Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup 2020 Results & Report Part 5!

Who makes it into the quarterfinals?

Published

4 years ago

July 1, 2020

Steven Mitchell

The New Japan Cup wraps up the second round!

NJPW almost has its Best Eight, but there’s still four more matches to go! Will Kota Ibushi avenge Hiroshi Tanahashi against Taichi? Will Sho pull off another shocker? Will LIJ have a huge advantage in the third round?

NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

BUSHI VS YOSHI-HASHI; Hashi wins and advances to the quarterfinals.
SANADA VS SHO; Sanada wins and advances to the quarterfinals.
Kota Ibushi w/ Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Taichi w/ Zack Sabre Jr; Taichi wins and advances to the quarterfinals.
EVIL VS Hirooki Goto; Evil wins and advances to the quarterfinals.

PLAY BY PLAY

BUSHI VS YOSHI-HASHI!

Los Ingobernables de Japon’s Black Mask toppled Yoh last round, and now he’s being hunted by the Head Hunter! Will Bushi keep LIJ going strong in the Cup? Or will he join Shingo on the sidelines?

The moment Hashi stands on a corner for his entrance, Bushi strikes! Bushi knocks Hashi down and stomps away on him. The ref rings the bell to get this match officially underway! Bushi keeps stomping Hashi but lets up to bring him up. Bushi clubs Hashi back down then takes off his shirt. He uses the shirt to choke Hashi! The ref counts, Bushi lets up at 4, and the ref confiscates the shirt. Bushi whips Hashi but Hashi runs Bushi over! Hashi finally takes off his jacket and drags Bushi up. Hashi bumps Bushi off buckles and throws forearm after forearm! The ref reprimands, Hashi won’t stop so the ref pulls him off. Hashi stands Bushi up to CHOP! Hashi whips Bushi but then brings him back around to CHOP! And CHOP!

Bushi turns things around to CHOP, but Hashi eggs him on. Bushi CHOPS and CHOPS but Hashi CHOPS back! Hashi brings pushes Bushi down then stomps him. Hashi drags Bushi back up, to CHOP again. Bushi CHOPS back, but Hashi fires up to CHOP again. Hashi brings Bushi back around and suplexes him high and hard! Cover, TWO! Hashi keeps his cool as he puts Bushi in a chinlock against the knee. Bushi endures as Hashi cranks back, but Bushi reaches with a leg. Bushi gets the ropebreak and Hashi lets go right away. Hashi stomps Bushi and brings him back up. Hashi CHOPS Bushi into the corner, then whips him corner to corner. Hashi runs in but Bushi boots him down! Hashi’s right up but Bushi huricanranas! Both men are down, having used a lot of energy already.

Bushi gets up, brings Hashi around and CHOPS back! Bushi whips corner to corner, then runs in, but Hashi dodges! Hashi comes back, Bushi slips out to the apron and kicks Hashi away. Bushi climbs up top and leaps for a missile dropkick! Bushirooni! Hashi bails out, Bushi builds speed, DIVE! The tope suicida sends Hashi into barriers but Bushi is still slow to getting up. Bushi drags Hashi up and into the ring. Bushi drags Hashi up, Hashi breaks free, but Bushi roundhouses and enziguris! Bushi dropkicks a knee, then hits a DDT! Cover, TWO! Hashi toughs it out but Bushi keeps his cool. Bushi drags Hashi up again, fisherman but Hashi slips out of the neckbreaker! Hashi CHOPS and Bushi staggers. Bushi runs back but into an elbow. Hashi dodges and spinning mule kicks!

Bushi staggers to the ropes again, Hashi brings him up to suplex and hang him up top. Hashi runs, but Bushi avoids the dropkick! And gives a slingshot basement dropkick in return! Bushi drags Hashi up and through ropes, for the swinging apron DDT!! Hashi is down but Bushi still has to catch his breath. Bushi gets back in the ring, brings Hashi back up, and hits the swinging fisherman neckbreaker! Cover, TWO!! Hashi still lives! Bushi says he’s going to end this, and he climbs the corner again. Bushi waits for Hashi to stand, MX gets the LARIAT! Both men are down but Hashi fires himself up. Hashi drags Bushi to his feet, reels him in, but Bushi slips out of the powerbomb to SLAP Hashi! Bushi runs, into another LARIAT! Cover, TWO!!

Hashi keeps his cool as he drags Bushi into the modified butterfly stretch! Bushi powers his way up, reaches for ropes, but Hashi wrangles him away! Bushi is stuck but he won’t give up just yet! Bushi makes his way over with his legs, but Hashi cranks harder! Hashi gives as much as he can but Bushi still makes his way to a ropebreak! Hashi lets go but stomps Bushi down. Hashi drags Bushi up and reels him in, fisherman but Bushi escapes! Backslide with bridge! TWO!! Hashi escapes the Bushi Roll, blocks a kick and ducks the enziguri, but not the rebound heel kick! Bushi brings Hashi into the fireman’s carry but Hashi fights out. Hashi has the full nelson, then the pump handle, KARMA DRIVER!! Cover, Hashi wins!!

Winner: YOSHI-HASHI, by pinfall

The Head Hunter gets another big win! Will Hashi continue to #GetBackUp and head for the Double Champion?

SANADA VS SHO!

The Cold Skull just saw the fate of a fellow LIJ member. The powerhouse Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion already put the Sho in shocker when he defeated Mr. Openweight, Shingo Takagi! Will Sho add another LIJ member to his list of victories? Or will this be the end of Sho’s hot streak and the continuation of Sanada’s?

The bell rings and the two circle. Sho and Sanada approach, feel out the grapple, and Sho gets around to a waistlock. Sanada switches but Sho switches back. Sanada goes for the wrist and wrenches. Sho slips through to reverse the wrench, but Sanada pushes through to waistlock. Sanada spins Sho for a headlock and takeover, but Sho headscissors. Sanada pops out and the two stand off. Sho and Sanada reset and go again. They tie up with knuckle locks and a test of strength! They go shoulder to shoulder but the heavyweight already has advantage. Sanada powers Sho back but Sho bridges to avoid a cover. Sanada hops to put his full weight on Sho, but Sho blocks with boots and puts on an armbar! Sanada gets the ropebreak and Sho lets go.

Sho gets right after Sanada with a wrench, but Sanada shoves the shoulder breaker away. Sanada baits Sho and dumps him out! Sanada builds speed but Sho slides in, so Sanada tumbles to the apron. Sho comes back, Sanada blocks the ax handles, but Sho gets the arm to hotshot! Sho sweeps the legs and runs to wreck Sanada with a dropkick! Sanada stays up though he clutches the arm, so Sho goes to the apron. Sho runs in to Penalty Kick the arm! Sanada clutches the elbow as Sho hops down. Sho wrenches the bad arm and brings Sanada around the corner. Sho wraps the arm around the crossbar! The ref counts, Sho lets up at 4, then gets on the apron. But Sanada dropkicks Sho’s legs out! Sanada drags Sho out and wraps the leg around railing! The ref counts, Sanada lets up, but Sanada BOOTS the bad leg!

Sho topples over, Sanada drags him up and puts him in the ring. Sanada stalks Sho, grabs the leg and stomps away. Sanada drops an elbow into a drop toehold and pulls. Sho fights back with a chinbar but Sanada ignores that. Sho tries to break the hold but Sanada cranks back harder! Sho crawls and gets the ropebreak! Sanada lets go right away and watches Sho crawl around. Sanada brings Sho up but Sho throws a forearm. Sanada just shrugs it off so Sho keeps throwing forearms. Sanada kicks the bad leg but Sho stays up. Sho throws more forearms, Sanada stays up, then blocks the kick to elbow the knee! Sanada runs, Sho dodges and SPEARS! Both men are down as Sho clutches the bad leg, but they go to opposite corners. Sho runs in to hit a BIG corner clothesline!

