Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Report! (8/7/18)

Published

6 years ago

August 7, 2018

After Samoa Joe got truly and brutally personal in his message to the WWE Champion, what will the Phenomenal One himself say in his return to SmackDown?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch VS The IIconics; Charlotte & Becky win.
Zelina Vega w/ Andrade “Cien” Almas VS Lana w/ Rusev; Zelina wins.
R-Truth VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Nakamura wins.
3v2 Handicap: The Bludgeon Brothers VS 3SK; The Bludgeon Brothers win.
SmackDown Tag Team Championship Contenders Tournament: The New Day VS The Bar; The New Day wins and will face The Bludgeon Brothers for the titles at Summerslam.

PLAY BY PLAY

Randy Orton heads to the ring!

The Viper is back with even more venom in his veins, as he’s made it his mission to destroy any and all superstars the WWE Universe puts above him and his decade of hard work. Jeff Hardy is his first target, who Orton beat and battered all over ringside last week. Fans let him know “You Suck!” Orton speaks on how Jeff Hardy called him out, and reviews footage to show that new and vicious attack. From t-shirt to necklace to the paint on his face, Hardy was humiliated and stripped bare. Fans boo and jeer but Orton wonders, “Do you still believe?” Orton could’ve warned the squeamish, but making the fans squirm is why he did all that. Orton vows to end careers and dismantle identities. He will become so violent, fans will want to change the channel.

But, fans won’t change the channel because they still believe. They believe in superheroes, in hope, and they even hope the hero, Hardy, will save the day. He won’t, because Orton “erased the Enigma.” Hardy is lost, searching for himself that Orton stole and erased! Orton will erase every superstar the fans respect, because they don’t respect Orton! Let’s have a history lesson on Randy Orton. He started as the youngest man in the locker room, and became the youngest world champion ever! Orton is a 13-time world champion, a multi-time Royal Rumble Winner, Mr. Money in the Bank and Survivor Series winner, but the fans still don’t respect him!

“Sometimes in life, when you’re not given respect, you have to take it.” People make their choices, and so has Orton. Orton has chosen to wipe out those the fans chose to believe in. Orton will pick Hardy apart “piece by piece by piece”, but it is on each and every member of the WWE Universe. Say what you want. Apex Predator, Viper, Legend Killer, but just remember the three most devastating letters in sports entertainment: R, K, O! Orton drops the mic again and takes his leave. Who will the Viper choose to strike next?

Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair talk backstage.

The two good friends aren’t sure where to start. Charlotte wasn’t trying to ruin Becky’s moment, but GM Paige gave her the opportunity so she had to take it. Becky understands, because they both want the title. Becky just finds herself in a tough position. She wants to be happy for Charlotte, but she wanted a 1v1 match. But now it’s a Triple Threat and that makes the challenge a bit bigger, because that hill she was climbing now has a “tall blonde boulder” in the way. Boulder? But it’s Summerslam, so you prove you’re the best by beating the best. Charlotte wouldn’t have it any other way. So they’re good for facing the IIconics? Of course! They’re not Sasha & Bayley. #TeaGenerationX is ready to go, will they be the more stable half of the WWE Four Horsewomen?

Carmella heads to the ring!

The FABULOUS SmackDown Women’s Champion wants to be front row and on commentary for the upcoming tag match featuring her two challengers.

Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch VS The IIconics!

The Queen of Flair and the Lass Kicker both get a shot at the Princess of Staten Island in Brooklyn, but can they first prove they can beat Peyton Royce & Billie Kay in Orlando?

The Iconic Duo play some word association on the way out. “Orlando.” “The saddest place on Earth!” “Charlotte Flair.” “Overrated. Bad dancer. And lost to Carmella twice!” “Becky Lynch.” “Um… Nothing comes to mind.” Nothing at all? Yeah, is she even here? Fans tell the IIconics they’re “BORING~!” The IIconics ignore that to point out that Becky’s where she always is and always will be: in Charlotte’s shadow. Always a bridesmaid, but never the champ. Carmella says the truth hurts, but it’s time for the match.

Becky starts against Billie and gets a waistlock to headlock to wristlock. Tag to Charlotte, and she adds an ax handle. Charlotte chops Billy with those Flair backhands. Tag to Becky and they double whip Billie. Double hip toss, then double hip tosses for Peyton! Becky goes for the submission but Peyton saves Billie. Becky tags Charlotte, and Charlotte slingshots onto the IIconics! Tea Generation X controls the ring while we go picture in picture.

Charlotte styles and profiles, then clinks tea cups with Becky. She chases down Billie and puts her in the ring. Peyton distracts and Billie boots! Charlotte goes down, and Peyton tags to get in some stomps. She puts Charlotte in the ring, covers, TWO. The IIconics argue with the ref, but then tag to Billie. They double wrench and kick both sides of Charlotte. Cover, TWO, but Billie keeps on Charlotte with a chinlock. She grinds Charlotte but Charlotte powers up and out to chop! Billie throws Charlotte by her hair, then rains down rights. Cover, TWO! Tag to Peyton, and the IIconics grind their boots into Charlotte’s chin. Peyton mocks the styling and profiling, but Charlotte fights back. Peyton runs her over, cover, TWO! The IIconics are getting mad now, but they calm down. Peyton chokes Charlotte on the ropes, then backs off at 4.

Peyton keeps Charlotte down with knees to her back. She drives elbows into the shoulders, then thrashes Charlotte around in a chinlock. Charlotte endures while fans rally up. She stands and power Peyton to the corner. Charlotte throws Peyton off but Billie hotshots her into Peyton’s heel kick! Cover, but Becky breaks it in time! Billie throws Becky out, then argues with the ref. She drags Charlotte over while we go single picture. Small package from Charlotte, TWO, double boots! Both women go down and the fans fire up. Carmella, however, is not impressed. Hot tags to Peyton & Becky! Becky rallies with lariats and a calf kick. She kicks and European Uppercuts, then throws Peyton with a Becksploder! She kip-up, then hops up top for flying forearms! Cover, TWO!

Becky goes for the Disarm-her! She has it, but Billie kicks her down. Charlotte tags in, and shoulders into Billie. She climbs up top, MOONSAULT! she takes both IIconics out! Charlotte grabs Peyton, Figure Eight! Peyton taps, Charlotte & Becky win!

Winners: Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch, Charlotte with the submission

The best friends win together, but it seems bittersweet for the Lass Kicker. At the same time, Carmella reminds them both that she is champion. Can Becky and Charlotte stay friends with a common enemy in their sights? Or will that greed for gold blind them in Brooklyn?

Backstage interview with The New Day!

The longest reigning team in WWE History blew up the internet just being on commentary. They were dynamite, but now they’re trying something different. Kofi reveals the suit and tie, as well as a wig. “I’m Kramer Kingdom, reporting here from SmackDown Live with two guys who have a very unique opportunity here for the SmackDown Tag Team titles!” They’re facing the fierce Cesaro & Sheamus. How are you gonna spar with The Bar? Fierce as in the rancid milk smell that follows them. They’ve beaten Cesaro & Sheamus before, they’ll do it again. “B-b-b-b-b-but what about the B-b-bludgeon Brothers?” Well, they’re no strangers to dangers. Ya bois, the New~ Day~ will make Harper & Rowan bow down to the power of positivity! The New Day can do anything, but can they win tonight and in Brooklyn?

The Miz has an announcement.

He’s on the set of his hit reality show, Miz And Mrs. He gives and gives, from access to his life and the greatest entertainment imaginable. After weeks of negotiations, Miz gives Daniel Bryan a gift. “The gift of relevancy.” It WILL be Bryan VS Miz at Summerslam! This war of words will finally be settled in the ring! Will the A-Lister kick Bryan back down to the B-List? Or will Bryan show Miz is just too soft to be a superstar?

Charlotte and Becky are fired up!

They love tagging together! They’re so good together. That was today, though, and in two weeks, it’ll be every woman for herself. Well, they can be great against each other, too. Tea Generation X for life, but will it survive a match for gold?

SmackDown reviews Samoa Joe’s message to AJ Styles.

The Destroyer went a step too far claiming the Phenomenal One puts titles and matches before family and friends. Joe claims Styles is barely home long enough to hold his children, and is a failure as a father. Styles may have the fans on his side, but Joe will have Styles’ own family on his.

AJ Styles heads to the ring!

