Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Power Struggle Results & Report! (11/7/20)
So much is on the line!
It is truly a Power Struggle in NJPW!
Tetsuya Naito defends his IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships against EVIL, again! Who will be atop NJPW after the Power Struggle?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Provisional KOPW 2020 Exposed Corners Match: Toru Yano VS Zack Sabre Jr; Yano wins and retains the KOPW 2020 trophy.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Minoru Suzuki VS Shingo Takagi; Takagi wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
- Kazuchika Okada VS Great-O-Khan; Okada wins.
- IWGP United States Championship Contract match: KENTA VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Kenta wins and retains the Right to Challenge contract.
- IWGP Double Championship Contract match: Kota Ibushi VS Jay White; White wins and becomes the new contract holder.
- IWGP Double Championship match: Tetsuya Naito VS EVIL; Naito wins and retains the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships.
PLAY BY PLAY
Provisional KOPW 2020 Exposed Corners Match: Toru Yano VS Zack Sabre Jr!
The Producer is fired up and wants to shut the Submission Master up, too! And with this special stipulation, Yano’s work will be so much easier! But will having bare buckles only bite Yano in the butt?
The KOPW trophy is set aside, Yano sets aside all his other merchandise, and now the buckle pads are removed. Yano wants them to hurry up, but ZSJ says this won’t matter because of his submission game. The corners are exposed, fans cheer, and Yano wants a gentleman’s agreement that they not whip each other into corners. What is the point of doing this then? The bell rings and finally the KOPW 2020 trophy is on the line!
ZSJ and Yano circle, feel out the grapple, and Yano goes for a leg. ZSJ gets around, the two switch back and forth, ZSJ floats on top but Yano gets away. Fans cheer as the two reset, and Yano kicks! Yano apologizes as he whips ZSJ at a corner! ZSJ stops himself and that agreement is already out the window! ZSJ kicks, whips but Yano reverses. ZSJ stops himself again, Yano runs in but ZSJ dodges and Yano hits bare buckles! There’s the karma! ZSJ whips Yano to the other corner and Yano hits buckles again! And then a third corner! ZSj wants the quartet but Yano reverses, only for ZSJ to reverse again! Yano hits bare buckles again, completing the set! Yano bails out, walks off the pain, and ZSJ wants the count to start.
Wait, Yano finds the buckle pads and grabs one! Yano apologizes as ZSJ tells him to drop that one! Yano refuses, ZSJ goes out and kicks Yano low! ZSJ takes the pad, tosses it, then whips Yano at railings, only for Yano to reverse! ZSJ hits steel now and Yano hurries away to get the pad back! Yano brings it into the ring, and he puts the pad ON the corner! What a reversal of Yano’s usual strategies. ZSJ grabs Yano by his ears and nose first, drags him down, and CRANKS his neck! ZSJ pulls the buckle pad away this time, and considers using it on Yano. Instead, ZSJ throws it out of the ring. The Submission Master drags Yano up, whips him but Yano reverses, only to get caught into a cobra twist! They go around and around, Yano holding the hold off, but not forever!
Yano is caught in the twist but he gets the ropebreak! ZSJ holds on until the ref’s count, and then he whips Yano again. Yano reverses to throw ZSJ down by his hair! Yano fires fans up with Y T R, but gets caught to a heel hook! Another ropebreak saves Yano but ZSJ holds on until 4! Yano gets out of the ring, and brings out the other buckle pad! ZSJ tells Yano to put that down but Yano tells him to shut up! “Urusei, baka!” ZSJ still argues with Yano but Yano refuses. ZSJ goes out, Yano throws the pad away, and they get in each other’s face with chest and shoulder bumping. ZSJ is annoyed so he DECKS Yano with a European Uppercut! Yano gets up, brawls with ZSJ, and a ring count is climbing! Fans rally, ZSJ ROCKS Yano, then eggs him on!
Yano uses the SPRAY BOTTLE! Yano gets in and we’re at 18 of 20! ZSJ gets in at 19.5! Yano has the buckle pad! And he uses WRIST TAPE to tie it to the corner! Where did Yano hide that? The pad is on as far as Yano is concerned! ZSJ runs in, Yano side steps, but ZSJ runs into the pad! Wait, that’s not painful. Yano kicks ZSJ and whips him to a bare corner but ZSJ reverses again! ZSJ pulls Yano’s shirt off and throws it away. ZSJ whips Yano back in, bare skin hits bare buckles! Yano falls down and ZSJ drags him up by his ears. ZSJ wrenches the ear, the ref reprimands and fans rally up. ZSJ CRANKS Yano’s neck again! ZSJ keylocks an arm to STOMP it! Fans rally but ZSJ jams Yano’s leg, then the other leg! Then he stomps the other arm!
ZSJ is thoroughly destroying Yano’s limbs as he has a standing toehold on one leg! ZSJ steps through but Yano boots him away! ZSJ stops himself from hitting the buckles then he whips Yano. Yano grabs ropes and taunts ZSJ, then dodges him to hit a BELLY2BELLY! Both men are down and fans fire up! Yano and ZSJ slowly rise, Yano brings ZSJ up to whip, but ZSJ reverses again! Yano stops himself, and then dodges ZSJ! ZSJ hits buckles, Yano rolls him up, TWO! Yano dodges, gets the takedown, TWO! ZSJ blocks the low blow, then the other! ZSJ throws Yano down, EUROCLUTCH! TWO!! Yano narrowly escapes but ZSJ is after him again. Yano waistlocks, ZSJ victory rolls through to a KNEEBAR! ZSJ has grapevine’d the leg immediately but Yano endures!
Fans rally up as ZSJ keeps shifting his hold, but Yano turns over and gets a leg in return! Yano cranks on the heel but ZSJ does the same! It is a dead heat of Achilles locks! ZSJ and Yano torture each other, but ZSJ is better at that! Yano writhes, endures, fans rally up and Yano keeps moving around. Yano slaps the mat but it isn’t a tap! Yano moves around, ZSJ keeps cranking, so Yano grabs at the ref! Fans continue to rally behind Yano and Yano gets to the ropebreak! Fans cheer, ZSJ can’t believe it, but he has to let Yano go. Yano flops out of the ring, having survived for now. ZSJ goes out after Yano and puts a leg through the railing! ZSJ SLAMS the leg against the bars over and over! And then puts a HEEL HOOK on through the railing!
But Yano goes after ZSJ’s shoe laces? ZSJ cranks on the ankle but Yano is tying the boots together! Yano moves around, a ring count begins, and it reaches 10 of 20 already. ZSJ lets go at 15 but he’s stuck in the railing because of the shoe lace trick!! Yano gets in at 18, ZSJ is stuck outside!! YANO WINS!
Winner: Toru Yano, by count-out (still Mr. KOPW 2020)
As Rocky Romero puts it on commentary, “That man is a genius right there.” Yano continues to find ways to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat! And ZSJ takes his frustration out on a Young Lion who was just trying to help! Will YTR be able to finish out 2020 as Mr. KOPW?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Minoru Suzuki VS Shingo Takagi!
It’s a rematch from Summer Struggle a long time coming! The King of Pancrase slayed The Dragon in Jingu, but will that be avenged here in Osaka?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised and the next chapter in this aggressive feud begins!
Suzuki kicks and shoves, Takagi shoves back and the forearms start flying! Fans rally as both men keep going back and forth, no guard and no slowing down! Suzuki gets the edge, whips Takagi but Takagi reverses. Takagi blocks the boot to clothesline, but Suzuki gives back forearm after forearm! Takagi just gives them all back! Suzuki adds more forearms and even headbutts! The ref counts but Suzuki gives one more, only for Takagi to come back with JAB CHOP JAB CHOP, and then headbutts of his own! Takagi knocks Suzuki down and fans cheer as the ref finally backs Takagi off. Suzuki scowls but then smiles a wicked smile. Fans rally up and Suzuki stands. Takagi JABS but Suzuki just keeps stepping into them! Takagi double CHOPS but Suzuki stays up.
Takagi whips, Suzuki reverses and reels Takagi in. Suzuki cranks on the facelock and keeps Takagi from prying free. Takagi endures, even as Suzuki keeps pulling on his head. Takagi still snap suplexes free! Both men slowly rise as fans rally up. Fans rally with “TA-KA-GI!” as he runs in at Suzuki in the corner. Suzuki dodges, then gets Takagi in a hanging armbar! The ref counts but Takagi CLUBS Suzuki down! Takagi goes out to the apron and brings Suzuki up. Takagi fireman’s carries but Suzuki slips into the ring to get the hanging armbar back! The ref counts, Suzuki lets go at 4 then runs, to BOOT Takagi down! Takagi hits railing and then Suzuki goes out. Suzuki brings Takagi up to RAM into the railing! And then again!
Suzuki whips Takagi to more railing, and watches Takagi writhe on the floor. Fans rally up but Suzuki drags Takagi up to RAM him into more railing! Suzuki backs off, only to get chairs from under the ring! The ref tries to stop Suzuki but Suzuki shoves him away. Suzuki JAMS and SMACKS Takagi with the chair! Takagi’s back is already taped up but Suzuki just adds on with the HALF CRAB! The ref reprimands and tells Suzuki to stop! Suzuki does let go, but when HE wants to. Suzuki warns the ref not to upset him, then he grinds Takagi into the railing! Takagi glares back defiantly but Suzuki bumps Takagi off the apron. Suzuki puts Takagi in, stomps the back, but Takagi grits his teeth as he gets up. Suzuki snapmares and KICKS Takagi right in the back!
Suzuki has the leg and an arm but Takagi gets a ropebreak! The ref counts, Suzuki lets go at 3, but he KICKS Takagi’s bad back again! Suzuki looms over Takagi in the corner and throws forearms. Takagi elbows back, and again, and then throws forearms and CHOPS! Suzuki ROCKS Takagi with a forearm back! Suzuki runs corner to corner to BOOT Takagi! Suzuki snapmares, runs and kicks, but Takagi blocks to then waistlock! Suzuki fights the suplex off, whips again but Takagi blocks to reel Suzuki in, for a SAIDO! Both men are down and fans fire up! Suzuki gets to a corner but Takagi runs in to corner clothesline! Suzuki sputters and Takagi brings him up for a scoop slam! Takagi goes up top, for a DRAGON ELBOW! Cover, TWO!
Suzuki survives but Takagi fires up and so do the fans! Takagi dares Suzuki to get up, then he KICKS him in the back! Takagi hobbles a bit from the bad back but he still gives toying kicks to Suzuki’s head. Suzuki laughs as he gets up. Takagi slaps Suzuki’s head! Suzuki ROCKS Takagi with a forearm! Takagi stays up and laughs it off, to then ROCK Suzuki back! Suzuki wobbles, stays up and he laughs it off. Suzuki ROCKS Takagi, and dares Takagi to come back. Takagi ROCKS Suzuki! Suzuki ROCKS Takagi! And repeat! Fans rally up with clapping as the forearms fly faster and faster! Suzuki ROCKS Takagi again then runs, but into a back elbow! Takagi runs, Suzuki BOOTS him, but Takagi comes back with a clothesline! Suzuki HEADBUTTS Takagi in the back of the head!
Suzuki reels Takagi in but Takagi back drops out of the piledriver! Takagi runs, Suzuki dodges the sliding lariat to boot again! Takagi rebounds to swing, but into a spin and SLEEPER! Suzuki squeezes tight, then spins Takagi around. Gotch lift, but no driver as Takagi fights back! Takagi powers up, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Suzuki is right up!? PENALTY KICK! But Takagi is up, only for Suzuki to BOOT him! Takagi is up again and he LARIATS! Suzuki rises?! But both men flop and flounder to corners! Fans rally up and the ref checks on both men. Suzuki and Takagi rise, they’re far from through! Takagi eggs Suzuki on, they run at each other, Suzuki BOOTS, then CLUBS Takagi in the back! And again! Takagi turns it around to DDT! Takagi runs, SLIDING LARIAT!
Both men are down again but Takagi fires himself up with “OI! OI! OI!” Fans clap along as Takagi brings Suzuki up. Pump handle and half nelson, but Suzuki fights out of Made in Japan! Takagi falls over, perhaps his back being to blame. Suzuki gets the legs but Takagi kicks him away. Suzuki BOOTS Takagi back down! Suzuki has the leg and turns Takagi over but Takagi gets the ropebreak! Suzuki lets go of the Half Crab and fans rally up again. Suzuki throws fast hands on Takagi all over but Takagi turns it around to throw elbows from all sides! Takagi ROCKS Suzuki with that last one, but he runs into a dropkick! Fans fire up again as both men are back down! Suzuki drags Takagi by his legs and turns him over for the FULL Boston Crab!
Takagi endures, crawls, but Suzuki drags him away! Takagi continues to endure, powers up, and fans rally as he reaches for ropes! Suzuki lets go to just focus on the Half Crab, and he sits DEEP! Takagi somehow endures, somehow keeps moving around, but Suzuki drags him away again! Suzuki pulls back harder, but Takagi gets the ropes after all! Suzuki lets go and looms over Takagi. Suzuki drags Takagi up by his hair to put on the SLEEPER! Takagi is fading fast! Fans rally up but Suzuki squeezes tighter! Takagi is almost out so Suzuki spins him around, GOTCH STYLE- NO! Takagi fights it off again! Suzuki keeps trying but Takagi lifts up. The back gives out and Takagi falls over! Fans rally for “TA-KA-GI!” but Suzuki headbutts him!
Takagi shakes his head so Suzuki headbutts again! Takagi refuses to fall over and he HEADBUTTS Suzuki back! Takagi runs, Suzuki follows but Takagi DECKS him with a forearm! Fans fire up as Takagi dares Suzuki to stand! Takagi powers up and LARIATS! Suzuki wobbles and stays on his feet! Takagi LARIATS but Suzuki stays up again! Suzuki dares Takagi to keep trying so Takagi LARIATS again! Suzuki is still up, he ducks the lariat to headbutt to the back of the head! Takagi elbows back, Suzuki SLAPS, Takagi JABS and LARIATS! Suzuki BOOTS, Takagi LARIATS! Suzuki stays up but barely! Suzuki ducks one lariat but not the BLINDSIDE! Takagi LARIATS again, Suzuki wobbles! Takagi won’t let Suzuki fall yet, and he CLOBBERS him! Down goes Suzuki! Is Suzuki even conscious?!
