Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW AXS TV Report: G1 Climax 28, parts 5 AND 6!
AXS gives us a double dose of NJPW as we get days 6 and 13 of the G1 Climax! It’s Omega VS Tama Tonga, Ishii VS Goto, Tanahashi VS EVIL and Okada VS Suzuki!
Gifs can be found on http://frentique.tumblr.com/
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- B Block: Sanada VS Zack Sabre Jr; Sanada wins.
- B Block: Kenny Omega VS Tama Tonga; Omega wins, by disqualification.
- B Block: Tomohiro Ishii VS Hirooki Goto; Ishii wins.
- A Block: Yoshi-Hashi VS Jay White; White wins.
- A Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL; Tanahashi wins.
- A Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Minoru Suzuki; Okada wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW and AXS set the scene for B Block!
The Bullet Club Civil War looked to have ended at G1 Special in San Francisco, as Kenny Omega defeated Cody to successfully defend his newly won IWGP Heavyweight Championship. However, the Civil War took a new turn with the rise of the Firing Squad! The Bullet Club OG, Tama Tonga, led his brother and father in a heinous raid of the celebrating new generation. But after tensions have mounted to a boiling point throughout the rest of the round robin, it is finally time for Tama and Omega to face off. Will this only escalate the Civil War to a whole new level?
Meanwhile, Chaos members are made to face off as the Fierce Warrior and Stone Pitbull will see who is the sturdier Strong Style savant. Only one can move up the ladder tonight, who will break down first?
NJPW and AXS quickly review the rest of B Block’s Day 6!
Kota Ibushi took on Toru Yano, and in a shocking upset, Yano won! Of course, Yano made sure to tie Ibushi’s hands together, get his signature low blow and then the roll up, but a win is a win. Tetsuya Naito and IWGP US Heavyweight Champion, Juice Robinson, used all of their charisma against each other, and in the end it was the leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon that got the win. Juice continues to be without a single point, so it seems his chances of making this year’s G1 Finals are also zero. Then there is LIJ’s Sanada and Suzuki-Gun’s Zack Sabre Jr, which we jump into right now!
Sanada VS Zack Sabre Jr!
The Cold Skull and Submission Master met in the New Japan Cup, and the one hold Sanada has wasn’t enough against ZSJ’s unlimited arsenal. Can Sanada make up for that loss in this rematch here? Or will he again #JustTapOut?
ZSJ and Sanada circle and feel things out. They tie up, ZSJ gets a full nelson and quickly shifts to a snapmare, but Sanada lands on his feet! ZSJ is a bit surprised by that, but the fans love the agility. The two circle again, and ZSJ gets around to another full nelson. Sanada breaks then gets his own full nelson. ZSJ breaks to get his, but Sanada breaks and gets another. ZSJ breaks out but just as he goes for his, Sanada is already behind him for the full nelson! Fans applaud as it repeats, ZSJ breaks free only for Sanada to get back around. ZSJ grows frustrated already, but he ducks down, only for Sanada to bring him back up in the full nelson.
They try again, Sanada wheelbarrows ZSJ into the full nelson. ZSJ gets out but just ends up back in it again. He stubbornly keeps trying but Sanada keeps pace. ZSJ arm-drags but Sanada drags ZSJ into headscissors. ZSJ pops out and has a foot, and he twists! He bends the shin and twists the ankle, then stands up. Sanada rolls over but ZSJ turns that into his deathlock Bow ‘n’ Arrow, but Sanada pops out to a cover. ONE, and fans applaud this stand-off. Both men back away to adjust and circle again. They tie up, and ZSJ puts Sanada in a corner. The break is tense, but then ZSJ European Uppercuts! He whips Sanada corner to corner but Sanada reverses.
ZSJ stops himself, slides under Sanada, then counters Sanada’s kick into a rolling takedown, then sunset cradle. Sanada rolls out to jackknife then sunset, but ZSJ gives it back. Sanada rolls out to high stack, ONE as ZSJ headscissors, but Sanada pops out. The two stand again and fans are loving this. Taka Michinoku coaches ZSJ while the fans rally behind Sanada. ZSJ and Sanada circle again, approach, and tie up. ZSJ gets the wristlock and bends the arms back. He keylocks, then half straitjackets. Sanada ends up in the full straitjacket, but he powers to his feet. ZSJ pulls back, but Sanada turns the jacket onto him. Sanada pulls back but ZSJ rolls through to reverse it back. Deja vu as Sanada reverses it back again.
ZSJ goes to get up but Sanada puts his weight on him. They still stand, and ZSJ even bridges back to reverse the jacket onto Sanada, but Sanada still reverses it back! Fans applaud but ZSJ is annoyed. Sanada keeps on him, but ZSJ gets back up. ZSJ works to put it on Sanada but Sanada puts it right back on ZSJ. ZSJ wiggles the hold down and puts it on Sanada again, but Sanada copies to put it right back on! Sanada’s ability to keep up with ZSJ is baffling the Submission Master. ZSJ tries the wiggle again, breaks free, gives a EuroUpper, but Sanada gives a EuroUpper in return! They both back off again, and Taka Michinoku coaches ZSJ up.
Sanada and ZSJ circle again, tie up, and ZSJ gives another EuroUpper. They circle again then tie up. They go to their knees in the collar and elbow, ZSJ gives a EuroUpper but Sanada gives it back. ZSJ gives another, but so does Sanada. Sanada’s hit harder, but then ZSJ fires off many. Sanada goes to backslide but ZSJ turns it around. They pull against each other and Sanada turns it back around, but ZSJ uses that to roll off his back into a double wristlock! ZSJ hops on for the floating wristlock!
Sanada endures, even as ZSJ turns it to a straight arm. Sanada uses that to pop out for Skull End! But ZSJ pops out to the Octopus Hold! Then he shifts for a sunset flip, but Sanada sits on it! ONE and ZSJ completes the sunset, TWO as Sanada comes back up! TWO as ZSJ almost gets caught there, but he Penalty Kicks Sanada down. Fans fire up while ZSJ catches his breath. ZSJ walks around Sanada, then brings him up for a facelock. He scoops but Sanada slips out, for Skull End! ZSJ goes up and over, trips Sanada up, body scissors into the European Clutch! TWO!! That was close, but no cigar. Sanada rolls up ZSJ, to Skull End! ZSJ again rolls out to go for EuroClutch, but Sanada pops out to copy it!! SANADA WINS!!
Winner: Sanada by pinfall; Sanada earns 2 points, ZSJ earns 0
The Cold Skull shocks the Submission Master using his own move against him! Whether or not this is an upset, Sanada winning this way upsets Taka as he gets in the ref’s face about the count. ZSJ himself is furious that he let Sanada outsmart him, even for just a second. He takes a page from the book of his mentor, Minoru Suzuki, and takes it all out on the Young Lions at ringside. Does ZSJ still have time to make up the points? Or has Sanada just played spoiler for the Submission Master?
Kenny Omega VS Tama Tonga!
The Bullet Club has been through many a revolution since its creation under Prince Devitt. After the Prince came the Phenomenal One, but then even AJ Styles would be overthrown by The Cleaner. In all that time, Tama seemed satisfied with staying close yet never sitting on the throne. But now, sensing weakness, Tama has decided to strike down the Best Bout Machine and his allies down! Will the Firing Squad’s coup d’état have its coup de grace? Or can Kenny keep control of the Club?
Naturally, the Tongan trio doesn’t roll alone, as Tonga Loa & Bad Luck Fale join Tama ringside. Omega goes it alone, so he’ll have to keep his head on a swivel with the numbers in Tama’s advantage. However, as introductions are being made, Tonga Loa pounces on Omega from behind! The Firing Squad stomps away on Omega as fans boo and jeer. Tama takes the belt and holds it up like it’s already his. Red Shoes tries to restore order but Tama throws the belt down to then kick it out of the ring. Tama whips Omega corner to corner for a corner clothesline, then Loa follows up with a splash and Fale with a clothesline.
Fans continue to boo but Omega is still all alone. Tama feeds Omega to Fale, but then Hangman Page and Chase Owens appear! They and the Guerrillas of Destiny brawl on the outside, and Omega escapes Bad Luck Fall. Omega hits back with a running V-Trigger, then Chase & Hangman clothesline Fale out! Fans fire up as this match still happens!
Omega kneels as the Terminator Drums begin. Hangman and Chase brawl with Fale and Loa, but Omega builds speed to FLY! He leaps onto the heap and almost doesn’t make it. Omega holds his ribs while he gives Loa one more clubbing forearm. But then Tama SPEARS Omega in the ring! Tama fireman’s carry to a flapjack! He circles Omega, “Did you think I was gonna make things easy?” He drives elbows into Omega, then says Omega isn’t special at all. Tama whips Omega and runs him over with a back elbow. Chase and Hangman head to the backstage area, but what of Loa and Fale?
Tama shouts at Omega that the Bullet Club could’ve been something more if they were all together. But Omega is the reason for the rift, so this is all on him. Tama drags Omega up and suplexes him. Cover, ONE, and Omega hits back. Tama hits Omega with elbows and haymakers, then stalks him around the ring. Tama fires body shots in the corner, but Omega hits back. They go back and forth, but Tama headbutts Omega to a corner. “Is this your hero?!” Tama will remind everyone who he is. But then Omega comes back with forearms. Tama hits back, then whips, but Omega holds ropes. Omega boots Tama, then runs for a body shot, then comes back around for a low dropkick.
Omega runs again, but Tama dodges the bulldog to run around and dropkick Omega down! Tama watches Omega flounder to a corner, then runs in for a big splash. Omega dodges, and comes back with chops. Tama swings but misses, Omega kicks and whips. Tama reverses but Omega dodges to hit a running DDT! Cover, TWO! Omega has control of the match while we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns as Omega drags Tama up. Omega fireman’s carry, “You Can’t Escape!” Rolling senton and the moonsault both hit! But Tama is up quick, and goes for Gun Stun! Omega denies the cutter to give his V-Trigger! Omega drags Tama up in the underhook, but Tama denies the driver. Tama lifts and quickly Alabama Slams! Cover, TWO! Tama and Omega slowly stand, but Omega again denies a Gun Stun, and goes for a back slide. Tama rolls out and blocks Omega’s V-Trigger! He fireman’s carry but Omega slips out to a waistlock. Tama breaks free and runs but into a V-Trigger! Omega grits his teeth while Tama rests on the apron.
Fans rally up as Omega joins Tama, and wants a full nelson. Tama uses the ropes then breaks out. Tama runs but back into the full nelson. He grabs Red Shoes to both save himself, and give Loa the opening! Loa hits Omega in the leg with a chair! Fans boo but Loa keeps going as he brings Omega off the apron in powerbomb position. But Omega huricanranas Loa away! Omega goes after Tama, gets powerbomb position, for an apron bomb! Tama slumps down to the ground, but Omega drags him back up. They go back in, and Omega prepares the cross-leg fisherman. Aoi Shoudou! Fans fire up with Omega while Tama writhes. Omega takes aim and BANG! He runs, but Loa trips him up! Loa holds Omega in place, but then Omega escapes to send Tama into Loa!
Omega rolls Tama up, TWO, and Omega is pushed into Loa’s chair toss! Tama rolls Omega, TWO!! Omega survives the screw job, but Tama wants that chair for himself. Loa sets it there, then goes somewhere else to distract Red Shoes. Tama positions the chair and goes for Gun Stun, but Omega slams him onto the chair! Omega drags Tama up onto Electric Chair, but Tama slips out. Tama tries again but is still denied Gun Stun with a shove. Omega goes to huricanrana, but Tama counters that by preparing a Styles Clash! He wants to do it on the chair, but Red Shoes kicks the chair away! Tama lets Omega go to get in Red Shoes’ face. Fans boo, but then are surprised to see Red Shoes push back! GUN STUN for Red Shoes!! Fans boo even louder now, but GoD go after Omega together, GUN STUN!
Winner: Kenny Omega, by disqualification; Omega earns 2 points, Tama earns 0
Fale returns, too, and he stomps away on Omega. The Firing Squad keep Young Lions out while putting a chair around Omega’s head. Tama prepares to drive Omega down, but in comes Kota Ibushi, as well as Hangman and Chase! They run the Tongans off, but Tama vows “I’ll end all of you!” Clearly this Bullet Club Civil War has only grown more intense, where and how will it end?
Backstage interview with Omega.
“Nothing much has changed since last year, has it?” Tama said the G1 doesn’t mean anything, and he hasn’t changed his opinion since. Tama doesn’t care about the finals, he only cares about making a statement. Omega is upset that Tama used his friends and a DQ win to mess up his match star rating average. “That, my friend, is unforgivable.” When and where will Omega get his revenge on Tama?
Tomohiro Ishii VS Hirooki Goto!
Both men are of Chaos, but that doesn’t mean they won’t compete against each other. Will the “Righteous Rascal” or the perennial NEVER Openweight Champion come out on top with two points?
The bell rings and fans duel for these battle-tested wrestlers. They tie up and Goto gets a headlock. Ishii pries his way out but Goto puts it back on. Ishii powers out and they collide. Neither man falls, and Goto dares Ishii to go again. Ishii does, and they collide again. They go again and collide, and collide, and collide! Ishii hits Goto, Goto hits Ishii, again and again and again! Fans applaud these two human tanks testing each other, just as Ishii starts firing off forearms! Goto gives some back, and they go back and forth. Ishii wants Goto to really hit him, and the brawl just intensifies with every shot. Forearm after forearm after forearm and neither man backs off.
Fans applaud just as Ishii gains an edge. Ishii runs and hits Goto. Goto comes back to hit Ishii on the rebound. Ishii does the same but it’s Goto who runs Ishii over! Fans applaud again as Goto catches his breath. Goto stomps Ishii, then drags him back up for elbows. Goto drags Ishii up and puts him in a corner for stomps. He whips Ishii corner to corner but Ishii reverses. Ishii catches Goto on the return for a powerslam! Both men are down but Ishii is up first .Goto slowly follows but Ishii in on him. Ishii chops Goto, then chops him again. Goto reels back but Ishii keeps on him, chopping him down. Ishii kicks Goto while he’s down, then backs off just a moment to adjust.
Ishii brings Goto up and gives him a headbutt. Goto chops but Ishii doesn’t flinch. Goto chops and chops but Ishii just eggs him on. Ishii gives back one and Goto falls. Ishii toys with Goto a little, and stands on his chest. He keeps toying with Goto, then taunts him, “What’s wrong, Champ?!” Goto fires off palm strikes but Ishii just chops him. They run, dodge, but Goto fireman’s carry. Ishii slips out and shoves, but misses in the corner. Goto hits a solid corner clothesline, then whips Ishii corner to corner. Muramasa the rolling heel kick, to saido suplex! Cover, TWO! Goto has control while we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns and Goto drags Ishii up. Goto wants to lift but Ishii resists. They struggle against each other, but Isshi gets free. Goto kicks Ishii hard in the chest and Ishii falls. The referee checks on Ishii but he’s okay. Goto gives another kick and Ishii falls again. Goto taunts Ishii back, then kicks him again. Ishii smacks his head on the mat to fire himself up. Goto gives another kick, but now Ishii feeds off it. Another kick and another kick, but Ishii grows stronger, and rocks Goto with a right! Goto and Ishii both gasp for air, but Ishii drags Goto to a corner. Ishii chops and forearms, chops and forearms, repeat. He whips corner to corner but Goto reverses, only for Ishii to run out and run Goto over! Ishii drags Goto back up, but Goto resists the back suplex.
Goto elbows his way free, then runs, but Ishii follows. Things speed up, and they collide! Goto staggers over into Ishii’s German Suplex! But Goto’s right back up to kick Ishii right back down! Goto fires up and drags Ishii into the sleeper hold. Ishii reaches but starts to fade. He still has life as fans rally up again. Ishii throws Goto off! Goto clotheslines Ishii but Ishii stays standing. Goto runs, but the clothesline only knocks Ishii backwards. Ishii rebounds and collides with Goto! Goto runs, but again his clothesline only staggers Ishii. Ishii teeters in a corner, but comes back with a clothesline. Goto still stands, and comes back for yet another.
Ishii wobbles, but still hits back! Goto runs to hit again, but Ishii returns it. Goto drops to a knee, Ishii runs, but into a clothesline! Ishii’s right back up and clotheslines Goto down! Goto gets back up and they both clothesline! Neither man falls, so they go again! The collision is still so solid, and they go again! Both men fall to the mat and fans fire up for the intensity! The referee checks on each of them, and somehow Ishii and Goto are still okay to continue. Goto sits up but Ishii follows. They each force themselves to stand. Goto is on Ishii first, with the sleeper hold! Ishii hits back with overhead backhands, faster and faster! He’s free, but Goto SLAPS him! Now Ishii’s mad.
