Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Results & Report! (2/19/19)
Who will be named Daniel Bryan’s Fastlane opponent?
The New Daniel Bryan returns to SmackDown STILL WWE Champion! But without wasting any time, a new #1 Contender to the title will be determined for Fastlane!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Aleister Black VS Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega; Black wins.
- The Bar VS Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano; Ciampa & Gargano win.
- Asuka VS Mandy Rose w/ Sonya Deville; Rose wins.
- Ricochet VS Eric Young w/ SAnitY; Ricochet wins.
- Six Man Tag: Kofi Kingston, AJ Styles & Jeff Hardy VS Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton & Samoa Joe; Kingston, Styles & Hardy win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Shane McMahon heads to the ring!
Shane O’Mac is back in New Orleans, but not as a SmackDown Tag Team Champion. He and The Miz lost to Jimmy & Jey Uso at Elimination Chamber, but that’s not even the biggest thing to come out of that PPV. The WWE Championship Elimination Chamber closed the night, and Kofi Kingston stole the show! Kofi gave it his all against Daniel Bryan, but one missed splash changed everything, and the Planet’s Champion still has that title belt. The WWE Universe showed Kofi Kingston love, but where does Kofi go from here? Aside from tonight’s major main event, that is.
As for Shane, New Orleans is happy to see him and he’s happy to see them. Shane notes the amazing main event tag match, and the NXT superstars debuting on last night’s Raw. Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Aleister Black and Ricochet all impressed Shane so well that he’s invited them here to SmackDown tonight! But first, The Miz makes his entrance. The A-Lister apologizes for interrupting but he has to get this other apology out. Roughly 48 hours ago, Miz lost their titles. No matter where he goes or what he does, he can’t shake the guilt. Shane took a chance on Miz, and Miz knows his reputation in the locker room. Shane still took that risk because of Miz’s passionate plea. But to make a confession, Miz was just using Shane.
Miz knew Shane could relate about their dads being proud of them. Fans chant “Dad! Dad!” Miz got hurt at the World Cup tournament and Shane stepped in for him. When Miz wanted to be a tag team partner, Shane revealed he wanted to be a tag team champion. Miz always puts his all into making the titles he holds the best titles in the company. And they did that together. Shane surprised Miz by bringing out his dad. As Mr. Miz walked out, he said he was proud of The Miz. That was the first time Miz heard those words. Miz gets a little emotional as he says that was the best moment in his career and one of the best moments in his life. And it was all thanks to Shane, so Miz thanks Shane now.
But then in their first title defense, Miz let Shane down and he is sorry for that. Miz can’t change the past but he can control the future. There are no automatic rematches anymore, but Shane’s a McMahon. If anyone can make a rematch, it’s Shane. Fans want a rematch, too! And Miz knows Shane wants a rematch, too! Fans chant “Rematch! Rematch!” but out come the Usos! The NEW SmackDown Tag Team Champions shout “Whoa! Whoa!” Wait for it. WHOA! It sounds like the WWE Universe want to see The Miz & Shane VS the brand new tag team champions! The Usos know there’s nothing automatic anymore. Maybe if Shane can forgive Miz, then the Usos will give them a second chance at being the Best Tag Team in the World.
But there’s a reason he shouldn’t, though: Miz is a joke. He’s a loser. A failure. A fraud. Miz is a wannabe A-Lister with C-List skill! Shane should ask Miz, because apparently Miz is a crybaby. Shane needs a better partner, because Miz ain’t cutting it. But Shane stands up for Miz! Do not disrespect his tag partner. The rematch is on! And it’ll be in Cleveland for Fastlane! Fans aren’t happy it isn’t tonight, but the rematch is happening! And that is AWESOME! Will the Co-Besties be back on top in Miz’s hometown? Or will the second visit to the Uso Penitentiary be their last?
Aleister Black VS Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega!
The Embodiment of the End made Elias #DriftAway and #FadetoBlack, and now he’s making his SmackDown debut the very next night! And he also revisits a feud from when both he and El Idolo were in NXT! Will history repeat itself on the main roster? Or will their time apart bring about a different result?
