Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/24/21)
We will learn #WhyColeWhy!
Will Santos Escobar be stripped of the NXT Cruiserweight Championship?
NXT Cruiserweight, Santos Escobar, must face his doom! Karrion Kross and Escobar battle in a NO DISQUALIFICATION match! That is, if Escobar shows up!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Dexter Lumis VS Johnny Gargano w/ The Way; Lumis wins.
- Tyler Rust w/ Malcolm Bivens VS Leon Ruff; No Contest.
- Io Shirai VS Zoey Stark; Shirai wins.
- Xia Li w/ Tian Sha VS Kacy Catanzaro w/ Kayden Carter; Xia wins, by referee stoppage.
- Grizzled Young Veterans VS Killian Dain & Drake Maverick; Grizzled Young Veterans win.
- No Disqualification: Santos Escobar w/ El Legado del Fantasma VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux; Kross wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Dexter Lumis VS Johnny Gargano w/ The Way!
The Tortured Artist snatched Austin Theory away just as Johnny Freakin’ TakeOver was about to take on Kushida on Vengeance Day! But then surprisingly, Lumis gave Theory back without much of a fight. Will Johnny Gargano make sure Lumis doesn’t get away with that unpunished?
Speaking of, The Way pumps up back stage with “That’s The Way we uh-huh, uh-huh, we like it!” Theory says that should be a song! Um… Is Theory okay? Yes, of course! Well alright, but he doesn’t have to push himself if he doesn’t want to. Theory says he’s fine, Indi keeps her eyes on Theory as they all make their way out to the ring. And they make sure Theory stays away from Lumis. The no-look high-five doesn’t really work out this time, but that’s something minor. Will the North American Champion come away with a win over Lumis tonight?
The fans taunt Gargano with “Johnny Sucks!” as the bell rings. Lumis stares Gargano down but Gargano is unsettled by the fans cheering Lumis on. Gargano tries the “what’s that?!” trick but Lumis doesn’t even look away as Gargano rushes in! Lumis shows fist, Gargano falls over and scrambles away! Lumis slithers after him and that creeps Gargano out more! Gargano bails of the ring, Lumis slides to the apron but Gargano hammers away on him! Gargano gets back in, slingshots but into an UPPERCUT! Lumis stares at Theory, Theory gets antsy, Lumis builds speed but Gargano slingshots in! Lumis slides under and Gargano’s spear FLOPS! Lumis then goes under the ring?!
Gargano looks for Lumis and The Way look for him, too. Theory says he’s found Lumis! He’s behind Gargano! What?! Gargano turns around into Lumis’ UPPERCUT! And another! Lumis ROCKS Gargano with haymakers, then throws body shots in the corner! Lumis whips Gargano corner to corner, runs in but Gargano boots him away! Gargano runs, but into the THESZ PRESS! Lumis rains down fists, runs and drops an ax handle! Cover, ONE! Fans rally and duel, Lumis reels Gargano in but he stares at Theory. Lumis suplexes and holds Gargano up for a count of 10, even as Gargano kicks and flails! Gargano can’t escape, Lumis SLAMS him down!
Gargano rolls away and regroups with The Way, but Lumis keeps his eyes locked on Gargano. Lumis goes out after Gargano but Gargano RAMS him into the apron! Gargano throws Lumis down on the ramp, then rains down left hands! The ref starts the ring count, Gargano refreshes it, and Gargano “apologizes” to the ref. Gargano lines up a shot, but Lumis ducks the Penalty Kick to kip up and TOSS Gargano into the apron! Fans fire up, Lumis drags Gargano up and ROCKS him with another uppercut! Lumis whips Gargano into the ring, but The Way lurks close! Theory says he was just trying to call Indi over, and Indi rushes up on Lumis, only for Lumis to stare her down!
Indi has a nervous smile as she backs away into a post, and nervously says, “Call me.” LeRae steps up, leaps, but the rana is blocked! Lumis pops Candice to the apron, but Gargano baseball slides under her to hit Lumis! Gargano builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and Lumis goes down as NXT goes picture in picture!
Gargano takes his time checking his chin while Lumis is down. The ref wants this to get back in the ring, Gargano checks with Theory but Theory says it worked out, didn’t it? Gargano bumps Lumis off the apron, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again! Gargano puts Lumis back in, aims but Lumis ROCKS him with a haymaker! Gargano still SLINGSHOT SPEARS in! Gargano fires off fists, storms around the ring, then brings Lumis up for haymakers. Candice snaps at Indi to get her to pay attention. Does the Way have to worry about both kids now? Gargano climbs up in the corner to rain down more fists on Lumis’ head!
Lumis keeps fighting Gargano so Gargano snapmares him and basement dropkicks him in the back! Cover, TWO! Lumis gets to ropes, Gargano chokes him! The ref counts, Gargano lets off at 4, and Lumis drags himself up. Gargano is on Lumis but Lumis throws forearms back! Lumis backs Gargano down to a corner, stomps away (I swear I’ll stop), but Gargano turns it around to fire off forearms in return! The ref counts, Gargano stops at 4, and pushes Lumis around. Gargano clubs Lumis on the back, brings him up and hits a Russian Leg Sweep! Cover, TWO! Gargano grows annoyed and he drags Lumis up to put back on ropes for choking!
The ref counts, Gargano backs off (see? no way pun!), and The Way taunts Lumis up close. Gargano brings Lumis up, scoops him and slams him! Cover, TWO! Gargano gets the arm, drags Lumis around and reels him into a Camel Clutch! Lumis endures, NXT returns to single picture, and again Candice has to snap Indi out of whatever trance she’s in. Lumis still endures as fans rally, and Lumis fights up. Gargano tries to hold on with a sleeper hold, but Lumis RAMS Gargano into buckles! Lumis is free but Gargano hops right back on! Gargano elbows Lumis, hooks him up, but Lumis powers out to a BACKBREAKER!
Fans fire up, Lumis and Gargano stagger up, and Gargano walks into a BIG right hand! Lumis rallies with haymakers and uppercuts! Gargano is in a corner, Lumis runs in and clotheslines, to a BULLDOG! Lumis suplexes Gargano to rebound him off the ropes! Gargano staggers up into a BIG back suplex! Lumis kips up and drops a LEG! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives and Candice is frustrated. Indi and Theory are the only ones not upset about this as Lumis hauls Gargano up. Gargano slips out of the scoop, ends up in a corner, and goes up and over Lumis to school boy! Lumis ducks the kick and stares down Gargano! Gargano gets the arm!
Johnny almost has GargaNO Escape, only for Lumis to roll over into the SILENCE!! Gargano scrambles around, ghost pins, TWO! Lumis sits up into a BUZZSAW! Gargano runs, into an UPPERCUT! Gargano rebounds, spins, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Lumis covers, TWO!! Gargano’s Wolverine-esque superhuman heart helps him survive! Lumis goes to a corner and climbs up and The Way moves away. Gargano runs in, Lumis punches him back, and Gargano falls to a drop zone! Lumis leaps, but he has to roll out of his double stomps as Gargano moves! Gargano kicks but Lumis gets under to get the clinch!
Gargano elbows out of that, runs, but into a pop-up UPPERCUT! Gargano SUPERKICKS on the rebound! Cover, TWO!! Lumis shocks Gargano with that and fans rally up! Candice distracts, Gargano tells the kids to get something for him. Theory goes to get a chair and he brings it over. Theory slides it in but Lumis stomps the chair down! The ref sees this and reprimands Gargano. Lumis uppercuts Gargano, Gargano ENZIGURIS! Gargano fakes his knee jamming, and he signals to Theory! Candice coaches Theory through getting on the apron and aiming at Lumis! Theory hesitates, Lumis stares Theory down, and Theory says, “My bad!”
Theory tries to explain, Gargano runs in, Lumis dodges and Gargano DECKS Theory!! Lumis drags Gargano into the URENAGE, and THE SILENCE!!! Gargano flails, reaches, fades, he is OUT! Lumis wins!!
Winner: Dexter Lumis, by submission
Lumis pats Gargano’s head, and Candice reprimands Theory! The Way couldn’t stay out of their own way, and now Lumis has a win over the North American Champion! Between Theory thinking of Lumis as a buddy, and Indi oddly infatuated, is Lumis going to cause The Way to go by the wayside?
William Regal waits for Santos Escobar.
If El Legado doesn’t arrive, Escobar will be STRIPPED of the NXT Cruiserweight Championship! Will Regal have to pull the trigger on his ultimatum?
NXT shares exclusive footage and interviews with MSK.
Wes Lee and Nash Carter look back on the night they won the 2021 Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Lee had a strange calm come over him, but Carter was so nervous. “It was one of those moments where everything you’ve every done flashes in your head.” From opponents to tag partners and best friends, these two have put in the grind for years. They’re the same two kids from Dayton, Ohio as they always have been. And to get the win, they were so emotional, crying happy tears. Everything they’ve worked for paid off. Finally, being here, establishing themselves as a force in the Tag Division, and all the praise and congratulations from family and friends, it made that worth it, too.
The reason Carter got into wrestling was his dad. They’d watch Raw every week on Monday. But when Carter was a freshman in high school, his dad passed. It only ignited Carter’s passion for the business even more. He said he’d be in the WWE one day, and this is the first time in a long time that he felt his dad’s pride and admiration. “The Legacy Lives On” is tattooed on Carter’s chest, and this feeling will be unforgettable for them both. Their names are etched forever on the plaque, but this is only the beginning. They’ve been hungry, they’re ready to eat! That’s why these two are the #MustSeeKids!
Backstage interview with MSK!
Next week, Lee & Carter get to cash in their NXT Tag Team Championship opportunity, as they earned from winning the Dusty Cup. But then GRIZZLED YOUNG VETERANS jump them!! James Drake punches away on Carter’s head while Zack Gibson puts Lee’s arm in a chair like a vice!! Referees rush in to get GYV to stop, and Lee clutches his hand! Did GYV just sideline MSK and delay their title shot?
Tyler Rust w/ Malcolm Bivens VS Leon Ruff!
Bivens Enterprise’s #DiamondintheRust took Kushida to the limit, but was about to be broken if not for Bivens throwing in the towel, so to speak. However, Bivens made sure to personally arrange this match for Rust, asking Ruff right after he was medically cleared for the damage done by Isaiah “Swerve” Scott. Bivens has a mic now to say, “Success is taking advantage of every key opportunity that is put forth in front of you!” And when it comes to success, you think about Ruff!
But when Bivens thinks of Ruff, he just thinks of “the son that I didn’t have, and never wanted.” Ruff, you hold a very special place in Biven’s heart, and has a special opportunity tonight! He will go 1v1 with Rust! And Rust will prove to us why he IS the diamond in the Rust! Will the former North American Champion simply be used to sharpen Rust’s edge?
Wait, as Ruff makes his entrance, SWERVE BOOTS Ruff off the apron!! Swerve goes after Ruff with clubbing forearms, still upset about Ruff getting opportunities handed to him! Swerve slams Ruff into the announce desk and vents to commentary. “Swerve is gonna start getting opportunities, and less hand-outs for this guy right here!” Swerve fireman’s carries Ruff to DEATH VALLEY DRIVE him into the apron!! The ref tells Swerve to leave but Swerve says he told Ruff this wouldn’t be that easy! Swerve does leave, and he might have just done Bivens another favor! Bivens claims Rust wins by forfeit, but will NXT management really count it that way?
No Contest
NXT shares footage from the WWE Performance Center.
It was yesterday that William Regal was talking with one of the newest signees, Zoey Stark, about an “opportunity” that was presented. He offered Stark a non-title match with NXT Women’s Champion, Io Shirai. Stark isn’t sure she heard that right, but Regal says after her great debut, there’s no one better he’d like to see face Shirai than Stark. Stark accepts that, how could she not?
Backstage interview with Zoey Stark!
We’re just moments away from only her second singles match in NXT and it is with THE NXT Women’s Champion. How is she feeling? Stark has so many emotions, her heart is pounding, but she is ready to get out there. But then she gets cut-off by technical difficulties! Will that be a bad omen on her opportunity with The Evil Genius?
NXT shares footage from earlier today.
Someone was reliving a classic Ted DeBiase moment. The Million Dollar Man challenges a little boy to dribble a basketball 10 times in a row for big money, only for DeBiase to mess the kid up! Oh, the one watching is Cameron Grimes! He’s seen enough, because time is money, after all! But that DeBiase, he was one smart guy! “With enough money, you can humiliate anyone!” Grimes has a lot of money, too, so he does a recreation of that basketball challenge! He has $1000 for 10 dribbles! The guy is up for that, and at 10… Grimes is confused! He didn’t watch the whole moment!! Grimes is the one suckered by his own scam! Grimes thinks DeBiase is to blame! Just proves money can’t fix stupid…
Io Shirai VS Zoey Stark!
Alright, the technical difficulties have been sorted out, and now it’s time for the Evil Genius to shine! But will Stark make this match a stark contrast from all Shirai’s other matches?
The bell rings and Stark circles with Shirai. They tie up, Stark powers Shirai to ropes, Shirai kicks free and the two go again. Shirai avoids Stark’s pick of the leg, they tie up, and Shirai throws Stark down, but the collar ‘n’ elbow stays on! Stark gets up, throws Shirai in return, but the grapple stays on again. Shirai gets up, Stark gets around to a waistlock, but Shirai wrenches an arm. Shirai has the wristlock, Stark rolls and handsprings and wrenches back! Stark hammerlocks, Shirai reaches back and throws elbows, then gets the headlock. Stark powers out, Shirai counters hip toss with arm-drag, and Stark staggers up. Stark avoids Shirai and manages a small back drop!
Shirai gets up, she spins Stark around, wrenches and kicks to whip. Stark reverses, Shirai reverses and hooks Stark up in an IRON OCTOPUS! Shirai digs her elbow in, Stark powers up but Shirai sunset flips! TWO, Shirai runs and basement dropkicks Stark down! Shirai stomps Stark to a corner, kicks at her, but Stark kicks back. Shirai CHOPS and CHOPS then sweeps the legs, to dig her boots in! SWINGING METEORA! Stark crawls along the ropes, Shirai runs in and 619’s, but Stark blocks to BOOT Shirai down! Stark builds speed but runs into BOOTS! Shirai swings to dropkick Stark back, then goes to a corner.