Ishii fires forearms from both ends! He even counters a headbutt to give a headbutt, then a corner clothesline! Fans are thunderous as Goto slumps down. Ishii drags Goto up to the top rope, then climbs up to join him. Ishii wants a superplex, and hits it! Cover, TWO!! That wasn’t enough, but Ishii has more. He sits Goto up, runs, but into the sleeper! Ishii goes to counter but Goto counters, only for Ishii to reverse, only to end up in the fireman’s carry and Ushigoroshi! Goto doesn’t cover, he drags Ishii up. They brawl again, and Goto clobbers Ishii off his feet! Goto drags Ishii up again, Reverse GTR! Goto stands Ishii again, but Ishii slips out of the suplex! Into a dragon sleeper! Goto reverses it but Ishii reverses back but Goto pops out. Ishii kicks but Goto spins, into a saido suplex!
Both men are down again and fans fire back up. Fans duel while the referee checks on both men. Both men stir, neither man giving up just yet. They go to opposite ends before standing. They run at each other, for another clothesline collision! Goto counters a clothesline but Ishii counters back, then Goto blocks the enziguri! Goto runs, but into another clothesline! High stack cover, TWO!! How is either man still going!? Ishii fires himself up and he drags Goto up. He suplexes, but Goto fights out. Goto and Ishii fight for control, and Goto gets Ishii up for Shouten Kai! Cover, TWO!! Ishii and Goto are exhausted, but this match must continue.
Fans are thunderous as Goto drags himself away. Goto stands but staggers while Ishii stirs. Goto prepares to finish this, and hits the buzzsaw! He’s not done yet, as he drags Ishii up in the dragon sleeper. Ishii pops out but Goto headbutts, only for Ishii to give one. They headbutt again, then Ishii enziguris Goto down! Ishii comes back around, runs, and hits the sliding lariat! Cover, TWO!? Goto is dazed but he still lives! Ishii drags Goto up again, for the brainbuster! Cover, Ishii wins!!
Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall; Ishii earns 2 points, Goto earns 0
Ishii wins in a match that was the epitome of Strong Style! He gains some ground, and perhaps even a shot at the NEVER Openweight Championship. Will Ishii be able to get himself to the Finals? If he doesn’t, will he want another match with Goto for that title?
NJPW and AXS set the scene for A Block!
There are do-or-die stakes on the line for three men at this point in the tournament! The Ace has the lead with 10 points, but the King of Darkness lurks just behind with 8. Hiroshi Tanahashi lost to EVIL way back in the 2017 New Japan Cup’s opening round. Will Darkness Fall to keep Evil’s hopes alive? Or will the Once in a Century Talent blaze a trail to the finals through him?
Meanwhile, The Rainmaker and the Man with the Worst Personality both have 8 points. They both lost back-to-back, but have rallied back since. These two renew their own rivalry from their two different time-limit draws. Two points never felt so important! Will Okada reclaim his former glory? Or will Suzuki use this to bring him his first ever G1 Climax championship?
NJPW and AXS quickly review the rest of A Block’s Day 13!
Bad Luck Fale and Michael Elgin went heavy hit after heavy hit, but the Firing Squad is always near. Even so, the Unbreakable took care of Tonga Loa and slammed Fale! Tama added the last shot, and though Elgin gets the win, there’s no telling if he’ll be able to continue competing. Meanwhile, Hangman Page and Togi Makabe battled just as hard as the young Problem Solver took it to the veteran Uncaged Gorilla. Hangman hit his Rite of Passage to gain himself points as well as some major respect. Lastly are Yoshi Hashi and Jay White for another Chaos VS Chaos showdown, which we jump into!
Yoshi-Hashi VS Jay White!
The Head-Hunter runs at the Switchblade in the corner for a chop. Hashi suplexes White and hangs him up on the ropes, for a dropkick! He hurries up top and aims at White, for a flying blockbuster! Cover, TWO! Hashi grows frustrated, but he keeps going. He drags White up and prepares a bomb but White slips out. Hashi forearms and chops, then whips. White reverses only to get more forearms, but then he catches Hashi into a Complete Shot and deadlift German Suplex! Hashi is down but White drags him back up. White suplexes and twists for the brainbuster! Cover, TWO! But White isn’t bothered, he prepares his blade. He drags Hashi up, but Hashi rolls him! TWO!!
Hashi kicks but is blocked. White gives a set of strikes, then runs, but into the lariat! Hashi lifts, powerbomb to jackknife! TWO!! Hashi hurries back up, but White grabs the referee. Then he trips Hashi up! Fans boo but White doesn’t care. White drags Hashi out, for Blade Runner! But Hashi counters to a pumphandle! White fights his way out, then baits Hashi into Red Shoes! Low blow! Fans boo louder, but White gets away with an underhanded move again. White brings Red Shoes over, drags Hashi up, but Hashi still counters with a kick, then SUPERKICK!
Hashi fires up and brings White in. White fights out, but misses his clothesline to get a backstabber! Hashi wants to end it now, as he fisherman lifts, to the Bunker Buster! Cover, TWO!! White survives, which shocks Hashi. But Hashi fires up with the fans as he grabs White for the pumphandle. Lift but White fights out, Blade Runner!! Cover, White wins!
Winner: Jay White, by pinfall; White earns 2 points, Hashi earns 0
The Switchblade gets another win that’s tainted by his tactics. But he just knows he won and continues on to stay near the top of the block. Will White keep going all the way to the finals? Or will he be passed up by the other top stars in his bracket?
Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL!
The Ace of Air-Guitars and the King of Darkness go around one more time, and again for big stakes. Evil’s fate is in his own hands, can he win and join the conversation for the G1 Climax Finals? Or will Tanahashi push past to keep his hopes of another G1 Climax Finals appearance alive?
The bell rings and we begin with fans already chanting strongly for Tanahashi. Evil doesn’t mind, he and Tanahashi circle. Evil kicks low then puts on a headlock. Tanahashi fights back and powers out. Evil runs Tanahashi over, then speeds things up. Tanahashi hip drops Evil down, then plays the air guitar. Tanahashi gets a headlock takeover, but Evil works against it. Evil sits up but Tanahashi grinds the headlock. Evil pulls hair to get out, then whips Tanahashi. Tanahashi holds ropes then dumps Evil onto the apron. Tanahashi swings on Evil but gets caught into a hotshot! Evil grabs that repaired arm and slams it on the mat. He looms over Tanahashi and does it again.
Evil drags Tanahashi up to wrench the arm, then puts it in a hammerlock. He shoves Tanahashi into buckles, then goes back after the arm with another wrench. Tanahashi breaks free, but gets run over and squashed under the back senton. Cover, TWO! Evil pulls back on the arm, then goes for the other. Tanahashi resists so Evil hooks his nose. Evil lets up at 4 to get both arms. He digs a knee into Tanahashi’s shoulders, then pulls back harder on the arms. Tanahashi endures and powers his way up. Tanahashi feeds off the fan rally and works to reverse the hold, but Evil just pulls back harder. The fans keep rallying and Tanahashi tries again, but Evil brings him back down. Tanahashi tries one more time, and turns Evil around, only for Evil to turn it back around. Tanahashi dropkicks Evil away and he’s free!
Both men catch their breath then slowly stand up. Evil kicks first, then whips. Tanahashi hits back with a flying forearm! He drops a big elbow then a flipping senton! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi drags Evil up and throws forearms. He backs Evil into a corner, then scoops him for the slam. Tanahashi hops up top, but Evil rolls away. Evil blocks the boot to club Tanahashi all the way out! The Ace is down while we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns as Evil fetches Tanahashi. Evil whips Tanahashi into the railings, btu Tanahashi fires up, only to run into a clothesline. Fans rally up while Evil leaves Tanahashi to the count. The 20 count reaches 10 before Tanahashi stirs. Tanahashi rises up at 13, but falls back down! He hurries up again and into the ring at 17. Evil is ready, and he runs in at Tanahashi for a Bronco Buster! Cover, TWO! Evil drags Tanahashi back up, fireman’s carry, but Tanahashi fights out. Tanahashi goes to kick but Evil catches it to hand it to Red Shoes. Evil goes to kick but Tanahashi blocks that, and Tanahashi tells Red Shoes to let go. Red Shoes does, and then Tanahashi lets go of Evil, to give Evil a slapping palm strike!
Tanahashi runs but Evil pursues for a clothesline! Cover, TWO! Evil keeps his cool as he staggers back up. He drags Tanahashi up, fisherman suplex! Cover, TWO! Evil sits Tanahashi up to slash the throat. But Tanahashi snapmares to a small package, TWO! Tanahashi swings but misses. Evil mule kicks, but Tanahashi denies the STO to hit the spinning neckbreaker! Fans fire up as Tanahashi stands. Tanahashi runs and hits a Slingblade! Cover, TWO, but Tanahashi keeps going. He gets to a corner, but Evil shoves Red Shoes his way. Tanahashi saves Red Shoes from the collision, then he sees Evil coming. He hits back, then dragon screws the leg inside the ropes! Evil staggers away as Tanahashi climbs up. Crossbody!
But Tanahashi won’t end it there, he goes back up, for the High Fly Flow! But he flops as Evil escapes! Evil stands and drags Tanahashi around, rolling up into the fireman’s carry, Darkness Falls! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi shocks Evil, but Evil still has more. He takes off his elbow pad, runs, and clobbers with a clothesline! Cover, TWO!! That was even closer! Evil calls for the end and drags Tanahashi back up. STO denied, but Evil breaks free of the full nelson. Evil whips and reels Tanahashi in, but Tanahashi steals the STO! Tanahashi gets to the top rope as fans are thunderous. High Fly Flow!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall; Tanahashi earns 2 points, Evil earns 0
The Ace continues to rise up from his early loss! Evil is out of the running now, but it’s still on Tanahashi to keep himself going. Can Tanahashi go all the way while there is still much more to come?
Kazuchika Okada VS Minoru Suzuki!
The Rainmaker seeks redemption after his rocky start to the round robin, as does the Meanest Man in the World. They both sit at 8 points, but things can change with a single win. Who will move up into true second place now that Evil is out of the way?
But as Okada has his fun letting the balloons fly, Suzuki pounces! Suzuki throws Okada out of the ring as the bell rings, but the beating continues on the outside. Suzuki whips Okada into railings, then follows up the ramp. He takes a chair, and hits Okada with it! Suzuki rips the railings apart to then throw it down on Okada. He takes another chair and SMACKS the railings into Okada. Another chair, another SMACK! Suzuki brings the railings off Okada to thrust the chair into Okada’s throat. Red Shoes reprimands Suzuki, but Suzuki gets in his face now. Red Shoes has to defend himself, so he gets a chair for a shield. Suzuki isn’t in any mood for fun and games, he and Desperado flank Red Shoes. But Okada comes back with a kick and forearms!
Suzuki hits back, and bounces Okada off the wood bleachers. Young Lions help fans get clear as Suzuki keeps on Okada. Suzuki clears out other fans, and goes bowling for chairs with Okada’s body! Suzuki doesn’t let up, as he takes another chair and jams it into Okada’s stomach, and SMACKS him across the back! Red Shoes tries to restore order while fans rally up for Okada. Suzuki leaves Okada for dead as he storms his way back to the ring. Suzuki searches around under the ring, and brings out some more chairs. Okada drags himself up and a count begins. The count reaches 7 while Suzuki waits with a chair. Okada arrives at about 13, only to get that chair! Suzuki SMACKS Okada again and returns to the ring at 17. Okada hears the count and gets in at 19.5!!
Suzuki is furious but he takes it out on Okada with forearms on the apron. He gives Okada a draping armbar! Red Shoes counts and Suzuki lets go at 4, to then boot Okada down! Okada hits railing and slumps back down, but Suzuki dares him to get back in. Suzuki grins, but fans rally up as a new count begins. The count passes 10 but Okada only now gets up. Suzuki grins as Okada gets in at 19, because he just gets to hurt Okada more. He grinds his shoe on Okada’s head, then his face. Suzuki stomps Okada and that wakes Okada up. Suzuki takes Okada’s shirt and uses it to choke him! Red Shoes can’t get a good look, so Suzuki gets away with it. Suzuki kicks Okada, but Okada stands up. Suzuki gives Okada forearms, but Okada grits his teeth.
Okada gives a forearm, Suzuki gives a forearm, and back again. Suzuki knees low then whips Okada to the corner. Okada boots him away, then blocks a kick into his own kick, neckbreaker! Okada stands and fires more forearms. Suzuki reverses the whip but gets Okada’s back elbow. Okada runs for a back elbow in the corner, then kicks for a DDT! Cover, ONE, but Okada keeps his cool. Suzuki stands but Okada lifts him up. Suzuki resists with a wristlock takedown, to armbar! Okada flails as Suzuki pulls on the arm. They get around, but Suzuki gets a leg. Okada uses the other leg for the ropebreak! Suzuki lets Okada go and backs off to a corner while we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns as Okada gets himself to a corner. Suzuki runs in for a big boot! He snapmares and Penalty Kicks Okada down, then sits him up for the Fujiwara armbar! Suzuki pulls back and then gets Rings of Saturn! Okada endures the double armbar as Suzuki puts as much weight as he can on the hold. Fans rally but Suzuki lets go of one arm to do just the Fujiwara again. Okada gets another ropebreak, so Suzuki lets go. Suzuki talks trash while toying with Okada. Okada gets up and fires a forearm. That bad arm hurts as he does it, but he keeps trying. Suzuki gives Okada a shot and Okada staggers back. Suzuki keeps on Okada in the corner, elbow after elbow. Red Shoes reprimands Suzuki again, but Okada comes out with a shotgun dropkick!
Okada eggs Suzuki on now, wanting Suzuki to hit him! Suzuki grins, but lets Okada go first. Okada hits with the bad arm, but Suzuki’s arm is just fine as he hits Okada again. Okada goes again, and so does Suzuki. Suzuki hits, Okada hits. Okada hits, Suzuki dares him to hit harder. Okada tries, but it doesn’t really work. Suzuki hits Okada and then mocks the Rainmaker pose! Okada fires off more forearms, then pushes Suzuki around. Suzuki grins as he gives Okada one big forearm! Okada staggers about, but clears his head to hit back. Suzuki hits again, and they go back and forth again. Okada staggers but still comes back. Suzuki rocks Okada again but Okada always comes back. Now Suzuki starts to laugh! He’s enjoying this brutal back and forth with the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
They don’t slow down, and Suzuki SLAPS Okada! Fans fire up as Okada starts to fade. Suzuki brings Okada back up, but his piledriver is countered to a back drop and sit-down cover! TWO, and Suzuki kicks. Suzuki runs, but into the dropkick! Okada grits his teeth as he brings Suzuki up. Suzuki elbows out, then fires off fast shots! Okada can’t cover up, so he just gives EuroUppers! Suzuki slaps him again, so Okada slaps back! Okada runs, but into Suzuki’s dropkick! Both men are down but the fans are fired up. Suzuki sits up first, then brings Okada up. He fires off more shots but Okada goes to gut wrench. Suzuki headbutts out, then rocks Okada with a knee. Okada still tries but Suzuki fights him off with another knee. Suzuki has a facelock, squeezing the air out of Okada’s head.
Fans duel, Okada lifts Suzuki but Suzuki slips out to a sleeper hold! Okada sits down but he reaches for ropes. Suzuki drags him away, and Okada begins to fade. Suzuki shifts but Okada wants Rainmaker, only for Suzuki to SLAP him! Okada stays standing, so Suzuki slaps him again. Suzuki puts Okada in an Octopus Hold! Okada endures as Suzuki also digs his elbow into Okada’s hips. Okada pops out of the hold, gut wrench to TOMBSTONE! But Okada is too tired to cover!
Both men are down but stirring. They stand, and Okada goes for the wristlock. Suzuki fights out, but then Okada puts a sleeper on him! Okada shifts to steal the Gotch! Suzuki resists, and gut wrenches Okada! Suzuki wants to steal that driver, but then Okada turns and lifts Suzuki in the gut wrench, to make it a Gotch TOMBSTONE! Cover, TWO!! Okada is shocked but the fans are fired up. Suzuki resists the wristlock but gets a discus lariat. Then Okada swings Suzuki out, Rainmaker!! Okada covers, Okada wins!!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall; Okada earns 2 points, Suzuki earns 0
It was brutal to say the least, but in the end, the Rainmaker wins with the Rainmaker! Suzuki stumbles away in defeat without a word while Okada takes up the mic.
Okada pumps himself up, ready to speak, but the mic isn’t on! Well that’s embarrassing. He tries again, letting the fans chant as he pumps himself back up. “Win number five!” Okada is sweating, and not just from the Hakata heat. It’s also the warm welcome from the fans. Okada wonders, why are the fans fired up? Is it because he won? Is it because he’s so strong? Or is it that he’s good-looking, strong and won? Which is it? Fans seem to agree it’s C. He can see it on their smiling faces. The theme of summer is to smile. Even Suzuki was grinning during their match.
There are just two more G1 Climax matches left. If Okada doesn’t win, no one will have a reason to smile. He has to win so they can celebrate. That’s fine, just two more and the finals! Okada delcares it right now, he will definitely win it all! That’s all for now, so thank you… VERY MUCH! Okada is tired but he’s on a roll. Will he roll all the way to the finals like he promised?
