Coverage
Mitchell’s NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Results & Report! (4/8/21)
TakeOver is far from over!
TakeOver: Stand & Deliver fires its second round!
TakeOver: Stand & Deliver finishes as Finn Balor defends his NXT Championship against a man who never lost it in Karrion Kross!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Preshow – NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contender’s Match: Breezango VS Killian Dain & Drake Maverick; Dain & Maverick win and will challenge MSK for the titles.
- NXT Cruiserweight Championship Unification Ladder Match: Santos Escobar VS Jordan Devlin; Escobar wins and is THE NXT Cruiserweight Champion.
- NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon VS Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell; Blackheart & Moon win and retain the titles.
- NXT North American Championship: Johnny Gargano VS Bronson Reed; Gargano wins and retains the title.
- NXT Championship: Finn Balor VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux; Kross wins and becomes the new NXT Champion.
- Unsanctioned Match: Adam Cole VS Kyle O’Reilly; O’Reilly wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the TakeOver Preshow!
Join Sam Roberts, Mickie James & ESPN’s Jimmy Smith in analyzing, discussing and predicting all of night two’s action!
Samoa Joe interviews Karrion Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux.
Joe thanks them for being here, and wants to take them back: TakeOver 30, Kross wins the title. But then he goes backstage, his injury is found, and he has to give the title up. What was that like Well it’s no surprise that he was pissed. Everyone sees it as a blink of an eye, Kross showing up, competing for the title. But that’s not how it is. Kross won’t give his whole career story, but it all led to that night at TakeOver. But for that injury to ruin it, it felt like it was all for nothing. Now some would say Finn Balor is the greatest ever. What will he do to take that title from Balor? Kross will light him up. To drag someone to deep waters, you need power. Balor doesn’t have power, Kross does, so this idea that Balor will control the pace is absurd.
Then let’s imagine to the end of tonight. Kross wins and is holding the title. Kross came here not to sit back but to become a champion. He will go after more titles even after this. Does Kross see what Balor says about him relying on emotions? Kross doesn’t give a damn what Balor has to say. Balor will say what he has to in order to play the mind games, but none of it will work. Joe appreciates having these two here, and wishes them best of luck. Kross heads right off stage, is he going to head right back to the top of NXT?
Joe now interviews Finn Balor.
These old rivals meet again, and when it comes to TakeOver, Joe knows personally that Balor is nearly spotless. He has a long streak of consecutive wins at TakeOver, with just one little blemish. But moving on to tonight, is this the type of man that Balor feels could add another blemish? Balor has proven time and time again that he can stand and deliver. If anyone has to deliver at TakeOver, it’s Kross. Last week, Balor and Kross found they shared similar paths. Ascending the ranks, grabbing the titles, but then letting them go because of injuries. Does Balor know how long it took for him to get back feeling like himself? Well, that was months, maybe even years. Going into this, Kross only just a few months back, that’s impressive.
Joe wants to touch on that. Kross has rushed back a bit, is this going to be a mistake on his part? Balor says underestimating Balor is a mistake. Kross should want to be 100% confident in his physical form if he’s going to take on the Prince at his peak. Now obviously, Kross is big and strong and ferocious. How does Balor defeat that? This isn’t that new to him. But what Balor does is drag them into territories they don’t want to be in, he takes them into the deep waters, and drowns them slowly but surely. JOe sees Balor speaking of Kross, this isn’t even how Balor was back when Joe faced him.
Balor says that he has proven himself over and over again for 20 YEARS but has to worry about someone unproven just pisses him off. How many times does he have to prove he is the best in the world? But now he’s an underdog at TakeOver? that’s a joke! That is what drives Balor! Balor promises us that tonight, he will do what he has done for those 20 years, and that is deliver on a promise to win. Will the Prince’s determination be what defeats Kross? Or will it be what defeats himself?
Backstage interview with Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon.
Candice is already tweeting she and Indi will win tonight, what are their thoughts? Shotzi laughs! Ember says The Way has lost their minds. But these two will not sweat this, because that’s not their way. They will #TCB, and steal the whole damn show! But time to get painted up for TakeOver! Candice, Indi, welcome to the FIRE PIT~! Shotzi howls to the moon, and she’s fired up enough for both of them! But will they burn down The Way or just crash ‘n’ burn at Stand & Deliver?
William Regal collects the Cruiserweight Championship belts.
Devlin gives his over easily, but Escobar is too busy getting taped up to even pick his belt up. These belts will be suspended high overhead in the Ladder match, who will be getting theirs back to start TakeOver?
NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contender’s Match: Breezango VS Killian Dain & Drake Maverick!
With MSK as NEW tag team champions, that means we need new contenders! Tyler Breeze & Fandango have been on the outside looking in lately, will they get another chance to get back to the top? Or will the Belfast Beast and his little buddy finally be firing on all cylinders to get their first taste?
Breezango are fashionable pirates upon entering to go along with this year’s WrestleMania theme. The teams sort out, Dain starts with Prince Pretty, and the two circle. They approach, Breeze dodges to strike a pose. Dain takes the pirate hat and throws it away! Breeze runs but into a scoop! Breeze slips out, wrenches, tags Fandango but Dain throws them both around! Dain drags Dango over, tags Maverick and he climbs up to drop ax handles! Maverick headlocks, grinds Dango down, but Fandango powers out to run him over. Dango swivels hips, runs, but Maverick drops and hurdles. Dango sunset flips, Maverick stays up and swivels HIS hips!
Dango gets free as Maverick goes into overdrive. They push each other, Dain gets in and backs Maverick down but Maverick’s out for blood! Dain gets Maverick over to the corner and tags in rather sharply. Maverick has Dain wear the pirate hat! Dain isn’t amused but Dango uppercuts him! Dango fires off but Dain knees low and EuroUppers back! Tag to Maverick, and he’s a human weapon, snapmare body block! Maverick throws JABS on Dango, kicks low but Dango shoves him down! Maverick comes back but into a tilt-o-whirl SLAM! Cover, TWO! Dango looms over Maverick, drags him up and CHOPS him to the corner!
Dango brings Maverick around, bumps him off buckles, and then throws hands! Fans rally and duel, Breeze tags in, and Breezango mugs Maverick in their corner. Breeze brings Maverick around to DECK him, then brings him back up to whip corner to corner hard! Maverick writhes and Breeze drags him back over to kick him down. Breeze stomps Maverick and drops a leg! Cover, TWO! Breeze clamps on with a chinlock and he grinds Maverick down. Fans rally as Maverick endures, but Dango keeps swiveling at Dain and that annoys him. Maverick fights up, Breeze CLUBS him then puts him in the corner to tag Dango.
Dango fires off, whips corner to corner hard and Maverick hits the mat. Cover, TWO! Dango drags Maverick up to ROCK him with an uppercut but fans rally up for Maverick. Dango suplexes and hangs Maverick out on the ropes, then tags Breeze. They make it rain, and then DOUBLE BOOT Maverick down! Cover, TWO! Breeze drags Maverick up, back suplexes, but Maverick lands on his feet! Maverick hits Dango, BOOTS Breeze, goes around but Breeze keeps him cornered. Maverick scrambles and gets past, hot tags to Dango and Dain! Dain rallies on Breezango, and DIVIDES Dango with the body block! Dain goes up and out and CLOBBERS Breeze! Dango runs into an URENAGE!
Dain slingshots to SENTON ATOMICO! Fans fire up with Dain, he fireman’s carries Dango but Breeze runs in! Dain catches Breeze, FALL AWAY SAMOAN DROP combo! Cover, Breeze breaks it! Maverick gets Breeze out and Dain whips Dango to a corner. Dain back elbows. Maverick runs in and is put out to tag in. They coordinate, BOOT ENZIGURI COMBO! Tag to Dain, Maverick climbs but has to leap at Breeze, into a SUPER MODEL KICK! Breeze saves Dang, mule kicks then they DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Cover, Maverick breaks it! Fans fire up as Breeze drags Maverick up to throw him out! Dango goes to a corner, Breeze gets Dain up but Dain throws Breeze into Dango!
Dain tags Maverick, and Maverick hurries up after Dango! SUPER STEINER!! Maverick dropkicks Breeze for good measure! Maverick and Dain look to high five, but instead it’s Human Weapon, ROCKSTAR SPUD BOMB! Cover, Dain & Maverick win!!
Winners: Killian Dain & Drake Maverick, by pinfall (NEW #1 contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championships)
Well that was a unique way to win. Will the Beast of Belfast and Rockstar Spud show that Carter & Lee might be must-see, but they aren’t unstoppable?
Backstage interview with William Regal.
What are the thoughts of the NXT General Manager about TakeOver’s first night? Night one was incredible! Every match, every competitor, they gave it all they could. And now a new set are stepping up to do the same, and he couldn’t be more excited. Speaking of, we know Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly each arrived with their own security details. Does he care to comment as to why? Regal says he is taking every step to keep the peace because of how combustible this situation is. Has Cole been fined for that shot he got in on Regal? No, he hasn’t and will not. Is that because Regal thinks tonight will be punishment enough?
Samoa Joe interviews Kyle O’Reilly.
Very soon, it will be Kyle and Cole in an Unsanctioned match. So much has changed the last year, and now we’re in a world without the Undisputed Era. What does that change mean for Kyle? Well it’s hard to say. it’s been a rough time for the entire world. But Kyle has this internal struggle. He admits that it felt good to be in the UE. From their first moment arriving here to NXT, they were getting titles, wins, merchandise checks, it was euphoric. But something had to give. He lost a part of himself. If Kyle was to save his soul, he had to get away form that ‘gang mentality.”
But Kyle speaks of that, yet he and Cole have gone after each other anywhere they can. HIs words and his actions aren’t really matching. Kyle admits Joe is right. But when it comes to Cole, you fight fire with fire. If Kyle has to sink down to Cole’s level, then Kyle will do that. There’s obviously history, and a brotherhood that was betrayed. When does it stop? Kyle says he’s been struggling with that for the better part of a year. Ironically, it was Cole who made decisions for him. Cole would set Kyle free. Kyle found himself in interesting positions and opportunities that way. He lost his NXT Championship matches, but still felt like himself, because he fought with honor and intengirty, and on his own.
So having that ability, to fight with honor, but now in an Unsanctioned match, that quality doesn’t really coincide with it. Does Kyle have what it takes to beat Cole? Yes, he does. And the follow-up is of course, what are we in store for? Kyle isn’t here to set expectations. “This will be as one-sided as it gets.” Kyle wants to finish him as quickly and efficiently as possible. So does Kyle have what it takes? We’ll see after the match.
Now Joe interviews Adam Cole.
Joe has followed Cole’s career for a long time, and one thing he’s always seen is that Cole is calm, cool and poised. But lately, when it comes to Kyle, some of that poise falls away. This is very personal now. Joe is correct. Cole and Kyle have known each other for 12 years. Cole is offended because without Cole, Kyle doesn’t make it to WWE. And this is how Kyle repays him? SO that is why this is personal. An unfortunately casualty is the loss of the UE. Is Cole trying to prove he was the backbone of that group? That was already known, Cole has proven that, so of course it’s come to this.
Then what does victory look like tonight? When will Cole be satisfied? It’ll be when Kyle realizes after the match, after the beating he’s taken like no other, he’ll think to himself, “I really shouldn’t have messed with Adam Cole.” Win or lose, does Cole see a world where he and Kyle coexist again? Right now, that seems impossible, It’ll depend on how Cole feels. It depends on if Cole every feels like he can be around someone like Kyle. If Kyle apologizes and realizes how foolish he’s bene, then maybe. “As long as he knows he has an ass beating coming first.”
Poppy performs live!
NXT Cruiserweight Championship Unification Ladder Match: Santos Escobar VS Jordan Devlin!
Worlds collide and a mistake will be corrected! But there can only be one! Will the Leader of Leaders or the Irish Ace walk in the footsteps of the Heartbreak Kid and be the UNDISPUTED champion?
The introductions are made, the belts are already hanging overhead, and we see who rises above to stand atop the entire division!
The two fire off with fists at the bell! Devlin even gets a headbutt in there! He ROCKS Escobar, counter punches then whips, to then CLOBBER Escobar with an elbow! Devlin is fired up but Escobar headlocks. Devlin powers out, drops and hurdles, and arm-drags Escobar down! Escobar headscissors, Devlin pops free to jackknife but covers don’t matter. Escobar wrenches to underhooks but Devlin wrenches free to kick a leg. Escobar turns ripcord into headlock takeover! Escobar goes after legs but Devlin kicks him away. Escobar blocks the clinch with an elbow, whips but Devlin slips out of the tilt-o-whirl. Escobar kicks low, CLUBS Devlin, and fans duel as Escobar whips corner to corner.
Devlin goes up and over and dodges a boot to get the URENAGE! STANDING MOONSAULT! Fans are divided as Devlin fires up. Escobar bails out, Devlin aims and slingshots but Escobar moves. Devlin mule kicks him away to ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit and they bump into the announce desk! Devlin sits up and checks his head but he’s alright. Devlin drags Escobar up and puts him in the ring, then looks under the ring. Devlin brings out the first ladder, gets it on the apron, but Escobar runs over! Devlin lifts the ladder to avoid the baseball slide, and then yanks the ladder back to SMACK Escobar down!
Devlin puts the ladder in the ring, leaves Escobar behind, and stands the ladder up. Devlin climbs but Escobar hurries! Escobar yanks Devlin off the ladder then SMACKS him off it! Escobar gets the ladder and stands it up in a corner. Escobar stomps Devlin, whips him but Devlin stops short! Devlin turns around into a kick, Escobar gets Devlin up but Devlin fights free! Devlin kicks and whips Escobar, but Escobar reverses to send Devlin hard into the ladder! Devlin tumbles over and out to the floor and fans are fired up! Escobar goes out and goes around the way, talking trash that this is HIS bingo! Escobar runs in at Devlin, and CLOBBERS him against the Plexiglas!
Escobar’s fans are thunderous, and they cheer as Escobar brings out another ladder! Escobar leans the ladder against the boards but Devlin EuroUppers! Escobar bumps Devlin off the apron, stomps him down, then goes into the ring to fetch the second ladder. Escobar stands this one up under the belts already, but Devlin gets in. Escobar dropkicks the ladder into Devlin! And he lets the ladder fall on Devlin’s legs! Devlin staggers up, Escobar has the ladder and he RAMS Devlin in the gut! Devlin ends up in a corner, Escobar RAMS him again and again! And even as Devlin sits down! Escobar runs to DROPKICK the ladder into Devlin’s gut!
Escobar goes out and looks under the ring again. Escobar brings out a third ladder, puts it in, and then stomps Devlin down. Escobar stands the first ladder up, fans duel as he climbs, but Devlin anchors a foot. Escobar STOMPS him down for it! Escobar drags Devlin up to SLAP him down, then fetches the other ladder. Escobar sets that ladder up on the top of a corner, KICKS Devlin down, then grins as he taunts him. Escobar SLAPS Devlin again, whips him, but Devlin reverses and Escobar runs into the ladder!! Devlin scowls and drags himself up on ropes. Devlin sees the ladder standing up and heads that way, but Escobar DROPKICKS him down!
