Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam Tokyo Report! (7/25/21)
Summer in the Tokyo Dome!
Who steps up to the plate and hits it out of the park?
NJPW returns to the Tokyo Dome for a true summer slugfest! IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Shingo Takagi, defends against THE ACE!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – KOPW 2021 New Japan Ranbo with Handcuffs: Chase Owens wins and becomes the new provisional Mr. KOPW 2021.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori VS Mega Coaches; ELP & Ishimori win and retain the titles.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Robbie Eagles; Eagles wins and becomes the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
- Kazuchika Okada VS Jeff Cobb; Okada wins.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Tetsuya Naito & SANADA VS Dangerous Tekkers; Dangerous Tekkers win and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Takagi wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
KOPW 2021 New Japan Ranbo with Handcuffs!
It’s just as the name says! This is a 22-man battle royal for Toru Yano’s KOPW trophy, but eliminations don’t have to only be by pin, submission or going over the top! If you get cuffed to the ropes or any other part of the ringside area, you’re done! Will #YTR be able to avoid his own wacky way of losing? Or will someone capture the Clown Prince and take his prized possession?
First out is Bullet Club’s Crown Jewel, Chase Owens! He’s still Texas Heavyweight Champion, will he look to add another prize to his collection? Second out is the United Empire’s Dominator, the Great-O-Khan! Will he win this prize for the glory of Will Ospreay? The bell rings and Chase BOOTS Khan right down, stomps him, and chokes him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off, to try and throw Khan out! Khan holds onto the ropes, pulls Chase’s ear, and gets back in to CLUB the ear! Fans cheer as Khan gets Chase down for a modified kneebar! Chase kicks at Khan but Khan gets that leg. Chase holds off the Boston Crab by pulling Khan’s beard!
The ref reprimands, Chase knocks Khan down, and the countdown is here! The third entrant is… Tomoaki Honma! The Kokeshi is here as Chase digs his boots into Khan’s neck! Chase lets off to stomp Khan at the ropes and then choke him on the ropes. The ref reprimands again and Chase lets off. Chase watches Honma closely as he heads up the ramp. Honma gets in and Chase fires off hands! Honma fires up and fires forearms back! Chase knees low, CHOPS Honma, then whips. Honma holds ropes, boots Chase back, then runs to run Chase over! Fans fire up with Honma and Honma runs, FALLING HEADBUTT!
Khan gets up but Honma knocks him down! Honma runs but Khan avoids the falling headbutt! And now entry number four is here! It’s… Togi Makabe! The Uncaged Gorilla is headed out as Khan has a claw clamped into Honma’s shoulder. Chase and Khan mug Honma but Makabe evens things up! Makabe throws hands on both Khan and Chase, then goes to shove Khan out. Khan holds ropes, Chase clubs Makabe but Honma clubs Chase. Chase rakes Honma’s eyes, kicks Makabe low, then he and Khan double whip. Makabe breaks through the clothesline to double clothesline them! Makabe and Honma coordinate to DOUBLE LARIAT SANDWICH Khan!
The countdown is done again and entry five is DOUKI! El Japones del Mal takes his time as Makabe and Honma stomp down Chase and Khan. Khan gets Honma’s leg for a HEEL HOOK, but Honma gets the ropebreak! Makabe gets Douki as soon as he gets in, and chokes him! The ref reprimands, Makabe lets off, and Makabe drags Douki up to ROCK him with a forearm! Khan CLUBS Makabe, Chase CLUBS Makabe, and then they double whip Makabe. Makabe again breaks the line but runs into double kicks! Khan and Chase throw Makabe over and out and ELIMINATE him! But now entry number six is here, and it’s TIGER MASK!
Chase throws up a Too Sweet to Khan, but Khan ROCKS Chase with an uppercut! Honma goes after Douki but gets dragged into the ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Honma scrambles around, gets Douki under the ropes for a ropebreak, and Khan drags Chase over to the ropes! Khan wants to cuff Chase, but Chase holds it off! Khan stomps Chase down and Chase is spared. The ref finally notices what’s going on with Honma and Douki, and Douki has CUFFED Honma!! Douki ELIMINATES Honma!! Honma himself can’t believe it, and finally Tiger Mask is ringside. Douki claws Khan’s eyes to throw him down and then stomps him in a corner.
Khan resists, the ref counts the ropebreak and Douki lets off. Tiger Mask sobats, whips and tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKERS! Chase gets payback on Khan in the corner, but Khan gets away before he can be cuffed. Chase drags him back, stomps him down, and tries again. Khan kicks the cuffs then drags Chase into a HEEL HOOK! Tiger Mask shoves Douki onto the ropes but Douki fights! Yoshinobu Kanemaru is entry seven and he’ll surely reinforce Douki as fellow Suzuki-Gun members. Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS Tiger Mask and tries to shove him over! Tiger Mask fights Khan off, Chase goes to throw Douki out! Douki holds on and Kanemaru gets in to kick Tiger Mask!
Kanemaru stomps Tiger down, leaving Chase to drag Douki around. Douki resists but Chase isolates an arm! Chase digs fingers into Douki’s face but Douki gets away. Tiger tries to shove Kanemaru out, the countdown begins again, and entry eight is MINORU SUZUKI! Now Suzuki-Gun is three strong as Kanemaru stomps Tiger mask and Douki goes after Khan. Chase goes after Kanemaru with a headlock punch! Then Chase chokes Tiger Mask! The ref reprimands all the choking around and they stop. Tiger Mask CHOPS Chase, Chase throat chops Tiger Mask! Douki and Khan fight in the ropes but the ref calls for the ropebreak.
Khan and Chase make up for their little spat earlier and watch closely as Suzuki finally hits ringside. Fans clap along with Kaze Ni Nare as Suzuki fires off on Chase! Tiger Mask goes after Kanemaru, Khan gives Douki more Mongolian Chops! Suzuki wants Chase’s arm for the cuffs but Chase holds onto ropes to resist. Khan chokes Douki, Suzuki has Chase in an ankle lock and Tiger Mask headbutts Kanemaru. The ref reprimands Suzuki, he’s in the ropes with Chase. Entry nine is here and it is SHO! High Voltage makes his way out as Suzuki and Khan brawl. Khan Mongolian Chops but Suzuki eggs him on! Then Suzuki uppercuts, throws body shots and has Khan on the ropes.
Sho gets Kanemaru up and goes to get him out. Kanemaru fights back, Suzuki helps him out and they mug Sho. Kanemaru then stomps Chase in a corner, another countdown begins and entry 10 is YOH! Roppongi 3K will be at full force but Suzuki is looking to cuff Sho! Yoh hurries as Sho resists, and he gets in to fire off on Suzuki! Suzuki eggs Yoh on so Yoh keeps throwing forearms! Douki attacks Yoh to help Suzuki, Khan has Chase in a heel hook but Chase has Khan in his own heel hook! Yoh throws forearms, Suzuki slaps Yoh around, then DECKS Yoh with a forearm! Suzuki DECKS Sho, too! Khan and Chase stop fighting with heel hooks, and Suzuki scoops Yoh!
Sho saves Yoh from Suzuki, Kanemaru CLUBS Tiger Mask, and entry 11, the halfway point is… YUJI NAGATA! Blue Justice is here as Suzuki throws hands on Sho. Chase leaves Khan alone to go after Tiger Mask, Douki and Suzuki go after Sho at the ropes. Kanemaru throws Yoh but Yoh holds ropes! Nagata gets in and starts this ageless rivalry with Suzuki! They brawl with forearms back and forth and this feels a lot like the last time these two men in a Ranbo. Suzuki snapmares Nagata and runs to PENALTY KICK! Nagata sits up, into another PENALTY KICK! Nagata sits up again, Suzuki goes to kick but Nagata blocks! Nagata gets up but Suzuki holds off the back suplex!
Entry 12 is SATOSHI KOJIMA! The King of Cozy Style and #ThirdGen teammate of Nagata is here, but Nagata is about to dump Suzuki out! Suzuki holds on, gets on the apron, and looks to drag Nagata out with him! They’re both on the apron and they’re firing off forearms! Kojima goes after Douki then Khan. Suzuki and Nagata are in a SLAP fight, but Suzuki gets Nagata with a sleeper! Kojima fires off machine gun CHOPS on Khan! RPG3K coordinate, aim, and DOUBLE SUPERKICK Suzuki off the apron! RPG3K ELIMINATEÂ Suzuki!! What a shock! Nagata gets back in while Kanemaru goes after Sho!
Khan whips, Kojima reverses and then forearm smashes Khan down! Entry 13 is HIROYOSHI TENZAN! Third Gen is now at full power as Ikari no Mogyu arrives! Kanemaru throws Yoh but Yoh holds onto ropes! Kojima fires off machine gun CHOPS on Chase, Tiger Mask stomps Douki. Yoh drags Kanemaru out to join him but Sho helps Yoh hold on! Khan gets Sho and dumps him out to the apron, and with Sho goes Yoh and Kanemaru, Khan ELIMINATES three at once!! The Dominator feels even more powerful now, but Tenzan goes right at him with haymakers and headbutts! Khan Mongolian Chops but Tenzan gives them back! It’s a Mongolian Chop fight!
Tenzan gets the edge but then they clash with DOUBLE MONGOLIAN CHOPS! And again! Tenzan headbutts Khan down! Nagata stomps Khan, Kojima joins in, and Third Gen mugs Khan! Entry 14 is Bushi! Los Ingobernables de Japon is present on all levels of the card. Third Gen double whips Khan but Khan fights out of the TenCozy combo! Khan shoves Tenzan into Kojima then DECKS Nagata! Khan fires off more Mongolian Chops, then he scoops Tenzan and carries him to ropes! Tenzan gets on the apron and throws hands with Khan! Tenzan headbutts then sets Khan up, Kojima runs in, but Khan slips away! Kojima clotheslines Tenzan and accidentally ELIMINATES him!!