Sho runs corner to corner, but Sanada follows to give the clothesline back! Sho stays up and throws forearms again. Sanada gives them back and we have a brawl! They go back and forth, hitting harder and harder! Sanada European Uppercuts, runs, but Sho clotheslines him at the ropes. Sho runs, Sanada follows, but Sho knew he would! Sho spins and LARIATS Sanada down! Sho keeps going as he brings Sanada up and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Sho keeps his cool as he stalks Sanada. Sho grabs the bad arm, wrenches and then kicks away on the legs! Sho spins through, shoulder breaker and a rolling takedown, to the ARMBAR! Sanada fights, reaches and gets the ropebreak! Sho lets go but the damage is done.

Sanada gets up slowly, Sho waistlocks, but Sanada grabs ropes again. Sho kicks the bad arm! Sho runs, but into a basement dropkick to the legs! Sanada gets Sho back by taking out that bad leg. Sho bails out, Sanada comes over, and Sanada slingshots for the PLANCHA! Sanada knocks Sho down but brings him back up into the ring. Sanada aims, springboards, but Sho gets under the clothesline. Sho boots Sanada from a corner, then runs, but Sanada hurdles, only to leap into the GERMAN SUPLEX! Sho holds on for a second German Suplex! Then the third is used for the ARMBAR! Sanada flails, reaches, but Sho cranks hard on the arm! Sanada moves around, gets caught in a triangle hold, but endures to dead lift and POWERBOMB! Both men are down, feeling the wear and tear of this match.

Sanada stands first and eggs Sho on. Sho throws a forearm, but Sanada gives it back. The back and forth begins again, neither man backing down. They speed up, Sho gets the advantage with elbows from all sides! But Sanada gives forearms back, spins, but into Sho’s jump KNEE! Sho runs, but into Sanada’s huricanrana, and blocks it?! Sho brings Sanada back up, POWERBOMB BACKBREAKER! Sho fires up, stalks behind Sanada, then runs, LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!?! Sanada survives but Sho doesn’t lose focus. Sho drags Sanada back up, reels him in, and double pump handles. Sanada manages to resist the lift, and back drops Sho down! But Sho comes back to waistlock again! Sanada holds ropes, so Sho kicks the bad arm again. Snap German, but Sanada lands on his feet!

Sanada gets Sho in the fireman’s carry, and dumps him into the dragon sleeper! Sho fights off Skull End, but Sanada just switches sides! Sanada brings Sho up, but Sho powers out to gut wrench and scoop Sanada! Sanada fights out to get the dragon sleeper back! Sho cradle counters, TWO!! Sho gets the KIMURA! Sanada endures, powers his way up, reaches for ropes, but Sho rolls him away! Sanada rolls with him, dragon sleeper! Sanada drops back, but Sho rolls through to roll Sanada! Dead lift GERMAN! Cover, TWO!?! Sanada escapes by seconds and Sho can’t believe it! Sho fires up again to drag Sanada back into position. Double pump handles, but Sanada resists again.

Sanada spins out, spins Sho, sleeper, but Sho powers out again. Sho has an inverted straitjacket, but Sanada powers out of that to put the dragon sleeper back on! Sanada cranks on the neck, Sho endures, so Skull SWING! Sho still powers out to arm-drag Sanada away! Sho runs into the corner but gets a back elbow. Sanada QUEBRADA into the sleeper! Drop for the body scissors, SKULL END!! Sho endures, reaches, flails, but he’s caught! Sho taps, Sanada wins!

Winner: SANADA, by submission

Shingo has been avenged! Skull End ends Sho’s run and extends Sanada’s. Will Sanada continue this to keep LIJ strong in the quarterfinals?

Kota Ibushi w/ Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Taichi w/ Zack Sabre Jr!

When it comes to the #GoldenAces and the #DangerousTekkers, the New Japan Cup has split the difference. Suzuki-Gun has been doing what it wants to whoever it wants, and that goes double for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. Before finally having it out for the tag titles, who scores the big tiebreaker and takes a step towards Tetsuya Naito?

Taichi complains that Tanahashi is on the apron and tells him to step down. Taichi forgets ZSJ is on the apron for his corner, so the ref wants ZSJ to hop down, too. The Tekkers argue with the ref and that brings Tanahashi into the ring alongside Ibushi. The ref manages to keep the peace and both ZSJ and Tanahashi exit the ring. The bell rings and Ibushi stares Taichi down. Taichi steps forward and offers a handshake, but obviously Ibushi is skeptical. Taichi shakes hands with the ref to show he means well. Ibushi still doesn’t believe it, so he and Taichi circle. ZSJ hops up on the apron again, and Taichi sucker punches Ibushi! Taichi stomps Ibushi at the ropes, brings him up then throws him out. ZSJ gets his shots in with a sleeper hold!

Tanahashi storms over to stomp ZSJ! Tanahashi throws forearms on ZSJ but Taichi goes after Ibushi. Taichi whips Ibushi into railing, then helps ZSJ against Tanahashi. Taichi whips Tanahashi into railing now, but the ref reprimands him. Taichi focuses on Ibushi as he brings him through the gate and whips him into the folded bleachers! Ibushi hits the wood hard then falls down. Taichi brings Ibushi back up, and throws him into the metal barriers in front of the chairs! The ring count begins but Taichi uses camera cables to choke Ibushi! Taichi talks trash as he chokes, but the ring count passes 10 of 20! Taichi lets go at 13, goes back to the ring at 16, but Ibushi hurries! Ibushi gets up and in at 19!

Taichi stands on Ibushi’s chest and throat at the ropes, but the ref reprimands him. Taichi stops and paces about. Taichi drags Ibushi up and secretly chokes him into the corner. The ref knows better than that but Taichi still “hides” it. Taichi stops at the count of 4, but comes back to grab Ibushi’s legs. Taichi drags Ibushi and stomps him in the stomach. Ibushi bails out but ZSJ is right there to throw European Uppercuts! Tanahashi is after ZSJ again with elbows! These two brawl, but the ref reprimands as ZSJ ROCKS Tanahashi with the EuroUpper. Taichi puts Ibushi back in, covers with a choke, so the ref refuses to count. Taichi lets up but he comes back to choke Ibushi more! The ref keeps reprimanding Taichi, and Ibushi hits back! Taichi stomps and chokes Ibushi for that, but lets up at the ref’s count.

Taichi drags Ibushi up but Ibushi throws forearms! Taichi just goes back to the choke! The ref reprimands yet again but Taichi stops. Ibushi slowly stands, Taichi runs, but into the dropkick! Ibushi grits his teeth as he fires up. Ibushi crawls to a corner, gets to his feet, but Taichi runs in. Ibushi goes up and over and ROUNDHOUSES Taichi down! Ibushi hits the standing shooting star! Cover, TWO! Taichi survives and Ibushi can’t believe it. Ibushi watches Taichi go to the corner then runs in, but Taichi boots back! Ibushi tries again but is sent into the buckle, Taichi enzugiris! The ref checks on Ibushi but he’s still in this. Taichi waits for Ibushi to sit up, before he kicks! But Ibushi blocks! Taichi rakes Ibushi’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Taichi kicks Ibushi’s leg.

Ibushi shrugs that off and kicks Taichi’s leg in return! Taichi can’t quite contain the pain there. Taichi kicks again, but Ibushi manages to shrug it off again. Ibushi KICKS, and Taichi has to take a second. Taichi kicks, Ibushi kicks, and they pick up speed! They kick and kick and kick! Ibushi and Taichi are at a stalemate there, and Ibushi eggs Taichi on. Taichi kicks with the other leg and gets Ibushi in the chest! Ibushi comes back to give a chest kick and Taichi almost falls over! Taichi kicks again but Ibushi KICKS again. Taichi kicks, but Ibushi KICKS. They go forehead to forehead now, and Taichi gives another chest kick. Ibushi gives another and Taichi has to crouch to contain the pain! Taichi manages to stand, but not for long!

