Hello everyone, and welcome back to another Champion Carnival show. I want to thank Andrew for covering me for that previous show while I was out with both a tooth pain, and being a responsible adult by getting my 2nd shot. We got three shows left to cover and three people are eliminated so far while three people are tied for first. Will we see more eliminations? Will more people climb up the ladder?

All this and more as we…dive right in.

Star Rating System:

• 0 Stars: Dave Meltzer
• 1 Star: Vince Russo
• 2 Stars: Tony Schiavone
• 3 Stars: Eric Bischoff
• 4 Stars: Bruce Prichard
• 5 Stars: Jim Cornette

Quick Results:

• Yuma Aoyagi vs Koji Doi: Yuma wins via End Game – *** 1/2 
• Shotaro Ashino vs Zeus: Zeus wins via Jackhammer – *** 1/2 
• Jake Lee vs Kohei Sato: Jake wins via Giant Killing – *** 1/4 
• Shinjiro Otani vs Suwama: Suwama wins via Manriki Sleeper – *** 1/2 
• Shuji Ishikawa vs Kento Miyahara: Shuji wins via Giant Killer – ****

Champion Carnival 2021 Match
Yuma Aoyagi vs. Koji Doi

Review: It’s been since day 2 since we had a show with everyone involved but it’s time to kick things off as Yuma Aoyagi takes on Koji Doi. The two have a little bit of history as Koji attacked Yuma in one of his Carnival matches last year and Yuma defeated him after the tournament. Yuma is in a position where he cannot afford a single loss or else he’s out. Koji is already eliminated but he could still played the spoiler card. Will Yuma be eliminated or will he continue to hold on?

The two started off with some nice chain wrestling for a brief moment until Koji would knock him down with the shoulder. Yuma would get Koji back to have him down, rolling out of the ring as the two are now fighting on the outside of the ring. Yuma was able to block a turnbuckle shot and slams Koji’s head on the post. Nice little spot with Koji tossing Yuma into the corner, catching his feet to turn him as he stomped on his chest. Koji is someone who can be a reliable worker but when it comes to elevating in the card, he’s still missing that thing to put him over, despite being a solid worker. Yuma has been great in this Carnival and seeing him in these matches give me hope for his future once this tournament is all over.

Yuma would find a way to fight back as he ducked the Lariat and hits him with a flying forearm, then runs to the turnbuckle, bouncing off as he hits a Crossbody. Yuma climbed to the top ropes and waits for Koji to get up and hits another Crossbody as Koji kicked out at two. Yuma went to grab him but Koji grabbed his arm to pull him down, applying the Rings of Saturn! Koji has it locked in but Yuma had his foot on the ropes to break the hold. Koji runs the ropes to attempts the Murder Lariat but Yuma ducks to hit a German Suplex but Koji got up to try again as Yuma ducked once more, hitting another German Suplex. Yuma attempted to hit a third one but Koji reversed it into a DDT, and hits a Brainbuster as they’re both down! The two slowly get up as they exchange blows back and forth but Koji hits a forearm before picking him up for Swinging Side Slam. Koji went for the Murder Lariat but Yuma ducked once more to turn it into the Backslide as Koji kicked out. Yuma tried to apply the End Game but Koji stood up with Yuma holding onto the Guillotine, getting him down as he applies the End Game to get the victory!

Rating: Eric Bischoff and a half

Champion Carnival 2021 Match
Zeus vs. Shotaro Ashino

Review: It’s time now for our next match as Zeus takes on Shotaro Ashino. This one hurts a little since both of these men have six points each, meaning that one of them is going to be eliminated today after this match is over. Shotaro has been making a bit of a small comeback lately but Zeus is one that lost three of his matches in a row. Who’s staying in the game and which one is out?

Zeus is still your god and you should worship is beefcake as such. Zeus shoved Shotaro down twice after two lock-up attempts but would get him into the corner after the third one, taunting him a little. Shotaro is showing more agility here as he went for the Ankle lock right away but with Zeus’ godlike physique, he was able to maneuver around to stop him. I also must mention that this is the first time these two have shared a ring together one-on-one, and was one I wanted to see for quite some time. The two have a chop battle and you just hear every single slap happening but it would come to a quick end when Zeus gets Ashino into the corner. I love how more ruthless Shotaro is being in these matches ever since he was on that losing streak since he knows that he cannot afford to mess around and hurt his opponent as much as he can to ruin his opponents arsenal, and make them tap out. Shotaro lifted him up with the gutwrench and tossed him over as Zeus kicked out at two.

