Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (7/23/21)
SmackDown doubles down!
What a historic SmackDown to follow Money in the Bank!
Tonight, SmackDown comes to you from both The Land and Rolling Loud in Miami! And John Cena returns NOT to acknowledge but confront Roman Reigns!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Finn Balor VS Sami Zayn; Balor wins.
- Angelo Dawkins w/ Montez Ford VS Chad Gable w/ Otis; Dawkins wins.
- SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Carmella; Belair wins and retains the title.
- Toni Storm VS Zelina Vega; Storm wins.
- Jimmy Uso w/ Jey Uso VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Rey Mysterio; Jimmy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
JOHN CENA returns to SmackDown!
And Cleveland is fired up to see him! Cena goes right to the ring and he fires up with the WWE Universe! Cena wants to make sure everyone at home can see everyone live at the Rocket Mortgage Arena! “MAN you are amped up tonight! And I understand, I understand, it’s been one hell of a week.” A big surprise at Money in the Bank, Cena was so excited he had to go to Raw and answer some burning questions. Such as: How did Cena escape the Firefly Funhouse dimension? How many Peacemaker costumes did Cena steal? And is Cena the only guy left the WWE can call “to chin check that lifeless egomaniac, Roman Reigns?”
Yes, Cena is challenging Roman Reigns to a WWE Universal Championship match at SummerSlam. The fans fire up and Cena knows they’re excited and why. Cleveland knows that this is SmackDown! And everyone here knows we’re just a few heartbeats away from Cena VS Roman face-to-face in the ring right here, right now! And Cena couldn’t think of a better place to do this, either! Big sports news today outta Cleveland, too. Fans sound a bit sour, but Cena says he went to the Cleveland Government Office, and legally changed his name. Cena made his middle name, “Guardians,” because someone needs to protect the small amount of respect the WWE has left!
That’s because SmackDown with Roman as champion SUCKS! Now that’s just Cena’s opinion. He knows that there are hundreds of Roman Reigns fans somewhere. Hard to tell here, but Cena is sure they’re somewhere. But those fans deserve to stand up and be heard. Everyone deserves to stand up and be heard! No more ThunderDome, no more LED Zoom calls! There is noise on each and every side of this arena! And that’s what the people understand! SummerSlam is not just a match for the Universal Championship, no no. “It is a chance for all of us to stand up for what we believe in. What do you believe in? Whose team are you on?!”
Fans get loud as they duel, but there are “CENA! CENA!” chants, loud and proud. So are they Team Jorts? Fans do cheer. Are they on Team Cargo Pants? Fans do boo. So are they Team Hustle, Loyalty & Respect? Or are they the team fans always reject? Are you Team Cena or Team Reigns? Speaking of, where IS Roman? Oh, Cena knows Roman can’t see him! And after SummerSlam, he’ll realize that the CHAMP! IS! HERE! Fans are definitely on Cena’s side and he wants them to keep going to get Roman to come out to the ring! Make this happen, everyone! C’mon out, Roman! They wait, but still no Roman.
Please come out, Roman Reigns? Instead, we get, “Ladies and gentlemen, things that live in Cleveland, John… Cena… You have it all… wrong-uh!” Roman can’t see Cena? No, Roman can’t hear Cena, because Cena’s simply not worthy listening to. Now now, don’t get panties in a bunch, John. Heyman himself gives Cena his word that tonight, Cena will get an answer to the challenge, but only when Roman Reigns decides to come out and show Cena and everyone here live tonight that the TRIBAL CHIEF is… here!! BRrRrRrRrRrRrRr! DU DUDU DUUUU! DU DUDU DUUUU! Heyman mocks Cena all the way to the back, but will Cena get what he wants?
Finn Balor VS Sami Zayn!
The Prince returned to SmackDown last week and got to shut the Great Liberator up as a bonus! But now, Sami gets a chance at retribution! Will there be any conspiracy at work in The Land? Or will Balor get to go back to back on shutting Sami up?