Ibushi toys with Taichi as he kicks him while he’s down. The Golden Ace’s mean streak is pretty strong, y’know. Taichi gets back up and kicks with the right leg high! Ibushi falls over and now Taichi toys with him. Taichi’s mean streak is just how he is, y’know. Kowata kicks over and over, but Ibushi PELES! But Taichi GAMANGIRI! Both men are down, stinging from the damage done. Taichi sits up first as Tanahashi coaches Ibushi up. Taichi drags Ibushi up, but Ibushi swings a kick! Taichi gets under, SAIDO SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Taichi fires himself up, and off come the pants! Ibushi stands, Taichi thrusts, but no Superkick! Ibushi runs, into a boot and a clothesline, but he LARIATS back! Ibushi fires himself up as Tanahashi rallies.

Ibushi drags Taichi up, reels him in, and lifts but Taichi fights the bomb off! Taichi back kicks, reels Ibushi in, and lifts! Ibushi pops out of the bomb, to ROUNDHOUSE! Down goes Taichi! Ibushi drags Taichi up, LAST RIDE! Cover, TWO!! Taichi survives the powerbomb, but Ibushi has more to give. Ibushi drags Taichi up so ZSJ starts making a fuss. The ref is busy with ZSJ, Taichi LOW BLOWS! And GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!?! Ibushi survives and no one can believe it! Tanahashi checks on Ibushi at the corner while ZSJ checks on Taichi. Taichi and Ibushi slowly rise, Ibushi runs in but only gets buckles! Blindside ax bomber, and another SAIDO! Taichi ROCKS Ibushi with the forearm, Ibushi V-TRIGGERS! Ibushi drags Taichi around while ZSJ freaks out. But Taichi avoids the Kami-Goye to ROUNDHOUSE back!

Both men are down again and their partners are going nuts! Taichi slowly rolls to a corner while Ibushi stirs. Taichi drags himself up while Ibushi stands. Taichi fires up, aims, but still no Superkick! Ibushi reels him in for a cradle, then pops him up to the gut wrench, tucks him in, BASTARD DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Taichi survives?!? Ibushi won’t let that throw him off, he drags Taichi up by his wrists! But Taichi whips him into the ref! The ref is down and ZSJ rushes in. ZSJ hits Tanahashi then goes after Ibushi! ZSJ has a guillotine on Ibushi and Taichi hurries to get his favorite weapon. ZSJ scoops but Tanahashi saves Ibushi! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi stomps ZSJ out of the ring then keeps on him at the barriers.

Tanahashi shouts to Ibushi to be ready, and Ibushi goes after Taichi. But Taichi uses the IRON FINGERS!! The Sliest Wrestler wants to finish this, and the ref gets back in. Alabama lift, BLACK MEPHISTO!! Cover, Taichi wins!!

Winner: Taichi, by pinfall

Suzuki-Gun always wins by any means necessary! Taichi has swept the Golden Aces, and now more than ever, he and ZSJ are poised to take those IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships! But will Taichi last much longer in the New Japan Cup if this is what it takes to win?

EVIL VS Hirooki Goto!

The second round’s finale is here! Shingo and Bushi are out, but Hiromu and Sanada are in! The King of Darkness wants to a positive tiebreaker, but the Fierce Warrior won’t let it be at his expense! Will LIJ still have a member in three of the four bracket branches?

As Goto makes his entrance, Evil stands in his way of the ring. Goto tells Evil to go to a corner or something, but Evil silently refuses. So Goto takes off his jacket, and the two start ramming shoulders at ringside! Then they throw forearms fast and furious! The ref rings the bell because they have no choice. Evil knees low then bumps Goto off the apron. Evil CHOPS Goto further along, bumps him off the apron again, then knees low again. Goto hits back but Evil CHOPS! Evil CHOPS Goto against the railing as Red Shoes tries to get them to bring this back into the ring. Evil wrenches Goto to whip him, but Goto reverses to whip Evil into railing!

Goto gets back in the ring and the ring count starts on Evil. Evil takes a moment to catch his breath, then gets in at 11 of 20. Evil slips away before Goto can get him, and Evil lets Goto talk trash. Evil takes his time again, waiting until 13 of 20. Goto rushes in and gets Evil with kicks and clubbing forearms! Goto elbows and whips Evil, but Evil reverses to hip toss. Goto reverse to hip toss back! And then he Penalty Kicks Evil in the back! Cover, TWO! Goto digs a knee in as part of the chinlock but Evil endures. So Goto drives an elbow into Evil’s forehead! And then stomps him while he’s down! Goto brings Evil up to wrench the arm and yank on it. Goto wrenches again to elbow the elbow! Goto clubs Evil on the back, then runs, but Evil runs him over with a shoulder!

Goto goes to ropes, Evil runs in but Goto boots him back. Evil still clotheslines Goto out! Evil catches his breath before going out to fetch Goto. Evil whips Goto into railing! And then brings him up to whip into more railing! Goto slumps down while Evil goes looking for something under the ring. Evil brings out a chair! Red Shoes tells him not to but Evil pushes Red Shoes away. Evil puts the chair around Goto’s head, and RAMS Goto into the post! Goto goes down in a heap, but Evil stands on Goto’s head. Red Shoes reprimands so Evil lets up and enters the ring. The ring count starts and Goto stirs at 3. Goto sits up at 11, stands at 16, and gets in the ring at 18. Evil drags Goto around to dig his elbow into Goto’s face! The ref reprimands but Evil does it again.

Evil lets up to bring Goto into a chinlock of his own. Now Goto endures the knee in his back and the grinding of forearms in his face. Goto fights up and fights back, but Evil mule kicks! Evil reels Goto in for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Evil keeps his cool as he looms over Goto. Evil toys with Goto but Goto gets up and CHOPS! Evil eggs him on but Goto CHOPS and CHOPS and forearms! Goto runs, but gets run over again! Evil paces about before he brings Goto back up. Evil reels Goto in, suplexes, but Goto slips out to waistlock. Evil elbows out, runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! Both men are down, sore from what they’ve already put each other through. Goto sits up first and he brings Evil up. Goto throws forearm after forearm and backs Evil into a corner.

Goto whips corner to corner, runs in and hits a BIG clothesline! Evil goes down but Goto brings him back up. Goto back suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Goto grows frustrated but he fireman’s carries. Evil fights out and pulls Goto down by his hair! Goto goes to a corner, Evil runs corner to corner, and Evil blocks Goto’s boots. Evil turns Goto sideways, and springboard STOMPS Goto out of the Tree of Woe! Evil hears voices in his head as he waits for Goto to stand. Goto sits in the corner, Evil goes corner to corner, BRONCO BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Evil keeps his cool, and still toys with Goto. Goto grits his teeth as Evil brings him up. Evil fireman’s carries but Goto resists! Evil still gets Goto up, Goto fights out and waistlocks.

Evil elbows free, runs, but Goto follows. Evil dodges, Goto follows again, but Evil changes directions, only to run into Goto’s fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI!! Both men are down again as commentary is amazed by what they’re seeing. Goto and Evil slowly stir, and Goto sits up first. Evil follows but Goto throws a forearm from the mat. Evil hits back, but Goto hits again. They slowly stand and throw more forearms. Evil checks his chin then throws another forearm, but Goto fires up to throw more forearms. They pick up speed for a fast and furious brawl! Goto gets the edge, Evil wobbles, and Goto brings him up. Evil ROCKS Goto back! Evil brings Goto up, fisherman, but Goto resists the lift! They fight for suplex control, and Goto powers Evil up! But Evil slips out, only for Goto to DECK him!