Kojima is in shock and he turns around into forearms from Khan. Kojima fires off on Khan, kicks and KOJI CUTTERS! Off comes the armband and Kojima runs but Khan ducks the lariat! Atomic drop lift puts Kojima on the ropes but Kojima fights back! But Khan BOOTS and ELIMINATES Kojima! Khan has five eliminations all to himself! Nagata fires off on Khan as payback, and has Tiger Mask helping, too. But here comes entry 15, Master Wato! Nagata drags Khan out under the bottom rope to whip him into railing! And BOOT him! Nagata takes advantage of the rules, but Douki has Tiger Mask in a surfboard stretch!
Wato fires off kicks on Bushi, but Bushi throws Wato as Tiger Mask throws Douki. Douki and Wato fall through the middle ropes, they’re still in this. But Bushi and Tiger Mask are alone in the ring right now. They double DIVE to take out Douki and Wato! Chase returns from hiding to SUPERKICK Bushi! Chase has cuffs and drags Bushi over to railing. Khan does the same to Tiger Mask! Khan CUFFS and ELIMINATES Tiger Mask while Chase CUFFS and ELIMINATES Bushi!! And now, entry number 16 is EVIL! The King of Darkness is here as Chase, Khan and Nagata return to the ring. Wait, that’s not Evil, that’s DICK TOGO! Is Dick subbing in for Evil?
Nagata fires off on Chase, has him up on the ropes, but Chase fights back! Douki gets back at Tiger Mask while getting back in the ring. Wato drags himself in, Chase and Dick Low Sweet as Bullet Club now has two members. Khan clamps claws onto Wato and Douki for DOUBLE DOMINATOR SLAMS! Double covers, Khan ELIMINATES Wato and Douki!! Khan has EIGHT eliminations all to himself! That has to be a record! Nagata drags Khan up to throw hands, and here comes entry 17, Tomohiro Ishii! The Stone Pitbull will surely want payback on Dick for what went down in Nagoya. Nagata and Khan spill out of the ring under the bottom rope to brawl!
Dick sees Ishii rushing in, so he bails out! They’re playing cat ‘n’ mouse as they go around the way. Khan fires up to CHOP Nagata. The ref is trying to restore some semblance of order as Ishii gets in to BOOT Chase! Ishii dares Dick to help his friend as he stomps Chase down. Dick baits Ishii into going after him instead, and then rakes his eyes! Entry 18 is YUJIRO TAKAHASHI, so Bullet Club has even more members! Ishii whips Dick hard into railing then goes for cuffs! Dick resists, Tokyo Pimp hustles, and Yujiro clubs Ishii! Dick and Yujiro mug Ishii, stomp him down, and then feed him into the ring where Chase waits. Bullet Club mugs Ishii with stomps!
Khan and Nagata keep brawling on the outside as another countdown begins. Nagata scoops and SLAMS Khan, and entry 19 is YOSHI-HASHI! Ishii’s fellow NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Campion is here! Ishii fights off Bullet Club, throws Dick up and out but Dick holds on! Chase and Yujiro hurry to help Dick while we can see Khan and Nagata trying to cuff each other. The Headhunter hurries to help Ishii as Yujiro stomps Ishii at the apron. Hashi fires off on Yujiro, whips him to ropes, but Yujiro reverses. Hashi dropkicks the legs out! Dick kicks Hashi and rakes his eyes! Dick and Ishii brawl on the apron, and Ishii ROCKS Dick!
Yujiro trips Ishii from the outside and ELIMINATES him! Dick gloats but Hashi knocks him down and ELIMINATES him! At least now they’re even. But Chase goes after Hashi with Yujiro as another countdown begins. Entry 20 is HIROOKI GOTO! The third NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag champ is a little late to help Ishii but he’s just in time to help Hashi! Chase and Yujiro hurry to try and get Hashi up and out but the Fierce Warrior runs in to save Hashi! Goto throws hands and stomps Bullet Club while Ishii chases Dick away with a chair! Khan and Nagata still brawl on the outside as Hashi and Goto leap frog stomp combo! Then Penalty Kick to mule kick! Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has Yujiro, and they buckle bump both men before firing off stomps.
Entry 21 is here, and it is KENTA! Fang Revived lost in Nagoya but he wants to redeem himself in Tokyo! Also, Khan has taken off a corner pad to add a little something to this match. Hashi tries to cuff Yujiro but Yujiro resists. Yujiro kicks but Hashi blocks to club the leg. Khan has Nagata in a standing head ‘n’ arm triangle, against a post! Hashi sees Kenta get in and kicks him first! Hashi CLUBS Kenta, Goto helps out and they double whip, only for Kenta to DECK Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries and puts Kenta on the apron, Hashi runs in, but Kenta ROCKS Hashi with a forearm first! Goto runs in but Kenta dumps him out and ELIMINATES him!
Khan fires off Mongolian Chops and uppercuts on Nagata as Bullet Club regroups. Kenta and Yujiro stomp Hashi but entry 22 is TORU YANO! The provisional Mr. KOPW 2021 is of course the last one out! Meanwhile, Khan CUFFS and ELIMINATES Nagata! That’s NINE just from Khan! Bullet Club mugs Hashi and Chase is ready for Yano, but Yano uses his red chair to JAM Khan in the back! Yano gets Khan’s hands and a pair of cuffs! YANO CUFFS AND ELIMINATES KHAN!! Yano takes down the most dominant man in this year’s Ranbo with ease! Chase goes out to brawl with Yano but Yano POSTS Chase!
Yano gets in to pull Yujiro and Kenta back from Hashi! Hashi mule kicks Kenta and tries to cuff him! Chase CLUBS Yano just as Hashi CUFFS and ELIMINATES Kenta! Hashi CHOPS Chase, gets Yujiro up and whips Yujiro into a corner. Hashi runs in to CHOP Yujiro, then whips him to CHOP! Hashi turns Yujiro, Chase kicks Hashi, and Yujiro BITES Hashi’s hand! Chase and Yujiro mug Hashi in a corner then get his hand! Yano attacks Chase but Yujiro CUFFS and ELIMINATES Hashi! Bullet Club mugs Yano, as it is only Chase, Yujiro and Yano left! Everyone has to watch ringside as Bullet Club double whips Yano to ropes. Yano holds ropes to taunt them!
But Kenta can kick Yano from there! Yujiro runs in, but Yano pulls ropes down to dump Yujiro out and ELIMINATES him! Chase runs in but Yano fights him off! Chase whips, Yano reverses, and Yano goes to undo a buckle pad! Kenta attacks Yano from ropes and holds him in the corner! Chase runs in, Yano gets away and Chase hits buckles! Yano rolls Chase up to cover but Kenta kicks it apart! The ref reprimands but Kenta says it’s fair. Yano kicks Chase, runs but Chase SHOTGUN KNEES first! Cover, Hashi is there and he kicks it apart! Hashi says it’s only fair! Yano rolls Chase up, he’s out of reach, but what happened to the ref?! Who tripped him up?!
Yujiro is back and has the pimp cane! Yano turns around, CANE SHOT! POCKET SAND from Chase! Hammerlock, LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!! Yano survives but Chase fires up, JEWEL TRIGGER! And then the underhooks, PACKAGE DRIVER!! Cover, Chase wins?!!?
Winner: Chase Owens, by pinfall (NEW Provisional Mr. KOPW 2021)
The trickster got tricked by the tricky Bullet Club! And now Chase adds the trophy to his accolades! Bullet Club taunts Hashi as they keep him cuffed. Chase isn’t done with Yano, either, as he puts him in the modified STF! Young Lions grab at them but Bullet Club knocks them down! Chase lets go when he’s satisfied, and he has his hand raised in victory. But how will Chase choose to redesign Yano’s precious trophy so that it becomes the crown jewel of his collection?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori VS Mega Coaches!
The “cutest tag team” in Bullet Club look more like a couple of suspicious hooligans to Ryusuke Taguchi & Rocky Romero! Not only do they want to take these titles from the Headbanger and Bone Soldier Reborn, but they want to expose what is in ELP’s right boot! Will they at least do one of those things before this is over?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if coaches can be champions!
The teams sort out and the ref checks ELP’s boot. There’s nothing he can find suspicious about it, and the Bullet Club Low Sweets. Taguchi and Rocky huddle up and break, and fans rally already, “TA-GU-CHI!” Taguchi and Taiji start, circle, and Taguchi shows his fancy foot work. Taiji avoids the spinning hip attack but Taguchi catches him to a headlock! Taiji fights up and powers out and things speed up. Taguchi runs and runs and runs and HIP ATTACKS! Taiji scrambles, ELP gets in and attacks from behind! ELP whips, Taguchi runs and runs then dropkicks ELP’s dropdown! Tag to Rocky, the Coaches fire off on Bullet Club with haymakers and CHOPS!
The Coaches whip, Bullet Club reverse, but the Coaches hold ropes. ELP & Taiji run in but into BOOTS! The Coaches fake Bullet Club out, to then DOUBLE HIP ATTACK! Fans fire up as Taguchi keeps ELP from running away! Taguchi and Rocky try to take off the boots but Taiji drags ELP out! The Headbanger’s secret, if there is one, stays safe but Taguchi and Rocky dares ELP to get back in. ELP SUPERKICKS a Young Lion out of frustration! Taguchi and Rocky rush out to go after Bullet Club! Rocky throws hands on ELP, Taguchi is after Taiji, and they put both men back in the ring. Fans cheer as this continues, and Taguchi gives Taiji some stink face!