SmackDown returns and Sami makes his entrance. The bell rings, the two circle and feel out the grapple. They tie up, Balor waistlocks but Sami moves around. Balor blocks the switch so Sami elbows out! Sami wrenches an arm, grinds the shoulder, pulls on an ear but the ref reprimands. Sami wristlocks, Balor fights up, rolls and hooks a leg, but Sami wrangles him down. Sami has a cording hold, Balor kips up and wrenches to wristlock back. Balor wrenches again, and again, but Sami ROCKS him with a right hand! Sami brings Balor to ropes to scrape his face on the ropes! The ref reprimands, Sami CLUBS Balor, then ground ‘n’ pounds!
Sami lets off, drags Balor up to throw him out of the ring, then goes out after him with big right hands! Fans boo but Sami talks trash at them to ROCK Balor again. Sami puts Balor in the ring at 7 of 10, but Balor trips Sami up! Balor fires off and fans fire up! Balor stomps away at the ropes, lets off and flexes. Fans fire up more as Balor kicks and throws Sami out. Balor builds speed to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp and Balor shows finger guns as we go to break!
SmackDown returns again and Balor jawbreakers free of a chinlock! Balor throws forearms, runs, but dodges, only for Sami to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Balor stays in this and fans fire up as Sami throws clubbing crossface forearms! Sami wraps on a chinlock, fans chant, “SAMI SUCKS! SAMI SUCKS!” Balor fights up, Sami knees low, and again. Sami says, “Who sucks now?” Sami puts Balor in a corner but Balor boots him back! Balor grits his teeth but Sami kicks low to DDT! Sami smirks as he gets up and aims from a corner. Balor gets up in a corner, Sami runs in, but Balor SLINGBLADES first!
Fans are thunderous as Balor gets Sami up, only for Sami to swing! Balor ducks, and gets Sami for an ELBOW DROP DDT! Balor aims from a corner now, aims finger guns, but runs into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Balor survives and fans rally up behind him. Sami thinks of what to do and he drags Balor up. Sami brings Balor to a corner, but Balor blocks the Exploder! Sami throws elbows down again and again! But still Balor blocks! Balor fires off elbows then RAMS Sami into the corner again and again! Balor lets off as the ref counts, and Balor runs in, into the EX- NO! Victory roll, DOUBLE STOMPS! Balor aims, SHOTGUN DROPKICK!
Sami flounders, Balor keeps going, ANOTHER SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Sami is in a drop zone now, Balor goes up top! COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, Balor wins!
Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall
First match back, first win back on SmackDown! Balor wants gold, what belt will he be aimed at first?
Backstage interview with Baron Corbin.
Even more of a mess than last week, Corbin’s crowd funding charity website has made… Nothing! He’s lost money! The guy who made the site for him just ghosted Corbin! And then he used Corbin’s credit card number to ruin his credit score! Corbin rode the bus here! Has Kayla ever been on a public bus? It smells like bad cheese and gym socks! Corbin asks, “What’s happened to me?” Corbin sulks away, will he ever turn his fortunes around?
Big E heads to the ring!
The 2021 Mr. Money in the Bank is here in Cleveland and fans are fired up to see him! And he’s here to go big, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Big E has the mic to say, “CLEVELAAAAND~!” Fans chant, “You Deserve It!” and Big E takes it all in. He appreciates that, and says Sunday, 7/18/21, is a night he will never forget. “I was hurled through the air, I had grown men dive onto me, I jumped off a ladder! I have no business jumping off of ladders!” But when Big E made that final climb and saw that briefcase and earned the contract- He gets interrupted by Apollo Crews! The WWE Intercontinental Champion and Commander Azeez sarcastically congratulate Big E. Big E overcame the odds, shocked the world and won a title contract!
Apollo laughs. This isn’t the same as actually winning a title like Apollo did when he beat Big E at WrestleMania. But wait, the Dirty Dawgs are interrupting now? Dolph Ziggler is Ohio’s own, and he’s telling everyone to stop! If they want to talk about the Intercontinental Championship, they better talk about him and Robert Roode, the Dirty Dawgs! “Tell ’em, big man!” Roode gets the mic and barely gets started when RICK BOOGS interrupts! And the rockin’ bard of course introduces KING Nakamura! Fans sing along with the theme song as Shinsuke heads to the ring! And now CESARO joins in!
