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Mitchell’s Evolve 10th Anniversary Special Results & Report! (7/13/19)

10 Years and Counting!

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Evolve Wrestling 10th Anniversary, on the WWE Network

Evolve comes to the WWE Network!

A major milestone of 10 years is worth celebrating in a big way! And so the WWE brings Evolve’s anniversary special to the Network, and puts together sensational crossovers such as Adam Cole VS Akira Tozawa for the NXT Championship!

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Josh Briggs VS Anthony Green w/ Brandi Lauren; Briggs wins.
  • Four Way Freestyle: Sean Maluta VS Curt Stallion VS Stephen Wolf VS Harlem Bravado; Wolf wins.
  • Arturo Ruas VS Anthony Henry; Ruas wins.
  • No Disqualifications: Brandi Lauren VS Shotzi Blackheart; Lauren wins.
  • Colby Corino w/ Sean Maluta VS Babatunde; Babatunde wins.
  • Evolve Tag Team Championships: The Unwanted VS AR Fox & Leon Ruff w/ Ayla Fox; Fox & Ruff win and become the new Evolve Tag Team Champions.
  • Matt Riddle VS Drew Gulak; Riddle wins.
  • Evolve and WWN Championship Unification: Austin Theory VS JD Drake; wins and is the undisputed Evolve and WWN Champion.
  • NXT Championship: Adam Cole VS Akira Tozawa; Cole wins and retains the NXT Championship.

PLAY BY PLAY

Many WWE Superstars owe a lot to Evolve Wrestling.

For 10 years, Evolve has been a place for wrestlers to hone their craft and find themselves. In the days before NXT, Cesaro, Daniel Bryan, Ricochet, Drew McIntyre and many others came through Evolve. It was named for the need to evolve and adapt to the changing landscape of pro-wrestling, and that is what it represents to this day. And so, to give back, WWE brings Evolve LIVE from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia!

Lenny Leonard shows us the future here tonight as many Evolve stars are ready to fight. They’re ready to evolve and achieve dreams! But as the wrestlers slowly exit the ring, there’s a low blow with the ropes! The cheap shot artist, Harlem Bravado, is told to get out while his victim, Stephen Wolf, is checked on. But the last one in the ring is Josh Briggs, the Professional Disliker of People. He takes the mic to say that “Tonight is about opportunity!” Tonight, he takes HIS opportunity! Briggs demands that Anthony Greene get back in the ring to face him now! Greene’s manager says for Greene to go, so he gets in the ring, and tears off the pants! The referee keeps the peace while we get a proper introduction.

 

Josh Briggs VS Anthony Green w/ Brandi Lauren!

Chances are, Briggs does not like #RetroAG, but maybe he just has a thing against fanny packs. Brandi helps AG with his jacket and pack and we begin this opening match!

Briggs and AG tie up as fans duel. Briggs just tosses AG to a corner! Then he tosses him out of the corner across the way! Briggs runs corner to corner but misses, but he puts AG on the apron. AG swings but Briggs blocks to slingshot AG into a backbreaker! Fans cheer as Briggs sneers at AG. Briggs drags AG to whip and swing but AG ducks to huricanrana! AG clutches his back as he walks into another backbreaker, then sidewalk slam and splash! Cover, TWO! Briggs grins as he waits for AG to stand. AG sees the choke slam hand and bails out! But Briggs chases after, only for AG to slip back in. AG runs into a boot, but Brandi anchors Briggs’ feet! Briggs shakes her off but AG kicks him at the ropes.

AG has a leg and DDT’s it into the mat! Then AG hops to the apron, only to get grabbed around the throat! AG kicks out the bad leg then boots Briggs down! AG builds speed to DIVE, into Briggs’ hands! For an apron choke slam! Philly is fired up for Briggs, who glares at Brandi as she checks on AG. Fans duel as Briggs gets back on the apron. Briggs drags AG up but AG blocks the kick to kick the leg out, then SUPERKICKS Briggs down! Briggs slowly stands up, to get AG’s springboard cutter to the apron! Brandi cheers AG on as AG clubs away on Briggs. AG drags Briggs up for a swift right hand! Briggs staggers around the corner but AG bumps him off the apron. AG puts Briggs in then climbs up top, to springboard twisting crossbody! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for Briggs as AG catches his breath.

AG stalks Briggs to a corner to throw big hands and a CHOP! Briggs’ bad shoulder comes into play but he holds onto the ropes. Briggs whips AG but AG elbows back and snapmares Briggs into buckles! AG stomps a mudhole into Briggs’ legs! The ref backs AG off but Brandi gets a cheap shot in! AG comes back and drags Briggs to a cover, TWO! AG smirks as he looms over Briggs. Fans build to a rally and Briggs pushes AG down. Briggs runs but into a jawbreaker and neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Brandi grows frustrated for AG, but fans say “Retro Sucks!” AG ignores them to drag Briggs up. He suplexes but it’s Briggs with the X-Plex! Briggs catches his breath while AG slowly stands.

AG runs in but into an elbow. Briggs dodges AG and sends him out, then is ready when he returns. Briggs breaks through the lariat for a leaping lariat of his own! AG is in a corner and Briggs runs in for a big back elbow. Briggs goes side to side to get a SUPERKICK from AG! Brandi taunts Briggs but Briggs revives to boot wash AG over and over! Briggs brings AG out, whips, backbreaker to butterfly backbreaker! Cover, TWO!! AG survives and Brandi is relieved. Brandi talks smack to Briggs but Briggs just gets angry. Briggs drags AG up and back suplexes, but AG fights out. AG trips Briggs to go for the leg, but Briggs throws him off. AG cartwheels through to forearm Briggs in the corner! Then AG runs, but into a BOOT!

Briggs scoops AG and hits a crucifix Michinoku driver! Cover, TWO!? Briggs is shocked that AG still lives! AG crawls to ropes and Brandi coaches him up but Briggs whips. AG kicks Briggs but it barely does a thing! Briggs blocks another kick but takes the enziguri! He’s still up! Briggs fakes AG out but AG enziguris again! Back suplex and hammerlock to chickenwing DRIVER! Cover, TWO, into a Half Crab! AG has the bad leg but Briggs endures to get the ropebreak! AG lets go reluctantly, but he stomps the bad leg. Brandi talks more smack while AG climbs up top. AG leaps for a 450 but rolls through as Briggs dodges! Briggs puts AG in a corner, blocks a kick but takes another enziguri. School boy into buckles! AG grins as he climbs up again. But Briggs revives to rock him with a right!

Briggs climbs up and brings AG around like a backpack. But Brandi anchors them down! The referee EJECTS Brandi! But in the meantime, AG gets on Briggs’ shoulders for a SUPER VICTORY ROLL! Cover, TWO!? Now AG is shocked, but he SUPERKICKS Briggs, then SUPERKICKS again! Briggs blocks the third into the pump-handle GTS, the Go To HELL! Then the choke grip, but AG slips out! AG fakes Briggs out, grabs a leg, but Briggs fights free. Briggs grabs AG, AG breaks free and throws a big haymaker! But Briggs grabs with the other hand, so AG punches with his other hand! Briggs switches back to the right hand, but so does AG! Briggs still gets AG with the choke slam POWERBOMB! High stack cover, Briggs wins!!

Winner: Josh Briggs, by pinfall

And the Professional Disliker takes the first win on this anniversary card! Surely he has to like that. Will this lead Briggs towards a title in the near future?

 

Evolve looks back on The Unwanted’s history.

As of Evolve episode 123, The Unwanted’s Eddie Kingston and Joe Gacy became the NEW Evolve Tag Team Champions after dethroning NXT’s Street Profits. And even after giving up Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, they reloaded with Sean Maluta. However, they know now from Evolve 131, their new contenders are AR Fox and Leon Ruff. In the present, Eddie Kingston warns Fox and Ruff that he, the Unwanted King, and the Unwanted Maniac, Gacy, will take all those years, all those miles, all those hot dogs and handshakes, they’re not going to let anyone beat them! “Understand something: you may not know us, but you can ask those ‘superstars’ about me.” The world will finally see what the Unwanted can do, but will they retain their titles under these brighter lights?

 

Four Way Freestyle: Sean Maluta VS Curt Stallion VS Stephen Wolf VS Harlem Bravado!

Speaking of the Unwanted, the Samoan Dragon and their newest member is here to grab his own opportunity with his own hands. But so are the Lone Star, the Leader of the Pack, and the Globetrotter! Who makes the biggest impact on this 10th anniversary special?

Wolf wants at Harlem after that cheap shot to start the show, but the ref keeps the peace again. Each man has a corner and the bell rings. Wolf goes right at Harlem and throws hands! Maluta has Stallion to deal with and Stallion throws big rights and CHOPS! Wolf brings Harlem out while Maluta reverses a whip to back kick. Maluta goes to bomb but Stallion back drops. Maluta sunset flips but Stallion rolls through to stomp! Harlem stomps Wolf into barriers while Stallion covers, TWO! Stallion throws more heavy hands on Maluta then whips. Harlem returns just as Maluta reverses. Harlem grabs Stallion and holds him there for Maluta. Maluta runs in but Stallion gets clear, and Maluta’s forearm hits Harlem!

Stallion waistlocks but Maluta switches. Stallion bucks Maluta off but he runs into a kick. Maluta backslides but Stallion rolls through, to get a buzzsaw! And twisting suplex! But Wolf returns to dropkick Maluta! Wolf runs corner to corner but Maluta dodges to whip Wolf away. Maluta misses in the corner now, and Wolf kicks him away. Wolf springboards to crossbody Maluta down! Wolf howls but Harlem clubs him down! Harlem soaks up the heat but gets CHOPS from Stallion! Harlem ducks the third chop to roundhouse Stallion down! Fans boo but Harlem just soaks up the heat. Wolf gets up and baits Harlem in to dump him out. Wolf builds speed to FLY! Direct hit wipes Harlem out and the pack howls with Wolf. But Maluta climbs to LEAP onto him and Harlem! But Stallion builds speed to FLY onto all three!

Fans fire up behind the Lone Star as he gets Maluta back in. Stallion waistlocks, deadlifts and German Suplexes! Bridge cover, TWO! Stallion keeps his cool as he drags Maluta up again. Maluta throat chops Stallion! Maluta CHOPS Stallion back then runs, but Harlem dumps him out! Harlem waves bye before giving Stallion CHOPS of his own. Then he fakes a chop to give a jab. Harlem sees Wolf jump in and gets under to scoop Wolf to a dragon sleeper. Stallion runs in, but gets caught by Harlem, for Harlem to DDT and complete shot them both! Harlem covers Wolf, TWO! Fans say “You Still Suck!” to Harlem, and then Wolf fights back. Harlem still fits Wolf for a big back suplex and cover, TWO!

Harlem keeps on Wolf with a stomp in the corner. He drags Wolf up to CHOP, then whip corner to corner. Wolf reverses and runs in but gets an elbow. Harlem hops up but Maluta forearms him down onto ropes! Stallion returns but gets a SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK for Harlem! Wolf springboards into a SUPERKICK! Fans fire up for the Savage as he covers Wolf, TWO! Maluta keeps his cool as he BOOTS Stallion down. Maluta drags Wolf up but gets a jawbreaker! Wolf runs, Maluta dodges, and they both crossbody! Both men are down gasping for air, but Wolf is up first .Fans rally and Maluta follows. Harlem runs in but gets Wolf’s enziguri. Stallion has Maluta for a Snap German! Stallion and Wolf stare down, but BOOT the others!

Wolf and Stallion sweep the legs, and then corner to corner, dropkick and swinging bronco buster! Stallion fires up, but fakes Harlem out to Sole Food! Wolf monkey flips Maluta down and a double cover, TWO!! Now Wolf and Stallion stare down. Philly duels between them, so they start brawling! Wolf kicks but Stallion CHOPS away! Stallion whips but Wolf reverses and rolling elbows! Wolf runs but into Harlem’s BOOT! Stallion HEADBUTTS Harlem, but Maluta enziguris Stallion! Maluta rips off the wrist tape and whips Wolf. Wolf tiger feints to a lariat! All four men are down and the fans are loving it! Wolf is up first as the fans rally. Wolf drags Maluta up but Maluta blocks the suplex. Harlem throws Maluta out and ducks Wolf’s kick to shove and pop-up to a Death Valley Driver!

Harlem is fired up but fans boo as he drags Satallion up. Double underhooks but Stallion breaks out, jackknife to Alabama, Air Raid Crash! But Maluta hits a FLYING code breaker on Stallion! Stallion gets out of the ring so Maluta goes at Wolf. Wolf ducks the kick and hits a Blue Thunder Bomb! Maluta is in the drop zone and Wolf heads up top. Harlem trips Wolf up! Fans boo but Maluta decks Harlem. Maluta climbs up to join Wolf, but Stallion is back! SUPER INVERTED SPANISH FLY! Harlem has Stallion, butterfly driver! Shooting Star from Wolf to Harlem! Wolf wins!!

Winner: Stephen Wolf, by pinfall

The Leader of the Pack gets the better of all three opponents! And now he’s howling all the way to the back! Will the Globetrotter be back for payback?

 

Evolve hears from Anthony Henry.

A wrestling veteran of over 16 years, the Patron Saint of Wrestling promises to show the world high impact strikes, slick submissions, and a little bit of everything. His MMA and amateur wrestling makes him a violent hybrid, but it will always be a fight.

 

Arturo Ruas VS Anthony Henry!

The Brazilian Tiger lives by the code of #TechniqueisEverything and believes his own technique is better than everyone’s. However, we just heard from the Patron Saint of Wrestling, and we know now that Ruas is in for a fight! Who fights harder to prove themselves to the world?

The bell rings and the strikes are swinging! Each man gets clear and now they both know they’re serious. Ruas throws hands and then tackles Henry to the mat. Ruas has the armbar but Henry gets the ropebreak. Henry is let go and Ruas eggs him on in Portuguese. Fans rally as Henry fires off on Ruas! Henry tackles Ruas now and throws his own hands! Henry wants the armbar but Ruas rolls out to go for his own! Ruas clubs and hammers but Henry, bloody nose and all, stands up and slips out. Henry gets through the leg guard to rain down hands. Ruas pushes Henry away and gets him down with a body scissor catch! Ruas has the arm but Henry stands again to go for Ruas’ arm! Henry pulls but Ruas has the monkey grip.

Henry clubs away on Ruas but Ruas stands up and deadlifts! Ruas slams Henry with a powerbomb! But Ruas rains down hands before the cover, TWO!! Henry just escapes but Ruas is laser focused. Ruas kicks Henry in the back, then taunts him more. Ruas toys with Henry before throwing hands in the corner. The ref backs Ruas off and checks on Henry. Henry refuses to back down so Ruas chinlocks him in the ropes. Henry eggs Ruas on so Ruas knees him back down. Ruas talks trash as Henry flops down. Ruas brings Henry up but Henry fires off palm strikes! Henry kicks but Ruas ducks to waistlock. Henry wheelbarrows through to double stomp Ruas down! Ruas and Henry are both reeling from respective damage, but fans fire up for Henry as he hits a windmill kick!

Henry fires himself up as he gives Ruas muay thai knees. Ruas whips Henry into a corner hard, but Henry boots and climbs at the same time! Missile dropkick! Fans are fired up as Henry kips up! Henry runs corner to corner for a big forearm smash, then whips Ruas into a hammerlock back suplex! Henry Northern Lights and floats over to the armbar! Ruas resists but Henry pries that grip apart!! Ruas slips around to a cover, ONE and Ruas bails out. Henry goes to the apron and leaps with a knee! Ruas gets wrecked into railing and Philly fires up again! Henry gets Ruas in and climbs, double stomps but he has to roll through. Ruas dodges again then blocks to counter punch away. Ruas knees, cartwheels and shotgun dropkicks! Cover, TWO!! Henry survives and Ruas is furious.

Ruas drags Henry up for another rain of rights. Ruas soaks up the heat as he drags Henry back up. Cravat scoop but Henry slips into a sleeper with body scissors! Ruas bumps Henry on buckles but Henry is back on! Ruas tries again, but Henry won’t let him be! Henry has Ruas fading, then sweeps the legs! Ruas ducks the Penalty Kick to give an Eddie Gordo Kick! German Suplex and bridge, TWO!! Henry survives again and Ruas is furious. Fans rally up for Henry as Ruas stalks him to the ropes. Ruas throws hands from all sides. Henry boots back but Ruas smears him into ropes. Ruas kicks the legs out but Henry blocks the knee! Henry kicks that leg out to buzzsaw Ruas down! Ruas is down and Henry fires the fans up again.

Henry climbs but Ruas intercepts with big haymakers. Ruas climbs up to join Henry and clubs away on the back. Henry hits back and hits dumdum stomps! Then a tornado DDT! Henry keeps moving as Ruas is down. Henry’s back up top, BIG double stomps! Cover, TWO!? But Henry is right on the Ankle Lock! Ruas endures as Henry twists and wrenches! Ruas rolls and gets Henry down to go at the leg. Both men have a leg lock, but realize this won’t do it. So they start throwing SLAPPING palm strikes! Ruas backs off and fans rally up again. Ruas and Henry throw hands fast and furious and the fans are loving it! Henry gets the edge, but runs into the capoeria heel kick!! Cover, Ruas wins!!

