Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/10/21)
The Dusty Cups are in the semifinals!
NXT is almost ready for TakeOver: Vengeance Day! Are you?
This Sunday will see history! The Men’s and Women’s Dusty Cup Finals happen at TakeOver, but who get their golden tickets to the show?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinal: El Legado del Fantasma VS MSK; MSK wins and advances to the finals at TakeOver.
- Xia Li w/ Tian Sha VS Cora Jade; Xia wins.
- Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinal: Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon VS The Way’s Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell; Moon & Blackheart win and advance to the finals at TakeOver.
- KUSHIDA VS Austin Theory w/ Johnny Gargano; Kushida wins, by disqualification.
- Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinal: Grizzled Young Veterans VS Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa; Grizzled Young Veterans win and advance to the finals at TakeOver.
PLAY BY PLAY
Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinal: El Legado del Fantasma VS MSK!
Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza took down Lucha House Party to establish their claim to the lucha libre throne, but they’re still not at the top yet! Will Nash Carter & Wes Lee stand in their way of taking over at TakeOver?
The teams sort out and Lee starts against Wilde. Wilde talks trash that the cup is theirs, then he dodges Lee’s approach. Wilde and Lee feel out the grapple, tie up with knuckle locks but Wilde spins Lee around to throw him down. Wilde clamps onto the keylock, Lee fights his way up, and he rolls back. Wilde has the double wristlock, wrenches to another and then arm-drags Lee. Fans fire up as Wilde handsprings and taunts Lee. Lee gets up, he circles with Wilde, and Wilde gets around to waistlock and throw Lee down to tie up the legs in a deathlock! Lee endures, pries free and has Wilde’s arm now.
Lee cranks on a cording hold, Wilde moves around and whips but Lee reverses to throw Wilde down again. Wilde rolls back, Lee whips him to the corner and runs in. Wilde puts Lee out but Carter tags in! Lee enziguris, then swings in to dropkick, then he rolls back as Carter runs in to Bronco Buster! Carter adds some extra bounces before he drags Wilde to a corner, ONE! Carter keeps on Wilde with a facelock as fans rally and duel. Wilde fights up, wrenches out and wristlocks, but Carter rolls and handsprings to flip and arm-drag! Wilde goes to the Legado corner and Mendoza tags in. Mendoza and Carter circle as fans rally up.
Carter and Mendoza tie up, Mendoza waistlocks but Carter switches. Mendoza shifts around as he headlocks, Carter pries at the hold but Mendoza wrenches to wristlock. Both men go to arm-drag but those cancel out. Mendoza wrangles Carter, Carter gets around to waistlock but Mendoza switches and spins. Carter stays up, whips but Mendoza goes up and over. Lee tags in, he blasts past Mendoza, MSK unleashes kick combos, enziguri to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Lee keeps his cool as he grabs at Mendoza but Mendoza pushes him away. Lee storms back over but Mendoza throws him into buckles!
Mendoza stomps Wilde, drags him up and whips him into the corner. Tag to Wilde, Legado CHOPS and clotheslines then tags again. Mendoza runs in to clothesline, Wilde tags and runs in to clothesline again! The cycle continues as Mendoza tags back in and hits another clothesline! Wilde tags back in, and hits another clothesline! Tag to Mendoza, he hits another clothesline! Wilde tags in, Legado double suplexes and then combine to handspring hip toss SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Wilde tags Mendoza and Mendoza whips Wilde in but Lee goes up and over and then under to tag Carter! Carter rallies on Mendoza with big clotheslines, knees and a BOOT!
Carter waistlocks, Mendoza switches and shoves Carter to a corner, but Carter dodges to KNEE back! Carter cravat rolls Mendoza to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Carter whips, Mendoza holds ropes and he boots back! Tag to Wilde, Mendoza dumps Carter out and then gives Wilde a boost to dropkick Carter to barriers! Wilde DECKS Lee for good measure, and Legado has the fans dueling as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Mendoza GERMAN SUPLEXES, but Carter lands on his feet! Carter ducks the enziguri, but Mendoza anchors a foot! Mendoza drags Carter, Carter enziguris Mendoza! Hot tag to Lee and Lee rallies on Mendoza! Lee glares at Wilde, throws hands on Mendoza and CALF KICKS hard! Wilde gets in as Mendoza bails out but Lee throws him out, too! Lee and Carter coordinate, APRON SHOVE MOONSAULT!! Legado goes down, but Lee builds speed and FLIES! Lee bowls Legado down all over again and fires up! Fans fire up as Lee puts Mendoza in. Cover, but Wilde drags Mendoza to safety! Carter runs into a BOOT and then Wilde sends him into barriers!
Mendoza KICKS Lee at the ropes, springboards and missile dropkicks Lee into the corner! Tag to Wilde, and Wilde hops on to POISON-RANA! Tag back to Mendoza, he drags Lee up, dead lift ANARCHY SUPLEX! Cover, but Carter breaks it! Mendoza is furious and he mule kicks hard! Fireman’s carry, tag to Wilde, and Wilde climbs up, Wilde uses Carter as a boost for the 450, but onto Lee’s knees! Lee saves himself at the last second, and then he drags Wilde to a cover! But Mendoza SLAMS Carter onto it! Fans are thunderous, Mendoza throws Carter out and helps Wilde up. Legado coordinates, but Wilde has to steady himself. Mendoza runs but Carter trips and drags him out!
Wilde swings on Carter but misses, SUPERKICK from Lee! Tag to Carter, MSK looms over Wilde as they coordinate. Body shot and a toss, BLOCKBUSTER HART ATTACK! Cover, MSK wins!!
Winners: MSK, by pinfall (advance to the Men’s Dusty Cup Finals)
Carter & Lee shock many of the Capitol Wrestling Center fans, but they’ve been shocking us all since coming to NXT! Will they give us the biggest shocker yet when they take the Men’s Dusty Cup as the new kids on the block?
Mercedes Martinez speaks.
“It’s taken 20 years. 20 years to get to this point. This Sunday, it’s everything that I’ve worked for, everything that I’ve done, the trials, the tribulations. This is me! The real me!” Mercedes says the title is her destiny. Her goal. Why she’s still here. Toni Storm is a little girl. She’s not ready for this. Io Shirai has tried to take her out but it’ll take a lot more than that. The Evil Genius’ days as champ have an expiration date and that date is this Sunday. Come TakeOver, Mercedes walks out THE NXT Women’s Champion, “bet on that.”
Xia Li w/ Tian Sha VS Cora Jade!
We were told the legend of Tian Sha last week, and it seems that is who turned the Spicy Xia into a sharpened steel blade. Speaking of, that is what Xia uses to demonstrate her skills this week. Will Xia only sharpen her edge further against her
Wait, Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter appear. They’re not Xia’s opponent, but they are her friends, and are worried about what has happened to her. Boa tells them to leave, the bell rings, and Jade attacks from behind! But that only angers Xia and she DECKS Jade! Xia strikes her fighting pose before she KICKS Jade right in the back! Jade hobbles up but Xia throws her right into ropes! Jade coughs and sputters, Xia aims and SPIN KICKS! Cover, Xia wins!!
Winner: Xia Li, by pinfall
Xia now glares at KC Squared, before she stomps away on Jade! Jade gets out of the ring, Kacy and Kayden try to talk to Xia, but Xia tells them to just leave. Kayden hops down to confront Tian Sha!! Who even is Tian? What has she done to Xia? What is she doing in NXT? But Xia sneaks up on Kayden and throws her off the stage! Xia apologizes to Tian Sha for that disturbance and promises it will not happen again. Tian raises her hand, and Boa tries to reason with her, too. Tian just grabs Boa by the face! Tian tells Xia to attack, so Xia attacks Kacy! HEEL KICK! Xia dispatches of her past, and Tian shows mercy to Boa. Will there be no mercy for the rest of the NXT Women’s Division?
Backstage interview with William Regal!
Does the NXT GM have any thoughts on the Dusty Cups Semifinals? Well a congratulations on MSK for winning, and he looks forward to the other two matches. Regal then opens his door and finds Scarlett Bordeaux waiting. Can he help her? Actually, she’s here to help him. If “he” were to be here in person, it wouldn’t be pretty. Santos Escobar’s time is up. Next week, Kross VS Escobar. Regal agrees and makes it happen. He politely asks her to leave, and she gives him a last warning that the end is near. Will Escobar #FallAndPray as the apocalypse is upon him?
The Way arrives, but Johnny Gargano is in a wheelchair?
Austin Theory wheels Gargano in but his arm is the only thing wrapped up. Is this legitimate? Or just the way Gargano is going to get out of defending his title?
NXT returns and The Way has made it to the ring.
But wait, now Indi Hartwell and Austin Theory have to lift Gargano up and into the ring? This is sad, but perhaps not in the way it should be. Theory sits Gargano on the top rope, then gets the wheelchair into the ring. Candice makes sure Johnny is okay before Theory carries him to the chair again. Theory carefully sets Johnny in his chair and then fetches a mic. Fans taunt him with “Johnny Wheelchair!” Johnny says before The Way’s Candice and Indi punch their tickets to TakeOver, he has some “unfortunate news.” What we are seeing is the result of a “vicious and cowardly attack by Kushida last week.” Johnny was minding his own business, but fans say “You Deserve It!”
Johnny says he does not deserve this! He was minding his own business when Kushida attacked him “for no good reason” and then broke Johnny’s arm! Watch the tape! Turn Johnny so he can see, too. The footage is of the brawl the two men had last week after Johnny threw the first sucker punch! And then in slow motion, we see Kushida Penalty Kick Johnny’s arm! Candice covers Johnny’s eyes so he doesn’t have to see it, and then they turn Johnny away. Johnny claims to have four fractures in his upper arm. Johnny is not only a leftie, he is a well-known power walker, who swings his arms hard when he walks. Now he can’t because it hurts and he’s in a wheelchair and Johnny hates wheels, so it’s all bad.
Fans still chant “Johnny Wheelchair” but Johnny says the worst part of this is that now, he can’t defend his NXT North American Championship against Kushida at TakeOver. That sucks! He really wanted to have that match. But Kushida should be suspended INDEFINITELY for injuring “the most beloved member of the NXT locker room!” Regal speaks up as he enters on stage. Regal says we’re supposed to be moving on to the Women’s Dusty Cup Semifinals, and we all know the NXT medical team cleared Gargano yesterday. So stop with this ridiculous charade. Charade?! Does Johnny look like he’s Dennis Charademan? He’s not!
And Johnny won’t trust the quacks in medical! The Way’s doctors found this! Look at those X-rays! Four fractures, just like he said. And Kushida broke the longest and strongest bone in Gargano’s arm! Regal asks him the name of said bone. Gargano doesn’t know, it starts with a D or something! He’s not Johnny Doctor! Regal says that’s not a real X-Ray. That R is for right arm, and Johnny is talking about his left! Second, that isn’t Gargano’s X-Ray because he’d be in excruciating pain! No, remember? Gargano can kick out of anything because he has a very high pain threshold! Proof is in the pudding and X-Ray. That R is probably for REAL, and it says “John Gargano” so that is totally legit! Yeah sure it is.
But Regal says there are two options here. First: Theory can be a surrogate, and his match with Kushida later tonight will be for the North American Championship. Theory likes that but Gargano says no way! And that’s not a pun! Then option two is Gargano forfeits the title right now. No no no no! Gargano needs a couple weeks, maybe months, and he will rehab his arm. It’ll be turned into a montage and music video, the return will be great. Wait, Kushida has snuck in behind The Way! Regal says whatever the decision, it needs to be conferred with Kushida first. Why? He shouldn’t even be here! He should be arrested!
Regal says Johnny needs to wait a second as he asks Kushida-san what he thinks. Johnny asks who Regal is talking to. And then Theory realizes Kushida’s right beside him! FAST BALL! Kushida grabs at the belt and pulls Gargano out of the chair! Kushida and Gargano tug-o-war over the belt, and Gargano yanks the belt away! He’s holding it up with his “broken” left arm! Therefore, it is NOT broken! FAST BALL! Gargano falls into the wheelchair and then falls over! Indi keeps Candice from going after Kushida, but clearly the charade has been exposed! So then, will the North American title match still be on for TakeOver? But first, the final Women’s Dusty Cup Semifinal begins!
Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinal: Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon VS The Way’s Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell!
NXT returns and the match is already underway as Ember has Candice down with a headlock. Candice headscissors, Ember kips out and headlocks again. Ember wrenches, tags in Shotzi, then whips Candice. Shotzi slides and trips Candice, Ember basement dropkicks, then Shotzi back sentons! Cover, TWO! Shotzi drags Candice up to cravat, but Candice endures. Shotzi throws knees, and Candice staggers to the corner. Tag to Ember, Ember brings Candice up to ram in shoulders! Candice shoves Ember away but Ember tosses her back in! Tag to Shotzi, but Candice gets away! Tag to Indi but Shotzi is right on her with clubbing forearms! Indi still fireman’s carries and SNAKE EYES!
Indi scoops Shotzi for a sidewalk slam! Cover, TWO! Indi grows annoyed and she drags Shotzi up to bump her off buckles. Indi stomps a mudhole, the ref counts and Indi lets off to drag Shotzi out. Cover, TWO! Indi keeps on Shotzi at the ropes, wrenches an arm and tags in Candice. The Way mugs Shotzi, Candice pulls Shotzi’s hair and uses that to wrench and throw Shotzi down! Cover, TWO! Candice gets the arm and keylocks it but Shotzi endures. Fans rally up, Shotzi fights to her feet, and Shotzi throws forearms. Candice knees low and hard, snapmares Shotzi and then hits a NECK SNAPPER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice keeps on Shotzi’s arm and drags her away to tag in Indi.
Indi stomps Shotzi, drags her up and whips her to ropes to elbow her down! Indi taunts Ember, covers Shotzi, TWO! Ember talks smack back but Indi drags Shotzi up. Candice tags in, Candice wrenches Shotzi’s arm and uses a foot to JAM the shoulder! Cover, TWO! Candice is back on the arm with another keylock and she thrashes Shotzi around. Shotzi fights up, fans rally, and Shotzi throws forearms! Shotzi reaches but Candice keeps her from Ember to then throw her down! Cover, TWO! Candice drags Shotzi up, but Shotzi jawbreakers! Hot tag to Ember! Ember rallies on The Way, mule kicks and kicks and enziguris!
Fans fire up with Ember as she runs, and she shotgun dropkicks Candice down! Tag to Indi, she runs in but Ember spins her around for a ROLLING ELBOW! Tag to Shotzi, they coordinate, neckbreaker to CODE BREAKER, to QUESTION MARK! Cover, TWO! Tag back to Ember, they coordinate again, wrench and whip to a HANGING HEADSCISSOR, and FLYING FOREARM! Cradle cover, TWO!! Candice gets in but Shotzi is there to drag her out! But Candice shoves Shotzi into the table! Indi trips up Ember! Tag to Candice and The Way work together for a tightrope walk and FLYING RANA! Ember is sent into Shotzi and fans are furious as NXT goes picture in picture!
Candice looms over her opponents before putting Ember in and covers, TWO! Tag to Indi, she stomps Ember down, then stomps and stomps. Cover, ONE! Indi is annoyed but she drags Ember up to clamp on a chinlock. Indi thrashes Ember around but she endures. Ember fights up, reaches out but Indi throws her back down! Cover, TWO! Indi keeps on Ember with another chinlock, and she leans on the hold. Ember endures, fights up again, and throws body shots, but Indi throws Ember down by her hair! Tag to Candice, Candice stomps Ember down, then taunts Shotzi. Candice hits the step-up senton! Cover, TWO!
Candice keeps Ember from Shotzi and drags her all the way to The Way’s corner. Tag to Indi, and Indi stomps Ember again. Indi pushes Ember around but Ember CHOPS back! Indi CLOBBERS Ember, covers, TWO! Indi keeps Ember from Shotzi, drags her to the corner, and Candice tags back in. Candice drops a leg, grabs an arm, then brings Ember up to whip her into the corner hard! Candice runs corner to corner to back body block! Indi tags in, she runs in and forearm smashes Ember! Cover, TWO! Indi stays on Ember with a snapmare and chinlock. Ember endures all over again, fights her way back up, but Indi whips her away from Shotzi!
