Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (5/25/21)
An epic rematch on a Tuesday!
NXT revisits TakeOver: Stand & Deliver’s top title bout!
The Prince wants his throne back, but that means taking on Doomsday a second time around! Will Karrion Kross make history repeat itself and defeat Finn Balor once and for all?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon VS Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai; Blackheart & Moon win.
- Bobby Fish VS Pete Dunne w/ Oney Lorcan; Dunne wins.
- Mercedes Martinez VS VS Zayda Ramier; Martinez wins.
- Franky Monet VS Cora Jade; Monet wins.
- NXT Championship: Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux VS Finn Balor; Kross wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon VS Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai!
It’s a rematch of the first two teams to hold the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships! Will the wild child and Shenom #TCB and head after The Way? Or will Ricky Desperado & #CobraKai look to make up for their one-night-only reign?
The teams sort out and Raquel starts with Shotzi. The two approach, Shotzi gets around and hops on to be a sleeper hold backpack, but Raquel throws her off! Shotzi avoids the stomp but can’t drag Raquel down! Raquel shoves Shotzi down with one hand, then scoops her. Shotzi slips out and leaps, but no code breaker as Raquel shoves Shotzi away again! Ember tags in and she gets around to sunset flip! Raquel stays up, drags Ember up but Ember bobs ‘n’ weaves! Ember runs, leaps but into Raquel’s arms! Raquel pops Ember to a whip but Ember uses that to RANA! Cover, ONE!! Ember hurries to Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Schoolgirl, TWO!!
Ember says it was that close, but Raquel is pissed! It becomes a cat ‘n ‘mouse game, Ember turns it around and leaps but Raquel catches her again! Dakota tags in, Raquel SLAMS Ember, then Raquel gives Dakota a boost for the DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Dakota keeps Ember from Shotzi, tags Raquel back in and Raquel stomps a mudhole. Raquel whips Ember to an open corner, tags Dakota, but Ember avoids the boot wash! Dakota is stuck, hot tag to Shotzi! Shotzi arm-drags Dakota around, runs but Dakota dodges. Shotzi goes up and over and clotheslines to roll Dakota for a SLING-DOG!
Fans fire up as Shotzi runs, and welcomes Dakota to the BALLPIT! Cover, TWO! Shotzi keeps her cool, drags Dakota away and tags in Ember. They whip, trip and elbow drop on Dakota! Ember hits a STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ember tags Shotzi back in, they wrench Dakota to whip her to a corner. Shotzi runs in but blocks boots! Figure four SLAM, then a CLOVERLEAF! Shotzi bends Dakota back but Dakota endures! Fans rally, Dakota reaches, and Raquel helps her get to the ropes! The ref reprimands but Dakota is free, and tags to Raquel! Raquel drops elbow after elbow on Shotzi, then powers her to a cover, TWO! Shotzi gets to ropes while Raquel seethes, and NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and DOUBLE CLOTHESLINES take down Dakota and Shotzi! Fans fire up, both women crawl, hot tags to Raquel and Ember! Ember dropkicks Raquel! And again! Raquel staggers, Ember JABS and JABS, then pops, locks, says eat it and DECKS Raquel with a rolling elbow! Ember runs to handstand KNEE DROP into Raquel! Raquel is in a corner, Ember runs but Raquel dodges. Ember goes up, FLYING CODE BREAKER! Fans fire up, but Dakota swipes at Ember to keep her from climbing a corner! Ember glares at Dakota, but turns around into Raquel’s BOOT! Raquel tags Dakota, they get Ember up, ASSISTED GO TO KICK! Cover, Shotzi breaks it with a senton!
Shotzi BOOTS Raquel down, then goes back to her corner! Dakota anchors Ember as she crawls, but Ember BOOTS Dakota away! Tag to Shotzi! Shotzi rallies on Dakota with clotheslines and an ENZIGURI! Dakota staggers into a KNEE, then the ROLLING ELBOW! QUESTION MARK KICK! Shotzi reels Dakota in for a fireman’s carry to a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Dakota survives but Shotzi drags Dakota away. Shotzi whips her to a corner, tags in Ember, and Ember gets Dakota up in an Electric Chair! Raquel saves Dakota but Shotzi CROSSBODIES Raquel! Dakota SCORPION KICKS Shotzi, but jumps into Ember’s QUEEN ANGELITO! Raquel drags Ember off to CLUB her down!
Raquel drags Ember back up, has the leg, DESPERADO- STUNNER!! Ember got free of the bomb, and she goes after Dakota! Shotzi joins in, CLIFFHANGER CUTTER!! Cover, Ember & Shotzi win!!
Winners: Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon, by pinfall
The first time wasn’t just a fluke, this is why they were the tag team champions! But then Raquel COBBERS Ember, and BOOTS Shotzi! Raquel is still THE NXT Women’s Champion, and she tells Dakota to make Ember watch! Raquel gets Shotzi up for a PLEXIGLAS BOMB, that then becomes a POST BOMB, and then back to the boards! Raquel tells Ember she’s next, after this GORILLA PRESS BARRIER SNAKE EYES!! Big Mami Cool says it doesn’t matter, those tag titles are still coming home to her and Dakota! Will Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell make sure they stay far away from Raquel & Dakota?
Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher speak.
“Take two steps forward, one step back. Such is life.” But the second they called out MSK, they made a mistake of putting the cart before the horse. “Enter GYV. Clearly, they had different plants for us. A certain grudge. And that’s okay. Because the final destination has many paths.” And now their path runs straight through the Grizzled Young Veterans! So while GYV won round one, Ciampa & Thatcher won round two. And there will be a round three. Ciampa storms off and Thatcher smiles before throwing his chair. “I am gonna enjoy breaking your limbs!!” Will Old Man Ciampa and Toothless Timmy make Liverpool’s Number One and Mr. Mayhem into number two?
Bobby Fish VS Pete Dunne w/ Oney Lorcan!
The Infamous One is finally back in action! But while he and Kyle O’Reilly are still good, this is something he has to do alone. Will Fish’s thirst for vengeance be quenched? Or will the Bruiserweight break him apart all over again?
The bell rings and Dunne ducks a kick but not the elbow! Dunne flounders and Fish KNEES him in the corner! But Dunne wrenches an arm, only for Fish to break free and KICK the legs out! And KICK Dunne down! Fish taunts Dunne while throwing body shots and knees! Dunne is in the ropes, the ref counts and Fish lets off at 4, but Dunne DECKS Fish with a sucker punch! Dunne snarls, drags Fish up for a neck wrench, and fish hooks Fish’s face before raining down rights! Fish gets away, Dunne gets his legs, and twists the ankle in a standing toehold! Fish fights, Dunne drops down to tie up legs, but Fish hooks Dunne!
Dunne pries free, gets a mount and throws hammering hands! Fans rally and duel as Dunne stomps Fish! Fish mule kicks but Dunne KICKS the leg! Dunne wrenches an arm, snapmares Fish then hooks the arm to JAM it! Fish crawls, Dunne gets him for a headlock and takeover. Dunne traps an arm, cranks the headlock, but Fish fights up. Fish powers out but Dunne puts him in a corner! Fish back elbows, BOOTS Dunn’s arm, but Dunn cravats to another snapmare! Dunne tries a chinlock but Fish slips through to get a Fujiwara! Dunne rolls, gets up, but Fish stays clamped onto the arm! Dunne endures and fights up as Fish has the shoulder.
Dunne throws forearms but Fish holds on tight! Fans still rally and duel, Dunne whips but Fish reverses to wrench, hammerlock, and HOTSHOT the arm! Fish KICKS the arm, ROCKS Dunne with a right, then BOOTS him out of the ring! Oney is in a bit of shock as Dunne writhes and NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Dunne tortures Fish by bending him back in a modified Half Crab! Fish powers up but Dunne shifts to get both legs and hook them up. Dunne SLAPS Fish on the back of his head and shoulders then rains down fists! Fish powers out of the leg hooks but Dunne is after his arm! Dunne kicks Fish in the face but that only fires Fish up! Fish eggs Dunne on, Dunne kicks more, and Fish RAMS Dunne into a corner Fish fires off on the legs then DRAGON SCREWS! Fans fire up for Fish as he gets legs, but Dunne BOOTS him away! Dunne hobbles up but runs into a SPINEBUSTER! Fish rains down knees and hands, then drags Dunne back up. Fish has a sleeper!
Dunne endures, reaches around and finds fingers! Dunne bends the fingers back, wrenches Fish to put the arm on the mat, and DROPS KNEES on the bad arm!! Fish writhes and rolls out of the ring, and Oney gives Fish space. Dunne goes out, but runs into a back drop! Fish grits his teeth, runs at Dunne and KNEES him into the barriers! Dunne staggers into the ring, Fish follows but Dunne ENZIGURIS! Fish drops to his knees, Dunne gets him up and has body scissors! Dunne wants to get the bad arm in a Kimura, but Fish EXPLODERS free! Dunne hits ropes, is down, and Fish covers, TWO!! Dunne survives and clutches his head now, but he’s alright to continue.
Fish gets Dunn up but Dunne clinches back. Dunne throws knees, Fish gives knees in return! They both give knee back and forth, but Fish gets the edge! Fish backs Dunne into a corner with knee after knee! The ref counts, Fish lets off and Dunne falls in a heap! Fish walks into a trap! SNAP GERMAN! STOMPS to the hands! BUZZSAW! Fans fire up as Fish gets up, but he ducks Dunne’s kick to JUMPING KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Dunne survives but Fish keeps his cool. Fish crawls after Dunne but Dunne drags him into an ARMBAR! Fish clasps hands but Dunne bends the fingers and SNAPS them!! Fish rolls back to pop free and CLUB away on Dunne!
Fish gets Dunne’s arm for a mounted Fujiwara! Fish bends it as far as he can but Dunne rolls through, pump handles, BITTER END!! Cover, Dunne wins!
Winner: Pete Dunne, by pinfall
Oney raises Dunne’s hand in victory as Dunne snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! And then Oney rains down fists on Fish! The ref backs Oney off but Oney gets Fish up to RAM him into the corner! Oney drags Fish to the corner and puts the bad arm through the apron skirt’s strap! “We’re going to put you on the shelf again, Fish!” Oney stands on Fish’s bad arm to bend it back! Dunne chuckles as Fish suffers! More refs rush out to stop this, and Dunne shrugs. Oney PUNTS Fish’s bad arm!! Oney and Dunne leave while Fish roars in pain! Is Fish already going to be back on the sideline? Or will he not stop until he has satisfaction?
Mercedes Martinez speaks.
“Raquel? I took her to her limit. Did I win? Nah. Did I learn from it? Hell yeah, I did. Tonight, it starts. Night one on the road back to the title!” But wait, is Boa lurking just behind her? What does Tian Sha want with Mean Ms. Martinez?
NXT hears from Hit Row.
B-Fab says, “Last week… No, every week, we’ve been putting people on notice, and they’ve been mad.” Top Dolla says they need a big bag, and the boys say, “And that’s big facts.” Thankfully, NXT is the land of opportunity. Facts. They’ve been shining, like a light switch, and now they need the gold. Tick-tock, tick-tock. All eyes are on the main event, but Swerve wants us to listen quick: He can’t wait to cross Karrion, or Finn, off his hitlist. And as for MSK and Legado, Hit Row has both of them covered! Slap L’s on their heads like they Mario’s brother! And Adonis sees Kushida, the so-called Time Splitter. Adonis might just split his wig! Hit him so hard, knock him back to the future!
Time’s almost up, and fools like them and Reed thinking Hit Row’s just here to sing songs. Bronson’s colossal, but what’s Godzilla to King Kong? NOT NADA! Talk to ’em, B! This is Hit~ Row~! And if you didn’t know, now you know! Will this fearsome foursome look to top the charts in all of the divisions?
Mercedes Martinez VS Zayda Ramier!
She said it herself, she’s back on the road to a title opportunity! But will she hit a road bump against the young star who’s already gotten some major upsets?
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally as the two tie up. Mercedes waistlocks and SLAMS Zayda, drops down onto a facelock, and then floats to slap Zayda around. Mercedes has the facelock again, then drags Zayda up. Zayda arm-drags free, dropkicks Mercedes to a corner, and hits a corner uppercut! Mercedes blocks the whip, but Zayda ROCKS her! Zayda whips, Mercedes reverses but Zayda goes up and over! Zayda swings but into a lift! Zayda fights free and fights back, but Mercedes ducks the heel kick, only for the ENZIGURI to hit! Cover, ONE!! Mercedes gets up and pushes Zayda to then DECK her with a forearm!
