Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Results & Report! (5/21/19)

Witness the REST of the Money in the Bank Fallout!

Published

6 years ago

May 21, 2019

Steven Mitchell

It’s the SmackDown After Money in the Bank!

And there’s a NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion! But it’s not Charlotte Flair! Prepare yourself for the Bayley Triple Crown Era!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Mustafa Ali VS Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega; Ali wins.
Mandy Rose w/ Sonya Deville VS Carmella w/ R-Truth; No Contest.
Kofi Kingston VS Sami Zayn; Kingston wins.
Bayley & Becky Lynch VS Charlotte Flair & Lacey Evans; Bayley & Lynch win.
Roman Reigns VS Elias w/ Shane McMahon; Reigns wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Shane is backstage on SmackDown.

He finishes up a call as Elias comes in. Elias apologizes for losing to Roman Reigns. He attacked Roman then put all his energy into his performance, but then the fans called him names and such that affected him. As an emotional artist, Elias lost focus and then he got a Superman Punch and Spear. The bell just rings and Elias loses. Shane and the McMahons deserve better. Elias is looking beyond SmackDown, he wants to be at Super Showdown in Shane’s corner. Shane appreciates that but he’s taking Roman on alone at Super Showdown. Even though McIntyre was clearly advertised as Shane’s corner man.

As for tonight’s MITB rematch, Shane will be in Elias’ corner because Elias needs Shane’s help. Elias is grateful for that. The Drifter prepares for The Big Dog, but what will Shane do to help Elias make up for the loss?

It’s a New Day, yes it is!

Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods are on stage, and the fans already know what it’s about! “Tonight is a very special night!” Kofi and Woods are happy that after six long, hard, cold weeks, tonight is the return of BIG E!! Without any further ado, but with a blanket over him… Reveal! That’s… Not Big E. That’s barely even Medium E! “Who are you!?” Who who who?! This E has ashy knees that could start a fire! Get out here, Fake E! No, take the drape, then leave. The New Day apologizes. Things never go smoothly when you want them to.

But now, for real, BIG E! Awwww~ Providence! Don’t you dare be sour! Clap for your world famous five-time champs AND WWE Champion, and feel~ the power~! And yes, he’s back! Big E makes a SmackDown return! And the ring is already filled with return party presents and a “Welcome Back, Big E!” banner! Kofi throws pancakes and everyone cheers. Big E needs to smell Woods and Kofi. Underarm please. No, no. Well Big E isn’t medically cleared to compete but he’s cleared to sniff. Big E has missed his friends AND the WWE Universe! And they’ve missed him. Big E’s been crushing it on Twitter, though. But Becky’s mom is taken. But E wants her! Woods knows, she fiiiine!

Kofi gets them back on track, they need to be serious now. World champ, seriousness. Kofi Kingston recaps that we have a #BeastintheBank. Fans boo, no one likes that. But more importantly, Kofi beat Kevin Owens to stay the W, W, E, World, Heavy, Weight, CHAMPION~! Fans do like that. Kofi KO’d KO, but tonight’s not about Kofi. It’s about his brother, Big E, BAYBYYYYY! But then Kevin Owens interrupts! The Prizefighter is in a bad mood but the New Day is upset he’s interrupting the party. But it’s not just him, because here comes Sami Zayn! Sami asks Kevin if he believes this “absolute nonsense.” Big E gets a return party? After six weeks? Sami was gone nine months and got nothing for his return! Big E does realize they should make that up to “Sam,” so they’ll get him what Kevin just got on Sunday: nothing~!

Kevin just up and leaves! Sami, now using his mic and Kevin’s, says this is because of the New Day joking around. The only reason Kevin didn’t win against Kofi is because he was distracted worrying about his best friend, i.e. Sami, who got a backstage beating and stuck upside-down, missing out on being Mr. Money in the Bank. But that doesn’t even matter because this whole celebration is disgusting! It is disgusting how the New Day distracts and placates the people with their cereal, pancakes and hip swiveling, when the fans need to take responsibility for creating a toxic community! Sami rants, but Woods interrupts with his trombone. Fans join in with “New! Day Rocks!”