Shirai is slow to climb up, Stark intercepts with a GAMANGIRI! Shirai tumbles down as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Stark has Shirai in a facelock. Shirai throws body shots to get free, then throws forearms to back Stark down. Stark dodges to mule kick, front kick, kick a leg out, and then runs, but into a takedown! Shirai wants the arm but Stark holds on! Stark rolls, Shirai kicks low, but Stark ducks the buzzsaw to trip Shirai up! Stark runs again, to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Stark thought she had Shirai but she keeps her focus. Stark goes to a corner, hops up fast, and leaps for a 450! She has to roll through as Shirai moves, both women run to DOUBLE CROSSBODY! Both women are down and fans fire up!
The ref checks, both women are okay to continue, and Shirai sits up first. Stark follows and ghost pins! TWO, Stark hits a HALF ‘N’ HALF! Cover, TWO!! Shirai survives but Stark can’t believe how close she was! Starks wraps Shirai up in a chinlock and makes it a sleeper! Shirai endures so Stark KNEES her in the back! Stark kicks but Shirai blocks to elbow the leg, and SHOTEI! Shirai starts to rally with shoulder tackles, then a FLAPJACK! Stark goes to ropes, Shirai 619’s! Shirai climbs up top, takes aim and leaps to missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Stark survives and Shirai gets annoyed. Shirai drags Stark up, reels her in and underhooks, but Stark back drops out!
Stark gets back to a corner, hops up again, but Shirai SHOTEIS again! Shirai climbs up to join Stark and club away on her back! Shirai stands up on the very top, to SUPER STEINER! Stark staggers up into Shirai’s double underhooks, for the TIGER BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Stark survives and Shirai is frustrated! Shirai stomps away on Stark, drags her up, but Stark gets around to a waistlock, for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Stark is shocked but she’s seeing why Shirai is a champion! Stark drags Shirai up again, Shirai resists the German to victory roll Stark into buckles! SHINKANSEN!! Shirai goes up, OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, Shirai wins!
Winner: Io Shirai, by pinfall
Stark may not have won but she showed she’s one to watch! Will Shirai be keeping her eye on Stark from now on? But speaking of someone to watch out for, here comes Toni Storm! “Oh, Io, Io, Io.” Look at her! “Willing to fight literally anyone in this division, besides me.” But Storm is no Stark or whatever he name is. She IS Toni Storm, and she kicked Shirai’s head off, and Shirai couldn’t do a thing about it! There’s a reason Shirai pinned Mercedes Martinez and not Storm: Shirai can’t beat her. Shirai gets a mic to respond! “I will fight you, any time, any place, anywhere!”
But will she? Because if Shirai thought she could beat Storm, surely by now she would’ve asked Regal for it! But Shirai hasn’t done that, because she’s scared. Storm knows it, but she dares Shirai to prove her wrong. “Go find Regal, make the match happen.” Shirai says Storm’s on! Will Regal only need to see this to make it happen?
Backstage interview with The Way.
Even though they’re on their way out, McKenzie asks for a moment of their time. Gargano says not now! They need to get out of here before “that psycho” Lumis comes back for them. Gargano says all Theory had to do was hit Lumis with a chair! How was that so hard?! Theory says the chair was unnecessary, and Lumis doesn’t deserve that. Lumis is just misunderstood. What?! He kidnapped Theory! Chloroform, white van! And Theory isn’t even the first person Lumis did that to! Lumis isn’t misunderstood, he’s PSYCHO! Is Gargano taking crazy pills? Candice, back Johnny up! Candice agrees, Lumis should be in jail. THANK YOU! Indi, you, too! Indi says she finds Lumis “kinda hot…”
WHAT THE… Gargano keeps Candice from cursing so he can see “HELL?!” What is going on here?! What is happening!? No, no, whatever this is with Indi, and Theory’s Stockholm Syndrome, get them down. They will fix this! Theory is going to therapy! Seriously? Yes! And not another word! It is happening! Will therapy be enough to undo whatever Lumis may or may not have done to Theory?
Grimes is back with the basketball scam!
He made sure to watch the entire DeBiase moment, and he’ll get the better of someone this time. Grimes is sure these people know him for his money. He has a handful of green and explains his basketball challenge. Maybe not this guy, but how about the little lady over here? If she can bounce the basketball 10 times, she’ll get $1000 of his money! Like the Million Dollar Man back in the day? Uh, n-no… Just dribble the ball! It ain’t rocket science! Maybe her friend over here would like to try instead? No, the lady he asked first takes the challenge on. And when she stands up, Grimes realizes she’s not so little… Well still, she has to dribble! “Let’s see what you got, honey!”
The young lady dribbles, Grimes counts, but she gets tricky with it and he misses! That’s more than 10! “Gimme my money, honey.” Grimes is out $2000 total now. Don’t hate the player, hate the game. CURSE YOU, DEBIASE! This ain’t over!!
Xia Li w/ Tian Sha VS Kacy Catanzaro w/ Kayden Carter!
The friendship of Spicy and KC Squared may be all but gone after the harsh training Xia was put through by “her.” Can Kacy save whatever is left of the old Xia? Or will she be “purged” to only make Xia stronger?
The bell rings and Xia rushes Kacy! Kacy dodges, fires off on Xia, but Xia shoves her away! Xia rushes in again but Kacy waistlocks. Xia reaches under but Kacy leap frogs over and around. Kacy handsprings, headscissors and fires up! Kacy is after Xia with a facelock, whips her, but Xia reverses. Kacy goes up and over but gets caught! Xia hotshots Kacy, then takes her fighting stance! Xia powers up, storms over again, and bumps Kacy off buckles! Kacy shoves Xia but Xia stomps Kacy down in the corner! The ref counts, Xia adds on a springboard stomp to top it off! Xia drags Kacy back up, snap suplexes, covers, TWO!
Xia keeps on Kacy with a chinlock then makes it a cobra clutch. Kayden and the fans rally as Kacy fights up, and Kacy slips out the back! Xia BOOTS Kacy down, drags her up and reels her in, but Kacy slips out of the Gory Especial to sunset flip! TWO, and Xia back kicks Kacy hard! Cover, TWO! Xia wraps Kacy up in the cobra clutch again, but Kacy fights up. Kacy throws Xia off, gets to a corner, and elbows her away! Xia runs back in but into a boot! Xia returns, but Kacy trips her into the corner! Kacy fires off stomps, furious fists, but Xia shoves her away! Kacy comes back with more fire, the ref counts but Xia shoves her, only for Kacy to SHOTGUN Xia back!
Kacy runs, hits an A-List Lariat, then hits a FLIPPING AX KICK! Cover, TWO! Xia bails out, Kacy grits her teeth and goes to the apron to leap! Xia catches her, moves her around, but Kacy slips out to a waistlock. Xia standing switches to RAM Kacy into the barriers! Tian Sha tells Xia to finish this, and Xia looms over Kacy. The ring count is climbing, Kacy’s leg is on steel steps and Xia STOMPS IT!! Xia may have just broken Kacy’s leg! The ref checks on Kacy as she writhes and cries in pain, but Xia doesn’t even show emotion on her face! Xia goes up the steps, and drags Kacy up by her hair! Xia brings Kacy to the apron and makes sure Tian Sha sees this!
The ref reprimands, Xia shows no mercy as she drags Kacy in. More referees come out to check on Kacy, the refs call this!
Winner: Xia Li, by referee stoppage
Kayden wants after Xia but the refs keep her back. Kayden shields Kacy, but then glares at Tian Sha. Kayden storms over and asks what their problem is! Boa blocks Kayden’s path, Xia goes after Kacy with a HEEL KICK!! Kayden rushes back to Kacy and Xia slips away to leave with Boa and Tian Sha. Xia warns Kayden that she is next. Will what Xia did to Kacy pale in comparison to what she’ll do to Kayden?
Regal is still waiting for Escobar.
Still no sign of El Legado, but the clock is ticking. Will Escobar have the courage to face Karrion Kross? Or will he have to sacrifice his Cruiserweight title reign?
NXT profiles next week’s WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match.
After making history by winning the inaugural Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez are poised to take on the Irresistible Force & Shayna Baszler! The Queen of Spades says, “The Women’s Division now is all the scraps left over from when I left.” And when it comes to Raquel telling them, “You don’t run this place anymore… we do!” Well, that’s a joke to Nia. Nia says Raquel can talk about dominating all she wants, but when she runs into Nia, it’ll be a different story.
Raquel says Nia is the one kidding herself. Nia needs to wake up. Dakota says she and Raquel will be bringing those WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships to NXT. Shayna says Dakota is only confident because she has Raquel. That’s perfect, because now there’s someone who can carry her to the hospital. Dakota said it before, she is NOT the scared little girl from Shayna’s reign of terror. Dakota will kick Shayna’s head off once and for all! Will the alumni come back to humiliate this generation? Or will Raquel and Dakota turn the whole Women’s Division upside-down?
Cameron Grimes wants one more try!
No one gets over on Cameron Grimes! He challenges a random guy in the parking lot! Dribble the ball 10 times, win $1000! Like that DeBiase- YES LIKE THAT!! Just do it!! Why is it so difficult?! He gonna do it or what? Yeah, sure, The guy starts dribbling, and Grimes DECKS him!! Grimes tells DeBiase to #KissMahGrits! Money CAN by happiness! Wait, he still throws like, $1500 into the air. Will that guy wake up and still get Grimes’ money?
Grizzled Young Veterans VS Killian Dain & Drake Maverick!
Zack Gibson & James Drake ambushed MSK because, well, they’re sore losers. But will the Belfast Beast and Rockstar Spud SSSOOON avenge Lee & Carter?
Maverick comes out wearing a shirt with Dain’s face on it, and Dain does not approve! Dain pulls that shirt off Maverick and smacks him on the back with it before throwing it away. GYV make their entrance, Gibson has a mic, and he says, “I’m sorry to interrupt this little dance party, but we have some breaking news! Wes Lee of MSK fame has unfortunately broken his hand.” James Drake mockingly “sheds a tear,” but says that the main headline now is that Regal has given GYV a hefty fine! They were just saving the NXT Universe! Imagine a few weeks without MSK “joking around like little children!”
Gibson says in the finals of the Dusty Cup, “the better team lost! Let’s make no mistakes: there’s only one team destined for tag title glory, and it’s NOT MSK. And it’s certainly not Shrek ‘n’ Donkey! It’s the Grizzled Young Veterans, SSSSSSOON to be recognized as NXT Tag Team Champions!” Gibson and Drake get in with Shrek- er, Dain & Maverick, and teams sort out. Of course Dain wants to start, and he runs right at James Drake to SHOTGUN DROPKICK him down! Dain drags Drake up to throw BIG EuroUppers! Tag to Maverick, Dain & Maverick double whip, Dain uses Maverick to trip Drake up, and then Dain drops a back senton! Maverick is the human weapon again, scoop slam senton! Cover, TWO!
Maverick keeps on Drake with an armlock, then wrenches to a wristlock. Maverick hammerlocks, Drake endures and fights up to elbow free. Drake headlocks, tags Gibson, Maverick powers out but GYV leap frog to CLOBBER Maverick! Gibson sucker punches Dain, but he doesn’t fall! The ref is busy keeping Dain back, and Gibson scoops Maverick to an Electric Chair! Mr. Mayhem goes up top but Dain gets Maverick away from Liverpool’s Number One, to then choke grip Gibson! Drake leaps into a choke grip, and Dain SHOVES GYV out of the ring! Fans fire up as Maverick shakes Dain’s hand. Then Dain TOSSES Maverick out onto GYV! GYV goes down as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Gibson keeps Maverick from Dain! Maverick throws forearms, Gibson whips Maverick to the corner and tags in Drake. Drake rolls and run sin but Maverick knees him down! Gibson keeps Maverick cornered, until Maverick slips under! Hot tag to Dain! Dain rallies on GYV, then clinches Drake for an OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Dain RAMS Gibson into Drake then CLOBBERS Gibson! Gibson begs for mercy but Drake jumps on with a sleeper! Dain just shifts Drake to a fireman’s carry, scoops Gibson, SAMOAN DROP FALL AWAY SLAM COMBO! Big Damo pops Drake back up for the WASTELAND, and SENTON! Cover, Gibson breaks it!
The ref reprimands as Gibson hammers Dain and helps Drake up. GYV coordinate, but it’s Dain who DOUBLE SUPLEXES them! Hot tag to Maverick! Maverick climbs up, leaps and CROSSBODIES Drake! Maverick dropkicks Gibson down, fires up and throws strikes on Drake! Punch, kick, repeat, but Drake shoves him! Maverick gets under to dropkick the legs out then basement dropkicks Drake in the head! Maverick fires up, hits a forearm smash in the corner, but Gibson tags in before the bulldog attempt! GYV coordinate, MISSILE DROPKICK COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, Dain breaks it! Dain goes after Drake and CLOBBERS him! Gibson throws Dain out, but Dain drags him out with him!
Dain has Gibson’s ear, Drake DIVES to take Dain out! Gibson gets in but Maverick runs in to forearm smash and BULLDOG! Maverick hurries up a corner, but Drake goes after him! Maverick kicks him away but Gibson YANKS Maverick down! Tag to Drake, they coordinate again, TICKET TO MAYHEM!! Cover, GYV wins!
Winners: The Grizzled Young Veterans, by pinfall
The teamwork makes the dream work, and GYV are one step closer to their dastardly dream of being the first team to have held both NXT UK and NXT prime Tag Team Championships!
BREAKING NEWS!
William Regal DID see the confrontation earlier, and has made a match! In two weeks it will be Io Shirai VS Toni Storm, for the NXT Women’s Champion!
Finally El Legado arrives!
