Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Road Results & Report! (2/20/20)
New Japan paves the way to the Anniversary Show!
The road to the NJPW 48th Anniversary begins here!
The NJPW 48th Anniversary is on the horizon, so we go down this New Japan Road paved with gold! Will Shingo Takagi stay Mr. NEVER Openweight?
NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championships: Roppongi 3K VS Rocky Romero & Ryusuke Taguchi; RPG3K wins and retains the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Tomohiro Ishii; Takagi wins and retains the NEVER Openweight Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championships: Roppongi 3K VS Rocky Romero & Ryusuke Taguchi!
What an interesting match-up! Sho & Yoh face not only one of the best all time in the Funky Weapon, but they face the man who coached and mentored them to where they are now! Can RPG3K defeat the Mega Coaches and prove the students have surpassed the master?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and the coaches “draw up” a game plan on the buckle pad. They come to an agreement, and Romero dares his boys to step up! Sho tells Yoh he’ll start, and the bell rings. Romero rushes in but Sho sees it coming! Romero backs off, asking for a time-out. Sho won’t give it to him, and starts throwing forearms! Romero throws them back and we have a brawl between teacher and student! Sho rocks Romero, then again. Sho whips, Romero slides under and dodges, but Sho hip tosses to an armbar! Romero slips out, Sho kicks low and runs to sunset flip. Romero drops down to get the armbar! Sho rolls Romero up, TWO and the two separate. Fans cheer the exchange and rally for “Rocky! Rocky!”
Romero and Sho stare down, but back off to tag their partners. Yoh steps up to Taguchi and fans are cheering Taguchi on. Taguchi and Yoh circle and tie up. Taguchi gets a leg, Yoh sits to block. Yoh gets around to a waistlock but Taguchi pries free to wrench. Yoh flips, rolls and wrenches back to a wristlock. Taguchi stays up as Yoh has the hammerlock. Taguchi reaches down and trips Yoh up to get a toehold. Yoh endures as Taguchi drops to a heel hook. Taguchi turns the hold to go after a Half Crab but Yoh scrambles to a ropebreak! Fans cheer as Taguchi lets up. Taguchi and Yoh circle again, feeling out a new grapple. Yoh kicks low, reels Taguchi in to headlock and grinds Taguchi down. Taguchi throws body shots and powers out, then things speed up.
Taguchi drops and drops and drops but Yoh is still ready for the elbow! Yoh whips Taguchi to drop and drop and drop. Taguchi counters Yoh’s cleverness with a basement dropkick! Fans cheer as Sho runs in to get an atomic drop! Tag to Romero and the coaches bring up one each. Romero whips Yoh corner to corner, then Taguchi whips Sho into Yoh. Taguchi whips Romero for Romero to whip Taguchi in but apparently Taguchi insists Romero go in. The coaches carousel around each other until finally Romero goes in to elbow sandwich RPG3K! Romero runs out but Taguchi tells him to keep going. Romero goes back in for another, and another, and Sho flops out of the ring. Now Taguchi runs in to hit Yoh! Taguchi gives baseball signs and the coaches hip bump to celebrate.
Fans rally up as Taguchi climbs up and Romero brings Yoh up. Romero sends Yoh into the Funky Weapon’s “home base!” And then uses it as part of the tornado, only for Yoh to deny the DDT! Yoh suplexes Romero into Taguchi! Sho returns and he stomps Taguchi out of the ring. RPG3K has their coach all alone and stomp him a little. They bring Romero up and to the corner. Sho tags in, RPG3K double whip, speed things up, drop toehold and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Sho clamps onto Romero with a chinlock. Sho digs his knee in and thrashes Romero about but Romero fights up. Romero elbows back but Sho clubs him down. Sho whips and kitchen sink knees Romero down! Then KICKS him hard in the back! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Sho keeps his cool.
Sho drags Romero over, tags Yoh and RPG3K mugs Romero in the corner. Romero CHOPS Yoh back! Yoh eggs Romero on and Romero throws forearms and CHOPS! Yoh European Uppercuts then scoop slams Romero down. Elbow drop and cover, ONE, to a knee drop! Cover, TWO! Double stomps! Cover, TWO! Yoh wraps on with a headscissor hold and Sho hits Taguchi down. Romero endures as Yoh cranks and squeezes his head. Fans rally up for Romero as Sho watches Taguchi closely. Sho stomps Taguchi down but Romero rolls to a ropebreak! Yoh lets go at 4, to basement dropkick Romero! Yoh brings Romero back up and throws forearms. He stomps and kicks Romero while he’s down, toying with the ol’ coach. So Romero SLAPS Yoh! Yoh SLAPS back!
Romero staggers and Yoh throws EuroUppers. Yoh runs corner to corner but Romero boots him away. Yoh runs into another boot, then Romero jumps up to tornado DDT! Fans rally up again and Romero tags in Taguchi! Sho jumps in but gets the Funky Weapon! Taguchi fires up as he has RPG3K on opposite ends. The Funky Weapon Train begins! Taguchi hits Yoh, Sho, back to Yoh, back to Sho, and then slides out to get Yoh on the apron! Fans cheer as Taguchi watches Yoh stand back up. Taguchi springboards but Yoh gets clear. Taguchi keeps going to triangle PLANCHA onto Sho! The Funky Weapon gets in the ring and baits Yoh into rushing him. Shout out to Shinsuke and Yoh is sent tumbling out! Taguchi builds speed as RPG3K regroups, TOPE CONJILO! Fans are fired up for Taguchi and he’s a bit bashful now.
Taguchi puts Yoh in the ring and aims again. Yoh slowly stands, Taguchi springboards, flying hip attack! Cover, TWO! Yoh survives but fans are even more fired up behind Taguchi. Taguchi drags Yoh up and snap suplexes! Uno amigo! Dos amigo! But Yoh slips out to dragon sleeper. Taguchi fights out but Yoh ducks his clothesline. Yoh hops on for the satellite DDT! Cover, TWO!! Yoh keeps his focus as he drags Taguchi up. Waistllock, half nelson then full nelson. Taguchi breaks free and elbows out. Yoh ducks to EuroUpper and mule kick! Yoh runs, sunset flips but Taguchi rolls through to the ANKLE LOCK! Fans fire up but Yoh rolls and throws Taguchi off. Taguchi goes up, missile dropkick! And the Ankle Lock is back! Yoh reaches for ropes but Taguchi pulls him back and leans into the lock!
Yoh claws forward but Taguchi brings him away! But Taguchi reels Yoh in and goes for chicken wings! Yoh elbows free, shiranui to dragon sleeper, elbow drop DDT! Both men are down and fans rally up! Yoh crawls to tag Sho, and Sho goes after Taguchi in the corner with a big corner clothesline! Sho whips corner to corner, Taguchi reverses but Sho reverses back to kick out a leg. Sho kicks and kicks and MULE KICKS! Cover, TWO! Taguchi still lives and fans are still fired up. Sho drags Taguchi up in a dead lift waistlock, but Taguchi fights free. Taguchi runs, into a big elbow! Sho runs, into an enziguri! Fans fire up as both men are down again. Taguchi crawls to his corner, tag to Romero! Romero runs in to huricanrana Sho!
Yoh gets in, Romero kicks low and whips but Yoh reverses, only for Romero to huricanrana him! RPG3K are in opposite corners, Romero starts up the Forever Clotheslines! But he only gets two before Yoh dodges and Sho follows to clothesline Romero! Yoh goes to the other corner as Sho becomes a step stool, but Romero is the one who hits Roppongi in Motion! Romero downs Yoh and dodges Sho to LARIAT! Fans fire up for “Rocky! Rocky!” as Romero aims at Sho. Sho stands, Romero runs and swings around for the Shiranui DDT! Cover, TWO!! Sho survives but Romero drags Sho up. Romero knuckle locks then climbs the ropes, meteora to the arm!
Romero looms over Sho and drags him up to wrench. Shoulder breaker! Romero kicks the bad arm, wrenches and wants another, but Sho gets Romero in a sleeper hold! Sho squeezes tight but Romero pries at the hold. Romero frees himself, rams shoulders then suplexes for a takedown and armbar! Taguchi intercepts Yoh with the ANKLE LOCK! Yoh reaches for Sho as Sho scrambles around! Romero cranks the arm back, Sho rolls him. Romero won’t let Sho lift, so Sho shifts to an armbar of his own! Yoh counters Taguchi to a “Star Gazer” Kneebar! Romero gets the ropebreak! Sho lets Romero go and Yoh lets Taguchi go. Fans rally as the four men are down. The teams regroup, and RPG3K bring the coaches up.
The coaches forearm, but RPG3K forearm back. We have a back ‘n’ forth, the coaches fire each other up, and fire off more forearms. The coaches fake RPG3K out on the knees, but then RPG3K catches the coaches into stereo atomic drops! RPG3K runs, into stereo hip attacks! Fans fire up and the coaches have Sho alone. Taguchi goes to the corner again and Romero whips Sho. Sho stops himself from running into the Funky Weapon, so Romero runs in. Sho side steps and Rocky has to stomp himself! Romero blocks as Sho tries to throw him in. Romero ax handles Sho away, then catapults Sho into the Funky Weapon! Tornado DDT! Taguchi calls upon the power of Shinsuke and runs, BUM-A-YE! Romero rolls Sho up, TWO!! Sho survives but the fans are thunderous for the coaches.
Romero rolls Sho to Taguchi for a wheelbarrow, CODE BREAKER! Cover, but Yoh breaks it! Taguchi throws Yoh out and Romero fires up! Romero drags Sho up, cravat and run the corner, but no Sliced Bread. Sho dodges Romero to send him into posts, then waistlocks. Romero fights out and kicks the bad arm! Romero runs into Yoh’s SUPERKICK! Taguchi kicks RPG3K then runs, into the double knees! RPG3K drags Romero up, suplex and Canadian rack, but Romero slips out to send Sho into Yoh. Romero grabs Sho and uses Yoh for the launch pad, but Sho blocks Shiranui! Sho flips Romero over and Yoh runs, Dominator Cutter! Cover, TWO!! Romero lives and fans are at a fever pitch! But RPG3K still has things to try.
Sho gives Romero a backstabber, then feeds him to Yoh’s shotgun dropkick! RPG3K tune up the band as Romero stirs. Romero slowly stands, Sho & Yoh call for it, but Taguchi saves Romero from 3K! Taguchi throws forearms and CHOPS on Sho and Yoh, then runs. Sho lifts but Taguchi hip attacks Yoh! Taguchi runs into Sho’s LARIAT! Romero LARIATS Sho! Yoh dropkicks Romero! Taguchi is up again, and hip attacks Yoh! Sho SPEARS Taguchi! Romero KNEES Sho and ROCKS Yoh, Yoh PELES! All four men are down again and the fans cheer again. Fans rally for the four as they all stir. Taguchi flops out of the ring, as does Yoh. Sho gets to a corner, as does Romero. Romero runs in to corner clothesilne! But Sho gives it back! Sho runs, but Romero slips to a backslide, TWO!! Huricanrana and cover, TWO!!