Mercedes gets mad, drags Zayda up and hits a butterfly suplex! Mercedes holds on, gets Zayda up and hits another butterfly suplex! Mercedes then elevates Zayda for the third! Cover, TWO! Mercedes keeps cool as she clamps onto Zayda’s arm. Mercedes gets a dragon sleeper, but Zayda fights up and goes up and around to roll Mercedes up! TWO, and Mercedes hits a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO!! Zayda survives but Mercedes drags Zayda up to whip. Zayda ducks and dodges to hop up and RANA! A little rough, but Zayda shifts to a sleeper hold! Mercedes fights up to her feet and RAMS Zayda into buckles! Mercedes throws some back elbows, then hoists Zayda up top.
Mercedes ROCKS Zayda, climbs up, but Zayda shoves her away. Mercedes ROCKS Zayda then TOSSES her off the top! RUNNING KNEE! Mercedes isn’t done, she gets Zayda up to a fireman’s carry for the AIR RAID CRASH! Mercedes wins!
Winner: Mercedes Martinez, by pinfall
Zayda put up a fight but it wasn’t enough to derail Mercedes! But wait, the lights go out! And when they come back up, everything’s red, and there’s smoke everywhere, and Mercedes looks to the titantron to see Tian Sha! The Dragon Lady of NXT has marked Mercedes as her prey! Then the lights go back to normal, but Mercedes sees the black paint on her hand! What does Tian Sha have planned for Mercedes’ future?
Toni Storm talks with Ted DeBiase!
The Million Dollar Man likes the Lightning From Down Under’s style, and then heads out. The Robert Stone Brand tries to schmooze with him, but he just throws money in their face. Better than nothing! DeBiase laughs while Stone still tries to talk to him. The Million Dollar Face-Off happens after the break!
Cameron Grimes heads to the ring!
The Carolina Cash Money Caveman is first out for this Million Dollar Face-Off, but before he can introduce the concept, here comes DeBiase! Grimes is not amused, but DeBiase has the fans on his side. Grimes is sure we all want to know, “Why, man?” Grimes seriously wants to know why. Grimes wasn’t always rich, live this lavish lifestyle and have all this stuff. He starts flaunting it a bit and DeBiase shows up to show him up. DeBiase may not see this, but Grimes looks up to him. Grimes saw that because of DeBiase, money can help you treat people terribly and they’d still like him! Grimes could make kids dribble a basketball and he’d kick it away and the people would still like him!
But maybe it’s true what they say: Never meet your idols. DeBiase says he likes Grimes, he really does. They have more in common than Grimes knows. Would you consider the fact that DeBiase put him through all that hell because he sees a bit of himself in Grimes? And another thing: Why is DeBiase back? He’s here because he is looking for that one person, whoever it might be, that embodies everything the Millions Dollar Legacy stands for! It isn’t all about the money or about humiliating people. It’s also about performing in the ring. That’s right! DeBiase will tell Grimes that he’s got “it!” But here’s another thing: Since Grimes got rich, he’s lost his focus.
But wait! Here comes LA Knight! What does he want with DeBiase and Grimes? LA Knight soaks up the heat and then says, “Let me talk to ya!” Ted, Knight hears about the “legacy” and sees himself a million dollar opportunity! He’s searching and searching but Knight will take that burden off him. This is a man who does get a job done! This is a man who has the undeniable “it,” and this is a man who is a perpetual motion machine of badassery, YEAH. And not just someone who struck it lucky with virtual money, but is personified, walkin’, talkin’ gold! Grimes says Knight needs to stay out of this! This is a conversation of millionaires, not Mr. Nickel ‘n’ Dime!
DeBiase wants Grimes to hold on a moment. Let’s hear Knight out. Fans taunt Knight with “Nickel ‘n’ Dime!” but Knight says no one asked the incels. But Knight says Grimes is right, he’s not a millionaire. But with DeBiase by Knight’s side, they can put that last piece of the puzzle in! You could search high, low and everywhere in between but the answer is the same: Whose game is it? L A Knight! DeBiase knows who Knight is, and that he’s been around the world with a great deal of success. He could be a MEGA STAR here. He has a million dollar body, a million dollar mindset, but-
Grimes stops DeBiase right there! We get it, Knight’s got this, that, shoulders here, there and everywhere! He’s jacked, but he’s not Grimes! This was a Million Dollar Face-Off just between millionaires! So Grimes tells Knight right here and now, “You, get out of this ring, or I’m gonna kick your ass to… the… Moon.” Knight is taken aback but he kicks Grimes and hits the CRAVAT FACEBUSTER! Knight storms off while DeBiase stands over Grimes. “Kid, you’re just never gonna get it, are ya?” DeBiase laughs, but does this mean he’ll pass the torch on to Knight instead of Grimes? Can Grimes redeem himself before it’s too late?
Franky Monet finishes in the make-up department.
She heads out, leaving Preston the Pomeranian with his trusted puppysitter. Will Monet put her money where her mouth is and cash in big in her in-ring debut?
Backstage interview with Indi Hartwell.
Well, not exactly, as Indi is too busy looking for Dexter Lumis. Congratulations, blah blah blah, where is Dexter?! She interrupts Ever-Rise’s show! What show? She only cares about Dexter! What show?! This is Ever-Rise Live! It sounds like Indi’s got a problem! Does she want to take a swing?! No, she’s just- Drake Maverick walks in and says Indi’s been through enough. If she’s looking for Dexter, Drake last saw him in that room back there. Indi hurries to a darkened room, and calls out his name. The lights turn on, and there are many, many, many pictures, mostly about broken hearts and Indi rejecting Dexter. Indi feels awful for how she treated him, and hurries away! Does #InDex still have a chance?
Franky Monet VS Cora Jade!
Finally, after weeks of waiting and wondering, NXT is going to see Franky get in the ring and show what makes #LaWeraLoca big money! Will the debut be worth they hype?
The bell rings, Monet and Jade tie up and Monet puts Jade in a corner. Monet lets off, pats Jade on the shoulder, and they reset. They tie up again, and Monet throws Jade down by her hair! “Do you know who I am?! I am La Wera Loca!” Jade BOOTS Monet! Jade tries to scoop but Monet CLUBS her! Monet stomps Jade to a corner, then CHOPS her down! Monet pulls Jade’s hair and bumps her off buckles, to then go corner to corner for a BLINDSIDE METEORA! Side to side for the HIP ATTACK! Corner to corner again for another METEORA! Monet smiles as she looms over Jade and drags her up. Monet puts Jade against ropes and CHOPS her again!
Fans rally and duel, Monet whips and mule kicks! And KNEES, then LARIATS! Monet grins, drags Jade back up, and taunts Jade more. Jade ROCKS Monet with forearms in return! Jade fires up, whips, but Monet reverses and scoops! Jade tilt-o-whirls through for the RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Monet SPEARS Jade down! Monet is mad now and she gets Jade up for a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! “You wanna play, Cora?!” Monet drags Jade up, chicken wings, GLAM SLAM!! Cover, Monet wins!
Winner: Franky Monet, by pinfall
Beth Phoenix approves of Monet’s power and aggression, will #BougieBad be taking over NXT soon enough?
Grizzled Young Veterans speak.
Zack Gibson tells Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher, “Last week, when we cost you a victory, that was nothing personal. That was simply a receipt from some veterans not put you in your place.” James Drakes says before those two get carried away, GYV “didn’t travel halfway across the world for some petty rivalry with some chair throwing hooligans.” They’re here for the tag titles. They’re done with Ciampa & Thatcher, but they’re not done with MSK. The GYV will watch MSK defend those titles against Legado, because the fact remains the same: GYV are the leaders this tag division needs. Not Ciampa & Thatcher, not Legado, and definitely not MSK.
Gibson adds, “If MSK were wrestling at the Garden, I would close the curtains.” They are Grizzled Young Veterans, and they promise they are SSSSSOON to be recognized as the next NXT Tag Team Champions!
Imperium does not accept failure!
That is why Alexander Wolfe was purged from the group. His weakness has cost the faction for the last time. Going forward, they will continue to set things straight. It is on Barthel & Aichner to right the first wrong, and that was the loss to Breezango! Those two are showmen, but they are wrestlers! When you stand in that ring against them, they are restoring the honor of their beloved sport! Because the mat is SACRED! Will the Ring General’s orders be carried out?
Bronson Reed is here!
The Colossal and NEW NXT North American Champion is back to celebrate his victory inside the Steel Cage! Fans chant, “You Deserve It!” and he thanks them for saying that. “Fourteen years to get here. And it wasn’t an easy road to become the North American Champion. It wasn’t just fourteen years of climbing the mountain. It was fourteen years of falling and getting back up, and climbing the mountain, then falling and getting back up!” He had his doubters, he had the people telling him, “No.” But this win is proof is that you don’t need to take “no” for an answer! You work hard, grind it out, and you can become champion!
Now that Reed has this, good luck trying to take it from him! To anyone in the locker room that things they can get a shot, well, Reed had a big mountain to climb, but they have a Colossal one to climb! But here comes El Legado, led by Santos Escobar! Escobar “applauds” Reed and says bravo! Reed has some telenovela going on! Reed brought tears to his eyes. Escobar mockingly dabs his eyes with tissues. But he has to say, he can’t relate to anything Reed just said. Escobar was born a champion! And not just to belong in this business, but to OWN this business! After Reed’s victory, something caught Escobar’s eye. And it wasn’t the colossal mass in the ring. No, it was the title.
Escobar IS the Emperor of Lucha Libre! He runs the bingo, which is why he took the Cruiserweight Championship. But now he sees the North American Championship, he sees USA and Mexico! Oh wait, what about Canada? Canada doesn’t count, Wilde, we talked about this. But as Escobar was saying, that’s the North American Championship. That means it also belongs to Escobar! So realize now that this little party is over, mate. Escobar is going to do what he does best, and that is take what’s his! But here comes MSK to back Reed up! Wes Lee & Nash Carter even the numbers, and swing on Mendoza! They get Wilde, and DOUBLE SUPERKICK him out!
Escobar slithers in but Reed BODIES him! Escobar bails out, Legado regroups and retreats! Wilde & Mendoza will face MSK soon enough, but will Escobar bite off more than he can chew with Auszilla?
William Regal speaks.
“Hello. I’m incredibly excited for tonight’s main event, as Karrion Kross will face Finn Balor for the NXT Championship. But after that match, we’ll need a new #1 contender for the NXT Championship, and I’ve evaluated the NXT roster. And next week, there will be a Triple Threat: Kyle O’Reilly VS Pete Dunne VS Johnny Gargano, and the winner of that match will go on to face the N XT Champion at NXT TakeOver: In Your House.” A huge showdown next week, but who will even be meeting that contender? We’re about to find out!
NXT Championship: Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux VS Finn Balor!
TakeOver: Stand & Deliver was one for the ages, and it was Mr. Doomsday who came out on top. But The Prince says that you only die if you stay down. Will Balor rise back up and take the throne for the third time in NXT? Or has time passed him by, with the apocalypse as the future?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s like a TakeOver on a Tuesday as these two go around again!
Balor and Kross circle, fans rally and duel, and Balor tries testing kicks. Kross stays up so Balor gets a headlock! Kross tries to power out but Balor holds on tight. Kross tries again, gets free and he runs Balor over. Balor gets up to ROCK Kross with a forearm! Kross KNEES low, throws Balor out but Balor comes back for more forearms! Balor headlocks, Kross powers out right away but Balor ducks and dodges to dropkick legs out! Kross bails out and is furious but Scarlett calms him down as NXT goes picture in picture.
Balor waits as Kross paces. Kross goes up the steps while fans rally and duel, and he enters the ring. Balor and Kross circle, Balor gives more kicks, but Kross stays up. Kross shots in, waistlocks and SLAMS Balor, then keeps hold as Balor scrambles around. Balor gets an arm, switches and floats and SPANKS Kross?! Balor is back to pushing Kross’ buttons, though that only did so much at TakeOver. They circle, Balor gives more of those testing kicks, and then he goes after that leg. Kross stays up, shifts around to get Balor’s arm, and drops for an ARMBAR! Balor moves around to make it a cover, TWO as Kross pulls on the hold! Balor keeps moving around but Kross wrangles him down again!
