Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (1/6/21)
Happy New Year’s Evil!
NXT starts the New Year with an EPIC night!
Hosted by Dexter Lumis, NXT presents New Year’s Evil! Will Kyle O’Reilly take the title from Finn Balor in this rematch from TakeOver 31?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Damian Priest VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux; Kross wins.
- NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Santos Escobar w/ El Legado del Fantasma VS Gran Metalik w/ Lince Dorado; Escobar wins and retains the title.
- Xia Li w/ Boa and “Her” VS Katrina Cortez; Li wins.
- Last Woman Standing: Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Gonzalez; Gonzalez wins.
- Mixed Tag Match: Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae w/ The Way VS KUSHIDA & Shotzi Blackheart; Kushida & Shotzi win.
- NXT Championship: Finn Balor VS Kyle O’Reilly; Balor wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Dexter Lumis is here.
And he looks out at the Capitol Wrestling Center as he walks up stairs to a control center. The Tortured Artist is in full control as tonight’s master of ceremonies. He tests the lights, and then sees a master switch. Lumis flips the switch, and the CWC transforms into New Year’s Evil! Even his suit changes!
Damian Priest VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux!
The Archer of Infamy wants to #LiveForever, but that will only happen if he can survive the apocalypse! Will Priest defeat Mr. Doomsday in this COMMERCIAL FREE opening match?!
The bell rings and the two go right at each other! They tie up, go around, on the ropes and in corners, but Kross puts Priest through ropes! Priest brings Kross out with him, pushes him into boards, but Kross laughs as he pushes Priest back! Priest pushes Kross, Kross pushes Priest back onto the apron, but the ref calls for a ropebreak. Priest gets away and Kross gets in. They bob ‘n’ weave and test the waters with kicks. Priest gets a grazing blow and Kross is furious! Kross runs in but gets fast hands from Priest! PRiest dodges to ROCK Kross, fire off clubbing forearms, but Kross blocks the kick! Kross lifts Priest, Priest fights but Kross SLAMS him down!
Priest staggers away to a corner, Kross is after him with forearms and haymakers! Scarlett tells Kross to hit harder and Kross BOOTS Priest! Kross whips corner to corner, hits a corner clothesline, then whips back the other way for another clothesline! EXPLODER! Cover, ONE!! Kross keeps on Priest and grabs at the arms. Priest resists but Kross still pulls him back in a motorcycle stretch. Priest endures, fights up, but Kross knees low. Kross clotheslines Priest back out, pursues, and RAMS Priest into steel steps! Fans rally but Kross pulls steel steps apart! Priest BOOTS first! Kross knees back and puts Priest in the ring, then takes his time getting back in himself.
Kross drags Priest up by his hair, throws body shots to torture the ribs, but Priest talks trash. Priest guards against the haymakers, taunts Kross more, but Kross keeps hitting! “Is that all you got?!” Kross keeps hitting, Priest stays up but Kross kicks low. Kross whips, Priest kicks back and then ROCKS Kross with a right! Kross staggers, fans fire up and Priest comes back to counter punch over and over! Priest throws more hands, dodges Kross to bell clap! LIFTING COMPLETE SHOT! Fans fire up more as Kross is dazed! Kross gets up, Priest runs corner to corner and hits the leaping back elbow!
Priest drags Kross out to suplex but the ribs hold him back! Priest fires off strikes, ROCKS Kross again, then dodges to LARIAT! Kross is down!! Fans fire up as Priest gets Kross up for the BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Priest keeps his focus as fans rally up. Kross rises but Priest spins from the corner. Kross ducks the kick but Priest fights off the saido. Kross shoves, Priest dodges and Kross only gets buckles! Priest runs in to BOOT, kick away on the arms, then wrench to knee after knee! ARMBREAKER DDT! Priest gets the arm, rolls Kross over and has an omoplata full nelson! Kross endures, Scarlett is frustrated, but Kross fights up! Kross makes it a cover, ONE!
Kross is free and he hammers away on Priest with elbows! Fans taunt Kross with “You Still Suck!” Priest slowly gets up, Kross storms over, but Priest ROCKS him with a right! Kross comes back to ROCK Priest! Priest BOOTS Kross, Kross BOOTS back! Priest fires off fast hands and kicks, Kross gives them back! Priest kicks away on the arm, then runs to springboard SENTON! Direct hit and fans fire up! Kross staggers to a corner, but he dodges Priest’s elbow to run and LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Kross grows frustrated. Kross stomps Priest’s hand, then his legs, then drags him up for a scoop. Kross puts Priest in the Tree of Woe!
Kross stomps Priest over and over but lets off as the ref counts. Kross brings his kneepads down, runs in and KNEES Priest in the ribs! Fans boo but Kross soaks up the heat as he drags Priest back up. Kross sits Priest up, climbs up behind him, and tells Priest to say goodnight. Priest resists the super back suplex for dear life! Priest elbows Kross over and over and bumps him off buckles! Priest adjusts to headbutt Kross, and KICK him! Priest gets behind Kross, has the crucifix, and manages the RAZOR’S EDGE!! But his own ribs are hurting and he can’t make the cover! Priest crawls, Scarlett shouts, TWO!! Kross lives and Scarlett laughs triumphantly!
Kross goes to the apron, Priest crawls over and throws forearms. Kross hits back, Priest ROCKS him again! Priest dodges the forearm to ROUNDHOUSE and choke grip! Kross holds on for his own survival, elbows Priest away, but steps into the CYCLONE KICK! Kross stumbles, Priest runs and FLIES! Direct hit and fans are thunderous! Priest puts Kross in fast, climbs up top, and FLYING WINDMILL KICKS! Kross staggers, Priest takes aim, choke grip and SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, TWO!?!? Kross still lives and Priest can’t believe it! Both men slowly rise, gritting their teeth. Priest roars and clamps on for the dragon sleeper, but Kross NORTHERN LIGHTS free of it!
