Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (12/23/20)
NXT Presents: A Very Gargano Christmas!
Who will have NXT gold for Christmas?
Given the animosity between them, Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch are willing to deal with Killian Dain and Drake Maverick in time for the holidays! Who will be our very merry NXT Tag Team Champions?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Tag Team Championships Street Fight: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS Killian Dain & Drake Maverick; Lorcan & Burch win and retain the titles.
- Isaish “Swerve” Scott VS Jake Atlas; Swerve wins.
- Rhea Ripley VS Dakota Kai; Ripley wins.
- Bronson Reed VS Ashante “Thee” Adonis; Reed wins.
- Timothy Thatcher VS Leon Ruff; Ruff wins.
- Ariya Daivari VS Tyler Rust w/ Malcolm Bivens; Rust wins.
- Adam Cole VS Velveteen Dream; Cole wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT Tag Team Championships Street Fight: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS Killian Dain & Drake Maverick!
No need to wait on this one! Pat McAfee’s One Two are ready to throw down with Big Damo and Rockstar Spud! But so are Dain and Drake, as they run up and CLOBBER the champions from behind! The bell rings and the brawl is on, who gives out seasons beatings to kick off the night?
Dain CLUBS away on Oney, Drake rains down rights on Burch, then they switch! Dain throws Burch into boards, Drake rakes Oney’s face and throws him into the giant X-tron! Dain throws Burch into steel steps, Drake kicks Oney down the ramp, and Dain gets a table! Drake gets a chair and he JAMS Oney in the ribs! Drake brings out more chairs, puts them in the ring, Dain drags a second table around. Drake puts a chair in a corner, then helps Dain arrange the furniture. Oney CLUBS and ROCKS Drake then helps Burch with Dain! The fans boo as Oney and Burch mug Dain then bring him up, to whip into boards!
Drake crawls over but Burch stomps him down. Burch and Oney put Dain in the ribs, Oney DECKS Drake, then the champs fire off on Dain in a corner! Burch digs his boots into Dain, ROCKS Dain again, and actually tags Oney! Oney digs his boots into Dain, drags him up but then throws a EuroUpper! Tag to Burch, Burch CHOPS Dain then throws more forearms. Oney sets up the chairs next to each other, and he helps Burch bring Dain over. Dain fights out and back drops Oney onto the chairs! Dain CLOBBERS Burch, fans fire up and Maverick is in his corner! Dain throws the chair down on Burch’s back before he tags Drake in.
Drake and Dain double whip Burch, Dain uses Drake to trip Burch up, then he drops the back senton! Dain scoops Burch, slams him, then Drake runs to be the human weapon, scoop slam senton! Drake wants a high-five, but he’s just used as a weapon again! Fireman’s carry, and the boots DECK Oney! Dain whips Oney to a corner, tags Drake and Dain whips him in to body block Oney in the corner! Dain runs in to elbow, then he puts Drake on the outside, BOOT ENZIGURI COMBO! Fans fire up, Drake covers Oney, TWO! Drake keeps his cool, but Burch headbutts low! Dain stomps Oney from the apron while Burch throws uppercuts on Drake.
Dain RAMS Oney into boards, Drake stops from hitting the steel chair but so does Burch. Burch dodges Drake to LARIAT! Both men are down inside, Oney dodges Dain to send him into the apron! And he hits a BLOCKBUSTER! Everyone is down and fans rally up! Burch stirs, as does Drake, and Burch sits a chair up. Burch whips Drake to drop toehold him into the chair! Burch then helps Oney mug Dain, and they bring up a table to set it against the boards. Dain mule kicks Burch, slugs Oney then throws Burch over the barriers! Dain glares at Oney, Oney blocks being bumped into the table, to bump Dain into it! The table is bent but Oney wants to break it!
Dain blocks the suplex to suplex back, but Oney slips out and CHOPS! Dain shoves Oney, Oney avoids the other tables but the BOOT rocks him! Dain runs in but Oney dodges, Dain crashes through the table! The champions have control again as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Oney drags Drake around. Oney takes Drake’s belt off him and taunts him as he crawls to ropes. Oney LASHES Drake with the leather! Burch tells Oney to do more, so Oney stands Drake up to LASH him across the chest! Tag to Burch and he gets a turn with the belt, he LASHES Drake down! Burch puts Drake on the ropes, and mockingly asks, “Please, sir? May I have another?” LASH! Tag to Oney, the champs drag Drake up to double whip into a corner! The back is stinging as it hits buckles, and the champs mockingly ask where Dain went! Fans rally but Oney rakes Drake’s face!
Oney and Burch double wrench to double CHOP Drake! They double whip Drake back in, soak up the heat, but Dain is back! Dain officially tags back in, and he rallies on the champs! Dain OVERHEAD SUPLEXES Burch, then OVERHEAD SUPLEXES Oney! Burch ends up in the corner with the chair, Dain runs and SPLASHES him for a chair sandwich! Dain runs corner to corner to SPLASH Oney! And then back to Burch! Dain shoves Burch into Oney to SANDWICH SPLASH the champs! Dain throws hands on Oney, Burch comes back but gets a mule kick! Dain hoists Burch up for a POWERBOMB! And LEAPING ELBOW!
Dain tags Drake back in, Dain drags Oney up but Burch gets passed Drake to save Oney! The One Two shove Dain down onto the tables! Those tables from earlier don’t break but bend, making things a different kind of rough for Dain’s landing! Oney and Burch now have Drake all alone, and they taunt him as they pace like sharks with blood in the water. The leather belt is back, and Oney LASHES Drake again! Drake drags himself up and LOW BLOWS Oney! All’s legal in a Street Fight! Burch waistlocks Drake but Drake LOW BLOWS him, too! Drake has his belt back and he LASHES Burch! And LASHES Oney! And Burch, then Oney, then Burch, and repeat!
Fans are thunderous as Drake fires off more painful lashes to Burch! Drake LASHES Oney in the head! Drake tosses the belt aside but Oney LOW BLOWS back! Oney and Burch regroup, and Burch has his cricket bat! Burch SMACKS Drake, then he and Oney coordinate, LONDON BRIDGE! Cover, Oney and Burch win!
Winners: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)
The Kings of NXT are still on their thrones! The Gov’nah declares, “There ain’t a team that can touch us!” Will that be true even in the new year?
The Way shares A Very Gargano Christmas.
The tree is up and decorated. The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, and Gargano is playing O Christmas Tree on piano in an ugly Christmas tuxedo. “Forget Elf on the Shelf. You’ve got Gargano on a Piano.” Candice, Doggo Gargano, and “the kids” come in. Austin and Indi wanna open presents. Alright, Gargano will get the camcorder! Wait he still has a camcorder? But the Gargano home movies are being made, Johnny is here with “the love of his life,” and he lingers on the North American Championship before saying, “Candice.” What does she have to say? She’s just so happy they can all be together for the holidays.
Indi admits, this is #Impressive. She can’t believe they found a way to put this all together. Candice says they always find a way. Did they really think their first family Christmas together would be disappointing? Austin says NO WAY, JOSE! No, you do NOT mention that name in this house! That guy had no way, it was in his name, and stop eating cookies. Stop. It’s okay, but it’s just not time for cookies. But it is his turn to open a present! Which one is his? The one with his name on it… Don’t shake it, though! Oh, sorry. Austin opens it up, and it’s… Protein powder! Not just that, it’s the Gargano Whey! “Holy *jingle bell censor*!” Yep, Johnny’s own personal mix. “Whipped it up myself.”
So Austin can get as big and strong as Johnny? Yes, he’ll be #AustinTakeOver in no time! So, all dynamic and deadly like Johnny? Oh yes. Indi sees what Austin did there! Dynamic And Deadly, a DAD- DUDE! Austin, do you know how to spell? But whatever, surely there will be more Gargano home movies to be shared down the line.
Finn Balor and Kyle O’Reilly both watch back their TakeOver: 31 match.
To prepare for their rematch at New Year’s Evil, 1/6/21, they both look back to see what we all saw that night. Kyle says, “Finn, you are good, man.” It’s funny, sometimes you come across an opponent that you feel you were born to wrestle. Is Finn Balor the Johnny Gargano to Kyle’s Adam Cole? Remains to be seen, but Kyle has a feeling they’ll be doing this for a long time. As for Finn, he says, “There’s a lot of bluffers in this business. When the bell rings, there’s nowhere to hide.” Once you tie up, you tell everything about them. If they’re nervous, if they’re excited, if they’re scared. That alone chews someone up, but Kyle was calm, controlled and confident. It made Finn come alive.
Nothing came easy in that match. It was all a struggle. But now it’s the moment of truth. The liver shot kick. Kyle felt every ounce of hope leave him. It pisses him off seeing it again. Finn says it wasn’t a lucky shot, he knew what he was doing. That was the most excruciating pain Kyle has ever felt in his 15 years. Finn is a shark with blood in the water, and he made Kyle pay. Kyle can’t blame Finn. He would’ve done the same thing right back. Coming back was going to be extremely difficult, but that wasn’t going to stop Kyle from trying. Then there’s “the moment that stole the show,” the jaw breaking knee. It makes people forget who won the match. Finn is still champion, but all people remember is that Kyle broke Finn’s jaw.
So here we go again. Balor VS O’Reilly 2 will be very different. Finn says Kyle got his lucky break, but there won’t be a trilogy. Kyle shattered Finn’s jaw, and this time he vows to shatter the legacy. But will Finn be the one putting the end on Kyle’s Cinderella story?
Backstage interview with Tyler Rust and Malcolm Bivens.
McKenzie Mitchell talks about the very impressive debut against Tommaso Ciampa, but Bivens immediately corrects her by saying it was one of the best NXT debuts ever! Besides Rust, who else has taken a former NXT Champion like Ciampa to the limit on the debut? No one! So tonight, Rust with Bivens by his side will show he isn’t a rookie, just a #DiamondintheRust. Let’s go out there and make some money! The two fist bump, will this manager-superstar combo take over NXT?
Isaish “Swerve” Scott VS Jake Atlas!
Frustrations got the better of Swerve after he lost to Atlas, that is the only reason he didn’t shake hands. But will Swerve start to show his true colors if he loses again?
The bell rings and Swerve circles with Atlas. They approach, feel out the grapple and tie up. Atlas puts Swerve in the corner, pushes him as he lets off, but Swerve keeps his cool. They circle again, knuckle lock but Swerve facelocks and drags Atlas down to get around and ghost pin, ONE! Atlas gets up and Swerve smirks, but Atlas gives him a shove. Swerve says he likes the fire, and the two circle again. They tie up, go around, Atlas gets the arm to wrench but then bobs ‘n’ weaves, and SLAPS Swerve! Atlas wants Swerve to take him serious, and Swerve grabs Atlas by the face to put him in a corner! The ref counts as Swerve fires off furious fists, but he has to back Swerve off!
Swerve comes back, Atlas shoves him and then boots! Swerve eggs Atlas on, then trips him up to grind his forearms into Atlas’ face. Atlas tries to get free but Swerve clinches. Atlas throws forearms, trips Swerve back and then gets a facelock. The two scrap, Swerve knees low then whips, but Atlas reverses. Swerve stops himself, stomps but Atlas avoids, then Atlas blocks the next stomp to kip up and DRAGON SCREW! Swerve ends up hitting ropes and gets out as he sputters. Atlas rushes over but Swerve sweeps the legs! Atlas kicks Swerve away, goes to the corner, TRIANGLE ENZIGURI! Swerve staggers, gets pissed and goes for a chair, but reconsiders. Swerve works to stay cool as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns as Swerve has Atlas down and wrenches his arm. Atlas hits back but Swerve shifts to some ground ‘n’ pound with heavy forearms. Swerve floats to get a leg but Atlas gets up to fire forearms back. Swerve throws haymakers, Atlas hits back and uses a corner for support as he boots! Atlas runs at Swerve, and comes in from the side for the SUNSET BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives that unique takedown, but the two men stand up. Atlas goes Matrix to avoid the lariat, and hits a CUTTER! Atlas hurries up as Swerve staggers, but Swerve SUPERKICKS the cartwheel away! Atlas tumbles down, Swerve is on the apron and he BOOTS Atlas!
Swerve puts Atlas back in, brings him back up and whips, tilt-o-whirl SLAM! Then a dead lift to a BRAIN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Atlas survives and Swerve starts to seethe. But Swerve smiles as he gives toying kicks to Atlas. Swerve drags Atlas up, bumps him off buckles, climbs up and claws at Atlas’ face. Swerve then hoists Atlas up top backwards, climbs up behind him, and goes to full nelson! Atlas resists, elbows Swerve away then hops to the apron to BOOT Swerve! Atlas climbs back up, and hits a SUPER POISON RANA! But Swerve lands on his feet?! Fans are thunderous as Swerve grins and eggs Atlas on!
Atlas ROUNDHOUSES, Swerve ROUNDHOUSES back! Atlas HEEL KICKS, but Swerve sweeps the legs to HOUSE CALL! Oklahoma Roll, ONE and Atlas makes it his own cover! ONE, Swerve has it, ONE! Atlas and Swerve get up, Swerve waistlocks but Atlas switches! Swerve holds ropes to deny the O’Conner, then he back HEADBUTTS! Swerve hoists Atlas up to hit the CONFIDENCE BOOST! Cover, Swerve wins!
Winner: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, by pinfall
Swerve is all pumped up and he tells Atlas to Suck It! He was a sore loser last time, and not a very gracious winner this time. And now he offers Atlas a handshake? Atlas of course refuses, and Swerve mocks him for it. Will Swerve go from swagger to bragger in the new year?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Era.