The WWE Champion heard everything his cruel #1 contender had to say last week. With fans chanting his name, Styles picks up a mic to respond. “A lot goes on between these ropes. A lot of trash talking, a lot of manhood being tested. And usually when that happens, it gets personal.” Samoa Joe made it personal bringing up Styles’ family. Styles vows to be the greatest WWE superstar for his family. That doesn’t make him special. All parents make sacrifices, that’s just what you’re supposed to do as both a father and “a real man.”

Styles is away for over 200 days out of the year, so he misses Little League, birthdays, and anniversaries. He and his wife have been together 18 years, but the reality is that she lives like a single parent while he’s gone. But parents are meant to sacrifice to give their kids what they need, and sometimes what they want. Just like everyone else, when his kids fall and cry, he wants to be there to pick them up and comfort them.

But that’s what angers Styles the most! Joe knows his family, and long before SmackDown was the House That AJ Styles Built, they both shared “a cockroach infested apartment” and stale pizza. Joe threw that decade of friendship all away in a matter of seconds. Styles vows that Joe’s hands won’t touch the title. “Screw that!” Styles vows that Joe won’t walk out champion, or even walk out at all. Joe was watching that entire speech backstage, and is laughing? Did Joe bait Styles into being fired up for their match? Or will Joe’s master plan backfire in Brooklyn?

Rusev and Lana meet backstage.

Mr. & Mrs. Machka talk about the miscommunication. Rusev will be with Lana for her rematch with Zelina Vega, for a Happy Lana Day. Lana thanks her Bulgarian Brute hsuband for being so considerate. But now Aiden English walks over. He just wants to apologize, and will let Rusev hit him if he wants. English didn’t mean to cost any of them their matches. It’s not fair to any of them, but he has the best intentions at heart. He just wants to say he’s sorry. Lana nods, and Rusev forgives English. They shake on it, but Rusev keeps English from joining them at ringside.

Zelina Vega w/ Andrade “Cien” Almas VS Lana w/ Rusev!

La Muneca got a win in her SmackDown in-ring debut thanks to both El Idolo and MC Artiste getting involved at ringside. Can she quickly go 2-0 against the Ravishing Russian? Or will Lana prove she’s the best, Lana number one?

The bell rings and Lana tackles Vega to a corner! She throws in shoulders, then backs off at 4. Lana whips but Vega breaks free to discus forearm. Vega runs awy from the anger Lana, but gets a wrecking balld ropkcik! Lana puts her in the ring and goes after the feet. Vega kicks Lana, then hammers away with both fists. Vega covers, ONE. She puts Lana in a chinlock while fans sing for Lana. Lana powers up and works against the hold. She fights back with body shots, but Vega throws her down by her hair. Vega ax kicks Lana, then pats herself on the back. Lana gets to ropes but Veaga whips. Lana reverses and knees low. She reels Vega in, Fisherman Suplex! Cover, ONE, but Lana drops an elbow.

Lana drops more elbows, then kicks Vega while she’s down. She puts Vega in a corner, then another corner. Vega reverses to bump Lana off buckles. Lana kicks back, then bulldogs! Cover, TWO! Lana gets fans singing again, then suplexes Vega again. She gets a third suplex, but keeps going. Almas gets on the apron, and Vega hits a code breaker! Rusev runs over and runs Almas over! Rusev throws Almas into barriers! The fans fire up, but Vega kicks Rusev in the head. Almas hits Rusev, then puts him into a post. Vega blows a kiss, but Lana hits a Machka Kick! Lana climbs up but Rusev and Almas keep fighting. English flies in from the ramp! He tackles into the ring, but that shakes Lana off the top! Vega grins as she pounces with CIEN KNEES! Cover, Vega wins!

Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall

English couldn’t help himself, and he’s cost Team Rusev Day again! He was told to stay back, and is furious with himself for disobeying. What can he possibly do to make it up to them now?

Backstage interview with Shinsuke Nakamura.

The WWE United States Champion officially defends his title against Jeff Hardy at Summerslam. But Nakamura thins we’re mistaken. Hardy was erased. No, that wasn’t literal. Nakamura knows that, but he’s just facing “what’s left”, to leave nothing left at all for Orton to destroy. But wait, R-Truth comes storming over, and Tye Dillinger does his best to stop him. Truth calls Nakamura out for the title, at Summerslam. How? The same way everyone else does: he’ll pin Carmella. No, that’s not how that works, Truth. You gotta deal with a certain someone here. Truth isn’t going to wrestle Renee. Nakamura mocks Truth in Japanese, and somehow Truth understands. Truth doesn’t want Carmella or a match at Summerslam, he wants Shinsuke tonight! Will Paige give Truth what he wants? Will Truth regret asking for it after?

Byron Saxton interviews The Miz via titantron.

It is official that The Miz VS Daniel Bryan is happening at Summerslam, but why isn’t Miz here tonight? Is he afraid of Bryan? This is why Byron is just a second-rate commentator. Well, then, with Total Bellas renewed for a fourth season, does he feel Miz And Mrs make it that long? Their first two episodes had more views than all of Total Bellas season 3! Miz And Mrs is meme-worthy! No bad reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, too. Miz isn’t on SmackDown is because he’s too big a star right now. But with that match coming, what does he have to say to the WWE Universe? Make sure to watch episode 3 as Miz learns CPR! Bryan needs CPR to revive his career.

But what about their match? Their history goes back to 2010, the original form of NXT! Things have only intensified over these years, is Miz concerned about not backing up his talk? How much do you think Miz has been worried about Bryan these last eight years? Miz has become the biggest superstar, and should be THE WWE Champion! He doesn’t need this match, but Bryan needs this match. This will settle it once and for all. Miz is done sharing the spotlight with someone who hasn’t earned it! Bryan’s called Miz soft for the last time, when Miz was the one wrestling while Bryan was home crying. Miz is sick of fans saying he’s hiding. Miz will expose Bryan for what he is and always will be: beneath Miz.

Speaking of, why is he talking to Byron? Where’s Bryan? Grazing on kale while talking about how great he is? BRYAN ATTACKS!! Bryan is on the set and bashing Miz into the couch! He even fights off the security guards, until Miz smashes him with a glass vase! Miz leaves Bryan down and out, but Bryan gets back up. The Goat is on the hunt, will Bryan finally break Miz in Brooklyn?

R-Truth VS Shinsuke Nakamura!

The King of Strong Style pretends not to understand English, but many times it seems “Pretty Ricky” doesn’t understand much of anything. Truth may not get a title shot at Summerslam, but can he prove he’s worthy of a shot down the line? Or will he just get a #Knee2Face for his troubles?

The bell rings and Truth circles with Nakamura. THey tie up but nakamuar knees low and throws more knees into Truth. He has Truth in a corner for Bad Vibrations! Nakamura then dares Truth, “C’MON!” Truth runs in but school boys! ONE, so Truth breaks it down with dance moves. Truth copies “C’MON!” then gets Nakamura with headscissors. Truth hits the calf kick, and shouts “WHAT’S UP!?” Splits to running splash! He hip tosses Nakamura high and hard, his body still works at great levels. Truth runs but misses the scissor kick. He ducks the roundhosue but gets the heel kick. Both men are slow to getting back up, but Nakamura grabs Truth into the armbar, then the Triangle Hold! Truth rolls around to get away, with fans rallying behind him. He reaches for ropes, and gets teh break! Nakamura lets go, but is growing frustrated.

Nakamura kicks Truth while he’s down, then rams in knees to the ribs and shoulders. He toys with Truth, then drags Truth up for a facelock. Nakamura brings Truth around, for the inverted exploder! He then aims from the corner… KINSHASA! Cover, Nakamura wins!

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall

The champion is still rolling towards Summerslam with another victory. Will Hardy be in any shape to challenge for the title in Brooklyn?

The Bludgeon Brothers speak.

Harper & Rowan know that two teams have survived, one having escaped the prison while the other having survived a plunge into madness. But the winner here will face a new test tonight, and then will still have to face the mental and physical torture at Summerslam. “This is going to be fun.”

3v2 Handicap: The Bludgeon Brothers VS 3SK!

Harper & Rowan won’t rest easily in the back while their challengers battle it out. They’ve come to Orlando to obliterate. The trio of local competitors fires themselves up, ready to face the champions. They rush out to the ring where 2B wait as patiently as they can. We return to single picture and the bell rings. Rowan tags in right away, and both Brothers dropkick the men on the apron off the apron! The man left gets a SUPERKICK, then a deadlift to a scoop slam on the apron. Harper sets up the other two, for Rowan to run them over! Harper & Rowan take the other two, for suplex stacking! Then a human weapon senton! Rowan goes back to bring up the odd man out, and tags in Harper, for the Bludgeoning! Cover, Bludgeon Brothers win!

