Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/29/20)
SmackDown has the Final Four!
The WWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament reaches the semifinals!
SmackDown may once again be the House that AJ Styles Built, but will he be forced to Walk With Elias? And will Daniel Bryan derail Jeff Hardy’s comeback?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- SmackDown Battle Royal: Sheamus wins and will face Daniel Bryan in tonight’s main event.
- Lacey Evans VS Sonya Deville; Double Count-Out.
- Sasha Banks w/ Bayley VS Alexa Bliss w/ Nikki Cross; Banks wins.
- Cesaro w/ Shinsuke Nakamura VS Chad Gable; Gable wins.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament Semifinals: Daniel Bryan VS Sheamus; Bryan wins and will face AJ Styles for the vacant WWE Intercontinental Championship in two weeks.
PLAY BY PLAY
SmackDown opens with shocking news!
A car accident occurred just outside the Performance Center! Elias is the main victim and it was a hit and run! Medics tend to Elias and police investigate the car in question. A paper is found and it has Jeff Hardy’s name on it?! It’s a rental under his name. WWE cuts to an eye witness in Braun Strowman. What did he saw? He just got here, a car came flying in and it crashed, and then someone ran away. Elias is hopefully okay, but someone needs to find the SOB that did this to Elias. Police spot someone in the back and hurry with referees and WWE security. It’s Jeff Hardy! And he’s in just as bad of shape as Elias.
The police try to ask him questions but he says his head is spinning. Has Jeff been drinking? Jeff says he isn’t but the police say he smells like what’s in the car. Jeff can barely walk, even as Jamie Noble and Jason Jordan help. The police cuff Jeff?! They want to question him down at the station, even as the WWE staff try to reason with him. Jeff doesn’t understand, but swears he hasn’t had a drink. He sees his rental car on the curb and Elias in a stretcher. Noble keeps Jeff calm as he is helped into the police car. Just what happened here? Will we get the truth before the show is over?
The SmackDown locker room gathers backstage.
Adam Pierce gets everyone to settle down. Yes, Elias was hit by a car and Jeff Hardy was found. Elias is unable to compete tonight in the Intercontinental Championship tournament. And with Hardy’s arrest, he is also out. Sheamus sarcastically says, “What a shock!” Of course Jeff Hardy has been arrested. Is this his fifth strike? There will be no comment on that. Sheamus bad mouths Jeff but with Jeff and Elias out, that’s the news. Styles says he and Bryan are just automatically in the finals, then. Well he is entitled to that opinion. Bryan suggests there should be two substitutes for Bryan and Styles to compete, to give them a chance at the championship, too, Styles says that’s the dumbest thing Bryan has ever said, and they’ve known each other a long time. Just take the free ride to the awesome match. Well, Bryan isn’t a coward.
Sheamus steps up and agrees with Bryan. Sheamus deserves a second chance! Junkie Jeff had to be high off his rocker, how else do you explain him taking that beating and still winning? But then, Sheamus lost to someone high off his rocker so… Sheamus wants a match with Bryan, but Baron Corbin says Sheamus shouldn’t just get back in. Otherwise, that means Corbin gets his second chance and takes on Styles. Styles says this is NOT what he signed up for. All the guys making the noise lost so they should NOT be in the semifinals. But Styles is taking the free ride right to the title match. Well thanks for coming back, Mr. Team Player. Sheamus says it should be Triple Threats! Sheamus VS Corbin VS Bryan, winner takes on Styles in the finals. That still doesn’t sit right for the others.
Jey Uso repeats that Sheamus and Corbin both lost. Jimmy may be hurt but there’s still one Uce in the building. Jey wants in this one time. Ziggler steps up and says this is not how this work. Whichever Uso this is, this isn’t a tag match. This is the Intercontinental Championship. And Ziggler is a six-time champion, unless everyone’s forgotten. Chad Gable says no one has forgotten, it’s just that Ziggler is also a jackass. Burn! Pierce calms everyone down again. Bryan wants his match, Styles wants his free fried, everyone gets what they want. it will be a Battle Royal to face Bryan in the main event! And then yes, the winner of that goes against Styles in two weeks. BUT, that battle royal is next! The others leave and Bryan likes that idea. Styles says Bryan is such an idiot. What will the finals even look like now that this tournament got turned upside-down?
SmackDown Battle Royal!
SmackDown returns and the bell rings, and all hell breaks loose! Sheamus goes after Lince Dorado while Gran Metalik fights off Cesaro. Ziggler goes after Cesaro, Drew Gulak has Shinsuke Nakamura, and Baron Corbin is after Jey Uso. The NXT superstars in the crowd are loving the Lucha House Party combo on Cesaro! Sheamus has Ziggler over but Ziggler holds on. Cesaro gut wrenches Lince but Lince slides in and jawbreakers back. Corbin goes around while Lince avoids elimination again. Cesaro saves Nakamura to go after Gulak while Gable goes after Sheamus. Sheamus drags Shorty G up to climb up while Ziggler avoids elimination! Corbin and Jey still scrap in the corner but Cesaro goes after Jey. Gulak goes after Cesaro while LHP works on Nakamura.
Corbin helps Nakamura and Cesaro trophy lifts Ziggler! Cesaro tosses Ziggler but Ziggler grabs the ropes! Ziggler saves himself but Sheamus tries to do the same to Lince. Lince boots back while Nakamura goes after Metalik. Lince goes after Nakamura and Sheamus throws Gulak. Gulak holds on so Sheamus goes after Jey. Nakamura gives Lince Bad Vibrations while Cesaro resists Metalik’s attempts. Sheamus talks trash to Michael Cole but Gable is after Sheamus! Lince kicks Corbin but Corbin tosses him to a corner! Lince dodges Corbin and LHP go after the Wolf King together! Sheamus stomps Gable down while Metalik runs into a boot. Corbin puts Lince on the apron but Lince enziguris! Only for Corbin to DECK him! Corbin ELIMINATES Lince!
Gulak goes after Corbin! Gulak dumps Corbin out but Corbin clamps on a choke grip. Gulak breaks free to throw hands, but Corbin hotshots Gulak away. Corbin hip tosses and ELIMINATES Gulak! The crowd boos while Corbin grins his way back into the ring. Sheamus CLUBS Metalik while Corbin clobbers Jey. Cesaro helps Corbin out and Nakamura puts Gable up top. Gable avoids the Top Shelf Knee and tries to dump Nakamura out! Jey survives as Cesaro goes after him but Corbin and Ziggler work together on Metalik. Metalik double handspring elbows them back! Metalik clotheslines Corbin in a corner then walks the ropes, and leaps into a SUPERKICK! Corbin throws Metalik out and ELIMINATES him!
Ziggler and Corbin high five but then Ziggler tries to turn on Corbin! It doesn’t work and Ziggler says he was making a joke. Corbin shakes hands, but whips Ziggler out! Corbin ELIMINATES Ziggler, but Jey SUPERKICKS and ELIMINATES Corbin!! The crowd loves the karma, and we have our final five! It’s Jey, Nakamura, Cesaro, Sheamus and Gable! We’ll see who is left after the break.
SmackDown returns and Nakamura gives Jey the Top Shelf Knee! The Bar unofficially reunites as they beat up on Gable. Gable fights back but gets mugged 2v1. The Bar Lariat returns as they clobber Gable! Cesaro then helps Nakamura stomp Jey while Sheamus drags Gable up. Gable fights back with fast hands, but Sheamus puts him up top. Sheamus clubs but Gable hits a hanging armbar! No ropebreaks means Gable can do this forever! But he lets up to boot back and hit a tornado DDT! Jey SUPERKICKS Cesaro away, then SUPERKICKS Nakamura! Gable gives Cesaro a rolling Liger Kick! Uso Hip Attack for Cesaro! Jey aims and kicks at Nakamura. Nakamura blocks, spins, ducks the dragon whip to spin and kick back! Gable fireman’s carries Nakamura but Nakamura grabs ropes. Cesaro CLUBS Gable and ROCKS him with a European Uppercut!
Cesaro long darts Gable but Gable holds the ropes! Gable shoulders back in but then into a knee! Cesaro drags Gable up but Gable headlocks and drags Cesaro over! Cesaro holds on but lands on the floor! Gable ELIMINATES Cesaro and he is furious! Gable fights Cesaro off, but Nakamura KNEES Gable down! Nakamura kicks Gable against the ropes then drags him up. Nakamura throws forearms and knees against the ropes then whips. Gable reverses but Nakamura holds ropes. Nakamura knees, spins, but into a bearhug! Gable uses an OVERHEAD belly2belly and ELIMINATES Nakamura! But Cesaro TOSSES and ELIMINATES Gable behind the refs’ back! The Artist Collective just screwed Shorty G!!
But now that leaves just Sheamus and just Jey Uso. One man moves on and the brawl is on! Jey fires off, whips but Sheamus reverses. Jey slides to a stop to ROCK Sheamus with uppercuts! Jey runs but into Sheamus’ arms! Sheamus dumps Jey out but Jey lands on the apron! Jey skins the cat enough to get clubbing Bodhrain beats! But Jey hotshots and enziguris! Jey climbs up, leaps, but Sheamus gets under. SUPERKICK! Jey clotheslines Sheamus but Sheamus stays on the apron!! Sheamus and Jey fight at the ropes and Sheamus drags Jey over. Jey hooks onto ropes but Sheamus rakes eyes! Sheamus throws hands but Jey counter punches! Jey ROCKS and CHOPS Sheamus! SUPERK- NO! Sheamus blocks and POSTS Jey! Jey stays up but the BROGUE knocks him down! Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus
The Celtic Warrior used everything he had to in order to be the last man left! And now he has another shot in this tournament! Will Sheamus redeem himself against a rested Daniel Bryan?
Sonya Deville speaks.
“Last week, I wrecked one bleach blonde Barbie doll when I completely dominated Mandy Rose. So Lacey Evans, the same fate awaits you. So put your hair up, and square up.” But little does she know, Lacey Evans has appeared behind her! And Lacey pushes Sonya down! If the nasty wants it, get to the ring. Will the Gladiator Gal have to eat her words?
Gable protests backstage.
Cesaro and Nakamura got away with screwing Shorty G out of that battle royal, but they call him a sore loser. Losing is something Gable can handle. An opportunity being stolen is different. Well these are the big leagues, little guy. Do you really think you can be Intercontinental Champion? Cesaro did Gable a favor. So be the bigger man, and just walk away from this. Or step back into the ring with Cesaro, and we both know that’d be a big mistake. So run along, little buddy. Gable DECKS Cesaro, and accepts the challenge! Will the might mouse make Swiss cheese out of the Swiss Cyborg?
Lacey Evans VS Sonya Deville!
The Sassy Southern Belle is ready to throw down, but the Desire is on fire after trampling the Rose. Who makes a big impact in the SmackDown Women’s Division with the champion in need of a contender?
The bell rings and Lacey shakes out her natural blonde hair. Sonya rushes Lacey and gets the waistlock but Lacey gets away quick. The two circle and Sonya goes for a leg, but Lacey avoids the takedown. Lacey mocks Sonya and says she’s gonna show her what blondes can do. Lacey even gives Sonya “a chance,” by taking a starting position. Sonya hooks on but Lacey gets around. The two go back and forth, Lacey trips Sonya down! Sonya gets up in a huff and Lacey flexes as the crowd fires up. Lacey and Sonya circle again, tie up, and Lacey headlocks. Sonya powers out and runs Lacey over! Sonya isn’t impressed anymore and she puts her hair up. Time to square up! But Lacey kips up, and matches!
The two circle again, and the hands fly! Lacey kicks Sonya down! Sonya gets to a corner and Lacey dabs herself off. Lacey calls Sonya a nasty, so Sonya ROCKS Lacey! Sonya asks Lacey to speak up, before she POSTS her! Sonya wraps Lacey’s hair around the ropes before throwing haymakers! The ref counts and Sonya lets off, but she bumps Lacey off buckles. Sonya wraps Lacey’s hair on the ropes again to throw more hands! The ref reprimands but Sonya stands on Lacey’s hair. Lacey kicks Sonya away but Sonya grabs the leg to slam it! And then Sonya kicks Lacey down! Cover, ONE! Sonya stands on Lacey’s hair again, but Lacey manages to headscissor her away! Lacey kicks low then facelocks, for a fallout DDT! Gator roll to the ropes and Lacey tucks Sonya under the skirt! Lacey clubs away but lets up at 4. To then dump Sonya down inside the skirt!
Sonya flounders about to get free while Lacey catches her breath. Sonya SPEARS Lacey down but the ring count is climbing! The scrapping continues and the count reaches 10!