McKenzie asks Adam Cole and Roderick Strong that while Kyle is preparing for his rematch with Finn Balor, what do they think his chances are this time? Cole says since TakeOver 31, Kyle has improved a lot. That night didn’t go Kyle’s way, but Kyle’s strategy is completely changed. Next time will be very different. Strong agrees. As if it wasn’t clear already, “Cool Kyle” made it CRYSTAL clear when he beat “that dork, Peter Dune.” And at New Year’s Evil, Kyle will-
The Velveteen Dream returns?! And he says it’s so funny how “the mighty have fallen.” Because here Dream is, thinking “The Great Adam Cole” is the leader, but no, that’s not it at all. Kyle O’Reilly is the real head of the snake. These two, but mostly Cole, are just cheerleaders. Cole SLAPS Dream! And Cole makes this clear to him: there is no “leader” in the Undisputed Era. How about Cole run Dream into the ground and show him why the UE are still the top dogs around here. What a great rematch from a TakeOver we just got outta nowhere! Will Dream regret running his mouth against a very different Adam Cole?
Timothy Thatcher speaks.
“Tommaso Ciampa wanted to fight me. I guess I should be grateful he came to my face to say it. Good for you, sir, that doesn’t happen around here too often.” And at TakeOver, Ciampa tried to take Thatcher’s ear while Thatcher tried to take Ciampa’s neck. But as an educator, Thatcher knows the lesson was not complete, and tried to do Ciampa the courtesy of coming down ringside and asking Ciampa man-to-man for a rematch. And what did Ciampa do? Ciampa walks away from him! Thatcher gets kicked out like he doesn’t belong! Ciampa doesn’t like men who talk a lot, act like they’re tough guys. Well Thatcher’s gonna talk as a tough guy right now, and take some liberties with Leon Ruff! If Ciampa is the man he says he is, then he’ll stop it! Why? Because Thatcher wants to fight Ciampa!
Rhea Ripley VS Dakota Kai!
The Nightmare may want after #BigMamiCool, but she’ll settle for settling scores with #CobraKai first. Will the Riptide shred through Dakota on its way to #RickyDesperado?
The bell rings and Rhea taunts Dakota that her “little helper” isn’t here. That’s because after some taunting on Twitter, Raquel said Dakota could handle this on her own and Regal can ban her from ringside to make it official. Regal did, and here we are. Rhea and Dakota tie up, go around, and Rhea puts Dakota in the corner. Dakota slips out and pie faces Rhea, and then laughs at Rhea’s hair being greasy. Rhea and Dakota circle, approach and Dakota deflects to KICK Rhea’s leg. Dakota bobs ‘n’ weaves, grabs a leg, but Rhea drags her up to swing her around! Then Rhea TOSSES her!
Dakota gets up, Rhea is after her in a corner, and whips her corner to corner hard! Dakota bails out, Rhea goes out after her, but Dakota gets to the apron! Rhea blocks the kick, Electric Chair lifts, and tosses Dakota, but Dakota clings to ropes like a spider! Dakota hops over the sweep to kick Rhea back! Dakota gets Rhea’s arm to STOMP it down onto the apron! The ref reprimands but Dakota goes after Rhea more, as she hammerlocks the arm and POSTS it! Rhea shouts in anger and pain while Dakota goes into the ring, and the ref checks on Rhea as NXT goes picture in picture.
Dakota grins as she watches Rhea shake out the arm. Rhea gets up, goes in but Dakota stomps her down! Dakota drags Rhea by a leg, covers, TWO! Rhea shakes out the bad arm, Dakota gets the arm again, and she wrenches it for a keylock. Rhea endures, fights her way up, but Dakota trips Rhea and has her down again! Dakota leans on the arm, Rhea keeps her shoulders up and rolls back, but Dakota wrenches and throws Rhea back down! Cover, TWO! Dakota is annoyed and talks some smack but she hammerlocks Rhea to RAM her into buckles! Dakota wraps the bad arm around ropes and pulls! Dakota digs her boots in but the ref counts and she lets off.
Dakota walks into body shots but she CLUBS Rhea back down! Dakota wrenches the bad arm to WRING it out! Rhea writhes, Dakota covers, TWO! Dakota pushes Rhea around but Rhea kicks back. Dakota stomps the bad shoulder, and AX KICKS the bad arm! Rhea is seething as she clutches her arm but Dakota is after her again! Dakota digs a knee into the arm, pushes Rhea around, but Rhea endures, even as Dakota drops the knee! Dakota wrenches Rhea again, gets the keylock back on, but Rhea still fights up. Rhea rolls Dakota up, TWO! Dakota BOOTS Rhea back down! Cover, TWO! Now Dakota’s frustrated.
Dakota grabs the arm for a short arm scissor but Rhea moves around. Rhea fights up as the fans rally, but Dakota cranks on the hold harder. NXT returns to single picture as Rhea keeps moving around. Dakota stretches the arm for a full armbar, but Rhea dead lifts to POWERBOMB Dakota down! Fans fire up as both women stir on the mat. Dakota gets to ropes but Rhea goes to the other end. Rhea runs and rallies with clotheslines! Rhea spins Dakota, manages to cravat and throw knees, to then snapmare and basement dropkick! Fans fire up with Rhea but that bad arm still bothers her. Dakota runs, Rhea dodges the boot to dropkick Dakota down!
Rhea hauls Dakota up for a hook kick! And an atomic SLAM! Cover, TWO! Dakota survives and Rhea grows frustrated. Fans rally for Rhea as she gets up and looms over Dakota. Rhea drags Dakota up, Dakota throws forearms on the bad arm! Rhea hits back, Dakota HEADBUTTS, Rhea uppercuts! SCORPION KICK from Dakota! Dakota runs Around the World but misses the boot! Rhea Electric Chair lifts again, for the FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Dakota survives and Rhea is furious! Rhea bites a finger and shakes out the bad arm to try and get any feeling. Rhea runs at Dakota but Dakota drop toeholds her into buckles! Dakota goes side to side, BOOT WASH!
Dakota drags Rhea out of the corner, but Rhea shoves! Dakota dodges, redirects and wheelbarrows, but Rhea gets the legs! PRISM TRAP!! Rhea holds on with the bad arm as best she can, but Raquel appears on the stage! That’s not ringside so she’s not in violation of anything! Rhea sees Raquel and tortures Dakota just to egg Raquel on! Dakota claws her way over, for a ropebreak! The ref counts, Rhea lets go at 4, but she stares Raquel down. Rhea drags Dakota back up, CLUBS Dakota, and taunts Raquel with the fact she’s beating up her friend. Rhea hoists Dakota up top, ROCKS her, then climbs up to join her. Rhea stares Raquel down but Dakota fights the superplex off!
Dakota shoves Rhea down, BOOTS her, then adjusts to run and KAI-ROPRACTOR! Cover, TWO!?! Rhea survives and Dakota is beside herself! Rhea is in a daze, though, and Raquel is seething. Dakota gives Rhea Kowata Kicks over and over, then brings her up to kick, into the pump handle! But Dakota counters the Riptide to a GUILLOTINE! But Rhea says no no, she TOSSES Dakota off! And then hauls her back up, for the RIPTIDE!! Cover, Rhea wins!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall
The Mosh Pit Kid still stares down with Big Mami Cool, and dares her to come closer now that the match is over. Raquel starts to head down the ramp but referees hurry out to stop this from turning into a fight. Raquel just pushes past them and Rhea dares her to step inside the ropes. Raquel does get in, and she moves the last ref aside, and tells him not to move from the corner. Rhea and Raquel circle and the fans are thunderous! Rhea tells Raquel she doesn’t want this ass whooping, but Raquel tells her the same thing back. Referees tries to get them to cool off, but they just fire off instead!! The brawl breaks lose, referees rush in, but they get loose and fire off again! And again!
Rhea tackles Raquel to a corner but Raquel hits back! They go around and now officials and producers get in to stop this! Rhea and Raquel just egg each other on, and Rhea gets lose to LEAP at Raquel! They won’t stop brawling but the refs pull them apart. Raquel gets loose now and she gets at Rhea! They fall to the mat and continue to scrap, but the producers manage to get in and finally separate the female titans! How long will we all have to wait for Rhea and Raquel to settle this score?
NXT returns to The Way’s Very Gargano Christmas.
It’s Indi’s turn to open a present! She has a big one! And it’s… A PS5! “No *jingle jangle* way!” Austin, language! Indi is so hyped to play this! And so is Doggo Gargano! #AllDay! Stop getting you stuff in, man. Wait, is there nothing in here? Well, yeah, the PS5 is Johnny’s. The box was for dramatic effect. Because the real gift is WAY better than a PS5. Wait, how? Indi has proven herself loyal and worthy, so she should take on “the family nickname.” Wait, you don’t mean…? Yep. Johnny officially christens her #IndiWrestling! That IS better! Candice and Johnny support Indi Wrestling. Austin is so touched. And he has that cookie now.
Backstage interview with Toni Storm!
Last week, she beat Rhea Ripley, so what is next for her? “What’s next? What’s next? Last week, I called my shot, I said I was gonna beat Rhea, and I did, McKenzie. It’s amazing what you can do when you start putting yourself first for once.” Toni beat Rhea, was on the winning team at WarGames, so what’s next? Well what’s next is Toni Storm takes the NXT Women’s Championship from Io Shirai. There’s a reason Shirai is terrified when Toni suggests anything about the championship, and that is because Shirai knows that Toni is the one woman on the roster she simply can’t beat.
Remember back to the Mae Young Classic, when Toni beat Shirai. Shirai can go on and say all she likes about how the title is her only problem, but no. Her other problem’s name is Toni Storm. Will the Lightning From Down Under strike Shirai twice under the bright lights?
The brutal training is far from over.
Shifu watches as Xia Li is now the one beating up the wood dummy. “Enough!” And now, Boa wants more from the kendo stick strikes! It isn’t enough for him yet! Xia again kicks Boa, and the two seem to be egging each other on. Shifu says it is enough! And even the training in the water is no longer overwhelming. Boa and Xia have become hardened weapons, but how will “she” choose to use them?
Bronson Reed VS Ashante “Thee” Adonis!
The Colossal One is back in time for Christmas! Will the #BattleTested Auszilla trample all over Adonis’ happy holidays?
The bell rings and and Adonis avoids Bronson’s grip to get a headlock. Bronson back suplexes but Adonis lands on his feet and talks some smack. Adonis’ kick is caught and Bronson uses it to reel him in and LARIAT! Bronson stalks Adonis to a corner, brings him up and whips him corner to corner. Adonis BOOTS back, kicks and forearms, but Adonis runs into the BODY CHECK! Bronson drags Adonis around to stomp him, then drop a senton! Bronson goes to a corner, climbs up top, and fans fire up to see the TSUNAMI SPLASH! Cover, Bronson wins!
Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall
What a way to make a return! Will the Colossal One crush the competition in the new year?
Backstage interview with Io Shirai!
The Evil Genius heard what Toni Storm said earlier, and she tells the production guys to hit her music! Shirai is heading to the ring!? And she not only gets a mic, but she gets a chair! Shirai storms into the ring, takes a seat, and dares Toni to get down here! Shirai waits, and Toni makes her entrance! Actually, it’s just her music, as MERCEDES MARTINEZ attacks from behind! She gets Shirai in a sleeper and thrashes her around! Mercedes throws Shirai out, then RAMS her into a girder! Mercedes fireman’s carries Shirai to TOSS her into the boards! And then throws her into barriers! Mercedes wants Shirai to fight, and she POSTS Shirai!
Mercedes puts Shirai in the ring but Shirai kicks back! Shirai goes out but Mercedes SPEARS her into the apron! Mercedes THROWS Shirai so hard into the announce desk, Shirai almost goes through it! Toni may want the title, but will she have to get in line?
NXT returns with more of A Very Gargano Christmas.
Last but not least, the love of Johnny’s life, Candice. Austin passes the gift over, and Johnny says he “went out of my way” to get this for her. She opens it up and… It’s a crushed tire off of Shotzi’s first tank? Everyone knows Johnny Gargano hates wheels, but hey, it’s Christmas. Candice loves it! Yes, Gargano spent 17 hours in a junkyard, digging through rubble, to find the last remnant of Shotzi’s old tank. All for their general. Merry Christmas. But there’s only one way to end the festivities: family photo! Austin is having some of the Gargano Whey straight out of the jar?! Merry Christmas! Austin!! Welp, that’s the Christmas card now… But will The Way still have their way into the new year?
Timothy Thatcher VS Leon Ruff!
The Professor of Pain told us all how he’s going to rough Leon up, but he mostly wants Ciampa to man up! Will Ruff last long enough for Ciampa to show up?
The bell rings and Ruff circles with Thatcher. They tie up, Thatcher SLAPS Ruff on the head then pushes him. Ruff comes back, gets a leg, but Thatcher sprawls and floats to get a chinlock. Thatcher pulls back but Ruff endures, so Thatcher claws at his face! The ref counts, Thatcher lets off and drags Ruff up to EuroUpper him back down! Fans rally for Ruff more but Thatcher CLUBS Ruff down hard! Thatcher drags Ruff back up, Ruff headlocks, but Thatcher powers out. Ruff slides under, headlocks again, but Thatcher back suplexes. Ruff lands on his feet and leaps to get a headlock again! Thatcher powers out to CLOBBER him!
Thatcher drags Ruff up, Half Hatch Suplex! Ruff flounders to a corner, Thatcher drags him up but Ruff throws elbows. Thatcher knees low, knees him down, then shouts, “Ciampa! Where are you, Ciampa?!” Thatcher smothers Ruff, covers, TWO! Thatcher KNEES Ruff in the ribs, and Ruff shouts in pain! Ruff tires to chop back but Thatcher hammerlocks an arm to hit a rough body blow! And then a rougher Belly2Belly! Thatcher doesn’t cover, he goes looking and finds a chair! Thatcher sets a seat for Ciampa and dares him to show up. Thatcher goes back in, Ruff cradles! TWO!! Thatcher runs into a dropkick, and another!
Ruff fires off haymakers, Thatcher whips him but Ruff rebounds to LARIAT! Thatcher stays up, Ruff headlocks but Thatcher shoves him away. Ruff goes up, up and leaps, into a EUROUPPER! Thatcher seethes as he drags Ruff up and underhooks, BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Thatcher is still waiting on Ciampa, and he KICKS Ruff in the side! Thatcher gets a leg, picks Ruff up by just that leg, but Ruff cradles again! RUFF WINS!!
