Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE 205 Live Results & Report! (11/7/18)

Published

6 years ago

November 7, 2018

The Cruiserweight Division is in the UK! And the champion, Buddy Murphy, issued a challenge to the UK Division’s Mark Andrews! Will he regret being so bold?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Lucha House Party VS TJP & Mike Kanellis w/ Maria Kanellis; Lucha House Party wins.
Lio Rush VS Josh Morrell; Rush wins.
Buddy Murphy VS Mark Andrews; Murphy wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Drake Maverick sets the scene for tonight’s episode.

Firstly, he congratulates The Heart of 205 Live, Mustafa Ali, for earning a Cruiserweight Championship match over The Premier Athlete, Tony Nese. And that championship match against Buddy Murphy will take place at Survivor Series!

As for tonight’s action, the Lucha House Party want retribution against both TJP and Mike Kanellis. TJP has been showing nothing but disrespect to the lucha trio, and Mike Kanellis hasn’t been far behind. These two team together for the first time ever, but will they get away with another win, and some masks?

Then in a crossover main event, NXT UK’s Mark Andrews will have a match with the champion himself, Buddy Murphy!

Lucha House Party VS TJP & Mike Kanellis w/ Maria Kanellis!

Lince Dorado and Kalisto step up for their trio in seeking retribution for the disrespect the “Cruiser-Great” has shown them. The FilAm Flash ran to the only man, and woman, on 205 Live he felt would help him, and they accepted his premise for an alliance. Will this team of convenience work well together? Or will the Golden Lynx and Lucha Dragon take the win and the masks back?

The bell rings and TJP starts with Kalisto. They go around and tie up. Kalisto gets TJP into a corner, and backs off cleanly. TJP goes after the mask! Kalisto kicks him away then whips but TJP reverses. TJP drops down, but Kalisto hops on and says “giddy-up!” TJP stands up with a look of anger and humiliation, but Kalisto has a smile and a dance. They go again, Kalisto slides under and rolls back to wheelbarrow arm-drag TJP down. The “Lucha! Lucha!” chants start, and Kalisto dropkicks TJP down. Tag to Lince, and the luchadores work together for the elevated Kalisto splash, and Lince planking splash! TJP scrambles to Mike for both a tag, and maybe some reassuring hugs. Mike runs in, but both luchadores are ready with double uppercuts! Then double clotheslines send Mike out!

Mike scrambles over to TJP now, but both luchadores build speed! But just for a double fake out! Kalisto and Lince handspring for double flexing! Maria is furious for her husband, but fans love the LHP. Mike hurries back in and kicks Lince low. He uppercuts Lince to a corner, then stomps a mudhole into him. Mike dedicates this to Maria, but Lince throws haymakers! Lince whips corner to corner but Mike reverses. Lince goes up and over, then handsprings and slides under, to then tilt-o-whirl headscissor and dropkick! He arm-drags Mike into an armlock! The matracas make noise but Maria is furious. Mike gets up and powers Lince back. He breaks at the rope but TJP gets in a cheap shot! TJP tags in and throws hands on Lince. He slingshot sentons on Lince then covers, TWO! TJP drags Lince up to trip him up, and tag to Mike.

TJP flings Lince forward, then Mike drops an elbow. Mike goes after the mask, then stomps away on Lince. He drags Lince into a corner and takes time to soak up the heat. Mike whips Lince and hits a corner clothesline. He blows a kiss to fans before whipping Lince corner to corner again. Mike hits another corner clothesline, then runs for a boot! Cover, TWO! Maria is furious again but Mike tags in TJP. TJP stomps Lince around then snapmares him into a chinlock. The matracas start up again and it annoys Maria. Fans rally up with the noise, though, and Lince gets up. Lince fights back but is put in a corner. TJP runs in but misses! TJP tumbles down so Mike goes after Lince. Mike misses and Lince hits a triangle dropkick! Lince is alone in the ring and heads for the LHP corner.

TJP intercepts Lince’s leap! Lince pushes him away, hot tag to Kalisto! Springboard crossbody for TJP, forearm for Mike, springboard corkscrew for TJP! Kailsto handsprings to dodge, then gives kick after kick! Kalisto whips but TJP reverses. TJP runs in but Kalisto dodges. Mike tags in as Kalisto rolls up TJP for the school boy kick! Kalisto fires up, but Mike trips him up and yanks him out. Mike throws Kalisto into the barriers with a Russian leg sweep! He puts Kalisto back in and covers, TWO! Mike knees Kalisto down as Maria coaches him on. Mike puts on a rear bearhug and Kalisto endures. Fans rally up, and Kalisto gets to his feet. Mike clubs him down, then back suplexes. Kalisto fights back, wheelbarrow to DDT! Both men are down, and the matracas start again. Hot tags to TJP and Lince!

Lince climbs up and hits a crossbody! He rallies with kicks, then CHOPS TJP off his feet! Lince handsprings to capoeria kick. Mike runs in but for a flapjack! Lince gets Mike out, then dodges TJP in the corner. SUPERKICK drops TJP, springboard moonsault to another! But Lince isn’t done there, he goes up high for a BIG moonsault! Cover but Mike breaks it in time! Maria is relieved, and now Mike and TJP double whip. Lince handsprings to double Golden Rewinds! The fans chant “Lucha! Lucha!” as the LHP go up on opposite corners, for the DOUBLE ASAI! They hit both TJP and Mike down and get TJP in the ring.

Lince runs in corner to corner for the bronco buster! Lince wants the inverted DDT but TJP drops down for a kneebar! Mike keeps Kalisto down as TJP grapevines. Kalisto gets free and breaks the hold in time! Kalisto then dumps Mike out, dodges TJP to DIVE on Mike! Lince springboard sunsets TJP, TWO and TJP gets the mask! TJP has unmasked Lince again! Well, actually, Lince had a spare! Huricanrana to pin! Lucha House Party wins!

Winners: Lucha House Party, Lince Dorado pinning

TJP got outsmarted, and the LHP get even! Maria keeps Mike and TJP calm, saying she’s got this. They’ve still got the other masks, but where and when will they be back for more?