Taguchi and Rocky coordinate with hand signals, and they go corner to corner. Rocky hits a clothesline as Taguchi hits a hip attack, and then they go corner to corner the other way to hit it again! Are they starting up Endless Clotheslines and Endless Hip Attacks?! But Taiji dodges Rocky as ELP dumps Taguchi out! ELP corner clotheslines Rocky, then Taiji hits a back elbow! Taiji sets up as a step, but Rocky uses him to FLYING RANA ELP! Rocky swings on Taiji, Taiji dodges and Taiji CLOBBERS Rocky! Fans cheer that showing of strength and rally up as Taiji brings Rocky up. Taiji cravats to neck wrench Rocky and throw in shoulders. Taiji snapmares and NECK TWISTS!
Tag to ELP, ELP drags Rocky up and scoops to hit a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! ELP goes up the corner and drops an elbow! Cover, TWO! ELP BITES Rocky’s hand! Tag to Taiji, ELP reels Rocky in and Taiji CLAWS Rocky’s back! Tag back to ELP and he climbs up again, mocking the hand signs and dancing that Taguchi does, to jump and CLAW Rocky! Taiji goes up the corner now, ELP has him, and Taiji mocks the dancing, to jump and CLAW! Taguchi gets in to show Taiji how the dance moves are done, but Taiji DECKS him! ELP throws the “stupid idiot” out of the ring. Taiji stands on Rocky’s foot, tags in ELP, and ELP drags Rocky up for a snap suplex. Uno amigo!
ELP gets Rocky up, Dos Amigos! ELP gets Rocky again, but Rocky slips out to CLAW ELP! Rocky duck sunder ELP but ELP tackles him down! ELP drags Rocky away but Rocky ENZIGURIS! But Taiji runs in to KICK Rocky down! Taiji drags Rocky away, ducks the enziguri but the HEEL KICK gets him! Fans fire up as Rocky crawls for his corner, but ELP trips Taguchi before the tag can be made! ELP gets in and CLAWS Rocky’s back! ELP brings Rocky around, tags in Taiji, and they mug Rocky. Fans rally as ELP aims, spins, but Rocky switches to shove Taiji into ELP! The champs dodge Rocky to double back suplex, but Rocky lands on his feet! Rocky DOUBLE RANAS Bullet Club!
Fans fire up as Taguchi returns! Rocky crawls over, hot tag to Taguchi! Taguchi fires up, HIP ATTACK for Taiji! HIP ATTACK for ELP! Repeat! Baseball slide and apron HIP ATTACK for Taiji! Taguchi springboards, FLYING HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Taiji is still in this and so is Bullet Club, but Taguchi gets Taiji up. Taiji slips out of the suplex, Taguchi standing switches, but Taiji elbows free. Taiji runs, Taguchi follows, but Taiji is ready this time, he catches the Hip Attack to an ATOMIC DROP! Taiji spins Taguchi around but Taguchi fights free with body shots. Taguchi runs, fakes Taiji out and HIP ATTACKS! Fans fire up with Taguchi, “YO YO YO!”
Taguchi goes to a corner, calls upon the powers of Strong Style, “ORAYO!” But Taiji rolls his Bum-a-ye up to a cover! TWO, Taiji mule kicks and whips. Taguchi reverses but Taiji handsprings, wheelbarrows and victory rolls! ONE and Taguchi has the cover, ONE! Taiji pulls the tights as he has the victory roll back, TWO! Taguchi gets up to HIP ATTACK Taiji down! Fans fire up again, Rocky is back and Taguchi tags him in. Rocky runs at Taiji, SLICE ROCKY! Cover, TWO!! Taiji survives, Rocky dropkicks ELP away! Taguchi gets Taiji in the ropes as Rocky goes to the corner, missile dropkick! Taguchi hits a GOURD BUSTER, Rocky covers, ELP breaks it in time!
Taguchi throws ELP out hard, the Coaches regroup as fans rally up. Rocky gets Taiji up, cravats, but Taiji blocks Slice Rocky this time! Rocky slips out, kicks low, whips, but Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER! Both men are down and fans fire up again. ELP tags in, springboards but Rocky dodges. ELP DECKS Taguchi, goes up and over Rocky and springboards to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! ELP DIVES Out to take out Taguchi, and possibly a cameraman! ELP gets back up to springboard SWANTON, then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Rocky survives the onslaught and ELP can’t believe it! Fans rally up as ELP drags Rocky up and reels him in.
ELP tucks the arms but Rocky RANAS! Cover, TWO!! ELP drags Rocky back up, to a STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO?!? Rocky survives and ELP is frustrated. ELP takes aim, BANG, and runs in, V-TRIGGER! ELP reels Rocky in, Electric Chair lifts, but Rocky victory rolls out of it to an ARMBAR! Taguchi intercepts Taiji with a HIP ATTACK! ELP resists but Taguchi has Taiji in OH MY GARANKLE! Taiji scrambles to keep ELP from tapping out!! Taiji rolls to throw Taguchi onto Rocky and break the hold! All four men are down and fans rally back up. Rocky slowly rises, ELP follows, and Rocky throws a forearm! ELP forearms back, but Rocky stays up to KICK the bad arm!
ELP throws off his armbands to ROCK Rocky with a right. Rocky roars and fires up, as do the fans! Rocky fires off forearms, ELP SLAPS him! And SLAPS him! ELP pumps up but Rocky JUMP KNEES! Rocky runs into a mule kick! Taguchi tags in and springboard missile dropkicks! Taiji tags in to springboard FLYING KNEE! Taiji and ELP hurry to get Taguchi back up. They double whip, Taiji runs in to DOUBLE KNEE! ELP gives Taiji a boost, but Rocky springboards back in, DOOMSDAY DEVICEÂ POISON-RANA!! Taiji takes his own partner out and Taguchi covers Taiji, TWO!! Taiji survives but the Coaches coordinate!
Taguchi goes up a corner, says his prayers, and Rocky whips Taiji into the Funky Weapon! Then Rocky uses the Funky Weapon to help with the TORNADO DDT! Taguchi powers up, “ORAYO~!” BUM-A-YE!! Cover, TWO!?! Taiji survives the butt attack but Rocky rolls Taiji into Taguchi’s wheelbarrow! Rocky runs, BLACK HOLE VACATION!! Cover, ROPEBREAK?!! Taguchi miscalculated where the ropes where, but Rocky calls for Strong Zero! Taguchi gets Taiji up in the Alabama, and Rocky goes up top. But ELP shoves Rocky down! Taiji hits a CODE RED! Both Taiji and Taguchi are down as fans rally up. Taguchi bails out to regroup with Rocky, but Taiji hits a GOLDEN TRIANGLE?!
Fans fire up as Taiji hits Kota Ibushi’s form of Quebrada, and then Taiji sets up the Coaches. ELP climbs up, he wants Taiji to send them out further!? Taiji throws ELP and Rocky over the railings into the no man’s land between ringside and the front row! ELP takes aim, walks the tightrope, and SUPER ARIHARA MOONSAULTS!!! Direct hit but it was a rough landing for ELP, too, as he clutches his foot! ELP says his heel and ankle are hurting. Taiji hurries to get Taguchi up and around to ringside while ELP hobbles after. ELP tags in, hobbles over to Taguchi and drags him up. ELP reels Taguchi in with the straitjacket torture rack.
Taiji springboard flying knees Taguchi, for the SPINNING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!?! Taguchi survives and fans fire up again. Taiji gut wrenches Taguchi for CIPHER UTAKI! ELP is up top, THUNDER KISS 86! Cover, Rocky breaks it!? Rocky returns to save his team and the match, and he fires off haymakers on Bullet Club! Rocky DECKS Taiji, fires up, but turns around into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP’s superkick takes Rocky down! Taiji gets Taguchi up, sets him up, ELP gets his foot working, but Taguchi blocks Sudden Death to send the kick into Taiji! Taguchi rolls ELP up, TWO!! ELP hurries, but swings into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!?
OH MY GARANKLE!! Taguchi keeps ELP back, drops an elbow on the leg, then pulls at the boot! He wants to reveal the secret! ELP drags himself and Taguchi over to gets the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi gets the boot off! What’s inside it?!? The ref checks, but Taiji grabs at the shoe! Taguchi turns around into ELP’s THROAT PUNCH! Underhooks, CR2!! Cover, Bullet Club wins!!
Winners: El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
But what about the shoe?! Taguchi was distracted by exposing the mystery and that allowed the champions to retain! Taiji even checks to make sure “it” didn’t spill out. But shouldn’t NJPW still look into what ELP keeps hidden in that heel?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Robbie Eagles!
The Rogue Luchador was so close to becoming the Junior Heavyweight Double Champion again, but he just missed the mark. The Sniper of the Sky promises to hit the target now that he’s back in NJPW! But will Eagles be outdrawn by Despy in the Dome?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it feels like high noon in the Dome!
Fans rally and Eagles encourages them to get louder. They circle, tie up, and Desperado gets a leg. Eagles gets up but Desperado facelocks as they end up in ropes. The ref calls for the break and the two let off cleanly. They reset, feel out a knuckle lock, but Desperado wrenches Eagles’ bad arm and throws him down. Desperado has a back mount, then floats to get a leg! Eagles gets the ropes and the ref calls for the break again. Desperado lets off at 4, but YANKS the leg then drops a SPLASH on it! Eagles winces and gets to ropes as Desperado mockingly asks if he’s alright. Desperado slaps Eagles around at the ropes, brings him up for a headlock then hits a takeover.
Eagles endures, headscissors back, and pushes up to put on pressure. Desperado rolls to tie Eagles up into a deathlock. Fans cheer the technical exchange as Desperado then floats to a facelock. Eagles fights up to wrench an arm and wristlock. Desperado rolls, wrenches, wristlocks in return, but Eagles rolls and rolls and handsprings to wrench back! Desperado gets in the ropes, steps back in and has Eagles’ arm wrapped in the ropes! Fans cheer the savvy and Desperado kicks the ropes to jam the arm. Desperado whips but Eagles holds ropes. Desperado rakes Eagles’ eyes! The ref reprimands, Desperado whips Eagles but Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag!
