Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 30 Results & Report! (10/10/20)
Does anyone get lucky in round 7?
The G1 Climax’s A Block enters round 7!
NJPW and the G1 return to Osaka with round 7! But it’ll take a lot more than luck for many in A Block! Who keeps their chances alive?
NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- A Block – Tomohiro Ishii VS Jeff Cobb; Cobb wins.
- A Block – Jay White VS Yujiro Takahashi; White wins.
- A Block – Will Ospreay VS Taichi; Ospreay wins.
- A Block – Kota Ibushi VS Minoru Suzuki; Ibushi wins.
- A Block – Kazuchika Okada VS Shingo Takagi; Okada wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings!
Will Ospreay: 4-2, 8 points
Jay White: 4-2, 8 points
Kota Ibushi: 4-2, 8 points
Kazuchika Okada: 4-2, 8 points
Taichi: 3-3, 6 points
Minoru Suzuki: 3-3, 6 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 3-3, 6 points
Shingo Takagi: 3-3, 6 points
Jeff Cobb: 2-4, 4 points
Yujiro Takahashi: 0-6, 0 points
A Block – Tomohiro Ishii VS Jeff Cobb!
Perhaps two of the most solid and sturdy wrestlers in the entire company now collide, desperate to keep afloat in the G1! Will the Stone Pitbull sink like a stone? Or will he rise above the Hawaiian Hulk’s high tide?
The bell rings and fans rally up as the two stare down. Cobb and Ishii tie up, Ishii gets the headlock but Cobb lifts Ishii just by standing. Cobb puts Ishii on the ropes, the ref calls for the break and Cobb lets off. They get forehead to forehead as Cobb talks some smack on the Stone Pitbull and wants to see him show that toughness. Ishii throws forearms, runs and rams shoulders, but Cobb stays up. Ishii goes again, Cobb again tanks the shoulder. Cobb forearms, runs and bumps Ishii but Ishii comes back. They keep ramming and ramming but Ishii staggers. Cobb runs, bumps Ishii again then runs him over! Fans cheer for this showing of strength while Cobb brings Ishii back up. Cobb throws haymakers, uppercuts and then whips Ishii to a corner.
Cobb runs corner to corner but Ishii dodges. Ishii comes back but into Cobb’s boot. Cobb runs, ducks the lariat and rams Ishii again. Ishii returns and runs Cobb over! But Cobb kips up! Cobb wags his finger and throws forearms! Cobb reels Ishii in for a headlock, but Ishii back suplexes out of it! Fans cheer as both big men are down. Ishii rises and fans rally as he brings Cobb back up. Ishii throws elbows on the back of Cobb’s neck, then throws headbutts. Ishii gives Cobb a little slap before giving him a big CHOP! And another CHOP! Cobb CHOPS back but Ishii shrugs it off. Cobb CHOPS and forearms but Ishii headbutts again! Ishii brings Cobb up as fans rally and Ishii CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Cobb ends up in a corner, Ishii eggs him on with toying stomps.
Fans rally up again as Cobb throws forearms and CHOPS! Ishii just takes it so Cobb throws more forearms. Ishii CHOPS and Cobb falls! Ishii goes back to those toying stomps and that angers Cobb. Fans cheer as Ishii runs, Cobb blocks the boot and reels him in, T-BONE SUPLEX! Ishii got AIR! Fans rally up as Cobb scowls and watches Ishii rise. Cobb picks Ishii up and RAMS him into the corner! Cobb throws shoulders, whips Ishii out then back in, and hits the leaping uppercut! Cobb hoists Ishii up for the RUNNING BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Cobb keeps his cool as Ishii survives. Fans rally up as Cobb looms over Ishii. Cobb brings Ishii up in a dead lift waistlock but Ishii fights free. Ishii runs, Cobb scoops and pops Ishii up, but Ishii fights out!
Ishii tries to suplex but Cobb resists. They fight for suplex control as fans rally up again. Cobb gets Ishii up but Ishii resists. Ishii gets Cobb up and over! Fans fire up with Ishii while Cobb slowly sits up. Cobb gets to ropes, Ishii heads over and CHOPS him again! And again! And again! Cobb starts egging Ishii on so Ishii CHOPS and forearms on repeat! The ref counts and Ishii lets up, and Cobb flops down. Cobb sits up in a daze and fans rally up again as Ishii heads over. Ishii stands on Cobb’s head, then brings him up to whip. Cobb reverses and throws a forearm, but Ishii just roars back! Ishii throws a forearm, Cobb throws one back, and the fans fire up as they go back and forth! Cobb gets the edge, powers up, but Ishii DECKS him!
