Coverage

(NOAH) NOAH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER VOL.135 ~ 10TH JUNE 2021

Hisame covers NOAH headlines from the CyberFight Festival, a little bit of the future events and Misawa Memorials coupled with Great Muta negotiations!

Published

3 years ago

June 12, 2021

Hi5ame

Hisame covers NOAH headlines from the CyberFight Festival, a little bit of the future events and Misawa Memorials coupled with Great Muta negotiations!

NEWS

Naomichi Marufuji, new GHC Heavyweight Champion

Green lights where shining as Naomichi Marufuji walked out to the ring on the 6th June in Saitama. There was a slight stare off with between himself and Keiji Mutoh, and it looked as if the ref had to take it off of him to stop him from shoving it in his face.

The match was technical. Mutoh knew he had to keep Marufuji down and worked on his knees and elbows. Mutoh’s psychology in the title match was not to play the old man as he had done with Go Shiozaki, frustrate into mistake (Kaito Kiyomiya) or wear down (Masa Kitamiya), but to attack the weapons. There was also an element of nostalgia as this was the closest Mutoh was ever going to get to a singles match with Mitsuharu Misawa. Each time Marufuji got up, Mutoh pulled him back down. Each submission and hold sapped something from Marufuji, but as Kenta Kobashi on commentary had put it, he had come to the ring with “the weight of NOAH on his back”, and he refused to submit. Marufuji even took three Shining Wizards, he kicked out of these and remained with his shoulder raised.

Mutoh’s damage had done its work, slow to pin after high impact moves such as the Shiranui, but it wasn’t enough and while he didn’t grow frustrated, Mutoh did. He even bought out The Moonsault, but Marufuji stubbornly kicked out. It was Marufuji who was playing Mutoh at his own game, and he beat him to usher in his fourth championship reign, which now ties him with Takashi Sugiura and Go Shiozaki.

Staring across the mat at each other, after a few seconds they did the M’s alliance pose, and Mutoh rolled out of the ring. Jun Akiyama (DDT Champion) and Miyu (Tokyo Joshi Princess Champion) came down to celebrate with Marufuji. On the microphone, they all thanked everyone for coming, and Marufuji thanked Mutoh for joining NOAH. Backstage he said that he could never surpass him and wanted to keep working hard with him. As for his next challengers, he had only two requirements; that they be NOAH’s premier heavyweights and they be in NOAH. So far no one has come forward to challenge.

At the end of CyberFestival, Marufuji posed in the ring with Jun Akiyama (DDT champion) and Miyu Yamashita (Tokyo Joshi Pro champion). Akiyama showed how much of a class act he is, by holding the ropes open like a gentleman for Yamashita. To Marufuji this moment was very special, as it bought both himself and Akiyama back together after everything that had passed between them. He also later admitted that while women had asked for matches against him, he was thinking of asking for a match against Yamashita.

Daisuke Harada & Hajime Ohara crowned new GHC Junior Tag Champs

The match could only start with Daisuke Harada vs Yoshinari Ogawa, Ogawa even shoved the ref aside to start with Harada as the bitterness between the two runs very deep. Harada fought with gritted teeth, and he was going to need grit as was not only Ogawa playing very clever mind games with him, making him believe that he was going to do something but not actually do it, STINGER also attacked his knee. This was something Harada expected from Ogawa, but not something he had ever seen in the HAYATA he had known, especially when HAYATA would give him his head into getting to the ropes and then drag him back at the last moment. Each time Harada fell outside of the ring, Ogawa was waiting. No matter how much they attacked his knee, no matter how close to fainting he was when Ogawa used the Figure 4, quitting would mean that Ogawa had finally won. It was not an option.

As much as HAYATA had changed some things remained the same, and it was because of this that Harada was able to turn the tide and tag in Ohara. With Harada on the outside, his knee damaged, it left Ohara alone with STINGER who he was at the mercy of. Ohara had his own plan for such a situation, and it was to make Ogawa angry, and so when Harada was able to tag in and take over, Ogawa was not in a position to be anything other than worn down by the attacks to the head and then the Katayama German Suplex for the win. If you like technical wrestling, then this match is for you.

No challengers have emerged yet, and in any case the juniors are preparing for something else (see below), but after defeating STINGER at CyberFight Festival (once again Daisuke Harada got the win, but over Seiki Yoshioka this time, not Ogawa), we may soon see a shift in the NOAH Juniors which will disrupt the already fragile balance. After the match, Yoshinari Ogawa got up on the apron, faced Momo No Seishun who stared him down, and then stood with his hands on his hips at ringside with a thoughtful look on his face…

Atsushi Kotoge retains the GHC Junior Heavyweight, three contenders and a classic NOAH Junior way of settling issues

After Kotoge had defeated old friend\old rival Yuya Susumu in 12 minutes and 31 seconds and retaining the GHC Junior Heavyweight title, the NOAH Juniors swarmed the ring each eager to be the first challenger. Wild eyed dark Seiki Yoshioka butted heads with Kotoge, Ikuto Hidaka started to make a challenge only to have the mic snatched from him by Tadasuke who made a quacking noise (i.e. he said “blah, blah, blah”). Kotoge, who knew that he had to solve this in a delicate manner that wouldn’t cause fights to break out in a notoriously unstable division, suggested they resolve this issue in one way that all NOAH Juniors understood and respected. A mass rumble that will take place on the 26th June. The winner will face Atsushi Kotoge on the 27th.

However, not all of the NOAH Juniors are willing to participate in this. STINGER have (naturally) said nothing but they will probably be in it, but NOSAWA Rongai saying that “NOAH Junior titles are currently monopolized by three idiots who only think of themselves (the half assed cool guy, the run of the mill younger brother of a butcher and Mui Bien who can’t see what is around him)”, says that he will not. Atsushi Kotoge had also invited Momo No Seishun to participate, and Junta Miyawaki says he will win and challenge, Hajime Ohara that this is a chance to concentrate on the singles, and Daisuke Harada claiming that he is the only one who can win and face Kotoge.