Backstage interviews.
“Even for title matches, I don’t usually sit down for these,” Okada says. But he’s so tired from this grueling G1 Climax. He’s still winning, because he’s just that good. “It’s tough, but I’m having fun.” With Jaw White nipping at his heels and Tanahashi just up ahead, will Okada be able to take the A Block? Or will he at least be a spoiler for someone else?
My Thoughts:
Two great hours of NJPW in a row from AXS is always great for viewers. We skipped a lot going from Day 6 in B Block to then Day 13 in A Block, but AXS did well in getting the essentials. It was nice of them to also sneak in Sanada VS ZSJ because that was exciting and surprising. Sanada is probably one of the more improved wrestlers, and is a very balanced wrestler, too. He kept pace with ZSJ the entire time, then beats ZSJ with his own signature pinfall. I know from other sources that with the round robin format, there was some tension mounting between Sanada and Naito, but I’m sure they won’t go for a Civil War story like Bullet Club and even Chaos have done.
Speaking of, I thought Tama Tonga having his Firing Squad going after Omega to then bring out Hangman and Chase was going to negate their G1 Climax match for a tag match, but then I remembered that’s more a WWE Teddy Long thing. But anyway, Omega did great overcoming things for a time, but obviously Tama and crew just turn things into more anarchy. I’m looking forward to this part of the Bullet Club Civil War getting a great blow-off match. Ishii VS Goto was stiff as stiff could be, and that made it great. Ishii getting a NEVER Openweight title match would be amazing, and he might be the one guy who could keep that belt away from Goto for a considerable amount of time.
AXS also sneaks White VS Hashi in, that was just to fill for time really. White wins to keep pace with Tanahashi and Okada, and with his wins over them acting as tiebreakers should they all get 12 points, this will at least tease that the upstart young star having a chance of going over the veterans. Tanahashi gets the win over Evil because Evil is not yet at a G1 Climax Finals level. Plus, I was expecting Evil to go after Chris Jericho for the IWGP Intercontienntal Championship. Okada keeps his redemption story going with this great win over Suzuki, but with him facing Tanahashi soon, that’s definitely changing. Okada’s story wouldn’t be as compelling if it was all turned around with this one tournament. He needs to keep exploring who he is after losing the title again.
My Scores: Part 5 = 8.5/10; Part 6 = 8/10; Overall = 8.5/10
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Time to fill out the Fyter Fest Fatal 4!
Claudio Castagnoli or Komander, Mascara Dorada or Hechicero, who will advance to the AEW International Championship Fatal 4 Way?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW International Championship Fatal 4 Way Qualifier: Claudio Castagnoli VS Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes; Claudio wins and advances to Fyter Fest.
- Six Man Tag: Roppongi Vice & Konosuke Takeshita w/ The Don Callis Family VS Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly & Tomohiro Ishii; RPG Vice & Konosuke win.
- AEW Continental Championship Eliminator: Kazuchika Okada VS Anthony Bowens; Okada wins and denies Bowens a title match.
- Mina Shirakawa VS Skye Blue; Mina wins.
- Gates of Agony VS GMO Kaminari & Cosmo Orion; Gates of Agony win.
- Six Man Tag: La Faccion Ingobernable VS AR Fox & Top Flight; LFI wins.
- AEW International Championship Fatal 4 Way Qualifier: Mascara Dorada VS Hechicero; Dorada wins and advances to Fyter Fest.
PLAY BY PLAY
AEW International Championship Fatal 4 Way Qualifier: Claudio Castagnoli VS Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes!
The Swiss Cyborg and the “Space Commander” had a bit of a confrontation on Wednesday Night Dynamite during the Mixed Six Tag, but this dates back to the Continental Classic and the Miracle on 34th Street! Komander cost Claudio his title opportunity then, will he do it again now? Or will nothing stop this Death Rider from going after Kenny Omega’s gold?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. Komander and Claudio tie up, and Claudio puts Komander on the ropes. The ref counts, the fans rally for Komander, but Claudio CHOPS! Claudio kicks low, UPPERCUTS and stomps away in the corner! The ref counts, the fans boo, but Claudio stops. Abrahantes coaches Komander but Claudio CHOPS! Komander goes to a corner, he shoves Claudio but Claudio CHOPS again! Komander CHOPS! And fires body shots! And repeat! Komander backs Claudio down, headlocks, but Claudio powers out. Claudio RAMS Komander, then THROWS him down!
The fans boo but Claudio just scowls. Claudio grabs at Komander but Komander lifts and leaps to tilt-o-whirl RANA! The fans fire up and Komander ENZIGIRIS! Claudio goes to a corner, Komander goes to the other end! Komander tightrope walks, ARABIAN PRESS HOTSHOT! Claudio staggers, Komander springboards, FLYING- NO, Claudio turns rana into GIANT SWING! The fans count along, Claudio TOSSES Komander at seven! The fans boo, they wanted a longer swing, but Claudio kicks Komander to the outside. Claudio soaks up heat from El Paso as he SMACKS Komander off barriers! And then CHOPS him!
Komander staggers away but Claudio is right on him for a CHOP! Claudio whips Komander into the riling, refreshes the ring count, and storms back up on Komander. The fans chant “SI SE PUEDES!” and Komander fires CHOP after CHOP! Komander kicks but Claudio KNEES low! Claudio hits a BARRIER BACK SUPLEX! Komander flops down. Claudio taunts him, and he drags Komander up and into the ring. Claudio stalks Komander to a corner, the fans rally up, and Claudio whips corner to corner. Komander goes up and out, then KICKS Claudio to ROCK him! Komander springboards to stand on Claudio, then he springboards again for a FLYING ARM-DRAG!
The fans are thunderous as things speed up! Tilt-o-whirl RANA and Claudio tumbles out! Komander DIVES! Direct hit on Claudio and the fans fire up again! Komander hurries back inside, the fans get even hotter, and Komander climbs a corner! Tightrope walk, but Claudio is in! Komander leaps, but into a BACKBREAKER! BACKBREAKER! BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Or as El Paso reminds us, “DOS! DOS! DOS!” Claudio digs his knee into Komander’s back while putting on the HALF CRAB! Komander endures, the fans taunt Claudio, and Komander fights around. Claudio stomps him down, then reels him in.
Claudio lifts, but Komander slips free to hit a FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up as Komander goes up! Tightrope walk, CIELITO- NO, Claudio moves! Komander lands on his feet, runs up, but Claudio RAMS him! And fireman’s carries to the apron! Claudio goes up the corner and the fans get worried. Claudio says this will end it! But Komander shifts to SUPER DUPER STEINER!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and Komander can’t believe it! The fans rally and Komander climbs up the corner! But Claudio runs up, so Komander jumps down, springboards, SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives again but Komander won’t stop!
The fans rally, Komander aims, and he runs corner to corner to go up, up, and PHOENIX- UPPERCUT!! Claudio reels Komander in, GOTCH NEUTRALIZER!! Cover, Claudio wins!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall (advances to Fyter Fest)
Komander tried to fly higher and higher, but he only came crashing down to Earth! Will Claudio follow in Moxley’s footsteps and become a champion?
AEW shares footage from after Dynamite.
Prince Nana talked with Swerve Strickland about the Ospreay and Hangman situation, and Renee Paquette walks over to ask them about that. Can he work with Ospreay and Hangman to finally bring down the Death Riders? Swerve says he is going to clear up this misconception. He owned up to what he did, he said he deserved what happened. But that doesn’t make them friends or a team, and they never will be. But then Ospreay barges in and says he has his own question: Who is the bigger threat to AEW? The Death Riders? Or Hangman Page? The only time Swerve was beefing with Hangman was because they both wanted the same opportunities. Tell Ospreay he’s lying.
Swerve had the world title! He did it! He became AEW’s first Black world champion! And he wore that title with pride! But is Swerve happy that Moxley’s stuck it in some briefcase? Because Ospreay isn’t. Ospreay says that belt should be around the best wrestler in the world right now, and right now that is Hangman! Swerve says, “No, it’s not.” Swerve has beat Hangman twice. But did Swerve beat Moxley? Has Ospreay beat Swerve? Swerve says the truth hurts, don’t it? But this team Ospreay is trying to put together to go against the Death Riders, Swerve just did that at Double or Nothing, Anarchy in the Arena, Swerve is done with that.
Swerve says Ospreay is delusional, but Ospreay won’t let Swerve leave because he’s not done talking. Swerve shoves Ospreay, so Ospreay hits back! They brawl right in the parking lot! Swerve sends Ospreay into railing, Ospreay comes back for ore! Ospreay says they are on the same team, whether Swerve likes it or not! Will Swerve, Ospreay, Hangman, and the rest of the roster put their personal history aside to finally and truly save the soul of AEW?
Six Man Tag: Roppongi Vice & Konosuke Takeshita w/ The Don Callis Family VS Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly & Tomohiro Ishii!
After the confrontation during the TNT Championship match, Paragon battles RPG Vice, but with some added names to the mix! RPG Vice brings in NEVER Openweight Champion, Konosuke Takeshita, while Roddy & Kyle conglomerate with NJPW Strong Openweight Champion, Tomohiro Ishii! Could this Six Man Tag open some doors to more golden opportunities?
The Don Callis Family doesn’t wait for anything, they just go after Ishii & Paragon! The fans boo but Konosuke THROWS Ishii into railing! RPG Vice beat up on Paragon, and they throw Roddy out so they can mug Kyle! The fans boo more but Rocky slides to do his soccer celebration. Trent then PLANCHAS, but Kyle KNEES him outta the air! Rocky DIVES on Kyle, but Roddy give shim a BARRIER BACKBREAKER! Roddy CHOPS Trent, Ishii CHOPS Trent, repeat! They make Trent sit down, they CHOP away more, then Roddy KNEES Konosuke! He and Ishii add The Alpha to this, and Kyle is on the apron! DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK!
The fans fire up, Callis is upset, but Roddy puts Trent in the ring. This is finally a match and Roddy CHOPS Trent! Tag to Kyle, BACKBREAKER AND KNEE DROP COMBO! Kyle clamps onto Trent, he tags Ishii, and they mug Trent. Ishii CHOPS Rocky, the fans cheer, and Ishii CHOPS again! Ishii talks trash on Konosuke, then he bumps Rocky off buckles. Tag to Roddy, Roddy CLUBS Rocky but Rocky fires body shots and KICKS! Tag to Trent and now RPG Vice double whip Roddy. Trent runs up but Roddy dodges the splash! Roddy picks Rocky up to RAM him into Trent, then he hits a BACKBREAKER on Rocky! But Konosuke jumps in and BOOTS Roddy!
The ref reprimand but Konosuke throws hands on Roddy. The refbacks Konosuke off, but that lets Callis get a cheap shot! The fans boo that jackal, but Trent CHOPS Roddy in the corner. Roddy CHOPS back, but Konosuke fires hands! The fans boo as Trent CLAWS Roddy’s face, and Collision goes picture in picture.
The ref reprimands so Trent lets go, but Rocky BITES Roddy’s forehead! Roddy fights back, CHOPS Trent, then he runs, but into a fireman’s carry and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Trent is frustrated but Roddy kicks at him. Trent stomps Roddy, tags Rocky, and Rocky KNEES Roddy to a corner. Rocky CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Roddy CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Rocky TACKLES Roddy, tags Konosuke, and they split the wishbone! Konosuke clamps onto Roddy with a HALF CRAB! Roddy endures, reaches out, and fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! Konosuke lets go and tags Trent.
Trent stalks Roddy, CHOKES him on the ropes, but lets off as the ref counts. Roddy gets up to CHOP! And kick low! But Trent keeps him cornered! Trent ROCKS Roddy, then he tags Konosuke. They stomp away on Roddy, dig their boots in, then step off as the ref counts. Konosuke drags Roddy up, snapmares him into a chinlock, and he grinds Roddy down. Konosuke shifts to a COBRA CLUTCH, but Roddy still endures. Collision returns to single picture, fights up, and he fires body shots.
Konosuke CLAWS Roddy’s eyes, whips him, and scoops, but Roddy slips free! ANGLE SLAM! Both men are down and the fans fire up! A standing count starts, but we get hot tags to Kyle and Trent! Kyle BOOTS Trent, KICKS Trent, then KICKS again! Rocky is in, Kyle BOOTS and fires off more strikes! SWEEP THE LEGS! The fans fire up while Rocky bails out. Kyle runs and ROCKS Trent, then wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle whips, Trent reverses but Kyle slips up and under to KNEE and GERMAN SUPLEX! AX & SMASH! Cover, Konosuke breaks it with a deadlift! Kyle fights free with elbows, but Konosuke ROCKS him in return!
Konosuke runs, Kyle KNEES him at the ropes! Konosuke falls out, Rocky runs in, but Kyle DUMPS Rocky! Kyle tags Ishii so he can FLYING KNEE Rocky down! Ishii stalks Trent, brings him up, but Trent fires a forearm! No effect! Trent fires another, and another, but Ishii DECKS Trent! Konosuke tags in, and the fans fire up as these two DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT! Konosuke BOOTS Ishii, GERMAN SUPLEXES, and then Rocky BLASTS Paragon! Trent sends Rocky in but Ishii puts him on the apron. Trent runs up, ENZIGIRI LARIAT COMBO! Then Trent scoops and SLAMS Ishii, and Konosuke fires up!
Konosuke climbs while Rocky holds Ishii in place. But Paragon TOSS RPG Vice! Roddy ROCKS and CHOPS Konosuke, fireman’s carries him, and gives him a GUT BUSTER DROP! Kyle KICKS, Ishii SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but Ishii roars! Ishii reels Konosuke in, Konosuke wrenches out, but Ishii ROCKS him first! Ishii reels Konosuke back in, but Konosuke suplexes! Ishii slips free, ducks an elbow, but the ALPHA ELBOW hits! BLUE THUDNER BOMB!! Cover, Roddy BOOTS it apart! Rocky runs up, Roddy blocks one kick and ducks the next, but the REWIND HEEL finds him!
Kyle fires knees on Rocky! Rocky avoids a sweep to KNEE, but Kyle LARIATS on return! Trent is back but Kyle wrenches. Trent CLAWS Kyle’s face, then SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! Ishii LARIATS Trent! Konosuke ROCKS Ishii! Ishii HEADBUTTS Konosuke! Konosuke ALPHA ELBOWS again! Ishii RISING UPPERCUTS! The fans fire up with Ishii and he suplexes, but Konosuke knees free! Konosuke shoves Ishii into the ref! Callis laughs as Konosuke then KNEES Ishii down! Konosuke winds up, but Ishii slips around! Konosuke switches, Ishii switches, but Rocky LOW BLOWS Ishii!! The fans boo but Konosuke hits the RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!!
Winners: Konosuke Takeshita & Roppongi Vice, by pinfall
Underhanded as it was, that was still a win for the family! And bigger than that, the NEVER Openweight Champion just pinned the NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Will The Alpha look to take the Stone Pitbull’s gold the next time they meet?
AEW Continental Championship Eliminator: Kazuchika Okada VS Anthony Bowens!
From one title opportunity to another, The Rainmaker moves on through the roster after successfully retaining at Double or Nothing. But now, the Pride of Professional Wrestling steps up to the plate! Will this be a homerun for the 5 Tool Player? Or will it take more than just Bowens’ combination of power, athleticism, intelligence, the look, and The It Factor to earn a golden ticket?
The bell rings and the fans cheer already as Bowens and Okada circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Okada’s height gives him the leverage to put Bowens on ropes. The ref counts, Okada lets off, and he fakes the chop to pat Bowens on the shoulder. The fans applaud and Bowens does admit that’s clever. The two reset, circle, and tie up. Bowens digs his heels in and now he pushes Okada back with that power! The ref counts again, and Bowens fakes the chop to throw up the scissors. The fans are torn but Okada shoves Bowens. Bowens shoves back! Bowens wants Okada to wrestle, but Okada kicks low.
Okada headlocks, Bowens powers up and out, then Bowens drops down. Okada ducks ‘n’ whips Bowens but Bowens hurdles! Bowens mule kicks, front kicks, runs and FAMOUSERS! The fans fire up and Bowens stalks Okada. Okada rises, Bowens fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Okada knows that move from his old friend, Goto. Bowens has the fans singing, “Oh~ Scissor Me, Bowens~!” Bowens CHOPS, whips, but Okada ducks ‘n’ dodges and slides out! Okada wants a breather, but Bowens says nope. Bowens goes out and storms up on Okada to CHOP! Okada ROCKS Bowens! Bowens ROCKS Okada!
The ring count climbs as the forearms go back and forth, Bowens fires a flurry then ROCKS Okada! Okada hobbles away, Bowens refreshes the ring count, but then Okada kicks and DDTS to the floor! Okada suckered Bowens in and watches him writhe while Collision goes picture in picture.