And just in time to make Regal’s deadline! Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza stand guard as Escobar stays in the SUV. Will Escobar go through with the match tonight? Or is he just here to turn over the title?
NXT returns as Dain is still carrying Maverick around.
He doesn’t want NXT Media to bother them, he sets Maverick down. But then Alexander Wolfe and Imperium walk by. What is this? Wolfe says Dain used to be a monster. That shake of his head shows Wolfe is disappointed, but Dain asks for medics to check on Maverick. Will Dain let the Hatchet Man get in his head about his… well not friendship, but partnership with Maverick?
No Disqualification: Santos Escobar w/ El Legado del Fantasma VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux!
Mr. Doomsday and his femme fatale make their way to the ring, and we see that Escobar has yet to even exit the vehicle. Wait! Kross attacks Wilde & Mendoza!! He got the drop on Legado this time! Kross TOSSES Mendoza into a garage door, but Escobar attacks! He’s going through with the match his way, but will he be made to #FallAndPray all the same?
Kross picks Escobar up to RAM him into the side of a truck! Escobar kicks back, they brawl again, and Kross CLUBS and ROCKS Escobar! Escobar goes to the back of the moving truck, Kross is after him again with haymakers, and then he tosses him into the truck’s trailer. But Escobar SLAMS the door on Kross! Kross writhes and Escobar talks trash in Spanish now that he has the advantage. Escobar kicks and forearms but Kros TOSSES him back into the side of the truck! Escobar kicks again, Kross throws more forearms, but Escobar dodges and a forearm shot hits the truck! Kross shakes that arm while Escobar gets into the truck cab!
Escobar closes the door to protect himself, but Kross rips off the side mirror! Kross finds a PICKAXE under the truck!? What’s that doing there?! Kross uses it to TEAR into the door!! Escobar has to bail out the other side and he throws hands on Kross! Wilde returns to throw hands but Kross TOSSES Wilde onto the hood! Wilde tumbles, Mendoza runs in but he gets THROWN into the grill! Escobar SMASHES Kross with a trash can! Escobar talks more trash and then SMACKS Kross again! El Legado has the 3v1 advantage now and they mug Kross! They bump Kross off the truck, hammer him more, and then RAM him into the side of the trailer!
Escobar wants another one, and they set Kross up again. They tell “the dog” this is what he gets for messing with them! They RAM him into the side again, and then Escobar has Wilde and Mendoza drag Kross into the arena. They go to the special stage area and beat Kross up at the steps! Fans boo but Escobar says to bring Kross around. Kross DECKS Wilde, BOOTS Mendoza, and then takes them both to throw them into the PLEXIGLAS! They go crashing through and Escobar is shocked! Kross glares at Escobar and Scarlett laughs at Escobar’s false bravado! Kross ROCKS Escobar and Escobar goes into the ring!
Escobar runs but Kross BOOTS him down! Cover, ONE!! Kross keeps on Escobar and CLUBS him out of the ring! Kross stalks Escobar, but Mendoza returns! Kross just TOSSES him into other barriers! Escobar SMACKS Kross with a chair! And SMACKS him again! Escobar stomps Kross down, rips Kross’ shirt off, and tosses it aside like trash. Escobar drags Kross up, hammerlocks the bad arm and POSTS him! And then RAMS Kross into steel steps! Escobar grins and soaks up the heat as NXT goes picture in picture.
Escobar takes his time regrouping with El Legado, and they drag Kross back up. Kross rakes Escobar’s eyes! But Legado has the steel steps and RAMS Kross with them! Kross clutches the bad arm, Escobar KICKS it! Escobar stomps the bad arm, drags Kross up and clubs away on the shoulder! Escobar puts Kross in the ring, throws more forearms, then covers, ONE!! Escobar clamps onto the bad arm, stomps away on it, then wrenches the arm. Escobar puts Kross in a corner, wraps the arm around ropes and SCRAPES it along the rope! Kross pushes Escobar away but Wilde HOTSHOTS the arm for him!
Escobar drags Kross up, has the arm, and gives it a CODE BREAKER! Kross scrambles to a corner but Escobar CHOPS him! Escobar puts the arm around ropes and pulls on it again! Kross can only clutch the elbow as Escobar runs in to forearm smash! Escobar cravats Kross, jams him with a shoulder, then headbutts Kross’ shoulder! Escobar fires off forearms, but Kross hits back with his good arm! They brawl, Escobar shoves Kross and runs in to shotgun dropkick! NXT returns to single picture as Legado trips Kross up for Escobar’s basement dropkick! Scarlett is furious and shouts for Kross to get up! Escobar shoves Kross out and goes back for the chair!
Escobar jams the bad arm, then slips the chair around it! Escobar aims and POSTS the arm!! Kross grabs at Escobar with the good arm but Escobar SLAPS him down! Escobar sits the chair up and stomps Kross down. Escobar drags Kross up and over, for a DDT to the chair! Escobar drags Kross up and into the ring, covers, TWO! Legado is frustrated but Escobar dropkicks Kross down! Escobar throws Kross out, pursues, but Kross hits back with is good arm! So Legado swarms him! Kross fights them off, but Escobar DIVES! The Arrow from Hell takes Kross down into barriers!! Scarlett is furious again but can only watch on as Escobar stands on Kross’ bad arm.
Escobar stomps Kross, and stomps and stomps! Escobar kicks the bad arm, wrenches it and clamps onto the shoulder! Escobar puts Kross in, covers, TWO! Escobar drops elbows on Kross’ bad arm, then clamps on with a short arm scissor. Kross endures, tries to use his good arm but Escobar shrugs that off. Kross sits up, Escobar puts him in a corner, and then runs in to DOUBLE KNEE! SNAP SUPLEX! Uno amigo, and Escobar drags Kross up, only for Kross to block! Kross gets around to use the good arm for an EXPLODER! Kross sees Wilde and DECKS him! Escobar leaps into a catch, for another EXPLODER!
Escobar bails out, Kross shakes the bad arm and pursues. Escobar POSTS Kross again! Escobar brings the bad arm around the post, but Kross YANKS Escobar into it instead! Kross bounces Escobar’s head off steel steps! Mendoza runs in with a chair but Kross BOOTS him down! Kross takes the chair for his own now and has a wild grin! Escobar is a fish in a barrel but Wilde saves him from a full metal Con-Chair-To! Kross glares at Wilde, aims with the chair, and he JAMS Escobar in the ribs! Kross puts Escobar in the ring, but Mendoza LEAPS, into an EXPLODER! Wilde leaps, but the rana is blocked! BARRIER BOMB!!
Kross gets in, Escobar is in a corner, Kross hits a corner clothesline! And BOOT! Escobar flops back out, Kross follows, and they’re by the other steps! Kross brings Escobar up and around, DOOMSDAY SAIDO through the announce desk!! Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” and Scarlett seems euphoric now! Kross puts Escobar in the ring, hauls him up, and hits a DOOMSDAY SAIDO!! Kross aims from a corner, and winds up the hour hand. “TICK TOCK! TIME’S UP!!” BLINDSIDE FOREARM!! Cover, Kross wins!!
Winner: Karrion Kross, by pinfall
Escobar tried every trick in the book, but nothing can stop the sands of time! He still has the title, but will Escobar be in any shape to defend his Cruiserweight Championship? And will the clock start ticking on another champion’s reign?
NXT hears from LA Knight.
“Let me talk to ya. The question burning in everyone’s mind since TakeOver is, ‘Man, when’s LA Knight gonna debut?'” He’ll put it this way: the one thing that he asked is, “Whose game is it?” It’s HIS game. That means when he debuts, it’s on his time, his terms and done his way. What that means is Knight could debut next week, the week after that, or three months from now, because it doesn’t make a difference! In the end, everyone’s favorites, the ones that hold the gold, are just holding golden tickets to getting stomped out by LA Knight! That’s not an insult, that’s just a fact of life! But who will Knight go for first whenever it is he makes his in-ring debut?
Adam Cole is here!
After tweeting out that he will give us his explanation, Cole is finally here to do as he said! Cole goes to the ring, fans boo, and they don’t even feel like saying “BOOM” with him anymore. Cole takes a moment to watch a replay of last week, where Cole betrayed and booted Kyle O’Reilly to then give him a brainbuster to Kyle O’Reilly. Kyle has a herniated disc, not likely to return for several weeks, and fans chant, “You Suck!” for it. Cole gets a mic to say, “I… I had every intention of coming out here and explaining why I did what I did to Kyle, but… God, man, after watching that footage, I feel sick to my stomach.”
Everyone knows the NXT Championship is very important to Cole, especially the guys in the Undisputed Era. But Cole does not like the person he has become lately. At first, Cole was pissed off, because Kyle was getting opportunity after opportunity at the title, and he continued to fail. But that does not excuse Cole’s actions. After seeing it back, Cole is ashamed of himself. “Kyle, I know you’re sitting at home right now and you’re watching this. And I wish so, so badly that we could be having this conversation face to face, man to man, but we can’t.” They can’t, because of Cole.
Cole and Kyle know each other than anybody, and that means Kyle knows Cole hates admitting he’s wrong. Cole is telling us now that he was dead wrong. Kyle should be here in this ring, right here and now, but instead Cole made a stupid mistake and hates himself for it! Cole paces as he works on the words to say. “Kyle… Kyle, I am so, so sorry.” Cole will do whatever he can to fix this. Even if he can’t, he’ll try. “Wow, Adam. Really?” Roderick Strong confronts Cole! Now Cole feels bad?! Only now? For the past 10 days Cole didn’t feel bad for not letting Strong know what was going on? For what Cole did to Kyle, and to THE TEAM!?
“Adam, everything’s changed now. This whole thing, this Undisputed Era… This was built on trust! Love! A brotherhood!” The UE Boys would do whatever it took to have each other’s backs! And just like that, Cole “shattered that trust!” Strong wants Cole to look at him and understand this: Kyle IS going to heal up. They both know Kyle. But when Kyle does heal, Strong doesn’t know if he can save Cole from what Kyle’s gonna do to him! But wait, here comes Finn Balor! Strong tries to stop him but Balor pushes him aside and tackles Cole! Balor rains down fists, Strong gets in to pull him away from Cole, but Balor and Strong tumble out of the ring!
Balor kicks and stomps away on Strong but Cole RAMS Balor into barriers! And SUPERKICKS him down! Strong gets in the ring, Cole goes in to apologize, but Strong CLOBBERS Cole! And Strong is just as torn up as Cole was! Cole apologizes and he just wants things to go back to normal. Cole says this was his fault. Strong shouts, “What is happening?!” Cole starts to cry, but Strong sits with him. Strong says he’s sorry for hitting Cole. They’re brothers and they love each other! They hug it out and fans cheer! Cole keeps apologizing, he and Strong pat each other on the back, and then they shake hands. But Cole LOW BLOWS Strong?!?! That wasn’t a mistake!!
Cole tells Strong he is so STUPID! Cole says Strong is dead to him, and he takes the UE dog tag away from him! Then SUPERKICKS him down!! Was Cole just pretending to have regrets? Is there nothing undisputed anymore?!
My Thoughts:
Wow, this episode! And that’s meant in a good way, there was a lot of great, wild stuff. We had a really good match in Gargano VS Lumis, and some really crazy developments in that story. Theory thinking Lumis isn’t so bad is an alright choice, but I have no idea where this “Indi <3’s Lumis” is coming from. I get there’s a cliché of “daughter falls for bad boy” in sitcoms and family stories, but this still seems a bit out of nowhere. The pacing is what feels off, really. I still wish there were “Theory is hostage” antics but of course this is all leading to Gargano VS Lumis rematch for the North American Championship. I just don’t like the idea that it might come down to the loyalties of Theory and Indi, not that Lumis actually beats Gargano on his own merits.
The way (no pun intended this time, I swear) we learned about Rust VS Ruff getting on the card was arranged oddly. There was entrance, then a “earlier today” video, then Bivens has his promo to put Rust over and bury Ruff. We should’ve gotten the video first, then everything else. Swerve attacking Ruff was a good touch, though, and I guess any match being offered/given to Ruff is too much for Swerve. We got really good video packages for MSK and the coming Women’s Tag Title match, but what a twist for GYV to attack MSK and basically delay the NXT Tag Team Championship match. GYV VS Dain & Maverick was a good match, but of course GYV wins.
It seems Imperium and Wolfe are going to be the next feud for Dain & Maverick, and there could even be a chance of Dain being recruited/converted to Imperium! I don’t know if I want to see the dysfunctional duo break up, but Dain and Wolfe reuniting from their SAnitY days through Imperium would be an interesting story. Plus, one day we will be able to have NXT and NXT UK swap people around smoothly again, so with the North American Championship, NXT UK Heritage Cup, and another pair of tag titles out there, there could come a time when Imperium reigns from top to bottom.
Shirai VS Stark was very good, especially for Stark being new to NXT. But naturally, we’re getting Shirai VS Storm 1v1 now, but it does seem a little sudden for the long-awaited rematch from the second Mae Young Classic. The match itself will surely make up for that, though, and honestly could go either way, if Heel Toni decides to bend the rules or something. Then with Xia Li VS Kacy, it was obvious it would be brutal, but I didn’t think it’d be that brutal! Xia “breaking” Kacy’s leg, and threatening to do the same to Kayden, that is some serious Heel heat. I am still waiting for when Tian Sha/Mei Ling (Karen Q) gets back into action and tears up the Women’s Tag Division with Xia Li.
Grimes trying to recreate the Ted DeBiase basketball challenge, and messing up multiple times, was pretty hilarious. I have a feeling he’s not only going to waste his money on things but also on these silly bets until he’s basically back to where he was before #GameStonks. The story of Escobar waiting until the very last minute was pretty good, as was Kross going after him so he wouldn’t have a choice. Naturally Legado worked together for the entirety of the No DQ match, and I think the No DQ, brawling nature of the match made this work in Kross’ favor, as he felt much stronger than if this were a standard match. Kross wins so he can stay strong in his own path back to the NXT Championship, and I’m curious to see how this impacts Escobar’s title reign, if at all.