Goto fires up, reels Evil in, INVERTED GTR! Cover, TWO! Evil lives but Goto keeps his focus. Goto fires up again, watches Evil sit up, and KICKS! Goto dares Evil to sit back up, and Evil does. For Goto to KICK! Goto drags Evil back up, and KICKS again! Goto dusts off his hands, but Evil blocks this kick! To spin Goto for a GERMAN! But GOto is back on his feet! Clotheslines collide, neither falls! They collide again and again! Goto and Evil wobble to opposite corners! And then run at each other, Goto’s LARIAT hits! Cover, TWO!! Goto won’t let off, he brings Evil up and around, dragon sleeper but Evil fights back! Goto grabs the arm, reels Evil in, but Evil DECKS Goto with the elbow!

Evil catches his breath, drags Goto back up, fisherman suplex! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Evil stays focused. Evil watches Goto crawl and brings him up. Evil spins Goto, fireman’s carries, DARKNESS FALLS!! Cover, TWO!?! Goto survives again and Evil can’t believe it! Evil slashes the throat and brings Goto back up. Evil spins him, but Goto slips out of the STO! Goto catches Evil’s clothesline to spin him to a dragon sleeper! But Evil spins to put the dragon sleeper on Goto! Evil pushes Goto to spin him back around, but still no STO! Goto HEADBUTTS and Evil goes down! Goto stays up, fires up, and Evil stands up to get the BUZZSAW!

Goto drags Evil up, fireman’s carry, G T W!! Cover, TWO!!! Evil lives but Goto wants to finish it! Dragon sleeper, but Evil slips out to shove Goto into Red Shoes! Goto turns around, into Evil’s LARIAT! All three are down between Evil, Goto and Red Shoes. Evil is up first and he drags Goto around by his legs. Evil LOW BLOW STOMPS!! He’s living up to his name with that one. Red Shoes revives as Evil covers, TWO!?! Goto survives that vicious move but Evil hits EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Cover, Evil wins!!

Winner: Evil, by pinfall

Goto couldn’t withstand the merciless tactics of LIJ’s dark one! Evil joins Sanada and Hiromu in the quarterfinals, and he takes the mic to speak. He told you all he’d keep winning by any means necessary! He is already the number one in this tournament. “This! Is! Evil! Everything! Is! Evil!” Will LIJ take over the Cup and then Dominion?

My Thoughts:

Another really good card for NJPW, though the results were half predictable, half mildly surprising. Hashi and Bushi have a good opener, and I’m moderately surprised Hashi won. At the same time, the bracket ended up in such a way that there wasn’t going to be LIJ VS LIJ in just the quarterfinals. That’s a semifinals to finals level thing so Bushi had to drop. Sanada and Sho also have a really good match, but with Sho having beat Shingo and setting up a NEVER Openweight Championship showdown, Sho didn’t need to keep going in the Cup. Sanada’s also been owed a great run so here it is. I’m a little surprised Taichi VS Ibushi didn’t finish the night, and it definitely surprised me that Taichi won. Obviously he did it dirty, but it sets up a lot of heat for him and ZSJ going into a Heavyweight Tag Title match. That match will definitely happen at Dominion so as not to detract from the Cup.

Evil and Goto were a great main event with how hard both guys hit each other, and how they brawled from the moment the two met at the ramp. This match was something that felt it could go either way, but it’s been pretty clear that, except for the winner of the bottom left branch, it’s going to be an LIJ semifinals. Sanada VS Evil, and I’m very confident Hiromu meets Okada. Okada’s been on a great run, Ishimori isn’t getting through him, Rainmaker and Timebomb is incredible just thinking about it. And thinking about it, I bet we get a rematch of Okada VS Sanada, that rivalry has been epic and fighting for a shot at Naito’s double championship will only add to that.

My Score: 8.8/10

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 11.14.2024

The first episode after fresh tapings! How does TNA try to pivot and make a sensible card after the cobbled together last two weeks?

Published

6 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Andrew Balaz

Well now we’re starting with a new set of tapings, and I don’t think I heard about any crazy injury issues. So let’s see what is supposed to make sense going into Turning Point, because let’s be honest, since Scott left the stories have been inane, the booking has been questionable at best and even though the hype of the TNA name being back is probably driving attendance for major events…let’s not act like this has been “good” in the last 8 months.

Here’s to hoping Genesis kicks off some semblance of logic in the storytelling, because if these shows are mostly bad and only carried by a handful of decent matches or entertaining vignettes every couple of weeks…that ain’t enough.

But hey, I guess we’ll see…right? Why do I have a feeling this week will suck?

Ratings:

KC Navarro w/AJ Francis vs Mike Santana: Santana wins via Spin the Block – ** 1/2
Alan Angels & Jake Crist vs The Rascalz: Rascalz win via Feed Em to the Lions – *
The Northern Armoury (Josh Alexander, Judas Icarus & Travis Williams) vs Eric Young, Steve Maclin & Jonathan Gresham: Josh wins via C4 Spike – **
Ryan Nemeth vs Joe Hendry: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – **
Rosemary vs Jada Stone: Rosemary wins via As Above So Below – Squash
Nic Nemeth vs Brian Myers: Nic wins via Danger Zone – ** 1/4

Results:

KC Navarro w/AJ Francis vs Mike Santana

Navarro is a punching bag early on, he thinks he outsmarts Santana a few times but pays for the arrogance, but it is very entertaining. From not being able to Roll-Up Santana cause Navarro is too small or getting kicked into AJ’s arms like a small child. But finally AJ being out there pays some dividends for Navarro…or not, never mind, one Suicida and then Santana no sells a few chops and ragdolls Navarro. Navarro tries to use some of his speed to catch Santana off guard a few times, but Santana catches him, blocks the Rana, turns it into the Wheelbarrow Overhead Facebuster, transitions into a Sitout Powerbomb for 2, and the Spin the Block puts Navarro away.

No one should be surprised, but KC is a gem, he’s money money…yeah…yea.

Alan Angels & Jake Crist vs The Rascalz

Jake being back is always nice, but Angels is more like an Albatross. Rascalz pull off the ACS Rush as an ode to the MCMG and The ABC combination flurry. So nice feel good babyface stuff. Half Nelson Suplex from Angels on Miguel after some cheating and suddenly Rascalz are on the receiving end. After some slow and arrogant heel offense, we finally see Trey snap off a Suplex and get Wentz in for the hot tag. Simultaneous time, Jake and Wentz are in, and Wentz is beating the hell out of the Golden Draw. Wentz tags Trey, they go for some tandem stuff but Angels rips Wentz out of the ring, Jake pulls off the Marufuji Kick Corner Combination to get space, Trey looks for the Meteora, Angels picks the foot and tags in, combination Kick into Splash from Angels…and…Wentz makes the diving save.

Wentz starts flying around with Trey, stereo corner attacks, assisted Dropkicks, a flurry of offense, FEED EM TO THE LIONS! Wentz dives out on Jake and Trey gets the pinfall.

The right team went over, but I can’t care when Angels is involved.

Spitefire has a terrible and cringe promo, that I refuse to embed. The fact I’m even mentioning it is enough to question my sanity.

The Northern Armoury (Josh Alexander, Judas Icarus & Travis Williams) vs Eric Young, Steve Maclin & Jonathan Gresham

The dorks of the Armoury are getting manhandled by the babyface or tweener team. I don’t know which jabroni is which, and I refuse to learn because they suck. We go to picture in picture once they heels take a few shortcuts and get the upperhand, so nothing of great impact happens. The bald jaborni is in the ring with Maclin when we finally come back, Bell Clap, Backfist but Maclin hits the Busaiku Knee to stop the attacks. Simultaneous tags EY and Josh are in! EY comes out hot, a few right hands, Neckbreaker, Tombstone Piledriver reversal into the Youngblood Neckbreaker for two! EY tries to knock down the jabronis on the apron and Josh takes the chance to hit a few German Suplexes and simultaneous tags again.