SmackDown returns as Almas and Vega make their entrance. The bell rings and fans chant for “NXT! NXT!” Aleister and Almas circle and tie up. Almas gets the wristlock but Aleister rolls and sweeps. Cover, ONE, and Almas sweeps to cover. ONE and Aleister swings a roundhouse! Almas stays back, and they circle again. They tie up, Almas gets the waistlock but Aleister slips out to a headlock. Almas powers out but Aleister slides under. Things speed up and Almas CHOPS Aleister off his feet! We see Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano watching backstage as Almas stomps Aleister on the ropes. Almas backs off at 4 but comes back to CHOP Aleister in the corner! Almas whips corner to corner and knees Aleister back in! Cover, TWO!
Vega is frustrated for Almas as he looms over Aleister. Almas drags Aleister up and CHOPS him again. He whips corner to corner but Aleister dodges! Almas tumbles over and out to the floor! Aleister builds speed but fakes Almas out, to springboard and sit down. The Dutch Destroyer gives the camera a glance while we go picture in picture. Almas catches his breath while Aleister stares intently at him. Almas slowly returns, keeping his eyes on Aleister. He rushes Aleister but Aleister ducks and kips up to speed up. Aleister rolls off Alma’s back to block and boot, then knee Almas down! Cover, TWO! Aleister keeps going, Japanese arm-drag to an armlock! Almas endures while Vega shouts at him.
Aleister wrenches the arm but Almas fights his way up. Almas pushes Aleister to a corner, then goes to chop. Aleister dodges but ends up on the apron. Aleister hits Almas back but Vega swipes at his legs! Almas attacks in the distraction! Almas drags Aleister up and goes to suplex, but Aleister resists. Aleister goes to suplex but Almas resists. Aleister still gets Almas onto the apron and the two brawl on the edge. Tey exchange heavy forearms, then Aleister boots and boots Almas. Almas boots right back, then dragon sleeper, for the inverted DDT on the apron! Vega applauds as Almas puts Aleister in for a cover, TWO! Almas is right on Aleister with a chinlock. He grinds Aleister down while fans rally up.
Aleister fights his way up and puts Almas into a corner. Almas holds on but Aleister again rams him into buckles. Aleister is free, but Almas hops up to grab him. Aleister denies the tornado inverted DDT, but walks into a boot. Almas adjusts but Aleister kicks him down! Both men are down and Vega panics. We return to single picture as they both stand. Almas is on Aleister but Aleister throws forearms. Almas shoves but Aleister rallies with forearms! Aleister blocks a kick to give a kick then sweep the legs to drive in a knee! He kips right up and New Orleans fires up. Aleister goes to moonsault but Almas shoves him out!
Almas fetches Aleister into the ring, then drags him up and around for the hammerlock. Aleister slips through to roll him! ONE, but Aliester boots Almas away. Flying Meteora! Roundhouse, to Snap German! Bridging cover, TWO! Aleister is shocked Almas lives but Vega keeps coaching Almas up. Aleister drags Almas up but Almas blocks the suplex. Almas slips out of the suplex and boots Aleister away. Aleister comes back, but Almas hip tosses him into the corner! CIEN KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Aleister lives and Almas is seething. Fans hope they “Fight Forever!” but this match has to end some time. Almas drags Aleister up again, hammerlocks, but Aleister fireman’s carry! Hotshot in the corner, then BLACK MASS! Cover, Aleister wins!
Winner: Aleister Black, by pinfall
Two matches in two nights and it’s two Black Masses for two victories! The Embodiment of the End will be a permanent part of the main roster one day, will that be Judgment Day for everyone else?
Backstage interview with Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano.
After an incredible debut on Raw, the expectations are high for all four NXT superstars. Can they keep up? Ciampa understands a lot of fans are seeing them for the first time. These two have made careers out of defying expectations. Ciampa and Gargano earned everything they’ve gotten in NXT, it won’t change here. These two went to war against each other in this very building last year, but they’ll wage war together and show everyone the future.
But Cesaro and Sheamus come by and make fun of “Bring Your NXT Title to Work Day.” The Bar says no one knows who DIY is, and no one cares. They can go to Raw or stay in NXT, just stay out of SmackDown. Is there a question here? Gargano and Ciampa aren’t here to set the bar, they’re here to break The Bar. But The Bar laughs. Will they have the last laugh after tonight?
Jeff Hardy encounters AJ Styles backstage.