The Swiss Superman says no more talking! He wants the title, and it’s SWING TIME in Cleveland! But then the brawling breaks out in the ring! The Dawgs are after Nakamura, Apollo is after Big E, and Azeez smiles as his leader is- Wait, Big E throws Apollo out! Azeez goes after Big E, Cesaro goes after Ziggler and throws the Show-Off out! Nakamura ENZIGURIS Roode out, he and Cesaro get Azeez away from Big E, but Azeez choke grips both of them! They kick back, and fire off a EuroUpper and ROUNDHOUSE! Big E clotheslines Azeez out of the ring! Apollo returns, but runs into a SWING!!
Cesaro only goes for 5 to throw Apollo out, and the battle lines are drawn! Ziggler says, “Not tonight!” But if not now, then when?!
SmackDown goes live to Rolling Loud!
“Yo yo yo yo~!” Wale welcomes the fans at Miami Gardens and says they’re in for a treat tonight. Hopefully the people here know who he is. Make some noise! Now bring out his homies. Call and response. When he says, “We Want the Smoke,” they echo it back. WE WANT THE SMOKE! WE WANT THE SMOKE! Alright, let’s get to it! The Street Profits are up in Miami, but will they be rolling loud?
Angelo Dawkins w/ Montez Ford VS Chad Gable w/ Otis!
SmackDown returns as The Alpha Academy has already entered the ring. The bell rings, Gable and Dawkins circle. They feel it out but Otis swipes at Dawkins! Dawkins swipes back but Gable clobbers him! Gable fires off clubbing forearms, whips him to ropes, but Dawkins hurdles and back elbows! And then dropkicks! Gable swings but into the BUTTERFLY ANARCHY! Dawkins is fired up as Gable gets to the apron! Dawkins gets Gable up, suplexes, but Gable slips out and throat chops! Gable CHOPS Dawkins in the corner, throat chops again, then says, “For the Academy!” Gable whips Dawkins corner to corner, but Dawkins blocks the monkey flip to put Gable up top!
Dawkins swings but Gable catches it to a HANGING ARMBAR! Gable lets off, climbs up top, and leaps to FLYING CLOTHESLINE! Cover, TWO! Gable keeps cool as he gets the bad arm and JAMS it! And again! And then SLAMS the arm on the mat! Gable says, “For the Academy!” but Wale and the fans boo. Gable gets Dawkins up, hammerlocks and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Dawkins survives but Gable keeps cool as he gets Dawkins back up. Gable mounts the armlock, Dawkins endures the grind but Gable wrenches. Dawkins fights up but Gable spins around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Dawkins is still in this and Gable is annoyed.
Gable goes to a corner, climbs up top, and MOONSAULTS! But Dawkins moves! Gable lands on his feet but is thrown out of the ring! Gable gets in but Dawkins CLOBBERS him! CYCLONE in the corner! Gable dodges the bulldog to ROLLING KICK! Dawkins hits buckles on the way down! Gable runs in but Dawkins DECKS him! Dawkins covers, TWO! Ford is fired up for Dawkins as he puts Gable up top, but Gable throws elbows. Gable rolls back, runs, swings and backslides, TWO! Dawkins gets Gable up, THE ANOINTING! Cover, Dawkins wins!
Winner: Angelo Dawkins, by pinfall
And Rolling Loud is… Mildly fired up for that one. But this is big for the return of the Profits! Will they be able to settle things with the Alpha Academy soon enough? But wait, here comes The EST! Bianca Belair struts her way along the catwalk because she’s ready to defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship! Will Rolling Loud wild out for this rematch from last week?
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Carmella!
SmackDown returns and the (self-proclaimed) Most Beautiful Woman in the World makes her entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and these two run it back at Rolling Loud!
Bianca and Mella circle, tie up, and Mella rolls Bianca! ONE, Bianca rolls Mella, ONE! The two stand off and talk a little smack as they circle again. Mella kicks low, throws Bianca by her hair, then pushes Bianca around. Mella fires off hands in the corner, the ref counts and Mella lets off. Mella brings Bianca to whip, but Bianca goes up and over and handsprings and climbs up to tell Mella to kiss this! Bianca then jumps over Mella to dropkick her down! Fans fire up as Bianca tells Mella to kiss this again! Bianca runs in, Mella hotshots her away! Mella gets in, dodges, tilt-o-whirls and hits a MELLA-GO-ROUND! Bianca gets up and runs Mella right over!
