Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW AXS TV Results: G1 Climax 28, parts 7 AND 8!

AXS gives us ANOTHER double dose of NJPW! It’s Days 14 and 15 as we get Naito VS Ibushi, Omega VS Ishii, Okada VS EVIL and Tanahashi VS Elgin!
This coverage of the G1 Climax 28 will be as broadcast by AXS TV.
Gifs can be found on http://frentique.tumblr.com/
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- B Block: Kenny Omega VS Tomohiro Ishii; Ishii wins.
- B Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Kota Ibushi; Ibushi wins.
- A Block: Jay White VS Togi Makabe; White wins.
- A Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Michael Elgin; Tanahashi wins.
- A Block: Kazuchika Okada VS EVIL; Okada wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW and AXS TV set the scene for B Block!
The IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kenny Omega, is on a win streak with his 12 points, keeping even his opponent, Tomohiro Ishii, out of the running. However, the Stone Pitbull won’t just roll over, because he could be a spoiler for Omega’s chances while also earning himself a title match down the line. Omega won their last battle at the 2017 G1 Special, where Omega was crowned the inaugural IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion. Will Ishii fare better in this round robin format? Or will the Best Bout Machine win his way into his third G1 Climax finals appearance in a row?
In the main event, it’s the G1 Climax 27 Champion, Tetsuya Naito, and the Golden Star, Kota Ibushi. They’re the other contenders for B Block’s spot in the finals, but Naito needs this win if he’s to overcome the loss to Omega early on. As for Ibushi, he’s been on a hot streak of his own since reuniting with the other Golden Lover. Will Ibushi spoil Naito’s chance to repeat while also seizing his own future? Or is it just Destino that Naito will Tranquilo in the finals again?
Kenny Omega VS Tomohiro Ishii!
No time to waste as this rematch of the IWGP US Championship Tournament begins. The bell rings and fans already cheer for Omega as he stares Ishii down. The two tie up, and Omega puts Ishii on the ropes. He plays around with Ishii’s bald head, but Ishii swats his hands away. Omega backs up as Ishii stares him down, then they tie up again. Ishii puts Omega against the ropes, but Omega ducks the chop to give more playful head pats. Omega gives some playful slaps, but Ishii isn’t amused. Omega chops and kicks but it doesn’t back Ishii down. He keeps trying, but nothing works. Ishii dares him to keep going, so Omega gives a forearm. Omega gets a headbutt and staggers to the ropes. Ishii runs but Omega sees him coming. Things speed up but there’s a slight miscalculation. The two back off and reset.
They tie up and Omega puts Ishii in a corner. Omega chops but Ishii barely flinches. Omega chops again then gives elbows, but Ishii only bends over. They whip corner to corner but Ishii blasts out with a shoulder. Omega narrowly avoids the silding lariat and just misses hitting V-Trigger. He pushes Ishii, then gives head slaps. Ishii swings on him but Omega gets under to then get a facelock, but it’s Ishii who suplexes Omega! Fans applaud while Omega gets to ropes. Ishii slaps Omega around now, messing up that hair. Then he chops Omega in a corner hard, and follows Omega to another. Ishii chops again, and again, dangerously close to the throat. He toys with Omega now, then bumps him off the buckle pad. Ishii gives another blunt chop, but Omega rakes his face.
Omega puts Ishii in the corner but Ishii roars out. So Omega gives him a DDT! Cover, TWO, but Omega has wrist control. Omega fireman’s carry, “You Can’t Escape!” Rolling senton and moonsault hit! Cover, TWO! Omega keeps on Ishii with a camel clutch. He grinds it side to side but Ishii endures. Ishii dares Omega to try harder, so Omega pulls back. Fans rally up for Ishii as he further endures. Ishii pries his way out of Omega’s grip, then dares Omega to go after him. Omega kicks Ishii in the back, but Ishii wants more. Omega stomps an dkicks, but Ishii just shakes his head. More kicks and stomps but it just amuses Ishii now. Ishii gets up and chops Omega! Omega chops back and it finally gets through. Omega whips but Ishii reverses, to a powerslam! It was more of a throw, but it did the job.
Ishii chops and forearms Omega in the corner again and again. He whips corner to corner but Omega reverses, only for Ishii to fire out and get a back suplex! Cover, TWO! Omega barely got out of that cover, but Ishii is on him again. Ishii powerbomb lifts, but they teeter back. Omega slips off but Ishii hits, only to run into a huricanrana! Ishii goes out while fans fire up with Omega. The Terminator drums echo and Omega rises. Omega runs and FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp! Omega gets up and puts Ishii in the ring. Fans fire up again as Omega runs and hits the Kotaro Krusher! Cover, TWO! But Omega keeps going as he drags Ishii up. But Ishii powers Omega to a corner! Ishii chops and chops, so Omega gives a sharp chop back! Ishii roars, Omega spits!
Omega gives forearms but Ishii barely flinches. Omega keeps trying but his arm is the thing getting hurt. Ishii blasts Omega with one big forearm, then finally feels some of that pain. Ishii drags Omega up and whips him corner to corner, but Omega boots him away. Omega runs out but into a waistlock, and a German Suplex into the buckles! Both men drag themselves out of the corner, but Ishii is on Omega. Ishii hoists Omega up top, then climbs up to join him. SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO! Ishii takes aim and runs, but Omega dodges to run, running DDT hits! Omega stands and vows to end this. He grabs Ishii in a full nelson, but Ishii breaks free to backwards headbutt Omega! But Omega comes back with a V-Trigger!
Omega wants the Kotaro Krusher again but Ishii slips out to German Suplex! Ishii runs, but Omega boots, only to get a discus lariat! Omega sits down and Ishii runs for the sliding lariat! Cover, TWO!! Ishii was so close and the fans can feel it. The fans are thunderous as Ishii drags Omega back up. Ishii suplexes but Omega fights out. Omega forearms Ishii, but Ishii standing switches to copy the Electric Chair! He wants to steal the One Winged Angel! Omega slips down to heel kick Ishii in the back of the head, and Ishii stumbles to a corner. Omega takes aim and runs in, V-Trigger! He hits Ishii in the back, but drags him out for bomb position. Omega lifts, Dr. Wily Bomb! Cover, TWO!! The Pitbull shocks the champion while we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns and Omega drags Ishii back up. Omega gives him a close-range V-Trigger! But Omega isn’t done there, he gives Ishii another V-Trigger! Ishii falls over and Red Shoes checks on him. Ishii isn’t giving in, so Omega sits him up again, for a third V-Trigger! But Ishii stands up! Omega is shocked, but he gives Ishii a fourth V-Trigger. Omega runs, but Ishii follows, to clothesline him at the ropes. Ishii runs, but Omega V-Triggers! Omega runs, ducks the clothesline and gives another V-Trigger, right into the Snap Dragon Suplex! But Ishii’s right up, only for Omega to clothesline him down! Cover, TWO!! Ishii does not die easy, but Omega won’t give up.
Omega lifts Ishii for the Electric Chair, but Ishii slips down to headbutt Omega in the back! Ishii throws Omega with his own Dragon Suplex, but Omega returns with a huricanrana, that Ishii just makes a powerbomb! Both men are down and fans are thunderous again. Red Shoes checks on them both, but doesn’t start a count as he sees them both stirring. Omega and Ishii slowly sit up, and stare each other down. Ishii headbutts but Omega forearms. Ishii headbutts again, and Omega forearms again. Omega drags Ishii up for a standing forearm, then another. Ishii staggers and wobbles, but stays on his feet. Omega chops Ishii, but Ishii suddenly fires off forearms from both sides! Omega throws haymakers then the Reverse-Rana! They’re both down again, but Omega is up first.
Omega loads up and takes aim, “BANG!” He runs, for a V-Trigger! Ishii ends up on the apron, but Omega keeps on him with slingshot double stomps! Omega rests against the railings while fans build to a rally. He drags Ishii up and in, then climbs up top. Omega aims, for more double stomps! He keeps going, Aoi Shoudou! Cover, TWO!! Omega is shocked and furious as he brings Ishii up in the Electric Chair. Ishii slips out again, to an inverted suplex. Omega slips out to backslide and V-Trig– No, Ishii blocks! Omega forearms, goes for the Trigger, but Ishii throws him with a German Suplex! But Omega lands on his feet, to V-Trigger again! Cover, TWO!! Butterfly Driver!! Cover, TWO!? Ishii refuses to let even this stop him!
Omega grits his teeth while fans rally up again. He brings his knee pad down, and backs off. Omega runs back in, for an even more dangerous V-Trigger! Cover, TWO!! Omega can’t stand it as he has to drag Ishii back up. Electric Chair again, but Ishii fights out to a crucifix takedown! Cover, TWO!? Ishii can’t believe that didn’t end this. Both men crawl as fans hit a fever pitch. Ishii gets to a corner and stands. He fires himself up, but Omega covers up as Ishii throws heavy hands. Omega blocks to V-Trigger one more time, but then runs into a pop-up headbutt! Ishii gives another headbutt, then a HUGE clothesline! Cover, TWO?! Omega also refuses to go down. Ishii drags Omega up in a facelock, but Omega suplexes Ishii! Cover, ONE!!
Ishii gets to ropes again, but Omega runs, into another clothesline! Omega stands by instinct, wrenches the arm but gets a headbutt. He still gives a V-Trigger but gets an enziguri for it. Omega swings, but Ishii turns him around into a brainbuster! Cover, ISHII WINS!!
Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall; Ishii earns 2 points, Omega earns 0
Both men bleed from the lips, but it’s Ishii who gets a win over THE IWGP Heavyweight Champion! Ishii may not be in the G1 Climax Finals, but he now has a legitimate claim to a title match. But if it took this much for Ishii to win here, how much will it take to take that title away from Omega? As for Omega, he’ll likely need stitches for that busted lip, but are his chances of getting into the finals busted now, too?
Backstage interview with Kenny Omega.
“There it is. You guys love your underdog stories, huh? There you go. Hope your happy.” Clearly Omega isn’t happy about this blemish on his record, but there’s still time. Can he turn it around? Will he be ready for another rough rematch with the Pitbull in the future?
Tetsuya Naito VS Kota Ibushi!
Los Ingobernables de Japon’s charismatic leader defeated the Golden Star in last year’s G1 Climax round robin on his way to the finals. He looks to repeat that here, but not if Ibushi has anything to say about it. Will both Golden Lovers lose on the same day? Or will Ibushi shine bright to move up the ranks?
The bell rings and fans duel between these two mega stars. Naito and Ibushi slowly circle. They tie up quickly, and Ibushi gets a waistlock. Naito reverses to an arm wrench and a wristlock. Ibushi rolls and works to wrench it back but Naito kicks low then rakes the eyes. Naito throws forearms then whips Ibushi corner to corner. Ibushi goes up and over then speeds up. Naito dodges the clothesline and the kick to Tranquilo already. Ibushi isn’t amused, but Naito wants him to fist bump. Ibushi doesn’t so Naito bails out. Naito walks around the ring while Ibushi keeps an eye on him. Naito teases returning, but then wants Ibushi to give him space. Ibushi does while Red Shoes starts a count. Naito waits until 8 and then fires off on Ibushi. He whips Ibushi but Ibushi reverses.
Things speed up again and Ibushi dropkicks Naito down! Naito rolls out again but Ibushi slingshots out. Naito gets on the apron but Ibushi adjusts to join him. Ibushi elbows Naito, then takes aim at the apron. Naito resists the German Suplex by holding ropes then fighting with elbows. Ibushi kicks but Naito blocks to put it in the ropes, then Naito dropkicks Ibushi’s other leg out! Ibushi tumbles to the floor while Naito rests on the apron. Naito fetches Ibushi and has camera men move aside. He puts Ibushi’s leg on the railing to kick it! Fans boo but Naito doesn’t care. He stomps Ibushi, then opens the gate. Naito brings Ibushi around to the announce tables and throws him into the English table! Naito practically bowls Ibushi over Kevin Kelly!