Can they let bygones be bygones? They need to focus on the Six Man Tag tonight. Styles agrees to that, and then The New Day come extending an olive- er, pancake branch of peace. They are all on the same wavelength, right? Styles and Hardy each take a flapjack, truce accepted. Will the Phenomenal One, Charismatic Enigma and New Day’s Pegasus of Pancakes be able to defeat the Viper, the Destroyer and the Planet’s Champion?
The Bar VS Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano!
The Celtic Gladiator and Swiss Cyborg have already mocked the NXT Champion and NXT North American Champion, but will they regret thinking of DIY as a joke?
SmackDown returns to Johnny Wrestling and the Psycho Killer making their entrances. Teams sort out, and we begin with Sheamus against Ciampa. The two circle and tie up. Sheamus powers Ciampa to a corner then grinds his forearm in. He backs off at 4 but Ciampa slaps him back! Ciampa waistlocks but Sheamus elbows out and throws European Uppercuts. Sheamus whips but Ciampa kicks and boots him back! Ciampa runs to boot Sheamus down! Sheamus bails out and Ciampa eggs him on. The Bar regroups and Sheamus comes back to tag Cesaro in. Cesaro shoos Ciampa and wants Gargano. Fans want Gargano, too, so Ciampa tags him in. Gargano and Cesaro circle and tie up. Cesaro waistlock slams Gargano fast, then floats all over him. Cesaro mocks the fans and Johnny Wrestling, too.
Gargano rolls, handsprings and wrenches, but Cesaro whips. Gargano comes back with a tilt-o-whirl headscissor! He then hooks an arm and rolls Cesaro to a ghost pin! TWO, and Cesaro rocks Gargano with a BIG EuroUpper! The Bar laughs while Sheamus tags in. Sheamus stomps Gargano at the ropes! Tag back to Cesaro and The Bar double whip. Gargano dodges, Ciampa tags in! Gargano dumps Sheamus out and Gargano boots Cesaro back! Ciampa clotheslines Cesaro out, then knees Sheamus back out! Gargano builds speed to DIVE onto Sheamus! Cesaro comes around, Ciampa leaps! But Cesaro catches Gargano for a tilt-o-whirl backbreaker! Sheamus clobbers Gargano, and shouts the catchphrase while we go to break!
SmackDown returns and Cesaro has Ciampa down in a chinlock. Fans rally up and Ciampa fights up. Ciampa jawbreakers free then knees Cesaro away. Ciampa leaps but into a EuroUpper! Cesaro tags Sheamus and Sheamus hits Gargano! Sheamus swings at Ciampa but Ciampa dodges, only for no one to tag! Ciampa turns around into Sheamus’ bicycle knee! Sheamus hauls Cesaro up top and then throws haymakers before climbing up. Sheamus clubs away on Ciampa, then fireman’s carry. Ciampa fights out with elbows and then drives even more elbows in. Ciampa adjusts, Sunset Flip Powerbomb! But Sheamus’ body also lands on Ciampa’s knee! Both men are down from that and crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Cesaro and Gargano!
Gargano rallies on Cesaro! Enziguri, headscissors sends Cesaro out! Fans fire up with Gargano as he slingshots out,. He jumps over Cesaro’s sweep to SUPERKICK! Then he cannonballs onto Sheamus! Cesaro runs in but misses, only getting barrier! Gargano huricanranas Cessaro into the LED apron! Gargano puts Cesaro in quick, then slingshot DDT’s! Cover, TWO! Cesaro lives but Gargano keeps his cool. Gargano drags Cesaro up but Cesaro shoves him to a corner. Gargano goes up, over, schoolboy kick! Things speed up again, big tilt-o-whirl into the GargaNO Escape! Cesaro resists with one good arm, but Gargano still gets the hold! Cesaro powers through and lifts Gargano for a backbreaker! Tag to Sheamus, Sheamus climbs up, another backbreaker to the flying knee drop! Cover, but Cesaro breaks it in time!
The Bar throws Ciampa out hard and goes after Gargano again. Double Irish Curse Backbreaker! Cover, TWO!! Gargano lives with that superhuman heart he’s made famous on NXT, but The Bar is furious. Sheamus drags Gargano up and talks trash. Gargano SUPERKICKS Sheamus down! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus got surprised but he still survives. Sheamus and Gargano crawl, tag to Cesaro! Cesaro swipes at Ciampa but gets rolled up by Gargano, TWO! Cesaro rams Gargano into the corner, Ciampa tags in! Ciampa slingshots and rolls Cesaro! DIY wins!!