Bianca is the steadiEST woman in WWE, and she gets Mella up. Mella grabs ropes to escape the KOD but then Bianca DECKS her! Fans fire up as Bianca is on the apron, but Mella blocks a kick, spins Bianca and throws her down! Cover, TWO! Mella keeps on Bianca with a chinlock and grinds Bianca down. Bianca endures, fights up, but Mella clubs Bianca as she holds on! Bianca gets loose to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Mella goes to a corner, Bianca runs in but Mella trips her into buckles! Mella goes corner to corner to run in but Bianca puts her on the apron. Fans want ASAP Rocky as Mella ROCKS Bianca and climbs up to CROSSBODY!
But Bianca rolls through! Bianca FALL AWAY SLAMS Mella! Bianca kips up, fires up, and she gets Mella with clubbing forearms! Bianca stomps Mella, then handsprings to MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Mella survives but Bianca gets her up. Mella jawbreakers back! Mella reels Bianca in but Bianca blocks the suplex to suplex back! Bianca holds Mella up but Mella fights free to FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Bianca survives and Mella can’t believe it! Bianca gets up, Mella mule kicks her then FAB- NO! Bianca blocks, spins and boots, but Mella dodges! Mella comes back but Bianca ROCKS her! Bianca torture racks to the KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca wins!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall (still SmackDown Women’s Champion)
The EST is rolling loud in Miami and she struts on the catwalk again, with pyro to celebrate! Will Bianca be rolling all the way into SummerSlam to rock Vegas just as hard?
Shotzi Blackheart & Tegan Nox work on the TCB tank.
Kevin Owens seems to be helping out in his own way. He suggests hitting this part with that big hammer. They did! A few times. Oh, well, sorry. Good luck with the cannon. Kevin heads out, but then bumps into Corbin. Corbin says, “Look man. I wanna apologize about last week. I’m in a bad place.” Corbin didn’t mean to insult Kevin’s dress or appearance. It’s a bad habit. It is! A bad habit of being a jerk! And it’s been a habit for like 8 years! Corbin can’t actually be surprised if no one feels bad for him. Corbin brought all that on himself. Corbin admits that and is really struggling. But he feels Kevin really can help him. Can Kevin forgive him?
Is that the same shirt from last week? No, it’s another one just like it, but he also got a stain on it, too… Spaghetti O’s from a can are tricky. Kevin does feel bad, and he gives Corbin the $20 he had in his wallet. Try not to be a jerk to people maybe though? Thank you, Kevin, this can do a lot right now. Kevin heads out, and now the cannon works, because it shoots the Nerf missile into Corbin’s lone wolf! And the Dirty Dawgs snatch the 20!! Kevin runs them off, but the damage is done. What will it take for Corbin to get past all this misfortune?
EDGE is here!!
The Rated R Superstar may not have won at Money in the Bank, but Cleveland still loves seeing him! And he’ll respond to why he didn’t win at MITB, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Edge has a mic as he stands on the corner. He hops down to say, “Oooh, Cleveland! You have no idea what those reactions do for me.” Edge says there’s a lot of history here and they surely know it. They know what he’s done, how hard he’s fought to get THIS back. They know how hard he fought to get them back! And if you watched MITB, you know he should be our Universal Champion. But he’s not, and there’s one reason why: Seth Rollins. Edge thought he had all the bases covered. The Mysterios watched his back for the inevitability of the Usos, but he didn’t know Rollins would make his presence known.
Hell, Edge thought Rollins might go after Roman, to make things easier in facing Edge. He’d be wrong about that, but that’s what Edge thought would happen. But then Edge realized, this is bigger than that. This goes back to 2014 when they first met. “You didn’t pull the trigger then to get the job done, because you never thought I’d be back here. But now, I am back here! And I’m in your way.” Rollins has no idea the Pandora’s Box of violence and pain he has opened! Fans cheer for that as Edge says he learned from the most evil minds in this industry! The Brood! The Ministry of Darkness! Rollins has no idea the depths that Edge will sink to to get the job done! But he’ll find out.