But Sami says they can yuck it up and have fun while they can. He speaks for Kevin, too, when he says this night won’t end in fun. Sami will beat Kofi in front of everyone, and then Kofi will be lucky to even walk out of here at all! Kofi tells Sami not to be fooled by the fun. When it’s time to throw down, New Day throws down! And not only will Kofi walk out of here, but he’ll walk right through Sami. “BECAUSE~! New! Day Rocks!” Which side puts their money where their mouth is in tonight’s match?

Carmella is backstage on SmackDown, looking for R-Truth.

But Drake Maverick is also looking for him. He gives Carmella a wanted poster but she doesn’t care about that. She asks Apollo Crews if he’s seen Truth, but he hasn’t. Though, Apollo does want to find the current WWE 24/7 Champion, too. Carmella continues searching, and finds a blond- Wait that’s Truth! She hurries him out of the hallway. He has the title belt. If this is his disguise, it won’t work. Everyone’s looking for him! Yeah, he’s been hiding for 24 hours! Luckily he only has 7 more to go. What? 24/7, duh! He just needs to last a little longer and then it’s his for good!

No no, Mick Foley meant the title is defended anytime, anywhere, any place! And this wig won’t help him hide much longer. Hey this wig cost $12. Why is he even on SmackDown, then? Because he needs Mella’s help! Help him, Mella! Okay, okay. Carmella sneaks Truth away, and also takes down Drake’s wanted posters. Will the FABULOUS Princess be able to keep Truth safe to the end of the show? Or perhaps she’ll be tempted by the gold herself?

Mustafa Ali VS Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega!

Somehow, someway, the Beacon of Light and El Idolo are still moving after the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder match. Of course, Brock Lesnar screwed Ali over the hardest, can Ali make a comeback to find his own way to the title?

SmackDown returns as Almas and Vega make their entrance. Almas himself is headed for the WWE Intercontinental Championship at WWE Super Showdown in a few weeks, will he keep himself strong before challenging Demon Balor?

The bell rings and Almas stares down with Ali. Fans are on Ali’s side as he circles with Almas. They tie up and Almas pulls hair to put Ali in a corner. Almas backs off but misses his chop, and Ali wrenches the wrist. Almas pulls hair again but whips. Ali reverses but Almas goes Tranquilo. Vega joins in but Ali keeps his cool. They speed up and Ali arm-drags Almas out. Almas comes back in but gets a kick! Ali speeds up but runs into a clothesline! Almas covers, TWO! Almas keeps his cool and ditches some of his Kinesio tape since it’s peeling off anyway. He drags Ali up and CHOPS him against the ropes. Ali crawls but Almas keeps on him with a wristlock to shoulder breaker. Almas back suplexes but Ali slips out to REVERSE-RANA! Cover, TWO!

Ali keeps his cool but Vega grows worried for Almas. Fans rally up for Ali as he drags Almas up. Almas fights back and powers him to a corner. Ali uppercuts Almas away then hops up. Vega distracts Ali for a moment but Ali still leaps, only for Almas to dropkick him out of the air! El Idolo has control while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Ali writhes while Almas checks his neck. Almas is fine and goes for a cover, TWO! Almas stomps Ali while getting feeling in his arms. He throws Ali out then pursues. He stomps Ali more then bumps him off the apron. Almas puts ALi back in then drags him up for a draping armbar! The ref counts but Almas lets go at 4 to then stomps Ali down. Almas stomps Ali to a corner then grinds his knees into Ali’s face. The ref counts and Almas backs off, and Ali fights back. Ali whips but Almas reverses, and runs Ali over with an elbow. Cover, TWO! Almas keeps on Ali with an armlock and Vega coaches him on. Ali endures and fights his way back up and out. Ali whips but Almas reverses again, only for Ali to go up and over.

Things speed up, and Ali tilt-o-whirls, but Almas makes it a facebuster! Cover, TWO! Vega is frustrated for Almas while he grits his teeth. Almas grabs Ali’s arm and pulls back, but Ali endures. Ali feeds off the fan rally and fights his way up. Almas shifts his grip but Ali still gets to his feet. Ali fights free but Almas knees low and whips. Ali flapjack dropkicks Almas down! Both men go to opposite ends, and Almas runs in, only for Ali to go up and over. Ali springboards to hit a tornado DDT! Almas bails out but Ali builds speed to DIVE! Ali hits Almas in the back! Vega panics while Ali gets back in the ring and runs again, to FLY! He gets Almas from the front this time! Ali grits his teeth to fight through the pain as fans want “One More Time!”