Winner: Leon Ruff, by pinfall
And the ultimate underdog gets another shocker! Ruff has two amazing wins in 2020, but Thatcher CLOBBERS Ruff to make him pay for it! Thatcher stomps away, the ref reprimands him but Thatcher doesn’t care. Thatcher drags Ruff up and shouts for Ciampa. SO here’s Ciampa! Ciampa gets Thatcher in the ropes, WILLOW’S BELL!! “You wanted an answer? You want a fight? I’ll see you in the Fight Pit!” Ciampa gives Thatcher a little kiss on the forehead then takes a seat to pat himself on the back. Only the second-ever NXT Fight Pit Match, and it’s with Thatcher and yet another hard as nails opponent! Who comes out of the Fight Pit in one piece?
Damian Priest speaks.
“I sent a simple message, Kross: step to me like a man. But you chose to blindside me. So I ask, where’s this badass everybody keeps talking about? I haven’t seen him. In fact, I’m still standing.” Behind all that mystique, Kross needs to look in the mirror and ask himself, “Am I just not as bad as I think I am?” New Year’s Evil, Priest will answer that question when he punks Kross out in front of the whole world. Will the Archer of Infamy #LiveForever when he shoots down the apocalypse?
NXT visits Dexter Lumis’ art studio.
His previous works, such as his ode to Great American Bash, are hanging on the wall, but he’s busy working on a new piece. Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Gonzalez, New Year’s Evil… LAST WOMAN STANDING! You “heard” it here first from the host! Who will prove they are the baddest of them all on the first NXT of 2021?
Ariya Daivari VS Tyler Rust w/ Malcolm Bivens!
Daivari Dinero knows a lot about money, but is Bivens Enterprises about to make a fortune with the #DiamondintheRust?
The bell rings and Rust circles with Daivari. They feel out the grapple, tie up, and Rust waistlocks to a full nelson, to then spin Daivari to a headlock takeover. Rust traps an arm, cranks on the head, but Daivari keeps his shoulders up. Rust brings Daivari up, pulls on the arm to knuckle lock, then spins to wrangle Daivari back down. Daivari endures as Rust cranks on the arm, and Daivari gets up to slip through and wrench back. Rust moves around, slips through and wrenches to then trap an arm! Rust has the other arm, Daivari manages to get to ropes, and the ref calls for the break. Rust lets go, Bivens boasts how impressive Rust already is, and Daivari circles with Rust again.
Daivari and Rust tie up, Rust spins through to get the arms, wrench to another wristlock, then wrenches to hoist Daivari up like a backpack! BACKPACK AIRPLANE SPIN, then a toss! Daivari staggers up, he blocks a kick but Rust hits a takedown to go after the arm! Daivari resists, gets the ropebreak with legs, but Rust lets go fast. Rust drags Daivari up, Bivens says Rust is the best, and Rust yanks on the bad arm! Rust throws an uppercut to the arm, whips him corner to corner, and runs in, but Daivari dodges to ROUNDHOUSE! Rust goes down, Daivari drags him up to put him through ropes, HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! Rust is on the apron, Daivari runs to dropkick him off hard!
Bivens complains as Daivari fetches Rust and puts him in. Daivari rains down rights, then talks trash to Bivens. Bivens says Daivari hasn’t seen anything yet! Daivari calls Rust trash and garbage, which are the same, but Rust reaches up and drags Daivari into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Daivari gets a ropebreak, Rust lets go at 4, and then ROCKS him with a EuroUpper! Rust KICKS away on Daivari’s arms, then has him staggering. Daivari blocks a kick, throat chops back, then hammerlocks! Rust ducks the lariat to KICK the arm! Rust throws a EuroUpper, then a BOOT! Rust cravats, for the FLIPPING MARE SLAM! And then an omoplata, leg hook on the other arm, Daivari QUITS! Rust wins!!
Winner: Tyler Rust, by pinfall
Bivens says he was right about Rust, and this win over a 205 Live OG proves it! Rust goes from an impressive loss to an impressive win, and he soaks in the moment of having his hand raised! Will this be just the first of many times that happens for Rust?
Backstage interview with Leon Ruff.
Ruff is leaving William Regal’s office and thanks him, but what is it about? Ruff is feeling like a kid on Christmas after his win over Thatcher, but that’s not the only gift he’s got. Regal is giving Ruff a rematch for the North American Championship! Johnny better be having a Very Merry Gargano Christmas, because the curse is real. Next week, Ruff is going to be there to make sure Johnny doesn’t break it. Happy Holidays! Will Ruff be having the best new year ever?
Karrion Kross responds.
“Mr. Priest… You fancy yourself as the life of the party. The kind of guy that goes out there looking for trouble, just so you can find your way out of it.” Well this time, he dug himself a hole he can’t get out of. To question Kross’ manhood, make smartass remarks to Scarlett, those were the biggest mistakes of his life. It is inevitable that Kross will take back what he truly never lost. But as for Priest… He is an intriguing roadblock that Kross can’t take his eyes off of. But just like everyone else, the bell will toll for him, too. Scarlett says doomsday is coming. Tick-tock.
The NXT Year Awards are coming!
Voting is now open on WWE’s official website, make sure your choices win!
Adam Cole w/ Roderick Strong VS Velveteen Dream!
A rematch from TakeOver: In Your House, but both men have changed much in just six months. Does that mean the result here tonight will be very different? Or will NXT still be Undisputed?
The bell rings and the two circle. They approach but Dream remembers he’s wearing sunglasses. Dream backs off to take the sunglasses off and put them in the corner. Cole and Dream circle and tie up, go around, and Cole headlocks. Dream tries to power out but Cole holds on tight. Cole gets a takedown then makes it a cover, ONE! Dream pries out, Cole reels him back in and hits another takeover. Dream fights up, Cole puts him in a corner, and Cole lets off. Dream swipes but Cole avoids it, only to come back! The ref backs Cole down and Dream gets a sucker punch in! Dream knees low, ROCKS Cole against ropes, then soaks up the heat.
Dream whips, Cole kicks him back! Cole clobbers Dream, and fans fire up while Dream flounders around. Cole drags Dream up to DECK him with a right, then does it again! Dream flounders more, mocks the “BAYBAY” and Cole BOOTS him down! Cole drags Dream up and Strong dares Dream to run his mouth now. Cole whips Dream to a corner, runs in, but Dream BOOTS him back! Cole spins Dream for a neckbreaker! Fans fire up while Dream flounders again. Cole brings Dream up, fireman’s carries, but Dream slips out to the apron. Dream slingshots but into a BOOT! Dream tumbles down and Cole goes out to put him back in.
Cole runs into a fireman’s carry but slips out to shove Dream into buckles, but Dream comes back, and heads collide! Strong rallies for Cole but PETE DUNNE rushes down and RAMS Strong into the apron! Then throws him into steel steps! Strong tumbles up and over, but Dunne is there to STOMP him down! Dunne takes Strong around the way, for a BITTER END to the apron! Cole sees this, referees rush down to stop Dunne, but Dream uses his own shirt to CLOTHESLINE Cole down! Dream covers, TWO!! Dream clamps back onto Cole with a choke as NXT goes picture in picture!
The ref reprimands, Dream rains down rights on Cole, then digs his knee into Cole’s neck! The ref counts, Dream lets off and he kicks Cole while he’s down. Dream grins and soaks up the heat while Cole gets to a corner. Dream drops a fist, but Cole blocks it! Dream stomps a mudhole, but lets off to CLUB Cole on the back! Cole hobbles but Dream throws body shots in a corner! And then another corner! Dream CLUBS Cole, Cole ROCKS Dream but Dream whips corner to corner. Cole reverses and Dream hits buckles hard! Dream bounces right off the buckles but Cole brings him up, only for Dream to jawbreaker in return! Dream chokes Cole on ropes again, and stops at the count, to run and STRADDLE ATTACK!
Dream poses in the ropes, then mockingly pretends he can’t hear the fans. Dream says they love him, but that’s clearly not the case. Dream kicks Cole while he’s down, gets the legs, but Cole kicks him and kicks him until Dream staggers away! Cole brings Dream around to throw big forearms, Dream rebounds off ropes to throat chop! Dream keeps on Cole as NXT returns to single picture, but Cole hits back! Dream scoops and SLAMS Cole, then heads to the corner. Dream climbs up, aims, but Cole avoids the Purple Rain Maker! Both men are down but Cole gets to a corner and fans are fired up! Cole brings Dream up to throw haymaker, but Dream SLAPS Cole!
Cole and Dream brawl, body shots and haymakers, Dream whips and runs but Cole CLOBBERS him! Cole rallies, BOOTS, and fireman’s carries for the USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Dream survives but Cole keeps his cool. Cole drags Dream up to a waistlock but Dream grabs at ropes. The ref calls for the break, but Dream can’t hold on! Dream switches but Cole PELES, and GERMANS! Cover, TWO! Dream slithers out but Cole grabs him by his hair! Cole drags Dream in, but Dream FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS Cole back! The ref checks on Cole and Dream drags Cole up for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Dream grows frustrated as Cole survives!
Fans rally as Dream drags Cole up. But Cole fireman’s carries! Dream slips out, throws haymakers in the corner, and dares fans to cheer for Cole now! The ref pulls Dream away, Cole gets around but Dream elbows hard! Dream goes up but Cole SUPERKICKS the legs out! Dream falls down, clutches his leg as he writhes, but Cole spins through. Dream kicks the Figure Four away and POSTS Cole at the same time! Cole tumbles, Dream hobbles to a corner and climbs, for a FLYING- SUPERKICK!! The superkick intercepts the ax handles! Fans are fired up as Cole gets in the ring at 5, but just to refresh the count.
Cole drags Dream up from the ramp, but Dream is dead weight. The ref checks on Dream as Cole goes to the ring. Cole waits as Dream flounders back in, and Cole SUPERKICKS him down! Then the FIGURE FOUR! Dream flails, shouts, thrashes about, and finally starts to drag himself to the ropebreak! Cole lets go at 4, and Dream clutches his knee again. The ref checks on Dream, Cole SUPER- No, Dream moves, the ref avoids getting hit and Dream rolls Cole up! TWO, KICK to SIDEWINDER! Dream hits the DreamDT, and heads back to the corner! Dream is up top, PURPLE RAIN MAKER!! Cover, TWO?!? Cole survives and shocks Dream!
Dream gets up, Cole SLAPS him! Dream reels Cole in but Cole hits the LAST SHOT BRAINBUSTER! Cole goes to the corner, goes up, but leaps into a SUPERKICK from Dream! Dream hurries back up, PURPLE- SUPERKICK!! Cole lets the knee pad down, LAST SHOT SHINING WIZARD! Cover, Cole wins!!
Winner: Adam Cole, by pinfall
This may be a different Dream, and this may be a different Cole, but Cole still beats Dream! “And at New Year’s Evil, the NXT Championship comes back to the Undisputed Era!” Cole is fully supporting Kyle, but will the Golden Prophecy truly have a second coming in 2021?
My Thoughts:
A great episode for NXT! First off, how great for NXT to respond to Raw’s Tag Team Street Fight by having one of their own and for the tag team championships. Now, NXT’s still had the same problem I had with the one on Raw, in that they still needed to tag in and out. If there’s no penalty for being in at the same time, why not just fight at the same time all the time? But it felt like NXT’s referee didn’t make as much of a fuss as Raw’s referee, because obviously HHH allowed the wiggle room while Vince didn’t. And as for the match itself, Dain and Drake looked great, even in losing. Drake took some serious shots from the leather belt and he gave some shots, but in the end he was the one to take the pin as the smallest guy in the match.
Bronson Reed quite literally squashes Ashante “Thee” Adonis, a very WWE style return. The rematch of Swerve VS Atlas was as good, if not better, than last week’s. Clearly Swerve is turning Heel, because not only did he have an attitude change with how he rubbed the victory in, but his entrance gear was rather supervillain-esque. The tiebreaker will be even better, and could act as a way of moving the winner on towards a title program. We didn’t get anything about the Cruiserweight Division this week, as far as the title, so I suppose they are trying to wait on Escobar VS Stallion until they can also involved Devlin. Maybe my idea for Worlds Collide II having a Cruiserweight Championship Winner Takes All Triple Threat is going to be NXT’s move.
Finn and Kyle giving commentary on their previous match was a good segment, and their rematch is definitely going to be a TakeOver worthy match. Cole VS Dream wasn’t quite TakeOver worthy, but it was a great surprise main event. I almost thought Dream was joining the Kings of NXT since Dream has beef with the Undisputed Era similarly to Dunne and McAfee. Dunne attacking Strong is a good way to branch off of Cole VS Dream, and Dunne VS Strong is going to be a great match. Kross and Priest have good promos to call each other out, and as I said before, this is going to be a very good match to help Kross really get back into the groove. Granted, Kross is a very simple “menacing and powerful” wrestler in terms of fighting style, but maybe Priest can get a good brawl out of him.
Shirai calling out Toni, only for Mercedes Martinez to return and attack, was a great segment. Again, it isn’t just kayfabe to say the NXT Women’s Division is the best Women’s Division right now, and perhaps it is becoming one of the best divisions period. Mercedes, Toni, Ember all moving up towards the title. We’ve got Xia Li becoming even more badass with these training promos, then Karen Q has something big going already with this character she’s putting on. Rhea VS Dakota was a great match, we got a great brawl of Rhea and Raquel, and how great for Lumis to use art to introduce the LAST WOMAN STANDING match! That match will be awesome, but that has to be Raquel’s win. Rhea had her title shot and lost, but Raquel finished off Shirai to win WarGames, so it just makes sense.