NXT returns to single picture as Ember holds ropes. Indi runs in but her boot gets caught up! Ember throws Indi out and then hurries for her corner! Hot tags to Candice and Shotzi! Shotzi tackles Candice and fires off furious fists! ROLLING ELBOW! Shotzi fireman’s carries, swings and T K O BUSTER! Shotzi runs and hits the BALL PIT! Cover, TWO! Shotzi grows frustrated but she and Ember coordinate. Ember tags in, Shotzi whips Candice into Ember’s gut wrench, AK-47 style Code Breaker! Shotzi SLING-DOGS Candice onto Ember’s knees! Cover, but Indi barrels in to break it! Shotzi whips Indi but Indi throws Shotzi out! Indi turns around into Ember’s BOOT!
Candice CLOBBERS Ember from behind! Candice shouts to Indi and tags her in. Indi hurries after Ember and coordinates with Candice. Ember is stuck in the ropes, Candice DRAPING LIONSAULTS!! Then Candice DIVES onto Shotzi! Indi covers Ember, TWO!! Ember survives and The Way is shocked! Fans are fired up for “NXT! NXT!” as The Way regroups. Indi drags Ember up, puts her in the corner and tags in Candice. Indi whips Candice in but Ember flops out of the way! Candice hits buckles, Ember flounders for her corner but Indi drags her away. Ember kicks Indi into Candice! Hot tag to Shotzi!
Shotzi enziguris Indi out, then fires off on Candice! Shotzi runs, Candice kicks the legs out and mule kicks! Tag back to Indi, The Way coordinates as Candice has Shotzi, WICKED STEP SISTER! SPRINGBOARD MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, but Ember breaks it! Candice is furious as Indi’s #ImpressiveElbow wasn’t the finish! Ember and Candice brawl on the outside, Indi drags Shotzi up. Shotzi trips Indi up to roll her up, ONE! Indi is in the corner, Shotzi runs in to SHINING WIZARD to DRAPING DDT!! Indi flounders, Shotzi is on the apron and Shotzi KICKS Candice into the ECLIPSE!! Indi saves Candice from Shotzi’s SUPER BACK SENTON!! Cover, Shotzi & Ember win!!
Winners: Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon, by pinfall (advance to the Women’s Dusty Cup Finals)
The wild child and the Evolved Shenom are fired up! And now they are on their way to history! Will they be howling to the moon and Take Care o’ Business as they take on Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez in the historic finals?
But as they go on stage to look at the Dusty Cup, Shotzi & Ember are confronted by Raquel & Dakota. Regal hurries out to keep the peace and make it official. On Sunday, one team makes history by not only winning the inaugural Women’s Dusty Cup, but they will also receive a future WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match! He wishes both teams best of luck, and now the stakes are raised! Which team takes history along with a golden opportunity all for themselves?
Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa speak.
The Professor of Pain starts by saying, “Last week, we went to war with the Undisputed Era. It was rough, it was brutal, just the way we like it.” Tonight, they battle last year’s finalists. The Psycho Killer says that GYV are former NXT UK Tag Team Champions, and a couple of tough dudes. “But that. The Grizzled Young Veterans. The irony.” Gibson and Drake can say they’re whatever they want, but the fact is “Toothless Timmy and Old Man Ciampa” are gonna whoop their asses. Then on Sunday, Vengeance Day, these two win the tournament and take the Dusty Cup. Class dismissed.
Backstage interview with Santos Escobar.
What are his thoughts on the news that next week, he will face Karrion Kross 1v1? Escobar says Kross gave him “the gift of time.” But the funny thing about time is that it’s all relative. Kross doesn’t get to just make threats. Escobar is now giving Kross the gift of time. Mendoza and Wilde walk in and apologize for losing but Escobar says they don’t need to. Apologizing admits weakness, so Escobar never apologizes. But there’s something they can do to make it up to Escobar. These two should pay a certain someone a visit. Make sure Kross doesn’t make it to next week. And with that, Escobar thanks McKenzie for the interview and heads out. Will El Legado find a way to cancel the apocalypse?
NXT takes a closer look at The Prince VS The Bruiserweight.
Finn Balor has a red X on his back because he knows he is THE target in the NXT. Whoever comes at Finn next, “they stopped manufacturing the cloth that I’m cut from!” But Pete Dunne says that there was a line to face the champion. Dunne doesn’t care about a line. There’s no respect for The Prince here. “Everyone in Europe wanted to follow in Finn Balor’s footsteps. Not me.” Where everyone else sees the “poster boy” for European pro-wrestling, Dunne sees “a geezer with a glass jaw.” Dunne says Balor better hold that belt tight, because the first chance Dunne gets, it’s his.
Balor knows what Dunne has said. Dunne doesn’t respect Balor, but that’s fine. Balor doesn’t respect Dunne. But Balor would be a fool not to acknowledge Dunne’s abilities, achievements, and how he is championship material. Just not against Balor. Edge said it best: Balor is on “an entirely different level.” Dunne says it is inevitable. Vengeance Day, Balor VS Dunne for the NXT Championship, is intriguing even to the Rated R Superstar. “This isn’t a passing of the torch. This is gonna be a burning of the bridges.”
Dunne vows to smash Balor’s jaw and break his fingers. But Balor says Dunne will be in deep water. Dunne is a threat to Balor’s legacy, but Balor will make Dunne learn the hard way that he can’t swim these waters. Will the Bruiserweight be drowning in despair? Or will he dethrone the Prince and take over his kingdom?
KUSHIDA VS Austin Theory w/ Johnny Gargano!
The Time Splitter got the drop on The Way earlier tonight, but he still has to wait until Sunday to face Johnny Wrestling for the title! Will he be more than happy to tune-up #AllDay before getting at the gold?
The bell rings, Kushida and Theory rush each other, and they fire off fast hands! Kushida KICKS away on Theory’s arm, then runs in to go up and rain down fists! Gargano gets on the apron and distracts Kushida, Theory slips away to CLUB Kushida down! Theory brings Kushida around to throw forearms then whip and dropkick Kushida down! Theory seethes as he paces and drags Kushida up. Theory bumps Kushida off buckles, RAMS into him, then rams again! The ref counts, Theory lets off and drags Kushida up for forearms. Theory goes to suplex but Kushida blocks. Theory throws forearms and whips Kushida again, but then Kushida BOOTS back!
Kushida fires off forearms on Theory but Theory knees low. Theory whips, Kushida reverses but Theory blocks the hip toss. Kushida hits a judo throw instead, and then handspring dropkicks! FAST BALL! Kushida waistlocks but Theory switches. Kushida wrenches out, ARMBAR BULLDOG! Gargano feels that pain. Fans fire up for Kushida as he drags Theory around, stands on the arm then gets the other, for INVERTED DANIELSON STOMPS! Kushida lets off to bring Theory up and KICK him down! Theory flounders to a corner, Kushida is after the arm again but Theory pulls hair and knees low! Theory throws hands but Kushida hits the arm!
Theory throws more forearms, whips Kushida but Kushida wrenches and kicks low! Kushida steps through to hammerlock the arm, then he gets the other arm and steps over that! Kushida has Theory trapped for a SNAP LOCK! Theory scrambles to ropes, Kushida storms over and gets the left arm. Kushida YANKS the arm, but Theory fireman’s carries! Kushida fights free, goes after arms but Theory gets around to waistlock. They end up on ropes, the ref calls for a break and Theory knees low! Kushida KICKS away on the arm, then Theory flounders to a corner. Kushida is after the arm, ELBOW BREAKER!
Theory writhes in pain, Gargano is upset, but Kushida wrenches. Theory breaks free, swings, but into a KICK! Kushida has Theory in another corner but Theory put shim on the apron. Kushida counter punches, springboards but Theory trips him up! Theory DECKS Kushida! Fans fire up as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Theory grinds Kushida’s arm, Kushida fights up as fans rally, but Theory knees low. Theory scoops to hit a BACKBREAKER! Theory covers, TWO! Gargano is frustrated but Theory drags Kushida up. Kushida throws body shots, Theory CLUBS him, then Theory whips Kushida to ropes. Kushida leaps but into Theory’s arms for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Theory and Gargano high five with the “good” arm before Theory has a cocky cover on Kushida. TWO and Johnny argues with the ref. Theory rains down fists on Kushida as he shouts, “I! AM! THE WAY!” Fans boo as Theory loom over Kushida and drags him up. Theory CHOPS Kushida right to ropes!
Theory talks trash, throws forearms but Kushida just glares at him. Theory throws more forearms over and over, CLUBS Kushida down, then drags him up to snapmare. Theory stomps but Kushida dodges and rolls him up, TWO! Kushida hits an atomic drop and whip, but Theory reverses, only for Kushida to handspring back elbow! Theory staggers to a corner, but he runs at Kushida, only for Kushida to catch him to a BUCKLE SHOT! Theory flounders, Kushida reels him in, GERMAN SUPLEX! Kushida stomps Theory’s hand, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Kushida throws off the tank top and fires up with the CWC fans!
Kushida stands on Theory, keeps him from Gargano, and drags him away by an arm. Kushida wrenches, elbow breaker after elbow breaker, then a WRINGER! Theory bails out, Gargano is there to help him, but Kushida is on the apron. Kushida leaps but Theory dodges and BODY CHECKS Kushida! Theory drags Kushida up, lifts him up, but Kushida fights back! Kushida is on the apron, he rains down rights, and then hits an ARMBAR! But Gargano SUPERKICKS Kushida!!
Winner: Kushida, by disqualification
Gargano is furious and he shoves Kushida down while shouting, “Who do you think you are?!” The ref reprimands Gargano but he tells Theory to get Kushida up. Theory has Kushida in a camel clutch and only now does Gargano pretend his arm is “miraculously” healed. We all know he could use it this entire time, but now he uses it to throw down furious fists on Kushida’s face! Theory keeps Kushida from falling over as Gargano rubs the title in Kushida’s face. Then The Way stomps away on Kushida! Theory says to mess Kushida’s arm up with a chair! Gargano agrees and he goes to fetch some steel. Theory puts Kushida in the ring, but someone drags Theory under the ring!!
Gargano hurries to drag Theory out from under the ring, but he instead brings out DEXTER LUMIS! Gargano is afraid for his life and he scurries up the ramp! Theory drags himself out and thinks he’s hugging Gargano, but then he freaks out when he realizes it’s Dexter Lumis! Theory scrambles into the ring, into Kushida’s HOVERBOARD KIMURA!! Gargano hurries back in to go after Kushida, but he gets dragged down into the HOVERBOARD! The “broken” arm might break this time, and then Lumis gets Theory for SILENCE!! The Way hold hands as Theory fades out! Is this the way Gargano’s reign will end at TakeOver?
Toni Storm speaks.
“Five months ago, I sat on the beach and I looked out at the ocean, and I told everyone exactly what was gonna happen. I predicted it. And now, here we are.” Finally, Toni has a chance at the NXT Women’s Championship. Mercedes Martinez, it is very rude to involve yourself in other people’s business. Io Shirai, Performer of the Year and NXT Women’s Champion, Mae Young Classic Winn- Oh no, that last one wasn’t Shirai. That was Toni! And she knows that because Toni beat Shirai to win the tournament!
So what is the one thing that Shirai has said so far? She doesn’t like Toni? Well Toni wouldn’t like her either if she was Shirai, because every time they’re in the ring together, Toni beats Shirai. But no one talks about that, do they? This Sunday, everyone will be talking about it because Toni will walk away with the title. Shirai, Martinez, after TakeOver, get back in line because it’ll be #ToniTime.
Imperium speaks.
Marcel Barthel starts by saying, “Imperium is all about unity.” Alexander Wolfe returning to NXT USA was just the next piece in the puzzle. Fabian Aichner says Barthel is Imperium’s “agitator.” Wolfe says Barthel is “efficient, disciplined.” Barthel and Wolfe say Aichner is the “equalizer,” a man who can improvise, adapt and overcome. Barthel and Aichner say Wolfe is Imperium’s “Hatchet Man,” who is cold-blooded and has no remorse. And of course, Walter is the Ring General, “the most dominant United Kingdom Champion in history.” Together, they are Imperium! “To us, the mat is sacred!”
NXT returns to find El Legado has been devastated!
Wilde is under ladders and Mendoza is stuck on a trunk! Scarlett simply walks through the wreckage as Karrion Kross gets the camera’s attention! “Mr. Santos! Have you ever heard the old saying, ‘When you want something done right, you’ve got to do it yourself?'” Well, he should’ve because Kross just did. Next week, Kross will do to him what he did to Legado. Tick-tock. Is Escobar going to face doomsday in the aftermath of Vengeance Day?
A car pulls up rather noisily.
But it is a very fancy car! A white Lamborghini pulls up, the door flies open, and out walks… CAMERON GRIMES!? Grimes pays security to park his car for him while he goes to the ring. When did Grimes get all that green? He’s just giving it away to the CWC audience! They’re $100 bills?!? Did the Carolina Caveman strike gold or oil or something while he was away?! Grimes gets a mic, checks the time on his Rolex, and says there’s a nice reward for everyone who gets up on their feet! “Cameron Grimes is back, babay~!” Two months ago, Grimes was outside this very ring, because that no-good Timothy Thatcher, “that MCL snatcher,” took Grimes out, left him laying, screamin’ and flailin’.
Grimes went home and did what any man would do: He thought about how he’d make a comeback and Cave-In Thatcher! He won’t claim he trained the whole time. He did have some downtime, and in that downtime, just like any man would, he found out there’s these things called “video games.” Turns out, video games are freakin’ cool! Grimes started playing them, and thought to himself, “Why even wrestle if I can just play video games?”
But then Grimes ran out of games, so he want to this place called GameStop. Grimes walked in, when he opened those doors, the lights just hit a little different. Grimes thought to himself, “If there was anything that Cameron Grimes would put his money in, it would be a fine establishment like GameStop!” Turns out, Grimes is at the right place at the right time, because it went PARABOLIC! In laymen’s terms, “TO~ THE~ MOOOON~!” Now he has SO MUCH MONEY~! So much, he didn’t know what to do with it! But there’s things like, for dogs. It’s Doge Coin or something. And Grimes never did trust cats. Nine lives means they’re up to no good! So Grimes invested in them dog coins and now he’s RICH~! WOO~! So rich, richer than Alibaba!!
Grimes is fired up, throwing off his jacket, and says Elon Musk, “the guy that makes the rocket ships,” well Grimes just pulled up in one! HAHA~! Give it up for Cameron Grimes, the richest man in NXT! And there ain’t nobody that can tell Grimes anything now! Regal can’t tell Grimes something! Grimes tells Regal to kiss his grits! Grimes ain’t gonna wrestle Lumis, #KissMyGrits! Wrestle zombies? #KissMyGrits~! Money is power, and now Grimes has so much of it, it ain’t even funny. It’s HILARIOUS~! Grimes makes it rain then rolls around to make a money angel! But even with all that money, will Grimes’ massive ego still write a check his body can’t cash?
Backstage interview with Johnny Gargano.
A rough night for The Way, given how Kushida- STOP RIGHT THERE, ACTUAL MCKENZIE! She’s gone a week and still says stupid things! Gargano was doing Kushida a favor canceling their match. But this Sunday, Gargano VS Kushida IS happening! That is a dream match for many, but not for Gargano! This is an opportunity for Gargano to remind the world who the hell he is! Gargano isn’t just a North American Champion, he isn’t just Johnny Wrestling, he’s Johnny FREAKIN’ TakeOver! So Kushida better bring his best and be ready to wrestle the match of his FREAKIN’ life! Because when Gargano’s boots are tied, the lights are bright and it’s a TakeOver, no one can hang with Gargano! Sunday, Kushida enters Gargano’s world!
Io Shirai speaks.
“Scared? Scared of a Three Way Match? There’s no way I’m scared of a Three Way Match, I defeated Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley to win this championship.” In fact, Shirai looks forward to this one. Toni Storm is still not suited for this title. And it was three years ago that Toni won the MYC. They’re both different people now. Shirai is a champion, Toni is a challenger. Mercedes Martinez says her 20 year journey has led here. Too bad the journey will never end. It’ll go one forever and ever and ever, because Shirai WILL retain her title. On Sunday, TakeOver: Vengeance Day, Io Shirai remains champion.
Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinal: Grizzled Young Veterans VS Timothy Thatcher & Tommaso Ciampa!
Liverpool’s Number One and Mr. Mayhem were the inaugural NXT UK Tag Team Champions, and have been a tag team for roughly a decade! But this newly formed duo they’re against was forged through respect born from pain and grit! Will the Grizzled Young Veterans SSSSSOON be recognized as back-to-back Dusty Cup Finalists? Or will they fall even shorter when no one will survive?
Gibson has a mic and says, “Look at these two goofs! They really are as dumb as they look. Ciampa, how did things end between you and your last tag team partner, hey? And Tim, same question to you, lad!” Honestly, these two can take their fake friendship and stick it up all the way up their asses! The trophy belongs to the Grizzled Young Veterans, SSSSOON to be recognized as Dusty Classic winners, and SSSSOON– Ciampa doesn’t wait for teams to sort out, he DECKS Drake off the apron and goes after Gibson! Thatcher helps out as he drags Gibson around for EuroUppers! Ciampa hits Drake, CHOPS him, and then CHOPS more!
Thatcher throws Gibson into barriers, and Ciampa does the same to Drake! The makeshift combination maul GYV against Plexiglas! Then they trade targets! Thatcher stomps Drake and Ciampa stomps Gibson! Ciampa drags Drake up, throws him over barriers, and Thatcher drags Gibson up to put in the ring. Thatcher gets in and Gibson backs away to a corner. The bell rings, Gibson hits Thatcher! Gibson facelocks, Thatcher slips out and wrenches to knee away! Thatcher knees Gibson down, gets a leg and drags him over to tag in Ciampa. Ciampa stomps Gibson, YANKS Gibson’s leg, then wrenches an arm to tag Thatcher back in.
Thatcher and Ciampa mug Gibson, Thatcher looms over Gibson and wrenches the arm around. Gibson powers up but Thatcher wants the double wristlock. Gibson ends up in a corner, Thatcher throws EuroUppers and whips him corner to corner. Drake takes the impact in the corner, Gibson clubs Thatcher, then tags Drake in. Drake kicks and punches Thatcher to a corner. Drake stomps away on Thatcher, then reels him in for a short arm clothesline! Drake keeps throwing haymakers but Thatcher throws EuroUppers! Drake kicks Thatcher, tags Gibson, but Thatcher fights GYV off with more uppercuts!
Thatcher has Gibson’s arm but Drake trips Ciampa up! Drake shoves Ciampa into steel steps, Gibson rolls Thatcher up, TWO! Gibson facelocks Thatcher but Thatcher waistlocks. Gibson backs Thatcher down, Drake tags in, and Drake rolls to run in, big back elbow! Gibson adds a clothesline then feeds Thatcher to Drake’s windmill kick! GYV go out and get Ciampa up! Assisted APRON POWERBOMB! Ciampa flails and writhes as NXT goes picture in picture.
The ref tells GYV to back off while he checks on Ciampa. Ciampa clutches his neck, the known weak spot, and GYV go back for Thatcher. Drake drags Thatcher up to cravat, grinds him down, but Thatcher fights up. Drake facelocks, Gibson tags in, and they mug Thatcher! Gibson throws EuroUppers and down goes Thatcher! Gibson drags Thatcher back up, Thatcher grabs at Gibson’s leg so Gibson drops knees! Ciampa is still down on the outside as Gibson wraps Thatcher up in a chinlock. Thatcher endures, Gibson grinds him down, medics check on Ciampa’s neck. Thatcher reaches out with a leg, Gibson keeps him just out of reach of the ropebreak, and shifts around with the hold.
Thatcher fights up, Drake tags in, ripcord FOREARM! Drake covers, TWO! Thatcher kicks from below but Drake stomps away! Drake drops elbows, pushes Thatcher down and digs a knee into his face. Cover, TWO! Thatcher again kicks from below but Drake throws forearms! Drake drags Thatcher up, throws haymakers, and NXT returns to single picture as Thatcher fires EuroUppers in return! Thatcher rocks Drake but Drake hits back! Thatcher clinches to BELLY2BELLY Drake away! Drake crawls, Ciampa is still down, Gibson tags in! Gibson runs in to clotheslines Thatcher in the corner, then SLAMS him down! Cover, TWO! Another try, TWO!
Gibson keeps on Thatcher with a wristlock, some forearms to his face, then a seated chinlock. Gibson leans hard on the hold but Thatcher reaches. Gibson pushes off ropes to keep Thatcher away but the ref reprimands. Thatcher endures, fans rally up, and Thatcher scowls as he fights his way up. Gibson shifts around to ROCK Thatcher with a EuroUpper! And another! Thatcher throws forearms on the GYV, but Gibson ROCKS him again! Gibson hammers away on Thatcher, tags to Drake, and GYV coordinates. Drake climbs, Gibson Electric Chair lifts, but Thatcher fights out! Thatcher shoves Gibson, Drake leaps over, but Thatcher EuroUppers him out of the air!
Drake and Thatcher are down, but Ciampa isn’t on the corner! Gibson gets in and goes after Ciampa, only for Ciampa to DECK him! Ciampa is back and gets the hot tag! Ciampa rallies on Drake with big clotheslines! Gibson gets in to get some clotheslines, too! Ciampa keeps going, clothesline to Drake in a corner, then to Gibson, then BOTH GYV! Ciampa fires up and so does the CWC! Ciampa GERMAN SUPLEXES Drake! And GERMAN SUPLEXES Gibson! And then a fireman’s carry, AIR RAID CRASH onto Gibson! Cover, TWO!! Ciampa snarls, drags Drake back up, and CHOPS him! And CHOPS him! And CHOPS again!
Thatcher likes what he sees as Ciampa underhooks. Drake drops, Ciampa CLUBS him, then brings him back up. Drake powers Ciampa back, Gibson tags in and the GYV mugs Ciampa! Gibson brings Ciampa up to hoist into HELTER- No! Ciampa slips out to CHOP Gibson! Gibson forearms, Ciampa gives them back and it’s a brawl! They go fast and furious then Ciampa SLAPS and KNEE TRIGGERS Gibson! Gibson throat chops! And hoists Ciampa up, for HELTER SKELTER! Both men are down and crawling for their corners, hot tag to Drake, and Ciampa is still down! Drake runs to launch off Ciampa, MAYHEM In Motion to Thatcher!
Drake and Gibson coordinate, they drag Ciampa up to the Electric Chair! GRIZZLED DOOMSDAY!! Cover, but Thatcher breaks it! Fans fire up as Gibson goes after Thatcher and throws him out hard! Gibson throws forearms but Thatcher choke grips to SLAP Gibson down! Drake DIVES and sends Thatcher into barriers! Drake hurries back to the ring, but Ciampa catches him in the ropes! But Gibson anchors Drake’s feet and saves him from the DDT! Tag to Gibson, Drake scoops Ciampa, TICKET TO MAYHEM!! Cover, Drake intercepts Thatcher, GYV WIN!!
Winners: Grizzled Young Veterans, by pinfall (advance to the Men’s Dusty Cup Finals)
The Ticket to Mayhem is their ticket to TakeOver! The team that’s teamed together longer finds a way to win, and now they’re going back to the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic finals! But will just be going back to back? Or will they end MSK’s streak right at the finish line?
Commentary gets on the mics to run down the TakeOver card!
MSK talks trash with GYV as they both prepare for the Men’s Dusty Cup Finals! Gargano and Kushida return for one last stare down before fighting for the North American Championship! The historic Women’s Dusty Cup will have Kai & Gonzalez VS Shotzi & Ember, and those teams return to finish where they left off in the trash talk. And there’s the Triple Threat for the NXT Women’s Championship! Shirai is between both Mercedes and Toni as they all argue with each other.
But of course, last but certainly not least, the main event, THE NXT Championship, Balor VS Dunne for the first time ever anywhere!! And these two stare down in the ring under the spotlight as a dream match a long time coming finally happens! Balor takes aim at Dunne, Dunne puts his dukes up, but who puts the other down on Vengeance Day?
My Thoughts:
A very strong go-home, but um, that ending segment was random. NXT has never done a last minute rundown of a TakeOver card accompanied by forced continuations of stare downs and trash talk. NXT better not be listening to USA Network or NBC executives on how to do their show because that’s a bunch of bull and makes NXT feel more like Raw or even, dare I say, ROH. But that aside, everything else was as it should’ve been. We got great video packages for the NXT Women’s and top NXT titles, which should’ve been all we got, not those trash talk/stare down moments at the end. That is what makes NXT great, so we don’t need to add on. I’m honestly surprised there wasn’t more of a Prime Target feel to one of them, but maybe that’s being saved for closer to Mania.
Xia Li decimates another opponent, but the real development from her segment was that KC Squared still wants to be her friends. Tian Sha/Mei Lin has a stronger hold over Xia, so I would love to see a tag match where Tian Sha (Karen Q) gets in action. That will be a really fun match because of the combinations of martial arts and acrobatic styles that all four women use, and it could even be a series. The Way had a really good string through the night, from Gargano faking a broken arm and somehow that keeps him from walking, and then him being exposed outright. Kushida VS Theory was very good, even with Gargano getting involved. Lumis showing up was great, too, but I guess we won’t get a tag match of Gargano & Theory VS Lumis & Kushida, as good as that would’ve been.
Candice & Indi VS Shotzi & Ember was a really good match, but naturally with Heels already in the Women’s Dusty Cup Finals through Kai & Gonzalez, the Faces won out. Shotzi & Ember are coming up with some really good combo moves, like the bulldog to knees. The Women’s Dusty Cup finals can go either way with it being the first-ever, so it really comes down to Raquel or Shotzi, who has the bigger push? They’ve both gotten to do a lot this past year or so on NXT, maybe Dakota or Ember takes the fall. And with the prize (logically and rightfully) being for a shot at the WWE Women’s Tag Titles, I think the Dusty Cup determines who wins between Nia & Shayna VS Naomi & Lana. WWE insists on Heels VS Faces so whoever wins the cup, the opposite will have the titles.
Imperium had a really good promo video, too, but I still don’t see Walter showing up. Walter still has the NXT UK Championship, so he has to be on NXT UK and hold down the fort. As for Wolfe, Aichner and Barthel, they can of course go for North American and Tag Team Championships, once Faces have them again. There’s a very good chance Kushida wins the North American Championship, so Kushida VS Wolfe would make for a very good match-up. Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch being Heels, would MSK end up winning the Men’s Dusty Cup? MSK VS Legado and GYV VS Thatcher & Ciampa were both great matches, but naturally we get Faces VS Heels there, too.
I am going to be very surprised if GYV doesn’t win at TakeOver, I’m not sure MSK is all the way there just yet. We still don’t even know what the letters mean! As for Thatcher and Ciampa losing, I wouldn’t be surprised if this starts to make them question the tag team. They are of course 1-1 in their series against each other, so maybe the next loss breaks them up and we get the tiebreaker at the next big NXT event. Kross VS Escobar is happening way sooner than I would’ve expected, but whatever. I’m not really feeling either, and I again say the Cruiserweight title should’ve been given to Curt Stallion just to get it out of this story.
Cameron “GameStonks Doge Coin Kiss My Grits” Grimes is already off to a hilarious start. The social commentary is strong, and the fact Grimes kept calling it “dog coin” was perfect for who he is. As was him not knowing about video games until he was home healing. I feel like this is his equivalent of Ric Flair’s “Fire me, you can’t fire me!” and I hope he gets to run with it for a good amount of time. He could be like a Million Dollar Man who pays off people to help him fight someone he doesn’t want to fight, like a Dexter Lumis or Timothy Thatcher. If this is somehow NBC getting involved, I am oddly enough okay with it. NBC having good ideas is rare, might as well embrace the ones they have.
My Score: 9.3/10
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Is Orange Cassidy coldblooded? Or just in control?
Before their AEW World Championship match at Full Gear, Jon Moxley puts Wheeler Yuta in Orange Cassidy’s way! Will Cassidy destroy The Decoder before going for The Maniac?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family; The Don Callis Family wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida; Kris wins.
- 2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger; Lashley wins.
- Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
- Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta w/ The Death Riders; Cassidy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family!
This All-Star 8 Man is going to make for a massive match! The Aerial Assassin, Dunk Zilla, The One & Only and the man the family foolishly forgot are now teamed together against Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Brian Cage & Lance Archer! Will Ospreay lead this team to victory ahead of the grudge matches at Full Gear? Or will Callis’ Alpha, Aussie Arrow, Machine & Murderhawk Monster make sure #EverybodyDies?
Well forget sorting out, Ospreay leads his team in attacking the Callis Family right on the ramp! The fans fire up as Hobbs is after Archer, Davis is after Cage, and of course Ricochet is after Konosuke while Ospreay is after Kyle! Hobbs smacks Archer off railing, Kyle CLUBS Ospreay on the back, but Ospreay kicks low. Ospreay sends Kyle into railing, rips the tearaway pants right off him, and then LASHES him with them! Davis sends Cage into railing while Ospreay uses those pants to SLING Kyle into more railing! Davis CLUBS away on Cage, Ospreay blows snot on Kyle’s pants, and Davis sends Cage into more railing.
Kyle turns things around to send Ospreay into railing! Konosuke helps Cage against Davis but Hobbs still throws hands on Archer. Kyle CLUBS Ospreay, CLUBS Ricochet, but Konosuke puts Davis in the ring. The bell rings and this is finally a match. Konosuke headlocks Davis but Davis fires body shots. Davis powers up and out, but Konosuke RAMS him! The fans fire up as Davis stays up. Davis runs to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke stays up and the fans rally. Konosuke runs to RAM Davis, but Davis runs. Konosuke bypasses, leaps, but Davis catches him for a TOSS! And a SENTON! The fans fire up with Davis, and Ricochet reaches out.
Davis tags Ricochet in , then holds the way open, for Ricochet to FOSBURY FLOP onto Konosuke! But Cage CLOBBERS Davis! Cage then RAMS Ricochet into the apron, POSTS him, but Ospreay PENALTY KICKS Cage! The fans fire up as Ospreay goes up, but Kyle UPPERCUTS him! The fans boo as Kyle goes up, CLUBS away on Ospreay, and Ospreay falls to the floor. But now Hobbs is up! Kyle says wait! Then he fires hands! Hobbs just CHOPS Kyle! Hobbs climbs up to get Kyle, but Archer CLUBS Hobbs! Archer drags Hobbs down, throws hands, then puts Hobbs in between steps and post! Hobbs fights back, but Cage sends Ospreay into the steps!
The fans boo as Hobbs’ leg is crushed between steps and post! Archer puts Ricochet in the ring while a medic checks Hobbs. Archer brings Ricochet up but Ricochet slips free to fire off fast strikes! Hobbs is being helped to the back and Ospreay is concerned that this is now 4v3. Ricochet still fires strikes on Archer, but Archer grabs Ricochet by the neck! CHOKE- NO, Ricochet RANAS Archer first! Archer tumbles, stands up, and Ricochet springboards, but Archer CLOBBERS Him out of the sky! Archer BLASTS Davis, then catches Ospreay out of the air! Archer TOSSES Ospreay away and fans boo. But Ricochet springboards back in!
Archer catches Ricochet, and he CHOKE SLAMS Ricochet out onto Ospreay and Davis! The fans boo as the Don Callis Family is in control, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cage & Kyle flex to soak up the heat, then Archer goes out after Ospreay and the rest. Konosuke fetches Ricochet into the ring, waistlocks, and then brings him away from the corner. Archer beats up on Ospreay while Konosuke fires knees into Ricochet. Ricochet tumbles to ropes but Konosuke is on him. Davis fires hands on Archer, then sends him into railing! Davis fires more hands, but Konosuke CHOKES Ricochet at the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke steps off and tags Kyle. Kyle stays between Ricochet and his corner. Kyle taunts Ricochet, stomps him around, then whips him to ropes. Kyle ELBOWS Ricochet down, then stalks him to a corner.