Sho slowly gets to his feet, Romero throws an uppercut! And ROCKS Sho with a right! Romero runs, Sho LARIATS! Sho dead lifts Romero for the GERMAN! Bridge, TWO!?! Romero barely escapes and Sho can’t believe it! Fans haven’t slowed down one bit as Sho drags Romero up. Sho lifts, POWER BREAKER! High stack but Taguchi breaks it! Yoh throws Taguchi out and PESCADO! Sho fires up and draws the bow! Sho drags Romero up, pump handles, but Romero slips out to cradle counter!! TWO!!! Romero KNEES Sho, but Sho KNEES back! Sho drags Romero up, pump handles, but Romero tries to huricanrana out! Sho blocks but Romero escapes. Romero enziguris but Sho ducks! Yoh keeps Taguchi down but Romero rewind mule kicks!
Sho flounders and Romero jumps, but no code breaker! 3K!! Cover, but Taguchi breaks it within seconds! Yoh and Taguchi brawl, and Yoh gets the edge. Yoh runs, into the Funky Weapon! But he rewinds with the ropes, only for Taguchi to use Sho as a shield from the SUPERKICK! Romero rolls Sho and Taguchi goes after Yoh, but Yoh just pushes the cover over! Taguchi drags Yoh up, whips, Funky Weapon again! Taguchi leaps at Sho, but Sho catches him! GERMAN SUPLEX! Yoh builds speed to FLY! Direct hit takes Taguchi out! Sho builds power once more as Romero rises. Sho runs, to LARIAT Romero inside out! He drags Romero up, pump handles, SHOCK ARROW DRIVER! Cover, TWO!?!? Rocky Romero will not die! Sho drags Romero up again, Yoh is up top, Shock Arrow + Double Stomps = STRONG X!! Cover, Yoh intercepts Taguchi, RPG3K wins!!
Winners: Roppongi 3K, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
An incredible showdown, and the students have surpassed the teacher! RPG3K show respect and compassion to their mentor, as well as the Junior Heavyweight icon. Will the Mega Coaches be back again? Will RPG3K only rise to even greater heights?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Tomohiro Ishii!
The Last Dragon won this title when NJPW returned to Sapporo, becoming Los Ingobernables de Japon’s other Double Gold Champion! Shingo swears to become THE champion in NJPW, but can he first get past the Stone Pitbull?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and a truly solid showdown for this championship begins!
Fans are fired up for Takagi as he and Ishii tie up. They’re in a deadlock as they’re even in strength. Ishii pushes Takagi but Takagi pushes back. Ishii manages to win out and put Takagi on the ropes. Red Shoes calls for a break and Ishii pats Takagi on the shoulder. But then Ishii swings a chop! Takagi ducks to swing back but Ishii ducks! Fans cheer as the two stare down. Ishii and Takagi tie up and Takagi headlocks. Ishii powers out, the two collide, but neither falls! Takagi dares Ishii to try again so Ishii does. They collide, still neither falls. Takagi goes now, bumps Ishii but Ishii hits back on the rebound. Takagi comes back, the two ram like rams, but neither falls!
Fans are firing up as the two go again, and again, and again! They aren’t stopping, but Takagi wobbles. Ishii rams him again, but Takagi runs Ishii over! Fans fire up as Takagi drops an elbow. Takagi stands on Ishii’s stomach then drops a senton! Takagi gives toying kicks and then stands on Ishii’s back at the ropes. Red Shoes reprimands and Takagi lets off. Takagi drags Ishii up to facelock and grind Ishii down. Ishii has the ropes and Red Shoes calls for a ropebreak. Takagi lets go long enough to knee Ishii low. Takagi whips and follows to knee Ishii again. He runs, but Ishii runs him over! Fans cheer and duel as Ishii looms over Takagi. Ishii sits Takagi up to KICK and KICK! Ishii stands Takagi for a headbutt, and another headbutt, and another headbutt!
Takagi leans on the ropes and Ishii eggs him on. Takagi headbutts back! And again! And again! Ishii stays up to headbutt back! Takagi sits down in a corner and Ishii gives him toying kicks. Ishii CHOPS but Takagi leans into it. Ishii CHOPS, Takagi gives a forearm, repeat. Takagi CHOPS but Ishii manages to shrug. Ishii CHOPS, Takagi CHOPS, repeat! They start giving out CHOPS faster and faster! Ishii staggers Takagi and fires off a few more, but Takagi double CHOPS back! Both men are stinging but fans are cheering! Takagi drags Ishii up to whip him to a corner. Ishii comes back, they ram shoulders, and then Ishii CHOPS! Ishii grabs Takagi but Takagi suplexes Ishii instead! Fans stay fired up as Takagi gets to his feet. Takagi jumps and drops a knee!
Takagi takes a moment to adjust his knee pads before he brings Ishii up. He elbows Ishii then gives toying kicks at the ropes. Takagi clubs and forearms away, but Ishii eggs him on! Ishii and Takagi go forearm for forearm, elbow for elbow! Fans love the fast and furious action! Ishii wobbles and Takagi adds on! Takagi gives toying boots in the corner and a slap to the head! Takagi throws forearms but Ishii just stares him down. Ishii throws a forearm, Takagi gives it. Ishii wants to feel it, so Takagi hits harder. That still wasn’t enough! Takagi keeps throwing but Ishii leans into the forearm shots! Ishii backs Takagi down, then ROCKS him! Takagi flops right over and the fans reach a thunderous level!
Ishii stalks Takagi and gives him those toying boots now. Ishii CHOPS and forearms, repeat! Over and over! Takagi starts dropping but Ishii talks trash to him. Takagi hits back and grinds foreheads with Ishii. Ishii doesn’t back down, so Takagi headbutts! Ishii comes back with more forearms and chops! Red Shoes reprimands but Ishii gets mad at him. Ishii kicks at Takagi and eggs him on more. “What’s up, champion?!” Ishii whips Takagi corner to corner and hits a big clothesline! But now Takagi comes back and grinds foreheads. Takagi shoves, catches Ishii to chicken wings then spins him around to DDT! He SPIKES Ishii with that one! Red Shoes checks on Ishii but Ishii is somehow okay to continue.
Takagi kicks at Ishii while he’s down, puts him in a corner and jabs, CHOPS, jabs, CHOPS, then fires off haymaker after haymaker! Red Shoes tries to back Takagi off but Takagi pushes him away! Takagi keeps elbowing and stomping Ishii as Red Shoes is a bit indignant. Fans rally and duel as Takagi looms over Ishii. Takagi keeps kicking and poking at Ishii. Takagi talks some serious smack as he gives one BIG kick! And Ishii is right up!! Ishii grabs Takagi by the jaw but Takagi CHOPS! Ishii CHOPS to the throat! And again! And again! The Stone Pitbull is baring his fangs and going for the throat! Red Shoes tries to pull Ishii off after the fourth shot but Ishii goes to six. Ishii even pushes Red Shoes away!
Red Shoes comes back to keep Ishii back and Takagi flops over. Fans duel again as each man works to breathe. Ishii runs in but Takagi boots him away. Ishii keeps trying and gets another boot. Takagi fireman’s carries Ishii and brings him up the corner. Ishii slips out but Takagi headbutts and hotshots! Takagi runs side to side but Ishii clotheslines him first! Ishii looks around and looks to suplex Takagi out! Takagi resists but Ishii headbutts! Ishii drags Takagi up and out onto the apron. Ishii works to lift Takagi but Takagi shovels Ishii up! Fans start to worry as both men fight for control. Takagi fireman’s carries Ishii up! APRON DEATH VALLEY!! Ishii writhes in pain, his arm may have been broken! Red Shoes checks on both men, and somehow Ishii is okay.
A ring count begins and Takagi springs up at 3 of 20. Takagi goes into the ring at 6, but Ishii is still down at 10. Takagi stops the count, wanting to end this properly. He drags Ishii into the ring, and fires up! Fans join in with the “OI! OI!” Takagi goes corner to corner, corner clothesline! Ishii avoids Pumping Bomber and waistlocks! Takagi elbows and hauls Ishii up for a Backpack drop! Sliding lariat! Takagi drags Ishii up, underhooks for Gory Especial, NOSHIGAMI! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives but Takagi keeps his cool. Fans duel hard as ever but the majority is for Takagi. Takagi drags Ishii up and pump handles, but Ishii fights off the lift. Takagi point-blank LARIATS! Ishii wobbles back but stays up.
Takagi gives another LARIAT, and another! Ishii falls to his knees but Takagi isn’t done with him! Fans rally as Takagi runs, into a spinning powerslam! Both men get up and Takagi back elbows and JABS! Ishii ducks the clothesline to waistlock, Takagi swings but misses. Ishii swings but misses, Takagi blocks and NORTHERN LIGHTS! But Ishii is up to SAIDO! Takagi is up to SNAP SAIDO! Ishii staggers up to SAIDO again! Takagi flounders up and swings, into Ishii’s SAIDO!! But both men are so dazed, they flop down! Fans reach that thunderous level again as both men stir. Ishii gets to a corner and stands. Takagi stands, Ishii runs and LARIATS, but Takagi stays up! Takagi runs to LARIAT, but Ishii also stays up! Ishii comes back to LARIAT, Takagi LARIATS! Ishii flounders and leans on the ropes as we reach a fever pitch.
Another LARIAT from Ishii! Another LARIAT from Takagi! Ishii leans on the ropes but refuses to quit. Ishii LARIATS, Takagi flounders! Takagi stands only to get another LARIAT! Ishii runs but Takagi follows to LARIAT Ishii against ropes! Takagi runs but Ishii returns the favor, LARIAT against the ropes! Ishii runs, ducks a clothesline, and both run to DOUBLE LARIAT! Yet still, neither man falls! They go again, and Ishii’s LARIAT wins out!! The fever pitch returns, Ishii drags Takagi up, POWERBOMB! Matchbook stack, TWO!! Ishii is too tired to be frustrated, and he brings Takagi up to the top rope. Ishii climbs up but Takagi throws hands. Takagi slaps and jabs and headbutts! Ishii headbutts back! Ishii climbs up again, to the very top, for a SUPERPLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi still lives and this is just the 20 minute mark!
Ishii stands up and drags Takagi to sit. But Takagi avoids the sliding lariat to pump handle. Ishii elbows out but Takagi elbows, JABS and LARIATS! Takagi staggers and flops against ropes as fans continue to duel. Takagi fires himself up, “Not yet!” He and Ishii junkyard dog headbutt each other! Then they headbutt as they go up to their feet. Takagi wobbles for just a moment and Ishii fires off elbows from all sides! Ishii reels back to ROCK Takagi, but not at all!! Takagi stares Ishii down to throw elbows from all sides in return! Takagi ROCKS Ishii and Ishii does fall! Fans are electric as Takagi drags Ishii up. Takagi throws more elbows, ducks Ishii’s, pump handle and, MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Takagi doesn’t bother with being frustrated, he prepares the arm.