Tyler Rust looked incredible again, and him looking up at his raised hand after winning was a great character detail. It really made you feel that he’s really worked hard to finally get a win somewhere big like NXT. I like that there was story overlap as Ruff gets a win over Thatcher because Thatcher was distracting himself worrying about Ciampa. Fight Pit II: Thatcher VS Ciampa, is going to be incredible, and it bumps New Year’s Evil up to borderline TakeOver levels. And Ruff getting his rematch with Gargano because of the win is great continuity and logic. Gargano VS Ruff for the title is going to be a lot of fun, especially with The Way hovering. I feel like that will be the only way for Gargano to break the title defense curse.
And of course, the multiple segments of A Very Gargano Christmas were all incredible. I love that we’re getting that sitcom vibe, with Austin Theory pulling off the dense character so well, the use of “way,” the whey/way pun, and even how they referenced No Way Jose. I’m now hoping No Way Jose returns just because of that line. Johnny’s gifts to Indi and Candice were also perfect, especially Indi’s. Indi Wrestling better start being used to poke fun at indie wrestling, but Indi might want to work on the essentials before she tries her first “… DIVE!” attempt.
My Score: 9.2/10
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Will it end before it even begins?
AEW Blood & Guts is just days away, and advantage is STILL up in the air! Will Jon Moxley put down Roderick Strong to give the Death Riders the edge? Who comes through for Team Mone and Team Statlander?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- FTR w/ Stokely Hathaway VS Austin Gunn & Juice Robinson; Gunn & Robinson win.
- AEW TNT Championship: Kyle Fletcher VS Ace Austin; Fletcher wins and retains the title.
- TayJay VS Maya World & Hyan; TayJay wins.
- Women’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 2: Jamie Hayter VS Skye Blue; Hayter wins and ties the series.
- Women’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 3: Harley Cameron VS Thekla; Thekla wins advantage for Team Mone.
- Men’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 3: Roderick Strong VS Jon Moxley; Roddy wins advantage for The Conglomeration.
PLAY BY PLAY
FTR w/ Stokely Hathaway VS Austin Gunn & Juice Robinson!
Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler fueled the rage of Bandido & Brody King on Wednesday, they might have their head on a swivel from now until Full Gear. Will they be able to focus on the “Collision Cowboys” in Houston? Or will it be #GunnsUp against the #1 contenders to the tag team titles?
The teams sort out and Dax starts against Austin. The fans rally, “Gunns Up! WOOP WOOP!” Dax talks trash on Austin and the two tie up. Dax headlocks, hits a takeover, but Austin headscissors. Austin shouts, “GUNNS! UP!” The fans cheer but Dax frowns. Dax and Austin circle, tie up, and they go around. Dax puts Austin in the corner, Cash tags in, but Austin arm-drags! Austin grinds the armlock and the fans cheer. Cash fights up, fires a forearm, but Austin powers puts pressure on the arm. Cash fires another shot, whips Austin, but Austin slips free of the scoop! Austin shoves, ducks, and arm-drags!
The fans fire up with Austin as he wrenches, and he tags in Juice! The fans fire up as Juice goes up, but Cash gets free. Cash runs away to the FTR corner, Juice hops down and high-fives Austin. Cash tags Dax in, but the fans rally for “JUICE! JUICE! JUICE!” Juice and Dax tie up, Dax headlocks, but Juice powers up and out. Dax RUNS Juice over, things keep moving, and Juice hurdles, but Dax counters hip toss with HIP TOSS! Juice UP KICKS, then he scoops and SLAMS! Dax trips Juice, both men get up, but Dax headlocks for a takeover! Juice headscissors, Dax kips free, but Juice hits the arm-drag and takedown!
The fans fire up while Dax endures the grind. Dax fights up, Juice wrenches, but Dax pulls hair! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Dax lets off, only to BODY BLOW! And CHOP! Dax says that was for those fans right in the corner. The fans taunt Dax with “BALD! BALD! BALD!” and we see that “Big Bill” and Bryan Keith are watching backstage. They still have beef with the Bang Bang Gang, and they nod as Dax CHOPS Juice! But then Juice CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS in return! The fans fire up, Juice roars, and the fans cheer even louder! Juice climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count along, but Cash runs up! Juice CROSSBODIES Cash down!
The fans fire up as Juice rains down fists on Cash, but Dax pulls Juice’s hair! Austin gets in and DECKS Dax! The Bang Bang Gang double whip FTR to then STEREO BACKDROP! Then Austin LARIATS Dax up and out! Juice feeds Cash to Austin to TOSS out onto Dax! A rough landing for FTR but the fans cheer as it is Gunns Up! Dax rises, Juice drags him into the ring, and Juice wrenches to wristlock. Dax pulls hair again and puts Juice in the corner. Juice fires hands and elbows, then gets under to lift. Cash tags in before the atomic drop! Juice ELBOWS Cash, then whips Dax. Dax reverses, Juice rebounds to LARIAT, but Cash CHOP BLOCKS Juice!
The fans boo but Cash drops ELBOW after ELBOW on the leg! Then he HIP DROPS at the ropes! The fans boo but Cash drags Juice around, steps through, LEG DROP on the leg! Cash drags Juice around again, hooks the leg up, and he SNAP LOCKS it! The fans boo more but Cash soaks it up. Cash steps through but Juice BOOTS him into the POST! The fans fire up but Dax hurries to tag in! Dax intercepts Juice with a facelock! The fans boo but Austin still reaches out. Dax scoops and SLAMS Juice, but Juice avoids the elbow drop! And he avoids another elbow drop! Juice slips outside, and he ROCKS Dax with a right!
Cash runs up to anchor Juice, but Juice DECKS Cash! Juice RAMS Dax, slingshots up and over, sunset flip! TWO and both men hurry to their feet! Dax lifts Juice, throws him back, and Cash is there! Juice slips out, runs up, but FTR both keep him back! So Juice DOUBLE DDTS! The fans fire up while Juice and FTR are all down! Stoke panics as Juice stirs. The fans rally as Juice crawls, hot tag to Austin! Austin LARIATS Dax again and again, then gets moving to SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up, Austin dodges Cash and trips him up! Then he bobs ‘n’ weaves with Dax to JAB, JAB, JAB, swivel hips, and he DECKS Dax!
The fans fire up as Austin then dodges Cash, QUICK DRAW on Cash! Austin whips, Dax reverses, but Austin catches Dax to a cradle, TWO! Austin backslides! TWO! Austin kicks low, but Cash runs up! Austin kicks Cash, sets him up, but Cash dodges the Famouser! Austin avoids the lariat to DUMP Cash out! Dax runs up on Austin and whips, then drops down, and Cash DUMPS Austin out! Austin hits the apron hard and flops to the floor, and fans boo as FTR has taken back control while Collision goes picture in picture.
Dax stays in the ring while Austin sputters on the floor. The ring count climbs as Austin slowly sits up. But then Cash sends Austin into railing! The fans protest and the ref reprimands but Cash CHOPS Austin! And SMACKS him off the apron! Cash leaves Austin behind as the count begins again. Cash is the legal man now as FTR waits on Austin. Austin stands at 6, staggers at 7, stumbles back at 8, and the ref stops to check on Austin. Austin’s alright, and he gets back in the ring! Cash stomps away on Austin at the ropes! The ref counts, Cash stops at 4, and Cash soaks up heat. Cash tells Houston to “SUCK IT!” before he drags Austin up.
Tag to Dax, he CHOPS Austin in the corner, then CHOPS again! Dax JABS, JABS, JABS away on Austin until the ref counts 4. Austin sputters and crawls but Dax stomps him down. Collision returns to single picture and the fans rally for Austin. Dax tags Cash, they drag Austin up to double whip, but Austin TOSSES Dax! Then he dodges Cash, but Cash dodges Austin! DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans fire up as Austin and Cash crawl for their corners. Hot tag to Dax, then he swings on Juice! Juice avoids the haymaker, Austin BACKDROPS Dax! Hot tag to Juice! Juice fires off JAB after JAB, “JUICE! JUICE! JUICE!”
Cash runs up, Juice JABS, JABS, JABS! Then atomic drop for Dax! Atomic drop for Cash! Juice brings FTR together, MEETING OF THE MINDS! The fans fire up and Juice LARIATS Cash up and out! Juice dodges Dax to then LEG LARIAT! The fans fire up with Juice again, and he aims at Dax! CANNONBALL! Juice then PLANCHAS out onto Cash! The fans fire up, Stoke is panicked again, and Juice goes up. Dax stands, Juice CROSSBODIES! But Dax rolls through, pulling tights! TWO!! Juice escapes and the fans fire up! Dax brings Juice around, but Juice kicks low! Dax wrenches out, trips Juice, but Juice blocks the step-through!
Juice drags Dax down into a cradle, TWO!! Dax escapes, bobs ‘n’ weaves, but Juice ducks! LEFT HAND O’ GOD! Cash runs up, Juice dodges, but then Cash catches Juice into a POWERSLAM! Austin is back, he dodges Cash, and he LARIATS Cash and himself up and outta the ring! Houston is fired up as Juice crawls to a cover, TWO! Dax survives and all four men are down! “This is Awesome!” Stoke taunts fans wearing Bandido masks, then SNATCHES those masks?! But then surprise, it’s the REAL Bandido, and his brother, Gravity! Stoke freaks out, but the brothers chase him around ringside! Stoke goes up the ramp, but #JetSpeed is there!
The fans fire up as #BigStoke is surrounded! SUPERKICK from Bandido to Stokely! Cash runs up, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Dax is furious, but Austin gets him with a GUILLOTINE FAMOUSER in the ropes!! Then LEFT HAND O’ GOD from Juice!! JUICE IS LOOSE!! Cover, Bang Bang Gang wins!!
Winners: Austin Gunn & Juice Robinson, by pinfall
Bandido and his amigos tipped the scales, and now FTR is on the back foot going towards Full Gear! Will Dax, Cash & Stokely just have to rethink their strategy once the titles on the line? Or will Brodido find a way to take the #TopGuysOut?
AEW shares a post-Dynamite backstage interview with Kyle Fletcher.
Renee Paquette is with The Protostar and brings up that it was decided that Kyle Fletcher VS Mark Briscoe Round 6 would be for the TNT title, but if Briscoe loses, he MUST join the Don Callis Family. But Kyle’s title is still on the line in a No Disqualifications match. Why was Kyle so quick, and even pleased, to jump on this opportunity? Kyle says he was excited. But the more he thinks about it, maybe he should be concerned. The deck is stacked against him as he faces Briscoe, “a deranged human being” in a No DQ match where Briscoe could literally do anything to him. Briscoe might win the title!
But even if Briscoe loses, he still wins because he has the honor of joining The Don Callis Family, literally the best thing that’s ever happened to Kyle! Oh, speaking of the Family, Kazuchika Okada steps in. Kyle says great to see Okada, and Okada says he is sorry that Konosuke Takeshita wasn’t here to support Fletcher. But Okada is! Because Okada and Fletcher are basically the captains of the Don Callis Family. And after Full Gear, when Fletcher beats Briscoe, they will both still be champions. They will be the #PROTOKADA! Kyle thinks about how that sounds. Not bad, really.
Is Okada really going to replace Takeshita as Fletcher’s tag partner? Is Fletcher already looking past the title match made for tonight on Collision?
AEW TNT Championship: Kyle Fletcher VS Ace Austin!
Collision returns as the Aussie Arrow makes his entrance, followed by the Bang Bang Gang’s third man. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see is a new champion is Inevitable!
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Fletcher powers Austin to the ropes, then backs off as the ref counts. Austin and Fletcher reset, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Austin kicks and wrenches to headlock. Fletcher endures the grind, wrenches out, and ELBOW BREAKERS! Then he powers on a wristlock, but Austin rolls, handsprings, only for Fletcher to wrangle him. Fletcher has the cording hold but the fans boo. Austin fights up, slips around, and waistlocks. Fletcher switches, then he SLAMS Austin down! Fletcher flexes and the fans are torn, but Austin goes to a corner. The fans rally for “ACE! ACE! ACE!” and he resets with Kyle.
The two circle, tie up, and Ace headlocks. Kyle powers up and out, RUNS Ace over, and keeps moving. Austin stays low, then hurdles, but Fletcher blocks the hip toss. Austin ducks the lariat to wrench and arm-drag! Fletcher runs up, but into a headlock takeover. Austin traps an arm, turns Kyle for a ghost pin, TWO! Fletcher scrambles and Austin says it was that close. The fans cheer but Kyle frowns. The two reset, circle, but then Fletcher bails out. The fans boo but Fletcher lets the ring count climb. Fletcher then talks trash on the fans before he tells Austin to back off. Austin steps back, Fletcher steps in, and the two circle.
Fletcher BOOST Austin right down! The fans are torn but Fletcher dusts himself off. Austin rises up, Fletcher clamps on with a facelock, but Austin wrenches out to drop toehold and KICK! Then he steps over, LA MAGISTROL! TWO, and Austin DROPKICKS Fletcher to a corner! The fans fire up, Austin runs up, CHOP! Then Austin whips corner to corner, runs in, but Fletcher puts him on the apron. Austin RAMS Fletcher, springboards, but Fletcher catches him! SWINGING BACKBREAKER, then a FULL NELSON SLAM! The fans are torn but Fletcher smirks. Fletcher soaks up cheers and jeers on the corner while Collision goes picture in picture.
Fletcher goes back to Austin, slaps him around, then drags him up. Scoop and SLAM! Fletcher mocks the fans cheering “ACE! ACE! ACE!” Fletcher then stalks Austin to the ropes, and he STOMPS Austin down! Austin goes to a corner, Fletcher stomps him again, and again, and again! Fletcher digs his boots in, the ref counts, and Fletcher backs off. Fletcher grins while Austin sputters in the corner. Austin drags himself up with the ropes but Fletcher is right on him. The ref reprimands as Fletcher winds up and CHOPS! Austin sputters again, Fletcher taunts the fans, and Fletcher stands Austin up in a corner while Collision goes to break.
