Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW WTL x BOSJ Results & Report! (12/2/20)
BOSJ 27, Round 7!
Who gets lucky in Best of the Super Junior’s seventh round?
It’s round seven for Best of the Super Juniors 27! Will Taiji Ishimori keep his losses limited to one? Or will El Desperado prove he’s already worthy of a title shot?
NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 27: Yuya Uemura VS DOUKI; Douki wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 27: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Robbie Eagles; Eagles wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 27: Master Wato VS BUSHI; Bushi wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 27: Taiji Ishimori VS El Desperado; Ishimori wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 27: SHO VS Hiromu Takahashi; Sho wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current Best of the Super Juniors 27 standings!
Hiromu Takahashi: 5-1
Taiji Ishimori: 5-1
El Desperado: 4-2
Master Wato: 4-2
SHO: 4-2
BUSHI: 3-3
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-3
Robbie Eagles: 2-4 [ELIMINATED]
DOUKI: 0-6 [ELIMINATED]
Yuya Uemura: 0-6 [ELIMINATED]
Yuya Uemura VS DOUKI!
So what if both the Young Lion and Japones de Mal are out of the running? This is about pride! Only ONE man can be completely winless! But who will be the Worst of the Super Juniors after this round?
Douki shoves the ref aside to rush Uemura but Uemura is ready! Uemura throws forearms, the bell rings, and Uemura whips. Douki reverses but Uemura runs him over! Uemura drags Douki up, scoops and slams him, then covers, TWO! Fans cheer for Uemura’s fire as he stomps Douki and throws forearms. Uemura runs, Douki boots him back, but Uemura comes back, only for Douki to dump him out! Douki goes out, whips Uemura but Uemura reverses and Douki gets railing! Douki goes down in a heap and Uemura is on the apron. Uemura leaps for a crossbody! Direct hit and down goes Douki! Uemura fires up and fans cheer as he drags Douki up and into the ring. Uemura covers, TWO! Fans rally as Uemura stomps Douki.
Uemura drags Douki up for forearms and CHOPS Douki against ropes! Uemura runs, but Douki flapjack hotshots! Douki drags Uemura up, throws him out then pursues. Douki whips and this time Uemura hits railings! But Douki keeps going, and whips Uemura into more railing! And again, into even more railing! Uemura writhes and flounders as Douki gets his pipe! The ref tries to stop Douki but Douki shoves him aside! Douki SMACKS away on Uemura with the pipe! Douki drags Uemura up, takes aim, and RAMS Uemura down with the pipe! Fans rally for Uemura, but Douki leaves him behind. The ref starts a count, Uemura stirs at 8 of 20. Uemura crawls to railing at 12, slowly stands at 16, and hobbles to get in at 18!
Fans cheer but Douki stomps Uemura down. Douki stands on Uemura’s head and talks trash before he stomps Uemura more. The ref checks on Uemura, but Uemura hits Douki back with forearms! Douki knees low, scoops and slams him, then runs to DOUBLE STOMP Uemura down! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Douki grows annoyed. Douki scuffs Uemura with his boot and talks more trash. Douki slaps Uemura around but Uemura just gets mad. Douki reels Uemura in, but Uemura blocks the suplex to suplex Douki! Douki fights out and rakes eyes! The ref reprimands but Douki brings Uemura back up for a suplex. Uemura slips out, but his dropkick misses!
Douki shakes his head and then slaps Uemura around. Uemura gets mad, and he dropkicks Douki down after all! Fans fire up as both men are down! Douki and Uemura go to opposite corners, and Uemura runs in corner to corner, to back elbow! Fans fire up with Uemura as he fires off more forearms in the corner! The ref counts, Uemura stomps but then stops as the ref backs him off. Uemura drags Douki up and whips him corner to corner, to then run in and dropkick! Douki flops down, Uemura covers, TWO! Uemura keeps his focus as he grabs Douki’s legs! Uemura keeps Douki from ropes and turns him over for the Boston Crab!
Douki scrambles and gets the ropebreak, so Uemura lets go. Uemura waistlocks, lifts, but Douki fights free! Uemura reels Douki in, Douki mule kicks, front kicks and enziguris! Douki runs, but Uemura gets around, only for Uemura to victory roll the German Suplex! TWO, and Uemura throws forearms! Uemura roars and runs, but into a LARIAT! Both men are down again and fans rally up! Douki stands and gets to the apron. Douki waits for Uemura to rise, then slingshots, but Uemura holds Daybreak off! Uemura has the arms, for the TRAPPED ARM OVERHEAD SUPLEX! And then Uemura turns Douki over for a BOSTON CRAB!
Douki endures as Uemura drags him from ropes and sits deep! Fans rally as Douki crawls and Uemura sits even deeper! Douki keeps reaching but Uemura brings him back again! SO DEEP! Douki is fading, but he gets a second wind! Douki claws his way over, but Uemura brings him away again! Douki finally gets the ropes, even as Uemura tries to block! Uemura lets go in frustration, but the damage is done! Fans fire up with Uemura as he drags Douki back up. Uemura traps the arms again but Douki fights the suplex. Douki pulls hair but Uemura throws forearms. Douki ROCKS Uemura with an uppercut! Douki runs, Uemura traps him again! Uemura lifts, but Douki counters to ITALIAN STRETCH #32!!
Uemura fights to stay on his feet but he’s fading fast! Fans rally as Uemura gets HIS second wind, but Douki pulls harder! Uemura moves around, kicks his legs, and gets the ropebreak! Fans are fired up as Douki lets go at the count. Douki drags himself up with ropes, goes to the apron, and aims at Uemura again. Uemura flounders up, into DAYBREAK!! Cover, TWO!?!? Douki is shocked! Uemura is defiant but Douki vows to finish it! Douki drags Uemura into the wheelbarrow, full nelson, SUPLEX DE LA LUNA!! Bridging cover, Douki wins!
Winner: Douki, by pinfall; now 1-6, Uemura is now 0-7
The Young Lion was so close and yet so far! But now, he is the one winless wrestler in BOSJ 27! Will Douki be holding this over him for a long, long time?
Ryusuke Taguchi VS Robbie Eagles!
The Funky Weapon is on the bubble, but the Sniper of the Sky could shoot him down! Will Taguchi keeps his run in the round robin alive by the seat of his pants?
Eagles is wary of Taguchi’s rear but the ref checks, it’s not loaded. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Taguchi puts Eagles on ropes but lets off cleanly. Fans cheer and the two reset. Eagles and Taguchi tie up again, Eagles wrenches to a wristlock but Taguchi reverses to wrench and wristlock Eagles. Eagles rolls, wrenches back to a wristlock, but Taguchi rolls and gets a leg pick. Taguchi has the toehold, fans cheer and Eagles endures. Taguchi traps the leg, but Eagles headscissors out to go after the arm. Taguchi clasps hands to fight off the armbar then rolls to turn Eagles over. Taguchi gets the legs and pulls on the deathlock. Eagles pushes up but Taguchi shifts to lean on the hold! Eagles scrambles and gets the ropebreak!
Fans cheer and Taguchi lets off for Eagles to get up. Eagles and Taguchi circle, tie up, and Eagles headlocks. Taguchi pries against the hold but Eagles grinds harder. Taguchi powers out but Eagles runs him over! Fans cheer as the two stand off. Taguchi messes Eagles’ hair, Eagles trips Taguchi! Taguchi gets up again so Eagles trips him again. Things speed up, Taguchi keeps dropping, but Eagles sees the fake out coming and stays put. But then Taguchi still dodges the basement dropkick! Taguchi bops Eagles, point blank hip attacks, and then hip attacks again. Taguchi elbows Eagles, whips him corner to corner, then runs in for a big hip attack! Taguchi runs again, into an atomic drop! Rolling chop block to blindside lariat! Cover, TWO!
Eagles stomps Taguchi’s leg, and pulls Taguchi into a toehold. Taguchi fights against it but Eagles cranks harder. Taguchi CHOPS and CHOPS but Eagles keeps on the hold! Taguchi reaches for ropes and gets the ropebreak! Eagles lets off and fans cheer. Eagles drags Taguchi back up, CHOPS him, then snapmares him to run and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Eagles sits Taguchi up to wrap on a chinlock and grind him to the mat. Taguchi kicks and flails to get around but Eagles leans on the chinlock. Taguchi throws body shots, but Eagles knees low. Eagles whips, Taguchi reverses but Eagles dodges and ducks to sunset flip! Taguchi stays up, and pantses himself!
Eagles holds off the Funky Weapon but Taguchi sits down to cover! TWO, Taguchi ends up on ropes and Eagles dropkicks him out! Fans fire up as Eagles builds speed, but Eagles has to stop himself as Taguchi slides in! Taguchi runs but Eagles avoids the hip attack! Eagles 619’s Taguchi in the butt! Eagles springboards but Taguchi dodges, only to hip attack into the atomic drop again! Eagles runs, into the hip attack! Both men are down and fans rally up! Eagles bails out, Taguchi takes aim and builds speed, to triangle jump! Eagles gets clear and Taguchi lands on the apron, to FLYING HIP ATTACK! Fans fire up as Taguchi hits his target!
Taguchi drags Eagles up and puts him in. Taguchi aims, springboards, MISSILE HIP! Cover, TWO! Taguchi keeps his cool and brings Eagles up to snap suplex! Uno amigo! Dos amigos! THREE AMIGOS! Fans cheer and Taguchi covers, TWO! Taguchi powers up and goes to the corner. “ORAYO!” But Eagles runs in, only for Taguchi to dodge his basement dropkick! Taguchi gets the leg for OH MY ANKLE LOCK! Eagles endures, rolls and throws Taguchi off. Taguchi runs into Eagles calf kick! Taguchi goes to a corner, Eagles runs in to double knee! And then the METEORA! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives but Eagles keeps his focus.
Fans rally up and Eagles goes up top! But Taguchi rolls away to the other corner. So Eagles hops down, stomps Taguchi in the drop zone, and goes up this corner! Fans fire up, but Taguchi rolls back the other way. Eagles stomps Taguchi again, goes up again, but Taguchi has already started rolling. Eagles storms over, but Taguchi catches him to a cradle! TWO, Eagles knees but Taguchi enziguris! Eagles ROUNDHOUSES, HEEL KICKS and PELES! Taguchi goes down and fans fire up! Eagles and Taguchi are in opposite corners but Eagles runs in, only to be put on the apron! Eagles kicks Taguchi away, springboards and dropkicks the legs out!
Fans fire up as Eagles gets the legs but Taguchi kicks him away. Eagles comes back with the running enziguri! Eagles has the legs but Taguchi rolls him up! TWO, Eagles blocks the kick but Taguchi blocks the backpack! Taguchi chicken wings the arms but Eagles victory rolls! TWO, Taguchi sits, TWO! Eagles, TWO! Taguchi, TWO! They roll and roll and roll and roll around the ring, and then keep rolling! Taguchi has it now, TWO! OH MY ANKLE!! Eagles endures, Taguchi leans as hard as he can, and then drags Eagles into the chicken wing! DODON- Victory roll to RON MILLER SPECIAL!!
Now Eagles makes Taguchi suffer! Eagles drags Taguchi from ropes, Taguchi threatens Eagles with his ass! Eagles pushes Taguchi down then cranks harder on the legs! Taguchi taps! Eagles wins!!
Winner: Robbie Eagles, by submission; now 3-4, Taguchi is now 3-4
Taguchi’s bubble has popped! Eagles makes him give up his chances at the top, but will it be little solace when the Sniper of the Sky has missed his own shot at the BOSJ trophy?
Master Wato w/ Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS BUSHI!
The Way of the Grandmaster and Death Mask are both firmly in the middle of the block! With time running out, who scratches and claws their way up towards the top?
The bell rings and Wato circles with Bushi. Wato tests the waters with kicks but Bushi stays clear. They tie up with knuckle locks, Wato shoots in to get the waistlock but Bushi switches. Wato switches back, Bushi facelocks but Wato rolls. Bushi tries to make that a cover but Wato gets away, and fans cheer the exchange. Bushi and Wato reset, tie up, and Wato headlocks. Bushi throws body shots and powers out, then things speed up. Bushi hurdles, Wato leaps over, and Wato dodges to fake Bushi out! Wato kicks and KICKS Bushi down, and fans fire up with Wato! Bushi gets up, Wato KICKS away on the legs then KICKS Bushi down again!
