Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (7/6/19)

Taven takes on the Hot Sauce!

Published

6 years ago

July 12, 2019

Steven Mitchell

ROH Wrestling Television, Episode 407

From PCO to Mark Haskins to Flip Gordon to even Jeff Cobb, Matt Taven has retained the ROH World Championship. Can Hot Sauce Tracy Williams succeed where others have failed?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

The Kingdom VS The Bouncers; The Kingdom wins.
Brian Johnson VS Josh Woods; Woods wins.
ROH World Championship: Matt Taven VS Tracy Williams; Taven wins and retains the ROH World Championship.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Kingdom VS The Bouncers!

While their charismatic leader prepares for battle, the Horror King and Sassy Wild Horse have one of their own! Will Vinnie Marseglia and TK O’Ryan be able to bounce Brawler Brian Milonas and the Beer City Bruiser to then cheer on Taven? Or will tonight’s ringside ban be the least of their concerns after this?

There is no Code of Honor upheld by the Kingdom, but that’s par for the course. Milonas starts against TK and TK has to fire himself up before tying up with the Mastodon. Milonas easily shoves TK away and grins as TK gets up. TK runs back at Milonas but gets shoved down again! Milonas shows a punch and TK scrambles away! Vinnie distracts Milonas, and TK rakes Milonas’ eyes! TK CHOPS away on Milonas in the corner, but Milonas comes back to bump TK off the buckles. Fans chant ‘BEER! BEER!” with each hit, then Milonas whips TK to back drop him down! TK gets up to get CHOPS from Milonas, then another whip. Milonas gives big double chops, and Bruiser likes what he sees. Milonas whips TK corner to corner but TK goes up and over.

TK baits Milonas to go up and over again, and again, and then again. Milonas stops to catch his breath, then they keep going. TK continues to evade Milonas, then dropkicks the tired Mastodon down. TK celebrates a little too much, because as he kneels and waves, Milonas falls on him! The referee checks on both men, and Milonas realizes he squashed TK underneath him. Milonas gets up and Bruiser calls him over. The tag is made and Bruiser back suplexes. TK slips out to tag in Vinnie! Vinnie runs in, but Bruiser runs him over! Bruiser scoops and carries Vinnie around, but Vinnie slips out to shove Bruiser into buckles! Vinnie runs side to side but Bruiser dodges him in the corner. Bruiser runs in but gets a big knee! Vinnie runs out, tilt-o-whirls, but can’t bring Bruiser down in the leg sweep!

Bruiser swings but VInnie dodges, only to get “BEER!” jabs! TK runs in, and he gets jabs, too! Bruiser punches TK then Vinnie and repeat. Bruiser winds up to take a bite, but Vinnie fish hooks Bruiser’s mouth! So Bruiser bites Vinnie’s fingers! The referee reprimands Bruiser, but Bruiser reminds us, “I can’t bite! I ain’t got no teef.” Tag to Milonas, but Vinnie boots Bruiser. Vinnie whips Bruiser but Bruiser reverses to feed Vinnie to Milonas’ Scrapbuster! TK climbs up while Vinnie bails out, but he leaps into Milonas’ arms! Milonas adjusts and Bruiser dropkicks for the sidewalk slam! Fans fire up with the Bouncers as Bruiser tags in. Milonas helps Bruiser build speed to CANNONBALL off the apron! He wipes out both TK and Vinnie!

Bruiser gets up and high-fives fans as he puts TK back in. Bruiser goes to whip Vinnie but Vinnie whips Bruiser into the post! He hit his teeth! Vinnie grabs Bruiser again to smash his mouth off railing! Bruiser clutches whatever teeth he has left while ROH goes to break.

