Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW AXS TV Results: Fighting Spirit Unleashed!
AXS gives a special NJPW encore of Fighting Spirit Unleashed! Will the new NWA Worlds Champion, Cody, also become the new IWGP United States Champion?
This coverage of Fighting Spirit Unleashed will be as broadcast by AXS TV.
Gifs can be found at http://frentique.tumblr.com/
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: ACH, Jyushin Thunder Liger & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Roppongi 3K; ACH, Liger & Taguchi win.
- The Addiction VS Chase Owens & Hangman Adam Page; The Addiction wins.
- Six Man Tag: Chris Sabin, Flip Gordon & Jeff Cobb VS Best Friends & Hirooki Goto; Sabin, Gordon & Cobb win.
- Six Man Tag: EVIL, SANADA & Tetsuya Naito VS Killer Elite Squad & Zack Sabre Jr; Killer Elite Squad & Zack Sabre Jr. win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kushida VS Gedo & Jay White; Gedo & White win.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Tournament Semi-Finals: Marty Scurll VS Will Ospreay; Scurll wins and advances to the finals.
- IWGP Tag Team Championship: The Young Bucks VS The Guerrillas of Destiny; The Guerrillas of Destiny win and become the new IWGP Tag Team Champions.
- IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Juice Robinson VS Cody w/ Brandi Rhodes; Cody wins and becomes the new IWGP US Heavyweight Champion.
- The Golden Lovers VS Tomohiro Ishii & Kazuchika Okada; The Golden Lovers win.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW returns to the States!
This is the third show in America, and we continue where we left off! The Bullet Club faces a new civil war as the Firing Squad looks to overthrow The Elite as Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa take on The Young Bucks for their IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. The Tongans took the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Championships, will they also take the heavyweight two-man belts? Meanwhile, The Villain and the Aerial Assassin again clash for one more shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship! Who gets the newest win in this storied rivalry? And of course, the American Nightmare wants to be the United States Champion on top of NWA Worlds Champion. Can Cody crush Juice Robinson’s dream and find himself holding two titles?
Six Man Tag: ACH, Jyushin Thunder Liger & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Roppongi 3K!
The main unit, Taguchi Japan, have been a bit overlooked with things like the Bullet Club Civil War and even the turmoil within Chaos happening. But can combining the forces of the mega anime fan, the living legend of Junior Heavyweight wrestling and Boss Taguchi himself put this faction in the spotlight? Or will Rocky Romero lead his boys, Sho & Yoh, to victory in the Six-Man Tag Division?
The Walter Pyramid is thunderous for Thunder Liger already, so naturally he’ll start. RPG3K sorts itself out and send out Yoh. The bell rings and fans rally up as Liger and Yoh circle. Yoh and Liger tie up and are even in strength. Yoh manages to push Liger to ropes, then backs up to fake a chop. He gives a shoulder pat a la Chaos leader Okada. Liger and Yoh circle and tie up again. Liger gets a headlock, and he grinds Yoh to a knee. Yoh powers out but Liger runs him over with a shoulder. Yoh kips up and Liger goes again, only to run into a dropkick. Fans boo, they much prefer Liger. Things speed up and Liger tilt-o-whirls Yoh into a backbreaker! Liger then drags Yoh into the full Mexican Surfobard! Taguchi and ACH come in to intercept Rocky and Sho with ankle locks!
The referee tries to regain order, and Taguchi Japan release RPG3K. Taguchi whips Yoh and then sends ACH in for a big clothesline. Liger goes in for his own, then ACH, then back to Liger. Taguchi takes care of coaching like in baseball. But then he goes in, funky weapon hip attack! They coordinate again, and Taguchi climbs up. Liger whips but Yoh reverses, sending Liger into the funky weapon! And then Yoh gives Taguchi 1000 Years of Death! Taguchi tumbles down while Sho stomps Liger. Rocky takes care of ACH, then RPG3K work together now. Rocky slaps Liger then feeds Liger to Yoh’s mudhole stomps. Yoh tags in Sho and they double whip Liger. They have Liger run, into a drop toehold and low dropkick. Fans boo and jeer them while Sho bumps Liger off Rocky’s boot. Rocky tags in and puts Liger in a corner.
Rocky throws haymakers while mocking Liger, but Liger chops back! Liger backs Rocky up but Rocky dropkicks the legs out. Fans rally up for Liger, but Rocky tags in Sho. Sho takes out Taguchi while Yoh comes in. They whip Liger, then send Rocky in. Liger puts Rocky on the apron, but Rocky grabs Liger. Sho runs in but Liger dodges, Sho hits Rocky down! Liger knocks Yoh down then gives Sho a tilt-o-whirl backbreaker! ACH returns and Liger crawls over, hot tag! ACH rallies on Sho and Yoh and even scares Rocky. Show grabs ACH but ACH powers out to then slingshot onto Rocky! ACH goes after Sho with a sweep and stomps! Shotgun dropkick, then a sweep and SUPERKICK for Yoh! ACH fires up with Long Beach, but Sho slows him down.
Sho whips but runs into ACH’s boot. ACH fires off strikes, then deadlift German Suplex! Bridge, TWO! Fans chant “ACH! ACH!” as he keeps on Sho. He fireman’s carry but Sho fights out. Sho waistlocks but ACH fights out now. ACH whips but misses, Sho waistlocks to German Suplex! Sho can’t bridge, but he does crawl for his corner. So does ACH, hot tag to Rocky and Taguchi! Taguchi leaps but completely misses with his funky weapon. Rocky hits Liger for good measure, then aims at Taguchi. Rocky winds up and gets those forever clotheslines going! He gets three but then gets the hip attack! Taguchi gives hip attacks to Yoh and Sho, then gives forever hip attacks to Rocky, to Yoh and to Sho, repeat! Long Beach fires up as Taguchi flops around. He baits RPG3K but dodges all their dropkicks!
Taguchi throws haymakers then runs, but is caught into a triple atomic drop! Sho feeds him to the double mule kick which leads into his backstabber and double knees! High stack cover from Rocky, TWO! Fans fire up and RPG3K stomps about. Liger drags Rocky out, and Taguchi fights out of 3K. ACH blasts Yoh & Sho with dropkicks, then DIVES onto them both! Taguchi gives Rocky the Dodon Buster! Cover, Taguchi Japan wins!
Winners: Taguchi Japan, Ryusuke Taguchi pinning
A big win for the main unit to open the show! Will Taguchi lead his team to further victories? Will Liger and Tiger Mask W get their own victories for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships?
Backstage interviews.
Rocky Romero knows “A great man once said that our faction is fine.” Chaos is fine, even with some bad eggs and traitors. Yes, he means Gedo! Gedo broke everyone’s hearts when he sided with Jay White! The “rat bastard” will get his soon, and Jay White, Rocky is ready to fight him wherever and whenever! He wants it to be official! Will Rocky get his fight with the Switchblade? Or will Gedo make sure Rocky gets got first?
The Addiction VS Chase Owens & Hangman Adam Page!
Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian may have a deadline with ROH, but they’re hoping to use success in NJPW as a bartering chip. Meanwhile, the Crown Jewel and Problem Solver of the Bullet Club wouldn’t mind finding their own way to titles somewhere. Who will find success as the expense of the others here in Long Beach?
Long Beach is SoCal, so they love “S C U!” The Heavy Metal Rebel starts against his familiar foe and they tie up. Hangman gets the headlock but Kaz powers out. They collide but neither man falls. They tie up again and Kaz gets the headlock. Headman powers out but Kaz dodges and hurdles to bump. Neither man falls again, but Kaz pie faces Hangman. Hangman throws forearms but so does Kaz and the brawl is on! These two still don’t like each other after all they’ve done to each other. Hangman runs but into Kaz’s forearm. Kaz runs but into Hangman’s forearm. Hangman runs but dodges. Kaz dodges, they collide with clotheslines. Neither man falls, even as they go again. They’re still standing, even after a third collision.
Daniels and Chase tag in, even though Hangman wasn’t done with Kaz. Chase says it’s okay, but then Daniels throws haymakers and chops. Chase reverses the whip to cravat knee and mule kick. He runs sideways to hit the swinging neckbreaker! Chase runs into the corner but into Daniels’ boot. Daniels hits his own neckbreaker, then tags in Kaz. The Addiction combine for body shot and flipping neckbraeker. Kaz covers, ONE! Kaz keeps between Chase and Hangman, and fans rally for SCU as Kaz throws forearms on Chase. He whips Chase but Chase dodges. Hangman tags in and Chase feeds Kaz to Hangman’s boot. Chase gives a cravat facebuster, then gets Daniels with one.
Hangman comes in to give Kaz a clothesline, then Daniels a clothesline. Kaz runs but into a fireman’s carry, Hangman kicks Daniels. Hangman dumps Kaz, and uses Daniels for the dropsault! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up with Hangman while he keeps on Kaz. He bumps Kaz off the buckles then stomps a mudhole. Tag to Chase, and he stomps a mudhole. Chase puts Kaz into the ropes to forearm him in the back. He does it again, then lifts Kaz for the backbreaker. Cover, TWO! Chase keeps on Kaz and tags in Hangman. They double whip, double elbow, then knee drop and shooting star! Cover, TWO! Hangman rallies up the fans, and he pumphandle deadlifts Kaz for the Fall Away Suplex! Bridging cover, TWO!
Hangman chops Kaz then tags Chase. He holds Kaz in place for Chase to punch. Chase puts on a facelock but fans rally up for Kaz. Chase wrenches hard, but Kaz powers his way up as fans chant “S C U!” Kaz fights back with body shots and haymakers, but Chase kicks low. Chase whips but Kaz slides off his back to then backstabber! Kaz dodges, hot tag to Daniels! Daniels rallies on the Bullet Club boys. Hangman reverses the whip but Daniels slides to STO! Daniels whips but Hangman reverses again, only to end up in the dragon sleeper. Chase runs in, for a urenage DDT combo! The Fallen Angle keeps going as he wheelbarrow slams Chase. Cover, TWO! Daniels keeps his cool as he drags Chase up for another urenage. Then to the corner, but Chase catches him in a roll up! TWO!
Daniels whips Chase. Chase dodges, Hangman slingshots for the Buck Shot! Hangman hits Kaz for good measure while Chase rebound backbreakers Daniels! Cover, TWO! Daniels is tough, it’s how he’s lasted this long in the sport. Hangman goes to the apron but has to fight Kaz off with a roaring elbow. Then the shooting star shoulder, gets a code breaker!! Chase aims at Daniels, but Daniels resists the driver. Kaz comes in but Chase fires off on him. Chase whips Kaz but Kaz reverses. Chase runs into a boot, Kaz scoops and Daniels jumps, Best Meltzer Ever! Cover, The Addiction wins!
Winners: The Addiction, Daniels pinning
SoCal Uncensored is victorious in SoCal! They’ve got a lot of time left, can Daniels & Kazarian make a run for gold before 2018 is out?
Six Man Tag: Chris Sabin, Flip Gordon & Jeff Cobb VS Best Friends & Hirooki Goto!
One half of the Motor City Machine Guns teams with the Captain of Flip Army and the NEW ROH World Television Champion against Chaos’ Trent, Chuckie T & Fierce Warrior! Goto may no longer be NEVER Openweight Champion, but could we see the forging of a new trio for the Six Man Tag Division? Or will this arsenal of honor end that before it begins?
The teams go through their checks with the referee, then sort out who starts. The bell rings and we begin with Sabin and the Kentucky Gentleman. Sabin and Chuckie circle and tie up. Chuckie gets a waistlock but Sabin reverses to a wristlock. Chuckie reverses that onto Sabin but Sabin rolls and handsprings to spin around and wrench the arm to an arm-drag. Things speed up and Chuckie rolls Sabin to a cover, TWO and Sabin has the crucifix cover! TWO and both men stand off. Long Beach loves it already as both men blast their opposing corners! They then get in each other’s face and start brawling with forearms. Goto and Trent come in to brawl with Flip and Cobb! The ref again has a hard time keeping order, but Flip and Cobb throw Trent and Goto out.
Sabin whips Chuckie corner to corner and then Cobb whips Sabin in. Sabin hits the elbow, then Flip goes in for one. However, Sabin isn’t enough to whip Cobb in, so Flip helps. Cobb gets going and hits a big corner splash! Flip shooting stars, then Sabin La Mahistrols, TWO! Chuckie shakes the cobwebs out of his head while Sabin puts him in a corner. Sabin runs but mises, Goto returns to hit a clothesline. Trent hits an elbow and Chuckie a clothesline. Flip comes in but is scooped, long dart cutter! The Best Friends want to hug, but Cobb runs them over! Fans boo, they like hugs. Cobb says they’ll like this more. He builds speed, but runs into Goto’s lariat! Goto keeps on Cobb on the outside, but Sabin stops Goto with a Penalty Kick! But Trent blasts Sabin to then build speed. Chuckie stops him, to hug!
Flip returns but is tossed out onto Sabin. Then the Best Friends build speed to FLY! They hit all three opponents and Long Beach loves it! Chuckie puts Sabin in while Trent flexes. Goto keeps the others down while Chuckie scoop slams Sabin. Tag to Trent, and they build up energy for the most dangerous move in the world… the slingshot foot scrape. But Chuckie adds on his slow-mo senton. The fans love the Fillsbury Flop, but then Goto tags in and he clubs away on Sabin. Goto whips and elbows Sabin down to then drop another elbow. Cover, TWO! Sabin still lives but Goto puts on a chinlock. Fans rally for Sabin as he endures the elbow in the nose and forehead. Goto drags Sabin over and puts him in the Chaos corner.
Tag to Trent, and Trent Northern Lights with bridge. TWO, but Trent keeps between him and the corner. Trent chops Sabin sharply, but Sabin only fires up from it. Sabin chops sharply, so Trent gives another. Tag to Chuckie and he brings Sabin up. Sabin fights back with forearms and chops, but then Chuckie rakes eyes. Sabin can’t see where he’s going, Chuckie tags in Trent. They keep between Sabin and his team, then double whip him corner to corner. Sabin goes up and over and sends Chuckie into Trent and then drop toeholds Chuckie into Trent’s crotch! Chuckie gets Sabin with a kick, but Sabin reverses the bomb into a tornado DDT! Sabin reaches for his corner as fans rally up, he rolls to hot tag in Flip!
Flip leaps over Trent to dropkick Goto. Flip handsprings and mule kicks to PELE! He goes up and FLIES onto Chuckie! Flip fires up and climbs up, to crossbody Trent! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up more as Flip takes aim. Flip runs in but misses. Trent tornado DDT but it’s denied, Flip spring-blades! Flip hurries up top again, for a 450! He bails out as Trent rolls to evade, and turns around into Trent’s shotgun knee! Both men are down but fans rally up. Trent and Flip crawl, hot tags to Goto and Cobb! Cobb rallies on Goto with chops and haymakers! He whips Goto corner to corner then hits a BIG clothesline! Cobb whips Goto again, but Goto dodges. Goto runs and they collide with clotheslines. They collide again, and again, and Goto wins out!
Cobb crawls but Goto runs in for the windmill heel kick! Then the saido suplex! Cover, TWO! Goto tries but can’t fireman carry. Cobb elbows Goto then waistlocks. Goto fights out but Cobb kicks. Cobb swings but ends up in the dragon sleeper. He slips out to suplex Goto down! Fans fire up as Cobb moonsaults! Goto dodges and Cobb flops. Cobb runs into the clothesline, but both men are down. Goto tags to Chuckie and he corner clotheslines on Cobb. Chuckie vows to kill Cobb for real, but it’s Cobb who suplexes him. Trent saves Chuckie, the Best Friends double suplex Cobb! They keep on Cobb with a double whip, but Cobb brings them into each other, for a double pumphandle suplex!
Cobb is superhuman as he brings Trent up. Trent throws Cobb into Chuckie’s knee, and then hits the tornado DDT! Chuckie wants his Awful Waffle, and somhow manages him up for the driver! Cover, but both Sabin and Flip break it! Goto throws Flip out while Trent drags Sabin out. Chuckie positions Cobb and climbs up, for the MOONSAULT! But it flops as Cobb evades! Cobb clobbers Chuckie, brings down the straps, and takes him for a Tour of the Islands! Cover, Cobb and team win!
Winners: Sabin, Gordon & Cobb, Jeff Cobb pinning
The slapdash trio takes the victory in their first time teaming together. Sabin’s chest is worse for wear, but maybe these three could make a run for trios titles somewhere? However, Goto goes after Cobb, wanting to keep their fight going. The referee keeps the peace and Trent convinces Goto to back down, for now. When will we see the Warrior and the Olympian collide again?
Six Man Tag: EVIL, SANADA & Tetsuya Naito VS Killer Elite Squad & Zack Sabre Jr!
Los Ingobernables de Japon have been struggling as of late. They no longer have the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, Hiromu Takahashi went down with injury back in the G1 Special in San Francisco, and not even the Uncontrollable Charisma managed to repeat as G1 Climax champion. But perhaps there is hope in Six Man competition! Unless Davey Boy Smith Jr, Lance Archer and the Submission Master do something about it.
Speaking of, KES & ZSJ attack from behind without waiting for the bell! ZSJ singles out Evil while KES drag Naito and the Cold Skull out of the ring. The bell rings as ZSJ toys with the King of Darkness. ZSJ runs but Evil dodges to run him over. The brawl continues on the outside and LIJ gets the edge while Evil grinds his shoe on ZSJ’s head. Evil stomps ZSJ while Archer throws a tantrum on the outside. Sanada tags in and clubs ZSJ. He whips but ZSJ catches him into the abdominal stretch! Sanada slips out to put it on ZSJ! ZSJ slips out and they go around and around, but end up in the Suzuki-Gun corner. Davey tags in and stomps away on Sanada. He throws big kicks and knocks Sanada off his feet. Davey throws forearms and whips Sanada. Sanada dodges to dropkick the leg out!