Eagles dodges, but his leg jams a bit coming off the ropes. Desperado slaps Eagles around some more then runs, but Eagles gets a rolling takedown to a basement dropkick! Desperado goes to the apron and then out to railing. Fans rally up as Eagles takes aim and builds speed. Eagles fakes Desperado out and jumps back, but he winces as he lands on his feet again. Eagles still eggs Desperado on and draws a line in the sand. Desperado runs in but Eagles kicks low! Eagles CHOPS hard and Desperado goes to a corner. Eagles throws forearms, kicks at Desperado, but lets off to then dig his knee in. The ref counts, Eagles lets off to drag Desperado up.
Eagles whips corner to corner, Desperado reverses and runs in. Desperado blocks the boot, puts the leg on ropes, then dropkicks the bad leg! And then DRAGON SCREWS Eagles out of the corner! Eagles crawls away, the ref checks the leg, but Eagles doesn’t want to quit. Desperado stands on Eagles at the ropes, then stands on the leg! The ref counts, Desperado lets off at 4, and he comes back to get Eagles up for a SHIN BREAKER! And then adds a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Eagles writhes, Desperado drags him away from ropes and covers, TWO! Desperado gets annoyed but fans rally up for Eagles. Desperado wags his finger and gets Eagles up.
Eagles throws body shots but Desperado rakes his eyes! Desperado runs, but into a knee! Eagles KICKS Desperado down! Eagles fires up to KICK Desperado more! And more! Desperado blocks a kick to kick out the bad leg! Desperado drops a leg on the leg then ties Eagles up with the BUTTERFLY DEATHLOCK! Eagles endures but writhes as Desperado puts pressure on the knees! Fans rally as Desperado moves around and puts more pressure, but Eagles drags himself and Desperado back. Desperado grabs Eagles by the hair but Eagles throws body shots! Desperado falls back to put pressure! Eagles endures to get the ROPEBREAK!
The ref works on undoing the leg lock and Eagles is free, but Desperado drops knees on the bad knee! The ref checks again but Eagles refuses to quit here. Desperado gets Eagles up, whips him corner to corner, but Eagles falls! Eagles can’t run on the bad leg and Desperado is annoyed. Fans rally for Eagles but Desperado drags Eagles up. Desperado CHOPS Eagles to a corner, runs corner to corner but Eagles dodges! Eagles runs in but Desperado puts him on the apron! Eagles’ leg jams again and Desperado knocks him off to the floor! Eagles clutches his knee and Desperado goes out after him. Desperado gets Eagles up to smack off the apron!
The ref reprimands, Desperado taunts the fans, and Desperado gets Eagles up to whip, but Eagles reverses to send Desperado into the apron! Eagles uses the apron to tiger feint kick Desperado, and Desperado tumbles over the railing! Both men are down on the outside and a ring count begins. It’s already 10 of 20 before Desperado gets back up. Eagles stands at 11 and hops in at 12, but Desperado gets back to ringside at 15. Desperado slides in at 17, only for Eagles to springboard and missile dropkick a leg out! Eagles drags Desperado around, ties him up, RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Desperado roars as he endures the pain! Eagles digs in as much as he can as Desperado reaches out!
Eagles thrashes, Desperado flails and crawls, Desperado gets the ROPEBREAK! Eagles lets off but comes back to drop a knee on the knee! Some payback from earlier as Eagles steps through to get a spinning toehold. Eagles then gets an arm and traps it in an omoplata, to then figure four and STOMP the legs! Fans rally up as Eagles covers, TWO! Eagles drags Desperado up, reels him in, but Desperado rakes eyes to avoid the backpack! Eagles elbows Desperado, goes to run, but Desperado reels him in for a back suplex! Both men are down but the fans fire up! Both men slowly sit up, and Eagles shakes out the bad leg.
Desperado crawls over to throw a forearm, and Eagles hits back with one. Desperado forearms Eagles again, but Eagles comes back with another. The two talk trash, “Is that it, Champion?” “Yes, I’m Champion!” The forearms keep flying and both men stand up. Fans fire up as the forearms go faster, but then Desperado kicks Eagles’ bad leg! Eagles stays up and kicks Desperado’s bad leg! Desperado kicks Eagles’ bad leg, Eagles KICKS Desperado’s bad leg! Desperado KICKS Eagles’ bad leg, then drags Eagles up. Eagles KNEES out of the shin breaker! And then ROUNDHOUSES, SUPERKICKS and EN- NO! Desperado ducks enziguri to DECK Eagles!
Fans fire up as Desperado fires up and he gets Eagles in GUITA- No! Eagles fights free, cravats, but Desperado blocks the sliced bread and kicks a leg out! Desperado gets Eagles up for GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Desperado roars with frustration as Eagles survives! Fans rally up, Desperado hobbles up and gets Eagles in the double underhooks! PINCH- RANA! Eagles has a cover, TWO! Eagles wants the leg lock but Desperado boots him into a corner! Eagles hobbles back, into a SPINEBUSTER! And STRETCH MUFFLER! Desperado thrashes the leg, Eagles reaches out, fans rally, and Desperado drags Eagles away for NUMERO DOS!! Eagles endures but he’s caught!
Eagles fights with one free arm, but Desperado rolls him away! But Eagles fights up to sunset flip, TWO!! Eagles trips Desperado, Desperado cradles, TWO!! Eagles school boy bridges, TWO!!! Desperado narrowly escapes, but Eagles dropkicks his leg out! Fans fire up more as both men are down! Eagles rises first and heads and aims his finger gun. Eagles gets Desperado up, cravat, but no sliced bread! ES EL CULERO! TWO!?! Eagles narrowly escapes, avoids Desperado’s dropkick, but Desperado avoids the buzzsaw! Eagles drops to a knee as his bad leg is his support leg, but he blocks Desperado’s kick! Mule kick, but still no sliced bread!
Desperado shoves Eagles at the ref, Eagles stops himself, LOCO MONO and ROUNDHOUSE! Both shots take both men down!! Fans are thunderous as the ref checks on both men. Eagles sits up first and feeds off the rally. Eagles drags himself over to ropes and fires up as he sees Desperado stirring. Eagles aims, SUPERKICK! But he’s not done there, he gets Desperado up, TURBO BACKPACK!! Cover, TWO!?!? Desperado survives again and Eagles grows desperate. Eagles goes up top, fans rally up as he gets his bad leg moving, and Eagles 450 SPLASHESÂ the leg!! RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Desperado roars as he endures the pain!
Desperado drags himself over but Eagles drags him away! Desperado tries again, claws his way over, but Eagles lets go to fire off knees into the bad leg! Eagles drops back down, RON MILLER 2.0!! DESPERADO TAPS?!? EAGLES WINS!!!
Winner: Robbie Eagles, by submission (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
Everyone is shocked to see this incredible upset! The Sniper of the Sky had a target, hit the mark, and now has the title! The first Australian to hold this title, and the 90th reign, and the 41st champion ever! Will all these numbers add up to Eagles having the most incredible first reign ever?
Kazuchika Okada VS Jeff Cobb w/ Great-O-Khan!
The Rainmaker may not have a title, but a 1v1 win over him is a prize in itself! The United Empire’s Hawaiian Hulk has been building momentum pinning the rest of Chaos, will he finally topple the man at the top? Or will the Tour of the Islands be called on account of rain?
The bell rings and fans rally up already for “O-KA-DA! O-KA-DA!” Cobb and Okada stare down, circle, and tie up. Cobb powers Okada towards ropes but the ref calls for the break. Cobb lets off, fakes a punch and then aims at Okada with the hang loose. Okada shrugs that off as he and Cobb circle again. They tie up, Cobb powers Okada back to ropes but Okada turns it around. The ref calls for the break again, Okada lets off, and fakes Cobb out to pat him on the shoulders. But Cobb kicks and throws forearms! Cobb whips, Okada reverses and boots, to snapmare and run to basement dropkick! Fans cheer while Okada brings Cobb back up.
Okada turns Cobb for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE! Okada clamps onto Cobb with a chinlock, grinds him down, but Cobb fights up. Okada knees Cobb in the back, brings him around and bumps him off buckles. Okada wrenches, whips corner to corner, runs in but Cobb dodges to RAM into Okada! Cobb hoists Okada up top, climbs up to join him, but Okada resists and throws forearms. Cobb hops down, but dropkicks Okada down! That’s usually an Okada move! Cobb goes out to fetch Okada, and ROCKS him with a right! Okada staggers away but Cobb brings him up to bearhug and SLAM onto the apron! Okada falls as he clutches his back, and Cobb refreshes the count.
Cobb stands on Okada to use him like a surfboard! The ref reprimands, Cobb hops off, and then Cobb goes to the ring to let the count begin. Okada is still down as the count reaches 8 of 20, but he drags himself at 12. Cobb is annoyed and he storms right up to Okada to stomp him! Cobb drags Okada up, scoops him, and KNEES him in the side! And again! And then he TOSSES Okada away! Cobb drags Okada back up, puts him in the corner, and CHOPS and LARIATS, all in one motion! And again! And again! Okada falls over, Cobb covers, TWO! Cobb is annoyed again but he drags Okada back up. Okada throws a forearm but Cobb doesn’t flinch. Cobb ROCKS Okada in return!
Okada shakes that off to come back with another forearm, but Cobb ROCKS him again! Okada comes right back to fire off forearms, only for Cobb to DECK him with one! Cobb dead lift suplexes! But Okada slips out to waistlock! Cobb elbows Okada away and runs, into a FLAPJACK! Both men are down and fans fire up. Cobb gets up but Okada follows, and Okada fires off forearms. Okada whips, Cobb reverses but Okada ducks and dodges to back elbow! Okada fires up and so do the fans! Cobb gets up, Okada whips him to a corner and runs in to back elbow. Okada kicks and DDT’s! Cover, TWO! Okada keeps his focus as fans rally up again.