Ishii shakes out his arm and fans rally up again. Ishii drags Cobb up but he’s dead weight. The ref wants to check Cobb so he backs Ishii off. Cobb stirs as fans rally up again and Ishii comes back. Ishii drags Cobb up, whips him to a corner but Cobb reverses! Ishii comes back, into the OVERHEAD SUPLEX! But Ishii rises! And he POWERSLAMS Cobb down! Cobb wobbles but he stands again! Cobb swings, into Ishii’s GERMAN SUPLEX! Ishii and Cobb slowly rise, Cobb staggers but catches Ishii’s clothesline for an EXPLODER! Ishii rises but wobbles, the two head for each other! Ishii swats Cobb’s clothesline away and headbutts, but Cobb HEADBUTTS! Cobb rammed through Ishii but they’re both down!
Fans rally up again as both men are somehow still in this! Cobb is up first and he sees Ishii coming, SUPERKICK and waistlock, Cobb swings Ishii around before the GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO!! Ishii survives but Cobb is back up! Fans fire up with Cobb as he brings Ishii back up and whips. Cobb goes to scoop, Ishii LARIATS! But Cobb stays up to LARIAT back! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and fans are fired up again! Cobb gets back to his feet, drags Ishii back up with him, and whips, scoops, TOUR OF- NO! Ishii escapes to ENZIGURI! Cobb flops against ropes but Ishii clutches the leg. Fans fire up and rally again as both big men slowly sit up. Cobb flounders at the ropes but Ishii fires himself up!
Ishii runs in to clothesline at the ropes, then he runs, but Cobb swats the lariat away to JAB Ishii! Ishii drops to a knee, but rises as Cobb runs. Ishii LARIATS Cobb first!! Ishii fires himself up again and he sits Cobb up. SLIDING- NO!! Cobb caught the lariat to a clinch! But Ishii slips out of the urenage to DRAGON SUPLEX! Both men are down again as the fans rally up! The fans are thunderous as Ishii rises and roars again! Ishii runs, LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!?! Cobb survives and the fans are loving it! Ishii growls as he gets back up. Ishii drags Cobb up, suplexes, but Cobb lands out of it, to reel Ishii in for an ATHLETIC PLEX! But Ishii rises?! Fans are thunderous again and Cobb is shocked!
Cobb elbows Ishii, Ishii forearms, but Cobb forearms back! DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Both men fall back but fans fire up again! Cobb stands first, drags Ishii up and goes to lariat but Ishii spins him through! Ishii reels Cobb in but Cobb suplexes! Ishii escapes that, spins Cobb around and HEADBUTTS! Cobb manages to sit up and Ishii runs, but into a SUPERKICK! Ishii still LARIATS, but Cobb stays up! POP-UP BOMB! And a dead lift POP-UP to the TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, COBB WINS!!
Winner: Jeff Cobb, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Ishii earns 0
What in the world?! How did he even do that!? Whatever level of strength we thought Cobb had, he clearly has more! Will he use that strength to spoil someone else’s G1?
A Block – Jay White w/ Gedo VS Yujiro Takahashi!
Bullet Club VS Bullet Club? Will this even be a match? After all, Tokyo Pimp is out of the running at 0-6. Will he simply help the “Jay1” continue? Or will he hold on to his pride and make King Switch work for the points?
Wait, White doesn’t even looked dressed like he’s ready to wrestle! Is he just in his warm-up gear and sneakers? The ref still does the check in case this is a trick in itself, but White’s clean. And since this is all Bullet Club, they all Low Sweet. Fans cheer the sportsmanship, and White does some last warm-ups. The bell rings, White has his dukes up, but then he claps to get the fans on a rhythm. “Jay White-O” or “YU-JI-RO,” it doesn’t matter. White says, “Dozo.” Go ahead. Yujiro does lie down for White! White covers, ONE, because White wants the ref to take it easy. Cover, ONE, but White lets up again? White wants to take his time apparently. White toys with the cover, then covers, ONE! Yujiro tells White to hurry up. Cover, TWO!? Yujiro didn’t stay put?
White asks if Yujiro is joking around now. Yujiro promises, he’s joking. Cover again, TWO? White thought it was funny for him to toy around but not for Yujiro! White complains to Gedo but Yujiro rolls White up!! TWO!! White asks Yujiro what the hell, but Yujiro rolls him into a cradle! TWO!! White gets away and is upset with Yujiro. White shoves Yujiro but Yujiro LARIATS White!! Fans are thunderous as Yujiro reels White in, INCOLLE SLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Gedo is furious as Tokyo Pimp goes rogue! Yujiro brings White up, fireman’s carries, but White slips out of Miami Shine! Yujiro shoves White at the ref, White stops himself, but Yujiro LOW BLOWS White!! Roll up, TWO!?!? White survives and Gedo is stunned!
