Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 30 Results & Report! (10/18/20)
Are you ready for the Climax?
Could history be made for NJPW in the 30th G1 Climax?
This is it, NJPW fans! Either Kota Ibushi becomes a wrestling god in his THIRD CONSECUTIVE G1 Climax finals appearance, or his ascension meets a Skull End!
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
- Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Minoru Suzuki; Hiromu & Takagi win.
- Kazuchika Okada & SHO VS Will Ospreay & Great-O-Khan; Ospreay & Khan win.
- Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI VS EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi; EVIL & Yujiro win.
- G1 Climax 30 Finals: Kota Ibushi VS SANADA; Ibushi wins and earns the WrestleKingdom 15 title match contract.
PLAY BY PLAY
Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Minoru Suzuki!
While the Ticking Time Bomb wants after the Heel Master for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, there is definitely a NEVER Openweight Championship rematch in the future! Will Hiromu help The Dragon build more momentum? Or will Kanemaru help the King of Pancrase get even for the round robin defeat?
As he makes his entrance, Suzuki gets in Takagi’s face with the belt, so Takagi throws forearms! They brawl, Hiromu and Kanemaru brawl, the ref rings the bell so this is all on record! Takagi headbutts and throws Suzuki out, leaving it to the Junior Heavyweights. Kanemaru rakes Hiromu’s eyes while Takagi whips Suzuki into railing! Takagi fires off forearms and headbutts by commentary while Hiromu speeds things up on Kanemaru. Hiromu dodges and hits a huricanrana, and fans cheer as Kanemaru is sent scrambling to a corner! Hiromu runs in and corner clotheslines Kanemaru to then roll him for a basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Hiromu drags Kanemaru up. Hiromu whips Kanemaru back to a corner but Kanemaru boots him. Kanemaru runs, Hiromu dodges the basement dropkick to give a basement dropkick!
Hiromu fireman’s carries but Kanemaru slips out to shove Hiromu at ropes, and Suzuki gets a cheap shot in! Hiromu swings on Suzuki but into a DRAPING ARMBAR! Kanemaru sucker punches Takagi while the ref reprimands Suzuki! The ref counts, Suzuki lets go, Kanemaru goes out after Takagi. Takagi hits back, Suzuki whips Takagi into railing! Suzuki boots Takagi, Takagi forearms and those two brawl again! Suzuki body shots and forearms again while Kanemaru throws Hiromu out. Kanemaru POSTS Hiromu while Suzuki grinds Takagi’s head into railing. Suzuki punches and knees Takagi while Kanemaru puts Hiromu on the apron. Kanemaru runs and dropkicks Hiromu on the edge! Suzuki bumps Takagi off the timekeeper’s table but Takagi hits back! Hiromu is stuck in a Tree of Woe on the apron, Kanemaru dropkicks him down!
Takagi and Suzuki brawl, CHOP, and Suzuki DECKS Takagi! Fans cheer as Suzuki eggs Takagi on. Kanemaru gets in the ring and the count starts. Suzuki KICKS Hiromu to railing and the count reaches 10 of 20. The count reaches 15 as Hiromu crawls around the way, but Hiromu is in at 17! Kanemaru drags Hiromu over, tags in Suzuki, and they mug Hiromu! Suzuki stomps Hiromu down, drags him back up and ROCKS him with a forearm! Suzuki drags Hiromu around by the legs and turns him over for a BOSTON CRAB! Hiromu endures but Takagi is in to grab Suzuki in a sleeper! Suzuki doesn’t budge so Takagi drives in elbow after elbow! Suzuki lets Hiromu go to kick and punch Takagi! Takagi goes down, Suzuki stalks Hiromu. Fans rally for “HI-RO-MU!” but Suzuki has the legs for another Boston Crab!
Suzuki drags Hiromu over, Kanemaru tags in, and as Suzuki sits deep, Kanemaru stands on Hiromu’s head. The ref reprimands and counts, Suzuki lets Hiromu so Kanemaru can stomp him. Kanemaru brings Hiromu up but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Kanemaru rakes eyes again, then reels Hiromu in for a suplex! Cover, TWO! Hiromu is still in this but Kanemaru BOOTS Takagi down from the apron! Fans rally up again as Kanemaru bumps Hiromu off Suzuki’s boot. Suzuki tags in, toys with Hiromu, then kicks him. Suzuki throws knees, Hiromu CHOPS! Suzuki CHOPS Hiromu back then runs corner to corner to BOOT! Suzuki snapmares and runs but Hiromu blocks the kick! And the slap! DRAGON SCREW with an arm included! The fans fire up while Suzuki scowls!