Okada paces, then he goes back into the ring. Bowens drags himself up as the count hits 5 of 10. Bowens leans on railing, hobbles his way back to the ring, and slides in at 8! Okada is right on Bowens for a NECKBREAKER! Cocky cover, ONE!! Bowens is tougher than that, but Okada isn’t bothered as he stalks Bowens to a corner. Okada CHOPS, but Bowens snarls. Bowens fires forearms, but Okada ROCKS him in return! Okada whips corner to corner, runs in, and ELBOWS Bowens! Bowens staggers and falls, and Okada pushes him to a cover. TWO, but Okada stays calm as he clamps on with a chinlock. Bowens endures as Collision goes to break.
Collision returns as Okada brings Bowens up to scoop and SLAM! Okada goes to the corner, climbs up, and MACHO ELBOWS! The fans fire up as Okada winds it up, and we get the Rainmaker MIDDLE FINGER! Okada shoves it in Bowens’ face, but Bowens uses his scissor fingers to grab Okada’s! Bowens rises up, and he CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! Okada blocks the superkick, ripcord, but Bowens ducks the lariat! STRAITJACKET NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Okada stays in this but Bowens drags him to a drop zone. The fans rally as Bowens climbs up, but Okada ROCKS Bowens first! Okada climbs up, but Bowens CLUBS Okada.
Okada hops down, Bowens adjusts, but now Okada CLUBS Bowens! Okada climbs up, but Bowens slips under to SUPERKICK a leg out! ENZIGIRI as Okada is in the Tree of Woe! DRAPING SIDEWINDER!! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives and Bowens grows frustrated. The fans rally up and Bowens brings Okada up. Clinch and- NO, Okada fights with elbows! Okada shoves Bowens, but Bowens kicks low! Bowens whips, Okada reverse, but Bowens avoids the dropkick! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Okada escapes, stands, but Bowens gets him for a backslide! TWO, Okada goes to a corner, and Bowens runs up. Okada pops Bowens up for the REVERSE NECKBREAKER!
The fans rally up again while Okada scowls. Okada clamps on with the MONEY CLIP! “This is Awesome!” as Bowens endures! Bowens fights up, RAMS Okada into a corner, and he is free! Bowens CHOPS, but Okada just gets mad. Okada BOOTS Bowens, CLUBS away on Bowens at the ropes, but the ref counts. Okada stops, but Bowens BOOTS! And CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Bowens kicks low, HAMMERS and CLUBS away on Okada, then CLUBS him down! The fans fire up with Bowens, he goes to a corner and runs up, but Okada ducks the lariat! Ripcord and RAIN- NO, Bowens ducks and spins, but Okada stops the Molly Whop!
Okada slips around Bowens now, ROLLING- ELBOW, but from Bowens! ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS, SUPERKICK! Okada is down and the fans fire up! Bowens demands Okada get up, and now MOLLY- DROPKICK from Okada! Ripcord and RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada wins!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (denies Anthony Bowens a title opportunity)
The Rainmaker continues to be undefeated not just in 2025 but as the Continental Champion. Will anyone ever slow Okada down? Bowens came close, what more will it take for him to be a contender?
Backstage interview with Daniel Garcia & Matt Menard.
Lexy Nair is with Red Death & Daddy Magic, and asks after that tough loss to FTR at Double or Nothing, what is next for Garcia? Garcia says a tough loss is an understatement. That was one of the hardest tag matches- Menard cuts Danny off there. Menard wants Garcia to think. Garcia has been moving around this whole week. Garcia wants others to fight his battles for him, but what did he think was gonna happen? Is that the first match he’s ever lost? Does Garcia think it’ll be the last? Don Callis interrupts Menard’s rant to ask, “Is this your version of an inspirational speech?” Then he asks Garcia, “What’re you doing with this guy?”
Garcia says Menard is his mentor. Oh, wow, [Censored] Magic is his mentor? Callis says Garcia is a Lamborghini. If you need to tune the Lamborghini up, you don’t take it to someone who’s never been under the hood, you take it to the number one mechanic, and that’s Don Callis. Garcia should join the family, instead of listening to this. Menard says let’s ask Kenny Omega or Will Ospreay how good of a “mentor” Callis is, huh? Garcia says he is sick of old men telling him how to do his career. Garcia tells Callis to get his “boiled hot dog looking ass” out of his face. Archer gets heated, but Callis has him stand down.
Callis says Garcia is right about one thing: he is an old man; a RICH, SUCCESSFUL old man! But the Family wants volunteers, not hostages. He is just asking Garcia to do something he hasn’t been doing for awhile, and that is think. Callis leaves Garcia to think on this offer, will the answer still be no?
Tony Schiavone is in the ring.
Collision returns and Schiavone welcomes us back, and he also says this has been a great crowd in El Paso. The fans cheer, and Schiavone says the fans all around the world, please welcome out… FTR. The fans boo now as Cash Wheeler, Dax Harwood & Stokely Hathaway make their way out to the ring. Their win at Double or Nothing has made them THE winningest tag team in AEW history, and Nigel on commentary says he learned just how good they are. He just hopes FTR holds up their end of the agreement to just leave commentary alone. Stokely still rudely takes the mic from Schiavone, and he excuses Schiavone back to the desk.
Stokely says, “Sunday at Double or Nothing, FTR proved once again that they are the greatest tag team alive today.” The fans boo, but Stokely says FTR proved they are indeed Living Legend Killers, and more importantly, they proved they are right about Nigel McGuinness. Behind that commentary desk is where he belongs! They give Nigel an A for effort but a D for execution. But Stokely moves on from that. They are in El Paso, Texas! That Mexican border is just a hop, skip and a jump away. And FTR, out of the goodness of their hearts, because they are good guys, have issued an open challenge to any tag team south of the border!
Stokely has the full terms of that contract right here! He hands it to Cash to hold for him, and Stokely reads it. “Andale, andale, mami, eya eya OOOOH~! What’s poppin’ tonight?” But wait! Atlantis Jr. is here! The fans fire up as he and Templario of CMLL make their way to the ring! The luchadores are ready to go right here and now, but FTR has them back up. Cash says they respect both men so much. They are big fan of Atlantis’ father, a huge legend in lucha libre! But what everyone might know is that FTR are living lucha legends themselves. See, they had gold down in how you say, “Mehico,” and well…
They’ve been “Seven Star FTR’ for a little too long. Maybe they become Eight Stars? Maybe they go to CMLL and add that gold? These two can be a nice little warm-up for that! Dax says hold on, hold on. Does this mic work? Dax claims it isn’t good enough for him, so he gets a new mic. Dax says there is no issue here. He is Dax, nice to meet you. That’s Cash, that’s Big Stoke, but the fans say they’re really “CULERO~! CULERO~!” Dax says hold on, hold on. FTR are really big stars in the USA. Everywhere they go, people recognize them. Maybe now that AEW and CMLL have their joint show on June 18th, Arena Mexico, Dax needs to get to know them.
So the first question is, FTR is big in USA, but how does it feel being recognized by your countrymen? Dax pulls the usual interrupting shtick, because he says the “Mighty Morphing Power Ranger” masks keep people from knowing who they are! The next question is, in Arena Mexico, Grand Slam, HUGE conglomeration between their companies, what would their dream match be? Because Dax is pretty sure that has to be with a big star team, like FTR! Unfortunately, Tony Khan has bigger plans than that for FTR, so they can’t wrestle Atlantis y Templario. But again. big fan of Atlantis Sr, the OG. He’s had great matches as a FIVE-TIME CMLL World Tag Team Champoin.
And even still today, Atlantis Sr, at 62 years old, is still wrestling! Impressive! Can Dax send a message to him? Please tell your dad, “Keep your old ass at home and not mess with FTR.” The fans boo but Atlantis Jr. takes the mic! Atlantis says his dad isn’t here to defend himself, but Atlantis Jr. is! If FTR wants to say something, then just say it, PERRO! FTR wants the CMLL guys to calm down, they don’t want trouble. This is all about AEW and CMLL teaming up. The fans still let FTR have it, but then FTR sucker punch the luchadores! The fans boo as they get Templario up! But Atlantis GAMANGIRIS Cash off the corner!
Atlantis climbs, Templario gets free, CROSSBODY onto Dax! Templario uses Atlantis as a step to launch and DROPKICK Cash! The fans fire up as Atlantis runs, get a boost, and he DOUBLE DROPKICKS FTR! The fans fire up and then Templario FOSBURY FLOPS out onto the #TopGuys! Atlantis tells FTR, you do NOT disrespect his familia! These two are the stars of lucha, so see you very soon, because they are gonna kick your ass!! The fans fire up for that one! When and where will the second generation sensation and the Lion Warrior show FTR what lucha is all about?
Mina Shirakawa VS Skye Blue!
The Fighting Gravure Idol may have fallen short at Double or Nothing, but she won’t stop until she’s on top! Will AEW be all about #MinaNow? Or will the Chicago Skye rain on Mina’s parade?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, go around, and then break. The fans rally as Mina and Skye reset, tie up, and Skye waistlocks to trip Mina! Skye scuffs Mina, taunts her, but the fans rally up. Mina fires a forearm! Skye fires back! The forearms go back and forth as the fans duel! Mina fires a flurry, runs, but Skye kicks low! Skye snap suplexes, then runs to PENALTY- NO, Mina ducks the kick, rolls Skye, then dodges Skye to slide and shake. Skye stomps Mina, mocks the shimmy, then stomps Mina more! Skye CLUBS Mina, whips her to a corner, and the fans rally as Skye runs in. Mina slips outside to bumps Skye off buckles!
Mina goes up, and AX HANDLES Skye down! The fans rally, Mina brings Skye around to SOBAT! Mina knuckle locks, and she goes up, up, and shakes around before a FLYING KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Skye scrambles away to the apron but Mina runs up. Skye avoids the shoulder to KNEE Mina, then brings her out to the apron. But Mina wrenches free, ROUNDHOUSES, and she waistlocks! Skye fights with elbows, catches Mina, and APRON FLATLINERS! Mina sputters and the fans are torn while Collision goes picture in picture.
Skye drags Mina off the apron to SMACK her off the apron! Skye stalks Mina, brings her around to the barriers, and CHOPS! Skye stalks Mina again, but Mina ROCKS Skye! Mina whips Skye into railing, then winds up to CHOP! The ring count climbs but Mina brings Skye around. Skye CLAWS Mina’s eyes! Skye puts Mina in, covers, TWO! Mina is still in this but Skye rains down fists! Skye then covers, TWO! Skye is annoyed but she drags Mina up to bump her off buckles. Skye digs her boot in, but steps off as the ref counts. Mina sputters, Skye runs and handsprings to ROCK Mina! Skye then brings Mina around to snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Skye frowns but she drags Mina up. Skye puts Mina in the corner, puts her up top, then CHOPS! Skye climbs up, brings Mina in, but Mina fights the suplex! Mina fires body shots, then ROCKS Skye! Skye falls back, but she rushes up, into a BOOT! Mina reels Skye in, TORNADO DDT! Collision returns to single picture and Mina runs up, SHINING WIZARD! The fans fire up as Skye flounders to ropes. Mina ROLLING ELBOWS! Skye flounders, stands, and into a NECKBREAKER DROP! Skye gets up, Mina blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up, Mina brings Skye around, and she steps through.
Skye boots Mina away to a corner, runs up, but Mina slips out! Mina ducks, ROCKS Skye, and goes up to FLYING0 NO, Skye blocks the kick to ROCK Mina! Skye tucks Mina in, CHEEKY NANDOS! Skye grins, then gets under Mina to bring her off the corner! SIT OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Mina survives and Skye seethes. The fans duel, Skye fireman’s carries, but Mina slips free! Mina fires a flurry, but she’s running on fumes! Skye ROCKS Mina, runs, but Mina ELBOWS her! Mina runs, Skye SHINING WIZARDS at the ropes! Skye keeps moving, btu Mina follows! Skye SUPERKICKS! Skye runs, but into an URAKEN!!
Mina roars while Skye flops down! The fans fire up and Mina hurries to go up a corner. The fans fire up more as Skye stands, and Mina FLYING SLINGBLADES! Cover, TWO!! Skye survives, the fans rally, and Mina dragon sleepers! GLAMO- NO, Skye slips free to full nelson! But Mina victory rolls, TWO! Skye has the cover, TWO! Mina stands, Skye blocks a kick and KNEES her! But Mina ROLLING ELBOWS! And URAKENS! And then dragon sleepers! GLAMOROUS DRIVER MINA!! Cover, Mina wins!
Winner: Mina Shirakawa, by pinfall
Redemption from Double or Nothing, but wait! Julia Hart CLOBBERS Mina! The sinister friend of Skye puts Mina int he HARTLESS LOCK! Skye adds stomps, but wait! Here comes Toni Storm! The Timeless AEW Women’s World Champion is here to save her friend! GERMAN SUPLEX for Skye! Julia lets Mina go, but that lets Toni TOSS her! Toni has a close-up, but Julia saves Skye from the Sweet Hip Music! Toni tells the “slop tarts” that they will get theirs! When and where will Toni & Mina have a co-starring role against these spooky BFFs?
Gates of Agony VS GMO Kaminari & Cosmo Orion!
Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona have been pursuing gold ever since moving on from ROH, but they’ve been just out of reach. Will they run right through Aerospace to have another chance?
The teams sort out, and Cosmo starts against Kaun. The fans sing for their local guy, but Kaun TOSSES Cosmo to a corner, CHOPS him, then laughs and applauds. But Cosmo BOOTS, ENZIGIRIS, and then dodges! Cosmo runs, hurdles, but Kaun ELBOWS Cosmo down. Kaun then clinches for the URENAGE BACKBREAKER! And then a RUNNING SUPLEX! The fans are torn but Kaun grins, and stalks Cosmo. Kaun whips but Cosmo RAN- NO! Kaun stops the rana, to BUCKLE BOMB! Tag to Liona, and the Gates TOSS Cosmo to his corner! The fans fire up and Cosmo tags GMO. GMO goes up, hesitates, but he AX HANDLES Liona!
Liona isn’t even bothered, and GMO clutches his hands! Liona BODY SHOTS GMO again and again, then fires off in a corner! The fans rally, the ref counts, and Liona stops to roars and storm around. GMO gets up and dodges Liona, then DROPKICKS! Liona frowns, GMO panics, but Liona CLOBBERS him! Kaun steps in and SHOTGUNS Cosmo! Aerospace are in the corners, Liona HIP ATTACKS GM and Kaun METEORAS Cosmo! Then OPEN THE GATES! They stack GMO & Orion, cover, and win!
Winners: The Gates of Agony, by pinfall
Kaun says, “That is YOUR fault, what happened tonight! That’s on you!” Is Kaun blaming the AEW World Tag Team Champions, the Hurt Syndicate?
Max Caster met with fans today.
It was the AEW All Elite Experience in El Paso that Platinum Max tried to teach fans his chant: Let’s Go, Max! You’re the Best Wrestler Alive! Some picked up on it, but it seemed like most didn’t care. Caster says that’s right! They love him! Now, anyone who wants pictures is welcome, but he needs them to sign his petition to make AEW recognize him as THE Best Wrestler Alive. Is that okay with everyone? The fans seem okay with that, and they sign up. Caster has the fans line up, then he runs for it! He just wanted the signatures! Will someone, anyone, ever humble him?
Six Man Tag: La Faccion Ingobernable VS AR Fox & Top Flight!
LFI is finally at full power as Rush, Dralistico y Beast Mortos team together again, ready to take over AEW once and for all. But will these bulls stampede all the way to the top? Or will the big money trio prove they’re worthy of the gold?
LFI doesn’t wait for anything to sort out, they go right after Fox & Top Flight! They toss Darius aside, mug Dante and Fox, then they TOSS Fox out! Leila Grey hurries away so as not to get run over! Dralistico y Mortos mug Fox, Rush rips a buckle pad away, and then they send Fox in! Rush CHOPS Fox, CHOPS him again, then goes for the bare steel! Fox stops that to fire back! Fox goes Matrix to then PELE! Mortos SMACKS Fox, Dralistico shoves him down, and the mugging continues! The fans are torn but LFI double whips Fox. Fox stops himself at the ropes, Dralistico runs up, and Fox TOSSES him out! Mortos runs up but is put on the apron!
Fox sweeps the legs, then he runs to SLINGSHOT STOMP Mortos, and CANNONBALL onto Dralistico! But Rush CLOBBESR Fox! Darius DIVES onto Rush! Dante DIVES onto Mortos! The fans fire up with Angel Dorado and he slides in. Darius puts Rush in, Dante somersaults and SATELLITE DDTS! Cover, TWO! Rush survives and Mortos WHEEL KICKS Dante down! But Darius runs in, runs past Mortos, and he TIGER WALL KICKS using the corner! Dralistico runs up to DREAMCAST KICK! Fox BOOTS Dralistico! Rush THROWS Fox up and over into the corner! LFI stands tall, the fans cheer them on, and Mortos puts Fox in a corner.