Takagi runs, PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, ONE!?!? What?!? Takagi can’t help but be shocked! And pissed! Takagi clotheslines, Ishii stays up, Ishii LARIATS Takagi off his feet!! The Pitbull still has a lot of bite left! Ishii gets to a corner and headbutts the buckle pad to fire up. Ishii runs, Takagi blocks, but his back hand misses, Ishii waistlocks and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Takagi’s right up, only for Ishii to LARIAT him again! Cover, ONE!?!? Takagi surprises Ishii, Ishii blocks and snipes the back hand with an enziguri! Ishii fires himself up and sits Takagi up, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Takagi lives but Ishii drags Takagi up. Ishii suplexes, Takagi knees out, but Ishii spins Takagi, only for Takagi to scoop! USHI DRILLER!! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives the piledriver but Takagi knows he can do this!
Takagi drags Ishii up but Ishii fights the fireman’s carry off. Takagi still gets it, but Ishii slips out. Ishii and Takagi fight for suplex control, but Takagi spins through, only for Ishii to forearm! Takagi JABS! Takagi runs, double clotheslines collide! Ishii headbutts! Ishii runs, LARIATS, but now Takagi HEADBUTTS! Takagi puts Ishii on the ropes, dragon sleeper, draping GTR! Takagi learned much from his match with Hirooki Goto! Fans rally up as Takagi drags Ishii up again. Takagi clubs Ishii, runs, PUMPING BOMBER!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Ishii survives again and the fans again reach the electric level! Takagi drags Ishii up, pump handle and fireman’s carry, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!! Cover, Takagi wins!!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)
The “E-Zero Curse” does not strike Takagi down! Takagi survives his first defense, and perhaps the toughest match of his entire career. Will Takagi stay Mr. NEVER Openweight after tomorrow’s Six Man Tag Team Championship match? Will Takagi make the NEVER Openweight Division the biggest thing in NJPW?
Ishii crawls over to Takagi, reaching for the belt. Ishii throws one last forearm!! Takagi gives him heel kicks back and Young Lions rush in to pull the two apart. Ishii flounders about and takes a chair from the timekeeper’s area! But he can’t use it on Takagi because he flops over at ringside. The Stone Pitbull’s body may have lost, but his spirit concedes nothing! Will he be back for another round with the Dragon?
Takagi stays in the ring and cheers in respect to Ishii. He gets the mic and admits he’s not sure how he did it, but he’s still NEVER Champion. Ishii beat the hell out of him for sure, and with every single bit of strength in his body. Takagi’s body hurts all over, and yet he feels great. “It’s a good kind of pain.” Fans cheer that as Takagi admits, he doesn’t have a a match that hard “for kicks.” But this is what NEVER is about! This is what NJPW is about! It is about clashing spirit with spirit! “That is professional wrestling!”
Now, Takagi know that there is still more to come. He promises to elevate the NEVER Openweight Championship and fight anyone who crosses his path! Anyone that wants a fight, come get it! The NEVER Dragon reigns strong, but he only has 24 hours to rest up before joining his trios partners in another big fight. Will Takagi still be the Double NEVER Dragon at the end of New Japan Road?
My Thoughts:
These championship matches were amazing! I really loved the story going on in the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag title match, and how it blended some comedy into it. Taguchi is always great at that stuff. Rocky taking the finish was both for story and for the reality, as Taguchi is going to jump right into the Openweight Six Man Championship match tomorrow, and because RPG3K pinning their manager/mentor is a great passing of the torch kind of move. Takagi VS Ishii was INSANE! If you didn’t physically react to things while watching this, you’re either a robot or dead inside. Those two really did go hard, and Ishii surely won the respect of everyone watching, new or old to NJPW. Takagi also jumps into another championship match tomorrow, and he could become THE workhorse of NJPW through the Openweight Division.
My Score: 9.3/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Is La Mera Mera still the best luchadora?
Thunder Rosa already whooped “Thunder Harley” on Dia de Los Muertos, but will she feel the wrath of “Harley-gram?”
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Top Flight VS Katsuyori Shibata, Atlantis Jr. & Mascara Dorada 2.0; win(s).
- The Beast Mortos VS Serpentico; wins.
- Hechicero VS Komander; wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Harley Cameron; wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
The battlelines have been drawn!
To defy Solo Sikoa’s tyranny, Paul Heyman returned to bring Roman Reigns a wild card: C M PUNK! Will WarGames end the Bloodline Civil War?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s WarGames: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Naomi, Iyo Sky & Bayley VS Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton & Candice LeRae; Rhea, Bianca, Naomi, Iyo & Bayley win.
- WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Nakamura wins and becomes the new WWE United States Champion.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat: Bron Breakker VS Sheamus VS Ludwig Kaiser; Bron wins and retains the title.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER VS Damian Priest; Gunther wins and retains the title.
- Men’s WarGames: Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Sami Zayn & CM Punk VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa & Bronson Reed; Roman, Jey, Jimmy, Sami & Punk win.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the Countdown to Survivor Series!
Join Michael Cole, Wade Barrett & Big E in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action that’s about to heat up chilly Vancouver, British Columbia!
Backstage interview with Imperium.
Cathy Kelley is with both Gunther & Ludwig Kaiser ahead of their title matches tonight. Many are wondering where Der Ring General’s confidence is at going into this match with Damian Priest. Gunther says, “Confidence. Well, it’s up to me to deal with him.” As for Kaiser, he’s in the Triple Threat for the Intercontinental Championship! That is just what Gunther was talking about in having to do better. Yes, well, Cathy says Gunther has given Kaiser quite a few pep talks. How will that help him tonight? Kaiser says tonight is a special night for them both, but especially for the Intercontinental Championship.
Ever since Gunther lost the title, that title lost all its prestige they worked hard for! And there is only one man who can restore the honor and the prestige of the Intercontinental Championship, and that is Ludwig Kaiser. Gunther says enough said. Imperium heads out, will they both soon reign over Monday Night Raw?
Sheamus arrives backstage.
“Vancouver, are you ready for a banger?!”
Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.
Jackie Redmond is with the Big Bad Booty Nephew as he sports a Scott Steiner shirt, and brings up the Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat. He could lose the title without losing the match. Yes, an interesting match to be sure. Bron has had a whole week to reflect the job in front of him. He has to respect Kaiser for going out and making a name on his own. And he respects Sheamus, who doesn’t? A former world champion, a future Hall of Famer to be sure. But Bron is not the champion that we should be trying to have an experimental thing like seeing if you can do this on your own or without a tag team.
Anyone else would be a better choice. Kaiser’s game plan is obvious: he’ll sewer rat around to steal the title. And Sheamus, wow… He’s feeding into some false hope because he reads the internet like a nerd! Sheamus hasn’t won the IC title so that’s just a given? Bron played for the Ravens, they didn’t win a Super Bowl while he was there, but after he left, should he get one for participation? NO! Take it back to retirement home, old man! This isn’t Saturday Night Bingo, this is Bron at Survivor Series! The dogs are barking in Vancouver! Bron is fired up, will he need to be even more badass than usual when facing two opponents?
Jackie Redmond & Peter Rosenberg tag in for the panel.
The second longest-running premium event for WWE behind only WrestleMania, and Jackie is so glad to finally have this one in Vancouver. And now, we flashback to 1987, when WWE told cable operators that if they wanted WrestleMania back, they needed to air the first-ever Survivor Series, and NOT Starrcade. Such a cutthroat business is only matched by cutthroat wrestling families. Be ready for Bloodline: Civil War here in British Columbia!
Backstage interview with William Regal.
Cathy is with the Gentleman Villain, and says there is a lot of history of them talking about WarGames. Can he say what is so special about tonight? Regal says he was in WarGames 1993, but he never really got in the match. He always wanted to be because it is the ultimate form of combat. The victors leave and look back knowing they accomplished the greatest thing they could, and that is completely tear apart another team that stood in front of them. And yes, there is history of them in NXT with WarGames, great to see her again. Cathy agrees, it is a brutal match, and we’re just minutes away. Could Regal do the honors?
Regal works up the energy for it, it has been a minute. Cue him up. We’re here for Survivor Series… “WARGAMES!!” Cathy loves to hear it. But who will be the victors that dominate their enemies inside the double cage?
Singing the Star Spangled Banner and O Canada is Vancouver’s own, Elizabeth Irving!
Tonight, step into a world where nothing is as it seems.
A funkadelic cover of War Pigs plays as armies gather in death’s construction. Because “ladies and gentlemen…! There’s no way to do WarGames 4 versus 5.” No holds barred, no telling what will happen. Tonight, surviving is just the beginning. This is Survivor Series WARGAMES!
Women’s WarGames: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Naomi, Iyo Sky & Bayley VS Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton & Candice LeRae!
Common enemies make for unlikely allies, and now its time for WAR! Will Mami, The EST, The Glow, The Evil Genius and late addition Role Model eradicate the opposition? Or will the team stacked with gold be stacking bodies for the holidays?
After everyone on “Team Rhea” makes their entrance, the team sorts out. Bayley says she’s got this, and she heads to the ring while the others stay in the shark cage. Then everyone for “Team Liv” makes their entrance, and Nia steps up, perhaps wanting payback for Bayley helping Bianca on Monday. The bell rings and Nia DECKS Bayley! We’re on the clock with five minutes before reinforcements can be sent. Nia soaks up heat, shoves Bayley, but Bayley dodges! Bayley bobs ‘n’ weaves, RAMS Nia, then fires off hands! Bayley whips, Nia blocks, and Nia whips Bayley. Bayley ducks ‘n’ dodges to ROCK Nia!
Bayley keeps moving and hse ROCKS Nia again! Bayley runs but Nia scoops! Bayley slips free, BOOTS Nia from a corner, then storms back up. But Nia grabs Bayley with both hands! Bayley breaks free, headlocks, but Nia powers out. Bayley stops from hitting cage, but Nia backdrops! Bayley sunset flips, avoids stomps, but Nia HEADBUTTS Bayley to a corner. Nia runs up but Bayley dodges! Bayley is in the gap, and she eggs Nia on! Nia steps in but Bayley catches her for a HOTSHOT STUNNER! The fans fire up and Bayley storms up on Nia. Bayley fires hands, then gets space. But Nia DUMPS her to the second ring!
Bayley hops back in and she RAMS Nia into the post! Nia pushes back, ELBOWS Bayley, and Bayley falls into the second ring. Nia storms in, her team cheering her on but Vancouver solidly behind Bayley. Nia is annoyed, and she whips Bayley to a corner. Bayley goes up and up, but Nia yanks her back down! Bayley fights the fireman’s carry and HAMMERs away! The fans fire up, and Bayley ROCKS Nia! Bayley knuckle locks, then goes up and up again! Bayley uses the cage to balance, and she FLYING RANAS Nia away! The fans fire up and Bayley undoes her arm, well, armor. Bayley uses it to LASH Nia! And again! And again!
Nia blocks the next shot and she SLINGS Bayley away! Nia LASHES Bayley with her own attire! The fans boo but Nia LASHES Bayley again! Bayley hauls Nia up, TOSSES her to the gap, an then she rubs the armband on her booty! Nia then runs up to HIP ATTACK Bayley! Bayley flounders but she still has to wait one more minute before help arrives. Nia storms in, and she whips Bayley, only for Bayley to reverse! Nia hits steel, and then Bayley KNEES her down! Bayley keeps moving, but Nia BODY CHECKS her! The fans boo but Nia soaks it up. Thirty seconds left and Nia stands Bayley up. Nia TOSSES Bayley into the wall!
