Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (9/23/20)
Who survives the Gauntlet Eliminator?
Two huge matches for huge NXT title opportunities at TakeOver!
A battle royal for a shot at Io Shirai’s NXT Women’s Championship and a GAUNTLET ELIMINATOR for Finn Balor’s title, all in one night! Who is left standing at the end of each to challenge the Evil Genius and the Prince?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal: Candice LeRae wins and will challenge Io Shirai for the title at TakeOver.
- Tommaso Ciampa VS Jake Atlas; Ciampa wins.
- Danny Burch & Roderick Strong VS Fabian Aichner & Raul Mendoza; Burch & Strong win and their teams move on to face each other in an NXT Tag Team Championship #1 Contender’s match.
- Damian Priest VS Austin Theory; Priest wins.
- Ridge Holland VS Antonio de Luca; Holland wins.
- NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Gauntlet Eliminator: Kyle O’Reilly wins and will challenge Finn Balor for the title at TakeOver.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE and NXT mourn the loss of Road Warrior Animal, Joe Laurinaitis
NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal!
We open with Aliyah, Shotzi Blackheart, Raquel Gonzalez, Dakota Kai, Indi Hartwell, Kayden Carter, Kacy Catanzaro, Xia Li, the returning Marina Shafir, and several other prospects of the NXT Women’s Division in the ring! They’re all pumped up and ready for a shot at Io Shirai, but Candice LeRae makes her entrance, already smiling and waving like she’s the queen of NXT. But footage plays showing that she’s in a good mood because she attacked Tegan Nox backstage! She used a pipe and a TRUNK on Tegan’s already vulnerable knees!! The crowd boos Candice, but they cheer Rhea Ripley as she arrives! Will the only woman to have been both NXT and NXT UK Women’s Champion be the one heading back to TakeOver?
The bell rings and brawls break out all over! Rhea brawls with Shotzi, Raquel hits whoever is around, and Aliyah has to fight out of a corner already. Raquel clubs Shotzi, Rhea hits some of the new faces but they hit back. Rhea double hand lifts and headbutts the young woman in camouflage, to push and ELIMINATE “Gia!” Rhea waves bye before going after Indi. Candice takes a shot, Kayden helps Kacy against Dakota, and Aliyah shows some fight. Raquel whips “Raven” and runs at her. Raven boots back but is blocked, and tossed out! Raquel ELIMINATES Raven! Raquel helps Dakota against KC Squared while Catalina fights out of a corner. Rhea hits Indi and a few others while Aliyah is after Shotzi.
Rhea TOSSES and ELIMINATES “Ellie”, right into the railing! Xia Li and Aliyah fight, an old rivalry renewed. Candice hits Shotzi, Raquel scoops Kacy but Kacy fights free. Rhea throws Marina into a corner, dumps her up and out but Marina holds on! Rhea counter punches and hotshots Marina, for a HEADBUTT! Rhea ELIMINATES Marina, for a third! Raquel CLOBBERS and ELIMINATES “Avery!” Indi throws down Shotzi and throws down Kayden to protect Candice? Raquel suplexes and puts her target on the apron. Raquel fakes punch to BOOT and ELIMINATE her! She and Rhea each have three! But then Raquel gut wrenches “Rita” up, but Rita slips out to go after the arm! Raquel stays standing, dead lifts Rita and TOSSES her! Raquel ELIMINATES a fourth!
Dakota and Xia brawl, Raquel hits whoever and then goes after Catalina. Indi goes after Rhea but she fights her off. Rhea scoops Emily to the apron, Emily shoulders back and springboards up, into a BOOT! Rhea ELIMINATES her fourth! Aliyah stomps Kacy, Indi and Candice work on Kayden. Catalina brings the fight to Raquel, goes up, but Raquel BOOTS her down! Raquel ELIMINATES a fifth! Rhea goes after Aliyah, Raquel helps Indi with Kayden. Rhea RAMS Aliyah to a corner, hoists her up top, but Aliyah fights back. Xia and Dakota fight in a corner as Dakota holds on for dear life. Candice tries to scrape Shotzi out but Shotzi hits back. Raquel is after Indi now but Indo holds on.
Aliyah has Kacy on the apron, scrapes her off with a kick, but Kacy keeps her feet up! She isn’t out until her feet touch the ground, so being on her shoulders is okay! Kacy scoots with feet up in the air, somersaults back to a handstand, and then skins the cat! She’s back in! Kacy helps Kayden against Aliyah as NXT goes picture in picture.
Dakota goes after Indi but Indi hits her away. Kayden fights with Xia, Shotzi and Candice are in a corner with Rhea. Aliyah hits Kacy, Indi drags Shotzi and Rhea off Candice! Is Indi trying to make a good impression on Candice? Raquel scoops Shotzi but Shotzi holds onto the ropes! Raquel shoves Aliyah, Rhea shoves Aliyah. It seems Aliyah has no friends in this ring. Rhea swings on her but Aliyah gets around for a sleeper! But she’s just a backpack that Rhea throws to the outside! Aliyah punches but Rhea blocks. Rhea pulls Aliyah’s fake eyelashes off her face! Aliyah freaks out so bad, and then Rhea DECKS her onto Stone, and ELIMINATES her!