Winners: Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano, Ciampa pinning
It wasn’t as definitive as defeating The Revival, but Ciampa and Gargano find a way to get one over on former SmackDown Tag Team Champions! Will DIY be right at home no matter what main roster brand they choose?
Samoa Joe and Randy Orton meet with Daniel Bryan and Rowan.
They’re all meant to team together tonight, but Joe and Orton take one look at the WWE Championship. There won’t be any problems tonight, though, right?
Asuka heads to the ring!
The Empress of Tomorrow, the SmackDown Women’s Champion, finally returns to New Orleans for an exclusive interview, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Kayla Braxton notes that Asuka was the winner of the inaugural Women’s Royal Rumble and the record-holder for longest undefeated streak. But it seems like everyone is talking more about Raw Women’s Champion, Ronda Rousey. With so much going on with Ronda, Charlotte and Becky Lynch, does she feel lost? No, she’s just waiting for a new challenge. Asuka beat both Charlotte and Becky at TLC. Asuka made Becky tap out at the Royal Rumble PPV! She doesn’t care about them. She wants to know who is ready for Asuka tonight!! “Mandy…!” Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville walk out and tease “poor Asuka” for no one paying attention. Here’s some advice: take notes from God’s Greatest Creation, “the most magnetic, the most irresistible, and the most talked-about superstar in WWE.” If anyone’s ready, it’s Mandy.
Asuka grins as Fire & Desire walk out to the ring. Mandy takes off the jacket and walks into the ring. It seems this match is happening, right now!
Asuka VS Mandy Rose w/ Sonya Deville!
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans are strongly behind Asuka as she gives a quick kick to Mandy’s leg. Mandy comes back and headlocks, but Asuka powers out. Mandy runs but Asuka follows and dropkicks Mandy down! Cover, ONE! Asuka grins as she keeps on Mandy by her hair. But here comes Lacey Evans! The Model Soldier struts her stuff again and it gets everyone’s attention, from Sonya to Mandy to Asuka. Lacey smiles as she simply watches from the ramp. Sonya approaches, but Lacey struts back to the back. Mandy shoves Asuka! Russian Leg Sweep! Cover, ONE! Asuka survives the sneak attack and runs Mandy out of the ring. Asuka is furious while Fire & Desire regroups.
Mandy takes her time returning but Asuka is still stinging from the sneak attack. Mandy throws heavy knees and then throws Asuka down by her hair! Asuka kicks back from the mat but Mandy drags her up into a corner. Mandy stomps a mudhole in, then drags Asuka around. Asuka throws Mandy out! God’s Greatest Creation is down while we go to break.
SmackDown returns and Mandy has Asuka in the abdominal stretch. Asuka fights out and drop toeholds Mandy to a kneebar! Mandy scrambles and manages the ropebreak! Asuka lets Mandy go and Mandy drags herself to the apron. Sonya coaches Mandy up while Asuka slips out the side. Mandy sees her coming and rocks her with a golden knee! Sonya fires up for Mandy as she returns into the ring. Asuka is down and the ring count begins. The count passes 5 but Asuka hasn’t moved! The count reaches 9 but Asuka springs to life to enter at 9.5! Mandy is right on Asuka with stomp after stomp. She is furious but keeps focus as she drags Asuka up. Asuka fires up as Mandy pushes her around. Mandy slaps Asuka around, so Asuka SLAPS back!
Asuka fires palm strike after palm strike then whips. Mandy reverses but Asuka hops up and missile dropkicks! Asuka fires up and back hands Mandy again and again! Then the back heel kick! Cover, TWO! Asuka keeps on Mandy with a German Suplex! Asuka runs, Shining Wizard! Cover, TWO! Mandy lives but Asuka grits her teeth. Asuka drags Mandy up but Mandy pushes her back. Mandy runs into the pop-up knee! Mandy says her eye is damaged! The referee checks on Mandy and keeps Asuka back. Asuka doesn’t believe Mandy, and Mandy yanks Asuka into ropes! Mandy rolls Asuka, Mandy wins!!