Bayley sputters but Nia runs in, HIP ATTACK against the steel!! Ten seconds and the fans count down! Team Rhea sends Naomi! Naomi has a party hat but she’s ready to fight! And she brings out goodies from under the ring! Is that a toilet seat? And also a brightly colored kendo stick! Naomi SMACKS away on Nia, treating her like a pinata! But this pinata can hit back! But Naomi hops around for a SLEEPER! Nia RAMS Naomi into buckles! Nia runs back in, Naomi goes up and she stomps away on Nia’s back! Naomi leaps, then kicks low! Naomi whips but Nia reverses. Naomi slides under, then mule kicks!
The fans fire up as Naomi runs, FAMOUSER! The fans fire up and Naomi calls to Bayley. Naomi runs to SPLIT LEG DROP! Fans cheer “Happy Birthday!” for Naomi but we have 90 seconds until Nia gets reinforcements. Bayley & Naomi DROPKICK SANDWICH Nia! And then Naomi has the kendo stick! But Nia blocks! Nia has the stick and she SMACKS away on Naomi and Bayley both! The fans boo, but Nia finds that toilet seat! Nia grins and puts the seat around Naomi’s neck! Nia gets space, but Bayley SMACKS her with the stick! The fans fire up as Naomi JAMS Nia with the seat! And whips her into the corner!
Bayley hands the seat over, Naomi puts that around Nia, and she gives Nia a STINK FACE! Then a mule kick! Bayley & Naomi drag Nia up, but Nia DOUBLE HEADBUTTS them! Nia runs, ten seconds left, and Nia breaks the double lariat, only to run into a DOUBLE BACKDROP! Here comes- Candice?! She shoves Tiff aside to hurry down to the ring! The Poison Pixie grabs chairs and slides them in for Nia. This is Candice kissing up to the Queen of the Ring, and Nia appreciates it. Nia SMACKS Bayley, SMACKS Naomi, repeat! Candice steps in, picks up a chair for herself, and they swing! Naomi & Bayley dodge!
Naomi & Bayley fire forearms on Nia and Candice, then they wedge Nia into a corner with one! Candice runs up to CLOBBER Bayley! And she ROCKS Naomi! Nia RAMS Naomi with the chair! The fans boo as Candice sits a chair up. Another 90 seconds left on the clock as Candice uses the chair to go up, CODE BREAKER SENTON COMBO! Candice tosses the chairs aside into the second ring, and Nia TOSSES Naomi over to join her. Candice sets the chairs up together while Nia thrashes Bayley around. Candice CLUBS Naomi, then brings her to the chair bridge. Naomi SMACKS Candice off her own contraption!
Bayley RAMS Nia into a corner, then makes sure the chairs are in place. Naomi brings Candice over, but Nia CLOBBERS Bayley! Candice RAMS Naomi into a corner, and now Nia scoops Bayley! Nia sets Bayley in the chair structure, and Candice LIONSAULTS! The countdown is back, and Rhea’s team sends Bianca! The fans fire up as The EST runs down and looks for something to bring to the party. She finds a trash can! And she CHUCKS it at Nia! Nia falls, Candice runs up, but Bianca SLAMS the door on her! Bianca then brings up a fire extinguisher! Bianca puts that in, but she wants more!
Vancouver wants it and Bianca finds it, it’s a TABLE! Bianca powers that table into the cage, Naomi helping her, and Bianca goes for more. Wait, Candice RAMS Naomi into a corner using the table! Bianca has a chair to SMACK Candice! Bianca whips Candice into a corner, runs up, but Candice ELBOWS her! Candice goes up, but Bianca catches her! And fights the poison-rana! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM! Candice hits buckles and falls back! Nia grabs Bianca’s Cahir, puts Bianca in a corner, but Bianca elbows free! Bianca goes up, and BACKFLIPS with the chair! Pass to Nia, DROPKICK into the chair!
Nia staggers back, Bianca kips up, and the fans fire up! Bianca and Naomi hurry to have Nia in a corner, and they mug Nia with fists! The fans count along, Naomi adds kicks, and they go to 12! Nia sits down, Bayley keeps on Candice, and Bayley has Candice in the second ring. Bianca has a chair and wedges it into Nia. The countdown is back, Naomi DROPKICKS the chair into Nia! Bayley drops elbows on Candice, but here comes Tiffany! It’s her time, and she makes sure to get her own trash can, and its lid! Tiffy puts those in the ring, Bianca notices, and she backflips over Tiff! Tiff still SMACKS Bianca with the lid!
LID SHOT for Naomi, and then a SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up as Tiff says it’s her time, and she handsprings to ELBOW Bianca in the corner! Bayley runs up but Tiff trips her! CATAPULT into Nia’s LARIAT! Nia & Tiff high-five, and the fans are torn about Tiff turning the tide. They send Bianca and Naomi into each other while Candice beats up on Bayley. Tiff hooks Naomi, backslides, and Nia adds a LEG DROP!! Nia hauls Bianca up, fireman’s carries, and Tiff goes up. ROLLING NECKBREAKER SAMOAN DROP! Naomi crawls to the gap but Nia puts her in the second ring. Bayley swings, Tiff blocks, and Tiff takes the chair to SMACK Bayley!
Nia runs up on Naomi but Naomi dodges! Naomi takes the chair to SMACK Nia! And SMACK her again! Tiff hits Bayley’s leg, Candice and Bianca brawl, but Bianca scoops! Candice slips free to THROW Bianca down! There’s 20 seconds left as Naomi keeps on Nia. Bayley puts Tiff in ropes to HOTSHOT STUNNER! The countdown is back, Rhea’s team sends Iyo Sky! The most experienced woman when it comes to WarGames, the Evil Genius looks around for something particular. Yes, she finds a trash can! It’s even color coded to match! Wait, it also has strings? Oh, so she can properly carry it on her shoulder as she climbs!
The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, looking to do this same tactic a third time! But Candice hurries to intercept! The fans boo but Iyo SMACKS Candice! Candice hits back, and she drags Iyo over! The fans freak out a bit as Iyo has to fight off a superplex! Candice goes to the top rope, Iyo SUNSET FLIPS! Candice holds on, so Iyo SHOTEIS Candice’s hips! Iyo ELBOWS Candice off the top rope! Iyo adjusts, and she MISSILE DROPKICKS! Iyo kips up and the fans fire up! But Tiff whips Iyo! Iyo stops from hitting steel and ELBOWS Tiff! Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges Tiff, then handsprings! Tiff dodges but Iyo wags her finger now! Tiff runs up, Iyo drops, but Tiff handsprings!
The fans cheer and Tiff shrugs. She can do it, too! Iyo waistlocks, O’Conner, but Tiff bucks that! Iyo avoids the Tiffy Stomps to SMACK Tiff with a chair! Iyo stomps Candice, SMACKS her, then fires up again! Iyo runs up, SHINKANSEN for Tiff! SHINKANSEN for Candice! Nia CLOBBERS Iyo! The countdown is back, Bayley SMACKS Nia! Team Liv sends Raquel Rodriguez, and Ricky Desperado is ready to rumble! She looks under the ring, and she thinks about it. She says why not. TABLE! The fans fire up as Raquel sets that aside and goes into the ring. Raquel scoops Iyo to FALL AWAY SLAM her into steel!
Then Raquel scoops Naomi to LAWN DART her into steel! Bayley saves Bianca and they mug Raquel! The fans cheer but Nia makes the save. Nia and Raquel, the biggest in this match, beat down Bianca and Bayley. They haul the two up, and TOSS them into the steel! And then they do it again the other direction! Nia and Raquel high-five, and they soak up the heat. Naomi kicks Raquel, Raquel ROCKS Naomi! Nia hauls Iyo up, as does Raquel with Naomi! They BOMB them into the steel, then they copy AOP’s SUPER COLLIDER, BOMBING Iyo & Naomi onto Bayley & Bianca! The fans boo but Nia and Raquel alone are dominating!
Tiff & Candice regroup with Nia & Raquel, but the countdown is back! The fans cheer as here comes Mami! And Mami’s a monster in her spooky custom face mask! Rhea sees the giants waiting for her, so she grabs that table Raquel left behind! She and Raquel tug-o-war, and then Rhea SEESWAS the table into Raquel! Rhea runs up to DROPKICK Nia !Raquel ROCKS Rhea, kicks her low, and the two scrap! Rhea waistlocks but Tiff SMACKS Rhea down with the lid! The rest of the team rushes back in and Bayley beats down Tiff! Iyo and Candice scrap, Nia & Raquel TOSS Naomi, but she rebounds to DOUBLE REAR VIEW!!
The fans fire up as Liv realizes this is her last 90 seconds of safety. Rhea helps Bianca up, “This is Awesome!” as Rhea’s team regroups! Rhea has the toilet seat, and she SMAKCS Raquel with it! IT BREAKS! The fans fire up as Bianca’s hair becomes a weapon! Tiff tries but Iyo SMACKS Tiff down! Candice SMACKS Iyo! Bianca WHIPLASHES Candice!! Raquel LARITS Bianca! Naomi BULLDOGS Raquel onto the toilet seat! Nia CLOBBERS Naomi! Rhea is up to HEADBUTT Nia! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT again! The fans are loving this as we have our final countdown! And Liv realizes what this means a little too late.
Liv sees the door open, and she doesn’t wanna go. The fans cheer Rhea on, the refs say Liv has to go, and Liv says okay! But then Liv runs away to the back!? The fans boo, but the match won’t end until Liv gets in the ring. Oh wait, Liv has a BASEBALL BAT! She just needed her equalizer. Rhea says she ain’t afraid of that bat or of Liv! Liv steps into the ring, the bell rings, “And now, let the WARGAMES BEGIN!!” Liv laughs, but so does Rhea. Bianca POSTS Raquel, ruining Liv’s back-up plan. And then Rhea takes off the mask to reveal she’s all Furiosa! Rhea KICKS Liv, CLUBS away, and the fans are thunderous!
Rhea pump handles Liv, but Nia CLOBBERS Rhea! The fans boo as Rhea gets mugged by Liv’s team! They sit Rhea up, Liv has the bat, BAT TO THE RIBS! AND AGAIN! AND AGAIN, AGAIN, AGAIN! Then to the BACK! And again! The fans boo but Candice drags Rhea to a corner. Liv shows she has handcuffs! Nia keeps Rhea trapped, and Liv goes for Rhea’s hands! But Rhea’s team fights off Liv’s team! Bayley fires forearms on Nia, Rhea stomps Tiff, and Iyo SPRINGBOARD MISSILE DROPKICKS NIA! The fans fire up but TIFFY STOMPS for Iyo! BOOT for Tiff! FLYING DDT for Rhea! Bianca TOSSES Candice into steel!