Dakota and Raquel go after Shotzi together, Xia clubs Candice and then Rhea goes after Candice. Indi goes after Rhea because she again wants to be on Candice’s good side. KC Squared fights with Xia to continue things from last week. Xia counters Kayden’s toss, only to be bodyscissor’d out of the ring! Kayden ELIMINATES Xia! Shotzi fights off Dakota and Raquel but not for long. Raquel and Dakota go after her, she kicks them away again and again. Candice hides under the bottom rope a moment while Indi takes care of Rhea. Raquel scoops Shotzi, she and Dakota try to scrape Shotzi out but Shotzi kicks back. Indi and Candice go after Rhea but Kacy goes after Candice. Raquel goes after Kayden with clubbing forearms and Rhea BOOTS Dakota down.
Raquel bumps Kayden off buckles, Rhea stomps Dakota then drags her up. Indi is after Shotzi with Candice’s help and Raquel notices Rhea lifting Dakota up. Raquel saves Dakota, Shotzi survives Candice trying to push her out, and Indi scoops Kacy. NXT returns to single picture as Indi puts Kacy on the apron and BLASTS her off! But Kacy clings to the railing! She’s on the barrier, not the floor! Kacy climbs while Kayden fights off Raquel. Kacy finds her way to the steel steps but Indi is watching her. Kacy lands on the steps! But Indi boots her off them!! But Kacy just goes back to the railing!! Kacy is still in this! Indi leaves her alone to help Candice against Rhea.
Kayden ends up on the apron and HOOK KICKS Raquel! Kayden reaches out for Kacy, but Raquel BLASTS Kayden off and ELIMINATES her! Now Kacy is stranded! Or is she? Kayden can still help Kacy by letting her stand on her shoulders! Kacy is back on the apron and in the ring! Rhea CHOPS Raquel, Raquel shoves back. They start brawling with haymakers! Rhea kicks but into the Electric Chair lift! But Rhea uses the ropes to headscissor Raquel out! They both tumble off the apron and ELIMINATE each other!! Dakota panics because now she’s all alone! The refs keep Rhea and Raquel from brawling, and now we’re down to our final five! Dakota is in one corner, Kacy in another, and Indi still helps Candice with Shotzi!
Indi goes after Kacy now but that leaves Candice alone! Shotzi gets her up and over, Indi fireman’s carries Kacy and bumps her off the post! Kacy swings around it, forearms and springboards back! She headscissors and ELIMINATES Indi! So much for making an impression. Dakota is right on Kacy and Candice storms over. Dakota stomps Kacy, Candice helps out. Candice runs in to back elbow Kacy! Candice dumps Kacy to the apron, Dakota goes Around the World and BOOTS Kacy off! Dakota ELIMINATES Kacy! Now they gang up on Shotzi! They throw haymakers and stomps, Candice goes corner to corner for another back elbow, but into knees! Dakota still goes Around the World, but Shotzi dodges the boot! Dakota is stuck, Shotzi dumps her out, and ELIMINATES her!
But Candice whips Shotzi! Shotzi reverses, sends Candice up but not out. Candice elbows back, goes after Shotzi but Shotzi boots the clothesline away! Shotzi hits the SLING DOD! Candice flounders, Shotzi brings her up but Candice holds on for dear life. Candice shoulders back in, pulls on green hair, but Shotzi breaks free to ENZIGURI! Shotzi runs, for the BALLPIT, but Candice moves! DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Candice drags Shotzi up and throws her out, but Shotzi holds on! Shotzi ROUNDHOUSES back! Shotzi gets in and goes up, but Candice CHOPS her! Candice climbs up, Shotzi fights back, and puts Candice on the apron! Candice grabs at Shotzi and shoves her down! Both women are on the apron, and Candice climbs up! Shotzi ROCKS Candice first, then YANKS her into the post!
Candice flops down the steel steps but hasn’t touched the floor. Shotzi joins her, steps on her, but Candice pushes her back. Shotzi grabs for Candice but Candice monkey flips Shotzi away! Candice wins!!
Winner: Candice LeRae (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Women’s Championship)
Considering she “eliminated” Tegan Nox even before the match, and oddly had a friend in Indi, the Poison Pixie had a much easier time winning this match. Husband Johnny Gargano joins her in the ring to celebrate, because breaking news: Gargano is going to challenge Damian Priest for the North American Championship at TakeOver, too! Will Mr. & Mrs. Wrestling make their dreams come true and reign together as champions?
Backstage interview with Damian Priest!
The Archer of Infamy knows Johnny Gargano is coming for his title, what is his reaction? “This is huge, Sarah!” It’s Johnny TakeOver! The guy made NXT, or so he says. But as good as Gargano says he is, he’s not ending the Reign of Infamy so soon. In fact, as long as Priest is champion, the title will continue to slide through Gargano’s fingers. Just like in that TakeOver: XXX Ladder match. Priest is also facing Austin Theory tonight, how is he preparing? Theory is a guy whose record is not relevant to what his talent is. Theory is great, but it sucks to be him because his losing continues. Sarah, you’re really good at this. Maybe he’ll see you at the after party? Will Priest still be in the mood for partying after going #AllDay?
NXT returns to… an investigation?