Balor keeps his hands clasped, keeps his shoulders off the mat, and pushes to turn Kross. Balor has the legs laced up, pulls on the hold and adds a chinlock! Kross endures this modified STF, fights up and around, but Balor facelocks. Balor wrenches, uppercuts the arm, then clamps onto the shoulder. Kross endures, Scarlett coaches him, and he fights up to scoop Balor! Balor slips out, is right after the arm and grinds it down again! Kross endures, fights back up, but Balor arm-drags him back down! Balor pulls on the arm, and the fingers! Kross endures, shifts his weight but Balor has the armlock again.
NXT returns to single picture and fans rally. Balor grinds the shoulder, Kross endures and fights up, and he scoops to SLAM Balor this time! Kross takes off the gladiator pleats and bumps Balor’s head off buckles! Kross runs corner to corner to clothesline Balor, then spins around to CLOBBER him! Scarlett loves it but fans are divided as Kross looms over Balor. Kross gets Balor up, snap suplexes, then looms over Balor. Kross stomps down on Balor’s foot and grinds in his heel before he stomps Balor again! Kross clamps on a chinlock, Balor endures and pries at the hold, but Kross stays on tight. Fans rally, Balor fights up and pops out the bottom but Kross CLUBS him down!
Kross DEKCS Balor with a forearm, but holds onto the wrist as he dares Balor to get his ass up. Kross drags Balor up but Balor swings around to get a Cobra Twist! Balor throws elbow after elbow, then drops elbow after elbow as Kross is down! Cover, TWO! Kross grits his teeth and clutches his ribs, but Balor stomps him in the corner! Balor throws body shots, then wrenches the arm to go after the ribs more! Kross headbutts Balor away! Kross RAMS Balor in a corner, turns him around and RAMS into his back! The ref counts, Kross lets off, and BOOTS Balor in the back! Balor writhes, the ref reprimands Kross, but Kross dares Balor to get back up.
Kross stands Balor up to TOSS him across the ring! Kross drags Balor back up and GERMAN SUPLEXES him back the other way! Kross drags Balor up into another waistlock, but Balor wrenches the arm back to the FUJIWARA! Balor wants and gets the CROSSFACE! Kross powers up but Balor fires off shouts into the ribs! Kross blocks the Penalty Kick but Balor makes it a victory roll to DOUBLE STOMPS! Kross gasps for air as he clutches his ribs! The fans are thunderous as Balor runs in and CHOPS Kross! And again! Balor RAMS into Kross now, lets off at 4, but Kross CLOBBERS him from behind!
Kross drags Balor back up, throws him out of the ring, but Balor trips him up at the apron! Kross is in the skirt and Balor fires off! Balor gets on the apron to stomp away on Kross’ head and shoulders! The ref counts, Balor lets off at 4, and Kross gets free of the skirt, for Balor to PENALTY KICK down! Scarlett is worried as NXT goes picture in picture again!
Balor gets back in the ring while Kross winces and stands up slowly. Kross catches his breath but the ring count is climbing. Balor wants to go out after him but the ref stops him. Balor goes out around the side, builds up speed and CLOBBERS Kross against boards! Balor fires off kicks, goes back into the ring just to refresh the count, and then stomps away on Kross against barriers! Balor lets off to throw up a Too Sweet! Balor gets Kross up and into the ring, then aims from a corner. Balor runs, but into Kross’ BOOT! Kross snarls as he stomps Balor’s arms! Kross drives elbows into Balor’s shoulders, then drags him up for another hard snap suplex!
Kross paces, almost toying with Balor as he dares him to get back up. Kross stands Balor up but Balor fires off forearms! Kross NORTHERN LIGHTS, rolls through, and CLOBBERS Balor! Cover, TWO!! Balor survives and Kross can’t believe it! Kross gets Balor up again, reel shim in, but Balor back drops free! Kros sunset flips but Balor rolls through to basement dropkick! Both men are down as NXT returns to single picture again! Fans rally and duel as Balor and Kross slowly stand. Balor throws forearms, Kross gives them back, and we have a brawl! Balor fires off fast hands but Kross scoops and RAMS him into a corner! OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Cover, TWO!!
Scarlett is furious but the fans are fired up as Balor survives! Kross smirks as he stalks Balor to a corner. Balor CHOPS back! Kross stalks Balor again but Balor kicks low! Kross is still coming, he scoops Balor but Balor slips out to ELBOW DROP DDT! Cover, ONE?!? And he glares at Balor! Kross choke grips, but Balor breaks free and trips Kross to DOUBLE STOMP again! Cover, but Kross makes it the KROSSJACKET!! Balor flails but Kross has him caught!! Balor fades, but he gets a second wind for the ROPEBREAK! Kross holds on until 4, and is furious! Balor survives but Scarlett says Kross can finish him now!
Kross throws Balor out of the ring, then dribbles him into the Plexiglas over and over and over! Kross reels Balor in, and hopes fans are watching as he RAZOR’S EDGE Balor into the boards!! The ring count climbs but Kross puts Balor in at 8! Kross drags Balor back up, reels him back in, and gets Balor up but Balor hits a DDT!! Balor has a third wind as he hurries to a corner! Kross staggers up into a SLINGBLADE! And then Balor clotheslines Kross out of the ring! Balor builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit in front of commentary! The fans are thunderous but Kross stands back up! BACK SUPLEX TO THE DESK!! “This is Awesome!” but the ref says this has to get back in the ring!
Kross takes his time dragging Balor from the desk’s hood and into the ring. Kross waits until 9 of 10 to get in, and Balor fires off on him in the ropes! Kross shoves Balor away but Balor trips him and DOUBLE STOMPS again! Balor aims from a corner, runs and SHOTGUNS Kross into buckles! Kross is in the drop zone and Balor heads up top! Fans are electric as Balor is up top! COUP DE- NO! Kross dodges, gets Balor up and RAMS him into the far corner! And then turns him around for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Kross roars and says it’s done now! Kross hauls Balor back up, reels him in, DOOMSDAY SAIDO! But he isn’t done there, he winds up the hands of time!
Balor slowly rises and Kross aims from a corner. But Balor catches Kross to a victory roll! TWO!! Balor gets around, Cobra Twist! Grounded Twist but Kross keeps off his shoulders! Kross pries free, and rains down forearms! But Balor slips out to rain down forearms on Kross! Balor hits the ribs, the head, the shoulders, over and over! The ref gets Balor to stop to check on Kross! Kross is still conscious but he crawls to Scarlett to focus. Balor puts a SLEEPER on Kross! Kross is holding the ropes, he lets go, and Balor drags him into a body scissors of his own!! Scarlett is furious, Kross is prying free! But Balor makes it a TRIANGLE HOLD!!
Kross moves around, falls on his side, but Scarlett shouts! The ref checks the arm, Kross revives!! Kross powers up, dead lifts and POWERBOMBS Balor!! Balor glares at Kross as he sits up! Fans are electric as both men stand, and Kross CLOBBERS Balor! Then CLUBS him, then DOOMSDAY FOREARM!! Kross stomps away on Balor over and over! The ref counts but Kross stops at 4 to wrap on the KROSSJACKET!! Balor is turning purple! He is OUT, Kross wins!!
Winner: Karrion Kross, by submission (still NXT Champion)
The apocalypse could not be stopped, and Kross still reigns! Balor did not pray but he did fall, is this the last time he’ll be fighting for this title? And with Kross’ path to TakeOver cleared, who will he be facing In Your House?
My Thoughts:
Another great episode for NXT! I nailed the order of the matches, other than Mercedes VS Zayda since that wasn’t advertised. Speaking of which, Mercedes was of course winning, but it is very interesting that Tian Sha (both the faction and the individual character) has taken interest in her. Mercedes VS Xia Li will be a great match, and I would love if Mercedes was Tian Sha’s first opponent. Mercedes could come out the winner of the feud, but it’d definitely help give some credibility to Tian Sha if we saw her take the fight to Mercedes.
The opening tag match was great, and I figured Shotzi & Ember would win to be seen as contenders to the tag titles. But Raquel wrecking Shotzi to send a message to Ember could be a sign that Ember challenges Raquel for the singles title. Ember and Raquel are the only two to have been NXT Women’s Champion and Tag Team Champion in their careers, so a match of those two would go a long way to having Raquel establish herself as the superior NXT Women’s Champion. Then, Franky Monet of course won her debut match, really dominating Cora Jade, but I feel like she could’ve had a slightly tougher time to imply that she was underestimating Jade and believing her own hype a little too much, similar to LA Knight when he debuted.
Speaking of which, I figured we’d get a proxy in the feud between DeBiase and Grimes, but I didn’t think it’d be Knight. Knight does make a good contrast to Grimes because he’s more muscular and is even more braggadocios in his promos, and he could trade that yellow jacket for a gold one with DeBiase’s help. I’m thinking we could get Knight VS Grimes with the “Million Dollar Legacy” on the line. They should even bring back the Million Dollar Championship belt and make it a ladder match so that the person who brings the belt down is the rightful protégé to DeBiase.
I like that Hit Row is putting every champion on notice, same as Pete Dunne did. All superstars in NXT should be greedy enough to want all the belts. Swerve could be North American Champion or even top champion. Top Dolla could even be North American Champion and Tag Team Champion with Adonis, and Adonis could even be Cruiserweight Champion and Tag Team Champion. I don’t know if Hit Row will become a golden faction like the Undisputed Era, but it would be awesome if they do. Escobar moving up to the North American title is great, I was thinking that was his next move, and it was natural to see MSK counter Legado to help Reed.
The tag titles are on the line next week, I feel that could go either way with Ciampa & Thatcher VS Grizzled Young Veterans also happening. One match will surely determine how the other goes, and then we’ll have our TakeOver match-up set by the end of it. Imperium is taking on Breezango, as well, and I’m thinking Imperium wins to move forward in their story. Or at least, the story we’re getting now that Wolfe was released. New SAnitY would’ve been great to face Imperium but oh well. Imperium can even wait on the other side of TakeOver to face whatever Face tag team champions we’re getting for a great stretch of matches over the Summer.
Fish VS Dunne was very good, but Dunne winning makes sense. Fish can’t be satisfied right away, he’ll surely have a match with Oney next, and then come back around to Dunne. Kross VS Balor rematch here was awesome, maybe even better than their Stand & Deliver match. Balor felt so close to winning this one, but again, Kross is making up for the reign he never really got to have, so he managed to come out on top. I even thought he was going to get disqualified at the end, but that would’ve felt a bit cheap. With rumblings of call-ups, and a chance Balor could return to RawDown in time for the return to touring, this loss does make sense. And even without that, Balor should try for another title to add to his legacy. Walter VS Balor maybe?
The Triple Threat contender’s match next week is going to be great, and so hard to call. Kyle had a stare down with Kross before, Gargano knocked Kross down, and Dunne called out all champions and says he’s the baddest man in NXT today. Kross plays Tweener well so he could face any of those guys and make it a great build.
My Score: 9.3/10
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Time to run it back!
Did Jey Uso disrespect Bron Breakker? He thinks so, and wants to get him back for it in a rematch for the WWE Intercontinental Championship!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE World Tag Team Championship#1 Contenders Tournament Opening Round: The New Day VS Authors of Pain; New Day wins and advances.
- Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Damage CTRL; DMG CTRL wins, by disqualifications.
- WWE World Tag Team Championship#1 Contenders Tournament Opening Round: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega VS The Creed Brothers w/ American Made; win(s) and advance.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Jey Uso VS Bron Breakker; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
The Crown Jewel Championships have arrived.
The attendants shine it up while security checks it. It all looks good, but who will look good once they win it?
Team American Made arrives.
And on their way in, Chad Gable, Ivy Nile & The Creed Brothers cross paths with The Alpha Academy. Otis, Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri hold their tongues, but will American Made show they’re better by advancing in the World Tag Team Championship Contenders Tournament?
Bronson Reed arrives.
The Colossal Aussie is in Philadelphia, but there’s no brotherly love as SETH FREAKIN’ ROLLINS ATTACKS! The Visionary came outta nowhere, and now uses Bronson’s own luggage to beat him down! Security drags Rollins away but Rollins says he’s just getting started! Rollins dares Bronson to join him in the ring, and that’s where Rollins is going! He throws off his blue sequin jacket at someone in gorilla, then storms right to the ring! The fans fire up and sing Rollins’ song, but Rollins grabs a mic to say cut the music! “Philly, let’s get crazy, right here, right now! Bronson Reed! You wanna be famous, big boy? I’ll make your ass famous! Get out here, and let’s FIGHT!”