Fans rally and duel, Escobar rains down fists on Devlin and then catapults him! But Devlin uses that to get up! Devlin paws at titles but Escobar grabs at him! Devlin leaps for a FLYING DDT!! Fans chant, “This is Awesome!” as Escobar and Devlin writhe. Devlin pushes the ladder over to get at Escobar, but Escobar hip tosses him out! Devlin is by that second ladder, Escobar builds speed and DIVES! The Tope sends Devlin into that ladder! Fans shout, “That was Awesome!” as both men are down! Escobar says he’ll finish this now as he gets up and goes to the ring. Escobar stands the first ladder up again but Devlin hurries into the ring!
Escobar is frustrated and he pushes the ladder over. Escobar talks trash and KICKS Devlin while he’s down! He even calls him a cockroach! Escobar kicks Devlin around, chuckles and brings him up to reel him in. Escobar underhooks but Devlin fights the driver to back drop Escobar onto a ladder! Escobar clutches his back as he writhes, and Devlin flounders around after him. Fans rally and duel, the two head for each other, and they start throwing hands while on the mat! Fans fire up and duel as the two go back and forth! Devlin ROCKS Escobar, stands him up and throws more forearms, but Escobar comes back with his own!
Devlin fires off body shots and ROCKS Escobar, to then reel him in, only to get a KNEE! Escobar runs, but into a SPANISH FLY!! Devlin goes to a corner, dodges Escobar and lets him bounce off buckles to then hit a slingshot CUTTER! Fans rally and duel while both men are down. Devlin gets a ladder and brings it over to Escobar. Devlin stands the ladder up, but Escobar pushes it to a corner. Devlin HEADBUTTS Escobar down! Devlin climbs the ladder but Escobar hurries up the other side. They brawl at the very top, Devlin gets the edge and knocks Escobar down! Devlin adjusts as fans duel, Devlin is on the very top, as he SUPER MOONSAULTS!! Direct hit and fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” while both men writhe on the mat!
Devlin drags the ladder to be under the belts, starts to climb it, and Escobar is somewhere on the outside! But here comes LEGADO! They tip the ladder over and Devlin falls right out of the ring! Escobar’s rabid dogs are after Devlin! If they couldn’t be tag team champions, they aren’t going to let their leader lose his title! They RAM Devlin into steel steps! Escobar drags himself over and thanks his men. They head back, Escobar gets in and stands the ladder back up. But Devlin is up again! Devlin hobbles around, and he TOSSES the other ladder at Escobar!! Devlin then stands that very ladder up beside Escobar’s, but Escobar tries to stop him.
Devlin CHOPS Escobar but Escobar clubs him back! They brawl and Escobar reels Devlin into a facelock. Devlin fights free to reel Escobar in for a SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Fans lose their minds while both men are down on the mat! “This is Awesome!” and far from over! Devlin drags himself back to the pair of ladders, sets one right under the belts, and begins to climb! Devlin is almost at the top but Escobar is back! Escobar climbs the other side, hits Devlin low, CLUBS him over and over and over, and reaches for the belt! Devlin headbutts Escobar then bumps him off the ladder! Devlin reaches, but Escobar HEADBUTTS Devlin off, and Devlin falls through the third ladder!!
Fans lose their minds and Escobar finally has the belts to himself! Escobar reaches up, grabs them, and brings them off the hook! Escobar wins!!
Winner: Santos Escobar (UNDISPUTED NXT Cruiserweight Champion)
The Leader of Leaders, the Champion of Champions, and now THE champion of the Cruiserweight Division! Granted, he had help again, but that in itself is proof of his legacy’s power! Will Legado del Fantasma reign over Cruiserweight and Lucha Libre wrestling forever?
Backstage with MSK.
The NEW NXT Tag Team Champions are feeling really good. It was hard to sleep last night because of how excited they are. They have side plates even! But they now have new contenders in Dain & Maverick. They’re ready to see what those two will be bringing. They faced them in the Dusty Cup, and now MSK are the champs. They’re not losing these belts. Not now, not ever! So any predictions on Balor VS Kross and Cole VS O’Reilly? Well okay. They say it together. One, two three… Coreilly. Wait, they disagree? Well uh… Okay, Balor VS Kross. One, two three… BROSS. Well one way or another, someone’s losing. Just not MSK!
NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon VS Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell!
TakeOver, welcome to the FIRE PIT! The Wild Child and Evolved Shenom are only the second-ever team to hold these belts, but they don’t want their run to end so soon. Will they not only Stand & Deliver but #TCB? Or will Candice & Indi Wrestling find a way to take those titles?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and one way or another, history is again being made on TakeOver!
The Way attacks the champs right away! Indi bumps Ember off buckles then scrapes her out while Shotzi and Candice brawl! Shotzi hasn’t forgiven Candice for what happened to Tank Mk I! Indi waistlocks and SLAMS Shotzi, Candice hits the step-up senton! Cover, TWO! Candice RAMS into Shotzi in the corner, digs her shoulder in, and lets off as the ref counts. Tag to Indi, Indi brings Shotzi around to fireman’s carry and Snake Eyes off Candice’s knees! Indi then adds a SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Shotzi gets up but Indi kicks and whips her to CLOBBER her! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for Shotzi but Indi is after her at ropes. Indi bumps Shotzi off buckles and tags Candice.
Candice runs in to back body block Shotzi, then snapmares her for the NECK SNAPPER! Cover, TWO! Shotzi gets to the apron, Candice digs her boots in! The ref counts, Candice lets off, and Shotzi grits her teeth as she gets up. Candice grabs Shotzi but Shotzi headbutts low! Shotzi fires forearms, but Candice CLOBBERS her down! Another cover, TWO! Candice drags Shotzi into a top wristlock and thrashes her around. Shotzi endures, fans rally up and Shotzi fights up. Candice throws Shotzi by her hair! Candice drags Shotzi over, tags Indi in, and Indi stomps Shotzi down. Cover, TWO! Indi is annoyed, she kicks Shotzi at the ropes then drags her up.
Indi throws Shotzi through ropes and EuroUppers! Tag to Candice, Indi BOOTS Shotzi to the apron and Candice is there to stand on Shotzi! Candice lets off at the ref’s count to cover, TWO! Another cover, but Candice’s feet are on the ropes! The ref sees that so she doesn’t bother counting. Candice drags Shotzi up, bumps her off buckles, and The Way mugs Shotzi in the corner! Fans rally, Shotzi fights back, but Candice keeps her from Ember! Shotzi kicks Candice away, Indi tags in, and Indi drags Shotzi away from Ember! Another tag and Candice drags Shotzi up by her hair. Shotzi breaks free to ENZIGURI! Fans rally as both women are down and Shotzi goes to her corner. Hot tag to Ember!
Ember rallies on Candice, DECKS Indi for good measure, then wrenches Candice to kick, kick and fire off JABS! Ember pops, locks, and says, “SUCK IT!” Ember spins and DECKS Candice! Oh you didn’t know?! Fans are all fired up with Ember as she drags Candice up to throw her into a corner. Ember runs corner to corner to splash! Candice is down, Ember rises up top, but Indi is there to distract! Candice hits ropes to trip Ember up! Tag to Indi, the Way goes after Ember together but Shotzi rushes in to yank Indi down! Shotzi clubs Candice, climbs up behind her, but Indi gets back in! TOWER OF DOOM!! That was some kind of Super German Powerbomb Plex! Cover, TWO!!
Indi is shocked that Ember still lives! Indi stalks Ember to a corner, stomps her in, then drags her out. Cover, TWO! Indi stalks Ember, brings her up and whips her to ropes, for an IMPRESSIVE SPINEBUSTER! High stack cover, TWO!! Ember still lives, but Indi drags her over to tag in Candice. The Way coordinates, but Ember shoves Candice into Indi! Hot tag to Shotzi! Shotzi climbs, and CROSSBODIES The Way down! Indi bails out, Shotzi ROLLING ELBOWS Candice! Shotzi double chicken wings Candice for a TIGER PLEX! Candice flops out to join Indi, Shotzi tags Ember! Ember holds the ropes open, Shotzi builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit sends them all into barriers!!
Ember watches as Shotzi and The Way get back up. Ember hurries to a corner, climbs up, SUPER CANNONBALL to The Way! Ember puts Candice in, tags Shotzi, they coordinate, DOMINATOR CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Candice survives but Shotzi fires up! Shotzi drags Candice over but Candice rolls her up! TWO, SUPERKICK! Candice DECKS Ember for good measure! Candice tags Indi in, The Way drags Shotzi up and whips her, for a flapjack to the 3D!! Cover, Ember breaks it!! Fans are thunderous as Ember saves this, but Candice throws Ember to the apron. Candice kicks Ember down, Ember KNEES her back! Indi drags Shotzi up but Shotzi breaks free to ENZIGURI!
Hot tag to Ember! Ember climbs up, aims at The Way, Shotzi tags back in. DOUBLE ECLIPSE!! Shotzi climbs and aims at Indi! STAGE DIVE SENTON!! Cover, Shotzi & Ember win!!
Winners: Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions)
No fear, no quit, and no losing just yet! Will the second-ever be the best ever as they continue on with these young titles?
NXT North American Championship: Johnny Gargano w/ Austin Theory VS Bronson Reed!
The Gauntlet Eliminator sifted through the potential to find the Colossal worthy of this opportunity! Will Reed bulldoze through Johnny TakeOver? Or will we all see that he is still Johnny Freakin’ Wrestling?
The introductions are made, and Gargano gets a little too into his. The title is raised, and one of Gargano’s biggest challenges in a long time begins!
Gargano circles around Reed, Reed corners him, and waistlocks to slam Gargano, then run him over! Reed whips, Gargano goes up and over, speeds up, ducks and dodges and RANAS, but Reed cartwheels through!? Things speed up again and Gargano leaps, only for Reed to SWAT him out of the air! Reed hauls Gargano up and military presses into the FALL AWAY SLAM! Reed stalks Gargano to a corner, clubs him then rams into him, then throws hands! Reed elbows Gargano down, then drags Gargano right up to the fireman’s carry! Gargano fights to get to the apron, he ROCKS Reed, snaps the ropes at him, then slingshots and SPEARS! Reed stays up!?
Gargano runs at him to fire off haymakers, but Reed CHOPS him down! Fans want that “One More Time!” so Reed CHOPS Gargano off his feet again! Reed sees Gargano get to a corner and he runs in, but misses! Gargano LARIATS but Reed stays up! Gargano runs to LARIAT again but still Reed stays up! Gargano kicks, but Reed scoops, only for Gargano to slip off and chop block! Gargano runs and leaps to LARIAT Reed down! Gargano drives elbows and knees into Reed, backs up and KICKS him to apron! Reed stands, Gargano WRECKS him with a dropkick! Gargano is targeting the stomach as he slingshots and PLANCHAS, but is caught!
Reed pops Gargano back up, but Gargano rakes eyes to get free! Gargano RAMS Reed into the corner of the announce desk, stomach first! Reed shoves Gargano away and hobbles around the way. Reed gets in the ring and he hobbles to a corner. Gargano runs in to RAM him in the corner! Fans say it’s still “Big Boy Season!” but Gargano fires off fists in the corner! Theory counts along but Reed stops it at 5. Gargano tries to sunset flip, but Reed stays up. Reed drops but Gargano avoids the sit-down! Gargano CLUBS Reed on the back, hops up and leaps to SPLASH! Cover, ONE!! Gargano CLUBS Reed on the back, and again, and then straddle attacks him.
Gargano gets a cobra clutch and he grinds Reed down. Fans rally, Reed fights up, but Gargano throws in knees! Gargano wrangles Reed to the mat, he pulls on the hold, and drives more knees in! Reed fights up, Gargano leans on the cobra clutch, then becomes a backpack! Reed RAMS Gargano into buckles! Reed gaps for air, runs but Gargano boots him! Gargano hops up, leaps, but into a POWERSLAM! Theory coaches Gargano up as he and Reed slowly rise. Reed DECKS Gargano, and again! Reed whips and CLOBBERS Gargano with a body block! Gargano staggers to a corner, Reed SPLASHES him! Reed choke grips and CHOKE SLAMS him down!
Gargano flounders, Reed grits his teeth and storms over. The ref checks on Gargano and has Reed stay back. Gargano is alright, so Reed drags Gargano up. Reed suplexes, Gargano fights with knees but can’t get free! Reed gets Gargano back up to a fireman’s carry and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives the #JaggedEdge, but Reed keeps his cool. Gargano gets up, but stumbles and flops. Gargano rolls to the apron, Reed drags Gargano up and to a corner. Reed climbs, tries a deadlift suplex but Gargano resists and trips Reed up! Then Gargano GAMANGIRIS Reed, to hit a DRAPING BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO!!
Reed crawls while Gargano slaps himself to fire up. Gargano throws more forearms at Reed but Reed choke grips! Gargano fights the two-hand choke slam, fakes the superkick to mule kick! Gargano goes for Standing Sliced Bread, but Reed turns that into a suplex SLAM! Fans fire up as both men are down! A standing count begins, Reed stands first and drags Gargano to a drop zone. Reed goes to the corner but Gargano rolls away. Reed hurries after, drops a senton, but misses! Gargano ghost pins, TWO!! Reed narrowly escapes but Gargano BUZZSAWS! Gargano runs, into a tilt-o-whirl and snapmare. Reed ducks the Buzzsaw to Electric Chair, but Gargano POISON RANAS!!
Gargano runs, tilt-o-whirl for the takedown! Reed resists the crossface but Gargano KNEES him in the ribs! Gargano puts on the GargaNO Escape!! Reed endures, fights his way over, drags Gargano with him, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Gargano holds on but lets off at 4 in frustration. Gargano sees Reed on the apron, aims from the ropes, and slingshots, but Reed ROCKS him! Reed hauls Gargano to the crucifix, for a COLOSSAL RAZOR’S EDGE! Gargano crash lands in the ring! Reed climbs back up, TSUNAMI FLOPS!! Gargano avoids guaranteed destruction, to SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Reed survives and Theory is frustrated for Gargano, who is exhausted!
Gargano goes to a corner, and calls upon the powers of DIY! But Reed blocks the superkick! And HEADBUTTS, to short-arm LARIAT! Reed climbs up but Theory goes after him! Gargano grabs at the ref, Reed CLOBBERS Theory, but Gargano trips Reed up! Gargano throws haymakers, climbs up top, and SUPER STEIN- NO! Reed slips through it to haul Gargano up for a POWERBOMB!! Gargano flounders to ropes as Reed covers, Theory gives Gargano the ropebreak!! Reed knows Theory had something to do with that, and he goes out to storm after him. Theory plays dumb, which isn’t that hard, and Reed grabs him with both hands!
Gargano DIVES, but Reed catches him and uses him to BOOT Theory! Then he TOSSES Gargano at Theory! Reed goes into the ring, the ref starts a ring count, but Reed builds speed?! Reed DIVES!! Theory gets BLASTED into barriers! Gargano RAMS Reed into the barriers, puts him in and slingshots, but not One Final Beat! Reed catches Gargano to hit a CRUNCHY!! Cover, TWO!! Gargano is proving he is superhuman like he has in the past, but Reed drags Gargano up and reels him in. Reed gets Gargano up but Gargano fights and RANAS! Reed hits ropes in the stomach, Gargano SUPERKICKS! Fakes and SUPERKICKS again! Reed SUPERKICKS back?!
Reed goes up the corner, fans are thunderous as he MOONSAULTS but FLOPS! Gargano is on the apron, he slingshots in, ONE FINAL BEAT!! But Reed still sits up!? Gargano ONE FINAL BEATS again!!! Cover, Gargano wins!!
Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)
The Colossal did so much in just two days, from winning a gauntlet eliminator to taking NXT’s Iron-Man to his limit! But in the end, Reed hit his limit, and Gargano took over once again! Will The Way’s father figure continue on to again define NXT’s new era?