Collision returns and Fletcher has Austin a chinlock. Austin endures, the fans rally up, but Fletcher grinds Austin down. Austin fights to his feet, fires body shots, but Fletcher KNEES low, and KNEES him again! Fletcher runs, blocks Austin’s boot, then FLIPS Austin to the apron. But Austin blocks a forearm to ROCK Fletcher! Austin steps in, Triangle Jump, but Fletcher ducks the Flying Chuck! Both men run up, Austin wrenches to short arm LARIAT! Then a KNEE, KICK, and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! The fans fire up, Austin STANDING LEG DROPS! Fletcher flounders and bails out. Austin aims and builds speed to FOSBURY FLOP!
The fans fire up as Austin takes Fletcher down! Austin rises, Houston roars, and Austin puts Fletcher back in the ring. Austin reels Fletcher in, Fletcher wrenches out, but Austin dodges to JUMP KNEE! The fans rally and even duel as Austin crosses arms, BLACK DRAGON DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Fletcher survives and Austin is beside himself! Fletcher goes to the outside again as the fans duel even harder. Austin PLANCHA, but Fletcher moves! Austin lands safe on the apron, avoids the leg sweep, then handsprings over the next! But Fletcher blocks the kick! Electric Chair, then he spins Austin around, APRON POWERBOMB!
The fans fire up more and Fletcher puts Austin in. Austin staggers to the ropes, Fletcher runs up to CALF KICK! Fletcher reels Austin in, lifts him up, LAST RIDE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Austin survives and the fans are thunderous while Fletcher is furious! Austin sputters to a corner while the fans duel even harder. Fletcher aims from the far corner, then runs in, GAMANGIRI! Then the suplex, but Austin slips free! BLINDSIDE DROPKICK! Fletcher goes to the corner, Austin runs in, A-LIST LARIAT! Then he HAMMERS away with more lariats! The fans fire up again as Austin hoists Fletcher up, then ENZIGIRIS!
Fletcher wobbles up top, and Austin gets space! Austin runs side to side and jumps up, but Fletcher BLOCKS the flying rana! Fletcher hoists Austin right up, but Austin RANAS through!! The fans are thunderous as Austin runs up, DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO!!! Fletcher survives and everyone is shocked! “This is Awesome!” as Austin draws his ace! THE- NO, Fletcher avoids The Fold, then goes up and over! Austin comes back, slips free of a scoop, waistlock and O’Conner, but he abandons the roll? THE- NO, Fletcher pops Austin up from The Fold to then LAWN DART! And then GAMAN- NO, Austin ducks and the kick hits buckles!
Austin hits the TRIANGLE JUMP FLYING CHUCK! The fans fire up again, and Austin shuffles, THE FO- BRAINBUSTER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Austin survives and no one can believe it! But they all love “A E DUB! A E DUB!” for giving it to us! Fletcher drags Austin up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Austin cradles! TWO!!! Fletcher escapes, runs up, but Austin rolls, stacks, JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH! TWO!! SUPERKICK! Austin ROCKS Fletcher with a right, but Fletcher SUPERKICKS in return! Austin SUPERKICKS again! Fletcher LARIATS!! The fans are thunderous again, and Fletcher aims again! Corner to corner, GAMANGIRI!!
Fletcher puts Austin up top, climbs up after him, and then suplexes! TOP ROPE BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Fletcher wins!
Winner: Kyle Fletcher, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)
Ace Austin gave Fletcher a run for his money, but The Protostar is still the Face of TNT! But will that still be the case in just two weeks? Or will the Sussex County Chicken use everything he has to dethrone Fletcher once and for all?
Kris Statlander speaks.
“Mercedes, you have a lot that I will never have. More success, more accolades, more confidence, and more legacy than any woman in wrestling history. But there is one thing… Well, maybe two…. that I have and you don’t. Focus. I have complete and total focus on being THE AEW Women’s World Champion, and you don’t. If you think this is just some other side piece you can scribble on a cake or have a nameless male bimbo you can carry behind you, than you would be wrong in the most extraordinary of ways. You were eliminated from the tag tournament because you were not focused on me.
“And now I will follow you into Blood & Guts, and I will go through whoever I have to until you are focused on me! And then, at Full Gear, one year after we fought for the very first time, in a completely different world… Your focus will be full, your vision will be clear, and it still won’t make a difference.” The Galaxy’s Greatest has warned The CEO, but will she make Mone understand with actions? Or will that Money Train just continue full steam ahead towards more gold?
AEW shares more post-Dynamite footage.
Jon Moxley walked with the Death Riders and said, “We should just give them the advantage at Blood & Guts as a courtesy. They’re weak, they’re hurt, they’re tired, and deciding match three, this is already in the bag.” But then Don Callis is there. The Jackal has them all calm down, and says that they’ve all successfully stayed out of each other’s business for some time to mutual benefit. And on the subject of that, Fletcher has a very high stakes match with Mark Briscoe at Full Gear. Callis knows that Briscoe is part of The Conglomeration team going against them at Blood & Guts, and Callis is just saying that he’s very happy when he thinks about what they could do to him.
Pac tells Callis that everybody knows The Death Riders are done playing games. In Greensboro, North Carolina, they leave five bodies in that cage. So whatever Callis chooses to do with what’s left of Briscoe, that’s his prerogative. They couldn’t give a piss. Callis says he loves the sound of that. And if that were to be the case, which he is pretty sure it will, he’d owe them a tremendous favor. Anything they want! Moxley steps up, leans in, and tells Callis, “Do we look like we need a favor from anybody?” Callis is twitchy given the scar Moxley left on him from a long time ago, so he stays quiet. The Death Riders leave, though Claudio does give a glance at the TNT title.
Fletcher says that went well. Will The Death Riders dismantle Darby & The Conglomeration? Will The Don Callis Family be next?
TayJay VS Maya World & Hyan!
The Blackbelt Beauty & The Queenslayer know they’ve got a Problem and a Megasus in their way on the road to the AEW Women’s Tag Team Championships, but they aren’t worried. Will the long time dynamic duo be more than ready for Marina & Megan? Or are they underestimating #ThatGirl & The Renaissance Woman?
The teams sort out and Tay Melo starts against Maya. They circle, tie up, and the fans rally. Tay headlocks, Maya powers up to wrench free. Tay wrenches back and waistlocks, then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Tay runs up, but Maya dodges the boot to roll Tay! Tay rolls through and DECKS Maya! Maya flounders to the corner, Tay tags Anna, and the fans rally as Anna ROCKS Maya again and again! Anna snapmares Maya, Tay joins in, PENALTY KICK to a NECK SNAPPER! Cover, Hyan breaks it just in time! Tay CLUBS and THROWS Hyan, then she and Anna do the secret handshake before a DOUBLE BOOTY BUMP!
The fans cheer and Maya sputters. Anna drags her up, Maya JAWBREAKERS free! Hot Tag to Hyan! The fans fire up but then Anna ROCKS Hyan! Anna whips Hyan to the corner, ELBOWS her, and tags Tay. Tay runs to BLAST Maya, then she returns to BOOT Hyan! Tag to Anna and Tay sends her in for a LEG LARIAT! Hyan sputters, Anna lifts Hyan into the Gory Especial! TAY-K-O 2.0! Cover, TayJay wins!
Winner: TayJay, by pinfall
TayJay wins the tune-up and are just waiting on the tournament. Will they make it through the opening round? Or will Marina & Megan make them both #BowDown?
Backstage interview with Athena.
Former Minion Bestie, Lexy Nair, is with the ROH Women’s World Champion, and brings up how Athena and Mone were eliminated from the AEW Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament. Now Athena will defend her title against Harley Cameron- Athena stops Lexy there. Does Lexy even remember who she is? HMM!? Lexy runs through the nicknames very quickly: The Fallen Goddess, the Minion Overlord, the Forever ROH Champion, Athena. YES, the FOREVER ROH Champion! So then, why doesn’t Athena feel like she’s the Forever Champion?! She’ll tell you why! It’s because for only the fifth time in five YEARS, Athena got pinned.
And this one hurts the most, because it was that evil little puppeteer, Harley Cameron. And y’know what? Harley must feel special, very special, but she’s not! If Kris Statlander didn’t poke her nose in Athena’s business, if Billie Starkz could just do the right thing for once, and if Mercedes Mone would’ve had Athena’s back like Athena had hers, Athena would NOT be in this predicament, which is her doubting herself. So if Harley Cameron, by some miracle, survives Blood & Guts, she’ll realize that Athena doesn’t need five other people by her side, or a cage, or the weapons, to beat the CRAP out of her!
Athena promises to do it not for her minions, not for anyone that she genuinely cares about. She does this for her. And then she will make Harley Cameron a little puppet for MIT. What’s Lexy think about that? Yes, Minion Overlord. That’s right. Put some pep in your step next time. Athena storms off, but will she still be the ROH Women’s World Champion then, now, and forever? Or will she #FeelTheWarth of Harley Cameron on ROH TV?
Women’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 2: Jamie Hayter VS Skye Blue!
Speaking of Blood & Guts, Team Statlander is up against the wall after Mina Shirakawa lost to Megan Bayne and must win this match to force the third match. The Southampton Slugger has already beaten Chicago Skye once, but can she hit the homerun needed to survive?
The bell rings and the fans fire up behind Jamie. Skye runs up, Jamie avoids the boot and rolls Skye up, ONE! Oklahoma Roll, ONE! Skye runs up again, but Jamie scoops. Skye slips free, she rolls Jamie and bridges, TWO! Jamie swings but into a backslide, ONE! Jamie ROCKS Skye, then ripcords, but Skye ducks the Hayterade! Skye bails out, the fans boo, but Skye wags her finger. Jamie storms out after Skye, chases her around the way, and the fans cheer as Jamie gains ground! Skye rolls into the ring but Jamie drags her back out! Jamie kicks, suplexes, but Skye slips free and RAMS Jamie into the steel!
The fans are torn as Skye scrambles into the ring. Skye wants the ring count because any win seals the deal. Jamie is already back in the ring at 2 of 10, so Skye stomps and CLUBS and HAMMERS away! The fans boo, Skye tells them to shut up, and she stands Jamie up. Skye whips, Jamie reverses to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! Jamie CHOPS away, then whips Skye, but Skye ducks ‘n’ dodges. Skye leaps, but into a SPINEBUSTER! And fast hands! Jamie HAMMERS Skye, then drags her back up. Jamie bumps Skye off buckles, climbs up, and she rains down fists! The fans count along, all the way to nine, then Jamie flexes, TEN!
The fans cheer as Skye flops down. Jamie drags her back up, whips her corner to corner, then runs up again, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Skye turns the tides and the fans boo. Skye waves them off, then runs back in, handspring and- ELBOW from Jamie! Jamie goes up, up, and MISSILE- FLOP as Skye dodges! SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Jamie survives and Skye seethes, but the fans rally up as Collision goes picture in picture.
Skye stalks Jamie to the ropes, then CHOKES her! The ref reprimands, Skye stops at 4, and she soaks up the heat from Houston. Skye drags Jamie up, runs her side to side and SMACKS her off buckles! Skye then runs Jamie into another corner to bump off buckles! Skye climbs up, and she rains down fists! But Jamie SHOVES Skye down at eight! Skye comes back to ROCK Jamie, then digs her boots in. The ref counts, Skye steps off at 4, and she goes to the apron. Skye drags Jamie out to SMACK her off the steel steps! Jamie sputters, Skye argues with the ref and taunts the fans. Skye stalks Jamie to commentary, but Jamie ROCKS Skye!
Jamie snap suplexes Skye to the floor! Both women are down, Skye crawls away to the steps, but Jamie storms up. Jamie whips, Skye reverses, and Jamie hits the floor! Skye puts Jamie in the ring, pushes her to a cover, TWO! Jamie toughs it out but Skye seethes. Skye CLUBS Jamie, Jamie hits back, repeat. They fire forearm after forearm, but Skye THROWS Jamie down by her hair! The ref reprimands but Skye just smirks as she drags Jamie around. Skye clamps on a chinlock and grinds Jamie down. Jamie endures, fights her way up, but Skye wrangles her back down! Skye squeezes tight while having a sinister smile, but Jamie still fights up.
Jamie fires body shots on Skye, but Skye CLUBS Jamie! Collision returns to single picture as Skye runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up as both women rise, and Jamie clinches to EXPLODER! Skye flounders into the corner, but Jamie runs in! Skye dodges, Jamie goes up, and Jamie MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up with Jamie and she throws off the armbands! LARIAT in the corner! Then SAIDO! Skye flounders, Jamie covers, TWO! The fans rally behind Jamie as she drags Skye up. Jamie whips and BOOTS Skye down! Cover, TWO! Jamie huffs ‘n’ puffs and kicks Skye around. Jamie vows to end this and the fans fir eup!
Jamie waistlocks, ripcords, but Skye wheelbarrows to victory roll! TWO, Jamie has it, TWO! Skye has it back, TWO! Jamie and Skye hurry back up, and Jamie BOOTS Skye! Skye kicks, Jamie blocks, but the SUPERKICK returns! Jamie ENZIGIRIS! Skye wobbles, Jamie runs, but Skye fireman’s carries! Jamie slips free, Skye fires a forearm, but Jamie fires back! They go back and forth, the fans cheering Jamie and booing Skye! They go shot for shot, faster and faster, and then DOUBLE HEADBUTTS! Jamie falls on the cover, TWO!! Skye survives and the fans fire up! Jamie and Skye stir, the fans rally again, and Skye crawls away to a corner.
The fans rally up more as Jamie rises, and she storms up on Skye. Jamie puts Skye up top, climbs, and she CLUBS away! Skye fires body shots, then ROCKS Jamie! Jamie holds onto ropes, fires forearms in return, then HEADBUTTS! Skye slips under, tucks Jamie in, CHEEKY NANDOS! Then a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Jamie survives and Skye shrieks in anger! The fans fire up as Skye drags Jamie up, runs and hops on, CODE- NO! Jamie sits on Code Blue, TWO!! Skye rises, but Jamie catches her! Skye arm-drags free, but Jamie ducks a roundhouse! HAYTERADE!! Cover, Jamie wins!