Yujiro drags White up and into another fireman’s carry, MIAMI SHINE!! Cover, TWO!!! White survives and Yujiro is furious! Yujiro drags White up as the fans are furious again. Gedo gets in, the ref is distracted, White LOW BLOWS Yujiro! BLADE RUNNER!! Cover, White wins!
Winner: Jay White, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Yujiro earns 0
Tokyo Pimp wouldn’t just take the loss, King Switch had to earn it! Yujiro is out of the running either way, but White is furious with him! White grabs a chair, Gedo asks White spare Yujiro and they argue! Did Gedo know Yujiro would pull this?! No!! Gedo wants White to calm down, and he does. White throws the chair away and storms off. G1 aside, is there dissention inside the Bullet Club?
A Block – Will Ospreay VS Taichi!
The Assassin is entangled at the top of the block and looks to breakaway! But the Sliest Wrestler in the World wants to drag Ospreay down for his own benefit! Will Ospreay find a way to lead A Block? Or will Taichi scratch and claw and use every trick in the book to gain some ground?
The elaborate entrance attires are removed, as are the Rev-Pro British Heavyweight and IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship belts. Taichi shows off the dancing pecs real quick before the ref checks him. The bell rings and the fans fire up already. Ospreay is feeling the energy as he moves around but Taichi stays put in his corner. Ospreay tells him, “C’mon, Taichi! Let’s go!” Taichi fires up a little and ties up with Ospreay. Ospreay puts Taichi on the ropes and gives a clean break. Fans cheer as Ospreay double guns and circles with Taichi again. They tie up, Ospreay puts Taichi on the ropes again and Ospreay lets off again. “It’s too easy, brother, c’mon!”
Taichi fixes his hair and circles with Ospreay again. They tie up, Ospreay wrenches the arm but Taichi goes to the ropes again. Ospreay lets up, and messes with Taichi’s hair! Taichi kicks low and rakes Ospreay’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Taichi whips Ospreay but Ospreay dodges and huricanranas! Fans fire up as Ospreay builds speed, but he fakes Taichi out to the hero landing! Taichi grabs something from the timekeeper. Ospreay leaps but Taichi uses the bell hammer! Taichi has it tucked into the back of his pants so the ref can’t see it! Taichi uses the hammer to choke Ospreay again! The ref reprimands but Taichi pushes him away. Taichi CLUBS Ospreay with the hammer! Fans rally up but Taichi chokes Ospreay again!
Taichi lets Ospreay go and the ref reprimands. The ref takes the hammer but Taichi uses camera cables! The ref counts, Taichi lets go at 3 and Ospreay gasps and sputters. Taichi puts Ospreay in the ring, has him in a corner, and chokes him with his bare hands! The ref reprimands again, Taichi stops at 4 but with only one hand. The ref counts again so Taichi lets up. Taichi grins as he comes back and brings Ospreay up to snapmare. Taichi CHOKES Ospreay again! Taichi stops and says this is a cover, but he just chokes Ospreay again! The ref counts but not the way Taichi wants so Taichi stops. Taichi kicks Ospreay around and goes for another kind of choke. The ref reprimands so Taichi rakes Ospreay’s eyes again!
Taichi gives toying kicks and slaps, but Ospreay hits back with forearms! Taichi chokes and throws Ospreay down! The ref reprimands but Taichi just shrugs it off to whip. Ospreay handsprings, NEURALIZER! Taichi is down and fans fire up for Ospreay as he rises! Ospreay is in the corner, Taichi runs in but he blocks Ospreay’s boot. Ospreay enziguris then Manhattan drops, to DOUBLE CHOP! Taichi rolls away to avoid the shooting star but Ospreay dropkicks him out! Ospreay SASUKE SPECIALS! Down goes Taichi! Ospreay says “I’m so talented” as he walks it off. Ospreay comes back and drags Taichi up. The ring count climbs to 10 of 20 as Taichi resists. Ospreay clubs Taichi and puts him in at 14.
Fans rally up as Ospreay aims from the apron. Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay keeps his focus as fans rally up again. Ospreay drags Taichi up in a dragon sleeper and lifts but Taichi knees free! Taichi and Ospreay go to opposite corners but Ospreay runs in. Taichi dodges but then Ospreay dodges Taichi to CHOP Taichi down! Ospreay drags Taichi back up, scoops and slams Taichi into a drop zone, then fires up! Ospreay goes up, MOONSAULT! Taichi moves, Ospreay lands on his feet to moonsault again! Taichi moves again, Ospreay again lands on his feet and standing shooting stars! Then Ospreay rolls to CORKSCREW SENTON! Cover, TWO! Taichi survives Ospreay’s speed rush and Ospreay is surprised!