Red Shoes counts and Naito leaves Ibushi outside. Ibushi drags himself up and hobbles his way back to the ring. He gets in at 11 but Naito is on him with stomps. Naito takes that bad leg and stomps right on the knee while smashing it on the mat. Naito repeats the knee smash stomp and Ibushi writhes in pain. Red Shoes checks on Ibushi but Naito stomps Ibushi to ropes. Naito puts Ibushi in the corner for back elbows. Naito stomps a mudhole into that bad knee, then drags Ibushi back up for more elbows. He stomps the knee again, then backs off. He drags Ibushi back up and out, turns him around, for the backbreaker and dropkick! Cover, TWO and we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns as Naito toys with Ibushi. Red Shoes reprimands him and fans boo him, but Naito only spits and taunts at them. Naito drags Ibushi up but Ibushi fires forearms. Naito fakes a punch to give a kick, then goes back to the leg. He spits on Ibushi before elbowing the knee. He runs and aims for the leg, but Ibushi manages to hop over his slide. Ibushi still gets a kick, but manages to double stomp Naito on the run! Both men are down as Naito writhes and Ibushi catches his breath. Fans rally up and Ibushi sits up slowly. Ibushi brings Naito up and they start brawling with forearms. Naito hits, Ibushi hits, Naito hits, Ibushi spin kicks. Ibushi whips but Naito reverses, only for Ibushi to running roundhouse Naito down! Ibushi standing moonsaults, covers, TWO!
But Ibushi keeps focus as he drags Naito back up in a waistlock. Naito resists the German Suplex and fights out, then runs at Ibushi in the corner. Ibushi puts up boots but Naito blocks them. Naito turns Ibushi around and gives him a draping neckbreaker! He keeps on Ibushi but Ibushi fights out to huricanrana! Naito rolls back out of the ring but fans rally for Ibushi. Ibushi fires up and takes aim, for the Golden Triangle Moonsault! He hits Naito down but he’s down from exhaustion. Fans cheer while Red Shoes starts a count. Ibushi gets up and hobbles after Naito. The count hits 13 as Ibushi brings Naito up, and he puts him in at 14. Ibushi climbs up, but Naito stops him! Naito positions Ibushi and elbows away at that knee. Naito climbs up to join Ibushi but Ibushi grabs Naito’s leg.
They fight each other, and Ibushi dumps Naito down. Naito stays on his feet, but Ibushi drags him back up and around. Ibushi has Naito but Naito fights out! Naito trips Ibushi and he hits the mat! Naito hops right up top, aims, and leaps for the missile dropkick! Then the jump kick, sweep and swinging dropkick! Naito drags Ibushi out for a modified Figure Four! Ibushi endures the unique kneebar, but then Naito slaps him. Ibushi slaps back and it’s a figure four slap fight. They slap back and forth but Ibushi fires off with both hands from both sides. Naito puts more torque into the hold then spits on Ibushi. Ibushi drags himself to the ropes, but Naito holds on until 3.
Naito smirks as he brings Ibushi back up. He grabs the leg but Ibushi denies the shinbreaker. Naito elbows Ibushi back, then goes for the rope-assisted tornado, but Ibushi powers out. Ibushi runs but into the atomic drop. Naito whips but Ibushi reverses, only for Naito to leap with forearms! Naito drags Ibushi back up, hammerlock and GLOR– No, Ibushi escapes Gloria to give Naito a BIG Half Nelson Suplex! The Golden Star evens things as we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns as Ibushi crawls over to Naito. He gives a forearm, and Naito gives one back. Ibushi goes again, but Naito elbows back. Ibushi gives yet another forearm, but so does Naito. They both stand now, and Ibushi gives another forearm. Naito hits Ibushi but Ibushi quickly kicks back. Naito forearms again, but Ibushi quickly kicks agian. Another forearm for another kick, then Ibushi fires off more kicks. Naito kicks Ibushi’s bad leg, then grabs it. Ibushi fires back with forearms but Naito spits right in his face! Fans boo and jeer but Naito just gives another forearm. Ibushi suddenly fires off a strike fest! Ibushi runs but into Naito’s wheelbarrow. But Ibushi blocks it! Naito still rolls it through and has Ibushi in the package, for the driver! But he doesn’t cover?
Naito smirks as he brings Ibushi back up for for the hammerlock and GLORIA! He still smirks as he still doesn’t cover. He drags Ibushi up again, and suplexes him to the ropes! For a draping neckbreaker! Cover, TWO!? Even Naito is surprised, but he won’t let that stop him. He drags Ibushi up but Red Shoes has him back off. Red Shoes checks on Ibushi, but somehow Ibushi is still good. Naito drags Ibushi up by his hair, wrenches the arm but Ibushi roundhouses! They both fall, and fans rally up. Ibushi drags himself to his feet as he grits his teet. Naito also stands in the opposite corner. Ibushi runs but into an alley-oop! Ibushi hits buckles and Naito enziguris him down! Naito drags Ibushi up, turns him around, but Ibushi fights off the inverted tornado to PELE!
Naito is dazed on the top rope while Ibushi fires himself up. Ibushi climbs up and positions Naito on the top rope. He tucks Naito in but Naito holds on for dear life! Ibushi gives Naito a forearm then tries again, but Naito just saves himself. They brawl now, returning to slapping strikes, then Naito goes after that bad leg. Naito stands and gets around Ibushi, for a SUPER Reverse-Rana, that Ibushi lands on his feet out of!! Ibushi clobbers Naito with a clothesline! Both men fall but fans fire up again. Ibushi crawls, blood in his mouth like Omega. He kicks Naito while he’s down in the corner. Ibushi then drags Naito up, in a waistlock, FOR A SUPER GERMAN!! Cover, TWO!!
Ibushi can’t believe it! But that just makes him more determined. He lifts Naito, for the Last Ride Sit-Out! Cover, TWO!! Ibushi is shocked again, but he stands back up. He drags Naito up as fans duel. Ibushi has the hands, but Naito dodges to DESTIN– No! Ibushi blocked the DDT and has hand control again. But Naito dodges Kamigoye a second time to tilt-o-whirl, DESTINO!! Cover, TWO!? Now Naito is shocked, but he just wants it more. He wrenches, tilt-o-whirl, but into Ibushi’s brainbuster! Fans fire up as Ibushi copies the King of Strong Style for a KINSHASA!! Cover, TWO!? Ibushi is all fired up, KAMIGOYE!! Cover, IBUSHI WINS!!
Winner: Kota Ibushi, by pinfall; Ibushi earns 2 points, Naito earns 0
The Golden Star overcomes and gets himself a total of 10 points! He’s up near the top, and just needs another win to earn his spot in the finals. Naito is taken away and Ibushi takes up a mic.
Fans chant “Ibushi! Ibushi!” as he catches his breath. “This is my first time on the mic in Osaka.” He makes a promise to everyone right now. He vows to win the G1 and return here as champion. Ibushi thanks the fans for his support as he has only two matches left in the round robin. However, one of those is going to be his best friend and fellow Golden Lover, Kenny Omega! That one match could determine the entire course of the Finals, who will seize their future with their own two hands?!
NJPW and AXS TV set the scene for A Block!
The race is one to determine A Block’s G1 Climax 28 finalist! Kazuchika Okada finds himself in a complete 180 from last year, as the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion is now coming back from a shocking losing streak. The King of Darkness defeated Okada last year to deny him a spot in the finals, but will history repeat itself? Or is the Rainmaker’s Redemption going to continue?
But before that, The Ace and the Unbreakable battle in an all Taguchi Japan match. Will Big Mike spoil the chances of another finals for Tanahashi? Or will the Once in a Century Talent prove that name right and overcome?
And what of the other contender, The Switchblade, Jay White? Will he lose to leave it between Okada and Tanahashi? Or will the Unchained Togi Makabe spoil the upstart’s uprising within Chaos? We jump into that important match, right now!
Jay White VS Togi Makabe!
NJPW on AXS takes us to a point where Makabe has White down but not out. Makabe runs but White counters and ducks to chop and saido suplex! Both men are down now but White is up first. White drags Makabe up and suplexes into the twisting brainbuster. Cover, TWO, and fans applaud for Makabe’s toughness. White grows frustrated, but he keeps on Makabe with forearms. Makabe dares him to give more, so White rocks him with another. Makabe eggs White on, and now White chops Makabe. White fires off forearms, but Makabe keeps egging him on. White keeps going, then runs, but his clothesline barely makes Makabe budge. Another try but still nothing. White goes a third time, but Makabe gives a clothesline back. Makabe runs but White ducks to chop and chop and chop. White runs but Makabe knocks him over!
Fans fire up as Makabe runs, but into a complete shot! White keeps going, deadlift German Suplex! But Makabe stands with White to run him over! Both men are down again, but Makabe roars his way up. Makabe puts White in the corner and up onto the top rope. Makabe climbs up to join him, but White holds on! White fights Makabe off with elbows, and Makabe falls into the Tree of Woe. But Makabe sits up for the Spider Belly2Belly! Makabe turns around but White uses Red Shoes as a shield. White then gets Makabe with strikes and prepares the Blade Runner, but Makabe counters with a German Suplex! Makabe clotheslines White again, then covers, TWO!
Makabe drags White up and scoops to slam. He goes back to a corner, climbs up top, and leaps! His knee drop misses! White rolls all the way out, and starts searching under the ring. He brings out chairs, and puts them in the ring. Red Shoes reprimands him, but White doesn’t care. Makabe ducks the swing to give lariats, one through the chair! Makabe then threatens White with the chair, Red Shoes stops him. White shoves Makabe into Red Shoes! White scurries away while those two fall over, and gets himself that second chair. SMACK in the face! White gets the chairs out of the ring and then has Red Shoes get back in. Blade Runner! Red Shoes counts, White wins!
Winner: Jay White, by pinfall; White earns 2 points, Makabe earns 0
The Switchblade uses another sneaky tactic to keep himself spotless in the round robin. He has one more match to go, can he make it to the goal?
Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Michael Elgin!
The Ace has won two G1 Climaxes before, and looks for his third. The Unbreakable “Big Mike” is out of the running but doesn’t mind being spoiler, even to a fellow main unit member. Will Elgin keep Tanahashi back? Or will Tanahashi keep his chances of a finals appearance going?
The bell rings and the fans chant for Tanahashi. He and Elgin circle then tie up. Elgin powers Tanahashi back, but lets his friend out respectfully. They go again, and Tanahashi calls for a test of strength. Elgin accepts and they tie up. They go shoulder to shoulder, but even with a bad shoulder, Elgin has power enough to put Tanahashi on his knees. Tanahashi comes back and puts both arms against Elgin’s bad one, but Elgin still has such strength! Elgin backs Tanahashi to the ropes, then they break. Tanahashi puts Elgin on the ropes, and they break. Elgin lunges for a headlock and takeover but Tanahashi rolls it to his own. They stand and Elgin lifts Tanahashi to the ropes.
Elgin powers out of the headlock then runs Tanahashi over, but Tanahashi’s right back up! Elgin runs him over again and Tanahashi still springs back up, but then staggers back. Tanahashi reverses Elgin’s whip and hip tosses Elgin down, then plays the air guitar. Both men stand and Tanahashi body shots Elgin to a corner. He whips corner to corner but Elgin reverses. Elgin runs into an elbow but catches Tanahashi as he goes up and over. Tanahashi fights his way out and goes to reverse-rana, but Elgin holds on with power! Elgin swings Tanahashi for an inverted Alabama Slam! Elgin walks around Tanahashi before bringing him back up. He lifts Tanahashi for a backbreaker. Cover, TWO, but Elgin keeps on Tanahashi.
Elgin brings Tanahashi up for the scoop slam, then he goes outside to slingshot splash! Cover, TWO but barely. Elgin keeps his cool and drags Tanahashi up again. Tanahashi gives body shots but Elgin chops him back. Elgin runs but into boots. Tanahashi fires forearms but Elgin gives another chop. Elgin whips but Tanahashi hits back with flying forearms. Tanahashi drops an elbow then a sommersault senton, cover, TWO! Tanahashi chops, but Elgin is too big for the scoop. Elgin scoops, Tanahahsi slips out, and they both kick. They both catch the kicks, then argue who lets go first. They decide to do it together, and then start again. Tanahashi ducks and chops, then forearms Elgin to a corner. He whips but Elgin reverses, to then dodge the dropkick on the rebound.