ROH returns and Vinnie clubs Bruiser with crossface forearms. “You wanna bite me?!” Vinnie makes Bruiser bite ropes as he shoves his face against the middle one. The ref counts and Vinnie lets up at 4, but he distracts the ref while TK pulls Bruiser in more! TK adds an uppercut then backs off, leaving Bruiser to rest on the ropes. Vinnie kicks the ropes to jam Bruiser’s teeth more! Fans rally up with chants of “BEER! BEER!” but Vinnie drags Bruiser back up to put him in a corner. Vinnie runs side to side for a forearm smash, then another! He bumps Bruiser off buckles again, for Sliced Bread! Cover, TWO! Vinnie seethes while Bruiser checks his gums.

Vinnie wrenches Bruiser’s neck and hooks the mouth but the ref stops him. Bruiser gets up but Vinnie throws European Uppercuts. Tag to TK and The Kingdom double whip. Bruiser blocks the flapjack but gets body shots. The Kingdom both run, but into double sidewalk slams! All three men are down but Milonas and the fans rally up. Bruiser crawls, hot tag to Milonas! The Brawler rallies with big hands on The Kingdom! He blasts TK with a shoulder, then POUNCES Vinnie! Milonas grabs TK but gets a JAB! TK runs but into the crossbody! Milonas shouts to Bruiser, and the Bouncers coordinate. But Vinnie trips Bruiser up! Vinnie then anchors Milonas to disrupt the superplex, and TK crossbodies to cover! The Kingdom win!

Winners: The Kingdom, TK O’Ryan pinning

No Last Call, no Closing Time! The Kingdom keeps the bar open, but can Taven make it their night in the main event?

The Bouncers stay respectful, offering beers for the #ToastofHonor. The Kingdom’s response: they do take the beers, and the mic. “ROH is prided on elite tag team wrestling.” And there’s no doubt the Bouncers are elite. Fans agree with that. “But tonight, you guys proved to us that you’re exactly like everybody here. A big, fat loser.” And then they pour the beer on the floor!? The Bouncers clobber and whip The Kingdom to run them over! That’ll show The Kingdom to disrespect them and beer!

ROH hears from Matt Taven.

“Beware of the quiet man. For while others speak, he watches. And while others act, he plans. And when they finally rest, he strikes. That ol’ soft bark with a big bite.” The problem is, Matt Taven never rests! He’s worked harder than anyone in ROH history to become the world champion! And he will not be satisfied. The finish line is nowhere in sight, and there is work to be done. Taven will be ready for the quiet man, but he also wants the quiet man to know that “IIIII’M the world champion, and my bark is as big as my bite.”

ROH also hears from Tracy Williams.

“I’m standing here right now, going into the biggest match of my ROH career so far, and of my entire wrestling career so far.” Tracy earned this opportunity, and he doesn’t take it lightly. Taven holds a title that has also been held by some of the greatest professional wrestlers in history. Taven added his name to the list, so hopefully he enjoyed his time with the title. Tracy is coming to take the title. The Kingdom can’t stop him from out-wrestling Taven. Taven better hold on tight, because that belt will be going home with Tracy.

Brian Johnson VS Josh Woods!

The Number One feels The Goods hasn’t been good since he won the 2017 Top Prospect Tournament. In fact, Johnson feels Woods is the biggest bust in the tournament’s history. But Woods is all about “less is more” and being #DownToFight. Will Johnson still feel like “the one” after he actually gets in a fight with The Goods?

Johnson keeps his distance as Woods gets in the ring. The Code of Honor is upheld but Johnson also talks trash and shoves Woods. Johnson boasts and brags that he’ll be the top guy soon enough, but then Woods picks him up for a slam! Woods stalks Johnson, waistlocks and deadlifts, but Johnson grabs ropes. Johnson elbows Woods out and gets all smug again, but then gets a BOOT to the gut! Woods grimaces but Johnson yanks Woods into buckles. Johnson throws forearms and stomps away in the corner. He throws in elbows, then gets his arrogance back. Johnson whips Woods but Woods reverses it. Johnson goes up but Woods catches him!

Woods yanks but Johnson holds onto the ropes. Johnson elbows Woods down, then gets some space. He runs at Woods in the corner for a big back elbow, then throws a slapping haymaker. Johnson runs corner to corner, but Woods catches him and carries him, before throwing him with an exploder! Woods clobbers Johnson then stalks Johnson to a corner. He whips Johnson corner to corner and then runs in, but Johnson dodges! Woods rams into the post and falls to the floor! Johnson is smug again as ROH goes to break.