The fans rally back up as Ospreay brings Taichi up. Ospreay reels Taichi in, underhooks, but Taichi resists the lift. Taichi spins out, reels Ospreay in but Ospreay elbows the saido away. Taichi boots, Ospreay fires up but Taichi back kicks! Taichi runs, into the dropkick-flip, but he GAMANGIRIS! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Ospreay sits up in a daze but he manages to get up. Taichi and Ospreay are on opposite sides of the ring, Ospreay staggers over and Taichi kicks his leg! Ospreay throws a forearm, but Taichi kicks back! Taichi eggs Ospreay on so he throws another forearm. Taichi kicks, Ospreay forearms, and now Ospreay eggs Taichi on. Fans rally up as Taichi KICKS Ospreay in the chest! Ospreay gasps and sputters but he gets up.
Ospreay blocks the next kick to elbow the leg then CHOP Taichi down! Ospreay fires up, drags Taichi up to whip, but Taichi reverses. Ospreay handsprings, into the DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Ospreay definitely lands on his head and he flounders about! Fans rally up as Ospreay is okay to continue. Ospreay gets up, Taichi runs in at the corner, to GAMANGIRI again! Taichi brings Ospreay out to put him on the top rope. Taichi climbs up and then Alabama lifts! Ospreay fights it off, then sunset flips over to tuck Taichi in! CHEEKY NANDOS! Taichi falls and fans fire up again! Ospreay goes to the apron and climbs up top. Fans fire up as Ospreay aims, 450 SPLASH onto knees! Taichi aims, BLINDSIDE AX BOMBER! A Hidden Bomber, if you will, as Taichi was clearly mocking Ospreay there.
Taichi powers up and runs, but Ospreay slips through Ax Bomber to reel Taichi in! Taichi fights out of the bomb and ROUNDHOUSES! Taichi reels Ospreay in, LAST RIDE! High stack cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and fans are fired up again! Taichi fires up and takes off the pants! Taichi aims from the corner as Ospreay rises. Ospreay SUPERKICKS first! And then HOOK KICKS! Taichi falls, fans fire up and Ospreay runs to the ropes. Springboard, into the SUPERKICK!! The Oscutter was taken down by Tensho Jujihou! Fans are thunderous as both men slowly rise again. Taichi fires himself up and fans fire up with him! Taichi drags Ospreay up, Alabama lifts, but Ospreay kicks to get the underhooks! Ospreay lifts, Taichi slips out and ROCKS Ospreay with a right!
Ospreay staggers but swats away the superkick, only for Taichi to get the Alabama! Ospreay fights it off again, underhooks but Taichi back drops out! Ospreay lands on his feet, springboards, OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous again as Ospreay aims! HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay isn’t done yet, he underhooks, lifts and STORMBREAKER!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Taichi earns 0
The Assassin strikes again! Ospreay keeps pace with White at the top of the block, will his win over the Switchblade be all the difference? As for Taichi, he takes out his frustration on a Young Lion! Taichi chokes the guy until the other Young Lions drag him away! What will Taichi do now that he’s out of the running?
A Block – Kota Ibushi VS Minoru Suzuki!
The Golden Star was derailed by The Dragon, and now he’s up against the Meanest Man in the World! Will Ibushi be able to survive Suzuki and take another step closer to his ascension? Or will things only get worse for him before they get better?
The bell rings and both men put their dukes up. Fans rally as the two circle and approach. They feel things out, Suzuki kicks but Ibushi kicks. Suzuki straight kicks but Ibushi kicks again. They keep going, Suzuki tries some fast hands. Ibushi keeps his guard up but gives back hands and kicks! Suzuki has Ibushi in a corner but Ibushi comes back with knees. Suzuki throws hands, Ibushi throws kicks but neither seems to falter. Fans cheer as the two keep circling. Ibushi guards as Suzuki throws more hands. Ibushi gives them back, and the two keep moving. Suzuki straight kicks, Ibushi stays up and guards against more slapping palm strikes. Ibushi tries to throw hands but Suzuki stays clear. Ibushi kicks but guards. Suzuki shoots in and gets the leg takedown!
Suzuki wants that leg but Ibushi holds him off. Suzuki drops on Ibushi to go after the head and arms but again Ibushi holds him off. Ibushi gets a leg guard and then the ropes. Fans cheer this technical exchange and Suzuki lets up at the ref’s count. Suzuki grins and fans cheer as Ibushi gets up. Ibushi and Suzuki circle again and feel out the grapple. Ibushi gets around but Suzuki gets the arm. Suzuki wrenches the wrist but Ibushi hooks a leg. Ibushi drop toeholds then floats around to get Suzuki’s wrist now. Fans cheer but Suzuki is frustrated. Ibushi cranks the arm, Suzuki gets up and goes after a leg. Suzuki cranks on a foot and has a heel hook! Then Suzuki drops down for the grapevine. But Ibushi just grabs one of Suzuki’s feet for the same hold!