Cobb slowly rises, Okada stalks behind him, but Cobb blocks the Alabama lift. Cobb CLUBS Okada, scoops him, runs, but Okada slips off! Cobb ends up in a corner, Okada runs in but Cobb boots him away! Cobb hops up, but Okada dropkicks Cobb down! The receipt has been paid! Khan checks on Cobb while Okada rests in the ring. Fans rally up, Khan fans Cobb with the United Empire towel. Okada goes out to fetch Cobb, and whip him hard into railing. And then BOOT him over the railing! Khan protests and the ref wants Okada to get back to the ring. Okada drags Cobb up to have him draped on the railing, DRAPING DDT! The Rainmaker invokes the Viper here!
A ring count starts as Okada leaves Cobb behind. Okada hobbles and comes back at 8, gets in at 10 of 20, and lets Cobb crawl around a moment before going back out. Okada gets Cobb up and into the ring and fans cheer the sportsmanship. Okada rallies fans with clap-clap-clap-stomp, and then Cobb stands. Okada Alabama lifts but Cobb is big! Cobb slips off, swings a clothesline, but into the MONEY CLIP! Cobb flails around, pries at the hold, but he starts to fade! Okada squeezes tight but Cobb RAMS Okada into a corner! Okada lets go and Cobb runs back in to CORNER CROSSBODY! Cobb lands on the apron as Okada falls over, and Cobb climbs up.
Cobb gets Okada up the ropes!? Okada resists but Cobb CLUBS him! Cobb still wants the superplex but Okada resists! Okada fires off haymakers, Cobb swings but Okada dodges to uppercut! Cobb tumbles down, fans fire up as Okada aims, Okada PLANCHAS but is caught! Cobb pops Okada up to a STALLING, RUNNING SUPLEX! Fans fire up after seeing such strength on display! Khan fans off Cobb as the ring count starts again. Cobb stirs at 5 of 20, rises at 7, Okada stirs at 8. Cobb is in at 10 of 20, Okada rises at 12, but his leg is holding him back! Okada crawls at 15, stands at 17, hobbles at 18, but gets in at 19! Fans fire up as Okada beats the count literally at the last second!
Cobb stands, gets Okada back up, scoops him and RAMS him into a corner! Then OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Cover, TWO! Okada survives but the GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives again as Cobb shows his reserves run deep! Khan coaches Cobb up as fans rally for “O-KA-DA!” Okada is in a corner, Cobb runs in but blocks a boot. Cobb reels Okada in for an ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives yet again! Khan argues the count on behalf of Cobb but Cobb gets up and hobbles over. Cobb drags Okada up, whips him to ropes, but Okada holds ropes. Okada boots back, runs in but Cobb side steps to GERMAN SUPLEX!
Cobb gets Okada up, whips, but Okada SHOTGUN DROPKICKS! Cobb staggers up and fires off forearms and CHOPS! Cobb runs but into another dropkick! The fans are thunderous as Okada roars and gets Cobb up. Okada scoops Cobb but Cobb is too big for that! Okada spins to backslide, Cobb rolls off, LARIAT! Okada holds onto the arm, drags Cobb back up and reels him in, another LARIAT! Okada fires himself up and fans are rallying as he gets Cobb up. Okada wristlocks and ripcords, but Cobb dodges! Cobb scoops Okada to a gut wrench, but Okada fights free to DIS- COBB LARIATS!! Cobb intercepts Okada’s clothesline with one of his own and both men are down again!
Fans return to the thunderous rallying as Okada and Cobb stir. Okada sits up but Cobb follows, and the two stare down. They go forehead to forehead before going forearm for forearm! Okada hits, Cobb hits, and then Cobb slaps Okada on the head. They stand, Okada forearms but Cobb forearms back. Cobb eggs Okada on so the forearms go faster and faster! Fans rally up as the shots keep coming, and Okada gets the edge. Okada EuroUppers, talks some trash, and walks into a CHOP from Cobb! Cobb BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Cobb gut wrenches for the DOCTOR BOMB! Cover, TWO!?! Okada survives and Cobb can’t believe it! Cobb gets Okada up, whips, TOUR OF THE-
NO! Okada slips out and wants to gut wrench! Cobb fights free and SUPERKICKS! Okada staggers, fires up, but runs into a HEADBUTT! Cobb whips again, TOUR OF THE- Wait, Okada slips out again! Okada wristlocks, ripcords, but Cobb ducks to ripcord for a COBB MAKE- NO! Okada Alabama lifts but Cobb sunset flips, only for Okada to sit on it! Cover, OKADA WINS!!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall
If you blinked, you probably missed it! Cobb himself is stunned by how Okada just snatched away that victory! Okada says that’s just the different levels they’re on. Will Okada keep reminding us of his worth and make his way back to the top of NJPW? Will Cobb remember all this and pay Okada back next time?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Tetsuya Naito & SANADA VS Dangerous Tekkers w/ Miho Abe!
Though Los Ingobernables de Japon’s Uncontrollable Charisma and Cold Skull won these titles in Sapporo just two weeks ago, Taichi and Zack Sabre Jr. are back to take them away! Will LIJ pitch a perfect game in Tokyo? Or will the Sliest Wrestler and the Submission Master manage to hit it out of the park?
The introductions are made, Naito is very particular about how the belts are given to Red Shoes, and the belts are raised. Taichi calls out Sanada but Sanada calls out ZSJ and ZSJ tells him he’ll regret it. The elaborate entrance gear is put away, LIJ fist bump, and these two teams slug it out in a seventh inning stretch!
Wait, the teams are sorting out the starting line-ups. Taichi still wants Sanada, Sanada still wants ZSJ and ZSJ wants after Naito. Naito doesn’t mind, and so he and ZSJ start in a rematch from Osaka. Fans rally as the two circle and feel out the grapple. ZSJ wrenches the knuckle lock to a wristlock but Naito rolls and trips ZSJ up. ZSJ shifts to a cradle, ONE, and the two stand off. Fans cheer again as the two go again. ZSJ and Naito knuckle lock, ZSJ drops to get a leg and trip Naito up. ZSJ has a toehold but Naito fights back, so ZSJ shifts to a standing toehold. Naito rolls, trips ZSJ, and he has the toehold now. ZSJ uses his leg to pry Naito off but Naito goes after that leg!
ZSJ goes after Naito’s leg but Naito goes for a cover, but ZSJ headscissors him. Naito kicks but ZSJ pushes up for leverage. Naito bridges, turns around, pops free and rolls ZSJ up into a snapmare then chinlock. ZSJ slips out the back, Naito rolls, wrenches, but ZSJ rolls. Naito avoids the kick and the two stand off again as fans cheer. ZSJ and Naito circle, Naito bows, and then tags out to Sanada. ZSJ asks what the what but he tags out to Taichi. Taichi wants to avenge his loss in Osaka and fans rally up as Sanada shows off the dancing pecs. Taichi isn’t going to fall into that again, but Sanada goes up a corner to show off. Sanada insists Taichi take a turn, and fans seem to cheer that idea.
Taichi again refuses, having done that enough in Osaka. He and Sanada tie up, Sanada wrenches but Taichi gets ropes. Red Shoes calls for the break, Sanada lets off, and Taichi applauds along with the fans. Sanada and Taichi go again, and Sanada wrenches to a hammerlock. Taichi gets to ropes again, and Sanada lets off clean. Fans cheer, Taichi and Sanada circle. They feel out the grapple but Taichi kicks low! Taichi wrenches but Sanada wrenches back! Sanada keeps Taichi from ropes this time, so Taichi rolls, trips Sanada, and CHOKES him! Not even bothering to hide it! Taichi gets Sanada up into the corner and ZSJ tags in.
ZSJ DECKS Naito, Taichi throws Sanada out, and the Tekkers go out after LIJ. ZSJ has a chinlock on Naito, but also a fish hook to the nose! Taichi whips Sanada hard into railing, ZSJ straitjacket stretches Naito and stomps him down. Taichi uses camera cables to choke Sanada! Red Shoes reprimands, counts, but Taichi lets go with only one hand. Taichi puts Sanada back in the ring for ZSJ, and ZSJ gets Sanada up to cravat. ZSJ brings Sanada over to the corner, Taichi tags back in, and Taichi swipes at Naito. ZSJ snapmares Sanada for Taichi to choke him! Red Shoes counts, Taichi lets off, but then chokes him again! Red Shoes counts again and Taichi stops, to TWO HAND CHOKE!
Red Shoes counts, Taichi finally stops choking Sanada, and Taichi stands on Sanada’s neck. Sanada pushes Taichi’s foot away but Taichi gets him up to bump off buckles. Tag to ZSJ, Taichi stomps Sanada and ZSJ drags Sanada out by a leg. ZSJ leg hooks an arm, then shifts to a normal hammerlock. Sanada fights up, ZSJ spins him around and wrenches the arm, but Sanada rolls, handsprings and cartwheels to WRING ZSJ! ZSJ spins, wrenches and wrangles Sanada but Sanada kips up, wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks, hammerlocks and headlocks to a takeover! ZSJ headscissors, Sanada kips free but ZSJ headbutts low to headlock back.
Sanada powers out then dropkicks ZSJ’s legs out! Taichi runs in but Sanada kicks low and Naito runs in to RANA Taichi down! Taichi bails out, Naito chases after and brings Taichi up to CLUB him down. Fans fire up as Sanada gets ZSJ up to throw him out. Naito whips Taichi into railing, then Sanada gets ZSJ up to put the bad leg around railing. ZSJ fights back with fish hooks but Sanada wrenches the leg! Red Shoes reprimands but Sanada BOOTS the railing to jam ZSJ’s leg! ZSJ falls over, Sanada drags him up and into the ring and drags him to the LIJ corner. Naito tags in, stomps ZSJ’s bad leg, then drags him up to put the bad leg on ropes.