And speaking of, the NXT Championship scene is also attached to the #WhyColeWhy story. Cole taking the approach of, “It was impulsive and I regret it” was an interesting start, but from how he betrays Strong at the very last moment makes it seem it was an act. The anger Cole mentioned about Kyle getting his two opportunities might also be attached to jealousy, maybe some bitterness. Cole VS Kyle is definitely happening, but I think we’ll get a great Cole VS Strong first, maybe even Cole VS Balor, title optional. Heck, the title could be put up, but Kyle screws Cole over to set their own match up. The UE is basically all but over unless Fish returns and Cole is the one kicked out of the group. This could even be the long road to opening the door to Cole going to Raw/SmackDown, as much of a shame it’d be to see him finally move over.
My Score: 9.4/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (12/14/25)
We have reached the finish line!
Who wins the 2025 World Tag League Championship?
Gabe Kidd & Yota Tsuji have held it together, but can they take the World Tag League trophies? Or will TMDK make them #JustTapOut?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NJPW World Television Championship Open Challenge: El Phantasmo VS Hartley Jackson; ELP wins and retains the title.
- 10 Man Tag: Bishamon, Boltin Oleg, Katsuya Murashima & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Taichi, Satoshi Kojima, Lance Archer, Alex Zayne & Masatora Yasuda; Taichi, Kojima, Archer, Zayne & Yasuda win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shuji Ishikawa & Shoma Kato VS SHO, Don Fale & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho, Fale & Kanemaru win.
- Six Man Tag: Shingo Takagi, “Drilla” Dan Moloney & Taiji Ishimori VS Yujiro Takahashi, Chase Owens & DOUKI; Takagi, Drilla & Taiji win.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura VS OSKAR, Yuto-Ice & Daiki Nagai; Tanahashi, Shota & Yuya win.
- David Finlay & Hiromu Takahashi VS Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman; Finlay & Hiromu win, by disqualification.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato VS EVIL, SANADA & Ren Narita; Yano, Yoh & Wato win and retain the titles.
- 2025 World Tag League Finals: Gabe Kidd & Yota Tsuji VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ & Oiwa win and will challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW World Television Championship Open Challenge: El Phantasmo VS ???
The Headbanga fought hard, but he and Hiroshi Tanahashi couldn’t get to the playoffs. Now he must defend his title, but against who? It’s TMDK’s Hartley Jackson! Now this is a BIG surprise! But can ELP overcome? Or will it be Hartley Jackson Number One?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see whose 15 minutes of fame are up!
ELP polls the fans, and it sounds pretty even between them. The bell rings and we’re on the clock as the two tie up. Hartley SHOVES ELP away, ELP is a bit stunned, but he comes back. Hartley SHOVES ELP away again, and ELP steadies himself before coming back again. ELP waistlocks, but Hartley’s too big to lift! Hartley switches, ELP fires elbows, but ELP headlocks. Hartley powers up and out, they RAM shoulders, and Hartley says, “No, no, no.” ELP runs to RAM Hartley again, but Hartley is solid! ELP runs again to RAM Hartley, but he still doesn’t budge! ELP fires forearms, but Hartley CLOBBERS ELP!
Hartley says, “Jackson Number One!” But ELP mule kicks! ELP whips but Hartley blocks! Hartley whips ELP to a corner hard, and ELP tumbles up and out to the floor! The fans rally, Hartley goes out to stomp ELP, then he opens the gate. Hartley drags ELP out to the crowd, just to scoop and POST him! The fans rally again while ELP writhes. Hartley drags ELP along, opens another gate, and he again brings ELP to the crowd. Hartley scoops, but ELP slips free! ELP POSTS Hartley! The fans cheer while Hartley slumps down. ELP closes the gate and the fans applaud. ELP brings Hartley up, whips, but Hartley blocks again!
Hartley reverses, ELP leaps over railing, then he ROCKS Hartley! ELP jumps up, but he’s caught! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER to the floor! A bit double-edged with both men down, but the ref checks on ELP. ELP is still in this, and Hartley rolls into the ring. The ring count starts, but ELP slumps against railing at 3 of 20. ELP stands at 5, slumps back down, but crawls his way over at 8. ELP stretches out his back before he rolls in, but Hartley is on him for a cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Hartley is annoyed but the fans rally up. Hartley drags ELP up, puts him in the corner, and CHOPS! ELP staggers away to another corner.
Hartley storms up and he CHOPS again! ELP sits down this time, but the fans rally up. Hartley waits on ELP to stand, but ELP dodges the chop to CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! Hartley swings, ELP dodges, and he CHOPS, fires fast hands, then ROCKS and ENZIGIRIS! Hartley drops to a knee and we pass five minutes! ELP goes to suplex, but Hartley’s too big! Hartley suplexes high and hard in return! Hartley paces, the fans rally up, and Hartley runs, but ELP moves! The senton FLOPS and the fans rally again. ELP storms up to fire forearms, then he whips, but Hartley again blocks! ELP KICKS Hartley’s leg again and again!
ELP whips, Hartley reverses, but ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard and CROSSBODY! Somersault and LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Hartley is still in this and the fans rally up. ELP brings Hartley up, he still tries, but Hartley is too much to suplex! ELP wrenches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP, then covers, TWO! Hartley is still in this, but ELP goes up the corner. The fans cheer as ELP lines up the shot! “Say cheese!” FALLING AX HANDLE! The fans cheer as ELP now air guitars a la Tanahashi! But Hartley runs up! ELP dodges, Hartley hits buckles, and ELP ENZIGIRIS! ELP goes up, TORNADO DDT!
Hartley stands, staggers, then falls! ELP covers, TWO! ELP calls for the Brain Salad! The fans rally up, ELP straitjackets and- NO, Hartley is too big to torture rack lift! Hartley whips ELP to a corner, SPLASHES, then short arm LARITS! SENTON onto knees! Ghost pin, TWO! Mule kick! ELP tucks Hartley in, but Hartley wrenches out! ELP dodges to SUDDEN DEATH! ELP runs, but into a LARIAT! SENTON!! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up and Hartley hurries, DEATH VALLEY BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! ELP survives and the fans fire up again! Hartley stalks ELP, drags him up, and fireman’s carries!
Hartley goes to the corner, puts ELP up top, and then climbs. Hartley fireman’s carries, but ELP CLUBS free! ELP fires forearms as we hit 10 minutes, and he ROCKS Hartley! ELP SUPER SUNSET FLIP, but Hartley holds onto ropes! ELP avoids the punch! Mule kick to the leg! Mule kick to the other leg! And the corner helps with the torture rack! BRAIN SALAD!! Cover, TWO?!? Hartley survives and the fans fire up! ELP tucks Hartley in, and lifts?! C R 2!! ELP hurries to the apron, climbs up the ropes, and THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, ELP WINS!
Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (still NJPW World Television Champion)
Hartley was definitely a big challenge, but ELP found a way to make it through! The Headbanga Show continues on, but who will be next on the list?
After Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura VS OSKAR, Yuto-Ice & Daiki Nagai…
A HIGH FLY FLOW on Daiki Nagai scores the win for The Ace and his team! There’s a tense stare down between Hontai and the Knock Out Brothers, but that’s all it is for now. Tanahashi then gets the mic, and he says, “NJPW has finally returned to Kumamoto! Everyone, today was my last match here in Kumamoto, thank you for the support. And from now on, it will be the work of all our young wrestlers to carry NJPW forward! We look forward to your support, and even though we haven’t finished the show… Kumamoto, AISHITEMAAASU~!” The fans cheer President Ace as he and #YuSho make their exit. Shota & Tanahashi even do photo-ops with baby fans.
Tanahashi may not have gone far in his final World Tag League, but he still leaves Kumamoto on top. Now he must prepare for his final WrestleKingdom and his final match with Kazuchika Okada. Will The Ace stay high? Or will he be brought down to earth by The Rainmaker?
David Finlay & Hiromu Takahashi VS Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman!
The Rebel & The Timebomb brawled with The United Empire all over Kagoshima in a Six Man Tag, but that was just the opening salvo! Will Finlay & Hiromu finally humble the Dominator & Prince of Pace? Or will Khan & Callum conquer the Unaffiliated War Dogs?
But turnabout is fair play, Finlay & Hiromu attack the Empire from behind this time! They mug Callum, knock Jakob Austin Young down, then go after Khan! The fans rally while Hiromu CHOPS Callum! And CHOP again! Callum hits Hiromu back, but Finlay brings Khan around to SMACK off the apron! Gedo cheers Finlay on, but Callum CHOPS Hiromu, then CHOKES him using his jacket! Finlay brings Khan up to whip, but Khan reverses to send Finlay into railing! The ref reprimands, Callum drags Hiromu to ringside and whips him into railing! Hiromu hobbles away while Jakob applauds, and Khan has taken things into the crowd!
Khan BOWLS Finlay into chairs and railing! Callum brings Hiromu out to whip, but Hiromu reverses to BOWL Callum! STRIKE! The fans rally for Finlay but Khan tells them to shut up. Finlay fires body shots and forearms, then he HEADBUTTS Khan! And HEADBUTTS again! And again! Khan stumbles into railing, Finlay whips him into the wall! Callum drags Hiromu up to CHOP! Hiromu staggers towards ringside, Callum clears out chairs, and he brings Hiromu up to SMACK off the apron! Finlay drags Khan along, but Khan fires body shots! Khan KNEES low, Callum RAMS Hiromu into railing, and Khan POSTS Finlay!
Callum lounges on the apron for a moment, then he gets Hiromu up. Khan CHOKES Finlay with a chair! Callum puts Hiromu in the ring, wants the bell, but the ref wants him to back off first. Callum waits, and the bell rings as Hiromu sits up. Callum stomps Hiromu down, then rains down forearms! The ref wants to check Hiromu so Callum backs off. Hiromu eggs Callum on, so Callum rains down more forearms! Hiromu still eggs Callum on, so Callum gets the wrists to STOMP Hiromu! Cover, TWO! Callum BLASTS Finlay off the apron, goes back to Hiromu, and fires forearms! Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS, but Callum kicks low!
Callum runs, Hiromu dropkicks the leg! Callum stays up, and he BLASTS Finlay again! And he BOOTS Hiromu down! The fans rally, Callum bumps Hiromu off buckles, tags Khan, but Hiromu goes out after Callum! Hiromu goes after Callum, CLUBS him, then whips, but Callum reverses! Hiromu hits railing, Callum brings him around, and whips him back into railing! Khan keeps the ref distracted while Callum puts Hiromu back in. Khan then talks some trash, sits Hiromu up, and DECKS him with a haymaker! And again! And again! The ref reprimands the closed fists but Khan shoves him aside, to then BLAST Finlay off the apron!
Khan rains down more fists, the ref reprimands again, but then Khan BODY BLOWS Hiromu while he’s on the mat! Cover, TWO! The fans rally, Khan argues the count, but Gedo still protests the closed fists. Khan scuffs Hiromu, drags him up, and suplexes. Hiromu slips free to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! Khan Mongolian Chops! And then IRON CLAW! Hiromu fights the grip, breaks free, and stomps a toe to KICK! Hiromu runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! But Khan stays up! And he IRON CLAWS again! And ELIMIN- NO, Hiromu victory rolls, TWO! But then SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Khan and Hiromu crawl, hot tag to Finlay! Finlay CLOBBERS Khan, BLASTS Callum, and CLOBBERS Khan again! Finlay whips, Khan reverses, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! Callum kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down! Finlay LARIATS Callum up and out! Finlay runs in and UPPERCUTS Khan in the corner! The fans bark with Finlay, and he fires LARIAT after LARIAT! Finlay goes all the way to TEN and the fans fire up. Finlay reels Khan in for a BROKEN ARROW! The fans cheer, Finlay flexes, and Khan writhes. Finlay drags Khan up, reels him in, but Khan fights the lift!
Khan BACKDROPS, Finlay sunset flips, but Khan stays up to IRON CLAW! Khan drags Finlay right up, and THROWS him away! Finlay tumbles to the corner, Khan fires up, and Khan runs in! Finlay BOOTS Khan away, then BOOTS him again! Finlay runs up, ROLLING- IRON CLAW! Khan clinches and lifts, but Finlay slips free and ROLLING ELBOWS! The fans fire up again and Finlay drags Khan up. Finlay lifts to POWERBOMB! The fans fire up again and Finlay vows to end it! Finlay drags Khan up, reels him in but Callum CHUCKS a chair! The ref says that’s it, disqualification!
Winners: David Finlay & Hiromu Takahashi, by disqualification
Callum stopped caring about the rules, and that cost the team! But he says fine, all bets are off! He POSTS Finlay! Hiromu goes after him, but Callum whips him into more railing! Callum puts Hiromu in the ring, takes aim with Hiromu’s on GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship, and CLOBBERS him! Then Callum SPITS on the title, puts it down, and smears Hiromu’s face in it! Then EXCALIBUR STOMP onto the belt! The fans boo, but Jakob throws Gedo in! Callum says bang bang, PENALTY KICK to the face! The fans boo more, but Callum puts a chair around Gedo’s neck! Finlay has the SHILLELAGH!!
Callum runs away from Finlay, and Finlay snarls as he circles. Finlay is bloodied but he still has fight in him! Callum dares Finlay to do something, so he CLOBBERS Jakob!! And OVERKILL!! Drilla & Shingo are also out here to reinforce Finlay. Callum smirks like it doesn’t even matter, but Finlay grabs a mic. “Callum! Thank you for reminding me! Thank you for painting a little picture in my own effin’ blood! I was beginning to forget who I am. These people were beginning to forget who I am. More importantly, the boy sin the back were beginning to forget who I am! You are marching down a very, very dangerous road.
“Are you absolutely sure you wanna make me a target? Do you really think you can kill me off? Consider this a baptism in my own blood! The Savage King is reborn!! The same Savage King that beat your old leader so bad, he had to limp off into Uncle Tony’s arms! So here’s what I’m gonna do. How ’bout this? At the Tokyo Dome…! At a sold-out WrestleKingdom, I am going to give the Empire a chance. Come get revenge, or come get killed! If there’s one thing about blood, boys, if you’re gonna draw it, you better be damn ready to effin’ spill it!” Finlay has put out the challenge but Callum shrugs it off with a smirk and a finger gun.