THE AGGRESSION split (kind of)

With Masa Kitamiya turning his attention from the GHC Heavyweight to the GHC Heavyweight Tag, THE AGGRESSION made a successful defense against Funky Express (Shuhei Taniguchi and Mohammed Yone) at the Misawa Memorial on the 31st May. During the match, Katsuhiko Nakajima had accidentally caught Masa Kitamiya square in the face with a kick, and this triggered Kitamiya to attack him afterwards. As Kenoh stormed the ring to demand in shock what Kitamiya thought he was doing, Kitamiya spoke on the microphone and standing over the fallen Nakajima stated that he couldn’t stand teaming with Nakajima anymore, and that he had hated him since he entered Kensuke Office. Thanking Kenoh for everything, he then left Kongoh. Backstage Kitamiya said he couldn’t stand pretending anymore that everything was fine between them, when in reality they were “bitter enemies in the same boat”.

Attempting to resolve the issues between them, NOAH bought them together for a title defense interview the next day. If experience has told us anything, it’s the heavyweights who fight at press conferences, and today’s chaos was to be spectacular. Kitamiya started by saying how much he had always hated Nakajima, and he proposed a cage match (a first in NOAH) to keep all outside influences out and to let them fight it out without interference. Nakajima, laughing at him for saying he hated him, agreed to the match but said that when Kitamiya lost, he had to shave his head in order to “go back to the beginning”. Kitamiya agreed to it in his usual foul mouthed manner, and then the issue of what was going to happen to the belts came up.

KITAMIYA: I have a belt. I am holding it, and I won’t give it back. This is Masa Kitamiya’s GHC tag belt.

NAKAJIMA: Like I said earlier, I was the one who won it and I was the one who defended it, so it’s mine, right?

Deciding there were no more questions and that they should finish early, Nakajima got up to pose for pictures with Kitamiya. He kicked him and a brawl broke out, both rolling on the floor and Nakajima losing a shoe. When they eventually broke free of each other, they glared, snatched their belts up and left. NOAH have had a loser gets his head shaved match before (KENTA and Naomichi Marufuji cheated so that Tsuyochi Kikuchi was the loser), but this will be the first time ever there will be a cage. Event will take place at “Cage War” on the 26th June.

Sugi, Saku & Sasadango

Takashi Sugiura successfully defended the GHC National against Kazushi Sakuraba at the Misawa Memorial show on the 31st May. The match itself combined both MMA and wrestling, which is something that has come to define the GHC National, and had its silly moments at the start. Sugi and Saku made up with a handshake and a playful lunge from Takashi Sugiura, and then Deino and Super Sasadango Machine made their way to ringside. Sasadango had evidently worked out how to invade a promotion properly. Making their pitch via a PowerPoint presentation, Sasadango proposed either match whereby you spun around on the hilt of a baseball bat, or the “Sugi & Saku” belts were put on the line. Sakuraba had completely lost it by now, and so it was up to Sugi to decide, so he went with the title match…for belts that are not officially sanctioned. The match would take place at CyberFight Festival. No one has come forward to challenge for the GHC National yet, but Sugi said he wants either a gaijin (none in NOAH at the moment) or someone outside of NOAH to come forward.

CyberFight Festival 2021

The inaugural CyberFight Festival was a complete success, and while Sanshiro Takagi didn’t exactly confirm that it would take place in 2022, he didn’t deny it either.

Highlights

Shuhei Taniguchi and Yuji Hino (old teammates in The Hooligans), faced each other down in the opening Battle Royale and sparks flew between them. Masao Inoue (who had worn a pink hardhat to the ring), got beaten up by a Joshi wrestler, and Mohammed Yone came down to the last man but was eliminated.
Junta Miyawaki got his first big win outside of NOAH by using an Inverted Cross armbar on Toui Kojima.
In a match in which Deino somehow controlled himself, Takashi Sugiura and Kazushi Sakuraba came to the match wearing masks, Sugi hit Sasadango with a baseball bat and ended the match with pantyhose over his head (which he kept on), Sugi and Saku managed to retain their titles. Sakuraba spent the latter stages of the match in hysterics with his head buried in the turnbuckle, afterwards he couldn’t stop laughing at Sugi wearing the tights.
Kenoh’s rage towards Sanshiro Takagi and DDT as a whole started the moment Takagi stepped out with his team and he wasted no time attacking him. Fans were given a little taser of Manabu Soya vs Kazusada Higuchi, but sadly this was interrupted by Kenoh screaming at Takagi at ringside. When stiff slaps and kicks were over, the match (much to Kenoh’s public horror but private enjoyment) became very DDT with the referee being trapped in a mantrap and his face covered by a bunny mask, a giant fist fired at Kenoh to biff him, Takagi diving from the top turnbuckle with giant moth wings and a bucket, and then most famous of all and with a hashtag that trended, Kenoh on a bike. The match was won when Sanshiro Takagi pinned Haoh, and Kenoh stalked off to lick his wounds (throwing down a iron barrier on the way out), and borrowing a line from Kaito Kiyomiya to say “I don’t understand wrestling”. Takagi later called him a “dumbass” and said he felt like his jaw was broken.

Kaito Kiyomiya failed to win the tag match against DDT’S Konosuke Takeshita and Yuki Ueno, and he was the one pinned. After this Kiyomiya seemed to adopt an air of instability and madness, an eerie wild grin on his face as he walked to the back and gave a rambling promo which culminated in his walking off and saying “It’s just a passing point. Just a passing point. Just a passing point”.

Minus STINGER, Kaito Kiyomiya and Yoshiki Inamura, the rosters of NOAH, DDT, Ganbare and Tokyo Joshi Pro came out to stand together at the top of the ramp after the event.

