; wins.
The Miz VS Dexter Lumis; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Road to Tokyo Dome Results & Report! (12/22/24)

Empire VS Emperor!

Published

20 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Steven Mitchell

The Road to the Tokyo Dome goes through KOPW!

As 2024 nears an end, Great-O-Khan defends the KOPW Championship one more time, against a former KOPW Champion in Taichi! Who will be THE 2024 King of Pro-Wrestling?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kickoff – Chase Your Dream Match: Shoma Kato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
Boltin Oleg VS Satoshi Kojima; Boltin wins.
Triple Threat Tag: Jeff Cobb & Jakob Austin Young VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson VS Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi; Narita & Yujiro win.
DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS El Desperado & Master Wato; Desperado & Wato win.
Fatal 4 Way: Kevin Knight VS Robbie Eagles VS Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles wins.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi; Khan wins and is the definitive 2024 KOPW Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

After the Triple Threat Tag…

The House of Torture of course cheated to win, but they wouldn’t leave it at that! They waited until the United Empire and TMDK argued with each other to then attack them all! Yujiro Takahashi CLUBS Oiwa down while Narita shoves Cobb into big Hartley Jackson! And then Narita JAMS Cobb with the pushup bar! The fans boo but Narita JAMS Oiwa up, too! The Souled Out Son of Strong Style is so proud of himself as he holds up his NJPW World TV Championship, but wait. Christmas music starts playing? The fans clap along as surprise! Santa and his reindeer are here! Well, one reindeer. But shouldn’t the House of Torture be on the naughty list?

Santa Claus walks over, and he gets the mic. He sounds familiar as he tells, “Narita-san… You have a Christmas present waiting. Would you like it now?” Narita asks what the heck is going on. Santa steps into the ring and offers Narita the little tiny bag. Narita snatches the bag, then he and Yujiro look at it. The fans asks, “Nani nani? <What is it?>” Narita tells them to shut up. Narita gets the bag open and pulls out… Blue sunglasses! With LED lights! The fans cheer as the lights go down! “E! L! P!” EL PHANTASMO IS HERE! The Headbanga has been battling cancer, but he’s here in Korakuen Hall!

Narita is furious but ELP slides right into the ring! Narita & Yujiro run away, but the fans cheer ELP on as he stands side-by-side with Jado Claus. ELP gets the mic now, and the fans cheer him on. ELP takes a moment before saying, in Japanese, “Cancer. Cancer… I’ve beaten cancer! And I love Korakuen!” But ELP asks Jado-san how to say a certain something in Japanese. He whispers it, but then Narita & Yujiro attack! The fans boo these cowards, but then Narita says Merry Christmas! But ELP BOOTS him, ELBOWS Yujiro, then dodges Narita to SUDDEN DEATH! Jado Claus DECKS the Tokyo Pimp!

ELP again asks Jado, and Jado says on behalf of ELP, that ELP is going to wrestle tomorrow night! And… Then he’ll be at the Tokyo Dome! ELP grabs the NJPW World TV Championship! ELP looks it over, and looks to the crowd, and then to Jado, but then Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa get in the ring. Cobb asks if ELP’s good. ELP is good. Are they good? Then let’s turn it up a notch! FATAL 4 WAY for the TV Championship! Narita snatches his belt, gets out of the ring, and tells everyone to shut up! The odds just got stacked against the House of Torture, will the New Year have a NEW NJPW World TV Champion one way or another?

Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita!

Ahead of battling for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, The Roughneck and The Front Man bring some back up! The Ace is also preparing to fight Evil, will he and Shota bring a Once in a Century Paradigm Shift? Or will ZSJ and the Japanese Young Punk prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

The teams sort out and Shota starts against ZSJ. The fans cheer this WrestleKingdom preview, and Korakuen duels between “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” ZSJ and Shota feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ clinches but Shota fights back with his own clinch. ZSJ slips around to chinbar but Shota wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ rolls, tries another chinbar but Shota cranks the wristlock. ZSJ bridges, spins, slips around and wrangles Shota! Shota kips up to WRING the arm, but ZSJ UP KICKS! The fans cheer as the two reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s hand!