Ali brings Almas to the ring but his own bad back slows him down. He manages to get himself back in, but Almas blasts Ali back out! Ali’s bad back hits the barriers, and Almas leaves him to the mercy of the ring count. The count passes 5 before Ali sits up, and Ali crawls to the apron. Ali gets in at 8, but Almas is all over him with stomps! Almas suplexes Ali for uno amigo, then dos amigos. He changes up the third for a scoop slam into buckles! Ali slumps out of the ring and Almas wants another count. But when Ali stands, Almas fetches Ali to whip him into barriers! Almas refreshes the count to then CHOP Ali! And scoop him to ram him into the post!

Almas drops Ali only to bring him back up. He tells people to move, to TOSS Ali into the timekeeper’s area! Almas leaves Ali for dead and another ring count begins. Ali crawls but the count passes 5 again. Ali hurries but falls, but still gets in at 9.5! Almas is furious and he takes it out on Ali with stomps. Vega tells him to finish it, so Almas turns Ali over, for CIEN KNEES to the back! Cover, TWO!! Almas can’t believe it! Fans cheer Ali but Almas brings him up. Hammerlock gets a cradle counter! ALI WINS!

Winner: Mustafa Ali, by pinfall

The Beacon of Light snatches victory from El Idolo! Will Ali be able to rest up and be ready for new title opportunities down the line?

Carmella gives Truth a makeover.

“O M G, Truth, you look so fabulous!” R-Truth looks at himself in the mirror. RuPaul would be proud. Is Carmella sure? He feels like something’s missing. Yes, yes, he needs… A bra! A bra? Well, could she help him? He’s never been good at undoing these. Carmella helps him with it, but will this really trick the rest of the SmackDown roster into thinking he’s not Truth?

SmackDown takes another look at Lars Sullivan.

After what the Leviathan did to Lucha House Party at Money in the Bank, you’d think he’d added them to his list of victims. A list of legends that include Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio, both Matt and Jeff Hardy, and even R-Truth. But Kalisto, Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik came back for more on Raw, and together they managed to at least survive an encounter with the Freak. But will he soon hunt them down and leave them laying yet again?

Mandy Rose w/ Sonya Deville VS Carmella w/ R-Truth!

With a new SmackDown Women’s Champion, that means new opportunities. Will the Golden Goddess make up for falling short at Money in the Bank? Or will the FABULOUS Princess climb back towards the title?

SmackDown returns as Carmella makes her entrance with the 24/7 Champion. Wait, doesn’t wearing the belt give away that it’s him? Well, that doesn’t matter, because the bell rings on Fabulous VS Golden Goddess!

Mandy and Sonya can both obviously tell that’s Truth, but Mella tells them to focus on her. Carmella gets a Thesz Press and throws fast hands! Sonya bails Mandy out and Fire & Desire regroup. Carmella wants Mandy to hurry up and get back in, but Mandy chooses not to. Carmella goes after her and gets her back in for a FABULOUS Kick! Sonya talks trash so Carmella grabs at her! Carmella throws Sonya in and starts throwing down hands! But Mandy rolls Carmella up! TWO, and another FABULOUS Kick hits the mark! But then Carmella spots a wave of SmackDown superstars running down the ramp! She warns Truth and Truth scrambles into the ring!

No Contest

The FABULOUS Truth runs away together, Carmella on Truth’s back! But the superstars, from the B-Team to Shelton Benjamin to Apollo Crews to 205 Live’s THE Brian Kendrick, and one ref, following after! Jinder Mahal, Noam Dar, Akira Tozawa and possibly Matt Hardy are bringing up the rear as things go backstage via the crowd! Will Truth get away with his belt?

Backstage interview with the NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion, Bayley!

First she wins the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match, then cashes in hours later after Charlotte Flair beat Becky Lynch. It was a crazy and brutal night, but obviously Bayley would do it all again in a heartbeat. People still doubted Bayley, so she created her own opportunity so that no one can doubt her again. What should SmackDown know about Bayley the Champ over Bayley the Hugger? That she’s moved past the hugs, and that she dares every woman to bring their best.

SmackDown cameras catch up with Truth and Carmella.

They hurry to hide… in the WOMEN’S locker room!? That’s not gonna work! Truth runs out, but has to keep running from both SmackDown and 205 Live superstars! Sami walks past and is just confused and amused. Sami has his own chance against a champion, after the break!