Winners: The Bludgeon Brothers, Harper pinning

As if there was ever any doubt. 3SK was SOL the moment they signed up for this match. However, will the winner of tonight’s tournament finals be the team to finally halt their path of destruction?

SmackDown Tag Team Championship Contenders Tournament: The New Day VS The Bar!

GM Paige set up this four-team tournament to determine who faces the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, and it has come down to positivity against power. Will it be the fun-loving, flapjack-flipping Big E & Kofi Kingston or the Swiss Cyborg & Celtic Gladiator taking on the duo of doom in Brooklyn?

The fans chant “We Want Pancakes!” while Big E circles with Cesaro. Woods serves them up by air mail while Big E and Cesaro tie up. Cesaro gets a waistlock, but Big E switches. Cesaro turns around to switch again, but Big E powers out and throws Cesaro off. He swivels those hips and it keeps Cesaro on the defensive. Fans rally “New! Day Rocks!” but Cesaro kicks low and puts on a headlock. Cesaro gives Big E a noogie, but Big E powers out. Things speed up and Big E elbows Cesaro down. Tag to Kofi, and Kofi runs to kick Cesaro. Cover, ONE, but Kofi keeps on Cesaro with an arm wrench. Kofi whips but Cesaro reverses. Cesaro runs in and monkey flips Kofi, but Kofi lands on his feet! Kofi dropkicks Cesaro down, covers, TWO.

Kofi wrenches Cesaro’s arm again but Cesaro punches him out. Tag to Sheamus and Sheamus gives a EuroUpper. Sheamus lifts but Kofi slips out. Kofi dropkicks then goes to monkey flip, but Sheamus powers it away. He turns things around and forearms Kofi all the way to the floor! Woods and Big E check on their teammate while Sheamus just grimaces down from the ring. Sheamus fetches Kofi up for a bump off the apron, then a EuroUpper that rocks him to the floor! Fans are a mix of cheers and jeers while Sheamus puts Kofi in the ring. Tag to Cesaro, and Cesaro brings Kofi up into a chinlock.

Kofi endures while fans rally up. Kofi feeds off their energy and fights out. Cesaro whips Kofi but Kofi slides under to try a roll. Cesaro denies it, and manages to tag Sheamus. Kofi can’t get away, The Bar whips for the Bar Lariat. cover, TWO! Sheamus keeps Kofi down in a half-nelson clutch while we go to break.

SmackDown returns, and Cesaro argues with the ref over a count. But he and Sheamus are still confident they’ve got this in the bag. Cesaro keeps Kofi down and in The Bar’s corner. Fans rally and Kofi fights back! Kofi tries but can’t escape, he ends up caught by Cesaro. He grabs the rope, then tosses Cesaro out! Kofi crawls for the New Day corner, but Cesaro returns to intercept. Tag to Sheamus, then Sheamus whips Kofi to a corner. Kofi dodges, Sheamus hits post, hto tag to Big E! Big E throws Sheamus overhead, then to the side with belly2belly suplexes! He fires up and swivels his hips , but has to clothesline Cesaro first. Sheamus rolls up, TWO, so he knees Big E. But he runs into an urenage! Cover, TWO!

Big E and the fans rally up with “New! Day Rocks!” Tag to Kofi, and scoop for Sheamus. Sheamus lips out and shoves Big E. They collide, tag to Cesaro! Alley-oop sends Kofi at Sheamus! SOS for Cesaro! Cover, TWO!! Cesaro hits Kofi but Big E tags in. Ceasro whips Kofi but Kofi catches Cearo for a reversal and trip! Kofi drags Cearo tot he apron, Big E hits the apron splash! Wait, Cesaro moved! Big E hits the apron itself, so Kofi leaps at Sheamus! But Sheamus has Kofi, for the rolling senton. Sheamus gets back to his corner, tags in, then The Bar double DDT’s! Cover, TWO!! How?! The Bar can’t believe it, and the fans are still with The New Day.

Sheamus puts Big E back in the corner and stomps him out. Tag to Cesaro, and The Bar split the wishbone. Tag back to Sheamus, for another wishbone. Sheamus tags Cesaro back again, for a hat trick of wishbones! They toy with Big E as they cover, TWO. The Bar is in control while we go to one more break.

SmackDown returns once more, and Big E endures a Half Crab. He turns himself over but Sheamus stomps his stomach. Sheamus drags Big E up and over to the corner, then hoists him up top. Sheamus climbs up to throw hands on Big E, but Big E clubs back. Big E pushes Sheamus down, but Cesaro tags in to boot Big E back! Tag back to Sheamus, and he goes across the way. Cesaro SUPERPLEXES Big E! Sheamus adds a flying knee drop! Cover, TWO!! Another shocking survival, and The Bar is again furious. Sheamus stomps Big E, then goes for a Cloverleaf. The fans know “This is Awesome!” while Big E prevents the roll. Big E shoves Sheamus all the way out! He crawls for Kofi, but Cesaro helps Sheamus back in. Hot tags!

Kofi flies in to hit Cesaro, then Sheamus! He hits Cesaro again and is all fired up! New Day Boom Drop! But Sheamus drags Cesaro out. Kofi sees this, builds speed, and FLIES! He bowls them both over! Kofi puts Cesaro in, then climbs up top. Kofi leaps, flying double stomps! Cover, but Sheamus breaks it. Sheamus runs but is tossed out. Cesaro stalks Kofi, for a back suplex. Kofi lands on his feet, but ends up in a cradle. Tag to Sheamus, hand-off into a double backbreaker! Cover, TWO!! The New Day is tougher than The Bar remembers, but Cesaro coaches Sheamus up.

Sheamus gets to a corner, and powers up for the Brogue. Kofi slowly stands, Sheamus runs at him, but misses! Kofi runs into an elbow. Cesaro tags in, but Kofi takes him out. Kofi hits Sheamus with a dropkick, tag to Big E! Scoop, Kofi climbs, but Cesaro intercepts! Sheamus switches it up, A-Swiss-ted White Noise! Cover, KOFI BREAKS IT! Sheamus throws Kofi to barriers, but Woods knows there’s still life for his team. Big E and Cesaro brawl with haymakers and EuroUppers. Cesaro kicks low, then swings Big E around! Then, Sharpshooter! Big E endures, but he’s stuck in the middle of the ring. Woods gets the fans fired up again, and Kofi comes in. Sheamus intercepts Kofi, but ends up in a tornado DDT!

Woods helps Kofi, and Big E drags himself around towards ropes. But Cesaro shifts to a crossface! Big E rolls, but is still in the hold! Cesoar pulls back hard, but Big E won’t give up. Big E powers up and out, and lifts Cearo at the same time! Tag to Kofi! Kofi climbs, Cearo is scooped, MIDNIGHT HOUR!! Cover, The New Day wins!!

Winners: The New Day, Kofi pinning; will face The Bludgeon Brothers for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships at Summerslam

This match in itself was worthy of a PPV event! The New Day put so much into this match, can they hope to put even more into their rematch with Harper & Rowan? Or will positivity be pummeled into the dirt?

My Thoughts:

Summer is SmackDown’s time to shine it seems, because they again outdid Raw without having to do much. SmackDown is again doing a “Raw, but better” format with Charlotte and Becky paralleling Sasha and Bayley. The missing element with Bayley and Sasha was a title, or just fighting it out in a match. Charlotte and Becky will get their match, and that could be a catalyst for the dysfunction. At the same time, they could tenuously remain friends, until something else makes Becky snap and turn Heel. My best guess would be the compounding of not winning the title at Summerslam or at Hell in a Cell, not winning the inevitable Women’s Tag Titles at WWE Evolution, and then not winning what I expect to be Four Horsewomen VS Four Horsewomen at Survivor Series. And it will be Becky turning, we’ve already had Heel Charlotte in the past.

Hooray! We’re getting Miz VS Bryan! Miz’s promo and the following attack from Bryan were both great, and I can’t wait for the actual match. Orton gives a very similar promo to what he said last week, but he still delivered it with great motivation. His story with Hardy and Nakamura is still pretty creative for WWE, but I’m still waiting for something to make it a triple threat. Truth has a great moment being his goofy, loopy self, but I really do wonder if he’ll get one more go at a title. Maybe it’ll be by luck that he gets a shot. I would love to see him become Mr. Money in the Bank, and then cash in on every title it doesn’t apply to. AJ Styles does pretty good with his response promo, but Samoa Joe also does good with simply laughing it off.