Winner: Arturo Ruas, by pinfall

The Tiger may have even knocked Henry out with that heel kick. Ruas gets a big win in a truly big fight. Will Ruas find himself fighting for a title in the near future? And is there still plenty of fight left in Henry?

 

No Disqualifications: Brandi Lauren VS Shotzi Blackheart!

To say there is history between the Retro manager and SHINE Wrestling’s Nova Champion would be an understatement. They tried settling things at Evolve 128, but the Pizza Cat would not let Brandi off so easily, and a brawl broke out afterward. Referees would not #LetThemFight back then, but now they have no choice! Will things finally be settled when the gloves are off and the rules are out of the way?

The bell rings and fans cheer for “Pizza Cat! Pizza Cat!” Shotzi and Brandi approach, but someone attacks Shotzi for Brandi! Natalia Markova is on Brandi’s side!? Brandi says this is a No DQ, after all. So the ruthless Russian does all the dirty work with her roundhouse, boot and running X-Factor! Then a running heel kick in the corner! But Shotzi fights back! Shotzi chops away and boots Natalia, and Brandi bails out! Shotzi springboard enziguris Natalia to the corner! Then hits a corner 619! Fans fire up with Shotzi and climbs up, for a big missile dropkick! Natalia is taken care of, and now Shotzi builds speed to DIVE onto Brandi! Direct hit but not without its consequences as Shotzi now has a bloody nose.

Shotzi drags Brandi up to bump off the apron, then walks around the way to look under the ring. She brings out chairs, but as always, “We Want Tables!” For now, Shotzi sticks to the chairs as she sets them up by the ramp. Brandi grabs one but Shotzi mule kicks her down! Shotzi puts Brandi back in the ring, but Brandi wrecks Shotzi with a dropkick into those chairs she set up! Fans are reminded of “E C DUB! E C DUB!” as Brandi brings Shotzi over to whip right into the apron. Brandi grabs those chairs from earlier and reorganizes them. She drags Shotzi over and suplexes, but Shotzi blocks. Shotzi fights back and punches Brandi, but Brandi whips Shotzi into the post! If that nose wasn’t bleeding before, it is now.

Brandi grabs another chair and brings Shotzi over. “I’m giving you exactly what you wanted.” But Shotzi fires off palm strikes and a SUPERKICK! To then run in for a senton onto the chair!! Both women are down but somehow okay to continue. Shotzi drags Brandi onto the apron, but Brandi shoves her into another post! Then grabs her for an apron powerbomb! Fans are reminded of “Kevin Owens!” now as Brandi covers, TWO! Shotzi survives and Brandi grows frustrated. Brandi drags Shotzi up and to a corner to bump off buckles. Brandi whips Shotzi corner to corner but Shotzi goes up and over to roundhouse Brandi! Shotzi runs and dodges Brandi to mule kick then front kick. Rolling elbow to enziguri! Brandi flops into a corner and fans fire up with Shotzi.

Shotzi runs corner to corner for another senton! Brandi slips out to the apron but Shotzi follows. Shotzi grabs Brandi, but Brandi denies Sliced Bread. Brandi kicks Shotzi into this post, then gets to the floor. Brandi brings Shotzi around back to those chairs, but Shotzi bumps her off the apron. Shotz bounces Brandi off those chairs, and then goes under the ring again. She brings out even more chairs, and starts stacking them on the other chairs! Shotzi brings Brandi around, lifts, and sits Brandi on the very top. Fans ask Shotzi, “Please Don’t Die!” but Shotzi fires herself and howls to the moon. Shotzi builds speed but Anthony Greene returns! Shotzi boots him down, then builds speed again, to DIVE! She only gets chairs!! AG moved Brandi out of the way and Shotzi crashes and burns!

Fans lose their minds over the carnage! AG drags Shotzi from the wreckage and puts her in the ring. Brandi covers, TWO!?! But how?! No one can believe it but the fans are loving it! AG hurries to find anything to give to Brandi while fans rally up for Shotzi. AG finds a kendo stick and hands it to Brandi! But now AG has to fight off Curt Stallion! Brandi SMACKS away on Shotzi while the Lone Star makes sure AG can’t do anything more. Shotzi is down, just taking those kendo stick strikes! Cover, Brandi wins!

Winner: Brandi Lauren, by pinfall

There should be an asterisk here that it was almost a handicap match. Shotzi has the fans on her side, so Brandi’s win rings hollow. Will this settle anything between Brandi and Shotzi?

 

Colby Corino w/ Sean Maluta VS Babatunde!

The Unwanted Son has the Unwanted Savage by his side as he looks to make his own impact on tonight’s anniversary show. But how well will he do against a truly massive opponent?

The bell rings and Colby talks trash to big bad Baba. Colby chops but they don’t do a thing! Fans know Colby messed up, and Babatunde crushes Colby’s hand. Colby punches with the other hand, but Babatunde just LAUNCHES Colby! Colby bails out and regroups with Maluta, but Babatunde hurries out to fetch Colby. Babatunde tells Maluta to back off, and Colby runs at him! But he’s still not big enough! Babatunde grabs Colby, tosses him up onto the apron, and CHOPS him against the ropes! Colby feels his soul leave his body, then Babatunde tosses Colby into the ring. The ref keeps Maluta back, but Colby gets Babatunde with a shotgun knee! The giant is finally rocked, and then Maluta gets a cheap shot SUPERKICK in!

Babatunde staggers into the ring and Colby fires off forearms. Babatunde pushes Colby away, but Colby quickly goes to the corner. Colby springboards and swantons onto Babatunde’s back! Fans duel as Colby covers, TWO and with force! Colby gets mad now as he climbs back up. Colby leaps but into Babatunde’s hand! Babatunde lifts Colby with both hands, to buckle bomb! Then Babatunde runs in for a big corner splash! Babatunde SWATS Colby with one hand, then runs to drop a HUGE elbow! Colby gasps for air but Babatunde isn’t done, HUGE splash! Cover, Babatunde wins!

Winner: Babatunde, by pinfall

The Unwanted still want to fight the big man, so out comes the King and the Maniac. They check on Colby, but he’s still breathing. Eddie Kingston gives a role call, reminding everyone they are the Evolve Tag Team Champions. Maluta takes Colby to the back while Kingston mocks “Bababooey.” “People like you make us sick.” Babatunde gets handed opportunities just because he played football and is 7-foot-whatever. But the Unwanted traveled the road and did things the “right” way. The Performance Center handed Babatunde everything, but the Unwanted will take the “big goofy bastard” out to take his spot.

But wait, here comes their challengers! AR Fox and Leon Fox, along with Ayla Fox and The Skulk, won’t let The Unwanted do what they want. They DIVE onto the Unwanted, wrecking them to the barriers! Babatunde takes his leave so Fox and Ruff can handle their business right here and now!

 

Evolve Tag Team Championships: The Unwanted VS AR Fox & Leon Ruff w/ Ayla Fox!

No need for introductions or raising the belts here, the fight continues where it left off! Fox and Ruff build speed again, but The Unwanted get clear. So they just change direction and DOUBLE DIVE anyway! Kingston and Gacy are taken out and Philly fires up with the challengers. Fox and Ruff get back in the ring, but Kingston and Gacy drag them out for big haymakers. The Unwanted regroup, and Gacy DIVES, but misses Fox to only get Kingston! Ruff runs over to climb up and FLY onto The Unwanted! Ruff holds onto the Unwanted, and Fox springboards for an IMPLODING CANNONBALL! It proves a little double-edged as Fox clips the barriers, but he’s up on his feet! Philly is thunderous as Fox and Ruff put Gacy in.

Ruff CHOPS Gacy, then goes acrobatic and even shows off a little for the huricanrana! SUPERKICK and buzzsaw from Fox, then Ruff adds an Eddie Gordo kick before Fox hits a cutter! Ruff German Suplexes and bridges to a cover, with Fox on top! But Kingston breaks it up! Kingston throws hands on Fox and Ruff, but they duck his double clotheslines to double enziguri! Ruff brings Kingston up as Fox goes to a corner. But Kingston shoves Ruff forward to get Fox’s cutter! Gacy handsprings to give Fox a cutter!! Then the Unwanted combine, discus lariat to saido suplex! Ruff is all alone as the Unwanted hit a corner train, and double forearms! Cover, TWO! Ruff lives and Kingston is seething.

Fans rally for Ruff as the Unwanted coordinate again. Scoop slam from Kingston, then from Gacy. Kingston gets up top and Gacy suplexes Ruff up there for him. SUPER POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Fox returns but gets the Russian Leg Sweep STO combo! Kingston has Gacy go at Ruff but Ruff fights back! Ruff throws hands and chops but the Unwanted mug him in the corner, and CHOP away! Kingston even headbutts Ruff before he hoists Ruff up top. Kingston climbs up to join Ruff, and SUPERPLEXES Ruff into Gacy’s powerbomb! Cover, TWO!! Ruff shocks the Unwanted with his resilience! Ayla and the rest of the Skulk rally for Ruff, as do the fans. The Unwanted toy with Ruff and then bring him to a corner. Gacy hops up top and Kingston suplexes, but Fox saves Ruff. Kingston turns around into Fox’s SUPERKICK while Ruff enziguris Gacy!

Ruff climbs, but Kingston body checks Fox! Gacy and Ruff brawl, and then Ruff kicks Kingston, for a backflip DDT! Fox hits the springboard Spanish Fly on Gacy! Double covers, TWO!! They were so close but still so far from winning! But Philly still believes in Fox and Ruff as they regroup. Fox drags Kingston and whips, but Kingston blocks. Kingston backhands Fox right down! Gacy runs at Ruff, but Ruff goes to crucifix. Kingston drags Ruff off Gacy and into a half nelson. Discus Half ‘n’ Half combo! Gacy covers Ruff, TWO!! Ruff is proving to be superhuman and it infuriates Gacy. But Gacy and Kingston coordinate. Kingston looms over Ruff as Gacy gets a table! Gacy sets that table up while Kingston keeps Ruff in a corner.

Kingston sits Ruff up top to CHOP, then climbs up to join him. He wants to bomb Ruff! Fox goes Coast 2 Coast on Gacy! Ruff fights back and hits a SUPER CRUCIFIX, the Ruff Ride! Ruff then DIVES onto Gacy, through that table!! Fox gives Kingston the 450 Splash! Cover, Fox & Ruff win!!

Winners: AR Fox & Leon Ruff, Fox pinning; NEW Evolve Tag Team Champions

The Skulk has gold! Philly is ready to celebrate along with them as they dance it out in the ring! But will this be the last The Skulk has seen of The Unwanted?

 

Evolve looks at the history of Catch Point.

The now WWE Cruiserweight Champion, Drew Gulak, founded a team of “like-minded wrestlers” in Evolve, all the way back in 2015. Catch Point was a philosophy. The style was all about isolating weakness, and taking back what is the heart of pro-wrestling. Gulak wanted his group to be strong, so he recruited Matt Riddle into the fold. Riddle agreed that wrestling is about taking the opponent down by any means necessary. You beat someone down, make them submit, or just knock them out.

And so when NXT returned to Philly recently, Drew Gulak threw out an open challenge! Who answered? Matt Riddle, naturally. Riddle said the 10th Anniversary was the perfect place to do this, bro. Now Catch Point partners face off in a match four years in the making. Who will prove themselves the superior submission specialist?

 

Matt Riddle VS Drew Gulak!

This #CatchPointReunion doesn’t need to be for titles or anything like that. It is all about both men’s pride and skill as true wrestlers. Will the Original Bro slow the Philly Stretcher down on the way to Extreme Rules? Or will Gulak make Riddle simply tap out?

Catch Point trainees take a jog around the ring, and then stand at attention for the captain! Philly’s own walks in and his trainees give the Catch Point salute before taking their leave. The bell rings and the Catch Point founders stare down. They circle and tie up. Gulak keeps Riddle off him, and they go again. Gulak spins around but Riddle trips Gulak up, but Gulak kicks Riddle away. Fans are loving this as Riddle and Gulak test the waters. Riddle throws hands and gets Gulak down but Gulak is ready with a facelock. Riddle rolls Gulak and gets a rear mount but Gulak slips out the back. Gulak has a leg but Riddle rolls through to escape the ankle lock. Philly sings for their hometown hero as he and Riddle approach again.

Riddle and Gulak tie up and go around, and Riddle pushes Gulak against ropes. Riddle backs off and Gulak circles with him again. Gulak gets caught in a waistlock and Riddle slams him down! Riddle keeps on that rear mount but Gulak endures as Riddle grab the arm. Gulak stands up out of the hammerlock but Riddle holds on. Riddle chinlocks but Gulak pries the hands away. Gulak turns Riddle around and into the GuLock! But Riddle rolls off! Riddle has the arm but Gulak has the ropebreak right away. Fans cheer as Riddle backs off. Gulak and Riddle circle and tie up again. Riddle powers Gulak to a corner but the ref gets them apart, only for Riddle to throw hands. Riddle kicks away on Gulak, but Gulak boots back! Gulak hops up and leaps, into a Bro-Trigger!

Both men are down but Riddle is up first to hit the Bro-Ton! Cover, ONE, but Riddle is on the arm again. Gulak endures but Riddle wants the Bromission! Gulak pops out to a cover, ONE! The two back off and fans cheer this technical exchange. Gulak and Riddle circle again as fans duel. Riddle throws jabs and kicks but Gulak throws haymakers. Gulak gets knees in then snap suplexes Riddle to a cover, ONE! Gulak and Riddle glare as Gulak gets a cravat. Riddle fights back but Gulak snapmares to a cover. ONE, but Gulak CHOPS Riddle on the back. Gulak puts on a headscissor and grabs a leg to deny Riddle’s escape. Riddle moves up and around, pops out, but Gulak ducks the Penalty Kick! Gulak and Riddle circle again and start throwing hands!

Gulak facelocks, then Gotch holds. Riddle fights his way out but Gulak headlocks. Philly decides they love “Both These Guys!” as Gulak drags Riddle down. Riddle endures the chinlock crank and works out the back. Riddle throws big hands but Gulak standing switches and rolls, but into Riddle’s powerbomb! TWO, Bro-Trigger blocked! Into Gulak’s bomb! High stack, TWO, but into a Half Crab! Fans are loving this back and forth as Riddle endures. But Riddle powers up and gets the ropebreak! Gulak falls off the hold, just as tired as Riddle right now. Gulak goes right at Riddle and throws big uppercuts! He drags Riddle up but Riddle throws hands back. Riddle CHOPS away from both sides, then ducks Gulak’s lariat. Ripcord Bro-Trigger! Cover, TWO!!

Gulak survives and goes to the corner, but Riddle drags him out to drop another Bro-Ton! Riddle goes to a corner and climbs up top. But Gulak grabs him for a SUPER BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Both men are down but fans still duel and rally. Riddle crawls as a standing count begins. The count reaches 5 before Gulak sits up. Gulak and Riddle head for each other, and Riddle CHOPS Gulak around. Gulak grabs a leg but Riddle sprawls. Riddle clubs and ax kicks away on Gulak’s back! Penalty Kick! Cover, TWO! Gulak grins and Riddle scowls as the two stand up again. Philly says “This is Awesome!” as Gulak and Riddle throw hands again. Gulak headbutts low then does it again. He waistlocks Riddle up to a full nelson. Riddle resists and slips around to the GULOCK!? He’s taking Gulak’s move!!

But Gulak knows how to get out, only for Riddle to get a triangle! Gulak gets the ropebreak and Riddle holds on until 4. Riddle stomps Gulak down then drags him up, but Gulak cradle counters! TWO, and Riddle CHOPS! Fisherman buster and cradle cover, TWO! Philly is on their feet as Catch Point’s battle continues. Gulak rolls to the apron as fans duel harder than ever. Riddle drags Gulak up for a sleeper at the ropes, but Gulak hotshots him away! Gulak gets up as Riddle gasps for air. Gulak grins, but Riddle is right on him for a deadlift SUPER German!! Like a certain Golden Star! Riddle climbs as fans chant “Yowie Wowie!” FLOATING BRO, into the GULOCK!! Gulak has Riddle flailing and reaching, so far from ropes! But Riddle flips over, to gut wrench Gulak, BRO DEREK! Cover, Riddle wins!!

Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall

The Catch Point reunion did not disappoint, and Riddle can say he beat the Cruiserweight Champion! But will Gulak have better luck against the Premier Athlete, Tony Nese, at Extreme Rules?

Gulak grabs a mic to speak. “Catch Point was founded on three things: competition, opportunity, and respect.” Fans cheer those pillars. Gulak tells Riddle that as Cruiserweight Champion, in an Evolve ring, “bro, you are a hell of a competitor. I respect you, and it is always an honor.” The two shake hands and even hug it out. They give their Catch Point salute, and Philly joins in. Gulak even tells Curt Stallion something real quick. “I’ve got news for you. Matthew Riddle handpicked you to be his opponent tomorrow,” so hopefully the Lone Star is up to the task. Stallion and Riddle will have their showdown, will it become a #Brodown?

 

Evolve welcomes Bryan Idol.

Apparently, “Evolve wouldn’t be where it is without Bryan Idol,” but only Idol seems to think that. Fans boo this special guest ring announcer even as he struggles to make the introduction for the next match. Fans even tell Idol to STFU. Idol has a dry throat it seems. He refocuses, but then the lights go out? When they come back up, Idol isn’t in the ring, it’s PAUL HEYMAN!! Philly loves Heyman and “E C DUB! E C DUB!” Heyman bows to his Philly faithful and then sees the mic Idol left behind. Fans tell Heyman “Welcome Back!” and Heyman introduces himself. He is honored and privileged to be back, especially after fans chant, “Thank You, Heyman!” Heyman thanks them in return, because he is honored to be home.