Cedric Alexander trains in the WWE Performance Center.

Steve Corino puts the former Cruiserweight Champion through his drills, then has Alexander look through the footage. But then, in walks the Man of the Hour, Lio Rush. Lio laughs at what he sees, but what does he want? To see if the rumors were true, and they are. Alexander lost his confidence, so now he’s back in school training with rookies! Alexander says that if Lio ever stopped caring about carrying Lashley’s bags, and actually did some training, maybe Lio would be champion. Lio knows what Alexander wants. Alexander wants to be champion again, but that’s not happening here. He needs a marquee match with the 23 year old piece of gold. Oh that’s what Alexander needs?

Lio says Alexander should think it over, but if he wants to find Lio later, he’s not a hard man to find. That is, if Alexander gets out of class on time. Lio laughs his way back out, but the match has been made for next week! Will the Age of Alexander rebuild itself on top of the Man of the Hour’s reputation?

Lio Rush VS Josh Morrell!

Speaking of the Man of the Hour, he’s still in Manchester because he #CametoCollect his own paycheck for Cruiserweight action. Lio is still undefeated in 1v1 action, but he seems to be taking everything to easy. Will he be caught off guard by Manchester’s own? Or will he still be at the top of his game without even trying?

The bell rings and Lio doesn’t see what’s so great about his opponent. However, Morrell dares Lio to “cross the line”. Lio takes Morrell up on the challenge, and they tie up. Lio gets a wristlock, but Morrell rolls, cartwheels, handsprings and throws Lio! That definitely surprises Lio. Things speed up, and Morrell somehow keeps pace. Lio stops on a dime but Morrell catches Lio’s kick. Morrell keeps out of reach, flips Lio back, and enziguris Lio to a corner! Morrell whips Lio but Lio reverses. Lio runs but into a boot! Morrell hops up but Lio enziguris Morrell out of the ring! Lio fetches Morrell and throws him into the barrier!

Lio has a temper and he uses it on Morrell by stomping in a mudhole! The ref backs Lio off, but Lio leaps in for a cannonball! Lio drags Morrell up, whips him around to reel him into a drop toehold, and Morrell hits buckles face first! The ref checks on Morrell, but he’s somehow okay. Morrell flounders around, fans call Lio names but Lio ignores them. He climbs up top, and hits his Final Hour frog splash! Cover, Lio wins!

Winner: Lio Rush, by pinfall

The win streak continues, but Lio had to put in some work. He takes up the mic to dedicate his victory to a man that truly inspires him. That man is Cedric Alexander. Ever since Alexander lost the Cruiserweight Champinoship, he’s been in a slump. So what Alexander did was go back to the WWE PC, to his roots. To be honest, Lio isn’t mad. Lio actually respects that. Because Lio knows “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” Alexander’s working hard, that much is true.

But Lio reminds everyone that there is absolutely no one, and that means NO ONE, that works harder than Lio Rush! If Alexander thinks he’s getting back up on his high horse at the expense of the 23 year old piece of gold, he’s sadly mistaken. Lio promises that the #AgeOfAlexander meets its Final Hour. “Tick tock, Cedric, tick tock.” Will Alexander’s time be up? Or are the days of Lio’s undefeated streak numbered?

205 Live takes at the UK Cruiserweight crossover star, Mark Andrews.

The High-Fiving, Stage-Diving rockstar wrestles not only to put the UK on the map, but also Wales on the map. Andrews vows to make Wales proud in both NXT UK and the Cruiserweight Division, but will he face a mountain too big to climb in the Aussie Juggernaut?

Mustafa Ali speaks.

The Beacon of Light knows that at first “they called me a ‘maybe’. Today, they call me the Heart of 205 Live.” At Wrestlemania, he was so close to being called champion. That slipped through his fingers, but he’s scratched and clawed his way back to this chance. He and Buddy Murphy have gone back and forth all year, but this time, nothing will slip past Ali. No one will see Ali as a “maybe”, because this time they will call him champion. Survivor Series may pit Raw against SmackDown, but who will come out atop 205 Live?

Buddy Murphy VS Mark Andrews!

The champion wanted something big for his first match since winning the title at Super Show-Down, and issued a challenge to the best Cruiserweights in NXT UK. The Juggernaut says he looks forward to another go with the Heart of 205 Live, and the High-Fiver Stage-Diver is a great tune-up for Murphy. Murphy claims that in the real world, the bad guy always wins, and he’s the biggest and baddest around! Will Andrews learn before Ali that there really is no stopping the unstoppable?

The bell rings and Manchester is behind #Mandrews more than Murphy. The two circle and Murphy corners Andrews. Andrews can’t get away, so he grapples with Murphy. Murphy brings Andrews down with strength, but Andrews gets up. Andrews rolls and hooks Murphy’s leg. Murphy throws Andrews off and has him back down. Andrews handsprings up and goes for the legs again, but Murphy brings him down again. Fans rally and Andrews gets up again. Andrews spins around and gets a wristlock. He still tries to bring Murphy down but Murphy breaks free to snapmare. Andrews lands on his feet and grins at Murphy. Murphy sweeps the legs and covers, ONE.

Andrews wants a sweep but his arms aren’t strong enough, so he uses his legs! Andrews moonsaults but lands on his feet when Murphy moves. Fans applaud this close match-up, and even Murphy smirks. Murphy then tosses Andrews to a corner! Andrews gets out and chops, but Murphy isn’t bothered. Andrews tries to arm-drag but Murphy blocks. Murphy whips and then bounces Andrews off his shoulder! Andrews is shocked as he rolls out of the ring. Murphy goes out to chase Andrews, they end up back in the ring and Andrews goes for a headscissors. Murphy blocks, but Andrews sunset flips, TWO! Andrews was close to getting one over on the champ. Andrews slides under to then enziguri Murphy! Murphy bails out, but Andrews builds speed, to FLY! For headscissors! Fans fire up as Murphy hits the floor.