Mortos CHOPS Fox, Rush tags in and he CHOPS! Rush whips Fox to then LARIAT him down! Rush whips Fox to the bare buckle, then SPLASHES! Fox flops down, Ruch ROCKS him! Rush then goes corner to corner, “No pasa nada, PERRO!” But he just feints the dropkick to BOOT Fox! Rush rolls back to tranquilo, and El Paso fires up while Collision goes picture in picture.
Rush soaks up cheers, brings Fox up, then he GRINDS Fox’s face off ropes! Rush argues with the ref, Dralistico holds Fox against ropes, and Rush SMACKS Fox down! Rush wrenches Fox, tags Mortos, and they mug Fox in the corner. Mortos whips Fox to a corner, UPPERCUTS, LARIATS, and GAMANGIRIS! Then he SNAP POWERSLAMS Fox down! Cover, TWO!! Fox survives but Mortos is on him with a chinlock. Mortos grinds Fox down, but Fox fights up to his feet. LFI rushes in to BLAST Top Flight! Rush sends Darius into steel steps! Dante fights back with forearms! Rush whips Dante into railing hard!
Mortos stomps Fox in the corner, tags Dralistico in, and Dralistico whips Fox back into the corner. Dralistico ELBOWS Fox, sits him down, and runs side to side for a SUPERKICK! Dralistico lounges up top and Collision goes to break.
Collision returns and Mortos has Fox in a facelock. Mortos KNEES Fox low, then he SPITS at Top Fight! The ref keeps Top Flight back, but that lets Rush help Mortos whip Fox to a corner! Rush sends Mortos in, LARIAT! Rush sends Dralistico in, SPLASH! Rush adds a SPALSH of his own! Snapmare and TRIPLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Mortos covers, TWO!! Fox survives and the fans fire up! Mortos whips Fox to the corner, Fox BLASTS Dralistico and BOOTS RusH! Fox BOOTS Mortos, goes up, up, and CANNONBALLS! The fans fire up while both men crawl! Hot tags to Dralistico and Darius!
The fans fire up as the Air Wolf rallies on LFI! He BOOTS Dralistico, runs, and HOTSHOT BULLDOGS! GAMANGIRI for Rush! SUPERKICK for Dralistico! Step-in FLATLINER! Cover, Mortos breaks it! Dante waistlocks Mortos, Mortos backs Dante down but Dante sends him into the bare buckle! Dante runs up, Mortos puts Dante on the apron but Dante goes up, over, around and GAMANGIRI! Darius waistlocks, Dante steps in, but Mortos fights! He still ends up in the SHOTGUN GERMAN! Rush shoves Dante, Darius gives Dante the boost up and over, then Darius kicks off of Dante to TORNADO DDT Rush!
The fans rally, Fox joins in, and Top Flight sends him in at Dralistico! A-LIST LARIAT! Dante RAMS Dralistico, Darius UPPERCUTS, then Fox skins the cat to SWINGING DROPKICK! RIPCORD CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Dralistico survives and the fans fire up again! Top Flight regroup, Darius brings Dralistico up and Dante climbs. But Dralistico shoves Darius into the ropes to trip Dante up! SUPERKICK for Darius! Then a springboard FLYING DESTROYER!! Cover, Fox breaks it! Rush runs up, Fox goes Matrix but Mortos SOBATS! Mortos KNEE SMASHES and Rush GERMAN SUPLEXES Fox away!
The fans fire up again and Dralistico sets up in the corner. Dante runs in, Dralistico dodges for Rush to ROCK him! Dralistico springboards to FLYING CODE BREAKER! Dante flounders out, Dralistico FLIES to take Fox down! The fans fire up again as Rush now wrenches Darius and sends him to Mortos, POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Darius is in the corner, Mortos DIVES onto Dante! “This is Awesome!” as now Rush brings Darius around. Rush stomps away in the corner, then “You mess with the bull…!” BULL’S HORNS!! Cover, LFI wins!
Winners: La Faccion Ingobernable, by pinfall
The ungovernable trio takes the win, and perhaps now they take the lead in the title chase. But Rush isn’t done, he grabs his favorite green cables! He LASHES Darius, CHOKES him, and the ref reprimands! LFI mugs Darius, but here comes Speedball & Komander! The fans fire up as Bailey SUPERKICKS Mortos and Komander brawls with Dralistico! Rush lets Darius go so he can brawl with Bailey, but Mortos is back! The 3v2 goes LFI’s way, but Fox and Dante are back! Now it’s 5v2! LFI is sent into retreat, what will this mean for the title chase for the Summer?
Mark Briscoe speaks.
“Wednesday night, Mixed Six Tag Team match, and I took the L. Jon Moxley, you caught me in your little bulldog choke, ref called for the bell, ding ding ding. It happened. Now, Thursday, my five-year-old son comes up to me when I get home, and he said, ‘Daddy, did you quit last night?’ I said, ‘Son, no, I did not quit. I would never quit. You win some and you lose some in life, but you never quit, and I did not quit!’ But you see the predicament I’m in now, as my kids are doubting me. Mox, I want you one on one, Denver, Dynamite. This ain’t about that title you got. This is about something bigger than that for me.
“So I’m have to line the kids up in front of the TV, and they gonna watch me whoop a man’s ass! So Mox, you better be ready to man up!” The Sussex County Chicken is ready to run wild, but will he tear down the Maniac AEW World Champion for Fyter Fest?
BREAKING NEWS for Fyter Fest!
Not only do we have Moxley VS Briscoe in a non-title match, but with all the wild action tonight, there are many tag matches to be had! LFI will take on Speedball, Komander, and the returning Kevin Knight in a Six Man Tag! Julia Hart & Skye Blue will battle Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa, with Mercedes Mone watching from commentary! And FTR will have no choice but to face Atlantis Jr. y Templario, just weeks before Grand Slam: Mexico! Plus, “The Toxic Spider,” Thekla, will have her AEW in-ring debut, and The Hurt Syndicate will address what, and perhaps who, is next for their business agenda! A HUGE FOUR HOUR NIGHT, don’t miss a moment!
AEW International Championship Fatal 4 Way Qualifier: Mascara Dorada VS Hechicero!
Brody King qualified on Wednesday, and Claudio qualified earlier tonight. One represents the USA, the other represents Switzerland, and Kenny Omega represents Canada as the champion. Mexico will have a contender, but will it be the Second King of the Ropes or the Alchemist of Lucha that joins the Fyter Fest Fatal 4?
The bell rings and the two circle. Dorada offers a handshake, Hechi reaches out, and he tentatively takes it. The two circle, then Hechi slides to dazzle with his magic. The two knuckle lock, Hechi wrenches and wrangles Dorada fast. Dorada fights up, wrenches back, but Hechi spins and slips through to break free. The fans cheer, and the two reset. They knuckle lock, Dorada rolls to get a leg in a toehold, then he ties the legs up for a modified deathlock. Hechi powers up to push through, and he hits a KNEE JAMMER! Dorada grabs at Hechi but Hechi shoves him down. Hechi CHOPS Dorada, but Dorada KICKS and KICKS!
Hechi blocks a kick to TWIST the foot, then he hits a spinning toehold! Dorada still CHOPS, KICKS, but Hechi shifts to a headlock. Dorada slips out to hammerlock, facelock, then fireman’s carry takeover. Dorada clamps on headscissors, then pulls on the arms! Hechi rolls back, O’Conner Roll into a wheelbarrow, but Dorada arm-drags free! Dorada kips up and the fans cheer the standoff! Dorada and Hechi tie up, Hechi waistlocks then shoves Dorada to ropes. Hchi then runs past, but Dorada ducks a lariat. Dorada hurdles, only for Hechi to catch him in a FLAPJACK! Hechi clamps onto legs, CHOPS Dorada on the back, and he has the arms!
The fans cheer as Hechi pulls Dorada into the ROMERO SPECIAL! Dorada endures, fights to get his arms free, and he stands on Hechi’s legs! Dorada turns things around on Hechi to have the legs, then the arms! Up, up, and away into the ROMERO SPECIAL! The fans cheer, but now Hechi fights free! Hechi rolls Dorada to pull him around by an arm. A bit of a stumble but Hechi still whips Dorada, blows past, and then slides out! Dorada runs to slide out, but Hechi slides in! Hechi toys with Dorada, Dorada slides in, and then Dorada and Hechi continue their cat ‘n’ mouse. Dorada fakes a springboard and Hechi slides out!
Dorada runs up to the corner to FLYING RANA! The fans fire up and Dorada puts Hechi back in. Dorada climbs as the fans rally, and Dorada uses the corner so he can DOUBLE JUMP FLYING RANA! The fans fire up as things keep moving, and Hechi HEADSCISSOR LEG DROPS!! Dorada staggers up, Hehich runs up and KNEES him in the corner! Dorada flops down, the fans rally up, and Hechi fires up! Hechi brings Dorada up, whips him to a corner, and LARIATS as Collision goes picture in picture.
Hechi LARIATS again, and again, and then JABS! JABS! JABS! Dorada drops but Hechi DECKS him all the same! Dorada flops out of the ring, Hechi pursues, and Hechi brings Dorada around to RAM into steel steps! Dorada hobbles and falls but the fans rally up for Hechi. Hechi drags Dorada up, fireman’s carries, and hits SNAKE EYES off the apron! Hechi puts Dorada in the ring, brings him around, and pulls at the mask?! The ref reprimands and Hechi stops to chicken wing Dorada’s arm. Hechi keeps pulling at the mask’s strings, but the ref reprimands. The fans boo and give thumbs down, so Hechi stops.
Hechi drags Dorada up, pump handles, and hits a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! Dorada stays in this and Hechi is annoyed. Hechi kicks Dorada around, brings him up, and puts him in a corner to CHOP! Dorada sputters, Hechi runs up, but Dorada BOOTS him! And RANAS him! But Hechi comes back to LARIAT! Dorada is all folded up but Hechi stomps him. Hechi drags Dorada into a motorcycle stretch. Dorada endures, fights up, and Collision returns to single picture. Hechi shoves Dorada to a corner, fires body shots and a CHOP! The ref counts, Hechi whips, but Dorada reverses. Dorada runs in but Hechi puts him on the apron!
Hechi takes a swing but Dorada GAMANGIRIS! Then he slingshots, hops on, but Hechi reverses the momentum! Dorada lands out, avoids the boot, then he runs in and tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Hechi tumbles out, the fans fire up, and Dorada builds speed to TORNILLO!! The fans fire up and Dorada high-fives the front row. The fans rally, Dorada storms up on Hechi, and he puts Hechi in the ring. Dorada aims from the apron, goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Then he tilt-o-whirls, but Hechi throws him away to wheelbarrow! Victory roll, and POP-UP into the REAR NAKED CHOKE! Dorada endures, fights through to ghost pin, TWO!
Hechi has a cradle, TWO! Ghost pin, TWO! Chicken wing and SEATBELT, TWO! Dorada has a press, TWO! The fans fire up as both men stand. They both run in, and DOUBLE BOOTS take them both down again! The fans rally up while Hechi and Dorada stir. Dorada goes to a corner, runs in at Hechi, but Hechi puts him up top! Dorada backflips away but Hechi DISCUS SHOULDERS him down! Hechi knuckle locks, Dorada lifts but Hechi uses that to rock back and YANK Dorada up to a torture rack! But Dorada tilt-o-whirls through to RANA! Somersault and CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as Hechi survives!
Hechi crawls to the ropes, Dorada aims and builds speed. Hechi avoids the boot to CHOP, and DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Dorada keeps the leg trapped, and he stands on it to STOMP it down! Dorada writhes but Hechi climbs, FLYING ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Dorada survives and the fans fire up again! Hechi huffs ‘n’ puffs and he watches Dorada. Hechi wants the mask, but Dorada CHOPS! Dorada fires up, but Hechi CHOPS in return! Dorada rebounds to CHOP! Hechi nods and JABS! JABS! JABS! Then CHOPS! Hechi runs, but into a scoop and LUMBAR CHECK! The fans fire up as Hechi is now in a drop zone!
Dorada goes up, up, and aims for the DIVING- NO, Hechi dodges, and he dropkicks the leg out! Hechi brings Dorada around, puts him up top, and uses that to Electric Chair Lift! They go up higher, but Dorada fires hands! Dorada hops down, GAMANGIRIS, and then he goes back up! SUPER POISON-RANA!! Dorada puts Hechi in the drop zone, goes back up top, and he SHOOTING STARS!! Cover, DORADA WINS!
Winner: Mascara Dorada, by pinfall (advances to Fyter Fest)
And there you have it! The Golden Mask 2 is now part of a golden opportunity! Will Dorada take the title from Kenny? Will it be Brody or Claudio instead? Or will the Best Bout Machine find a way to still be champion?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of Collision, even with it being prerecorded and then further delayed because of NBA Playoffs. A lot of last minute build to Fyter Fest, and I don’t even mean the qualifiers. Both qualifiers were awesome, and while I figured Claudio would win against Komander, I’m pleasantly surprised Mascara Dorada beat Hechicero in a great main event. That’s now technically three Faces and one Heel for the Fatal 4 Way, and just for the sake of story, I would hope the Death Riders don’t get more gold. They need to stay desperate about holding onto THE AEW World Championship while the proverbial walls are closing in.
Speaking of which, great promo from Mark Briscoe to call out Moxley, and they are going to have a great match, even with no title stakes on the line. And also a very good promo from Swerve with Ospreay to add their own tensions to this team-up story. Swerve doesn’t want to work with Hangman, he wants Ospreay to back off, but Ospreay is the one speaking sense again. Ospreay, Hangman and Swerve are the big 3 in terms of Faces, and then, whenever Darby Allin returns, that is quite the fearsome four to take on the Death Riders.
But the “last minute” stuff is the other tag matches they made for that HUGE four hour show. Mina of course beat Skye Blue, and I should’ve figured Julia would show up. Good save from Toni, and they’ll have a good tag match that I would think Toni & Mina win. Unless Mone gets involved, because she will be there on commentary. Great Six Man Tag of LFI VS Fox & Top Flight, and a very good win for LFI. Speedball & Komander making the save was good stuff, and I appreciate Kevin Knight will be joining in since he’ll be back from Japan by Wednesday.
Gates of Agony of course win their match, and I do feel they need another chance back to the tag titles. FTR had a very good promo with Atlantis y Templario, and that tag match could be a show stealer. It really should also lead into something bigger for Grand Slam: Mexico. FTR did mention they want tag titles, and the CMLL World Tag Team Champions are Los Nuevos Ingobernables, aka the NEW Ungovernables, Angel de Oro y Niebla Roja. I wonder if they’ll interact with LFI at all…
Great Six Man Tag of Don Callis Family VS Ishii & Paragon, but I figured the Family would win. Konosuke pinning Ishii really should lead to Konosuke challenging for the NJPW Strong title at either the next NJPW event in America, or even through AEW. Good promo from Garcia with Menard and Callis. Menard is being a bit harsh on Garcia, but I would hope Garcia doesn’t join up with the Callis Family. I’m just not sure how well Garcia fairs in a feud against them when his backup is sadly just Daddy Magic while the Callis Family has the most members it has ever had.
Hilarious promo from Caster where he is really trying hard with this Best Wrestler Alive thing, but in a new direction. I’m sure he’ll try getting fellow wrestlers to sign that, only to get beat up like with his Open Challenge. And an awesome match from Okada VS Bowens, even with it just being an Eliminator. Okada still wins as there might still be pans of Okada VS Omega, Winner Takes All, but Okada’s gotta have someone at least challenge him along the way. If nothing else, test the waters of what a 20 minute draw does for the eliminator and give someone a shot at the Continental Championship for the FOUR HOUR “Summer Blockbuster” on June 11th.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Could this be the biggEST and strongEST SmackDown of the year?
SmackDown in Knoxville sees the returns of Bianca Belair, Cody Rhodes and John Cena, along with some final Money in the Bank qualifiers!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax; Naomi wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa; Mateo wins.
- Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar; Los Garza win.
- Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration; Zelina wins.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu; Andrade wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bianca Belair is here!
Knoxville fires up for their strongEST, fastEST, quickEST, toughEST, roughEST, and greatEST hometown hero as she struts out to the ring. Bianca high-fives and hugs fans along the ramp, as well as mom and dad at ringside. Bianca then grabs a mic to say, “Man, it feels good to be in Knoxville!” The fans cheer and chant for “EST! EST!” Bianca says she loves them so much. And she couldn’t come out here without singing Rocky Top! Y’all ready? The fans cheer, and the music plays! Bianca conducts the fans as they sing for the University of Tennessee. In fact, the Lady Vols softball team is playing in the Super Regionals right now!
Bianca smiles and says this city is so special to her. Not just because it is her hometown, but because it is her safe space. She has her love and support from mom ‘n’ dad, and has all the fans who show up and show out for her. With everything Bianca’s been going through, losing at Mania, getting injured, losing tag titles and friends along the way, she just wanted to come back home to her safe space. The fans cheer, and Bianca says she came home to heal. While she’s not 100%, she is doing everything she can to get back to the ring and continue to show us why she is the EST of Tennessee and of WWE! The fans cheer that!