Kyle stomps away on Ricochet while Archer intimidates commentary. Kyle shouts at the camera while the ref counts, and Kyle steps off of Ricochet’s neck. Kyle bumps Ricochet off buckles, tags Cage, and Cage stands Ricochet up. Cage CHOPS Ricochet, then whips him to ropes for an ELBOW! Cage flexes while he taunts Ospreay & Davis. Cage drags Ricochet up but Ricochet RAMS him! And RAMS him! And fires forearms! Cage ROCKS Ricochet, then runs, but into a tiger wall kick and ENZIGIRI! Konosuke tags in and storms after Ricochet. Konosuke stomps Ricochet, then rains down fists! The ref reprimands while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Konosuke argues with the ref while Ospreay rallies the fans. Konosuke stays between Ricochet and his team, but Ricochet SLAPS Konosuke! Konosuke ROCKS Ricochet for it! Ricochet fires forearms and an UPPERCUT! Konosuke keeps Ricochet from his corner, reels Ricochet in, but Ricochet victory rolls! TWO, and Ricochet ducks a chop to handspring BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ricochet and Konosuke crawl, hot tags to Kyle and Ospreay! The fans fire up as these two fire fists and forearms! Kyle kicks and whips but Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Kyle!
Ospreay whips, Kyle reverses, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Kyle staggers, Konosuke tags back in! Ospreay dodges Konosuke to BLAST Cage & Archer! Ospreay fires fists on Konosuke, but Konosuke CLAWS Ospreay’s face! Konosuke runs, but Davis intercepts with a fireman’s carry! AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Or maybe in this case, just a United Empire Dental Plan! But in any case, Davis scoops Konosuke, for the LAWN DART CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but the fans fire up. Ospreay & Davis bring Konosuke up, double pump handle, but the #MurderMachines make the save!
Archer puts Davis in a corner, Cage ducks Ospreay’s haymaker to waistlock. Archer runs up, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Davis fires hands on Archer but Cage waistlocks, ripcords, and ROCKS Davis! Then fireman’s carry into the ASSISTED NECKBREAKER! The fans boo but the Murder Machines DOUBLE RIPCORD Ospreay up for Konosuke’s BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and shocks everyone! Archer argues with the ref but the count was fair. Konosuke tags Kyle while fans rally up behind Ospreay. Kyle smirks as he stalks Ospreay. Kyle BOOTS Ricochet off the apron for good measure!
Kyle tells Ospreay that this is how he wants it, right? All about Ospreay! Kyle stomps away on Ospreay in the corner, then digs his boots in! The ref counts but wait! Here comes Hobbs! Hobbs hobbles but Kyle hurries to send Ospreay to the Callis corner. Tag to Konosuke and then Kyle slides out. Kyle runs up on Hobbs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Hobbs makes his way to the corner. Ospreay fights free of the corner but Konosuke holds him back! Ospreay fires forearms, reaches out, repeat! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Konosuke reels Ospreay in! Konosuke hits a back suplex, but Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay dodges Konosuke, hot tag to Hobbs! The Powerhouse powers up to rally on Konosuke! The fans fire up as Hobbs TOSSES Kyle, but the Murder Machines attack! They reel Hobbs in, but Hobbs fights the double suplex! The fans fire up but the Murder Machines double whip. Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as Hobbs has targets in all corners! SPLASH for Konosuke! SPLASH for Cage! SPLASH for Kyle! SPLASH for Archer! The fans are thunderous and Hobbs brings the straps down. Archer kicks low, then runs, but Hobbs dodges, to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again, and Hobbs tags Davis!
Davis runs up to BOOT Konosuke, BOOT him again, but Konosuke just fires up! Ospreay CANNONBALLS onto Kyle while Konosuke fires hands! Konosuke spins, but Davis DECKS him! Davis roars, stands Konosuke up, but Konosuke backdrops back! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee to ENZIGIRI! Davis gut wrenches Konosuke, for a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, KYLE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but now Aussie Open is face to face! Kyle pie faces Davis, talks trash, but Davis glares at him. Kyle SLAPS Davis, so Davis TACKLES Kyle! Davis throws hands, Kyle gets up, and Davis runs up! Kyle dodges and Konosuke DECKS Davis!
Ricochet springboards, FLYING LARIAT on Konosuke! But Cage POP-UP POWERBOMBS Ricochet! Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Cage! Archer CHOKE SLAMS Hobbs! Ospreay hits the PIP PIP CHEERIO FOREARM on Archer! Ospreay dares Kyle to man up and fight him! Kyle snarls, gets in, and they fire forearms again! Kyle swings, Ospreay catches him, but Kyle breaks the full nelson with an elbow! Ospreay HOOK KICKS Kyle! Ospreay runs, Kyle dodges, but then Ospreay slips through the lariat! Kyle slips through the bomb, hoists Ospreay up, but Ospreay slips free! Kyle ducks the hook kick to SUPERKICK! Kyle runs, into the SPANISH FLY!!
The fans are thunderous as Ospreay takes aim from a corner! Kyle rises, so does Davis, and Ospreay runs up, Kyle uses Davis as a shield from the HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay freaks out, Kyle SUPERKICKS Ospreay out of the ring! Then Kyle DIVES onto Ospreay! Konosuke brings down his kneepad, aims at Davis, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!!
Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall
The Alpha stands tall over Davis as friendly fire takes out Ospreay’s team. But what happens when things divide into 1v1 matches? Will Konosuke still be International Champion after he and Ricochet go #OuttaThisWorld? Will Kyle prove that he IS The Protostar after tearing down Will Ospreay?
Jon Moxley & The Death Riders speak.
“Despite recent discoveries that Orange Cassidy is a snake, coldblooded, uncaring, unmoving, a serpent lurking in the darkest corners of the battlefield, my objective remains the same, my job on Saturday night remains the same. You may be this borderline sociopath, you may be a great guy just like everybody thinks. I don’t care if you’re a great guy. I don’t care what kind of person you are. When the bell rings on Saturday night, and the AEW World Championship hangs in the balance, you are a threat to my people. And I will destroy you.
“There’s so much more going on behind Orange Cassidy’s eyes than any of us could’ve imagined. You may make it to Full Gear with your mind in tact, but your body… For that matter, Darby Allin’s body… Still up for grabs.” Claudio jumps in, speaking in German about what he’ll do to Darby. Then in English, he says, “Tonight, I’m gonna end you.” Moxley pats Claudio on the shoulder. Will The Maniac’s top henchmen do his dirty work for him when they dismantle Cassidy & Darby? Or will it just be fuel on the fire for Freshly Squeezed & The Relentless One? Speaking of…
Darby Allin speaks.
“Claudio, I’m gonna keep this really short. Let’s not forget you’re the one who put the chair around Bryan’s neck and pulled the trigger on his career. Every single one of you Death Riders will have your day. And Claudio, today’s your day.” Will Moxley’s men be dealt with in brutal fashion before he suffers the same?
The Hurt Syndicate arrive.
Renee Paquette waits in the parking lot as an SUV pulls up, and she welcomes Montel Vontavious Porter, Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley to the show. She heard MVP has a surprise in store, what’s he got planned? MVP says yes, there is a special treat for the AEW audience, and that is this announcement: The All Mighty Bobby Lashley will be in action here tonight on Dynamite in Reading, Pennsylvania, prior to his PPV debut on Saturday! Renee asks if MVP is at all concerned to put Lashley in a match- OH NO, Swerve attacks!! Swerve knocks Lashley over, then laughs as he gets away!
Shelton helps Lashley up but that ambush might’ve been with Swerve’s own silver chain. Will Lashley elect not to compete tonight after all? Or is he about to make an example out of whatever poor soul is put in front of him?
Adam Cole is here!
Reading fires up as the Panama City Playboy makes his way to the ring. They join in with the “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” Cole grabs a mic to ask, “Who’s ready for Storytime with Adam Cole, Baybay?” Reading sure is ready! Cole wishes so so badly that he could get his hands on MJF this Saturday, but he’s not. MJF did everything in his power to make sure he and Cole didn’t fight on Saturday, and he succeeded. But do you know who else succeeded last week? Roderick Strong did! The fans cheer as Cole says he and Roddy have the exact same goal: Give MJF the ass whooping of a lifetime! And that is exactly what happens at Full Gear!
The fans cheer, and wait, Kyle O’Reilly makes his way out here. The longtime friend of Cole & Roddy makes his way out here, and already has a mic. Kyle isn’t sure if Cole remembers, but 14 years ago, right here in Reading, PA, Cole and Kyle had their second match ever against each other. They’ve come a long way. Being associated with Cole has given Kyle some incredible highs, and some serious lows. And through those lows, Kyle knows Cole better than anyone. Which makes Kyle the only one willing to tell Cole the truth. The truth is, this crusade against MJF has got to end before someone gets hurt.
This obsession, Cole needs to wash his hands of it. His ankle has already been reconstructed, what’s next? Cole has friends willing to take a bullet for him, Kyle included, but Cole has got to stop having his friends fight his battles. Roddy barely makes it out alive last week, and now he wants to fight MJF! He wants to END MJF, all because of Cole. Kyle just doesn’t have a good feeling about any of this. Cole asks Kyle what he’s trying to say here. Kyle doesn’t think Roddy can handle MJF? Kyle asks Cole if he really thinks MJF isn’t already three steps ahead. MJF hasn’t been here for weeks but he’s pulling all the strings.
Cole should know that dealing with MJF is like playing with fire, and Kyle doesn’t wanna see his friends get burned. Cole needs to realize why so many of his friends are willing to go to war for him, and it’s because he is a great leader, an elite pro-wrestler, and a great friend, who doesn’t wanna see his friends get hurt. At least, so Kyle thinks. But Cole has to face facts: MJF is more of an evil bastard than Cole will ever be, and that is a good thing. Kyle drops his mic and walks away. Cole drops his mic, and has a lot to think about. Does Kyle have a point? Can Cole just let Roddy handle MJF and then move on?
Orange Cassidy speaks.
“A little later tonight, I’m gonna make an example out of you, Wheeler Yuta. And I’m gonna show everybody exactly what I’m gonna do this Saturday to you, Jon Moxley. And that’s walk down to that ring and beat you, alone.” But The Conglomeration steps in. Mark Briscoe has Rocky Romero & Tomohiro Ishii with him as he asks Cassidy, “What sense does that make, man?” Moxley said himself, there’s five Death Riders, one Cassidy. Conglomeration has his back, they are here for him. Cassidy says no, no one else needs to get hurt. Get hurt? What’s Cassidy talking about? The Conglomeration are ready to scrap!
PLEASE!! Cassidy is asking them… They don’t have to believe him or even understand him. But just promises him they’ll stay back here. If Cassidy insists, then so be it. Cassidy says there you have it, Jon. Five of you, one of him. Do what you’re gonna do. Because at Full Gear, Moxley’s gonna need all the help he can get. Cassidy is himself wanting the best for his friends, but will that work out for the betterment of AEW? Or is he just playing into Moxley’s hands?
Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida!
The #BornAgainKristen bodied the bullies that are Mercedes Mone & Kamille the last time she saw them, but she still needs to tune up for Full Gear. However, taking on the THREE-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion might be more than just a workout. Win, lose or draw, will the Shining Samurai get Kris ready for The CEO?
The bell rings, Kris and Shida shake hands and the fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and Kris wrenches to a wristlock. Shida handsprings and wrenches back, then hammerlocks. Kris reaches back, hits a headlock takeover, but Shida headscissors. Kris kips free and the fans cheer while the two reset. Shida and Kris circle again while the fans fire up. The two tie up, Shida wrenches and hammerlocks, then CLUBS Kris on the back. Shida CLUBS Kris again, then waistlocks. Kris fights the lift with elbows, then switches. Kris SLAMS Shida, then flips her over. Shida kips up to arm-drag Kris! Kris ends up in a corner, and Shida runs up to KNEE her!
Shida climbs up and the fans cheer as she rains down fists! But Kris stops Shida at 5 and carries her out of the corner! Shida slips free, Kris blocks a lariat to SWEEP the leg! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shida is tough and she goes to ropes, but Kris whips her to a corner. Kris runs up but into a RANA! Kris cartwheels through! Then she CLOBBERS Shida! The fans fire up while Kris flexes. Kris drags Shida into a motorcycle stretch but Shida endures. The fans rally up and Shida fights to her feet. Shida arm-drags Kris down, and wraps her in a straitjacket stretch! Kris fights up with a bridge, but Shida hops on!
The fans rally while Kris RAMS Shida into a corner! Shida holds onto the straitjacket and pulls! The ref counts, Shida lets go at 4, and then MISSILE DROPKICKS! Kris tumbles and the fans duel as Shida fires up! Shida goes outside, drags Kris to the apron, and CLUBS her! Shida runs to KNEE LIFT! Kris flops to the floor and fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Shida brings Kris up again, and whips her into railing hard! Kris writhes, Shida drags her up, and then Shida whips Kris into more railing! Kris writhes again and Shida refreshes the ring count. Shida sits Kris in a corner to rain down fists! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands, so Shida stops. Shida brings Kris around, pushes her into the ring, and then stalks her. Shida stomps Kris around, brings her up, and snap suplexes! Kris writhes but Shida brings her up again. Shida then snap suplexes Kris into a corner! Shida drags Kris to a cover, TWO! Kris stays in this but Shida stays on her with a chinlock stretch!
Kris endures being bent back, and she reaches out with her free arm. Shida pulls back more but Kris rises up! Shida is again a backpack, but then she slips down. Kris fires body shots, slips around and lifts for a BIG back suplex! Kris huffs ‘n’ puffs as she rises up, but then Shida dodges the sliding forearm! Ghost pin! TWO, and Kris has a cradle! TWO! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris PELES! Shida staggers, but she comes back to ENZIGIRI! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks both women and they’re okay to continue, so a standing count begins. Shida and Kris stir at about 4 of 10, then rise up at 6.
Kris grabs Shida, but Shida fires a forearm! Dynamite returns to single picture as the shots go back and forth. Shida fires a flurry, then whips Kris to ropes. Kris ducks ‘n’ dodges, then dodges a knee! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Kris as she whips Shida to a corner. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT, then she goes side to side for a KNEE LIFT! Shida ends up in ropes but Kris reels her in. Fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and the fans fire up again! Kris hoists Shida up, gut wrenches, but Shida slips free! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shida eggs Kris on, then dodges her to fire forearms! Kris just shakes her head!
Shida fires more shots, but Kris fireman’s carries! But Shida slips free, straitjacket roll-up! TWO!! KNEE STRIKE! And then short arm LARIAT! Shida takes aim, but she starts to doubt the Katana! Shida runs up but Kris dodges the boot to then scoop and INVERTED SLAM! Then Kris aims, DISCUS- NO, Shida backslides her! TWO!! Shida reels Kris in, suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO?!? Kris survives and Shida is shocked! Shida brings Kris up but Kris fires body shots and forearms! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris wrenches to kick! Kris runs, but into the JUMP KNEE! Shida hurries to suplex, but Kris turns it around!
Shida slips out of Kris’ suplex to slip around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Shida roars, aims, KATA- NO, Kris gut wrenches! Tuck and STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Shida gave Kris a powerful match, but clearly Shida has to iron out her own crisis of confidence. Kris still shows Shida respect by helping her up. But wait, here comes Mercedes Mone & Kamille! The fans boo The CEO & Brickhouse but Mone has a mic. “Readiiiiing~! Say hello to your C E O!” The fans boo instead. Mone asks Kamille if she wants to hear a fun fact about Pennsylvania. The 76ers have had yet another terrible season! Embarrassing~! But shoutouts to Mone’s Celtics for another incredible victory. The fans boo Boston but Mone says another person with an incredible win was Kris Statlander. Mone is rarely impressed by her competition.
Does anyone else want to hear another fun fact? “NO!!” Well, Mone has held the TBS Championship longer than Kris! So at Full Gear, Mone will NOT lose, because she is The CEO, the greatest TBS Champion of all time! And she will NEVER lose this title! Fans tell The CEO to STFU, but Mone tells Kamille go get the job done! She is so pissed off! GO! NOW! Kamille walks up the steps past Mone, but with only one good arm! Mone says hurry up, but Kamille looks at both Shida and Kris. Kamille takes as swing, but Kris blocks to ROCK her! Shida QUESTION MARK KICKS Kamille! Then Kris & Shida TOSS The Brickhouse!