ZSJ has another hand and twists the wrist! Then he has both arms for a motorcycle stretch but Shota fights up. Shota turns things around, and he fights ZSJ as ZSJ tries to turn them back. ZSJ keeps trying, and he pushes through, but Shota spins things right back around! The fans cheer while Shota digs a foot into ZSJ’s back. ZSJ flips, kips up, spins things around, but Shota spins them back! The fans cheer, and Shota spins ZSJ. ZSJ dodges the lariat, Shota blocks a kick, but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick and arm-drags ZSJ, but ZSJ headscissors! Shota kips free, avoids a leg pick, and the fans cheer!

Shota dares ZSJ to go for the leg but the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and each man breaks free of one. They back off, and Shota tags in Tanahashi. The fans cheer, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Korakuen strongly supports President Ace. Tanahashi and Fujita circle, tie up, and Tanahashi powers Fujita back. The ref counts, Tanahashi lets off slowly, but then Fujita turns things around! Tanahashi turns things around, and repeat! The ref counts, Fujita lets off slowly, but then both men block a kick! They argue over who lets go first, and eventually agree for a mutual break. They set the feet down, but then Fujita holds on!

Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi, then whips. Tanahashi reverses but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Fujita aims from a corner. Fujita runs corner to corner but Tanahashi BOOTS him! Shota CLOBBERS Fujita, then eggs ZSJ on! ZSJ runs up, Shota blocks a kick and he sends ZSJ into Tanahashi’s ELBOW! Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ and the fans fire up. Shota pursues ZSJ to the outside and CLUBS him down! Shota clamps onto ZSJ with a chinlock but the ref reprimands. Tanahashi CHOPS Fujita, but Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Fujita storms back up, but he blocks a boot!

Fujita DRAGON SCREWS Tanahashi’s leg! Fujita kips up, ZSJ sends Shota into railing, and Fujita stomps Tanahashi. The fans rally and Fujita brings Tanahashi up to CHOP! Fujita eggs Tanahashi on, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! Tanahashi flounders and ZSJ tags in. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up to UPPERCUT! Tanahashi ends up in the TMDK corner, ZSJ UPPERCUTS him again! ZSJ says, “Mada mada!” and he UPPERCUTS again! Tanahashi falls, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Fujita brings Tanahashi up. Fujita CHOPS again, and then CHOPS again! Tanahashi is stinging and using the ropes for defense while the fans rally up.

Tanahashi storms up but Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi falls and Fujita BLASTS Shota! Tag to ZSJ and he grabs a leg. Fujita also grabs one, they drag Tanahashi to center, and then they both go after arms. Then they shift, ZSJ has an arm while Fujita has a leg! Then they both have legs again! Then ZSJ has a leg and Fujita has an arm! Then back to the arms! They both isolate the arms for DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans cheer, the ref reprimands and ZSJ “apologizes” with a bow. ZSJ stands on one of Tanahashi’s legs to then twist the other! Tanahashi endures, even as ZSJ TWEAKS the ankle!

ZSJ twists the foot the other way, flips Tanahashi over, and shifts around to have a headscissor and armlock! Shota stomps ZSJ but Fujita goes after Shota! Fujita TOSSES Shota, ZSJ tags Fujita back in. Fujita stomps Tanahashi, KICKS him in the back, but Tanahashi gets mad! Fujita KICKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi fires up! Fujita KICKS and CHOPS, but Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm! Fujita CHOPS again! Tanahashi grits his teeth but Fujita CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! SHOTEI! Fujita falls but so does Tanahashi! The fans rally up while both men crawl, hot tag to Shota! Shota rallies on Fujita with big forearms and elbows!