Winner: Mandy Rose, by pinfall
God’s Greatest Creation caught Asuka off guard! Her trick got the better of the Empress, but will she have another one that can take the title from her?
Backstage interview with Charlotte Flair.
The Queen saw that upset victory of Mandy over Asuka, but she herself has had a shocking week. Becky Lynch attacked her at a live event, then again at Elimination Chamber, all in violation of the suspension. Is Becky going to haunt Charlotte the entire time? Haunting is a good word. Becky is a ghost who meddles in things she shouldn’t. Charlotte made Becky pay for it the first time, but then Becky got her back last Sunday. But if Becky does it again, she’ll be arrested. Whether Becky or Ronda or any of the fans want to face it, it will be Ronda VS Charlotte as the main event, because of Charlotte.
The Miz finds Shane backstage.
He can’t thank Shane enough for making their rematch official. They’re ready to get those titles back. Miz has more breaking news: Mr. Miz is going to be ringside at Fastlane! That’s great to have Miz’s dad there to support them. Will Miz and Shane make their fathers proud by becoming two-time SmackDown Tag Team Champions together?
Ricochet VS Eric Young w/ SAnitY!
The One and Only has an extraordinary Raw debut alongside the Extraordinary Intercontinental Champion, Finn Balor. Now he’ll debut on SmackDown standing alone against the loony leader of SAnitY! Will Ricochet be 2-for-2 like the rest of the NXT superstars? Or will the chaos ruin the fun?
SmackDown goes picture in picture while SAnitY makes their entrance. Young has Killian Dain and Alexander Wolfe by his side as he walks to the ring. Fans are on Ricochet’s side as the bell rings and he circles with Young. They tie up and Young pushes Ricochet to a corner. Young shoves Ricochet but backs off as we return to single picture. They tie up again and Young wrenches Ricochet’s wrist. Ricochet rolls, handsprings and wrenches Young back. Ricochet brings Young to the mat, then wrenches again. He throws Young with a headlock takedown, but Young headscissors. Ricochet pops out and dares Young to bring it. They tie up again and Young headlocks. Ricochet powers out but Young runs him over. Young roars but Ricochet kips up!
Ricochet blocks the boot and whips but Young reverses. Ricochet rolls off Young’s back and handsprings back to headscissor Young down! Dropkick sends Young out of the ring but Ricochet builds speed. Ricochet fakes Young out and superhero lands! Young returns but runs into haymakers. Ricochet whips again but Young holds ropes. Young dumps Ricochet out but Ricochet shoulders back in. Wolfe distracts and Young clobbers Ricochet! The referee reprimands Wolfe while Young fetches Ricochet. Young puts Ricochet in and stalks him to a corner. He throws haymakers and then hops up for a hangman’s sleeper hold! The ref counts and Young lets go at 4. Young leaps and drops an ax handle on Ricochet! Cover, TWO!
Young keeps on Ricochet with a chinbar. Ricochet endures as fans rally up. Ricochet feeds off the energy but Young wrangles him right back down. Young puts more weight on Ricochet in the chinlock. Fans rally up again and Ricochet powers up. Young wrangles Ricochet down a second time and squeezes tighter. Ricochet gets a second wind and fights out with body shots. Ricochet throws haymakers but Young shoves him to a corner. Young runs in but gets buckles! Ricochet CLOBBERS Young! Ricochet rallies on Young then hits a huricanrana! Young flounders about, Ricochet rams a shoulder in. Ricochet springboards, flying uppercut! Standing shooting star! Cover, TWO! Ricochet keeps his cool as he dares Young to stand.
Young gets up, Ricochet fireman’s carry, but Young slips out. Ricochet elbows Young away, then whips him corner to corner. Young goes up and to the apron, and shoulders Ricochet. Young slides under but Ricochet boots him away. Ricochet somersault dropkicks Young all the way out! Ricochet triangle dropkicks Wolfe away! Then he builds speed, to FLY onto Young and Dain! Ricochet fires up with New Orleans as he puts Young back in. Ricochet climbs up while Young is in the drop zone, but Young springs up quick. Young runs into a kick and Ricochet finishes climbing. Ricochet aims, 630 senton! Cover, Ricochet wins!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall
The King of Flight is 2-for-2! He moves fast, flies high and hits hard, will both rosters have to prepare for the One and Only?
