Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (6/15/21)
It’s an NXTornado Tag Tuesday!
NXT deals with the fallout from In Your House!
NXT may not be In Your House, but there’s still in-your-face action! Will Thatcher & Ciampa tear the Grizzled Young Veterans apart in a Tornado Tag match? What is William Regal planning to do about the bedlam plaguing the brand?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Imperium VS Breezango; Breezango wins.
- NXT Cruiserweight Championship Open Challenge: KUSHIDA VS ???; Kushida wins and retains the title.
- Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai VS Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter; Gonzalez & Kai win.
- Tornado Tag: Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher VS Grizzled Young Veterans; Ciampa & Thatcher win.
PLAY BY PLAY
William Regal heads to the ring.
The NXT General Manager doesn’t even have his music as he makes his entrance. He is given a mic, and fans chant, “Please Don’t Leave!” Regal wants to get something off his chest. Regal’s been here since day one in some form of another, starting with announcing, calling the very first TakeOver… Regal gets emotional as he thinks on how he has watched NXT become “this wonderful, beautiful thing,” and seeing all the competitors coming through here. They started touring the United States, and then going to the UK and Japan and Australia. All these amazing moments, including his hometown of Blackpool where his nieces got to sit and watch with him.
There are a lot of things fans don’t know about, either. Every spare moment has been about making NXT into the place that he and HHH thought about ten years ago. This is the place they wanted to make the place to be. They’ve tried so hard to get everything so right, for the sakes of the wrestlers, the commentary, and of course the fans. The fans took them to San Jose, to Brooklyn, to Houston, to Portland and more. Regal’s finally decided that with the chaos that’s been going on, he’s given everything he can give. Because of all the fans in the audience, and all the competitors and staff and even the fans at home, he can’t give us what we deserve anymore.
Therefore, Regal feels it is time- But Karrion Kross interrupts! The NXT Champion and his femme fatale, Scarlett Bordeaux, go right to the ring in formal wear to talk with Regal directly. “Her and I always knew this day would come. We just didn’t know when. But the moment we heard all that, we had to come out here to see it and feel it for ourselves.” Is Regal crying? Regal is completely pathetic! A week ago, Kross told Regal that he lost control of the roster, and Regal knew it was true. And then at TakeOver, when Kross punched a hole through “The Mount Rushmore of NXT,” Regal knew Kross could control this place through chaos and violence.
And now we’re here. Kross wants Regal to say it! Tell the people that he’s leaving! And then he can walk his ass up the aisle and never come back. Say it! Say that KROSS was RIGHT! SAY IT!! Say KROSS CONQUERS ALL! We ain’t got all night, Mr. Regal. Tick… Tock…” Wait a minute! Is that Samoa Joe?! Fans go nuts as the Samoan Submission Specialist returns to NXT! Joe gets in the ring and stands alongside Regal to stare down Kross! Joe has a mic and he says, “Mr. Regal, I believe you wanted to speak with me.” Regal say she did, just not in this circumstance. But he’s here so why not?
Regal says because he loves NXT so much, he thinks everyone deserves a GM that can hold the position with the integrity and respect that it deserves! Regal wants Joe to be the NEW NXT GM! Fans are fired up for that as Regal says he cannot keep this up any longer. Joe tells Regal that his answer is, “Absolutely not.” He explains that while Regal is weary and worn down, what Joe sees is this: in the seven years Regal has been here, he has scoured the globe and brought the very best talent to NXT, Joe included. For those seven years, Regal transformed this brand, plucked it from obscurity and made it an international phenomenon!
So to be honest, Regal casts a long shadow and has large shoes to fill. Joe cannot accept, but he has an offer. Joe has always understand that eh made Regal’s life hell while he was here, but he always afforded Regal respect. That said, Joe would be more than happy to insure Regal gets the respect he deserves from everybody. Joe is of course staring right at Kross! Fans are fired up, and Regal says, “That’s an interesting idea.” If that is something Joe is willing to do, there are conditions. Joe cannot be a competitor, and he cannot lay a hand on anyone. Kross smirks, but Regal says, “Unless provoked.” The smirk goes away!
Joe says, “Mr. Regal, I accept your offer.” That leaves one more question: What is Kross still doing in the ring? “Tick tock, young champion.” The law has been laid down and fans chant, “Joe is gonna kill~ you!” Kross and Scarlett leave, but will it only be a matter of time before they cross the line?
The Grizzled Young Veterans speak.
“Thatcher and Ciampa, we heard what you had to say at TakeOver. We heard the insults and we felt the disrespect.” Zack Gibson is from Liverpool, James Drake is from Blackpool, working class areas in North England. They’re used to people looking down their noses at them, dragging their names through the dirt. So tonight, Tornado Tag rules! No tags, no excuses! And they will learn why these two are Grizzled Young Veterans when they get their heads kicked in! But will no one survive when there’s nothing holding these teams back?
Imperium VS Breezango!
Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner are ready to carry out the orders given to them by their Ring General, Walter! Will Prince Pretty & The Lord of the Dance find themselves merely a stepping stone as Imperium takes over the Tag Division?
The teams sort out and Barthel starts with Tyler Breeze. They tie up, go around, and Barthel puts Breeze on ropes. Barthel arm-drags, has an armlock and wrenches, but Breeze gets a headlock. Barthel chinbars and fish hooks to get a headlock on Breeze. Breeze powers out, Barthel runs him over, then things speed up. Breeze jumps into a CHOP! Barthel kicks low, CLUBS Breeze down, then kicks him to the corner. Barthel spins Breeze around for a back suplex, but Breeze lands on his feet to JAWBREAKER! Tag to Fandango, Breeze whips Barthel into Dango’s dropkick! Fandango is on Barthel but Aichner tags in. Barthel whips and Aichner arm-drags Fandango to an armlock!
Aichner wrenches and jams Fandango’s arm then grinds the shoulder. Fans rally, Dango fights up but Aichner RAMS him into buckles! Aichner CLUBS Fandango, wraps the arm around ropes, but lets off as the ref counts 3. Fandango CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS in return! Fandango whips Aichner to ropes but Aichner sunset flips! Fandango stays up, punches Aichner then drops a leg! Fandango dumps Aichner out, Barthel goes over, Breeze PLANCAHS but misses! Fandango FLIES in and takes Imperium down! Fans are fired up as Fandango gets Aichner in the ring. Fandango climbs a corner, but Barthel throws Breeze in to distract the ref! Fandango hits Barthel, Aichner trips Fandango!
Fandango falls to the mat, Barthel nods as Imperium has control. Fandango sits up to hit Barthel, then he kicks Aichner! Aichner EuroUppers, Breeze BLASTS Barthel, Fandango knees away on Aichner! Fandango whips and kitchen sink KNEES Aichner down! The fans fire up as NXT goes picture in picture.
Fandango looms over Aichner, gets him up, and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Aichner grits his teeth, Fandango brings him up and whips him, only for Aichner to reverse! Fandango goes up and over but Barthel tags in as Fandango sunset flips! Barthel rains down fists and stomps on Fandango then digs his boots in at the ropes! The ref counts, Barthel lets off, and he lines up a shot to KICK Fandango in the back! Barthel stomps Fandango’s hands, then drags him up to bump him off buckles. Barthel puts Fandango in the ropes, Aichner holds him but the ref reprimands Aichner. Barthel still runs side to side but Breeze KICKS Barthel down!
Barthel protests but Breeze gets away with the cheap shot. Barthel still runs at Fandango to WRECK him with a dropkick! Imperium pose at their corner while the ring count is on Fandango. Fandango stirs at about 5 of 10 but Barthel goes out to fetch him. Barthel puts Fandango on the apron and CLUBS him. Fandango crawls but Barthel stays between him and Breeze. Fandango tries to juke but Barthel CLUBS him back down. Barthel kicks Fandango to the corner, tags Aichner in, and Imperium mugs Fandango. Aichner drags Fandango up to CLUB him back down! Fandango hits back with body shots but Aichner knees him low.
Aichner whips Fandango to a corner, blocks his boot and reels him in for a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Aichner kicks Fandango to keep him from Breeze, and dares him to try for it. Fandango gets up to throw body shots but Aichner shoves him to CLOBBER him with an elbow! Cover, ONE!! Fandango is hanging tough but Aichner clamps on claws into the shoulder nerves! Fandango endures and NXT returns to single picture. Fans rally but Aichner CLUBS Fandango down! Cover, TWO! Aichner taunts Fandango, kicks him around, but Fandango throws body shots again! Aichner CLUBS Fandango more, brings him up and whips him to ropes.
Fandango KICKS back, then runs for the corner! Aichner catches him, and pops him to a SLAP! Tag to Barthel, and Imperium keeps Fandango down to mug him with more stomps. Barthel KICKS Fandango in the back, wraps on a cobra clutch and thrashes him about. Fandango endures, fights up but Barthel ripcords him to a kitchen sink knee! Barthel toys with Fandango, drags him up and snapmares him back to the cobra clutch. Fans rally as Fandango endures all over again. Breeze coaches Fandango but Barthel grinds Fandango down. Fandango fights up, Barthel gives short headbutts, then ripcords again! Fandango makes it a schoolboy! Cover, TWO!
Barthel anchors Fandango’s legs but Fandango kicks him down! Fandango crawls, Barthel clamps on with a camel clutch! Barthel whips Fandango at the corner but Fandango uses that to DECK Aichner! Barthel runs in, Fandango dumps him out! Fandango crawls for his corner and fans fire up! But Barthel comes in from the side to intercept! Fandango BACK DROPS Barthel away! Barthel crawls now, hot tags to Breeze and Aichner! Prince Pretty dodges but hesitates, Aichner CLOBBERS him! Aichner BOOTS Fandango, hauls Breeze up, but Breeze inside cradles! BREEZANGO WINS!!
Winners: Breezango, by pinfall
But Imperium won’t let them get away! Aichner mugs Breeze, Barthel POSTS Fandango! Breeze fights back but Barthel RAMS him into a corner! And feeds him to Aichner’s BOOT! Aichner gets Breeze up, Barthel climbs, EURO BOMB!! Fans boo but this is what Imperium must do! They put their banner over Breeze and strike their pose. Will this be satisfactory for Walter?
A brawl breaks out backstage!
Regal and security keep Kyle O’Reilly and Adam Cole apart! Their personal animosity has not gone away! Regal through the Unsanctioned match was enough, but now they’ll have a match, straight-up singles match! That match will be at the Great American Bash! But since they’re so fired up, they can choose proxies to fight next week! Kyle’s fine with that but Cole isn’t! Cole wants to end Kyle ASAP! But Kyle gets free and fires off on Cole! Joe gets in as the enforcer and he pushes them apart. Cole pushes Joe, so Joe throws off his jacket to put the COQUINA CLUTCH on Cole!! He makes Cole pass out!
Joe lets Cole go and shouts, “When he wakes up, you tell him Mr. Regal expects his decision!” Day one on the job and Joe’s making an impact! Will Cole have someone in mind to fight on his behalf? Or will he even remember what day it is?
Something is charging.
It is at 1%. What happens when it hits 100?
Santos Escobar speaks.
“Bronson Reed. What happened at TakeOver: In Your House was a tragedy.” He had the North American Championship in his hands and saw his reflection in it. “It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen in my life.” But then Reed had to go and do it, huh? Not just squish him, but put him through a wall! No one does that to Santos Escobar! Reed revealed a weakness. We all know that that’s all Reed could’ve done to put him down. Escobar is coming for Reed 1v1, and will pick him up, just like he did at TakeOver, and then gravity will do the rest. Escobar will snatch the title and make that reflection a reality as the next North American Champion!
NXT Cruiserweight Championship Open Challenge: KUSHIDA VS ???
The Time Splitter is still a fighting champion, and a highly sought after free agent has answered the call! Tre Baxter is all heart, proving he is the best, most innovative wrestler on the indies. This isn’t just a nickname or a catchphrase, it is a way of life, but will even #AllHeart run out of time?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the debut is worth the hype!
Kushida and Baxter circle, tie up, and Kushida wrenches an arm. Baxter handsprings and breaks free then dodges Kushida’s leg pick. They go again, Kushida gets the leg this time, then trips Baxter to get a toehold. Kushida twists but Baxter rolls with it, only for Kushida to facelock and gator roll. Kushida floats all over Baxter, pushes him to a cover, ONE! Baxter backs off to catch his breath and the two go again. They feel out the grapple, Kushida still goes for a leg, then he trips Baxter again. Baxter gets up, steps over and victory rolls, TWO! Kushida gets up into a headlock from Baxter!
Baxter grinds Kushida down, but Kushida fights up and powers out. Kushida drops, Baxter handsprings then ducks and feints to roll Kushida up! ONE, and Kushida gets an arm! Baxter shoves him away, goes Matrix to then get around and redirect for a RANA! Kushida gets to a corner to cool off and fans fire up. Baxter runs corner to corner but is put on the apron. Baxter GAMANGIRIS, then springboards for a FLYING ELBOW! Kushida bails out but Baxter builds speed, to fake him out and superhero land! Kushida gets in to whip but Baxter springboards to whip Kushida back. Kushida holds ropes and BOOTS Baxter. Baxter gets Kushida’s legs, Kushida kicks and rebound ax kicks!
Kushida drags Baxter to the apron, but Baxter kicks the leg! Baxter builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit with the Fosbury Flop and CWC is fired up for “NXT! NXT!” Wait, is that Kyle O’Reilly at the ramp? Is Kyle scouting for a proxy? Kushida and Baxter catch their breath and NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Kyle paces as Baxter grinds Kushida in a chinlock. Kushida fights up as fans rally, and Kushida wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Kushida stomps but Baxter blocks! Baxter kips up and steps over for a WHEEL KICK! RVD would be proud! Kushida ducks the Penalty Kick and avoids the standing moonsault to atomic drop and whip Baxter to a corner. Kushida runs in to SHOTEI! Kushida whips Baxter and hip tosses, then handspring basement dropkicks! Fans fire up with Kushida as he runs, but Baxter avoids the kick! Baxter dodges again but Kushida ENZIGURIS! Baxter wobbles and Kushida whips him, but Baxter reverses.
Kushida handsprings, Baxter dodges to then handspring and NEURALIZER! Cedric Alexander would be impressed, too! Kyle seems to like what he sees as both men are down. A standing count begins, Kushida sits up at 3 and looks for Baxter. Kushida gets up at 5, Baxter follows. Kushida throws a forearm, Baxter gives it back, and we have a brawl! Kushida KICKS away on the arm but Baxter fires off fast hands! Baxter fires up but spins into the FAST BALL! Kushida runs, into a STANDING SPANISH FLY!?! Baxter hurries to a corner, springboards and 450 SPLASHES!! Cover, TWO!! Kushida survives and Baxter can’t believe it!
Kushida gets to a corner, Baxter storms over to throw forearms. Baxter hoists Kushida up top and climbs up but Kushida is after the arm! Baxter grits his teeth but Kushida elbows him over and over! Kushida has the wristlock, for a SUPER KIMURA DDT?! PENALTY KICK to the arm! And then a takedown to the HOVERBOARD!! Baxter taps, Kushida wins!
Winner: Kushida, by submission (still NXT Cruiserweight Champion)
Baxter was indeed #AllHeart, but the arm couldn’t withstand the pain! Kushida retains and remains the champion, but has Kyle found his proxy? Kyle gets in the ring and applauds Baxter’s efforts. Kyle also tells Kushida he isn’t here to accept an Open Challenge. Instead, he’s issuing his own. Kyle wants to fight the best and so does Kushida. So what does he say? Kushida accepts! Kyle VS Kushida, non-title but surely one for the ages, next week!!
Backstage interview with Franky Monet.