Bushi ducks the buzzsaw and bails out, but Wato builds speed! Bushi moves so Wato stops and changes course, but Bushi avoids his plancha to then sweep the legs! Wato tumbles down, Bushi gets in and builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit into railing! Fans fire up as Bushi stands. Bushi has the ref keep an eye on Tenzan before he brings Wato up. Bushi whips Wato into railing! Bushi stomps Wato, drags him up and whips Wato into more railing! Tenzan coaches Wato but Bushi stomps him as the ring count starts. Bushi takes his time and brings Wato up at 8 of 20. Bushi whips Wato to more railing at 12 of 20! The count is 15 and Bushi goes into the ring. Wato hurries up and in at 19!
Bushi drags Wato back up and hits a neckbreaker. Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Bushi stomps Wato down. Bushi drags Wato back up, bumps him off buckles, then CHOPS him! Bushi stomps Wato, drags him up and CHOPS him again! Bushi kicks at Wato, CHOPS him again, then brings him around to snapmare for a chinlock. Bushi claws Wato’s eyes but lets off to put on the headscissor hold. Wato endures as Bushi squeezes tight. Tenzan coaches Wato and Wato moves around, to get the ropebreak! Bushi lets go at the ref’s count of 3, and finally takes off his shirt, to choke Wato with it! The ref reprimands and counts, Bushi lets go with one hand. The ref counts and Bushi lets go with the other.
The ref throws the shirt aside and Bushi brings Wato up. Bushi back suplexes Wato high and hard, then covers, TWO! Fans rally for Wato as Bushi looms over him. Bushi brings Wato up but Wato throws body shots and forearms! Bushi eggs Wato on and Wato hits more. Bushi blocks the kick, elbows the leg, but runs into a KICK! Wato drags Bushi back up, Bushi body shots and knees to whip. Wato reverses, hurdles, and back elbows to back hand and sobat! Bushi bails out, fans fire up and Wato builds speed to TORNILLO! Direct hit into railing! Wato fires up and fans rally behind him!
A ring count starts and Wato drags Bushi up. Wato gets Bushi in at 7 of 20, then aims from a corner. Fans rally, Wato springboards, flying uppercut! Cover, TWO! Wato keeps his focus as he drags Bushi up and wrenches. Wato reels Bushi in but Bushi fights off the Mouse Trap. Bushi runs, but into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Wato sits Bushi up to KICK and KICK from all sides! Cover, TWO! Wato keeps cool, clubs Bushi with elbows, then waits for him to sit up. Bushi ducks the buzzsaw to shove and dropkick Wato down! Bushi drags Wato up, reels him in and hangs him out to dry! Bushi clubs Wato, goes to a corner and leaps to dropkick Wato down!
Bushi drags Wato up and through the ropes now, for the APRON DDT! Wato is stuck and Bushi goes back in to drag Wato up. Wato shoves out of the fisherman to DREAMCAST KICK! Both men are down and fans fire up! Bushi crawls to Wato, drags him up by his hair, but Wato throws forearms! Bushi forearms back, so Wato forearms again! They go back and forth, faster and faster, and fans rally with them! Wato gets the edge but Bushi gives those forearms back! Bushi brings Wato back up but Wato BACK HANDS! Wato fires up, reels Bushi in and scoops, but Bushi fights off TTD, only for Wato to sobat! Wato wrenches, reels Bushi in, MOUSE TRAP DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Bushi escapes and fans fire up!
Wato goes to a corner, climbs up top, RPP FLOPS! Bushi avoids the impact and is in the corner. Wato gets up in the opposite corner, runs in but Bushi dodges again. Bushi runs in, blocks the boots and turns Wato sideways for the DRAPING BACKSTABBER! Fans fire up as Bushi watches Wato rise. Bushi runs from a corner but no Code Breaker! Wato ROUNDHOUSES Bushi down! Wato drags Bushi up by his mask tail, reels him in and lifts, but Bushi ranas out of the bomb! Cover, TWO! Bushi ENZIGURIS Wato and Wato wobbles, into the CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Wato survives and fans fire up again!
Bushi goes to the corner, hops up, and Tenzan warns Wato! Wato gets up, and dropkicks MX out of the air! Fans rally as Bushi writhes, and Wato brings Bushi up again. Bushi again ducks the buzzsaw, Wato ducks the enziguri but not the mule kick! Bushi brings Wato up, for the DESTROYER!! Bushi goes up to the corner again, calls for it and, M X!! Cover, Bushi wins!!
Winner: Bushi, by pinfall; now 4-3, Wato is now 4-3
The Death Mask is still alive in the round robin! He now has a tiebreaker over the Grandmaster, will this be a pivotal point in the homestretch?
Taiji Ishimori VS El Desperado!
The Bone Soldier lost to the Ticking Timebomb, but the Timebomb lost to Despy! Will the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion complicate the rankings by beating the man who beat him? Or will Desperado double down on why HE is the Best of the Super Juniors?
Ishimori shows off his title but Desperado holds up both his and Yoshinobu Kanemaru’s tag titles. Desperado then throws his towel at Ishimori’s face to blind him, before hitting a dropkick! The ref reprimands but the bell rings and Desperado stomps Ishimori out of the ring. Desperado whips Ishimori into railing! Desperado talks trash as he stalks Ishimori around the way, and whips him into more railing! Ishimori sputters and curses as he flounders but Desperado just mockingly asks what’s wrong. Desperado brings Ishimori up to POST him! The ref reprimands but Desperado stands on Ishimori’s head! The ref counts and Desperado stops at 3.
Desperado taunts Kojima on commentary before he drags Ishimori up. Desperado pulls on Ishimori’s ear as he brings him around the way, then puts him back in the ring. Fans cheer as this continues inside the ring, but Desperado grabs Ishimori’s title. The ref says to put that back, but Desperado digs it into Ishimori’s face! The ref reprimands and takes the belt from Desperado, but then Desperado covers. The ref refuses to count because of Desperado’s antics. So Desperado chokes Ishimori! The ref counts, Desperado stops at 4 and drags Ishimori up. Desperado whips Ishimori to the corner but Ishimori slips out! Desperado runs over, Ishimori slips around him and back outside, Ishimori rams into Desperado! Ishimori then springboard seated sentons!
Fans fire up as Desperado kicks and writhes. Ishimori drags Desperado up, throws him out and then whips him into railing! Desperado doubles over but Ishimori keeps on him. Ishimori whips Desperado into more railing! Desperado shouts as he flops down and writhes some more! The ref starts the count, Ishimori drags Desperado up and into the ring at 9 of 20. Fans cheer as Ishimori stalks Desperado and pulls him back from ropes. Ishimori drops elbows on Desperado’s arm, then drops knees! And more knees! Ishimori has the Disarmer to pull back, but Desperado gets the ropebreak! Ishimori holds on until the ref counts 3. Desperado sits up but Ishimori stomps him back down!
Ishimori wraps Desperado’s bad arm around ropes and fires off fast elbows! The ref counts, Ishimori stops at 4, and he paces as Desperado clutches the arm. Desperado tries to fight back but Ishimori knees him low. Ishimori wrenches the bad arm, throws elbows and uppercuts, then wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Fans cheer the aggression as Ishimori covers, TWO! Ishimori keeps his cool as he looms over Desperado. Ishimori RAMS Desperado’s bad arm into buckles, then RAMS him again! Desperado shouts and flounders, Ishimori covers, TWO! Ishimori goes after the bad arm with elbows again, but Desperado throws body shots with the good arm.
Ishimori CHOPS, wrenches and whips, but Desperado sunset flips! ONE as Ishimori pops through to get his own sunset, TWO! Desperado has the prawn hold, TWO! Ishimori gets the ghost pin, TWO! Ishimori tortures the arm again! Ishimori YANKS back! Desperado flops over in pain, who knows what state his arm is in! Ishimori grins as he looms over Desperado. Fans rally up as Desperado throws forearms with the good arm, but Ishimori CHOPS him! Desperado rakes eyes, but Ishimori BOOTS the bad arm! Ishimori runs, Desperado uses the ref as a shield! Ishimori avoids the dropkick to his legs, and then gets around to NECK TWIST!
Fans cheer the aggression, and Ishimori stalks Desperado to ropes. Ishimori drags Desperado up, elbows away on the bad shoulder, and then whips him to ropes. Desperado manages to reverse and then SPINEBUSTER! Both men are down, fans cheer and rally up, and Ishimori goes to a corner. Desperado is in the other corner, runs corner to corner, and blocks a boot to put it on the ropes. Desperado dropkicks the other leg, and gives it a DRAGON SCREW! Ishimori writhes, Desperado gets the leg for a STRETCH MUFFLER! Desperado can only use his one good leg and Ishimori gets the ropebreak! The ref counts, Desperado keeps cranking but he lets go at 4!
Desperado grabs at the leg again and stomps away, drops knees, then splashes down! And back to the Stretch Muffler, but he uses that just to turn Ishimori over. Ishimori fights off Guitarra so Desperado kicks the leg! Ishimori still slips out of Guitarra but Desperado rolls Ishimori, to get the STRETCH MUFFLER! Desperado manages to get an arm for NUMERO DOS! Ishimori reaches, Desperado drags him away, but Ishimori uses that to drag Desperado into the YES LOCK! Desperado endures, crawls, reaches, and gets the ropebreak! The ref counts, Ishimori holds until 4! Desperado clutches the bad arm but Ishimori gets up to elbow away. Desperado kicks Ishimori’s leg! Desperado runs, into a tilt-o-whirl, SHOULDER BUSTER!
Desperado kicks and flails, Ishimori gets his bad leg working, and then Ishimori runs to tilt-o-whirl takedown! YES LOCK!! Desperado endures, fights his way over, and fans rally, but Ishimori rolls Desperado away! Desperado uses that to get NUMERO DOS! Ishimori endures even as Desperado adds leverage! Desperado cranks as hard as he can on the arm and leg, but Ishimori uses his free arm to get the ropebreak! Desperado lets go, but both men are down from sore limbs. Fans rally up as both men stir. Desperado sits up first but Ishimori follows. Desperado throws a forearm, Ishimori foreams back! Desperado hits back, Ishimori hits back, too!
They slowly rise to their feet and the forearms continue to fly! Ishimori gets the edge, throws some elbows, then runs, but Desperado wrenches and reels him in! Ishimori slips out of Guitarra, waistlocks, but Desperado switches! Ishimori switches back, but Desperado grabs at the ref! Ishimori dodges the low blow, runs and tilt-o-whirls, but Desperado resists the takedown to get GUITARRA DE ANGEL!! Cover, TWO!?! Ishimori survives and Desperado is furious! Fans fire up as Desperado brings Ishimori into the double underhooks. But Ishimori ranas out of Pinche, to then scoop Desperado to CIPHER UTAKI! Both men are down again and fans rally back up!
Ishimori aims, BANG, and he drags Desperado back up. Ishimori half hatch but Desperado fights that off, and rams Ishimori into the ref! Desperado dropkicks Ishimori’s legs out! Ishimori clutches his knee, Desperado grabs Ishimori’s belt! Desperado aims, but Ishimori KNEES Desperado first! Ishimori drags Desperado up but realizes the ref is still down. So Ishimori decides he can get away with the same trick! Wait, the ref is now coming to and he sees Ishimori has the belt! The ref takes the belt from Ishimori and Desperado LOW BLOWS Ishimori! Then STRAIGHT LEFT! Desperado shouts to the ref, reels Ishimori in, PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, Desperado wins!!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall; now 5-2, Ishimori is now 5-2
Desperado has pinned the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion! He has a victory that will surely prove decisive in the final rounds! With the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships still in hand, will Desperado truly become the BEST of the Junior Heavyweight Division?
SHO VS Hiromu Takahashi!
High Voltage is only a step behind the Timebomb, but he has to be careful not to step on a landmine here! Will Sho survive to keep his own chances of the finals alive? Or will Hiromu keep his promise to make the BOSJ finals more, more, MORE fun for everyone?