Backstage interview with The New Day.
Kofi did not become WWE Champion, he was the highlight of the night. Triple H said Kofi capture the hearts of the world. Xavier Woods says this didn’t just happen over the course of a week, but over the course of 11 years! 11 years is longer than Drake’s So Far Gone. Longer than Instagram! Longer than Empire’s been on air, and we all know they’ve been doing some crazy things to keep that show going.
Kofi himself says that this past week has been special for everyone. Kofi feels like the entire WWE Universe has his back. #Kofimania! This is wild, and to be honest, none of it would be possible without his brothers, Big E and Woods. They pushed for him to be the one to represent in the Chamber! Kofi loves his boys, dead serious. But now it’s time to introduce us to his other friend: Mo Mentum! Awwwww~ Nawlins~!
Six Man Tag: Kofi Kingston, AJ Styles & Jeff Hardy VS Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton & Samoa Joe!
Pancakes and positivity follow The New Day wherever they go, and that’s no different when Kofi teams with the Phenomenal and the Enigma. Will momentum be on their side going against the other three men from the Elimination Chamber match? And who, who who who, will be named the new challenger to the Planet’s Champion?
SmackDown returns as the rest of the competitors make their entrances. But before the match, Daniel Bryan speaks. “Small minded skeptics throughout history have oppressed the great minds, the radical thinkers. Thomas Beckett, Joan of Arc, Socrates!” They’re not superheroes or celebrities, so that’s why no one here knows who they are. “Ignorant!” The WWE Universe tried to will the title off of Bryan, but Bryan survived! And that’s because Bryan serves a higher purpose: to enlighten and educate those who refuse to be educated! Bryan will educate everyone again about his opponent at Fastlane. But he won’t say who it is, he’ll say who it isn’t. It will be none of the other men in this match tonight, because he already defeated all of them in the Elimination Chamber! Bryan scratches everyone off his list, but will he regret saying that before this tag match even happens?
SmackDown returns again and this match finally begins. Bryan starts against Kofi but then he tags out to Samoa Joe. Joe and Kofi circle and tie up. Joe puts Kofi in a corner but Kofi dodges and fires off kicks! Kofi whips but Joe reverses, only for Kofi to go up and missile dropkick! Cover, ONE, but Kofi stays on Joe. Tag to Hardy and Hardy drops an ax handle on the arm. Hardy kicks and whips but Joe reverses. Hardy runs Joe over with forearms! Atomic drop and leg drop! Dropkick added, then a splash, TWO! Hardy calls for DELETE, but Joe denies the Twist of Fate to headbutt Hardy down! Tag to Orton, and Orton drags Hardy over. Orton stomps Hardy’s ankles, then his legs. Tag to Bryan and Bryan drags Hardy up for a facelock.
Fans boo as Bryan gives Hardy stiff No Kicks. Buzzsaw hits! Cover, ropebreak! Bryan tags to Orton and Orton stays between Hardy and the corner. Orton wraps Hardy in a chinlock but fans rally up. Hardy feeds off the energy and fights out with elbows and a jawbreaker! Hardy hurries, hot tag to Kofi! Springboard ax handle drops Orton! Kofi hits Joe and Bryan for good measure before rallying on Orton more! Kofi dropkicks and leaping lariats! Fans fire up with Kofi as he hits the Boom Drop! Kofi aims from the corner but Bryan runs in. Kofi sends Bryan out then clotheslines Orton out! Orton hits announce desk and Kofi climbs up high. Kofi aims but Bryan shoves him all the way down! Fans boo while Joe blasts Styles. Orton back suplexes Kofi on the announce desk! Momentum is going the other way while we go to break.
SmackDown returns once more, and Bryan rains down rights on Kofi. Bryan shouts that Kofi doesn’t deserve to be in the same ring, and he stomps Kofi out. Fans rally up for Kofi as Bryan tags in Orton. Bryan throws Kofi out and Orton back suplexes Kofi onto the announce desk again! Orton puts Kofi back in and covers, TWO! Orton drags Kofi around by his hair and into a chinlock. Kofi endures as Orton thrashes him around. Fans rally up again, and Kofi fights back with body shots. Orton clubs Kofi then whips him to a corner. Orton runs in but gets only post! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Kofi crawls, but so does Orton. Hot tags to Bryan and Styles! Styles hits Joe and rallies on Bryan! Bryan back suplexes but Styles lands out for the STO backbreaker!