The fans are fired up, but Pearce says no no no! But then Bronson TOSSES security out of his way! Bronson heads for the ring, but it takes half a dozen men to drag him down! So Rollins then DIVES and bowls them all over! The fans are thunderous but then Bronson RAMS Rollins into the apron! Bronson puts Rollins int he ring, then RAMS him into a corner! More security rushes in but fans boo! Rollins and Bronson are separated, but not for long as they both get free! Rollins BOOTS Bronson, gets moving, but he runs into a DEATTH VALLEY DRIVER! Bronson hurries up top, but Rollins hurries out! So Bronson just FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES!
The fans are going nuts as Bronson clears the desk! Bronson drags Rollins up and HEADBUTTS him onto the desk! The security tries to stop Bronson but Bronson is climbing the barriers! He SHOVES guards off him, one guy becomes a backpack! So Bronson TOSSES that guy onto the rest! And then with Rollins on the desk, TSUNAMI! But only Bronson hits the desk! Rollins avoids disaster and the fans go nuts! Rollins is also going nuts, he wants after Bronson again! Security and even producers herd Rollins away, and Bronson rises up! Bronson goes out into the crowd but he warns Rollins this isn’t over!
The fans sing Rollins’ song again, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” but when and where will The Visionary see Bronson again?
Backstage interview with Damage CTRL.
Jackie Redmond is with Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane and says that tomorrow night on NXT, they have a match with Meta Four’s Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson. They arguably coast DMG CTRL the tag titles, so is there anything DMG CTRL wants to say first? Iyo says that Lash & Jakara are just in the way. DMG CTRL are not done with Jade & Bianca. Soon, they will be WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions again! But then Liv Morgan steps in and says sorry not sorry, she needs to talk about what Nia Jax did to her last week. Jackie, you can go. Thanks, bye. Jackie steps out and Liv talks to camera.
“Nia, if you’re watching this, which I know you are, I know you only came to MY show last week because you’re just jealous of me. You’re jealous of me because I have it all. I have the Women’s World Championship, I have Dirty Dom, I have The Judgment Day, I have Raquel Rodriguez, and after I beat you at Crown Jewel, I’m gonna have the Crown Jewel Championship, too.” Kairi speaks up, “Choto, choto, choto. <Hey, hey, hey.>” Liv says she’s not done, but Kairi says she interrupted THEIR interview. Liv doesn’t care. Kairi tells them to go away, Iyo echoes it, and Liv says oh, they’re mad because they’re talking about the tag team titles.
But see, Liv & Raquel were champions before Rhea cost them. That means they could be tag team champions again any time they want. Iyo says Liv is not skipping the line! DMG CTRL could fight later, or they could fight TONIGHT! Raquel stares Iyo & Kairi down, and Liv says if they wanna fight, then let’s fight. Raquel, Liv, and Liv’s platform shoes leave, will they truly be standing tall after taking down The Evil Genius & The Pirate Princess?
WWE World Tag Team Championship#1 Contenders Tournament Opening Round: The New Day VS Authors of Pain w/ The Final Testament!
Speaking of tag team supremacy, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods want to return to that, even if that means fighting through the biggest and the baddest. And well, that’s where they’re starting! Will New Day be the ones writing this story? Or will Akam & Rezar make this the Final Chapter?
Raw returns and as Samantha Irvin is moving on to a new phase in her career, the legend that is Lilian Garcia is back! She gives the introductions as AOP makes their entrance, Final Testament leading the way. The teams sort out, and Woods starts against Akam. They circle, Woods waistlocks, and then headlocks. Akam powers up and out but Woods ducks ‘n’ dodges, then tags Kofi before he slides! Woods ROCKS Akam, Kofi SOBATS, and Woods mule kicks! Kofi hits a FAMOUSER! Cover, ONE! Akam is tougher than that but Kofi KICKS him back down. Kofi tags Woods, and he PENALTY KICKS AKam! Woods SLIDING LARIATS!
Kofi IMPLODER SPLASHES! Woods goes up the ropes to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Woods brings Akam up to wrench an arm, and YANK it! And YANK it! And CLUB away on it! Tag to Kofi and he climbs up, to DOUBLE STOMP the arm! Kofi wrenches, RAMS, and grinds the arm! Akam pulls hair, the ref reprimands, but Akam puts Kofi in a corner. Kofi dodges to CHOP! The fans fire up, and Kofi wrenches Akam to tag Woods. Woods goes up to AX HANDLE! Woods wrenches the arm again, but Kam keeps him from Kofi! URENAGE, and Akam DECKS Kofi for good measure! Woods bails out, but Karrion Kross is lurking.
Kross asks if Woods wants to shake his hand now. They can stop this if Woods just shakes his head. The fans rally, the ring count starts, but wait! Miz is watching from the front row now? Kross nods to Miz while Rezar tags in. Rezar CLUBS Woods down, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Woods endures a bearhug from Rezar! Kross talks with Miz, making the sales pitch to join Final Testament. Woods fights with elbows, but Rezar shoves him back. Woods ELBOWS Akam, BOOTS Rezar, but Rezar scoops! Woods fights free, reaches for Kofi, but Rezar keeps him back! The fans fire up as they’re just fingertips away, but Rezar YANKS Woods back! But Woods dodges, hot tag to Kofi! Kofi springboards to AX HANDLE! Kofi rallies with DOUBLE CHOP, DOUPBLE CHOP and DROPKICK Kofi runs, but Rezar dodges to back suplex! Kofi lands out! Kofi BOOTS from the corner, then goes up to SPLASH Rezar down!
Akam gets up but Kofi BLASTS him! Woods is back and he DIVES! Down goes Akam in a heap! Rezar TOSSES Kofi to the corner, runs in, but into the SWING KICK! Kofi climbs, leaps, AX HANDLE! Rezar is down and Kofi runs, to “NEW~ DAY~” BOOM DROP! The fans fire up and clap along, “NEW! DAY ROCKS! NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Kofi aims again, spins, TROUBLE IN- NO, Rezar catches Kofi! FALL AWAY SLAM! Kross cheers while Rezar and Kofi are down. But wait, R-TRUTH IS HERE! He TACKLES Miz! The fans fire up but Kross drags Truth up! Truth BOOTS Kross! Rezar is furious, but Kofi sunset flips! NEW DAY WINS!
Winners: The New Day, by pinfall (advance to the next round)
Truth celebrates with ya bois, they all get some payback on The Final Testament! But uh, Truth hangs around too long. Kross DECKS Truth, and Miz adds on! And now Woods says leave him!? Kross grins, his plan working, but wait! The lights go out! THE PIANO PLAYS! The fans fire up and the fireflies come out, it’s THE WYATTS! They’re all on the corners! And then they LEAP into action! Nikki Cross takes out Scarlett, Erick Rowan & Joe Gacy go after AOP, and Miz scurries away while Dexter Lumis LARIATS Kross up and out! The fans fire up as The Wyatts clear out The Final Testament, and then Rowan CLOBBERS AOP!
The brawling continues, The Wyatts DUMP AOP over barriers, and then Rowan picks Lumis up! He THROWS Lumis at the Authors of Pain! Lumis then adds on more fists, and then the brawling spills into the crowd! Miz is all alone, and he grins because he’s safe. But then UNCLE HOWDY is there! But Ellering rushes in! He gets a MANDIBLE CLAW for it!! Miz runs away and Ellering fades out! The fans fire up, have The Wyatts come to right the Final Testament’s wrongs?
Backstage interview with Adam Pearce.
Jackie Redmond is with the Raw General Manager to say it is yet another chaotic Monday night. How does he plan on getting things under control? But before he can answer, Bronson Reed storms over, only for ROLLINS TO ATTACK! The brawl is on again! Security drags Bronson off of Rollins, only for Rollins to LEAP onto Bronson! Producers rush over to help separate these two, but what IS Pearce going to do if this madness is to stop?
Backstage interview with Jey Uso.
Cathy Kelley is with the Intercontinental Champion and says the tensions have escalated. Ahead of his match with Bron Breakker, could he address the issues going on with The Bloodline on SmackDown? Jey says yeah, it’s a bit ironic. We’re in the City of Brotherly Love but he has no love for his brothers right now. But he said what he said on Friday. It is what it is. But tonight is about this belt on his shoulder. Jey Uso VS Bron Breakker, Round 2. But Jey promises that tonight, the people will here #AndStill Intercontinental Champion, Main Event Jey Uso~! YEET.
Raquel Rodriguez speaks.
Big Mami Cool says Rhea’s business won’t end until she gets the world title back. Mamita, as long as Raquel is here, that will NEVER happen! Bad Blood was a warning, chiquita. Don’t think Raquel forgot what Rhea did to Liv, taking her out with a torn shoulder for six MONTHS. And Raquel hasn’t forgotten what Rhea did to them both when she cost them the tag titles! Reha, the only reason you rose up was because Raquel was gone. But she’s back now, and the smartest thing to do would be walk away. But we all know Rhea won’t. So since Rhea won’t end this, Raquel will. Ricky Desperado has put Rhea on notice, will Rhea heed the warning?
Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Damage CTRL!
Speaking of warnings, Liv & Raquel have sent theirs to Nia and Rhea, and Iyo & Kairi sent one to Lash & Jakara. Who backs up all that talk with a big win here tonight?
Raw returns and we see Meta Four is watching from the front row, again. Will they affect things like last time? Then Liv & Raquel make their entrance, but uh, where is Dominik Mysterio? He gets the introduction but he seems to be absent. Well, whatever, no one needs Dirty Dom here, except for Liv. The teams sort out, and Iyo runs up to TACKLE Liv! Iyo rains down fists, the fans fire up, but Liv gets away! Tag to Raquel, and Iyo backs up. Raquel steps in Iyo fires hands, but Raquel shoves her away. Iyo jumps up but the rana is blocked! Iyo fights free of the bomb, then gest around to hop on for a SLEEPER!
Raquel flails, reaches back, and FLINGS Iyo off her. Raquel then suplexes Iyo, but Iyo slips free! Tag to Kairi, then Iyo redirects Raquel. DMG CTRL shove, trip, and AX KICK! Raquel is down, DMG CTRL run up to DOUBLE DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Kairi storms around. Kairi runs in, but Raquel puts her up top! Kairi gets to the apron, RAMS into Raquel, and then goes back up. Kairi leaps, but Raquel ducks under! Kairi says kiss this, then she goes up, around, and RANAS Raquel into buckles! Tag to Iyo, DMG CTRL double wrench, KICK, and DOUBLE- NO, Raquel fights the suplex! Raquel lifts BOTH Iyo & Kairi!
The fans fire up, but now DMG CTRL slip down! She stays up, but DMG CTRL avoid the double elbows! SLIDING D into Ghost Pin! TWO!! Raquel escapes, Iyo stomps her down, and tags Kairi. Kairi clamps on with a facelock, but Raquel stands up. Iyo runs up, Raquel shoves her back, and then Raquel THROWS Kairi at her! DMG CTRL stays up, Kairi dodges but Raquel LARIATS Iyo! Then she SOUTHPAW LARIATS Kairi! Liv cheers, and already hugs the Crown Jewel Women’s Championship. The fans boo and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Raquel covers Kairi, TWO! The fans rally, Raquel drags Kairi up and gut wrenches to a Canadian rack. Kairi endures the backbreaker rack and the fans rally up again. Kairi fights but Meta Four isn’t that impressed. Kairi slips down, reaches for Iyo, but Raquel brings her around, Kairi dodges the lariat to ROCK Raquel! Kairi jumps, but Raquel catches her! Raquel throws Kairi back but Kairi URAKENS! Kairi then dodges Raquel, hot tags to Iyo and Liv! Iyo SHOTEIS, SHOTEIS and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Iyo whips. Liv reverses but Iyo goes out. Iyo HOTSHOTS Liv, then blocks Raquel’s boot!
Iyo puts the leg in ropes, to DRAGON SCREW it! Iyo then DOUBLE STOMPS Raquel on the apron! The fans fir eup and Iyo springboards in! MISSILE DROPKICK for Liv! Liv tumbles, Iyo kips up, and the fans fire up again! Iyo runs in, SHINKANSEN! Iyo drags Liv to the cover, TWO! Liv survives but Iyo scoops her, to SLAM her! Iyo steps on Liv, tags Kairi, and then Kairi tags Iyo back. DMG CTRL stand on Liv, the fans fire up, and Kairi runs for the POP-UP ELBOW! Iyo runs to jackknife bridge, but Raquel breaks it! Kairi is furious, and she runs up to SPEAR, but Raquel blocks it! Raquel SWINGS Kairi around before she THROWS her!