NXT Championship: Finn Balor VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux!
The Prince, one of the greatest champions in this brand’s history. Mr. Doomsday, one of the fastest to reach the top title. Stamina, experience, strength, confidence, aggression, determination. This match has it all, and will determine the future of this brand! But will Balor keep his crown and cross Kross off his list? Or will he fail to Stand & Deliver, and instead #FallAndPrey?
The introductions are made as these two stare down face to face the entire time. The belt is raised, and we see if 20 years is enough to cancel the apocalypse!
Kross and Balor only back off for the bell, but get right in each other’s faces again. Fans rally and duel, Balor looks Kross up and down one more time before they tie up! Kross throws Balor down, Balor gets right back up, and gets right back in Kross’ face. They tie up again, Balor gets an arm but Kross shoves him away. Kross wags his finger, it won’t be that easy to get after the repaired arm. The two circle, Kross waistlocks but Balor goes after the arm. Balor wrenches, grinds the shoulder, but Kross grits his teeth. Kross fights up, scoops, but Balor slips off. Kross knees low and hard, but Balor just grins?! Scarlett asks what’s so funny, but Balor and Kross go again.
Balor headlocks, Kross powers up but can’t power out as Balor grinds. Kross pulls at hair but the ref reprimands. Balor grinds more, Kross powers up and finally powers out to run Balor over! Balor gets up and still grins! Fans rally behind Balor as he and Kross circle. Balor kicks but now Kross laughs at Balor. Balor’s power and strikes don’t scare Kross, even as he kicks and CHOPS! Kross TOSSES Balor for thinking he could match up! Balor grins all the same. Kross is getting annoyed as Balor just stretches and resets. Then Balor SLAPS Kross! Fans are fired up as Kross seethes. Kross roars, and RAMS Balor into the corner!
Kross RAMS into him again and again, then ROCKS him with a right! “Is this what you want?! Now you’re gonna get it!” Kross whips corner to corner then RAMS into Balor! Kross whips back the other way but Balor moves and Kross POSTS himself! Balor pulls the bad arm against the ropes! The ref counts, Balor lets off but just a moment before he pulls the arm into the ropes again! The ref counts, Balor lets off to then fire uppercuts on the arm! Balor wrenches, steps over and grinds the arm down. Scarlett coaches Kross as he endures and fans rally up. Kross fights to move around but Balor shifts to a chinlock. Balor even traps an arm for a modified half straitjacket!
Kross endures as Balor pulls back, and he powers up to make Balor a backpack! Kross RAMS Balor into buckles, then clotheslines, elbows and clotheslines again! Balor staggers and stumbles away, Kross gets the bad arm moving. Kross brings Balor around and snap suplexes him! Balor almost gets thrown more than anything! Kross stalks up behind Balor, drags him back up and puts him in the Tree of Woe! The ref reprimands, Kross stomps Balor then backs off, to run corner to corner and KNEE Balor! That was dangerously low! Kross looms over Balor, fans rally up but Scarlett says it won’t help. Kross hauls Balor up but Balor goes for a takedown! Balor gets an ARMBAR!
The bad arm is caught and Balor pulls on it as hard as he can! Balor’s sideways rather than on his back, but that helps with leverage! Kross fights up to bridge and rolls! Kross dead lifts Balor, but Balor shifts to get an ARMBAR DDT! Kross writhes, Balor is after the arm with a double wristlock! Balor hammerlocks the arm on the mat, and SNAP locks it! Balor grinds the arm, SNAP LOCKS again, and Kross is clutching the elbow. Balor CHOPS Kross in the corner, wraps the arm around the ropes, then stomps Kross down! Balor again has the arm on ropes, the ref counts, but Balor again lets off with a stomp! Kross walks along ropes, Balor stalking behind him.
Balor pushes Kross, CHOPS him, but Kross resists the whip. Balor mule kicks, Kross gets mad but then he crumbles to the mat! Is this another liver shot like with Kyle O’Reilly? Balor stomps away on Kross at the ropes, and fans fire up! Scarlett checks on Kross as Balor backs off. Balor gets Kross up, bends him back against the ropes, and crossface forearms to the GUT! The ref backs Balor off but he runs, into a KICK from Kross! Whatever pain Kross is feeling, he fights through it to get Balor up. Kross scoops, and RAMS Balor into buckles, then all the way to the other! But Balor slips out to ELBOW DROP DDT! Both men are down and fans fire up!
A standing count begins, Kross clamps onto Balor’s foot with his good arm! Balor kicks Kross but Kross holds on! Kross gets Balor up and clinches for a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Roll through to CLOBBER Balor! Kross drags Balor up, reels him in, Canadian rack to the BOMB! Cover, TWO! Balor survives but barely, and Kross grimaces as he clutches his stomach. Kross mocks the finger guns and then shouts, “DOOMSDAY!” Kross hauls Balor up but Balor GUILLOTINES! Balor throws knee after knee, then trips for the DOUBLE STOMPS! Balor runs to PENALTY KICK! Fans fire up, Balor gets Kross’ arm for a grounded cobra twist!
Balor punches away on Kross’ side, then gets a standing cobra twist! Kross endures, fans rally and Scarlett is furious! But Kross powers out to hip toss Balor away! Kross seethes, fires up and runs, but into a SLINGBLADE! Balor aims, runs in but into a LARIAT! Kross drags Balor right back up, and hits the DOOMSDAY SAIDO!! But Kross isn’t satisfied with that! He wants to end Balor! Time’s up, and Kross winds up. Kross runs, into a PELE! Balor runs to SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Kross staggers, Balor runs and SHOTGUNS Kross into buckles face-first! Kross is in a drop zone, Balor climbs up top, COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, TWO!?!? And into the SLEEPER HOLD!!
Balor is caught but gets up, reaches for ropes, but Kross pulls him back! Balor rolls through to DOUBLE STOMP! Balor fires up and the fans are there with him! Kross groans in pain as Balor aims, and PUNTS him in the side! Balor fires off kicks and knees and elbows! Balor gets the cobra twist again, and drags him down to the mat! Kross sits up, Balor keeps his shoulders up and Scarlett coaches Kross. Kross endures, powers right out of the hold, and hammers away on Balor’s head!! Is Balor out?! Kross lets off before the ref can check, and dead lifts to GERMAN SUPLEX! Balor sputters but he’s awake. Kross storms over, drags Balor up, reels him in and DOOMSDAY SAIDOS!!
Kross still won’t finish it here, he wants to clean Balor’s clock! Balor staggers, Kross runs, BLINDSIDE FOREARM!! But that’s not enough, yet! Balor staggers up, into the DOOMSDAY FOREARM!!! Cover, Kross wins!!
Winner: Karrion Kross, by pinfall (NEW NXT Champion)
The Prince has been dethroned!! The apocalypse has returned!! Kross wins back the title that he never truly lost! But will he now get to finish what he started so long ago? Will ALL of NXT have no choice but to #FallAndPray?!
Backstage interview with Santos Escobar.
What a match for the title to become UNDISPUTED Cruiserweight Champion. That Devlin guy just kept coming back. It didn’t matter what he did, but Devlin kept coming back. Well he did have some help. Hey, Legado es familia. And Escobar will say this again so no one forgets: Escobar is the UNDISPUTED Cruiserweight Campeon, the Emperor of Lucha! Is it as simple as that? Or will Devlin still come back for more?
Unsanctioned Match: Adam Cole VS Kyle O’Reilly!
Who could have imagined it’d come to this? The Undisputed Era wasn’t the start of the friendship between these two, but it turned out to be the end. But with nothing holding these two back from leaving it all in the ring, just how does this end between the former Team Future Shock?
Extra security enters to keep these two from fighting before the bell. O’Reilly enters first to show off his new gear and rock out to his new theme song, now that he is purely Mr. Axe ‘n’ Smash! Cole also has new gear and a remix of the UE theme to go with it! The introductions are made, the bell rings, and TakeOver ends with the end of an Undisputed Era!
Cole and Kyle stare down, and then they just fire off! Kyle rocks Cole and back shim down, but Cole turns it around to fire off! Kyle ROCKS Cole, and again, and again! Kyle whips to BOOT Cole in the corner! Kyle whips the other way to BOOT him again! Cole flops against ropes but Kyle runs, into a BOOT from Cole! Cole runs but Kyle dumps him out hard! Kyle slingshots to PLANCHA! Direct hit and Kyle is right into an ARMBAR! Cole stomps Kyle to get free, then backs off as Kyle gets up. Cole then RAMS Kyle into Plexiglas! Cole brings Kyle up, brings him around and whips him into more Plexiglas! Fans fire up and duel as Kyle tackles Cole!
Kyle rains down rights, gets the legs and catapults Cole into the boards! Cole flounders away, Kyle stalks after him and whips him into more boards! Cole flops down and Kyle goes to fetch a chair! Kyle sits the chair up, knees Cole into having a seat, and then KICKS Cole as he sits up! And KICKS, and KICK- But Cole blocks to kick back! Cole brings Kyle over, but Kyle resists the lift to back drop! Kyle pushes Cole into the ring, hurries in but Cole RAMS him into a corner! Kyle gets a guillotine! No need for ropebreaks in this, either! Kyle climbs up, Cole pops free and shoves Kyle down to the floor!! The ref checks on Kyle because his neck isn’t even 100%!
Cole goes out, drags Kyle up and throws him into the barriers! Cole gets more chairs out and puts them in the ring. Fans rally and duel, Cole aims and JAMS a chair into him! Cole SMACKS Kyle on the back! “Is this what you want?!” Cole puts the chair in the ring, and then drags Kyle up to throw him into the girder! Cole puts Kyle in the ring, CLUBS him down, then digs a chair edge into the back of Kyle’s neck! Cole lets off and stalks Kyle around the ring. Cole brings Kyle up, whips him corner to corner hard, and Kyle bounces off buckles to hit the mat! Cole says Kyle ruined it, and he gets a chair that has the Undisputed Era’s CFOS logo on it!
Cole brings Kyle over to NECKBREAKER onto the chair!! “This is what YOU wanted!” Cole drags Kyle up again and whips him to a corner hard! Kyle falls, Cole drags him up and wrenches the neck! Cole throws crossface forearms, then drags Kyle up to waistlock. Kyle resists the lift, pries free and double wristlocks for a takedown! Kyle wants a Kimura but Cole throws knees! Cole fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Kyle survives but Cole seethes even more. Cole tells Kyle, “I made you who you are! You would be nothing without me!” Cole pushes Kyle around, kicks him, but Kyle just grits his teeth! Kyle throws a forearm, Cole gives it back!
It’s a brawl, Cole knees low then runs but into a KNEE! Kyle runs but into a BOOT! Cole runs but into a kitchen sink knee! Fans fire up, Cole staggers up and Kyle clamps on to throw more knees! Kyle KICKS a leg, ROCKS Cole with palm strikes, then kicks to sweep the leg! Fans chant, “We Want Tables!” but Kyle glares at Cole as he gets a chair. Kyle sits the chair up, runs at Cole to forearm smash, then he hits an elbow breaker to a back suplex ON the chair! HEEL HOOK! Cole rolls and gets ropes but the ropebreak won’t work! Cole BOOTS Kyle off the ashigarami and gets away. Kyle stands on the apron, aims and LEAPS to DROPKICK Cole into the chair!
Cole is down but so is Kyle, and the fans fire up again! Kyle gets up first, drags Cole up and puts him in the ring. Cole gets a chair and aims, but Kyle KNEES low! Ax hits but Smash gets a chair!! Cole defended himself but still gets hit by the chair itself! Cover, TWO!! Kyle seethes as he looks at what’s available. Kyle goes outside, and brings out a CHAIN! Kyle brings it into the ring, but Cole gets Kyle in the ropes, DRAPING NECKBREAKER on the chain!! Cover, TWO!! Kyle survives that hangman’s steel, but Cole gets the chain for his own now. Cole laces the chain around a rope, gathers up the rest and goes after Kyle’s head! Kyle defends, ROCKS Cole, but Cole hits back!
They brawl while also fighting over the chain! Kyle rebounds to DECK Cole! Kyle gets the chain back and ties it… around his own foot?! Kyle sits Cole up for STEEL KOWATA KICKS! Kyle has to reset the chain while Cole staggers, but Cole trips Kyle up! Cole steps through, the chain is part of the FIGURE FOUR! The Nature Boy never thought to do that! Kyle endures, Cole cranks and thrashes, but Kyle rocks the boat to reverse the pressure! Cole endures now, powers Kyle back over, but Kyle throws hands! They brawl while in the Figure Four and DOUBLE HAYMAKERS knock them both down! The hold is undone, fans rally up and Kyle sits up.
Cole follows, and he throws another forearm! Kyle knees, forearms, palm strikes and kicks! Kyle runs but Cole uses the chain to literally CLOTHESLINE Kyle! Cole then wraps Kyle up in chain for a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO!! Kyle survives and Cole can’t believe it! Cole gets a chair, sits it up near a corner, and grins as he sets up another chair with it, back to back! Cole hobbles over to Kyle, drags him up and brings him to the chairs with a fireman’s carry. Kyle slips out, waistlocks, but the neck won’t allow the German Suplex! Kyle ROCKS Cole, Cole elbows Kyle away! Cole GERMAN SUPLEXES Kyle, Kyle ends up in the chair, SHINING WIZARD!! Cover, TWO!!!
Kyle survives that tumble through steel but Cole keeps focus. Cole goes outside, pulls the steel steps apart, and drags Kyle over to the base! Cole’s used steps to devastate Kyle once before, is he going to do it again?! Cole drags Kyle up and around, suplexes, but Kyle slips out! Kyle GUILLOTINES Cole while he’s on top! The elevation makes for strong leverage! Cole is fading out, but Kyle lets off to KNEE Cole down! Kyle decides to use the steps now and he drags Cole back up! Kyle has Cole up but shoves him away? Perhaps Kyle doesn’t want ot sink to Cole’s lever. But then Kyle drags Cole back up, only for Cole to RAM him into barriers! Cole gets away but Kyle chases him down to BOOT him!
Kyle clears off the announce desk, and fans are happy to see this! After all, a desk is a table! Kyle puts Cole on the desk, climbs up to join him, but Cole ROCKS Kyle first! Kyle ROCKS Cole back, and they brawl up top! Cole throws forearm after forearm after forearm! Cole then brings Kyle up, assesses the area, but Kyle suplexes first for a BRAINBUSTER on the desk!! Cole flops to the floor while Kyle stays on the desk, but fans are thunderous! Cole manages to get up, and manages to crawl away past the timekeeper. “This is Awesome!” as Kyle gets up, paper notes stuck to him. Kyle stalks Cole, but Cole SMACKS him with a spare monitor!!
Cole drags Kyle up, puts him back in the ring, and Kyle flounders and flops. Cole brings out a TOOLBOX from under the ring! Cole opens it up, and dumps out everything inside it! Another chain, a tire iron, a monkey wrench and… A pair of pliers! Cole likes those, and he brings them to Kyle! Cole goes after Kyle’s face! Kyle blocks, Cole kicks low and stomps him down! Cole goes back for the tire iron! Cole aims, Kyle KICKS a leg out first! Kyle gets the tire iron but Cole PELES! Kyle yoyos to LARIAT! Fans fire up with Kyle and he brings Cole up to BRAIN BUSTER again! Cover, TWO!! Cole lives and the fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” again!