Andrews brings Murphy up and into the ring. Andrews hurries up top, but Murphy gets up. Murphy jumps under Andrews, then catches his tilt-o-whirl for a long dart into buckles! Andrews checks his teeth while Murphy catches his breath. Murphy stalks Andrews back into the corner, then throws him across the ring! Murphy brings Andrews up and shoves him to ropes, for a forearm to the back on the rebound! Fans still rally for Andrews as Murphy stalks him. Andrews hits back but Murphy rocks him with a right. Murphy throws Andrews across the ring again, then looms over him. He drags Andrews up for elbows to the head, then covers. TWO, but Murphy wraps on an armlock. Murphy grinds his forearm into Andrews’ face, but fans rally up.

Andrews endures as Murphy drives elbows into the neck and chest! Cover, TWO, so it’s back to the armlock. Andrews continues to endure, and works his way out of the hold. He stands up and gives Murphy a jawbreaker! Andrews is free, but Murphy pops him right up onto his shoulders! Andrews uses that for a Reveres-Rana! Murphy tumbles out of the ring while Andrews rests in the ring. Fans fire up as Andrews builds speed. Andrews DIVES! Murphy is blasted over the announce desk! Andrews grits his teeth and gets up to leap over the desk! He throws hands on Murphy, then chases him to ringside. Murphy throws Andrews in, but Andrews gets him back with a basement dropkick! Andrews fetches Murphy, and rocks him with a right.

They go around the corner, and Andrews uses the steel steps to launch for a cannonball senton! Fans fire up as Andrews gets Murphy up and into the ring. Andrews hurries up and springboards, but into a pumphandle! Murphy lifts but Andrews wheelbarrows to victory roll and double stomps! Then standing corkscrew moonsault! Cover, TWO!! Murphy survives to Andrews’ surprise. Andrews walks over but Murphy puts him on the apron. Andrews kicks back then slingshots for a sunset flip! Cover, TWO! Murphy stirs while Andrews catches his breath. Andrews throws forearms, but Murphy fires his strike fest! Murphy’s knee misses but he boots Andrews to a corner.

Andrews enziguris, then hops up! Murphy tucks him in, but misses his superkick! Andrews mule kicks Murphy, then quebrada to tornado, but Murphy blocks the DDT! Suplex, Andrews tries a huricanrana, but Murphy blocks that into a sit-out powerbomb! Cover, TWO!? Andrews survives and now Murphy is surprised, but fans are loving this! Both men are down but Murphy sits up first. Murphy toys with Andrews but Manchester rallies up. Murphy suplexes but gets Stun-Dog Millionaire! Andrews hurries to the top rope, Shooting Star gets knees! Murphy hits a knee trigger! Then pumphandle, Murphy’s Law! Cover, Murphy wins!

Winner: Buddy Murphy, by pinfall

The champion rolls on towards Survivor Series and his familiar foe in Mustafa Ali! What will it take to stop the Unstoppable?

My Thoughts:

A pretty solid episode of 205 Live here. TJP and the Kanellises work together well despite losing, but I was glad to see they did a “mask under a mask” spot like that. Their feud hopefully ends with the Lucha House Party actually getting those stolen masks back, since the Heels still hold one of each. It was a clever choice for Lio to have a tougher time with his jobber opponent tonight, to make a point of the very quote he used. Alexander VS Lio next week should be an amazing match, and I can’t be sure which way it should go. Chances are, Lio will win to keep his undefeated streak going while perpetuating Alexander’s crisis of confidence story. It’d be too soon after Maverick told Alexander last week that he only gets his title rematch when he’s ready, for Alexander to suddenly win such an important match.

Just as I was wondering, we learn that the Cruiserweight Championship will be defended at Survivor Series so that there’s a chance something changes the status quo that Sunday. Murphy VS Andrews was a great match tonight, and another sign that there could be crossovers between divisions. If Lucha House Party can be on Raw for their tag team division and NXT/NXT UK stars can be on 205 Live for Cruiserweight action, maybe one day we can actually get a story where someone is a champion on multiple WWE programs.

My Score: 8.4/10

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Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (11/7/18)

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Mitchell’s WWE NXT UK Results & Report! (11/7/18)

Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Road to New Beginning Results & Report! (1/30/25)

GO! ACE! GO! ACE!

Published

4 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Tanahashi’s Final Road to New Beginning!

Evil couldn’t end President Ace, but will The House of Torture still take the NEVER Openweight Six Man Championships from him?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Time Limit Draw.
YOSHI-HASHI & Katsuya Murashima VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Oiwa & Jackson win.
8 Man Tag: El Phantasmo, Jado, Shota Umino & Togi Makabe VS The United Empire; ELP, Jado, Shota & Makabe win.
Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Taiji Ishimori; Sanada & Taiji win.
Tomohiro Ishii & Tomoaki Honma VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Naito & Hiromu win.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins and become the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.
Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, El Desperado & YOH VS TMDK; TMDK wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture!

Evil tried to make WrestleKingdom 19 the last time we saw President Ace in this ring but he failed! However, his minions will not stop in trying to ruin the rest of Tanahashi’s last year. Will Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Sho take these titles back to the House? Or will The Ace, Joker & Rook stand tall?

The House walks out here showing off the belts they literally stole back at New Year Dash, but now the tables have turned! Tanahashi and team attack The House from behind! The fans cheer as The House finally tastes their own medicine! Tanahashi snatches back the belts so that he, Yano & Oleg can stand with them in the ring. The House protests but they’re one to talk. The introductions are skipped, the bell rings, and the brawl is back on as Tanahashi’s team goes back out after The House! Yano whips Sho, but Sho reverses to send Yano into railing! Sho stomps away on Yano, then helps Ren mug Oleg!