Kross RAMS into Priest in the corner, brings him out and gut wrenches for a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives being folded up and now Kross is shocked! Priest rolls out, staggers about, but Kross follows, only to get a CYCLONE KICK! Priest CYCLONE KICKS again! But he jumps into Kross’ arms and Kross RAMS him into the girder! Kross scoops Priest to SLAM onto steel steps! Kross puts Priest in the ring, smirks as he looms over Priest, and watches Priest rise up slowly. Priest stares Kross down, “I’m still standing, bitch!” Kross ROUNDHOUSES and DOOMSDAY SAIDO!! Priest staggers up but Kross says time’s up! BLINDSIDE FOREARM!! Cover, Kross wins!!
Winner: Karrion Kross, by pinfall
Priest put up one hell of a fight, but just like the passing of time, the apocalypse could not be stopped! Will Kross’ return to the title be just as unstoppable?
The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is shaping up!
Six teams have been determined! The Undisputed Era’s Roderick Strong & Adam Cole BAYBAY! Ever-Rise! Breezango! Curt Stallion & August Grey! Drake Maverick & Killian Dain! Imperium’s Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner! Two more teams will be announced, but the first round begins next week! Who will hold onto a dream and never let go?
Backstage interview with Adam Cole & Roderick Strong!
Big news with the Dusty Cup entry being announced, and we know now that they will be facing Breezango in the opening round! Their thoughts? “Here’s the deal, McKenzie. Every single week is a big week for UE. As a matter of fact, every month, every year, when you look back at everything we’ve accomplished.” Adam Cole is the longest reigning NXT Champion in history! Roddy Strong is a former North American Champion. When the Undisputed Era said they were going to fulfill the golden prophecy, they did it! And they’ll do it again in 2021!
Strong agrees, and next week with Breezango, as entertaining as their entrances are, the UE will not forget that those are two veterans that get the job done. But that’s the thing. Cole and Strong are on another level. When these two go on to win the Dusty Cup, it will be the continuation of the prophecy, as tonight is the first step. Tonight, Kyle O’Reilly fulfills his destiny and becomes the UNDISPUTED NXT Champion! The UE have a lot of confidence in themselves, but will the new year truly bring a new reign?
NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Santos Escobar w/ El Legado del Fantasma VS Gran Metalik w/ Lince Dorado!
The Leader of Leader claims he not only defines Lucha Libre, but owns it! But the King of the Ropes and his amigo, the Golden Lynx, want to make him understand the “libre” isn’t just for “freestyle.” Lucha libre doesn’t belong to one man, but that title does! Will Metalik take the gold from Escobar to completely change the Cruiserweight landscape in 2021?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this battle for the spirit of lucha begins!
Metalik and Escobar circle, tie up, and Metalik puts Escobar on ropes. Metalik lets off fast, and they circle again. They tie up, go around, and Escobar puts Metalik in a corner. Escobar lets off but Metalik dodges his sucker punch. Metalik and Escobar circle, tie up, Escobar sweeps but Metalik headscissors back! Escobar sweeps the legs, covers, ONE, and Metalik reverses the roles with a sweep and cover, ONE! Metalik dodges, runs and RANAS! Escobar bails out, Metalik builds speed but fakes him out with a handspring!
Escobar is furious but he gets back in the ring and circles wit Metalik. Escobar kicks low, throws elbows, then whips, but Metalik handsprings! Escobar dodges, blocks the chop to give the CHOP, and then he knuckle locks to go up and up and SPRINGBOARD RANAS! Fans fire up with Metalik as he runs in but Escobar puts him on the apron. Escobar SLAPS Metalik, runs and slides, but Metalik springboards to ASAI MOONSAULT! Lince fans Metalik off and Metalik fetches Escobar into the ring. Metalik springboards again for a SWANTON! Cover, TWO!
Metalik keeps his cool and drags Escobar up to a fireman’s carry, for a Wasteland Slam! Metalik goes to the corner, moonsaults, but has to bail out as Escobar moves. Escobar runs in at the corner but Metalik puts him on the apron! Metalik enziguris, Escobar wobbles, and Metalik goes to the top rope. Metalik walks the tightrope but Escobar blocks the huricanrana! Escobar keeps them both from falling horribly to the floor, to then double clutch and swing Metalik into barriers! Fans are fired up either way as NXT goes picture in picture!
Escobar grins and tells Metalik he’s smarter than him. Escobar kicks Metalik, drags him up, puts him on the apron, then goes up to pull Metalik against the post! The ref counts, Escobar stops at 4 and then gets in the ring. Escobar stomps Metalik in the corner, stands on his ribs, then steps off at 4. To come back with a basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Ghost pin, TWO! Metalik barely escapes but Escobar clubs away! Escobar gets the leg for a deep Half Crab! Metalik endures, drags himself around towards ropes, but Escobar lets go to stomp him down! Escobar drags Metalik up, Metalik throws body shots but Escobar shoves and tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO!
Escobar drags Metalik up, CHOPS him to a corner, then hoists him up top. Escobar CHOPS again and NXT returns to single picture as he ENZIGURIS! Metalik stays up top, Escobar climbs up and fireman’s carries, but Metalik fights it, only for Escobar to DROP him on the crossbar! Cover, TWO!! Metalik survives the Skyline, but Escobar drags him around by his legs. Escobar hooks the legs up and pulls on the arms for a SURFBOARD! Metalik endures, Escobar makes it a cover, TWO!! Metalik escapes but Escobar CLUBS Metalik on the back! Escobar drags Metalik up, fireman’s carries, but Metalik fights free! Metalik runs and rebounds to SLING-SUNSET! TWO!!