Raquel runs up, but Kairi dodges! Raquel POSTS herself and falls to the floor! Liv is furious now, and she BACK BODY BLOCKS Iyo! And then SHINING WIZARDS !Liv roars and shoves Iyo away. Liv adjusts up top, to leap, into a SHOTEI! The fans fire up while Liv flops out of the ring! Iyo goes to the apron, and she MISSILE DROPKICKS Liv into barriers! Iyo then DUMPS Jakara over! Lash DECKS Iyo! That’s a DQ!
Winners: Damage CTRL, by
Lash steps over, but gets a FLYING ELBOW from Kairi! Kairi & Iyo beat down on Lash! They put Lash in the ring, beat up on her more, but Jakara runs in! The brawl is on while fans boo, and Lash ROCKS Iyo! Lash fireman’s carries Iyo, and swings her into Kairi! Jakara hits the SUGAR RUSH BULLDOG! Then Lash hits the LASH EXTENSION on Iyo! The fans boo as Meta Four again stands tall, but now they stare down Liv & Raquel. BUT HERE COMES RHEA! Lash & Jakara smile, cuz Mami ain’t here for them. Philly fires up as Rhea storms her way out here, and Meta Four says bye. Raquel has Liv stand down, she can handle this.
Rhea runs in, and HEADBUTTS Raquel! Raquel stays up!? Rhea fires hands on her, but Raquel shoves her down! Raquel runs up, but Rhea DUMPS her out! Rhea grins as Liv is all alone! Liv runs but Rhea grabs her by her hair! Rhea reels Liv in, TOSSES her around, but Liv comes back to CODE BREAKER! Rhea comes back to KNEE Liv down! Rhea grabs Liv’s legs, ties them up, PRISM TRAP!! Liv flails, Rhea lifts her higher, but has to let her go when Raquel returns! Rhea DROPKICKS Raquel down! Liv is alone again, but she dodges Rhea to kick and wrench! Liv wants a Cobra Twist but Rhea HEADBUTTS her down!
Liv is dizzy, Rhea hauls her up! Pump handle and RIP- NO, NOW Dom is here! Dom saves Liv, she did need him after all! But Rhea TOSSES Dom in!! The fans fire up as Rhea puts Dom in the PRISM TRAP!! Dom flails, Liv AND Raquel have to drag him out to save him! The fans boo, but Rhea warns them all that it’s only a matter of time. Liv may have the Crown Jewel Championship on her mind, but will she have to watch her back from now until the end of time?
Seth Rollins finds Pearce.
They argue about how things have gone down tonight, but BRONSON POUNCES ROLLINS!! Rollins is sent onto tables and Bronson hammers away! Yet again, these two are separated and Pearce shouts, “ENOUGH! ENOUGH!! Did either one of you selfish bastards stop to think for one second that I was gonna give you what you want? No, of course not! But you are! At Crown Jewel! Bronson Reed, Seth Rollins, a definitive victor! Now get them outta my building!” Rollins laughs as he and Bronson are hauled away, but Bronson says this is the worst mistake Rollins has ever made! Will there be nothing but blood and sand after this showdown?
The War Raiders speak.
“As we walked this path, there’s been setbacks that would’ve ended lesser men.” “But we rise time and again.” “But we’ve shed our armor, and headed to our future without fear.” “We look to our ancestors, the Viking warriors of the past, for inspiration.” “They crossed oceans, conquering everything in their path.” “We, too, have traveled the word, raiding gold far and wide.” “Your time to run and hide… has ended.” Erik & Ivar have made their impact, advancing in the World Tag Team Championship Contenders tournament. Will they completely take over before it is all said and done?
The Judgment Day regroups.
Finn Balor, JD McDonagh & Carlito are in the clubhouse as Dom, Liv & Raquel return. The Irish Ace asks what they think of the new spot, and Raquel says, “You wanna know what I think? What I think is what I need to do is to find Rhea Ripley. And when I do, I am gonna RIP her head off!” Liv calms Raquel down and says they’ll deal with Rhea when the time is right. For now, Liv needs to focus on Nia at Crown Jewel, and the boys need to focus on their tag titles. Right, Finn? Finn says everyone knows he and JD can handle any team on Earth. What he is worried about is Damian Priest making another claim at the World Heavyweight Championship.
Liv thought they were done with Priest. Dom says, “What if I’m the one who beats Gunther for the world title?” The others laugh, except for Liv. Liv says that’s not cool, Daddy Dom could totally beat Gunther. JD has Finn calm down about others wanting the world title, and then Raquel asks Carlito what he even does around here. Uh… Well, let’s just say he brings the cool factor. And he’s the fixer. In fact, he’ll fix this right now. Dom is going to be a champion in no time! Carlito heads out to talk to Pearce. Finn backstabbed Priest over the world title, will he be compelled to do it again to Dom?
WWE World Tag Team Championship#1 Contenders Tournament Opening Round: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega VS The Creed Brothers w/ American Made!
The King of Lucha & The Boy Wonder are ready to reign together, but that’s going to be an uphill battle. Will the lucha legend and the future of lucha libre grab gold for the LWO? Or will Julius & Bronson prove this tag team division is American Made?
Raw returns and American Made makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Dragon starts against Julius. They circle, and Julius shoots right in for the takedown! Julius gator rolls but Dragon gets away to ropes. The ref has Julius back off, but then Julius grabs an arm to wrench. Julius wristlocks, Dragon cartwheels, wrenches, and wristlocks back. Dragon knuckle locks, CHOPS, and then goes up, up and even turns Julius’ trip into a handspring! Julius stops the wheelbarrow but Dragon elbows free. Things speed up, Dragon rolls to sunset flip! TWO! Julius escapes, but Dragon kicks low! Dragon RAMS him into the corner, tag to Rey!
Rey & Dragon double wrench, double whip, to theN SOBAT, KICK and dropkick to the legs! Rey adds a basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Rey spells it out and the fans cheer. But Julius basement suplexes! Julius SLAMS Rey down, tags Brutus, and then Julius gut wrenches Brutus to SLAM him into Rey! Brutus covers, TWO! Brutus stalks Julius to the corner, whips corner to corner, and Rey bounces off buckles! Brutus laughs like a hyena but the fans boo. Brutus storms up on Rey, brings the straps down, and BRUTUS SMASH! Rey can only guard and crawl away. Brutus tags Julius, and they haul Rey up.
The Creed whip, Rey slides under, but Brutus grabs him, Rey BOOTS Julius, ELBOWS Brutus, and then goes up and over. Julius Electric Chair Lifts, but Rey RANAS him out! Tag to Dragon, and Rey holds the way open! Dragon DIVES to take out both Creeds! The fans fire up for the LWO while Raw goes to break!
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It’s a Mighty homecoming for The Front Man!
Zack Sabre Jr. only just won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, but he’s putting it on the line against Sanada! Who writes the ending to this storied rivalry’s new chapter?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Show – Yuto Nakashima & Oskar Leube VS Danny Jones & Brendan White; Yuto & Oskar win.
- Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X VS Joe Lando & Danny Black; Taiji & Robbie win.
- Mina Shirakawa & Kanji VS AZM & Dani Luna; AZM & Dani win.
- Michael Oku VS Kosei Fujita; Fujita wins.
- Yota Tsuji VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Tsuji wins.
- Shota Umino VS Callum Newman; Shota wins.
- David Finlay w/ Gedo VS Taka Michinoku; changed to…
- Gedo w/ David Finlay VS Taka Michinoku; Taka wins.
- David Finlay w/ Gedo VS Taka Michinoku (for real this time); Finlay wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Robbie Eagles, Ryohei Oiwa & Mascara Dorada; LIJ wins.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii; Shane & Mikey win and retain the titles.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS SANADA; ZSJ wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Kickoff Show – Yuto Nakashima & Oskar Leube VS Danny Jones & Brendan White!
Excursion is always an important part of any Young Lion’s growth, but these big boys have really exceeded expectations! Team Youngblood have won the Pro-Wrestling Holland AND wXw World Tag Team Championships since venturing out into the world, will they be red hot in their return to a NJPW ring? Or will they soon owe some golden tickets to these Greedy Souls?
As fans rally, “Youngblood! WOOP WOOP!” things get rather tense between the teams. The ref calms them down, and the teams sort out. Oskar starts against Jones and they tie right up. They go around, equal in height but Oskar has more beef. But Jones turns things around to put Oskar on ropes. The ref counts, Jones lets off slowly, and he mockingly pats Oskar on the shoulders. Oskar shoves Jones back, storms up on him, but Jones headlocks. Oskar endures the grind, powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Neither man falls, and they egg each other on. Oskar runs again, RAMS Jones again, then tells Jones to try.
Jones runs, he RAMS Oskar, Oskar RAMS Jones! They RAM and RAM and RAM! Jones ends up in a corner and the fans cheer. Jones backs off, tags White, so Oskar tags Yuto. The fans fire up as these two RAM each other, then start firing forearms! Yuto laughs it all off, but then White fires a flurry! White roars, runs, and RUNS Yuto over! The fans boo, but Yuto is up to RUN White over! The fans fire up while White flounders to ropes. Yuto tags Oskar, but White CLAWS Oskar’s eyes and fires more shots on Yuto! White whips but Yuto reverses to ROCK White! Then he feeds White to Oskar’s scoop and SLAM!
The fans cheer, Oskar taunts Jones then drags White up. Oskar CHOPS and fans “WOO~!” Oskar CLUBS White in the chest, then CHOPS him again! The fans rally behind Oskar and he runs, but Jones gest a cheap shot in! Oskar DECKS Jones for it, ELBOWS White away, but Jones anchors Oskar’s legs! White CLUBS away on Oskar but the ref reprimands. White tags Jones and Jones drags Oskar up. BIG back suplex, then White lifts Jones to back suplex SENTON! White adds his own SENTON while Jones BOOTS Yuto! The fans boo but Jones covers Oskar, TWO! Jones drops knee after knee on Oskar, then stomps him!
Jones clamps on a chinlock stretch but Oskar endures. The fans rally, Oskar fights up, but Jones CLUBS away on him! Jones whips Oskar to the corner, LARIATS, then tags White. White CLUBS Oskar in the back, then RAMS into him! The ref reprimands, the fans taunt Greedy Souls, but White KNEES Oskar down. Cover, TWO! Oskar toughs it out and rises up as the fans rally. White CLUBS Oskar, but Oskar ROCKS White! They fire forearms back and forth, and Oskar ROCKS White! White blocks the scoop and throws down ELBOWS! White KNEES Oskar in the side again and again, but the fans boo. White covers, TWO!
White drags Oskar up, tags Jones, and the Greedy Souls mug him. Jones has the legs, and he turns Oskar! Oskar fights but Jones KICKS and KICKS to have the BOSTON CRAB! Jones wants to use the “Young Lion” move to humiliate Oskar, but he just powers up! The fans rally as Oskar makes it to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Jones lets go at 3, to drop a BIG elbow on Oskar’s back! Jones drags Oskar over, tags White, and White stomps Oskar. White stays between Oskar and Yuto, taunts Oskar, then CLUBS him. But Oskar goes to scoop! White fights it, but Oskar still lifts him! And SLAMS him!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Oskar and White crawl, hot tag to Yuto! Yuto runs White over, but Jones gets away. Yuto dodges White but White blocks Yuto’s kick to CLUB him in the leg! White runs, but into the YAKUZA KICK! Jones CLUBS Yuto! The ref reprimands and the fans boo as Jones whips Yuto. Yuto returns to CLOBBER Jones! Yuto KICKS White again and again, has him in a corner and he KICKS more and more! The fans fire up, Yuto winds up, and he ROUNDHOUSES White down! White is in the corner, Yuto marches around, and the fans rally as he runs back in, METEORA! Cover, TWO!
White survives and the fans rally up again. Yuto brings White up, fireman’s carries, but White fights with elbows again. White waistlocks, but Yuto fights it with elbows! White ROCKS Yuto in the back, then scoops, BACKBREAKER! White fires up, the fans boo, but White tags Jones. White runs in to SPLASH! Feed to Jones’ BOOT, then a SHOTGUN KICK from White! Cover, White intercepts Oskar, TWO as Yuto still kicks out! White TOSSES Oskar, then Greedy Souls drag Yuto up. White suplexes, but Yuto BOOTS Jones away! Yuto slips around White, shoves him into Jones, then fireman’s carries White!