Mitsuharu Misawa Memorial

With the event in Ota being cancelled short notice and the replacement event held at Korakuen Hall on the 30th May in a rush, NOAH will hold a second memorial to Mitsuharu Misawa. This will take place on the 13th June, the twelve year anniversary of his passing, and although it will be empty arena will have the usual traditions – the bell salute, the music, the streamers and the picture. Matches will all be a surprise and will be announced by entry theme.

MUTA the WORLD

According to his agent, Keiji Mutoh, The Great Muta is jealous of Mutoh’s success and in order to sell copies of his new book, will be descending from the underworld on the 27th June to face an unknown opponent. Muta has chosen his who this is going to be, but unfortunately communications between the overworld and the underworld are not that good as Mutoh said there was interference when Muta named him. The Great Muta is rather pleased that the match will be empty arena as it means he can blow poison fog at his opponent.

EVENT RECAPS & POST MATCH PROMOS

EVENT RECAP: Mitsuharu Misawa Memorial 2021 ~ Forever in Our Hearts (Monday May 31st, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo) ~ Post match interviews

EVENT RECAP: CyberFight Festival 2021 (Sunday 6th June, Saitama Super Arena) ~ Post match interviews.

ELSEWHERE IN NOAH

~ YO-HEY, Yasutaka Yano and Kai Fujimura have shown no symptoms during their two week isolation and will return to the ring. All three have returned to training. Kotaro Suzuki doesn’t seem to have had symptoms or been hospitalized.

~ Kenta Kobashi will be the special guest commentator at the Mitsuharu Misawa memorial, and Bull Nakano will be a special guest commentator at Cage War.

~ Yoshiki Inamura has new ring wear which has a tire track on the sides, a tire track hairstyle and he carries a tire to the ring.

~ Someone got the title cards wrong at CyberFight, apparently “Daisuke Harada, HAYATA & Seiki Yoshioka” are in Momo No Seishun! When did that happen? NOSAWA must be a genius booker as according to this logic, Harada beat one of his teammates to win the match.

~ Katsuhiko Nakajima tried to pin Sanshiro Takagi with the cocky pin. The referee refused to count it. ~ Kenoh posted this candid picture in “Weekly Pro”. He was talking about Masa Kitamiya passing through Kongoh in his column….

CURRENT CHAMPIONS

GHC Heavyweight Champion: Naomichi Marufuji
Challenger: TBA
GHC Junior Champion: Atsushi Kotoge
Challenger: TBA following the NOAH Junior Rumble on the 26th June
GHC Heavyweight Tag Champions: The AGGRESSION (Katsuhiko Nakajima & Masa Kitamiya)
Challengers: TBA
GHC Junior Tag Champions: Daisuke Harada & Hajime Ohara
Challengers: TBA
GHC National Champion: Takashi Sugiura
Challenger: TBA

THIS WEEK IN NOAH

Sunday 13th June: Memoriam: Mitsuharu Misawa (2009)

Sunday 13th June: Mitsuharu Misawa Memorial (19:00 JST)

*The Misawa memorial will be broadcast live both on ABEMA and on WrestleUniverse. WrestleUniverse will have English commentary. ABEMA has been advertised as a free broadcast, but I don’t know if this will mean that it is only free to view in Japan. ABEMA can only be viewed live so you won’t be able to watch the show if you miss it as the replays are now only available to subscribers, therefore it would be better for you to subscribe to WrestleUniverse.

LINKS

Takashi Sugiura’s measures against ground fighting & fails in rock-paper-scissors “special training” to stop the negative chain of the fight with Sakuraba

NOAH’s June Schedule

Nakajima vs Kitamiya, grudge battle decision “Cage match loser gets head shaved”, both refuse to give up the belts, big fight at press conference.

“Doesn’t think of NOAH at all” ~ Kenoh criticizes President Sanshiro Takagi

“Unique Musou”, Yoshiki Inamura proves a different dimension monster in the team battle against DDT’S Takeshita & Ueno

Fourteen wrestler press conference: Marufuji’s “inspirational confrontation” hypothesis of Mutoh battle, Sugiura acts recklessly with shocking confession at NOAH’s CyberFight Festival

Yoshiki Inamura’s Pork Chankonabe

Picture credit: NOAH, Weekly Pro

GIF credits: NOAH Official YouTube, WrestleUniverse

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.2.2024

Under Siege is tomorrow! Yeah the card looks pretty awful, but maybe this Go Home will spice things up!

Published

14 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Andrew Balaz

Not gonna mislead anyone here, Under Siege looks nearly as bad as a Steven Segal film by the same name. Lots of useless tag matches, only really the X Division title to care about. It reminds me of a “Road to” show that New Japan does. Bunch of worthless matches with a few story wrinkles but entirely skippable.

Hopefully something crazy happens or the show is good enough to cover the bad card. But let’s hope something happens tonight to maybe create some reason to watch.

.@TheSamiCallihan debuts the first episode of #DMTV! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/OWrTeBtRZ6

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 3, 2024

Ratings:

Mustafa Ali vs Chris Bey w/Ace Austin: Ali wins via 450 – **
Dani Luna w/Jody Threat vs Alisha Edwards w/Masha Slamovich: Lish wins via Russian Death Device – ** 1/4
Hammerstone vs Cody Deaner: Hammerstone wins via Torture Rack – *
#1 Contender Match: Ace Austin w/Chris Bey vs Trey Miguel w/Zachary Wentz: Ace wins via The Fold – ***
TNA Knockouts Championship: Jordynne Grace (c) vs Miyu Yamashita: Grace retains via Juggernaut Driver – *** 1/2

Results:

Mustafa Ali vs Chris Bey w/Ace Austin

Ali with a simple Headlock takeover, Bey fights back up and tries to create something with a rope run; but Ali gets the best of things with a Back Elbow. Ali gets cocky as Bey retreats to the corner, Bey turns things around quickly, lands the 10 Count Punches in the corner, Ali tries to fight back but Bey snaps off a quick DDT for a near fall. As Bey goes to continue the offense, Ali Drop Toe Holds Bey into the ropes neck first. Ali again, demonstrating some of the worst in-ring trash talk, Bey turns things around since Ali is running his mouth too much. Ali gets set in the Tree of Woe, Bey goes across to another corner and does a Coast to Coast Elbow Drop as Ali tries to sit up. Honestly, stupid looking since its obviously too coordinated. No one would stay half sat up just to eat an elbow.