Elgin deadlifts but Tanahashi counters with a dragon screw! Elgin’s leg is also taped up so it’s another target for Tanahashi. Both men slowly sit up, and Tanahashi goes after the leg again. Elgin shoves him away then catches the kick, to give Tanahashi a dragon screw! Tanahashi has his own leg problems, so that was a good move from Elgin. Elgin drags Tanahashi up but they start brawling. Elgin hits, Tanahashi hits, repeat. Tanahashi kicks then runs, but into an overhead belly2belly! Both men slowly stand but Elgin runs in for a big corner clothesline. Elgin suplexes to a Falcon Arrow, cover, TWO! The battle of tag team partners continues as we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns as Elgin brings Tanahashi back up. Elgin chops Tanahashi then lifts him to the top rope. Elgin climbs up but Tanahashi slips under! Tanahashi wants a high-angle German Suplex but Elgin holds on. Elgin fights Tanahashi off, then turns around. Tanahashi runs in, catches the foot, SUPER Dragon Screw! Elgin clutches his leg but Tanahashi isn’t done there. Tanahashi grabs the legs to Cloverleaf! He gets Elgin on his belly and pulls back. Elgin endures and uses his arms to drag himself forward. Tanahashi wrenches back and sits down into it, but Elgin powers back up! Elgin pushes himself off the mat and then pops Tanahashi off the hold! Tanahashi goes to the apron but skins the cat into headscissors! He drags Elgin over and down!
Tanahashi skins the cat again to return into the ring. Fans fire up as Tanahashi gets to a corner and the top rope. Elgin hurries in to stop him from jumping. Tanahashi fights Elgin off, but Elgin swing kicks Tanahashi back. Elgin climbs up and brings Tanahashi with him, for the SUPERPLEX! Tanahashi writhes from the impact, Elgin covers, TWO! Elgin feels hwo close he is, and fires himself up. Fans rally with him as he drags Tanahashi back up. Elgin prepares a powerbomb but Tanahashi grabs a leg. Elgin pries Tanahashi’s arms back for a double underhook, but Tanahashi back drops! Big Mike rolls through to high stack then deadlift, for the powerbomb! Cover, TWO! Elgin is surprised, but he grits his teeth as he works on what to do next.
Elgin drags Tanahashi back up, powerbomb lifts again, for a buckle bomb! But Tanahashi fires out for a slingblade! Cover, TWO! Crucifix! TWO! Both men are down, but they’re not done yet. Tanahashi is up first and goes after Elgin’s legs. Elgin forearms, but Tanahashi holds on, until the enziguri! German Suplex! Elgin holds on but Tanahashi fights with elbows. Elgin grabs thsoe arms, so Tanahashi blocks with a leg. He can’t tiger suplex, so Elgin swings Tanahashi out for a forearm! Elgin then powerbomb lifts, only for Tanahashi to slip out and hit the swinging neckbreaker! Slingblade!
Tanahashi is all fired up as he climbs to the top. He aims, Elgin stands, High Fly Flow crossbody! But Elgin rolls through and scoops! Tanahashi slips out and wants a full nelson. Elgin breaks free so Tanahashi changes to trapping the arms. Elgin breaks out of that, too! Tanahashi hits him with a palm strike, but Elgin comes back with a back hand! Elgin clobbers Tanahashi with a clothesline! Elgin takes off his elbow pad and prepares that wrapped but powerful arm. He has Tanahashi stand, then runs, for another big clothesline! Then a powerbomb lift, crucifix sit-out!! Cover, TWO!! Elgin can’t believe it, but Tanahashi survives. Elgin fires up again and drags Tanahashi back up. He goes for and hits another buckle bomb! Then a spin, but Tanahsahi drops off and rolls him up! Tanahashi wins!!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall; Tanahashi earns 2 points, Elgin earns 0
It was by the skin of his teeth and the seat of his pants, but Tanahashi gets the win! He keeps ahead of Jay White, but there’s still one last round in the round robin. Can The Ace get through to get back to the finals? Or will he leave room for the Switchblade to slide in?
Kazuchika Okada VS EVIL!
The Rainmaker has gone through a dry spell since losing his IWGP Heavyweight Championship, but he still has hope. However, he faces the man who denied him passage to the finals last year, right at the home stretch. Will Okada continue to climb back from defeat? Or will he find out Everything is Evil?
The bell rings and fans are behind Okada already. Okada and Evil circle then approach, and Evil kicks low. Evil puts on a headlock, but Okada works against the hold. Evil drags him back in, but Okada fights with body shots. Okada powers out, but Evil runs him over with a shoulder. Evil runs and things speed up, but Evil still gets Okada with the lariat. Cover, TWO and already a close one. Evil brings Okada up just so he can clothesline him back down. He drags Okada up again, but Okada escapes the STO. Okada European Uppercuts and catches Evil into the Air Raid neckbreaker! Both men are down but fans are rallying. Evil and Okada roll out of the ring, but Evil is the one who whips Okada. Okada reverses only for Evil to reverse back, and Okada gets the railings!
Evil drags a chair out from under the ring, then puts it around Okada’s head. He throws Okada and chair into the post! Okada falls and Red Shoes reprimands Evil for that. Red Shoes checks Okada but Okada’s okay somehow. Evil waits in the ring while Okada slowly stirs. Red Shoes holds off on the count a moment, but starts it as he sees Okada is moving. The climb counts to 10 but Okada gets in at about 13. Evil drags Okada up and wrenches the arm a couple times. He wrenches a third time, then grabs the other arm for a half surfboard. Evil pushes and Okada’s face hits the mat. Cover, TWO! Evil grows frustrated with Red Shoes, but that was the count.
Evil drags Okada up and around for a chop. Okada staggers to a corner, and Evil chops him again. Evil chops a third time, and Okada falls to the floor. Cover, TWO! Evil brings Okada into a chinlock, bending him back with a knee. Evil pulls back as hard as he can but Okada endures. Okada stands up and fights out again, then runs, but into a sidewalk slam! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for Okada while Evil keeps his cool. Evil drags Okada up and turns him around, but Okada fights out. Evil kicks low then whips but Okada reverses into a DDT! Both men are down again, but Okada suddenly kips up!
Okada runs at Evil for a forearm smash, then elbow. He rallies with a whip but Evil reverses, only for Okada to come back with another elbow. Okada brings Evil up but Evil fights back. Evil runs but into the flapjack! Cover, TWO! Okada keeps his cool now, and goes to gut wrench. Evil blocks so Okada clubs and kicks him. Okada EuroUppers Evil to a corner, then gives Evil a back elbow. Okada lifts Evil but Evil kicks him first. Evil dodges a dropkick to drop the senton! LIJ’s King of Darkness is in control while we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns and Evil joins Okada on the apron. Evil drags Okada up, but Okada fights back with body shots. Evil rakes Okada’s eyes, then gives him a leaping facebuster to the railings! It was double-edged as Evil hit just as hard. Red Shoes checks on both men but they’re both okay somehow. Evil sits up first, and drags Okada up and around the corner. They go to the ramp now, and Evil fireman’s carry. Okada slips out to kick and DDT Evil on the ramp! Fans fire up as Okada rolls to his feet and gets a running start, for the John Woo dropkick! Evil is sent rolling all the way back to the ring! Okada catches his breath while Evil clutches his ribs.
Okada heads back and fetches Evil at the count of 13 to put him in the ring at 16. He aims at Evil from a corner, then runs out for another dropkick. Evil ends up in the other corner, but Okada keeps on him. Okada puts Evil in the middle to then climb up top. He aims, for a missile dropkick! But Okada isn’t done with Evil yet, he gets the fans fired up! Okada brings Evil up but Evil again blocks the gut wrench. Okada clubs Evi’s back and completes the lift, but Evil slips down. Evil shoves Okada then uses Red Shoes as a shield. He mule kicks Okada then suplex lifts him onto Red Shoe’s shoulder! Magic Killer! Everyone is down, including Red Shoes. Red Shoes rolls out to recover while Okada and Evil slowly stand.
Evil runs in at Okada, but into Okada’s boot. He tries again but gets more boots, yet still hits a corner clothesline! Evil lifts Okada for Darkness Falls! Cover, TWO!! It was close but not enough. Evil sits Okada up to slash the throat, and bring him up. Okada denies the STO but Evil kicks and roaring elbows. Okada reverses the whip but Evil holds ropes to evade the dropkick. Evil runs, but into Okada’s waistlock and wristlock ripcord! Evil ducks the Rainmaker to STEAL the Rainmaker! Cover, TWO!! Okada’s own move doesn’t do it!! Fans fire up while Evil roars. Evil drags Okada up, half ‘n’ half suplex! Then with elbow pad off, Clothesline from Hell! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives again and it infuriates Evil.
Evil calls for the end, brings Okada up, and goes for STO again. Okada reverses and swings Evil out but Evil reverses to try another steal. Okada reverses, to STEAL the STO!! Cover, TWO!! Evil won’t lose to his own move, either! Both men are down again but Okada stands first. He dropkicks Evil in the back of the head, then gut wrenches to the Tombstone! But he’s not done, he swings Evil out again. Evil blocks but Okada stops the STO, only to get a left-hand lariat! Evil drags Okada up again, ST– Discus lariat from Okada! And, THE Rainmaker!! Cover, OKADA WINS!!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall; Okada earns 2 points, Evil earns 0
The redemption continues! Okada redeems himself for last year’s loss, as well as for the losses earlier in the tournament. With just round left, can Okada pull off the comeback of the century? Or will Tanahashi stand in his way?
Okada speaks.
“I can’t believe it. It’s unbelievable.” After a brutal match like that, the fans won’t go home. What’s up with that, Osaka? Does it look like he won that easily? Is he that strong? Is he just that amazing? Well then he’ll go ahead and say it. “Win number six!!” And he’s a bit dizzy now. But Okada’s sure this is going smoothly. He’s so smooth. The Okada they expected has returned. But he won’t be as strong or amazing as he was before. He’ll be even more than that! He will bring NJPW with him.
“One more G1 qualifier match.” Fans know it’s against Tanahashi, and are already dueling. Okada takes note of it. Rocky Romero says Okada, too, right? But he feels bad for Tanahashi now. But too bad for Tanahashi, because Okada vows to win it all! “Are you satisfied now? Because I’d really like to sit down.” Thank you very… much! Okada takes his leave and hopes to take the G1 Climax, but what will it take just to win the block?
My Thoughts:
Another great selection for two hours of NJPW on TV. They didn’t use time to review the other matches, but that’s because they couldn’t spare time given the matches advertised. At the same time, the only matches that matter at this point are those vying for the top spots in each block. B Block was another Golden Lovers night as Omega surprisingly loses to Ishii in a great gritty match, while Ibushi toughs it out to win against Naito. I liked that Ibushi got to speak, and he was aware he doesn’t get to do it often. So in character, he keeps his speech to the point. Ibushi has Tama Tonga then Omega, those are going to be great. Naito will soon face fellow LIJ member Sanada, that should also make for great story, no matter who wins.
I was a bit surprised they fit White VS Makabe for A Block, but that match was important to see to know that White was keeping pace. Tanahashi VS Elgin and Okada VS Evil were great, and very clean compared to White’s. It was great for story that Okada and Evil each stole the other’s finisher once but couldn’t win with them. Okada wins and gets to speak, confident that even with thought it’s Tanahashi he has left, he can win. The only way White gets in over either of them is if he and Okada win, given White’s early win over Okada is the tiebreaker. Anything else and Tanahashi’s in.
My Score: 8.8/10; 8.8/10; Overall = 8.8/10
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!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.8.2025
We get to see Alicia Fox in action and a dog collar match! Definitely an odd combination, so let’s see what happens!

As I feel like I say every week, the best parts of TNA are on NXT. I really can’t tolerate Dreamer and Delirious’ idea of creative. This shows have been slapdash early 00s MTV humor and nonsense angles. We open the show with Trick Williams, so of course you know he’s gonna be a dick and Hendry’s gonna try and get even.
At least this spawned an interesting concept with the TNA Heavyweight Championship being defended on NXT Battleground. So it’s nice that Hendry and TNA are getting exposure, but honestly it’s only Hendry, and the constant milking on the TNA side of “hearing from Hendry” is making me ill.
I feel like I’ve seen Johnny Gobs all over since Nekrogoblikon came out with new music. Not mad at it, just didn’t have that on my Bingo card.
.@Santana_Proud and @_trickwilliams just crossed paths—then @AJFrancis410 & @KCwrestles tried recruiting @TheSamiCallihan… and sparked beef with Santana in the process.
Wait… IS THAT @JohnGoblikon!?