Sanada grabs the legs and arms, and wants the infamous Paradise Lock, but Davey powers out. Davey runs into a kick, then Sanada throws hands. Sanada whips but Archer tags in, for the back drop power slam! Davey hits Naito and Evil, Archer reels Sanada in for a lariat. ZSJ joins in on the outside and they wreck Naito and Evil with railings. Archer drags Sanada up and into a corner for a chop. He runs corner to corner for a big back elbow, then again for another. Archer keeps going for a third elbow! Fans boo and jeer while Davey tags back in. Davey looms over Sanada as he brings him back up. Davey scoops and slams, to then hook a leg for a deathlock snap! He does a couple more, then swivels those hips and says “Up yours, brother!” before bridging!
Sanada endures the modified deathlock, and fans rally up. Davey shifts to add a crossface and then a fish hook to it. He lets go as the ref counts, and Sanada chops back. Davey eggs him on so Sanada chops more and more. Davey clubs Sanada then German Suplexes. He holds on to German again! Davey goes for the hat trick but Sanada slips out! Sanada boots him away then dropkicks him down! Fans fire up as Naito gets up. Archer intercepts but he choke slam is countered with a huricanrana! Naito tags in! Naito rallies and dodges to dropkick Davey in the back. ZSJ comes in but Naito whips him for the jump kick, sweep and swinging dropkick! Naito drags ZSJ up for the neckbreaker, then hits the pose. Fans fire up but Davey waistlocks. Naito fights out and enziguris!
Naito runs but into a belly2belly! Davey crawls and Archer blasts Evil out. KES go after Naito and they whip him corner to corner. Davey clotheslines, Archer elbows, and they combine for the crossbody sidewalk slam! Cover, TWO! Naito toughs it out but KES is on him again. Archer prepares the full nelson but fans rally up. Naito kicks Davey away then sends him into Archer. Tornado DDT for Archer! Both men are down but crawling. ZSJ tags in but so does Evil. ZSJ throws European Uppercuts but Evil throws forearms. They go back and forth, and Long Beach is on Evil’s side. Evil eggs ZSJ on, ZSJ throws more EuroUppers. Evil chops then back sentons! Fans fire up as Evil runs, but ZSJ kicks the clothesline to then Pele the arm! ZSJ hops on for the double wristlock! Evil endures, and then powers out to a suplex!
Sanada hits KES and coordinates with Evil. They double whip ZSJ and hit a back elbow to big clothesline. Naito comes in for a double dropkick sandwich! Naito and Sanada hit KES, slingshot from Sanada takes them both out. Evil has ZSJ, for the STO but ZSJ reverses to the Octopus! Only for Evil to counter into Darkness Falls!! Cover, TWO!! Evil roars and rags ZSJ up, but ZSJ gets around, European Clutch!! Cover, Suzuki-Gun wins!!
Winners: ZSJ & Killer Elite Squad, Sabre Jr. pinning
Another win over Evil and ZSJ is riding high. The Submission Master doesn’t respect spooky Halloween season, nor does he respect ZSJ. And Killer Elite Squad beat up a young lion, just like Minoru Suzuki would! No respect, no mercy, but will there be consequences for these actions?
As for Evil, Naito and Sanada come in to try and encourage their comrade. LIJ will overcome, but what will it take to turn their luck around?
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kushida VS Gedo & Jay White!
The Ace is the G1 Climax 28 champion while the Time Splitter is headed for another IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match. Will their momentum be halted by the traitor of Chaos and his new protege?
Tanahashi already has reason to dislike The Switchblade, so before the bell even rings, he and Kushida take the fight to White and Gedo! The bell rings while the brawl is on! Tanahashi gives White EuroUppers before putting him in the ring. White staggers into forearms and body shots. Tanahashi catches White’s kick into the Dragon Screw! Tanahashi stomps on that leg then throws more forearms. He whips White corner to corner but White reverses. Whtie runs into an elbow, but then trips up Tanahshi and sends him to the floor! Gedo hits Kushida while White stomps away on Tanahashi. White even chokes Tanahashi with camera cord! Fans boo and jeer and White lets go to bring Tanahashi up for a chop. Gedo wrenches and rakes Kushida while White chops Tanahashi again.
White puts Tanahashi in the ring and takes aim. He runs in corner to corner for a running EuroUpper, then throws Tanahashi with a big back suplex. Cover, TWO! Fans boo and jeer while White drags Tanahashi up. White chops Tanahashi more, then tags in Gedo. Fans boo while Gedo puts Tanahashi in a sleeper. Gedo also claws at Tanahashi’s face, so the referee tells him to let go. Gedo does, then taunts Tanahashi. He throws hands while fans boo and jeer. Gedo pokes Tanahahsi in the eyes, and the ref reprimands him again. Gedo brings Tanahashi over for a bump off White’s boot. White tags in to scoop and slam Tanahashi. White mocks Tanahashi before dropping the elbow. Cover, TWO!
White drags Tanhashi up to bump him off Gedo’s boot. Fans rally for The Ace but Gedo mule kicks him in the gut. Gedo embraces the heat, but Tanahashi hits back with body shots! Tanahashi swings on White but White gets away. Gedo whips Tanahashi but runs into the elbow. Tanahashi jumps up for the crossbody! Gedo manages to defend slightly and both men are down. Hot tag to Kushida! Springboard ax handle for Gedo, handspring kick for White! Kushida boots Gedo away then swing kicks him. Kushida climbs up and leaps over Gedo, to come back into Gedo’s kick. Gedo runs but into the arm-drag and cartwheel dropkick! Kushida aims from a corner and rolls, for the DDT! Float over to the cross armbreaker! Gedo resists as he rolls Kushida, but Kushida rolls him for the kimura! White breaks that up then takes out Tanahashi.
White helps Gedo to their corner and then tags in. He embraces the heat as he drags Kushida up for a chop. White chops more, but then Kushida dodges. Kushida runs into a boot but slips out of the suplex, only to get another chop. White whips but Kushida handsprings for the back elbow! Hot tag to Tanahashi! Tanahashi rallies on White, then whips corner to corner. White reverses but Tanahshi comes back with a forearm! Tanahashi has fans fired up, but White counters the slingblade. Tanahashi gets out of Blade Runner for Twist ‘n’ Shout! The Ace runs but into a chop, yet still gets a slingblade! Cover, but Gedo breaks it. Kushida throws Gedo out but gets a thumb in the eyes. Tanahashi goes up while White is still down. But White grabs the ref while Gedo uses brass knuckles to sucker punch Tanahashi!
Gedo rocks Kushida with that brass fist, then White lets go of the ref. White brings Tanahashi up, Blade Runner! Cover, White & Gedo win!
Winners: Gedo & White, Jay White pinning
The Switchblade and his new sinister mentor use every trick in the book to steal this from The Ace. White grabs the microphone and the Wrestle Kingdom contract briefcase, to ask Tanahashi and the world–once Long Beach stops booing–“What are you waiting for?” Fans switch to “F*ck you, Switchblade!” but White just blows kisses in return. He tells them to shut up since they paid to see him. But what is Tanahashi waiting for? He won the G1 only to give Okada a shot at the briefcase the very next event?! White beat them BOTH in the G1 so he has a right to the contract! So White asks again, “What are you waiting for? What is NJPW waiting for?”
They’re all scared that White will win again, and the company can’t afford not having Tanahashi in the main event. At the very least, they can’t stand having two gaijin in the main event! White says this is inevitable! We will all #BreathewiththeSwitchblade in the new era! White wants what Tanahashi has, will Gedo help him reach the top by any means necessary?
Backstage interview.
White says he’s taking that briefcase. Tanahashi knows it, NJPW sees it, fans see it! Everyone sees it. Gedo adds that Tanahashi was finished a long time ago, so are Tanahashi’s days numbered?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Tournament Semi-Finals: Marty Scurll VS Will Ospreay!
The Villain and The Aerial Assassin may be competing to reach the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight title again, but they’re also continuing their war that has been waged all around the world! Will Scurll or Ospreay move on to challenge The Time Splitter for the vacant title?
There is no love lost between these archenemies, but they still wait for the bell. The belt is shown to remind them what they’re after, and the bell rings to send these two at each other! SPANISH FLY OUTTA NOWHERE! Cover, TWO! Ospreay almost ends it there, but Scurll bails out. Ospreay builds speed to Sasuke Special! He puts Scurll in then climbs up, Shooting Star! Cover, TWO!! This is too fast, too furious, but its’ not over yet. Ospreay runs but Scurll bails out, so Ospreay DIVES! Ospreay doesn’t give Scurll a moment’s rest while fans are thunderous. He puts Scurll into the ring then springboards for a big clothesline! Scurll wants a breather but Ospreay won’t give him it. Ospreay instead kicks away on Scurll’s chest.
Scurll catches on to then SLAP Ospreay! Ospreay kicks Scurll again, but runs into the EuroUpper. Scurll hits another, then goes to the apron for the SUPERKICK! The Villain finally has time to breathe while fans chant “Too Sweet! Woop Woop!” Scurll brings Ospreay up and onto the apron to slam his chest on the edge. Scurll has the fans on his side as he brings Ospreay up. He ducks the enziguri to stomp Ospreay’s back neck! Scurll chops Ospreay off his feet once, twice, three times! Fans cheer as Scurll wrenches Ospreay’s neck with a cravat. Scurll throws knees, then snapmares and dropkicks Ospreay’s neck again. Cover, TWO! He kicks Ospreay while he’s down, then stands on Ospreay’s head.
Fans rally as Scurll stands Ospreay up for more chops. Scurll chops again but now Ospreay grits his teeth. Scurll kicks him in the face, then tweaks his neck! Ospreay is on the ropes, and Scurll stands on his head! The ref reprimands Scurll and Scurll lets up at 4. Scurll flexes and fires the fans up. He whips but Ospreay handsprings to enziguri! Both men are down but Ospreay’s neck still bothers him. Fans duel as both men slowly stand. Ospraey sweeps Scurll’s legs then runs in, but misses the dropkick. Scurll blocks one kick but gets the enziguri, then the elevated 619! Ospreay catches his breath and checks his neck while fans rally up. Ospreay slingshots but Scurll shoves and swing kicks. Scurll goes out to whip Ospreay into barriers.
Scurll chops Ospreay again, and again. He drags Ospreay to the apron, but Ospreay fights back. They brawl with forearms and chops, Ospreay kicks, but Scurll still chops. Back and forth but Ospreay gets the edge. Scurll runs but manages to hold off the Spanish Fly. Both men get flashbacks to their previous encounter. Scurll puts Ospreay in but Ospreay mule kicks. Ospreay sees his chance, runs and SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!! The fans lose their minds while both men are down and out. Ospreay stands first as the ring count reaches 13. He puts Scurll in at 15, wanting to win in the ring. Ospreay aims, Robinson Special spin kick! He calls for it, springboards for it, but ends up in a backslide form it! Roll through, but SUPERKICK!
Both men are down again but fans are loving it. Fans rally up as a new count begins. Scurll stands at 5 and goes over to Ospreay. Scurll butterflies but Ospreay resists. Ospreay turns around and kicks Scurll, to butterfly him. Scurll slips out to chop but Ospreay fires off strikes. Ospreay runs and kicks to then clobber Scurll with a clothesline! Scurll is down but Ospreay isn’t through with him. He drags Scurll up to a corner, then to the top rope. Ospreay chops Scurll then climbs up to join him. Ospreay and Scurll stand all the way up, but Scurll trips Ospreay up! Scurll then adjusts to SUPER STEINER! Then he runs to flip Ospreay with that lariat! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and Scurll can’t believe it. Fans still love it as they build back to a rally.
Scurll drags Ospreay up for another chop. Ospreay grits his teeth as he stays standing. Scurll chops him again but Ospreay still keeps himself up. Scurll chops again, but Ospreay won’t back down. Ospreay chops Scurll, Scurll chops Ospreay, and now Ospreay fires off strikes. Scurll ducks the kick to give the uppercut, bu t runs into the flip kick and enziguri! Suplex, but into CHICKEN WING!! Ospreay is stuck in the middle of the ring, but rolls it back! Cover, TWO, and then Mahistrol! TWO! Scurll powerbombs and high stacks, TWO, butterfly but Ospreay slips out. Full nelson but Scurll breaks out, only for Ospreay to hook kick him! Both men are down but Long Beach is thunderous!
Fans know “This is Awesome!” as both men stir. Ospreay stands first and calls for the end. He butterflies but Scurll powers him up to a corner. Scurll climbs up, but Ospreay slips out to tuck him in, CHEEKY NANDOS! Ospreay has a wild look in his eye as he climbs up top again. He steadies himself, but Scurll trips him up! Scurll sits Ospreay up and chops his back. Scurll climbs up, and wants the chicken wing up there! Ospreay fights out of it, but ends up in the tiger underhook! SUPER TIGER SUPLEX!! Cover, TWO!? HOW?! But Scurll just clobbers Ospreay again, before giving him the side package driver! Scurll isn’t done yet, Graduation Butterfly slam! Cover, Scurll wins!!
Winner: Marty Scurll, by pinfall; advances to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match
The Villain defeats the Assassin, and will now face Kushida! King of Pro-Wrestling will see a new IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion, but will it be Taguchi Japan or Bullet Club that claims it?
Backstage interview.
Scurll congratulates himself, and says that three things are guaranteed: Death, taxes, and Scurll beating Ospreay. Tonight was no different. Ospreay loses again and again, because he’s “full of it.” The truth is, when it’s 1v1 between these two, Scurll will always win. But enough about that, Scurll is tired and wants to go home to his dog Winston. Kushida, your time is up! Scurll claims that belt because he is the biggest start in the Division! No one buys Kushida merch, Opsreay merch or even Hiromu merch. They buy Scurll’s merch! Scurll will win and take it all the way to Tokyo Dome for an even better entrance than before! Thank you, get him some water, bye bye!
IWGP Tag Team Championship: The Young Bucks VS The Guerrillas of Destiny!
This is Bullet Club Civil War 2, and it’s even more intense than before. While Cody and Omega were fighting for the top, everyone else had to choose a side. Matt & Nick Jackson eventually chose Omega’s side, but the BC OG and his brother were a bit more cryptic about where they stood. When things finally settled between The Elite, that was when they decided to strike! This splinter cell known as the Firing Squad wants it all for themselves, and doesn’t care what they have to do or who they have to hurt to get it. Will Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa gun down the Bucks? Or will the Superkick Party be too much to stop?
Naturally the Godfather of Destiny, THE King Haku, accompanies his sons to the ring. As for the California natives, they’re going it as just the two of them, wearing gear that shouts out to the Golden Elite, aka the fabulous four that are The Bucks, Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi. Long Beach is of course on the side of “The! Elite! The the Elite!” the belts are raised but Tama tosses them down! Tension mounts as the teams sort out. Brother Nick starts against brother Tama and we begin. Fans chant “Young Bucks!” but Tama simply scowls at the fans. Some fans shout support for “G O D!” and that invigorates Tama.
Tama ties up with Nick, and Tama gets the headlock. Nick powers out but Tama runs him over. Tama runs but Nick keeps up with him, but both men dodge dropkicks to cancel out with dropkicks. They trash talk forehead to forehead, then start shoving. Matt shoves Tama so Loa shoves Matt. It’s a lot of shoving that turns into a brawl. But the GoD tank it all and then clobber the Bucks down. The GoD double whip but the Bucks slide and kick. The Bucks run, double alley oop dropkick! Fans fire up as The Bucks focus on Tama. They whip then kick, to sweep and dropkick! Matt handsprings to headscissor Loa for Nick to dropkick! Fans fire up again and continue to chant “The! Elite! The the Elite!”
Tama hits back but Nick clubs him down. Nick brings Tama over and tags in Matt. They double whip and hip toss to handspring and dropkick. Matt’s back is bothering him again… He still covers, ONE! The ref checks on Matt but Matt won’t quit for that. He tags Nick and Nick kicks Tama. Nick checks on Matt but Tama attacks them both! Tama whips Nick while Loa takes out Matt on the outside. Loa focuses on that bad back as he scoops Matt for a running powerslam! Tama tosses Nick out and the GoD supporters rally up again. Loa whips Matt around while Tama headbutts Nick. Tama whips Nick into railing while Loa fetches a table. Loa puts the table up while Tama stands on Matt’s chest.
The referee reprimands the GoD but they don’t listen. They instead put Matt in the ring. Tama whips Nick but Nick reverses, sending Tama into barriers! Nick then hurries and saves Matt from certain doom, and then knocks Loa down. Loa misses the table, but Nick takes aim again to FLY! Nick sends Loa into railing right near commentary with JR and Kevin Kelly. Nick puts Loa back in, but Tama is back. The GoD get kicks from Nick, including the spinning roundhouse and shining wizard! Nick wants the bulldog but is fed to a lariat! Loa hits Matt but Matt hits back. Matt hits Tama, too, then climbs up! Matt, bad back and all, gets tossed into the table!! Fans boo and jeer but Loa plays innocent.
Tama goes after Nick and whips, Loa comes in and they work together to give body shots and the jumping neckbreaker. Loa adds the leg drop, but they’re not done here. They each climb up a corner and aim at Nick, diving headbutt to frog splash! Cover, TWO!! Nick survives but the GoD are confidently in control. Tama drags Nick up for elbows to the chin, neck and shoulder. He fires off elbow after elbow, then stops only to put Nick in the corner. Tag to Loa and the God continue to mug Nick. Loa picks Nick up to ram him into buckles. Loa and Tama grin as they keep Nick isolated in their corner. Now Loa lifts Nick in a stalling suplex to show off his strength. He slams Nick down hard, then covers. TWO, but Loa keeps his cool.
Loa makes Nick look at the empty corner. Matt stirs in the wreckage while Tama tags in. Double headbutt, but Nick fights back. Tama headbutts as Nick throws haymakers, and Nick gets free of the GoD corner. Nick kicks but Tama waistlocks. Matt crawls for his corner but Nick Penalty Kicks Loa. Nick shoulders into Tama to slingshot facebuster, handspring Asai onto Loa! Nick gets back in the ring and crawls for his corner. Matt crawls there, too, but Tama splashes on Nick before the tag can be made. Tongan Twist, Tama’s take on the Cross Rhodes! Cover, TWO!! Nick survives, but now Loa tags back in.