Gresham and hair jabroni do a Fighting Spirit spot that Gresham gets the best of for a while, but the standing switches go against Gresham, hair jabroni trips him, PK into a Elbow Drop Variant. Looks for the tag team tandem move with his imbecile buddy, Up in the Clouds gets countered, but numbers game works in the heels favor. The jabronis feed Josh, try to set up the C4 Spike but they get grabbed out of the ring, Gresham counters the C4 with a Double Legged Cradle, Gresham gets a few moves in and goes to the top, jabronis attack Gresham, Sudden Silence nearly wins the match until Maclin bull rushes one into the Pinfall.

Lots of just schmoz spots, eventually EY hits the Spicolli Driver, Caught in the Crosshairs from Maclin on Josh, EY looks for the Macho Elbow but Maclin won’t stop pummeling Josh. EY and Maclin have a moment, but this becomes a comedy of errors with all the babyfaces trying to cover the other’s back and Josh drives Maclin into EY, hits the C4 Spike and I can’t find myself caring enough about this match or about 1/3rd of the participants names.

Is frustration getting the best of @SteveMaclin? @TheEricYoung

Watch #TNAiMPACT NOW on TNA+: https://t.co/3G7ASqPsBD

Subscribe to TNA+ NOW using the promo code TNAFREE to get one month free of TNA+ ➡️ https://t.co/EkIqqcvwIi pic.twitter.com/9ippwDnwSz

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 15, 2024

Ryan Nemeth vs Joe Hendry

Hendry starts off by saying he has a directors cut, and it’s the same, so solid joke. The crowd chants “One More Time” so he plays it again and then Ryan attacks. Ryan gets like 30 seconds of offense and doesn’t really do much, Hendry starts firing a few Uppercuts that seem to rock Ryan more than anything he’s done. Ryan manages to ground Hendry and go for a Sleeper Hold that Hendry of course charges up back to his feet, fights out of, but Ryan drives the Shoulder into Hendry’s gut in the corner and goes back to the Sleeper spot for Hendry to fight back up from, but Ryan pulls the hair to pull him down.

Very basic match so far, Rude Awakening from Ryan as he goes to the top rope…jaws at the crowd who’s chiding him, and Hendry gets up and throws him from the top. Hendry fires a few punches, two Lariats, Sack of Shit into the Kip Up and spin around to start the Standing Ovation stomp…gets him up and down! Hendry wins to no one’s surprise.

Rosemary vs Jada Stone

So we get a Rosemary enhancement match instead of something moving Lei Ying Lee and Savanna Evans’ story further? What are we gonna get a dumb vignette or something instead of actually building up lesser established talent? And yes, I’m just going with stream of consciousness because no one cares about this. Rosemary will win, it’s an enhancement match, Rosemary will play with her food until she decides she’s bored. Spear into As Above So Below, the crowd goes…to get snacks.

Nic Nemeth vs Brian Myers

Nic looks for the Superkick immediately to reference their last WWE match, but Myers powders, Nic gives chase and then Myers cuts him off and lands a few early shots. Two big sternum first Irish Whips, rope choke, and okay Nic slips the Press, connects with a Dropkick and then returns the Irish Whips in kind. Nic smashes Myer’s face into a turnbuckle, turns it into a Head and Leg Cradle for 2. Body Slam from Nic, he sets up for the Superkick but Eddie gets involved to stop it and the ref sees, so kicks him out. Nic is too busy waving and teasing Eddie, Myers tries a Roster Cut from the blind side but Nic ducks it and Myers spills to the outside. Alisha gets in the way to stop Nic’s momentum and Myers rams him into the apron and then throws him into the steps before hitting his Raven pose and we go to picture in picture, so nothing worth talking about will happen. Just plodding offense, rest holds and we’ll probably come back in time for the babyface to make a comeback.

Oh look we come back from PiP, Nic with a cut off comeback, but Manhattan Drop gets countered and Nic connects with a Dropkick to start his comeback. Two Lariats, Shot to the Heart Elbows, tunes up the band…but Myers ducks and cowers so Nic has to adjust. Myers hits a big Gamengiri into an Implant DDT for 2! Myers looks for the Roster Cut, but Nic catches him in a Jumping DDT into the FameASSer for another two count! The referee checks on Myers, Nic looks to tune up the band again and Lish uses Kendra to wack Nic a few times! Spear from Myers! Only a two count. Hendry leaves the announce desk and just picks up Lish and walks out with her kicking and screaming. Myers is distracted, so he eats a Superkick into Danger Zone, aaaannnddd Eddie attacks Nic after the win.

Hendry comes back out with Kendra, beats on Myers and Eddie, nearly hits Nic but stops himself and they have a tense moment. But Hendry made the save with only stares and tension being shared between him and Nic, nothing more.

The show also goes off the air with a weird vignette of Maclin getting into his vehicle and this weird Country Christian “I Will Rise” somber song playing. They’re really trying to make it seem like he’s chewing on that stuff EY said? Do it in the ring, not through a dumb vignette with an obscure song.

Overall Score: 0/10

Give me my 2 hours back! I was lenient last two weeks because they were working around injuries that probably affected some bigger stories, but this was a fresh set of tapings and we get this car crash soaked in diarrhea? Shoehorning in attempts at logic and random matches because of dumb reasons, whoever is booking, be it Delirious, Dreamer, NOSAWA, Tua Tagovailoa’s CTE…I don’t know, but fire them, not once, but twice. Send Dahyun or Nayeon to soften the blow and make sure the Twice joke lands, but just fire the booker.

I don’t even have anything positive or reflective to say about this episode. It was bad, whatever it set up for next week is stupid, so many matches that shouldn’t be booked because there’s no tension. Like there’s been plenty of bad episodes and strings of terrible television, but this was offensively stupid and a time waste.

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Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (11/14/24)

Velvet VS Diamond for the gold!

Published

9 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Time to take this one to the streets!

To settle their score, Red Velvet and Diamante fight over the ROH Women’s Television Championship in a STREET FIGHT! Who survives to hold the gold?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Fatal 4 Way Tag: Grizzled Young Veterans VS The Gates of Agony VS The Kingdom VS The Dark Order; The Kingdom wins.
Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara VS Love Doug & TJ Crawford; Dustin & Sammy win.
Griff Garrison & Preston Vance VS Jaylen Brandyn & Traevon Jordan; Garrison & Vance win.
Katsuyori Shibata VS Aaron Solo; Shibata wins.
Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Josh Woods w/ Mark Sterling; Komander wins.
Abadon VS Viva Van; Abadon wins.
ROH Rewind – ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Grounds Match: Athena VS Hyan; Athena wins and denies Hyan a title opportunity.
The Righteous VS Sammy Diaz & Matt Raymond; The Righteous win.
ROH Women’s World Television Championship Street Fight: Red Velvet VS Diamante; Velvet wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Fatal 4 Way Tag: Grizzled Young Veterans VS The Gates of Agony VS The Kingdom VS The Dark Order!

After NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed last Friday, Zack Gibson & James Drake are now the NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions! But does that mean they have to watch themselves against these three hungry teams? Or can they make it through like the grizzled veterans they are?