While the move looked cool, I now care significantly less about what’s going on. Illogical spots just because “they’re cool”, should not be rewarded. Bey controls the match after the stupid spot, hits his Corner Uppercut Hip Attack, Ali tries to duck a few moves and create something but eats a Spinebuster for 2. Art of Finesse attempt, but Ali shoves him to the outside. Working back inside Ali goes for his Rolling Neckbreaker but Bey connects with a Roundhouse Kick to stop Ali in his tracks. Fighting Spirit spot, they run into the ropes, Ali has a bad Double Leg takedown that he tries to turn into a Cradle with feet on the ropes, but Ace pushes the feet off.

As security starts to move on Ace, Ali hits a Suicida, then Bey connects on a Tope con Hilo. Bey starts rocking Ali, hits the Kudome Valentine but Ali manages to pull himself under the bottom rope just enough to avoid losing. Bey climbs the corner, Ali German Suplexes Bey to the apron, Ali goes for the 450, misses, Bey goes to finish the match but the security get involved again, hit Bey with the flag and then Ali lands the 450 for the win.

I liked when the Security Guards were window dressing instead of mooks to cheat with. This just makes the matches dumber and significantly less interesting, especially when its nameless mooks and its not even a talent getting heat.

Dani Luna w/Jody Threat vs Alisha Edwards w/Masha Slamovich

Dani starts strong and fast, forearm shots, lariats and a quick near fall sends Alisha retreating to the ropes to get some advice from Masha. Dani goes to attack Lish, Lish with a Drop Toe Hold, Masha takes advantage of the distracted ref and Lish hits a Satellite DDT and then taunts entirely too much. As Lish talks too much, Dani stands up and starts beating the hell out of Lish, Suplex into the rope assisted Blue Thunder Bomb. Dani goes for the Luna Landing, but Masha climbs on the apron, distraction happens, then Lish goes after Jody and the ref stays distracted with Lish. Masha slides into the ring, Roundhouse Kick into the Russian Death Device and Lish turns around for the win!

Sami’s little segment is aptly named DMTv since it feels like a weird hallucination or trip with the way he does stuff.

Hammerstone vs Cody Deaner

Am I supposed to care about this? Hammerstone looks like he’s chiseled out of granite and Deaner looks like he’s fished out of a trailer park. Hammerstone says a lot of how I feel that the Deaner schtick is pathetic. Deaner says he’s given the power to add a stipulation, Hammer says Arm Wrestling Match, Deaner wants a Sin City Street Fight. So we know what the crowd will pick. Christ this is so carny even Court Bauer blushed.

Deaner bonks Hammer with the mic, low dropkick, goes to grab a trash can lid and hits Hammer…but it just pisses off Captain Hammer. Stomps a mudhole in him, Irish Whip into a Back Elbow and Hammer deposits him to the outside to utilize the gimmick I would assume. This is going on much longer than it should, Deaner finds a chair, clocks Hammer once, goes for Twice, but this isn’t Kpop; so Hammer says no and hits him with a Backbreaker. Then Hammer hits him with a chairshot, 10 Count Punches in the corner, Sack of Shit, Deaner goes for the Ricky Morton lean against the ropes and sell to the crowd spot, but Hammer leans into him and starts using the chair again.

Deaner does his nerd Hulk Up, tries to call for a Body Slam but Hammer doesn’t move and drops the dweeb down. Deaner is back to the begging the crowd Ricky Morton spot…but the crowd doesn’t care since Deaner is a jabroni. Hammer tosses Deaner like a pizza ribs first into the back of the chair and just takes a few moments to revel in his handwork. Deaner fights back, lands a few right hands, tries to call for the Body Slam again like an idiot, gets Hammer half way and falls over so Hammer just rains down punches (can we end this waste of time please). Hellavator, I mean Nightmare Pendulum but Deaner floats over and lands the Scoop Slam onto the steel chair for only 2.

The crowd starts chanting for table, so of course Deaner obliges…this is going on so damn long. Hammer no sells the forearm, Vertical Suplex, goozle, and then Hammer Chokeslams Deaner through the table and calls to for the Torture Rack. Deaner is Rack’d and dead. ‘Bout damn time.

Like a Torpedo, Something is there…

Trent The Seventh and Ball Of Speed, alongside Broken Matt Hardy, are geared up to render The System obsolete tomorrow night at #TNAUnderSiege! pic.twitter.com/laEOlXayIc

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 3, 2024

I’m mad at myself that I popped for Ball of Speed. I’m not even sure why, but I like it.

"Can you please get fired?"

.@joehendry's live apology transformed into a new hit about @AJFrancis410! The "apology" song took things HIGHER than ever! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/6P7pDFbK3p

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 3, 2024

If I’ve said it once I’ve said it at least 3 dozen times, Joe Hendry is a treasure. Starting with a medley of the insult songs to lead into the Creed parody is genius. Odd apology, but I respect it. “Can you please get fired…”, such a great song.

#1 Contender Match: Ace Austin w/Chris Bey vs Trey Miguel w/Zachary Wentz

Typical Junior style start with counters and some chain wrestling and then a quick tension spot where Trey slaps Ace and then they fire off on each other for a few seconds before they get broken up because its just a shmoz. Trey baits Ace to the outside, Up and Over but Ace lands on the apron and then Wentz picks the ankle as Trey feigns injury to distract the referee. Back Rake back into the ring and just insulting Knife Edge Chops at a deliberate pace. Commercial break happens and Trey is still in charge. Ace shoots the Double and turns it into a Jacknife Cradle for 2 but Ace is still visibly hobbled.