Yuto powers up to DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Yuto and the Greedy Souls are down, and Yuto crawls for the corner! Hot tag to Oskar! The fans fire up as Oskar RAMS with Jones again and again! Oskar powers up to scoop but Jones fights free! Jones runs, but Oskar CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up and Oskar scoops again, to RUNNING SLAM! The fans rally up as Oskar rises. Oskar fires himself up, aims from a corner, and Jones rises. Oskar runs in, but Jones avoids the boot! Oskar fights the German Suplex to switch. Jones ELBOWS Oskar, tags White, and the Greedy Souls bypass Oskar to POWERSLAM!
The fans boo as Greedy Souls line up the shot in the corner. White SPLASHES Oskar, then Jones KNEES him! Jones trips Oskar, has the legs, and CATAPULTS Oskar to White for the BOSS MAN SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Oskar survives and the fans fire up! Greedy Souls drag Oskar up, and White goes to suplex. Oskar fights it, and Yuto runs in to fire shots on Jones! Oskar switches with White for a SLEEPER! Yuto gives Jones a BRAINBUSTER! White is flailing, Oskar feeds him to Yuto’s BOOT! Atomic Drop and LARIAT! The fans fire up and Youngblood says this is it! They aim at White from corners and White rises up.
Oskar and Yuto run in, HIGH LOW KICK COMBO! Cover, TWO!! White survives but Youngblood just gets him back up! Fireman’s carry from Oskar, Yuto goes up, FLYING KNEE F5 COMBO! Cover, Youngblood wins!
Winners: Oskar Leube & Yuto Nakashima, by pinfall
Young Lions no more, Youngblood is flowing! Will Oskar & Yuto extend their tag team dominance to NJPW?
Mina Shirakawa & Kanji VS AZM & Dani Luna!
The Fighting Gravure Idol has been all around the world because the world wants Mina! But will the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Champion and The Asian Sensation get what they want in a win? Or will they fail to stop the High Speed Superstar and The Inevitable?
The teams sort out and the fans cheer Mina & Kanji. Mina dances to the singing, “Doodoo do-do-do, Mina Shirakawa!” AZM says come on, they don’t have all night. Kanji steps up to AZM and the bell rings. The fans rally behind hometown hero Kanji as she and AZM circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Kanji whips. AZM reverses, Kanji leaps over, and comes back to clinch and whip. Kanji then gets around AZM but AZM switches. Kanji drop toeholds, the fans cheer, but AZM avoids the kick to roll Kanji up. TWO, and Kanji sweeps to cover. ONE as AZM goes matrix. But Kanji trips her, ghost pins, TWO! AZM has it, TWO!
Kanji has a sunset flip! TWO, and AZM sits on Kanji, then handsprings away! The fans cheer and Kanji is a bit surprised. AZM and Kanji reset, and Kanji offers a handshake. AZM says okay, but then Kanji kicks her low! The fans boo but Kanji “apologizes.” Kanji runs, RAMS AZM, then RAMS her again. AZM follows Kanji, tags Dani, and then sets Kanji up for Dani to CLOBBER her! The fans fire up, and Dani brings Kanji up. Kanji CHOPS, Dani whips, but Kanji headlocks. Kanji CLUBS Dani, runs, wheelbarrows, but Dani holds Kanji up for AZM to ROUNDHOUSE into the FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!
Dani stays cool and she brings Kanji up. Kanji CHOPS and the fans “WOO~!” Kanji whips but Dani blocks! And she blocks again! So Kanji ROCKS her! Kanji wrenches, whips, but Dani reverses to clinch and OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Dani runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Dani drags Kanji up, tags AZM, and they double whip. Kanji holds ropes, Mina tags in, and Kanji BOOTS Dani to then ELBOW AZM! Kanji & Mina double snapmare to KICK, KICK, and repeat! AZM grits her teeth, but gets a DOUBLE PENALTY KICK SANDWICH! Mina covers, TWO! AZM toughs it out but Mina stays on her.
Mina stands AZM up but ducks a kick! Fans duel as AZM blocks a kick, avoids Mina’s lariat, then blocks another kick to ROUNDHOUSE! Mina wobbles, AZM runs, but Mina goes up to FLYING CHUCK! The fans fire up, Mina keeps moving, but AZM gets around! AZM reels Mina in for a suplex! Mina roars as she rises, and she blocks a shot to hook the leg, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! No bridge but the fans rally as both women crawl. Hot tag to Dani and she CLOBBERS Mina! And CLOBBERS her again! Dani reels Mina in, but Mina trips Dani to step through. Dani kicks and kicks but Mina SLAPS! Jackknife bridge, TWO!
Dani reels Mina in, brings her up, and POWERBOMBS! Cover, but Kanji breaks it! AZM runs up to TOSS Kanji out. The fans rally with AZM & Dani, and they drag Mina up. They double whip, but Mina reverses to send AZM away. Mina knees Dani, KICKS AZM, then victory rolls Dani! TWO, but Mina steps through the legs. AZM runs up but Mina spins her around, DDT into the SNAP LOCK! The fans fire up for Mina and she brings Dani around. Mina drops a knee on the knee, then gives a shimmy and shake. Mina drops an elbow on the bad leg! Then she steps through for the FIGURE FOUR!
The fans “WOO~!” as Dani endures, and Kanji intercepts AZM! KIMURA! Kanji has AZM in a standing Kimura, but AZM DUMPS her onto Mina! The fans fire up while all four women are down! Kanji and AZM find each other, as do Mina and Dani. The forearms fly back and forth, faster and faster! Mina blocks one to DECK Dani! AZM fires a flurry and ROCKS Kanji! AZM runs up on Mina but Mina blocks a kick to spin and SOBAT AZM! And URAKEN! AZM falls, Kanji pushes her out, and then they go after Dani! Mina & Kanji run, but AZM trips Kanji! Dani blocks Mina’s boot to fire a flurry! Dani whips, Mina reverses, but Dani SHOTGUN KICKS!
The fans fire up with Dani and she storms over to Mina. AZM sits on Kanji, then puts on an ARMBAR! Dani fireman’s carries, but Mina spins through to victory roll, and FIGURE FOUR! Dani endures, drags Mina around, and AZM goes up! DOUBLE STOMPS on Mina!! The fans fire up again, but here comes Kanji! AZM kicks low, runs, but Kanji catches her to STO and handspring! SUPERKICK! The fans fire up and Kanji runs in. AZM puts her on the apron, but Kanji avoids the slide. Kanji roars as she PLANCHAS! Down goes AZM but Kanji clutches a foot. Mina aims at Dani, Dani runs up to meet her!
Mina ROLLING ELBOW! Dani BACK ELBOW! Mina URAKEN! And CALF KICK! Mina runs, into a BOOT! Dani drags Mina back up, fireman’s carries, and pops Mina up into the SPINE BOMB! Cover, DANI & AZM WIN!
Winners: AZM & Dani Luna, by pinfall
What a shocker! This is a big win over THE Rev-Pro Women’s Champion, and Mina says she’s up for a 1v1! Will Dani winning that title off Mina be inevitable?
David Finlay w/ Gedo VS Taka Michinoku!
The Rebel is still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion after making it through Hirooki Goto just last week, proving he himself is still a fierce warrior. But now he’s up against The Blue Playmaker in non-title action, and- Wait, he wants a mic to speak? Finlay says, “I come from a very long, very, very famous line of savages not too far from here. But you see, it had to be that way because of all you English pr*cks. The Finlays could’ve been pacifists, we could’ve been poets, but you forced our hands into fighting you for EIGHT HUNDRED YEARS. So the last place on God’s Green Earth that is going to tell me when or who to wrestle is this s*it hole right here!”
So Taka, he’s a legend, just like Finlay. But being that is not enough to go 1v1 with the champ underserved. Finlay has been killing dreams lately. You can ask Nic Nemeth, Sanada, Yoshi-Hashi, Hirooki Goto and Goto’s kids. In fact, very soon, Taka can ask Taichi, too. But for now, Finlay is killing Taka’s dreams right here. “The Savage King” has his own Royal Quest for Taka tonight. If Taka wants to go 1v1 against the Global Heavyweight Champion, he has to get through Gedo first. How’s that sound, b*tch? The fans like seeing Gedo in action! Finlay tosses the mic to Taka and Taka says, “So what?! Okay, I will do that. David Finlay, you already die!”
But then Gedo sucker punches Taka! The Blacksmith is ready to get his hands dirty, will he clear out another of Just5Guys before Finlay deals with the Holy Emperor?
Gedo w/ David Finlay VS Taka Michinoku!
The bell rings, Gedo beats up on Taka more, and the fans are torn. Gedo kicks Taka to a corner, stomps him again, and soaks up heat from the fans. Gedo drags Taka up and TOSSES him outside. The ref has Finlay stay back, but also wants Gedo to stay in. Gedo distracts the ref so Finlay can beat up Taka! The fans taunt Finlay, “No One Thinks You’re Irish! No One Thinks You’re Irish! Lala lala-la, lala lala-la!” Finlay flips them off, then shoves Taka into the ring. Gedo stomps Taka more and he talks trash at the same time. Taka fires body shots but Gedo eggs him on. Taka fires more hands, but Gedo pokes him in the eyes!
Taka goes to a corner, Gedo runs up, but Taka dodges! SHINING WIZARD! Taka snapmares, runs, and SHINING WIZARSD! Finlay gets on the apron but Taka BOOTS him down! Gedo stands up, into SUPER K!! The fans fire up with Taka, and scoops. Gedo slips free, but Taka blocks the eye poke, to eye poke! Taka whips, Gedo reverses, but Taka reverses back to wrench, drop toehold, and HAMMER away into JUST FACELOCK!! Gedo taps, Taka wins!
Winner: Taka Michinoku, by submission
But then Finlay stomps away on Taka! Taka beat the Blacksmith but now The Rebel is giving Taka that match! Is this savage going to pick the bones like an animal?
David Finlay w/ Gedo VS Taka Michinoku!
Finlay drags Taka up, suplexes, OVER- NO! Taka slips free, and pokes Finlay in the eyes! Taka whips Finlay to a corner, to SHINING WIZARD! Snapmare and SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Finlay is up but Taka Oklahoma Rolls him! TWO, PENALTY KICK! Prawn hold, TWO!! Finlay escapes but the fans fire up with Taka! Taka scoops, but Finlay slips free. So Taka pokes Finlay in the eyes, kicks Finlay in the shin, then SHOTEIS! Finlay staggers, Taka scoops, but Finlay slips free! Suplex, OVERKILL!! Cover, Finlay wins!
Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall
The fans boo but Finlay does pushups to show he still has power to spare. Finlay flips the fans off, not caring what the English think of him. But Finlay & Gedo aren’t done with Taka! Gedo stands Taka up, Finlay aims, and BELT SHOTS Taka down!! The fans boo more but Gedo says that’s what Taichi’s gonna get! Finlay grabs the mic to say one last thing before he goes. And he means this from the bottom of his cold heart: F U~! The fans tell him, “Don’t Come Back!” Will the Holy Emperor avenge his friends when he finally gets his hands on the Savage King?
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii!
TMDK is dripping with gold right now, especially after retaining the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships just last week in the Ryogoku Kokugikan. But now they defend their blue straps against The Ace & Stone Pitbull! Will Hysterical Haste & Mad Mikey stay golden in the Crystal Palace? Or will Tanahashi have a championship going into his final year of wrestling?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty are still NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and the fans already chant, “Go Ace!” They also cheer Tanahashi revealing the abs. Tanahashi puts his coat aside, the fans also chant for “I-SHI-I! I-SHI-I!” Ishii and Mikey get face to face but the ref has them back down. In the end, it is Shane and Tanahashi that start, and Shane teases Tanahashi’s great hair by tossing his own around. The fans rally for Tanahashi as he and Shane circle. They tie up, and Shane powers Tanahashi to a corner. The ref counts, Shane lets off cleanly, then “smashes” the air guitar! Shane runs up but Tanahashi dodges to arm-drag! Shane drags Tanahashi down but Tanahashi turns things back around.