Suzuki cranks hard but Ibushi holds on. Ibushi and Suzuki get in stomps where they can, as well as some trash talk. Suzuki cranks the ankle again but Ibushi rolls. The fans rally as Ibushi endures and gets around. Suzuki pulls hard, Ibushi gets the ropebreak! Red Shoes calls for the break, but Suzuki talks trash. Suzuki tells Ibushi to let up but Ibushi tells him to let go. Ibushi has the heel hook now and cranks back. Suzuki stomps until Ibushi lets go but Ibushi stomps back! Suzuki lets go to go to the apron. Ibushi drags Suzuki up but Suzuki is after his arms! Ibushi forearms Suzuki away, then runs to BOOT Suzuki down! Suzuki hits railing and Ibushi goes out after him. Ibushi stomps Suzuki, drags him up and whips him to railing!
Fans fire up as Ibushi goes back in the ring. Fans clap with Ibushi but Suzuki rises. Suzuki goes around the way, and goes up the ramp? Suzuki dares Ibushi to come get him! “KOI! (C’MON!)” Suzuki goes to the stage and dares Ibushi to come after him. Ibushi goes out and heads up the ramp after him. If Suzuki wants Ibushi, here he is! They brawl on stage! Fans rally as Suzuki and Ibushi throw forearms back and forth! Suzuki DECKS Ibushi, then brings him back up to DECK him again! Suzuki stomps Ibushi down the ramp, then brings him up for more forearms! The ring count starts and Suzuki kicks Ibushi while he’s down. The count is at 10 of 20 but Suzuki tells them to shut up. Suzuki goes back and is in at 15. Ibushi hobbles and Suzuki makes Red Shoes stop the count!
Ibushi gets in, fires body shots but Suzuki DECKS him again! Suzuki stomps Ibushi but Ibushi sits up. Ibushi eggs Suzuki on as Suzuki kicks him. Suzuki KICKS Ibushi again but Ibushi keeps egging him on! Suzuki KICKS and Ibushi takes a moment. Suzuki dribbles Ibushi off the mat, slaps him around, but Ibushi dares him to keep going. Ibushi then throws forearms back but Suzuki laughs as he ROCKS Ibushi again. Suzuki throws body shots, a haymaker, then runs corner to corner to BOOT! Suzuki drags Ibushi out to knee low then he runs, but into Ibushi’s dropkick! Fans fire up and rally as the two men stir. Ibushi stands first, brings Suzuki up, and ducks Suzuki’s palm strike to fire off a strike fest! Suzuki fires up and throws more forearms!
Ibushi gives another strike fest then KICKS! Suzuki stays up and he grits his teeth! Ibushi KICKS him again but Suzuki wobbles! KICK, wobble! KICK, Suzuki roars! Ibushi BOOTS Suzuki over then KICKS him again! Suzuki just roars as he stays up! The fans are fired up as Ibushi KICKS again! Suzuki refuses to fall all the way over! Ibushi runs again, KICKS, and this time Suzuki is down. Ibushi toys with Suzuki now, and fans rally up as Suzuki just takes them. Suzuki starts to grin as Ibushi gives him chin checks and kicks. Suzuki DECKS Ibushi! Red Shoes checks on Ibushi but he’s somehow okay to continue. Suzuki scowls as he stalks behind Ibushi. Ibushi flounders about but manages to stand. Suzuki ROCKS him with another right, but Ibushi stays up. Suzuki ROCKS him again, and again!
Ibushi still eggs Suzuki on!? Suzuki BOOTS, Ibushi BOOTS, Suzuki BOOTS, Suzuki blocks Ibushi’s boot to throw more forearms! Ibushi ROUNDHOUSES! Suzuki rises?! And he DECKS Ibushi again! Both men are down and fans fire up! Suzuki growls as he rises slowly. Fans rally up as Ibushi rises and Suzuki flounders about. Suzuki and Ibushi stagger over to each other and Suzuki laughs. Suzuki gives short headbutts over and over and now Ibushi laughs! Ibushi throws forearms, Suzuki gives them back, and we have another brawl! Fans fire up as they go back and forth, faster and faster! Faster and faster!! They aren’t even taking time to guard! They wobble and fans cheer as they stay on their feet!