Cole flounders, Kyle gets that chain he tied to the ropes! Kyle wraps the chain around one of Cole’s arms, and gets a FULL METAL ARMBAR!! Cole endures this steel cross armbreaker! Cole fights up, but now he’s in a steel TRIANGLE! Cole endures, but he can’t dead lift! He’s fading fast, but he gets his second wind! And the TIRE IRON! Cole CLOBBERS Kyle’s ribs with it!! Kyle writhes and Cole grins as he’s free. Fans hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this has to end somehow! Cole and Kyle each get a chair, “Both These Guys!” use them to sit up, and “This is Awesome!” Cole and Kyle take seats in front of each other, and Cole talks trash to Kyle.
Kyle BOOTS Cole in the face! Cole throws a haymaker, Kyle throws a forearm! Cole returns the forearm, so Kyle gives him another! Cole and Kyle get out of their seats and start throwing more shots! Kyle gets the edge, but Cole LOW BLOWS!! Not illegal but not fair, either! Cole aims as Kyle sputters and crawls. Kyle gets up, Cole SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO!!! Kyle survives and Cole is furious! The fans are thunderous again while Cole tries to figure out what he has to do to end Kyle. Cole gets a chair again, and he puts it around Kyle’s head! Cole gets another chair, the ref says he shouldn’t do this but Cole tells him to shut up!
The ref keeps insisting, but Cole DECKS him! “When I say, ‘Shut up,’ you shut up!!” The fans even tell the ref, “You Deserve It!” Cole goes back to Kyle, to a corner, and he climbs up. Kyle flounders up, Cole leaps, PANAMA SUNRISE!! Cover, but the ref is out so there’s no count! Cole would’ve won, as the fans point out by counting to 10! Cole tells the ref to get up now! “Are you stupid?! Get up!” Cole shoves the ref but he’s out cold. Cole looks back at Kyle, and figures if this has to continue, he’ll just do more damage. Cole stalks Kyle to the ramp, carrying a chair with him. Cole THROWS the chair at Kyle’s head!
Cole hobbles after Kyle as he flops off the ramp, and he RAMS him into the boards! And again! And again! But Kyle YANKS Cole into the boards now! Cole and Kyle get up, Kyle gets a GUILLOTINE! Cole stays standing to RAM Kyle back into the boards! Cole is free, fans rally up and Cole drags Kyle up. Cole gets Kyle back on the ramp, but Kyle gets the GUILLOTINE again!! Cole stays up, LEAPS, and both men CRASH THROUGH THE STAGE!! They fall through the steel grate and to the floor below!! Cole emerges first! Cole kicks THROUGH the side of the ramp, just to get at Kyle?! Cole drags Kyle through the hole and puts him back onto the top of the ramp.
Kyle crawls back towards the ring, and the ref has finally recovered. Cole hobbles after Kyle, one of his hands cut and bloody. Kyle stumbles and falls again, and Cole thinks he has easy pickings, until Kyle falls all the way out of the ring. Cole pursues, drags him up, and brings him back to the base steps! Cole suplexes, to BRAIN BUSTER Kyle onto the steel!!! Kyle even flops onto the toolbox on the other side! Cole drags Kyle, limp as he is, and puts him back into the ring. Cover, TWO!?!? Kyle BARELY gets a shoulder up but that’s enough to stay in this! Fans are electric while Cole is shocked! Cole gets to his feet, brings Kyle back up, and fans rally and duel as hard as ever.
Cole brings the knee pad down, takes aim and runs, but Kyle flops over! Cole sits Kyle up, again tells him he’s nothing, and again runs, but Kyle ducks the Last Shot! Kyle gets the leg and gets the HEEL HOOK!! Cole boots Kyle again and again, but that leg gets caught! DOUBLE HEEL HOOK!! Cole writhes and flails, but he gets the chain! STEEL KNUCKLE!! Cole is free, and he sputters over to a corner. Cole hops up and aims at Kyle. Kyle gets up, Cole leaps, PAN- NO! Kyle fireman’s carries to USHIGOROSHI Cole! PENALTY KICK! Kyle gets up, brings HIS knee pad down, and wants to show Cole his own LAST SHOT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Cole survives but Kyle can’t even register frustration!
Kyle grits his teeth, gets a chair, turns it upside-down, and gathers up the chain. What is Kyle creating in his mind? Kyle brings the chain to the corner, piles it on, and then gets the chair. Kyle puts that chair around Cole’s leg, and then heads for the corner. Kyle flounders his way up the corner, but Cole gets up and uses that chair to SMACK Kyle off the top! Kyle falls to the mat, Cole gets sits the chair upside-down, and drags Kyle up. Cole puts Kyle in the ropes in the corner, gets around the corner and climbs up. Cole says he is always going to be better than Kyle! But Kyle LOW BLOWS Cole!! Payback for a moment ago, and Kyle gathers the chains again!
Kyle wraps his leg up in the steel, locks it in, and aims at Cole! Cole is on the chair, STEEL GUILLOTINE KNEE!!! Cover, KYLE WINS!!
Winner: Kyle O’Reilly, by pinfall
Incredible! Kyle brought out every ounce of aggression he could muster, and he crushes Cole one and for all! And for that, Stand & Deliver’s Unsanctioned main event gets a standing ovation! But will either man be able to stand after what they’ve put themselves through? Kyle gets to his feet, but a neck brace, back board and stretcher are needed for Cole. Will Cole ever be the same again? Kyle leaves, having settled the score, but where does this win take him next?
My Thoughts:
Night one was already awesome, night two was pretty epic! We got another surprise kickoff show match in Breezango VS Dain & Maverick, but it was a really fun match. Dain & Maverick win to face MSK, but I feel like this is to continue the story with Imperium. Alexander Wolfe specifically will show up, maybe get in Dain’s head, and that costs him and Maverick so that Dain & Maverick can then shift over to face Imperium while MSK get their first defense in the books. We did get good interview promos conducted by Samoa Joe, but just for Balor and Kross. Those were still very good promos, and I hope Joe keeps coming back to do these for other big TakeOvers.
Opening with Escobar VS Devlin was a great choice, it was definitely a good ladder match and made great use of the Capitol Wrestling Center’s space. I again groan at Legado having to help Escobar, but it is as I sadly knew would happen: the majority of the Cruiserweight Division is in the US, and the world is still rather wary because of COVID, so it’s just easier for the wrestler who lives in the US to get the title. No offense to him or his literal legacy as El Hijo del Fantasma, but as far as I can tell, that is the reason he won tonight. I have no idea who steps up next, but hopefully they finally get to be the one that dethrones Escobar.
The NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship match was very good, but it was natural for Shotzi & Ember to win. However anyone feels about them snatching those titles right off of Raquel & Dakota, Shotzi & Ember need to keep their reign going a bit to really build these titles. The North American Championship was great, Theory was involved at just the right amount, and Reed still looked like a monster given he still had such a great showing after having a gauntlet eliminator last night. Reed not getting the title might hurt a little if he’s to ever move up to the top title, but who knows. With Lumis and Knight starting a feud, no idea who is next for Gargano, but that might be set up as soon as NXTuesday.
Balor VS Kross was awesome, probably Kross’ best match since coming to NXT. I am a little surprised Kross won but it does make sense. It is almost cliché for wrestlers to say they never lost whatever title they gave up while injured, but that’s only because it’s true, and so for Kross, it is great for him to get this belt back to give us what we would’ve gotten almost a year ago. Balor is still great so he can do whatever he wants next. Challenge Gargano? Finally face Walter? Either one, but especially the latter so that we also get what we would’ve gotten almost a year ago. Hell, Balor becoming the first man to hold prime NXT and NXT UK titles would be fitting of the greatest star in NXT history.
Then Cole VS Kyle in their Unsanctioned match, HOT DAMN that was awesome! They were very creative with everything used, and I figured Kyle would win this. Cole can be written off, maybe return to action on Raw or SmackDown, start relatively fresh and add to his great resumé. I’m pretty sure it’s rarified air as one of the only NXT Triple Crowns to then add any other WWE belt. Kyle has finally broken free, he can easily go after Gargano or Kross with this momentum. Hell, why stop there? Kyle is billed at 200 pounds, that’s a Cruiserweight, let Kyle the first and only THREE-TIME tag champ check off ALL three belts to be NXT’s first GRAND SLAM winner! Then one day, Kyle and Balor can circle back and we will have a battle to see who is truly the best in the NXT history books!
My Score: 9.7/10
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Will it end before it even begins?
AEW Blood & Guts is just days away, and advantage is STILL up in the air! Will Jon Moxley put down Roderick Strong to give the Death Riders the edge? Who comes through for Team Mone and Team Statlander?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- FTR w/ Stokely Hathaway VS Austin Gunn & Juice Robinson; Gunn & Robinson win.
- AEW TNT Championship: Kyle Fletcher VS Ace Austin; Fletcher wins and retains the title.
- TayJay VS Maya World & Hyan; TayJay wins.
- Women’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 2: Jamie Hayter VS Skye Blue; Hayter wins and ties the series.
- Women’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 3: Harley Cameron VS Thekla; Thekla wins advantage for Team Mone.
- Men’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 3: Roderick Strong VS Jon Moxley; Roddy wins advantage for The Conglomeration.
PLAY BY PLAY
FTR w/ Stokely Hathaway VS Austin Gunn & Juice Robinson!
Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler fueled the rage of Bandido & Brody King on Wednesday, they might have their head on a swivel from now until Full Gear. Will they be able to focus on the “Collision Cowboys” in Houston? Or will it be #GunnsUp against the #1 contenders to the tag team titles?
The teams sort out and Dax starts against Austin. The fans rally, “Gunns Up! WOOP WOOP!” Dax talks trash on Austin and the two tie up. Dax headlocks, hits a takeover, but Austin headscissors. Austin shouts, “GUNNS! UP!” The fans cheer but Dax frowns. Dax and Austin circle, tie up, and they go around. Dax puts Austin in the corner, Cash tags in, but Austin arm-drags! Austin grinds the armlock and the fans cheer. Cash fights up, fires a forearm, but Austin powers puts pressure on the arm. Cash fires another shot, whips Austin, but Austin slips free of the scoop! Austin shoves, ducks, and arm-drags!
The fans fire up with Austin as he wrenches, and he tags in Juice! The fans fire up as Juice goes up, but Cash gets free. Cash runs away to the FTR corner, Juice hops down and high-fives Austin. Cash tags Dax in, but the fans rally for “JUICE! JUICE! JUICE!” Juice and Dax tie up, Dax headlocks, but Juice powers up and out. Dax RUNS Juice over, things keep moving, and Juice hurdles, but Dax counters hip toss with HIP TOSS! Juice UP KICKS, then he scoops and SLAMS! Dax trips Juice, both men get up, but Dax headlocks for a takeover! Juice headscissors, Dax kips free, but Juice hits the arm-drag and takedown!
The fans fire up while Dax endures the grind. Dax fights up, Juice wrenches, but Dax pulls hair! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Dax lets off, only to BODY BLOW! And CHOP! Dax says that was for those fans right in the corner. The fans taunt Dax with “BALD! BALD! BALD!” and we see that “Big Bill” and Bryan Keith are watching backstage. They still have beef with the Bang Bang Gang, and they nod as Dax CHOPS Juice! But then Juice CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS in return! The fans fire up, Juice roars, and the fans cheer even louder! Juice climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count along, but Cash runs up! Juice CROSSBODIES Cash down!
The fans fire up as Juice rains down fists on Cash, but Dax pulls Juice’s hair! Austin gets in and DECKS Dax! The Bang Bang Gang double whip FTR to then STEREO BACKDROP! Then Austin LARIATS Dax up and out! Juice feeds Cash to Austin to TOSS out onto Dax! A rough landing for FTR but the fans cheer as it is Gunns Up! Dax rises, Juice drags him into the ring, and Juice wrenches to wristlock. Dax pulls hair again and puts Juice in the corner. Juice fires hands and elbows, then gets under to lift. Cash tags in before the atomic drop! Juice ELBOWS Cash, then whips Dax. Dax reverses, Juice rebounds to LARIAT, but Cash CHOP BLOCKS Juice!
The fans boo but Cash drops ELBOW after ELBOW on the leg! Then he HIP DROPS at the ropes! The fans boo but Cash drags Juice around, steps through, LEG DROP on the leg! Cash drags Juice around again, hooks the leg up, and he SNAP LOCKS it! The fans boo more but Cash soaks it up. Cash steps through but Juice BOOTS him into the POST! The fans fire up but Dax hurries to tag in! Dax intercepts Juice with a facelock! The fans boo but Austin still reaches out. Dax scoops and SLAMS Juice, but Juice avoids the elbow drop! And he avoids another elbow drop! Juice slips outside, and he ROCKS Dax with a right!
Cash runs up to anchor Juice, but Juice DECKS Cash! Juice RAMS Dax, slingshots up and over, sunset flip! TWO and both men hurry to their feet! Dax lifts Juice, throws him back, and Cash is there! Juice slips out, runs up, but FTR both keep him back! So Juice DOUBLE DDTS! The fans fire up while Juice and FTR are all down! Stoke panics as Juice stirs. The fans rally as Juice crawls, hot tag to Austin! Austin LARIATS Dax again and again, then gets moving to SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up, Austin dodges Cash and trips him up! Then he bobs ‘n’ weaves with Dax to JAB, JAB, JAB, swivel hips, and he DECKS Dax!
The fans fire up as Austin then dodges Cash, QUICK DRAW on Cash! Austin whips, Dax reverses, but Austin catches Dax to a cradle, TWO! Austin backslides! TWO! Austin kicks low, but Cash runs up! Austin kicks Cash, sets him up, but Cash dodges the Famouser! Austin avoids the lariat to DUMP Cash out! Dax runs up on Austin and whips, then drops down, and Cash DUMPS Austin out! Austin hits the apron hard and flops to the floor, and fans boo as FTR has taken back control while Collision goes picture in picture.
Dax stays in the ring while Austin sputters on the floor. The ring count climbs as Austin slowly sits up. But then Cash sends Austin into railing! The fans protest and the ref reprimands but Cash CHOPS Austin! And SMACKS him off the apron! Cash leaves Austin behind as the count begins again. Cash is the legal man now as FTR waits on Austin. Austin stands at 6, staggers at 7, stumbles back at 8, and the ref stops to check on Austin. Austin’s alright, and he gets back in the ring! Cash stomps away on Austin at the ropes! The ref counts, Cash stops at 4, and Cash soaks up heat. Cash tells Houston to “SUCK IT!” before he drags Austin up.
Tag to Dax, he CHOPS Austin in the corner, then CHOPS again! Dax JABS, JABS, JABS away on Austin until the ref counts 4. Austin sputters and crawls but Dax stomps him down. Collision returns to single picture and the fans rally for Austin. Dax tags Cash, they drag Austin up to double whip, but Austin TOSSES Dax! Then he dodges Cash, but Cash dodges Austin! DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans fire up as Austin and Cash crawl for their corners. Hot tag to Dax, then he swings on Juice! Juice avoids the haymaker, Austin BACKDROPS Dax! Hot tag to Juice! Juice fires off JAB after JAB, “JUICE! JUICE! JUICE!”