Raquel picks Bianca up to SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Naomi KICKS and FACEBUSTERS Raquel! Liv is up top, FLYING CODE BREAKER on Naomi! But Bayley SUNSET BUCKLE BOMBS Liv! Nia fireman’s carries Bayley, SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, TWO!!! Bayley survives and the fans fire up! Nia is shocked but wait. Iyo and Tiff have climbed up the cage on opposite ends! Iyo is going back for her trash can! Tiff is looking to copy the Evil Genius, but Iyo still has that trash can armor! SWANTON BOMB from Tiff, TRASH CAN MOONSAULT from Iyo!!! Vancouver is absolutely erupting over that!
Iyo grins and Tiff manages to stand. Tiff brings out goodies from within her trash can, but she doesn’t want any of it. She wants her BRIEFCASE!! The fans fire up, is Liv cashing in on Nia or on Liv? The ref asks if that’s true, but Raquel says Tiff better not go for Liv! Iyo FIRE EXTINGUISHER BLASTS everyone!!! Iyo puts out the fire, and Rhea cuffs Raquel!! Rhea BEATS on Raquel! Nia BODIES Rhea! And DECKS Iyo! Nia looks for tables and she has her minions set those up. Naomi tries to stop them but Candice beats her down! Tiff & Candice bring a table to the second ring to set it up, and Vancouver likes where this is going!
Nia sets up a table in the first ring, and Candice has Bianca up top. Candice rains down fists, but Bianca hoists her up! ALLEY-OOP off buckle! Naomi KNEES Tiff down! Nia BODIES Naomi, hoists Bianca up, SAMOAN DROP! LEG DROP, brother! Cover, Iyo AND Bayley break it! Which surprises each of them given their Damage CTRL history. The two stare down, argue a little, but Nina DOUBLE LARIATS them both! The fans boo but Nia soaks it all up. Nia LASHES Bianca with her own braid! And then she puts Bianca on the table! Nia climbs, grins, but Bianca CLUBS her first! Naomi KICKS Nai from below!
Bianca & Naomi hoist Nia up to DOUBLE POWERBOMB her through the table!!! Naomi covers, LIV BREAKS IT WITH THE BAT!! Liv SMACKS Iyo, but Bianca blocks! Bianca takes the bat, Liv panics, but Bianca grabs a chair! They go to the other run, and Raquel manages to BOOT Bianca! Bayley fires off, but Liv gives Raquel a chair! SMACK to Bayley, then FULL METAL OBLIVION!! Cover, Rhea YANKS Liv up! HEADBUTT! Pump handle! Raquel reaches out to save Liv! Rhea BOOTS Raquel! Liv FULL METAL CODE BREAKERS!! Liv puts Rhea on the table, goes up the corner, but Rhea CHOPS!
Rhea climbs up, she and Liv brawl up top! Liv stomps away on Rhea, but Rhea blocks the Oblivion! Rhea fires more elbows, then she HEADBUTTS Liv! Pump handle! SUPER RIPTIDE down through the TABLE!!! Cover, TEAM RHEA WINS!!!
Winners: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Naomi, Iyo Sky & Bayley, by pinfall
Eclectic as this unit was, it was their combined experience that won the day! And with Rhea pinning the Women’s World Champion, will she and Iyo both be after Liv for the gold?
WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
The Mega Star shines bright and talks loud, and that was apparently all the reason this darker side of Nakamura targeted him. Will the darkness grow stronger with the luster of championship gold? Or will this Knight deny the King of Strong Style his throne?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if bravado can best bushido!
The bell rings and the fans rally up while Knight stares Nakamura down. They circle slowly, then Knight avoids a kick. Knight mocks Nakamura with a quick crane stance, and then the two tie up. They go around, Nakamura puts Knight in the corner, but the ref counts. Nakamura lets off, to then uppercutr! Nakamura fires knees and elbows, then he snapmares Knight for a KICK! Knight staggers to a corner but Nakamura fires hands! Nakamura whips corner ot corner, but Knight comes back to LARIAT! Knight rains down fists on Nakamura and the fans fire up! Knight hauls Nakamura up to suplex high and hard!
Knight drops an ELBOW, then covers, ONE!! Knight keeps after Nakamura in the corner, stomps away on him, “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight goes corner to corner but Nakamura bails out. Knight runs to WRECK Nakamura with a dropkick! Knight goes out to smack Nakamura off barriers, but Nakamura fires knees! Nakamura sends Knight into barriers, then into more barriers! Knight blocks a third and he SMACKS Nakamura off the apron again and again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight winds up and SMACKS Nakamura off the apron again! Knight puts Nakamura in but Nakamura ROCKS Knight! Nakamura whips, Knight grabs ropes and BOOTS back!
Knight suplexes Nakamura, hoists him out to dry, and then goes up, ELBOW DROP! Nakamura flops down and the fans fire up! Knight waits on Nakamura, then scoops, but Nakamura slips free. Nakamura waistlocks, Knight switches, but Nakamura runs to HOTSHOT Knight! Knight kicks back but Nakamura OVERHEAD ELBOW! AX KICK! Basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Nakamura drags Knight up, fires forearms on Knight in the corner, then hoists him up onto the top rope. Nakamura goes corner to corner and back again, TOP SHELF KNEE! Knight flops to the apron then the floor while fans rally up.
Knight drags himself up, rolls into the ring, but Nakamura kicks him around! Nakamura kicks and scuffs Knight at the ropes, but the ref has him back off. Nakamura waits, then runs up, but into a HOTSHOT off the ropes! Nakamura falls, Knight flounders, and the fans rally. Nakamura grabs at Knight but Knight kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Knight whips Nakamura, sets up, but Nakamura KICKS him! But Knight ducks a roundhouse! Torture rack, BURNING HAMMER!! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives but Knight brings him up. The fans rally but Nakamura RAMS Knight into the corner! Nakamura runs up but into an ELBOW!
Knight puts Nakamura up top, climbs up after him, but Nakamura fires forearms! Nakamura CLUBS Knight down, but Knight springs right up! But Nakamura slips under and trips Knight up! Nakamura climbs up behind Knight now as fans rally. Knight fires elbows and Nakamura falls back! Only for Nakamura to ENZIGIRI! Knight sits down, Nakamura goes right up! Nakamura hauls Knight up, for a SUPER INVERTED EXPLODER!! The fans fire up and Nakamura covers, TWO!! Knight survives but only just so! Nakamura aims from a corner, Knight sits up, KIN-NO, Knight silps aroudn to SIDE EFFECT!
Knight hurries to the corner, climbs up, and he spells it out! “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” DOUBLE JUMP ELBOW DROP! Knight fires back up and the fans are with him! Knight waits on Nakamura, Nakamura rises slowly, but then he flops to the gap between rings. The ref checks Nakamura, Knight goes after him, but Nakamura fires a body shot! Knight fights the suplex, but so does Nakamura! Nakamura CLAWS the eyes! REVERSE DDT on the steel!! The ref reprimands but Nakamura crawls into the ring. Nakamura watches Knight rise, and BLINDSIDE KINSHASA!!! Cover, NAKAMURA WINS!
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall (NEW WWE United States Champion)
On day 120 of Knight’s reign, it comes to an end! Nakamura is now a THREE-TIME United States Champion, will nothing stop his darkness from shining?
The Alpha Academy is getting dressed backstage.
Akira Tozawa checks on Otis. Otis doesn’t wanna come out, and it doesn’t sound good. Maxxine says there is a lot of pressure and drama during the holidays. But see, these True Classic shirts are just the right fit. Loose on the stomach, tight on the arms, and incredibly comfortable. Tozawa hands this shirt to Otis and Otis tries it on. Maxxine is sure this will work. “Ohhh~ yeeeah~!” Otis walks out, and Maxxine was right. When he looks good, he feels good. But uh, now we need some pants… Will you be a True Classic this holiday, just like Otis?
WWE Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat: Bron Breakker VS Sheamus VS Ludwig Kaiser!
The Big Bad Booty Nephew knows all about the 33-and-a-one-third chance of winning in a Triple Threat, and it might take those odds to stop him from winning this time. Will the Fella make this the banger to end all bangers? Will the Impeccable German make Der Ring General proud? Or will Bron defy the odds and keep the dogs barking here in Vancouver?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see how the math plays out!
The bell rings and the three watch each other. Then Kaiser finds he’s the common denominator. Kaiser bails out and the fans boo, but Bron ROCKS Sheamus! Bron RAMS into Sheamus again and again, but Sheamus fights back with haymakers! Sheamus whips, Bron reverses but Sheamus KCIKS Bron back! Sheamus runs, but into a clinch and EXPLODER! Sheamus bails out but Kaiser brings out a chair! Kaiser storms in but Bron blows past him to then CLOBBER him! The fans fire up but Sheamus is back. Sheamus and Bron circle again, tie up, and Bron powers Sheamus to a corner. Sheamus CLUBS and KNEES Bron in return!
Sheamus lifts Bron for an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus hits another IRISH CURSE! And then he tries to lift Bron again, but Kaiser KICKS Sheamus’ legs out! Kaiser puts Bron in the corner and then upside-down in the ropes to run and DROPKICK! The fans boo but Kaiser goes out and fetches his chair. Kaiser storms back in, wedges that chair in a corner, but Bron AND Sheamus storm up on him! Kaiser finds he’s cornered, so he fires hands! Bron & Sheamus hit him first! They pinball Kaiser around, then whip him corner to corner, Sheamus runs up to LARIAT! Then he and Bron whip Kaiser back!
Kaiser stops from hitting the chair, so Bron CLOBBERS Kaiser! Sheamus TOSSES Kaiser to the apron, and the fans fire up! But Bron says no Bodhrain, he CLOBBERS Sheamus! The fans boo but Bron just steps out to then line up a shot. Bron runs in around the way, but Kaiser WRECKS Bron with a dropkick! Then Kaiser runs to DROPKICK Sheamus into the steps! Kaiser RAMS Sheamus into the desk! But then Bron CLOBBERS Kaiser!! The fans bark it up as Bron then hauls Kaiser up, for an EXPLODER to the floor! All three men are on the outside and the fans rally up. Bron stands, and he stalks Sheamus.
Bron stands Sheamus up to SMACK him off the desk! Bron SMOTHERS Sheamus, CLUBS him, but the fans rally behind the Celtic Warrior. Sheamus fires hands on Bron, but Bron CLOBBERS Sheamus! Bron rains down fists and talks trash. Kaiser crawls away so Bron focuses on Sheamus. Born pushes Sheamus into the ring, then he stomps Sheamus in the corner. And stomps him again! The fans bark for Bron while he stalks Sheamus to another corner. Sheamus fires an elbow! And a boot! Sheamus fires haymakers again, but Bron KNEES Sheamus low! Bron whips, then kitchen sink knees Sheamus down!
Bron pushes Sheamus to a cover, TWO! But Bron does pushups to show off! Bron stalks Sheamus, slaps him around, and talks trash. Bron shows little respect, but Sheamus fires body shots in return! The fans fire up but Bron knee slow! Bron runs, but Sheamus scoops! POWERSLAM! The fans fire up, Sheamus covers, but Kaiser breaks it! The fans boo but Kaiser SLAPS Sheamus! Sheamus and Kaiser brawl and then they fall outta the ring! The shots keep going, Sheamus SMACKS Kaiser off teh desk, then hoists Kaiser up! Kaiser fights free of the bomb, but Bron LEAPS from the apron!! DOUBLE LARAIT over the desk!!