Takagi won’t let it come to that decision and he drags Suzuki back up. Takagi pump handles but his back is limiting him! He still gets Suzuki up, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!! Cover, Takagi wins!!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)
Whether it was by knockout or this pinfall, Suzuki could not stand against the powerful and determined Dragon! Will Takagi make this second reign as champion even bigger and better?
Kazuchika Okada VS Great-O-Khan w/ Will Ospreay!
The Rainmaker wants after the traitorous Will Ospreay, but is willing to go through The Dominator first! Will Okada be able to rise up against “The Empire” one step at a time?
Ospreay is by O-Khan’s side in a nice suit and with a bottle of champagne. It seems Ospreay is already assuming they’ll be celebrating big after this match. But O-Khan gets started early as he attacks Okada during the entrance! The bell rings, Okada throws forearms back but O-Khan Mongolian chops! And again! And again! Okada is down and fans cheer because they admit, that’s already impressive. Khan throws Okada out and drags Okada up to bump him off the apron. Khan POSTS Okada, and Ospreay is already enjoying the champagne. Khan STOMPS Okada at the railing, then lets off as the ref reprimands. Khan goes back to CLUB Okada on his back as the ring count climbs. Khan puts Okada in at 12 of 20 but takes his time returning.
Fans rally up as Okada rises but Khan BOOTS him down! Cocky cover, TWO! Khan wraps Okada up in an arm triangle but Okada endures. Okada scoots around, reaches and gets the ropebreak! Khan lets go quickly to stomp Okada down. Khan drags Okada up, Okada hits back with body shots, but Khan knees back. Khan knees over and over, then whips Okada to ropes. Okada reverses, and FLAPJACKS Khan down! Fans fire up as both men slowly rise. Okada and Khan get to their feet and Okada throws forearms. Okada whips, Khan reverses but Okada ducks to elbow Khan down! Fans fire up as Okada drags Khan back up. Okada wrenches, whips Khan corner to corner then runs in to hit a back elbow! Okada kicks low and hits the DDT! Cover, TWO!
Okada keeps his cool and starts up the rallying. Khan stands, Okada goes to Alabama lift but Khan fights that off with clubbing forearms! Okada swings, Khan gets around him and atomic SLAMS him! Ospreay cheers but he’s the only one. Khan looms over Okada as fans rally up. Khan drags Okada up, whips him to a corner, and then clotheslines him from behind! Khan hoists Okada up top backwards, then Mongolian chops him into the Tree of Woe! Khan mocks Okada before digging his boot in! The ref reprimands, Khan stomps and runs corner to corner to sliding BOOT Okada out of the Tree! Khan uses a chinbar cover, TWO! Okada survives but Khan keeps his focus. Khan kicks at Okada then brings him up.
Okada fights off the full nelson but Khan reels him in for a waistlock. Okada fights that off, avoids Khan’s half nelson facebuster, and Alabama lifts to the REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Fans cheer as both men are down again! Ospreay coaches Khan up as both Khan and Okada slowly stir. Okada brings Khan up but Khan fights off the gut wrench! Khan clamps onto an ear, then CLUBS it! Khan whips but Okada reverses, only for Khan to deny the dropkick! Khan stalks up, reels Okada in, LIFTING COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Okada survives but Khan arm triangles again! Khan grinds Okada down but Okada endures. Fans rally up, Okada moves around but Khan squeezes tighter! Okada reaches with a leg and gets the ropebreak! The ref counts and Khan lets off at 3 in frustration.
Khan drags Okada back up, reels him into a dragon sleeper, and then lifts, but Okada fights free! Khan Mongolian chops Okada again! And again! Ospreay tells Khan to do more, so Khan hits more Mongolian chops! Khan runs, into the dropkick! Fans fire up as Okada drags Khan back up and gut wrenches, to the TOMBSTONE! Okada grabs the arm, drags Khan up and wraps him in the MONEY CLIP! Khan endures, and rakes Okada’s eyes! Khan is free of the Money Clip to then CLAW- NO! Okada arm-drags free! Okada uppercuts, runs but into Khan’s BOOT! Khan is furious as he drags Okada back up in the dragon sleeper. Khan suplexes, holds Okada up for a count of 10, before the SLAM! Okada is down but fans are rallying as Khan clamps on the claw!
Khan drags Okada back up, but Okada slips out to the MONEY CLIP! Okada wrenches tight but Khan rams him into buckles! Khan is free, runs back in but into boots! Okada shotgun dropkicks Khan! But Khan rises! Okada blocks the boot, spins but into the claw! Okada again slips out of the Eliminator choke slam to DISCUS RAINMAKER! And then MONEY CLIP!! Khan pries at the hold, fights his way up, reaches for ropes, but Okada uses the back2backbreaker to stop him! The Money Clip is on tight, Khan fades, the ref calls it!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by referee stoppage
Ospreay can’t believe his Dominator has been defeated! Okada stands tall and Ospreay is seething. Okada dares Ospreay to get in the ring with him, so Ospreay does! The two stare down, Ospreay with a smug smirk on his face. Ospreay sarcastically applauds The Rainmaker before grabbing a mic. The mic wasn’t on at first so Ospreay gets on the Young Lion for messing up. But Ospreay congratulates Okada and says Okada passed the test. So for that, Okada has earned the truth. “I used you.” Ospreay used Okada to make himself more popular so that everyone knows the name “Will Ospreay!” And of course he’d get popular standing with the Rainmaker! But there’s one thing that Ospreay can’t get standing by Okada’s side: the title of THE BEST Wrestler in the World!
“Okada, since I’ve left you, look at me! I’m wearing a £3000 suit! I’m drinking £2000 champagne. And I’ve got a £10,000 watch on my wrist!” But Ospreay wants more. So what can he do to get more? What’s worse than stabbing “my big brother” in the back? Well, what if Ospreay ended Okada’s career? Ospreay will never have to worry about his suits ever again because he’ll get more! And more champagne! And more watches! The real deal right there! If Ospreay is the guy, WOO! See you later! Ospreay won’t even have to worry about that. The suits, the drinks, the accessories, the love of Bea Priestly, he’ll never have to worry about any of that being the man that ended the Rainmaker! And where better to finish Okada than in the Tokyo Dome? If Okada wants Ospreay, it will be at WrestleKingdom 15!!
Fans cheer that idea as Okada takes the mic. Okada tells Ospreay, “You did a lot of talking, all in English. The only things I understood were Tokyo Dome, Wrestle Kingdom, and Okada VS Ospreay. That’s good enough for me.” And it won’t be big brother VS little brother, but the Rainmaker crushing Ospreay once and for all! The challenge has been accepted, and we only have to wait two months for it! Will Ospreay ring in the New Year with a new top dog in NJPW?
IWGP United States Championship Contract match: KENTA VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!
Fang Revived had an admittedly awful time in the G1 Climax, and a line of challengers for his Right to Challenge briefcase is forming! Kenta starts with The Ace, but will it be a one and done against the Once in a Century Talent?
The introductions are made, the contract is presented, and this battle to meet Jon Moxley in the future begins!
Fans rally for Tanahashi as he and Kenta circle. They approach and feel out the grapple. Kenta messes Tanahashi’s hair up before backing off. Tanahashi does his best to fix it and he resets with Kenta again. They tie up, fight for the grapple and Tanahashi puts Kenta on the ropes. Kenta keeps messing with Tanahashi’s hair until they break. Tanahashi fixes his hair again and circles with Kenta again. They tie up, Kenta PULLS the hair now and puts Tanahashi on the ropes with that. The ref counts, Kenta lets off and waits on Tanahashi. Tanahashi rushes Kenta but Kenta rocks him with a right! Tanahashi goes to a corner, Kenta whips him corner to corner but runs into Tanahashi’s elbow!
Tanahashi goes up and hits the crossbody! But Kenta’s right up to kick Tanahashi out of his air guitaring! Kenta plays the air bass but Tanahashi kicks him down! Kenta bails out and Tanahashi aims, PLANCHA! Fans fire up with Tanahashi and the air guitar! Tanahashi brings Kenta up and into the ring, and fans cheer as he fixes his hair again. Tanahashi goes in but Kenta bails out. Kenta rests against rails but Tanahashi goes out after him! Tanahashi kicks Kenta, puts him back in, but Kenta rolls away and out of the ring again. Kenta grabs his briefcase but hides it as best he can. The ref reprimands, Tanahashi waits, but the ref starts a count. Tanahashi hurries over, BRIEFCASE SHOT! Kenta just added another dent!
Kenta rains down rights over and over, lets up as the ref reprimands, but then punches Tana more! Kenta brings Tanahashi up, elbows him down and then again. Kenta drops a knee, another knee, then brings down the knee pad, to scuff Tanahashi’s face. Kenta does air piano playing? That’s new. Kenta drags Tanahashi up and throws a big haymaker! Tanahashi hits back with a forearm, and another! And another! Kenta elbows Tanahashi on the back, brings him up and turns him around for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Kenta sits Tanahashi up and wraps him up in a headscissor hold! Tanahashi endures and fans rally up. Kenta tells the fans to shut up as he squeezes tight. Tanahashi moves around and gets the ropebreak!
Kenta holds on until the ref counts, and the ref still has to pry the hold apart. Kenta drags Tanahashi up, elbows him down again, then another! Kenta kicks at Tanahashi toyingly but the fans rally up. Tanahashi gets mad, Kenta KICKS Tanahashi! Kenta KICKS, Tanahashi fires up! Tanahashi blocks a kick, gives forearms in return, but Kenta hits another neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Kenta drags Tanahashi back up to snapmare him back down, and he clamps on a chinlock! Kenta digs his knee into the back to bend Tanahashi but fans rally up as Tanahashi endures. Tanahashi fights up but Kenta throws him down by his hair! Fans still rally, “LET’S GO ACE!” Kenta brings Tanahashi up and KICKS Tanahashi over and over. Tanahashi throws forearms in return but Kenta knees low!
Kenta elbows Tanahashi again, but Tanahashi blocks the boot! DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi evens things out and the fans continue to rally. Tanahashi gets up, throws a strike fest on Kenta, then whips. Kenta reverses but Tanahashi hits a flying forearm! Fans fire up with Tanahashi as he throws more body shots. Tanahashi scoop slams Kenta then goes to the ropes, SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Kenta is still in this but Tanahashi drags him by his legs. Kenta avoids the Cloverleaf and gets the ropebreak! Tanahashi keeps his cool as he stomps Kenta at the ropes. Tanahashi watches Kenta rise then runs, but into a boot! Tanahashi keeps moving but Kenta rolls him up, TWO! Kenta goes to a corner but boots Tanahashi back! Kenta reels Tanahashi in, tornado hotshot!
Tanahashi is down but Kenta goes up top! Tanahashi rises, Kenta hits the FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Kenta keeps on Tanahashi with the arm trap, but Tanahashi resists the crossface! Tanahashi gets the ropebreak to avoid Game Over! Kenta drags Tanahashi back up, waistlocks, but Tanahashi elbows out! Tanahashi runs, into the SPINNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Kenta tries again, TWO! Kenta argues the count but two is two. Tanahashi gets to a corner, Kenta fires off haymakers and stomps, but the ref backs him off. Kenta is angry, but he goes after Tanahashi. Tanahashi swings but Kenta spins him into a DDT! Cover, TWO! Kenta bumps into the ref as part of the kick-out! The ref is down and Kenta realizes this.
Kenta grabs his briefcase again! He’s going to break the case at this rate! Fans rally for Tanahashi but Kenta aims, but Tanahashi blocks it!! The ref gets in and tells them both to stop! They all fight over the case, Tanahashi SMACKS Kenta?! Wait, the ref is holding the case so is it his fault? The ref says he’s not to blame, so the case shot is ignored. Tanahashi watches Kenta rise, so he runs, but Kenta dodges to come back, DOUBLE CLOTHESLINES take both men down! Fans rally up again as Tanahashi and Kenta stir. Kenta sits up first but Tanahashi follows. Kenta forearms but Tanahashi forearms back. They brawl on their knees then even more as they stand up! They go back and forth and fans rally behind them! Tanahashi gets the edge, a strike fest, but Kenta has his own!
Tanahashi blocks one back hand but not the second! But Tanahashi ROCKS Kenta back with an uppercut! Both men wobble but Kenta comes back to put Tanahashi through ropes! DRAPING DDT! Fans rally up again as both men are down. Kenta aims at Tanahashi from across the way, and goes corner to corner to BOOT him! Then corner to corner again, HESITATION DROPKICK! Fans fire up and Kenta goes up top! DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives Kenta’s coup de grace but Kenta vows to finish this! Kenta lifts but Tanahashi blocks the fireman’s carry! Tanahashi fights Kenta back, but swings into counter punches! Kenta fires off haymaker after haymaker to ROCK Tanahashi! Kenta fires up as he aims, PSYCHO KNEE!! Cover, TWO!?!
Tanahashi survives but Kenta isn’t done! Fireman’s carry, GO TO- NO! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi holds on, ANOTHER TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And a THIRD TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi is fired up after hitting the hat trick, Kenta rises but counters the Sling Blade! GO TO- SLING BLADE! Tanahashi finds a way to hit it, and then runs to SLING BLADE again! Cover, TWO! Kenta is down, Tanahashi goes up, ACES HIGH CROSSBODY! Tanahashi grabs the legs, for the CLOVERLEAF!! Kenta endures being bent back, even as Tanahashi sits deep! Kenta rolls through and drags Tanahashi down! GAME OVER! Fans rally as Tanahashi endures but he can’t even see where he is with Kenta’s hands over Tanahashi’s eyes!
Tanahashi reaches around with feet, pries at the hold and gets them off to get away! Tanahashi gets the legs again, CLOVERLEAF! Kenta moves around to avoid the full turn over, kicks free and gets the arm again! GAME OVER!! Tanahashi endures all over again, reaches out, but Kenta gets that arm to trap it! They roll around, Kenta CRANKS Tanahashi back hard! Tanahashi quits, Kenta wins!!