The fans duel again as Loa has Nick on the ropes to choke him out. The referee reprimands him so Loa lets up at 4. Loa encourages the dueling chants, then scoops Nick for a slam. He tags Tama, and the GoD know they have control. Nick fights back but Tama waistlocks and suplexes. Nick slips out but his kick is blocked. Tongan Twist but Nick slips through to SUPERKICK! Both men are down and father Haku looks concerned. Fans fire up as Nick and Tama crawl for their corners. Hot tag to Matt! Matt fires off haymakers, about all he can do with a bad back. Loa comes in but gets hands, too. Loa fires up with the strikes and Tama clobbers Matt. The GoD double whip but Matt comes back with leaping lariats!
Matt fires up, the adrenaline helping with his back pain. He chops and forearms away on Loa, but Loa still takes it all. Matt whips but Loa reverses. Matt holds ropes and baits Loa in to dump him out. SUPERKICK for Tama! Somehow Matt gets moving to dropkick Loa out. Matt climbs back in to shoulder Tama. Slingshot to sunset flip, into the Sharpshooter! Matt gets the Cease, but can he hold onto it? Loa clubs Matt off the hold, then drags Matt up. The GoD coordinate, throwing hands, dropkick, and a scoop slam onto knees! Cover, TWO!! Matt barely gets out, and Tama taunts him more. Tama doesn’t believe the Bucks are good enough for Heavyweight wrestling. He slaps Matt, but runs into Matt’s SPEAR!
Fans rally and both men stir. Tama and Matt crawl, hot tags to their brothers! Nick springboards but is caught! Loa spins Nick around but Nick slips out. Nick shoves and shining wizard to the back. He sits Loa up, but Tama puts Nick on the apron. Nick kicks Tama then springboard stomps. Somersault to backstabber! Nick calls for the Party! Tag to Matt and the Bucks aim together. Loa stands, blocks Nick’s kick but takes Matt’s SUPERKICK! Nick SUPERKICKS Tama, then they both SUPERKICK Loa! Cover, TWO!! The party isn’t over yet, but “The! Elite! The the Elite!” still have more to give.
Matt tries to lift Loa but his back won’t allow it. Nick helps out, and then Matt hits the rolling senton! Nick adds the 450, More Bang for Your… but Matt’s back is slowing him down! Matt manages the climb, and moonsaults for that Buck! Cover, TWO!! Matt’s bad back is again interfering, so Nick helps him scoop Loa. Nick springboards, into a GUN STUN!! Loa hits the gutbuster drop on Matt! Cover, TWO!?! How?! Tama tags back in, GoD coordinates, but Matt fights out. SUPERKICK for Loa, SUPERKICK for Tama! But then GUN STUN 3D!! Cover, the GoD WIN!!
Winners: Guerrillas of Destiny, Tama Tonga pinning; NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions
An incredible effort from The Young Bucks was NOT enough! Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa now hold these titles and the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championships. King Haku celebrates with his sons as they become the most decorated tag team in NJPW today. Will the Bucks be back for revenge? Or will it even matter should the Firing Squad win the war?
Backstage interview.
Tama says that before he answers the “stupid ass questions,” he has a question. Who was surprised by today? None here, they’re smart reporters. But go ahead and ask those dumb questions. How do they feel winning the titles? The same as every day. They grew up with wrestling. This isn’t just a game. Haku has been there for their lives. It’s another day on the job. Will they continue to roll on like it’s another day at work as they make this the Tongan Era of NJPW? Or will the war not go their way in the end?
IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Juice Robinson VS Cody w/ Brandi Rhodes!
The Flamboyant One scratched and clawed to get his first singles title, and the dream finally came true at the G1 Special in San Francisco. Titles matter so now Juice matters! But will Juice’s dream matter to the American Nightmare on his journey to add even more gold to his collection? Or will Juice retain his title while earning himself a spot in line for Cody’s NWA Worlds title?
The IWGP US belt is raised, the bell rings and we begin! Fans are divided, but Cody gives fans what they want. He takes his shift off, then decides to toss it to… Brandi. Cody circles with Juice and Cody hears the fans. He and Juice tie up, and Cody gets the walstock. They go around and Cody gets the wristlock. Juice reverses the lock but Cody gets to ropes. Juice lets him go and fans applaud the sportsmanship. Cody and Juice circle and tie up. Juice gets the drop toehold and the facelock. Cody gets up tot he waistlock but Juice backs him to a corner. Juice snapmares Cody to a chinlock and shifts around. Cody gets a foot but Juice gets ropes. Cody lets go, but then chops Juice! Juice barely flinches! Cody chops again but Juice fires up.
Juice chops back, Cody chops again and Juice chops again. Cody gets the headlock but Juice powers out. Cody slides under to give the uppercut! Things speed up but Cody ducks the crossbody! Juice rolls out of the ring, but Cody builds speed. Cody FLIES, but into a belly2belly! Brandi checks on her husband while Juice catches his breath. Juice fetches Cody but Brandi touches him. He shoves her a little too hard, and she fakes a teeth injury. Cody gives Juice an inverted DDT, and look! Brandi is fine! She and Cody kiss and she takes a bow for her amazing performance. Cody puts Juice in the ring and then aims from the corner. Cody springboards but misses the elbow! Juice crawls and Cody gets to a corner.
Juice hits a big corner clothesline! He runs back in for another! He then signals to go for a ride, and runs corner to corner. Cody grabs Red Shoes, and Brandi swipes at Juice. Juice backs Brandi off, and still shoulders into Cody. Cody kicks and then clotheslines to complete shot! Cover, TWO!! He tries again, TWO! Cody keeps focus on Juice while Juice slowly stands. Juice snapmares and lifts Cody up. Juice turns him around but Cody backslides, TWO! Roll up, TWO! Cody runs into the heel kick! Fans fire up for Juice as Cody gets to a corner. Juice glares as he runs in corner to corner for the BIG Cannonball! He drags Cody up and around, powerbomb lift, but Cody headscissor counters to send Juice into buckles!
Cody argues with the ref while Brandi rakes Juice’s eyes! Cody clotheslines Juice out, but Juice stays on the apron. So Cody runs, but misses the Beautiful Disaster! Juice climbs, flies, crossbody connects! But Juice takes a moment to cover, TWO! Juice clutches those ribs, but he keeps on Cody. Juice grabs Cody in the double underhook but Cody breaks free. Cody also breaks free of the waistlock to then trip Juice up and put on the Figure Four! Juice endures the legendary leg hold, and works to turn things around. Cody keeps the hold on as he elevates, but then Juice goes to roll it over. Fans rally as the two fight for control of the hold. Juice uses his size and strength and gets the reversal! Cody quickly grabs ropes, and the hold must break.
Brandi helps Cody get a sip of water. Cody takes off his weight belt, but Red Shoes takes it so he can’t use it as a weapon. Cody spits the water in Juice’s face! Then springboard for the Beautiful Disaster! Cover, TWO!? Juice survives the spit-take screwjob! But Cody unwinds the dirty bird, and drags Juice up. Juice backs Cody into a corner, then goes corner to corner. Cody goes up and over but Juice fakes out the slam. Juice turns Cody but Cody escapes. Juice escapes, turns, PULP FRICTION! But Cody gets out thanks to Brandi! The referee reprimand Mrs. American Nightmare and she backs off again. Cody recovers while the 20 count starts up. But Juice won’t settle for a win this way, he wants to win in the ring. He drags Cody up, but Cody gets him with CROSS RHODES!
Both men are down, and another 20 count must begin. Juice stirs but the count is already at 10. The count climbs to 15 as Cody stirs. Cody and Juice stand and both get in at 19! Both men crawl around towards each other. Cody throws a haymaker, but Juice comes back with one. Cody hits Juice, Juice hits back. They go back and forth with jabs, faster and faster and faster! Juice gets the edge, but Cody pokes the eyes, then SUPERKICKS! Fans rally up as Cody has the arms. He turns Juice, and hits Dinn’s Fire!! Cover, TWO!? Juice survives?! Cody is too tired to be frustrated, but he also works on another idea. Cody climbs up top, but Juice trips him up! Juice climbs up to join Cody, throwing big haymakers. Juice stands Cody up, for a SUPERPLEX!! But cradle counter! CODY WINS!?
Winners: Cody, by pinfall; NEW IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion
Was it Cody’s pin!? It’s hard to tell but the referee gave it to Cody, and the referee’s decision is final. Cody is now the dual NWA Worlds and IWGP US Champion! Brandi gets an assist but the records will only show Cody winning, will Juice come back to get even with Cody? Or is Cody going to move on and up to even bigger and better?
Backstage interview.
Cody says “let’s get serious”! The IWGP US Championship means the world to NJPW, because it’s the youngest title. They wanted a heritage that matters, so Cody can speak on that. Juice is what the NXT staff called “one of Dusty’s kids.” Well guess what: Cody is one of Dusty’s ACTUAL kids! This title belongs to Cody now! It was very personal, for everyone who said Juice was getting better, that he was some kind of master. Cody is the one everyone should be talking about! He brought us in, and is a dual champion for it.
As for Juice, he’s always respected Cody. And Juice said stuff. They come from different places, and Juice wants to clarify his statements. Juice said he was the American Dream, but he apologizes to the Rhodes Family for possibly offending him. He is not claiming to be Dusty, there was only ever one Dusty. Juice loved Dusty so much, so it was not meant as an insult or anything of the sort. Juice simply meant he was living the American Dream to be where he is today. He simply hopes that a little of who Dusty was has influenced him and has made him better for it. This class act from Juice certainly is a sign of that. Will Juice be back for that title? Or will he again have to scratch and claw for another shot?
The Golden Lovers VS Tomohiro Ishii & Kazuchika Okada!
The Best Bout Machine has had his run-ins with both the Stone Pitbull and the Rainmaker. It was the previous encounter with Okada that Kenny Omega finally became THE IWGP Heavyweight Champion in their amazing best 2 out of 3 falls match. Then in his most recent run-in with Ishii, Omega managed to tough it out to retain that title. Now he meets both men again with his best friend, Kota Ibushi by his side. As for Okada, he ended his partnership with Gedo after not winning the G1 Climax, only for Gedo to betray him! How will the Rainmaker and Pitbull snap back from this newest setback when going against two of the best?
Long Beach chants for the Golden Lovers but Okada isn’t bothered. Okada volunteers to start, and Kota does the same. The bell rings and fans are already fired up for Rainmaker and Golden Star. They slowly circle and approach. They tie up and Okada gets a waistlock. Ibushi reverses to a wristlock, but Okada rolls and reverses back. Okada shifts to a hammerlock but Ibushi reverses that. Ibushi gets a headlock but Okada works against the hold. Ibushi keeps it and gets the takedown but Okada gets the headscissors. Naturally Ibushi pops out, then he ducks the clothesline, but Okada ducks the kick. Okada wants the Rainmaker but Ibushi narrowly avoids it! The two stand and stare down and fans applaud. Okada tags Ishii and Ishii wants Omega. Ibushi obliges and tags Omega in.
We get a rematch of Destruction in Hiroshima already as these two stare down. They circle and fans settle down. The two tie up, Omega gets a headlock. Ishii powers out and collides shoulders with Omega. Neither man falls, and Omega runs. He bumps Ishii then forearms on the rebound. Omega boots but misses. Ishii bumps, Omga bumps, Ishii runs Omega over! Ishii hits Ibushi for good measure, and hard. Omega throws forearms but Ishii doesn’t back down. Ishii steps forward as Omega throws more forearms, and then rocks Omega with one solid shot. Ishii drags Omega up for elbows tot he neck. He grabs Omega in a facelock, but Ibushi comes in to kick Ishii. Ishii gives forearms but Ibushi does his best Ishii by not flinching.
Ibushi swings but Ishii whips. Ibushi reverses and things speed up, Ibushi kicks, Omega hits the Kotaro Krusher! Cover, TWO! Omega tags to Ibushi. Ibushi throws Ishii down to kick, and kick, and kick! Ishii just fires up, to chop Ibushi back. Ibushi kicks, Ishii chops. Another kick, another chop. Kick, chop, repeat! They hit harder, and Ibushi gets an edge. Ibushi runs but into the shoulder! Okada tags in and he considers his options. He sticks to Ibushi as he scoops and slams. Okada goes to the apron for the slingshot senton, then he finger guns at Omega. Omega wants to get in but Red Shoes keeps him back. Okada goes back to Ibushi to bump him off buckles. Okada stomps a mudhole into Ibushi, then drags him back out for a neckbreaker. Cover, TWO, but Okada keeps his eyes on Omega as he brings Ibushi back around.
Tag to Ishii, and they double whip. Double shoulders run Ibushi over and then Ishii hits Omega for good measure. Omega gets in and scraps with Ishii fast and furious! Ishii gets the better of Omega and throws him out. Okada goes after Ibushi while Ishii throws Omega right into railing. Then into more railing! Ishii stomps Omega out then drags Ibushi up. He whips Ibushi hard into barriers, then tags to Okada. Okada brings Ibushi up but Ibushi fights out of the Chaos corner. Ishii stops that, then Omega snapmares and dropkicks Ibushi hard! Okada tags Ishii and Ishii looms over Ibushi. Ishii toys with Ibushi but Ibushi only gets angry. Fans rally as Ishii headbutts Ibushi. Ibushi fires off forearms, but Ishii headbutts again. Ishii runs but into a big dropkick! Both men are down and fans rally up. Hot tag to Omega!
Omega climbs up quick to crossbody Ishii down! He swings on Okada but Okada gets away. Omega goes back to Ishii but Ishii is ready with forearms. They trade forearms back and forth, neither man slowing down. Omega chops LOUDLY, and then lifts Ishii in the fireman’s carry. “You Can’t Escape!” But Ishii does, to chop Omega. Ishii whips but Omega dodges to hit the running DDT! It was a bit wild, but Omega covers, TWO! Omega gets to the corner, runs in, but Ishii dodges. Ishii runs into a boot, but catches Omega into the powerslam! Fans duel as both men crawl for corners. Ishii hot tags to Okada! Okada runs at Omega but misses, Ibushi missile dropkicks! Omega huricanranas Ishii out, and the Golden Lovers have the fans fired up. They call for it, run corner to corner, CROSS SLASH! Direct hits, and fans fire up again.
Omega puts Okada in and Ibushi is there. The Golden Lovers coordinate, “You Can’t Escape!” Rolling senton, shooting star, moonsault and moonsault! Double cover, TWO!! Okada survives and the Lovers can’t believe it. Omega brings Okada up but Ishii runs Ibushi over. Ishii saido suplexes Omega, then spins Ibushi around. But Ibushi suplexes Ishii! Okada blasts Ibushi with the dropkick! Fans are thunderous as everyone but Okada is done. Okada and Omega stand, just as Okada likes it. Fans like it, too, and now we have a brawl! They throw forearm after forearm, but Okada uses a EuroUpper. Okada runs, but into a chop! Omega whips but Okada reverses, but Omega holds ropes to avoid the dropkick. Okada avoids V-Trigger but Omega dodges Rainmaker. Omega scoops but Okada slips out, only to get the Snap Dragon Suplex!
Omega locks, loads, BANG, but Ishii intercepts. Ishii and Omega exchange blocks and counters, Omega gives Ishii the Death Valley! But Okada gives Omega the dropkick! Okada drags Omega up and reels him out, but Ibushi blocks the Rainmaker! Ibushi fires off strikes, Omega V-Triggers, Ibushi German Suplexes! Ibushi slingshots onto Ishii, and Omega runs to V-Trigger Okada! Omega won’t end it ehere, he hoists Okada up again. One Winged Angel deneid, but so is the Tombstone. Omega gets the tombstone, but Ishii trips up Ibushi. Okada gets the control, and the Tombstone! Ishii adds his sliding lariat, Okada covers, but Ibushi breaks it!! This is wild but it’s far from over. Okada calls for it, brings Omega up for it, but is denied Rainmaker into a BIG urenage! Both men are down but “This is Awesome!” Long Beach is thunderous as both men crawl for their corners.
Ishii and Ibushi tag in, but Ibushi boots only for Ishii to roar. They trade close range forearms back and forth faster and faster. Ibushi reels back for a big one, then fires a strike fest. He roundhouse kicks Ishii off his feet! Then, KNEE-SAULT! Cover, TWO?! Ishii barely survives and Ibushi can’t believe it. Omga drags Ishii up, powerbomb to German suplex! But Okada breaks the cover! Omega throws Okada out, and Ibushi calls for knees. The Golden Lovers sit Ishii up, but Okada fights them off. Okada DDT’s Ibushi, boots Omega, then whips. Omega turns the dropkick into a sit-out powerbomb! Ishii and Omega trade moves, Ishiii headbutts Omega down. Ibushi and Ishii trade moves, Ibushi PELES Ishii! All four men are down but the fans are at a fever pitch! The fans chant “New Japan!” for the great promotion that is giving us this match.
Okada rolls out of the ring but both Golden Lovers stay in with Ishii. Ishii and Ibushi brawl again with slapping palm strikes. Slap for slap, they do NOT stop! Ibushi rocks Ishii but Ishii rocks Ibushi, but Ibushi comes back with a clobbering clothesline! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives again and this match still goes on. Ibushi stands, he wants to end this. He takes both wrists but Ishii dodges the knee. Ishii spins Ibushi, clubs him and suplexes! Ibushi lands on his feet to kick, run, but get flipped by the lariat! Cover, TWO!! Ibushi survives again but Ishii drags him back up. Ishii suplexes but Ibushi slips out. Ibushi lifts but Ishii headbutts. Ishii sends Omega into Ibushi then German Suplexes. Okada returns to hit a big back elbow on Ibushi, then feed him to Ishii’s forearm. Okada dropkicks and Ishii powerbombs! High stack cover, TWO!? HOW?!
Omega puts Okada into railings, and Ibushi stands to block Ishii’s lariat. Ibushi kicks, stuns Ishii, then straitjacket suplex! Bridge cover, TWO! Ibushi grabs the wrists but Ishii headbutts first. Omega roundhouses Ishii but Ishii fires an enziguri! Ishi runs, into a V-Trigger and roundhouse! Omega boots Okada back out, and now the knee pads come down! The GOlden Lovers take Ishii, for GOLDEN TRIGGER!!! Cover, Golden Lovers win!