Vega VS Lana rematch was good mostly to further this breakdown of Team Rusev Day. Almas & Vega move up the ranks for their own purposes, but it saddens me that Rusev Day the team is falling apart. I wish SmackDown had timed things better with their picture to picture, I totally missed the last words of Team 3SK. I also didn’t catch their names, Harper & Rowan decimated them too fast. It was an interesting juxtaposition to the amazing tag team main event with so many near falls. This match could’ve gone either way, but New Day wins for one more go at Harper & Rowan. The story of this rematch could make this another instant classic, and I really do hope New Day wins to freshen things up again.

My Score: 8/10

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6 hours ago

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Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Time Limit Draw.
Six Man Tag: Alex Zayne, Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murashima VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
Six Man Tag: Gabe Kidd, SANADA & Gedo VS Taiji Ishimori, KENTA & Chase Owens; Taiji, Kenta & Chase win.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bishamon & Shoma Kato; LIJ wins.
Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Shota Umino, Tomoaki Honma & Tiger Mask; TMDK wins.
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World Tag League 2024 B Block: Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS Great-O-Khan & HENARE; Taichi & Taka win.
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS EVIL & Ren Narita; Evil & Narita win.
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PLAY BY PLAY

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado VS The Filip Brothers!

The Ace has done many things in NJPW, but he has yet to win a World Tag League trophy! Will the Master Heater help him to finally check off that achievement? Or will Tome the Taiga & Stevie the Phoenix become living legends off Tanahashi’s name?

The teams sort out and Tanahashi starts against Stevie. The fans rally for Tanahashi at the bell and the two circle. Stevie shows off that he has good abs, too. The fans do applaud Stevie’s muscles, and Stevie ties up with Tanahashi. Tanahashi slips around to waistlock but Stevie switches. Tanahashi switches, Stevie switches back. Tanahashi wrenches out to have a wristlock. Stevie reaches for ropes but Tanahashi keeps him back. Stevie CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes! The ref counts, Stevie stops, but he hits a BODY SHOT in the corner. Stevie whips corner to corner, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY!

The fans fire up for the air guitar, and Tanahashi tags Jado. Tanahashi & Jado double whip to DOUBLE SHOUDLER TACKLE! Tome runs in but gets DOUBLE ELBOWS for it! Jado fires hands on Tome while Tanahashi fires hands on Stevie. Jado & Tanahashi double whip and the Filip brothers collide! Then Tanahashi TOSSES Stevie while Jado TOSSES Tome! The fans cheer, Jado joins in on his own air guitar! The fans rally while The Filip Brothers throw a fit. They regroup and say they’re outta here! They’re just gonna give Tanahashi the win? The ring count starts while Jado eggs the Filip Brothers on. So the Filip Brothers come back!

Jado KICKS Stevie in the ropes! Jado drags Stevie in but Tome CHOP BLOCKS him! Then Tome BLASTS Tanahashi! The Filip Brothers stomp Jado, then Tome tags in. Tome drags Jado around by a leg, to DDT the foot! Tome talks trash, “Old man, old knees!” Then Tome drops an elbow on the leg! Jado endures as Tome pulls on the toehold. Jado tries to fight back with a chinlock but Tome just pulls the leg harder! Jado crawls and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Tome slowly lets off, just to pull on the leg again! The ref reprimands and counts so Tome lets go for real this time. Tome “apologizes,” then stalks Jado to a corner.

Tome fires body shots, then he brings Jado over. Tome bumps Jado off buckles, then puts the bad leg in ropes. Tag to Stevie and Tome pulls the leg for Stevie to kick! Stevie taunts Tanahashi, then stomps away on Jado! Tome drags Jado around while Stevie talks trash on Tanaashi. The ref is busy with Tanahashi while Tome pulls Jado’s leg into the post! Then Tome SLAMS the leg into the steel! Tanahashi protests but Stevie drags Jado up. Stevie CHOPS Jado, brings him around, and tags Tome. The Filip Brothers mug Jado, then Tome brings Jado around to scoop, SLAM, and LEG DROP! The fans do applaud for how impressive that was. Tome covers, TWO!

Tome stands on Jado’s bad leg while he shows his tiger claws. The fans are torn but Tome stomps Jado’s bad leg. Tome drags Jado around, twists at the foot, then says one more time just for Jado! LEG DDT! Tome mocks Jado while Jado crawls, but the fans rally up. Tome stomps Jado, then tags Stevie. Tome brings Jado up to snapmare, and then he runs to BOOT Jado down! Stevie KNEE-BOARD SENTONS! Stevie taunts Tanahashi with phoenix claws, then covers, TWO! Jado toughs it out but Stevie eggs him on. Tanahashi coaches Jado and Stevie throws a forearm. Jado fires up and wags his finger.

Stevie fires more shots but Jado leans into them! Jado powers up, but Stevie kicks low! Stevie runs, but Jado CHOPS him down! Jado runs and he CLOBBERS Stevie! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Jado crawls over, hot tag to Tanahashi! The fans rally as Tanahashi runs to FLYING FOREARM Stevie! Tome runs in but Tanahashi dropkicks the legs out! The fans cheer as Tanahashi fires hands. Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Stevie, then he climbs a corner. SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Stevie is still in this but Tanahashi powers up. Tanahashi builds speed, but Stevie ducks the slingblade! But Tanahashi catches the lariat! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs again. Stevie rises, but he still avoids the slingblade to ROLLING ELBOW! And DROPKICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Stevie and Tanahashi sit up slowly, and Tanahashi fires the first forearm! They go back and forth, and they egg each other on! Tanahashi ROCKS Stevie, but Stevie ROCKS Tanahashi! The forearms continue to fly, and Stevie gets the edge! Tanahashi roars to fire a strike fest! Stevie roars, but Tanahashi blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW for the Phoenix! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Tanahashi and Stevie crawl, hot tags to Jado and Tome!

Jado rallies on Tome, then whips him to ropes. Tome KICKS Jado, but Jado roars! Jado LARIATS Tome down! The fans fire up as Jado shakes the ropes! Jado storms over to Tome, brings him up, but Tome kicks the bad leg! And kicks it again! Jado hobbles but Tome kicks him more. Tome runs, but Jado DUMPS him out! Tome is on the apron but Jado brings him in through the ropes! DRAPING DDT! Cover, Stevie breaks it! The fans fire up as Tanahashi storms in. Tanahashi kicks Stevie, then he and Jado double whip. They BODY SHOT, KNEE LIFT, and then whip Steive, but Stevie BOOTS Jado! And SUPERKICKS Tanahashi!

Stevie calls to Tome and they reel Jado in! But Tanahashi roars! Tanahashi dodges Stevie and SLINGBLADES Tome! Jado hurries to flip Tome over, CROSSFACE! Tanahashi catches Stevie into a CROSSFACE of his own! The Filip Brothers endure stereo submissions, but Stevie drags Tanahashi away to the apron. Tome feels around for ropes, but Jado rolls him away! Tome rolls free, has the legs, and he has a FIGURE FOUR!! Jado endures, but Tome thrashes him around, and Jado TAPS! Filip Brothers win!

Winners: The Filip Brothers, by submission (gain 2 points; Tanahashi & Jado earn 0)

Tome & Stevie are already proving to be valuable additions to the Bullet Club’s arsenal! Will this win over the former four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, and by extension the former three-time IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, be just the beginning of the Filip Brothers’ legend?

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS Great-O-Khan & HENARE!

Just5Guys is back down to Just4Guys after Sanada’s betrayal, but so what? They’re still gonna change everything! Will that begin with a big win over the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions? Or will the Dominator & Face of Fury conquer the Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker?

The teams sort out and while Taka insists he start, Taichi is staring down Khan. But it is Henare who steps up, so Taichi fist bumps Taka and lets him start. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Henare and Taka circle, feel things out, and Taka wants a knuckle lock. Henare obliges, but then Taka pokes him in the eye! Taka runs and RAMS Henare, but Henare stays put. Taka runs again, RAMS Henare, but Taka almost falls over! Henare roars, runs, but Taka goes the other way to BOOT! Henare rebounds to CLOBBER Taka! The fans cheer and Henare drags Taka up. Henare bumps Taka off buckles to then fire off fast hands, and a HEADBUTT!