Hot tag to Takagi and he runs at Suzuki. Takagi blocks the boot and stomps that leg! Kanemaru comes in and clubs Takagi. Kanemaru whips, Takagi reverses and corner clotheslines Kanemaru! Takagi runs back to clothesline Suzuki, then he runs Kanemaru over! Suzuki boots Takagi and facelocks, but Takagi suplexes Suzuki! Fans fire up with Takagi and now the clap is for “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi toys with Suzuki now but Suzuki laughs and forearms! Takagi laughs and forearms! Suzuki forearms, Takagi gets mad and takes off armbands. Takagi ROCKS Suzuki, Suzuki ROCKS Takagi! Suzuki eggs Takagi on so Takagi ROCKS Suzuki! Suzuki laughs and he ROCKS Takagi! Takagi stays up to come back with a forearm! Takagi and Suzuki go back and forth and the fans rally.
Takagi gives forearms from all sides and he ROCKS Suzuki to top it off! But Suzuki stays up and laughs to ROCK Takagi back! Suzuki runs, into an elbow! Takagi runs into a BOOT! Suzuki runs and Takagi clotheslines at the ropes! But Suzuki sleeper holds, spins and reels Takagi in, but Takagi back drops out of the piledriver! Takagi runs but Suzuki ducks the slide to boot again! Takagi comes back, Suzuki spins him for the sleeper! And then spins him for the Gotch, but Takagi fights out to a fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY! But Suzuki’s up!? And he PENALTY KICKS Takagi down! Fans fire up as the two hot tag to Hiromu and Kanemaru! Hiromu fires off forearms, whips Kanemaru for another forearm and then puts him on ropes. Hiromu kicks the ropes, runs but Kanemaru dodges the dropkick!
Kanemaru scuffs Hiromu with his boot, whips him but Hiromu reverses, tilt-o-whirl denied! Hiromu kicks and runs but Kanemaru dropkicks a leg out! Suzuki-Gun go after Hiromu together, whip and Kanemaru back elbows, followed by Suzuki’s BOOT! Hiromu tries to fight back but Suzuki gets a sleeper! DOUBLE KICK COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives but Suzuki drags him back up. Kanemaru is up top, DEEP IMPACT!! Cover, Takagi breaks it! Suzuki is after Takagi with a sleeper, then a spin, but Takagi lariats! Takagi runs, Suzuki follows and gets the sleeper again! Suzuki throws Takagi out and goes out after him but Takagi throws Suzuki into railing! Kanemaru scoop slams Hiromu to a drop zone then goes up top. Kanemaru MOONSAULTS, but Hiromu dodges!
Kanemaru lands on his feet but that takes a lot out of his leg. Takagi returns but Kanemaru boots him. Takagi still pops Kanemaru up for a DEATH VALLEY! Fans fire up with “OI! OI! OI!” Hiromu is up, Takagi whips him in to elbow Kanemaru! Takagi corner clotheslines then snapmares Kanemaru, SLIDING SHOULDER BASEMENT DROPKICK SANDWICH! Cover, TWO! Hiromu drags Kanemaru up, fireman’s carries and CORNER DEATH VALLEYS! Fans fire up with Hiromu and he drags Kanemaru, but Kanemaru victory rolls! TWO!! Hiromu kicks and runs, Kanemaru uses the ref as a shield! Kanemaru BOOTS Hiromu then grabs the whiskey! Hiromu dodges the shot of whiskey to SUPERKICK back! Hiromu runs to LARIAT Kanemaru! Takagi smothers Suzuki with the whiskey while Hiromu fireman’s carries! TIME BOMB!! Cover, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi, by pinfall
But Takagi is still brawling with Suzuki! Young Lions try to stop it but just end up casualties! The two finally let off, but they both grab for the NEVER Openweight title. Suzuki again rubs it in Takagi’s face and then eggs Takagi on. Of course, Hiromu grabs the junior heavyweight tag belt to show it off and then call Kanemaru out. Takagi and Suzuki brawl more but the Young Lions finally keep them apart this time. Suzuki makes Gabriel Kidd pay for that as he kicks him down. Kanemaru lets Hiromu hold onto the belt, for now. Will LIJ take some gold back from Suzuki-Gun soon enough?
Kazuchika Okada & SHO VS Will Ospreay & Great-O-Khan w/ Bea Priestley!
High Voltage Sho may have been a shock master during the New Japan Cup, but it was the Assassin that shocked us all on the last day of A Block action! Ospreay betrayed the Rainmaker with the help of girlfriend Bea Priestley and The Dominator, Tomoyuki Oka! Will Ospreay and O-Khan begin their domination of NJPW and establish a new empire?
The second Okada’s in the ring, he attacks Ospreay! Sho goes after Khan and it’s another brawl to start the match! Okada throws Ospreay out an dlets Sho start with Khan. Okada clubs Ospreay all around but Khan rakes Sho’s eyes! Khan scoops Sho but Sho slips out and kicks low. Sho KICKS and KICKS but Khan stays up. Khan blocks a kick but Sho forearms and runs. Khan flapjack tosses Sho! Ospreay throws Okada down and Khan stands on Sho’s face! Khan drags Sho up by his ear to the CLUB the ear! Bea applauds but no one else does. Khan brings Sho up by his nose and CLUBS the nose! Khan headlocks and grinds Sho’s face on ropes! The ref reprimands, Khan stops and tags in Ospreay. Ospreay stomps and stomps and then bumps Sho off buckles to CHOP him in the corner.