Winner: Jamie Hayter, by pinfall; ties the series 1-1
Hayter Hits Hard indeed, and now there will be need for that third showdown! But speaking of, Julia Hart & Thekla rush out here to mug Jamie! The fans boo as The Triangle of Madness tries to get the edge even now! They TOSS Jamie, then mug Jamie more! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Julia & Thekla stomp away on Jamie! But here comes Willow & Harley! The Babes of Wrath get Julia & Thekla off Jamie to put in the ring! They brawl, security rushes out, but the fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Willow and Julia aside, Harley and Thekla will fight, after the break!
Women’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 3: Harley Cameron VS Thekla!
Collision returns and the bell rings! The fans are already fired up as Thekla and Harley rush each other! THESZ PRESS for the Wild Aussie and she HAMMERS the Toxic Spider down! The fans fire up, Thekla turns things over, and Thekla HAMMERS away on Harley! Thekla drags Harley up, wrenches hair, and THROWS Harley down by her hair! Then she wrenches the hair to THROW Harley again! Thekla ROCKS Harley with a forearm, whips her to ropes, but the fans cheer on Harley as she ducks ‘n’ dodges. Harley THROWS Thekla down, then runs to basement DROPKICK! Thekla flounders out of the ring, the fans rally up, but Harley goes out after her.
Harley CHOPS Thekla, the fans fire up, and Harley whips Thekla hard into the railing! Harley wrenches Thekla to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP to the floor! Harley SMACKS Thekla off the apron, puts her in the ring, and Harley storms back in. Harley has Thekla in a corner and RAMS into her! And RAMS her again! And again! Harley whips corner to corner, then runs up to SPLASH Thekla! The fans chant, “Feel The Wrath!” as Harley climbs up. Harley rains down fists and fans count along! Thekla CLAWS Harley’s hand at seven! The ref reprimands, but Thekla YANKS Harley down. Thekla then snarls and runs up on Harley, BOOT WASH!
Harley flops to the floor and the fans boo but Thekla just soaks up the heat. Thekla mocks the fans who think Harley can win this, and she goes out to drag Harley up. Thekla kicks low, reels Harley in, and snap suplexes to the floor! Thekla soaks up m ore heat, then she drags Harley back up. Thekla brings Harley around, talks more trash, and she again snap suplexes to the floor! The fans boo but Thekla soaks up the heat. “This is Blood & Guts, baby! We’re not playing around!” Thekla pushes Harley into the ring, then drags her back to the apron. Thekla brings Harley around to show the fans, and she reels Harley in for a third snap suplex to the floor!
Thekla shouts at the fans, the fans shout back, and Harley writhes while Collision goes picture in picture.
Thekla drags Harley up and puts her in the ring. Thekla covers, TWO! Harley toughs it out but Thekla paces. Thekla stalks Harley to the ropes, CHOKES her, and the ref reprimands. Thekla stops at 4, Harley flounders around, and Thekla puts her in a corner. Thekla CHOKES Harley in the corner! The ref counts, Thekla taunts everyone, and she stops at 4 again. Thekla snapmares Harley, winds up, and basement SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Thekla pushes Harley down for a third cover, TWO! Harley shows that grit but Thekla THROWS her down! Thekla digs her boot into Harley’s face but the ref counts.
Thekla steps off at 4, Harley flounders to another corner, but Thekla kicks her around. Thekla gives toying shots, but Harley fires off a flurry! Harley HAMMERS Thekla in the corner while Collision goes to break.
Collision returns again and Thekla grinds Harley down in a RINGS OF SATURN! Thekla fishhooks Harley’s mouth with both hands but the ref counts. Thekla stops at 4 and argues with the ref while the fans rally behind Harley. Harley sits up, Thekla stands her up, but Harley JAWBREAKERS! Thekla staggers to a corner, Harley runs up, but Thekla BOOTS her! Thekla then reels Harley in for a HANGING HEADSCISSOR! The fans boo, the ref counts, but Thekla stops at 4. Thekla hangs upside-down while Harley staggers away. Thekla has a sinister smile as she storms into the ring and kneels on the cover, TWO!
Thekla slaps Harley around, toys with her, taunts her, but the fans cuss her out. Thekla kicks low, whips Harley, but Harley ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds up speed! FLYING FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down again! Harley rises as the fans cheer her on, and she goes to a corner while Thekla stands. Thekla runs up, but into BOOTS! Thekla rolls, comes back, but Harley dodges! ROUNDHOUSE! Harley stomps a mudhole into Thekla and the fans fire up! Harley stops, runs, and SPLASHES! Then she keeps going, to ELBOW Thekla! Harley keeps going, SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!
Thekla survives but the fans rally behind Harley. Harley fireman’s carries, Thekla slips free to mule kick! Harley ducks the buzzsaw but not the HEEL KICK! Harley goes to a corner, Thekla runs up, but Harley slips out and ROUNDHOUSES! Thekla staggers, the fans fire up, and Harley climbs up. Thekla ROCKS Harley first! Thekla climbs up, but Harley tripos her up! Harley and Thekla brawl up top and the fans rally! Harley fires a flurry, Thekla falls into the Tree of Woe, but she sits right up! Harley is shocked, but then she blocks a shot to BITE Thekla’s forehead! Harley then makes Thekla MOTORBOAT her!
The fans fire up as Harley HEADBUTTS Thekla, then sunset flips! Thekla holds on, so Harley CHOPS her, puts her in the Tree of Woe, and runs side to side! DROPKICK! Thekla falls, Harley covers, TWO! Thekla survives but the fans fire up for Harley! Harley rises up, brings Thekla around, and then climbs back up. Harley aims from up top, SWANTON FLOP as Thekla moves! Thekla Spider-Walks, for the SPIDER SPEAR!! Cover, Thekla wins!
Winner: Thekla, by pinfall; Team Mone has Blood & Guts Advantage
Thekla caresses Harley’s face with a sinister style, because now her team has that one-up advantage! Will Mercedes Mone, Megan Bayne, Marina Shafir & The Triangle of Madness completely dominate inside the double cage? Or can Kris Statlander, Toni Storm, Mina Shirakawa, Jamie Hayter, Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron find a way to survive?
Backstage interview with #JetSpeed.
Lexy is now with Kevin Knight & Mike Bailey to bring up their part in FTR losing to the Bang Bang Gang earlier tonight, but also that they have an announcement to make. Bailey says yes, but he wants to make it clear that it is far from over between them, FTR, and “Little Strokely.” But while FTR’s busy challenging for the AEW World Tag Team Championships at Full Gear, Bailey & Knight aren’t the kind to sit by and watch. Knight agrees, they are not. So at Full Gear, there is the Casino Gauntlet Match to crown the first-ever AEW National Champion, and JetSpeed as fly as they are, they’re putting their names in the hat, then throw that hat into the ring.
Then it is official, they’re both in the gauntlet? Yes, and that doubles their chances of winning. If it comes down to just the two of them, may the best man win. They shake on it, but will JetSpeed be 2Fly2Stop now that they’re going Full Gear?
Backstage interview with Max Caster & Anthony Bowens.
Collision returns as Lexy is now with Platinum Max & The 5 Tool Player. Despite being on the same team again last week, they ended up literally fighting each other. But it is apparent Bowens has something to say to Caster? Yes, and Bowens wanted everyone to hear it: The Acclaimed is NEVER coming back, it is done! They tried as a favor to Jerry Lynn, but it is clearly not working and Bowens is sick of it. He’s over it! Bowens’ first step forward, the opportunity in his home state of New Jersey during Tailgate Brawl! What does Caster think about that?! Caster says great, he’ll also be at the Tailgate Brawl, so see you there, just don’t get in his way.
What’s Caster going to do? He isn’t booked! Caster says he will be, but Bowens says maybe if it’s to be a dumbass. Lexy stops the arguing because Tony Khan has made note that they do higher ratings when they’re on screen together. Their merch sales have gone up since being back on screen together, and the net value cash flows of their contracts are also higher. The numbers don’t lie. So if they’re going to be part of Tailgate Brawl, then it’ll be together. They argue with Lexy but she says this is all direct from Tony Khan, do not shoot the messenger. The two calm down, understanding that.
Caster then tells Tony through the camera, “This is really what you think of me? You know how insulting this is? I promise, you will regret the way that you treated me, cuz you can’t act like people don’t love The Best Wrestler Alive alone. And you can’t act like he (Bowens) doesn’t represent your company at all those outside events by himself. I don’t go to those, and he’s not the Best Wrestler Alive.” Bowens tells Caster to shut up already! But Bowens does tell Tony that Caster’s right, Bowens is NOT doing this! Cancel the match! He’s done! So is Caster! They both storm off, but will The (Not) Acclaimed NOT have a choice in working at Full Gear?
Men’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 3: Roderick Strong VS Jon Moxley w/ Marina Shafir!
Darby Allin defeated Daniel Garcia, Claudio Castagnoli defeated Orange Cassidy, so now it is all decided with this Collision! Will the Savior of the Backbreaker save The Conglomeration? Or will this Maniac make sure The Death Riders dominates inside the steel?
The bell rings, the two circle, and the fans rally up. They feel things out, and Moxley drops back to the ropes for defense. The fans boo but Roddy stays back. Moxley steps back up, the two feel out a knuckle lock, and then a clinch. The fans rally behind Roddy but Moxley shoots around to waistlock. Roddy switches, Moxley hooks a leg and drop toeholds, but Roddy stay sup. Roddy turns Moxley over, half nelsons, but Moxley powers his way out the back. Moxley waistlocks, facelocks, and he grinds Roddy down. Roddy endures, Moxley pushes Roddy to a lateral press, but Roddy is out before there’s even a count.
Roddy has Moxley in an armlock now and the fans cheer. Moxley endures, fights around and rises up, but Roddy wrenches. Roddy YANKS the arm, wristlocks, but Moxley spins and wrenches. Moxley wristlocks, then goes for a double wristlock. Moxley wrangles Roddy to the mat but Roddy fights around with his legs. ROPEBREAK! The fans rally, even duel now, as the two let off. Moxley shoves Roddy, Roddy SHOVES Moxley, and Moxley bails out! The fans boo but Moxley paces. Roddy waits on Moxley as Moxley goes around the outside. Moxley flips off Houston, then slowly steps inside. The two tie up, and Roddy puts Moxley on ropes.
The ref counts, Moxley turns things around, and he CHOPS! Roddy CHOPS right back! And CHOPS again! Roddy fires furious fists, but then Moxley kicks low! Moxley CHOPS and ROCKS Roddy in the corner. Moxley climbs up, and he CLAWS Roddy’s face before he rains down fists! The fans count, Moxley goes to seven before he CLAWS Roddy’s face again! Moxley hops back while the ref reprimands, but Moxley then wrenches and spins Roddy. Moxley wrangles Roddy with a top wristlock and the fans rally again. Roddy endures, bridges to stay up, but Moxley STOMPS the arm! The fans are torn while Roddy goes to a corner.
Moxley storms up and fires body shots! Moxley ROCKS Roddy, stalks him to another corner, and RAMS in! Roddy flops to the apron, hobbles away, and the fans rally up. Moxley goes out after Roddy, but Roddy fires hands! Moxley fires back, then wrenches the arm. Moxley bends the fingers! And he SNAPS them! The fans boo but Moxley CLUBS ROddy. Moxley whips ROddy, but Roddy reverses! Moxley hits steel steps hard! The fans fire up while Moxley is down, and Roddy hurries to fetch Moxley. BARRIER BACKBREAKER! Moxley hobbles away, but Roddy runs up and hits another BARRIER BACKBREAKER!
The fans fire up but Marina seethes. Roddy lifts Moxley, Moxley fires elbows, then he clinches to RAM Roddy into the steel steps! Roddy writhes and Moxley seethes while Collision goes picture in picture.
Moxley pushes the steel steps around, kicks at Roddy, then stands him up. Moxley full nelsons and THRASHES Roddy around. Roddy endures, claws at the grip, but Moxley puts on the pressure. Then Moxley SMACKS Roddy off the steps! Roddy flounders while Moxley refreshes the ring count. Roddy leans against the railing, Moxley storms up, but Roddy CHOPS! And CHOPS! Roddy then ROCKS Moxley with a forearm, before he CHOPS again! And again! And again! Roddy CHOPS Moxley until he slumps down against the barriers! Roddy argues with Marina, but then she SPITS at him! Roddy glares at The Problem, but he goes back to Moxley.
Moxley pokes Roddy in the eyes! Then he puts Roddy in the ring and drags Roddy up. Moxley puts Roddy in a corner, grinds a forearm in his face again and again, but stops as the ref counts. Moxley digs his boot into a leg, then runs side to side. Moxley DROPKICKS the leg! Moxley then DRAGON SCREWS Roddy down, steps through, and has the FIGURE FOUR! Roddy endures and reaches out, but Moxley keeps hold of the foot. Roddy powers the plant leg away, but Moxley powers it back down! Roddy and Moxley sit up, and Roddy fires forearm after forearm! Moxley lets the leglock go, both men stand again, and Collision returns to single picture.
Moxley DROPKICKS the legs out again! Moxley drags Roddy, pulls on the bad leg, and he turns Roddy over for the HALF CRAB! Roddy endures and the fans fire up as Moxley then drops into a CALF KILLER! The fans rally, Roddy crawls and drags Moxley along, ROPEBREAK! Moxley lets go at 4 but he looms over Roddy. Moxley drags Roddy up, CHPOS him in the corner, then puts him up top. Moxley ROCKS Roddy, climbs up again, and he CLAWS Roddy’s back! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but now Moxley TWISTS Roddy’s ear! Moxley flips off the ref! The ref reprimands, Moxley hits a SUPER BUTTERFLY PLEX! Cover, TWO!
Roddy survives and Moxley seethes but the fans are on Roddy’s side. Moxley grows frustrated with Roddy, but Roddy JAWBREAKERS! And CHOPS! Roddy BOOTS from the ropes, then LEAPING LARIATS! And CALF KICKS! The fans fire up and Roddy fireman’s carries! Moxley slips free, shoves Roddy, but Roddy dodges to GAMANGIRI! RUNNING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Roddy just brings Moxley right up, underhooks and TIGER DRIVER! High stack, TWO, but into the STRONGHOLD!! Moxley endures, he drags Roddy into a cradle, TWO! Roddy swings but into a SLEEPER! Roddy endures, ELBOWS free, and they start trading shots!