Franky Monet requested this time for a huge announcement. She and Presley the Pomeranian just to make the people happy. And what the people want is more Monet. So she is so proud to announce that next week will be the “Encore Performance” of Monet’s world premiere! Who will join Monet in the must-see sequel?
But moving on from that, Monet talks with Jessi Kamea & Aliyah. She saw the special bonus match from TakeOver, in which they lost against Zoey Stark & Sarray. She thought they had it won, until Robert Stone got involved. Speaking of, Stone walks in and asks what’s up. Monet says hi and two-facedly tells him that the girls should’ve listened to him more and they would’ve had it. Great minds think alike. Okay, see you all later. She’s great, isn’t she? Yeah. But is she making a play to break up the Robert Stone Brand?
Mercedes Martinez watches TakeOver back.
Specifically, she relives Mei Ying throwing her off the ramp and into boards with one hand. Yeah, she felt the wrath of Tian Sha. But she said before that she is the wrong person to mess with it. She isn’t going anywhere. If Boa wants to step up, he’ll feel the steel again. And Xia Li made it 1-1. Any time she wants the tiebreaker, Mercedes is ready. And Mei Ying won’t have a chance to get up out of her chair, because Mercedes will knock her right out of it! Is Mean Ms. Mercedes biting off more than she can chew with Tian Sha?
Ted DeBiase is here!
The Million Dollar Man heads to the ring, the Million Dollar Championship waiting for him. “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,” TakeOver showed us someone worthy of being the next Million Dollar Champion. DeBiase cues up a highlight video package of LA Knight. The self-made man made himself the winner at TakeOver. Whose game is it? L A Knight’s. And Knight rolls up in a brand new Corvette, smokes a cigar as he makes his entrance both into the building and to ringside, and joins DeBiase in the ring. Knight tells, “Teddyyy~! Let me talk…” Knight stops himself and gets serious for a moment. He needs a second as he wants to actually talk to Ted DeBiase.
“It’s not often in life that we get to meet our heroes. In this business, it’s even more rare that you get to meet your heroes, and then share the ring with them.” For Knight to make it to that place, and then said hero says he could be the one to carry on the legacy, Knight can’t describe what he’s thinking or feeling. When DeBiase told him and Grimes to literally climb the ladder of success, Knight took that very seriously. Knight can’t lie, he’s all banged up, but to be standing here with DeBiase and that belt, it was 100% worth it. Knight just needed to say that. Because when Knight grew up watching wrestling with his dad, DeBiase was always on their screen.
Fans want Cameron Grimes but Knight says the kids in the neighborhood all wrestled in the backyard, and someone was always Ted DeBiase. Knight had the action figure and the championship belt. Knight wants DeBiase to understand that him as a fixture of Knight’s childhood is an understatement. Knight admits he needed DeBiase and this belt so that Knight could express his gratitude and appreciation. DeBiase and Knight shake hands and DeBiase says Knight earned this. Knight wants to be 100% serious, this is the greatest moment in his career. And it would be the greatest honor to be officially crowned Million Dollar Champion. DeBiase would be happy to.
DeBiase fetches the belt from its briefcase, brings it over to Knight, and puts it on his shoulder. They shake hands again, DeBiase pats Knight on the shoulder and officially calls him the NEW Million Dollar Champion! The Million Dollar Laugh and the pyro go off, and fans duel over Knight and Grimes. Knight understands the fans have their favorite, but having this belt on his shoulder is beyond description. Knight’s learned so much just the last few weeks. Again, DeBiase was a fixture in Knight’s life. Knight has everything that he’s ever wanted, but he’s going to drop what he doesn’t need. Knight DECKS DeBiase!!!
And then Knight BLASTS the guards, throws the podium, and snatches up the belt! Knight says what was DeBiase’s is now his! Knight is the ONE TRUE MILLION DOLLAR CHAMPION! Fans boo as Knight throws off his jacket to stomp DeBiase down! But here comes Grimes! Grimes CLOBBERS Knight and rallies on him with more clotheslines! Grimes clotheslines Knight out of the ring and throws his jacket at him! Grimes checks on DeBiase while Knight gets away with the title. Fans are fired up for the Carolina Cash Money Caveman, will Grimes get Million Dollar Revenge?
Backstage interview with Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai.
They have a tag team match coming up, but McKenzie asks, after the grueling TakeOver defense, why is Raquel competing again so soon? Raquel says that Ember Moon learned the hard way what it means to face her. But also, someone pass on the word to Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell. The Way can hold onto those titles real tight, because there’s unfinished business. Raquel’s pal, Dakota, wants gold, and Raquel isn’t satisfied with one title. Tonight, they take care of Lil’ Kacy and Lil’ Kayden, then they move on to being two-time tag champions. Big Mami Cool & Cobra Kai head out, will they show no mercy to KC Squared?
The batter continues to charge.
It is now at 11%.
NXT returns as Dakota & Raquel head for gorilla.
And there waiting are Shotzi & Ember! Regal and Samoa Joe are already holding them back to keep this from getting out of hand, and the NXT Women’s Champion and her insurance policy go to the ring.
Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai VS Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter!
Taking over one division isn’t enough for Ricky Desperado, she wants it all! Will she and Dakota crush KC and KC to go after The Way? Or will that arrogance cost them against two of the most agile and resilient superstars in NXT today?
Kayden and Kai start, tie up, and Kai puts Kayden in a corner. The ref counts, Kai lets off and Kayden comes back. Kayden waistlocks, trips Kai then handsprings over. Kai ducks the buzzsaw, guards for the mule kick, but Kayden was just faking her out. Kayden pats Kai on the head, then gets her arm! Kayden wrenches, tags to Kacy, and they whip Kai to ropes for a double drop toehold! Kai sputters as KC Square goes to the apron, for a DOUBLE BOOT SANDWICH! Cover, TWO! Kacy keeps on Kai with a facelock, Kayden tags back in, and KC Square whip to drop toehold, and Chancery to BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!
Kai gets away, Raquel tags in and she grins as she towers over Kayden. Kayden avoids the boot to headlock but Raquel powers out. Kayden gets around Raquel but Raquel pulls hair to reel Kayden in for a TWO HAND TOSS! Kayden dodges in the corner, then swings around the clothesline to an IRON OCTOPUS! Raquel endures and powers free, but Kayden sunset flips! Raquel drags Kayden up but Kayden hits a JAWBREAKER! Kayden dropkicks Raquel to the corner, runs in and SPLASHES! Tag to Kacy but Raquel shoves Kayden. Kacy sneaks up, Raquel grabs her first and whips her at Kayden! KC Squared dosido and Kacy slides to trip Raquel up! Kayden BOOTS, and Kacy climbs on!
Raquel turns the rana into a toss but Kacy lands, ducks, dodges, and SILLY STRINGS with Kayden! Dakota tags in but Kacy slides under the kick. Kai avoids the forward handspring but Kacy just handsprings back to headscissor! Kai bails out, Kacy aims and TORNILLOS! Raquel runs over to help Kai but Kacy tags Kayden! KC Squared work together, Kayden goes up and SUPER CROSSBODIES! Down goes Dakota and Raquel, KC Squared is fired up as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Raquel grinds Kacy in a backbreaker rack. Kacy endures, even as Raquel bends her way back! Raquel flips Kacy over and drags her up to whip her to a corner. Tag to Kai and she runs side to side to BOOT WASH Kacy! Kai drags Kacy to a cover, TWO! Kayden is relieved but Kai drags Kacy up to bump off buckles. Tag to Raquel, she runs in and SPLASHES Kacy! Raquel scoops Kacy for a SIDEWALK SLAM! Kacy avoids the elbow drop and hotshots from the apron! Kai tags back in and runs to BOOT Kacy off the apron! Kai goes out to get Kacy up, but Kacy whips Kai into the apron! Kacy gets in the ring, hurries over, but Kai keeps her from Kayden!
Kacy BOOTS Kai, and hot tags Kayden! The Spitfire rallies on Kai, sees Raquel get up and dropkicks her down! Kayden fires off on Kai to put her in the same corner with Raquel! Kayden runs to forearm smash them both! Kayden keeps moving, and she hits a DROPKICK SPLASH COMBO! Kayden whips, Kai reverses but Kayden wheelbarrows and victory rolls to a mule KICK! Kayden builds speed to BOOT WASH Kai in return! Cover, TWO!! Kai survives but Kayden keeps her cool. Kayden gets Kai up but Kai SCORPION KICKS! Tag to Raquel and she drags Kayden around to whip to a corner. Raquel runs in but into a boot!
Kayden climbs, leaps, but into a fireman’s carry! And a swinging SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Kayden proves her resilience but Raquel is furious! Raquel dead lifts Kayden to the Canadian Rack, tag to Kai! GORY BOMB CODE BREAKER COMBO!! Cover, Kacy breaks it in time!! Kai is furious and runs in, but into Kayden’s boot! Kayden elbows and WRECKS Raquel! But Kai throws Kayden down by her hair! Kai gets Kayden up, whips her to ropes, but Kayden holds ropes to boot back. Kacy tags in, sneaks a shoulder in, they table top Kai to then wheelbarrow back suplex SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Kai gets out of the way as Raquel runs in, but Kacy baits her into Kayden’s KICK!
Raquel still grabs Kayden, but Kacy dropkicks Raquel out of the ring! Tag, and Kayden cartwheels to mule KICK Raquel! Kacy RANAS Raquel into the apron! Kai runs into a HEEL KICK! Kayden gets Kai up, tags Kacy and Kacy climbs! KC Squared for the 450 SPLASH NECKBREAKER?!?! Cover, Raquel drags Kacy out to THROW her into barriers! Kayden runs but into a fireman’s carry! SAMOAN DROP into barriers! Raquel flounders but Kacy climbs back up. Kai KICKS Kacy first, for a DRAPING GO TO KICK!! Cover, Kai & Gonzalez win!
Winners: Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez, by pinfall
The combination of KC Squared is strong, but #CapKota and Big Mami Cool are stronger! Will they make their way to a shot at the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships?
Ever-Rise review their TakeOver Pre-Preshow.
They were trying to do something nice for the community, and Hit Row has to go and ruin things. Top Dolla and Ashante Thee Adonis are “a couple of tough guys” for beating up a little dollhouse! But what Matt Marthel wants to know if “Dollar King” was looking for a box of donuts. Chase Parker says if Hit Row wants to do that to the TakeOver Pre-Preshow, go after Ever-Rise and that’s it, NO SIR! Ever-Rise rebuilds! Look at… Well, it isn’t really good as new, but it’s here! So when you come knocking on someone’s door, be ready for an answer. Ding dong! Ever-Rise Rules! Will they get to take the fight to Hit Row soon enough?
The battery is still charging.
It is now at 21%.
The Great American Bash is back, baby!
Stars and stripes, bruises and blood, get ready for it on Tuesday, July 6th! And as already stated, O’Reilly VS Cole will happen one more time, in a straight-up singles match! But with Kyle having called out Kushida for next week’s proxy tune-up, who will Cole choose to one-up his former friend?
Io Shirai heads to the ring!
The Evil Genius is back again after making her return confronting Candice LeRae on Poppy’s behalf. Shirai gets a mic to say, “I’m back!” And she feels good. She says in Japanese that we must’ve missed her, right? And her next target is- Well, she’s on her way out! Candice interrupts and tells Shirai that a lot has changed since she’s been gone. For example and most importantly, Candice is no longer an uncrowned champion. And since Shirai is not unbeatable anymore, she’s back to the bottom. Shirai has to earn opportunities now. And there is something that hasn’t changed, actually. Candice still can’t stand her.
And unfortunately for Shirai, she picked the wrong time to mess with her. Candice takes off the belt but INDI attacks from behind! The Way mugs Shirai, but Shirai fights back! She BOOTS Candice, puts Indi on ropes, and dials it up! 619!! Candice gets up and anchors Shirai’s springboard for Indi to BOOT Shirai in return! The Way gets Shirai up to RAM her into the apron, and then Candice hammers away on Shirai while Indi clears off the desk. Candice drags Shirai up and over to put her on the desk, and then has Indi to go up for that Impressive Elbow Drop. Indi does as told, but here comes Zoey Stark! Stark tackles Indi and rains down fists!
Candice gets in, Stark rallies on both champions! BOOT for Candice, HEEL KICK for Indi! Shirai returns, she springboards to DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK! The Way gets away and fans fire up with Shirai! The Genius has an ally in the Rising Star(k), but will they make The Way go away?
Backstage interview with Regal and Samoa Joe.
McKenzie asks about the order being restored. How has the night panned out for them? Regal wants to tell McKenzie something, but then cameras cut away to see Ciampa & Thatcher head for gorilla. MSK has popcorn and lets them know that they’ll be watching the main event very closely. Lee & Carter have their popcorn, do you? Oh wait, Thatcher takes Carter’s bucket to have it for himself. Rude. Will things be even worse for Gibson & Drake in a matter of moments?
The Diamond Mine is coming.
Achieve success though pain. This is the key. Pressure makes diamonds, but who is going to shine next week?
Backstage interview with Regal and Samoa Joe for real now.
Continuing where they left off, Regal’s thoughts on tonight are that- The Way comes in to cheer for Joe. Gargano and Theory never knock, do they? Theory knocks and Gargano says this is great! Thanks for being here, Joe! Joe choking out Cole was great, by the way. Joe is what this brand has needed! Regal lost complete control. Gargano broke a pencil and Regal went “cuckoo bananas.” But now with Joe, this is so good Theory, tell him how great it is. Theory raises his fist and nods and Gargano tells him they’re not doing the Diesel cosplay anymore. Joe asks Gargano to do him a big favor. Anything, man! What is it? Get out. Okay, great talk. See you guys around!
Regal tells Joe this is what he was talking about. But then Pete Dunne walks in! Dunne and Joe stare down but Regal asks them to keep it civil. Will the Bruiserweight have something to say to the Samoan Submission Specialist? Or is this icy silence more than enough?
Tornado Tag: Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher VS Grizzled Young Veterans!
NXT returns and GYV make their entrance. They have mics but Ciampa and Thatcher won’t give them time to talk! The brawl is on, Old Man Ciampa and Toothless Timmy put Gibson and Drake in the ring, and now the match is on!
The brawling continues, Ciampa and Thatcher have GYV in the corners and are stomping mudholes into them! Ciampa lets off, Thatcher follows, and they whip GYV into each other! Thatcher drags Drake up, Ciampa sits Gibson up, and they hammer away with dueling forearms! Then they trade partners! Then they go for DOUBLE ARMBARS! Gibson and Drake scramble, Drake gets the ropebreak but it doesn’t matter! There’s nothing stopping this but a pin or a tap-out! GYV bail out, Ciampa & Thatcher chase after, but GYV turn the tables! GYV mug Ciampa & Thatcher, and they throw Thatcher out so they can focus on Ciampa.
Drake throws forearms, Gibson throws forearms, but Ciampa CHOPS back! Drake shoves, Ciampa ducks the double clothesline to give DOUBLE CLOTHESLINES! Ciampa runs to give endless clotheslines to GYV, but GYV drop, dropkick and basement dropkick! Thatcher returns but gets MAYHEM IN MOTION! Fans boo as GYV high-five and Ciampa bails out. GYV goes out and fire forearms on Ciampa & Thatcher., Drake bumps Ciampa off barriers, Gibson RAMS Thatcher into other barriers! Then they trade and Gibson throws EuroUppers on Ciampa while Drake clubs Thatcher. Drake puts Thatcher in the ring and brings him up for more forearms.