Shota whips, Fujita reverses, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! ZSJ runs up and RAMS Shota! Then ZSJ runs, but into Shota’s DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shota goes to Fujita. Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Fujita in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t mind. Shota clinches but Fujita fights the suplex with elbows. Shota runs up, but Fujita wrenches, waistlocks, but Shota ELBOWS free! Shota whips, Fujita reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita crawls, hot tag to ZSJ!

ZSJ runs up to BOOT Shota! Shota stays up so ZSJ runs to BOOT him again! And BOOT him again! Shota roars and ROCKS ZSJ! Shota runs to ROCK ZSJ again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota eggs him on, repeat! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ roars! ZSJ UPPER- NO, Shota hooks the arm, but ZSJ wrenches out of the backslide to PELE the arm! Then ZSJ basement DROPKICKS Shota! The fans fire up while Shota clutches a leg and an arm. ZSJ kicks him around, scuffs him and taunts him. The fans rally, the ref checks Shota, but Shota is okay to continue. ZSJ stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!

Shota clinches to EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Shota crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! Fujita runs up, but Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Payback for earlier! Tanahashi runs up at ZSJ in a corner, blocks a boot, and DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi put some stank on that one! Then he goes up the corner for a SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but the fans continue to rally! “GO ACE! GO ACE!” echoes out as Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him into a COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi endures, then throws elbows into ZSJ’s leg. Tanahashi gets free to DRAGON SCREW again!

ZSJ writhes, Tanahashi ties the legs up, but ZSJ kicks at him! Tanahashi blocks a kick to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And now, TEXAS CLOVER- NO, ZSJ fights the turnover and reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally up, but Shota gets in! Shota stomps away on ZSJ, but then Fujita MISSILE DROPKICKS Shota! Fujita brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi SHOTEIS him down! ZSJ is after Tanahashi but he avoids the shotei! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but ZSJ gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans fire up as ZSJ stand Tanahashi up.

ZSJ scoops but Tanahashi fights that, to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up but Tanahashi isn’t done! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, but ZSJ scoops to ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ & Fujita win!

Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall

Shota can’t believe The Ace fell, but this is why ZSJ is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Will ZSJ do this all to Shota when they’re 1v1 in the Tokyo Dome? Or will Shota prove he’s mightier than The Mighty?

KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi!

The Dominator has, well, dominated as KOPW Champion for a long stretch of 2024, but the Holy Emperor did close out 2023 with this title. Granted, Taichi says that win, lose or draw, this is his final KOPW Championship match. As such, tonight’s stipulation is a sort of “Best Of” compilation as we go Best 2 Out of 3. Part one: a no ropes Sumo Rules match! Part two: Yoshinobu Kanemaru as special guest referee? Well, he would be a neutral party… And part three, if needed, will be a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH! Will Taichi “retire” from this truly freestyle division standing tall? Or will Khan truly conquer KOPW for the United Empire?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but Taichi also brings back the trophy for the occasion, and it’s time to end the year in style!

Sumo Rules!

Both men finish preparations with weight belts and some stretching. They square up, the ref says go and they RAM into each other! The fans rally as both men go for those weight belts to use as leverage. They go around, get very close to the ring edge, but then Khan moves things away. Khan THROWS Taichi, but Taichi stays on the ring so the sumo match continues. They reset and go again! Taichi pushes Khan back with both hands, but Khan digs in his heels! They clinch, go around, and Taichi goes for the edge! Khan pulls on Taichi’s leg to get around, but Taichi uses that to steer Khan to another edge! But Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover!

Khan drags Taichi up but Taichi fights off the throw! They clinch and fight for control again. They each try to lift with the belt! Khan has Taichi near the edge, but then Taichi has Khan near the edge! Khan is teetering and the fans fire up! Taichi THROWS Khan to the floor, Taichi wins the fall!

Khan: 0; Taichi: 1

Special Guest Referee!

