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
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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
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