Thatcher whips Drake, Drake tumbles up and out but Thatcher counter punches for a SLEEPER! Drake flails, Gibson gets in and KNEES Thatcher in the back! Ciampa gets in to get Gibson in a SLEEPER! Gibson snapmares free, throat chops Ciampa, but Thatcher choke grips! Drake chop blocks a leg! Gibson BOOTS and Drake STOMPS Thatcher down! GYV trade again and Drake throws hands on Gibson while Gibson CLUBS Thatcher. Ciampa is thrown out so GYV can focus on Thatcher. Gibson gets Thatcher up, but Thatcher blocks the suplex. Drake goes out to RAM Ciampa into barriers! Then Drake joins Gibson for a BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!!
Thatcher grits what teeth he has as Drake goes to the apron, Ciampa trips Drake up, gets i and shoves Gibson to ROCK him! Ciampa runs to clothesline Gibson and himself out of the ring! Then Ciampa goes back for Drake to give him endless clotheslines! KNEE for Gibson, then Ciampa goes out to RAM Drake into the timekeeper’s area! Ciampa gets Gibson up to throw him onto Drake! Fans are thunderous as Ciampa goes running in for a DOUBLE PSYCHO KNEE!! Ciampa puts Drake in the ring, goes for Gibson and puts him in, too, and then regroups with Thatcher. They fire each other up with SLAPS, and then Thatcher EuroUppers Drake! Ciampa forearms Gibson, and repeat!
Fans are rallying as the EuroUppers and corner clotheslines keep going! Thatcher and Ciampa are fired up as NXT goes picture in picture!
Ciampa and Thatcher stalk GYV to the ramp. Ciampa stomps Gibson’s fingers and Thatcher gets Drake up in a facelock. Ciampa ROCKS Gibson, but Drake RAMS Thatcher into steel steps! Drake helps Gibson but he just gets a CHOP for it! Gibson EuroUppers Thatcher but Thatcher pulls ears! Thatcher ROCKS Gibson, Ciampa RAMS Drake into barriers, then Thatcher TOSSES Gibson into boards! GYV are floundering around, Ciampa RAMS Drake into more barriers! Gibson forearms but Thatcher EuroUppers! Thatcher digs Gibson’s face into the steel fencing! Ciampa stomps Gibson down so Thatcher can run and RAM Drake into more barriers!
Ciampa CHOPS Gibson, Thatcher cravats Drake for a neck wrench. Gibson RAMS Ciampa into the announce desk! And then RAMS him into barriers! Drake fights free and knocks Thatcher down. Drake puts Thatcher in the ring, covers, ONE!! Thatcher snarls but Drake looms over him as Gibson RAMS Ciampa into barriers! Drake clamps onto Thatcher with a neck wrench then CLUBS Thatcher down. Gibson joins in and GYV mug Thatcher. Gibson grinds Thatcher down with an underhook so that Drake can jam his knee into Thatcher’s ribs! GYV pace around, Thatcher kicks Drake from below but Gibson CLUBS Thatcher down.
GYV taunt and mug Thatcher more while Ciampa is still down on the outside. NXT returns to single picture and Thatcher fires off EuroUppers on GYV! But Drake clinches, Gibson MISSILE DROPKICKS for the COMPLETE SHOT! Drake has a KOJI KLUTCH! Gibson taunts Thatcher but that just pisses him off. Thatcher grabs at Gibson but Gibson stomps him! Ciampa CLOBBERS Gibson from behind! Ciampa stomps Drake until he lets Thatcher go! Then he stomps him more! Fans are electric as Ciampa CLUBS and CHOPS Gibson! Gibson rakes Ciampa’s eyes! Thatcher clinches Gibson for a Belly2Belly! Thatcher gets back up but Drake runs in, only for Thatcher to ENZIGURI!
Thatcher glares at Gibson, waistlocks, but Ciampa runs in and Gibson dodges! Ciampa BOOTS Thatcher! GYV clinch and ENZIGURI Ciampa! Gibson has Ciampa in the Electric Chair, Drake goes up, but Ciampa fights! Ciampa ROCKS Drake, Thatcher gets Gibson with a knee! BUTTERFLY SUPLEX for Gibson, SUPER AIR RAID CRASH for Drake!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Thatcher keeps Gibson down with a grovit but Gibson dumps him out! Ciampa KNEES Gibson down and sees Drake going to the apron. Ciampa follows Drake out there, CHOPS him, but Drake CHOPS back! Ciampa CHOPS again, Drake CHOPS! Ciampa eggs Drake on as the CHOP fight continues!
Ciampa BOOTS Drake, fires up and fireman’s carries! Drake fights free, Gibson joins in and they have Ciampa in the Electric Chair! Drake builds speed and DIVES for the TOPE DOOMSDAY!! The ref checks on Ciampa while Drake is slow to getting up. Gibson goes after Thatcher, they both pull on each other’s ears! EuroUppers start flying back and forth, over and over! Thatcher gets the edge, Gibson wobbles, and Thatcher keeps throwing EuroUppers! Gibson gives some back, and catches Thatcher to a backslide! Thatcher rolls through to trip Gibson up! Gibson turns around to drag Thatcher down! Thatcher avoids Shankly Gates to go for the chicken wing!
Gibson moves, Thatcher wants the wristlock but Gibson puts him in a corner! GRIT YOUR TEETH!! Drake rocks Thatcher with that dropkick, and Gibson gets Thatcher up. GYV coordinate, POWERBOMB BACKSTABBER!! Cover, Ciampa breaks it up!? Ciampa returns and the CWC is volcanic! Drake and Gibson mug Ciampa against the announce desk, but Thatcher crawls his way over. Drake tells fans to shut it as he clears off the desk. The desk hood becomes a ramp, Gibson BACK SUPLEXES Ciampa through it! Drake mockingly asks Ciampa how he liked that, and Gibson gets Ciampa back up. They put Ciampa on the desk, and Drake DECKS Thatcher!
Drake goes into the ring to stomp Thatcher over and over! Drake gives Gibson the green light, but Ciampa gives Gibson an AIR RAID CRASHÂ onto the desk! The desk didn’t break but Ciampa might’ve broken Gibson! The Psycho Killer hobbles over, but Drake needs to worry about the Professor of Pain! Thatcher turns Drake around to SLAP him! Ciampa SLAPS Drake, and they DOUBLE SLAP! ASSISTED FAIRY TALE ENDING!! And the ANKLE LOCK WITH FUJIWARA!!! Drake taps, Ciampa & Thatcher win!!
Winners: Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher, by submission
The friendship isn’t fake, and the win is just as real! Will these two takeover the tag division and make the Must See Kids into former champions?
Backstage interview with Regal and Samoa Joe, take three.
McKenzie asks Regal what his thoughts are on Joe being back in NXT. Things are going to be a little different around here. Joe says that this is simply night one of many. They head out, having reestablished the natural order. But how long will it last?
My Thoughts:
An awesome follow-up episode to TakeOver! And only four matches! But even though we opened with a promo, it was an amazing moment right from the start. Regal did great with the emotion, and in kayfabe, he was definitely considering stepping down. Kross is getting great Heel heat being a jerk to the beloved NXT GM, and then SAMOA FREAKIN’ JOE is back!! Reports said he was back at the Performance Center, aka the Capital Wrestling Center, and was going to be back in NXT, and being Regal’s enforcer is a great move. Joe settling the fighting between Kyle and Cole with the sleeper hold was awesome, as was his interactions with Gargano and Dunne.
Speaking of which, Kyle VS Cole II at Great American Bash is going to be awesome, too. I kinda wish they put “Loser Leaves NXT” on it but that’d make it obvious Cole would lose to finally move on. I also like this “pick your poison” proxy stuff, with each guy choosing who they face before then. Kushida VS Baxter was a great Cruiserweight title match, and a great way for Baxter to debut, but I wish the 205 Live roster would get more chances. Kyle choosing Kushida for his match next week was a cool choice, and I would think #CoolKyle wins. Cole could choose just about anyone at this point, and I’m not sure what he goes for. Will he try to face someone strong to prove he’s stronger than Kyle? Or will he go for someone he looks down on in an attempt to get a squash? I’m leaning towards the latter.
The charging battery is interesting. We haven’t even gotten anyone from the Diamond Mine, and we’re getting a teaser for someone or something new? This has to mean a lot of call-ups are happening through the WWE Draft, and that is going to suck for said call-ups, except for those going to SmackDown. But maybe only slightly. Babatunde became Dabba-Kato became Commander Azeez, and Piper Niven was treated like an absolute unknown. But griping about Vince not caring about continuity is for other articles. Diamond Mine is finally coming next week, NXT is getting a lot of factions to fill the gap of the Undisputed Era and that much is cool.
Imperium losing to Breezango was quite the surprise, but I suppose Walter’s orders were to eliminate Breezango, not necessarily win. Breezango might come back for revenge but maybe Imperium lurks on the outside of the tag title scene. Ever-Rise calling out Hit Row was good, that match will be a lot of fun. Escobar had a good promo to call Reed out, and of course their 1v1 is coming. I bet that will be at the Great American Bash, and it will be a great North American Championship. Franky Monet making moves on the Robert Stone Brand is interesting, and a purely female faction could be great for NXT, too.
We got a good promo from Mercedes calling out Tian Sha as a whole. Shirai, Candice, Indi and Stark had a good segment. It was a good detail that Shirai wanted to call Candice out, and for The Way to turn things around on her. Stark makes a good ally for Shirai to take on The Way on Poppy’s behalf, and that could go either way. Gonzalez & Kai VS KC Squared was an excellent tag match, especially for KC Squared to show their stuff. But in the end, it makes sense the NXT Women’s Champion and her friend/sidekick would win. They’ve still got beef with Ember & Shotzi and they want the tag titles back, we could get quite the tag team showdown at Great American Bash.
The “crowning” of Knight with DeBiase was another great segment. Knight did a great job working a shoot, because I totally believe that Knight and his group of friends grew up watching and loving the Million Dollar Man’s time in WWE and all those iconic wrestlers from then. And then I just knew Knight would turn on DeBiase right there, it felt so clear. Grimes gets to be even more Face coming to the rescue, and I hope the Great American Bash has a rematch, and whether or not Grimes wins there, that win is coming and Grimes will be vindicated. The CWC loves Grimes, they are going to love when Grimes finally gets the belt and so am I.
That Tornado Tag was an awesome main event, very much bordering on TakeOver level, and it was great for Ciampa & Thatcher to win. They surely get next against MSK with MSK showing they were watching backstage, but I wouldn’t mind Ciampa & Thatcher still having to earn a shot in another killer match, perhaps with Legado or Imperium. Great American Bash should definitely try to be pseudo-TakeOver to keep NXT going through the Summer, since there is also the return to touring for RawDown and even AEW going all out on the road to All Out 2021.
My Score: 9.3/10
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Is Orange Cassidy coldblooded? Or just in control?
Before their AEW World Championship match at Full Gear, Jon Moxley puts Wheeler Yuta in Orange Cassidy’s way! Will Cassidy destroy The Decoder before going for The Maniac?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family; The Don Callis Family wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida; Kris wins.
- 2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger; Lashley wins.
- Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
- Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta w/ The Death Riders; Cassidy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family!
This All-Star 8 Man is going to make for a massive match! The Aerial Assassin, Dunk Zilla, The One & Only and the man the family foolishly forgot are now teamed together against Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Brian Cage & Lance Archer! Will Ospreay lead this team to victory ahead of the grudge matches at Full Gear? Or will Callis’ Alpha, Aussie Arrow, Machine & Murderhawk Monster make sure #EverybodyDies?
Well forget sorting out, Ospreay leads his team in attacking the Callis Family right on the ramp! The fans fire up as Hobbs is after Archer, Davis is after Cage, and of course Ricochet is after Konosuke while Ospreay is after Kyle! Hobbs smacks Archer off railing, Kyle CLUBS Ospreay on the back, but Ospreay kicks low. Ospreay sends Kyle into railing, rips the tearaway pants right off him, and then LASHES him with them! Davis sends Cage into railing while Ospreay uses those pants to SLING Kyle into more railing! Davis CLUBS away on Cage, Ospreay blows snot on Kyle’s pants, and Davis sends Cage into more railing.
Kyle turns things around to send Ospreay into railing! Konosuke helps Cage against Davis but Hobbs still throws hands on Archer. Kyle CLUBS Ospreay, CLUBS Ricochet, but Konosuke puts Davis in the ring. The bell rings and this is finally a match. Konosuke headlocks Davis but Davis fires body shots. Davis powers up and out, but Konosuke RAMS him! The fans fire up as Davis stays up. Davis runs to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke stays up and the fans rally. Konosuke runs to RAM Davis, but Davis runs. Konosuke bypasses, leaps, but Davis catches him for a TOSS! And a SENTON! The fans fire up with Davis, and Ricochet reaches out.
Davis tags Ricochet in , then holds the way open, for Ricochet to FOSBURY FLOP onto Konosuke! But Cage CLOBBERS Davis! Cage then RAMS Ricochet into the apron, POSTS him, but Ospreay PENALTY KICKS Cage! The fans fire up as Ospreay goes up, but Kyle UPPERCUTS him! The fans boo as Kyle goes up, CLUBS away on Ospreay, and Ospreay falls to the floor. But now Hobbs is up! Kyle says wait! Then he fires hands! Hobbs just CHOPS Kyle! Hobbs climbs up to get Kyle, but Archer CLUBS Hobbs! Archer drags Hobbs down, throws hands, then puts Hobbs in between steps and post! Hobbs fights back, but Cage sends Ospreay into the steps!
The fans boo as Hobbs’ leg is crushed between steps and post! Archer puts Ricochet in the ring while a medic checks Hobbs. Archer brings Ricochet up but Ricochet slips free to fire off fast strikes! Hobbs is being helped to the back and Ospreay is concerned that this is now 4v3. Ricochet still fires strikes on Archer, but Archer grabs Ricochet by the neck! CHOKE- NO, Ricochet RANAS Archer first! Archer tumbles, stands up, and Ricochet springboards, but Archer CLOBBERS Him out of the sky! Archer BLASTS Davis, then catches Ospreay out of the air! Archer TOSSES Ospreay away and fans boo. But Ricochet springboards back in!
Archer catches Ricochet, and he CHOKE SLAMS Ricochet out onto Ospreay and Davis! The fans boo as the Don Callis Family is in control, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cage & Kyle flex to soak up the heat, then Archer goes out after Ospreay and the rest. Konosuke fetches Ricochet into the ring, waistlocks, and then brings him away from the corner. Archer beats up on Ospreay while Konosuke fires knees into Ricochet. Ricochet tumbles to ropes but Konosuke is on him. Davis fires hands on Archer, then sends him into railing! Davis fires more hands, but Konosuke CHOKES Ricochet at the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke steps off and tags Kyle. Kyle stays between Ricochet and his corner. Kyle taunts Ricochet, stomps him around, then whips him to ropes. Kyle ELBOWS Ricochet down, then stalks him to a corner.
Kyle stomps away on Ricochet while Archer intimidates commentary. Kyle shouts at the camera while the ref counts, and Kyle steps off of Ricochet’s neck. Kyle bumps Ricochet off buckles, tags Cage, and Cage stands Ricochet up. Cage CHOPS Ricochet, then whips him to ropes for an ELBOW! Cage flexes while he taunts Ospreay & Davis. Cage drags Ricochet up but Ricochet RAMS him! And RAMS him! And fires forearms! Cage ROCKS Ricochet, then runs, but into a tiger wall kick and ENZIGIRI! Konosuke tags in and storms after Ricochet. Konosuke stomps Ricochet, then rains down fists! The ref reprimands while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Konosuke argues with the ref while Ospreay rallies the fans. Konosuke stays between Ricochet and his team, but Ricochet SLAPS Konosuke! Konosuke ROCKS Ricochet for it! Ricochet fires forearms and an UPPERCUT! Konosuke keeps Ricochet from his corner, reels Ricochet in, but Ricochet victory rolls! TWO, and Ricochet ducks a chop to handspring BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ricochet and Konosuke crawl, hot tags to Kyle and Ospreay! The fans fire up as these two fire fists and forearms! Kyle kicks and whips but Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Kyle!