Trey tries to keep Ace grounded but he tries to fire up and Trey finds different ways to keep Ace grounded including a Running Bodyscissors into Full Mount. Kick combination rush from Trey as he goes for the Asai Moonsault to punctuate it but Ace gets the knees up. Short range Knee Strike, Click Click Boom, Corner Splash Seated Lariat spot into a Triangle Kick for 2! Ace looks to set up The Fold, Wentz distracts, Trey grabs tights! But Ace kicks out! Trey with the Backflip Back of the Head Dropkick. Bey levels Wentz and Trey is talking shit to the fans, Ace goes for the Crucifix Pin, but kicks out at 2.

Jackie Bryant Headlock Kick from Trey, but Ace blocks it. Triangle Kick misses, Ace tries to jump on him but misses, Cheeky Nandos, then Trey heads up but Ace cuts him off. They struggle on the top rope, Trey Bell Claps Ace, Ace tries to duck but Trey turns it into the Sunset Flip, locomotion float away, Ace Face Stomp into The Fold! Ace wins!

.@TheEricYoung and @Walking_Weapon make their intentions clear: they're walking into #TNAUnderSiege ready to take down @SteveMaclin and @FrankieKazarian! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/idI78rvsYJ

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 3, 2024

The Bald Bearded Canadians, good ole team BBC…wait…

TNA Knockouts Championship: Jordynne Grace (c) vs Miyu Yamashita

They start off respectfully, which is what you expect since Miyu is well respected in this generation. A few Headlock Takeovers, Shoulder Blocks and finally Miyu drops Jordynne with a Switchblade Kick. Miyu goes to follow up, but Jordynne catches the kick and T-Bone Suplex gives Jordynne a near fall. Juggernaut Driver early, but Miyu counters, rams Jordynne into the corner, Triangle Kick from Miyu for 2! Cravat into Knee Strikes and then a PK to the spine keeps Miyu in control. Miyu lets Jordynne up and they trade strikes a bit, Jordynne’s arms prove to be a little stronger than Miyu’s legs, takes out the legs and then the Jackhammer on the floor from Jordynne!

Jordynne tries to roll Miyu back in, but Miyu continues to roll out to buy some space, Jordynne goes for a dive and eats a foot. Miyu looks for an Apron Death Valley Driver, Jordynne fights it a while but Miyu eventually gets her over and down on the apron for 2. Miyu with a Headlock Takeover, but both ties the other one up and the ropes save the awkward but effective exchange. Strike exchange number 2. Miyu no sells a few Scoop Slams and lands Round Kicks. Spinning Backfist and Round Kick connect simultaneously for both women to drop.

Jordynne charges, Pink Striker tries to block with the front kick, but Jordynne plows through with a Back Elbow. Kinniku Buster attempt but Miyu knows how to get away from that and fights off with Knee Strikes, Jordynne is rocked but fights back up and Avalanche Back Body Drop for 2! Jordynne no sells a Roundhouse Kick, Miyu no sells a Lariat then another kick from Miyu and a Back Kick to the face for 2. Skull Kick attempt, blocked, Juggernaut Driver out of nowhere to retain!

Overall Score: 6.25/10

The second half of the show was pretty damn good, but God was the first half useless. Hammerstone and Deaner went on far too long, that was dumb, it looked dumb, I felt dumb watching it. Ali’s match was garbage with the stupid spot monkey indie garbage spot. If I want to watch wrestling that makes less sense than Chinese Dramas with Hindi subtitles, I’ll watch AEW and have a stroke.

Thankfully, Joe Hendry got a good chunk of time, the Trey and Ace match was pretty good and overlooking the stupid run in after match stuff, the Knockouts match itself was pretty damn good. So the new bookers have really consistently done this stuff, where there’s a ton of overbooked stupidity, but they sprinkle in enough okay stuff to make me not completely lose faith. OH – and we do get Kushida versus Gresham tomorrow, so at least that strengthens the lackluster card.

Lets see if they ever figure out how to really book, or if they eventually go full TNA 2015.

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (5/2/24)

The Queen is chasing the crown!

Published

17 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Will the One and Only become the #1 contender?

Queen Aminata wants after Athena and the ROH Women’s World Championship, but she will still earn her way to a shot, starting with a match tonight!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

The Infantry VS The Outrunners; The Infantry wins.
Nyla Rose VS Camron Branae; Nyla wins.
ROH World Tag Team Championships Proving Grounds: The Undisputed Kingdom VS The Qrown; The Kingdom wins and denies The Qrown a title match.
Toa Liona VS Jimmy Wild; Liona wins.
Six Man Tag: The Dark Order VS Adam Priest, Zicky Dice & Sean Maluta; The Dark Order wins.
Aaron Solo VS Jon Cruz; Solo wins.
Queen Aminata VS Robyn Renegade; Aminata wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Infantry VS The Outrunners!

Captain Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo have had it with Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum! It’s one thing to use the same finishing move and rename it, but then The Outrunners’ new gear is camouflage, and they start using the Infantry’s catchphrases! Will Turbo & Truth get sent to Boot Camp? Or will Dean & Bravo be sent into Miami Overdrive?

Wait a minute, wait a minute. Who is this accompanying The Outrunners? Lazer Linda? So now they’re copying Infantry in having a female team member? Trish Adora steps into the ring to get a good look at Linda. Linda flexes on Adora, so Adora gives her a LARIAT TUBMAN! The Outrunners are upset but then Dean & Bravo storm up to throw hands! The ref reprimands but The Infantry keep throwing hands. Dean whips Truth and Bravo whips Turbo, but the Outrunners both reverse that. Dean and Bravo both dodge, then they both fake the Outrunners out! Those dropkicks get nothing, and then The Infantry DROPKICK The Outrunners!