Double Count-Out
Sonya bounces Lacey off the announce desk! Sonya whips but Lacey reverses to send Sonya into the desk’s corner! Lacey gets back in the ring and dares Sonya to come back for more. Sonya pushes Cole away and grabs a headset. Sonya tells us that she’ll fight “blondie” on her terms. The match is a draw but this may be only the beginning!
SmackDown hears from The Forgotten Sons.
Sgt. Jaxson Ryker, Cpl. Steve Cutler and the one man that truly appreciates all they’ve done for this country in Wesley Blake were all raised to #DoUntoOthers as you would have them do unto you. Blake was “one of you,” the normal civilian. But Blake “corrected” his behavior when he joined Cutler and Ryker. Now, they will no longer turn the other cheek. Their blood was on our hands, so our hands shall be on theirs. But whose blood will it be first?
Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross talk backstage.
Nikki has a surprise for the New Day, but she can’t say because it has to be a surprise for Alexa, too. But then Big E and Kofi Kingston surprise them first! SmackDown will have both pairs of tag team champions in the ring after the break!
SmackDown presents A Moment of Bliss!
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions head to the ring to co-host their show and welcome us back. Nikki is so excited for their guests tonight, and so is Alexa. Please welcome the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, the New Day! AWWWW~ people at hooome~! Clap for your EIGHT-TIME champs, and feel~ the power~! We have a Tag Team Champion Summit! Kofi high-fives the crowd through the Plexiglas as he and Big E go to the ring. Alexa welcomes them to the show and this discussion to talk about the competition. But Nikki presents her present to them, and it’s… Scottish style pancakes! She made them by hand, with her grandmother’s special recipe. Wow, that’s so sweet! But they aren’t here empty handed. Here are coffee beans, straight from Djibouti, but out of Big E’s singlet. Sip, sip! Oh, how nice… Alexa saves the coffee for later to talk about the Money in the Bank’s Fatal 4 Way they won. Are there any tag teams standing out now?
Well the Forgotten Sons made a name for themselves in that match. The New Day has their eyes peeled looking out for those guys. “You can say that again.” Well the Forgotten Sons made a name for- No, Kofi, that’s a saying. But anyway, Bliss-Cross has been mixing it up on Raw with the IIconics, but who, who who who, on SmackDown stands out to them? Nikki gets into a Big E mode, but here comes Bayley and Sasha Banks! “Well, well, well.” Bayley can see two great tag team champions in the ring, but what about the best tag team champions? Sasha doesn’t see them at all. But just wait a second here. Sasha and Bayley get in the ring and Sasha throws her jacket at Alexa. Now Sasha sees the best.
To calm things down, Nikki congratulates Bayley on beating Charlotte Flair last week. Yes, thank you. That’s the welcome Bayley loves. She IS the most dominant Women’s Champion on SmackDown. Maybe Nikki needs to tell Alexa that. No, it’s fine, Bayley. It’s just that when Bayley started talking, Alexa stopped listening. The New Day reacts strongly to that BURN! Now, we have five titles in the ring, but oh! Where’s Sasha’s? BURN! Valid question. Oh shut up! Charlotte Jr. has jokes, huh? Alexa doesn’t talk to Da Goat, Da Boss, and da leader of this division! And since Sasha is the conversation, she has some facts to share. The Boss & Bayley put those titles on the map! OOH~! If it wasn’t for them, the titles wouldn’t even exist! O M G!! And so, Alexa, if they wanted to, Banks & Bayley could take the titles back.
Then name when and where. They will! But right now, right here, Sasha is going to beat Alexa 1v1 tonight! Sasha can’t believe Bayley just did that, but too late! Alexa accepts the challenge and Bayley hurries to get Sasha the rest of her gear. But Alexa gives her back her jacket, and DROPKICKS her out! The Goddess just punked out the Boss. Is Bayley writing checks Sasha can’t cash?
Sasha Banks w/ Bayley VS Alexa Bliss w/ Nikki Cross!
SmackDown returns and Sasha at least has sneakers on. Nikki is on commentary as Sasha takes her time lacing her shoes up. Bayley is also on commentary and tells Nikki to shut up already. Alexa rushes Sasha but Sasha sends her into buckles! Sasha kicks but Alexa blocks, rolls Sasha up, TWO! Alexa Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! Cradle counter, TWO! Sasha knees low and whips Alexa. Alexa counters the hip toss to a takedown, TWO! Sasha ghost pins, TOW! Sasha blocks the kick and Bayley cheers, but Alexa blocks the knee to ROCK Sasha with a right! Alexa poses and Nikki squeals, and then Alexa hits a takedown to an arm wringer! Knee drop, Insult2Injury! Cover, TWO! Nikki rallies with the fans and Bayley grows annoyed.
Alexa runs corner to corner to slap, but Sasha blocks and sends her into buckles again! Sasha hits swinging METEORA! Cover, TWO! Sasha is shocked but Bayley says she’s da best! Sasha rains down rights and covers, TWO! Alexa gets to the ropes while Bayley threatens Cole and Nikki threatens Bayley in defense of Cole. Nikki pats Cole’s head while Sasha ROCKS Alexa! Sasha slaps Alexa and stomps her down in the corner. The ref counts, Sasha lets up at 4, but Sasha comes back to KNEE Alexa in the corner. Sasha snapmares and runs to basement METEORA! Cover, TWO! Sasha grows frustrated, especially with Nikki rallying the fans. Sasha clamps onto Alexa with double chicken wings but the rallying grows stronger.
Bayley tells Nikki to get off the desk but Nikki shouts, “YOU CAN’T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!” Alexa fights her way up out of the hole but Sasha wrangles her down to an arm surfboard. Alexa still gets to her feet and knees Sasha back! Sasha blocks a knee to hit a backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Sasha and Bayley are frustrated but Nikki feels excellent. Sasha throws forearms on Alexa in the corner, but lets up at 4. Sasha and Bayley tell the crowd to shut up but Nikki and the crowd boo instead. Sasha says Alexa has no chance in hell of beating her, but then Alexa ROCKS her! Alexa keeps throwing hands and then whips. Sasha goes up but gets caught and SLAMMED down! Both women are down and Nikki fires up even more. Bayley is losing her cool as Alexa and Sasha stir.
Bayley and Nikki duel but Alexa rallies! Alexa blocks and ROCKS Sasha again. Sasha blocks the next one but Alexa avoids the crossface! Alexa dropkicks Sasha, but runs into headscissors! Sasha sends Alexa into buckles then runs corner to corner, MERTOERA, and the STOCK DROP! Cover, TWO!! Alexa survives and Sasha grows frustrated, but Bayley is still confident. The crowd is on Alexa’s side and she counters Sasha to a victory roll! TWO, and Alexa ducks to tilt-o-whirl to headscissor! Alexa runs into the corner to ROCK Sasha with that right! Sasha is in the drop zone and Alexa climbs. Nikki is fired up and Bayley panics. Bayley gets on the apron and Nikki goes after her! They brawl and Bayley shoves Nikki into Alexa! Alexa goes down, to get METEORA! Slingshot sunset flip, Sasha wins!
Winner: Sasha Banks, by pinfall
The “role models” work together again to make sure they win! Does this ensure they can and will take those tag team titles back?
SmackDown has an update on both Elias and Jeff Hardy.
The Drifter is in stable condition, but there is still little known about Hardy’s situation while in police custody. SmackDown will give us more as the reports come in.
Cesaro w/ Shinsuke Nakamura VS Chad Gable!
The Artist Collective may not have won the battle royal, but they also made sure Shorty G wouldn’t either! The Swiss Cyborg poked fun at Gable until Gable lost his cool, and now things will be settled in the ring!
The bell rings and Gable hits Cesaro with a rolling kick right away! And then another! Gable fires off forearms and whips Cesaro, but Cesaro reverses. Gable goes up and over and sunset flips, TWO! Cesaro runs into a back elbow and Gable goes up. Gable QUEBRADA, cover, TWO! Gable has a leg and drops knees on the knee! Cesaro kicks Gable away and then dodges him to LARIAT! Cesaro runs to drop a leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Cesaro keeps his cool as he drags Gable up. He ROCKS Gable with a EuroUpper, but then dead lifts and gut wrenches. Gable blocks for just a moment before Cesaro TOSSES him! Cover, TWO!
Cesaro clamps onto Gable with a half camel clutch. The crowd rallies for Gable as he endures. Gable fights his way up, throws body shots back, but Cesaro knees low. Cesaro whips, Gable dodges and dropkicks the legs out! Gable runs corner to corner for another rolling kick, but Cesaro catches him! For a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Gable survives and Cesaro grows frustrated. Cesaro basement EuroUppers Gable, then stalks him to the corner. Cesaro hauls Gable up and hoists him to the top rope backwards. He CLUBS Gable on the back then climbs up to join him. SUPER BACK SUPLEX, but Gable lands on his feet!! Gable has the leg for an ANKLE LOCK! Cesaro flails but rolls and sends Gable into ropes! Cesaro EuroUppers Gable off his feet! Cover, TWO!
Cesaro hauls Gable up and Gotch holds, but Gable back drops out! Cesaro sunset flips through, TWO! Ghost pin, TWO! Gable is up but Cesaro whips and catches the roll, but Gable sunset flips through! Gable wins!!
Winner: Chad Gable, by pinfall
Shorty G pulls off a huge upset! Will Gable finally climb that ladder to head for bigger and better opportunities?
SmackDown checks in with Otis Dozovic and Mandy Rose.
Mr. Money in the Bank and his sweet peach have been having a great time relaxing by the pool. Pop the bottles! Peach champagne for his golden peach. Tall glasses of the bubbly and cheers to some alone time as just the two of them. Oh yeah! Otis asks Mandy, “Care to test the waters, my golden ray of sunshine?” No, thanks, Mandy is getting a little tired. A little sleepy? A kiss good night then. Otis lets Mandy snooze in the sun, and she starts to dream about… Otis going into the pool? She can’t take her eyes off him. Otis tests the wind as Mandy gets hotter. Otis comes out dripping wet. “Hi, Mandy. You know how cute I always thought you were.” Otis walks over as water pours down. Isn’t this from Fast Times at Ridgemont High?
Mandy blows Otis a kiss as he tears off his shirt. She even sees herself with Otis, though she’s still on the chair. The other Mandy makes out with Otis as real Mandy squirts sunscreen everywhere. But back in reality, CANNONBALL!! Otis splashes down big time, and it gets on Mandy. She wakes up and he apologizes to his “precious sea gem.” It’s okay, even though she was having an amazing dream. Mandy does join Otis in the pool for some real kissing. Oh yeah~!
SmackDown hears from Kurt Angle!
The Olympic gold medalist and WWE Hall of Famer is back and remembers how he used to run SmackDown. He and other legends, like Taker, Brock Lesnar, Eddie Guerrero, Hulk Hogan, John Cena, Randy Orton, and Edge. Speaking of, the Greatest WRestling Match Ever between Orton and Edge will be amazing! But that’s all the past, this is the future. Angle introduces a superstar who is now joining the SmackDown roster. This is a man who Angle has gotten to know very well over the last few months, and even officiated the Fight Pit Match, this man’s last match on NXT. Tonight, Angle gladly announces SmackDown will be getting… THE ORIGINAL BRO, Matt Riddle! The former NXT Tag Team Champion and all around chill badass is leaving the black ‘n’ yellow to go true blue! Will this become Friday Night Bro-Down?
Backstage interview with Sheamus.
All the talk of Jeff Hardy, and what happens? Jeff isn’t even gone five minutes, and he’s being replaced by Matt Riddle. But that’s okay. While those guys get the hype, Sheamus gets the results. That’s why Sheamus won the battle royal, and will get to Brogue kick Bryan again. Sheamus has yet to have the Intercontinental Championship, and he won’t let the rats get in his way. Sheamus will be the ULTIMATE Grand Slam Champion! He will leave bodies in his wake, because there’s no room for the weak. But Bryan walks over and Sheamus dares him to say something. Or does cat got his tongue? Bryan shin kicks Sheamus instead! Sheamus hobbles as he vows to make Bryan pay for that! Their main event match happens after the break!
SmackDown has big news for next week’s episode!
Not only is Matt Riddle making his SmackDown debut, but The Miz & John Morrison have a “warning” for Braun Strowman ahead of their WWE Universal Championship Handicap match at Backlash! What will the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century have to say to the Monster Among Men before their unconventional title match? And speaking of title matches, after tonight’s victory for The Boss, Sasha and Bayley are getting their title match against Bliss-Cross! Will we see the rise of #BayleyTwoBelts next week?
WWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament Semifinals: Daniel Bryan VS Sheamus!
The Goat defeated his coach and friend, Drew Gulak, to get here. The Celtic Warrior lost to Jeff Hardy but misfortune took the Charismatic Enigma and Drifter out of the running. Will Sheamus luck out and get back in the title scene?