Heyman lets us in on a personal secret that Heyman has always been offered all sorts of guest spots on all sorts of shows, but he doesn’t really do that kind of stuff. To be honest, he wasn’t actually invited here. But don’t boo, it was because Evolve just knew Heyman doesn’t do this. But this time, Heyman asked Evolve if he could be here tonight. Heyman has to tell the “shmuck” in the corner to shut up, because he’s the “extreme due with the microphone.”

But to the reason why Heyman is here, it’s because the Evolve fans and roster are the future! Heyman won’t be one of those old guys watching the glory days. He wants to know more about the future of this industry than when he walked in here. But given that Heyman is fat and sweating his ass off, he wants to hurry up and announce this next match. Because a few years from now, when fans watch this back, they’re gonna be thinking, “That was the moment we all knew this industry is going to evolve.”

 

Evolve and WWN Championship Unification: Austin Theory VS JD Drake!

The Blue Collar Badass from Shelby, North Carolina is seen as the underdog against the #FutureLegend. At least, the Future Legend thinks so. Theory is ready to prove he is worthy of his title, JD’s title, and of every spotlight and big stage from here to Wrestlemania. JD says he’s the better man, but Theory wants to prove he’s put in just as much work. Both men have fought and sacrificed, from losing loved ones to battling inner demons. JD is the every man, but Theory wants to be the man. Whose journey has made them the stronger man as they battle for both belts?

Heyman marvels at the fact Evolve has pyro. But Heyman does his duties as the ring announcer, framing this as a title for title, winner takes all match. Foreshadowing for Extreme Rules perhaps? He also introduces the “reigning, defending, undisputed Evolve Champion, AUSTIN! THEORY!” and “a man who only needs one damn nickname, the Blue Collar Badass” and “reigning, defending, undisputed WWN Champion, J! D! DRAKE!” Fans chant “Thank You, Paulie!” as Heyman makes his exit. With that, the belts are raised, and the bell rings as history begins!

Drake and Theory stare down as fans duel. The two approach and then Drake shoves Theory. Theory SLAPS Drake, so Drake swings punches. Theory ducks, kicks low and underhooks Drake! He wants his finisher, Ataxia, already, but Drake powers out to underhook Theory! Theory denies Drillbit, then starts counter punching. Theory whips but Drake blocks with power. Drake whips but Theory goes up and over then ducks to dropkick! Drake stays standing but Theory dodges, only to get Drake’s dropkick! Theory bails out and shakes out the cobwebs, but Drake builds speed. Drake runs into Theory’s forearm! Theory drags Drake out to throw hands, but then he misses and forearms the post!

Drake CHOPS Theory back and Theory goes reeling. Drake drags Theory up for another CHOP and Theory flops to the floor. Fans want “One More Time!”, so Drake drags Theory up to shove him against the apron, and CHOP again! Theory falls to the floor and crawls away to the ramp. Drake stalks him and throws more hands. Drake wants to bomb, but Theory back drops Drake onto the ramp! Fans fire up as Theory stomps Drake. Theory mocks Drake’s journey of 15 years compared to his sensational 3. Theory drags Drake in and covers, TWO! “C’mon, that was five!” The ref says it was not, and Drake hits Theory back. Theory clubs Drake to a corner then CHOPS. But it only makes Drake made! Theory wants Drake to take it easy, but chops again! Drake doesn’t flinch as he CHOPS Theory again!

Theory gets up to club Drake down and stomps him to ropes. Theory kicks Drake against the ropes, then snap suplexes him down. Cover, TWO! Theory keeps on Drake with a half straitjacket. Fans rally up as Drake endures. Drake throws hands and gets free, but Theory blocks a kick for a saido suplex! Theory hops over to hit the standing moonsault! Cover, TWO! Theory keeps his cool and catches his breath. He stalks Drake to a corner and throws forearms in. Theory drags Drake into the ropes and mocks him, “Tell them a sad story!” Drake CHOPS Theory back, but Theory runs in for a stiff forearm to the back. Theory throws more big forearms, but Drake just feeds off it.

Fans rally up and Drake stands. Drake dares Theory to really hit him. “You can’t hit me harder than life has!” Theory tries with another chop, but Drake CHOPS Theory off his feet! Theory gets up again and clotheslines, but Drake stays up. He keeps trying but he just gets Drake down to a knee. Drake blocks the next clothesline to give one back! Fans fire up as both men slowly stir. They stand on opposite ends of the ring, and Drake runs in, only to get an elbow. Theory runs in but into a BIG scoop slam! Both men are down again while Drake rolls to the far corner. Fans continue to duel as the standing count begins. Drake heads for Theory as they both stand at 6. Theory drop toeholds Drake into buckles, then slingshot shotgun dropkicks!

Drake is in a corner, Theory runs corner to corner, crossbody splash and then a float to a sweep. Slingshot stomps miss and Drake drags Theory out, to toss him up. Theory bounces off the ropes and Drake ROCKS him with that right! Drake rests against the post to catch his breath. He gets Theory back in but Theory rolls out the other end. So Drake DIVES! Direct hit right to the railing! Drake puts Theory back in and runs at the corner, to CHOP! Then he scoops and slams Theory into a drop zone. Drake hops up, Vader Bomb! Cover, TWO!! Theory survives but Drake keeps his focus. Drake sees an opening so he climbs up again. But Theory is up and clubs Drake’s back. Theory climbs up behind but Drake elbows him away. Drake turns around, leaping leg lariat!

Theory is down in the corner, but he gets clear of the cannonball! Then Theory somersaults, for the blockbuster! Cover, TWO!! Both Drake and Theory are down but fans know “This is Awesome!” The referee checks on Theory but he’s okay to continue with a bloody nose. Theory storms over to Drake and drags him up. Theory underhooks, but Drake resists to tackle Theory to a corner. Drake stands Theory up to CHOP him again! Drake hoists Theory up top to CHOP yet again! Theory gasps for air, and Drake chops even more. Drake climbs up but Theory fights back. Theory slips down, but Drake holds on to punch Theory down. Theory leaps to club Drake on the back! Then he gets Drake in a torture rack!

With wobbly legs, Theory powers Drake through Three Seconds Around the World! Cover, TWO!! Drake survives Theory’s tower hacker bomb and Theory can’t believe! Fans chant “Mamma Mia!” as Theory talks to himself. Theory shouts at Drake, “Your kids are going to watch me!” He drags Drake back up, underhooks, but Drake back drops out! Drake staggers to a corner, but so does Theory. Drake runs in but into a boot! Theory somersaults, into a STUNNER!! Theory flops around, Drake runs in for the CANNONBALL! Then underhook, lift, DRILLBIT! The butterfly neckbreaker hits! Cover, TWO!!! But Drake doesn’t even question it, he just climbs! MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!?! Theory still lives and Drake is just exhausted! Philly still loves this match because “This is Awesome!”

Drake and Theory stir, then sit up. They lean on each other, then Drake CHOPS Theory down. Theory sits back up to forearm Drake back. Drake CHOPS again, but Theory comes back with forearms. They stand and pick up steam, Drake CHOPS again. Theory still keeps throwing forearms, Drake ducks one but gets an elbow, to SUPERKICK! Underhook, inside fisherman, and Theory flips Drake, only for Drake to land on his feet?! Drake LARIATS Theory down! Drake hurries to a corner and climbs up again, MOONSAULT FLOPS! SUPERKICK, and another! And another! ATAXIA!! Cover, Theory wins!!

Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall; still Evolve and NEW WWN Champion

History has been made, and the unified titles belong to the #REALSuperstar! Is this just the beginning of the legend that is the Future Legend, Austin Theory?

Theory takes a moment to soak in the moment before he gets a mic. “Everyone knows that Evolve Wrestling is where it’s at. And everybody’s gonna try their hardest to get here.” Theory tosses down the WWN belt and steps on it as he continues. “They’ll chase their dreams, and realize that the Evolve Championship symbolizes that your dream must go through me if you want to get to where you want to go!” Because Theory is the measuring stick of Evolve! Theory is the standard of Evolve! Theory is the REAL SUPERSTAR of Evolve!

But wait, the lights go down and… Josh Briggs appears! Theory turns around, into the choke slam! Briggs sees the Evolve title and picks it up. He has staked his claim and has sent his message. When and where will Briggs get his shot at his dream?

 

Evolve takes a closer look at Josh Briggs.

“I get to show the world why I’m the best in Evolve.” This towering titan got into pro-wrestling because “it’s one of the only legal ways to get into a fight with someone.” The Disliker of People is coming for the title, who here can stop him?

 

NXT Championship: Adam Cole VS Akira Tozawa!

This main event practically epitomizes the potential Evolve brings out of its wrestlers! The Stamina Monster of Dragongate USA and former Cruiserweight Champion returns to an ovation of “AH! AH!” But the Panama City Playboy returns to #ShocktheSystem, BAYBAY! Will Cole’s Championship Celebration Tour stay spotless? Or will Tozawa bring that title with him to 205 Live?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this incredible crossover main event begins!

Cole and Tozawa stare down as fans duel. They circle as the dueling gets louder. Cole and Tozawa tie up and go around the ring. Cole gets Tozawa in a corner, but backs off, “BAYBAY!” Fans cheer as Cole takes a bow. Tozawa just smiles and circles with Cole again. Cole waistlocks but Tozawa counters with a wristlock and shoulder breaker. Cole rolls around to wrench Tozawa back. Tozawa rolls and trips Cole to a headlock. Cole fights against the hold but Tozawa holds on. Fans echo “AH! AH!” for Tozawa as he cranks Cole more. Cole headscissors but Tozawa powers out to the headlock again. Cole works his way out of the headlock to get his own. Tozawa powers out but Cole runs him over. Cole brushes his shoulder off but things speed up.

Tozawa slips out of the back suplex and shoves Cole to dodge and tilt-o-whirl into the Iron Octopus! Cole hurries to the ropes and Tozawa lets him go. Tozawa kicks Cole around the ropes and throws hands. He whips Cole corner to corner but Cole tosses him to the apron. Tozawa kicks Cole away then climbs up top. Cole trips Tozawa and Tozawa hits buckles on the way down! Cole bicycle boots Tozawa down! Fans cheer as Cole drags Tozawa back up, and drops him with a neckbreaker. Cole looms over Tozawa as fans duel again. Cole brings Tozawa up and throws a big forearm. He stomps Tozawa in the corner then drags Tozawa up to wrench and whip hard! Tozawa bounces off buckles while Cole flexes.

Cole drags Tozawa up for a snapmare, then drives his knee in. He slaps Tozawa in the head, then wraps on a chinlock. Tozawa endures and fans rally up. Tozawa works his way around and reaches, but Cole wrangles him from the ropes. Fans rally and duel more as Tozawa flops around. Tozawa gets up and fights free, only to run into Cole’s back elbow. Cole catches his breath and looms over Tozawa. “I’m the man now. You hear me? I’m the man. I’m going to be the NXT Champion forever. And you, Tozawa? You suck!” Tozawa SLAPS Cole! Cole throws a forearm but Tozawa gives it back. They brawl now, and Tozawa gets the edge. Cole knees low then runs, but into Tozawa’s fireman’s carry! Cole fights with elbows, but Tozawa still tosses him!

Tozawa runs to shotgun dropkick Cole out! Then Tozawa runs to DIVE! Direct hit with the Tozawa Torpedo! But he’s not done there, Tozawa goes again. But Cole gets clear, so Tozawa becomes a CANNONBALL! Fans rally with “AH! AH!” as Tozawa has to pull his leg from the railing’s gap. Tozawa is free and puts Cole back in. Tozawa climbs high and hits a missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Tozawa keeps his focus as fans “AH! AH!” again. Tozawa drags Cole up into a waistlock. Cole standing switches but so does Tozawa. They go back and forth, Cole breaks free to enziguri! And backstabber! Cover, TWO! Tozawa is tougher than that, and Cole keeps his cool.

Cole drags Tozawa back up, fireman’s carry of his own, but Tozawa fights out. Tozawa runs, but into the BOOT! Fireman’s carry, Ushigoroshi! Cover, TWO! Cole gets to a corner as fans duel again. Tozawa sits up and Cole throws forearms on him. Tozawa just feeds off them! He gives them back and it’s a brawl as fans still duel. Tozawa gets an edge and he beats Cole down to a knee! HE runs, but into another BOOT! Only to fire up more! Another BOOT, and Cole runs, into Tozawa’s boot! Enziguri, then run, but he falls for the feint! JAB rocks Cole, but he still SUPERKICKS Tozawa! Tozawa’s mouth piece flew out!! Fans chant “Yowie Wowie!” for that exchange.

Tozawa and Cole crawl to the same corner, and Tozawa climbs up top again. Cole stops him with a forearm to climb up and join him. Tozawa resists the superplex, but Cole throws body shots. Tozawa throws his own with every “AH! AH!” Cole resists Tozawa’s counter and throws more forearms. Tozawa knocks Cole down with one! Then leaps, into a SUPERKICK! Last Shot brain buster! Cover, TWO!! Tozawa survives and Cole is in disbelief. Cole rolls out of the ring and wants to quit? He takes the title and brings it into the ring! The referee reprimands Cole, but wait! It’s Johnny Gargano!! Gargano distracts Cole, Tozawa rolls Cole! TWO, Snap German!

Tozawa is all fired up and Gargano is fired up with him. But Cole fights out of the waistlock to run. But Tozawa kicks, swings, slips under, rolling roundhouse! Tozawa puts Cole in a drop zone and climbs up again, for the SUPER SENTON! But Cole gets knees up! Cole hops up, DESTROYER! Knee pad down, Last Shot shining wizard! Cover, Cole wins!

Winner: Adam Cole, by pinfall; still NXT Champion

Cole stays your champion, BAYBAY! But Gargano now enters the ring as fans duel between him and the champ. They stare down, and Gargano dares Cole to put the belt on the line between them. Cole refuses, he does things his way and on his time. But the decision is ultimately up to NXT General Manager, William Regal. Will Regal determine if Johnny Wrestling gets another shot at Adam Cole BAYBAY?

While Cole leaves, Gargano checks on Tozawa. Fans chant for them both and Gargano wants a mic now. Gargano appreciates the chants for him, but he wants them to cheer Tozawa again. Fans do with “AH! AH!” Gargano says, “Every single time I step back in this building, I’m reminded how much I truly love what we do.” Gargano was at Evolve 1 in 2009! And 10 years later, Evolve 131 on the WWE Network tells Gargano two things. One: he’s getting old. Two: pro-wrestling in 2019 is “pretty freakin’ cool!” It’s cool because of the fans, so Gargano gives his thanks.

But thinking back, Evolve would close with a particular question. It’s been awhile since Gargano’s done something like this. But does Tozawa remember the question? Maybe. “Did you enjoy the show?” Philly says “YES! YES! WoooooOOO~!” Well give a round of applause for that guy at the end there. And can he do that again? “WoooooOOO~!” Philly loses their minds for that one. But Gargano wants to be serious. There would be no Akira Tozawa, no offense, or Adam Cole, or Johnny Wrestling, if it wasn’t for the Evolve fans. “We all started here, and you let guys let us live our dreams, and we can’t thank you enough for that.”

But there’s one more thing the fans need to do. Tonight wasn’t about WWE, NXT and the crossover, but about the true Evolve Wrestling roster. They are the future of this industry! JD Drake, Austin Theory, Shotzi Blackheart, and the rest! Support them as much as you supported the previous stars. Gargano thanks them on behalf of everyone else. The fans love him and he loves them! But they’re running out of time so let’s wrap this up. Gargano loves the fans, he loves Evolve, thanks so much! With that, Gargano and Tozawa hug and Gargano lifts Tozawa’s hand. Tozawa bows in thanks to the fans while Gargano gives out high-fives to the fans. Evolve has made it 10 years, here’s to another 10!

 


 

My Thoughts:

I’m sure covering this event comes as a surprise. This was my first Evolve event ever, and to be honest, I decided to watch this one because of the crossover with WWE/NXT, and because it was going to be on the Network. But I’m sure like me, many WWE fans heard about this, got curious because of said crossover, and took the time to watch this almost-3-hour event during this already busy wrestling weekend. And if not, they might find time later in the week to do it, when there isn’t something they watch. Whenever someone watches this, I’m confident they will be as blown away as I was by pretty much everything they saw tonight!

Jumping right in without any real knowledge didn’t hurt this event at all, because everyone was on their game, and like all wrestling promotions, it did as much as it could to give context while you’re watching and listening. It was clear from the opening the animosity between Harlem Bravado and Stephen Wolf, and the animosity for everyone from Josh Briggs. It was also great to see a lot of familiar faces like Babatunde, Sean Maluta, Arturo Ruas (Jaoude) and even Colby Corino. Maluta getting to be part of a group like The Unwanted is going to be good for him to really spark something in him, since he’s just been jobber Cruiserweight for 205 Live and NXT. It was also good to see other faces from other non-WWE related things like AR Fox (Dante Fox when he was on Lucha Underground).