Yujiro turns things around on Tanahashi, and then he brings Tanahashi out to No Man’s Land! Sho bends Oleg’s fingers, puts his hand through the railing and pulls! The fans rally for Tanahashi’s team while the ref reprimands The House. Yujiro puts Tanahashi in, then he, Sho & Ren all stomp away! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but The House all put one out on Tanahashi. Yujiro stands Tanahashi up, then he and Sho double whip Tanahashi corner to corner. Yujiro runs in but Tanahashi dodges! Tanahashi then dropkicks Sho’s leg, then he dropkicks Narita’s leg! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs at Yujiro.

Yujiro dodges, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him away! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up again as Tanahashi air guitars. Tag to Yano and he TOSSES Yujiro out! Yano then brings Yujiro out into No Man’s Land, then to the back of the crowd to THROW into some open chairs! The fans cheer as Yano brings out that Great Bash Heel side, but the ref reprimands Yano. Yano tells the ref to leave him alone, and he has a chair! The ref stops Yano from hitting Yujiro! Yano argues with the ref, but now Sho & Ren mug Yano! The ref reprimands them but the mugging continues. Ren leads the ref away so Sho & Yujiro can CHOKE Yano with a chair!

The fans boo while The House also beats up Oleg & Tanahashi. Yujiro drags Yano up and then brings him back to ringside to POST him! Ren brings Oleg around with a headlock and sends him into railing! Then more railing! Then into the crowd! Yujiro uses Yano’s red chair to CHOKE him! The ring count finally starts, but Ren JAMS Oleg up with a chair! The count reaches 10 of 20 and The House returns to the ring. Yano is still down at 15! The fans rally, Yano rises up at 17, and he lurches in at 19! The fans cheer but Yujiro is annoyed. Yujiro drops a leg, then an elbow, then a HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Yano stays in this, but Ren sends Tanahashi into railing! Yujiro tags Sho, Sho CHOKES Yano with a boot to the neck! The ref counts, Sho stops, then Sho TOSSES Yano out! Sho keeps the ref distracted while Ren JAMS Yano up with a chair! Ren pushes Yano in, Sho covers, TWO! Yano survives and Sho is frustrated. Tag to Ren, he drags Yano up, and Ren whips Yano to ELBOW him down! Cover, TWO! Ren BLASTS Tanahashi off the apron! Ren grins as the ref now keeps Oleg back. Ren CHOKES Yano on the ropes, Sho joins in to CLAW Yano’s eyes, but then the ref counts. Ren lets off and Yano flops down.

Ren drags Yano up, but Yano pulls hair! Ren breaks free, knees low, then runs up. Yano dodges, clinches, and BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES! The fans fire up, Yano hot tags Oleg! Oleg jumps in and CLOBBERS Ren! Oleg then deadlifts Ren, but Sho attacks! The fans boo, Sho runs, SPEAR bounces off of Oleg! Oleg then deadlifts Sho! Shake, Shake, Shake! But Yujiro CLUBS Oleg! Yujiro & Ren double whip, but Oleg DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLES! The fans fire up and Oleg runs at the corner to SPLASH Ren! Then he scoops and TOSSES Ren! The fans fire up as Oleg then runs to SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

Ren survives but Oleg deadlifts Ren right to the fireman’s carry! Ren fights free, CHOKES Oleg, but Oleg breaks free! Oleg winds up but Ren ducks the chop! Ren CHOKES Oleg, the ref counts, but Oleg CHOKES Ren! The fans cheer, and then Oleg TOSSES Ren to the corner! Tag to Tanahashi and the fans fire up! Oleg and Tanahashi haul Ren up, double whip him corner to corner, then Tanahashi sends Oleg in! Oleg ELBOWS Ren, then Tanahashi SPLASHES! Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Ren into the drop zone! Oleg goes up, up and VADER BOMBS! Tanahashi goes up to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, Yujiro breaks it!

Oleg CLOBBERS Yujiro for that, then goes out after him. The fans fire up as Tanahashi powers up. Tanahashi runs, but Sho gets a cheap shot in! Ren BOOTS Tanahashi, tags Sho, and Sho BLASTS Yano! Yujiro turns things around on Oleg and now The House double whips President Ace! Sho runs in to forearm SMASH! Yuijro BOOTS! Ren ELBOWS Tanahashi! Ren & Sho snapmare Tanahashi, then hold the legs open! Yujiro shoves the ref aside, then FALLING HEADBUTTS Tanahashi down low! The fans boo but now Sho covers, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and Sho argues with the ref! The fans rally for Tanahashi, but Ren has his repaired pushup bar!

Ren takes aim, Tanahashi dodges, SHOTEI! Sho kicks, Tanahashi blocks to DRAGON SCREW! Yujiro runs up, but gets caught into a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up as Tanahashi crawls for his corner! Hot tag to Yano! Yano unties a buckle pad! The fans cheer, Yano whips, but Sho reverses! Yano stops from hitting the buckles, then he dodges Sho to send him into bare buckles! Yano rolls Sho up, TWO!! Sho escapes but Yano hurries to get Sho’s legs! Oleg hops in, CATAPULT into Oleg’s BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up as Yano then stands Sho up, ONIGO- NO, Sho fights free! Sho dodges, but the ref stops him from hitting a low blow!

The ref and Sho argue, but Yujiro & Ren mug Yano! They double whip Yano, but Yano grabs ropes. Yano then sends Ren into Yujiro to DOUBLE LOW BLOW them! Atomic drop for Sho! Tanahashi runs up, SLINGBLADE! Oleg deadlifts Sho right into a fireman’s carry and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! But YOSHINOBU KANEMARU is here! The Heel Master gets on the apron, but Young Lions already apprehend him! Yano hauls Sho up, for ONIGOROSHI!! Cover, KANEMARU TOSSES THE YOUNG LION ONTO THE REF! The fans boo but Kanemaru attacks Yano! But then Yano hits him with an atomic drop!

Kanemaru WHISKEY MISTS!? Sho LOW BLOWS Yano!! Sho rolls Yano up, HOUSE OF TORTURE WINS!!