Winners: The Golden Lovers, Ibushi pinning
Omega & Ibushi finally end this match with victory! The Best Bout Machine and Golden Star would love to climb up and challenge for the tag team titles, will they get their dream? Or does Omega have to worry about a singles challenge first?
The Young Bucks, though they lost, return to celebrate. Hangman and Scurll also appear, these members of the Bullet Club unified as a unit. Omega takes to the mic so that he can speak.
“Well, it was not a perfect record for the Bullet Club tonight.” But even the best have their off nights. Omega is sorry to see Matt & Nick lost their belts. But secondly, Omega peeked at the “dark match” to see some empty seats. However, he sees familiar faces and is so happy for them to be here watching “The! Elite! The the Elite!” Now this worldwide movement is just part one of the plan. There’s more to come, and there will be another big show in about a week or so. King of Pro-Wrestling is coming.
Omega says that when he and Ibushi revived their promise, it left the company and some fans disappointed. Fans want to see THAT match. IBushi, they had their promise for tag titles. But NJPW fans around the world want to see them go again. So what to do about that? Omega wants another match with Ibushi, at King of Pro-Wrestling! But wouldn’t you know, Cody hops in to take the mic. Cody wants to help everyone out here. He can shoulder some of the burden. Do fans want Omega VS Ibushi? Sounds like fans do. But what about this? Omega and Cody are friends, and Cody is trying with Ibushi. So KPW, Ibushi VS Cody VS OMEGA!! A Triple Threat?! Omega understands that the Mastermind behind All In has a genius idea.
Fans will get what they want and Bullet Club will do things their way. “Let us rewrite history”, and show the beauty of professional wrestling! That Triple Threat match is ON! It won’t be personal, it won’t break promises, it will simply show the originality, the beauty and the originality of pro-wrestling. But we’re out of time, so let’s say adieu. The Elite will change the industry for sure. So good bye, MWAH, and good night, BANG! The Golden Star and the American Nightmare both challenge the Cleaner for his IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Can Omega retain against his friends? Will Cody claim a third world title? Or will Ibushi shock them both by taking that title for his own? No matter what, the Elite and the fans win!
Backstage interviews.
Okada knows this was his first time against the Golden Lovers, but they’re truly a great team. Omega again proves tougher than expected. Omega felt even stronger than before. He is improving now that he is champion. Okada has to admit Omega is very strong.
As for the Lovers, work never stops. Omega and Ibushi are going to change the world. This was a step in the right direction. The Golden Lovers are showing the beauty and grace of tag team wrestling. This special match-up was an appetizer. Tag Team wrestling isn’t’ dead, it’s only evolving. 2018 is ending but 2019 is coming, and the Lovers are only just getting started. As for the triple threat, that’s complicated, but they’ll give it their all. Omega translates for those without subs.
They can’t make the rules, they only dodge one bullet to get hit by another. Omega must avenge his losses, such as against “Bu-san” and then the man he won’t get to main event with no matter what. You take lemons and make lemonade. Cody changes expectations, but Omega sees the opportunity in it. We’ll see something never before seen in NJPW. A triple threat of three faction members, this is a once in a lifetime moment. This isn’t personal, but it is about proving who is the best. Who will prove that come King of Pro-Wrestling?
My Thoughts:
What an incredible night for NJPW, and it was so good of AXS to get us this now rather than later and in parts. The first ever NJPW in America trilogy is complete and it was all glorious. Just like the previous two, this event was great from start to finish, no matter who you were rooting for. And as Omega says by the end, this was all set up to show that tag team wrestling still has a place in the world. Taguchi Japan VS RPG3K was really fun and it was good to see Taguchi get the win, both team and the man himself. I also look forward to seeing if Liger and Tiger Mask are the ones to finally get those IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag titles away from Suzuki-Gun.
It makes sense for The Addiction to win, they’re more experienced, and while their contract countdown is primarily an ROH story, ROH and NJPW are so close-knit now I’m sure there’s a way SCU can use that relationship to their advantage. I really like the combination of Sabin, Flip and Cobb. Also while ROH TV is behind, clearly Cobb got that World TV title already. I was surprised to see Cobb’s team win, but it seems to help fuel a story between Goto and Cobb. I can’t be sure if Goto wins the ROH WTVC, but maybe Goto just wants to fight Cobb because he’s a strong opponent. Suzuki-Gun beating LIJ was a bit of a surprise, for it to end the way it did. There’s obviously a story building for Evil and ZSJ on top of LIJ teasing a new member, perhaps we’ll get more of that at KPW.
Gedo & White winning also makes sense because of how crafty they are as Heels. It also brings around White VS Tanahashi for the WK13 title match contract, and that is going to be great. White very well could win with Gedo being there on top of White knowing how to cheat so well, as we saw all over the G1 Climax. At the same time, Kushida loses momentum so that his future opponent comes in stronger. Scurll VS Ospreay was great, and it makes some sense for Scurll to win. The Bullet Club is still very important to NJPW, and with Scurll’s contract lasting a touch longer than others, him being given a title would be reason to stay.
The IWGP Tag Team title match was great, especially with story. It is a good change in the overall Bullet Club story for GoD to take those belts. The Bucks can work on a comeback story with GoD but I bet the Golden Lovers will take those belts from GoD. Cody is really making large strides as 2018 comes to a close. He gets the NWA Worlds Championship, as far as ROH TV goes he’s still one of their trios champions, and now he’s IWGP US Champion. Cody VS Juice was great with the undertones of Dusty Rhodes being there, but Cody does make some sense that you add to the US title’s legacy by throwing in a name like his. Cody might be trying to weasel his way to the very top with his triple threat suggestion, but that triple threat really will be great to watch.
And speaking of great to watch, that tag team main event was something else. The dynamics of the match-ups, such as Omega VS Okada, Omega VS Ishii and Ibushi VS Ishii to revisit their recent matches from the G1. Ibushi really surprised me with how he stood toe to toe with Ishii in their brawling segments. I also liked the pairing of Ibushi VS Okada, that was some good stuff. It works so well for the Golden Lovers to have won for the many different stories that tie into it. Okada is still trying to come back from his recent down trend, and Golden Lovers winning obviously helps set up the triple threat. I just hope we get a winner before the Firing Squad decides to do something about them. Then give us a Six Man match, Firing Squad defending the NEVER Openweight trios titles against Golden Lovers & Cody.
My Score: 9/10
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Is Orange Cassidy coldblooded? Or just in control?
Before their AEW World Championship match at Full Gear, Jon Moxley puts Wheeler Yuta in Orange Cassidy’s way! Will Cassidy destroy The Decoder before going for The Maniac?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family; The Don Callis Family wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida; Kris wins.
- 2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger; Lashley wins.
- Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
- Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta w/ The Death Riders; Cassidy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family!
This All-Star 8 Man is going to make for a massive match! The Aerial Assassin, Dunk Zilla, The One & Only and the man the family foolishly forgot are now teamed together against Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Brian Cage & Lance Archer! Will Ospreay lead this team to victory ahead of the grudge matches at Full Gear? Or will Callis’ Alpha, Aussie Arrow, Machine & Murderhawk Monster make sure #EverybodyDies?
Well forget sorting out, Ospreay leads his team in attacking the Callis Family right on the ramp! The fans fire up as Hobbs is after Archer, Davis is after Cage, and of course Ricochet is after Konosuke while Ospreay is after Kyle! Hobbs smacks Archer off railing, Kyle CLUBS Ospreay on the back, but Ospreay kicks low. Ospreay sends Kyle into railing, rips the tearaway pants right off him, and then LASHES him with them! Davis sends Cage into railing while Ospreay uses those pants to SLING Kyle into more railing! Davis CLUBS away on Cage, Ospreay blows snot on Kyle’s pants, and Davis sends Cage into more railing.
Kyle turns things around to send Ospreay into railing! Konosuke helps Cage against Davis but Hobbs still throws hands on Archer. Kyle CLUBS Ospreay, CLUBS Ricochet, but Konosuke puts Davis in the ring. The bell rings and this is finally a match. Konosuke headlocks Davis but Davis fires body shots. Davis powers up and out, but Konosuke RAMS him! The fans fire up as Davis stays up. Davis runs to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke stays up and the fans rally. Konosuke runs to RAM Davis, but Davis runs. Konosuke bypasses, leaps, but Davis catches him for a TOSS! And a SENTON! The fans fire up with Davis, and Ricochet reaches out.
Davis tags Ricochet in , then holds the way open, for Ricochet to FOSBURY FLOP onto Konosuke! But Cage CLOBBERS Davis! Cage then RAMS Ricochet into the apron, POSTS him, but Ospreay PENALTY KICKS Cage! The fans fire up as Ospreay goes up, but Kyle UPPERCUTS him! The fans boo as Kyle goes up, CLUBS away on Ospreay, and Ospreay falls to the floor. But now Hobbs is up! Kyle says wait! Then he fires hands! Hobbs just CHOPS Kyle! Hobbs climbs up to get Kyle, but Archer CLUBS Hobbs! Archer drags Hobbs down, throws hands, then puts Hobbs in between steps and post! Hobbs fights back, but Cage sends Ospreay into the steps!
The fans boo as Hobbs’ leg is crushed between steps and post! Archer puts Ricochet in the ring while a medic checks Hobbs. Archer brings Ricochet up but Ricochet slips free to fire off fast strikes! Hobbs is being helped to the back and Ospreay is concerned that this is now 4v3. Ricochet still fires strikes on Archer, but Archer grabs Ricochet by the neck! CHOKE- NO, Ricochet RANAS Archer first! Archer tumbles, stands up, and Ricochet springboards, but Archer CLOBBERS Him out of the sky! Archer BLASTS Davis, then catches Ospreay out of the air! Archer TOSSES Ospreay away and fans boo. But Ricochet springboards back in!
Archer catches Ricochet, and he CHOKE SLAMS Ricochet out onto Ospreay and Davis! The fans boo as the Don Callis Family is in control, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cage & Kyle flex to soak up the heat, then Archer goes out after Ospreay and the rest. Konosuke fetches Ricochet into the ring, waistlocks, and then brings him away from the corner. Archer beats up on Ospreay while Konosuke fires knees into Ricochet. Ricochet tumbles to ropes but Konosuke is on him. Davis fires hands on Archer, then sends him into railing! Davis fires more hands, but Konosuke CHOKES Ricochet at the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke steps off and tags Kyle. Kyle stays between Ricochet and his corner. Kyle taunts Ricochet, stomps him around, then whips him to ropes. Kyle ELBOWS Ricochet down, then stalks him to a corner.
Kyle stomps away on Ricochet while Archer intimidates commentary. Kyle shouts at the camera while the ref counts, and Kyle steps off of Ricochet’s neck. Kyle bumps Ricochet off buckles, tags Cage, and Cage stands Ricochet up. Cage CHOPS Ricochet, then whips him to ropes for an ELBOW! Cage flexes while he taunts Ospreay & Davis. Cage drags Ricochet up but Ricochet RAMS him! And RAMS him! And fires forearms! Cage ROCKS Ricochet, then runs, but into a tiger wall kick and ENZIGIRI! Konosuke tags in and storms after Ricochet. Konosuke stomps Ricochet, then rains down fists! The ref reprimands while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Konosuke argues with the ref while Ospreay rallies the fans. Konosuke stays between Ricochet and his team, but Ricochet SLAPS Konosuke! Konosuke ROCKS Ricochet for it! Ricochet fires forearms and an UPPERCUT! Konosuke keeps Ricochet from his corner, reels Ricochet in, but Ricochet victory rolls! TWO, and Ricochet ducks a chop to handspring BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ricochet and Konosuke crawl, hot tags to Kyle and Ospreay! The fans fire up as these two fire fists and forearms! Kyle kicks and whips but Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Kyle!
Ospreay whips, Kyle reverses, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Kyle staggers, Konosuke tags back in! Ospreay dodges Konosuke to BLAST Cage & Archer! Ospreay fires fists on Konosuke, but Konosuke CLAWS Ospreay’s face! Konosuke runs, but Davis intercepts with a fireman’s carry! AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Or maybe in this case, just a United Empire Dental Plan! But in any case, Davis scoops Konosuke, for the LAWN DART CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but the fans fire up. Ospreay & Davis bring Konosuke up, double pump handle, but the #MurderMachines make the save!
Archer puts Davis in a corner, Cage ducks Ospreay’s haymaker to waistlock. Archer runs up, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Davis fires hands on Archer but Cage waistlocks, ripcords, and ROCKS Davis! Then fireman’s carry into the ASSISTED NECKBREAKER! The fans boo but the Murder Machines DOUBLE RIPCORD Ospreay up for Konosuke’s BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and shocks everyone! Archer argues with the ref but the count was fair. Konosuke tags Kyle while fans rally up behind Ospreay. Kyle smirks as he stalks Ospreay. Kyle BOOTS Ricochet off the apron for good measure!
Kyle tells Ospreay that this is how he wants it, right? All about Ospreay! Kyle stomps away on Ospreay in the corner, then digs his boots in! The ref counts but wait! Here comes Hobbs! Hobbs hobbles but Kyle hurries to send Ospreay to the Callis corner. Tag to Konosuke and then Kyle slides out. Kyle runs up on Hobbs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Hobbs makes his way to the corner. Ospreay fights free of the corner but Konosuke holds him back! Ospreay fires forearms, reaches out, repeat! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Konosuke reels Ospreay in! Konosuke hits a back suplex, but Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay dodges Konosuke, hot tag to Hobbs! The Powerhouse powers up to rally on Konosuke! The fans fire up as Hobbs TOSSES Kyle, but the Murder Machines attack! They reel Hobbs in, but Hobbs fights the double suplex! The fans fire up but the Murder Machines double whip. Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as Hobbs has targets in all corners! SPLASH for Konosuke! SPLASH for Cage! SPLASH for Kyle! SPLASH for Archer! The fans are thunderous and Hobbs brings the straps down. Archer kicks low, then runs, but Hobbs dodges, to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again, and Hobbs tags Davis!
Davis runs up to BOOT Konosuke, BOOT him again, but Konosuke just fires up! Ospreay CANNONBALLS onto Kyle while Konosuke fires hands! Konosuke spins, but Davis DECKS him! Davis roars, stands Konosuke up, but Konosuke backdrops back! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee to ENZIGIRI! Davis gut wrenches Konosuke, for a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, KYLE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but now Aussie Open is face to face! Kyle pie faces Davis, talks trash, but Davis glares at him. Kyle SLAPS Davis, so Davis TACKLES Kyle! Davis throws hands, Kyle gets up, and Davis runs up! Kyle dodges and Konosuke DECKS Davis!
Ricochet springboards, FLYING LARIAT on Konosuke! But Cage POP-UP POWERBOMBS Ricochet! Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Cage! Archer CHOKE SLAMS Hobbs! Ospreay hits the PIP PIP CHEERIO FOREARM on Archer! Ospreay dares Kyle to man up and fight him! Kyle snarls, gets in, and they fire forearms again! Kyle swings, Ospreay catches him, but Kyle breaks the full nelson with an elbow! Ospreay HOOK KICKS Kyle! Ospreay runs, Kyle dodges, but then Ospreay slips through the lariat! Kyle slips through the bomb, hoists Ospreay up, but Ospreay slips free! Kyle ducks the hook kick to SUPERKICK! Kyle runs, into the SPANISH FLY!!
The fans are thunderous as Ospreay takes aim from a corner! Kyle rises, so does Davis, and Ospreay runs up, Kyle uses Davis as a shield from the HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay freaks out, Kyle SUPERKICKS Ospreay out of the ring! Then Kyle DIVES onto Ospreay! Konosuke brings down his kneepad, aims at Davis, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!!
Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall
The Alpha stands tall over Davis as friendly fire takes out Ospreay’s team. But what happens when things divide into 1v1 matches? Will Konosuke still be International Champion after he and Ricochet go #OuttaThisWorld? Will Kyle prove that he IS The Protostar after tearing down Will Ospreay?
Jon Moxley & The Death Riders speak.
“Despite recent discoveries that Orange Cassidy is a snake, coldblooded, uncaring, unmoving, a serpent lurking in the darkest corners of the battlefield, my objective remains the same, my job on Saturday night remains the same. You may be this borderline sociopath, you may be a great guy just like everybody thinks. I don’t care if you’re a great guy. I don’t care what kind of person you are. When the bell rings on Saturday night, and the AEW World Championship hangs in the balance, you are a threat to my people. And I will destroy you.
“There’s so much more going on behind Orange Cassidy’s eyes than any of us could’ve imagined. You may make it to Full Gear with your mind in tact, but your body… For that matter, Darby Allin’s body… Still up for grabs.” Claudio jumps in, speaking in German about what he’ll do to Darby. Then in English, he says, “Tonight, I’m gonna end you.” Moxley pats Claudio on the shoulder. Will The Maniac’s top henchmen do his dirty work for him when they dismantle Cassidy & Darby? Or will it just be fuel on the fire for Freshly Squeezed & The Relentless One? Speaking of…
Darby Allin speaks.
“Claudio, I’m gonna keep this really short. Let’s not forget you’re the one who put the chair around Bryan’s neck and pulled the trigger on his career. Every single one of you Death Riders will have your day. And Claudio, today’s your day.” Will Moxley’s men be dealt with in brutal fashion before he suffers the same?
The Hurt Syndicate arrive.
Renee Paquette waits in the parking lot as an SUV pulls up, and she welcomes Montel Vontavious Porter, Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley to the show. She heard MVP has a surprise in store, what’s he got planned? MVP says yes, there is a special treat for the AEW audience, and that is this announcement: The All Mighty Bobby Lashley will be in action here tonight on Dynamite in Reading, Pennsylvania, prior to his PPV debut on Saturday! Renee asks if MVP is at all concerned to put Lashley in a match- OH NO, Swerve attacks!! Swerve knocks Lashley over, then laughs as he gets away!