The Outrunners bail out, The Infantry fire up and Daily’s Place fires up with them! The ref says they finally need to sort out, so Bravo falls back. Truth flounders in, the bell finally sounds, and Dean arm-drags Turbo around! Dean keeps Turbo from Truth, tags Bravo in, and then Dean wrenches while Bravo hops up. Bravo AX HANDLES Turbo’s arm, then brings him around to wrench. Tag to Dean, he goes up and AX HANDLES! Then the Infantry double whip, and double atomic drop, for a double HIP TOSS! The Infantry now mock The Outrunners, before the double FIST DROP! Turbo flounders away and tags in Truth!

Truth runs up, but into a DOUBLE HIP TOSS! Then another DOUBLE FIST DROP! Cover, TWO! Truth stays in this but Dean storms up on him. Turbo distracts the ref, Truth pokes Dean in the eye! Truth blames it on the sunset, then bumps Dean off buckles. Tag to Turbo and the Outrunners mug Dean. Tag back to Truth, he goes up, BACKBREAKER, and then Truth winds up! But Bravo sneaks behind enemy lines to get Dean outta there, Truth’s knee drop turns into an accidental atomic drop! The Infantry then get in and TOSS Turbo! Bravo aims to PLANCHA! Down goes Turbo and the fans fire up again!

Dean brings Truth up, throws hands, then tags in Bravo. Dean scoops Truth, Bravo goes up, and they hit the BACKBREAKER and “Grenade” KNEE DROP! The fans fire up more and Bravo brings Truth up. Truth throws a shot but Bravo hits back. Bravo whips, Truth reverses, but Bravo gets around! Turbo tags in before the O’Conner Roll! Turbo runs up but Bravo dodges him to SUPERKICK! Turbo ends up on ropes, and Bravo ROCKS Truth! Bravo whips, Truth reverses and Turbo BODY SHOTS! Turbo BLASTS Dean, gets Bravo, and sends him into Truth’s BOOTS! Bravo staggers, Turbo CLAWS him on the back!

Tag to Truth and the Outrunners mug Turbo. The fans are torn, but Truth CHOPS Bravo in a corner! Truth spins around while the fans “WOO~!” Truth then storms back up, whips corner to corner, but Bravo reverses. Bravo runs up, but slides under as Truth goes up! Bravo then trips Truth, and asks if he should. The fans say yes, so Bravo YANKS Truth backwards into the POST! Bravo high-fives fans, but then Turbo FLYING AX HANDLES off the apron! Dean protests but there’s nothing he can do as Turbo puts Bravo back in. Truth drags Bravo over, tags Turbo, and Turbo drops an elbow! Cover, TWO!

Turbo drags Bravo up, tags Truth back in, and they mug Bravo with a big kick! Bravo sputters while the Outrunners flex. Truth whips, Bravo sunset flips, but Truth flails! Truth reaches for the literal sunset but Bravo finishes the flip, TWO! Bravo reaches for Dean but Truth trips him up! Tag to Turbo, and he drops down into a CROSSFACE! Bravo endures, fights up, but Turbo tags Truth. The Infantry get Bravo up, but Bravo BOOTS Turbo away! Bravo ELBOWS Truth, then ROCKS Turbo! And repeat! And repeat! Bravo runs, but into the DOUBLE HIP TOSS! The Outrunners shake hands and flex, DOUBLE ELBOW DROP!

Turbo BLASTS Dean, Truth covers, but Dean gets back in to kick it! Truth is upset but he stomps Bravo. Truth whips Bravo to the corner, then he BLASTS Dean again! Truth runs at Bravo but Bravo slips out to the apron! Truth hits buckles, Turbo storms up but Bravo dodges by going back inside! Bravo then slips out the other side, and Truth runs into Turbo! Bravo slingshots in for a STUNNER! The fans fire up as Bravo crawls for his corner, but Turbo grabs a foot! Turbo drags Bravo up, back suplexes, but Bravo lands out! Bravo avoids both Outrunners to hot tag Dean! The fans fire up as The Captain rallies on The Outrunners!

Dean fires haymakers and LARIATS! Then a back drop for Truth! The fans fire up as Dean runs in to give Turbo a FLYING BACK ELBOW! Dean goes corner to corner, blocks Truth’s boots, and puts him in ropes for an ENZIGIRI! Truth flops down, Turbo takes a swing, but Dean slips around to DDT! Dean kips up, the fans fire up, and they join Dean in an “OORAH!” JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, Truth breaks it! Truth TOSSES Dean out, but Bravo runs up! CARLIE CROSSOVER! Down goes Truth, but Turbo CLUBS Bravo! BIG back suplex! But Dean’s up top! FLYING SPLASH! Cover, Truth runs in, but Dean moves! The AX HANDLE hits Turbo!

Truth panics and apologizes, but then sees Dean! Truth wants mercy, but then he goes to poke eyes! Dean blocks those, bends those fingers, but Turbo CLUBS Dean down! The Outrunners shift into gear, MIAMI OVER- NO, Dean slips around and the BOOT hits Truth! Tag to Bravo and they get Turbo, for BOOT CAMP! Cover, Infantry wins!

Winners: The Infantry, by pinfall

Often imitated, never duplicated! The one, true Russian Leg Sweep Boot combo shines through, and that’s no cap! Dean & Bravo finally settle things with Turbo & Truth, will they march forward to settle things with The Undisputed Kingdom next?

Matthew Menard & Angelo Parker speak.