Winner: KENTA, by submission (still IWGP US Championship contract holder)
The Fang Revived tore into the Ace and it was truly game over! Will Kenta keep hold of the contract until the day he finally faces The Death Rider? Will the briefcase even last that long?
IWGP Double Championship Contract match: Kota Ibushi VS Jay White w/ Gedo!
Speaking of defending a Right to Challenge briefcase, the Golden Star settles things with the ONLY man to beat him in this year’s “Jay1.” Will Ibushi keep things on track towards a WrestleKingdom 15 championship match?
The introductions are made, White does his own muscle reveal like he’s Tanahashi or something, and he wants to snatch the contract already. The briefcase is put aside, and after White and Gedo Low Sweet, this rematch from the G1 Climax 30 begins!
White complains the bell was too early, he’s not actually ready. But the fans rally with claps for “I-BU-SHI!” White of course bails out, claiming he’s still finishing getting ready. The ref keeps Ibushi back and White returns, only to bail out again. The same ol’ mind games but Ibushi stays in the ring. White checks the briefcase itself, but Ibushi goes out after him. The ref reprimands, White goes into the ring with the briefcase and Ibushi stays calm by rallying fans again. Ibushi gets in, White tosses the breifcase at him then CLOBBERS him! White stomps Ibushi, drags him up and throws forearms. White mocks the applause and throws more forearms.
White whips, Ibushi reverses but White avoids the roundhouse to knee low. White whips again but Ibushi comes back with the flying gamangiri! Ibushi has the fans rallying again as Ibushi KICKS White on the back! Gedo protests while White writhes but Ibushi KICKS him again! Ibushi drags White from the ropes but White elbows him away! White fireman’s carries but Ibushi gets to the apron. Ibushi rocks White but Gedo grabs at Ibushi’s legs! White dropkicks Ibushi down! White goes put, drags Ibushi up, and SLAMS him down on the apron! Gedo cheers but he’s the only one as White walks around and back into the ring. Fans rally for Ibushi and the ring count begins. Ibushi stirs but White goes out to suplex and SLAM him back on the apron!
The ref reprimands, White goes back into the ring while Ibushi is down. The count begins, Ibushi is back in at 8 of 20 but White stands on Ibushi’s chest! White stomps away but the ref reprimands and counts. White lets off but he brings Ibushi around to KICK him. Ibushi says that doesn’t bother him so White KICKS more. Ibushi gets up to ROCK White with rights! White knees low then brings Ibushi back up to knee him again. White whips Ibushi to a corner hard! Gedo cheers but again, he’s the only one. White drags Ibushi up by his hair and rams his shoulder into Ibushi’s ribs over and over! The ref reprimands, White shoves him away to keep ramming! The ref counts, White lets off and fans rally for Ibushi again.
White digs his boot into Ibushi with some Bad Vibrations a la Nakamura. Ibushi gets mad and pushes back but White rakes eyes! White throws Ibushi out then drags him up to whip him into railing! Ibushi slumps down but White brings Ibushi up to put him in. Cover but the ref refuses given all the extracurricular. White and Gedo complain but White drags Ibushi back out. White whips Ibushi hard into more railing! Ibushi slumps down, fans rally up but White puts Ibushi in the ring. Cover but again the ref refuses to count. Gedo and White complain again, but White brings Ibushi back up. White throws Ibushi out once again, and argues with the ref. Gedo goes after Ibushi and whips him into railing!
Gedo whips Ibushi again but Ibushi reverses and Gedo hits railing! Fans cheer Gedo getting what he deserves! White whips but Ibushi reverses again and finally White hits railing! Fans rally for Ibushi as he drags White back up. White shoves Ibushi into the apron! White puts Ibushi in, walks off the back pain then gets in the ring. Ibushi dropkicks White back down! Fans rally up for Ibushi as he aims at White. PLANCHA! Down goes White and the fans fire up! The ring count climbs, Ibushi drags White up and puts him in the ring. Ibushi drags White up, bobs ‘n’ weaves, kicks and KICKS, then KICKS White down! Standing moonsault! Cover, TWO! Ibushi keeps his cool and fans fire up again.
Ibushi brings White up, waistlocks, but White elbows free. White whips but IBushi reverses and then runs in. White dodges, runs back in, Ibushi goes up and over and gets White for a SPINNING POWERSLAM! Ibushi MOONSAULTS, White rolls but can’t avoid all of it! Both men are down after that awkward landing by Ibushi. Fans rally, Ibushi and White go to opposite corners. White runs in to UPPERCUT Ibushi! White GUT BUSTERS and covers, TWO! White drags Ibushi back up and reels him in, but Ibushi blocks the suplex. White knees low, suplexes, and GOURD BUSTERS! Then the BLADE BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ibushi survives the twisting suplex and fans cheer.
White seethes as he gets up, but then he mocks the applause from the fans. Ibushi fires up and resists White’s lift. Ibushi elbows White but White forearms back. Ibushi DECKS White with the return! White gets to a corner, Ibushi runs in but White boots back! White runs into the RANA! Both men are down but fans rally up again. Ibushi sits up first and encourages the fans to get loud. Ibushi brings White up, but White resists the scoop! White throws body shots but Ibushi still powers through! White fights out harder and then CHOPS! Ibushi spinning KICKS! Ibushi dodges White’s clothesline to SNAP GERMAN! White flounders around and Ibushi fires up, but Ibushi swings into a COMPLETE SHOT!
White waistlocks Ibushi, dead lifts and GERMAN SUPLEXES! That was hard and fast and Gedo is loving it! White drags Ibushi back up, but Ibushi swings again, but into the URENAGE! Gedo is fired up for White! White goes back to Ibushi, brings him around with a sleeper hold, but Ibushi blocks the suplex! Ibushi gets to a corner, but White rams him into the buckles. White CLUBS Ibushi on the back over and over, then hits him HARD in the stomach! White throws more hard body shots, even as the ref reprimands. White finally backs off, and he brings Ibushi in for a knee hard and low! Gedo rallies behind White as White knees Ibushi hard again! White brings Ibushi up but Ibushi blocks the knee to gut wrench! Ibushi tucks White in, BASTARD DRIVER!
Both men are down but the fans are fired up! Ibushi aims as he calls upon the power of Nakamura, but White dodges the Bomaye! White full nelsons but Ibushi standing switches to a SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Did Ibushi learn that from Tanahashi or Omega? White sits up into the BUZZSAW! Ibushi says he’ll end it and Gedo freaks out! Ibushi grabs the wrists and sits White up, but White RAMS into Ibushi first! And again! And again! White has Ibushi back up, kangaroo kicks him in the stomach, but Ibushi BOMAYES! Ibushi won’t end it there, he has White in the position, LAST RIDE!! Cover, TWO!! White survives and Ibushi can’t believe it!
Fans rally up and Gedo shouts at White to get up. Ibushi has the wrists, but White reels him in! BLADE- NO! IBushi slips out, V-Trigger misses, SNAP SLEEPER, but Ibushi lands on his feet! ROUNDHOUSE! Ibushi has the wrists, Gedo gets on the apron but Ibushi BOOTS him down! White gets Ibushi, but still no Bladerunner! V-TRIGGER!! Ibushi wants to end this and he gets the wrists again! White slips around to underhook and BACKSLIDE! But he has feet on the ropes!!! White wins?!?!
Winner: Jay White, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Double Championship Contract Holder)
The ref totally missed that!! And now, Ibushi lost the prize he fought so hard to claim! How can White keep getting away with things?! Is 2020 just cursed?! The Young Lions try to explain but Gedo shoves them away. But it doesn’t matter, referee decisions are 99.9% always final. And White is laughing all the way. Will White make good on being the 1 in 16-1 right to challenge contracts changing hands?
IWGP Double Championship match: Tetsuya Naito VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!
It’s another Summer Struggle rematch! The King of Darkness has gone back and forth with the leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon ever since the New Japan Cup betrayal! But will everything be Evil all over again?
Naito takes his time heading to the ring to of course get on Evil’s nerves. Naito takes off the elaborate entrance attire while Red Shoes raises both the Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championship belts. Fans rally already but Evil and Dick Low Sweet. The two men are finally ready, and the next chapter in this tragic tale of betrayal begins!
Naito and Evil circle slowly but Naito makes sure Dick stays back. Evil and Naito approach but Naito backs off, as is his usual tactic. They go again, and this time it’s Evil who fakes Naito out. Evil smirks as he and Naito circle then approach. Evil kicks low, headlocks but Naito endures the grind. Naito pries at the hold but Evil wrangles him back in. Evil grinds, Naito drops to a knee, but Naito pops out the back. Naito headlocks but Evil quickly turns it back around. Naito rolls and gets Evil down for a headlock again, and cranks back. Evil endures, rolls Naito to his own headlock, but Naito pushes with forearms. Evil cranks harder, Naito fights up and powers out. Evil runs Naito over and fans admit that was good. Things speed up, Naito arm-drags Evil then elbows him down! Naito keeps moving, basement dropkick! Fans cheer because they like that!
Naito snapmares and puts on the headscissor hold. Evil endures as Naito cranks on his head! Naito pushes up to keep the pressure on but Evil refuses to quit. Naito thrashes Evil, lets him go to cover, TWO! Naito is back on the headlock and he grinds Evil down. Evil moves around but Naito cranks harder. Evil pulls hair, Red Shoes reprimands and Naito grinds more. Naito grabs an arm, brings Evil up and cravats. Evil endures as Naito cranks on the hold, but Evil gets the ropebreak! Red Shoes counts, Naito thrashes Evil around but Naito lets off. Evil bails out right away and catches his breath. Naito waits but then goes out after Evil! Naito clubs Evil, runs Dick off, but Evil knees low and RAMS Naito into railing! That was so hard, the timekeeper is wiped out, too!
Evil drags Naito up to snap suplex Naito to the floor! Red Shoes goes out to check on everything and Evil leaves that mess behind. Dick has undone the blue corner’s buckle pad! The Bullet Club special is ready while fans rally up. Naito slowly rises, the ring count begins, and Naito gets up at 10 of 20. Naito is in at 13 but Evil is after him with another snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Evil keeps his cool. Evil taunts Naito, Naito gets up and he throws body shots! Naito throws haymakers but Evil whips him to the bare corner! Evil drags Naito up and throws him out of the ring. Evil goes after Naito, turns him around and RAMS him BACK into the timekeeper’s table! Poor Abe-san! Evil says maybe he shouldn’t be sitting so close!
Red Shoes helps the timekeeper but Evil puts Naito in the ring. Dick gets in with a chair and SMACKS Naito with it! Dick gets away with it before Red Shoes is back in the ring. Fans rally up for Naito but Evil grabs a leg and turns him for a Half Crab! Evil digs a knee in to Naito’s back on top of it! Naito endures, fans continue to rally, and Naito crawls to a ropebreak! Evil holds on until Red Shoes counts and he lets go at 4. Naito clutches his back but Evil taunts him. Evil kicks at Naito and Dick taunts him but fans continue to rally. Evil drags Naito up and reels him in, but Naito resists the fisherman! Naito throws body shots, but Evil still suplexes! Naito fights free, Evil knees low and runs, but Naito waistlocks! Evil standing switches, shoves, goes from the corner, but Naito counters that to a neckbreaker! Both men are down and fans fire up!
Naito and Evil stir, and Naito stands first. Naito throws haymakers and kicks on Evil then whips. Evil reverses but Naito ducks to dropkick Dick! Naito boots Evil then huricanranas him to a corner! Fans fire up as Naito runs in, rocket kick and leg sweep! COMBINACION CABRON! Fans fire up as Naito strikes his pose! Cover, TWO! Fans still rally as Naito works out the pain in his back. Naito brings Evil up, dragon sleepers for the backbreaker to the leg hook full nelson! Evil endures, even as Naito slaps Evil around. Dick tries to distract Red Shoes and egg Naito on but Naito ignores Dick. Naito cranks harder on Evil but Evil endures. Naito sees Dick is still there so he does let go after all. Naito swings on Dick but Dick gets away. Naito boots, Evil blocks and clotheslines Naito out!
Evil catches his breath before going out. Evil brings out a chair and watches Naito rise. Evil JAMS Naito with it, Dick distracts as Evil hits the HOME RUN! Naito goes down and Evil says that one is out of the park! Red Shoes goes out and reprimands while the fans rally up. Evil drag Naito up and into the ring. Evil mocks the applause from the fans then mocks Naito. Naito gets up while Evil waits, and then Evil runs in to corner clothesline! Evil SNAP FISHERMAN, covers, TWO! Fans cheer and Evil is upset that Naito is still in this! Evil drags Naito up, reels him in but Naito fights off the fireman’s carry. Naito and Evil grapple, Evil whips, Naito reverses to TORNADO DDT! Both men are down and fans fire up again!
Naito gets up, goes after Evil and brings him to a corner. Naito hoists Evil up top, climbs up but Evil gets out to trip him up! Evil whips Naito but Naito reverses, only for Evil to reverse again! Naito hits bare buckles! And then Naito staggers into Evil’s BACKBREAKER! Both men are down again but Naito is writhing in pain. Fans rally up as Naito and Evil slowly rise. Evil sits up first, drags Naito up, but Naito hits back. Naito throws forearms but they don’t back Evil down. Evil RAMS Naito into the bare buckles! Naito goes down in a heap, writhes and rolls, but Evil follows. Evil brings Naito up, hoists him up top, then climbs up to join him. Evil goes to the very top, fans rally in anticipation of what’s coming, and Evil brings Naito up for a SUPERPLEX!
Evil has to crawl over, but he goes for the legs instead! SHARPSHOOTER! Naito endures as Evil sits deep on the Scorpion Deathlock! Fans rally as Naito reaches for ropes. Naito crawls but Evil sits DEEP! Evil keeps on Naito’s legs and back but Naito refuses to give up! Is Naito conscious, though? Naito is awake and he gets the ropebreak! Evil holds on until Red Shoes counts to 4. Fans cheer as Naito is still in this but Evil stalks back over. Evil drags Naito up, fireman’s carries, DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives! Evil grows frustrated but he vows to end this! Evil drags Naito up, spins him but Naito fights off the STO! Naito waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Evil gets up right away to run, into a SPINE BUSTER! Both men are down again and fans fire up!