If fans aren’t losing their minds, they’re barking for Bron! Bron drags Sheamus up and leaves Kaiser behind, just to DUMP Sheamus into the crowd! Bron stands Kaiser up, military presses him, but Kaiser CLAWS eyes! Kaiser slips down and he RAMS Bron into steps! Kaiser grins, but Sheamus rises up! Sheamus has Kaiser for the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans fire up and count along, Sheamus goes all the way to TEN! Then to ELEVEN! Bron runs up, but Sheamus catches him! Another round of TEN! The fans fire up with Sheamus and he goes up the barriers to FLYING DOUBLE LARIAT! Sheamus roars and Vancouver is with him!
Sheamus puts Kaiser in the ring, then storms up on him. Kaiser bails out the side, but “This is Awesome!” Wait, Kaiser grabs Sheamus’ shillelagh! He dares Sheamus to come get him! Sheamus does, and he blocks the shillelagh to SMACK Kaiser! SHILLELAGH LARIAT!! The fans fire up again and now Sheamus eyes Bron in the ring. Bron dares “Old Man” Sheamus to bring it! Sheamus puts the shillelagh down and steps in. They throw hands! The fans fire up for this brawl, and Sheamus gets the edge! Bron JUMP KNEES Sheamus! Bron climbs up, but Sheamus trips him up! Bron is stuck on the top rope, and now Sheamus brings him out with the crucifix!
CELTIC CROSS!! The fans fire up as Sheamus covers, TWO?!? Bron survives and Sheamus can’t believe it! Sheamus drags Bron up, fireman’s carries, and then he goes up a corner! But Bron slips free and CLUBS Sheamus! Sheamus BOOTS Bron, but Bron is right back up! SUPER STEINER! The fans bark it up again and the straps are down! Bron runs up, but Sheamus sends Spear into chair!! Then BROGUE!!! Cover, KAISER DRAGS THE REF OUT! The fans are thunderously BOOING but Kaiser grins, knowing he screwed Sheamus from that guaranteed win! Sheamus goes out after Kaiser, but Kaiser SHILLELAGH SMACKS him!!
Kaiser fires off on Sheamus with the wooden club, and he BEATS Sheamus to the floor!! The fans boo but Kaiser isn’t done as he puts Sheamus back in. Kaiser storms in, shillelagh in hand. KNEECAPPER from Sheamus!!! Cover, TWO!?! Kaiser survives and Sheamus is beside himself!! “This is Awesome!” as all three men are down! Sheamus rises while Bron is in a corner and Kaiser flounders at center. Sheamus goes to a corner, he takes aim, and runs up, but the body won’t let him! KAISER ROLL!! Kaiser roars and the fans boo, but Kaiser just brings Sheamus back up. Clinch and- NO, Sheamus fireman’s carries!
Kaiser CLUBS the ribs! Clinch and SIDEWINDER!! Kaiser roars, but Bron SPEARS!!! The fans bark it up as Bron takes out Kaiser, and now he aims at Sheamus! Sheamus rises, Bron runs up, SPEAR!!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
This was perhaps the closest Sheamus has ever come to being Intercontinental Champion, but it was because of Triple Threat rules that he fell short. But that’s not to say that Bron survived as he was the one who put both men down in the end. Will it take far steeper odds to bring down this second generation superstar?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER VS Damian Priest!
Der Ring General took this title from The Punisher at SummerSlam, but that was because The Prince’s jealousy made him betray his brother in the Judgment Day. However, since that moment, Priest’s confidence has grown while it seems Gunther’s has waned. Will the King of the Ring lose to the King of the Streets? Or will Gunther find a way to reignite that “killer aura” Priest says has gone away?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the rightful World Heavyweight Champion!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Priest smirks as he and Gunther circle. Gunther keeps his distance but Priest dares him to bring it. They tie up, Gunther goes for a head ‘n’ arm, but Priest pries free. Gunther headlocks for a takeover but Priest headscissors. Gunther kips free, roles reverse, Priest arm-drags but Gunther headscissors. Priest kips free and arm-drags again, and Priest keeps on the armlock. Gunther endures, fights up, and arm-drags, but Priest arm-drags Gunther right back down! Gunther goes to the ropebreak, Priest lets go, and Priest avoids the lariat! Gunther avoids the roundhouse and bails out!
The fans boo Gunther but Priest dares Gunther to come back. The ref starts the ring count and Gunther paces. Gunther works to fire himself back up, and he storms into the ring. Priest and Gunther circle, feel things out, and Gunther backs away to a corner. The fans boo and Priest is annoyed, but Gunther seems to still have some hesitation. They go again and Gunther kicks low! Gunther CLUBS Priest on the back, CLUBS him in the chest, then whips corner to corner. Priest comes back and he CLOBBERS Gunther! The fans fire up while Priest shakes out his arm. Priest may have hit Gunther so hard, he hurt himself.
Gunther is back on the outside, and now he grins because he sees a target. Priest says whatever, just get in. Gunther storms back in and the fans rally up. Priest and Gunther circle, feel things out, and Gunther wants that left arm. Priest KICKS Gunther, KICKS, and KICKS! Gunther blocks a kick but Priest avoids the chop to BELL CLAP! Gunther goes to a corner and Priest whips him corner to corner. Priest runs up but into a BOOT! Gunther runs but Priest FLAPJACKS him! Priest still falls back because of the bad arm. The ref checks but Priest says no, he won’t stop because of this. Gunther storms up but the ref has him stay back.
The ref goes back to Priest, but Gunther slips around to KICK the bad arm! Priest bails out but Gunther goes after him! Gunther POSTS Priest, then whips him hard into barriers! The fans are torn but Priest stands back up. Gunther storms up on Priest to wrench and SLAM the arm into the post! Priest shouts in pain but Gunther leaves Priest behind. Gunther refreshes the ring count, returns to Priest, but Priest ROCKS him! Priest stalks Gunther now, but Gunther wrenches the arm to UPPERCUT it! Priest rolls into the ring but Gunther is after him again. Gunther HIP DROPS the bad arm! Priest writhes, fans boo, but Gunther soaks up the heat.
Gunther gets cocky, this is that Gunther that beat so many before. Gunther KICKS Priest down, drags him by the bad arm, and stomps him! Priest gets mad but Gunther stands Priest up. Priest fires body shots! Priest ROCKS Gunther in the corner! The fans fire up but Gunther wrenches and hammerlocks! Gunther wrangles Priest to the mat to KNEE the arm! Gunther pushes down on the arm, KNEES the shoulder again, but the ref has Gunther back off. Priest refuses to let the ref call this, but Gunther stands him up. Gunther wrenches Priest, RAMS him, and then drops a KNEE on the elbow! Gunther looms over Priest while fans rally.
Gunther stands Priest up, wrenches the arm, and he CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” and Gunther kneels on Priest’s arm! Gunther pulls the arm back, and even has the other! DOUBLE ARMBAR!! Priest endures as he’s being bent back! The fans rally, and Priest powers up! Priest rises to his feet! Priest ROCKS Gunther! And ROCKS him again! But Gunther CHOPS! Gunther wrenches but Priest ROCKS Gunther! Gunther still wants the arm! Priest CLUBS Gunther, Gunther wrenches the arm! Gunther RAMS the shoulder, then CHOPS! Priest ROCKS Gunther again and again! Priest breaks free, CHOP KICK AT THE SAME TIME!!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Priest rises and the fans fire up! Priest ROCKS Gunther again, and again, but Gunther grabs the bad arm! ELBOW BREAKER! Priest roars to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! Priest winds up, and he DECKS Gunther! The fans fire up and Priest grits his teeth. Priest runs to ELBOW in the corner! Then a clinch and FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Priest is frustrated but he pumps up the good arm. The fans rally as Gunther rises, and Priest runs to COME- NO, Gunther ducks under! CHICKEN WING CROSSFACE! Priest fights it so Gunther CLUBS him! Gunther lifts Priest, Priest fights the bomb!
Priest kicks Gunther low, hoists Gunther up, but the bad arm wont’ let him! Gunther grinds the arm, but Priest reels Gunther down into SNAKE BITE!! Gunther endures, fights around, looks to stack, TWO! Priest lets Gunther go and he SUPERKICKS! Gunther wobbles, Priest kicks low! Priest reels Gunther in, roars, and he lifts! Crucifix, but Gunther fights off Razor’s Edge! CHOP to Priest’s back, and then a SLEEPER! Gunther spins Priest around, GENERAL BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Gunther is beside himself! The fans rally up, but Gunther goes to a corner! Gunther climbs, but Priest hurries to ROCK Gunther first!
Priest ROCKS Gunther again, but Gunther has the SLEEPER! Priest CLUBS Gunther, climbs up after him, and goes to the very top! SUPER STEINER!! Priest hurries to bring Gunther up! Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE!! Priest crawls to the cover, TWO!! Gunther survives because of the delay! The fans rally up, “This is Awesome!” as Priest rises. Priest brings down the straps and waits on Gunther. Choke grip! SOUTH OF- NO, Gunther fights and the bad arm hurts! Gunther CHOPS! Priest CHOPS! Choke grip, SOUTH- NO, Gunther is free again! DOUBLE WRISTLOCK TAKEDOWN!! KIMURA!!! Priest endures but he’s caught!
Gunther has the headscissors, he STOMPS away on Priest’s head! Priest refuses to give up but he’s turning red! He’s fading! Priest gets a second wind and fights free of the headscissors! The fans are thunderous as Priest crawls over, ROPEBREAK! Gunther lets go but he isn’t sure what more to do. The fans rally and duel, Gunther starts shouting trash talk. Priest sits up, Gunther drags him up by the bad arm, and then short arm LARIATS! Gunther says he IS the best, and the fans continue to duel. Gunther short arm LARIATS again! Gunther paces while Priest reaches out. Gunther stands Priest up, but Priest ducks! LARIAT!!
The fans fire up as Priest grits his teeth. Priest waits on Gunther, then runs, COMEBACKER LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and Priest grows frustrated. Priest storms around and the fans fire up again. Priest goes up a corner! Gunther hits ropes to trip Priest up! The ref reprimands but Gunther CHOPS Priest! Gunther climbs up, but Priest choke grips! Gunther SLAPS Priest, brings him up to the very top, but Priest holds it off with his one good hand! Priest SHOVES Gunther, but both men fall! Gunther hits the mat, Priest hits the floor! The ref checks, Priest needs a second to know if his arm is really bad
OH NO, FINN BALOR IS HERE!! DIVING DOUBLE STOMP OFF THE STEPS!! The Prince just made sure Priest is screwed over again! But then Gunther BOOTS Finn down!! Gunther doesn’t want controversy, and he hurries to haul Priest up! GENERAL BOMB! Flop over, HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!! SLEEPER!!! Priest is furious but he’s also fading out!! PRIEST IS OUT, GUNTHER WINS!