Ospreay whips Sho corner to corner, then runs in to back elbow. Ospreay wrenches and back suplexes Sho high and hard, covers, TWO! Fans cheer for Sho but Ospreay just smirks. Ospreay drags Sho by his leg and wrenches the foot. Ospreay turns Sho over, SMASHES the knee on the mat, then stalks Sho as he flounders around. Ospreay drags Sho over, tags Khan in and “the empire” mugs Sho. Khan drags Sho up but Sho CHOPS. It doesn’t even make Khan flinch! Sho throws forearms but Khan gives a SCREAMING Mongolian Chop! And then another! Khan focuses his power for ANOTHER chop! Cover, but Sho has the ropes! Fans rally up as Khan brings Sho to the corner. Khan keeps Sho trapped as he sits on him on the top rope!
The fans rally, Okada protests, but this allows Ospreay AND Bea to get cheap shots in! Khan just sits there as the other two get away with it. The ref returns to finally count, Khan lets off at 3. Khan tags Ospreay in, he drags Sho up to stomp the leg. Sho throws forearms back! Ospreay KICKS a leg out and Sho staggers to ropes. Ospreay wrenches the arm and gets the leg for a BIG SHIN BREAKER! Tag to Khan and Ospreay digs his knee into Sho’s head while Khan stands on the bad leg. Khan drags Sho up while smothering his face with the taped up hand. Khan spins Sho around, whips him to a corner and runs in, but Sho dodges! Sho waistlocks, Khan resists and elbows free! Khan whips, Sho dodges and SPEARS! Fans fire up as Sho and Khan are down! Sho and Khan crawl, hot tag to Okada!
Okada goes after Khan with forearms and a whip. Khan reverses but Okada dodges to elbow him down! Fans fire up as Okada swings on Ospreay. Ospreay gets away, Okada dodges Khan and elbows him again! Okada kicks low and DDT’s Khan down! Cover, TWO! Khan survives but Okada tells Bea to hush. Okada has the fans rallying as he watches Khan rise. Okada Alabama lifts but Khan clubs him down. Khan dodges and waistlocks for an atomic FACEBUSTER! Fans have to admit that was a great show of power. Khan whips Okada corner to corner and follows to clothesline from behind! Khan hoists Okada up top backward, to Mongolian CHOP Okada on the back! Fans rally for Okada but Khan stomps Okada while he’s in the Tree of Woe!
The ref counts, Khan stops but then goes corner to corner for a roaring basement dropkick! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives and fans rally up! Khan drags Okada back up, suplexes, but Okada resists. Khan hits another Mongolian CHOP, then suplexes Okada. Okada slips out and throws forearms! Okada rocks Khan with an uppercut but runs into a BOOT! Tag to Ospreay and Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is furious already but he aims from a corner. Okada stands, blocks the superkick and Ospreay is afraid. Okada throws a forearm but Ospreay throws it back! They brawl fast and furious and fans rally up! Okada ROCKS Ospreay with an uppercut but Ospreay CHOPS back! Ospreay reels Okada in, inverted suplex, but Okada slips out! MONEY CLIP!
Khan gets in but Okada throws him out! Okada gets Ospreay in the gut wrench but Ospreay fights out. Okada elbows Ospreay away but runs into the dropkick flip, but ducks the enziguri! Okada waistlocks and GERMANS, but Ospreay lands on his feet! Ospreay SUPERKICKS and whips, Okada reverses to dropkick Ospreay down! Fans fire up as Ospreay goes to a neutral corner. Okada hot tags Sho! Sho goes at Ospreay to throw forearm after forearm, then knees! Bea protests, the ref reprimands but Sho shoves him away! Sho fires off more forearms and knees, then even more forearms! Fans rally as Sho ROCKS Ospreay! Sho whips Ospreay corner to corner, runs but Ospreay boots him! Sho stays up to LARIAT! Sho suplexes, Ospreay fights out and ducks the lariat to CHOP BLOCK!
Sho hobbles, Ospreay whips but Sho reverses! Ospreay handsprings, into Sho’s waistlock and GERMAN SUPLEX! Sho holds on, to GERMAN SUPLEX again! Sho holds on to try the third, but Ospreay resists! Sho powers through to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Okada DECKS Khan and RAMS him into railing! Sho lifts Ospreay, Ospreay escapes the bomb but Sho ducks the Hook Kick! Sho ROCKS Ospreay then kicks, but Ospreay blocks to put the leg on the rope! ROLLING ELBOW! Ospreay traps Sho’s leg before throwing him down! Ospreay stomps away but the ref backs him off. Sho hobbles up but BEA gets his leg for a DRAGON SCREW through the ropes! Ospreay runs, wheelbarrows and hooks up the legs, FIGURE FOUR! Sho endures, Khan catches Okada for the CLAW SLAM!! Ospreay bridges back, Sho taps! THE EMPIRE WINS!!