Danny Burch, Roderick Strong, Raul Mendoza and Fabian Aichner are all arguing with “Fandango Holmes” and William Regal walks over to sort this out. Cheerio, William! Please, hear him out. No silly accents, Dango. Right, sorry. Why is he dressed like that? Also, his whiteboard reads, “Fandango’s #1 Contender Algorithm,” but none of the contenders’ names are spelled right! Danee Birch & Uno Lorcan, Billy Fish & Robert Strong, Fabio Acne & Marty Barty, as well as Ryan Bulldozen and Quinoa Wilde, are not real people.
Fandango says he’s figured this out! NXT will take one man from each worthy team, from Danny & Oney to Undisputed Era to Los Gatos (The Cats?) and Emporium (Imperium…) and put them in a special tag team match! The duo that wins will have a match next week with each other, and the team of the winner faces Breezango at TakeOver! It’s so simple! Regal has no idea so he turns to Danny. Danny says he and “the Sherman” take on against the merchant and the burke, winners take on the ceptics. THAT Regal gets? Well, either way, Fandango’s fandangled process of elimination is approved! Who wins to face each other to win a chance at gold?
Tommaso Ciampa VS Jake Atlas!
The Psycho Killer made his return by brutalizing this same young star without remorse or hesitation. He also attacked Atlas backstage the same way. Will Atlas finally get a semblance of payback in the rematch? Or will he just get more of the same from Ciampa?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Ciampa puts Atlas in a corner, lets off but tries to chop. Atlas dodges to CHOP and forearm and repeat! Atlas whips, Ciampa reverses and ROCKS Atlas with that right! Ciampa throws Atlas through the ropes, Atlas escapes the DDT and drags Ciampa out for fast hands! Atlas kicks and punches Ciampa to the steel steps then stomps away! The ref counts, Atlas lets off, but Atlas brings up the apron skirt. Atlas wants to return the favor but Ciampa kicks him away! Ciampa gets in the ring, Atlas follows, and Ciampa tries to retreat! Atlas goes after Ciampa at the ropes so Ciampa LARIATS him down!
Ciampa cools off and Atlas crawls, but Ciampa is right after Atlas with a trapped-arm chinlock. “You want to be a main event player, huh!? You want to be at the top!?” Ciampa stomps Atlas! Ciampa says HE is the main event! Then he drags Atlas up, whips him to a corner hard, but Atlas comes back to ROCK Ciampa! Atlas throws more haymakers, then whips Ciampa, only for Ciampa to reverse. Atlas handsprings out of the way, shoves to Manhattan drop and dropkick Ciampa down! Atlas trips Ciampa, stomps him and rains down rights! Atlas fires off but Ciampa pushes him away. The crowd fires up, Ciampa boots but Atlas blocks to reel Ciampa in. Ciampa resists the lift, Atlas shoves him to a corner and BOOTS!
Atlas gets up top and aims at Ciampa. Ciampa bails out but Atlas just hops down to the apron. Atlas jumps over the sweep and boots Ciampa again! Atlas goes up, SUPER MOONSAULT! Direct hit takes Ciampa down but Atlas puts Ciampa in. Atlas climbs, Ciampa stands, Atlas leaps for the BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Ciampa survives but Atlas slaps some focus into himself. Atlas goes back up, RAINBOW- NO! The boot takes Atlas down, he puts Atlas through the ropes, WILLOW’S BELL! Cover, ONE!? Ciampa lets off so he can hurt Atlas more! “You want to eat at the champ’s table?” Ciampa knows Atlas is hungry, so he feeds him stomps! “Security at gonna save you!” Underhooks, for the FAIRY TALE ENDING BOMB! Cover, Ciampa wins!
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa, by pinfall
Ciampa didn’t even have to, but he was making a point with the new take on the Fairy Tale Ending. Will everyone feel that same ending now that Daddy’s home?
NXT hears from Ridge Holland.
“People say, ‘Who is Ridge Holland?’ I remember a time back home in Yorkshire, I was around 8 years old, four kids tried to lock will over little Ridgey.” But a switch went off, and four bodies were left lying on the floor. Ever since then, Holland has fought for everything. He fought in Rugby, the toughest sport on Earth. It may not be fighting, but it is the next best thing. And during that time, Holland nurtured a skill for hurting people. And the best place to show that off is in NXT. From the UK to the US, the NXT Universe will learn what Holland is all about.
NXT returns to hear from the Gauntlet Eliminator participants.
Cameron Grimes says Regal did it again! The top five fighting for the top prize, THE NXT Championship, and Grimes is one of them! “Now that Finn Balor has that championship, that’s just what I need to take Cameron Grimes tooo theee MOOON~!”
Timothy Thatcher says “Titles are nice and all, but right now, what’s more important to me is getting another round with Finn Balor. Get ready for round two, Finn, because I’m coming for your title.”
Bronson Reed says Balor doesn’t watch the business, the business watches him. “Well, Prince. Bronson IS a battle tested, Colossal Bronson Reed who is ready to become a champion NOW more than ever!”
Kushida simply vows he is “going to be standing in front of Finn Balor.”