Shotaro wrenches Zeus’ arm in a Kimura position and Zeus is struggling quite a bit here but Shotaro transitions it into an Armbar! Zeus is wiggling and fighting around to try and find the rope but eventually finds one to break the hold. Shotaro hits uppercuts on the arm and ran the ropes but is caught with a Dropkick from Zeus. Zeus splashes him onto the corner and would lift him up to toss him over his shoulders. Zeus goes for the Chokeslam but Ashino reverses it to push him down, going for the ankle as he applies the Ankle Lock! Shotaro has him in the center of the ring and has his leg on Zeus’ injured arm for more pressure but Zeus grabbed the ropes. Shotaro applies the Kimura but Zeus tossed him over with ease and hits him with a beautiful Chokeslam as Shotaro kicked out! Zeus hits a Lariat to turn him inside out as Shotaro kicked out again! Zeus finally hits the Jackhammer as he wins the match, eliminating Shotaro in the process. Bittersweet to see and wish this match took place at the next show where the stakes would’ve been higher but still a solid match.

Rating: Eric Bischoff and a half

Champion Carnival 2021 Match
Jake Lee vs. Kohei Sato

Review: We’re now at the halfway point for today’s show as Kohei Sato is set to take on Jake Lee. Jake is still in the lead but a win here would give him the top spot. Kohei is another one who is in the same position as him and a win here will put him in the top spot as well. Which one of these men will rank above the rest of the standings?

The two lock-up and chain in the center of the ring as Jake would have the advantage until Kohei has his foot on the rope but Jake rolls him back in the middle for a headlock until Kohei turned it around. The chain finally broke as the crowd would clap for them in the stalemate and now it looks like they’re going to kick it up a little. Kohei got Jake into the ropes and went for a forearm until Jake ducked to grab his arm, working on it to apply pressure since his arms are dangerous. Jake still held onto his arm and would work on it to weaken it more. Jake’s heel persona would tone down a little here and just focuses his on his wrestling to bring this man down. I also enjoy how technical this match has been so far, mostly focusing on wrestling holds to bring the other down while working on a body part, it shows Jake can wrestle most styles to match his opponents and Kohei is one that can still hold his own.

Kohei finally fights back and pushes him down to apply a Heel Hook to work on Jake’s leg but would grab the rope quick enough before it got worse. Kohei would apply it again as Jake tries to kick Kohei to make him break the hold but failed until he grabbed the rope again. Kohei picked Jake up but Jake grabbed his arm to hit it more before being hit in the gut. Kohei delivers the stiff kicks to Jake and knocks him down as he kicked out at two. Kohei would attempt the Falcon Arrow but Jake reversed it into the Fujiwara Armbar until Kohei grabbed the rope right away. Jake knees him in the face and hits a DDT but Kohei kicked out at two as Jake quickly attempts to apply the Armbar but Kohei tries to fight it until Jake would roll him to turn it into an armlock. Jake is pulling onto Kohei’s arm tight but Kohei had his foot on the rope again. Jake would hit Kohei’s arm with a knee and charged at him, meeting Kohei’s forearm. Jake retaliated with the Giant Killing as Jake pinned him for the win! Jake is now officially in first place!

Rating: Eric Bischoff and a quarter

Champion Carnival 2021 Match
Suwama vs. Shinjiro Otani

Review: Time for our pre-main event with our Triple Crown Champion, Suwama taking on Shinjiro Otani. Suwama is one loss away from being eliminated, so a win here for him would put him in a good position along with the others who have 8 points. Otani is another one who is already eliminated but he can still play spoiler, and what better way to do that than by defeating the champ. Can Suwama win once more or will the champ be gone?

Otani gets Suwama in a headlock as Suwama delivers a couple punches to the gut, trying to push him off as Otani would hold his ground as the fans clapped. Otani is refusing to let go of the hold no matter how many times Suwama tries to push him off but finally does as they meet with shoulder tackles but Otani won the exchange after a Dropkick, making Suwama roll out the ring. Otani wasn’t done as he jumped off the apron to land on the champ on the outside. It looks like Otani is hurt on his shoulder as the referee starts counting him out until he fights the pain to roll in the ring, however, the champ would be on the attack on his arm once he’s in the ring. Judging by how he’s selling it, it looks like he could actually be legit hurt and is trying his best to fight through the pain and continue the match. I will say that Otani’s performance during the entire Carnival so far is enough to make a good argument as to why he could be an MVP of the tournament, every match he’s been in has had great performances while making his opponents look good in the process. Otani is showing his fighting spirit but Suwama would deliver a stiff chop to make him fall into the corner.

Suwama grabs his injured arm to roll him over and wrenches it, trying to get Otani to tap out he doesn’t wan to quit as Suwama has him up on his feet just to throw him down to apply the hold on his arm once more. Suwama turned it into the Fujiwara Armbar while the fans would clap for Otani to fight out of it, he eventually does when he grabs the ropes. Suwama hits a forearm as Otani tells him to do it again, fighting him off to soften the blows from the champ, and Suwama topped him with a kick to the gut. Suwama charges at Otani towards the corner but Otani moved to make the champ crash as he delivers stomps to the champ in the corner. Suwama delivers forearms to Otani and sees that he’s still standing and delivers one more to make Otani fall to his knees. Otani fights back with chops while Suwama does the same, crowd getting pumped up with the two hitting each other until Suwama turned him around for the Sleeper Hold! Suwama has it locked in while fans clapped for Otani again to try and keep him going as he held onto the ropes to save himself! Suwama calls for the Last Ride but Otani flips him over and chops him some more. Suwama was able to knock Otani down again and goes for the Backdrop but Otani gets by the ropes to make him break it. Suwama with the short-arm Lariats to stun him before applying the Sleeper once again as the referee has no choice but to call it, giving Suwama the victory!