Winners: Will Ospreay & Great-O-Khan, by submission
They have left Chaos behind but are creating havoc of their own! Will Ospreay, Bea and Khan soon build a new ruling force in NJPW?
Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI VS EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi!
The King of Darkness beat the IWGP Double Champion in the round robin, but the joke’s on him because he’s not in the finals, either! Will LIJ continue to get revenge on the traitor? Or will Tokyo Pimp help make sure Everything is Evil?
Naito doesn’t wear his usual elaborate entrance gear but he still takes his time getting into the ring. LIJ fist bumps and Bullet Club Low Sweets. Yujiro starts against Naito and fans rally at the bell. Naito and Yujiro slowly circle and approach. They tie up, Evil comes in to attack! Yujiro DECKS Bushi then tags Evil in. Evil drags Naito up, scoops and slams him down, then stands on him for a cocky cover. The ref sees it’s more a subtle choke so he counts for different reasons. Evil lets off, tags Yujiro back in, and Yujiro stomps Naito. Yujiro drags Naito up, kicks low and throws forearms, then CHOPS! Yujiro runs but Naito arm-drags him! Naito kicks low, hits a backbreaker then covers, TWO! Fans cheer as Naito keeps on Yujiro with a cravat.
Naito cranks on the neck wrench but Yujiro gets up. Bushi tags in, LIJ mugs Yujiro and Bushi drags Yujiro up for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Bushi drags Yujiro back into a chinlock and digs his knee in. Yujiro BITES Bushi’s finger! No one learns! Bushi forearms Yujiro and runs, but into a flapjack hotshot! Evil returns to sucker punch Naito off the apron! Evil drags Naito up and whips him into railing! Then Evil goes looking for chairs! Yujiro goes after Bushi on the outside and the ref is distracted by Dick. Yujiro RAMS Bushi into railing, Evil gives Naito a CHAIR SHOT! Evil stomps Naito, the ref reprimands but Yujiro chokes Bushi with the pimp cane! The ref reprimands that but Yujiro puts Bushi in.
Yujiro stomps Bushi around, fans rally up but Yujiro snapmares Bushi for a leg drop, elbow drop, and falling headbutt! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Yujiro grows frustrated. Yujiro tags Evil and Evil drags Bushi up. Evil throws Bushi out but the ref keeps him back. So Dick DECKS Bushi for Evil! Dick stomps Bushi, drags him up and RAMS him into railing! Milano is knocked out of his seat! Dick puts Bushi in the corner, Evil covers, TWO! Evil tries again, TWO! Evil covers a third time, TWO! Evil is furious but he stomps Bushi and tags in Yujiro. Fans rally as Evil and Yujiro stomp Bushi more, and Yujiro slaps Bushi around. Bushi hits back but Yujiro scoops to slam! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Yujiro is annoyed again. Yujiro kicks Bushi around, pushes him around, but Bushi throws body shots!
Yujiro knees low, puts Bushi against ropes and runs in to BOOT! Yujiro pushes Bushi down, runs again but Bushi avoids the basement boot to enziguri! Fans rally while Yujiro staggers about! Yujiro manages to stop Bushi from reaching Naito, and whips him corner to corner. Yujiro runs in but Bushi boots him back! Bushi runs to huricanrana Yujiro down! Fans rally as both men crawl for their corners, hot tag to Naito! Naito DECKS Evil but Yujiro kicks and whips Naito. Naito holds ropes, boots Yujiro back then gets around him to baseball slide Evil! Naito goes back to Yujiro to whip and elbow down, then hit a basement dropkick! Fans cheer as Naito drags Yujiro up and whips him to a corner. Naito rocket kicks and leg sweeps, COMBINACION CABRON! Cover, TWO! Yujiro stays in this but fans rally up.
Naito drags Yujiro up and turns him, but Yujiro BITES fingers again! Yujiro blocks the kick, trips Naito and basement dropkicks! Tag to Evil and Evil runs at Naito in the corner. Evil blocks the boots, turns Naito sideways to club and WOE STOMP! Evil mocks the applause and drags Naito up. Evil waistlocks, Naito resists the lift and standing switches but Evil switches back. Evil shoves Naito and runs from the corner, LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Evil is annoyed. Evil drags Naito by his legs, steps through, but Naito resists! Naito throws haymakers and Evil backs off. Evil runs back in but into an atomic drop and enziguri! Naito whips but Evil reverses to fireman’s carry! Naito fights out, waistlocks but Evil elbows. Evil whips, Naito reverses and tornado DDTs!