“BURN IT DOWN~!” Rollins makes his entrance to interrupt Edge’s warning! “Did somebody say mah name?” Rollins laughs and says it’s Grandpa Edge, talking about the man he used to be! HAHAHAHAH! Rollins laughs it up but Edge tells him to shut up. Rollins is embarrassing himself. Why not come down to the ring? Edge promises he won’t hit him, it’ll just be a talk. Rollins knows Edge isn’t as stupid as he looks. Edge wouldn’t dare put his hands on Rollins, knowing what Rollins can do to him. But, full disclosure, Rollins was gonna talk about how much he despises Cleveland, and how much he despises people like Edge, and John Cena, who wanna just come back whenever, jump the line, take opportunities from those like Rollins, people who have earned those opportunities.
Hey, hear him out! Fans are booing but Rollins says he was going to talk about all that, but he more he thought about it, the more he agrees with Cleveland! It is great to have Edge out here in Rollins’ ring. Give it up for gramps! Rollins is thrilled Edge can’t keep his name out of his mouth. Edge has been “such a scumbag to me.” Nothing would make Rollins happier than to crush Edge’s dreams. Nothing would make Rollins happier than to ruin the comeback story! But if Edge keeps pushing Rollins, and pushing and pushing and pushing him, when they talk about Edge’s HOF career, they won’t talk about Edge but the man who ended him: SETH FREAKIN’ ROLLINS!
Rollins says he had a chance to end Edge 7 years ago when he brought the Authority back, but he hesitated. Fans chant, “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” and Rollins just soaks it up. Rollins says he hesitated then. But when he gets that opportunity again, boot on the back of Edge’s surgically repaired neck… Rollins won’t hesitate to pull the trigger. BANG. HAHAHAHA! Bang bang, pop pop, poof goes Edge, up in smoke! Edge asks if Rollins remembers what he said about not hitting him. “I’m a liar.” Edge DECKS Rollins! Edge rains down rights, Rollins gets up to RAM Edge into a corner, but Edge fires off more hands! Fans are fired up but Rollins hammers Edge down!
Rollins stomps away on Edge, throws off his baby blue jacket, then runs in, only to get an EDGE-O-CUTION!! Fans fire up as Rollins flounders up and around. Edge aims, and Rollins bails out before the Spear can hit! Fans boo but Edge grabs the jacket to pull at it. Will the Rated R Superstar make sure Rollins never even gets close to pulling that trigger?
Toni Storm VS Zelina Vega!
It was #ToniTime in NXT UK, and #ToniTime2 for a moment in NXT. But now #ToniTime3 could get started right here tonight in The Land! Will La Muneca make sure the Lighting From Down Under doesn’t strike?
The bell rings and the two tie right up. Vega headlocks, Toni powers out but Vega kicks her. Toni kicks but Vega blocks and gets around, but Toni BOOTS her down! Fans fire up as Toni runs in to SLIDING CLOTHESLINE at the ropes! Vega bails out, Toni pursues, but Vega throws her into the desk! Vega puts Toni in, stomps a mudhole into her, then soaks up the heat. Vega runs in to KICK Toni down, then runs again to KNEE her down! Cover, TWO! Toni is tougher than that but Vega keeps going. Toni blocks the tilt-o-whirl and HEADBUTTS her down! Vega gets to a corner, Toni to the other. Fans rally up for Toni as she gets up and runs corner to corner, HIP ATTACK!
Toni drags Vega up to GERMAN SUPLEX, bridging cover, TWO!! Vega survives but Toni gets her back up to underhook! Vega wrenches out, kicks the leg and hops on, CODE RED! Cover, TWO!! Vega can’t believe Toni survives but she stomps and kicks Toni at the ropes. The ref counts, Vega lets off, but Toni fireman’s carries! Vega slips out, Toni switches, Vega switches back. The belt comes off as Vega ripcords Toni! Toni hits the RUBY CUTTER!! Cover, Toni wins!