Styles fires up and hits a big clothesline in the corner! Ushigoroshi! Cover, TWO! Styles drags Bryan up for the Clash, but Bryan slips out. Orton comes in but Styles denies the RKO with a Pele! Bryan roundhouses Styles! Bryan runs in the corner but into a Calf Crusher! Styles has Bryan’s leg, but Joe stomps him out! Hardy hits Joe with a Twist of Fate! Orton throws Hardy right out of the ring, but Styles clotheslines Orton out. Bryan rolls Styles! TWO and Styles roles Bryan! TWO, Labell Lock! Styles scrambles to a ropebreak and Bryan lets him go. Bryan aims again, but his knee misses, and he gets a Pele! Styles and Bryan crawl, hot tag to Kofi! Kofi springboards on Bryan with ax handles! Bryan tosses Kofi out, Kofi wipes everyone else out! Kofi intercepts Bryan’s dive with a forearm! Kofi hurries up top, leaps, missile dropkick!
Bryan bails out but Kofi keeps moving. Kofi climbs up top and Trust Falls onto Bryan and Rowan! Kofi puts Bryan in fast and aim from the corner. Fans fire up behind Kofimania, Trouble in Paradise hits!! Cover, Kofi and team wins!!
Winners: Kofi Kingston, AJ Styles & Jeff Hardy, Kingston pinning
Momentum carries Kofi through, and his team wins! Shane McMahon comes out and loved it all. He notes that there won’t be just one rematch at Fastlane. Bryan will defend his title against… Fans want “Kofi! Kofi!” and Shane makes the choice! Kofi Kingston IS facing Bryan for the WWE Championship 1v1! Is this FINALLY going to be Kofi’s time?!
My Thoughts:
An AMAZING SmackDown that is again like Raw but better. Firstly, we have Miz apologize to Shane but the Usos rubbing it in that Miz inevitably loses. Their Fastlane rematch is going to be great, but I have a bad feeling Miz and Shane will lose again and then we end up with their Wrestlemania match. Having Miz’s dad in the front row will likely be part of that result, such as Mr. Mizanin favoring Shane over Miz and Miz gets jealous. The NXT superstars do great here tonight, too, in a slight flip from Raw. Aleister Black has a great revisit match with Andrade Almas, while DIY and Ricochet have random but solid matches.
Ciampa’s leg getting squashed under Sheamus was a scary moment but good to see he’s okay. Ricochet VS Eric Young was definitely better for SAnitY since they’re finally on TV again. These debuts probably aren’t full call-ups as there’s a lot for them to still do on NXT, but I would love if this was to tie into a huge NXT invasion angle. NXT has felt better than Raw and even SmackDown for some time, and there’s word of Fox wanting more than just SmackDown, so perhaps this can all lead to a huge move for NXT to try and be the third brand come a PPV like Survivor Series.
It was great to see Asuka return to television, and obviously we get a lot of foreshadowing for her Road to Wrestlemania. She has a good match with Mandy Rose, and Lacey Evans’ random appearance wasn’t so random as Mandy almost took advantage. I’m a little disappointed Mandy beat Asuka by faking her eye injury when Asuka knew exactly that’s what she was doing. Clearly Fastlane will have Asuka VS Mandy, but Lacey Evans might be the Wrestlemania match. Lacey hasn’t even had a match on TV yet, but she’ll likely go through the rest of the roster to establish herself. Lacey came close to being a contender to the NXT Women’s Championship, so it’s not a stretch if she manages to make it to the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
The Six Man Tag was great, but too many commercials. But commercials aside, when Bryan declared no one in the match was going to challenge him at Fastlane, that literally meant someone was. And because of all the momentum at his back, it was going to be Kofi Kingston. It was therefore very fitting that Kofi did so great in this match and got the pin on the champ. Kofi VS Bryan 1v1 is going to be great, and the WWE Universe will surely be red hot for Kofi again. I really hope that this time, WWE pulls the trigger and gives us Kofi’s Grand Slam Championship moment. Houston was ready to explode, Cleveland will be more than ready.
My Score: 8.5/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
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