Shelton helps Lashley up but that ambush might’ve been with Swerve’s own silver chain. Will Lashley elect not to compete tonight after all? Or is he about to make an example out of whatever poor soul is put in front of him?
Adam Cole is here!
Reading fires up as the Panama City Playboy makes his way to the ring. They join in with the “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” Cole grabs a mic to ask, “Who’s ready for Storytime with Adam Cole, Baybay?” Reading sure is ready! Cole wishes so so badly that he could get his hands on MJF this Saturday, but he’s not. MJF did everything in his power to make sure he and Cole didn’t fight on Saturday, and he succeeded. But do you know who else succeeded last week? Roderick Strong did! The fans cheer as Cole says he and Roddy have the exact same goal: Give MJF the ass whooping of a lifetime! And that is exactly what happens at Full Gear!
The fans cheer, and wait, Kyle O’Reilly makes his way out here. The longtime friend of Cole & Roddy makes his way out here, and already has a mic. Kyle isn’t sure if Cole remembers, but 14 years ago, right here in Reading, PA, Cole and Kyle had their second match ever against each other. They’ve come a long way. Being associated with Cole has given Kyle some incredible highs, and some serious lows. And through those lows, Kyle knows Cole better than anyone. Which makes Kyle the only one willing to tell Cole the truth. The truth is, this crusade against MJF has got to end before someone gets hurt.
This obsession, Cole needs to wash his hands of it. His ankle has already been reconstructed, what’s next? Cole has friends willing to take a bullet for him, Kyle included, but Cole has got to stop having his friends fight his battles. Roddy barely makes it out alive last week, and now he wants to fight MJF! He wants to END MJF, all because of Cole. Kyle just doesn’t have a good feeling about any of this. Cole asks Kyle what he’s trying to say here. Kyle doesn’t think Roddy can handle MJF? Kyle asks Cole if he really thinks MJF isn’t already three steps ahead. MJF hasn’t been here for weeks but he’s pulling all the strings.
Cole should know that dealing with MJF is like playing with fire, and Kyle doesn’t wanna see his friends get burned. Cole needs to realize why so many of his friends are willing to go to war for him, and it’s because he is a great leader, an elite pro-wrestler, and a great friend, who doesn’t wanna see his friends get hurt. At least, so Kyle thinks. But Cole has to face facts: MJF is more of an evil bastard than Cole will ever be, and that is a good thing. Kyle drops his mic and walks away. Cole drops his mic, and has a lot to think about. Does Kyle have a point? Can Cole just let Roddy handle MJF and then move on?
Orange Cassidy speaks.
“A little later tonight, I’m gonna make an example out of you, Wheeler Yuta. And I’m gonna show everybody exactly what I’m gonna do this Saturday to you, Jon Moxley. And that’s walk down to that ring and beat you, alone.” But The Conglomeration steps in. Mark Briscoe has Rocky Romero & Tomohiro Ishii with him as he asks Cassidy, “What sense does that make, man?” Moxley said himself, there’s five Death Riders, one Cassidy. Conglomeration has his back, they are here for him. Cassidy says no, no one else needs to get hurt. Get hurt? What’s Cassidy talking about? The Conglomeration are ready to scrap!
PLEASE!! Cassidy is asking them… They don’t have to believe him or even understand him. But just promises him they’ll stay back here. If Cassidy insists, then so be it. Cassidy says there you have it, Jon. Five of you, one of him. Do what you’re gonna do. Because at Full Gear, Moxley’s gonna need all the help he can get. Cassidy is himself wanting the best for his friends, but will that work out for the betterment of AEW? Or is he just playing into Moxley’s hands?
Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida!
The #BornAgainKristen bodied the bullies that are Mercedes Mone & Kamille the last time she saw them, but she still needs to tune up for Full Gear. However, taking on the THREE-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion might be more than just a workout. Win, lose or draw, will the Shining Samurai get Kris ready for The CEO?
The bell rings, Kris and Shida shake hands and the fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and Kris wrenches to a wristlock. Shida handsprings and wrenches back, then hammerlocks. Kris reaches back, hits a headlock takeover, but Shida headscissors. Kris kips free and the fans cheer while the two reset. Shida and Kris circle again while the fans fire up. The two tie up, Shida wrenches and hammerlocks, then CLUBS Kris on the back. Shida CLUBS Kris again, then waistlocks. Kris fights the lift with elbows, then switches. Kris SLAMS Shida, then flips her over. Shida kips up to arm-drag Kris! Kris ends up in a corner, and Shida runs up to KNEE her!
Shida climbs up and the fans cheer as she rains down fists! But Kris stops Shida at 5 and carries her out of the corner! Shida slips free, Kris blocks a lariat to SWEEP the leg! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shida is tough and she goes to ropes, but Kris whips her to a corner. Kris runs up but into a RANA! Kris cartwheels through! Then she CLOBBERS Shida! The fans fire up while Kris flexes. Kris drags Shida into a motorcycle stretch but Shida endures. The fans rally up and Shida fights to her feet. Shida arm-drags Kris down, and wraps her in a straitjacket stretch! Kris fights up with a bridge, but Shida hops on!
The fans rally while Kris RAMS Shida into a corner! Shida holds onto the straitjacket and pulls! The ref counts, Shida lets go at 4, and then MISSILE DROPKICKS! Kris tumbles and the fans duel as Shida fires up! Shida goes outside, drags Kris to the apron, and CLUBS her! Shida runs to KNEE LIFT! Kris flops to the floor and fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Shida brings Kris up again, and whips her into railing hard! Kris writhes, Shida drags her up, and then Shida whips Kris into more railing! Kris writhes again and Shida refreshes the ring count. Shida sits Kris in a corner to rain down fists! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands, so Shida stops. Shida brings Kris around, pushes her into the ring, and then stalks her. Shida stomps Kris around, brings her up, and snap suplexes! Kris writhes but Shida brings her up again. Shida then snap suplexes Kris into a corner! Shida drags Kris to a cover, TWO! Kris stays in this but Shida stays on her with a chinlock stretch!
Kris endures being bent back, and she reaches out with her free arm. Shida pulls back more but Kris rises up! Shida is again a backpack, but then she slips down. Kris fires body shots, slips around and lifts for a BIG back suplex! Kris huffs ‘n’ puffs as she rises up, but then Shida dodges the sliding forearm! Ghost pin! TWO, and Kris has a cradle! TWO! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris PELES! Shida staggers, but she comes back to ENZIGIRI! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks both women and they’re okay to continue, so a standing count begins. Shida and Kris stir at about 4 of 10, then rise up at 6.
Kris grabs Shida, but Shida fires a forearm! Dynamite returns to single picture as the shots go back and forth. Shida fires a flurry, then whips Kris to ropes. Kris ducks ‘n’ dodges, then dodges a knee! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Kris as she whips Shida to a corner. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT, then she goes side to side for a KNEE LIFT! Shida ends up in ropes but Kris reels her in. Fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and the fans fire up again! Kris hoists Shida up, gut wrenches, but Shida slips free! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shida eggs Kris on, then dodges her to fire forearms! Kris just shakes her head!
Shida fires more shots, but Kris fireman’s carries! But Shida slips free, straitjacket roll-up! TWO!! KNEE STRIKE! And then short arm LARIAT! Shida takes aim, but she starts to doubt the Katana! Shida runs up but Kris dodges the boot to then scoop and INVERTED SLAM! Then Kris aims, DISCUS- NO, Shida backslides her! TWO!! Shida reels Kris in, suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO?!? Kris survives and Shida is shocked! Shida brings Kris up but Kris fires body shots and forearms! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris wrenches to kick! Kris runs, but into the JUMP KNEE! Shida hurries to suplex, but Kris turns it around!
Shida slips out of Kris’ suplex to slip around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Shida roars, aims, KATA- NO, Kris gut wrenches! Tuck and STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Shida gave Kris a powerful match, but clearly Shida has to iron out her own crisis of confidence. Kris still shows Shida respect by helping her up. But wait, here comes Mercedes Mone & Kamille! The fans boo The CEO & Brickhouse but Mone has a mic. “Readiiiiing~! Say hello to your C E O!” The fans boo instead. Mone asks Kamille if she wants to hear a fun fact about Pennsylvania. The 76ers have had yet another terrible season! Embarrassing~! But shoutouts to Mone’s Celtics for another incredible victory. The fans boo Boston but Mone says another person with an incredible win was Kris Statlander. Mone is rarely impressed by her competition.
Does anyone else want to hear another fun fact? “NO!!” Well, Mone has held the TBS Championship longer than Kris! So at Full Gear, Mone will NOT lose, because she is The CEO, the greatest TBS Champion of all time! And she will NEVER lose this title! Fans tell The CEO to STFU, but Mone tells Kamille go get the job done! She is so pissed off! GO! NOW! Kamille walks up the steps past Mone, but with only one good arm! Mone says hurry up, but Kamille looks at both Shida and Kris. Kamille takes as swing, but Kris blocks to ROCK her! Shida QUESTION MARK KICKS Kamille! Then Kris & Shida TOSS The Brickhouse!
Shida goes out after Kamille, but then Mone goes after Kris! Mone goes for the backstabber, but Kris holds onto ropes! Mone is almost stuck up there, but Kris pops her around! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! The fans fire up as Kris stands tall over The CEO! Will Kris once again become the Face of TBS? Or will Mone find a way to win even without her insurance policy?
The Hurt Syndicate has a cameraman with them.
MVP says hold on, he and Shelton have found Swerve. They go after the man in the big fur jacket, but that’s not Swerve! Swerve gave his jacket to the guy, but MVP & Shelton still beat this guy up for helping Swerve. MVP says they’ll find Swerve later, Lashley has his match up next. And it’ll be a 2-on-1 Handicap?! The All Mighty really IS mad, what poor duo is about to be destroyed?
AEW hears from Jay White and Hangman Adam Page.
“Hangman. You and I are on that same path to that same destination, trying to grasp at that same prize. 2024 still has some time left for The Switchblade to share the spotlight with Hangman once more!” But the Blackhat Cowboy asks White if he knows “Who the hell I am?! I am the Hangman! I am THE man! They named this whole godforsaken PPV after ME!” White says when he makes Hangman TAP, it will be a public declaration! But Hangman says White can’t make him tap, even if his life depended on it! These two vicious gunslingers will write one more chapter in their storied rivalry, but who comes out riding off into the sunset?
2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger!
The All Mighty thought he’d have an easy night getting in a little warm-up, but The Realest quickly reminded him why he’s the most dangerous man in AEW! Lashley’s now doubling down to make a point, will there be nothing left of Keys & Cheese after tonight?
The bell rings and while the fans rally for Cheeseburger, he and Keys each argue the other should start. Lashley runs up and TOSSES Burger across the ring! Keys runs away, Lashley runs to RAM into Burger! Lashley brings Burger up, Keys runs in, but Lashley catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Lashley drags Keys up and TOSSES him out! Lashley then turns to look at Burger in the corner. The fans rally for Burger, but Lashley CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but MVP & Shelton high-five Lashley. Lashley drags Burger up to gut wrench, Canadian Rack, and DOMINATOR! Keys runs in to break the cover!
The fans cheer Keys as he fires hands, but Lashley just gets angrier! Keys short arm LARIATS, but Lashley stays up! Keys runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Lashley storms around, then aims at Keys. Keys staggers into the SPEAR! Lashley isn’t done there, and he clamps on the HURT LOCK! Keys can’t open that lock, he is OUT! Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
MVP & Shelton join Lashley in the ring to celebrate, but then “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” The fans fire up, and here comes Prince Nana with a chair! Nana eggs the Hurt Syndicate on so Shelton storms out after Nana. MVP watches the rest of ringside for Swerve, but Swerve slides out from under the ring! The fans fire up as Swerve slips in to CHAIN PUNCH Lashley!! MVP gets on the apron but Swerve DECKS MVP with a chain punch! And then Shelton eats a chain punch! The fans are thunderous as Swerve aims, and hits a HOUSE CALL on Lashley! Swerve hurries to the top rope, and he gives Lashley a KILL STOMP!!
The fans are thunderous as Swerve stands over Lashley! MVP & Shelton get up and get in, but Swerve escapes, chain draped on his neck! Will AEW then, now and forever be whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Backstage interview with Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa.
Renee is now with the AEW Women’s World Champion and her best friend, the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Champion. They are planning their Championship Champagne Celebration for Full Gear, BUT Friday Night Rampage will feature the two of them teaming up for the first time in just over a year. Mariah says no champion deserves a celebration more than her. Her rise to the top was meteoric, and her reign will be historic. She takes ish and makes it shine, any time and any show, against anyone. In Mariah’s division, you hold this title, or you die.
Mina says yes, Mariah has been working so hard. She came back to tell her she is so very proud. And Mina will give Mariah a celebration she’ll never forget! Mariah says the “H Cup Angel” (Mina) and the “Woman from Hell” (Mariah herself) are going to make Rampage into Glampage. Everyone wants Mina, but Mina wants Mariah. And then… They’ll dance! These two shimmy and shake their way out, will they finally be toasting their victories at Full Gear?
Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli w/ The Death Riders!
The Relentless One told The Swiss Superman that revenge was coming, and here is Darby’s chance! Will Darby avenge Bryan Danielson? Or will he just be the next to fall?
The bell rings and Darby stares Claudio down. Darby takes some deep breaths then circles with Claudio. Darby slips around to waistlock but Claudio flings him off, only for Darby to roll to his feet. They circle again, and the fans rally behind Darby. Darby and Claudio feel things out, tie up, and Darby headlocks. Claudio lifts Darby but Darby thrashes the hold. Claudio throws Darby off, runs up, but Darby uses that to get around and springboard arm-drag! The fans fire up while Claudio bails out, and Darby taunts Claudio with some drop steps. Claudio snarls, but then Darby fakes him out with a slingshot!
Claudio is annoyed and takes a swing but Darby slingshots up and over! Darby taunts Claudio again while the fans rally up. Claudio cools off before he storms up the steel steps. Claudio pops Darby up but Darby keeps from hitting buckles! Darby ELBOWS Claudio away, goes up, then leaps, but Claudio catches him! Claudio SLAMS Darby down, flips him back to his feet, but Darby slips around to waistlock. O’Conner Roll, TWO! Darby springboards to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Claudio bails out but the fans fire up. Darby goes up a corner, and he SUPER COFFIN SPLASHES into a waistlock! Claudio swings and THROWS Darby away!
Darby staggers to his feet but Claudio runs up, to POUNCE Darby into railing! Darby writhes against the railing, but Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT Darby up and over! Fans freak out as Darby hits the floor! Claudio leaves Darby behind while the ring count climbs, but Darby drags himself up at 7. Claudio goes back out after Darby to suplex! Claudio holds Darby up while he marches up the steps! The fans fire up for this feat of strength and balance, and then Claudio TOSSES Darby back into the ring! Darby writhes again while Claudio steps back in. Claudio stalks Darby, talks some trash, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio looms over Darby, then deadlift gut wrenches for a GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! Darby writhes while Claudio stands over him again. Claudio watches Darby crawl towards a corner and stalks him. Claudio drags Darby up, brings him around, and ROCKS Darby with a forearm! Darby pushes Claudio, then CHOPS! Claudio DECKS Darby! Darby tumbles out of the ring! The ref wants Claudio to stay back while Darby drags himself up. Darby is back in before the count starts, but then Claudio DOUBLE STOMPS him! Claudio kicks Darby around, then clamps on with a neck wrench!
Darby endures, fights up, but Claudio powers him down. Darby BITES Claudio’s hand! The ref reprimands but Darby fires off forearms on Claudio. Claudio HIP TOSSES Darby up and out of the ring! Darby hits the floor and flounders around while the ref reprimands Claudio. Claudio again waits on Darby, and then he DOUBLE STOMPS Darby the moment he’s in! The ref counts as Claudio stands on Darby at the ropes. Claudio steps off at 4, brings him around, and clamps on an armlock and chinbar. Darby endures, fights around, and manages to fireman’s carry Claudio! But Claudio rains down elbows! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL even!
Claudio clamps on with a double wristlock and he grinds Darby down. Darby still endures and the fans rally up again. Darby fights around and Dynamite returns to single picture. Darby fires body shots but Claudio knees low! Claudio then HIP TOSSES Darby into a corner! Darby tumbles out of the ring but Claudio pursues! Claudio SWINGS Darby into railing! Then Claudio fireman’s carries, to TOSS Darby back in the ring! Claudio storms in while Darby flounders away. Darby flops back out of the ring but Claudio pursues him again. Darby trips Claudio up and traps him in the apron skirt! Darby then fires forearms, and BITES Claudio’s ear!
The fans fire up but Claudio shoves Darby away. Darby slides into the ring then DIVES onto Claudio! And then runs to DIVE again! Down goes Claudio and the fans fire up! Darby crawls over to bring Claudio up and into the ring. The fans fire up as Darby climbs up a corner, though slowly given all the damage to his back. That lets Claudio trip Darby up! Darby is stuck up top, and Claudio climbs up after him. Claudio gut wrenches for a SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio can’t believe it! The fans fire up but Claudio calls for the swing! Claudio grabs the legs, but Darby twists to a victory roll! TWO!!
Claudio escapes and runs up, but Darby ducks ‘n’ dodges, roll and- WHOA, Claudio has to fight to stay up, and then he deadlifts Darby! Darby pops through to CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Darby and Claudio crawl for ropes. Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again and again and again! The ref backs Claudio off, but then Claudio fires off body shots! Darby flops over but Claudio has the legs. Claudio FLIPS Darby up and over the ropes, but Darby lands on the apron! Claudio BOOTS Darby down! The ref wants Claudio to hold on but Claudio goes out after Darby.
Claudio drags Darby by his legs, then SWINGS him around! Into steel steps!! The fans lose their minds, the ref reprimands Claudio, but Claudio doesn’t care. The fans tell Claudio he is sick, but Claudio TOSSES Darby over the announce desk!! Schiavone, Excalibur & Matt Menard narrowly avoid becoming collateral damage! But Claudio clears the desk and brings Darby up. Claudio puts Darby on the desk, then stands over him. The ref reprimands but Claudio just ignores him. Claudio drags Darby up, and gorilla presses him! SUPER DUPER TOSS onto the timekeeper’s table!! The fans lose their minds as Darby is down but that table’s somehow still standing!