The bell rings and both men rush each other! They ram shoulders, Hiromu falls over but gets back up to ram Sho again! They keep ramming shoulders, and Hiromu’s leg bothers him. Hiromu dares Sho to run, and things speed up! Hiromu clotheslines Sho at ropes, but Sho returns the favor! Hiromu clotheslines Sho again but Sho returns the favor, again! Hiromu clotheslines, Sho follows, and clotheslines collide! Hiromu staggers to a corner as fans fire up! Sho rains in forearms, but Hiromu follows him as he runs to corner clothesline! Sho again returns the favor to clothesline Hiromu in the corner! Sho runs, Hiromu follows again but is put on the apron!
Sho sweeps legs, runs side to side but Hiromu goes up and over! Hiromu then comes back to sunset, but Sho holds ropes for dear life! Sho then drops down to get the ARMBAR! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Sho lets go at 3! Sho then aims from the apron to PENALTY KICK Hiromu down! Fans fire up as Sho brings Hiromu back up. Sho whips, Hiromu reverses and sends Sho into railing! But Sho comes right back to CLOBBER Hiromu! Fans fire up with Sho but he still needs to take a breath. Sho drags Hiromu back up, whips him, but Hiromu reverses again! Sho hits railing, and Hiromu shotgun dropkicks Sho back into railing to keep him down!
Red Shoes checks on both men and they’re both okay to continue. Fans rally, the ring count starts, and Hiromu puts Sho in at 7, only to drag him back out and whip him into more railing! And then into more railing! Sho bounces off and writhes while Hiromu walks off. Hiromu aims from the far side, runs back in, JOHN WOO! Sho hits railing again and the ring count returns. Hiromu stomps Sho, stands on his head, then brings Sho up. Hiromu puts Sho in at 14 of 20 and fans cheer. Hiromu kneels on Sho for a cover, TWO! Hiromu keeps cool as he brings Sho up. Sho throws forearms, Hiromu ROCKS Sho back! Hiromu CHOPS Sho, CHOPS him again, then whips Sho corner to corner. Hiromu runs in to hit a corner clothesline, then he runs and hits a basement dropkick! Cover, TWO!
Hiromu reels Sho into the headscissors squeeze! Sho endures, moves around, but Hiromu grabs the arms to add to the pull! Sho keeps moving around, kicks and reaches, and gets the ropebreak! Hiromu lets go and starts to talk some trash. He stands on Sho’s head but Sho pushes him away. Sho throws forearms but Hiromu gives them back. Hiromu throws more forearms, and elbows, but Sho grits his teeth. Hiromu elbows Sho’s neck again, then brings him up to reel him in. Sho resists the suplex, to then suplex Hiromu! Hiromu fights it off, tries to suplex Sho again, but Sho wrenches, only for Hiromu to ROCK him with a forearm! Hiromu runs, Sho dodges and ducks to redirect and SPEAR Hiromu!
Fans rally up as Sho and Hiromu stir. Sho gets to a corner, Hiromu goes to the other. Sho runs in to corner clothesline! Sho whips, Hiromu reverses but Sho reverses back to kick, kick and KICK Hiromu down! Fans fire up as Sho aims at Hiromu, and KICKS him again! Cover, TWO! Sho keeps his cool as he drags Hiromu back up. Sho wrenches to an elbow breaker! And another! And another, but Hiromu hops on to be a sleeper backpack! Sho throws Hiromu off, ARMBAR, but Hiromu rolls around! Ropebreak, and Sho lets off. Sho drags Hiromu up in a waistlock and dead lift, but Hiromu elbows off the German suplex.
Hiromu runs, Sho KNEES him, then runs, into the wheelbarrow, COMPLETE SHOT! Both men are down but fans rally up. Sho and Hiromu again go to opposite corners, and Hiromu runs in to clothesline! Hiromu runs, but he knows Sho follows! Sho still avoids the back elbow, whips Hiromu, and then LARIATS collide! Both men stay up but Sho keeps moving, Hiromu OVERHEAD SUPLEXES Sho into buckles! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Red Shoes checks Sho’s neck and fans rally up. Sho says he’s fine, the match continues, and Hiromu drags Sho up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, DYNAMITE PLUNGER! Cover, TWO!
Hiromu grins as he gets back up and drags Sho around. Hiromu fireman’s carries and CORNER DEATH VALLEYS! Fans fire up with Hiromu and he grins as he drags Sho back up. Hiromu fireman’s carries but Sho fights back! Hiromu still gets Sho up, but Sho fights more! Sho throws elbows, but Hiromu tries again. Sho slips off, blocks the superkick and fires off forearms! Sho wrenches but Hiromu CLUBS him on the back! And SUPERKICKS! Sho wobbles, Hiromu runs, but Sho side-steps to REBOUND GERMAN! Fans fire up as Sho grits his teeth. Sho fires up, dead lift waistlocks Hiromu, and GERMANS!
But Sho holds on, drags Hiromu up again, ANOTHER GERMAN! And then the pop into the ARMBAR! Hiromu clasps hands, but Sho pulls on the arm and gets it free! Hiromu flails and gets the ropebreak! Sho lets go and keeps his cool as he stands. Sho smirks as he scuffs Hiromu at the ropes. Sho brings Hiromu up to throw forearms from all sides! Sho point-blank LARIATS, and again, and again! Sho runs, but Hiromu clotheslines back! Hiromu runs, fakes Sho out and dumps him down! Hiromu runs, sunset flips and POWERBOMBS Sho to the floor! Fans fire up while Red Shoes checks on Sho. Sho is okay to continue and fans rally up. The ring count begins as both men stir.
The count reaches 10 of 20 before either sits up. Hiromu goes to the apron and is in at 15. Sho sits up at 16, slowly stands, hobbles, but gets in at 19.9! Fans cheer as the match continues! Hiromu stands, brings Sho up, but Sho throws a forearm! Hiromu forearms back, but Sho forearms again! They go back and forth, and fans rally up as they pick up speed! Sho wobbles but comes back to hit Hiromu again! Hiromu staggers, fans rally up again, and Hiromu throws more forearms! Sho roars to fire off forearms from all sides again! Sho runs, Hiromu swats the lariat away! Hiromu fires forerams from all sides now! Sho ROCKS Hiromu back!
Sho grits his teeth and runs, but Hiromu spins him around and around to huricanrana, into D TRIANGLE! Sho endures, reaches with legs, but Hiromu turns him away from ropes! Hiromu squeezes tighter, Sho fights up, and Sho dead lifts to BUCKLE BOMB Hiromu down! Fans fire up as Sho is free! Fans rally as both men are in corners again. Sho runs in but Hiromu LARIATS first! Hiromu fires himself up, runs at Sho and dropkicks him through the ropes! Hiromu drags Sho up, fireman’s carries again, but Sho grabs at the bad arm! Sho has the double wristlock! Hiromu is blocking with clasped hands behind his back, then breaks free to ROCK Sho with a forearm!
Hiromu fireman’s carries, Sho fights off and runs, to tilt-o-whirl, and takedown to the KIMURA! Hiromu endures, flails, reaches for ropes, but Sho drags him away with a gator roll! But Hiromu fireman’s carries, for another CORNER DEATH VALLEY! But Sho holds onto the arm!! Sho drags Hiromu around and has the KIMURA again! Hiromu endures, fans rally, but Sho shifts around to keep on the arm! Hiromu refuses to quit, kicks around, and gets the ropebreak! Sho lets go, fans rally up again, and Sho brings Hiromu up. Sho crosses the arms, but Hiromu tries to rana out of the driver! Sho powers Hiromu up higher, for the POWER BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives but Sho still has his bow!
Sho drags Hiromu up and reels him in, then double pump handles. Hiromu flips through to roll Sho, and dragon sleeper for the inverted suplex! Sho slips out, throws forearms from all sides again, and then runs, but Hiromu gets around to SNAP GERMAN! Sho sits up in a daze but he powers up! Hiromu runs in, and LARIATS Sho first! Cover, ONE!?!? Sho LARIATS back and covers, ONE?!?!? Both men flounder about as fans fire up! Hiromu runs at Sho, but LARIATS collide! Sho stays standing but Hiromu anchors his legs. Sho fires up to run, but into a POP-UP BOMB! Hiromu drags Sho back up, VICTORIA!! Cover, TWO!! Sho survives and fans are thunderous!
Hiromu fires up as fans rally, and Hiromu drags Sho back to the fireman’s carry. Sho fights off, dragon sleepers, but Hiromu reverses to suplex! But Sho slips out to BACKSTABBER! Hiromu staggers, Sho runs and clotheslines him against ropes! Sho runs again, to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Hiromu staggers but Sho runs, and LARIATS Hiromu down again!! Sho powers up, reels Hiromu in to cross arm PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!?!?! Hiromu survives and shocks everyone! Sho is furious but he again takes aim with his bow! Sho reels Hiromu in, double pump handles, for SHOCK ARROW!!! Cover, Sho wins!!!
Winner: Sho, by pinfall; now 5-2, Hiromu is now 5-2
High Voltage has another shocking upset on his resume! Will this completely change how the BOSJ turns out?! Fans cheer as Sho gets the mic! Sho thanks the Osaka fans for their support, and he tells Hiromu that “that match with you was a great thrill.” Sho says some fans here and watching around the world might not know this, “but I’m actually not a good talker. So I’m just going from the heart. I’m really happy to beat Hiromu today. Really happy.” But Sho won’t be satisfied with this! “This year, of all years, I will be the one to win this Super Junior!” Sho asks that we join him, and all the other Junior Heavyweights, “in turning up the voltage!” Does Sho still have the power to make it these last few rounds?
Here are the NEW Best of the Super Juniors 27 standings!
El Desperado: 5-2
SHO: 5-2
Hiromu Takahashi: 5-2
Taiji Ishimori: 5-2
BUSHI: 4-3
Master Wato: 4-3
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-4 [ELIMINATED]
Robbie Eagles: 3-4 [ELIMINATED]
DOUKI: 1-6 [ELIMINATED]
Yuya Uemura: 0-7 [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
A great round for Best of the Super Juniors! Douki VS Uemura was so good because they were both fighting so hard not to be last place. For a moment, I thought Uemura was going to pull it off, but no, he’s still a Young Lion so he gives Douki his first win in the tournament. I have a feeling Uemura won’t win at all in this tournament, unless it’s against one of the others out of the running. Taguchi loses and now he’s out of the way, but Bushi bringing Wato down was an interesting move. But I suppose FOUR wrestlers at 5-2 right now was more than enough. Desperado beating Ishimori and Sho beating Hiromu were two amazing upsets, and the last two rounds are going to be great stuff.
With Ishimori having lost twice, thereby owing two matches, Desperado and Hiromu are the obvious choices for the BOSJ 27 winner. And then the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship will pull double duty at WrestleKingdom 15, so that Desperado and Hiromu both get their shots, regardless of who wins or loses the tournament. I think the best sequence would be for only one of them to be a finalist, so that they can meet again on WK15 Night 2 after one wins the title off Ishimori. And chances are, the one pulling the double duty at WK15 would be Hiromu to add Face heat and story because of his beat up body.
My Score: 9.1/10
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The Ace VS Everybody’s Kokeshi, for the final time!
Hiroshi Tanahashi’s farewell tour continues on, and his New Japan Soul will shine bright against fellow icon, Tomoaki Honma!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Zane Jay; Time Limit Draw.
- 8 Man Tag: Toru Yano, YOH, Master Wato & Daiki Nagai VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- 8 Man Tag: YOSHI-HASHI, Jado, Shoma Kato & Katsuya Murashima VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Tomohiro Ishii, Togi Makabe & Tiger Mask VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Yuya Uemura & Ryusuke Taguchi VS The United Empire; Taichi, Yuya & Taguchi win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Tomoaki Honma; Tanahashi wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Boltin Oleg & Shota Umino VS TMDK; Goto, Oleg & Shota win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Tomoaki Honma!
The year is half over, meaning we’re that much closer to The Ace reaching the end of his Final Road. One way or another, he checks off another name on the list, but will the Ace be high? Or will Everyone’s Kokeshi be like a roadblock up ahead?