Rating: Eric Bischoff and a half

Champion Carnival 2021 Match
Kento Miyahara vs. Shuji Ishikawa

Review: It’s now time for our main event of the show as we close out with Kento Miyahara taking on Shuji Ishikawa. The two are no strangers with each other, they always deliver great matches, and it’s usually around when it’s a big moment in the tournament. Kento has a chance to tie with Jake Lee again if he can win the match here. Shuji, unfortunately, is already eliminated but he could have a chance to stack up on some points and prevent another person from advancing up. Will Kento beat Shuji in two Carnival matches in a row or will Shuji prevail?

Intense lock-up to start off as they’re already by the ropes with Kento teasing Shuji, pretending to hit him before backing away. The two lock up again with Shuji pushing Kento into the ropes, referee calling for them to break it up as Shuji hits him with a forearm before backing away as Kento is on the ring apron. Shuji gets outside of the ring to pull Kento with him, twisting his head in front of the crowd while Kento screams in pain, selling it wonderfully. Kento fights back with a stiff headbutt to stop Shuji before kicking him in the face and delivers another headbutt. I always love their work together in the ring, their chemistry never disappoints me and now that Shuji is on his own again, we could see one more serious single run from Shuji down the line, especially as the GAORA TV Champion. After the two of them are done beating the crap out of each other outside the ring, Shuji finally rolled Kento back in and keep punishing the ace. Shuji gets Kento into the Abdominal Stretch to apply more pressure into the midsection of Kento, his elbow pressed onto his ribs but Kento grabbed the ropes. Loving how dominating Shuji is looking in this match while Kento is selling it off well to match his dominace, this is just great stuff. Kento would find some energy to roll under his Lariat, kick his leg out, and hits a Dropkick.

Kento hits a Blackout into the corner but Shuji stops him, making Kento be by the ring apron again until Shuji is on the apron with him. The two are now fighting on the apron until Kento gets Shuji down with a Blackout after fighting off the Fire Thunder as both men are outside the ring again. The finally slide back into the ring as Kento is ready to strike, hitting a Blackout on the back of his head into the corner, topping it off with a German Suplex. Kento goes for another Blackout but Shuji grabbed his leg as Kento hits him to hit a Brainbuster and Shuji gets up to hit a Lariat as they both go down again. They get up as they exchange forearms to each other until Shuji would hit the last one to make Kento feel dazed. Kento hits a kick, Shuji blocks the second one as he hits a Dragon Suplex from behind and then a Tsunami as Kento kicked out at two! Shuji gets him up on his shoulders as Kento reverses it into a Hurricanrana and then charges at him for a Blackout. Kento hits another Blackout as Shuji kicked out at two. Kento is going for the Shutdown German Suplex hold as Shuji is struggling and eventually breaks free, catching Kento for the Fire Thunder but Kento kicked out at two! Shuji finally gets him up to hit the Splash Mountain but Kento kicked out at two again! It looked like Shuji was going for the Giant Killer but Kento fought off him to hit another Blackout and gets him up for the Shutdown German Suplex hold again but Shuji hits him and applies the Regal-Plex, Kamigoya, and a Tsunami but Kento kicked out! Shuji wasted no time as he hits the Giant Killer to get the victory!

Rating: Bruce Prichard

Overall: there was no bad match on this show, all five of the matches would deliver great quality with all of them being unique. Four people are eliminated now as Jake is also the only one in first place. We have two more shows left and this next one could be a deciding factor as to what could happen on the final day.

Favorite Match: Kento Miyahara vs. Shuji Ishikawa

Least Favorite Match: Jake Lee vs. Kohei Sato

Score: 8/10

Champion Carnival Standings:

1. Jake Lee: (5-2) (10 Points)
2. Kento Miyahara: (4-3) (8 Points)
3. Kohei Sato: (4-3) (8 Points)
4. Suwama: (4-3) (8 Points)
5. Yuma Aoyagi: (4-3) (8 Points)
6. Zeus: (4-3) (8 Points)
7. Shotaro Ashino: (3-4) (6 Points) (Eliminated)
8. Shuji Ishikawa: (3-4) (6 Points) (Eliminated)
9. Shinjiro Otani: (2-4-1) (4 Points) (Eliminated)
10. Koji Doi: (1-5-1) (2 Points) (Eliminated)