The bell rings and Sheamus circles with Bryan. They tie up, Sheamus headlocks and throws Bryan down. Cover, ONE, but Sheamus wrangles Bryan again. Bryan fights up, brings Sheamus down to a knee and pops out back to get a hammerlock. Bryan grabs the opposite arm and wrenches the wrist. Sheamus sits up but Bryan chinlocks. Sheamus powers Bryan to a corner and arm-drags him away hard. Sheamus toys with Bryan already as he kicks at him. Bryan gets up as Sheamus reminds him of that WrestleMania defeat. Bryan gets the arm, Sheamus reverses the hammerlock and chinbar, but Bryan endures as Sheamus grinds him down. Sheamus taunts Bryan but Bryan puts him in a corner. Bryan throws fast hands and kicks! And uppercuts! Sheamus hakes it off but Bryan throws more! Sheamus comes back with a LARIAT!
Sheamus stomps Bryan and drags him up for EuroUppers of his own. Sheamus CLUBS Bryan, then hooks Bryan’s face. The ref counts and Sheamus lets up to knock Bryan down. Sheamus clamps onto Bryan with a chinbar and knees him in the corner. Sheamus throws more uppercuts then whips, but Bryan goes up and over. Bryan keeps moving, dodges and flying clotheslines! Sheamus is up fast but Bryan dumps him out. Bryan builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit sends Sheamus into barriers! Bryan is back in control as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Bryan gives Sheamus shoulder breakers! Bryan wrenches again and wants the takedown, but Sheamus whips Bryan away. Sheamus scoops but Bryan slips out to waistlock. Sheamus backs Bryan down into a corner and throws elbows over and over and over and over! Sheamus gets Bryan down and gives even more elbows into Bryan’s face! Sheamus drops knees, too, and shouts, “Are you not entertained?!” The crowd boos, meaning they aren’t. Sheamus just smiles as he brings Bryan back up. Sheamus KNEES Bryan out of the ring! Sheamus fetches Bryan and throws him into barriers! He taunts Cole into starting up the Yes chants. The crowd chants “No! No!” but Bryan gets to the ring. Sheamus climbs up top and leaps to clothesline Bryan down! Cover, TWO!
Sheamus is frustrated with Bryan but he takes credit for the Yes Movement! Those 18 seconds at WrestleMania started it all. Bryan throws body shots and EuroUppers! Bryan kicks and uppercuts, but Sheamus whips. Bryan boots him away! He leaps but into the IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus has the legs for the Cloverleaf! Sheamus sits deep on the hold but Bryan crawls for ropes! The crowd rallies as Bryan gets the ropebreak! Sheamus lets go in frustration, but admits Bryan was always squirrelly. Sheamus wants the Bodhrain but Bryan fires off forearms! Bryan hotshots Sheamus away then climbs up. But Sheamus kicks the legs out! Sheamus climbs up and clubs Bryan, then brings Bryan up to the very top. Bryan resists, fights Sheamus back, and headbutts him down! Sheamus gets up but Bryan leaps to missile dropkick him down!
Both men are down and the crowd rallies. Bryan gets up and gives Yes Kicks over and over! He kicks and kicks but Sheamus ducks the Buzzsaw! Sheamus wants another backbreaker but Bryan crucifix pins! Cover, TWO! Bryan throws elbows but Sheamus power sup, to the WHITE NOISE! Cover, TWO! Bryan survives Sheamus’ take on the Air Raid, but Sheamus won’t stop there. Sheamus drags Bryan up for stiff body shots and EuroUppers. The crowd rallies as Sheamus whips Bryan out then in. Bryan drop toeholds and sends Sheamus into buckles! And he kicks the rope to jam Sheamus! Bryan hits a corner to corner dropkick! Bryan goes again, but Sheamus CLOBBERS him! Sheamus fires up and aims from the corner. Wait, is that Jeff Hardy!? He’s free from county jail?! SHOTGUN KNEE from Bryan! Cover, Bryan wins!!
Winner: Daniel Bryan, by pinfall (advances to the finals)
And now Hardy is after Sheamus! Hardy chases Sheamus around the ring but Sheamus gets away! Sheamus runs away from Hardy, but just what is going on here?
My Thoughts:
What a wild SmackDown tonight! Because the tournament as it was meant to go was what the WWE advertised, everything tonight was a surprise and to great effect. Clearly there is a frame job of Jeff Hardy as the one who hit Elias after having a relapse into his alcoholism. The battle royal was great, and I was surprised Jey Uso got to be one of the last two. While the Usos are basically never breaking up as a tag team, using Jey while Jimmy is injured is actually a good move. Sheamus wins the battle royal but loses his match with Bryan because Hardy returns from being “arrested.” Hardy assumes Sheamus did him in but I think a better route would to give us a twist culprit. It’s also of note that Elias was taken out, and Styles chose to take the easy route and just go into the finals automatically. How do we know it wasn’t Styles who ran Elias over and framed Hardy? Two birds with one car, because then he can have another match with Bryan, seeking payback for both their world title feud and their MITB interactions.
Cesaro VS Gable was a really good match to come out of the battle royal story. I can’t be sure how far that story goes, but maybe Gable gets a tag team partner to help him against Cesaro and Nakamura. Just don’t have Corbin pal around with them again, because we had Corbin VS Gable already when this Shorty G stuff started. We got great developments in the Women’s Tag Team Championship story. The Moment of Bliss segment was a lot of fun with the New Day reacting to the burns from Alexa to Bayley and Sasha. Sasha VS Alexa was a good match, but the best part was Bayley and Nikki on commentary. There was a part where Michael Cole came so close to laughing, you could tell. Next week’s tag title match will be incredible, I’m sure of it. And it seems all but official that The Forgotten Sons are next for The New Day. I appreciate Blake’s promo was about him not being a soldier but a supporter, but this feud would be better if Xavier Woods was back so that it’d be all six of them involved.
Sonya VS Lacey was a really good match, and a count-out finish was good because we can get more of these two. I can’t be sure where either goes after a feud, because Bayley and Sonya are Heels and WWE doesn’t do that kind of title story. Or even non-title stories, really. Matt Riddle coming to SmackDown is great for SmackDown! Having Kurt Angle announcing Matt Riddle coming to SmackDown spoils the fun but is good for ratings. But surprises don’t happen anymore when people leak and spoil things. Yes, fans are needed to give genuine reactions to a debut, but I would’ve been genuinely surprised hearing “Bro…” at any point on SmackDown next week.
And then, there’s the little skit with Mandy Rose and Otis. I loved that they reversed the pool dream sequence from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, it was hilarious. Even though Mandy lost to Sonya, she is just fine because she has her Otis. And this kind of investment into Otis surely means that somehow in the next year, Otis is going to find a way to cash in and take the Universal Championship. The question will be about who he takes it off of, and I’m not picturing Miz & Morrison in that. Strowman, Bray Wyatt, but probably not Miz or Morrison. For one, the SmackDown hacker still needs to pick their targeted duo and start that story, and it could very well be Miz and Morrison after their stumblings as tag champions.
My Score: 8.4/10
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Will it end before it even begins?
AEW Blood & Guts is just days away, and advantage is STILL up in the air! Will Jon Moxley put down Roderick Strong to give the Death Riders the edge? Who comes through for Team Mone and Team Statlander?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- FTR w/ Stokely Hathaway VS Austin Gunn & Juice Robinson; Gunn & Robinson win.
- AEW TNT Championship: Kyle Fletcher VS Ace Austin; Fletcher wins and retains the title.
- TayJay VS Maya World & Hyan; TayJay wins.
- Women’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 2: Jamie Hayter VS Skye Blue; Hayter wins and ties the series.
- Women’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 3: Harley Cameron VS Thekla; Thekla wins advantage for Team Mone.
- Men’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 3: Roderick Strong VS Jon Moxley; Roddy wins advantage for The Conglomeration.
PLAY BY PLAY
FTR w/ Stokely Hathaway VS Austin Gunn & Juice Robinson!
Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler fueled the rage of Bandido & Brody King on Wednesday, they might have their head on a swivel from now until Full Gear. Will they be able to focus on the “Collision Cowboys” in Houston? Or will it be #GunnsUp against the #1 contenders to the tag team titles?
The teams sort out and Dax starts against Austin. The fans rally, “Gunns Up! WOOP WOOP!” Dax talks trash on Austin and the two tie up. Dax headlocks, hits a takeover, but Austin headscissors. Austin shouts, “GUNNS! UP!” The fans cheer but Dax frowns. Dax and Austin circle, tie up, and they go around. Dax puts Austin in the corner, Cash tags in, but Austin arm-drags! Austin grinds the armlock and the fans cheer. Cash fights up, fires a forearm, but Austin powers puts pressure on the arm. Cash fires another shot, whips Austin, but Austin slips free of the scoop! Austin shoves, ducks, and arm-drags!
The fans fire up with Austin as he wrenches, and he tags in Juice! The fans fire up as Juice goes up, but Cash gets free. Cash runs away to the FTR corner, Juice hops down and high-fives Austin. Cash tags Dax in, but the fans rally for “JUICE! JUICE! JUICE!” Juice and Dax tie up, Dax headlocks, but Juice powers up and out. Dax RUNS Juice over, things keep moving, and Juice hurdles, but Dax counters hip toss with HIP TOSS! Juice UP KICKS, then he scoops and SLAMS! Dax trips Juice, both men get up, but Dax headlocks for a takeover! Juice headscissors, Dax kips free, but Juice hits the arm-drag and takedown!
The fans fire up while Dax endures the grind. Dax fights up, Juice wrenches, but Dax pulls hair! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Dax lets off, only to BODY BLOW! And CHOP! Dax says that was for those fans right in the corner. The fans taunt Dax with “BALD! BALD! BALD!” and we see that “Big Bill” and Bryan Keith are watching backstage. They still have beef with the Bang Bang Gang, and they nod as Dax CHOPS Juice! But then Juice CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS in return! The fans fire up, Juice roars, and the fans cheer even louder! Juice climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count along, but Cash runs up! Juice CROSSBODIES Cash down!
The fans fire up as Juice rains down fists on Cash, but Dax pulls Juice’s hair! Austin gets in and DECKS Dax! The Bang Bang Gang double whip FTR to then STEREO BACKDROP! Then Austin LARIATS Dax up and out! Juice feeds Cash to Austin to TOSS out onto Dax! A rough landing for FTR but the fans cheer as it is Gunns Up! Dax rises, Juice drags him into the ring, and Juice wrenches to wristlock. Dax pulls hair again and puts Juice in the corner. Juice fires hands and elbows, then gets under to lift. Cash tags in before the atomic drop! Juice ELBOWS Cash, then whips Dax. Dax reverses, Juice rebounds to LARIAT, but Cash CHOP BLOCKS Juice!
The fans boo but Cash drops ELBOW after ELBOW on the leg! Then he HIP DROPS at the ropes! The fans boo but Cash drags Juice around, steps through, LEG DROP on the leg! Cash drags Juice around again, hooks the leg up, and he SNAP LOCKS it! The fans boo more but Cash soaks it up. Cash steps through but Juice BOOTS him into the POST! The fans fire up but Dax hurries to tag in! Dax intercepts Juice with a facelock! The fans boo but Austin still reaches out. Dax scoops and SLAMS Juice, but Juice avoids the elbow drop! And he avoids another elbow drop! Juice slips outside, and he ROCKS Dax with a right!
Cash runs up to anchor Juice, but Juice DECKS Cash! Juice RAMS Dax, slingshots up and over, sunset flip! TWO and both men hurry to their feet! Dax lifts Juice, throws him back, and Cash is there! Juice slips out, runs up, but FTR both keep him back! So Juice DOUBLE DDTS! The fans fire up while Juice and FTR are all down! Stoke panics as Juice stirs. The fans rally as Juice crawls, hot tag to Austin! Austin LARIATS Dax again and again, then gets moving to SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up, Austin dodges Cash and trips him up! Then he bobs ‘n’ weaves with Dax to JAB, JAB, JAB, swivel hips, and he DECKS Dax!
The fans fire up as Austin then dodges Cash, QUICK DRAW on Cash! Austin whips, Dax reverses, but Austin catches Dax to a cradle, TWO! Austin backslides! TWO! Austin kicks low, but Cash runs up! Austin kicks Cash, sets him up, but Cash dodges the Famouser! Austin avoids the lariat to DUMP Cash out! Dax runs up on Austin and whips, then drops down, and Cash DUMPS Austin out! Austin hits the apron hard and flops to the floor, and fans boo as FTR has taken back control while Collision goes picture in picture.