Both men are down and fans fire up! Fans rally as Evil and Naito head for their corners. Hot tag to Bushi! Bushi aims at Evil as he climbs up top, missile dropkick! BUSHIROONI! Bushi DECKS Yujiro then aims at Evil on the outside, DIVE! Fans fire up after Bushi’s tope, but Bushi tells Dick to back off. Bushi puts Evil in, stomps him then drags him up. Evil swings into Bushi’s DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans still rally as Bushi keeps going. Bushi drags Evil up, fisherman but Evil spins out of the neckbreaker! Evil throws Bushi down by his mask, Yujiro BOOTS Naito off the apron! Yujiro drags Bushi up, Bullet Club double whips him to a corner. Yujiro runs in to BOOT, Evil runs in to corner clothesline! FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer as Bushi is still in this!
Evil drags Bushi up, slashes the throat, and then spins Bushi around, but Naito dropkicks Evil down! Yujiro kicks and whips Naito but Naito leaps, into the REVERSE DDT! Yujiro runs at Bushi again, but Bushi dodges him, then boots Evil! Bushi has Yujiro in a headlock, BULLDOG DROPKICK COMBO! Fans fire up as Bushi drags Evil up, FISHERMAN SCREW! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives but fans still rally! Bushi drags Evil back up, fireman’s carries, but Evil slips out to shove. Bushi dodges, Evil ducks the enziguri but not the mule kick! Bushi runs, into a LARIAT! Evil drags Bushi up, fireman’s carry, DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives and the fans fire up again! Evil drags Bushi by his legs, steps through and SHARPSHOOTERS! Bushi endures the Scorpion Deathlock as fans rally again! But Bushi taps, Bullet Club wins!!
Winners: EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi, by submission
But Evil won’t let go of Bushi! Naito kicks and kicks Evil until he does, but the battle has already been won. And then Dick gets Naito with the CHOKER! Feed to EVERYTHING IS EVIL! This is the King of Darkness’ justice, but will the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships once again be his belts?
Masahiro Chono is here!
The FIVE-TIME G1 Climax winner, having taken the 1991, 1992, 1994, 2002 and 2005 trophies, is here to be a witness to history! “GODDAMN! I am Chono. Here’s to the 30th G1 Climax.” Chono says tonight’s G1 finals will be very special. This year, the entire world has been struggling through this pandemic. But NJPW has been steadfast. They showed us courage and a way forward. As Mr. G1 and a former NJPW wrestler, he appreciates their actions. He thanks us for our support. “GODDMAN! In this G1 Climax, final, give your support and courage to the two fighters who made it. I am Chono.”
G1 Climax 30 Finals: Kota Ibushi VS SANADA!
The Golden Star has already made history appearing in three consecutive G1 Climax finals, but he wants to be a historic back-to-back winner. As for the Cold Skull, this is his first time in the finals, and he wants those wins over Naito and Evil to mean something! Who immortalizes themselves as the 30th G1 Climax champion?!
The fans are thunderous just from the two standing in the ring together! The bell rings and these two circle. Sanada and Ibushi approach, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Sanada manages to put Ibushi on the ropes but lets up as Red Shoes calls for the break. Fans cheer as the two circle again. Ibushi and Sanada tie up again, go around, and Ibushi puts Sanada on ropes now. Red Shoes asks for the break, Ibushi lets off and fans cheer again. Fans clap “I-BU-SHI!” “SA-NA-DA!” as the two go again. The two approach, feel out the grapple, and Ibushi gets a leg then waistlock. Sanada standing switches but Ibushi pries at the arms. Ibushi wrenches, has a wristlock, but Sanada spins through and wrenches back. Sanada has the wristlock, Ibushi rolls and wrenches back again.
Ibushi hammerlocks but Sanada moves around to get the hammerlock on Ibushi. Ibushi drops, drop toeholds, floats to a headlock, but Sanada endures the grind. Sanada gets up, slips out, has a high wristlock and hooks a leg to wrangle Ibushi down. Ibushi headscissors but Sanada pops out and fans cheer as the two stand off. Sanada and Ibushi reset as the clapping “I-BU-SHI!” “SA-NA-DA!” begins again. Ibushi and Sanada approach, feel out the grapple, and tie up. Sanada rolls to get the top wristlock, and he wrangles Ibushi back down, but Ibushi rolls and hammerlocks back. Sanada backs Ibushi to ropes, Red Shoes calls for the break, and Sanada slowly turns around to pat Ibushi on the shoulder. Fans cheer as the two reset again.