ROH returns and Johnson has Woods in a chinlock. Woods endures and fans rally up. Woods fights his way up and out of the hold and throws elbows. Johnson shifts to a facelock but Woods powers him into a corner! Woods throws big hands on Johnson then whips. Johnson holds the ropes and Woods’ arm jams. Johnson then runs to clothesline Woods down! Cover, TWO! Johnson is furious that Woods is still in this. But Woods is clutching his arm, so Johnson goes after it. He slams it on the mat, then grabs it for an armbar DDT! “That’s a top prospect?!” Johnson isn’t impressed but Woods hits back. Johnson wrenches the arm to a standing armlock, but Woods endures. Fans rally up and Woods fights back with his good arm giving forearms. But Johnson wrenches more.

Woods still throws forearms but Johnson yanks. Johnson wrenches again but Woods forearms free! And throws a big knee! Woods rallies with forearms then a belly2belly! Fans fire up with Woods as he runs corner to corner for a shining wizard! Johnson falls and Woods covers, TWO! Johnson survives and Woods is shocked. Woods grabs a leg but Johnson grabs ropes. Johnson kicks Woods’ bad arm then kicks a leg out! Woods falls and Johnson uses the ropes to cover! But the ref sees that as clear as the nose on his face! Johnson clubs away on Woods, but Woods snapmares back. Woods hits another big knee! Wrench to fireman’s carry, SEISMIC TOSS! Cover, Woods wins!

Winner: Josh Woods, by pinfall

The Goods still has it! It’ll be awhile before the Number One is better than Mr. Top Prospect 2017, but can becoming Mr. Top Prospect 2019 help with that?

ROH looks back to how Hot Sauce became a contender.

It was War of the Worlds Tour, 5/11/19, Tracy Williams VS Eli Isom. LifeBlood’s Hot Sauce got the Future of Honor up for a crunching piledriver and won the match, and has lined up his ROH World Championship shot for tonight! Can Hot Sauce succeed where others have failed? Or will The Kingdom still hold gold thanks to Matt Taven?

ROH World Championship: Matt Taven VS Tracy Williams!

Former world champion, Jay Lethal, joins commentary to watch the man that took the title from him at G1 Supercard. Despite being on the losing end of a Best 2 Out of 3 Falls series with Kenny King, Lethal will get another shot at the world title at ROH Manhattan Mayhem on July 20th! Who meets The Franchise Player in Hammerstein?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the Code of Honor is actually upheld. Taven and Tracy back off for the bell, and we begin!

Tracy is fired up already as he circles with Taven. Taven gets to a corner and uses the ropes as defense, then trash talks a fan that his girl’s going home with Taven. Lethal is practically pacing at commentary as Taven and Tracy tie up. Taven wrenches to a wristlock but Tracy reverses to hammerlock then headlock and takeover. Taven headscissors but Tracy pops out. The two stand off and fans cheer as they circle again. Taven and Tracy tie up and Taven waistlocks. He spins Tracy for a snapmare then crucifix, TWO! Taven brags about how good he’s doing and Tracy “applauds.” Tracy and Taven circle again, but Taven again uses the ropes as defense. Taven has Tracy cool of while ROH goes to break.

ROH returns again, and Tracy steps through to drop on the toehold! Taven kicks but Tracy catches it! To roll it into a heel hook! Taven scrambles and gets the ropebreak. Tracy lets go and wants to know where the champ’s confidence went. Taven slowly gets up but again uses ropes as defense. To then sucker CHOP Tracy! Taven whips Tracy but Tracy reverses to CHOP back! Tracy reels Taven in for a trapped-arm saido suplex! Taven stands but Tracy is on him with another CHOP! Tracy CHOPS in the corner and Taven reels towards another. The CHOPS keep coming but Taven kicks back. Taven suplexes but Tracy slips out to CHOP again! Tracy goes to suplex but Taven powers him into buckles.