Both men take off their coats and the fans cheer the muscularity. The bell rings and the fans rally up, with a lot of “HONMA! HONMA!” coming out! Tanahashi nods in respect, and the two circle. They tie up, Tanahashi waistlocks, but Honma switches. Tanahashi switches back, but Honma wrenches free. Tanahashi wrenches in return, but then so does Honma. Honma has the wristlock, but Tanahashi drops down for a leg pick, then he floats to the headlock. Honma fights up but Tanahashi hits the takeover. Honma headscissors, Tanahashi kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff. The two reset and circle again.
The fans rally, and while Tanahashi tries, the Honma fans are still louder. The two tie up collar ‘n’ elbow and are in a deadlock. Honma digs in his heels and he starts pushing Tanahashi back. Honma puts Tanahashi on the ropes, the ref counts, and Honma lets go. But then Tanahashi turns things around! The ref counts and Tanahashi slowly lets off of Honma. The fans applaud, but then Tanahashi takes a swing! Honma dodges to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! The fans rally, Honma whips Tanahashi to a corner, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him! Tanahashi goes up and CROSSBODIES! Direct hit and the fans cheer the air guitar.
Tanahashi storms up on Honma, brings him up and fires forearms. Tanahashi whips, Honma reverses, and Honma ELBOWS Tanahashi down! Fans fire up as Honma runs, but Tanahashi avoids the Kokeshi! The fans are torn but Tanahashi brings Honma up to whip. Honma grabs ropes to stop himself, then he runs to RUN Tanahashi over! Honma runs again, but Tanahashi again avoids the Kokeshi! The fans boo but Tanahashi doesn’t let that get him down. Tanahashi stomps Honma’s legs, Honma crawls away, but Tanahashi brings him up. Tanahashi bumps Honma off buckles, then bumps him off buckles again!
The fans rally as Tanahashi dribbles Honma off the buckles! Honma stops to throw hands on Tanahashi! And now Honma puts Tanahashi in the corner. But Tanahashi turns things around! Tanahashi puts Honma’s leg in the ropes but the ref reprimands. Tanahashi assures the ref he won’t do anything, but then he DROPKICKS the leg after all! The fans are torn, and Honma falls to the mat. The fans rally up for Honma, Tanahashi drags him by his leg, and then drops an ELBOW on the knee! Tanahashi has the toehold but Honma grabs at Tanahashi’s hair. Tanahashi elbows Honma then pulls on the leg.
Tanahashi shifts and has the DEATHLOCK! Tanahashi pushes on the legs but Honma endures. Honma CHOPS but Tanahashi eggs him on. Honma CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Tanahashi HEADBUTTS Honma! But that was double-edged and Tanahashi feels dizzy! Tanahashi lets the leglock go, and he drags Honma back to center. Tanahashi pulls on the bad leg but Honma kicks him with the good leg! Tanahashi eggs Honma on, so Honma BOOTS him! Tanahashi stomps Honma again and again, the fans rally up, and Honma eggs Tanahashi on now! The fans rally behind Honma while Tanahashi keeps kicking!
Honma blocks a kick, fires a forearm, but Tanahashi fires back! Tanahashi eggs Honma on and the forearms keep going! Tanahashi fires his strike combo! Honma wobbles, but he still blocks a kick, and DRAGON SCREWS! The fans cheer as Honma gives Tanahashi a taste of his own medicine! The fans rally as Honma crawls away to the ropes. Tanahashi stirs and rises up, and Honma runs up to RUN Tanahashi over! And he ELBOWS Tanahashi down! Then he scoops and SLAMS Tanahashi! The fans fire up while Honma brings Tanahashi around. Honma CHOPS, and CHOPS, and he CHOPS Tanahashi into the corner!
Honma whips corner to corner, runs in, and ELBOWS Tanahashi again! Honma then runs to BULLDOG Tanahashi down! The fans fire up as Honma goes for it again! KOKESHI FLOPS as Tanahashi avoids it once more! That was a close call, though. Tanahashi runs and he FLYING FOREARMS Honma down! The fans rally while Honma goes to a corner. Tanahashi kicks Honma, fires forearms, and fires up. The fans rally as Tanahashi goes corner to corner, but he blocks a boot! Tanahashi holds on as Honma tries to kick free. DRAGON SCREW! Honma is down and the fans rally up. Tanahashi brings Honma back up to scoop and SLAM!
Tanahashi has Honma in the drop zone, adds an ELBOW, then he climbs! SUNSET SENTON! A solid one at that! The fans fire up and Tanahashi goes back up! But Honma hits Tanahashi first! Honma climbs, CLUBS Tanahashi, and the fans rally as he brings Tanahashi to the top. Tanahashi fires body shots and a forearm, but Honma holds onto the ropes to stay up! Tanahashi fires more shots, and Honma falls! But he rises again to trip Tanahashi! Honma CLUBS Tanahashi, climbs back up, and the fans rally again! Tanahashi fires hands, and another HEADBUTT! Honma staggers back, but then RISING KOKESHIS!
Honma climbs, he brings Tanahashi up again, and hits the SUPERPLEX! The fans fire up for that heavy landing! Honma rises as the fans cheer him on, and he hits a KOKESHI ROCKET! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and the fans fire up again. Honma brings Tanahashi back up, throws some heavy back elbows, but Tanahashi eggs him on. Honma has Tanahashi down, then gets both wrists! KAMI-GOYE KOKESHI!! Cover, TWO!! But Honma doesn’t fret, he just goes up top! The fans fire up for the FALLING KOKESHI, but Tanahashi moves! Another crash landing for Honma and the fans can’t believe it!
The fans rally as hard as they can for Honma and he rises up. Honma goes to a corner, he and Tanahashi run at each other, and Honma LARIATS first! Then KOKESHI!! It finally hits!! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but Honma powers up again! The fans rally as Honma brings Tanahashi back up. Honma suplexes but Tanahashi blocks! Tanahashi fires elbows, fights free, but Honma roars! Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS! Honma HEADBUTTS! Honma runs, but Tanahashi dodges, only for Honma to SWAT the Slingblade! Honma runs, but into a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi runs as Honma rises, SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous but now Tanahashi goes up top! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall
In their final showdown, The Ace and The Kokeshi fought like there was no tomorrow! But in the end, Tanahashi comes out on top! He shows his friend respect, and the fans applaud. The Final Road still has many stops left, but who will be next?
Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Boltin Oleg & Shota Umino VS TMDK!
After Dominion, The Fierce Warrior is still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, and BARS is now NEVER Openweight Champion! The Roughneck still wants to prove himself worthy, will he and Team Hontai be rolling towards the G1 Climax? Or can Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson remind us that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The trios sort out and Oiwa starts against Oleg. The fans rally as they circle, tie up, and Oiwa headlocks. Oiwa spins to hammerlock, but Oleg switches that onto Oiwa. Oiwa switches, Oleg switches back then headlocks. Oiwa wrenches the hold open, the two fight for control, and Oleg powers Oiwa down with the top wristlock. But then Oiwa headscissors! Oleg kips free, headlocks, and he grinds the hold. Oiwa fights up, Oleg wrenches and fireman’s carries for a takeover! And another takeover! And another! Oiwa headscissors but Oleg kips free and the fans cheer the standoff. The two reset again and tie back up.
Oiwa headlocks but Oleg powers up, only for Oiwa to hold on tight. Oleg fires body shots, powers up again, but Oiwa still holds tight! Oiwa grinds the hold but Oleg fires body shots. Oleg lifts, but Oiwa hits a flying takeover! The fans rally, Oleg fights up again, and he fires body shots. Oleg powers up and out, Oiwa whips, then Oiwa drops down to DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Oiwa hits a headlock takeover! Oiwa hooks a leg for a cover, TWO! Oiwa keeps the headlock but Oleg fights up. Oleg powers up, powers out this time, then Oleg hurdles to HIP TOSS! The fans fire up and Oleg runs, runs, and SPLASHES DOWN! Cover, TWO!
The fans applaud as Oiwa stays in this. Oleg stomps Oiwa, brings him up, and wrenches an arm. Oleg CLUBS Oiwa, then tags in Shota. Shota takes the handoff to wrench and wrench and wrench again. Goto then tags in and he takes the handoff. Goto wrenches to YANK the arm, CLUB the arm, and then wrench again. Tag back to Oleg and Oleg takes the handoff to wrench and wristlock. Oleg tags Shota back in and Shota CLUBS the arm. Shota stares down ZSJ, he and Oleg stomp Oiwa, then they double whip. They DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE, and ZSJ runs in! Shota sends him into Oleg’s CHOP, and Goto RUNS ZSJ over!
Goto BLASTS Hartley, then brings Oiwa up. Goto has the others join in on BEATING THE DRUM! The fans cheer as Hontai learns to play the Chaos classics. Shota then brings Oiwa up for an UPPERCUT! Shota UPPERCUTS again, and UPPERCUTS again, then whips Oiwa to ropes. Shota ELBOWS Oiwa down, runs and basement DROPKICKS! Oiwa hurries to FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Oiwa keeps cool. The fans rally up and Shota brings Oiwa around. Shota reels Oiwa in, Oiwa resists the lift, so Shota fires KNEE after KNEE! Oiwa sputters, and then Shota CHOPS him to a corner.
Shota whips corner to corner but Oiwa comes back. Shota dodges the lariat, but Oiwa blocks Shota’s to underhook and BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Both men are down, so TMDK BLASTS Goto & Oleg! ZSJ goes out to UPPERCUT Goto down, and Hartley tags in. Hartley CHOPS Shota down, then suplexes him! Cover, TWO! Tag to ZSJ and the fans cheer as The Front Man UPPERCUTS Shota! ZSJ UPPERCUTS Shota again, and again, and again! The fans rally as the UPPERCUTS just keep going, until Shota falls over! Tag back to Hartley and he drags Shota. ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Hartley stomps Shota.
Hartley drags Shota over, tags ZSJ, and ZSJ RAMS Shota! ZSJ UPPERCUTS Shota, shoves, RAMS low, then UPPERCUTS again! ZSJ cravats for the neck wrench but Shota endures. The fans rally, Shota fights up, and Shota powers up and out with a throw. Shota then sunset flips, TWO! ZSJ prawn holds, TWO! Shota sunsets again, TWO! ZSJ high stacks, TWO! Shota sunsets again, TWO! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick to arm-drag, but ZSJ headscissors and NECK TWISTS! ZSJ drags Shota over, tags Oiwa, and Oiwa uses a STRAIGHT ARMBAR! Shota endures, so Oiwa drags him out and drops a LEG on the arm!
Shota endures the modified arm scissors, and he kicks around to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Oiwa lets go, and Oiwa stomps Shota’s arm. Oiwa kicks Shota, eggs him on, then stands him up. Shota ROCKS Oiwa! Oiwa shakes that off, comes back and kicks low! But Shota fires more forearms! Oiwa kicks low, runs up, but Shota dodges to wrench and TORNADO- NO, Oiwa powers out, slips around, but Shota fights the high crotch suplex! Shota CLUBS Oiwa, Oiwa runs up, but Shota ELBOWS and- NO, Oiwa ducks the Pele! Oiwa whips, Shota reverses, TORNADO DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up!
The fans rally while Shota and Oiwa crawl, hot tag to Goto! The Fierce Warrior runs over The Mullet, then he BLASTS TMDK! Oiwa kicks low, runs, but Goto follows and LARIATS! Hartley runs in but Goto kicks low! Hartley blocks Goto’s suplex to suplex Goto, but Goto fights that! Goto then suplexes Hartley onto Oiwa! The fans fire up while Oiwa sputters. Goto stands Oiwa up, whips him to a corner, then runs in for MURAMASA! Then the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Oiwa survives but Goto is right on him. Oiwa fights the fireman’s carry and CLUBS away! Then ROLLING ELBOW! Oiwa runs, Goto follows, but Oiwa ducks!