Elias rehearses in the parking lot.

The Drifter keeps his guitar warm because he’s waiting for Roman to arrive. Will Shane have Elias’ back when The Big Dog enters the Yard?

Kofi Kingston VS Sami Zayn!

Kofimania beat Kevin Owens to show everyone he is a worthy world champion! But while Kevin is a sore loser, Sami is in a good mood. Because apparently Big E is down again! His bad leg was attacked by Kevin! Xavier tells Kofi to handle his business, he’ll take care of Big E. Medics come by, too, but will Kofi be able to focus after what just happened?

Kofi rushes the ring and wants right at Sami! The bell rings, and Kofi fires off! He puts Sami in a corner but the ref backs Kofi off. Kofi goes after Sami as he slips out of the ring with a big lariat! He puts Sami back in and counter punches Sami to a corner. Kofi stomps away but the ref backs him off. Kofi goes at Sami again but Sami dumps Kofi out. Sami grins while catching his breath. Sami fetches Kofi while fans rally up. He throws Kofi into steel steps! Sami mockingly applauds then refreshes the count. He drags Kofi up to throw hands then puts Kofi back in the ring. Sami stalks Kofi to rain down punches and stomps. The ref backs Sami off, but Sami walks into Kofi’s elbows. Kofi throws hands but Sami hits back. Sami whips but Kofi goes up and dropkicks back!

Sami bails out again and checks his teeth while fans rally up. Kofi catches his breath while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Sami and Kofi fight on the top rope. Sami rains down rights but fans rally for Kofi. Sami wants and hits a SUPERPLEX! He crawls to a cover, TWO! Kofi survives and Sami grows frustrated. Sami dares Kofi to stand. Kofi stands in a corner, Sami runs in but gets tackled! Kofi fires off furious right hands! He lets up and Sami ends up in a corner. Kofi clotheslines then whips corner to corner. Sami boots Kofi then runs out, but into double stomps! Fans fire up with Kofi as he aims from a corner. “New! Day Rocks!” as Kofi spins, but Sami ducks to back suplex. Kofi slips out to hit Trouble in Paradise! Cover, Kofi wins!

Winner: Kofi Kingston, by pinfall

Kofi’s still rolling on, and gets payback for his friend! But then Paul Heyman appears! The Advocate to the Beast in the Bank has the contract! Heyman teases opening the briefcase. Kofi is ripe for the picking, but it’s DOLPH ZIGGLER who attacks?! The Show-Off has been off SmackDown for weeks! He rains down rights and smothers Kofi into the mat, but why!? He throws Kofi into a corner and then stalks him to the apron. Ziggler bends Kofi back then throws him into the post! He grinds his knee into Kofi, then pulls his legs up for a post-assisted Boston Crab! Ziggler claws Kofi’s eyes!!

Ziggler lets Kofi fall to the floor, but he’s not done! He throws him over the commentary desk! And then drags him off it to grab a chair. He puts it around Kofi’s head! Ziggler drags Kofi up with the chair collar, to throw into the side of the desk!! Ziggler may have just crippled Kofi! But he won’t stop, he’s stomping the chair into Kofi’s face! Referees pry Ziggler off Kofi but the damage has been done. Then he comes back for more! He leaps and STOMPS the chair around Kofi’s head!! Kofi is barely moving, and that is when Ziggler decides to leave. Is Ziggler a Paul Heyman Guy?

The medical team gets a stretcher for Kofi. They carefully move the chair away, and just as carefully get Kofi on the body board. From there, Kofi is strapped in and put on the stretcher. Kofi wants to get up but the medics tell him to stay. Kofi stands! And he keeps his promise to Sami that he will walk out of here on his own two feet. Fans give Kofi support with “New! Day Rocks!” but is the dream of Kofimania coming to an end?

Roman Reigns walks into SmackDown!

But Elias finds him first. Where is he? On top of a SmackDown production truck. “Roman wants to be me, it makes so much sense. But when you talk, you sound as dumb as the people of Providence.” Roman’s jealous, jealous from the start. Jealous of Elias’ soul and Elias’ heart. It’s time to take the Big Dog for a walk. Roman just shakes his head and continues on. Their MITB rematch is coming, will SmackDown be the same?