Bianca says with all that said, Knoxville, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! But wait, she’s interrupted by Naomi! The fans boo but Naomi says, “Oh my gosh~! Finally! B, I am so glad you finally here on SmackDown!” Bianca says now is not the time, Naomi. Naomi asks Bianca to please hear her out. It has been way too long. Not a day has gone by when Naomi doesn’t think about what happened to them. What is there to talk about? What could Naomi say? What could she want from Bianca? The fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Naomi, and Naomi says she just wants forgiveness. She is begging for it!
Naomi knows things go toff the rails, but she is here because she wants to fix it, she is trying to fix it, but she alone can’t fix it. Months have gone by, and Naomi has tried to communicate, to say the past can be the past and that they can move forward. Bianca has not responded back to Naomi once. Naomi even visited Bianca’s parent’s house! But no one would answer! WHAT?! Mom ‘n’ Dad don’t know about that, but Naomi says no one was home, so she let herself in! Naomi looked through the photo albums, the one right on the front coffee table. And in those photos, Bianca looked so happy. It reminded Naomi of how they were as tag team champions.
Bianca stops Naomi there. Naomi, Bianca will make this perfectly clear. They were best friends, but Naomi betrayed Bianca’s trust. Naomi took their friend, Jade, and threw her onto a car, then lied about it for months! Bianca said she was done with Naomi, she meant that, and if Naomi ever comes near her family again, what Naomi did to Jade will be nothing compared to what Bianca does to Naomi. The fans fire up for that! Naomi gets emotional, but then she gets mad. “Y’know, Bianca, it wouldn’t be good for you and your mama to be in a wheelchair.” The fans boo as Naomi laughs maniacally. Naomi says she’d hate if something happened to Bianca here and now!
Naomi storms up on Bianca, but then JADE makes her way out here! Naomi is even angrier now, but this Storm starts throwing hands! The fans fire up as Jade BOOTS Naomi down! Bianca and Jade look to each other, neither really saying or doing anything. Naomi runs up but Jade TOSSES her out! Jade and Bianca look to each other again, but then here comes NIA! The Irresistible Force won’t be left out of this, especially when this is the Women’s Triple Threat Qualifier for the night! This match now opens the night, who earns SmackDown’s final golden ticket to the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match?
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax!
SmackDown returns, this match is already going, and Naomi POSTS Nia! Naomi stalks Jade, rains down forearms, and the fans boo. Naomi stomps to BITE Jade’s hand! Jade still fights back, so Naomi has the arms to STOMP Jade down! Naomi flexes, the fans boo, and Naomi puts Jade in a corer. Naomi runs to DROPKICK Jade in the corner! Naomi SLAPS Jade, drags her into the drop zone, then goes up, up, and twerks! HIP DROP! Naomi covers, ROPEBREAK! Naomi is annoyed but she sits Jade up to stomp a mudhole in. But Nia runs up! Naomi dodges, the HIP ATTACK hits Jade! Naomi goes to the apron to ROUNDHOUES Nia!
Naomi reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Nia flops to the floor, the fans rally for Jade, but Naomi kicks her around. Naomi goes up the corner, leaps, but Jade catches her! Jade FALL AWAY SLAMS Naomi, then kips up! Knoxville fires up with Jade and she runs up to LARIAT! And ELBOW! And SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, Nia breaks it! The fans boo but Nai huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Naomi up. Nia whips Naomi, pops her up and HEADBUTTS her down! Then she SAMOAN DROPS Naomi! Nia soaks up heat, then lines the two up. Naomi grabs at Nia’s leg but Nia CLUBS her down! Nia stomps Jade for good measure, then drops a leg, brother!
Nia TOSSES Jade out, then goes up the corner. Nia SUPER LEG DROPS on Naomi!! Cover, TWO!!! Naomi survives and Nia is shocked! The fans rally while Nia stalks Naomi. Naomi clings to ropes as Nia pulls at her arm. Nia CLUBS Naomi, whips her to ropes, then SAMOAN DROP- NO, Naomi makes it a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Ghost pin, TWO!! Nia survives the sudden turnaround, Naomi sees Jade crawling in, and Naomi goes after her as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Naomi KICKS Nia while she’s down, then kicks her more. Naomi puts Nia in a corner, CHOKES her on the ropes, then clamps on with a SLEEPER! Nia THROWS Naomi away, then TOSSES her out. Nia soaks up heat, but Jade runs in and rolls Nia up! TWO! Nia stands, and she HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia looms over Jade, drags her up, but Jade fires forearms! Jade backs Nia down, then runs, and she CLOBBERS Nia outta the ring! Jade fires up and has the fans with her. Jade drags Naomi up from the apron but Naomi fires hands. Nia is back to HIP ATTACK Jade against the POST! Nia soaks up more heat, then taunts Naomi.
Naomi stands on the apron, argues with Nia, but they apparently agree to mug Jade for both their benefit. They put Jade in the corner, Naomi digs her boot in, and then Nia sends Naomi in for a SPALSH! Nia adds a SPLASH of her own! Naomi snapmares Jade, runs, and SLIDING LARIATS! Jade sputters and Nia taunts her. Nia and Naomi soak up the heat together, but Jade fights back! Nia HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia drags Jade up, and Naomi KICKS Jade low! They soak up more heat, talk trash on Jade, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Nia scoops and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Naomi runs to SPLIT LEG DROP! Cover, but Nia drags Naomi away!
Nia and Naomi argue again, and then Naomi rolls Nia up! ONE, and Nia grabs Naomi to shove her to a corner! Nia SPLASHES, then pushes Naomi down. Nia runs to SENTON! Nia grins while Naomi sputters and the fans rally up. Jade rises to fire forearms on Nia! Then she ELBOWS Naomi in a corner! She ELBOWS Nia, but then Nia follows Jade! Jade dodges so Nia SPLASHES Naomi! Jade then SUPERKICKS! Nia wobbles, Jade SUPERKICKS again! And SPINEBUSTERS! But Naomi METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Jade survives and the fans rally up. Naomi goes up, SPLIT- LEG MOONSAULT on Nia! But Jade has Naomi in the chicken wings!
Jade brings Naomi around, JADED!! Cover, Nia CLOBBERS them both! The fans rally while all three women are down! Nia climbs a corner, Jade is after her with forearms! Naomi joins in, drags Jade back, but now they trade shots! Nia DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! Cover on Jade, TWO! Cover on Naomi, TWO! Nia grows frustrated but the fans rally up again. Nia drag Naomi up, fireman’s carries, and she climbs the corner! The fans already anticipate what’s coming, SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, JADE FROG SPLASHES IN!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up while all three women are down again! “This is Awesome!”
Jade rises, she clamps onto Nia, but Nia HEADBUTTs her! And HEADBUTTS Naomi! Jade BOOTS Nia down! Cover, TWO! Jade runs up on Naomi but Naomi BOOTS her! Naoim goes up top but Jade is right on her! They fight for control, but then Nia joins in! TOWER OF DOOM!! Nia double stacks her opponents, for a A-NIA-LATOR!! Naomi avoids it, Jade takes it all! Naomi ghost pins Nia, AND WINS!!
Winner: Naomi, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Nia did a lot of the damage, but it is Naomi who wins out! Will everyone in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match now have to #ProceedWithCaution?
Solo Sikoa’s crew arrives.
Solo says they will win Money in the Bank together! Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, whichever one wins MITB wins it fof the family! But then they hear R-Truth talking to… Lil’ Jimmy? Solo says Truth’s childhood hero beats him, and now he’s talking to ghosts. Truth taps Solo on the shoulder and asks if there’s something Solo wants to say. Solo says Truth is crazy touching him. JC Mateo steps up but Solo has him stand down. Truth says he wants to be honest. He’s never seen JC a day before in his life. Is this Solo’s son? He’s husky! Truth asks if he can teach Solo’s husky son a lesson in the ring. Solo says that sounds good to him.
Truth says he’ll go talk to Nick Aldis. “Boy, y’all big boneded!” Truth heads off, and Solo says don’t worry, they’ll take care of him. Let’s have fun. Fatu says keep it 100. They can have their fun, he’s got his own business to take care of. Yadada mean? The Imperial Unit against Truth, Samoan Werewolf in a qualifier, will everything go the family’s way?
Chelsea Green confronts Nick Aldis.
The Hot Mess hides behind a cardboard cutout of herself as she tells the SmackDown General Manager, “What happened on Saturday night was a deliberate-” Piper Niven has to direct Chelsea to point at Aldis, and Aldis says he can’t quite understand her from behind the cardboard mask. Piper holds the mask between Chelsea and camera, though we do get a glimpse of her fancy headgear. Chelsea repeats herself, but Aldis says she needs to be looking at him when they talk. Chelsea hides her face in shame, but she says it is still a deliberate hitjob put on by vicious Zelina Vega! Even her Secret Her-vice could not stop it!
Chelsea demands that Zelina be suspended, stripped of her title, and that Chelsea be reinstated as the champion! Chelsea, no need to be so ugly about this. Gasp! Aldis says what he means is, no suspensions, and we can talk a rematch down the road once Chelsea is medically cleared. Then he is doing nothing for what Zelina did to Chelsea?! Alba says if he won’t, then they will! Yeah, Zelina VS Alba! Tonight! Alba is a bit surprised, but Aldis says, “Chelsea knows best. Alba VS Zelina, I actually like the sound of that. I will make that official right now, if you do one thing for me. Please leave me alone.”
The Green Administration hurries away, but will Alba make sure Chelsea brand justice is served? Or will La Muneca just keep racking up the wins?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Champion, and says that MITB is around the corner. Tiff successfully cashed in her own contract to become champion, but how is she handling the pressure of knowing the same thing could happen to her? Tiff says she can’t wait to see who wins MITB. Then she can handle the pressure by being prepared. Having this title makes her the top threat to the division, but let’s be fair. She’s always been the girl everyone has been obsessed with. So whoever wins, targeting her will be a big mistake. But then in steps Naomi.
Naomi says if Tiff thought Nia was a problem, then she ain’t seen nothing yet. Naomi vows to win MITB and cash in for Tiff’s title, wherever and whenever she wants. And in case Lil’ Miss Tiffy forgot, when Naomi was fighting for a championship, Tiff stayed in Naomi’s way. Wanna know what happens when people play with Naomi? Just ask Jade. Naomi heads out, and Alexa Bliss steps in. Alexa says she wouldn’t be so worried about Naomi. Be worried about Alexa. Alexa heads out now, Tiff clutches to the title a little bit tighter, who will be trying to run the clock out on Tiffy Time?
R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa!
To Solo’s point, #RonCena could not make John Cena see the light at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and Truth might be relapsing if he’s talking to Lil’ Jimmy again. But will Truth relapse so far that we get the R-Truth that was once United States Champion? Or will a Tour of the Islands send Truth off the deep end?
SmackDown returns and JC makes his entrance, Solo backing him up. The bell rings and Truth runs up, only for JC to RAM him into a corner! JC RAMS Truth again and again, then lets off. JC whips corner to corner hard and Truth falls in a heap! JC whips corner to corner again just as hard, and Truth falls in a heap again. Solo talks trash but the fans rally behind Truth. JC runs up but Truth dodges! Truth SHOULDER TACKLES! JC stays up, so Truth runs and SHOULDER TACKLES! “What’s Up?” Truth runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and SHOULDER TACKLES! Then he hits the SPIN OUT- CROSSBODY! JC then gets up to GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT!
JC smirks as he looms over Truth, and Solo says to finish this off now. JC runs to SENTON but Truth moves! Truth calls for it! “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Truth fireman’s carries JC, but JC is too much! Truth falls over again! Solo laughs, JC whips, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, JC wins!
Winner: JC Mateo, by pinfall
Truth tried to be like John Cena of old, but it just wasn’t meant to be. JC beats up on Truth more, then stands him up for Solo! But here comes BIG Jim! Jimmy has a chair, he runs JC off, but Solo stands his ground. Solo says his brother wouldn’t hit him with that chair, would he? Jimmy steps to Solo so Solo steps out, but that lets JC CLOBBER Jimmy! But then Solo has JC stand down! They’re family! Solo and JC leave, leaving Jimmy wondering what this is about. Will Jimmy make it clear to Solo that Jimmy’s not the one who has to come to his senses?
The Street Profits are here!
The WWE Tag Team Champions walk through the smoke to be on stage and the fans cheer. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford hold up the titles, walk to the ring, then step inside. The fans cheer as they hold up the belts again, then the Profits grab the mics. Ford says, “Knoxville, Tennessee, oh I love everything about you, and what I have, too. But lemme rap to y’all real fast. This tag team division that we’re a part of, the greatest tag team division on any brand, any promotion… It’s on fire right now.” Dawkins says, “Talk to ’em.” Ford says, “But just like how the gorilla fears us, make no mistake about it, let’s not forget who’s leading the charge right now: The Street Profits.”
The fans cheer, and Dawkins says hey, they got all the teams coming at ’em! DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom, and now… The Wyatts?! The fans cheer that, and Ford says that’s sick. But what big bro is saying, it don’t matter who it is, the Profits will defend against anybody. Well hold on, here comes Fraxiom! Nathan Frazer & Axiom go to the ring to stand with the Profits, and they have mics. Frazer says alright, since the Profits are talking about defending the titles, well, Frazer & Axiom didn’t exactly get a fair shake. Ford says, “Fraxiom, is it?” He congratulates them for being on a roll, but up until the Wyatt Sick6 got in the Profits’ business…
Yeah, the Profits had them beat. Wow, oh, okay. Sure, maybe… But maybe not. Thanks to the Wyatts, we’ll never know. And now that those shenanigans are behind us, it is fair to say that Fraxiom and the Profits need to run it back! The fans like the sound of that! But wait, here come the Machine Guns! Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin have mics, and Shelley says okay, hold on, sorry to interrupt. Fraxiom’s entire basis for a rematch is that the Profits never beat them. Well, last time Shelley checked, the Profits never beat MCMG! So if they’re handing out title matches, MCMG will take one. But naturally, here comes DIY!
Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Candice LeRae have their own mics, and the Poison Pixie says no no no no. She is pretty sure “you losers” have had a million chances, and “the nerds” just got here. Whoa, hold on? Just got here? Sounds like Candice just got back, so she should do us a favor and shut up. Gargano says you shut up, idiot! The reason DIY brought in Gargano’s beautiful wife is to even the odds against all of what this is! Everyone can see there is a conspiracy in the tag team division to hold down the BTTITW! And now with the Wyatts showing up- Ciampa has Gargano ixnay on the amily-fay.
Do not talk about you know who, scratch that, let’s get to business. All these teams have all KILLED the tag division that DIY built! Matter of fact, let us hold a moment of silence for the death of the SmackDown Tag Division. Everyone, stand up, bow your heads, and give a moment of silence… now. OH NO! The lights go out! All the teams panic, because when the lights turn on, UNCLE HOWDY is on the corner! Howdy laughs, because the rest of the Wyatts flank the ring! Erick Rowan drags MCMG out to DOUBLE LARIAT! Dexter Lumis is up top to CANNONBALL onto the Profits and Gargano! Joe Gacy is in, and he handsprings to bring Fraxiom to the UPSIDE-DOWN!!
Lumis then runs, POWERBOMB SENTON COMBO on Axiom! Ciampa freaks out, turns around, and Nikki Cross is there! CROSSBODY onto Candice! The fans fire up, and Howdy has Frazer for SISTER ABIGAIL! “We’re here!!” It is just as the Profits said, and now it is clear. Will some killer combination of the Wyatts go right after the gold?
Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar!
Worlds Collide is just over a week away, and all four of these men will be involved. The Immortal Firebird and the Young OG are going after the NXT North American Championship in a Fatal 4 Way while Legado Del Fantasma will be taking on AAA’s Pagano, Psycho Clown y El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Who will be heading for Los Angeles with all the momentum behind them?
Speaking of that North American Championship, the champion is here! Ethan Page joins commentary and says what a year for him, to be honest. Wade says that title has never looked better than on Ethan’s shoulder. Fenix makes his entrance now, followed by Je’Von’s. The teams sort out and Fenix starts against Angel. Angel and Fenix circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Angel fires a forearm, Fenix fires back, repeat! Fenix gets the edge but Angel shoves then drops down. Fenix cartwheels over the dropdown, then comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Angel tumbles, the fans fire up, and Fenix somersaults, but into a fireman’s carry!
Fenix slips free, ripcords to ROUNDHOUSE, but Angel HEADBUTTS! Both men stagger back, tags to Berto and Je’Von! Je’Von dodges and springboards to BOUNCY~ roll-up! TWO, and Berto mule kicks! Berto CLUBS Je’Von, whips, but Je’Von reverses and slips around. Berto bucks the O’Conner, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Berto drags Je’Von up, but Je’Von kicks! Berto blocks, but the ENZIGIRI hits! Je’Von runs up, and BOUNCY~ RANAS! The fans fire up and Je’Von DROPKICKS! Berto bails out, Angel runs in, but Je’Von goes Matrix to dodge! Je’Von kips up, and STUNNERS! Angel flops back and the fans fire up!