Shida goes out after Kamille, but then Mone goes after Kris! Mone goes for the backstabber, but Kris holds onto ropes! Mone is almost stuck up there, but Kris pops her around! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! The fans fire up as Kris stands tall over The CEO! Will Kris once again become the Face of TBS? Or will Mone find a way to win even without her insurance policy?
The Hurt Syndicate has a cameraman with them.
MVP says hold on, he and Shelton have found Swerve. They go after the man in the big fur jacket, but that’s not Swerve! Swerve gave his jacket to the guy, but MVP & Shelton still beat this guy up for helping Swerve. MVP says they’ll find Swerve later, Lashley has his match up next. And it’ll be a 2-on-1 Handicap?! The All Mighty really IS mad, what poor duo is about to be destroyed?
AEW hears from Jay White and Hangman Adam Page.
“Hangman. You and I are on that same path to that same destination, trying to grasp at that same prize. 2024 still has some time left for The Switchblade to share the spotlight with Hangman once more!” But the Blackhat Cowboy asks White if he knows “Who the hell I am?! I am the Hangman! I am THE man! They named this whole godforsaken PPV after ME!” White says when he makes Hangman TAP, it will be a public declaration! But Hangman says White can’t make him tap, even if his life depended on it! These two vicious gunslingers will write one more chapter in their storied rivalry, but who comes out riding off into the sunset?
2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger!
The All Mighty thought he’d have an easy night getting in a little warm-up, but The Realest quickly reminded him why he’s the most dangerous man in AEW! Lashley’s now doubling down to make a point, will there be nothing left of Keys & Cheese after tonight?
The bell rings and while the fans rally for Cheeseburger, he and Keys each argue the other should start. Lashley runs up and TOSSES Burger across the ring! Keys runs away, Lashley runs to RAM into Burger! Lashley brings Burger up, Keys runs in, but Lashley catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Lashley drags Keys up and TOSSES him out! Lashley then turns to look at Burger in the corner. The fans rally for Burger, but Lashley CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but MVP & Shelton high-five Lashley. Lashley drags Burger up to gut wrench, Canadian Rack, and DOMINATOR! Keys runs in to break the cover!
The fans cheer Keys as he fires hands, but Lashley just gets angrier! Keys short arm LARIATS, but Lashley stays up! Keys runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Lashley storms around, then aims at Keys. Keys staggers into the SPEAR! Lashley isn’t done there, and he clamps on the HURT LOCK! Keys can’t open that lock, he is OUT! Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
MVP & Shelton join Lashley in the ring to celebrate, but then “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” The fans fire up, and here comes Prince Nana with a chair! Nana eggs the Hurt Syndicate on so Shelton storms out after Nana. MVP watches the rest of ringside for Swerve, but Swerve slides out from under the ring! The fans fire up as Swerve slips in to CHAIN PUNCH Lashley!! MVP gets on the apron but Swerve DECKS MVP with a chain punch! And then Shelton eats a chain punch! The fans are thunderous as Swerve aims, and hits a HOUSE CALL on Lashley! Swerve hurries to the top rope, and he gives Lashley a KILL STOMP!!
The fans are thunderous as Swerve stands over Lashley! MVP & Shelton get up and get in, but Swerve escapes, chain draped on his neck! Will AEW then, now and forever be whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Backstage interview with Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa.
Renee is now with the AEW Women’s World Champion and her best friend, the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Champion. They are planning their Championship Champagne Celebration for Full Gear, BUT Friday Night Rampage will feature the two of them teaming up for the first time in just over a year. Mariah says no champion deserves a celebration more than her. Her rise to the top was meteoric, and her reign will be historic. She takes ish and makes it shine, any time and any show, against anyone. In Mariah’s division, you hold this title, or you die.
Mina says yes, Mariah has been working so hard. She came back to tell her she is so very proud. And Mina will give Mariah a celebration she’ll never forget! Mariah says the “H Cup Angel” (Mina) and the “Woman from Hell” (Mariah herself) are going to make Rampage into Glampage. Everyone wants Mina, but Mina wants Mariah. And then… They’ll dance! These two shimmy and shake their way out, will they finally be toasting their victories at Full Gear?
Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli w/ The Death Riders!
The Relentless One told The Swiss Superman that revenge was coming, and here is Darby’s chance! Will Darby avenge Bryan Danielson? Or will he just be the next to fall?
The bell rings and Darby stares Claudio down. Darby takes some deep breaths then circles with Claudio. Darby slips around to waistlock but Claudio flings him off, only for Darby to roll to his feet. They circle again, and the fans rally behind Darby. Darby and Claudio feel things out, tie up, and Darby headlocks. Claudio lifts Darby but Darby thrashes the hold. Claudio throws Darby off, runs up, but Darby uses that to get around and springboard arm-drag! The fans fire up while Claudio bails out, and Darby taunts Claudio with some drop steps. Claudio snarls, but then Darby fakes him out with a slingshot!
Claudio is annoyed and takes a swing but Darby slingshots up and over! Darby taunts Claudio again while the fans rally up. Claudio cools off before he storms up the steel steps. Claudio pops Darby up but Darby keeps from hitting buckles! Darby ELBOWS Claudio away, goes up, then leaps, but Claudio catches him! Claudio SLAMS Darby down, flips him back to his feet, but Darby slips around to waistlock. O’Conner Roll, TWO! Darby springboards to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Claudio bails out but the fans fire up. Darby goes up a corner, and he SUPER COFFIN SPLASHES into a waistlock! Claudio swings and THROWS Darby away!
Darby staggers to his feet but Claudio runs up, to POUNCE Darby into railing! Darby writhes against the railing, but Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT Darby up and over! Fans freak out as Darby hits the floor! Claudio leaves Darby behind while the ring count climbs, but Darby drags himself up at 7. Claudio goes back out after Darby to suplex! Claudio holds Darby up while he marches up the steps! The fans fire up for this feat of strength and balance, and then Claudio TOSSES Darby back into the ring! Darby writhes again while Claudio steps back in. Claudio stalks Darby, talks some trash, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio looms over Darby, then deadlift gut wrenches for a GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! Darby writhes while Claudio stands over him again. Claudio watches Darby crawl towards a corner and stalks him. Claudio drags Darby up, brings him around, and ROCKS Darby with a forearm! Darby pushes Claudio, then CHOPS! Claudio DECKS Darby! Darby tumbles out of the ring! The ref wants Claudio to stay back while Darby drags himself up. Darby is back in before the count starts, but then Claudio DOUBLE STOMPS him! Claudio kicks Darby around, then clamps on with a neck wrench!
Darby endures, fights up, but Claudio powers him down. Darby BITES Claudio’s hand! The ref reprimands but Darby fires off forearms on Claudio. Claudio HIP TOSSES Darby up and out of the ring! Darby hits the floor and flounders around while the ref reprimands Claudio. Claudio again waits on Darby, and then he DOUBLE STOMPS Darby the moment he’s in! The ref counts as Claudio stands on Darby at the ropes. Claudio steps off at 4, brings him around, and clamps on an armlock and chinbar. Darby endures, fights around, and manages to fireman’s carry Claudio! But Claudio rains down elbows! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL even!
Claudio clamps on with a double wristlock and he grinds Darby down. Darby still endures and the fans rally up again. Darby fights around and Dynamite returns to single picture. Darby fires body shots but Claudio knees low! Claudio then HIP TOSSES Darby into a corner! Darby tumbles out of the ring but Claudio pursues! Claudio SWINGS Darby into railing! Then Claudio fireman’s carries, to TOSS Darby back in the ring! Claudio storms in while Darby flounders away. Darby flops back out of the ring but Claudio pursues him again. Darby trips Claudio up and traps him in the apron skirt! Darby then fires forearms, and BITES Claudio’s ear!
The fans fire up but Claudio shoves Darby away. Darby slides into the ring then DIVES onto Claudio! And then runs to DIVE again! Down goes Claudio and the fans fire up! Darby crawls over to bring Claudio up and into the ring. The fans fire up as Darby climbs up a corner, though slowly given all the damage to his back. That lets Claudio trip Darby up! Darby is stuck up top, and Claudio climbs up after him. Claudio gut wrenches for a SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio can’t believe it! The fans fire up but Claudio calls for the swing! Claudio grabs the legs, but Darby twists to a victory roll! TWO!!
Claudio escapes and runs up, but Darby ducks ‘n’ dodges, roll and- WHOA, Claudio has to fight to stay up, and then he deadlifts Darby! Darby pops through to CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Darby and Claudio crawl for ropes. Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again and again and again! The ref backs Claudio off, but then Claudio fires off body shots! Darby flops over but Claudio has the legs. Claudio FLIPS Darby up and over the ropes, but Darby lands on the apron! Claudio BOOTS Darby down! The ref wants Claudio to hold on but Claudio goes out after Darby.
Claudio drags Darby by his legs, then SWINGS him around! Into steel steps!! The fans lose their minds, the ref reprimands Claudio, but Claudio doesn’t care. The fans tell Claudio he is sick, but Claudio TOSSES Darby over the announce desk!! Schiavone, Excalibur & Matt Menard narrowly avoid becoming collateral damage! But Claudio clears the desk and brings Darby up. Claudio puts Darby on the desk, then stands over him. The ref reprimands but Claudio just ignores him. Claudio drags Darby up, and gorilla presses him! SUPER DUPER TOSS onto the timekeeper’s table!! The fans lose their minds as Darby is down but that table’s somehow still standing!
The ref checks on Darby but Claudio storms right over! The ref tells Claudio to stop so they go to the ring. Claudio lets the ring count start, and yet Darby somehow stirs at 4 of 10! The fans rally as hard as they can and Darby crawls his way over! Darby is still far away at 7! But then he powers up and LEAPS in at 9!! But Claudio LARIATS Darby inside-out!! Cover, Claudio wins!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall
Darby truly is relentless, with durability like no other, but it just wasn’t enough against the strength and brutality of Claudio! Will no one stop The Death Riders from running roughshod over AEW?
Backstage interview with Private Party.
Renee is with Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy and brings up that at Full Gear, the AEW World Tag Team Championships are on the line in a Fatal 4 Way. Private Party takes on The Acclaimed, The Outrunners and The Kings of the Black Throne. In such a match, the champs do NOT have to be pinned or submitted to lose their titles, so what is their strategy? Brother Zay says they obviously can’t tell her that, the other teams are watching. But it seems like the odds are against them. Fortunately, the odds have been against them their whole lives, their whole careers, just like against The Young Bucks.
But look what happened: Private Party defied the odds, beat The Bucks, and are your AEW World Tag Team Champions. That is the same thing that happens on Saturday. They leave Newark, New Jersey still your tag team champions. Because there ain’t no party like a Private Party, that’s a flex. Oh, speaking of! It’s AJ & Big Justice! They’re fired up to be here, but Justice wants to know what that face Zay made was last week. Oh, right, this one, with the chin scratching. And AJ says they’ve got a BIG announcement coming up after this! Maybe some double chunk chocolate cookies? BOOM!!
A green Porsche Taycan pulls up to the middle of nowhere.
And out steps MJF. The Wolf of Wrestling tells the hobo to “go get it” as he throws spare change off to the side like birdseed. MVP then sits back and tells Roderick Strong, “You’ve been through so much. The kid who grew up trailer park trash with two abusive alcoholic parents. For crying out loud! Your own mother shot your father right in front of you. That’s traumatizing. And as you know, Roddy, trauma is the result of an overwhelming sense of danger, powerlessness and fear. However, healing is a result of feeling safe, empowered and supported. That’s why you’d do anything for Cole. He makes you feel all those positive things that you lacked.
“It’s why I was no different than you. It’s why I trusted him. Unfortunately, the difference between you and I: Cole for me was a mirage of what I wanted him to be. A fraud, a liar. And whilst Cole is a fraud, I do actually believe deep down, in his narcissistic, sociopathic, frail, feeble frame, is a man who cares about Roderick Strong. This is precisely why upon further contemplation, I am happy you won, Roddy. Because I want Adam Cole to watch a person he cares about suffer! And because of your White trash upbringing, you aren’t intelligent enough to realize that you don’t have a prayer. And I’m sending you back to where you belong. To your grimy little trailer park.
“And after the match, you’ll be in so much physical anguish, you’ll wish your mother hadn’t shot your father, but instead shot you.” As if this scumbag couldn’t stoop any lower, he brings up Roddy’s past to hurt him. But will Roddy make sure MJF’s future is the one full of pain and suffering?
Backstage interview with AJ & Big Justice.
Renee is with the Costco Tiktok sensations and says that in the Full Gear Zero Hour, we will see #BigBoomAJ take on QT Marshall in a match 20 YEARS in the making. AJ says it may have been 20 years in the making for QT, this all started for AJ when QT threw the double chunk chocolate cookies down! Renee says AJ has not been in the ring in those 20 years, is he concerned about how his body will hold up? AJ isn’t worried about that, because he just has one strategy, and that’s the strategy they use each and every day. That strategy is to bring the BOOM~! But hey, there’s another special announcement.
Because when AJ rings QT’s bell, and he Power-Booms QT right in the middle of that ring, there is only one guy they want ringing the bell: Big Justice’s best friend, THE RIZZLER! Time to bring the BOOM~! Will QT be sleeping on the mat for The Rizzler? Will he be skibidi? Fanum Tax? Why are those even words?
Tony Schiavone is on stage.
And he welcomes out The Undisputed Kingdom! The fans cheer as Roderick Strong makes his way out, accompanied by Matt Taven & Mike Bennett. Schiavone brings up Roddy VS MJF at Full Gear, and we just heard all that disgusting stuff MJF had to say. Roddy’s response is that to be honest, he has not slept a wink since last week. IT is finally happening! Roddy feels like a kid on Christmas morning. He finally gets his hands on “MAAAAAX~!” The fans echo that, and Roddy says if MJF was here tonight, and not hiding out there, Roddy would ask him: Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his childhood?
Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his parents? You don’t think Roddy’s heard that stuff before? His whole LIFE, that is what people brought up! His mom’s an addict, his dad’s an addict, mom shot dad. Good job, Max, you made Roddy feel like he was in elementary school again. And people may look at Roddy’s past and feel sorry for him, but Roddy asks us not to. Because looking at MJF, Roddy feels sorry for him. Understand this, Max. With Roddy’s life, he learned that to get the most out of life, you have to earn it. If you wanna break the cycle, you have to earn it. And that is what Roddy’s done ever since he was a kid!
And now looking at MJF, he’s been spoon-fed everything. And when something doesn’t go his way or something happens and he doesn’t like it, MJF throws a temper tantrum like a baby until that changes. So Roddy wants MJF to do something for him: Look in the mirror and think about all the things that MJF has done to people. The manipulating, the backstabbing, the using. MJF needs to realize, when the bell rings at Full Gear, MJF will pay for all those sins. With every chop, with every punch, with every elbow, with every backbreaker! And when it is all over, Roddy walks to his hotel room for the best night of sleep in his life because he earned it.
Especially because Roddy will know he has broken MJF’s back, and left him humbled! Roddy is all fired up, and the fans are with him! Will MJF finally get what’s coming to him? Or will he give Roddy nightmares for the rest of his life?
AEW shares footage taken from last Saturday night.
First, a recap video of Daniel Garcia thwarting Jack Perry’s attempts to abduct and torture Matthew Menard, as well as the joyride they took in the Scapegoat bus, with Perry as the hood ornament. And now, they have Perry strapped into a chair, the bus headlights as the only source of light. Menard is behind the camera as he asks Perry how he’s feeling. How’d that work out for him, huh? Garcia splashes Perry with water to wake him up, and says “Let’s have a conversation. I’m all ears.” Perry chuckles and says Garcia thinks he’s so much better than him. Look at where they are! Garcia shouts back that he doesn’t wanna be here!