Bayley & Becky Lynch VS Charlotte Flair & Lacey Evans!

The Sassy Southern Belle helped The Queen take one belt from The Man, but had no luck getting her own. And Charlotte didn’t have that belt for long, because Ms. Money in the Bank took it with a cash-in! Will the Model Soldier and #CharlotteNineTimes fare better together against #BeckyOneBelt and #BayleyTripleCrown? Or will the combined forces of the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Champions be too much for even them?

Before heading out, Becky Lynch has a backstage interview. She had quite the night at MITB with her two matches going on back-to-back. What is her mindset now that she’s down to just one title? Becky doesn’t feel right without the blue belt, but if someone else has to have it without having beat her for it, at least it’s Bayley. Bayley comes by and says that while #BeckyTwoBelts sounded nice, #BayleyTwoBelts sounds even better. Yeah, yeah. Becky would shake hands with Bayley but she can’t trust herself not to deck her old friend. Bayley wants Becky to calm down, but she does welcome The Man coming back around for her gold. Will these two manage to win to then go champ versus champ?

Becky makes her entrance first, followed by Bayley. The teams sort out while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Becky starts against Charlotte while Lacey covers her ears hearing the cheers for the champions. Charlotte shrugs it off as she circles with Becky, but then Becky goes after Lacey! Becky still owes Lacey for making her lose the SmackDown title, but then Charlotte saves Lacey by going after Becky. Charlotte drags Becky up but then Bayley runs in. Charlotte runs at Bayley because Bayley cashed in on her, but Bayley throws Charlotte out. Bayley helps Becky up but Becky doesn’t need help. But then Bayley saves Becky from Lacey, and Becky saves Bayley from Charlotte. The champs come to an understanding and focus on Charlotte.

Bayley tags in and Becky brings Charlotte up. SmackDown returns to single picture as Bayley bumps Charlotte off buckles. Charlotte blocks a bump to give a CHOP! And then give Bayley buckles bumps in return. Charlotte CHOPS Bayley more, but Bayley pushes her away. Charlotte runs back in but Bayley flapjacks her on buckles! Bayley runs back in to tackle her, then a knee. Charlotte dodges that to BOOT Bayley into buckles! Charlotte stomps Bayley over and over but the ref counts. The Queen backs off but drags Bayley up by her ponytail. Charlotte pulls Bayley against the rope but lets up at 4. Charlotte drags Bayley over and Lacey tags in. Lacey boucnes Bayley’s head off the mat but stops at 4.

Fans rally for Bayley but Lacey puts Bayley in a half camel clutch. She even adds in a cobra clutch so that she can dig her knuckles into Bayley’s head. Tag to Charlotte, and the Lady holds Bayley so the Queen can stomp her out! They stop at 4 and Charlotte brings Bayley up. Charlotte whips but Bayley reverses, only for Charlotte to tumble to the apron. Charlotte shoulders in but into Bayley’s knee! Bayley crawls but Charlotte yanks Becky down! Charlotte hurries to tackle Bayley into the corner and ram her shoulder in more! Lacey tags in and stomps Bayley. Tag to Charlotte and Charlotte CHOPS Bayley! Charlotte keeps Bayley away from Becky, and tells her to kiss this. Charlotte scoops but Bayley slips out and clotheslines Charlotte down!

Both women are down but Charlotte slumps out of the ring. She goes after Becky again but gets kicked away! Hot tag brings in The Man! And The Man goes after the Queen with an ax handle! Becky puts Charlotte in then climbs up to missile dropkick her down! She hits a calf kick then keeps moving, to dropkick Lacey down! Becky aims a kick at Charlotte, then climbs back up. Becky leaps for a flying forearm! Charlotte flounders but Becky is on her with a Becksploder! Fans fire up but Charlotte elbows Becky back. Charlotte gives Becky a backbreaker to buckle shot, then puts her leg on the ropes to drop a knee! Becky dodges and mule kicks! Then hits Lacey for good measure. But Charlotte boots Becky down!

Charlotte goes after the leg but gets pushed into buckles. Becky rolls Charlotte but Charlotte rolls through to hold the ropes! The ref sees that and stops, Becky counters to a Disarm-Her! But Lacey returns with a Woman’s Right! But Bayley returns to tag in! And Bayley hits Lacey out! But Charlotte trips Bayley, only to get a cradle counter! Bayley and Becky win!!