WATCH #TNAiMPACT! on TNA+: https://t.co/afG9MKyLaa pic.twitter.com/EQwH3BjPFE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 9, 2025
Ratings:
- Rosemary vs Lei Ying Lee – Lei wins via Thunderstruck – *
- Great Hands vs Aztec Warriors: Aztec Warriors win via Laredo Driver + Arabian Moonsault – * 1/2
- Trey Miguel w/Wentz vs Mustafa Ali w/Tasha & Hands: Ali wins via Crucifix Blade Runner – ** 3/4
- Victoria Crawford vs Brittnie Brooks: Victoria wins via Flying Axe Kick – Squash
- Dog Collar Match: International Championship Match: Steve Maclin (c) vs Eric Young w/Northern Armoury: Maclin retains via KIA – ***
Results:
Hey look, Trick comes out and does exactly what I said. He’s arrogant, he’s basically doing his own version of a Ric Flair promo. I do like the line about having two girls, one named Lexis who drives a Mercedes and Mercedes who drives a Lexus. It’s that right balance of dumb and clever to make me chuckle. Hendry of course comes out with his game face on, security tries, fails, and Hendry gets a measure of revenge.
Rosemary vs Lei Ying Lee – Lei wins via Thunderstruck
Okay even though I don’t mind Xia as a wrestler anymore, Brookside is on commentary and she’s…awful. She’s like an Arianna Grace with no charisma. Her little integrity shtick got lame halfway through the word the first time she said it.
This match goes about how you expect which is why it’s not much to discuss. Rosemary does her usually brawling, biting and using the 5 counts with the Upside Down. But as expected, she tries to use the Brass Knucks, Xia comes off of commentary to stop her from using the weapon, and Lei catches her with Thunderstruck. I guess this was supposed to keep the Xia angle with some heat, but it’s really dumb. I don’t want to see any more of this Angel vs Demon, which one will turn crap. It’s boring, it’s cliche and for babies.
At least Lei Ying Lee is gorgeous and one hell of a wrestler. Hopefully she gets away from Rosemary and Xia soon.
Great Hands vs Aztec Warriors
Laredo and Octagon take early turns on Jason Hotch, Octagon even pulls off some rope acrobatics like he thinks he’s Rey Fenix. Hands try to take a few shortcuts, but the actions stays quick, the Cali crowd is behind the Luchadors. Stereo Tijeras, Five Hole Dive from Laredo into an Asai Moonsault from Octagon. Laredo Driver into Handstand Arabian Moonsault, and Aztec Warriors win handily.
After the fact Ali attacks the Aztec Warriors, Tasha and the Hands are trying to calm down Ali but then the Rascalz run out. Maybe we’re getting an early start to the Trey vs Ali match.
Trey Miguel w/Wentz vs Mustafa Ali w/Tasha & Hands
Hopefully this is something worth actually typing about instead of WCW Thunder level of rushed throwaway trash.
They trade early chops, but Ali is pissed, no sells Trey and rocks him with a Forearm. Trey tries to Baseball Slide through the legs and roll into a Sunset Flip, but Ali rolls through, comes up with Trey and Powerbombs him moving immediately into Ground and Pound. Ali goes for a Reverse Powerslam, but Trey escapes it, tries to use his quickness, trips up Ali for a second as he goes to the apron and then he catches Trey in the ropes and hits the Draping DDT off the apron. Outside In Neckbreaker from Ali into a Standing Tornillo.
Ali throws Trey into the ropes, Trey tries something but Ali catches him, flips him vertical and then Dragon Suplex looks nasty. Ali heads back to the apron, wants the Outside In Rolling Neckbreaker, but Trey catches him with a Cutter! Trey puts a little Shake Rattle and Roll together, Ali tries to block the last one so Trey hits the ropes and lands a Lionsault. Ali powders and eats a Dive, Trey throws him back in, Meteora! 1-2-kick out! Trey gets a little frustrated but tries a front facelock, they trade cradles, Ali throws him to the ropes, Trey tries that Rewind Tiger Feint, but Ali hits a Missile Dropkick. Ali tells the Hands to finish things but Wentz comes out flying. Ali drives Wentz into the post, throws Trey back in and mouths off to Wentz. When he turns he eats Trey’s Knee Slide Tornado DDT.
Tasha distracts the ref, Hands attack Trey with a Double Choke Bomb on the Apron and Ali kills Trey with Crucifix Blade Runner.
Hardys come out to talk, they get a solid pop from the crowd, but nothing interesting gets said. The old “we let you down” promo and they’re trying to get across a fandom nickname of “Diehardyz” and that’s corny. They punctuate their part before the Nemeths of course come out with some Obsolete and Delete references. Ryan starts talking and gets booed loudly, so that’s nice, they both play in it well. Ryan makes some goofy faces, Nic and him poke fun at the Hardys and the fact that Jeff can’t come to Canada because he’s prohibidabido.
So Santino comes out, says next week Jeff and Nic will have a singles match, so Matt will get a tag match against the Nemeths with a partner of his choosing. Kind of a stock standard promo, but the Nemeths and Santino made it fun.
Huh, coming back from commercial there’s a video package from WWE showing the last time Jeff Hardy and Nic Nemeth had a match. 16 years ago.
Victoria Crawford vs Brittnie Brooks
Brittnie is Chris Bey’s girlfriend and Alicia was always one of my favorites.
Victoria clocks Brittnie early, but Brittnie fires back, Victoria gets annoyed, hits her beautiful Northern Lights Suplex Hold for only a two. Victoria drives Brittnie into the corner, Brittinie tries to fight out, but Victoria catches her with a Tumbling Headscissors Take Over and then a Flying Axe Kick. Victoria’s gorgeous self wins, and Victoria looked pretty decent in the squash.
Masha comes out, attacks Victoria, so Tessa makes a save. Santino makes a tag match next week Blanshard and Crawfish vs Slamabitch and a partner of her choosing. Robert Stone overrides Santino and picks her partner for her and chooses Nikkita Lyons.
Tessa Blanchard is GOING OFF on @AriannaGraceWWE! @milanmiracle @MrStoneWWE
WATCH #TNAiMPACT! on TNA+: https://t.co/afG9MKyLaa pic.twitter.com/7pnK7OG167
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 9, 2025
Dog Collar Match: International Championship Match: Steve Maclin (c) vs Eric Young w/Northern Armoury
EY sandbags in the corner at the bell and then catches Maclin with an opportune yank of the chain and then starts a little dirty boxing and chain choking. Cardona is out on commentary because there’s a number 1 contender match next week for the International title. EY grinds the chain across Maclin’s face and the bridge of his nose, and he’s bleeding 40 seconds into the match.
Maclin powders but since it’s a dog collar match the jabronis get involved immediately. Maclin is bleeding like his last name is Rhodes, the jabronis get in some pot shots and EY just whips him with the chain, uses the post, just goes for classic deliberately paced hardcore brawl tactics. Maclin does manage to get a small flurry, EY does the Flair Corner Flop, then EY and the jabronis eat a SCUD before we go to commercial.
We come back, Maclin is back to getting murdered, and now all the potential number 1 contenders and either on commentary, the ramp or in the back watching a monitor. Even Mance Warner looks a little concerned and horny at the same time with the blood. Maclin is so bloody he looks like a post explosion scene from The Boys. Maclin fires, whips EY in the ropes, grabs him mid run, Headbutts him a few times, Jumping Thesz Press into the Ground and Pound with some chain whips. Jabronis come in and eat a Busakiu and Backbreaker, EY tries to take advantage but EY eats an Olympic Slam. Another Busaiku for EY, Jar Headbutt connects! EY kicks out at two, then powders but Maclin follows and wraps the chain around his neck and starts throwing EY around by the throat. Dorks fly at Maclin, he deflects them, but EY yanks the chain and Maclin falls off the apron. EY throws him back in, another two count. EY heads to the top, Maclin crotches him, bald Jabroni eats a Powerbomb, hair Jabroni heads a Buckle Bomb. EY slips the Tree, so Maclin puts the jabronis in the corner, Stacked Tag Em and Bag Em, Nerds get Caught in the Crosshairs!
EY sees the chance, kick to the gut, Piledriver! 1-2…KICK OUT! EY calls for the Macho Elbow but Maclin gets up, pulls him off the top with the chain and KIA! Maclin retains!
Overall Score: 4/10
A generally disappointing episode. The first hour felt like WCW Thunder written by Meth addicted Racoons. But the second hour starting with Mustafa, turned out to be okay. I’ve always enjoyed Alicia Fox aesthetically and she wasn’t bad in the ring, Mustafa being edgy is cool, Ryan Nemeth is a treasure, Tessa is still great and the dog collar match was decent.
So a mixed bag definitely. Rosemary is honestly useless anymore. She only gets a pop because of the gimmick, but her storylines have sucked, her matches aren’t great and this whole Infantile Sting knockoff of trying to stick to her morals and integrity and not do the mean things. Aztec Warriors are basic lucha stuff with no gimmick beyond the fact they’re luchadors. Lastly, the Trick Flair opening segment was okay at best but really just just paint by numbers.
It’s a sad turn of events when my favorite wrestling program anymore is WWE main roster stuff. Yikes…2025 is weird.
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!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Will Dax & Cash learn to Fear The Red Death?
FTR put the blame on Daniel Garcia for how things went down between them, but now Garcia plans on taking one of the Top Guys out!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ricochet VS Angelico w/ Serpentico; Ricochet wins.
- 8 Man Tag: The Don Callis Family VS The Outrunners, Bandido & AR Fox; The Don Callis Family wins.
- Anthony Bowens w/ Billy Gunn VS Lee Johnson w/ Blake Christian; Bowens wins.
- Willow Nightingale VS Kris Statlander; Kris wins.
- Konosuke Takeshita & Josh Alexander VS The Dark Order; Takeshita & Alexander win.
- “Speedball” Mike Bailey VS Dralistico; Bailey wins.
- Daniel Garcia VS Dax Harwood w/ Cash Wheeler & Stokely Hathaway; No Contest.
PLAY BY PLAY
Toni Storm is here!
Or rather, she’s still here given just last night, the TIMELESS AEW Women’s World Champion won a Fatal 4 Way Eliminator. And now she’s in the special box seat “balcony” with mic in hand. Detroit cheers and she blows kisses before saying, “So many men have taken a shot at me in here, I’m feeling like Abraham Lincoln. I will never forget my first. It was messy, it was sweaty, and painful. But I only wanted more. Once a month, once a week, twice a week, I was hooked. But then, it only became more risky. One at a time, then two at a time. And three at a time! Incorporating random objects, all the while being watched by perverts.”
The fans cheer being perverts but then Toni says, “One day, it will not end well for me. It will break my body and soil my soul. But in the end, I know it’s what I was born to do. And if you think I was referring to sexual intercourse, then get your minds out of the gutter!” Toni takes a moment before she continues, “Because the best bang could not compare to fighting for this!” She holds up the title and the fans cheer more! “I am not waiting for a Hayter or a CEO. So next week, line up the next batch of slop tarts, because baby wants to binge!” The fans also like the sound of that! Toni says spit on it and sit on it, and let’s get TIMELESS~!
The fans applaud and Toni takes a bow. Beach Break just got that much bigger, but who will take their shot at The Tramp that is The Champ?
Backstage interview with Paragon.
Lexy Nair is with Adam Cole, Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly to ask them about the 2 Out of 3 Falls last Saturday. Roddy says that to say they’re disappointed is an understatement. He and Kyle are one of the best teams on this planet, and they thought it’d be like riding a bike. But it has been a bit more difficult than they thought. Kyle agrees that they’re frustrated and disappointed, but what they aren’t doing is taking anything away from themselves. They’re the Paragon and they’re still one of the best tag teams out there. And any other day, any other time, 99 out of 100, Kyle & Roddy win that match.
Cole agrees, and he knows that was tough last week. But they are one of the best teams in the world. There will be plenty of chances to prove that this year. But in step the Grizzled Young Veterans and Zack Gibson says say that again. He can’t believe Paragon has the nerve to stand here sulking and complaining. Honestly, this three are three of the best ever. The problem is, they’ve gone soft! They’ve forgotten what it is to fight for their sport. So any time they’re ready, GYV will remind them what that’s like. Kyle & Roddy say why not. GYV will be the first time that gets stomped on Paragon’s way back to the top!