The ref checks on Darby but Claudio storms right over! The ref tells Claudio to stop so they go to the ring. Claudio lets the ring count start, and yet Darby somehow stirs at 4 of 10! The fans rally as hard as they can and Darby crawls his way over! Darby is still far away at 7! But then he powers up and LEAPS in at 9!! But Claudio LARIATS Darby inside-out!! Cover, Claudio wins!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall
Darby truly is relentless, with durability like no other, but it just wasn’t enough against the strength and brutality of Claudio! Will no one stop The Death Riders from running roughshod over AEW?
Backstage interview with Private Party.
Renee is with Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy and brings up that at Full Gear, the AEW World Tag Team Championships are on the line in a Fatal 4 Way. Private Party takes on The Acclaimed, The Outrunners and The Kings of the Black Throne. In such a match, the champs do NOT have to be pinned or submitted to lose their titles, so what is their strategy? Brother Zay says they obviously can’t tell her that, the other teams are watching. But it seems like the odds are against them. Fortunately, the odds have been against them their whole lives, their whole careers, just like against The Young Bucks.
But look what happened: Private Party defied the odds, beat The Bucks, and are your AEW World Tag Team Champions. That is the same thing that happens on Saturday. They leave Newark, New Jersey still your tag team champions. Because there ain’t no party like a Private Party, that’s a flex. Oh, speaking of! It’s AJ & Big Justice! They’re fired up to be here, but Justice wants to know what that face Zay made was last week. Oh, right, this one, with the chin scratching. And AJ says they’ve got a BIG announcement coming up after this! Maybe some double chunk chocolate cookies? BOOM!!
A green Porsche Taycan pulls up to the middle of nowhere.
And out steps MJF. The Wolf of Wrestling tells the hobo to “go get it” as he throws spare change off to the side like birdseed. MVP then sits back and tells Roderick Strong, “You’ve been through so much. The kid who grew up trailer park trash with two abusive alcoholic parents. For crying out loud! Your own mother shot your father right in front of you. That’s traumatizing. And as you know, Roddy, trauma is the result of an overwhelming sense of danger, powerlessness and fear. However, healing is a result of feeling safe, empowered and supported. That’s why you’d do anything for Cole. He makes you feel all those positive things that you lacked.
“It’s why I was no different than you. It’s why I trusted him. Unfortunately, the difference between you and I: Cole for me was a mirage of what I wanted him to be. A fraud, a liar. And whilst Cole is a fraud, I do actually believe deep down, in his narcissistic, sociopathic, frail, feeble frame, is a man who cares about Roderick Strong. This is precisely why upon further contemplation, I am happy you won, Roddy. Because I want Adam Cole to watch a person he cares about suffer! And because of your White trash upbringing, you aren’t intelligent enough to realize that you don’t have a prayer. And I’m sending you back to where you belong. To your grimy little trailer park.
“And after the match, you’ll be in so much physical anguish, you’ll wish your mother hadn’t shot your father, but instead shot you.” As if this scumbag couldn’t stoop any lower, he brings up Roddy’s past to hurt him. But will Roddy make sure MJF’s future is the one full of pain and suffering?
Backstage interview with AJ & Big Justice.
Renee is with the Costco Tiktok sensations and says that in the Full Gear Zero Hour, we will see #BigBoomAJ take on QT Marshall in a match 20 YEARS in the making. AJ says it may have been 20 years in the making for QT, this all started for AJ when QT threw the double chunk chocolate cookies down! Renee says AJ has not been in the ring in those 20 years, is he concerned about how his body will hold up? AJ isn’t worried about that, because he just has one strategy, and that’s the strategy they use each and every day. That strategy is to bring the BOOM~! But hey, there’s another special announcement.
Because when AJ rings QT’s bell, and he Power-Booms QT right in the middle of that ring, there is only one guy they want ringing the bell: Big Justice’s best friend, THE RIZZLER! Time to bring the BOOM~! Will QT be sleeping on the mat for The Rizzler? Will he be skibidi? Fanum Tax? Why are those even words?
Tony Schiavone is on stage.
And he welcomes out The Undisputed Kingdom! The fans cheer as Roderick Strong makes his way out, accompanied by Matt Taven & Mike Bennett. Schiavone brings up Roddy VS MJF at Full Gear, and we just heard all that disgusting stuff MJF had to say. Roddy’s response is that to be honest, he has not slept a wink since last week. IT is finally happening! Roddy feels like a kid on Christmas morning. He finally gets his hands on “MAAAAAX~!” The fans echo that, and Roddy says if MJF was here tonight, and not hiding out there, Roddy would ask him: Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his childhood?
Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his parents? You don’t think Roddy’s heard that stuff before? His whole LIFE, that is what people brought up! His mom’s an addict, his dad’s an addict, mom shot dad. Good job, Max, you made Roddy feel like he was in elementary school again. And people may look at Roddy’s past and feel sorry for him, but Roddy asks us not to. Because looking at MJF, Roddy feels sorry for him. Understand this, Max. With Roddy’s life, he learned that to get the most out of life, you have to earn it. If you wanna break the cycle, you have to earn it. And that is what Roddy’s done ever since he was a kid!
And now looking at MJF, he’s been spoon-fed everything. And when something doesn’t go his way or something happens and he doesn’t like it, MJF throws a temper tantrum like a baby until that changes. So Roddy wants MJF to do something for him: Look in the mirror and think about all the things that MJF has done to people. The manipulating, the backstabbing, the using. MJF needs to realize, when the bell rings at Full Gear, MJF will pay for all those sins. With every chop, with every punch, with every elbow, with every backbreaker! And when it is all over, Roddy walks to his hotel room for the best night of sleep in his life because he earned it.
Especially because Roddy will know he has broken MJF’s back, and left him humbled! Roddy is all fired up, and the fans are with him! Will MJF finally get what’s coming to him? Or will he give Roddy nightmares for the rest of his life?
AEW shares footage taken from last Saturday night.
First, a recap video of Daniel Garcia thwarting Jack Perry’s attempts to abduct and torture Matthew Menard, as well as the joyride they took in the Scapegoat bus, with Perry as the hood ornament. And now, they have Perry strapped into a chair, the bus headlights as the only source of light. Menard is behind the camera as he asks Perry how he’s feeling. How’d that work out for him, huh? Garcia splashes Perry with water to wake him up, and says “Let’s have a conversation. I’m all ears.” Perry chuckles and says Garcia thinks he’s so much better than him. Look at where they are! Garcia shouts back that he doesn’t wanna be here!
Garcia just wants to wrestle, but AEW is full of savages! Perry tried to take Daddy Magic’s life! And those in power just sit back and watch, pretending that nothing’s going on. So what do they do? Gotta take the power back, right? Perry counters with, “Everybody’s got a code. Everybody cares about right and wrong until it costs them something. Until they have to SACRIFICE!” Garcia gets in Perry’s face, grabs him by the mouth, and says Perry’s always going on about sacrifice but Perry has no idea what Garcia’s had to go through! Perry has NO idea what Garcia’s had to sacrifice to be here!
Garcia knows where Perry wants him to go, but Garcia promises that he’s never gonna go there. Perry smirks, then SPITS in Garcia’s face. Garcia wipes that off his face and says bet. Garcia’s got something for Perry, so just wait right there. Garcia goes to the bus while Perry mockingly asks what he’s gonna do. Menard tells shut up, Jack! Life must be so hard for him! What’s Jack got to be sad about?! Garcia comes back and he has a crowbar! Perry dares him to go ahead. Garcia raises the bar, but he SMASHES up the bus! Garcia throws the crowbar away and Perry laughs. Is that it? Garcia tells Menard they’ll get out of here. What? Where’s Garcia going?
Perry says yeah, walk away. Menard tells Perry that Garcia’s gonna whoop his ass! Just wait! Menard leaves, Perry shouts into the night, but will The Face of TNT soon be the one sacrificed for the greater good?
Renee Paquette presides over the ROH World Championship contract signing.
She welcomes us backstage to the signing for this match, which will happen next week, Dynamite: Thanksgiving Eve, in Chicago. The challenger, Tomohiro Ishii, is on her left, and the champion, Chris Jericho, is on her right. Jericho, as champion, you have the honors to sign first. Jericho smiles and waves as he says, “Hi, guys.” But Renee, you should know better. A champion of Jericho’s caliber does not just sign a contract thrust at his face randomly. He has a whole legal team that needs to approve this contract. Renee says it was sent to said legal team last week. Oh, really? What about today? The now! Jericho lives in the now!
Jericho says he’ll get this checked by his legal eagles one more time. But for now, wait here. Choto matte kudesai. Jericho steps around the corner and then down the hall. He smiles at his own picture on the wall. What a good looking guy. But wait, Ishii has followed Jericho to the hall. Jericho is a bit worried as he keeps moving. Jericho tries to block Ishii’s path but a trash can isn’t enough. Jericho tells staffers that Ishii wants to talk to them. They step in the way but Ishii pushes them aside. Jericho moves faster, pushes more people in the way, but Ishii pushes them aside. Was that RJ City?
Jericho goes up some stairs but Ishii follows. Ishii’s even gaining ground! Jericho goes through a doorway and ends up in the concourse! Fans cheer as Jericho and Ishii keep up their cat ‘n’ mouse game. Jericho decides to go into the stands! Ishii follows, and they head down the bleachers towards ringside! Jericho hurries over railing but so does Ishii. They go into the ring, and now Jericho tells Ishii to stop following him! Jericho wants a mic, a mic is brought, and Jericho says hey, listen, Ishii. Jericho would sign this contract, but he doesn’t have a pen. Ishii has a pen! Oh. Ishii clicks it for Jericho, and pushes it into him.
Jericho takes the pen, looks at the contract again, and still hesitates. Jericho signs his part, and then hands things over to Ishii. But then BRYAN KEITH & BIG BILL ATTACK! It was all a massive set-up! Bad Apple & Redwood beat down Stone Pitbull, and then sit him up! Jericho has the pen ready, but here comes The Conglomeration! Mark Briscoe & Rocky Romero rush in, and Mark TACKLES Jericho! Rocky fires off on Bill while Mark CHOKES Jericho! Keith saves Jericho from Mark but Mark fires hands on Keith! The fans fire up, but then Bill SKYSCRAPER- NO, Mark UPPERCUTS Bill first! Rocky adds on!
The fans fire up as The Conglomeration pinballs Bill, and then Ishii CLOBBERS him! Bill tumbles out, but Rocky DIVES! Bill is sent into railing! Keith stands up, into a kick and underhooks! JAY DRILLER! Jericho stands up, Ishii has him, and hits a BRAINBUSTER!! Conglomeration stands tall over The Learning Tree and his Branches, and now Ishii signs his part! The match is now official, and Ishii is looking to take a bite out of Jericho! Will The Conglomeration have the ROH World Championship to be thankful for this year?
Backstage interview with Jamie Hayter.
Renee is with the former AEW Women’s World Champion and notes that last time, we were going to hear from her, only for her to be interrupted by Julia Hart. What is Hayter’s reaction to that? Well, yeah, she isn’t angry, but she is baffled why Julia chose to interrupt Hayter. They’ve never really spoken or interacted, or even wrestled each other. Hayter is just curious as to why Julia felt it was okay to do that. Granted, Julia can do whatever she wants, Hayter moves to the beat of her own drum just as much as Julia. But… if Julia wants to have a chat-
Uh oh, something is happening to the video! Brody King’s message echoes, “It’s time to come home.” Julia Hart walks through the woods. Brody says The House is her foundation. She has seen her rebirth. Now it is time to rebuild. She has woken up stronger, more determined, and more dangerous than ever. Julia aims her arrow to shoot down a target: her past self. Her obstacles are just bull’s eyes. She is the Princess of the Black Throne, and the Keeper of Secrets. She is Julia Hart, and her heart grows harder. She hits her mark, but will she find Hayter Hits Hard?
Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta!
Freshly Squeezed has been accused of being coldblooded and uncaring, but he got pretty heated as he told The Conglomeration to keep themselves safe tonight. He goes 1v1 with The Decoder, a young man who was once Cassidy’s student, and who left him behind to join the then Blackpool Combat Club. If anyone is uncaring, it is Yuta with how he would then follow Jon Moxley’s lead in the destruction of Bryan Danielson and Chuck Taylor. Who will be the more ferocious fighter tonight, this close to Full Gear?
The bell rings and Yuta SHOTGUNS Cassidy! Yuta follows Cassidy to a corner to CHOP, then ROCK, then CHOP again! Yuta whips corner to corner but Cassidy goes up and out. Cassidy bumps Yuta off buckles, climbs up top, but has to leap over. Yuta comes back but Cassidy catches him to a backslide! TWO, but Cassidy reels Yuta in for a cradle! TWO! Yuta pulls on an ear! But Cassidy arm-drags and wrangles Yuta into the SEATBELT! TWO!! Yuta escapes and the fans fire up as these two stand off. Yuta huffs ‘n’ puffs, but Cassidy shows he wants a grapple. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but Cassidy blocks a kick!
Cassidy reels Yuta in for a headlock, but Yuta powers up and out. Cassidy ducks ‘n’ rolls, tilt-o-whirls, but Yuta suplexes! Into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Yuta tumbles out and fans fire up! Cassidy builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Yuta and the fans fire up again! Cassidy brings Yuta up, whips, but Yuta reverses to reel Cassidy in! Cassidy fights the suplex, but then Yuta fights a suplex. Yuta suplexes, to RAILING BRAINBUSTER!! Cassidy writhes and fans are stunned! Yuta stomps Cassidy, then leaves him behind for the ring count. Cassidy crawls into the ring, Yuta exposes a crossbar, and then he GRINDS Cassidy’s face into the steel!
The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Yuta steps off at 4. Cassidy seethes as he rises up, but Yuta has him at the corner. Cassidy kicks Yuta’s legs out and Yuta falls onto a turnbuckle! Yuta falls back, Cassidy climbs, but Yuta grabs Cassidy first! Yuta drags Cassidy down but Cassidy fires hands. Yuta squeezes the facelock tight, then hits an APRON DDT! The fans boo Yuta while Cassidy writhes, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cassidy clutches his neck while Yuta waits in the ring. A ring count starts and Yuta eggs Cassidy on. Cassidy reaches up as the count reaches 5 of 10, but he doesn’t sit up until 6. Cassidy hobbles up, stumbles and falls, but springs back to life! He slides in at 9! Only for Yuta to be right on him! Yuta reels Cassidy in, but Cassidy turns that into BEACH BREAK! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy is too sore to be frustrated. They both sit up, and Yuta crawls his way over to a corner. Cassidy rises, checks his neck, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Yuta goes up, but Cassidy JUMP FOREARMS! Cassidy positions Yuta just right before he climbs the corner.
Yuta resists but Cassidy still brings Yuta up. Yuta continues to fight the suplex, throws body shots, then shoves Cassidy down. Cassidy rolls back to his feet, runs back up the corner, but Yuta again fights the suplex! Cassidy fires hands, but Yuta fires back! They brawl up top, Cassidy HEADBUTTS Yuta! But Yuta HEADBUTTS back! They both wobble, but then Cassidy BITES Yuta! The ref reprimands, but Cassidy CLAWS Yuta’s back! This is very Moxley of him to do! And then Cassidy hits the SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the ref checks. They’re both okay to continue, so a standing count begins!
Cassidy sits up, spots Yuta, and heads that way. Yuta sits up, they fire forearms as they stand! Dynamite returns to single picture as these shots go back and forth. The fans fire up for Cassidy but boo Yuta as the shots go faster and faster! Yuta BITES Cassidy’s forehead! Yuta spits then runs, but Cassidy dodges! BODY BLOW! SUPERKICK! Yuta sits down, Cassidy runs, PENALTY KICK! Cassidy slashes his throat, hauls Yuta up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy seethes. Cassidy rains down fists on Yuta! The ref reprimands about closed fists and hair pulling, but Cassidy doesn’t stop until the ref counts 4.
Cassidy stands, and he throws off the elbow pad! Cassidy aims at Yuta, runs up, but Yuta ducks the punch! GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta runs to CHOP in the corner! And then a wrench and PAIN THRILLER! The fans boo while Yuta seethes and stands over Cassidy. Yuta sits Cassidy up, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! But Cassidy blocks one! And bends fingers, to then SNAP them! The fans fire up as Cassidy SNAPS finger after finger! Yuta swings, Cassidy BOOTS him, then serves up SOLE FOOD! Scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy is busting out all his best friends’ best moves, but he hasn’t gotten it done!
Cassidy aims, loads up, and ORANGE- NO, Yuta ducks! Orange fights the suplex, switches to O’Conner Roll! TWO, Yuta dodges Cassidy, scoops him, and CROSS LEG TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO?!? Cassidy survives and Yuta is furious! The fans are thunderous, but Yuta rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Cassidy grits his teeth but he’s almost a ragdoll! Yuta lets off to then hook the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION!! Cassidy endures as Yuta thrashes him around! Cassidy powers up as the fans rally, and he kicks around to the ROPEBREAK!! Yuta holds on, the ref counts, and Yuta finally lets go at 4!
The ref reprimands Yuta, but Yuta pushes past the ref to go outside the ring. Yuta grabs a chair! Yuta storms into the ring while the fans boo, and the ref says don’t do it! Cassidy dodges the chair shot! Victory roll, CASSIDY WINS!!
Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall
Yuta is in disbelief! Cassidy beat him with a technical move! Yuta snarls but the ref keeps him back. Cassidy did what he promised in beating Yuta, but then he stares his former student down. Is Cassidy going to offer a handshake? WAIT, PAC ATTACKS! The Bastard BOOTS Cassidy down so we’ll never know what Cassidy was going to do! The fans boo more but Pac & Yuta stand on Cassidy. The rest of the Death Riders appear, and Marina Shafir has duct tape! The AEW World Trios Champions stomp away on Cassidy, like vultures picking the bones. Moxley steps into the ring while Marina hands the tape over to Pac.