Cool Hand Ange tells Daddy Magic that things have been rather weird lately, to say the least. Not too long ago, Parker was on Rampage, going to make an announcement he told no one about, and the truth is, he was ready to retire. He felt he didn’t have anything left to fight for. Then he got the biggest news of his entire life, he found out he’s gonna be a dad! And if that doesn’t light a fire under your ass, then what does? So now, Ruby Soho is going to be at home, being a mom to their child, and Parker had to think, “What’s next?” Then he realized, there is a hell of a lot to fight for now, isn’t there?

Menard says how ’bout it? Ruby’s at home, nesting. Cool Hand Ange has priorities in order and Menard loves it! And tell ya right now, Menard has a problem with The Undisputed Kingdom. The ROH World Tag Team Champions, right? So how about this? They get the van, they pack it up, and they start taking a road trip! Van, train, airplane, who cares?! They’re heading to a certain place called The Promised Land! So get ready, boys! No doubt! Ever-Rise, 2Point0, X-JAS, will the next titles Menard & Parker go by be ROH World Tag Team Champions?

ROH World Tag Team Championships Proving Grounds: The Undisputed Kingdom VS The Qrown!

Speaking of, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett are here to defend those titles! Or at least, make teams earn their way to a shot at the titles. Will The Kingdom check another team off the list? Or will Leonis & Maximus Khan be one step away from the crown?

The teams sort out, Bennett starts against Leonis, and the Code of Honor is kept. The bell rings, the fans rally up, and the two circle. They tie up, and the bigger Leonis powers Bennett to the corner. The ref counts, Leonis lets off, but Bennett kicks low! Bennett CHOPS, then brings Leonis around to ROCK him! Bennett stomps and CHOPS Leonis, then tags Taven. The Kingdom double whip, dropkick the legs out then Taven ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Taven throws down hands, stomps Leonis over and over, even at the ropes! Taven CHOKES Leonis, lets off, and the fans cheer as Taven tags Bennett.

Taven CHOPS Leonis, Bennett stomps and CHOPS, then ROCKS him again! And stomps, and ROCKS! Bennett ROCKS Leonis again, talks trash, then tags Taven. Taven CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Taven then reels Leonis in, but Leonis throws body shots! Taven CLUBS Leonis down, tags Bennett, and they bring Leonis in. But Leonis powers out, ROCKS Taven, then ROCKS Bennett! Leonis throws haymakers, then an UPPERCUT for Bennett! Then Leonis catches Taven to OVERHEAD SUPLEX him away! Maximus reaches out but Bennett whips Leonis into a BOOT! Bennett FOREARMS, Taven LARIATS! Bennett covers, TWO!

The fans rally and Bennett stomps Leonis. Bennett CHOPS Leonis, tells him to get up, then brings him to a neutral corner. Bennett ROCKS Leonis, brings him over, and tags Taven. Taven fires up Daily’s Place before he swings, but Leonis dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! Taven knees low, tags Bennett, and The Kingdom double whip. Leonis holds ropes, KICKS Bennett, then TOSSES Taven! Bennett kicks Leonis first, then reels him in, but Leonis back drops free! Hot tag to Maximus! Maximus rallies on The Kingdom with big LARIATS! Bennett runs up, Maximus dodges then URENAGES! The fans fire up with Maximus and he brings Bennett up.

But Taven springboards, KICK OF THE KING! Bennett BLASTS Leonis, Taven goes up! HAIL MARY PILEDRIVER!! Cover, The Kingdom wins!

Winners: The Undisputed Kingdom, by pinfall (denies The Qrown a title opportunity)

Taven & Bennett just showed The Qrown aren’t #NeckStrong enough, and now The Kingdom is moving on. But will they soon cross paths with Menard & Parker?

JD Drake speaks.

“You ever been lost? Lord knows I have. I’ve been lost for the last month. In light of recent events, my brain’s been foggy, I haven’t been able to articulate words, I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. It’s showing up in my in-ring work, it’s showing up in my personal life at home. Hell, it’s showing in my bowling game at home, too. The other night during league, I asked myself, ‘Hey, where do I go from here?'” JD asked the lady cashier for change on $5, he only got back four bills. Three ones, and a $2! Yeah, a real $2, those still exists.

JD says his grandfather recently passed away, February of this year, God rest his soul, would put a $2 in every grandchild’s picture frame. JD once asked why he did that, he said it’s because they’re gonna need to talk to him one day, and this $2 was gonna be the message. Granddad would also say, when times get tough, you’ve got two choices: quit, or tighten your bootstraps up and get back to work. So while the Workhorsmen may not be a thing for the foreseeable future, time for JD to be a workhorse man. The Blue Collar Badass is gonna punch in, knockout, and give ROH a $2 ass kicking. Scrap Metal is ready to scrap, will he turn that $2 into championship gold?

The Iron Savages speak.

Bulk Bronson says, “Underappreciated. Underutilized. Undervalued. We, the Iron Savages, have been parading around like a circus act for an entire year, winning over the hearts of the ROH fans and keeping them all entertained.” Jacked Jameson asks, “Are we in any tournaments?” Bronson & Boulder both say, “No.” Are they on any PPVs? No. And y’know what? No more goofy savages, no more popping the crowd! Boulder says the adoration is not bringing them success. Time for the Iron Savages, yes, the Iron Savages, to live up to their potential! Jameson says frankly, fat morons and skinny idiots don’t deserve their entertainment.

They aren’t changing their game plan, it just means they’re done winning over “Low T losers!” They’re just gonna win. They’re sippin’ sauce, livin’ hoss, and EVERYBODY is going to #TiddyCity! Will these three start tearing their way through the ROH Tag & Trios Divisions until they’re sinking their teeth into titles?

Aaron Solo VS Jon Cruz!

Aaron is tired of riding solo and going nowhere, so in order to get back in the good graces of Johnny TV, he’s gotta get that W back! Or in this case, he just has to get wins period! Will he be able to do that here at Daily’s Place where he became All Elite? Or will Serpentico’s human friend get his own great homecoming win?