Shane stands but Tanahashi wrenches, wrenches, and WRINGS Shane out. Tag to Ishii and Shane hurries to his feet. Shane RAMS Ishii, but Ishii doesn’t budge! Ishii then CLOBBERS Shane! Mikey steps in but Ishii CLOBBERS him first! The fans fire up as Ishii goes back for Shane. Ishii CHOPS Shane, but Shane eggs him on. Ishii CHOPS again, and again, but Shane wants more! Ishii ROCKS Shane with a forearm! And ROCKS him again! Ishii runs, but Mikey trips him! Shane adds a basement DROPKICK! Shane runs to BLAST Tanahashi while Mikey turns Ishii around to SMACK off the apron! The ref reprimands but TMDK soaks up the cheers and jeers.
Shane drags Ishii up, tags Mikey, and TMDK double wrench to run Ishii over! Then they split the wishbone! The fans duel, Shane stomps Ishii on his way out, and Mikey stands Ishii up. Ishii CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Mikey CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Fans “WOO~!” while Mikey eggs Ishii on. Ishii CHOPS, but Mikey CHOPS again! Ishii grits his teeth, comes back, and CHOPS again! And again! Mikey knees low! Tag to Shane, and Mikey CHOPS again! The fans rally, Shane drags Ishii to a cocky cover, TWO! Shane keeps on Ishii with a wristlock, and then he KICKS the arm! Shane shakes out the stanky leg, and KICKS again! And again!
Ishii rises but Shane KICKS more! Shane fires forearms but Ishii still stands! Ishii ROCKS Shane, then whips, but Shane reverses. Mikey gets a cheap shot in! Shane runs up, Ishii dodges, and Shane avoids running into Mikey. Ishii runs up, Shane dodges, and Ishii does ROCK Mikey! Shane runs back in, Ishii dodges again, and now Shane runs into Mikey! Ishii dodges Shane again to SAIDO! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ishii crawls for his corner, hot tag to Tanahashi! President Ace fires up and runs, to CLOBBER Shane! Tanahashi BLASTS Mikey, ELBOWS Shane, goes up and CROSSBODIES!
The fans fire up as Tanahashi gives some air guitar himself. Tanahashi drags Shane up, scoops and SLAMS him, then goes up the corner. The fans fire up for the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Shane stays in this but Tanahashi stays cool. The fans rally up and Tanahashi runs, but into a BOOT! Tanahashi roars an runs again, but into a DROPKICK! Both men are down and the fans rally again. Shane tags Mikey and Mikey drags Tanahashi up. But Tanahashi fires forearms! Mikey fires back, the fans rally as they brawl! Mikey gets the edge, Tanahashi gets around to waistlock, but has to duck an elbow! Mikey uses that to DDT!
Tanahashi is down and Mikey hurries to BLAST Ishii! Tanahashi sits up, into a SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi stays in this but Mikey says it’s time! Mikey hauls Tanahashi up but Tanahashi fights with elbows. Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi then has both legs, and he ties them up to turn Mikey over! TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! Mikey endures and the fans fire up! Shane storms in to fire forearms but Tanahashi doesn’t budge! Ishii storms in, Shane kicks at him but Ishii blocks! Ishii DRAGON SCREWS Shane! And now Ishii steps through on Shane, for a SHARPSHOOTER!!
The fans fire up as TMDK endure stereo submissions! Mikey fights, crawls, ROPEBREAK! Tanahashi lets Mikey go and Ishii does the same with Shane. Tanahashi fires up, runs, and he SLINGBLADES Mikey down! Cover, TWO! Mikey survives but Tanahashi hurries up top! Ishii tries but Shane gets past him, and he UPPERCUTS Tanahashi! Shane fires more hands, then Mikey gets up. Mikey gives Shane the boost, but Tanahashi fires the bomb-superplex combo! Tanahashi SHOTEIS Shane, and Mikey still POWERBOMBS him! Mikey is shocked to see it’s just Shane on the mat! Ishii then ROCKS Mikey!
Ishii kicks Shane out of the ring, and Tanahashi HIGH FLY ATTACKS! The fans fire up as Tanahashi goes back up the corner! HIGH FLY FLOW! But onto knees! Mikey saves himself, and he brings Tanahashi up. But Tanahashi cradle counters, TWO! Mikey runs up to SLIDING LARIAT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Mikey and Tanahashi stir as the fans rally. They crawl for their corners, hot tags to Ishii and Shane! The fans fire up as Ishii dodges Shane, Shane dodges Ishii, and Ishii spins Shane! Ishii hits a BIG suplex! Shane staggers up, Ishii runs in at the corner and LARIATS!
Ishii whips corner to corner, Shane reverses but Ishii bounces off buckles to CLOBBER Shane! The fans fire up again and Ishii storms back over. Ishii drags Shane up and reels him in, but Shane fights the lift! Shane fireman’s carries, but Ishii slips free! Ishii fires a forearm, but Shane fires back! They go back and forth, and then Ishii ROCKS Shane! Shane KICKS, BOOTS, and hooks a leg, REVERSE POWERSLAM! Ishii flounders while fans fire up! Shane goes to the corner, runs up, and PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and the fans fire up! Mikey runs up to BLAST Tanahashi! The fans boo but Shane stands Ishii up.
Shane UPPERCUTS Ishii, Mikey lifts, BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, TWO! Ishii stays in this but TMDK says this is it. They drag Ishii up, Mikey scoops, but Tanahashi saves Ishii! SHOTEI for Mikey! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT for Shane! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT for Mikey! The fans fire up again, and Tanahashi coaches Ishii up. They both run and dropkick TMDK’s legs out! The fans rally as Tanahashi climbs again. Ishii brings Shane around, hoists him up, and we get a HIGH FLY BRAINBUSTER!! Shane sputters, but Ishii runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, MIKEY BREAKS IT! The fans are thunderous as this continues!
Ishii fires forearms on Mikey, then whips, but Mikey reverses. Ishii grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Mikey! Mikey LARIATS Ishii! Mikey kicks at Tanahashi but he blocks! DRAGON SCREW! Shane rises to “SHORYUKEN!” Down goes Tanahashi! Ishii avoids Shoryuken, waistlocks, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! All four men are down and the fans are thunderous again! “This is Wrestling!” as all four men stir. Tanahashi drags Mikey out with him while Ishii goes to ropes. Ishii slaps himself, and runs up, but into a ROUNDHOUSE! Shane hauls Ishii up to SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives but Shane calls to Mikey.
Mikey hurries in, and he drags Ishii up. Mikey scoops, Shane runs up, but Ishii slips free to send TMDK into each other! Tanahashi SLINGBLADES Mikey! Shane runs up, Tanahashi dodges, SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up again and Ishii headbutts buckles! Ishii roars, runs up on Shane, and LARIATS!! Cover, TWO!! Shane survives but Ishii roars again! Ishii hauls Shane up to suplex, but Shane slips free! Ishii elbows, Shane UPPERCUTS! Mikey scoops, TANKBUSTER!! Cover, Tanahashi breaks it!! The fans fire up, Tanahashi fights TMDK 2v1! Forearm after forearm, but then Shane clinches! URENAGE BOMB!!
TMDK vow to end this, and they haul Ishii up. Ishii HEADBUTTS Mikey, PELES Shane, and then runs up! But into a scoop! TANKBUSTER AGAIN!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Ishii survives all on his own and the fans are thunderous again! TMDK is beside themselves, but Shane says they’ll just escalate it! Shane goes up top, Mikey scoops Ishii, SUPER TANKBUSTER!!! Cover, TMDK wins!
Winners: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
They made it through Bullet Club’s Rogue Army, and they’ve just made it through The Ace and the Pitbull! Shane & Mikey are truly The Mighty, and are THE tag team champions in NJPW, but will they always be undisputed?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS SANADA!
The Front Man returns home the conquering hero! He defeated and dethroned Tetsuya Naito just last week at King of Pro-Wrestling in Ryogoku, but was then swarmed by contenders! The Cold Skull got to Zack first so he gets his shot first. Will we see the return of The Gold Skull at the end of a very short reign? Or will ZSJ make him #JustTapOut?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and there are even streamers flying as we add one more chapter to this storied rivalry!
The fans already sing “OH~ Zack Sabre Junior~!” and shift to “F him up, Sabre, F him up!” The bell rings and the two circle. Even Red Shoes gets cheered for and Red Shoes bows in thanks. Sanada gets nothing, but he and ZSJ feel things out. They knuckle lock, clinch, and ZSJ waistlocks. Sanada switches, ZSJ wrenches to wristlock, but Sanada rolls and wrenches back. ZSJ rolls free and the fans cheer the exchange. The singing returns but Sanada steps out. The fans boo but Sanada takes his time walking along the apron. Sanada steps back in, he and ZSJ tie up, and Sanada waistlocks. ZSJ wrenches out to wristlock and he throws Sanada down.
ZSJ headscissors Sanada while fans sing, “Hey~ Sanada! Hoo! Hah! I wanna know~ oooOOOooo~, will you F off, bro!” ZSJ is amused, and he pushes up to put on the pressure. Sanada endures, fights around, and pops free. Sanada has ZSJ’s legs trapped, but ZSJ eggs Sanada on. Sanada jumps for a headlock but ZSJ headscissors back! The fans cheer, but Sanada bridges, rolls back, and again has the legs trapped. Sanada goes back to the headlock but just ends up in the headscissors again! Sanada scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go and the fans cheer. Sanada hushes the fans but they just boo instead.
ZSJ and Sanada circle, they tie up, and ZSJ headlocks. Sanada powers up and out, but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada hip tosses free, has a leg, and he goes to tie ZSJ up. ZSJ refuses to be put in Paradise, and he wrangles Sanada into a cradle! ONE and Sanada has the prawn hold! ONE and ZSJ has it! ONE and Sanada has it! ONE, ONE, ONE! Sanada has a toehold but ZSJ uses the British Reel, only for Sanada to make it a BOW ‘N’ ARROW! ZSJ pops free, covers, ONE, but ZSJ headlocks for a takeover! Sanada headscissors, ZSJ kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff! ZSJ and Sanada catch their breath and reset.
The singing continues as ZSJ and Sanada circle again. They feel things out, testing the waters. They knuckle lock, and ZSJ brings Sanada down to stand on a hand. ZSJ twists the other hand around, bends the fingers, and then isolates the arm to STOMP it! The fans cheer and ZSJ apologizes to Red Shoes with a bow. ZSJ grabs Sanada’s hand, and SNAPS fingers! ZSJ bends and twists Sanada’s arm, pushes it down again, and STOMPS it! Sanada writhes but ZSJ sits him up to KICK in the back! The fans fire up as ZSJ brings Sanada up again. ZSJ wrenches, wrenches, wrenches, and whips, only for Sanada to reverse and dropkick the leg out!
ZSJ tumbles out while fans boo, but Sanada pursues. Sanada brings ZSJ up, and puts a leg around railing! ZSJ chinlocks Sanada, Sanada pulls the leg, and then Sanada BOOTS railing! ZSJ gets jammed up, and fans boo while ZSJ falls over. Sanada pretends he can’t hear the boos and goes back to ZSJ. Sanada headlocks ZSJ to bring him around the way. Sanada knees low, puts ZSJ’s leg back on railing, but ZSJ has a CROSSFACE! The fans cheer, Red Shoes reprimands both men, ZSJ lets go but they almost fall over with the railing. Sanada BOOTS the railing again, and ZSJ gets jammed up more. ZSJ hobbles away but Sanada pursues.
The fans tell Sanada off but he encourages it. ZSJ UPPERCUTS Sanada! Sanada eggs ZSJ on and ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! And again! Sanada kicks the bad leg! ZSJ falls over, Red Shoes says get this in the ring, and Sanada brings ZSJ up. Sanada puts ZSJ in, storms around, and brings ZSJ up. Sanada has the leg, for a SHIN BREAKER! ZSJ falls over, Sanada drags him around to put the leg on the rope, and HIP DROPS! The fans boo and Red Shoes reprimands, but Sanada drags him around. Sanada stomps ZSJ’s leg again and again, then has a standing toehold. ZSJ endures, but then Sanada drops a leg on the leg!
Sanada has the toehold in deep but ZSJ uses his free leg to hook Sanada. ZSJ wants the armbar but Sanada fights it. Sanada pulls harder on the toehold, but ZSJ grabs the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ scuffs Sanada as Sanada lets go, but Sanada comes back. Sanada reels ZSJ in but ZSJ fights the shin breaker. Sanada dropkicks the leg! Sanada runs, but ZSJ LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down! ZSJ shakes out the bad leg while catching his breath, and the fans sing for him again. ZSJ hobbles over to bring Sanada up, but Sanada stomps ZSJ’s foot! Sanada puts ZSJ in a corner, whips corner to corner, but ZSJ reverses.