Winners: Bayley & Becky Lynch, Bayley pinning

The champs stand tall! They take their belts back, but they each want what the other has. Will Becky get back to being the Double Champ? Or will Bayley become the first and only Women’s Triple Double?

Carmella and R-Truth are still running around backstage!?

And Jinder Mahal catches up to them! Mahal kicks and rolls Truth up, the ref counts, TWO!! Truth fights Mahal off and catches up to Carmella. Carmella leads Truth to the parking lot. They just gotta get to a car! But the B-Team clobbers Truth! Bo covers but Axel yanks him off! Axel and Bo argue, but Truth crawls away. The B-Team go after him again but he fights them off! Truth and Carmella hurry but the B-Team is still in pursuit! Will the 24/7 Champion make it a full day with the belt?

SmackDown returns with a backstage interview with Dolph Ziggler.

After being MIA for weeks, he returns to viciously attack Kofi Kingston. But why? That question does deserve an answer, but Ziggler won’t give it here. He’ll give it out there. Ziggler returns to gorilla position and walks out on stage. Obviously fans boo and jeer, and he knows they’re upset. He’d boo himself, too. But this goes way back, to when Mustafa Ali got hurt and Kofi Kingston got his opportunity. Kofi knocked it out of the park, “but it should’ve been me.” Ziggler knows Kofi jumped through hoop after hoop and ran a gauntlet. After 11 long years of earning everything, Kofi was an overnight success, but it should be Ziggler. Kofi walked into Elimination Chamber and walked out the other side a star, but it should’ve been Ziggler!

Then Kofi went to Wrestlemania and fought Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship, while Ziggler was at home! Wrestlemania became Kofimania because he was the better wrestler and man, but it should’ve been Ziggler. Every day since, Kofi has outperformed every single critic and opponent, and he’s been a fighting champion with the respect and admiration of the fans, but it should’ve been Ziggler! So that’s why Ziggler did what he did tonight. “I had to.” So at Super Showdown, Ziggler will beat Kofi for the title because he has to. Ziggler will become WWE Champion, and the fans will have no choice but to respect, admire and love Ziggler!! Because it should’ve been him all along. Is Ziggler going to come back from Super Showdown the world champion out of desperation?

Shane returns on stage.

Becuase he wants to introduce SmackDown’s Greatest Acquisition, Elias. The Drifter appears as he plays his guitar, and Shane O’Mac follows him down the ramp. But the Big Dog is on his way, too! Will this MITB rematch last longer than the original?

Roman Reigns VS Elias w/ Shane McMahon!

SmackDown returns again as Roman makes his entrance. He joins Elias in the ring and the bell rings. They tie up and Roman fires off uppercuts! Elias flounders out of the ring but Roman pursues. Shane stays close but then Elias gets another uppercut! Roman bumps Elias off barriers, then takes aim to hit the Drive-By dropkick! Shane hurries away as Roman puts Elias in the ring. Roman makes sure Shane stays away, then join Elias in the ring. Elias kicks the ropes to get Roman low! DDT and cover, TWO! Elias is frustrated but Shane has confidence. Elias stomps Roman then rains down rights. He throws Roman right into a post! Roman falls out of the ring but Elias pursues to clothesline him back down! Elias strikes his new pose while we go to one more break.

SmackDown returns once more, and Roman hits Elias with a leaping lariat! Shane panics as Roman gives Elias the point-blank clotheslines! Roman goes up to 10, then runs to BOOT Elias down! Fans fire up with Roman as he locks ‘n’ loads! Shane waits to trip Roman up! Elias hits a leaping knee! Elias electric chair lifts but Roman slips out! Roman shoves Elias to uppercut him hard! Roman puts Elias up top to uppercut him again! Then Roman climbs to join Elias, and fireman’s carries! Elias fights back and slips out to get the electric chair again! He spins Roman for the sit-out powerbomb! Cover, TWO!! Elias is shocked but Shane keeps focus for both of them. Shane coaches Elias up and Elias drags Roman to his feet. Fans duel as Elias fisherman, but Roman gets free to headbutt!