The fans fire up for Roddy as he gets the edge with boxing elbows! Moxley RABBIT PUNCHES, then BODY BLOWS, then he ROCKS Roddy! Moxley runs, into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Roddy has Moxley in a corner. Roddy puts Moxley up top, climbs up to join him, and the fans rally again. SUPER DUPER PLEX! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! They cheer “A E DUB! A E DUB!” for making this main event possible. Roddy has Moxley, but Moxley shots around to SLEEPER! Roddy powers up to fireman’s carry! GUT BUSTER DROP! Roddy rises, runs, but MARINA TRIPS HIM! The ref saw that plain as day, but Moxley hits PARADIGM SHIFT!! Cover, TWO!!
Kyle O’Reilly rushes out here, and Marina is in his face! But Wheeler Yuta CHOP BLOCKS Kyle! The ref reprimands everyone, the fans tell off Yuta, but Moxley stalks Roddy. Moxley drags Roddy up, TOSSES him out, and he storms around. But Yuta has a chair now! The ref stops Yuta there, and EJECTS the Death Riders!! The fans cheer but Yuta & Marina are pissed! BUT HE FORGETS ABOUT PAC! The Bastard BOOTS Roddy!! The fans boo as the numbers game keeps giving The Death Riders an advantage! Moxley lets the ring count climb while he flexes and soaks up the heat. The fans rally for Roddy as hard as they can, but he’s still down at 6 of 10!
Roddy rises at 7, then leaps in at 9! CURB STOMP!! Cover, TWO!! Roddy lives and Moxley is furious! Moxley rains down forearms from all sides, then pushes to an ARMBAR! Roddy endures, clasps hands, but Moxley pulls on the arms! ARMBAR!! Roddy flails, fights, and has the ROPEBREAK! Roddy survives by a literal foot and Moxley lets go. Moxley argues with the ref, but the ref warns him! He could’ve ended this with the Marina crap! But Pac is sneaking back up! Pac looks for something under the ring, and he brings out a TABLE! The fans are torn, they like the table but they’re not into the Death Riders anymore.
The ref warns Pac to stop it, but the table is already set up. Moxley drags Roddy up, reels him in, but Roddy fights for life! And Kyle CLOBBERS Pac! The fans fire up as Roddy fireman’s carries Moxley! Moxley slips free, but Roddy GAMANGIRIS! But then GARCIA is here! Roddy gets Garcia for a FULL NELSEON SLAM through the table!! The fans are thunderous, but now Moxley POSTS Roddy! Moxley then drags those steel steps over, fetches Roddy, and he brings Roddy up the steps! But Roddy fights the lift! FULL NELSON SLAM on the steps!! Houston is thunderous while Moxley writhes! The ring count is climbing, Roddy is in at 5 of 10!
Moxley flounders, he drags himself up at 8, but someone anchors Moxley’s foot! Moxley is STUCK, THE COUNT IS TEN! Roddy wins!!
Winner: Roderick Strong, by count-out; The Conglomeration has Blood & Guts Advantage
The Death Riders return to protest, but they’re hypocrites for it. And then that someone TAZES Pac!! Because that was DARBY ALLIN under there! The fans fire up as The Relentless One dares someone to get the next one! Roddy WRECKS Yuta with a dropkick! Darby jumps into the crowd, dares Moxley to come at him, then scares him off with the stun gun! Houston is all fired up, but will Darby & The Conglomeration burn it all down in Greensboro? Or will The Death Riders find a way to win without the numbers advantage?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision here, but there was a rather stark contrast between the two hours being “Blood & Guts related” and “Not Blood & Guts related.” Great match from FTR VS Gunn & Robinson, and I really liked Bandido & Gravity pulling a double “Sting wearing a Sting mask” gag. Them and JetSpeed scaring Stokely and taking him out of the equation was great, and FTR losing for that is great because they get what they deserve but in a way that keeps them strong going towards Full Gear. I’d still love to see Bandido & Gravity VS FTR or some combination of singles matches to build the tag title match, but that depends on if Gravity is actually cleared to compete.
TayJay of course won a tune-up match tonight, they made quick work of Maya & Hyan. TayJay is going to fight their hearts out against Megan & Marina, but it feels like Megan & Marina are going to win in the end. TayJay can still find their spot in the Women’s Tag Division as the Face team chasing Heel champions, but it’s just a bit of bad luck that pieces have moved around like this. Very good promo from Athena calling out pretty much everyone, from Statlander to Mone to even Billie. Athena VS Billie 3 at Final Battle 2025 would be rather redundant after how Billie should’ve won last year, but it’d still be better than like Mone taking Athena’s title to add to that insane collection.
Only Tony Khan would work-shoot the ratings and merch sales into the Acclaimed dysfunction story. I’m writing a Legend of Zelda pro-wrestling promotion on here, and I’m still nowhere as nerdy as that. Caster & Bowens still made chicken salad out of that chicken crap, and I can’t wait to see where they go with that Tailgate Brawl match. Though, can we stop doing Tailgate Brawl on TV? It has been annoying the last two times because it just doesn’t make sense when Zero Hour is online for free.
Fletcher VS Ace Austin was a great match, and a great showing for Austin, but c’mon, this was just typical filler from TK, giving us a title match before the major title match they have been building. Fletcher had a good promo with Okada hyping up the No DQ match with Briscoe and teasing that Fletcher is the key piece in what will surely be a Don Callis Family Civil War, led by Team Takeshita and Team Okada. Also, really good promo from Fletcher & Callis with the Death Riders teasing a feud between the factions. No matter if Death Riders wins or loses at Blood & Guts, Death Riders moving on to DCF would be great stuff.
And of course, great stuff in all the Blood & Guts advantage matches. Obviously Thekla VS Harley was going to “be needed,” so of course Hayter beat Skye. The Heels having the advantage there makes me think Team Statlander comes through, helping build momentum for the teams still in the tag tournament. Plus, it isn’t the go-home so Mone can turn things around on Kris to then set herself up to fail at Full Gear. Moxley VS Roddy was great stuff, too, with The Death Riders obviously doing their best to screw Roddy over. But it was of course genius for Darby to cheat Moxley right back. But now that the Faces have advantage, do the Death Riders actually win at Blood & Guts? It would help them bounce back after Moxley lost to Darby, but then do we get one last Moxley VS Darby match at World’s End? It would be a fitting place to end something…
My Score: 8.7/10
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Who’s the baddest man from Gifu now?
Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Road passes through Anjo, and he defends his personal honor against the upstart Yuto “Ice” Nakashima!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Katsuya Murashima VS Tatsuya Matsumoto; Murashima wins.
- Taichi & Masatora Yasuda VS Zane Jay & Shoma Kato; Taichi & Yasuda win.
- Six Man Tag: Boltin Oleg, Tiger Mask & Tomoaki Honma VS Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young; Khan, Callum & Jakob win.
- Six Man Tag: Shingo Takagi, Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS SHO, DOUKI & Yujiro Takahashi; Takagi, Ishimori & Gedo win.
- Six Man Tag: Shota Umino, Yuya Uemura & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Yota Tsuji, OSKAR & Daiki Nagai; Shota, Yuya & Taguchi win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado & Bishamon VS Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Desperado & Bishamon win.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: YOH, Master Wato & Toru Yano VS EVIL, Dick Togo & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Yoh, Wato & Yano win and retain the titles.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuto-Ice; Tanahashi wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
After Six Man Tag: Shingo Takagi, Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS SHO, DOUKI & Yujiro Takahashi…
Bone Soldier Reborn gets the win by using the House of Torture’s tricks against them, dealing out LOW BLOW after LOW BLOW while the ref is down, then tops it off with BLOODY CROSS on Sho! Then Taiji gets the mic to say tell Sho that he has nothing to do with this, so get outta here! As for Douki, don’t you go running off so soon! Taiji hasn’t forgotten what Douki did to keep the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship! When’s Douki gonna defend that title? Douki says he’s not doing it on Taiji’s time! But then to everyone’s surprise, El Desperado sneaks out here! The Rogue Luchador pats Douki on the shoulder, and completely spooks him!
Despy stalks Douki back to ringside, and gets a mic for himself. “Just a second, I need a minute here. You stole my belt, and ever since then your title matches have sucked. Fujita said the same. Don’t run from me. You have unfinished business with me, that superhuman and Fujita as well!” Douki says shut up, he doesn’t care about a bunch of losers! Douki leaves, but Taiji concludes that whether it’s him, Despy, Fujita, or all of the above, Douki’s defending that title! In the backstage interview, Douki says HE’s not fighting all three of them! They can fight it out in a #1 contender’s match, with SHO as the fourth man!
Japonese Del Mal just made The Murder Machine his scapegoat! But will the pawn play his part and cut off three challengers at once? Or will he just be a sacrifice before the title match?
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: YOH, Master Wato & Toru Yano VS EVIL, Dick Togo & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
The Drive of the Grandmaster could not take down #Shouki in the Super Junior Tag League, and now they’re on the defensive as The House of Torture launches another attack on these Six Man titles! Evil wants to be the undisputed NEVER Champion once more, will The Spoiler & The Heel Master help him make that happen? Or can The Joker help trump The King?
The House behaves themselves by not attacking early, but then Evil protests that Aaron Wolf is accompanying Hontai. The introductions are made, the Six Man titles are raised, and we see who NEVER gives up!
The trios sort out, and Hontai attacks! The fans cheer as they turn the tables on The House! Wato TOSSES Kanemaru, Yoh TOSSES Dick, and Yano TOSSES Evil, all as the bell rings to get this on record! But then Evil sends Yano into railing! Kanemaru & Dick turn things around on Wato & Yoh, too, as Dick SMACKS Wato off the apron and Kanemaru sends Yoh into railing! The fans boo but Dick ROCKS Wato with a right, and Kanemaru ELBOWS Wato in the head. They put Wato in the ring, Kanemaru whips him to a corner, and then Kanemaru runs up, but into BOOTS! Wato BULLDOGS and the fans cheer!
Dick kicks and CLAWS Wato, then runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up with Wato as he runs up on Kanemaru. Kanemaru BOOTS Wato now, then DUMPS Wato out! Evil is there to whip Wato into railing while Kanemaru BLASTS Yoh off the apron! Evil then whips Wato hard into more railing! The fans boo but Evil drags Wato up and puts him back in the ring. Kanemaru drags Wato up, suplexes high and hard, then covers, TWO! The fans cheer as Wato stays in this, but Kanemaru TOSSES Wato out! Kanemaru distracts the ref so Evil & Dick can mug Wato. They put Wato in the ring, the ref reprimands, but Kanemaru scoops to SLAM!
Kanemaru tags Evil and Evil drags Wato up by a hand. Evil taunts Wato before he TOSSES him back out! And now Evil distracts the ref so Yujiro Takahashi can JAM Wato up with a chair! The fans boo as The Tokyo Pimp gets in on this, but Dick puts Wato in the ring. Evil drags Wato back up and reels him in, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Evil is upset but the fans cheer. Wato tags Dick and Dick taunts Wato to go crawl for his corner. The fans rally, but then Dick stomps away on Wato. Wato sputters, Dick runs up, FIST DROP! Cover, TWO! Wato toughs it out but Dick stays between him and his corner.
Dick stomps Wato, eggs him on, then JABS! JABS! JABS! Dick flips, flops, and flies, BIONIC ELBOW! “Dick Rhodes” then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Wato is tougher than that but Dick tags Kanemaru. Kanemaru suplexes Wato but Wato fights it! The fans rally as Kanemaru tries again. Wato suplexes Kanemaru up and over! The fans cheer, but then Evil stomps away on Wato! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Evil CHOPS Wato down! Wato sputters, Kanemaru tags Evil in, and Evil drags Wato up to suplex high and hard! Cover, Yoh breaks it! The fans cheer but Yoh runs away to hide behind Wolf.
Evil tags Dick and Dick eggs Wato on. Wato rises but Dick ROCKS him with a right! And another! And another! Dick then snapmares Wato to SCRAPE his sole off Wato’s face! Tag to Kanemaru, and he also SCRAPES sole off Wato’s face. Kanemaru whips Wato to ropes, but Wato stops himself to KICK back! Wato ROCKS Kanemaru, but Kanemaru blocks the kick to CLUB the leg and CLAW the eyes! Kanemaru whips, Wato reverses, CALF KICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Wato and Kanemaru crawl, hot tag to Yoh! Yoh goes up, up, and CANNONBALLS! Then he BLASTS Dick, DECKS Evil, and dodges Kanemaru!
Yoh runs to FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up with Yoh and he goes back to Kanemaru. Yoh scoops, SLAMS, then ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO and KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru survives Yoh’s triple hit combo, but Yoh reels Kanemaru in for a suplex. Kanemaru slips free, pulls hair, but Yoh kicks low. Yoh runs buit inot a cheap shot from Evil! Kanemaru DROPKICKS the legs out! Tag to Evil, he and Kanemaru DOUBLE SMASH the knees! Evil kicks Yoh around, runs, but Yano gets a cheap shot in! Yoh DROPKICKS Evil’s legs out! The fans rally, Yoh hot tags Yano!
Yano goes right to the open corner! Yano takes off the buckle pad, then whips Evil. Evil reverses, Yano stops short. Yano then dodges, Evil stops short, and Yano says darn it. Yano runs in but Evil dodges, Yano hits bare buckles! Yano falls, Evil has the ref check Wato, and then Evil CHOKES Yano using his shirt! The fans boo, Hontai protests, but then Dick DECKS Wato! The House whips Yano to the safe corner, Dick runs in and ELBOWS! Kanemaru ELBOWS! Evil LARIATS! They snapmare Yano, Yujiro distracts the ref, and Dick mocks the “Y T R!” before the DICK CHOP! The fans boo but Evil covers, TWO!