Did Callum just get the Empire dragged into another war with the War Dogs? Will this Rebel make sure to put the Empire down once and for all?
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato VS EVIL, SANADA & Ren Narita!
The challenge was put out for Tokyo Dome, but the King of Darkness didn’t want to wait! Will Evil become the King of NEVER with the help from the Cold-Blooded, Souled-Out Snakes? Or will The Producer, The Direct Drive & The Way to the Grandmaster stay golden for the holidays?
The introductions are made, but of course the House attacks! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Evil TOSSES Wato while Ren TOSSES Yano! Sanada SMACKS Yoh off buckles, then dumps him out! Ren CHOKES Yano with Yano’s own sash! Evil stomps Wato, Sanada stomps Yoh, and Fale gets a BODY BLOW in since this isn’t a match yet! Ren SMACKS Yano with a water bottle! Sanada puts Yoh in the ring, the bell sounds, and now this is a match! Sanada stands Yoh up, but Yoh fires forearms! Sanada CLAWS eyes, SMACKS Yoh, then headlocks. Yoh powers up and out, drops down, then bypasses to drop toehold!
Yoh keeps moving, basement DROPKICK! But Evil & Ren attack! They double whip, but Yoh ducks the lariats to DUOBLE EYE POKE! The fans fire up and Yoh storms over to Sanada. Yoh drags Sanada around by his legs, and then he ties Sanada up, only for SAanada to kick free! Sanada blocks a kick, trips Yoh, and he ties Yoh up! But Yoh kicks free! Yoh dodges Sanada, O’Conner Rolls, and bridges! But Evil YANKS the ref out! Ren BLASTS Wato & Yano, Yoh hurries to check on the ref, but Sanada KICKS the ropes to jam him up! Wait, now Douki & Yujiro are out here to add onto the mugging! The fans boo, but Sanada puts Yoh in the DRAGON SLEEPER!
Wait a minute, KANEMARU is a ref now?! SKULL END!! Kanemaru asks Yoh, and Kanemaru claims Yoh gave up! Sho rings the bell, and the music plays!? Evil drags the belts into the ring while Sho makes the BS announcement! The House of Torture are NOT the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Champions, but they mug Yano, Yoh & Wato all the same! Sho claims that Yoh, Yano & Wato are NOT going to the Tokyo Dome now! Kanemaru raises everyone’s hands in victory, and the whole House thinks this farce will stand with NJPW officials! The fans boo as the House starts to leave, but Yoh picks up the mic!
“Oi! What’re you idiots talking about? You really think we’ll let you get away with this?! We need to have this happen, NOW! Restart the match!” The fans chant for that, too! And now AARON WOLF is here, and he’s bringing ref Marty Asami! The fans cheer as justice is being served! Asami also lays down the law, telling Kanemaru and all the extra players to back off! But then Ren & Sanada CLOBBER Team Hontai from behind! The fans boo again as the mugging continues, and even Wolf gets in there! Evil CLAWS Wolf’s eyes! Asami shouts at them all to stop it, and the other Young Lions get in there to usher the cornermen out!
Evil, Ren & Sanada are without Fale, Douki, and the rest, but even Wolf has to back down for the time being. The fans rally for Wolf but he’s sent to the back. Things are finally just 3v3, and we do get our restart! Evil TOSSES the blue buckle pad! Evil drags Yano up, whips him to the corner, and Yano hits the bare steel! Evil tags Ren, Ren stomps Yano’s leg and AX HANDLES him down! Ren drags Yano up and whips him back into the bare steel! Tag to Sanada, Sanada drags Yano, and Sanada TOSSES Yano out! Ren sets Yano up for Evil to JAM him up with a chair! Evil puts Yano in the ring and Sanada covers, TWO!
The fans cheer as Yano toughs it out. Sanada tags Evil, Evil brings in a towel, but the ref stops Evil! The ref confiscates the towel, but Evil has the tag rope! Evil CHOKES Yano with the rope, laughs as he gets away with it, then covers, TWO! Yano survives but Evil covers again, TWO! Another cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as Yano stays in this for the team! Evil tags Ren, and they split the wishbone! Ren drags Yano up, whips him to ropes, and ELBOWS him down! Cover, TWO! Ren is annoyed but the fans cheer. Ren drags Yano up, but Yano pulls hair! The fans cheer, but Ren hits a leg roll! Evil & Sanada BLASTS Yoh & Wato! FIGURE FOUR KNEEBAR!!
Yano endures, reaches out, but Ren puts on the pressure! Yano still fights his way around, and he makes the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Ren lets go in frustration. Ren stands Yano up, kicks the leg, then whips. Yano reverse and THROWS Ren down by his hair! The fans rally while both men crawl, hot tag to Wato! Wato BLASTS Sanada & Evil, then he goes after Ren with forearms! Wato ROCKS Ren, whips him, but Ren reverses. Wato RANAS Ren! Evil & Sanada return, they double whip Wato to a corner, then Sanada runs in. Wato dodges and he RANAS Evil! Then he dodges Sanada to RANA Sanada, too!
The fans fire up as The House regroups on the outside! Wato builds speed and he FLIES! Down goes the House! The fans fire up with Wato now and he drags Ren into the ring. Wato then goes up the corner, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Ren survives but the fans still rally for Wato. Wato waistlocks to GERMAN- NO, Ren fights the lift and switches, SLEEPER! Wato arm-drags free, ducks and ZIGZAGS! The fans fire up, Wato covers, TWO! Ren toughs it out but the fans rally for Wato again. But Ren CHOKES Wato! Wato breaks free, kicks low, then runs, but Evil trips him! Ren tags Sanada while Evil BLASTS Yano & Yoh!
The House double whip Wato to a corner, then Evil LARIATS! Sanada ELBOWS! Ren ELBOWS! Snapmare, and Evil has Yano’s red chair! This is to distract the ref while SHO slithers back out here! Sanada & Ren set Wato up upside-down, Sho goes up, and DICK CHOP! The fans boo but Sanada covers, TWO!! Wato survives and the fans fire up! Sanada drags Wato up and around, fireman’s carries, but Wato slips free! Sanada ELBOWS Wato, runs the ropes, but Wato DROPKICKS him down! The fans fire up and Wato crawls for the corner! Hot tag to Yoh! Yoh drags Sanada around, and ties him up in Paradise!
The fans cheer as Yoh hurries to kick and whip Ren into railing! And then he does the same to Sho! The fans fire up and Yoh hurries back into the ring! Yoh encourages the fans to get louder a la the old Sanada, and he DROPKICKS Sanada out of Paradise! The fans cheer again, and Yoh reels Sanada in! FALCON- NO, Sanada slips free! Yoh ELBOWS and ROCKS Sanada, but Sanada FALLING LOW BLOWS! The fans boo, but Sanada gets his guitar! The ref stops Sanada, but this is so Sho can sneak in! SPOILER CHOKER on Yoh! The fans boo but “Dick Togo Junior” scurries away! Ren now distracts the ref, and Sanada takes aim!
But WOLF has Sho in a sleeper! Revenge! Evil is furious, Sanada takes a swing, Yoh dodges! SMASH HIT on the post! Yoh then waistlocks, but Sanada fights the lift! Yoh avoids the low blow, Sanada ROCKS him, but Yoh FALLING LOW BLOWS! Ren freaks out, but Yoh kicks the ropes to JAM Ren up! Yoh then SHOVES Sanada into Ren, and then cradles Sanada! HONTAI WINS!!
Winners: Toru Yano, Yoh & Master Wato, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships)
Justice has truly been served, and then Wolf and Evil are brawling full on! Evil CLAWS at Wolf, the Young Lions get in there and back them both off, but not for long! Evil CLAWS Wolf’s eyes, fires some knees, and things spill into the crowd! Wolf ROCKS Evil! And ROCKS him again! Wolf is not backing down, so Evil THROWS Young Lions at him! Evil drags Wolf up with a headlock, CLAWS his eyes again, but the Young Lions pry him off of Wolf! Evil tells Wolf to know his place, but Wolf isn’t gonna be bullied! They take their fight to the back! Is it all but official that Evil will be defending his NEVER title at WrestleKingdom, too?
Hiroshi Tanahashi joins commentary!
He may have missed out on the finals, and he may have already had his last match in Kumamoto, but he wants to watch this main event match that very well affects the future of NJPW.
2025 World Tag League Finals: Gabe Kidd & Yota Tsuji VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa!
Both teams fought hard to make it up the ranks, make it to the playoffs, and make it to this point. The Mad Man & Gene Blast smoothed out the rough patches, but The Chin & The Mullet have always been in sync. Will Gabe & Tsuji make The Mighty kneel? Or will ZSJ & Oiwa be more than #WarReady?
The teams sort out, and while Gabe wants after someone, Yota has him stand down. Yota starts against Oiwa and the bell rings. The fans rally up already as Oiwa and Yota stare down. The “YOTA! YOTA!” seems to outweigh the “OIWA! OIWA!” They slowly circle, feel things out, and while Yota reaches in, Oiwa steps back. They tie up with collar ‘n’ elbow, then Yota wrenches to wristlock. Oiwa rolls, wrenches back, and wristlocks. Yota moves around, the fans rally, and Yota spins to slip through and full nelson. Yota spins Oiwa, snapmares, but Oiwa rolls to wrench. Yota rolls, wrenches, but Oiwa headlocks.
Yota powers up and pries the hold open, to then top wristlock! Oiwa fights it but Yota still powers him down, so Oiwa bridges! The fans cheer as Oiwa stands and headlocks again! Yota endures the grind, powers up, but can’t power out as Oiwa holds on tight! Yota powers up to lift, Oiwa hits the takeover, bu tYota rolls to a cover! ONE, and Yota fights up. Yota fires body shots, powers up and powers out, to then drop down and sidestep! Yota then runs, slips around and arm-drags Oiwa! And leg sweeps! Cover, ONE! Yota hits a takeover, Oiwa headscissors, and Oiwa holds on tight! The fans cheer as Oiwa pushes up for pressure!
Yota fights around, pops out, and he has Oiwa’s legs trapped in a butterfly! Yota floats to a headlock, Oiwa headscissors, but Yota kips free! The fans cheer the standoff! Oiwa and Yota back away, and they take Gabe and ZSJ. The fans rally as Gabe and ZSJ circle, then they step up. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but ZSJ rolls, wrenches, and wristlocks. Gabe spins, slips through, wrenches, and wristlocks. ZSJ hooks a leg, but Gabe puts pressure on the wristlock. ZSJ rolls, hooks the leg again, and even chinbars. Gabe cranks the wristlock again, but ZSJ bridges, spins, wrenches, slips through, and wrangles Gabe with a top wristlock!
Gabe fights up fast, rolls, rolls back, then handsprings! Gabe breaks free, ZSJ avoids the chop, and the fans cheer! ZSJ and Gabe reset, circle again, and test the waters. They tie up, ZSJ wrenches an arm then makes it a COBRA CLUTCH! Gabe fights it, but ends up in a straitjacket! ZSJ digs his head into Gabe’s shoulder blades, then keeps him from the ropes. Gabe powers up to turn the jacket onto ZSJ! ZSJ drops, bridges, scoots under, but Gabe blocks him! Gabe keeps the jacket on ZSJ, but ZSJ tries again! Bridge, spin, waistlock! Gabe switches, ZSJ switches, O’Conner, but Gabe trips ZSJ to a SLEEPER! ZSJ rolls back, has the wrists, but Gabe flips over!
Gabe smothers ZSJ into a cover, TWO!! ZSJ avoids another chop and the fans fire up! Gabe and ZSJ back off in their stalemate, and ZSJ tags Oiwa. Gabe doesn’t tag out, but he pretends like Oiwa isn’t there. Gabe and Oiwa circle, and Gabe eggs Oiwa on. They tie up, Gabe headlocks, but Oiwa powers up and out! Gabe RAMS Oiwa, RAMS him again, and RAMS him again! Oiwa stays up and the fans fire up! Gabe runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Oiwa arm-drags him down! The fans cheer while Oiwa grinds the armlock. Gabe fights around, rises up, and fires forearms! Oiwa grinds the armlock harder and Gabe drops to a knee.
Gabe fights back up, Yota coaches him, and Gabe KNEES low! Gabe whips Oiwa to a corner, but Oiwa dodges, to arm-drag again! Oiwa has the armlock again, and ZSJ BOOTS Yota down for good measure! Red Shoes reprimands, but Gabe fights up. Oiwa wrenches and YANKS the arm! Oiwa UPPERCUTS the arm, then RAMS the shoulder! Tag to ZSJ, he steps on Gabe’s arm, and he pulls the arm around to bend the fingers! Red Shoes reprimands but Gabe endures. ZSJ has the top wristlock, floats to turn Gabe over, and he traps the arm in an omoplata! Then roll to a cover, TWO! ZSJ keeps the arm to wrench, wrench, and he tags Oiwa.
Oiwa takes the handoff and wrenches the arm again. And again, and then he top wristlocks! Oiwa STOMPS the arm down! A very ZSJ move, and Oiwa SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Oiwa keeps Gabe down. Oiwa drags Gabe over and tags ZSJ. TMDK double whip and DOUBLE ELBOW! Then they get the legs, DOUBLE TOEHOLDS! Red Shoes reprimands but they shift to DOUBLE STRAIGHT ARMBARS! Yota storms in and stomps them both! Yota coaches Gabe, but TMDK trips Yota up! DOUBLE TOEHOLDS! Then they both top wristlock and STOMP the arms! Yota rolls out of the ring while he writhes.