Dax stays in the ring while Austin sputters on the floor. The ring count climbs as Austin slowly sits up. But then Cash sends Austin into railing! The fans protest and the ref reprimands but Cash CHOPS Austin! And SMACKS him off the apron! Cash leaves Austin behind as the count begins again. Cash is the legal man now as FTR waits on Austin. Austin stands at 6, staggers at 7, stumbles back at 8, and the ref stops to check on Austin. Austin’s alright, and he gets back in the ring! Cash stomps away on Austin at the ropes! The ref counts, Cash stops at 4, and Cash soaks up heat. Cash tells Houston to “SUCK IT!” before he drags Austin up.
Tag to Dax, he CHOPS Austin in the corner, then CHOPS again! Dax JABS, JABS, JABS away on Austin until the ref counts 4. Austin sputters and crawls but Dax stomps him down. Collision returns to single picture and the fans rally for Austin. Dax tags Cash, they drag Austin up to double whip, but Austin TOSSES Dax! Then he dodges Cash, but Cash dodges Austin! DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans fire up as Austin and Cash crawl for their corners. Hot tag to Dax, then he swings on Juice! Juice avoids the haymaker, Austin BACKDROPS Dax! Hot tag to Juice! Juice fires off JAB after JAB, “JUICE! JUICE! JUICE!”
Cash runs up, Juice JABS, JABS, JABS! Then atomic drop for Dax! Atomic drop for Cash! Juice brings FTR together, MEETING OF THE MINDS! The fans fire up and Juice LARIATS Cash up and out! Juice dodges Dax to then LEG LARIAT! The fans fire up with Juice again, and he aims at Dax! CANNONBALL! Juice then PLANCHAS out onto Cash! The fans fire up, Stoke is panicked again, and Juice goes up. Dax stands, Juice CROSSBODIES! But Dax rolls through, pulling tights! TWO!! Juice escapes and the fans fire up! Dax brings Juice around, but Juice kicks low! Dax wrenches out, trips Juice, but Juice blocks the step-through!
Juice drags Dax down into a cradle, TWO!! Dax escapes, bobs ‘n’ weaves, but Juice ducks! LEFT HAND O’ GOD! Cash runs up, Juice dodges, but then Cash catches Juice into a POWERSLAM! Austin is back, he dodges Cash, and he LARIATS Cash and himself up and outta the ring! Houston is fired up as Juice crawls to a cover, TWO! Dax survives and all four men are down! “This is Awesome!” Stoke taunts fans wearing Bandido masks, then SNATCHES those masks?! But then surprise, it’s the REAL Bandido, and his brother, Gravity! Stoke freaks out, but the brothers chase him around ringside! Stoke goes up the ramp, but #JetSpeed is there!
The fans fire up as #BigStoke is surrounded! SUPERKICK from Bandido to Stokely! Cash runs up, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Dax is furious, but Austin gets him with a GUILLOTINE FAMOUSER in the ropes!! Then LEFT HAND O’ GOD from Juice!! JUICE IS LOOSE!! Cover, Bang Bang Gang wins!!
Winners: Austin Gunn & Juice Robinson, by pinfall
Bandido and his amigos tipped the scales, and now FTR is on the back foot going towards Full Gear! Will Dax, Cash & Stokely just have to rethink their strategy once the titles on the line? Or will Brodido find a way to take the #TopGuysOut?
AEW shares a post-Dynamite backstage interview with Kyle Fletcher.
Renee Paquette is with The Protostar and brings up that it was decided that Kyle Fletcher VS Mark Briscoe Round 6 would be for the TNT title, but if Briscoe loses, he MUST join the Don Callis Family. But Kyle’s title is still on the line in a No Disqualifications match. Why was Kyle so quick, and even pleased, to jump on this opportunity? Kyle says he was excited. But the more he thinks about it, maybe he should be concerned. The deck is stacked against him as he faces Briscoe, “a deranged human being” in a No DQ match where Briscoe could literally do anything to him. Briscoe might win the title!
But even if Briscoe loses, he still wins because he has the honor of joining The Don Callis Family, literally the best thing that’s ever happened to Kyle! Oh, speaking of the Family, Kazuchika Okada steps in. Kyle says great to see Okada, and Okada says he is sorry that Konosuke Takeshita wasn’t here to support Fletcher. But Okada is! Because Okada and Fletcher are basically the captains of the Don Callis Family. And after Full Gear, when Fletcher beats Briscoe, they will both still be champions. They will be the #PROTOKADA! Kyle thinks about how that sounds. Not bad, really.
Is Okada really going to replace Takeshita as Fletcher’s tag partner? Is Fletcher already looking past the title match made for tonight on Collision?
AEW TNT Championship: Kyle Fletcher VS Ace Austin!
Collision returns as the Aussie Arrow makes his entrance, followed by the Bang Bang Gang’s third man. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see is a new champion is Inevitable!
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Fletcher powers Austin to the ropes, then backs off as the ref counts. Austin and Fletcher reset, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Austin kicks and wrenches to headlock. Fletcher endures the grind, wrenches out, and ELBOW BREAKERS! Then he powers on a wristlock, but Austin rolls, handsprings, only for Fletcher to wrangle him. Fletcher has the cording hold but the fans boo. Austin fights up, slips around, and waistlocks. Fletcher switches, then he SLAMS Austin down! Fletcher flexes and the fans are torn, but Austin goes to a corner. The fans rally for “ACE! ACE! ACE!” and he resets with Kyle.
The two circle, tie up, and Ace headlocks. Kyle powers up and out, RUNS Ace over, and keeps moving. Austin stays low, then hurdles, but Fletcher blocks the hip toss. Austin ducks the lariat to wrench and arm-drag! Fletcher runs up, but into a headlock takeover. Austin traps an arm, turns Kyle for a ghost pin, TWO! Fletcher scrambles and Austin says it was that close. The fans cheer but Kyle frowns. The two reset, circle, but then Fletcher bails out. The fans boo but Fletcher lets the ring count climb. Fletcher then talks trash on the fans before he tells Austin to back off. Austin steps back, Fletcher steps in, and the two circle.
Fletcher BOOST Austin right down! The fans are torn but Fletcher dusts himself off. Austin rises up, Fletcher clamps on with a facelock, but Austin wrenches out to drop toehold and KICK! Then he steps over, LA MAGISTROL! TWO, and Austin DROPKICKS Fletcher to a corner! The fans fire up, Austin runs up, CHOP! Then Austin whips corner to corner, runs in, but Fletcher puts him on the apron. Austin RAMS Fletcher, springboards, but Fletcher catches him! SWINGING BACKBREAKER, then a FULL NELSON SLAM! The fans are torn but Fletcher smirks. Fletcher soaks up cheers and jeers on the corner while Collision goes picture in picture.
Fletcher goes back to Austin, slaps him around, then drags him up. Scoop and SLAM! Fletcher mocks the fans cheering “ACE! ACE! ACE!” Fletcher then stalks Austin to the ropes, and he STOMPS Austin down! Austin goes to a corner, Fletcher stomps him again, and again, and again! Fletcher digs his boots in, the ref counts, and Fletcher backs off. Fletcher grins while Austin sputters in the corner. Austin drags himself up with the ropes but Fletcher is right on him. The ref reprimands as Fletcher winds up and CHOPS! Austin sputters again, Fletcher taunts the fans, and Fletcher stands Austin up in a corner while Collision goes to break.
Collision returns and Fletcher has Austin a chinlock. Austin endures, the fans rally up, but Fletcher grinds Austin down. Austin fights to his feet, fires body shots, but Fletcher KNEES low, and KNEES him again! Fletcher runs, blocks Austin’s boot, then FLIPS Austin to the apron. But Austin blocks a forearm to ROCK Fletcher! Austin steps in, Triangle Jump, but Fletcher ducks the Flying Chuck! Both men run up, Austin wrenches to short arm LARIAT! Then a KNEE, KICK, and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! The fans fire up, Austin STANDING LEG DROPS! Fletcher flounders and bails out. Austin aims and builds speed to FOSBURY FLOP!
The fans fire up as Austin takes Fletcher down! Austin rises, Houston roars, and Austin puts Fletcher back in the ring. Austin reels Fletcher in, Fletcher wrenches out, but Austin dodges to JUMP KNEE! The fans rally and even duel as Austin crosses arms, BLACK DRAGON DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Fletcher survives and Austin is beside himself! Fletcher goes to the outside again as the fans duel even harder. Austin PLANCHA, but Fletcher moves! Austin lands safe on the apron, avoids the leg sweep, then handsprings over the next! But Fletcher blocks the kick! Electric Chair, then he spins Austin around, APRON POWERBOMB!
The fans fire up more and Fletcher puts Austin in. Austin staggers to the ropes, Fletcher runs up to CALF KICK! Fletcher reels Austin in, lifts him up, LAST RIDE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Austin survives and the fans are thunderous while Fletcher is furious! Austin sputters to a corner while the fans duel even harder. Fletcher aims from the far corner, then runs in, GAMANGIRI! Then the suplex, but Austin slips free! BLINDSIDE DROPKICK! Fletcher goes to the corner, Austin runs in, A-LIST LARIAT! Then he HAMMERS away with more lariats! The fans fire up again as Austin hoists Fletcher up, then ENZIGIRIS!
Fletcher wobbles up top, and Austin gets space! Austin runs side to side and jumps up, but Fletcher BLOCKS the flying rana! Fletcher hoists Austin right up, but Austin RANAS through!! The fans are thunderous as Austin runs up, DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO!!! Fletcher survives and everyone is shocked! “This is Awesome!” as Austin draws his ace! THE- NO, Fletcher avoids The Fold, then goes up and over! Austin comes back, slips free of a scoop, waistlock and O’Conner, but he abandons the roll? THE- NO, Fletcher pops Austin up from The Fold to then LAWN DART! And then GAMAN- NO, Austin ducks and the kick hits buckles!
Austin hits the TRIANGLE JUMP FLYING CHUCK! The fans fire up again, and Austin shuffles, THE FO- BRAINBUSTER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Austin survives and no one can believe it! But they all love “A E DUB! A E DUB!” for giving it to us! Fletcher drags Austin up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Austin cradles! TWO!!! Fletcher escapes, runs up, but Austin rolls, stacks, JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH! TWO!! SUPERKICK! Austin ROCKS Fletcher with a right, but Fletcher SUPERKICKS in return! Austin SUPERKICKS again! Fletcher LARIATS!! The fans are thunderous again, and Fletcher aims again! Corner to corner, GAMANGIRI!!
Fletcher puts Austin up top, climbs up after him, and then suplexes! TOP ROPE BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Fletcher wins!
Winner: Kyle Fletcher, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)
Ace Austin gave Fletcher a run for his money, but The Protostar is still the Face of TNT! But will that still be the case in just two weeks? Or will the Sussex County Chicken use everything he has to dethrone Fletcher once and for all?
Kris Statlander speaks.
“Mercedes, you have a lot that I will never have. More success, more accolades, more confidence, and more legacy than any woman in wrestling history. But there is one thing… Well, maybe two…. that I have and you don’t. Focus. I have complete and total focus on being THE AEW Women’s World Champion, and you don’t. If you think this is just some other side piece you can scribble on a cake or have a nameless male bimbo you can carry behind you, than you would be wrong in the most extraordinary of ways. You were eliminated from the tag tournament because you were not focused on me.
“And now I will follow you into Blood & Guts, and I will go through whoever I have to until you are focused on me! And then, at Full Gear, one year after we fought for the very first time, in a completely different world… Your focus will be full, your vision will be clear, and it still won’t make a difference.” The Galaxy’s Greatest has warned The CEO, but will she make Mone understand with actions? Or will that Money Train just continue full steam ahead towards more gold?
AEW shares more post-Dynamite footage.
Jon Moxley walked with the Death Riders and said, “We should just give them the advantage at Blood & Guts as a courtesy. They’re weak, they’re hurt, they’re tired, and deciding match three, this is already in the bag.” But then Don Callis is there. The Jackal has them all calm down, and says that they’ve all successfully stayed out of each other’s business for some time to mutual benefit. And on the subject of that, Fletcher has a very high stakes match with Mark Briscoe at Full Gear. Callis knows that Briscoe is part of The Conglomeration team going against them at Blood & Guts, and Callis is just saying that he’s very happy when he thinks about what they could do to him.
Pac tells Callis that everybody knows The Death Riders are done playing games. In Greensboro, North Carolina, they leave five bodies in that cage. So whatever Callis chooses to do with what’s left of Briscoe, that’s his prerogative. They couldn’t give a piss. Callis says he loves the sound of that. And if that were to be the case, which he is pretty sure it will, he’d owe them a tremendous favor. Anything they want! Moxley steps up, leans in, and tells Callis, “Do we look like we need a favor from anybody?” Callis is twitchy given the scar Moxley left on him from a long time ago, so he stays quiet. The Death Riders leave, though Claudio does give a glance at the TNT title.