Kyle O’Reilly says “The Golden Prophecy is the Golden Prophecy. No matter who’s holding the gold, which member of the Era boys, it really doesn’t make a difference, because this is about becoming the NXT Champion. That’s not just a prediction, that’s Undisputed.”
Balor repeats that it is time for people to start fighting to face the champion. Who makes good on their threats and promise in the Gauntlet Eliminator? Regal wishes all the competitors the best of luck and looks forward to seeing who heads to TakeOver.
Danny Burch & Roderick Strong VS Fabian Aichner & Raul Mendoza!
The Gov’nah and the Savior of the Backbreaker are one odd couple, and so is the Pride of Italy and technical assassin of El Legado del Fantasma. Will these duos stick together long enough to earn a title opportunity for them and their real tag partners?
Strong and Aichner start us off, tie up and go around. Strong gets the arm, wrenches but Aichner pulls hair! Aichner puts Strong in a corner, whips him corner to corner but Strong goes up and over. Strong keeps moving, blocks the hip toss but Aichner blocks back. Aichner CLOBBERS Strong, runs back in and scoops Strong for a slam! Tag to Mendoza but with some salt. Mendoza snapmares Strong, runs and basement knees Strong. LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Strong powers Mendoza to a corner, Burch tags in and he throws European Uppercuts on Mendoza. Burch wrenches and snapmares Mendoza for a chinlock.
Mendoza fights up, pops out the back but Burch pushes him away. Burch scoops Mendoza, Mendoza slips out and slides under. Mendoza side steps, Burch catches Mendoza out of the air! Burch rolls Mendoza, TWO! Burch whips, Mendoza reverses but Burch dodges and Mendoza only gets buckles! Burch enziguris and pushes Mendoza down to then hop up. Aichner rushes over but Burch swats him away, only for Mendoza to YANK him off the top! Mendoza and Aichner are oddly working together well as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Aichner has Burch down in a modified chinlock, with an arm trapped inside the hold. Burch endures, Strong coaches him up but Mendoza talks trash. Burch fights up, throws body shots, but Aichner choke grips. Burch breaks free but Aichner ducks the punch to back suplex Burch high and hard! Aichner poses, kicks toyingly at Burch, then brings him up by a hair. Aichner bumps Burch off buckles but Mendoza tags in. Mendoza stomps away, the ref backs him off, but Mendoza drags Burch up. Mendoza CLUBS Burch, then chokes him on the rope! The ref counts, Mendoza lets off, and mocks the UE fingers before he kicks Burch.
Mendoza snapmares Burch, covers, TWO! Mendoza stomps Burch, drags him away from Strong and puts on a cobra clutch. Burch endures as Mendoza cranks on the hold. The crowd rallies up and Strong reaches out but Mendoza drags Burch away. Burch throws body shots but Mendoza knees low. Mendoza shoves, Burch sunset flips! Aichner tags in and stomps Burch down! Aichner BOOTS Strong for good measure, then reels Burch in for a scoop. Burch slips out, but can’t tag out! Burch BOOTS Aichner, Strong tags in! Aichner CLOBBERS Burch but Strong CLOBBERS Aichner! Strong hits Mendoza and comes back to calf kick Aichner!
Strong rallies, intercepts Mendoza, then catches Aichner to SLAM him onto Mendoza! Aichner flounders, Strong has him for an OLYMPIC SLAM! Cover, but Mendoza breaks it! Strong kicks Mendoza out, drags Aichner back up, but Aichner resists the suplex. Aichner suplexes, Strong slips out while Aichner’s back gives out, but Mendoza gets a cheap shot in! Strong staggers into the SPINE BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Aichner drags Strong up to a fireman’s carry then tags Mendoza. Strong fights out, throws Aichner out, but Mendoza dropkicks him down! Mendoza throws forearms on Strong, whips him corner to corner, but Strong puts Mendoza on the apron. Burch heads over but Mendoza enziguris him down!
Mendoza goes to the corner, Strong runs in but gets a forearm. Mendoza goes up, Strong KNEES Mendoza and Burch tags in. Strong PSYCHO KNEES Aichner, Burch drags Mendoza out, TOWER OF LONDON!! Cover, Burch and Strong win!!
Winners: Danny Burch & Roderick Strong, by pinfall; advance to the NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders match
The Undisputed Era and the One Two have moved on thanks to these two, but that just means no more unlikely friendships! Will Strong and Bobby Fish take down Lorcan & Burch? Or will the BritAm Brawlers punch their ticket to another TakeOver?
Backstage interview with Austin Theory!
Coming up in a matter of minutes, Theory has his match with Damian Priest. Priest says Theory will continue to “slide,” what is his response? But Gargano interrupts and tells Theory that he’s been watching since Theory’s return. Theory has “all the God-given talent in the world to be a major player here. Kinda like me.” Just be smart, okay? Priest is big, but you can bring him down to your level. And if Theory can at least soften Priest up for Gargano, Gargano will not forget. Sarah wishes Theory luck, but he just scoffs at the sentiment. Will Theory do Johnny TakeOver a favor tonight?
Damian Priest VS Austin Theory!
No more time for talk, it’s time for the Archer of Infamy to put Theory to the test! Will Theory pass with flying colors? Or will he crash and burn as Priest continues to #LiveForever?