ZSJ fights back but Naito wrenches the leg! ZSJ tries a wristlock but Naito just pulls on the leg! Naito almost has ZSJ falling out of the ring! Red Shoes counts, Naito lets off and ZSJ falls back. Naito gets ZSJ up to kick the leg. Naito whips ZSJ corner to corner, runs in to rocket kick and sweep, and just like Osaka, he feints ZSJ out to dropkick the bad leg! Naito drags ZSJ to a cover, TWO! Naito gets ZSJ up, has the bad leg and tags in Sanada. Fans rally as Sanada hops up to drop an ax handle on the knee! Sanada stands ZSJ up, ZSJ steps over but Sanada still trips him. Sanada steps through, ZSJ boots him away, but Sanada cartwheels around the monkey flip to dropkick ZSJ’s leg out!
Sanada drags ZSJ over to ropes, and Naito helps him keep the leg on the ropes. Sanada springboards to drop down on the leg! Taichi protests but Red Shoes keeps him back. Sanada tags Naito and Naito drags ZSJ around to hook up the legs in the modified Figure Four! Sanada plays defense as ZSJ endures and fans rally up! ZSJ pries at the hold but Naito puts more pressure on. ZSJ gets the ropebreak, Naito lets off, and ZSJ crawls as fast as he can! Naito drags ZSJ up first, has the leg, and hits a SHIN BREAKER! Red Shoes checks on ZSJ but he refuses to quit. Fans rally up as Naito taunts ZSJ and stomps the leg.
Naito gets ZSJ up again but ZSJ headlocks to block. Naito powers through and SHIN BREAKERS again! Naito keeps hold of the leg, taunts ZSJ, but ducks the enziguri. ZSJ reels Naito in to get Naito down for a NECK TWIST! Naito flounders and writhes while fans fire up. ZSJ crawls and tags in Taichi! Taichi runs in to clothesline Naito, whip him and clothesline again, then snapmare and KICK him! Sanada runs in, Taichi dodges to waistlock but Sanada switches. Taichi resists the lift to PELE! Sanada is down but Naito returns to kick and whip. Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up while Taichi keeps his cool.
Taichi powers up as Naito rises, and Taichi runs, but Naito blocks Ax Bomber, ducks Ax Bomber, and hits an atomic drop to NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and fans fire up again. Naito and Taichi stir, Naito tags Sanada in. Sanada gets Taichi up, throws forearms then whips him to the corner. Sanada runs in but Taichi dodges, and Sanada tumbles up and out. Sanada springboards in, Taichi dodges, but Sanada dodges the Ax Bomber to atomic drop! Taichi falls over, and Sanada gets the legs! Fans fire up as Sanada ties Taichi up in Paradise! Sanada encourages the fans to get louder, and louder, and louder. Sanada dropkicks Taichi out of Paradise!
Sanada goes to a corner, climbs up and waits for Taichi to stand. CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Sanada grabs at Taichi but Taichi kicks him away. Taichi gets up but Sanada comes back, only for Taichi to choke him again! Sanada chokes back! Sanada puts Taichi in a corner, Red Shoes counts, but Taichi powers up to push Sanada back. Taichi choke grips but Sanada choke grips back! Sanada breaks Taichi’s grip but Taichi KICKS a leg! Sanada throws a forearm, Taichi KICKS a leg again! Sanada ROCKS Taichi, eggs him on, and the KICKS and forearms keep going! Fans fire up as they go faster and faster, and Sanada gets the edge! But Taichi KICKS once more!
Both men stay up and catch their breath. Sanada comes back to EuroUpper! Taichi KICKS! Fans cheer as Taichi eggs Sanada on. Sanada EuroUppers but Taichi comes back to KICK! Sanada drops to his knees and fans fire up more! Taichi dares Sanada to get up as fans rally. When he doesn’t get up, Taichi sits Sanada up, but Sanada blocks the buzzsaw! Sanada fires off forearms, spins, but Taichi ENZIGURIS! ZSJ runs in to BLAST Naito off the apron! Taichi gets Sanada up, but Sanada ranas the bomb away! ROLLING ELBOW, to TIGER DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Taichi survives but Sanada keeps his focus as fans fire up.
Sanada goes up top, ROUNDING BODY- No, Taichi moves and Sanada lands on his feet! ZSJ runs in to EuroUpper Sanada down! Naito returns to CLOBBER ZSJ, then basement dropkick! Taichi back kicks Naito, Sanada dropkicks Taichi’s legs out! ZSJ gets around Sanada to spin him, WRING his arm out, but Naito dropkicks ZSJ down! Naito runs at Taichi in the corner but Taichi dodges to GAMANGIRI! Taichi runs at Sanada, Sanada dodges to dropkick Taichi! Taichi rebounds to AX BOMBER!! All four men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Fans rally up as Taichi slowly rises. Taichi fires himself up, and OFF COME THE PANTS!
Taichi aims from the corner as Sanada rises. Sanada sobats first! Taichi fights off the Northern Lights but Sanada fireman’s carries and throws Taichi into the dragon sleeper! SKULL- NO! Taichi rolls out to ROUNDHOUSE Sanada down! Fans fire up again as both men are back down! Taichi rolls and crawls to his corner and ZSJ tags in. ZSJ hobbles around to aim from a corner, and he runs to BOOT Sanada! And he BOOTS Naito just because! ZSJ runs in but Sanada elbow shim away. Sanada Quebrada but ZSJ gets under, but Sanada dropkicks the leg out! LA MAGISTROL but ZSJ blocks! ONE, Sanada has a ghost pin, TWO! ZSJ brings Sanada around to a ghost pin, TWO!!
ZSJ and Sanada get up, ZSJ EuroUppers but Sanada gives it back! ZSJ EuroUppers again, then catches Sanda’s to a backslide, then jackknife! TWO, Sanada dodges to O’Conner Bridge, but ZSJ blocks to a double chicken wing bridge! But Sanada copies ZSJ’s pushdown for a double cover!! TWO!!! Tokyo almost had the flipside to Osaka but Sanada fireman’s carries! ZSJ fights out to get the cobra twist! Sanada endures, hip tosses free, but ZSJ bridges up, only for Sanada to DRAGON SCREW! Both men are down again as fans fire up! ZSJ calls to Taichi as he crawls over. Naito tags in first, though, and he stomps ZSJ’s bad leg.
Naito stomps ZSJ into a neutral corner but lets off as Red Shoes counts. Naito gets ZSJ up, whips, but ZSJ falls over! ZSJ clutches the bad knee but Taichi runs in. Naito kicks Taichi back out, then mockingly asks ZSJ if he’s alright. Fans rally up as ZSJ grits his teeth and stands up. Naito blocks a boot, shoves ZSJ to a corner and blocks the boot again. Naito puts ZSJ in the ropes for a DRAPING BACKBREAKER! Naito gets ZSJ up to NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives but Naito keeps cool. Naito gets ZSJ up but ZSJ hobbles on the bad leg. Naito forces ZSJ to stand, just to kick the bad leg! Fans rally, Naito stomps the bad leg, and ZSJ fights up to his feet.
Naito hammerlocks but ZSJ blocks Gloria by squatting. Naito kicks the bad leg, whips again, but ZSJ reverses. ZSJ catches the flying forearms into an IRON OCTOPUS! ZSJ pulls back on the arm, Naito fights free and CLUBS the bad leg. Naito kicks at the leg, uses the ropes, but ZSJ denies the tornado to PELE the arm! Taichi clotheslines Naito in the corner and ZSJ BOOTS Sanada. Taichi sets Naito up for ZSJ to run in and TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO!! Taichi coaches ZSJ and they set Naito up. Scoop, but Naito fights out, but Taichi BLINDSIDE AX BOMBERS! ZSJ EuroUppers Naito into Taichi’s Alabama lift, but Sanada saves Naito from the combo move!
Sanada whips Taichi out of the ring but ZSJ EuroUppers Sanada. ZSJ BOOTS Sanada in a corner, hobbles and comes back to EuroUpper. ZSJ runs at Naito but he dodges, Sanada runs in to back elbow ZSJ. Sanada feeds ZSJ to Naito’s back elbow, then dropkicks ZSJ into the enziguri! BIG back suplex, rolling jackknife cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives the onslaught and fans fire up again! LIJ gets ZSJ’s legs to DOUBLE KNEE SMASH! Naito wrenches the leg to the SHORT LEG SCISSOR! Taichi runs in but Sanada intercepts, to the FIGURE FOUR! LIJ has dual submissions on the Tekkers! ZSJ endures, Taichi pries at Sanada’s, but Naito thrashes ZSJ’s leg around!
ZSJ fights, scrambles, flails, crawls, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Naito lets go fast, but Sanada keeps Taichi suffering. Red Shoes reprimands, Sanada lets Taichi go, and those two get out of the ring. Naito gets ZSJ to the LIJ corner, stomps ZSJ around, then drags him up the corner. Taichi hurries around the outside to attack! Naito rakes Taichi’s eyes! Sanada dropkicks Taichi off the apron! And PLANCHAS! Those two are down, and Naito gives ZSJ ESPERANZA!! Cover, TWO!?! ZSJ survives but Naito won’t stop there! Naito gets ZSJ up and in another corner. Naito stomps ZSJ while egging him on. Fans rally up as Naito hoists ZSJ up top.
Naito CLUBS the bad leg, climbs up top, and SUPER STEINERS, but ZSJ sunset flips it! Naito slips out but ZSJ gets him in the TRIANGLE HOLD! Naito flails, ZSJ squeezes tight, but Sanada gets back in to stomp ZSJ. ZSJ eggs Sanada on while he holds tight on Naito! Sanada keeps stomping, but Taichi gets in to drag Sanada into SEITEIJYUJIRYOU!! Now Tekkers have LIJ in dual submissions! Naito fights to get up and reach around but ZSJ squeezes as tight as he can! Taichi twists and stretches Sanada, fans are thunderous, and Sanada powers out, only for Taichi to choke grip! CHOKE- NO! Sanada dropkicks Taichi away!