Cash runs up, Juice JABS, JABS, JABS! Then atomic drop for Dax! Atomic drop for Cash! Juice brings FTR together, MEETING OF THE MINDS! The fans fire up and Juice LARIATS Cash up and out! Juice dodges Dax to then LEG LARIAT! The fans fire up with Juice again, and he aims at Dax! CANNONBALL! Juice then PLANCHAS out onto Cash! The fans fire up, Stoke is panicked again, and Juice goes up. Dax stands, Juice CROSSBODIES! But Dax rolls through, pulling tights! TWO!! Juice escapes and the fans fire up! Dax brings Juice around, but Juice kicks low! Dax wrenches out, trips Juice, but Juice blocks the step-through!
Juice drags Dax down into a cradle, TWO!! Dax escapes, bobs ‘n’ weaves, but Juice ducks! LEFT HAND O’ GOD! Cash runs up, Juice dodges, but then Cash catches Juice into a POWERSLAM! Austin is back, he dodges Cash, and he LARIATS Cash and himself up and outta the ring! Houston is fired up as Juice crawls to a cover, TWO! Dax survives and all four men are down! “This is Awesome!” Stoke taunts fans wearing Bandido masks, then SNATCHES those masks?! But then surprise, it’s the REAL Bandido, and his brother, Gravity! Stoke freaks out, but the brothers chase him around ringside! Stoke goes up the ramp, but #JetSpeed is there!
The fans fire up as #BigStoke is surrounded! SUPERKICK from Bandido to Stokely! Cash runs up, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Dax is furious, but Austin gets him with a GUILLOTINE FAMOUSER in the ropes!! Then LEFT HAND O’ GOD from Juice!! JUICE IS LOOSE!! Cover, Bang Bang Gang wins!!
Winners: Austin Gunn & Juice Robinson, by pinfall
Bandido and his amigos tipped the scales, and now FTR is on the back foot going towards Full Gear! Will Dax, Cash & Stokely just have to rethink their strategy once the titles on the line? Or will Brodido find a way to take the #TopGuysOut?
AEW shares a post-Dynamite backstage interview with Kyle Fletcher.
Renee Paquette is with The Protostar and brings up that it was decided that Kyle Fletcher VS Mark Briscoe Round 6 would be for the TNT title, but if Briscoe loses, he MUST join the Don Callis Family. But Kyle’s title is still on the line in a No Disqualifications match. Why was Kyle so quick, and even pleased, to jump on this opportunity? Kyle says he was excited. But the more he thinks about it, maybe he should be concerned. The deck is stacked against him as he faces Briscoe, “a deranged human being” in a No DQ match where Briscoe could literally do anything to him. Briscoe might win the title!
But even if Briscoe loses, he still wins because he has the honor of joining The Don Callis Family, literally the best thing that’s ever happened to Kyle! Oh, speaking of the Family, Kazuchika Okada steps in. Kyle says great to see Okada, and Okada says he is sorry that Konosuke Takeshita wasn’t here to support Fletcher. But Okada is! Because Okada and Fletcher are basically the captains of the Don Callis Family. And after Full Gear, when Fletcher beats Briscoe, they will both still be champions. They will be the #PROTOKADA! Kyle thinks about how that sounds. Not bad, really.
Is Okada really going to replace Takeshita as Fletcher’s tag partner? Is Fletcher already looking past the title match made for tonight on Collision?
AEW TNT Championship: Kyle Fletcher VS Ace Austin!
Collision returns as the Aussie Arrow makes his entrance, followed by the Bang Bang Gang’s third man. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see is a new champion is Inevitable!
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Fletcher powers Austin to the ropes, then backs off as the ref counts. Austin and Fletcher reset, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Austin kicks and wrenches to headlock. Fletcher endures the grind, wrenches out, and ELBOW BREAKERS! Then he powers on a wristlock, but Austin rolls, handsprings, only for Fletcher to wrangle him. Fletcher has the cording hold but the fans boo. Austin fights up, slips around, and waistlocks. Fletcher switches, then he SLAMS Austin down! Fletcher flexes and the fans are torn, but Austin goes to a corner. The fans rally for “ACE! ACE! ACE!” and he resets with Kyle.
The two circle, tie up, and Ace headlocks. Kyle powers up and out, RUNS Ace over, and keeps moving. Austin stays low, then hurdles, but Fletcher blocks the hip toss. Austin ducks the lariat to wrench and arm-drag! Fletcher runs up, but into a headlock takeover. Austin traps an arm, turns Kyle for a ghost pin, TWO! Fletcher scrambles and Austin says it was that close. The fans cheer but Kyle frowns. The two reset, circle, but then Fletcher bails out. The fans boo but Fletcher lets the ring count climb. Fletcher then talks trash on the fans before he tells Austin to back off. Austin steps back, Fletcher steps in, and the two circle.
Fletcher BOOST Austin right down! The fans are torn but Fletcher dusts himself off. Austin rises up, Fletcher clamps on with a facelock, but Austin wrenches out to drop toehold and KICK! Then he steps over, LA MAGISTROL! TWO, and Austin DROPKICKS Fletcher to a corner! The fans fire up, Austin runs up, CHOP! Then Austin whips corner to corner, runs in, but Fletcher puts him on the apron. Austin RAMS Fletcher, springboards, but Fletcher catches him! SWINGING BACKBREAKER, then a FULL NELSON SLAM! The fans are torn but Fletcher smirks. Fletcher soaks up cheers and jeers on the corner while Collision goes picture in picture.
Fletcher goes back to Austin, slaps him around, then drags him up. Scoop and SLAM! Fletcher mocks the fans cheering “ACE! ACE! ACE!” Fletcher then stalks Austin to the ropes, and he STOMPS Austin down! Austin goes to a corner, Fletcher stomps him again, and again, and again! Fletcher digs his boots in, the ref counts, and Fletcher backs off. Fletcher grins while Austin sputters in the corner. Austin drags himself up with the ropes but Fletcher is right on him. The ref reprimands as Fletcher winds up and CHOPS! Austin sputters again, Fletcher taunts the fans, and Fletcher stands Austin up in a corner while Collision goes to break.
Collision returns and Fletcher has Austin a chinlock. Austin endures, the fans rally up, but Fletcher grinds Austin down. Austin fights to his feet, fires body shots, but Fletcher KNEES low, and KNEES him again! Fletcher runs, blocks Austin’s boot, then FLIPS Austin to the apron. But Austin blocks a forearm to ROCK Fletcher! Austin steps in, Triangle Jump, but Fletcher ducks the Flying Chuck! Both men run up, Austin wrenches to short arm LARIAT! Then a KNEE, KICK, and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! The fans fire up, Austin STANDING LEG DROPS! Fletcher flounders and bails out. Austin aims and builds speed to FOSBURY FLOP!
The fans fire up as Austin takes Fletcher down! Austin rises, Houston roars, and Austin puts Fletcher back in the ring. Austin reels Fletcher in, Fletcher wrenches out, but Austin dodges to JUMP KNEE! The fans rally and even duel as Austin crosses arms, BLACK DRAGON DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Fletcher survives and Austin is beside himself! Fletcher goes to the outside again as the fans duel even harder. Austin PLANCHA, but Fletcher moves! Austin lands safe on the apron, avoids the leg sweep, then handsprings over the next! But Fletcher blocks the kick! Electric Chair, then he spins Austin around, APRON POWERBOMB!
The fans fire up more and Fletcher puts Austin in. Austin staggers to the ropes, Fletcher runs up to CALF KICK! Fletcher reels Austin in, lifts him up, LAST RIDE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Austin survives and the fans are thunderous while Fletcher is furious! Austin sputters to a corner while the fans duel even harder. Fletcher aims from the far corner, then runs in, GAMANGIRI! Then the suplex, but Austin slips free! BLINDSIDE DROPKICK! Fletcher goes to the corner, Austin runs in, A-LIST LARIAT! Then he HAMMERS away with more lariats! The fans fire up again as Austin hoists Fletcher up, then ENZIGIRIS!
Fletcher wobbles up top, and Austin gets space! Austin runs side to side and jumps up, but Fletcher BLOCKS the flying rana! Fletcher hoists Austin right up, but Austin RANAS through!! The fans are thunderous as Austin runs up, DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO!!! Fletcher survives and everyone is shocked! “This is Awesome!” as Austin draws his ace! THE- NO, Fletcher avoids The Fold, then goes up and over! Austin comes back, slips free of a scoop, waistlock and O’Conner, but he abandons the roll? THE- NO, Fletcher pops Austin up from The Fold to then LAWN DART! And then GAMAN- NO, Austin ducks and the kick hits buckles!
Austin hits the TRIANGLE JUMP FLYING CHUCK! The fans fire up again, and Austin shuffles, THE FO- BRAINBUSTER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Austin survives and no one can believe it! But they all love “A E DUB! A E DUB!” for giving it to us! Fletcher drags Austin up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Austin cradles! TWO!!! Fletcher escapes, runs up, but Austin rolls, stacks, JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH! TWO!! SUPERKICK! Austin ROCKS Fletcher with a right, but Fletcher SUPERKICKS in return! Austin SUPERKICKS again! Fletcher LARIATS!! The fans are thunderous again, and Fletcher aims again! Corner to corner, GAMANGIRI!!
Fletcher puts Austin up top, climbs up after him, and then suplexes! TOP ROPE BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Fletcher wins!
Winner: Kyle Fletcher, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)
Ace Austin gave Fletcher a run for his money, but The Protostar is still the Face of TNT! But will that still be the case in just two weeks? Or will the Sussex County Chicken use everything he has to dethrone Fletcher once and for all?
Kris Statlander speaks.
“Mercedes, you have a lot that I will never have. More success, more accolades, more confidence, and more legacy than any woman in wrestling history. But there is one thing… Well, maybe two…. that I have and you don’t. Focus. I have complete and total focus on being THE AEW Women’s World Champion, and you don’t. If you think this is just some other side piece you can scribble on a cake or have a nameless male bimbo you can carry behind you, than you would be wrong in the most extraordinary of ways. You were eliminated from the tag tournament because you were not focused on me.
“And now I will follow you into Blood & Guts, and I will go through whoever I have to until you are focused on me! And then, at Full Gear, one year after we fought for the very first time, in a completely different world… Your focus will be full, your vision will be clear, and it still won’t make a difference.” The Galaxy’s Greatest has warned The CEO, but will she make Mone understand with actions? Or will that Money Train just continue full steam ahead towards more gold?
AEW shares more post-Dynamite footage.
Jon Moxley walked with the Death Riders and said, “We should just give them the advantage at Blood & Guts as a courtesy. They’re weak, they’re hurt, they’re tired, and deciding match three, this is already in the bag.” But then Don Callis is there. The Jackal has them all calm down, and says that they’ve all successfully stayed out of each other’s business for some time to mutual benefit. And on the subject of that, Fletcher has a very high stakes match with Mark Briscoe at Full Gear. Callis knows that Briscoe is part of The Conglomeration team going against them at Blood & Guts, and Callis is just saying that he’s very happy when he thinks about what they could do to him.
Pac tells Callis that everybody knows The Death Riders are done playing games. In Greensboro, North Carolina, they leave five bodies in that cage. So whatever Callis chooses to do with what’s left of Briscoe, that’s his prerogative. They couldn’t give a piss. Callis says he loves the sound of that. And if that were to be the case, which he is pretty sure it will, he’d owe them a tremendous favor. Anything they want! Moxley steps up, leans in, and tells Callis, “Do we look like we need a favor from anybody?” Callis is twitchy given the scar Moxley left on him from a long time ago, so he stays quiet. The Death Riders leave, though Claudio does give a glance at the TNT title.
Fletcher says that went well. Will The Death Riders dismantle Darby & The Conglomeration? Will The Don Callis Family be next?
TayJay VS Maya World & Hyan!
The Blackbelt Beauty & The Queenslayer know they’ve got a Problem and a Megasus in their way on the road to the AEW Women’s Tag Team Championships, but they aren’t worried. Will the long time dynamic duo be more than ready for Marina & Megan? Or are they underestimating #ThatGirl & The Renaissance Woman?
The teams sort out and Tay Melo starts against Maya. They circle, tie up, and the fans rally. Tay headlocks, Maya powers up to wrench free. Tay wrenches back and waistlocks, then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Tay runs up, but Maya dodges the boot to roll Tay! Tay rolls through and DECKS Maya! Maya flounders to the corner, Tay tags Anna, and the fans rally as Anna ROCKS Maya again and again! Anna snapmares Maya, Tay joins in, PENALTY KICK to a NECK SNAPPER! Cover, Hyan breaks it just in time! Tay CLUBS and THROWS Hyan, then she and Anna do the secret handshake before a DOUBLE BOOTY BUMP!
The fans cheer and Maya sputters. Anna drags her up, Maya JAWBREAKERS free! Hot Tag to Hyan! The fans fire up but then Anna ROCKS Hyan! Anna whips Hyan to the corner, ELBOWS her, and tags Tay. Tay runs to BLAST Maya, then she returns to BOOT Hyan! Tag to Anna and Tay sends her in for a LEG LARIAT! Hyan sputters, Anna lifts Hyan into the Gory Especial! TAY-K-O 2.0! Cover, TayJay wins!
Winner: TayJay, by pinfall
TayJay wins the tune-up and are just waiting on the tournament. Will they make it through the opening round? Or will Marina & Megan make them both #BowDown?
Backstage interview with Athena.
Former Minion Bestie, Lexy Nair, is with the ROH Women’s World Champion, and brings up how Athena and Mone were eliminated from the AEW Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament. Now Athena will defend her title against Harley Cameron- Athena stops Lexy there. Does Lexy even remember who she is? HMM!? Lexy runs through the nicknames very quickly: The Fallen Goddess, the Minion Overlord, the Forever ROH Champion, Athena. YES, the FOREVER ROH Champion! So then, why doesn’t Athena feel like she’s the Forever Champion?! She’ll tell you why! It’s because for only the fifth time in five YEARS, Athena got pinned.
And this one hurts the most, because it was that evil little puppeteer, Harley Cameron. And y’know what? Harley must feel special, very special, but she’s not! If Kris Statlander didn’t poke her nose in Athena’s business, if Billie Starkz could just do the right thing for once, and if Mercedes Mone would’ve had Athena’s back like Athena had hers, Athena would NOT be in this predicament, which is her doubting herself. So if Harley Cameron, by some miracle, survives Blood & Guts, she’ll realize that Athena doesn’t need five other people by her side, or a cage, or the weapons, to beat the CRAP out of her!
Athena promises to do it not for her minions, not for anyone that she genuinely cares about. She does this for her. And then she will make Harley Cameron a little puppet for MIT. What’s Lexy think about that? Yes, Minion Overlord. That’s right. Put some pep in your step next time. Athena storms off, but will she still be the ROH Women’s World Champion then, now, and forever? Or will she #FeelTheWarth of Harley Cameron on ROH TV?
Women’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 2: Jamie Hayter VS Skye Blue!
Speaking of Blood & Guts, Team Statlander is up against the wall after Mina Shirakawa lost to Megan Bayne and must win this match to force the third match. The Southampton Slugger has already beaten Chicago Skye once, but can she hit the homerun needed to survive?
The bell rings and the fans fire up behind Jamie. Skye runs up, Jamie avoids the boot and rolls Skye up, ONE! Oklahoma Roll, ONE! Skye runs up again, but Jamie scoops. Skye slips free, she rolls Jamie and bridges, TWO! Jamie swings but into a backslide, ONE! Jamie ROCKS Skye, then ripcords, but Skye ducks the Hayterade! Skye bails out, the fans boo, but Skye wags her finger. Jamie storms out after Skye, chases her around the way, and the fans cheer as Jamie gains ground! Skye rolls into the ring but Jamie drags her back out! Jamie kicks, suplexes, but Skye slips free and RAMS Jamie into the steel!