This Fatal 4 has only two teams legal at once, so Matt Taven steps up to Bishop Kaun. The fans rally, the two circle, and then Kaun trips up Taven! Kaun rains down fists but Taven guards. Kaun lets off, goes after Taven in the corner and CHOPS! Kaun whips, Taven goes up and over, then runs to slide under. Taven DROPKICKS Kaun down, then says, “IIIIII’M Matt Taven!” The fans cheer while Taven drags Kaun to his feet. Tag to Bennett, and the fans rally as Taven hits a SIT-OUT GOURD BUSTER! BOSTON BAYONET from Bennett! Cover, TWO! Kaun is tough but Bennett brings him up. Kaun CHOPS back!

Kaun tags Toa Liona, The Gates double whip but Bennett KICKS Liona away! Liona SUPERKICKS in return and Bennett staggers back into Kaun’s GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans are torn but Liona covers. Drake stomps Liona to break the cover, but it also makes Liona mad! Liona chases Drake, Drake slides out, and Gibson tags in! Liona seethes as GYV trick him. Liona reluctantly leaves while Gibson goes after Bennett. Bennett fights the suplex, then RAMS Gibson into the corner! Reynolds tags off Bennett, then he tags in Silver. The Dark Order double whip Gibson to then double drop toehold!

Gibson’s down, Dark Order rolls to BASEMENT DROPKICK SANDWICH! The fans fire up and Silver says, “I’m freakin’ jacked, baby!” The fans cheer as Silver whips Gibson to a corner. Gibson BOOTS in return, ELBOWS Reynolds, but then Silver dodges to KICK, KICK and KICK! Gibson headlocks, Drake tags in as Silver powers out. GYV drop, then trip Silver up to basement dropkick! And MAYHEM IN MOTION sends Reynolds flying! The fans are torn but Gibson goes out to scoop Reynolds. Drake adds the PLANCHA into the BACKBREAKER! Drake taunts Evil Uno but Uno tells him to just focus on the match.

Drake slides into the ring, fires hands on Silver, and he reels Silver in. Silver suplexes first! The fans fire up while Silver and Drake crawl. Tag to Gibson but Silver hot tags Taven! Taven rallies on GYV! SPLASH for Drake, HEEL KICK for Gibson, GAMANGIRI for Drake! Taven dodges Gibson, then reels him in, MOONLIGHT DRIVE! The fans fire up with Taven and he tags in Bennett. Taven whips Bennett to ROCK Gibson! Taven adds a SPLASH, then feeds Gibson to the DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! JUST THE TIP o’ the knee! Cover, The Gates break it! The Kingdom is mad with The Gates, and the brawl is on!

The fans fire up, but the Gates get the edge! The Kingdom dodges the lariats to DOUBLE SUPERKICK! But the Gates stay standing! They take another swing, and DOUBLE LARIATS connect! The fans fire up and the Gates pop Bennett up, OPEN THE GATES! The fans rally as Bennett ends up in a corner. Taven and Drake drag the Gates out to THROW them into steel steps! Gibson rolls Bennett! TWO! Silver tags in and he DUMPS Gibson out of the ring! Taven runs to a corner, triangle jump, but Silver ROCKS him first! Silver CANNONBALLS onto Gibson, UPPERCUTS Kaun, BOOTS Liona, then dodges Drake!

Reynolds BOOTS Drake down and the fans fire up! Silver climbs a corner, leaps at Taven, but Taven dodges! Bennett is there to reel Silver in! Taven goes up, HAIL MARY PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Kingdom wins!!

Winners: The Kingdom, by pinfall

It was fast ‘n’ furious, but it was also undisputed! Taven & Bennett get this big win, but the chase for tag team gold is never ending. Taven & Bennett do show respect to The Gates with a Code of Honor handshake, will these two teams be fighting for that number one spot?

Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara VS Love Doug & TJ Crawford!

The Natural & The Spanish God are still itching for that fight with The Righteous, but for now, they’re tuning up and sharpening their edge. Will the Sons of Texas be ready for ol’ Dutch & Vincent? Or will they be shot through the heart by The Real-Life Cupid & Windy City Kid?

The teams sort out and Dustin starts against Doug. They uphold the Code of Honor, and the bell rings. The fans rally for Dustin as he and Doug tie up. Dustin headlocks, Doug powers out but Dustin runs Doug over. Cover, ONE, but Dustin clamps onto Doug’s arm. Dustin wrenches, but Doug fires hands! Doug puts Dustin in the corner, fires off hands, then stomps! Tag to TJ, he throws hands, then whips. Dustin CLOBBERS TJ! The fans fire up, Dustin whips TJ to the corner, and he adds a SPLASH! Tag to Sammy and Sammy CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE! Sammy feeds TJP to Dustin’s kick! “Not today, baby!” UPPERCUT! Sammy adds an ENZIGIRI!

TJ bails out, the fans fire up, and Doug runs in. Sammy dodges, hurdles, then backflips over to DROPKICK Doug! Sammy kips up so smooth and the fans fire up again. Doug & TJ regroup, Sammy builds speed, and Sammy FLIES! Down goes Doug & TJ and Sammy blows a kiss to his wife and daughter. The fans fire up and Sammy brings TJ back into the ring. Sammy step sin but TJ ROCKS him! TJ stomps a mudhole, then he whips corner to corner. Sammy stops himself, ELBOWS TJ back, then goes up to FLYING CUTTER! TJ sputters, Dustin adds a SHINING WIZARD! Sammy fires the fans up for the STANDING MOONSAULT!

The fans fire up but here comes Doug! Dustin gets Doug for a SNAP POWERSLAM! Dustin brings Doug up, Sammy has TJ, and in stereo, we GO TO HOSPITAL and FINAL RECKONING! Cover, the Sons of Texas win!

Winners: Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara, by pinfall

The fans cheer, but THE RIGHTEOUS attack! Dutch beats down Dustin while Vincent is after Sammy! The fans boo but Sammy gives hands back. Dutch CLOBBERS Sammy! The fans boo more, but Vinnie fireman’s carries Sammy. Dutch fireman’s carries Vinnie for the DOUBLE DUTCH DEATH VALLEY! The fans are booing as hard as they can but Dutch whips Dustin to bring him into the BLACKHOLE SLAM! The Righteous still aren’t done, as Dutch brings out the cowbell! An American Dream signature is now going to be Dustin’s demise! COWBELL TO THE HEAD!! The Righteous stand tall over the ROH World Tag Team Champions, will this be how it is when the gold is on the line?

AEW shares last night’s interview with The Learning Tree.

Renee Paquette was with Chris Jericho, Bryan Keith & “Big Bill” Morrissey as she brings up Tomohiro Ishii officially challenging Jericho for the ROH World Championship. It will be in two weeks, Dynamite in Chicago, will Jericho accept? Bill says, “Challenge? As the Learning Tree always says, a person’s true self is not seen in moments of glory, but in moments of hardship and challenge.” Jericho says, “Well said, Redwood. And thanks, Renee. Ishii, I’ve got a soft spot for you because we’ve known each other for almost 30 years, ever since we were both working for Genshiro Tenryu in WAR in Japan.

“Albeit, I was a huge main event star, and you were nothing more than a rookie, a Young Boy. You used to get me coffee, carry my bags, and even wash my back in the shower. Hahaha! But Ishii, you’ve gone on to become one of the toughest and best pro-wrestlers in the world. I should know, because it was only two years ago that we had a classic match, one of my favorite in AEW, and one of the toughest I’ve ever had, also in Chicago. So it’s only apropos that in two weeks on Dynamite, we’re gonna face each other. I do accept your challenge, Ishii, for the ROH World Championship, Jericho VS Ishii.

“But I’ve gone on to bigger and better things, as well. Because now, I’ve become the Nueve.” Jericho, Keith & Bill all hold up nine fingers. Jericho reminds us he is a NINE-TIME world champion, and a TWO-TIME ROH World Champion. So now, Jericho will invoke the glory and courage of great ROH champions of the past, like Jay Briscoe. And he’ll do that while teaching Ishii a lesson that he won’t forget, ever again. Keith says in the Windy City, Jericho blows Ishii’s dumb ass away! Jericho says truer words have never been spoken. Thanks, guys! But will Jericho have very little to be thankful after the Stone Pitbull takes a bite out of him?