Winners: The House of Torture, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

What a travesty! A miscarriage of justice! Evil isn’t even here, but his army of darkness just won the gold! Yano is upset, Tanahashi is disappointed, but Oleg is mad! Oleg storms back in, only for Yujiro to BELT SHOT him down! Yujiro then kicks Oleg out, and shows he’s pretty sore from the low blow. Will these belts help the House feel much, much better?

Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, El Desperado & YOH VS TMDK!

The Fierce Warrior won the New Japan Ranbo to earn his shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, so that means he and Zack Sabre Jr. will do battle for the New Beginning! Will the Rogue Luchador & Direct Drive help Goto gain the upper hand? Or will Kosei Fujita & Robbie Eagles help The Mighty Front Man prepare for war?

The teams sort out while all of TMDK’s title belts are put aside. The Japanese Young Punk steps to Despy, so Despy accepts. The fans cheer and the bell rings. Despy and Fujita stare down while the fans rally. Despy has the majority, and the two circle. They feel things out, Despy facelocks but Fujita slips around to waistlock. Despy slips out, moves around, but Fujita stays on him. They go around, break, and the fans cheer. They tie up, Despy wrenches to hammerlock, but Fujita elbows free to hammerlock back. Despy switches, Fujita switches, repeat! They go hammerlock for hammerlock, but then Despy top wristlocks to wrangle FUjita!

The fans cheer, Fujita fights up, but Despy shifts to a cording hold. Fujtia whips but Despy reverses and arm-drags! Fujita comes back, he avoids the arm-drag, and then he CHOPS! Despy is stinging, but Fujita CHOPS him again! And CHOPS him again! The fans cheer, Fujita CHOPS again, but now Despy CHOPS! Fujita CHOPS, Despy ends up in the Mighty corner, and Eagles tags in. Eagles CHOPS, but then Despy CHOPS! Eagles shoves Despy and says he’s bored. He wants Yoh! The fans rally for Yoh, so Despy tags him in. The fans cheer as Yoh and Eagles circle. Wait, Yoh starts up the “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!”

Eagles is rather amused, and says not bad. Eagles starts it up for himself, but Yoh sneaks up! Eagles stops the schoolboy and sits on the cover, TWO and Yoh has the sunset flip! TWO, both men stand and point at the other! The fans applaud, then Yoh kicks low. Yoh whips, Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Eagles runs in, Yoh sidesteps but Eagles hurdles. Eagles RANAS then WHEEL KICKS! Eagles kips up and the fans cheer. Eagles puts Yoh in a corner, and he says “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP! “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP! “ROBBIE!” CHOP! “ROBBIE!” CHOP! “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP!

The fans cheer while Yoh flounders around. Eagles whips, Goto sneaks a tag, then Goto & Yoh DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Eagles! They BLAST ZSJ and Fujita, then call to Despy! Despy says no thanks, they can go ahead. “Se~ no!” DRUM BEAT on Eagles’ back! Goto asks if Despy is sure he doesn’t want in, and Despy says it’s fine. Goto CLUBS Eagles, but Eagles fires body shots! Eagles fires a forearm, but Goto knees low! Goto fireman’s carries, but Eagles fights free. Eagles waistlocks, Goto elbows free and runs, only for ZSJ to trip him up! Eagles BLASTS Yoh & Despy off the apron while Fujita basement dropkicks Goto!

ZSJ spins Goto around to be on the apron, then gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans cheer and ZSJ brings Goto out to UPPERCUT him down! ZSJ brings Goto up to UPPERCUT again, then UPPERCUTS him again! Goto stumbles and falls, Eagles CHOPS Yoh, and Fujita CHOPS Despy! ZSJ brings Goto up and wrenches his arm, then wrenches it again. But Goto fires forearms in return! ZSJ UPPERCUTS Goto again, the CHOPS continue by the ramp side, and ZSJ puts Goto in. Eagles tags ZSJ in whiel Fujita and Despy CHOP each other back and forth. ZSJ clamps on a headscissors and he squeezes tight!

Goto endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go cleanly and brings Goto to the corner. Tag to Fujita and he stomps Goto. Fujita drags Goto up while fans rally, and Fujita wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Fujtia wrenches again, ELBOW BREAKER! And again, ELBOW BREAKER! Fujita wrenches, top wristlocks, and he wrangles Goto to the mat. Fujita STOMPS that arm, then he tags Eagles. The Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions get Goto’s arms while ZSJ steps in to have a leg! Goto endures as TMDK cycles through the armlocks and leglocks! Red Shoes counts but TMDK keeps rotating before he reaches 4!

Then TMDK returns where they started, and Goto endures the DOUBLE STRAIGHT ARMBARS and INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Red Shoes counts, all three men let go at 4! ZSJ stands, he still has the deathlock, and he bridges back! Goto endures, keeps his shoulders up, but ZSJ stands to tag in Eagles. Eagles drags Goto around, then hits a KNEE JAMMER! Tag to Fujita, they drag Goto up, and they double whip him to ropes. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down, ZSJ hops in for a NECK TWIST! Goto sits up into a DOUBLE PENALTY KICK! Cover, Despy breaks it! The fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands.

Despy stands down, but Fujita BLASTS him off the apron! Fujita drags Goto up, wrenches, and whips him to a corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP, then he snapmares to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Fujita coordinates with TMDK. Fujita drags Goto up, and he wants to do the Chaos drum thing? ZSJ isn’t so sure but Eagles is for it. Eagles steps in, but Yoh runs up! Eagles kicks Yoh, and “Se~ no!” Eagles & Fujita DRUM on Yoh! The fans cheer and ZSJ acts like he doesn’t know what’s going on. The fans cheer for ZSJ to join in, but he puts up the X, that’s not for him. Eagles & Fujita DRUM away on Goto!

Goto stands up and grabs Fujita by the face! Eagles CLUBS Goto, he and Fujita double whip, but Goto DOUBLE LARIATS first! The fans fire up while they’re all down! ZSJ storms in and grabs Goto’s leg! ANKLE LOCK! Goto endures, fights around, and rolls through to throw ZSJ! ZSJ comes back to RAM Goto, then he runs, only for Goto to RUN him over! The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Despy! Despy runs at the corner to ELBOW Fujita! Despy reels Fujita in for a suplex, high and hard! Cover, TWO! Despy fires up and the fans are with him! Fujita underhooks, PINCHE- NO, Fujita fights free!