Winner: Gunther, by submission (still WWE World Heavyweight Champion)
SummerSlam, Survivor Series, Finn repeats himself by screwing Priest over! Will the Prince never let The Punisher possess this title before him? Will anyone ever stop Gunther now that he’s made it past one of his toughest challengers?
Men’s WarGames: Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Sami Zayn & CM Punk VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa & Bronson Reed!
The OTC has reunited with his OG Bloodline, even the Honorary Uce, but when they couldn’t find a fifth man, their Wise Man came through with quite the wild card! Will the Second City Saint make good on the deal he struck and help Roman humble Solo? Or is there no stopping the “Undisputed’ Tribal Chief and his Bloodline from taking over the WWE?
Solo’s Bloodline makes their entrance first, and all together. And it seems it is already decided that Solo’s Right Hand Man, the Good Bad Guy, makes his way to the ring. Tama climbs the cage like a spider, both creeping Michael Cole out but also making him chuckle. Then the OG Bloodline makes their way out, and Vancouver of course loves Sami. Punk decides to poke the bears, and that has Fatu all up on the bars! Surprisingly, Roman Reigns does not come out last, he is fourth. He still gets his pyro, though. That means with Main Event Jey make his entrance last, coming in from the crowd! The fans fire up and bounce along, “YEET! YEET! YEET!”
Jey being last out, that also means he’s first in. Jey even climbs up onto the cage so everyone can see him to bounce along. The bell rings and we have five minutes until Solo’s Bloodline sends their first man. Tama is perched on a corner and he watches Jey as Jey steps closer. Jey joins Tama in the second ring, and Tama has a wild grin. Tama hops down, stares Jey down and the two circle. The fans cheer for “O T C! O T C!” Jey dares Tama to bring it, but Tama just stays back as a stall tactic. The fans now chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Tama and Jey circle more, the fans sing for Sami, and now the hands fly!
The fans fire up as Jey and Tama go back and forth! “BOO! YEET! BOO! YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey whips Tama, Tama reverses, but Jey goes up and over! UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Jey gets everyone to “YEET!” Jey runs up, LARIAT and GAMANGIRI! Tama staggers, but he blocks another kick. Tama also avoids the Dragon Whip to SLIDING LARIAT! The fans boo but Tama just says, “Yeh yeh yeh yeh!” Tama CLUBS away on Jey, gator rolls, and FALCON ARROW! The fans rally for the OG Bloodline & CM Punk but Tama rains down fists on Jey! Tama paces, then he slides to NO Man’s Land for a SLINGSHOT SENTON!
The fans fire up with “YEH YEH YEH!” and Tama HEADBUTTS Jey. Tama fires hands, but Jey ROCKS Tama back! “YEET! YEET!” YEET!” Tama staggers but Jey runs up to whip. Tama reverses again and Jey hits buckles hard! Tama mocks the “YEET!” then he SPLASHES! Tama covers out of instinct and then remembers this match can’t end until all ten men are in. Tama throws down hands but the fans taunt him for messing up. Tama ignores that, and he slithers around Jey. Tama runs to SLIDING- NO, Jey dodges! Tama blocks the kick again but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Jey then powers up with “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK in the corner!
The countdown is here and Solo’s Bloodline sends out… BRONSON REED! Talk about escalating things! The Colossal Aussie storms down to the ring, looks under, and he brings out chair after chair! Bronson puts those in, that’s about half a dozen! Bronson storms in but Jey CHUCKS a chair at him! And another! And another! Bronson SWATS that one!? Jey dodges, fires hands, and Bronson wobbles. Jey runs but Bronson CLOBBERS him! Bronson says this is HIS ring now! Bronson shakes the cage and grabs a chair. Bronson JAMS Jey up, and he calls Tama over. Tama makes his way to the first ring while Bronson JAMS Jey up again!
Bronson SAMCKS Jey with a chair! Tama gets a boost, BIG SENTON! Then BIGGER SENTON from Bronson! The fans boo but Bronson soaks up the heat while Tama hushes the fans. Bronson stalks Jey to the second ring, HEADBUTTS him, and Tama adds stomps. Jey still has to suffer another minute of this, but Tama CHOKES Jey with boots in the corner! The fans rally for the OG Bloodline but Bronson stands on Jey’s chest! Bronson steps off, then he whips Tama in, STINGER SPLASH! Tama sets Jey up for Bronson’s SPLASH! The countdown returns and Bronson is waiting. The OG Bloodline sends out #BigJim!
Jimmy runs up to the ring, and he just goes right in! Jimmy GAMANGIRIS Tama, GAMANGIRIS Bronson, then runs up. Jimmy dodges to CHOP Bronson again and again! The Usos set up, double mule kick! Then double pop ‘n’ lock, DOUBLE UPPERCUT! The Usos CHOP Bronson but Tama UPPERCUTS Jey! Bronson whips Jimmy but Jimmy BOOTS back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS Tama, then goes up to WHISPER IN THE WIND! The fans fire up, no one knew he could do that! The Usos stand together again, and they aim at Bronson. Jimmy RAMS Bronson, Jey forearm SMASHES! They aim at Tama now, and JimmY CHOPS!
Jimmy RAMS Tama, Jey forearm SMASHES! The fans rally but 90 seconds left until Solo’s side can send another. The Usos send Tama into the wall, then they have a man each in the corners. The Usos rain down fists in stereo, and the fans count all the way to TEN! Jimmy & Jey then aim, DOUBLE UPPERCUTS for Bronson! The fans fire up as The Usos coordinate. The Usos whip Bronson into the wall! The fans declare, “This is Ucey!” but here comes the countdown! Solo’s side sends out… Wait, no, Solo tells Loa to stand down. Jacob Fatu is sent instead! The Samoan Werewolf storms down to the ring, but The Usos are ready!
Jacob steps up and in, and the fight is on! Jacob knocks Jey over, then TOSSES Jimmy into steel! Jacob stomps away, but Jey SAMOAN DROPS Jacob! Jacob kips up!? Jacob swings, Jey dodges, but Jacob BODY CHECKS Jey! HIP ATTACK on Jimmy against the steel! Jacob THROWS Jimmy into the steel! “I love you, Solo!” Jacob CLOBBERS Jey, then THROWS Jimmy again! Jacob stomps Jey, the fans tell off Solo but Solo soaks it up. Jacob HEADBUTTS Jimmy, then runs, HANDSPRING KICK into a HANDSPRING MOONSAULT! Tama and Bronson join in and keep the Usos down.
Jacob and Bronson hoist Jey up for Tama to run, PENDULUM BOMB! Bronson HIP ATTACKS Jimmy against steel! Jacob HIP ATTACKS Jimmy against steel!” I LOVE YOU, SOLO!” The countdown is back, The OG Bloodline send CM- No, Roman stops Punk, and tells The Honorary Uce to go. Sami heads out, leaving Punk and Roman alone together. Sami storms his way down as the fans fire up! Sami runs up to fire hands on Tama! Sami whips, Tama reverses but Sami goes up and over to then LARIAT! Sami kicks Bronson, fires hands, but Bronson HEADBUTTS! Bronson whips Sami to a corner but Sami dodges!
Sami climbs up and he rains down fists! The fans sing and count all the way to TEN then Sami goes way past it! Bronson falls and Sami is all fired up! The fans are with Sami as he then stomps away on Bronson in the gap! Sami goes up to CROSSBODY, but Jacob catches him! But Jimmy SUPERKICKS Jacob down! Sami and Jimmy do the secret handshake! The fans cheer as they’re dawgs again! They stomp away on Jacob, then Jey joins in so they can mug Bronson. The fans cheer “UCEY! UCEY!” Sami goes back to the other ring to bring Tama up, and he THROWS Tama into the steel! But Bronson HEADBUTTS Jimmy!
Bronson rains down fists on Jimmy but Sami CLUBS Bronson. Jacob CLOBBERS Sami! Bronson HEADBUTTS Jey! Jacob has Jimmy for the IMPALER DDT! The countdown is back, and now Loa is sent out. The Silverback storms to the ring, and he goes looking underneath. He brings out a TABLE! The fans don’t mind that, but that door won’t stay open. Loa holds it open, Jacob helps bring the table in, and Loa goes for more! Tama fires hands on Sami while Loa brings out another table! Jacob says time to do some damage, and that table is put in the second ring. The Guerillas ATOMIC DROP and LARIAT Jey!
Jacob starts putting chairs here and there while The Guerillas hit Sami with a POWERSLAM! The fans rally for Punk while Bronson BOOTS Jey out of a chair! Jimmy ROCKS Jacob! But Jacob THROWS Jimmy into steel! Loa rains down fists on Sami, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Sami flounders on the ropes, Loa runs up to SPLASH Sami against steel! Jacob tells the cameraman to move, and he MOONSAULTS onto Jey! Tama lines up a shot, and he tells Jey to watch this. Basement DROPKICK with a chair into Jimmy! Loa THROWS Jey against steel! But the countdown is back! Roman steps forward, but Punk pushes right past him!!
The fans are torn as Punk punks out The OTC and goes right to the ring! Punk stares down Jacob, Bronson and the Guerrillas. Punk then looks to Roman and Roman shakes his head. Punk turns around to step down!? The fans boo, but then Punk brings out a TOOLBOX!! Punk wasn’t backing off, he was just grabbing what he needs! TOOLBOX SMASH for Jacob, for Tama, for Bronson and for Loa! Punk SLAMS the toolbox onto Loa again and again! Punk does not stop, he makes sure Loa is down! Punk then sets the box down, and he SHINING WIZARDS Bronson! And SHINING WIZARD for both Tama & Jacob in the same corner!
Punk runs back in to SHINING WIZARD Jacob, and BULLDOG onto the box!! Wait, Jacob is back up?!? Punk doesn’t see it until he turns around! UPPERCUT! POP-UP SAMOAN DROP!! The fans are torn as Jacob stands tall! Maybe he really is a werewolf! Jimmy ROCKS Bronson, Sami and Jey storm up, but Solo’s Bloodline takes the fight to them! It is a brawl all over, and Bronson ELBOWS Sami against steel! Then THROWS him into the steel! The countdown is back while Loa CHOPS Jey! Bronson adds on, and here comes Solo! The fans boo the “Undisputed” Tribal Chief, especially as he stares Roman down.
Solo tells Roman he’s gonna see what a real Tribal Chief is like. Solo goes to the ring, and he SLAMS the door shut on Sami! Solo tells his guys to bring someone else over, and now he SLAMS the door on Jey! And now SLAMS the door on Jimmy! Solo grabs the chain that locks the cage?! Solo closes the door behind him, and he URENAGES Sami right down! Then Jimmy is brought up, Guerillas of Destiny give him the TONGAN TWIST! Solo says hurry up and get Jey up! Jey is set up into the TONGAN TWIST! Solo tells Jacob to bulldoze them now! They gotta hurry, the countdown is still going! The Usos are stacked, BEST MOONSAULT EVER!!