Ospreay whips, Kyle reverses, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Kyle staggers, Konosuke tags back in! Ospreay dodges Konosuke to BLAST Cage & Archer! Ospreay fires fists on Konosuke, but Konosuke CLAWS Ospreay’s face! Konosuke runs, but Davis intercepts with a fireman’s carry! AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Or maybe in this case, just a United Empire Dental Plan! But in any case, Davis scoops Konosuke, for the LAWN DART CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but the fans fire up. Ospreay & Davis bring Konosuke up, double pump handle, but the #MurderMachines make the save!
Archer puts Davis in a corner, Cage ducks Ospreay’s haymaker to waistlock. Archer runs up, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Davis fires hands on Archer but Cage waistlocks, ripcords, and ROCKS Davis! Then fireman’s carry into the ASSISTED NECKBREAKER! The fans boo but the Murder Machines DOUBLE RIPCORD Ospreay up for Konosuke’s BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and shocks everyone! Archer argues with the ref but the count was fair. Konosuke tags Kyle while fans rally up behind Ospreay. Kyle smirks as he stalks Ospreay. Kyle BOOTS Ricochet off the apron for good measure!
Kyle tells Ospreay that this is how he wants it, right? All about Ospreay! Kyle stomps away on Ospreay in the corner, then digs his boots in! The ref counts but wait! Here comes Hobbs! Hobbs hobbles but Kyle hurries to send Ospreay to the Callis corner. Tag to Konosuke and then Kyle slides out. Kyle runs up on Hobbs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Hobbs makes his way to the corner. Ospreay fights free of the corner but Konosuke holds him back! Ospreay fires forearms, reaches out, repeat! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Konosuke reels Ospreay in! Konosuke hits a back suplex, but Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay dodges Konosuke, hot tag to Hobbs! The Powerhouse powers up to rally on Konosuke! The fans fire up as Hobbs TOSSES Kyle, but the Murder Machines attack! They reel Hobbs in, but Hobbs fights the double suplex! The fans fire up but the Murder Machines double whip. Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as Hobbs has targets in all corners! SPLASH for Konosuke! SPLASH for Cage! SPLASH for Kyle! SPLASH for Archer! The fans are thunderous and Hobbs brings the straps down. Archer kicks low, then runs, but Hobbs dodges, to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again, and Hobbs tags Davis!
Davis runs up to BOOT Konosuke, BOOT him again, but Konosuke just fires up! Ospreay CANNONBALLS onto Kyle while Konosuke fires hands! Konosuke spins, but Davis DECKS him! Davis roars, stands Konosuke up, but Konosuke backdrops back! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee to ENZIGIRI! Davis gut wrenches Konosuke, for a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, KYLE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but now Aussie Open is face to face! Kyle pie faces Davis, talks trash, but Davis glares at him. Kyle SLAPS Davis, so Davis TACKLES Kyle! Davis throws hands, Kyle gets up, and Davis runs up! Kyle dodges and Konosuke DECKS Davis!
Ricochet springboards, FLYING LARIAT on Konosuke! But Cage POP-UP POWERBOMBS Ricochet! Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Cage! Archer CHOKE SLAMS Hobbs! Ospreay hits the PIP PIP CHEERIO FOREARM on Archer! Ospreay dares Kyle to man up and fight him! Kyle snarls, gets in, and they fire forearms again! Kyle swings, Ospreay catches him, but Kyle breaks the full nelson with an elbow! Ospreay HOOK KICKS Kyle! Ospreay runs, Kyle dodges, but then Ospreay slips through the lariat! Kyle slips through the bomb, hoists Ospreay up, but Ospreay slips free! Kyle ducks the hook kick to SUPERKICK! Kyle runs, into the SPANISH FLY!!
The fans are thunderous as Ospreay takes aim from a corner! Kyle rises, so does Davis, and Ospreay runs up, Kyle uses Davis as a shield from the HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay freaks out, Kyle SUPERKICKS Ospreay out of the ring! Then Kyle DIVES onto Ospreay! Konosuke brings down his kneepad, aims at Davis, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!!
Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall
The Alpha stands tall over Davis as friendly fire takes out Ospreay’s team. But what happens when things divide into 1v1 matches? Will Konosuke still be International Champion after he and Ricochet go #OuttaThisWorld? Will Kyle prove that he IS The Protostar after tearing down Will Ospreay?
Jon Moxley & The Death Riders speak.
“Despite recent discoveries that Orange Cassidy is a snake, coldblooded, uncaring, unmoving, a serpent lurking in the darkest corners of the battlefield, my objective remains the same, my job on Saturday night remains the same. You may be this borderline sociopath, you may be a great guy just like everybody thinks. I don’t care if you’re a great guy. I don’t care what kind of person you are. When the bell rings on Saturday night, and the AEW World Championship hangs in the balance, you are a threat to my people. And I will destroy you.
“There’s so much more going on behind Orange Cassidy’s eyes than any of us could’ve imagined. You may make it to Full Gear with your mind in tact, but your body… For that matter, Darby Allin’s body… Still up for grabs.” Claudio jumps in, speaking in German about what he’ll do to Darby. Then in English, he says, “Tonight, I’m gonna end you.” Moxley pats Claudio on the shoulder. Will The Maniac’s top henchmen do his dirty work for him when they dismantle Cassidy & Darby? Or will it just be fuel on the fire for Freshly Squeezed & The Relentless One? Speaking of…
Darby Allin speaks.
“Claudio, I’m gonna keep this really short. Let’s not forget you’re the one who put the chair around Bryan’s neck and pulled the trigger on his career. Every single one of you Death Riders will have your day. And Claudio, today’s your day.” Will Moxley’s men be dealt with in brutal fashion before he suffers the same?
The Hurt Syndicate arrive.
Renee Paquette waits in the parking lot as an SUV pulls up, and she welcomes Montel Vontavious Porter, Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley to the show. She heard MVP has a surprise in store, what’s he got planned? MVP says yes, there is a special treat for the AEW audience, and that is this announcement: The All Mighty Bobby Lashley will be in action here tonight on Dynamite in Reading, Pennsylvania, prior to his PPV debut on Saturday! Renee asks if MVP is at all concerned to put Lashley in a match- OH NO, Swerve attacks!! Swerve knocks Lashley over, then laughs as he gets away!
Shelton helps Lashley up but that ambush might’ve been with Swerve’s own silver chain. Will Lashley elect not to compete tonight after all? Or is he about to make an example out of whatever poor soul is put in front of him?
Adam Cole is here!
Reading fires up as the Panama City Playboy makes his way to the ring. They join in with the “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” Cole grabs a mic to ask, “Who’s ready for Storytime with Adam Cole, Baybay?” Reading sure is ready! Cole wishes so so badly that he could get his hands on MJF this Saturday, but he’s not. MJF did everything in his power to make sure he and Cole didn’t fight on Saturday, and he succeeded. But do you know who else succeeded last week? Roderick Strong did! The fans cheer as Cole says he and Roddy have the exact same goal: Give MJF the ass whooping of a lifetime! And that is exactly what happens at Full Gear!
The fans cheer, and wait, Kyle O’Reilly makes his way out here. The longtime friend of Cole & Roddy makes his way out here, and already has a mic. Kyle isn’t sure if Cole remembers, but 14 years ago, right here in Reading, PA, Cole and Kyle had their second match ever against each other. They’ve come a long way. Being associated with Cole has given Kyle some incredible highs, and some serious lows. And through those lows, Kyle knows Cole better than anyone. Which makes Kyle the only one willing to tell Cole the truth. The truth is, this crusade against MJF has got to end before someone gets hurt.
This obsession, Cole needs to wash his hands of it. His ankle has already been reconstructed, what’s next? Cole has friends willing to take a bullet for him, Kyle included, but Cole has got to stop having his friends fight his battles. Roddy barely makes it out alive last week, and now he wants to fight MJF! He wants to END MJF, all because of Cole. Kyle just doesn’t have a good feeling about any of this. Cole asks Kyle what he’s trying to say here. Kyle doesn’t think Roddy can handle MJF? Kyle asks Cole if he really thinks MJF isn’t already three steps ahead. MJF hasn’t been here for weeks but he’s pulling all the strings.
Cole should know that dealing with MJF is like playing with fire, and Kyle doesn’t wanna see his friends get burned. Cole needs to realize why so many of his friends are willing to go to war for him, and it’s because he is a great leader, an elite pro-wrestler, and a great friend, who doesn’t wanna see his friends get hurt. At least, so Kyle thinks. But Cole has to face facts: MJF is more of an evil bastard than Cole will ever be, and that is a good thing. Kyle drops his mic and walks away. Cole drops his mic, and has a lot to think about. Does Kyle have a point? Can Cole just let Roddy handle MJF and then move on?
Orange Cassidy speaks.
“A little later tonight, I’m gonna make an example out of you, Wheeler Yuta. And I’m gonna show everybody exactly what I’m gonna do this Saturday to you, Jon Moxley. And that’s walk down to that ring and beat you, alone.” But The Conglomeration steps in. Mark Briscoe has Rocky Romero & Tomohiro Ishii with him as he asks Cassidy, “What sense does that make, man?” Moxley said himself, there’s five Death Riders, one Cassidy. Conglomeration has his back, they are here for him. Cassidy says no, no one else needs to get hurt. Get hurt? What’s Cassidy talking about? The Conglomeration are ready to scrap!
PLEASE!! Cassidy is asking them… They don’t have to believe him or even understand him. But just promises him they’ll stay back here. If Cassidy insists, then so be it. Cassidy says there you have it, Jon. Five of you, one of him. Do what you’re gonna do. Because at Full Gear, Moxley’s gonna need all the help he can get. Cassidy is himself wanting the best for his friends, but will that work out for the betterment of AEW? Or is he just playing into Moxley’s hands?
Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida!
The #BornAgainKristen bodied the bullies that are Mercedes Mone & Kamille the last time she saw them, but she still needs to tune up for Full Gear. However, taking on the THREE-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion might be more than just a workout. Win, lose or draw, will the Shining Samurai get Kris ready for The CEO?
The bell rings, Kris and Shida shake hands and the fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and Kris wrenches to a wristlock. Shida handsprings and wrenches back, then hammerlocks. Kris reaches back, hits a headlock takeover, but Shida headscissors. Kris kips free and the fans cheer while the two reset. Shida and Kris circle again while the fans fire up. The two tie up, Shida wrenches and hammerlocks, then CLUBS Kris on the back. Shida CLUBS Kris again, then waistlocks. Kris fights the lift with elbows, then switches. Kris SLAMS Shida, then flips her over. Shida kips up to arm-drag Kris! Kris ends up in a corner, and Shida runs up to KNEE her!
Shida climbs up and the fans cheer as she rains down fists! But Kris stops Shida at 5 and carries her out of the corner! Shida slips free, Kris blocks a lariat to SWEEP the leg! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shida is tough and she goes to ropes, but Kris whips her to a corner. Kris runs up but into a RANA! Kris cartwheels through! Then she CLOBBERS Shida! The fans fire up while Kris flexes. Kris drags Shida into a motorcycle stretch but Shida endures. The fans rally up and Shida fights to her feet. Shida arm-drags Kris down, and wraps her in a straitjacket stretch! Kris fights up with a bridge, but Shida hops on!
The fans rally while Kris RAMS Shida into a corner! Shida holds onto the straitjacket and pulls! The ref counts, Shida lets go at 4, and then MISSILE DROPKICKS! Kris tumbles and the fans duel as Shida fires up! Shida goes outside, drags Kris to the apron, and CLUBS her! Shida runs to KNEE LIFT! Kris flops to the floor and fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Shida brings Kris up again, and whips her into railing hard! Kris writhes, Shida drags her up, and then Shida whips Kris into more railing! Kris writhes again and Shida refreshes the ring count. Shida sits Kris in a corner to rain down fists! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands, so Shida stops. Shida brings Kris around, pushes her into the ring, and then stalks her. Shida stomps Kris around, brings her up, and snap suplexes! Kris writhes but Shida brings her up again. Shida then snap suplexes Kris into a corner! Shida drags Kris to a cover, TWO! Kris stays in this but Shida stays on her with a chinlock stretch!
Kris endures being bent back, and she reaches out with her free arm. Shida pulls back more but Kris rises up! Shida is again a backpack, but then she slips down. Kris fires body shots, slips around and lifts for a BIG back suplex! Kris huffs ‘n’ puffs as she rises up, but then Shida dodges the sliding forearm! Ghost pin! TWO, and Kris has a cradle! TWO! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris PELES! Shida staggers, but she comes back to ENZIGIRI! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks both women and they’re okay to continue, so a standing count begins. Shida and Kris stir at about 4 of 10, then rise up at 6.
Kris grabs Shida, but Shida fires a forearm! Dynamite returns to single picture as the shots go back and forth. Shida fires a flurry, then whips Kris to ropes. Kris ducks ‘n’ dodges, then dodges a knee! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Kris as she whips Shida to a corner. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT, then she goes side to side for a KNEE LIFT! Shida ends up in ropes but Kris reels her in. Fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and the fans fire up again! Kris hoists Shida up, gut wrenches, but Shida slips free! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shida eggs Kris on, then dodges her to fire forearms! Kris just shakes her head!
Shida fires more shots, but Kris fireman’s carries! But Shida slips free, straitjacket roll-up! TWO!! KNEE STRIKE! And then short arm LARIAT! Shida takes aim, but she starts to doubt the Katana! Shida runs up but Kris dodges the boot to then scoop and INVERTED SLAM! Then Kris aims, DISCUS- NO, Shida backslides her! TWO!! Shida reels Kris in, suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO?!? Kris survives and Shida is shocked! Shida brings Kris up but Kris fires body shots and forearms! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris wrenches to kick! Kris runs, but into the JUMP KNEE! Shida hurries to suplex, but Kris turns it around!
Shida slips out of Kris’ suplex to slip around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Shida roars, aims, KATA- NO, Kris gut wrenches! Tuck and STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Shida gave Kris a powerful match, but clearly Shida has to iron out her own crisis of confidence. Kris still shows Shida respect by helping her up. But wait, here comes Mercedes Mone & Kamille! The fans boo The CEO & Brickhouse but Mone has a mic. “Readiiiiing~! Say hello to your C E O!” The fans boo instead. Mone asks Kamille if she wants to hear a fun fact about Pennsylvania. The 76ers have had yet another terrible season! Embarrassing~! But shoutouts to Mone’s Celtics for another incredible victory. The fans boo Boston but Mone says another person with an incredible win was Kris Statlander. Mone is rarely impressed by her competition.
Does anyone else want to hear another fun fact? “NO!!” Well, Mone has held the TBS Championship longer than Kris! So at Full Gear, Mone will NOT lose, because she is The CEO, the greatest TBS Champion of all time! And she will NEVER lose this title! Fans tell The CEO to STFU, but Mone tells Kamille go get the job done! She is so pissed off! GO! NOW! Kamille walks up the steps past Mone, but with only one good arm! Mone says hurry up, but Kamille looks at both Shida and Kris. Kamille takes as swing, but Kris blocks to ROCK her! Shida QUESTION MARK KICKS Kamille! Then Kris & Shida TOSS The Brickhouse!
Shida goes out after Kamille, but then Mone goes after Kris! Mone goes for the backstabber, but Kris holds onto ropes! Mone is almost stuck up there, but Kris pops her around! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! The fans fire up as Kris stands tall over The CEO! Will Kris once again become the Face of TBS? Or will Mone find a way to win even without her insurance policy?
The Hurt Syndicate has a cameraman with them.