Escobar grins because he admits how close that was. But then he CLOBBERS Metalik for it! Cover, TWO! Escobar grows annoyed with Metalik, and he stomps Metalik to the corner. Fans rally up as Escobar goes corner to corner, runs back in, but Metalik BOOTS him! Metalik staggers but SUPERKICKS and SLING-DOGS! Metalik keeps moving, and he walks the ropes to springboard missile dropkick! Escobar bails out, fans rally and Metalik builds speed to go up and FLY!! Direct hit at the ramp and Lince fans Metalik off again. The ring count climbs, Metalik drags Escobar into the ring, and springboards again, for a SPLASH! Cover, TWO!!
Metalik and Escobar are down but fans fire up. Lince coaches Metalik while Legado is concerned. Metalik brings Escobar up to CHOP him! Metalik whips, Escobar whips but Metalik tumbles out and enziguris back in! Metalik springboards, into a JUMPING KNEE! Escobar steadies himself as Metalik flops out of the ring, and Escobar builds speed, to fire the ARROW FROM HELL!! Direct hit and Metalik hits barriers! Escobar drags Metalik up and into the ring, covers, TWO! Metalik survives but Escobar keeps his focus. Escobar drags Metalik up, kicks away, then reels him in for underhooks. Metalik resists the lift, fights back with body shots, but Escobar ROCKS him with a forearm!
Escobar bumps Metalik off buckles, hoists him back up top, and CHOPS him! Escobar climbs, Metalik fights back, but the mask is coming loose! Metalik has to adjust that first, and Escobar shoves him down! Metalik crashes onto the apron, Escobar climbs up but Metalik CHOPS him! Metalik tries to climb, Legado creeps over but Lince LEAPS and body blocks them both! Metalik goes up to SUPER STEINER Escobar! Cover, TWO!! Escobar survives again but Metalik hurries to get up top again! Metalik calls for the elbow, but Escobar trips him up! Double underhooks, DRAPING LEGADO DRIVER! Fireman’s carry, to PHANTOM DRIVER!! Cover, Escobar wins!
Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall (still NXT Cruiserweight Champion)
Somehow, someway, the “Emperor of Lucha” still reigns! Will Escobar make 2021 El Ano del Fantasma (The Year of the Phantom)?
Mercedes Martinez speaks.
“It feels real good to be back! Io Shirai, Female Competitor of the Year, Overall Competitor of the Year. Too bad you didn’t look like that when I put you through that table. I don’t care about the title of ‘biggest badass.’ The only title I care about is the Women’s Title. Hey, Io, hello mamita. I’m waitin’ on ya.” When will the Evil Genius respond to Mean Miss Martinez’s message?
“She” has come to NXT…
The mysterious master that we’ve seen put Xia Li and Boa through hell sits on stage. Then Boa and Xia appear by her side, and head to the ring. They have become more dangerous than ever before, and Xia shows her skills before entering the ring. Who is about to feel the wrath of this darker, deadlier Xia Li?
Xia Li w/ Boa and “Her” VS Katrina Cortez!
The bell rings and Xia circles with Cortez. Cortez dodges Xia to waistlock, but Xia scowls as she reverses the whip. Cortez ducks a kick but Xia shoves then HEEL KICKS! Xia bows to her master, then goes back to Cortez. Xia drags her up, brings her around for knees and a sobat! Xia strikes a pose and powers up more, but Cortez body shots! Xia just glares! Xia blocks strikes, to JUMPING KNEE! SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE! Fans fire up for this fiery Xia and she covers, Xia wins!
Winner: Xia Li, by pinfall
That was fast and furious, and perhaps even merciless! Will Xia be “her” weapon in the NXT Women’s Division?
BREAKING NEWS!
William Regal reports that after conferring with medics, Timothy Thatcher suffered an injury that although minor, will keep him from competing tonight. Therefore, the Fight Pit match has been cancelled for tonight, but will be rescheduled for another time. When will the Professor of Pain and Tommaso Ciampa be able to settle the score?
Ringside interview with Bronson Reed!
The Colossal says too bad about Thatcher. But he knows what it is like to sit at home with injuries. All that does is build aggression inside. That aggression, that “inner savage,” is what NXT will see from Reed in 2021! He puts everyone on notice, and says it will be a colossal year. Speaking of aggression, in the Last Woman Standing, his money is on Rhea Ripley! And that match is next!
Last Woman Standing: Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Gonzalez!
Friends becoming bitter enemies is perhaps a tale as old as time. What was once RNR was pulled apart by jealousy and contempt, and now it is RVR! Who will survive when these two female titans go until they’ve got nothing left to give?!
The bell rings, and Rhea dropkicks Raquel right away! Rhea RAMS into Raquel over and over in the corner, fires off fast hands, but Raquel shoves back. Rhea returns with a Thesz Press! The two scrap on the mat, roll as they throw hands, but Rhea kicks Raquel away, only for Raquel to CLOBBER her! Raquel scoops for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Raquel drags Rhea back up to scoop and FALL AWAY SLAM again! Fans fire up as Raquel scoops Rhea a third time, for a third FALL AWAY SLAM! Raquel seethes while Rhea writhes and a count starts. Rhea is up at 4, Raquel is on her and throws knees! Raquel grabs the fingers and bends them.