Bronson goes up and Sami is in the drop zone! TSUNAMI!! The fans boo but Solo grins as his Bloodline is dominating! Punk fights back, but he gets mugged and beat down! The fans boo more but Solo soaks it all up. And Solo still has that chain, because he’s locking the door! Solo says Roman’s not getting in here! Solo laughs as the countdown is back, but the beating on the OG Bloodline continues! The OTC is unleashed, but how is he to get in this match? Roman pulls at the lock and chain but it isn’t giving way. Roman looks at the cage, tries to find a weak spot, but there isn’t one. So Roman will just have to do what Iyo Sky does, and climb!
The fans fire up as yes, roman climbs the cage! The Guerrillas hurry after him, but he DECKS Tama! And DECKS Loa! Roman is on the top, but Bronson is after him! Roman SMACKS Bronson off the steel, and Bronson falls onto his Auszilla! Jacob tries, Roman kicks him away. Solo tries but Roman SMACKS him off the steel! And again! Solo falls, and Roman is in! The match has officially started with the SUPER CROSSBODY! The fans are thunderous as Roman UPPERCUTS again and again and again! But Solo TOSSES Roman! Roman comes back to UPPERCUT! Roman rejoins his side in the first ring and helps them to their feet.
The fans cheer, Roman tells Punk he can get himself up. Punk does stand up, and he stares down with Roman. Wait, someone else is coming out here? Paul Heyman is here! The Wise Man tells his Tribal Chief and the Best in the World that they just have to bring the best out in each other, because this is WARGAMES!! The announcement is official, and both Roman and Punk put their differences aside. The fans fire up as the two sides stare down. They step up to the center, and THE BRAWL IS ON!! The fans fire up as Roman ROCKS Solo, Punk ROCKS Jacob, and then Sami & The Usos have Bronson and the Guerrillas!
The fists fly, Sami goes up and up to TORNADO DDT Bronson! Loa CLUBS Sami, ROCKS him, then HEADBUTTS him! Loa & Tama haul Sami up, but The Usos DOUBLE SUPERKICK The Guerrillas! Then the Usos go up corners! STEREO USO SPLASHES!! But Jacob HEADBUTTS Jimmy and Solo stomps Jey! Those two already knocked Roman and Punk down, and now Solo TOSSES Jey into steel! Jacob CHOKES Jimmy, and now Solo and Jacob go back to Roman and Punk. Roman and Punk fight back with haymakers! Roman has Jacob this time, Solo UPPERCUTS Punk! And UPPERCUTS Roman!
Jacob RAMS into Punk, then brings him around. Solo & Jacob prepare their best moves, but Roman ducks the Samoan Spike! Punk fireman’s carries Jacob, but Solo dodges Roman! SPEAR HITS PUNK!! SAMOAN SPIKE on Roman!! Cover, TWO?!?! The miscommunication almost costs the team! Solo says whatever, just get Punk up! Bronson fireman’s carries Punk, for a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Jacob puts Punk in a corner, BEST MOONSAULT- NO, his leg gives out! Bronson SENTONS Punk! Cover, Sami breaks it! Tama goes after Sami, but Sami THROWS Tama into steel! Loa attacks Sami, Bronson checks Jacob.
Jimmy UPPERCUTS and CHOPS Loa, whips, but Loa THROWS Jimmy into steel! Solo & Bronson set the table up, and Jacob somehow hobbles back up. But Roman LOW BLOWS Jacob!! And SPEARS Solo!! The OTC doesn’t care about honor right now, but Bronson SUPERKIKCS him down! Bronson puts Roman on the table! Bronson goes up, and up, and UP!? The fans freak out that Bronson is on the very top of the cage! SUPER DUPER TSUNAMI but Punk saves Roman!!! The fans are thunderous as Bronson obliterates the table!! Roman is just as shocked that Punk got him to safety, and the fans cheer Punk for it!
Roman is maybe not humbled, but he is grateful, and he offers Punk a hand. Punk takes it and the two stand together! Only for Jacob to CLOBBER them both!! Jacob SUPERKICKS Punk, hauls him up, IMPALE- SUPERMAN PUNCH! SAMOAN SPIKE!! Solo isn’t done with Roman, and he SAMOAN SPIKES again!! Cover, DOUBLE SUPERKICK from the Usos! The fans fire up but Jacob TOSSES Jimmy! Jacob hobbles after the Usos, but Jey SUPERKICKS! Jimmy SUPERKICKS! Jacob staggers, swings, but they DOUBLE LARIAT! And then they whip Jacob into a ONE D!!! The fans are thunderous, and now the Usos hurry to set up a table!
The fans love it as Jimmy climbs and Jey positions things just right. Jey hauls Jacob up and onto the table, abut Loa runs up! Jey dodges Loa to SPEAR Loa! Tama fires off on Jey, and he sends Jey into steel! Sami gets Tama for a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Jimmy is finally clear, and he says hold on. If Big Bronson can do it, then #BigJim can do it! Jimmy goes up for a SUPER DUPER USO SPLASH!! But Jimmy bounces off, he can’t cover!! The fans are losing their minds but Heyman sure loves what he sees! Sami staggers over, helps Jimmy to his feet, and then he helps Jey. “This is Awesome!” as they go to the second ring.
Sami helps Punk, The Usos help Roman. Together, they all surround Solo! Solo sees he is in trouble, the fans tell him how screwed he is, and Roman makes sure Solo understands that. Roman says Solo wanted peace, so Solo needs to acknowledge Roman. Solo says HE is still chief! SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK! DOUBLE SUPERKICK!! Sami gives Solo a HELLUVA KICK!! And then feed to Punk! GO TO SLEEP!! And then “OOOAH~!” SPEAR!!! Cover, OG BLOODLINE WINS!
Winners: Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Sami Zayn & CM Punk, by pinfall
The OTC hugs it out with the OG Bloodline, but the OG Bloodline does accept Punk with handshakes and hugs. Punk and Roman stare down, but Sami reminds Roman, they won thanks to Punk. Roman offers a handshake, and Punk takes it! The fans cheer as these two Paul Heyman guys find respect on the battlefield. The OG Bloodline hold up their ones, Punk does his night-night pose, and the pyro goes off. But while WarGames is over, this may have simply been one battle in the real Bloodline Civil War. Will Roman be able to take back the ula fala and title of TRUE Tribal Chief from Solo? And just what is the promised favor Heyman owes Punk?
My Thoughts:
A great, almost awesome WarGames, but no countdown/kickoff show ever needs to be two hours when there aren’t matches of any kind. And there weren’t even those super exclusive sit-down interviews. Well, I’m actually okay with that, but still, there was nothing really that big going on. Though, I did appreciate there were some New Day centric UpUpDownDown segments sprinkled throughout. Perhaps they were trying to give us some last tastes of New Day before it all falls apart on Monday night.
Opening with Women’s WarGames is basically tradition by now, and they did really well, but with maybe some wrinkles that needed ironing out. I like that Rhea actually customized her mask. Busted faces as angles are rare, but aside from maybe Cody Rhodes running with the “Dashing Dashed” Cody story from years ago, no one has ever really tried to use the mask to their advantage. And I like that Iyo went so far as to have a prepared trash can because she knew she’d do another drop-in spot. At the same time, smart of them to not just use that up, and instead coordinate a double high spot with Iyo and Tiff.
Tiff almost cashing in was good, but of course she is again intimidated into not doing it because Raquel was there to protect Liv. I kinda wish Tiff still got to cash in on Liv, because that little bit we got of Tiff and Iyo going handspring for handspring shows we could get an exciting title match from them. After all, Iyo is still owed her shot on Liv that she won in the battle royal weeks ago. Rhea’s team winning out despite the go-home math from last night was quite the surprise, as was Rhea pinning Liv. Maybe we get a Triple Threat of Liv, Rhea and Iyo, making it that much easier for Tiff to cash in and take the title from them all.
Another defiance of go-home math was Nakamura winning, even though he stood tall last night. At the same time, Nakamura’s return push meant he needed to win, and I’m glad they went through with that. Nakamura at least bends rules and takes advantage of the environment with the DDT to the metal plate covering the gap between rings. Maybe this helps give Knight a bit more dimension. Not that fans don’t love Knight for just being “Kavorka! With everybody saying L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BUT if Knight has to think things through, understand that Nakamura is that sinister and crafty, maybe Knight can find something beyond that.
The Triple Threat for the Intercontinental Championship was most definitely a banger, even though they really got us with how Kaiser kept Sheamus from winning. While there can still be a way for Sheamus to get back to the IC title, like maybe by WrestleMania, it felt like this could’ve been such a great chance for Sheamus. But for now, Bron can move on to just about anyone. Gunther VS Priest was really good, though I’m not sure Gunther’s crisis of confidence was as well-executed as it could have been. I do appreciate the spark was that he saw Priest’s arm was hurting, and they made that the story of the match.
I just don’t know why Finn had to interfere again. Is Finn suddenly going to be back in the world title hunt? Well, I suppose why not? He can’t keep complaining about Priest if he’s not also going to try for that title himself, but there’s also the world tag titles to consider. This already feels like a Heel version of the Fraxiom story in NXT, where a tag champ wants more, even if it means potentially losing what he already has. Perhaps if not for Crown Jewel needing Champion VS Champion, we would’ve gotten past this by now. Maybe we get one final match of Finn and Priest, Loser Leaves Raw so that there will never be a revisit of this until some WWE Draft down the line.
Though as I say that, Priest would have to lose and be moved to SmackDown. Which isn’t so bad, could be a fresh start for Priest. He could challenge for the US Championship, and maybe eventually build up to be a WWE Championship contender. And another great WarGames match with the Bloodline Civil War, though there were also some oddities like in the women’s. The OG Bloodline all having independent intros was fine, but that then created some interesting choices in order. I would’ve thought Roman would make himself last out, because duh, he’s Roman. But Jey being the one sent in, he wanted to do his crowd entrance and then go right to the ring, so that’s fine.
The Men’s WarGames still followed the math, though. Solo’s side had advantage and stood tall on the go-home, so of course The OG Bloodline won. Really good stuff, with Roman being passive aggressive to Punk and Solo calling audibles to send his meanest guys first. Punk teasing a betrayal only to bring out a toolbox for a weapon was also clever, but Roman’s entrance into the cage was a bit overpowered. He fought everyone off to start and he helps his side up, but I suppose it was needed so that Heyman came out to smooth things over between Punk and Roman. There was that scary part with Jacob’s failed moonsault, but he kept going so I guess his leg wasn’t broken or anything.
Great bit to finish with Solo taking everything from everyone, and I liked the GTS into the Spear. Now with OG Bloodline winning, you can bet we get Roman VS Solo for the ula fala, and Punk will have Heyman do something for him. As I said last night for SmackDown, this could be a case where Heyman advocates for Punk in a World Heavyweight Championship match against Gunther for Royal Rumble, and Roman has to figure things out all on his own if he wants a title shot. Another thing I said last night was that Roman is still too cocky. He may be treating Sami & The Usos nicer, but he was still expecting Punk to play along, and still acting like he deserves Tribal Chief treatment. Roman needs to be humbled before he can really be Tribal Chief again, and Heyman choosing Punk over him might be the thing that gets through to Roman.
My Score: 9/10
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