Oiwa wrenches Goto and hits a DDT! The fans fire up and Oiwa hot tags ZSJ! ZSJ runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and ZSJ brings Goto up. Goto fights the scoop, fires body shots, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Goto fires a forearm, ZSJ UPPERCUTS again, and repeat! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again and again and again, but Goto fires more forearms! ZSJ wrenches an arm to PELE! ZSJ whips, Goto reverses and fireman’s carries! ZSJ slips free, Goto ELBOWS him, then Goto blocks a kick! But ZSJ uses that for an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Goto endures but TMDK YANK Oleg and Shota off the apron!
Oleg is sent into railing, Oiwa keeps Shota down with an armlock, and ZSJ breaks Goto’s grip to have the ARMBAR!! And then the LEGLOCK on top!! Goto flails, reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! The fans cheer, ZSJ lets go, but now Hontai is sent into railing again! ZSJ grabs Goto’s hand and bends the fingers! And he STOMPS the arm! Goto writhes but ZSJ stomps him more. ZSJ runs up and BOOTS Goto, but Goto stays up! ZSJ tries again but Goto blocks the boot to DECK ZSJ! The fans fire up and Goto roars, but he runs into a BOOT! ZSJ scoops, Goto slips free, but ZSJ PELES! And PENALTY KICKS! But Goto is up to LARIAT!
Both men are down and the fans fire up! Goto and ZSJ crawl, reach out, hot tags to Oleg and Hartley! The fans fire up as the big men DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT again! Then they start throwing CHOPS! Oleg DOUBLE CHOPS, runs, but Hartley CROSSBODIES! The fans fire up, Hartley BLASTS Shota off the apron, and he aims from the corner. Hartley runs in, Oleg dodges, and then Oleg comes back! Oleg SPLASHES, then gut wrenches! But Hartley’s too big! Hartley breaks free, fires boxing elbows, and an UPPERCUT! Hartley reels Oleg in, suplexes, but Oleg fights it! They fight for control, and Hartley suplexes Oleg!
The fans fire up and Hartley rises. Hartley runs but Oleg avoids the senton! Oleg drags Hartley up, scoops and SLAMS! The fans fire up as Oleg goes up, up, and VADER BOMBS! Cover, TWO! Hartley stays in this and the fans rally up. Oleg brings Hartley around to gut wrench! Shake, Rattle & THROW! Oleg kips up and the fans fire up! Oleg brings Hartley up again, fireman’s carries, but Oiwa kicks low! Shota kicks Oiwa, UPPERCUTS him, then whips. Oiwa reverses and UPPERCUTS Shota! Oiwa then gets around Oleg to HIGH CROTCH PLEX! ZSJ adds a NECK TWIST! Hartley adds the SENTON! Cover, Goto breaks it! The fans fire up while ZSJ goes after Goto!
ZSJ fires forearm after forearm, but Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Oiwa runs up, Goto sends him into Shota’s LARIAT! Shota stands Hartley up, he and Goto double whip, but Hartley breaks the lariats! Shota sends Hartley into Goto’s FOREARM! Shota ENZIGIRIS! Goto hits URA GTR, and Shota adds a LARIAT!! The fans fire up and Oleg has Hartley up! Fireman’s carry for the KAMIKAZE!! Cover, Hontai wins!
Winners: Hirooki Goto, Boltin Oleg & Shota Umino, by pinfall
The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but they can still fall! Oleg brings down big bad Hartley, can TMDK rise back up before the G1 begins?
As for Hontai, Oleg scored the fall so he gets to speak! Oleg says good evening to Yamagata and the fans cheer. Oleg knows he only just became NEVER Champion, but he promises to work even harder and become an even greater wrestler, so please continue to support him. The fans applaud, and then Oleg asks who wants to speak next. Goto lets Shota go next, and the fans cheer Shota on. Shota thanks the fans for the great energy all the way through the show tonight, then he takes a bow. The fans applaud, and Shota adds that Yamagata is both hot and amazing. This New Japan Soul series is important, but so is the upcoming G1 Climax.
Goto is going to defend the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against ZSJ in Nagoya before the tournament begins, and regardless of who wins that, Shota vows to win the G1 and challenge the champion. Shota tells Goto that he hopes to face him again with the title on the line. The fans applaud and Goto nods. Shota says naturally, the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion will now close us out. The fans applaud again and Goto is handed the mic. The fans cheer Goto on, and he also thanks everyone for coming out tonight. Goto knows it took a long time, but he is proud to finally return to Yamagata as world champion.
The fans cheer, and Goto adds that he wants to make it through his next defense to then take this title into the G1. The Goto Revolution is far from over! Be sure to follow him until the end! The fans cheer that, and Goto says that lastly, he of course wishes to talk about Goto’s G. The fans applaud, and Goto realizes, there’s a G in Yamagata, too. So then, the G in Yamagata and IWGP stand for Goto! The fans cheer and the Fierce Warrior is ready! Will he thwart ZSJ’s efforts in one more rematch? Will he make the G in G1 also stand for Goto?
My Thoughts:
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
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Can the Last Real Champion handle The Truth?
While the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments reach their semifinals, John Cena has his first match on SmackDown in years, against Ron Killings!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss; Asuka wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson; No Contest.
- King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn; Orton wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice; Charlotte wins.
- Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight; Knight wins, by disqualification.
- John Cena VS Ron Killings; Killings wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
LA Knight is here!
Grand Rapids fires up as the Mega Star marches right to the ring. Knight grabs a mic while the fans chant his name, and he says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” The fans cheer, and Knight says, “Let’s just go ahead and rewind our mind a little bit. We go to back to Money in the Bank, Seth and his boys, they just happen to come down and screw this guy.” The fans boo that. Knight says usually, he lets things slide. But he just figured he couldn’t let it slide, so he made sure to screw on of Rollins’ boys in their title opportunity, King of the Ring. But then they came back, paid it back and screwed Knight outta KOTR, so he had to go and screw the other one over!
And it just has Knight thinking. Fans “YEAH!” and Knight says there is only one way this can go. He has gone back and forth between Raw and SmackDown, where it ends, nobody knows! Except Knight! He knows! He knows where this ends! The fans cheer that! And Knight says it ends with him and Rollins! And what better place than here? And what better time than now! Knight tells Rollins to come on out and talk to him! But “Ladies and gentlemen…” The fans boo as Paul Heyman walks out and gives his introductions. He serves as the Wise Man to Mr. Money in the Bank, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!
Heyman says you do not boo that name. And you screwed up your cue, so they’ll do this again. He serves as the Wise Man for Seth Freakin’ Rollins! The fans keep booing, Heyman wants to try again, but Knight says shut up and get to the point! Why is Heyman here?! Heyman walks to the ring and asks permission to step inside. The fans chant “O T C! O T C!” but Knight steps back. Heyman steps into the ring, and he says yes, there has been a lot of bad blood between Knight and Mr. MITB, Seth Freakin’ Rollins. However, Heyman happens to be, with all due respect to everyone here in Grand Rapids, Michigan…
The fans chant “C M PUNK!” at Heyman now and he frowns. Knight says Heyman has a lot of enemies. Heyman says he is the biggest LA Knight fan in all of WWE! Heyman’s been waiting a long time to say this: YEAH! Now, because of that, Seth Freakin’ Rollins (the fans boo again) has allowed Heyman to say to Knight, as a favor to Heyman… It is time for Knight to get the hell outta Grand Rapids, Michigan. Because if he does not, something really bad is going to happen to him before the end of the night. Have a nice evening. Heyman turns to go but the fans cheer Knight on. Knight says he couldn’t help but notice, but did you~ (poking fun at Heyman’s voice cracking) threaten Knight?
Because Knight wants to wrap his head around this. He’s heard Heyman say stuff like this before, because Heyman is a liar, a swindler, a grifter, a scammer and a schemer! Heyman leeches on to any talent that has a bit of hype, sucks ’em dry, then moves on to the next! Rollins just happens to be the latest in this. But where next? Who cares! But the bottom line is, Knight asked for Rollins but he got Heyman. And while he got Heyman, he got a Heyman out here talking all tough. So it has Knight thinking, he has a great idea.
Talking about wise man, wisdom, there was a point in time if Heyman had said something like that, a man like Knight would look at a “thing” like Heyman and punched his wisdom teeth down his throat! Knight won’t do that, yet. But here’s the deal: Heyman’s talking all tough, but if he can’t bring Rollins out here, then the only thing to do out here in Grand Rapids is Knight fighting Heyman here and now! The fans fire up for that! Knight asks if the fans want that, and they cheer! “HUH?” “YEAH!” “HUH?” “YEAH!” “YEAH!!” Knight promises he’ll turn around, take his vest off, and Heyman gets the first shot. He better make it good, or Knight will molly whop his ass right outta Grand Rapids!
The fans fire up as Knight does as promised. He turns around, his vest is off, but Heyman bails? The fans boo as the Wise Man doesn’t play along. Heyman says, “Remember when I told you to get the hell out of Grand Rapids or else something really bad is gonna happen to you before the end of the night? That wasn’t a prediction. That… was a spoiler!” Heyman throws down his mic, and here comes Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker! Rollins’ behemoths head to the ring, but Knight fires off on them first! The fans rally as Knight throws hands and feet, but then Bron TACKLES Knight! Bronson joins in and they mug Knight right out of the ring!
Bronson drags Knight up to TOSS him over barriers! Bron clears the desk, he wants Bronson to put Knight through it! But Knight has a chair! He JAMS Bron, JAMS Bronson, then SMACKS Bron and SMACKS Bronson! Knight gets in the ring, ready to hit whoever gets in! The fans cheer Knight but Heyman has Bron & Bronson stand down. Will Heyman have the henchmen try again before the end of tonight?
SmackDown returns and…
Heyman has Bron & Bronson calm down, they have this under control. It is all in their favor, and it always will be in their favor. That is the whole point behind this. Byron Saxton steps in and wants to talk to them, but Heyman has to hold Bron back like the dog he is! Heyman says no need to bite Byron. Byron apologizes, he has word from SmackDown GM, Nick Aldis, that Bronson Reed VS LA Knight is set for tonight. Heyman says okay, thank you, and goodbye. Byron leaves and Heyman smiles. He told them! Patience is not a virtue, it is strategy. Bronson smiles and nods. Will Auzsilla destroy LA here in Grand Rapids?
Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss!
Two great returns to action through this tournament, and now they cross paths with each other. The Empress of Tomorrow overcame Ivy Nile, Raquel Rodriguez and Stephanie Vaquer while Lil’ Miss Bliss outsmarted Alba Fyre, Candice LeRae and Charlotte Flair. But whose comeback story overtakes the other’s here just one match away from Night of Champions?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Alexa headlocks, but Asuka powers up and out. Alexa RAMS Asuka, Asuka roars, and the fans fire up as Asuka fires hands! Alexa blocks a kick to THROW Asuka down, then basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer as Asuka and Alexa reset. Alexa kicks, Asuka blocks and slips through to waistlock. Alexa elbows free, runs, but Asuka runs past her to then RUN her over! The fans fire up and Asuka runs in again, HIP ATTACK! Alexa falls to the floor and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Asuka lets Alexa stay down while she soaks up the cheers. The ring count starts, Alexa rises, but Asuka goes out after her. Alexa slips inside and DROPKICKS Asuka’s leg! Asuka falls from the apron but she has to nod respect for that savvy move. Asuka steps back in at 6 of 10, and she resets with Alexa. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Asuka wrenches and wristlocks, but Alexa rolls and wrenches to hammerlock. Alexa waistlocks, rolls Asuka, TWO! The two stand off again and they both nod respect. They reset, the fans rally up, and the two feel things out. Asuka trips Alexa, clamps on with a headlock, and she grinds Alexa down.
Alexa endures, Asuka turns her over to go after the arm, then she stands on Alexa’s arm. Alexa endures, Asuka shifts arms, but Alexa wrenches out to wrangle Asuka. Alexa shifts to a cording hold, but Asuka fights up and fires body shots. Alexa whips Asuka to a corner, but Asuka elbows her away! And BOOTS! Asuka goes up, leaps, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Alexa stays in this but Asuka stays focused. Asuka drags Alexa around and gives her Kawada Kicks! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Asuka wrenches for a chicken wing! Alexa fights the Asuka Lock and JAWBREAKERS free! Alexa runs up to RUN Asuka over!