Raquel shows Rhea her own RNR tattoo and says she fooled Rhea by acting like a friend, but Rhea isn’t acting when she SLAPS Raquel! Rhea wrenches, HOOK KICKS, and sweeps the leg! Rhea basement dropkicks Raquel out of the ring! Fans fire up as Rhea goes out and RAMS Raquel into the apron! And again, and again! Rhea shoves Raquel down, fetches a chair and a kendo stick from under the ring, and SMACKS Raquel with the bamboo! And again! And again! Raquel blocks the next strike to ROCK Rhea with a forearm! Raquel puts Rhea in the ring, but Rhea slides back out and runs around the way, to leap off the steel steps, INTO A CHAIRSHOT!
Raquel drags Rhea up before a count, to TOSS Rhea into boards! NOW she lets the ref count. Raquel goes looking for things while Rhea crawls, and Raquel find scuffs! Raquel SMACKS Rhea with the kendo stick more first, but Rhea slaps the cuffs away! Raquel kicks low, Rhea blocks the board shot to throw Raquel into boards! Rhea gets the cuffs and puts them on Raquel! Rhea clubs Raquel down, and cuffs Raquel to the chain link fencing! Raquel is stuck, Rhea blocks a punch and CHOPS away on Raquel’s chest! Raquel is stuck standing up, Rhea has the kendo stick but Raquel BOOTS her down!
Raquel just RIPS the fencing apart?! And uses a scrap to SMACK Rhea on the head, and on the back! Rhea screams in pain but she POSTS Raquel in return! Fans are fired up as Rhea grabs the ring bell hammer! Raquel blocks to BOUNCE Rhea off the bell! The ref starts a count as Rhea is down in a daze. The count is 5, Rhea staggers up at 6, but now Raquel is clearing off the announce desk! Raquel drags Rhea over to BACK DROP Rhea onto the table!! And then Raquel buries Rhea in the wreckage! And with chairs! The ref counts, Rhea fights against the pile of items on top of her, and she’s free at 7, to stand at 9! Raquel puts Rhea in the ring and scowls as NXT goes picture in picture.
Rhea drags herself to a corner, the ref asks if she wants to continue and she does. Raquel storms in, throws what’s left of the cuffs and chain links away to stomp away. Raquel suplexes Rhea high and hard! Rhea writhes, the count starts again, and Raquel glares at Rhea as she flounders at 5. Rhea is up at 7, Raquel scoops her and spins for a POWERSLAM! Raquel STEPS on Rhea just to add insult to injury. The count begins again, Rhea gets up but Raquel KICKS her legs out! Raquel drags Rhea up to bump off buckles, brings her around, but Rhea breaks free, only for Raquel to CLOBBER her!
Raquel CLUBS Rhea on the back, runs in and clotheslines Rhea out hard! Rhea hits the floor and a count begins. Rhea flounders on the New Year’s Evil logo as the count hits 5. Rhea staggers up and stands at 7. Raquel pulls apart steel steps and runs at Rhea, but Rhea kicks the steps into Raquel! Rhea gives Raquel a DDT to the steps!! Raquel flops back but Rhea is down, too! The count is on both of them, Rhea and Raquel both get up at 7! Rhea crawls up the ramp, Raquel goes back to the steps, and NXT returns to single picture as Raquel RAMS Rhea! And RAMS her again! They make their way to the stage and Raquel tells Rhea to stay down.
Rhea stands again, Raquel BOOTS her down! Rhea tumbles all the way off the stage and Raquel stalks her way over. They’re partially backstage as Raquel looms over Rhea. Rhea drags herself up as Raquel says this is HER NXT now. Raquel shoves Rhea into the lockers but Rhea CHOPS back! Raquel stomps Rhea, drags her up and waistlocks, but Rhea elbows free! Rhea SPEARS Raquel through a glass door!! Both women are down and fans are going nuts! The count starts again and we’re at 5 of 10 before Rhea flounders up. Rhea is up at 7, Raquel follows at 8 and this continues! Rhea BOOTS Raquel down the hall! Rhea BUMPS Raquel off doorframe!
Rhea brings Raquel back to the lockers to bounce her off the side. Rhea bumps Raquel off road cases, drags the catering table over, and puts Raquel on it. Rhea makes some room as Raquel is stuck in potato chips, and Rhea CLUBS Raquel over and over. Rhea climbs up a locker, aims at Raquel, and says “SUCK IT!” CANNONBALL through the table!! Both women are down in the wreckage and the count begins again! Rhea is writhing and pushing herself up at 6! Raquel starts to stir at 7, but DAKOTA KAI ATTACKS WITH KENDO STICK SMACKS!! Raquel’s new friend is beating up her old one for her!
Raquel gets up because the ref stopped counting to reprimand Dakota! Dakota helps Raquel steady herself but Rhea BOOTS Dakota down! Rhea ROUNDHOUSES Raquel, and SMACKS locker doors off Dakota over and over and over! Rhea is roaring and she puts Dakota in a locker! Rhea puts the road case in front of it, Dakota is trapped!! Neener-neener, dork! Rhea leaves Dakota behind but Raquel CHAIRSHOTS Rhea! Raquel sits the chair up upside-down, but Rhea avoids being skewered on the legs! Rhea throws body shots, ROCKS Raquel with a right, and then gets the legs! PRISM TRAP!