Sanada goes up, ROUNDING BODY PRESS on ZSJ!! Naito is free but Taichi Alabama lifts Sanada for BLACK MEPHISTO! Naito hits Taichi with CORRIENDOSHIKI!! Naito fires up with the fans and he gets ZSJ up! Wrench, but ZSJ scoops to hit ZACK DRIVER!! But ZSJ can’t cover from the bad leg bothering him! Fans rally up as Miho goes nuts! ZSJ stirs but realizes he’s in the wrong corner. A standing count begins on ZSJ and Naito, and is already at 5! ZSJ springs up to stop Red Shoes at 7! ZSJ drags himself over to get Naito. ZSJ gives Naito slaps, but Naito clubs the bad leg! ZSJ kicks at Naito, and kicks, and kicks. Naito gets up to stomp the bad leg again!
ZSJ dares Naito to keep going so Naito stomps it again. ZSJ kicks at Naito with the good leg, then hobbles up to egg Naito on. ZSJ throws a EuroUpper! Naito throws a forearm! ZSJ throws another EuroUpper, so Naito throws another forearm. EuroUpper, forearm, repeat! ZSJ gets the edge but Naito CHOPS! ZSJ EuroUppers again but Naito kicks the bad leg! Taichi runs in to BOOT Naito! Sanada runs in to BOOT Taichi! Taichi goes to boot but Sanada blocks to EuroUpper! Taichi fires up and dodges Sanada to DANGEROUS SAIDO! Naito gets Taichi for back elbow after back elbow! Taichi hits his three point stance, to SUMO FOREARM!! Everyone is down but Taichi fires up!
Taichi shouts to ZSJ and Miho rallies the fans up again. The Tekkers coordinate from opposite ends of the ring and they get themselves up at the corners. ZSJ runs to PENALTY KICK Naito! Cover, TWO!! Taichi gets up and fires up with ZSJ. Taichi staggers up into a corner and roars as ZSJ gets Naito up. But Sanada tackles Taichi while Naito scoops ZSJ for VALENTIA! Sanada smothers Taichi while Naito gets ZSJ up! Wrench, tilt-o-whirl, DEST- NO! ZSJ drags Naito down to the EURO CLUTCH!! TEKKERS WIN!!!
Winners: Dangerous Tekkers, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
The Tekkers are back on top after only a couple weeks!! Taichi & ZSJ are now THREE-TIME tag team champions, and Naito is furious that he got caught! But with how quick the turnaround was from winning to losing these belts, can Naito and Sanada get another shot soon?
But wait! Yoshi-Hashi and Hirooki Goto appear! They are still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions, but are they planning on cutting in? LIJ and Tekkers don’t want Goto-Hashi to get ahead of themselves, this match just ended. What will NJPW management decide to do about Chaos wanting their shot?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!
Firstly, we here at the Chairshot wish Kota Ibushi a speedy recovery, but also know that he should make sure he is 100% before returning. However, the show must go on! The Dragon wants to be a fighting champion, and The Ace wants to fight and become champion! It’s an epic rematch from their NEVER Openweight Championship match earlier this year, which Tanahashi won! Will Takagi strike out against Tanahashi again? Or will he prove that this time, he’s ready for the Once in a Century Talent?
The introductions are made, Takagi has a new, fiercer mask, and the belt is raised as we see if Takagi can live up to that new standard!
Fans rally up, “LET’S GO ACE!” “TA-KA-GI!” as Tanahashi and Takagi circle. They approach, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Takagi gets a point of leverage but Tanahashi pushes back harder. Takagi gets Tanahashi on ropes but Tanahashi turns it around. Tanahashi lets off cleanly and fans cheer. Takagi and Tanahashi circle again, feel out the grapple this time, and knuckle lock for a test of strength! Tanahashi digs in his heels and powers up, but Takagi kicks low to wrench and wristlock. Tanahashi slips in to get a takedown and he ties up Takagi’s legs. Tanahashi floats to a headlock as fans rally, and Takagi fights up to pry the hold.
Takagi hammerlocks, headlocks and hits a takeover, but Tanahashi headscissors. Takagi slips free and fans cheer the stand off. The fans rally again, “LET’S GO ACE!” “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi and Tanahashi go again, Takagi headlocks, but Tanahashi pries at the hold. Takagi holds on tight but Tanahashi throws body shots. Tanahashi whips Takagi, drop toeholds him down and gets a headlock. Takagi endures, fights up, powers up but Tanahashi holds tight. Tanahashi grinds Takagi down, Takagi fights up but again Tanahashi holds tight! Takagi tries again, throws body shots and powers out, but Tanahashi rams shoulders. Takagi rebounds to run Tanahashi over!
Takagi steps on Tanahashi, drops an elbow, then another elbow. Tanahashi avoids the back senton to drop an elbow of his own! Fans fire up as Tanahashi air guitars. Takagi gets to a corner but Tanahashi heads over. Tanahashi throws body shots, whips Takagi corner to corner, but Takagi reverses. Takagi runs in but Tanahashi elbows him away. Tanahashi jumps up to CROSSBODY, but Takagi catches him! Takagi fireman’s carries to a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Fans fire up as Tanahashi staggers. Takagi runs in to clothesline Tanahashi out! Fans cheer as Takagi goes out to fetch Tanahashi, and he encourages them to keep rallying, “TA-KA-GI!” “LET’S GO ACE!”
Takagi stomps Tanahashi, stands on him, but lets off to kick and stomp him at the railing! Takagi paces while Red Shoes says to get this in the ring. Takagi brings Tanahashi around to bump off the apron, and says, “Mada mada mada,” he’s not done yet. Takagi bumps Tanahashi off the apron again, then fireman’s carries to SNAKE EYES off the apron! Tanahashi falls down as fans fire up. Takagi gets back in the ring, the ring count begins, and Tanahashi slowly rises. Tanahashi stands at 6 of 20, staggers over, and gets in at 10 of 20. Takagi stands on and DOUBLE STOMPS Tanahashi at the ropes!
Takagi gets Tanahashi up to whip to ropes and KNEE! Then he runs to RAM Tanahashi against ropes! Takagi gets Tanahashi with a BIG suplex, then covers, TWO! Takagi keeps Tanahashi down with a chinlock. Tanahashi endures as fans rally up. Tanahashi fights up, throws body shots, and fires off fast hands! Tanahashi runs but into the elbow! YUKON LARIAT! Takagi skips his jab to throw Tanahashi off on that one. Takagi gets Tanahashi back up, SNAP SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Takagi keeps after Tanahashi with headlock, trapping an arm at the same time. Tanahashi endures, fans rally up, and Tanahashi scoots around to get the ropebreak! Takagi lets go as Red Shoes counts.
Takagi dares Tanahashi to get up. Tanahashi stands, fires off forearms, but Takagi DECKS him with one! Takagi flexes the muscles then drags Tanahashi back up. Takagi hooks the arms but Tanahashi resists the Gory Especial! Tanahashi fires elbows, but Takagi spins him to DDT him down! Takagi sits Tanahashi up to throw elbows into the shoulder, then he runs, only for Tanahashi to dodge the sliding lariat! Tanahashi dropkicks Takagi’s leg but Takagi stays up and rebounds to kick. Tanahashi blocks to DRAGON SCREW! Takagi crawls to a corner and fans rally back up. Tanahashi rises, hobbles after Takagi and fires off forearms and stomps in the corner.
Tanahashi whips corner to corner but Takagi reverses. Tanahashi comes back for FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up with Tanahashi as he gets Takagi back up. Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Takagi, then goes to a corner to hop up. SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Takagi scrambles away but Tanahashi powers up. Tanahashi runs and dropkicks Takagi’s leg out! Takagi gets to ropes but Tanahashi is after his legs. Takagi gets the ropebreak and Tanahashi abandons the cloverleaf for now. Tanahashi runs at Takagi in the corner, but Takagi dodges! Takagi runs in but Tanahashi boots. Takagi blocks that to LARIAT! But Tanahashi comes back to fire forearms!
Takagi ROCKS Tanahashi with forearm after forearm, then JABS and CHOPS on repeat! JAB, JAB, CHOP! Takagi runs corner to corner but Tanahashi follows, to SHOTGUN dropkick Takagi out of the ring! Fans fire up as Tanahashi gets back up. Tanahashi goes up top for ACES HIGH FLY FLOW!! Direct hit and down goes Takagi! Fans are thunderous now as Red Shoes checks on both of them. Tanahashi and Takagi are able to continue so a ring count begins. The count is 10 of 20 as Tanahashi stands, and he puts Takagi in at 15. Takagi gets to a corner but Tanahashi storms over to fire off forearm after forearm after forearm!
Tanahashi gives Takagi a dozen, then goes corner to corner to dropkick! Fans fire up more, and Tanahashi stands back up. Tanahashi grits his teeth as he drags Takagi up and reels him in. Takagi blocks the suplex and throws body shots! Takagi suplexes but Tanahashi resists, to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi gets Takagi back up, another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then a third TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Fans are thunderous after that hat trick, and Tanahashi wants Takagi to rise. Takagi flounders up, Tanahashi runs, but Takagi catches slingblade into the Gory Especial, and NOSHIGAMI! Both men are down again and fans rally back up!
Takagi rises, gets Tanahashi in a wheelbarrow, for a WHEELBARROW GERMAN SUPLEX! Takagi gets up again, sits Tanahashi up, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Takagi says there’s still more to come, and he gives Tanahashi toying kicks. Tanahashi gets mad and sits up but Takagi keeps kicking. Tanahashi blocks to dropkick a leg out! Takagi comes back to fireman’s carry, but Tanahashi lands out of the gutbuster drop to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Fans are electric as Takagi gets to a corner. Tanahashi runs in, but he blocks Takagi’s boot, to DRAGON SCREW again! Tanahashi hoists Takagi up top, SUPER DRAGON SCREW!!! Takagi writhes as fans rally up!