Winner: Toni Storm, by pinfall
The #Storm1 helps Toni get win number one! But will this just be one of many now that SmackDown is on #ToniTime?
Jimmy Uso VS Jey Uso VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Rey Mysterio!
The Bloodline is golden, but that doesn’t mean this is over between them and the Mysterios! Will Jimmy be #NobodysBitch and show Rey’s baby boy isn’t ready for the Uso Penitentiary?
SmackDown returns as father and son make their entrance. The bell rings and Dom fires off on Jimmy! Dom has Jimmy in a corner, the ref has him let off, and Jimmy headlocks. Dom powers out, Jimmy runs him over. Jimmy seethes, things speed up, but Dom hurdles and hip tosses Jimmy down! Dom dropkicks Jimmy, throws haymakers, then knuckle locks and CHOPS! Dom goes up and up but Jimmy trips him up! Jimmy mule kicks Dom down, then whips him corner to corner. Dom hits off buckles, falls back, and Jimmy hurries to cover, TWO! Jimmy keeps on Dom and pushes him to the ropes. Jimmy chokes Dom but the ref counts and Jimmy lets off.
Fans rally and duel, Jimmy gets Dom up but Dom throws haymakers! Jimmy kicks, Dom blocks but Jimmy DRAGON WHIPS! Cover, TWO! Rey rallies for Dom but Jimmy grins at him. Jimmy gets Dom up, wraps on a chinlock and grinds Dom down. Fans rally as Dom fights up and throws body shots. Jimmy shoves Dom, Dom kicks and wheelbarrows to throw Jimmy onto ropes! Dom dials it up, but Jey helps Jimmy get away! Fans boo but the Usos start leaving. Rey LEAPS and seated sentons Jey! Dom goes up and out and PLANCHAS Jimmy! The fans fire up with the Mysterio Family as SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns again and Jimmy whips but Dom dodges to NECKBREAKER! Jimmy goes to a corner, Dom runs in but is put on the apron. Dom hotshots Jimmy back! Dom gets up, and slingshot sentons! Fans fire up as Dom watches Jimmy stand. Dom kicks, reels Jimmy in and shouts out to Eddie! Uno Amigo! Roll, DOS- Nope! Jimmy wrenches and ENZIGURIS! Fans boo as Jimmy mocks Latino Heat. Jimmy runs in but Dom chop blocks him into ropes! Dom dials it up and hits 619! Dom hurries up top, but Jey distracts! Rey trips Jey, Dom leaps, into a SUPERKICK! Jimmy covers, TWO!! Dom survives and Jimmy can’t believe it!
Jey CLOBBERS Rey, Jimmy gets Dom up. Jimmy fireman’s carries but Dom slips off to O’Conner Roll, TWO! Dom WRECKS Jey with a dropkick, ROCKS Jey with a forearm, slingshots in but Jimmy blocks the arm-drag to haul Dom up! Fireman’s carry but Dom sunset flips! But Jimmy sits, and Jey uses the same trick as MITB!! Jimmy wins!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
The SmackDown Tag Team Champions find the same cheat that won them the titles! And now, Roman Reigns makes his way out! The Usos stand at attention as the Head of the Table walks on stage. Roman is handed his title from Heyman, and the Bloodline raises all their belts for the pyro! Roman will respond to John Cena’s challenge, after the break.
SmackDown returns, and Roman is in the ring.
Heyman hands him the Universal Championship belt back to raise it again for the second round of pyro. Heyman then fetches a mic and hands it to Roman. Fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but Roman ignores that. “Cleveland, acknowledge me.” They don’t seem to. But Roman tells us sitting at home to acknowledge him. “You might as well. Everybody’s acknowledging me. As a matter of fact, John Cena has acknowledged me.” Cena acknowledge Roman at MITB, and on Raw, and here tonight. And to be honest, Roman wanted to acknowledge John back. He did. He really, really did. But “Hollywood fooled me!