Fletcher says that went well. Will The Death Riders dismantle Darby & The Conglomeration? Will The Don Callis Family be next?
TayJay VS Maya World & Hyan!
The Blackbelt Beauty & The Queenslayer know they’ve got a Problem and a Megasus in their way on the road to the AEW Women’s Tag Team Championships, but they aren’t worried. Will the long time dynamic duo be more than ready for Marina & Megan? Or are they underestimating #ThatGirl & The Renaissance Woman?
The teams sort out and Tay Melo starts against Maya. They circle, tie up, and the fans rally. Tay headlocks, Maya powers up to wrench free. Tay wrenches back and waistlocks, then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Tay runs up, but Maya dodges the boot to roll Tay! Tay rolls through and DECKS Maya! Maya flounders to the corner, Tay tags Anna, and the fans rally as Anna ROCKS Maya again and again! Anna snapmares Maya, Tay joins in, PENALTY KICK to a NECK SNAPPER! Cover, Hyan breaks it just in time! Tay CLUBS and THROWS Hyan, then she and Anna do the secret handshake before a DOUBLE BOOTY BUMP!
The fans cheer and Maya sputters. Anna drags her up, Maya JAWBREAKERS free! Hot Tag to Hyan! The fans fire up but then Anna ROCKS Hyan! Anna whips Hyan to the corner, ELBOWS her, and tags Tay. Tay runs to BLAST Maya, then she returns to BOOT Hyan! Tag to Anna and Tay sends her in for a LEG LARIAT! Hyan sputters, Anna lifts Hyan into the Gory Especial! TAY-K-O 2.0! Cover, TayJay wins!
Winner: TayJay, by pinfall
TayJay wins the tune-up and are just waiting on the tournament. Will they make it through the opening round? Or will Marina & Megan make them both #BowDown?
Backstage interview with Athena.
Former Minion Bestie, Lexy Nair, is with the ROH Women’s World Champion, and brings up how Athena and Mone were eliminated from the AEW Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament. Now Athena will defend her title against Harley Cameron- Athena stops Lexy there. Does Lexy even remember who she is? HMM!? Lexy runs through the nicknames very quickly: The Fallen Goddess, the Minion Overlord, the Forever ROH Champion, Athena. YES, the FOREVER ROH Champion! So then, why doesn’t Athena feel like she’s the Forever Champion?! She’ll tell you why! It’s because for only the fifth time in five YEARS, Athena got pinned.
And this one hurts the most, because it was that evil little puppeteer, Harley Cameron. And y’know what? Harley must feel special, very special, but she’s not! If Kris Statlander didn’t poke her nose in Athena’s business, if Billie Starkz could just do the right thing for once, and if Mercedes Mone would’ve had Athena’s back like Athena had hers, Athena would NOT be in this predicament, which is her doubting herself. So if Harley Cameron, by some miracle, survives Blood & Guts, she’ll realize that Athena doesn’t need five other people by her side, or a cage, or the weapons, to beat the CRAP out of her!
Athena promises to do it not for her minions, not for anyone that she genuinely cares about. She does this for her. And then she will make Harley Cameron a little puppet for MIT. What’s Lexy think about that? Yes, Minion Overlord. That’s right. Put some pep in your step next time. Athena storms off, but will she still be the ROH Women’s World Champion then, now, and forever? Or will she #FeelTheWarth of Harley Cameron on ROH TV?
Women’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 2: Jamie Hayter VS Skye Blue!
Speaking of Blood & Guts, Team Statlander is up against the wall after Mina Shirakawa lost to Megan Bayne and must win this match to force the third match. The Southampton Slugger has already beaten Chicago Skye once, but can she hit the homerun needed to survive?
The bell rings and the fans fire up behind Jamie. Skye runs up, Jamie avoids the boot and rolls Skye up, ONE! Oklahoma Roll, ONE! Skye runs up again, but Jamie scoops. Skye slips free, she rolls Jamie and bridges, TWO! Jamie swings but into a backslide, ONE! Jamie ROCKS Skye, then ripcords, but Skye ducks the Hayterade! Skye bails out, the fans boo, but Skye wags her finger. Jamie storms out after Skye, chases her around the way, and the fans cheer as Jamie gains ground! Skye rolls into the ring but Jamie drags her back out! Jamie kicks, suplexes, but Skye slips free and RAMS Jamie into the steel!
The fans are torn as Skye scrambles into the ring. Skye wants the ring count because any win seals the deal. Jamie is already back in the ring at 2 of 10, so Skye stomps and CLUBS and HAMMERS away! The fans boo, Skye tells them to shut up, and she stands Jamie up. Skye whips, Jamie reverses to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! Jamie CHOPS away, then whips Skye, but Skye ducks ‘n’ dodges. Skye leaps, but into a SPINEBUSTER! And fast hands! Jamie HAMMERS Skye, then drags her back up. Jamie bumps Skye off buckles, climbs up, and she rains down fists! The fans count along, all the way to nine, then Jamie flexes, TEN!
The fans cheer as Skye flops down. Jamie drags her back up, whips her corner to corner, then runs up again, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Skye turns the tides and the fans boo. Skye waves them off, then runs back in, handspring and- ELBOW from Jamie! Jamie goes up, up, and MISSILE- FLOP as Skye dodges! SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Jamie survives and Skye seethes, but the fans rally up as Collision goes picture in picture.
Skye stalks Jamie to the ropes, then CHOKES her! The ref reprimands, Skye stops at 4, and she soaks up the heat from Houston. Skye drags Jamie up, runs her side to side and SMACKS her off buckles! Skye then runs Jamie into another corner to bump off buckles! Skye climbs up, and she rains down fists! But Jamie SHOVES Skye down at eight! Skye comes back to ROCK Jamie, then digs her boots in. The ref counts, Skye steps off at 4, and she goes to the apron. Skye drags Jamie out to SMACK her off the steel steps! Jamie sputters, Skye argues with the ref and taunts the fans. Skye stalks Jamie to commentary, but Jamie ROCKS Skye!
Jamie snap suplexes Skye to the floor! Both women are down, Skye crawls away to the steps, but Jamie storms up. Jamie whips, Skye reverses, and Jamie hits the floor! Skye puts Jamie in the ring, pushes her to a cover, TWO! Jamie toughs it out but Skye seethes. Skye CLUBS Jamie, Jamie hits back, repeat. They fire forearm after forearm, but Skye THROWS Jamie down by her hair! The ref reprimands but Skye just smirks as she drags Jamie around. Skye clamps on a chinlock and grinds Jamie down. Jamie endures, fights her way up, but Skye wrangles her back down! Skye squeezes tight while having a sinister smile, but Jamie still fights up.
Jamie fires body shots on Skye, but Skye CLUBS Jamie! Collision returns to single picture as Skye runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up as both women rise, and Jamie clinches to EXPLODER! Skye flounders into the corner, but Jamie runs in! Skye dodges, Jamie goes up, and Jamie MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up with Jamie and she throws off the armbands! LARIAT in the corner! Then SAIDO! Skye flounders, Jamie covers, TWO! The fans rally behind Jamie as she drags Skye up. Jamie whips and BOOTS Skye down! Cover, TWO! Jamie huffs ‘n’ puffs and kicks Skye around. Jamie vows to end this and the fans fir eup!
Jamie waistlocks, ripcords, but Skye wheelbarrows to victory roll! TWO, Jamie has it, TWO! Skye has it back, TWO! Jamie and Skye hurry back up, and Jamie BOOTS Skye! Skye kicks, Jamie blocks, but the SUPERKICK returns! Jamie ENZIGIRIS! Skye wobbles, Jamie runs, but Skye fireman’s carries! Jamie slips free, Skye fires a forearm, but Jamie fires back! They go back and forth, the fans cheering Jamie and booing Skye! They go shot for shot, faster and faster, and then DOUBLE HEADBUTTS! Jamie falls on the cover, TWO!! Skye survives and the fans fire up! Jamie and Skye stir, the fans rally again, and Skye crawls away to a corner.
The fans rally up more as Jamie rises, and she storms up on Skye. Jamie puts Skye up top, climbs, and she CLUBS away! Skye fires body shots, then ROCKS Jamie! Jamie holds onto ropes, fires forearms in return, then HEADBUTTS! Skye slips under, tucks Jamie in, CHEEKY NANDOS! Then a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Jamie survives and Skye shrieks in anger! The fans fire up as Skye drags Jamie up, runs and hops on, CODE- NO! Jamie sits on Code Blue, TWO!! Skye rises, but Jamie catches her! Skye arm-drags free, but Jamie ducks a roundhouse! HAYTERADE!! Cover, Jamie wins!
Winner: Jamie Hayter, by pinfall; ties the series 1-1
Hayter Hits Hard indeed, and now there will be need for that third showdown! But speaking of, Julia Hart & Thekla rush out here to mug Jamie! The fans boo as The Triangle of Madness tries to get the edge even now! They TOSS Jamie, then mug Jamie more! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Julia & Thekla stomp away on Jamie! But here comes Willow & Harley! The Babes of Wrath get Julia & Thekla off Jamie to put in the ring! They brawl, security rushes out, but the fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Willow and Julia aside, Harley and Thekla will fight, after the break!
Women’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 3: Harley Cameron VS Thekla!
Collision returns and the bell rings! The fans are already fired up as Thekla and Harley rush each other! THESZ PRESS for the Wild Aussie and she HAMMERS the Toxic Spider down! The fans fire up, Thekla turns things over, and Thekla HAMMERS away on Harley! Thekla drags Harley up, wrenches hair, and THROWS Harley down by her hair! Then she wrenches the hair to THROW Harley again! Thekla ROCKS Harley with a forearm, whips her to ropes, but the fans cheer on Harley as she ducks ‘n’ dodges. Harley THROWS Thekla down, then runs to basement DROPKICK! Thekla flounders out of the ring, the fans rally up, but Harley goes out after her.
Harley CHOPS Thekla, the fans fire up, and Harley whips Thekla hard into the railing! Harley wrenches Thekla to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP to the floor! Harley SMACKS Thekla off the apron, puts her in the ring, and Harley storms back in. Harley has Thekla in a corner and RAMS into her! And RAMS her again! And again! Harley whips corner to corner, then runs up to SPLASH Thekla! The fans chant, “Feel The Wrath!” as Harley climbs up. Harley rains down fists and fans count along! Thekla CLAWS Harley’s hand at seven! The ref reprimands, but Thekla YANKS Harley down. Thekla then snarls and runs up on Harley, BOOT WASH!
Harley flops to the floor and the fans boo but Thekla just soaks up the heat. Thekla mocks the fans who think Harley can win this, and she goes out to drag Harley up. Thekla kicks low, reels Harley in, and snap suplexes to the floor! Thekla soaks up m ore heat, then she drags Harley back up. Thekla brings Harley around, talks more trash, and she again snap suplexes to the floor! The fans boo but Thekla soaks up the heat. “This is Blood & Guts, baby! We’re not playing around!” Thekla pushes Harley into the ring, then drags her back to the apron. Thekla brings Harley around to show the fans, and she reels Harley in for a third snap suplex to the floor!
Thekla shouts at the fans, the fans shout back, and Harley writhes while Collision goes picture in picture.
Thekla drags Harley up and puts her in the ring. Thekla covers, TWO! Harley toughs it out but Thekla paces. Thekla stalks Harley to the ropes, CHOKES her, and the ref reprimands. Thekla stops at 4, Harley flounders around, and Thekla puts her in a corner. Thekla CHOKES Harley in the corner! The ref counts, Thekla taunts everyone, and she stops at 4 again. Thekla snapmares Harley, winds up, and basement SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Thekla pushes Harley down for a third cover, TWO! Harley shows that grit but Thekla THROWS her down! Thekla digs her boot into Harley’s face but the ref counts.
Thekla steps off at 4, Harley flounders to another corner, but Thekla kicks her around. Thekla gives toying shots, but Harley fires off a flurry! Harley HAMMERS Thekla in the corner while Collision goes to break.
Collision returns again and Thekla grinds Harley down in a RINGS OF SATURN! Thekla fishhooks Harley’s mouth with both hands but the ref counts. Thekla stops at 4 and argues with the ref while the fans rally behind Harley. Harley sits up, Thekla stands her up, but Harley JAWBREAKERS! Thekla staggers to a corner, Harley runs up, but Thekla BOOTS her! Thekla then reels Harley in for a HANGING HEADSCISSOR! The fans boo, the ref counts, but Thekla stops at 4. Thekla hangs upside-down while Harley staggers away. Thekla has a sinister smile as she storms into the ring and kneels on the cover, TWO!