Khan runs in to BLAST Taichi! Khan goes out after Taichi while Henare storms up on Taka in a corner. Henare stomps Taka, then hauls him up to a fireman’s carry. Khan sends Taichi into railing while Henare hits a WASTELAND SLAM to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Taka toughs it out and the fans rally, but Henare talks trash on him. Henare hauls Taka up again to bump off buckles. Tag to Khan and Khan gives Taka some Mongolian Chops! And more Mongolian Chops! And then a feint, to an UPPERCUT! Khan says he’s smarter than Taka, then he puts Taka in the corner. Khan hops up and fans cheer as he sits on his throne!

Taka flails, the ref reprimands, but Khan pulls Taka’s arms back. Khan hops down to tag in Henare, and the Empire mugs Taka. Henare stalks Taka, Taka fires body shots in return but Henare eggs him on. Taka fires more shots, but Henare CHOPS! Henare whips, Taka reverses, and Taka wrangles Henare into a JUST FACELOCK! Henare scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taka lets go quickly, but Khan hurries to BLAST Taichi down! Khan stomps away on Taka while the ref reprimands. Henare & Khan fist bump, and then Henare stalks Taka. Henare has the half nelson, but Taka fights the full nelson!

The fans rally, but Henare powers up to have the ULTIMA NELSON! Taka endures, flails, reaches out, but Khan keeps Taichi on the outside! Taka fights around, but Henare pulls him back to center! Taka desperate reaches out, but he’s fading! The ref checks but Taichi storms in to CLUB Henare! Henare lets Taka go to DECK Taichi! Henare snarls and goes back to Taka. Henare says it’s done! Taka rises as Henare stomps around, RAMP- DROP TOEHOLD! Roll-up, TWO! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Henare survives, and he BODY BLOWS! Taka sputters and Henare growls again. Henare runs, but Taka redirects him!

Henare dodges the boot to KNEE low! But Taka JUMP SOBATS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Henare and Taka crawl, hot tag to Taichi! The fans rally as Taichi fires Kawada Kicks on Henare! Taichi whips, Henare reverses, but Taichi BOOTS Henare down! Khan runs up, Taka dodges to wrench and HOOK KICK! Khan bails back out and Taichi runs at Henare. Taichi BOOTS Henare, then reels him in to DANGER- NO, Henare fights the saido! Henare whips, but Taichi comes back to AX BOMBER! The fans fire up while Henare is down! Taichi waits on Henare and the fans rally up.

Henare slowly rises, but he blocks the buzzsaw! Henare CLUBS the leg, ROCKS Taichi, but Taichi KICKS Henare! Henare fires a forearm, but Taichi ridge hand chops! Henare fires a flurry of forearms, but Taichi SOBATS! Taichi then runs at the corner, but Henare ELBOWS him! FLYING CHUCK! But Taichi rises! AX- BERSERKER BOMB! Both men are down, and Henare crawls over, hot tag to Khan! Khan storms right up on Taichi, drags him to his feet, and reels him in to fireman’s carry takeover! Then another wrench and MONKEY FLIP! Khan drags Taichi up again, SAYANAGI! Cocky cover, TWO!

Khan drops into the KATAGATAME! Taichi endures the head ‘n’ arm triangle, fights around, reaches out with his legs, but Khan puts all his weight on the hold! Taichi still manages the ROPEBREAK! Khan sits Taichi up into a SLEEPER! Taichi fights up, but Khan makes it an IRON CLAW SLEEPER, into the ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights free with ridge hand chops! Khan Mongolian Chops in return! Taichi spins, but into the IRON CLAW RACK! Khan swings around, SPINNING SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, Taka breaks it! Henare runs up to kick Taka and TOSS him! Khan drags Taichi up and the Empire whips him to a corner.

Khan runs in to LARIAT! Henare runs in to NATIVE KNEE! Feed to the SAYANAGI, and then wrench into the ASSISTED POWERBOMB! Cover, TAKA BREAKS IT AGAIN! Henare UPPERCUTS Taka but Taka fires hands on the Empire! Taka runs, into a BOOT SUPERKICK COMBO! Taka falls out of the ring and the Empire goes back to Taichi. Henare hauls Taichi up, fireman’s carries, and Khan waits, but Taichi slips fere! Taichi shoves Henare into Khan! DOUBLE AX- NO, Khan & Henare both dodge, and they BODY BLOW IRON RIGHT COMBO!! Cover, TWO!?! Taichi survives that double impact, but the Monster Rage boils over!

Henare drags Taichi up, fireman’s carries again, and Khan runs, but into Takai’s MICHINOKU DRIVER! Taichi slips free of Henare, Henare elbows him! Henare runs, into DOUBLE SUPER K!! OFF COME TAICHI’S PANTS!! Taka keeps Henare down with JUST FACELOCK while Taichi hits TENSHO JUJIHOU!! Taichi tops it off with BLACK MEPHISTO!! Cover, TAICHI & TAKA WIN!!

Winners: Taichi & Taka Michinoku, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Khan & Henare earn 0)

What a shocker! The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions just lost the opening round match! Does this already doom their chances of becoming World Tag League Champions? Will Taka & Taichi have the golden tickets to the titles?

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS EVIL & Ren Narita!

The Ace took a hard loss earlier tonight, but now his fellow NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions are in action! Will The Joker & The Rook suffer the same fate? Or can they put The King of Darkness & Souled Out Son of Strong Style behind Bars?

Oh of course Evil & Narita attack during the introductions! Narita goes after Oleg and throws him out, while Evil throws water all over Yano! The bell rings but the fight spills to the outside! Evil CLAWS Yano’s eyes, then whips him into railing! Narita does the same to Oleg on the other side! Evil brings Yano out to the crowd, and BOWLS him into chairs! Narita does the same with Oleg on the other side! Evil CHOKES Yano with a chair, then CLUBS him on the back. The ref reprimands The House so Evil brings Yano back to the ring. Narita joins him and they stomp away on Yano! The ref reprimands and says this has to be 1v1!

Evil & Narita ignore the ref to double whip, but Yano grabs ropes! Yano taunts The House, and Oleg runs in to DOUBLE LARIAT The House down! The fans fire up and now Yano & Oleg turn the tables on The House! Yano whips Evil, but Evil reverses and Yano hits railing, right in front of Abe-san! Narita does the same to Oleg on the other side! But Oleg storms back up on Narita! Evil hurries to attack Oleg, and The House mugs him. They bring Oleg in, to DOUBLE SUPLEX to the floor! Oleg writhes and Narita keeps on him while Evil grabs Yano’s favorite red chair. Evil JAMS Yano up with the chair!

The fans boo, but then Evil RAMS Yano into the timekeeper’s area! Down goes Abe-san! The ref reprimands Evil but Evil doesn’t care. Evil drags Yano up and puts him in the ring. The ref helps Abe-san so he misses Narita untying the blue buckle pad. Evil drags Yano up, and whips him into the bare steel! Yano falls in a heap, Evil stands on him for a cocky cover, TWO! Evil argues with the ref, but then tags in Narita. Narita stomps Yano around, brings him up and whips him to ropes for an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this and the fans rally up. Narita drags Yano up, taunts Oleg, but the ref stops Oleg from storming in.

Narita whips Yano into the steel buckles! Evil tags in, and he has the House of Torture shirt. Narita distracts the ref while Evil CHOKES Yano with the shirt! The fans boo, Oleg protests, but the ref misses it all. Evil throws the shirt away to cover Yano, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO!! Evil is furious but the fans fire up as Yano stays in this. Narita tags in, he brings Yano up, and he DECKS Yano! Narita stomps Yano around, then stands on him. Narita talks trash, then stomps Yano again! Yano gets up and he pulls Narita’s hair! Narita CHOKES Yano! The ref reprimands, Narita lets go at 4.

Narita whips but Yano reverses to throw Narita down by his hair! Hot tag to Oleg! Oleg CLOBBERS Narita! And he CLOBBERS Evil! The fans fire up and Oleg deadlifts Narita for the gut wrench! Shake, Rattle & THROW! Narita tumbles and Oleg kips up! The fans fire up and Oleg runs in at the corner to SPLASH! Oleg then scoops Narita to SLAM! Oleg runs to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Narita stays in this but Oleg picks him up while rolling back! Oleg then deadlifts Narita again, into the fireman’s carry! But Narita slips free! Narita CHOKES Oleg! The ref counts, but Oleg breaks the grip! Oleg CHOSP Narita!