The bell rings and Priest circles with Theory. They tie up, Priest wrenches Theory’s arm hard, then cranks on the wristlock. Theory rolls, handsprings and wrenches back to a wristlock of his own. Priest spins through, arm-drags Theory and Theory scrambles to a corner. Priest smirks but Theory grins and shakes it off. The two go again, Theory waistlocks but Priest pries free. Priest switches, headlocks and grinds Theory down. Theory powers out and back elbows Priest hard! Theory whips, Priest reverses and leaping back elbows Theory down! Theory scrambles to a corner and Priest runs in, but Theory put shim on the apron. Priest dodges the punch, catches the arm and wrenches as he goes up top. Theory can’t stop Priest going Old School for the CROSSBODY!
Priest arm-drags Theory again, cranks on the arm and digs a knee into his head. Theory endures, Priest grinds but Theory fights up. Priest wrangles him down and clamps harder, but Theory stomps on a foot. Theory pulls hair but Priest arm-drags Theory again. Priest runs in but Theory uses a drop toehold to send him into buckles! Theory stomps away on Priest, hauls him up and back suplexes! Theory grins as he covers, ONE! Theory says he knew that’d happen, but he drags Priest back up. Priest throws body shots, Theory blocks to LARIAT back! Standing moonsault! Cover, TWO! Theory keeps his cool as he lines up the shot and KICKS Priest in the side! Theory mocks Priest’s pain and throws forearms.
Theory fireman’s carries but Priest slips out to BELL CLAP! And then ripcord LIFTING COMPLETE SHOT! Priest gets up, stalks behind Theory, and runs to springboard, but Theory pushes him out of the ring! Priest crashes and burns as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Priest swings on Theory at the apron. Theory ducks and forearms back, to then somersault shotgun dropkick! Cover, TWO! Theory grows frustrated and argues the ref hasn’t seen a move like that before. Theory clamps onto Priest with an armlock and chinbar. Priest endures, fights up but Theory slaps him around. Theory clamps onto the chin but Priest fights up. Theory knees low, chops Priest to a corner, but Priest JABS the arm! Priest fires off kicks and ROCKS Theory with the forearm to LARIAT him down! Priest fires up, takes aim and runs corner to corner for the leaping back elbow! Then the BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Theory survives but Priest keeps focus.
Priest watches Theory get up, but Theory ducks the spinning roundhouse. Theory waistlocks, Priest elbows free, but misses the elbow in the corner. Theory CLUBS Priest, torture racks, and spins for the TOWER HACKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Theory grows frustrated, but the crowd rallies up. Priest flounders up and out of the ring but Theory taunts the champ for retreating. Theory goes out after Priest with forearms and taunts him more. Priest choke grips but Theory slips out to elbow back! Theory suplexes, Priest fights out and SPINNING ROUNDHOUSES! Priest drags Theory up, crucifix, APRON RAZOR’S EDGE!! Priest stalks Theory into the ring, roars and dragon sleepers, for the RECKONING! Cover, Priest wins!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall
The Archer of Infamy shoots down Theory, and now has his sights on Gargano! Will Priest keep Johnny from taking over at TakeOver? But speaking of, Gargano SUPERKICKS Priest down!! The crowd boos as Gargano looms over Priest, and mocks the archer taking aim. Gargano aims for the North American Championship, but is he going to have things #TheJohnnyGarganoWay?
NXT sees things through someone’s visor?
“I’m not sure what happened. I helped create something of my own blood. Years and years of dedication, only to be taken over by paper champions.” These championships have been in isolation for far too long. “Now I’ve come back to take what is mine.” Who is this that is returning? Find out on 10/4/20, the next TakeOver!
NXT returns and hears from Isaiah “Swerve” Scott.
“Santos Escobar, in case you forgot, that’s two pinfall victories over you.” Swerve is not content because Escobar still has the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. Swerve is this close to beating him for the title, but this time, no sidekicks. No special masks. Next time they face off, there will be a new champion.
Ridge Holland VS Antonio de Luca!
Yorkshire Grit returns to the ring, ready to bulldoze through whoever is put in front of him! Will he do just that here tonight?
The bell rings and Luca rushes Holland, but Holland shove shim away. Luca tries again, but Holland DECKS him! Holland drags Luca up, whips him but Luca kicks back. Luca runs but Holland goes the other way to POUNCE him! Holland dares Luca to stand, then gives him a HUGE overhead suplex! Holland still dares de Luca to do something, then brings him up for another overhead suplex! Holland wants Luca to get up again, but has him in the corner. Luca throws forearms but Holland HEADBUTTS and HEADBUTTS and just keeps going! The ref counts, Holland lets up at 4 and drags Luca up. NORTHERN GRIT!! Cover, Holland wins!
Winner: Ridge Holland, by pinfall
Holland manhandled de Luca to say the least! Will Holland do the same to the rest of NXT until he’s taken over?
Backstage interview with Io Shirai!