Claudio puts Cassidy’s hands in his pockets, and then Pac tapes them in! Cassidy is physically bound, and Moxley paces around. Cassidy is pushed around by all the Death Riders, then Moxley DECKS him! Claudio hauls Cassidy back up, the Death Riders keep bullying him, and then Moxley SLAPS Cassidy down! But the bullying continues as they stand Cassidy up. Cassidy “kicks” Moxley! Defiant to the end! But Moxley DECKS him again! Moxley paces around more, then stomps Cassidy right on the face! Moxley leads The Death Riders away, and The Conglomeration finally comes out here.
Mark has scissors to cut Cassidy loose, and the fans boo as The Death Riders still retreat. Cassidy tries to stand up, but he has to use ropes to do it. Even so, Cassidy stands on his own two feet. Moxley eggs on the fans while Cassidy puts his sunglasses on. And then hands up, and then into the pockets! Try as they might, The Death Riders could not break the Freshly Squeezed fighting spirit! Will Cassidy finally become AEW World Champion? Or will Moxley find a way to break Cassidy at Full Gear?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home Dynamite here, though it felt like it contracted Go Home Syndrome. A lot of recap and other promos, but good promos all the same. Good follow-up from last week with Hayter and Hart, that will probably really get going after Full Gear. Good promo from Mariah & Mina to hype up their celebration segment for Full Gear, and with Toni Storm’s announcement of her retirement, you can bet Toni is anything but retired! Toni Storm most assuredly will return very soon, maybe even to ruin the celebration and spark another feud. I still want us to get to Mariah VS Mina but maybe Storm moves things back so that Mariah VS Mina happens in 2025.
Good promo from Private Party to also have AJ & Big Justice show up. The promos didn’t really add much to any of the matches, though. I’m very sure AJ does hit the BOOM on QT to win, and then Private Party finds a way to survive the Fatal 4. Great stuff with Perry, Garcia and Menard, that was another very action movie kind of promo, maybe even like that grittier Batman movie. But with Garcia not sinking to the same lows as Perry, that will be why Garcia loses. Honestly, why not just have Perry blatantly get himself disqualified? What great heat for Perry while keeping Garcia strong in not becoming TNT Champion.
Great promos in this MJF story. I appreciate Cole throwing his support behind Roddy was good, as well as Kyle O’Reilly wanting Cole to just leave it at this. MJF of course insults Roddy over his past while also trashing Cole at the same time, but great response from Roddy. Also I’m not a car guy so it took me a little too long to Google out what car MJF was driving. Anyway, given all these promos, I am very confident MJF wins at Full Gear and then Cole still wants after MJF, only for Kyle to have to fight Cole to make him stop. Then we’ll maybe get Cole VS MJF at Worlds End, or even some time in 2025.
Very good stuff with The Hurt Syndicate, even with them getting jumped by Swerve. Poor Cheeseburger, that’s one fan favorite that got fed to Bobby Lashley. But Swerve getting the better of the Hurt Syndicate again and again tonight, all the more reason Lashley wins at Full Gear. Very good promo vignette from White and Hangman to hype up their grudge match, which still feels it could go either way since they’re tied on the year. And Jericho and Ishii had perhaps simultaneously the most clever and most ridiculous contract signing segment ever. And of course Jericho worked out some sort of trap, only for it to go badly for him and his team. But with that, that means Ishii is losing next week, as I figured he would.
Awesome opening match with the 8 Man, and I liked that they had Hobbs do the “fighting through the pain” angle in the match. Also, great bit with Kyle Fletcher sending Davis into harm’s way so that the Callis Family can get the better of Ospreay’s team. I thought the Faces were going to win here, but the math now says Ospreay finds a way to beat Kyle, and maybe Ricochet takes the International Championship from Konosuke Takeshita. The Continental Classic is coming, and they could easily use that round robin to get Konosuke back to a feud with Kazuchika Okada and they battle for the Continental Championship at Worlds End like we should’ve gotten at WrestleDream.
Awesome match from Kris VS Shida, and I appreciate the crisis of confidence for Shida. Kris gets a great win to go into Full Gear, and then Kris and Shida get the better of Mone & Kamille, so all the more reason Mone finds a way to survive. As for Kamille, I feel like she should ditch Mone for being treated like crap by Mone, and maybe we can get a feud of Mone VS Kamille going into 2025. And of course, plenty of promos from Death Riders and “Team AEW” members. Moxley just kinda went on and on about stuff he’s already said in reference to Cassidy, but I did like Claudio going bilingual in talking trash on Darby.
Awesome matches from those stories, of course. Darby really got thrown around but he continues to show that toughness. Claudio getting the win mostly keeps Darby back so that Darby can build towards a world title match at Worlds End. Cassidy VS Yuta was great stuff, too, with great back and forth of Cassidy wanting to end it quick, having to grit it out with Yuta, and then Cassidy still finding a way to end it with a quick pin. And they did a good job muddying the math. Cassidy wins the match, but the Death Riders beat him down, only for Cassidy to literally stand tall at the end of the show. I still don’t see him taking the world title from Moxley, though, with Darby still in the wings, but this could end up Cassidy’s best match yet.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will this be the mightiest Tag League yet?
It’s time for NJPW World Tag League 2024, and this year already looks mighty good as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr, is in the A Block! Will he and Ryohei Oiwa make everyone #JustTapOut?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Masatora Yasuda; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Taiji Ishimori & The Filip Brothers; Taiji & The Filip Brothers win.
- Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Douki & Taka Michinoku VS The United Empire; Taichi, Douki & Taka win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Takagi & Tsuji win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
PLAY BY PLAY
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!
The Roughneck is bringing Everyone’s Kokeshi along for the ride, but this league might already be too much to handle. Can Honma help Shota bring about his Paradigm Shift? Or will they just get conquered by the United Empire?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against The Imperial Unit. The bell rings and Shota runs up to RAM Cobb! And RAM! And RAM! Cobb stays up so Shota kicks low. Shota runs to RAM Cobb, but Cobb rebounds to CLOBBER Shota! The fans cheer while Cobb stalks Shota. Cobb brings Shota up to whip him to a corner. Shota comes back to RAM Cobb! Cobb stays up, so Shota clinches! Cobb fights free with elbows, but Shota dodges a lariat to RAM Cobb! Cobb falls over! The fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Cobb up again. Callum runs in so Shota shoves Cobb aside to catch Callum. Shota shoves Callum at Honma for a shoulder tackle!
The fans fire up as Shota keeps moving and he SOMERSAULT SENTONS Callum! Shota then sets up so he and Honma can tabletop Cobb! Cobb sits up into Shota’s SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Shota tags Honma. The fans rally behind Honma as he CLUBS Cobb. Honma reels Cobb in, but Cobb suplexes first! Cobb SLAMS Honma down, then calls for Callum. Callum rises but Cobb says hold on. The “Cobby Cat” mocks Honma by bopping himself on the head. Cobb then runs to FALLING KOKESHI FLOP! Honma winds up and runs, but Callum is in the way! Cobb runs up, Honma dodges the lariat but Callum tags in.
Cobb dodges Honma, then shoves him at Callum. They pinball Honma around, and Callum BOOTS Honma while Cobb BLASTS Shota! Then Callum & Cobb coordinate to HIGH LOW with a shoulder tackle and leg sweep! The fans cheer and Cobb says You Can’t See Him! Callum stomps Honma, then KICKS him in the back. Honma gets mad but Callum scuffs him again and again. Honma rises, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Callum CHOPS and pretends that hurt his hand. Callum CLUBS Honma down but the fans rally up. Honma rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Callum kicks low, reels him in, but Honma fights the suplex!
Honma catches Callum’s lariat to spin and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum and Honma crawl, but Honma hot tags Shota! Shota rallies on Callum with big elbows! Shota whips, Callum reverses, but SHota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Callum! Cobb runs up, but Shota arm-drags him, then dropkicks the legs out! Cobb bails, Shota fires up, and the fans rally again. Shota whips Callum corner to corner, runs up on him, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Callum in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let that slow him down!
Shota waits on Callum, then runs, but Callum avoids Ignition to hook Shota! Shota fights the backslide so Callum whips him to a corner. Callum runs up but Shota dodges! Shota runs up but Callum goes up and over! Callum keeps moving, but Shota ROCKS him, UPPERCUTS him, and runs! Callum follows to ROCK Shota at the ropes! Callum runs, but then stops to fake out Shota’s dropkick! Shota sits up, but he ducks the Penalty Kick! Shota rolls Callum but Callum rolls through. Shota ROCKS Callum, then spins, but Callum dodges the rolling elbow! DREAMCAST KICK! Shota drops to his knees and the fans fire up!
Callum and Shota crawl, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb runs up to waistlock Shota for a deadlift! Shota fights with elbows, goes to run, but Cobb reels him in for a forearm to the back! Cobb runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up again and Shota heads for his corner. Hot tag to Honma! The fans rally as Honma CHOPS Cobb, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Honma puts Cobb in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up. Honma ELBOWS Cobb and hits a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma shows Cobb how it’s done! FALLING KOKESHI- NO! Now Honma FLOPS as Cobb moves! Callum runs up to SHOTGUN Shota off the apron!
The fans fire up as Cobb RAMS Honma into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH! Callum drops down and Cobb LEAPS over to ELBOW Honma! Callum comes back and Cobb pops him up to the apron! ENZIGIRI, then fireman’s carry! Callum climbs, DOUBLE STOMP ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! PENALTY KICK and GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Shota breaks it! The fans fire up and Shota TOSSES Callum! Cobb kicks Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota shouts to Honma and the fans fire up again. Honma rises and he storms up on Cobb. Honma & Shota double whip corner to corner!
Honma runs up to LARIAT! Honma feeds Cobb to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma LARIATS, Shota clinches, EXPLODER!! The fans cheer and Honma runs, SLIDING KOKESHI! Shota keeps moving, IGNITION! Honma covers, Callum breaks it! Shota stomps Callum out of the ring and leaves the rest to Honma. Honma drags Cobb up, but Cobb fights the suplex! Cobb ROCKS Honma, whips him, but Honma grabs ropes! Honma BOOTS Cobb, and Shota joins in! DOUBLE RUNNING KOKESHI! And then they DOUBLE FALLING KOKESHI! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Shota goes after Callum! CANNONBALL to the floor!
The fans fire up again as Honma climbs! FLYING- NO, Cobb catches Honma! SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives and the fans fire up again! But then Cobb reels Honma in, for a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, United Empire wins!
Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
A powerful showing from “The Kokeshi Brothers,” but they could not bring down Callum & Cobb. With the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships already on Great-O-Khan & Henare, will The United Empire completely dominate the NJPW Heavyweight Tag Division?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & ???
Los Ingobernables de Japon’s heavy formation is in this block, ready to rampage like twin dragons. If only The Sauce could’ve brought his own monster back. Who will be the substitute for Lance Archer? And can he help heat things up?
Zayne makes his entrance before anyone else, and asks to speak on the mic. A mic is given, and Zayne says, “Kon’nichiwa.” The fans applaud, and Zayne explains that when he was contacted this year for WTL, he was also informed that Lance Archer could not make it. Zayne knew he had to do one thing: find the most “delicious” tag partner he could find. And that man is… RYUSUKE TAGUCHI!? The fans can’t believe the Funky Weapon is joining Zayne in this tournament! And he wears a green version of Zayne’s gear! Are things about to get really spicy now?
The teams sort out, and Takagi is in disbelief. LIJ fist bumps and the fans applaud. Taguchi and Zayne bow, “Itadakimasu,” and Zayne starts against Yota. They circle, tie up, and Yota powers Zayne back. But Zayne powers Yota back! Yota powers up to power Zayne onto the ropes, but Zayne turns things around. The ref counts, Zayne lets off slowly with a pat on the shoulders, but Yota plays with Zayne’s hair. Zayne smirks and Yota grins as the two reset. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yota headlocks, but Zayne powers up and out. Yota RAMS Zayne but neither man falls. Fans cheer as Yota grins and Zayne plays with his own hair.
Things speed up suddenly, and Zayne sidesteps. Yota bucks the O’Conner Roll, then gets around Zayne. Zayne ELBOWS Yota away to a corner. Zayne runs up to BACK ELBOW and go to the apron in one go! Then he slingshots to RANA! Yota has a rough tumble, but he stands back up. Zayne runs up again, dodges the lariat and waistlocks, only to bring Yota back and run. Yota sidesteps Zayne then drops down, only for Zayne to IMPLODER KNEE DROP! The fans fire up but Zayne keeps moving, STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans cheer more while Zayne grins at Takagi. Zayne brings Yota up, tags Taguchi, and they double whip.
“Funky Sauce” misdirects Yota to hit a BULLDOG then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Taguchi stomps Yota. Taguchi brings Yota up, kicks low, then whips. Yota reverses but Taguchi RANAS! A little slippery, but then Zayne BLASTS Takagi off the apron! Funky Sauce takes aim, Taguchi PLANCHAS but flops as Yota moves! Zayne is on the apron but Takagi YANKS Zayne down! The fans rally but Takagi hauls Zayne up to whip him into railing! Yota drags Taguchi up and puts him in the ring. Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he stands Taguchi up. LIJ double whip Taguchi to then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!
The fans cheer and then Takagi SENTONS! Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Yota tags Takagi. The fans rally and duel while Takagi stands Taguchi up. Takagi bumps Taguchi off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then digs his shoulder in. The ref counts, Takagi steps back, and he snapmares Taguchi down. Tag to Yota and Yota drags Taguchi up. Yota snapmares Taguchi to ROCK him in the back! Taguchi falls back, Yota tags Takagi, and LIJ drags Taguchi up. They DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi hobbles in pain, falls to his knees, and Takagi BLASTS Zayne off the apron!
Takagi gets annoyed with this Funky Sauce, but Taguchi fires off CHOPS! Taguchi runs, but Takagi easily dodges the hip attack! Takagi then suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and the fans fire up. Takagi hears the fans dueling as he stomps Taguchi. Takagi KNEES Taguchi against the ropes again and again, then whips, for another KNEE! Takagi runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi and Takagi crawl, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne jumps in and DECKS Takagi, then he BLASTS Yota! Zayne swats a lariat to fire elbow after ELBOW!
Takagi blocks the superkick to CLUB the leg! Yota joins in, LIJ whips Zayne, but Zayne KICKS Takagi, mule kicks Yota, and runs, DOUBLE SOMERSAULT KICKS! The fans fire up and Zayne runs at Takagi. Takagi ELBOWS Zayne, BOOTS him, then goes up. Zayne returns to JUMPING STEINERS! The fans fire up while Zayne covers, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Zayne brings him right up. Zayne goes to scoop but Takagi fights it! Zayne CHOPS, scoops, and BAJA- NO, Takagi slips free! SLIDING- NO, Zayne dodges! Zayne mule kicks, runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!
Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota fires up and the fans are with him. Yota brings Zayne around to whip, but Zayne stops himself. Zayne dodges Yota, Yota dodges Zayne, and both men kick low! Yota comes back to BOOT! The fans cheer and Yota brings Zayne up again. Yota fireman’s carries but Zayne fights free. Yota ROCKS Zayne first! Yota tries another fireman’s carry but Zayne sunset flips it! TWO, and both men stand! Zayne rolls Yota, BASEMENT ENZIGIRI! Zayne hurries to hot tag Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS in a corner! Taguchi goes corner to corner, for another HIP ATTACK!
Taguchi keeps moving, but Yota runs up! Taguchi dropkicks Yota’s legs out! The fans fire up and Taguchi keeps going! Another dropkick to legs, then a LEG SWEEP! Taguchi rolls Yota into the OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Zayne BOOTS Takagi off the apron! Yota scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he brings Yota back up. Taguchi traps Yota and Zayne runs in to ELBOW! Zayne then sets up and Taguchi runs, SHOTGUN IN MOTION! Taguchi then brings Yota out to GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up as Zayne climbs! But Yota KICKS Taguchi away, then GAMANGIRIS Zayne off the corner!
Taguchi kicks Yota, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Takagi slides in, and he finds the camera, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has come, and they join in on a chant of “OI! OI! OI!” LIJ whips Taguchi to a corner, then Yota runs in to ELBOW! Takagi whips Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi adds a LARIAT, then feeds Taguchi to a BOOT! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! SUPERKICK! Taguchi is down, Yota covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans fire up. Takagi stands Taguchi up and throws him to Yota for a POWERBOMB! Cover, Zayne breaks it! Takagi drags Zayne up, LIJ mugs him, but he fights back with CHOPS!
The fans fire up but Yota spins Zayne around to facelock, and Takagi wheelbarrows. Yota helps Takagi swing Taguchi down, then up for a BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! The fans fire up and Takagi leaves it to Yota. Yota takes aim and the fans rally. Taguchi rises, Yota runs in, GENE- LEG DROP!? And then La Magistrol! TWO!! Yota escapes in time, but Taguchi spins him to a backslide! TWO!! Yota escapes again! But Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi fires up and the fans are with him! But Takagi LARIATS! GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER!! And now Yota loads up, for the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
The Funky Sauce was hot, but they’re the ones that got burned! Will they be able to spice things up in the second round? Will Takagi & Tsuji keep the tag league tranquilo?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi once again clash with The Fang & The Jewel, both sides hungry for gold. Will it be Lights Out in the opening round? Or will someone just #Go2Sleep?
The teams sort out but then Bullet Club just attacks! Chase is after Goto and Kenta is after Hashi, and they put each man in corners. The bell rings to get this on record as Kenta TOSSES Hashi. Chase CHOKES Goto in the corner, then stands on him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off to bring Goto up. Chase ROCKS Goto, whips him, and Kenta POSTS Hashi! Chase hits a big hip toss then covers, TWO! The fans rally up while Chase stomps Goto’s leg. Chase scrapes his sole off Goto’s face, and Kenta whips Hashi again. Hashi reverses and Kenta hits railing in front of English commentary! Chase ROCKS Goto, CHOPS him, then whips.