Evil crawls to a corner but Naito follows. Naito drags Evil up and puts him on the top rope now. Naito climbs up, throws forearms over and over, then SUPER STEINERS! Evil hits hard but Naito won’t let off! Hammerlock, GLORIA! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives but Naito still has more! Naito wrenches, tilt-o-whirls but no Destino! Evil gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX Naito! Naito is up and shocks Evil! Naito denies the STO to enziguri! Evil reverses the whip but Naito comes back with flying forearms! Dick is up but Naito DECKS him! Naito aims at Evil, runs and tilt-o-whirls, DESTINO!! But Naito doesn’t cover, he hits a SECOND DESTINO!! Cover, but Dick drags Red Shoes out!! The Spoiler isn’t letting Evil lose just yet! Naito sees Red Shoes is down, but he doesn’t see the SPOILER CHOKER!
Dick chokes Naito and Yujiro Takahashi is here!? Tokyo Pimp uses his PIMP CANE! And PIMP JUICE! Yujiro is Team Evil within Bullet Club after all! But here comes SANADA! Cold Skull dropkicks Dick but Yujiro kicks Sanada! Dick and Yujiro double whip but Sanada dodges to double dropkick them out! Sanada DOUBLE PLANCHAS Dick and Yujiro! Fans are thunderous as LIJ counters Bullet Club! Sanada even hauls Dick and Yujiro away! Things are now fair between champion and challenger! Red Shoes revives, having missed all the madness! Fans are thunderous again as Naito and Evil slowly rise. Naito and Evil head for each other while Red Shoes rests in a corner. Evil throws a forearm but Naito hits back!
Red Shoes slowly sits up while these two brawl back and forth on their knees. Naito drags Evil up by his hair but Evil forearms back! Evil and Naito keep hitting back and forth, and all three men, including Red Shoes, stand. Naito eggs Evil on with a look so Evil hits him back! Naito forearms Evil, Evil forearms Naito, back and forth, faster and faster! The fans rally up and Naito gets the edge! Evil staggers back and fans fire up more! Evil runs, Naito ducks and kicks back. Evil blocks that to rake Naito’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Evil swings Naito’s leg into him! Red Shoes goes down again and Evil LOW BLOWS Naito!! But with no ref, Evil can’t get a count! Fans rally back up as Evil drags Naito up. Evil runs but Naito pops him up to LOW BLOW back!! Turnabout is fair play!
But here comes Jay White! The new contract holder smirks as he gets in the ring. But he hesitates. Does he want to go after Naito to ensure it’s Bullet Club all the way? Wait he goes after Evil!? “Is this what you want?!” But White just puts Evil in a corner to help him sit up. White goes to Naito, reels him in, SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! White says, “You’re welcome.” But IBUSHI returns! Ibushi runs off White but Evil CLUBS Ibushi! Evil fireman’s carries Ibushi but Ibushi slips out to ROUNDHOUSE! Ibushi goes back to chasing White! Fans are thunderous as it is again even between Naito and Evil! Naito crawls over, drags Evil up and Red Shoes is finally back. Naito throws elbow after elbow into Evil, but doesn’t let Evil stay down for long. Naito brings Evil back up for more elbows!
Evil falls over again and fans cheer as Naito brings him up for a third round of elbows! Evil RAMS Naito back into bare buckles! Naito powers up to throw more elbows! And he RAMS Evil into buckles! And throws even more elbows! Naito is relentless on Evil! Fans are thunderous as Naito drags Evil up. Naito scoops but Evil slips out and shoves Naito at Red Shoes! ANOTHER LOW BLOW!! And then a HUGE LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Naito survives and Evil is shocked! Fans continue to rally hard as ever as Evil sits up. Evil staggers over and drags Naito back up. Evil spins Naito, but still no STO! Naito tries to swing on Evil but Evil counters, only for Naito to slip out, elbow, and SLAP Evil! Then, scoop and VALENTIA! Evil is in a daze as Naito brings him up, DESTINO!!! Cover, Naito wins!!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (still IWGP Double Champion)
Thank you, Naito, for saving the rest of us from the worst case scenario! The Uncontrollable Charisma holds onto both Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships and will bring us a rematch of last year’s WrestleKingdom. Will Naito make Jay White pay for everything he and the Bullet Club have done?
Naito insists someone raise his hand, and is pointing at Jushin Liger on commentary? Liger politely declines that job, but wait. White is back, with Gedo and the Right to Challenge briefcase. White gets in and says he’ll raise Naito’s hand. White does, which fans cheer, but it’s White who takes the mic first. “You awake? Naito, sorry about before. But Naito, it’s just me and you now. Ibushi, he failed. Evil, even with my help, he failed, too. So Naito, once again, it’s just me and you.” Next is WrestleKingdom! January 4th and 5th, so White will tell us what happens. Night one: White will do nothing. White will take a night off. Naito can do whatever he wants. He could wrestle a young boy or whatever. But White will do “nada” that night.
White wants Naito to understand that on night two, 1/5, White will challenge for the titles because HE has the briefcase now! White, on 1/5, will take the titles from Naito! Night two and night two only! Naito tries to get it clear, 1/5. Yes, and White says that night is when he becomes the next Heavyweight AND Intercontinental Champion! That is WHITE’S Destino. Ibushi returns?! White tells him he doesn’t have this anymore so he can’t come out! White won the briefcase! Ibushi doesn’t care, he keeps walking to the ring. White and Gedo bail out to stay away from Ibushi. White says Ibushi shouldn’t be here. White has the briefcase, Naito has the belts, Ibushi has nothing!
Fans clap for “I-BU-SHI!” as Ibushi goes out of the ring. White and Gedo run away again but Ibushi is like a Terminator! White says the match is his, but will Ibushi find a way to change that? As for Naito, he gets the mic back and apologizes for White’s interruption. That said, BUENOS NOCHES, OSAKA~! “The fourth singles match with Evil, the second here in Osaka… If you didn’t want to see it, you could have left in the semifinal match. But if you did, thank you, amigos.” Naito says they’ll be back in Osaka for Best of the Super Juniors, that’s not Naito’s card. This is the last time this year Osaka got to see Naito wrestle.
But! Next year, Naito will be excited to return again. By the way, Naito knows the next time they’ll be here. Do the fans know? It’s a secret, so please tranquilo, be patient! Naito continues to say that he’ll finish things off as they should be. You can’t shout along, but please do it in your hearts. NJPW Power Struggle in Osaka will end with the role call! “BUSHI! SANADA! HIROMU! TAGAKI! Y NAITO! Nosotros! Los Ingoberrrrrnableeees~! DE! JA! PON!!” The streamers fly and confetti falls, Naito stands tall as the top champion in NJPW! Will Naito have plans for WK15 Night 1 on 1/4? Or will he rest up just like White to make Night 2 as explosive as possible?
My Thoughts:
This was a very strong event, but of course it is, as it is a feeder to WrestleKingdom in many ways. Yano VS ZSJ was pretty good, the bare buckle stipulation causing a lot of strategies to be reversed. Another clever win from Yano, I wonder who he’ll face at WK15 and in what match. Suzuki VS Takagi was again brutal, but Suzuki might’ve shoot lost that match anyway. He looked legitimately dazed, not just selling a hit. I’m sure he’ll be fine or else there might’ve been news. But it’s great that Takagi has the belt again and will have another run to again, as I said earlier this year, give us those great match-ups his first run would’ve had if not for COVID.
Kenta VS Tanahashi was really good, and I am a bit surprised it is Kenta retaining. But I suppose with Jon Moxley essentially Face between both NJPW and AEW, he needs a Heel to face, and this can feed into a larger Bullet Club story where they’re trying to grab up a bunch of gold. Okada VS Great-O-Khan was really good, and of course Okada wins on the big stage. Ospreay had a great suit, had a great promo, and is clearly building his new character where he is about a different kind of flash and substance now. Okada VS Ospreay for WrestleKingdom is going to be great, could go either way, but I feel like Ospreay’s Empire only gains momentum if he wins. It doesn’t have to be clean, either. A new member of The Empire could reveal themselves, since it’s just Ospreay, Khan and Bea. Ibushi VS White was perhaps the real shocker of the night, I did not think they’d pull that when they could give us a Naito VS Ibushi rematch.
Naito VS Evil was great, but mostly for the overbooking and the false finishes caused by screwjob attempts. Teasing White turning on Evil was a good detail, Sanada and Ibushi helping Naito was great, and even White and Ibushi coming back to have something more to say and do was good. White pointing out how there will be two nights and he wants night 1 off has to mean stuff happens after all. Ibushi can request a rematch and “NJPW management” gives it to him, so things could change last minute on us. White also taunting Naito with being able to do whatever, Naito also lost to Sanada, so maybe Naito gives Sanada his shot on night 1. This will all of course parallel WK14’s Double Gold Dash, the mini-tournament with winners facing winners. Ibushi winning back the contract, and then perhaps Sanada having his moment of finally winning big, and then we get a G1 Climax 30 finals rematch on night 2, that’d be incredible!
My Score: 9.1/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Could this be the biggEST and strongEST SmackDown of the year?
SmackDown in Knoxville sees the returns of Bianca Belair, Cody Rhodes and John Cena, along with some final Money in the Bank qualifiers!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax; Naomi wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa; Mateo wins.
- Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar; Los Garza win.
- Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration; Zelina wins.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu; Andrade wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bianca Belair is here!
Knoxville fires up for their strongEST, fastEST, quickEST, toughEST, roughEST, and greatEST hometown hero as she struts out to the ring. Bianca high-fives and hugs fans along the ramp, as well as mom and dad at ringside. Bianca then grabs a mic to say, “Man, it feels good to be in Knoxville!” The fans cheer and chant for “EST! EST!” Bianca says she loves them so much. And she couldn’t come out here without singing Rocky Top! Y’all ready? The fans cheer, and the music plays! Bianca conducts the fans as they sing for the University of Tennessee. In fact, the Lady Vols softball team is playing in the Super Regionals right now!
Bianca smiles and says this city is so special to her. Not just because it is her hometown, but because it is her safe space. She has her love and support from mom ‘n’ dad, and has all the fans who show up and show out for her. With everything Bianca’s been going through, losing at Mania, getting injured, losing tag titles and friends along the way, she just wanted to come back home to her safe space. The fans cheer, and Bianca says she came home to heal. While she’s not 100%, she is doing everything she can to get back to the ring and continue to show us why she is the EST of Tennessee and of WWE! The fans cheer that!
Bianca says with all that said, Knoxville, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! But wait, she’s interrupted by Naomi! The fans boo but Naomi says, “Oh my gosh~! Finally! B, I am so glad you finally here on SmackDown!” Bianca says now is not the time, Naomi. Naomi asks Bianca to please hear her out. It has been way too long. Not a day has gone by when Naomi doesn’t think about what happened to them. What is there to talk about? What could Naomi say? What could she want from Bianca? The fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Naomi, and Naomi says she just wants forgiveness. She is begging for it!
Naomi knows things go toff the rails, but she is here because she wants to fix it, she is trying to fix it, but she alone can’t fix it. Months have gone by, and Naomi has tried to communicate, to say the past can be the past and that they can move forward. Bianca has not responded back to Naomi once. Naomi even visited Bianca’s parent’s house! But no one would answer! WHAT?! Mom ‘n’ Dad don’t know about that, but Naomi says no one was home, so she let herself in! Naomi looked through the photo albums, the one right on the front coffee table. And in those photos, Bianca looked so happy. It reminded Naomi of how they were as tag team champions.
Bianca stops Naomi there. Naomi, Bianca will make this perfectly clear. They were best friends, but Naomi betrayed Bianca’s trust. Naomi took their friend, Jade, and threw her onto a car, then lied about it for months! Bianca said she was done with Naomi, she meant that, and if Naomi ever comes near her family again, what Naomi did to Jade will be nothing compared to what Bianca does to Naomi. The fans fire up for that! Naomi gets emotional, but then she gets mad. “Y’know, Bianca, it wouldn’t be good for you and your mama to be in a wheelchair.” The fans boo as Naomi laughs maniacally. Naomi says she’d hate if something happened to Bianca here and now!
Naomi storms up on Bianca, but then JADE makes her way out here! Naomi is even angrier now, but this Storm starts throwing hands! The fans fire up as Jade BOOTS Naomi down! Bianca and Jade look to each other, neither really saying or doing anything. Naomi runs up but Jade TOSSES her out! Jade and Bianca look to each other again, but then here comes NIA! The Irresistible Force won’t be left out of this, especially when this is the Women’s Triple Threat Qualifier for the night! This match now opens the night, who earns SmackDown’s final golden ticket to the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match?
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax!
SmackDown returns, this match is already going, and Naomi POSTS Nia! Naomi stalks Jade, rains down forearms, and the fans boo. Naomi stomps to BITE Jade’s hand! Jade still fights back, so Naomi has the arms to STOMP Jade down! Naomi flexes, the fans boo, and Naomi puts Jade in a corer. Naomi runs to DROPKICK Jade in the corner! Naomi SLAPS Jade, drags her into the drop zone, then goes up, up, and twerks! HIP DROP! Naomi covers, ROPEBREAK! Naomi is annoyed but she sits Jade up to stomp a mudhole in. But Nia runs up! Naomi dodges, the HIP ATTACK hits Jade! Naomi goes to the apron to ROUNDHOUES Nia!
Naomi reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Nia flops to the floor, the fans rally for Jade, but Naomi kicks her around. Naomi goes up the corner, leaps, but Jade catches her! Jade FALL AWAY SLAMS Naomi, then kips up! Knoxville fires up with Jade and she runs up to LARIAT! And ELBOW! And SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, Nia breaks it! The fans boo but Nai huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Naomi up. Nia whips Naomi, pops her up and HEADBUTTS her down! Then she SAMOAN DROPS Naomi! Nia soaks up heat, then lines the two up. Naomi grabs at Nia’s leg but Nia CLUBS her down! Nia stomps Jade for good measure, then drops a leg, brother!