Garcia just wants to wrestle, but AEW is full of savages! Perry tried to take Daddy Magic’s life! And those in power just sit back and watch, pretending that nothing’s going on. So what do they do? Gotta take the power back, right? Perry counters with, “Everybody’s got a code. Everybody cares about right and wrong until it costs them something. Until they have to SACRIFICE!” Garcia gets in Perry’s face, grabs him by the mouth, and says Perry’s always going on about sacrifice but Perry has no idea what Garcia’s had to go through! Perry has NO idea what Garcia’s had to sacrifice to be here!
Garcia knows where Perry wants him to go, but Garcia promises that he’s never gonna go there. Perry smirks, then SPITS in Garcia’s face. Garcia wipes that off his face and says bet. Garcia’s got something for Perry, so just wait right there. Garcia goes to the bus while Perry mockingly asks what he’s gonna do. Menard tells shut up, Jack! Life must be so hard for him! What’s Jack got to be sad about?! Garcia comes back and he has a crowbar! Perry dares him to go ahead. Garcia raises the bar, but he SMASHES up the bus! Garcia throws the crowbar away and Perry laughs. Is that it? Garcia tells Menard they’ll get out of here. What? Where’s Garcia going?
Perry says yeah, walk away. Menard tells Perry that Garcia’s gonna whoop his ass! Just wait! Menard leaves, Perry shouts into the night, but will The Face of TNT soon be the one sacrificed for the greater good?
Renee Paquette presides over the ROH World Championship contract signing.
She welcomes us backstage to the signing for this match, which will happen next week, Dynamite: Thanksgiving Eve, in Chicago. The challenger, Tomohiro Ishii, is on her left, and the champion, Chris Jericho, is on her right. Jericho, as champion, you have the honors to sign first. Jericho smiles and waves as he says, “Hi, guys.” But Renee, you should know better. A champion of Jericho’s caliber does not just sign a contract thrust at his face randomly. He has a whole legal team that needs to approve this contract. Renee says it was sent to said legal team last week. Oh, really? What about today? The now! Jericho lives in the now!
Jericho says he’ll get this checked by his legal eagles one more time. But for now, wait here. Choto matte kudesai. Jericho steps around the corner and then down the hall. He smiles at his own picture on the wall. What a good looking guy. But wait, Ishii has followed Jericho to the hall. Jericho is a bit worried as he keeps moving. Jericho tries to block Ishii’s path but a trash can isn’t enough. Jericho tells staffers that Ishii wants to talk to them. They step in the way but Ishii pushes them aside. Jericho moves faster, pushes more people in the way, but Ishii pushes them aside. Was that RJ City?
Jericho goes up some stairs but Ishii follows. Ishii’s even gaining ground! Jericho goes through a doorway and ends up in the concourse! Fans cheer as Jericho and Ishii keep up their cat ‘n’ mouse game. Jericho decides to go into the stands! Ishii follows, and they head down the bleachers towards ringside! Jericho hurries over railing but so does Ishii. They go into the ring, and now Jericho tells Ishii to stop following him! Jericho wants a mic, a mic is brought, and Jericho says hey, listen, Ishii. Jericho would sign this contract, but he doesn’t have a pen. Ishii has a pen! Oh. Ishii clicks it for Jericho, and pushes it into him.
Jericho takes the pen, looks at the contract again, and still hesitates. Jericho signs his part, and then hands things over to Ishii. But then BRYAN KEITH & BIG BILL ATTACK! It was all a massive set-up! Bad Apple & Redwood beat down Stone Pitbull, and then sit him up! Jericho has the pen ready, but here comes The Conglomeration! Mark Briscoe & Rocky Romero rush in, and Mark TACKLES Jericho! Rocky fires off on Bill while Mark CHOKES Jericho! Keith saves Jericho from Mark but Mark fires hands on Keith! The fans fire up, but then Bill SKYSCRAPER- NO, Mark UPPERCUTS Bill first! Rocky adds on!
The fans fire up as The Conglomeration pinballs Bill, and then Ishii CLOBBERS him! Bill tumbles out, but Rocky DIVES! Bill is sent into railing! Keith stands up, into a kick and underhooks! JAY DRILLER! Jericho stands up, Ishii has him, and hits a BRAINBUSTER!! Conglomeration stands tall over The Learning Tree and his Branches, and now Ishii signs his part! The match is now official, and Ishii is looking to take a bite out of Jericho! Will The Conglomeration have the ROH World Championship to be thankful for this year?
Backstage interview with Jamie Hayter.
Renee is with the former AEW Women’s World Champion and notes that last time, we were going to hear from her, only for her to be interrupted by Julia Hart. What is Hayter’s reaction to that? Well, yeah, she isn’t angry, but she is baffled why Julia chose to interrupt Hayter. They’ve never really spoken or interacted, or even wrestled each other. Hayter is just curious as to why Julia felt it was okay to do that. Granted, Julia can do whatever she wants, Hayter moves to the beat of her own drum just as much as Julia. But… if Julia wants to have a chat-
Uh oh, something is happening to the video! Brody King’s message echoes, “It’s time to come home.” Julia Hart walks through the woods. Brody says The House is her foundation. She has seen her rebirth. Now it is time to rebuild. She has woken up stronger, more determined, and more dangerous than ever. Julia aims her arrow to shoot down a target: her past self. Her obstacles are just bull’s eyes. She is the Princess of the Black Throne, and the Keeper of Secrets. She is Julia Hart, and her heart grows harder. She hits her mark, but will she find Hayter Hits Hard?
Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta!
Freshly Squeezed has been accused of being coldblooded and uncaring, but he got pretty heated as he told The Conglomeration to keep themselves safe tonight. He goes 1v1 with The Decoder, a young man who was once Cassidy’s student, and who left him behind to join the then Blackpool Combat Club. If anyone is uncaring, it is Yuta with how he would then follow Jon Moxley’s lead in the destruction of Bryan Danielson and Chuck Taylor. Who will be the more ferocious fighter tonight, this close to Full Gear?
The bell rings and Yuta SHOTGUNS Cassidy! Yuta follows Cassidy to a corner to CHOP, then ROCK, then CHOP again! Yuta whips corner to corner but Cassidy goes up and out. Cassidy bumps Yuta off buckles, climbs up top, but has to leap over. Yuta comes back but Cassidy catches him to a backslide! TWO, but Cassidy reels Yuta in for a cradle! TWO! Yuta pulls on an ear! But Cassidy arm-drags and wrangles Yuta into the SEATBELT! TWO!! Yuta escapes and the fans fire up as these two stand off. Yuta huffs ‘n’ puffs, but Cassidy shows he wants a grapple. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but Cassidy blocks a kick!
Cassidy reels Yuta in for a headlock, but Yuta powers up and out. Cassidy ducks ‘n’ rolls, tilt-o-whirls, but Yuta suplexes! Into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Yuta tumbles out and fans fire up! Cassidy builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Yuta and the fans fire up again! Cassidy brings Yuta up, whips, but Yuta reverses to reel Cassidy in! Cassidy fights the suplex, but then Yuta fights a suplex. Yuta suplexes, to RAILING BRAINBUSTER!! Cassidy writhes and fans are stunned! Yuta stomps Cassidy, then leaves him behind for the ring count. Cassidy crawls into the ring, Yuta exposes a crossbar, and then he GRINDS Cassidy’s face into the steel!
The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Yuta steps off at 4. Cassidy seethes as he rises up, but Yuta has him at the corner. Cassidy kicks Yuta’s legs out and Yuta falls onto a turnbuckle! Yuta falls back, Cassidy climbs, but Yuta grabs Cassidy first! Yuta drags Cassidy down but Cassidy fires hands. Yuta squeezes the facelock tight, then hits an APRON DDT! The fans boo Yuta while Cassidy writhes, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cassidy clutches his neck while Yuta waits in the ring. A ring count starts and Yuta eggs Cassidy on. Cassidy reaches up as the count reaches 5 of 10, but he doesn’t sit up until 6. Cassidy hobbles up, stumbles and falls, but springs back to life! He slides in at 9! Only for Yuta to be right on him! Yuta reels Cassidy in, but Cassidy turns that into BEACH BREAK! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy is too sore to be frustrated. They both sit up, and Yuta crawls his way over to a corner. Cassidy rises, checks his neck, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Yuta goes up, but Cassidy JUMP FOREARMS! Cassidy positions Yuta just right before he climbs the corner.
Yuta resists but Cassidy still brings Yuta up. Yuta continues to fight the suplex, throws body shots, then shoves Cassidy down. Cassidy rolls back to his feet, runs back up the corner, but Yuta again fights the suplex! Cassidy fires hands, but Yuta fires back! They brawl up top, Cassidy HEADBUTTS Yuta! But Yuta HEADBUTTS back! They both wobble, but then Cassidy BITES Yuta! The ref reprimands, but Cassidy CLAWS Yuta’s back! This is very Moxley of him to do! And then Cassidy hits the SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the ref checks. They’re both okay to continue, so a standing count begins!
Cassidy sits up, spots Yuta, and heads that way. Yuta sits up, they fire forearms as they stand! Dynamite returns to single picture as these shots go back and forth. The fans fire up for Cassidy but boo Yuta as the shots go faster and faster! Yuta BITES Cassidy’s forehead! Yuta spits then runs, but Cassidy dodges! BODY BLOW! SUPERKICK! Yuta sits down, Cassidy runs, PENALTY KICK! Cassidy slashes his throat, hauls Yuta up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy seethes. Cassidy rains down fists on Yuta! The ref reprimands about closed fists and hair pulling, but Cassidy doesn’t stop until the ref counts 4.
Cassidy stands, and he throws off the elbow pad! Cassidy aims at Yuta, runs up, but Yuta ducks the punch! GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta runs to CHOP in the corner! And then a wrench and PAIN THRILLER! The fans boo while Yuta seethes and stands over Cassidy. Yuta sits Cassidy up, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! But Cassidy blocks one! And bends fingers, to then SNAP them! The fans fire up as Cassidy SNAPS finger after finger! Yuta swings, Cassidy BOOTS him, then serves up SOLE FOOD! Scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy is busting out all his best friends’ best moves, but he hasn’t gotten it done!
Cassidy aims, loads up, and ORANGE- NO, Yuta ducks! Orange fights the suplex, switches to O’Conner Roll! TWO, Yuta dodges Cassidy, scoops him, and CROSS LEG TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO?!? Cassidy survives and Yuta is furious! The fans are thunderous, but Yuta rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Cassidy grits his teeth but he’s almost a ragdoll! Yuta lets off to then hook the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION!! Cassidy endures as Yuta thrashes him around! Cassidy powers up as the fans rally, and he kicks around to the ROPEBREAK!! Yuta holds on, the ref counts, and Yuta finally lets go at 4!
The ref reprimands Yuta, but Yuta pushes past the ref to go outside the ring. Yuta grabs a chair! Yuta storms into the ring while the fans boo, and the ref says don’t do it! Cassidy dodges the chair shot! Victory roll, CASSIDY WINS!!
Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall
Yuta is in disbelief! Cassidy beat him with a technical move! Yuta snarls but the ref keeps him back. Cassidy did what he promised in beating Yuta, but then he stares his former student down. Is Cassidy going to offer a handshake? WAIT, PAC ATTACKS! The Bastard BOOTS Cassidy down so we’ll never know what Cassidy was going to do! The fans boo more but Pac & Yuta stand on Cassidy. The rest of the Death Riders appear, and Marina Shafir has duct tape! The AEW World Trios Champions stomp away on Cassidy, like vultures picking the bones. Moxley steps into the ring while Marina hands the tape over to Pac.
Claudio puts Cassidy’s hands in his pockets, and then Pac tapes them in! Cassidy is physically bound, and Moxley paces around. Cassidy is pushed around by all the Death Riders, then Moxley DECKS him! Claudio hauls Cassidy back up, the Death Riders keep bullying him, and then Moxley SLAPS Cassidy down! But the bullying continues as they stand Cassidy up. Cassidy “kicks” Moxley! Defiant to the end! But Moxley DECKS him again! Moxley paces around more, then stomps Cassidy right on the face! Moxley leads The Death Riders away, and The Conglomeration finally comes out here.
Mark has scissors to cut Cassidy loose, and the fans boo as The Death Riders still retreat. Cassidy tries to stand up, but he has to use ropes to do it. Even so, Cassidy stands on his own two feet. Moxley eggs on the fans while Cassidy puts his sunglasses on. And then hands up, and then into the pockets! Try as they might, The Death Riders could not break the Freshly Squeezed fighting spirit! Will Cassidy finally become AEW World Champion? Or will Moxley find a way to break Cassidy at Full Gear?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home Dynamite here, though it felt like it contracted Go Home Syndrome. A lot of recap and other promos, but good promos all the same. Good follow-up from last week with Hayter and Hart, that will probably really get going after Full Gear. Good promo from Mariah & Mina to hype up their celebration segment for Full Gear, and with Toni Storm’s announcement of her retirement, you can bet Toni is anything but retired! Toni Storm most assuredly will return very soon, maybe even to ruin the celebration and spark another feud. I still want us to get to Mariah VS Mina but maybe Storm moves things back so that Mariah VS Mina happens in 2025.
Good promo from Private Party to also have AJ & Big Justice show up. The promos didn’t really add much to any of the matches, though. I’m very sure AJ does hit the BOOM on QT to win, and then Private Party finds a way to survive the Fatal 4. Great stuff with Perry, Garcia and Menard, that was another very action movie kind of promo, maybe even like that grittier Batman movie. But with Garcia not sinking to the same lows as Perry, that will be why Garcia loses. Honestly, why not just have Perry blatantly get himself disqualified? What great heat for Perry while keeping Garcia strong in not becoming TNT Champion.
Great promos in this MJF story. I appreciate Cole throwing his support behind Roddy was good, as well as Kyle O’Reilly wanting Cole to just leave it at this. MJF of course insults Roddy over his past while also trashing Cole at the same time, but great response from Roddy. Also I’m not a car guy so it took me a little too long to Google out what car MJF was driving. Anyway, given all these promos, I am very confident MJF wins at Full Gear and then Cole still wants after MJF, only for Kyle to have to fight Cole to make him stop. Then we’ll maybe get Cole VS MJF at Worlds End, or even some time in 2025.
Very good stuff with The Hurt Syndicate, even with them getting jumped by Swerve. Poor Cheeseburger, that’s one fan favorite that got fed to Bobby Lashley. But Swerve getting the better of the Hurt Syndicate again and again tonight, all the more reason Lashley wins at Full Gear. Very good promo vignette from White and Hangman to hype up their grudge match, which still feels it could go either way since they’re tied on the year. And Jericho and Ishii had perhaps simultaneously the most clever and most ridiculous contract signing segment ever. And of course Jericho worked out some sort of trap, only for it to go badly for him and his team. But with that, that means Ishii is losing next week, as I figured he would.
Awesome opening match with the 8 Man, and I liked that they had Hobbs do the “fighting through the pain” angle in the match. Also, great bit with Kyle Fletcher sending Davis into harm’s way so that the Callis Family can get the better of Ospreay’s team. I thought the Faces were going to win here, but the math now says Ospreay finds a way to beat Kyle, and maybe Ricochet takes the International Championship from Konosuke Takeshita. The Continental Classic is coming, and they could easily use that round robin to get Konosuke back to a feud with Kazuchika Okada and they battle for the Continental Championship at Worlds End like we should’ve gotten at WrestleDream.
Awesome match from Kris VS Shida, and I appreciate the crisis of confidence for Shida. Kris gets a great win to go into Full Gear, and then Kris and Shida get the better of Mone & Kamille, so all the more reason Mone finds a way to survive. As for Kamille, I feel like she should ditch Mone for being treated like crap by Mone, and maybe we can get a feud of Mone VS Kamille going into 2025. And of course, plenty of promos from Death Riders and “Team AEW” members. Moxley just kinda went on and on about stuff he’s already said in reference to Cassidy, but I did like Claudio going bilingual in talking trash on Darby.
Awesome matches from those stories, of course. Darby really got thrown around but he continues to show that toughness. Claudio getting the win mostly keeps Darby back so that Darby can build towards a world title match at Worlds End. Cassidy VS Yuta was great stuff, too, with great back and forth of Cassidy wanting to end it quick, having to grit it out with Yuta, and then Cassidy still finding a way to end it with a quick pin. And they did a good job muddying the math. Cassidy wins the match, but the Death Riders beat him down, only for Cassidy to literally stand tall at the end of the show. I still don’t see him taking the world title from Moxley, though, with Darby still in the wings, but this could end up Cassidy’s best match yet.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will this be the mightiest Tag League yet?