Submissions don’t win but this is going to do some damage! Rhea even gets the chair to make it a COLLAR on Raquel’s head!! Raquel fights the chair off, pushes out of the hold and Rhea smacks off the edge of the LED wall! A count begins as both women are down! Rhea and Raquel slowly rise, they’re both up at 7 again! Raquel runs in but Rhea fireman’s carries and DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS Raquel into the TITANTRON! The giant X glitches out as both women crash down again! A count begins, fans are thunderous, and Rhea rises first at 7! Raquel sits up in a daze and stands at 8! Rhea drags Raquel to the steel steps, only for Raquel to trip her! Rhea bounces off steel!
Rhea checks her face as she flounders up, and Raquel scowls as she comes up behind her. They’re both on top of the steps, Raquel drags Rhea up, DESPERADO BOMB through the STAGE!!! Where are they!? The ref still counts and we’re at 5! Rhea, no, Raquel! Raquel is up out of the hole first, and stands at 9! Rhea is down, Raquel wins!!
Winner: Raquel Gonzalez
Holy hell, how did Raquel survive everything she and Rhea put each other through? Well, minor assist to #CobraKai before she got isolated. But in the end, Raquel still found a way to wreck Rhea. Will every other woman in NXT avoid crossing paths with Big Mami Cool?
The Way has a police escort on their way in?!
Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae are celebrating Johnny’s win to retain the NXT North American Championship, and we watch this procession as NXT goes picture in picture. What more will The Way do to celebrate Johnny breaking the curse?
Meanwhile, referees are pulling Rhea out of the wreckage and check on her. She is able to move her arms, but refs help her stand. The Way continues to make their way to the Capitol Wrestling Center as Rhea staggers and stumbles. Rhea insists they let her stand on her own now, but she ends up having to take a seat on the steel steps. A medic finally appears to check on her, but Rhea still insists she move on her own. NXT returns to single picture as The Way finally arrives and as commentary waits on a new desk. The procession finally pulls into the backstage parking lot, with Austin Theory pulling the Chevy in. Austin and Indi help Johnny and Candice out and they all go to the ring!
Indi and Austin fetch mics for Candice and Johnny, and there’s something already set up in the ring for them. “That’s the way you make an entrance, ladies and gentlemen!” Johnny says there was The Curse of the Bambino, The Curse of the Billy Goat, “and the curse of this NXT fan who can’t get a girlfriend. Don’t worry, don’t worry, we’re rooting for you. You’ll get there one day. Keep trying.” But those all pale in comparison to the Johnny Gargano Championship Defense Curse. But just like the Cleveland Browns erased 18 YEARS of no NFL Playoff appearances, shout out to Mayfield, Gargano has reversed his curse! “YO, CANDICE! I DID IT!”
Now, Johnny is only cursed with being the best, being handsome, being a sweet dancer. Candice says Gargano might be the most powerful man to exist! He is! So powerful! Candice says she did something special for Johnny cuz she loves him so much, and got him a plaque! “The Curse” is slashed through because Johnny broke it, and it has the date! NXT TV, 12/30/20, against Leon Ruff! A day that will live in infamy, in a good way, not the fake arrow Daman Priest way. But the most important thing in Gargano’s life, and she’s a beauty…
Austin says Gargano is a real-life superhero! But one thing about heroes is that they’re so giving, but never getting anything in return. That’s not the way they role, though! Nice! So Austin and Indi got him a gift, too! Curtain pull, The Way as comic book superheroes!! Super Candice, Indi Wrestling, Hulk Theory and Iron Johnny with Doggo Gargano by his side! What a great night this is! But Johnny has a way to make things way better! Gargano officially announces that he and “mah boi, Austin,” are entering the DUSTY RHODES TAG TEAM CLASSIC! No look high-five~!
But wait, SHOTZI is here! Blackheart and Tank Mk. II ride out on stage, and she howls to the moon! Shotzi tells Candice, “Did you forget about me?” Austin tells “Mike Wazowski” she is not going to ruin Johnny’s night! And she is definitely not gonna disrespect Candice! But Shotzi fires the missile into Austin’s theory! Austin writhes down the ramp and Johnny checks on his boy’s boys, but Shotzi rushes the ring! Shotzi throws Indi out to brawl with Candice! Candice shoves Shotzi away, gets out but Shotzi ROUNDHOUSES Candice down! Johnny is furious, he throws off his jacket, and he gets up on the apron! But then KUSHIDA pulls Johnny down!
Kushida gets in the ring, stands with Shotzi, and dares The Way to do something! Fans are thunderous, a bell rings, and Dexter Lumix is here! Without words, he is saying this is a match! A MIXED TAG MATCH, Kushida & Shotzi VS Johnny & Candice! How’d he draw that so fast? Did he have that just in case? Will things stop going The Way’s way after the Time Splitter and Wild Child #TCB, Take Care o’ Business?
Mixed Tag Match: Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae w/ The Way VS KUSHIDA & Shotzi Blackheart!
The bell rings so Johnny and Candice have to sort out! Candice and Johnny are in street clothes but Candice gets in the ring to start with Shotzi. Candice knees low, runs but Shotzi dodges to enziguri! Candice ends up on ropes, Shotzi runs in for the CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Candice scrambles away and The Way regroups as NXT goes picture in picture!
Johnny checks on Candice and Candice is obviously upset. Candice shouts at Shotzi but Shotzi goes out after her! They brawl, Shotzi clubs Candice into the ring then stalks behind her. Candice gets around to a waistlock, but Shotzi runs to a corner and swings Candice into buckles! Candice staggers, Shotzi knuckle locks and goes up, up, but Candice trips her up to hotshot the arm! Shotzi tumbles down, Candice hurries out to SLAM the arm into barriers! Shotzi staggers away, Candice whips her into the POST! Candice looms over Shotzi, drags her up by her hair and puts her on the apron to SLAM the arm again! Candice goes in, covers, TWO!