MVP says hold on, he and Shelton have found Swerve. They go after the man in the big fur jacket, but that’s not Swerve! Swerve gave his jacket to the guy, but MVP & Shelton still beat this guy up for helping Swerve. MVP says they’ll find Swerve later, Lashley has his match up next. And it’ll be a 2-on-1 Handicap?! The All Mighty really IS mad, what poor duo is about to be destroyed?
AEW hears from Jay White and Hangman Adam Page.
“Hangman. You and I are on that same path to that same destination, trying to grasp at that same prize. 2024 still has some time left for The Switchblade to share the spotlight with Hangman once more!” But the Blackhat Cowboy asks White if he knows “Who the hell I am?! I am the Hangman! I am THE man! They named this whole godforsaken PPV after ME!” White says when he makes Hangman TAP, it will be a public declaration! But Hangman says White can’t make him tap, even if his life depended on it! These two vicious gunslingers will write one more chapter in their storied rivalry, but who comes out riding off into the sunset?
2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger!
The All Mighty thought he’d have an easy night getting in a little warm-up, but The Realest quickly reminded him why he’s the most dangerous man in AEW! Lashley’s now doubling down to make a point, will there be nothing left of Keys & Cheese after tonight?
The bell rings and while the fans rally for Cheeseburger, he and Keys each argue the other should start. Lashley runs up and TOSSES Burger across the ring! Keys runs away, Lashley runs to RAM into Burger! Lashley brings Burger up, Keys runs in, but Lashley catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Lashley drags Keys up and TOSSES him out! Lashley then turns to look at Burger in the corner. The fans rally for Burger, but Lashley CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but MVP & Shelton high-five Lashley. Lashley drags Burger up to gut wrench, Canadian Rack, and DOMINATOR! Keys runs in to break the cover!
The fans cheer Keys as he fires hands, but Lashley just gets angrier! Keys short arm LARIATS, but Lashley stays up! Keys runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Lashley storms around, then aims at Keys. Keys staggers into the SPEAR! Lashley isn’t done there, and he clamps on the HURT LOCK! Keys can’t open that lock, he is OUT! Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
MVP & Shelton join Lashley in the ring to celebrate, but then “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” The fans fire up, and here comes Prince Nana with a chair! Nana eggs the Hurt Syndicate on so Shelton storms out after Nana. MVP watches the rest of ringside for Swerve, but Swerve slides out from under the ring! The fans fire up as Swerve slips in to CHAIN PUNCH Lashley!! MVP gets on the apron but Swerve DECKS MVP with a chain punch! And then Shelton eats a chain punch! The fans are thunderous as Swerve aims, and hits a HOUSE CALL on Lashley! Swerve hurries to the top rope, and he gives Lashley a KILL STOMP!!
The fans are thunderous as Swerve stands over Lashley! MVP & Shelton get up and get in, but Swerve escapes, chain draped on his neck! Will AEW then, now and forever be whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Backstage interview with Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa.
Renee is now with the AEW Women’s World Champion and her best friend, the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Champion. They are planning their Championship Champagne Celebration for Full Gear, BUT Friday Night Rampage will feature the two of them teaming up for the first time in just over a year. Mariah says no champion deserves a celebration more than her. Her rise to the top was meteoric, and her reign will be historic. She takes ish and makes it shine, any time and any show, against anyone. In Mariah’s division, you hold this title, or you die.
Mina says yes, Mariah has been working so hard. She came back to tell her she is so very proud. And Mina will give Mariah a celebration she’ll never forget! Mariah says the “H Cup Angel” (Mina) and the “Woman from Hell” (Mariah herself) are going to make Rampage into Glampage. Everyone wants Mina, but Mina wants Mariah. And then… They’ll dance! These two shimmy and shake their way out, will they finally be toasting their victories at Full Gear?
Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli w/ The Death Riders!
The Relentless One told The Swiss Superman that revenge was coming, and here is Darby’s chance! Will Darby avenge Bryan Danielson? Or will he just be the next to fall?
The bell rings and Darby stares Claudio down. Darby takes some deep breaths then circles with Claudio. Darby slips around to waistlock but Claudio flings him off, only for Darby to roll to his feet. They circle again, and the fans rally behind Darby. Darby and Claudio feel things out, tie up, and Darby headlocks. Claudio lifts Darby but Darby thrashes the hold. Claudio throws Darby off, runs up, but Darby uses that to get around and springboard arm-drag! The fans fire up while Claudio bails out, and Darby taunts Claudio with some drop steps. Claudio snarls, but then Darby fakes him out with a slingshot!
Claudio is annoyed and takes a swing but Darby slingshots up and over! Darby taunts Claudio again while the fans rally up. Claudio cools off before he storms up the steel steps. Claudio pops Darby up but Darby keeps from hitting buckles! Darby ELBOWS Claudio away, goes up, then leaps, but Claudio catches him! Claudio SLAMS Darby down, flips him back to his feet, but Darby slips around to waistlock. O’Conner Roll, TWO! Darby springboards to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Claudio bails out but the fans fire up. Darby goes up a corner, and he SUPER COFFIN SPLASHES into a waistlock! Claudio swings and THROWS Darby away!
Darby staggers to his feet but Claudio runs up, to POUNCE Darby into railing! Darby writhes against the railing, but Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT Darby up and over! Fans freak out as Darby hits the floor! Claudio leaves Darby behind while the ring count climbs, but Darby drags himself up at 7. Claudio goes back out after Darby to suplex! Claudio holds Darby up while he marches up the steps! The fans fire up for this feat of strength and balance, and then Claudio TOSSES Darby back into the ring! Darby writhes again while Claudio steps back in. Claudio stalks Darby, talks some trash, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio looms over Darby, then deadlift gut wrenches for a GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! Darby writhes while Claudio stands over him again. Claudio watches Darby crawl towards a corner and stalks him. Claudio drags Darby up, brings him around, and ROCKS Darby with a forearm! Darby pushes Claudio, then CHOPS! Claudio DECKS Darby! Darby tumbles out of the ring! The ref wants Claudio to stay back while Darby drags himself up. Darby is back in before the count starts, but then Claudio DOUBLE STOMPS him! Claudio kicks Darby around, then clamps on with a neck wrench!
Darby endures, fights up, but Claudio powers him down. Darby BITES Claudio’s hand! The ref reprimands but Darby fires off forearms on Claudio. Claudio HIP TOSSES Darby up and out of the ring! Darby hits the floor and flounders around while the ref reprimands Claudio. Claudio again waits on Darby, and then he DOUBLE STOMPS Darby the moment he’s in! The ref counts as Claudio stands on Darby at the ropes. Claudio steps off at 4, brings him around, and clamps on an armlock and chinbar. Darby endures, fights around, and manages to fireman’s carry Claudio! But Claudio rains down elbows! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL even!
Claudio clamps on with a double wristlock and he grinds Darby down. Darby still endures and the fans rally up again. Darby fights around and Dynamite returns to single picture. Darby fires body shots but Claudio knees low! Claudio then HIP TOSSES Darby into a corner! Darby tumbles out of the ring but Claudio pursues! Claudio SWINGS Darby into railing! Then Claudio fireman’s carries, to TOSS Darby back in the ring! Claudio storms in while Darby flounders away. Darby flops back out of the ring but Claudio pursues him again. Darby trips Claudio up and traps him in the apron skirt! Darby then fires forearms, and BITES Claudio’s ear!
The fans fire up but Claudio shoves Darby away. Darby slides into the ring then DIVES onto Claudio! And then runs to DIVE again! Down goes Claudio and the fans fire up! Darby crawls over to bring Claudio up and into the ring. The fans fire up as Darby climbs up a corner, though slowly given all the damage to his back. That lets Claudio trip Darby up! Darby is stuck up top, and Claudio climbs up after him. Claudio gut wrenches for a SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio can’t believe it! The fans fire up but Claudio calls for the swing! Claudio grabs the legs, but Darby twists to a victory roll! TWO!!
Claudio escapes and runs up, but Darby ducks ‘n’ dodges, roll and- WHOA, Claudio has to fight to stay up, and then he deadlifts Darby! Darby pops through to CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Darby and Claudio crawl for ropes. Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again and again and again! The ref backs Claudio off, but then Claudio fires off body shots! Darby flops over but Claudio has the legs. Claudio FLIPS Darby up and over the ropes, but Darby lands on the apron! Claudio BOOTS Darby down! The ref wants Claudio to hold on but Claudio goes out after Darby.
Claudio drags Darby by his legs, then SWINGS him around! Into steel steps!! The fans lose their minds, the ref reprimands Claudio, but Claudio doesn’t care. The fans tell Claudio he is sick, but Claudio TOSSES Darby over the announce desk!! Schiavone, Excalibur & Matt Menard narrowly avoid becoming collateral damage! But Claudio clears the desk and brings Darby up. Claudio puts Darby on the desk, then stands over him. The ref reprimands but Claudio just ignores him. Claudio drags Darby up, and gorilla presses him! SUPER DUPER TOSS onto the timekeeper’s table!! The fans lose their minds as Darby is down but that table’s somehow still standing!
The ref checks on Darby but Claudio storms right over! The ref tells Claudio to stop so they go to the ring. Claudio lets the ring count start, and yet Darby somehow stirs at 4 of 10! The fans rally as hard as they can and Darby crawls his way over! Darby is still far away at 7! But then he powers up and LEAPS in at 9!! But Claudio LARIATS Darby inside-out!! Cover, Claudio wins!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall
Darby truly is relentless, with durability like no other, but it just wasn’t enough against the strength and brutality of Claudio! Will no one stop The Death Riders from running roughshod over AEW?
Backstage interview with Private Party.
Renee is with Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy and brings up that at Full Gear, the AEW World Tag Team Championships are on the line in a Fatal 4 Way. Private Party takes on The Acclaimed, The Outrunners and The Kings of the Black Throne. In such a match, the champs do NOT have to be pinned or submitted to lose their titles, so what is their strategy? Brother Zay says they obviously can’t tell her that, the other teams are watching. But it seems like the odds are against them. Fortunately, the odds have been against them their whole lives, their whole careers, just like against The Young Bucks.
But look what happened: Private Party defied the odds, beat The Bucks, and are your AEW World Tag Team Champions. That is the same thing that happens on Saturday. They leave Newark, New Jersey still your tag team champions. Because there ain’t no party like a Private Party, that’s a flex. Oh, speaking of! It’s AJ & Big Justice! They’re fired up to be here, but Justice wants to know what that face Zay made was last week. Oh, right, this one, with the chin scratching. And AJ says they’ve got a BIG announcement coming up after this! Maybe some double chunk chocolate cookies? BOOM!!
A green Porsche Taycan pulls up to the middle of nowhere.
And out steps MJF. The Wolf of Wrestling tells the hobo to “go get it” as he throws spare change off to the side like birdseed. MVP then sits back and tells Roderick Strong, “You’ve been through so much. The kid who grew up trailer park trash with two abusive alcoholic parents. For crying out loud! Your own mother shot your father right in front of you. That’s traumatizing. And as you know, Roddy, trauma is the result of an overwhelming sense of danger, powerlessness and fear. However, healing is a result of feeling safe, empowered and supported. That’s why you’d do anything for Cole. He makes you feel all those positive things that you lacked.
“It’s why I was no different than you. It’s why I trusted him. Unfortunately, the difference between you and I: Cole for me was a mirage of what I wanted him to be. A fraud, a liar. And whilst Cole is a fraud, I do actually believe deep down, in his narcissistic, sociopathic, frail, feeble frame, is a man who cares about Roderick Strong. This is precisely why upon further contemplation, I am happy you won, Roddy. Because I want Adam Cole to watch a person he cares about suffer! And because of your White trash upbringing, you aren’t intelligent enough to realize that you don’t have a prayer. And I’m sending you back to where you belong. To your grimy little trailer park.
“And after the match, you’ll be in so much physical anguish, you’ll wish your mother hadn’t shot your father, but instead shot you.” As if this scumbag couldn’t stoop any lower, he brings up Roddy’s past to hurt him. But will Roddy make sure MJF’s future is the one full of pain and suffering?
Backstage interview with AJ & Big Justice.
Renee is with the Costco Tiktok sensations and says that in the Full Gear Zero Hour, we will see #BigBoomAJ take on QT Marshall in a match 20 YEARS in the making. AJ says it may have been 20 years in the making for QT, this all started for AJ when QT threw the double chunk chocolate cookies down! Renee says AJ has not been in the ring in those 20 years, is he concerned about how his body will hold up? AJ isn’t worried about that, because he just has one strategy, and that’s the strategy they use each and every day. That strategy is to bring the BOOM~! But hey, there’s another special announcement.
Because when AJ rings QT’s bell, and he Power-Booms QT right in the middle of that ring, there is only one guy they want ringing the bell: Big Justice’s best friend, THE RIZZLER! Time to bring the BOOM~! Will QT be sleeping on the mat for The Rizzler? Will he be skibidi? Fanum Tax? Why are those even words?
Tony Schiavone is on stage.
And he welcomes out The Undisputed Kingdom! The fans cheer as Roderick Strong makes his way out, accompanied by Matt Taven & Mike Bennett. Schiavone brings up Roddy VS MJF at Full Gear, and we just heard all that disgusting stuff MJF had to say. Roddy’s response is that to be honest, he has not slept a wink since last week. IT is finally happening! Roddy feels like a kid on Christmas morning. He finally gets his hands on “MAAAAAX~!” The fans echo that, and Roddy says if MJF was here tonight, and not hiding out there, Roddy would ask him: Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his childhood?
Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his parents? You don’t think Roddy’s heard that stuff before? His whole LIFE, that is what people brought up! His mom’s an addict, his dad’s an addict, mom shot dad. Good job, Max, you made Roddy feel like he was in elementary school again. And people may look at Roddy’s past and feel sorry for him, but Roddy asks us not to. Because looking at MJF, Roddy feels sorry for him. Understand this, Max. With Roddy’s life, he learned that to get the most out of life, you have to earn it. If you wanna break the cycle, you have to earn it. And that is what Roddy’s done ever since he was a kid!
And now looking at MJF, he’s been spoon-fed everything. And when something doesn’t go his way or something happens and he doesn’t like it, MJF throws a temper tantrum like a baby until that changes. So Roddy wants MJF to do something for him: Look in the mirror and think about all the things that MJF has done to people. The manipulating, the backstabbing, the using. MJF needs to realize, when the bell rings at Full Gear, MJF will pay for all those sins. With every chop, with every punch, with every elbow, with every backbreaker! And when it is all over, Roddy walks to his hotel room for the best night of sleep in his life because he earned it.
Especially because Roddy will know he has broken MJF’s back, and left him humbled! Roddy is all fired up, and the fans are with him! Will MJF finally get what’s coming to him? Or will he give Roddy nightmares for the rest of his life?
AEW shares footage taken from last Saturday night.
First, a recap video of Daniel Garcia thwarting Jack Perry’s attempts to abduct and torture Matthew Menard, as well as the joyride they took in the Scapegoat bus, with Perry as the hood ornament. And now, they have Perry strapped into a chair, the bus headlights as the only source of light. Menard is behind the camera as he asks Perry how he’s feeling. How’d that work out for him, huh? Garcia splashes Perry with water to wake him up, and says “Let’s have a conversation. I’m all ears.” Perry chuckles and says Garcia thinks he’s so much better than him. Look at where they are! Garcia shouts back that he doesn’t wanna be here!
Garcia just wants to wrestle, but AEW is full of savages! Perry tried to take Daddy Magic’s life! And those in power just sit back and watch, pretending that nothing’s going on. So what do they do? Gotta take the power back, right? Perry counters with, “Everybody’s got a code. Everybody cares about right and wrong until it costs them something. Until they have to SACRIFICE!” Garcia gets in Perry’s face, grabs him by the mouth, and says Perry’s always going on about sacrifice but Perry has no idea what Garcia’s had to go through! Perry has NO idea what Garcia’s had to sacrifice to be here!