“They put a whole new paint job on John! I thought we were gonna get something new, I thought we were gonna get something special. But what happened at Money in the Bank?” Cena came out putting on a nostalgia act! It’s the same thing! The same music, same entrance, same run to the ring, same outfit, same promo, same insults! If Roman wanted all that, all he had to look online for 2005 Cena! It’s the same thing over and over, like missionary position every single night! The Tribal Chief, the Head of the Table, he ain’t interested in that. He isn’t inspired by that! So yeah, John, you’re right. Roman can’t see you, and he doesn’t WANT to see Cena!
So guess where we’re not seeing Cena? The main event of SummerSlam. Because the answer to Cena’s challenge is no. Fans boo but Heyman holds up the title, and BALOR comes out!? The Prince walks right to the ring and Roman says that Heyman told him that Balor is here “to follow suit, to do as John Cena does, and acknowledge me.” Balor smirks, and says, “I’m not here to acknowledge you. But if you’re not interested in John Cena’s challenge, maybe you’re interested in mine.” Fans like the sound of that! Roman laughs until he hears the “Let’s Go Balor!” and “YES! YES! YES!” chants. Roman and Heyman talk it over quickly while fans chant, “Roman’s Scared~!”
Roman gets mad hearing those chants, and says, “You think I’m afraid of him?!” Roman takes a moment, and says, “Challenge accepted.” WHOOOOA~! The Tribal Chief is going to take on The Prince for the first time in a long time, and it’ll be in Vegas! Will the current Universal Champion make the original Universal Champion acknowledge him?
My Thoughts:
Another great episode of SmackDown, but I feel I was a little justified in thinking a dual location was yet again a mistake. While Dawkins VS Gable was a good match, and Bianca VS Mella was pretty good, it was all wasted on a crowd that mostly didn’t care. They were at a music festival, they wanted music, not wrestling. This all seemed like WWE desperately trying to branch out to the mainstream but once again going about it all wrong. For that matter, I’m a bit torn on what we just saw at the end there. On one hand, I am so excited that Balor is going to be fighting for the Universal Championship at the PPV he originally won it.
On the other, Roman VS Cena seemed like the match that the mainstream fans would’ve come around for. But I would love if Balor suddenly became the guy that beat the Tribal Chief. Or at the very least, he and Roman should battle so hard that it leaves Roman open to a cash-in by Big E, even though Big E going to Raw would fully reunite the New Day and many fans would like that. Speaking of, there originally was meant to be Big E VS Apollo but seems that changed so that there could be a lot of teasing of great Intercontinental Championship match-ups. I feel like if Otis wasn’t sent to Rolling Loud to simply watch Gable lose, Otis would’ve been in on this, too. Maybe SummerSlam gives us something epic for this title now that fans are back to react to everything.
Balor VS Sami was a great opener, and it’s great that WWE didn’t waste time with a promo or anything. Fans who saw last week understand immediately that these two would face off. Fans who perhaps missed it and just didn’t go looking things up don’t even need a reason to see Balor VS Sami cuz it’s just good stuff! I liked what we got out of Kevin and Corbin backstage, with Kevin poking tiny holes in kayfabe to make the resulting kayfabe even goofier. Corbin is running out of matching shirts cuz of the stains on them, and then he gets Nerf’d to the nuts. I questioned Tegan suddenly jumping into “I’m a tank engineer,” but at least we got a nut shot. Also, the Dirty Dawgs being bigger jerks to the big jerk, I feel like WWE really is trying to Face turn Corbin, but I doubt it’ll really work.
We got a great segment out of Edge and Rollins, especially with them making the best out of the honestly controversial moment they’re talking about from 2013. Rollins trying to kayfabe cripple Edge is now going to kayfabe bite him in the ass, but there is a chance Rollins gets the win in the end. Maybe just straight up cheating and then he has Edge in the same position as 8 years ago, but Edge gets him with a Spear and stands tall, even in losing the match. Then we were obviously going to see Toni Storm win, and by default, that loss goes to Vega. Liv is strong with the fans, Toni can’t pin the tag champs while they’ve got contenders coming for them, and there’s just no one else on SmackDown right now. Toni is Face right now but I was really digging her Heel persona, maybe she switches quick so she can challenge Bianca for the title at SummerSlam or something.
My Score: 8.6/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
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