Los Garza regroups, Je’Von tags Fenix, and they build speed, but have to dodge Angel first. Fenix SOBATS, Je’Von KICKS, and both men ENZIGIRI! Berto is up top, he leaps, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Fenix runs to basement CALF KICK! Cover, TWO! Berto stays in this for Los Garza while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Fenix drags Berto up to RAM him into the corner. Tag to Je’Von and they mug Berto. Berto fires hands back on Je’Von, but Je’Von headlocks. Berto powers up and out and Angel tags in. Berto drop toeholds Je’Von into Angel’s KNEE at the ropes! Angel TEARS OFF HIS PANTS! Angel drapes those over Je’Von before he KICKS Je’Von in the side! Angel stalks Je’Von to the corner, tags Berto, and they shove Je’Von for a double hip toss, TU LO SABE! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Berto covers, TWO! Berto argues the count but the ref defends it. Berto shoves Je’Von to ELBOW him down! Berto then DUMPS Je’Von down to be under the ropes.
Tag to Angel and Berto sits Je’Von up on the apron. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von down! Santos joins in with Los Garza as they soak up the heat, and Angel drags Je’Von back in. Angel stands Je’Von up, hoists him to the top rope, then climbs up behind him. Angel CLUBS away on Je’Von, mocks the clapping, and he THROWS Je’Von down. Angel KICKS Je’Von in the arm and Je’Von clutches his hand. Angel drags Je’Von to the ropes, CHOKES him, and the ref reprimands. The ref counts, Angel steps off at 4, and Berto BOOTS Je’Von down. ANgel clamps onto Je’Von with an armlock and chinbar but Je’Von reaches for Fenix.
Angel keeps hold of Je’Von but Je’Von fires hands! SmackDown returns to single picture as Je’Von dodges the lariat, leaps, but Angel catches him! Angel puts Je’Von in a corner and through ropes. Angel pulls an arm and leg against the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von in the ribs! Je’Von slumps to the apron, and Angel sucker punches Fenix! Angel goes back for Je’Von but Je’Von fires body shots! Angel blocks a kick, slips around and Gory Especials! Angel walks over, tags Berto, and Berto slingshots, GARZA ESPECIAL! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up for Je’Von but Berto clamps onto him with a chinlock.
Je’Von endures, even as Berto traps an arm. Je’Von fights up, pries the hold open, and he arm-drags Berto! Je’Von leaps but Berto grabs a leg! Ethan laughs from commentary, but Je’Von kicks free to SUPERKICK! Both men are down, Je’Von and Berto crawl, hot tags to Angel and Fenix! The fans fire up as Fenix rallies on Angel with forearms! Fenix then dodges a shot to springboard and FLYING ARM-DRAG, to a DOUBLE STOMP! Fenix fires off KICKS on Berto, then fires up with Knoxville! Fenix uses Berto to jump up and RANA Angel! Fenix then goes corner to corner to JUMP SOBAT! Fenix fires hands, shoves Angel aside, then goes up.
Fenix springboards to QUEBRADA! Cover, Berto breaks it! Berto whips Fenix, Fenix goes Spider-Man, and Je’Von tags in! Fenix says HASTA LA VISTA, BABY! Angel is up, he pops Fenix up to KICK him! But Je’Von springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, Berto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Angel and Je’Von crawl. Angel CHOPS Je’Von, Je’Von CHOPS back, and the fans “WOO~!” Angel CHOPS again, so Je’Von CHOPS again! Angel fires a forearm, Je’Von fires back, and they go around with forearm after forearm! The fans fire up, Angel CHOPS, a
nd Je’Von SUPER PUNCHES!
Je’Von runs, BOUNCY- NO, Angel makes it a SIT OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan is surprised and the fans rally up. Angel hoists Je’Von up top, tags Berto in, and they hoist Je’Von up even higher! But Fenix SHORYUKENS Angel down! Je’Von fires hands on Berto and SHOVES him down! Fenix climbs up to join Je’Von now, and ADIOS AMIGO DOUBLE STOMPS for Angel! Je’Von adjusts, to SUPER DUPER SWANTON onto Los Garza! Ethan says don’t get closer, keep this in the ring! He taunts both his challengers, Fenix and Je’Von stand down to put Los Garza in the ring. The fans rally up, but then Ethan CLOBBERS Fenix & Je’Von!
Ethan TOSSES Fenix over the desk! But Je’Von SUPERKICKS Ethan down! The fans fire up, Je’Von hurries in, and he dodges Angel! But Berto rolls Je’Von up, TWO!! Je’Von dodges Berto, rebound and RED DOT!! Berto is down, Angel gets up, but Je’Von DECKS him! Je’Von goes up, up, but Santos distracts the ref! Ethan SHOVES Je’Von down! The fans boo but Berto tags Angel! Los Garza hoists Je’Von up for M T Y!! Cover, Los Garza win!
Winners: Los Garza, by pinfall
All Ego grins as he screws over two of his three challengers, and now Legado is rolling towards Worlds Collide. But will these rudos get everything they deserve in LA?
The Wyatts speak.
“We won’t stop. Not until we get what’s owed.” A simple yet ominous threat, are the tag titles only the beginning?
Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration!
La Muneca held onto the WWE Women’s US Championship by smacking The Hot Mess in the face with a foot, and obviously Chelsea is not happy with it. But will Alba get payback on behalf of her fearless leader? Or will things only get uglier for the Green Regime?
The bell rings and Piper distracts Zelina so Alba can CLOBBER her! Alba fires off hands, then bumps Zelina off buckles. Alba bumps Zelina off more buckles, then more buckles! And then the fourth corner! Chelsea says Zelina should’ve never messed with her! Alba fireman’s carries but Zelina fights free. Zelina KICKS Alba, KICKS again, then KICKS, but Alba CLUBS Zelina. Alba whips, scoops, and- NO, Zelina swings through to RANA! Cover, ONE! Zelina headlocks but Alba fights up and lifts Zelina. Zelina holds on but Alba powers up and out to RUN Zelina over! The fans boo but Chelsea cheers as Alba stalks Zelina.
Alba ROCKS Zelina, whips her to ropes, but Zelina wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Zelina then runs up on Alba in the corner and rains down fists! Alba shoves Zelina away at three, but Zelina comes right back to rain down more shots! Alba stops Zelina at four now, but Zelina wants another go! Alba stops Zelina at four again, and RAMS her into the corner! The fans boo but Alba grins. Zelina BOOTS Alba, goes up, and FLYING RANAS! Alba tumbles out, Piper helps her up, and Zelina goes to the apron. Alba trips Zelina up, spins and ROCKS Zelina, then gets her up. Gory Especial, but Zelina flips through to arm-drag Alba onto ropes!
The fans fire up as Zelina dials up, but Chelsea is on the apron! The ref argues with Chelsea while Zelina redials, but Piper trips her up! The fans boo but Alba SUPERKICKS Zelina! Alba salutes to Chelsea, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Alba stands on Zelina’s hair while pulling Zelina’s arms! The ref reprimands, Alba steps off, and she drags Zelina up to suplex for the GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Zelina stays in this and Chelsea argues with the ref. The ref says the count is fair, so Alba clamps onto Zelina with a COBRA CLUTCH! Zelina endures, the fans rally, and Zelina fights up. Zelina fires body shots, Alba ripcords and wrenches to SUPERKICK! Zelina rebounds to SHINING WIZARD! Both women fall and the fans fire up! Piper coaches Zelina, the fans rally up, and both women rise up. Alba is on Zelina and brings her to a corner, but Zelina buckle bumps Alba first!
The fans rally as Alba stalks Zelina, but Zelina bumps her off buckles again! Alba tries again, but Zelina ELBOWS Alba away. Then BOOTS her away! Zelina fires forearms on Alba, backs her down, then whips. Alba reverses but Zelina dodges to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Zelina LARIATS again! Zelina blocks a kick, ELBOWS Alba, but Alba blocks the saido. But Zelina keeps Alba from running, SNAP SAIDO! The fans rally for Zelina as she runs corner to corner, METEORA! Zelina pushes Alba out and goes up top! The fans cheer for some Latina Heat, and METEORA! Cover, TWO! Alba survives and Chelsea is relieved.
Zelina grows frustrated, but she goes back for Alba. Zelina reels Alba in, suplexes, but Alba blocks! Alba knees low, suplexes, but Zelina hits STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Alba is down, Zelina goes up, MOONSAULT FLOPS! Alba goes up now, and she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!?! Zelina survives and shocks Alba! Chelsea is upset again but Alba hurries to bring Zelina up. Alba KICKS Zelina out, and now Chelsea takes off her face mask?! She tells Piper to stand Zelina up! Piper does as told, and Chelsea takes a swing, but Zelina ducks! The face mask SMACKS Piper!! Chelsea is shocked, then furious, and then she chases after Zelina!
Zelina slips into the ring, Chelsea gets on the apron, but Zelina sends Alba at her! They almost collide, and then Zelina rolls Alba up! Zelina hops on, CODE RED!! Cover, Zelina wins!!
Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall
Chelsea tried so hard to screw Zelina over that she just screwed up her own team! Zelina survives again, will no one take down the Vega Administration?
The Miz pep talks Carmelo Hayes.
Melo looks good, and he just has to follow the plan. If Melo follows that plan, with no mistakes, they will win. Melo says he knows what he’s doing. Miz asks if he really does. Because Miz has taken Black Mass after Black Mass, sacrificing himself for Melo. Does Melo understand? Miz gave up this chance at MITB for Melo! Miz has already done it twice! If Melo wins this match tonight, Miz will guide Melo to make sure “we are Mr. MITB.” Wait, we? Miz says, “Who do you think got you in this position?” Melo says Melo did. Melo appreciates everything Miz has done for him, from sacrificing to taking hits for him, and helping him win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
But nobody told Miz to do that. Melo will run the play exactly as Miz designed it, but what brought Melo to the dance is Melo’s talent. Melo goes out there and does it better than anybody else. Melo puts up 40 points on a bad day, because he is H1M. And Miz just needs to let Melo be H1M. They good? Miz nods, and Melo says okay, let’s do the thing. They are Melo Don’t Miz and they are Awes-H1M. Miz still nods, but he doesn’t seem genuinely happy. Will Miz let Melo be Melo? Even if that means letting H1M fail?
Giulia speaks.
“Throughout my entire career, even back when I started in Japan, I had one goal… It’s not to be ‘the best.’ Everyone says that. It’s hollow and empty. My goal is to be indisputable. You can love me or hate me, admiration or disgust, it means nothing. But I’m impossible to deny. My opponent doesn’t matter, because I only view them as an opportunity to build my legacy. Evidence you cannot refute. SmackDown, you will see. I will hit harder, move faster, think sharper, and conquer everything, just like I’ve always done. The question isn’t, ‘Who’s going to let me?” It’s, ‘Who’s going to stop me?'” She adds in Japanese, “If you can stop it, stop it.”
Will SmackDown and all of the WWE soon succumb to The Beautiful Madness?
Zelina returns backstage.
She refreshes for a second, but Giulia is there! And Giulia says she sees Zelina, but she also sees that title more. Zelina scoffs and leaves. Could Giulia be aiming for everything once she becomes Ms. Money in the Bank?
Damian Priest is here!
Knoxville cheers as The Archer of Infamy heads to the ring, victorious from Saturday Night’s Main Event and that brutal Steel Cage match. Priest grabs a mic to tell Tennessee, “Ever since I beat Drew on Saturday, it’s like I’m breathing in fresh air. Y’know, there was a time when I lived on the street, if we were beefing with another street, that war could go for years. But in WWE, you have a beef with somebody, you have a match and it’s over. But with Drew and I, we went well over a year, and that’s not normal. But we took that beef into a cage. Now, I can feel it, you can se it on my face, we went to war.
“At the end of this war, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, I gave him a Con-Chair-To, I walked out the door, and I put his ass in the past.” The fans cheer that. Priest says now he knows Drew is somewhere recovering from his scrambled brains, but he knows Drew is watching, so this is for Drew. “I still can’t stand yo ass. But the Drew McIntyre that stepped in that cage wasn’t the guy that hides behind his phone on social media. That was the old Drew, the warrior, and I appreciate that.” The fans applaud, and Priest says he won’t ask what is next for himself, he’ll just tell us all. And it is the same thing he wanted when he came to SmackDown: Championships!
The fans cheer, and Priest says this war with Drew cost him an opportunity at being in MITB. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his eyes on a certain champion. Somebody who he has unfinished business with, and a champion he considers the most badass. The fans know that means Fatu, and he knows they know! Priest calls out Jacob Fatu! Priest respects Fatu. Priest knows where Fatu came from, what Fatu had to live through, how it feels to stand in this ring as a champion. Real talk, Priest is proud of Fatu, he congratulates Fatu, that’s real. But what Priest doesn’t respect is the crew that follows him around.
Wait, check that. What Priest doesn’t respect is the crew Fatu follows around. Priest knows at some point, they will get in this ring, handle business, but that’s for them. As for Fatu’s so-called family, if they wanna get involved, they can catch a fresh one, too. Priest won’t make it just a nickname or moniker, he wants this to be fact! Priest is and forever will be EL CAMPEON! The fans cheer that! But will the Archer soon take aim at the Samoan Werewolf? Well, speaking of, Fatu makes his way out here for tonight’s other Triple Threat Qualifier! Fatu nods to Priest, but if Fatu wins his way into the ladder match, will this showdown have to wait a little longer?
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu!
SmackDown returns and El Idolo makes his entrance, followed by H1M. The bell rings and Miz distracts Fatu and Melo attacks! Fatu ELBOWS Melo away, Andrade is on Melo with forearms, and then Fatu adds a LARIAT! Fatu looms mover Melo but then turns to stare down Andrade. The fans rally as these two step up. Andrade fires forearms but Fatu SHOVES him to a corner. Fatu runs up, Andrade dodges then whips. Fatu reverses, Andrade goes up and out to then ROCK Fatu! Andrade goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE! Melo CLUBS Andrade, TOSSES him out, and then CLUBS away on Fatu!
Miz says that’s the way! Melo HAMMERS and CHOPS, then whips, but Fatu blocks! Fatu whips Melo, Melo springboards, but into an UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Fatu sees Melo go outside. Fatu builds speed, but Miz trips him up! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Fatu drags Miz into the ring! Melo goes to roll Fatu up but Fatu stays up! Fatu YANKS Melo up, scoops, but Melo slips free! Melo SUPERKICKS and Miz DUMPS Fatu out! The fans boo but Melo builds speed, only for Andrade to LARIAT! The fans cheer, and now Miz sees he is in trouble. Fatu snarls, but Andrade DIVES, into a HAYMAKER!
Fatu then SUPERKICKS Miz! Fatu THROWS Miz into barriers! The fans fire up and Fatu grins. Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK against the barriers! The Samoan Werewolf has dominated three men at once and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Miz sputters and Fatu leaves him behind to go around the way. Melo is there to kick Fatu, RAM Fatu, but Fatu blocks another whip! Fatu ROCKS Melo and Melo staggers away. Fatu stalks Melo, Melo checks on Miz, but Fatu ROCKS Melo! Andrade goes after Fatu now, but Fatu THROWS Andrade into barriers! The fans cheer as Fatu lets Andrade go to the ring. Fatu brings Melo up, SMACKS him off the desk, then pushes him down. Fatu clears the desk off, but Melo CLUBS Fatu against the desk! Melo storms into the ring, brings Andrade up, but Andrade RAMS Melo into the corner! Andrade RAMS Melo, CHOPS Melo, then stalks Melo.
Andrade whips Melo, Melo reverses and Andrade hits buckles hard! Melo CHOPS Andrade down! Melo brings Andrade up, soaks up some heat, then makes it Latino Heat. But Andrade blocks the suplex to suplex Melo! Andrade hangs Melo out to dry, and Melo flops to the apron. Fatu is back but Andrade fires forearms first! Andrade whips, Fatu reverses, and Fatu BODY CHECKS Andrade! Fatu geeks out and the fans are with him while he stalks Andrade. Fatu drags Andrade up to HEADBUTT him into the corner. Fatu shoves Melo off the apron, then he HEADBUTTS Andrade again. Andrade sputters but Fatu is all fired up.