The fans rally as Alexa rallies, then hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up as Alexa SLAPS, ROCKS, and KNEES Asuka down! Then SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and Alexa grows frustrated. The fans rally while Alexa brings Asuka up. Asuka breaks free to URAKEN, SOBAT, FRONT KICK, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Alexa tumbles away, Asuka runs up, SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Asuka stands and takes aim. But Alexa ducks the buzzsaw! Cover, TWO! Alexa clinches, TWISTED- NO, Asuka rolls Alexa up! TWO! Alexa sits up, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Alexa survives but Asuka just fires up!
The fans rally as Asuka goes to the corner. Asuka climbs from the outside, and MISSILE- NO, Alexa dodges this time! Alexa kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Alexa drags Asuka into the drop zone. Alexa goes up, up, and the fans fire up! TWISTED- NO, Asuka moves, so Alexa stops. Alexa won’t let Asuka sneak away, but then she gets caught in an ARMBAR!! Alexa flails, rolls, but ends up in an omoplata! RINGS OF SATURN!! Alexa fights around, pops her arm free for a cover, TWO!! Asuka reels Alexa in, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Alexa stays in this! Asuka fires up, the fans are with her, and she runs up, only for Alexa to ROCK her with a right! Alexa puts Asuka in the Tree of Woe, and she DROPKICKS Asuka out of it! Alexa climbs back up, and TWISTED BLISS onto knees!! Asuka still counters the moonsault, and hits the EMPRESS IMPACT!! Cover, Asuka wins!
Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
The Empress says no one is ready for Asuka, and that has certainly been the case! But on Raw, we find out, will it be Jade Cargill or Roxanne Perez that meets Asuka in Saudi Arabia?
Jade Cargill, Mia Yim & B-Fab watch backstage.
And Fab says damn, Asuka just came back and she’s already making statements. Almost like she never left. Michin says maybe they need to make their own statements. They need to talk to Aldis about the tag titles. Fab agrees. Fab & Mia wish Jade luck before heading out. Byron walks in and asks if he can have a word. Jade says shoot. Byron says Asuka just advanced, but Jade has her match on Monday with Roxanne Perez. How does Jade feel about facing a talented competitor like Roxie? And how does she feel about the possibility of facing Asuka in the finals? Jade says “Rox” has potential. Roxie is quick and scrappy.
But she’s still trying to prove herself. And this isn’t a proving ground, this is a throne room, and Jade was built for royalty. As for Asuka, there’s a storm on the horizon. But news flash, Jade is that storm. This entire tournament wasn’t built for the future, but for a woman who can walk through fire, shatter glass ceilings, and take her crown on the way to the top. This Queen of the Ring, Jade isn’t just walking in to win. She’s here to reign. Will the Prodigy be washed away by the storm this Monday?
Alexa Bliss returns backstage.
And Chelsea Green finds her. Flanked by her Secret Her-vice, The Hot Mess asks, “Hey, little fu-fu, how’s your boo-boo?” Alexa asks back, “How’s yours?” Piper tells Chelsea not to get upset, Alexa is just jealous. Chelsea says this serves Alexa right. Chelsea should be Queen of the Ring, and she’d be building her parliament if not for Alexa! Oh, if she has that big of an issue, then try facing her in the ring. Chelsea says she will! But then Charlotte Flair walks in and says if anyone should’ve still been in this tournament, it’s her. But had Chelsea’s “replacement” tapped out sooner, maybe she would.
So here’s the deal: Charlotte will have a match made and tap Chelsea out instead. N-Not if Chelsea makes it a bank holiday! ROYAL DUTIES! NICHOLAS! Chelsea hurries away with the Secret Her-vice following, and Alexa tells Charlotte that she doesn’t need Charlotte’s help. Oh, that’s cute. Because Charlotte wasn’t helping Alexa. Charlotte leaves now, leaving Alexa to chew on that. Will The Queen chew up the Hot Mess and spit her out now that she has nothing better to do?
Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson!
The Dark Father is also directionless now that he is out of the King of the Ring tournament, but he never lets that bother him. Will he make himself the direction all roads lead when things #FadeToBlack? Or will Kit prove he can be Pretty Deadly all on his own?
Wait, who is attacking Kit? It’s R-TRUTH! But why’s Ron Killings going after Kit?! He POSTS Kit, drags him back out, and puts him in an STF!! The fans fire up and Kit taps, but it won’t matter when this isn’t a match! Killings lets Kit out of the hold and demands a mic. A mic is given, and Killings says, “Get John Cena out here now. I’m driving! On my terms! Cena, get out here!” The fans fire up and then Killings puts Kit back in the STF! Aleister is rather confused, but producers hurry out here to stop Truth. Truth lets Kit go, Jamie Noble asks Truth wait for the main event. Truth seethes, but he accepts the terms.
Killings leaves, walking right past Aleister. Will there be no denying The Truth when he finally gets his hands on the Last Real Champion?
Jamie Noble talks with Truth backstage.
Jamie says Truth has to calm down. Truth says he wants John Cena NOW! He’s driving! Yes, okay, but just wait. Truth promises that when he sees Cena, he is killing him tonight! Aleister steps in and asks Truth why he is getting involved in Aleister’s match. Truth says it wasn’t personal, it had nothing to do with Aleister. These two stare down, and then Damian Priest steps in. The Archer of Infamy has Aleister stand down. Truth is going through a lot, let Priest talk to him. Oh, of course. Aleister says, “Ron.” “Black.” Aleister leaves, Priest tells Truth that there’s no need for any of that. Priest gets Truth is frustrated, but he can’t just go beat up people for no reason.
Priest used to do that, and Truth was the guy there to make him smile. Truth made the world smile! All that anger and negativity, focus that on the match tonight. Focus that on John Cena. Go out there and handle business with Cena, then Priest and Truth can go downtown to celebrate. How’s that sound? Truth says sounds good, DP. They shake hands, and Priest heads out. Truth is still seething, but will he make sure it all explodes on Cena?
Cody Rhodes is here!
Grand Rapids sings along as The American Nightmare makes his way out, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, he high-fives fans in the front row, then looks closely at the King of the Ring’s crown. Cody goes to the ring and grabs the mic. He hears the fans cheer him on, but then Jey Uso is here! The fans fire up as Main Event Jey makes his way down through the crowd! A young fan joins in bouncing along, but so does all of Grand Rapids! Jey continues down the stands, finds another young fan, and they bounce along again. Jey then reaches ringside, high-fives the front row, and he joins Cody in the ring as we get the next wave of YEET!
Grand Rapids might want to YEET all night, but Jey hugs it out with Cody before he gets his own mic. The music dies down, the fans chant, “One More Time! One More Time!” and Cody says sure, one more is fine. Jey says okay, and yes, the fans get to YEET again! Jey says hey, Cody doesn’t even have to say nothing. They been in the trenches! “YEET!” Still in the trenches! “YEET!” From fighting The Bloodline… “YEET!” To winning tag titles… “YEET!” To finishing their stories at WrestleMania! “YEET!” They’ve both been to the mountaintop. “YEET!” But Cody, on Monday, there is only room for one of them.
The fans are intrigued, and Cody nods. Jey says there’s only one that can go. Cody VS Jey, Jey VS Cody, and Jey knows Cody will bring it. Jey has to get his, Uce. He has to, just like Cody has to get his. But that said, Uce, it ain’t personal. This all business. But that all said, too, Uce, on Monday, after they go to war, please believe that it will be four letters, one word, uh uh… YEET! Cody smiles and the fans cheer. They shake hands again, and wait! Here comes Sami Zayn! The fans cheer as the Great Liberator makes his way to the ring. Sami grabs a mic to say, “This is nice, isn’t it? I get to share the ring with two great friends.”
The fans applaud, and Sami says he is in the ring with two of the very best that this business has to offer! The fans cheer that, too! Sami says he’d be lying if he denied there was a part of him that sees the three of them in this ring, and notices how only one of them has never been world champion. Jey, Sami wants him to know, man to man, this year, Sami missed Mania. Sami had no reason to be in Las Vegas, but he got his ass on a plane to Vegas for one reason: To congratulate Jey the moment he won the World Heavyweight Championship! Sami loves Jey, and he is proud of him. And Cody, for years, everyone watched as Cody finished his story.
And when Cody did, he did the unthinkable and pinned Roman Reigns in the middle of this ring, Sami was the first one out here to congratulate Cody. Sami is so proud that Cody finished his story. So he hopes both men understand that now, it is time for Sami to finish HIS story! The fans cheer, but then here comes Randy Orton! The Viper looks at the crown, then goes to the ring. The fans sing along with Voices and Orton grabs himself a mic. “So Cody, same deal as last week but I’m gonna say it again. There is no line I will not cross, even if it means going through you, so that I can get to John Cena at SummerSlam, beat him, and get my FIFTEENTH world championship!”
The fans cheer, and Orton tells Jey, “Man, I respect the… Hell outta you, dude. Our families go way, way, way back. Nothing but love, dude. But if you’re standing across the ring from me at SummerSlam, it’s not gonna be four letters, one word. It’s gonna be three letters, one move.” The fans say it, “R K O!” And Orton says he not only speaks for himself but for everyone here in this arena when he says, and from the bottom of his heart, one day and one day soon, Sami Zayn will be world champion. But not at SummerSlam. Because tonight, Sami is on the receiving end of the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment: R K O.
Orton drops the mic, and it is time to put those words into action. Will it be the Legend Killer or the Underdog from the Underground that heads for Saudi Arabia?
King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn!
SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and these two circle. They tie up, Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, then wristlocks. Orton endures, fights up, and the fans duel. Orton wrenches Sami in return to then headlock. Sami endures, powers up to wrench again, and he grinds the arm. Sami wrenches and CHOPS, and Orton goes to the corner. Sami CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” but the ref counts. Orton pushes past Sami, bails out of the ring, and he is pretty red already. Sami builds speed but he fakes Orton out with the Arabian Press! The fans fire up and Orton has to admit that was good.
Orton goes up the steps and steps back into the ring. The fans rally, Orton and Sami tie up, and Orton puts Sami in the corner. Orton lets off slowly, but he pokes Sami in the eyes! The fans boo but Orton UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! But Sami pokes Orton in the eyes! The ref caught that one and reprimands Sami. Sami TOSSES Orton out, goes to the apron, but Orton YANKS Sami down! Sami hits off the apron, and Orton reels him in, DESK BACK SUPLEX! Sami writhes and Orton rolls into the ring, just to refresh the count. Fans want that “One More Time!” and Orton agrees! DESK BACK SUPLEX again!
Sami writhes more and whatever monitor wasn’t busted, they’re busted now! Orton leaves Sami behind for a moment while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Orton goes out to fetch Sami, but Sami fights off a third back suplex! Orton kicks low, brings Sami over, but Sami blocks the smack off the steel steps! Orton sputters, Sami stalks him, and Sami decides to give him some payback! But Orton ROCKS Sami first! Orton SMACKS Sami off the desk, puts him in the ring, and covers, TWO! Sami stays in this but Orton looms over him. Sami rises, Orton puts him in a corner, and Orton fires body shots. Orton climbs up and rains down fists! Orton gets to eight before Sami fires back! Sami has Orton in another corner, climbs up, and Sami rains down a fast TEN!
Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs and CHOPS! Orton is stinging but Sami CHOPS him again! Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, and whips! Orton reverses, Sami hits buckles hard, and Sami falls in a heap. Orton dusts himself off and looms over Sami again. Orton stomps Sami’s hand! Sami writhes and clutches his finger. Orton stomps Sami’s foot, ten the other foot! And then the other hand! Sami sits up, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Orton CLUBS away on Sami’s chest! Orton DECKS Sami, the fans cheer, and Orton brings Sami up. Orton whips, Sami goes up and over, and Sami LARIATS Orton down! The fans fire up again as Sami rises!