Taven rams his shoulders in then runs corner to corner, only for Tracy to slip out and swing boots into Taven! Tracy fires up while Taven staggers and falls back. Tracy slingshots but rolls through as Taven bails out. Taven turns around into a wrecking ball dropkick! Tracy throws forearms on Taven as they go around the ring. Tracy CHOPS away with palm strikes and kicks, then chases him back in the ring. Taven bails back out but Tracy is on him at the barriers. Taven ducks the chop to then throw Tracy into a post! Tracy’s bad shoulder collides with steel, then Taven throws Tracy into railing! Taven puts Tracy in but decides to take the night off early. He takes his belt back and blows kisses to his fans. But the fans boo as Taven goes up the ramp.

Tracy pursues and throws hands in front of the stage! And CHOPS, too! Fans cheer as Tracy drags Taven up the steps to bounce him off them! Taven crawls as the 20 count reaches 10, but Tracy climbs up onto stage. Tracy fires up and FLIES with a forearm! He takes Taven down and fans cheer for “R O H!” The ref gets Tracy to drag Taven back to the ring, and the action goes back inside. Fans fire up with Hot Sauce as he aims. Taven runs in but gets kicks! The toe gets Taven in the face! Tracy climbs but Taven rocks him with a forearm. Taven climbs up to join Tracy but Tracy grabs Taven! The two fight up top with body shots, but then Taven grabs Tracy for a SUPER Russian Leg Sweep!! Tracy crashes and burns on ropes, apron and cameraman!

Taven builds speed to WRECK Tracy with the dropkick! “Because I’m… Matt Taven.” Taven soaks up the heat from the fans while ROH goes to one more break.

ROH returns once more as Taven and Tracy are down in the ring. Taven crawls to a corner while Tracy goes to the opposite end. Tracy runs in but Taven dodges, only to run into an elbow. Tracy hops up and leaps for a Sicilian Slice leg drop! Hot Sauce stays hot as he climbs up again. Taven is in the drop zone and Tracy leaps, but Taven gets clear of the double stomps. Tracy rolls through but turns around into Taven’s Slingblade to sleeper hold! But Tracy powers out and puts one on Taven! Tracy hops on but Taven powers him into buckles. Taven is free, but Tracy reels him back in! The ref calls for a ropebreak but Taven breaks free again. Taven hoists Tracy up and enziguris the bad shoulder! Taven grabs Tracy, but Tracy pushes him away.

Tracy misses the clothesline in the corner but elbows Taven away. Tracy hops up but Taven enziguris again! Taven has Tracy in the other corner and back up top. He CHOPS Tracy then shouts at a fan, “Suck on that, fatty!” Taven climbs but Tracy has him for a half hatch DDT to the top buckle! Tracy fires up, hops up, and leaps for a flying DDT!! Cover, TWO! Taven survives and Tracy can’t believe it! Both men are down and fans rally up as a standing count begins. Tracy sits up first but Taven slowly follows. Tracy drags Taven to his feet and wants a piledriver, but Taven blocks. Taven back drops but Tracy sunset flips, only for Taven to roll through and give Tracy #JustTheTip of the knee! Both men are down again and another standing count begins!

Fans cheer and rally as both men stir again. Both men get to ropes and stand. Taven runs at Tracy but gets buckles. Tracy throws forearms then whips corner to corner. Taven stops himself, rolls back and enziguris Tracy again! Tracy escapes the back suplex, but Taven ducks the discus. Tracy blocks the boot to hit a LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Into a Crossface!! Taven flails but Tracy shifts to the Ankle Lock! Tracy has Taven away from ropes, but Taven keeps fighting. Tracy drops down to an STF! Fans rally both ways as Taven crawls, to a ropebreak! Tracy can’t believe he couldn’t finish it there. Tracy springboard stomps Taven, then slashes the throat. He drags Taven up and wants the piledriver, but Taven back drops again. Tracy sunset flips again, but Taven rolls through again for more of #JustTheTip!