Nia TOSSES Jade out, then goes up the corner. Nia SUPER LEG DROPS on Naomi!! Cover, TWO!!! Naomi survives and Nia is shocked! The fans rally while Nia stalks Naomi. Naomi clings to ropes as Nia pulls at her arm. Nia CLUBS Naomi, whips her to ropes, then SAMOAN DROP- NO, Naomi makes it a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Ghost pin, TWO!! Nia survives the sudden turnaround, Naomi sees Jade crawling in, and Naomi goes after her as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Naomi KICKS Nia while she’s down, then kicks her more. Naomi puts Nia in a corner, CHOKES her on the ropes, then clamps on with a SLEEPER! Nia THROWS Naomi away, then TOSSES her out. Nia soaks up heat, but Jade runs in and rolls Nia up! TWO! Nia stands, and she HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia looms over Jade, drags her up, but Jade fires forearms! Jade backs Nia down, then runs, and she CLOBBERS Nia outta the ring! Jade fires up and has the fans with her. Jade drags Naomi up from the apron but Naomi fires hands. Nia is back to HIP ATTACK Jade against the POST! Nia soaks up more heat, then taunts Naomi.
Naomi stands on the apron, argues with Nia, but they apparently agree to mug Jade for both their benefit. They put Jade in the corner, Naomi digs her boot in, and then Nia sends Naomi in for a SPALSH! Nia adds a SPLASH of her own! Naomi snapmares Jade, runs, and SLIDING LARIATS! Jade sputters and Nia taunts her. Nia and Naomi soak up the heat together, but Jade fights back! Nia HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia drags Jade up, and Naomi KICKS Jade low! They soak up more heat, talk trash on Jade, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Nia scoops and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Naomi runs to SPLIT LEG DROP! Cover, but Nia drags Naomi away!
Nia and Naomi argue again, and then Naomi rolls Nia up! ONE, and Nia grabs Naomi to shove her to a corner! Nia SPLASHES, then pushes Naomi down. Nia runs to SENTON! Nia grins while Naomi sputters and the fans rally up. Jade rises to fire forearms on Nia! Then she ELBOWS Naomi in a corner! She ELBOWS Nia, but then Nia follows Jade! Jade dodges so Nia SPLASHES Naomi! Jade then SUPERKICKS! Nia wobbles, Jade SUPERKICKS again! And SPINEBUSTERS! But Naomi METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Jade survives and the fans rally up. Naomi goes up, SPLIT- LEG MOONSAULT on Nia! But Jade has Naomi in the chicken wings!
Jade brings Naomi around, JADED!! Cover, Nia CLOBBERS them both! The fans rally while all three women are down! Nia climbs a corner, Jade is after her with forearms! Naomi joins in, drags Jade back, but now they trade shots! Nia DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! Cover on Jade, TWO! Cover on Naomi, TWO! Nia grows frustrated but the fans rally up again. Nia drag Naomi up, fireman’s carries, and she climbs the corner! The fans already anticipate what’s coming, SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, JADE FROG SPLASHES IN!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up while all three women are down again! “This is Awesome!”
Jade rises, she clamps onto Nia, but Nia HEADBUTTs her! And HEADBUTTS Naomi! Jade BOOTS Nia down! Cover, TWO! Jade runs up on Naomi but Naomi BOOTS her! Naoim goes up top but Jade is right on her! They fight for control, but then Nia joins in! TOWER OF DOOM!! Nia double stacks her opponents, for a A-NIA-LATOR!! Naomi avoids it, Jade takes it all! Naomi ghost pins Nia, AND WINS!!
Winner: Naomi, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Nia did a lot of the damage, but it is Naomi who wins out! Will everyone in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match now have to #ProceedWithCaution?
Solo Sikoa’s crew arrives.
Solo says they will win Money in the Bank together! Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, whichever one wins MITB wins it fof the family! But then they hear R-Truth talking to… Lil’ Jimmy? Solo says Truth’s childhood hero beats him, and now he’s talking to ghosts. Truth taps Solo on the shoulder and asks if there’s something Solo wants to say. Solo says Truth is crazy touching him. JC Mateo steps up but Solo has him stand down. Truth says he wants to be honest. He’s never seen JC a day before in his life. Is this Solo’s son? He’s husky! Truth asks if he can teach Solo’s husky son a lesson in the ring. Solo says that sounds good to him.
Truth says he’ll go talk to Nick Aldis. “Boy, y’all big boneded!” Truth heads off, and Solo says don’t worry, they’ll take care of him. Let’s have fun. Fatu says keep it 100. They can have their fun, he’s got his own business to take care of. Yadada mean? The Imperial Unit against Truth, Samoan Werewolf in a qualifier, will everything go the family’s way?
Chelsea Green confronts Nick Aldis.
The Hot Mess hides behind a cardboard cutout of herself as she tells the SmackDown General Manager, “What happened on Saturday night was a deliberate-” Piper Niven has to direct Chelsea to point at Aldis, and Aldis says he can’t quite understand her from behind the cardboard mask. Piper holds the mask between Chelsea and camera, though we do get a glimpse of her fancy headgear. Chelsea repeats herself, but Aldis says she needs to be looking at him when they talk. Chelsea hides her face in shame, but she says it is still a deliberate hitjob put on by vicious Zelina Vega! Even her Secret Her-vice could not stop it!
Chelsea demands that Zelina be suspended, stripped of her title, and that Chelsea be reinstated as the champion! Chelsea, no need to be so ugly about this. Gasp! Aldis says what he means is, no suspensions, and we can talk a rematch down the road once Chelsea is medically cleared. Then he is doing nothing for what Zelina did to Chelsea?! Alba says if he won’t, then they will! Yeah, Zelina VS Alba! Tonight! Alba is a bit surprised, but Aldis says, “Chelsea knows best. Alba VS Zelina, I actually like the sound of that. I will make that official right now, if you do one thing for me. Please leave me alone.”
The Green Administration hurries away, but will Alba make sure Chelsea brand justice is served? Or will La Muneca just keep racking up the wins?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Champion, and says that MITB is around the corner. Tiff successfully cashed in her own contract to become champion, but how is she handling the pressure of knowing the same thing could happen to her? Tiff says she can’t wait to see who wins MITB. Then she can handle the pressure by being prepared. Having this title makes her the top threat to the division, but let’s be fair. She’s always been the girl everyone has been obsessed with. So whoever wins, targeting her will be a big mistake. But then in steps Naomi.
Naomi says if Tiff thought Nia was a problem, then she ain’t seen nothing yet. Naomi vows to win MITB and cash in for Tiff’s title, wherever and whenever she wants. And in case Lil’ Miss Tiffy forgot, when Naomi was fighting for a championship, Tiff stayed in Naomi’s way. Wanna know what happens when people play with Naomi? Just ask Jade. Naomi heads out, and Alexa Bliss steps in. Alexa says she wouldn’t be so worried about Naomi. Be worried about Alexa. Alexa heads out now, Tiff clutches to the title a little bit tighter, who will be trying to run the clock out on Tiffy Time?
R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa!
To Solo’s point, #RonCena could not make John Cena see the light at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and Truth might be relapsing if he’s talking to Lil’ Jimmy again. But will Truth relapse so far that we get the R-Truth that was once United States Champion? Or will a Tour of the Islands send Truth off the deep end?
SmackDown returns and JC makes his entrance, Solo backing him up. The bell rings and Truth runs up, only for JC to RAM him into a corner! JC RAMS Truth again and again, then lets off. JC whips corner to corner hard and Truth falls in a heap! JC whips corner to corner again just as hard, and Truth falls in a heap again. Solo talks trash but the fans rally behind Truth. JC runs up but Truth dodges! Truth SHOULDER TACKLES! JC stays up, so Truth runs and SHOULDER TACKLES! “What’s Up?” Truth runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and SHOULDER TACKLES! Then he hits the SPIN OUT- CROSSBODY! JC then gets up to GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT!
JC smirks as he looms over Truth, and Solo says to finish this off now. JC runs to SENTON but Truth moves! Truth calls for it! “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Truth fireman’s carries JC, but JC is too much! Truth falls over again! Solo laughs, JC whips, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, JC wins!
Winner: JC Mateo, by pinfall
Truth tried to be like John Cena of old, but it just wasn’t meant to be. JC beats up on Truth more, then stands him up for Solo! But here comes BIG Jim! Jimmy has a chair, he runs JC off, but Solo stands his ground. Solo says his brother wouldn’t hit him with that chair, would he? Jimmy steps to Solo so Solo steps out, but that lets JC CLOBBER Jimmy! But then Solo has JC stand down! They’re family! Solo and JC leave, leaving Jimmy wondering what this is about. Will Jimmy make it clear to Solo that Jimmy’s not the one who has to come to his senses?
The Street Profits are here!
The WWE Tag Team Champions walk through the smoke to be on stage and the fans cheer. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford hold up the titles, walk to the ring, then step inside. The fans cheer as they hold up the belts again, then the Profits grab the mics. Ford says, “Knoxville, Tennessee, oh I love everything about you, and what I have, too. But lemme rap to y’all real fast. This tag team division that we’re a part of, the greatest tag team division on any brand, any promotion… It’s on fire right now.” Dawkins says, “Talk to ’em.” Ford says, “But just like how the gorilla fears us, make no mistake about it, let’s not forget who’s leading the charge right now: The Street Profits.”
The fans cheer, and Dawkins says hey, they got all the teams coming at ’em! DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom, and now… The Wyatts?! The fans cheer that, and Ford says that’s sick. But what big bro is saying, it don’t matter who it is, the Profits will defend against anybody. Well hold on, here comes Fraxiom! Nathan Frazer & Axiom go to the ring to stand with the Profits, and they have mics. Frazer says alright, since the Profits are talking about defending the titles, well, Frazer & Axiom didn’t exactly get a fair shake. Ford says, “Fraxiom, is it?” He congratulates them for being on a roll, but up until the Wyatt Sick6 got in the Profits’ business…
Yeah, the Profits had them beat. Wow, oh, okay. Sure, maybe… But maybe not. Thanks to the Wyatts, we’ll never know. And now that those shenanigans are behind us, it is fair to say that Fraxiom and the Profits need to run it back! The fans like the sound of that! But wait, here come the Machine Guns! Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin have mics, and Shelley says okay, hold on, sorry to interrupt. Fraxiom’s entire basis for a rematch is that the Profits never beat them. Well, last time Shelley checked, the Profits never beat MCMG! So if they’re handing out title matches, MCMG will take one. But naturally, here comes DIY!
Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Candice LeRae have their own mics, and the Poison Pixie says no no no no. She is pretty sure “you losers” have had a million chances, and “the nerds” just got here. Whoa, hold on? Just got here? Sounds like Candice just got back, so she should do us a favor and shut up. Gargano says you shut up, idiot! The reason DIY brought in Gargano’s beautiful wife is to even the odds against all of what this is! Everyone can see there is a conspiracy in the tag team division to hold down the BTTITW! And now with the Wyatts showing up- Ciampa has Gargano ixnay on the amily-fay.
Do not talk about you know who, scratch that, let’s get to business. All these teams have all KILLED the tag division that DIY built! Matter of fact, let us hold a moment of silence for the death of the SmackDown Tag Division. Everyone, stand up, bow your heads, and give a moment of silence… now. OH NO! The lights go out! All the teams panic, because when the lights turn on, UNCLE HOWDY is on the corner! Howdy laughs, because the rest of the Wyatts flank the ring! Erick Rowan drags MCMG out to DOUBLE LARIAT! Dexter Lumis is up top to CANNONBALL onto the Profits and Gargano! Joe Gacy is in, and he handsprings to bring Fraxiom to the UPSIDE-DOWN!!
Lumis then runs, POWERBOMB SENTON COMBO on Axiom! Ciampa freaks out, turns around, and Nikki Cross is there! CROSSBODY onto Candice! The fans fire up, and Howdy has Frazer for SISTER ABIGAIL! “We’re here!!” It is just as the Profits said, and now it is clear. Will some killer combination of the Wyatts go right after the gold?
Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar!
Worlds Collide is just over a week away, and all four of these men will be involved. The Immortal Firebird and the Young OG are going after the NXT North American Championship in a Fatal 4 Way while Legado Del Fantasma will be taking on AAA’s Pagano, Psycho Clown y El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Who will be heading for Los Angeles with all the momentum behind them?
Speaking of that North American Championship, the champion is here! Ethan Page joins commentary and says what a year for him, to be honest. Wade says that title has never looked better than on Ethan’s shoulder. Fenix makes his entrance now, followed by Je’Von’s. The teams sort out and Fenix starts against Angel. Angel and Fenix circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Angel fires a forearm, Fenix fires back, repeat! Fenix gets the edge but Angel shoves then drops down. Fenix cartwheels over the dropdown, then comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Angel tumbles, the fans fire up, and Fenix somersaults, but into a fireman’s carry!
Fenix slips free, ripcords to ROUNDHOUSE, but Angel HEADBUTTS! Both men stagger back, tags to Berto and Je’Von! Je’Von dodges and springboards to BOUNCY~ roll-up! TWO, and Berto mule kicks! Berto CLUBS Je’Von, whips, but Je’Von reverses and slips around. Berto bucks the O’Conner, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Berto drags Je’Von up, but Je’Von kicks! Berto blocks, but the ENZIGIRI hits! Je’Von runs up, and BOUNCY~ RANAS! The fans fire up and Je’Von DROPKICKS! Berto bails out, Angel runs in, but Je’Von goes Matrix to dodge! Je’Von kips up, and STUNNERS! Angel flops back and the fans fire up!