The fans are thunderous as Taichi takes the Sumo Rules fall, but now we go to a much more complicated situation. The ropes have to be put back up, sure, but now the Heel Master of all people is going to be the referee! The time it takes to set up the ropes is a reprieve for both sides, especially Khan as he has to catch his breath and refocus. Once the ropes are up, both men wait in the ring. All that is left is the buckle pads, and of course, Kanemaru himself. Kanemaru gets a proper introduction and entrance before he goes to the ring, and wow, he’s even wearing an official NJPW referee shirt with the lion mark on it.

Referee Kanemaru does his check and he even tells Taka Michinoku to watch himself. Kanemaru does a far less thorough check of Khan than Taichi! Did the Empire pay Kanemaru off?! Kanemaru has Taichi cool off, then whispers something to Khan! The bell rings, the fans rally for Khan, and Khan circles with Taichi. They tie up, Taichi powers Khan to ropes, and Kanemaru calls for a ropebreak. Then he has a fast count! Taichi lets off before 4 and argues with Kanemaru! Kanemaru says that’s his count, deal with it. Khan and Taichi reset, tie up, and Khan puts Taichi on ropes. Kanemaru pays more attention to Taka than Taichi!

The fans can’t help but laugh as Kanemaru finally does count, and now it’s really slow! Taichi protests, but Khan pulls Taichi’s arms. Then he CHOPS Taichi and stops at “3!” Khan then goes after Taichi, wrenches and wristlocks, and Kanemaru is asking if Taichi gives up!? Taichi tells him to shut up, but Khan kicks and CLUBS Taichi. Khan whips, Taichi BOOTS Khan down, then covers! Kanemaru strolls over to count! And it’s so slow! “TWO” and the fans cheer. Taichi is upset, but Khan rolls Taichi up! SO FAST!! TWO!! Taichi is getting pissed but Kanemaru backs away. Taichi stomps Khan, and Kanemaru’s untying a buckle pad?!

Taichi stomps Khan around, Khan leaves the pad there loosely, and Taichi whips. Khan reverses, and SURPRISE! bare buckles! Taka protests but Kanemaru SMACKS him with the pad! Khan plays dumb, and then he stands on Taichi’s lower back. Taichi has the ropes, but Kanemaru kicks the arm away! Khan has Taichi’s other arm, Taichi keeps grabbing for ropes but Kanemaru keeps kicking the hand away! Khan drags Taichi up, brings him around, and ROCKS him in the back! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan Mongolian Chops him on the back! And Mongolian Chops again! And Mongolian Chops again! Kanemaru doesn’t bother counting at all!

Taka protests, Kanemaru warns him, but then Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while Taichi endures, and only now does Kanemaru count! Khan asks hold on, hold on, so Kanemaru stops counting! Khan hops down, and then he puts Kanemaru up on the throne! Khan gets the fans to join in on the “Ohh…! HMPH!” Kanemaru isn’t into it so he hops down. Khan apologizes to Kanemaru, then he kicks Taichi around. Taichi gets up to fire hands! Khan kicks low, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi stands, and he drags Khan up into SEITEI JUJIHOU!

Kanemaru might be stuck, he can’t ignore Khan tapping. But then Kanemaru drags Khan over to the ropes! Taichi is frustrated with Kanemaru but Kanemaru says that’s a ropebreak. Taichi storms up on Kanemaru, but then Khan waistlocks! Ripcord and SAYANAGI! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan runs in, but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Taichi snarls. Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! The pants were a bit stubborn, but still. But then Kanemaru “checks” Khan just to stay between him and Taichi! Taichi says move or else! Kanemaru says he’s the ref!