Candice is furious and she clubs Shotzi down. Candice drags Shotzi up by her arm, wrenches, but Shotzi throws forearms! Candice DECKS Shotzi in return, covers, TWO! The Way is frustrated but Candice drags Shotzi around to hook the arm as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns, Candice has Shotzi’s arm in a keylock but Shotzi rams her to a corner! Candice holds on, Shotzi rams her in more, and is free! Candice brings Shotzi away but Shotzi throws forearms. Candice sweeps the leg and WRINGS the arm out! Cover, TWO! Candice is annoyed, and apparently Lumis has joined commentary, not that he counts. Candice brings Shotzi up, Shotzi scrambles but Candice keeps her down with a sleeper! Shotzi fights up with Candice as a backpack, and she pries the arm to ELBOW BREAKER! Candice clutches her arm as she and Shotzi are both down! Hot tag to Kushida!
Gargano rushes in but Kushida is already up top, and Kushida leaps for an ax handle! Kushida atomic drops, whips and hip tosses Gargano, to handspring basement dropkick! Fans fire up as Kushida runs but Gargano goes up and over and rolls, but Kushida dodges the kick! Gargano dodges a kick, too, and ROCKS Kushida with a forearm! Gargano whips Kushida, Kushida reverses and hip tosses to the ARMBAR! Gargano clasps hands, rolls Kushida, GargaNO Escape! But Kushida rolls to the ARMBAR! Gargano flails, kicks, reaches, The Way shouts, and Gargano gets the ropebreak!
Kushida lets go and he stalks Gargano to waistlock. Gargano switches, Kushida wrenches, ARMBAR BULLDOG! Kushida scowls, kicks Gargano around, and stands on Gargano’s head and pulls on the arm. Gargano reverses the wrench and CHOPS, but Kushida KICKS the arm! Gargano CHOPS, Kushida KICKS, repeat! FAST BALL from Kushida! Gargano wobbles to a corner, Kushida runs in, but Candice is there! Kushida has to stop because this isn’t co-ed competition. Candice puts her hair up as if it is, though, but Gargano tries to sneak up on Kushida! Kushida ducks, Gargano stops himself from clobbering Candice, FAST BALL!!
Shotzi returns to ROCK Candice, and gets help from Kushida for the SLICED BREAD! Kushida ROCKS Gargano again, and then he and Shotzi give Johnny and Candice STEREO ELBOW BREAKERS! And the same for PENALTY KICKS to the arms! Candice bails out, Gargano is on the apron, Kushida handspring heel kicks him down! The Way regroups but Kushida holds ropes for Shotzi to DIVE! Direct hit and Shotzi takes Candice and herself out! Kushida LEAPS to clobber Johnny! Fans are thunderous, Kushida drags Gargano up and into the ring. Kushida climbs but Shotzi also puts in Candice. Johnny and Candice distract the ref, and Indi and Austin trip up Shotzi and SHOVE Kushida!
The ref sees Austin gloating on the apron and he explains he was just climbing. Kushida TOSSES Austin into the ring! And then drop toeholds Gargano into Austin’s theory! Wheelbarrow takedown and cover, Kushida and Shotzi win!!
Winners: KUSHIDA & Shotzi Blackheart, by pinfall
The Super Junior just pinned the North American Champion! The curse may be broken, but will the reign be ended in the end?
This Valentine’s Day, let your heart TakeOver.
That’s right! The next time NXT takes over is FEBRUARY 14TH! Who shows their love for the brand in just over a month’s time?
Backstage interview with GM William Regal!
He asked for this time because he has an announcement! NXT had a great year in 2020, and 2021 will perhaps be the greatest year yet. Regal is excited because next week starts the Dusty Cup. After a lot of consideration, Regal says we will also have the first ever WOMEN’S Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic!! What pairings will we see from the incredible NXT Women’s Division in this inaugural tournament?
NXT Championship: Finn Balor VS Kyle O’Reilly!
The championship match from TakeOver 31 was as brutal as they come, and despite breaking The Prince’s jaw, O’Reilly could not take the title! Will the rematch be a different story? Or will Balor deny the Undisputed Era their prophecy once again?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this COMMERCIAL FREE second time around begins!
Kyle and Balor circle, tie up, and Kyle waistlocks. Balor wrenches to a hammerlock but Kyle switches to a hammerlock. Balor switches, Kyle switches and headlocks but Balor powers out. Kyle runs Balor over but Balor is right up and to a corner! Balor checks his jaw because of that injury, but he ties up with Kyle again. They knuckle lock, Kyle wrenches an arm to a hammerlock and throws Balor down. Kyle headscissors and holds tight as Balor tries to pop out. Fans rally, Balor gets out but barely blocks that kick! Balor and Kyle reset and tie up again, and Balor blocks the takedown to hook Kyle’s head with his leg.
Balor shifts to get a chinlock then the headlock, but Kyle powers up. Balor throws Kyle down and blocks the headscissor hold. Kyle endures the grind, rolls Balor to a cover, ONE! Kyle headscissors free this time, Balor struggles to get free again, and Kyle pushes up to put torque on Balor’s head. Balor keeps fighting but has to move around. Balor rolls Kyle, shifts but Kyle gets away and gives another kick! Balor blocks and steadies himself and Kyle uses that to go after an arm! Kyle wrangles Balor down and shifts the armlock but Balor endures. Fans rally up, Balor fights up but Kyle wrenches. Balor rolls, hooks a leg, but Kyle wrangles him back down.