The Evil Genius and Candice LeRae have a long rivalry, and now Candice is the #1 contender. But Shirai says that it doesn’t matter what Candice does. Shirai has never really liked Candice, and never will. At TakeOver- But Candice and Johnny find Shirai and say she’s been hiding. Shirai takes offense and she argues with Candice. Gargano says while he can’t understand Japanese, he doesn’t like the literal sound of what Shirai is saying. But Priest walks in, “Here’s Johnny!” Priest DECKS Gargano! Referees hurry in to keep this from getting worse, but clearly the champions and their contenders are ready to go already. Will things only get more vicious as TakeOver draws closer?
NXT returns with news for next week!
After being in the final three of tonight’s battle royal, Shotzi and Dakota will go 1v1! Will the wild child #TCB against #CobraKai? And after the confrontation we just saw, it will be a special Mixed Tag of Priest & Shirai VS The Graganos! Will the NXT North American and Women’s Champions show their contenders what they’ve signed up for at TakeOver?
NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Gauntlet Eliminator!
Another first for NXT, this is a match that mixes the two words in its name! Two will start, but if one doesn’t eliminate the other before the countdown is over, it’ll turn into a Triple Threat! And then a Fatal 4 Way, and could even be a Furious 5 before it’s all over! Who is still standing at the end to take on The Prince?
Well first, we see who is starting this match! And it will be Kushida and Kyle O’Reilly! Will the Time Splitter put the Undisputed Era member away before time is up?
The bell rings and Kushida circles with Kyle. They both try a leg guard but then get back up. Kushida leaps on, Kyle drops him down and the two feel out a grapple on the mat. Kyle backs up to get a leg then shoot the half. Kushida keeps an elbow up so Kyle settles for a mount. Kushida turns things around, pushes for a cover, ONE! Kushida tries again, Kyle tries a triangle but Kushida cartwheels to headscissor. Kyle pops out and the two stand off. They circle again, Kushida gets a leg, Kyle reaches but drops down to get the arm and body scissors. Kushida fights out of the body scissors and shifts around to get the arm! Kyle resists th earmbar to get a kneebar! Kushida rolls to get the ropes. The ref calls for the break, Kyle lets go and the two reset.
Kyle and Kushida circle, tie up with knuckle locks, and Kushida gets a facelock. Kushida floats to a chinlock, Kyle fights up, and rolls Kushida to a cover. ONE but Kyle has a facelock now. Kushida fights up, powers out but Kyle runs him over! Things speed up, Kyle rolls to BOOT Kushida. Kyle runs into a hip toss! Kushida handsprings and dropkicks back! Kushida grabs an arm, steps through and hammerlocks to then get the arm. Kyle endures the Jim Breaks but Kushida steps over again to hammerlock that arm. Kushida drops back for a SNAP lock! Kyle gets away but Kushida is after his arm again. Kushida wrangles Kyle down, pulls on the arm and mounts, but Kyle endures.
Kyle slips around, trips Kushida but Kushida has the leg guard. Kyle kicks Kushida, Kushida goes for the drop toehold but Kyle stays up. Kushida kicks the leg then kicks Kyle in the face. Kushida kicks the arm, throws forearms, but Kyle blocks to kick back! Kyle and Kushida brawl as the last 20 seconds show on the board. Kyle grits his teeth as he forearms, but Kushida forearms back. They just keep throwing forearms faster and faster, but here comes… The COLOSSAL Bronson Reed! Kushida and Kyle glare at each other but they go after Reed! Reed clobbers them both and starts to rally! Reed lifts Kushida to TOSS at Kyle! Reed then has them both in a corner, for a COLOSSAL sandwich splash!
Reed hoists Kushida up top, brings Kyle over and fireman’s carries. Reed puts Kushida on top, but Kushida fights free. Kushida kicks Reed low and Kyle is saved. Reed reverses the whip but Kushida handsprings to back elbow both Reed and Kyle! Only Kyle falls but Kushida enziguris Reed! Reed ends up in a corner, Kushida KICKS Kyle. Kushida whips, Kyle reverses but Kushida sunset flips. Kyle stays up but he ARMBARS Kushida! Reed goes to stomp but gets caught in a HEEL HOK! Kushida MOONSAULTS onto Kyle to get the HOVERBOARD!! Kyle flails, but Reed drags Kushida up for a dead lift suplex! Then he SENTONS Kyle! Reed stomps and headbutts Kyle then goes after Kushida at the corner.
Reed RAMS into Kushida over and over but Kyle kicks at Reed. Reed and Kyle brawl but Reed headbutts Kyle down again. Reed SLAMS Kyle then goes up top. Kushida hurries but Reed punches him away. Kyle attacks with forearms then climbs up to join Reed. Reed and Kyle brawls, Kushida joins in! Kushida and Kyle club away on Reed but then hit each other. Reed headbutts Kushida down, Kyle clubs Reed but Kushida HANDSPRING KICKS them both! Kyle crashes down, the ref is busy checking on him, and Velveteen Dream slides in!? He goes after Kushida and hits the DREAM VALLEY DRIVER! Dream screws Kushida over!! Reed doesn’t even realize it, either! Reed just adjusts, and leaps for the TSUNAMI SPLASH!! Cover, Reed ELIMINATES Kushida in time for the countdown!
Reed drags Kyle up but here comes Timothy Thatcher! The Professor of Pain rushes in but Reed decks him! Reed glares at Thatcher while Kyle still flounders in a corner, and NXT goes to break.