Ibushi and Sanada circle, tie up, Sanada gets around to a waistlock but Ibushi standing switches. Sanada reaches back to get a headlock, Ibushi drops down to bring Sanada to the mat. Ibushi goes after the headlock but Sanada slips out to get the hammerlock again. Ibushi reaches back and gets a headlock, but Sanada bridges up and over to wrench on the hammerlock again! The two move around on the mat, Ibushi gets another headlock and the takeover, and he keeps Sanada down. Sanada rolls to a cover, ONE and Ibushi holds on. Sanada endures the grind, moves around and fans rally up. Sanada fights up, Ibushi wrenches and elbows the arm, then wrenches it again. Ibushi elbows the arm again, then kicks at it. Ibushi wrenches a third time for another elbow, then YANKS on the arm!
Sanada stays up but Ibushi has his arm again. Ibushi YANKS the arm, Sanada CHOPS back! Ibushi CHOPS, Sanada CHOPS, repeat! They CHOP and CHOP and CHOP, and fans rally up as they shift to forearm for forearm! Sanada ROCKS Ibushi and fans cheer! Ibushi steadies himself and gets up to throw forearms with Sanada again! Fans fire up as the two go back and forth, now Ibushi ROCKS Sanada! Ibushi clubs Sanada, too, then kicks at him. Ibushi KICKS and Sanada staggers but stays up. Ibushi KICKS Sanada’s leg and eggs him on. Sanada throws a HARD EuroUpper! Fans cheer as the two men steady themselves. Ibushi KICKS, Sanada EuroUppers! Ibushi KICKS, and Sanada drops to a knee! Sanada grits his teeth but Ibushi brings him up to club him on the back!
Ibushi KICKS, Sanada hobbles, but Ibushi KICKS him again! Sanada CHOPS then forearms but Ibushi eggs him on! Sanada ROCKS Ibushi and fans cheer! Sanada brings Ibushi up, kicks Ibushi’s taped up leg, but Ibushi just eggs him on! Sanada kicks the leg more, Ibushi kicks back! Ibushi headlocks, Sanada powers out, then drops down and jumps up, but for a dropkick! Ibushi ducks but the change in pattern still caught him off guard as Sanada lands on top of him! Both men go down and Ibushi flops out of the ring. Fans rally up as Ibushi steadies himself again. Red Shoes checks on him, he’s okay to continue. Sanada patiently waits as fans clap, “I-NA-DA!” “SA-BU-SHI!” Wait that’s not anything… Ibushi gets back in and Red Shoes assures Sanada he’s okay to continue. So Sanada goes after the bad leg with an elbow drop!
Sanada has a toehold and wrenches on it but Ibushi uses a chinlock to fight back. Sanada shrugs that off to keep on the leg. Ibushi tries the chinlock again, he turns Sanada over with it, and then traps the arm for a partial camel clutch! Sanada endures, Ibushi drags him back and turns him over for a leg lock. Sanada guards against the crossface but Ibushi goes after him. Ibushi gets through the guard and has an STF! Sanada endures, drags himself and Ibushi over to get the ropebreak! Ibushi lets go, stomps Sanada down then eggs him on. Sanada gets up and CHOPS him to a corner! Fans cheer as Sanada digs his boot into Ibushi. Red Shoes counts, Sanada lets up, and fans rally up. Now Sanada eggs Ibushi on and Ibushi gets up. Ibushi boots, Sanada BOOTS! Fans cheer as Sanada looms over Ibushi. Sanada drags Ibushi up, fans rally and Ibushi throws forearms!
Ibushi eggs Sanada on so Sanada forearms back. Ibushi fires off more forearms but Sanada fires them all back! Ibushi slowly drops to the mat and fans rally again. Sanada drags Ibushi up, has the leg and hits a SHIN BREAKER! Then a FIGURE FOUR! Ibushi endures as Sanada puts as much torque as he can. Fans rally up as Ibushi moves around. Ibushi drags himself and Sanada back but Sanada bridges up to add more pressure. Ibushi keeps moving and reaching, and he gets the ropebreak! Sanada lets go fast and fans still rally. Sanada drags Ibushi up, Ibushi throws forearms fast! Sanada kicks the bad leg, eggs Ibushi on, so Ibushi fires off more forearms! Sanada EuroUppers again! Ibushi ends up in a corner, Sanada runs corner to corner, but Ibushi goes up and over and sunset flips! TWO, Sanada ducks the Penalty Kick but doesn’t avoid the standing moonsault! Cover, TWO!
Fans cheer as both men are down, and rally up again! Ibushi rises and drags Sanada up. Sanada knees low, runs, but into the SNAP-RANA! Fans fire up as Sanada bails out and Ibushi gets up. Ibushi aims and slingshots, PLANCHA! Direct hit and down goes Sanada! Fans continue to rally as Ibushi gets up. Ibushi gets the bad leg moving as he walks around before he fetches Sanada into the ring. Ibushi wants Sanada to stand, and then he springboards to missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Ibushi grows frustrated but fans rally up more. Ibushi waits for Sanada to sit up before he KICKS him! And KICKS him! Sanada stands up, blocks the kick, spins Ibushi but Ibushi elbows out. Things speed up, Sanada hurdles and hurdles this time to dropkick Ibushi properly! And then Sanada shows Ibushi HIS PLANCHA!
Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder! And louder! The fans do get louder and Sanada is satisfied. Sanada drags Ibushi up and puts him in the ring. Cover, TWO! Fans continue to rally as Sanada brings Ibushi up in a fireman’s carry. Ibushi escapes, shoves Sanada to a corner, but Sanada elbows him back. Sanada QUEBRADA but Ibushi gets under! Sanada goes to tackle Ibushi but Ibushi sprawls to block! Ibushi then leap frogs over, gets Sanada for a SPINNING POWERSLAM! Ibushi somersaults to the TOP ROPE, for a PHOENIX SPLASH, but it FLOPS as Sanada moves! Sanada drags Ibushi into position and HE goes up top, MOONSAULT, but he lands on his feet as Ibushi dodges! Sanada huricanranas Ibushi now and Ibushi ends up on the apron.
The fans get loud again and Sanada sees Ibushi on the outside. Sanada builds speed, but he fakes Ibushi out. Ibushi is in the ring as Sanada is on the apron, but Ibushi BOOTS Sanada down before he can springboard! Fans fire up with Ibushi as he builds speed to a corner, GOLDEN TRIANGLE- No, Sanada got away! Sanada runs in but Ibushi STOMPS the Drive-By Dropkick down! Fans cheer as both men tumble to the floor! Ibushi is up first, he drags Sanada up, but Sanada puts Ibushi on the apron, MAGIC SCREW! Fans cheer as both men are down again! Red Shoes checks, they’re both okay to continue, so a ring count begins. Sanada and Ibushi stir, neither sits up until after 10 of 20. They manage to stand at 15 of 20 but aren’t in until 18! Fans cheer as this will continue!
Sanada and Ibushi head for each other and give junkyard dog headbutts. Sanada forearms first but Ibushi grits his teeth to forearm back. They brawl with forearms on the mat, egging each other on. Fans rally up as they stand up and keep going. They pick up speed, Ibushi gets the edge but Sanada dropkicks th eleg! Sanada puts Ibushi on the ropes, ANOTHER MAGIC SCREW! Cover, TWO!! Ibushi survives but Sanada keeps on him. Sanada drags Ibushi up, fireman’s carries, but Ibushi fights, so Sanada throws him to a dragon sleeper! Ibushi endures, powers Sanada to a corner and is free. Ibushi RAMS into Sanada, whips him corner to corner, but Sanada goes up and out, springboards into a SIT-OUT BOMB!! But Ibushi can’t hold the cover!! Fans fire up and rally again as both men stir.
Ibushi rises, Sanada is okay to continue, so fans rally as Ibushi fires off a strike fest! Ibushi reels Sanada in, for ANOTHER SIT-OUT BOMB! Cover, TWO! Sanada survives and fans rally again! Ibushi wants to end this already, but he staggers as he brings Sanada up. Sanada dropkicks the bad leg again! But Ibushi LARIATS! Fans fire up as Ibushi grits his teeth and brings Sanada back up. Sanada ducks the clothesline, full nelsons but Ibushi breaks free! So Sanada chicken wings for the TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Ibushi barely escapes but the fans fire up! Sanada grits his teeth as he drags Ibushi to a fireman’s carry! T K O!! But wait, did Ibushi counter?! Ibushi has Sanada in a dragon sleeper, but Sanada spins it to his own! SKULL SWING! SKULL END!!
Ibushi is stuck in the body scissors and dragon sleeper but fans rally up as he endures! Ibushi gets his head free but not for long! Sanada drags him back down and squeezes tight but the fans continue to rally. Ibushi reaches around but he might be fading! Red Shoes checks, the arm drops once! The arm drops twice! Sanada lets go, goes up top, MOONSAULT but it FLOPS! Ibushi manages to evade in time, and he gasps for air while vowing to end this! Fans are thunderous as Ibushi and Sanada slowly stir. Sanada and Ibushi sit up, Ibushi gets the arms and kicks, then ROUNDHOUSES Sanada down! Sanada is in a daze as Ibushi calls upon the powers of Nakamura! BOMAYE!! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives but Ibushi won’t stop there!
Ibushi sits Sanada up with the wristlocks, KAMIGO- NO! POP-UP CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Ibushi survives but Sanada is after him! Sanada has Ibushi in a drop zone, MOONSAULT to the back! Sanada keeps going, MOONSAULT to KNEES! Ibushi saves himself from Sanada’s Ace trumping combo! Fans are thunderous again as both men are down! Sanada goes to a corner and Ibushi stands. Ibushi fires up, hobbles but runs, into an elbow! Sanada QUEBRADA, but Ibushi blocks and goes up the ropes to get the dragon sleeper on Sanada! Then gut wrench, but Sanada slips out to dragon sleeper again! Fans fire up as Sanada drops back, but Ibushi rolls back to gut wrench again! Ibushi shifts Sanada around and tucks him in, BASTARD DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Sanada survives and Ibushi is shocked!