Suzuki eggs Ibushi on but Ibushi throws another forearm. Suzuki throws one back, then palm strikes. Ibushi gives those back, and they’re throwing hands fast and furious! Suzuki gets the edge, ducks Ibushi’s retaliation to SLEEPER HOLD! Ibushi reaches out but already starts to fade! Fans rally up and Suzuki spins Ibushi! Gotch lift, but Ibushi fights up and out to back drop. Suzuki sunset flips, Ibushi has the wrists! KAMIGO- NO! Suzuki rolls with the knee to get the ankle! Half Crab! Ibushi endures as Suzuki gets the other leg, for the FULL Boston Crab! Fans rally up as Ibushi endures and Suzuki sits deep! Suzuki is working on a WALLS OF JERICHO! It is Jericho’s 30th anniversary. Ibushi rolls through but Suzuki still has the one leg. Suzuki cranks on the heel, Ibushi fights up to his one good foot, V-TRIGGER!
Ibushi wants another but Suzuki blocks! Suzuki spins Ibushi to the sleeper, then to the Gotch but Ibushi is free, V-TRIG- NO! Suzuki blocks this one, and gets an arm. Ibushi headbutts, gets both arms, STANDING KAMIGOYE?!? Ibushi takes the knee pads down, sits Suzuki back up, and gives him a PROPER KAMIGOYE!! High stack cover, Ibushi wins!!
Winner: Kota Ibushi, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Suzuki earns 0
Yet Suzuki is grinning?! Suzuki enjoyed battling Ibushi, will these two battle again with the NEVER Openweight Championship on the line? But Ibushi also keeps pace with Ospreay and White to keep the top of the block in a very interesting situation! Ibushi beat Ospreay, Ospreay beat White, White beat Ibushi! Will one of them pull away to be THE man on top of A Block?
A Block – Kazuchika Okada VS Shingo Takagi!
The Rainmaker managed to get a quick win off Cobb while The Dragon managed to overcome the Golden Star and hold onto that outside chance! Will this be Takagi’s chance to soar like a dragon? Or will Okada finally break through to former glory?
The bell rings and fans rally already. Takagi and Okada circle, but Okada goes to a corner. Takagi backs away, Okada comes back and they tie up. Okada gets the arm, wrenches to a wristlock, but Takagi wrenches back to a wristlock of his own. Takagi cranks on the wrist, Okada rolls and trips Takagi up to get a toehold. Takagi turns over but Okada uses that to lace up the legs. Okada floats to a headlock but Takagi fights up. Takagi wrenches to a hammerlock, shifts to a headlock and hits a takeover, but Okada headscissors back. Takagi pops out and the two stand off, which fans cheer. Okada and Takagi reset and fans rally again. The clapping begins and Takagi wonders, is it “TA-KA-GI” or “O-KA-DA” they want?
Okada and Takagi circle again, tie up, and Takagi powers Okada to ropes. Okada turns things around, lets up on the break and fakes Takagi for the shoulder pats. Takagi rushes Okada but Okada kicks low! Okada headlocks, Takagi powers out, but Okada bumps him with shoulders. Takagi rebounds and runs Okada over! Things speed up, Takagi fakes Okada out to run him over again! Fans fire up and the claps for “O-KA-GI!” “TA-KA-DA!” (Great Key At Most?) start up. Takagi whips Okada corner to corner but Okada reverses. Okada runs in, Takagi dodges the elbow and runs. Okada boots, snapmares and runs, basement dropkick! Takagi bails out and fans fire up. Takagi grabs a chair from the timekeeper’s area, to take a seat. Fans cheer more as Takagi dares Okada to come out.
Okada patiently waits inside the ring instead. Takagi goes around, starts looking under the ring, but he gets back in. Okada kicks Takagi, brings him out and turns him for the neckbreaker! Fans cheer and Okada brings Takagi up. Okada bumps Takagi off buckles, then throws back elbows. Takagi shrugs those off but Okada throws another! Fans cheer and Okada brings Takagi back out. Okada throws elbows to the neck, Takagi elbows Okada in the side. Okada forearms Takagi and Takagi leans on the ropes. Okada brings Takagi up to scoop and slam, then he goes to the apron for the slingshot! Takagi bails out to avoid the senton, but Okada is right up to PLANCHA! Takagi avoids that, trips Okada up then hits the DDT to the floor! Fans fire up after Dangerous Driver Takagi and Takagi gets them rallying.
Takagi drags Okada up, bumps him off the apron and then brings him around to grind into the post! Red Shoes reprimands, Takagi stops and RAMS Okada into the apron! Takagi has media move, and he whips Okada into railing! Okada falls but fans cheer as Takagi heads over. Takagi drags Okada up again and puts him back in the ring. Takagi slingshot double stomps, then marches on Okada’s chest! Red Shoes reprimands, Takagi lets off and he brings Okada back up. Takagi scoop slams, drops elbows over and over, then a back senton! Cover, TWO! Takagi drags Okada into body scissors and puts on the squeeze! Okada endures, fans build to a rally, and Okada drags himself and Takagi around. Okada reaches, and gets the ropebreak! Takagi lets up but he drags Okada back up.