Backstage interview with Billie Starkz.

Lexy Nair says this is another Emergency Minion Empowerment Meeting, aka MEM. They need to see if one Billie Starkz is ready to apologizes to their Minion Overlord, the ROH Women’s World Champion, Athena. Lexy cues Billie, and Billie says just wants to tell Athena… Oh, look at that, Athena steps in, ready to hear this. Athena looks Billie up and down, and can’t believe that is what Billie wore to a MEM. It looks like grandma’s nursing home crafts project. Billie rolls her eyes and Athena says to not worry about Minion 400,237 & 3/4ths, if that is who Billie decides to be. What about London? China? India?

Lexy tries to explain but in steps Leila Grey. She brushes Billie aside to say she heard Athena is looking for the most top tier talent from around the world. Well look no further, because there is no one above Top Flight. Athena and Lexy l augh right at Leila. Wow, Top Flight’s flight attendant? Oh, Bestie, this is actually perfect. They can showcase Athena before her world tour begins. So uh, what was her name again? Lei… Leilani? Leila says Athena knows her name. Oh, yes, of course, Miss Baddie.

But hey, next week, Athena challenges Leila on the Proving Grounds, where Athena will prove she is the best ROH champion, as well as the most violent and most dominant champion in ALL of pro-wrestling! And she’ll make an example out of Leila. What’s she say to that? Leila says you’re on. Athena says good~! Let’s go, Bestie. Athena & Lexy go one way, Billie scoffs and goes the other. Will Leila last the ten minute time limit to earn her golden ticket? Or is this “Athena World Tour” taking off without her?

ROH Rewind – ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Grounds Match: Athena VS Hyan!

The Fallen Goddess is now the longest reigning champion in ALL of ROH history, but let us look back in time to the Forever Champion’s first Proving Ground match!

The Code of Honor is upheld, though maybe mockingly. The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Hyan and Athena step up, and then Athena DECKS Hyan! Athena celebrates, then she fires off on Hyan in the corner! Fans boo but Athena lets off as the ref counts. Athena snapmares and KICKS Hyan, then asks if the fans want one more. Fans do, but Athena just covers. TWO, but Athena drags Hyan up. Athena hooks Hyan up and clamps on a neck wrench. Hyan endures, fans rally, and Hyan throws elbows. Hyan rolls Athena up, TWO! Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Hyan UPPERCUTS Athena down and fans fire up!

Hyan runs to PENALTY KICK! And PENALTY KICK! Hyan fires up, HAT TRICK!! Athena is down and fans fire up, Hyan covers, ONE!! Athena toughs it out, but Hyan CLUBS away. Hyan runs, but into a BLACK HOLE SLAM! Athena then dribbles Hyan off the mat! Athena CHOKES Hyan, but she lets off as the ref counts. Athena and the ref argue, but Athena calms down. Hyan sits up, Athena drags her up, but Hyan shoves her away. Athena BOOTS Hyan down! Fans rally and duel, Athena clamps on a chinlock. Athena claws at the eyes, but the ref reprimands. Athena shifts to a chinbar, but Hyan arm-drags free!

Athena is furious, she runs in, but into a BOOT! Hyan runs to CROSSBODY! Hyan fires up, rallies with clotheslines, then she fireman’s carries. WASTELAND! Fans fire up with Hyan, and she drops a leg, brother! Cover, ONE!! Athena is still in this but Hyan hurries to a corner. Hyan climbs, but Athena ROCKS her! Athena bumps Hyan off buckles, goes out to the apron, and then SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS her to the floor!! Fans are shocked but Athena grins. The ref wants Athena to get this back in the ring, so Athena drags Hyan up, to RAM her into steel steps! Athena puts Hyan back in the ring, covers, TWO!?!

Hyan is still in this, but Athena clamps on the CROSSFACE! Hyan taps, Athena wins!

Winner: Athena, by submission (denies Hyan a title match)

But Athena just makes Hyan suffer more! The ref counts, Athena lets off, and she gets in the ref’s face. The Fallen Goddess shows no mercy, and she sets the belt down. She drags Hyan up, fans boo, but Athena SMASHES Hyan off the belt!! Athena laughs at Hyan but fans chant, “YOU SUCK!” Athena just gets more upset! She shoves Hyan out of the ring and shouts at the fans that she’s the champ! It’s been historic every since, will anyone ever stop Athena’s reign of terror?

The Righteous VS Sammy Diaz & Matt Raymond!

We saw earlier tonight how ol’ Dutch & Vincent ruined the good times for Dustin & Sammy, but now they’re the ones in the ring. Will they simply add momentum to what they did earlier? Or can Sammy & Matt take advantage of being overlooked?

The teams sort out and Vinnie starts against Matt. Matt waits on the Code of Honor, but Vinnie kicks low! The fans boo but Vinnie whips Matt, only for Matt to KICK then fire hands! Matt ROCKS Vinnie, whips him, but Vinnie reverses. Vinnie then sidesteps Matt to ELBOW him down! The fans are torn, and Vinnie shouts, “Dig what I’m sayin’?!” Vinnie grabs legs but Matt kicks him away. Vinnie runs up, Matt puts him in the corner, and then Matt runs up. Vinnie ELBOWS Matt, goes up and HEEL KICKS! Vinnie runs, tilt-o-whirl, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Vinnie snaps his fingers to the rhythm in his head, then stands Matt up.

Vinnie bumps Matt off buckles, tags in Dutch, and Dutch runs up to SPLASH! Matt staggers into Vinnie’s SIDE EFFECT! Then SENTON LEG DROP COMBO! The fans are torn but Dutch grins. Dutch brings Matt up, reels him in, short arm LARIAT! Dutch paces around Matt, drags him back up, and short arm- NO, Matt boots back! But Dutch catches Matt for an EXPLODER! Sammy tags in, LARIATS, but Dutch doesn’t budge! Sammy tries again, and again, but then dodges a lariat to ENZIGIRI! Dutch wobbles, Sammy shouts “TOP FIVE!” But he runs into a BLACKHOLE SLAM! Tag to Vinnie and The Righteous targets Matt.

Matt grabs at Vinnie, but Vinnie cravats! AUTUMN SUNHINE! And then Sammy gets the DOUBLE DUTCH DEATH VALLEY!! Cover, The Righteous win!

Winners: The Righteous, by pinfall

It wasn’t the Sammy they want but it was the Sammy they had that suffers. Then Vinnie grabs a mic to say, “Something I’ve noticed around here… is you really gotta force the hand in this place to get what you want. So that’s exactly what we’re gonna do! And when I move on something, it gets done! And if it doesn’t get done, ol’ Dutch moves on it, and that’s the last thing you want to happen. We should’ve been the ROH World Tag Team Champions a long time ago, and everybody here knows it. Sammy, Dustin, if you stab the body, it’s a wound that can heal. But if you injure the heart, that is a wound that’ll last a lifetime.

“You’re looking at the ROH World Tag Team Champions. Dig what I’m sayin’?” Vinnie hands the mic to Dutch, and Dutch holds up the cowbell. “Dustin~! HAHAHAHA! I know that you know what this is. And I know how much this means to you. And I know that every day, during your childhood, you looked up at this, hoping and praying that one day, it would be handed down to you. HAHAHAHAHA! But lemme tell you something that you don’t know, Dustin. 14 years ago, I spent a lot of time with your father.” The fans start to boo but Dutch says Dusty saw a lot of potential in him and took him under his wing.