Gabe sits up, ZSJ kicks him again and again and again. Gabe stands, ZSJ wrenches the arm and wristlocks. ZSJ bends the arm, wrangles Gabe to the mat, and JAMS his own hand into his side! ZSJ twists the arm more, then DOUBLE WRISLTOCKS! Gabe endures while the fans rally, then fights up. ZSJ wrenches, Gabe whips him away, but ZSJ goes up and- CHOP! Yota is back, he and Gabe BLAST Oiwa together! Yota goes out after Oiwa while Gabe CHOPS ZSJ! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Yota sends Oiwa into railing, then stomps him down. Gabe RAMS ZSJ into railing, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS!
ZSJ flops down, Gabe shakes out his arms, and Gabe drags ZSJ up to whip him into railing! The ring count starts but Gabe CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The count is 8 of 20, Gabe rolls in at 10. ZSJ is still down and the count is climbing. We pass 15, but ZSJ rolls in at 17! The fans cheer, but Gabe is there to CHOP ZSJ in the corner! And CHOP again! Gabe snarls, CHOPS again, and ZSJ drops to the mat! Gabe paces, glares at Oiwa, then tags Yota. Yota BLASTS Oiwa for good measure before he brings ZSJ up. Yota whips ZSJ to a corner, RAMS into him again and again, then CHOPS! The fans cheer and rally up while Yota snapmares ZSJ.
Yota digs his knee into ZSJ’s back while he clamps on the chinlock. ZSJ bends Yota’s fingers, but Yota ELBOWS ZSJ in the head! Yota tags Gabe back in, Gabe drags ZSJ up, and Gabe suplexes. CHASING THE DRAGON!? Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives that but Gabe sends ZSJ to Yota’s scoop, BACKBREAKER! Gabe scoops, SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, Oiwa breaks it! Oiwa stomps Gabe, but Yota kicks and TOSSES Oiwa. Gabe snarls as he looms over ZSJ. Gabe drags ZSJ up to CHOP him to the corner! And CHOP him down! Tag to Yota, he and Gabe stand ZSJ against the ropes to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP, and repeat!
The fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands. The CHOPS continue, and then they stop at 4. Yota & Gabe tell Red Shoes to tranquilo, then they double whip ZSJ. But ZSJ double wrenches and PELES the arms! Hot tag to Oiwa! He DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, and Oiwa runs to LARIAT Gabe in a corner! And he LARIATS Yota in the other corner! Oiwa winds up, Yota ducks the lariat, but he runs into a DROPKICK! Oiwa fires up, he dodges Gabe, and DROPKICKS! Oiwa handsprings and the fans fire up again! Oiwa drags Gabe up, he suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Oiwa holds on!? And he suplexes again for the SLAM!
The fans fire up, but Yota RAN- NO! Oiwa stops the rana to LIGER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives but the fans cheer Oiwa’s sheer strength! Oiwa drags Yota up, but Yota fights the Tenzan Plex! Oiwa still tries but Yota sunset flips it! TWO, and Yota clinches! BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER, and STOMP! The fans cheer the Gene Combination while Oiwa sputters. Yota takes a moment to check his own neck, then he sees Oiwa go to the corner. Yota runs corner to corner, and STINGER SPLASH! Then Yota hoists Oiwa up top, and he ROCKS him with a forearm! Yota fires the fans up, and he smiles as he climbs! Yota fires a flurry, but Oiwa fires back!
Oiwa fights the clinch, HEADBUTTS Yota down, and now Oiwa fires up! The fans cheer, but Gabe SMACKS Oiwa! Gabe climbs up, he has Yota move aside, and Gabe has Oiwa on the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Yota covers, TWO! Oiwa is tougher than that, but Gabe barks. The fans bark with Gabe, Yota stands Oiwa up, and Gabe runs up! Oiwa dodges and knees collide! Oiwa then SHOVES Yota into Gabe! Oiwa then gets around, TENZAN PLEX! All three men are down and the fans rally up again! Oiwa crawls, hot tag to ZSJ! ZSJ runs up, tilt-o-whirls, and has the arm for the IRON OCTOPUS! But Yota powers up to BACKDROP free!
ZSJ runs up, but into a FLATLINER! Both men are down and Yota calls to Gabe! Yota rolls, hot tag to Gabe! Gabe puts some stank on the CHOP! ZSJ falls, Gabe covers, TWO!! ZSJ almost didn’t get out of that, but Gabe stands him up. Gabe CHOPS, then CHOPS again! ZSJ staggers around, and Gabe CHOPS again! Gabe eggs ZSJ on, CHOPS, but ZSJ blocks! And top wristlocks to STOMP the arm! Gabe writhes, ZSJ PENALTY KICKS! But Gabe sits up to flip ZSJ off! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS and high stacks! TWO!! Gabe survives and escapes, but ZSJ stays focused. The fans rally up, ZSJ reels Gabe in, scoop and- NO, Gabe fights that to suplex!
ZSJ slips free, Oiwa is there, LARIAT GERMAN SUPLEX COMB! EURO CLUTCH! TWO!! Gabe is up, but ZSJ BOOTS! Oiwa backslides, ZSJ jackknifes, but Gabe rolls through to cover! Oiwa breaks it!! Oiwa almost didn’t notice the turnaround, but he manages to save this for TMDK. But Gabe ROCKS ZSJ, CHOPS Oiwa, and repeat! Oiwa ducks a chop, puts Gabe in a corner, ENZIGIRI to CHAOS THEORY!! Then the jackknife bridge! YOTA BREAKS IT!! Yota almost didn’t get there in time, but he kicks Oiwa and whips! Wrench and GENE TRIGGER! Oiwa falls, but ZSJ snapmares Yota to NECK TWIST! Gabe BOOTS ZSJ!
ZSJ is on the ropes, the fans rally up even harder, and ZSJ BOOTS Gabe! Gabe BOOTS ZSJ! ZSJ BOOTS Gabe! Repeat! ZSJ rebounds, Gabe blocks a boot to KNEE ZSJ down! The fans are thunderous while everyone is down! Gabe calls to Yota, crawls his way over, and he hot tags Yota! The fans fire up as Yota runs in, but ZSJ dodges the knee! ZSJ comes back, blocks a boot, but Yota uses the British Reel and he DOUBLE STOMPS ZSJ down! The fans fire up again and Yota goes up the corner! MARLOWE- NO, ZSJ avoids the crush! ZSJ runs up, jumps on, GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! But Yota powers through to suplex free!
ZSJ lands out, but Yota avoids the Pele to have the BOSTON CRAB! Simple yet effective and the fans fire up! ZSJ endures, but Yota powers him down! ZSJ still fights forward, but Yota drags him back! ZSJ tucks and rolls, and he drags Yota into the RINGS OF SATURN! Oiwa intercepts Gabe into the ARC CLUTCH!! Gabe endures while ZSJ shifts angles on Yota, CLARKY CAT!! Yota endures, Gabe fights around, ZSJ shifts things again for the BAD BALLOON REMIX!! Gabe THROWS Oiwa onto ZSJ! The fans are thunderous as all four men are down again! We’ve hit 25 minutes, the longest match of this whole tournament, but there’s no limit on this one!
The fans rally up again as ZSJ drags Yota up. ZSJ UPPERCUTS Yota, then UPPERCUTS again! Yota wobbles but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! Yota rises, ZSJ reels him in, scoop and- NO, Yota slips free! And he catches ZSJ to a backslide! Roll through, GENE TRIGGER! ZSJ flops into the corner, Yota runs up, GENE TRIGGER!! Yota roars, the fans fire up, and MARLOWE CRUSH!! But Yota doesn’t cover, he just powers up again! Yota aims from the corner, GENE- NO, ZSJ scoops for the SABRE DRIVER!! But he can’t make the cover! The fans rally as hard as they can as both men crawl! Hot tags to Oiwa and Gabe!
Gabe and Oiwa fire forearms back and forth, faster and faster! The fans rally with every shot! Gabe ROCKS Oiwa, ROCKS him again, then looms over Oiwa. Gabe eggs Oiwa on, so Oiwa stands up. Oiwa ROCKS Gabe, but Gabe shakes that off to come back. Gabe ROCKS Oiwa, and Oiwa staggers to the ropes! Gabe shouts for Oiwa to bring it! This is NJPW, get up and fight! Oiwa fires another forearm, and another, and another! That left knocks Gabe down!! The fans fire up while Red Shoes checks. Oiwa storms up, Gabe SHOVES Oiwa away, and Gabe checks his mouth. He lost a tooth!? Gabe stands up, and he SMACKS Oiwa!
Gabe SMACKS Oiwa again, and again, and Oiwa staggers around! Is Gabe trying to knock out Oiwa’s teeth? Oiwa fires forearms in return, then SMACKS Gabe! Oiwa reels Gabe in, DOCTOR- RANA! Gabe runs up and STRAIGHT RIGHT! Then Gabe says, “I’m a Mad Man!” MADMAN BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa survives but Gabe snarls again! Gabe brings down the kneepad! Oiwa rises up, O- NO! Oiwa flops down! Gabe is annoyed as Oiwa is down, but Gabe hits a three point stance! He runs up like Yota, but Oiwa stops his Gene Blaster! DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous as we hit 30 minutes!
Gabe sputters as he sits up, but he reaches out for Oiwa. Gabe and Oiwa are forehead to forehead, and then Gabe SMACKS Oiwa! Oiwa SMACKS back! Gabe fires a flurry of palm strikes, but Oiwa LARIATS! Gabe stays up, ducks ‘n dodges, Yota joins in! WAR BLASTER!!! Cover, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Yota gets ZSJ up, he and Gabe DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Then DOUBLE KNEE! Yota TOSSES ZSJ out, then he DIVES! Direct hit and ZSJ hits railing! Gabe has Oiwa, PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Oiwa survives and Gabe is as shocked as anyone! The fans are thunderous for “OIWA! OIWA!” while Gabe shakes his head.
Gabe says a quick prayer, perhaps asking to forgive what he’ll do next. Gabe runs, Yota is back, but ZSJ trips Yota to an ANKLE LOCK! DOUBLE LARIATS collide and both Gabe and Oiwa stagger away! Yota hops around on one foot as ZSJ has him on the outside! Gabe and Oiwa run up, THE GRIP!! But Gabe pops right up! STRAIGHT RIGHT! But THE GRIP returns!! Cover, TMDK WINS!!!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall (2025 World Tag League Champions)
Both teams were firing on all cylinders, but truly, the mightier team won out! Yota apologizes to Gabe for failing to get him across the finish line. Will these rivals just have to fight that much harder next time? Will there be a next time?
As for TMDK, they have their hands raised, and then they’re handed the trophies! ZSJ & Oiwa hold those up high while the fans cheer. Then they sit down for a moment to rest and catch their breath. ZSJ makes sure the fans all cheer Oiwa properly for scoring the fall. Oiwa is then handed the mic, and he starts by saying, “TMDK just captured World Tag League! It’s been 15 months since I came back to NJPW, and I haven’t won any championships. To some, it may’ve seemed like I was lingering in the shadows, but now, Zack and I have won the World Tag League trophies! I’m not an NPC, I am a lead character!” The fans cheer that!
Oiwa continues by saying that ever since he came into NJPW, he is glad to fight and get stronger with TMDK. Zack, thank you! The fans applaud as ZSJ side hugs his young sidekick. Oiwa says that in 2025, you cannot stop TMDK’s momentum! And when this year is done, in 2026, TMDK will be at the top and put NJPW on top of the wrestling world! Oiwa vows to stay true to himself and his pro-wrestling style, and that wrestling you saw here tonight was TMDK, that was pro-wrestling! Thank you for all your support, but they’re not done yet! TMDK will keep getting stronger, and will be even tougher the next time you see them in Kumamoto!
So when they come back, Oiwa hopes this entire venue will be decked out in orange! With that, Oiwa does the mic drop, and both he and ZSJ lift the trophies again! The fans cheer and the streamers fly! The streamers are blue and silver, but will The Chin & The Mullet soon be decked out in IWGP Heavyweight Tag gold?
My Thoughts:
Another great event, especially as the 2025 WTL finale. ELP VS Hartley to open with the NJPW World TV title was good stuff, Hartley looked good even in defeat, but ELP retaining is good stuff. ELP could face any number of possible opponents now for WrestleKingdom, I’m sure that’ll be another great match. Tanahashi’s team winning here was the right move, Daiki was there to take that loss, and it was good for Tanahashi’s last Kumamoto match to be a win. Tanahashi is probably going to build more momentum with win after win up until WrestleKingdom, where he more than likely loses to Okada one last time.
Great stuff from Finlay & Hiromu VS Callum & Khan, because of course we got another brawl to be the majority of the segment. Callum disqualifying things was a bit of a surprise, and I kinda dread the possibility of another “Dog Cage” match… The first one was rough and cost Alex Coughlin his in-ring career. The second was alright but it was just to keep things going between War Dogs VS House of Torture in other forms. Again, Finlay’s contract is just about up, will Dog Cage 3 be how they write Finlay out of NJPW? Or will it give away that Finlay is staying in NJPW when the War Dogs/Unaffiliated win?
Really good stuff in the NEVER Six Man title match, and they used overbooking just right here. The House was so involved that of course it was a mess and they tried to literally steal these belts. Aaron Wolf getting involved again telegraphs that we’re getting Evil VS Wolf for WK20 now, but hey, that’s a great spot for Wolf’s first match. Yoh, Yano & Wato probably face another combination of the House of Torture since all the other factions are gonna be busy with other stuff, maybe involving Sho so that Yoh and Sho can continue their feud through these titles.
And we got an awesome, stellar main event for the WTL finals. As I’ve been saying, Gabe & Yota weren’t gonna win, Yota has his match with Konosuke. TMDK winning is awesome for Oiwa, he and ZSJ are going to have another awesome match with the Knock Out Brothers, and that could go either way honestly. Oskar & Yuto-Ice have been doing so well, I wouldn’t be surprised if they retained at their first WK to really solidify themselves. At the same time, TMDK needs a lot going for them right now in the mainstream NJPW. I haven’t seen Shane Thorne & Mikey Nicholls on these shows in a long time, and no idea if they’re helping Tamashii or NJPW Strong, no idea if their contracts are almost up, too. Getting the heavyweight tag titles would be just the spark for TMDK to get going in 2026.