GYV laugh that off then take their leave. But when and where will Liverpool’s Number One & Mr. Mayhem take on the Savior of the Backbreaker & the Violent Artist?
Ricochet VS Angelico w/ Serpentico!
The One & Only just got a big win last night alongside the Young Bucks, but now he looks to get a win on his own. Will Ricochet make Detroit #OuttaThisWorld two nights in a row? Or will tonight belong to Spanish Announce Project’s South African Stud?
The bell rings and the fans rally as Angelico and Ricochet circle. They feel things out, circle more, then Angelico leaves Ricochet hanging by smoothing his hair. Ricochet says ha ha, more bald jokes. Ricochet waistlocks, the fans chant, “He Has Hair!” but Ricochet hammerlocks and snapmares to then ghost pin, TWO! Ricochet taunts Angelico that this is professional wrestling, not modeling. Angelico trips Ricochet to cover, ONE! Angelico has a cording hold and he keeps Ricochet from the ropes. Ricochet wrenches, but Angelico gets the cording hold back! Ricochet endures, reaches out, but Angelico arm-drags him to the mat!
The fans cheer more, but Ricochet kips up. Angelico wrangles him back down! Ricochet claws at Angelico but Angelico polishes the bald head! The fans cheer and Angelico keeps on the arm. Ricochet fights up again, but Angelico wrangles him back down! Angelico gives Ricochet more polish, then stands him up to wrench and cording hold. Ricochet throws a body shot, flips up and over, but Angelico switches arms for a modified Cobra Twist! Angelico holds up his hand and the fans cheer, but Ricochet fights free and bails out. The fans boo but then Angelico sneaks up to clamp on shoulder claws!
Ricochet fights back, and he THROWS Angelico to the floor! Ricochet skins the cat, then TORNILLO PLANCHAS! Ricochet takes down Angelico, taunts Serpentico, then goes storming off to grab a chair! Ricochet chases off #SNAKEMAN, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Ricochet gets up on the barrier to soak up more heat, and he even flicks sweat off his bald head! Ricochet puts Angelico in the ring, stalks him to ropes, then CHOKES him! The ref counts, Ricochet backs off, and Serpentico coaches Angelico. Angelico sputters but Ricochet brings him up for a snapmare. Ricochet digs his knee into Angelico’s back as part of the chinlock. Angelico endures, fights up, and fires body shots. Angelico is free, runs the ropes, but Ricochet DROPKICKS him down! Ricochet taunts the fans, covers Angelico, TWO! Angelico is tougher than that but Ricochet covers again, ONE! And again, ONE! And again, ONE!!
Ricochet throws a fit and SLAPS Angelico down before arguing with the ref. The ref defends the count, so Ricochet just stomps away on Angelico’s back! Ricochet taunts the fans, goes back to stomp Angelico and kick him around, then he kicks Angelico to the ropes. Angelico rises to BODY BLOW! And JAB! Ricochet staggers back, Angelico fires more shots! Angelico runs, KICKS the backdrop away, then runs again, only for Ricochet to FLAPJACK him off ropes and JUMPING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Angelico survives and Collision returns to single picture. Ricochet storms his way to a corner while the fans boo.
Ricochet aims and 450- NO, he has to bail out as Angelico moves! Ricochet comes back but Angelico dodges again, Ricochet hits only buckles! Angelico swings, Ricochet dodges and shoves to TIGER WALL KICK! And SOBAT! KNEE! But Angelico KNEES in return! Ricochet rebounds to V-TRIGGER! ROLLING- NO, Angelico clinches for a LIFTING FLATLINER! The fans fire up while both men are down! A standing count starts, Ricochet and Angelico stir, and they rise at 5 of 10. Angelico counters a punch and then fires haymakers! Angelico whips, Ricochet reverses, but then Ricochet catches the leap!
Angelico fights Ricochet’s clinch with elbows, then whips, but Ricochet reverses, Angelico LEAPING LARIATS! And LEAPING LARIATS again! The fans fire up and Angelico storms up to Ricochet. Angelico whips, Ricochet reverses, but Angelico reverses back! COBRA TWIST, and the HEAD SLAPS! The fans fire up as Angelico just takes Ricochet to task! Ricochet sputters and staggers around, Angelico kicks and Canadian Racks! YOYO SLAM, into a hammerlock and HALF CRAB! Ricochet endures, reaches out, but Angelico gets the other arm! Ricochet kicks with his free leg and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans boo but Angelico lets go.
Ricochet goes to the apron, Angelico storms up, but Ricochet HOTSHOTS him! And then FLICKS the ropes at Angelico to hit down low! Ricochet then springboards and FLYING LARIATS! The fans boo but Ricochet runs for a STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Ricochet just keeps going, dragon sleeper for the VERTIGO!! Ricochet rolls back, locks ‘n’ loads, and SPIRIT GUN!! Cover, Ricochet wins!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall
Ricochet made sure Angelico was done before he got the 1-2-3, and now he gets the mic. “Go ahead. C’mon, I can’t hear you! I can’t hear you!” The fans boo and taunt him more and Ricochet says he welcomes it all! Their boos mean NOTHING to him, because he sees what they cheer for. And c’mon, if you cheer for the Detroit Lions, that means you’re dumb as hell. If you were smart, if you had any amount of common sense, you’d be cheering for him! The fans keep taunting him with “They’re Not Bald!” But Ricochet says the Eagles won the Super Bowl, what’re they talking about? They should be cheering him, because he’s been here less than a year and he’s beaten most of the favorites!
Brody King, Will Ospreay, Mike Bailey, Kevin Knight, Mark Briscoe, Swerve Strickland, and even Kenny Omega! All of them are AEW legends, and Ricochet beat them all! But wait, speaking of legends… Ricochet points out the living legend, Zach Gowen! Ricochet remembers growing up, watching wrestling, he was a huge fan of Zach Gowen. Huge fan. He remembers when big Brock would beat him up and down the arena, that was awesome. But the thing is, Daddy Gowen used to be on this side of the barriers, but now he’s on the other side of them. What happened, Zach? Doesn’t have a leg in the fight anymore?
Ricochet laughs at his own offensive joke, and then asks where that fire is now. He pushes Zach around, security rushes in and Ricochet says he wasn’t doing anything! They’re just talking! Then he BOPS each and every guard! They like that? Ricochet THROWS one guy into railing! Ricochet does his own commentary as he sends another one into the steel steps! Then he puts the third one in the ring, and says Zach might like this. The fans boo but now Ricochet brings out THE SCISSORS! Ricochet cuts this guy’s hair up! But Zach jumps into the ring!! The fans cheer as Zach snatches the scissors from Ricochet!
The fans cheer as Zach asks what is wrong with Ricochet! Ricochet says sorry, sorry! But then he KICKS Zach’s leg out! And then SPIRIT GUN!! The fans boo even more but Ricochet isn’t done with Zach. He takes Zach’s prosthetic leg away! The fans boo as loud as they can as Ricochet leaves with the leg! Ricochet isn’t just humiliating Zach Gowen, he’s committing a crime! Ricochet holds the leg up as a trophy, then mockingly limps with it. Will anyone ever humble the ego that is #OuttaThisWorld?
8 Man Tag: The Don Callis Family VS The Outrunners, Bandido & AR Fox!
Don Callis himself dared Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd to find a friend so they could settle things with Roppongi Vice and the Family, but the Outrunners did better than that! They found TWO friends! Will the Most Wanted ROH World Champion and the Whole Fox’n Show help the Youngest Men Alive humble Callis’ cronies? Or will Trent Beretta, Rocky Romero, Lance Archer & Kyle Fletcher use them to take out all of their frustrations?
Callis of course joins commentary while the teams sort out. Callis calls tonight “Don Callis Championship Wrestling,” and says Detroit boos him and his Family because it is a city of losers. Kyle Fletcher starts against Bandido and the fans fire up. Kyle and Bandido circle, the fans rally up more, and they tie up. They go around, Kyle puts Bandido on the ropes. The fans rally for Bandido and he dodges the chop to CHOP! Kyle swings, Bandido dodges and headlocks. Kyle powers up and out, Bandido RAMS him, but Kyle rebounds to RUN Bandido over! Kyle flexes, the fans boo, but then Turbo flexes and the fans cheer.
So Kyle BOOTS Turbo off the apron! Kyle runs, Bandido dodges, hurdles, but Kyle leaps over. The fans tell Callis off while things keep moving. Bandido slips around to tilt-o-whirl RANA! And then DROPKICK! Kyle falls against ropes, Trent tags in, and Trent CLOBBERS Bandido! The fans boo, Trent rains down fists, and the ref reprimands. Trent stops to tag in Rocky. Roppongi Vice mugs Bandido, then they DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! But Bandido lands out, tags AR Fox, and Fox BOOTS Rocky! And BOOTS Trent! Fox goes up, up, and CANNONBALLS! The fans fire up but here comes the Murderhawk Monster!
Archer scoops Fox into the crucifix lift! But Fox slips free, goes Matrix to dodge, and he ENZIGIRIS! Archer tumbles out, Fox whips Rocky to the corner, Rocky runs into Turbo’s BOOT! Truth adds a HAYMAKER, then Fox tags Turbo. Turbo brings Rocky around to wrench and wristlock. Truth tags in as they whip and atomic drop, UPPERCUT HART ATTACK! Trent is back, but he runs into a DOUBLE HIP TOSS! The fans fire up with The Outrunner as they run at the corners! BACK ELBOWS in stereo for RPG Vice! Then Outrunners trade, more ELBOWS in stereo! Then a feed to the BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up while The Outrunners wind it up!
“Turbo Floyd! You-” Well, Trent gets Rocky out of there, they do NOT give the people what they want. Archer is back and he double choke grips! DOUBLE CHOKE SLAM!! Archer BLASTS Fox & Bandido off the corner, Kyle is there to beat them up, and the fans boo as Archer stomps away on Truth! Archer stands on Truth in the corner and laughs while Collision goes picture in picture.
Archer stalks Truth tot he Callis corner. Rocky tags Archer in and they mug Truth. Archer bumps Truth off buckles, then whips him corner to corner hard! Truth falls to the mat, Archer puts him back in the corner, and Archer looms over him. Truth rises up to fire CHOPS, but archer eggs him on! Truth fires haymakers, then runs, only for Archer to DECK him! Tag to Trent and Trent stalks Truth while Archer TOSESS Turbo! Trent CHOKES Truth, CHOPS him, then talks trash. Trent winds up to CHOP again! Trent brings Truth over to bump off buckles, then he tags in Rocky. RPG Vice mugs Truth, whips him to a corner, and Kyle joins in.
Rocky runs up to ELBOW Truth, then Trent adds an ELBOW of his own! Kyle runs to forearm SMASH! Archer runs in and ELBOWS Truth down! Rocky covers, TWO! Truth survives the onslaught, but Rocky wrenches an arm. Tag to Kyle and Kyle KICKS then arm! Kyle mocks Truth reaching out for his corner, then stomps Truth down. Kyle stalks Truth to the ropes, mockingly holds Truth’s hand out, then scoops and SLAMS him in a snap! Kyle taunts Bandido, then he brings Truth up. Truth fires hands, but Kyle scoops and SLAMS again! Collision returns to single picture and he BLASTS Truth’s corner! Bandido avoids the shot and shouts at Kyle!
Kyle taunts Bandido, but Truth fires hands! The fans fire up but Kyle BOOTS Truth! Kyle suplexes, but Truth counters with a cradle! TWO, and Kyle is up, only for Truth to juke! Hot tag to Bandido! Kyle kicks but Bandido deflects and waistlocks. Kyle switches, shoves and runs up, but Bandido SUPERKICKS! Bandido goes up, up, and TORNILLOS! Down goes Kyle and he bails out! RPG Vice attack Bandido from behind! RPG Vice double whip, Bandido grabs ropes and he BOOTS them back! The Outrunners are in and they stereo ATOMIC DROP! RPG Vice tumble up and out of the ring! Archer runs in, Bandido holds the ropes down, but Archer doesn’t fall for it!