Briggs VS Greene was a solid opener with the usual but still well done manager tropes. Briggs wins because obviously we see later, he’s on the rise. That Fatal 4 Way with Wolf, Bravado, Stallion and Maluta was incredible, and it feels pretty big for Wolf to win that. And clearly they’re planning ahead to give Wolf and Bravado a bigger feud. Henry VS Ruas, holy hell, can NXT get these guys going more once we’re past Summerslam? Ruas/Jaoude is clearly better than he’s been on NXT, just because NXT’s been stacked. If Velveteen Dream keeps the North American Championship, give the Brazilian Tiger a chance. Or even if it’s Roderick Strong, let Anthony Henry come up with an NXT name and give him a go. Babatunde has a great story building with The Unwanted, he and Colby made that squash match a lot better than normal.

The Unwanted VS The Skulk (I guess is the team name) was a great tag match. It really fits in an apparently tag heavy weekend when you factor in WWE Extreme Rules and AEW Fight for the Fallen. Perhaps tag team wrestling is finally getting some respect. But it was also a great move for this anniversary special to give us new tag champions, this will be big for Fox and Ruff. And depending on how things go, I wonder if Babatunde works with them against The Unwanted for a match or two. The women’s No DQ match was insane, but totally fitting of this Extreme Rules weekend, too. I didn’t know much about Shotzi before this, but she earned major respect doing that tope suicida into the tower of chairs. And while she loses, it works for both her and Brandi to get the right kinds of heat with the story of the match.

Then the last three matches were all so great, with or without the history. Catch Point Reunion, Gulak VS Riddle, wow! This is why Gulak is Cruiserweight Champion and why Matt Riddle needs to be a champion at or after Toronto. It was great to have Heyman back, he’s amazing, and the title unification match was killer. With Briggs on the rise, it works for the Heel to win so now the Face is in the chase. Then the NXT Championship involving alumni was good stuff, but obviously Cole was going to retain with Tozawa being more involved with 205 Live, and with NXT advertising the defense for Wednesday. Gargano showing up was a nice surprise, even though he wasn’t going to cost Cole. Gargano seems to want another shot, maybe he’s the one on Wednesday? And Gargano’s closing speech was great, that seals the deal on both new and longtime Evolve fans sticking with this promotion.

My Score: 8.6/10

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AEW Coverage

Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (11/20/24)

Dynamite is Freshly Squeezed!

Published

on

Is Orange Cassidy coldblooded? Or just in control?

Before their AEW World Championship match at Full Gear, Jon Moxley puts Wheeler Yuta in Orange Cassidy’s way! Will Cassidy destroy The Decoder before going for The Maniac?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • 8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family; The Don Callis Family wins.
  • Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida; Kris wins.
  • 2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger; Lashley wins.
  • Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
  • Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta w/ The Death Riders; Cassidy wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family!

This All-Star 8 Man is going to make for a massive match! The Aerial Assassin, Dunk Zilla, The One & Only and the man the family foolishly forgot are now teamed together against Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Brian Cage & Lance Archer! Will Ospreay lead this team to victory ahead of the grudge matches at Full Gear? Or will Callis’ Alpha, Aussie Arrow, Machine & Murderhawk Monster make sure #EverybodyDies?

Well forget sorting out, Ospreay leads his team in attacking the Callis Family right on the ramp! The fans fire up as Hobbs is after Archer, Davis is after Cage, and of course Ricochet is after Konosuke while Ospreay is after Kyle! Hobbs smacks Archer off railing, Kyle CLUBS Ospreay on the back, but Ospreay kicks low. Ospreay sends Kyle into railing, rips the tearaway pants right off him, and then LASHES him with them! Davis sends Cage into railing while Ospreay uses those pants to SLING Kyle into more railing! Davis CLUBS away on Cage, Ospreay blows snot on Kyle’s pants, and Davis sends Cage into more railing.

Kyle turns things around to send Ospreay into railing! Konosuke helps Cage against Davis but Hobbs still throws hands on Archer. Kyle CLUBS Ospreay, CLUBS Ricochet, but Konosuke puts Davis in the ring. The bell rings and this is finally a match. Konosuke headlocks Davis but Davis fires body shots. Davis powers up and out, but Konosuke RAMS him! The fans fire up as Davis stays up. Davis runs to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke stays up and the fans rally. Konosuke runs to RAM Davis, but Davis runs. Konosuke bypasses, leaps, but Davis catches him for a TOSS! And a SENTON! The fans fire up with Davis, and Ricochet reaches out.

Davis tags Ricochet in , then holds the way open, for Ricochet to FOSBURY FLOP onto Konosuke! But Cage CLOBBERS Davis! Cage then RAMS Ricochet into the apron, POSTS him, but Ospreay PENALTY KICKS Cage! The fans fire up as Ospreay goes up, but Kyle UPPERCUTS him! The fans boo as Kyle goes up, CLUBS away on Ospreay, and Ospreay falls to the floor. But now Hobbs is up! Kyle says wait! Then he fires hands! Hobbs just CHOPS Kyle! Hobbs climbs up to get Kyle, but Archer CLUBS Hobbs! Archer drags Hobbs down, throws hands, then puts Hobbs in between steps and post! Hobbs fights back, but Cage sends Ospreay into the steps!

The fans boo as Hobbs’ leg is crushed between steps and post! Archer puts Ricochet in the ring while a medic checks Hobbs. Archer brings Ricochet up but Ricochet slips free to fire off fast strikes! Hobbs is being helped to the back and Ospreay is concerned that this is now 4v3. Ricochet still fires strikes on Archer, but Archer grabs Ricochet by the neck! CHOKE- NO, Ricochet RANAS Archer first! Archer tumbles, stands up, and Ricochet springboards, but Archer CLOBBERS Him out of the sky! Archer BLASTS Davis, then catches Ospreay out of the air! Archer TOSSES Ospreay away and fans boo. But Ricochet springboards back in!

Archer catches Ricochet, and he CHOKE SLAMS Ricochet out onto Ospreay and Davis! The fans boo as the Don Callis Family is in control, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Cage & Kyle flex to soak up the heat, then Archer goes out after Ospreay and the rest. Konosuke fetches Ricochet into the ring, waistlocks, and then brings him away from the corner. Archer beats up on Ospreay while Konosuke fires knees into Ricochet. Ricochet tumbles to ropes but Konosuke is on him. Davis fires hands on Archer, then sends him into railing! Davis fires more hands, but Konosuke CHOKES Ricochet at the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke steps off and tags Kyle. Kyle stays between Ricochet and his corner. Kyle taunts Ricochet, stomps him around, then whips him to ropes. Kyle ELBOWS Ricochet down, then stalks him to a corner.

Kyle stomps away on Ricochet while Archer intimidates commentary. Kyle shouts at the camera while the ref counts, and Kyle steps off of Ricochet’s neck. Kyle bumps Ricochet off buckles, tags Cage, and Cage stands Ricochet up. Cage CHOPS Ricochet, then whips him to ropes for an ELBOW! Cage flexes while he taunts Ospreay & Davis. Cage drags Ricochet up but Ricochet RAMS him! And RAMS him! And fires forearms! Cage ROCKS Ricochet, then runs, but into a tiger wall kick and ENZIGIRI! Konosuke tags in and storms after Ricochet. Konosuke stomps Ricochet, then rains down fists! The ref reprimands while Dynamite returns to single picture.

Konosuke argues with the ref while Ospreay rallies the fans. Konosuke stays between Ricochet and his team, but Ricochet SLAPS Konosuke! Konosuke ROCKS Ricochet for it! Ricochet fires forearms and an UPPERCUT! Konosuke keeps Ricochet from his corner, reels Ricochet in, but Ricochet victory rolls! TWO, and Ricochet ducks a chop to handspring BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ricochet and Konosuke crawl, hot tags to Kyle and Ospreay! The fans fire up as these two fire fists and forearms! Kyle kicks and whips but Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Kyle!

Ospreay whips, Kyle reverses, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Kyle staggers, Konosuke tags back in! Ospreay dodges Konosuke to BLAST Cage & Archer! Ospreay fires fists on Konosuke, but Konosuke CLAWS Ospreay’s face! Konosuke runs, but Davis intercepts with a fireman’s carry! AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Or maybe in this case, just a United Empire Dental Plan! But in any case, Davis scoops Konosuke, for the LAWN DART CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but the fans fire up. Ospreay & Davis bring Konosuke up, double pump handle, but the #MurderMachines make the save!

Archer puts Davis in a corner, Cage ducks Ospreay’s haymaker to waistlock. Archer runs up, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Davis fires hands on Archer but Cage waistlocks, ripcords, and ROCKS Davis! Then fireman’s carry into the ASSISTED NECKBREAKER! The fans boo but the Murder Machines DOUBLE RIPCORD Ospreay up for Konosuke’s BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and shocks everyone! Archer argues with the ref but the count was fair. Konosuke tags Kyle while fans rally up behind Ospreay. Kyle smirks as he stalks Ospreay. Kyle BOOTS Ricochet off the apron for good measure!

Kyle tells Ospreay that this is how he wants it, right? All about Ospreay! Kyle stomps away on Ospreay in the corner, then digs his boots in! The ref counts but wait! Here comes Hobbs! Hobbs hobbles but Kyle hurries to send Ospreay to the Callis corner. Tag to Konosuke and then Kyle slides out. Kyle runs up on Hobbs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Hobbs makes his way to the corner. Ospreay fights free of the corner but Konosuke holds him back! Ospreay fires forearms, reaches out, repeat! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Konosuke reels Ospreay in! Konosuke hits a back suplex, but Ospreay lands out!

Ospreay dodges Konosuke, hot tag to Hobbs! The Powerhouse powers up to rally on Konosuke! The fans fire up as Hobbs TOSSES Kyle, but the Murder Machines attack! They reel Hobbs in, but Hobbs fights the double suplex! The fans fire up but the Murder Machines double whip. Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as Hobbs has targets in all corners! SPLASH for Konosuke! SPLASH for Cage! SPLASH for Kyle! SPLASH for Archer! The fans are thunderous and Hobbs brings the straps down. Archer kicks low, then runs, but Hobbs dodges, to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again, and Hobbs tags Davis!

Davis runs up to BOOT Konosuke, BOOT him again, but Konosuke just fires up! Ospreay CANNONBALLS onto Kyle while Konosuke fires hands! Konosuke spins, but Davis DECKS him! Davis roars, stands Konosuke up, but Konosuke backdrops back! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee to ENZIGIRI! Davis gut wrenches Konosuke, for a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, KYLE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but now Aussie Open is face to face! Kyle pie faces Davis, talks trash, but Davis glares at him. Kyle SLAPS Davis, so Davis TACKLES Kyle! Davis throws hands, Kyle gets up, and Davis runs up! Kyle dodges and Konosuke DECKS Davis!

Ricochet springboards, FLYING LARIAT on Konosuke! But Cage POP-UP POWERBOMBS Ricochet! Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Cage! Archer CHOKE SLAMS Hobbs! Ospreay hits the PIP PIP CHEERIO FOREARM on Archer! Ospreay dares Kyle to man up and fight him! Kyle snarls, gets in, and they fire forearms again! Kyle swings, Ospreay catches him, but Kyle breaks the full nelson with an elbow! Ospreay HOOK KICKS Kyle! Ospreay runs, Kyle dodges, but then Ospreay slips through the lariat! Kyle slips through the bomb, hoists Ospreay up, but Ospreay slips free! Kyle ducks the hook kick to SUPERKICK! Kyle runs, into the SPANISH FLY!!

The fans are thunderous as Ospreay takes aim from a corner! Kyle rises, so does Davis, and Ospreay runs up, Kyle uses Davis as a shield from the HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay freaks out, Kyle SUPERKICKS Ospreay out of the ring! Then Kyle DIVES onto Ospreay! Konosuke brings down his kneepad, aims at Davis, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!!

Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall

The Alpha stands tall over Davis as friendly fire takes out Ospreay’s team. But what happens when things divide into 1v1 matches? Will Konosuke still be International Champion after he and Ricochet go #OuttaThisWorld? Will Kyle prove that he IS The Protostar after tearing down Will Ospreay?

 

Jon Moxley & The Death Riders speak.

“Despite recent discoveries that Orange Cassidy is a snake, coldblooded, uncaring, unmoving, a serpent lurking in the darkest corners of the battlefield, my objective remains the same, my job on Saturday night remains the same. You may be this borderline sociopath, you may be a great guy just like everybody thinks. I don’t care if you’re a great guy. I don’t care what kind of person you are. When the bell rings on Saturday night, and the AEW World Championship hangs in the balance, you are a threat to my people. And I will destroy you.

“There’s so much more going on behind Orange Cassidy’s eyes than any of us could’ve imagined. You may make it to Full Gear with your mind in tact, but your body… For that matter, Darby Allin’s body… Still up for grabs.” Claudio jumps in, speaking in German about what he’ll do to Darby. Then in English, he says, “Tonight, I’m gonna end you.” Moxley pats Claudio on the shoulder. Will The Maniac’s top henchmen do his dirty work for him when they dismantle Cassidy & Darby? Or will it just be fuel on the fire for Freshly Squeezed & The Relentless One? Speaking of…

Darby Allin speaks.

“Claudio, I’m gonna keep this really short. Let’s not forget you’re the one who put the chair around Bryan’s neck and pulled the trigger on his career. Every single one of you Death Riders will have your day. And Claudio, today’s your day.” Will Moxley’s men be dealt with in brutal fashion before he suffers the same?

 

The Hurt Syndicate arrive.

Renee Paquette waits in the parking lot as an SUV pulls up, and she welcomes Montel Vontavious Porter, Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley to the show. She heard MVP has a surprise in store, what’s he got planned? MVP says yes, there is a special treat for the AEW audience, and that is this announcement: The All Mighty Bobby Lashley will be in action here tonight on Dynamite in Reading, Pennsylvania, prior to his PPV debut on Saturday! Renee asks if MVP is at all concerned to put Lashley in a match- OH NO, Swerve attacks!! Swerve knocks Lashley over, then laughs as he gets away!

Shelton helps Lashley up but that ambush might’ve been with Swerve’s own silver chain. Will Lashley elect not to compete tonight after all? Or is he about to make an example out of whatever poor soul is put in front of him?

 

Adam Cole is here!

Reading fires up as the Panama City Playboy makes his way to the ring. They join in with the “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” Cole grabs a mic to ask, “Who’s ready for Storytime with Adam Cole, Baybay?” Reading sure is ready! Cole wishes so so badly that he could get his hands on MJF this Saturday, but he’s not. MJF did everything in his power to make sure he and Cole didn’t fight on Saturday, and he succeeded. But do you know who else succeeded last week? Roderick Strong did! The fans cheer as Cole says he and Roddy have the exact same goal: Give MJF the ass whooping of a lifetime! And that is exactly what happens at Full Gear!

The fans cheer, and wait, Kyle O’Reilly makes his way out here. The longtime friend of Cole & Roddy makes his way out here, and already has a mic. Kyle isn’t sure if Cole remembers, but 14 years ago, right here in Reading, PA, Cole and Kyle had their second match ever against each other. They’ve come a long way. Being associated with Cole has given Kyle some incredible highs, and some serious lows. And through those lows, Kyle knows Cole better than anyone. Which makes Kyle the only one willing to tell Cole the truth. The truth is, this crusade against MJF has got to end before someone gets hurt.

This obsession, Cole needs to wash his hands of it. His ankle has already been reconstructed, what’s next? Cole has friends willing to take a bullet for him, Kyle included, but Cole has got to stop having his friends fight his battles. Roddy barely makes it out alive last week, and now he wants to fight MJF! He wants to END MJF, all because of Cole. Kyle just doesn’t have a good feeling about any of this. Cole asks Kyle what he’s trying to say here. Kyle doesn’t think Roddy can handle MJF? Kyle asks Cole if he really thinks MJF isn’t already three steps ahead. MJF hasn’t been here for weeks but he’s pulling all the strings.

Cole should know that dealing with MJF is like playing with fire, and Kyle doesn’t wanna see his friends get burned. Cole needs to realize why so many of his friends are willing to go to war for him, and it’s because he is a great leader, an elite pro-wrestler, and a great friend, who doesn’t wanna see his friends get hurt. At least, so Kyle thinks. But Cole has to face facts: MJF is more of an evil bastard than Cole will ever be, and that is a good thing. Kyle drops his mic and walks away. Cole drops his mic, and has a lot to think about. Does Kyle have a point? Can Cole just let Roddy handle MJF and then move on?

 

Orange Cassidy speaks.

“A little later tonight, I’m gonna make an example out of you, Wheeler Yuta. And I’m gonna show everybody exactly what I’m gonna do this Saturday to you, Jon Moxley. And that’s walk down to that ring and beat you, alone.” But The Conglomeration steps in. Mark Briscoe has Rocky Romero & Tomohiro Ishii with him as he asks Cassidy, “What sense does that make, man?” Moxley said himself, there’s five Death Riders, one Cassidy. Conglomeration has his back, they are here for him. Cassidy says no, no one else needs to get hurt. Get hurt? What’s Cassidy talking about? The Conglomeration are ready to scrap!

PLEASE!! Cassidy is asking them… They don’t have to believe him or even understand him. But just promises him they’ll stay back here. If Cassidy insists, then so be it. Cassidy says there you have it, Jon. Five of you, one of him. Do what you’re gonna do. Because at Full Gear, Moxley’s gonna need all the help he can get. Cassidy is himself wanting the best for his friends, but will that work out for the betterment of AEW? Or is he just playing into Moxley’s hands?