My Score: 9/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event Results & Report! (12/13/25)
The Last Time IS Now!
Thank You, Cena!
After 25 years, The Last Time IS Now as John Cena has his final match PERIOD, against Der Ring General, GUNTHER, on Saturday Night’s Main Event!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Cody Rhodes VS Oba Femi; Cody wins, by disqualification.
- Bayley VS Sol Ruca; Sol wins.
- AJ Styles & Dragon Lee VS Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater; Styles & Dragon win.
- John Cena VS GUNTHER; Gunther wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
G.O.A.T.
Triple H narrates, “The Goat. You hear it so much, you forget what it means: Greatest Of All Time. Is it measured in titles? Records? Or calibrated in time? Games and matches morph into seasons, seasons into years, years into decades. But The GOAT perseveres in a style all his own every damn night, until he’s an era unto himself. John Cena made his WWE debut June 27, 2002. But what marks the intervening quarter-century, and that which makes Cena the GOAT, nothing less than the sacred currency of professional wrestling: The connection. That communion with the crowd. Oh, he sees you. He hears you. He feels you. Loves you. Every last one.” So, for one last time, #ThankYouCena!
Cody Rhodes VS Oba Femi!
While The American Nightmare wants to settle things with the Scottish Terminator once and for all, The Ruler made it clear that “Quarterback Number One” needs to focus on him now! Will the NXT Champion prove he is The Destroyer and the Bringer of War? Or will Cody show us why HE is undisputed?
The bell rings and the fans fire up as the two champions stare down. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock as Cody cannot push Oba back, but then Oba SHOVES Cody! The fans duel and sing as Cody shrugs that off. Cody and Oba reset, circle again, and they tie up. Cody headlocks, shifts, hammerlocks, then ducks an elbow! Oba says it was that close. The two go again, Cody avoids the grapple to headlock, but Oba powers up and carries Cody to the ropes! Oba then powers up and out, but Cody ducks the boot to DROPKICK a leg! But Oba stops the Rhodes Uppercut with a guzel! And an URENAGE BACKBREAKER!
The fans fire up and Oba fires body shots on Cody in the corner! Oba HAMMERS Cody, CLUBS him down, and he snarls as the ref counts 4. The fans cheer, Cody goes to a corner, but Oba is right on him. Oba wrenches and whips corner to corner hard! Oba storms up on Cody again, but Cody fires forearms! Oba KNEES low, Cody goes back to a corner, and Oba TOSSES him across the ring! The fans fire up with Oba, and Cody hurries back to his feet. Oba whips corner to corner, but Cody goes up and over! SNAP- NO! Oba blocks the powerslam! Oba scoops to SLAM Cody back! Cover, TWO! Cody toughs it out but Oba stays focused.
Oba brings Cody up to ROCK him with a forearm. Cody goes to a corner, Oba storms up, btu Cody kicks low! Oba UPPERCUTS first! Oba huffs ‘n’ puffs and stalks Cody along the ropes. Oba whips, scoops, and he carries Cody with one arm! Oba “takes a puff” and hits the BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Oba drags Cody up and CLUBS him back down! Cody sputters and crawls, but Oba stays close. Oba drags Cody up, lifts, but Cody slips free of the bomb! Cody then dodges and Oba POSTS himself! Cody runs, ROCKS Oba, but Oba stays up! Cody goes up and over, and he SNAP POWERSLAMS! The fans fire up with Cody as he stands!
Cody springboards, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Oba survives and Cody is frustrated, but the fans rally up. Cody goes up the ropes again, but Oba catches him this time! Oba whips, Cody reverses, and Cody TOSSES Oba out! Cody runs and DIVES into a FOREARM! The fans fire up while Cody flounders back. Oba rolls in, watches Cody stagger, and Oba runs up! But Cody DUMPS Oba out! Oba staggers, Cody builds speed, and Cody DIVES! Down goes Oba and the fans fire up again! Cody hurries to get back in the ring, but so does Oba! Cody runs up into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Cody survives and the fans fire up again!
The fans rally, Oba stalks Cody, and he drags Cody up to scoop. Cody slips free, kicks low, and RHODES UPPERCUTS! Cody goes to the ropes, but Oba LARIATS him out! Oba snarls, the fans fire up, and Oba goes out the side. Oba runs in around the way! Oba CLOBBERS Cody, they BOTH go over the desk! The fans are fired up again, Cody is bleeding from an ear or cheek, and Oba gets him up and into the ring! Oba pops Cody up, SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Cody survives again and Oba is beside himself! The fans rally up, Oba snarls as he looms over Cody. Oba whips, Cody slips free of the pop-up! SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Oba survives! But wait! DREW MCINTYRE IS HERE!! AND HE ATTACKS CODY!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by disqualification
The fans boo as the Scottish Terminator just HAD to ruin the match! So much for an “unsafe working environment” when he’s the one on the attack! But now OBA gets in Drew’s face! The fans fire up for this, and Drew says Oba is too dumb to understand what’s going on here. Oba SHOVES Drew! And then CODY CUTTER!! Cody gets the better of Drew, and Oba adds on! CHOKE SLAM! The fans fire up for Oba as he stands up for both himself and Cody Rhodes. Cody shows him respect by giving Oba his title, and raising his hand! The fans cheer, but what will it take for Cody and Drew to finally put this one to bed?
Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Sol Ruca w/ Zaria!
The Role Model has been working on getting back to titles, the same as the Soul Surfer of NXT. But now Sol gets a chance to really show what she’s capable of going against a WWE Grand Slam Champion! Will Bayley get her soul snatched in DC? Or will she prove to everyone else that she’s still got what it takes?
The bell rings and Bayley circles with Sol. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Bayley headlocks. Sol fights around, Bayley shifts to a waistlock, but Sol fights up to switch. Bayley headlocks for the takeover, Sol rolls to a cover, ONE! Bayley has the armlock now, CLUBS the arm, and wrenches. Bayley WRINGS the arm, but Sol handsprings through! The fans cheer, the two tie up, Bayley waistlocks then headlocks. Bayley wrenches and YANKS the arm, YANKS it again, then whips. Sol ducks ‘n’ dodges, handsprings and handstand walks, to handspring again! RANA! The fans fire up and Bayley scrambles to a corner!
The fans fire up and Sol waits on Bayley. They circle, tie up, and Sol waistlocks. Bayley switches to YANK the arm again and again, then whips. Sol handsprings through the hip toss to X-FACTOR! Bayley tumbles out of the ring, the fans rally up, and Sol watches Bayley closely. Sol drags Bayley up, but Bayley HOTSHOTS her down! Sol tumbles out the side, Bayley runs up, DAREDEVIL- NO, Sol stops the dropkick! And she spins Bayley around, goes up the apron, handsprings to dodge and then PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up as Sol goes up and ASAI M OONSAULTS! Bayley avoids it to then DECK Sol! The fans fire up and Bayley brings Sol up.
Bayley puts Sol in the ring, storms in after her, and ROCKS her with a forearm. Bayley fireman’s carries but Sol slips free and rolls her up, TWO! Sol stands, trips Bayley, then floats to a cover, TWO! Sol trips Bayley, handsprings over her, then SUPERKICKS! The fans rally, Sol TOSSES Bayley out, and then Sol builds speed! Sol handsprings to SASUKE SPECIAL! The fans are thunderous for the “Sol-suke,” including Zaria! Sol then puts Bayley back in, springboards, but Bayley avoids the splash! Sol belly flops, and Bayley LARIATS her down! The fans rally up while Bayley huffs ‘n’ puffs. Bayley staggers around, but she lines up a shot.
Bayley runs up to SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB Sol! Cover, TWO! Sol survives but Bayley stays focused. Bayley looms over Sol, sits her up, and KNEES her in the back! Bayley clamps on a chinlock, grinds Sol down, but Sol endures. The fans rally and duel as Sol fights up! Sol fires body shots, rolls Bayley, but Bayley rolls through to KNEE Sol away! Sol staggers to a corner, Bayley runs up again, btu Sol dodges! The knee hits buckles, and Sol mule kicks! ELBOWS! And CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” and Sol whips to UPPERCUT Bayley down! And UPPERCUT! And then a whip to the corner! Sol SNAP GERMANS Bayley on the rebound!
Sol kips up, the fans fire up, and Sol goes up the corner! Bayley stands, Sol BOOTS her away, then Sol cartwheels, ARCH DDT! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives but Sol keeps moving! Springboard, but into the BAYLEY2BELLY!! Cover, TWO!! The fans rally up, Zaria coaches Sol and Lyra coaches Bayley. Bayley hoists Sol up, puts her on the top rope, and then in the Tree of Woe! Bayley CLUBS away on Sol, runs corner to corner, and jumps up to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Sol survives again and the fans rally up. Sol goes to a corner, Bayley runs back up, but into a SUPERKICK! Sol runs up, backslide, TWO!!
Bayley and Sol stand up, still hooked up, and Bayley swings Sol around! Step over and- NO, Sol handsprings through the Rose Plant! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Bayley survives but Sol stays focused. Sol goes to the corner, SOLUL- NO! Bayley YANKS her out of the Snatcher to ROSE PLANT!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Bayley is furious now, and she HAMMERS Sol! The ref counts as they’re still in the ropes, and Bayley drags Sol up. Bayley clinches, SAIDO! Then she drags Sol around to the drop zone! Bayley goes up, up, and MACHO ELBOWS onto knees! Then O’Conner Roll! TWO, Sol goes up, SOUL SNATCHER!! BUT BAYLEY’S HALF OUT OF THE RING!
Sol drags Bayley back in, and Bayley snatches her to a cover! TWO, Sol has it! SOL WINS!!
Winner: Sol Ruca, by pinfall
Even #ZaRuca is shocked as Sol scores! Bayley & Lyra show them respect and they all raise hands in celebration. They also salute to Cena, “You Can’t See Me!”
AJ Styles & Dragon Lee VS Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater!
The Phenomenal One & The Boy Wonder are still WWE World Tag Team Champions after their war with the War Raiders, but there could be a new challenge as they face the Young OG & Youngest In Charge. Win or lose, will this match of present and future be absolute cinema?
The teams sort out and Je’Von & Leon DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Then Je’Von FLIES out onto Styles! Leon LEG LARIATS Dragon! Dragon tumbles out, Leon builds speed to FLY over the corner! Direct hit and DC fires up as Leon puts Dragon in! CROSSBODY! Tag to Je’Von and he goes up, FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Dragon survives and the fans are fired up again! Je’Von drags Dragon over, tags Leon, and they mug Dragon. Je’Von whips Leon in, SPLASH! Snapmare, cover, TWO! Dragon is tougher than that but Leon drags Dragon up to put him in the corner. Dragon BOOTS Leon, ELBOWS Je’Von, then dodges Leon!
Leon POSTS himself, but Je’Von hurries to run up on Dragon! Dragon DUMPS Je’Von out, crawls, but Leon anchors Dragon! Leon back suplexes, Dragon lands out, and Dragon slips through to lift Leon! LIGER BOMB! Both men are down, the fans rally up, and Styles is back! Leon and Dragon crawl, hot tags to Je’Von and Styles! Styles fires the Phenomenal Blitz! LARIAT! SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up with Styles and he runs in at the corner, LARIAT! Then fireman’s carry and USHIGOROSHI! Leon is back, but Styles gets him for an atomic FACEBUSTER! Styles runs in at Je’Von, but Je’Von puts him on the apron!
Je’Von SMACKS Styles down, then builds speed, and he slides, but Styles dodges! Styles throws Je’Von to the apron, but Je’Von goes up, up, and ASAI MOONSAULTS! Styles dodges, Je’Von lands on his feet, but Styles RAMS him into barriers! Dragon runs to FLYING RANA Leon into Styles’ hands! STYLES- SUPERKICK from Je’Von! Dragon runs up, but Je’Von POSTS him! Je’Von & Leon put Styles in the ring, and Je’Von goes up, up, SUPER O G CUTTER!! Je’Von drags Styles over, tags Leon back in! “This is Awesome!” as Leon goes up, SWANTON SPLASH!! Cover, Dragon DROPKICKS Je’Von onto it!
The fans are thunderous as all four men are down. Dragon goes to a corner, he takes off the elbow pad, “This is Awesome!” as Dragon runs up! Je’Von SUPERKICKS, but Dragon V-TRIGGERS! Dragon ducks a roundhouse but not the SUPERKICK! Je’Von handsprings, RED DOT- DRAGON BLADE!! Je’Von tumbles out, Dragon builds speed, and Dragon FLIES! Down goes Je’Von at the ramp! Leon sees Styles is down, so he hurries to reel him in! And he calls his shot! But Styles BACKDROPS free! Leon sunset flips, Styles rolls through, but Leon fights the Clash! Styles still tries, but Leon DUMPS Styles to the apron!
Styles ROCKS Leon! He prepares the elbow pad, for the PHENOMENAL- NO, Styles slips off the rope! Leon covers, TWO!! The ropes might still be a mess from this wild night, but Leon hurries back up top! Styles stands, Leon leaps, but into a POWERBOMB! And then a STYLES CLASH!! Cover, Styles & Dragon win!
Winners: AJ Styles & Dragon Lee, by pinfall
The tag team champions got a lot more out of Je’Von & Leon than they expected, but there’s no question the future of pro-wrestling will be bright! The champs show them great respect, too, and the fans applaud. Will it only be a matter of time before the Youngest In Charge are truly in charge?
The MIZ interrupts?!
He does it by shouting “AWWWWWESOME~!” over commentary talking! “Y’know what would’ve really been awesome? If this Last Time Is Now Tour didn’t pretend like I didn’t exist! Like I didn’t happen! I’ve been a main character in the history of John Cena! But here we are! Here we are, focusing on the new and up-and-coming superstars, when the guy that beat John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania, in this outfit, in this gear, is standing right here! I demand respect! I demand-” R-TRUTH is here! The fans fire up as Truth runs down the ramp a la John Cena and slides right into the ring! He’s even in a baseball cap, shirt, and jorts!