Fans rally as Takagi bumps Okada off buckles. Takagi rams into Okada then throws forearms. Takagi brings Okada out for a high and hard suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer, Takagi argues the count a bit, then stands on Okada’s head. Red Shoes reprimands but Takagi stomps! Takagi fires fans up and he is confident the clapping is “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi gives toying kicks but Okada gets up. Okada throws forearms, Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS! Takagi whips and knees Okada at ropes, but he runs into the FLAPJACK! Fans fire up while Takagi is frustrated with himself. Okada and Takagi stir and the fans rally again. Okada stands first and he throws forearms on Takagi. Okada whips, Takagi reverses but Okada dodges to back elbow!
Fans fire up with Okada and he goes after Takagi. Okada whips Takagi corner to corner, runs in to back elbow, then kicks and DDT’s! Cover, TWO! Okada keeps his cool and fans follow the clap clap clap stomp. Okada stalks Takagi, Alabama lifts but Takagi blocks! Okada throws forearms, EuroUpper, but Takagi gets the arms! Okada elbows back, whips again but Takagi reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks the boot and clotheslines back! Takagi runs to ropes, Okada blocks and fireman’s carries but Takagi slips out. Okada elbows out of the waistlock, runs, but Takagi pops Okada up for the fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Cover, TWO! Takagi keeps his cool and fans rally back up.
Takagi sits Okada up for point-blank hip attacks and stomps. Takagi gives toying kicks, brings Okada up, but again Okada fights off the Especial! Okada spins, Alabama lifts and REVERSE NECKBREAKERS! Both men are down but fans fire up! Okada rises, brings Takagi up and throws forearms. Takagi throws forearms back, so Okada hits more. They brawl back and forth, fans rally up, Takagi JABS and CHOPS! Takagi whips, Okada boots but Takagi blocks. Okada dodges the clothesline, puts Takagi up top and dropkicks him down! Takagi tumbles to the floor and fans fire up again! Okada goes out to bring Takagi up. Takagi blocks the gut wrench and elbows Okada back. Takagi whips, Okada reverses and now Takagi hits railing! Okada drags Takagi over, puts him on the apron for a DRAPING DDT!
Fans fire up while Red Shoes checks on them. Takagi is okay to continue and fans rally with the clapping again. Okada grits his teeth as he gets up. The ring count is already 10 of 20 but Okada goes to Takagi. Okada brings Takagi up and in at 15 and fans cheer that this will continue. Okada brings Takagi up again, gut wrenches but Takagi blocks! Okada clubs Takagi, runs, into the elbow! JAB! LARIAT! Fans fire up and Takagi hobbles back over. Takagi makes sure his own neck works before bringing Okada up. Especial, Okada fights out and has the arm! MONEY CLIP! Takagi reaches for ropes, Okada shifts to a backslide, but Takagi resists that to Especial! NOSHIGAMI! Both men are down but fans fire up again. Takagi drags Okada into a wheelbarrow GERMAN! High stack cover, ROPEBREAK!
Okada stirs but Takagi is up first. Takagi fires up and the fans clap. Takagi drags Okada back up, drives elbows into the shoulder and neck, then adds crossface forearms! Takagi runs, Okada rises to dropkick! Fans fire up as Okada drags Takagi up, gut wrench, TOMBSTONE! Okada has the arm, for the MONEY CLIP! Takagi endures, fans rally as he fights and moves around and Okada cranks harder! Takagi punches at the hold but Okada just wrenches more! Takagi’s foot gets the ropebreak! Okada lets go and both men are down. Fans rally again as Okada stands first. Okada goes to a corner and climbs up top. Takagi hurries over to anchor a foot! Okada clubs, Takagi CHOPS! Takagi climbs up, Okada gives forearms, but Takagi gives headbutt after headbutt!
Fans fire up with Takagi as he goes all the way up, for the SUPERPLEX!! Takagi crawls over, covers, TWO!! Okada survives but both men grit their teeth as they rise. Takagi fires himself up and the fans clap with “OI! OI! OI!” Okada is in a corner, Takagi runs corner to corner, corner PUMPING BOMBER! Okada fires forearms back! Takagi ROCKS Okada and whips! Okada reverses, his dropkick is denied, but he dodges the sliding lariat! Okada uppercuts, Takagi blindside lariats! Okada boots from the corner and shotgun dropkicks! Takagi is right up to SLIDING LARIAT!! Fans are thunderous as both men are down again! Okada and Takagi stir, Takagi crawls over and drags Okada up. Fans keep rallying as Okada throws an uppercut! Takagi wobbles, Okada tries to gut wrench but Takagi fights it!