Los Garza regroups, Je’Von tags Fenix, and they build speed, but have to dodge Angel first. Fenix SOBATS, Je’Von KICKS, and both men ENZIGIRI! Berto is up top, he leaps, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Fenix runs to basement CALF KICK! Cover, TWO! Berto stays in this for Los Garza while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Fenix drags Berto up to RAM him into the corner. Tag to Je’Von and they mug Berto. Berto fires hands back on Je’Von, but Je’Von headlocks. Berto powers up and out and Angel tags in. Berto drop toeholds Je’Von into Angel’s KNEE at the ropes! Angel TEARS OFF HIS PANTS! Angel drapes those over Je’Von before he KICKS Je’Von in the side! Angel stalks Je’Von to the corner, tags Berto, and they shove Je’Von for a double hip toss, TU LO SABE! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Berto covers, TWO! Berto argues the count but the ref defends it. Berto shoves Je’Von to ELBOW him down! Berto then DUMPS Je’Von down to be under the ropes.
Tag to Angel and Berto sits Je’Von up on the apron. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von down! Santos joins in with Los Garza as they soak up the heat, and Angel drags Je’Von back in. Angel stands Je’Von up, hoists him to the top rope, then climbs up behind him. Angel CLUBS away on Je’Von, mocks the clapping, and he THROWS Je’Von down. Angel KICKS Je’Von in the arm and Je’Von clutches his hand. Angel drags Je’Von to the ropes, CHOKES him, and the ref reprimands. The ref counts, Angel steps off at 4, and Berto BOOTS Je’Von down. ANgel clamps onto Je’Von with an armlock and chinbar but Je’Von reaches for Fenix.
Angel keeps hold of Je’Von but Je’Von fires hands! SmackDown returns to single picture as Je’Von dodges the lariat, leaps, but Angel catches him! Angel puts Je’Von in a corner and through ropes. Angel pulls an arm and leg against the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von in the ribs! Je’Von slumps to the apron, and Angel sucker punches Fenix! Angel goes back for Je’Von but Je’Von fires body shots! Angel blocks a kick, slips around and Gory Especials! Angel walks over, tags Berto, and Berto slingshots, GARZA ESPECIAL! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up for Je’Von but Berto clamps onto him with a chinlock.
Je’Von endures, even as Berto traps an arm. Je’Von fights up, pries the hold open, and he arm-drags Berto! Je’Von leaps but Berto grabs a leg! Ethan laughs from commentary, but Je’Von kicks free to SUPERKICK! Both men are down, Je’Von and Berto crawl, hot tags to Angel and Fenix! The fans fire up as Fenix rallies on Angel with forearms! Fenix then dodges a shot to springboard and FLYING ARM-DRAG, to a DOUBLE STOMP! Fenix fires off KICKS on Berto, then fires up with Knoxville! Fenix uses Berto to jump up and RANA Angel! Fenix then goes corner to corner to JUMP SOBAT! Fenix fires hands, shoves Angel aside, then goes up.
Fenix springboards to QUEBRADA! Cover, Berto breaks it! Berto whips Fenix, Fenix goes Spider-Man, and Je’Von tags in! Fenix says HASTA LA VISTA, BABY! Angel is up, he pops Fenix up to KICK him! But Je’Von springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, Berto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Angel and Je’Von crawl. Angel CHOPS Je’Von, Je’Von CHOPS back, and the fans “WOO~!” Angel CHOPS again, so Je’Von CHOPS again! Angel fires a forearm, Je’Von fires back, and they go around with forearm after forearm! The fans fire up, Angel CHOPS, a
nd Je’Von SUPER PUNCHES!
Je’Von runs, BOUNCY- NO, Angel makes it a SIT OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan is surprised and the fans rally up. Angel hoists Je’Von up top, tags Berto in, and they hoist Je’Von up even higher! But Fenix SHORYUKENS Angel down! Je’Von fires hands on Berto and SHOVES him down! Fenix climbs up to join Je’Von now, and ADIOS AMIGO DOUBLE STOMPS for Angel! Je’Von adjusts, to SUPER DUPER SWANTON onto Los Garza! Ethan says don’t get closer, keep this in the ring! He taunts both his challengers, Fenix and Je’Von stand down to put Los Garza in the ring. The fans rally up, but then Ethan CLOBBERS Fenix & Je’Von!
Ethan TOSSES Fenix over the desk! But Je’Von SUPERKICKS Ethan down! The fans fire up, Je’Von hurries in, and he dodges Angel! But Berto rolls Je’Von up, TWO!! Je’Von dodges Berto, rebound and RED DOT!! Berto is down, Angel gets up, but Je’Von DECKS him! Je’Von goes up, up, but Santos distracts the ref! Ethan SHOVES Je’Von down! The fans boo but Berto tags Angel! Los Garza hoists Je’Von up for M T Y!! Cover, Los Garza win!
Winners: Los Garza, by pinfall
All Ego grins as he screws over two of his three challengers, and now Legado is rolling towards Worlds Collide. But will these rudos get everything they deserve in LA?
The Wyatts speak.
“We won’t stop. Not until we get what’s owed.” A simple yet ominous threat, are the tag titles only the beginning?
Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration!
La Muneca held onto the WWE Women’s US Championship by smacking The Hot Mess in the face with a foot, and obviously Chelsea is not happy with it. But will Alba get payback on behalf of her fearless leader? Or will things only get uglier for the Green Regime?
The bell rings and Piper distracts Zelina so Alba can CLOBBER her! Alba fires off hands, then bumps Zelina off buckles. Alba bumps Zelina off more buckles, then more buckles! And then the fourth corner! Chelsea says Zelina should’ve never messed with her! Alba fireman’s carries but Zelina fights free. Zelina KICKS Alba, KICKS again, then KICKS, but Alba CLUBS Zelina. Alba whips, scoops, and- NO, Zelina swings through to RANA! Cover, ONE! Zelina headlocks but Alba fights up and lifts Zelina. Zelina holds on but Alba powers up and out to RUN Zelina over! The fans boo but Chelsea cheers as Alba stalks Zelina.
Alba ROCKS Zelina, whips her to ropes, but Zelina wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Zelina then runs up on Alba in the corner and rains down fists! Alba shoves Zelina away at three, but Zelina comes right back to rain down more shots! Alba stops Zelina at four now, but Zelina wants another go! Alba stops Zelina at four again, and RAMS her into the corner! The fans boo but Alba grins. Zelina BOOTS Alba, goes up, and FLYING RANAS! Alba tumbles out, Piper helps her up, and Zelina goes to the apron. Alba trips Zelina up, spins and ROCKS Zelina, then gets her up. Gory Especial, but Zelina flips through to arm-drag Alba onto ropes!
The fans fire up as Zelina dials up, but Chelsea is on the apron! The ref argues with Chelsea while Zelina redials, but Piper trips her up! The fans boo but Alba SUPERKICKS Zelina! Alba salutes to Chelsea, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Alba stands on Zelina’s hair while pulling Zelina’s arms! The ref reprimands, Alba steps off, and she drags Zelina up to suplex for the GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Zelina stays in this and Chelsea argues with the ref. The ref says the count is fair, so Alba clamps onto Zelina with a COBRA CLUTCH! Zelina endures, the fans rally, and Zelina fights up. Zelina fires body shots, Alba ripcords and wrenches to SUPERKICK! Zelina rebounds to SHINING WIZARD! Both women fall and the fans fire up! Piper coaches Zelina, the fans rally up, and both women rise up. Alba is on Zelina and brings her to a corner, but Zelina buckle bumps Alba first!
The fans rally as Alba stalks Zelina, but Zelina bumps her off buckles again! Alba tries again, but Zelina ELBOWS Alba away. Then BOOTS her away! Zelina fires forearms on Alba, backs her down, then whips. Alba reverses but Zelina dodges to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Zelina LARIATS again! Zelina blocks a kick, ELBOWS Alba, but Alba blocks the saido. But Zelina keeps Alba from running, SNAP SAIDO! The fans rally for Zelina as she runs corner to corner, METEORA! Zelina pushes Alba out and goes up top! The fans cheer for some Latina Heat, and METEORA! Cover, TWO! Alba survives and Chelsea is relieved.
Zelina grows frustrated, but she goes back for Alba. Zelina reels Alba in, suplexes, but Alba blocks! Alba knees low, suplexes, but Zelina hits STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Alba is down, Zelina goes up, MOONSAULT FLOPS! Alba goes up now, and she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!?! Zelina survives and shocks Alba! Chelsea is upset again but Alba hurries to bring Zelina up. Alba KICKS Zelina out, and now Chelsea takes off her face mask?! She tells Piper to stand Zelina up! Piper does as told, and Chelsea takes a swing, but Zelina ducks! The face mask SMACKS Piper!! Chelsea is shocked, then furious, and then she chases after Zelina!
Zelina slips into the ring, Chelsea gets on the apron, but Zelina sends Alba at her! They almost collide, and then Zelina rolls Alba up! Zelina hops on, CODE RED!! Cover, Zelina wins!!
Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall
Chelsea tried so hard to screw Zelina over that she just screwed up her own team! Zelina survives again, will no one take down the Vega Administration?
The Miz pep talks Carmelo Hayes.
Melo looks good, and he just has to follow the plan. If Melo follows that plan, with no mistakes, they will win. Melo says he knows what he’s doing. Miz asks if he really does. Because Miz has taken Black Mass after Black Mass, sacrificing himself for Melo. Does Melo understand? Miz gave up this chance at MITB for Melo! Miz has already done it twice! If Melo wins this match tonight, Miz will guide Melo to make sure “we are Mr. MITB.” Wait, we? Miz says, “Who do you think got you in this position?” Melo says Melo did. Melo appreciates everything Miz has done for him, from sacrificing to taking hits for him, and helping him win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
But nobody told Miz to do that. Melo will run the play exactly as Miz designed it, but what brought Melo to the dance is Melo’s talent. Melo goes out there and does it better than anybody else. Melo puts up 40 points on a bad day, because he is H1M. And Miz just needs to let Melo be H1M. They good? Miz nods, and Melo says okay, let’s do the thing. They are Melo Don’t Miz and they are Awes-H1M. Miz still nods, but he doesn’t seem genuinely happy. Will Miz let Melo be Melo? Even if that means letting H1M fail?
Giulia speaks.
“Throughout my entire career, even back when I started in Japan, I had one goal… It’s not to be ‘the best.’ Everyone says that. It’s hollow and empty. My goal is to be indisputable. You can love me or hate me, admiration or disgust, it means nothing. But I’m impossible to deny. My opponent doesn’t matter, because I only view them as an opportunity to build my legacy. Evidence you cannot refute. SmackDown, you will see. I will hit harder, move faster, think sharper, and conquer everything, just like I’ve always done. The question isn’t, ‘Who’s going to let me?” It’s, ‘Who’s going to stop me?'” She adds in Japanese, “If you can stop it, stop it.”
Will SmackDown and all of the WWE soon succumb to The Beautiful Madness?
Zelina returns backstage.
She refreshes for a second, but Giulia is there! And Giulia says she sees Zelina, but she also sees that title more. Zelina scoffs and leaves. Could Giulia be aiming for everything once she becomes Ms. Money in the Bank?
Damian Priest is here!
Knoxville cheers as The Archer of Infamy heads to the ring, victorious from Saturday Night’s Main Event and that brutal Steel Cage match. Priest grabs a mic to tell Tennessee, “Ever since I beat Drew on Saturday, it’s like I’m breathing in fresh air. Y’know, there was a time when I lived on the street, if we were beefing with another street, that war could go for years. But in WWE, you have a beef with somebody, you have a match and it’s over. But with Drew and I, we went well over a year, and that’s not normal. But we took that beef into a cage. Now, I can feel it, you can se it on my face, we went to war.
“At the end of this war, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, I gave him a Con-Chair-To, I walked out the door, and I put his ass in the past.” The fans cheer that. Priest says now he knows Drew is somewhere recovering from his scrambled brains, but he knows Drew is watching, so this is for Drew. “I still can’t stand yo ass. But the Drew McIntyre that stepped in that cage wasn’t the guy that hides behind his phone on social media. That was the old Drew, the warrior, and I appreciate that.” The fans applaud, and Priest says he won’t ask what is next for himself, he’ll just tell us all. And it is the same thing he wanted when he came to SmackDown: Championships!
The fans cheer, and Priest says this war with Drew cost him an opportunity at being in MITB. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his eyes on a certain champion. Somebody who he has unfinished business with, and a champion he considers the most badass. The fans know that means Fatu, and he knows they know! Priest calls out Jacob Fatu! Priest respects Fatu. Priest knows where Fatu came from, what Fatu had to live through, how it feels to stand in this ring as a champion. Real talk, Priest is proud of Fatu, he congratulates Fatu, that’s real. But what Priest doesn’t respect is the crew that follows him around.
Wait, check that. What Priest doesn’t respect is the crew Fatu follows around. Priest knows at some point, they will get in this ring, handle business, but that’s for them. As for Fatu’s so-called family, if they wanna get involved, they can catch a fresh one, too. Priest won’t make it just a nickname or moniker, he wants this to be fact! Priest is and forever will be EL CAMPEON! The fans cheer that! But will the Archer soon take aim at the Samoan Werewolf? Well, speaking of, Fatu makes his way out here for tonight’s other Triple Threat Qualifier! Fatu nods to Priest, but if Fatu wins his way into the ladder match, will this showdown have to wait a little longer?
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu!
SmackDown returns and El Idolo makes his entrance, followed by H1M. The bell rings and Miz distracts Fatu and Melo attacks! Fatu ELBOWS Melo away, Andrade is on Melo with forearms, and then Fatu adds a LARIAT! Fatu looms mover Melo but then turns to stare down Andrade. The fans rally as these two step up. Andrade fires forearms but Fatu SHOVES him to a corner. Fatu runs up, Andrade dodges then whips. Fatu reverses, Andrade goes up and out to then ROCK Fatu! Andrade goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE! Melo CLUBS Andrade, TOSSES him out, and then CLUBS away on Fatu!
Miz says that’s the way! Melo HAMMERS and CHOPS, then whips, but Fatu blocks! Fatu whips Melo, Melo springboards, but into an UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Fatu sees Melo go outside. Fatu builds speed, but Miz trips him up! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Fatu drags Miz into the ring! Melo goes to roll Fatu up but Fatu stays up! Fatu YANKS Melo up, scoops, but Melo slips free! Melo SUPERKICKS and Miz DUMPS Fatu out! The fans boo but Melo builds speed, only for Andrade to LARIAT! The fans cheer, and now Miz sees he is in trouble. Fatu snarls, but Andrade DIVES, into a HAYMAKER!