Kyle digs a knee into Balor’s shoulder as he goes after the hand. Balor gets up, but Kyle wrenches to an elbow breaker. Kyle reels Balor into knees, then goes after the arm again. Fans rally and duel, Kyle wrenches again but Balor chinbars to hold off the elbow breaker. Balor wants Kyle’s arm now, and he slips through to complete the cobra twist! But Kyle hip tosses out fast and short-arm scissors! Balor endures, it’s a cover, TWO as Balor sits up. Balor turns Kyle, Kyle turns him back over, and the fans rally harder. Balor moves up and turns Kyle back over, shifts and gets the cobra twist!
Kyle endures, reaches out but Balor turns Kyle away from ropes! Kyle still reaches, and uses his MOUTH to get the ropebreak! Balor lets go to KICK Kyle in the mouth! Balor wants to give Kyle that receipt in the worst way! The ref checks on Kyle as he goes to the corner, and he keeps Balor from adding on. The medic wants to check Kyle’s teeth but Kyle says he’s fine. Kyle stands, Balor snapmares Kyle and throws down elbows. Balor wraps on a chinlock, Kyle endures and fans rally up. Kyle gets up, slips around and brings Balor down to a knee. Kyle hammerlocks the arm and KICKS it!
Kyle still checks his jaw but he goes back to Balor at ropes for a whip. Balor reverses, Kyle stops himself and WRINGS Balor’s arm out! Kyle gets the arm, wrangles Balor down to a hammerlock, and he drops knees into the shoulders. Kyle runs to SLIDING KNEE Balor in the back! Balor goes out, Kyle makes sure his jaw is still in place, and he goes after Balor. Balor forearms but Kyle wrenches and hotshots the arm! Kyle does it again on the second rope! Balor stands but Kyle wants a leg. Balor gets in to pull Kyle against the ropes with a chinlock! The ref counts, Balor stops at 4, just to change positions and pull Kyle against ropes again!
Balor stops to stomp away on Kyle over and over! The ref counts, Balor lets off at 4 to then run and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Kyle survives but he’s clutching his mouth. Balor paces, headlocks, but Kyle hits a back suplex! But Balor holds on to CROSSFACE! Kyle flails, pries at the hold, moves around, and uses a leg to get the roepbreak! The ref counts, Balor lets go at 4, and Balor seethes as Kyle clutches his jaw. Fans rally up, Balor CHOPS him in the corner then digs his forearms in! The ref counts, Balor lets off at 4 to whip Kyle to ropes and elbow him down! Cover, TWO! Balor is on Kyle with forearms grinding the jaw!
Balor paces, Kyle slowly rises, and Kyle KICKS Balor in the leg! Balor headlocks, resists the back suplex but Kyle powers out. Things speed up, KITCHEN SINK KNEE! Kyle staggers over, clinches and throws knees, then more kicks! Balor ducks the kick but Kyle ducks the chop to wrench the arm and sweep the leg! Fans fire up as Balor is down and Kyle brings him up. Kyle wrenches the arm to another elbow breaker! Hammerlock and another leg sweep! Cover, TWO! Kyle has the arm for a double wristlock! Balor throws knees to get free! Fans rally and duel again as Balor gets up.
Balor is in a corner, Kyle runs in but Balor dodges the knee to CHOP! Balor stalks Kyle to a corner, whips but Kyle blocks to knee low! AX but PELE! Kyle rebounds, dodges a lariat and rolls Balor to a HEEL HOOK! Balor kicks free but Kyle PENALTY KICKS back! Kyle hits so hard, he falls out of the ring! The ref counts and it passes 5 before Kyle sits up! Kyle stands at 8, is in at 9! Balor runs in to throw forearms but Kyle YANKS on the arm! Balor forearms, Kyle yanks, repeat! Kyle wrenches, but Balor fish hooks the mouth! Kyle wrenches through to hammerlock and GUILLOTINE!
Balor CHOPS free, but is caught into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Balor makes it a cover, TWO, Kyle gets the leg for a HEEL HOOK KNEEBAR!! Balor drags himself around and he BOOTS Kyle in the jaw! Kyle lets go to clutch his mouth and fans are going nuts! Balor grits his teeth, and drops an ax handle on Kyle again and again and again! Balor sits Kyle up to dragon sleeper, ELBOW DROP DDT! Balor drags Kyle up again, BLOODY SUNDAY!! And then the CROSSFACE!! Kyle endures, flails blindly, but Balor cranks back as hard as he can! Kyle uses palm strikes to break the hold! Balor clutches the bad arm as both he and Kyle are down! Fans are thunderous as Kyle and Balor rise!
Balor runs to ROCK Kyle with a right! Kyle blocks the boot to KICK the arm! And KICK and KICK! Kyle runs, Balor SLINGBLADES! Kyle gets up but into a trip, DOUBLE STOMPS! Balor takes aim, runs and SHOTGUN dropkicks Kyle into buckles! Fans are thunderous again as Balor heads up top! But Kyle kicks his legs out! Kyle climbs up, drags Balor up, and hits a SUPERPLEX! But Balor cradle counters, TWO!! Kyle gets Balor up for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! TO AN ARMBAR!! Balor clasps hands as best he can but Kyle keeps pulling, then shifts to the other arm! Balor endures, moves around, and gets a ropebreak with a leg! The ref counts, Kyle lets go at 4!
Balor clutches his arm and he has blood from the forehead or eyebrow streaking down his face! Kyle clutches his jaw but he glares at Balor. Kyle storms over, puts the arms on ropes, and gets in Balor’s face. Kyle backs up and runs, into a BOOT! Balor got Kyle in the stomach, was it the liver again?! Kyle staggers, gets a leg, Balor fights it off and they go around, COBRA TWIST! Balor throws elbows into Kyle’s ribs over and over, but Kyle drops down! Kyle reaches out but Balor makes this part CROSSFACE! Kyle TAPS, Balor wins!!