Fans are thunderous again, maybe even electric! Ibushi gets up, gets the wrists, and roars as he sits Sanada up. Sanada dodges Kamigoye to backslide! TWO!! Ibushi still has wrists, Sanada resists the pull, and they’re in a deadlock until Sanada gets a leg! Victory roll, TWO! Sanada O’Conner rolls Ibushi to a JAPAN CLUTCH! TWO!?!?! That was 2.999!! Fans are now passing electric as Ibushi manages to stand! Sanada runs in, tilt-o-whirls a la Destino to get the dragon sleeper! Ibushi drops but Sanada drags him up. Ibushi shifts, scoops but Sanada slips out, Ibushi ROUNDHOUSES him again! Sanada stays up, Ibushi V-TRIGGERS! KENNY!! Ibushi has the wrists, KAMIGOYE!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Sanada pushes it to 2.999999!! Ibushi shakes that off to sit Sanada back up, KAMIGOYE!!! Cover, Ibushi wins!!!
Winner: Kota Ibushi, by pinfall; (wins the G1 Climax 30)
INCREDIBLE! THAT was worthy of the 30th Climax, and of the historic three-peat with back-to-back wins for the first time in decades! Is Ibushi finally a wrestling god?!
After making sure Sanada is alright, Young Lions help Sanada out of the ring so that the banner and trophy can be brought in. While he did not conquer the Climax, will the Cold Skull find his own way to the top of NJPW?
Ibushi eventually has the energy to sit up and fans cheer as he is officially declared the winner, with Red Shoes raising his hand in victory! And after resting a little longer, Ibushi stands and fans clap “I-BU-SHI!” as he takes the mic.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you all very much. I have joined Chono-san and Tenzan-san as the only men to have back-to-back G1’s.” And he is also the first to reach THREE STRAIGHT finals! Fans cheer for the history Ibushi has made! “Although the situation is difficult, many people came here to watch. Truly, thank you very much.” Ibushi hops NJPW can show them wrestling like the used to ASAP. And soon, Ibushi goes from G1 winner to IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Fans cheer that idea! “Also, I always say this, but I won’t run away. I won’t lose. I won’t quit. I won’t betray you. I WILL become a god!” The ascension isn’t over, it is only beginning! Will the Golden Star etch his name into the history books even more from now on?
My Thoughts:
A great G1 Climax finale event, but apologies to fans of NJPW 8 Man Tags as I skipped those. I probably should’ve kept the first one, even though it had Douki and usually Douki is a sign of filler. But I’ve seen the results, which you can also find on Andrew Balaz’s coverage of this day, Suzuki-Gun wins and are looking to take everything! Douki wants to join the Dangerous Tekkers to take the Six Man titles from Yoshi-Hashi, Hirooki Goto and Tomohiro Ishii, and I bet Desperado wants payback on Toru Yano for KOPW 2020 in Summer Struggle. That does make for some interesting story, as Chaos has already lost so much. Speaking of, Ospreay & O-Khan VS Okada & Sho was some great stuff, but it makes all the sense for “the empire” to win and get a real start to their build. I can’t wait to see who joins in, it’s been awhile since a new faction formed in NJPW.
LIJ VS Suzuki-Gun was good, especially the Shingo VS Suzuki stuff. That NEVER Openweight Championship match has to be coming at Power Struggle in a few weeks, but I bet Hiromu gets Bushi to join in going after the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag titles at Power Struggle, too. Suzuki-Gun could try and take everything at Power Struggle as it is, making it feel like a big event despite not being a WrestleKingdom or something. Bullet Club VS LIJ is a very familiar match-up, mostly thanks to Summer Struggle’s long road of build to Jingu. Bullet Club wins because Evil has a match owed to him since he won during the G1. That also has to be happening at Power Struggle since NJPW will be shifting to the super combo of World Tag League and Best of the Super Juniors happening together. That will take us into the winter and then we get a TWO DAY WK 15 for everything that needs to happen!
Chono showing up was a great surprise, but I should’ve seen it as foreshadowing in Ibushi VS Sanada. I figured it would be Ibushi winning since that is great history for him and NJPW. But the way they got to it was great, I didn’t think they’d push the count that close to three, and let alone do it twice! This match made up for a lot of the score I’m giving this show. Sanada is always so close to that big moment, and he technically is owed a title match, too, since he also beat Naito in the G1. If WK15 is two days like last year, will they do some kind of double header? WK14 had the “double gold dash,” so would it be Sanada gets his shot at Naito on day one, winner faces the G1 contract holder (which I assume will still be Ibushi) on day two? That’d be worthy of redeeming the 30th G1 Climax, and would be a great way of celebrating a new year after the year 2020 ended up being.
My Score: 9.1/10
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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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