Tanahashi gets the legs for the TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! Takagi is caught as Tanahashi sits deep! But Takagi powers, reaches out, but Tanahashi drags him away and sits even deeper! Takagi powers up, Tanahashi falls over from his own legs tiring out, but Tanahashi stands back up! Tanahashi sits as deep as he can, but Takagi is right there, and he gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans are thunderous again as Tanahashi lets go! Tanahashi stomps Takagi on the apron! Tanahashi stands Takagi up, goes for the leg, but Takagi clubs at Tanahashi. Takagi gets Tanahashi’s leg in the rope, clubs and DRAGON SCREWS Tanahashi back! The Dragon’s Dragon Screw evens things up!
Takagi drags Tanahashi to the apron for an elbow breaker to the leg! Is this another form of knee breaker? And then Takagi CLUBS the leg against the apron! Tanahashi flops to the floor and Takagi hobbles about. Takagi stands on Tanahashi’s leg at the railing but he lets off as Red Shoes reprimands. Takagi wants media to move aside as he gets Tanahashi up. Takagi whips Tanahashi but Tanahashi reverses! Takagi avoids the slingblade and he lifts Tanahashi up! Takagi has Tanahashi draped out backwards, for a TAKAGI GTR!! Fans are thunderous again as both men are down! Red Shoes checks on Tanahashi but he refuses to quit now.
Another ring count begins and Takagi drags himself into the ring at 10 of 20. Tanahashi is still down, and we reach 15! Tanahashi starts to get up at 16, fans rally as he wobbles at 17, and he springs in at 19, into a SLIDING LARIAT! Takagi roars, drags Tanahashi up, pump handle to MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Tanahashi survives and fans are thunderous once again! Takagi gets Tanahashi up at the ropes, then runs for PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Takagi keeps focus as Tanahashi survives again. Fans clap along with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi stands. Takagi hobbles back over to Tanahashi, drags him back up, and pump handles for the rack!
Tanahashi resists with elbows to the back! Takagi POINT-BLANK PUMPING BOMBERS! And then boxing elbows! Fans fire up with every shot and Takagi gives Tanahashi a good 20 of ’em! Tanahashi fires up, but Takagi HEADBUTTS him down! Takagi drags Tanahashi back up, pump handles and torture racks, SLINGBLADE?!?! Tanahashi counters and both men are down as the fans keep the thunder rolling! Tanahashi fires up, runs, but Takagi follows to clothesline at the ropes! Takagi runs but Tanahashi gets around! Takagi breaks the full nelson, Tanahashi STRAITJACKET GERMANS! Bridging cover, TWO!! Takagi escapes but Tanahashi fires up again!
Tanahashi runs, to SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!!! Tanahashi knows he’s close and fans fire up with him as he climbs! Takagi stands, Tanahashi CROSSBODIES! Tanahashi fires up but Takagi grabs a leg. Tanahashi CLUBS Takagi but Takagi holds on, so Tanahashi CLUBS him more! Tanahashi is free, fans rally up and Tanahashi stands Takagi up. Shout out to Kota Ibushi with KAMI-GOYE!!!! Tanahashi goes to the top rope, for HIGH FLY FLOW!!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? HOW?!?!? HOW?!?!?! The Tokyo Dome is volcanic as Tanahashi rises again. Tanahashi drags Takagi up, full nelsons, but Takagi gets to the ropes! Takagi holds on, Tanahashi pulls him away, but Takagi still resists!
Tanahashi wants the straitjacket again but Takagi knows it, and pump handles to LAST OF THE DRAGON!!!! But Takagi can’t make a cover, he’s so exhausted! Fans build back up to that electric level as Takagi and Tanahashi stir. Takagi slaps himself to get back into this. He even punches himself and headbutts the mat! Takagi throws a forearm, Tanahashi gives it back. Takagi forearms, Tanahashi forearms, repeat as they stand up! Takagi staggers but comes back with another forearm. Tanahashi gets the edge but Takagi hits back. The forearms keep going back and forth, faster and faster, but Takagi gets the edge with about five. Tanahashi uses boxing elbows just like Takagi!
Takagi and Tanahashi roar, TANAHASHI HEADBUTTS!! Tanahashi was paying tribute to Shibata yesterday, was that another one?! But Takagi still gets back up! Tanahashi runs, into an elbow! JAB! YUKON- NO! DRAGON SUPLEX! But Takagi is right back up?! PUMP- NO! ANOTHER DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!?!! Takagi escapes at the last nanosecond and the fans get back to the volcanic levels! Tanahashi drags himself to the apron, to the corner, and to the top rope. Takagi rises up to join him! Tanahashi throws clubbing hands but Takagi headbutts from below! Takagi finishes climbing, but they start brawling up top!
Tanahashi gets the edge but Takagi holds on to headbutt again and again and again! And AGAIN! Takagi turns around and drags Tanahashi to a top rope fireman’s carry! Tanahashi fights, but Takagi pump handles that arm! SUPER STAY DREAM!!!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! HOW DID TANAHASHI SURVIVE!?! Is there something stronger than a volcano? Because the fans are getting to some new level! Takagi gets Tanahashi up but Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi wants another but Takagi ducks to SHOTEI back! Both men wobble, Tanahashi SHOTEIS again! But Takagi ROLLING PUMPING BOMBERS! Both men are down and fans keep that more than volcanic level!
Takagi gets Tanahashi up, pump handle and racks, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!!! Cover, Takagi finally wins!!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The third-ever world champion in NJPWÂ stays the third-ever world champion! He’s no one-and-done, he’s a Grand Slam Dragon! Red Shoes raises his hand and hands the belt to him. Tanahashi is helped out of the ring and is very emotional over this loss. Will The Ace be back to try again some day?
Takagi manages to stay standing, and he gets the mic to speak. “Tanahashi Hiroshi. You really are amazing, aren’t you? Your nickname, ‘The Ace,’ is for real. In a way, you probably won tonight. Now we are 1-1, so we have to do this again.” But that doesn’t mean Takagi is skipping Ibushi. Takagi knows it was a tough decision for Ibushi to make. Ibushi can’t wrestle right now, but he surely wanted to, and Takagi appreciates that. But Takagi is “even more certain of one thing. Until Ibushi returns, I can’t lose this title! OI, TOKYO DOME! OI!” Fans get loud as Takagi takes a breath.
Takagi admits he’s a bit bummed. It is what it is because the pandemic isn’t over. They gotta keep practicing social distancing and such. He knows the fans are dealing with it even more than the wrestlers. But don’t forget to remain vigilant and careful. The fans could’ve easily stayed home and watched the Olympics, but they all chose pro-wrestling! Takagi appreciates that choice, and bows to show his respect. Takagi is turning 39 this year, so he’s getting up there, but HIS generation will lead the pro-wrestling world! “So with this IWGP World Heavyweight Championship as my ticket… As the best in NJPW, the best in ALL of pro sports right now… This Dragon will soar to the top of the sports world!” Fans cheer Takagi’s mission, but can he become the best of the best of the BEST?
Wait, why did the lights drop down?! EVIL and Dick are on the titantron! “I wonder which of those punks won. Togo, who do you think won?” Were they not watching…? Dick wags his finger because it doesn’t matter who won. Those good-for-nothings just tarnish the value of the belt. Evil says he’s up next! The King of Darkness has spoken, but then he appears in the ring! That video was all a trick! Evil reels Takagi in for EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Dick presents Evil with the title as if he’s already won it! Evil stands over Takagi as he holds up the belt! Will Darkness Fall and Evil reign? Or can the Dragon finally get his own revenge on the one who betrayed LIJ?
My Thoughts:
What an awesome event for NJPW to top off the streak from Osaka and Nagoya! The New Japan Ranbo with cuffs was a lot of fun, and Great-O-Khan was doing so well, I almost thought he was going to win. It was hilarious that Yano just handcuffs him like it was nothing. But I could not have seen Yano losing. At the same time, there has been something building between him and Chase Owens, I would love if Yano finds a way to force Chase to put that Texas Heavyweight Championship on the line. The Junior Heavyweight Tag title match was great stuff, but I should’ve known Taguchi would go too hard on solving the mystery and lose the title match. Maybe we get a rematch where we finally see the thing in the shoe revealed.
The Junior Heavyweight Championship was another awesome match, but what a shock that Eagles won! I didn’t think he’d win here, it was his first big thing since coming back and Desperado was on such an awesome roll. But maybe that’s all the reason NJPW needed to do this. Eagles shocks Desperado and could bring this title to other companies. Eagles speaks English so that would make it easier for him to show up and start feuds in Impact or AEW as these companies start to work together. Okada VS Cobb was great, and Okada winning with just a quick pin makes me think these two meet again 1v1, maybe during the G1 Climax at a pivotal moment in their respective runs.
The Heavyweight Tag title match was also awesome, and with Tekkers getting a rematch so soon because a lot of other heavyweight division teams being busy or just out of the country should’ve made it obvious they’d win. Goto & Hashi wanting a turn is really intriguing. LIJ doesn’t want to be snubbed just for losing, maybe we get a contender’s match between these teams, winners face Tekkers at Wrestle Grand Slam MetLife in a few weeks. And then, what a masterpiece we got out of Takagi VS Tanahashi! Higher level title, higher level match, so that makes sense, but when Tanahashi hit Kami-Goye, I almost thought Tanahashi was winning!
Takagi wins, though, because as he says in his promo, he has to face Ibushi first. But Evil making a challenge, clearly NJPW is planning on using this to give Ibushi more time to recover. Evil is a great choice given LIJ hasn’t exactly gotten over him betraying them, and Takagi is definitely going to beat Evil while beating up Dick Togo at the same time.
My Score: 9.5/10
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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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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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