 

Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida!

The #BornAgainKristen bodied the bullies that are Mercedes Mone & Kamille the last time she saw them, but she still needs to tune up for Full Gear. However, taking on the THREE-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion might be more than just a workout. Win, lose or draw, will the Shining Samurai get Kris ready for The CEO?

The bell rings, Kris and Shida shake hands and the fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and Kris wrenches to a wristlock. Shida handsprings and wrenches back, then hammerlocks. Kris reaches back, hits a headlock takeover, but Shida headscissors. Kris kips free and the fans cheer while the two reset. Shida and Kris circle again while the fans fire up. The two tie up, Shida wrenches and hammerlocks, then CLUBS Kris on the back. Shida CLUBS Kris again, then waistlocks. Kris fights the lift with elbows, then switches. Kris SLAMS Shida, then flips her over. Shida kips up to arm-drag Kris! Kris ends up in a corner, and Shida runs up to KNEE her!

Shida climbs up and the fans cheer as she rains down fists! But Kris stops Shida at 5 and carries her out of the corner! Shida slips free, Kris blocks a lariat to SWEEP the leg! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shida is tough and she goes to ropes, but Kris whips her to a corner. Kris runs up but into a RANA! Kris cartwheels through! Then she CLOBBERS Shida! The fans fire up while Kris flexes. Kris drags Shida into a motorcycle stretch but Shida endures. The fans rally up and Shida fights to her feet. Shida arm-drags Kris down, and wraps her in a straitjacket stretch! Kris fights up with a bridge, but Shida hops on!

The fans rally while Kris RAMS Shida into a corner! Shida holds onto the straitjacket and pulls! The ref counts, Shida lets go at 4, and then MISSILE DROPKICKS! Kris tumbles and the fans duel as Shida fires up! Shida goes outside, drags Kris to the apron, and CLUBS her! Shida runs to KNEE LIFT! Kris flops to the floor and fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Shida brings Kris up again, and whips her into railing hard! Kris writhes, Shida drags her up, and then Shida whips Kris into more railing! Kris writhes again and Shida refreshes the ring count. Shida sits Kris in a corner to rain down fists! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands, so Shida stops. Shida brings Kris around, pushes her into the ring, and then stalks her. Shida stomps Kris around, brings her up, and snap suplexes! Kris writhes but Shida brings her up again. Shida then snap suplexes Kris into a corner! Shida drags Kris to a cover, TWO! Kris stays in this but Shida stays on her with a chinlock stretch!

Kris endures being bent back, and she reaches out with her free arm. Shida pulls back more but Kris rises up! Shida is again a backpack, but then she slips down. Kris fires body shots, slips around and lifts for a BIG back suplex! Kris huffs ‘n’ puffs as she rises up, but then Shida dodges the sliding forearm! Ghost pin! TWO, and Kris has a cradle! TWO! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris PELES! Shida staggers, but she comes back to ENZIGIRI! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks both women and they’re okay to continue, so a standing count begins. Shida and Kris stir at about 4 of 10, then rise up at 6.

Kris grabs Shida, but Shida fires a forearm! Dynamite returns to single picture as the shots go back and forth. Shida fires a flurry, then whips Kris to ropes. Kris ducks ‘n’ dodges, then dodges a knee! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Kris as she whips Shida to a corner. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT, then she goes side to side for a KNEE LIFT! Shida ends up in ropes but Kris reels her in. Fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and the fans fire up again! Kris hoists Shida up, gut wrenches, but Shida slips free! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shida eggs Kris on, then dodges her to fire forearms! Kris just shakes her head!

Shida fires more shots, but Kris fireman’s carries! But Shida slips free, straitjacket roll-up! TWO!! KNEE STRIKE! And then short arm LARIAT! Shida takes aim, but she starts to doubt the Katana! Shida runs up but Kris dodges the boot to then scoop and INVERTED SLAM! Then Kris aims, DISCUS- NO, Shida backslides her! TWO!! Shida reels Kris in, suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO?!? Kris survives and Shida is shocked! Shida brings Kris up but Kris fires body shots and forearms! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris wrenches to kick! Kris runs, but into the JUMP KNEE! Shida hurries to suplex, but Kris turns it around!

Shida slips out of Kris’ suplex to slip around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Shida roars, aims, KATA- NO, Kris gut wrenches! Tuck and STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!

Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall

Shida gave Kris a powerful match, but clearly Shida has to iron out her own crisis of confidence. Kris still shows Shida respect by helping her up. But wait, here comes Mercedes Mone & Kamille! The fans boo The CEO & Brickhouse but Mone has a mic. “Readiiiiing~! Say hello to your C E O!” The fans boo instead. Mone asks Kamille if she wants to hear a fun fact about Pennsylvania. The 76ers have had yet another terrible season! Embarrassing~! But shoutouts to Mone’s Celtics for another incredible victory. The fans boo Boston but Mone says another person with an incredible win was Kris Statlander. Mone is rarely impressed by her competition.

Does anyone else want to hear another fun fact? “NO!!” Well, Mone has held the TBS Championship longer than Kris! So at Full Gear, Mone will NOT lose, because she is The CEO, the greatest TBS Champion of all time! And she will NEVER lose this title! Fans tell The CEO to STFU, but Mone tells Kamille go get the job done! She is so pissed off! GO! NOW! Kamille walks up the steps past Mone, but with only one good arm! Mone says hurry up, but Kamille looks at both Shida and Kris. Kamille takes as swing, but Kris blocks to ROCK her! Shida QUESTION MARK KICKS Kamille! Then Kris & Shida TOSS The Brickhouse!

Shida goes out after Kamille, but then Mone goes after Kris! Mone goes for the backstabber, but Kris holds onto ropes! Mone is almost stuck up there, but Kris pops her around! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! The fans fire up as Kris stands tall over The CEO! Will Kris once again become the Face of TBS? Or will Mone find a way to win even without her insurance policy?

 

The Hurt Syndicate has a cameraman with them.

MVP says hold on, he and Shelton have found Swerve. They go after the man in the big fur jacket, but that’s not Swerve! Swerve gave his jacket to the guy, but MVP & Shelton still beat this guy up for helping Swerve. MVP says they’ll find Swerve later, Lashley has his match up next. And it’ll be a 2-on-1 Handicap?! The All Mighty really IS mad, what poor duo is about to be destroyed?

 

AEW hears from Jay White and Hangman Adam Page.

“Hangman. You and I are on that same path to that same destination, trying to grasp at that same prize. 2024 still has some time left for The Switchblade to share the spotlight with Hangman once more!” But the Blackhat Cowboy asks White if he knows “Who the hell I am?! I am the Hangman! I am THE man! They named this whole godforsaken PPV after ME!” White says when he makes Hangman TAP, it will be a public declaration! But Hangman says White can’t make him tap, even if his life depended on it! These two vicious gunslingers will write one more chapter in their storied rivalry, but who comes out riding off into the sunset?

 

2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger!

The All Mighty thought he’d have an easy night getting in a little warm-up, but The Realest quickly reminded him why he’s the most dangerous man in AEW! Lashley’s now doubling down to make a point, will there be nothing left of Keys & Cheese after tonight?

The bell rings and while the fans rally for Cheeseburger, he and Keys each argue the other should start. Lashley runs up and TOSSES Burger across the ring! Keys runs away, Lashley runs to RAM into Burger! Lashley brings Burger up, Keys runs in, but Lashley catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Lashley drags Keys up and TOSSES him out! Lashley then turns to look at Burger in the corner. The fans rally for Burger, but Lashley CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but MVP & Shelton high-five Lashley. Lashley drags Burger up to gut wrench, Canadian Rack, and DOMINATOR! Keys runs in to break the cover!

The fans cheer Keys as he fires hands, but Lashley just gets angrier! Keys short arm LARIATS, but Lashley stays up! Keys runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Lashley storms around, then aims at Keys. Keys staggers into the SPEAR! Lashley isn’t done there, and he clamps on the HURT LOCK! Keys can’t open that lock, he is OUT! Lashley wins!

Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission

MVP & Shelton join Lashley in the ring to celebrate, but then “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” The fans fire up, and here comes Prince Nana with a chair! Nana eggs the Hurt Syndicate on so Shelton storms out after Nana. MVP watches the rest of ringside for Swerve, but Swerve slides out from under the ring! The fans fire up as Swerve slips in to CHAIN PUNCH Lashley!! MVP gets on the apron but Swerve DECKS MVP with a chain punch! And then Shelton eats a chain punch! The fans are thunderous as Swerve aims, and hits a HOUSE CALL on Lashley! Swerve hurries to the top rope, and he gives Lashley a KILL STOMP!!

The fans are thunderous as Swerve stands over Lashley! MVP & Shelton get up and get in, but Swerve escapes, chain draped on his neck! Will AEW then, now and forever be whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”

 

Backstage interview with Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa.

Renee is now with the AEW Women’s World Champion and her best friend, the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Champion. They are planning their Championship Champagne Celebration for Full Gear, BUT Friday Night Rampage will feature the two of them teaming up for the first time in just over a year. Mariah says no champion deserves a celebration more than her. Her rise to the top was meteoric, and her reign will be historic. She takes ish and makes it shine, any time and any show, against anyone. In Mariah’s division, you hold this title, or you die.

Mina says yes, Mariah has been working so hard. She came back to tell her she is so very proud. And Mina will give Mariah a celebration she’ll never forget! Mariah says the “H Cup Angel” (Mina) and the “Woman from Hell” (Mariah herself) are going to make Rampage into Glampage. Everyone wants Mina, but Mina wants Mariah. And then… They’ll dance! These two shimmy and shake their way out, will they finally be toasting their victories at Full Gear?

 

Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli w/ The Death Riders!

The Relentless One told The Swiss Superman that revenge was coming, and here is Darby’s chance! Will Darby avenge Bryan Danielson? Or will he just be the next to fall?

The bell rings and Darby stares Claudio down. Darby takes some deep breaths then circles with Claudio. Darby slips around to waistlock but Claudio flings him off, only for Darby to roll to his feet. They circle again, and the fans rally behind Darby. Darby and Claudio feel things out, tie up, and Darby headlocks. Claudio lifts Darby but Darby thrashes the hold. Claudio throws Darby off, runs up, but Darby uses that to get around and springboard arm-drag! The fans fire up while Claudio bails out, and Darby taunts Claudio with some drop steps. Claudio snarls, but then Darby fakes him out with a slingshot!

Claudio is annoyed and takes a swing but Darby slingshots up and over! Darby taunts Claudio again while the fans rally up. Claudio cools off before he storms up the steel steps. Claudio pops Darby up but Darby keeps from hitting buckles! Darby ELBOWS Claudio away, goes up, then leaps, but Claudio catches him! Claudio SLAMS Darby down, flips him back to his feet, but Darby slips around to waistlock. O’Conner Roll, TWO! Darby springboards to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Claudio bails out but the fans fire up. Darby goes up a corner, and he SUPER COFFIN SPLASHES into a waistlock! Claudio swings and THROWS Darby away!

Darby staggers to his feet but Claudio runs up, to POUNCE Darby into railing! Darby writhes against the railing, but Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT Darby up and over! Fans freak out as Darby hits the floor! Claudio leaves Darby behind while the ring count climbs, but Darby drags himself up at 7. Claudio goes back out after Darby to suplex! Claudio holds Darby up while he marches up the steps! The fans fire up for this feat of strength and balance, and then Claudio TOSSES Darby back into the ring! Darby writhes again while Claudio steps back in. Claudio stalks Darby, talks some trash, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Claudio looms over Darby, then deadlift gut wrenches for a GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! Darby writhes while Claudio stands over him again. Claudio watches Darby crawl towards a corner and stalks him. Claudio drags Darby up, brings him around, and ROCKS Darby with a forearm! Darby pushes Claudio, then CHOPS! Claudio DECKS Darby! Darby tumbles out of the ring! The ref wants Claudio to stay back while Darby drags himself up. Darby is back in before the count starts, but then Claudio DOUBLE STOMPS him! Claudio kicks Darby around, then clamps on with a neck wrench!

Darby endures, fights up, but Claudio powers him down. Darby BITES Claudio’s hand! The ref reprimands but Darby fires off forearms on Claudio. Claudio HIP TOSSES Darby up and out of the ring! Darby hits the floor and flounders around while the ref reprimands Claudio. Claudio again waits on Darby, and then he DOUBLE STOMPS Darby the moment he’s in! The ref counts as Claudio stands on Darby at the ropes. Claudio steps off at 4, brings him around, and clamps on an armlock and chinbar. Darby endures, fights around, and manages to fireman’s carry Claudio! But Claudio rains down elbows! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL even!

Claudio clamps on with a double wristlock and he grinds Darby down. Darby still endures and the fans rally up again. Darby fights around and Dynamite returns to single picture. Darby fires body shots but Claudio knees low! Claudio then HIP TOSSES Darby into a corner! Darby tumbles out of the ring but Claudio pursues! Claudio SWINGS Darby into railing! Then Claudio fireman’s carries, to TOSS Darby back in the ring! Claudio storms in while Darby flounders away. Darby flops back out of the ring but Claudio pursues him again. Darby trips Claudio up and traps him in the apron skirt! Darby then fires forearms, and BITES Claudio’s ear!

The fans fire up but Claudio shoves Darby away. Darby slides into the ring then DIVES onto Claudio! And then runs to DIVE again! Down goes Claudio and the fans fire up! Darby crawls over to bring Claudio up and into the ring. The fans fire up as Darby climbs up a corner, though slowly given all the damage to his back. That lets Claudio trip Darby up! Darby is stuck up top, and Claudio climbs up after him. Claudio gut wrenches for a SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio can’t believe it! The fans fire up but Claudio calls for the swing! Claudio grabs the legs, but Darby twists to a victory roll! TWO!!

Claudio escapes and runs up, but Darby ducks ‘n’ dodges, roll and- WHOA, Claudio has to fight to stay up, and then he deadlifts Darby! Darby pops through to CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Darby and Claudio crawl for ropes. Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again and again and again! The ref backs Claudio off, but then Claudio fires off body shots! Darby flops over but Claudio has the legs. Claudio FLIPS Darby up and over the ropes, but Darby lands on the apron! Claudio BOOTS Darby down! The ref wants Claudio to hold on but Claudio goes out after Darby.

Claudio drags Darby by his legs, then SWINGS him around! Into steel steps!! The fans lose their minds, the ref reprimands Claudio, but Claudio doesn’t care. The fans tell Claudio he is sick, but Claudio TOSSES Darby over the announce desk!! Schiavone, Excalibur & Matt Menard narrowly avoid becoming collateral damage! But Claudio clears the desk and brings Darby up. Claudio puts Darby on the desk, then stands over him. The ref reprimands but Claudio just ignores him. Claudio drags Darby up, and gorilla presses him! SUPER DUPER TOSS onto the timekeeper’s table!! The fans lose their minds as Darby is down but that table’s somehow still standing!

The ref checks on Darby but Claudio storms right over! The ref tells Claudio to stop so they go to the ring. Claudio lets the ring count start, and yet Darby somehow stirs at 4 of 10! The fans rally as hard as they can and Darby crawls his way over! Darby is still far away at 7! But then he powers up and LEAPS in at 9!! But Claudio LARIATS Darby inside-out!! Cover, Claudio wins!

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall

Darby truly is relentless, with durability like no other, but it just wasn’t enough against the strength and brutality of Claudio! Will no one stop The Death Riders from running roughshod over AEW?

 

Backstage interview with Private Party.

Renee is with Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy and brings up that at Full Gear, the AEW World Tag Team Championships are on the line in a Fatal 4 Way. Private Party takes on The Acclaimed, The Outrunners and The Kings of the Black Throne. In such a match, the champs do NOT have to be pinned or submitted to lose their titles, so what is their strategy? Brother Zay says they obviously can’t tell her that, the other teams are watching. But it seems like the odds are against them. Fortunately, the odds have been against them their whole lives, their whole careers, just like against The Young Bucks.

But look what happened: Private Party defied the odds, beat The Bucks, and are your AEW World Tag Team Champions. That is the same thing that happens on Saturday. They leave Newark, New Jersey still your tag team champions. Because there ain’t no party like a Private Party, that’s a flex. Oh, speaking of! It’s AJ & Big Justice! They’re fired up to be here, but Justice wants to know what that face Zay made was last week. Oh, right, this one, with the chin scratching. And AJ says they’ve got a BIG announcement coming up after this! Maybe some double chunk chocolate cookies? BOOM!!

 

A green Porsche Taycan pulls up to the middle of nowhere.

And out steps MJF. The Wolf of Wrestling tells the hobo to “go get it” as he throws spare change off to the side like birdseed. MVP then sits back and tells Roderick Strong, “You’ve been through so much. The kid who grew up trailer park trash with two abusive alcoholic parents. For crying out loud! Your own mother shot your father right in front of you. That’s traumatizing. And as you know, Roddy, trauma is the result of an overwhelming sense of danger, powerlessness and fear. However, healing is a result of feeling safe, empowered and supported. That’s why you’d do anything for Cole. He makes you feel all those positive things that you lacked.