The fans cheer and sing, “What’s Up?” Truth says he saw what Miz did! In the Last Time is Now tournament, Miz did something real inappropriate with Nick Aldis’ balls! He took someone else’s opportunity! And that person… is right here! Truth holds up the lottery ball Miz swapped out! Miz snatches that away from Truth, opens it up, and reads the paper. “Joe Hendry?” “SAY HIS NAME AND HE APPEARS!” And Joe Hendry SPINS into view! Miz says NO! NO! NO! Turn the stupid music off and stop dancing! Miz is so sick of this! STOP CLAPPING! Truth says this is what Miz is asking for, though! Nd Hendry fires hands!
Miz swings, misses, and Hendry catches him! FALL AWAY SLAM! And kip up! And… Truth joins in for the TURN! They even pose for pictures! Hendry joins in with saying, “You Can’t See Me!” TEN KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! And then Hendry guzels for the STANDING OVATION! Cover, Truth count sit, Hendry “wins!” The fans in DC all now believe in Joe Hendry, he’s so prestigious. But will Miz ever be humble enough to let anyone else have the spotlight?
John Cena VS GUNTHER!
All good things must come to an end, and the same is true for the great careers of living legends. Truly, the last time is now, and the only one who doesn’t want to celebrate it is Der Ring General! Gunther won the right to face John Cena, and he wants to make it so that for the first time and the last time, John Cena finally gives up. Will Gunther make Cena’s moment all about him? Or will Cena go out on top in one last main event?
The fans already chant “Let’s Go, Cena!” while waiting on the entrance. And then the lights go down, and the music hits! The tron slideshows as many of the classic John Cena looks from the past 20 years as it can, and Cena tells Stu that this might be weird, but hold on. Cena takes the camera so he can film Stu! Stu asks if Cena’s ready, and Cena says yes! Cena asks the fans if they’re ready, and he shows the towel that says “The Last Time Is Now!” in Washington Wizards style. Cena runs down the ramp, slides into the ring, and the fans erupt with cheers! Cena makes sure to see all sides of the crowd, and again hopes they’re ready for this.
Cena then steps back out to shake hands with Trish Stratus, Eve Torres, RVD, Kurt Angle, Mark Henry, Michelle McCool, Elias, Kevin Owens, Haku, Booker T, Sami Zayn, and Sami’s son. Cena returns to the ring so we can get the big time main event introductions! The fans are already fire dup, and they only keep it going as the bell rings. Gunther and Cena circle, feel things out, and they tie up. They’re in a deadlock, the fans all cheer Cena on, and the two break. Cena is surprised there isn’t a “Cena sucks” in the chant but he and Gunther reset. They feel things out again, but Gunther backs off.
Gunther steps out of the ring and the fans boo, but Gunther is doing this just to cool the fans off. Gunther steps back inside, he and Cena tie up again, but the fans tell Gunther off. Gunther UPPERCUTS Cena, stomps him down, then soaks up all that heat. Gunther goes back to Cena, stands him up again, and he UPPERCUTS Cena back down! The fans boo as Gunther puts Cena in a corner. The fans tell Gunther off more, Gunther just CHOPS Cena for it! Gunther stalks Cena to the other corner, and he CHOPS Cena again! Cena falls and sputters, the fans boo Gunther, but Gunther soaks up that heat. Gunther stands Cena up to CHOP him again!
Cena sputters while Gunther looms over him. The fans taunt Gunther with “You Tapped Out!” Gunther shakes his head, and he scoops Cena to SLAM him! Gunther stalks Cena to a corner, and he whips Cena corner to corner hard! Cena flops down but the fans rally behind him again. Cena rises up, but Gunther CHPOS him! Cena catches it! Cena fires haymakers and the fans fire up! Cena whips, Gunther reverses, but Cena ducks ‘n’ dodges, to SHOULDER TACKLE! And SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans fire up as Cena hits the SPIN OUT BOMB! Cena raises his hand, the fans are thunderous again, and “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE!
The fans fire up, Cena waits on Gunther, fireman’s carry and- NO, Gunther slips free to GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans boo but Gunther runs, to LARIAT! Gunther snarls, drags Cena back up, SLEEPER! Cena fights it, but Gunther squeezes tight! Cena arm-drags free! Drop toehold! S T F!! Gunther endures and the fans are thunderous! Gunther reaches out, crawls forward, but the fans chant “TAP! TAP! TAP!” Cena pulls Gunther back, Gunther still fights, so Cena lets go to get the legs. Gunther BOOTS Cena away! T-REX SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Then the GUNTHER BOMB!! The fans boo but Gunther says it is done!
Cena sputters, sits up slowly, and the fans tell Gunther off again. Gunther aims from the corner, runs up, and LARIATS Cena back down! Gunther wants the ref to either call it or ask Cena. Cena refuses to give up as he sits back up. The fans rally behind Cena, but Gunther runs to LARIAT him back down! Gunther talks trash on the fans while they boo. Gunther paces, circling like a shark with blood in the water. The fans rally for Cena as hard as they can, and Gunther eggs him on. Cena stands, Gunther LARIATS again! Gunther shouts at Cena to give up already. Gunther is foaming at the mouth and the fans say that’s gross.
Cena stands, Gunther runs, LARIAT! Gunther is piling on the punishment as he insists Cena say he’s done. Cena rises up, the fans tell Gunther off again, so Gunther runs again. LARIAT! Cena is still conscious so Gunther looms over him. The fans rally for “SUPER CENA!” That might be the first time ever. Cena dodges a lariat to SHOULDER TACKLE! SHOULDER TACKLE! SPINE OUT BOMB again! FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Gunther staggers, Cena fireman’s carries! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and the fans can’t believe it! The fans chant “One More Time!” and Cena agrees!
Cena waits, fireman’s carries again, btu Gunther slips free! Gunther CHOPS Cena on the back! Then SLEEPER! Gunther drags Cena down into the body scissors! Cena flails, reaches out, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Cena rises, the fans are thunderous, and Cena shoves Gunther away! Cena has the SLEEPER!! The fans are going nuts as Cena has Gunther caught now! Gunther flails, flashbacks to Jey Uso at WrestleMania! Gunther kicks and kicks and fights to the ROPEBREAK! Cena lets go and Gunther bails out! The fans boo, but Cena storms in around the way! Gunther CHOPS! And then APRON BACK SUPLEX!
Cena sputters and slumps back down, but Gunther whips him into steel steps! Cena falls in a heap while the steps are knocked apart! The fans boo but Gunther refreshes the ring count. Gunther brings the other steel steps around, closer to the desk! Gunther then steps up so he can soak up all the heat. Gunther tells DC to shove it, then he fetches Cena. The fans tell Gunther off in return but he just chuckles. Gunther CLUBS Cena to be on the steps, then throws down fists! The fans boo, but Gunther clears the desk! Gunther then goes back up the steps, reels Cena in, but Cena fireman’s carries! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT DOWN THROUGH THE DESK!!
The fans are electric as both men are down on the ground! The ref checks both men, and Cena is already rising up! Cena drags Gunther back to ringside, puts him in the ring, “This is Awesome!” as Cena covers, TWO!!! Gunther survives and no one can believe it! But the fans all rally for Cena harder than ever before! Cena decides to go for broke, and he climbs the corner! FLYING FAMOUSER!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and both men are down again! The fans let Cena know, “You Still Got It!” Cena says hold on, let’s get one more! The fans cheer as Cena raises his hand. The last one, either way! He needs to hear us all!
The fans are thunderously cheering as Cena sets it up! “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” BUT GUNTHER IS UP!! HE BOOTS CENA DOWN!! And GERMAN SUPLEXES! And then the GUNTHER BOMB!! High stack, TWO!!! Cena survives, but Gunther just drags him around to the drop zone! Gunther goes up top, but Cena UPPERCUTS first! The fans fire up as Cena hops up to get Gunther! Fireman’s carry, and the SUPER ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Gunther survives and everyone is shocked! “This is Awesome!” as both men are down. Cena finds the energy to rise up, as does Gunther. Both men stand, and Cena fires a haymaker!
Gunther fires back, so Cena kicks low! Gunther fires a haymaker, Cena fires a haymaker! Gunther UPPERCUTS, Cena UPPERCUTS! The fans rally as both men wobble, and Gunther fires a shot! Cena fires back! Cena eggs Gunther on, then dodges, and fireman’s carries! ATTITUDE- NO, Gunther lands out!! And lifts, GUNTHER BOMB!! Gunther goes right to the corner, right up top, GUNTHER SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! CENA SURVIVES! The fans are electric while Gunther wants Cena to get up again! Cena slowly rises, the fans cheer him on, but Gunther clamps on the SLEEPER!! Cena flails, reaches out, but is he fading?!
The fans rally for Cena, they boo Gunther, but Cena gets a second wind! Cena pries the hold open! But Gunther clamps it back on! Cena is fading again! Gunther sits Cena down, wraps on the body scissors, but Cena refuses to give up! A third wind and Cena shifts around! Gunther stays between Cena and ropes, but Cena pries the hold open, and fireman’s carries! But Gunther slips free, back to the SLEEPER!! Cena is turning red, but so is Gunther as they are in this war of attrition! Cena gets a fourth wind, if you will, but Gunther becomes a backpack! Cena stays on his feet, but that look on his face isn’t good… Gunther shifts to get as much weight as he can on Cena!
But Cena still turns around!? And he RAMS Gunther into buckles! Cena is free, but Gunther rushes up to clamp the SLEEPER on! Cena is fading again, and he’s back on the mat! The fans boo Gunther and rally again! Cena gets a fifth wind! Cena has Gunther as a backpack again, RAMS him into more buckles, and is again free! Then fireman’s carries! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Gunther survives, and then HAS THE SLEEPER!! The fans rally as hard as they have all night, “DON’T GIVE UP! DON’T GIVE UP!” Cena fights up as much as he can with Gunther still latched on! Gunther drags him back down, body scissors are on!
Cena is fading! The ref checks the arm, it drops once! The arm drops twice! Is it over?! The arm… STAYS UP!!! Cena rises from the dead! Gunther shifts to HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOW away!! Then the SLEEPER is back on!! Cena grits his teeth, all of DC and perhaps the entire WWE Universe behind him! But Cena is back on the mat! CENA TAPS?!? Gunther wins!!!
Winner: Gunther, by submission
The entire arena is shocked! Over 19 THOUSAND fans witnessed Cena fight beyond human expectations, and not one of them expected Cena to tap out. Many call BS, but those subside so that they can all give Cena one final standing ovation. “Thank You, Cena!” Cena sits up, and he gives a deep bow of respect. Cena is then surprised to see Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, Shawn Michaels, and pretty much everyone else walks out from the back. CM Punk and Cody Rhodes each talk with Cena in the ring, and they want to “pay it forward.” They let Cena hold their belts one last time, and the fans all cheer.
Cena is humbled as he looks out at everyone around ringside. The fans continue to cheer, “Thank You, Cena!” while they and the superstars, producers and management all clap. The fans boo a bit seeing HHH on the apron, but they cheer when Cena raises both world titles one last time. Corner to corner, side to side, all 360 degrees, Cena makes sure everyone sees him with the belts one last time. And then the fans boo a bit as HHH and Cena hug it out. HHH then cues up one final tribute video to Cena. #ThankYouJohn. Cena bows to each side of the ring one last time, and he takes off his sneakers and wristbands to leave them in the ring.
The fans cheer once more as Cena slides out of the ring, and heads back up the ramp, high-fiving the front row as he goes. Cena takes one final bow on stage, and salutes. “It’s been a pleasure serving you all of these years.” The fans continue to cheer as Cena then steps back through the curtain and to the backstage area. Truly, thank you, Cena, for 25 years of hustle, loyalty, and respect.
My Thoughts:
An awesome Saturday Night’s Main Event, certainly more like what these should be versus what we usually get. Though, this might have been a unique case since it was Cena’s final match and they also did what were to be “showcase” matches for NXT. Cody VS Oba was a great opener, but I pretty much nailed my prediction of Drew attacking. But great stuff for Oba to help beat up Drew in return. Obviously, we’re going to get Cody VS Drew one last time, maybe in Last Man Standing or I Quit so that they finally have something decisive and noncontroversial. And either way, Oba has established himself to fans who don’t watch NXT, they’ll understand he’s a big deal when he finally gets his call-up.
Great match from Bayley VS Sol, Sol also got to show fans what she’s capable of, and I’m actually rather surprised she won. But perhaps Sol & Zaria can make the jump to the main roster as a tag team to even further add to a pretty powered up tag division. That’d be pretty cool, as it doesn’t seem they want to split these two up, or else we would’ve gotten that on NXT by now. Styles & Dragon VS Je’Von & Leon having such a wild start was great, but also a bit surprising. Even so, Je’Von & Leon got to show what they can do with their aerial moves, but I figured Styles & Dragon would win out as they’re still tag champs.
Miz “interrupting” and being confronted by Truth was some good stuff. It was also a great way to get Joe Hendry back on a main roster special, he might be fast tracked to main roster after this next phase in NXT fighting for that chant at New Year’s Evil. And of course, the main event (despite what stupid fans were speculating would be the opener) was Cena VS Gunther. An awesome main event, of course, really pouring on the false finishes and the drama of that sleeper. The fans obviously made it clear they hated the tap out, and honestly I’m not really for that, either. Obviously Cena was losing, he isn’t one to buck tradition, but Cena doing a pass out with a smile on his face plays so much better than him tapping out with like half a smile on his face.
For that matter, what was that look on Cena’s face in that moment anyway? Cena’s a great actor but I’m not sure he chose the right motivation in this “scene.” Frustrated, upset, reluctant, those are the emotions I’d expect because I’d be like that myself. Not sure if HHH is all to blame, per what the fans were doing, but feels like we need an episode of Unreal on this right away to explain how we got here. In the end, we can’t let this ruin the great night, Cena’s in-ring career has come to an end, and it really makes you look back over the last 25 years and tear up a bit. Truly, for everyone at The Chairshot, #ThankYouCena.
My Score: 9/10
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