Taven headlocks but Tracy denies the Climax, to spin around and swing a lariat. Taven blocks that, into another headlock, and the CLIMAX! But Taven has to crawl to the cover, TWO!? Tracy lives and Taven is stunned! But the fans know “This is Awesome!” Taven focuses and drags Tracy to a drop zone. Taven climbs, leaps, frog splash onto knees!! Cover, TWO!! Tracy knees low then drags Taven in, PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Taven survives the driver and now Tracy is beside himself. Fans are fired up for both men as another standing count begins. Tracy sits up first but Taven follows again. Tracy grabs Taven but Taven rolls through. Taven runs around but can’t get free of Tracy’s grip, so he sends Tracy into the ref! And then he throws Tracy’s bad shoulder into an exposed turnbuckle! The buckle Taven exposed during commercial comes into play! Taven steps through to lock the arm, CLIMAX! Cover, Taven wins!

Winner: Matt Taven, by pinfall; still ROH World Champion

The Kingdom’s king survives LifeBlood’s technical genius! But now Lethal is ready for a major rematch in Manhattan! Will things finally be settled between Lethal and Taven? Who comes out proving they are the one true ROH World Champion?

My Thoughts:

A pretty good ROH to help set up the Manhattan Mayhem special in a few weeks. Honestly, that’s the only thing this episode did, despite solid matches. Bouncers VS Kingdom was one good way to keep TK O’Ryan and Vinnie Marseglia from interfering with the main event, along with the mentioned ringside ban. Kingdom is still the better tag team so it makes sense for them to win. Perhaps we get a longer feud of Kingdom VS Bouncers to determine contenders to the ROH World Tag Team Championships. Manhattan Mayhem will see those titles on the line, Guerrillas of Destiny VS The Briscoes, and I can’t be sure the titles change hands because it doesn’t seem like that big of a PPV. Though perhaps it’ll have to be then or else ROH is never actually getting those titles back.

Obviously Josh Woods beats Brian Johnson because for starters, that’s how this story was going with Johnson talking so much trash to bring the match about. Secondly, “The Number One” is some kind of bootleg GLORIOUS Bobby/Robert Roode. For me, Johnson is dangerously close to “go away” heat with this smugness. But I have a feeling that alone will take him far in this year’s Top Prospect Tournament. Last year, the tournament was “scrapped” as Jeff Cobb kept blowing it up, but I’m pretty sure this year goes off like the others before it. I don’t know all the entrants, but I doubt the winner of that overcomes Shane Taylor if Shane Taylor is still ROH World TV Champion by the end of it.

The main event was much better, and naturally since it was for THE ROH World Championship. Tracy Williams did great, but as expected, he didn’t win. For one, this was a televised world title match, on only episode 407, it’s just not how things are done. Secondly, we’re getting Taven VS Lethal now in Manhattan, and this will for the time being settle things between them. We never really got the story I had hoped for with each man having their own version of the world title belt, but the matches have been good enough. I would expect Taven to win again, but I’m wondering where Kenny King is to complain that Lethal is still getting this shot at all. King won the 2 out of 3 series, so he has an actual reason to get a shot before Lethal. Maybe with the episode left before Manhattan Mayhem, King drops a promo about this.

My Score: 8.1/10

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Coverage

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

GO! ACE! GO! ACE!

Published

19 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Tanahashi’s Final Road to New Beginning!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: TMDK, by pinfall

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

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

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

My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.7/10

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Coverage

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

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

Published

21 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Andrew Balaz

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

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 31, 2025

Ratings:

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

Results:

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

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 30, 2025

Cora Jade vs Hyan

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

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

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 31, 2025

Brian Myers w/The System vs Leon Slater

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

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

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

Laredo Kid vs Mustafa Ali

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

Eric Young & Josh Alexander vs Sinner & Saint

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

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

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

Ace Austin vs Wes Lee w/Tyson & Tyriek

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall Score: 6.25/10

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

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

All in all, very nice.