Fujita swings but Despy blocks the chop! Despy knees low, whips, but Fujita reverses to GAMANGIRI! The fans cheer while both men are down! Fujita roars while he rises up, and he storms back to Despy. Fujita waistlocks, deadlifts Despy, but Despy fights the suplex with elbows! Despy is free, but Fujita runs up to slip around and backslide! Despy rolls through, Fujita KICKS him down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Fujita fires up again. Fujita drags Despy back up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Despy fights that. Despy wrenches, but Fujita ROCKS him! Despy ROCKS Fujita in return!

Fujita and Despy keep the wristlock while they fire forearm after forearm back and forth! The fans rally up as the shots go faster and faster, but then both men wobble! Fujita fires a forearm, then another! Despy ROCKS Fujita in return! Despy runs, Eagles slips in, SOBAT! Fujita UPPERCUTS! Eagles scoops Despy but Yoh makes the save! Eagles kicks Yoh, he and Fujita double whip, but Yoh reverses to crisscross them into each other! FALCON- NO, Eagles slips out, but Yoh switches! Yoh feeds Eagles to Despy’s ELBOW! Yoh reels Eagles back in, FALCON ARROW! The fans fire up but Fujita runs up!

Despy & Yoh double kick, double whip, but Fujita DOUBLE SHOTGUNS! Fujita kips up, the fans fire up, and Fujita whips Despy, but Despy reverses to SPINEBUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita and Despy crawl for their corners, hot tags to Goto and ZSJ! The fans fire up as both men run in, Goto LARIATS ZSJ! Goto roars and the fans are with him! Goto fires a flurry of forearms, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! ZSJ survives and Goto fires up again! Goto fireman’s carries but ZSJ pulls on an arm! Goto powers out and ROCKS ZSJ!

Goto runs, ZSJ wrangles him to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Eagles & Fujita BLAST Yoh & Despy off the arm! They have Yoh & Despy stuck on the outside with armlocks while ZSJ has the DISARMER! Yoh breaks free of Eagles and DROPKICKS ZSJ! Eagles returns to SUPERKICK Yoh! Despy is in, Eagles slips around and feeds him to Fujita’s MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up and TMDK drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms on Eagles & Fujita! They DOUBLE CHOP, then double wrench! MAX- NO, Goto fights free and kicks Fujita! Goto deflects Eagles’ kick to LARIAT! Fujita kicks Goto, runs, but Goto follows! LARIAT!

ZSJ RAMS Goto, whips, but Goto reverses! Fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! The fans fire up while ZSJ clutches his head. Goto hauls ZSJ up, dragon sleepers, but ZSJ drops down! Goto drops onto ZSJ for a cover, TWO!! ZSJ is up, Goto sends him into a corner! RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP, into a GOTO SAN SHIKI!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ escapes, BOOTS Goto, then runs! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Goto roars, runs, but ZSJ KCIKS the lariat, PELES the other arm, then SWEEPS the legs! Goto falls, but then sits up, into a PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up and ZSJ hurries to drag Goto back up.

ZSJ scoops, ZACK- NO, Goto slips free and has the SLEEPER! Goto sits ZSJ and rolls him, GOTO NI SHIKI!! TWO!! ZSJ has the legs, JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH, with bridge!! TMDK WINS!!

Winners: TMDK, by pinfall

It was a fast and furious finish of technical holds, but who else but the best technical wrestler in the world would pull it out? Goto is frustrated for getting caught like that, but will he avenge himself in just 12 days?

As for TMDK, Eagles starts off by saying, “G’day, Sendai!” Eagles then pretends to check his watch, and asks, “Rocky doki desu ka? <Where is Rocky?> Zabishii. <How lonely.>” The fans chuckle at Eagles’ fake crying, and Eagles then tells Yoh & Rocky that next month in Osaka, see you then! The fans applaud, and then Eagles offers the mic to Fujita. The fans cheer Fujita on, and Fujita accepts. “That lariat turned me inside out, so I’ll keep this short! I’m beating El Desperado!” The fans cheer that, ready to see Fujita challenge Desperado for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on Tuesday, February 4th!

And lastly, that brings things to The Front Man. ZSJ takes the mic to say, “People of Sendai, thank you very much!” The fans cheer, but then ZSJ tells “Ko-kun” and “Robbie-chan” to “cut that drumming bit. It was lame.” The fans chuckle again, and ZSJ says 2025 isn’t the Year of the Snake. No, it’s all orange! ZSJ promises that TMDK won’t just paint NJPW orange, but the entire world! “Osaka will be here soon enough. Goto, this is your last chance. Let’s make the most of it.” The fans like the sound of that! ZSJ says they’ll end with this: This year revolves around TMDK! Arigato gozaimashita! The fans are ready, will the New Beginning in Osaka be Mighty?

My Thoughts:

A very good event for NJPW, though “Road to” always indicates more tune-up filler than thriller. Gabe Kidd going after Yota Tsuji and the Global Heavyweight Championship is an interesting development, but that is going to be a great match. The NEVER Openweight Six Man Championship match was really good stuff, and I was only a little surprised that The House of Torture won. Firstly, Tanahashi has to lose those titles at some time, so might as well pull off the Band-Aid now before The New Beginning events. Then this works with the story from Oleg and Josh Barnett where Barnett wants to help Oleg reach that singles title level.

And very good Six Man Tag main event to not only build Goto VS ZSJ but also Desperado VS Fujita. Great win for TMDK, but we have a lot of other Road to New Beginning events to build Goto VS ZSJ. A lot of filler 10 Man Tags are on the schedule, but I probably won’t be bothering with those. Despy VS Fujita will be great, but Fujita and Eagles are already the tag champions, so I don’t see Fujita winning. As for Goto VS ZSJ, ZSJ said it himself that this is very likely Goto’s last chance at ever being the top champion in NJPW, but I don’t see Goto winning. It’ll be an epic battle, but I feel like ZSJ is going to stay on top.