Garcia knows where Perry wants him to go, but Garcia promises that he’s never gonna go there. Perry smirks, then SPITS in Garcia’s face. Garcia wipes that off his face and says bet. Garcia’s got something for Perry, so just wait right there. Garcia goes to the bus while Perry mockingly asks what he’s gonna do. Menard tells shut up, Jack! Life must be so hard for him! What’s Jack got to be sad about?! Garcia comes back and he has a crowbar! Perry dares him to go ahead. Garcia raises the bar, but he SMASHES up the bus! Garcia throws the crowbar away and Perry laughs. Is that it? Garcia tells Menard they’ll get out of here. What? Where’s Garcia going?
Perry says yeah, walk away. Menard tells Perry that Garcia’s gonna whoop his ass! Just wait! Menard leaves, Perry shouts into the night, but will The Face of TNT soon be the one sacrificed for the greater good?
Renee Paquette presides over the ROH World Championship contract signing.
She welcomes us backstage to the signing for this match, which will happen next week, Dynamite: Thanksgiving Eve, in Chicago. The challenger, Tomohiro Ishii, is on her left, and the champion, Chris Jericho, is on her right. Jericho, as champion, you have the honors to sign first. Jericho smiles and waves as he says, “Hi, guys.” But Renee, you should know better. A champion of Jericho’s caliber does not just sign a contract thrust at his face randomly. He has a whole legal team that needs to approve this contract. Renee says it was sent to said legal team last week. Oh, really? What about today? The now! Jericho lives in the now!
Jericho says he’ll get this checked by his legal eagles one more time. But for now, wait here. Choto matte kudesai. Jericho steps around the corner and then down the hall. He smiles at his own picture on the wall. What a good looking guy. But wait, Ishii has followed Jericho to the hall. Jericho is a bit worried as he keeps moving. Jericho tries to block Ishii’s path but a trash can isn’t enough. Jericho tells staffers that Ishii wants to talk to them. They step in the way but Ishii pushes them aside. Jericho moves faster, pushes more people in the way, but Ishii pushes them aside. Was that RJ City?
Jericho goes up some stairs but Ishii follows. Ishii’s even gaining ground! Jericho goes through a doorway and ends up in the concourse! Fans cheer as Jericho and Ishii keep up their cat ‘n’ mouse game. Jericho decides to go into the stands! Ishii follows, and they head down the bleachers towards ringside! Jericho hurries over railing but so does Ishii. They go into the ring, and now Jericho tells Ishii to stop following him! Jericho wants a mic, a mic is brought, and Jericho says hey, listen, Ishii. Jericho would sign this contract, but he doesn’t have a pen. Ishii has a pen! Oh. Ishii clicks it for Jericho, and pushes it into him.
Jericho takes the pen, looks at the contract again, and still hesitates. Jericho signs his part, and then hands things over to Ishii. But then BRYAN KEITH & BIG BILL ATTACK! It was all a massive set-up! Bad Apple & Redwood beat down Stone Pitbull, and then sit him up! Jericho has the pen ready, but here comes The Conglomeration! Mark Briscoe & Rocky Romero rush in, and Mark TACKLES Jericho! Rocky fires off on Bill while Mark CHOKES Jericho! Keith saves Jericho from Mark but Mark fires hands on Keith! The fans fire up, but then Bill SKYSCRAPER- NO, Mark UPPERCUTS Bill first! Rocky adds on!
The fans fire up as The Conglomeration pinballs Bill, and then Ishii CLOBBERS him! Bill tumbles out, but Rocky DIVES! Bill is sent into railing! Keith stands up, into a kick and underhooks! JAY DRILLER! Jericho stands up, Ishii has him, and hits a BRAINBUSTER!! Conglomeration stands tall over The Learning Tree and his Branches, and now Ishii signs his part! The match is now official, and Ishii is looking to take a bite out of Jericho! Will The Conglomeration have the ROH World Championship to be thankful for this year?
Backstage interview with Jamie Hayter.
Renee is with the former AEW Women’s World Champion and notes that last time, we were going to hear from her, only for her to be interrupted by Julia Hart. What is Hayter’s reaction to that? Well, yeah, she isn’t angry, but she is baffled why Julia chose to interrupt Hayter. They’ve never really spoken or interacted, or even wrestled each other. Hayter is just curious as to why Julia felt it was okay to do that. Granted, Julia can do whatever she wants, Hayter moves to the beat of her own drum just as much as Julia. But… if Julia wants to have a chat-
Uh oh, something is happening to the video! Brody King’s message echoes, “It’s time to come home.” Julia Hart walks through the woods. Brody says The House is her foundation. She has seen her rebirth. Now it is time to rebuild. She has woken up stronger, more determined, and more dangerous than ever. Julia aims her arrow to shoot down a target: her past self. Her obstacles are just bull’s eyes. She is the Princess of the Black Throne, and the Keeper of Secrets. She is Julia Hart, and her heart grows harder. She hits her mark, but will she find Hayter Hits Hard?
Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta!
Freshly Squeezed has been accused of being coldblooded and uncaring, but he got pretty heated as he told The Conglomeration to keep themselves safe tonight. He goes 1v1 with The Decoder, a young man who was once Cassidy’s student, and who left him behind to join the then Blackpool Combat Club. If anyone is uncaring, it is Yuta with how he would then follow Jon Moxley’s lead in the destruction of Bryan Danielson and Chuck Taylor. Who will be the more ferocious fighter tonight, this close to Full Gear?
The bell rings and Yuta SHOTGUNS Cassidy! Yuta follows Cassidy to a corner to CHOP, then ROCK, then CHOP again! Yuta whips corner to corner but Cassidy goes up and out. Cassidy bumps Yuta off buckles, climbs up top, but has to leap over. Yuta comes back but Cassidy catches him to a backslide! TWO, but Cassidy reels Yuta in for a cradle! TWO! Yuta pulls on an ear! But Cassidy arm-drags and wrangles Yuta into the SEATBELT! TWO!! Yuta escapes and the fans fire up as these two stand off. Yuta huffs ‘n’ puffs, but Cassidy shows he wants a grapple. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but Cassidy blocks a kick!
Cassidy reels Yuta in for a headlock, but Yuta powers up and out. Cassidy ducks ‘n’ rolls, tilt-o-whirls, but Yuta suplexes! Into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Yuta tumbles out and fans fire up! Cassidy builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Yuta and the fans fire up again! Cassidy brings Yuta up, whips, but Yuta reverses to reel Cassidy in! Cassidy fights the suplex, but then Yuta fights a suplex. Yuta suplexes, to RAILING BRAINBUSTER!! Cassidy writhes and fans are stunned! Yuta stomps Cassidy, then leaves him behind for the ring count. Cassidy crawls into the ring, Yuta exposes a crossbar, and then he GRINDS Cassidy’s face into the steel!
The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Yuta steps off at 4. Cassidy seethes as he rises up, but Yuta has him at the corner. Cassidy kicks Yuta’s legs out and Yuta falls onto a turnbuckle! Yuta falls back, Cassidy climbs, but Yuta grabs Cassidy first! Yuta drags Cassidy down but Cassidy fires hands. Yuta squeezes the facelock tight, then hits an APRON DDT! The fans boo Yuta while Cassidy writhes, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cassidy clutches his neck while Yuta waits in the ring. A ring count starts and Yuta eggs Cassidy on. Cassidy reaches up as the count reaches 5 of 10, but he doesn’t sit up until 6. Cassidy hobbles up, stumbles and falls, but springs back to life! He slides in at 9! Only for Yuta to be right on him! Yuta reels Cassidy in, but Cassidy turns that into BEACH BREAK! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy is too sore to be frustrated. They both sit up, and Yuta crawls his way over to a corner. Cassidy rises, checks his neck, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Yuta goes up, but Cassidy JUMP FOREARMS! Cassidy positions Yuta just right before he climbs the corner.
Yuta resists but Cassidy still brings Yuta up. Yuta continues to fight the suplex, throws body shots, then shoves Cassidy down. Cassidy rolls back to his feet, runs back up the corner, but Yuta again fights the suplex! Cassidy fires hands, but Yuta fires back! They brawl up top, Cassidy HEADBUTTS Yuta! But Yuta HEADBUTTS back! They both wobble, but then Cassidy BITES Yuta! The ref reprimands, but Cassidy CLAWS Yuta’s back! This is very Moxley of him to do! And then Cassidy hits the SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the ref checks. They’re both okay to continue, so a standing count begins!
Cassidy sits up, spots Yuta, and heads that way. Yuta sits up, they fire forearms as they stand! Dynamite returns to single picture as these shots go back and forth. The fans fire up for Cassidy but boo Yuta as the shots go faster and faster! Yuta BITES Cassidy’s forehead! Yuta spits then runs, but Cassidy dodges! BODY BLOW! SUPERKICK! Yuta sits down, Cassidy runs, PENALTY KICK! Cassidy slashes his throat, hauls Yuta up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy seethes. Cassidy rains down fists on Yuta! The ref reprimands about closed fists and hair pulling, but Cassidy doesn’t stop until the ref counts 4.
Cassidy stands, and he throws off the elbow pad! Cassidy aims at Yuta, runs up, but Yuta ducks the punch! GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta runs to CHOP in the corner! And then a wrench and PAIN THRILLER! The fans boo while Yuta seethes and stands over Cassidy. Yuta sits Cassidy up, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! But Cassidy blocks one! And bends fingers, to then SNAP them! The fans fire up as Cassidy SNAPS finger after finger! Yuta swings, Cassidy BOOTS him, then serves up SOLE FOOD! Scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy is busting out all his best friends’ best moves, but he hasn’t gotten it done!
Cassidy aims, loads up, and ORANGE- NO, Yuta ducks! Orange fights the suplex, switches to O’Conner Roll! TWO, Yuta dodges Cassidy, scoops him, and CROSS LEG TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO?!? Cassidy survives and Yuta is furious! The fans are thunderous, but Yuta rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Cassidy grits his teeth but he’s almost a ragdoll! Yuta lets off to then hook the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION!! Cassidy endures as Yuta thrashes him around! Cassidy powers up as the fans rally, and he kicks around to the ROPEBREAK!! Yuta holds on, the ref counts, and Yuta finally lets go at 4!
The ref reprimands Yuta, but Yuta pushes past the ref to go outside the ring. Yuta grabs a chair! Yuta storms into the ring while the fans boo, and the ref says don’t do it! Cassidy dodges the chair shot! Victory roll, CASSIDY WINS!!
Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall
Yuta is in disbelief! Cassidy beat him with a technical move! Yuta snarls but the ref keeps him back. Cassidy did what he promised in beating Yuta, but then he stares his former student down. Is Cassidy going to offer a handshake? WAIT, PAC ATTACKS! The Bastard BOOTS Cassidy down so we’ll never know what Cassidy was going to do! The fans boo more but Pac & Yuta stand on Cassidy. The rest of the Death Riders appear, and Marina Shafir has duct tape! The AEW World Trios Champions stomp away on Cassidy, like vultures picking the bones. Moxley steps into the ring while Marina hands the tape over to Pac.
Claudio puts Cassidy’s hands in his pockets, and then Pac tapes them in! Cassidy is physically bound, and Moxley paces around. Cassidy is pushed around by all the Death Riders, then Moxley DECKS him! Claudio hauls Cassidy back up, the Death Riders keep bullying him, and then Moxley SLAPS Cassidy down! But the bullying continues as they stand Cassidy up. Cassidy “kicks” Moxley! Defiant to the end! But Moxley DECKS him again! Moxley paces around more, then stomps Cassidy right on the face! Moxley leads The Death Riders away, and The Conglomeration finally comes out here.
Mark has scissors to cut Cassidy loose, and the fans boo as The Death Riders still retreat. Cassidy tries to stand up, but he has to use ropes to do it. Even so, Cassidy stands on his own two feet. Moxley eggs on the fans while Cassidy puts his sunglasses on. And then hands up, and then into the pockets! Try as they might, The Death Riders could not break the Freshly Squeezed fighting spirit! Will Cassidy finally become AEW World Champion? Or will Moxley find a way to break Cassidy at Full Gear?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home Dynamite here, though it felt like it contracted Go Home Syndrome. A lot of recap and other promos, but good promos all the same. Good follow-up from last week with Hayter and Hart, that will probably really get going after Full Gear. Good promo from Mariah & Mina to hype up their celebration segment for Full Gear, and with Toni Storm’s announcement of her retirement, you can bet Toni is anything but retired! Toni Storm most assuredly will return very soon, maybe even to ruin the celebration and spark another feud. I still want us to get to Mariah VS Mina but maybe Storm moves things back so that Mariah VS Mina happens in 2025.
Good promo from Private Party to also have AJ & Big Justice show up. The promos didn’t really add much to any of the matches, though. I’m very sure AJ does hit the BOOM on QT to win, and then Private Party finds a way to survive the Fatal 4. Great stuff with Perry, Garcia and Menard, that was another very action movie kind of promo, maybe even like that grittier Batman movie. But with Garcia not sinking to the same lows as Perry, that will be why Garcia loses. Honestly, why not just have Perry blatantly get himself disqualified? What great heat for Perry while keeping Garcia strong in not becoming TNT Champion.
Great promos in this MJF story. I appreciate Cole throwing his support behind Roddy was good, as well as Kyle O’Reilly wanting Cole to just leave it at this. MJF of course insults Roddy over his past while also trashing Cole at the same time, but great response from Roddy. Also I’m not a car guy so it took me a little too long to Google out what car MJF was driving. Anyway, given all these promos, I am very confident MJF wins at Full Gear and then Cole still wants after MJF, only for Kyle to have to fight Cole to make him stop. Then we’ll maybe get Cole VS MJF at Worlds End, or even some time in 2025.
Very good stuff with The Hurt Syndicate, even with them getting jumped by Swerve. Poor Cheeseburger, that’s one fan favorite that got fed to Bobby Lashley. But Swerve getting the better of the Hurt Syndicate again and again tonight, all the more reason Lashley wins at Full Gear. Very good promo vignette from White and Hangman to hype up their grudge match, which still feels it could go either way since they’re tied on the year. And Jericho and Ishii had perhaps simultaneously the most clever and most ridiculous contract signing segment ever. And of course Jericho worked out some sort of trap, only for it to go badly for him and his team. But with that, that means Ishii is losing next week, as I figured he would.
Awesome opening match with the 8 Man, and I liked that they had Hobbs do the “fighting through the pain” angle in the match. Also, great bit with Kyle Fletcher sending Davis into harm’s way so that the Callis Family can get the better of Ospreay’s team. I thought the Faces were going to win here, but the math now says Ospreay finds a way to beat Kyle, and maybe Ricochet takes the International Championship from Konosuke Takeshita. The Continental Classic is coming, and they could easily use that round robin to get Konosuke back to a feud with Kazuchika Okada and they battle for the Continental Championship at Worlds End like we should’ve gotten at WrestleDream.
Awesome match from Kris VS Shida, and I appreciate the crisis of confidence for Shida. Kris gets a great win to go into Full Gear, and then Kris and Shida get the better of Mone & Kamille, so all the more reason Mone finds a way to survive. As for Kamille, I feel like she should ditch Mone for being treated like crap by Mone, and maybe we can get a feud of Mone VS Kamille going into 2025. And of course, plenty of promos from Death Riders and “Team AEW” members. Moxley just kinda went on and on about stuff he’s already said in reference to Cassidy, but I did like Claudio going bilingual in talking trash on Darby.