The fans are torn as Skye scrambles into the ring. Skye wants the ring count because any win seals the deal. Jamie is already back in the ring at 2 of 10, so Skye stomps and CLUBS and HAMMERS away! The fans boo, Skye tells them to shut up, and she stands Jamie up. Skye whips, Jamie reverses to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! Jamie CHOPS away, then whips Skye, but Skye ducks ‘n’ dodges. Skye leaps, but into a SPINEBUSTER! And fast hands! Jamie HAMMERS Skye, then drags her back up. Jamie bumps Skye off buckles, climbs up, and she rains down fists! The fans count along, all the way to nine, then Jamie flexes, TEN!
The fans cheer as Skye flops down. Jamie drags her back up, whips her corner to corner, then runs up again, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Skye turns the tides and the fans boo. Skye waves them off, then runs back in, handspring and- ELBOW from Jamie! Jamie goes up, up, and MISSILE- FLOP as Skye dodges! SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Jamie survives and Skye seethes, but the fans rally up as Collision goes picture in picture.
Skye stalks Jamie to the ropes, then CHOKES her! The ref reprimands, Skye stops at 4, and she soaks up the heat from Houston. Skye drags Jamie up, runs her side to side and SMACKS her off buckles! Skye then runs Jamie into another corner to bump off buckles! Skye climbs up, and she rains down fists! But Jamie SHOVES Skye down at eight! Skye comes back to ROCK Jamie, then digs her boots in. The ref counts, Skye steps off at 4, and she goes to the apron. Skye drags Jamie out to SMACK her off the steel steps! Jamie sputters, Skye argues with the ref and taunts the fans. Skye stalks Jamie to commentary, but Jamie ROCKS Skye!
Jamie snap suplexes Skye to the floor! Both women are down, Skye crawls away to the steps, but Jamie storms up. Jamie whips, Skye reverses, and Jamie hits the floor! Skye puts Jamie in the ring, pushes her to a cover, TWO! Jamie toughs it out but Skye seethes. Skye CLUBS Jamie, Jamie hits back, repeat. They fire forearm after forearm, but Skye THROWS Jamie down by her hair! The ref reprimands but Skye just smirks as she drags Jamie around. Skye clamps on a chinlock and grinds Jamie down. Jamie endures, fights her way up, but Skye wrangles her back down! Skye squeezes tight while having a sinister smile, but Jamie still fights up.
Jamie fires body shots on Skye, but Skye CLUBS Jamie! Collision returns to single picture as Skye runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up as both women rise, and Jamie clinches to EXPLODER! Skye flounders into the corner, but Jamie runs in! Skye dodges, Jamie goes up, and Jamie MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up with Jamie and she throws off the armbands! LARIAT in the corner! Then SAIDO! Skye flounders, Jamie covers, TWO! The fans rally behind Jamie as she drags Skye up. Jamie whips and BOOTS Skye down! Cover, TWO! Jamie huffs ‘n’ puffs and kicks Skye around. Jamie vows to end this and the fans fir eup!
Jamie waistlocks, ripcords, but Skye wheelbarrows to victory roll! TWO, Jamie has it, TWO! Skye has it back, TWO! Jamie and Skye hurry back up, and Jamie BOOTS Skye! Skye kicks, Jamie blocks, but the SUPERKICK returns! Jamie ENZIGIRIS! Skye wobbles, Jamie runs, but Skye fireman’s carries! Jamie slips free, Skye fires a forearm, but Jamie fires back! They go back and forth, the fans cheering Jamie and booing Skye! They go shot for shot, faster and faster, and then DOUBLE HEADBUTTS! Jamie falls on the cover, TWO!! Skye survives and the fans fire up! Jamie and Skye stir, the fans rally again, and Skye crawls away to a corner.
The fans rally up more as Jamie rises, and she storms up on Skye. Jamie puts Skye up top, climbs, and she CLUBS away! Skye fires body shots, then ROCKS Jamie! Jamie holds onto ropes, fires forearms in return, then HEADBUTTS! Skye slips under, tucks Jamie in, CHEEKY NANDOS! Then a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Jamie survives and Skye shrieks in anger! The fans fire up as Skye drags Jamie up, runs and hops on, CODE- NO! Jamie sits on Code Blue, TWO!! Skye rises, but Jamie catches her! Skye arm-drags free, but Jamie ducks a roundhouse! HAYTERADE!! Cover, Jamie wins!
Winner: Jamie Hayter, by pinfall; ties the series 1-1
Hayter Hits Hard indeed, and now there will be need for that third showdown! But speaking of, Julia Hart & Thekla rush out here to mug Jamie! The fans boo as The Triangle of Madness tries to get the edge even now! They TOSS Jamie, then mug Jamie more! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Julia & Thekla stomp away on Jamie! But here comes Willow & Harley! The Babes of Wrath get Julia & Thekla off Jamie to put in the ring! They brawl, security rushes out, but the fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Willow and Julia aside, Harley and Thekla will fight, after the break!
Women’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 3: Harley Cameron VS Thekla!
Collision returns and the bell rings! The fans are already fired up as Thekla and Harley rush each other! THESZ PRESS for the Wild Aussie and she HAMMERS the Toxic Spider down! The fans fire up, Thekla turns things over, and Thekla HAMMERS away on Harley! Thekla drags Harley up, wrenches hair, and THROWS Harley down by her hair! Then she wrenches the hair to THROW Harley again! Thekla ROCKS Harley with a forearm, whips her to ropes, but the fans cheer on Harley as she ducks ‘n’ dodges. Harley THROWS Thekla down, then runs to basement DROPKICK! Thekla flounders out of the ring, the fans rally up, but Harley goes out after her.
Harley CHOPS Thekla, the fans fire up, and Harley whips Thekla hard into the railing! Harley wrenches Thekla to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP to the floor! Harley SMACKS Thekla off the apron, puts her in the ring, and Harley storms back in. Harley has Thekla in a corner and RAMS into her! And RAMS her again! And again! Harley whips corner to corner, then runs up to SPLASH Thekla! The fans chant, “Feel The Wrath!” as Harley climbs up. Harley rains down fists and fans count along! Thekla CLAWS Harley’s hand at seven! The ref reprimands, but Thekla YANKS Harley down. Thekla then snarls and runs up on Harley, BOOT WASH!
Harley flops to the floor and the fans boo but Thekla just soaks up the heat. Thekla mocks the fans who think Harley can win this, and she goes out to drag Harley up. Thekla kicks low, reels Harley in, and snap suplexes to the floor! Thekla soaks up m ore heat, then she drags Harley back up. Thekla brings Harley around, talks more trash, and she again snap suplexes to the floor! The fans boo but Thekla soaks up the heat. “This is Blood & Guts, baby! We’re not playing around!” Thekla pushes Harley into the ring, then drags her back to the apron. Thekla brings Harley around to show the fans, and she reels Harley in for a third snap suplex to the floor!
Thekla shouts at the fans, the fans shout back, and Harley writhes while Collision goes picture in picture.
Thekla drags Harley up and puts her in the ring. Thekla covers, TWO! Harley toughs it out but Thekla paces. Thekla stalks Harley to the ropes, CHOKES her, and the ref reprimands. Thekla stops at 4, Harley flounders around, and Thekla puts her in a corner. Thekla CHOKES Harley in the corner! The ref counts, Thekla taunts everyone, and she stops at 4 again. Thekla snapmares Harley, winds up, and basement SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Thekla pushes Harley down for a third cover, TWO! Harley shows that grit but Thekla THROWS her down! Thekla digs her boot into Harley’s face but the ref counts.
Thekla steps off at 4, Harley flounders to another corner, but Thekla kicks her around. Thekla gives toying shots, but Harley fires off a flurry! Harley HAMMERS Thekla in the corner while Collision goes to break.
Collision returns again and Thekla grinds Harley down in a RINGS OF SATURN! Thekla fishhooks Harley’s mouth with both hands but the ref counts. Thekla stops at 4 and argues with the ref while the fans rally behind Harley. Harley sits up, Thekla stands her up, but Harley JAWBREAKERS! Thekla staggers to a corner, Harley runs up, but Thekla BOOTS her! Thekla then reels Harley in for a HANGING HEADSCISSOR! The fans boo, the ref counts, but Thekla stops at 4. Thekla hangs upside-down while Harley staggers away. Thekla has a sinister smile as she storms into the ring and kneels on the cover, TWO!
Thekla slaps Harley around, toys with her, taunts her, but the fans cuss her out. Thekla kicks low, whips Harley, but Harley ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds up speed! FLYING FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down again! Harley rises as the fans cheer her on, and she goes to a corner while Thekla stands. Thekla runs up, but into BOOTS! Thekla rolls, comes back, but Harley dodges! ROUNDHOUSE! Harley stomps a mudhole into Thekla and the fans fire up! Harley stops, runs, and SPLASHES! Then she keeps going, to ELBOW Thekla! Harley keeps going, SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!
Thekla survives but the fans rally behind Harley. Harley fireman’s carries, Thekla slips free to mule kick! Harley ducks the buzzsaw but not the HEEL KICK! Harley goes to a corner, Thekla runs up, but Harley slips out and ROUNDHOUSES! Thekla staggers, the fans fire up, and Harley climbs up. Thekla ROCKS Harley first! Thekla climbs up, but Harley tripos her up! Harley and Thekla brawl up top and the fans rally! Harley fires a flurry, Thekla falls into the Tree of Woe, but she sits right up! Harley is shocked, but then she blocks a shot to BITE Thekla’s forehead! Harley then makes Thekla MOTORBOAT her!
The fans fire up as Harley HEADBUTTS Thekla, then sunset flips! Thekla holds on, so Harley CHOPS her, puts her in the Tree of Woe, and runs side to side! DROPKICK! Thekla falls, Harley covers, TWO! Thekla survives but the fans fire up for Harley! Harley rises up, brings Thekla around, and then climbs back up. Harley aims from up top, SWANTON FLOP as Thekla moves! Thekla Spider-Walks, for the SPIDER SPEAR!! Cover, Thekla wins!
Winner: Thekla, by pinfall; Team Mone has Blood & Guts Advantage
Thekla caresses Harley’s face with a sinister style, because now her team has that one-up advantage! Will Mercedes Mone, Megan Bayne, Marina Shafir & The Triangle of Madness completely dominate inside the double cage? Or can Kris Statlander, Toni Storm, Mina Shirakawa, Jamie Hayter, Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron find a way to survive?
Backstage interview with #JetSpeed.
Lexy is now with Kevin Knight & Mike Bailey to bring up their part in FTR losing to the Bang Bang Gang earlier tonight, but also that they have an announcement to make. Bailey says yes, but he wants to make it clear that it is far from over between them, FTR, and “Little Strokely.” But while FTR’s busy challenging for the AEW World Tag Team Championships at Full Gear, Bailey & Knight aren’t the kind to sit by and watch. Knight agrees, they are not. So at Full Gear, there is the Casino Gauntlet Match to crown the first-ever AEW National Champion, and JetSpeed as fly as they are, they’re putting their names in the hat, then throw that hat into the ring.
Then it is official, they’re both in the gauntlet? Yes, and that doubles their chances of winning. If it comes down to just the two of them, may the best man win. They shake on it, but will JetSpeed be 2Fly2Stop now that they’re going Full Gear?
Backstage interview with Max Caster & Anthony Bowens.
Collision returns as Lexy is now with Platinum Max & The 5 Tool Player. Despite being on the same team again last week, they ended up literally fighting each other. But it is apparent Bowens has something to say to Caster? Yes, and Bowens wanted everyone to hear it: The Acclaimed is NEVER coming back, it is done! They tried as a favor to Jerry Lynn, but it is clearly not working and Bowens is sick of it. He’s over it! Bowens’ first step forward, the opportunity in his home state of New Jersey during Tailgate Brawl! What does Caster think about that?! Caster says great, he’ll also be at the Tailgate Brawl, so see you there, just don’t get in his way.
What’s Caster going to do? He isn’t booked! Caster says he will be, but Bowens says maybe if it’s to be a dumbass. Lexy stops the arguing because Tony Khan has made note that they do higher ratings when they’re on screen together. Their merch sales have gone up since being back on screen together, and the net value cash flows of their contracts are also higher. The numbers don’t lie. So if they’re going to be part of Tailgate Brawl, then it’ll be together. They argue with Lexy but she says this is all direct from Tony Khan, do not shoot the messenger. The two calm down, understanding that.
Caster then tells Tony through the camera, “This is really what you think of me? You know how insulting this is? I promise, you will regret the way that you treated me, cuz you can’t act like people don’t love The Best Wrestler Alive alone. And you can’t act like he (Bowens) doesn’t represent your company at all those outside events by himself. I don’t go to those, and he’s not the Best Wrestler Alive.” Bowens tells Caster to shut up already! But Bowens does tell Tony that Caster’s right, Bowens is NOT doing this! Cancel the match! He’s done! So is Caster! They both storm off, but will The (Not) Acclaimed NOT have a choice in working at Full Gear?
Men’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 3: Roderick Strong VS Jon Moxley w/ Marina Shafir!
Darby Allin defeated Daniel Garcia, Claudio Castagnoli defeated Orange Cassidy, so now it is all decided with this Collision! Will the Savior of the Backbreaker save The Conglomeration? Or will this Maniac make sure The Death Riders dominates inside the steel?
The bell rings, the two circle, and the fans rally up. They feel things out, and Moxley drops back to the ropes for defense. The fans boo but Roddy stays back. Moxley steps back up, the two feel out a knuckle lock, and then a clinch. The fans rally behind Roddy but Moxley shoots around to waistlock. Roddy switches, Moxley hooks a leg and drop toeholds, but Roddy stay sup. Roddy turns Moxley over, half nelsons, but Moxley powers his way out the back. Moxley waistlocks, facelocks, and he grinds Roddy down. Roddy endures, Moxley pushes Roddy to a lateral press, but Roddy is out before there’s even a count.
Roddy has Moxley in an armlock now and the fans cheer. Moxley endures, fights around and rises up, but Roddy wrenches. Roddy YANKS the arm, wristlocks, but Moxley spins and wrenches. Moxley wristlocks, then goes for a double wristlock. Moxley wrangles Roddy to the mat but Roddy fights around with his legs. ROPEBREAK! The fans rally, even duel now, as the two let off. Moxley shoves Roddy, Roddy SHOVES Moxley, and Moxley bails out! The fans boo but Moxley paces. Roddy waits on Moxley as Moxley goes around the outside. Moxley flips off Houston, then slowly steps inside. The two tie up, and Roddy puts Moxley on ropes.
The ref counts, Moxley turns things around, and he CHOPS! Roddy CHOPS right back! And CHOPS again! Roddy fires furious fists, but then Moxley kicks low! Moxley CHOPS and ROCKS Roddy in the corner. Moxley climbs up, and he CLAWS Roddy’s face before he rains down fists! The fans count, Moxley goes to seven before he CLAWS Roddy’s face again! Moxley hops back while the ref reprimands, but Moxley then wrenches and spins Roddy. Moxley wrangles Roddy with a top wristlock and the fans rally again. Roddy endures, bridges to stay up, but Moxley STOMPS the arm! The fans are torn while Roddy goes to a corner.