My Score: 8.7/10

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.30.25

Are we gonna get consecutive weeks of momentum or we gonna get the “LOL TNA” moment already?

Published

6 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Andrew Balaz

Coming off the first Live iMPACT! in 8 years, it has been pretty universally agreed upon that it was not a bad show. Good favor, a larger audience then they’ve had in years and TNA actually did fairly well establishing themselves as not a third rate duelist.

Let’s see if the good tidings continue or if things start to well…TNA.

The official liaison between @WWENXT and TNA, @AriannaGraceWWE, was rudely interrupted by Tessa Blanchard while speaking with @MeanGiaMiller!

Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/9IIhMDrtkn pic.twitter.com/8ImgauBAiO

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 31, 2025

Ratings:

Cora Jade vs Hyan: Cora wins via Jaded – ** 1/2
Brian Myers w/The System vs Leon Slater: Myers wins via Roster Cut – ** 3/4
Laredo Kid vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via 450 – ** 3/4
Eric Young & Josh Alexander vs Sinner & Saint: No Contest? EY Turned Heel – N/A
Ace Austin vs Wes Lee w/Tyson & Tyriek: Wes wins via Cardiac Kick – ***
Kaiba Boys (Nic & Ryan Nemeth) vs Fir$t Cla$$: Kaibas win via Danger Zone – ***

Results:

Nic Nemeth comes out to talk, doesn’t complain and says he’s just gonna dust himself off and start again. Ryan comes out to complain on behalf of “hiissss brrooother” and run down Hendry. Nic is playing babyface still and Ryan is instigating is typical little brother fashion. Nic tries to appease Ryan saying this could be a big year for both of them, so Fir$t Cla$$ music hits and KC Navarro cuts them off and hands off to AJ Francis. Ryan get mad at them interrupting, Nic tries to calm the situation but Ryan decides to agree to a tag match that Nic doesn’t seem like he wanted to go there. But Santino comes out and makes it official.

EXCLUSIVE: @XiaBrookside welcomed @WWENXT's @CoraJadeWWE to #TNAiMPACT, but things got HEATED fast!

Don't miss #TNAiMPACT TONIGHT at 8/7c on @AXSTV in the US, @Sportsnet 360 in Canada, and streaming worldwide on TNA+!

Get 1 month FREE of TNA+ with code: NXTNA pic.twitter.com/LP8ghA78Pv

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 30, 2025

Cora Jade vs Hyan

Hyan tries a Pump Kick, Cora catches it, lays her out and kicks her feet up in the corner getting cocky. Snapmare with the Hair, into a Springboard Single Stomp from Cora, Hyan is getting throttled along the ropes and putting up much of a fight to start. Hyan is usually just enhancement talent in TNA, even though she does have a solid pedigree in the indies and internationally. Hyan finally moves so Cora smashes herself into the corner, Wasteland from Hyan for a 1 count, Cora counters Hyan’s attempted offense and then hits Jaded for the win!

The match did what it needed to, Cora tried to lay in the boots further, Xia runs out to make a save but Cora baits her into a false sense of security and goes after Xia. So Masha comes out for the save on the person who made the save. Cora comes off looking pretty good and Masha scaring her off helps Masha’s aura.

.@MeanGiaMiller tries to get answers out of @WesLee_WWE, @TyriekIgwe_WWE and @_Tysonwwe_ for his attack on The Rascalz ahead of Lee's match with @The_Ace_Austin TONIGHT on iMPACT!

Watch #TNAiMPACT now on TNA+: https://t.co/9IIhMDrtkn

Get one month FREE with code: NXTNA pic.twitter.com/UIU5GgiylE

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 31, 2025

Brian Myers w/The System vs Leon Slater

Myers grabs the quick Headlock into the Shoulder Tackle and welcome back to 1997 wrestling starts. Myers got cocky, shot Leon into the ropes and eats a Shoulder Tackle from Leon, so a little showboating from Leon gets under Myers skin and causes him to make a few missteps. Leon hits the Feint Mule Kick into the Handspring Back Elbow for 2, but when he tries to continue, Myers pulls him down into the buckles. Myers looks for a Spear, Leon Leap Frogs and Myers eats turnbuckle. He powders, the System shields him from a dive, and we’re starting to see the numbers game come into play.

A Thrust Kick from Myers rocks Leon as he’s coming back in, Strong Irish Whip into a Gator Roll and then Sleeper Hold. Again, offense brought to you by Bill Clinton. Leon gets away from the Sleeper, tries to hit the ropes and Myers does his Baseball Slide Trip. Slow heel moves from Myers, Sleeper, Facelocks, Back Elbows…just slow classic heel offense. Leon tries to fire, eats a Knee Lift. Irish Whip but Leon counters by hoping the ropes to the apron, quick pop shot and then Springboard Crossbody into a series of Lariats and a Shotgun Kick! Leon has the momentum, Blue Thunder Bomb for two! Leon goes to the top, Myers is up, Leon rolls to the other side to avoid Myers, Myers eats a Leg Lariat from Leon and Myers pushes off, Bicycle Kick, Thrust Kick into Implant DDT for only two! Myers looks to Spear, gets rolled up in a Small Package, Kick out, dumped outside, Leon flies over the corner onto Myers!

System surrounds Leon, tries to get a few shots, but Leon has some quick offense for everyone. In the chaos, Lish puts a Ring on Myers’ hand so a Loaded Punch into Roster Cut and Myers wins!