Awesome matches from those stories, of course. Darby really got thrown around but he continues to show that toughness. Claudio getting the win mostly keeps Darby back so that Darby can build towards a world title match at Worlds End. Cassidy VS Yuta was great stuff, too, with great back and forth of Cassidy wanting to end it quick, having to grit it out with Yuta, and then Cassidy still finding a way to end it with a quick pin. And they did a good job muddying the math. Cassidy wins the match, but the Death Riders beat him down, only for Cassidy to literally stand tall at the end of the show. I still don’t see him taking the world title from Moxley, though, with Darby still in the wings, but this could end up Cassidy’s best match yet.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will this be the mightiest Tag League yet?
It’s time for NJPW World Tag League 2024, and this year already looks mighty good as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr, is in the A Block! Will he and Ryohei Oiwa make everyone #JustTapOut?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Masatora Yasuda; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Taiji Ishimori & The Filip Brothers; Taiji & The Filip Brothers win.
- Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Douki & Taka Michinoku VS The United Empire; Taichi, Douki & Taka win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Takagi & Tsuji win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
PLAY BY PLAY
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!
The Roughneck is bringing Everyone’s Kokeshi along for the ride, but this league might already be too much to handle. Can Honma help Shota bring about his Paradigm Shift? Or will they just get conquered by the United Empire?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against The Imperial Unit. The bell rings and Shota runs up to RAM Cobb! And RAM! And RAM! Cobb stays up so Shota kicks low. Shota runs to RAM Cobb, but Cobb rebounds to CLOBBER Shota! The fans cheer while Cobb stalks Shota. Cobb brings Shota up to whip him to a corner. Shota comes back to RAM Cobb! Cobb stays up, so Shota clinches! Cobb fights free with elbows, but Shota dodges a lariat to RAM Cobb! Cobb falls over! The fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Cobb up again. Callum runs in so Shota shoves Cobb aside to catch Callum. Shota shoves Callum at Honma for a shoulder tackle!
The fans fire up as Shota keeps moving and he SOMERSAULT SENTONS Callum! Shota then sets up so he and Honma can tabletop Cobb! Cobb sits up into Shota’s SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Shota tags Honma. The fans rally behind Honma as he CLUBS Cobb. Honma reels Cobb in, but Cobb suplexes first! Cobb SLAMS Honma down, then calls for Callum. Callum rises but Cobb says hold on. The “Cobby Cat” mocks Honma by bopping himself on the head. Cobb then runs to FALLING KOKESHIÂ FLOP! Honma winds up and runs, but Callum is in the way! Cobb runs up, Honma dodges the lariat but Callum tags in.
Cobb dodges Honma, then shoves him at Callum. They pinball Honma around, and Callum BOOTS Honma while Cobb BLASTS Shota! Then Callum & Cobb coordinate to HIGH LOW with a shoulder tackle and leg sweep! The fans cheer and Cobb says You Can’t See Him! Callum stomps Honma, then KICKS him in the back. Honma gets mad but Callum scuffs him again and again. Honma rises, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Callum CHOPS and pretends that hurt his hand. Callum CLUBS Honma down but the fans rally up. Honma rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Callum kicks low, reels him in, but Honma fights the suplex!
Honma catches Callum’s lariat to spin and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum and Honma crawl, but Honma hot tags Shota! Shota rallies on Callum with big elbows! Shota whips, Callum reverses, but SHota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Callum! Cobb runs up, but Shota arm-drags him, then dropkicks the legs out! Cobb bails, Shota fires up, and the fans rally again. Shota whips Callum corner to corner, runs up on him, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Callum in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let that slow him down!
Shota waits on Callum, then runs, but Callum avoids Ignition to hook Shota! Shota fights the backslide so Callum whips him to a corner. Callum runs up but Shota dodges! Shota runs up but Callum goes up and over! Callum keeps moving, but Shota ROCKS him, UPPERCUTS him, and runs! Callum follows to ROCK Shota at the ropes! Callum runs, but then stops to fake out Shota’s dropkick! Shota sits up, but he ducks the Penalty Kick! Shota rolls Callum but Callum rolls through. Shota ROCKS Callum, then spins, but Callum dodges the rolling elbow! DREAMCAST KICK! Shota drops to his knees and the fans fire up!
Callum and Shota crawl, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb runs up to waistlock Shota for a deadlift! Shota fights with elbows, goes to run, but Cobb reels him in for a forearm to the back! Cobb runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up again and Shota heads for his corner. Hot tag to Honma! The fans rally as Honma CHOPS Cobb, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Honma puts Cobb in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up. Honma ELBOWS Cobb and hits a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma shows Cobb how it’s done! FALLING KOKESHI- NO! Now Honma FLOPS as Cobb moves! Callum runs up to SHOTGUN Shota off the apron!
The fans fire up as Cobb RAMS Honma into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH! Callum drops down and Cobb LEAPS over to ELBOW Honma! Callum comes back and Cobb pops him up to the apron! ENZIGIRI, then fireman’s carry! Callum climbs, DOUBLE STOMP ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! PENALTY KICK and GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Shota breaks it! The fans fire up and Shota TOSSES Callum! Cobb kicks Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota shouts to Honma and the fans fire up again. Honma rises and he storms up on Cobb. Honma & Shota double whip corner to corner!
Honma runs up to LARIAT! Honma feeds Cobb to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma LARIATS, Shota clinches, EXPLODER!! The fans cheer and Honma runs, SLIDING KOKESHI! Shota keeps moving, IGNITION! Honma covers, Callum breaks it! Shota stomps Callum out of the ring and leaves the rest to Honma. Honma drags Cobb up, but Cobb fights the suplex! Cobb ROCKS Honma, whips him, but Honma grabs ropes! Honma BOOTS Cobb, and Shota joins in! DOUBLE RUNNING KOKESHI! And then they DOUBLE FALLING KOKESHI! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Shota goes after Callum! CANNONBALL to the floor!
The fans fire up again as Honma climbs! FLYING- NO, Cobb catches Honma! SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives and the fans fire up again! But then Cobb reels Honma in, for a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, United Empire wins!
Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
A powerful showing from “The Kokeshi Brothers,” but they could not bring down Callum & Cobb. With the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships already on Great-O-Khan & Henare, will The United Empire completely dominate the NJPW Heavyweight Tag Division?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & ???
Los Ingobernables de Japon’s heavy formation is in this block, ready to rampage like twin dragons. If only The Sauce could’ve brought his own monster back. Who will be the substitute for Lance Archer? And can he help heat things up?
Zayne makes his entrance before anyone else, and asks to speak on the mic. A mic is given, and Zayne says, “Kon’nichiwa.” The fans applaud, and Zayne explains that when he was contacted this year for WTL, he was also informed that Lance Archer could not make it. Zayne knew he had to do one thing: find the most “delicious” tag partner he could find. And that man is… RYUSUKE TAGUCHI!? The fans can’t believe the Funky Weapon is joining Zayne in this tournament! And he wears a green version of Zayne’s gear! Are things about to get really spicy now?
The teams sort out, and Takagi is in disbelief. LIJ fist bumps and the fans applaud. Taguchi and Zayne bow, “Itadakimasu,” and Zayne starts against Yota. They circle, tie up, and Yota powers Zayne back. But Zayne powers Yota back! Yota powers up to power Zayne onto the ropes, but Zayne turns things around. The ref counts, Zayne lets off slowly with a pat on the shoulders, but Yota plays with Zayne’s hair. Zayne smirks and Yota grins as the two reset. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yota headlocks, but Zayne powers up and out. Yota RAMS Zayne but neither man falls. Fans cheer as Yota grins and Zayne plays with his own hair.
Things speed up suddenly, and Zayne sidesteps. Yota bucks the O’Conner Roll, then gets around Zayne. Zayne ELBOWS Yota away to a corner. Zayne runs up to BACK ELBOW and go to the apron in one go! Then he slingshots to RANA! Yota has a rough tumble, but he stands back up. Zayne runs up again, dodges the lariat and waistlocks, only to bring Yota back and run. Yota sidesteps Zayne then drops down, only for Zayne to IMPLODER KNEE DROP! The fans fire up but Zayne keeps moving, STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans cheer more while Zayne grins at Takagi. Zayne brings Yota up, tags Taguchi, and they double whip.
“Funky Sauce” misdirects Yota to hit a BULLDOG then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Taguchi stomps Yota. Taguchi brings Yota up, kicks low, then whips. Yota reverses but Taguchi RANAS! A little slippery, but then Zayne BLASTS Takagi off the apron! Funky Sauce takes aim, Taguchi PLANCHASÂ but flops as Yota moves! Zayne is on the apron but Takagi YANKS Zayne down! The fans rally but Takagi hauls Zayne up to whip him into railing! Yota drags Taguchi up and puts him in the ring. Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he stands Taguchi up. LIJ double whip Taguchi to then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!
The fans cheer and then Takagi SENTONS! Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Yota tags Takagi. The fans rally and duel while Takagi stands Taguchi up. Takagi bumps Taguchi off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then digs his shoulder in. The ref counts, Takagi steps back, and he snapmares Taguchi down. Tag to Yota and Yota drags Taguchi up. Yota snapmares Taguchi to ROCK him in the back! Taguchi falls back, Yota tags Takagi, and LIJ drags Taguchi up. They DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi hobbles in pain, falls to his knees, and Takagi BLASTS Zayne off the apron!
Takagi gets annoyed with this Funky Sauce, but Taguchi fires off CHOPS! Taguchi runs, but Takagi easily dodges the hip attack! Takagi then suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and the fans fire up. Takagi hears the fans dueling as he stomps Taguchi. Takagi KNEES Taguchi against the ropes again and again, then whips, for another KNEE! Takagi runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi and Takagi crawl, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne jumps in and DECKS Takagi, then he BLASTS Yota! Zayne swats a lariat to fire elbow after ELBOW!
Takagi blocks the superkick to CLUB the leg! Yota joins in, LIJ whips Zayne, but Zayne KICKS Takagi, mule kicks Yota, and runs, DOUBLE SOMERSAULT KICKS! The fans fire up and Zayne runs at Takagi. Takagi ELBOWS Zayne, BOOTS him, then goes up. Zayne returns to JUMPING STEINERS! The fans fire up while Zayne covers, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Zayne brings him right up. Zayne goes to scoop but Takagi fights it! Zayne CHOPS, scoops, and BAJA- NO, Takagi slips free! SLIDING- NO, Zayne dodges! Zayne mule kicks, runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKONÂ feint and DDT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!
Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota fires up and the fans are with him. Yota brings Zayne around to whip, but Zayne stops himself. Zayne dodges Yota, Yota dodges Zayne, and both men kick low! Yota comes back to BOOT! The fans cheer and Yota brings Zayne up again. Yota fireman’s carries but Zayne fights free. Yota ROCKS Zayne first! Yota tries another fireman’s carry but Zayne sunset flips it! TWO, and both men stand! Zayne rolls Yota, BASEMENT ENZIGIRI! Zayne hurries to hot tag Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS in a corner! Taguchi goes corner to corner, for another HIP ATTACK!
Taguchi keeps moving, but Yota runs up! Taguchi dropkicks Yota’s legs out! The fans fire up and Taguchi keeps going! Another dropkick to legs, then a LEG SWEEP! Taguchi rolls Yota into the OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Zayne BOOTS Takagi off the apron! Yota scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he brings Yota back up. Taguchi traps Yota and Zayne runs in to ELBOW! Zayne then sets up and Taguchi runs, SHOTGUN IN MOTION! Taguchi then brings Yota out to GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up as Zayne climbs! But Yota KICKS Taguchi away, then GAMANGIRIS Zayne off the corner!
Taguchi kicks Yota, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Takagi slides in, and he finds the camera, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has come, and they join in on a chant of “OI! OI! OI!” LIJ whips Taguchi to a corner, then Yota runs in to ELBOW! Takagi whips Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi adds a LARIAT, then feeds Taguchi to a BOOT! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! SUPERKICK! Taguchi is down, Yota covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans fire up. Takagi stands Taguchi up and throws him to Yota for a POWERBOMB! Cover, Zayne breaks it! Takagi drags Zayne up, LIJ mugs him, but he fights back with CHOPS!
The fans fire up but Yota spins Zayne around to facelock, and Takagi wheelbarrows. Yota helps Takagi swing Taguchi down, then up for a BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! The fans fire up and Takagi leaves it to Yota. Yota takes aim and the fans rally. Taguchi rises, Yota runs in, GENE- LEG DROP!? And then La Magistrol! TWO!! Yota escapes in time, but Taguchi spins him to a backslide! TWO!! Yota escapes again! But Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi fires up and the fans are with him! But Takagi LARIATS! GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER!! And now Yota loads up, for the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
The Funky Sauce was hot, but they’re the ones that got burned! Will they be able to spice things up in the second round? Will Takagi & Tsuji keep the tag league tranquilo?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi once again clash with The Fang & The Jewel, both sides hungry for gold. Will it be Lights Out in the opening round? Or will someone just #Go2Sleep?
The teams sort out but then Bullet Club just attacks! Chase is after Goto and Kenta is after Hashi, and they put each man in corners. The bell rings to get this on record as Kenta TOSSES Hashi. Chase CHOKES Goto in the corner, then stands on him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off to bring Goto up. Chase ROCKS Goto, whips him, and Kenta POSTS Hashi! Chase hits a big hip toss then covers, TWO! The fans rally up while Chase stomps Goto’s leg. Chase scrapes his sole off Goto’s face, and Kenta whips Hashi again. Hashi reverses and Kenta hits railing in front of English commentary! Chase ROCKS Goto, CHOPS him, then whips.
Goto grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Chase! Hashi returns and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZENMAI! Kenta returns but Bishamon kicks him first. “Se no!” Bishamon BEATS Kenta like a drum! The fans cheer and Bishamon flexes. Goto then goes back to Chase to stomp and CLUB him down. Goto kicks Chase, Chase shoves Goto and ROCKS him with a forearm! Goto knees Chase low, runs, but Chase TOSSES Goto out! Goto hurries back up, he counter punches Chase, and then counter punches Kenta! Chase slips out to YANK Goto down and THROW him into railing! Kenta intercepts Hashi with a kick!
Kenta whips Hashi away into railing while Chase sends Goto into other railing! The ref reprimands but Chase brings Goto through the gate. Chase has fans move out of the way, but then brings Goto back to ringside. Chase grins as he trolls the fans and pushes Goto into the ring. Kenta CLUBS away on Hashi before leaving him behind. Chase pulls on Goto’s arms then TWEAKS Goto’s neck! Not a twist, but equally painful. Chase tags Kenta while the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Kenta pushes Goto into the corner, Goto hits Chase, but Kenta RAMS Goto! The ref reprimands and counts as Kenta RAMS Goto more!
Kenta sits Goto down, and digs his boot in! The ref counts, Kenta stops at 4, and he tags Chase back in. They stomp Goto more, then Chase headlocks for a sucker punch! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Goto up and he bumps Goto off Kenta’s boot. Tag to Kenta and Bullet Club double whips. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down then Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta covers again, TWO! Kenta argues with the ref but the count was fair. Kenta drops an elbow, drops another elbow, then covers, TWO! Kenta gets mad at Hashi for no reason, but the fans rally up for Goto. Kenta CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires CHOPS in return!
Kenta knees low, whips Goto to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into a BOOT! Kenta runs but Goto follows! Goto avoids Chase’s cheap shot to LARIAT Kenta! The fans fire up while Goto and Kenta are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hahsi BLASTS Chase! Kenta kicks Hashi low then whips him to a corner. Kenta runs up but Hashi CHOPS in return! And mule kicks! And turns Kenta for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi watches Kenta. Hashi waits on Kenta to rise, then runs up to CHOP! Hashi hoists Kenta up to hang him out to dry! The fans fire up as Hashi runs, and he DROPKCISK Kenta down! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer Hashi on as he brings Kenta up. Hashi reels Kenta in, lifts, but Kenta fights with fists! Kenta slips free of the bomb, then slips around Hashi to spin and- NO, Hashi suplexes first! But Kenta slips free again, and he spins Hashi around, to SPIKE DDT! Hashi is stood up on his head before falling over, and Kenta tags in Chase. Chase brings Hashi up and fireman’s carries. Hashi fights free of that, but Chase slips around to half nelson, lift, and SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Chase says time to end this! Chase takes aim, C- NO, Hashi dodges the trigger! Chase knees low, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs!