It’s time for NJPW World Tag League 2024, and this year already looks mighty good as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr, is in the A Block! Will he and Ryohei Oiwa make everyone #JustTapOut?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Masatora Yasuda; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Taiji Ishimori & The Filip Brothers; Taiji & The Filip Brothers win.
- Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Douki & Taka Michinoku VS The United Empire; Taichi, Douki & Taka win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Takagi & Tsuji win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
PLAY BY PLAY
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!
The Roughneck is bringing Everyone’s Kokeshi along for the ride, but this league might already be too much to handle. Can Honma help Shota bring about his Paradigm Shift? Or will they just get conquered by the United Empire?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against The Imperial Unit. The bell rings and Shota runs up to RAM Cobb! And RAM! And RAM! Cobb stays up so Shota kicks low. Shota runs to RAM Cobb, but Cobb rebounds to CLOBBER Shota! The fans cheer while Cobb stalks Shota. Cobb brings Shota up to whip him to a corner. Shota comes back to RAM Cobb! Cobb stays up, so Shota clinches! Cobb fights free with elbows, but Shota dodges a lariat to RAM Cobb! Cobb falls over! The fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Cobb up again. Callum runs in so Shota shoves Cobb aside to catch Callum. Shota shoves Callum at Honma for a shoulder tackle!
The fans fire up as Shota keeps moving and he SOMERSAULT SENTONS Callum! Shota then sets up so he and Honma can tabletop Cobb! Cobb sits up into Shota’s SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Shota tags Honma. The fans rally behind Honma as he CLUBS Cobb. Honma reels Cobb in, but Cobb suplexes first! Cobb SLAMS Honma down, then calls for Callum. Callum rises but Cobb says hold on. The “Cobby Cat” mocks Honma by bopping himself on the head. Cobb then runs to FALLING KOKESHIÂ FLOP! Honma winds up and runs, but Callum is in the way! Cobb runs up, Honma dodges the lariat but Callum tags in.
Cobb dodges Honma, then shoves him at Callum. They pinball Honma around, and Callum BOOTS Honma while Cobb BLASTS Shota! Then Callum & Cobb coordinate to HIGH LOW with a shoulder tackle and leg sweep! The fans cheer and Cobb says You Can’t See Him! Callum stomps Honma, then KICKS him in the back. Honma gets mad but Callum scuffs him again and again. Honma rises, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Callum CHOPS and pretends that hurt his hand. Callum CLUBS Honma down but the fans rally up. Honma rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Callum kicks low, reels him in, but Honma fights the suplex!
Honma catches Callum’s lariat to spin and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum and Honma crawl, but Honma hot tags Shota! Shota rallies on Callum with big elbows! Shota whips, Callum reverses, but SHota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Callum! Cobb runs up, but Shota arm-drags him, then dropkicks the legs out! Cobb bails, Shota fires up, and the fans rally again. Shota whips Callum corner to corner, runs up on him, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Callum in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let that slow him down!
Shota waits on Callum, then runs, but Callum avoids Ignition to hook Shota! Shota fights the backslide so Callum whips him to a corner. Callum runs up but Shota dodges! Shota runs up but Callum goes up and over! Callum keeps moving, but Shota ROCKS him, UPPERCUTS him, and runs! Callum follows to ROCK Shota at the ropes! Callum runs, but then stops to fake out Shota’s dropkick! Shota sits up, but he ducks the Penalty Kick! Shota rolls Callum but Callum rolls through. Shota ROCKS Callum, then spins, but Callum dodges the rolling elbow! DREAMCAST KICK! Shota drops to his knees and the fans fire up!
Callum and Shota crawl, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb runs up to waistlock Shota for a deadlift! Shota fights with elbows, goes to run, but Cobb reels him in for a forearm to the back! Cobb runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up again and Shota heads for his corner. Hot tag to Honma! The fans rally as Honma CHOPS Cobb, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Honma puts Cobb in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up. Honma ELBOWS Cobb and hits a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma shows Cobb how it’s done! FALLING KOKESHI- NO! Now Honma FLOPS as Cobb moves! Callum runs up to SHOTGUN Shota off the apron!
The fans fire up as Cobb RAMS Honma into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH! Callum drops down and Cobb LEAPS over to ELBOW Honma! Callum comes back and Cobb pops him up to the apron! ENZIGIRI, then fireman’s carry! Callum climbs, DOUBLE STOMP ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! PENALTY KICK and GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Shota breaks it! The fans fire up and Shota TOSSES Callum! Cobb kicks Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota shouts to Honma and the fans fire up again. Honma rises and he storms up on Cobb. Honma & Shota double whip corner to corner!
Honma runs up to LARIAT! Honma feeds Cobb to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma LARIATS, Shota clinches, EXPLODER!! The fans cheer and Honma runs, SLIDING KOKESHI! Shota keeps moving, IGNITION! Honma covers, Callum breaks it! Shota stomps Callum out of the ring and leaves the rest to Honma. Honma drags Cobb up, but Cobb fights the suplex! Cobb ROCKS Honma, whips him, but Honma grabs ropes! Honma BOOTS Cobb, and Shota joins in! DOUBLE RUNNING KOKESHI! And then they DOUBLE FALLING KOKESHI! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Shota goes after Callum! CANNONBALL to the floor!
The fans fire up again as Honma climbs! FLYING- NO, Cobb catches Honma! SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives and the fans fire up again! But then Cobb reels Honma in, for a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, United Empire wins!
Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
A powerful showing from “The Kokeshi Brothers,” but they could not bring down Callum & Cobb. With the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships already on Great-O-Khan & Henare, will The United Empire completely dominate the NJPW Heavyweight Tag Division?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & ???
Los Ingobernables de Japon’s heavy formation is in this block, ready to rampage like twin dragons. If only The Sauce could’ve brought his own monster back. Who will be the substitute for Lance Archer? And can he help heat things up?
Zayne makes his entrance before anyone else, and asks to speak on the mic. A mic is given, and Zayne says, “Kon’nichiwa.” The fans applaud, and Zayne explains that when he was contacted this year for WTL, he was also informed that Lance Archer could not make it. Zayne knew he had to do one thing: find the most “delicious” tag partner he could find. And that man is… RYUSUKE TAGUCHI!? The fans can’t believe the Funky Weapon is joining Zayne in this tournament! And he wears a green version of Zayne’s gear! Are things about to get really spicy now?
The teams sort out, and Takagi is in disbelief. LIJ fist bumps and the fans applaud. Taguchi and Zayne bow, “Itadakimasu,” and Zayne starts against Yota. They circle, tie up, and Yota powers Zayne back. But Zayne powers Yota back! Yota powers up to power Zayne onto the ropes, but Zayne turns things around. The ref counts, Zayne lets off slowly with a pat on the shoulders, but Yota plays with Zayne’s hair. Zayne smirks and Yota grins as the two reset. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yota headlocks, but Zayne powers up and out. Yota RAMS Zayne but neither man falls. Fans cheer as Yota grins and Zayne plays with his own hair.
Things speed up suddenly, and Zayne sidesteps. Yota bucks the O’Conner Roll, then gets around Zayne. Zayne ELBOWS Yota away to a corner. Zayne runs up to BACK ELBOW and go to the apron in one go! Then he slingshots to RANA! Yota has a rough tumble, but he stands back up. Zayne runs up again, dodges the lariat and waistlocks, only to bring Yota back and run. Yota sidesteps Zayne then drops down, only for Zayne to IMPLODER KNEE DROP! The fans fire up but Zayne keeps moving, STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans cheer more while Zayne grins at Takagi. Zayne brings Yota up, tags Taguchi, and they double whip.
“Funky Sauce” misdirects Yota to hit a BULLDOG then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Taguchi stomps Yota. Taguchi brings Yota up, kicks low, then whips. Yota reverses but Taguchi RANAS! A little slippery, but then Zayne BLASTS Takagi off the apron! Funky Sauce takes aim, Taguchi PLANCHASÂ but flops as Yota moves! Zayne is on the apron but Takagi YANKS Zayne down! The fans rally but Takagi hauls Zayne up to whip him into railing! Yota drags Taguchi up and puts him in the ring. Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he stands Taguchi up. LIJ double whip Taguchi to then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!
The fans cheer and then Takagi SENTONS! Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Yota tags Takagi. The fans rally and duel while Takagi stands Taguchi up. Takagi bumps Taguchi off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then digs his shoulder in. The ref counts, Takagi steps back, and he snapmares Taguchi down. Tag to Yota and Yota drags Taguchi up. Yota snapmares Taguchi to ROCK him in the back! Taguchi falls back, Yota tags Takagi, and LIJ drags Taguchi up. They DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi hobbles in pain, falls to his knees, and Takagi BLASTS Zayne off the apron!
Takagi gets annoyed with this Funky Sauce, but Taguchi fires off CHOPS! Taguchi runs, but Takagi easily dodges the hip attack! Takagi then suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and the fans fire up. Takagi hears the fans dueling as he stomps Taguchi. Takagi KNEES Taguchi against the ropes again and again, then whips, for another KNEE! Takagi runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi and Takagi crawl, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne jumps in and DECKS Takagi, then he BLASTS Yota! Zayne swats a lariat to fire elbow after ELBOW!
Takagi blocks the superkick to CLUB the leg! Yota joins in, LIJ whips Zayne, but Zayne KICKS Takagi, mule kicks Yota, and runs, DOUBLE SOMERSAULT KICKS! The fans fire up and Zayne runs at Takagi. Takagi ELBOWS Zayne, BOOTS him, then goes up. Zayne returns to JUMPING STEINERS! The fans fire up while Zayne covers, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Zayne brings him right up. Zayne goes to scoop but Takagi fights it! Zayne CHOPS, scoops, and BAJA- NO, Takagi slips free! SLIDING- NO, Zayne dodges! Zayne mule kicks, runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKONÂ feint and DDT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!
Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota fires up and the fans are with him. Yota brings Zayne around to whip, but Zayne stops himself. Zayne dodges Yota, Yota dodges Zayne, and both men kick low! Yota comes back to BOOT! The fans cheer and Yota brings Zayne up again. Yota fireman’s carries but Zayne fights free. Yota ROCKS Zayne first! Yota tries another fireman’s carry but Zayne sunset flips it! TWO, and both men stand! Zayne rolls Yota, BASEMENT ENZIGIRI! Zayne hurries to hot tag Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS in a corner! Taguchi goes corner to corner, for another HIP ATTACK!
Taguchi keeps moving, but Yota runs up! Taguchi dropkicks Yota’s legs out! The fans fire up and Taguchi keeps going! Another dropkick to legs, then a LEG SWEEP! Taguchi rolls Yota into the OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Zayne BOOTS Takagi off the apron! Yota scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he brings Yota back up. Taguchi traps Yota and Zayne runs in to ELBOW! Zayne then sets up and Taguchi runs, SHOTGUN IN MOTION! Taguchi then brings Yota out to GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up as Zayne climbs! But Yota KICKS Taguchi away, then GAMANGIRIS Zayne off the corner!
Taguchi kicks Yota, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Takagi slides in, and he finds the camera, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has come, and they join in on a chant of “OI! OI! OI!” LIJ whips Taguchi to a corner, then Yota runs in to ELBOW! Takagi whips Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi adds a LARIAT, then feeds Taguchi to a BOOT! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! SUPERKICK! Taguchi is down, Yota covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans fire up. Takagi stands Taguchi up and throws him to Yota for a POWERBOMB! Cover, Zayne breaks it! Takagi drags Zayne up, LIJ mugs him, but he fights back with CHOPS!
The fans fire up but Yota spins Zayne around to facelock, and Takagi wheelbarrows. Yota helps Takagi swing Taguchi down, then up for a BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! The fans fire up and Takagi leaves it to Yota. Yota takes aim and the fans rally. Taguchi rises, Yota runs in, GENE- LEG DROP!? And then La Magistrol! TWO!! Yota escapes in time, but Taguchi spins him to a backslide! TWO!! Yota escapes again! But Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi fires up and the fans are with him! But Takagi LARIATS! GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER!! And now Yota loads up, for the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
The Funky Sauce was hot, but they’re the ones that got burned! Will they be able to spice things up in the second round? Will Takagi & Tsuji keep the tag league tranquilo?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi once again clash with The Fang & The Jewel, both sides hungry for gold. Will it be Lights Out in the opening round? Or will someone just #Go2Sleep?
The teams sort out but then Bullet Club just attacks! Chase is after Goto and Kenta is after Hashi, and they put each man in corners. The bell rings to get this on record as Kenta TOSSES Hashi. Chase CHOKES Goto in the corner, then stands on him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off to bring Goto up. Chase ROCKS Goto, whips him, and Kenta POSTS Hashi! Chase hits a big hip toss then covers, TWO! The fans rally up while Chase stomps Goto’s leg. Chase scrapes his sole off Goto’s face, and Kenta whips Hashi again. Hashi reverses and Kenta hits railing in front of English commentary! Chase ROCKS Goto, CHOPS him, then whips.
Goto grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Chase! Hashi returns and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZENMAI! Kenta returns but Bishamon kicks him first. “Se no!” Bishamon BEATS Kenta like a drum! The fans cheer and Bishamon flexes. Goto then goes back to Chase to stomp and CLUB him down. Goto kicks Chase, Chase shoves Goto and ROCKS him with a forearm! Goto knees Chase low, runs, but Chase TOSSES Goto out! Goto hurries back up, he counter punches Chase, and then counter punches Kenta! Chase slips out to YANK Goto down and THROW him into railing! Kenta intercepts Hashi with a kick!
Kenta whips Hashi away into railing while Chase sends Goto into other railing! The ref reprimands but Chase brings Goto through the gate. Chase has fans move out of the way, but then brings Goto back to ringside. Chase grins as he trolls the fans and pushes Goto into the ring. Kenta CLUBS away on Hashi before leaving him behind. Chase pulls on Goto’s arms then TWEAKS Goto’s neck! Not a twist, but equally painful. Chase tags Kenta while the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Kenta pushes Goto into the corner, Goto hits Chase, but Kenta RAMS Goto! The ref reprimands and counts as Kenta RAMS Goto more!
Kenta sits Goto down, and digs his boot in! The ref counts, Kenta stops at 4, and he tags Chase back in. They stomp Goto more, then Chase headlocks for a sucker punch! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Goto up and he bumps Goto off Kenta’s boot. Tag to Kenta and Bullet Club double whips. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down then Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta covers again, TWO! Kenta argues with the ref but the count was fair. Kenta drops an elbow, drops another elbow, then covers, TWO! Kenta gets mad at Hashi for no reason, but the fans rally up for Goto. Kenta CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires CHOPS in return!
Kenta knees low, whips Goto to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into a BOOT! Kenta runs but Goto follows! Goto avoids Chase’s cheap shot to LARIAT Kenta! The fans fire up while Goto and Kenta are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hahsi BLASTS Chase! Kenta kicks Hashi low then whips him to a corner. Kenta runs up but Hashi CHOPS in return! And mule kicks! And turns Kenta for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi watches Kenta. Hashi waits on Kenta to rise, then runs up to CHOP! Hashi hoists Kenta up to hang him out to dry! The fans fire up as Hashi runs, and he DROPKCISK Kenta down! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer Hashi on as he brings Kenta up. Hashi reels Kenta in, lifts, but Kenta fights with fists! Kenta slips free of the bomb, then slips around Hashi to spin and- NO, Hashi suplexes first! But Kenta slips free again, and he spins Hashi around, to SPIKE DDT! Hashi is stood up on his head before falling over, and Kenta tags in Chase. Chase brings Hashi up and fireman’s carries. Hashi fights free of that, but Chase slips around to half nelson, lift, and SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Chase says time to end this! Chase takes aim, C- NO, Hashi dodges the trigger! Chase knees low, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs!