Cruz gets the fans fired up as he offers The Code of Honor. Solo takes it, the bell rings, and then Solo kicks low! Solo DECKS Cruz, has him in a corner, and bumps him off buckles. Solo stomps a mudhole in, digs his boots in and laughs, but lets off as the ref counts. Solo brings Cruz up, snap suplexes, then smiles as he soaks up the heat. Cruz flounders, the fans rally, but Solo throws hands. Solo whips, Cruz ducks ‘n’ dodges and RANAS! Solo flounders, Cruz keeps moving and he LARIATS! The fans fire up with Cruz and he brings Solo around. Cruz scoops to POWERSLAM, then fires up as he shakes the ropes!

The fans cheer as Cruz points to a corner. Cruz goes up, aims, and then FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Solo moves! GERMAN SUPLEX! Cruz springs up but Solo gives him the DREAMCAST KICK! Cover, Solo wins!

Winner: Aaron Solo, by pinfall

Solo makes sure Johnny TV saw that! There’s the first win, will he get more and more until he proves he’s TV Ready like Johnny & Taya?

Queen Aminata VS Robyn Renegade!

The One and Only African Woman Wrestler is an uncrowned queen here in ROH, but she is going to fight her way back up to her revenge! Will she be unstoppable as she chases down Athena and Billie Starkz? Or will this Renegade defy Aminata’s authority?

The Code of Honor is kept, the bell rings, and the fans rally for Aminata with “YES, QUEEN!” The two tie up, Aminata headlocks and she grinds Renegade. Renegade brings Aminata down, pops out the back and headlocks in return. Aminata endures, brings Renegade to her knee, and pops out the back to wrench, step over, and twerk attack! The fans cheer but Renegade is frustrated. Aminata hammerlocks, headlocks and hits the takeover. Renegade moves around, fights up, and powers up, only for Aminata to hold on tight. Aminata wrenches, Robyn breaks free and ENZIGIRIS! Then BACKSTABBER!

Aminata crawls, Robyn soaks up the heat and she kicks rocks before she runs up. Aminata puts Renegade on the apron, shoulders in but gets a DOUBLE STOMP for it! Renegade talks trash, kicks Aminata to the floor, then brings her back up to put her in the ring. Renegade brings Aminata up, reels her in, but Aminata turns things into a cradle! TWO, and Aminata runs up to LARIAT! Renegade gets up, Aminata LARIATS again! Renegade swings, but into a spin, snapmare, and PENALTY KICK! Back of the onion bag with that one! Aminata fires the fans up, runs side to side, and she DROPKICKS Renegade through ropes!

Aminata reminds us, she’s the one and only! But then we see Athena & Billie watching this backstage! Athena whispers something to Billie, perhaps some opening or weakness in Aminata’s game. Billie seems to concur while Aminata scuffs Renegade. Cover, TWO! Renegade holds on but Aminata brings her up. Alabama Lift, but Renegade sunset flips and high stacks! TWO, and Renegade swings, but into a wrench and facelock, snap suplex! Emphasis on the snap as Renegade flounders to a corner. The fans fire up and Aminata runs corner to corner, but Renegade ELBOWS back! Renegade runs in, gets around, half nelson FACEBUSTER!

Renegade sits Aminata up, runs and SHOTGUNS her down! Cover, TWO! Aminata is tougher than that but Renegade snarls. The fans taunt Renegade, “ROBYN SUCKS!” Renegade drags Aminata up, fireman’s carries, and swing into the DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Aminata stays in this but clutches her neck and back. Robyn is frustrated, but she drags Aminata up. Robyn DOUBLE CHOPS! Aminata is annoyed, but Robyn pushes her around. Robyn winds up, Aminata BOOTS the lariat, then DOUBLE CHOPS in return! And CHOPS again! And waistlocks, to GERMAN SUPLEX!

Robyn ends up in the corner again, and Aminata runs up, SWEET HIP MUSIC! But Aminata goes side to side to add the BOOT WASH!! Aminata says it is done now! She drags Robyn back up to HEADBUTT, Alabama Lift, and AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, Aminata wins!

Winner: Queen Aminata, by pinfall

Athena & Billie are not happy with that result, they storm off. Aminata is not just ready, she is looking better than ever! Will not even The Fallen Goddess be able to deny The Queen her crown?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode of ROH, mostly because it was under an hour. Yes, I still skipped things but c’mon, it was obvious Nyla was going to win, as were Liona and The Dark Order. Great opener from Infantry VS Outrunners to settle their feud, and I love that the Outrunners went as far as to get a female member of the team to parody Adora, just as I was thinking they would. Great win for Infantry, they’ll definitely get back in the ROH Tag title conversation in time for the next ROH PPV. And very good Proving Ground match, good showing for The Qrown in their first ROH match. But even so, of course The Kingdom was winning.

As such, we got a really good promo from Menard & Parker. I really hope they get a strong showing here in ROH now that they’re teaming together again. And there’s still Maria wanting Griff & Karter going after the titles, there’s needs to be something big in the works for the ROH Tag Division. And really good promo from JD Drake. Granted, this is another case where Tony Khan does something in his booking/running of the company that kinda forces his talent into these worked shoot promos, what with Anthony Henry being released while he’s injured. But JD did a great job referencing that without having to say it, and I hope he gets going in the singles division.

Good promo from The Iron Savages to officially go Heel, but given the unified AEW & ROH Trios champs are also Heels, we aren’t seeing Bronson, Boulder & Jameson holding gold any time soon. Good match from Solo, but I was hoping he’d have to struggle a little longer before he could win and do what Johnny TV dared him to do. And then very good match from Aminata VS Robyn, especially with the detail of Athena & Billie watching. Aminata of course wins, and I would think she skips revenge on Billie to go right to the head of the snake. Aminata VS Athena will be a great match, and really should be the moment Athena passes on the torch as far as being ROH Women’s World Champion.