Archer ROCKS Bandido, but the Outrunners DUMP him out! The fans fire up as the Callis Family regroups by the ramp. Fox returns, and he coordinates with Bandido! Whip and pop-up, SUPER CANNONBALL!! The fans fire up as Fox hits a strike! And then The Outrunners form a staircase! Bandido runs to step, step, and ESCALARA CONJILO!! The fans are thunderous as Bandido puts Kyle in! The Outrunners set Kyle up and then wind it up! “Turbo Floyd! You sonova b*tch!” HANDSHAKE DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! Fox adds a SWANTON BOMB! Bandido adds a FROG SPLASH!! Cover, The Family breaks it!
The fans boo but The Outrunners brawl with the Family! Things tumble out of the ring, but Bandido aims at Kyle on the ropes! Bandido deals the hand, BLACKJACK- NO, Kyle switches through! DRAGON SUPLEX, but Bandido lands out! Bandido ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirls, but Kyle stops the DDT to MICHINOKU DRIVER!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! Kyle and Bandido crawl, hot tags to Fox and Trent! Fox RAMS Trent, goes up, up, and leaps over Trent to somersault and CANNONBALL Kyle! Then Fox wrenches Trent, catches the leg, and FISHERMAN BUSTERS! Archer grabs Fox, shoves him back, but Fox returns to DRAPING DDT!
Fox sees Rocky, Rocky kicks first, then Rocky whips. Fox reverses, Rocky is in the corner, Fox hits an A-LIST LARIAT! Kyle runs up but Fox ELBOWS him away! Fox skins the cat to DROPKICK Rocky and then backwards roll, CUTTER for Kyle! Then Fox avoids Rocky to hit a CUTTER!! The fans are electric and Fox has Kyle on the ropes! Fox builds speed, but Trent anchors his foot! Kyle hits a CALF KICK! The Outrunners BLAST Trent, but Archer CROSSBODIES The Outrunners! Bandido springboards in but Kyle catches him! Kyle calls to the boys, RPG Vice hit a DOUBLE JUMP KNEE! The fans boo but Fox is up!
Fox dodges RPG Vice, BOOTS Kyle, then DOUBLE CUTTER RPG Vice! The fans are thunderous again as Fox goes up, up, but Kyle distracts the ref! Archer grabs Fox, and he SUPER CHOKE SLAMS him down! RPG Vice then sits Fox up, wrenches and double pump handle! JACKAL DRIVER!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!
Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall
Trent shouts that no one will ever disrespect them again! Will Callis’ pack of jackals devour anyone and everyone that stands in their way?
BREAKING NEWS for Beach Break!
After the assault and humiliation that we saw earlier tonight, Zach Gowen is going to make his return to wrestling! Will Zach get revenge on Ricochet for taking things too far?
Jon Moxley speaks.
“So, we’re through the obligatory preamble, casualties on both sides. Last night, you took out my number one lieutenant. Now I could vow revenge and talk about all the things I’m gonna do to Samoa Joe once I get him inside that steel cage. But that would be rather rote, and probably mostly untrue. What do we know? The consensus is Samoa Joe is gonna kick my ass. And yeah, there’s nobody on the planet better at getting their ass kicked than me. The question isn’t whether Joe will beat me up. The question is, how long can he do it? Five, eight minutes? Ten? 20? 25? I’ve got all night.
“I know you don’t think very much of me, Joe, but you are one of the guys that I have genuine respect for. You are the embodiment of a champion. But you’re not the AEW World Champion, I am. And I know that no matter what happens to me inside that steel cage in Chicago, no matter what Hell is put on me, no matter what I am put through in that steel cage, I know I have been through worse. I have been through the kind of Hell, I have weathered the kind of storms, I have faced down the kinds of demons that would keep these kids up at night. So I don’t need to be feared or respected by you or anybody else. I just need you to show up.
“I don’t get along with the rest of the world because I am not like the rest of the world. And believe it or not, next week, there is nowhere else in the world I would rather be than locked inside a steel cage in Chicago with the AEW World Championship hanging in the balance, with the baddest man in pro-wrestling, Samoa Joe. I didn’t build my foundation on sand. When the storm comes through, the only thing that matters is who is the last man standing.” The Maniac has issued his ultimatum, will he ultimately be the baddest man in AEW?
Anthony Bowens w/ Billy Gunn VS Lee Johnson w/ Blake Christian!
The Pride of Pro-Wrestling is ready to prove he’s worthy of all the opportunities before him, but that means having others step to the plate. #BigShotty thinks he can get a hit off the 5 Tool Player, but will he be able to go yard? Or will he just get Molly Whopped and sent back to the dugout?
The bell rings and the fans rally behind Bowens. Bowens and Lee tie up, Bowens wrenches and wristlocks, but Lee wrenches back. Bowens slips through, wrenches and hammerlocks, then he spins and snapmares Lee to an Oklahoma Roll! TWO, and Bowens tries a cradle, TWO! Lee is up to headlock back, but Bowens powers up and out. Lee goes up and over, baits Bowens into a waistlock, but Bowens switches. Lee switches, then he shoves Bowens! “You’re nothing!” The fans boo and Bowens scowls. Lee talks more trash, but Bowens CHOPS Lee off his feet! Bowens stalks Lee to a corner, CHOPS again, and the fans “WOO~!”
Bowens CHPOS again, and again, and again! Bowens then stomps a mudhole into Lee! The ref counts, Bowens steps off at 4, and Bowens apologizes. Lee bails out, Bowens pursues, and Lee tries to apologize. But then Lee bumps into Daddy Ass! Lee looks and sees Billy, apologizes to him now, but Bowens ROCKS Lee! Bowens whips Lee hard into barriers and the fans fire up! Bowens puts Lee in the ring, but Lee kicks low! Lee eggs Bowens on, whips, but Bowens hurdles and mule kicks! Front kicks! FAMOUSER! The fans fire up and Bowens wrenches to lift Lee, SWING OUT FACEBUSTER! Cover, ONE?!?
Billy is annoyed, but then Blake gets on the apron! Bowens backs the Vanilla Babyface off, but then he dodges Lee’s sneak attack! Bowens fireman’s carries, Lee slips free and shoves Bowens to ropes. Billy wants after Blake but the ref keeps him back. Bowens ELBOWS Lee away, but Blake swipes at him! Lee then DUMPS Bowens out! Bowens staggers up, Lee FLIES, and he gets just enough of Bowens to take him down! Then Lee and Blake mock the scissor fingers! The fans boo but Lee puts Bowens in the ring. Lee reels Bowens in, suplexes, but Bowens slips free! Bowens shoves Lee away, runs up, and he blocks the boot! But not the ENZIGIRI!
Lee SUPERKICKS Bowens, runs, but into the Rock, Paper, Scissors, SUPERKICK! The fans fire up and Bowens shows them how it’s done! He puts up the scissors, then shouts for his shot! But Blake gets on the apron! Bowens grabs Blake, Lee rolls Bowens up with tights, TWO!! MOLLY WHOP!! Cover, Bowens wins!
Winner: Anthony Bowens, by pinfall
Blake tried to tip the scales, but then he also storms into the ring! Billy gets in Blake’s way and Blake backs up. Blake “apologizes,” but then he takes a swing! Billy stops that and TOSSES Blake out! Billy says “SUCK IT!” Bowens grabs a mic to tell Detroit, “What you just saw was the Pride of Professional Wrestling! The perfect combination of power, athleticism, intelligence, the look, and The It Factor. And I am in a really good mood, so y’know what? Billy, throw ’em up! Detroit, throw ’em up! And make some noise!” And they SCISSOR FINGER~! For old time’s sake, Bowens embraces the old gimmick. But will nothing stop Bowens from making himself a contender?
The Gates of Agony are here!
Detroit cheers as Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona walk out to the ring, but they grab mics so they can talk. Kaun calls out Bryan Keith & Big Bill. “You think you’re gonna walk through these Gates unscathed, unburned, and redeem yourselves in the eyes of Chris Jericho?” The fans boo and Kaun says, “Hell no, Paradise has to be earned. And these Gates right here? They’re gonna stop you in your tracks.” Liona says, “And this time, we’re not doing it in a parking lot! Y’know why? Because we’re in Detroit! Why not do this right here, right now!?” The fans cheer and Liona tells Big Bill & Bryan Keith, you heard the people! Get out here and fight!
The shirts come off, and here come the Redwood & Bad Apple! They go right to the ring and the brawl is on! The fans fire up as Bill has Kaun and Keith has Liona! Bill hammers away on Kaun in a corner, Liona ROCKS Keith, but Keith roars! Keith runs, only for Liona to LARIAT him down! Bill BOOTS Liona down! Bill goes out after Liona, but then Keith LARIATS Kaun and himself up and out of the ring! Bill and Liona brawl, Linoa shoves Bill into railing and CLUBS him! Keith and Kaun brawl on the floor, Liona SMACKS Bill off steel steps! Liona fires up, the fans are torn, and Liona runs in, only for Bill to send him into railing! In fact, Liona goes over the railing!
Keith staggers but Kaun keeps after him. Kaun brings Keith to the ramp but Keith elbows free! Keith runs but Kaun fireman’s carries! SAMOAN DROP down through tables!! Fans lose their minds, and somehow Liona is up! Liona and Bill now brawl on the stage, even as security and producer Kevin Matthews try to stop this! But there’s no stopping it, and Bill BOOTS Liona! Liona wobbles, but then he roars! Liona SPEARS Bill off the stage and down through tables!! The fans lose their minds all over again! The Gates and the Branches are down around ringside, is the Learning Tree impressed watching this at home?
AEW hears from Anna Jay & Harley Cameron, as well as Penelope Ford & Megan Bayne.
The Queenslayer says, “Megan, you really like to pick fights, huh? I don’t care how big you are, how hard you hit, I will wrap my arms around you and make you sleep!” The Superbad Girl says Anna has been gone a long time, and the Megasus says things have changed. There is a new animal in this jungle, and having a pure heart, fat ass and good friends isn’t gonna cut it. But the wild Aussie tells the Megasus, “I bet your back is blown out after the fight that I brought last night!” Anna says don’t say it like. Ford tells Harley to stop hiding behind Anna’s fat ass already. Ford & Megan want them to fight and learn that mercy is the one thing they never mastered.
Harley shouts that she and Anna will SLAY THE MEGASUS, and all will FEEL THE WRATH! And so BREAKING NEWS for Beach Break Collision! Anna Jay VS Megan Bayne will happen next Saturday when Collision returns to TNT!
Willow Nightingale VS Kris Statlander!
Former friends, bitter enemies, and now maybe somewhere in between, the Babe with the Power and the Galaxy’s Greatest will battle 1v1 once more! But will we truly see she’s a #BornAgainKristen when this fight helps her make amends with Willow? Or will nothing Kris does matter, and Willow will smile anyway?
The bell rings and the two circle. The two start pushing, and then shoving, and then Willow wrenches to wrangle Kris. Kris fights up to wrench back and headlock, but Willow powers out to headlock in return. Kris powers up and out, then reels Willow in for her own headlock. Willow THROWS Kris away and the fans fire up! Willow wants Kris to take this serious, so Kris runs up to waistlock. Willow fights the lift and switches, Kris fights the lift in return. Willow powers through to SLAM Kris all the same! The fans fire up more while Kris grows frustrated. Kris storms up, but Willow boops her on the nose!
The fans are torn but Kris says if that’s how it’s gonna be… And she SLAPS Willow! Willow swings, Kris dodges and Kris trips Willow to then basement CROSSBODY! Kris mocks the Willow smile ‘n’ pose, TWO! Kris mocks the smiling but then Willow SLAPS her! The fans fire up so Kris CHOSP! Willow CHOPS! Is that a spider on the screen? The CHOPS keep going and the fans “WOO~!” Willow then fires off forearms! And an ENZIGIRI! Kris sputters to a corner, Willow storms up, and the fans cheer as she bumps Kris off buckles! Then she brings Kris to another corner for another buckle bump! And then the third corner! And the fourth corner!
The fans fire up as Willow completes the lap, snapmares Kris and BOOTS her down! Willow whips Kris again, but Kris sunset flips! TWO, Willow sits up into a BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO! Kris huffs ‘n’ puffs but she CHOSP! And ROKS! And CHOPS! Kris hooks the arms but Willow flips that around to a backslide, TWO! Kris Oklahoma rolls, TWO! Willow has the cover, TWO! Kris has it back, TWO! Both women stand, Kris scoops, but Willow slips free! Willow shoves Kris, Kris goes up the corner, BACK ELBOW! Kris flexes and the fans are torn, but she hurries to cover, TWO! The fans rally and Kris brings Willow up.