Sanada comes back, but ZSJ avoids the dropkick to his legs! Then he uses his legs to NECK TWIST Sanada! The fans cheer ZSJ and he goes to the corner. ZSJ runs up, Sanada dodges, but ZSJ goes up to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and ZSJ hobbles up. Fans taunt Sanada with the song, “Sanada is a Tory! Sanada is a Tory!” ZSJ drags Sanada up but Sanada fights the suplex. ZSJ flips around to go for the arm, ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Sanada clasps hands but ZSJ uses his leg to get inside the grip! ARMBAR!! Sanada flails his way over to the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go quickly and the fans applaud.
ZSJ kneels on Sanada, isolates his arm, and STOMPS it again! The fans rally and sing as ZSJ runs, but Sanada dropkicks the legs this time! And then Sanada DROPKICKS ZSJ out of the ring! Sanada storms up to PLANCHA! Down goes ZSJ and Sanada encourages the booing again. Sanada just likes loud volume, regardless of what it is. Sanada puts ZSJ in, but now the fans sing, “If you all hate Sanada, clap your hands!” And they clap-clap! Sanada fireman’s carries ZSJ, GUT BUSTER- NO, ZSJ lands out to NECK TWIST! And basement DROPKICK! Sanada writhes and the fans fire up again.
ZSJ shakes out his legs and the fans sing more as he rises up. ZSJ hobbles over to Sanada, brings him up, but Sanada suplexes and uses ropes for MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down, but then Sanada kips up! Sanada soaks up the heat, runs at ZSJ, SHINING WIZARD! Sanada isn’t done there, though, as he brings ZSJ up to clinch! But ZSJ slips out, waistlock, O’Conner BRIDGE! But into SKULL END! Sanada uses this rivalry’s history against ZSJ! ZSJ endures but he’s caught in the body scissors! ZSJ fights around, Sanada stands him up to drop back! SKULL END! The body scissors are in again and ZSJ is fading!
Red Shoes checks ZSJ. The arm drops once, but then ZSJ comes back to life! The fans rally, ZSJ wags his finger, but now he’s fading again! Red Shoes checks again, but ZSJ wakes up again! ZSJ grabs at Sanada, fights with his legs, but Sanada squeezes tight! ZSJ fades again, and Sanada puts him in the drop zone! ROUNDING BODY PRESS, but onto knees! ZSJ drags Sanada around into CLARKY CAT! The fans are thunderous but Sanada endures! So ZSJ shifts to the BAD BALLOON REMIX! Sanada fights, kicks around with his legs, but ZSJ grabs that, too! CLARKY CAT G1 EDITION! Sanada still endures, so it’s back to the classic ARMBAR!
Sanada fights, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans boo but ZSJ lets go. ZSJ stays cool as he rallies the fans back up. ZSJ goes back to Sanada, drags him up, and scoops, but Sanada fights free! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Sanada drops to a knee, but ZSJ eggs him on. Sanada stands to UPPERCUT back! The fans boo, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! The fans cheer, but Sanada UPPERCUTS again! The fans boo again, but ZSJ comes back. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, but Sanada UPPERCUTS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again, but Sanada shakes his head. Sanada UPPERCUTS, but ZSJ shakes his head. The fans rally as the UPPERCUTS keep going!
Sanada UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! The fans boo but Sanada has a cocky cover. ONE, and ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Sanada UPPERCUTS! The UPPERCUTS get going again and the fans rally up! ZSJ hooks an uppercut, Sanada switches, but ZSJ bucks the O’Conner, to UPPERCUT! Sanada runs up, but into a scoop and ZACK DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives but, matching Naito from last Sunday. The fans rally for ZSJ and “T M! D K!” ZSJ paces, sits Sanada up, and PENALTY KICKS! Sanada stands but ZSJ is on him! He hooks a leg, but Sanada slips free of the ZSJ Driver! SKULL END!
But ZSJ flips things around and steals SKULL END! ZSJ drops back, but Sanada rolls free, to have the EURO CLUTCH!! TWO!! Both men escape their own moves and the fans fire up! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips down into an IRON OCTOPUS! “This is Awesome!” as Sanada endures! Sanada powers up to fireman’s carry! And T K O! The fans boo Sanada but both men are down. Sanada and ZSJ go to opposite corners as the fans rally up. Sanada stands first, but ZSJ runs in! ZSJ BOOTS Sanada and Sanada staggers to another corner. ZSJ runs in, but into a BOOT! Sanada Quebrada and dragon sleeper!
Sanada inverted suplexes, but ZSJ slips free! PELE to the arm! The fans fire up, but a BLINDSIDE SHINING WIZARD hits! The fans boo but Sanada goes to the corner. Sanada runs in again, SHINING WIZARD!! Sanada drags ZSJ into a drop zone, goes up top, ROUNDING BODY PRESS!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and the fans fire up again! Sanada drags ZSJ up, clinches, but ZSJ slips free, trips him, and body scissors! ZSJ turns Sanada over, but Sanada trips ZSJ and returns the body scissors! Sanada turns ZSJ over, but ZSJ returns the trip up! ZSJ body scissors, turns Sanada over, and JAPANESE BRIDGE!! TWO!!!
The fans are thunderous as Sanada escapes! Sanada drags ZSJ up, has a leg, but ZSJ SLAPS him! And SLAPS! And SLAPS! Sanada still DRAGON SCREWS! But ZSJ stays on his feet! ZSJ fights through the pain to PENALTY- NO, Sanada blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW again!! ZSJ falls over, the fans boo, but Sanada lines up a shot. SHINING- NO, ZSJ rolls back into a HALF CRAB, then stepover, and STF! ZSJ adjusts to have an arm! CLARKY CAT, but Sanada fights around! ZSJ steps over, has a leg, CLARKY CAT G1 EDITION!!! Sanada has no limbs, so he verbally quits!! ZSJ wins!!
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The hold that won ZSJ the G1 Climax now keeps the world title with him! Sanada felt this was his last chance to win this title this year, but will he find his way back in 2025?
As for ZSJ, after getting the belt from Red Shoes, he drapes it on the ropes. ZSJ shows his rival respect, Sanada returns it, and so the fans show Sanada respect as they applaud his departure. ZSJ then holds the belt up in victory before setting it down again. ZSJ grabs the mic and the fans cheer. The fans sing for “OH~ Zack Sabre Junior~” again. ZSJ has belt and mic in hand and says, “We’re home.” The fans cheer that, and chant “You Deserve It!” ZSJ says no, no, no. Pro-wrestling owes him nothing, but it has given him everything, so he will be a pro-wrestler until the day he dies. Fans definitely cheer that!
ZSJ says this has been his dream since he was 13 years old, even though he didn’t know it’d take him this long. But 66 to 24, that’s a bigger gap, so he’ll take 20 years and change. Now, he was the first British wrestler to win the G1 Climax, but he wasn’t the first British wrestler to be IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. BUT, he is “the first to bring the bloody thing home!” The fans also cheer that! ZSJ says ball’s in your court, English football team, he did his part. But in the lead up to this lifelong aim of his to be IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, he talked about how it was his dream to reach the top of Japanese wrestling.
Well, that dream doesn’t exist without him being a British wrestler, and that doesn’t happen without the fans supporting him for over two decades. The fans applaud, and ZSJ says this is not some lifetime achievement award, he’s just getting effin’ started! The fans like the sound of that! ZSJ reviews his goals for 2024. G1 Climax: smashed it. IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: done that one, as well. Next is Tokyo Dome’s main event. The fans cheer that! ZSJ says he will do what no foreign wrestler has done in the history of WrestleKingdom, and win the effin’ thing!
Sorry, innocent children, he picked up very bad habits living in a country where English is the second language. And he’s been told, he has a rather foul mouth. He’s a naughty boy. But we’ve seen them all, but this isn’t just his day. He is part of a team, a “gaggle of morons” really, but hey. Boys, get your asses out here. Fujita & Oiwa are probably already at the pub. Oiwa’s been at the pub all weekend. C’mon, boys! The fans cheer as the rest of TMDK make their way out here! ZSJ teases Fujita having the “cheeky glint” in his eye. He promises to introduce everyone. No, in the ring, idiots. Look at the size of this one!
Robbie Eagles and his Soul of PWA Championship step in first, and fans cheer “Robbie Robbie Robbie! OI OI OI!” ZSJ says he can do the full introduces. On slap bass, “Mad” Mikey Nicholls. Not just a nickname, by the way, because “Jovial” Mikey Nicholls didn’t have the right ring. But if you see him in traffic, “mad” is apt. On drums, it is “Hysterical” Shane Haste, which is not accurate either, depending on your comedic tastes. Then there’s the Sniper of the Skies, Robbie Eagles! But you get a couple drinks in him, he becomes Bobby C…an’t Say That Word. And then there’s Ichiban Sweet Boy, “Fuji Fuji Fuji!”
The fans cheer, and ZSJ sneaks a jab about Fujita “never” missing flights. And the newest member, Ryohei Oiwa, aka “Roy the Mullet!” The fans cheer on “MULLET! MULLET! MULLET!” Now, the future of NJPW isn’t just bright, it is effin’ ORANGE. And anyone coming after them will get absolutely bloody tangoed! TMDK is mighty, and The Mighty Don’t Kneel! The fans cheer that, and ZSJ says he loves you all very, very much. See you soon. As you were. Mic drop and the real celebration begins! TMDK holds up their gold and their banner! Will they be leading the charge for NJPW for not just 2024 but 2025 and beyond?
My Thoughts:
A great return to the UK for NJPW with Royal Quest, and TMDK was naturally all over this night with the last two matches being with their titles on the line. If I had a little more time today, I would’ve probably covered more, because as I skimmed it, Fujita VS Oku looked to be some awesome stuff. But I guess TMDK couldn’t completely dominate, that’s why they lost to LIJ with Mascara Dorada as their third man. Ironically, I go and cover the kickoff match, but that’s because I saw Oskar Leube & Yuto Nakashima are already dual tag team champions, and that is awesome for them. Plus, great to see Danny Jones again after being part of NXT UK’s later days.
Robbie X turning out to be “Mr. X” for Taiji Ishimori’s match was rather fitting, and Robbie X is now Bullet Club. Good win for them over members of CPF, the faction Callum Newman was in before going United Empire. Speaking of, good showing from him against Shota but it seems even in the UK, Shota is getting that “Super Cena” kind of heat. Well, when it comes to the Reiwa Musketeers, two outta three ain’t bad. Ren Narita is a Heel people love to hate, Yota Tsuji is a Face people love to cheer, but Shota is the Face people hate. Speaking of Yota, great match with Drilla and a great win from it, maybe Yota will challenge Ren for the NJPW World TV title.
Very good tag match for Mina & Kanji VS AZM & Dani, and like with Jones, great to see Dani again after NXT UK ended. Granted, I would be seeing her and South Wales Subculture if I watched TNA… But great win for Dani’s team, especially with her pinning Mina. A Rev-Pro title match between those two will be great stuff, though not sure Dani wins that. It’d add to Mina’s overall story if she went back to AEW to feud with Mariah May while they’re both champions. Add a little “Winner Takes All” to that match.
The Finlay story tonight was really good. Naturally, they played off the historical feud of Ireland and England, but I definitely chuckled at the chant of “You’re Not Irish!” or whatever since Finlay has no Irish accent from being raised in America. Good win for Taka over Gedo, but then of course Finlay goes right after Taka to get an easy win. Finlay VS Taichi for the Global Championship will be great stuff, but I still think Finlay wins. Even if Finlay got this belt back from Nemeth in May, five months and change is still rather short. Finlay probably takes this belt to WrestleKingdom, and maybe then he loses it again.
And as I said at the start, great double TMDK matches to close out the night. The NJPW Strong tag title match was great, but I figured TMDK would retain. Tanahashi should really be building towards a singles feud that feeds this year’s WrestleKingdom, with a Heel using the concept of “You won’t even MAKE it a full year!” Tanahashi will beat that guy, go undefeated the rest of 2025, and then lose at WK20 in 2026. As I type this, Evil probably tries to end Tanahashi early at WK19 and fails. Anyway, great match from ZSJ VS Sanada, with great nods to their previous matches, but again, ZSJ winning was of course how this went. Great stuff for ZSJ, can’t wait to see who faces him at WK19.
My Score: 8.9/10
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