Oleg runs, but Evil hits a cheap shot! Narita hits an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Evil BLASTS Yano and Oleg endures! Oleg clasps hands, but Narita BREAKS the grip! Oleg flails, reaches out, and fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and the ref counts, but Narita holds until 4. Narita is frustrated but he tags in Evil. Narita wrenches Oleg’s arm and Evil CLUBS it. Evil wrenches the arm and Narita CLUBS it! The House double kick, and DOUBLE- NO, Oleg fights the double suplex to DOUBLE SUPLEX The House! The fans fire up and Oleg hot tags Yano! Yano unties a white buckle pad! Evil runs up, Yano dodges and CLAWS the eyes!

Yano whips, Evil reverses, but Yano stops himself. Yano taunts Evil, then dodges! Evil hits buckles, Yano rolls him up! TWO! Yano fires up and the fans are with him! But Evil kicks low! Evil runs, but he fights off the atomic drop! But Yano dodges the lariat to clinch and BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up while both men are down, and Yano rises! Yano drags Evil up, but Evil CLAWS Yano’s eyes! Evil runs, but into an atomic drop! Yano trips Evil, has the legs, and he CATAPULTS Evil into Oleg’s arms! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up again and Oleg goes out after Narita. But Narita JAMS Oleg with the pushup bar!

The ref stops Narita from getting in the ring with the pushup bar, but then DICK TOGO shoves Yano into the ref! The fans boo as The Spoiler would have to show up! Dick & Narita stomp away on Yano, then they double whip him to a corner. Dick runs up to ELBOW Yano! Narita hits an ELBOW of his own, then Evil LARIATS! Evil snapmares Yano, and Dick climbs up! The House sets Yano up for the DICK CHOP! Evil calls for the ref, the ref returns as Evil covers, TWO!! Yano survives and shocks The House! The fans fire up but Evil tells them to shut up. Evil slashes his throat, then hauls Yano up. EVERY- NO, Yano shoves Evil at the ref!

The ref curls up in a corner, and Yano takes aim, but Narita stops the low blow! But then Yano sends Narita into Evil! Oleg DOUBLE SHOTGUNS The House! The fans fire up as Oleg goes out and takes care of Narita. Yano runs, and he CHOP BLOCKS Evil down! Then roll up, but Evil drags the ref down!! Dick grabs Yano into the SPOILER CHOKER!! The fans boo as Evil then sets Yano up for MAGIC KILLER!! The ref is back up and Evil covers again, The House wins!

Winners: Evil & Ren Narita, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Yano & Oleg earn 0)

The NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions all suffer loss tonight! World Tag League aside, will this only lead to the downfall of President Ace at WrestleKingdom 19? Or can someone finally and completely tear down The House of Torture before the year is over?

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls!

Much like Hiroshi Tanahashi, the Uncontrollable Charisma has yet to hold the WTL trophies. Will Los Ingobernables de Japon make this whole tournament tranquilo? Or will Hysterical Haste & Mad Mikey make it mighty?

The teams sort out, but even now Naito takes his time with his elaborate entrance attire. TMDK gets annoyed but the pants finally come off. Mikey eggs LIJ on but Hiromu pie faces him. Mikey slaps back! Red Shoes has everyone hold on, and Mikey backs off. Finally, it is decided that Mikey will start, and then LIJ fist bumps. The fans applaud as Hiromu steps up. The bell rings, both men rush in, but Hiromu dodges Mikey to swing on Shane! But Shane blocks the shot and has Hiromu caught! Mikey runs up, Hiromu slips away, so Mikey hits Shane! Hiromu dodges Mikey again, runs, and RAMS Mikey, but Hiromu’s the one that wobbles!

Mikey taunts Hiromu then runs, but Hiromu drops down, and Naito trips Mikey! Hiromu slides out and LIJ send Mikey into railing! Naito then sets Mikey up for Hiromu to CROSSBODY from the apron! The fans fire up as Hiromu keeps going, and he CROSSBODIES Shane on the floor! The fans fire up again, and Naito puts Mikey in. Hiromu tags in Naito then he CHOPS Mikey. LIJ double whips, but Mikey breaks the double clothesline! Naito still drop toeholds and Hiromu basement dropkicks! Naito covers, ONE! Naito clamps onto Mikey with a chinlock and he digs a knee into Mikey’s back. Red Shoes reprimands as Naito smothers Mikey.

Mikey endures and pries at the hold. Mikey bends Naito’s finger, but Red Shoes reprimands that. Naito clamps the chinlock on again, then brings Mikey up. Naito shifts to a cravat for a neck wrench, and he brings Mikey over to the LIJ corner. Hiromu tags in and CLUBS Mikey on the back. Hiromu CHOPS, then whips, but Mikey blocks! Hiromu CHOPS again, then whips, but Mikey again blocks! Mikey eggs Hiromu on, so Hiromu stomps Mikey’s foot! Hiromu whips, Mikey reverses, but Hiromu ducks ‘n’ dodges, only to run into a SPINEBUSTER! Shane runs up to BLAST Naito, then hurries back so he can tag in.

Mikey tosses Hiromu out to Shane, and Shane whips Hiromu into railing! The fans are torn but Shane high-fives Fujita on commentary. Shane drags Hiromu up to then hit an APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Shane brings Hiromu into the ring. Hiromu crawls to a corner and Shane lines up a shot. Shane runs up to UPPERCUT, then he reels Hiromu in, HALF HATCH PLEX! Then basement DROPKICK! Shane flips Naito off but Naito just smirks. Shane covers Hiromu, TWO! Shane clamps onto Hiromu’s arm, pulls on it, and KICKS Hiromu in the back! Hiromu hobbles away to a corner but Shane follows him.

Shane drags Hiromu up, tags in Mikey, and TMDK double wrench to double SHOULDER TACKLE! Then they split the wishbone! Hiromu writhes, but Shane KICKS him down! Shane flexes, Mikey covers, TWO! Mikey sits Hiromu up, and he DIGS at Hiromu’s eye! Red Shoes reprimands, Mikey brings Hiromu up, and taunts him as the “light heavyweight.” But Hiromu CHOPS Mikey! Mikey CHOPS Hiromu off his feet! Mikey then BLASTS Naito off the apron! Mikey double knuckle lock covers, TWO! Mikey grows frustrated but the fans rally up. Mikey bumps Hiromu off buckles hard, then tags Shane.

TMDK again split the wishbone on the Timebomb, and Mikey mocks Hiromu’s pain. Mikey KICKS Hiromu on his way out, then Shane CHOPS Hiromu! The fans rally and Shane drags Hiromu up. Shane bumps Hiromu off buckles in a neutral corner, then UPPERCUTS him again and again. Shane flexes before he UPPERCUTS again! Shane fires up, the fans are torn, but Hiromu BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Hiromu dodges! Shane hits buckles and falls back, but he hurries to anchor Hiromu! Hiromu breaks free, blocks a kick, blocks a punch, and DRAGON SCREWS Shane down! The fans fire up while both men crawl!

Shane and Hiromu rise up, and Hiromu hot tags Naito! The fans fire up as Naito CLUBS Shane. Naito whips Shane, ELBOWS him, but Shane comes back, only for Naito to atomic drop! Naito runs and ELBOWS Shane down, to then basement DROPKICK! Naito brings Shane up, Shane pushes free, but swings into a spin! Naito holds Shane in place, trolling Mikey as he does, before the NECKBREAKER! Naito poses, Mikey gets mad, but the fans applaud. Naito covers, TWO! Shane stays in this but Naito BLASTS Mikey! Naito then clamps onto Shane with the leg hook nelson! Shane endures and fights around while the fans rally up.

Shane pushes Naito around, tries to stack him, but Naito pushes Shane back down! Shane rolls and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Naito lets go on his own for once, and then brings Shane up. Naito CLUBS Shane into a corner, CLUBS him some more, then hoists Shane up top. Naito climbs, but Shane slips under! Shane brings Naito out but Naito fights to then RANA! The fans rally as Naito runs, but Shane DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up while both men are down! Shane crawls, hot tag to Mikey! Mikey winds up and runs up to LARIAT in the corner! Mikey whips Naito back in for another LARIAT!

Mikey brings Naito up, fireman’s carries, but Naito slips free. Naito waistlocks but ducks Mikey’s elbow, only to take a DDT! Mikey sits Naito up, throws off an elbow pad, and then SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Naito survives and Mikey is frustrated but the fans fire up. Mikey drags Naito up, brings him around, but Naito fights the lift with elbows. Mikey CHOPS Naito, whips him, but Naito reverses to TORNADO DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Naito reaches out, crawls for the LIJ corner, and the fans rally up. Naito tags in Hiromu, and LIJ goes after Mikey. They double whip Mikey but Mikey KICKS Naito!