Okada still tries, Takagi has a leg, so Okada clubs him. Okada uppercuts again, and again, and again! Takagi wobbles to ropes and fans rally again. Okada gut wrenches, Takagi fights free and HEADBUTTS! Okada throws more forearms but Takagi eggs him on! Takagi throws forearms from all sides! Takagi ROCKS Okada but says he’s not done! He throws even MORE forearms from all sides, RUNNING FOREARM!! Okada is in a daze as Takagi brings him back up! Pump handle, torture rack, but Okada slips out! Okada Alabama lifts, Takagi sunset flips, Okada sits down! Cover, TWO!! Takagi escapes, flounders into the gut wrench, SPINNING TOMBSTONE! Okada sits Takagi up for the MONEY CLIP!!
Takagi endures, fans rally hard as ever and Takagi fights up! Takagi reaches for ropes, Okada pulls him away, but Takagi still tries. Okada turns him to back slide, Takagi rolls through, RAINMAKER! But that wasn’t quite it, and Okada brings Takagi back up. Takagi LARIATS but Okada stays up. Takagi HEADBUTTS, JABS, but Okada ducks the lariat. Okada swings but Takagi ducks that lariat, to wristlock ripcord and STEAL the RAINMAKER?!?! Call it DRAGON MAKER! Takagi staggers up and fans fire up with him as he steals the POSE! Takagi runs, Okada staggers up, but Okada boots first! Okada runs, Takagi clotheslines at ropes! Takagi runs, Okada catches him and spins him, but Takagi blocks the discus! Takagi pump handles, MADE IN JAPAN!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Okada survives and the fans are electric!!
Takagi isn’t done yet, he fires up and runs, PUMPING BOMBER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Okada survives again and fans are at a new level: ERUPTING! Takagi fires up, pump handles but Okada clubs him. Takagi POINT-BLANK PUMPING! Fans keep rallying, Takagi pump handles and torture racks, but Okada slips out to MONEY CLIP! Takagi arm-drags but Okada shotgun dropkicks! Takagi rises?! Okada dodges his lariat to DISCUS RAINMAKER!! Both men are down but the fans continue to erupt! Okada crawls to Takagi and gets the arm. Okada sits Takagi up, MONEY CLIP!! Takagi endures and punches at the hold. Okada cranks as hard as he can, Takagi starts to fade! Fans rally up as Red Shoes checks. Takagi stays awake, grabs at Red Shoes and pulls him back. Takagi stands, into a BACK2BACKBREAKER!
Takagi is down, Okada drags Takagi from ropes, but Takagi grabs at Okada’s hair! Red Shoes reprimands and asks Takagi if he’s done. Takagi throws clubbing hands, Okada CRANKS! Takagi is turning purple!! Red Shoes checks again, Takagi is OUT!! Okada wins!!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by submission; gains 2 points, Takagi earns 0
Takagi loses to the Money Clip but it was his body that gave up, not his spirit! Okada slays the dragon and keeps pace with the others at the top of the block! But with Ibushi and White having wins over him, is there still hope for Okada to take the block?
Okada gets the mic to shout, “MY FIFTH WIN! This Summer- Wait, Autumn… I know. Until I do that, it doesn’t really feel like a G1, does it? Sorry for keeping you waiting.” Okada knows it’s been awhile since he’s been able to celebrate a G1 win in Osaka, so thank you. Since he won, he might as well win the whole G1 Climax, right? Fans cheer because they’d love to see that. He HAS to come back to Osaka the G1 Champion now, doesn’t he? “I will absolutely keep that promise.” Just two more matches, and they’re both Chaos VS Chaos! Get excited, and see you next month! Will the Rainmaker find a way to overcome Ishii AND Ospreay to head to the finals?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Will Ospreay: 5-2, 10 points
Jay White: 5-2, 10 points
Kota Ibushi: 5-2, 10 points
Kazuchika Okada: 5-2, 10 points
Jeff Cobb: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Taichi: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Minoru Suzuki: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Tomohiro Ishii: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Shingo Takagi: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Yujiro Takahashi: 0-7, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
An incredible round 7 for the A Block! Four 5-2 records, all with interesting win-losses just between each other. I love that White VS Yujiro started as if it was going to be a win handed to White on a silver platter, but the leader of Bullet Club doesn’t have the hold over his guys like he thinks. White still wins, of course, because it builds the story within the Bullet Club while also pushing things in the G1. Ospreay has a great match with Taichi, Ibushi has a great match with Suzuki, and Okada has an amazing match with Takagi. I really thought Takagi was going to pull it off, but Okada is Okada so he’s keeping pace with the top of the block. Ospreay has a win over White, White has wins over Okada and Ibushi, but Ibushi has wins over Ospreay and Okada. They’re saving Okada VS Ospreay for the ninth and final round, that could very well decide it all.
My Score: 9.5/10
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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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