NXT returns again, Reed and Thatcher brawl as Kyle gets back in. The countdown is in the last 20 seconds again as Kyle kicks away on both men. Kyle gives Reed a wrench and shoulder breaker but Thatcher is after Kyle’s arm! Reed waistlocks Thatcher, Kyle gets away to waistlock Reed! Thatcher switches with Kyle but Reed gets behind Thatcher again! Kyle grabs ropes, Reed GERMANS Thatcher! Reed goes back to GERMAN Kyle as the final entrant is none other than CAMERON GRIMES! The Carolina Caveman feels great about his odds as he throws forearms on Reed. Grimes goes up top for a HUGE crossbody! Grimes puts his hat on a post and BOOTS Thatcher! Grimes goes up top to QUEBRADA Thatcher down!
Grimes throws off his vest and fires up as he goes out to PENALTY KICK Kyle! Then Grimes gets in but Thatcher swats the kick to get the arm! Grimes gets free, SUPERKICK to Thatcher but Reed CLOBBERS Grimes! Kyle kicks but Reed ROCKS Kyle, Thatcher pushes Reed but gets Kyle’s yoyo LARIAT! Grimes BOOTS Kyle, Kyle rebounds again but swings into a scoop and SWINGING SLAM! Reed LARIATS Grimes! All four men are down but stirring as the “crowd” rallies up. Thatcher goes out, has Kyle on the apron for forearms, but Kyle hits back with kicks! They brawl on the edge, Thatcher gets the edge, but sees Reed coming. Thatcher goes for a sleeper, Reed pries at the hold and Grimes SUPERKICKS Thatcher down!
Kyle leaps off the apron and KNEES Thatcher at the ramp! Grimes builds speed but Reed rocks him first. Reed slingshots Grimes out onto Thatcher and Kyle! Then Reed fires up to go after all three men with forearms and headbutts. Thatcher CHOPS Reed, bumps him off the apron, then pushes him into the ring. Thatcher gets in, Reed fireman’s carries for the DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO!! Thatcher survives but Reed grits his teeth. Kyle goes after Reed with forearms but Reed gives them back. They brawl, Kyle goes after legs but Reed pries him off. Reed POWERBOMBS Kyle down, matchbook cover, TWO!
Kyle bails out, Grimes drags himself up and Reed is after him. Grimes hotshots Reed then gets in to CHOP! Grimes throws big forearms and kicks Reed down. Cover, TWO! Grimes won’t stop, he drags Reed into a neck wrench and chinlock. Reed powers Grimes to ropes, and TOSSES him across the way! Thatcher goes after Kyle on the outside but Reed builds speed to COLOSSAL DIVE!! Direct hit on ALL THREE opponents! All four men are down again as NXT goes picture in picture.
Thatcher flounders up and goes after Reed with a chinlock. Grimes and Kyle go to the ring, Grimes stomps Kyle as Thatcher goes after Reed’s arm. Grimes digs his knees into Kyle’s face and then throws big kicks! Kyle goes to a corner, Grimes throws body shots. Grimes whips Kyle corner to corner hard! Kyle bounces off buckles and hits the mat but Grimes calls Thatcher in to go after Kyle together. Thatcher ROCKS Kyle with uppercuts and Grimes keeps Reed out. Thatcher throws more EuroUppers then gets a leg. Thatcher goes for the Half Crab but Kyle resists. Thatcher still has the heel hook and cranks on that while Grimes gets Reed in the ring.
Grimes drops knees on Reed and stands on him in the corner. Thatcher goes after Kyle’s arm now but Kyle resists. Thatcher puts Kyle in the corner and throws more EuroUppers. Thatcher cravats Kyle for the wrench while Grimes kicks away on Reed. Thatcher throws Kyle out and helps Grimes with Reed. NXT returns to single picture as Thatcher throws knee after knee. Grimes throws forearms but Reed CHOPS away on both men! Reed Bionic Elbows Thatcher, atomic drops and elbows Grimes! Kyle kicks away on Reed, runs but into the POWERSLAM! Reed runs in to corner splash Kyle then hoists him up top. Grimes goes after Reed but gets spun into the dragon sleeper. Thatcher gets caught for an URENAGE onto Grimes! Cover on Thatcher, TWO!
Reed goes up top again, Grimes goes after him but Reed clubs him down. Thatcher throws forearms on Reed, climbs up to join him and throws more forearms. Reed hits back with body shots so Thatcher throws more forearms. Reed headbutts Thatcher down, adjusts and leaps, TSUNAMI FLOP! Thatcher dodges, Kyle LEAPS to drop KNEES! Cover, Kyle ELIMINATES Reed! But Thatcher gets an ANKLE LOCK! Kyle flails, kicks, moves around and rolls to get Thatcher for an ANKLE LOCK! Thatcher endures, fights up, turns and pries Kyle off to go after the arm. Kyle resists the takedown, hooks a leg to get a facelock. Thatcher pops free to EuroUpper hard! Kyle forearms, but shoots into a knee!