The fans fire up whiel both men are down! Chase clutches his leg while Hashi crawls. Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs at Chase to LARIAT in the corner! Goto whips corner to corner, runs up again, but Chase BOOTS him! But Goto comes back! Only for Chase to BUCKLE SHOT and STO, then SENTON! Kenta steps in and Bullet Club drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms and CHOPS! Kenta SOBATS! Chase KICKS! Kenta ROUNDHOUSES! Goto sits up into the “I HATE YOU!” PENALTY KICK! Cover, but Hashi breaks it! Kenta TOSSES Hashi then goes out after him. Chase drags Goto up and reels him in.
Chase tucks the arms but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches out but Chase ROCKS him first! Chase runs, Goto follows, but Chase ENZIGIRIS! Goto stays up, but the C-TRIGGER hits! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Chase hurries up! C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK!! And then the tuck for the PACKAGE PILE- NO, Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up, Kenta BOOTS Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries Kenta but Kenta slips free! Kenta shoves Goto into Hashi, then waistlocks Goto. Goto fights the lift, and then ducks, HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK for Kenta! The fans fire up as Bishamon regroups.
Hashi drags Chase up, whips him to Goto, but Chase BOOTS Goto! Chase swings on Hashi but Hashi ducks the lariat. Hashi powers Chase to ropes, Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then Hashi rolls Chase. Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has the legs! Chase BOOTS Hashi away! Chase then slips around to dragon sleeper, to steal G T- NO, Goto drops down to victory roll! Chase stands up, into a SUPERKICK! Goto drags Chase around while Hashi BLASTS Kenta! Dragon sleeper and SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)
Another classic in this storied rivalry, worthy of the titles themselves! Will this first win be the win that leads the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter back to the titles? Can Kenta & Chase borrow a page from Bishamon and #GetBackUp in the next round?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
TMDK has a team in each block, doubling their chances of taking this league. But perhaps burying the lead is the fact that THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is joining in the fun! Will The Front Man & The Mullet rock this league right from the start? Or will the Mad Man and the turncoat Cold Skull get this tournament #WarReady?
The teams sort out but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face. Gabe pushes Oiwa, they start, and they tie up at the bell. The fans rally as Oiwa and Gabe are in a deadlock. They go around at center, then Oiwa digs his heels in to push Gabe back. Gabe turns things around to put Oiwa on ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Gable lets off, to then CHOP! Gabe scoops and SLAMS Oiwa, then he goes for legs. Oiwa UPKICKS Gabe, then stands up to scoop and SLAM Gabe! Gabe UPKICKS back, both men get up and go face to face. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as Oiwa gets the edge, but Gabe CHOPS!
Gabe headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Gabe eggs OIwa on and he runs to RAM Gabe! They both run now, and they RAM shoulders again, and again, and again! Gabe CHOPS then runs, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Gabe! The fans fire up while Gabe bails out. Oiwa eggs Gabe on and Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes the railing in frustration, then he paces around the outside. Gabe cools off, slides in, but then tags Sanada. Sanada steps in slowly, so Oiwa tags in ZSJ. The two rivals circle and the afns rally behind “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” ZSJ and Sanada feel things out, knuclke lock, and ZSJ rolls to wrench.
Sanada is already frustrated so he kicks ZSJ low! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and then Gabe goes after Oiwa! Gabe CHOPS away on Oiwa while Sanada sends ZSJ into railing! And then more railing! Gabe does the same to Oiwa, and Sanada storms up on ZSJ. Sanada CLAWS ZSJ’s back, a definite attitude change showing. Gabe Too Sweets with Taiji Ishimori on commentary while Sanada pushes ZSJ into the ring. Sanada whips ZSJ to a corner, but ZSJ goes up, under, around, and RAMS into Sanada! ZSJ snapmares, Sanada handsprings through, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! Tag to Oiwa and he BLASTS Gabe!
Oiwa goes back to Sanada and stands him up. Oiwa wrenches an arm, YANKS it, then wrenches to YANK it again. Oiwa tags ZSJ and ZSJ brings Sanada around to wrench, step over, and wrangle into a mounted armbar! Sanada endures as ZSJ bends the fingers and isolates the arm, to STOMP it! The fans cheer, ZSJ tags Oiwa, and Oiwa CLUBS Sanada’s arm. Oiwa headlocks for a takeover, then isolates the arm in an short arm scissor! The fans rally while Sanada endures and kicks around. Sanada reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Oiwa lets Sanada go, but then Oiwa brings Sanada up.
Oiwa whips, Sanada reverses, and Gabe trips Oiwa up! Sanda BLASTS ZSJ while Oiwa drags Oiwa out of the ring! Now things spill out into the crowd! Gabe CHOPS Oiwa, then SMACKS him off empty chairs! Sanada BOWLS ZSJ into chairs! Not quite a strike, so Sanada JAMS ZSJ up with a chair! That picks up the spare, and we can hear Gabe’s CHOPS on Oiwa echo out. Gabe stomps Oiwa while Sanada CHOKES ZSJ with a chair! Red Shoes reprimands the War Dogs, but Gabe POSTS Oiwa! Gabe says War Dogs run this, but Red Shoes starts a ring count. Gabe flexes on Oiwa, then drags him up at 7 of 20.
Gabe puts Oiwa in at 10 and Sanada covers, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans rally behind him. Sanada is annoyed but he brings Oiwa up. Sanada CLUBS Oiwa, then bumps him off Gabe’s boot. Oiwa sputters while Sanada tags Gabe in. Gabe drags Oiwa up, mockingly asks where Zack-senpai went, then he UPPERCUTS Oiwa down. Gabe TOSSES Oiwa out, and he BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! Sanada whips Oiwa into railing! Gabe lifts ZSJ bu tZSJ wrenches free to KIMURA! Gabe powers through, to BITE ZSJ on the forehead! Sanada sends Oiwa into more railing, Gabe sends ZSJ through railing and into chairs!
Sanada BOWLS Oiwa into chairs now, there is the strike! Sanada continues to show his new edge as he JAMS Oiwa up with a chair. Red Shoes reprimands so Sanada brings Oiwa back to ringside. Sanada puts Oiwa in for Gabe and Gabe pushes Oiwa to a cover. Red Shoes says no, all the shenanigans were not right. Gabe gets in Red Shoes’ face about that, but Red Shoes stands his ground. Gabe storms around while the fans rally behind Oiwa. Gabe drags Oiwa up, to CHOP! Oiwa wobbles but he rises up. Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires forearms! Gabe DECKS Oiwa with just one! The fans still rally for Oiwa but Gabe stands on Oiwa’s face!
Gabe soaks up the heat, scuffs Oiwa and stomps him around. Oiwa sits up, Gabe runs, but Oiwa reels him in! Gabe fights the waistlock, runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and Gabe crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Sanada! The fans fire up as ZSJ dodges Sanada, full nelsons, then spins him to a headlock. Sanada powers out but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada powers out to HIP TOSS, but ZJS UP KICKS! Sanada avoids the Penalty Kick, blocks the boot, but ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basment DROPKICK! The fans fire up and we’ve only hit 10 minutes!
ZSJ drags Sanada up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Sanada blocks the next to spin and suplex, but ZSJ says no to the Magic Screw! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada escapes but ZSJ stays focused. ZSJ stands Sanada up to scoop, but Sanada slips free. ZSJ fights the waistlock, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Sanada then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips free, to have the IRON OCTOPUS! The fans rally while Sanada endures, and Sanada powers out to have a leg! DROPPING DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ clutches the leg and Sanada takes aim! SHINING-
NO, ZSJ ducks, but Sanada catches him to a backslide! ZSJ rolls through to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Oiwa goes back to Sanada and brings him up. Oiwa whips Sanada to ropes, ELBOWS Him down, then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada! Oiwa deadlift GUT RWENCH PLEXES! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe CHOPS away on ZSJ and Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ & Oiwa DOUBLE DROPKICK Gabe down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he clamps onto Sanada with a SLEEPER! Sanada endures and fights up, but Oiwa thrashes him around!
Sanada still fights to his feet, slips around the back, and shoves Oiwa to ropes. Gabe trips Oiwa up! Oiwa kicks at Gabe but Sanada kicks ropes to jam Oiwa up! Sanada suplexes Oiwa into the MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Sanada crawls over, tag to Gabe, and Gabe storms right up on Oiwa. Gabe UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down! Gabe then puts Oiwa in a corner to fire off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Gabe digs his boots in while talking trash. Gabe shoves Red Shoes aside so he can keep stomping away on Oiwa! The fans rally and Red Shoes backs Gabe off.
Gabe seethes but the fans continue to rally for Oiwa. Oiwa grits his teeth as he sits up, but Gabe ROCKS him with another shot! Oiwa still looks up defiantly at Gabe, so Gabe fires shots! Gabe says Oiwa’s not worthy of being his NJPW Strong Openweight Challenger. Gabe says Oiwa’s just some “weak ass kohai!” Gabe SPITS on Oiwa, but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face! Gabe fires slapping strikes, blocks a shot, then SLAPS Oiwa again! Oiwa spins to DOUBLE CHOP Gsbe down! Sanada runs up and kicks low! Sanada whips, Oiwa reverses, but Sanada reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada!
Gabe runs up, ZSJ BOOTS him first! Gabe runs back in, slips out of the scoop, and he scoops ZSJ for EMERALD FLOWSON!! But Oiwa spins Gabe! Gabe avoids The Grip, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa is frustrated but the fans rally behind him. Oiwa hauls Gabe up, ANACONDA PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives again but Oiwa roars! Oiwa drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the gut wrench! Gabe CLUBS Oiwa on the back, then he gut wrenches! Oiwa fights back, wrenches out, and he blocks a lariat to spin. Gabe HAYMAKERS, and SAIDOS!! Gabe crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives! Gabe snarls and he drags Oiwa up. Gabe says this is the end. But Oiwa fights the suplex! Oiwa suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Oiwa still tries, but Gabe slips out to waistlock. Sanada DROPKCIKS Oiwa, Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe & Sanada work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Gabe suplexes again, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and tells Gabe to finish this! ZSJ RAMS Sanada, they brawl outside, and Gabe slashes his throat. Gabe drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oia slips through the gut wrench to backslide! TWO, and Gabe UPPERCUTS!
Gabe runs, but ZSJ is back! He BOOTS Gabe but Gabe SLAPS ZSJ! ZSJ KICKS the haymaker away to then ROUNDHOUSE Gabe! Sanada’s in to dragon sleeper! ZSJ arm-drags free, but Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ and Sanada flop out of the ring, leaving Oiwa and Gabe to rise up. They run at each other, to DOUBLE LARIAT! neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Oiwa PALM STRIKES! Gabe PALM STRIKES, CHOPS, JABS, rebounds, into a roll-up! Hig stack, TMDK WINS!!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall
Gabe is in shock! He gets right in Red Shoes’ face but Red Shoes says it was a fair count! Gabe then goes after Oiwa to CLOBBER him! The fans boo and Young Lions rush in, but Gabe eggs Oiwa on! So Oiwa obliges and they brawl among the fans! The Young Lions rush in to separate the two, but Gabe gets loose to CLOBBER Oiwa! They scrap, ZSJ joins in, and he pulls the two apart. Gabe kicks a chair in frustration, then goes into retreat. Wait, Oiwa chases Gabe to the ramp and beats him down! Young Lions again scramble in to stop this, but it just heads to the back! Sanada shrugs it off, will the #ColdWarDogs just have to try harder in the next round?
As for the winners, well, they’re no longer ringside so there won’t be any in-ring closing words. Backstage interviews begin, Gabe promises Oiwa will be put in the ground! Will the Mad Man show The Mullet what it takes to be NJPW Strong? As for ZSJ, he gathers himself, and tells NJPW Media that he doesn’t know where The Mullet went. Actually, no, he has an idea: The Mullet must be smashing the s*it outta Gabe. “Roy The Mullet” is the next NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Oiwa will hit Gabe so hard, his legs will turn into trombones! As for ZSJ, there is something rare happening in this year’s WTL, isn’t it?
Yes, it’s that the IWGP World EFFIN’ Heavyweight Champion is involved, as this should be! The first time the world champion’s been in this tournament in roughly a decade! ZSJ said he was gonna be a different kind of world champion for NJPW, and that he promises to take NJPW back to the top! Now obviously, a conflict of interests, as this tournament is Shane Haste’s & Mikey Nicholls’ to win, but ZSJ won’t give the boys an easy ride. ZSJ is dreaming~ of an all TMDK World Tag League finals! Then who knows, maybe Zack & Roy get the job done.
But ZSJ knows the Tokyo Dome is coming soon. And Shota Umino wants to be ZSJ’s challenger. ZSJ says he will be keeping his eyes wide open for Shota. ZSJ says he’ll have a DOUBLE main event in the Tokyo Dome, it’s in the bag. What about you, Shota? The Front Man heads out, having put the pressure on his challenger, but will all of NJPW soon belong to TMDK?
Here are the A Block standings!
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great start to World Tag League 2024, with just A Block opening things tonight. I will say those tune-up matches were interesting. Even though David Finlay is the Global Champion, it’s Taiji Ishimori that has apparently become Bullet Club’s international ambassador. Taiji brought Robbie X into the group, now he teamed with The Filip Brothers, Tome & Stevie, who knows who else Bone Soldier will recruit. Taiji’s team beating Tanahashi’s team, House of Torture cheating and beating Tanahashi’s friends, this is all putting the pressure on The Ace, meaning The Ace will win out at WrestleKingdom 19.
Shota Umino teaming with Tomoaki Honma, I wonder if this is to hold Shota back somehow. He is apparently still heading for WrestleKingdom and a world title match with ZSJ, so it’s not like Shota needs to win WTL, but I guess NJPW just wants Shota to give the fans a good time alongside a fan favorite like Honma. Also, Callum & Cobb have a fun new shirt for their team-up. I figured Zayne would need to improvise now that #MonsterSauce is no longer happening, and Taguchi was a great surprise choice. But #FunkySauce making its debut against a team as strong as Takagi & Tsuji was a shame because of course LIJ was winning that. Maybe Zayne & Taguchi can pull off a spoiler victory later on, but I don’t see Funky Sauce going that strong.
Bishamon VS Kenta & Chase really was an awesome match, and it is so surprising how Chase has grown in just the past couple years. Great win for Goto & Hashi, though, as they’re clearly the solid utility choices in the tag division. And what an awesome main event, with Sanada bringing out the most Heel stuff he’s done perhaps ever. A bit jarring really, but that’s just kinda old fashioned Heel turns for ya. Great win for TMDK, though, and definitely an unorthodox way of closing by having Oiwa and Gabe brawl all over ringside and into the back.
While ZSJ says it is big for the world champ to be in this tournament, which I do agree with on some level, it also makes some of the A Block action seem secondary. Gabe and Oiwa having their grudge was kinda the main motivator behind this match, and then it’ll be similar when Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa happens. There is the added drama of, “What if someone pins ZSJ? Will they get a world title match before WK19?” Maybe Shota solidifies his WK title match by being the one that pins ZSJ in their match, but it all just feels like more flash than substance. No one else is going to pin ZSJ, Oiwa probably takes whatever losses their team will take, so A Block’s story suffers for it.
My Score: 8.9/10
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