Sami goes to the corner, Orton runs up, but Sami ELBOWS him! Sami goes up, AX HANDLES, and the fans fire up more! Orton takes a swing, but Sami slips around! Orton fights the Blue Thunder, then LARIATS! And LARIATS! Orton dodges Sami to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up while Sami goes to the apron. Orton drags Sami in through the ropes, and DRAPING DDTS! The fans fire up as Orton hears those voices! Orton watches Sami rise, but then Sami bails out! The fans are torn but Sami is smart to avoid what was coming. Orton goes out to fetch Sami, SMACKS him off the desk, and then back suplexes, only for Sami to lands out!
Sami CLUBS Orton, and hits a DESK BACK SUPLEX on Orton! Sami puts Orton in the ring, goes to a corner, and the fans fire up as Orton rises. Orton runs in, Sami dodges, and Orton POSTS himself! Sami runs corner to corner, HELLUVA- SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Sami survives and Orton seethes. “This is Awesome!” as Sami goes back to a corner. Orton runs back in and he LARIATS! Orton runs but Sami follows! But Orton dodges the Helluva Kick! Sami gets stuck on the to rope, frees himself, and hobbles into an RK- NO! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Orton survives and the fans fire up again!
“This is Awesome!” as Sami drags Orton to the drop zone. Sami goes up the corner, Orton stands and he gets under the leap! R K- NO, Sami SLAMS Orton down! And then HELLUVA- RKO!!! Orton crawls to the cover, Orton wins!!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
Sami fought his heart out, but the Viper still strikes! Orton is going back to back in KOTR finals, but will he win the crown this time?
Nia Jax is here!
Grand Rapids boos as The Irresistible Force goes to the ring. She grabs the mic dot say, “You know what’s crazy? Tiffany Stratton approached me to be under my wing, because she knew exactly what I could do for her. And look, she’s thriving! And what kind of thanks did I get for it? She betrayed me. She has MY title!” But wait, here comes Tiffy! Grand Rapids cheers as the WWE Women’s Champion has the mic to tell Nia, “You’re like that toxic ex I just can’t get away from. News flash: get over it! You make excuse after excuse, but when are you just gonna admit that maybe I’m just better than you?”
The fans cheer and Tiff heads to the ring. Nia says yeah, okay, if Tiff is so much better, then give Nia a rematch without kicking a chair into her face. Tiff says if Nia’s so desperate for a match, it is her lucky day! She made it official for next week: Tiff VS Nia! And Tiff will have more fun adding more scars to that “five head” of Nia’s. Because it won’t just be a regular match. It will be Last Woman Standing! Nia takes a swing but Tiff dodge! Tiff fires off, kicks low, and runs up, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! And then Nia drops a leg, brother! Nia holds up the belt and soaks up the heat. Nia thinks about leaving, but decides to add on! ANOTHER leg drop, brother!
The fans boo but Nia says that’s not enough! Nia tells Wade & Joe that she’s taking the title! But wait! NAOMI is here, with a ref! Is she doing it!? Is she doing it?! But Nia YANKS Naomi out! Naomi tells her back off! Nia doesn’t, Naomi shoves her, but Nia still grabs at her! Tiff DROPKICKS Naomi onto Nia! Tiff avoids a cash-in because Nia was in the way, but is she setting herself up for failure with that extreme title match?
Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice!
The Queen was denied her crown, but she’s not even angry at Alexa Bliss, the one who took that opportunity from her. She instead looks to humble the Hot Mess that claims she would be queen if her demands were met. Who vents their frustrations and comes away with the win?
SmackDown returns and Charlotte makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans actually cheer on Chelsea. Alba distracts Charlotte and Chelsea sucker punches her! The ref reprimands but Chelsea SMACKS Charlotte off the mat again and again! Chelsea salutes, but Charlotte CHOPS! Chelsea KNEES low, whips, but Charlotte goes up and out at the corner. Charlotte BOOTS Chelsea away, avoids Alba and KICKS her! Chelsea runs up, Charlotte RAMS her, and then Charlotte climbs up. CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Chelsea scrambles away and Charlotte runs up, but into an ELBOW! Charlotte GAMANGIRIS!
Charlotte snapmares, Chelsea distracts the ref, and Alba grabs Charlotte by the hair! Alba HOTSHOTS Charlotte and Chelsea hits a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is furious but Charlotte stays in this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Chelsea hops onto Charlotte for a SLEEPER! The fans rally, but Charlotte hits a BACKPACK SENTON! Charlotte is free, Chelsea runs back up, but Charlotte gives her a BACKBREAKER and BUCKLE SHOT! Chelsea falls back, Charlotte huffs ‘n’ puffs and runs up to fire hands! The fans fire up as Charlotte CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Charlotte CHOPS again, then clinches for an EXPLODER! And a kip up! The fans fire up and Charlotte salutes to poke fun at Chelsea. Charlotte runs, dodges, and handsprings to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Chelsea survives but Charlotte stays on her by going for a leg.
Alba gets on the apron, so Charlotte BOOTS her down! The fans cheer, but Charlotte turns around into a ROUGH RYDER! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Chelsea is furious! Chelsea takes off her face protector and drags Charlotte up. Chelsea has the arms, turns Charlotte, but Charlotte shoves her away! Charlotte dodges and SPEARS! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea survives but Charlotte has the leg! FIGURE- CRADLE!! TWO!! Charlotte has the leg again, FIGURE FOUR! And the bridge for the FIGURE EIGHT!! Chelsea TAPS, Charlotte wins!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission
But then Piper Niven SENTONS onto Charlotte!! Alba storms in, she and Piper mug Charlotte, but here comes Alexa! She RAMS into Piper, she ROCKS Alba, then she catches Chelsea! Charlotte LARIATS Alba out while Alexa hits a TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL! And then Charlotte BOOTS Piper down! Charlotte and Alexa look at each other, and despite what either one thinks, maybe they both need the other after all. Alexa offers the handshake, but Charlotte walks right past Alexa. Alexa lets that slide, but will Charlotte come around soon enough?
Solo Sikoa talks with JC Mateo.
Why is JC taping up? Uh, duh, he’ll take out Jacob. No, Solo is going out there alone to talk with Jacob. Solo was the only one that Jacob would listen to. Jacob needs Solo. Solo will smooth things over. JC accepts that, but Solo does say that JC should stay ready. Solo is covering his bases, but will he need the Imperial Unit to put down the Samoan Werewolf? Or will it all be alright between them all?
Solo Sikoa heads to the ring.
SmackDown returns as the former Tribal Chief makes his way out, and Grand Rapids boos. Solo grabs the mic, takes a moment, and says, “Alright, Jacob. I’m out here in the middle of the ring, all alone, with open arms, willing to talk to you face to face. I feel terrible about what happened. So if you’re back there, come on out so we can clear the air.” Jacob Fatu makes his entrance and Grand Rapids cheers! Fatu holds up the United States Championship before he steps into the ring, and he has a mic of his own. The fans cheer on “FATU! FATU!” and Solo says he didn’t come out here to fight him, okay? He’s not here for that.
Solo wants to make it clear to Fatu that he loves him, always has loved him, no matter what. One thing Solo learned from being Tribal Chief is how to love family and how to take care of them. That’s all he’s trying to do. Families fight all the time. They fight, they argue, they forgive, and then they move forward. So they should move forward together, Jacob. Move forward as one. The fans boo that, but Solo says nobody saw the potential in Jacob except Solo. Nobody wanted Jacob here in the WWE, except Solo. That is why Solo brought Fatu here and gave him the chance to change his life and put food on his family’s table.
And why did Solo do that? Because Solo loves Jacob. He does. And to be honest, Solo doesn’t have anybody else. Fatu isn’t sure about that, but Solo says all he has is Fatu. And he’s all Solo needs. So come back to the family, and even if Jacob doesn’t say those four words, Solo will. Solo will say it for him, to him, loud enough so everybody can hear it! Solo tells Jacob, “I love you, Jacob.” The fans boo, they don’t trust this. Fatu paces as he thinks on that. “So you love me, huh?” Solo nods yes. So this is what it comes down to, huh? Solo loves Fatu? The way Fatu sees things, Solo has been using Fatu! Solo has been using Fatu to gain power, to fight his battles, and to stay Tribal Chief.
Hell, Solo brought Fatu in so Fatu could bring Solo fame! Solo brought Fatu in because he thought Fatu would bring him gold! Is that all this is about? Fame? Gold? Power? SOLO, LOOK AT HIM! Solo looks up from the floor while the fans cheer Fatu on. Fatu tells Solo that ever since he won the US Championship, Solo is the one that’s been acting different. And maybe Fatu isn’t the problem. Fatu just figured it out! The problem… is this. The problem is the US Championship. Fatu sets it down between him and Solo, and he says if this is what he thinks it is, then just fight him for it! Fight Fatu for the title! The fans fire up for that!
And Solo, Fatu will only warn you one time: If you ever think about coming this way, you know what Fatu is about! You know what’s poppin’ with Fatu, blood! And you know Jacob Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADADA- SOLO TAKES A SWING! Fatu blocks the spike and he HEADBUTTS! JC Mateo rushes out here! Fatu HEADBUTTS him, too! But Solo CHOP BLOCKS the legs! The fans boo but JC & Solo mug Fatu! But then here comes JIMMY USO! The fans fire up as #BigJim slides in, dodges Solo, and SUPERKICKS JC! And then he SUPERKICKS Solo! But JC LARIATS Jimmy down! JC HAMMERS Jimmy and Solo has him put Jimmy in the corner.
The fans boo but Solo tells Jimmy that he should’ve chosen Solo’s side, not Jacob’s! But speaking of, Fatu is up! The fans fire up as Fatu BODY CHECKS JC! Then he SUPERKICKS Solo! Solo is in a corner, Fatu fires off on him, HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! SUPERKICK for JC! HIP ATTACK for Solo! The fans are fired up for the Samoan Werewolf, and he locks eyes with Jimmy. Jimmy came to Fatu’s rescue, Fatu just saved him, so Fatu goes up, up, only for Solo to bail out! No Best Moonsaults here in Grand Rapids, but will Fatu cut Solo down soon enough?
Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight!
The Wise Man warned, or rather threatened, the Mega Star that he should just cut and run, but that’s not how he does things. Knight is ready to fight, but will he survive a battle with Auszilla? Or is a Tsunami about wipe out LA?
Wait, Knight doesn’t enter from the stage! He enters from the crowd! And he POSTS Bron! The fans fire up as Knight evens things out! He TOSSES Bronson out, throws his vest at him, and Bronson snarls. Bronson has Bron stand down, and says, “Tonight, I kill him.” Bronson steps into the ring, the bell sounds, and Knight fires off! The fans fire up as Knight fires hands, but Bronson puts him in the corner. Knight ELBOWS back, Knight fires more hands, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips but Bronson blocks! Bronson whips Knight to a corner, runs up, but Knight dodges! Bronson POSTS himself, and Knight stomps a mudhole in!
The fans rally, the ref counts, and Knight goes corner to corner, but into a fireman’s carry! Knight slips down to sunset flip, but Bronson stays up! Bronson jumps but Knight avoids the hip drop! Then Knight basement BOOTS! The fans fire up and Knight storms up on Bronson. Bronson TOSSES Knight to the apron, but Knight slingshots back in! Bronson catches Knight to a fireman’s carry! Knight flails free and he RAMS Bronson into a corner! But Bronson holds ropes to deny the Jump Neckbreaker! Bronson runs but Knight avoids the senton! The fans fire up as Knight goes up, up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! That’s a Steiner move!
The fans fire up and spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT!” but Bronson bails out! Knight runs to WRECK Bronson with a dropkick! Knight goes back up, springboards, CROSSBODY to the ramp! The fans fire up with Knight and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Bronson has Knight up top. The fans rally as Knight fights back with body shots! Knight ROCKS Bronson, ROCKS him again, and ROCKS him again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Bronson finally falls and Knight adjusts position. “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Bronson survives and Knight is rather stunned while Heyman is relieved. Knight aims, kicks, but Bronson denies the BFT! HEADBUTT, then a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Knight survives the “Jagged Edge” DVD but Bronson brings him right up. Bronson reels Knight in and says thumbs down.
Bronson lifts Knight up, but Knight flips the bomb into a DDT! The fans fire up but Bron barks at the apron! Knight DECKS the dog, tells Heyman to get the same, but Bronson runs up! Knight DUMPS Bronson out, builds speed, but BRON SPEARS!!