Grimes DEAD LIFT GERMANS Kyle! But Thatcher gets Grimes’ leg! Grimes kicks away to get free and scrambles up. Thatcher gets him for a belly2belly! All three men are down, but Thatcher sits up. Thatcher glares at Kyle, drags him up, and clamps on underhooks. Kyle resists, spins out and knees hard! Kyle throws forearms, Thatcher returns them and the two brawl. Kyle kicks but Thatcher catches, only for Kyle to slap away! Kyle enziguris, Thatcher ducks and Grimes takes the hit! Thatcher still wobbles into Kyle’s wrench, but gets a sleeper hold! Grimes runs in, but Kyle catches the foot! ANKLE LOCK! Grimes endures but Kyle fades! Kyle boots Grimes away and turns the hold into a cover! TWO, Grimes runs at Kyle but is sent out!
Kyle brawls with Thatcher again, throwing kicks and knees and more kicks! He sweeps the leg, takes a moment to catch his breath, and runs at Thatcher in a corner. BIG forearm smash! Kyle keeps moving but Thatcher uppercuts! Thatcher throws more EuroUppers, Kyle gives more knees and a strike fest! Thatcher choke grips and SLAPS! Thatcher grits his teeth as he swings, but into a backslide! TWO, Thatcher rushes in but Kyle steps over to roll him up! Kyle ELIMINATES Thatcher!! But Grimes hits the CAVE-IN!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Grimes thinks he’s won but he didn’t hear the ref! Kyle is STILL in this!
Kyle sits up, Grimes grits his teeth and talks trash as he stomps Kyle down. Grimes stomps Kyle and says, “You’re nothing like Adam! He was the man of the group!” Kyle fires up and fires off forearms. Grimes hits back but Kyle runs, into a COLLISION COURSE! Cover, TWO!! Grimes is losing his cool as Kyle survives again! The last man of the gauntlet and the first man are still going, as Grimes throws forearms. Kyle hits back, they brawl more, Kyle knees low and ax kicks, but Grimes hits the smash! Grimes runs into another knee! Kyle waistlocks, Grimes grabs ropes but Kyle DRAGON SCREWS!
Kyle has Grimes up, but Grimes knees free. Grimes SUPERKICKS Kyle, then takes aim from a corner! CAVE- NO! Kyle gets under, Grimes’ leg buckles, Kyle drops down to get the leg!! Grimes TAPS, Kyle wins!!
Winner: Kyle O’Reilly, by submission (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Championship)
Kyle has run the gauntlet!! He survives four of the best in NXT today, to take on perhaps THE best! Will Kyle prove he can be the top star against Finn Balor? The Undisputed Era celebrates with Kyle, but here comes The Prince himself! Balor smirks as he stares Kyle down. Will Balor shoot down the Golden Prophecy once and for all?
My Thoughts:
What a great episode! There was a bit more going on that I expected but that actually made things even more fun. It is of note that there wasn’t actually a crowd as there was another breakout of coronavirus cases at the Performance Center. So much like the ThunderDome or BT Sports studio, the crowd noises were from production, not real people. Which is probably while Ridge Holland was “booed” as much as he was. Last I knew, he wasn’t a Heel, and the crowd cheered him. Holland makes quick work of his opponent tonight and with even more aggression than usual. Maybe they are trying to make him out as a Heel, but that seems a bit strange to me. Another strange thing was the video hyping a mysterious return to NXT. I honestly have no idea who this could be, as no one had a cyborg gimmick before.
The Women’s Battle Royal opening was great, and it was great to see them fill the field with some prospects and trainees. Catalina finally returns to television after being sent back to NXT when the Sin Cara VS Almas feud wasn’t really gaining traction. I was surprised Rhea and Raquel weren’t in the final three, but I do like they at least cancelled each other out. Maybe they feud now that Mercedes Martinez is weirdly part of Retribution, thereby delaying both their rises to the NXT Women’s Championship. Candice takes Tegan out and wins the battle royal, she’s going to have a great match with Shirai. Priest has a great match with Theory, and great interaction with Gargano. The mixed tag match we’re getting is going to be a lot of fun, and will be a big indicator for TakeOver since next week is the go-home.
Ciampa and Atlas have a really good match, and I was expecting Kyle to get involved given last week, but seems not. Swerve has a quick promo video on Escobar, I hope the Cruiserweight title match gets to be part of TakeOver just to give it some spotlight. Fandango being the supposed mastermind behind the convoluted tag tournament was great. The makeshift team match was really good, and I’m actually surprised it’s UE and the OneTwo instead of El Legado and Imperium. I suppose this was just a nice way to send Imperium off before they go back to NXT UK, and I suppose El Legado can bide their time with 205 Live until a later, bigger TakeOver event.
While I wish there was more time given to the Gauntlet Eliminator, we still got incredible stuff. I almost thought Kushida was going to win and give us a NJPW flashback, but I forgot Dream would want revenge. Instead, it is a great surprise for Kyle to be the one, and I want to see this be a major story point for the Undisputed Era. They’re clearly happy for Kyle here, but will they stay happy with him if he fails? Will his story with Ciampa circle back around to screw Kyle over? I actually hope note, I would love to see Kyle and Balor really give it their all and give us a great main event at TakeOver: Still No Subtitle or Theme. Seriously, is this going to be the first time since the first one that it was just NXT: TakeOver? That seems the weirdest thing of all to me.
My Score: 9.3/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
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