Kanemaru kicks Taichi, CLAWS Taichi’s eyes, then traps his arms! Khan gets up to IRON RIGHT!! Kanemaru “scolds” Khan, then “checks” Taichi. Khan rests in a corner and Kanemaru drags Taichi up for him. Taichi CHOKES Kanemaru! Kanemaru kicks low! Kanemaru whips Taichi into a corner, ELBOWS him, then Khan LARIATS! Khan snapmares and covers, Kanemaru wants more first! Khan sits Taichi up for a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Now cover, TWO!! Taichi survives so Kanemaru hurries to get his whiskey! Khan takes a swig, and Kanemaru sets Taichi up! WHISKEY MIST into Kanemaru! Taichi hits the GEDO CLUTCH, but Kanemaru really can’t count now!

Taichi lets off of Khan since there was no count to be had. Taichi drags Kanemaru up, but Khan WHISKEY BOTTLE SHOTS Taichi! IRON CLAW!! Kanemaru calls for the bell? He just hands the win to Khan without counting, so now we’re all tied up!

Khan: 1; Taichi: 1

Kanemaru has fulfilled the contract, Khan gives him the envelope of money. Khan even makes sure we all see how many thousands that is! Kanemaru heads out, is he going to party hard for the holidays? But that aside, it is time for the final fall!

Last Man Standing!

Taichi gets the mic first, and tells Khan that if that’s how Khan wants to do it, then Taichi will get down and dirty with Khan! No lumberjacks, no special guests, just the straight up ten count, and it can happen anywhere in Korakuen Hall! Khan says bet! The announcement is made for the official rule change, and now we have the final fall! Khan rushes Taichi on the outside, then whips him into railing! And we’re already going into the crowd! Khan throws Taicihi at English commentary, but big Hartley is a solid wall for Chris. Khan then drags Taichi up into the bleachers, and the fans clear out of the way!

Khan CHOKES Taichi with a chair, then lets off to clear chairs out of the way. The Young Lions try to help but Khan gets mad at them and pushes them aside. Khan drags Taichi up, knees him low, and then reels him in! But Taichi fights the sayanagi! Taichi SHOVES Khan, Khan falls to the floor but gets up, only for Taichi to CROSSBODY! Down goes Khan and Red Shoes hurries over. Both men are down but Taichi sits up. The count starts and Khan is still down at 5 of 10! Khan hurries to get up, and Taichi stomps him down! Taichi drags Khan back up into the bleachers, but we go the other way.

Taicih KICKS Khan down, Young Lions keep the fans back again, and Taichi drags Khan along. They keep moving through the crowd, and Taichi shoves Khan into chairs! Khan sputters but Taichi drags him up again. Taichi KNEES Khan, then drags him up. They go back down to floor level, and then Taichi aims at chairs! Taichi whips but Khan reverses and he BOWLS Taichi into chairs! Not quite a strike but he got a good number of those chairs! Khan pops the railing loose from the special corner piece, and he brings that corner piece over! Khan SMACKS Taichi with the steel! Taichi staggers away but he sits in a chair.

Khan starts folding chairs to stack them on the floor. Khan then uses one chair as a leash to drag Taichi over! Khan CLUBS Taichi, adds that one chair to the pile, and then snap suplexes Taichi onto the chairs! Taichi writhes but Khan rises up. Khan roars and the fans fire up! The count begins again but Taichi slowly sits up at 4. Taichi rises up, and he stands at 8! Khan brings Taichi around in a headlock, and they go to the orange bleachers! Khan uses the gate to smother Taichi, then they go up to the higher level! The fans fire up but then fans have to move! Khan KNEES and CLUBS Taichi, then whips Taichi at the exit door!

Taichi tumbles into the hallway! Khan drags Taichi back into the arena and uses the HITSUJIGOROSHI against the chairs! Taichi endures as Khan chokes him, then Khan lets him go! Red Shoes checks on Taichi, Taka coaches him, but the count begins. Khan sits in a chair to relax while he waits. Taichi sits up at 7, and stands at 9! Khan storms up on Taichi to CLUB him on the back! Khan headlocks Taichi, brings him to the other section, and he gets up close to the fans for photo ops. Khan then whips, but Taichi reverses, and Khan is sent into the wall! Taichi leaves Khan behind while the count begins again.