“It’s why I was no different than you. It’s why I trusted him. Unfortunately, the difference between you and I: Cole for me was a mirage of what I wanted him to be. A fraud, a liar. And whilst Cole is a fraud, I do actually believe deep down, in his narcissistic, sociopathic, frail, feeble frame, is a man who cares about Roderick Strong. This is precisely why upon further contemplation, I am happy you won, Roddy. Because I want Adam Cole to watch a person he cares about suffer! And because of your White trash upbringing, you aren’t intelligent enough to realize that you don’t have a prayer. And I’m sending you back to where you belong. To your grimy little trailer park.

“And after the match, you’ll be in so much physical anguish, you’ll wish your mother hadn’t shot your father, but instead shot you.” As if this scumbag couldn’t stoop any lower, he brings up Roddy’s past to hurt him. But will Roddy make sure MJF’s future is the one full of pain and suffering?

 

Backstage interview with AJ & Big Justice.

Renee is with the Costco Tiktok sensations and says that in the Full Gear Zero Hour, we will see #BigBoomAJ take on QT Marshall in a match 20 YEARS in the making. AJ says it may have been 20 years in the making for QT, this all started for AJ when QT threw the double chunk chocolate cookies down! Renee says AJ has not been in the ring in those 20 years, is he concerned about how his body will hold up? AJ isn’t worried about that, because he just has one strategy, and that’s the strategy they use each and every day. That strategy is to bring the BOOM~! But hey, there’s another special announcement.

Because when AJ rings QT’s bell, and he Power-Booms QT right in the middle of that ring, there is only one guy they want ringing the bell: Big Justice’s best friend, THE RIZZLER! Time to bring the BOOM~! Will QT be sleeping on the mat for The Rizzler? Will he be skibidi? Fanum Tax? Why are those even words?

 

Tony Schiavone is on stage.

And he welcomes out The Undisputed Kingdom! The fans cheer as Roderick Strong makes his way out, accompanied by Matt Taven & Mike Bennett. Schiavone brings up Roddy VS MJF at Full Gear, and we just heard all that disgusting stuff MJF had to say. Roddy’s response is that to be honest, he has not slept a wink since last week. IT is finally happening! Roddy feels like a kid on Christmas morning. He finally gets his hands on “MAAAAAX~!” The fans echo that, and Roddy says if MJF was here tonight, and not hiding out there, Roddy would ask him: Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his childhood?

Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his parents? You don’t think Roddy’s heard that stuff before? His whole LIFE, that is what people brought up! His mom’s an addict, his dad’s an addict, mom shot dad. Good job, Max, you made Roddy feel like he was in elementary school again. And people may look at Roddy’s past and feel sorry for him, but Roddy asks us not to. Because looking at MJF, Roddy feels sorry for him. Understand this, Max. With Roddy’s life, he learned that to get the most out of life, you have to earn it. If you wanna break the cycle, you have to earn it. And that is what Roddy’s done ever since he was a kid!

And now looking at MJF, he’s been spoon-fed everything. And when something doesn’t go his way or something happens and he doesn’t like it, MJF throws a temper tantrum like a baby until that changes. So Roddy wants MJF to do something for him: Look in the mirror and think about all the things that MJF has done to people. The manipulating, the backstabbing, the using. MJF needs to realize, when the bell rings at Full Gear, MJF will pay for all those sins. With every chop, with every punch, with every elbow, with every backbreaker! And when it is all over, Roddy walks to his hotel room for the best night of sleep in his life because he earned it.

Especially because Roddy will know he has broken MJF’s back, and left him humbled! Roddy is all fired up, and the fans are with him! Will MJF finally get what’s coming to him? Or will he give Roddy nightmares for the rest of his life?

 

AEW shares footage taken from last Saturday night.

First, a recap video of Daniel Garcia thwarting Jack Perry’s attempts to abduct and torture Matthew Menard, as well as the joyride they took in the Scapegoat bus, with Perry as the hood ornament. And now, they have Perry strapped into a chair, the bus headlights as the only source of light. Menard is behind the camera as he asks Perry how he’s feeling. How’d that work out for him, huh? Garcia splashes Perry with water to wake him up, and says “Let’s have a conversation. I’m all ears.” Perry chuckles and says Garcia thinks he’s so much better than him. Look at where they are! Garcia shouts back that he doesn’t wanna be here!

Garcia just wants to wrestle, but AEW is full of savages! Perry tried to take Daddy Magic’s life! And those in power just sit back and watch, pretending that nothing’s going on. So what do they do? Gotta take the power back, right? Perry counters with, “Everybody’s got a code. Everybody cares about right and wrong until it costs them something. Until they have to SACRIFICE!” Garcia gets in Perry’s face, grabs him by the mouth, and says Perry’s always going on about sacrifice but Perry has no idea what Garcia’s had to go through! Perry has NO idea what Garcia’s had to sacrifice to be here!

Garcia knows where Perry wants him to go, but Garcia promises that he’s never gonna go there. Perry smirks, then SPITS in Garcia’s face. Garcia wipes that off his face and says bet. Garcia’s got something for Perry, so just wait right there. Garcia goes to the bus while Perry mockingly asks what he’s gonna do. Menard tells shut up, Jack! Life must be so hard for him! What’s Jack got to be sad about?! Garcia comes back and he has a crowbar! Perry dares him to go ahead. Garcia raises the bar, but he SMASHES up the bus! Garcia throws the crowbar away and Perry laughs. Is that it? Garcia tells Menard they’ll get out of here. What? Where’s Garcia going?

Perry says yeah, walk away. Menard tells Perry that Garcia’s gonna whoop his ass! Just wait! Menard leaves, Perry shouts into the night, but will The Face of TNT soon be the one sacrificed for the greater good?

 

Renee Paquette presides over the ROH World Championship contract signing.

She welcomes us backstage to the signing for this match, which will happen next week, Dynamite: Thanksgiving Eve, in Chicago. The challenger, Tomohiro Ishii, is on her left, and the champion, Chris Jericho, is on her right. Jericho, as champion, you have the honors to sign first. Jericho smiles and waves as he says, “Hi, guys.” But Renee, you should know better. A champion of Jericho’s caliber does not just sign a contract thrust at his face randomly. He has a whole legal team that needs to approve this contract. Renee says it was sent to said legal team last week. Oh, really? What about today? The now! Jericho lives in the now!

Jericho says he’ll get this checked by his legal eagles one more time. But for now, wait here. Choto matte kudesai. Jericho steps around the corner and then down the hall. He smiles at his own picture on the wall. What a good looking guy. But wait, Ishii has followed Jericho to the hall. Jericho is a bit worried as he keeps moving. Jericho tries to block Ishii’s path but a trash can isn’t enough. Jericho tells staffers that Ishii wants to talk to them. They step in the way but Ishii pushes them aside. Jericho moves faster, pushes more people in the way, but Ishii pushes them aside. Was that RJ City?

Jericho goes up some stairs but Ishii follows. Ishii’s even gaining ground! Jericho goes through a doorway and ends up in the concourse! Fans cheer as Jericho and Ishii keep up their cat ‘n’ mouse game. Jericho decides to go into the stands! Ishii follows, and they head down the bleachers towards ringside! Jericho hurries over railing but so does Ishii. They go into the ring, and now Jericho tells Ishii to stop following him! Jericho wants a mic, a mic is brought, and Jericho says hey, listen, Ishii. Jericho would sign this contract, but he doesn’t have a pen. Ishii has a pen! Oh. Ishii clicks it for Jericho, and pushes it into him.

Jericho takes the pen, looks at the contract again, and still hesitates. Jericho signs his part, and then hands things over to Ishii. But then BRYAN KEITH & BIG BILL ATTACK! It was all a massive set-up! Bad Apple & Redwood beat down Stone Pitbull, and then sit him up! Jericho has the pen ready, but here comes The Conglomeration! Mark Briscoe & Rocky Romero rush in, and Mark TACKLES Jericho! Rocky fires off on Bill while Mark CHOKES Jericho! Keith saves Jericho from Mark but Mark fires hands on Keith! The fans fire up, but then Bill SKYSCRAPER- NO, Mark UPPERCUTS Bill first! Rocky adds on!

The fans fire up as The Conglomeration pinballs Bill, and then Ishii CLOBBERS him! Bill tumbles out, but Rocky DIVES! Bill is sent into railing! Keith stands up, into a kick and underhooks! JAY DRILLER! Jericho stands up, Ishii has him, and hits a BRAINBUSTER!! Conglomeration stands tall over The Learning Tree and his Branches, and now Ishii signs his part! The match is now official, and Ishii is looking to take a bite out of Jericho! Will The Conglomeration have the ROH World Championship to be thankful for this year?

 

Backstage interview with Jamie Hayter.

Renee is with the former AEW Women’s World Champion and notes that last time, we were going to hear from her, only for her to be interrupted by Julia Hart. What is Hayter’s reaction to that? Well, yeah, she isn’t angry, but she is baffled why Julia chose to interrupt Hayter. They’ve never really spoken or interacted, or even wrestled each other. Hayter is just curious as to why Julia felt it was okay to do that. Granted, Julia can do whatever she wants, Hayter moves to the beat of her own drum just as much as Julia. But… if Julia wants to have a chat-

Uh oh, something is happening to the video! Brody King’s message echoes, “It’s time to come home.” Julia Hart walks through the woods. Brody says The House is her foundation. She has seen her rebirth. Now it is time to rebuild. She has woken up stronger, more determined, and more dangerous than ever. Julia aims her arrow to shoot down a target: her past self. Her obstacles are just bull’s eyes. She is the Princess of the Black Throne, and the Keeper of Secrets. She is Julia Hart, and her heart grows harder. She hits her mark, but will she find Hayter Hits Hard?

 

Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta!

Freshly Squeezed has been accused of being coldblooded and uncaring, but he got pretty heated as he told The Conglomeration to keep themselves safe tonight. He goes 1v1 with The Decoder, a young man who was once Cassidy’s student, and who left him behind to join the then Blackpool Combat Club. If anyone is uncaring, it is Yuta with how he would then follow Jon Moxley’s lead in the destruction of Bryan Danielson and Chuck Taylor. Who will be the more ferocious fighter tonight, this close to Full Gear?

The bell rings and Yuta SHOTGUNS Cassidy! Yuta follows Cassidy to a corner to CHOP, then ROCK, then CHOP again! Yuta whips corner to corner but Cassidy goes up and out. Cassidy bumps Yuta off buckles, climbs up top, but has to leap over. Yuta comes back but Cassidy catches him to a backslide! TWO, but Cassidy reels Yuta in for a cradle! TWO! Yuta pulls on an ear! But Cassidy arm-drags and wrangles Yuta into the SEATBELT! TWO!! Yuta escapes and the fans fire up as these two stand off. Yuta huffs ‘n’ puffs, but Cassidy shows he wants a grapple. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but Cassidy blocks a kick!

Cassidy reels Yuta in for a headlock, but Yuta powers up and out. Cassidy ducks ‘n’ rolls, tilt-o-whirls, but Yuta suplexes! Into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Yuta tumbles out and fans fire up! Cassidy builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Yuta and the fans fire up again! Cassidy brings Yuta up, whips, but Yuta reverses to reel Cassidy in! Cassidy fights the suplex, but then Yuta fights a suplex. Yuta suplexes, to RAILING BRAINBUSTER!! Cassidy writhes and fans are stunned! Yuta stomps Cassidy, then leaves him behind for the ring count. Cassidy crawls into the ring, Yuta exposes a crossbar, and then he GRINDS Cassidy’s face into the steel!

The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Yuta steps off at 4. Cassidy seethes as he rises up, but Yuta has him at the corner. Cassidy kicks Yuta’s legs out and Yuta falls onto a turnbuckle! Yuta falls back, Cassidy climbs, but Yuta grabs Cassidy first! Yuta drags Cassidy down but Cassidy fires hands. Yuta squeezes the facelock tight, then hits an APRON DDT! The fans boo Yuta while Cassidy writhes, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Cassidy clutches his neck while Yuta waits in the ring. A ring count starts and Yuta eggs Cassidy on. Cassidy reaches up as the count reaches 5 of 10, but he doesn’t sit up until 6. Cassidy hobbles up, stumbles and falls, but springs back to life! He slides in at 9! Only for Yuta to be right on him! Yuta reels Cassidy in, but Cassidy turns that into BEACH BREAK! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy is too sore to be frustrated. They both sit up, and Yuta crawls his way over to a corner. Cassidy rises, checks his neck, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Yuta goes up, but Cassidy JUMP FOREARMS! Cassidy positions Yuta just right before he climbs the corner.

Yuta resists but Cassidy still brings Yuta up. Yuta continues to fight the suplex, throws body shots, then shoves Cassidy down. Cassidy rolls back to his feet, runs back up the corner, but Yuta again fights the suplex! Cassidy fires hands, but Yuta fires back! They brawl up top, Cassidy HEADBUTTS Yuta! But Yuta HEADBUTTS back! They both wobble, but then Cassidy BITES Yuta! The ref reprimands, but Cassidy CLAWS Yuta’s back! This is very Moxley of him to do! And then Cassidy hits the SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the ref checks. They’re both okay to continue, so a standing count begins!

Cassidy sits up, spots Yuta, and heads that way. Yuta sits up, they fire forearms as they stand! Dynamite returns to single picture as these shots go back and forth. The fans fire up for Cassidy but boo Yuta as the shots go faster and faster! Yuta BITES Cassidy’s forehead! Yuta spits then runs, but Cassidy dodges! BODY BLOW! SUPERKICK! Yuta sits down, Cassidy runs, PENALTY KICK! Cassidy slashes his throat, hauls Yuta up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy seethes. Cassidy rains down fists on Yuta! The ref reprimands about closed fists and hair pulling, but Cassidy doesn’t stop until the ref counts 4.

Cassidy stands, and he throws off the elbow pad! Cassidy aims at Yuta, runs up, but Yuta ducks the punch! GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta runs to CHOP in the corner! And then a wrench and PAIN THRILLER! The fans boo while Yuta seethes and stands over Cassidy. Yuta sits Cassidy up, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! But Cassidy blocks one! And bends fingers, to then SNAP them! The fans fire up as Cassidy SNAPS finger after finger! Yuta swings, Cassidy BOOTS him, then serves up SOLE FOOD! Scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy is busting out all his best friends’ best moves, but he hasn’t gotten it done!

Cassidy aims, loads up, and ORANGE- NO, Yuta ducks! Orange fights the suplex, switches to O’Conner Roll! TWO, Yuta dodges Cassidy, scoops him, and CROSS LEG TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO?!? Cassidy survives and Yuta is furious! The fans are thunderous, but Yuta rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Cassidy grits his teeth but he’s almost a ragdoll! Yuta lets off to then hook the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION!! Cassidy endures as Yuta thrashes him around! Cassidy powers up as the fans rally, and he kicks around to the ROPEBREAK!! Yuta holds on, the ref counts, and Yuta finally lets go at 4!

The ref reprimands Yuta, but Yuta pushes past the ref to go outside the ring. Yuta grabs a chair! Yuta storms into the ring while the fans boo, and the ref says don’t do it! Cassidy dodges the chair shot! Victory roll, CASSIDY WINS!!

Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall

Yuta is in disbelief! Cassidy beat him with a technical move! Yuta snarls but the ref keeps him back. Cassidy did what he promised in beating Yuta, but then he stares his former student down. Is Cassidy going to offer a handshake? WAIT, PAC ATTACKS! The Bastard BOOTS Cassidy down so we’ll never know what Cassidy was going to do! The fans boo more but Pac & Yuta stand on Cassidy. The rest of the Death Riders appear, and Marina Shafir has duct tape! The AEW World Trios Champions stomp away on Cassidy, like vultures picking the bones. Moxley steps into the ring while Marina hands the tape over to Pac.

Claudio puts Cassidy’s hands in his pockets, and then Pac tapes them in! Cassidy is physically bound, and Moxley paces around. Cassidy is pushed around by all the Death Riders, then Moxley DECKS him! Claudio hauls Cassidy back up, the Death Riders keep bullying him, and then Moxley SLAPS Cassidy down! But the bullying continues as they stand Cassidy up. Cassidy “kicks” Moxley! Defiant to the end! But Moxley DECKS him again! Moxley paces around more, then stomps Cassidy right on the face! Moxley leads The Death Riders away, and The Conglomeration finally comes out here.

Mark has scissors to cut Cassidy loose, and the fans boo as The Death Riders still retreat. Cassidy tries to stand up, but he has to use ropes to do it. Even so, Cassidy stands on his own two feet. Moxley eggs on the fans while Cassidy puts his sunglasses on. And then hands up, and then into the pockets! Try as they might, The Death Riders could not break the Freshly Squeezed fighting spirit! Will Cassidy finally become AEW World Champion? Or will Moxley find a way to break Cassidy at Full Gear?


My Thoughts:

A great go-home Dynamite here, though it felt like it contracted Go Home Syndrome. A lot of recap and other promos, but good promos all the same. Good follow-up from last week with Hayter and Hart, that will probably really get going after Full Gear. Good promo from Mariah & Mina to hype up their celebration segment for Full Gear, and with Toni Storm’s announcement of her retirement, you can bet Toni is anything but retired! Toni Storm most assuredly will return very soon, maybe even to ruin the celebration and spark another feud. I still want us to get to Mariah VS Mina but maybe Storm moves things back so that Mariah VS Mina happens in 2025.