Fatu then SUPERKICKS Miz! Fatu THROWS Miz into barriers! The fans fire up and Fatu grins. Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK against the barriers! The Samoan Werewolf has dominated three men at once and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Miz sputters and Fatu leaves him behind to go around the way. Melo is there to kick Fatu, RAM Fatu, but Fatu blocks another whip! Fatu ROCKS Melo and Melo staggers away. Fatu stalks Melo, Melo checks on Miz, but Fatu ROCKS Melo! Andrade goes after Fatu now, but Fatu THROWS Andrade into barriers! The fans cheer as Fatu lets Andrade go to the ring. Fatu brings Melo up, SMACKS him off the desk, then pushes him down. Fatu clears the desk off, but Melo CLUBS Fatu against the desk! Melo storms into the ring, brings Andrade up, but Andrade RAMS Melo into the corner! Andrade RAMS Melo, CHOPS Melo, then stalks Melo.
Andrade whips Melo, Melo reverses and Andrade hits buckles hard! Melo CHOPS Andrade down! Melo brings Andrade up, soaks up some heat, then makes it Latino Heat. But Andrade blocks the suplex to suplex Melo! Andrade hangs Melo out to dry, and Melo flops to the apron. Fatu is back but Andrade fires forearms first! Andrade whips, Fatu reverses, and Fatu BODY CHECKS Andrade! Fatu geeks out and the fans are with him while he stalks Andrade. Fatu drags Andrade up to HEADBUTT him into the corner. Fatu shoves Melo off the apron, then he HEADBUTTS Andrade again. Andrade sputters but Fatu is all fired up.
Fatu CHOPS Andrade, UPPERCUTS, and HEADBUTTS him again! Andrade CHOPS in return! SmackDown returns to single picture and Andrade CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Fatu UPPERCUTS and Andrade falls back! Melo stomps Andrade in the corner, then tells Fatu to come on in. Fatu runs up, but Andrade gets away! Hip attack hits buckles! Melo ENZIGIRIS Fatu, Andrade runs to dodge Melo and FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Andrade kips up! Andrade has targets in the corners, and he rallies the fans with “SI! SI! SI!” CIEN KNEES for Fatu! CIEN- NO, Melo tilt-o-whirls and LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally, Melo runs to stomp away on Fatu, then he brings Andrade up. Fatu stands to CLOBBER Melo! Andrade SUPERKICKS Fatu! The fans rally, Melo brings Andrade up and springboards, but Andrade stops him at the ropes! SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! But Fatu SENTONS Andrade! The fans fire up as Fatu SENTONS Melo! Fatu drags Melo to a drop zone, then goes to the corner! The fans rally for Fatu as he goes up, up, but Andrade YANKS him down! Andrade goes up top, MOONSAULT DOUBLE!! Cover, Melo breaks it! The fans rally while all three are down! “This is Awesome!” as the three stir.
Melo brings Fatu and Andrade around, and he fires forearms on each of them. Andrade fires back on Melo, then Fatu UPPERCUTS! Andrade ROCKS Fatu, but Fatu UPPERCUTS Andrade! The fans rally as the three rise, and Melo springboards! DOUBLE FADE AWAY DDT!! Cover on Andrade, Fatu breaks it! Melo and Fatu stare down, and they run up! Melo dodges to hit the FIRST 48! Andrade adds a POISON-RANA! Melo slips around Andrade to KNEE and suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and Melo grows frustrated. The fans rally for Fatu while Melo shakes his hands out. Andrade is on the apron but Melo rises.
Melo brings Andrade up but Andrade trips Melo! They go out to brawl, and Melo SUPERKICKS Andrade down! But Fatu SUPERKICKS Melo! The fans fire up for Fatu as he lines up a shot. Fatu gets the fans even more fired up, then he geeks out! Fatu runs in the full length, but Andrade & Melo move! HIP ATTACK through barriers!! The fans go nuts as Fatu crashes into the timekeeper’s area! Fatu sputters as SmackDown goes back to picture in picture.
Fatu stirs while Andrade and Melo go to the ring. They roll in, Melo grabs at Andrade and vice-versa. Melo fires a forearm, then goes back outside. Andrade goes to the opposite end while Melo looks under the ring. Melo makes Knoxville happy by bringing out a table! But then Melo makes them mad by dropping it! Melo goes after Andrade but Andrade ROCKS him first! Andrade brings out a chair! Andrade aims, but Melo dropkicks the legs out! Andrade crawls, Melo shakes his head, and he grabs the chair now. Melo aims, but Andrade kicks Melo low! Andrade and Melo go into the ring, and Andrade puts Melo in a drop zone.
Andrade goes up the corner, but Melo trips him up! Andrade is stuck up top and Melo hits the SLINGSHOT PLEX! Melo flexes, then decides to step through on the legs! Andrade cradles that, TWO! Melo and Andrade stand, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans look for Fatu. SmackDown returns to single picture as the fans rally, Melo and Andrade sit up, and Melo CHOPS! Andrade ROCKS Melo, then rolls away. Melo hurries to clamp onto Andrade with a facelock, but Andrade RAMS him into a corner! Andrade puts Melo up top but Melo fires forearms. Andrade drops back, Melo aims, but Andrade GAMANGIRIS!
The fans still want tables but Andrade climbs up to get Melo. They’re on the very top, but Fatu is back! Fatu makes the SUPER SPANISH FLY part ROCKER LAUNCHER!! The fans are thunderous as Fatu goes up now! SWANTON BOMB onto Melo! Cover, Andrade breaks it!! The fans rally up again and still want tables. Fatu runs at Andrade to SPLASH! Then Fatu runs at Melo, but Melo BOOTS him! Melo runs up, but into a pop-up! Melo fights the Samoan Drop, and Andrade adds the SHADOW ELBOW! But Melo makes it a ghost pin! Andrade adds a stack, TWO!!! Fatu survives the double cover, but here come Solo & JC!
The fans boo as Solo is here to coach Fatu up. Melo and Andrade trade forearms, then Melo dodges to springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, Fatu breaks it! Fatu snarls, drags Melo up, and he HEADBUTTS Melo! Fatu finally notices Solo & JC, but Fatu puts Melo up top. Fatu CHOPS Melo, then he fireman’s carries Andrade. Fatu adds Melo to this, but Melo slips free. SAMOAN DROP for Andrade, and then Fatu goes to the corner. Solo says Fatu’s got this now! BEST MOONSAULT EVER FLOPS and Melo hits NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT! Andrade underhooks Melo, THE MESS- NO, Melo RANAS through! Cover, TWO!!
Andrade has a cover, TWO! Melo has a cover, TWO! Andrade has it, TWO! Both men stand, SHADOW ELBOW! FIRST 48!! SHADOW ELBOW AGAIN!! All three men are down and the fans are thunderous! Fatu crawls, Melo rolls to a corner, and Andrade stirs. Fatu rises, he brings Andrade up, IMPALER DDT! Then Fatu has Melo to RAM him into a corner. Fatu runs and HIP ATTACKS Melo! Andrade is up, Fatu hits him with another IMPALER DDT! Fatu puts Andrade in the drop zone, and he hits the BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Solo says yeah, do that again! The fans boo but Fatu glares at Solo. JC says do what Solo is saying, Fatu!
But wait! Jimmy YANKS JC down, and SUPERKICKS him! The fans fire up, and then Melo RAMS Fatu into Solo! Then FIRST 48! But Andrade rolls Melo into THE MESSAGE!! Cover, ANDRADE WINS!!
Winner: Andrade, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Solo just screwed things up for Fatu! Solo does his best to keep the peace between Fatu and JC, but the point is: Andrade is headed to Los Angeles! Will he make this El Idolo in the Bank?
Backstage interview with LA Knight.
Byron Saxton segues from congratulating Andrade for qualifying to welcoming in someone who already has qualified, but The Mega Star says, “My gawd. What is it with punching tickets around here? Everybody talks about punching tickets. WWE Instagram, punched tickets. Commentary, punched tickets. You’re talking about punched tickets. I guess I punched my ticket to MITB, it’s only eight days away. A few other guys who punched tickets, who are they? You got Andrade, you got Penta, you got what’s his name, Seth Rollins. You got Solo Sikoa! They’re all in it! They all punched their tickets!
“And everybody’s gonna be climbing that ladder, trying to get up, put everything on the line that they can. Now, if this was a one-on-one match, I’d go ahead and call my shot, and I’d say I’m gonna run up there, grab the case, and cash it in. But you gotta understand, this is my third year in a row, so I understand what this is. You can call me the vet in this match. Some people say maybe that Seth is the vet in this, but they would be wrong. For three years in a row now, you’re talking about the most robust and the most recent experience, YEAH. And what that means is now it’s anybody’s game. Anybody can come out with it, and I understand that.
“But with or without the case, what you need to understand is that the WWE title, the world title, they’re all in my future. With the way I’ve been running, at this point, they should be in my past, maybe even my present. Why don’tcha go ahead and punch that ticket? While we’re talking about-” Knight stops himself when he spots someone walking in. It’s Aleister Black! And Aleister says that win was supposed to be his. But he tells Knight, “You’re welcome, though.” The Dark Father lets the Mega Star shine, if only for now. Will LA win big in LA when we finally reach MITB?
Fatu and Solo regroup backstage.
Solo wants Fatu to listen. He was just trying to help. Fatu tells Solo to listen. For the last time, Fatu does not need his help! Fatu storms off, JC steps in, but Solo has nothing else to say. Is the Samoan Werewolf going to break away from this dysfunctional “family?”
Cody Rhodes is here!
Knoxville fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans along the ramp and the front row, and even signs autographs. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and he hears the fans chant his name. Cody fires the fans up more, then hears them sing, “Cody! Cody Rhooodes~! Cody! Cody Rhooodes~!” Cody says, “So, Knoxville! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer, and Cody says, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that we could talk about the record crowd here this evening!” The fans cheer that, too! Cody says he loves them, too, thank you very much.
Cody says they could also talk about WrestleMania 41. The fans boo, but Cody says after WrestleMania 41, he went home, he drowned his sorrows, might’ve touched the “Tennessee Cough Syrup” a little bit, and he had a moment of doubt. He reached out to a friend. A friend who helps him prepare to wonderful audiences like this one here, or speaking to everyone at home. Cody asked him, “Was I a good champion?” The fans cheer for that, but Cody says the friend told him wasn’t quite as simple as yes or no.
The friend told him, “With everything that you faced here in the ring in front of all the fans, and with everything that you faced behind the scenes, being pulled in different directions, the waters that you had to navigate that no champion has ever had to navigate, yes, I feel that you were a good champion.” Cody says he felt good hearing that, it turned into a hopeful moment, the silver lining on a dark cloud. Cody looked back on his whole year. He thought about AJ Styles faking retirement to get the drop on him. Cody thought about his friend, Kevin Owens, sucker punching him against his bus while Cody’s family slept inside.
Cody thought about his boss, Triple H, who pushed Cody to the limit, and sees something in Cody that Cody doesn’t even see in himself. Cody even thought about The Final Boss, how he asked Cody for his soul, and the entire world wondering what that meant. As preposterous as that sounded, The Rock was 100% serious. No matter how many times Cody said no, the offer still stands. And Cody also thought about John Cena. The fans initially boo, but the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” starts up. Cody takes a moment, and then he says, “I thought about John Cena doing exactly what he said he was going to do. He forced me to make a choice, and I hesitated.
“I don’t know if John Cena is going to ‘ruin’ professional wrestling. But if he does, then I’m partially to blame. Now, I know, I’d love to say this to John Cena’s face. Not sure if he’s going to come out here right now, but if you are listening, if you are listening, Champ, I need you to know that I will never hesitate with you again!” The fans cheer that, and Cody says no matter how much Cena will tout the amount of days he has left, how much Cena will talk about what remains before he absconds with the WWE Championship and leaves all of us forever, that is NOT Cena’s expiration date! That is on the other side of Cody’s corneas, and it will burn Cena’s ass up!
The fans fire up for that, and Cody calms it down. Cody apologizes for that. This is his first night back on SmackDown, he is getting worked up. He thought so much about what he could do, what he could do for the fans. Hell, how about a surprise? The fans already “YEET! YEET! YEET!” so Cody says they’re hungry for it. Let’s yeet. Well, hold on, that’d be a very big surprise. That’d be the biggest surprise. That’d be Cody’s partner riding into battle for MITB, and hell YES he is here! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the World Heavyweight Champion, MAIN EVENT JEY USO! The fans go wild as Jey makes his way in from the pavilion!
The fans sing along with Day One Ish and bounce for that YEET! Jey makes his way down through the crowd to ringside, one verse at a time, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Jey joins Cody in the ring now, mic in hand. Cody and Jey hear the fans want an encore, so we get even more YEET! But then John Cena makes his entrance to ruin the fun! The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUUUCKS~!” even though he wears that University of Tennessee orange and white. Cena goes to the ring, towel draped over his head, then grabs a mic before he joins Cody and Jey in the ring. Cena hears the fans boo, and he says, “I’m upset, too. If it isn’t professional wrestling’s biggest wannabes!” Cena tells Cody he is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe, and that Jey is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe.
The fans boo but Cena says they both wanna be Cena so bad, it makes him sick! Cody wants Cena’s fame, Jey wants Cena’s money, but they will get neither because Cody is too desperate and Jey is too lazy! There is only ONE other human being in the WWE who embodies hustle, loyalty and respect, and he’s got the fortune, fame and followers to back that up! Surprise, losers! Cena’s partner is here, too! The fans boo already, because “EY YO~!” Logan Paul IS here! The Maverick swaggers his way out, and Cena gives him a proper introduction. “Oh, you mad? You’re mad because Logan Paul does WWE better than any professional wrestler?”