The fans fire up whiel both men are down! Chase clutches his leg while Hashi crawls. Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs at Chase to LARIAT in the corner! Goto whips corner to corner, runs up again, but Chase BOOTS him! But Goto comes back! Only for Chase to BUCKLE SHOT and STO, then SENTON! Kenta steps in and Bullet Club drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms and CHOPS! Kenta SOBATS! Chase KICKS! Kenta ROUNDHOUSES! Goto sits up into the “I HATE YOU!” PENALTY KICK! Cover, but Hashi breaks it! Kenta TOSSES Hashi then goes out after him. Chase drags Goto up and reels him in.
Chase tucks the arms but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches out but Chase ROCKS him first! Chase runs, Goto follows, but Chase ENZIGIRIS! Goto stays up, but the C-TRIGGER hits! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Chase hurries up! C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK!! And then the tuck for the PACKAGE PILE- NO, Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up, Kenta BOOTS Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries Kenta but Kenta slips free! Kenta shoves Goto into Hashi, then waistlocks Goto. Goto fights the lift, and then ducks, HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK for Kenta! The fans fire up as Bishamon regroups.
Hashi drags Chase up, whips him to Goto, but Chase BOOTS Goto! Chase swings on Hashi but Hashi ducks the lariat. Hashi powers Chase to ropes, Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then Hashi rolls Chase. Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has the legs! Chase BOOTS Hashi away! Chase then slips around to dragon sleeper, to steal G T- NO, Goto drops down to victory roll! Chase stands up, into a SUPERKICK! Goto drags Chase around while Hashi BLASTS Kenta! Dragon sleeper and SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)
Another classic in this storied rivalry, worthy of the titles themselves! Will this first win be the win that leads the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter back to the titles? Can Kenta & Chase borrow a page from Bishamon and #GetBackUp in the next round?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
TMDK has a team in each block, doubling their chances of taking this league. But perhaps burying the lead is the fact that THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is joining in the fun! Will The Front Man & The Mullet rock this league right from the start? Or will the Mad Man and the turncoat Cold Skull get this tournament #WarReady?
The teams sort out but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face. Gabe pushes Oiwa, they start, and they tie up at the bell. The fans rally as Oiwa and Gabe are in a deadlock. They go around at center, then Oiwa digs his heels in to push Gabe back. Gabe turns things around to put Oiwa on ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Gable lets off, to then CHOP! Gabe scoops and SLAMS Oiwa, then he goes for legs. Oiwa UPKICKS Gabe, then stands up to scoop and SLAM Gabe! Gabe UPKICKS back, both men get up and go face to face. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as Oiwa gets the edge, but Gabe CHOPS!
Gabe headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Gabe eggs OIwa on and he runs to RAM Gabe! They both run now, and they RAM shoulders again, and again, and again! Gabe CHOPS then runs, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Gabe! The fans fire up while Gabe bails out. Oiwa eggs Gabe on and Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes the railing in frustration, then he paces around the outside. Gabe cools off, slides in, but then tags Sanada. Sanada steps in slowly, so Oiwa tags in ZSJ. The two rivals circle and the afns rally behind “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” ZSJ and Sanada feel things out, knuclke lock, and ZSJ rolls to wrench.
Sanada is already frustrated so he kicks ZSJ low! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and then Gabe goes after Oiwa! Gabe CHOPS away on Oiwa while Sanada sends ZSJ into railing! And then more railing! Gabe does the same to Oiwa, and Sanada storms up on ZSJ. Sanada CLAWS ZSJ’s back, a definite attitude change showing. Gabe Too Sweets with Taiji Ishimori on commentary while Sanada pushes ZSJ into the ring. Sanada whips ZSJ to a corner, but ZSJ goes up, under, around, and RAMS into Sanada! ZSJ snapmares, Sanada handsprings through, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! Tag to Oiwa and he BLASTS Gabe!
Oiwa goes back to Sanada and stands him up. Oiwa wrenches an arm, YANKS it, then wrenches to YANK it again. Oiwa tags ZSJ and ZSJ brings Sanada around to wrench, step over, and wrangle into a mounted armbar! Sanada endures as ZSJ bends the fingers and isolates the arm, to STOMP it! The fans cheer, ZSJ tags Oiwa, and Oiwa CLUBS Sanada’s arm. Oiwa headlocks for a takeover, then isolates the arm in an short arm scissor! The fans rally while Sanada endures and kicks around. Sanada reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Oiwa lets Sanada go, but then Oiwa brings Sanada up.
Oiwa whips, Sanada reverses, and Gabe trips Oiwa up! Sanda BLASTS ZSJ while Oiwa drags Oiwa out of the ring! Now things spill out into the crowd! Gabe CHOPS Oiwa, then SMACKS him off empty chairs! Sanada BOWLS ZSJ into chairs! Not quite a strike, so Sanada JAMS ZSJ up with a chair! That picks up the spare, and we can hear Gabe’s CHOPS on Oiwa echo out. Gabe stomps Oiwa while Sanada CHOKES ZSJ with a chair! Red Shoes reprimands the War Dogs, but Gabe POSTS Oiwa! Gabe says War Dogs run this, but Red Shoes starts a ring count. Gabe flexes on Oiwa, then drags him up at 7 of 20.
Gabe puts Oiwa in at 10 and Sanada covers, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans rally behind him. Sanada is annoyed but he brings Oiwa up. Sanada CLUBS Oiwa, then bumps him off Gabe’s boot. Oiwa sputters while Sanada tags Gabe in. Gabe drags Oiwa up, mockingly asks where Zack-senpai went, then he UPPERCUTS Oiwa down. Gabe TOSSES Oiwa out, and he BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! Sanada whips Oiwa into railing! Gabe lifts ZSJ bu tZSJ wrenches free to KIMURA! Gabe powers through, to BITE ZSJ on the forehead! Sanada sends Oiwa into more railing, Gabe sends ZSJ through railing and into chairs!
Sanada BOWLS Oiwa into chairs now, there is the strike! Sanada continues to show his new edge as he JAMS Oiwa up with a chair. Red Shoes reprimands so Sanada brings Oiwa back to ringside. Sanada puts Oiwa in for Gabe and Gabe pushes Oiwa to a cover. Red Shoes says no, all the shenanigans were not right. Gabe gets in Red Shoes’ face about that, but Red Shoes stands his ground. Gabe storms around while the fans rally behind Oiwa. Gabe drags Oiwa up, to CHOP! Oiwa wobbles but he rises up. Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires forearms! Gabe DECKS Oiwa with just one! The fans still rally for Oiwa but Gabe stands on Oiwa’s face!
Gabe soaks up the heat, scuffs Oiwa and stomps him around. Oiwa sits up, Gabe runs, but Oiwa reels him in! Gabe fights the waistlock, runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and Gabe crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Sanada! The fans fire up as ZSJ dodges Sanada, full nelsons, then spins him to a headlock. Sanada powers out but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada powers out to HIP TOSS, but ZJS UP KICKS! Sanada avoids the Penalty Kick, blocks the boot, but ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basment DROPKICK! The fans fire up and we’ve only hit 10 minutes!
ZSJ drags Sanada up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Sanada blocks the next to spin and suplex, but ZSJ says no to the Magic Screw! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada escapes but ZSJ stays focused. ZSJ stands Sanada up to scoop, but Sanada slips free. ZSJ fights the waistlock, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Sanada then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips free, to have the IRON OCTOPUS! The fans rally while Sanada endures, and Sanada powers out to have a leg! DROPPING DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ clutches the leg and Sanada takes aim! SHINING-
NO, ZSJ ducks, but Sanada catches him to a backslide! ZSJ rolls through to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Oiwa goes back to Sanada and brings him up. Oiwa whips Sanada to ropes, ELBOWS Him down, then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada! Oiwa deadlift GUT RWENCH PLEXES! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe CHOPS away on ZSJ and Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ & Oiwa DOUBLE DROPKICK Gabe down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he clamps onto Sanada with a SLEEPER! Sanada endures and fights up, but Oiwa thrashes him around!
Sanada still fights to his feet, slips around the back, and shoves Oiwa to ropes. Gabe trips Oiwa up! Oiwa kicks at Gabe but Sanada kicks ropes to jam Oiwa up! Sanada suplexes Oiwa into the MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Sanada crawls over, tag to Gabe, and Gabe storms right up on Oiwa. Gabe UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down! Gabe then puts Oiwa in a corner to fire off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Gabe digs his boots in while talking trash. Gabe shoves Red Shoes aside so he can keep stomping away on Oiwa! The fans rally and Red Shoes backs Gabe off.
Gabe seethes but the fans continue to rally for Oiwa. Oiwa grits his teeth as he sits up, but Gabe ROCKS him with another shot! Oiwa still looks up defiantly at Gabe, so Gabe fires shots! Gabe says Oiwa’s not worthy of being his NJPW Strong Openweight Challenger. Gabe says Oiwa’s just some “weak ass kohai!” Gabe SPITS on Oiwa, but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face! Gabe fires slapping strikes, blocks a shot, then SLAPS Oiwa again! Oiwa spins to DOUBLE CHOP Gsbe down! Sanada runs up and kicks low! Sanada whips, Oiwa reverses, but Sanada reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada!
Gabe runs up, ZSJ BOOTS him first! Gabe runs back in, slips out of the scoop, and he scoops ZSJ for EMERALD FLOWSON!! But Oiwa spins Gabe! Gabe avoids The Grip, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa is frustrated but the fans rally behind him. Oiwa hauls Gabe up, ANACONDA PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives again but Oiwa roars! Oiwa drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the gut wrench! Gabe CLUBS Oiwa on the back, then he gut wrenches! Oiwa fights back, wrenches out, and he blocks a lariat to spin. Gabe HAYMAKERS, and SAIDOS!! Gabe crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives! Gabe snarls and he drags Oiwa up. Gabe says this is the end. But Oiwa fights the suplex! Oiwa suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Oiwa still tries, but Gabe slips out to waistlock. Sanada DROPKCIKS Oiwa, Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe & Sanada work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Gabe suplexes again, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and tells Gabe to finish this! ZSJ RAMS Sanada, they brawl outside, and Gabe slashes his throat. Gabe drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oia slips through the gut wrench to backslide! TWO, and Gabe UPPERCUTS!
Gabe runs, but ZSJ is back! He BOOTS Gabe but Gabe SLAPS ZSJ! ZSJ KICKS the haymaker away to then ROUNDHOUSE Gabe! Sanada’s in to dragon sleeper! ZSJ arm-drags free, but Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ and Sanada flop out of the ring, leaving Oiwa and Gabe to rise up. They run at each other, to DOUBLE LARIAT! neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Oiwa PALM STRIKES! Gabe PALM STRIKES, CHOPS, JABS, rebounds, into a roll-up! Hig stack, TMDK WINS!!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall
Gabe is in shock! He gets right in Red Shoes’ face but Red Shoes says it was a fair count! Gabe then goes after Oiwa to CLOBBER him! The fans boo and Young Lions rush in, but Gabe eggs Oiwa on! So Oiwa obliges and they brawl among the fans! The Young Lions rush in to separate the two, but Gabe gets loose to CLOBBER Oiwa! They scrap, ZSJ joins in, and he pulls the two apart. Gabe kicks a chair in frustration, then goes into retreat. Wait, Oiwa chases Gabe to the ramp and beats him down! Young Lions again scramble in to stop this, but it just heads to the back! Sanada shrugs it off, will the #ColdWarDogs just have to try harder in the next round?
As for the winners, well, they’re no longer ringside so there won’t be any in-ring closing words. Backstage interviews begin, Gabe promises Oiwa will be put in the ground! Will the Mad Man show The Mullet what it takes to be NJPW Strong? As for ZSJ, he gathers himself, and tells NJPW Media that he doesn’t know where The Mullet went. Actually, no, he has an idea: The Mullet must be smashing the s*it outta Gabe. “Roy The Mullet” is the next NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Oiwa will hit Gabe so hard, his legs will turn into trombones! As for ZSJ, there is something rare happening in this year’s WTL, isn’t it?
Yes, it’s that the IWGP World EFFIN’ Heavyweight Champion is involved, as this should be! The first time the world champion’s been in this tournament in roughly a decade! ZSJ said he was gonna be a different kind of world champion for NJPW, and that he promises to take NJPW back to the top! Now obviously, a conflict of interests, as this tournament is Shane Haste’s & Mikey Nicholls’ to win, but ZSJ won’t give the boys an easy ride. ZSJ is dreaming~ of an all TMDK World Tag League finals! Then who knows, maybe Zack & Roy get the job done.
But ZSJ knows the Tokyo Dome is coming soon. And Shota Umino wants to be ZSJ’s challenger. ZSJ says he will be keeping his eyes wide open for Shota. ZSJ says he’ll have a DOUBLE main event in the Tokyo Dome, it’s in the bag. What about you, Shota? The Front Man heads out, having put the pressure on his challenger, but will all of NJPW soon belong to TMDK?
Here are the A Block standings!
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great start to World Tag League 2024, with just A Block opening things tonight. I will say those tune-up matches were interesting. Even though David Finlay is the Global Champion, it’s Taiji Ishimori that has apparently become Bullet Club’s international ambassador. Taiji brought Robbie X into the group, now he teamed with The Filip Brothers, Tome & Stevie, who knows who else Bone Soldier will recruit. Taiji’s team beating Tanahashi’s team, House of Torture cheating and beating Tanahashi’s friends, this is all putting the pressure on The Ace, meaning The Ace will win out at WrestleKingdom 19.
Shota Umino teaming with Tomoaki Honma, I wonder if this is to hold Shota back somehow. He is apparently still heading for WrestleKingdom and a world title match with ZSJ, so it’s not like Shota needs to win WTL, but I guess NJPW just wants Shota to give the fans a good time alongside a fan favorite like Honma. Also, Callum & Cobb have a fun new shirt for their team-up. I figured Zayne would need to improvise now that #MonsterSauce is no longer happening, and Taguchi was a great surprise choice. But #FunkySauce making its debut against a team as strong as Takagi & Tsuji was a shame because of course LIJ was winning that. Maybe Zayne & Taguchi can pull off a spoiler victory later on, but I don’t see Funky Sauce going that strong.
Bishamon VS Kenta & Chase really was an awesome match, and it is so surprising how Chase has grown in just the past couple years. Great win for Goto & Hashi, though, as they’re clearly the solid utility choices in the tag division. And what an awesome main event, with Sanada bringing out the most Heel stuff he’s done perhaps ever. A bit jarring really, but that’s just kinda old fashioned Heel turns for ya. Great win for TMDK, though, and definitely an unorthodox way of closing by having Oiwa and Gabe brawl all over ringside and into the back.
While ZSJ says it is big for the world champ to be in this tournament, which I do agree with on some level, it also makes some of the A Block action seem secondary. Gabe and Oiwa having their grudge was kinda the main motivator behind this match, and then it’ll be similar when Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa happens. There is the added drama of, “What if someone pins ZSJ? Will they get a world title match before WK19?” Maybe Shota solidifies his WK title match by being the one that pins ZSJ in their match, but it all just feels like more flash than substance. No one else is going to pin ZSJ, Oiwa probably takes whatever losses their team will take, so A Block’s story suffers for it.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (10/31/24)
IT'S TIME!
Hockey Talk- Jet Setters [102924]
Hockey Talk looks at the red-hot start to the season of the Winnipeg Jets and discusses how the defending champion...
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (11/20/24)
Dynamite is Freshly Squeezed!
Greg DeMarco Show: Looks That Kill
Patrick O'Dowd went to Arizona and he and Greg had themselves an extended weekend with IZW Looks That Kill!
Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (11/19/24)
It's Tag Season again!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (11/19/24)
There's a lot on the line tonight!
Classic POD is WAR: What Is Thank You Alex Trebek? (111220)
The Chairshot, brings you THE podcast that will absolutely have you questioning everything you thought you knew about professional wrestling,...
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (11/18/24)
It's a BIG night!
#TheOddity 018: That’s Alot Of Chalamets
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (11/16/24)
Championship or Bust!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Posthumously? Really??
Smash or Trash is back this week as the guys are talking beverages! Plus, some thoughts on the Mike Tyson/Jake...
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (11/15/24)
Ricochet is on a Rampage!