Good promo from Private Party to also have AJ & Big Justice show up. The promos didn’t really add much to any of the matches, though. I’m very sure AJ does hit the BOOM on QT to win, and then Private Party finds a way to survive the Fatal 4. Great stuff with Perry, Garcia and Menard, that was another very action movie kind of promo, maybe even like that grittier Batman movie. But with Garcia not sinking to the same lows as Perry, that will be why Garcia loses. Honestly, why not just have Perry blatantly get himself disqualified? What great heat for Perry while keeping Garcia strong in not becoming TNT Champion.

Great promos in this MJF story. I appreciate Cole throwing his support behind Roddy was good, as well as Kyle O’Reilly wanting Cole to just leave it at this. MJF of course insults Roddy over his past while also trashing Cole at the same time, but great response from Roddy. Also I’m not a car guy so it took me a little too long to Google out what car MJF was driving. Anyway, given all these promos, I am very confident MJF wins at Full Gear and then Cole still wants after MJF, only for Kyle to have to fight Cole to make him stop. Then we’ll maybe get Cole VS MJF at Worlds End, or even some time in 2025.

Very good stuff with The Hurt Syndicate, even with them getting jumped by Swerve. Poor Cheeseburger, that’s one fan favorite that got fed to Bobby Lashley. But Swerve getting the better of the Hurt Syndicate again and again tonight, all the more reason Lashley wins at Full Gear. Very good promo vignette from White and Hangman to hype up their grudge match, which still feels it could go either way since they’re tied on the year. And Jericho and Ishii had perhaps simultaneously the most clever and most ridiculous contract signing segment ever. And of course Jericho worked out some sort of trap, only for it to go badly for him and his team. But with that, that means Ishii is losing next week, as I figured he would.

Awesome opening match with the 8 Man, and I liked that they had Hobbs do the “fighting through the pain” angle in the match. Also, great bit with Kyle Fletcher sending Davis into harm’s way so that the Callis Family can get the better of Ospreay’s team. I thought the Faces were going to win here, but the math now says Ospreay finds a way to beat Kyle, and maybe Ricochet takes the International Championship from Konosuke Takeshita. The Continental Classic is coming, and they could easily use that round robin to get Konosuke back to a feud with Kazuchika Okada and they battle for the Continental Championship at Worlds End like we should’ve gotten at WrestleDream.

Awesome match from Kris VS Shida, and I appreciate the crisis of confidence for Shida. Kris gets a great win to go into Full Gear, and then Kris and Shida get the better of Mone & Kamille, so all the more reason Mone finds a way to survive. As for Kamille, I feel like she should ditch Mone for being treated like crap by Mone, and maybe we can get a feud of Mone VS Kamille going into 2025. And of course, plenty of promos from Death Riders and “Team AEW” members. Moxley just kinda went on and on about stuff he’s already said in reference to Cassidy, but I did like Claudio going bilingual in talking trash on Darby.

Awesome matches from those stories, of course. Darby really got thrown around but he continues to show that toughness. Claudio getting the win mostly keeps Darby back so that Darby can build towards a world title match at Worlds End. Cassidy VS Yuta was great stuff, too, with great back and forth of Cassidy wanting to end it quick, having to grit it out with Yuta, and then Cassidy still finding a way to end it with a quick pin. And they did a good job muddying the math. Cassidy wins the match, but the Death Riders beat him down, only for Cassidy to literally stand tall at the end of the show. I still don’t see him taking the world title from Moxley, though, with Darby still in the wings, but this could end up Cassidy’s best match yet.

My Score: 8.9/10

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Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (11/19/24)

It’s Tag Season again!

Published

on

Will this be the mightiest Tag League yet?

It’s time for NJPW World Tag League 2024, and this year already looks mighty good as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr, is in the A Block! Will he and Ryohei Oiwa make everyone #JustTapOut?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Masatora Yasuda; Kato wins.
  • Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Taiji Ishimori & The Filip Brothers; Taiji & The Filip Brothers win.
  • Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
  • Six Man Tag: Taichi, Douki & Taka Michinoku VS The United Empire; Taichi, Douki & Taka win.
  • Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
  • World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
  • World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Takagi & Tsuji win.
  • World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Bishamon wins.
  • World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; ZSJ & Oiwa win.

PLAY BY PLAY

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!

The Roughneck is bringing Everyone’s Kokeshi along for the ride, but this league might already be too much to handle. Can Honma help Shota bring about his Paradigm Shift? Or will they just get conquered by the United Empire?

The teams sort out and Shota starts against The Imperial Unit. The bell rings and Shota runs up to RAM Cobb! And RAM! And RAM! Cobb stays up so Shota kicks low. Shota runs to RAM Cobb, but Cobb rebounds to CLOBBER Shota! The fans cheer while Cobb stalks Shota. Cobb brings Shota up to whip him to a corner. Shota comes back to RAM Cobb! Cobb stays up, so Shota clinches! Cobb fights free with elbows, but Shota dodges a lariat to RAM Cobb! Cobb falls over! The fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Cobb up again. Callum runs in so Shota shoves Cobb aside to catch Callum. Shota shoves Callum at Honma for a shoulder tackle!

The fans fire up as Shota keeps moving and he SOMERSAULT SENTONS Callum! Shota then sets up so he and Honma can tabletop Cobb! Cobb sits up into Shota’s SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Shota tags Honma. The fans rally behind Honma as he CLUBS Cobb. Honma reels Cobb in, but Cobb suplexes first! Cobb SLAMS Honma down, then calls for Callum. Callum rises but Cobb says hold on. The “Cobby Cat” mocks Honma by bopping himself on the head. Cobb then runs to FALLING KOKESHI FLOP! Honma winds up and runs, but Callum is in the way! Cobb runs up, Honma dodges the lariat but Callum tags in.

Cobb dodges Honma, then shoves him at Callum. They pinball Honma around, and Callum BOOTS Honma while Cobb BLASTS Shota! Then Callum & Cobb coordinate to HIGH LOW with a shoulder tackle and leg sweep! The fans cheer and Cobb says You Can’t See Him! Callum stomps Honma, then KICKS him in the back. Honma gets mad but Callum scuffs him again and again. Honma rises, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Callum CHOPS and pretends that hurt his hand. Callum CLUBS Honma down but the fans rally up. Honma rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Callum kicks low, reels him in, but Honma fights the suplex!

Honma catches Callum’s lariat to spin and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum and Honma crawl, but Honma hot tags Shota! Shota rallies on Callum with big elbows! Shota whips, Callum reverses, but SHota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Callum! Cobb runs up, but Shota arm-drags him, then dropkicks the legs out! Cobb bails, Shota fires up, and the fans rally again. Shota whips Callum corner to corner, runs up on him, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Callum in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let that slow him down!

Shota waits on Callum, then runs, but Callum avoids Ignition to hook Shota! Shota fights the backslide so Callum whips him to a corner. Callum runs up but Shota dodges! Shota runs up but Callum goes up and over! Callum keeps moving, but Shota ROCKS him, UPPERCUTS him, and runs! Callum follows to ROCK Shota at the ropes! Callum runs, but then stops to fake out Shota’s dropkick! Shota sits up, but he ducks the Penalty Kick! Shota rolls Callum but Callum rolls through. Shota ROCKS Callum, then spins, but Callum dodges the rolling elbow! DREAMCAST KICK! Shota drops to his knees and the fans fire up!

Callum and Shota crawl, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb runs up to waistlock Shota for a deadlift! Shota fights with elbows, goes to run, but Cobb reels him in for a forearm to the back! Cobb runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up again and Shota heads for his corner. Hot tag to Honma! The fans rally as Honma CHOPS Cobb, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Honma puts Cobb in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up. Honma ELBOWS Cobb and hits a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma shows Cobb how it’s done! FALLING KOKESHI- NO! Now Honma FLOPS as Cobb moves! Callum runs up to SHOTGUN Shota off the apron!

The fans fire up as Cobb RAMS Honma into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH! Callum drops down and Cobb LEAPS over to ELBOW Honma! Callum comes back and Cobb pops him up to the apron! ENZIGIRI, then fireman’s carry! Callum climbs, DOUBLE STOMP ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! PENALTY KICK and GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Shota breaks it! The fans fire up and Shota TOSSES Callum! Cobb kicks Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota shouts to Honma and the fans fire up again. Honma rises and he storms up on Cobb. Honma & Shota double whip corner to corner!

Honma runs up to LARIAT! Honma feeds Cobb to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma LARIATS, Shota clinches, EXPLODER!! The fans cheer and Honma runs, SLIDING KOKESHI! Shota keeps moving, IGNITION! Honma covers, Callum breaks it! Shota stomps Callum out of the ring and leaves the rest to Honma. Honma drags Cobb up, but Cobb fights the suplex! Cobb ROCKS Honma, whips him, but Honma grabs ropes! Honma BOOTS Cobb, and Shota joins in! DOUBLE RUNNING KOKESHI! And then they DOUBLE FALLING KOKESHI! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Shota goes after Callum! CANNONBALL to the floor!

The fans fire up again as Honma climbs! FLYING- NO, Cobb catches Honma! SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives and the fans fire up again! But then Cobb reels Honma in, for a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, United Empire wins!

Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)

A powerful showing from “The Kokeshi Brothers,” but they could not bring down Callum & Cobb. With the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships already on Great-O-Khan & Henare, will The United Empire completely dominate the NJPW Heavyweight Tag Division?

 

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & ???

Los Ingobernables de Japon’s heavy formation is in this block, ready to rampage like twin dragons. If only The Sauce could’ve brought his own monster back. Who will be the substitute for Lance Archer? And can he help heat things up?

Zayne makes his entrance before anyone else, and asks to speak on the mic. A mic is given, and Zayne says, “Kon’nichiwa.” The fans applaud, and Zayne explains that when he was contacted this year for WTL, he was also informed that Lance Archer could not make it. Zayne knew he had to do one thing: find the most “delicious” tag partner he could find. And that man is… RYUSUKE TAGUCHI!? The fans can’t believe the Funky Weapon is joining Zayne in this tournament! And he wears a green version of Zayne’s gear! Are things about to get really spicy now?

The teams sort out, and Takagi is in disbelief. LIJ fist bumps and the fans applaud. Taguchi and Zayne bow, “Itadakimasu,” and Zayne starts against Yota. They circle, tie up, and Yota powers Zayne back. But Zayne powers Yota back! Yota powers up to power Zayne onto the ropes, but Zayne turns things around. The ref counts, Zayne lets off slowly with a pat on the shoulders, but Yota plays with Zayne’s hair. Zayne smirks and Yota grins as the two reset. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yota headlocks, but Zayne powers up and out. Yota RAMS Zayne but neither man falls.  Fans cheer as Yota grins and Zayne plays with his own hair.

Things speed up suddenly, and Zayne sidesteps. Yota bucks the O’Conner Roll, then gets around Zayne. Zayne ELBOWS Yota away to a corner. Zayne runs up to BACK ELBOW and go to the apron in one go! Then he slingshots to RANA! Yota has a rough tumble, but he stands back up. Zayne runs up again, dodges the lariat and waistlocks, only to bring Yota back and run. Yota sidesteps Zayne then drops down, only for Zayne to IMPLODER KNEE DROP! The fans fire up but Zayne keeps moving, STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans cheer more while Zayne grins at Takagi. Zayne brings Yota up, tags Taguchi, and they double whip.

“Funky Sauce” misdirects Yota to hit a BULLDOG then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Taguchi stomps Yota. Taguchi brings Yota up, kicks low, then whips. Yota reverses but Taguchi RANAS! A little slippery, but then Zayne BLASTS Takagi off the apron! Funky Sauce takes aim, Taguchi PLANCHAS but flops as Yota moves! Zayne is on the apron but Takagi YANKS Zayne down! The fans rally but Takagi hauls Zayne up to whip him into railing! Yota drags Taguchi up and puts him in the ring. Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he stands Taguchi up. LIJ double whip Taguchi to then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!

The fans cheer and then Takagi SENTONS! Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Yota tags Takagi. The fans rally and duel while Takagi stands Taguchi up. Takagi bumps Taguchi off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then digs his shoulder in. The ref counts, Takagi steps back, and he snapmares Taguchi down. Tag to Yota and Yota drags Taguchi up. Yota snapmares Taguchi to ROCK him in the back! Taguchi falls back, Yota tags Takagi, and LIJ drags Taguchi up. They DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi hobbles in pain, falls to his knees, and Takagi BLASTS Zayne off the apron!

Takagi gets annoyed with this Funky Sauce, but Taguchi fires off CHOPS! Taguchi runs, but Takagi easily dodges the hip attack! Takagi then suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and the fans fire up. Takagi hears the fans dueling as he stomps Taguchi. Takagi KNEES Taguchi against the ropes again and again, then whips, for another KNEE! Takagi runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi and Takagi crawl, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne jumps in and DECKS Takagi, then he BLASTS Yota! Zayne swats a lariat to fire elbow after ELBOW!

Takagi blocks the superkick to CLUB the leg! Yota joins in, LIJ whips Zayne, but Zayne KICKS Takagi, mule kicks Yota, and runs, DOUBLE SOMERSAULT KICKS! The fans fire up and Zayne runs at Takagi. Takagi ELBOWS Zayne, BOOTS him, then goes up. Zayne returns to JUMPING STEINERS! The fans fire up while Zayne covers, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Zayne brings him right up. Zayne goes to scoop but Takagi fights it! Zayne CHOPS, scoops, and BAJA- NO, Takagi slips free! SLIDING- NO, Zayne dodges! Zayne mule kicks, runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!

Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota fires up and the fans are with him. Yota brings Zayne around to whip, but Zayne stops himself. Zayne dodges Yota, Yota dodges Zayne, and both men kick low! Yota comes back to BOOT! The fans cheer and Yota brings Zayne up again. Yota fireman’s carries but Zayne fights free. Yota ROCKS Zayne first! Yota tries another fireman’s carry but Zayne sunset flips it! TWO, and both men stand! Zayne rolls Yota, BASEMENT ENZIGIRI! Zayne hurries to hot tag Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS in a corner! Taguchi goes corner to corner, for another HIP ATTACK!

Taguchi keeps moving, but Yota runs up! Taguchi dropkicks Yota’s legs out! The fans fire up and Taguchi keeps going! Another dropkick to legs, then a LEG SWEEP! Taguchi rolls Yota into the OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Zayne BOOTS Takagi off the apron! Yota scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he brings Yota back up. Taguchi traps Yota and Zayne runs in to ELBOW! Zayne then sets up and Taguchi runs, SHOTGUN IN MOTION! Taguchi then brings Yota out to GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up as Zayne climbs! But Yota KICKS Taguchi away, then GAMANGIRIS Zayne off the corner!

Taguchi kicks Yota, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Takagi slides in, and he finds the camera, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has come, and they join in on a chant of “OI! OI! OI!” LIJ whips Taguchi to a corner, then Yota runs in to ELBOW! Takagi whips Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi adds a LARIAT, then feeds Taguchi to a BOOT! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! SUPERKICK! Taguchi is down, Yota covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans fire up. Takagi stands Taguchi up and throws him to Yota for a POWERBOMB! Cover, Zayne breaks it! Takagi drags Zayne up, LIJ mugs him, but he fights back with CHOPS!

The fans fire up but Yota spins Zayne around to facelock, and Takagi wheelbarrows. Yota helps Takagi swing Taguchi down, then up for a BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! The fans fire up and Takagi leaves it to Yota. Yota takes aim and the fans rally. Taguchi rises, Yota runs in, GENE- LEG DROP!? And then La Magistrol! TWO!! Yota escapes in time, but Taguchi spins him to a backslide! TWO!! Yota escapes again! But Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi fires up and the fans are with him! But Takagi LARIATS! GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER!! And now Yota loads up, for the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, LIJ wins!

Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)

The Funky Sauce was hot, but they’re the ones that got burned! Will they be able to spice things up in the second round? Will Takagi & Tsuji keep the tag league tranquilo?

 

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!

Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi once again clash with The Fang & The Jewel, both sides hungry for gold. Will it be Lights Out in the opening round? Or will someone just #Go2Sleep?

The teams sort out but then Bullet Club just attacks! Chase is after Goto and Kenta is after Hashi, and they put each man in corners. The bell rings to get this on record as Kenta TOSSES Hashi. Chase CHOKES Goto in the corner, then stands on him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off to bring Goto up. Chase ROCKS Goto, whips him, and Kenta POSTS Hashi! Chase hits a big hip toss then covers, TWO! The fans rally up while Chase stomps Goto’s leg. Chase scrapes his sole off Goto’s face, and Kenta whips Hashi again. Hashi reverses and Kenta hits railing in front of English commentary! Chase ROCKS Goto, CHOPS him, then whips.

Goto grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Chase! Hashi returns and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZENMAI! Kenta returns but Bishamon kicks him first. “Se no!” Bishamon BEATS Kenta like a drum! The fans cheer and Bishamon flexes. Goto then goes back to Chase to stomp and CLUB him down. Goto kicks Chase, Chase shoves Goto and ROCKS him with a forearm! Goto knees Chase low, runs, but Chase TOSSES Goto out! Goto hurries back up, he counter punches Chase, and then counter punches Kenta! Chase slips out to YANK Goto down and THROW him into railing! Kenta intercepts Hashi with a kick!