Thekla slaps Harley around, toys with her, taunts her, but the fans cuss her out. Thekla kicks low, whips Harley, but Harley ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds up speed! FLYING FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down again! Harley rises as the fans cheer her on, and she goes to a corner while Thekla stands. Thekla runs up, but into BOOTS! Thekla rolls, comes back, but Harley dodges! ROUNDHOUSE! Harley stomps a mudhole into Thekla and the fans fire up! Harley stops, runs, and SPLASHES! Then she keeps going, to ELBOW Thekla! Harley keeps going, SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!
Thekla survives but the fans rally behind Harley. Harley fireman’s carries, Thekla slips free to mule kick! Harley ducks the buzzsaw but not the HEEL KICK! Harley goes to a corner, Thekla runs up, but Harley slips out and ROUNDHOUSES! Thekla staggers, the fans fire up, and Harley climbs up. Thekla ROCKS Harley first! Thekla climbs up, but Harley tripos her up! Harley and Thekla brawl up top and the fans rally! Harley fires a flurry, Thekla falls into the Tree of Woe, but she sits right up! Harley is shocked, but then she blocks a shot to BITE Thekla’s forehead! Harley then makes Thekla MOTORBOAT her!
The fans fire up as Harley HEADBUTTS Thekla, then sunset flips! Thekla holds on, so Harley CHOPS her, puts her in the Tree of Woe, and runs side to side! DROPKICK! Thekla falls, Harley covers, TWO! Thekla survives but the fans fire up for Harley! Harley rises up, brings Thekla around, and then climbs back up. Harley aims from up top, SWANTON FLOP as Thekla moves! Thekla Spider-Walks, for the SPIDER SPEAR!! Cover, Thekla wins!
Winner: Thekla, by pinfall; Team Mone has Blood & Guts Advantage
Thekla caresses Harley’s face with a sinister style, because now her team has that one-up advantage! Will Mercedes Mone, Megan Bayne, Marina Shafir & The Triangle of Madness completely dominate inside the double cage? Or can Kris Statlander, Toni Storm, Mina Shirakawa, Jamie Hayter, Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron find a way to survive?
Backstage interview with #JetSpeed.
Lexy is now with Kevin Knight & Mike Bailey to bring up their part in FTR losing to the Bang Bang Gang earlier tonight, but also that they have an announcement to make. Bailey says yes, but he wants to make it clear that it is far from over between them, FTR, and “Little Strokely.” But while FTR’s busy challenging for the AEW World Tag Team Championships at Full Gear, Bailey & Knight aren’t the kind to sit by and watch. Knight agrees, they are not. So at Full Gear, there is the Casino Gauntlet Match to crown the first-ever AEW National Champion, and JetSpeed as fly as they are, they’re putting their names in the hat, then throw that hat into the ring.
Then it is official, they’re both in the gauntlet? Yes, and that doubles their chances of winning. If it comes down to just the two of them, may the best man win. They shake on it, but will JetSpeed be 2Fly2Stop now that they’re going Full Gear?
Backstage interview with Max Caster & Anthony Bowens.
Collision returns as Lexy is now with Platinum Max & The 5 Tool Player. Despite being on the same team again last week, they ended up literally fighting each other. But it is apparent Bowens has something to say to Caster? Yes, and Bowens wanted everyone to hear it: The Acclaimed is NEVER coming back, it is done! They tried as a favor to Jerry Lynn, but it is clearly not working and Bowens is sick of it. He’s over it! Bowens’ first step forward, the opportunity in his home state of New Jersey during Tailgate Brawl! What does Caster think about that?! Caster says great, he’ll also be at the Tailgate Brawl, so see you there, just don’t get in his way.
What’s Caster going to do? He isn’t booked! Caster says he will be, but Bowens says maybe if it’s to be a dumbass. Lexy stops the arguing because Tony Khan has made note that they do higher ratings when they’re on screen together. Their merch sales have gone up since being back on screen together, and the net value cash flows of their contracts are also higher. The numbers don’t lie. So if they’re going to be part of Tailgate Brawl, then it’ll be together. They argue with Lexy but she says this is all direct from Tony Khan, do not shoot the messenger. The two calm down, understanding that.
Caster then tells Tony through the camera, “This is really what you think of me? You know how insulting this is? I promise, you will regret the way that you treated me, cuz you can’t act like people don’t love The Best Wrestler Alive alone. And you can’t act like he (Bowens) doesn’t represent your company at all those outside events by himself. I don’t go to those, and he’s not the Best Wrestler Alive.” Bowens tells Caster to shut up already! But Bowens does tell Tony that Caster’s right, Bowens is NOT doing this! Cancel the match! He’s done! So is Caster! They both storm off, but will The (Not) Acclaimed NOT have a choice in working at Full Gear?
Men’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 3: Roderick Strong VS Jon Moxley w/ Marina Shafir!
Darby Allin defeated Daniel Garcia, Claudio Castagnoli defeated Orange Cassidy, so now it is all decided with this Collision! Will the Savior of the Backbreaker save The Conglomeration? Or will this Maniac make sure The Death Riders dominates inside the steel?
The bell rings, the two circle, and the fans rally up. They feel things out, and Moxley drops back to the ropes for defense. The fans boo but Roddy stays back. Moxley steps back up, the two feel out a knuckle lock, and then a clinch. The fans rally behind Roddy but Moxley shoots around to waistlock. Roddy switches, Moxley hooks a leg and drop toeholds, but Roddy stay sup. Roddy turns Moxley over, half nelsons, but Moxley powers his way out the back. Moxley waistlocks, facelocks, and he grinds Roddy down. Roddy endures, Moxley pushes Roddy to a lateral press, but Roddy is out before there’s even a count.
Roddy has Moxley in an armlock now and the fans cheer. Moxley endures, fights around and rises up, but Roddy wrenches. Roddy YANKS the arm, wristlocks, but Moxley spins and wrenches. Moxley wristlocks, then goes for a double wristlock. Moxley wrangles Roddy to the mat but Roddy fights around with his legs. ROPEBREAK! The fans rally, even duel now, as the two let off. Moxley shoves Roddy, Roddy SHOVES Moxley, and Moxley bails out! The fans boo but Moxley paces. Roddy waits on Moxley as Moxley goes around the outside. Moxley flips off Houston, then slowly steps inside. The two tie up, and Roddy puts Moxley on ropes.
The ref counts, Moxley turns things around, and he CHOPS! Roddy CHOPS right back! And CHOPS again! Roddy fires furious fists, but then Moxley kicks low! Moxley CHOPS and ROCKS Roddy in the corner. Moxley climbs up, and he CLAWS Roddy’s face before he rains down fists! The fans count, Moxley goes to seven before he CLAWS Roddy’s face again! Moxley hops back while the ref reprimands, but Moxley then wrenches and spins Roddy. Moxley wrangles Roddy with a top wristlock and the fans rally again. Roddy endures, bridges to stay up, but Moxley STOMPS the arm! The fans are torn while Roddy goes to a corner.
Moxley storms up and fires body shots! Moxley ROCKS Roddy, stalks him to another corner, and RAMS in! Roddy flops to the apron, hobbles away, and the fans rally up. Moxley goes out after Roddy, but Roddy fires hands! Moxley fires back, then wrenches the arm. Moxley bends the fingers! And he SNAPS them! The fans boo but Moxley CLUBS ROddy. Moxley whips ROddy, but Roddy reverses! Moxley hits steel steps hard! The fans fire up while Moxley is down, and Roddy hurries to fetch Moxley. BARRIER BACKBREAKER! Moxley hobbles away, but Roddy runs up and hits another BARRIER BACKBREAKER!
The fans fire up but Marina seethes. Roddy lifts Moxley, Moxley fires elbows, then he clinches to RAM Roddy into the steel steps! Roddy writhes and Moxley seethes while Collision goes picture in picture.
Moxley pushes the steel steps around, kicks at Roddy, then stands him up. Moxley full nelsons and THRASHES Roddy around. Roddy endures, claws at the grip, but Moxley puts on the pressure. Then Moxley SMACKS Roddy off the steps! Roddy flounders while Moxley refreshes the ring count. Roddy leans against the railing, Moxley storms up, but Roddy CHOPS! And CHOPS! Roddy then ROCKS Moxley with a forearm, before he CHOPS again! And again! And again! Roddy CHOPS Moxley until he slumps down against the barriers! Roddy argues with Marina, but then she SPITS at him! Roddy glares at The Problem, but he goes back to Moxley.
Moxley pokes Roddy in the eyes! Then he puts Roddy in the ring and drags Roddy up. Moxley puts Roddy in a corner, grinds a forearm in his face again and again, but stops as the ref counts. Moxley digs his boot into a leg, then runs side to side. Moxley DROPKICKS the leg! Moxley then DRAGON SCREWS Roddy down, steps through, and has the FIGURE FOUR! Roddy endures and reaches out, but Moxley keeps hold of the foot. Roddy powers the plant leg away, but Moxley powers it back down! Roddy and Moxley sit up, and Roddy fires forearm after forearm! Moxley lets the leglock go, both men stand again, and Collision returns to single picture.
Moxley DROPKICKS the legs out again! Moxley drags Roddy, pulls on the bad leg, and he turns Roddy over for the HALF CRAB! Roddy endures and the fans fire up as Moxley then drops into a CALF KILLER! The fans rally, Roddy crawls and drags Moxley along, ROPEBREAK! Moxley lets go at 4 but he looms over Roddy. Moxley drags Roddy up, CHPOS him in the corner, then puts him up top. Moxley ROCKS Roddy, climbs up again, and he CLAWS Roddy’s back! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but now Moxley TWISTS Roddy’s ear! Moxley flips off the ref! The ref reprimands, Moxley hits a SUPER BUTTERFLY PLEX! Cover, TWO!
Roddy survives and Moxley seethes but the fans are on Roddy’s side. Moxley grows frustrated with Roddy, but Roddy JAWBREAKERS! And CHOPS! Roddy BOOTS from the ropes, then LEAPING LARIATS! And CALF KICKS! The fans fire up and Roddy fireman’s carries! Moxley slips free, shoves Roddy, but Roddy dodges to GAMANGIRI! RUNNING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Roddy just brings Moxley right up, underhooks and TIGER DRIVER! High stack, TWO, but into the STRONGHOLD!! Moxley endures, he drags Roddy into a cradle, TWO! Roddy swings but into a SLEEPER! Roddy endures, ELBOWS free, and they start trading shots!
The fans fire up for Roddy as he gets the edge with boxing elbows! Moxley RABBIT PUNCHES, then BODY BLOWS, then he ROCKS Roddy! Moxley runs, into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Roddy has Moxley in a corner. Roddy puts Moxley up top, climbs up to join him, and the fans rally again. SUPER DUPER PLEX! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! They cheer “A E DUB! A E DUB!” for making this main event possible. Roddy has Moxley, but Moxley shots around to SLEEPER! Roddy powers up to fireman’s carry! GUT BUSTER DROP! Roddy rises, runs, but MARINA TRIPS HIM! The ref saw that plain as day, but Moxley hits PARADIGM SHIFT!! Cover, TWO!!
Kyle O’Reilly rushes out here, and Marina is in his face! But Wheeler Yuta CHOP BLOCKS Kyle! The ref reprimands everyone, the fans tell off Yuta, but Moxley stalks Roddy. Moxley drags Roddy up, TOSSES him out, and he storms around. But Yuta has a chair now! The ref stops Yuta there, and EJECTS the Death Riders!! The fans cheer but Yuta & Marina are pissed! BUT HE FORGETS ABOUT PAC! The Bastard BOOTS Roddy!! The fans boo as the numbers game keeps giving The Death Riders an advantage! Moxley lets the ring count climb while he flexes and soaks up the heat. The fans rally for Roddy as hard as they can, but he’s still down at 6 of 10!
Roddy rises at 7, then leaps in at 9! CURB STOMP!! Cover, TWO!! Roddy lives and Moxley is furious! Moxley rains down forearms from all sides, then pushes to an ARMBAR! Roddy endures, clasps hands, but Moxley pulls on the arms! ARMBAR!! Roddy flails, fights, and has the ROPEBREAK! Roddy survives by a literal foot and Moxley lets go. Moxley argues with the ref, but the ref warns him! He could’ve ended this with the Marina crap! But Pac is sneaking back up! Pac looks for something under the ring, and he brings out a TABLE! The fans are torn, they like the table but they’re not into the Death Riders anymore.