Hiromu says whoa, no no no, but Mikey runs up on him. Hiromu dodges Mikey, and then sends Naito at him!? Then Hiromu picks Naito up to make him RANA Mikey to a corner! The fans fire up as Hiromu runs corner to corner to LARIAT! Hiromu snapmares Mikey to then basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Hiromu fires up and the fans are with him! Hiromu drags Mikey and says he’ll end this! But Mikey fights the suplex! Hiromu still tries, but it’s Mikey who suplexes! Hiromu slips free to waistlock, but Mikey switches and sends Hiromu to the TMDK corner! Tag to Shane and then feed to an UPPERCUT!

Mikey lifts Hiromu, Shane runs up, BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, TWO! Shane hurries to SIT-OUT POWERBOMB Hiromu! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up! Shane and Mikey coordinate, they’ll just hit Hiromu harder! Mikey scoops, but Naito makes the save! Naito sends Mikey at Shane but TMDK avoids a collision. Shane BOOTS Naito down, kicks him out, and Mikey says now it’s time to end this! Shane drags Hiromu up, but Hiromu CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS away on TMDK, but TMDK DOUBLE SLAP him! Then they double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDT!!

The fans are thunderous as Hiromu turns things around on TMDK! Hiromu crawls for the LIJ corner, hot tag to Naito! The fans fire up as Naito steps right to Shane. Naito throws those heavy elbows, but Shane clinches Naito! Naito fights the lift with more elbows! And more elbows! Shane wobbles but Naito ELBOWS him down! The fans fire up and Naito goes to a corner. Naito drags Shane up, reels him in, and ESPERANZA! The fans fire up again and Naito resets in the corner. Shane rises, Naito runs up, but Mikey LARIATS him down! TMDK says it’s time, and they haul Naito up! POWER BOTTOM!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans are thunderous as Naito survives! TMDK KICKS Naito around, then drags him up. Mikey scoops, but Hiromu SHOTGUNS Shane! Naito slips down, Mikey scoops him again, but Naito makes it DESTINO!! Hiromu watches Shane rise, and SUPERKICKS! Naito ENZIGIRIS Shane and Hiromu hits a HIROM-CHAN BOMBER! ROLLING JACKKNIFE! TWO!! Shane survives but Naito storms up on him again. Naito wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, DESTI- NO! Shane stays up, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS him! Hiromu BOOTS Mikey from the apron, then he push-starts Naito’s TORNADO DDT!

The fans fire up again and Naito brings Shane back up. Wrench and tilt-o-whirl, DESTINO!!! Cover, LIJ wins!

Winners: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shane & Mikey earn 0)

Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa won last night, but Shane & Mikey lost tonight, so TMDK as a whole is 1-1! Is their dream of a truly mighty World Tag League final already in jeopardy? Or can the former tag team champions prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

As for Naito & Hiromu, they of course take the mic, and Naito says, “Buenas noches, Funabashi~!” Naito knows this tournament technically kicked off two days ago, and that this is Naito’s first entry to this tournament in two years, with a new partner, Hiromu Takahashi. But the finals will be in Kumamoto, and it will be this “openweight team” going for those trophies! The fans cheer that! Naito continues by saying that maybe some know this, but NJPW has had five events in Chiba over the course of 2024. In February, May, August, October, and now in November. Unfortunately, that means this is the last time this year they will be here.

But with that in mind, let us end on a great note. Naito does the math, and says the last time they did a role call here was in April of 2016! Eight years ago! So everyone, are you ready for the first role call specifically in Funabashi? The fans cheer and Naito says the only way to end tonight is of course with… Wait, tranquilo, assen na yo. The fans cheer as Hiromu sits up for this. “Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRRRRNABLEEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!!” The fans cheer and Naito drops the mic. Will the Stardust Genius and Ticking Timebomb make a run at the top of this tag league?

Here are the B Block standings!

Taichi & Taka Michinoku: 1-0, 2 points
Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi: 1-0, 2 points
The Filip Brothers: 1-0, 2 points
Evil & Ren Narita: 1-0, 2 points
Great-O-Khan & Henare: 0-1, 0 points
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls: 0-1, 0 points
Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg: 0-1, 0 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado: 0-1, 0 points

My Thoughts:

A great round for B Block to start their own round robin, with quite some surprises. Not so much The Filip Brothers winning because Jado being on Tanahashi’s team, Jado is the liability much like Tomoaki Honma is for Shota Umino in A Block. Taichi & Taka getting that win off Henare & Khan was the biggest surprise because usually Taka is the “liability” on the team. But I suppose with Yuya Uemura out with injury and Sanada having betrayed them, Just Four Guys had no choice but to send Taka in. Great stuff in that win, but I’m not sure the chances of them winning those titles in some sort of “Road to WrestleKingdom” type tag title match.

Very good stuff from Yano & Oleg VS Evil & Narita but duh, The House of Torture cheats to win as usual. In a roundabout way, the story of Tanahashi and Evil building towards their WK19 match is like how ZSJ and Shota are really just building towards their own match through this tournament. And much in that same way, it takes just a bit of the drama out as Tanahashi won’t really be taking the losses when Jado can eat those pins or tap to those holds. And obviously, if The House of Torture is winning, it’s because of cheating so anyone can win it for them and Evil will be rolling towards WK19.

But we got a great main event from LIJ VS TMDK, but it was less surprising that LIJ won out. Shane & Mikey already came into this tournament having taken a loss, their redemption story back to the titles will be taking the long road. But with Naito never having won a WTL tournament, and obviously this being Hiromu’s first, they could have quite the run. They should at least be second place and narrowly miss out on the finals.

My Score: 8.9/10

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 11.21.2024

Let’s pretend last week didn’t happen? Okay? So tonight’s iMPACT! has to be better…right?

Published

8 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Andrew Balaz

So things can’t get much worse than last week unless this ends up a negative score. Hopefully we got the filler episode or the TNA equivalent of A Feast for Crows, out of the way. I’d like at least a high school level attempt at logically telling a story, not bad promos and story beats almost as bad as Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail.

The show kicks off with the Knockouts title match featuring Lish. Now while I’m not gonna put Lish over for her ringwork, but her character work is great. So being a NO DQ match, we should get more gimmick and less “work rate”. I will just make it known before the show happens, I am very sick of Tommy Dreamer’s booking (or whoever really has it). Literally none of the stories matter, they aren’t consistent with the storytelling and are squandering the brand equity and good faith returning to TNA has granted them. Lots of potentially decent pieces on this roster, just booking is written by a blind kindergartner who’s just pulling a lever on a See ‘N Say and making that an angle.

The Rascalz and KUSHIDA are confident heading into #TNATurningPoint! @ZacharyWentz @TheTreyMiguel

Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/7N7e9L00hs pic.twitter.com/Av19OnPnHt

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 22, 2024

Ratings:

TNA Knockouts Championship NO DQ Match: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Alisha Edwards: Masha retains via Package Piledriver – ** 1/2
ASH by Elegance w/Personal Concierge & Heather vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna: ASH wins via Rarefied Air – **
Rhino vs Frankie Kazarian: Kaz wins via School Boy w/ Feet on ropes – ** 1/4
Moose & JDC vs Leon Slater & Laredo Kid: Slater wins via La Magistral – *
Savannah Evans vs Brittany Jade: Evans wins via Full Nelson Bomb – SQUASH
The Hardy Boyz & Ace Austin vs Birminghammer Daddies (Hammerstone, Jake Something & Trent Seven): Trent wins via Birminghammer – ***

Results:

TNA Knockouts Championship NO DQ Match: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Alisha Edwards

Lish starts off during the introductions, hits a big Forearm and starts laying into Masha in the corner. Lish grabs Kendra, takes a swing, but Masha ducks it and gets a little bit of revenge before a trash can lid stalls Masha’s Suicida. Lish throws Masha back in the ring, along with a chair. Throat Chop from Lish, followed up with a DDT onto the chair and Lish gets an early two count. Lish puts the chair in the corner, bounces Masha’s face off of it a few times before trying to set up for a Corner Crossbody, but Masha moves and Lish eats the chair. Masha grabs a trash can, pops the crowd and tries something but Lish puts the brakes on the initial attack before Masha just smashes Lish’s face into the can, sets her up in the corner, looks for a Superplex through the can, but Lish block and gouges the eyes, slips between her legs and the Avalanche Powerbomb onto the can gives Lish another two count!