Kris runs, but Willow POUNCES her! PERIOD! Kris tumbles out, the fans fire up, and the ring count starts. Willow goes to the apron and she CANNONBALLS! The fans fire up more as Kris goes down! Willow high-fives the front row, then she goes back to drag Kris up. Willow reels Kris in, but Kris suplexes first! A hard landing on the floor and we’re past 5 of 10! Kris rolls in at 7, but rolls out while Willow rolls in. Kris grabs Willow and brings her back out while Collision goes picture in picture.
Kris brings Willow around to hit another suplex to the floor! Kris soaks up cheers and jeers, puts Willow back in the ring, and then soaks up more cheers and jeers. Kris runs and LARIATS Willow in the corner! Then she scoop SLAMS, covers, TWO! Willow is still in this but Kris stays on her. Kris whips Willow, Willow reverses, and Willow stays back as Kris goes up. Willow then CLUBS Kris on the back, and she reels Kris in for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Willow reels Kris into a GROUND OCTOPUS! Kris endures as Willow twists her around! Kris pushes it to a cover, TWO! Both women stand, Kris kicks low and snapmares for a body scissor squeeze!
Willow endures, even as Kris adds a half nelson to the mix! Willow fights around, reaches out, and throws elbows! The nelson is undone but Willow still elbows away at the legs! Kris lets Willow go, the two stand up, and Kris CHOPS! Willow seethes and winds up to CHOP back! Kris ROCKS Willow! Willow CHOPS Kris! Kris ROCKS Willow, Willow ROCKS Kris, and repeat! The shots go back and forth, then Willow fires a flurry! Kris fires her own flurry in return! Both women wobble, then they fire more shots! Collision returns to single picture as the shots keep going! Willow then slips around and GERMAN SUPLEXES!
Kris rises, and she gets around Willow to GERMAN SUPLEX! Both women stand, DOUBLE LARIATS collide, and both women fall back! The fans fire up while Kris and Willow go to opposite corners. Kris and Willow rise, then Willow runs up to back body block! Kris dodges the lariat and UPPERCUTS! Kris runs side to side to KNEE Willow! Kris whips, Willow cartwheels and BOOTS! Kris kips up to PELE! Kris runs, but Willow hits a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO!! The fans are thunderous and Willow has Kris in a corner. Willow LARIATS point blank again and again and again! The fans count all the way to nine, but Kris dodges ten!
Willow blocks the superkick, fireman’s carries, and she bumps Kris off buckles before- NO, Kris slips free! Kris waistlocks but Willow CLUBS away! Kris shoves Willow but Willow avoids the snap powerslam! Willow gut wrenches but Kris trips her! Jackknife bridge, TWO and Willow sunset flips it! TWO and both women stand! SUPERKICK from Kris! Kris runs to SCISSOR KICK! Cover, TWO!! Willow survives and Kris is shocked! The fans are thunderous and Kris hauls Willow up. Kris has the leg, but Willow wrenches and fireman’s carries, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Kris survives and Willow is beside herself!
Detroit is thunderous as Willow puts Kris in the corner. Willow bumps Kris off buckles, then she climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count, but Kris slips out to CLUB Willow on the back! Kris goes up and she has Willow on the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Both women are down and the fans go wild! Kris and Willow slowly rise again, and Kris takes aim! Kris winds up and DISCUS- LARIAT from Willow!! The straps come down and Willow hauls Kris up! BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB!!! But Kris flounders all the way out of the ring! Willow rises, but Wheeler Yuta is here. Yuta taunts former friend Kris, but this is to distract the ref!
Marina Shafir gets Willow with a CHAIN!! Marina CHOKES Willow, then KICKS her down! The fans boo but the Death Riders leave ringside. Kris has no idea what happened, she just tucks Willow in! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
The Problem flips off Willow and Detroit as she finally gets revenge on Willow. Will Willow be able to smile when she’s this pissed off at Marina?
Skye Blue speaks.
“Next week, Beach Break, AEW is back in Chicago. And so am I. I’m back, and I’m a violent little thing.” The Chicago Skye is dark and brooding once again, but will her future be bright?
Konosuke Takeshita & Josh Alexander VS The Dark Order!
Before they take on Will Ospreay & Hangman Page for Beach Break, The Alpha & Walking Weapon are going to make an example out of the Cowboy’s former friends. Will this be the end of The Dark Order once and for all? Or can Evil Uno & Alex Reynolds survive despite not having the Numbers?
Well, Konosuke & Alexander don’t even wait, they just attack! The bell rings, Konosuke TOSSES Uno and Alexander runs up on Reynolds! Reynolds dodges, runs back in, but Alexander ELBOWS him down! Then BOOTS him! Konosuke uses his own jacket to LASH Uno with those studs! Alexander throws his jacket off to keep on Reynolds, and the ref is so busy with Alexander that he misses Callis CLAWING Uno’s eyes! Alexander whips Reynolds, Reynolds goes up and over, but then Alexander puts him on the apron! Reynolds avoids the shoulder to GUILLOTINE KNEE DROP!
Alexander staggers away, the ref is distracted, and Konosuke YANKS Reynolds down! Konosuke sits Reynolds on the apron, CHOPS and hits a DRIVE-BY, then Alexander adds his CROSSBODY CHECK! Reynolds is down, Uno runs up, but Alexander dodges for the ALPHA ELBOW to take Uno down! Alexander puts Reynolds back in the ring, bumps him off buckles, and he tags Konosuke. Konosuke wrenches and reels Reynolds in, BLUE THUNDER- NO, Reynolds fights the bomb! Reynolds reaches out for Uno, but Konosuke reels him in! BIG back suplex, but Reynolds lands out! Reyhnolds shoves Konosuke aside, hot tag to Uno!
Uno ducks ‘n’ dodges and RANAS! The fans fire up and Uno tags Reynolds back in! They double whip Konosuke, but he breaks their double lariat! Reynolds dodges as Konosuke LARIATS Uno down! Reynolds comes back but into the BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Hot tag to Alexander, and he hoists Uno up into the Electric Chair! Konosuke goes up, JUMP KNEE DOOMSDAY!! Then they haul Reynolds up, DOUBLE ROLLING ELBOWS!! And from there, STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Callis Family wins again!
Winners: Konosuke Takeshita & Josh Alexander, by pinfall
Not only are these two rolling towards Beach Break, but Konosuke is red hot going into his NEVER Openweight Championship defense tomorrow night, NJPW Resurgence in California! Will all of the wrestling world soon belong to the Don Callis Family?
“Speedball” Mike Bailey VS Dralistico!
This match came about because La Faccion Ingobernable was upset Kevin Knight’s team won that $400,000 tag match and they decided to make him pay for it physically. LFI essentially screwed The Jet out of a Continental Championship opportunity, but Bailey is going to fight for his friend! Will Bailey start by taking out El Toro Blanco’s brother?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up, Dralistico puts Bailey in a corner, but the ref counts. Dralistico backs off, and he CHOPS! Dralistico fires hands, the ref counts, but Dralistico tells Bailey off. Dralistico runs, but Bailey blocks the superkick! Bailey swings, Dralistico ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Bailey drops down, hurdles over, and KICKS Dralistico down! The fans fire up while Dralistico bails out. Bailey builds speed, but Dralistico ducks the baseball slide! Bailey kicks, Dralistico blocks and flips Bailey! Bailey lands safe, but then Dralistico avoids the wall kick to ROCK him! Bailey comes back, Dralistico pops Bailey up, and Bailey mule kicks!
Bailey ASAI MOONSAULTS and down goes Dralistico at the ramp! The fans fire and Bailey hurries into the ring. Bailey is all fired up while Dralistico sputters. Bailey goes back out after Dralistico, then he drags Dralistico up. Bailey KICKS, and CHOPS, and then brings Dralistico around. Dralistico CLAWS the eyes! The fans boo but Dralistico RANAS Bailey into the steel steps! Then a SUPERKICK into the steps! Dralistico tranquilos and fans boo while Collision goes picture in picture.
Dralistico nods as the fans rally, and he stalks Bailey. Dralistico drags Bailey up, SMACKS him off the steel steps, then refreshes the ring count. Dralistico pretends he can’t hear the fans booing but he sees them give him thumbs down. Dralistico storms up on Bailey to CHOP him against railing! Dralistico then whips Bailey into the railing! Dralistico hops up onto the barriers so he can soak up the heat. Bailey crawls to the apron but Dralistico shoves him into the ring. Dralistico sits Bailey up, clamps on a GROUND COBRA TWIST, but Bailey endures! Dralistico throws down fists, then tells the fans to shut up!
Dralistico goes back to Bailey, stomps him, then drags him to a drop zone. Dralistico springboards to SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO! Dralistico tells everyone to tranquilo, then he stands Bailey up for a HEADBUTT! Dralistico looms over Bailey, stalks him to the ropes, and then KICKS a leg out! Dralistico puts Bailey on the ropes to CHOKE him! Collision returns to single picture as the fans boo and the ref counts. Dralistico stops at 4, then he KICKS Bailey in the leg! And he KICKS the leg again! Bailey hobbles, Dralistico kicks but Bailey blocks! Bailey KICKS and KICKS and KICKS in return! Then he CHOPS Darlistico in the corner!
The fans fire up but Dralistico turns things around. Dralistico CHOPS Bailey, but Bailey just snarls! Bailey puts Dralistico in the corner to KICK! Dralistico CHOPS! Bailey KICKS again! Dralistico CHOPS again and again and again! Bailey just KICKS again and again and again! The fans fire up as both men fire up and Dralistico fires forearms now! The fans are thunderous and Bailey comes back to KICK! Dralistico KICKS, Bailey KICKS, repeat! KICK for KICK, then Bailey unleashes the LIGHTNING KICKS! Dralistico avoids the thrust kick, but Bailey ducks a heel kick! Both men KICK, but then Bailey kicks a kick away to HEEL KICK Dralistico down!
The fans are thunderous as Bailey busts out that Tae Kwan Do! Dralistico rises, Bailey SOBATS, AX KICKS, and BUZZSAWS! Bailey then runs to SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Bailey drags Dralistico right up, suplexes and FALCON ARROW into the drop zone! Bailey climbs up, takes aim, and ULTIMATE- NO, Bailey has to bail out as Dralistico moves! Bailey rolls through, but Dralistico dropkicks the legs out! Dralistico then floats over, LA MAGITROL, TWO!! Bailey has Dralistico’s arm and steps over, but Dralistico rolls through, only for Bailey to sit on the sunset! Cover, TWO! Dralistico finishes the sunset, TWO!
Bailey kicks, misses, but then STANDING MOONSAULT! Dralistico moves again so Bailey lands out! Dralistico jumps the sweep, jumps on, CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! The fans are thunderous as Bailey flounders! Dralistico reaches down to knuckle lock, but Bailey denies the cover with a Monkey Flip, into a DESTROYER!! The fans are electric as Bailey has Dralistico in the corner! Bailey runs up, but Dralistico DREAMCAST KICKS first! Bailey goes to the apron. Dralistico storms out after him, and Dralistico reels Bailey in. Bailey fights the underhooks, and he Alabama Lifts! Dralistico sunset flips but Bailey stays up!
Bailey breaks free and MOONSAULT KNEE DROPS on the apron! Dralistico coughs and sputters as he rolls into the ring and the fans fire up again! Bailey aims, spins, HEEL KICK!! Cover, Bailey wins!
Winner: “Speedball” Mike Bailey, by pinfall
The sequel was even better than the original! This rematch between Speedball and Prince of Silver was incredible, but wait! Here comes Rush himself! Bailey dares El Toro Blanco to bring those horns because he wants to keep on fighting! Rush says wait your turn, perro! When and where will Bailey look to take the bull by his horns and bring him down?
BREAKING NEWS for Beach Break: Dynamite!
Given Toni Storm wants more and more action, and since Chicago is Skye Blue’s backyard, they’ll be meeting in an AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Fatal 4 Way! Who will the two mystery participants be? And will anyone be able to score on the Whore We All Adore this close to Double or Nothing?
Daniel Garcia VS Dax Harwood w/ Cash Wheeler & Stokely Hathaway!
For the longest time, Red Death respected FTR and FTR respected him. But after FTR selfishly betrayed Adam Copeland and put themselves ahead of everyone else, Garcia could not stand by and do nothing. Garcia dared one of the Top Guys to step up, will he take that Top Guy out? Or will this (emotionally) hurt FTR more than it hurts Garcia?