Winner: Finn Balor, by submission (still NXT Champion)
Another time around and it was still brutal as all hell! Balor is still The Prince, having shed blood, sweat, but no tears for what he put Kyle through. The Undisputed Era come out to check on Kyle, but Balor walks over. Balor looks at Kyle as Kyle clutches his jaw, and Balor nods respect. The new year starts just as the old one ended: Finn Balor on top! If this wasn’t enough to end the reign, what will it take to take that title from Finn Balor?
My Thoughts:
New Year’s Evil was incredible! Almost a TakeOver in itself! The opening bit with Lumis was pretty good, but he isn’t quite the host Shotzi Blackheart was for Halloween Havoc. Priest VS Kross was a great match, probably Kross’ best since coming to NXT, and though Priest gave him the biggest challenge yet, Kross still wins because he’s still the big monster. And we got an EPIC commercial free main event for Balor VS Kyle. Their TakeOver 31 match was Match of the Year winner, this rematch here is already an early contender for the 2021 awards. Balor wins and that blood from his forehead going along the side made for a powerful ending image. Kross wants his title back, I am thinking he and Balor can start a program going into Valentine’s Day TakeOver. Which, how wild is that? A TakeOver on a holiday.
Escobar VS Metalik made for a great Cruiserweight Championship match, and though it went picture in picture, it was basically commercial free, too. I had a feeling Metalik wasn’t going to win, since A) Lucha House Party is still on Raw, and B) Curt Stallion is still promised a match. Stallion is taking part in the Dusty Cup to bide his time, but I’m not sure he and August Grey go that far given the other teams in the tournament. Gargano & Theory are going to be the seventh team, and obviously Grizzled Young Veterans are the eighth. I can’t be sure who wins it, but depending on how the actual bracket is formed, I wouldn’t be surprised by Undisputed Era VS The Way for some classic Cole VS Gargano before UE gets revenge on McAfee’s boys, Lorcan & Burch, in the title match.
And amazing news that we’re getting a WOMEN’S Dusty Cup! Obviously The Way’s Candice & Indi are going to get in on that, to tease The Way completely taking over tag team wrestling. Dakota and Raquel can be another team, as well as Xia Li and “Her” (Karen Q). Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter will be in by default as one of the only other women’s tag teams in NXT, so that’s four teams right there. I’m sure they can throw some other women together into teams if they want to go for eight, such as Rhea and Shotzi, but who knows. Rhea VS Raquel was AWESOME! Asuka VS Nikki Cross was a good first Last Woman Standing but RVR is now the best one. As I predicted, Raquel wins, and this could mean Rhea is on her way out, but who knows.
I like that, with the Fight Pit not happening, we got a Mixed Tag Match surprise as Lumis uses his hosting authority to make a match. Johnny & Candice VS Kushida & Shotzi was a lot of fun, helped preview The Way being in the two Dusty Cups, and gives Kushida his way to the North American Championship at TakeOver: Valentine’s as I don’t think The Way makes the men’s finals. The entire segment leading up to it was hilarious, too, with the gifts and the plaque and Shotzi shooting Theory in the nuts. The Way will definitely have a strong 2021, regardless of titles and accolades.
My Score: 9.5/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
4 Corners Podcast: What A Series!
The guys discuss an all-time classic as the Los Angeles Dodgers outlast the Toronto Blue Jays to repeat as World...
4 Corners Podcast: The Series & The Scandal
The guys discuss the World Series matchup between the Dodgers and Blue Jays and also try and make sense of...
4 Corners Podcast: There’s No Dodging Shohei
Join Patrick and Dave every week as they cover the 4 Corners of the sporting world!
4 Corners Podcast: Mariners Magic
The guys recap the opening week of the NHL, discuss dominance and upsets in the NCAA, and give their thoughts...
4 Corners Podcast: Not So Happy Valley
The guys take a look at the NFL at the quarter point of the season. How hot is James Franklin's...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (11/6/25)
Order up!
Bandwagon Nerds #313: The Witcher Support Group
The Nerds begin their review of The Witcher Season 4, review the trailer for Stranger Things Season 5, and examine...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (10/31/25)
Legacies are at stake!
Bandwagon Nerds #312: Time Burton & Dirkseid
The Nerds breakdown the state of the DCU. Is Zack Snyder trying to remain a focal point of this new...
Attitude Of Aggression #323- Game Gone Wrong?- Part 6: Hell’s Bells
The guys break down the penultimate Episode of the final season of Game of Thrones as Daenerys embraces her destructive...
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (11/8/25)
Houston, we have a Collision!
Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Road Results & Report! (11/8/25)
Ace VS Ice in Anjo!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Trust Me Bro Dot Com
Join DJ, Rob and Jason every week as they give their "Mindless" takes on Pro Wrestling and much, much more!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (11/7/25)
Let pain entertain you!
DWI Podcast #498: The Last Time is Meow
Don't drink and drive, drink and podcast! Join AJ, DP and PC weekly for their thoughts on RAW, SmackDown and...
Andrew’s TNA Open Fight Night Results & Match Reviews: 11.6.2025
At least it's some kind of new content before the Live shows next week!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (11/6/25)
Rumble, Bad Man, Rumble
Mitchell’s WWE Evolve Results & Report! (11/5/25)
Who breaks the tie?
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (11/5/25)
Fight for advantage!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (11/4/25)
Who will be under the Influence?