Khan sits up so Taichi KICKS him back down! Taichi drags Khan up, KICKS him again, and Khan falls to his knees. Taichi drags Khan up by his ponytail, and he goes close to the stairs that lead to the back! Khan fights the suplex, and for his life, but then he turns things around! Taichi fights the suplex, throws hands, and then DDTS Khan to the floor! Red Shoes checks both men, then starts the count. Taichi shakes out his arms and sits up at 4. Taichi stands at 6 but Khan is still down at 8! Khan drags himself up at 9! Taichi CLUBS Khan down, then brings him back up. Taichi brings Khan back to ground level, then snapmares him hard for a KICK!

Khan is in agony but Taichi drags him back up. But Khan RAMS Taichi into the railing! Taichi sputters while also sitting in a chair. Khan staggers away to ringside, and he goes looking under the ring. Khan brings out a trolly cart? Khan JAMS Taichi up using his own mic stand, then leaves him behind. Khan brings out a TABLE! Fans rally up as Khan puts the table on the trolly, then he staggers over to Taichi. Khan CLUBS Taichi down, then SHOVES him onto the table trolly combo. Khan has fans clear out, and then he SNOW PLOWS the chairs with Taichi on the cart!! The fans fire up as Khan stands over Taichi.

Khan drags Taichi up, and he brings the table along, too. Khan kicks chairs out of the way as he returns to the upper deck! Khan SMACKS Taichi off the edge, then he clears out space. Khan sets the table up, then he goes up to fetch Taichi. Khan JAMS Taichi up with a chair, then SMACKS him! Taichi writhes, fans rally, and Khan drags Taichi up. Khan vows to end this! IRON CLAW, and ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights Khan off! Taichi stumbles away through the crowd, but then grabs himself a chair. Taichi runs up to JAM Khan right in the face! Taichi then steals Khan’s idea to choke grip and CHOKE SLAM down through the table!!!

Khan writhes and the fans go nuts! Taichi hobbles around while Red Shoes counts Khan. Khan is still down at 5! Still down at 7! 9! KHAN GRABS RED SHOES’S HAND!! Khan survives, and though he has a couple bloody cuts on his back, he crawls his way to the ring. Taichi eggs Khan on and the fans are thunderous! Khan drags himself into the ring, Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up and the count returns! Khan is still down at 5, stirs at 6, sits up at 7, and he rises at 8! So Taichi just runs up to AX BOMBER!! Khan drops to his knees, flops over, but he’s already pushing himself back up! Taichi runs again, AX BOMBER!!

Khan staggers around but he stays on his feet! Taichi says fine, AX- SAYANAGI!! Khan turns things around, and he AX BOMBERS in return!! Both men are down and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and Khan crawls for ropes at 5! Taichi slowly sits up at 6, and both men go to corners at 7! Red Shoes waits on them to rise up, and then Taichi fires up! Taichi runs up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so Taichi BOOTS! Khan BOOTS back! Taichi URAKENS! Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Taichi SOBATS! Khan BODY BLOWS! Both men drop to knees, but they also grab at each other.

The fans rally as Khan and Taichi slowly rise. They are forehead to forehead, and then Taichi AX BOMBERS! Khan drops to his knees, Taichi BUZZSAWS, but Khan blocks it! Khan ROCKS Taichi with a right! And then Khan reels Taichi in, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! BLACK- NO, Khan fights into a GUILLOTINE! Taichi is stuck in the body scissors!! Taichi flails, even taps out, but that’s not how Last Man Standing works! Khan squeezes tighter and tighter, Taichi fades, and Red Shoes checks! Khan lets Taichi go and the count begins! Khan rises at 6, and Taichi is somehow up at 9!! So Khan clamps on an IRON CLAW!