Kendra comes into play again, a few quick cracks just seems to piss off Masha, she fires, grabs the kendo stick from Lish and beats on her a few times before the Package Piledriver seals the deal and Masha retains!

Tasha Steelz attacks after the pinfall, so Jordynne makes the save for Masha so they can have a moment before their match at Turning Point.

ASH by Elegance w/Personal Concierge & Heather vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna

ASH plays the powder to annoy the babyface gimmick, but after the second time Jody steps on ASH’s hand when she tries to quickly break the count and powder again. A few suplexes give Jody the early advantage, but she misses the Spear into the corner and posts herself. Heather uses the moment of distraction to hit Jody with a Neckbreaker and ASH grabs a cheap two count. ASH works Jody over in a corner, distracts the referee again so Heather attacks one more time. The crowd is surprisingly loud for a Jody comeback…but ASH does the ole hair slam into a Headlock.

Jody finally powers up for the comeback, rope spot with the Knees to the back and German Suplex but ASH uses the hair pull to stop Jody from continuing…momentarily. Jody is beating on ASH in the corner, perches ASH, looks for the Superplex but Heather tries to get into the ring to distract the referee, Concierge helps to anchor ASH, so ASH fights off Jody, hits Rarefied Air and wins the match!

Mike Santana comes out for a promo, and about a minute into, the stupid channel switches into Picture in Picture mode. DURING A PROMO. So I have no clue if anything being said is clever, well done or why Frankie Kazarian showed up. Anthem needs to get their act together, this is embarrassing. Apparently we come back in time for the punchline and because they’re both gunning for the World Title Santana challenges Kaz to a Turning Point match because “no nights off”? What kind of moron e-fed story is this? And Tom throws to Picture in Picture as soon as Rhino comes out to kick off the Kaz match…but the commercial break already happened. Sad.

Rhino vs Frankie Kazarian

Lots of stalling from Kaz, since this is supposed to be during PiP, so dumb stuff like powdering, opportunistic throwing Rhino face first into the steps…so on and so forth. Just slow paced dumb stuff until we’re supposed to be “back”, so now Rhino will start…yup Uppercut cuts off Kaz, Lariat, a few Knife Edge Chops into some Short Arm Shoulder Tackles. Kaz powders, tries to grab his Call Your Shot trophy, referee takes it away from him, Kaz runs into the ring and tries to grab his scarf, ref again disarms him but Kaz kicks the middle rope into Rhino for a near fall. Kaz starts laying in some fists and chokes with his shin, cocky cover for 2.

They start just throwing hands, because reasons…Rhino gets the best of it and connects with a few Lariats and a Shoulder Tackle into a Belly to Belly for a two count. The crowd is behind Rhino, a few more Lariats, Gore set up, but Kaz sidesteps it, School Boy with the feet on the ropes for the win.

.@SteveMaclin's journey of discovery forces him to confront elements of his past.

Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/7N7e9L00hs pic.twitter.com/g82wDEBdnu

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 22, 2024

This vignette is hot garbage in my opinion. Trying to frame PTSD as trust issues in half baked choppy Netflix recap of a Burn Notice knockoff.

Moose & JDC vs Leon Slater & Laredo Kid

Yeah this match is useless on paper. Laredo is such a filler enhancement talent and even if JDC could eat a pin against say Leon…there’s no way Leon is beating Moose for the X Division title. So aside from a time filler, this match serves no purpose.

JDC starts and eats offense from both Laredo and Leon, as is expected, but I really can’t be dragged into caring about this match. Laredo is joke, Leon is someone they want to hype up but he’s got no discernable personality aside from “British”. Laredo breaks up a pinfall attempt, John Woo Dropkicks JDC into the post after dodging a Spear, Moose catches a Laredo dive and turns it into an Apron Powerbomb, Leon flies over the post to wipe out Moose, locks up JDC in the La Magistral, and its over.

So as I alluded to, it’s technically just a way to set up a challenger for the X Division title, but even if the match is good, Leon shouldn’t beat Moose unless he brings a rifle.

Hendry is out talking, as per usual, and doing his usual thanking the fans for believing and saying all the babyface things. Is definitely cookie cutter, he’s passionate so he sells the basic words well, but it’s basic shit.

Savannah Evans vs Brittany Jade

Skye Blue from wish is the jobber that Savannah gets to eat. Propels Jade across the ring, corner splashes a few times, throws her into the ropes, Jade goes for a Flying Headscissors but Savannah blocks the momentum and reverses it, Facebuster, Samoan Drop, and now Full Nelson Bomb to kill the jobber. There we go, no one is shocked and it didn’t really do anything for Savannah, it was more just a basic reminder of her power moves. Nothing flashy, so if Lei Ying Lee loses, then she’s dead in the water.

The Hardy Boyz & Ace Austin vs Birminghammer Daddies (Hammerstone, Jake Something & Trent Seven)

The Seven Star Hammer Daddies or Birminghammer Daddies…not sure which I like more. Think I’m leaning towards Birminghammer Daddies.

Hammer and Matt start, Matt has control, Jake tries to make the save but ends up eating the Delete Buckle Face Smashes. Matt tries to Double Coconut Jake and Hammer, but they no sell, beat their chests and drop Matt. Hammer works over Matt a little, tags in Trent and then Matt counters whatever Trent tries and gets Jeff in. Classic Senton/Legdrop Doubles, Jeff’s Low Dropkicks, and just typically classic Hardy stuff. Jeff looks for Twist of Fate, Bop and Bang counters, Trent hits a Flowsion and tags out to Jake. Jeff and Matt do some veteran tactics with a blind tag as Jake tries to chase Jeff. But the referee tells Jake that Jeff isn’t legal just in time for Matt to hit a Chop Block and tandem Hardy offense, Ace gets involved in some of the fun and finally gets tagged in. Ace has Jake in the corner, Hammer tries to break things up but Ace moves and Hammer collides with Jake, Trent gets sent in, Double Poetry on the stacked up heel team, they go for Twists in Triplicate…but the heels shove off and powder.

After the picture in picture, we know the heels had control with basic heel stuff, but Ace clears the apron with a big Double Dropkick, Enzuigiri to Trent to try and lunge, but Jake and Hammer pull the Hardys off the apron. Tandem Powerbomb from the Daddies, Trent hits the Seven Star Lariat, but Ace kicks out at two! Birminghammer attempt is slipped, X Plex attempt but Ace turns it into a Flatliner! Ace tags in Jeff and Trent didn’t look for the tag! Jeff hot tag, wipes out the apron, through the legs Double Leg Drop, Flashing Elbow, but the Daddies come in and we get to the signature spam moves for moves sake moment. Matt counters a tandem Back Body Drop with the Double DDT, Twists in Triplicate are hit, Swanton Bomb is called for but Jake and Hammer put a stop to that.

Ace tries to fly on the big men but they catch him, so Jeff gets up and connects the big splash to assist Ace. Plot Twist on Trent! Swanton Bomb from Jeff, 1-2-but Hammer and Jake pull out Ace. Hardys almost fall victim to the Final Chapter, but slip it and hit Stereo Twists of Fate. Referee is checking on the outside stuff, counters The Fold with a Low Blow, Birminghammer wins the match for the Birminghammer Daddies!

Hardyz try to attack Trent, but the big men stop them, they look to make an example out of the veterans, but Rascalz and Kushida make the save.

Overall Score: 4.5/10

Still not what I would call a “good” episode, but at least there was a semblance of trying to remember stories they had going on, a couple alright promos and vignettes. But between the Picture in Picture mistiming, the Maclin vignette being inane and three matches in the middle that mean literally nothing in the grand scheme of things just makes the show feel both bloated and lacking at the same time. Genesis better be the start of a new booker, because literally everything since Scott left has been kinda stupid. A few obvious connections got made and that was fine, but the reimagining of The System swagger (or lack thereof), Hendry becoming the Tetsuya Naito of TNA and the desolate Knockouts Division really makes this a hard product to get any consistency out of much less tolerate what they hand us.

The main event was at least tolerable, give Trent and Ace something with Speedball leaving and Bey injured, and potentially setting up Hammer Daddies to challenge for the tag titles, I’m not mad at that. If I had a say in things, Hardyz should drop the belts to either Hammer Daddies or First Cla$$.

So this was better than last week, but that’s a low bar, and with next week being a Thanksgiving Special, this was technically the Go Home for Turning Point. So next Friday is hopefully a good show, because that card looks bad.