Kenta whips Hashi away into railing while Chase sends Goto into other railing! The ref reprimands but Chase brings Goto through the gate. Chase has fans move out of the way, but then brings Goto back to ringside. Chase grins as he trolls the fans and pushes Goto into the ring. Kenta CLUBS away on Hashi before leaving him behind. Chase pulls on Goto’s arms then TWEAKS Goto’s neck! Not a twist, but equally painful. Chase tags Kenta while the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Kenta pushes Goto into the corner, Goto hits Chase, but Kenta RAMS Goto! The ref reprimands and counts as Kenta RAMS Goto more!

Kenta sits Goto down, and digs his boot in! The ref counts, Kenta stops at 4, and he tags Chase back in. They stomp Goto more, then Chase headlocks for a sucker punch! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Goto up and he bumps Goto off Kenta’s boot. Tag to Kenta and Bullet Club double whips. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down then Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta covers again, TWO! Kenta argues with the ref but the count was fair. Kenta drops an elbow, drops another elbow, then covers, TWO! Kenta gets mad at Hashi for no reason, but the fans rally up for Goto. Kenta CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires CHOPS in return!

Kenta knees low, whips Goto to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into a BOOT! Kenta runs but Goto follows! Goto avoids Chase’s cheap shot to LARIAT Kenta! The fans fire up while Goto and Kenta are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hahsi BLASTS Chase! Kenta kicks Hashi low then whips him to a corner. Kenta runs up but Hashi CHOPS in return! And mule kicks! And turns Kenta for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi watches Kenta. Hashi waits on Kenta to rise, then runs up to CHOP! Hashi hoists Kenta up to hang him out to dry! The fans fire up as Hashi runs, and he DROPKCISK Kenta down! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer Hashi on as he brings Kenta up. Hashi reels Kenta in, lifts, but Kenta fights with fists! Kenta slips free of the bomb, then slips around Hashi to spin and- NO, Hashi suplexes first! But Kenta slips free again, and he spins Hashi around, to SPIKE DDT! Hashi is stood up on his head before falling over, and Kenta tags in Chase. Chase brings Hashi up and fireman’s carries. Hashi fights free of that, but Chase slips around to half nelson, lift, and SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Chase says time to end this! Chase takes aim, C- NO, Hashi dodges the trigger! Chase knees low, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs!

The fans fire up whiel both men are down! Chase clutches his leg while Hashi crawls. Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs at Chase to LARIAT in the corner! Goto whips corner to corner, runs up again, but Chase BOOTS him! But Goto comes back! Only for Chase to BUCKLE SHOT and STO, then SENTON! Kenta steps in and Bullet Club drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms and CHOPS! Kenta SOBATS! Chase KICKS! Kenta ROUNDHOUSES! Goto sits up into the “I HATE YOU!” PENALTY KICK! Cover, but Hashi breaks it! Kenta TOSSES Hashi then goes out after him. Chase drags Goto up and reels him in.

Chase tucks the arms but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches out but Chase ROCKS him first! Chase runs, Goto follows, but Chase ENZIGIRIS! Goto stays up, but the C-TRIGGER hits! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Chase hurries up! C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK!! And then the tuck for the PACKAGE PILE- NO, Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up, Kenta BOOTS Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries Kenta but Kenta slips free! Kenta shoves Goto into Hashi, then waistlocks Goto. Goto fights the lift, and then ducks, HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK for Kenta! The fans fire up as Bishamon regroups.

Hashi drags Chase up, whips him to Goto, but Chase BOOTS Goto! Chase swings on Hashi but Hashi ducks the lariat. Hashi powers Chase to ropes, Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then Hashi rolls Chase. Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has the legs! Chase BOOTS Hashi away! Chase then slips around to dragon sleeper, to steal G T- NO, Goto drops down to victory roll! Chase stands up, into a SUPERKICK! Goto drags Chase around while Hashi BLASTS Kenta! Dragon sleeper and SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!

Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)

Another classic in this storied rivalry, worthy of the titles themselves! Will this first win be the win that leads the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter back to the titles? Can Kenta & Chase borrow a page from Bishamon and #GetBackUp in the next round?

 

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!

TMDK has a team in each block, doubling their chances of taking this league. But perhaps burying the lead is the fact that THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is joining in the fun! Will The Front Man & The Mullet rock this league right from the start? Or will the Mad Man and the turncoat Cold Skull get this tournament #WarReady?

The teams sort out but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face. Gabe pushes Oiwa, they start, and they tie up at the bell. The fans rally as Oiwa and Gabe are in a deadlock. They go around at center, then Oiwa digs his heels in to push Gabe back. Gabe turns things around to put Oiwa on ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Gable lets off, to then CHOP! Gabe scoops and SLAMS Oiwa, then he goes for legs. Oiwa UPKICKS Gabe, then stands up to scoop and SLAM Gabe! Gabe UPKICKS back, both men get up and go face to face. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as Oiwa gets the edge, but Gabe CHOPS!

Gabe headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Gabe eggs OIwa on and he runs to RAM Gabe! They both run now, and they RAM shoulders again, and again, and again! Gabe CHOPS then runs, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Gabe! The fans fire up while Gabe bails out. Oiwa eggs Gabe on and Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes the railing in frustration, then he paces around the outside. Gabe cools off, slides in, but then tags Sanada. Sanada steps in slowly, so Oiwa tags in ZSJ. The two rivals circle and the afns rally behind “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” ZSJ and Sanada feel things out, knuclke lock, and ZSJ rolls to wrench.

Sanada is already frustrated so he kicks ZSJ low! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and then Gabe goes after Oiwa! Gabe CHOPS away on Oiwa while Sanada sends ZSJ into railing! And then more railing! Gabe does the same to Oiwa, and Sanada storms up on ZSJ. Sanada CLAWS ZSJ’s back, a definite attitude change showing. Gabe Too Sweets with Taiji Ishimori on commentary while Sanada pushes ZSJ into the ring. Sanada whips ZSJ to a corner, but ZSJ goes up, under, around, and RAMS into Sanada! ZSJ snapmares, Sanada handsprings through, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! Tag to Oiwa and he BLASTS Gabe!

Oiwa goes back to Sanada and stands him up. Oiwa wrenches an arm, YANKS it, then wrenches to YANK it again. Oiwa tags ZSJ and ZSJ brings Sanada around to wrench, step over, and wrangle into a mounted armbar! Sanada endures as ZSJ bends the fingers and isolates the arm, to STOMP it! The fans cheer, ZSJ tags Oiwa, and Oiwa CLUBS Sanada’s arm. Oiwa headlocks for a takeover, then isolates the arm in an short arm scissor! The fans rally while Sanada endures and kicks around. Sanada reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Oiwa lets Sanada go, but then Oiwa brings Sanada up.

Oiwa whips, Sanada reverses, and Gabe trips Oiwa up! Sanda BLASTS ZSJ while Oiwa drags Oiwa out of the ring! Now things spill out into the crowd! Gabe CHOPS Oiwa, then SMACKS him off empty chairs! Sanada BOWLS ZSJ into chairs! Not quite a strike, so Sanada JAMS ZSJ up with a chair! That picks up the spare, and we can hear Gabe’s CHOPS on Oiwa echo out. Gabe stomps Oiwa while Sanada CHOKES ZSJ with a chair! Red Shoes reprimands the War Dogs, but Gabe POSTS Oiwa! Gabe says War Dogs run this, but Red Shoes starts a ring count. Gabe flexes on Oiwa, then drags him up at 7 of 20.

Gabe puts Oiwa in at 10 and Sanada covers, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans rally behind him. Sanada is annoyed but he brings Oiwa up. Sanada CLUBS Oiwa, then bumps him off Gabe’s boot. Oiwa sputters while Sanada tags Gabe in. Gabe drags Oiwa up, mockingly asks where Zack-senpai went, then he UPPERCUTS Oiwa down. Gabe TOSSES Oiwa out, and he BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! Sanada whips Oiwa into railing! Gabe lifts ZSJ bu tZSJ wrenches free to KIMURA! Gabe powers through, to BITE ZSJ on the forehead! Sanada sends Oiwa into more railing, Gabe sends ZSJ through railing and into chairs!

Sanada BOWLS Oiwa into chairs now, there is the strike! Sanada continues to show his new edge as he JAMS Oiwa up with a chair. Red Shoes reprimands so Sanada brings Oiwa back to ringside. Sanada puts Oiwa in for Gabe and Gabe pushes Oiwa to a cover. Red Shoes says no, all the shenanigans were not right. Gabe gets in Red Shoes’ face about that, but Red Shoes stands his ground. Gabe storms around while the fans rally behind Oiwa. Gabe drags Oiwa up, to CHOP! Oiwa wobbles but he rises up. Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires forearms! Gabe DECKS Oiwa with just one! The fans still rally for Oiwa but Gabe stands on Oiwa’s face!

Gabe soaks up the heat, scuffs Oiwa and stomps him around. Oiwa sits up, Gabe runs, but Oiwa reels him in! Gabe fights the waistlock, runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and Gabe crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Sanada! The fans fire up as ZSJ dodges Sanada, full nelsons, then spins him to a headlock. Sanada powers out but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada powers out to HIP TOSS, but ZJS UP KICKS! Sanada avoids the Penalty Kick, blocks the boot, but ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basment DROPKICK! The fans fire up and we’ve only hit 10 minutes!

ZSJ drags Sanada up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Sanada blocks the next to spin and suplex, but ZSJ says no to the Magic Screw! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada escapes but ZSJ stays focused. ZSJ stands Sanada up to scoop, but Sanada slips free. ZSJ fights the waistlock, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Sanada then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips free, to have the IRON OCTOPUS! The fans rally while Sanada endures, and Sanada powers out to have a leg! DROPPING DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ clutches the leg and Sanada takes aim! SHINING-

NO, ZSJ ducks, but Sanada catches him to a backslide! ZSJ rolls through to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Oiwa goes back to Sanada and brings him up. Oiwa whips Sanada to ropes, ELBOWS Him down, then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada! Oiwa deadlift GUT RWENCH PLEXES! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe CHOPS away on ZSJ and Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ & Oiwa DOUBLE DROPKICK Gabe down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he clamps onto Sanada with a SLEEPER! Sanada endures and fights up, but Oiwa thrashes him around!

Sanada still fights to his feet, slips around the back, and shoves Oiwa to ropes. Gabe trips Oiwa up! Oiwa kicks at Gabe but Sanada kicks ropes to jam Oiwa up! Sanada suplexes Oiwa into the MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Sanada crawls over, tag to Gabe, and Gabe storms right up on Oiwa. Gabe UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down! Gabe then puts Oiwa in a corner to fire off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Gabe digs his boots in while talking trash. Gabe shoves Red Shoes aside so he can keep stomping away on Oiwa! The fans rally and Red Shoes backs Gabe off.

Gabe seethes but the fans continue to rally for Oiwa. Oiwa grits his teeth as he sits up, but Gabe ROCKS him with another shot! Oiwa still looks up defiantly at Gabe, so Gabe fires shots! Gabe says Oiwa’s not worthy of being his NJPW Strong Openweight Challenger. Gabe says Oiwa’s just some “weak ass kohai!” Gabe SPITS on Oiwa, but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face! Gabe fires slapping strikes, blocks a shot, then SLAPS Oiwa again! Oiwa spins to DOUBLE CHOP Gsbe down! Sanada runs up and kicks low! Sanada whips, Oiwa reverses, but Sanada reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada!

Gabe runs up, ZSJ BOOTS him first! Gabe runs back in, slips out of the scoop, and he scoops ZSJ for EMERALD FLOWSON!! But Oiwa spins Gabe! Gabe avoids The Grip, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa is frustrated but the fans rally behind him. Oiwa hauls Gabe up, ANACONDA PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives again but Oiwa roars! Oiwa drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the gut wrench! Gabe CLUBS Oiwa on the back, then he gut wrenches! Oiwa fights back, wrenches out, and he blocks a lariat to spin. Gabe HAYMAKERS, and SAIDOS!! Gabe crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!

The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives! Gabe snarls and he drags Oiwa up. Gabe says this is the end. But Oiwa fights the suplex! Oiwa suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Oiwa still tries, but Gabe slips out to waistlock. Sanada DROPKCIKS Oiwa, Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe & Sanada work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Gabe suplexes again, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and tells Gabe to finish this! ZSJ RAMS Sanada, they brawl outside, and Gabe slashes his throat. Gabe drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oia slips through the gut wrench to backslide! TWO, and Gabe UPPERCUTS!

Gabe runs, but ZSJ is back! He BOOTS Gabe but Gabe SLAPS ZSJ! ZSJ KICKS the haymaker away to then ROUNDHOUSE Gabe! Sanada’s in to dragon sleeper! ZSJ arm-drags free, but Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ and Sanada flop out of the ring, leaving Oiwa and Gabe to rise up. They run at each other, to DOUBLE LARIAT! neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Oiwa PALM STRIKES! Gabe PALM STRIKES, CHOPS, JABS, rebounds, into a roll-up! Hig stack, TMDK WINS!!

Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall

Gabe is in shock! He gets right in Red Shoes’ face but Red Shoes says it was a fair count! Gabe then goes after Oiwa to CLOBBER him! The fans boo and Young Lions rush in, but Gabe eggs Oiwa on! So Oiwa obliges and they brawl among the fans! The Young Lions rush in to separate the two, but Gabe gets loose to CLOBBER Oiwa! They scrap, ZSJ joins in, and he pulls the two apart. Gabe kicks a chair in frustration, then goes into retreat. Wait, Oiwa chases Gabe to the ramp and beats him down! Young Lions again scramble in to stop this, but it just heads to the back! Sanada shrugs it off, will the #ColdWarDogs just have to try harder in the next round?

As for the winners, well, they’re no longer ringside so there won’t be any in-ring closing words. Backstage interviews begin, Gabe promises Oiwa will be put in the ground! Will the Mad Man show The Mullet what it takes to be NJPW Strong? As for ZSJ, he gathers himself, and tells NJPW Media that he doesn’t know where The Mullet went. Actually, no, he has an idea: The Mullet must be smashing the s*it outta Gabe. “Roy The Mullet” is the next NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Oiwa will hit Gabe so hard, his legs will turn into trombones! As for ZSJ, there is something rare happening in this year’s WTL, isn’t it?

Yes, it’s that the IWGP World EFFIN’ Heavyweight Champion is involved, as this should be! The first time the world champion’s been in this tournament in roughly a decade! ZSJ said he was gonna be a different kind of world champion for NJPW, and that he promises to take NJPW back to the top! Now obviously, a conflict of interests, as this tournament is Shane Haste’s & Mikey Nicholls’ to win, but ZSJ won’t give the boys an easy ride. ZSJ is dreaming~ of an all TMDK World Tag League finals! Then who knows, maybe Zack & Roy get the job done.

But ZSJ knows the Tokyo Dome is coming soon. And Shota Umino wants to be ZSJ’s challenger. ZSJ says he will be keeping his eyes wide open for Shota. ZSJ says he’ll have a DOUBLE main event in the Tokyo Dome, it’s in the bag. What about you, Shota? The Front Man heads out, having put the pressure on his challenger, but will all of NJPW soon belong to TMDK?

 

Here are the A Block standings!

Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points


My Thoughts:

A great start to World Tag League 2024, with just A Block opening things tonight. I will say those tune-up matches were interesting. Even though David Finlay is the Global Champion, it’s Taiji Ishimori that has apparently become Bullet Club’s international ambassador. Taiji brought Robbie X into the group, now he teamed with The Filip Brothers, Tome & Stevie, who knows who else Bone Soldier will recruit. Taiji’s team beating Tanahashi’s team, House of Torture cheating and beating Tanahashi’s friends, this is all putting the pressure on The Ace, meaning The Ace will win out at WrestleKingdom 19.

Shota Umino teaming with Tomoaki Honma, I wonder if this is to hold Shota back somehow. He is apparently still heading for WrestleKingdom and a world title match with ZSJ, so it’s not like Shota needs to win WTL, but I guess NJPW just wants Shota to give the fans a good time alongside a fan favorite like Honma. Also, Callum & Cobb have a fun new shirt for their team-up. I figured Zayne would need to improvise now that #MonsterSauce is no longer happening, and Taguchi was a great surprise choice. But #FunkySauce making its debut against a team as strong as Takagi & Tsuji was a shame because of course LIJ was winning that. Maybe Zayne & Taguchi can pull off a spoiler victory later on, but I don’t see Funky Sauce going that strong.

Bishamon VS Kenta & Chase really was an awesome match, and it is so surprising how Chase has grown in just the past couple years. Great win for Goto & Hashi, though, as they’re clearly the solid utility choices in the tag division. And what an awesome main event, with Sanada bringing out the most Heel stuff he’s done perhaps ever. A bit jarring really, but that’s just kinda old fashioned Heel turns for ya. Great win for TMDK, though, and definitely an unorthodox way of closing by having Oiwa and Gabe brawl all over ringside and into the back.

While ZSJ says it is big for the world champ to be in this tournament, which I do agree with on some level, it also makes some of the A Block action seem secondary. Gabe and Oiwa having their grudge was kinda the main motivator behind this match, and then it’ll be similar when Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa happens. There is the added drama of, “What if someone pins ZSJ? Will they get a world title match before WK19?” Maybe Shota solidifies his WK title match by being the one that pins ZSJ in their match, but it all just feels like more flash than substance. No one else is going to pin ZSJ, Oiwa probably takes whatever losses their team will take, so A Block’s story suffers for it.

My Score: 8.9/10

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