Goto grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Chase! Hashi returns and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZENMAI! Kenta returns but Bishamon kicks him first. “Se no!” Bishamon BEATS Kenta like a drum! The fans cheer and Bishamon flexes. Goto then goes back to Chase to stomp and CLUB him down. Goto kicks Chase, Chase shoves Goto and ROCKS him with a forearm! Goto knees Chase low, runs, but Chase TOSSES Goto out! Goto hurries back up, he counter punches Chase, and then counter punches Kenta! Chase slips out to YANK Goto down and THROW him into railing! Kenta intercepts Hashi with a kick!
Kenta whips Hashi away into railing while Chase sends Goto into other railing! The ref reprimands but Chase brings Goto through the gate. Chase has fans move out of the way, but then brings Goto back to ringside. Chase grins as he trolls the fans and pushes Goto into the ring. Kenta CLUBS away on Hashi before leaving him behind. Chase pulls on Goto’s arms then TWEAKS Goto’s neck! Not a twist, but equally painful. Chase tags Kenta while the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Kenta pushes Goto into the corner, Goto hits Chase, but Kenta RAMS Goto! The ref reprimands and counts as Kenta RAMS Goto more!
Kenta sits Goto down, and digs his boot in! The ref counts, Kenta stops at 4, and he tags Chase back in. They stomp Goto more, then Chase headlocks for a sucker punch! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Goto up and he bumps Goto off Kenta’s boot. Tag to Kenta and Bullet Club double whips. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down then Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta covers again, TWO! Kenta argues with the ref but the count was fair. Kenta drops an elbow, drops another elbow, then covers, TWO! Kenta gets mad at Hashi for no reason, but the fans rally up for Goto. Kenta CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires CHOPS in return!
Kenta knees low, whips Goto to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into a BOOT! Kenta runs but Goto follows! Goto avoids Chase’s cheap shot to LARIAT Kenta! The fans fire up while Goto and Kenta are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hahsi BLASTS Chase! Kenta kicks Hashi low then whips him to a corner. Kenta runs up but Hashi CHOPS in return! And mule kicks! And turns Kenta for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi watches Kenta. Hashi waits on Kenta to rise, then runs up to CHOP! Hashi hoists Kenta up to hang him out to dry! The fans fire up as Hashi runs, and he DROPKCISK Kenta down! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer Hashi on as he brings Kenta up. Hashi reels Kenta in, lifts, but Kenta fights with fists! Kenta slips free of the bomb, then slips around Hashi to spin and- NO, Hashi suplexes first! But Kenta slips free again, and he spins Hashi around, to SPIKE DDT! Hashi is stood up on his head before falling over, and Kenta tags in Chase. Chase brings Hashi up and fireman’s carries. Hashi fights free of that, but Chase slips around to half nelson, lift, and SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Chase says time to end this! Chase takes aim, C- NO, Hashi dodges the trigger! Chase knees low, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs!
The fans fire up whiel both men are down! Chase clutches his leg while Hashi crawls. Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs at Chase to LARIAT in the corner! Goto whips corner to corner, runs up again, but Chase BOOTS him! But Goto comes back! Only for Chase to BUCKLE SHOT and STO, then SENTON! Kenta steps in and Bullet Club drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms and CHOPS! Kenta SOBATS! Chase KICKS! Kenta ROUNDHOUSES! Goto sits up into the “I HATE YOU!” PENALTY KICK! Cover, but Hashi breaks it! Kenta TOSSES Hashi then goes out after him. Chase drags Goto up and reels him in.
Chase tucks the arms but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches out but Chase ROCKS him first! Chase runs, Goto follows, but Chase ENZIGIRIS! Goto stays up, but the C-TRIGGER hits! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Chase hurries up! C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK!! And then the tuck for the PACKAGE PILE- NO, Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up, Kenta BOOTS Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries Kenta but Kenta slips free! Kenta shoves Goto into Hashi, then waistlocks Goto. Goto fights the lift, and then ducks, HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK for Kenta! The fans fire up as Bishamon regroups.
Hashi drags Chase up, whips him to Goto, but Chase BOOTS Goto! Chase swings on Hashi but Hashi ducks the lariat. Hashi powers Chase to ropes, Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then Hashi rolls Chase. Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has the legs! Chase BOOTS Hashi away! Chase then slips around to dragon sleeper, to steal G T- NO, Goto drops down to victory roll! Chase stands up, into a SUPERKICK! Goto drags Chase around while Hashi BLASTS Kenta! Dragon sleeper and SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)
Another classic in this storied rivalry, worthy of the titles themselves! Will this first win be the win that leads the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter back to the titles? Can Kenta & Chase borrow a page from Bishamon and #GetBackUp in the next round?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
TMDK has a team in each block, doubling their chances of taking this league. But perhaps burying the lead is the fact that THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is joining in the fun! Will The Front Man & The Mullet rock this league right from the start? Or will the Mad Man and the turncoat Cold Skull get this tournament #WarReady?
The teams sort out but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face. Gabe pushes Oiwa, they start, and they tie up at the bell. The fans rally as Oiwa and Gabe are in a deadlock. They go around at center, then Oiwa digs his heels in to push Gabe back. Gabe turns things around to put Oiwa on ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Gable lets off, to then CHOP! Gabe scoops and SLAMS Oiwa, then he goes for legs. Oiwa UPKICKS Gabe, then stands up to scoop and SLAM Gabe! Gabe UPKICKS back, both men get up and go face to face. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as Oiwa gets the edge, but Gabe CHOPS!
Gabe headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Gabe eggs OIwa on and he runs to RAM Gabe! They both run now, and they RAM shoulders again, and again, and again! Gabe CHOPS then runs, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Gabe! The fans fire up while Gabe bails out. Oiwa eggs Gabe on and Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes the railing in frustration, then he paces around the outside. Gabe cools off, slides in, but then tags Sanada. Sanada steps in slowly, so Oiwa tags in ZSJ. The two rivals circle and the afns rally behind “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” ZSJ and Sanada feel things out, knuclke lock, and ZSJ rolls to wrench.
Sanada is already frustrated so he kicks ZSJ low! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and then Gabe goes after Oiwa! Gabe CHOPS away on Oiwa while Sanada sends ZSJ into railing! And then more railing! Gabe does the same to Oiwa, and Sanada storms up on ZSJ. Sanada CLAWS ZSJ’s back, a definite attitude change showing. Gabe Too Sweets with Taiji Ishimori on commentary while Sanada pushes ZSJ into the ring. Sanada whips ZSJ to a corner, but ZSJ goes up, under, around, and RAMS into Sanada! ZSJ snapmares, Sanada handsprings through, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! Tag to Oiwa and he BLASTS Gabe!
Oiwa goes back to Sanada and stands him up. Oiwa wrenches an arm, YANKS it, then wrenches to YANK it again. Oiwa tags ZSJ and ZSJ brings Sanada around to wrench, step over, and wrangle into a mounted armbar! Sanada endures as ZSJ bends the fingers and isolates the arm, to STOMP it! The fans cheer, ZSJ tags Oiwa, and Oiwa CLUBS Sanada’s arm. Oiwa headlocks for a takeover, then isolates the arm in an short arm scissor! The fans rally while Sanada endures and kicks around. Sanada reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Oiwa lets Sanada go, but then Oiwa brings Sanada up.
Oiwa whips, Sanada reverses, and Gabe trips Oiwa up! Sanda BLASTS ZSJ while Oiwa drags Oiwa out of the ring! Now things spill out into the crowd! Gabe CHOPS Oiwa, then SMACKS him off empty chairs! Sanada BOWLS ZSJ into chairs! Not quite a strike, so Sanada JAMS ZSJ up with a chair! That picks up the spare, and we can hear Gabe’s CHOPS on Oiwa echo out. Gabe stomps Oiwa while Sanada CHOKES ZSJ with a chair! Red Shoes reprimands the War Dogs, but Gabe POSTS Oiwa! Gabe says War Dogs run this, but Red Shoes starts a ring count. Gabe flexes on Oiwa, then drags him up at 7 of 20.
Gabe puts Oiwa in at 10 and Sanada covers, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans rally behind him. Sanada is annoyed but he brings Oiwa up. Sanada CLUBS Oiwa, then bumps him off Gabe’s boot. Oiwa sputters while Sanada tags Gabe in. Gabe drags Oiwa up, mockingly asks where Zack-senpai went, then he UPPERCUTS Oiwa down. Gabe TOSSES Oiwa out, and he BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! Sanada whips Oiwa into railing! Gabe lifts ZSJ bu tZSJ wrenches free to KIMURA! Gabe powers through, to BITE ZSJ on the forehead! Sanada sends Oiwa into more railing, Gabe sends ZSJ through railing and into chairs!
Sanada BOWLS Oiwa into chairs now, there is the strike! Sanada continues to show his new edge as he JAMS Oiwa up with a chair. Red Shoes reprimands so Sanada brings Oiwa back to ringside. Sanada puts Oiwa in for Gabe and Gabe pushes Oiwa to a cover. Red Shoes says no, all the shenanigans were not right. Gabe gets in Red Shoes’ face about that, but Red Shoes stands his ground. Gabe storms around while the fans rally behind Oiwa. Gabe drags Oiwa up, to CHOP! Oiwa wobbles but he rises up. Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires forearms! Gabe DECKS Oiwa with just one! The fans still rally for Oiwa but Gabe stands on Oiwa’s face!
Gabe soaks up the heat, scuffs Oiwa and stomps him around. Oiwa sits up, Gabe runs, but Oiwa reels him in! Gabe fights the waistlock, runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and Gabe crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Sanada! The fans fire up as ZSJ dodges Sanada, full nelsons, then spins him to a headlock. Sanada powers out but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada powers out to HIP TOSS, but ZJS UP KICKS! Sanada avoids the Penalty Kick, blocks the boot, but ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basment DROPKICK! The fans fire up and we’ve only hit 10 minutes!
ZSJ drags Sanada up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Sanada blocks the next to spin and suplex, but ZSJ says no to the Magic Screw! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada escapes but ZSJ stays focused. ZSJ stands Sanada up to scoop, but Sanada slips free. ZSJ fights the waistlock, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Sanada then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips free, to have the IRON OCTOPUS! The fans rally while Sanada endures, and Sanada powers out to have a leg! DROPPING DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ clutches the leg and Sanada takes aim! SHINING-
NO, ZSJ ducks, but Sanada catches him to a backslide! ZSJ rolls through to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Oiwa goes back to Sanada and brings him up. Oiwa whips Sanada to ropes, ELBOWS Him down, then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada! Oiwa deadlift GUT RWENCH PLEXES! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe CHOPS away on ZSJ and Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ & Oiwa DOUBLE DROPKICK Gabe down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he clamps onto Sanada with a SLEEPER! Sanada endures and fights up, but Oiwa thrashes him around!
Sanada still fights to his feet, slips around the back, and shoves Oiwa to ropes. Gabe trips Oiwa up! Oiwa kicks at Gabe but Sanada kicks ropes to jam Oiwa up! Sanada suplexes Oiwa into the MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Sanada crawls over, tag to Gabe, and Gabe storms right up on Oiwa. Gabe UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down! Gabe then puts Oiwa in a corner to fire off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Gabe digs his boots in while talking trash. Gabe shoves Red Shoes aside so he can keep stomping away on Oiwa! The fans rally and Red Shoes backs Gabe off.
Gabe seethes but the fans continue to rally for Oiwa. Oiwa grits his teeth as he sits up, but Gabe ROCKS him with another shot! Oiwa still looks up defiantly at Gabe, so Gabe fires shots! Gabe says Oiwa’s not worthy of being his NJPW Strong Openweight Challenger. Gabe says Oiwa’s just some “weak ass kohai!” Gabe SPITS on Oiwa, but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face! Gabe fires slapping strikes, blocks a shot, then SLAPS Oiwa again! Oiwa spins to DOUBLE CHOP Gsbe down! Sanada runs up and kicks low! Sanada whips, Oiwa reverses, but Sanada reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada!
Gabe runs up, ZSJ BOOTS him first! Gabe runs back in, slips out of the scoop, and he scoops ZSJ for EMERALD FLOWSON!! But Oiwa spins Gabe! Gabe avoids The Grip, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa is frustrated but the fans rally behind him. Oiwa hauls Gabe up, ANACONDA PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives again but Oiwa roars! Oiwa drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the gut wrench! Gabe CLUBS Oiwa on the back, then he gut wrenches! Oiwa fights back, wrenches out, and he blocks a lariat to spin. Gabe HAYMAKERS, and SAIDOS!! Gabe crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives! Gabe snarls and he drags Oiwa up. Gabe says this is the end. But Oiwa fights the suplex! Oiwa suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Oiwa still tries, but Gabe slips out to waistlock. Sanada DROPKCIKS Oiwa, Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe & Sanada work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Gabe suplexes again, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and tells Gabe to finish this! ZSJ RAMS Sanada, they brawl outside, and Gabe slashes his throat. Gabe drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oia slips through the gut wrench to backslide! TWO, and Gabe UPPERCUTS!
Gabe runs, but ZSJ is back! He BOOTS Gabe but Gabe SLAPS ZSJ! ZSJ KICKS the haymaker away to then ROUNDHOUSE Gabe! Sanada’s in to dragon sleeper! ZSJ arm-drags free, but Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ and Sanada flop out of the ring, leaving Oiwa and Gabe to rise up. They run at each other, to DOUBLE LARIAT! neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Oiwa PALM STRIKES! Gabe PALM STRIKES, CHOPS, JABS, rebounds, into a roll-up! Hig stack, TMDK WINS!!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall
Gabe is in shock! He gets right in Red Shoes’ face but Red Shoes says it was a fair count! Gabe then goes after Oiwa to CLOBBER him! The fans boo and Young Lions rush in, but Gabe eggs Oiwa on! So Oiwa obliges and they brawl among the fans! The Young Lions rush in to separate the two, but Gabe gets loose to CLOBBER Oiwa! They scrap, ZSJ joins in, and he pulls the two apart. Gabe kicks a chair in frustration, then goes into retreat. Wait, Oiwa chases Gabe to the ramp and beats him down! Young Lions again scramble in to stop this, but it just heads to the back! Sanada shrugs it off, will the #ColdWarDogs just have to try harder in the next round?
As for the winners, well, they’re no longer ringside so there won’t be any in-ring closing words. Backstage interviews begin, Gabe promises Oiwa will be put in the ground! Will the Mad Man show The Mullet what it takes to be NJPW Strong? As for ZSJ, he gathers himself, and tells NJPW Media that he doesn’t know where The Mullet went. Actually, no, he has an idea: The Mullet must be smashing the s*it outta Gabe. “Roy The Mullet” is the next NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Oiwa will hit Gabe so hard, his legs will turn into trombones! As for ZSJ, there is something rare happening in this year’s WTL, isn’t it?
Yes, it’s that the IWGP World EFFIN’ Heavyweight Champion is involved, as this should be! The first time the world champion’s been in this tournament in roughly a decade! ZSJ said he was gonna be a different kind of world champion for NJPW, and that he promises to take NJPW back to the top! Now obviously, a conflict of interests, as this tournament is Shane Haste’s & Mikey Nicholls’ to win, but ZSJ won’t give the boys an easy ride. ZSJ is dreaming~ of an all TMDK World Tag League finals! Then who knows, maybe Zack & Roy get the job done.
But ZSJ knows the Tokyo Dome is coming soon. And Shota Umino wants to be ZSJ’s challenger. ZSJ says he will be keeping his eyes wide open for Shota. ZSJ says he’ll have a DOUBLE main event in the Tokyo Dome, it’s in the bag. What about you, Shota? The Front Man heads out, having put the pressure on his challenger, but will all of NJPW soon belong to TMDK?
Here are the A Block standings!
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great start to World Tag League 2024, with just A Block opening things tonight. I will say those tune-up matches were interesting. Even though David Finlay is the Global Champion, it’s Taiji Ishimori that has apparently become Bullet Club’s international ambassador. Taiji brought Robbie X into the group, now he teamed with The Filip Brothers, Tome & Stevie, who knows who else Bone Soldier will recruit. Taiji’s team beating Tanahashi’s team, House of Torture cheating and beating Tanahashi’s friends, this is all putting the pressure on The Ace, meaning The Ace will win out at WrestleKingdom 19.
Shota Umino teaming with Tomoaki Honma, I wonder if this is to hold Shota back somehow. He is apparently still heading for WrestleKingdom and a world title match with ZSJ, so it’s not like Shota needs to win WTL, but I guess NJPW just wants Shota to give the fans a good time alongside a fan favorite like Honma. Also, Callum & Cobb have a fun new shirt for their team-up. I figured Zayne would need to improvise now that #MonsterSauce is no longer happening, and Taguchi was a great surprise choice. But #FunkySauce making its debut against a team as strong as Takagi & Tsuji was a shame because of course LIJ was winning that. Maybe Zayne & Taguchi can pull off a spoiler victory later on, but I don’t see Funky Sauce going that strong.
Bishamon VS Kenta & Chase really was an awesome match, and it is so surprising how Chase has grown in just the past couple years. Great win for Goto & Hashi, though, as they’re clearly the solid utility choices in the tag division. And what an awesome main event, with Sanada bringing out the most Heel stuff he’s done perhaps ever. A bit jarring really, but that’s just kinda old fashioned Heel turns for ya. Great win for TMDK, though, and definitely an unorthodox way of closing by having Oiwa and Gabe brawl all over ringside and into the back.
While ZSJ says it is big for the world champ to be in this tournament, which I do agree with on some level, it also makes some of the A Block action seem secondary. Gabe and Oiwa having their grudge was kinda the main motivator behind this match, and then it’ll be similar when Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa happens. There is the added drama of, “What if someone pins ZSJ? Will they get a world title match before WK19?” Maybe Shota solidifies his WK title match by being the one that pins ZSJ in their match, but it all just feels like more flash than substance. No one else is going to pin ZSJ, Oiwa probably takes whatever losses their team will take, so A Block’s story suffers for it.
My Score: 8.9/10
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