Moxley storms up and fires body shots! Moxley ROCKS Roddy, stalks him to another corner, and RAMS in! Roddy flops to the apron, hobbles away, and the fans rally up. Moxley goes out after Roddy, but Roddy fires hands! Moxley fires back, then wrenches the arm. Moxley bends the fingers! And he SNAPS them! The fans boo but Moxley CLUBS ROddy. Moxley whips ROddy, but Roddy reverses! Moxley hits steel steps hard! The fans fire up while Moxley is down, and Roddy hurries to fetch Moxley. BARRIER BACKBREAKER! Moxley hobbles away, but Roddy runs up and hits another BARRIER BACKBREAKER!
The fans fire up but Marina seethes. Roddy lifts Moxley, Moxley fires elbows, then he clinches to RAM Roddy into the steel steps! Roddy writhes and Moxley seethes while Collision goes picture in picture.
Moxley pushes the steel steps around, kicks at Roddy, then stands him up. Moxley full nelsons and THRASHES Roddy around. Roddy endures, claws at the grip, but Moxley puts on the pressure. Then Moxley SMACKS Roddy off the steps! Roddy flounders while Moxley refreshes the ring count. Roddy leans against the railing, Moxley storms up, but Roddy CHOPS! And CHOPS! Roddy then ROCKS Moxley with a forearm, before he CHOPS again! And again! And again! Roddy CHOPS Moxley until he slumps down against the barriers! Roddy argues with Marina, but then she SPITS at him! Roddy glares at The Problem, but he goes back to Moxley.
Moxley pokes Roddy in the eyes! Then he puts Roddy in the ring and drags Roddy up. Moxley puts Roddy in a corner, grinds a forearm in his face again and again, but stops as the ref counts. Moxley digs his boot into a leg, then runs side to side. Moxley DROPKICKS the leg! Moxley then DRAGON SCREWS Roddy down, steps through, and has the FIGURE FOUR! Roddy endures and reaches out, but Moxley keeps hold of the foot. Roddy powers the plant leg away, but Moxley powers it back down! Roddy and Moxley sit up, and Roddy fires forearm after forearm! Moxley lets the leglock go, both men stand again, and Collision returns to single picture.
Moxley DROPKICKS the legs out again! Moxley drags Roddy, pulls on the bad leg, and he turns Roddy over for the HALF CRAB! Roddy endures and the fans fire up as Moxley then drops into a CALF KILLER! The fans rally, Roddy crawls and drags Moxley along, ROPEBREAK! Moxley lets go at 4 but he looms over Roddy. Moxley drags Roddy up, CHPOS him in the corner, then puts him up top. Moxley ROCKS Roddy, climbs up again, and he CLAWS Roddy’s back! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but now Moxley TWISTS Roddy’s ear! Moxley flips off the ref! The ref reprimands, Moxley hits a SUPER BUTTERFLY PLEX! Cover, TWO!
Roddy survives and Moxley seethes but the fans are on Roddy’s side. Moxley grows frustrated with Roddy, but Roddy JAWBREAKERS! And CHOPS! Roddy BOOTS from the ropes, then LEAPING LARIATS! And CALF KICKS! The fans fire up and Roddy fireman’s carries! Moxley slips free, shoves Roddy, but Roddy dodges to GAMANGIRI! RUNNING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Roddy just brings Moxley right up, underhooks and TIGER DRIVER! High stack, TWO, but into the STRONGHOLD!! Moxley endures, he drags Roddy into a cradle, TWO! Roddy swings but into a SLEEPER! Roddy endures, ELBOWS free, and they start trading shots!
The fans fire up for Roddy as he gets the edge with boxing elbows! Moxley RABBIT PUNCHES, then BODY BLOWS, then he ROCKS Roddy! Moxley runs, into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Roddy has Moxley in a corner. Roddy puts Moxley up top, climbs up to join him, and the fans rally again. SUPER DUPER PLEX! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! They cheer “A E DUB! A E DUB!” for making this main event possible. Roddy has Moxley, but Moxley shots around to SLEEPER! Roddy powers up to fireman’s carry! GUT BUSTER DROP! Roddy rises, runs, but MARINA TRIPS HIM! The ref saw that plain as day, but Moxley hits PARADIGM SHIFT!! Cover, TWO!!
Kyle O’Reilly rushes out here, and Marina is in his face! But Wheeler Yuta CHOP BLOCKS Kyle! The ref reprimands everyone, the fans tell off Yuta, but Moxley stalks Roddy. Moxley drags Roddy up, TOSSES him out, and he storms around. But Yuta has a chair now! The ref stops Yuta there, and EJECTS the Death Riders!! The fans cheer but Yuta & Marina are pissed! BUT HE FORGETS ABOUT PAC! The Bastard BOOTS Roddy!! The fans boo as the numbers game keeps giving The Death Riders an advantage! Moxley lets the ring count climb while he flexes and soaks up the heat. The fans rally for Roddy as hard as they can, but he’s still down at 6 of 10!
Roddy rises at 7, then leaps in at 9! CURB STOMP!! Cover, TWO!! Roddy lives and Moxley is furious! Moxley rains down forearms from all sides, then pushes to an ARMBAR! Roddy endures, clasps hands, but Moxley pulls on the arms! ARMBAR!! Roddy flails, fights, and has the ROPEBREAK! Roddy survives by a literal foot and Moxley lets go. Moxley argues with the ref, but the ref warns him! He could’ve ended this with the Marina crap! But Pac is sneaking back up! Pac looks for something under the ring, and he brings out a TABLE! The fans are torn, they like the table but they’re not into the Death Riders anymore.
The ref warns Pac to stop it, but the table is already set up. Moxley drags Roddy up, reels him in, but Roddy fights for life! And Kyle CLOBBERS Pac! The fans fire up as Roddy fireman’s carries Moxley! Moxley slips free, but Roddy GAMANGIRIS! But then GARCIA is here! Roddy gets Garcia for a FULL NELSEON SLAM through the table!! The fans are thunderous, but now Moxley POSTS Roddy! Moxley then drags those steel steps over, fetches Roddy, and he brings Roddy up the steps! But Roddy fights the lift! FULL NELSON SLAM on the steps!! Houston is thunderous while Moxley writhes! The ring count is climbing, Roddy is in at 5 of 10!
Moxley flounders, he drags himself up at 8, but someone anchors Moxley’s foot! Moxley is STUCK, THE COUNT IS TEN! Roddy wins!!
Winner: Roderick Strong, by count-out; The Conglomeration has Blood & Guts Advantage
The Death Riders return to protest, but they’re hypocrites for it. And then that someone TAZES Pac!! Because that was DARBY ALLIN under there! The fans fire up as The Relentless One dares someone to get the next one! Roddy WRECKS Yuta with a dropkick! Darby jumps into the crowd, dares Moxley to come at him, then scares him off with the stun gun! Houston is all fired up, but will Darby & The Conglomeration burn it all down in Greensboro? Or will The Death Riders find a way to win without the numbers advantage?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision here, but there was a rather stark contrast between the two hours being “Blood & Guts related” and “Not Blood & Guts related.” Great match from FTR VS Gunn & Robinson, and I really liked Bandido & Gravity pulling a double “Sting wearing a Sting mask” gag. Them and JetSpeed scaring Stokely and taking him out of the equation was great, and FTR losing for that is great because they get what they deserve but in a way that keeps them strong going towards Full Gear. I’d still love to see Bandido & Gravity VS FTR or some combination of singles matches to build the tag title match, but that depends on if Gravity is actually cleared to compete.
TayJay of course won a tune-up match tonight, they made quick work of Maya & Hyan. TayJay is going to fight their hearts out against Megan & Marina, but it feels like Megan & Marina are going to win in the end. TayJay can still find their spot in the Women’s Tag Division as the Face team chasing Heel champions, but it’s just a bit of bad luck that pieces have moved around like this. Very good promo from Athena calling out pretty much everyone, from Statlander to Mone to even Billie. Athena VS Billie 3 at Final Battle 2025 would be rather redundant after how Billie should’ve won last year, but it’d still be better than like Mone taking Athena’s title to add to that insane collection.
Only Tony Khan would work-shoot the ratings and merch sales into the Acclaimed dysfunction story. I’m writing a Legend of Zelda pro-wrestling promotion on here, and I’m still nowhere as nerdy as that. Caster & Bowens still made chicken salad out of that chicken crap, and I can’t wait to see where they go with that Tailgate Brawl match. Though, can we stop doing Tailgate Brawl on TV? It has been annoying the last two times because it just doesn’t make sense when Zero Hour is online for free.
Fletcher VS Ace Austin was a great match, and a great showing for Austin, but c’mon, this was just typical filler from TK, giving us a title match before the major title match they have been building. Fletcher had a good promo with Okada hyping up the No DQ match with Briscoe and teasing that Fletcher is the key piece in what will surely be a Don Callis Family Civil War, led by Team Takeshita and Team Okada. Also, really good promo from Fletcher & Callis with the Death Riders teasing a feud between the factions. No matter if Death Riders wins or loses at Blood & Guts, Death Riders moving on to DCF would be great stuff.
And of course, great stuff in all the Blood & Guts advantage matches. Obviously Thekla VS Harley was going to “be needed,” so of course Hayter beat Skye. The Heels having the advantage there makes me think Team Statlander comes through, helping build momentum for the teams still in the tag tournament. Plus, it isn’t the go-home so Mone can turn things around on Kris to then set herself up to fail at Full Gear. Moxley VS Roddy was great stuff, too, with The Death Riders obviously doing their best to screw Roddy over. But it was of course genius for Darby to cheat Moxley right back. But now that the Faces have advantage, do the Death Riders actually win at Blood & Guts? It would help them bounce back after Moxley lost to Darby, but then do we get one last Moxley VS Darby match at World’s End? It would be a fitting place to end something…
My Score: 8.7/10
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Who’s the baddest man from Gifu now?
Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Road passes through Anjo, and he defends his personal honor against the upstart Yuto “Ice” Nakashima!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Katsuya Murashima VS Tatsuya Matsumoto; Murashima wins.
- Taichi & Masatora Yasuda VS Zane Jay & Shoma Kato; Taichi & Yasuda win.
- Six Man Tag: Boltin Oleg, Tiger Mask & Tomoaki Honma VS Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young; Khan, Callum & Jakob win.
- Six Man Tag: Shingo Takagi, Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS SHO, DOUKI & Yujiro Takahashi; Takagi, Ishimori & Gedo win.
- Six Man Tag: Shota Umino, Yuya Uemura & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Yota Tsuji, OSKAR & Daiki Nagai; Shota, Yuya & Taguchi win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado & Bishamon VS Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Desperado & Bishamon win.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: YOH, Master Wato & Toru Yano VS EVIL, Dick Togo & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Yoh, Wato & Yano win and retain the titles.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuto-Ice; Tanahashi wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
After Six Man Tag: Shingo Takagi, Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS SHO, DOUKI & Yujiro Takahashi…
Bone Soldier Reborn gets the win by using the House of Torture’s tricks against them, dealing out LOW BLOW after LOW BLOW while the ref is down, then tops it off with BLOODY CROSS on Sho! Then Taiji gets the mic to say tell Sho that he has nothing to do with this, so get outta here! As for Douki, don’t you go running off so soon! Taiji hasn’t forgotten what Douki did to keep the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship! When’s Douki gonna defend that title? Douki says he’s not doing it on Taiji’s time! But then to everyone’s surprise, El Desperado sneaks out here! The Rogue Luchador pats Douki on the shoulder, and completely spooks him!
Despy stalks Douki back to ringside, and gets a mic for himself. “Just a second, I need a minute here. You stole my belt, and ever since then your title matches have sucked. Fujita said the same. Don’t run from me. You have unfinished business with me, that superhuman and Fujita as well!” Douki says shut up, he doesn’t care about a bunch of losers! Douki leaves, but Taiji concludes that whether it’s him, Despy, Fujita, or all of the above, Douki’s defending that title! In the backstage interview, Douki says HE’s not fighting all three of them! They can fight it out in a #1 contender’s match, with SHO as the fourth man!
Japonese Del Mal just made The Murder Machine his scapegoat! But will the pawn play his part and cut off three challengers at once? Or will he just be a sacrifice before the title match?
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: YOH, Master Wato & Toru Yano VS EVIL, Dick Togo & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
The Drive of the Grandmaster could not take down #Shouki in the Super Junior Tag League, and now they’re on the defensive as The House of Torture launches another attack on these Six Man titles! Evil wants to be the undisputed NEVER Champion once more, will The Spoiler & The Heel Master help him make that happen? Or can The Joker help trump The King?
The House behaves themselves by not attacking early, but then Evil protests that Aaron Wolf is accompanying Hontai. The introductions are made, the Six Man titles are raised, and we see who NEVER gives up!
The trios sort out, and Hontai attacks! The fans cheer as they turn the tables on The House! Wato TOSSES Kanemaru, Yoh TOSSES Dick, and Yano TOSSES Evil, all as the bell rings to get this on record! But then Evil sends Yano into railing! Kanemaru & Dick turn things around on Wato & Yoh, too, as Dick SMACKS Wato off the apron and Kanemaru sends Yoh into railing! The fans boo but Dick ROCKS Wato with a right, and Kanemaru ELBOWS Wato in the head. They put Wato in the ring, Kanemaru whips him to a corner, and then Kanemaru runs up, but into BOOTS! Wato BULLDOGS and the fans cheer!
Dick kicks and CLAWS Wato, then runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up with Wato as he runs up on Kanemaru. Kanemaru BOOTS Wato now, then DUMPS Wato out! Evil is there to whip Wato into railing while Kanemaru BLASTS Yoh off the apron! Evil then whips Wato hard into more railing! The fans boo but Evil drags Wato up and puts him back in the ring. Kanemaru drags Wato up, suplexes high and hard, then covers, TWO! The fans cheer as Wato stays in this, but Kanemaru TOSSES Wato out! Kanemaru distracts the ref so Evil & Dick can mug Wato. They put Wato in the ring, the ref reprimands, but Kanemaru scoops to SLAM!
Kanemaru tags Evil and Evil drags Wato up by a hand. Evil taunts Wato before he TOSSES him back out! And now Evil distracts the ref so Yujiro Takahashi can JAM Wato up with a chair! The fans boo as The Tokyo Pimp gets in on this, but Dick puts Wato in the ring. Evil drags Wato back up and reels him in, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Evil is upset but the fans cheer. Wato tags Dick and Dick taunts Wato to go crawl for his corner. The fans rally, but then Dick stomps away on Wato. Wato sputters, Dick runs up, FIST DROP! Cover, TWO! Wato toughs it out but Dick stays between him and his corner.
Dick stomps Wato, eggs him on, then JABS! JABS! JABS! Dick flips, flops, and flies, BIONIC ELBOW! “Dick Rhodes” then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Wato is tougher than that but Dick tags Kanemaru. Kanemaru suplexes Wato but Wato fights it! The fans rally as Kanemaru tries again. Wato suplexes Kanemaru up and over! The fans cheer, but then Evil stomps away on Wato! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Evil CHOPS Wato down! Wato sputters, Kanemaru tags Evil in, and Evil drags Wato up to suplex high and hard! Cover, Yoh breaks it! The fans cheer but Yoh runs away to hide behind Wolf.
Evil tags Dick and Dick eggs Wato on. Wato rises but Dick ROCKS him with a right! And another! And another! Dick then snapmares Wato to SCRAPE his sole off Wato’s face! Tag to Kanemaru, and he also SCRAPES sole off Wato’s face. Kanemaru whips Wato to ropes, but Wato stops himself to KICK back! Wato ROCKS Kanemaru, but Kanemaru blocks the kick to CLUB the leg and CLAW the eyes! Kanemaru whips, Wato reverses, CALF KICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Wato and Kanemaru crawl, hot tag to Yoh! Yoh goes up, up, and CANNONBALLS! Then he BLASTS Dick, DECKS Evil, and dodges Kanemaru!