Laredo Kid vs Mustafa Ali

Slow start with Ali being arrogant into a Lucha stalemate section where there’s Satellite counters, Headscissors and a powder to break the nonsense. Corner counters, Overhand Chops from both, they tussle on the top rope, Ali backflips off the ropes, Laredo tries a Crossbody but Mustafa hits a Dropkick. Grounded Abdominal Stretch from Ali, Laredo tries to fight up and out, but Ali slams him back down, talks smack, slaps him and then eats a Michinoku Driver out of nowhere! But only a two count! Ali manages to pull Laredo into the corner pads, tries a dirty pin with feet on the ropes but the referee sees it, Laredo tries a Roll-Up in the disarray, Ali kicks out, they run back and forth, Ali just slides out thinking he’s outsmarted Laredo but Laredo hits the Suicida for a solid pop. Ali pokes the eye and grabs at the mask, Laredo is off kilter, Ali baits Laredo through the corner, hits the Draping DDT off the apron, slides Laredo back in and 450 for the win.

Eric Young & Josh Alexander vs Sinner & Saint

Jabroni duo comes out, and they look stupid, their music is generic Hot Topic trash and the one with hair walks like he’s pretending to be a Delirious fused with a Dinosaur. They look so insanely pathetic.

Dino-nerd tries a stand switch and suplex but Josh no sells and looks like the older sibling judging the little sibling’s stupidity. Bald jabroni tags in, does nothing, blind tag just for Josh to single handedly lay both out. Of course they’re trying to establish the loser squad, so the eventually have a good defensive moment that catches Josh and isolates him in their corner. He still mostly takes care of both of them. This is honestly pathetic.

Locomotion counter switches in the corner before a Shotgun Kick wipes out Josh, Dino-nerd tries a Lio Rush style splash but misses, Josh tags out, EY looks to tee off but he turns and lays out Josh. EY turns heel…that was not on my Bingo Card, but I’m not mad about it. EY has the maniacal look in his eyes again, so Sanity or Violence by Design could be back? Can he call the group SAnitY since they’re working with WWE now?

Ace Austin vs Wes Lee w/Tyson & Tyriek

Things start slow then a few quick strike spots from Ace. A grounded Heel Kick and Enzuigiri rocks Wes, Wes slingshots back in, Sunset, Ace dodges tries to stay crouched to get cute but Up Kick from Wes kicks Ace in the face. Wes crotches Ace on the top rope, Enzuigiri, Suicida leaves Ace laying on the ramp. Wes hits the Street Fighter combo in with Ace shoved in the corner, the crowd chants “Boring” so Wes revels in the negativity and mockingly does the Rascalz taunt. A few quick shots and Ace kicks out at one and holds the ropes as Wes just lights him up with kicks. Ace asks for more, and goes full Strong Style. A few round kicks to the chest before Wes decides to do the hell thing and a Spinning Thrust Kick to the side of the face. Wes puts Ace in a Key Lock and Ace struggles to his feet before barely slipping the lock.

They trade strikes, Triangle Kick misses for Ace but he manages to connect after with a strike, a few more, Click Click Boom, Seated Miz Lariats in the corner, Wes falls out of the corner, Triangle Kick for the near fall, but the offense isn’t over and Ace hits the Gutwrench Sitout Powerbomb! Ace looks for The Fold, Tyson and Tyriek make their presence felt, Ace does the apron dance and kicks them both in the face. Wes gets dumped out of the ring, Ace with a Fosbury Flop (not the best one he’s done), Tyriek picks the ankle long enough to slow down Ace as Ace walks into the Cardiac Kick!

Wes and crew attacks Ace after the match, so The Rascalz make the save. We’re obviously going to get a 6 man soon, and this is perfectly fine.

Kaiba Boys (Nic & Ryan Nemeth) vs Fir$t Cla$$

AJ starts with Ryan and just shoves him away and demands Nic, Nic gets the best of AJ but AJ tags in KC and KC gets in a few quick shots, some cute counters and showboating before eating a Dropkick from Nic. AJ comes in to try and take out Nic, the Kaibas take out AJ and then dump KC into AJ’s arms and hold the ring going to commercial.

During the commercial a little blind tag and Spiderman in the ropes taunt from KC caught Ryan off guard so First Class is in control. AJ is beating the hell out of Ryan in the ropes, then hits Tennessee Whiskey for the “Money Money Money” taunt. KC tags himself in and starts slapping Ryan around, Dropkick into 305 as KC cuts off Ryan from Nic, throws Ryan in the corner, Rolling Uppercuts, Snapmare, Roll through, Chest Stomp into a near fall. KC tags in AJ and a little tandem offense gives them another near fall but Mokuba refuses to lose…so far. AJ steps on Ryan’s chest and then lays in a few Overhand Chops. AJ slowing things down, looks for a power move but Ryan slips it into a Sleeper Attempt but AJ counters and slams Ryan down for another two count. Two Sidewalk Slams after getting bounced out of the corner, but Ryan keeps kicking out.

AJ takes Nic off the apron, looks for another Sidewalk Slam but Ryan turns it into a Satellite DDT. Simultaneous tag time, KC eats the fire from Nic, two Lariats, Stinger Splash, Rude Awakening, 10 Count Shots to the Heart for…AJ breaks it up! AJ looks for a Down Payment but Nic slips, Superkick, Ryan tries to rock AJ to no avail so they both Lariat AJ out and Avalanche Polish Hammer from Ryan lays out AJ. KC tries the Flash Pinfall but Nic rolls out, a few quick shouts, Spinning Heel Kick from KC for a 2 count. Nic hits a FAMEasser into Danger Zone after Ryan’s blind tag so Ryan gets the cover as Nic just laughs and takes it in.

Overall Score: 6.25/10

Nothing to really be offended by. Some of the stuff was a little low stakes or obvious filler, but stories moved forward with Cora, Wes and the Kaibas. Plus you know, Eric Young turning on Josh is a little unexpected. EY has been the fill in Dreamer/Scott with the “Ra-Ra” speeches and feel good crap for significant shows, so having him go back to Maniac is a nice twist.

Tessa also steering into this “Locker Room bully” persona is smart. It’s not a stretch from what people already think, so steering into the skid is very smart. I may not have been blown away by anything in this episode, but it was definitely decent and did a solid enough job showcasing the partnership and not making the TNA talent feel like an after thought.

All in all, very nice.