Evil is upset but the fans cheer as Yano survives. Evil says fine, he’ll just end this himself! Evil drags Yano up, but Yano slips free of the STO! Yano shoves Evil at the ref, but Evil spots Yano before the low blow! The fans cheer the standoff, but Yano tries a kick. Evil blocks the kick, hands it to the ref, and then mule kicks! Evil whips, but Yano reverses to THROW Evil down by his hair! The fans fire up as both men crawl, hot tags to Wato and Dick! Wato dodges to fire off forearms! Wato whips, Dick avoids the dropkick, and Dick stomps Wato down. Dick drags Wato up, calls his shot and whips, but Wato avoids the lariat!
Wato shoves Dick to the corner, ELBOW! Yoh jumps in, DRIVE IN MOTION! Then a DOUBLE SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Yoh and Wato roar! They get Dick up, but Dick avoids the High-Low! Dick shoves Yoh into Wato, jackknife bridges Wato, but Yoh breaks it up! Then they get Dick up, but Dick slips around! Dick shoves Yoh at the ref, then winds up, but Yoh BLOCKS the low blow! The fans cheer as Wato then sunset flips! Dick stays up, Yoh SUPERKICKS him into the cover! TWO, but into VENDEVALL!! Dick endures, but Evil YANKS the ref out! The fans boo but then Kanemaru STOMPS Wato!
Yano runs up but Kanemaru DECKS him! Kanemaru TOSSES Wato, and Evil has a chair! But then Wolf steps up! Evil tells him to back off, he’s just a Young Lion here! Evil JAMS Wato, but then Wolf shields Wato! so Evil SMACKS Wolf for it! But then Yoh LOW BLOWS Evil! And he shoves Kanemaru into Dick! DOUBLE LOW BLOW! Yoh uses WHISKEY MIST!! He CRACKS Yujiro for good measure, and Wato SPRINGBOARD UPPERCUTS Dick! Then RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO, into VENDEVAL!!! Dick endures as Wato thrashes about! DICK QUITS, HONTAI WINS!
Winners: Yoh, Master Wato & Toru Yano, by submission (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
The House of Torture tried to stack the deck, but Aaron Wolf was the trump card up the proverbial sleeve! Will Evil look to make Wolf’s career a living Hell soon enough? Or will there be justice served in the NEVER Openweight Division?
Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuto-Ice!
The Ace had his Final Homecoming, but he fell short of winning the IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. But as Tanahashi’s Final Road passes through Anjo on the way to Tokyo Dome, another man from Gifu wants his shot! Is Nakashima’s Ambition getting him in over his head? Or will it be Ice High over the High Fly Flow?
Tanahashi shows off the abs and the fans cheer. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Yuto and Tanahashi step up, the fans strongly behind “TA-NA-H’SHI! TA-NA-H’SHI!” Yuto fires the first forearm! Tanahashi fires back, and they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, harder and harder, and Yuto just fires up for it! The shots keep going, but then Tanahashi gets the edge. Yuto comes back to BOOT Tanahashi down! The fans applaud, and Yuto storms up as Tanahashi goes to ropes. Yuto fires forearm after forearm in the corner but Red Shoes counts. Yuto HAMMERS Tanahashi until he’s seated, then he backs off.
Yuto argues with Red Shoes while the fans rally. Yuto runs up, only for Tanahashi to ELBOW him away! Then Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Down goes Yuto and the fans cheer for the air guitar! Tanahashi “throws the guitar” to the fans, but then Yuto CLOBBERS him from behind! Tanahashi bails out, Yuto pursues, and Yuto fires hands! Yuto whips Tanahashi hard into railing! Yuto storms up on Tanahashi, brings him around, and he SMACKS Tanahashi off the apron! The fans rally, but Yuto whips again! Only for Tanahashi to reverse! Yuto hits railing, but he comes back to BOOT Tanahashi down!
The fans rally but Yuto looms over Tanahashi. Yuto drags Tanahashi up, puts him in the ring, and he gets space. Yuto runs back up and KNEE LIFTS Tanahashi into the ring! The fans are torn but Yuto has a smirk on his face as he swaggers back over. Yuto steps into the ring, stomps Tanahashi down, then kicks Tanahashi around. Yuto eggs Tanahashi on while he scuffs him in the face. Yuto then KNEES low, snapmares Tanahashi, and KICKS him in the back! Cover, ONE, and the fans applaud. Yuto sneers, but he brings Tanahashi up to KICK him in the chest! And KICK again! And again! Tanahashi ends up in the corner, and Yuto KICKS again and again!
Tanahashi sits down, Red Shoes reprimands, but Yuto fires up. “BOMBACLAT!” and DOUBLE KNEES! Tanahashi flops over, Yuto kicks him to center then has a cocky cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Tanahashi stays in this, and a chant of “GO ACE!” begins. Yuto paces around Tanahashi, then kicks him around. Tanahashi snarls as he sits up, but Yuto KICKS him! Yuto pie faces Tanahashi, but Tanahashi comes back to ROCK Yuto! And ROCK him again! And again! The fans rally, Tanahashi fires more shots, but Yuto KNEES low! Yuto puts Tanahashi on the ropes, whips him to ropes, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS!
The fans fire up with Tanahashi and he looms over Yuto. Tanahashi brings Yuto up, fires the signature Tanahashi strike fest, and he backs Yuto down to a corner. Tanahashi scoops to SLAM! The fans cheer as Tanahashi goes up and SUNSET SENTONS! Yuto sputters from that solid landing, Tanahashi covers, TWO! The fans rally as Tanahashi waits on Yuto. Tanahashi runs, but Yuto follows to ROCK him! Yuto runs, but Tanahashi DROPKICKS the leg! Yuto kicks, but Tanahashi blocks to DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi drags Yuto by his legs, ties them up, but Yuto has the ROPEBREAK! Tanahashi lets go, but he stomps Yuto right after.
The fans rally as Tanahashi stomps Yuto more. Tanahashi stands Yuto up, but Yuto breaks free! DRAGON PALM and Yuto falls! The fans rally behind Tanahashi as he drags Yuto back up. Tanahashi half nelsons, full nelsons, but Yuto CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands but Yuto is still free, and he LARIATS Tanahashi down! Yuto snarls again as he goes back to Tanahashi. Yuto stands over Tanahashi, then rains down PALM STRIKE after PALM STRIKE! Yuto stomps Tanahashi for good measure, but then Tanahashi gets right up! Tanahashi HEADBUTTS Yuto! Yuto drops to his knees, but Tanahashi HEABDUTTS again!
Yuto said he wanted Tanahashi’s scary side, so here it is! Tanahashi stalks Yuto to the corner, and HEADBUTTS again and again and again! Yuto sits down, but Tanahashi stands him back up, for more HEADBUTTS! Then a DRAGON PALM! Red Shoes reprimands but Tanahashi steps back. Tanahashi stands Yuto up, Yuto pushes free, but Tanahashi blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Yuto shouts in pain as he leans against the ropes! Tanahashi trips Yuto, to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And then he has the leg again, REVERSE GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Yuto writhes but Tanahashi ties the legs up, for the TEXAS CLOVERHOLD!
Yuto endures as Tanahashi puts on the pressure! The fans rally but Yuto fights forward! Yuto military crawls but Tanahashi bends him back! The fans fire up as Tanahashi sits deep on the hold! Yuto is still fighting, still clawing, still crawling! ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Tanahashi lets go. Tanahashi fires up and wants Yuto to rise. Yuto does stand, into the SLING- NO, Yuto dodges to AMBITION RIGHT!! Yuto runs, ICE HIGH!! Cover, TWO!?! Tanahashi survives but Yuto roars! The fans fire up and Yuto goes to a corner! Yuto reloads the leg while Tanahashi slowly rises. Yuto runs in again, ICE- SLINGBLADE!!
The fans fire up and Tanahashi roars! Tanahashi climbs the corner and aims at Yuto, HIGH FLY FLOW, but onto knees! Yuto saves himself, though maybe a little double-edged. Yuto still loads up again, and as Tanahashi sits up, BLINDSIDE CRUELLA!! But Yuto’s bad leg won’t let him cover! The fans rally harder and harder while both men are down! Yuto and Tanahashi rise up, and they crawl over to each other. They’re forehead to forehead, then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, harder and harder, then faster and faster! Yuto bobs ‘n’ weaves to SLAP, SLAP, SLAP! And then again to SLAP!!
Tanahashi wobbles, Yuto winds up, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and Anjo is thunderous! Yuto roars as he vows to end this now! Yuto drags Tanahashi but Tanahashi is a ragdoll! Red Shoes checks but Yuto just reaches down, only for Tanahashi to cradle! TWO, and Yuto BOOTS! Yuto runs, into a LARIAT! Tanahashi rarely uses a lariat but he still aces that one! Tanahashi then runs the ropes, SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Yuto survives but Tanahashi fires up again! Tanahashi climbs, aims, and HIGH FLY FLOW!! Direct hit and Tanahashi covers, TWO!! Yuto survives and the fans are thunderous again!
Tanahashi just goes right back up, but Yuto stands! So he takes a HIGH FLY ATTACK! Tanahashi reloads again and the fans fire up! HIGH! FLY! FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall
Yuto-Ice couldn’t freeze out The Ace, and now he’s the one who needs the icepacks. But with everything he showed here against one of the best ever, is that all a sign Yuto Nakashima will be one of the best yet?
As for Tanahashi, he shows respect to the ambitious Yuto-Ice, and that alone means a lot to Nakashima. Oskar is there to help Yuto to the back, and Tanahashi gets the mic. “NJPW has returned to Anjo!” The fans cheer that, and Tanahashi thanks everyone for being here. “There’s not much time left for me as a wrestler, so I’m glad I could come to Anjo. I’ll do my best to the end!” Tanahashi wants to leave it at that, but the fans cheer him on, so he of course gives us the air guitar concert! But he needs his air guitar first, so Murashima tosses him one! Big pass, and Tanahashi makes the catch! The fans cheer, and the concert begins!
The fans cheer, Tanahashi “throws the guitar” to the fans, but they want an encore! Tanahashi says okay, is there another guitar? Matsumoto finds one now, and he makes an even bigger throw! Tanahashi catches it, and “LASTO!” The fans cheer on the encore, and Tanahashi of course “smashes” the guitar. Tanahashi “clears the ring” and the fans cheer for even more! Tanahashi looks to the fans, they throw one to him, and we get a special Anjo encore! The fans cheer again, and Tanahashi “falls over.” Tanahashi carefully tosses this guitar back to the fan and the crowd cheers. Tanahashi takes the mic to say, “I’m not tired. Let me say that- I’ve never been tired. So I’ll give it my all to the end!”
Tanahashi then promises that from here to the Tokyo Dome, “ANJO…! AISHITEMAAASU~!” BUT THEN A COIN DROPS?! The fans all go nuts because yes, THE RAINMAKER returns to NJPW! And Gedo is with him! A blast from the past right here in his hometown, on HIS birthday! Talk about a Rainmaker Shock. But Okada goes right to the ring and once again stands face to face with his greatest rival. The fans cheer while he grabs the mic, and Okada says, “Tanahashi-san. Congratulations on your retirement. And also, thank you for all your hard work.” The fans do applaud that.
Okada takes a moment before saying, “On January 4th, 2026… If you’d like, I will be your final opponent.” The fans are all fired up for that! Okada adds, “So don’t get tired until then, ya bastard!” Okada then adds that for now, he’ll let Gedo speak. The fans cheer the nostalgia trip, and Okada hands the mic to Gedo. “If the Rainmaker is here, it’ll be the best of all retirements. You know why?” The fans cheer the old line, and Gedo says, “He’s on a whole other level, ya bastards!” The fans cheer again, and Gedo says, “The rain will fall on Wrestle Kingdom 20 in the Tokyo Dome!” Okada strikes his signature pose, but so does Tanahashi!
The fans cheer as The Sun of NJPW and the Rainmaker will truly have one more clash, and it will truly be the final chapter in this storied rivalry! Will The Ace go out on top? Or will it be less a Rainmaker Shock as a Rainmaker Farewell? Okada & Gedo leave, so Tanahashi picks the mic back up. Tanahashi knows they already did this, but how about they do it again? “ANJO…! AISHITEMAAASU~!” The fans cheer, and Tanahashi has his final destination. What will happen on the most historic WrestleKingdom ever?
My Thoughts:
A great New Japan Road event, even with it still mostly tune-ups and filler. Taiji calling out Douki for the Junior Heavyweight title, and then having Desperado and Fujita join in on that was great. That Fatal 4 Way Contender’s match will be great stuff, Sho clearly trying to be Douki’s way out, but I bet Sho takes the loss to whoever will challenge Douki at WrestleKingdom. Douki also might end up in double duty territory unless they choose contenders to face #Shouki in what time we have left before World Tag League.
Great NEVER Six Man title match, especially with Hontai getting on over on The House of Torture with some help from Aaron Wolf. Pretty sure Evil VS Wolf is going to be a thing, but probably not for the NEVER Openweight Championship. That might be too much for a debuting name like Wolf, who is only now making the jump from judo to pro-wrestling. But also, what a great way to shake things up if he went right past Young Lion to established talent. Great stuff in Ace VS Ice, and as I said last week, this was of course Tanahashi’s rebound win after losing to Yota Tsuji. But Yuto really did have a great showing, this means a lot for him going forward.
Okada showing up was an awesome surprise, and it was a lot of fun seeing Gedo in the throwback bandana and all that. Tanahashi VS Okada: One Last Time is definitely the right move for Tanahashi’s retirement, even with Okada out of NJPW and a champion in AEW. Who knows, by January, Okada might actually drop the Unified Championship to Takeshita or something. Tanahashi losing his retirement match would be tradition, but it’s not like Okada would be hurt losing to one of the best ever. Plus, WrestleKingdom 20 is a historic milestone, it should have a historic and celebratory moment to punctuate it.
My Score: 8.8/10
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