The two mean brawl back and forth with big haymakers now. Fans continue to duel, but Roman uppercuts only to get a big knee from Elias! SUPERMAN PUNCH! Cover, but Shane helps Elias get the ropebreak! Roman knows it was Shane but Shane plays dumb. Roman goes out and gives Shane a Drive-By! But Elias baseball slides Roman! Then throws him into barriers and a post! And then the steel steps! Elias puts Roman in and hurries up top. Elias leaps, Macho Elbow! Cover, TWO!! Elias rains down rights and then Shane tells him to go after a buckle pad. Elias undoes a pad, but the ref sees that. This is so Shane can give Elias his guitar! Shane distracts the ref and Elias picks up the guitar, but Roman SPEARS Elias! Cover, Roman wins!

Winner: Roman Reigns, by pinfall

But Shane goes right after him! Shane rains down rights on Roman, then picks up Elias’ guitar for himself. Shane aims at Roman, but gets a SUPERMAN PUNCH! Roman glares, and eyes Elias’ guitar. Roman picks the guitar up and Shane begs for mercy. Shane crawls to a corner, but here comes Drew McIntyre! CLAYMORE! Shane and McIntyre talk trash on Roman and Shane raises McIntyre’s hand. Roman goes down because Shane has more than one henchman. Will Roman have to have his head on a swivel at Super Showdown?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown to follow up Raw and MITB! Shane’s backstage phone call aside, the main segment of Big E’s return was a great opening. Big E was on point, hasn’t missed a beat. Sami and Kevin had a great part in this, too, from Kevin being grumpy to Sami having the two mics and being extra hyper. Kofi VS Sami was a great match, though I’m surprised that wasn’t he main event. But again, Roman was on the show so… That aside, Ziggler surprising everyone with his attack was a good move for him, and he delivered his “It should’ve been me” jealousy promo, but I’m not sure being jealous and bitter is the way to go. And it is a bit of a shame this isn’t going to be for Extreme Rules but for Super Showdown, because just imagine these two going No Disqualifications with this same motivations.

Ali VS Almas was a great opening match, too! It’s at least some semblance of making it up to Ali by having him win, since he was screwed out in more ways than one at MITB. Even though Demon Balor is not losing at Super Showdown and certainly not to Almas, it would be great if Ali’s win here prompts his own run at the Intercontinental Championship. Though, I do wish WWE wouldn’t give away it would be Demon Balor. Making the Demon a surprise is part of the fun. But I suppose it wouldn’t sell Super Showdown if he didn’t go Demon. The 24/7 Championship being all over the show was great, though I wished Sonya or Mella would try something. But at least now Truth can say he’s the longest reigning 24/7 Champion.

The women’s tag match tonight was really good, and I enjoy the tease that, especially in a Wild Card era, Becky and Bayley want to go belt for belt down the line. Obviously Charlotte and Lacey are far from out of the picture, perhaps both Raw and SmackDown can hold contenders tournaments heading towards Stomping Grounds. It would at least look better if Charlotte and/or Lacey had to earn their matches again instead of it just being automatic. Becky VS Lacey again is fine, but I would hope WWE serves us by having Charlotte lose to either Ember Moon, Mandy or Sonya. Bayley being a new champion should mean new match-ups, so her and any of the others would be great. Save Bayley VS Becky for Summerslam or Survivor Series.

Roman VS Elias and Shane running around obviously made for a better match than MITB’s, but it should’ve been obvious McIntyre would help after the match. Again I say this is Shane unofficially recreating the Mean Street Posse, and I hope this builds towards Survivor Series. But chances are, Super Showdown’s Roman VS Shane match just turns into a stepping stone towards that, which is actually a shame. Though, so much of Super Showdown isn’t really necessary, it is just fanservice to Saudi Arabia, so I suppose it would be par for the course.

My Score: 8.4/10

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Coverage

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

GO! ACE! GO! ACE!

Published

53 minutes ago

January 30, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Tanahashi’s Final Road to New Beginning!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: TMDK, by pinfall

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

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

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

My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.7/10

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

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

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

Published

3 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Andrew Balaz

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

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 31, 2025

Ratings:

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

Results:

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

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 30, 2025

Cora Jade vs Hyan

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

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

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 31, 2025

Brian Myers w/The System vs Leon Slater

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

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

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

Laredo Kid vs Mustafa Ali

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

Eric Young & Josh Alexander vs Sinner & Saint

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

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

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

Ace Austin vs Wes Lee w/Tyson & Tyriek

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall Score: 6.25/10

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

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

All in all, very nice.