Khan lifts Taichi, but Taichi slips free! Taichi shoves Khan and ROCKS him! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! But Khan is staggering to his feet?! Khan goes to a corner, flounders along ropes, but he isn’t down yet! The fans rally hard while both men fight to their feet! SUPERMAN PUNCH from Khan! PELE from Taichi! Both men are down again! Red Shoes starts the count on them both, and the fans rally even harder! Taichi is up at 7! Khan grabs Red Shoes at 9 again!! Taichi roars, Korakuen is with him, and he powers up! TENSHI JUJI- NO!! Khan blocks, and he hooks Taichi! Taichi CLUBS away on Khan, but Khan still lifts! ULTIMATE ELIMINATOR!!

Both men are down again and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and they’re both down at 5! At 7! 9! Khan pushes up, but he FLOPS back down!! DOUBLE TEN! IT’S A DRAW!! What does that mean for the belt!? Red Shoes goes out to talk with Abe-san, and then the announcement is made. In the end, with it being 1-1-1, a true draw, it all goes to KHAN!

Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (DEFINITIVE 2024 KOPW Champion)

Khan flips Taichi off, one last insult added on top. Khan is given the belt back, but Taichi grabs his trophy. Taichi steps up to Khan, and gives him the trophy, saying it is rightfully his now. Taichi shows Khan that respect, and Khan returns it with a handshake. Khan “retires” Taichi from KOPW, what will the Holy Emperor look to do in 2025?

As for Khan, he grabs the mic, and he asks Taichi to wait a moment. “You served this title for three years. We will honor your glory!” The fans applaud that, and Khan asks the previous champion to come closer. No, closer. The fans cheer Taichi on as he steps closer to ringside. Khan says Taichi served this title well, so here is his reward. Khan is giving the trophy back? Taichi says no, he gave that to Khan out of respect. Khan says to Taichi and to everyone to listen well. “We are the last KOPW Champion!” Everyone is a bit surprised to hear that.

Khan says, “As an alternative, on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome… as THE last KOPW Champion, We demand that the January 4th match determine the next IWGP World Heavyweight Championship challenger!” The fans are really intrigued by that idea! Khan throws down the belt, and Chris makes sure English speakers understand what Khan is suggesting. The New Japan Ranbo determining a #1 contender? Khan says that these are the words of the final KOPW Champion, The Great-O-Khan! “HAIL US, PEASANTS!” A New Year, a new era? Will Khan’s revolution bring glory to the United Empire?

My Thoughts:

A very good night for Road to Tokyo Dome, though I did skip a lot just because I didn’t have a lot of time today. But luckily I was skimming through, or I would’ve missed ELP’s great return. Congratulations on him beating cancer, and I like that they’re adding him to the NJPW World Television Championship match. It makes sense given ELP’s beef with the House of Torture, and honestly, why not just have ELP win? Not even so much for getting over cancer (though kind of that, too) but because fans love ELP and it’d help him solidify his singles run with Hikuleo long gone for WWE.

Really good stuff in the other tune-up matches, such as #DespeWado winning and the chaotic end to the Fatal 4 Way. Eagles won to help him and Fujita have momentum, but there is still more to the Road to Tokyo Dome first. Honestly that tag Fatal 4 could really go any which way they want so I’m not sure how the go-home math would even work. And Gedo of course took the loss against LIJ. Yota Tsuji is aiming for David Finlay and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, but who knows how things go before we get to WrestleKingdom.

Very good tag match from Shota & Tanahashi VS ZSJ & Fujita, and it was technically a surprise for Tanahashi to take the loss. This works on many levels, as Tanahashi should be figuratively on the ropes going into his match with Evil, and this gives Fujita equal momentum alongside Eagles. And then great main event, Khan and Taichi really went the distance with this one. And it all makes sense after Khan reveals this is the end of the KOPW Division. Khan wants to make the New Japan Ranbo to basically be the Royal Rumble and that is pretty cool. I think they could keep the belt to represent that contender’s status the same as the G1 Climax having a briefcase, because that KOPW belt actually looks pretty nice.