Fatu CHOPS Andrade, UPPERCUTS, and HEADBUTTS him again! Andrade CHOPS in return! SmackDown returns to single picture and Andrade CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Fatu UPPERCUTS and Andrade falls back! Melo stomps Andrade in the corner, then tells Fatu to come on in. Fatu runs up, but Andrade gets away! Hip attack hits buckles! Melo ENZIGIRIS Fatu, Andrade runs to dodge Melo and FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Andrade kips up! Andrade has targets in the corners, and he rallies the fans with “SI! SI! SI!” CIEN KNEES for Fatu! CIEN- NO, Melo tilt-o-whirls and LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally, Melo runs to stomp away on Fatu, then he brings Andrade up. Fatu stands to CLOBBER Melo! Andrade SUPERKICKS Fatu! The fans rally, Melo brings Andrade up and springboards, but Andrade stops him at the ropes! SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! But Fatu SENTONS Andrade! The fans fire up as Fatu SENTONS Melo! Fatu drags Melo to a drop zone, then goes to the corner! The fans rally for Fatu as he goes up, up, but Andrade YANKS him down! Andrade goes up top, MOONSAULT DOUBLE!! Cover, Melo breaks it! The fans rally while all three are down! “This is Awesome!” as the three stir.
Melo brings Fatu and Andrade around, and he fires forearms on each of them. Andrade fires back on Melo, then Fatu UPPERCUTS! Andrade ROCKS Fatu, but Fatu UPPERCUTS Andrade! The fans rally as the three rise, and Melo springboards! DOUBLE FADE AWAY DDT!! Cover on Andrade, Fatu breaks it! Melo and Fatu stare down, and they run up! Melo dodges to hit the FIRST 48! Andrade adds a POISON-RANA! Melo slips around Andrade to KNEE and suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and Melo grows frustrated. The fans rally for Fatu while Melo shakes his hands out. Andrade is on the apron but Melo rises.
Melo brings Andrade up but Andrade trips Melo! They go out to brawl, and Melo SUPERKICKS Andrade down! But Fatu SUPERKICKS Melo! The fans fire up for Fatu as he lines up a shot. Fatu gets the fans even more fired up, then he geeks out! Fatu runs in the full length, but Andrade & Melo move! HIP ATTACK through barriers!! The fans go nuts as Fatu crashes into the timekeeper’s area! Fatu sputters as SmackDown goes back to picture in picture.
Fatu stirs while Andrade and Melo go to the ring. They roll in, Melo grabs at Andrade and vice-versa. Melo fires a forearm, then goes back outside. Andrade goes to the opposite end while Melo looks under the ring. Melo makes Knoxville happy by bringing out a table! But then Melo makes them mad by dropping it! Melo goes after Andrade but Andrade ROCKS him first! Andrade brings out a chair! Andrade aims, but Melo dropkicks the legs out! Andrade crawls, Melo shakes his head, and he grabs the chair now. Melo aims, but Andrade kicks Melo low! Andrade and Melo go into the ring, and Andrade puts Melo in a drop zone.
Andrade goes up the corner, but Melo trips him up! Andrade is stuck up top and Melo hits the SLINGSHOT PLEX! Melo flexes, then decides to step through on the legs! Andrade cradles that, TWO! Melo and Andrade stand, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans look for Fatu. SmackDown returns to single picture as the fans rally, Melo and Andrade sit up, and Melo CHOPS! Andrade ROCKS Melo, then rolls away. Melo hurries to clamp onto Andrade with a facelock, but Andrade RAMS him into a corner! Andrade puts Melo up top but Melo fires forearms. Andrade drops back, Melo aims, but Andrade GAMANGIRIS!
The fans still want tables but Andrade climbs up to get Melo. They’re on the very top, but Fatu is back! Fatu makes the SUPER SPANISH FLY part ROCKER LAUNCHER!! The fans are thunderous as Fatu goes up now! SWANTON BOMB onto Melo! Cover, Andrade breaks it!! The fans rally up again and still want tables. Fatu runs at Andrade to SPLASH! Then Fatu runs at Melo, but Melo BOOTS him! Melo runs up, but into a pop-up! Melo fights the Samoan Drop, and Andrade adds the SHADOW ELBOW! But Melo makes it a ghost pin! Andrade adds a stack, TWO!!! Fatu survives the double cover, but here come Solo & JC!
The fans boo as Solo is here to coach Fatu up. Melo and Andrade trade forearms, then Melo dodges to springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, Fatu breaks it! Fatu snarls, drags Melo up, and he HEADBUTTS Melo! Fatu finally notices Solo & JC, but Fatu puts Melo up top. Fatu CHOPS Melo, then he fireman’s carries Andrade. Fatu adds Melo to this, but Melo slips free. SAMOAN DROP for Andrade, and then Fatu goes to the corner. Solo says Fatu’s got this now! BEST MOONSAULT EVER FLOPS and Melo hits NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT! Andrade underhooks Melo, THE MESS- NO, Melo RANAS through! Cover, TWO!!
Andrade has a cover, TWO! Melo has a cover, TWO! Andrade has it, TWO! Both men stand, SHADOW ELBOW! FIRST 48!! SHADOW ELBOW AGAIN!! All three men are down and the fans are thunderous! Fatu crawls, Melo rolls to a corner, and Andrade stirs. Fatu rises, he brings Andrade up, IMPALER DDT! Then Fatu has Melo to RAM him into a corner. Fatu runs and HIP ATTACKS Melo! Andrade is up, Fatu hits him with another IMPALER DDT! Fatu puts Andrade in the drop zone, and he hits the BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Solo says yeah, do that again! The fans boo but Fatu glares at Solo. JC says do what Solo is saying, Fatu!
But wait! Jimmy YANKS JC down, and SUPERKICKS him! The fans fire up, and then Melo RAMS Fatu into Solo! Then FIRST 48! But Andrade rolls Melo into THE MESSAGE!! Cover, ANDRADE WINS!!
Winner: Andrade, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Solo just screwed things up for Fatu! Solo does his best to keep the peace between Fatu and JC, but the point is: Andrade is headed to Los Angeles! Will he make this El Idolo in the Bank?
Backstage interview with LA Knight.
Byron Saxton segues from congratulating Andrade for qualifying to welcoming in someone who already has qualified, but The Mega Star says, “My gawd. What is it with punching tickets around here? Everybody talks about punching tickets. WWE Instagram, punched tickets. Commentary, punched tickets. You’re talking about punched tickets. I guess I punched my ticket to MITB, it’s only eight days away. A few other guys who punched tickets, who are they? You got Andrade, you got Penta, you got what’s his name, Seth Rollins. You got Solo Sikoa! They’re all in it! They all punched their tickets!
“And everybody’s gonna be climbing that ladder, trying to get up, put everything on the line that they can. Now, if this was a one-on-one match, I’d go ahead and call my shot, and I’d say I’m gonna run up there, grab the case, and cash it in. But you gotta understand, this is my third year in a row, so I understand what this is. You can call me the vet in this match. Some people say maybe that Seth is the vet in this, but they would be wrong. For three years in a row now, you’re talking about the most robust and the most recent experience, YEAH. And what that means is now it’s anybody’s game. Anybody can come out with it, and I understand that.
“But with or without the case, what you need to understand is that the WWE title, the world title, they’re all in my future. With the way I’ve been running, at this point, they should be in my past, maybe even my present. Why don’tcha go ahead and punch that ticket? While we’re talking about-” Knight stops himself when he spots someone walking in. It’s Aleister Black! And Aleister says that win was supposed to be his. But he tells Knight, “You’re welcome, though.” The Dark Father lets the Mega Star shine, if only for now. Will LA win big in LA when we finally reach MITB?
Fatu and Solo regroup backstage.
Solo wants Fatu to listen. He was just trying to help. Fatu tells Solo to listen. For the last time, Fatu does not need his help! Fatu storms off, JC steps in, but Solo has nothing else to say. Is the Samoan Werewolf going to break away from this dysfunctional “family?”
Cody Rhodes is here!
Knoxville fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans along the ramp and the front row, and even signs autographs. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and he hears the fans chant his name. Cody fires the fans up more, then hears them sing, “Cody! Cody Rhooodes~! Cody! Cody Rhooodes~!” Cody says, “So, Knoxville! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer, and Cody says, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that we could talk about the record crowd here this evening!” The fans cheer that, too! Cody says he loves them, too, thank you very much.
Cody says they could also talk about WrestleMania 41. The fans boo, but Cody says after WrestleMania 41, he went home, he drowned his sorrows, might’ve touched the “Tennessee Cough Syrup” a little bit, and he had a moment of doubt. He reached out to a friend. A friend who helps him prepare to wonderful audiences like this one here, or speaking to everyone at home. Cody asked him, “Was I a good champion?” The fans cheer for that, but Cody says the friend told him wasn’t quite as simple as yes or no.
The friend told him, “With everything that you faced here in the ring in front of all the fans, and with everything that you faced behind the scenes, being pulled in different directions, the waters that you had to navigate that no champion has ever had to navigate, yes, I feel that you were a good champion.” Cody says he felt good hearing that, it turned into a hopeful moment, the silver lining on a dark cloud. Cody looked back on his whole year. He thought about AJ Styles faking retirement to get the drop on him. Cody thought about his friend, Kevin Owens, sucker punching him against his bus while Cody’s family slept inside.
Cody thought about his boss, Triple H, who pushed Cody to the limit, and sees something in Cody that Cody doesn’t even see in himself. Cody even thought about The Final Boss, how he asked Cody for his soul, and the entire world wondering what that meant. As preposterous as that sounded, The Rock was 100% serious. No matter how many times Cody said no, the offer still stands. And Cody also thought about John Cena. The fans initially boo, but the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” starts up. Cody takes a moment, and then he says, “I thought about John Cena doing exactly what he said he was going to do. He forced me to make a choice, and I hesitated.
“I don’t know if John Cena is going to ‘ruin’ professional wrestling. But if he does, then I’m partially to blame. Now, I know, I’d love to say this to John Cena’s face. Not sure if he’s going to come out here right now, but if you are listening, if you are listening, Champ, I need you to know that I will never hesitate with you again!” The fans cheer that, and Cody says no matter how much Cena will tout the amount of days he has left, how much Cena will talk about what remains before he absconds with the WWE Championship and leaves all of us forever, that is NOT Cena’s expiration date! That is on the other side of Cody’s corneas, and it will burn Cena’s ass up!
The fans fire up for that, and Cody calms it down. Cody apologizes for that. This is his first night back on SmackDown, he is getting worked up. He thought so much about what he could do, what he could do for the fans. Hell, how about a surprise? The fans already “YEET! YEET! YEET!” so Cody says they’re hungry for it. Let’s yeet. Well, hold on, that’d be a very big surprise. That’d be the biggest surprise. That’d be Cody’s partner riding into battle for MITB, and hell YES he is here! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the World Heavyweight Champion, MAIN EVENT JEY USO! The fans go wild as Jey makes his way in from the pavilion!
The fans sing along with Day One Ish and bounce for that YEET! Jey makes his way down through the crowd to ringside, one verse at a time, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Jey joins Cody in the ring now, mic in hand. Cody and Jey hear the fans want an encore, so we get even more YEET! But then John Cena makes his entrance to ruin the fun! The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUUUCKS~!” even though he wears that University of Tennessee orange and white. Cena goes to the ring, towel draped over his head, then grabs a mic before he joins Cody and Jey in the ring. Cena hears the fans boo, and he says, “I’m upset, too. If it isn’t professional wrestling’s biggest wannabes!” Cena tells Cody he is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe, and that Jey is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe.
The fans boo but Cena says they both wanna be Cena so bad, it makes him sick! Cody wants Cena’s fame, Jey wants Cena’s money, but they will get neither because Cody is too desperate and Jey is too lazy! There is only ONE other human being in the WWE who embodies hustle, loyalty and respect, and he’s got the fortune, fame and followers to back that up! Surprise, losers! Cena’s partner is here, too! The fans boo already, because “EY YO~!” Logan Paul IS here! The Maverick swaggers his way out, and Cena gives him a proper introduction. “Oh, you mad? You’re mad because Logan Paul does WWE better than any professional wrestler?”
Cena says Logan doesn’t need to pay his dues, because he is paying Jey’s mortgage! Everybody in this building did NOT come to see Jey! They came to see John Cena and Logan Paul! Logan asks, “What the hell you crying about, Knoxville? Look! I could walk on water, and y’all would still find a way to tell me it’s because I can’t swim! John Cena speaks the language of Logan Paul, and that is the truth! The truth! It is right in front of you! You deny it all you want, but look around, you stupid, stupid, simple Tennessee people! This is a moment in history! All of you get to witness the moment that John Cena stood side-by-side in the ring with Logan Paul.
“And look, all of you will live long, pathetic, miserable lives. But at least you will get to say that you saw that.” The fans tell Logan to STFU, and Cena tells Logan to ignore it. Logan says yeah, yeah, they’re so ungrateful. They don’t know what’s good for them. There is one problem, though. This does seem too perfect. The problem is… Logan should be standing next to THE WWE Champion as THE World Heavyweight Champion! Logan should’ve been the one to leave Saturday Night’s Main Event with that title around his waist. But look at him, Jey. Jey got lucky. Jey got lucky! He knows it, Logan knows, it, the fans know it, CODY knows it!
Jey needed Cody to save him! When Cody interfered with the match cuz these two cheaters can’t do a single thing in this business without it being handed to them! “These two nepo babies were born on third, thinking they hit a triple.” Logan points to himself and says, “Self-made man!” He points to Cena and says, “Self-made man!” Five years ago, nobody every would’ve believed Logan Paul would be a WWE superstar. And they certainly never ever would’ve believed that he’d be teaming with the Greatest Of All Time! But look at Logan now. He’s not just a superstar, he is THE superstar! His time is now! Cena told us that his time is almost up!
Cena is the Last Real Champion, Logan is the inevitable face of the WWE! So Jey, Cody, at MITB, if you want some, come get some. Jey tells Logan they don’t gotta wait! They can handle this right now! UH UH, YEET!! The mics drop, Cena and Logan talk this out, and Logan wants to throw hands while Cena wants to leave. Cody asks what they’re arguing about. They gonna go to the back so Logan can polish Cena’s Peacemaker? Now it’s a fight! The fans fire up as the hands are flying! Logan TOSSES Jey, Cena picks Cody up! Cody slips free, Jey is back to SUPERKICK! Cody hits the DISASTER KICK! Cena bails out, Jey PLANCHAS out onto him!
Logan goes to the apron, slingshot and- NO, Cody dodges the “Snapshot” Lariat and Jey SUPERKICKS Logan! Then Jey sets Logan up for the CODE D!! The fans fire up as Cody picks up the WWE Championship! Will Cody and Jey make it through Logan and Cena to then clear a path for the American Nightmare’s redemption? Or will Cena & Logan ruin wrestling together?
My Thoughts:
A very good SmackDown, but maybe with some wheel-spinning. As fun as Chelsea Green continues to be, can’t we move on from her and Zelina? Or are we about to do that with tonight’s win over Alba and then Giulia confronting her? Ironically, that seems to give away Giulia isn’t winning MITB. Giulia had a good promo video right before but they undercut it by giving us that confrontation. That said, Giulia deserves to be all the champions, but I suppose starting with the Women’s US Championship would be a good route. Very good promo from Bianca and Naomi to not just have Bianca’s homecoming, but to keep the feud between them alive.
The Women’s Triple Threat had a slow start but it turned out to be a very good match. Great win for Naomi, and good promo from her, Tiffany and Alexa to tease potential MITB winners. Great stuff in the tag match to build Worlds Collide just a touch. We only got one moment of Berto being passive aggressive towards Santos, and then Ethan Page screwing the Faces over, but that was still enough for the North American Championship. Of course, it depends on how many fans watch not just Raw and SmackDown but also NXT so that the fans already understand the story. But as someone who does, I do appreciate they’re bringing NXT story onto SmackDown.
Good promo from Priest to give some shoot respect to Drew and Fatu, but Priest wanting after the US title kinda gave away what was happening with the Men’s Triple Threat. It was a great Triple Threat, but of course Solo & JC cost Fatu. That team is just one moment away from breaking up, and it might be at MITB when Solo just expects Fatu to help him win the briefcase and Fatu refuses. And Fatu VS Priest will still be awesome whenever it happens. Good promo from Knight, and a good bit from Aleister with him, which I suppose means that’s the next feud for them. Was kinda hoping for Aleister VS Nakamura but that really depends if Nakamura is sticking with WWE or going home to Japan via Pro-Wrestling NOAH as rumored.
R-Truth relapsing to talking to Lil’ Jimmy is certainly a choice. I kinda wish he’d keep up the “Ron Cena” stuff, or they’d let Jeff Cobb do his own John Cena bit from NJPW, but I guess some things in WWE still won’t change. And closing with a big promo segment was also certainly a choice. Cody still did a good job, and nice surprise to have Jey show up. Not sure they needed to take a commercial break for Jey’s entrance, especially when they were obviously going to let Jey do his YEET encore. And Cena really must be brainwashed to put Logan over as if Logan’s on par with peak Cena. But naturally a brawl happened and the Faces stood tall.
Don’t count this as go-home math yet, they could easily revisit this on Raw and even next week on SmackDown. Even then, I still feel like Jey and Cody should win at MITB to properly set up Cody VS Cena 2 at SummerSlam. Raw on June 9th is still the move for the World Heavyweight Championship, but there’s also Saturday Night’s Main Event in July, who knows if Jey makes it to SummerSlam as champion.
My Score: 8.7/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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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
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