Dusty treated Dutch like family, because he saw in Dutch what he NEVER saw in Dustin! And because of that, this cowbell was handed down to Dutch because Dusty treated him like his own son. “And now, Dustin, we all know that you are the weakest link in our family!” The fans boo but The Righteous are willing to warp reality to change the future. Will they take more than just the gold away from Dustin & Sammy?

ROH Women’s World Television Championship Street Fight: Red Velvet VS Diamante!

The last time these two went around, The Chef was burned by the fire inside this Cuban Diamond. But that fire also burned Diamante, which is why Diamante isn’t champion, yet. Will taking off the limitations allow Diamante to finally shine with gold? Or will Velvet serve up a proper L this time?

As Diamante makes her way to the ring, she’s wearing a chain and dragging a trash can full of goodies. Velvet simply has the belt, but it looks like she’s fixing to use it! Velvet rushes down to the ring, no time for proper introductions! She avoids Diamante’s kendo stick attack, then trips Diamante up! The bell rings as Velvet drags Diamante out of the ring! The fans fire up while the hands fire off, but then Velvet RAMS Diamante into the apron! And RAMS her in again! The fans fire up and Velvet CLUBS Diamante before putting her in the ring. The headband comes off as Velvet storms in, but Diamante has the kendo stick!

Velvet blocks the shot! Velvet stares Diamante down, then takes the kendo stick to swing on Diamante! Diamante ducks then waistlocks Velvet for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Velvet flounders while the fans rally up. Diamante has the kendo stick back, and she SMACKS Velvet on the back! And SMACKS her again! Diamante talks smack, puts Velvet on ropes, and CHOKES her! Velvet suffers, but then Diamante stops to pick up the belt. Diamante taunts Velvet with it, “Is this yours? Not for long.” Velvet throws hands but Diamante stomps her down! Diamante stomps away at the ropes, then sits Velvet up.

Diamante straps the belt to the ropes to place it right in Velvet’s face. Diamante tells the fans to shut up, then she runs side to side. But Velvet drop toeholds Diamante into the belt! The fans cheer and Velvet grabs Diamante’s trash can. Velvet raises the can, but Diamante DROPKICKS it into her! The fans fire up while Diamante goes after Velvet. Diamante hoists Velvet up top, CLUBS her on the back, then pulls her into the Tree of Woe. Velvet tries to sit up, but Diamante pushes her into the trash can! Velvet is caught and Diamante runs, DROPKICK into the can! Velvet is rattled, and Diamante dumps her out of the Tree. Cover, TWO!

Velvet stays in this but Diamante keeps planning. Diamante wedges the trash can into a corner. The fans duel as Velvet crawls and grabs a chair! Diamante sees that, and she stands on the chair. Diamante SMACKS Velvet off the steel! Diamante dribbles Velvet off it now, then soaks up the cheers and jeers from Providence. Diamante fetches her chain, and she brings it over. Velvet crawls but Diamante wraps the chain around her neck! Velvet flails and claws at the chain but Diamante is squeezing the life out of her! The fans rally and duel while Velvet sputters and coughs! Diamante says just go to sleep, but Velvet fights up! STUNNER!

Diamante staggers and Velvet breathes again. Diamante is after Velvet, whips her at the trash can, but Velvet stops herself! Velvet BOOTS Diamante back! Velvet then headlocks to BULLDOG Diamante onto a chair! The fans fire up while Diamante writhes. Velvet stalks Diamante, drags her up, and whips her into the trash can! Diamante falls in a heap and the fans fire up again! Velvet goes out and is enjoying this now. The fans chant for tables, but Velvet does us one better with a ladder! Velvet puts that ladder into the ring, then storms up on Diamante to stomp away! Velvet beats Diamante down, then she stands the ladder up.

The fans rally as the ladder is set against ropes like a ramp. Velvet storms over to Diamante, brings her up, but Diamante PALM STRIKES! Velvet grins, and she knees Diamante low! Velvet whips Diamante, to then hip toss her onto the ladder! Diamante writhes as she slides down the rungs! Velvet puts Diamante on the ladder, CHOPS her, then climbs up the corner! The fans fire up and Velvet leaps, but Diamante moves! Leg drop hits ladder and Velvet writhes, clutching her thigh and hip! Diamante storms up on Velvet, ducks a haymaker, and then BACK SUPLEXES Velvet onto the ladder! Diamante CLUBS Velvet and SMACKS her off the rungs.

Diamante puts Velvet on the ladder, CHOPS her, and she goes up the corner now. Diamante PLANKING SPLASHES! The ladder cracks from the impact! Cover, TWO! Diamante grits her teeth, pounds the mat in frustration, and she goes outside now. Diamante gives the fans what they want, because here’s a TABLE! This Street Fight has now become a TLC as Diamante completes the trifecta. Diamante puts the table in the ring while the fans duel, and Diamante sets that table up near a corner. She makes sure it’s just right before fetching Velvet. Velvet JAMS Diamante with a chair! But Diamante avoids the swing!

Velvet stalks Diamante, even as Diamante crawls under the ladder. Velvet uses chair to SMACK ladder and it jams Diamante up! Velvet SMACKS the ladder again! The fans fire up while Velvet throws the chair away. Velvet moves the ladder aside, puts Diamante on the table, and CLUBS her down. The fans fire up as Velvet makes her way to the corner and climbs up. But Diamante rises up! Diamante trips Velvet and Velvet lands on her bakery. Diamante goes up to bring Velvet up, for a SUPERPLEX down through the table!! The fans go nuts for that crash landing, but Diamante’s the one stuck in the wood wreckage!

Diamante crawls free, finds Velvet to cover, TWO!! Velvet survives, if only on instinct. Diamante is further frustrated but she hurries to grab the belt. Diamante flashbacks to when she struck Velvet down before, she wants to do it again! But Velvet dodges the belt shot! Velvet mule kicks Diamante down, then brings the belt around. Velvet dragon sleepers, into MAMA’S KITCHEN on the belt!! Cover, Velvet wins!

Winner: Red Velvet, by pinfall (still ROH Women’s World Television Champion)

These two turned up the heat and really cooked up a winner! But the winner is Red Velvet, and she moves on to bigger and better. Who will be served up as The Chef’s next meal?

My Thoughts:

A very good ROH, especially with it only coming in at about an hour and 20. Well, even less when you consider they’re keeping up the ROH Rewind. Lucky for me, it was a match I already covered. And being Athena based was smart, given she’s kinda the top story here. Very good promo in the Emergency MEM, and while Athena VS Leila will be good, the best Leila can do is last the ten minutes. Again, Billie is definitely going to be Athena’s opponent for Final Battle, and we’re just waiting for the moment she snaps on Athena.

Great opening tag team Fatal 4, and great win for The Kingdom to stay strong in the tag rankings. Good stuff in the ROH World Tag Team title story, with Dustin & Sammy having a good match with Shot Through The Heart, but then Righteous attacking them. Again, makes The Righteous having their own match and promo redundant, but this is probably all to accelerate the story so we can have the match in time for Final Battle. I had a feeling the Von Erichs wouldn’t be around for a Six Man title story but maybe they focus on that as we move into 2025 and All In Texas. Not to be mean to the Von Erichs, but it feels like they’re getting a long title reign just on name value because, well, why aren’t they traveling more?

Good stuff in the other matches. As I skimmed, it was clear Solo got a good showing against Shibata, and Waves & Curls got a great showing against this new team of Griff Garrison & Preston Vance. They didn’t have Vance strike out on his own for very long, though. I was hoping he could explore who it is to be Preston Vance on his own, but maybe he can do that while creating a bond with Griff and making that a successful team. And then a great main event from Velvet and Diamante, especially for a Street Fight. A little surprised Velvet won, but not by much. As I said before, that custom red strap is going to be the thing for a good stretch, Velvet probably makes it into 2025 as champ.