Yoh runs to FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up with Yoh and he goes back to Kanemaru. Yoh scoops, SLAMS, then ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO and KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru survives Yoh’s triple hit combo, but Yoh reels Kanemaru in for a suplex. Kanemaru slips free, pulls hair, but Yoh kicks low. Yoh runs buit inot a cheap shot from Evil! Kanemaru DROPKICKS the legs out! Tag to Evil, he and Kanemaru DOUBLE SMASH the knees! Evil kicks Yoh around, runs, but Yano gets a cheap shot in! Yoh DROPKICKS Evil’s legs out! The fans rally, Yoh hot tags Yano!
Yano goes right to the open corner! Yano takes off the buckle pad, then whips Evil. Evil reverses, Yano stops short. Yano then dodges, Evil stops short, and Yano says darn it. Yano runs in but Evil dodges, Yano hits bare buckles! Yano falls, Evil has the ref check Wato, and then Evil CHOKES Yano using his shirt! The fans boo, Hontai protests, but then Dick DECKS Wato! The House whips Yano to the safe corner, Dick runs in and ELBOWS! Kanemaru ELBOWS! Evil LARIATS! They snapmare Yano, Yujiro distracts the ref, and Dick mocks the “Y T R!” before the DICK CHOP! The fans boo but Evil covers, TWO!
Evil is upset but the fans cheer as Yano survives. Evil says fine, he’ll just end this himself! Evil drags Yano up, but Yano slips free of the STO! Yano shoves Evil at the ref, but Evil spots Yano before the low blow! The fans cheer the standoff, but Yano tries a kick. Evil blocks the kick, hands it to the ref, and then mule kicks! Evil whips, but Yano reverses to THROW Evil down by his hair! The fans fire up as both men crawl, hot tags to Wato and Dick! Wato dodges to fire off forearms! Wato whips, Dick avoids the dropkick, and Dick stomps Wato down. Dick drags Wato up, calls his shot and whips, but Wato avoids the lariat!
Wato shoves Dick to the corner, ELBOW! Yoh jumps in, DRIVE IN MOTION! Then a DOUBLE SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Yoh and Wato roar! They get Dick up, but Dick avoids the High-Low! Dick shoves Yoh into Wato, jackknife bridges Wato, but Yoh breaks it up! Then they get Dick up, but Dick slips around! Dick shoves Yoh at the ref, then winds up, but Yoh BLOCKS the low blow! The fans cheer as Wato then sunset flips! Dick stays up, Yoh SUPERKICKS him into the cover! TWO, but into VENDEVALL!! Dick endures, but Evil YANKS the ref out! The fans boo but then Kanemaru STOMPS Wato!
Yano runs up but Kanemaru DECKS him! Kanemaru TOSSES Wato, and Evil has a chair! But then Wolf steps up! Evil tells him to back off, he’s just a Young Lion here! Evil JAMS Wato, but then Wolf shields Wato! so Evil SMACKS Wolf for it! But then Yoh LOW BLOWS Evil! And he shoves Kanemaru into Dick! DOUBLE LOW BLOW! Yoh uses WHISKEY MIST!! He CRACKS Yujiro for good measure, and Wato SPRINGBOARD UPPERCUTS Dick! Then RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO, into VENDEVAL!!! Dick endures as Wato thrashes about! DICK QUITS, HONTAI WINS!
Winners: Yoh, Master Wato & Toru Yano, by submission (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
The House of Torture tried to stack the deck, but Aaron Wolf was the trump card up the proverbial sleeve! Will Evil look to make Wolf’s career a living Hell soon enough? Or will there be justice served in the NEVER Openweight Division?
Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuto-Ice!
The Ace had his Final Homecoming, but he fell short of winning the IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. But as Tanahashi’s Final Road passes through Anjo on the way to Tokyo Dome, another man from Gifu wants his shot! Is Nakashima’s Ambition getting him in over his head? Or will it be Ice High over the High Fly Flow?
Tanahashi shows off the abs and the fans cheer. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Yuto and Tanahashi step up, the fans strongly behind “TA-NA-H’SHI! TA-NA-H’SHI!” Yuto fires the first forearm! Tanahashi fires back, and they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, harder and harder, and Yuto just fires up for it! The shots keep going, but then Tanahashi gets the edge. Yuto comes back to BOOT Tanahashi down! The fans applaud, and Yuto storms up as Tanahashi goes to ropes. Yuto fires forearm after forearm in the corner but Red Shoes counts. Yuto HAMMERS Tanahashi until he’s seated, then he backs off.
Yuto argues with Red Shoes while the fans rally. Yuto runs up, only for Tanahashi to ELBOW him away! Then Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Down goes Yuto and the fans cheer for the air guitar! Tanahashi “throws the guitar” to the fans, but then Yuto CLOBBERS him from behind! Tanahashi bails out, Yuto pursues, and Yuto fires hands! Yuto whips Tanahashi hard into railing! Yuto storms up on Tanahashi, brings him around, and he SMACKS Tanahashi off the apron! The fans rally, but Yuto whips again! Only for Tanahashi to reverse! Yuto hits railing, but he comes back to BOOT Tanahashi down!
The fans rally but Yuto looms over Tanahashi. Yuto drags Tanahashi up, puts him in the ring, and he gets space. Yuto runs back up and KNEE LIFTS Tanahashi into the ring! The fans are torn but Yuto has a smirk on his face as he swaggers back over. Yuto steps into the ring, stomps Tanahashi down, then kicks Tanahashi around. Yuto eggs Tanahashi on while he scuffs him in the face. Yuto then KNEES low, snapmares Tanahashi, and KICKS him in the back! Cover, ONE, and the fans applaud. Yuto sneers, but he brings Tanahashi up to KICK him in the chest! And KICK again! And again! Tanahashi ends up in the corner, and Yuto KICKS again and again!
Tanahashi sits down, Red Shoes reprimands, but Yuto fires up. “BOMBACLAT!” and DOUBLE KNEES! Tanahashi flops over, Yuto kicks him to center then has a cocky cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Tanahashi stays in this, and a chant of “GO ACE!” begins. Yuto paces around Tanahashi, then kicks him around. Tanahashi snarls as he sits up, but Yuto KICKS him! Yuto pie faces Tanahashi, but Tanahashi comes back to ROCK Yuto! And ROCK him again! And again! The fans rally, Tanahashi fires more shots, but Yuto KNEES low! Yuto puts Tanahashi on the ropes, whips him to ropes, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS!
The fans fire up with Tanahashi and he looms over Yuto. Tanahashi brings Yuto up, fires the signature Tanahashi strike fest, and he backs Yuto down to a corner. Tanahashi scoops to SLAM! The fans cheer as Tanahashi goes up and SUNSET SENTONS! Yuto sputters from that solid landing, Tanahashi covers, TWO! The fans rally as Tanahashi waits on Yuto. Tanahashi runs, but Yuto follows to ROCK him! Yuto runs, but Tanahashi DROPKICKS the leg! Yuto kicks, but Tanahashi blocks to DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi drags Yuto by his legs, ties them up, but Yuto has the ROPEBREAK! Tanahashi lets go, but he stomps Yuto right after.
The fans rally as Tanahashi stomps Yuto more. Tanahashi stands Yuto up, but Yuto breaks free! DRAGON PALM and Yuto falls! The fans rally behind Tanahashi as he drags Yuto back up. Tanahashi half nelsons, full nelsons, but Yuto CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands but Yuto is still free, and he LARIATS Tanahashi down! Yuto snarls again as he goes back to Tanahashi. Yuto stands over Tanahashi, then rains down PALM STRIKE after PALM STRIKE! Yuto stomps Tanahashi for good measure, but then Tanahashi gets right up! Tanahashi HEADBUTTS Yuto! Yuto drops to his knees, but Tanahashi HEABDUTTS again!
Yuto said he wanted Tanahashi’s scary side, so here it is! Tanahashi stalks Yuto to the corner, and HEADBUTTS again and again and again! Yuto sits down, but Tanahashi stands him back up, for more HEADBUTTS! Then a DRAGON PALM! Red Shoes reprimands but Tanahashi steps back. Tanahashi stands Yuto up, Yuto pushes free, but Tanahashi blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Yuto shouts in pain as he leans against the ropes! Tanahashi trips Yuto, to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And then he has the leg again, REVERSE GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Yuto writhes but Tanahashi ties the legs up, for the TEXAS CLOVERHOLD!
Yuto endures as Tanahashi puts on the pressure! The fans rally but Yuto fights forward! Yuto military crawls but Tanahashi bends him back! The fans fire up as Tanahashi sits deep on the hold! Yuto is still fighting, still clawing, still crawling! ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Tanahashi lets go. Tanahashi fires up and wants Yuto to rise. Yuto does stand, into the SLING- NO, Yuto dodges to AMBITION RIGHT!! Yuto runs, ICE HIGH!! Cover, TWO!?! Tanahashi survives but Yuto roars! The fans fire up and Yuto goes to a corner! Yuto reloads the leg while Tanahashi slowly rises. Yuto runs in again, ICE- SLINGBLADE!!
The fans fire up and Tanahashi roars! Tanahashi climbs the corner and aims at Yuto, HIGH FLY FLOW, but onto knees! Yuto saves himself, though maybe a little double-edged. Yuto still loads up again, and as Tanahashi sits up, BLINDSIDE CRUELLA!! But Yuto’s bad leg won’t let him cover! The fans rally harder and harder while both men are down! Yuto and Tanahashi rise up, and they crawl over to each other. They’re forehead to forehead, then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, harder and harder, then faster and faster! Yuto bobs ‘n’ weaves to SLAP, SLAP, SLAP! And then again to SLAP!!
Tanahashi wobbles, Yuto winds up, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and Anjo is thunderous! Yuto roars as he vows to end this now! Yuto drags Tanahashi but Tanahashi is a ragdoll! Red Shoes checks but Yuto just reaches down, only for Tanahashi to cradle! TWO, and Yuto BOOTS! Yuto runs, into a LARIAT! Tanahashi rarely uses a lariat but he still aces that one! Tanahashi then runs the ropes, SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Yuto survives but Tanahashi fires up again! Tanahashi climbs, aims, and HIGH FLY FLOW!! Direct hit and Tanahashi covers, TWO!! Yuto survives and the fans are thunderous again!
Tanahashi just goes right back up, but Yuto stands! So he takes a HIGH FLY ATTACK! Tanahashi reloads again and the fans fire up! HIGH! FLY! FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall
Yuto-Ice couldn’t freeze out The Ace, and now he’s the one who needs the icepacks. But with everything he showed here against one of the best ever, is that all a sign Yuto Nakashima will be one of the best yet?
As for Tanahashi, he shows respect to the ambitious Yuto-Ice, and that alone means a lot to Nakashima. Oskar is there to help Yuto to the back, and Tanahashi gets the mic. “NJPW has returned to Anjo!” The fans cheer that, and Tanahashi thanks everyone for being here. “There’s not much time left for me as a wrestler, so I’m glad I could come to Anjo. I’ll do my best to the end!” Tanahashi wants to leave it at that, but the fans cheer him on, so he of course gives us the air guitar concert! But he needs his air guitar first, so Murashima tosses him one! Big pass, and Tanahashi makes the catch! The fans cheer, and the concert begins!
The fans cheer, Tanahashi “throws the guitar” to the fans, but they want an encore! Tanahashi says okay, is there another guitar? Matsumoto finds one now, and he makes an even bigger throw! Tanahashi catches it, and “LASTO!” The fans cheer on the encore, and Tanahashi of course “smashes” the guitar. Tanahashi “clears the ring” and the fans cheer for even more! Tanahashi looks to the fans, they throw one to him, and we get a special Anjo encore! The fans cheer again, and Tanahashi “falls over.” Tanahashi carefully tosses this guitar back to the fan and the crowd cheers. Tanahashi takes the mic to say, “I’m not tired. Let me say that- I’ve never been tired. So I’ll give it my all to the end!”
Tanahashi then promises that from here to the Tokyo Dome, “ANJO…! AISHITEMAAASU~!” BUT THEN A COIN DROPS?! The fans all go nuts because yes, THE RAINMAKER returns to NJPW! And Gedo is with him! A blast from the past right here in his hometown, on HIS birthday! Talk about a Rainmaker Shock. But Okada goes right to the ring and once again stands face to face with his greatest rival. The fans cheer while he grabs the mic, and Okada says, “Tanahashi-san. Congratulations on your retirement. And also, thank you for all your hard work.” The fans do applaud that.
Okada takes a moment before saying, “On January 4th, 2026… If you’d like, I will be your final opponent.” The fans are all fired up for that! Okada adds, “So don’t get tired until then, ya bastard!” Okada then adds that for now, he’ll let Gedo speak. The fans cheer the nostalgia trip, and Okada hands the mic to Gedo. “If the Rainmaker is here, it’ll be the best of all retirements. You know why?” The fans cheer the old line, and Gedo says, “He’s on a whole other level, ya bastards!” The fans cheer again, and Gedo says, “The rain will fall on Wrestle Kingdom 20 in the Tokyo Dome!” Okada strikes his signature pose, but so does Tanahashi!
The fans cheer as The Sun of NJPW and the Rainmaker will truly have one more clash, and it will truly be the final chapter in this storied rivalry! Will The Ace go out on top? Or will it be less a Rainmaker Shock as a Rainmaker Farewell? Okada & Gedo leave, so Tanahashi picks the mic back up. Tanahashi knows they already did this, but how about they do it again? “ANJO…! AISHITEMAAASU~!” The fans cheer, and Tanahashi has his final destination. What will happen on the most historic WrestleKingdom ever?
My Thoughts:
A great New Japan Road event, even with it still mostly tune-ups and filler. Taiji calling out Douki for the Junior Heavyweight title, and then having Desperado and Fujita join in on that was great. That Fatal 4 Way Contender’s match will be great stuff, Sho clearly trying to be Douki’s way out, but I bet Sho takes the loss to whoever will challenge Douki at WrestleKingdom. Douki also might end up in double duty territory unless they choose contenders to face #Shouki in what time we have left before World Tag League.
Great NEVER Six Man title match, especially with Hontai getting on over on The House of Torture with some help from Aaron Wolf. Pretty sure Evil VS Wolf is going to be a thing, but probably not for the NEVER Openweight Championship. That might be too much for a debuting name like Wolf, who is only now making the jump from judo to pro-wrestling. But also, what a great way to shake things up if he went right past Young Lion to established talent. Great stuff in Ace VS Ice, and as I said last week, this was of course Tanahashi’s rebound win after losing to Yota Tsuji. But Yuto really did have a great showing, this means a lot for him going forward.
Okada showing up was an awesome surprise, and it was a lot of fun seeing Gedo in the throwback bandana and all that. Tanahashi VS Okada: One Last Time is definitely the right move for Tanahashi’s retirement, even with Okada out of NJPW and a champion in AEW. Who knows, by January, Okada might actually drop the Unified Championship to Takeshita or something. Tanahashi losing his retirement match would be tradition, but it’s not like Okada would be hurt losing to one of the best ever. Plus, WrestleKingdom 20 is a historic milestone, it should have a historic and celebratory moment to punctuate it.
My Score: 8.8/10
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