The ref warns Pac to stop it, but the table is already set up. Moxley drags Roddy up, reels him in, but Roddy fights for life! And Kyle CLOBBERS Pac! The fans fire up as Roddy fireman’s carries Moxley! Moxley slips free, but Roddy GAMANGIRIS! But then GARCIA is here! Roddy gets Garcia for a FULL NELSEON SLAM through the table!! The fans are thunderous, but now Moxley POSTS Roddy! Moxley then drags those steel steps over, fetches Roddy, and he brings Roddy up the steps! But Roddy fights the lift! FULL NELSON SLAM on the steps!! Houston is thunderous while Moxley writhes! The ring count is climbing, Roddy is in at 5 of 10!
Moxley flounders, he drags himself up at 8, but someone anchors Moxley’s foot! Moxley is STUCK, THE COUNT IS TEN! Roddy wins!!
Winner: Roderick Strong, by count-out; The Conglomeration has Blood & Guts Advantage
The Death Riders return to protest, but they’re hypocrites for it. And then that someone TAZES Pac!! Because that was DARBY ALLIN under there! The fans fire up as The Relentless One dares someone to get the next one! Roddy WRECKS Yuta with a dropkick! Darby jumps into the crowd, dares Moxley to come at him, then scares him off with the stun gun! Houston is all fired up, but will Darby & The Conglomeration burn it all down in Greensboro? Or will The Death Riders find a way to win without the numbers advantage?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision here, but there was a rather stark contrast between the two hours being “Blood & Guts related” and “Not Blood & Guts related.” Great match from FTR VS Gunn & Robinson, and I really liked Bandido & Gravity pulling a double “Sting wearing a Sting mask” gag. Them and JetSpeed scaring Stokely and taking him out of the equation was great, and FTR losing for that is great because they get what they deserve but in a way that keeps them strong going towards Full Gear. I’d still love to see Bandido & Gravity VS FTR or some combination of singles matches to build the tag title match, but that depends on if Gravity is actually cleared to compete.
TayJay of course won a tune-up match tonight, they made quick work of Maya & Hyan. TayJay is going to fight their hearts out against Megan & Marina, but it feels like Megan & Marina are going to win in the end. TayJay can still find their spot in the Women’s Tag Division as the Face team chasing Heel champions, but it’s just a bit of bad luck that pieces have moved around like this. Very good promo from Athena calling out pretty much everyone, from Statlander to Mone to even Billie. Athena VS Billie 3 at Final Battle 2025 would be rather redundant after how Billie should’ve won last year, but it’d still be better than like Mone taking Athena’s title to add to that insane collection.
Only Tony Khan would work-shoot the ratings and merch sales into the Acclaimed dysfunction story. I’m writing a Legend of Zelda pro-wrestling promotion on here, and I’m still nowhere as nerdy as that. Caster & Bowens still made chicken salad out of that chicken crap, and I can’t wait to see where they go with that Tailgate Brawl match. Though, can we stop doing Tailgate Brawl on TV? It has been annoying the last two times because it just doesn’t make sense when Zero Hour is online for free.
Fletcher VS Ace Austin was a great match, and a great showing for Austin, but c’mon, this was just typical filler from TK, giving us a title match before the major title match they have been building. Fletcher had a good promo with Okada hyping up the No DQ match with Briscoe and teasing that Fletcher is the key piece in what will surely be a Don Callis Family Civil War, led by Team Takeshita and Team Okada. Also, really good promo from Fletcher & Callis with the Death Riders teasing a feud between the factions. No matter if Death Riders wins or loses at Blood & Guts, Death Riders moving on to DCF would be great stuff.
And of course, great stuff in all the Blood & Guts advantage matches. Obviously Thekla VS Harley was going to “be needed,” so of course Hayter beat Skye. The Heels having the advantage there makes me think Team Statlander comes through, helping build momentum for the teams still in the tag tournament. Plus, it isn’t the go-home so Mone can turn things around on Kris to then set herself up to fail at Full Gear. Moxley VS Roddy was great stuff, too, with The Death Riders obviously doing their best to screw Roddy over. But it was of course genius for Darby to cheat Moxley right back. But now that the Faces have advantage, do the Death Riders actually win at Blood & Guts? It would help them bounce back after Moxley lost to Darby, but then do we get one last Moxley VS Darby match at World’s End? It would be a fitting place to end something…
My Score: 8.7/10
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Who’s the baddest man from Gifu now?
Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Road passes through Anjo, and he defends his personal honor against the upstart Yuto “Ice” Nakashima!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Katsuya Murashima VS Tatsuya Matsumoto; Murashima wins.
- Taichi & Masatora Yasuda VS Zane Jay & Shoma Kato; Taichi & Yasuda win.
- Six Man Tag: Boltin Oleg, Tiger Mask & Tomoaki Honma VS Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young; Khan, Callum & Jakob win.
- Six Man Tag: Shingo Takagi, Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS SHO, DOUKI & Yujiro Takahashi; Takagi, Ishimori & Gedo win.
- Six Man Tag: Shota Umino, Yuya Uemura & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Yota Tsuji, OSKAR & Daiki Nagai; Shota, Yuya & Taguchi win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado & Bishamon VS Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Desperado & Bishamon win.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: YOH, Master Wato & Toru Yano VS EVIL, Dick Togo & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Yoh, Wato & Yano win and retain the titles.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuto-Ice; Tanahashi wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
After Six Man Tag: Shingo Takagi, Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS SHO, DOUKI & Yujiro Takahashi…
Bone Soldier Reborn gets the win by using the House of Torture’s tricks against them, dealing out LOW BLOW after LOW BLOW while the ref is down, then tops it off with BLOODY CROSS on Sho! Then Taiji gets the mic to say tell Sho that he has nothing to do with this, so get outta here! As for Douki, don’t you go running off so soon! Taiji hasn’t forgotten what Douki did to keep the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship! When’s Douki gonna defend that title? Douki says he’s not doing it on Taiji’s time! But then to everyone’s surprise, El Desperado sneaks out here! The Rogue Luchador pats Douki on the shoulder, and completely spooks him!
Despy stalks Douki back to ringside, and gets a mic for himself. “Just a second, I need a minute here. You stole my belt, and ever since then your title matches have sucked. Fujita said the same. Don’t run from me. You have unfinished business with me, that superhuman and Fujita as well!” Douki says shut up, he doesn’t care about a bunch of losers! Douki leaves, but Taiji concludes that whether it’s him, Despy, Fujita, or all of the above, Douki’s defending that title! In the backstage interview, Douki says HE’s not fighting all three of them! They can fight it out in a #1 contender’s match, with SHO as the fourth man!
Japonese Del Mal just made The Murder Machine his scapegoat! But will the pawn play his part and cut off three challengers at once? Or will he just be a sacrifice before the title match?
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: YOH, Master Wato & Toru Yano VS EVIL, Dick Togo & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
The Drive of the Grandmaster could not take down #Shouki in the Super Junior Tag League, and now they’re on the defensive as The House of Torture launches another attack on these Six Man titles! Evil wants to be the undisputed NEVER Champion once more, will The Spoiler & The Heel Master help him make that happen? Or can The Joker help trump The King?
The House behaves themselves by not attacking early, but then Evil protests that Aaron Wolf is accompanying Hontai. The introductions are made, the Six Man titles are raised, and we see who NEVER gives up!
The trios sort out, and Hontai attacks! The fans cheer as they turn the tables on The House! Wato TOSSES Kanemaru, Yoh TOSSES Dick, and Yano TOSSES Evil, all as the bell rings to get this on record! But then Evil sends Yano into railing! Kanemaru & Dick turn things around on Wato & Yoh, too, as Dick SMACKS Wato off the apron and Kanemaru sends Yoh into railing! The fans boo but Dick ROCKS Wato with a right, and Kanemaru ELBOWS Wato in the head. They put Wato in the ring, Kanemaru whips him to a corner, and then Kanemaru runs up, but into BOOTS! Wato BULLDOGS and the fans cheer!
Dick kicks and CLAWS Wato, then runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up with Wato as he runs up on Kanemaru. Kanemaru BOOTS Wato now, then DUMPS Wato out! Evil is there to whip Wato into railing while Kanemaru BLASTS Yoh off the apron! Evil then whips Wato hard into more railing! The fans boo but Evil drags Wato up and puts him back in the ring. Kanemaru drags Wato up, suplexes high and hard, then covers, TWO! The fans cheer as Wato stays in this, but Kanemaru TOSSES Wato out! Kanemaru distracts the ref so Evil & Dick can mug Wato. They put Wato in the ring, the ref reprimands, but Kanemaru scoops to SLAM!
Kanemaru tags Evil and Evil drags Wato up by a hand. Evil taunts Wato before he TOSSES him back out! And now Evil distracts the ref so Yujiro Takahashi can JAM Wato up with a chair! The fans boo as The Tokyo Pimp gets in on this, but Dick puts Wato in the ring. Evil drags Wato back up and reels him in, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Evil is upset but the fans cheer. Wato tags Dick and Dick taunts Wato to go crawl for his corner. The fans rally, but then Dick stomps away on Wato. Wato sputters, Dick runs up, FIST DROP! Cover, TWO! Wato toughs it out but Dick stays between him and his corner.
Dick stomps Wato, eggs him on, then JABS! JABS! JABS! Dick flips, flops, and flies, BIONIC ELBOW! “Dick Rhodes” then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Wato is tougher than that but Dick tags Kanemaru. Kanemaru suplexes Wato but Wato fights it! The fans rally as Kanemaru tries again. Wato suplexes Kanemaru up and over! The fans cheer, but then Evil stomps away on Wato! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Evil CHOPS Wato down! Wato sputters, Kanemaru tags Evil in, and Evil drags Wato up to suplex high and hard! Cover, Yoh breaks it! The fans cheer but Yoh runs away to hide behind Wolf.
Evil tags Dick and Dick eggs Wato on. Wato rises but Dick ROCKS him with a right! And another! And another! Dick then snapmares Wato to SCRAPE his sole off Wato’s face! Tag to Kanemaru, and he also SCRAPES sole off Wato’s face. Kanemaru whips Wato to ropes, but Wato stops himself to KICK back! Wato ROCKS Kanemaru, but Kanemaru blocks the kick to CLUB the leg and CLAW the eyes! Kanemaru whips, Wato reverses, CALF KICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Wato and Kanemaru crawl, hot tag to Yoh! Yoh goes up, up, and CANNONBALLS! Then he BLASTS Dick, DECKS Evil, and dodges Kanemaru!
Yoh runs to FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up with Yoh and he goes back to Kanemaru. Yoh scoops, SLAMS, then ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO and KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru survives Yoh’s triple hit combo, but Yoh reels Kanemaru in for a suplex. Kanemaru slips free, pulls hair, but Yoh kicks low. Yoh runs buit inot a cheap shot from Evil! Kanemaru DROPKICKS the legs out! Tag to Evil, he and Kanemaru DOUBLE SMASH the knees! Evil kicks Yoh around, runs, but Yano gets a cheap shot in! Yoh DROPKICKS Evil’s legs out! The fans rally, Yoh hot tags Yano!
Yano goes right to the open corner! Yano takes off the buckle pad, then whips Evil. Evil reverses, Yano stops short. Yano then dodges, Evil stops short, and Yano says darn it. Yano runs in but Evil dodges, Yano hits bare buckles! Yano falls, Evil has the ref check Wato, and then Evil CHOKES Yano using his shirt! The fans boo, Hontai protests, but then Dick DECKS Wato! The House whips Yano to the safe corner, Dick runs in and ELBOWS! Kanemaru ELBOWS! Evil LARIATS! They snapmare Yano, Yujiro distracts the ref, and Dick mocks the “Y T R!” before the DICK CHOP! The fans boo but Evil covers, TWO!
Evil is upset but the fans cheer as Yano survives. Evil says fine, he’ll just end this himself! Evil drags Yano up, but Yano slips free of the STO! Yano shoves Evil at the ref, but Evil spots Yano before the low blow! The fans cheer the standoff, but Yano tries a kick. Evil blocks the kick, hands it to the ref, and then mule kicks! Evil whips, but Yano reverses to THROW Evil down by his hair! The fans fire up as both men crawl, hot tags to Wato and Dick! Wato dodges to fire off forearms! Wato whips, Dick avoids the dropkick, and Dick stomps Wato down. Dick drags Wato up, calls his shot and whips, but Wato avoids the lariat!
Wato shoves Dick to the corner, ELBOW! Yoh jumps in, DRIVE IN MOTION! Then a DOUBLE SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Yoh and Wato roar! They get Dick up, but Dick avoids the High-Low! Dick shoves Yoh into Wato, jackknife bridges Wato, but Yoh breaks it up! Then they get Dick up, but Dick slips around! Dick shoves Yoh at the ref, then winds up, but Yoh BLOCKS the low blow! The fans cheer as Wato then sunset flips! Dick stays up, Yoh SUPERKICKS him into the cover! TWO, but into VENDEVALL!! Dick endures, but Evil YANKS the ref out! The fans boo but then Kanemaru STOMPS Wato!