Winner: LA Knight, by disqualification
The fans boo but Bron handed Knight the win with that one. Bronson stands Knight up so Bron can build speed and SUPER SPEAR!! Grand Rapids is torn but plenty of fans bark. And now Bronson goes up!? TSUNAMI!! Bronson goes up again, the refs hurry out here, but TSUNAMI AGAIN!! The fans want another, so Bron scares the refs off to let Bronson go back up! THIRD TSUNAMI!!! Have Rollins’ rooks just broken Knight into pieces? Is this a message to everyone that no one can stop the vision?
Jacob Fatu speaks.
“Yeah, c’mon on widdit! I just spoke to the man, and you know the man makes everything possible here on SmackDown! So next week, next week on Saturday, me ‘n’ you, Solo! Night of Champions, mano a mano, I’m about to dog walk yo’ ass for the US Championship! Solo, you better get in where you fit in. Cuz if you don’t, then baby, it’s ’bout to be all gas, no breaks with it. Yadadadada mean?” The Samoan Werewolf will get to sink his teeth into Solo, but will he stay golden through it all?
John Cena VS Ron Killings!
The Undisputed WWE Champion was the exact opposite of grateful for R-Truth saving him from Randy Orton at Backlash, and he doubled down when Ron tried to show him the truth at Saturday Night’s Main Event. So, if Cena doesn’t want the Truth, he’ll get someone who knows about ruthless aggression! Will Ron Killings bring an early end to the retirement tour? Or will Cena continue to ruin wrestling for everyone else?
SmackDown returns as Cena makes his entrance. The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” despite him wearing the Detroit Pistons colors. Cena makes Mark Nash give the “proper” introduction: “He is the Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Grand Rapids with his presence one final time… He is the Last Real Champion, JOHN CENA~!” The fans boo, the bell rings, and Truth stares at Cena while Cena smirks hearing the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Truth TACKLES Cena! He fires off hands but Cena bails out! So Truth goes out to DECK Cena! “What’s up!?” “WHAT’S UP!” Truth has Cena at the desk and SMACKS him off it!
Truth ROCKS Cena again, and shakes his hand out from hitting so hard. Truth SMACKS Cena off the apron, storms in after him, and whips him to a corner. Cena hits buckles hard and falls to the mat! The fans continue to duel while Truth keeps his eyes on Cena. Truth storms up on Cena while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Truth stands Cena up, whips corner to corner again, and Cena hits buckles hard! Cena sputters, Truth looms over him, and Truth ROCKS Cena! Cena ROCKS Truth! They go back and forth with haymakers, and then Truth dodges to SHOULDER TACKLE! Truth still uses Cena’s own moves against him, and that includes the SPIN-OUT BOMB! Truth raises his hand and Grand Rapids joins in! “You Can’t See Me!” But then Cena bails out so Truth can’t hit him! Truth is annoyed, the fans give thumbs down, but here comes Truth. Cena ELBOWS him down! Cena drags Truth up, POSTS him, and he brings Truth back into the ring.
Cena HEADBUTTS Truth, CHOKES him on the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Cena stomps away on Truth, then runs to KICK Truth in the back! Cena talks trash, then he runs to SHOULDER TACKLE! Cena takes his time, knowing it is what the fans want. Truth rises up, Cena runs to SHOULDER TACKLE again! Cena watches Truth rise again, gets around him, SPIN-OUT BOMB! And Cena raises his hand, reveling in the cheers and jeers. “You Can’t See Me!” SmackDown returns to single picture for the FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Then Cena fireman’s carries, but Truth slips free! THESZ PRESS! And fast hands!
The fans fire up and Truth has Cena in a corner. Truth runs to STINGER SPLASH! Truth hitting all sorts of other iconic moves! Cena tumbles out and grabs the belt! Cena doesn’t care about this match anymore, he doesn’t need to take this! Truth says hold up! Truth runs Cena down and fires hands on the ramp! The fans fire up but Cena CLOBBERS Truth with the belt!!
Winner: Ron Killings, by disqualification
Cena wants to get another shot, but wait! PUNK IS HERE! Cena runs away into the ring, and he catches Punk as Punk slides in! The fans boo Cena but he huffs ‘n’ puffs. Cena drags Punk up, but Punk fires hands in return! Punk DECKS Cena, grabs the belt, and he holds it up! The fans cheer, and Punk aims, but Cena LOW BLOWS! Cena has a sinister smile as he grabs the belt. BELT SHOT for Punk!! The fans boo even more, but Cena decides to up the ante! Cena brings out a table! The fans cheer, everyone loves tables! Cena puts the table in the ring, then watches Punk sputter around. Cena sets the table up while the fans rally behind Punk.
Punk stands but Cena has the belt again! BELT SHOT!! Cena drags Punk up, fireman’s carries, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT through the table!! Cena made Punk snap into a Slim Jim, and then he grabs a mic. Cena laughs at Punk, and then sits up on the corner. “Punk… As you lay there in your most uncomfortable…” Cena pretends the mic cut out, taps it, and then says, “Somebody’s afraid of what I’m gonna say.” Cena grins and the fans boo as Cena flips the iconic “Pipebomb” moment on it’s head. “As you lay there in your most uncomfortable, I hope you can listen. I hope you can digest.
“Because before I leave here in six months with that WWE Championship, I gotta get a whole lotta stuff off my chest. First thing’s first, I don’t hate you. I don’t even dislike you. I like you. I like you more than anyone you ever shared a locker room with, that’s for sure. I hate this idea of you. This idea that you’re the Best int he World. You’re not. I’M the Greatest of All Time.” Grand Rapids is a bit torn on that statement, but Cena says Punk is better than Cena at one thing: You’re the best BS artist in the world. Oh no, kiddos~! John Cena just dropped a curse word! That means the show is off the rails! Hey, Stu, shoot this. Hi~! “I’m breaking the forth wall! HAHA!”
Cena then says the truth is, Punk… Cena is jealous of you. Cena is jealous that Punk has conned the fans into believing the myth that Punk is the Best in the World. Oh how they chant for Punk! Which they literally do right now. Hell, the fans even sing for Punk now. But they don’t believe a damn word you say. Because Punk changes his values as much as Cena changes his shirts! Punk is just a loud mouthed opportunist who steps on the necks of those who actually work hard if it gets him ahead. Oh, hey, look, another cameraman! “Hi, Claudio Castagnoli! Hey, Nic Nemeth! Hey, Matt Cardona! How’re you guys doing?”
The fans can’t believe Cena is going this far but Cena is loving it! “He’s heating up! He’s on fire! And there’s nobody back there that’s gonna cut my mic to save your ass, cuz I’m your only friend! Remember who gave you the stage for your pipebomb, pal! And what’ve you done with it since then, huh? You just regurgitated the same five microphone moves of doom. You’re promo potato salad, pal. Hey, you’re no longer the Voice of the Voiceless, you’re a friggin’ millionaire despite yourself. You’re not a punk, you’re a capitalist! And you’re not against TKO, dude, you are Mr. TKO. Cuz they knocked your balls technically off your body.
“Your tweets are strong, but your actions are weak. And in Saudi Arabia, you’re gonna face some loud, loud music when I finally prove to the world that each and every day, day in, day out, no days off for 25 YEARS, I have been the Greatest of All Time!” The fans cheer that a bit more now, to Cena’s surprise. “See, they know. And they know that you were the Best in the World… for seven minutes, 14 years ago. And if after Night of Champions, you’re still delusional enough to believe that you’re the Best in the World, well… I guess it’s a small world after all. You’re welcome, Grand Rapids.” The fans cheer, and Cena lets the world hear it.
Cena tells Punk to bring his A Game to Night of Champions. If Grand Rapids is any indication, the mood is starting to change. Refs finally appear to check on Punk, Cena says no, that’s fine. Punk needs to rest up for his big title match. Get a good shot of this: Best in the World VS Greatest of All Time, for THE most coveted prize in sports entertainment, THE WWE Undisputed Championship! And Cena knows the fans will sing and chant, but he also knows even the idiots are smart enough to see the truth: The Champ is Here. And USA Network, keep the extra two and half minutes. He doesn’t need a bomb to blow the “mother fudging” building.
Oh, and thanks, Punk, for letting Cena rip off your best promo just to make you look even more foolish. Cena finally drops the mic and he raises the belt up again. If the proverbial tables have turned this drastically, is there no saving WWE from losing its north star championship?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown with an awesome ending. All those years ago, when CM Punk dropped THE OG “Pipebomb” promo, no one could’ve ever in a million years guessed that here tonight, we would’ve gotten the John Cena remix. Not only was that promo of the year, but Cena blew up go-home math. I can’t see Cena losing the title to Punk now. He can lose the match since Cena loves getting disqualified, and there’s the possibility of Rollins trying a cash-in, but Cena is leaving Saudi Arabia as champion to then go to SummerSlam. It also works because Cody Rhodes still feels like the favorite for King of the Ring.
A lot of that has to do with how Sami lost to Orton tonight. Great promo from the four semifinalists, especially since it was Jey, Sami and Orton kinda keeping Cody from talking since there isn’t more Cody needs to say. Win or lose, no explanations needed at this point. Sami VS Orton was an awesome match, but I could just feel an RKO countering the Helluva Kick as the way to go and that’s what they did. Now, as awesome as it would be for Jey to beat Cody, and then for Jey to beat Orton to go for the World Heavyweight Championship again, there are a lot of moving parts right now that it would just be the easiest for Cody to win the crown and have his rematch with Cena.
And while talking the WHC, Gunther VS Goldberg IS confirmed for the title, but has also been confirmed as Goldberg’s last match. This is a huge indicator that despite Rollins teasing a cash-in on the Undisputed title, he will likely be thwarted and then falls back to the title he feels is rightfully his. That is to say, Rollins cashes in on the winner of Gunther VS Goldberg, which I half expected even before all this talk of Goldberg’s last match. Rollins can take this title from Gunther and Goldberg, and then we can throw Jey and even LA Knight into the mix as things are getting heated between Knight and the henchmen.
Great promo from Knight with Heyman, great match with Knight VS Bronson, and a really powerful beating Knight takes from Bron & Bronson. If nothing else, Knight costs Rollins his cash-in. Truth going after Kit Wilson was an interesting move. Also a shame Elton Prince is hurt, Pretty Deadly gets going and then something happens to slow them down. But Kit was going to lose to Aleister so this really messes Aleister up more than anything. Priest keeping the peace between Aleister and Truth was good stuff. Priest and Truth being allies on SmackDown can be some real fun stuff, and I feel like they’re already set up for a feud with Aleister.
Very good stuff with Fatu, Solo and this US Championship story. Fatu VS Solo was the natural move, and I like that Jimmy Uso ends up an ally for Fatu. The title match is set, I wonder if we get a tag match first. In fact, next week is title night in Riyadh with Tiffany Stratton giving Nia the Last Woman Standing match, and basically setting the stage for Naomi to cash in. She almost did tonight but Nia was again able to stop her, so I would think Naomi waits until the very end of the Last Woman Standing match to take full advantage. Then, if Jade wins Queen of the Ring, we get Jade VS Naomi at SummerSlam.
Good promo from Jade, B-Fab & Michin watching Asuka VS Alexa. Asuka winning made the most sense, Alexa clearly has story with Charlotte and Asuka is just that good. Jade VS Roxie will be a good match but Roxie’s story in Judgment Day might keep her from winning. But then the fallback there is Roxie might actually sub in for the tag titles like I was thinking. Charlotte VS Chelsea was very good, and of course the Secret Her-vice does what they can to help. The beatdown they put on Charlotte and then Alexa making the save, that’s going to be one of those “can they coexist?” tag matches for sure.
Honestly, a little surprised we didn’t get any tag team promos tonight, unless I completely missed something. I believe title night is going to have Profits VS Gacy & Lumis for the tag titles, too, so that’s going to be something wild. And while DIY is scared of the Wyatts, I feel like they’re going to interfere because they don’t want the Wyatts to take the titles. But at the same time, the Wyatts need something substantial this time around, so maybe they win the titles at SummerSlam.
My Score: 9/10
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