Cena says Logan doesn’t need to pay his dues, because he is paying Jey’s mortgage! Everybody in this building did NOT come to see Jey! They came to see John Cena and Logan Paul! Logan asks, “What the hell you crying about, Knoxville? Look! I could walk on water, and y’all would still find a way to tell me it’s because I can’t swim! John Cena speaks the language of Logan Paul, and that is the truth! The truth! It is right in front of you! You deny it all you want, but look around, you stupid, stupid, simple Tennessee people! This is a moment in history! All of you get to witness the moment that John Cena stood side-by-side in the ring with Logan Paul.
“And look, all of you will live long, pathetic, miserable lives. But at least you will get to say that you saw that.” The fans tell Logan to STFU, and Cena tells Logan to ignore it. Logan says yeah, yeah, they’re so ungrateful. They don’t know what’s good for them. There is one problem, though. This does seem too perfect. The problem is… Logan should be standing next to THE WWE Champion as THE World Heavyweight Champion! Logan should’ve been the one to leave Saturday Night’s Main Event with that title around his waist. But look at him, Jey. Jey got lucky. Jey got lucky! He knows it, Logan knows, it, the fans know it, CODY knows it!
Jey needed Cody to save him! When Cody interfered with the match cuz these two cheaters can’t do a single thing in this business without it being handed to them! “These two nepo babies were born on third, thinking they hit a triple.” Logan points to himself and says, “Self-made man!” He points to Cena and says, “Self-made man!” Five years ago, nobody every would’ve believed Logan Paul would be a WWE superstar. And they certainly never ever would’ve believed that he’d be teaming with the Greatest Of All Time! But look at Logan now. He’s not just a superstar, he is THE superstar! His time is now! Cena told us that his time is almost up!
Cena is the Last Real Champion, Logan is the inevitable face of the WWE! So Jey, Cody, at MITB, if you want some, come get some. Jey tells Logan they don’t gotta wait! They can handle this right now! UH UH, YEET!! The mics drop, Cena and Logan talk this out, and Logan wants to throw hands while Cena wants to leave. Cody asks what they’re arguing about. They gonna go to the back so Logan can polish Cena’s Peacemaker? Now it’s a fight! The fans fire up as the hands are flying! Logan TOSSES Jey, Cena picks Cody up! Cody slips free, Jey is back to SUPERKICK! Cody hits the DISASTER KICK! Cena bails out, Jey PLANCHAS out onto him!
Logan goes to the apron, slingshot and- NO, Cody dodges the “Snapshot” Lariat and Jey SUPERKICKS Logan! Then Jey sets Logan up for the CODE D!! The fans fire up as Cody picks up the WWE Championship! Will Cody and Jey make it through Logan and Cena to then clear a path for the American Nightmare’s redemption? Or will Cena & Logan ruin wrestling together?
My Thoughts:
A very good SmackDown, but maybe with some wheel-spinning. As fun as Chelsea Green continues to be, can’t we move on from her and Zelina? Or are we about to do that with tonight’s win over Alba and then Giulia confronting her? Ironically, that seems to give away Giulia isn’t winning MITB. Giulia had a good promo video right before but they undercut it by giving us that confrontation. That said, Giulia deserves to be all the champions, but I suppose starting with the Women’s US Championship would be a good route. Very good promo from Bianca and Naomi to not just have Bianca’s homecoming, but to keep the feud between them alive.
The Women’s Triple Threat had a slow start but it turned out to be a very good match. Great win for Naomi, and good promo from her, Tiffany and Alexa to tease potential MITB winners. Great stuff in the tag match to build Worlds Collide just a touch. We only got one moment of Berto being passive aggressive towards Santos, and then Ethan Page screwing the Faces over, but that was still enough for the North American Championship. Of course, it depends on how many fans watch not just Raw and SmackDown but also NXT so that the fans already understand the story. But as someone who does, I do appreciate they’re bringing NXT story onto SmackDown.
Good promo from Priest to give some shoot respect to Drew and Fatu, but Priest wanting after the US title kinda gave away what was happening with the Men’s Triple Threat. It was a great Triple Threat, but of course Solo & JC cost Fatu. That team is just one moment away from breaking up, and it might be at MITB when Solo just expects Fatu to help him win the briefcase and Fatu refuses. And Fatu VS Priest will still be awesome whenever it happens. Good promo from Knight, and a good bit from Aleister with him, which I suppose means that’s the next feud for them. Was kinda hoping for Aleister VS Nakamura but that really depends if Nakamura is sticking with WWE or going home to Japan via Pro-Wrestling NOAH as rumored.
R-Truth relapsing to talking to Lil’ Jimmy is certainly a choice. I kinda wish he’d keep up the “Ron Cena” stuff, or they’d let Jeff Cobb do his own John Cena bit from NJPW, but I guess some things in WWE still won’t change. And closing with a big promo segment was also certainly a choice. Cody still did a good job, and nice surprise to have Jey show up. Not sure they needed to take a commercial break for Jey’s entrance, especially when they were obviously going to let Jey do his YEET encore. And Cena really must be brainwashed to put Logan over as if Logan’s on par with peak Cena. But naturally a brawl happened and the Faces stood tall.
Don’t count this as go-home math yet, they could easily revisit this on Raw and even next week on SmackDown. Even then, I still feel like Jey and Cody should win at MITB to properly set up Cody VS Cena 2 at SummerSlam. Raw on June 9th is still the move for the World Heavyweight Championship, but there’s also Saturday Night’s Main Event in July, who knows if Jey makes it to SummerSlam as champion.
My Score: 8.7/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25
Stuff happens, maybe it doesn’t, Dreamer and Delirious can’t book.
Well Trick Willie is the new TNA champ and this is the first iMPACT since his win…so let’s just hear him talk about it.
"TNA turned into TRICK-NA. Lets talk about it"@_trickwilliams #WWENXT
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/StU4pmi3oy
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Ratings:
- The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System: Rascalz win via Meteora – ***
- Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via…No Shit – Squash Garbage
- ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee: Lei wins via Spinning TKO – ** 3/4
- Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber: Mance wins via Hit the Pay Winda – Squash
- Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa: Team Robbie wins via shenanigans – **
- International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona: Maclin retains via KIA – ***
Results:
The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System
Octagon got jumped by The System earlier so Laredo is fighting alone. Another backstage jumping is getting a little dumb.
Laredo and Trey start. Typical Indie start with Simultaneous awful Dropkick spot and bad counters, AJ blind tag runs the smaller guys over, tags out to KC and the Rascalz instantly get the moment. KC is rocked, tags in Laredo and Laredo takes out the System before Lish gets on the apron and grabs Laredo. The referee kicks out Lish and Rehwoldt on commentary points out it’s a No DQ match so that’s dumb.
KC gets tossed at AJ, he catches him, Rascalz Dive and do their taunt as we go to commercial. We come back, Tennessee Whiskey into a KC tag in for the near fall on Laredo. Corner combo, Snapmare into Flip Forward Neck Breaker, KC is on a roll. AJ tags Laredo and starts talking crap to KC, they swerve and go Finger Poke of Doom, but it’s not a legal pin. Suddenly tornado attacks, System and Rascalz go for broke, AJ hits the Senton to break the eventual pin, Laredo counters AJ’s Chokeslam attempt. Trey clears out The System, Wentz sends himself and KC over and out, Laredo with a Corkscrew Moonsault, which looked cool but it’s the pile of morons waiting to get hit spot.
AJ hits the Down Payment on Laredo, but Trey blind tagged AJ. Meteora on AJ, Trey pins Laredo and Rascalz win.
Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali
Raj looks like shit in the gear he came down in…and he wrestles equivalently. I would rather anyone else comeback…give me Anarquia.
Ali murders Raj, Instant Dropkick, Rolling Neckbreaker, Corkscrew Standing Moonsault, it’s not close. Raj tries to counter things but Ali Bellclap, a little Duck the left, connect the right. Raj even does a terrible looking Punch Combo, he’s in bad shape, a bad looking Ushigoroshi, Raj with a sloppy looking something, 450 ends it.
Fire Raj as quickly as you brought him back. You don’t need a comedically pathetic job guy when the roster is like 4 guys getting pushed and everyone else sucks. Stop being stupid. Ali still hates women too.
This Injury Report is the dumbest segment in the history of wrestling. Stop treating fake shit as “serious business”.
ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee
ASH mocks karate stuff, Lei throws a few Rising Crane kicks as ASH bails and then things slow down a little. But a Pump Kick, Sliding Kick and Low Dropkick cause ASH to cower and claim her tooth broke. It’s a bait to pull Lei into the turnbuckles and them get in a few stomps. Ash keeps Lei in the corner, Suplexes her ankles into the buckles and then Ash throws a few Booty Shots/Hit Attacks then starts a grounded stretch, Lei Headscissors her down, still sells the hips and ankles, but dodges and fires, combination strikes into the 10 Count Down Strikes. T-bone Suplex, into the pinfall, for only two.
Cheapshot into Running Meteora from ASH for two. Ash goes for the Miz Yes Kicks and Lei No Sells and asks for more. Gorgeous Capture Suplex into Thunder Struck and TKO with flair. My baby has a better finish now! Yay!
Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber
Hannifan cursing and being pissed at Trick for not even showing but is more entertaining than a squash match. Not that Mance’s offense is bad, but 2 out of 3 job matches is stupid.
.@milanmiracle and @AriannaGraceWWE make history as the first father/daughter tag team in TNA!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/3s8OhtYFPv
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa
Marella tries to tie up with Robbie, but he bails and tags out to Victoria so Arianna comes in and aside from Alicia Fox’s silliness, the tie up was decent with Arianna and Victoria. Tessa interferes and the Referee throws her out. Victoria comes back in and aside from a slight miscommunication with how Arianna does her punches, Alicia Fox is making her look…pretty good. Transition moves, okay brawling and Arianna looks amazing in her outfit.
Rob and Santino distract the referee and Victoria hits a Figure Four into her Northern Lights Suplex, only for 2. Arianna finally Back Body Drop to find the tag, Santino and Rob, Santino does his split dodge into the Standing Headbutt, Arianna Cross Body onto Victoria. Rob pulls out the ref, then shoves the ref into Santino, Santino into the steps and Arianna attack but Alicia and Lish, the fix is in, Arianna eats the pin.
International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona
A few quick brawl moves, Shoulder Tackles, Strikes, Back Breakers, Cardona does get dumped out and eats a SCUD. Maclin bounces Cardona’s face off the apron and hits an Elbow off the apron to keep Cardona reeling, but a dodged tackle sends Maclin into the steps. Cardona tries to Piledriver Maclin on the ramp, but Back Drop counter, into commercial.
Formulaic commercial etiquette of Cardona still in control, throws Maclin into the ropes, Diving Shoulder Tackle lays both dudes out and they get up by 8. Fighting Spirit spot, Cardona hits ropes and gets hit by Maclin twice, Thesz Press, Ground and Pound, Back Elbow and Olympic Slam has Maclin rolling. Splash into Lariat for two. Maclin has been all gas no brakes. Cardona tries to take a few shortcuts that turns into a Straight Jacket Takedown. Cardona to the top, Maclin cuts him off, Superplex spot. 1-2-kick out!
Maclin goes topside for a Jar Headbutt, Cardona hits the ropes so Maclin crashes into the corner, 2 Reboots connect, the third gets caught, counter into Busaiku Knee, Jar Headbutt. In and out, Cardona uses the middle rope for the Low Blow, Killswitch from Cardona but Maclin kicks out. Cardona dodges and shoves Maclin towards the ref, he puts the brakes on, Radio Silence! 1-2-Kick out! Maclin catches a top rope move, Power Bomb, Corner Splash, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs, KIA and Maclin retains!
Overall Score: 4.5/10
Boring paint by numbers show, no Trick, System has one move, Robert Stone is a scumbag, too long to introduce new girls, lots of throw away segments and Rosemary sets up YET ANOTHER Monster’s Ball match. These aren’t interesting when there’s one every 3 months. So we can have terrible Monster’s Ball matches quarterly, Barbed Wire Massacre and Clockwork Orange House of Fun…BUT NO LOCKDOWN!?
Go home TNA, you’re drunk.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
4 Corners Podcast: Blown Off Course
Dave and Tunney break down the Conference Finals in the NHL and NBA, discuss the NFL going to the Olympics,...
4 Corners Podcast: Bettor Late Than Never?
Dave, Patrick, and Tunney break down the NHL and NBA Playoffs and a pretty stunning decision from the MLB Commissioner's...
4 Corners Podcast: Never Over Until Its Over
Dave and Patrick break down the latest developments, scores, and stories from the NBA and NHL Playoffs.
4 Corners Podcast: Playoffpalooza
Dave and Tunney discuss all the awesome action that has been going on in the NHL and NBA Playoffs!
4 Corners Podcast: Is It Drafty In Here?
Patrick and Dave discuss the NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders, and the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs!
Bandwagon Nerds #290: Norm!
The Nerds recap trailers for Jurassic Park: Rebirth and Welcome to Derry, discuss delays to Avengers movies, and pay their...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (5/23/25)
What's with all the glowing?
Bandwagon Nerds #289: The Rest of Us
The Nerds discuss trailers for Ironheart and Superman, talk about the greatness that was Andor Season 2, break down casting...
Bandwagon Nerds #288: Disney In The Desert
Disney makes a controversial decision about where it is building its 7th theme park. Plus, loads of trailers, Thunderbolts* news,...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (5/9/25)
June will be electric!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/30/25)
The greatEST SmackDown!
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25
Stuff happens, maybe it doesn't, Dreamer and Delirious can't book.
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/29/25)
B Block, FINAL ROUND!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (5/29/25)
Is ROH ready for the GORE?
Mitchell’s WWE Evolve Results & Report! (5/28/25)
THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (5/28/25)
Dynamite in the desert!
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/27/25)
A Block, FINAL ROUND!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (5/27/25)
Will NXT still be Absolute?
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/25/25)
Round 8, all together!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/26/25)
New Day Rocks? Or New Day Sucks?
-
Coverage5 days agoMitchell’s WWE Battleground Results & Report! (5/25/25)
-
AEW Coverage5 days agoMitchell’s AEW Double or Nothing Results & Report! (5/25/25)
-
Coverage6 days agoMitchell’s WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event Results & Report! (5/24/25)
-
Coverage4 days ago
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/26/25)