Yano runs up but Kanemaru DECKS him! Kanemaru TOSSES Wato, and Evil has a chair! But then Wolf steps up! Evil tells him to back off, he’s just a Young Lion here! Evil JAMS Wato, but then Wolf shields Wato! so Evil SMACKS Wolf for it! But then Yoh LOW BLOWS Evil! And he shoves Kanemaru into Dick! DOUBLE LOW BLOW! Yoh uses WHISKEY MIST!! He CRACKS Yujiro for good measure, and Wato SPRINGBOARD UPPERCUTS Dick! Then RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO, into VENDEVAL!!! Dick endures as Wato thrashes about! DICK QUITS, HONTAI WINS!
Winners: Yoh, Master Wato & Toru Yano, by submission (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
The House of Torture tried to stack the deck, but Aaron Wolf was the trump card up the proverbial sleeve! Will Evil look to make Wolf’s career a living Hell soon enough? Or will there be justice served in the NEVER Openweight Division?
Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuto-Ice!
The Ace had his Final Homecoming, but he fell short of winning the IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. But as Tanahashi’s Final Road passes through Anjo on the way to Tokyo Dome, another man from Gifu wants his shot! Is Nakashima’s Ambition getting him in over his head? Or will it be Ice High over the High Fly Flow?
Tanahashi shows off the abs and the fans cheer. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Yuto and Tanahashi step up, the fans strongly behind “TA-NA-H’SHI! TA-NA-H’SHI!” Yuto fires the first forearm! Tanahashi fires back, and they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, harder and harder, and Yuto just fires up for it! The shots keep going, but then Tanahashi gets the edge. Yuto comes back to BOOT Tanahashi down! The fans applaud, and Yuto storms up as Tanahashi goes to ropes. Yuto fires forearm after forearm in the corner but Red Shoes counts. Yuto HAMMERS Tanahashi until he’s seated, then he backs off.
Yuto argues with Red Shoes while the fans rally. Yuto runs up, only for Tanahashi to ELBOW him away! Then Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Down goes Yuto and the fans cheer for the air guitar! Tanahashi “throws the guitar” to the fans, but then Yuto CLOBBERS him from behind! Tanahashi bails out, Yuto pursues, and Yuto fires hands! Yuto whips Tanahashi hard into railing! Yuto storms up on Tanahashi, brings him around, and he SMACKS Tanahashi off the apron! The fans rally, but Yuto whips again! Only for Tanahashi to reverse! Yuto hits railing, but he comes back to BOOT Tanahashi down!
The fans rally but Yuto looms over Tanahashi. Yuto drags Tanahashi up, puts him in the ring, and he gets space. Yuto runs back up and KNEE LIFTS Tanahashi into the ring! The fans are torn but Yuto has a smirk on his face as he swaggers back over. Yuto steps into the ring, stomps Tanahashi down, then kicks Tanahashi around. Yuto eggs Tanahashi on while he scuffs him in the face. Yuto then KNEES low, snapmares Tanahashi, and KICKS him in the back! Cover, ONE, and the fans applaud. Yuto sneers, but he brings Tanahashi up to KICK him in the chest! And KICK again! And again! Tanahashi ends up in the corner, and Yuto KICKS again and again!
Tanahashi sits down, Red Shoes reprimands, but Yuto fires up. “BOMBACLAT!” and DOUBLE KNEES! Tanahashi flops over, Yuto kicks him to center then has a cocky cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Tanahashi stays in this, and a chant of “GO ACE!” begins. Yuto paces around Tanahashi, then kicks him around. Tanahashi snarls as he sits up, but Yuto KICKS him! Yuto pie faces Tanahashi, but Tanahashi comes back to ROCK Yuto! And ROCK him again! And again! The fans rally, Tanahashi fires more shots, but Yuto KNEES low! Yuto puts Tanahashi on the ropes, whips him to ropes, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS!
The fans fire up with Tanahashi and he looms over Yuto. Tanahashi brings Yuto up, fires the signature Tanahashi strike fest, and he backs Yuto down to a corner. Tanahashi scoops to SLAM! The fans cheer as Tanahashi goes up and SUNSET SENTONS! Yuto sputters from that solid landing, Tanahashi covers, TWO! The fans rally as Tanahashi waits on Yuto. Tanahashi runs, but Yuto follows to ROCK him! Yuto runs, but Tanahashi DROPKICKS the leg! Yuto kicks, but Tanahashi blocks to DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi drags Yuto by his legs, ties them up, but Yuto has the ROPEBREAK! Tanahashi lets go, but he stomps Yuto right after.
The fans rally as Tanahashi stomps Yuto more. Tanahashi stands Yuto up, but Yuto breaks free! DRAGON PALM and Yuto falls! The fans rally behind Tanahashi as he drags Yuto back up. Tanahashi half nelsons, full nelsons, but Yuto CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands but Yuto is still free, and he LARIATS Tanahashi down! Yuto snarls again as he goes back to Tanahashi. Yuto stands over Tanahashi, then rains down PALM STRIKE after PALM STRIKE! Yuto stomps Tanahashi for good measure, but then Tanahashi gets right up! Tanahashi HEADBUTTS Yuto! Yuto drops to his knees, but Tanahashi HEABDUTTS again!
Yuto said he wanted Tanahashi’s scary side, so here it is! Tanahashi stalks Yuto to the corner, and HEADBUTTS again and again and again! Yuto sits down, but Tanahashi stands him back up, for more HEADBUTTS! Then a DRAGON PALM! Red Shoes reprimands but Tanahashi steps back. Tanahashi stands Yuto up, Yuto pushes free, but Tanahashi blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Yuto shouts in pain as he leans against the ropes! Tanahashi trips Yuto, to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And then he has the leg again, REVERSE GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Yuto writhes but Tanahashi ties the legs up, for the TEXAS CLOVERHOLD!
Yuto endures as Tanahashi puts on the pressure! The fans rally but Yuto fights forward! Yuto military crawls but Tanahashi bends him back! The fans fire up as Tanahashi sits deep on the hold! Yuto is still fighting, still clawing, still crawling! ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Tanahashi lets go. Tanahashi fires up and wants Yuto to rise. Yuto does stand, into the SLING- NO, Yuto dodges to AMBITION RIGHT!! Yuto runs, ICE HIGH!! Cover, TWO!?! Tanahashi survives but Yuto roars! The fans fire up and Yuto goes to a corner! Yuto reloads the leg while Tanahashi slowly rises. Yuto runs in again, ICE- SLINGBLADE!!
The fans fire up and Tanahashi roars! Tanahashi climbs the corner and aims at Yuto, HIGH FLY FLOW, but onto knees! Yuto saves himself, though maybe a little double-edged. Yuto still loads up again, and as Tanahashi sits up, BLINDSIDE CRUELLA!! But Yuto’s bad leg won’t let him cover! The fans rally harder and harder while both men are down! Yuto and Tanahashi rise up, and they crawl over to each other. They’re forehead to forehead, then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, harder and harder, then faster and faster! Yuto bobs ‘n’ weaves to SLAP, SLAP, SLAP! And then again to SLAP!!
Tanahashi wobbles, Yuto winds up, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and Anjo is thunderous! Yuto roars as he vows to end this now! Yuto drags Tanahashi but Tanahashi is a ragdoll! Red Shoes checks but Yuto just reaches down, only for Tanahashi to cradle! TWO, and Yuto BOOTS! Yuto runs, into a LARIAT! Tanahashi rarely uses a lariat but he still aces that one! Tanahashi then runs the ropes, SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Yuto survives but Tanahashi fires up again! Tanahashi climbs, aims, and HIGH FLY FLOW!! Direct hit and Tanahashi covers, TWO!! Yuto survives and the fans are thunderous again!
Tanahashi just goes right back up, but Yuto stands! So he takes a HIGH FLY ATTACK! Tanahashi reloads again and the fans fire up! HIGH! FLY! FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall
Yuto-Ice couldn’t freeze out The Ace, and now he’s the one who needs the icepacks. But with everything he showed here against one of the best ever, is that all a sign Yuto Nakashima will be one of the best yet?
As for Tanahashi, he shows respect to the ambitious Yuto-Ice, and that alone means a lot to Nakashima. Oskar is there to help Yuto to the back, and Tanahashi gets the mic. “NJPW has returned to Anjo!” The fans cheer that, and Tanahashi thanks everyone for being here. “There’s not much time left for me as a wrestler, so I’m glad I could come to Anjo. I’ll do my best to the end!” Tanahashi wants to leave it at that, but the fans cheer him on, so he of course gives us the air guitar concert! But he needs his air guitar first, so Murashima tosses him one! Big pass, and Tanahashi makes the catch! The fans cheer, and the concert begins!
The fans cheer, Tanahashi “throws the guitar” to the fans, but they want an encore! Tanahashi says okay, is there another guitar? Matsumoto finds one now, and he makes an even bigger throw! Tanahashi catches it, and “LASTO!” The fans cheer on the encore, and Tanahashi of course “smashes” the guitar. Tanahashi “clears the ring” and the fans cheer for even more! Tanahashi looks to the fans, they throw one to him, and we get a special Anjo encore! The fans cheer again, and Tanahashi “falls over.” Tanahashi carefully tosses this guitar back to the fan and the crowd cheers. Tanahashi takes the mic to say, “I’m not tired. Let me say that- I’ve never been tired. So I’ll give it my all to the end!”
Tanahashi then promises that from here to the Tokyo Dome, “ANJO…! AISHITEMAAASU~!” BUT THEN A COIN DROPS?! The fans all go nuts because yes, THE RAINMAKER returns to NJPW! And Gedo is with him! A blast from the past right here in his hometown, on HIS birthday! Talk about a Rainmaker Shock. But Okada goes right to the ring and once again stands face to face with his greatest rival. The fans cheer while he grabs the mic, and Okada says, “Tanahashi-san. Congratulations on your retirement. And also, thank you for all your hard work.” The fans do applaud that.
Okada takes a moment before saying, “On January 4th, 2026… If you’d like, I will be your final opponent.” The fans are all fired up for that! Okada adds, “So don’t get tired until then, ya bastard!” Okada then adds that for now, he’ll let Gedo speak. The fans cheer the nostalgia trip, and Okada hands the mic to Gedo. “If the Rainmaker is here, it’ll be the best of all retirements. You know why?” The fans cheer the old line, and Gedo says, “He’s on a whole other level, ya bastards!” The fans cheer again, and Gedo says, “The rain will fall on Wrestle Kingdom 20 in the Tokyo Dome!” Okada strikes his signature pose, but so does Tanahashi!
The fans cheer as The Sun of NJPW and the Rainmaker will truly have one more clash, and it will truly be the final chapter in this storied rivalry! Will The Ace go out on top? Or will it be less a Rainmaker Shock as a Rainmaker Farewell? Okada & Gedo leave, so Tanahashi picks the mic back up. Tanahashi knows they already did this, but how about they do it again? “ANJO…! AISHITEMAAASU~!” The fans cheer, and Tanahashi has his final destination. What will happen on the most historic WrestleKingdom ever?
My Thoughts:
A great New Japan Road event, even with it still mostly tune-ups and filler. Taiji calling out Douki for the Junior Heavyweight title, and then having Desperado and Fujita join in on that was great. That Fatal 4 Way Contender’s match will be great stuff, Sho clearly trying to be Douki’s way out, but I bet Sho takes the loss to whoever will challenge Douki at WrestleKingdom. Douki also might end up in double duty territory unless they choose contenders to face #Shouki in what time we have left before World Tag League.
Great NEVER Six Man title match, especially with Hontai getting on over on The House of Torture with some help from Aaron Wolf. Pretty sure Evil VS Wolf is going to be a thing, but probably not for the NEVER Openweight Championship. That might be too much for a debuting name like Wolf, who is only now making the jump from judo to pro-wrestling. But also, what a great way to shake things up if he went right past Young Lion to established talent. Great stuff in Ace VS Ice, and as I said last week, this was of course Tanahashi’s rebound win after losing to Yota Tsuji. But Yuto really did have a great showing, this means a lot for him going forward.
Okada showing up was an awesome surprise, and it was a lot of fun seeing Gedo in the throwback bandana and all that. Tanahashi VS Okada: One Last Time is definitely the right move for Tanahashi’s retirement, even with Okada out of NJPW and a champion in AEW. Who knows, by January, Okada might actually drop the Unified Championship to Takeshita or something. Tanahashi losing his retirement match would be tradition, but it’s not like Okada would be hurt losing to one of the best ever. Plus, WrestleKingdom 20 is a historic milestone, it should have a historic and celebratory moment to punctuate it.
My Score: 8.8/10
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