The bell rings and Dax circles with Garcia. Garcia is also wary of how Cash and #BigStoke are moving around ringside. The fans taunt Dax with “BALD! BALD! BALD!” so it isn’t just Ricochet anymore. Dax and Garcia tie up, go around, and Garcia puts Dax in the corner. The ref counts, Garcia lets off slowly, but he pats Dax on his bald head. Dax brushes that off, he and Garcia circle again, and then they tie up. They go around, Dax puts Garcia in a corner, and the ref counts. Dax lets off slowly, but he sucker punches Garcia! The fans boo but Stoke likes that! The ref reprimands but Garcia shakes off the cheap shot.
Dax storms up and ROCKS Garcia again! And CHOPS! Garcia staggers away but Dax storms up to CHOP again! Garcia goes to another corner, but then he CHOPS in return! Dax turns things around to CHOP again! But Garcia CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Dax CHOPS right back! Garcia sputters as he sits down in the corner. Dax huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes back for Garcia, but Garcia CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Dax headlocks, Garcia powers up and out, but Dax runs him over! Garcia trips Dax, HAMMERS away with fists, but Dax gets up. Garcia keeps after him with a CHOP in the corner!
Garcia whips corner to corner, runs up, but Dax ELBOWS him away! Dax runs up, SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Garcia is down and the fans boo but Stoke & Cash cheer Dax on. Dax stomps and drops knees on Garcia at the ropes! The ref counts, Dax backs off, and Garcia checks his own neck. Cash talks trash, the ref has him back off, and Cash says he’s just talking! He’s allowed to do that, right? The fans still taunt Dax with “BALD! BALD! BALD!” Dax stands Garcia up, reels him in, but Garcia fights the lift! Dax pulls on Garcia’s hair to then CHOP him! Garcia bails out, Dax pursues, and Dax brings Garcia around.
Dax talks trash on the fans, then reels Garcia in. Garcia fights the lift again, trips Dax up, and then CATAPULTS Dax into the POST! The fans fire up while Dax falls in a heap! Garcia stands, rolls into the ring, but just long enough to refresh the count. Dax is busted open and Garcia is right on that bloody forehead! Dax wants mercy but Garcia only backs off to get space. Garcia puts up his dukes, does his dance, and then runs in for a DROPKICK! Dax hits barriers, but Garcia runs again! Another DROPKICK into the barriers! And then a third DROPKICK into the barriers! The fans fire up with Garcia as he goes one more time, only for Cash to stand in the way!
The fans boo as Cash says no more! Garcia seethes, and he still runs up, but Dax LARIATS Garcia down! Cash bought Dax time, and now Dax huffs ‘n’ puffs through his crimson mask. Dax puts Garcia in the ring, then he grabs the ring bell! The ref stops Dax and they tug-o-war over it! Dax lets the ref have the bell, but then Garcia trips Dax! Garcia steps through, and he turns Dax over for the DRAGON TAMER!! But Stoke distracts the ref, letting Cash drag Garcia out! DRAPING NECKBREAKER to the floor! Cash points to commentary to give a thumbs up, but wait! DADDY MAGIC is here! The fans cheer as Matt Menard CLOBBERS Cash!
The fans fire up, Stoke freaks out, and Menard fires off on Cash in a corner! Detroit is all fired up as Collision goes picture in picture!
Cash runs away to the back but Menard pursues! Now things are a bit more even, with Stoke coaching a bloodied and dazed Dax. Dax staggers to his feet, goes over to Garcia, and drags him up to put him in the ring. Dax talks more trash on the fans, then he storms in after Garcia. Dax suplexes and hits a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Garcia is still in this and Dax grows frustrated. The ref checks Dax while the fans rally behind Garcia. Dax is okay to continue, and he brings Garcia up, only for Garcia to cradle! TWO!! Dax stands and LARIATS Garcia down! Dax huffs ‘n’ puffs and TOSSES Garcia to the apron! Dax brings Garcia through the ropes, to then CHOP!
Dax KICKS and ROCKS Garcia on repeat! Then he reels Garcia in for a DRAPING DDT! Cover, TWO! Dax rains down fists without hesitation! Dax hears the fans taunting him so he dares them to do something. Dax holds the ropes open but obviously no one takes the offer. Dax drags Garcia up, CHOPS him, and he storms up on Garcia at the ropes. Garcia ROCKS and CHOPS in return, but Dax CHOPS again! Garcia sputters and falls back while Dax soaks up the heat. Dax paces around Garcia, taunts Detroit more, and Collision returns to single picture. The fans boo as hard as they can but Dax talks trash on Garcia now.
Dax kicks at Garcia, egging him on. Garcia scowls as Dax pie faces him! The fans rally, Garcia rises, and Dax looks worried. Dax SLAPS Garcia, but Garcia just clamps onto Dax’s neck! Dax breaks fere, Garcia CHOP, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Garcia CHOPS away on Dax at the ropes! The fans fire up and Garcia whips, but Dax reverses. Garcia LARIATS, Dax staggers, so Garcia runs again! Another LARIAT but Dax still stays on his feet! Garcia runs, Dax ROCKS him, and then Dax whips. Garcia reverses, Dax reverses to wrench, but Garcia dodges the lariat to LARIAT! Down goes Dax and the fans fire up!
Stoke is frustrated for Dax as the fans rally up. Garcia storms up on Dax to climb up. Garcia rains down fists, and the fans count all the way to nine. Garcia foams at the mouth before he hits TEN! The fans fire up, Garcia waistlocks, but Dax holds onto a buckle pad! That pad comes loose, Garcia still hits a SAIDO! The fans fire up as Garcia covers, TWO!! Dax survives but Garcia goes for the legs. Dax CLAWS at Garcia’s face and shoves him away! Garcia still gets the legs and trips Dax up! DRAGON- NO, Dax fights and BOOTS Garcia into the bare steel! SLINGSHOT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Garcia survives and Detroit is thunderous!
Stokely is seething and Dax is pissed, but the fans continue to rally for “DANNY! DANNY!” Dax goes up, and Garcia CHOPS first! Garcia climbs, brings Dax up, and they go to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!! And then a roll through! Garcia hoists Dax up to the top rope again, and goes back up top! Another SUPER DUPER PLEX!! But Garcia isn’t done, he’s taking Three Amigos to a new level! The fans are thunderous as Garcia goes to the next corner, hoists Dax up, and climbs again! The fans want the hattrick, and Garcia brings Dax up! SUPER DUPER THREE AMIGOS!!! Both men are down and the fans are electric!
Stokely is furious as Garcia crawls to a cover! ROPEBREAK!! Garcia miscalculates and that works out for Dax! “This is Awesome!” and that might be an understatement! Dax and Garcia rise, go forehead to forehead, and then they go forearm for forearm! Garcia gets the edge and the fans love it! Garcia BOOTS Dax out of the ring, then pursues! Stoke has to run away before Garcia CLOBBERS Dax from behind! They go into the crowd, the fans fire up as they’re even closer to the action now! This brawl goes through the stands, around behind commentary, and Dax SMACKS Garcia off railing! And then off more railing!
Schiavone & Nigel just mind their own business, and yet Dax still feels the need to push Nigel’s headset off him! The fans boo and Nigel seethes. Nigel stands up, Dax dares him to do something! Detroit tells Dax he done F’d up, but Nigel just puts his headset back on. Nigel says he is a professional, but a professional commentator. Dax is the wrestler, so Nigel will not touch him. Dax SHOVES Nigel down! Nigel is furious but Dax already storms off to find Garcia. Dax puts Garcia in the ring, but Garcia reels Dax in! Dax fights the lift, Stoke barks from the apron! The ref backs stoke off, but Dax LOW BLOWS Garcia!
But now Nigel is storming down to ringside! Garcia fights the lift and Nigel is on the apron! Dax storms up on Nigel, but Nigel RAMS Dax down low! UPPERCUT! But Cash is back! He kicks Nigel low, reels him in, but Nigel WRINGS Cash out! Garcia LARIATS Dax up and out, and clearly by now the ref has just thrown this one out!
No Contest
Menard is back and he LARIATS Cash up and out! The fans fire up as Menard, Garcia and McGuinness stand tall together! FTR kept pushing buttons but they pushed the wrong ones! Will Stoke, Dax & Cash have to fear the repercussions of their actions?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision, but it apparently caught a bit of the Go Home Syndrome. There were quite a few recap packages I skipped but clearly they are working to hype Beach Break for next. Moxley’s newest promo was alright, didn’t really add much, because as I said just last night, Moxley surely finds a way to retain with help from The Death Riders. I will say, it made a lot of sense for the remaining Death Riders to cost Willow. Marina and Willow still have beef, and I’m still hoping on my idea from last night: Shayna Baszler shows up, teams with Marina, we get Shayna & Marina VS Willow & Kris. Let’s up the ante and get another classic Street Fight Tag out of Kris & Willow.
Great promo from Toni Storm to open the night, and good to hear Skye Blue is back. Another Fatal 4 Way Eliminator makes me wonder if one of the mystery entrants ends up taking the loss. There was also that spider during Kris VS Willow, which I believe is a teaser for Thekla. Thekla could easily jump into the Fatal 4 Way and get close to winning, but who knows. And as I said last night, not sure why they’re holding Athena back from doing much of anything right now. With Supercard of Honor now delayed to July to coincide with All In: Texas, Athena should really be getting involved more on AEW TV so people don’t forget she exists.
Very good stuff with Bowens VS Lee, and I appreciate the albeit lazy way they changed Bowen’s logo so that it doesn’t resemble the Shane Taylor Promotions’ STP. Bowens of course wins, but his promo after was pretty much the same as his other ones. At least he did one last scissoring with Billy. Bowens is unfortunately not going to get a title story right now with all the champions preoccupied in something else. Though honestly, I feel like there is a way for Okada VS Bowens to be a great match, and then someone violates the Continental Rules so that Okada loses without really losing. Best way I can think of is Swerve is hunting The Bucks, they go ringside, and since Bucks are associate with Okada, that’s a violation on his part, and it adds more heat to whatever big thing Double or Nothing has planned.
Great stuff from the Don Callis Family in all their matches. I wasn’t expecting a big 8 Man Tag, and I’m a little disappointed Brody King wasn’t one of the participants, but maybe that’s the next phase. Great showing from the Faces, especially AR Fox. Fox is in a similar boat to Bowens where he certainly deserves title opportunities but TK just isn’t seeing how to write it. But between that and the dominance Konosuke & Alexander over Dark Order, it feels like the Don Callis Family get their comeuppance with Hangman & Ospreay winning next week.
Ricochet VS Angelico was rather outta nowhere but it was still a great match. It was also clearly a vehicle so Ricochet could start beef with Zach (Zack?) Gowen and give us a Beach Break match between them for the real deepcut long time wrestling fans. Much like Bowens and Fox, I feel like Ricochet is waiting on a title to be freed up from story so he can go get those titles. Such as Paragon now feuding with Grizzled Young Veterans for a minute, which in a way keeps Adam Cole isolated. TK should’ve just given us Ricochet VS Cole for the fun of it because Ricochet VS Cole would be incredibly fun stuff. They could even revisit their NXT history if they wanted to.
Great stuff with Gates of Agony and Learning Tree, that was much better than last week’s. I really hope this gives us a Tornado Tag match. For that matter, why aren’t we getting that in the story of Anna Jay & Harley Cameron VS Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford? Good promo from those teams to hype up… just Anna VS Megan… It’d make Beach Break Collision feel all the bigger but whatever, maybe they feel Ford still isn’t up to speed after that Fatal 4 Way last night. But doing a chaotic tag match could help iron out some of that so that Ford can just focus on what she is good at with the gymnastics and throwing hands.
And awesome stuff with Garcia VS “Dax the Axe” in the main event. And yeah, I didn’t put it in myself, but they’re really committing to that as Dax’s ring name right now. Great to see Menard helping Garcia, and even Nigel standing up for himself against Dax. A “No Contest” result was a little odd but I suppose that’s like saying it is a draw where no one goes over. But with the Faces standing tall, maybe Nigel steps in and teams with Garcia right now for Double or Nothing so that Garcia teaming with Cope is the All In moment.
My Score: 8.8/10
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